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€i