ÿWPCÖ( sn  Û@Üò—4°X°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#>ÓÓ  Ó\}† ÿÿ:z-Bottom of z-Bottom of FormÓ  ÓÔ€ÔÔC€%ä2¼A`ArialTTCÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ€XXXÔÔW€ô\  `*Times New RomanTTWÔÓ  Ó%ä2¼A`ArialTTV}† ÿÿ:z-Top of Forz-Top of FormÓ  ÓÔ€ÔÔC€%ä2¼A`ArialTTCÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ€XXXÔÔW€ô\  `*Times New RomanTTWÔÓ  Ó<~†ÿÿ.SampleSampleÔ€XXXÔÔO€<þ6X9`("Courier NewTTOÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ€XXXÔÔW€ô\  `*Times New RomanTTWÔ<ÿÿ.StrongStrongÔ  ÔÔ  Ôò òó óÔ  ÔÔ  ÔL~†ÿÿ6TypewriterTypewriterÔ€ôôôÔÔO€<þ6X9`("Courier NewTTOÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ€XXXÔÔW€ô\  `*Times New RomanTTWÔDÿÿ2VariableVariableÔ  ÔÔ  ÔòòóóÔ  ÔÔ  ÔP##ÿÿ8HTML MarkupHTML MarkupÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ ÿ ÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  Ô@ÿÿ0CommentCommentÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  Ô3|x «ô\  `*Times New RomanTTôôCô\  PŽ6QôPô\  `*Times New RomanTTXXPô\  PŽ6QXPô\  `*Times New RomanTT°°¡ô\  PŽ6Q°Pô\  `*Times New RomanTT„„yô\  PŽ6Q„Pô\  `*Times New RomanTT¼¼^ô\  PŽ6Q¼Pô\  `*Times New RomanTT6ô\  PŽ6QP<þ6X9`("Courier NewTTTTôôdþ6X@ÉDQô@%ä2¼A`ArialTTomanTT;ä2¼P±ŠQP<þ6X9`("Courier NewTTTTXXxþ6X@ÉDQX@(Jy$¡¡Ô€X$XõôÔÔ€X$XXX$ÔÓ  Ó˜Canon i320Žì0((0Žì0êœú0á b÷0ˆ¦ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀÝ ƒ$y!ÝÔ€X$XõôÔÔ€X$XXX$ÔÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ€ôë‹õXX$ÔÓ =jSÓÔ  ÔÔ_ÔOriginally€published€by€No€Media€Kings€and€Four€Walls€Eight€Windows€in€2002,€this€e„book€version€came€out€in€2004.Ð ° ÐThis€work€is€licensed€under€the€Creative€Commons€Attribution„NonCommercial„ShareAlike€License.€To€view€a€copyÏof€this€license,€visit€http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by„nc„sa/1.0/€or€send€a€letter€to€Creative€Commons,€559€NathanÏAbbott€Way,€Stanford,€California€94305,€USA.Ó {Ô¦=jSÓÌà  àÌIf€you€haven't€already,€you€should€swing€by€www.nomediakings.org€ð"ð€more€free€e„books,€ways€to€buy€the€paperÏeditions,€info€about€my€other€projects€and€resources€for€do„it„yourself€publishing€await€you€there.€I€also€love€letters,€soÏfeel€free€to€feedback€at€jim@nomediakings.org.€ÌEveryone€In€SilicoÌby€Jim€MunroeÌWhen€Paul€sat€down€on€the€bench,€the€young€man€moved€over€a€bit€without€looking€at€him.€His€gaze€was€fixed€onÏsomething€in€the€sky.€Ìà  àPaul€crossed€his€arms€and€looked€down€the€tracks.Ìà  àThe€young€man€made€a€quiet€noise.€Paul€looked€at€him,€and€then€followed€the€young€manððs€eyes€up.€All€PaulÏsaw€were€the€gleaming€buildings€of€Friscoððs€business€district,€several€stretching€higher€than€the€eye€could€register.Ìà  à"Yeah,€theyððve€built€them€big€here,"€Paul€said.€"Theyððre€not€just€scraping€the€sky€ð"ð€they€go€up€forever."Ìà  àThe€young€man€looked€at€him€for€the€first€time.€Paulððs€face€was€an€indistinct€blur€of€features,€his€suitÏfashionably€cut.€"Oh..."€the€young€man€said,€looking€up€again.€"No,€I€was€watching€the€ad."€He€pointed€at€the€emptyÏsky.Ìà  àPaul€turned€the€dial€on€his€watch,€and€the€blue€sky€turned€into€a€giant€man€running€through€a€forest€with€a€six„¼pack€of€Pepsi€strapped€to€his€head.€The€buildings€obscured€some€of€the€ad.€The€man€stopped,€pulled€off€a€can,€andÏopened€it.€"Ah,€yes,"€Paul€said.€He€noticed€movement€to€his€left€ð"ð€a€giant€panda€with€a€fedora€was€parachuting€to€theÏground.€Paul€recognized€the€panda€as€the€mascot€for€an€insurance€company.€He€turned€the€knob€on€his€watch€and€bothÏwaving€panda€and€Pepsi€ad€disappeared.€The€young€man€was€looking€at€him.Ìà  à"So€you€guys€still€wear€the€scramblefaces,€even€here,"€the€young€man€said.Ìà  àPaul€shrugged.€"You€get€used€to€it.€Same€as€the€ties."Ìà  àThe€young€man€looked€at€his€own€tie.€"Yeah.€I€never€thought€Iððd€get€used€to€it,"€he€said,€twisting€it€around€likeÏa€noose.€"But€you€do."Ìà  àPaul€laughed,€looked€down€the€tracks.€Far€off€in€the€distance€there€was€a€trolley€car€almost€too€tiny€to€see.Ìà  à"If€you€donððt€mind€me€asking,"€the€young€man€said.Ìà  àPaul€looked€back,€his€face€a€flurry€of€faces,€a€cipher.Ìà  à"Uh,€itððs€none€of€my€business,"€said€the€young€man.€"But..."€he€pointed€to€Paulððs€watch.€"If€youððre€platinum,Ïwhy€are€you€taking€the€trolley€car?"Ìà  à"Oh,"€Paul€laughed.€"I€just€enjoy€it.€Clears€my€head.€Gives€me€time€to€think."Ìà  à"I€see,"€the€young€man€said,€the€blank€look€on€his€face€clearly€communicating€that€he€didnððt.Ìà  àPaul€started€to€look€back€at€the€approaching€trolley€car.Ð º, (7 Ðà  à"Iððm€actually€silver,"€blurted€the€young€man.Ìà  àPaul€looked€back€at€the€young€man,€who€was€smoothing€his€hair€back.Ìà  à"Lot€of€people€assume€Iððm€bronze,€because€I€take€the€trolley€car.€But€itððs€just€that€I€canððt€port.€Thereððs€aÏtechnical€glitch."Ìà  à"Really?"€Paul€said.€"Thatððs€too€bad."€He€got€up.€The€young€man€jumped€up€too.Ìà  à"Yeah,€check€this€out.€Iððm€going€to€try€to€port€home,"€the€young€man€said.€"Watch."Ìà  àThe€young€man€turned€into€a€black€silhouette€of€himself.€Around€the€edges€of€the€silhouette,€light€and€imageÏbent€inwards.€Ìà  à"Wow,"€said€Paul,€stepping€away.€"That€looks€bad."Ìà  àThe€young€man€returned,€his€face€agitated.€"I€know.€It€only€happens€when€I€try€to€port,€though.€Otherwise,€IððmÏfine.€They€say€it€should€clear€up€soon."Ìà  àPaul€nodded.Ìà  àThe€trolley€car€stopped,€and€the€doors€opened.ÌÌIt€was€never€good€to€work€on€an€empty€stomach,€but€Nicky€had€procrastinated€to€the€point€where€there€was€no€otherÏchoice.Ìà  àòòAt€least€Iððm€just€hungry,€not€hungry€and€wet,óó€Nicky€thought€as€she€wandered€down€Commercial€Drive,Ð Ø( Ðwelcoming€the€sun€on€her€face€like€a€long„lost€friend.€The€rainy€season€was€over:€Vancouver€had€finally€shucked€offÏwinterððs€grey€cloak€and€the€strip€of€stores€and€restaurants€seemed€cleaner,€newer,€reflecting€Nickyððs€small€smile€backÏat€her.€Ìà  à"Nicholas!"€said€someone€coming€out€of€the€Safeway.Ìà  à"Hey,€JK,"€Nicky€said,€turning.€"Little€shopping?"Ìà  àJK€lifted€his€bulging€bags€as€he€backed€away.€"Lotta€shopping.€Gotta€go.€Like€the€new€cut.€Looks€like€anÏoctopus€is€sitting€on€your€head."Ìà  àNicky€smiled€and€shook€her€thin€ponytails.€"Why€thanks,€Joseph€Kindertoy."€She€tried€not€to€stare€at€his€bagsÏas€she€waved€goodbye.€Ìà  àIn€the€first€Starbucks€she€saw€she€noticed€some€kids€she€knew,€so€she€waved€and€kept€on€going.€The€StarbucksÏa€block€down€looked€clear,€however,€so€she€held€her€watch€on€the€rusty€plate€until€the€door€buzz„clicked.Ìà  àBreathing€a€silent€relieved€breath€ð"ð€she€hadnððt€been€positive€she€had€enough€for€a€coffee€ð"ð€she€threw€her€stuffÏat€a€table€near€the€window€and€went€up€to€the€counter.€As€the€machine€filled€her€cup,€she€watched€the€people€bustlingÏby.€Spring€was€all€over€their€faces,€as€obvious€and€gleeful€as€strawberry€jam.€Ìà  àNicky€put€sugar€and€two€Milkbuds€into€her€coffee€and€watched€the€door.€Mostly€tourists,€since€the€kids€fromÏthe€Drive€favoured€the€outlet€she€had€passed€by.€The€steam€from€her€cup€curled€around€and€coalesced€briefly€into€theÏStarbucks€logo,€then€dissipated.Ìà  àAn€older€masked€couple€came€in€and€tentatively€looked€around€the€caf.€Nicky€rifled€through€her€watch€forÏsomething€to€read.€She€found€an€article€on€using€EasyCut€for€amphibious€splicing€and€got€her€watch€to€project€it€on€theÏtable€instead€of€her€retina.€After€a€minute,€she€checked€the€couple€out€over€the€rim€of€her€coffee€cup.€They€were€at€theÐ €-Ð(8 Ðcounter,€waiting€for€a€couple€of€boys€to€finish€filling€their€soup„tureen€mugs.€They€were€as€noisy€as€their€clothes.Ìà  àThe€boys€finally€touched€their€watches€to€the€payplate,€bouncing€them€off€it€in€a€perfunctory€way.Ìà  à"Next€time,€ask€him€whereððs€his€body€at!"€the€kid€said€on€his€way€out€the€door,€and€his€red„capped€friendÏexploded€in€a€honk„laugh€that€made€the€masked€man€step€back€briefly,€place€a€hand€to€secure€his€mask,€then€square€hisÏshoulders€and€pretend€he€was€rubbing€his€face.€Ìà  àNicky€strained€to€hear€what€the€man€was€saying€to€the€woman€in€his€quiet€voice,€noticed€that€he€touched€hisÏbare€fingers€to€the€payplate.€Nicky€smiled€inside.€òòLoaded.€óóOnly€the€utterly€destitute€and€the€fabulously€wealthy€didÐ F –  Ðwithout€watches.Ìà  àAfter€casually€pressing€a€black€pellet€onto€the€surface€of€the€table€next€to€her,€Nicky€leaned€away€from€it€andÏabsorbed€herself€in€her€article.€The€woman€stood€for€a€second€with€the€classic€lattes,€holding€them€well€away€from€herÏwhite€smock,€and€surveyed€the€room€before€nodding€the€man€towards€the€table€next€to€Nicky.€òòGood,€óóNicky€thought,Ð T  Ðtapping€a€protein€DNA€graphic€in€her€article€and€pretending€to€watch€it€unravel.Ìà  àThere€was€a€movement€from€her€backpack,€and€Nickyððs€heart€rate€suddenly€spiked.€Moving€her€legs€slowly,Ïshe€placed€one€of€her€feet€on€the€opening€of€the€bag,€then€the€other€one.€She€could€feel€pushing€against€the€side€of€herÏshoe.€òòSettle€down,€you€little€shit,óó€Nicky€thought,€òòyouððre€not€the€only€one€whoððs€hungry.€óóShe€nervously€glanced€at€theÐ Â Ðcouple€as€they€draped€their€coats€over€their€chairs,€but€they€seemed€comfortable.€The€man€even€took€off€his€mask€despiteÏthe€womanððs€disapproving€clucking.€He€had€a€square€jaw€and€full€lips,€which€he€pressed€against€her€ivory€fingers.€SheÏhad€had€her€nails€coated€in€mirror,€and€he€pretended€to€stare€at€himself€in€them.€She€hit€him€and€giggled.Ìà  àNicky,€not€looking€up,€lifted€her€foot.€For€a€second,€nothing,€and€then,€just€as€she€was€considering€kicking€theÏbag,€a€brown€blur.€It€had€crawled€up€the€manððs€leg€and€launched€itself€onto€their€table€before€the€couple€registered€whatÏwas€happening.Ìà  àLuckily€the€womanððs€mask€muffled€her€scream,€because€even€then€it€bored€into€Nickyððs€ears.€Nicky€snatchedÏthe€brown€animal€to€her€chest€and€surreptitiously€slipped€a€black€pellet€into€its€mouth.€"Iððm€sorry,€maððam.€I€donððt€knowÏhow€it€got€out,€my€bag€was€closed..."Ìà  àThe€manððs€mask€was€back€on€his€face,€and€a€halo€was€starting€to€generate€around€the€two€of€them.€NickyÏstroked€the€head€of€the€tiny€pug„faced€little€bulldog€with€a€single€finger€and€murmured€reassurances€to€it.€The€animal,Ïhowever,€was€fully€pacified€by€the€pellet€and€stared€at€the€couple€with€honey„liquid€eyes.Ìà  à"Oh,€what€a€beautiful€little...€creature,"€the€woman€said,€holding€out€her€hand.€"Turn€off€that€silly€thing,€Alex,"Ïshe€said.€Ìà  àThe€halo€disappeared.€"Sorry,"€Alex€said,€to€both€Nicky€and€the€woman.€"Itððs€just..."Ìà  àNicky€looked€down,€kept€petting€the€bulldog.Ìà  à"Itððs€just€òònothingóó.€Heððs€paranoid,"€the€woman€said,€reluctantly€taking€her€eyes€off€the€bulldog€to€look€at€Nicky.Ð r$Â+ Ð"Heððs€been€watching€the€news€too€much.€I€apologize€for€his€rudeness."€She€looked€back€at€the€bulldog.€"Can€I..."Ìà  àNicky€glanced€at€her.€òòGo€on,€beg.óóÐ ¤&ô!. Ðà  à"May€I...€hold€him?"€she€said.Ìà  à"Her,"€Nicky€stated€firmly,€as€if€she€cared.Ìà  àThe€woman€leaned€back,€a€little€beaten.€Nicky€noticed€the€lines€around€her€eyes€and€worried€sheððd€pushed€tooÏhard.€Ìà  à"May€I€hold...€her?"€she€said,€finally.€Nicky€paused€for€effect,€looked€down€at€the€little€critter,€and€then€slowlyÏextended€her€hands.Ð à-0)8 Ðà  à"Oh...€oh,€sheððs€a€frisky...€oh!"€the€woman€said,€her€exclamations€echoing€in€her€mask.€The€little€bulldog€wasÏtrying€to€climb€out€of€her€hand€and€up€her€smock,€its€little€paws€gripping€the€red€cross€design€printed€there.Ìà  à"Heh€heh,€careful€Simone,"€said€Alex,€his€eyes€watching€Simoneððs€rapturous€face€as€much€as€the€little€dog.ÏNicky€noted€the€emotions€washing€over€his€face€and€thought,€not€for€the€first€time,€that€some€couples€might€as€well€haveÐ ¨ø Ðòòchildlessóó€stamped€on€their€foreheads.Ð n¾ Ðà  àThe€dog€was€gnawing€on€her€finger,€and€Simone€was€delighted€by€this.€"Oh,€Alex,€look.€It€thinks€my€fingerÏis€a€bone."Ìà  à"Heh€heh,"€Alex€responded,€looking€at€Nicky€with€an€assessing€eye.€At€this,€Nicky€held€out€her€hand€for€theÏdog,€and€Simone€reluctantly€returned€it.€"So€warm..."Ìà  à"Whereððd€you€get€it?"€Alex€said,€trying€to€sound€conversational,€taking€a€sip€of€his€coffee.Ìà  à"I€made€her,"€Nicky€said.Ìà  à"With€what?"€Alex€said€dubiously.Ìà  à"You€know€those€do„it„yourself€kits?"€Nicky€said.Ìà  àSimone€nodded.€"I€had€one€of€those€when€I€was€a€kid.€Mine€didnððt€work..."Ìà  à"They€never€did,"€Alex€said.€"They€always€turned€out€wrong...€messes."Ìà  à"Yeah,"€Nicky€agreed.€"She€was€my€fourth€try.€I€bonsaied€her.€It€took€the€better€part€of€a€year.€Even€then,€itÏwas€kind€of€a€fluke.€Thatððs€her€name,€actually€ð"ð€Fluky."Ìà  à"Fluky,€oh,€thatððs€cute,"€Simone€murmured.€She€looked€at€Alex.Ìà  àNicky€let€the€dog€chew€on€her€finger,€trying€not€to€lose€her€nerve.€She€thought€about€JKððs€bulging€grocery€bagsÏand€forced€herself€to€smile.€"Yeah...€Iððve€seen€a€bonsaied€tiger€go€for€ten€thousand,€and€it€wasnððt€nearly€as€unique.€ItÏjust€looked€like€a€cat."Ìà  à"Ten€thousand€dollars,€huh?"€Alex€said,€almost€to€himself.€He€glanced€at€Simone.€"I€couldnððt€see€paying€moreÏthan€five..."Ìà  àNicky€frowned€outwardly,€while€a€joyous€melody€of€cash€registers€òòca„ching!óó„ed€in€her€head.Ð ŽÞ% ÐÌBy€the€time€she€got€back€to€her€place,€the€sun€was€dropping€behind€the€mountains.€In€the€dim€light,€she€could€still€makeÏout€that€her€front€door€had€been€flashed€ð"ð€Can€You€Afford€òòNotóó€To€Upgrade?€Go€For€Self!€ð"ð€but€Nicky€ignored€theÐ ,#|* Ðgiant€block€letters€and€let€herself€in.€She€had€to€swipe€her€watch€twice€before€it€snicked€open.€òòCheap€piece€of€shit.óóÐ ò#B+ Ðà  àShe€went€into€the€kitchen€and€put€away€her€groceries,€stuffing€the€empty€bags€into€a€space€between€the€counterÏand€the€wall,€and€remembered€she€had€muted€her€watch€when€she€went€into€Starbucks.€She€checked€her€messages.€OneÏwas€from€her€mom,€inducing€the€familiar€twinge€of€mom„guilt.€The€rest€was€spam€that€her€filters€didnððt€catch,€one€ofÏthem€advertising€the€next€generation€of€spam€filters.Ìà  àShe€stopped€for€a€second€and€debated€whether€or€not€she€should€call€her€mom€back€now.€She€decided€sheÏdidnððt€want€it€hanging€over€her€head€when€she€was€in€the€lab€and€knew€that€the€longer€she€waited€the€greater€the€chanceÏher€mom€would€go€snooping€around.€Sheððd€know€she€was€home.€Sheððd€know€Nicky€got€the€message.€She€kept€meaningÏto€disable€her€momððs€ability€to€track€her€watchððs€position,€but€she€knew€that€would€mean€a€shitstorm€of€drama.€If€sheÏneeded€to€be€untraceable,€she€could€always€take€it€off€and€leave€it€at€home,€as€high€school€a€manoeuvre€as€that€was.Ìà  àShe€stood€in€her€kitchen,€paralyzed€by€indecision.€She€looked€at€the€groceries,€unappealing€since€she€had€eatenÐ  -ð(8 Ðalmost€a€whole€packet€of€Sandwich€Fixinððs€on€the€way€home.€She€watched€a€fly€loop€around€and€land€on€her€garbageÏlid.€She€checked€it€ð"ð€three„quarters€full.€òòWell,€if€itððs€attracting€flies€I€better€get€rid€of€itð8ðóóÐ vÆ Ðà  àShe€tied€it€up€and€lifted€it€out€of€the€can,€watching€for€a€second€to€see€if€there€were€any€drippings.€As€she€leftÏher€house€she€realized€that€the€depot€closed€in€15€minutes,€so€she€picked€up€her€pace,€walking€the€plank€to€the€sidewalkÏand€step„swinging€the€bag.€The€setting€sun€stretched€her€shadow€out,€making€her€look€like€a€lurching€zombie€comingÏout€to€feed.Ìà  àShe€admired€a€grand€old€house€done€up€in€canary€yellow.€It€was€similar€to€her€own€ð"ð€at€least€a€hundred€yearsÏold,€a€walkway€stretching€out€to€the€sidewalk€to€compensate€for€the€fact€that€it€was€built€on€a€slope.€Nicky€loved€theÏstyle;€it€made€her€feel€like€she€was€living€aboard€a€pirate€ship.€òòToo€bad€the€False€Creek€flood€hadnððt€happened€hereóó,Ð , |  ÐNicky€thought€sacrilegiously,€òòIððm€sure€these€things€are€seaworthyóó.€Ð ò B  Ðà  àShe€got€to€the€depot€and€went€right€up€to€the€scale€and€plopped€the€bag€down€on€the€belt.€It€came€to€$8.343,Ïso€she€held€her€watch€up€to€the€payplate€ððtil€it€dinged€and€the€belt€started€up.Ìà  à"Mmm,€thanks!"€The€voice€echoed€in€the€empty€depot€as€the€stained€belt€moved€the€bag€towards€its€black€maw.ÏShe€headed€for€the€door,€happy€to€leave€the€stinky€and€somehow€creepy€place.€The€recorded€voice€sounded€hungrierÏthan€it€had€when€there€were€even€a€few€people€lined€up€in€there.€She€waited€unconsciously€for€the€"That€was€delicious!"Ïrecording€to€play€as€she€pushed€the€door€open.Ìà  àInstead€she€got,€"Pee„yoo!€Donððt€you€wish€you€could€have€just€said,€Empty€Garbage?"€followed€Nicky€out€onÏto€the€street.€The€"Go€for€Self!"€tagline€was€cut€off€by€the€closing€door.Ìà  àShe€smelled€her€hands€(fine)€and€glanced€back€at€the€green€garbage€can€icon€glowing€in€the€half„light.€As€sheÏheaded€home€through€the€empty€streets,€she€felt€a€little€lonely.€Since€she€had€moved€here,€most€of€the€kids€her€age€whoÏhadnððt€left€Vancouver€had€moved€to€apartments€around€Commercial€Drive.€But€Nicky€felt€that€moving€to€the€Drive,€stillÏbusy€with€people,€would€be€kind€of€living€in€denial.€Plus,€there€was€no€way€she€could€afford€as€much€space€there.Ìà  àShe€heard€squeaking€when€she€got€in€and€remembered€she€hadnððt€fed€the€flukes.€Nicky€walked€into€her€livingÏroom€and€looked€in€the€fluke€cage.€Two€of€them€were€sleeping,€but€the€other€one€was€doing€his€best€to€wake€them€up.Ìà  à"How„are„you„my„little„meal„tickets?"€Nicky€said€in€her€best€imitation€of€Simoneððs€baby„voice,€reaching€intoÏthe€bag€of€Critter€Kibble.€She€fed€the€one€that€was€running€around,€panting€with€his€big€eyes€glazed€over,€and€the€otherÏtwo€blinked€awake.€"Oh€yeah,€òònowóó€youððre€awake.€Where€were€you€when€I€was€taking€in€the€groceries?"€The€flukesÐ üL" Ðlooked€at€her€and€started€to€whine.Ìà  àShe€chucked€the€other€two€pellets€in€the€cage€and€rolled€up€the€food€bag.€Checking€the€time,€she€decided€toÏget€something€done€before€JK€arrived,€so€she€headed€up€to€the€third€floor.Ìà  àShe€caught€a€glimpse€of€her€new€haircut€in€a€mirror.€òòDo€I€look€like€an€idiot€with€this€hair?óó€she€wondered.òò€óóSheÐ `"°( Ðhad€had€a€shoulder„length€ragged€cut€for€ages,€and€she€needed€a€change€ð"ð€but€she€half€suspected€sheððd€done€it€toÏdramatically€mark€the€end€of€her€relationship.€òòKathy€would€have€hated€itóó,€she€thought€giddily.Ð ì#<* Ðà  àOn€the€top€floor€stairwell,€she€stepped€up€on€the€wooden€chair,€pushed€open€the€hatch€and€pulled€down€theÏwell„oiled€ladder€that€led€up€to€her€laboratory.Ìà  àThe€lights€came€on€gradually€as€she€stamped€down€the€hatch.€She€looked€up€with€some€regret€at€the€coveredÏskylight€and€window,€even€though€it€would€have€been€pitch€black€outside€by€now.€She€remembered€being€excited€byÏthe€skylight€when€she€had€first€found€the€house,€figuring€it€was€perfect€for€a€bedroom.€But€Kathy€complained€of€havingÏto€climb€down€in€the€middle€of€the€night€to€go€to€the€washroom€ð"ð€it€was€a€pain,€but€still,€it€would€have€been€so€coolÏto€wake€up€to€the€sun€ð"ð€and€so€the€lab€ended€up€here€instead.€When€Kathy€ended€up€moving€to€Frisco,€Nicky€couldnððtÏbe€bothered€moving€all€the€lab€equipment€out.€What€had€started€out€as€a€small€operation€with€an€EasyBake€and€a€shakyÏtable€had€expanded€into€quite€a€bit€of€stuff.Ìà  àWedged€against€the€slanted€roof€was€a€long€silver€counter€with€tons€of€beakers€and€vials€and€other€antiquesÐ š-ê(7 Ðthat€Nicky€had€a€soft€spot€for.€Her€computer€setup€was€also€outdated,€but€stable€ð"ð€like€the€rest€of€the€equipment,€sheÏhad€scooped€it€up€when€the€genetics€department€was€phased€out.Ìà  àShe€called€up€her€active€in€silico€experiments€ð"ð€two€had€been€birthed€alive.€One€was€a€three„headed€fluke€sheÏhad€called€Cerberus,€and€the€other€had€a€single€eye€in€the€middle€of€its€forehead.€She€focused€in€on€the€Cyclops€flukeÏfirst,€noting€with€satisfaction€that€it€was€blinking€normally€ð"ð€the€last€version€had€been€birthed€with€a€messed„up€eyelid.ÏShe€called€up€the€Cerberus€fluke.€It€wasnððt€doing€as€well,€only€one€of€the€three€heads€breathing€normally.Ìà  àShe€zoomed€in€on€the€organs€and€got€the€computer€to€diagnose.€The€heart€glowed€red,€125%€the€normal€rate.ÏThe€lungs€were€within€normal€parameters€this€time,€although€still€a€little€off.€Nicky€sighed.€òòMaybe€three€heads€óóarenððtÐ f ¶  Ðòòbetter€than€one...Ð , |  Ðà  àóóShe€went€back€to€the€Cyclops€and€introduced€different€stimuli.€The€model€fluke€barked€happily€when€it€wasÐ ˜ è  Ðintroduced€to€food€pellets,€sexual€partners,€and€petting.€It€looked€good€to€Nicky,€so€she€decompiled€the€dog€into€itsÏspawning€ingredients.€To€free€up€some€memory,€she€went€back€to€the€sick€puppy€and€deleted€it.€The€computer,€as€itÏalways€did€when€deleting,€made€a€tinny€scream.€It€was€just€a€morbid€thing€the€EasyCut€programmer€put€in,€but€it€alwaysÏreminded€Nicky€of€the€first€time€she€heard€it.Ìà  àIt€had€been€in€the€first€week€of€classes,€when€they€were€all€getting€trained€on€the€equipment.€Her€professor,Ïa€tiny€outspoken€Asian€woman,€was€showing€them€how€the€in€silico€programs€were€used.Ìà  à"Now€when€I€was€a€little€girl,€we€were€still€dealing€directly€with€the€meat.€None€of€this€computer€simulationÏcrap.€Weððd€use€in€vitro€fertilization,€being€very€very€careful.€But€things€still€went€wrong.€And€when€it€did,€youððd€haveÏto€take€the€sick€little€creature€and€terminate€it."€She€deleted€the€current€experiment€and€the€computer€screamed.€SheÏsmiled€as€the€small€crowd€of€students€jolted€back.€"Newbies,"€she€mocked.€As€Cho€pushed€by€them€to€the€next€pieceÏof€equipment,€Nicky€noticed€her€earlobes€kicking.Ìà  àNicky€remembered€being€more€surprised€by€Professor€Choððs€highly€modified€earlobes€than€she€was€at€theÏscream.€Sheððd€never€seen€club€kickers€in€real€life€ð"ð€the€early€body€modification€that€pulsed€with€sound€had€beenÏunfashionable€for€more€than€20€years.€After€she€got€over€the€shock,€Nicky€decided€it€was€gutsy€ð"ð€still€later,€she€thoughtÏit€hinted€at€why€Cho€stayed€in€genetics€when€it€had€ceased€being€scientifically€relevant.€She€just€didnððt€care€what€peopleÏthought.Ìà  àAt€the€end€of€Nickyððs€second€year€her€department€was€shut€down,€and€Nicky€had€made€an€appointment€to€seeÏCho€supposedly€for€direction€on€which€stream€to€take€now.Ìà  àCho€had€been€working€on€an€in€silico€experiment€of€a€tri„lunged€horse€when€she€came€in.€She€had€waved€NickyÏinto€a€chair€and€made€a€few€more€adjustments€before€closing€the€horse.€When€it€blinked€out,€Cho€leaned€back€in€herÏchair€and€tilted€her€head.Ìà  à"Iððm€kind€of€surprised€to€see€you€here,"€Cho€had€said.Ìà  àNicky€just€looked€at€the€professorððs€small€smile,€trying€not€to€stare€at€her€dancing€earlobes.Ìà  à"You€struck€me€more€as€someone€who€knew€what€she€wanted€to€do,"€Cho€continued.€"While€the€people€whoððveÏbeen€in€this€office€lately€are€a€mess.€But€thisððs€been€coming€for€a€long€time.€There€havenððt€been€any€jobs€in€genetics€forÏa€decade...€except€teaching€jobs.€Weððre€lucky€the€school€is€allowing€students€to€transfer€some€of€their€credits.€When€theÏarts€were€phased€out,€they€didnððt€even€get€that."Ìà  àNicky€wondered€at€the€profððs€defensiveness.€Was€it€because€sheððd€been€dealing€with€angry€students€all€week,Ïor€was€it€the€knee„jerk€reaction€of€the€professional€know„it„all?€She€decided€to€cut€to€the€chase.€"Whatððs€going€to€happenÏto€the€lab€equipment?"Ìà  àCho€looked€like€she€hadnððt€considered€it.€"Itððs€too€outdated€to€be€of€use€to€any€other€department,"€she€thoughtÏout€loud.€"Theyððll€junk€it,€I€suppose."Ð Ô,$(6 Ðà  àKeeping€her€face€neutral,€Nicky€said,€"Iððve€got€a€couple€of€experiments€Iððd€like€to€finish,€and€I€donððt€haveÏaccess€to€anything€like€that."Ìà  àCho€nodded,€her€eyes€suddenly€hard.€She€touched€the€bridge€of€her€nose.€"Hmm.€Yes,€well...€Iððd€be€puttingÏmyself€at€risk€if€anything€unorthodox€was€to€happen€to€them..."Ìà  àNicky€was€suddenly€very€glad€that€she€hadnððt€ever€talked€to€Cho€about€personal€matters.€"I€looked€at€the€pricesÏfor€them€used,€and€theyððre€way€too€much.€Iððm€going€to€have€to€move€out€of€my€place€as€it€is."Ìà  à"My€situation€isnððt€very€good€either,"€Cho€said€with€discomfort.€"Your€parents?"Ìà  à"Theyððve€cut€me€off,"€Nicky€said,€preferring€not€to€elaborate.Ìà  àSomething€in€Cho€deflated.€"Yeah,€me€too.€Thereððre€no€jobs€in€a€digital€world€for€us€dirty€meat„workers,"€sheÏmurmured.€"Information€Architecture,€young€lady,€thatððs€what€I€suggest."Ìà  à"Yeah,"€Nicky€said,€trying€to€keep€her€voice€respectful.€"Thatððs€what€my€mom€said."Ìà  àA€few€weeks€later,€Nicky€had€a€fully€functional€lab€in€her€attic.€A€little€slow,€but€it€was€a€stable€system€withÏGenome€2035€installed.€The€EasyBake€oven€was€handy€to€have€ð"ð€no€more€having€to€send€out€her€experiments€to€beÏcompiled.€And€if€the€beakers€and€test€tubes€she€had€scored€cluttered€up€the€place€a€little,€they€at€least€gave€her€a€senseÏof€history.Ìà  àNot€just€ancient€history,€either.€They€reminded€her€of€first€year,€working€late€late€late€to€finish€an€experimentÏalongside€other€students.€Someone€would€inevitably€cook€up€something€in€one€of€them€to€break€the€tension€ð"ð€and€thereÏwas€a€lot€of€that,€with€the€stress€of€deadlines,€the€limited€equipment,€and€the€egos.€At€some€point,€for€incentive,€someoneÏwould€come€from€the€chemistry€lab€and€set€a€steaming€beaker€of€something€yummy€and€narcotic€within€everyoneððs€sight.Ìà  àThinking€of€those€long€nights€and€fucked„up€mornings,€Nicky€felt€a€wave€of€nostalgia.€To€fight€how€suddenlyÏalone€she€felt,€she€asked€the€computer€for€some€fast€and€melodic€music.€She€started€a€new€Cerberus€fluke€and€beganÏto€work€on€its€organs,€hiding€everything€except€the€problem€lungs€and€heart.€òòMaybe€I€could€get€a€little€more€room€byÐ Ä Ðgetting€rid€of€the€spleen...óóÐ ŠÚ Ðà  àA€few€hours€later€her€watch€spoke.€"Hey€Nicky,€Iððm€at€the€door."Ìà  à"Oh,€hey€JK.€Down€in€a€second."Ìà  àA€ladder€and€three€flights€of€stairs€later,€she€could€see€his€big€frame€silhouetted€in€the€lace„curtained€windowÏbeside€the€front€door.Ìà  à"Sorry€Iððm€late,"€JK€said€as€he€stepped€in.€He€looked€around€her€place€in€his€characteristic€way,€stooping€andÏpeering€intently€through€his€small€spectacles.Ìà  à"No€biggles,€Iððve€been€chipping€away€in€my€lab."Ìà  à"Man,€youððve€got€a€hall.€I€wish€I€had€a€hall,"€JK€said,€looking€for€a€place€to€hang€his€bike.€Ìà  àNicky€took€it€from€him€and€arched€her€eyebrow€as€she€hung€it€on€a€coat€rack,€saying€"Were€you€in€a€big€hurryÏor€something?"Ìà  àJK€grinned.€"Naw.€I€just€felt€like€riding."Ìà  àNicky€shook€her€head€on€their€way€upstairs.€"Youððre€a€reckless€fool,€JK."Ìà  àHe€shrugged.€"Itððs€not€dangerous€anymore.€Whoððs€going€to€hit€me€now€ð"ð€man,€youððve€got€a€living€room.€IÏwant€a€living€room,"€JK€said€as€they€passed€through€it.Ð Ú,*(7 Ðà  àNicky€couldnððt€resist€showing€off€the€spaciousness€by€spinning,€her€arms€extended.€"Gotta€move€to€Strathcona,Ïson."Ìà  à"Your€hair€looks€great€when€you€spin€like€that,"€JK€said,€laughing.Ìà  àThey€climbed€up€into€the€attic€and,€as€JK€squeezed€his€shoulders€through€the€hole,€Nicky€cleared€out€someÏdishes€from€the€EasyBake.€She€got€an€empty€one€and€handed€it€over€to€him.Ìà  àHe€set€it€down€on€the€silver€counter€and€pried€it€open.€He€took€a€small€metal€box€from€an€inner€pocket€andÏremoved€some€seeds€from€it,€and€while€he€was€painstakingly€placing€them€in€the€containerððs€compartments€NickyÏwondered€why€he€didnððt€just€get€rid€of€the€muscles€when€he€was€constantly€dealing€with€tiny€things.€And€if€he€was€goingÏto€spend€money€on€body€mods,€why€didnððt€he€correct€his€vision€first?€But€watching€him€focus€on€the€task,€Nicky€decidedÏshe€didnððt€want€to€ask.€It€was€more€interesting,€in€a€way,€not€knowing.Ìà  àHe€clicked€the€box€closed€and€passed€it€to€her.€She€put€it€in€the€EasyBake€and€set€it€to€organics€only.€"YouÏdonððt€need€the€box€copied€too,€do€you?"Ìà  àJK€shook€his€head.€"Nope.€I€put€ððem€in€there€so€theyððre€separated€enough.€Last€time€I€did€them€loose,€thereÏwere€a€bunch€that€fused€together."Ìà  à"A€hundred€of€each€enough?"Ìà  àJK€licked€his€lips,€looked€pained.€"Thatððd€be€great,€but€I€donððt€know€how€much€extra€you€have..."Ìà  àNicky€cut€him€off€with€a€raised€hand.€"Sððokay,€I€got€the€machine€pretty€much€fully€loaded.€And€my€projectsÏare€one„of„a„kind€rather€than€mass€produced,€so€I€donððt€need€that€much."€She€set€the€machine€to€working.€Ìà  à"The€job€will€take€about€eight€minutes,"€the€EasyBake€said.€"And€it€will€use€under€1%€of€remaining€toner."Ìà  à"See?"€Nicky€said.€"Iððm€going€to€get€a€cup€of€tea.€Want€one?"Ìà  àJKððs€face€lost€its€anxious€look.€"Ah!"€he€said,€nodding€and€rummaging€around€in€his€bag.€A€few€seconds€later,Ïhe€produced€a€jar€full€of€dark€leaves.€"I€brought€tea!"Ìà  àNicky,€halfway€down€the€ladder,€looked€at€the€jar€and€raised€a€quizzical€eyebrow.€JK€just€smiled€and€put€theÏjar€under€his€arm,€followed€her€to€the€living€room€and€through€to€the€kitchen.€Nicky€was€already€reaching€up€for€aÏtetrabox€of€Starbucks€Earl€Grey.Ìà  à"Oh,€come€on,"€JK€said,€unscrewing€the€jar€and€taking€out€a€leaf.€"I€just€need€a€pot€of€boiling€water,€and€thenÏweððll€have€tea."Ìà  à"Sorry,€no€pot,"€Nicky€said€with€a€smile,€whacking€the€box€against€the€counter€and€peeling€it€open.€She€set€twoÏmugs€beside€it€and€when€a€spiral€of€steam€slid€out€of€the€opening,€she€poured€one€for€herself.€She€looked€to€him€to€seeÏif€he€wanted€one,€and€he€nodded€with€defeat,€twisting€the€lid€back€on€the€jar.€"Oh€come€on."€She€handed€him€theÏballoon„festooned€mug€("Lordy€lordy€look€whoððs€forty!")€and€slapped€him€on€his€shoulder.€"You€remember€whatÏhappened€that€last€time€I€had€one€of€your€herbal€potions."Ìà  àJKððs€face€cracked€in€a€mischievous€smile.€"You€òòsaidóó€you€wanted€to€get€wasted,"€he€said.€"If€it€hadnððt€been€afterÐ *'z"/ Ða€keg€of€beer€and€a€genderbender,€it€wouldððve€been€fine."Ìà  àNicky€let€her€silence€be€the€response,€although€really€she€was€pleased€it€got€her€out€of€trying€whatever€it€wasÏhe€had.€She€settled€into€the€big€quiltwork€armchair€and€stretched€her€legs€out.€JK€put€the€tea€down€on€the€coffee€tableÏand€put€a€finger€into€the€fluke€cage.Ìà  à"So€you€still€passing€off€these€ratdogs€as€canine€bonsai?"€JK€said.Ìà  à"Yep,"€Nicky€said,€taking€a€sip€of€tea€and€resting€the€mug€on€her€belly.€"Thatððs€where€I€was€headed€when€I€sawÐ À-)8 Ðyou€on€the€Drive€today,€actually.€Got€enough€to€get€me€through€next€month."Ìà  à"Sweet,"€JK€said,€finger„wrestling€with€the€little€creature.€"And€they€never€catch€on€and€come€back?"Ìà  àNicky€shrugged.€"Your€average€person€doesnððt€know€the€difference€between€a€simple€ratdog€splice€and€aÏbonsai.€Other€than€the€life€span€and€the€jaw€strength,€thereððs€not€much€to€tell€them€apart.€Plus,€I€always€sell€to€tourists,Ïso€I€know€theyððll€be€on€a€plane€pretty€soon,€and€itððll€get€confiscated."Ìà  à"Yeah,€the€Driveððs€filthy€with€tourists€these€days.€Lots€of€people€doing€a€final€tour€before€they€upgrade.€EasyÏpickings."Ìà  àNicky€took€another€sip€and€looked€up€at€the€ornamental€ceiling,€water€stained€but€still€grand.€"Yeah.€I€feel€kindÏof€bad€about€it,€but€thereððs€no€real€harm€done.€If€they€have€the€money€to€fly€or€upgrade€then€they€can€afford€to€supportÏthe€local€culture."Ìà  à"Desperate€times€require€desperate€measures,"€murmured€JK.€"Can€I€feed€them€a€tea€leaf?"Ìà  à"Donððt,€you€freak,€they€have€a€very€strict€diet."€Nicky€looked€away€from€the€ceiling€and€straight€at€JK.€"TheÏthing€is,€though,€I€donððt€feel€like€these€are€desperate€times.€Iððve€been€living€off€this€scam€for€a€half„year€now.€But..."ÏShe€lolled€her€head€again.€"Just€because€Iððm€clever€enough€to€find€ways€to€live€decently€in€this€shitty€world€doesnððtÏmean€the€world€isnððt€shitty."Ìà  àJK€turned€away€from€the€cage€and€ran€a€hand€through€his€shaggy€hair.€"Well,"€he€started,€a€tea€leaf€stickingÏout€from€a€corner€of€his€mouth.€He€sucked€on€it€thoughtfully.€"Itððs€not€that€things€are€getting€worse.€In€some€ways...Ïtheyððre€getting€better.€Easier,€anyway.€Less€hassles.€Itððs€just€that€the€world€isð8ð€losing€relevance."€He€pulled€the€leafÏout€from€between€his€lips€and€dropped€it€into€the€mug.Ìà  à"I€donððt€want€you€tripping€out€on€my€living€room€floor,"€Nicky€warned.€"This€is€a€respectable€place."Ìà  à"Itððs€seriously€just€tea,€Nicky,"€JK€said.€"From€India."Ìà  à"How€did€you€get€a€hold€of€raw€organic€stuff?"€she€challenged.€"Not€from€your€mail„order€club?"Ìà  à"Itððs€not€through€the€mail,€anymore,"€he€said€vaguely.Ìà  à"Your€job€is€completed,"€said€Nickyððs€watch.€"Would€you€like€to..."Ìà  àNicky€shut€it€up€with€a€tap€and€set€her€tea€down.€"Iððll€grab€it,€just€stay€here."Ìà  àShe€made€her€way€up€to€the€attic,€opened€the€EasyBake€and€carefully€took€out€the€sheaves€of€seeds.€With€minorÏspills,€she€was€able€to€slide€most€of€them€into€the€original€container€(hoping€that€was€what€JK€wanted)€and€seal€the€lid.ÏThen€she€made€her€way€down,€telling€the€system€to€save€and€shut€itself€down,€feeling€her€body€complain€as€she€climbedÏdown€from€the€lab.€She€was€too€tired€to€do€any€more€work€tonight.€The€tea€had€failed€her.Ìà  àJK€was€back€at€the€cage,€looking€at€the€flukes.€Ìà  à"Want€one?€Only€ten€grand!"€Nicky€cracked€as€she€handed€him€the€container.Ìà  à"Fantastic,"€he€said,€looking€inside.Ìà  à"Yeah,€the€machine€doesnððt€divide€by€colour,"€Nicky€said.€"Youððll€have€to€do€that€by€hand."Ìà  à"You€wouldnððt€believe€how€much€stress€this€saves€me,€Nicky,€youððre€an€angel."Ìà  à"Not€an€octopus?"€Nicky€said,€tugging€on€her€pigtails.Ìà  à"Same€difference,"€JK€laughed.€"Seriously,€last€time€I€had€to€go€to€Kinkoððs€ð"ð"Ð `-°(8 Ðà  à"They€donððt€have€EasyBakes€there,"€she€said.Ìà  àJK€nodded.€"I€know,€but€they€do€organic€duplication.€But€I€was€incredibly€nervous€the€whole€time,€assumingÏtheyððd€make€me€fill€out€an€intent„of„use€form€ð"ð"Ìà  à"What€are€you€doing€with€them,€anyhow?"€Nicky€said,€hoping€to€stop€the€waves€of€gratefulness€before€theyÏbuilt€into€a€tsunami.Ìà  à"Another€new€growth€party.€Hopefully€youððll€be€able€to€go€to€this€one."Ìà  à"Well,€hopefully€youððll€tell€me€about€this€one,"€Nicky€said,€poking€his€big€chest.Ìà  à"I€know,€sorry€about€that."Ìà  à"Mmm„hmm."Ìà  à"But€now€youððre€practically€a€patron.€So€Iððll€send€you€the€coordinates."Ìà  à"Excellent,"€Nicky€said,€stifling€a€yawn.Ìà  àJK€grabbed€his€backpack€from€where€he€had€laid€it€beside€the€couch€and€opened€it€up.€He€noticed€somethingÏthere€and€pulled€it€out.€"Oh€yes."€He€took€a€little€holocoin€out€and€tossed€it€on€the€floor.€A€unicorn€crawled€out€of€it€andÏpranced€in€a€circle,€stopped,€seemed€to€notice€Nicky€and€said€in€a€whinny,€"Come€to€see€Mike€Narcððs€show!"Ìà  àJK€was€putting€away€the€container.€"I€figured€youððre€working€with€similar€themes..."Ìà  àNicky€gave€a€one„shoulder€shrug.€"Sorta."€The€show€invite€was€a€floating,€large„bosomed€woman€now,€whoÏwas€intoning€the€time€and€place.€"I€met€him€once,€and€he€struck€me..."€She€looked€at€JK.€"Do€you€know€Mike?"€Ìà  àJK€made€the€finger€gesture€for€òòa€littleóó.Ð žî Ðà  à"I€dunno.€Maybe€Iððll€go,"€Nicky€said,€picking€up€the€coin€projector.Ìà  à"Heððs€a€bit€arrogant,"€JK€said,€putting€on€his€backpack.Ìà  à"òòYes.óó"Ð â2# Ðà  àThey€laughed€at€her€vehemence.Ìà  à"It€might€be€the€fact€that€weððre€working€in€similar€territory,€though,"€Nicky€admitted.Ìà  àJK€shook€his€head.€"Itððs€so€different€though,€in€terms€of€treatment."Ìà  àNicky€squinched€up€her€mouth,€nodded.€"òòIóó€think€so."Ð ’#â+ Ðà  àJK€noticed€the€time.€"Holy€yikes,€I€gotta€scram."€He€reached€for€the€door.€"Seeya!"Ìà  àNicky€turned€and€walked€into€the€living€room,€grabbed€the€jar€of€tea.€"Not€without€this€youððre€not."Ìà  à"Shit!"€JK€said,€shouldering€off€and€opening€his€backpack.€"Canððt€forget€that.€OK€seeya€for€real€this€time,"€JKÏopened€the€door€and€left.Ìà  à"Later,"€Nicky€said€and€shut€the€door.€It€wasnððt€until€she€was€coming€back€from€the€living€room€with€the€emptyÏmugs€that€she€noticed€the€bike,€still€hanging€from€the€coat€hook.ÌÌDoug€flicked€through€the€numbers€again,€his€long€fingers€jerking€spastically.€òòNope.€No€way€to€do€it.óó€He€sighed€andÐ ¦-ö(9 Ðleaned€his€head€against€the€palm€of€his€hand,€placing€it€there€like€a€crystal€ball€on€a€silk€pillow.Ìà  àAnd€although€it€wasnððt€giving€him€any€answers,€Dougððs€head€was€somewhat€crystal„ball„like:€the€bald€top€ofÏhis€head€gleamed€softly,€ringed€by€a€well„kept€monkððs€fringe.€His€long€face€suited€his€current€depressed€state:€thin„¼lipped€misery€accompanied€by€a€thin€moustache.Ìà  àDoug€stood€up,€stretched,€and€gazed€out€his€window.€Through€a€tiny€square€patch€ð"ð€about€one€foot€by€oneÏfoot€ð"ð€he€could€see€the€mountains.€Just€the€tips,€but€that€was€enough.€He€had€no€idea€how€the€patch€had€peeled€off,€norÏwhy€it€remained€unfixed.€He€had€considered€telling€someone,€but€it€wasnððt€like€his€bosses€made€money€off€of€theÏbillboards€that€covered€the€outside€of€the€buildings.€That€was€the€building€ownerððs€lookout.Ìà  àIt€was€a€bit€creepy,€however,€that€prime€ad€space€would€be€left€to€waste.€It€was€the€clearest€indication€DougÏhad€had€that€things€were€really€changing,€of€the€emigration,€or€whatever€the€pundits€were€calling€it€these€days.€He€reallyÏshould€have€known€that,€of€course,€but€Doug€had€felt€his€concern€for€such€matters€diminish€steadily€over€the€years,€aÏleak€he€felt€incapable€of€fixing.Ìà  àHe€looked€at€his€watch.€Quarter€to€12.€òòShit.óó€He€sat€back€down€in€his€chair.€Tapped€the€armrests,€looked€at€hisÐ à  Ðpatch€of€sky.€Stared€at€the€finance€sheet€floating€before€him€in€his€cubespace.€òòOh,€fuck€it.€Itððs€close€enough.Ð V¦  Ðà  àóóHe€got€up,€waving€off€the€spreadsheet,€and€elbowed€his€way€into€his€black€greatcoat.€He€headed€out€the€door,Ð Â Ðchecking€his€watch€to€see€if€he€had€enough€for€Pilarððs.€òòDamn.€Not€enough€for€a€decent€meal€and€a€tip.óóÐ ˆØ Ðà  àStriding€past€people€in€the€hallway,€he€hid€his€disappointment.Ìà  àòòFuck€how€I€hate€the€day€before€payday€ð"ð€óó"Hi€Gloria."€Ð `° Ðòòà  àóó"Early€lunches€for€the€execs."Ð Ì Ðà  àòòNosy€ð"ð€óó"Well.€We€donððt€get€to€chit„chat€on€the€phone€all€day,€so€we€need€a€proper€break."Ð 8ˆ Ðà  à"Ha€ha."Ìà  àòòWhat€am€I€doing,€sparring€with€the€secretary€ð"ðÐ `  Ðà  à€óó"Doug!€How€goes€it€olðð€chum."Ð |Ì" Ðà  à"Maintaining,€Mike,€you€know€how€I€do."€òòNo!€Donððt€get€on€the€elevator€ah€shitð"ð€óó"...So€where€you€off€to?"Ð è8$ Ðà  à"Pilarððs.€Canððt€get€enough€of€that€kelp€piata€stuff.€You?"Ìà  àòòItððs€paella,€moronóó.€"Oh,€McDonaldððs."Ð À!( Ðà  à"McDonaldððs?"Ìà  àòòDonððt€act€like€youððve€never€heard€of€it,€you€fat€bastard€ð"ð€óó"Sure.€I€force€myself€once€a€week€at€least.€KeepsÐ ˜$è, Ðmy€ear€to€the€ground."Ìà  à"Hmm."Ìà  à"Itððs€all€the€same€food,€I€mean€ð"ð€Pilarððs€a€McEatery."€òòGod,€that€was€desperate.óóÐ 6(†#1 Ðà  à"True,€true.€Well,€watch€those€McNuggets,€ha€ha."Ìà  à"Ha!€Never€touch€ððem."€òòCan€these€doors€open€any€slower?€óó"Well,€take€care."Ð +^&5 Ðà  àAs€the€elevator€whisked€Mike€away€to€the€underground€mall,€Doug€fished€around€in€his€pocket€for€aÏhandkerchief.€He€pushed€through€the€(barely)€revolving€doors€into€a€fairly€nice€day,€but€Doug€had€his€polka„dottedÏhanky€firmly€pressed€to€his€mouth€as€he€headed€towards€the€golden€arches.Ð .V)9 Ðà  àHe€caught€a€flash€of€his€mountains€between€two€massive€buildings€and€almost€knocked€into€an€old€manÏcarrying€a€rather€wet„looking€garbage€bag.€"Fug€you,"€he€said€through€swollen€lips,€and€Doug€nodded€his€agreement,Ïgetting€away€from€the€cloud€of€stench€as€quickly€as€possible.Ìà  àThe€McDonaldððs€sign€loomed€above,€inaccurately€stating€99€Billion€Served.€It€had€been€frozen€there€for€as€longÏas€Doug€had€been€alive,€and€he€had€actually€written€an€essay€on€it€for€a€class€in€corporate€history.€"Obviously,€there€wasÏthe€practical€consideration€of€the€costs€involved€in€adding€new€slots€for€higher€numbers,"€he€had€written€with€the€self„¼assurance€native€to€cocky€teens.€"And€there€was€also€the€zeitgeist€of€the€ðð90s€and€ðð00s€to€consider€ð"ð€a€last„gasp€reactionÏagainst€the€unlimited€growth€model.€So€McDonaldððs€upper€echelons€sat€tight,€knowing€that€their€point€had€already€beenÏmade€ð"ð€that€everybody€loves€their€delicious€flame„broiled€burgers."Ìà  àStanding€in€line,€the€greasy€smell€reminded€him€that€they€werenððt€flame„broiled€at€all.€He€had€lost€marks€forÏthat,€although€he€had€gotten€top€marks€for€analysis€ð"ð€thatððs€what€mattered,€since€he€was€sure€(even€then)€that€his€futureÏlay€in€coolhunting.Ìà  àDoug€thumbed€a€burger€and€fries,€having€to€press€the€worn€fries€icon€twice€before€it€registered.€He€pressed€hisÏwatch€against€the€payplate,€held€it€there.€It€dinged€its€approval,€and€the€relief€Doug€felt€at€this€was€quickly€followed€byÏself„loathing.€òòWorried€about€the€cost€of€lunch€at€Mickey€Deeððs...Ð vÆ  Ðà  àóóThe€tray€slid€toward€him.€He€picked€it€up€and€headed€to€an€empty€table€surrounded€by€other€empty€tables,€asÐ â2 Ðfar€away€from€the€cluster€of€youngsters€as€he€could€get.€A€younger€Doug€Patterson€would€have€tried€to€get€a€little€closerÏand€eavesdrop€on€the€conversation€and€make€mental€notes€of€the€slang,€but€Doug€Patterson€at€37€unwrapped€his€burgerÏand€watched€them€with€dull€indifference€fortified€with€caution.Ìà  à"But€the€two€lanes€were€merging,€right.€So„so„so,€I€was€like,"€the€kid€took€a€toke,€"Letððs€go,€shitarse.€YouÏwanted€to€race,€so€letððs€race."€He€had€huge€gaps€between€his€teeth€and€the€full€attention€of€his€crew.€"Onetwenty„¼oneforty„oneòòsixtyóóð8ð€the€motherfucker€didnððt€stop,€Iððll€give€him€that.€Should€have€though.€Ended€up€as€the€windowÐ ,| Ðdisplay€at€Macyððs.€òòTotalledóó."€He€toked€and€blew€a€smoke€stream€at€his€gun€finger,€listened€to€his€crew€make€impressedÐ òB Ðnoises.€"My€Camaro€had€not€a€scratch."Ìà  àOne€of€the€kids,€a€girl€of€about€nine,€screamed.€Then,€stopping€entirely,€pulling€her€knees€up€to€her€chest:€"OhÏsee,€so„so„so,€thatððs€my€bullshite€alar„um."Ìà  à"Verify.€Fuck€you€little€ð"ð€go!€Just€go€verify.€Last€night.€Granville€and€7th."€The€kid€crossed€his€arms,€madeÏcartoonishly€big€by€his€white€puffy€jacket,€and€jerked€his€chin.€"Fuckinðð€ð"ð€go!€Look€stupid."Ìà  àThe€little€girl€exaggeratedly€spoke€into€her€watch.€"List€fatalities€ð"ð"Ìà  à"Did€I€say€he€died?!€No,€I€òòdidnððtóóð8ð"Ð ô D& Ðà  à"Cancel.€Did€a€car€accident€occur€yesterday€at€Granville€and€7th?"Ìà  àThe€kid€and€the€girl€locked€stares€as€they€waited,€eliciting€hushed€giggles€from€the€others.€Finally€the€watchÏverified€an€accident.€The€kid€spread€his€hands€out,€a€gap„toothed€smile€on€his€face.€"An€thatððs€ð"ð"Ìà  à"Cars€involved€with€this€crash?"€the€little€girl€continued,€her€face€a€curl„framed€study€in€innocent€curiosity.Ìà  à"Two€cars,€a€Camaro€Extremis€and€a€Lightfoot,€were€towed€from€the€site."Ìà  àOne€kid€covered€his€face€in€his€hands,€moaning,€and€the€sounds€of€misery„induced€hilarity€beat€down€the€gap„¼toothed€braggart.Ìà  à"Stung,"€pronounced€the€little€girl,€a€small€hint€of€a€smile€on€her€lips.Ìà  à"Who€cares,€I€picked€up€that€Camaro€for€like,€a€hundred€fifty€ð"ð"€he€started.Ìà  àSingsong:€"òòStung.óó"€Ð à-0)8 Ðà  à"Ah,€Iððm€makinðð€money€all€the€time,"€the€gap„toothed€kid€said,€shoving€himself€upright,€moving€towards€theÏcounter.Ìà  à"How€much€of€the€tow€charges€have€been€paid€off?"€the€little€girl€asked€her€watch€as€he€moved€away.Ìà  à"Zero€dollars."€Hilarity.€"Accruing€13%€interest€per€annum."Ìà  àOne€of€the€kids€stood€up€and€called,€"Yo,€Zero!€Get€me€a€burger€motherfucker!"€Then€he€seemed€to€noticeÏDoug.€"So„so„so,€chicken€hawk.€You€like€this?"€He€motioned€to€the€six„pack€of€abs€on€his€prepubescent€body,€visibleÏthrough€a€sheer€t„shirt.Ìà  àDoug€shook€his€head€and€looked€away,€finishing€off€his€burger€and€starting€on€his€fries.€He€emptied€the€packetÏon€the€tray€and€doused€them€liberally€with€ketchup,€focusing€on€the€motions,€willing€their€attention€away€from€him€asÏan€escaping€convict€wills€away€a€searchlight€on€the€yard.€Ìà  àDoug€lifted€large€handfuls€of€fries€to€his€mouth€in€an€effort€to€inconspicuously€eat€more€quickly.€He€could€onlyÏswallow€the€potato€derivative€so€fast,€however,€and€he€looked€up€to€see€the€gap„toothed€kid€veering€towards€him€on€hisÏway€back€from€the€counter.Ìà  à"So„so„so,"€the€kid€said,€getting€out€a€pack€of€tokes€and€sliding€in€beside€him.€He€sparked€up€and€gave€DougÏthe€once„over,€pausing€at€his€expansive€bald€pate.€Doug€realized€that€what€heððd€thought€were€gaps€were€teeth€tattooedÏblack.€"How€you€doinðð,€guy?"Ìà  à"Iððm€fine."€Doug€raised€his€eyes€to€the€kidððs,€but€the€kid€was€already€glancing€over€at€his€friends,€who€wereÏtalking€amongst€themselves.€Only€the€little€girl€was€really€paying€attention.€Doug€steadily€mowed€down€his€pile€of€fries.Ìà  à"You€know,€guy,"€the€kid€said.€"These€Marlboros€are€really€smooth.€Itððs€a€perfectly€balanced€mix€betweenÏtobacco€and€marijuana€that€packs€a€punch€while€staying€really€flavourful."Ìà  à"Really,"€said€Doug,€happy€that€the€kid€was€just€pitching€at€him€rather€than€something€else.€"Marlboros,€youÏsay,"€he€said€in€an€interested€voice,€mopping€up€the€last€of€the€ketchup€with€the€last€of€his€fries.Ìà  à"Yes!€Why€not€try€one?"Ìà  àDoug€took€one€of€the€tokes€from€the€green€and€white€pack€and€set€it€on€his€tray,€"Thanks."Ìà  à"Yes,€Marlboros.€Marlboros€are..."€the€kid€was€checking€his€watch.€Ìà  àòòHopelessóó,€Doug€thought,€òòout€of€pitch€ten€seconds€into€it€and€checking€his€account€in€front€of€the€mark.€óó"Tasty?"Ð t Ä& Ðhe€prompted.€"With€a€high€that€lasts€all€day€long?"Ìà  à"So„so„so,€with„a„high„that„lasts„all„day„long,"€the€kid€said,€more€to€his€watch€than€to€Doug.€A€second€later,Ï"Fuck.€Why€didnððt€I€get€anything€for€that?"Ìà  àDoug€got€up.€"I€said€it€first.€You€should€have€also€offered€me€a€light."Ìà  àThe€kid€went€for€his€pocket.Ìà  à"I€donððt€smoke.€But€you€get€a€few€extra€bucks€for€offering€a€light,"€he€dumped€his€tray€into€the€garbage,€theÏmat€sticking€for€a€second€before€obeying€gravity.Ìà  à"Whattaya€throwing€the€toke€away€for,"€the€kid€said€bitterly.Ìà  à"Theyððre€not€cool€any€more,"€Doug€said,€walking€away,€taking€his€handkerchief€out€of€his€pocket€and€rubbingÏthe€grease€off€his€fingers.Ìà  à"Whatta€fuck€you€know€about€cool,"€the€kid€muttered.€"Bald„ass."Ð €-Ð(8 Ðà  àDoug€pushed€through€the€door,€heard€the€kid€yell€"Money,€alla€time€making€money!"€as€he€rejoined€the€group.ÏThrough€the€window,€his€glance€caught€a€tableau:€the€kid€in€the€white€jacket€showing€someone€the€bank€balance€on€hisÏwatch;€the€person€being€shown€looking€contemptuous;€the€little€girl€with€the€curls€staring€at€the€gap„toothed€kid,€her€faceÏas€placid€and€as€lazy€as€a€viper€a€few€seconds€before€striking.€There€was€something€about€her€face€that€reminded€himÏof€his€own€daughter,€and€Doug€walked€away€quickly,€trying€to€distance€himself€from€that€thought.Ìà  àAfter€lifting€the€hanky€to€his€nose,€he€decided€to€pocket€it.€Better€unfiltered€air€than€air€filtered€through€french„¼fry€grease.€As€he€walked€around€the€bums€littering€the€sidewalks,€he€remembered€an€article€he€had€read€yesterday€aboutÏFrisco€ð"ð€supposedly€a€few€bums€had€been€introduced€in€select€locations€"to€ease€the€psychological€transition."€DougÏthought€the€whole€article€was€probably€cooked€up€by€Self€for€marketing€reasons,€but€still...€he€might€have€admired€it,Ïexcept€that€he€was€unable€to€think€about€Frisco€without€a€ball€of€anxiety€spinning€to€life€in€his€gut.Ìà  àSo€naturally€there€was€an€ad€in€the€elevator€that€made€him€think€about€it.€The€Self€logo€pulsated€to€life.€"If€youÏhad€upgraded€already,€you€wouldnððt€have€to€be€wasting€time€in€this€stupid€box.€Hours€of€your€life€are€spent€shuttlingÏyour€meat€from€location€to€location,€representing€thousands€of€lost€ð"ð"Ìà  àDoug€made€an€angry€sound.Ìà  àThe€Self€ad€emorphed.€"Trouble€with€aggressive€impulses?€We€all€have€them,€but€wouldnððt€it€be€nice€if€youÏcould€control€your€emotions€and€just€mellow€out?€With€the€Self€silver€package€ð"ð"Ìà  àA€shuddering€sigh€from€Doug€emorphed€the€ad€again.€"Feeling€blue?€Are€your€sad€days€lowering€yourÏproductivity?€If€ð"ð"Ìà  à"Shut€up,"€Doug€said,€as€levelly€as€he€could€muster.Ìà  àThe€ad€paused€for€a€second,€and€Doug€almost€thought€it€had€listened.€But,€no.Ìà  à"Sick€of€ads€bombarding€you€every€second€of€every€day?€Getting€the€Self€gold€package€means€that€ads€areÏoptional!"Ìà  àThe€doors€slid€open,€and€the€ad€called€cheerily€after€him€"Go€for€Self!"€The€guitar€lick€reverbed€until€the€doorsÏmercifully€closed.ÌÌDoug€made€his€way€through€the€hall€back€to€his€office,€feeling€more€defeated€than€he€had€when€heððd€left.€Heððd€barelyÏsat€down€when€a€man€with€short€white€hair€poked€his€head€out€of€an€office€doorway.€"Ready€for€our€two€oððclock,Ïsport?"€he€asked€Doug.Ìà  à"Will€be€at€two€oððclock,€boyo!"€Doug€shot€back€in€what€he€hoped€was€a€hearty€tone.Ìà  àHe€got€up€and€shut€his€door€behind€him.€òòHisóó€door.€The€one€(and€only€one)€upshot€of€the€companyððs€expansionÐ Œ#Ü* Ðwas€that€at€least€that€idiot€Stevens€had€been€moved€out€two€months€ago.Ìà  àòòStevens€wasnððt€so€badóó,€Doug€chastised€himself€as€he€got€behind€his€desk.€It€was€more€that€having€to€share€withÐ ¾%!- Ðhim€sent€a€message€ð"ð€he€was€no€longer€worthy€of€his€own€office€in€the€eyes€of€the€management.€No€longer€the€youngÏshark€he€had€been€in€his€prime,€pulling€in€so€much€data€theyððd€needed€ð"ðÌà  àòòAh,€it€was€dumb€luck.óó€The€fact€that€he€had€been€there€at€the€beginning€of€the€Ripper€thing,€that€he€had€slid€soÐ ¶($1 Ðeasily€into€the€community€there€ð"ð€hell,€that€it€had€started€in€Vancouver.€It€was€dumb€luck.€But€it€had€been€good€for€atÏleast€ten€easy€years€at€the€company,€years€where€his€words€were€gathered€like€sacred€fruits€as€they€dropped€from€his€lips.Ìà  àDoug€checked€his€schedule€to€see€what€Lauden€wanted€to€confer€on.€Consumer€Trends€ð"ð€Tobacco.€LaudenÏwas€a€traditionalist,€and€wanted€something€good€to€feed€Philip€Morris,€to€keep€them€as€a€client€even€though€they€wereÏhaving€serious€problems€with€the€current€transition.€òòI€know€how€youððre€feeling,€Phil€olðð€pal,óó€Doug€thought€as€he€scannedÐ :-Š(7 Ðthrough€the€conversation€heððd€had€with€the€kid€at€McDonaldððs.Ð .P)8 Ðà  àThere€were€only€two€or€three€snippets€he€could€use,€but€he€made€the€most€of€them.€He€worked€on€his€analysis,Ïhappy€to€focus€on€something€for€a€while,€and€pretty€soon€Laudenððs€white€spiky€head€poked€in.€Doug€nodded,€rose,€andÏsucked€the€info€back€into€his€watch€and€followed€Lauden€down€the€hall.Ìà  à"So€Iððve€asked€the€new€kid€in€on€this,"€Lauden€said,€his€face€blank.Ìà  àDoug€felt€something€nasty€shoot€through€him€that€he€couldnððt€quite€identify.€"Fuck.€Could€this€day€get€anyÏbetter?"Ìà  à"Oh,€buck€up,€Patterson.€You€used€to€love€a€good€fight!"Ìà  àDoug€bit€his€tongue.€"That€was€before€home€office€started€hiring€scum€off€the€street."€He€glanced€at€LaudenððsÏdoughy€face,€which€revealed€nothing.€"I€mean,€at€least€with€you€and€me€there€was€some€point€to€it."Ìà  à"Ha€ha,"€Lauden€said,€holding€the€door€open€for€him.Ìà  àòòOh€fuck.€Not€just€the€new€kid,€but€the€boss€too.Ð P   Ðà  àóóDoug€rounded€the€board€table€and€beamed€at€his€boss.€"Mr.€Harris!"Ð ¼  Ðà  àMr.€Harris€stood€up€and€stuck€out€his€hand€for€a€shake.€Doug€almost€fell€for€it,€but€"Oh€no€you€donððt€you€oldÏbastard,"€Doug€said,€stopping€just€short€of€falling€for€it,€waving€his€finger€at€Harris.€He€had€noticed€something€a€littleÏtoo€symmetrical€about€his€bossððs€hair.Ìà  à"Howððd€you€know?"€Harris€said,€"Is€it€the€resolution?"Ìà  à"God€no,"€Doug€said,€choosing€a€seat€opposite€his€boss€and€two€away€from€the€kid,€whose€emanations€of€scornÏhe€could€already€almost€feel.€"The€resolutionððs€fan„òòtasóó„tic.€Upgrading€suits€you,€sir.€No,€it€was€just€that€I€knew€that€youÐ R¢ Ðhadnððt€entered€the€building."Ìà  à"Looks€really€good€on€my€end€too.€Right€down€to€the€wood€grain,"€Harris€said,€slapping€the€table.Ìà  à"Wow,€the€sound€on€this€set„upððs€pretty€yum,"€the€kid€said.Ìà  àòòGod,€not€a€minute€into€it€and€heððs€already€dropping€slang,€óópart€of€Dougððs€brain€raged.€The€kid€was,€as€usual,Ð \¬" Ðdressed€in€the€latest€styles€of€the€12ð!ð17€set,€his€face€so€fresh€it€looked€uncooked.€"Well,€itððs€good€to€see€you,€sir,"€heÏsaid.€And€it€was€true,€partly.€Harris€was€the€only€coolhunter€that€Doug€could€talk€more€than€trends€with,€someone€heÏcould€talk€high„concept€and€theory€with.€But€he€also€knew€Harris€was€getting€a€little€impatient.Ìà  à"OK,€well..."€Lauden€started.€"Whattaya€got€for€us,€Doug?"Ìà  àDoug€started€to€pull€up€the€files,€silently€thanking€the€gods€for€his€poverty.€"I€collected€a€little€data€on€theÏsubject,"€he€said,€looking€over€his€notes.€"I€donððt€know€if€weððre€going€in€the€right€direction€with€our€assumptions€thatÏsmoking€is€a€dying€trend.€We€might€be€being€hasty."Ìà  à"Look,€all€the€studies€so€far€have€shown€itððs€in€final€phase,"€the€kid€started€in€a€tone€that€sounded€rehearsedÏto€Doug.€"Thereððs€no€danger„appeal,€no€vice„appeal€ð"ð€the€smart€money€says€itððs€on€its€way€out.€Philipððs€had€a€long€run,Ïbut€itððs€time€to€close€up€shop."Ìà  à"Our€job€isnððt€to€advise€it€on€operations,"€Lauden€said.€"Weððre€here€to€analyze€its€productððs€current€coolÏquotient€and€produce€usable€data€for€our€client.€CCQ€is€only€one€factor€in€their€decision."Ìà  àThe€patronizing€tone€Lauden€was€using€on€the€kid€soothed€Doug.€"A€12ð!ð17€year„old€male€pitched€MarlboroððsÏGanja€Lites€to€me."€Doug€played€the€audio€clip€from€his€watch,€handed€transcripts€of€the€sessions€around.Ìà  à"Thatððs€one€of€the€lamest€pitches€Iððve€ever€heard..."€scoffed€the€kid.Ð Ú,*(7 Ðà  àDoug€pretended€he€hadnððt€heard€him,€since€he€more€or€less€agreed.€"We€know€that€the€teen€demographics€areÏvery„to„extremely€reluctant€to€pitch€products€they€donððt€associate€with€strongly.€And€the€subject€was€clearly€the€leaderÏof€his€social€group."€That€last€part€was€a€lie€ð"ð€the€little€girl€with€the€curls€was€alpha,€putting€him€at€beta€at€best€ð"ð€butÏthere€was€no€way€they€could€tell€that€from€the€audio€clip.Ìà  àIt€was€like€Lauden€read€his€mind.€"Was€this€recorded€under€controlled€fieldwork€conditions?"€Ìà  àòòFucking€T„crosseróó,€Doug€thought.€òòFucking€I„dotter.€óó"Well..."Ð Ú * Ðà  à"I€donððt€think€thereððs€any€doubting€the€validity€of€Doug€Pattersonððs€research,"€Mr.€Harris€said€with€a€littleÏlaugh.€"Question€is€ð"ð€what€can€we€bring€to€the€client€from€this?"Ìà  àOut€of€the€corner€of€his€eye,€Doug€caught€the€kid€steepling€his€hands€and€nodding€wisely.€Doug€gritted€his€teethÏfor€a€second,€pretended€to€be€scrolling€through€his€notes.€"The€vice„appeal€and€danger„appeal€arenððt€going€to€work€withÏupgraded€consumers.€But€people€also€smoke€to€do€something€with€their€hands,€to€differentiate€themselves€from€theÏcrowd,€to€take€an€introspective€break,€to€punctuate€their€angst€with€plumes€of€smoke€ð"ð"Ìà  à"Whatareya,€copywriting€here?"€the€kid€mumbled.Ìà  à"ð"ð€and€that€wonððt€change€when€the€market€upgrades.€Look€at€it€this€way€ð"ð€the€fact€that€their€product€wasÏlethal€didnððt€kill€the€industry.€This€transition€isnððt€a€roadblock,€itððs€a€speed€bump."€This€last€bit€was€a€favourite€phraseÏof€Mr.€Harrisððs,€and€he€was€rewarded€by€a€soft€grunt€from€his€boss€as€he€closed€his€notes.Ìà  àLauden€backed€him€up.€"Thatððs€relevant€analysis."Ìà  àHarris€nodded,€his€eyes€off€in€middlespace.Ìà  àThe€kid€was€smiling€as€he€went€through€the€transcript.€Then€he€cleared€his€throat.€"Subject€A:€ððWhatta€fuckÏyou€know€about€cool,€bald„ass.ðð"Ìà  àBoth€Lauden€and€Harris€laughed.€On€another€day,€Doug€would€have€had€more€energy,€but€today€he€really€hadÏto€struggle€to€even€muster€up€a€thin€smile.Ìà  à"Youððre€a€little€piranha,€arenððt€you?"€Mr.€Harris€said€with€a€wry€smile.Ìà  à"Very€little,"€Doug€added,€keeping€his€voice€even.Ìà  à"Oh,€untwist,€would€ya,"€the€kid€said,€with€a€lazy€grin€that€said€òòIððve€got€you€on€the€ropesóó.€"These€old€guys.€FirstÐ ®þ% Ðthing€to€go€is€their€sense€of€humour.€Uh,€well,€second€thing,"€he€said,€indicating€hair.Ìà  àMore€chuckling€from€Harris.€Lauden€was€looking€down€at€the€table.Ìà  à"Letððs€finish€this€up,"€Harris€said.€"Doug,€Iððm€definitely€picking€up€what€youððre€putting€down.€But€thereððs€theÏreputation€of€the€agency€to€consider.€Weððd€be€putting€ourselves€in€a€very€vulnerable€position€if€we€were€the€onlyÏdissenting€voice.€The€feeling€I€get€from€Philip€is€that€theyððre€definitely€scaling€back€their€tobacco€operations€until€theyÏcan€find€something€to€attach€their€brand€to€thatððs€going€to€be€viable€in€Frisco."Ìà  àDoug€nodded,€a€little€stunned€at€how€badly€he€had€been€beaten,€and€on€how€many€fronts.Ìà  à"Iððd€like€to€do€some€research€on€that,€sir,"€the€kid€was€saying,€all€mockery€gone€from€his€voice,€all€professional.Ï"My€own€findings€were€more€along€those€lines€than€Pattersonððs."Ìà  àMr.€Harrisððs€smile€showed€awareness€of€the€kidððs€ass„kissing,€but€he€nodded€his€approval.€"Why€donððt€you€getÏstarted€on€that€now.€Get€back€to€Lauden€early€next€week...€Tuesday€latest."Ìà  àDoug€stood€with€the€other€two€and€moved€towards€the€door.€Ð Ú,*(7 Ðà  à"Doug..."€Mr.€Harris€was€standing€now.€"How€are€your€preparations€going?€Ready€to€make€the€move€soon?ÏThings€are€heating€up€in€Frisco..."Ìà  àDoug€nodded€wordlessly,€forcing€himself€to€walk€no€faster€than€the€other€two.€Ìà  àHarrisððs€brow€furrowed.Ìà  à"Couple..."€Doug€started,€actually€gulped,€and€went€on,€"Couple€of€loose€ends."€He€was€at€the€door.€He€reachedÏfor€the€doorknob,€and€slowly€pulled€it€closed.€"Iððll€be€there€ASAP."Ìà  àHarris€gave€the€slightest€of€nods.Ìà  àDoug€shut€the€door€with€a€click.€When€he€turned€around,€Lauden€and€the€kid€were€striding€down€the€hall,Ïchatting.€Lauden€glanced€back€once,€gave€him€a€òòHey,€what€can€you€do?óó€look,€and€disappeared€into€an€office.Ð n  ÐÌThe€SkyTrain€was€still€pretty€crowded€at€rush€hour.€As€it€slid€along€on€its€monorail€track,€Doug€peered€out€the€windowÏat€an€even€older€rail€system€ð"ð€a€train€yard€cluttered€by€cars€that€looked€like€cast„aside€beer€cans.Ìà  àòòWas€that€a€tent?óó€Doug€thought,€seeing€a€flash€of€olive€green€fabric€in€the€yard.€òòProbably€some€kind€of€garbage.óóÐ (x ÐIt€was€hard€to€imagine€someone€living€in€the€open,€having€to€wear€a€mask€all€the€time.Ìà  àHe€kept€staring€out€the€window,€although€there€wasnððt€much€to€see€in€the€quickly€dimming€light.€It€was€betterÏthan€watching€the€advertisements,€especially€since€most€of€them€were€for€Self€packages.€Luckily€they€were€broadbandÏads,€unable€to€emorph€with€this€many€people.Ìà  àDoug€closed€his€eyes€and€willed€himself€home,€trying€to€imagine€himself€in€the€seat€of€his€sedan,€trying€butÏfailing...€the€babble€of€ads€just€slightly€louder€than€the€squeaking€and€clicking€of€the€SkyTrain€ruined€the€effect.€òòDeathÐ h Ðand€ads,€óóhe€thought€to€himself€in€an€effort€to€drown€his€irritation€in€philosophyòò,€the€two€constants€of€our€free€marketÐ Þ. Ðsociety.€Maybe€ads€are€more€constant,€if€upgrading€is€all€itððs€cracked€up€to€beð8ðóóÐ ¤ô Ðà  àThe€SkyTrain€hit€a€rough€curve€that€jolted€Doug,€and€he€gripped€the€bar€harder.€He€caught€a€child€staring€atÏhim€and€he€stared€back,€until€he€noticed€that€the€adult€with€the€child€had€been€staring€just€as€rudely.€The€adult,€however,Ïwhen€confronted€with€Dougððs€arched€eyebrow,€looked€away.€òòItððs€not€like€youððve€never€seen€a€balding€man€before,Ð œì" Ðmoron.€The€kid€at€least€has€an€excuse.Ìà  àóóHe€looked€away.€He€knew€that€most€people€considered€his€decision€not€to€regen€his€hair€as€eccentric€at€bestÐ Î% Ðand€lazy€at€worst,€but€until€he€sold€his€car,€he€hadnððt€had€to€confront€this€on€a€daily€basis.€Now,€with€the€little€shit€atÏwork€drawing€attention€to€his€lack€of€hair,€Doug€felt€his€credibility€eroding€away.Ìà  àNot€that€he€had€ever€doubted€that€he€had€a€timeless,€indisputably€cool€look.€Even€when€he€had€realized€whyÏhe€had€chosen€this€style,€it€didnððt€shake€his€faith€ð"ð€although€the€realization€had€been€traumatic€for€other€reasons.Ìà  àHis€father€had€been€dying€for€the€better€part€of€a€year,€and€he€had€gone€to€see€him€at€the€hospital€after€work.ÏThe€sour„smelling€room€was€big€enough€to€house€the€life„support€machines€and€a€chair,€upon€which€Doug€had€spentÏmany€an€hour.€Since€the€second€stroke€his€father€hadnððt€been€very€communicative€ð"ð€well,€he€hadnððt€spoken€ð"ð€and€soÏDoug€was€left€to€his€own€thoughts,€which€often€strayed€to€figuring€out€how€much€it€was€costing€him€per€second€to€keepÏthe€decaying€man€alive.Ìà  à"...you€leave..."€his€father€had€said.€His€eyes,€rheumy€slits,€were€locked€on€him.Ìà  àAfter€a€moment€of€complicated€shock,€Doug€had€licked€his€lips€and€replied.€"...You€want€me€to€leave?"Ìà  à"Why€did€you€leave€Pop?"€the€old€man€wheezed.Ìà  à"I€didnððt€leave,€Dad,"€Doug€had€replied.Ð À-)8 Ðà  à"Pop€why€did€you€leave?"Ìà  àThat€had€been€the€most€coherent€conversation€they€had€had€in€months,€but€it€wasnððt€until€they€were€goingÏthrough€his€stuff€after€the€funeral€that€Doug€realized€that€his€delirious€father€had€mistaken€him€for€his€grandfather.Ìà  à"Honey,"€Cheryl€had€said,€coming€into€the€basement.€She€had€taken€on€the€job€of€going€through€the€moundsÏof€decaying€print€photos€for€ones€worth€scanning.€"Is€this€a€relative?"Ìà  àHe€had€looked€up€from€the€box€he€had€been€sorting€through€and€taken€the€picture€from€Cheryl.€His€grandfatherÏwas€in€the€middle€of€a€sax€solo,€looking€suave€and€dashing.€His€solid€dome€head€with€a€well„kempt€monk€fringe€hadÏsubstance,€dignity.Ìà  à"Yeah..."€he€had€said.€"I€havenððt€seen€this€in€years."€When€he€had€seen€it€as€a€boy,€he€hadnððt€recognized€theÏfamily€features€at€first,€assumed€it€was€someone€famous.€When€his€father€had€told€him€who€it€was,€the€glamour€of€aÏrelation€had€thrilled€him.€His€fatherððs€dismissive€and€abrupt€descriptions€had€just€deepened€the€mystery.Ìà  àThe€SkyTrain€stopped€at€Main€Street„Science€World€and€a€bunch€of€people€got€out,€including€the€family€ofÏstarers.€Doug€took€a€seat€and€ignored€the€little€boy€pointing€at€him€through€the€window,€although€it€naturally€attractedÏthe€attention€of€those€whoððd€just€entered.€Ìà  àòòBrat.€óóDoug€felt€his€jaw€clench€and€forced€himself€to€unclench€it.€Apparently€he€ground€his€teeth€in€his€sleep,Ð h¸ Ðaccording€to€his€dentist,€and€he€occasionally€wondered€if€this€indicated€anxieties€so€deep€that€they€only€surfaced€inÏdreams.€He€made€a€mental€note€to€ask€his€dentist€if€this€had€increased,€now€that€his€anxieties€skittered€freely€over€hisÏconsciousness€at€all€times€of€the€day.Ìà  àTired€of€watching€lights€flash€to€and€fro€outside€the€window,€his€eyes€wandered€cautiously€to€the€other€patrons.ÏAll€but€a€few€of€them€were€watching€media€beamed€from€their€watches.€The€middle„aged€woman€opposite€him€wasÏparticularly€immersed,€her€mouth€slightly€agape.€She€blinked,€and€Doug€caught€an€inverted€flash€of€the€guy„on„guyÏpornography€that€was€being€beamed€onto€her€retinas.€He€quickly€looked€down€at€his€own€watch.€òòThatððll€teach€you€toÐ xÈ Ðbe€nosy,€Doug€olðð€palóó.Ð >Ž Ðà  àHe€didnððt€select€anything€to€watch,€though,€since€he€was€pretty€close€to€home€and€he€had€lost€that€apparentlyÏpsychic€ability€that€SkyTrain€regulars€had€to€prevent€them€missing€their€stop.€When€he€was€young,€of€course,€he€hadÏhad€it,€as€well€as€an€uncanny€ability€to€predict€where€the€next€free€seat€would€appear.€He€had€lost€a€lot€of€instincts€sinceÏthen.Ìà  àSince€settling€into€his€first€car€at€17,€a€ride€befitting€the€prodigy€at€the€agency,€and€selling€his€car€before€theÏbottom€totally€dropped€out€of€the€market€at€thirty„seven,€not€much€had€happened.€Twenty€years€had€passed€in€aÏcomfortable€but€not€excitement„rich€bubble.€Oh,€there€had€been€moments€ð"ð€the€birth€of€his€daughter,€the€death€of€hisÏfather,€hot€accounts€ð"ð€and€mostly,€these€little€moments,€coupled€with€security,€had€been€enough€stimulation€for€himÏand€Cheryl.€But€now€that€his€security€was€as€low€as€his€bank€account,€he€wondered€if€he€had€been€living€life€tooÏconservativelyð8ðÌà  àThe€doors€slid€open,€startling€him.€òòWas€this€it?€Yes!€óóOut€through€the€doors€and,€moving€with€the€flow,€throughÐ ²$ + Ðthe€turnstiles.€A€few€went€down€the€escalator€here,€fumbling€for€masks€before€entering€the€night,€but€Doug€strode€acrossÏan€enclosed€walkway.€He€loved€the€glass€walkway,€especially€in€the€morning€when€it€glinted€with€the€sun,€cloudsÏlooming€above,€safe€from€the€torrent€of€traffic€below.€How,€if€you€timed€it€right,€you€could€see€the€SkyTrain€gliding€outÏof€the€hills€and€get€there€just€in€time€for€it€to€whisk€you€away.€There€was€something€Doug€found€intensely€satisfyingÏabout€that;€it€helped€lighten€the€bitterness€he€felt€over€the€loss€of€his€car.Ìà  àòòMaybe€I€could€buy€a€used€one€ð"ð€that€kid€said€he€got€a€Camaro€for€$150.€óóBut€Cheryl€had€been€expecting€toÐ ü)L%2 Ðleave€since€August,€when€they€sold€the€cars,€and€would€take€his€buying€another€one€as€proof€that€they€were€staying.ÏSheððd€want€a€car€herself,€then,€for€her€and€Olivia.€Probably€another€one€of€those€ridiculous€6x6€SUVs€that€kept€growingÏeach€year.€Doug€could€tell€her€that€it€was€a€pointless€arms€race,€but€the€mother€in€her€would€look€at€Oliviaððs€fragile€littleÏbody€and€opt€for€the€reinforced€titanium€frame.Ð -d(6 Ðà  àDoug€walked€into€the€condo€foyer€and€waited€for€the€elevator.€In€the€doorsðð€mirrored€surface,€he€looked€at€hisÏslightly€rumpled€suit€with€disapproval.€Another€lady,€slightly€familiar,€joined€him€in€his€elevator€vigil€before€he€couldÏsmooth€himself€out.Ìà  à"Seems€like€I€spend€half€my€life€in€these€things,"€the€lady€said.Ìà  à"Mmm,"€said€Doug.Ìà  àThe€elevator€arrived.€On€the€way€up,€a€Self€ad€started€up€with€an€exaggerated€yawn.Ìà  à"Is€there€anything€more€boring€than€shuttling€your€meat€from€location€to€location?"Ìà  à"Nope!"€the€lady€chirped,€laughing€at€herself.€Doug€put€on€a€polite€smile€and€glanced€at€her,€hoping€she€wasÏsimply€talkative.€He€watched€the€floor€indicator,€waiting€for€his€number€to€come€up.€The€ad€droned€on.Ìà  àFinally,€the€elevator€slowed.€Just€as€the€doors€were€opening,€both€the€ad€and€the€lady€said,€"Go€for€Self!"€TheÏbubbliness€of€her€pitch€and€the€fake„downbeat€tone€of€the€ad€combined€in€a€nauseating€way,€but€Doug€didnððt€turnÏaround.€He€knew€exactly€what€heððd€see:€the€half„apologetic,€half„smug€look.€Although€she€was€probably€a€freelancer,Ïeven€the€professional€pitchmen€had€that€look€ð"ð€it€wasnððt€actual€shame€then,€but€it€was€effective€in€defusing€anger.€ButÏDoug€wasnððt€so€much€angry€as€stunned.Ìà  àDoug€walked€through€the€corridor,€absorbing€the€experience,€filtering€it.€Trying€to€ignore€the€cold€sweat€thatÏhad€broken€out€on€his€brow,€the€metallic€taste€in€his€mouth.€The€fact€that€it€had€happened€in€his€building€was€a€bad€sign.Ð Ô$ ÐòòHow€did€she€get€in?€Could€she€actually€be€a€tenant?óó€Things€were€getting€desperate.Ð šê Ðà  àHe€stood€in€front€of€1712,€wondering€if€he€should€tell€Cheryl.€He€held€the€doorknob,€waited€for€the€locks€toÏtumble,€one€thought€racing€through€his€mind.Ìà  àòòWeððve€gotta€get€out€of€here.óóÐ 8ˆ ÐÌThe€little€old€woman€stood€beside€the€phone,€stooped€slightly,€her€ear€to€the€receiver.€The€foyer€was€dim,€with€dustÏmotes€visible€in€the€weak€shafts€of€light.€òòI€should€really€vacuum€that€rug,óó€Eileen€thought€vaguely.€Ð Ö&! Ðà  àShe€thought€she€heard€a€click,€but€no,€it€was€still€the€hold€jingle.€She€sighed€and€made€her€way€around€to€theÏchintz„cushioned€chair€beside€the€phone.€She€lowered€herself€onto€the€chair,€still€listening€carefully.Ìà  àThe€music€stopped.€"Hello?"€said€Eileen.Ìà  àThe€next€song€started€up.€Eileen€sighed.€She€hated€using€the€phone,€always€had€Jeremy€do€those€kinds€ofÏthings.€He€always€liked€using€the€phone,€accessing€sites,€connecting€to€things...€even€before€he€could€talk€he€played€withÏthat€toy€phone.€She€smiled€to€think€of€him€holding€the€receiver€in€his€two€chubby€hands,€drooling€on€the€numbers.€òòOfÐ l#¼* Ðcourse,€maybe€that€was€what€got€him€into€this€trouble€in€the€first€place...óóÐ 2$‚+ Ðà  à"Self€Technical€Service,"€said€a€slightly€bored€voice.€"Could€I€have€your€passport€number€please?"Ìà  àEileen€had€to€think€for€a€moment€what€the€man€wanted.€òòSelf€service€passport?€óó"Well€hello,€Iððm€not€sure€ifÐ  'Z"/ Ðyouððre€the€right€person€to€talk€to..."Ìà  à"Whatððs€your€passport€number,€maððam?"Ìà  à"My€Canadian€passport?€I€didnððt€think€they€used€those€ð"ð"Ìà  à"The€passport€number€issued€with€your€Self€purchase€maððam,€not€an€official€document,€but€a€reference€numberÏwhich€we€use€to€serve€you€better."Ð Ú,*(7 Ðà  à"I€havenððt€made€any€purchase.€I€have€a€question€about€ð"ð"Ìà  à"No€problem€maððam,€Iððll€redirect€you€to€our€FAQ€system€ð"ð"Ìà  à"I€was€just€ð"ð€hello?"€Eileen€heard€the€hold€music€again,€followed€by€a€cheery€recording.Ìà  à"Welcome€to€our€Frequently€Asked€Questions€system.€If€you€have€a€browser€installed,€launch€it€now.ÏOtherwise,€press€one€now."Ìà  àEileen€leaned€forward€and€pecked€the€worn€button.Ìà  à"If€you€have€an€inquiry€about€our€special€offers€on€Self€packages,€press€one.€If€youððre€having€problemsÏupgrading,€press€two.€If€you€have€successfully€upgraded€and€are€having€difficulties€adjusting€to€your€new€reality,€pressÏthree."Ìà  àEileen€sighed,€trying€to€remember€what€number€it€was€that€she€had€pressed€before€on€her€previous€call.€òòWasÐ ŠÚ  Ðit€three?óó€She€tried€two.Ð P   Ðà  à"If€youððre€having€a€lot€of€trouble,€please€come€in€person€to€our€office€in...€Vancouver...€at...€783€RobsonÏStreet."€The€address€was€spoken€by€a€different€voice.€"Press€one€to€ð"ð"Ìà  àEileen€hung€up€the€phone.€òò783€Robson.óó€That€was€near€enough,€and€she€could€use€the€walk€anyway.Ð î> Ðà  àIt€took€her€awhile€to€find€her€hat,€even€though€she€had€stuck€it€in€her€sleeve€as€always.€As€she€fumbled€withÏher€keys,€she€thought€back€to€how€Jeremy€would€always€huff€and€fuss€at€the€delay,€saying€she€should€get€touch€locksÏput€in.€She€always€told€him€it€was€too€expensive,€even€though€the€real€reason€was€a€movie€she€had€seen€where€the€villainÏhad€cut€off€someoneððs€fingers€to€unlock€a€door.€òòNo€thank€you,€Iððll€stick€with€my€little€keys.óóÐ ¬ü Ðà  àIt€was€always€like€that,€with€them:€Jeremy€pushing€her€towards€the€future.€She€didnððt€mind,€it€was€what€youngÏpeople€did€ð"ð€assuming€newer€meant€improved,€seeing€the€flash€but€not€the€burn.€But€Eileen€knew€better.Ìà  àShe€started€off€down€the€road,€taking€a€pull€from€her€o„tube€every€now€and€then.€The€houses€in€this€part€of€townÏwere€stately€old€ruins,€not€unlike€their€occupants.€She€came€up€to€the€gate€and€waved€at€the€little€guardhouse€ð"ð€theÏwindows€were€opaque,€but€she€knew€Jack€was€in€there.€Or€Helen,€one€of€them€anyway.Ìà  àShe€palmed€out€and€pushed€through€the€turnstile,€ignoring€the€computer€voice:€"Goodbye,€Eileen€Ellis."€ThereÏwere€a€few€taxis€outside€the€gate,€as€always,€and€she€looked€for€one€that€wasnððt€idling€and€got€in.€She€gave€the€othersÏdirty€looks.€What€was€the€point€of€barring€cars€from€the€community€when€there€were€a€dozen€gas„guzzlers€out€thereÏspewing€fumes€right€outside€the€gate?€She€remembered,€as€she€approached€the€humming€cars,€that€there€wasnððt€any€gasÏleft€to€guzzle,€and€that€they€were€rechargeables.Ìà  àòòStill€a€waste€of€energyóó,€she€tutted€to€herself€as€she€got€settled,€setting€her€purse€next€to€her.€There€was€a€hissÐ Æ") Ðof€static.€"Where€to?"Ìà  àEileen€blinked.€òòWhere€ð"ð€Robson€Street.€What€was€the€number?óó€"Uh..."Ð ø$H , Ðà  àHiss,€pop.€"Sorry€what€was€that?"Ìà  àShe€couldnððt€remember€the€number.€She€stared€at€the€speaker,€not€wanting€to€tell€it€that,€yes,€once€again,€oneÏof€the€old€biddies€from€Sunset€Beach€had€forgotten€where€she€was€going.€"The€Self€offices€on€Robson€Street,"€sheÏblurted€suddenly,€hoping€that€he€knew€where€they€were.Ìà  àThe€taxi€started€to€pull€out.€Eileen€sighed,€relieved.€She€decided€that€she€was€going€to€jot€down€some€notes,Ïwhile€she€was€relaxed,€to€ask€those€Self€people.€She€opened€her€grey,€somewhat€ratty€purse€(she€knew€she€should€getÏa€new€one€but€couldnððt€be€bothered€ð"ð€anyway,€who€was€she€trying€to€impress?)€and€pulled€out€a€notebook.Ìà  àShe€turned€it€on€and€jotted€down€some€notes:Ð À-)8 Ðà  à1.€Where€is€my€grandson!!!Ìà  àShe€stopped€there.€That€was€the€question,€and€it€wasnððt€even€a€question€ð"ð€she€more€or€less€knew€the€answer.ÏSo€she€deleted€it€and€started€again.Ìà  àWhy€You€Should€Return€My€GrandsonÌà  à„€heððs€too€young€(12!)Ìà  à„€heððs€easily€overstimulatedÌà  à„€heððs€my€grandsonÌà  àThat€was€about€it,€but€Eileen€thought€her€reasons€were€pretty€convincing.€The€taxi€pulled€up€to€the€curb,€andÏshe€fished€her€card€out€of€her€purse.€It€was€a€new€taxi,€though,€and€it€just€had€a€payplate.Ìà  à"Driver?"€she€said,€waving€her€card.Ìà  àThe€slot€snicked€open,€and€a€young€woman€in€her€twenties€handed€her€a€card€reader.€"Oh!"€said€Eileen,€slidingÏthrough€her€debit€card.€"I€thought€you€were€ð"ð€you€sounded€like€a€man."Ìà  à"Mmm,"€said€the€girl.€"Voice€modulator.€Less€robberies€that€way."Ìà  à"Oh,"€said€Eileen,€handing€her€back€the€reader.€"Sorry€for€the€trouble.€Iððm€always€telling€my€grandson:€the€onlyÏthing€I€want€my€watch€to€know€is€the€time!"Ìà  àThe€driver€smiled,€shoved€the€reader€under€the€seat,€and€adjusted€the€elastic€on€her€ponytail.Ìà  à"You€watch€yourself,€young€lady,"€said€Eileen€as€she€slid€out€of€the€car.€"I€could€have€slit€your€throat€easy€asÏpie,€just€there."€She€smiled€in€at€her€and€slammed€the€door.Ìà  àòòOh,€do€I€have€my€ð"ð€oh€yes,€itððs€right€here,óó€she€thought,€patting€her€purse.€The€taxi€pulled€away,€leaving€herÐ  Z Ðin€front€of€a€storefront.€The€facade€was€a€tasteful€white€and€blue,€with€Self€Technologies€set€in€small,€assured€type.€SheÏtook€a€breath€and€entered€the€building.Ìà  àInside€was€a€plushly€carpeted€room€with€large€desks.€At€one€of€the€desks,€a€young€man€leaned€back€in€a€roundÏswivel€chair€as€he€spoke€to€an€attractive€young€couple.€An€older€man€was€just€finishing€up€at€another€desk,€nearlyÏcolliding€with€Eileen€as€he€waved€his€goodbye€on€the€way€to€the€door.Ìà  à"Oh€ð"ð"€said€Eileen.Ìà  à"Pardon€me!"€the€old€man€said.€When€he€looked€at€Eileen,€a€twinkle€came€to€his€eye.€"Just€in€time€for€folksÏlike€us,€hey?"Ìà  à"Well,"€said€Eileen,€but€the€man€was€past€her.Ìà  à"See€you€over€there,"€he€said€with€a€laugh€Eileen€didnððt€like.Ìà  àThe€woman€who€had€been€tending€to€the€old€man€walked€up€to€Eileen.€Her€hair€was€swept€into€a€stylish€bunÏand€pinned€in€place,€her€face€was€fresh€and€inquisitive.Ìà  à"Can€I€help€you,€maððam?"€she€said.Ìà  àòòWhat€a€lovely€girl,€óóthought€Eileen.€òòShe€looks€a€little€like€Mary,€when€she€was€younger.óó€"Well€yes,"€she€began.Ð +^&5 Ð"Maybe€we€should€sit€down,"€Eileen€said,€indicating€the€desk.€The€chair€for€visitors€wasnððt€as€plush,€but€it€still€lookedÏawfully€comfortable.€The€woman€nodded€and€slid€around€to€her€seat,€and€they€both€sat€down.Ìà  à"Now.€What€can€I€help€you€with?"€the€woman€said€with€serious€eyes.Ð .V)9 Ðà  àEileen€was€glad€it€was€a€woman.€The€men€could€be€very€dismissive,€especially€of€someone€her€age.€"MyÏgrandson..."€She€stopped€herself€before€it€all€came€spilling€out.€She€remembered€the€notes€she€made€and€started€to€rootÏaround€in€her€purse€for€them.€"My€grandson€is€missing.€Ah!"€She€pulled€out€the€notebook.Ìà  àThe€young€woman€looked€at€the€notebook€and€then€back€at€Eileen.€"Well,€thatððs€terrible...€has€it€been€for€long?"Ìà  à"No,€just€a€few€days.€But€I€received€a€bill€from€your€office.€Iððve€tried€to€get€in€touch€with€him€using€the€addressÏyou€gave€me,€but€thereððs€been€no€answer.€He€had€mentioned€something€about€it€being€free..."Ìà  àThe€young€lady€leaned€back€a€little€and€nodded.€"I€see.€Well,€we€do€have€a€no„strings„attached€test€drive€offer,Ïbut€the€person€must€go€back€of€his€or€her€own€accord."€She€stopped€and€let€that€sink€in.€"You€see?€If€they€donððt,€theyððreÏcharged€for€the€time."Ìà  àEileen€shook€her€head.€"Thatððs€not€like€Jeremy."Ìà  à"Iððm€sure€itððs€not...€could€you€slide€your€hand€on€the€desk,€maððam?€We€need€a€skin€sample€for€DNA€matching."ÏEileen€obeyed.Ìà  àThe€young€lady€paused€for€a€second,€her€eyes€moving€up€and€down.€"Maððam,€Iððm€not€getting€any€descendantsÏof€yours€on€the€system."Ìà  àEileen€smiled€uneasily.€"Heððs€not€my€grandson,€really,€I€suppose."Ìà  à"Maððam,€of€course€you€know€we€canððt€ð"ð"Ìà  à"Can€you€do€a€search€for€clones?"Ìà  àThe€young€ladyððs€eyes€widened.Ìà  àEileen€tilted€her€chin.€"I€call€him€my€grandson€because€itððs€easier€than€explaining."€òòAnd€dealing€with€reactionsÐ ¾ Ðlike€yours.€Wonder€what€youððd€do,€though,€with€millions€of€dollars€and€no€uterus?óóÐ „Ô Ðà  àThe€young€lady€blinked€suddenly.€"Here€we€are.€Jeremy€Ellis."Ìà  àEileen€nodded,€relieved.€"Did€you€give€me€the€wrong€contact€address€on€the€bill,€perhaps?"Ìà  àSlow€shake€of€the€head.€"No...€thatððs€correct.€It€says€that€he€arrived€six€days€ago...€transferred€immediately€toÏGamerz€Heaven...€and€then€nothing.€No€transfers,€no€data€requests,€no€hits€of€any€kind."Ìà  à"Oh€yes!€Iððve€heard€of€the€Game€Players€Heaven,€he€wanted€so€badly..."€Eileen€stopped€when€she€saw€howÏpuzzled€the€young€lady€looked.Ìà  à"Iððve€never€seen...€maððam,€could€you€hold€on€a€moment?€I€should€ask€my€manager€about€this."€She€touchedÏher€ear€nervously€and€disappeared.Ìà  àEileen€realized€that€she€had€been€speaking€to€a€hologram.€She€tutted€and€felt€stupid€that€she€hadnððt€noticed,Ïof€course€a€place€like€this€wouldnððt€have€meat€help.€òòThis€manager€better€know€ð"ðÐ $&t!. Ðà  àóóThe€young€lady€came€back,€her€face€composed,€and€a€thin€man€even€younger€than€the€woman€stood€behind€her.Ð 'à"0 Ð"Here€you€go€maððam,€heððll€help€you."€Then€she€blinked€out.Ìà  àThe€thin€man€slid€carefully€into€the€chair,€and€Eileen€noticed€how€natural€it€looked.€òòThey€must€practice€that,Ð Â)%3 Ðóóshe€thought.Ð ˆ*Ø%4 Ðà  à"Iððm€Gerald,€and€you€are...?"Ìà  à"Eileen.€Eileen€Ellis.€My...€boy..."Ð `-°(8 Ðà  à"Iððve€been€filled€in€on€your€situation,€Ms.€Ellis."€He€rubbed€his€chin.€"I€wish€I€could€say€it€was€unique."Ìà  à"A€little€boy€disappearing€isnððt€unique?"€Eileen€said,€leaning€forward.Ìà  à"Well,€first€of€all,€Ms.€Ellis,"€the€thin€man€said,€pursing€his€lips.€"Jeremy€isnððt€a€little€boy.€Heððs€entitled€to€allÏthe€consumer€products€aimed€at€the€12ð!ð17€demographic."€He€fixed€her€with€water„blue€eyes.€"And€he€agreed€to€theÏcontract."Ìà  à"No€one€reads€those€things,"€Eileen€snapped.€"They€just€click€on€the€I€Agree€button."Ìà  à"Nevertheless,€Jeremy€agreed€to€the€trial€hour€of€the€bronze€package,€and€when€he€didnððt€logoff€after€that,€heÏwas€automatically€registered€as€an€active€user€and€charged€accordingly."Ìà  à"Well.€I€want€him€back."€Eileen€felt€the€skin€around€her€cheekbones€tighten.Ìà  àThe€thin€man€sighed.€"Ms.€Ellis...€we€get€a€lot€of€missing€people€complaints,€or€allegedly€missing€people,€here.ÏUsually€itððs€husbands€and€wives.€And€we€say,€if€it€isnððt€charged€to€a€joint€account,€that€thereððs€really€nothing€we€canÏdo.€In€your€case,€if€you€like€we€can€stop€the€payments,€but€theyððre€really€extraordinarily€reasonable.€Itððs€practically€free."Ìà  àòòThat€was€strange.óó€"Why...€is€it€so€cheap?"Ð ‚Ò  Ðà  àThe€thin€man€smiled,€and€began€a€practiced€spiel.€"The€bronze€package€is€subsidized€by€a€number€of€corporateÏpatrons€in€exchange€for€it€being€a€delivery€system€for€stimulus„rich€promotion."Ìà  àEileen€worked€her€way€through€that,€unravelling€it.€"You€mean...€it€has€advertising."Ìà  à"Well,€yes.€Itððs€a€lot€more€dynamic€than€traditional€ð"ð"Ìà  àEileen€felt€a€sweat€breaking€out,€under€her€arms.€"He€canððt€have...€he€canððt€have€advertising."Ìà  àThe€couple€in€the€desk€next€to€them€got€up,€looking€happy.€The€dark„haired€man€looked€over€at€Eileen,€hisÏsmile€failing€a€bit€as€he€noticed€her€agitation.€He€followed€his€blond€boyfriend€out.Ìà  àThe€thin€man€watched€her,€plainly€debating€if€the€time€for€decorum€had€passed.Ìà  àEileen€took€a€big€breath€and€tried€to€calm€herself€down.€"Because€of€a€problem€when€he€was...€born...€JeremyÏhas€an€extreme€sensitivity€to€stimulus.€He€even€has€to€wear€special€glasses€when€he€plays€games."Ìà  àThe€thin€man€nodded.€"The€contract€he€agreed€to€clearly€states€that€anyone€with€a€medical€condition€ð"ð"Ìà  à"Heððs€slipped€into€a€coma€before,"€Eileen€said.€"What€if€heððs€in€a€coma€ð"ð€in€there?"Ìà  à"The€contract€ð"ð"Ìà  àEileen€just€looked€at€him.Ìà  àHe€stopped.€"Maððam,€Iððve€got€to€ask€you€to€leave.€Thereððs€nothing€I€can€do€about€this.€When€your€grandsonÏwants€to€get€in€touch,€he€will."Ìà  àShe€looked€at€him,€laid€the€words€out€as€carefully€as€she€could:€"Where€is€his€body."Ìà  à"You€know€that€for€security€reasons,€the€location€of€our€clientsðð€bodies€is€a€matter€of€the€most€confidential€ð"ð"Ìà  à"Where."Ìà  àThe€thin€man€whispered€something€and€then€lifted€his€hands€in€supplication.€"Maððam,€Iððm€afraid€Iððm€going€toÏhave€to€contact€a€security€team€if€you€do€not€vacate€the€premises€immediately.€I€am€truly€sorry€about€the€problemsÏbetween€you€and€your...€your€ð"ð"Ð æ-6)9 Ðà  à"òòMy€grandson!óó"€Eileen€screamed.Ð ° Ðà  àThe€thin€man€took€a€step€back€and€disappeared.Ìà  àEileen€looked€at€the€other€desk,€and€saw€that€it€was€empty€too.€She€was€alone.€She€looked€at€the€notebook€thatÏshe€still€clutched€in€her€hand€and€slowly€put€it€in€her€purse.Ìà  àShe€got€up€and€moved€through€the€empty€office€and€pushed€out€the€door,€feeling€like€every€cell€in€her€bodyÏwas€dragging€her€down.€Outside,€it€was€a€grey„yellow€twilight,€and€she€hailed€a€cab.€Across€the€street,€a€cube€van€burstÏopen,€and€security€men€in€riot€gear€piled€out.€They€charged€into€the€Self€office€just€as€she€got€into€a€taxi.€She€watchedÏthem€mill€around,€her€purse€feeling€too€heavy€in€her€lap.Ìà  àòòJeremy.Ð x È  ÐóóÐ ä4  ÐThe€next€morning,€Eileen€got€up€and€felt€her€way€to€the€bathroom€ð"ð€òògo€to€bed€when€itððs€too€bright,€get€up€when€itððsÐ P   Ðnot€bright€enoughóó.€She€was€halfway€through€relieving€herself€when€she€remembered€about€Jeremy,€and€it€hit€her€hard,Ð f  Ða€flashfreeze.€It€was€a€few€seconds€before€her€pee€started€again.€She€sat€there,€feeling€the€cold€tiles€even€through€herÏcalloused€soles.€It€made€her€remember€about€how€Jeremy€thought€she€was€inhuman€because€he€couldnððt€tickle€her€feetÏno€matter€how€hard€he€tried,€while€he€screamed€and€howled€at€the€lightest€of€brushes.Ìà  àIt€was€the€memory€of€his€laugh€that€finally€drew€it€out€of€her.€She€bent€her€head€and€let€the€tears€drip€on€herÏlegs,€a€painful€sound€coming€from€her€lips.€She€squeezed€her€eyes€tighter,€tighter...€then€wiped,€got€up.€"Stoopid,"€sheÏsaid,€her€sinuses€having€filled€instantly.€She€splashed€some€cold€water€in€her€face€and€stared€at€herself€in€the€mirror.Ï"Donððt€be€stupid,€Eileen."Ìà  àShe€tottered€downstairs€and€got€herself€a€cup€of€tea.€She€forgot€to€shake€it€first€so€it€was€pretty€weak,€and€sheÏwondered€for€the€thousandth€time€what€was€wrong€with€teabags?€Why€did€they€have€to€meddle,€these€companies,€inÏthings€that€were€better€left€alone?€They€pretended€like€they€knew€better,€so€you€went€along€with€it...€even€with€her€oldÏjob€it€had€been€like€that.€There€were€a€few€missions€that€she€had€had€that€were€obviously€poorly€thought€out,€disastrous,Ïenough€so€that€she€stopped€reading€the€papers.€The€missions€were€supposed€to€help€those€people€in€the€long€run,€helpÏthem€adapt€to€the€world€market€by€eliminating€key€bad€apples,€but€more€often€than€not,€the€violence€raged€on€like€aÏforest€fire.€If€you€believed€what€you€read.Ìà  àBy€the€time€the€caffeine€really€kicked€in,€Eileen€had€worked€up€a€heart„pumping€anger.€And€then€it€struck€her.Ð ¢ò# ÐòòOf€course.€óóShe€forced€herself€to€finish€off€her€tea€before€she€got€up€and€made€her€way€to€the€phone.Ð h¸$ Ðà  àHer€co„workerððs€number€jumped€to€mind€immediately,€and€it€wasnððt€re„routed€to€some€fancy€new€address,€twoÏgood€omens.€Eileen€was€still€shocked€by€the€voice€at€the€other€end.€Ìà  à"Who€is€it?"Ìà  à"Itððsð8ð€Eileen.€Eileen€Ellis."Ìà  à"Eileen!"€Mary€squealed.€"Oh€my€god!€Itððs€been€years€ð"ð€decades!€How...€how€are€you?"€Her€initial€excitementÏhad€curved€down€into€caution.Ìà  à"òòIððmóó€fine.€But...€Well,€itððs€a€long€story.€Maybe€we€could€meet.€But€I€need€to€ask€you€something€right€away.Ð (`#0 ÐMary..."€Eileenððs€eyes€were€squeezed€closed,€as€much€from€the€dust€as€from€the€tension.€"Do€you€still€have€your€suit?"ÌÌEileen€dabbed€her€cookie€into€what€was€left€of€her€tea€and€took€a€nibble,€listening€intently€to€the€glamorous€woman€inÏblue€seated€across€from€her.Ìà  à"...And€even€if€he€did€come€back,€I€wouldnððt€want€him.€Iððd€show€him€the€door€so€fast€his€head€would€spin."Ð à-0)8 ÐMary€said.Ìà  àEileen€shook€her€head,€dabbed.€The€waitress€came€around€to€offer€tea,€and€Mary€took€some,€smiling€brilliantlyÏat€the€waitress.€òòShe€still€has€her€looks,óó€Eileen€thought,€amazed€that€the€years€had€hardly€withered€her,€barely€streakedÐ â2 Ðher€hair€white.€Eileenððs€hair€had€gone€completely€white€over€ten€years€ago.€The€waitress€moved€towards€her€cup,€butÏEileen€put€a€hand€over€it€to€stop€her,€and€she€glided€away.Ìà  à"Oh,€youððre€better€off€without€that...€jerk,"€Eileen€said.€She€chose€her€words€carefully,€since€Mary€was€one€toÏtake€offence€rather€easily.€She€would€be€telling€horror€stories€about€a€man€one€day€and€then€come€back€at€you€forÏagreeing€with€her€the€next,€once€he€was€back€in€her€good€books.Ìà  à"So..."€Mary€said.€"You€ever€meet€a€fella..."€She€lost€her€mischievous€smile€when€she€saw€Eileenððs€face.€"BetterÏoff€without€them.€Itððs€like€they€said€in€the€company,€XYbother?"€She€laughed€at€her€own€joke,€and€Eileen€smiled,€if€justÏto€see€her€old€friend€in€good€form.Ìà  à"I€never€knew€why€you€wanted€a€boy.€When€I€heard,€I€said€ððWhat?€Did€something€go€wrong?ðð"€She€wasÏlaughing€again,€and€Eileenððs€answering€smile€was€much€weaker.€She€thought€about€the€cloning€rep€advising€her,€in€aÏbored€tone,€that€the€gender€alteration€would€increase€the€chances€of€flaws.€They€didnððt€call€them€defects.€She€wonderedÏif€that€could€be€connected€to€the€stimulus€seizures.Ìà  à"I€figured€he€would€have€more€advantages€as€a€man,"€Eileen€said.Ìà  à"Well,€how€is€he?"€Eileen€said.Ìà  à"Fine,€good,"€Eileen€said€guiltily,€taking€the€last€cookie€and€changing€the€subject.€"This€is€really€a€beautifulÏhotel."Ìà  à"Yes,€isnððt€it€grand?"€Mary€said,€looking€around€at€the€nearly€empty€dining€room,€the€round€ground€floor€ofÏa€coliseum„shaped€building.€"You€can€just€smell€the€history.€Used€to€be€a€library€or€some€such.€Terribly€expensive,€butÏI€get€over€to€Vancouver€so€rarely...€you€should€come€to€visit!€The€islandððs€so€cosmopolitan€nowð8ð€itððs€no€Frisco,€butÏwe€try!"Ìà  à"Maybe€when€I€get€my€affairs€sorted€out,"€Eileen€said.Ìòòà  àóó"I€brought€what€you€asked€me€for,€by€the€way,"€Mary€said.Ð ¼ " Ðà  àEileen€had€seen€the€small€bag€immediately,€but€she€smiled€gratefully.€"Thank€you."€Ìà  àThe€waitress€buzzed€past,€and€Mary€dropped€her€voice.€"Iððll€just€leave€it€here€when€I€go..."Ìà  à"Great."€Eileen€paused.€"How€did€you€keep€it€after€ð"ð"Ìà  àMary€smirked.€"Well.€Thatððs€a€story.€Remember€how€they€were€withholding€my€bonus?€Because€my€facemaskÏwas€ððdamagedðð?"Ìà  àEileen€remembered€it.€While€most€of€the€operatives€had€put€on€any€decorations€with€removable€flash€prints,Ïshe€had€drawn€on€hers€with,€among€other€things,€lipstick.Ìà  à"So.€I€was€so€mad.€I€òòneededóó€that€bonus!€So€I€hid€it,€and€told€them€I€destroyed€it.€They€were€mad,€but€Iððd€alreadyÐ Ð' #0 Ðbeen€paid€up,€so€they€couldnððt€dock€me.€And€they€were€being€dissolved€by€their€parent€corporations,€so€they€were€tooÏbusy€trying€to€save€their€jobs€to€bother€following€up€with€me."Ìà  àEileen€felt€a€little€queasy€thinking€of€the€risk€Mary€had€run.€She€tried€to€cover€it€up€by€sipping€her€tea,€butÏnoticed€her€hand€was€shaking€a€bit.Ìà  à"I€had€planned€to€sell€it€ð"ð€get€the€bonus€money€they€screwed€me€for.€Butð8ð"€Mary€shrugged€expansively.€"IÏguess€once€I€had€settled€back€into€normal€life€I€didnððt€want€to,€you€know,€get€back€intoð8ð€that.€It€was€going€good€withÐ À-)8 ÐLarry€at€the€timeð8ð€so€I€just€packed€it€away.€Oh!"€She€covered€her€mouth.€"Listen€to€this.€Larry,€about€a€year€after€I€putÏit€away,€finds€it€in€the€bottom€of€a€box€somewhere.€He€takes€it€out€and€says€Iððm€keeping€secrets€from€him.€He€confrontsÏme€with€it.€He€says,€ððI€canððt€believe€you€never€told€me€you€were€ð8ð€a€scuba€diver!ðð"Ìà  àEileen€giggled.€Ìà  à"A€scuba€diver!€It€was€a€riot.€I€just€about€killed€myself€trying€not€to€laugh.€I€was€so€scared€Iððd€have€to€tell€himÏthe€whole€thingð8ð"Ìà  à"Oh,€thereððs€no€point€in€that,"€Eileen€said,€sipping€her€tea.€"No€point€at€all."Ìà  à"Exactly."€Mary€looked€at€Eileen,€smiling€sadly.€"Itððs€so€good€to€talk€to€you,€Eileen.€Iððm€sorry€if€Iððm€talkingÏyour€ear€off."Ìà  à"Youððre€not.€Youððre€just€being€Mary."Ìà  àMary€smiled,€and€her€eyes€landed€on€the€bag€with€the€suit.€"Please€be€careful,€Eileen.€Iððd€feel€so€guilty€ifÏanything€were€to€happen.€Oh!€And€donððt€uplink,€whatever€you€do.€Iððm€sure€that€would€set€all€sorts€of€alarms€off."€HerÏhands€fluttered€in€demonstration.€"Will€you€get€in€touch€with€me€when€you€finished€with€whatever€youððre€doing?€SoÏI€know€youððre€OK?"Ìà  àEileen€nodded.€Sheððd€want€to€return€the€suit,€anyway.€"Youððll€be€at€the€same€number?"Ìà  à"Well,€if€itððs€ð"ð€if€not,€thereððll€be€a€forwarding€service."€Maryððs€eyes€dropped,€moved€over€the€linen.Ìà  à"Youððre€going?"€Eileen€said€dully.Ìà  à"Well...€of€course.€For€the€next€few€weeks,€thereððs€a€seniorsðð€special.€Youððre€not€seriously€considering...Ïstaying."Ìà  àEileen€hadnððt,€although€since€this€business€with€Jeremy€the€idea€of€trusting€Self€certainly€wasnððt€appealing.ÏShe€hadnððt€really€expected€to€stay€ð"ð€sheððd€just€assumed€that€theyððd€go€when€the€time€was€right.Ìà  àShe€hadnððt€considered€staying,€but€all€these€presumptions€about€what€she€would€want,€how€she€would€act,€wereÏmaking€her€want€to€dig€her€heels€in.Ìà  à"I€suppose€Iððm€not€really€thinking€about€anything€beyond€getting€my€affairs€in€order,"€she€said€to€simplifyÏthings.Ìà  àMary€nodded€and€smiled€at€her.€"So€youððre€really€not€telling€me€what€you€need€it€for?"Ìà  àEileen€shifted€in€her€seat€uncomfortably,€took€a€sip€of€tea€that€wasnððt€there.Ìà  à"Tell€me€this,€oh€mysterious€one,"€Mary€said,€her€eyebrow€arching.€"Is€it€a€man?"Ìà  àEileen€thought,€decided€that€it€was€factually€true,€and€nodded.Ìà  àMary€looked€over€her€shoulder.€"Well,"€she€said€conspiratorially,€nodding€at€the€package.€"It€wouldnððt€be€theÏfirst€time€that€suitððs€come€out€of€retirement€to€deal€with€some€cheating€little€shit."ÌÌThat€night€in€her€bathroom,€Eileen€used€a€small€silver€mirror€to€look€at€her€back,€wishing€that€the€mirrorððs€makers€hadÏbeen€more€concerned€with€surface€area€than€ornate€detailing.€But€a€few€angles€later,€and€crouching€slightly,€she€was€ableÏto€see€it.Ìà  àAlthough€the€skin€around€it€was€blotchy€and€greyish,€the€small€black€hole€hadnððt€changed€at€all.€The€knob€ofÐ `-°(8 Ðspine€that€it€was€drilled€through€was€different,€less€symmetrical.€She€was€worried€that€it€might€have€grown€over,€sealedÏup€like€her€belly„ring€hole€had.€But€no,€it€looked€solid.€But€was€the€rest€of€her€solid€enough€to€withstand€the€connection?Ìà  àShe€opened€up€the€Nordstromððs€bag€that€the€suit€was€packed€in.€Mary€had€also€wrapped€it€in€brown€paper€andÏtied€the€whole€thing€up,€so€it€took€Eileen€a€few€seconds€to€free€the€blacksuit.€She€rolled€it€out€on€the€bed.Ìà  àUniform€was€what€they€had€been€trained€to€call€it€ð"ð€there€werenððt€any€logos€or€anything€ð"ð€and€the€technicalÏname€was€some€military€mumbo€jumbo€that€had€sounded€impressive€but€that€Eileen€had€immediately€forgotten.€Ìà  àòòForgot€what€a€trial€it€was€to€get€this€thing€on,€óóEileen€thought,€stepping€into€the€jet„black€neoprene€bodysuit,Ð F –  Ðpulling€it€up€past€her€bare,€blue„veined€legs.€She€stuffed€her€bare€arms€in,€and,€holding€her€white€hair€in€place,€pulledÏthe€head€mask€over€and€waited€in€the€pitch€darkness.Ìà  àThe€sealing€sequence€started€immediately,€and€Eileen€felt€the€zipper€slowly€crawl€up€her€back.€She€felt€herÏsagging€breasts€barely€bumping€the€bodysuitððs€surface€and€thought€that€she€ð"ð€òòow!óó€Ð T  Ðà  àThe€zipper€had€caught€some€loose€skin.€Feeling€blindly,€Eileen€found€and€yanked€the€zipper€down,€holding€herÏback€straighter€this€time.€The€zipper€resumed€its€crawl.€Eileen€hoped€that€Jeremy€would€see€the€note€she€had€left€for€himÏin€the€unlikely€chance€he€made€it€back€on€his€own.€òòHeððll€open€that€fridge€sooner€rather€than€later,óó€was€her€thought€asÐ üL  Ðthe€suit€plugged€into€her€central€nervous€system.Ìà  àThe€familiar€triumphant€chime.€The€sudden€rush€of€electrically€induced€adrenalpro.€The€brightening€ofÏsurroundings,€first€in€low€rez€blocky€shapes€and€then€high,€higher,€perfect€rez.€"System€speed,"€Eileen€mouthed,€andÏher€heart€rate€showed€normal.Ìà  àShe€walked€around€the€room,€trying€the€eyes€in€the€back€of€her€head,€moving€her€body€in€some€limberingÏexercises€she€hadnððt€thought€about€in€years.€Her€body€sent€sharp€little€reminders€of€this€fact€to€her€joints,€and€it€tookÏa€lot€just€not€to€cry€out.Ìà  à"Pain€Mute€on."Ìà  àThe€numbness€settled€over€her€like€gauze,€and€she€was€able€to€stand€up€straight,€even€arch€her€back.€HerÏsharper€vision€noticing€it,€she€wiped€the€dust€off€the€full„length€mirror,€leaving€a€grey€streak€on€the€edge€of€her€matteÏblack€hand.Ìà  àòòGloveóó,€Eileen€corrected,€knowing€that€it€was€futile€to€resist€thinking€about€her€suit€as€part€of€her.€She€let€outÐ ‚Ò# Ða€bark€of€a€laugh€as€she€focused€on€her€face€ð"ð€òòmask,€I€mean.Ð H˜$ Ðà  àóóMary,€you€silly€girl.€She€had€forgotten€the€outrageous€face€Mary€had€drawn€on:€large€red€lips,€blue€almondÐ ´ & Ðeyes,€a€cartoon€femme€fatale€painted€on€her€mask.€Eileen€had€preferred€the€unadorned€black,€had€felt€that€the€smileyÏfaces€and€such€were€a€bit€inappropriate€ð"ð€not€to€mention€a€good€target€ð"ð€but€she€herself€couldnððt€help€tittering€a€littleÏas€she€looked€at€how€the€vamp€face€contrasted€with€her€bony€pelvis€and€bulging€knees.Ìà  à"Set€system€speed€to€500%,"€she€mouthed.€Nothing€happened.€òòWas€it€working?€óóShe€reached€forward€andÐ r$Â+ Ðflicked€the€mirror.€Nothing.Ìòòà  àóóShe€looked€around€at€her€room.€òòWell,€it€had€been€years€ð"ðóóÐ ¤&ô!. Ðà  àThe€mirror,€where€she€had€flicked€it,€had€an€indent.€Then,€as€if€someone€was€sketching€them,€crack€marksÏleisurely€spidered€out€from€the€indent.Ìà  àEileen€felt€relief.€She€left€her€room€and€went€into€Jeremyððs.€His€cubespace€was€on€ð"ð€as€it€always€was€ð"ð€andÏthe€Self€contract€was€floating€there,€a€sinister€writ.€Beside€it€was€another€subcube,€something€else€he€was€working€on.ÏShe€stared€at€the€strings€of€numbers€and€letters.€òòHe€was€so€clever.óó€As€she€focused€on€it,€her€suit€said,€"DecryptingÐ Î+'5 Ðdocument€Deep€Inside€Lois€Laneð8ð10%€decryptedð8ð"Ìà  à"Cancel€job,"€Eileen€said,€feeling€an€odd€flutter€in€her€chest.€òòThat€wouldnððt€help€me€find€him,€óóshe€told€herself.Ð .P)8 ÐòòWhat€I€need€is€to€be€uplinked!€I€could€get€his€current€coordinates€from€his€watchð8ðóóShe€opened€a€file.Ð ° Ðà  à"New€target€file€opened.€Data?"€the€suit€whispered€in€her€ear.Ìà  à"Name:€Jeremy€Ellis.€Primary€occupant€of€room."€Eileen€leaned€over€his€desk€and€sniffed.€The€suit€neededÏmore,€so€she€took€another,€deeper€sniff,€her€facemask€almost€touching€the€desk.Ìà  à"Cloned€2025.€Hair€black,€eyes€ð"ð"Ìà  àEileen€stopped€the€flow€of€data€the€DNA€sample€had€provided.€"Evidence€of€other€occupants?"Ìà  àThere€werenððt€any.€Self€hadnððt€sent€out€agents€to€take€Jeremy€away€ð"ð€or€at€least,€not€organic€agents.€ThatÏwould€have€been€too€easy.Ìà  àGently€closing€the€door€with€its€òòGamerz€Only!óó€sign€on€it,€she€thought€about€the€time€that€he€had€explained€toÐ Ä  Ðher,€so€seriously,€that€she€was€an€honorary€gamer€and€thus€was€admitted€past€the€threshold.€Ìà  àThe€suit€asked,€"Would€you€like€to€uplink?€Yes€or€No."Ìà  à"No,"€she€said,€jogging€down€the€stairs.Ìà  à"Not€uplinking€means€that€you€might€be€depriving€yourself€of€critical€information€regarding€your€target.€AreÏyou€sure?€Yes€or€No."Ìà  à"Yes,"€she€snapped.Ìà  àShe€opened€the€door€and€stepped€out€into€the€chilly€night€air.€The€suit€automatically€adjusted.€"Track€Jeremy,"Ïshe€said.€Blue€blotches€appeared€here€and€there,€solidifying€into€a€trail€going€down€their€garden€path€and€stopping€atÏthe€sewer.Ìà  àAs€she€shut€the€door€behind€her,€she€realized€that€sheððd€left€her€keys€upstairs,€and€even€if€she€went€back€forÏthem€she€had€no€pockets€to€keep€them€in.€She€walked€away€from€her€house€with€one€last€anxious€glance€at€its€unlockedÏstate.€òòDonððt€be€stupid.€If€someone€breaks€in,€you€can€track€them€down€and€ð"ð€óóshe€stopped€it,€the€voice.€It€was€the€voiceÐ ð@  Ðthat€always€accompanied€the€suit,€as€much€a€part€of€it€as€the€nagging€whisper.€But€it€was€her,€this€voice€ð"ð€a€harder,Ïstronger,€colder€her.Ìà  àShe€reached€the€street.€Jeremyððs€traces€stopped€at€the€sewer.€They€may€have€dissipated€naturally,€or€the€SelfÏagent€may€haveòòð8ðóó€she€lifted€the€sewer€grate€set€into€the€middle€of€the€road,€as€if€it€were€a€pot€lid,€and€climbed€down.Ð ®þ% ÐReaching€up,€she€snagged€it€with€a€few€fingers€and€slid€it€back€into€place.€The€clank€it€made,€slowed€down,€stretchedÏover€a€few€seconds.Ìà  àThe€tunnel€glowed€with€grey„green€infrared.€There€were€no€traces€of€Jeremy,€but€she€knew€where€she€wasÏheading.€The€walls€were€thick€with€the€filth€of€centuries,€the€few€inches€of€water€equally€fetid.€She€imagined€a€spiderÏsentry€with€Jeremy€in€tow,€scuttling€down€the€tunnel.€òòThey€dragged€my€boy€through€ð"ðÐ 2$‚+ Ðà  àóóShe€put€the€adrenaline€that€the€rage€fed€her€to€work,€jogging€down€the€tunnel.€By€the€time€the€shattered€glassÐ ž%î - Ðhad€finished€dropping€from€her€bedroom€mirror,€a€crystalline€snowfall,€she€was€several€city€blocks€away.ÌÌThe€two€men€stood€together€on€the€little€knoll,€hands€in€pockets.€The€taller€man€wore€blue€knee„length€shorts€and€anÏunbuttoned€golf€shirt,€while€the€shorter€man€was€overdressed,€holding€his€blazer€in€the€crook€of€his€arm€as€he€made€hisÏcase.€It€was€hard€to€say€for€sure,€because€both€men€had€scrambled€blurs€where€their€faces€should€be,€but€by€his€bodyÏlanguage€the€taller€man€seemed€more€interested€in€watching€the€children€play.Ìà  à"Now€you€see,€this€is€what€Iððm€talking€about,"€the€tall€man€said,€pointing€a€beefy€finger€at€the€blur„facedÏchildren.€"This€is€the€second€time€that€kid€has€fallen€down€in€that€exact€place.€This€picnic€doesnððt€even€have€a€decentÐ À-)8 Ðloop€rate."Ìà  à"Paul,€cððmon,€you€know€we€have€a€budget€limit€on€these€things€ð"ð"Ìà  à"But€youððre€not€even€trying.€Your€heart€ainððt€in€it.€Itððs€all€work€work€work€with€you€guys.€Look€at€you,€Al€ð"ðÏwith€your€tie€on.€Come€on!"Ìà  à"Itððs€just...€Iððve€got€a€meeting€after,"€Al€mumbled,€deleting€his€tie€and€loosening€his€collar.€"Better?"Ìà  à"Pathetic,"€Paul€said,€turning€around€and€looking€at€the€adults€swarming€around€the€barbeque.€"I€mean,€weððreÏin€the€culture€industry,€the€ones€the€ordinary€joes€look€to€to€spice€up€their€lives,€and€this€is€the€best€recreation€you€comeÏup€with?"€Ìà  àAl€lifted€his€hand€to€the€sky.€"Whattaya€talking€about?€Itððs€a€beautiful€day.€Look€at€those€clouds!€Those€areÏhigh„quality€clouds,€Paul.€Not€a€chance€of€rain."Ìà  à"My€point€exactly!"€Paul€said,€taking€his€hand€out€to€point€at€the€shorter€man.€"No€chance€of€anything.€WhereÏare€the€ants,€Al?"€He€shook€his€head.€"Now€the€Branders€picnic,€that€was€something.€They€had€some€terrorists€comeÏin€and€shoot€the€place€up.€Pitchmen€screaming,€people€running€everywhere."€He€laughed.Ìà  àAl€made€a€sour€noise.€"Aw,€thatððs€in€poor€taste.€Especially€in€light€of€the€Exxon€Massacre..."Ìà  à"Creative.€Thatððs€what€it€was.€Everyone€shitting€their€pants,€even€though€they€knew€they€couldnððt€be€killed.ÏAll€it€took€was€a€few€holoððs€getting€their€heads€perforated€to€accessed€that€fear.€Itððs€hardwired€into€us,€even€if€we€areÏjust€software."Ìà  à"Well,€I€remember€a€time€when€we€didnððt€have€to€wear€scramblefaces,"€Al€said.€"That€dates€me,€but€itððs€true."Ìà  à"Well,€the€cutting€edge€sometimes€cuts€back,"€Paul€said€with€an€easy€laugh.Ìà  àAl€shook€his€head€and€chuckled.€"Thatððs€what€I€admire€about€you,€Paul€ð"ð€you€can€turn€anything€on€its€head.ÏMake€crazed€terrorists€seem€like€theyððre€keeping€us€sharp.€Our€firm,€on€the€other€hand,€has€been€the€bedrock€of€theÏindustry€for€longer€than€youððve€been€alive.€And€thatððs€why€I€think€weððd€make€a€great€team€to€go€for€the€Self€account."Ìà  à"Oh,€good€lord!€Not€you,€too,€Al!"€Paul€said,€making€a€gesture€of€pulling€his€hair€out€that€was€obscured€by€hisÏscrambleface.€"Donððt€tell€me€youððre€going€on€this€wild€goose€chase,€too!"Ìà  àAl€turned€away,€seemed€on€the€verge€of€giving€up.€Then€he€turned€back.€"Itððs€not€a€wild€goose€chase.€Itððs€theÏbiggest€single€account€in€the€history€of€business."Ìà  à"I€donððt€even€believe€that€Selfððs€operations€are€generated€by€an€artificial€intelligence,€Al.€Itððs€all€a€scam€toÏconvince€the€end€users€that€itððs€all€top€secret€and€totally€secure.€But€even€if€that€wasnððt€a€scam,€donððt€you€realize€thatÏitððs€the€same€old€story?€In€the€old€days€theyððd€dare€kids€to€hack€their€code,€and€kids€would€spend€man„years€findingÏways€to€get€in€ð"ð€which€the€company€would€then€patch."Ìà  àAl€laughed.€"I€think€itððs€a€little€different€than€that,€Paul.€Our€profession€consists€of€the€finest€cultural€analystsÏand€data€miners€on€Earth."Ìà  à"Self€gets€us€to€exhaust€our€resources€to€simply€give€them€information€about€their€operations€that€they€alreadyÏknow€and€are€promising€an€undisclosed€exclusive€deal€in€returnð8ð€If€you€canððt€see€the€connection,"€Paul€said.€"ThenÏI€guess€you€canððt."Ìà  àA€phone€floated€by€in€mid„air,€between€them,€but€Al€didnððt€notice€and€started€to€say€something.€Paul€held€upÏa€hand.€"Iððve€got€a€call."Ìà  àHe€turned€away€slightly,€holding€his€hand€in€a€phone€shape€to€his€ear.€The€connection€was€made€immediately.Ð ú,J(7 Ðà  àThe€voice€was€warbly€from€the€strain€of€several€filters.€"Thereððs€something€going€on€at€the€Robson€Street€SelfÏoffice.€Do€you€want€me€to€check€it€out?"Ìà  à"Definitely,€Honey,€eight€sounds€good."Ìà  à"OK,€contact€me€when€youððre€alone.€Iððll€have€more€info€then."€Click.Ìà  à"You€were€right€to€give€this€picnic€a€miss,€Hun,"€Paul€continued,€looking€over€at€Alððs€slumped€form.€"TheseÏfellows€donððt€know€how€to€loosen€up."€A€laugh.Ìà  àAl€raised€a€timid€hand€goodbye€and€went€back€to€the€barbeque.€"All€right€sweetheart,"€Paul€said€to€no€one.Ï"Yes,€Iððll€remember."Ìà  àAlone€on€the€knoll,€he€held€his€hands€behind€his€back€and€watched€the€children.€As€one€of€them€tripped€andÏskinned€her€knee€for€the€third€time,€he€disappeared,€leaving€the€little€girl€to€her€eternal€fate.ÌÌNicky€got€to€the€launch€about€an€hour€after€the€invite€said€it€started,€entering€the€brightly€lit€Molsonððs€Gallery€to€beÏimmediately€caught€in€the€staring€crossfire.€Trying€not€to€scurry,€Nicky€moved€towards€the€art.€She€held€JKððs€foldedÏbike€in€front€of€her€where€it€was€less€obvious€in€an€attempt€to€minimize€her€oddness€level,€feeling€the€tiny€feet€of€herÏlittle€creature€crawling€over€the€back€of€her€jean€jacket.€òòMaybe€the€gecko€was€a€bit€much.óóÐ ^ Ðà  àShe€looked€at€the€boxed€holo.€It€was€a€cavern,€an€underground€mine,€judging€by€the€little€railcars.Ìà  à"Well€you€know€what€òòtheyððre€óólike.€Youððre€lucky€you€got€out€of€it€with€your€scalp€intact,"€said€someone€behindÐ æ6 ÐNicky.Ìà  àSomeone€else€replied€in€a€tone€too€low€to€hear.€Nicky€leaned€forward€to€examine€the€box,€picking€out€tinyÏfigures€hacking€away€at€the€cavern€walls.€òòDwarves?óóÐ Þ. Ðà  à"I€think€youððre€right,"€said€the€first€voice,€which€was€quiet€but€distinct.€"Heððs€just€the€type.€Too€young€to€beÏthat€intense,€but€heððs€staring€at€your€stuff€pretty€hard."Ìà  àNicky€glanced€back.€The€guy€with€the€distinct€voice€had€a€large€grey€afro€in€which€he€had€stuck€mirroredÏsunglasses.€The€mumbler€was€the€artist€ð"ð€Mike€something€ð"ð€who€looked€uncharacteristically€nervous.€Nicky€movedÏaway€before€Mike€recognized€her,€even€though€it€was€unlikely€with€her€new€hairdo.Ìà  àThere€was€a€cash€bar€with€a€kind€of€cute€bartender.€She€looked€at€the€price€list€ð"ð€$10€for€a€Coke,€$15€for€aÏMolson€Ex,€$17€for€Evian,€$20€for€a€Tropicana€ð"ð€and€she€almost€considered€treating€herself€to€an€OJ,€seeing€as€sheÏjust€got€paid.€òòI€can€get€a€whole€box€for€the€same€price€at€Safewayóó,€she€thought.€òòIððll€get€some€on€my€way€home.óóÐ "P( Ðà  àShe€walked€away,€returning€the€bartenderððs€smile€nervously,€wondering€what€kind€of€clothes€he€wore€whenÏhe€wasnððt€in€his€tux€t„shirt€uniform.€She€imagined€herself€asking€him€that,€and€a€thrill€of€terror€passed€through€her.€Ìà  àShe€stationed€herself€in€front€of€another€box.€This€was€the€one€that€had€been€on€the€invite€ð"ð€the€unicornÏtrotting€around€the€distressed€woman€with€the€heaving€bosom.€Nicky€noticed€that€the€artist€had€spent€more€time€on€theÏprincessðð€erect€nipples€than€on€the€unicornððs€whole€head,€but€that€was€typical.€He€had€done€a€not„bad€job€on€the€field,Ïthough...Ìà  à"Who€do€you€identify€with€more?"€said€a€familiar€voice.Ìà  àNicky€turned€to€see€a€middle„aged€man€who€sheððd€never€seen€before.€She€inwardly€sighed€as€she€looked€at€theÏguyððs€blank€stare,€his€almost€empty€Molson.€òòJK,€where€the€fuck€are€you?€óó"Uh...€neither."€She€looked€back,€and,€sensingÐ Ž+Þ&5 Ðhe€wasnððt€going€away,€challenged:€"What€about€you?"Ìà  à"Probably€the€unicorn,"€he€said€with€a€smile€that€loosened€up€the€severity€that€his€short€grey€hair€gave€hisÐ À-)8 Ðfeatures.€"I€feel€more...€fancy„free€than€stressed€out€these€days."Ìà  à"You€think€unicorns€are€free?"€said€Nicky,€not€meaning€to€be€challenging,€just€genuinely€surprised.Ìà  à"Well,€look€at€that€one,"€he€said.€"Trotting€around€all€over€the€place."Ìà  à"Heððs€anxious.€Constantly€on€the€move.€Heððs€hunted,"€Nicky€said,€plucking€the€gecko€from€the€cuff€of€herÏjacket€just€as€it€was€on€the€verge€of€slipping€up€her€sleeve.€"Doomed,"€she€said€as€she€placed€the€gecko€back€on€herÏshoulder.€"And€sheððs€probably€in€on€it,€with€her€exaggerated€damsel„in„distress€routine.€Sheððs€probably€the€bait."Ìà  àThe€man€laughed.€"Huh,"€he€said.€"Iððm€going€to€get€another€drink,"€he€said€with€a€waggle€of€his€empty€bottle.Ï"Want€one?"Ìà  à"Sure,"€Nicky€said,€figuring€that€since€he€didnððt€make€the€obvious€virgin„unicorn€crack€heððd€do€until€JK€arrived.ÏShe€scanned€the€room,€which€had€filled€up€a€bit€with€the€usual€suspects€since€she€had€arrived.€She€caught€the€eye€of€aÏtall€blond€girl€across€the€room€and€waved.Ìà  à"òòNo€thank€youóó,"€Mike€said,€his€voice€suddenly€crisp€and€carrying€all€over€the€room.€He€leaned€forward€andÐ f  Ðshoved€a€business€card€back€into€a€young€manððs€blazer€pocket.€The€young€man€ð"ð€the€one€that€had€been€spotted€earlier,ÏNicky€supposed€ð"ð€smiled€ruefully€and€left€the€gallery.€Mike,€his€sneer€not€entirely€covering€up€a€grin,€turned€back€toÏhis€friends.€His€crony€with€the€afro€squeezed€his€shoulder,€nodded€approvingly.Ìà  àThe€buzz€in€the€gallery€increased€noticeably,€and€Nicky€tried€not€to€get€angry.€She€moved€to€the€next€box€andÏstared€at€it,€not€absorbing€anything.Ìà  à"What€was€that?"€said€the€short„haired€man,€who€had€returned€with€a€beer€for€her.Ìà  à"Thanks,"€Nicky€said,€taking€a€sharp€pull€on€the€cold€bottle€without€even€looking€at€it.€"That€was€the€first€stepÏin€the€dance€known€as€Artistic€Success."Ìà  à"Wha€ð"ð€who€was€the€stiffy?"€the€short„haired€man€asked.Ìà  à"Recruiter.€Probably€freelance.€Offered€to€rep€Mike€as€a€creative."Ìà  à"And€he€turned€him€down?"€said€the€man€incredulously,€his€ample€eyebrows€raised.€"Wow."Ìà  à"No.€Yes,"€Nicky€said,€taking€another€pull€at€her€bottle,€tasting€it€this€time.€"Ahhhh...€itððs€so€fake€and€stupid."Ìà  àThey€looked€at€the€box€for€a€moment.€It€featured€a€man€lying€on€a€slab.Ìà  à"How€is€it€success€if€he€ð"ð"Ìà  àNicky€sighed.€"Itððs€just€the€first€move.€If€an€artist€doesnððt€reject€the€first€offer€vehemently€enough,€then€heððsÏnot€the€real€thing.€The€coolhunter€loses€interest."Ìà  à"Ah,"€said€the€short„haired€man.€"Hard„to„get."Ìà  àThey€watched€as€an€astral€projection€struggled€out€of€the€man€on€the€slab€and€flew€off.€The€short„haired€manÏleaned€back€and€read€out€the€title€of€the€piece.€"Goeth€for€Self."€He€laughed.Ìà  àNicky€rolled€her€eyes.Ìà  àHe€noticed€her€reaction.€"Oh€come€on,€itððs€funny!"Ìà  à"Itððs€òòeasyóó,"€frowned€Nicky.Ð Ô+$'6 Ðà  à"Well,"€he€said,€pointing€his€bottle€at€it,€"Not€everything€has€to€be€difficult.€Itððs€likeð8ð€commentary.€On€howÏweððve€attained€the€ability€to€do€something€weððve€dreamed€about€for€centuries."Ð .V)9 Ðà  à"So€they€keep€telling€us,"€Nicky€said,€something€about€black€magic€bouncing€around€in€her€head€but€not€gettingÏout.€"But...€I€mean,€why€be€an€artist€if€all€youððre€going€to€do€is€echo?"Ìà  à"Whoa!"€said€the€short„haired€man.€"Iððm€just€a€code€monkey,€maððam.€What€do€I€know€about€that?€Letððs€askÏthis€guy,"€he€said,€nodding€at€the€door.Ìà  àJK€had€just€walked€in,€a€big€smile€on€his€face€as€he€greeted€a€few€people.€He€waved€and€made€his€way€towardsÏthem.Ìà  àNicky€looked€at€the€short„haired€guy€through€slitted€eyes.€"Hey!€You€know€JK?"Ìà  àHe€shrugged€innocently.Ìà  àJK€was€briefly€chatting€with€Mike,€then€plucked€the€mirrored€sunglasses€from€the€guy€with€the€afro€and€putÏthem€on.€Their€owner€checked€him€out€and€approved€with€an€a„ok€finger€circle.€JK€finally€made€it€to€them.Ìà  à"Chase!€Nicky!"€he€said.€"You€found€each€other!"Ìà  àNicky€watched€her€scowl€melt€in€the€giant€mirrors€on€JKððs€face.Ìà  à"Well,€there€werenððt€too€many€octopus„haired€gals€carrying€bicycles..."€said€Chase.Ìà  àNicky€snickered.€"Those€sunglasses..."Ìà  à"Are€they€working€for€me?"€he€said,€his€smile€cranking€up€even€higher.Ìà  à"And€how,"€Nicky€said,€feeling€her€mood€pull€out€of€the€dark€concentric€spiral.Ìà  à"I€wish€I€could€see€something€in€them,"€he€said,€looking€around€the€room.€He€took€them€off€and€returned€hisÏnormal€specs€to€his€face,€poking€himself€in€the€eye€with€the€handle€as€he€did€so.€Ìà  àChase€arched€an€eyebrow.€"What€are€you€on,€man?"Ìà  à"Do€you€guys€wanna€go...€somewhere?"€JK€said,€waving€at€someone.Ìà  à"Uh€huh!"€Nicky€said.€òòYay€JK!óóÐ â2# Ðà  àChase€shrugged.€"OK.€Where?"Ìà  àJK€gave€them€the€thumbs„up,€and€started€heading€towards€the€exit.Ìà  àThey€followed€JK€as€he€cut€a€cheery€swath€through€the€room,€now€dense€with€humanity.€Nicky€gave€ChaseÏan€encouraging€smile,€sensing€he€seemed€a€bit€irked€by€JKððs€choppy€conversation,€and€answered€for€him.€Ìà  à"Somewhere€interesting,€probably."ÌÌBy€the€time€they€got€there,€it€was€pretty€late.Ìà  à"This€is€perfect,"€said€JK,€indicating€the€expanse€of€asphalt.€"Letððs€hang€out€here€for€a€while."Ìà  àThey€were€in€the€shadow€of€Science€World.€It€was€a€giant€sphere€lodged€on€the€brink€of€the€inlet,€its€mirroredÏstructure€divided€into€triangles€by€a€metal€frame.€Nicky€remembered€the€first€time€sheððd€entered€it,€how€disappointedÏsheððd€been€by€the€regular€box€shapes€of€the€buildings€it€housed.€But€the€wonderful€exhibits€soon€distracted€her.€Ìà  àJK€was€unrolling€his€bike,€the€tires€hissing€and€the€joints€clicking€into€place.Ð -P(8 Ðà  à"Do€you€guys€remember€coming€here€as€a€kid?"€she€said.Ìà  à"Uh€huh!"€said€JK.€"I€remember€one€time€I€was€here€on€a€class€trip."€He€got€on€the€bike€and€started€ridingÏaround.€"They€had€this€thing€where€you€could€experience€what€it€was€like€to€be€a€seed.€Like€the€growth€cycle.€You€gotÏinto€this€jelly€boxð8ð"Ìà  àChase,€sitting€on€the€soft€asphalt,€leaned€back€on€his€palms€and€grinned.€"Jelly?€Oh,€you€mean€that€biomassÏstuff?"Ìà  àNicky€was€watching€JK€weaving€back€and€forth€in€circles€that€seemed€on€the€verge€of€collapsing.€"You€sureÏyouððre€OK€on€that€thing?"Ìà  àJK€ignored€her.€"Yeah,€biomass€jelly.€Tricked€your€body€into€thinking€it€was€something€else.€It€was€kind€ofÏmessy,€but€we€loved€the€stuff."Ìà  àNicky€gave€up€and€sat€on€the€ground,€crossed€her€legs.€She€remembered€something€really€impressing€her€atÏScience€World,€but€couldnððt€put€her€finger€on€it.€A€colour€wheel?€No,€a€prism.€A€giant€prism€hanging€from€the€rafters,Ïrefracting.€All€colours€coming€from€white.€Black€being€the€absence€of€colour.€Ìà  à"Something€similar€in€Toronto,"€Chase€said.€"Science€Centre,€I€think€it€was€called.€Real€original."Ìà  àThey€laughed€at€that€for€a€while.€"Well,€it€beats€Science€World€II€I€guess."Ìà  à"Science€World€II:€Back€to€the€Lab,"€Nicky€said.€JK€snickered€at€this,€and€Nicky€felt€her€annoyance€at€beingÏignored€lighten.€"You€from€Toronto?"€she€asked€Chase.Ìà  àJK€rode€away€towards€the€edge€of€the€water.Ìà  àChase€shook€his€head.€"Nope.€About€an€hour€outside€it.€Closer€to€Montreal,€really."€He€was€making€fingerÏimprints€in€the€asphalt.€He€looked€up€at€her.€"Where€are€you€from?"Ìà  à"New€West,"€she€said,€trying€not€to€look€at€JK€as€he€climbed€up€on€the€frame€of€his€bike.€"Oh€man!"Ìà  àChase€turned€to€see€what€she€was€gaping€at.€JK€was€standing€on€his€frame€as€the€bike€rolled€briskly€along€theÏedge€of€the€waterfront,€his€broad€shoulders€making€an€absurd€silhouette.€Chase€smiled€and€shrugged.Ìà  à"Heððs€not€even€on€the€asphalt€anymore,€itððs€just€concrete€along€the€waterð8ð"€Nicky€said.€òòAnd€what€if€he€fellÐ è8$ Ðin€the€water?€óó"Those€things€make€me€nervous."€She€focused€on€her€gecko,€which€was€leaning€off€her€jacket€to€tongueÐ ®þ% Ðthe€ground.Ìà  à"Ah,€theyððre€not€as€dangerous€as€all€that.€Iððm€an€old€guy,€so€I€remember€when€you€could€still€ride€them€around,"Ïhe€with€a€smirk.€"Kids€fell€off€them€all€the€timeð8ð€it€was€only€in€the€ads€that€they€fell€under€the€wheels€of€passingÏconvoy€trucks."Ìà  àNicky€felt€queasy,€remembering€an€ad€of€that€kind€where€a€woman€was€riding€her€bike€with€a€baby€seat€intoÏtraffic.€It€was€in€slow€motion€ð"ð€you€fully€expected€her€to€be€broad„sided€and€her€and€her€baby€to€be€brutally€mangled.ÏInstead,€a€car€swerving€to€avoid€her€causes€a€three„car€pile„up,€and€she€rides€off€unscathed.€It€ends€with€a€close€up€onÏthe€window€of€one€of€the€wrecks€where€someoneððs€scrabbling€to€get€out€just€before€it€explodes.Ìà  àChase€saw€the€look€on€her€face.€"I€mean,€people€rode€them€for€a€hundred€years€before€those€ads€came€on,"€heÏsaid.Ìà  àòòPeople€did€a€lot€of€stupid€things,óó€Nicky€thought.€She€wished€heððd€change€the€subject.€That€ad€had€given€herÐ È*&4 Ðnightmares€for€years.Ìà  à"Bikes€are€good€fun,"€Chase€continued.€"Right€JK?"Ð ú,J(7 Ðà  àJK€came€up,€riding€on€one€wheel.€He€balanced€there€for€a€second,€and€then,€with€a€quick€move€with€his€heel,Ïhit€the€lever€that€disassembled€it.€He€landed€squarely€on€his€feet€in€what€Nicky€had€to€admit€was€a€pretty€neat€move.Ìà  à"Whereððd€you€learn€how€to€do€that?"€she€said.Ìà  à"Whereððd€I€learn€how€to€do€anything?"€JK€said€with€a€smile.Ìà  à"Everyone€used€to€know€how€to€ride€a€bike,"€Chase€said.€"But€traffic€got€so€bad€people€were€always€gettingÏin€accidents€or€collapsing€from€smog€and€then€getting€hitð8ð€it€was€either€change€the€automotive€industry€or€make€aÏbunch€of€scary€public€service€announcementsð8ð"Ìà  àNicky€shrugged.€Sheððd€heard€conspiracy€stories€all€her€life€ð"ð€sheððd€been€a€fan€of€the€genre,€when€she€was,Ïlike,€12.€The€whole€air€thing€seemed€exaggerated€as€well.€Her€eyes€started€to€sting€after€a€few€hours€outside,€it€was€true,Ïbut€she€had€allergies.Ìà  àAs€it€hissed€and€clicked€closed,€Chase€asked,€"Thereððs€no€smart€parts€in€there€at€all?€Not€even€in€the€rollupÏmech?"Ìà  àJK€shook€his€head.€"Nope.€The€Czechs€are€geniuses€at€simple€machinery.€Wanna€give€it€a€try?"Ìà  àChase€declined.Ìà  à"Nicky?"€JK€asked.Ìà  àNicky€was€on€the€verge€of€refusing€when€she€heard€Chaseððs€bark€of€a€laugh.€A€potent€mix€of€contrariness€andÏannoyance€forced€her€to€her€feet.Ìà  à"Yeah,€OK."Ìà  àJK€smiled€with€delight,€unrolled€the€bike€with€a€flick€of€his€wrist.€He€adjusted€it€to€her€height.€After€placingÏthe€gecko€into€her€pocket€ð"ð€it€was€nearly€still,€seeming€to€know€something€was€happening€ð"ð€she€lifted€her€leg€overÏthe€frame.€Grabbing€a€handful€of€JKððs€shirt€for€balance,€she€stood€up€on€the€pedals€and€sat€on€the€seat.Ìà  àThen,€gritting€her€teeth€and€bracing€for€a€fatal€accident,€she€pushed€off.Ìà  àWobble€wobble€wobble€straight€straight€straight!€Nicky€felt€victory€rise€from€her€belly€as€real€as€the€night€airÏon€her€face.€She€kept€on€away€from€them,€smiling€as€she€heard€their€cheers,€and€headed€around€the€Science€WorldÏstructure.Ìà  àThe€lights€across€the€inlet,€the€commercial€district,€were€bright€enough€to€easily€navigate€by,€but€as€she€roundedÏthe€sphere€it€got€decidedly€darker.€She€looked€up€at€the€mostly€residential€hillside€and€tried€to€figure€out€if€there€wereÏless€lights€now€than€a€year€agoð8ðÌà  àòòShit€is€that€a€pole?óó€Nicky€swerved€a€little€too€tightly,€and€the€bike€fell€over€on€top€of€her.€"Fuck..."€she€said,Ð $b+ Ðstruggling€to€extricate€herself€from€the€stupid€thing.€She€got€up€quickly€ð"ð€she€had€fallen€hip€first,€but€the€asphalt€hadÏcushioned€her€fall€ð"ð€and€glanced€backwards€to€see€if€she€was€within€sight€of€the€guys.€They€were€hidden€by€the€curve.Ð ž%î - ÐòòGood.Ð d&´!. Ðà  àóóShe€started€walking€the€bike€the€same€direction€she€had€been€riding.€Her€hip€was€fine,€probably€wouldnððt€evenÐ Ð' #0 Ðbruise.€Her€face€was€still€burning,€though,€and€she€remembered€an€incident€in€the€second€grade,€after€a€classmate€hadÏpushed€her€down.€The€playground€security€guard€just€lectured€her€about€the€playground€being€hard€as€stone€when€òòheÐ \)¬$2 Ðóówas€a€kid€ð"ð€obviously€having€long€forgotten€the€sting€of€humiliation€that€the€new€bouncy€substance€was€powerless€toÐ "*r%3 Ðreduce.Ìà  àIt€was€a€long€way€round,€so€Nicky€decided€to€get€back€on€the€horse.€A€little€more€tentative€than€she€had€withÏher€annoyance„fuelled€first€try,€she€nonetheless€was€able€to€pedal€herself€to€a€straight€line.€She€kept€her€eyes€in€frontÏof€her€this€time.Ð à-0)8 Ðà  àBy€the€time€Chase€and€JK€were€in€sight,€her€eyes€had€adjusted€to€the€darkness,€and€the€relative€brightnessÏstrained€her€eyes.€She€rolled€up€and€swung€off€the€bike.Ìà  à"There€she€is,"€said€JK.€"Thought€you€found€a€way€to€ride€on€water."Ìà  àChase€was€lying€down€now,€head€propped€up€on€one€hand.€"So€you€òòhaveóó€ridden€bikes€before."Ð Nž Ðà  àNicky€was€trying€to€kick€the€same€place€where€JK€had.€"Nope.€First€time."€She€hit€the€lever€just€as€JK€wasÏabout€to€help,€and€it€rolled€up.€She€handed€it€to€him,€a€little€relieved€and€a€little€reluctant€to€be€giving€it€up.Ìà  à"So€is€it€the€same€kind€of€exhibits?"€JK€asked€Chase.Ìà  à"Uh...€kinda,"€Chase€said.€"They€have€a€Science€World€thing€in€Frisco,"€he€explained€to€Nicky.Ìà  àNicky€sat€down€and€hugged€her€knees.€"A€òòScienceóó€World?€That€doesnððt€make€any€sense!"Ð Ä  Ðà  à"Thereððs€no€science€there,"€added€JK.Ìà  à"I€know,€itððs€kind€of...€they€call€it€the€Science€and€Technology€Pavilion.€They€have€these€pavilions€that€theyÏsuggest€you€go€to€on€your€free€hour.€Itððs€a€similar€set„up€though...€you€know€the€ball€that€when€you€touch€it€and€yourÏhair€stands€on€end?"Ìà  àNicky€nodded.€"To€demonstrate€static€electricity,€yeah,€but€thereððs€no€ð"ð"Ìà  à"Donððt€ask€me,"€Chase€protested,€"I€know.€Anyway,€they€have€the€same€thing€except€that€when€it€sticks€outÏit€starts€to€grow.€So€I€did€it,€and€everyoneððs€laughing,€and€when€they€turn€off€the€ball€my€hairððs,€like,€super€long."Ìà  àJK€laughed.€"You€with€long€hair.€Ha!€How€long?"Ìà  à"Like,€down€to€my€butt.€And€I€could€swish€it€around€and€feel€it€on€my€back€and€stuff€ð"ð"Ìà  à"But€what€does€it€have€to€do€with€science?€Itððs€all€a€software€demo,"€Nicky€said.Ìà  à"Itððs€a€theme,€I€guess.€Showing€people€familiar€things.€They€had€a€zoo,€too,€and€a€shopping€mall,€that€was€reallyÏthe€most€impressive€ð"ð"Ìà  à"A€zoo,€huh?"€Nicky€said,€staring€at€her€little€creation.€"Any€geckos€at€this€zoo?"Ìà  à"No,"€he€said.€"A€giant€lizard€of€some€sort€though."Ìà  à"All€cute€or€impressive,€though,€right?"€she€said.€The€gecko€was€flicking€its€tongue€at€her€nose.€She€had€givenÏit€a€double„forked€one,€and€it€fanned€her€nose.Ìà  à"I€guess€so.€I€donððt€remember€any€ugly€and€unimpressive€animals,€but€I€probably€wouldnððt."€He€laughed.Ï"There€was€a€unicorn€there,€I€remember€that."Ìà  àNicky€hissed€in€response,€and€the€gecko€scuttled€to€the€far€side€of€her€hand.€"Unicorns€suck.€Why€would€it€haveÏto€be€a€zoo?€If€they€can€do€anything€there,€why€not€have€the€animals€mixing€with€the€humans?€Why€does€it€have€to€beÏthe€same€old€shit?"Ìà  à"Itððs€true,€itððs€pretty€uncreative€at€the€moment.€Itððs€improved€a€lot,€though,"€Chase€said.€"I€used€to€live€there."Ìà  à"Chase€was€in€Frisco€before€it€was€Frisco,"€JK€said.Ìà  à"Oh€yeah?"€Nicky€said,€surprised.€"Were€you€coding€there?"Ìà  à"I€think€soð8ð"€Chase€said,€squinting€his€eyes€in€a€pantomime€of€remembering.Ð  -p(8 Ðà  àThey€all€laughed.Ìà  à"Yeah.€It€was€still€a€relief€effort€for€those€crippled€by€the€Quake,€and€they€were€looking€for€anyone€who€couldÏcodeð8ð€back€in€those€days€you€actually€had€to€go€down€to€San€Francisco€ð"ð€what€was€left€of€it€ð"ð€to€uplink."Ìà  à"Huh!"€Nicky€said.€The€brother€of€a€friend€in€high€school€had€gone€as€well,€and€she€had€thought€he€was€brave.Ï"How€long€were€you€there?"Ìà  à"For€most€of€2031,€I€guess.€Ten€or€eleven€months.€Of€course,€it€was€just€a€blink€of€an€eye€to€me€ð"ð€if€I€hadnððtÏbeen€flashbacked€in€a€different€room€from€where€Iððd€been€processed€for€uplinking€I€wouldnððt€have€even€noticedÏanything€had€happened."Ìà  à"Wow,"€Nicky€said.€Sheððd€heard€about€the€revert„to„saved€transition€but€sheððd€never€met€anyone€whoððd€beenÏthrough€it.€It€seemed€so€unfair.Ìà  à"Itððs€not€so€bad,€now,"€Chase€said.€"They€make€a€full€recording€of€your€time€in€Frisco€ð"ð€although€past€a€certainÏpointð8ð"Ìà  à"Who€wants€to€sit€through€eleven€months€of€life?"€JK€said.€Ìà  à"Exactly,"€said€Chase.€"Youððre€invested€in€Frisco,€once€you€stay€a€certain€length€of€time."Ìà  à"I€guess€you€could€fast„forward€past€the€embarrassing€or€boring€parts,"€Nicky€said,€poking€the€gecko€awake.Ìà  à"Your€little€guy€wishes€he€could€fast„forward€this€part,"€JK€said.€"ððLetððs€go€home,€Nicky,€Iððm€hungry!ðð€heððsÏthinking."€JK€did€the€gecko€in€a€soprano€voice€that€made€the€little€creature€look€at€him.Ìà  à"One€of€my€plans€was€to€set€up€a€service€to€edit€peopleððs€lifecordings€for€them,"€Chase€said.€"Butð8ð"Ìà  à"No€one€comes€back,€practically,"€Nicky€finished.€"Youððre€the€first€one€Iððve€met."Ìà  à"Yeah,"€JK€said.€"You€freak€of€nature.€Whatððs€wrong€with€you?€Everyone€elseððs€having€a€great€time€over€inÏFrisco!"Ìà  àChase€just€shrugged.€Ìà  à"Tell€her€what€you€do€now,"€JK€told€Chase.€When€the€older€man€rolled€his€eyes,€JK€said,€"He€does€the€menusÏfor€all€the€Ristwatch€products."€JK€mumbled€into€his€watch.Ìà  à"Please€hold€your€Ristwatch€up€to€your€eyes€for€retinal€positioning,"€Chaseððs€calm€voice€said€from€JKððs€watch.Ìà  à"Please€hold€your€Ristwatch€up€to€your€ass€for€rectal€positioning,"€the€real€Chase€mimicked.Ìà  àThey€laughed,€and€the€sudden€noise€startled€the€gecko.€Ìà  à"I€knew€your€voice€sounded€familiar!"€Nicky€said.ÌÌShe€had€plotted€her€walk€home€for€maximum€pleasure€and€minimum€danger.€Although€the€air€would€be€cleaner€withÏa€little€more€rain,€Nicky€was€happy€to€have€a€stretch€of€rainless€days€after€the€wet€winter,€taking€shallow€breaths€andÏwondering€for€the€thousandth€time€about€getting€a€mask.€òòToo€damn€geekyóó,€she€concluded€for€the€thousandth„and„firstÐ ¢)ò$3 Ðtime.Ìà  àShe€was€walking€along€the€edge€of€the€Pleasant€Acres€neighbourhood,€the€leafy€trees€poking€out€from€the€barsÏof€the€20„foot€high€fence.€A€few€blocks€in€she€could€smell€the€green€ð"ð€imagined€the€oxygen€sliding€into€herÏbloodstream.€òòBetter€than€an€o„tube,€óóshe€thought,òò€but€then€stolen€oxygen€always€tastes€better.Ð `-°(8 Ðà  àóóShe€passed€the€guardhouse€at€the€entry€gates,€curiously€looking€in.€She€saw€the€outline€of€a€KrazyCar€in€aÐ ° Ðdriveway,€its€fins€giving€it€a€distinct€silhouette.€The€first€time€sheððd€seen€the€tiny€car€advertised€ð"ð€it€showed€a€dozenÏor€so€clowns€bouncing€out€of€it,€although€it€was€clearly€only€big€enough€for€one€ð"ð€she€had€figured€itððd€be€dead€in€theÏwater,€regardless€of€getting€eighty€miles€to€the€charge.€òòGuess€thatððs€why€Iððm€not€a€coolhunterð8ðóóÐ R Ðà  àA€block€or€so€beyond€the€guardhouse€she€saw€a€person€beside€the€gate,€a€big€pile€of€something€on€the€groundÏbeside€him.€There€was€the€familiar€òòkrac!óó€and€the€pile,€which€was€a€person€covered€in€blankets,€jerked€with€the€flow€ofÐ 4 „ Ðelectricity.Ìà  àòòOh€shit,óó€thought€Nicky,€stopping€in€her€tracks.€The€guard€was€putting€his€taser€gun€back€into€its€holster€andÐ f ¶  Ðlazily€heading€back€to€the€guardhouse.€He€noticed€her€and€kept€his€hand€on€the€laser.Ìà  àNicky€looked€at€the€person„pile,€who€glowed€and€jerked.€"They,€you€know,€theyððre€just€here€because€the€airððsÏbetter.€Two€people€died€last€year€from€oh„two€deprivation,€you€know,"€she€said,€repeating€herself€in€her€nervousness.Ìà  àThe€guard€stopped€in€front€of€her,€the€brim€of€his€hat€shadowing€his€eyes.€"Sheððs€not€allowed€to€camp€on€theÏproperty,€miss."€He€walked€away.Ìà  àNicky€continued,€numb.€Then€she€whipped€around.€"As€if€electrocuting€her€is€going€to€help!"€she€yelled,€feelingÏlame.Ìà  àHer€words€had€no€noticeable€effect€on€the€guardððs€lanky€strides.Ìà  àAs€Nicky€passed€the€twitching€body,€she€could€hear€a€whimpering,€but€she€kept€walking.€òòAt€least€sheððs€notÐ šê Ðdead...óóÐ `° Ðà  àPleasant€Acres€was€ending,€and€it€was€separated€from€Joy€Enclave€by€a€freeway.€She€decided€to€walk€alongÏthe€side€of€the€freeway,€since€otherwise€sheððd€have€to€pass€under€it€through€a€creepy€and€stinky€underground€tunnel.Ìà  àòòFucking€security.€Torturing€an€old€woman€to€protect€a€bunch€of€empty€houses.Ð þN Ðà  àóóShe€followed€the€little€path€for€a€couple€of€nervous€minutes€beside€a€flow€of€whizzing€metal€until€it€dippedÐ jº Ðdown€and€under€the€freeway.€She€told€her€watch€to€turn€on€her€halo€field,€and€for€a€second€she€thought€she€had€usedÏup€her€minutesð8ð€but€then€it€glowed€bright€enough€to€see.€She€was€glad€she€had€it,€for€the€light€as€well€as€the€protectionÏð"ð€there€were€usually€a€few€people€sleeping€there.€No€one€tonight,€though.Ìà  àAs€usual,€Nicky€was€glad€to€get€out€from€the€shadow€of€the€freeway€bridge,€even€though€the€train€yard€wasnððtÏthe€safest€place€either.€But€she€could€keep€to€the€wide€open€spaces€out€here,€where€there€werenððt€that€many€places€forÏhypothetical€attackers€to€lunge€from.€She€figured€sheððd€be€able€to€turn€on€the€protective€field€in€time€if€someone€cameÏrunning€across€the€field,€so€she€turned€off€her€halo.Ìà  àòòItððs€not€even€that€dark,óó€Nicky€said€scornfully€to€her€scared€half.€In€fact,€it€seemed€brighter€than€normal.€SheÐ æ"6) Ðcould€see€the€individual€rocks€blackened€to€coal€in€between€the€long€dead€tracks,€the€strands€of€a€weed€that€looked€likeÏwheatÌà  àAhead,€she€saw€a€boxcar€that€had€a€faint€aura€around€it.€She€walked€up€to€the€boxcar€and€stopped,€listening.ÏShe€couldnððt€hear€anything,€so€she€decided€to€proceed€fieldless€to€save€her€minutes.Ìà  àShe€rounded€the€rotting€artifact€and€discovered€a€spotlight€trained€on€it,€lighting€up€a€strange€design.€The€designÏlooked€new:€a€colourful€image€of€a€fat€man€sitting€on€a€basketball,€smoking€a€huge€joint.€òòGive€it€up,€fatty,€give€up€theÐ Ö(&$1 Ðfatty,€give€it€up€for€the€b„boyz€and€b„girlz€óówere€some€of€the€words€that€Nicky€read€uncomprehendingly.Ð œ)ì$2 Ðà  àWhat€it€meant€was€a€puzzle;€who€had€put€it€there€was€a€bigger€one.€She€couldnððt€recognize€any€brands.€MaybeÏNike,€with€the€basketball...€maybe€Marlboro,€but€they€always€spelled€it€"phatty"€(something€about€the€negativeÏconnotations€of€obesity,€she€remembered€from€class).€And€the€image€was€so€rough,€the€paint€wasnððt€solid€in€places...Ìà  àFear€pulled€her€out€of€her€reverie€when€she€remembered€where€she€was.€She€turned€around€quickly,€the€solidÐ .P)8 Ðwall€of€the€boxcar€at€her€back,€and€looked€around€as€best€she€could€with€the€spotlight€in€her€face.€A€bit€to€her€right,€sheÏnoticed€another€spotlit€boxcar€and€what€looked€like€two€figures€facing€it.Ìà  àòòWere€they€the€people€behind€these€things?€óóshe€thought,€apprehensive€but€curious.€"Protective€field,"€she€said,Ð â2 Ðand€as€the€halo€surrounded€her,€she€headed€towards€them.€òòWhat€were€they€doing?óóÐ ¨ø Ðà  àThey€looked€like€they€were€working€on€a€picture€similar€to€the€other€one.€As€she€got€closer,€she€could€hear€aÏhissing€sound€starting€and€stopping,€and€the€murmur€of€their€voices.€The€bearded€one€stopped€and€shook€something€thatÏmade€a€clicking€sound,€noticing€her€as€he€did€so.Ìà  à"Good€evening,"€he€said€with€a€mock€formality.Ìà  à"Hi,"€said€Nicky,€stepping€into€the€light€pool.Ìà  àThe€other€one€looked€at€her,€his€angular€black€face€showing€nothing.Ìà  àThe€first€one,€who€had€his€hair€in€thick€brown€ropes,€asked€"So€you€enjoying€the€show?"Ìà  àòòA€show?óó€She€noticed€that€they€werenððt€painting€from€scratch,€but€instead€tracing€over€a€design.€"Why€are€youÐ ¼  Ðdoing€this?"€she€asked,€feeling€stupid€but€asking€anyway.Ìà  à"Weððre€restorinðð€some€of€Vancouverððs€finest€art,"€the€bald€black€man€said,€his€face€serious.€"These€pieces€dateÏback€to€the€early€nineties."Ìà  à"Theyððre€paintings,"€Nicky€said,€understanding.€She€was€glad€she€hadnððt€asked€if€they€were€ads.€The€paintingÏof€interlocking€shapes€they€were€working€on€took€up€the€entire€surface,€except€for€a€small€patch€where€it€wound€aroundÏthe€letters€CN.€But€then€Nicky€realized€that€they€werenððt€interlocking€shapes€after€all€ð"ð€they€were€letters.Ìà  à"Virus,"€she€read€aloud.€"Virus€CN?"Ìà  à"Canadian€National€is€the€brand€of€the€boxcar,"€the€bald€man€said.€"Virus€is€the€tag."€He€tossed€the€can€he€wasÏholding€and€walked€away.Ìà  à"Graffiti€artists€had€codenames,€or€tags,€that€they€used€to€sign€their€work,"€said€the€man€with€the€beard.€"GetÏme€another€orange,€willya€Andre?"Ìà  àAndre€was€unzipping€a€small€green€tent€beside€the€boxcar.€"If€we€have€one."Ìà  à"These€paints€are€really€hard€to€find.€Krylon€stopped€making€them€when€flashing€got€big,"€the€bearded€manÏsaid.€He€yawned€and€pulled€at€his€ropes€of€hair€as€if€to€keep€himself€alert.Ìà  à"Why€donððt€you€just€flash€these€things?"€Nicky€said.€"You€could€just€scan€it€in€and€adjust€the€colour€levels."Ìà  àThe€bearded€man€laughed,€a€glimpse€of€tattooed€teeth.€Andre€came€back€and€handed€a€can€to€him,€popped€theÏcap€off€his€own.€"Hey€Andre,€she€wants€to€know€why€we€donððt€just€flash€these€things."Ìà  àAndre€snorted€through€his€nose.€Nicky€felt€her€face€begin€to€burn.Ìà  àThe€bearded€man€held€his€hands€up,€as€if€he€detected€her€growing€annoyance.€"OK,€so€there€were€these€graffitiÏartists.€In€the€eighties,€nineties.€They€used€the€city€as€a€canvas.€Made€these€murals,€sometimes€with€permission€of€theÏwall€owners,€sometimes€without."Ìà  à"Usually€without,"€Andre€interjected€between€his€canððs€hissing.Ìà  à"Yeah€well,€some€of€them€decided€that€it€wasnððt€fair€to€keep€all€this€talent€and€art€in€the€city€ð"ð€so€they€snuckÏinto€the€train€yards€at€night."€He€thumbed€back€to€the€painting.€"And€did€up€some€freight€trains."Ð º, (7 Ðà  àNicky€waited€for€the€point.€"Uh€huh."Ìà  à"Well,€I€mean,€they€did€up€ones€that€were€active.€And€the€people€who€drove€the€trains€didnððt€have€the€time€toÏpaint€over€them€ð"ð€they€couldnððt€just€flash€them€blank€like€nowadays.€So€imagine€this.€Youððre€on€your€way€to,€I€donððtÏknow,€your€grain€silo,€youððre€in€your€truck€in€the€middle€of€Saskatchewan.€You€come€to€the€train€tracks€and€you€stopÏcause€thereððs€a€train€coming."Ìà  à"And€these€boxcars€are€on€it?"€Nicky€guessed.Ìà  à"Exactly!"€the€bearded€guy€said,€slapping€his€hands€together.€"So€this€guyððs€sitting€there,€getting€a€surprise€artÏshow.€So€these€graffiti€artists€basically€exported€urban€culture€to€the€countryside."Ìà  àAndre€looked€at€him,€his€even€white€teeth€showing€in€a€slight€smile.€"Exporting€urban€culture.€Exporting€ego,Ïmore€like."Ìà  àNicky€laughed.Ìà  à"Iððm€serious!"€the€bearded€guy€said.€With€his€eyes€bright€like€that,€Nicky€saw€that€he€wasnððt€as€old€as€he€hadÏseemed€at€first.€She€wasnððt€used€to€seeing€young€guys€with€beards.€"I€know€it€was€ego€too,€and€they€didnððt€think€of€itÏlike€that,€exactly€ð"ð€but€thatððs€the€beautiful€thing€about€it.€It€was€all€accidental,€kinda.€And€to€get€to€your€question,€theÏtraditional€graf€scene€died€out€with€the€flashing€technology.€ððCause€it€was€super€hard€to€get€paint,€and€even€if€you€didÏget€a€piece€up€itððd€be€flashed€off€in€a€second.€There€were€a€few€writers€who€got€into€flash€piecesð"ð"Ìà  àAndre€shook€his€head.€"Not€the€same.€Not€the€same."Ìà  à"Yeah,"€the€bearded€guy€shrugged€with€one€shoulder.€"It€was€pretty€much€over."Ìà  à"So€it€would€be€kind€of€sacrilegious€to€flash€them,"€Nicky€guessed.Ìà  à"Exactly.€òòExactly!óó"€the€bearded€man€said.€He€held€his€hand€flat€to€his€chest.€"My€nameððs€Simon,"€he€said.Ð Þ. Ð"Thisððs€Andre."Ìà  à"Nicky."€She€waved,€not€ready€to€turn€off€her€field€to€shake€hands.Ìà  à"Well€Nicky,"€Simon€said.€"Iððm€glad€you€came€across€our€art€show.€Where€are€you€coming€from?"Ìà  àNicky€smiled€as€she€realized€it€for€the€first€time.€"An€art€show."Ìà  àThey€laughed€at€that.€"You€òòmust€óóbe€an€artist,"€Andre€said,€not€turning€around.Ð T ¤& Ðà  à"Kinda,"€Nicky€said.€"Not€like€this,€really.€Not€painting.€I€make€little€animals."€She€would€have€shown€themÏthe€gecko€but€it€always€hid€when€her€field€was€activated.€òòNot€really€representative€of€my€style,€anyway.óó€She€felt€a€needÐ †"Ö) Ðto€impress€this€strange€pair,€but€ended€up€tongue„tied.€òòAs€usual.óóÐ L#œ* Ðà  à"Oh€yeah,"€Simon€continued,€when€it€was€clear€she€wasnððt€going€to€elaborate.€"Splicing,€cloning,€that€kind€ofÏthing?"€His€eyes€seemed€interested.Ìà  à"Yeah.€Iððve€got€this€series€of€ratdog€splices€that€has€a€kind€of€mythic€theme,"€she€said,€trying€not€to€wince.€òòGod,Ð ê&:"/ Ðthat€sounded€pretentious.óóÐ °'#0 Ðà  à"Sounds€yum,"€he€said€appreciatively.€"Are€you€showing€somewhere?"Ìà  à"No€no,"€Nicky€said,€already€wishing€she€hadnððt€said€anything.€"Iððm€just€fooling€around.€I€havenððt€got€a€chanceÏat€sponsorship.€No€oneððll€touch€biologicals."Ìà  à"Good€for€you,"€said€Andre.€"That€means€youððre€the€real€thing."Ð º, (7 Ðà  àNicky€was€afraid€he€was€mocking€her,€even€though€Simon€was€nodding€at€her,€and€she€didnððt€have€the€energyÏto€sort€out€what€the€hell€they€were€talking€about.€"I€gotta€go,"€she€said€suddenly€with€a€lame€smile.€"Bye."Ìà  àShe€walked€away,€out€of€their€weird€circle€of€light€and€towards€home.ÌÌAs€soon€as€Doug€shut€the€door€behind€him,€he€felt€something€hit€his€lower€body.€Something€soft.€He€pried€her€off€andÏlifted€her€up.€"Olivia,"€he€said,€looking€into€her€green€eyes.€"Trying€to€kill€me?"Ìà  à"Hi€Dad,"€she€said€with€a€calm€smile€that€belied€her€projectile€state€just€moments€before.€She€lunged€forwardÏand€planted€a€kiss.€"Whatja€get€me?"Ìà  àHe€dropped€her.Ìà  à"JJ€Dad,€JJ,"€she€said,€hugging€his€leg.€Just€Joking€or€not,€it€was€not€what€he€wanted€to€hear€with€McDonaldððsÏgas€still€roiling€in€his€belly.€òòShould€have€picked€her€up€one€of€those€toys€there.óóÐ P   Ðà  àHe€walked€into€the€living€room,€pretending€like€Olivia€wasnððt€clinging€to€his€leg.€His€wife€was€watching€someÏcomedy€show.€"Hey€Sweetie,"€she€said,€glancing€at€him€briefly.Ìà  à"Looks€like€I€picked€up€a€parasite€somewhere,€Cheryl,"€he€said€in€a€serious€voice.€Olivia€quietly€giggled.Ìà  àHe€had€Cherylððs€full€attention€now.€Her€face,€slack€from€watching€her€show,€now€cycled€through€amusementÏand€feigned€worry.Ìà  à"Down€here€on€my€leg,"€Doug€said,€putting€his€hands€on€his€hips.€Ìà  àCheryl€leaned€over€on€the€couch€arm€and€saw€Olivia.€"Uh€oh,"€she€said€with€a€smile.€"That€looks€really€bad,ÏDoug.€Why,€it€almost€looks...€it€almost€looks€like€a€little€girl."Ìà  à"I€òòamóó€a€little€girl!"€said€Olivia.€"Not€a€parachute."€Ð *z Ðà  à"Yes,"€Doug€said.€"I€believe€itððs€the€littlegirlus€parasite€again.€Iððm€going€to€have€to€operate."€He€wiggled€hisÏlong€piano„player€fingers€and€descended€on€Olivia.€He€tickled€her€methodically€and€mercilessly.Ìà  à"Daaaaaaaaad!"€she€screamed.Ìà  à"My,€the€parasite€certainly€makes€a€lot€of€noise,"€said€Cheryl€with€a€grin.Ìà  à"Itððs€probably€just€gas€being€released,"€explained€Doug,€stopping€for€a€second.€Olivia€took€the€moment€to€holdÏon€tighter.€"Hmm.€This€is€a€tough€one.€Would€you€give€me€a€hand€with€the€operation?"Ìà  à"Certainly!"Ìà  àSeeing€her€mother€rise€from€the€couch,€Olivia€ceded€defeat€and€let€go.Ìà  à"The€growth€has€apparently€dropped€off€on€its€own,"€noted€Doug.Ìà  à"The€growth,"€Cheryl€snorted,€heading€for€the€kitchen.Ìà  àDoug€immediately€went€to€the€television€and€turned€down€the€zoom€ð"ð€Cheryl€would€always€fill€the€room€givenÏher€own€choice,€but€Doug€liked€it€small.€The€stand„up€comic€shrunk€down€to€about€a€foot.€He€strutted€around€on€theÏtable€as€the€unseen€audience€roared.€When€it€died€down,€he€said,€"...And€thatððs€why€I€always€date€locally."€The€audienceÏexploded,€and€Doug€turned€the€volume€down€a€bit.Ìà  àOlivia€had€flumped€down€on€the€couch.€Doug€sat€on€the€other€side.€Her€tiny€body€stretched€out€to€take€up€asÏmuch€room€as€possible.€It€wasnððt€very€much.Ð .V)9 Ðà  à"Well?"€he€said.€"What€happened€today?"Ìà  à"Stupid€stuff,"€she€said.€"Nothing."€With€her€white„blond€curls€framing€her€face€and€her€arms€at€her€sides,€sheÏlooked€like€a€doll.Ìà  àDoug€waited.Ìà  à"Just€like...€we€went€to€school.€There€was€a€new€kid€today,€a€girl€with€ugly€shoes."Ìà  àòòThat€was€strange.€Middle€of€the€term.€óó"Did€her€school€close€down€too?"Ð & v  Ðà  à"Maybe.€I€donððt€know.€This€new€school€is€so€stupid.€They€donððt€even€have€any€games€at€recess,€the€kids€haveÏto€make€their€own."Ìà  à"Thatððs€too€bad,"€Doug€said€lamely.€He€remembered€reading€in€the€parentsðð€letter€they€had€gotten€that€after€theÏmove€to€Frisco,€the€school€would€be€expanding€their€recess€game€options.€òòThe€move€will€allow€us€to€engage€yourÐ ŠÚ  Ðchildren,€both€at€work€and€at€play,€in€a€manner€heretofore€unimaginable!€óóDoug€had€told€himself€it€was€just€ad€copyÐ P   Ð(and€overly€wordy€ad€copy€at€that),€but€he€still€felt€guilty.Ìòòà  àóóThere€was€a€new€stand„up€comedian€on,€a€really€old€guy€with€a€slight€hunched.€"What€is€up€with€Self?"€he€wasÐ ‚Ò  Ðsaying,€holding€out€his€palm.€Doug€realized,€more€from€the€voice€and€the€body€language,€that€it€was€Jerry€Seinfeld.Ìà  à"So€you€sign€up€for€this€òòplanóó,€and€youððre€instantly€transported€to€this€òòplaceóó...€this€place€that€looks€like€SanÐ ´ ÐFrancisco,€sounds€like€San€Francisco,€but€is€actually€just€a€box€in€some€room€somewhere.€I€got€that€part.€Itððs€like€e„¼mailing€your€brain."€The€audience€roared€at€Jerryððs€old„man€shtick,€and€he€held€up€a€hand€to€quiet€them€down.€Ìà  àDoug€sighed.Ìà  à"But€what€happens€to€your€body?€Supposedly,€they€take€your€body€away€to€some€òòsecret€location...óó€and€òòdoóóÐ h Ðsomething€to€it.€Iððm€sorry,€but€doesnððt€that€sound€like€something€they€should€be€paying€you€to€do?€Back€in€my€day,Ïyouððd€get€dinner€and€a€couple€of€drinks€outta€it€at€least!"Ìà  àDoug€laughed,€despite€himself.€Olivia€looked€at€him,€stone€faced.Ìà  à"Heððs€funny,€hey?"€Doug€said.Ìà  à"Funny€looking,"€Olivia€said,€echoing€one€of€Dougððs€favourite€lines.Ìà  àThey€cracked€up.€"Delivery,"€Dougððs€watch€said.Ìà  àDoug€got€up,€wondering€what€it€was.€He€asked€his€watch€to€show€him€what€was€out€there,€and€he€got€a€stillÏof€a€young€Chinese€boy€with€a€box€beamed€to€his€eye.Ìà  àHe€opened€the€door€and,€for€a€horrified€moment,€realized€he€couldnððt€pay€him.€He€nearly€shut€the€door€butÏinstead€stood€frozen€as€the€boy€handed€him€the€box€and€left.Ìà  àòòCheryl€paid€for€it€already.€Thank€god.óó€He€shut€and€locked€the€door€behind€him.€He€took€off€his€shoes,€numbly,Ð $&t!. Ðmechanically.€As€he€walked€with€the€box€to€the€kitchen€he€started€to€get€mad€at€Cheryl.€òòWhy€was€she€ordering€out€forÐ ê&:"/ Ðdinner?€She€didnððt€have€anything€else€to€do€but€make€dinner!€Was€it€cutting€into€her€TV€time?óóÐ °'#0 Ðà  àHe€handed€the€box€to€her€wordlessly€and€watched€as€she€emptied€it€into€the€wok.€Thick€black€noodles€slippedÏaround€with€the€hissing€mix€of€veggies.€"I€just€had€the€skinny€noodles,"€she€said.€Ìà  àDoug€nodded,€breathing€through€his€nose.€"Looks€good,"€he€forced€out.€He€wanted€to€say€somethingÏconstructive,€something€like€òòYou€know€Cheryl,€Iððm€happy€to€pick€up€something€on€my€way€home.€Deliveryððs€soÐ ,d'6 Ðexpensive.óó€But€delivery€had€never€been€expensive€before.€She€cooked€because€she€liked€to€and€because€she€had€the€time,Ð Ú,*(7 Ðnot€to€save€money.€What€if€she€began€to€suspect€the€financial€trouble€they€were€in,€how€badly€he€had€fucked€things€up?Ð  -ð(8 Ðà  à"How€was€work?"€she€asked,€looking€up€as€she€sprinkled€cashew€bits€into€the€pan.Ìà  à"Stressful,"€he€said.€"That€new€kid€Chanððs€a€real€twerp."Ìà  à"Still?"€Cheryl€said,€surprised.€"Theyððre€usually€kissing€your€ass€by€now."Ìà  à"Mmm,"€Doug€said,€picking€a€cashew€out€of€the€pan.€òòChan€smells€blood€in€the€water.óóÐ ôD Ðà  à"Itððll€be€fine,"€Cheryl€said€with€a€confidence€that€nearly€broke€Dougððs€heart.€"Youððve€got€20€years€ofÏexperience€under€your€belt."Ìà  à"Well,€the€olðð€beltððs€getting€a€little€tight,"€Doug€said.Ìòòà  àóó"Youððll€have€to€cut€a€new€notch,€then,"€Cheryl€said€with€a€distracted€smile.€Ð þ N  Ðà  à"Heh,"€said€Doug,€annoyed.€He€waited€a€few€seconds€and€then€said,€as€if€it€was€entirely€unconnected,€"YouÏknow,€someone€pitched€to€me€in€the€elevator€today."€He€knew€it€was€wrong,€but€he€couldnððt€help€spreading€the€anxietyÏa€little.Ìà  àShe€was€looking€for€something€in€the€fridge.€"At€work?€Your€work€elevator.€Not€òòouróó€elevator."Ð b²  Ðà  à"Our€elevator.€Just€a€few€minutes€ago."€Ìà  àShe€didnððt€say€anything.€Doug€felt€a€twinge€of€guilt,€and€got€a€couple€of€plates€out.Ìà  à"Probably€nothing,"€he€said.Ìà  à"Hmm,"€she€said,€spooning€out€the€food€onto€the€plates.Ìà  à"Wow,€this€smells€great,"€Doug€said,€hoping€to€lift€the€cloud€over€his€wifeððs€face.€"Iððll€talk€to€security€aboutÏit,"€he€said.€He€rummaged€through€the€cutlery€drawer€for€some€chopsticks.Ìà  àShe€nodded.€"Olivia,"€she€called.€"Dinner."ÌÌòòWhy€do€we€have€to€have€these€fucking€things€on€Fridays?óó€Doug€thought,€knowing€the€answer.€The€weekly€meetings€usedÐ ˆØ$ Ðto€be€scheduled€on€Mondays,€but€Harris€met€with€the€Frisco€team€Mondays€now.€But€itððs€not€like€there€was€commutingÏtime.€He€could€have€practically€been€in€both€places€at€the€same€time,€wasnððt€that€the€beauty€of€it?Ìà  àDoug€pushed€his€chair€back€from€his€desk€and€leaned€back€as€far€as€it€would€go,€waiting€to€be€called€in€to€theÏmeeting.€Stretched€out€his€legs,€but€didnððt€quite€dare€put€his€feet€up€on€the€desk.€Arms€folded,€head€lolling€to€one€side,Ïhe€looked€through€the€missing€patch€at€the€mountains.€òòCould€you€climb€up€that€far?óó€He€imagined€the€crisp€air,€theÐ  #\* Ðwinding€paths,€and€the€view€ð"ð€the€view!€The€city€would€look€like€a€ridiculous€thing,€put€in€its€place€by€distance€andÏmonolithic€geography.€More€than€the€silence,€more€than€the€clean€air,€it€was€thinking€about€this€place€shrunk€to€nothingÏthat€made€Doug€calmer.Ìà  à"Patterson,"€Lauden€said,€poking€his€head€in€the€door.€"Harris€is€here.€Letððs€do€this."Ìà  àHis€smile€might€as€well€have€fallen€off€and€rolled€to€somewhere€unreachable,€because€Dougððs€face€was€grimÏfor€the€rest€of€the€day.€He€looked€through€his€documents€quickly€ð"ð€òòtwerp€wonððt€catch€me€with€my€pants€down€againÐ ü(L$2 Ðð"ð€óóand€threw€one€look€back€at€the€mountains€before€he€shut€the€door.Ð Â)%3 Ðà  àòòWhat€was€stopping€me€from€going€there?óó€It€was€ridiculous€that€heððd€lived€here€his€whole€life€and€had€neverÐ .+~&5 Ðeven€gone€for€an€afternoon.€òòDrive€up€there€one€day€with€Olivia€and€Cheryl,€just€see€how€high€you€can€go.€PresumingÐ ô+D'6 Ðthey€have€roads...€presuming€you€still€had€your€car,€dumbfuckóó.Ð º, (7 Ðà  àHe€walked€down€the€hallway,€almost€reeling,€numb€and€deaf.€òòOf€course,€you€never€thought€to€go€when€you€hadÐ ° Ðyour€car.€óóHe€was€amazed€to€feel€a€shortness€of€breath...€òòwas€this€a€panic€attack?€Ridiculous.óóÐ vÆ Ðà  àHe€felt€a€bump€at€his€elbow.€It€was€the€kid,€also€walking€to€the€meeting€room.€"Sorry€Doug,"€he€said,€withÏalmost€a€shy€smile,€his€hair€looking€a€little€messy.€It€reminded€Doug€of€his€nephewððs€bedhead.€"Hey,€I€was€being€an€idiotÏlastð"ð"Ìà  à"Yep,"€Doug€cut€him€off,€pulling€the€door€open€and€holding€it€open€for€him,€staring€at€him,€his€numbnessÏwearing€off.€òòThe€twerp€is€smartening€up.€Harris€probably€straightened€him€out.Ð   ð Ðà  àóóBy€the€time€he€took€his€seat€his€breathing€was€back€to€normal.€He€looked€around€at€his€co„workers€and€notedÐ  \  Ðthe€higher€tension€levels.€òòWhy€couldnððt€these€things€be€on€Tuesday,€at€least?óó€He€remembered€the€old€Monday€morningÐ Ò "  Ðmeetings,€people€pulling€apart€muffins€as€they€gave€their€reports,€a€whole€week€ahead€of€them€to€fill€in€any€holes.Ìà  àStevens€was€the€last€to€get€settled,€flicking€in€and€getting€into€a€chair.€Doug€hadnððt€seen€him€since€he€relocatedÏð"ð€he€looked€considerably€slimmer€but€not€so€much€that€it€was€really€obvious.€Heððd€slim€off€gradually.€Stevens€knewÏthe€appropriate€thing€to€do.€And€as€much€as€he€used€to€sneer€at€him€for€it,€Doug€knew€that€that€was€the€differenceÏbetween€him€being€here€and€Stevens€being€in€Frisco.Ìà  àHe€remembered€a€conversation€theyððd€had,€when€Frisco€was€just€a€novelty€vacation€for€the€rich.€Stevens€wasÏcomplaining€about€his€wife€bugging€him€to€go.€"Thinks€weððre€made€of€money.€She€doesnððt€understand€we€have€to€turnÏa€profit€as€a€couple€ð"ð€we€canððt€just€break€even.€The€marketððs€good€now,€but..."€Heððd€looked€at€Doug€with€envy.€"CanððtÏunderstand€how€you€make€it€with€your€wife€not€working."Ìà  àDoug€had€just€smiled€mysteriously,€ignored€the€nervous€flutter€that€always€appeared€in€his€stomach€wheneverÏhe€thought€about€his€finances€ð"ð€itððd€work€out,€always€did.€But€now,€Stevens€looked€at€him€as€if€heððd€been€lied€to.€òòWhyÐ F– Ðarenððt€you€in€Frisco?€óóhe€seemed€to€be€saying.€òòWhatððve€you€got€going€here?óó€Stevens€wasnððt€very€smart.Ð  \ Ðà  àBut€Harris€was,€in€an€offhanded€way.€Heððd€figure€it€out€soon€enough.€Really,€he€didnððt€know€why€he€didnððtÏjust€come€clean€with€his€boss.€It€wouldnððt€take€very€long.€òòMy€wife€quit€her€job€to€raise€our€child,€and€when€she€wantedÐ >Ž Ðto€go€back€the€jobs€had€gone€to€Frisco.€So€we€decided€to€wait€until€we€moved€there.€But€I€donððt€have€enough€savingsÏfor€the€down€payment€on€a€gold€package,€and€thereððs€no€way€weððd€get€decent€jobs€without€it.€No€more€than€youððd€getÏa€decent€job€in€a€cheap€suit€wearing€bad€cologne...Ìà  àóóStevens€was€halfway€through€his€report€already,€and€Doug€hadnððt€noticed€heððd€started.€It€was€mostly€numbers,Ð üL" Ðand€numbers€always€bored€him.€òòPart€of€the€problem,€wasnððt€it€Patterson?óó€Billion€dollar€accounts€had€been€impressiveÐ Â# Ðwhen€he€was€a€17„year„old€punk€like€Chan€here,€and€certainly€the€twerp€had€a€look€of€interest€on€his€face.€Looked€tired,Ïthough,€as€he€scrolled€idly€through€his€notes.Ìà  à"You€still€havenððt€told€me€if€weððre€hitting€our€numbers€in€terms€of€meat„clients€versus€Frisco„clients,"€saidÏHarris.€He€smoothed€the€hair€on€the€side€of€his€head,€and€Doug€noticed€that€he€had€no€ears.Ìà  à"Well,€just€barely.€Our€income€split€is€80/20,€but€our€workforce€split€is€still€75/25,"€Stevens€said,€holding€upÏa€caution€hand.€Doug€couldnððt€resist€a€glance€back€at€Harris.€Heððd€heard€that€it€was€a€popular€look€among€Frisco€execs,Ïand€it€did€give€him€a€sleeker,€harder€look.€Had€he€changed€his€eyes,€too?€Had€Harrisððs€eyes€been€grey?€Doug€felt€thatÏknowing€this,€commenting€on€this,€could€mean€the€difference€between€keeping€and€losing€his€job.Ìà  àLauden€gave€his€report€next.€"Of€the€four€subcultures€in€the€Vancouver€area€weððve€been€amassing€data€on,Ïweððre€seeing€a€10%€return..."Ìà  àHarris€looked€unimpressed,€making€an€occasional€note.Ìà  àStevens€took€a€call,€his€mouth€moving€silently€as€Lauden€continued,€discreetly€flicked€out.€Ìà  àLauden€went€on€for€a€while,€ended€with€his€"bears€further€investigation"€mantra.Ð ´,(6 Ðà  à"Can€you€come€in€tomorrow€to€finish€the€investigation?"€Harris€said,€not€looking€at€Lauden.€"Weððre€lookingÏfor€profiles,€not€ongoing€studies."Ìà  àòòAnother€reason€Friday€meetings€sucked.€óóSaturday€was€sitting€there€like€the€trembling€vestal€virgin,€waiting€toÐ â2 Ðbe€sacrificed€to€the€gods€of€completionòò.Ð ¨ø Ðà  àóóLaudenððs€lips€were€slightly€open€as€if€he€couldnððt€believe€his€weekend€had€been€yanked€away€from€him€again.Ð  d ÐNumbly,€he€nodded.€"Sure."€Doug€admired€the€note€of€cheerfulness.Ìà  àHarris€trained€his€eyes€directly€on€Doug.€"OK.€Weððre€not€taking€on€any€new€non„Frisco€accounts€as€of€nextÏmonth.€To€handle€the€ones€we€have,€weððll€be€keeping€a€skeleton€staff€ð"ð€Lauden€will€be€heading€up€the€team€here€ð"ðÏand€itððll€strictly€be€research,€no€analysis."Ìà  àLauden€licked€his€lips.€"Well,"€he€said€in€a€letððs„be„frank€tone.€"If€thereððre€no€clients,€thereððs€very€little€left€toÏresearch."Ìà  àHarris€nodded.€"True.€There€are€a€few€older€groups,€however,€that€our€clients€in€Frisco€can€use€informationÏon.€Infiltrators,€for€instance."Ìà  àThe€silence€was€uncomfortable.€Chanððs€eyebrows€had€arched€incredulously,€but€he€kept€quiet.€Doug€just€smiledÏbitterly.€òòInfiltrators.€Perfect.Ð h¸ Ðà  àóóHarrisððs€gaze€swept€the€room€like€a€machine€gun.€His€usual€jovial€manner€was€nowhere€to€be€seen.€Doug€hadÐ Ô$ Ðonly€seen€him€in€this€mode€during€mass€firings.€òòWhich€this€could€be...óóÐ šê Ðà  à"Things€are€getting€hot€in€Frisco,"€he€said,€looking€directly€at€Doug.€"Things€are€very€interesting€and€veryÏcompetitive.€Subcultures€are€manifesting€themselves€in€new€and€unclassified€ways,€and€it€has€the€industry€in€an€uproar.ÏAlex€says€we€need€all€our€analysts€in€Frisco."€He€paused.€"By€next€week."Ìà  àòòOh€fuck.Ð þN Ðà  àóó"Doug?"€Harris€said.Ð jº Ðà  àDoug€shook€his€head.€"Thereððs€still€some€loose€ends€ð"ð"Ìà  à"There€always€are,"€Harris€said€dryly.€"David?"€he€said,€looking€at€Chan.Ìà  àChan€smiled€broadly.€"Iððm€there.€Tomorrow€if€you€need€me."Ìà  àòòOf€course,óó€Doug€thought,€staring€at€the€pine€tableððs€texture,€òòOf€course€the€little€fuck€is€ready.€No€dependents,Ð !j' Ðno€wife,€just€that€saucer„eyed€tart€he€drags€around€toð"ðóóÐ à!0( Ðà  à"Mondayððs€fine,€David,"€Harris€said.€He€sighed,€and€Doug€was€amazed€at€the€level€of€exhaustion€in€it.€His€faceÏwas€fresh,€his€eyes€were€sprightly€ð"ð€but€then,€holograms€never€had€to€look€tired.€òòHow€had€it€changed€negotiations,óó€heÐ $b+ Ðwondered,€òònow€that€body€language€isnððt€a€factor?óóÐ Ø$( , Ðà  à"Weððll€need€at€least€one€experienced€man€if€weððre€going€to€do€any€kind€of€decent€research€here,"€Lauden€said,Ïnodding€and€looking€at€Doug.Ìà  àòòGood€old€Laudenóó,€Doug€thought.€òòWeððre€two€sick€old€wolves€watching€each€otherððs€butts.óóÐ v(Æ#1 Ðà  à"All€right€then.€Iððve€got€another€meeting€to€get€ready€for.€Meetings€stacked€for€the€next€12€hours,€actually,"ÏHarris€said,€with€an€undecipherable€chuckle.€"I€wonððt€be€checking€in€with€you€weekly€anymore,€but€weððll€meet€nextÏFriday€to€work€out€the€details€of€your€new€research€objectives."Ìà  àòòOur€new€diminished€objectives,óó€òòyou€mean€to€sayóó,€Doug€thought.€Almost€immediately€he€chastised€himself.Ð Ú,*(7 ÐòòDonððt€be€so€fucking€proud.€Youððre€lucky€you€still€have€your€job.Ð  -ð(8 Ðà  àóó"OK,€have€a€good€one,"€Harris€said,€flicking€out.€It€wasnððt€until€he€did€this€that€Doug€realized€how€careful€heððdÐ ° Ðbeen€at€other€meetings€to€wait€until€they€had€left€to€disconnect.€òòWonder€if€heððs€getting€used€to€it€or€just€doesnððt€careÐ vÆ Ðabout€shocking€us€any€more?Ìà  àóó"Have€a€good€one,"€Lauden€said.€"Not€too€likely."Ð ¨ø Ðà  à"Crackers€for€you,€guy,"€Chan€said.€"Still€though,€probably€something€to€do€with€the€fact€that€everyoneððsÏworking€14„hour€days€there."Ìà  à"Seriously?"€Doug€said.Ìà  àChan€got€up.€"Yeah.€So„so„so,€we€gotta€be€competitive,€everyone€elseððs€working€14€hours,€you€donððt€need€toÏsleep,€like€that,"€he€said€on€his€way€out€the€door.€Gone€was€the€shyness€of€an€hour€ago,€as€gone€as€Chan€himself€wouldÏbe€by€Monday.Ìà  à"I€donððt€envy€you,€Chan,"€Lauden€said€after€him.€"Itððll€be€tough."Ìà  àChan€laughed.€"Sððfuture,€guy.€Move€it€or€lose€it."€He€disappeared€down€the€hallway,€leaving€Lauden€and€DougÏalone.Ìà  àLauden€just€shook€his€head€and€rolled€his€eyes.€Doug€laughed€ð"ð€for€Lauden,€this€was€the€equivalent€ofÏcharacter€assassination.Ìà  à"All€right,€olðð€wolf,€we€gotta€couple€hours€left,"€Doug€said,€leading€the€way€back€to€their€offices.€ÌÌThe€SkyTrain€pulled€away€from€the€station€with€a€bit€of€a€jerk,€shoving€everyone€in€a€choreographed€fashion€that€noÏone€resented.€òòMaybe€you€could€be€that€way€with€life,óó€Doug€pondered.€òòTake€the€hits€as€if€theyððre€delivered€unintentionallyÐ h Ðby€a€machine.óóÐ Þ. Ðà  àCertainly€he€felt€a€bit€like€that€now€ð"ð€as€the€SkyTrain€trundled€along€its€tracks,€none€of€the€dayððs€disastersÏtroubled€him.€He€had€gotten€a€seat€on€the€train,€even€a€bit€of€a€view€out€of€the€window€opposite€through€a€serendipitousÏmix€of€short€people€with€arms€angled€just€right.€A€faint€smile€played€on€his€lips€as€he€watched€sun€glint€off€the€buildings,Ïthe€cables€of€the€bridge€over€the€water.€Maybe€itððs€just€that€I€got€paid,€he€thought,€the€golden€oldie€Eric€B.€&€Rakim€songÏ"Paid€in€Full"€running€through€his€head.€He€remembered€the€derision€Olivia€had€expressed€when€he€had€busted€a€fewÏrhymes€a€while€back:€òòDaddy,€hip€hop€is€óósoòò€old€man€music.óó€Guilty€as€charged.Ð (x$ Ðà  àòòThinkinðð€of€a€master€plan,€ainððt€nothing€but€sweat€inside€my€hand.Ð ” ä& Ðà  àóóThe€next€stop€blocked€his€view,€but€a€bunch€of€kids€got€in€and€they€were€just€as€entertaining.€This€stop€wasÐ "P( Ðnear€St.€Edmondððs,€an€absurdly€expensive€school€that€was€hemorrhaging€students€to€Frisco€ð"ð€Doug€could€tell€this€justÏby€the€diminishing€size€of€the€groups€that€got€on€at€this€stop€ð"ð€but€was€resolutely€continuing.€òòWhile€other€schools€foldedÐ Œ#Ü* Ðfaster€than€a€house€of€cardsóó,€Doug€thought,€although€he€knew€why€ð"ð€Oliviaððs€school€was€a€good€value,€while€St.Ð R$¢+ ÐEdmondððs€would€turn€a€profit€with€three€students€per€class.€They€could€afford€to€run€two€schools€concurrently.Ìà  àHe€didnððt€like€it,€though€ð"ð€he€remembered€how€it€felt€to€be€the€new€kid,€how€hard„won€identity€points€wereÏreset€to€zero.€His€mom€had€moved€him€from€one€of€the€last€publicly„funded€schools€to€Kits€North,€and€it€had€taken€himÏa€year€to€recalibrate.€When€his€old€school€was€shut€down,€the€influx€of€old€classmates€made€it€worse€ð"ð€he€fit€intoÏneither€clique,€too€poor€for€one€and€too€rich€for€the€other.€It€had,€however,€given€him€the€beginnings€of€a€career€inÏobserving€and€analyzing€youth€culture.Ìà  àòòMy€careeróó,€thought€Doug,€looking€at€the€kids€in€front€of€him,€automatically€noting€their€little€indicators.€òòSomeÐ +X&4 Ðcareer.€Sucking€the€blood€of€innocents€and€then€having€my€stomach€pumped.óó€But€he€thought€this€with€a€certainÐ Î+'5 Ðequanimity€ð"ð€he€recognized€that€he€was€only€critical€of€coolhunting€when€work€was€going€badly.€But€the€idea€of€beingÏthe€parasite€in€the€food€chain€was€harder€to€dismiss€the€older€he€got.€Maybe€Harris€knew€this,€that€was€what€was€behindÐ Z-ª(7 Ðthe€urgency.Ìà  àBut€because€of€his€financial€negligence€ð"ð€his€gross€negligence€ð"ð€heððd€been€unable€to€take€the€hint.€Really,Ïit€was€a€miracle€that€Harris€had€stooped€to€giving€him€this€make„work€job,€as€ridiculous€and€laughable€as€the€InfiltratorsÏassignment€was.€A€younger€Doug€would€have€sneered€at€his€managerððs€sentimentality,€maybe€even€exploited€it,€but€nowÏhe€felt€only€the€gratitude€of€a€mangy€animal€thrown€a€bone.€And€really,€heððd€be€an€idiot€to€expect€that€Harris€wouldnððtÏexpect€some€kind€of€return€on€his€investment.Ìà  àHe€looked€at€the€kids€in€front€of€him€and€wondered€if€theyððd€ever€heard€of€Infiltrators,€or€if€this€had€becomeÏobscure€knowledge€of€his€profession.€Infiltrators€were€a€probably„mythical€subculture€that€invented€subcultures€to€sellÏto€coolhunters,€and€then€flipped€the€money€into€making€those€subcultures€a€reality.€Then,€later,€they€sold€the€proof€thatÏthe€subcultures€were€fakes€to€the€highest€bidder.€When€Doug€was€coming€up€in€the€ðð20s,€a€lot€of€his€colleagues€had€beenÏburned,€worried€that€every€new€lead€led€to€a€camouflaged€tar€pit.€Just€as€the€industry€had€gotten€used€to€a€level€ofÏstability€as€cultural€commentators,€a€collection€of€malcontents€had€put€the€fear€of€God€into€them:€their€tag,€an€"i"€withÏa€circle€around€it,€appeared€everywhere,€and€made€their€numbers€seem€infinite.€Doug,€with€no€reputation€yet€to€lose,Ïdismissed€it€as€a€covert€branding€campaign€and€was€brazen€and€fearless€where€his€colleagues€were€cautious.€Harris€hadÏliked€his€moxy€and€had€promoted€him€quickly.Ìòòà  àóóDoug€thought€of€Harrisððs€face€today€and€sighed.Ð <Œ  Ðà  à"Kinseyððs€just€being€an€assbutt,"€said€a€plump€kid,€his€face€speckled€with€red€freckles.€"If€he€can€have€thoseÏstupid€spikes€in€his€eyebrow,€why€canððt€I€point€my€ears?"Ìà  àThe€boy€he€was€talking€to€nodded,€a€slender,€big„eyed€kid€with€an€absurdly€large€knapsack.€On€his€left,€a€tallÏgirl€said,€"Well,€Mr.€Kinsey€doesnððt€wear€a€uniform€either.€Itððs€uniform€regulations."Ìà  à"I€know,€but€òòwhyóó,"€said€the€plump€kid.€"On€the€one€side,€you€have€the€all„knowing€teachers€who€get€to€doÐ  \ Ðwhatever€they€want€ð"ð"Ìà  àAnother€girl,€beside€him,€put€in€"Yeah,€like€Mr.€Randall€and€his€sword€ð"ð"Ìà  à"Exactly,"€said€the€plump€kid,€"A€perfect€example!€Randall€gets€to€carry€around€a€weapon€ð"ð"Ìà  à"You€could€put€out€an€eye€with€your€ears,"€the€tall€girl€said.€The€plump€guy€made€an€exasperated€sound.Ìà  à"...Or€you€could€put€out€an€ear€with€your€eye,"€the€slender€kid€put€in€with€a€timid€smile.Ìà  àThe€tall€girl€tossed€her€head€and€giggled.€The€plump€kidððs€eyebrows€beetled€a€bit€with€the€conversationalÏderailment,€until€the€girl€beside€him€elbowed€him.€"Sðða€joke,€Steve.€Donððt€be€such€a€stiffy."Ìà  àSteve€touched€his€arm€where€she€had€elbowed€him,€looked€at€her,€smiled€reluctantly.Ìà  à"Itððs€unfair,€though,"€said€the€slender€kid,€"The€school€is€too€strict."Ìà  àThe€train€stopped€and€the€foursome€bowed€forward€a€bit€to€allow€for€the€flow.€Doug€carefully€lookedÏelsewhere,€glancing€only€occasionally€at€the€group.€He€was€glad€heððd€worn€his€hat€ð"ð€his€sharp„rimmed€fedora€wasnððtÏnearly€as€stare„worthy€as€his€shiny€pate.Ìà  àSteve€looked€at€the€girl€beside€him.€She€might€have€been€his€sister,€they€had€the€same€blond€hair€and€freckles.Ï"Did€you€do€all€right€on€the€history€test?"€she€said,€looking€down.€She€had€a€few€inches€on€him.Ìà  à"Yeah.€Multiple€choice€was€easy.€But€the€essay€question€was€hard,€though.€What€necessitated€the€dismantlingÏof€government€during€the€ðð20s?€Whatððd€you€put?"Ìà  àThe€girl€ticked€them€off€on€the€hand€not€holding€the€bar.€"Need€for€a€more€efficient€economy,€it€was€riddledÏwith€corruption,€not€willing€to€take€military€action€against€ecological€terrorists...€uhð8ð€I€think€that€was€all€I€got."Ð -j(7 Ðà  à"Shit,€I€forgot€the€corruption€one,"€said€the€slender€kid.Ìà  à"I€forgot€them€all,"€said€the€tall€girl,€and€they€all€laughed.€"But€that€was€such€an€unfair€question!€We€hardlyÏdid€any€government€stuff€in€class.€It€was€mostly€International€Monetary€Fund.€Yeah,€when€did€the€IMF€become€theÏUnited€Corporate€Interests€Council?"Ìà  à"2023,"€said€Steve.Ìà  à"No,€that€was€when€UCIC€moved€into€the€White€House,"€the€freckled€girl€said.€"They€changed€the€name€inÏ2008."Ìà  àThe€slender€boy€nodded.€Doug€had€pegged€him€for€the€new€guy€ð"ð€the€crispness€of€his€uniform,€and€his€generalÏtimidness,€gave€him€away.Ìà  à"Well,€the€UCIC€is€of€no€importance€today..."€Steve€said€expansively.€"Today,€itððs€all€about€EWBF!"€He€lookedÏaround€at€the€others,€nodding€and€grinning.Ìà  àThere€was€a€few€seconds€before€the€blond€girl€figured€it€out€and€said,€"òòElven€Warrior:€Blood€Feudóó."€They€allÐ f  Ðlaughed.Ìà  à"Ah€ha,"€said€the€slender€kid.Ìà  à"I€was€going€to€say!"€said€the€tall€girl.€"I€didnððt€remember€that€on€the€test!"Ìà  àDoug€noticed€an€older€teen,€dressed€in€a€ball„specked€jacket,€sneer€at€the€mention€of€the€popular€fantasy€series.ÏNone€of€them€caught€his€look,€and€Doug€was€strangely€relieved.Ìà  àHe€couldnððt€really€hear€the€teenagers€now,€but€their€body€language€was€just€as€interesting.€The€tall€girl€and€herÏexaggerated€cluelessness,€her€obvious€grabs€of€the€slender€kidððs€arm.€Steve,€and€his€soft€glances€towards€the€blond€girl.ÏThe€blond€girlððs€serious€watchfulness.€The€slender€kid€ð"ð€the€slender€kid€was€actually€looking€right€at€him.Ìà  àDoug€held€his€gaze€until€the€kid€looked€away,€and€then€avoided€looking€at€them.€Steve€sprang€up,€mockÏbrandishing€a€sword,€and€said,€"Come,€brave€ones!"€The€hipster€teen€rolled€his€eyes€at€this,€and€the€slender€kid€caughtÏit.€Doug€watched,€almost€sadly,€as€the€kid€glanced€back€at€Steve€with€new€eyes,€eyes€that€suspected€his€new€friend€SteveÏwas€not€cool.€Doug€looked€at€the€hipster€teen,€wondered€if€he€knew€how€corrosive€he€was,€wondered€if€he€was€corrodedÏdown€to€a€core€of€cynicism€himself.€He€wanted€to€grab€the€hipster,€shake€him,€tell€him€that€he€knew€someone€whoÏworked€for€the€person€who€designed€the€campaign€to€make€those€stupid€jackets€the€new€wave€of€urban€chic.€Instead€heÏwalked€out€the€door.Ìà  àHe€followed€the€kids,€feeling€slightly€foolish€but€mostly€right€about€following€his€urge€to€get€off€several€stopsÏbefore€home€ð"ð€equal€parts€being€attracted€to€the€untainted€enthusiasm€of€the€Elven€Warriors€and€being€repulsed€by€theÏjacket„hipsterððs€pre„packaged€snideness.€He€made€a€mental€note€to€get€something€for€Olivia€afterwards.€He€lifted€hisÏhand€to€his€head€in€the€watchððs€shorthand€for€phone€and€said,€"Cheryl."Ìà  àBy€the€time€he€stepped€off€the€escalator€sheððd€answered.€"Working€late?"Ìà  à"Yeah,"€Doug€said.€"Why€donððt€you€and€Olive€just€go€ahead.€Iððm€gonna€pick€up€something€here."€TheÏteenagers€headed€towards€the€theatre.Ìà  à"All€right,"€his€wife€said€agreeably.€"Lucky€you€called€before€I€started€cooking."Ìà  à"Oh,€I€know,"€Doug€said,€scanning€the€food€marquees.€"I€know€whatððs€good€for€me."€He€said€goodbye€andÏdisconnected,€trying€to€decide€on€dinner€while€people€milled€around€him.€KFC€was€giving€away€a€toy€with€their€dinners,Ïso€he€punched€in€a€quarter€chicken€meal€ð"ð€using€his€handkerchief€because€the€screen€was€greasy€ð"ð€and€waited.€HeÏhad€to€wait€just€long€enough€to€contemplate€how€unhygienic€the€inside€of€the€machine€probably€was€if€the€outside€wasÏthis€nasty,€when€the€steamy€box€jutted€out€for€him€to€take.€He€almost€forgot€the€toy,€which€dropped€down€into€a€separateÏcontainer.Ð .P)8 Ðà  àSitting€down€at€an€orange€and€beige€tablette€with€a€view€of€the€theatre,€he€sat€his€fedora€on€the€round€texturedÏseat€beside€him€and€began€his€meal.€While€he€chewed€on€a€chicken€leg,€he€read€the€fine€print€on€the€side€of€the€box.ÏMAY€CONTAIN€TRACE€AMOUNTS€OF€PEANUTS€AND€HUMAN€DNA,€it€warned.€Doug€rolled€his€eyes.€òòWhatÐ <Œ Ðdidnððt?€óóHe€looked€at€the€toy,€which€looked€more€or€less€like€a€plastic€bag€of€white€cotton.€òòPicked€fresh€from€theÐ R ÐColonelððs€plantation!óó€Dougððs€brain€spat€out.Ð È Ðà  àFlipping€it€over,€however,€revealed€that€it€was€a€wig,€beard,€and€black€framed€glasses.€òòOh€perfectóó,€Doug€thoughtÐ 4 „ Ðsourly.€While€Olivia€might€look€cute€as€the€Colonel,€just€a€few€weeks€ago€she€had€asked€Cheryl€to€pluck€her€eyebrowsÏbecause€they€looked€"like€a€boyððs."€He€sort€of€liked€the€glasses,€though.€He€took€them€out€and€slipped€them€on€ð"ð€theyÏhad€clear€lenses,€too,€which€he€naturally€smudged€with€his€chickeny€fingers.Ìà  àHe€noticed€a€man€a€few€tables€over,€drinking€something€and€watching€him.€When€he€stood,€he€saw€andÏrecognized€the€attentive€look€on€the€ruddy€old€manððs€face,€and€instead€of€taking€his€box€to€the€garbage€he€left€it€there.ÏHe€walked€to€the€theatre,€pausing€to€take€in€the€òòElven€Warrior:€Blood€Feudóó€holoclip€above€the€entrance.€A€tiny€figureÐ ~Î  Ðis€hunched€over€a€slain€comrade.€The€camera€zooms€in€slowly€as€the€figure€stands,€framing€his€anguished,€shadowedÏface,€zooming€closer.€When€only€his€gleaming€eye€is€visible,€the€zoom€stops.€Only€his€ragged€breath€is€heard€for€aÏmoment,€and€then,€within€the€eye,€a€fire€explodes€to€life.Ìà  àDoug€didnððt€watch€the€hack€ððnðð€slash€revenge€sequence€that€followed,€just€lifted€his€watch€up€to€the€payplate.ÏHe€glanced€back€at€the€food€court€and€noted€that€the€man€had€made€it€over€to€his€table€without€the€security€guardÏnoticing.€There€was€a€soft€ping,€and€the€cash€register€informed€him€that€the€campaign€was€already€underway,€was€thatÏOK?€Doug€said€it€was,€and€there€was€a€flash€of€light€as€it€took€his€picture.€A€rotating€elf„version€of€Doug€appeared,Ïglasses€and€all.€It€was€amusing,€but€not€quite€what€he€wanted.€He€cycled€through€the€default€settings€to€find€one€thatÏwasnððt€so€elderly.Ìà  àHe€settled€on€a€young€grey„eyed€elf€with€buckskin€shorts€and€a€bow€across€his€chest.€The€register€asked€if€heÏwanted€extra€weapons€with€that,€but€after€checking€them€out€ð"ð€you€could€get€anything€from€a€catapult„armed€truck€toÏan€electroscythe€ð"ð€he€stuck€with€his€bow€and€silver€dagger.€There€were€a€bunch€of€other€questions€about€outfitting€andÏfood,€but€he€just€chose€the€defaults.Ìà  àIt€told€him€the€booth€number€and€he€found€it,€using€his€watch€to€unlock€it.€The€door€closed€behind€him€and€theÏdarkness€was€so€complete€he€had€to€feel€with€his€hands€for€the€helm€that€hung€from€above.Ìà  àAs€he€adjusted€the€helm€to€his€height,€he€could€hear€voices€drifting€over€the€open„topped€booths.ÌòòóóÐ â2# ÐThe€sun€was€just€rising€as€the€band€of€adventurers€walked€through€the€forest€clearing.€One€of€them,€a€stocky€elf€withÏa€crossbow,€held€his€hand€up.€The€others€ð"ð€a€cloaked€mage,€a€female€warrior€elf€with€chain€mail,€and€a€willowy€femaleÏelf€with€an€uzi€ð"ð€stopped.Ìà  àThe€stocky€elf€pointed€his€crossbow€at€a€faintly€rustling€bush€and€flicked€on€the€laser€sight.€"Come€out€or€beÏkilled."Ìà  àThe€bush€rustled€some€more€and€finally€parted€to€reveal€a€slim€and€young€elf,€hands€held€apart€in€supplication.Ìà  à"What€weapons€have€ye?"€said€the€stocky€elf.Ìà  àThe€elf€plucked€the€bowstring€and€turned€around€to€show€the€dagger€tucked€in€the€back€of€his€buckskin€shorts.Ï"Please,€warriors,€my€name€is€Doug.€I€wish€to€join€your€party."Ìà  àThe€stocky€elf€looked€around€at€his€comrades.€They€shrugged.€He€was€plainly€not€satisfied€by€this.€"How€doÏwe€know€he€isnððt€an€agent€of€the€Orc€Overspawn?"Ìà  à"Why€donððt€you€try€your€Reveal€spell,€Mike?"€asked€the€female€elf€in€chain€mail.€Ð ´,(6 Ðà  à"Yeah€OK,"€said€the€hooded€figure,€dipping€into€a€leather€pouch€and€throwing€glittering€dust€on€Doug.€Ìà  àDoug€felt€a€little€uneasy,€hoped€it€wouldnððt€show€his€real€face.€He€almost€felt€like€he€could€feel€it€as€it€whiskedÏaround€him,€but€he€knew€that€couldnððt€be€the€case.€When€it€got€to€his€head,€words€of€fire€appeared€above€him:ÏNEUTRAL.€HOME€TOWN:€Brentwood€Mall.Ìà  à"Well€met,€fellow€Brentwoodian,"€said€Steve,€slapping€him€on€the€shoulder.€Dougððs€character€stumbled€withÏthe€impact,€although€Doug€in€the€booth€remained€still.€Steve€put€his€fists€on€his€hips€and€nodded€as€he€surveyed€theÏsmaller€elf.€"You€shall€have€to€come€with€us,€because€we€have€just€come€from€Brentwood.€Or,€rather,€we€have€justÏescaped€Brentwood."Ìà  à"Escaped?"€said€Doug.€"What€mean€you€by€this?"€He€put€on€an€alarmed€look€and€glanced€from€face€to€face.Ìà  à"The€bastard€Overspawn€murdered€every€last€one€of€our€fair€townspeople,"€the€female€elf€in€chain€mail€said.Ï"And€then,€before€we€could€give€them€a€proper€burial,€he€caused€them€to€attack€us€ð"ð€as€the€undead."Ìà  à"Great€Zeus!"€Doug€said,€knowing€he€was€fudging€his€mythologies€and€hoping€they€didnððt€care.€"You€meanÏð"ð€zombies?"Ìà  à"They€kept€coming€and€coming,"€the€other€girl€elf€said,€firing€a€burst€of€her€uzi€into€the€air.€"It€was€totallyÏawesome."Ìà  à"Conserve€your€ammo,"€Steven€said€severely€as€the€others€laughed.€"Awesomely€òòterribleóó,€that€is.€Our€ownÐ Ô$ Ðchildren,€friends,€family,€twisted€by€evil€forces€to€the€point€where€we€had€to...€put€them€down..."€He€shook€his€head,€andÏturned€to€Doug,€his€fists€still€on€his€hips.€"Thatððs€Elsie,€by€the€way.€Our€magic€user€goes€by€the€name€Mike,€the€pigtailedÏamazon€by€Christina€and€I€am€Steven.€We€can€always€use€a€brave€soul."Ìà  àDoug€nodded,€careful€not€to€smile.€The€helm€picked€up€facial€movement€uncannily€well.Ìà  àHaving€done€the€introductions,€they€continued€the€way€they€had€been€heading€ð"ð€Christina€and€Steven€tookÏthe€lead,€and€the€other€three€walked€together.Ìà  à"Have€you€played€much€before?"€said€Elsie.€"I€havenððt.€Thatððs€why€I€got€the€uzi.€To,€like,€make€up€for€howÏcrappy€I€am."Ìà  àDoug€shook€his€head,€looking€around€the€forest.€"No,€not€since€ð"ð€not€much.€None€of€the€òòElf€Warrioróó€series."Ð b²# ÐThe€detail€was€very€crisp,€and€while€the€people€had€an€occasional€quirk€or€stutter€they€were€entirely€believable.Ìà  à"Iððve€done€two€of€them,"€Mike€said.€"Stevenððs€done€them€all."Ìà  à"How€did€you€become€a€magic€user?"€Doug€asked.€Ahead,€Christina€was€checking€her€compass€and€sayingÏsomething€to€Steven.Ìà  à"Well,€Steven€said€it€suited€me.€He€says€Iððm€mysterious,"€Mike€said,€laughing€a€bit.€"I€sort€of€like€it."Ìà  à"Yeah,€I€was€going€to€be€a€magic€user€too,"€said€Elsie,€looking€at€Mike.€"Theyððre€so€cool.€But€then€MikeÏshowed€me€all€the€casting€stuff,"€her€hand€twitched€spastically.€"And€I€was€like,€forget€it,€too€complicated."Ìà  àMikeððs€hand€moved€in€quick€gestures,€and€a€fireball€slowly€glowed€to€life.€His€eyes€sparked€as€the€spellÏcompleted.Ìà  à"Cool,"€Doug€said.€Ìà  àMike€undid€the€spell€with€the€same€gestures€backwards.€It€faded€out.Ìà  àElsie€clapped,€her€hands€ghosting€a€little€with€the€speed.€"Awesome!"Ð Ú,*(7 Ðà  à"Itððs€way€more€sensitive€on€site,"€Mike€said€with€a€smile.€"When€I€cast€from€home€I€have€to€try€like€three€timesÏbefore€it€works.€My€set„up€is€so€crap€and€the€ping€is,€like,€forget€it."Ìà  àThe€forest€had€thinned,€and€there€was€a€city€of€twisting€towers€in€the€distance.€Doug€stared€at€them,€thinkingÏabout€the€mountains€he€could€see€from€his€office.€òòWas€there€smoke€coming€from€them?óó€Doug€lifted€a€hand€to€shade€hisÐ ¨ø Ðeyes€and€felt€his€real€hand€knock€into€the€helm.€His€body€did€a€weird€jerk.Ìà  à"Careful,"€Mike€said.€"You€can€reset€it€if€you€knock€it€hard€enough,€theyððre€pretty€sensitive."Ìà  àIt€wasnððt€smoke;€it€was€something€flying.€Flying€towards€them.€"Hey,€uh,€do€you€guys€see€that?€Hey,€Steven,"ÏDoug€said,€but€Steven€was€already€on€it.€He€had€removed€a€bronze€telescope€from€his€pack€and€extended€it.€He€stoppedÏand€raised€it€to€his€eye.€Everyone€stopped.Ìà  à"What€is€it?"€Christina€said,€her€voice€grave.€Steven€was€closing€the€telescope,€packing€it€away.€He€saidÏnothing,€and€it€seemed€like€the€òòshing!óó€as€he€unsheathed€his€broadsword€would€be€his€only€response.Ð T  Ðà  àBut€then€he€said,€"Orcs."€A€second€later,€as€the€winged€animals€were€almost€discernable,€he€looked€around€intoÏthe€faces€of€everyone.€"Orcs€mounted€on€dragons."Ìà  àAs€everyone€around€him€readied€for€battle,€Doug€realized€that€he€hadnððt€bought€any€arrows€for€his€bow.€HeÏtook€the€dagger€in€his€hand,€a€tiny€silver€fish€scaler,€and€waited€for€death.ÌòòóóÐ Ô$ ÐEileen€was€in€the€dark.€Not€literally€ð"ð€her€suit€would€never€stop€feeding€her€retinas€crisp€and€well„lit€visuals€of€the€pitchÏblack€tunnels€she€was€running€through.€But€she€had€none€of€the€other€datastreams€that€she€was€accustomed€to€ð"ð€withoutÏuplinking,€all€she€had€to€go€on€was€the€information€she€herself€had€collected.Ìà  àShe€followed€the€tunnel,€picking€a€direction€at€random.€Once€it€had€intuited€what€she€was€doing,€a€prompt€hadÏcome€up€and€offered€to€take€over€the€repetitious€leg€movements.€She€had€let€it,€but€now€she€almost€regretted€it€ð"ð€it€leftÏher€with€nothing€to€do.€Unlike€when€she€was€uplinked,€there€was€no€fresh€information€about€her€targets€to€peruse,€noÏmaps€to€look€at,€no€co„agents€to€chit„chat€with.Ìà  àNot€that€she€was€much€of€a€one€for€chit„chat€ð"ð€Eileen€had€always€been€more€of€a€nose/grindstone€type€ð"ð€butÏshe€liked€to€have€the€murmur€of€human€voices€in€the€background€as€she€combed€through€the€new€data.€She€was€alwaysÏhappier€when€she€was€occupied,€when€her€hands€were€busy.Ìà  àNow,€with€nothing€to€watch€but€the€walls€sliding€by,€she€started€to€feel€a€little€disconnected€from€her€body,€asÏif€it€were€a€strange€contraption€she€was€riding€on.€She€forced€herself€to€focus,€to€feel€her€limbs€pumping,€to€notice€theÏshape€of€the€puddles€in€the€ground€ahead.€Ìà  àSilence€was€better€than€pointless€chatter,€she€supposed.€She€remembered€a€mission€in€Uganda€ð"ð€destroyingÏsome€bottling€plant€that€wouldnððt€comply€with€the€new€regulations€ð"ð€where€Mary€had€been€talking€to€a€tough€newbieÏcalled€Karen,€riding€her€a€little.€Ìà  à"Why€did€you€paint€a€skull€on€your€mask,€Karen?"€she€had€said€over€the€comm.Ìà  àThere€was€no€response.Ìà  à"Is€it€because€you€like€to€fuck€skulls,€Karen?"€Mary€said€in€a€sweet€voice.Ìà  àKaren€ignored€this,€too.€The€four€of€them€ran€in€silence€for€a€few€seconds,€a€thin€black€line.Ìà  à"I€mean,€itððs€OK€if€you€like€that€kind€of€thing,€Karen€ð"ð"Ìà  àThe€skull€spun€her€way.€"Shutthefuckupbitð"ð"Ð ú,J(7 Ðà  àThere€was€a€sickening€òòthwockóó,€and€everyoneððs€suit€sped€up€to€500%.€Everyoneððs€but€Karenððs,€since€she€wasÐ ° Ðon€her€knees€with€a€machete€splitting€her€head.€As€Eileen€routed€and€gutted€the€knife„sniper,€she€felt€numb.€Whose€faultÏwas€it?€It€wasnððt€Karenððs€fault€for€looking€away.€It€wasnher€bossððs€fault€for€protecting€their€investments.€It€wasnððt€theÏUgandanððs€fault€for€protecting€his€interests.€It€wasnððt€Maryððs€fault€for€being€born€with€a€big€mouth.€And€it€wasnððt€herÏfault€for€not€telling€Mary€to€shut€up.€It€just€was.€Ìà  àNothing€had€seemed€clear„cut€to€Eileen,€and€she€had€assumed€it€would€always€be€that€way.€But€it€had€grownÏinside€her.€When€the€doctor€had€told€her€that€the€baby€had€been€successfully€embronned€as€a€boy,€that€was€the€first€kickÏinside€her.€When€she€saw€it€struggle€to€breathe€in€the€cloistered€atmosphere€of€the€clone€incubator,€she€started€to€believe.ÏAnd€when€they€had€wiped€off€the€gel,€none€too€gently,€and€passed€her€her€very€own€crinkle„eyed€baby€boy€ð"ð€flesh€ofÏher€flesh€ð"ð€she€òòknewóó.€There€was€one€thing€in€life€she€was€sure€of.€Ð L œ  Ðà  àòòJeremy€needs€me.€And€if€they€think€they€can€keep€him€in€some€electronic€hell€while€Iððm€still€alive€ð"ðóóÐ ¸   Ðà  àAn€alert€popped€up€and€the€electrical€impulses€contracting€her€leg€muscles€slowed€her€to€a€stop€in€front€of€aÏgrungy€ladder.€WHICH€WAY?€the€alert€was€flashing,€and€she€blinked€it€off.€òòThis€is€one€of€the€times€when€having€a€mapÐ ê:  Ðto€cross„ref€with€would€be€really€usefulóó,€Eileen€grumbled€to€herself,€looking€down€the€continuing€tunnel.€Ð °  Ðà  àSheððd€never€flown€blind€before€and€remembered€that€there€had€been€something€in€their€training€about€it€ð"ð€whatÏwas€it?€òòThatððs€right€ð"ð€an€internal€odometer.Ð â2 Ðà  àóó"Distance€covered?"Ð Nž Ðà  à"Eight€point€four€kilometres,"€her€suit€responded.Ìà  à"Direction?"Ìà  à"Due€northwest."Ìà  àòòThatððs€good.€Not€too€far€off€target.€Up€and€out,óó€she€decided,€gripping€the€grimy€rungs.€Ð þN Ðà  àEileen€emerged€from€the€tunnel,€feeling€the€night€air€and€sounds€rush€around€her.€She€was€at€200%€of€normalÏspeed,€keeping€to€the€sidewalks€and€curbside,€thankful€that€she€wasnððt€in€a€neighbourhood€with€dog€walkers€and€joggers.ÏThe€ragged€woman€she€passed€thought€she€was€a€memory€and€smiled€a€perfect€smile€after€her.Ìà  àThe€moment€she€hit€the€sidewalk€she€cut€back€to€150%,€glancing€around€for€prying€eyes.€None.€The€vanÏcompleted€the€turn€and€caught€up€to€her,€and€she€locked€on€it€and€kept€apace.€She€glanced€at€a€sign:€DOWNTOWN€ð"ðÏ1KM.Ìà  àShe€smiled€under€her€mask.€"Chickens€heading€home€to€roost,"€she€said€in€Meganððs€voice.€Or€more€specifically,ÏMeganððs€voice€as€it€had€sounded€coming€through€the€comm€link€ð"ð€flattened€and€digitized,€something€to€do€with€certainÏsound€ranges€being€more€detectable€by€the€enemy.€Eileen€suspected€it€had€been€to€make€them€sound€like€robots,€evenÏto€each€other.€There€were€a€lot€of€things€they€did€like€that,€things€that€had€seemed€silly€to€Eileen€at€first,€but€after€a€fewÏmissions€she€began€to€see€that€they€helped.Ìà  àShe€was€in€the€retail€sector€now,€and€she€had€to€vie€with€sidewalkers,€parked€cars,€and€brighter€lights.€She€ð"ðÏor€more€specifically,€that€damn€mask€Mary€had€drawn€on€ð"ð€was€turning€heads.€It€was€against€protocol€to€be€so€visible,Ïbut€she€didnððt€care.€She€was€pretty€much€unstoppable€in€a€crowd€like€this,€even€if€a€security€team€was€activated€to€dealÏwith€her.Ìà  àShe€caught€sight€of€the€Self€outlet€sheððd€been€at€yesterday.€She€had€a€sudden€fantasy€of€catching€that€littleÏbastard€of€a€manager€there€in€the€flesh.€Sheððd€get€information€out€of€him.€Sheððd€enjoy€doing€it.€She€slipped€into€the€alleyÏbeside€the€outlet€and€concealed€herself€behind€the€stacks€of€boxes€lining€the€building.€They€struck€her€as€strange€givenÏthat€Self€had€no€actual€product.€She€flicked€her€razors€out€and€sliced€one€open.€Empty.Ìà  àHer€suit,€noting€her€proximity€to€a€door,€told€her€that€it€was€an€easily€breachable€magnetic€combination€lock.Ð Z-ª(7 ÐShe€did€so€and€slid€into€a€fairly€bare€room.€It€had€a€few€of€the€boxes€she€had€seen€in€the€alley;€a€few€taps€showed€theyÏalso€were€empty.€She€increased€her€audio€input,€heard€no€voices.Ìà  àShe€entered€a€well„carpeted€hall€that€led€to€the€front€office€where€sheððd€been€earlier€today€ð"ð€she€could€evenÏsee€people€passing€by€the€front€window€and€felt€vulnerable€in€her€blacksuit€against€the€mostly€white€interior.Ìà  àBut€she€crept€along€the€hallway,€looking€into€the€doorways€that€lined€it.€SELF€DEMO€BOOTH€#3€and€#2€wereÏempty,€entirely€plain€rooms,€but€#1€was€an€office€with€a€man€sitting€at€it.€She€slowed€down€to€normal.Ìà  àHis€back€was€to€her,€but€he€waved€her€in.€Ìà  à"Come€on€in,"€he€said.€He€was€flipping€through€some€pages.€Hungry€for€data,€Eileen€scanned€them€but€theyÏwere€either€gibberish€or€encrypted.€She€looked€around€the€room,€taking€in€the€bookshelves,€the€giant€oak€desk,€the€viewÏas€it€would€be€from€a€fifty„storey€building.€òòWas€that€the€Statue€of€Liberty€beside€the€Golden€Gate€Bridge?€Ð >Ž  Ðà  àóóThe€man€at€the€desk€chuckled.€"Quite€a€view,€huh?€Especially€from€the€first€floor."Ð ªú  Ðà  àShe€turned€to€look€at€him.€He€was€a€broad„shouldered€man€with€his€sleeves€rolled€up€to€show€beefy€arms.€HisÏface€was€a€constantly€shifting€pattern,€a€blur€of€features.€She€asked€her€suit€to€descramble€it.€Her€suit€told€her€that€thereÏwas€no€one€there.Ìà  à"Why€donððt€you€have€a€seat?€That€oneððs€pretty€comfy,"€he€said.Ìà  àShe€touched€it€to€make€sure€it€was€there.€òòNo€one€thereóó.Ð zÊ Ðà  à"So,€having€trouble€with€Self?"€said€the€man,€getting€up€from€his€seat.€Ìà  àShe€felt€like€she€had€with€the€manager.€This€was€ridiculous.€She€didnððt€come€here€to€be€shunted€back€and€forthÏbetween€middle€management.Ìà  à"So€are€we,"€the€man€finished.€He€placed€his€hands€palms€down€on€the€desk.€"Maybe€we€can€work€somethingÏout."€Ìà  àShe€sat€down,€opening€audio€out.Ìà  à"Who€are€you,"€she€said,€her€digitized€voice€flattening€the€question€into€a€statement.Ìà  à"My€name€is€Paul,"€he€said.Ìà  à"Do€you€work€for€Self."Ìà  à"No."Ìà  àEileen€paused.€He€crossed€his€arms€and€waited.€She€balled€her€fists€and€continued.Ìà  à"Then€why€are€you€here."Ìà  à"Weððre€gathering€data€about€Self.€One€of€my€people€spotted€you€at€the€back€entrance,€and€I€decided€it€wouldÏbe€good€to€meet€you."Ìà  àEileen€looked€around,€scanned€for€bugs€and€came€up€empty.€"This€location€will€be€monitored€by€Self."Ìà  àPaul€shook€his€head.€"These€outlets€are€shells€with€no€connection€to€Selfððs€actual€operations.€Iððve€been€usingÏthis€as€a€base€of€operations€for€a€month,€now.€Itððs€rather€convenient€ð"ð€these€rooms€are€very€expensive€to€install,€andÏthey€attract€attention.€Hiding€in€plain€sight."Ìà  àEileen€looked€around,€trying€to€figure€out€if€Paul€was€of€any€use€to€her.€Her€eyes€resting€on€the€Statue€ofÏLiberty,€she€noticed€a€small€"i"€in€a€circle€on€the€books€the€lady€held.€Ð .V)9 Ðà  à"I€donððt€trust€you,"€she€said.Ìà  àPaul€laughed,€a€raw€little€chuckle.€"Strange€bedfellows.€If€I€had€known€15€years€ago€that€I€would€be€strikingÏa€deal€with€one€of€you€midnight€maraudersð8ð€you€psychotic€strike€breakersð8ð"€He€cut€himself€off,€laughed€that€littleÏlaugh.€"But€here€I€am.€And€here€you€are.€And€I€know€you€didnððt€bring€that€blacksuit€out€of€retirement€for€a€jog€aroundÏthe€block."Ìà  àShe€froze€up€at€the€mention€of€her€blacksuit.€Ìà  àPaul€made€a€dismissive€gesture.€"We€know€a€lot€about€you€now€that€would€have€been...€very€useful€to€knowÏthen."€Paul€looked€out€the€window.€"You€see,€itððs€all€about€information.€We€presumed€you€were€ex„soldiers.€If€we€hadÏknown€you€were€civilians€ð"ð€a€constantly€changing€group,€at€that€ð"ð€we€would€have€had€an€entirely€different€strategy."Ìà  àEileen€was€gazing€out€the€window,€focusing€on€a€section€of€the€city.€She€zoomed€in€and€the€illusion€wasÏdestroyed€ð"ð€the€tiny€dots€of€cars€remained€dots,€just€got€larger.€òòStrategy?€Was€he€trying€to€convince€her€that€he€wasÐ T  Ðpart€of€ð"ðóóÐ Ê  Ðà  à"But€soldiers€would€have€been€too€expensive.€Because€they€knew€the€suitððs€speed€had€a€cost€ð"ð€theyððd€be€losingÏyears€of€their€lives.€You€didnððt€know€that,€though.€You€didnððt€know€that€youððd€be€a€withered€hag€at€forty."€Paul€paused,Ïand€Eileen€could€feel€his€eyes€on€her€body,€bony€and€sagging.€Shame€and€rage€pulsed€through€her.Ìà  à"So€thatððs€why€they€used€civilians.€But€thatððs€not€why€they€used€infertile€women."Ìà  àShe€forced€herself€to€respond.€"We€were€better€at€multi„tasking€than€men,€and€we€didnððt€have€the€familyÏdemands€that...€normal€people€had,"€she€said,€hating€herself€for€using€the€word€normal.Ìà  à"The€family€demands."Ìà  àEileen€faltered.€"Yes."Ìà  à"What€was€special€about€barren€females,€Eileen,€was€that€you€were€easily€manipulated.€By€the€time€you€wereÏin€your€twenties€you€were€almost€OK€with€the€idea€that€you€couldnððt€have€kids.€But€there€was€something€missing."Ìà  àThat€was€true.€Eileen€had€been€on€a€career€track,€working€as€a€manager„in„training€for€the€Gap.€She€had€evenÏoutgrown€her€teenaged€sullenness€to€the€point€where€she€could€go€to€her€friendsðð€baby€showers.€It€was€her€doctor€whoÏhad€told€her€about€the€position,€when€she€had€gone€in€to€see€if€her€body€had€changed€enough€in€the€last€year€to€makeÏa€uterine€implant€viable.Ìà  à"Itððs€some€kind€of€security€job,"€he€had€said.€"Theyððre€looking€specifically€for€childless€women€of€your€age."ÏHe€shrugged.€"Be€different€from€folding€sweaters.€And€they€pay€incredibly€well.€I€actually€thought€it€was€a€mistake€theÏfirst€time€I€read€it."Ìà  àShe€had€been€sitting€on€the€examination€table.€"Can€I€put€on€my€clothes?"Ìà  à"Yes,€yes,"€he€said,€scrolling€down€his€pad€while€she€dressed.€"Eileen?"Ìà  à"Yes?"€she€said,€imagining€he€saw€some€hope€there,€waited€anxiously.Ìà  àBut€he€wasnððt€thinking€about€her€uterus.€"If€you€get€in€touch€with€them,€be€sure€to€tell€them€I€told€you€aboutÏit.€I€get€a€commission."Ìà  àThis€had€been€only€one€of€many€indignities€that€being€born€without€a€uterus€had€exposed€her€to.€But€whenÏJeremyððs€skin€had€dried€enough€to€touch,€skin€soft€like€nothing€on€earthð8ðÌà  à"It€was€worth€it,"€she€said€out€loud.€Her€robotic€voice€carried€authority€that€she€didnððt€feel€ð"ð€if€she€didnððt€getÏJeremy€back,€would€it€still€be?Ð ú,J(7 Ðà  àPaul,€also€lost€in€reverie,€looked€up.€In€an€angry,€measured€voice,€he€said,€"I€suppose€you€have€to€believe€that.ÏHow€else€could€you€live€with€having€killed€ð"ð€I€donððt€know,€what€was€your€kill€tally€at€the€end€of€your€ten€missions?"Ìà  à"I€didnððt€keep€track,"€Eileen€said.€Others€would€talk€about€it€a€lot,€but€she€never€took€a€particular€pride€in€it.ÏBut€all€this€talk€about€how€could€she€live€with€it€was€silly.€The€targets€were€people€sheððd€never€heard€of€in€countriesÏsheððd€never€heard€of.€They€were€always€serious€threats€to€the€free€market,€dictators€who€were€taxing€more€than€theÏcorporations€could€afford.€Sometimes€the€market€needed€a€little€help€to€keep€balanced,€and€they€were€that€little€help.Ìà  à"Didnððt€keep€track."€Paulððs€voice€was€thoughtful.€"We€didnððt€either.€It€wasnððt€really€the€numbers.€It€was€theÏfear.€Every€time€weððd€get€something€going€somewhere,€the€suits€would€show€up.€Because,€of€course,€we€were€riddledÏwith€moles.€But€weððve€learned.€Weððve€learned€to€give€moles€tapeworms.€Did€you€know€that€if€you€give€one€mole€aÏtapeworm,€that€its€owner€will€destroy€up€to€25€perfectly€healthy€moles?"Ìà  àEileen€didnððt€know€what€the€hell€he€was€talking€about€and€remained€silent.Ìà  àPaul€pulled€an€outsized€calculator€from€his€desk.€"How€about€this,€thenð8ð€did€you€know€that€the€odds€of€beingÏborn€without€a€uterus€when€conceived€in€a€50€kilometre€radius€of€a€hot€landfill€is€a€hundred€to€one?€Works€out€to€aÏpretty€sizable€employment€poolð8ð"Ìà  àShe€was€tired€of€this.€"Where€does€Self€store€the€bodies."Ìà  àPaul€set€the€calculator€on€his€desk€with€a€click.€"Looking€for€someone?"Ìà  àShe€nodded,€a€quick€snap.Ìà  àHe€assessed€her.€"Is€it€a€son€or€daughter?"Ìà  à"Grandson.€Jeremy€Ellis€ð"ð"Ìà  àPaul€waved€her€silent.€"I€donððt€know€where€he€is.€Self€probably€doesnððt€know€where€he€is.€They€log€hundredsÏof€missing€persons€complaints€a€day.€But€rarely€from€parties€as€capable€and€focused€as€you,€Ms.€Ellis."Ìà  à"Eileen,"€she€said€automatically,€felt€ridiculous€for€doing€so.Ìà  à"Eileen."€Paul€perched€on€the€desk,€folded€his€hands€over€one€knee,€studied€her.€"Eileen,€I€have€a€proposal.ÏYou€continue€your€search€for€your€grandson,€and€you€let€us€help€you."Ìà  à"Why€would€you€do€that."Ìà  à"Youððre€looking€for€the€same€information€we€are,€but€have€a€unique€skillset€ð"ð€thanks€to€your€suit€andÏexperience€ð"ð€and€motivation.€If€you€let€us,€weððll€hook€up€a€datafeed€to€your€suit.€See€through€your€eyes.€Hear€throughÏyour€ears.€Because€we€want€to€find€out€more€about€Self,€we€have€a€vested€interest€in€guiding€you€towards€your€grandson.ÏPlus,€youððll€be€able€to€uplink€through€one€of€our€dummy€portals."Ìà  à"Thereððs€no€such€thing€as€anonymous€portals,"€she€said.Ìà  àPaul€chuckled.€"No,€youððre€right.€Itððs€better€ð"ð€it€disguises€you€as€a€totally€average€user.€Believe€me,€we€donððtÏwant€your€old€employers€knowing€that€youððre€active.€Youððre€more€useful€to€us€alive."Ìòòà  àóóEileen€didnððt€want€to€consider€what€this€ominous€"us"€would€do€with€the€information,€if€they€were€in€any€wayÐ v(Æ#1 Ðconnected€with€the€insurgents€in€the€ðð20s€ð"ð€but€whatever€their€aim,€they€were€well€organized€and€serious.€This€PaulÏhad€the€easy€and€authoritative€manner€of€Oscar,€her€field€liaison€in€black€ops.€And,€the€truth€was,€she€didnððt€really€haveÏany€more€leads€ð"ð€Jeremyððs€trail€had€dried€up,€and€without€uplinking,€she€was€pretty€limited.Ìà  à"All€right,"€she€said.€"Hook€me€up."ÌÐ  -ð(8 ÐWhen€Eileen€emerged€from€the€office€a€while€later,€she€felt€like€she€hadnððt€negotiated€very€well.€She€didnððt€even€reallyÏknow€if€there€had€been€an€opportunity€to€barter€ð"ð€this€Paul€fellow€had€treated€her€as€if€he€were€hiring€her€for€a€job.Ìà  àShe€left€the€way€she€came,€holding€the€device€that€looked€like€a€tiny€round€adaptor€in€her€hand€ð"ð€she€didnððtÏhave€any€pockets€ð"ð€and€she€scanned€the€alley.€Nothing€besides€a€few€rats.€òòShould€I€do€it€here?óó€She€scanned€the€device,Ð ¨ø Ðand€her€suit€told€her€that€it€wasnððt€in€its€database,€and€said€that€installing€it€before€uplinking€was€extremely€dangerous.Ìà  àòòIf€I€could€uplink,€I€would€be€able€to€identify€it...€partially,€at€least.€Itððs€probably€not€standard€issue.€For€all€IÐ Ú * Ðknow€itððll€slave€me.€But€I€wonððt€be€able€to€uplink€before€I€install€it.óóÐ   ð Ðà  àEileen€revved€up€and€took€off€down€the€street.€There€was€still€a€good€amount€of€pedestrian€traffic€so€she€wentÏto€250%€and€stuck€to€the€road.€It€was€dark€enough€for€her€mask€face€to€be€taken€as€a€figment€of€imagination.Ìà  àòòAn€interesting€man,€thoughóó,€Eileen€thought.€Didnððt€treat€her€like€a€useless€old€woman.€He€knew€her€worth.€TheÐ >Ž  Ðtalk€about€barren€women€hadnððt€been€pleasant,€but€for€all€she€knew€it€may€have€been€true.€By€the€time€sheððd€finishedÏher€tenth€mission,€sheððd€felt€less€like€a€veteran€commando€and€more€like€someone€who€had€escaped€a€meat€grinder€byÏaccident.€But€they€had€given€her€the€money€and€even€urged€her€to€consider€part„time.Ìà  àShe€had€thanked€them€but€said€that€she€wanted€to€focus€on€her€new€life€as€a€mother.€She€would€have€filled€inÏthe€spinal€socket€but€that€was€irreversible,€and€besides,€she€didnððt€really€have€to€look€at€it€everyday€or€anything.€It€itchedÏoccasionally,€but€that€was€it.Ìà  àThe€street€changed€to€an€even€wealthier€section,€tiny€car€dealerships€and€high„end€clothing€stores€like€SalvationÏArmy€and€her€old€workplace€Gap€Authentic.€A€young€girl€with€red€hair€pushed€out€the€door€of€the€Tommygirl€outletÏand€walked€briskly€away,€her€eyes€darting€around.€A€smile€spread€across€her€face€a€few€seconds€before€the€bra€sheððdÏstolen€burst€into€flames.€At€the€speed€Eileen€was€going,€she€saw€the€smile€turn€into€a€scream€in€minute€detail.Ìà  àEileen€did€what€she€was€trained€to€do€when€people€were€dying€around€her€ð"ð€kept€running.€After€a€fewÏagonizing€seconds,€the€Tommygirl€door€opened€and€a€slowly€running€employee€came€out€with€the€extinguisher.€TheÏburning€girl€disappeared€behind€a€white€cloud,€but€Eileen€knew€it€was€too€late.€The€antitheft€chemical€had€done€its€job.Ìà  àEileen€was€a€block€away,€wishing€she€hadnððt€seen€the€girlððs€face.€She€could€imagine€the€girlððs€mother,€also€withÏred€hair,€launching€a€suit€against€Tommygirl.€If€she€had€money€to€waste.€Or€even€if€she€didnððt.€The€most€that€wouldÏcome€of€it€would€be€that€Tommygirl€might€get€a€slap€on€the€wrist€for€excessive€measures.€The€fine€would€pay€for€theÏfuneral,€and€the€rest€would€go€to€court€costs.Ìà  àòòAnd€if€she€was€guilty€of€the€shoplifting,€her€friends€and€neighbours€would€get€to€watch€the€tapes€of€the€theftÐ h¸$ Ðover€and€over€again.€See€that€you€couldnððt€afford€nice€clothes.€See€that€you€didnððt€raise€her€right.óóÐ . ~% Ðà  àEileen€saw€that€Burrard€Bridge€was€ahead€and€saw€her€cubbyhole.€òòPerfect.€Ð š!ê' Ðà  àóóUnderneath€the€bridge€she€found€a€ledge€jutting€out€of€one€of€the€massive€girders€and€climbed€down€onto€it.Ð #V) ÐOut€of€sight,€she€listened€to€the€wind€and€the€reverberation€of€the€cables€and€tried€to€figure€out€how€she€was€going€toÏdo€this.€The€tiny€device€sat€like€a€dangerous€seed€in€her€hand.€Paul€had€said€that€all€she€had€to€do€was€get€it€near€herÏsocket€and€it€would€do€the€rest.Ìà  àShe€set€the€adaptor€in€a€hairline€crack€in€the€girder,€moving€her€hand€away€cautiously.€Just€as€she€relaxed,€aÏgust€of€wind€rolled€it€towards€the€edge.€Luckily€she€was€still€revved€up,€so€she€caught€it€in€time.Ìà  àòòWould€it€have€been€so€hard€to€put€pockets€in€these€things?óó€she€wondered,€looking€around€for€a€better€spot.€SheÐ ö(F$1 Ðended€up€putting€the€device€under€her€bumcheek,€presuming€that€if€it€were€very€delicate€Paul€would€have€warned€her.Ìà  àShe€wasnððt€looking€forward€to€the€next€part.€She€remembered€unplugging€quite€vividly€from€her€younger€days,Ïand€she€was€in€more€pleasant€surroundings€then€ð"ð€a€few€steps€away€from€a€bath.€Or,€after€particularly€challengingÏmissions,€a€hospital€bed.Ð ´,(6 Ðà  àòòWell,€Jeremy€isnððt€likely€in€terribly€pleasant€surroundings,€either.óóÐ ° Ðà  àAfter€she€slowed€down€to€100%€and€changed€all€her€other€settings€to€as€close€to€human€as€theyððd€get,€sheÏremoved€her€mask.€Her€view€of€the€water€changed€from€digitally€vivid€to€her€nearsighted€smear,€but€a€tangy€smell€ofÏmetal€and€sea€hit€her.€She€took€a€few€breaths€and€arched€her€back,€feeling€for€the€plug.Ìà  àòòJeremy€might€be€marinating€in€some€tank€somewhere.€Or€worse.€Quick€now,€like€a€tooth€ð"ðóóÐ  d Ðà  àYank.Ìà  àImmediately,€she€had€to€stop€breathing:€it€was€like€fire.€But€she€couldnððt€stop€breathing.€Fire€fire€òòoh€my€godÐ ì <  Ðà  àóómy€arms€my€joints€oh€god€oh€godÐ X ¨  Ðà  àThe€wind€was€like€a€thousand€ice€lashes,€and€her€eyes€now,€her€eyes€feltÌà  àòòtwo€coals€burning€oh€shit€ofuckÐ 0€  Ðà  àóóShe€felt€her€bladder€give€way,€she€hadnððt€known€she€had€to€go.Ð œì  Ðà  àòòcanððt€pee€because€princessÐ X Ðà  àóóWhen€the€suit€had€muted€the€pain,€it€stored€it€away€for€her,€a€diver€coming€up€and€getting€the€worst€bends€inÐ tÄ Ðthe€historyÌà  àòòprincess€and€the€pea€canððt€pee€on€the€peaÐ ¦ö Ðà  àóóHer€hand,€searching€under€her€buttock,€lifting€it€like€a€piece€of€meatÐ b Ðà  àòòstarting€to€see€white€canððt€let€the€white€eat€me€Jeremy€donððt€let€itÐ ~Î Ðà  àóóTaking€the€pea€and€dropping€it€down€the€back€of€her€suit,€her€elbow€doing€a€marionette€twist€and€òòthe€painÐ ê: Ðhitting€her€face€a€giant€white€truckÌóóÐ l" ÐThe€pea€rolled€down€between€suit€and€socket,€dropped€in€like€the€eight€ball.€Ìà  à"Connection€established,€transmittingð8ð"€said€a€quiet€voice.€Paul€was€sitting€in€his€office,€watched€severalÏwindows€pop€up€at€once.€One€graphed€the€data€received,€a€spike€on€the€increase.€Another€reported€her€vital€signs,Ïquickly€being€medicated€back€to€stability.€The€window€with€her€visuals€showed€concrete€and€girder€ð"ð€Eileenððs€maskÏwas€still€crumpled€and€flattened€under€her.€He€heard€the€faint€caw€of€and€splash€of€the€ocean.Ìà  àAn€angel€appeared€above€his€shoulder.€"Remember,"€it€cooed,€"You€have€a€meeting€at€Yellow€Belly€with€ð"ð"Ìà  àPaul€waved€the€reminder€off€and€took€a€moment€to€deactivate€his€scrambleface.€After€it€resolved€into€his€earlessÏface€and€grey€eyes,€he€ported€to€a€bustling€restaurant.Ìà  àA€tremendously€fat€waiter€set€a€drink€down€on€the€white€linen.€"Welcome€back,€sir."Ìà  à"Thanks.€Iððm€waiting€for€someone."Ìà  àThe€waiter€nodded€and€left.Ìà  àHe€lifted€the€drink€and€had€some.€It€tasted€like€cranberries€and€iron.€Across€the€way,€there€was€a€pair€of€womenÏchatting€intently.€One€of€them€had€a€flat€console€that€she€was€pointing€to,€a€physical€thing€with€a€touchscreen.€She€gaveÏit€to€the€other€woman€and€pointed€something€out€to€her.Ð  -p(8 Ðà  àPaul€watched€the€body€language€of€the€woman€who€had€first€had€the€console€and€decided€she€was€sales.€WhenÏhe€looked€at€the€other€woman,€he€noticed€her€lips€were€changing.€She€put€her€fingers€to€them€and€smiled€with€them.€SheÏcycled€through€a€few€more€lip€options,€finally€looking€up€with€a€question€in€her€eyes€at€the€saleswoman.€Ìà  àPaul€took€another€big€sip€of€his€drink,€thinking€about€how€interesting€it€was€that€a€Frisco€version€of€the€makeupÏmirror€ð"ð€and€makeup€consultant€ð"ð€had€been€created.€Even€the€design€of€the€thing€was€interesting€ð"ð€it€looked€like€oneÏof€those€old€bookreaders,€rather€than€the€normal€mid„air€windows.€He€wished€he€had€the€time€to€follow€these€things€upÏinstead€of€meeting€with€a€Marlboro€exec€about€how€to€upgrade€their€ancient€product.Ìà  àòòDoug€Doug€Doug.€I€need€you€here,€Patterson.€Too€much€to€juggle€here€on€my€own.€óóAt€first€he€just€thoughtÐ f ¶  Ðhe€was€holding€out€for€a€raise,€but€he€was€acting€too€weird€for€that.€Was€he€planning€to€defect€to€another€agency?€Ìà  àòòMaybe€itððs€a€simpler€reasonóó,€Paul€thought,€immediately€pulling€up€a€file€on€Doug€heððd€had€compiled€by€a€thirdÐ ˜ è  Ðparty€years€ago.€The€bank€account€PIN€was€still€the€same.€He€scrolled€through€it€and€found€a€litany€of€financial€sins,Ïlapsed€payments€and€negative€numbers.Ìà  àòòJust€a€money€issue.€óóPaul€thought€about€just€giving€him€the€cash€for€moving€expenses,€but€that€could€causeÐ à  Ðtension€with€the€other€employees.€And€Doug€could€take€offense€pretty€easily.€So€it€looked€like€heððd€have€to€go€aboutÏgetting€him€the€money€in€a€left„handed€fashion.Ìà  àAnd€once€he€had€Doug€in€place€here,€he€could€really€get€going€on€preparing€for€the€Sesquicentennial.Ìà  à"Whattayou€smiling€at€there,€Paul?"€a€man€sitting€opposite€him€said€with€an€impish€grin,€pretending€to€lookÏat€the€windows€in€front€of€Paul.€"Dirty€pictures?"Ìà  àPaul,€knowing€that€the€Marlboro€exec€saw€nothing,€opened€a€time€window€so€he€could€see€how€late€he€was.Ìà  à"I€know,€I€know,"€he€said.€"Sorry."Ìà  à"Caught€in€traffic?"€Paul€said€with€a€wry€smile,€sliding€Eileenððs€visuals€to€one€side€and€Dougððs€finances€toÏanother.Ìà  à"That€was€one€of€my€favourites,"€the€exec€said€with€a€laugh.€"Iððm€too€old€to€come€up€with€a€whole€new€set€ofÏexcuses."ÌÌNicky€woke€up€in€a€good€mood.€It€was€just€one€of€those€days€where€the€sun€redeemed€any€chipped„paint€bedrooms,Ïsuffused€the€sketchiest€places€with€a€contagious€glow.€She€lay€on€her€futon€for€a€few€minutes,€drifting€in€and€out.ÏEventually€her€watch€exploded.Ìà  à"You€lazy€bitch!€Get€up!€Do€you€want€to€sleep€your€ð"ð"Ìà  àShe€slapped€the€alarm€quiet.€òòGod,€my€voice€is€shrill.€Who€would€want€to€wake€up€to€that?óó€Glancing€back€at€herÐ 2$‚+ Ðempty€bed,€òòI€guess€no€one€does.€óóBut€her€mood€was€such€that€she€grinned€at€her€self„pity.Ð ø$H , Ðà  àShe€told€her€watch€to€play€Eyes€Absent,€a€dimecore€band€with€a€sweet„voiced€boy€angel€for€a€lead€singer.€SheÏgot€it€to€play€from€its€speaker€instead€of€directly€to€her€cochlea€ð"ð€she€found€that€heavy€bass€rattled€her€ear€bonesÏsomething€nasty.€She€converted€the€futon€into€a€couch,€grunting€with€its€weight.€She€left€it€unmade€in€the€hope€thatÏsomewhere,€somehow,€it€was€driving€Kath€crazy.Ìà  àòòStill,€Iððd€like€to€have€Kathððs€fingers€in€me€right€now...€óóNicky€cupped€her€groin,€sliding€her€panties€up€and€down,Ð "*r%3 Ðgiving€herself€a€cameltoe.€She€walked€out€of€the€room,€bouncing€with€Eyes€Absent€and€her€own€electricity.Ìà  àShe€turned€on€the€shower€and€stripped€down,€stepping€in€when€the€water€was€warm€enough.€She€caught€an€eggyÏwhiff€of€her€hair€before€she€soaked€it€and€had€to€think€for€a€minute€where€she€had€been€last€night.€òòWalked€around€a€lot,óóÐ -j(7 Ðshe€remembered,€feeling€guilty€thinking€about€what€her€mom€would€think€about€her€carefree€maskless€existence.€MomÐ à-0)8 Ðhad€even€worn€her€mask€around€the€house€on€smog€warning€days.€Ìà  àShe€did€a€quick€wash€of€the€normal€areas€and€took€a€while€longer€soaping€up€her€naughty€bits.€Kathy€hadÏintroduced€her€to€the€wonderful€dexterity€of€finger€play€ð"ð€when€they€had€the€masturbation€film€in€health€class,€her€14„¼year„old€self€had€rolled€her€eyes€and€wondered€at€the€lengths€the€school€would€go€to€to€keep€them€from€fucking.€ButÏKathy€was€older,€and€it€had€still€been€dirty€when€she€was€young.€Nicky€closed€her€eyes€and€tilted€her€face€into€theÏshower€head,€getting€into€a€nice€nice€finger€rhythm,€imagining€the€singer€of€Eyes€Absent€looking€like€he€sounded,Ïmoving€as€he€ð"ðÌà  àThe€shower€clicked€off.Ìà  à"Fuck!"€Nicky€said.€She€leaned€against€the€wall€of€the€stall,€eyes€still€closed€but€tightly€now,€in€frustration.€HerÏskin€immediately€goosebumped.€"Fucking€ð"ð"€she€said,€grabbing€her€towel€and€drying€off.Ìà  àòòMan€I€mean€thereððs€less€people€using€water€now€so€why€donððt€we€get€a€little€fucking€bit€more?€CheapÐ T  Ðmotherfuckers.óó€Ten€minutes€a€day€had€seemed€enough€at€the€rental€office,€but€in€reality€they€flashed€by.Ð Ê  Ðà  àShe€scooped€up€her€clothes€and€went€back€to€her€room,€trying€to€recapture€her€mood€of€a€few€minutes€ago,€butÏthe€light€from€her€window€now€seemed€more€demanding€than€inviting.€Grabbing€her€bra€off€the€desk€chair,€she€slippedÏinto€it€while€looking€out€the€window,€daring€anyone€to€look€ð"ð€her€daily€ritual,€equal€parts€indifference€andÏexhibitionism.€There€was€often€someone€walking€by€out€there€ð"ð€like€that€guy€there€with€his€dog€ð"ð€it€was€just€that€noÏone€ever€looked€up.€She€pulled€on€a€yellow€t„shirt€and€some€shin„highs.Ìà  àShe€braided€her€hair,€her€fingers€moving€deftly.€Seeing€the€dog€made€her€think€about€working€on€her€flukes.Ð º  ÐòòYeah,€I€should€get€to€it...€right€after€breakfast.€óóShe€finished€her€braids,€checked€to€make€sure€they€were€fairly€even.€TheyÐ €Ð Ðseemed€to€go€over€well,€boys€thought€they€were€cute€and€girls€were€impressed€by€her€braiding€skills€ð"ð€it€was€easy€forÏher,€but€not€for€everyone.Ìòòà  àóóShe€headed€downstairs,€thinking€about€the€night€before.€Those€two€art€shows...€she€sighed,€getting€out€someÐ xÈ Ðcereal€and€bread.€òòThe€weird€thing€is...€they€didnððt€inspire€me€at€all.€They€were€draining.Ð >Ž Ðà  àóóShe€flashed€the€bread€and€poured€herself€some€Lucky€Charms.€òòThat€awful€Mike€Narc€show,€fuck.€Is€that€whatÐ ªú Ðyou€have€to€do?€Couldnððt€they€just€give€you€money€based€on€your€work,€not€how€well€you€spin€your€image?óó€She€satÐ pÀ  Ðdown€at€the€kitchen€table€and€stared€in€at€her€gecko,€flicking€his€tongue€at€her€through€the€cage.€She€spooned€in€aÏmouthful€of€cereal€and€stared€at€the€box.Ìà  àCollect€All€the€Colours€and€Win!€the€cereal€box€suggested.€Before€she€could€read€further€she€noticed€the€geckoÏhad€a€paw€out,€trying€to€hook€in€a€stray€piece€of€cereal.€She€pushed€it€close€enough€with€her€spoon,€watched€it€try€to€eatÏit.Ìà  àòòAnd€those€guys€in€the€train€yard...€it€was€cool€but...€kind€of€psycho.€óóShe€just€couldnððt€imagine€her€work€justÐ `"°( Ðð"ð€out€there,€with€nothing€and€no€one€behind€it.€òòKinda€like€what€JK€does,€though.óó€Ð &#v) Ðà  àThat€was€what€appealed€to€her€about€JK,€originally,€but€she€never€thought€about€putting€her€own€work€out€thatÏway.€òòFine€for€him,€I€mean€heððs€obviously€got€someone€paying€his€rent...óóÐ X%¨ , Ðà  àWhen€she€finished€her€toast,€she€left€her€dishes€in€the€sink€and€grabbed€a€can€of€coffee€out€of€the€cupboard.ÏHer€watch€started€ringing€just€as€she€sat€down€on€the€couch€in€the€living€room.€òòItððs€probably...€yep,€Mom,€right€on€time.Ð Š'Ú"/ ÐóóHer€mom€called€a€couple€of€times€a€week,€almost€always€right€at€11.€It€was€almost€as€if€she€waited€around€for€the€fewÐ P( #0 Ðtimes€that€she€could€call€without€seeming€needy,€but€the€exactness€of€the€calls€was€unnerving.Ìà  àòòIt€must€be€hard€to€deal€with€all€that€extra€time,€not€having€to€sleepóó,€she€thought€guiltily.€Her€watch€had€stoppedÐ ‚*Ò%3 Ðringing,€and€she€opened€her€coffee.€She€put€her€feet€up€on€the€end€table€and€watched€the€flukes€scramble€around€in€theirÏcage,€their€yipping€irritating.Ìà  à"Oh,€Iððll€feed€you€soon,"€she€said.€She€wondered€if€she€should€make€the€myth€flukes€mute€and€decided€itððdÐ z-Ê(7 Ðmake€a€gallery€a€little€hard€to€bear,€even€harder€than€usual.€òòNot€that€theyððd€ever€be€shown€in€a€gallery,óó€she€thoughtÐ ° Ðsourly.€She€wondered€why€seeing€Narcððs€show,€which€òòwasóó€similar€thematically€even€though€she€hated€to€admit€it,€hadnððtÐ vÆ Ðgiven€her€hope.€òòItððll€seem€like€Iððm€imitating€him...€óóThe€thought€made€her€sick.Ð <Œ Ðà  àNicky€spent€the€rest€of€the€morning€feeding€her€animals€and€cleaning€up€a€bit.€Then€she€decided€that€sheððdÏsurprise€her€mother€with€a€visit€to€Frisco,€and,€with€a€defiant€look€up€at€her€lab,€set€off€towards€the€SkyTrain€station.Ìà  àòòFamily€first,óó€she€thought€as€she€pulled€the€door€closed,€òòI€mean,€sheððs€been€there€for€months,€and€I€havenððt€givenÐ Ú * Ðher€a€proper€visit.óóÐ   ð Ðà  àThe€SkyTrain€station€was€a€few€blocks€from€her€house.€There€was€yellow€tape€across€the€entrance€and€a€signÏsaying€that€service€was€being€cut€back€to€rush€hour€only€at€this€station.Ìà  àNicky€sighed€and€stood€for€a€moment,€weighing€the€30„minute€walk€with€the€prospect€of€heading€back€to€theÏlab.€òòMomððll€be€happy€to€see€me...€and€maybe€I€can€hit€her€up€for€a€cab€ride€homeóó.Ð T  Ðà  àShe€almost€went€up€through€Gastown€but€decided€against€it.€She€would€have€liked€to€see€her€old€neighbourhoodÏð"ð€JK€told€her€it€was€really€different€now€that€there€wasnððt€any€construction€ð"ð€but€she€didnððt€want€to€walk€throughÏHastings€and€Main€to€get€there.€Sheððd€have€to€step€over€people€lying€all€over€the€sidewalks,€sick€and€sad€people€withÏno€money€left,€waiting€to€die.€Nicky€could€never€harden€herself€entirely€to€them€ð"ð€sure,€theyððd€made€stupid€investments,Ïbut€they€were€unlucky€too.Ìà  àHer€dad€was€a€real€hardliner€ð"ð€it€was€one€of€the€first€things€heððd€said€about€Frisco,€"None€of€those€bankruptsÏcome€begging€when€youððre€trying€to€walk€somewhere€ð"ð€itððs€like€I€remember€when€I€was€a€kid."€It€bothered€Nicky,€butÏshe€couldnððt€exactly€argue€with€him€when€he€was€handling€her€investments,€her€just„in„case€money.Ìà  àNicky€was€starting€to€get€hot€despite€the€cool€air,€the€midday€shadows€too€short€to€offer€much€relief.€She€wasÏin€a€residential€neighbourhood€that€was€fairly€well€off€ð"ð€not€quite€a€gated€community€but€pretty€close.€In€the€windowÏof€one€she€saw€a€sign€in€bold€letters:€Locked€and€Loaded€Theftproofing.€A€few€houses€down,€there€was€another€one€ð"ðÏlooked€like€a€popular€choice€for€those€leaving€for€Frisco.€It€sounded€familiar€ð"ð€òòdid€Mom€go€with€them?€óóShe€couldnððtÐ >Ž Ðremember,€she€just€remembered€the€description€of€high„calibre€overkill€that€seemed€to€persuade€her€mother.Ìà  àShe€wished€she€had€peed€before€sheððd€left€ð"ð€she€could€feel€that€can€of€coffee€now.€Well,€sheððd€just€have€toÏhold€it.€She€recalled,€as€she€often€did€in€these€circumstances,€Mave€Slamsteinððs€òòPerfectionóó.€It€was€one€of€the€first€genartÐ 6†! Ðpieces€she€ever€saw,€as€part€of€a€high€school€class€on€applied€art€trends.Ìà  àIt€was€a€human€baby,€a€pink€little€newborn,€lying€on€a€giant€purple€cushion.€Kicking€around,€flailing€its€tinyÏacorn€fists,€but€completely€silent.€The€camera€POV€rotated€around€slowly€and€focused€on€its€face.€The€class€gasped€inÏunison€ð"ð€the€baby€had€no€orifices€at€all.€No€mouth€or€eyes,€a€bump€where€the€nose€should€be,€smooth€expanse€of€groin.Ìà  àThen,€the€teacher€went€to€the€next€video€ð"ð€it€took€awhile€with€those€old€machines€ð"ð€and€the€baby€faded€inÏagain.€"Finding€it€a€little€hard€to€breathe?"€a€knowing€voice€asked.€A€chic€little€mask€popped€on€the€babyððs€face,€andÏtwo€cartoon€eyes€were€drawn€in.€The€class€had€laughed.€"The€GE€Smogmaster€fits...€well,€just€about€anyone!"€A€babyððsÏgiggle€was€heard.Ìà  àInstead€of€learning€the€salient€parts€of€that€lesson€ð"ð€namely,€that€marketing€played€a€big€part€in€redeeming€evenÏshock€art,€and€how€that€campaign€in€particular€swayed€public€opinion€on€clone€experimentation€ð"ð€Nicky€had€beenÏhypnotized€by€the€first€image€of€the€baby.Ìà  àòòPerfectionóó.€She€had€researched€the€artistððs€history€for€a€clue€as€to€whether€it€was€a€sincere€or€ironic€title,€forÐ )f$1 Ðdetails€on€how€long€the€baby€survived,€how€she€funded€a€project€with€human€DNA.€Nicky€would€have€loved€to€workÏwith€the€original€clay,€as€it€were,€and€she€was€bitter€that€only€billionaires€could€afford€to€license€the€genome.Ìà  àBut€that€was€when€she€was€15€ð"ð€she€was€old€enough€now€to€appreciate€the€beauty€and€achievability€of€a€smallÏcanvas.€òòGive€me€a€fluke€any€day.óó€Maybe€one€day,€but€for€now€sheððd€take€minor€miracles€over€frankensteins.€She€knewÐ Ô,$(6 Ðsheððd€have€to€work€up€to€it€ð"ð€she€felt€bad€when€a€fluke€wasnððt€healthy,€how€could€she€cope€with€a€human€clone?€AndÐ š-ê(7 Ðhuman€clones€were€never€entirely€healthy.Ìà  àòòIs€that€a€ð"ð€yeah!€óóNicky€saw€a€pair€of€golden€arches€on€the€horizon,€and€mentally€inverted€it€to€be€a€W.Ð l ÐòòWashroom€ahoy!óó€She€sped€up,€trying€to€see€if€there€were€people€inside.Ð â2 Ðà  àShe€crossed€diagonally€to€the€restaurant,€relieved€to€see€people€moving€about€inside.€òòWeird€ð"ð€no€door€on€thisÐ Nž Ðside...óó€Then€she€saw€the€sign:€"This€McDonaldððs€is€for€the€exclusive€use€of€the€Maple€Acres€community.€UndergroundÐ  d Ðentrance€only.€Sorry€for€the€inconvenience!"Ìà  àNicky€stared€a€hole€through€the€old€biddy€sedately€drinking€her€tea€by€the€window€and€kept€walking.€She€heardÏthe€òòPerfection€óóbaby€giggle€in€her€mind:€òòI€never€have€to€pee!€No€garbage€in,€no€garbage€out!Ð  \  Ðà  àóóBy€the€time€she€grimly€turned€onto€Robson€she€was€near€bursting.€"How€much€further?"€she€asked€her€watch.Ð x È  Ðà  à"The€Self€office€is€approximately€65€metres€away,"€said€her€watch.Ìà  à"How€close€is€my€bladder€to€bursting?"Ìà  à"The€Sports€Ristwatch€doesnððt€monitor€that€organ€in€this€version.€Would€you€like€to€be€notified€if€this€featureÏbecomes€available?"Ìà  àNicky€turned€into€the€Self€office.€She€marched€up€to€the€first€empty€desk€she€saw€and€pushed€a€smile€out€ontoÏher€face.€"Hi,"€she€said.€"Iððm€here€to€have€a€talk€session€with€my€mom,€but€first€I€need€to€use€your€washroom."Ìà  àThe€woman€behind€the€desk€smiled€apologetically.€"Iððm€sorry€ð"ð"Ìà  àòòIððm€sorry€you€donððt€understand€the€word€"need,"€bitch.€óóNicky€didnððt€speak,€just€walked€towards€a€door€thatÐ ŒÜ Ðlead€to€a€white€hallway€with€rooms€on€either€side.€They€were€empty,€so€she€continued€through€the€backroom.€"Miss,"Ïa€voice€called.€"Thereððs€no€ð"ð"Ìà  àNicky€pushed€through€the€last€door€and€stumbled€through€into€the€alley.€òòOh.€óóShe€looked€back,€saw€the€counterÐ „Ô Ðlady€flickering€a€little€in€the€doorway€before€it€hissed€shut.Ìà  àòòGuess€Friscans€donððt€need€toilets.óóÐ ¶! Ðà  àShe€looked€down€the€alley€towards€the€street.€Not€a€lot€of€people,€no€one€seemed€to€be€looking€down€betweenÏthe€stores.€She€deliberated€a€few€seconds,€and€then€squatted€in€behind€some€boxes.Ìà  àShe€watched€her€piss€creep€across€the€asphalt,€around€large€rectangular€boxes€all€embossed€with€the€Self€logo.òòÐ T ¤& ÐóóShe€zipped€up€and€stepped€carefully€down€the€alley€and€around€the€front€again.€She€took€a€breath€and€walked€in€theÐ !j' Ðoffice.€òòTake€two.óóÐ à!0( Ðà  àLuckily,€the€woman€was€busy€with€some€clients,€a€whole€family.€Nicky€went€up€to€the€man,€who€looked€upÏfrom€the€documents€he€was€scanning€to€offer€her€a€seat.€"Actually,€Iððm€here€to€talk€to€a€Friscan.€My€mom.€Sheððs€givenÏme€a€coupon."Ìà  à"Iððll€just€see€if€we€have€any€free€slots,"€he€said,€holding€up€his€hand.€Ìà  àNicky€smiled,€decided€against€telling€him€that€there€were€three€rooms€free€ð"ð€heððd€obviously€totally€missed€herÏthe€first€time.€Ìà  à"Ah,€well,€youððre€lucky,€we€do€have€a€booth€available€right€now.€Theyððre€usually€booked.€Could€I€have€theÏcoupon€please?"€He€indicated€the€payplate.Ìà  àNicky€called€it€up€on€her€watch€and€held€it€up€to€the€payplate.Ìà  àAn€older€man,€about€sixty,€came€in.€The€salesman€greeted€him.€"Iððll€be€right€with€you€as€soon€as€I€get€her€setÐ €-Ð(8 Ðup."Ìà  àNicky€didnððt€look€at€the€saleswoman€but€heard€her€falter€in€the€middle€of€her€spiel€as€the€man€lead€her€throughÏthe€door€to€the€booth.€One€of€the€rooms€was€in€use€now,€a€convincing€office€suite€with€a€man€and€a€woman€in€it.Ï"Interviews,"€her€guide€said.€businesses€without€a€proper€set„up."Ìà  àHe€pointed€to€a€door.€"Iððve€put€the€call€through€to€the€coupon€issuer€ð"ð€you€have€15€minutes."€Ìà  àòòHe€makes€it€sound€like€a€prison,€óóshe€thought€as€she€sidled€by€ð"ð€she€felt€it€was€rude€to€walk€through€him€ð"ðÐ € Ð Ðand€entered€the€white€room.€She€shut€the€door€and€was€alone€in€the€empty€room€with€a€chair.€She€waited€for€a€secondÏfor€it€to€start,€and€just€as€she€was€getting€restless,€a€voice€said,€"Node€contacted,€resolving€environment."Ìà  àThe€room€flicked€to€life,€scanning€the€room€for€objects.€The€chair€and€Nicky€were€bathed€in€scanner€crossfireÏfor€a€few€seconds€each.€Nicky€heard€the€clinking€and€burble€of€voices.€"I€canððt€see€her,"€she€heard€her€motherððs€voice.Ìà  àThen,€everything€was€awash€with€colour.€A€few€seconds€later€the€resolution€crisped€and€her€mother,€who€wasÏlooking€around€anxiously,€suddenly€saw€her.€"Nicky!€Over€here."Ìà  à"Hi€Mom,"€Nicky€said.€She€took€a€seat€and€looked€around.€They€were€in€a€jungle„themed€caf.€A€parrot€landedÏon€the€table€and€squawked,€"Welcome€to€the€Rainforest€Caf!€Awk!"€When€it€fluttered€off,€a€feather€drifted€down,€andÏNicky€thought€that€was€a€nice€touch.Ìà  à"A€new€hairdo,€I€see,"€her€mom€said.Ìà  à"And€youððve€gone€blond,"€Nicky€said.€òòAnd€about€20€years€younger.óóÐ @ Ðà  à"I€was€so€glad€you€called,€I€thought€youððd€never€use€the€coupon!"Ìà  àNicky€ignored€the€chastising€tone.€She€looked€around€at€the€other€tables€ð"ð€a€few€families,€a€few€couples.€ThereÏwas€even€a€table€of€people€playing€bridge.€Everyone€looked€young,€but€then,€so€did€Mom.€They€might€have€been€sisters.Ï"So€this€is€where€you€hang€out?"Ìà  àMom€laughed.€"Yeah,€for€a€few€hours€a€day.€Itððs€big€for€ex„Vancouverites€ð"ð€the€rainforest€thing€and€all."Ìà  à"A€few€hours,€eh?"€Nicky€said,€smiling.€"Sounds€like€my€life."Ìà  àHer€mom€smiled€sardonically.€"I€suppose..."Ìà  à"Dad€working€a€lot?"Ìà  àMom€nodded.€"More€than€before€the€move.€Last€week€he€didnððt€come€home€at€all.€Transition,€expansion.€HeÏhas€two€secretaries€now,"€Mom€said,€with€a€little€laugh.€"Seems€really...€energized€by€it€all,€though."Ìà  àNicky€didnððt€want€to€hear€any€more€about€it.€The€way€Mom€said€"secretaries"òò€óóreminded€her€of€when€Dad€hadÐ ò#B+ Ðtold€her€about€his€affairs,€though€she€didnððt€understand€him€at€the€time.€"Sometimes€mergers€are€exclusive€deals,"€heÏhad€said,€holding€her€hand.€"And€sometimes€they€arenððt."€He€had€looked€towards€the€bathroom€door€where€her€momÏhad€locked€herself€in.€"But€it€doesnððt€mean€the€original€merger€isnððt€profitable."€He€had€squeezed€her€hand,€and€NickyÏhad€nodded,€remembering€something€she€had€heard€in€Grade€6€business€class.€"Always€read€the€fine€print,"€she€said.ÏHe€had€smiled€hugely€then€and€hugged€her.Ìà  àA€chimp€loped€over€with€a€teapot,€but€Mom€declined.€The€chimp€made€an€offended€shriek,€threw€up€his€hand,Ïand€stalked€off.€"Howððs€your€mah„jongg€group€going?"€Nicky€said.Ìà  àMomððs€eyes€lit€up.€"Oh,€itððs€great.€Weððre€playing€in€this€fantastic€environment€now€ð"ð€weððre€giants€in€ancientÏChina€or€somewhere.€When€we€put€the€pieces€down€they€crush€these€peasant€villages,€and€if€weððre€tired,€we€just€leanÏagainst€a€mountain!€Itððs€so€funny.€Actually,€I€was€right€in€the€middle€of€a€game€when€you€called,€thatððs€why€it€took€aÏwhile€for€me€to€get€here.€Everyone€was€annoyed."€She€laughed,€and€when€she€saw€Nickyððs€guilty€look,€she€said,€"NotÐ À-)8 Ðfor€me€leaving€the€game€ð"ð€weððre€a€bunch€of€old„timers,€they€have€kids€too€ð"ð€they€were€just€jealous."Ìà  à"How€do€you€know,"€Nicky€said,€"That€theyððre€old?€Werenððt€you€saying€you€met€them€over€here?"Ìà  à"Oh,€you€can€tell€in€the€first€five€minutes.€Just€what€they€talk€about.€Even€the€styles,€sometimes.€No€one€wouldÏhave€a€haircut€like€you,€for€instance.€And€not€everyone€wants€to€look€young.€Jonah€ð"ð€heððs€a€stubborn€old€goat€ð"ð€saysÏhe€looks€exactly€the€same.€I€believe€him€too.€Heððs€distinguished,€though,€while€we€women€just€look€old."€Another€laughÏthat€drained€Nicky.€"You€look€wonderful,€though,€Nicky,€even€with€that...€unique€haircut.€Itððs€been€so€long€since€IððveÏseen€you€face„to„face€I€was€beginning€to€worry.€With€your€lifestyle."Ìà  àNicky€sighed.€òòHere€we€go€again...óó€"Mom,€my€lifestyle€is€nothing€to€worry€about.€It€sounds€boring,€comparedÐ  \  Ðto€destroying€peasant€villages."Ìà  à"Itððs€just€that€you€sound€like€your€uncle...€with€the€artist€lifestyle,€thinking€itððs€fine€to€just€to€get€by.€You€knowÏwhat€happened€to€him."Ìà  à"Aw,€Mom,"€Nicky€said.€"Iððm€not€exactly€starting€a€revolution."Ìà  à"Neither€was€he,"€her€mom€said€quickly.€"He€was€just€in€the€wrong€place€at€the€wrong€time.€Socialized€withÏthe€wrong€type€of€people."Ìà  à"Ah€cððmon,"€Nicky€said,€smirking€at€her€momððs€denial.€"I€mean,€he€worked€at€the€company€where€they€got€theÏshuttles."€She€had€always€enjoyed€the€idea€of€Uncle€Max€being€part€of€the€insurgent€group.€There€had€even€been€a€movieÏmade€a€few€years€ago€about€the€Harmless€Cranks.Ìà  à"Do€you€really€think,"€her€mother€said,€poking€at€her,€"that€a€relative€of€your€òòfather€óówould€be€a€part€of€aÐ V Ðterrorist€group€who€destroyed€millions€of€dollars€worth€of€equipment€and€endangered€hundreds€of€lives?€Just€to€stopÏa€billboard€going€up?"Ìà  àNicky€arched€an€eyebrow€and€shrugged.€"Well,€it€wasnððt€just€another€billboard.€It€was€the€moon."Ìà  à"Still,"€Mom€said.€"You€ð"ð"€she€was€cut€off€by€a€sudden€roar.Ìà  à"Uh€oh€folks,"€an€announcer€said.€"Looks€like€thereððs€gonna€be€ð"ð€a€Rumble€in€the€Jungle!"Ìà  àAcross€the€room,€a€wall€of€vines€parted€to€reveal€a€huge€expanse€of€savannah.€There€was€a€pride€of€lions€offÏto€one€side,€and€approaching€them€with€a€casual€lope€were€several€grey€apes.€A€lion€roared€again,€and€a€gorilla€answeredÏit€with€a€fearsome€teeth„baring€scream.Ìà  àA€weasel€leapt€up€on€their€table.€It€had€a€peaked€cap€and€a€notebook.€"Place€your€bets,"€it€squeaked€around€aÏstubby€cigar.€"Odds€are€two€to€one€against€the€greys."Ìà  à"Ooooh,€I€like€those€odds,"€Mom€said.€"Iððll€put€$500€on€the€lions."Ìà  àThe€weasel€nodded€curtly€and€leapt€off.Ìà  à"You€have€one€minute€left,"€a€voice€said.Ìà  à"Oh,€Mom,"€Nicky€said,€getting€her€attention.€"My€timeððs€up.€Gotta€go."Ìà  àShe€tutted.€"Youððre€going€to€miss€the€show.€Itððs€really€good€ð"ð€you€can€choose€a€champion€to€ride€with€andÏeverything.€See€the€fight€from€their€perspective."Ìà  à"Next€time,€I€guess."Ìà  à"Betting€is€closed€folks.€Those€with€heart€conditions€are€advisedð8ð€to€get€the€hell€out!"€said€the€announcer.ÏNicky€noticed€it€was€a€python€that€had€slithered€up€the€mike€stand.€She€kind€of€wanted€to€see€the€beginning€of€the€fightÐ €-Ð(8 Ðbut€she€was€worried€that€if€she€stayed€for€longer€that€it€would€automatically€begin€charging€her.€òòAnd€that€just€wouldnððtÐ ° Ðdo...óóÐ vÆ Ðà  àHand€in€front€of€her,€she€walked€towards€where€she€remembered€the€door€to€be€and€then€slid€her€hand€alongÏuntil€she€found€the€knob.€She€brushed€through€the€bridge€group€doing€it,€and€she€apologized.€They€didnððt€seem€to€mind.ÌÌGassy€Jack€still€reigned€over€Gastown,€Nicky€was€glad€to€see.€The€shabby€and€leaden€statue€watched€her€wander€to€JKððsÏapartment.€She€was€struck€by€how€quiet€it€was€ð"ð€JK€hadnððt€lied€about€the€lack€of€construction.€Ìà  àShe€got€to€his€lobby€and€called€him.€"Hey,€Iððm€downstairs."Ìà  à"Hey,€so€am€I!"€JK€walked€into€the€lobby€carrying€a€huge€bag€and€his€bike€slung€awkwardly€over€his€elbow.Ìà  à"Bad€time,€I€guess,"€Nicky€said,€lifting€the€bike€off€his€hands.Ìà  à"Actually,€a€really€good€time."€He€carried€the€burlap€bag€out€onto€the€street€and€set€it€down€gently€next€to€theÏcurb.€He€thumbed€his€watch€and€then€tapped€it€to€hers.€"Directions€for€tonightððs€festivities."Ìà  à"Itððs€tonight?"€Nicky€said.€"Great!"Ìà  à"Tell€everyone€you€know,"€he€said.€"Iððm€going€to€be€running€around€getting€everything€ready."€He€checkedÏhis€watch.€"Chase€is€supposed€to€be€coming€by."Ìà  à"By€car?"€Nicky€said,€trying€to€help€him€look€down€the€road.Ìà  à"I€donððt€know,€thatððs€why€I€brought€mððhorse,"€he€said,€indicating€the€bike€she€was€holding.€"Shit,€should€IÏbring..."€he€looked€up€towards€his€apartment.€"No,"€he€decided,€smiling€slightly€at€Nicky.€"Sorry,€Iððm€a€bit€of€a€wreck.ÏIððm€always€a€spaz€before€these€things.€Whatððs€up?"€Ìà  à"Nothing,€just€thought€Iððd€come€by€and€check€out€the€old€neighbourhood.€Crazy€how€quiet€it€is."Ìà  à"Yep.€Especially€at€night.€This€was€one€of€the€neighbourhoods€that€emptied€right€out."€JK€sat€down€on€hisÏburlap€bag.€He€had€on€baggy€overalls€and€his€hands€were€dusted€brown.Ìà  à"Are€those€the€seeds?"€she€asked.Ìà  àHe€slapped€the€bag,€nodding.€"It€was€a€push,€but€thereððs€enough."Ìà  à"Man,€you€get€a€lot€done,"€Nicky€said.€"Iððm€jealous."€She€thought€about€her€flukes€and€the€elaborate€ways€sheððdÏavoided€working€on€them€today.Ìà  à"Iððm€jealous€of€you,"€JK€said,€"Wandering€around€the€city.€Cranking€sweet€styles."€They€both€laughed€at€hisÏteenage€slang.€"I€mean€look€at€me!"€He€noticed€his€brown€hands€and€slapped€them€clean.€"I€been€too€fucking€busy€toÏeat,€never€mind€dress.€Itððs€been€a€while€since€I€walked€around€beholden€to€no„one,€like€artist€slash€conwoman€TrickyÏNicky."Ìà  àNicky€smiled.€"Yeah.€I€know.€Iððve€got€it€good.€Itððs€just,€I€donððt€know,€frightening€to€see€people€getting€theirÏart€out€there.€It€feels€like€thereððs€a€huge€gap€between€working€on€my€flukes€and€getting€them€shown€somewhere."Ìà  àJK€nodded.€"Itððs€a€balance€thing."€He€looked€down€the€road,€pushing€his€glasses€back€on€his€nose.€"BetweenÏhaving€not€enough€time€and€having€too€much€time.€You€just€gotta€work€on€it."Ìà  àNicky€noticed€a€crack€on€one€of€the€lenses€she€hadnððt€noticed€before,€but€didnððt€ask€him€about€it€in€case€it€madeÏhim€self„conscious.€She€looked€down€the€road€instead€and€noticed€a€car.€JK€was€standing€up.€It€was€a€Nissan€Piranha,Ïblue€and€sleek,€and€it€pulled€up.€òòAt€least€it€isnððt€one€of€those€stupid€KrazyCars.óóÐ €-Ð(8 Ðà  àHe€hefted€his€sack.€"All€right,€see€you€tonight,€Tricky."Ìà  àChaseððs€window€went€transparent€and€he€clicked€on€the€outside€speaker.€"You€need€a€ride€somewhere,€Nicky?"Ìà  àShe€shook€her€head,€and€realized€she€still€had€JKððs€bike.€She€caught€his€eye€and€lifted€the€bike€questioningly.Ìà  àHe€was€putting€the€sack€in€the€back€seat.€"Uh,€would€you€mind€hanging€on€to€it,€Nicky?€I€donððt€wanna€fuckÏup€his€upholstery..."Ìà  à"Iððm€gonna€have€to€start€charging€you€a€storage€fee,"€she€said€with€a€grin.Ìà  à"Great!"€he€waved€and€disappeared€into€the€car.€"Just€invoice€me."Ìà  àChase€was€still€waiting€to€see€if€she€needed€a€ride.€"No€thanks,"€she€said,€pointing€at€the€bike.€His€surprisedÏlook€was€extremely€satisfying.Ìà  àShe€didnððt€actually€have€any€intention€of€riding€the€bike,€but€a€few€blocks€later€the€quiet€streets€and€its€slightÏawkwardness€convinced€her€that€it€was€silly€to€carry€it.€She€unrolled€it€and,€after€a€car€passed,€got€on€and€began€to€pedal.€Ìà  àShe€watched€the€grey€road€slide€beneath€her,€delighted€at€the€speed.€òòThe€hell€with€the€SkyTrain.óó€She€tilted€herÐ b²  Ðhead€up€and€felt€the€wind€whip€by,€yanking€at€her€pigtails.€She€heard€a€car€coming€behind€her,€and€she€pulled€off€andÏstopped€as€it€passed.€It€slowed€slightly€as€it€passed,€but€she€put€on€an€innocent€look,€balancing€on€the€bike€on€tippytoe,Ïconscious€of€her€oddity.€òòWhere€did€JK€get€this€thing,€anyway?Ð ´ Ðà  àóóFeeling€bold,€she€decided€to€head€down€through€Hastings€and€Main,€the€most€direct€route€home.€She€stoleÐ  p Ðglances€at€the€bike€as€she€wound€her€way€down€to€Hastings:€springs€flanking€the€wheels,€a€silvery€black€frame€soÏconvoluted€and€squiggly€it€made€her€dizzy€to€look,€two€big€buttons€to€brake€and€two€more€beneath€them€to€ð"ð€òòhey,€whatÐ ¬ü Ðwere€those€for?Ìà  àóó"Ahhhgg!"€the€old€man€yelled,€hands€in€front€of€his€face,€his€body€five€feet€from€being€run€over€by€Nicky.Ð Þ. ÐThumbs€convulsed€and€punched€the€closest€buttons,€the€mystery€buttons€ð"ð€òònot€stopping€not€stopping€starting€to€sinkÐ ¤ô Ðð"ð€óóshe€released€them€and€the€bike€popped€up€in€the€air!€Over€the€old€man€by€a€good€five€feet!€The€bike€landed,€andÐ jº ÐNickyððs€crotch€got€even€closer€to€the€hard€seat.€òòOw€fuck!Ð 0€  Ðà  àThank€god€Iððm€OK€ow€bruised€but€OK,€óóshe€thought€as€she€thumbed€the€brakes€and€stumbled„slid€off€the€bike.Ð œì" ÐòòHow€embarrassing,€did€anyone€see?óó€The€side€street,€within€sight€of€Hastings,€had€a€few€homeless€people€littered€hereÐ b²# Ðand€there€ð"ð€overflow€from€the€main€strip.€Nicky€looked€around€and€rolled€up€the€(òòstupid€deathtrap€of€aóó)€bike,€but€noneÐ (x$ Ðof€the€human€heaps€were€even€slightly€interested€in€her€ð"ð€even€the€man€who€she€nearly€hit€had€merely€rolled€over€andÏstared€at€her€through€muck„rimmed€eyes.Ìà  àNicky€turned€onto€Hastings€and€checked€out€the€scene.€Not€as€bad€as€sheððd€seen€it,€a€few€dozen€lumps€on€theÏstreet€but€just€a€couple€of€zombies€shuffling€around.€òòMaybe€the€more€mobile€ones€find€some€shade€during€the€day...€óósheÐ æ"6) Ðthought€but€then€realized€what€had€really€thinned€out€the€herd.€There€was€a€black€debtor€van€with€three€or€four€securityÏpeople€outside€of€it.Ìà  à"Eric€Palmerson,€your€debt€has€been€purchased€by€Sony€Holdings€Ltd.,"€one€of€them€was€intoning€in€a€boredÏvoice.€"Are€you€capable€of€paying€it€off€today?"€The€man,€presumably€Eric,€a€sad,€bewildered€look€on€his€face,€triedÏto€walk€away€but€was€restrained.€"In€that€case,€Sony€Holdings€Ltd.€has€requested€that€you€be€relocated€to€a€factory€ofÏtheir€choosing€until€youððve€worked€off€said€debt.€Thank€you€for€your€cooperation."€Eric€was€helped€up€into€the€backÏof€the€van,€saying€something€that€Nicky€couldnððt€hear.Ìà  àNicky€walked€by,€and€one€of€the€guards,€the€woman,€looked€at€her€for€a€moment€too€long.€Nicky€scratched€herÏeyebrow€significantly,€showing€her€watch,€and€the€woman€immediately€looked€for€another€likely€candidate.Ìà  àJust€when€she€relaxed,€she€felt€a€hand€on€her€shoulder.€The€stories€sheððd€heard€about€solvent€people€gettingÏsnatched€by€security€people€trying€to€fill€their€quotas€flooded€her€mind,€made€her€rear€back€her€bike€into€swingingÐ Z-ª(7 Ðposition€and€whip€aroundð8ðÌà  à"Nicky,€right?"€The€security€guy€took€off€his€black€sunglasses€and€grinned.Ìà  à"Yeah."€It€was€a€guy€from€her€last€year€at€UBC.€òòWhat€was€his€fucking€name?Ð ˆØ Ðà  àóó"Itððs€John.€John€Steiner."Ð ôD Ðà  à"Oh€I€remember.€Howððs€it€going?"€Nicky€immediately€felt€stupid€asking€the€automatic€question.Ìà  àHe€shrugged,€fiddled€with€his€sunglasses.€"All€right€I€guess.€Hoping€to€make€the€move€in€a€few€months,Ïworking€towards€that.€A€buddy€got€me€this€extra€job,€Iððd€like€to€get€a€silver€package€at€least."Ìà  à"Oh€yeah,"€Nicky€said,€looking€behind€him€when€he€thumbed€towards€his€buddy.€The€other€security€peopleÏwere€lifting€up€a€heap€on€the€street.€"How€is€it?"Ìà  à"Oh,"€he€said,€shrugging.€"Itððs€OK.€Good€days€and€bad.€Theyððre€getting€relocated€to€a€factory€in€the€WestÏIndies€nowadays€ð"ð€beautiful€climate€there,€even€the€smog€is€low€because€of€the€air€pressure€systems€or€something.€AÏfree€vacation€if€you€ask€me."Ìà  à"A€working€vacation,"€Nicky€said.Ìà  à"Well,€exactly,"€he€said,€missing€her€sarcasm€entirely.€"Makes€you€think,€though.€Lots€of€them€are€thereÏbecause€they€put€all€their€eggs€in€one€basket,€made€foolish€investments.€ððDiversify€or€dieðð€isnððt€just€a€catchy€ad€slogan."Ìà  àNicky€made€a€non„committal€sound,€her€gut€twisting€between€scorn€and€anxiety.€Ìà  àSomeone€called€him€over,€an€angry€bark.€"Gotta€go,"€he€said,€pausing€awkwardly.€In€his€eyes,€Nicky€saw€theÏsigns€of€an€impending€invitation€to€dinner,€a€drink,€as€clearly€as€clouds€gathering.€Before€it€broke€she€smiled€and€noddedÏgoodbye.Ìà  à"See€you€around,"€she€said,€turning€and€walking€away.€"Good€luck€in€Frisco."ÌÌ"Itððs€not€how€often€heððs€there,"€Doug€said,€tossing€some€more€Peanutz€into€his€mouth.€"I€mean,€the€office€runs€smoothlyÏenough€without€Harris.€Itððs€what€it€òòrepresentsóó."Ð È$ Ðà  àLauden€was€nodding.€"I€entirely€agree.€Heððs€definitely€more€in€Frisco€than€here.€Still,€he€got€the€meeting€roomÏwired€for€face„to„face€meetings,€and€thatððs€not€cheap.€A€lot€of€companies€arenððt€even€doing€that."€He€finished€his€beerÏand€pointed€at€his€glass.€The€bartender€nodded,€nearly€imperceptibly.Ìà  à"Me€too,"€said€Doug,€looking€at€the€Peanutz€in€his€hand.€òòHow€did€they€get€the€salt€to€stay?óó€he€marvelled.€TheÐ ,#|* Ðsalted€peanuts€heððd€had€as€a€kid€had€made€his€hands€salty€and€greasy€for€hours€afterwardsð8ðÌà  àòò"...óódonððt€you€think?"€Lauden€asked.€Ð ^%® - Ðà  à"Sorry,€man,€I€missed€that,"€Doug€said,€guiltily.€òòThere€you€go,€Patterson,€ignoring€Lauden€again.Ð Ê&"/ Ðà  àóó"Chan€doesnððt€know€what€heððs€getting€into,"€Lauden€repeated.Ð 6(†#1 Ðà  àTheir€beers€arrived.€"Enjoy€Coors€Silver€Bullet,"€the€bartender€mumbled.Ìà  à"Oh.€Yeah,"€Doug€agreed.€"The€higher€the€rise,€the€harder€the€fall."€He€paused.€"I€should€know."Ìà  àLauden€patted€his€back.€They€were€both€at€the€bar,€so€he€had€to€look€in€the€mirror€to€make€eye€contact.€"ItððsÏnot€like€that,€Doug.€People€are€talking,€but€most€people€just€figured€you€wanted€off€the€fast€track.€Most€of€us€figuredÏyouððd€have€gone€months€ago."Ð .V)9 Ðà  àDoug€realized€he€had€almost€finished€his€new€beer.€òòBetter€slow€downóó.€He€didnððt€want€to€end€up€crying€onÐ ° ÐLaudenððs€shoulder.€"Yeah,€well.€Research€is€my€first€love,€anyway.€Good€honest€work."€Heððd€have€dismissed€it€as€data„¼mining€five€years€ago,€but€now€he€was€glad€for€the€soft€landing.Ìà  à"Well,€you€know,€Iððve€always€thought€so,"€said€Lauden.€"Even€if€the€smelter€does€a€lot€of€the€work."Ìà  àDoug€winced€inside€as€he€realized€that€this€was€probably€something€heððd€said€in€the€past.€He€glanced€at€Lauden,Ïworking€steadily€at€his€beer€(heððd€never€known€him€to€be€such€a€drinker!)€and€looked€at€the€backwards€window€signageÏmirrored€back€legibly:€Coors€Bar€and€Tavern.Ìà  àHe€scraped€the€bottom€of€the€bowl.€"Can€I€get€another€bowl€of€Peanutz?"€he€said€to€the€bartenderððs€back.€TheÏbartender€seemed€to€consider€it€before€nodding.€òòGimmie€a€break€buddy,€youððre€not€the€only€one€who€hates€your€jobóó,Ð Ò "  ÐDoug€thought.Ìà  àòòDidóó€he€hate€his€job?€He€wasnððt€sure.€He€hated€his€life€at€this€point,€that€he€knew.€"Lauden,"€he€said.€"Do€youÐ T  Ðlove€your€job?"Ìà  àLauden€finished€off€his€beer€and€ordered€another€for€them.€"No.€No,€I€donððt€love€it.€But€no€jobððs€perfect."Ìà  à"No,€no€jobððs€perfect,"€he€thought€back€to€the€research€that€he€had€started€today,€cross€referencing€all€theÏconflicting€data€and€loose€ends€they€had€on€the€Infiltrators.€"Do€you€think€the€Infiltrators€exist?"Ìà  àLauden€was€chewing.€"Well,€itððs€hard€to€tell,"€he€said€when€he€swallowed.€"I€mean,€when€I€was€last€digging,Ïthey€were€still€pretty€strong,€image„wise.€But€that€was€six,€seven€years€ago.€Now€you€donððt€hear€much€about€them."Ìà  à"Yeah,€the€CHA€buzz€ratingððs€about€four.€Less€than€four,"€Doug€said.€"Do€you€think€they€could€have€beenÏassimilated€by€the€companies€they€were€working€for?€Instead€of€going€underground,€going€aboveground€and€legit?€WhyÏelse€would€they€have€been€so€quiet€for€so€long?"Ìà  àLauden€smiled.€"Maybe€theyððre€planning€somethingð8ð"€he€said€in€an€ominous€voice,€raising€a€puffy€eyebrow.Ìà  àDoug€snorted€at€his€colleagueððs€teasing,€looked€towards€the€door€thoughtfully.€òòShould€be€getting€home,€soon.Ð jº ÐóóHe€was€about€to€look€away€when€it€opened€and€an€attractive€young€woman€came€in.Ð 0€  Ðà  àDoug€looked€away,€nevertheless€wishing€sheððd€come€up€to€them.€Just€to€talk.€òòI€could€ask€her€if€sheððd€heardÐ œì" Ðof€the€Infiltratorsóó,€he€rationalized.€òòItððd€be€work€related.óóÐ b²# Ðà  àShe€came€up€to€them.Ìà  à"Hey€Sam,€sorry€Iððm€late,"€she€said,€getting€up€on€a€stool€with€a€cute€little€hop.€She€had€ebony€hair€with€starsÏin€it€and€a€school€bag.€òòLauden,€you€sly€ð"ðóóÐ "P( Ðà  à"Thatððs€OK.€Doug,€Cara,€Cara,€Doug,"€Lauden€said,€leaning€back€and€introducing€them€politely.€Then€he€tookÏout€a€recorder.€"OK,€whattaya€got€for€me€today?"€Ìà  àòòSheððs€an€informant,óó€Doug€realized.€He€was€disappointed.Ð ž%î - Ðà  àCara€pointed€at€Doug,€a€question€in€her€(òòlovelyóó)€eyes.€Ð  'Z"/ Ðà  à"Heððs€a€co„worker,€itððs€OK,"€Lauden€said€to€her.€"Have€you€read€up€on€the€Ephemerals€yet?"€Lauden€askedÏhim.Ìà  à"Looked€it€over,"€Doug€hedged.Ìà  à"Iððve€got€something€really€good€today,"€Cara€said,€fairly€bursting.€"A€òòpartyóó.€A€totally€òòsecretóó€party.€Tonight.Ð ,d'6 ÐMy€friend€Amyððs€coming€too,"€she€said,€looking€at€Doug.Ð Ú,*(7 Ðà  àDoug€excused€himself€to€go€to€the€washroom.€While€he€was€there,€he€let€Cheryl€know€that€heððd€be€workingÏlate€tonight.Ìà  àòòMaybe€really€late.Ð â2 ÐóóÐ Nž ÐNicky€took€a€pinch€from€the€sophisticratððs€tiny€box.€"Thanks!"Ìà  àThe€boy€inclined€his€bowler€hat.€"My€pleasure.€Not€the€most€complementary€of€drugs€for€a€party€like€this,Ïbut..."€he€shrugged.€"Snuffððs€my€vice."Ìà  àNicky€breathed€in€lilac,€took€a€snort.€"Ah,€I€donððt€mind€letting€my€nose€work€twice€as€hard€for€one€night€of€theÏyear,"€she€said,€feeling€all€chipper.€Ìà  àThe€boy€laughed.€"Is€this€an€annual€event?"Ìà  àShe€shook€her€head,€barely€connected€to€her€body€with€all€the€drugs.€She€looked€around€at€the€swirl€of€people,Ïmoving€her€hand€with€the€flow.Ìà  à"Itððs€wonderful,€whatever€it€is,"€the€boy€said,€realizing€he€wouldnððt€get€an€answer.€"The€sponsors€areÏmiraculously€restrained...€there€arenððt€even€any€vendors€here.€I€was€at€a€MAC€party€last€night€ð"ð€so€crass."Ìà  à"You€were€at€a€MAC€party?"€Nicky€said€incredulously.Ìà  à"Friends€insisted,"€he€said,€pulling€at€his€collar.€"And€I€try€to€keep€an€open€mind.€But€they€had€models€prowlingÏthe€audience,€kissing€people€at€random€ð"ð€ostensibly€to€show€off€the€lipstick.€It€was€terrifying."Ìà  àNicky€bust€out€laughing,€imagining€the€poor€sophisticrat€so€besmirched.€She€caught€a€new€whiff.€"Oh,€wow,Ïroses?"€She€looked€across€the€huge€hangar€and€saw€a€circle€of€people€around€a€rapidly€growing€rose€bed.€JK€was€stridingÏproudly€away,€his€bags€of€tricks€hanging€off€his€arms€and€shoulders.€"Keep€watering!"€he€yelled€at€the€rose€bed€people.Ìà  à"Heððs€the€sponsor,"€she€told€the€sophisticrat.Ìà  àJK€caught€her€eye€and€headed€her€way.€"Tricky!"€he€said,€smothering€her€against€a€bag€that€smelled€like€soilÏwhen€he€hugged€her.€"So€you€found€our€secret€lair."Ìà  à"Yep,"€she€said.€"Itððs€a€great€place€for€it.€Was€it€expensive€to€rent?"Ìà  à"My€pal€Simon€found€it...€he€thinks€itððs€an€old€airport€hangar...€but€I€think€they€used€to€grow€pot€here€at€someÏpoint,€because€the€soil€inside€here€is€too€good."Ìà  à"Just€hope€it€doesnððt€rain!"€said€the€sophisticrat,€poking€with€his€brolly€up€at€the€roof,€burned€away€except€forÏa€single€windowed€arch.Ìà  à"Just€hope€it€does!"€JK€said€with€a€huge€eyebrow€wiggle€that€made€Nicky€giggle.€"Time€for€my€next€set.€TalkÏto€you€soon."€He€walked€away,€dipping€his€hand€into€one€of€the€small€sacks.Ìà  à"You€know..."€JK€pronounced€to€all,€cocking€his€nose€to€the€wind.€"I€think€itððs€just€about€time€for...€orangeÏblossoms!"Ìà  àThere€was€a€smattering€of€excited€applause€as€JK€started€spreading€seeds€in€front€of€him.€Then€he€walked€overÏthem,€stomping€them€into€the€ground,€and€waved€at€people€to€follow€him€on€his€spiralling€journey.€Eight€or€nine€peopleÏjoined€him,€a€lot€of€them€with€plastic€jugs,€clapping€in€a€rhythm€and€stomping€togetherÌà  àNicky€and€the€sophisticrat€stood€back€on€the€periphery€of€the€circle.€"They€seem€to€know€what€to€do,"€he€said.Ð º, (7 Ðà  àIn€stepping€away,€Nicky€bumped€into€someone€behind€her.Ìà  à"Sorry,€whoa,"€said€a€shaggy„haired€guy.€He€stopped€what€he€was€doing€to€watch€the€conga€line€of€seedÏstampers.€Nicky€thought€one€or€two€of€them€looked€kind€of€familiar,€especially€the€guy€with€the€bandana.€òòWas€he€atÐ â2 Ðsome€art€show?óó€When€JK€got€to€the€centre€of€the€circle,€he€threw€a€handful€of€seeds€up€in€the€air€and€then€the€congaÐ ¨ø Ðline€scattered€to€the€edges€of€the€circle,€where€already,€some€sprouts€were€unfolding.Ìà  àThen€JK€said€in€a€stage€voice.€"Looks€like€itððs€going€to€rain!"Ìà  àEveryone€who€had€jugs€started€to€throw€water.€Nicky€leaned€forward€to€give€her€little€bottle€a€squirt.€The€plantsÏsprang€up€wherever€the€water€hit,€practically€crackling€with€energy.€JK€rubbed€his€chin€with€satisfaction€and€shuffledÏoff.Ìà  à€"Thatððs€a€cool€shirt!"€The€shaggy„haired€guy€said,€his€lips€smacking€with€some€gum€that€was€giving€him€a€bigÏgrin.€"Whereððd€ya€get€it?"Ìà  àThe€orange€blossoms€burst€into€bloom,€getting€a€big€òòahóó€from€the€crowd.€"Smell!"€someone€yelled,€and€someoneÐ pÀ  Ðelse€giggledÌà  àNicky€looked€down€at€her€shirt€to€remind€herself.€It€was€pink€and€featured€an€angry€monkey€trying€to€shakeÏoff€the€double€helix€that€was€binding€his€fingers€together.€"Itððs€an€old€design€from,€like,€2010?€I€forget€where.€I€flashedÏit€on€myself."€The€guys€looked€at€it€for€a€few€seconds€more€than€necessary,€and€she€remembered€why€sheððd€consideredÏflashing€the€design€on€the€back.Ìà  à"Want€some€gum?"€Shaggy€asked,€offering€her€an€open€pack€of€Body€Buzz.Ìà  à"Shore,"€Nicky€said,€taking€a€piece€of€narcandy.Ìà  àAs€she€did,€someone€yelled,€"Swoosh!"€and€a€black€object€flipped€through€the€air.€Shaggy€jumped€up€to€headÏit.Ìà  àNicky€found€it€hard€to€continue€the€conversation€with€the€sophisticrat,€distracted€by€the€little€jumps€ShaggyÏwas€doing.€One€energetic€lunge€to€elbow€the€swoosh€back€to€his€partner€showed€off€a€tastily€muscled€stomach.Ìà  à"Nike!"€he€called,€as€it€arced€towards€his€partner.€Ìà  àòòLean,€energetic,€and€not€a€lot€of€mess,€óóNicky€assessed.Ð X$ Ðà  à"Swoosh!"€his€partner€said,€doing€a€tricky€back„kick.€Nicky€remembered€having€seen€some€article€about€howÏswooshers€can€make€enough€on€pitch„money€alone,€if€theyððre€good€enough€to€draw€a€crowd.Ìà  àòòHelps€if€theyððre€a€couple€of€hotties,óó€Nicky€thought,€noting€how€many€more€girls€were€watching€than€boys.Ð ¦"ö) Ðà  à"Never€been€one€for€games,€myself,"€the€sophisticrat€said€with€a€sniff.Ìà  à"Not€even€mindgames?"€Nicky€said,€realizing€she€said€that€out€loud.€She€laughed€to€cover€up€theÏembarrassment,€and€the€feeling€of€laughter€through€her€body€was€delicious.€òòOh€god,€Iððve€got€to€get€laid.óóÐ D&”!. Ðà  à"Hey€itððs€the€scientist€girl,"€a€dark€figure€said€as€he€reeled€past.€He€had€his€dreadlocks€tied€up€in€a€bandana,Ïbut€when€he€smiled€she€recognized€him,€even€without€his€beard.€He€was€carrying€an€open€wine€bottle€and€had€it€corkedÏwith€his€thumb.Ìà  à"Hey,€skulls€on€your€teeth!€I€met€you€in€the€train€yard!"€She€poked€him€in€the€arm.€Ìà  à"Wow,"€he€said,€"That€sounds€like€a€song."€He€stared€at€her€for€a€second€and€then€grabbed€her€arm.€"I€haveÏto€show€you€something,"€he€said,€pulling€her€away.€Nicky€stumbled€along€and€looked€back€with€an€apologetic€smile,Ïbut€the€sophisticrat€had€already€turned€away.€She€could€practically€hear€him€sniffing,€òòskulls€on€your€teeth€indeed.óóÐ  -ð(8 Ðà  à"This€is€the€coolest€place€in€the€history€of€cool€places,"€he€declared€as€they€walked€across€the€hangar€betweenÏgroups€of€people€and€riotous€flora.Ìà  àShe€grabbed€the€wine€bottle€and€took€a€slug.€"And€you€found€it?"Ìà  àHe€looked€at€her€and€grinned.€"Yes,€just€a€few€days€after€I€met€you€actually.€Me€and€Andre€were...€I€told€youÏweððre€here€because€the€scientistððs€thing€is€happening€here,€right?"Ìà  à"You€told€me€no€such€thing,"€Nicky€said.€They€were€going€up€the€stairs€now,€at€the€edge€of€the€building€whereÏthere€was€a€second€floor€to€go€to.Ìà  à"Big€symposium€here€in€the€summer.€Biiiig€thing.€Watch€your€step."Ìà  à"Youððre€a€scientist?"€she€asked,€wobbling€a€little€and€grabbing€his€shoulder.€She€had€to€move€even€closer€toÏhim€to€let€a€pair€of€girls€squeeze€by€on€their€way€down.€One€of€them€was€wearing€exceptionally€sheer€purple€pants€thatÏdrew€eyes€like€flies,€in€part€due€to€the€way€her€metal€underwear€held€her€parts€spread€apart.Ìà  à"Those€rigs€are€really€big€in€Detroit,"€he€said.Ìà  à"When€were€you€in€Detroit?"Ìà  à"Like€last€week€ð"ð€two€weeks€ago€now,€I€guess."€They€got€up€to€the€second€floor,€where€people€were€sittingÏin€clumps€here€and€there.€"I€finally€escaped€the€Motor€City."Ìà  à"And€now€youððre€here€scouting€out€locations€for€aromatic€symphonies,"€Nicky€said.€"Nice€life."Ìà  à"Well,€it€just€so€happened€I€found€this€place,€I€wasnððt€actually€looking€for€it.€Me€and€Andre€were€camping€outÏhere€ð"ð€the€train€yard€was€a€little€exposed€ð"ð€and€no€one€came€to€kick€us€out€so..."€he€shrugged€and€spread€his€handsÏin€an€expansive€gesture,€presenting€the€party.Ìà  àThe€view€from€the€second€floor€shelf€was€phenomenal€ð"ð€different„sized€circles€of€plants€in€various€states€ofÏbloom€and€decay,€people€milling€about€between€them.€From€this€vantage€point€they€looked€like€cells€to€Nicky.€She€satÏdown€on€the€ragged€edge€of€the€floor,€dangled€her€feet€down,€almost€lost€a€sandal.€When€she€was€tugging€it€on€tight,Ïsomething€clicked.Ìà  àShe€whipped€around€and€looked€at€Simon.€"You€mean."€She€dropped€her€voice.€He€clambered€down€besideÏher,€and€she€grabbed€his€bandana€and€whispered€in€his€ear.€"You€havenððt€rented€this€place."Ìà  àHis€skull„smile€seemed€all€too€appropriate€now,€as€she€imagined€what€would€happen€when€the€ownerððs€securityÏteam€arrived.€It€would€be€a€massacre,€like€those€old€documentaries€about€the€ðð20s...Ìà  à"Donððt€worry,"€he€said,€a€hand€on€her€shoulder.€"Whoever€owns€this€building€is€in€Frisco€right€now,€scramblingÏto€make€a€living€on€the€new€frontier.€They€didnððt€ever€bother€to€put€a€lock€on€the€door.€If€theyððre€not€going€to€buy€a€lock,Ïwould€they€hire€a€security€team?"Ìà  àThis€fiscally€based€argument€calmed€Nicky€down,€but€she€was€still€mad.€How€many€people€would€be€here€ifÏthey€knew?€She€imagined€the€entire€floor€beneath€panicking,€screaming,€the€stampede€for€the€exit...€òòJesus!€How€fuckingÐ d&´!. Ðirresponsible!Ìà  àóóShe€turned€to€the€person€on€the€other€side€of€her,€ignoring€Simon.€He€was€a€very€drunk€but€affable„lookingÐ –(æ#1 Ðman,€a€bit€older€than€most€of€the€crowd.Ìà  àHe€met€her€eye.€"I€was€thinking€that€Iððd€like€to€make€a€trip€to€the€mountains,"€he€said€all€at€once.€He€noddedÏin€their€direction€ð"ð€it€was€too€dark€to€see€them€now,€but€the€lines€of€lights€for€the€ski€lifts€were€clearly€visible.€"HaveÏyou€been€up€in€the€mountains?"Ìà  àShe€nodded,€meeting€his€serious€gaze.€He€was€balding€and€with€his€thin€little€moustache€he€reminded€her€ofÐ À-)8 Ðsomeone€from€an€old€movie.Ìà  à"Theyððre€nice,"€he€said,€swinging€his€gaze€back.€"Are€they€nice?"Ìà  àShe€thought€about€her€skiing€trip€ð"ð€her€dad€flirting€with€the€instructor,€bad€cramps€from€her€period,€shabbyÏpatches€of€fake€snow.€"I€saw€a€deer,"€she€lied.€"It€had€a€little€white€tuft,€right€here,"€she€said,€indicating€her€chin.Ìà  à"Ha€ha,"€he€laughed.€"Like€a€little€beard."€He€touched€his€own€chin.Ìà  àShe€laughed€too.€She€looked,€but€Simon€had€left.€His€wine€was€still€there,€though,€so€she€snagged€it.Ìà  à"Whattaya€think€of€my€hair,"€he€said,€having€moved€from€stroking€his€chin€to€stroking€his€head.Ìà  àNicky€stared€at€him,€the€wine€making€her€bold.€"Itððs€kinda€neat,"€she€decided.€"It€goes€with€your€face€andÏmoustache€and€stuff."Ìà  à"Chan€doesnððt€know€what€heððs€talking€about,€does€he?"€At€her€questioning€look,€he€elaborated.€"Guy€at€work.ÏThinks€I€look€like€a...€loser.€Like€I€should...€fix€it."Ìà  à"Ah,€Chanððs€full€of€shit,"€she€said.Ìà  àWhen€they€finished€laughing,€he€looked€down€at€his€battered€suit,€and€the€look€of€resignation€slowly€settledÏback€down€around€his€shoulders.Ìà  àNear€one€of€the€circles€she€noticed€Andre€and€Simon€talking€to€JK,€who€was€busily€digging.€There€was€a€girlÏwith€them,€too,€and€they€were€looking€up€at€the€second€floor.€She€pointed€in€Nickyððs€direction,€and€Simon€looked€andÏnodded.Ìà  àNicky€just€looked€away,€a€little€alarmed€by€the€attention.€Then€the€man€next€to€her€waved.€"My€little€friend,"Ïhe€mumbled.Ìà  à"Ah,"€she€said.Ìà  àShe€took€a€slug€of€wine,€the€silver€wrapping€rasping€her€lip,€and€caught€a€whiff€from€the€plants€below.€"Mmm,Ïis€that€rosemary?"Ìà  àHis€aquiline€nose€quivered,€but€he€didnððt€say€anything.€She€offered€him€the€bottle.€He€shook€his€head€in€theÏconvulsive€way€that€shows€that€the€body€knows€itððs€had€much€too€much.Ìà  àA€few€seconds€later,€he€spoke.€"A€shared€sensory€experience€is€an€integral€part€of€a€party€or€gathering.€MostÏsubcultures€use€music,€but€the€Ephemeralists€use€a€selection€of€plants€to€create€an€atmosphere€with€the€sense€of€smell."Ìà  àNicky,€baffled,€leaned€over€to€look€to€see€if€he€was€talking€to€someone€beside€him.€There€wasnððt€anyone.€SheÏfelt€the€bottle€being€tugged€out€of€her€hand.Ìà  à"Hey!"Ìà  à"Hayððs€for€horses,"€said€Simon.€"Security€bust€up€the€party€yet?"Ìà  à"Ha,"€she€said,€but€couldnððt€help€smiling€back€at€him.€He€smelled€faintly€of€something,€oil,€musk?€"Howððd€youÏknow€JK?"€she€demanded.€"Mr.€Detroit."Ìà  à"We€corresponded€for€a€long€time,"€he€said,€handing€her€the€bottle,€wiping€a€red€dribble€off€his€chin.€"ThroughÏthe€mail."€He€clambered€back€into€his€spot,€which€was€suddenly€empty.€The€balding€guy€was€gone.Ìà  à"Letters?€Why€would€you€ð"ð"Ìà  à"Not€letters,€objects.€Letððs€see...€he€sent€me€a€pen€with€a€naked€guy€on€it,€I€sent€him€a€pineapple€tuft.€He€sentÐ .V)9 Ðme€a€quick€drawing€of€an€inside„out€can,€I€sent€him€a€queen€from€a€chessboard€carved€in€ice."Ìà  à"I€had€one€of€those,"€Nicky€said.€"They€donððt€last€very€long."Ìà  à"I€doubt€this€one€did€either.€I€should€ask€him€about€that."Ìà  à"Go€on."Ìà  à"OK.€I€sent€him€the€runt€of€the€litter,€he€sent€me...€I€forget...€no,€it€was€a€receipt€from€2036."Ìà  à"So€weððre€definitely€not€dealing€in€antiques,"€said€Nicky.€"This€is€not€some€kind€of€antiques„dealing€club."Ìà  à"No,€itððs€just€stuff,"€said€Simon.€"Next€time€it€was€a€subatomic€particle€I€sent€ð"ð€he€said€it€never€got€there€ð"ð"Ìà  à"Ha!"€Nicky€said.€She€looked€down€on€the€party€below,€looking€for€the€swooshers.€They€must€have€packedÏit€in.€òòToo€dark€maybe.€Too€many€people€to€knock€into.Ð jº  Ðà  àóó"ð"ðand€he€returned€the€empty€box€with€something€invisible€inside."Ð Ö&  Ðà  à"Jokers€the€both€of€you."Ìà  à"In€our€small€ways.€Thenð"ð"Ìà  à"You€sent€him€tea€leaves,€for€ððT.ðð€But€not€through€the€mail,"€she€said,€taking€out€her€tasteless€gum.Ìà  àHis€eyebrows€shot€up.€"Thatððs€right!€Howððd€you..."€He€noticed€her€looking€around€for€somewhere€to€put€herÏgum,€and€he€held€out€his€hand.€She€smacked€it€into€his€palm€before€he€could€change€his€mind.€He€calmly€put€it€into€hisÏmouth.Ìà  à"Eeeeew!"€she€said,€swinging€her€legs€in€disgusted€delight.Ìà  àHe€shrugged.Ìà  à"Itððs€even€òòtastelessóó,"€she€said,€finishing€off€the€wine.Ð V¦! Ðà  à"Oh,€itððs€not€tasteless,"€he€said€with€a€huge€grin.€"It€tastes€like€wine.€And€the€inside€of€your€mouth."Ìà  àShe€giggled,€shoving€the€bottle€into€his€stomach.Ìà  à"But€thereððs€only€one€way€to€know€for€sure,"€he€said,€and€he€leant€over€her€and€gave€her€a€kiss.Ìà  àNicky€sighed,€happy,€but€not€wanting€it€to€degenerate€into€a€go„nowhere€makeout€session€she€didnððt€let€himÏgo€for€seconds.€"Go€get€us€some€more€wine,"€she€said,€tugging€at€one€of€his€dreads.€"Or€something."Ìà  à"All€righty,"€he€said,€hopping€to€his€feet.€He€had€on€some€industrial„looking€shoes.€òòWhat€did€he€do€for€money,Ð 8$ˆ, Ðanyway?€He€wasnððt€sending€shit€through€the€mail€for€free...óóÐ þ$N - Ðà  àNicky€looked€around€her,€realizing€that€this€event€hadnððt€cost€anything.€She€grinned€as€she€watched€her€boyÏtrip€down€the€stairs.€He€walked€toward€JK,€and€Nicky€said,€"No,€òòheóó€doesnððt€have€any€drugs,"€she€murmured.€òòOther€thanÐ 0'€"0 Ðthe€ones€he€seems€to€permanently€be€on,€that€his€brain€creates€for€itself...óóÐ ö'F#1 Ðà  àShe€wished€she€hadnððt€used€all€her€water€on€the€plants€ð"ð€her€throat€was€dry€now.€She€looked€around€her€forÏeasy€marks.€She€didnððt€want€to€get€up€and€lose€her€spot.€Or€her€balance,€for€that€matter.Ìà  àSimon€was€nodding€at€JK,€heading€for€the€corners€of€the€hangar€where€people€were€putting€up€black€sticks€ofÏsome€sort.€She€noticed€Andre,€his€black€face€almost€invisible€in€the€growing€darkness,€after€Simon€clapped€him€on€theÏback.Ð  -p(8 Ðà  à"Yes,€well€of€course€most€of€my€people€are€over€there€already..."Ìà  àNicky€turned€her€head€at€the€familiar€voice€ð"ð€it€was€the€sophisticrat.Ìà  à"Made€it€up,€huh?"€she€said€chattily.Ìà  à"Hey€Nicky,"€said€Chase,€who€it€turned€out€was€the€one€talking€to€the€sophisticrat.€"George€and€I€were€justÏtalking€about€friends€weððve€lost€to€Frisco."€He€hunkered€down€into€what€she€had€begun€to€think€of€as€Simonððs€spot.€HeÏhad€a€bright€red€shirt€and€a€yellow€frost€on€his€hair,€making€him€a€lot€younger„looking€than€when€sheððd€last€hung€outÏwith€him€and€JK.€"Iððd€say€Iððm€50„50€ð"ð€half€there,€half€here."Ìà  à"That€many€here?"€said€George€the€sophisticrat.€He€didnððt€deign€to€sit,€just€loomed€there€with€his€hands€restingÏon€his€brolly€handle.€"I€feel€practically€stranded.€Every€other€phone€call€I€get€is€from€some€fabulous€new€club€orÏrestaurant€there€that€someone€feels€compelled€to€rave€to€me€about."Ìà  àShe€looked€at€Chase€to€see€that€he€was€waiting€for€her€numbers.€"I€lost€a€lot€of€my€friends€when€I€went€intoÏgenetics,"€Nicky€said,€surprised€that€there€was€still€bitterness€in€her€mouth€after€so€many€years€and€her€current€up€mood.Ï"Thought€I€was€wasting€my€time.€So€staying€here€is€just€the€latest€in€a€series€of€unpopular€decisions."Ìà  à"So€most€of€your€friends€are€here,"€Chase€said.Ìà  àShe€shrugged€and€nodded.€Nicky€remembered€Chaseððs€time€in€Frisco€ð"ð€or€whatever€theyððd€called€it€beforeÏthe€Self€consortium€took€over.€"Did€any€of€your€friends€get€caught€in€ð"ð"Ìà  àChase€was€nodding.€"Yeah,€quite€a€few€died€in€Quake€II.€Or€that€is,€their€bodies€were€destroyed.€Some€peopleÏsay€that€that€was€the€turning€point€for€Frisco€ð"ð€a€lot€of€very€talented€people€who€had€gone€over€for€temporary€reliefÏcoding€found€themselves€there€permanently."Ìà  à"Stranded€forever.€My€lord,"€exhaled€George.Ìà  àChase€shrugged.€"Naw.€Most€of€them€were€OK€with€it.€These€are€coder€freaks,€remember.€They€probablyÏwould€have€stayed,€anyway."Ìà  à"You€didnððt,"€said€Nicky.Ìà  à"Yeah.€Weird,€huh?€Thatððs€why€I€went€back€ð"ð€remember€I€was€telling€you€about€the€Science€Pavilion?€JustÏfor€a€day€or€so."Ìà  à"And?"€Nicky€said.Ìà  à"Andð8ð€it€was€strange.€Being€approached€by€strangers€who€considered€me€their€friends.€Trying€to€figure€outÏif€the€ones€whose€bodies€had€died€were€different€because€of€that,€or€because€time€had€passed.€They€were€complainingÏabout€Self,€mostly,€about€the€way€that€things€had€become€more€restrictiveð8ð€but€they€were€also€complaining€about€allÏthe€newbies€and€how€watered€down€the€communities€had€gottenð8ð€I€had€three€people€tell€me€that€people€from€SanÏFrancisco€hated€the€name€Frisco.€So€it€was€hard€to€tell€if€they€were€genuinely€discontented€or€just€being€elitist."Ìà  àNicky€resisted€giving€George€a€pointed€look.€"Well,€at€least€theyððre€coders.€They€didnððt€waste€their€timeÏlearning€an€obsolete€skill€like€genetic€engineering."Ìà  à"Learningððs€never€a€waste€of€time,€even€in€a€science€most€consider€archaic,"€George€pronounced€in€a€mannerÏthat€would€have€been€irritating€had€he€not€clearly€been€under€20.€"Though€genetics€in€this€day€and€age€is€a€little€likeÏknowing€how€to€hand„letter€books€after€Gutenberg€came€along."Ìà  à"I€understand€your€little€creatures€are€actually€really€good,"€said€Chase.€"JK€was€saying€that€he€should€haveÏasked€you€to€bring€them€along€to€be,€you€know,€part€of€this."Ìà  à"òòHeóó€said€òòthat?óó"€Nicky€said,€shock€and€terror€and€delight€meeting€in€a€huge€three„way€collision€inside€her.Ð À-)8 Ðà  à"Yeah!"€Chase€said,€chuckling.€"On€our€way€in€the€car."Ìà  à"What€are€they€up€to€now?"€said€George,€leaning€forward€on€his€brolly,€looking€down€his€nose€with€an€amusedÏsmile€at€the€action€below.€The€sticks€had€turned€out€to€be€torches,€and€pretty€soon€all€the€corners€were€flickering€withÏlight.€JK€was€still€working€away€at€the€patch€in€the€middle,€and€Nicky€stared€at€his€hunched„over€figure,€the€stunnedÏfeeling€starting€to€melt.Ìà  à€She€had€never€thought€of€it€ð"ð€it€was€stupid,€really,€but€she€hadnððt€ð"ð€but€this€environment€would€be€the€perfectÏplace€for€her€flukes.€Just€running€around,€surprising€people€with€their€oddities,€impressing€the€couple€of€people€whoÏsaw€their€common€theme...€òòWow.óó€She€wanted€to€ask€Chase€what€JK€had€said,€exactly,€but€she€felt€silly€about€it.Ð f ¶  Ðà  àChase€put€his€hand€to€the€top€of€his€head,€and€then€Nicky€felt€the€first€drop.€She€heard€the€moans€and€sighsÏaround€her,€the€ruffling€and€òòsnap!óó€of€Georgeððs€umbrella€ð"ð€maybe€even€heard€his€satisfied€smile€ð"ð€and€scanned€theÐ ˜ è  Ðcrowd€for€JK.€òòHeððll€be€disappointed,€oh€well,€itððs€been€fun...óóÐ ^®  Ðà  àShe€spotted€him€in€the€flickering€torchlight,€his€big€moonface€tilted€up€to€the€rain,€those€glasses€still€bravelyÏhanging€on.€A€second€later€she€saw€why€ð"ð€all€around€the€hangar,€the€plants€were€growing.€If€they€were€coming€up€fastÏbefore,€they€were€coming€up€furious€now.€One€girl€screamed€as€a€vine€curled€up€her€leg,€but€her€friend€tore€her€free,Ïand€they€dissolved€into€a€fit€of€giggling€ð"ð€until€the€next€frisky€vine€set€off€another€scream.€Nicky€thought€it€was€theÏgirl€with€the€sheer€pants.€òòSo€much€for€that€aloof€poise...óóÐ â2 Ðà  àThe€air€was€rich€and€sweet,€and€the€ground€was€practically€covered€by€greenery.€"Weððll€have€some€problemsÏgetting€out€of€here,"€George€noted.Ìà  à"Does€that€thing€turn€into€a€weed„whacker?"€asked€Chase,€nodding€at€the€umbrella.Ìà  à"A€machete€would€be€just€the€thing,"€George€said.€Ìà  àNicky€laughed,€watched€him€make€chopping€strokes€with€far„off€eyes.€òòHeððll€bring€one€next€time,€no€doubtÐ X¨ Ðabout€it.€óóSimon€burst€into€sight,€looking€soaked€enough€for€two€people,€his€bandana€gone€and€his€hair€sticking€everyÐ n Ðway€but€down.Ìà  àHe€gave€her€the€òòcððmon€cððmonóó€gesture.Ð P   Ðà  à"What?"€she€said.€He€just€jumped€up€and€down.€She€got€up€and€excused€herself€to€Chase€and€George.€"What?"Ïshe€repeated,€but€he€grabbed€her€hand€and€pulled€her€down€the€stairs.Ìà  àDown€on€the€ground,€it€felt€like€a€forest,€mud€and€still„writhing€plant€matter€forming€a€floor.€Simon,€kickingÏwater€bottles€out€of€the€way,€took€her€around€a€few€twists€and€turns€until€they€got€to€the€patch€in€the€middle.Ìà  àJK€was€there€on€his€hands€and€knees,€smiling€ecstatically,€his€mouth€and€teeth€stained€with€crimson.€HeÏsmeared€his€red€hand€on€his€overalls.€"It€worked,€Tricky!"Ìà  àNicky€looked€around€at€other€mouths,€red€and€laughing€mouths.€òòWhat€the€fuck?Ð R$¢+ Ðà  àóóFrom€behind,€Simon€shoved€something€big€and€hairy€into€her€mouth.€Before€she€could€get€it€out,€the€juiceÐ ¾%!- Ðtrickled€down€her€throat.€òòStrawberries!€óóShe€munched€down€and€swallowed.€"Yum!"Ð „&Ô!. Ðà  àSimon€took€time€out€from€gorging€himself€to€hand€her€another€choice€one.€She€bit€off€and€spat€out€the€stemÏand€took€this€one€in€two€bites.€She€started€looking€through€the€brush€for€her€own,€saw€one€go€from€green€to€red,€andÏher€hand€reached€for€it.€Ìà  àSimon€grabbed€her€wrist.€"Too€green.€Wait,€wait,€wait,"€he€said€as€it€grew€riper€and€riper.€She€struggled€andÏelbowed€him,€and€he€let€her€go.€"OK!"Ìà  àHer€hand€shot€out€and€plucked€it,€but€before€she€put€it€in€her€mouth,€she€knew€it€had€turned€bad.€She€turnedÏand€popped€it€in€his€mouth.€He€chewed,€bravely€at€first,€and€then€reluctantly,€swallowing€with€a€titanic€effort.€"JustÐ à-0)8 Ðperfect."Ìà  àNicky€was€looking€through€the€bush,€aware€now€of€more€hands€everywhere.€òòLucky€Simon€had€tipped€me€offÐ l Ðearly.óó€He€picked€beside€her,€and€she€gave€him€a€hip€bump€and€a€smile.€She€found€another€one,€a€little€one€with€a€lovelyÐ â2 Ðtartness.€The€rain€was€coming€down€hard€now,€washing€the€juice€from€her€face€onto€her€shirt.€She€was€glad€it€was€a€pinkÏone.ÌÌAfter€being€cuffed€and€blindfolded,€Doug€drifted€off.€He€was€exhausted€and€barely€felt€his€cock€being€ridden.€But€everyÏso€often€his€nipples€would€be€pinched€or€fingers€shoved€into€his€mouth,€pulling€him€back.Ìà  à"Youððre€getting€soft,€you€worthless€shit,"€she€said.Ìà  àòòTake€it€easyóó.€"Iððm€sorry."Ð ä4  Ðà  à"Youððre€sorry,€what?"Ìà  à"Iððm€sorry,€mistress."Ìà  à"Thatððs€right,€you€snivelling€worm,"€she€said,€slapping€his€chest.Ìà  àòòOw.óó€òòFuck.€óóDoug€closed€his€eyes€under€the€blindfold€and€tried€to€figure€out€why€the€pretty€standard€taunts€feltÐ ”ä Ðlike€insults.€Theyððd€always€struck€him€as€a€little€funny€and€clich,€just€sexy€tough€talk.€It€used€to€excite€him€to€see€CherylÏget€this€aggressive,€so€different€from€her€normal€self.Ìà  àHe€could€feel€tits€sliding€up€his€body.€His€chin€was€grabbed€and€forced€up,€hard€kisses€on€his€neck,€and€theÏblindfold€got€pushed€up€a€little.€He€could€see€a€sliver,€Cheryl€sliding€down€his€body.€òòI€should€tell€her,€she€hates€it€whenÐ R¢ ÐI€watch...Ìà  àóóCheryl€flicked€at€the€head€of€his€penis€with€her€tongue,€and€Doug€moaned.€His€wife€smiled€a€little€to€herself,Ð „Ô Ðsqueezing€the€shaft€and€dragging€the€flat€of€her€tongue€slowly€over€his€hole.€Her€face€was€calm€and€peaceful,€and€forÏa€second,€Doug€was€able€to€relax€and€enjoy€it.Ìà  à"Mmm,€honey,€thatððs€awesome,"€he€said.Ìà  àShe€looked€at€him€and€noticed€that€the€blindfold€was€askew.€Annoyance€settled€on€her€face,€and€she€crawledÏover€him€to€pull€it€down,€planting€one€knee€on€his€elbow.€òòOw€ow€owóó...Ð ®þ% Ðà  àHe€heard€her€feet€hit€the€floor.Ìà  à"You€know€what€happens€to€Peeping€Toms,"€she€said.€A€drawer€opened.Ìà  à"Yes,€mistress.€They€get€punished,"€Doug€said,€his€voice€contrite.Ìà  à"Turn€over."Ìà  àDoug€did€so,€crossing€his€arms€as€he€awkwardly€flipped€over,€wincing€as€his€dick€was€flattened€to€one€side.Ð Ê&"/ ÐòòNo€need€for€you,€son.€Youððre€out€of€the€game.€óóHe€listened€to€Cheryl€rummage€through€their€toybox,€thinking€about€twoÐ 'à"0 ÐChristmases€ago€when€he€had€given€her€the€starter€kit.€At€the€staff€party,€Doug€had€been€bellyaching€about€the€shoppingÏhe€still€had€to€do€for€Cheryl,€and€Lauden€suggested€a€Japanese€brand€called€DominaTrix€Aplenty€ð"ð€good€value,Ïconsidering€how€well€built€they€were.€A€bit€of€a€clich,€Doug€supposed,€but€what€the€hell.€But€as€it€turned€out,€she€gotÏhim€òòThe€Complete€Idiotððs€Guide€to€Bottomingóó.€It€wasnððt€that€huge€a€coincidence,€he€supposed€ð"ð€S/M€was€big€that€year,Ð ¨*ø%4 Ðwith€that€movie€out€ð"ð€but€damn,€did€it€ever€make€him€look€like€the€best€husband!Ìà  àEven€though€it€was€pretty€softcore,€Doug€enjoyed€seeing€his€wife€get€into€a€good€whipping€session.€But€theÏpast€few€months€it€had€been€different.€He€was€òòfeeling€óóit€more,€somehow.€When€she€called€him€names,€he€would€thinkÐ  -ð(8 Ðabout€his€financial€bungling€and€wonder€if€those€names€werenððt€accurate.€When€he€had€been€on€top€at€the€agency,€theÏidea€of€being€treated€like€a€slave€was€funny,€even€appealing€in€its€novelty.€But€he€wasnððt€on€top€anymore.Ìà  àBy€the€sound€of€it,€Cheryl€was€strapping€on€the€Double€Header.€There€was€a€snap€and€an€òòohóó€as€she€turned€itÐ â2 Ðon€and€eased€it€inside€her€cunt.Ìà  à"No€mistress,€please€donððt€ass„fuck€me,"€Doug€begged€sincerely.€It€was€times€like€these€that€he€was€thankfulÏthat€the€toys€were€self„lubricated€ð"ð€by€the€abruptness€of€her€movements€and€her€silence,€Cheryl€was€pretty€mad.Ìà  àHe€felt€the€bed€move€as€she€got€on€and€into€position.€Then€he€felt€a€touch€on€his€back.€The€Double€HeaderÏsnapped€off.Ìà  à"What€ð"ð€whatððs€this?"€Cheryl€said€quietly,€her€voice€shaky€and€out€of€role.Ìà  à"Whatððs€what...€Cherð"ðmistress?"Ìà  àShe€was€rubbing€the€spot€on€his€back.€"Is€it€a€ð"ð€tattoo?€A€brand?€What€ð"ð€what€is€this,€Doug?"Ìà  àHearing€his€name€meant€playtime€was€over.€"I€donððt€know."Ìà  à"What€do€you€mean,€you€donððt€know?"€Her€voice€was€fraying€frantic.€"Did€you€not€think€Iððd€see€it?"Ìà  à"I€honestly€donððt€know€what€ð"ð"Ìà  à"Oh,€Doug,"€she€said,€her€voice€heavy€with€disappointment.€She€got€up€from€the€bed.€He€heard€her€removingÏthe€Double€Header.Ìà  à"Will€you€at€least€tell€me€what€it€is?"€Doug€asked.Ìà  àCheryl€made€an€annoyed€tutting€sound€as€she€left€the€bedroom.Ìà  àDoug€flipped€over€and€tried€to€pull€the€blindfold€off€with€his€thumbs.€òòToo€tight.€Shit.€What€is€that€thing€on€myÐ  Z Ðback?óó€Ð Ð   Ðà  àShe€had€said€brand.€Was€that€what€it€was?€Doug€recalled,€a€few€years€ago,€when€Cheryl€had€suggested€that€theyÏbrand€each€other€for€their€anniversary.€She€had€seen€an€episode€of€Oprah€about€it€and€thought€it€would€be€romantic.ÏDoug€hadnððt€been€so€hot€on€the€idea,€though€ð"ð€he€remembered€someone€talking€about€someone€getting€it€done€and€theÏname€being€spelled€wrong.€And,€unlike€a€tattoo,€those€things€were€permanent.Ìà  àOf€course,€he€knew€when€whatever€it€was€had€happened.€That€night€he€and€Lauden€and€that€girl€had€gone€toÏthat€party.Ìà  à"Honey?"€he€called.€òòWhat€time€was€it?óó€Maybe€she€was€putting€on€some€breakfast.€He€could€hear€voices€ð"ðÐ ,#|* ÐOlivia€was€up.€He€hoped€Cheryl€would€tell€her€not€to€come€in€ð"ð€it€wouldnððt€be€the€first€time€sheððd€seen€Daddy€trussedÏup,€but€he€didnððt€feel€up€to€a€lengthy€explanation€before€heððd€had€some€coffee.Ìà  àMaybe€he€could€call€up€Lauden€and€ask€him€what€happened.€He€remembered€that€after€theyððd€left€Coors€theyððdÏgone€to€Pilarððs€ð"ð€he€remembered€the€girl€being€impressed€with€the€food,€but€she€was€probably€easily€impressed.€SheÏhad€certainly€laughed€a€lot€at€his€jokes.€Ìà  àHis€watch€buzzed.€Cheryl€answered€it€ð"ð€another€delivery€boy.€òòGoddamn€heróó,€he€fumed.€òòBreakfast€too?!€óóButÐ )l$2 Ðthen€he€guiltily€remembered€wrestling€Lauden€for€the€bill€at€Pilarððs€and€winning,€and€then€insisting€on€buying€some€dopeÏbefore€they€went€to€the€party.€Beer€and€beauty€always€made€a€big€spender€of€him.Ìòòà  àóóAfter€the€dope,€the€evening€was€cut€up€into€tiny€clips.€Lauden,€staying€in€the€cab,€waving€goodbye€to€him€andÐ ,d'6 Ðthe€girl;€walking€down€a€road€with€her€to€the€strange€location,€telling€her€how€pretty€her€hair€was€(òòoh€god€had€he€fuckedÐ Ú,*(7 Ðher?óó);€at€the€party€itself,€standing€still€in€the€swirl€of€all€kinds€of€odds€and€sods,€watching€the€plant„mural€thing€grow,Ð  -ð(8 Ðbreathing€in€the€fumes€of€something...Ìà  àThe€bedroom€door€opened€and€shut.€He€waited€for€Cheryl€to€say€something,€but€he€just€heard€her€gettingÏdressed.€Finally,€she€said,€"Are€you€asleep?"Ìà  à"No."Ìà  à"Thatððs€a€change,"€she€said,€trying€to€sound€light€but€coming€off€as€bitter.Ìà  àDoug€heard€the€jingle€of€keys.€Ìà  à"You€know€Doug,"€Cheryl€said€as€she€unlocked€him,€each€word€distinct.€"Iððve€had€offers."€Ìà  àHis€hands€fell€and€he€let€them€fall.€òòJob€offers?€óóHe€forced€himself€to€breathe.€òòWhat€if€she€wanted€to€go€for€aÐ þ N  Ðjob€in€Frisco€now?óó€They€had€always€wanted€to€go€as€a€family,€but€Doug€knew€she€was€anxious€to€get€back€into€theÐ Ä  Ðworkforceð8ð€òòWhat€if€she€wanted€the€money€to€go€upgrade€now?óó€He€frantically€scrambled€for€an€excuse.€He€pulled€offÐ ŠÚ  Ðthe€blindfold,€squinting€in€the€bright€morning€light.€Ìà  àCheryl,€fully€dressed,€was€throwing€the€cuffs€in€the€toybox.€"Youððre€just€lucky€he€was€a€scumbag,"€she€said,Ïher€face€clumpy€with€sadness.€She€closed€the€toybox€and€pushed€it€out€of€sight.€Ìà  àòòOh.€óóThatòò€kind€of€offer.€óóHe€watched€her€face,€didnððt€know€what€to€say.€He€sighed€again.Ð î> Ðà  à"Oh,€stop€that€shit,"€Cheryl€said,€leaving€the€room.€Ìà  àHe€got€up,€absently€rubbing€his€raw€wrists,€and€padded€to€the€washroom.€He€turned€around€and€looked€at€hisÏback€to€see€what€all€the€fuss€was€about,€having€to€go€on€tippytoe€to€do€so.Ìà  àIt€was€a€small€circle€with€a€lower„case€"i"€in€it.€It€took€Doug€a€few€seconds€to€place€it€as€the€Infiltrators€tag.ÏHe€rubbed€it€ð"ð€it€was€a€tattoo,€more€than€likely€flashed€on€when€he€was€out€of€it€at€the€party.Ìà  àHe€lifted€the€lid€and€took€a€piss.€He€tried€to€piece€together€his€memories€of€the€party,€but€all€he€had€wasÏfragments.€He€could€picture€the€building€it€was€in€ð"ð€the€roof€was€mostly€destroyed€and€you€could€see€some€stars.€TheÏfloor€was€covered€with€dirt€theyððd€brought€in,€either€that€or€theyððd€removed€the€floor.Ìà  àThere€was€a€kind€of€music€too,€but€he€couldnððt€remember€where€it€had€come€from,€whether€there€were€peopleÏmaking€it€or€what...€and€the€fumes,€the€smoke,€it€was€everywhere€but€it€didnððt€sting€or€choke€ð"ð€just€the€opposite,€it€madeÏhis€lungs€feel€infinite,€like€he€could€breathe€this€cold,€delicious€air€forever.Ìà  àAs€the€water€swirled€around€down€the€bowl,€he€remembered€the€plant„mural.€How€you€could€only€see€it€fromÏa€distance,€how€it€didnððt€make€sense€close€up.€You€had€to€go€to€a€ledge€far€above,€and€then€you€could€see€the€spirallingÏdesign.Ìà  àHe€had€the€thought€that€maybe,€if€he€found€a€ledge€high€enough,€he€could€see€the€patterns€in€his€life.ÌÌDoug€stepped€briskly€through€the€mall,€trying€not€to€drag€Olivia.€"Cððmon,€kid,"€he€said,€"We€have€to€meet€Mom€in€anÏhour."Ìà  à"Thatððs€lots€of€time,"€Olivia€sulked,€trying€to€stop€at€a€window€displaying€the€latest€boy€band,€dressed€inÏchecks.€One€of€the€members€was€mooning€the€audience€with€his€tongue€sticking€out,€and€Doug€frowned.€òòCharming,€óóheÐ â)2%3 Ðthought,€realizing€that€his€parental€irritation€meant€the€agency€who€put€Pole€Position€together€had€done€its€job€well.Ìà  à"Thereððll€be€time€for€window€shopping€after€Daddy€does€what€he€has€to€do,"€he€blithely€promised.€He€scannedÏthe€store€names,€saw€one€that€looked€promising:€Brand€XXX.Ð Ú,*(7 Ðà  àHe€paused€at€the€display,€promising€Branding,€Skin€Work,€Muscling,€Bod€Mods€of€All€Kinds,€and€after€a€fewÏseconds€a€tall€blonde€dressed€in€a€housecoat€walked€into€the€display.€"Hi€there,"€the€hologram€said€untying€her€belt,€"IÏjust€got€some€work€done€at€Brand€XXX€that€Iððm€just€dying€to€show€you..."Ìà  àThey€walked€on.€It€didnððt€specifically€list€what€he€needed,€and€it€looked€like€it€was€going€to€raise€all€kinds€ofÏquestions€in€Oliviaððs€nine„year„old€mind.€A€second€later:€"Daddy?"€she€said.€Ìà  à"Yes€Oliveoil?"€he€said,€wishing€they€hadnððt€stopped.Ìà  à"When€are€we€going€to€Frisco?"Ìà  à"Why€do€you€ask?"€he€said,€trying€to€keep€the€edge€from€his€voice,€wishing€it€had€been€an€innocent€questionÏabout€sex.€He€led€them€onto€an€escalator.€òòCome€on,€itððs€here€somewhere...óóÐ x È  Ðà  à"ððCause€Savana€ð"ð€the€new€kid€ð"ð€left€a€few€days€ago.€Sheððs€so€lucky.€My€school€is€so€crappy."Ìà  àòòCrappy€is€all€I€can€afford,€my€sweet€little€girlóó,€he€thought.€The€escalator€moved€slowly,€but€Doug€didnððt€haveÐ P   Ðthe€energy€to€walk.€Avoiding€Oliviaððs€eyes,€he€noticed€the€store€he€was€looking€for.Ìà  à"There€it€is,"€Doug€said,€pointing.€Ìà  àOlivia€turned€her€head.€"Where?"Ìà  àThe€window€display€at€Dr.€Bodmodz€was€comparatively€austere,€more€like€a€hospital€than€a€brothel.€Inside,Ïnot€much€had€changed€since€heððd€been€here€with€friends€ð"ð€probably€20€years€ago,€he€realized€with€a€start.€òòJesus.óóÐ  p Ðà  àThe€counterperson€leaned€against€the€entrance€door€frame,€a€lady€in€her€late€sixties€with€a€conservative€brushÏcut.€Doug€was€glad€ð"ð€he€always€felt€silly€discussing€these€things€with€someone€younger€than€himself.Ìà  à"Uh,€hi,"€he€said€to€the€lady.€Her€eyes€were€solid€black,€but€she€had€a€welcoming€smile.€"Iððd€like€to€get€a€tattooÏremoved."Ìà  àShe€nodded,€and€Doug€appreciated€her€professional€manner€ð"ð€no€sarcasm€here.€"You€can€use€booth€one.€AndÏfor€the€little€lady?"Ìà  àOlivia€giggled€at€that€but€was€too€shy€to€talk€to€the€woman.€"Daddy,€can€I€get€a€tattoo?"€she€whispered.Ìà  à"Sure,€honey,"€he€said,€glad€she€would€be€occupied.€Before€he€entered€the€booth,€he€looked€back€at€her€gleefulÏface,€"But€no€implants!"Ìà  àShe€shook€her€head,€blond€curls€bouncing.€The€lady€was€showing€her€how€to€choose€a€design.€Ìà  àDoug€closed€and€locked€the€booth.€A€round€little€cartoon€fellow€in€a€smock€flickered€on.€"Hi€there!€Iððm€DoctorÏð"ð"Ìà  à"Remove€tattoo,"€Doug€said,€to€see€if€he€could€skip€the€intro.€The€cartoon€chirped,€"No€problem!€Please€exposeÏthe€tattooed€area."€Doug€did€so.Ìà  àA€beam€of€light€quickly€scanned€his€body€and€threw€up€an€enlarged€image€of€the€tattoo.€òòMan,€I€wish€LaudenÐ 'à"0 Ðhad€come€to€the€party,€I€could€ask€him€what€happened.Ìà  àóó"The€diagnosis:€to€treat€this€tattoo,€it€will€cost€you€$130.54€and€take€less€than€a€second.€You€should€know€thatÐ Â)%3 Ðthe€tattoo€is€not€actually€removed.€The€area€is€flashed€the€same€colour€as€the€surrounding€skin.€Do€you€want€theÏoperation?"Ìà  àòòI€must€have€been€babbling€about€my€Infiltrator€assignment,€óóDoug€thought.€òòAnd€some€kid€thought€it€would€beÐ º, (7 Ðfunny€to€tag€me€with€a€circle€i.€Yeah,óó€he€thought,€squinting€at€the€enlarged€image,€òòitððs€even€smudgy...€did€it€with€one€ofÐ €-Ð(8 Ðthose€cheap€handhelds.óóÐ ° Ðà  àJust€as€he€was€starting€to€feel€better,€he€noticed€that€the€smudging€was€strangely€regular.€"Enlarge€image€toÏ500%,"€he€said.Ìà  àThe€image€took€up€most€of€the€wall€of€the€booth€now,€and€it€was€clearly€made€up€of€numbers€and€letters,€soÏdensely€packed€that€they€resembled€a€solid€image.€òòHoly€shit,€what€the€fuck€is€this?óóÐ  d Ðà  àHe€stood€there€for€a€second.Ìà  àThe€cartoon€doctor€started€tapping€its€foot.€"Well?"Ìà  àStruck€by€inspiration,€he€used€his€watch€to€scan€in€the€image.Ìà  àHis€watch€said.€"This€image€appears€to€be€an€encrypted€file.€Decrypting..."Ìà  à"I€have€other€patients€you€know,"€fumed€the€doctor,€"And€frankly,€Iððm€losing€my€patience€with€ð"ð"Ìà  à"OK,"€Doug€said.Ìà  àThe€tattoo€was€flashed€away.Ìà  à"Decryption€complete.€Connecting..."Ìà  àòòConnecting?!€To€what?Ð à0 Ðà  àóóHis€watch€projected€an€office€onto€his€retina.€There€was€a€man€at€the€desk,€a€man€with€features€that€wereÐ Lœ Ðblurred€and€shifting.Ìòòà  àóó"Hello€Doug,"€he€said,€looking€up€from€something.€"Iððm€glad€you€got€in€touch."Ð ~Î Ðà  à"Disconnect,"€Doug€said€in€a€panic.Ìà  àThe€silence€in€the€booth€was€sudden€and€complete.€The€doctor€cartoon€was€gone.€He€waited€for€a€second€forÏhis€watch€to€bleep,€but€it€didnððt.€òòWho€the€fuck€was€that?óóÐ l" Ðà  àHe€put€his€clothes€back€on€and€opened€the€door.€"Remember€to€pay€the€nurse€at€the€door!"€the€cartoon€doctorððsÏvoice€called€after€him.Ìà  àThe€nurse€looked€up€when€he€shut€the€door€behind€him.€"Everything€all€right?"€she€asked,€looking€concernedÏat€his€stricken€look.Ìà  à"Iððm€ð"ð€everythingððs€fine,"€he€said.Ìà  àOlivia€turned€around€and€beamed€at€him.€She€had€a€vivid€long„lashed€third€eye€tattooed€on€her€forehead.€"IsnððtÏit€pretty?€Just€like€Ultragirl€Supreme!"Ìà  à"Very€pretty,€darling,"€he€said€with€a€fatigued€smile.Ìà  àThe€counterperson€had€punched€up€the€total.€Doug€touched€his€watch€to€the€payplate,€already€tasting€the€BigÏMacs€heððd€be€eating€every€day€next€week.Ìà  à"Thanks€for€coming€to€Dr.€Bodmodz€ð"ð€the€funnest€surgery€in€town,"€she€said.Ìà  àThey€walked€out€of€the€store€and€took€their€time€getting€back€to€the€meeting€point.€Naturally€the€newest€PoleÏPosition€album€(òòWhat€Position€Would€You€Like€Mi€Pole?óó)€was€purchased€along€the€way.€They€were€a€few€minutes€late,Ð Z,ª'7 Ðbut€Cheryl€was€still€shopping.€He€scanned€the€thin€crowd€for€her,€imagining€every€additional€minute€draining€moneyÏfrom€his€account.Ð æ-6)9 Ðà  à"Ooh,€Iððm€just€a€dirty€grease€monkee,"€Olivia€was€quietly€singing€along€to€her€watch.€"Ooh,€if€you€look€at€myÏbum€you€can€see,"€she€said.€"Wanna€hear,€Daddy?"Ìà  à"No€baby,"€he€said€distractedly,€leaning€against€the€railing.€Downstairs€in€the€lower€level€there€was€a€bit€of€aÏcommotion.€Mall€security€was€trying€to€herd€someone€out€the€door,€a€young€flashily€dressed€woman.€She€was€yellingÏsomething,€and€Doug€strained€to€hear€what€she€was€saying.Ìà  à"You€canððt€control€me!"€she€was€saying,€her€lipsticked€lips€twisting€with€rage.€The€security€guard€held€up€aÏplacating€hand,€the€other€hand€on€his€gun.€"No,€fuck€you!€Iððm€not€leaving€ððtil€I€get€what€I€want!"Ìà  àThe€security€guard,€a€smile€on€his€face,€stepped€towards€her€with€his€hand€still€outstretched.€She€grabbed€hisÏwrist€and,€with€a€scream,€twisted€it€around€until€she€had€him€in€a€headlock.€Suddenly,€she€had€the€other€guard€coveredÏwith€a€gun€that€looked€absurdly€big€in€her€hand.€She€frantically€waved€it€around,€sending€the€mall€patrons€scattering.Ìà  àDoug€grabbed€Olivia€and€yanked€her€away€from€the€rail.Ìà  àThe€woman€hit€the€guard€she€had€in€a€headlock€with€the€butt€of€her€gun,€and€he€stopped€struggling.€The€otherÏguard€lifted€his€hands,€his€eyes€wide€in€shock.€"I€want€it€for€free!"€she€screamed€at€him.Ìà  àDoug€sighed€and€let€go€of€Olivia,€feeling€silly.€Olivia€scampered€back€to€the€rail€and€watched.Ìà  àThe€guard€shook€his€head,€and€the€woman€shot€him€in€the€eye.€His€body€folded€like€a€house€of€cards.€His€headÏhit€the€ground€with€a€wet€òòsplick!€óóand€blood€seeped€around€his€head.€It€looked,€from€Dougððs€top„down€angle,€like€a€redÐ Ô$ Ðhalo.Ìà  àThe€woman,€kicking€the€gibbering€heap€at€her€feet,€walked€towards€the€exit.€"You€fucking€sheep!"€she€yelledÏat€the€mall€patrons,€flicking€the€laser€sight€across€their€huddling€mass.€"You€do€whatever€they€tell€you!"Ìà  àThe€other€security€guard€had€pulled€himself€together€and€was€rising€to€a€crouching€position,€sliding€his€gunÏout€with€excruciatingly€slow€caution€while€the€woman€harangued€the€crowd.Ìà  à"You€pay€whatever€they€tell€you€to€pay.€Well,€fuck€that€ð"ð"€she€took€a€second€to€whip€around€and€shoot€theÏguard,€who€fell€to€the€ground€with€a€gaping€throat€wound.€"Free€yourself!"€she€yelled,€shooting€her€gun€into€the€air,€oneÏshot€for€every€word:€"Free€ð"ð€Your€ð"ð€Self!"Ìà  àEach€of€the€three€shots€loosed€a€silver€banner€that€unfurled€from€the€domed€ceiling€of€the€mall.€The€bannersÏsaid:€Self€Silver€Package€ð"ð€Now€Free!€ð"ð€Restrictions€Apply.Ìà  àThe€woman€had€disappeared,€and€the€crowd€had€mostly€dissolved,€but€there€was€a€healthy€buzz€in€her€wake.ÏPeople€were€pointing€up€at€the€banners€and€smiling€ð"ð€whether€because€of€the€surprising€new€offer€or€because€they€wereÏproof€that€the€whole€thing€had€been€a€performance,€it€was€hard€to€tell.Ìà  à"Why€are€they€still€lying€there,€Daddy?"€Olivia€said,€her€voice€annoyed.Ìà  àHe€looked€over€the€railing€at€the€two€guards,€who€really€were€rather€convincingly€dead.€He€entertained€theÏdisturbing€thought€that€theyððd€decided€to€take€the€rubbernecking€marketing€strategy€to€a€new€extreme,€but€didnððt€voiceÏthat.€"I€think€itððs€to€keep€your€attention,"€he€said.€òòTheyððd€probably€have€a€whole€second€scene€with€bodybags€or€zombiesÐ „&Ô!. Ðor€mourning€widows.óó€Ð J'š"/ Ðà  àMainly,€though,€he€was€mulling€over€the€offer.€òòSilver€wasnððt€so€badóó.€It€didnððt€have€any€of€the€frills,€but€itÐ ¶($1 Ðwasnððt€the€equivalent€of€plastic€clothes€that€bronze€was.€It€had€a€kind€of€dignity,€and€maybe€after€a€few€years€they€couldÏwork€their€way€up€to€a€gold...Ìà  à"Olivia,€what€the€ð"ð"€Cheryl€exclaimed.€Her€arms€were€full€of€packages€from€Gap€Sports€and€Safeway.Ìà  à"Iððm€Ultragirl€Supreme!"€piped€Olivia.€She€rubbed€the€temple€around€her€third€eye€with€her€fingers.€"I€predict...Ïthereððs€some€chocolate€for€me€in€that€bag!"€she€said.Ð à-0)8 Ðà  àCheryl€smiled€wanly.€"Maybe€when€we€get€back€to€the€car€ð"ð€well,€home,"€she€corrected.Ìà  àDoug€felt€a€twinge€of€guilt€ð"ð€òòwho€goes€to€the€mall€in€a€taxi?€ð"ð€óóand€sublimated€it€by€taking€some€packagesÐ l Ðfrom€her.Ìà  à"Something€in€there€for€you,"€she€said€nodding€at€one€bag€from€Victorian€Secrets.€"Itððs€an€exact€replica€of€theÏones€they€used€in€brothels€in€the€1900s."Ìà  àHe€looked€in€it€and€saw€the€handle€of€a€bullwhip.€"Yeeow,"€he€said,€waggling€his€eyebrows.€òòPeriod€sex€toys.Ð € Ð ÐCheryl€was€such€an€18ð!ð34óó.€They€started€walking€out€of€the€mall.Ð F –  Ðà  à"Any€trouble€with€your€ð"ð"€Cheryl€started.Ìà  à"No,€no,€it€was€just€a€prank€flash€job,"€Doug€said,€desperate€to€move€beyond€it.€He€couldnððt€think€about€it€now.Ï"Must€have€happened€at€the€party."Ìà  àCheryl€took€Oliviaððs€hand,€shook€her€head€as€she€looked€at€the€tattoo.€"School€pictures€next€week,€you€know."Ìà  àDoug€slapped€his€forehead.€"Oh,€damn."Ìà  àThey€got€on€the€escalator.€Doug€nodded€at€one€of€the€banners.€"Didja€see€the€ad€ð"ð"Ìà  à"Thatððs€why€I€was€late,€I€was€cowering€in€fear,"€she€said€with€a€grimace.€"Those€stupid€things€get€me€everyÏtime."Ìà  àThey€arrived€on€the€level€where€the€bodies€were€lying,€and€Cheryl€shook€her€head.€"Too€far."Ìà  àDoug€normally€would€have€pointed€out€the€teenaged€boys€hovering€around€the€bodies,€and€told€her€that€theirÏpositive€reaction€outweighed€her€slight€disapproval€ð"ð€demographically€speaking.€But€he€didnððt€want€to€talk€shop€rightÏnow.€He€wanted€to€test€the€waters.Ìà  à"Yeah,"€he€said.€"But€itððs€a€pretty€great€offer.€Iððm€tempted€to€sign€us€up."Ìà  àCherylððs€eyebrow€spiked.€"Sign€us€up?€For€silver?€Youððre€joking.€Youððre€joking,€right?"€Ìà  àDoug€smiled€bravely,€quivering€on€the€inside.€"No,€seriously,"€he€said€lightly,€"Think€of€the€money€weððd€save."ÏHe€smoothed€down€Oliviaððs€curl€as€she€listened€to€Pole€Position€and€swung€from€Cherylððs€unresponsive€hand.Ìà  à"What€happened€to€your€job€needing€you€here?!"€she€said,€an€hysterical€edge€creeping€into€her€voice.€"I€mean,Ïthe€òòmoney€weððd€saveóó?€If€we€were€in€Frisco,€I€could€be€back€in€a€job€making€money€instead€of€ð"ð"Ð ú J' Ðà  àDoug€was€laughing,€hands€in€his€pockets€and€striding€along.€His€chest€hurt€with€the€insincerity€of€the€chuckle,Ïbut€it€worked.Ìà  à"You€jerk,"€Cheryl€said,€hitting€his€arm.Ìà  à"No€wonder€those€ads€have€you€cowering,"€he€said.€"Youððre€a€sucker!"Ìà  àOlivia,€catching€only€the€end€of€it,€sang,€"You€a€sucka€mothafucka!"Ìà  àThey€all€laughed,€leaving€the€mall€and€stepping€into€a€cab€that€seemed€to€be€waiting€just€for€them.ÌÌEileen€walked€through€the€silvered€halls€of€the€space€station.€The€octagon€designs€on€the€walls€shifted€when€she€lookedÏat€them,€and€when€she€touched€them,€there€was€an€icy€feeling€that€traveled€up€her€arm.€She€wasnððt€supposed€to€be€here.Ìà  àShe€rounded€a€corner€and€started€to€hear€voices.€One€she€recognized,€one€she€didnððt.€The€one€she€didnððt€slurredÐ æ-6)9 Ða€bit.€Ìòòà  àóó"...canððt€sell€them€separately.€Itððs€a€package€deal,€Iððm€afraid."Ð l Ðà  à"Eleven€dollars€is€juss€too€esspensive,"€said€the€unknown€voice.€"The€chemical€elements€of€the€unitss€are€worthÏseven€dollars,€topsss."Ìà  àEileen€came€to€a€door€that€the€voices€seemed€to€be€coming€from€and€stood€as€still€and€as€quiet€as€she€could.Ìà  à"Well,€thereððs€more€than€the€production€costs,"€said€the€voice,€an€irritated€edge€creeping€in.€This€joggedÏEileenððs€memory€ð"ð€it€was€her€old€field€liaison,€Oscar!€òòWhat€was€he€doing€here?óó€"There€was€the€cost€of€shipping,€ofÐ ì <  Ðcollection€ð"ð€and€itððs€not€like€youððll€be€melting€them€down€for€the€chemicals."Ìà  àA€strange€little€chuckle.€"No,€we€prefer€them€whole.€It€iss€true."€A€pause.€"Nine€dollars."Ìà  àShe€leaned€closer€to€the€door.Ìòòà  àóó"Iððve€been€instructed€not€to€go€a€cent€lower€than€ten,"€he€said.€òòGood€for€you,€Oscar,€be€firm€with€ð"ð€whoeverÐ öF  Ðthat€is.óóÐ ¼  Ðà  à"But€these€are€a€discontinued€model,"€said€the€voice,€going€up€an€octave,€almost€wheedling.€"Old€stock.€YouÏdonððt€even€need€these."Ìà  àEileen€almost€held€her€breath€waiting€for€the€answer.€For€some€reason,€it€seemed€to€be€important.Ìà  àOscar€didnððt€reply.Ìà  àThere€was€a€frustrated€sound.€"Fine.€Ten€it€iss.€You€humans€are€good€salespeople."Ìà  àòòHumans?Ð žî Ðà  àóóOscar€laughed.€"We€better€be.€Our€cultureððs€been€centred€on€trade€for€centuries."Ð  Z Ðà  à"Ourss€has€been€centred€around€obtaining€food.€Thatss€the€problem.€So€hungry."Ìà  à"Talking€about€that,€do€you€want€to€open€one€up€to€celebrate€the€closing€of€the€deal?"Ìà  à"An€excellent€idea.€Thought€youððd€never€asssk.€I€am€particularly€fond€of€the€clone€flavour."Ìà  àòòOh€god€oh€god€óóthought€Eileen.€She€looked€frantically€for€a€way€to€open€the€door.€As€her€fingers€wereÐ º ' Ðscrabbling€at€the€cold€metal€she€noticed€how€young€they€were,€slight€little€sausages.€òòWhy€am€I€a€little€girl?Ð €!Ð( Ðà  àóó"Here€you€go,"€Oscar€said€in€a€jovial€way.€"A€young€boy.€Do€you€need€a€knife?"Ð ì"<* Ðà  àòòJeremy!€óóEileen€screamed€silently.€She€pounded€on€the€cold€metal€door,€but€not€even€a€sound€resulted.€Her€armsÐ X$¨, Ðwere€helpless€little„girl€arms.,€getting€icier€and€icier.Ìà  à"Not€with€such€tender€meat,€Iððll€just€use€my€ð"ð€how€do€you€say?€ð"ð€clowes?"Ìà  à"Claws,"€said€Oscar,€the€rest€of€what€he€said€drowned€out€by€a€horrible€rending€and€cracking€and€slurping.Ìà  àEileen€closed€her€eyes€so€tight,€pounded€against€the€cold€wall.€Pounded€ððtil€her€fists€were€numb,€and€sheÏrealized€that€she€was€pounding€against€the€cement€ground.Ìà  àAfter€she€awoke,€it€took€a€few€seconds€to€remember€where€she€was.€The€alcove€under€the€bridge€was€a€differentÏplace€in€the€light€of€dawn,€and€she€lay€for€a€few€seconds€on€her€side,€looking€out€on€the€water€and€listening€to€the€carsÏrush€overhead.€She€sat€up,€too€suddenly,€and€coughed€up€a€blob€of€phlegm€nearly€the€same€colour€as€the€concrete€itÏlanded€on.Ð æ-6)9 Ðà  àShe€suddenly€understood€where€her€nausea€was€coming€from.€òòA€night€of€breathing€unfiltered€air.€Disgusting.Ð ° ÐóóShe€pulled€her€head€mask€on,€and€when€she€was€fairly€sure€she€wasnððt€going€to€vomit,€sealed€it€up.€Immediately€herÐ vÆ Ðvision€sharpened,€her€breathing€cleared.Ìà  àòòWhat€an€awful,€awful€dream,óó€she€said.€She€muted€the€car€noise€and€turned€up€the€water,€letting€it€soothe€her.Ð ¨ø Ðà  àShe€wondered€why€her€brain€had€dialled€up€Oscar€in€her€dream.€She€couldnððt€really€remember€much€about€himÏother€than€his€voice€ð"ð€although€she€òòhadóó€actually€met€him€in€person.€She€couldnððt€recall€his€face,€but€he€had€an€averageÐ Ú * Ðbuild€with€hair€parted€in€the€middle,€a€little€restless€as€he€had€conducted€her€final€interview.Ìà  à"Could€you€explain€to€me,€in€your€own€words,€the€historical€reasons€for€the€unrest€currently€plaguing€theÏAfrican€regions?"Ìà  àShe€hadnððt€known€it€was€her€final€interview,€which€was€good€because€she€would€have€been€much€moreÏnervous.€These€were€tough€questions,€and€history€wasnððt€one€of€her€strengths.Ìà  à"Well,"€she€said.€The€interview€had€taken€place€in€a€very€fancy€building€that€she€hadnððt€noticed€before.€"A€lotÏof€these€countries€ð"ð€regions,"€she€corrected,€as€he€looked€up€sharply,€"Couldnððt€repay€their€loans€to€the€UCIC."€SheÏpaused,€hoping€he€wouldnððt€ask€her€what€it€stood€for€ð"ð€òòUnited€Corporate€something€something?óó€He€didnððt.€"And€someÐ üL  Ðof€them€refused€to€make€the€changes€that€were€necessary€for€streamlining€ð"ð€instead€of€handing€over€power€to€serviceÏproviders,€the€governments€hoarded€the€money.€Instead€of€paying€back€the€loans."Ìà  à"Uh€huh,"€said€Oscar.€He€had€seemed€bored,€almost,€but€like€he€expected€her€to€go€on.Ìà  àShe€suddenly€remembered€something.€"I€was€with€a€friend,€and€we€were€watching€TV€once,€and€this€reportÏcame€on€that€showed€that€a€person€in€Cuba€ð"ð€one€of€the...€regions€that€had€defaulted€ð"ð€got€free€medical€care.€SheÏstarted€crying,€because€her€dad€was€in€the€hospital,€but€they€could€only€afford€third„tier€services.€But€this€old€man€inÏCuba€had€his€own€bed,€and€people€were€smiling..."Ìà  à"How€did€you€feel€about€that,"€Oscar€asked,€suddenly€focused.Ìà  à"Well,"€Eileen€said,€wishing€she€knew€what€he€wanted€to€hear.€"It€seemed€unfair€that€they€would€use€the€moneyÏfor€that€when€they€owed€it€to€us."€She€glanced€at€him,€but€he€was€looking€at€her,€so€she€looked€away.Ìà  à"But€how€did€you€òòfeelóó,"€Oscar€repeated.Ð ¼ " Ðà  à"I€was€pretty€mad,"€Eileen€said,€reluctant€to€admit€it.€She€didnððt€like€being€angry€ð"ð€it€was€bad€enough€that€sheÏwas€half€a€woman€already,€she€didnððt€like€to€sound€like€a€man.€But€Oscar€had€nodded€and€made€a€note,€then€moved€onÏto€another€subject.Ìà  àIt€was€his€way€to€ask€a€whole€bunch€of€questions,€all€in€the€same€indifferent€tone,€although€later€you€usuallyÏrealized€that€only€one€or€two€mattered.€She€was€glad€he€was€smarter€than€her,€though,€especially€after€the€mess€inÏZimbabwe€ð"ð€his€analystððs€voice€had€been€incredibly€calming.€He€made€it€make€sense.€She€had€been€ready€to€throw€inÏthe€towel.Ìà  àOscar€seemed€a€long€way€away€now.€There€had€been€a€lot€of€talk€about€keeping€in€touch€with€the€others€in€herÏunit,€but€it€had€been€just€talk.€Now,€in€light€of€what€Paul€had€said,€she€wondered€if€the€others€had€felt€ashamed€of€whatÏthey€did.Ìà  àEileen€didnððt€know€what€to€think.€At€the€time€it€had€seemed€like€the€only€thing€to€do€ð"ð€helping€the€economyÏstabilize€would€help€everyone.€An€exciting€job,€good€pay,€and€sheððd€certainly€travelled€more€than€anyone€else€she€knew,Ïeven€if€she€couldnððt€talk€about€it.€Ìà  àAlthough€from€what€Paul€said,€it€sounded€like€he€had€been€on€the€other€side.€Well,€maybe€working€for€bothÏsides€would€mean€sheððd€helped€one€no€more€than€the€other.€òòLeave€it€to€the€big€brains€to€figure€out€the€rest.Ð ”,ä'6 Ðà  àóóShe€stood€up,€feeling€no€trace€of€wobbliness€thanks€to€the€drugs€the€suit€fed€her.€She€focused€on€the€mail€iconÐ .P)8 Ðand€blinked€twice.Ìà  à"Hello,€Eileen,"€Paulððs€voice€said.€"Iððm€going€to€be€very€busy€all€day€today,€so€Iððve€left€this€message€to€fill€youÏin€on€whatððs€going€on.€You€are€now€uplinked€via€a€baffler,€so€you€have€access€without€revealing€that€your€suitððs€inÏaction."Ìà  àA€half„dozen€icons€appeared€on€the€periphery€of€Eileenððs€vision,€tiny€stacks€of€paper€identifying€them€asÏdocuments.Ìà  à"Iððve€prepared€a€few€dossiers€for€you€to€peruse€while€you€wait.€Theyððre€pretty€much€everything€we€know€aboutÏthe€Self€technology.€The€one€thatððll€be€most€relevant€to€your€assignment€is€the€one€on€caching."Ìà  àThere€was€a€pause,€a€murmur,€and€then€Paulððs€voice€again.€"We€donððt€know€exactly€when€weððll€need€you,€soÏjust€be€ready.€Take€care."€There€was€a€click.Ìà  àEileen€nodded€to€herself,€pleased€with€how€polite€Paul€was.€She€would€rather€be€moving€now,€but€she€settledÏdown€on€the€concrete€again€and€looked€at€the€documents.€Sheððd€never€been€given€this€much€information€before,€andÏit€both€flattered€and€worried€her.€òòWhat€did€he€expect€from€her?Ð 6†  Ðà  àóóSelf€Ownership€ð"ð€Covert€and€Public,€Self€Process€ð"ð€Long€Term€Effects,€Self€Caching€ð"ð€Theories€and€Data,Ð ¢ò  ÐSelf€Weaknesses€ð"ð€System€Flaws...€Eileen€opened€up€the€Caching€one,€as€Paul€had€suggested.Ìà  àòòThe€artificial€intelligence€used€to€create€the€operations€of€Self€and€the€running€of€Frisco€is€the€only€"entity"Ð Ô$ Ðthat€knows€how€the€bodies€of€their€clients€reach€the€cache€or€where€the€cache€is.€This€extreme€secrecy€is€necessary,Ïrepresentatives€of€the€Self€consortium€claim,€to€prevent€vulnerability€to€attacks€or€hostage€taking.€Despite€the€lack€ofÏdata,€common€sense€points€to€a€few€likely€possibilities€as€to€where€the€post„transfer€bodies€are€stored:Ìà  à1.€Nowhere€[Destroyed]Ìà  à2.€Deep€SeaÌà  à3.€Orbital€StationÌà  à4.€Foreign€RegionsÌà  à5.€UndergroundóóÐ B’# Ðà  àEileen€sighed.€All€of€them€sounded€likely€to€her.€She€wished€Jeremy€were€here€ð"ð€he€had€the€cleverness€of€herÏbrother€Leo€in€him.€She€remembered€the€time€theyððd€been€at€the€park,€when€Jeremy€couldnððt€have€been€more€than€nine.ÏTheyððd€just€set€up€their€spot€ð"ð€put€a€big€umbrella€down€and€were€about€to€get€started€on€their€picnic€ð"ð€when€a€bigÏsilver€toy€tank€rolled€up€to€them.Ìà  àAt€first,€Eileen€had€been€amused€and€pointed€it€out€to€Jeremy.€Jeremy€looked€at€it€briefly€and€then€lookedÏaround.€Then€the€tankððs€cannon€had€spurted€red€goopy€streams€at€them.Ìà  àEileen€had€leapt€to€her€feet,€trying€desperately€to€remember€from€her€training€what€colour€napalm€was.€ThenÏshe€heard€the€laughter,€saw€the€little€brats,€one€of€whom€held€up€his€fist€and€yelled,€"Humans€one,€clones€zero!"Ìà  àShe€had€looked€at€Jeremy,€and€heððd€said,€"Kids€from€school."€But€he€was€focused€on€the€tank,€tappingÏsomething€into€his€watch.€Eileen€thought€he€was€in€shock,€and€patted€his€head€and€cooed€something€meaningless.Ìà  àMost€of€the€red€goo€had€hit€the€picnic€basket€but€none€had€got€in,€so€Eileen€opened€it€up€and€got€out€theÏsandwiches€and€drink„boxes.€She€opened€one€up€and€tried€to€hand€it€to€Jeremy,€but€he€was€still€tapping€on€his€watchÏð"ð€smiling€now,€though.Ìà  àEileen€followed€his€gaze€just€in€time€to€see€the€remote„controlled€tank€dip€over€the€curb€and€into€traffic.€TheÏkid€who€had€yelled€at€them€flinched€as€his€toy€was€crunched€by€a€truck.€Jeremy€took€the€drink„box€from€Eileenððs€stunnedÐ À-)8 Ðhand.Ìà  àShe€watched€the€little€boy€suck€away€innocently€and€was€doubly€impressed€ð"ð€heððd€not€only€achieved€his€goal,Ïbut€he€didnððt€need€to€crow€about€it.€He€had€settled€the€score€ð"ð€clones€one,€humans€one€ð"ð€and€that€was€the€end€of€that.Ìà  àThe€sun€was€now€high€in€the€sky.€The€shaded€area€was€shrinking,€the€line€of€sun€having€crept€undetectablyÏtowards€her.€She€was€struck€with€the€compulsion€to€get€out€and€about€ð"ð€just€sitting€here,€reminiscing,€was€driving€herÏcrazy.€But€she€didnððt€want€to€risk€it€in€daylight.Ìà  àPositioning€herself€as€far€away€as€possible€from€the€line€of€sunlight,€she€sat€cross„legged€and€told€her€suit€toÏslow€her€metabolism€down€to€the€minimum€but€to€alert€her€if€any€messages€came€through.Ìà  àThe€light€around€her€flickered€and€became€murky,€but€the€only€indication€that€anything€was€happening€was€thatÏthe€line€of€sun€was€now€noticeably€sliding€towards€her.€Her€suit€kept€a€digital€clock€in€the€bottom€right€corner€of€herÏvision,€the€minutes€ticking€off€like€seconds.Ìà  àIt€was€too€bad€that€slowing€down€time€didnððt€make€you€younger.€Not€that€she€cared€about€being€old€ð"ðÏcompared€to€Mary,€she€had€adjusted€to€being€a€crone€with€no€effort€at€all.Ìà  à"I€canððt€believe€those€bastards€didnððt€warn€us,"€Mary€had€said€one€day€after€debriefing,€nose€almost€touchingÏthe€mirror€as€she€looked€at€her€crowððs€feet.€They€were€the€last€ones€in€the€locker€room.Ìà  àThe€last€few€missions€had€required€a€lot€of€speed,€and€the€accelerated€metabolism€had€taken€its€toll.€Eileen€hadÏshrugged,€sealing€her€locker€and€punching€in€her€code.€"The€contract€said€something,€didnððt€it?"€Ìà  àMary€snorted,€grabbed€at€her€makeup€kit.€"ððUnknown€effects€of€the€experimental€technology,ðð€you€mean?"€SheÏtook€out€her€flattener€and€turned€it€on.€"They€made€it€sound€like€cancer€or€something.€Not€òòthisóó!"Ð Ì Ðà  àShe€slid€the€flattener€back€and€forth,€roughly.€"I€mean,€with€cancer€they€just€put€you€under€and€scoop€it€out.ÏIððve€had€it€twice.€But€these€wrinkles€ð"ð€god!"Ìà  àEileen€didnððt€say€anything.€She€felt,€in€a€strange€way,€relieved€by€the€old€womanððs€face€that€stared€back€fromÏthe€mirror.€She€watched€Mary€root€through€her€makeup€kit€and€was€glad€that€she€wouldnððt€have€to€bother€with€all€thoseÏthings€any€more.€It€meant€that€her€spinsterhood€wasnððt€so€noticeable,€so€pitiable€ð"ð€to€a€person€on€the€street,€she€mightÏhave€been€a€widow.Ìà  à"What€are€you€smiling€at?"€Mary€snapped,€patting€on€rouge€like€she€was€banging€out€a€carpet.Ìà  à"You,"€Eileen€said.€"Youððre€still€beautiful,€and€you€still€complain."Ìà  à"Hmph!"€she€retorted,€placated.Ìà  àAnd,€it€turned€out,€wrinkles€or€no,€she€was€married€a€year€after€she€left.€Mary€always€got€what€she€wanted,€andÏshe€was€never€satisfied.Ìà  àAfter€the€sun€plopped€into€the€water,€Eileen€told€her€suit€to€speed€her€up.€Her€clock€slowed€down,€but€beforeÏshe€could€start€to€venture€out€from€her€hole€the€suit€gave€her€an€error€message.€"Recalibration€in€progress..."Ìà  àIt€òòhad€óóbeen€a€long€time€since€sheððd€been€in€the€suit;€sheððd€entirely€forgotten€the€five„minute€rule,€one€of€theÐ Ð' #0 Ðbasics.€She€sighed€and€sat€down€again,€uplinking€to€òòMy€Newsóó€to€kill€some€time.€Ð –(æ#1 Ðà  àA€huge„bosomed€girl€of€18€or€so€appeared€and€spoke€directly€to€Eileen.€"The€Self€silver€package€is€now€free!"Ïthe€spokesgirl€said€with€an€excited€lilt€in€her€voice.€"Self€has€decided€to€make€their€popular€package€available€toÏeveryone€who€wants€it,€regardless€of€income,"€the€spokesgirl€hugged€herself€in€an€ecstatic€gesture€that€nearly€made€herÏbreasts€pop€out€of€her€t„shirt.€"The€silver€package€includes€all€the€basics€of€the€bronze€package,€plus!"€The€spokesgirlÏticked€off€the€features.€"ð8ðA€choice€from€nearly€50,000€personal€appearancesð8ð€a€dozen€free€teleports€per€dayð8ð€freeÏreality„adjustment€counsellingð8ð€and€much€more!"€she€breathed.Ð à-0)8 Ðà  àTwo€choices€appeared€for€Eileen:€SEE€STACY€TOUCH€HERSELF€and€GO€FOR€SELF.Ìà  àEileen€disconnected,€flustered.€Ìà  àStacy€winked€at€her.€"Brian,€before€you€go€ð"ð€if€you€go€for€Self€now€you€get€a€free€private€chat€session€withÏme.€I€love€Texansð8ð"€Eileen€disconnected€again,€this€time€successfully.€She€was€a€little€confused€at€how€òòforwardóó€theÐ Nž Ðnewswire€had€become€since€she€had€last€uplinked.€òòHadnððt€the€spokesperson€been€an€older€gentleman?€A€sophisticatedÐ  d Ðman€with€a€spark€in€his€eye,€quite€attractiveð8ð€óóShe€opened€My€Profile.€òòAh€ha!óó€she€thought.€The€baffler€that€Paul€hadÐ Ú * Ðset€up€to€hide€her€identity€had€identified€her€as€Brian,€an€18„year„old€Texan€male.Ìà  àIt€was€quite€dark€now,€and€the€suit€had€completed€its€recalibration,€so€she€made€her€way€onto€the€bridge€proper,Ïgiving€her€humble€refuge€a€final€look.€The€headlights€whisking€by€slowed€to€a€leisurely€pace€as€her€suit€revved€up.Ìà  àShe€headed€into€the€city,€such€a€different€place€than€it€had€been€when€she€was€a€child.€As€she€sped€down€theÏhill,€she€reflected€that€only€the€geography€remained€unchanged,€only€the€hills€and€the€mountains.€South€to€Hastings,Ïdodging€the€piles€of€human€waste€that€festered€there.€It€was€hard€not€to€hate€them,€although€she€tried€ð"ð€they€were€theÏsymbols€of€failure,€the€thin€thin€line€between€brilliant€speculators€and€reckless€idiots.€She€stopped€at€the€foot€of€one€ofÏthem,€a€woman€of€about€forty,€wondering€what€market€crash€had€left€her€penniless€and€friendless.Ìà  àThe€heap,€cocooned€in€plastics,€opened€her€eyes€and€looked€at€Eileen.€"Mom?"€she€mumbled.€"Too€early€forÏschool."€Her€eyes€closed€again.€òòAlways€been€lazy,€I€guessóó,€Eileen€thought.€She€looked€at€the€littered€street€and€the€vacantÐ ˆØ Ðstorefronts,€even€the€smashed€glass€was€dusty€and€old€ð"ð€this€street€had€gone€from€being€skid€row€to€a€trendy€loft€stripÏback€to€skid€row€again.Ìà  àShe€ran€away,€towards€the€east,€amazed€at€how€much€of€the€city€she€hadnððt€seen€for€the€last€decade.€She€startedÏfor€the€house€she€lived€in€as€a€teen€on€Commercial€Drive€but,€on€a€whim,€veered€into€an€alley€when€she€spotted€a€fireÏescape.€She€climbed€up€to€the€pebble„encrusted€roof€and€freeze„framed€the€security€camera€she€found€there.€She€walkedÏto€the€edge€and€looked€down€on€a€valley€that€used€to€be€choked€with€green€until€developers€had€segmented€it€off€andÏfilled€it€with€houses,€houses€now€boarded€up€and€locked€down.Ìà  àThere€was€green,€though,€in€another€direction,€in€the€distance.€She€zoomed€in€on€the€old€train€yard.€There€wereÏhealthy€patches€of€flora€along€the€ground,€vines€curling€up€the€sides€of€the€rotted€boxcars.€That€was€strange.€Ìà  àShe€sat€on€the€edge€of€the€roof,€letting€her€black€legs€hang€over€the€S€of€Safeway.€It€reminded€her€of€how,€whenÏshe€was€young,€her€aunt€had€drawn€lines€over€the€S€to€make€it€look€like€a€dollar€sign.€Something€to€do€with€the€companyÏbuying€up€the€fruit€markets€along€the€Drive.€She€hadnððt€thought€of€Aunt€Marcie€in€years.€She€had€gone€to€fight€in€SouthÏAmerica€and€had€never€come€back,€just€like€so€many€people€lost€in€the€shuffle€of€the€tumultuous€ðð20s.€Marcie€had€neverÏbeen€a€family€favourite,€anyway.Ìà  àEileen€stood€up€and€wandered€around€the€rooftop€fitfully.€òòAll€dressed€up€and€no€place€to€go.€óóSince€giving€itÐ º! ' Ðup,€she€would€often€fantasize€about€being€back€in€the€suit.€Rude€clerks,€bullies€at€Jeremyððs€school,€that€fat€guy€in€herÏneighbourhood€who€refused€to€clean€up€after€his€dog€ð"ð€they€cowered€and€repented€in€her€mindððs€eye€when€faced€withÏblacksuited€Eileen.Ìà  àShe€fluttered€out€her€knives€on€the€pebble„topped€roof€and€lunged,€swooped,€twisted,€pulled€ð"ð€imaginedÏintestines€dragged€after€her€like€a€ribbon.€òòWhoððs€intestines,€Eileen?óó€a€voice€inside€her€asked.€òòIf€itððs€an€AI€running€theÐ >&Ž!- Ðshow,€thereððre€no€targets.€Whatððs€a€mission€without€targets?óóÐ 'T". Ðà  àEileen€stood€there,€flicking€her€knives.€Doing€nothing€but€thinking€was€tiring€her€out.€Feeling€like€a€uselessÏold€woman,€she€lay€down€on€the€tar€and€pebble€bed€and€asked€her€suit€to€sedate€her.ÌÌNicky€awoke€to€the€sound€of€the€shower.€"Oh€shit!"€she€blurted,€still€so€sleepy€that€raising€her€head€was€an€effort.€SheÏlooked€over€at€Simon,€who€was€totally€asleep,€his€mouth€slightly€agape.€òòHe€wouldnððt€know.Ð Ô,$(6 Ðà  àóóShe€sat€up,€pulling€the€sheet€up€with€her.€"How€much€time€do€I€have€left€in€my€water€account?"Ð ° Ðà  à"You€have€five€minutes,€20€seconds,"€her€watch€chirped€back.Ìà  àShe€got€up€and€pulled€on€her€housecoat,€looked€back€at€Simon.€One€full€leg€had€kicked€free€of€the€sheet.Ìà  àWhen€she€figured€20€seconds€had€past,€she€knocked€on€the€door.€When€she€didnððt€get€a€response,€she€figuredÏsheððd€go€in€rather€than€wake€Simon.Ìà  àAndre€was€mostly€covered€by€the€shower€curtain€but€seemed€alarmed€anyway.Ìà  à€"Iððve€only€got€five€more€minutes€of€water€for€the€day,€OK?"€she€said€in€a€conversational€tone.Ìà  à"Oh€shit,"€he€said,€turning€off€the€water€immediately.€"I€didnððt€know€it€was€on€a€timer.€Sorry."Ìà  à"SððOK,"€Nicky€said,€leaving€the€bathroom€and€closing€the€door.Ìà  àSimon€was€awake,€staring€at€her€through€slitted€eyes.€"Good€morning."Ìà  àShe€sat€on€the€edge€of€the€bed,€keeping€her€housecoat€on.€òòWonder€where€my€clothes€are€in€this€mess?óóÐ B’  Ðà  à"What€were€you€doing€in€ð"ð"€he€nodded€towards€the€bathroom.Ìà  à"The€showerððs€timed.€He€didnððt€know."Ìà  à"Ah,"€said€Simon,€touching€the€back€of€her€housecoat.€"Well,€you€shouldnððt€have€to€put€up€with€that."€He€threwÏoff€the€blankets€and€put€on€his€pants,€yanking€them€on€over€his€bare€butt.€Ìà  à"It€sucks.€I€understood€it€during€the€density€crisis,€but€now..."€she€said.Ìà  àHe€was€pulling€on€his€t„shirt€as€he€walked€out€the€door.Ìà  àNicky€was€too€sleep„logged€to€manage€anything€but€a€quiet€"bye."€Andre€emerged€from€the€shower€fullyÏclothed,€only€a€slight€glint€in€his€hair€to€show€heððd€ever€been€wet.€She€got€up€and€swished€by€him€into€the€bathroom,Ïcut€off€his€apologies€with€the€click€of€the€door€behind€her.Ìà  àShe€stepped€into€the€shower€and€angled€the€head€away€as€she€got€the€temperature€right,€breathing€in€the€steam.ÏWhen€the€water€rose€past€her€toe,€she€scrabbled€her€finger€around€the€drain€until€she€dredged€enough€of€her€hair€out€forÏthe€water€to€escape.€She€looked€at€the€clump,€realized€that€she€wouldnððt€have€been€able€to€tell€if€Andreððs€short€curls€wereÏentwined€somewhere,€and€leaned€out€to€drop€the€clump€into€the€garbage€can.Ìà  àShe€washed€her€nether€regions€first,€slightly€sticky€with€last€nightððs€misadventures.€Her€hungover€brain€wasÏgetting€flashes:€she€had€let€them€do€what€they€wanted€ð"ð€and€they€had€wanted€a€lot,€as€hungry€as€she€was€for€the€friction,Ïthis€way,€that€way,€up€and€in,€out€and€down;€when€Andre€had€come,€she€pulled€his€head€down€on€her€pussy€and€pointedÏSimonððs€aching€cock€at€his€palððs€ass.€òòIt€was€so€cute€how€boys€always€pretended€it€was€the€first€time...óóÐ ˜$è, Ðà  àThe€squirt€of€the€KY„Pro,€Simonððs€averted€eyes€and€careful€strokes,€Andreððs€hot€quickening€breaths€on€herÏrawness,€òòfuck.€That€was€hot.€óóShe€soaped€her€body€leisurely,€a€smile€on€her€lips.€She€remembered€about€the€timer€justÐ Ê&"/ Ðin€time€to€get€shampoo€lathered€into€her€hair.€òòClick.óóÐ 'à"0 Ðà  àNicky€stood€looking€at€the€showerhead,€blinking€soap€out€of€her€eyes.€"Fuck,"€she€moaned,€looking€at€theÏmound€of€lather€on€her€hands.€She€was€trying€to€decide€if€she€should€get€a€pail€of€water€from€the€sink,€or€just€shove€herÏhead€under€the€faucet,€when€the€water€clicked€back€on.Ìà  àShe€quickly€finished€washing€her€hair€and€enjoyed€another€few€minutes€before€she€turned€it€off.€She€towelledÏoff€and€left€the€bathroom€door€open€to€let€the€steam€dissipate.Ð º, (7 Ðà  àAlone€in€her€room,€she€looked€through€her€drawers€for€something€to€wear.€Not€quite€shorts€weather,€so€afterÏa€pair€of€unremarkable€panties€ð"ð€she€fought€and€won€the€battle€not€to€dress€sexy€ð"ð€went€with€some€purple€jeans€andÏa€blouse.€She€looked€at€herself€briefly€in€the€mirror,€deciding€not€to€braid€her€hair€just€now€ð"ð€òòcððmon,€who€cares,€theÐ <Œ Ðguy€doesnððt€even€wear€underpants.óóÐ R Ðà  àFeeling€quite€ambivalent€about€whether€sheððd€find€them€or€whether€theyððd€split€ð"ð€either€had€its€issues€ð"ð€sheÏwandered€downstairs,€feeling€a€bit€of€a€stranger€in€her€own€house.€She€heard€someone€whispering€in€the€living€roomÏand€when€she€entered€she€saw€it€was€Simon€poking€a€bit€of€a€stick€into€the€flukeððs€cage€and€baby„talking€them.€AndreÏwas€sitting€on€the€couch,€looking€at€a€prism€knick„knack€from€her€coffee€table.Ìà  à"Hey,"€Simon€said,€his€smile€bright€and€skully.Ìà  àNicky€smiled€back.€"Donððt€feed€them,"€she€said€as€she€pulled€his€hand€away€from€the€cage.€She€noticed€hisÏhands€were€dirty.€"Howððd€you€get€so€dirty€so€fast?"Ìà  à"Fixing€your€shower,"€he€said.Ìà  à"Oh,€you€did€that!€Thanks!"Ìà  à"No€problem€ð"ð€just€a€little€lever€on€the€outside€of€the€house,"€Simon€said.€"They€hardly€do€spot€checks,Ïanymore€ð"ð€just€tell€them€you€donððt€know€anything€about€it€if€they€ask€you."Ìà  à"Know€anything?"€Nicky€said,€creasing€her€brow€in€puzzlement.Ìà  à"Like€if€they€come€by..."€he€said,€trailing€off€as€he€saw€her€grin.€"Tricky€Nicky€is€right."Ìà  à"Does€anyone€else€want€tea?"€she€asked,€looking€at€Andre.Ìà  à"Yes€please,"€said€Simon.Ìà  à"Uh...€sure,"€said€Andre,€looking€up€from€the€prism.Ìà  àThey€seemed€to€be€talking€about€something€serious€when€she€returned€with€the€cans.€"So€are€these€the€onesÏthat€JK€was€talking€about?"€Simon€said,€pointing€to€the€cage.Ìà  à"No,€those€are€my€flukes...€just€ratdogs€I€sell€to€tourists."€òòTheyððre€getting€a€little€big€for€the€cage,€óóNicky€thoughtÐ "r# Ðas€she€looked€at€them€jostling€each€other.€"I€can€show€you€the€other€designs€when€we€finish€these.€I€try€not€to€have€foodÏin€the€lab."€Which€was€a€lie,€but€she€needed€to€gather€energy€before€she€allowed€them€into€her€inner€sanctum.Ìà  àShe€sipped€her€tea,€trying€to€think€of€the€last€time€someone€other€than€JK€had€been€in€the€lab.€She€had€almostÏshown€that€guy€she€had€picked€up€at€the€Terror€party,€but€he€had€had€a€lot€of€body€mods€and€she€was€worried€heððd€wantÏstuff€done€for€free€once€heððd€seen€her€set„up.€Or€at€least€thatððs€what€sheððd€told€herself.€òòHe€was€a€freak,€anyway...Ð ¦"ö) Ðà  àóó"This€is€a€nice€house,"€Andre€said,€setting€down€the€prism€with€a€click.Ð $b+ Ðà  àShe€shrugged,€smiling€at€his€need€to€make€conversation.€"Itððs€amazing€what€a€30%€vacancy€rate€will€do€toÏrents."Ìà  à"Higher€than€that€now...€55?€60?"€Simon€said,€glancing€at€Andre.Ìà  à"Sixty,"€Andre€said.Ìà  à"How€do€you€know€that?"€Nicky€challenged.€"You€guys€just€got€here,€and€now€youððre€experts?"Ìà  àAndre€shrugged€uncomfortably.€Simon€said€smoothly,€ambiguously,€"Itððs€one€of€the€highest€on€the€continent.ÏThatððs€why€weððre€here."Ð º, (7 Ðà  àAndre€glowered€at€him.€Nicky€looked€from€one€to€the€other,€remembered€their€secrecy€in€the€train€yard.€"YouÏguys,€man,"€she€sneered,€"spy€versus€spy."€She€went€into€the€kitchen,€her€stomach€having€ordered€her€into€forage€mode.ÏShe€knew€there€was€nothing€in€the€fridge,€so€she€looked€through€the€cupboard€and€found€a€package€of€Reeseððs€Oreos.Ìà  àShe€brought€them€back€to€the€living€room.€Andre€declined,€but€Simon€dipped€his€dirty€hand€in,€licking€his€lips.ÏShe€sat€down€on€the€quilted€armchair.Ìà  à"So€you€sell€those,€thatððs€how€you€get€by?"€Andre€said,€pointing€at€the€flukes.Ìà  àShe€nodded,€washing€down€the€cookie€with€a€flood€of€tea.Ìà  à"Smart€cookie,"€Simon€said,€taking€a€bite€of€one.€He€ignored€Nickyððs€wince€and€continued.€"What€happensÏif€they€die?"Ìà  à"Well,"€Nicky€said,€rolling€up€the€bag€and€slapping€her€hands€clean.€"If€itððs€near€the€beginning€of€the€month,ÏIððm€fine.€I€can€just€buy€some€more€materials€and€bake€up€some€more.€But€if€it€happens€at€the€end,€then€Iððm€fucked."€SheÏsucked€a€tooth,€contemplating€it.€"Actually,€I€could€probably€put€it€on€credit.€But€the€place€where€I€buy€gives€aÏsubstantial€discount€for€liquid€funds."Ìà  àSimon€nodded,€looking€serious€for€once.Ìà  à"And€what€about€you€two?€Whoððs€keeping€you€in€spray€paint€and€wine?"Ìà  àSimon€smiled,€looked€at€Andre.€Andreððs€lips€were€practically€glued€shut.Ìà  àNicky€rolled€her€eyes.Ìà  à"So,"€Simon€said.€"Can€we€check€out€your€set„up?"Ìà  à"Not€until€you€answer€the€question!"€Nicky€said,€folding€her€arms.Ìà  à"Weððre€helping€set€up€a€birthday€party€for€this€rich€guy,"€Simon€said.Ìà  à"Someoneððs€paying€you€to€throw€him€a€party,"€Nicky€said,€not€budging.Ìà  àAndre€nodded€and€Simon€shrugged.€"Not€a€party€for€him,€butð8ð€more€or€less."Ìà  à"Uh€huh,"€she€said€sceptically,€giving€them€looks€that€let€them€know€that€she€didnððt€believe€a€word€of€it.€SheÏled€them€upstairs€anyway,€climbing€up€on€the€chair€and€pulling€the€ladder€down.€She€had€them€go€first.Ìà  à"Donððt€touch€anything,"€she€said€as€Andre€went€up,€the€tendons€in€his€wrists€working.€Simon€was€taking€hisÏtime,€so€Nicky€helped€him€with€a€swat€on€the€butt.Ìà  àWhen€she€got€up€there,€she€was€conscious€of€how€crowded€the€place€was€with€three€people.€Simon€was€lookingÏaround€approvingly,€touching€the€metal€counter,€lifting€the€beakers.€"Cool."Ìà  à"Break€it€and€I€break€your€face,"€Nicky€said,€sliding€by€him€to€call€up€her€mythic€fluke€designs.Ìà  à"You€got€genomes€on€that€thing?"€Andre€said,€pointing€at€the€computer.€He€was€looking€intently€at€herÏequipment.Ìà  à"Yeah,"€she€said,€running€the€in€silico€Cyclops€fluke.€It€barked€and€ran€around,€its€little€tongue€lolling.€ThenÏshe€ran€the€other€two,€and€they€romped€and€played€together,€as€much€as€the€small€cubespace€the€computer€projectedÏwould€allow.€"These€guys€are€ready€to€go."Ìà  à"Why€havenððt€you€made€them,€then?"€Simon€said.€He€stuck€his€finger€in€the€holo€for€the€flukes€to€interact€with.Ï"You€donððt€have€any€of€the€lifedough?"Ð `-°(8 Ðà  à"Lifestuff.€No,€I€have€enough€of€that,"€she€said,€feeling€tired.€"I€just€donððt€want€to€grow€them€until€thereððs,€youÏknow,€somewhere€for€them€to€go."Ìà  à"And€you€could€do€it€here?"€Andre€said.€"You€wouldnððt€have€to€get€another€place€to€make€them?"Ìà  à"No,€Iððm€pretty€lucky,"€Nicky€said.€"Iððve€got€a€full€service€lab€here.€I€picked€up€stuff€from€my€school€when€itÏwas€ð"ð"Ìà  à"Yeah,€JK€told€us,"€said€Simon€with€a€lazy€smile.Ìà  à"He€told€you€that?"€said€Nicky.€Her€confusion,€added€to€the€proximity€of€the€men,€made€her€begin€to€feel€a€littleÏdisoriented.Ìà  à"And€you€could€add€the€uplinking?"€Simon€asked€Andre.Ìà  àAndre€shrugged.€"Yeah,€sheððs€already€got€cubespace.€Itððd€be€easy."Ìà  à"What€the€fuck€are€you€guys€ð"ð"Ìà  à"Hey€Nicky,"€said€Simon.€"How€would€you€like€a€job€saving€the€world?"ÌÌ"You€coming€to€bed€honey?"€Cheryl€called€from€the€bathroom.Ìà  à"No,€not€yet,"€Doug€said,€shuffling€things€around€in€the€junk€drawer.€"Cheryl,€do€you€know€where€the€cokeÏthat€Janice€gave€us€is?"Ìà  àShe€came€out€of€the€bathroom,€towelling€her€hair.€"Itððs€in€the€liquor€cabinet.€Youððre€not€going€to€do€that€now,Ïare€you?€Thatððs€not€going€to€help€you€sleep."Ìà  à"Just€a€few€lines,"€Doug€said.€"Trying€to€do€a€bit€of€work.€Brainstorm€a€few€ideas."Ìà  à"All€right,"€she€said.€"Weððll€have€to€break€in€our€new€toy€some€other€night."Ìà  à"Break€òòmeóó€in,€you€mean,"€he€said,€thinking€about€the€size€of€the€whip.Ð â2# Ðà  àShe€laughed€on€her€way€to€the€bedroom.€"Good€night."Ìà  àDoug€entered€the€living€room€and€deflated€on€the€couch,€allowing€the€thought€in€that€had€been€trying€to€get€inÏsince€heððd€left€Dr.€Bodmodz:€òòthe€tattoo€wasnððt€a€simple€prank..óóÐ €!Ð( Ðà  àHe€felt€a€peevish€irritation€at€his€original€simple€explanation€being€shot€down,€that€his€life€getting€moreÏcomplicated.€He€turned€on€the€television.€A€rough„faced€man€was€tightening€bolts€on€an€exoskeleton.€"Look,€we€justÏcanððt€take€him.€The€corpses€are€on€our€tail.€Weððll€be€lucky€to€get€out€alive€ourselves."Ìà  àThe€shot€spun€around€and€focused€on€a€woman€in€anguish.€Her€rebel€hairstyle€and€jumpsuit€struck€Doug€asÏabsurdly€clean.€òòHe€has€stubble,€she€has€carefully€applied€makeup.Ð ª&ú!/ Ðà  àóó"We€can€fit€him€in€the€shuttle,"€she€was€saying,€touching€a€manððs€arm.€"He€can€go€with€me,€in€the€shuttle."Ð (f#1 Ðà  àThe€man€was€sickly,€but€wan€and€handsome.€He€turned€his€arresting€green€eyes€on€the€man€with€the€stubble.Ï"Please,"€he€said€with€a€little€cough.Ìà  à"We€need€all€the€room€for€the€shipment.€Do€you€know€how€many€people€will€die€if€we€donððt€get€these€toÏMexico?€Think€about€Frida,€about€Diego€ð"ð"€he€cut€off€to€look€at€the€sickly€man,€a€curl€on€his€lip.€"Our€peopleòò.€RealÐ z,Ê'7 Ðóópeople."Ð @-(8 Ðà  àThe€woman€burst€into€tears.Ìà  à"Iððm€sorry,€Susanita,"€the€man€said,€applying€himself€to€his€work,€wrenching€viciously.€"This€is€a€war."Ìà  àDoug€lurched€up€from€the€couch€and€opened€the€liquor€cabinet.€He€found€the€balloon€close€to€the€back€and€theÏmirror€kit€lodged€up€against€the€side.€òòGood.€óóHeððd€been€worried€Olivia€might€still€have€been€using€it€for€her€dolls.€HeÐ Nž Ðbrought€them€back€to€the€coffee€table€and€sat€down€in€the€nearest€armchair.Ìà  àThe€ad€was€one€of€those€atmospheric€ones,€with€a€gradual€close„up€on€a€blank€can.€There€was€a€whisper€ofÏstrings.€Doug€opened€up€the€package€of€coke,€which€was€made€to€look€like€a€smugglerððs€balloon,€and€tapped€out€a€smallÏquantity€on€the€mirror.€Ìà  àDoug€removed€the€razor€with€its€Coke„bottle„shaped€hole€in€the€middle€and€chopped€up€a€few€lines,€partlyÏobscuring€the€"Coke€goes€better€with€Coke"€tagline.€The€promo€item€had€come€with€a€straw,€too,€but€itððd€been€lost€yearsÏago,€so€Doug€had€to€carefully€snort€with€his€bare€nostril.Ìà  àThe€show€was€back€on€again,€and€Doug€watched€it€for€a€second.€The€sick€young€man€was€being€stowed€aboardÏthe€shuttle€by€the€woman,€and€they€shared€a€last€look€full€of€longing€before€she€shut€the€compartment.Ìà  àDoug€looked€at€the€mirror.€Three€lines€left,€the€one€closest€to€the€one€heððd€just€had€a€little€ragged€but€really€notÏbad.€There€was€a€small€grease€stain€where€his€nose€had€touched€the€surface.€He€used€the€razor€to€slide€the€next€line€aÏlittle€further€away€from€the€rest€and€then€leaned€down,€keeping€one€eye€on€the€TV.Ìà  à"Heððs€gone?"€the€gruff€man€asked,€his€stubble€almost€a€beard€now.€The€woman€nodded,€her€face€sad.€"Iððm€sorryÏSusanita,"€the€man€said,€touching€her€arm,€his€tone€conciliatory.€"We€canððt€take€the€risk.€I€donððt€like€it€any€more€thanÏyou€do."Ìà  àDougððs€bloodstream€was€beginning€to€perk€up.€He€spun€the€TV€perspective€around€so€he€got€a€top„down€viewÏon€it.€Sometimes€if€you€pulled€back€enough€you€could€get€a€glimpse€of€the€surrounding€film€set,€and€this€always€amusedÏDoug.€òòNothing€right€now...óóÐ n Ðà  àThe€scene€changed€to€a€tight€shot€of€the€stowaway.€His€eyes€were€furtive,€and€he€was€communicating€withÏsomeone.€òòOh,€those€treacherous€clonesóó,€Doug€thought€as€he€did€another€line.€òòNot€even€the€rebels€can€trust€ððem.Ð P   Ðà  àóóDoug€turned€off€the€TV,€sick€of€it.€It€was€a€shame€they€had€to€make€a€crappy€TV€series€of€a€good€movie,Ð ¼ " Ðalthough€Doug€knew€that€the€success€of€the€Harmless€Cranks€movie€made€it€irresistible.€The€original€movie€had€beenÏable€to€depict€the€terroristsðð€tragic€and€doomed€revolt€in€a€way€that€the€series€never€came€close€to.Ìà  àòòI€shoulda€gone€into€TV,€show€those€useless€pricks€howððts€doneóó,€Doug€thought,€his€thoughts€attached€to€aÐ ´ & Ðpowdery€white€jet.€òòThatððs€creative€work,€work€that€makes€people€think€instead€of€making€people€think€something.€óóDougÐ z!Ê' Ðrealized€he€was€sitting€in€the€dark.Ìà  à"Lights€up,"€he€chirped,€a€little€amazed€to€find€there€was€still€a€line€left€on€the€mirror.€He€knew€he€shouldnððt,Ïbut€he€tidied€up€the€scraps€with€the€razor€and€had€one€last€mighty€snort.€He€noted€with€satisfaction€that€the€mirror€wasÏcompletely€clean,€smiling€and€nodding€at€himself.Ìà  à"Oh€yes,€thatððs€right,"€he€said,€forgetting€for€a€moment€everything€except€the€fine€sculpture€of€his€nose.€"ThatððsÏa€nose€that€knows€how€to€clean€up€its€dinner."Ìà  àHe€got€up€and€put€the€bag€and€mirror€back€into€the€cabinet,€closing€it€with€a€quiet€click.€Slapping€his€handsÏtogether,€"OK,€gentlemen,€itððs€time€to€get€to€work."Ìà  àHe€sat€down€on€the€couch,€turning€on€the€TV€and€getting€it€to€scan.€While€one€part€of€his€brain€absorbed€theÏcolour€and€noise,€another€part€wished€he€was€in€the€TV€industry€and€could€justify€this€as€work.€òòItððs€kind€of€my€workóó,Ð Î+'5 Ðhe€said,€òòat€least€what€happens€to€my€work.€óóA€few€seconds€later,€before€the€channels€climbed€to€the€porn€floor€of€theÐ ”,ä'6 Ðbroadcast€range€and€truly€distracted€him,€he€turned€it€off.Ð Z-ª(7 Ðà  àòòOK,€óóhe€thought,€his€head€flopping€against€the€couch,€òòwork€for€real.óóÐ ° Ðà  àHe€constructed€the€report€in€his€head,€imagining€Harris€sitting€across€the€way€from€him.€òòBetter,€Harris€is€thatÐ l Ðplantóó.€Doug€got€off€the€couch€and€sat€down€in€the€armchair.€His€body€language€firmed€up€slightly€as€he€addressed€theÐ â2 Ðtall€and€stately€plant.Ìà  à"Iððve€looked€into€the€Infiltrators€subculture,€as€you€requested,€and€Iððve€turned€up€some€interesting€data."€HeÏpaused,€and€nodded.€"Oh,€neither€did€I.€No€one€was€more€surprised€than€I€that€your€fucking€wild€goose€chase€wouldÏlead€me€anywhere€other€than€around€in€circles.€As€it€turns€out,€they€rather€ingeniously€provided€me€with€a€way€to€contactÏone€of€them."€Doug€paused,€nodded,€rubbed€his€nose,€and€listened€attentively€to€the€Harris€flora.€"No,€naturally,€itððsÏabsurd€to€think€that€they€would€ð"ð€of€course,€thatððs€why€ð"ð€look!"€Doug€said,€agitated.€"This€contact€ð"ð€could€veryÏpossibly€be€an€impostor."€He€nodded.€"Probably.€Yes,€youððre€right.€But€still,€the€sophistication€that€they€ð"ð"€A€longÏpause.€"Listen€you€earless€motherfucker,€you€donððt€know€ð"ð"€Doug€stared€for€a€few€seconds€at€the€plant€and€then€sighed.Ï"Iððll€have€my€desk€cleaned€out€by€the€end€of€the€day."Ìà  àHe€propped€his€angular€chin€on€the€flat€of€his€palm.€òòThat€didnððt€go€well.óó€He€looked€at€the€plant,€decided€heÐ ê:  Ðcouldnððt€bear€pretending€it€was€Olivia€and€breaking€the€news€to€her€ð"ð€even€if€he€could€use€the€practice,€it€was€way€tooÏtall.€òòEven€when€you€were€hot€shitóó,€a€voice€inside€him€said,òò€you€never€had€the€Infiltrators€in€your€scope.€No€coolhuntersÐ vÆ  Ðever€did€ð"ð€they€were€either€too€clever€or€never€existed€in€the€first€place.€Someoneððs€fucking€with€you.óóÐ <Œ  Ðà  àHe€thought€about€the€scrambled€face,€the€easygoing€hello,€the€innocuous€surroundings,€and€realized€he€wasÏgrinding€his€teeth.€Who€would€want€to€do€this€to€him?€Who€had€he€ever€ð"ðÌà  àòòLauden.óóÐ Ú* Ðà  àOf€course.€òòHoly€shit.€Lauden!óó€òòStill€pissed€off€about€the€Ripper€affair.€He€was€there€that€night,€he€was€ð"ð€fuck,Ð F– Ðhe€even€got€him€drunk!óó€Doug€started€to€snicker.€òòThe€"i"€tattoo€ð"ð€couldnððt€he€have€come€up€with€something€a€little€moreÐ  \ Ðsubtle?€Still,€all€in€all,€way€more€cunning€than€he€had€given€him€credit€for.óóÐ Ò" Ðà  àHe€looked€at€his€watch.€Past€midnight,€but€what€the€hell.Ìà  àHe€scrolled€his€watch€back€and€re„established€the€connection€he€had€disconnected€so€hastily€in€the€tattoo€shop.ÏIn€the€few€seconds€it€took€to€resolve,€he€wondered€why€heððd€been€spooked€so€easily.€òòWell,€they€óóhadòò€been€close€enoughÐ pÀ  Ðto€practically€tattoo€my€ass...Ìà  àóóThe€same€office€was€beamed€onto€the€surface€of€his€eye,€and€the€same€man€was€in€there.€This€time,€though,Ð ¢ò# Ðhe€was€looking€out€the€window.Ìà  à"Doug!"€he€said€in€a€welcoming€voice€that€didnððt€entirely€nullify€the€coldness€of€his€slowly€shifting€mask.Ìà  à"Lauden!"€Doug€exclaimed€sarcastically.Ìà  àThe€man€didnððt€respond,€just€stood€there.Ìà  à"Get€rid€of€that€stupid€mask,€Lauden,"€Doug€spat,€irritated€that€he€would€continue€with€it.Ìà  à"Ah...€there€it€is.€Laudenððs€your€co„worker,"€said€the€man.€He€folded€his€arms,€and€said€in€a€calm€voice.€"MyÏnameððs€not€important,€Doug."Ìà  à"You€sure€itððs€not€Prime€Infiltrator?"€jeered€Doug.Ìà  à"Quite€sure."Ìà  àDoug,€using€hand€controls,€zoomed€in€on€the€desk.€It€was€covered€with€files,€but€they€were€gibberish.€"TheseÏarenððt€even€real.€Theyððre€props."Ìà  à"Theyððre€encrypted,"€the€manððs€voice€said.€"I€have€quite€a€few€visitors€here.€A€lot€of€these€documents€areÐ À-)8 Ðsensitive.€The€one€on€you,€for€instance."€A€hand,€gigantic€with€the€enlargement,€picked€one€up.Ìà  àDoug€pulled€back,€got€the€man€back€in€the€shot.Ìà  à"Wife€Cheryl.€Daughter€Olivia."Ìà  à"Very€good€Lauden.€Youððve€paid€attention€sometime€in€the€last€20€years€weððve€worked€together,"€Doug€saidÏsnidely.€But€a€voice€in€the€back€of€his€head€was€saying:€òòthis€isnððt€Lauden.€Lauden€could€barely€handle€coolhuntingÐ º  Ðfieldwork,€never€mind€this€performance.óóÐ € Ð Ðà  à"Born€ðð99.€Entered€the€workforce€in€ðð16."€The€man€looked€up.€"Still€a€few€years€before€the€labour€laws€wereÏphased€out...€did€you€lie€about€your€age?"Ìà  à"No,"€Doug€said.€"It€was€part„time,€officially.€Freelance."Ìà  à"So€you€didnððt€lie?"€Ìà  àDoug€was€amazed€at€how€quickly€he€answered€questions€for€this€man€and€had€to€force€himself€not€to€elaborate.Ï"No."Ìà  àThe€man€put€the€documents€back€on€the€desk.€He€leaned€against€it€and€stared€directly€at€Doug€ð"ð€or€that€is,€hisÏblurred€and€rippling€head€faced€him€silently.€Doug€had€to€remind€himself€that€he€couldnððt€be€seen,€that€the€man€was€onlyÏseeing€a€little€icon€bobbing€about€in€mid„air.Ìà  à"Thatððs€too€bad."Ìà  à"What?"€said€Doug.€The€coke€was€really€failing€him€tonight.€He€felt€frantic€and€outmanoeuvred€by€theÏsituation.Ìà  à"I€was€prepared€to€pay€you€a€lot€of€money€to€lie."Ìà  àThe€statement€hung€there€like€a€fart,€and€Doug€couldnððt€resist€sniffing.€"How...€much?€And€about...€lie€aboutÏwhat?"Ìà  à"Well,"€the€man€said,€rounding€the€desk.€He€spread€out€his€fingers€and€pressed€them€down€on€the€side€of€theÏdesk.€"We€have€a€discretionary€fund.€That€is,€a€fund€for€discretion."€He€laughed€a€bit.Ìà  à"What€was€with€the€tattoo?"Ìà  àThe€man€laughed€again,€a€slightly€different€tenor.€"A€little€dramatic,€I€suppose.€But€we€wanted€to€test€you.€IfÏyou€hadnððt€figured€it€out,€we€would€know€that€you€werenððt€much€of€a€threat.€Not€that€youððre€much€of€a€threat€now€ð"ðÏweððre€just€at€a€rather€precarious€juncture."Ìà  àDoug€wished€he€had€a€drink,€his€throat€was€raw,€but€he€didnððt€want€to€move.€"How€much?"Ìà  à"Weððre€willing€to€pay€$500,000.€To€keep€quiet€about€what€you€saw€at€the€party.€No€reports,€no€summations."Ìà  àòòNot€enough,€not€enough.óó€He€summoned€an€indignant€tone€of€voice.€"A€half€a€million.€I€see€that€come€and€goÐ Ê&"/ Ðin€an€hour.€And€you€want€me€to€keep€valuable€information€from€my€friends€and€colleagues?"€Doug€was€sweating€freelyÏnow,€thankful€the€man€couldnððt€see€him,€trying€frantically€to€keep€his€shit€together.€Ìà  à"At€the€party,€what€was€it€that€you€saw€ð"ð"€the€man€started.Ìà  à"Forget€the€party,"€Doug€sputtered€ð"ð€ððòòCause€oh€god,€I€sure€have!€ð"ð€óóhis€voice€climbed€an€octave.€"You€wantÐ .+~&5 Ðme,€a€veteran€of€this€highly€competitive,€cutthroat€industry,€to€give€up€information€on€the€most€elusive€and€sought„afterÏsubculture€in€history€for,€for,"€òòKeep€it€together,€keep€it€together,€óó"less€than€a€million?"Ð º, (7 Ðà  à"A€million?€You€havenððt€got€a€million€dollars€worth€of€ð"ð"€Ìà  à"Ridiculous!€This€conversation€is€over."€Doug€felt€for€his€watch.Ìà  à"Wait,€wait,"€the€man€said,€holding€out€his€hand.€"We€could...€we€could€manage€750."Ìà  àòòYes!€Yes!€Yes!óó€"No.€I€couldnððt.€I€couldnððt€betray€my€co„workers."Ð ôD Ðà  àThe€man€looked€up€ð"ð€or€at€least€his€head€tilted.€He€sighed.€"Doug,€this€is€just€business.€And€donððt€play€theÏpuritan.€You€guys€are€parasites,€milking€communities€and€cultures€for€every€drop€of€profit€you€can€squeeze€out€of€them."Ìà  àDoug€didnððt€know€what€to€say.€"I€canððt€risk€everything€for€less€than€a€million.€I€have€my€family€to€think€about."Ìà  à"Itððs€more€than€we€usually€pay."Ìà  àDoug€stared€at€him.Ìà  à"You€donððt€think€this€is€the€first€arrangement€weððve€made,€do€you?"€the€man€said.Ìà  àThat€grated€too,€even€though€it€wasnððt€said€in€a€gloating€way€ð"ð€even€though€it€was€probably€true.€CoolhuntersÏwould€probably€be€pretty€easy€to€bribe€ð"ð€after€all,€they€were€just€selling€information.€Doug€stayed€silent€for€a€few€moreÏseconds.€"All€right."Ìà  àThe€man€turned€around€and€made€a€few€adjustments€with€the€documents€on€the€desk.€"Thatððs€it€done.€TheÏmoney€is€deposited€into€your€account,€listed€as€a€performance€bonus€from€your€firm.€Iððd€ask€you€to€erase€my€connectionÏfrom€your€watch.€Not€that€I€havenenjoyed€your€company,"€the€man€said.Ìà  àDoug€wasnððt€thinking€anything€but€òòseven€hundred€and€fifty€thousand€fucking€dollars.€Thatððs€gold€baby!óó€"UhÐ 2‚ Ðhuh."Ìà  à"Goodbye,€Doug."€the€man€and€his€office€winked€out.Ìà  àRubbing€his€eye€frantically.€"Lights€brighten."€Tapping€at€his€watch:€Balance€$752,982.12.€òòHoly€shit€holy€shit.óóÐ Ð   Ðà  àDoug€bounced€up.€òòQuiet€ð"ð€Oliviaððs€sleeping,óó€warned€a€sane€part€of€his€whirling€brain.€"Holy€shit€holy€shit!"Ð <Œ" Ðhe€whispered€as€he€ran€up€the€stairs€to€his€bedroom.€"Gold!€Iððve€struck€gold!"Ìà  àHe€turned€on€the€lights.€"Weððre€going€to€Frisco!"€he€said.€The€heap€of€blond€hair€and€lumpy€blankets€shiftedÏslightly.€Ìà  àHe€crawled€up€beside€his€wife€and€gave€her€a€spastic€squeeze.€"Weððre€going€to€Frisco,€Cheryl€ð"ð"€Ìà  àOne€eye€opened.Ìà  à"ð"ð€and€weððre€going€gold!"Ìà  àBoth€eyes.€"Doug,€I€hate€it€when€you€do€coke€before€bed,"€she€mumbled,€turning€her€head€away.€"Turn€off€theÏlights."Ìà  àHe€laughed,€maniacally€even€to€his€ears.€The€lie€came€easily€to€his€lips.€"Honey,€I€got€the€word€from€HarrisÏthat€head€office€wants€me€in€Frisco€tomorrow.€All€the€lead€analysts,€actually.€And€I€got€a€bonus€that€means€we€can€goÏin€style!"Ìà  àNothing€for€a€few€seconds,€then:€"Tomorrow?"Ìà  à"Yeah.€Iððm€sorry€itððs€late€notice€honey,€I€ð"ð€wanted€it€to€be€a€surprise."€He€flipped€over€on€his€back€and€lookedÏaround€the€bedroom,€thinking€to€himself€that€this€could€be€the€last€night€heððd€spend€here€in€a€long€time.€When€he€lookedÏback,€Cheryl€was€propped€up€on€her€elbows,€looking€at€him.Ð .V)9 Ðà  à"A€surprise,"€she€repeated.€"I€òòthought€óóthere€was€something€weird€going€on."Ð ° Ðà  à"Well,€I€was€waiting€for€a€few€things€to€come€through,"€Doug€said,€plucking€at€her€beige€bra€strap,€guilty€andÏjubilant.€He€checked€his€watch.€"The€Self€office€opens€at€six,€so€weððve€got€a€few€hours."Ìà  àCheryl€stood€up€and€slipped€into€her€housecoat.€"Well,€we€donððt€need€to€pack,"€she€said.€"But€we€should€emptyÏthe€fridge."Ìà  àDoug€nodded.€"Get€a€locksmith€to€secure€the€place.€Put€the€house€up€for€sale.€Wonder€if€weððll€get€any€goodÏoffers€this€time€of€night?"Ìà  àCheryl€laughed.€She€looked€at€him€flick€through€his€watch€and€rubbed€his€bald€pate.€"A€whole€new€life,"€sheÏsaid€dreamily.€"Oooh,€this€is€exciting!"Ìà  àWhen€she€was€leaving€the€room,€Doug€looked€up€with€bright€eyes.€"Donððt€go€banging€stuff€around,€though...ÏOlivia€should€get€a€good€sleep."€He€connected€to€a€locksmith.€"Yes,€I€need€to€lockdown€my€residence...€yes,€Iððll€hold."Ìà  à"Oh€sure,€Olivia€gets€to€sleep,"€Cheryl€said€with€a€smile,€closing€the€door€quietly.Ìà  àòòCould€be€her€last€sleep.€óóDoug€took€a€deep€breath,€sitting€on€the€side€of€the€bed,€listened€to€the€hold€music.Ð ‚Ò  ÐÌAs€it€turned€out,€the€earliest€the€locksmith€could€be€there€was€5:30,€so€Doug€managed€to€snatch€a€few€hours€of€sleepÏregardless€of€the€coke€and€excitement€in€his€bloodstream.€When€he€awoke,€it€was€to€the€sound€of€Cheryl€closing€andÏlocking€their€toybox.Ìà  à"Got€some€sleep,€eh?"€she€said.€Her€hair€was€tousled€from€trips€into€closets€and€crawl€spaces€in€the€last€fewÏhours.Ìà  à"Time€is€it?"€Doug€said,€looking€at€his€watch.Ìà  à"Just€after€five,"€Cheryl€said,€shoving€the€toybox€against€the€wall€and€sitting€on€it.Ìà  àDoug€sat€up,€looked€around.€"You€tidied€up?"Ìà  àCheryl€looked€at€him€with€her€dark€eyes,€chin€in€her€hands.€She€smiled€and€shrugged.€"In€case€we€come€back.ÏYou€know€how€I€hate€coming€back€to€a€messy€house."Ìà  àDoug€nodded,€thumped€his€feet€on€the€floor.€He€knew€better€than€to€say€that€they€wouldnððt€be€coming€back€ð"ðÏeveryone€prepared€for€these€things€differently.€Any€future€anthropologists€would€be€disappointed,€though.€They€likedÏthings€messy€as€a€crime€scene,€like€Vesuvius€and€Pompeii.Ìà  à"Iððm€gonna€rouse€Lady€Olivia,"€he€said.Ìà  àOn€the€way€to€her€bedroom,€he€noticed€a€box€labelled€FAMILY€PICS+STUFF€half€out€of€the€closet.€He€liftedÏthe€flap€with€his€foot€and€saw€the€old€picture€of€his€grandfather€playing€the€sax€on€top.€He€picked€it€up.Ìà  àCheryl€appeared€behind€him,€touched€his€waist.€"I€scanned€in€a€bunch€of€the€old€pictures,"€she€said.Ìà  à"Good€thinking,€sweetie,"€Doug€said,€automatically,€his€eyes€fixed€on€the€browned€cardboard€frame,€the€smellÏof€it,€the€things€that€wouldnððt€be€digitized...€he€put€it€back€into€the€box,€almost€roughly.€Ìà  à"Iððm€going€to€make€some€breakfast,"€Cheryl€said,€pushing€the€box€away€out„of„sight.Ìà  à"Okie„doke,"€said€Doug,€smiling€absently€at€her€as€he€entered€his€daughterððs€room.Ìà  àOlivia€was€a€tidy€little€package€on€the€bed.€"Lights€on,€gradual,"€said€Doug,€standing€there,€watching€theÐ .V)9 Ðshadows€on€his€daughterððs€face€lessen€and€lessen,€the€butterfly€flutter€of€her€eyelids.€òòThe€last€time€Iððll€see€that.€óóÐ ° Ðà  àHe€looked€around€her€room,€determined€not€to€let€the€melancholy€darken€his€good€luck,€his€moment€of€triumphÏsnatched€from€the€jaws€etc.,€etc.€As€the€light€neared€full€illumination€he€noticed€the€walls€were€covered€by€the€PoleÏPosition€logo,€flashed€on€everywhere,€overlapping€even,€a€hideously€garish€orange.€òòThat€album€must€have€come€withÐ ¨ø Ða€flasher.óóÐ n¾ Ðà  à"Daaad,"€Olivia€whined,€flipping€and€hiding€her€face.€"Too€eaaarly."Ìà  à"How€would€you€like€to€skip€school€today?"Ìà  àHer€head€flipped€back,€her€eyes€narrowed.€"JJ,€right?"Ìà  àDoug€smiled.€"No€joke.€If€youððre€up€and€dressed€in€five€minutes,€you€donððt€have€to€go€to€school."€Then€heÏturned€and€strode€from€the€room,€trying€not€to€look€at€the€orange€cartoon€ass€that€the€Pole€Position€logo€stuck€out€at€him.Ìà  àDown€in€the€kitchen,€Cheryl€was€spraying€NððOil€on€a€piece€of€toast.€She€added€it€to€the€already€sizable€stackÏand€gave€him€a€questioning€look.€"Whattaya€think?"€she€said.€"I€was€about€to€start€on€something€more€ambitious,€butÏI€didnððt€know€if€you€should€go€into€this€thing€with€an€empty€or€a€full€stomach."Ìà  àDoug€nodded,€fear€seeping€into€him€as€he€recalled€the€countless€articles€and€entire€programs€dedicated€toÏpreparing€oneself€for€Self€ð"ð€heððd€deliberately€ignored€them.€But€there€was€nothing€to€be€done€at€this€point,€so€heÏplucked€a€slice€with€nonchalance€he€didnððt€feel€and€took€a€bite.€"My€tummy€says€ð"ð€full€stomach,"€he€said€through€aÏmouthful€and€was€rewarded€by€a€slight€lessening€of€the€creases€on€Cherylððs€brow.Ìà  àOlivia€came€in,€dressed€in€her€little€white€turtleneck€and€said,€"Four€minutes,€24€seconds."€Cheryl€held€out€aÏglass€of€orange€juice€at€her,€which€she€dutifully€drank€and€voluntarily€took€a€slice€of€toast.€Her€bangs€were€combedÏdown€and€covered€her€third€eye€tattoo€ð"ð€Doug€wondered€if€the€kids€at€school€had€teased€her.Ìà  à"UPS€Locksmith,"€Dougððs€watch€said,€the€voice€tired€and€impatient.€Dougððs€heartbeat€quickened,€and€he€tookÏcontrol.€"Shoes,€jacket,"€he€ordered€Olivia,€taking€the€half„finished€glass€from€her€as€he€pointed€her€to€the€door.€"ComeÏon€up,€there€in€a€minute,"he€said€to€his€watch.Ìà  àHe€offered€the€glass€to€Cheryl,€but€she€shook€her€head.€He€finished€it€in€three€quick€swallows€and€put€the€glassÏin€the€sink,€taking€her€hand€and€pulling€her€to€the€door€so€that€she€didnððt€try€to€wash€it€and€put€it€away.Ìà  àPulling€on€his€corduroy€jacket,€he€opened€the€door€and€hurried€everyone€out.€He€shut€the€door€just€as€theÏelevatorððs€soft€ding€announced€the€arrival€of€the€locksmith.Ìà  à"Where€are€we€going?"€demanded€Olivia,€finally.Ìà  à"On€a€trip,"€Doug€said,€trying€to€smile€mysteriously.€Ìà  àThe€locksmith€approached,€gave€them€a€civil€nod.€"Service€delivery€for€Doug€Patterson,"€he€said.Ìà  à"Thatððs€me,"€Doug€said,€thumbing€and€eyeballing€the€proffered€devices.Ìà  àThe€UPS€guy€looked€at€his€devices€and€nodded.€"So€it€is.€Frisco€special?"Ìà  à"Thatððs€right."€He€snuck€a€look€at€Olivia€as€surprise€grew€on€her€face,€winked€at€her.Ìà  àThe€UPS€guy€gave€him€the€verbal€contract€about€the€procedure,€and€Doug€dutifully€nodded€while€reallyÏlistening€to€Oliviaððs€excited€whisperings€to€Cheryl.Ìà  àOn€the€elevator€ride€down,€Olivia€asked€what€package€they€were€buying.Ìà  à"Gold,€of€course,"€Doug€said.€Olivia€nodded€her€approval.€Everything€was€as€it€should€be,€and€Doug€felt€hisÐ €-Ð(8 Ðheart€leap€a€little€at€the€idea€that€he€had€squeaked€by€again,€another€passing€grade€that€could€have€been€a€fail.€Ìà  àAs€they€left€the€elevator,€Doug€noticed€a€little€flash€behind€him,€and€before€the€doors€closed,€he€saw€the€PoleÏPosition€logo€on€the€elevator€wall.€"Olivia!"€he€scolded,€prying€the€flashbox€from€her€hand.Ìà  àShe€rolled€her€eyes.€"I€get€five€Pole€Points€every€time€I€score€a€blank€wall."Ìà  à"Pole€Points?"€said€Cheryl.€"What€are€you€talking€about?"Ìà  àDoug€wished€he€didnððt€know.€He€peered€out€of€the€lobby€doors,€saw€a€taxi€coming€to€pick€them€up.€Ìà  àOlivia€tutted€impatiently.€"So„so„so,€if€you€do€a€hundred,€you€get€entered€in€the€contest€to€win€a€date..."Ìà  àDoug€pushed€through€the€door€and€walked€towards€the€taxi.€The€SkyTrain€passed€overhead,€pulling€out€of€theÏstation.€As€he€ushered€his€family€into€the€vehicle,€he€noticed€something€trailing€behind€the€SkyTrain.€òòRopes?€Vines?óóÐ Ä  Ðà  à"And€what€would€you€do€on€a€date€with€these€guys?"€asked€Cheryl€with€a€smirk,€looking€at€the€picture€of€theÏband€on€the€flashbox.€Ìà  àDoug€slammed€the€door€shut€and€told€the€taxi€grill€where€to€go.Ìà  à"Kiss..."€said€Olivia,€sticking€out€her€lips.Ìà  àCheryl€laughed€merrily,€and€Doug€managed€an€uncomfortable€smile.€"Nine„year„old€girls€donððt€kiss€boys,"€heÏsaid,€trying€to€keep€his€tone€light.Ìà  àOlivia€kept€quiet,€looked€at€the€picture€on€the€flashbox.€She€remembered€how€Jill€had€bragged€that€she€wasÏgonna€get€a€hoochie„mama€body€once€her€family€got€to€Frisco.€"Then€Iððm€going€to€find€Patricio€P.P.,"€Jill€had€said,Ïputting€her€hands€on€her€hips€and€sticking€out€her€bony€chest,€"And€Iððm€gonna€say€ððCððmon,€PPP,€show€me€your€bum!ðð"ÏThe€four€or€five€girls€who€were€listening€had€exploded€in€giggles.Ìà  àOne€of€the€older€boys€had€seen€her€and€imitated€her€chesty€declaration€to€his€pals.€Jill€had€run€to€the€washroomÏthen,€but€couldnððt€outrun€the€catcalls€and€hoots€of€derision.€It€hadnððt€mattered,€anyway€ð"ð€she€was€gone€the€next€week.ÏOlivia€wished€she€had€known€they€were€leaving€ahead€of€time.€She€felt€a€bit€cheated€that€she€hadnððt€gotten€to€brag€orÏanything.Ìà  àBut€she€didnððt€want€to€complain.€Dad€had€been€acting€funny€lately.€Even€now,€he€was€staring€out€the€window,Ïwhen€there€was€nothing€to€see€but€grey€mountains.€They€stopped€at€a€red€light€and€she€noticed€a€big€plant,€so€big€it€wasÏdrooping€over€onto€the€sidewalk.€She€noticed€plants€a€lot€more€since€last€term€ð"ð€they€had€done€a€class€project€on€howÏplants€help€people€breathe,€because€they€eat€carbon€dockside.€The€teacher€was€saying€that€if€we€all€grew€plants€outside,Ïtheyððd€eat€the€smog€right€up!€Olivia€had€planted€the€one€she€grew€in€class€outside€her€building,€but€sheððd€forgotten€aboutÏit.Ìà  àTheyððd€stopped€at€the€place€they€were€going€to,€and€they€got€out.€It€was€getting€bright€outside,€but€there€wasÏstill€no€one€up.€They€went€into€a€pretty€boring„looking€store€and€her€parents€started€holding€hands,€and€looking€at€eachÏother€with€lovie€faces.€Her€mom€held€onto€her€shoulder,€squeezed€it€occasionally.Ìà  àA€young€man€came€up€and€led€them€over€to€a€desk.€They€all€sat€down,€and€Olivia€was€annoyed€that€it€was€oneÏof€those€really€high€chairs€that€made€her€feet€dangle€like€a€stupid€kid.Ìà  à"First€customers€of€the€day,"€the€young€man€said.€He€had€a€smile€that€showed€gums€and€great€blond€hair€thatÏlooked€soft.€"Before€we€get€started,€we€have€a€short€cartoon€thatððs€made€especially€for€our€younger€clients,"€he€said,Ïnodding€at€Olivia.€"It€basically€explains€the€process€and€the€trip€ahead,€and€itððs€less€boring€than€the€legal€mumbo€jumboÏwe€have€to€get€sorted€with€the€parents.€What€do€you€think,€kiddo?"Ìà  àOlivia,€on€being€addressed€directly,€could€only€nod€silently.€òòLess€boring€is€good,óó€she€guessed.Ð -j(7 Ðà  àHe€nodded€as€if€pleased€and€impressed€with€her€answer€and€her€watch€bleeped€her€the€message€that€there€wasÏincoming€media,€would€she€like€to€view€it?€She€set€the€opacity€and€the€volume€to€50%€ð"ð€she€wanted€to€keep€an€eyeÏon€this€stuff€ð"ð€and€ran€the€cartoon.Ìà  à"How€To€Enjoy€Your€Self!"€was€the€title.€Mickey€Mouse€marched€into€the€frame,€wearing€a€golf€shirt€and€hisÏcharacteristic€smile.€"Hey€kids!"€he€squeaked.€"I€hear€youððre€going€on€a€trip...€a€trip€unlike€any€trip€in€history!"€TheÏscene€behind€him€changed€to€a€herd€of€cattle.€"Neither€cowboys€ð"ð"€said€Mickey€in€a€ten„gallon€hat,€"nor€astronautsÏð"ð"€said€Mickey€in€a€spacesuit€against€a€backdrop€of€stars,€"have€experienced€the€adventure€that€youððre€going€to€go€onÏtoday!"Ìà  àDad€was€looking€through€the€document.€"Whatððs€the€difference€with€platinum€again?"Ìà  à"Well,€for€an€extra€$1,500€per€month€per€person,€your€body€is€cleaned€daily,€the€muscles€are€stimulated€so€thatÏthey€donððt€atrophy€ð"ð"Ìà  àDad€had€been€shaking€his€head€since€the€money€was€mentioned.€"Do€you€do€pedicures?"€Mom€said€in€aÏsarcastic€tone€of€voice.Ìà  àThe€man€laughed,€and€it€coincided€with€Mickey€laughing.€"Not€yet,€maððam,€not€yet...€maybe€in€the€nextÏversion."Ìà  àOlivia€focused€back€on€the€cartoon.€Mickey€had€his€hand€poised€on€a€lever€beside€a€glass€box.€Goofy€wasÏinside,€pressing€his€nose€against€the€glass€to€see€what€Mickey€was€doing.€"Itððs€not€really€that€complicated,"€Mickey€said.Ï"What€happens€during€the€upgrading€process€is€this€ð"ð€"€Goofyððs€nose€jerked€back€from€the€glass€when€Mickey€pulledÏthe€lever€down.€A€funnel€at€the€top€of€the€box€shuddered€and€sucked€the€ghost€right€out€of€Goofyððs€body,€leaving€theÏempty€body€to€collapse€on€the€floor.€The€body€started€snoring,€Zs€rising€from€his€big€nose.Ìà  àThe€point€of€view€followed€the€elongated€ghost€as€it€slid€through€the€pipe€attached€to€the€box.€"Goofyððs€mindÏ(what€there€is€of€it,€hee€hee!)€is€transferred€from€his€meat€body€to€an€entirely€digital€body€ð"ð€a€body€that€never€gets€tired,Ïor€sick,€or€has€to€use€the€washroom!"Ìà  àOlivia€liked€the€sound€of€that.€She€hated€having€to€ask€to€go€pee€in€the€middle€of€class,€it€was€so€embarrassing.ÏShe€briefly€listened€to€Dad€talk€about€how€much€memory€and€storage€they€got,€but€lost€interest.Ìà  àGoofyððs€ghost€took€a€few€more€twists€and€turns€before€it€spurted€out€the€end€of€a€pipe€onto€the€boardwalk€ofÏan€amusement€park€ð"ð€frozen€at€the€moment€of€twilight,€throngs€of€crowds€stilled€mid„stride.€"And€thereððs€nothingÏstopping€you€from€customizing€your€new€Self€body€once€youððre€here€ð"ð€your€imaginationððs€the€limit!"€Goofy,€solidÏagain,€tapped€his€nose€and€ears€into€smaller€versions,€made€his€skin€a€few€shades€paler,€and€plucked€a€pair€of€sunglassesÏfrom€midair.€Mickey€walked€into€the€frame€and€did€the€same,€and€they€put€them€on€in€tandem.Ìà  àMickey€snapped€his€fingers,€and€the€amusement€park€lurched€to€raucous€life.€Minnie€scurried€up€and€gave€himÏa€smooch.€Pinocchio€and€Tinkerbell€each€grabbed€an€arm€of€Goofy€and€escorted€him€into€the€sunset.€Before€he€becameÏtoo€small€to€distinguish€in€the€crowd,€Goofy€turned€back€and€said,€"Enjoy€your€Self!€Hyuk!"Ìà  àThe€cartoon€ended,€and€Olivia€looked€around.€Her€dad€was€still€looking€at€the€contract,€scrolling€through€theÏtext,€but€both€the€young€man€and€her€mom€were€looking€at€her.Ìà  àDad€looked€up,€nodded.€"OK,€letððs€get€started.€You€guys€ready?"Ìà  àMom€nodded.€Olivia€nodded,€hoping€having€her€spirit€sucked€out€was€as€easy€as€having€her€cavities€suckedÏout.Ìà  à"All€right,€Iððd€have€each€of€you€focus€on€the€passport€seal€you€see€in€front€of€you,"€the€young€man€said.€AÏretinal€beam€went€on€from€somewhere€in€the€room,€not€her€watch.€Olivia€saw€a€little€book€appear€in€front€of€her€withÏher€name€on€it.€It€had€a€little€round€symbol€that€pulsed€slightly.€When€she€looked€at€it,€she€felt€dizzy€and€a€little€like€sheÏwas€falling.Ð z-Ê(7 Ðà  à"Bon€voyage,"€said€the€rep,€and€the€lights€went€out.ÌÌ"Iððll€have€a€tequila€sunrise,"€declared€a€fresh„faced€cartoon€kid,€looking€around€at€the€people€in€the€bar€with€bright„eyedÏpride.€He€hopped€up€on€a€bar€stool€beside€Paul.Ìà  àThe€kid€was€your€classic€Fresh€Off€the€Boat€ð"ð€the€cartoon€body€favoured€by€people€getting€to€choose€a€bodyÏother€than€their€own€for€the€first€time,€corn„coloured€tufts€of€hair€above€freckles€and€a€gargantuan€grin.€"Canððt€believeÏit!€All€looks€so€real,"€the€kid€said,€sliding€his€hands€over€the€bar.Ìà  àPaul€looked€up€at€the€TV.€Still€black.Ìà  à"Whatcha€watchinðð?"€said€the€kid.€The€bartender€handed€him€his€slender€glass€and€the€kid€went€to€pay€him€withÏa€Ristwatch.Ìà  à"Sððautomatic,"€the€bartender€said€with€a€patronizing€smile,€and€the€kid€slapped€his€forehead€and€laughed.€AÏsecond€later€he€was€drinking€the€drink€and€smacking€his€lips€appreciatively.€Paul€noticed€heððd€generated€a€straw€withoutÏmissing€a€beat,€almost€too€easily.Ìà  à"So€issit€the€game,€or€what?"€the€kid€asked€again,€nodding€towards€the€TV,€looking€everywhere€at€once.Ìà  à"Itððs€not€very€interesting,"€said€Paul.€He€might€have€allowed€him€a€guest€peek€into€the€black€screen,€but€theÏstraw€thing€had€him€a€little€suspicious.Ìà  àThe€kid€shrugged,€nodded€at€the€documents€he€had€laid€out€on€the€bar.€"Bringing€your€work€home€with€you?"Ïhe€said.Ìà  àPaul€shrugged,€a€subtle€mimic€of€the€kidððs€gesture,€curious€to€see€what€heððd€do€next.€Ìà  àThe€kid€looked€annoyed.€"Donððt€talk€much,€do€you?"€He€hopped€off€his€bar€stool€and€took€his€drink.€"NiceÏtalking€to€you,"€he€said,€a€little€too€loudly.Ìà  àPaul€looked€back€at€the€TV€ð"ð€not€pitch€black€any€longer,€there€was€the€hint€of€predawn€blue€on€it.€He€put€aÏcall€through.€The€moment€it€connected,€the€kid€looked€at€him€with€an€insectile€suddenness.€Although€Paul€knew€thatÏthe€kid€couldnððt€listen€in,€it€chilled€him€a€little.Ìà  à"So€whatððs€up,"€he€said€to€the€person€on€the€line,€keeping€an€eye€on€the€kid.€He€was€working€the€room€withÏhis€goofy€grin,€spurring€knowing€and€superior€smiles€in€the€other€patrons.Ìà  à"Doug€and€his€family€are€at€the€office,"€said€the€voice.Ìà  à"And€how€long€have€they€been€in€there?"€Paul€asked.€He€lifted€a€hand€to€the€TV€and€pulled€down€the€menu,Ïmade€a€few€selections,€pinpointed€a€place€on€a€map.€The€grey€morning€sky€on€the€TV€righted€itself€and€the€rooftop€viewÏwas€replaced€with€a€blur€of€streets€and€cars.€òòAttagirl,€óóPaul€thought,€impressed€by€Eileenððs€responsiveness.Ð Ø$( , Ðà  à"Maybe€two€minutes."Ìà  àPaul€wondered€how€long€the€transaction€would€take.€"Try€to€get€in€closer,€see€whatððs€going€on€through€the€frontÏwindow.€Try€not€to€get€spotted€ð"ð€donððt€worry€about€the€salespeople,€they€canððt€see€beyond€the€room."Ìòòà  àóóA€few€tables€away,€the€youngster€had€engaged€someone€in€conversation.€He€was€also€a€young€man€and€wasÐ â)2%3 Ðshowing€the€kid€whatever€it€was€he€was€watching€and€making€enthusiastic€gesticulations.€Paul€quickly€flicked€throughÏto€rawview,€and€the€bar€became€dataflows,€swarms€of€representational€information.€The€kid,€as€Paul€suspected,€wasnððtÏa€person€at€all:€he€was€a€black€hole,€sucking€information€through€the€tiny€hole€that€the€suckerððs€guest€access€had€allowedÏhim.€He€flicked€back€to€normal€view.€The€youngster€was€nodding€and€smiling€at€his€markððs€chatter.Ð ú,J(7 Ðà  à"Theyððre€leaving€now,"€said€the€voice.Ìà  àPaul€was€stunned,€forgetting€the€youngster€for€a€moment.€"But€the€pickup€vanððs€not€ð"ð€that€doesnððt€make€anyÏsense!"€He€glanced€up€at€the€TV,€and,€sure€enough,€there€was€Doug€and€his€wife€and€daughter€walking€away€from€theÏSelf€office.€"Hold€on."Ìà  àOn€the€screen,€a€white€van€bearing€the€Self€logo€slowed€down.€Doug€and€his€family€walked€offscreen€as€theÏwhite€van€was€backing€into€the€alley.Ìà  à"What€the€hell?"€said€Paul.Ìà  à"I€donððt€know,"€said€the€voice.€"You€want€me€to€follow€them?"Ìà  à"No,€donððt€bother,"€Paul€said,€"Itððs€a€miracle€if€he€didnððt€see€you€already.€I€guess€he€got€cold€feet.€Fuck.€GreatÏtime€for€it."Ìà  àHe€disconnected€and€tried€to€figure€out€what€to€do€with€Eileen.€Heððd€assumed€Doug€and€his€family€would€beÏloaded€into€the€white€van,€and€she€could€tail€it.€òòGoddamn€it,€it€was€perfect!€Whatððs€with€you,€Patterson?óóÐ f  Ðà  àHe€switched€over€to€Eileen,€determined€to€salvage€what€he€could.€The€van,€surely,€would€go€to€the€body€cache,Ïor€a€drop„off€for€the€cache.€"That€white€van,"€he€said€to€her€in€a€voice€that€resonated€with€assurance,€"follow€it."Ìà  àIt€was€like€letting€a€rabbit€out€of€its€hutch.€He€watched€the€visuals€whip€by€for€a€few€seconds,€thenÏdisconnected.Ìà  àThe€bartender€stopped€in€front€of€him.€"You€need€another€drink,"€he€said.€Paul€nodded€tiredly.Ìà  àThe€kid€was€still€at€it,€listening€to€some€woman€with€a€hat,€and€Paul€realized€what€was€going€on.€Paul€selectedÏa€business€card,€one€that€said:Ìà  àÌà  àPaul€HarrisÌà  àòòData€SecurityÐ \¬" Ðà  àóóÌand€quickly€gulped€the€shot€the€bartender€had€given€him.€He€nodded€at€the€bartender,€flicked€the€card€up€into€the€air,Ïand€ported€away.Ìà  àThe€card€arched€up,€over€the€heads€of€the€patrons,€and€landed€directly€in€the€kidððs€shirt€pocket.€No€one€seemedÏto€notice.ÌÌThe€Self€van€retracted€its€ruffles€back€into€itself€and€started€its€engine.€Whatever€it€had€picked€up€in€the€alley€had€beenÏentirely€curtained€by€the€ruffles,€even€from€Eileenððs€rooftop€vantage€point.Ìà  àShe€scanned€the€vehicle,€her€suit€identifying€it€as€being€of€Beijing€origin€and€collecting€28€discrete€items€ofÏinformation€ð"ð€dents,€scratches,€mud€patches,€rear„view€angles€ð"ð€which€would€reduce€the€chances€of€losing€it.Ìà  àThe€van€was€entirely€white,€even€the€windows.€The€only€thing€distracting€from€its€curves€was€an€embossed€SelfÏlogo.€Eileen€cranked€her€suit€up€to€500%€as€it€pulled€out,€immediately€noting€a€pair€of€notches€on€the€roof€that€her€angleÏhad€hidden€before.€A€few€seconds€later€her€suit€had€identified€them€as€slots€for€ððcopter€pickup.€òòStick€to€the€rooftops,Ð ô+D'6 Ðthen...Ð º, (7 Ðà  àóóThe€next€building€was€close€enough€to€hop€to,€although€she€had€the€suit€take€over€her€legs€and€confirm€thatÐ ° Ðthe€distance€was€small€enough€ð"ð€silly€to€take€chances,€especially€when€she€was€so€bad€at€guessing€distances.€SheÏremembered€one€incident€where€she€had€tossed€grenades€on€manual€ð"ð€they€had€hit€the€wall€and€rolled€back.€MaryÏhadnððt€let€her€live€that€one€down€for€a€long€while.€"Eileen€throws€like€a€girl,"€she€teased,€making€everyone€laugh.Ìà  àThe€next€building€had€a€glass€rooftop€covering€an€Olympic„sized€pool.€òòMust€be€niceóó,€Eileen€thought€as€sheÐ n¾ Ðjogged,€watching€the€one€swimmer€cut€through€the€water€below.€Her€suit€noted€her€focus€and€whispered,€"DifficultÏhand„to„hand€kill.€Eighty„four€metres€from€present€position.€Suggest€projectile€weapon."Ìà  àEileen€sighed,€her€feet€tapping€somewhat€musically€on€the€glass€floor.€The€next€building€looked€like€a€far€jump,Ïand€her€suit€sped€up€her€run€in€preparation€for€it.€Halfway€through€the€air,€after€sheððd€glanced€down€at€the€Self€van,€sheÏsaw€she€wasnððt€going€to€make€the€next€ledge.€Terror€jabbed€at€her€like€a€clumsy€killer,€but€then€her€suit€raised€her€handsÏso€that€they€slapped€on€the€rungs€of€a€ladder€at€the€same€time€as€her€soles€did.€The€suit€fed€her€a€relaxant€and€climbedÏher€up€to€the€crumbling€building.Ìà  àShe€was€running€again,€feeling€even€more€like€she€was€on€automatic,€like€she€was€driving€in€a€car€parallel€toÏthe€Self€van.€The€drug,€as€usual,€disoriented€her€ð"ð€her€brain€knew€she€should€still€be€gasping,€but€her€body€denied€it,Ïaccused€the€brain€of€overreacting.Ìà  àAnother€jump,€this€one€less€dramatic,€landed€her€on€a€cement€platform€complete€with€helipad.€The€suit€sawÏthe€guard€first,€or€rather€the€squiggly€motion€of€his€cigarette€smoke.€His€puffs€were€furtive,€one€hand€holding€the€doorÏto€the€little€stairwell€house€open.Ìà  àòòOh,€hurry€up€and€finish!€óóthought€Eileen€anxiously.€His€unruly€hair€reminded€her€of€Jeremyððs.Ð Ú* Ðà  à"Easy€hand„to„hand€kill.€Twenty€metres€from€present€position,"€whispered€the€suit.€The€suit,€on€auto€with€aÏmission€priority€of€stealth€tailing,€shot€her€full€of€adrenalpro€and€lifted€a€flat€hand€in€preparation€for€the€fatal€blow€toÏan€armed€target.€Her€vision€split€between€the€Self€van€and€a€silhouette€of€the€target€that€suggested€green€attack€pointsÏand€coloured€his€weapons€red.Ìà  àThe€adrenalpro€got€Eileenððs€body€and€brain€communicating€again.€She€spotted€the€ladder€and€took€manualÏcontrol€of€the€suit,€which€slowed€to€a€stop€a€few€feet€from€the€smoker.€The€part€of€her€vision€tracking€the€van€startedÏto€crowd€with€warnings€immediately€ð"ð€she€knew€she€just€should€have€killed€him,€but€she€couldnððt,€not€with€thatÏcowlick.Ìà  à"Boo!"€she€said,€feeling€ridiculous,€but€not€coming€up€with€anything€better€in€time.€She€revved€up€the€suit,€andÏas€the€man€spun€around€in€slow€motion,€she€went€the€other€way,€getting€to€the€ladder€and€starting€down€just€as€hisÏcigarette€hit€the€cement,€sparks€flying.€He€had€his€back€to€her,€hadnððt€even€drawn€his€gun€by€the€time€she€was€on€theÏground.Ìà  àHer€suit€was€screaming€about€the€van€now,€barely€a€bright€speck€on€the€horizon€as€she€again€took€to€theÏsidewalks.€"Yes€yes,"€she€muttered,€"Itððll€be€fine."€As€it€turned€out,€the€van€was€idling€at€a€stoplight€and€she€was€halfÏtempted€to€get€up€on€top€of€it.€òòAnd€wouldnððt€it€be€a€pretty€picture€if€the€ððcopter€swooped€down,€you€lying€there€like€aÐ  $\* Ðblack€bear€on€a€snow€bank?óó€her€wiser€half€chastised.Ð Ò$" + Ðà  àAlthough€she€didnððt€know€what€she€òòwouldóó€do€if€it€were€picked€up.€She€couldnððt€very€well€grab€its€wheels.Ð >&Ž!- ÐIdeally€sheððd€get€inside€the€van,€but€there€was€a€good€chance€of€it€being€booby€trapped€and€it€most€certainly€wasÏsurveiled€in€some€way.€As€she€lurked€in€the€shadows€of€a€nearby€alley,€feeling€incredibly€conspicuous,€she€realized€itÏmade€more€sense€to€follow€in€a€car.Ìà  àStill€cranked€up€to€full€speed€(she€made€a€promise€to€herself€sheððd€slow€down€as€soon€as€she€got€in€the€car,€saveÏher€energy)€she€dashed€down€the€line€of€cars€stopped€at€the€stoplight,€finally€finding€a€pickup.€It€was€one€of€thoseÏsouped„up,€chrome„piped€tricksters,€but€it€suited€Eileen€just€fine€ð"ð€she€tumbled€into€the€truck€bed€and€dropped€out€ofÏsight€just€as€the€light€turned€green.€When€the€truck€started€rolling,€she€slowed€down€to€normal€speed€and€got€into€aÏposition€where€she€could€keep€an€eye€on€the€white€van€and€not€get€spotted.Ð -d(6 Ðà  àAs€she€got€comfortable,€she€noticed€that€the€box€in€the€corner€of€the€truck€bed€she€had€thought€was€for€storageÏwas€actually€a€dog€house.€And€that€the€dog€house€contained€a€pair€of€mean„looking€eyes.€Before€she€could€get€worried,Ïthey€passed€over€a€bump,€and€the€houseððs€plastic€door€glinted.Ìà  à"Oh€my,"€Eileen€sighed.€òòA€lot€of€excitement€this€morning.€Hardly€need€any€adrenalpro.Ð ¨ø Ðà  àóóThe€dog€bared€its€teeth,€but€Eileen€just€tapped€a€foot€against€the€door€and€smiled€at€it.€Or€that€is,€tilted€herÐ  d Ðsmiling€mask€at€it.€Dogs€were€actually€often€trickier€than€humans€ð"ð€they€werenððt€surprised€as€easily€and€their€targetÏpoints€were€smaller€and€harder€to€get€at.Ìà  àThe€Self€van€was€a€few€cars€closer€now.€The€pickup€driver,€invisible€to€Eileen€through€the€opaque€backÏwindow,€was€in€a€hurry,€and€whoever€was€driving€the€Self€van€wasnððt.€It€had,€according€to€her€data,€kept€such€aÏconsistent€speed€that€it€was€likely€to€be€on€autopilot.Ìà  àThe€dog€smushed€its€nose€against€the€plastic,€and€Eileen€was€struck€again€with€the€unfairness€of€it.€When€aÏlonely€person€bought€a€pet,€they€fed€it€and€loved€it,€often€they€came€to€accept€it€as€part€of€their€family€ð"ð€those€wereÏtotally€normal€things.€But€when€a€lonely€person€buys€a€little€baby€boy€to€care€for,€to€love€ð"ð€even€if€that€boy€is€her€fleshÏand€blood€ð"ð€well,€that€person€is€depraved€somehow.€òòAnd€the€boy€isnððt€a€real€boy,€heððs€a€mockery€of€life€cobbledÐ V¦  Ðtogether€by€people€too€smart€for€their€own€good.óóÐ l  Ðà  àShe€looked€at€the€dog,€ignoring€the€kill€data.€It€was€an€ugly„cute€thing,€all€drool,€froth,€and€yellowed€eyes.€ItÏmade€that€half„jerk€chin€move€that€marked€it€as€debarked€ð"ð€one€of€the€few€genetic€tweaks€that€had€worked.€Most€didnððt.ÏEileen€remembered€hearing€a€neighbour€gush€about€her€modified€terrier€ð"ð€"No€more€poop„and„scoop!"€ð"ð€with€a€kindÏof€trepidation.€At€first€she€thought€itððd€been€because€it€looked€like€one€of€the€dogs€on€an€episode€of€òòRabid€Fire,óó€that€sheÐ Ú* Ðwas€being€paranoid.€But€then€she€heard€the€little€clean„freak€had€cujoed€on€some€kid.Ìà  àThere€was€that€one€company€ð"ð€Monsanto,€wasnððt€it?€ð"ð€that€had€guaranteed€stable€behaviour.€If€your€petÏcujoed,€theyððd€pay€for€the€hospital€expenses,€dispose€of€the€old€one€and€deliver€a€new€one€of€similar€type€and€value.€ItÏwas€expensive,€but€a€lot€of€people€swore€by€the€subscription€method.€Then€it€came€out€that€they€were€using€the€wasteÏanimals€for€extreme€hunting€games,€and€a€lot€of€pet€owners€were€outraged.€Ìà  àAhead€was€a€tunnel,€the€concrete€painted€to€look€like€it€was€a€ring€of€fire.€WELCOME€TO€HELL,€the€textÏabove€it€in€old€style€letters€read.€Below€it:€{€NOW€DONððT€YOU€WISH€YOU€LISTENED€TO€PELE?}€The€ads€directedÏat€drivers€were€often€confusing€to€Eileen€ð"ð€she€hadnððt€been€a€driver€in€years€ð"ð€and€it€always€made€her€feel€old.€JeremyÏtook€to€explaining€the€campaigns€to€her€when€they€were€out€and€about,€and€she€listened€and€smiled€dutifully,€but€it€fellÏflat€as€a€dissected€joke,€either€seeming€convoluted€or€obvious.Ìà  àAs€the€Self€van€entered€the€tunnel,€Eileen€sped€up€to€250%€and€crouched€at€the€ready.€A€tunnel€would€be€aÏperfect€place€for€a€surreptitious€drop„off.€She€told€her€suit€to€look€for€irregularities€in€the€road€that€might€suggest€anÏopening.€The€yahoo€who€was€driving€her€truck€was€changing€lanes€and€speeding€up,€and€Eileen€was€anxious€that€itÏwould€draw€right€up€to€the€Self€van€ð"ð€it€was€possible€that€she€could€be€spotted€by€the€Self€driver€or€the€vanððsÏsurveillance.€She€tutted,€irritated€in€the€same€way€that€sheððd€be€irritated€by€a€taxi€driver€who€was€driving€in€a€recklessÏmanner.Ìà  àBut€she€wasnððt€a€little€old€lady€in€a€taxi€at€the€mercy€of€the€driver.€She€was€a€killing€machine,€and,€she€resolved,Ïit€was€time€to€start€acting€like€it€ð"ð€otherwise€sheððd€never€get€Jeremy€back.€Sheððd€left€the€little€old€lady€back€in€her€houseÏin€Sunset€Beach.€She€told€the€suit€to€tell€her€the€most€efficient€way€to€commandeer€the€vehicle.€A€few€processingÏseconds€later,€it€showed€her€how.Ìà  à"Take€the€tire€iron€from€its€enclosure,"€it€whispered,€showing€how€it€was€stored€underneath€a€flap€on€the€truckððsÏflatbed.€Then€it€placed€a€crosshair€on€the€truckððs€back€window.€"Set€speed€to€312%€and€push€the€tire€iron€through€theÏglass€at€this€point.€Withdraw€tire€iron,€remove€window,€enter€cab."€It€showed€her€how,€first€jabbing€through€the€glass,Ïthen€slapping€the€flat€of€the€iron€so€that€it€cracked,€then€sketching€an€X€to€allow€entry.€"88%€chance€of€instant€kill.€RunÏprogram?"Ìà  àShe€checked€to€see€why€the€percentage€was€so€low.€A€few€items€scrolled€up:€22%€of€Ford€Prowler€owners€optÐ Ú-*)7 Ðfor€safety€glass;€31%€opt€for€automatic€driving,€randomizing€the€driverððs€placement;€28%€are€"very€likely"€to€haveÏadditional€passengers.€The€suit€asked€her€if€she€wanted€to€plan€for€these€contingencies.Ìà  àEileen€shook€her€head€no.€The€van€slid€out€of€the€tunnel€into€the€sun,€its€white€brilliance€making€her€wince.ÏShe€had€the€suit€confirm€the€discrete€identification€marks,€mulling€her€plan€over€as€it€checked€them€off.€She€hated€doingÏanything€under€90%.€Beside€her€the€dog€was€knocking€itself€into€the€plastic€door,€its€fangs€audibly€clicking€against€it,Ïalmost€as€if€it€knew€what€she€was€planning.€Then€she€had€an€idea.Ìà  àShe€slowed€down€to€normal€speed,€watching€ahead.€They€went€through€two€green€lights€before€they€hit€aÏyellow,€and€there€was€a€moment€of€anxiety€as€it€looked€like€the€Self€van€was€going€to€get€through€on€it.€But€it€did€stop,Ïand€the€moment€the€Prowlerððs€wheels€were€still€Eileen€went€to€500%.€Moving€quickly€but€calmly,€she€slid€up€theÏdoghouse€door€and€hooked€two€fingers€under€the€dogððs€collar.Ìà  àThe€dogððs€legs€jerked€slightly€as€she€pulled€it€out,€gently.€Its€eyes€were€still€set€in€that€misted„over€bite„lust,Ïand€its€jaw€was€beginning€to€jerk€with€ghost„barking.€Eileen€grabbed€the€fur€on€its€back€and€lifted€it€to€the€top€of€theÏcab,€positioned€it€where€the€suit€had€thought€the€passenger€would€be€and€gave€it€a€shove.Ìà  àIts€legs€splayed€as€it€slid€down€the€contoured€front€windshield€onto€the€hood€of€the€car.€Eileen€breathed€a€sighÏof€relief€ð"ð€sheððd€worried€itððd€slide€right€off€and€maybe€not€even€be€noticed€by€a€distracted€driver.€But€it€was€alreadyÏbouncing€to€its€feet,€mad€as€ever,€ghost„barking€like€crazy.Ìà  àShe€lay€down€in€the€bed,€watching€the€doors.€For€a€few€maddening€seconds,€nothing€happened.€Then,€theÏdriver„side€door€crunch„clicked€and€began€to€swing€open.€òòFrom€here€on€in,€óóEileen€thoughtòò,€itððs€doneóó€ð"ð€òòjust€a€questionÐ d Ðof€messy€or€cleanóó.€She€watched€the€back€of€the€head€of€a€long„haired€burly€woman€get€out€of€the€truck,€her€chastisingÐ Ú* Ðyells€a€molasses€slur.€One,€two€steps€around€the€door€and€Eileen€slipped€her€legs€over€the€truck€bed.€As€her€feet€clappedÏon€the€asphalt€the€woman€followed€the€gaze€of€her€pet,€but€Eileen€was€in€the€cab€and€pulling€the€door€closed€before€herÏexpression€had€a€chance€to€form.Ìà  àAnd€just€in€time,€too.€The€opposing€light€was€yellow.Ìà  àòòWhich€oneððs€the€accelerator?óó€she€panicked.€She€looked€over€at€the€woman€and€saw€that€she€was€heading€forÐ T Ðher€dog.€òòGood.óó€She€put€her€hands€on€the€wheel€and€tried€to€remember€when€the€last€time€she€had€driven€was.€And€then,Ð Ê Ðthere€was€a€sudden€boom.Ìà  àShe€ducked€and€turned€her€head,€expecting€the€window€to€be€shotgunned€at€the€very€least,€but€it€had€only€beenÏthe€elongated€sound€of€the€door€finally€shutting.€"Oh!"€she€exclaimed,€switching€back€to€100%,€slapping€down€the€lockÏon€the€door€as€if€scolding€it.€She€glanced€to€the€side€to€see€that€the€woman€had€escaped€to€a€traffic€island€and€was€staringÏat€the€truck€with€hopeless€ire,€holding€her€dog€to€her€chest.Ìà  àòòGood€reaction€time,óó€she€thought€as€the€light€turned€green.€She€cautiously€accelerated,€and€after€a€few€secondsÐ º! ' Ðshe€was€able€to€relax.€She€glanced€at€the€rear„view€and€noticed€that€the€woman€was€talking€into€her€watch,€and€she€hadÏa€moment€of€anxiety€when€she€tried€to€remember€if€Ford€was€the€company€that€was€able€to€make€your€car€blow€up€orÏstop€working€if€stolen€by€thieves.€She€asked€her€suit.Ìà  à"According€to€Fordððs€FAQ,€Ford€offers€a€variety€of€antitheft€options€that€range€from€simply€disabling€theÏvehicle€to€flooding€the€cab€with€lethal€gas."Ìà  à"What€percentage€of€female€buyers€aged€18ð!ð34€choose€them?"Ìà  àA€few€seconds€later,€as€if€reluctant,€the€suit€admitted€that€18%€purchase€these€options€and€only€3%€of€theseÏwere€lethal.€Eileen€was€further€encouraged€by€the€lack€of€options€she€saw€in€the€cab€ð"ð€no€autodrive,€no€scentmakers,Ïnot€even€a€surround€system€ð"ð€the€owner€seemed€to€be€a€simple€girl,€a€girl€after€her€own€heart.€She€was€glad€she€hadnððtÏhad€to€kill€her.ÌÐ Ô,$(6 ÐPaul€looked€around€the€room.€It€was€a€stone€chamber€with€a€statue€in€the€middle,€a€giant€goddess€figure€with€the€headÏof€a€dragon€and€improbably€sculpted€physique.€He€walked€around€it,€looking€away€from€its€lascivious€grin€and€glintingÏemerald€eyes€to€look€into€the€body„length€mirror€she€leaned€on€like€a€shield.Ìà  àHe€surveyed€the€body€heððd€been€assigned:€he€had€a€marineððs€brush€cut€and€a€rigor€mortis€smile,€and€a€slightÏtick€in€his€square€jaw.€One€big€muscle.€òòPretty€classic,óó€Paul€thought,€looking€around€the€room.€òòBeats€meeting€at€aÐ n¾ Ðrestaurant.€óóHe€looked€around€the€environment€one€last€time€before€walking€out€steel€doors€that€sprung€open€at€hisÐ 4 „ Ðapproach.Ìà  àThis€was€a€hallway€lined€with€weapons€with€little€ornamentation€except€for€a€shield€carved€in€the€ground€withÏcrossed€test€tubes.€Not€dwelling€on€the€decoration,€Paul€strode€along€the€hall,€passing€a€.45,€a€radiation€waver,€a€sniperÏrifle,€a€bone€melter,€a€grenade€launcher,€a€plasma€gun,€a€yakuza€special,€a€massive€taser,€a€Molotov€cocktail€ð"ð€òòthereÐ ò B  Ðit€is.óó€He€reached€for€the€bottle,€and€it€leapt€into€his€hand.Ð ¸   Ðà  àThus€armed,€Paul€continued€down€the€hallway€towards€a€pair€of€wooden€double€doors.€They€creaked€open€ofÏtheir€own€accord€and€Paul€walked€out,€a€smile€on€his€face€as€he€thought€about€how€lucky€he€was€to€have€followed€hisÏintuition€and€given€the€cartoon€kid€at€the€bar€his€business€card.Ìà  àThe€doors€boomed€shut€behind€him.€"A€New€Challenger€Enters€Castle€Frankenstein!"€intoned€a€voice.€PaulÏlooked€around€quickly,€taking€in€the€short€hallways€lit€by€pairs€of€globes€that€shot€electrical€currents€between€each€other.ÏHe€cautiously€jogged€down€one€slope,€and€the€wall€near€him€exploded€in€an€acrid€smelling€burst€of€stone.€He€quicklyÏretraced€his€steps,€hearing€behind€him€"Iððm€gonna€burn€you€a€bellybutton!"Ìà  àHe€tried€the€other€way,€his€heart€beating€like€crazy,€his€footfalls€echoing€through€the€grey€hallway.€Around€theÏcorner€he€saw€a€yakuza€special€lying€on€the€ground€and€stopped€in€his€tracks.€He€listened€for€a€second€to€see€if€he€wasÏbeing€pursued€but€didnððt€hear€anything.€He€wondered€if€he€should€pick€up€the€more€powerful€weapon€ð"ð€the€spinningÏblades€would€be€way€more€useful€than€the€cocktails€in€such€close€quarters.€òòBut€I€might€not€be€able€to€carry€both,€andÐ ,| ÐIððve€got€to€keep€the€Molotov...óóÐ òB Ðà  àPaul€ended€up€sidling€around€the€yakuza€special€and€continuing,€entering€into€a€grand€hall€dominated€by€a€hugeÏbanquet€table.€He€was€just€wondering€how€the€diners€ð"ð€slumped„over€skeletons€ð"ð€had€died€when€the€stone€arch€aboveÏhis€head€rained€down€grey€debris.€òòShit,óó€Paul€thought,€spinning€around€wildly.€A€second€later,€the€ground€pinged,€andÐ ê: ÐPaul€started€running€for€the€opposite€end€of€the€banquet€hall.€òòSniper.óóÐ °  Ðà  àHeððd€just€located€the€balaclava„clad€sniper,€when€a€bullet€slammed€into€his€shoulder.€òòDamn.óó€He€leapt€up€onÐ l" Ðthe€table€and€then€back€down,€zigzagging€as€he€targeted€the€sniper€in€a€balcony€box€high€above.€He€let€a€Molotov€fly,Ïhis€heart€sinking€as€it€missed€the€balcony€entirely.€As€it€smashed€and€covered€the€wall€in€flame,€another€bottle€appearedÏin€his€hand.Ìà  àThe€sniper€laughed€scornfully.€"Nice€weapon,€newbie.€Stay€still€while€I€frag€you."Ìà  àBut€a€few€more€zags€later,€Paul€had€reached€the€wall€and€was€safely€underneath€the€box.€The€ground€aroundÏhim€pockmarked€as€the€sniper€futilely€tried€to€beat€the€angles.€Ìà  à"I€just€had€the€fucking€rocket€launcher,€too,"€complained€the€sniper.€"All€right€then,€newbie.€Youððre€not€worthÏfragging,€but€Iððll€come€down€anyway."Ìà  àPaul,€his€chest€heaving,€noticed€the€skeleton€nearest€to€him€had€a€crown.€He€nodded€fraternally€at€the€king,Ïwhose€skull€seemed€to€be€smiling€at€him.€òòThe€goblet€and€sceptre€are€nice€touches,€óóPaul€thought,€and€then€an€energyÐ p(À#0 Ðvortex€appeared€at€the€feet€of€the€king.€It€regenerated€wherever€it€touched,€sliding€up€the€skeleton€and€fleshing€andÏclothing€it.Ìà  à"Wow,"€said€the€sniper,€who€was€suddenly€beside€Paul.€He€pointed€with€his€rifle€at€the€king,€who€was€gettingÏa€handsome€face€to€go€along€with€his€purple€robes.€"Howððd€you€activate€that?"Ìà  à"I..."€said€Paul,€deciding€he€didnððt€want€to€admit€he€had€nothing€to€do€with€it€and€thus€render€himselfÐ š-ê(7 Ðdispensable.Ìà  àThe€king€stood€and€yanked€an€uzi€from€his€robes€in€one€fluid€move.€He€fragged€the€sniper,€who€thumpedÏsilently€to€the€ground€and€dissolved€into€a€cursing€green€pool€of€bones.€He€targeted€Paul,€and€Paul€waited€for€it,€feelingÏthe€stupid€bottle€in€his€hand€and€wishing,€instructions€or€no,€that€heððd€gotten€a€decent€weapon.Ìà  à"You€Paul?"€said€the€King.Ìà  àPaul€nodded.Ìà  à"Good.€Iððll€meet€you€in€the€mirror€room."€The€muzzle€flashed,€and€bullets€thudded€across€his€body.Ìà  àAfter€dissolving€into€slime€and€a€brief€blink€of€blackness,€Paul€respawned€in€the€room€with€the€goddess€statue.Ð X ¨  ÐòòGuess€this€is€the€mirror€room,€óóhe€thought.€Ð n  Ðà  àA€second€later€the€king€came€in,€and€Paul€noticed€his€black„clad€chest€was€emblazoned€with€the€crossed€testÏtube€crest€heððd€seen€earlier.€He€had€the€Molotov€in€his€hand€instead€of€the€uzi.€He€reared€back€with€it,€and€for€an€anxiousÏsecond€Paul€thought€he€was€about€to€be€fragged€again,€but€the€king€whipped€the€bottle€at€the€mirror.Ìà  àIt€smashed€and€covered€the€entire€mirror€with€its€gasoline€flames.€Once€it€had€melted€a€hole€big€enough,€theÏking€walked€through€it.€After€a€moment,€Paul€followed€him.€On€the€other€side€of€the€portal€was€what€looked€to€be€Hell.òòÐ H˜ ÐOh,€boys€and€their€toys,óó€Paul€thought.€òòHow€little€things€change.óóÐ ^ Ðà  àPaul€glanced€back€at€where€he€had€come€from€and€saw€that€a€creature€with€a€scaly€reptilian€body€and€the€headÏof€a€full„lipped€maiden€held€the€portal€on€this€side.€Ahead,€the€king€was€standing€at€the€edge€of€a€precipice,€his€armsÏcrossed€as€he€gazed€out€over€the€scene€below.€As€Paul€joined€him,€he€noticed€a€tiny€pointed€tail€had€poked€out€fromÏunder€his€purple€robes.Ìà  àPaul€decided€to€sit€down€on€the€edge,€swinging€his€legs€as€he€watched€the€lovingly€crafted€scenes€of€tortureÏand€damnation€below.€A€few€seconds€later,€the€king€sat€also.€Paul€noticed€heððd€sprouted€stubby€horns€and€had€aÏswarthier€complexion.Ìà  à"So€why€the€Molotov?"€Paul€asked.Ìà  à"Itððs€a€crap€weapon,"€the€devil„king€said.€"No€one€chooses€it€voluntarily."Ìà  àPaul€nodded.€"I€noticed."Ìà  àThe€devil„king€snorted.€"I€was€kind€of€curious€to€see€if€youððd€make€it€across€the€Grand€Hall.€DarkTrousers€hadÏbeen€waiting€there€for€two€days."Ìà  à"Two€òòrealtime€óódays?"Ð ¦"ö) Ðà  àThe€devil„king€nodded.€"Yeah.€He€sucks.€Fucking€camper.€I€donððt€even€know€why€we€let€him€in."€He€shookÏhis€head,€wearily.€"I€donððt€actually€even€think€heððs€a€clone,€fuck€what€Razortime€says."Ìà  à"I€guess€thereððs€no€way€to€prove€it€in€Frisco,"€Paul€said.€A€piercing€scream€drew€his€attention€below,€whereÏa€rack€had€done€its€work€too€well€and€torn€someone€in€two.Ìà  à"Yeah,€we€have€to€go€on€nominations,"€the€devil„king€said.€"But€it€doesnððt€really€matter.€Heððll€never€make€elite.ÏHe€can€run€around€Frankenstein€all€he€wants,€I€donððt€give€a€shit."Ìà  à"So€is€it€elite€that€made€the€cartoon€kid€I€saw€at€the€bar?"Ìà  à"Yeah,"€the€devil„king€said.€"The€hickbots."Ìà  à"Hickbots.€Very€clever,"€Paul€said.€"Institutions€and€banks€have€been€trying€to€make€themselves€uncrackable,Ð €-Ð(8 Ðto€make€the€protection€airtight.€But€with€peopleððs€personal€data,€the€focus€has€been€on€making€it€easy€to€share.€So€youððveÏexploited€this€by€having€these€hickbots€crawl€from€bar€to€bar,€getting€people€to€show€it€a€little€data."€Paul€noddedÏadmiringly.€"Itððs€like€asking€to€see€someoneððs€driverððs€licence€for€the€photo,€and€memorizing€the€birthday€and€addressÏas€well.€Except€thousands€of€times€a€day,€with€no€chance€of€getting€caught."Ìà  àThe€devil„king€smiled,€showing€pointed€teeth.€"Yeah,€itððs€a€hack€elegante.€I€didnððt€come€up€with€it,€though.ÏWhyððd€you€ask€to€see€me?"Ìà  à"The€first€guy€I€talked€to€mentioned€the€members€of€your€crew,"€Paul€said€carefully.€òòAnd€knowing€my€12„year„Ð   ð Ðolds,€I€figured€Jericide,€elite€member€of€the€Replicantz,€had€a€decent€chance€of€being€Jeremy€Ellis,€Eileenððs€innocentÏlittle€boy.óó€Paul€smiled€as€he€said€truthfully.€"And€Iððd€heard€of€you.€Based€in€Vancouver,€originally,€werenððt€you?"Ð , |  Ðà  à"Once€upon€a€time,"€Jeremy€said,€looking€out€across€Hell.€Ìà  àPaul€hid€his€smile,€telling€himself€to€be€careful€ð"ð€he€was€used€to€his€scrambleface€concealing€his€reactions,Ïbut€this€environment€wouldnððt€allow€it.€He€looked€down.€A€small€rotating€circle€of€sodomites,€connected€each€to€eachÏby€flesh,€were€ministered€to€by€a€cloven„hoofed€guard€who€whipped€when€they€slowed€or€when€they€didnððt€slow.€HeÏhadnððt€seen€it€loop€yet€ð"ð€it€was€good€quality€work.€He€glanced€at€Jeremy,€who€seemed€to€be€unconvinced€by€his€flattery.Ï"OK.€I€wonððt€insult€your€intelligence."Ìà  à"Oh€good,"€said€the€devil„king.Ìà  à"Iððm€researching€signs€of€subversive€activity€in€Frisco."Ìà  à"Yeah,€we€knew€that€Data€Securities€stuff€was€bullshit,"€Jeremy€said,€a€grin€curling.€"Well,€the€ReplicantzÏwonððt€be€selling€the€hickbot€for€a€few€months.€You€can€have€our€cast„offs€when€weððre€bored€with€them,€like€always.ÏGotta€tell€ya,€though,€youððll€be€paying€through€the€nose€for€it."Ìà  à"No,"€Paul€said,€amazed€at€the€eloquent€vehemence€inside€the€12„year„old€mind.€"Iððm€not€interested€in€theÏhickbot€technology.€Iððm€interested€in€what€it€represents.€I€mean,€youððre€obviously€not€a€genuine€subculture,€but€in€a€fewÏyears€you€might€be..."Ìà  à"What€the€fuck€you€mean€by€that?"€Jeremy€said,€standing.Ìà  à"Well,€come€on,"€Paul€shrugged,€staying€where€he€was.€"Youððre€a€bunch€of€kids€hacking€around.€Itððs€hardlyÏsomething€on€the€level€of€Code€Warriors."€He€swivelled€to€face€him,€remained€sitting.€"They€had€a€manifesto."Ìà  àJeremy€expelled€air€from€his€mouth.€"Man,€youððre€so€full€of€shit.€Who€fucking€cares€about€some€manifesto?ÏThose€losers€were€strictly€internet,€man."€He€wheeled€around,€his€cape€swishing.€"A€bunch€of€script€kiddies€with€goodÏPR,€thatððs€all.€What€did€they€do?€Get€on€MTV.€Big€shit."Ìà  àPaul€agreed,€but€drew€it€out€a€little€further.€"Are€you€any€different?"Ìà  à"Fuck€yeah!"€Jeremy€said,€his€petulant€anger€looking€strange€on€his€regal€features.€"Weððre€clones.€People€treatÏus€like€weððre€fucking€mistakes,€man.€Factory€rejects.€Out€there€weððre€too€few€and€far€between,€but€in€Frisco€weððre€aÏforce€to€be€reckoned€with.€The€haters€canððt€fuck€with€us€here."Ìà  àPaul€noticed€a€well„worn€quality€to€the€outburst,€but€there€was€unmistakably€passion€as€well.€òòHow€high€up€isÐ J'š"/ Ðthis€kid,€I€wonder?€óóOut€loud,€Paul€said,€"Prejudices€die€hard."Ð (`#0 Ðà  àJeremy€pulled€a€shotgun€from€his€cloak€and€loaded€it€with€a€snap€of€his€wrist.€Paul€expected€the€meeting€to€beÏcut€short.€Then€Jeremy€stopped€at€the€ledge,€took€aim€and€fired€on€a€bone€pterodactyl.€The€person€who€was€riding€itÏmanaged€to€squeeze€off€a€plasma€burst€as€he€fell€into€the€pit,€but€Jeremy€sidestepped€it,€and€it€only€lanced€his€cape.Ìà  à"Lots€of€things€die€hard."€Jeremy€tossed€the€gun€on€the€dirt€and€rejoined€Paul€on€the€ledge.€"Funny€thing€is,Ïwe€can€make€a€body€with€a€bellybutton€on€it€and€pass€as€spawned€here.€But€we€donððt€want€to€be€like€them.€TheyððreÏscared€of€Frisco,€scared€of€the€limitless€power€they€have.€Theyððre€scared€theyððll€become€inhuman€here.€But€weððre€usedÐ .P)8 Ðto€being€monsters."Ìà  àPaul€nodded,€feeling€the€excitement€of€discovery€he€felt€when€chancing€upon€a€raw€vein€of€new€blood.€Ìà  àJeremy€turned€towards€him.€Paul€felt€the€boyððs€eyes€staring€out€of€the€manððs€face€and€then€heard€it€in€his€voice:Ï"So€I€donððt€give€a€fuck€what€you€think€of€us.€It€doesnððt€matter€how€you€classify€us.€Weððre€going€to€be€a€force€in€Frisco."Ìà  à"I€believe€you,"€Paul€said,€sincerely.€"But€how€are€you€going€to€keep€your€identities€secret?€What€aboutð8ð€yourÏparent?"€He€had€almost€said€Eileen.Ìà  àJeremy€jumped€on€the€pause.€"Yeah,€parent€is€the€right€term,"€he€jeered.€"Sometimes€you€liberals€are€worseÏthan€the€haters."Ìà  à"Do€your€parents€know€what€youððre€doing?"€Paul€said,€òòliberalóó€a€burr€under€his€skin.Ð n  Ðà  à"No.€We€all€have€a€few€different€skins€for€different€occasions."€He€displayed€his€devil„king€appearance.€"ThisÏis€my€business€suit,€for€instance.€Obviously€when€I€hang€out€with€my€grandma€Iððll€look€different.€Itððs€not€an€issue€now,Ïsince€she€hasnððt€moved€here€yet...€anything€new€scares€her."€He€shrugged,€weary€and€accepting.Ìà  àPaul€smiled€inside€at€the€idea€of€Eileen€being€scared,€at€how€badly€each€of€them€misjudged€the€other.€Ìà  à"So€Iððm€waiting€until€I€get€enough€money€to€customize€a€house€for€her.€I€thought€itððd€be€quicker€but€thereððsÏbeen€a€lot€of€groundwork€to€cover€here."Ìà  à"Sheððs€probably€pretty€worried,"€Paul€probed.Ìà  à"I€know."€An€uneasy€look€passed€over€his€face.€"Itððll€happen€soon.€Weððve€had€a€lot€of€opportunities€come€upÏthat€we€couldnððt€pass€up,€stuff€thatððll€make€us€wads€in€the€future."€He€nodded€with€his€chin€at€the€people€being€whippedÏin€the€pit.€"This,€for€instance."Ìà  àPaul€nodded,€as€if€heððd€known€all€along€that€it€was€a€real€and€not€just€well„crafted€holos.€"You€guys€didnððt€doÏit€all€yourselves,€did€you?"Ìà  à"No€no,€the€team€of€designers€did€all€the€visuals.€We€just€did€the€back€end.€We€can€do€stuff€like€CastleÏFrankenstein,€basic€stuff€like€that,€but...€well,€you€canððt€see€it,€but€a€lot€of€this€stuff€is€really€twisted.€So€they€came€upÏwith€the€idea€and€the€torture€implements€and€came€to€us.€They€needed€to€know€how€to€override€a€guestððs€ability€to€portÏaway€or€adjust€their€sensory€input."Ìà  à"Iððve€never€heard€of€that,"€Paul€said,€suddenly€nervous€at€the€fact€that€he€couldnððt€port€away.€He€looked€behindÏhim€to€see€how€far€it€was€to€the€portal.€Pretty€far.Ìà  à"Good.€If€the€Friscops€knew€theyððd€patch€it,€so€itððs€got€to€be€pretty€underground."Ìà  àPaul€mentally€noted€the€slang€for€Frisco€Systems€Operators.Ìà  àJeremy€nodded€at€the€pit€below.€"You€see€how€busy€it€is€now?€It€has€a€capacity€for€twice€that€ð"ð€HellððsÏsupposed€to€be€crowded,€after€all.€So€itððs€nowhere€near€capacity,€but...€itððs€still€made€us€plenty€of€money."Ìà  à"Does€it€ever€strike€you€that€you€might€be€able€to€do€things€with€a€broader€impact€with€your€skills?"€Paul€said.Ìà  à"Of€course,"€snapped€Jeremy.€"Making€a€playland€for€these€sickos€is€strictly€for€the€money.€Weððve€got€plans."€Ìà  àPaul€raised€a€sceptical€eyebrow.Ìà  àJeremy€took€the€bait.€"Weððre€launching€a€pirate€ship."Ìà  à"A€pirate€ship?€You€mean,€for€the€bay?"Ð `-°(8 Ðà  àJeremy€nodded,€his€grin€absolutely€devilish.Ìà  à"What€will€you€do€with€it?"€Paul€asked.Ìà  à"What€do€you€think?€What€pirates€do€best,"€Jeremy€said,€his€eyes€sparking€to€life.€"Loot€and€pillage."ÌÌNicky€leaned€back€in€her€seat,€feeling€the€sun€on€her€face.€She€pedaled€leisurely€along€the€street€with€only€an€occasionalÏcar€to€avoid,€thinking€about€how€perfectly€the€world€suited€her€ð"ð€òògo€on,€go€to€Frisco.€Us€meek€shall€inherit€the€earthóó.Ð & v  ÐShe€spotted€a€vine€crawling€up€a€traffic€light€pole,€and€she€braked.Ìà  àShe€didnððt€get€off€her€bike,€just€sidled€up€alongside€the€pole.€Pulling€one€of€the€baggies€out€of€her€side€satchel,Ïshe€plucked€a€leaf€and€sealed€it€up,€then€spoke€into€her€watch.€"Sample€E21.€Corner€of€Cordova€and€Princess.€Healthy,Ïthree„foot„high€plant€growing€from€patch€of€earth€up€a€concrete€pole."€She€pulled€it€gently€away€from€where€it€wasÏclinging,€amazed€at€how€secure€it€was.Ìà  àA€car,€its€light€long€green,€idled€nearby.€Nicky€gave€the€blacked„out€windows€an€annoyed€stare€until€it€movedÏon.€She€was€glad€for€the€mask€that€Simon€had€bugged€her€to€wear,€not€for€his€reasons€but€because€it€was€a€fairlyÏinconspicuous€disguise.Ìà  à"Itððs€not€the€same€as€walking€around€at€night,"€he€had€said,€his€eyes€big€and€entreating.€"You€pull€in€more€airÏwhen€youððre€cycling.€And€during€the€day,€the€smogððs€always€worse."Ìà  àThey€had€been€eating€ð"ð€she€had€invited€him€and€Andre€to€dinner€to€celebrate€her€new€job€saving€the€world.Ï"But€what€about€these€miracle€plants,"€she€had€countered.€"Wonððt€they€counteract€the€higher€levels?"Ìà  à"Maybe€someday,"€he€had€said,€somehow€fitting€an€entire€tomatochoke€in€his€mouth€at€once.€"But€now€thereððsÏno€way€that€a€few€string€beans€are€going€to€filter€the€exhaust€of€a€billion€Mexican€cars."Ìà  àAndre€had€mumbled€something€about€how€that€made€it€sound€like€it€was€the€Mexicansðð€fault,€when€all€that€hadÏhappened€was€that€they€were€driving€as€much€as€us.Ìà  à"Iððm€just€saying...€oh,€fuck€it,"€Simon€said,€throwing€the€mask€on€the€coffee€table.€"Donððt€wear€it,€then."Ìà  à"Iððll€need€a€new€pair€of€lungs€before€Iððm€60€anyway,"€she€said€lightly.Ìà  à"Yeah,€that€makes€sense.€Spend€$100,000€on€a€pair€of€lungs€because€you€didnððt€want€to€wear€a€$10€filter."Ìà  àHe€had€dropped€it€then,€and€they€spent€the€rest€of€dinner€discussing€Andreððs€time€in€Mexico.€He€had€beenÏhelping€out€with€ZapataTV,€although€after€a€while€heððd€become€disillusioned€and€left.€"It€was€just€a€job,"€he€had€said.Ìà  à"Hey,€no€bashing€jobs,"€Nicky€had€said,€refreshing€everyoneððs€tumbler€of€red€wine.€"Remember€what€weððreÏcelebrating!"Ìà  à"Iððm€celebrating€a€talented€addition€to€the€cabal,"€said€Simon,€lifting€his€glass.Ìà  à"Yeah,"€said€Andre,€with€a€rare€smile.€"Thatððs€it."Ìà  àNicky€had€clinked€without€voicing€the€part€of€her€that€was€saying,€òòIððm€celebrating€getting€paid.€óóThey€were€odd,Ð V(¦#1 Ðthese€boys.Ìà  àNicky€rode€off,€her€eyes€in€search€of€more€samples,€her€mind€mulling€over€Andre€and€Simon.€They€seemedÏnaively€hopeful€and€worldly€at€the€same€time.€She€had€expected€them€to€change€after€the€night€theyððd€fucked€ð"ð€to€dropÏthe€pretense€of€being€mysterious€agents€on€a€mission.€To€become€hard„headed,€rough,€mean:€the€norm.€But€insteadÏtheyððd€involved€her€in€this€odd€scam€they€had.Ð Ú,*(7 Ðà  à"ð8ðSo€you€just€do€what€you€do,€and€he€pays€you€for€it,"€Nicky€had€said€later€that€night,€trying€to€figure€it€outÏthrough€the€wine€fog.Ìà  àSimon€nodded.€"Yeah,€well,€did€you€hear€about€the€ad€swoop€in€Detroit?"Ìà  àNicky€hadnððt.Ìà  à"Good,€Iððm€glad.€That€means€it€didnððt€work.€Ford€had€bought€up€every€inch€of€advertising€ð"ð€every€billboard,Ïevery€poster€ð"ð€to€promote€some€new€fucking€car.€Just€because€they€can,€because€Detroit€is€so€poor.€So€me€and€someÏfriends€went€and€adjusted€some€of€the€advertising,€so€it€drew€attention€to€Henry€Fordððs€admiration€of€Hitler.€Paul€sawÏwhat€was€going€on€and€got€in€touch€with€me,€said€he€wanted€to€fund€me."€Simon€leaned€over€to€double„check€that€theÏwine€was€finished.€"Shit.€At€first€I€thought€he€was.€like,€from€Nissan€or€something.€But€heððs€not.€Heððs€just€this€politicalÏactivist,€kinda,€with€a€lot€of€money.€So€he€gave€me€a€bunch€of€cash,€and€I€was€able€to€hire€some€of€the€best€graf€writersÏin€the€city€to€bomb€the€fucking€place.€It€was€awesome."Ìà  à"Thatððs€how€we€met,"€Andre€said.Ìà  à"Yeah,€well,"€Simon€said€with€a€smirk.€"I€hired€some€crappy€writers€too."Ìà  àThey€all€laughed.Ìà  à"Fuck€you,€òòbossmanóó"€said€Andre.€Ð ^ Ðà  àSimon€convulsed€with€hilarity,€fell€over€on€his€side€and€knocked€over€the€empty€wine€bottle.€Nicky€had€beenÏhappy€and€proud€to€be€with€them€that€night,€in€such€a€frivolous€mood,€and€even€now€with€her€cynicism€awake€she€knewÏthey€were€more€interesting€than€most€people€sheððd€met.Ìà  àShe€hadnððt€seen€a€sprig€of€green€for€a€few€blocks,€so€she€set€her€eyes€to€scouring.€There€was€a€good„lookingÏsample€twined€in€the€fence€of€Pleasant€Acres,€and€she€rolled€her€bike€onto€the€sidewalk€to€clip€it.€Ìà  àAfter€sheððd€bagged€it,€she€noticed€the€security€guard€standing€outside€his€guardhouse.€He€gestured€òòcððmere€óówithÐ ¤ô Ðhis€finger.€Nicky€got€on€her€bike€but€didnððt€otherwise€move.€òòWas€he€going€to€hassle€her€for€taking€a€sample?óóÐ jº Ðà  àShe€got€on€the€road€and€started€riding€towards€him.€òòHey!€Wasnððt€that€the€prick€who€electrified€that€old€homelessÐ Ö&! Ðlady?€No,€heððs€on€the€night€shiftð8ðÌà  àóó"Iððve€got€to€fine€you€for€having€a€vehicle€on€the€sidewalk,€miss,"€he€called€out.Ð X$ Ðà  àòòFuck!€It€óóisòò€him!Ð t Ä& Ðà  àóóShe€decided€that€sheððd€keep€riding,€cautiously€pumping€faster€and€faster.€When€the€guard€realized€what€sheÐ à!0( Ðwas€up€to,€he€yanked€out€his€taser.Ìà  àShe€felt€her€heart€in€her€throat,€but€she€kept€riding,€pushing€the€button€that€wasnððt€her€brake€button,€watchingÏthe€guardððs€finger€for€any€movement.Ìà  àHe€was€patient,€and€she€was€barely€ten€feet€away€when€his€finger€twitched.€Her€finger€also€twitched€as€it€leftÏthe€bunnyhop€button,€and€her€spine€jarred€a€little€at€the€sudden€springing€up.Ìà  àòòI€canððt€believe€Iððm€not€frying!€Flying€not€frying!óó€The€joy€flipped€into€terror€as€she€descended€and€became€surerÐ v(Æ#1 Ðthan€sure€that€the€bike€would€smash€itself€and€her,€leaving€her€easy€pickings€for€that€sadistic€little€man,€òòwhy€was€sheÐ <)Œ$2 Ðalways€doing€such€stupid...Ìà  à...such€marvellous,€exciting,€hilarious€things?óó€she€finished€after€the€bike,€with€an€impossible€gentleness,Ð n+¾&5 Ðsplayed€down€to€the€earth€but€didnððt€slow€a€whit.€ÌÐ  -ð(8 ÐWhen€she€got€home,€satchel€and€pockets€puffed€out€with€sample€bags,€her€bike€wouldnððt€roll€up€properly.€She€smiledÏwhen€she€identified€the€obstruction€in€the€spokes€as€taser€wire,€and€she€extracted€the€mangled€and€dirty€souvenir.€SheÏheld€it€by€its€prongs€and€said,€"You€wonððt€be€electrocuting€anyone€else€anytime€soon,€will€you?€Ìà  àShe€walked€through€the€big€house,€which€seemed€bigger€and€emptier€now€that€Andre€and€Simon€had€come€andÏgone.€It€had€felt€the€same€when€Kathy€had€left,€however,€but€knowing€that€didnððt€make€the€melancholy€go€away.€òòThereððsÐ n¾ Ðalways€room€for€loneliness!óó€Nicky€thought,€making€herself€smile.Ð 4 „ Ðà  àTheyððd€stayed€for€a€few€days€but€then€had€left€to€go€back€to€their€tent.€Or€so€she€presumed€ð"ð€she€hadnððt€askedÏbecause€she€hadnððt€wanted€to€seem€nosy.€She€didnððt€know€what€kind€of€relationship€they€had€ð"ð€her€getting€this€jobÏmade€for€a€strange€social€progression:€strangers€to€lovers€to€co„workers.Ìà  àThere€was€nothing€in€the€fridge,€but€she€found€a€Skippy€sandwich€in€the€cupboard.€She€smacked€through€it,Ïlooking€at€the€wine€bottles€theyððd€left€behind,€the€bulging€garbage€bags€awaiting€her€attention.€òòShit,€I€better€get€my€assÐ ^®  Ðdown€to€the€depot,€óóshe€mentally€groaned,€then€a€happy€thought€interrupted€her.€She€had€money!€She,€like€normal€people,Ð $t  Ðcould€call€the€garbage€truck€and€pay€for€a€pickup!€Regardless,€she€was€tempted€to€ride€down€with€her€bike.€òòBet€itððd€takeÐ ê:  Ðfive€minutes€max,óó€she€thought,€revelling€in€how€the€simple€machine€shrunk€geography.Ð °  Ðà  àWishing€she€had€something€better€than€pickle€juice€in€the€fridge€to€wash€down€the€sandwich€ð"ð€òòIððll€buy€orangeÐ l  Ðjuice€tomorrow,€havenððt€had€that€in€ages€ð"ð€óóshe€slapped€her€hands€crumbless€and€headed€up€to€her€lab.€Her€watchÐ â2 Ðannounced€a€call€and€she€was€worried€for€a€second€it€was€her€new€boss,€calling€early€for€some€reason,€but€it€was€herÏmom.€She€took€the€call.€"Hi€Mom!"Ìà  à"Arenððt€you€chipper!"€she€said,€her€voice€gratified€and€surprised.Ìà  à"Yep.€I€got€a€job!"Ìà  à"A€òòjob!óó€In€ð"ð€Vancouver?"Ð ² Ðà  à"Yeah.€Biological€work€I€can€do€from€home."€Nicky€dragged€over€the€chair€and€climbed€up€the€ladder€to€herÏlab.Ìà  à"Biological€work?€What€company?"Ìà  à"Itððs€for€this€eccentric€billionaire,"€Nicky€said,€having€already€thought€out€how€she€would€spin€it.€"He€doesÏpublic€art€projects."Ìà  à"Anyone€doing€biological€work€in€this€day€and€age€must€be€eccentric!"€said€her€mother,€her€voice€still€pleased.Ï"Have€you€met€him?"Ìà  à"No,€not€yet.€We€did€the€interview€by€e„mail.€I€was€recommended."€Nicky€stood€the€taser€wire€in€a€test€tubeÏlike€a€strange€flower.Ìà  à"E„mail!€How€formal."Ìà  à"Yep,"€she€said.€"Heððs€going€to€touch€base€with€me€tonight.€Theyððve€set€up..."€Nicky€thought€of€something.Ï"Hey€Mom,€I€can€patch€you€in€visually!€My€cubespace€is€set€up€for€Frisco!"€Almost€immediately€she€regretted€sayingÏit€ð"ð€her€privacy€defences€had€momentarily€dropped.Ìà  à"Oh!"€her€mother€exclaimed.€"Well,€just€a€second,€Iððm€in€a€bath€here."€There€was€the€schloopy€sound€ofÏsomeone€emerging€from€water.Ìà  àIt€was€hearing€her€momððs€equal€hesitation€that€made€her€relax€a€bit.€She€scanned€the€room€for€anythingÏdamning,€didnððt€see€anything,€scanned€again.€"Let€me€know€when€youððre€decent,€Mom."€She€took€off€her€jacket€andÏsatchel,€setting€them€on€the€counter.Ìà  à"Come€in!"€Mom€sing„songed.Ð à-0)8 Ðà  àNicky€snorted€at€her€corniness,€getting€her€watch€to€talk€to€the€computer.€A€few€seconds€later,€her€momððs€livingÏroom€appeared€in€the€small€cube.€It€was€a€replica€of€the€one€in€Vancouver€that€Nicky€had€grown€up€in,€so€she€knew€whatÏeach€tiny€framed€picture€and€knick„knack€was€without€having€to€zoom€in.Ìà  à"Well!"€Mom€said,€getting€up€out€of€her€armchair.€She€looked€up€and€around.€"This€looks€like€a€real€lab!€AndÏoh€my€God€youððre€huge!"€She€leaned€back€to€contemplate€her€daughter,€hands€on€hip.€"This€must€be€what€I€look€likeÏto€the€Chinese€villagers€in€my€mah„jongg€game!"Ìà  àNicky€growled€and€stuck€her€face€up€to€the€box.Ìà  àMom€lurched€back€and€squealed,€dropping€to€her€knees€and€yelling€something€in€another€language.Ìà  à"What€does€that€mean?"€Nicky€asked,€laughing.Ìà  à"I€donððt€know,€itððs€just€what€they€scream€before€you€step€on€them,"€she€said,€getting€up,€dusting€off€her€kneesÏby€habit.€She€looked€around€some€more.€"So€you€got€all€this€equipment€from€the€school?€I€had€no€idea€that€it€was€soÏmuch!"Ìà  àNicky€surveyed€her€gleaming€counter,€her€antique€test€tubes,€her€EasyBake€oven€through€her€motherððs€eyes.Ï"Itððs€basically€why€I€got€the€job,€because€I€can€do€everything€they€need€here."Ìà  à"Thatððs€great,€Nicky.€Art„related,€too,€how€perfect€for€you.€Just€great,"€and€the€two€of€them€glowed€in€it€forÏa€few€seconds.€"I€hope€heððs€a€nice€man.€Heððs€coming€today?"Ìà  à"Yeah,"€Nicky€said,€checking€her€watch,€glancing€at€her€sample€bag€involuntarily.Ìà  à"Iððll€let€you€get€to€it€then.€Iððll€head€back€to€my€bath.€One€of€the€best€things€about€Frisco€is€that€you€can€talk€inÏthe€bath€without€worrying€about€dropping€your€watch€in€by€accident."Ìà  à"OK€Mom,€Iððll€call€you€soon."Ìà  à"Bye,"€she€said.Ìà  àShe€emptied€her€sample€bag€into€a€small€pile€on€the€counter,€thinking€about€her€mom€in€the€bath,€calling€allÏher€relatives€one€after€the€other.€òòWhat€does€she€do€with€all€that€time?€Without€sleep€to€break€up€the€days?€óóShe€resolvedÐ |Ì" Ðto€be€more€understanding€about€her€motherððs€constant€calling,€wishing€all€the€calls€could€be€as€mutually€satisfying€asÏthis€one€was.Ìà  àNoting€the€sample€number,€she€put€the€vine€clipping€into€the€EasyBake€and€set€it€on€reverse.€A€few€secondsÏlater€it€dinged€and,€after€checking€the€oven€to€make€sure€itððd€degenned€completely,€she€scanned€the€data€and€groupedÏit€with€the€verbal€information€sheððd€collected€on€site.Ìà  àAfter€doing€a€few€of€them,€she€began€to€wonder€if€there€was€a€way€to€gang€them€up€but€decided€to€just€do€themÏone€by€one€ð"ð€she€had€a€while€before€her€boss€got€here,€so€she€wouldnððt€try€anything€too€fancy€just€yet.€But€it€wasÏexciting€to€think€about€learning€how€to€use€the€tools€of€her€trade€ð"ð€not€just€craft€now,€but€trade€ð"ð€inside€and€out.€BeingÏpaid€for€genetics...€Professor€Cho€would€be€green€with€envy.Ìòòà  àóóAfter€she€finished,€she€did€some€research,€following€where€the€data€pointed.€Pretty€much€on€the€hour,€her€watchÐ *'z"/ Ðbleeped.Ìà  àShe€put€him€through€to€the€cubespace€right€way.€"Hello."Ìà  àThe€little€man€with€big€shoulders€nodded,€his€hands€behind€his€back.€"Youððre€Nicky?"Ìà  àNicky€nodded.Ìà  à"Iððm€Paul,"€he€said,€looking€around€the€lab.€Nicky€returned€the€favour,€noting€that€Paul€had€no€environmentÐ  -ð(8 Ðand€appeared€to€be€standing€on€her€silver€counter.€Because€of€this,€he€took€up€all€of€the€cube.€If€her€mom€had€beenÏfigurine„sized,€he€was€doll„sized.€He€was€wearing€a€casual€golf€shirt€and€slacks,€with€a€shifting€blur€where€his€faceÏwould€have€been.€Ìà  àòòMore€cloak€and€dagger,óó€Nicky€thought,€òòalthough€he€pulls€it€off€better.óóÐ ¨ø Ðà  à"So€Simon€and€Andre€have€told€you€what€youððll€be€doing?"€he€said.Ìà  à"Basically,"€she€said,€nodding.€"Very€basically.€They€said€that€you€need€biological€work€done€ð"ð€analysis,Ïduplication€ð"ð€and€that€itððs€connected€with€JKððs€project€somehow."€She€looked€at€Paul,€saw€his€blur€bobbing€up€andÏdown€in€a€nod.€"They€were€pretty€vague,€though.€Itððs€all€very€mysterious,"€she€said€lightly.Ìà  àPaul€chuckled,€his€hands€in€his€pockets.€"Well,€good€for€them.€Theyððre€taking€it€seriously.€Itððs€the€first€timeÏin€a€long€time€Iððve€worked€with€agents€this€directly..."€He€seemed€to€be€thinking€about€something,€then€looked€at€her.Ï"Well,€may€as€well€get€started.€How€did€you€do€with€the€sample€collecting?"Ìà  àNicky€patted€the€pile€on€the€counter.€"Thereððs€a€lot€happening€out€there.€I€collected€20€without€trying€too€hard."Ìà  à"Thatððs€great.€And€did€people€give€you€any€problems...?"Ìà  à"Not€in€collecting€samples,"€Nicky€said.€"Some€people€watched€me,€but€that€was€it."Ìà  àPaulððs€blur€bobbed€excitedly.€"Itððs€a€different€world€from€even€five€years€ago.€You€would€have€caught€a€lotÏof€security€static.€They€would€have€gotten€rid€of€the€plants,€too."Ìà  àNicky€looked€at€the€taser€wire€sticking€out€of€the€vial.€"There€was€a€bit€of€trouble€with€one€guard,€but€it€wasÏmore€because€of€my€bike€than€me€taking€samples.€But€I€bounced€over€him."Ìà  àPaul€laughed,€almost€a€cackle.€"Older€guy?"Ìà  àNicky€tried€to€think€back,€picture€his€face.€"Could€have€been."Ìà  à"Wonder€if€heððd€remember€the€bike€strikes€of€the€ðð20s.€We€ran€through€the€streets€in€packs€then.€And€youÏbounced€over€him?"€He€laughed€again.€"Terrific.€Iððm€so€glad€to€hear€bikes€are€taking€root€again."Ìà  àNicky€wondered€if€he€had€something€to€do€with€JK€having€it,€but€didnððt€want€to€ask€and€appear€foolish.€òòHe€isnððtÐ "r# Ðresponsible€for€everything.óó€"So€I€took€ten€of€the€samples€and€degenned€them.€The€data€looks€pretty€consistent."€SheÐ è8$ Ðmoved€the€spreadsheet€to€the€cube,€and€it€appeared€in€his€hands.€He€stretched€it€out€and€scanned€it,€nodding.Ìà  àHe€looked€at€the€spreadsheet€for€a€few€seconds,€pulled€in€another€file€and€compared€the€two.€"Would€you€sayÏthe€patterns€indicate€that€the€airborne€spores€were€less€successful€than€those€with€live€carriers?"Ìà  à"Not€enough€data,"€Nicky€said€immediately,€feeling€the€anxiety€that€gripped€her€during€trick€questions€inÏschool.€"It€should€also€be€noted€that€the€collection€methodology€biases€the€data€ð"ð€I€took€routes€that€live€carriers€wouldÏbe€liable€to€take."Ìà  àHe€looked€at€her,€nodded,€looked€back€at€the€spreadsheet.Ìà  àShe€felt€silly,€like€she€overreacted.€He€wasnððt€necessarily€looking€for€diamond„hard€data.€"More€anecdotally,"Ïshe€started,€and€when€he€didnððt€cut€her€off€for€being€irrelevant,€she€continued.€"Lilacs€that€I€found€on€a€traffic€islandÏare€more€likely€to€have€been€airborne.€And€the€shirt€I€wore€to€JKððs€party€was€covered€with€spores,€but€I€swept€them€offÏonto€a€pile€of€dirt€near€my€place€and€they€didnððt€take.€They€were€pretty€sticky."Ìà  à"Hmm,"€he€said.Ìà  àA€few€seconds€passed,€and€Nicky€plucked€up€her€courage.€"It€would€help€if€I€knew€the€desired€results€of€theÏexperiment..."€School€had€drilled€it€into€her€that€the€client€always€had€a€desired€result€ð"ð€it€was€just€a€matter€of€workingÐ  -ð(8 Ðback€from€that.Ìà  àPaul€continued€to€look€at€the€data€for€a€few€more€moments,€then€set€it€aside.€Nicky€waited€for€theÏconfidentiality€speech,€but€it€never€came.Ìà  à"Iððd€like€to€make€the€city€wild."Ìà  àNicky€bit€her€lip.€"Wild?"Ìà  à"Vancouver€used€to€be€a€rainforest.€Iððd€like€to€invite€the€wilderness€back."Ìà  à"Oh."€Nicky€wanted€to€say€something€else,€but€couldnððt€think€of€anything€other€than:€òòHow€very€flakyóó.€She€wasÐ ’ â  Ðglad€she€got€paid€for€the€sample€collection€up€front.€òòNice€while€it€lasted,€I€guess.óóÐ X ¨  Ðà  àPaul€had€turned€back€to€the€data€again.€"This€is€working€fine.€Ideally,€itððd€be€trees,€but€thereððs€not€enough€time."Ìà  àAlarm€bells€sounded€in€Nickyððs€head.€She€imagined€a€ticking€bomb€buried€somewhere,€ready€to€blowÏVancouver€back€to€the€stone€ages.€"Time?"Ìà  àPaul€stared€at€her,€and€Nicky€tried€to€smooth€out€her€face.€òòItððs€so€unfairóó,€she€thought.€òòHe€gets€to€see€me€but€IÐ b²  Ðcanððt€see€him.Ìà  àóó"You€know,€I€donððt€really€see€any€resemblance."Ð ”ä Ðà  à"Resemblance?"€Nicky€said.Ìà  à"Max.€Your€uncle.€We€were€both€Harmless€Cranks."€He€crossed€his€arms.€Ìà  à"You€were€a€friend€of€my€uncle?"€Nicky€said.Ìòòà  àóó"Well,€we€were€colleagues.€Comrades,€I€suppose.€Did€you€ever€meet€him?"Ð D” Ðà  à"Yeah."€It€was€one€of€her€first€memories,€a€family€gathering,€a€big€man€with€hair€on€his€knuckles.€"Once."Ìà  à"We€never€got€along,"€Paul€said.€"After€we€stopped€the€moon€billboard,€we€were€constantly€fighting.€FightingÏabout€how€to€fight.€He€wanted€to€keep€pounding€away.€I€wanted€to€get€under€the€skin.€We€both€had€our€supporters,€andÏwe€splintered€off."Ìà  à"Itððs€funny,€the€movie€says€that€you€disbanded,"€Nicky€said.€"But€I€know€that€wasnððt€true,€because€MaxÏdisappeared."Ìà  à"Max€was€assassinated€in€the€most€effective€way€ð"ð€he€was€disappeared.€Maybe€he€went€to€fight€in€Cuba?ÏMaybe€he€went€underground?€No€solid€answers,€and€so€no€solid€opposition.€But€he€was€killed€ð"ð€nothing€else€wouldÏhave€stopped€him."Ìà  àNicky€said€nothing,€a€little€disoriented€to€hear€this€cold€explanation€of€murder€from€a€man€in€a€golf€shirt.Ìà  à"When€I€vetted€your€background,€I€was€pretty€shocked€to€learn€of€the€connection.€He€always€maintained€heÏhad€no€family.€I€was€a€bit€shaken,€actually.€I€often...€think€of€your€uncle."Ìà  àNicky€nodded.Ìà  àPaul€raised€his€hand€and€shook€his€head.€"No,€that...€makes€it€sound€like€I€reminisce€fondly€about€him.€The€truthÏis,€the€bastard€is€in€my€head,€squatting€in€there,€questioning€my€every€move.€It€must€have€been€the€meetings,€the€post„¼moon€meetings€we€would€have.€We€argued€until€our€throats€were€raw,€and€our€brains€were€numb."Ìà  àNicky€started€to€degen€the€rest€of€the€samples,€just€to€do€something€with€her€hands.€"My€father€hated€him,€too."ÏShe€shut€the€EasyBake.Ð .V)9 Ðà  àPaul€sighed.€"I€didnððt€hate€him.€Although€I€felt€a...€guilty€vindication€when€he€was€disappeared.€I€felt€like€IððdÏbeen€proven€right,€that€he€took€unnecessary€risks.€But€now,€I€almost€feel€like€it€was€just€bad€timing.€If€it€had€been€tenÏyears€earlier,€things€would€have€been€different.€The€newspapers€still€reported€on€corporate€activities,€government€stillÏhad€some€vestiges€of€power€ð"ð"Ìà  à"Max€hated€the€government€too,"€Nicky€said.Ìà  à"Yes,€oh€yes,€I€know,"€Paul€said€wearily.€"Although€that€damned€movie€focused€on€that€for€political€reasons.ÏBut€my€point€is,€timing€plays€a€big€part."Ìà  à"All€right,"€Nicky€said.€"But€if€you€want€me€to€work€overtime,€Iððll€expect€time€and€a€half."Ìà  àPaul€laughed.€"Fair€enough."Ìà  àHaving€finished€the€rest€of€the€samples,€she€took€the€spreadsheet€from€Paul€and€flowed€the€new€data€in.Ìà  àWhen€she€passed€it€back€to€Paul,€he€said,€"This€is€wonderful,€Nicky.€Much€more€than€expected.€Weððll€haveÏa€lot€to€talk€about€tonight€ð"ð€Iððm€meeting€with€JK€and€Simon€and€Andre."Ìà  à"Lucky€you€donððt€have€to€sleep,"€Nicky€said.Ìà  à"Ha,"€he€said,€minimizing€it€and€stuffing€the€spreadsheet€into€his€pocket.€"Iððm€sorry€to€have€talked€so€muchÏabout€your€uncle.€Itððs€been...€years,€actually,€since€Iððve€been€able€to€talk€to€anyone€about€him.€Iððll€get€Simon€and€JK€toÏfill€you€in€on€the€rest€of€the€project."Ìà  à"Itððs€OK.€It€doesnððt€bother€me,"€she€said.€Nicky€didnððt€understand€whether€he€meant€it€was€too€dangerous€toÏtalk€about€her€uncle€or€whether€her€relation€to€him€had€made€it€possible.€He€had€an€awkward€mix€of€frankness€andÏevasion€that€almost€seemed€unintentional.ÌÌAndre€and€Nicky€sat€opposite€each€other€at€the€window€table€of€Starbucks.€Nicky€was€having€a€hard€time€because€sheÏdidnððt€want€to€stare€out€the€window€at€the€umbrella€box€ð"ð€they€were€supposed€to€be€òòdiscreetóó,€as€Simon€put€it€ð"ð€andÐ `  Ðshe€didnððt€want€to€stare€at€Andre.€Their€conversation€ground€to€a€halt€so€quickly€that€not€much€grinding€had€beenÏrequired.Ìà  àAndre€was€sitting€there,€sipping€his€ChocoLatte,€the€translucent€tattoo€strip€around€his€wrist€unusually€visible.ÏShe€had€only€caught€glimpses€of€it€before.€The€little€bones€and€ligaments€slid€back€and€forth€as€he€tilted€his€cup.€Ìà  à"Brother€I€knew€did€his€whole€body€like€this,"€he€said,€seeing€her€gaze.Ìà  àNicky€nodded.€Embarrassed€at€being€caught,€she€looked€back€to€the€box,€which€read,€"Tilleyððs€Disposables:ÏTry€an€Organic€Umbrella!"€Finally€she€turned€back€and€said,€"He€must€have€been€unique€looking."Ìà  àHe€snorted.€"Oh€yeah.€Big€brother,€too.€Bodyguard€for€Jah€Pimp.€He€was€a€friend€of€my€sisterððs.€There€wasÏone€time€at€a€barbeque€in€our€backyard€when€he€took€his€shirt€off,€freaked€everyone€out."Ìà  àNicky€imagined€watching€bits€of€chewed„up€hot€dog€sliding€down€a€see„through€esophagus€to€a€big€belly.Ï"Must€have€been€a€hit."€She€noticed€someone€across€the€road€plucking€out€an€umbrella,€looking€at€it,€putting€it€back.Ï"Damn!"€Nicky€said.€"Itððs€free,€for€Godððs€sake!"Ìà  àAndre€smiled.€"Theyððre€kinda€strange€looking.€And€it€doesnððt€look€like€rain."Ìà  àThen€one€person€grabbed€one€on€her€way€onto€the€SkyTrain,€and€another€two€helped€themselves.€"As€soon€asÏone€person€does€it..."€Andre€said.Ìà  àJK€had€had€the€idea€to€make€the€spore„carrying€umbrellas,€and€Simon€had€wanted€to€see€what€the€best€methodÐ  -ð(8 Ðof€dissemination€was.€Andre€and€Nicky€were€assigned€the€hands„off€method,€which€suited€her€fine€ð"ð€she€had€been€upÏmost€of€the€night€slaving€over€a€hot€EasyBake,€making€the€sample€umbrellas.€Ìà  àA€few€seconds€passed,€and€Nicky€pulled€her€eyes€away€from€the€window,€scanned€the€caf€to€see€if€theyððdÏattracted€attention.€Not€that€she€could€see.€She€and€Andre€werenððt€the€most€innocuous€of€couples,€but€a€glamorous€andÏnoisy€threesome€was€drawing€most€of€the€looks.€She€looked€back€at€his€tattoo.€"So€why€did€he€do€it?€His€whole€body?"Ïshe€asked.Ìà  àHe€shrugged.€"He€said€it€was€ððcause€white€people€were€gonna€stare€anyway,€so€give€them€something€to€stareÏat."Ìà  à"Huh,"€Nicky€said,€feeling€weird€and€white.Ìà  à"But..."€Andre€drummed€his€fingers€on€the€table.€"It€was€also€just€to€show€that€he€was€paid.€That€kinda€bodyÏmod..."€he€shook€his€head.€"Serious€cash."Ìà  àThe€table€of€three€beside€them€was€talking€about€body€mods.€"Rachel,€if€you€want€it,€just€do€it!€What€òòisóó€theÐ pÀ  Ðproblem?"€Nicky€wondered€if€their€conversation€was€spurred€by€her€and€Andreððs.Ìà  à"Do€you€feel€like€people€stare€at€you€here?"€asked€Nicky.Ìà  à"Yeah,€they€stare..."€Andreððs€head€tilted,€his€eyes€looked€thoughtful.€"But€itððs€different.€Less€fear€here.€MoreÏcuriosity.€Thereððs€no€black€folk€here.€Back€in€Detroit,€they€stare€like€they€òòknowóó.€They€know€what€youððre€about€ð"ð€youððdÐ Ô$ Ðrob€them,€kill€them,€given€half€a€chance...€that€youððre€probably€a€lazy€African.€Shit€like€that."Ìà  àNicky€felt€a€twist€at€"lazy€African."€It€was€one€of€her€dadððs€favourite€phrases€when€she€was€growing€up.€It€wasÏhis€opinion€that€theyððd€be€doing€a€lot€better€if€the€"lazy€Africans"€phased€out€their€governments€and€got€with€theÏprogram.€"Hurts€us€all,"€hesay€after€doing€the€household€budget.€He€never€directly€blamed€the€Africans€for€her€stingyÏallowance,€but€the€insinuation€was€there.€Ìà  à"Do€you€think...€itððll€be€better€in€Frisco?"€she€said€and€immediately€wished€she€hadnððt.Ìà  àHe€snorted.€"What€do€you€think?"Ìà  à"Well€I€mean...€you€can€choose€any€appearance€you€like€in€Frisco."Ìà  àAndre€threw€up€his€hands.€"How€many€black€folk€can€afford€to€move€to€Frisco?€And€even€if€a€black€manððs€rich,Ïhe€canððt€just€switch€ð"ð€all€his€business€contacts€know€heððs€black.€All€his€friends€know€heððs€black.€So€if€he€switches,Ïeverybody€thinks€heððs€ashamed€of€who€he€is."Ìà  àShe€nodded€and€looked€at€Andre.€"If€I€had€the€money€to€go€to€Frisco,€Iððd€go€to€Detroit."Ìà  àAndre€laughed.€"You€donððt€want€to€go€Detroit.€Believe€me."Ìà  àNicky€shrugged,€glad€he€was€smiling€now.€"Not€just€Detroit.€All€over.€Halifax.€Miami."Ìà  à"Oh,"€Andre€said.€"Do€you€know€how€much€it€òòcosts€óóto€fly€to€Miami?€Over€$10,000!"Ð D&”!. Ðà  à"Really?"Ìà  à"Yeah,"€Andre€said.€"My€aunt€lives€there,€so€I€hear€about€it€from€my€mother.€ððJust€because€the€rich€people€useÏup€alla€the€fuel€on€flying€around€in€space,€how€come€I€gotta€pay€that€kinda€money?ðð"Ìà  àThey€laughed€loud€enough€to€attract€the€attention€of€the€three€loud„talkers,€one€of€whom€gave€them€a€òòkeep€itÐ N+ž&5 Ðdownóó€look.Ð ,d'6 Ðà  à"Hey,€Andre,"€Simonððs€voice€said.Ð €-Ð(8 Ðà  à"Yeah,"€Andre€said€into€his€watch.Ìà  à"Weððre€finished€here,"€Simon€said.€"How€are€you€guys€doing?"Ìà  àAndre€gave€her€a€òòwhatððs€this€guy€talking€about€óólook.€"We€arenððt€doing€anything.€You€were€giving€them€outÐ ˆØ Ðby€hand,€and€we€were€just€watching."Ìà  à"Yeah€yeah.€OK€well€just€count€your€units€and€weððll€meet€back€at€Nickyððs€all€right?"Ìà  à"Yeah."€Ìà  àNicky€took€a€few€more€sips€of€coffee€and€they€left,€walking€out€and€pulling€on€her€coat€at€the€same€time.€AndreÏdidnððt€have€a€coat,€just€a€thick€cable„knit€sweater€on€its€own.€"What€if€it€rains?"€she€asked€him,€chinning€at€his€sweater.Ìà  à"Iððll€just€open€my€brolly,"€he€said€in€a€passable€English€accent.Ìà  àThey€were€halfway€across€the€road€when€they€realized€there€was€nothing€to€count.€The€umbrellas€were€all€gone.Ìà  àThey€headed€up€the€stairs€to€the€SkyTrain.€While€they€waited€on€the€platform,€Nicky€wanted€to€ask€him€howÏhe€felt€about€the€tension€between€the€Jamaicans€and€the€Africans.€But€right€now,€his€face€was€expectant€and€placid€asÏhe€looked€down€the€track,€and€she€didnððt€want€to€stir€up€the€waters.Ìà  à"You€know,"€he€said.€"I€bet€it€took€them€longer€to€give€them€away€by€hand."€He€smiled.€"I€told€Simon€that,€butÏhe€didnððt€believe€me.€The€boy€thinks€he€can€charm€the€world."Ìà  à"Oh€yeah?"€said€Nicky,€smiling.Ìà  à"Hell€yeah.€Itððs€ridiculous.€The€other€night,€we€were€working€on€this€piece?€And€this€security€guard€sees€usÏdown€the€alley€and€yells€and€starts€running.€I€jam€the€cans€in€my€bag€and€start€walking€away,€fast,€and€I€see€that€SimonÏis€standing€there,€waiting.€òòWaiting.óó€This€smile€on€his€face."Ð ¾ Ðà  àNicky€could€see€it.€"Whatððd€you€do?"Ìà  à"I€grabbed€him€by€the€hair€and€pulled€him€along.€Eventually€he€came."€Ìà  à"Was€he€mad?"Ìà  à"Not€when€he€saw€that€the€guy€had€a€gun.€He€knows€you€canððt€argue€with€that."Ìà  àNicky€hoped€it€was€a€taser€but€didnððt€ask.€"Arenððt€there€security€guards€in€Detroit?"Ìà  àAndre€looked€at€her€as€if€she€was€crazy.€"Of€course.€Thatððs€how€he€got€into€so€much€trouble€there,€wreckingÏall€those€Ford€ads.€If€Paul€hadnððt€paid€his€fines,€the€debtor€vans€woulda€got€him.€For€sure.€Heððd€be€working€14„hourÏshifts€in€some€sweatshop€somewhere€as€we€speak."ÌÌThe€first€sound€Doug€heard€was€the€sound€of€timbers€creaking.€The€half„light€of€the€room€he€was€in€allowed€him€to€seeÏa€few€dark€shapes,€but€he€managed€to€get€off€the€hammock€he€was€lying€in€by€touch.€When€on€the€ground,€he€realizedÏthat€the€rocking€wasnððt€just€coming€from€the€hammock.€Spotting€a€thin€line€of€light€tracing€a€doorway,€he€made€his€wayÏover€to€it€and€felt€for€the€knob.Ìà  àIt€opened€onto€a€poop€deck€beneath€a€blue€sky€ribboned€with€clouds.€òòHoly€shit.€It€all€looks€so€real.óóÐ h*¸%4 Ðà  àDoug€shaded€his€eyes€from€the€sudden€light€and€noticed€something€odd€about€his€hand.€Before€he€could€fullyÏregister€it,€he€noticed€two€skeletons€lying€on€the€deck,€a€larger€one€and€a€smaller€one.€òòWell,€thatððs€kind€of€grisly,óó€heÐ š,ê'7 Ðthought,€shutting€the€door€behind€him.€At€the€sound€of€it€shutting,€the€small€skeletonððs€head€turned€his€way€and€shriekedÐ `-°(8 Ðhorribly.Ìà  à"Olivia!"€said€the€larger€skeleton,€who€propped€herself€up€on€her€elbows€and€backhanded€the€small€skeletonððsÏshoulder.€"Donððt."Ìà  à"But€itððs,€itððs€ð"ð"€the€small€skeleton€said,€pointing€her€tiny€bony€hand€at€Doug,€shaking€in€exaggerated€terror.Ï"A€skeleton!"Ìà  àDoug€looked€at€his€body.€Sure€enough,€it€was€fleshless.€He€tapped€his€foot€bone€on€the€deck,€and€it€made€aÏclicking€sound.€òòJesus.óóÐ F –  Ðà  à"Weððre€just€getting€some€sun€out€here,"€Cheryl€the€skeleton€said.€Her€jawbone€wagged€slightly€as€she€talkedÏð"ð€not€like€a€cartoon,€opening€and€closing€with€every€word,€but€in€a€more€realistic€fashion.Ìà  à"Looks€like€youððve€got€a€little€too€much€sun,"€Doug€said,€his€voice€sounding€completely€normal€to€him.Ìà  àOlivia€burst€out€laughing.€"You€look€funny,€Dad."Ìà  àDoug€looked€at€his€long,€bleached€arm€bones.€He€rolled€them€in€a€wave,€clapped€(well,€clicked)€his€hands,€andÏdid€the€Running€Man.€Olivia€screamed€with€laughter.€In€the€middle€of€one€dance€move€he€tripped€over€a€loose€plankÏand€fell.€He€felt€no€pain€until€Cheryl€screamed.Ìà  àòòLot€of€screaming€going€on€today,óó€Doug€thought€absently€as€he€pushed€himself€up€with€one€arm€and€clamberedÐ ´ Ðto€his€feet.€The€other€arm€had€busted€off€at€the€elbow€and€lay€on€the€deck.Ìà  à"Mom,€itððs€not€òòrealóó,"€said€Olivia.€Ð æ6 Ðà  àCheryl€was€looking€at€him€through€her€finger€bones,€her€whole€body€tense.€Ìà  àDoug€tried€to€move€the€missing€limb€and€the€bone€flopped€around€like€a€horrific€fish€on€the€deck.€He€made€itÏgive€the€thumbs€up,€and€Cherylððs€hands€slowly€dropped€from€her€face.€He€stooped€down€and€picked€it€up,€unable€toÏresist€getting€it€to€wave€at€Cheryl,€who€was€waiting€with€her€arms€crossed.€"The€hand€bone€connects€to€the€elbowÏbone..."€he€sung,€putting€it€in€its€place€and€hoping€for€the€best.Ìà  àA€little€ghost€with€a€doctorððs€bag€appeared€at€the€joint€and€looked€at€it,€assessed€it,€and€said.€"$75."Ìà  àNumbly,€Doug€nodded,€thinking€òòstung€alreadyóó.€The€Doctor€opened€his€bag€and€went€to€work.€A€second€later,Ð è8$ Ðafter€a€whirr€of€activity,€the€Doctor€waggled€a€finger€at€him€and€disappeared.Ìà  à"What€are€you€nodding€at,€Doug?"€asked€Cheryl€anxiously.Ìà  à"Nothing,€nothing,"€Doug€said,€making€his€tone€light.€He€moved€his€arm.€"Good€as€new.€Boy,€this€is€quite€aÏship€weððve€got,€huh?"Ìà  àHe€walked€to€the€edge€and€looked€over,€watching€the€waves€glint€and€ripple.€He€was€impressed€with€the€levelÏof€randomness,€which€was€also€evident€in€the€sails€snapping€above.€He€tried€to€remember€his€nautical€terms€from€hisÏchildhood€ship€simulations.€òòWhich€was€port€and€which€was€starboard€again?óó€He€couldnððt€remember,€so€he€pointed€upÐ D&”!. Ðat€the€cup€that€topped€one€of€the€massive€timbers.€"Thatððs€the€crowððs€nest.€Itððs€where€you€keep€watch€for€land."Ìà  àHe€strolled€to€the€front€of€the€boat,€his€hands€clasped€behind€his€back.€Without€looking,€he€turned€to€hisÏdaughter,€who€was€close€on€his€heels,€tapped€his€jawbone€with€a€finger.€"I€wonder€if€that€mermaid€is€still€strapped€toÏthe€front€of€the€ship?"Ìà  à"Mermaid!"€Olivia€said.€She€leaned€over€the€edge,€Cheryl€scrambled€to€hold€onto€her€waist,€looking€back€atÏhim€with€black€sockets.€"Hey,€there€is€a€mermaid€there!€Itððs€wood€though."€She€looked€at€her€father.€"Howja€know€that?"Ìà  à"Oh,€your€dad€knows€a€thing€or€two€about€ships,"€Doug€said,€affecting€a€captainððs€swagger.€"Iððm€going€to€myÐ  -ð(8 Ðquarters,"€he€said,€heading€to€a€small€shack€that€contained€the€wheel.Ìà  à"Can€we€go€swimming€later?"€Olivia€was€asking€Cheryl.€Doug€looked€back€ð"ð€Cheryl€was€already€shaking€herÏskull,€gripping€her€hand.€He€was€relieved.€There€was€something€about€that€water€that€freaked€him€out.€There€was€noÏway€theyððd€program€an€environment€that€infinite.€A€person€who€fell€into€that€randomness€would€never€be€found€again,Ïhe€was€sure.€Ìà  à"Thereððs€probably€sharks,"€Cheryl€said.Ìà  àThe€shack€had€stairs€leading€down.€There€was€a€musty€smell€below€deck€that€Doug€appreciated€even€withoutÏa€nose,€just€like€he€saw€a€small€gaslight€without€the€advantage€of€eyeballs.Ìà  à"Sharks€donððt€eat€skeletons,"€Olivia€scoffed.Ìà  àDoug€turned€up€the€lamp€and€opened€up€the€shutters€in€the€roof€that€let€light€through€its€grill,€appearingÏcompletely€at€home€to€his€wife€and€daughter.€He€sat€down€at€the€desk,€putting€his€feet€bones€up€on€it.Ìà  àCheryl€made€an€amused€sound.€She€noticed€a€large,€leather„bound€book€and€opened€it.Ìà  à"Thatððs€the€òòCaptainððs€óóLog,"€Doug€said,€"and€Iððm€ð"ð"Ð ‚Ò  Ðà  à"Shh,"€Cheryl€shushed.€"March€28th,€2036:€The€Patterson€family,€Doug,€Cheryl,€and€Olivia,€are€at€the€end€ofÏtheir€long€journey€to€Frisco.€In€four€hours€theyððll€be€arriving€in€the€harbour."Ìà  à"Four€hours,"€Olivia€moaned.€"Boo."€She€walked€away€from€the€desk€and€gravitated€to€a€large€oval€mirror€withÏan€ornate€silver€frame.Ìà  à"Oh,€thereððs€something€else€appearing,"€Cheryl€said.€A€scratchy€sound€was€coming€from€the€book.€"OliviaÏdiscovers€the€magic€mirror."Ìà  à"Iððve€got€skin!"€she€said.€The€little€skeleton€was€tilting€the€mirror€this€way€and€that.Ìà  àDoug€and€Cheryl€went€over€to€the€mirror€and€sure€enough,€the€reflection€showed€all€three€of€them€asÏandrogynous€human€beings€with€blond€hair€and€white€smocks.Ìà  à"Whatððre€you€smiling€at?"€said€androgynous€Cheryl.€"You€look€just€as€weird."Ìà  à"You€look€at€the€part€you€want€to€change,"€Olivia€said.€"Look€at€your€eyes."€They€did,€and€as€Olivia€tilted€theÏmirror€they€slid€from€blue€to€snow€white€to€coal€black.€Doug€stepped€away€from€the€mirror,€and€the€two€skeletonsÏlooked€at€him.Ìà  àDoug€looked€down€at€his€smocked€arms.€"Are€my€eyes€still€black?"Ìà  àThe€skeletons€looked€at€him€and€nodded,€quickly€turned€back€to€the€mirror.€Doug€went€back€to€the€desk€andÏsat€down,€enjoying€the€squishy€feeling€of€flesh€on€his€bones€again.€He€flipped€through€the€Captainððs€Log,€but€findingÏnothing€else€of€note€on€the€lined€pages,€he€went€upstairs.Ìà  àThere€wasnððt€much€in€the€little€shack€except€for€the€wheel,€so€he€went€out€and€stared€at€the€horizon.€It€wasÏslightly€wavy€with€the€heat,€but€there€was€nothing€land„like.€That€suited€him€fine.€He€leaned€on€the€railing€and€lookedÏout€at€the€sky,€enjoying€it€more€for€how€different€it€would€be€if€they€had€come€on€a€bronze€or€silver€package.€Dead,€non„¼essential€spaces€like€the€sky€would€be€covered€with€commercials€ð"ð€the€clouds,€at€the€very€least,€would€be€logos.€TheÏsoothing€rush€of€water€would€be€replaced€by€snippets€of€new€pop€jingles.Ìà  àHe€breathed€in€the€salty€air€with€satisfaction,€relaxed€like€he€hadnððt€been€in€weeks.€Months.€It€felt€likeÏsomething€was€melting€inside€his€chest.Ìà  à"What€are€you€smiling€at?"€Cheryl€asked€when€he€emerged.Ð  -ð(8 Ðà  à"Those€cheekbones."Ìà  àCheryl€touched€them€self„consciously.€"I€felt€like€trying€something€different.€Iððd€usually€change€my€hairstyle,Ïbut€I€like€my€hair€the€way€it€is."Ìà  à"So€do€I,"€Doug€said€and€leaned€in€for€a€kiss.Ìà  àCheryl€leaned€away.€"Eeee."Ìà  à"What€do€you€mean€eeee?"Ìà  àCheryl€pushed€him€towards€the€ladder.€"I€feel€like€Iððm€kissing€Undra€Massimos.€Go€get€on€somethingÏDougish."Ìà  à"I€thought€you€wanted€to€try€something€new?"€he€said,€grabbing€her€hips€and€puckering€up.Ìà  àShe€fended€him€off.€"Not€ð"ð€that€ð"ð€new!"€she€said.Ìà  àDoug€lifted€his€hands€in€surrender€and€climbed€down€the€ladder.€òòNot€óóthat€òònew,óó€Doug€thought€fondly.€òòThatððsÐ œì  ÐCheryl€to€a€T.€All€the€choice€in€the€world€and€she€chooses€cheekbones.Ìà  àóó"OK,€Iððm€done!"€said€a€tiny€Indian€woman€in€a€belly€dancing€outfit.€She€flashed€Doug€a€brilliantly€white€smileÐ Î Ðas€she€passed€by.€Stunned,€he€watched€her€climb€the€ladder€and€realized€that€Olivia€was€the€same€height€as€before€butÏwith€alarmingly€mature€endowments.€Without€words,€he€tore€his€gaze€away€and€went€to€slump€in€the€captainððs€chair.Ìà  àHe€listened€to€Cherylððs€outrage€with€relief,€happy€that€one€of€them€was€capable€of€it.€The€shouting€drifted€awayÏto€other€parts€of€the€boat,€not€lessening€a€whit.€òòThank€god€she€acts€as€conservatively€as€I€feel.Ð ŒÜ Ðà  àóóHe€got€up€and€wandered€over€to€the€mirror,€smirking€at€the€jelly„jowled€androgen€in€the€mirror.€òòI€can€look€anyÐ øH Ðway€I€want€óóduked€it€out€with€òòI€should€set€a€good€example€for€Oliviaóó€in€his€head.€The€latter€won,€if€only€by€default,€andÐ ¾ Ðhe€started€with€his€fingers,€giving€himself€the€same€piano€ticklers€that€heððd€never€applied€to€that€art.Ìà  àA€few€minutes€later€heððd€got€everything€but€the€hair€looking€Dougish.€There€were€a€thousand€length€and€colourÏgradations,€but€it€went€from€brush€cut€to€totally€bald.€Nothing€in€between.€He€went€to€look€for€other€styles€that€wereÏconspicuous€by€their€absence.€The€black€hairstyles€jumped€from€a€short€ððfro€to€a€comically€massive€one€ð"ð€suitable€onlyÏfor€white€people€at€parties,€Doug€decided.€What€you€couldnððt€get€was€the€well„kept€but€large€afro€preferred€by€AfricansÏð"ð€funny€that€domestic€rebels€like€the€Harmless€Cranks€had€already€spun€into€heroes,€while€their€foreign€allies€were€stillÏunmentionable€terrorists.Ìà  àHe€sat€in€front€of€the€mirror€for€another€minute€or€two€as€a€bald€man.€He€felt€it€looked€like€he€had€cut€off€hisÏmonkððs€fringe€in€a€fit€of€shame.€It€wasnððt€right.€So,€with€a€sigh,€he€chose€hair.Ìà  àHe€climbed€up€the€ladder€and€went€to€find€the€others.€The€sun€had€started€to€set.€He€found€Cheryl€sitting€onÏa€big€heap€of€white€sacks€beside€the€prow.Ìà  à"Is€that€Doug€under€all€that€hair?"€she€said,€slapping€the€spot€beside€her.Ìà  àDoug€looked€at€the€sacks€before€he€sat.€The€sacks€had€weathered€printing€on€them,€which€he€read.Ï"ððSamuelsonððs€Unrefined€Flour.ðð€Mmmm,€mmm.€Dinner€is€served."Ìà  àCheryl€ruffled€his€full€head€of€hair.€"Nope,€I€donððt€like€it.€Very€un„Doug„like.€You€think€thereððs€scissors€onÏthis€boat?"Ìà  à"I€doubt€it,"€he€said,€conscious€of€his€dead€tone.Ìà  àShe€looked€down€at€the€flour€sacks.€"Are€you€hungry,€Olivia?"€Cheryl€yelled€at€the€sky.Ð Ú,*(7 Ðà  à"No,"€came€the€brusque€reply€from€the€crowððs€nest.Ìà  à"Just€as€well€there€isnððt€any€food€here,"€Cheryl€said€in€a€chipper€voice.Ìà  àDoug€recognized€this€as€one€of€the€times€when€Cheryl€kept€them€all€afloat€and€decided€to€make€it€easier€forÏher.€He€put€his€head€in€her€lap€and€stretched€out€on€the€flour€bags.€"Iððm€gonna€close€my€eyes€for€a€while,€Cher."Ìà  à"How€much€longer?"€came€the€voice€from€the€crowððs€nest.Ìà  àDoug€checked€his€watch.€"Few€more€hours,€honey,"€he€said.Ìà  à"Lots€of€time€for€you€to€choose€something€òònice€óóto€wear,"€Cheryl€sing„songed.Ð ’ â  Ðà  àNo€answer.Ìà  à"Weððre€not€leaving€this€boat€with€you€looking€like€that,"€Cheryl€said€as€a€statement€of€fact,€scratching€DougððsÏneck.Ìà  àDoug€closed€his€eyes,€hoping€that€the€drifting€would€help€him€sort€out€his€tangled€ball€of€feelings,€tease€freeÏthe€strands€of€gratefulness€from€those€of€anxiety.ÌÌHe€opened€his€eyes.€Cheryl€had€found€her€own€spot€on€the€flour€sacks,€and€when€he€sat€up€he€saw€the€glint€of€her€eyesÏin€the€dark.€She€sat€up€too.Ìà  à"You€really€òòcanððt€óósleep,"€she€said,€clearly€amazed.€"I€remember€hearing€that€and€thinking€ððYeah,€right.€Just€waitÐ l¼ Ðuntil€I€have€a€day€where€Iððm€running€around€all€the€time,€picking€up€Olivia,€cooking€ð"ððð"€She€stopped.€"Itððs€weird."Ìà  àHe€put€an€arm€around€her.€"Weððll€get€used€to€it,"€he€said,€feeling€recharged€and€strong€again.Ìà  àHe€stood€up,€took€her€hand,€walked€along€the€edge€of€the€ship.€The€moon€and€the€stars€were€spectacular€things,Ïslightly€larger€than€life.€Each€crater€was€distinct.€Doug€wondered,€òòIf€they€had€gotten€the€billboard€on€it,€would€the€FriscoÐ Ð   Ðmoon€have€it€also?óó€Ð –æ! Ðà  àCheryl€noticed€his€gaze€and€said.€"A€while€ago,€I€had€a€nightmare€that€Frisco€was€all€cartoons.€The€moon€hadÏthis€really€ugly€face,€this€green€cheese€face."€She€laughed.Ìà  à"You€were€worried€about€Frisco?"€This€was€hard€to€absorb.€He€had€always€assumed€that€she,€like€everyoneÏelse,€was€excited€about€the€move.Ìà  à"Not€òòworriedóó,"€she€said.€"Just€a€little...€I€donððt€know.€Itððs€a€pretty€big€adjustment.€A€new€phase€in€human€historyÐ f"¶) Ðand€all€that."Ìà  àDoug€nodded€vaguely,€remembering€how€the€high€concept€of€upgrading€had€been€silted€over€by€granularÏmarketing€messages€ð"ð€special€deals,€low€financing€rates,€new€features,€more€options.€He€himself€hadnððt€reallyÏconsidered€what€it€would€be€like€since€then.€Ever€since€the€possibility€had€dawned€on€him€that€he€may€miss€out€on€it,Ïand€destroy€his€familyððs€prospects€in€the€process,€he€hadnððt€been€thinking€about€the€big€picture.€On€this€ship,€the€pastÏfew€months€seemed€a€smear€of€grey,€a€needless€binge€of€terrified€self„pity.€Doug€was€amazed€and€disappointed€inÏhimself.Ìà  à"I€meanð8ð€no€more€sleeping.€No€more€waiting€for€Flo€to€leave€before€we€can€hump,"€Cheryl€continued.Ìà  à"Ah,€Flo,€I€didnððt€even€say€goodbye."€Doug€said.€He€wouldnððt€miss€his€wifeððs€period,€but€he€would€miss€theÏstodgy€and€coy€nickname€and€how€hungry€she€was€for€sex€afterwards.€"What€are€you€looking€forward€to€here?"Ìà  àCheryl€said€immediately.€"Working.€Getting€out€of€the€house€and€into€the€real€world.€I€canððt€wait."Ð €-Ð(8 Ðà  à"Really?"€Doug€said,€surprised€at€her€vehemence.Ìà  à"Oh€honey,"€she€said.€"I€was€so€bored.€Remember€that€day€in€the€mall?€When€you€were€talking€that€silverÏpackage€nonsense?€I€just€about€lost€it.€Iððve€been€pretty€short€with€Olivia,€too,€last€little€while."€She€looked€at€him€guiltily.Ï"Iððve€been€acting€out€in€general."Ìà  àHe€smoothed€down€her€hair,€remembering€the€last€time€theyððd€had€sex€ð"ð€he€thought€she€seemed€harder,€lessÏplayful,€than€usual.€"Well.€Iððm€glad€to€hear€you€say€that.€Iððd€thought€it€was€me."Ìà  à"Iððm€sorry,"€she€said,€pushing€her€hot€face€into€his€chest.Ìà  à"Donððt€be€sorry,"€said€Doug,€wishing€he€could€confess,€too.Ìà  àThey€sat€there,€rocked€back€and€forth.€"This€is€weird,"€Cheryl€said.€"Iððm€crying€but€Iððm€not€stuffed€up."€SheÏwiped€her€eyes.€"Puffy?"Ìà  àDoug€looked.€"Nope."Ìà  à"How€do€you€think€Olivia€will€do€here?"€his€wife€said.Ìà  àDoug€realized€by€the€tone€of€her€voice€that€Cheryl€considered€Oliviaððs€disobedience€her€failure€as€a€parent.€HerÏguilt€and€fear€made€her€incapable€of€thinking€lightly,€creatively.Ìà  àBut€he€was€capable€of€that.€Doug€looked€over€the€side€of€the€boat.€Slight€curves€of€light€flashed€on€the€surface.ÏIt€felt€like€they€were€moving€faster,€lent€a€sense€of€urgency€to€the€problem.€"Why€did€she€choose€that€body,€do€youÏthink?"Ìà  à"Itððs€that€stupid€video,"€Cheryl€said.€"By€Pole€Position.€Thereððs€a€part€where€the€singer€in€it€Olivia€likes€goesÏoff€with€this€belly€dancer.€ððDance€Me€Upðð?€Something€like€that.€I€was€making€dinner€last€week,€and€she€watched€it€atÏleast€a€dozen€times.€I€knew€I€should€have€said€something"Ìà  à"Hmm,"€Doug€said,€starting€to€smile.Ìà  à"Itððs€not€funny,€Doug,"€Cheryl€said.€"Weððre€in€a€completely€new€place.€No€one€knows€us.€She€looks€so€differentÏð"ð€no€one€will€even€be€able€to€tell€that€weððre€a€family!"Ìà  à"I€know€what€to€do,"€he€said.Ìà  àA€few€minutes€later€they€were€agreed,€and€they€headed€to€the€base€of€the€crowððs€nest.Ìà  à"Olivia,"€Doug€said.Ìà  à"What."Ìà  à"You€know€that€your€physique€is€not€appropriate€for€a€girl€your€age€and€size,"€he€said,€his€voice€reasonable.Ìà  àThere€was€a€pause.€"So."Ìà  à"So€your€mother€and€I€feel€that€you€shouldnððt€start€off€in€your€new€school€with€a€body€like€that.€Other€kids€willÏmake€fun€of€you."Ìà  à"I€donððt€care€about€the€stupid€kids."Ìà  à"Thereððs€also€the€fact€that€your€mother€is€worried€that€people€wonððt€think€that€weððre€a€family,€because€we€donððtÏlook€alike€at€all."Ìà  àThere€was€no€answer.Ð @-(8 Ðà  àDoug€continued.€"All€we€want€you€to€do€is€for€you€to€have€a€body€thatððs€normal€for€a€girl€your€age.€On€yourÏ15th€birthday,€weððll€let€you€wear€any€breasts€you€like."Ìà  à"15!"€came€the€scornful€retort€from€the€crowððs€nest.€"Thatððs€six€years€away!€What€if€girls€my€age€have€bigÏbooties€and€tits€already?"Ìà  àDoug€looked€at€Olivia.€"Well,€if€more€than€half€of€your€class€has...€that€kind€of€body,€then€itððs€OK.€We€justÏdonððt€want€you€going€in€on€the€first€day€like€that."Ìà  àThere€was€a€silence.€Then:€"10."Ìà  à"14."Ìà  à"12."Ìà  à"13.€Thatððs€it,€Olivia."Ìà  àThere€was€silence,€and€Doug€was€satisfied.€Heððd€started€extra€high,€knowing€she€was€her€fatherððs€daughter.Ð öF  Ðòò13€was€normal€anyhow.€óóA€few€seconds€later,€Olivia€climbed€down€and,€without€looking€at€either€of€them,€went€belowÐ ¼  Ðdeck.Ìà  àWhen€she€returned€she€had€the€physique€of€a€nine„year„old.€The€belly„dancing€costume€had€shrunkÏappropriately.€"They€felt€weird€anyway,"€she€said€defiantly.€Ìà  à"Sheððs€still€ð"ð"€Cheryl€made€a€gesture€to€her€face€that€communicated€òòskin€colouróó.Ð  p Ðà  àWithout€answering,€Doug€took€Cheryl€down€to€the€mirror€and€made€some€adjustments€themselves.€When€theyÏemerged,€Olivia€was€on€her€knees€on€the€flour€sacks,€looking€at€the€sunrise€through€a€telescope.€She€looked€reassuringlyÏlike€a€little€girl€again,€the€disinterested€glance€she€spared€them€looked€deliberate.Ìà  àShe€did€a€double€take.€"I€thought€it€was€a€tan€at€first,"€she€said.€"Well,€theyððll€know€weððre€a€family€now."Ìà  àDoug€put€his€Indian€brown€arm€next€to€Oliviaððs.€"Perfect€match."Ìà  à"Whereððd€you€get€the€telescope?"€asked€Cheryl.€Ìà  à"It€was€in€the€crowððs€nest,"€she€said,€handing€it€over.€She€swung€her€legs€against€the€flour€sacks,€perfectlyÏplacid.€Doug€felt€a€swell€of€pride:€òòstill€got€the€knack€for€creative€problem€solvingóó,€he€thought.òò€The€art€of€compromiseÐ ŽÞ% Ðand€keeping€the€client€happy.Ìà  àóó"Kinda€sucks,"€Olivia€said,€handing€it€to€her€mom.€"Doesnððt€even€zoom."Ð À!( Ðà  àCheryl€looked€in€it€one€way,€then€the€other.€She€twisted€the€end.€Ìà  àDoug€looked€at€his€wife€in€the€sun,€her€black€hair€and€brown€skin€glowing.€Ìà  à"I€think€I€see€something,"€Cheryl€said.€"Land."€ÌÌThe€trolley€car€dinged€and€lurched€forward,€pulling€them€away€from€the€docks.€Doug€threw€a€look€backwards€at€his€shipÏand€appreciated€its€majesty€amongst€all€the€dinghies€and€speedboats€tethered€there.€The€bull„necked€men€whoððd€tied€itÏup€complimented€him€on€it,€although€they€must€get€gold€immigrants€here€all€the€time.Ìà  àAs€they€started€up€a€rather€narrow€hill€lined€with€little€houses€and€stores,€a€tour€guide€stood€up€in€the€aisle.Ï"Well,"€he€said,€"looks€like€a€lot€of€silver€folk€here€today...€you€all€come€through€on€the€free€package?"€A€couple€ofÏnods.€"Good€for€you,€unbelievable€deal."Ð `-°(8 Ðà  àThe€tour€guide€was€a€blustering€fat€man€with€red€in€his€cheeks.€The€collection€of€gorgeous€movie€starÏpassengers€looked€odd€ð"ð€too€excited€for€their€new€beauty,€too€attentive€to€this€tour€guide€character.€Doug€looked€at€hisÏfamily€and€thought€that€they€stood€out€from€the€silver€types€by€their€restraint€in€their€choice€of€appearance.Ìà  à"Welcomeð8ðtoð8ðFrisco!"€the€tour€guide€said€grandly,€and€there€was€a€smattering€of€applause.€"Most€of€youÏknow€it€was€created€as€an€emergency€measure€after€the€quakes€but€since€that€time€has€had€countless€trillions€of€dollarsÏinvested€in€it€to€ensure€that€itððs€the€finest€reality€money€can€buy."Ìà  àA€guy€sitting€by€himself€in€the€seat€ahead€of€Doug€laughed,€looking€at€something€outside€the€window.€The€tourÏguide€noticed€it€and€smiled.€"Those€of€you€with€gold€or€platinum€packages€have€watches€with€a€knob€on€the€side.€If€youÏenjoy€advertisements,€like€this€man€obviously€does,€you€can€turn€it€to€the€left€and€see€what€the€silver€and€bronze€peopleÏsee."Ìà  àDoug€did€so,€and€the€windows€in€the€quaint€houses€showed€a€tiny€three„second€adblip€for€Budweiser€of€a€blondÏwoman€squeezing€a€fat€manððs€bottom.€Doug€looked€back€at€the€tour€guide€and€noticed€that€his€formerly€tan€uniform€wasÏa€multicoloured€montage€of€dozens€of€logos.Ìà  àThe€trolley€car€was€cresting€the€top€of€the€hill.€"An€unparalleled€experiment€in€corporate€synergy,€Frisco€is€aÏcollection€of€different€nodes€only€limited€by€imagination."€From€this€vantage€point,€Frisco€lay€before€them€as€an€ElÏDorado€ð"ð€a€hilly,€colourful€paradise,€the€Golden€Gate€Bridge€finally€golden.€Doug€tried€to€remember€the€last€picturesÏheððd€seen€of€San€Francisco,€some€news€bit€about€how€the€new€Self€servers€being€built€in€the€ruined€city€were€capableÏof€weathering€tectonic€blasts,€never€mind€any€of€Mother€Natureððs€other€nasty€tricks.€"These€units€could€fall€into€the€seaÏand€not€go€offline,"€the€techie€had€said,€and€Doug€recalled€his€clamped€jaw€and€battered€helmet€ð"ð€it€had€reminded€himÏof€a€fireman,€for€some€reason,€the€same€grim€heroism€ð"ð€but€he€didnððt€remember€the€images€of€the€city€behind€him.ÏFriscoððs€images€had€supplanted€San€Franciscoððs€in€the€public€consciousness.€Like€the€daughter€of€a€movie€star€becomingÏmore€popular€than€her€mother€ð"ð€fame,€free€of€pudge€or€withering.Ìà  àThere€were€two€or€three€dead€ringers€for€movie€stars€around€Doug.€"Isnððt€that€Kathleen€Depp?"€he€murmuredÏto€his€wife,€and€she€elbowed€him.€She€always€found€it€in€bad€taste€to€point€out€bad€taste.€Both€she€and€Olivia€wereÏdutifully€looking€out€the€window.Ìà  à"Thereððs€the€church€we€saw,"€she€said€to€Olivia,€pointing€out€the€mysterious€white€structure.€It€had€no€cross,Ïbut€there€was€no€mistaking€its€significance.Ìà  àWhen€the€gasps€and€rubbernecking€of€the€trolley€passengers€slowly€died€out,€the€tour€guide€slammed€a€leverÏback€and€the€trolley€car€continued€on€its€way.€Turning€his€back€to€the€front€window,€he€continued€his€spiel.€"This€is€NewÏCastro€Street,"€he€said€as€the€trolley€gathered€speed,€not€unlike€a€roller€coaster.Ìà  àThis€part€of€the€city€was€lively€and,€unlike€the€facades€of€the€stores€on€the€way€up,€looked€filled€in.€There€wereÏpeople€strolling€along€the€sidewalks,€looking€at€menus€in€front€of€restaurants,€gazing€in€well„stocked€clothing€storeÏwindows.€Doug€noted€that€the€mannequins€were€the€same€as€they€were€back€home,€despite€it€being€as€easy€to€create€aÏlifelike€dummy€as€it€was€to€create€a€blank„faced€one.Ìà  àGasps€of€horror€and€pointing€drew€his€attention€to€an€old€man,€struggling€across€the€road,€directly€in€the€pathÏof€the€rollercoastering€trolley€car.€Understanding€finally€dawning€on€him,€the€tour€guide€himself€glanced€around€andÏsprang€into€action.€His€whole€body€lurched€as€he€slammed€the€lever€back€and€there€was€a€terrible€screeching€as€theÏtrolley€car€braked.Ìà  àDoug€watched€it€with€a€professional€interest€ð"ð€the€old€manððs€glasses€smashing€horribly€against€the€windowÏof€the€trolley€car;€the€agonized€look€on€the€tour€guideððs€face;€the€white€knuckles€of€the€faux€movie€star€ahead.Ìà  àOlivia€looked€at€him€stricken€and€sick.€Cheryl,€meanwhile,€looked€away€from€the€old€man€and€licked€her€lipsÏat€Doug.€Doug€checked€their€watches€ð"ð€Olivia,€like€him,€was€set€to€bronze€while€Cheryl€was€gold.€Doug€twisted€hisÏknob.Ìà  à"ð"ð€crme€brðEðle."€The€tour€guide€was€saying,€all€traces€of€agony€gone€from€his€face.€"The€finest€chefs€in€theÐ º- )7 Ðworld.€Just€because€you€donððt€need€to€eat€doesnððt€mean€you€shouldnððt€treat€yourself."€The€old€man€was€nowhere€to€beÏseen.Ìà  àDoug€looked€at€what€the€tour€guide€was€nodding€at,€a€quiet„looking€restaurant€with€a€small€sign:€Midasðð€Feast.ÏThe€passenger€in€front€of€him€was€laughing€again,€so€he€turned€his€knob€back€to€bronze.€The€club€was€replaced€by€aÏlottery€store€("Get€a€Lotto€More€Out€of€Life!")€and€the€old€man€reappeared€ahead,€tended€by€cute€little€badgers€who€hadÏstrapped€an€IV€of€Coca„Cola€to€his€arm.€There€was€a€tiny€red€and€white€helicopter€on€the€road€now,€its€blades€stillÏwhirring.Ìà  àThey€walked€him€to€the€side€of€the€road,€although€with€every€step€he€gained€more€pep,€and€before€returningÏto€their€ððcopter,€one€of€them€jumped€up€to€place€a€pair€of€rhinestone€sunglasses€on€his€face€to€replace€his€glasses.€TheÏtour€guide€saluted€the€little€mascots€as€they€lifted€off,€then€started€the€trolley€car€again.€As€they€rolled€by€the€old€man,Ïhe€waved,€but€then€turned€to€ogle€the€bottoms€of€two€sexy€ladies€over€his€sunglasses.Ìà  à"Why€are€they€waving€at€him,"€Olivia€was€saying€contemptuously.€"Heððs€not€òòreal.óó"Ð $t  Ðà  à"Whoððs€not€real,€honey?"€Cheryl€asked,€looking€around.Ìà  à"People€on€bronze€got€a€rubbernecker€ad,"€Doug€summarized.Ìà  à"Ah,"€said€Cheryl,€not€interested.€"We€should€remember€where€that€restaurant€was,€honey."Ìà  àDoug€nodded,€amused€that€his€wife€was€still€thinking€geographically.€He€turned€to€Olivia.€"When€did€you€knowÏit€was€an€ad?"Ìà  à"Right€when€I€saw€him,"€Olivia€said,€opening€and€closing€her€telescope.€"Why€would€someone€be€walking€likeÏthat?€Thereððre€no€old€people€here."Ìà  àDoug€nodded,€proud.€Contempt€for€shoddy€advertising€ð"ð€and€the€people€that€swallowed€it€whole€ð"ð€were€theÏseeds€for€a€career€in€marketing.€òòA€lot€more€stable€than€coolhuntingóó,€he€thought,€the€anxieties€of€going€back€to€workÐ þN Ðseeping€into€his€brain.€òòAt€least€Chan€canððt€flaunt€his€age€any€more.óó€But€even€without€a€stomach,€he€still€felt€butterfliesÐ Ä Ðstarting€to€flutter.Ìòòà  àóó"Port€to€a€restaurant€like€Luckyððs,€and€you€can€dine€with€Mafioso€right€before€the€turf€war€starts€ð"ð€and€betÐ öF! Ðon€which€gang€will€win,"€the€tour€guide€was€saying€as€the€trolley€car€trundled€by€a€flashing€sign.€Two€fedora„wearingÏmen€emerged€from€a€black€Oldsmobile€and€went€in.€The€last€one,€carrying€a€violin€case,€shot€a€dark€look€at€them€as€heÏentered€the€restaurant.Ìà  à"This€reminds€me€of€something,"€Cheryl€said.€"Disneyland."Ìà  à"Well,€I€wouldnððt€know,"€sulked€Olivia.Ìà  àGuilt€flit€across€Cherylððs€face.€Last€year,€when€Oliviaððs€friend€Paula€was€going,€they€couldnððt€afford€to€sendÏher.Ìà  àDoug€smiled.€"Would€you€rather€visit€there,€or€live€here?"Ìà  à"Both,"€Olivia€said.Ìà  àDoug€smiled€and€ruffled€her€hair.€"Demand€the€impossible,€negotiate€from€there."Ìà  àA€few€seconds€later,€Olivia€turned€her€head€and€listened€to€something€Doug€couldnððt€see.€He€tuned€into€bronze,Ïand€a€little€girl€in€pigtails€and€hot€pants€appeared€in€the€aisle.Ìà  à"...Plus,€Frisco€Disneyland€has€so„so„so€nice€acts€like€Pole€Position€and€Underwhere,"€she€was€saying,€her€eyesÏshining€and€beautiful,€her€skin€as€dusky€as€Oliviaððs.€She€didnððt€look€at€Doug.Ð ú,J(7 Ðà  àòòAh€shit,óó€he€thought,€amazed€at€how€fast€the€pitchdrones€were€at€zoning€in€on€keywords€like€Disneyland.€òòHaveÐ ° Ðto€do€something€quick€or€Iððll€never€hear€the€end€of€it.óóÐ vÆ Ðà  à"Isnððt€it€cute,€Cheryl?€Oliviaððs€got€an€imaginary€friend."Ìà  àOlivia€heard€but€didnððt€acknowledge€this.Ìà  à"Thought€talking€to€fake€people€was€dumb,"€he€said€lightly,€with€a€smirk.Ìà  àShe€twisted€her€knob€to€gold,€giving€him€an€annoyed€look.Ìà  àThe€tour€guide€had€just€pointed€out€the€petting€zoo€and€Science€World.€"And€this€is€just€a€little€taste€of€theÏattractions€in€Frisco,"€he€said,€putting€the€brakes€on.€"You€can€get€off€here€or€stay€on€for€the€business€and€residentialÏdistricts.€Remember,€those€of€you€with€porting„enabled€packages€can€simply€say€your€destination€into€your€watch."Ìà  àA€few€people€got€off€here,€and€Olivia€stretched€out.€A€couple€across€from€them€consulted€with€each€other€andÏthen€disappeared.€It€was€less€disconcerting€than€Doug€would€have€imagined.€More€people€got€on,€and€Olivia€had€to€giveÏup€her€space.€"Why€donððt€they€just€port€there?"€she€asked€Cheryl€in€a€whisper.Ìà  à"They€only€have€a€few€ports€a€day,"€Cheryl€murmured€back.Ìà  à"All€aboard,"€said€the€chubby€tour€guide,€settling€into€the€driverððs€seat€and€grabbing€the€lever.€With€a€clangÏand€a€yank,€the€trolley€car€sped€up€so€that€the€surroundings€blurred€into€streaks€of€light€and€colour.€Doug€appreciatedÏthe€fact€that€this€conveyed€a€sense€of€many€exciting€places€and€things€to€do€without€having€to€actually€create€them.Ìà  àThe€colours€slowly€drained€away€as€the€trolley€car€slowed€into€the€business€district.€Unlike€New€Castro€Street,Ïthis€place€had€only€a€few€people€walking€around€between€buildings€that€stretched€up€further€than€the€eye€could€see.ÏDoug€supposed€that€most€people€coming€here€ported€from€place€to€place.€"This€is€the€business€district,"€said€the€tourÏguide.Ìà  à"See€you€two€tonight,"€Doug€said,€brushing€unfamiliar€cheekbones€with€his€lips€on€his€way€to€the€exit.€AnotherÏman,€dressed€far€more€appropriately€than€Doug,€went€out€ahead€of€him.€Doug,€wishing€he€hadnððt€worn€a€casual€sarong,Ïstepped€on€the€sidewalk€and€looked€back€to€see€his€family€watching€him.€Smiling,€he€raised€a€hand€goodbye€and€walkedÏpurposefully€in€the€same€direction€as€the€other€man€until€the€trolley€car€had€warped€out€of€sight.Ìà  àHis€smile€fell,€and€he€asked€the€man€beside€him€for€directions.ÌÌEileenððs€spine„plug€was€chafing,€but€she€resisted€the€urge€to€scratch€it,€keeping€her€hands€on€the€wheel.€The€suit€wasnððtÏreally€made€for€sitting€ð"ð€running,€yes,€leaping,€sure,€but€something€about€the€angle€of€sitting€stretched€the€material€inÏan€awkward€way.€She€didnððt€want€to€touch€it€and€risk€dislodging€it€ð"ð€she€suspected€that€sudden€disconnection€fromÏthe€stream€of€drugs€and€electricity€would€kill€her.€òòSo€what€happens€after€I€find€Jeremy?óó€She€shifted€in€the€seat€and€triedÐ Œ#Ü* Ðto€think€of€other€things.Ìà  àAlthough€a€little€nervous€driving€at€first,€sheððd€been€fine€ever€since€she€followed€the€Self€van€onto€the€highway.ÏShe€was€rather€pleased€ð"ð€itððd€been€at€least€a€decade€since€sheððd€been€behind€the€wheel.€òòHowððd€that€jingle€go?€"You„Ð „&Ô!. Ðnever„forget,€how„to„drive!"?€óóSomething€like€that.€It€certainly€felt€like€an€instinctual€memory.Ð J'š"/ Ðà  à€Gliding€along€the€highway,€she€almost€wished€the€Self€van€would€speed€up€a€little.€It€didnððt€even€change€lanes.ÏBased€on€its€regularity,€her€suit€was€now€90%€sure€it€was€on€autodrive.€Which€made€sense.€She€passed€under€anotherÏtoll,€wondering€if€the€camera€charging€the€vehicleððs€owner€was€also€keeping€her€aware€of€Eileenððs€location.Ìà  àòòNothing€like€driving€with€music.€óóShe€thought€for€a€second€about€getting€her€suit€to€play€something,€but€sheÐ ®+þ&5 Ðcouldnððt€think€of€anything€specific.€The€truck€had€a€radio€in€it,€so€she€turned€it€on€and€had€it€scan.€It€hit€an€oldies€station,Ïplaying€something€that€sounded€familiar,€so€she€locked€in.€She€didnððt€know€the€band,€but€she€enjoyed€the€guitars€ð"ð€oneÏheard€them€so€infrequently€these€days.€òòWhat€was€that€stuff€that€Jeremy€was€listening€to?€Clone€Drone?€Sounded€likeÐ .P)8 Ðfoghorns,€so€negative...óóÐ ° Ðà  àShe€resolved€that€once€she€got€him€back€sheððd€introduce€him€to€different€types€of€music.€Scattershot€jungle,Ïfor€instance,€the€soundtrack€of€her€youth€ð"ð€although€when€her€father€had€taken€out€his€old€silver€CDs€and€shown€herÏyellowed€and€cracked€pictures€of€punk€shows,€it€was€all€in€vain.€She€couldnððt€have€cared€less.Ìà  àThe€Self€van€was€making€its€way€towards€the€off€ramp,€and€Eileen€was€surprised€to€find€out€they€were€in€NewÏWest€already.€She€had€checked€out€houses€here€years€ago,€but€it€had€seemed€too€far€at€the€time,€too€suburban.€But€it€hadÏcertainly€grown€up€nicely,€with€lots€of€stores€along€the€street€and€nice„looking€communities,€not€nearly€as€much€traffic.ÏShe€wondered€if€sheððd€made€a€mistake€buying€property€in€the€city,€maybe€Jeremy€would€have€fallen€in€with€differentÏkids,€neighbourhood€kids€instead€of€those€online€gamer€types€ð"ðÌà  àShe€heard€a€metallic€thudding€from€the€flatbed€behind.€While€dosing€her€with€adrenalpro€and€accelerating€toÏ500%,€her€suit€informed€her€that€her€vehicle€had€been€shot€18€times€by€a€rapidly€approaching€helicopter.€There€was€veryÏlittle€traffic€on€the€road,€which€Eileen€was€grateful€for.€She€opened€the€door€and€hung€off€of€it,€seeing€the€cabððs€windowÏflower€with€round€bullet€punches,€and€dropped€her€feet€to€the€ground.€It€was€moving€too€fast,€so€her€suit€took€over€withÏelectric€impulses€to€the€appropriate€leg€muscles.Ìà  àA€small€fire€had€started€in€the€cab€by€the€time€she€let€go€of€the€door,€a€black€cloud€curling€from€the€plastic€seat.ÏShe€had€her€legs€speed€up€a€little€ð"ð€they€were€a€blur€under€her,€as€if€she€was€riding€a€black€magic€carpet€ð"ð€and€cut€inÏfront€of€the€truck€into€the€lane€the€Self€van€was€in.Ìà  àHer€suit€fed€her€images€of€the€ððcopter€behind,€which€was€still€firing€on€the€truck€with€an€array€of€machine€gunsÏthat€curved€right€around€its€belly,€like€the€teeth€of€a€smile.€The€Ford€logo€was€emblazoned€on€the€side€with€a€jokey€adÏabout€its€new€security€package:€òòHave€you€stolen€a€Ford€lately?€óóShe€supposed€she€was€lucky€it€wasnððt€one€of€those€newÐ  ð Ðfreelancers€ð"ð€they€wouldnððt€have€sent€out€a€remote„controlled€bird,€wouldnððt€have€wasted€bullets€on€the€truckððs€flatbed.Ìà  àKeeping€in€the€Self€vanððs€blind€spot,€she€was€able€to€slow€down€enough€to€take€manual€control€of€her€legs.€SheÏheard€the€crunch€and,€a€while€later,€the€explosion€of€the€truck.€She€hoped€that€no€one€was€in€the€way,€but€that€was€reallyÏthe€ððcopterððs€lookout.Ìà  àShe€focused€on€the€van,€which€was€making€a€turn€onto€a€fairly€busy€street.€She€asked€her€suit€for€proximityÏto€a€Self€office,€and€it€indicated€that€it€was€a€few€blocks€away.€It€wasnððt€worth€taking€to€the€rooftops,€so€she€zigzaggedÏthrough€the€streets€ð"ð€she€couldnððt€avoid€being€seen,€not€in€broad€daylight€and€on€a€street€as€filled€with€shoppers€as€this,Ïbut€by€moving€erratically€she€could€avoid€being€seen€twice.€As€the€emergency€procedures€of€her€training€had€told€her,Ð l" Ðòòpeople€will€want€to€believe€they€are€seeing€things.Ð â2# Ðà  àóóShe€was€doing€fine€until€she€saw€the€power€low€indicator€begin€to€flash.€Then€she€stood€still€and€stared€at€it,Ð N ž% Ðthe€small€icon€of€a€hollow€battery€flashing€on€and€off€in€the€corner€of€her€vision.€A€teenage€boy€in€sniper€glasses€pointedÏher€out€to€his€friends,€and€she€ran€on,€her€legs€feeling€so€numb€they€might€as€well€have€been€on€automatic.Ìà  àThe€power€source€was€low.€Dangerously€low.€And€the€suit€didnððt€run€on€a€battery€pack€ð"ð€òòsheóó€was€the€powerÐ F#–) Ðsource.€She€had€nearly€used€her€withered€old€body€up.€òòHow€much€time€beforeð8ð?€óóShe€couldnððt€bear€to€ask€the€suit.€HerÐ  $\* Ðoperations€handbook€had€not€described€the€battery€icon€ð"ð€it€was€something€youthful€agents€didnððt€need€to€know.€SheÏforced€herself€to€focus,€to€keep€moving,€zoom€in€on€the€alley€that€the€Self€van€was€now€backing€into€with€the€steadyÏòòbeep,€beep,€beepóó.Ð ^&®!- Ðòòà  àóóThis€alley€had€a€little€jog€in€it€but€was€otherwise€unremarkable€except€for€its€pyramid€of€boxes.€The€boxes,€herÐ Ê'#/ Ðsuit€told€her,€were€the€same€size€and€colouring€as€the€other€Self€boxes€sheððd€seen.€The€New€West€office€was€fairlyÏidentical€to€the€Vancouver€office,€with€different€brick€to€blend€in€with€its€neighbours.€She€thought€the€representatives,Ïwho€were€nodding€perkily€at€their€clients,€may€have€had€different€hairstyles,€but€she€realized€she€didnððt€care€enough€toÏask€her€suit€to€compare.Ìà  àAcross€the€road€was€an€alcove€with€a€black€door,€a€small€sign€identifying€it€as€a€gaming€portal€relocated€toÏFrisco.€She€stood€against€it€and€attracted€little€attention.€The€vanððs€ruffles€were€out,€blocking€the€view€of€the€alley.ÏEileen€reviewed€her€options:€this€was€obviously€another€pickup,€and€she€needed€to€conserve€her€power.€She€couldnððtÐ Ú-*)7 Ðfollow€it€on€foot.€She€couldnððt€steal€another€car€without€considerable€energy€expenditure.€Ìà  àòòFocus!€Eileen€you€silly€old€woman€óófocusòò!óóÐ l Ðà  àThe€ruffles€were€retracting,€and€the€van€was€revving€up.Ìà  àòòCanððt€lose€the€targetóó.€Eileen€waited€until€the€tires€started€rolling€to€accelerate.€Once€it€had€cleared€the€alley,Ð ôD Ðshe€stepped€up€onto€its€bumper€and€scanned€the€handle„free€back€doors€for€a€crevasse.€Nothing.€She€scanned€it€again,Ïincreasing€the€zoom.€Nothing€ð"ð€literally€nothing.Ìà  àThere€were€no€doors.€The€apparent€breaks€in€the€white€metal€were€only€a€centimetre€deep.Ìà  àEileen€pulled€herself€up€on€the€roof,€wincing€as€the€thin€metal€shell€blurped€inwards,€but€nothing€else€happened.ÏShe€lay€down,€looked€up€at€the€sky,€and€thought€about€dying.€Ìà  àThe€small€battery€flashed€on,€even€when€she€closed€her€eyes.ÌÌThe€warning€sign€didnððt€come€in€the€form€of€an€iconic€battery€for€Paul€ð"ð€he€presumed€that€was€some€digital€flotsamÏat€his€end.€He€was,€after€all,€watching€Eileenððs€progress€on€the€surface€of€a€small€pool€of€water.€To€the€other€peopleÏwalking€through€the€church€garden,€he€looked€meditative€and€serene.Ìà  àThe€warning€sign€for€Paul€came€when€the€Self€van€headed€back€the€way€it€came.€As€soon€as€it€got€on€the€on„¼ramp€to€Vancouver,€Paul€felt€dread€uncurl€in€his€stomach.€òòItððs€just€shuttling€between€the€two€offices.óóÐ  p Ðà  àHe€bit€the€bullet€and€opened€a€connection.€"Paul€here.€Look,€itððs€like€we€suspected€ð"ð€the€vanððs€a€decoy."Ìà  à"Hellllooo€Paaaaul,"€said€Eileen.Ìà  àIf€he€didnððt€know€she€was€lying€on€the€top€of€a€van,€heððd€have€thought€she€was€drunk.Ìà  à"Sorry,"€she€continued,€more€normally.€"I€just€slowed€myself€down€to€conserve€power.€Your€informationÏwasnððt€very€good."Ìà  à"I€know,€I€know,€but€we€had€to€follow€it€up€to€know€for€sure.€Iððm€going€to€make€it€up€to€you,€Eileen.€Iððve€gotÏa€hot€lead€on€the€cache,"€he€lied,€"But€I€just€need€some€time€to€put€it€together.€Is€there€somewhere€you€can€go€in€theÏmeantime?"Ìà  àThere€was€a€funny€sound.€"Oh,€sureð8ð"€she€said,€making€the€funny€sound€again.€Paul€realized€it€was€her€laughÏmade€eerie€by€the€digital€filter€in€her€suit.Ìà  à"OK€great€Eileen,"€he€said.€"Just€hold€tight."€He€waited€a€second,€but€she€didnððt€say€anything€else.€"Talk€toÏyou€soon."Ìà  àHe€disconnected.€òòShe€sounded€bad.€óó"Shit,"€he€hissed,€and€a€passing€monk€clad€in€white€raised€an€eyebrow.€Ð ^%® - Ðà  à"Sorry,"€Paul€said,€even€though€he€was€pretty€sure€the€monk€was€environment.€As€he€watched€the€figure€strideÏaway,€his€hands€behind€his€back,€the€hair€made€him€think€of€Doug.€òòWhy€had€he€gone€to€the€Self€office€and€then€walkedÐ 'à"0 Ðaway?€Did€they€say€something€in€there€that€freaked€him€out?óó€He€never€would€have€imagined€Doug€would€pass€up€aÐ V(¦#1 Ðchance€to€get€to€Frisco.€He€needed€him€here,€following€up€the€dozens€of€leads€he€couldnððt€follow€up€himself€ð"ð€he€wasÏon€the€verge€of€losing€his€advantage€here.Ìà  àBetween€that€and€wasting€time€with€this€Self€decoy,€the€only€thing€that€had€gone€right€was€Operation€Brolly,Ïas€Simon€called€it.€òòThatððs€one€of€the€great€things€about€diverse€tacticsóó,€Paul€thought,€scooping€a€pebble€up€andÐ ,d'6 Ðdisconnecting€the€pool,€the€highway€signs€Eileen€was€seeing€rippling€away.€òòSomething€has€to€work€eventually.€Like€withÐ Ú,*(7 Ðthe€monkeys€and€the€keyboards.Ð  -ð(8 Ðà  àóóSimon€had€glowingly€reported€the€dissemination€of€close€to€a€thousand€umbrellas,€and€Nicky€confirmed€aÐ ° Ðcorresponding€explosion€of€flora.€Evidently,€Tilley€was€taking€credit€for€it,€claiming€that€a€commitment€to€theÏenvironment€had€always€been€a€part€of€their€mission€statement.€That€was€fine.€If€the€preliminary€results€from€the€seedsÏwere€half€accurate,€Vancouver€would€be€an€urban€rainforest€in€time€for€the€symposium.Ìà  àòòSo€many€things€still€to€do.€Still,€itððll€be€worth€it€ð"ð€the€150th€birthday€should€be€a€special€one.óó€Paul€listenedÐ n¾ Ðto€his€brain€mutter€as€he€walked€around€to€the€front€of€the€church.€òòGet€another€bicycle€supplier€set€up;€itððll€take€careÐ 4 „ Ðof€itself€then,€the€momentumððs€right.€See€about€clearing€the€SkyTrain€tracks.€Get€back€to€the€Budapest€crew€ð"ð€oh€shit,Ïand€the€Bolivians.Ìà  àóó"Mental€note,"€Paul€said,€and€his€small€angel€appeared€above€his€shoulder€with€its€feather€quill€poised.Ð , |  Ð"Budapest€and€Bolivia,"€he€said€walking€through€the€large€double€doors,€his€voice€echoing€slightly.€Another€monk,€thisÏone€refilling€the€holy€water,€gave€him€an€identical€disapproving€eyebrow.€This€time€he€didnððt€bother€apologizing,€justÏfound€a€pew€near€the€back€and€sat€down.Ìà  àòòYouððd€think€that€since€theyððve€bothered€to€make€a€temple€for€themselves,€theyððd€make€a€couple€of€different€typesÐ ê:  Ðof€monks€instead€of€cutting€and€pasting.óó€He€looked€around€at€the€people€who€sparsely€populated€the€church,€wonderedÐ °  Ðif€they€cared.€They€were€average€Friscans€ð"ð€either€20„€or€30„something€in€appearance,€dressed€in€whatever€their€fashionÏapplets€had€generated€for€them€today.€There€were€more€women€than€men.€What€was€unusual€about€them€was€that€noÏone€had€their€hand€to€their€ear€to€indicate€they€were€taking€a€call€ð"ð€there€was€no€communication€service€in€the€church.€Ìà  àAnother€cut„and„paste€monk€walked€by,€holding€a€small€flame€cupped€in€his€hand,€and€Paulððs€ire€was€whippedÏup€again.€òòWe€had€an€infinitely€varied€environment€on€Earth,€and€we€painted€over€it€to€draw€our€little€stick€figures.Ð 4„ Ðà  àóó"Whoa,€you€look€like€youððre€in€a€good€mood,"€a€voice€beside€him€said.€A€young€man€in€sunglasses€and€aÐ  ð Ðcrooked€smile€was€sitting€on€the€pew.€"Who€died?"Ìòòà  àóó"We€did,"€Paul€said.Ð Ò" Ðà  à"Oh€no,"€he€said€in€a€mournful€voice,€his€face€decaying€like€a€ripe€fruit€in€front€of€Paul.Ìòòà  àThe€kid€was€clever,€but€how€deep€did€it€go?óó€"What€do€you€think€when€you€see€that?"€Paul€said,€pointing€at€theÐ ªú Ðtwo€monks,€one€at€the€altar€and€one€cleaning€stained€glass.Ìà  à"That€whoever€was€doing€skins€was€fucking€lazy,"€Jeremy€said,€returning€an€eyeball€back€under€his€sunglasses.Ï"But€thatððs€the€way€it€is€here,€man.€Itððs€not€just€the€skins,"€he€said,€spitting€teeth€as€he€said€it.€"Itððs€the€architecture€too.ÏAnd€the€security.€Thatððs€why€thereððs€so€many€holes€for€rats€like€us."Ìà  àPaul€looked€at€him,€expecting€heððd€have€changed€his€zombie€face€for€a€rat€one,€but€he€was€back€to€normal.€"JustÏlaziness,€huh?"Ìà  à"Well,"€Jeremy€sighed.€"OK,"€he€started,€wearily€accepting€Paulððs€seriousness.€"Itððs€like€this.€Iððve€got€a€friendÏwho€does€skins€for€environmental€characters.€He€gets€shit„all€for€it,€and€theyððre€always€on€him€ð"ð€they€want,€like,€75Ïa€day€ð"ð€so€he€canððt€spend€time€on€the€details.€So€he€churns€them€out.€Heððs€made€some€wicked€squidmen€for€an€AtlantisÏenvironment,€though."€Ìà  à"So€itððs€not€just€laziness,"€Paul€confirmed.Ìà  à"No,€itððs€also€the€evil€corporation€thatððs€oppressing€him,"€said€Jeremy€in€a€jeering€tone.Ìà  à"You€believe€in€evil?"€said€Paul€with€surprise.Ìà  àJeremy€folded€his€arms.€"No.€But€you€do."Ìà  àPaul€laughed€a€little.€He€was€quiet€for€awhile,€then€looked€around€them.€"Doesnððt€this€feel€like€weððre€in€a€mobÏmovie:€Do€you€believe€in€Evil?"€he€said,€stressing€the€E.Ð :-Š(7 Ðà  àJeremy€chuckled.€"Yeah,€thatððs€why€I€said€we€should€meet€here.€Itððs€dramatic."Ìà  àThere€was€something€in€the€way€he€said€òòdramatic€óóthat€struck€Paul;€there€was€an€enthusiasm€there€that€piercedÐ l Ðhis€jaded€veil.€"Itððs€not€that€corporations€are€evil.€Theyððre€just€boring."Ìà  àJeremy€smirked.€"So€true."Ìà  àPaul€was€feeling€his€way€here,€gently€touching€the€walls€in€the€corridor€that€could€lead€him€into€JeremyððsÏconfidence.€"But€boring€in€a€serious€way.€I€like€variety.€More€than€that...€I€have€this€theory€that€diversity€is€an€incrediblyÏimportant€thing.€Maybe€more€important€than€good€or€evil.€The€less€diversity€we€have€the€fewer€choices€we€have€ð"ð€theÏfewer€methods€we€have€to€find€happiness,€justice,€love.€The€fewer€examples€on€which€to€base€our€lives."Ìà  àJeremy€shrugged.€"Suppose..."Ìà  àPaul€stopped€here,€worried€he€was€talking€over€Jeremyððs€head.€He€remembered€the€speech€Jeremy€had€givenÏhim€in€Hell€and€tried€to€forget€that€this€was€a€12„year„old€boy.€"Corporations€have€a€vested€interest€in€reducing€diversity,Ïsince€they€function€most€profitably€when€they€can€mass€produce€their€product,€cultural€or€otherwise.€They€say€we€shouldÏshed€our€skins,€that€the€biological€code€is€too€buggy.€Time€to€scrap€it€and€start€from€scratch.€But€maybe€theyððre€not€bugs,Ïbut€features?"Ìà  àJeremy€nodded€here,€looked€thoughtful.€"Bugs€can€become€features...€thatððs€what€itððs€like€with€clones,€too.€IððveÏgot...€this€sensitivity€to€stimuli.€I€can€like,€shut€down€if€I€get€too€much.€But€it€also€gives€me€a€focus,€and€thatððs€how€I€gotÏso€good€at€coding.€They€thought€it€was€biological,€something€in€the€Leeððs€Region€part€of€my€brain,€so€I€wasnððt€worriedÏabout€getting€overstimulated€when€I€upgraded."€He€made€a€soft€snorting€sound,€glanced€at€Paul.Ìà  àPaul€looked€interested,€nodded.€"And?"€He€looked€around€then,€to€give€Jeremy€some€space.€Some€more€peopleÏhad€come€in,€and€there€were€three€identical€monks€busying€themselves€now.Ìà  à"I€went€in€on€bronze,€ððcause€itððs€free.€I€had€a€keygen€to€upgrade€to€gold.€But€you€know,€thereððs€a€lot€of€ads."Ìà  àPaul€nodded.Ìà  à"Now€I€like€ads,€Iððm€not€some€ðð20s€rebel€type,"€he€said€throwing€a€little€twist€of€a€smile€to€Paul,€"But€thereððsÏa€òòlot€óóof€ads.€I€was€hanging€around€the€pier€on€my€first€day.€I€was€having€a€great€time€ð"ð€itððs€like...€you€know€when€youððreÐ öF! Ðeating€really€good€food,€and€you€just€keep€eating?€It€was€like€that.€I€stared€at€the€water,€it€had€a€Coke€wave€in€it.€OhÏyeah.€I€walked€into€a€bar€and€this€beer€song€is€blasting.€Awesome.€I€had€a€few€free€Peanutz€and€the€taste€reminded€meÏof€a€Budweiser."Ìà  à"Peanutz€often€have€that€effect,"€Paul€said€with€a€smile.Ìà  à"Well,€yeah,€OK,"€he€said,€taking€off€his€sunglasses€and€rubbing€his€nose.€"But€this€was€like...€well,€maybe€IÏwas€just€thirsty."€Ìà  à"Youððve€got€a€little€indent€on€your€nose,"€Paul€said,€shocked.Ìà  à"Phobosððs€work,"€Jeremy€said,€holding€out€his€arms€as€if€his€whole€body€were€a€custom„made€suit.€"HeððsÏamazing.€Iððll€tell€you€about€Phobe€later,"€he€said,€his€body€turned€towards€Paul.€"Anyway,€I€drank€a€Bud,€and€three€girlsÏcame€up€to€me.€òòNakedóó€girls."Ð J'š"/ Ðà  àPaul€smiled€at€his€excitement.€"The€Budweiser€girls."€People€were€standing€up€around€them,€and€so€did€they.ÏMusic€started,€and€Paul€noticed€a€group€of€monks€coalescing€near€the€back.Ìà  à"Yeah€so€they€were€touching€me€and...stuff,€and€even€though€no€one€else€could€see€them,€I€was€stillÏembarrassed.€So€I€took€off."€Ìà  à"You€took€off?"€Paul€said.€Ð -j(7 Ðà  àWhen€he€looked€back,€Jeremy€had€put€his€sunglasses€back€on.€"So„so„so,€listen,"€he€said,€his€guard€back€up.Ï"Iððve€seen€lots€of€naked€girls€ð"ð€my€boy€Strength€hooked€me€up€with€this."€He€looked€around€in€a€stagy€way€and€waitedÏuntil€the€half„dozen€monks€walked€up€the€aisle.€Then€he€pulled€a€pair€of€sunglasses€from€his€back€pocket€and€passedÏthem€to€Paul.Ìà  àThey€tingled€in€Paulððs€hand.€Their€construction€was€fairly€rough€and€blocky,€but€he€could€make€out€a€brandÏname:€XRS.€Looking€at€Jeremy,€he€slipped€them€on.Ìà  à"Just€donððt€look€at€me,€guy."Ìà  àThe€church€was€full€of€naked€people.€Paul€immediately€put€it€together.€"X„Ray€Specs."Ìà  à"The€holy€grail,"€Jeremy€said€reverently.Ìà  àPaul€looked€around.€Ahead€of€him€a€womanððs€bare€back€curved€with€her€penitently€lowered€head.€He€discretelyÏleaned€forward€and€checked€out€the€couple€sharing€the€pew€with€him.€The€manððs€penis€was€a€perfectly€proportionateÏand€sculpted€12€inches,€confirming€Paulððs€suspicion€about€the€average€choices.€More€interestingly,€her€pubic€hair€wasÏexceptionally€bushy.Ìà  à"Welcome,€brothers€and€sisters,€to€the€Church€of€New€Beginnings,"€began€one€of€the€monks.€As€curious€asÏhe€was,€Paul€forced€his€attention€to€the€front€of€the€church.€Almost€immediately,€he€wished€he€hadnððt€ð"ð€the€monks€wereÏinherently€celibate.€"Ahhg,"€he€said,€pulling€off€the€hackglasses€and€hiding€his€revulsion€at€their€smooth€groins€in€aÏcough.Ìà  àHe€handed€them€back€to€Jeremy,€who€was€snickering€in€delight.€Then€he€put€them€on€to€look€at€the€monks.€"Oh,Ïòòman!óó"€he€said,€pulling€them€off€as€if€heððd€been€burnt.€"Thatððs€just€wrong."€A€few€seconds€passed,€and€then€he€said,€inÐ &v Ða€thoughtful€way,€"But€you€noticed€they€had€belly€buttons?€No€genitals,€thatððs€fine,€but€God€forbid€someone€mistakesÏthem€for€òòclonesóó."Ð ² Ðòòà  àóóPaul€nodded,€watching€him€rile€himself€up€and€then€put€a€lid€on€it.€òòHeððll€use€that€later,€for€energy.Ð n Ðà  àóó"...the€promised€land€in€many€ways€people€still€feel€a€need€to€look€for...€meaning,€for...€something€beyond€whatÐ ŠÚ Ðour€five€senses€offer,"€one€of€the€monks€was€saying,€his€face€beaming.€Now€that€he€could€see€clothes,€Paul€noticed€thatÏthe€speaker€had€on€a€white€smock€while€the€others€had€on€grey.Ìà  à"What€is€this?"€Paul€asked.Ìà  à"The€AI€who€deal€with€Frisco€generated€this€spirituality€thing,"€Jeremy€said.€"They€used€some€human„needsÏalgorithm.€Bogus,€if€you€ask€me."Ìà  àA€box,€white€and€embossed€with€the€Self€logo,€was€brought€up€to€the€altar.€The€monk€in€white€held€it€aloft.Ï"A€beautiful€object,€with€no€entrance€or€egressð8ð"Ìà  àJeremy€exhaled€noisily.€"They€do€the€same€thing€every€time.€They€blab€about€the€stupid€box€for€a€while,€andÏthen€show€you€that€nothingððs€in€it.€Normally,€when€things€are€this€boring,€I€just€flip€to€bronze,"€Jeremy€said.€"But€thisÏis€the€only€place€thereððs€no€difference."Ìà  à"Huh,"€Paul€said,€realizing€that€the€makers€of€this€place,€the€makers€of€Frisco,€were€conscious€of€the€importanceÏof€silence.€At€some€level,€they€realized€the€constant€barrage€of€ads€was€something€to€be€escaped€from,€and€he€took€heartÏin€their€inconsistency.€And€there€was€something€about€that€box€that€reminded€him€ofð8ð€the€van!€The€white€van€EileenÏwas€following.€òòWow.€That€was€spooky.€Could€the€AI€have€a€symbolism€or€an€aesthetic,€a€taste€of€its€own?óó€Ð œ)ì$2 Ðà  àHe€looked€at€the€monks,€then€at€the€other€people.€"Are€these€people€here€for€the€service?"Ìà  à"Not€likely,"€Jeremy€said.€"Thereððs€a€few€minutes€at€the€end€where€you€can€petition€the€monks€for€changes€toÏFrisco.€I€myself€donððt€like€to€beg€ð"ð"€He€stopped€talking,€noticing€an€angry€look€from€his€well„endowed€pew€mate.Ï"Whatever,€footlong,"€he€muttered€but€then€looked€at€Paul.€"Wanna...€dððya€wanna...€come€over?€Like€to€my€place?"Ð .P)8 Ðà  àPaul€nodded,€charmed€by€his€awkwardness.Ìà  à"Port€us€to€3ffe:b00:c18:1:290:27ff:fe17:fc0f,"€Jeremy€said.€"Do€you€agree?"Ìà  àUp€at€the€altar,€the€monk€broke€the€box€in€two€like€he€was€breaking€bread.Ìà  à"Do€you€agree?"Ìà  à"Yes."Ìà  àThey€were€in€a€small€foyer.€Jeremy,€a€foot€shorter€and€unmistakably€himself,€plopped€his€chubby€bum€into€aÏchintz€chair€and€picked€up€a€telephone€receiver.€It€was€a€push„button€model,€but€by€the€speed€he€dialled€the€number,Ïhe€was€used€to€using€it.€He€ignored€Paul€completely€for€a€few€seconds.Ìà  à"Oh,€hello,"€a€woman€said€from€behind€Paul.€"You€must€be€one€of€Jeremyððs€friends!"Ìà  àA€small,€sprightly€woman€stood€in€the€doorway,€holding€a€plate€of€cookies.Ìà  àPaul,€trying€to€reconcile€this€white„haired€Eileen€with€the€blacksuited€assassin,€took€one.Ìà  à"Iððm€Jeremyððs€FakeGrandma.€Are€you€here€to€play€some€games?"Ìà  à"Uh...."Ìà  àJeremy€slammed€the€phone€down.Ìà  à"Jeremy!"€scolded€Eileen.Ìà  àHe€sighed.€"Sorry€FakeGrandma."€He€took€a€handful€of€cookies,€and€she€smiled.€"Weððre€going€upstairs€to€playÏsome€games."Ìà  à"I€thought€so,"€she€said,€looking€at€Paul€with€a€twinkle€in€her€eye.Ìà  àSidling€by€Eileen€nervously,€he€followed€Jeremy€as€he€pounded€up€the€stairs.€He€took€a€bite€of€the€cookie,€butÏit€was€tasteless€and€doughy.Ìà  àJeremyððs€bedroom€door€had€a€bright€sign€that€said€"Gamerz€only!"€on€it,€and€a€hotel€doorknob€sign.€He€flippedÏthat€to€Do€Not€Disturb€and€held€the€door€open.Ìà  àPaul€gave€a€stately€nod€and€stepped€in.Ìà  àJeremy€shut€the€door€behind€him.€"òòStay€a€while...€stay€forever!óó"€Jeremy€said€with€a€well„practised€evil€voice,Ð &"v) Ðas€he€pushed€by€Paul.€He€dumped€the€cookies€into€a€wastebasket€and€seated€himself€in€front€of€his€cubespace,€kickingÏthe€power€supply€on,€clearly€lord€of€his€domain.Ìà  à"So€you€got€out€of€the€bar€with€your€pants€intact..."€Paul€prompted,€seating€himself€on€Jeremyððs€bed.Ìà  à"Right,€right,"€Jeremy€said,€leaning€back€in€his€chair,€which€clickity„clacked€to€accommodate.€"Iððve€seen€lotsÏof€naked€girls,€so€itððs€not€like€I€was€scared€of€them€ð"ð€Phobe€keeps€saying€that,€but€heððs€a€spaz€ð"ð€I€just€wasnððt€used€toÏthem€touching€me.€Looking€yes,€touching€no.€It€was€a€personal€space€issue."Ìà  àPaul€nodded.€Plenty€of€men€of€his€generation,€weaned€on€guiltless€cathode€masturbation,€had€a€difficultÏtransition€to€having€sexual€partners.€The€Joystick€Syndrome.€òòTechnology€giveth,€technology€taketh€away.Ð H*˜%4 Ðà  àóó"So€Iððm€out€of€the€bar,€walking€down€the€street,€and€theyððre€òòfollowing€óóme.€I€start€running,€they€start€running,Ð ´+'6 Ðbouncing€up€and€down..."Ìà  à"Sounds€awful,"€said€Paul,€sombrely.Ð æ-6)9 Ðà  à"They€had€these€grins...€like€they€wanted€to€òòeatóó€me.€Squealing.€I€started€to€think€it€was€something€Jupiter€hadÐ ° Ðset€up€to€ambush€me€ð"ð€theyððre€like,€second€best€after€us€ð"ð€so€I€freaked.€Fuck€it,€I€said,€and€I€gave€my€watch€the€portÏaddress€Phobe€gave€me.€But€theyððre€always€changing€it,€so€I€ended€up€at€the€old€address."Ìà  à"You€gave€a€hex€address."Ìà  à"Yeah,€makes€a€lot€of€shit€easier€like€when€youððre€trying€to€sync€up€stuff€from€device€modules€ð"ð"€he€stoppedÏwhen€he€saw€the€blank€look€in€Paulððs€eyes,€his€smile€half„ashamed,€half„cocky.€"Doesnððt€matter.€Yeah,€I€punched€in€theÏnumbers€and€went€straight€into€the€void."Ìà  à"Because€the€address€didnððt€exist,"€said€Paul.Ìà  à"No,€you€canððt€port€to€somewhere€that€doesnððt€exist,"€said€Jeremy€patiently.€"It€was€cleared€out.€Totally€empty."Ìà  à"So€youððre€floating€in€a€black€ð"ð"Ìà  à"Bluish€green.€Cold,€too."€Jeremy€had€pulled€some€code€up€in€the€cube€and€massaged€it€absently,€his€gazeÏdistant.Ìà  à"Cold?"Ìà  àJeremy€looked€at€him€directly€and€nodded,€as€if€he€didnððt€understand€it€himself.€"Chilly.€And€then€the€deadÏspace€ð"ð€everywhere€ð"ð€was€filling€up.€I€turned€them€off€but€they€just€kept€popping€up."Ìà  à"What€kinds€of€ads?"Ìà  àJeremy€looked€away.€"Uh,€well,€I€guess€because€of€the€Budweiser€ad,€they€were€all€ð"ð€sex€stuff.€Full€frontalÏpopup€attack."Ìà  àThere€was€a€knock€at€the€door€and€the€code€squirted€under€his€hand€like€mashed€potatoes.€"Uh€ð"ð€empty€trashÏð"ð€come€in,€FakeGrandma!"Ìà  àThe€door€opened,€and€FakeGrandma€came€in,€a€plate€of€cookies€before€her.€"Thought€you€boys€might€like€someÏmore!"Ìà  àPaul€smiled.€"Funny,€we€were€just€talking€about€cookies€popping€up."Ìà  à"No€thanks,€FakeGrandma,"€said€Jeremy.Ìà  àShe€went€away€with€a€hurt€smile.Ìà  àJeremy€sighed€and€shut€the€door.€"Iððm€just€too€fucking€good."€He€threw€himself€in€a€huff€at€his€formachair,Ïall€the€weight€of€the€world€behind€him.€"All€the€details€are€perfect.€I€could€have€at€least€made€her€cookies€a€little€betterÏthan€they€really€were."Ìà  àPaul€smiled€wryly.€òòLet€him€talkóó.Ð ^%® - Ðà  à"Originally,€I€made€my€room€a€little€bigger€than€it€really€was,€but€then€I€changed€it€back.€Sheððd€notice.€Actually,ÏI€left€one€thing."€He€got€up€and€opened€a€closet€door.€Flames,€screams,€and€an€awful€stench€exploded€from€Hell.€"ForÏwhen€I€was€working€on€it€a€lot.€I€should€close€it€up,€really.€We€sold€it€the€other€day€for€a€silly€amount€of€money."Ìà  à"Always€nice€to€have€a€back€door,"€said€Paul,€ignoring€the€bragging.Ìà  à"Iððll€plug€it€when€she€gets€here.€I€want€everything€to€be€exact,€perfect.€By€the€way,"€Jeremy€said,€thumbing€atÏthe€door,€"I€didnððt€put€too€much€time€into€FakeGrandma.€Sheððs€nothing€like€that..."Ìà  àòòYou€donððt€know€the€half€of€itóó,€thought€Paul,€suppressing€a€smile.Ð `-°(8 Ðà  à"Sheððs..."€Jeremyððs€voice€hitched,€his€nostrils€flared,€and€he€turned€toward€the€lump€of€code.€In€a€matter€ofÏseconds€Jeremyððs€hand€had€gone€from€squeezing€it€to€shaping€it€gently€into€a€polygon.€When€he€looked€back,€his€faceÏhad€a€calm€smile€on€it€that€chilled€Paul.€"Sheððs€quite€different.€An€outstanding€woman."Ìà  àòòHe€just€manually€adjusted€his€mood.€óóPaul€himself€had€tried€it€when€he€had€first€arrived,€but€hadnððt€liked€theÐ ¨ø Ðfeeling.€òòMind€youóó,€Paul€reflected,€òòIððm€hiding€my€feelings€now.€óó"Is€that€who€you€were€calling€when€we€first€arrived?"Ð n¾ Ðà  àJeremy€spun€the€code€and€split€it€into€two,€before€he€answered.€"Yes."Ìà  à"But€sheððs€not€answering."Ìà  à"I€think...€she€might€have...€gone€on€vacation."€Jeremyððs€sure€handling€of€the€code€slowed.Ìà  à"Oh,"€said€Paul,€waiting.Ìà  àHe€shoved€the€code€back€into€storage€and€looked€at€Paul€resentfully.€"Look,"€Jeremy€said.€"If€I€was€willingÏto€let€you€come€with€the€pirate€ship,€will€you€find€her€for€me?"Ìà  à"Find€her?"Ìà  à"Well...€itððs€not€like€sheððs€òòhiding€óósomewhere.€The€worst€that€could€have€happened€is€that€she€fell€or..."€TheÐ (x Ðhitch€again.€"I€could€go€back€myself,€but€it€takes€at€least€two€weeks€for€them€to€process€the€fucking€request€ð"ð"Ìà  àPaul€nodded.€"And€if€anything€is€found€on€the€voyageð8ð?"Ìà  à"All€booty€shall€be€shared€equitably,"€Jeremy€said.Ìà  à"Then€itððs€a€deal,"€said€Paul€smoothly.€"I€have€several€agents€in€Vancouver€who€can€look€into€it."Ìà  à"Itððs€probably€ð"ð"Ìà  à"Nothing,€but€itððs€good€to€look€into€it."€Ìà  àJeremy€had€pulled€out€the€code€again,€was€massaging€it.€"Thanks."ÌÌ"Great,€youððre€back,"€Chan€said€within€seconds€of€him€porting€in.€"That€sleeping€cult€assignment€has€turned€up€amazingÏstuff."Ìà  à"Super,€just€give€it€to€Ryan.€Iððll€take€a€look€at€it€before€our€Monday€meeting,"€Paul€said,€sitting€at€his€desk.òò€NowÐ €!Ð( Ðget€out.óóÐ F"–) Ðà  à"Apparently,€they€go€into€some€kind€of€stasis,€see€visions.€A€common€ððdreamðð€is€working€in€a€factory,€on€anÏassembly€line.€Thereððs€some€wing€nut€going€around€talking€about€how€itððs€symbolic€of€how€weððve€become€enslaved€toÏmachines€ð"ð"Ìà  àPaul€was€nodding,€trying€to€keep€his€voice€calm.€"Sure,€OK,€interesting.€Just€give€it€to€Ryan."Ìà  àChan€looked€at€him€so€blankly€Paul€had€a€fleeting€notion€heððd€left€his€scrambleface€on.€"We€have€to€òòmoveóó€onÐ (f#1 Ðthis,"€Chan€said€adamantly.€"7%€have€heard€of€it€and€over€.1%€actually€practice€it.€Weððve€gotta€do€more€mining€òònowóóÐ Ü(,$2 Ðor€we€wonððt€have€the€jump€on€the€competition."Ìà  àHe€stared€at€Chan€until€the€young€man€looked€away.€"Iððll€take€that€risk,€David."Ìà  àChan€was€gone.€òòPique€portóó,€Paul€thought.€òòPoor€peep.óó€He€stopped€the€giddy€alliteration,€tried€to€clear€his€mind.Ð z,Ê'7 ÐHeððd€just€come€straight€from€Jeremyððs,€no€time€even€for€a€drink.€òòThese€young€kids€tire€me€out,€always€with€their€jumpÐ @-(8 Ðon€the€comp,€jump€on€the€comp.€Thatððs€why€Doug€would€have€been€perfect€to€take€over€here,€goddamn€it.€HeððsÐ .V)9 Ðmellowed,€got€a€bit€of€perspective.€And€heððs€too€self„obsessed€to€pay€notice€to€my€private€projects...óóÐ ° Ðà  àRyan€was€there,€his€smile€apologetic.€"Someone€here€to€see€you."Ìà  à"Who?"Ìà  àRyan€shrugged.€"Walked€in€off€the€street."Ìà  àPaul€gave€his€assistant€a€dark€look.€"Well€I€canððt€ð"ð"Ìà  àHis€door€opened,€and€a€slim€Indian€man€walked€in.€"Hello,€Mr.€Harris."Ìà  à"Doug?"€Paul€said,€immediately€recognizing€the€voice.€Ìà  àDoug€nodded.Ìà  àRyan€grinned€and€disappeared,€his€trademark€Cheshire€move.€Ìà  à"I€was€just€thinking€about€you!€Welcome€to€Frisco,€Patterson!"€Paul€got€up€and€rounded€his€desk,€gave€hisÏoldest€employee€a€hug.€òòHow€the€hell€did€you€get€here?óó€Paul€thought€as€he€patted€Dougððs€back.Ð B’  Ðòòà  àóó"Thanks,"€Doug€said,€an€embarrassed€but€pleased€smile€on€his€face€at€the€unprecedented€warmth.Ð ®þ Ðà  àPaul€stared€at€him.€"When€did€you€come€in?"Ìà  à"Our€boat€docked€an€hour€ago."Ìà  à"Huh."€òòMaybe€he€went€back€to€the€Self€office?€But€I€would€have€been€notifiedð8ð€óó"Well,€here€you€are."€He€satÐ òB Ðdown€at€his€desk€and€pulled€out€a€document.€"About€damn€time,€too."Ìà  àDoug€just€nodded.Ìà  à"Take€the€trolley€car€in?"Ìà  à"Uh€huh."Ìà  à"Good.€It€gives€you€a€better€sense€of€the€place.€Instead€of€porting€all€over€right€off.€Olivia€must€have€loved€it,Ïeh?"€Paul€nodded€knowingly.Ìà  à"Well..."€Doug€said,€tilting€his€head.€"Sheððs...€harder€to€excite€nowadays.€You€know€the€pretweens."Ìà  àPaul€laughed€roughly.€It€was€the€laugh€that€made€the€Harris€persona.€"I€better!€Weððll€go€under€if€I€donððt."Ìà  àDoug€was€smiling,€but€his€eyes€were€distant.€òòJesus,óó€thought€Paul.òò€Itððs€either€Jeremy€and€Eileen€not€knowingÐ r#Â+ Ðthe€first€thing€going€on€in€each€otherððs€lives,€or€itððs€Doug€knowing€too€much.€Parenting,€itððs€lucky€I...óó€he€let€the€thoughtÐ 8$ˆ, Ðtrail€off.€He€couldnððt€quite€muster€a€complete€dismissal,€yet€there€wasnððt€anything€tangible€enough€to€call€regret€either.Ìòòà  àóó"I€just€wanted€to€thank€you,"€Doug€said.€"For€giving€me€the€space€to...€tie€things€up€at€home.€Most€peopleÐ j&º!/ Ðwould€have€fired€me."Ìà  àPaul€nodded€solemnly€and€realized€that€Doug€had€a€full€head€of€hair.€He€decided€not€to€comment€on€it.€HeÏlooked€at€the€document€he€had€out,€pretended€to€study€it.€"Whattaya€know€about€pirates,€Doug?"Ìà  à"The€computer€kind€or€the€yo„ho„ho€kind?"Ìà  àPaul€looked€up,€grinned.€"Both."ÌÐ ¦-ö(9 ÐThe€elevator€doors€opened.€Ìà  à"Youððre€not€authorized€to€be€on€this€floor,"€it€told€them€with€a€voice€that€sounded€like€it€had€a€cold.€"SecurityÏis€on€its€way."Ìà  àNicky€gave€JK€a€look€as€they€walked€down€the€hall.Ìà  àJK€grinned.€"Sure,€and€Opening€Emergency€Door€Will€Sound€Alarm,€too,"€he€read€from€the€sign€on€the€doorÏhe€proceeded€to€open.Ìà  àA€horrible€screech€made€Nicky€think€the€sign€was€serious.€Her€heart€leapt,€but€it€turned€out€to€be€just€ancientÏhinges.€They€entered€a€stairwell€and€started€up.€Nicky€looked€at€the€ivory€tiles.€"Jesus,€even€the€stairwell€is€high€class.ÏHowððd€you€know€about€this€place?"Ìà  à"I€used€to€live€here€with€my€folks.€Maybe€three€years€ago?€They€lived€in€one€other€place€before€they€went€toÏFrisco."€Theyððd€gotten€to€the€top€of€the€stairs,€and€he€was€having€trouble€with€the€door.€"Donððt€tell€me€theyððve€lockedÏð"ð"€It€opened€a€bit,€and€then€he€got€his€shoulder€into€it.Ìà  àòòFirst€time€Iððve€seen€him€use€those€muscles,óó€Nicky€thought€as€the€door€flew€open€and€JK€stumbled€out€with€it.Ð Ü,  Ðà  àThe€stairwell,€tastefully€lit€as€it€was,€was€flooded€with€natural€light.€JK€stood€framed€in€the€doorway,€handsÏon€the€hips€of€his€overalls,€surveying.€"Yup,"€he€said,€looking€back€at€Nicky,€the€sun€making€bright€disks€of€his€glasses,Ï"Youððll€find€this€plenty€inspiring,€ah€bets."Ìà  àNicky€shaded€her€eyes€and€stepped€out€into€a€park,€an€amazingly€extensive€one€given€that€it€was€on€top€of€aÏbuilding.€Looking€at€the€door,€she€saw€what€had€obstructed€it:€one€of€JKððs€bushes,€mostly€uprooted.€Wandering€aroundÏwith€JK,€she€saw€that€that€wasnððt€the€only€one.Ìà  à"Wow,"€she€said,€taking€off€her€shoes.€"Did€you€seed€here?"€She€wiggled€her€toes.€òòMmmm,€grass.Ð 8ˆ Ðà  àóó"Nope!"€JK€said,€rummaging€through€his€bag.€"These€are€the€children€of€Operation€Brolly.€Maybe€theÐ ¤ô Ðwarehouse€party.€Good€air,€good€soil,€good€wind..."€He€pulled€out€some€sample€bags.€"Iððm€just€going€to€take€someÏclippings,€but€you€should€check€out€those€trees€over€there."Ìà  àNicky€headed€in€the€direction€he€nodded,€eventually€seeing€the€trees€he€was€talking€about.€They€were€mostlyÏcamouflaged€by€JKððs€bushes€and€vines,€but€other€than€that,€she€didnððt€know€why€he€wanted€her€to€see€them.€She€putÏa€hand€on€a€rough„barked€branch.Ìà  àòòNever€been€able€to€resist€a€good€tree,óó€she€thought.€She€dropped€her€shoes€at€the€base€and€clambered€upÐ ” ä& Ðawkwardly.€She€was€glad€of€her€calloused€toes,€reflecting€that€the€last€time€she€climbed€a€tree€she€didnððt€have€thatÏadvantage.€No€little„girl€dresses€to€worry€about,€either.€òòWhere€was€that?€Probably€at€Trout€Lake,€before€it€went€gated.Ð  "p( Ðà  àóóMidway€up€the€tree€she€found€a€comfortable€seat.€From€this€vantage€point,€she€could€see€that€the€park€wasnððtÐ Œ#Ü* Ðthat€big,€it€just€had€a€clever€layout€that€made€it€look€big.€From€here,€too,€she€could€see€the€smogcatcher€lines€and€anÏadjoining€pool€that€even€from€here€looked€brackish.Ìà  àShe€swung€her€feet€vigorously,€and€there€was€a€sudden€move€at€the€base€of€the€tree€that€drew€her€eye.€A€racoon,Ïas€big€as€a€dog€and€as€unafraid,€had€its€paws€on€the€base€of€the€trunk€as€if€undecided€on€whether€to€go€up€or€not.Ìà  à"Hi€there,"€said€Nicky,€hoping€it€wouldnððt€take€a€fancy€to€her€shoes.Ìà  àUninterested€in€conversation,€it€pushed€off,€its€paws€audibly€hitting€the€ground.€Its€big€bottom€rolling€back€andÏforth,€it€ambled€off,€giving€her€shoes€a€wide€berth.€When€it€disappeared€into€a€bush,€she€gave€out€a€hoot€of€delight.€"IÏsaw€it!"€she€called.€JKððs€chuckle€drifted€over.Ìà  àòòHow€the€hell€did€it€get€up€here?€óóshe€wondered.€It€was€hard€to€imagine€it€scaling€the€shiny€tower€that€she€sawÐ -j(7 Ðon€her€way€in.€òòA€racoon!€óóShe€hadnððt€seen€one€of€the€little€robbers€since€her€childhood€ð"ð€she€hadnððt€been€fond€of€themÐ à-0)8 Ðthen,€however.€She€was€bitter€that€the€scavengers€had€lived€while€her€Shamus€had€been€wiped€out€along€with€the€restÏof€the€cats.€Her€teacher€had€caught€her€whipping€stones€at€a€racoon€in€the€alley.Ìà  à"One€hissed€at€Shamus€once,"€she€had€sullenly€explained€to€the€principal.Ìà  à"Well,€racoons€didnððt€kill€him,"€the€principal€had€explained,€by€now€old€hat€at€dealing€with€kids€with€the€FelineÏFury€syndrome.€"We€did."€Nicky€hadnððt€been€interested€in€the€explanation:€that€the€clawless€and€affectionate€breed€ofÏcat€that€became€the€most€popular€also€turned€out€to€be€genetically€susceptible€to€a€certain€disease.Ìà  à"I€wanted€one€with€claws,"€Nicky€had€said,€staring€at€the€Bikes€Kill!€display,€a€mangled€run„over€wheel.€"ButÏmy€mom€got€me€one€of€the€other€ones€instead."Ìà  à"Well,€sure,"€he€said€with€a€crooked€smile.€"She€valued€her€curtains."Ìà  àIt€had€put€Nicky€off€pets€for€a€long€time€and€probably€onto€genetics.€Even€now,€she€didnððt€view€what€she€madeÏas€pets,€and€she€never€made€two€identical.Ìà  à"Mental€note:€racoons€the€size€of€bears,"€she€said€to€her€watch.€òòThatððll€cost€a€lot,€but€Iððm€not€paying.óó€"BearsÐ f  Ðthe€size€of€squirrels,"€she€added,€smiling€to€herself.€Ìà  à"Told€you€youððd€be€inspired!"€said€JK€from€below.Ìà  à"Bears€will€be€fun€ð"ð€Iððve€never€been€able€to€afford€the€higher„priced€genomes."Ìà  à"Oh,€we€probably€wonððt€be€licensing€any€of€them,€if€my€plant€workððs€any€indication.€Weððve€been€paying€forÏthe€raw€materials,€nothing€more.€Well,€the€umbrella€template,€that€was€a€little€obscure.€I€think€they€got€someone€inÏNorway€to€do€it.€An€organic€sculptress.€So€which€one€did€you€see?"Ìà  à"Which€sculptress?"€said€Nicky,€confused.Ìà  à"Which€òòracoonóó."Ð „Ô Ðà  à"Thereððs€more€than€one?"€She€looked€at€the€bush€it€had€disappeared€into.Ìà  àJK€was€stooping€to€investigate€something€on€the€ground.€"Thereððs€a€whole€gang€of€them.€Might€be€a€family.ÏHavenððt€seen€any€babies,€though."Ìà  àNicky€liked€that.€"Gang.€Gang€oðð€ððcoons."Ìà  àJK€sat€down.€"Isnððt€it€great,€Nicholas?€That€we€get€to€actually€make€all€this€stuff,€and€it€doesnððt€just€sit€aroundÏin€art€galleries?"Ìà  àNicky€felt€a€thrill€go€through€her,€just€as€it€had€every€time€she€thought€about€it€since€Paul€asked€her€if€sheÏwanted€to€do€it.€"Or€sit€around€in€cages€in€our€living€rooms,€for€that€matter..."Ìà  à"I€was€so€glad€you€wanted€to€do€it,"€JK€said.€"I€kinda€knew€Paul€had€it€in€mind€since€the€beginning."Ìà  à"I€just€thought€he€wanted€me€as€a€lab€techie,"€Nicky€said.€"I€had€no€idea...€I€still€donððt€believe€it."€Ìà  à"Itððs€because€you€donððt€work€the€angles.€You€donððt€have€the€angling€mindset.€Youððre€straight€ahead,"€he€said,Ïtapping€the€centre€of€his€forehead€with€the€flat€of€his€hand€and€pointing€straight€ahead.Ìà  àòòððCept€when€Iððm€bilking€tourists,óó€she€thought,€thinking€of€her€ratdogs.Ð h*¸%4 Ðà  à"Iððm€going€to€take€these€samples€and€analyze€them€and€do€a€second€batch€of€seeds€thatððll€combine€these€fertileÏplants€with€ones€that€are€really€attractive€to€insects."Ìà  à"Attractive€to€insects,€huh?€Real€shapely€bulbs?"Ð .V)9 Ðà  à"Naw.€They€smell€like€rotting€meat.€Didnððt€want€to€use€them€at€the€party,"€he€said.Ìà  à"ððOh,€basil!€Ah!€Are€those€roses?€Hey,€is€that€a€corpse€I€smell?ðð"€Nicky€imagined.Ìà  àJK€laughed.€"Mmmm..."€He€licked€his€lips.Ìà  à"So€youððll€put€together€the€stinkiest€and€the€horniest€seeds..."Ìà  à"Pre„cisely."€He€lay€down€on€the€ground€and€looked€up€at€Nicky.€"Iððve€never€been€able€to€cross„pollinate€myÏown€plants€before€ð"ð€itððs€always€been€one„offs."Ìà  à"Iððve€never€been€able€to€afford€to€let€my€animals€go,"€Nicky€said.€"Iððve€always€had€to€sell€them.€That€doesnððtÏfeel€much€like€art.€It€feels€like€retail."Ìà  àJK€nodded,€looked€at€the€bush€suddenly.€It€rustled€again,€but€nothing€emerged.€"Itððs€funny.€I€can€see€the€parkÏhow€it€used€to€be€here."€He€squinted,€looked€around.€"Underlying€how€it€is€now.€A€carefully€manicured€place€for€peopleÏwho€could€afford€it.€I€still€liked€it.€I€used€to€come€here€at€night€and€smell€the€plants."Ìà  à"Iððd€get€my€chlorophyll€fix€over€by€Pleasant€Acres,"€Nicky€said,€noticing€something€in€the€crook€of€the€treeÏbranch€above.€She€got€to€her€feet,€carefully,€and€investigated.€It€turned€out€to€be€a€bunch€of€old€leaves,€but€it€made€herÏremember€finding€a€nest€in€a€tree€once...€òòor€did€I€see€that€in€a€movie?óóÐ H˜ Ðà  à"Birds,"€she€said€into€her€watch.Ìà  àNicky€crouched€on€her€branch€and€slipped€to€the€ground,€stumbling€just€a€bit.€JK€made€a€nod€towards€the€exit,Ïand€she€agreed.Ìà  à"Birds€are€good,"€JK€said.€"Theyððll€spread€the€seeds."Ìà  à"My€animals€are€not€simply€ways€for€your€little€weeds€to€get€around,"€retorted€Nicky.Ìà  à"Ha!"€JK€said.Ìà  àWhen€they€were€going€down€the€elevator,€Nicky€asked€JK€if€heððd€seen€much€of€Andre€and€Simon.Ìà  à"Theyððre€not€still€living€at€your€place?"€JK€responded,€surprised.Ìà  à"Not€really,"€Nicky€said,€deciding€that€an€occasional€sleepover€didnððt€count.Ìà  àThey€walked€through€a€lobby€guarded€by€aggressive€signs€and€the€stares€of€security€cameras.€Outside€theÏbuilding,€a€van€idled.Ìà  à"Wow,€the€neighbourhood€is€really€going€to€hell,"€JK€said.€"They€would€have€never€dared€drive€their€van€hereÏlast€year."€There€was€a€pair€of€black„clad€security€guards€talking€to€a€stooped€and€ratty€man.€As€they€passed,€NickyÏthought€there€was€something€familiar€about€him.Ìà  à"Doug€Patterson,"€the€woman€was€intoning.€"Your€debt€has€been€purchased€by€Microsoft€America.€Are€youÏcapable€of€paying€it€off€today?"€He€stared€blankly€at€her,€and€suddenly€Nicky€stopped€in€her€tracks.€Ìà  à"Youððre€that€guy€at€the€party,€the€drunk€guy€who€talked€to€me,"€she€said,€looking€at€his€face,€his€balding€head.ÏHe€turned€to€her€voice,€but€his€eyes€were€vacant.Ìà  àThe€guard€ran€through€the€rest€quickly.€"In€that€case€Microsoft€America€has€requested€that€you€be€relocatedÏto€a€factory€of€their€choosing€so€you€may€begin€to€work€off€said€debt€thank€you€for€your€cooperation."€They€led€DougÏinto€the€van,€and€he€went€without€a€sound.€The€security€guardððs€black€sunglasses€pointed€their€way€for€a€moment,€thenÏlooked€away.Ð º, (7 Ðà  à"Looked€like€someone€you€know?"€JK€said€as€they€walked€away.Ìà  à"It€definitely€was€the€guy€I€met€at€your€party€ð"ð€didnððt€you€see€him€with€the..."€She€made€a€gesture€on€the€topÏof€her€head.Ìà  à"No,€but,"€he€shrugged.€"I€heard€my€friend€Kerry€was€there,€and€I€didnððt€see€her€either."Ìà  à"No,€it€was€him.€I€remember€his€name.€Doug.€We€were€talking€about€the€mountains."€She€heard€the€van€startingÏup€behind€them.Ìà  à"I€guess€he€just€wandered€in..."Ìà  à"No,€he€was€with€someone.€A€girl€Iððve€seen€around.€And€he€was€dressed€like€he€came€from€work."€Ìà  à"Maybe€he€got€laid€off.€Companies€have€to€strip€down€for€Frisco,"€JK€said.€"Or€so€Iððve€heard.€Actually,€IððveÏheard€that€20„hour€word€days€are€the€norm€for€a€lot€of€Friscans.€Four€hours€of€leisure€and€then€itððs€back€into€the€fray."Ìà  à"Huh,"€she€said,€looking€back.€The€van€was€tiny€now,€rounding€a€corner.ÌÌNicky€got€used€to€working€with€her€tiny€boss€pretty€quickly.Ìà  à"Youððre€sure€you€donððt€mind?"€Paul€was€saying.€Heððd€set€up€the€cubespace€with€a€comfortable€armchair€andÏa€small€fireplace,€and€his€scrambled€face€(more€like€a€smudged€thumbprint€at€this€size)€looked€in€her€direction.€Ìà  à"Sure€Iððm€sure,"€Nicky€said,€twisting€and€kneading€the€in€silicoòò€óóbobcat€she€was€working€on€in€another€cube.Ð l¼ ÐThey€had€partitioned€the€big€cube€into€two€smaller€ones,€set€them€a€few€feet€apart€on€the€silver€counter.€She€was€havingÏtrouble€with€the€stomach.€"Itððs€nice€to€have€someone€around."Ìà  àOver€the€last€week€or€so,€Paulððs€visits€had€become€more€and€more€protracted.€At€first€it€had€made€NickyÏnervous€to€have€him€around€ð"ð€she€was€worried€that€sheððd€sour€the€deal€ð"ð€but€she€enjoyed€the€conversations€so€muchÏthat€eventually€the€feeling€wore€off.€Ìà  à"Iððm€glad€to€hear€you€say€that,"€Paul€said.€"Usually,€I€hang€around€in€bars€in€Frisco.€Just€to€be€around€people.ÏBut€Iððve€never€been€much€of€a€bar€person."Ìà  àNicky€nodded.€Ìà  à"I€know€this€sounds€kind€of€weird,€but€being€around€you€soothes€me.€Iððm€around€a€lot€of€personalities€that€getÏmy€back€up.€Talking€to€you€calms€me€down."Ìà  àNicky€looked€at€the€little€man€in€the€cube.€òòWhat€am€I,€a€sedative?€óó"Ohhhhkay.€Try€not€to€fall€asleep."Ð ,#|* Ðà  à"Donððt€take€that€the€wrong€way,"€he€said,€waving€his€hand.€Ìà  à"Canððt€you€just€automatically€adjust€your€mood?"€she€said,€making€a€level„sliding€gesture.Ìà  à"Well,€yes,€but...€it€has€a€weird€cumulative€effect€on€your...€spirit,€in€my€experience.€I€think€itððs€just€that€I€canÏtalk€freely€with€you.€Itððs€been€quite€a€few€years."Ìà  àNicky€saved€the€bobcat,€set€its€diet€to€vegetable,€and€ran€it.€She€watched€it€grow,€watched€muscles€ripple€andÏatrophy,€and€checked€the€time€when€it€died.€It€was€fairly€average.€"So...€whatððs€changed?"Ìà  àHe€had€been€scanning€a€yellow€document€in€his€hand.€"Hmm?"Ìà  àShe€set€the€program€to€run€a€thousand€bobcats,€and€the€cubespace€divided€into€subcubes.€A€thousand€tinyÏbabies€started€to€grow,€considerably€slower€than€just€one€ð"ð€it€would€take€a€while,€but€sheððd€have€better€stats.€HavingÐ .V)9 ÐPaul€in€the€cube€slowed€it€down€a€little,€but€that€was€OK.Ìà  à"Whatððs€changed€that€you€feel€like€you€can€talk€freely?"Ìà  à"Well,"€he€started.€He€put€the€document€away€and€folded€his€arms.€"For€years,€in€the€late€ðð20s,€there€wasÏgenuine€danger€in€doing€what€I€was€doing.€People€were€disappearing.€The€corporations€were€nervous€and€as€trigger„¼happy€as€a€post„coup€general.€My€tactic€ð"ð€which€differed€from€your€uncleððs€ð"ð€required€I€dedicate€a€lot€of€time€andÏenergy€to€establishing€myself€and€distinguishing€myself€in€my€company."Ìà  à"What€was€your€company?"€Nicky€asked.Ìà  à"In€data€security,"€Paul€said.Ìà  àNicky€knew€a€stock€answer€when€she€heard€it€ð"ð€she€had€a€few€of€her€own.€"What€happened€to€talking€freely?"Ïshe€said,€not€looking€up€from€her€work.Ìà  àPaul€leaned€forward€in€his€chair,€put€his€elbows€on€his€knees.€He€began,€"Iððve..."€He€stopped,€tutted€as€ifÏfrustrated€by€himself.Ìà  à"Oh,€stop,"€Nicky€said.€"Donððt€tell€me€if€you€donððt€want€to."Ìà  à"The€truth€is,"€Paul€said,€running€his€hand€through€his€hair,€"I€havenððt€had€to€exercise€this€kind€of€secrecy€inÏyears.€Itððs€just€habit.€Itððs€not€like€I€have€coolhunters€camped€outside€my€house€any€more.€Infiltrators€have€becomeÏmythic."Ìà  àThe€bobcat€aging€was€almost€half€done,€and€Nicky€watched€the€status€bar€creep€along.€"You€almost€sound€sadÏabout€it."Ìà  à"Well,€there€was€an€excitement€and€camaraderie€ð"ð€I€was€working€with€òòpeople.€óóFor€the€last€ten€years€all€IððveÐ h Ðdone€is€shuffle€money€around."Ìà  à"Curry€Time,"€her€watch€said.Ìà  à"Just€a€sec,"€she€said,€both€to€Paul€and€her€watch.Ìà  àClimbing€down€the€ladder,€she€forced€herself€not€to€hurry,€trying€to€think€of€Paul€like€any€other€house€guest.Ð "r# ÐòòIt€óóis€òòpretty€flattering,€though.€óóShe€answered€the€door€and€took€the€cardboard€box,€waiting€for€the€better€part€of€a€minuteÐ è8$ Ðwhile€the€delivery€girl€fumbled€with€the€payplate.€ððòòCourse,€maybe€heððs€telling€me€because€Iððm€of€no€importance.óóÐ ®þ% Ðà  à"Sorry,€Iððm€new,"€the€girl€said,€finally€offering€it€to€her€to€touch.€Normally,€getting€a€delivery€would€be€anÏenjoyable€novelty€for€Nicky,€but€she€found€herself€impatiently€smiling€and€reaching€to€close€the€door.€"Thanks€forÏchoosing€Curry€Time."Ìà  àShe€nodded€and€closed€the€door,€the€delivery€girlððs€watch€bleeping€insistently.Ìà  àWhen€she€got€back€up€to€the€lab,€the€bobcats€were€grandfatherly.€She€set€the€box€on€the€lab€counter€and€openedÏit€up.€She€spooned€up€her€daal€in€silence,€occasionally€glancing€at€Paul,€who€seemed€engrossed€in€whatever€he€wasÏreading.€When€she€was€using€the€naan€to€sop€up€the€juice,€the€bobcats€died,€and€the€computer€intoned€the€death€march.Ìà  àPaul€looked€up€at€this€and€chuckled.€"Oh,€whatððd€ya€get?"Ìà  à"Curry€special."Ìà  à"Huh..."€he€said,€nodding.€"Do€you€cook€at€all?"Ìà  à"From€scratch?€No,€not€really.€Too€expensive.€I€usually€pick€up€dinner€plates€from€the€Safeway."Ð º, (7 Ðà  à"I€used€to€like€cooking.€Never€got€around€to€it€much...."€He€wiggled€his€fingers€in€front€of€his€face.€"I€lovedÏchopping€garlic.€The€smell€would€stay€on€my€fingers€for€the€whole€day."Ìà  àNicky€wondered€what€whole€garlic€looked€like.€Paulððs€reminiscence€reminded€her€of€her€father,€though,€whoÏcomplained€unless€Mom€cooked€once€a€week.€She€had€hated€Sundays.€She€had€never€connected€the€two€before,€but€PaulÏwas€probably€the€same€age€as€her€father.Ìà  àShe€focused€on€the€bobcat€data.€The€simulations,€on€average,€had€lived€nearly€as€long€as€her€first€one.€So€theÏnew€grinding€teeth€and€innards€took€ð"ð€they€worked€biologically€as€herbivores,€but€was€their€aggression€innate?€OrÏlearned?€"So€it€looks€like€Iððve€got€a€working€design€for€the€vegetarian€bobcat,"€she€said.€"I€left€the€claws."Ìà  à"Good,€good!"€Paul€enthused.€"And€theyððre€native€to€this€area?"Ìà  à"No,€not€this€strain.€The€local€ones€rejected€the€stomach."Ìà  à"Still,€bobcats!€Can€you€imagine€it?€You€come€to€this€place€on€the€edge€of€the€world,€a€place€youððve€hardlyÏeven€heard€of€in€the€shadow€of€stunning€mountain€vistas.€You€travel€around€it€in€a€light€rail€car,€looking€down€on€a€cityÏovergrown€with€plants€of€every€description.€At€night,€you€catch€glimpses€of€glowing€eyes€in€the€bushes,€which€boundÏaway€before€you€know€whatððs€happening!"Ìà  àNicky€smiled,€tantalized€both€by€the€vision€and€his€enthusiasm.€"You€mean€the€SkyTrain?"Ìà  à"Yes€ð"ð€did€you€know€itððs€the€only€functioning€public€transit€system€on€the€west€coast?"Ìà  àShe€shook€her€head.€"Is€that€why€itððs€happening€here?"Ìà  à"One€of€the€reasons...€Iððve€lived€here€for€many€years,€mind€you,"€he€said.€"I€relocated€in€the€ðð20s."Ìà  à"From€where?"€Nicky€saved€the€bobcat€and€cleared€away€her€takeout€boxes,€using€the€bag€to€wipe€up€someÏcrumbs.Ìà  à"Before€that,€I€was€living€in€New€York€City,"€he€said.€"Spent€two€years€working€with€a€group€on€public€spacesÏissues.€Ended€badly."Ìà  àNicky€was€running€a€sterilizing€wand€over€her€counter.€When€she€got€to€Paulððs€cube,€she€said,€"Excuse€me,"Ïas€if€she€was€vacuuming€under€his€feet.€He€barely€nodded,€lost€in€thought.Ìà  à"What€happened?"€Nicky€asked.Ìà  à"Well,"€Paul€started.€"the€woman€I€was€living€with€at€the€time€was€a€librarian€at€the€New€York€Public€Library.ÏSheððd€been€working€there€for€a€year€when€the€Barnes€&€Noble€buyout€was€announced.€It€was€the€end€of€her€world."Ìà  à"Did€she€get€laid€off?"€Nicky€asked,€scrolling€through€her€list€of€animals„in„progress.Ìà  à"Well,€yes,€but€that€wasnððt€the€problem.€It€was...€more€that€that€particular€library€was€one€of€the€last€publicÏlibraries€left€standing.€They€had€thought€that€the€major€cities€would€have€one€public€library€left,€supported€by€individualÏdonors€ð"ð€but€charitable€donations€sharply€dropped€off€after€they€couldnððt€be€written€off.€Obviously€most€sensibleÏlibrarians€retrained€as€dataminers€or€booksellers,€so€by€the€time€the€New€York€Public€Library€was€being€sold,€those€thatÏremained€were€hardcore."Ìà  à"And€your...€this€woman€wasnððt€one€of€the€sensible€ones,"€Nicky€said,€trying€to€remember€what€she€knew€aboutÏlibraries.€She€remembered€seeing€an€historical€thriller€where€the€killer€was€a€librarian,€but€you€never€guessed€becauseÏhe€was€so€mild„mannered.€òòSomething€to€do€with€renting€books?Ð È*&4 Ðà  àóó"No,€Anne€wasnððt€sensible.€She€ð"ð€I€remember€a€time..."€he€laughed,€leaning€back€in€his€tiny€chair.€"We€wereÐ 4,„'6 Ðat€the€border€between€Canada€and€the€US,€while€there€still€was€one.€The€guard€asked€us€one€too€many€questions,€byÏAnneððs€standards,€and€she€leaned€out€the€car€window€and€started€asking€him€questions:€ððWhy€is€it€that€òòpeopleóó€have€aÐ À-)8 Ðharder€time€getting€across€the€border€than€òòbiohazardous€wasteóó?ðð€That€kind€of€thing.€Man,€did€we€get€all€our€holesÐ ° Ðsearched€that€day,"€he€said€with€a€rueful€chuckle.€"They€ended€up€turning€us€back,€too."Ìà  àNicky€smiled,€although€she€didnððt€really€get€it.€She€wondered€if€this€Anne€would€have€problems€with€herÏmaking€animals€ð"ð€she€remembered€seeing€something€about€the€anti„Frankenstein€movement.€She€liked€the€idea€ofÏsomeone€who€would€lean€out€of€a€window€and€sass€someone€like€that,€though.€"What...€you€donððt€have€to€tell€me€if€youÏdonððt€want€to€but...€what€happened€to€her?"Ìà  àPaul€wasnððt€listening,€he€was€pawing€through€a€directory.€"I€donððt€even€have€a€picture€to€show€you,"€he€saidÏin€the€same€sad€burr€of€a€voice.€"What€happened?€Well.€The€librarians,€the€ones€that€were€left,€were€pretty€committed.ÏWe€made€a€stand€at€the€NYPL€doing€public€demonstrations€ð"ð€with€the€two€lions€out€front€it€made€for€pretty€goodÏimages€to€feed€to€the€media.€We€lobbied€Barnes€&€Noble,€and€when€that€didnððt€work,€we€trashed€their€stores."Ìà  à"You€trashed€them?"€Nicky€said,€alarmed€by€the€casual€way€he€said€it.Ìà  à"Not€all€of€them,"€said€Paul.€"Just€the€half€dozen€or€so€that€had€opened€up€within€walking€distance€of€theÏlibrary.€They€had€the€same€architecture€as€the€public€library,€the€same€reading€lamps€and€tables..."Ìà  à"Wow,€itððs€changed..."€Nicky€said,€thinking€of€her€last€visit€to€B&N€Media€to€buy€a€movie€for€her€momððsÏbirthday€ð"ð€theyððd€been€blasting€Underwhereððs€latest.€She€didnððt€remember€seeing€a€book€section.Ìà  à"Of€course€it€has.€They€were€only€like€that€until€people€forgot€what€libraries€were€like.€Like€predatory€pricingÏð"ð€once€the€competitionððs€out€of€the€way,€the€prices€shoot€up.€Now€people€remember€them€as€relics€of€another€age,€aÏthing€out€of€place€in€our€world.€Which€is€how€they€treated€Anneððs€death,€as€a€tragedy€in€the€classic€style,€the€story€ofÏa€woman€born€in€the€wrong€time.€But€it€was€a€statement,€not€a€tragedy.€The€pictures€of€her€lying€on€the€stairs€betweenÏthe€lions€with€her€arms€stretched€out,€the€blood€trickling€from€the€open€veins€in€her€wrists.€She€even€dyed€her€hair€white,Ïput€it€in€a€bun.€Her€attempt€to€be€the€Every€Librarian,€I€suppose."Ìà  àNicky€had€totally€stopped€what€she€was€doing.€The€part€about€the€blood€made€the€curry€sit€badly€in€herÏstomach,€but€she€could€see€the€picture,€for€some€reason€in€black€and€white,€Anneððs€hair€looking€like€a€wig€on€her€youngÏbody.Ìà  à"They€made€fun€of€her€hair€on€a€talk€show,"€Paul€said,€sighing.Ìà  à"Thatððs€awful,"€Nicky€said,€wishing€again€that€she€could€see€Paulððs€face.Ìà  à"You€put€anything€out€of€context,€and€it€seems€ridiculous,"€he€said.€"Even€a€beautiful€gesture."Ìà  à"And€people€are€pretty€stupid€about€hair€to€begin€with,"€Nicky€said.€"I€met€this€guy€who€was€balding€on€top,Ïand€he€didnððt€want€to€get€it€patched.€I€thought€it€looked€pretty€neat.€But€evidently,€people€at€work€were€really€harassingÏhim€about€it."€In€her€mindððs€eye,€she€saw€his€vacant€stare€at€her€before€he€was€led€into€the€van€and€had€a€sudden€notionÏthat€he€was€fired€for€it.Ìòòà  àóó"Huh.€Yeah,€I€know€someone€like€that.€Dougððs€the€last€balding€man€in€the€world.€I€respect€him€for€it."Ð r$Â+ Ðà  àNicky€heart€leapt.€She€thought€back€very€carefully.€She€ran€through€the€scene€earlier€today€in€her€head.€"TheÏbalding€guy€I€know€got€picked€up€today€by€a€debtor€van.€Iððm€almost€positive€it€was€the€same€guy.€He€looked€reallyÏspaced€out,€though.€They€called€him€Doug€something."Ìà  à"What?€Not€Doug€Patterson."Ìà  à"Yes!€Doug€Patterson.€That€was€his€name."Ìà  àPaul€stood€up.€"Where€did€you€meet€Doug?"Ìà  à"A€party.€Actually,€it€was€JKððs€ð"ð"Ð -j(7 Ðà  à€"òòDougóó€was€taken€by€a€òòdebtor€vanóó?€But€heððs€ð"ð"Ð ° Ðà  à"Well€ð"ð€òòaóó€Doug€was€