“What gives me the right to take somebody's life?” Jason asked, looking at the floor.
“Where is this coming from?” I asked, searching the closet for a suitable replacement for my wet sweater.
“I was asked to perform a civic obligation today. The courts found a man guilty of treason for consorting with the Reds. He didn't want a trial. He didn't even contest the findings, so they called a citizen. My number was called up to serve. As head of the House of Fuller, I appeared, but I couldn't pull the trigger.
“Everything was ready for me, and I couldn't do it. One of my guards stepped in, took my weapon from my side holster, shot the man in the head, and handed me back the gun. The Court recorded my name as the executioner. I'm off the hook for a few cycles. The man was dead, Kar. Just dropped on the evaporator door like meat.”
“I so sorry, I didn't know you were called in today. This whole party was a stupid idea.”
“No, it's exactly what we need. Something good and happy, but I can't keep from thinking. What is going to happen when everything turns to shit, am I going to freeze. Is some grabby son of a bitch going to take you from me again?”
“No, I don't think you'll freeze. We have to be ready to ride out the event or escape to the Tree and the ships. Half or more of the people in the next room won't be alive in two years.” I said the words quietly, but it didn't make them any less real. Many of the people we know might be gone soon.
“You're right. We have today, and we can plan to survive tomorrow. We need to go back to the party and enjoy the moment,” Jason laughed half-heartedly.
“Even your asshole friend,” I asked, rolling up the sleeves on my replacement shirt.
“Yeah, even Monty.” Jason opened the door and peeked out into the hall. We were alone and could drift back to the dining room unnoticed.
CANDID CONVERSATION
As promised, I went to meet with Mr. Tilley the next afternoon. The Fuller kitchen staff sent me out of the house with two care packages. The smaller delivery box contained several individually wrapped meals and a supply of bakery snacks. The larger box was packaged for the Eaton household. The traditions of proper society that I clung to so tightly just weeks ago, seemed totally ridiculous to me now.
My grandmother would have known all the expectations for interacting between the original families. The driver always made sure I didn’t open my own car door or carry anything in the house. I assumed this was one of the major rules we followed. I nodded and whispered, thank you to the man as he extended his free hand to guide me out of the car.
The Tilley household looked all but empty when I arrived. One hurried looking woman opened the door as we approached, took the box of food, and thanked us for the kindness. After finding no one else in the entry area, the driver looked in nearby rooms for a chair pulled it close to the study door and sat down. I assumed he was not only tasked with driving me around but ensuring my safety as well.
I patted the tall bear of a man on the shoulder,” Thank you. I can’t imagine this conversation will take long.”
“I will be right here if you need anything, Miss Fuller.” I smiled and nodded appreciatively, straightened my day suit, and cracked my neck before knocking on the study door. Mr. Tilley was in a pleasant enough mood and asked me to recap the speech I gave for the press.
“Oh, I didn’t write it. The legal team did all that,” I explained, looking more closely at the contents of his bookshelves. “Will you be able to preserve all your historical antiques, Mr. Tilley?”
“I’m afraid I may have to donate some of these items to a bigger house to ensure they make it through the event.”
“That must be upsetting. You have some beautiful things on these walls,” I noted, walking around the room slowly.
“Yes well, the situation is as it is and not as I would like it to be,” he quoted, but from where I didn’t recognize. “A friend of mine lives at the end of the west rail line. His estate is quite vast and includes a properly constructed art vault. My wife is there now, settling in. I’ll start sending some of my other antiques there soon.”
I chucked at the remark and sat on a chair in front of his desk. “Why have you asked me here today?”
“Direct, I appreciate that.” Mr. Tilley sat back in his desk chair and looked at me for an awkwardly long time. “I want you to tell the people about your time as a captive at the Red compound. I want you to tell them the whole story about your time there.”
“I see. I won’t do that. Besides, no one would believe me. My public statement was factually accurate. I was taken, and after the bombing near the encampment, I was sent home.”
“Yes, but the facts you presented for the press imply the bombing had something to do with your release. They were sending you home already, Karine.”
“It’s not that simple but that point is one of the many secondary facts my public statement didn’t explain. The legal team also left out how well I was cared for and how our perfect society made the Red population necessary, how those people are nothing like what we have been told, and how they don’t use our city water.” I slid my hands over my nose and rubbed my temples.
“Soon, no one will care about my walk home. The comet will be everything to everyone. There is nothing to be gained by stirring the pot, as my grandmother used to say.”
“Hmm, prudent. I suppose only those
