This story started not in the sections but rather very close to it. A
couple of miles away from the vessel-factories, which are softly termed
as sections there is a whole island built up of connected boats and
yatches. Most of us live on land but the lesser fortunate once live in
these boat colonies.
On one of these boats, was a famous spot for lunches. It is here where I have been waiting since last one hour for the inspector from the Journalist Support Desk. For some very important reason unknown to me, it was a purely contract division. Somebody, probably, as stupid as me. Although this stupid person, right now was like a god to me, he held the strings of life.
Since last one hour I had been watching the two envelops I had placed in front of me. One of them contained an article written by me. He was scheduled to help me with this article. In official language, it was a courtesy visit to proof read my work and suggests improvements. But it was publicly known, JuStD inspectors were more then that. They were judges; he was coming to decide- what is to be done with me. Any mistake and this would be the last when someone would hear of me.
The second one contained one thousand Dounles in cash. With extensive research, I had been informed by the underground that this much would be enough to convince the inspector of my innocence. I had to act as if I was here to get the article cleared and he was to act as here to scrutinize the real intention behind the article. If we played our roles properly, he would accept the gift and OK me as a law abiding citizen.
Getting these thousand Dounles had been an expensive affair. Considering that I neither am a writer nor a rich man. The piece of electronics in envelop was just a piece of shit that I had to give my best to write.
Three weeks earlier, I was a happier man, as much happy as all the middle class people in our world are.
Our house, though still on mortgage, is a lovely house. One of the hundreds of row houses on 31st Blair Street, somewhere in Mega land, it is one of the most beautifully crafted houses. The insides painted with fancy colors and decorated with the best Teflon furniture that we could afford. My girlfriend Irene and I had decorated our small house as if it were a fairy land. Our daughter Maggi, now eight, is among the most beautiful creation of god.
This small row house was our kingdom of happiness. If it wasn't for Irene, I don't think I would ever have settled. My meager income, as the company mechanic, with my small town attitude was a hard match for this super city. But she shared it all with me. The heavy mortgage, boat loan, insurance, government protection charges, corporate protection charges, default repayment fund, emergency evacuation fee, employment tax, the anchoring tax, all of them made living in this super city difficult. But Maggi was all more important to us.
The evening had been rather gloomy; the UV protection shields had been raised, leaving us at the mercy of Virtual Light System. Out the window, everything became dark every half an hour and stayed that way for exact twelve minutes. Irene was sobbing out loud. I had been trying hard to calm her down. But I guess the bear were not helping. I had nothing to console with.
In the afternoon, our third petition to the Department of Marriage & Personal relations had been rejected. I had spent four hours trying to convince the judge that we won't attempt a child, that we were happy with Maggi, that our not being married is affecting our job profiles, led us nowhere.
The judge was as stringent as all the previous ones, "Mr. Meyers, I am still not convinced with your argument. Please do not waste more time of this court. I will not license this marriage, which is bisexual in nature, on basis of such weak arguments. Had you come to us with a same sex partner, I myself would have assured a license within six months. This horrendous act is just not happening. That's it."
I tried hard to convince Irene, "Don't worry love, we will file another appeal, these hippocrates will have to agree".
"With Maggi’s citizenship exam approaching? How do you plan to raise the money? Tell me how?"
This was the first time we were having, such a serious fight. We had fought before, when Maggi came in our life, when I had decided to more to Mega land, when I tried to stop Irene from late night work. But each time, we were confident of our bond.
It was during this time, I guess, when Maggi picked up my eye plates and asked for the password. It wasn't until the next week, that is two weeks earlier that I realized the horrifying gravity of my stupidity when I was called to John's cabin. A short man with shoulders as wide as a rhino was waiting for me.
"Please sit down Mr. Meyers. Would you like a cup of coffee".
"I got to return to the shop floor. I got a robot malfunction to attend to", I was sure John is going drop the hell on me if I did not get that bot moving, "Thanks for the coffee! But I got to go"
"Mr. Meyers, I work with Department of Safety, Freedom & Protection" I am here to talk with you, would you, please, share a cup of coffee with me. I insist."
He was at least five inches shorter then me, but surely was bulkier. Everybody knew what DeSafP was, the welfare people, they took care of everything, childcare, schools, traffic, boats, and taxes. But this guy was different, his harsh tone, the uncustomary black suit, black glasses. You don't say no to them. Best thing to do was what I did, took a seat, "What I can do for you, have I got a sailing ticket?"
"Oh! No not at all. Nothing big, just wanted to share this piece of paper with you" I took it with the pad. Something, in the way he gripped the pad made me nervous. It was a two page letter with an official logo over it. Most of it was jargon but the highlighter marks were bold enough to chill me down.
In a line, very close to the bottom. The word "political" was highlighted and in front of it number '100' was written. The same was encircled with red ink. Very near to the top, I had read my name. The letter was trouble.
"What is this?"
"That is what I am here to ask you, Mr. Meyers?” He looked directly at me; I could feel the depth of the blank glasses engulfing me. Outside the temperature was hundred and eight degree but I was sweating. Best was to keep quiet.
While silence kept on engulfing the room, he kept sipping on his coffee. "It's from an article that I am writing."
"I thought you were a mechanic?"
"I am but I am trying to write a letter to the newspaper, to express me views."
"Tell me more about it?"
"It's about the troubles I am facing in getting the marriage license."
"you are talking about your girl friend Irene Saffons?" and then I was babbling our whole story.
"Still hundred times in one article, isn’t it too much for a single article?" He was still busy with his cup of coffee.
They could be from the drafts which I haven't deleted. I know am allowed to write. I want to bring the whole issue of bisexual marriage brought to attention. You see, I really want to marry here.
All the while I was talking, I realized, he was getting uneasy, very soon he was leaning on the coffee machine.
"Off course you are allowed to express. And we are your friends are happy that a common person like you wishes to express his views. Although, I personally think, you are attempting lunacy. "
"off-course you can write", he turned and looked straight at me, "If I am not mistaking, you do will have to get the final draft approval from JuStD?"
Yes, I would, but the article is in writing.
"Fair enough, tell you what, I will do you a favor and send somebody from JuStD to meet you. Isn't that good"
Yes, it could, but the article is still in writing.
"Well, then better finish it in one week" His smile was scouring.
"Now you can return to your work, my friend" As I was about to leave, "One more thing, Mr. Meyers, the order in my hands, requests you to keep all your equipments on- online status from now on".
Why?
"Let's just say that you caught my eyes" His wryly smiled.
By the time, I had climbed down the steps, I was visibly shaking. My knees were weak. I decided to leave my boat in parking and took a cab, "31 Blair street, please."
By the time, I had reached to my house, I was sure that I was going to have a heart attack. Yet, Somehow, I managed to reach the study, I could not understand, why was I still alive.
As soon as I could confirm that the doors were locked. I took out my computer and launched HopHazard, courtesy of a long forgotten friend; it could pinpoint recently accessed files.
"How am I still alive?" the answer was right in front of me. The extensive search took only a blink to complete.
Screen displayed only two document files Alisa4 and MaggiM.
It was unbelievable. I still had last of my few off line minutes left. I ran another search to find the word 'political' in it. the computer was just about to go through zillions of bites on my computer. Took nearly fifteen minutes, I looked at the screen with wide eyes. The return again was only two files - Alisa4, MaggiM. I tried opening them but could not. It was a wise decision to leave them there.
I spent next 30 minutes searching all the data storage devices manually, but could not find anything. Something did not fit in. but It was comfortable. "They don't have anything on me, it was just a fluke" The picture of me sitting alone in a metal cell covered with water on all sides diminished from my eyes. And I could feel the warmth of Maggi and Irene close to me.
But still the article would have to be written. I had two weeks.
On my way out to the couch, Maggi caught me from behind, "Pop, you OK! Why so worried?"
Her touch made me forget all my troubles. I took her in my arms and said "well! Pops had to write a story about momma and him"
Wow! Would I be there?
Of course! my little darling. How can there be a story without Maggi.
Although I was feeling better but I knew that it still was no time to calm down. I had no idea how the two files came to my computer but neither did I have any time. JuStD inspectors were no joke. They still were government.
The slightest thought of loosing Irene or Maggi shivered me to hell. There was no me without them. She was all I existed for, lived for.
"I don't think you do much of writing? Do you Mr. Meyers?", it was more of a statement then a question.
Yeah?
"I am saying this piece ain't worth a thing".
"No, but yes, yes, but it is a very important. You got to understand. We love each other and we love our daughter more then anything. You can not separate us. "
No body is separating you. Don’t you both live together?
Yes, but we aren't married yet!
Marriage or no marriage, no body is stopping you from living together. That should be enough for you.
But we don't get spouse benefits.
If you want spouse benefits, find a guy for yourself.
Look this is a legal matter and takes my advice stay from this newspaper business.
But!
"But or nothing! How could you be so unpatriotic? I am going to make a note of your behavior" His hands were getting restless. His hands were crushing more crumbs then what went to his mouth.
It was time for me to slide envelop towards him. He slowly took it under his hat, checked the cash and put it in his bag. Then he pushed a few buttons on his hand top & returned my chip to me.
"Here, this is all OK for publishing that is if someone would want to publish it" he was smiling wryly. I watched him get up and disappear out the door.
My sandwiches were still there in the plate, untouched. But the coffee mug was empty. Best I could was to call for another.
......end
On one of these boats, was a famous spot for lunches. It is here where I have been waiting since last one hour for the inspector from the Journalist Support Desk. For some very important reason unknown to me, it was a purely contract division. Somebody, probably, as stupid as me. Although this stupid person, right now was like a god to me, he held the strings of life.
Since last one hour I had been watching the two envelops I had placed in front of me. One of them contained an article written by me. He was scheduled to help me with this article. In official language, it was a courtesy visit to proof read my work and suggests improvements. But it was publicly known, JuStD inspectors were more then that. They were judges; he was coming to decide- what is to be done with me. Any mistake and this would be the last when someone would hear of me.
The second one contained one thousand Dounles in cash. With extensive research, I had been informed by the underground that this much would be enough to convince the inspector of my innocence. I had to act as if I was here to get the article cleared and he was to act as here to scrutinize the real intention behind the article. If we played our roles properly, he would accept the gift and OK me as a law abiding citizen.
Getting these thousand Dounles had been an expensive affair. Considering that I neither am a writer nor a rich man. The piece of electronics in envelop was just a piece of shit that I had to give my best to write.
Three weeks earlier, I was a happier man, as much happy as all the middle class people in our world are.
Our house, though still on mortgage, is a lovely house. One of the hundreds of row houses on 31st Blair Street, somewhere in Mega land, it is one of the most beautifully crafted houses. The insides painted with fancy colors and decorated with the best Teflon furniture that we could afford. My girlfriend Irene and I had decorated our small house as if it were a fairy land. Our daughter Maggi, now eight, is among the most beautiful creation of god.
This small row house was our kingdom of happiness. If it wasn't for Irene, I don't think I would ever have settled. My meager income, as the company mechanic, with my small town attitude was a hard match for this super city. But she shared it all with me. The heavy mortgage, boat loan, insurance, government protection charges, corporate protection charges, default repayment fund, emergency evacuation fee, employment tax, the anchoring tax, all of them made living in this super city difficult. But Maggi was all more important to us.
The evening had been rather gloomy; the UV protection shields had been raised, leaving us at the mercy of Virtual Light System. Out the window, everything became dark every half an hour and stayed that way for exact twelve minutes. Irene was sobbing out loud. I had been trying hard to calm her down. But I guess the bear were not helping. I had nothing to console with.
In the afternoon, our third petition to the Department of Marriage & Personal relations had been rejected. I had spent four hours trying to convince the judge that we won't attempt a child, that we were happy with Maggi, that our not being married is affecting our job profiles, led us nowhere.
The judge was as stringent as all the previous ones, "Mr. Meyers, I am still not convinced with your argument. Please do not waste more time of this court. I will not license this marriage, which is bisexual in nature, on basis of such weak arguments. Had you come to us with a same sex partner, I myself would have assured a license within six months. This horrendous act is just not happening. That's it."
I tried hard to convince Irene, "Don't worry love, we will file another appeal, these hippocrates will have to agree".
"With Maggi’s citizenship exam approaching? How do you plan to raise the money? Tell me how?"
This was the first time we were having, such a serious fight. We had fought before, when Maggi came in our life, when I had decided to more to Mega land, when I tried to stop Irene from late night work. But each time, we were confident of our bond.
It was during this time, I guess, when Maggi picked up my eye plates and asked for the password. It wasn't until the next week, that is two weeks earlier that I realized the horrifying gravity of my stupidity when I was called to John's cabin. A short man with shoulders as wide as a rhino was waiting for me.
"Please sit down Mr. Meyers. Would you like a cup of coffee".
"I got to return to the shop floor. I got a robot malfunction to attend to", I was sure John is going drop the hell on me if I did not get that bot moving, "Thanks for the coffee! But I got to go"
"Mr. Meyers, I work with Department of Safety, Freedom & Protection" I am here to talk with you, would you, please, share a cup of coffee with me. I insist."
He was at least five inches shorter then me, but surely was bulkier. Everybody knew what DeSafP was, the welfare people, they took care of everything, childcare, schools, traffic, boats, and taxes. But this guy was different, his harsh tone, the uncustomary black suit, black glasses. You don't say no to them. Best thing to do was what I did, took a seat, "What I can do for you, have I got a sailing ticket?"
"Oh! No not at all. Nothing big, just wanted to share this piece of paper with you" I took it with the pad. Something, in the way he gripped the pad made me nervous. It was a two page letter with an official logo over it. Most of it was jargon but the highlighter marks were bold enough to chill me down.
In a line, very close to the bottom. The word "political" was highlighted and in front of it number '100' was written. The same was encircled with red ink. Very near to the top, I had read my name. The letter was trouble.
"What is this?"
"That is what I am here to ask you, Mr. Meyers?” He looked directly at me; I could feel the depth of the blank glasses engulfing me. Outside the temperature was hundred and eight degree but I was sweating. Best was to keep quiet.
While silence kept on engulfing the room, he kept sipping on his coffee. "It's from an article that I am writing."
"I thought you were a mechanic?"
"I am but I am trying to write a letter to the newspaper, to express me views."
"Tell me more about it?"
"It's about the troubles I am facing in getting the marriage license."
"you are talking about your girl friend Irene Saffons?" and then I was babbling our whole story.
"Still hundred times in one article, isn’t it too much for a single article?" He was still busy with his cup of coffee.
They could be from the drafts which I haven't deleted. I know am allowed to write. I want to bring the whole issue of bisexual marriage brought to attention. You see, I really want to marry here.
All the while I was talking, I realized, he was getting uneasy, very soon he was leaning on the coffee machine.
"Off course you are allowed to express. And we are your friends are happy that a common person like you wishes to express his views. Although, I personally think, you are attempting lunacy. "
"off-course you can write", he turned and looked straight at me, "If I am not mistaking, you do will have to get the final draft approval from JuStD?"
Yes, I would, but the article is in writing.
"Fair enough, tell you what, I will do you a favor and send somebody from JuStD to meet you. Isn't that good"
Yes, it could, but the article is still in writing.
"Well, then better finish it in one week" His smile was scouring.
"Now you can return to your work, my friend" As I was about to leave, "One more thing, Mr. Meyers, the order in my hands, requests you to keep all your equipments on- online status from now on".
Why?
"Let's just say that you caught my eyes" His wryly smiled.
By the time, I had climbed down the steps, I was visibly shaking. My knees were weak. I decided to leave my boat in parking and took a cab, "31 Blair street, please."
By the time, I had reached to my house, I was sure that I was going to have a heart attack. Yet, Somehow, I managed to reach the study, I could not understand, why was I still alive.
As soon as I could confirm that the doors were locked. I took out my computer and launched HopHazard, courtesy of a long forgotten friend; it could pinpoint recently accessed files.
"How am I still alive?" the answer was right in front of me. The extensive search took only a blink to complete.
Screen displayed only two document files Alisa4 and MaggiM.
It was unbelievable. I still had last of my few off line minutes left. I ran another search to find the word 'political' in it. the computer was just about to go through zillions of bites on my computer. Took nearly fifteen minutes, I looked at the screen with wide eyes. The return again was only two files - Alisa4, MaggiM. I tried opening them but could not. It was a wise decision to leave them there.
I spent next 30 minutes searching all the data storage devices manually, but could not find anything. Something did not fit in. but It was comfortable. "They don't have anything on me, it was just a fluke" The picture of me sitting alone in a metal cell covered with water on all sides diminished from my eyes. And I could feel the warmth of Maggi and Irene close to me.
But still the article would have to be written. I had two weeks.
On my way out to the couch, Maggi caught me from behind, "Pop, you OK! Why so worried?"
Her touch made me forget all my troubles. I took her in my arms and said "well! Pops had to write a story about momma and him"
Wow! Would I be there?
Of course! my little darling. How can there be a story without Maggi.
Although I was feeling better but I knew that it still was no time to calm down. I had no idea how the two files came to my computer but neither did I have any time. JuStD inspectors were no joke. They still were government.
The slightest thought of loosing Irene or Maggi shivered me to hell. There was no me without them. She was all I existed for, lived for.
"I don't think you do much of writing? Do you Mr. Meyers?", it was more of a statement then a question.
Yeah?
"I am saying this piece ain't worth a thing".
"No, but yes, yes, but it is a very important. You got to understand. We love each other and we love our daughter more then anything. You can not separate us. "
No body is separating you. Don’t you both live together?
Yes, but we aren't married yet!
Marriage or no marriage, no body is stopping you from living together. That should be enough for you.
But we don't get spouse benefits.
If you want spouse benefits, find a guy for yourself.
Look this is a legal matter and takes my advice stay from this newspaper business.
But!
"But or nothing! How could you be so unpatriotic? I am going to make a note of your behavior" His hands were getting restless. His hands were crushing more crumbs then what went to his mouth.
It was time for me to slide envelop towards him. He slowly took it under his hat, checked the cash and put it in his bag. Then he pushed a few buttons on his hand top & returned my chip to me.
"Here, this is all OK for publishing that is if someone would want to publish it" he was smiling wryly. I watched him get up and disappear out the door.
My sandwiches were still there in the plate, untouched. But the coffee mug was empty. Best I could was to call for another.
......end
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