She pressed a button on her laptop then continued:
“I will show you something from the other side. This is a piece of filming that was done a few weeks ago near the town of Vyvenka which lies just south of the current border between Island owned Kamchatka and the Russian state of Koryak. What you see is a small girl crying as a supposedly friendly Island Greencoat holds up his hand and says ‘Niet’ to her and her parents. She is crying because she knows that she must return north to her poor life in Koryak, and people are upset. They feel that The Island territory should be open to them.
Five years ago house prices in Vyvenka soared when it was announced that The Island had negotiated with Moscow to have the border moved by twenty kilometres. Quite a lot of people made a lot of money when they found out that Vyvenka was soon to be acquired by The Island and the lives of its citizens transformed with no more unemployment, a guaranteed end to poverty in the region and a lot of prayers answered. The local council in Vyvenka was delighted, and so were the people that lived there. The ones who were less happy were the ones from further north who suddenly saw a once run down place made into a relative paradise whilst their town stayed run down. Furthermore, they were now to become trespassers if they so much as dared to venture into a town that they had always known and saw no reason to be excluded from. So you see, even a really good system, and there is no doubt that it is good, can appear to be not so good to some people, even though for those people life has not really changed, and could, in time, get much better, for there is no doubt that for those who live close to the border there is every chance that one day it will be moved favourably for them also. There are four more towns in that area, namely Korf, Tilichiki, Vetvey and Novoolyutorka, where house prices are now beginning to rise substantially in anticipation that The Island could acquire them within the not too distant future, but this can have a downside for some local people who could well be priced out. In our documentary we feel obliged to show the effect that being close to the border is having on the local population. In fact I want to make a point of showing this to that beautiful young Queen of yours because she really needs to know about it. I think it will bring tears to her eyes. ”
“Are you sure that she doesn’t already know?” asked Connie.
“Perhaps she does, but there is always a chance that she does not know the full story, as I’m sure you don’t.”
“But do you really think that there is a problem?” Gary asked.
“There is if it starts to create civil disorder and unrest, which neither The Island nor the Russian authorities want. That is why I have been granted permission to be here. Her Majesty wants the potential for unrest to be averted. Lots of people like The Island and applaud its methods, but nevertheless are reserved about its closed and secretive history. Most people are unaware that The Island even exists, and even those who are see it merely as a collection of landowners. They have no idea of just what kind of a phenomenon this creeping entity has become as it nibbles away at islands, peninsulas and towns insidiously and pretty much without opposition. This could be interpreted as a very subtle form of economic warfare as opposed to what you see as a benevolent Queendom out to improve the welfare of the world”.
“The world deserves a choice,” said Yvonne.
“I am aware of Leo’s theories,” said Sylvia. “The problem is they can be interpreted in different ways by different people, and at present there is nothing to stop parts of the world’s media from drawing its own interpretation of The Island being more of a threat than an opportunity. It’s wrong, but it’s happening, and soon The Island will have to act to prevent these beliefs from delivering a false impression. I had to ask a lot of questions at the highest level before I even found out about the existence of The Island. I am staggered at the length of time that it has been going.”
“I remember seeing a documentary in Alaska about the acquisition of the Aleutians,” explained Connie. “There was a lot of hype at the time, but then it all just died down and everyone pretty much forgot about it. Sure the price of land rose on the islands that were being earmarked by those who were willing to pay over the odds for land and properties on them, but everyone accepted that in a capitalist country that was just the law of supply and demand taking its course.”
“I appreciate that,” replied the lady. “But the power of the press to whip up fury over the potential for a dictatorship, the potential for rationing and for Non-Capitalist Economics to ultimately revert to communism cannot be ignored. If you choose to mention the Aleutians you will remember what the papers said about the islands not being American in the end and how Alaska was going to be taken over by the Russians.”
“And you will remember how all of that was defused a week later when the press finally confessed that these fears were totally unfounded, as all the owners were American and that it was the absolute right of these Americans to do as they pleased with the land that they purchased fair and square,” Connie added.
“I know. I was the journalist who did the report. I have fortunately since become respected as a reliable correspondent acting on behalf of The Island whilst at the same time interfacing with the outside world. I along with a few others make it our business to expose lies and falsities at source and to warn of intended mischief, which is certain to occur as The Island continues to gain power and political influence. The point is the Russian authorities are very much in league with The Island. Those Island Greencoats will collaborate with the local Russian authorities to enforce border law so like it or not without paying over a lot of money those who live on the capitalist side of the border will not be able to go to Vyvenka and experience the high quality of life that has recently emerged there.”
The train stopped briefly at Sabfelt station and the setmates looked at it whilst the train was stationary. Particularly prominent was The Gun Inn, which had all the appearance of a traditional Irish pub.
“Gosh, they’ve even got an Irish pub here,” Gary remarked.
Some of the other set then began talking to Sylvia, who was keen to learn how they had come to be nominated for a place on The Island. As with Gary’s set the interest in skating and in ice dance in particular formed a common thread amongst them.
“I love the Kamchatskiy skaters and so pleased that The Island gives opportunities for people like yourselves to have a dream come true rather than giving the reward to those who have already been successful in life. It’s nice to see effort rewarded as I know you all worked very hard at your skating well before being invited to come here.”
Sylvia explained a little about her background at British Television as the train chuffed on to Aldebaran, where again it stopped to take on provisions bound for the royal household. On the return journey the train would stop again to take provisions back to The Town. The setmates gazed briefly at the distinctive Opera House, a miniature version of that in Sydney, that was the centrepiece of the small hamlet, along with the statues of Ken, Kathleen and Justine that stood in a triangle facing the entrance. Beyond there was the vegetarian delicatessen, The Island bakery, the waxworks and beyond those an astronomical observatory.
The train steamed on toward the Royal Palace until it finally ground to a halt at its terminus, The Palace Gates station. This stood at the southern end of the east garden of The Palace, through which a path wound its way through rose gardens and shrubberies before opening out onto a patch of ground with well-kept lawns beyond. The train driver directed the sets and the reporter up the pathway to the south entrance of The Royal Palace where The Queen’s Butler was ready to greet them.
He escorted them across the parterre, then through the billiard room to a large entrance hall upon the walls of which were hung portraits of The Founders and their partners which they all recognised. Beyond was the dining room where twenty-six places had been set on a long table for lunch. Here The Queen stood to greet the arrivals.
On the walls of the dining room were hung portraits of the royals, including her parents Mary, Th
e Queen Mother, and King Neville, and various cousins. On the ceiling was painted a mural of ‘Fire and Ice’ whilst above the Victorian style fireplace was hung a large oil painting of ‘Barnum on Ice’, reflecting Queen Justine’s admiration of the legendary British skaters and from which the inspiration for The Queen’s Tickets had originally come.
With The Queen’s position at the head, the remaining places were then named such that the two sets faced each other with the final place at the other end of the table, facing The Queen, marked Sylvia, reserved for the reporter.
“So,” declared The Queen, “it is a pleasure to welcome you all today to this our fine residence. I know you were all expecting to be doing other things today, but, in accordance with Island tradition, I have taken this opportunity to get to know you all personally. I use the first birthday in each set to invite the whole set, so Happy Birthday to Gary Loman and Hamish McEwan.
As you no doubt know, I am twenty-three this year and we are coming to a very exciting period in our history. This Island is our cosy retreat, but this does not mean that we do not go out and meet our people, as you will discover. We often visit towns, countries and islands and meet people old and young, as does our Prime Minister.
I know you all have a story to tell about how my Ticket led you here. I am naturally keen to know what path the Tickets have taken since I gave them to The Prince when he stayed here over Christmas. I have a little treat for you all this afternoon and maybe as we talk informally you can let me know something about your little secrets as to how you got here. First, however, we invite you to try our food, which has been lovingly prepared from the finest ingredients by our resident Head Chef Bob, who heads a team of four top chefs on The Island.”
The Chef entered accompanied by two waiters who served the tiger prawn starters to the table.
“We now wish you to enjoy our royal fare, so you may leave refreshed ready for your afternoon ahead.”
At the end of the meal The Queen rose to explain the details of the afternoon’s programme.
“My compliments as ever to The Chef for a superb culinary experience. I would now like to invite each of you to join me on the steam yacht gondola which will take you from the jetty on the lake to the north of The Palace to the other side of the lake where a cable car will convey you up the mountain to The Non-Olympic Stadium, which these days, apart from New Year’s Day, I tend to have all to myself. This is a must-see for you all. Coffee and petits fours will be served on board the gondola.”
The sets and Sylvia were escorted from the dining room to the entrance on the north side of the palace, observing the three tapestries depicting the history of The Island that hung on the walls of the drawing room through which they passed. A love of skating was prominent in all three, as was transport in all its forms from The Stone Boat to the Hebden Three.
Elsewhere photographs showed various stages of The Royal Palace under construction, more personal scenes of the royals over the years, and setmates from years gone by who had been previous recipients of The Queen’s Ticket from Mary, The Queen Mother during her reign. As the setmates ambled past these Yvonne spotted the picture that she had been looking for, that of The Queen and Aub in a fond embrace beneath a large pine tree decorated with Christmas lights. Her suspicion of an engagement was thereby confirmed.
Bob led the setmates out to the awaiting Steam Yacht Gondola beside which the Queen’s parents and younger brother and sister of The Queen stood to shake hands with the setmates and Sylvia.
On board Bob served the coffee and petits fours before taking to the helm. Then, steam powered it soon built up speed across the still lake allowing the sets to view The Royal Palace from the north side for the first time, and showing the clear resemblance to Versailles that the deceased Kathleen had stipulated should be a feature of her Royal Palace when it was finally completed. Looking the other way they could see the outline of the mist covered mountains that lay before them.
Chapter Ten
The Non-Olympic Stadium
The gondola meandered around the lake for about half an hour before finally coming to rest at the jetty on the north side of the lake, at the foot of the mountains. The rocky slopes rose steeply from the shore of the lake presenting a contrasting view to that which existed on The Island’s south side, which was mainly grassy and cultivated. On the slopes there were some trees, but for the most part there persisted only barren rock.
Bob ushered the setmates and Sylvia into the awaiting cable car, which was then set into automatic motion so that it rose above the woodland below before ascending sharply over the steep grey mountainside.
After about ten minutes the cable car stopped at an intermediate station. From here a large waterfall could be seen flowing down to the hydroelectric plant on the north east side of The Island. Here the thirty-seater cable car remained stationary for a while before it continued rising to the next station from which five or six ski slopes led off from a hut some fifty metres below, not that there was any snow covering. The climate of The Island was much too warm for natural snow. Only the snow generator would make the slopes fit for skiing when the Christmas season arrived. The cable car stopped this time for a slightly longer period. Just when it seemed as if it would go no further another cable car could be seen rising up along a parallel wire at a somewhat swifter pace. This cable car was somewhat smaller, black rather than blue and in place of The Island logo was a gold crown signifying that this was The Queen’s cable car.
Presently The Queen’s car drew level with the other one, but did not stop. Instead it passed on slowly through the station overtaking the setmates, so that it would obviously arrive at the summit ahead of them. From the window The Queen waved and the setmates waved back, surprised to see that she was evidently going to join them.
When The Queen’s car had passed the other car continued its more leisurely ascent, rising into the mist until it eventually came to rest inside a grotto that had been carved into the rock. A long corridor then led to a portcullis which opened revealing behind it a large open air ampitheatre which was surprisingly mist free. It was deserted, although at one end a large dish could be seen, whilst the centre was concreted and about the size of a football pitch.
“Hello, is anybody there?” Hamish shouted, his voice echoing in the silent stadium as the setmates stood gazing out across this Colosseum-like construction. Then The Queen appeared.
“This way please,” she ordered, waving the setmates and Sylvia out into the stadium. “So, bet you didn’t expect to see me again. You will be pleased to know that I shall be your tour guide for this afternoon around this magnificent stadium. As you can appreciate, the Non-Olympics is our counter to the Olympics and this Stadium was built by Kai-san in 2040 under the direction of Founder Peter, The Sportsman to promote amateur sport following the original Olympic principle.
The Stadium is situated right at the northern tip of The Island, and as such is the furthest point of The Island from The Town. It has been carved out of the mountain in a remarkable feat of engineering which has made the most of its natural volcanic features. Beyond us to the north lies only sea all the way to Greenland.
The Non-Olympics is different from the Olympics in two important respects. First of all, as you can obviously guess, in our non-capitalist society there is no such thing as a professional sportsman, so all of our participants are strictly amateurs. So whilst we may have trainers, coaches and performers our performers are not professionals, as they are all required by law to have some other form of occupation, just as in the old days with the Olympics. For many years the Non-Olympics was largely just an elite sort of club for friends of The Island and those with close ties to it. Since the end of the last century, however, amateur sport has really taken off with lots of interest from outside and even from the Olympic movement itself. This led to four new Non-Olympic Stadiums being built in Kamchatka, Sakhalin, the Falklands and latterly Groznyy. Since 2093 therefore this Stadium has become redundant for its original purp
ose, The Island being much too small to host what is now a very popular Games that have become renowned for their fairness and integrity.
The second important feature of the Non-Olympics is that the emphasis is much more on the taking part than the competition, which makes them much more relaxed and informal, a bit like me really. The emphasis is very much on displaying talent and exhibiting excellence. Also, unlike with the Olympics, a platinum Merit Medal may be granted by myself in consultation with trainers and participants for an individual who has not necessarily won, but made an outstanding achievement at or on the run up to the Games. These Merit Medals are as much prized as the Victory Medals.
I say there is less competition, but that does not mean that there is no competition. Competition can be fierce, but there is a different approach towards it. Yes, everyone likes to win, but it is not the end of the world if one doesn’t. Joy in work Deming style ensures that everyone respects everyone else. There is simply not the incentive to indulge in drug misuse and other cheating methods that have so ruined the Olympics for many decades. No wonder the Olympic Committee is starting to look at us.
You will observe above the west stand the dish which used to hold the Non-Olympic flame, whilst opposite us on the north stand is the Royal enclosure. Behind us is the participants’ entrance to the stadium.
The surface upon which we stand will be ice covered for New Year’s Day, and our annual fun and games contest Games Without Frontieres, which we hold every New Year’s Day here for specially invited participants, and to which you will all contribute. Now, in your own time, if you can please follow me I will show you a bit more of Non-Olympic history.”
The Queen led the party back through the entrance to a room which contained memorabilia and artefacts from the Non-Olympics. Here viewers could watch playbacks of events that had been built up over the years as archives, as well as listening to commentaries about the Non-Olympics and its origins. Most notably one could observe a critique of the Olympic movement and why The Island considered it to be flawed. It stated:
The Island of Dreams Page 10