The Island of Dreams
Page 31
When this had been done he faced each couple again and asked them to swear again.
“I now ask you both, do you take these fellow setmates to be your lawful wedded secondaries and agree to be faithful to them alone, forsaking all others, for as long as you shall live, under the terms set out under the law of The Island and its territories?”
“We do,” each couple replied.
“Then I hereby declare you as lawful wedded secondaries as prescribed by the above law.”
He then struck the anvil again.
When all of the couples had sworn to both components of the Act he struck the anvil once more and turned to the complete set.
“It is now my honour to bestow upon you the right to be henceforth a set as prescribed by the law of The Island and its territories. Go forth in peace and serve The Lord.”
The Concierge shook the hands of each couple as they left the Marriage Room ready for The Reverend to perform the next ceremony.
From the Marriage Room the setmates returned to the Atrium where the ballroom floor had been cleared and the Karaginsky pupils were already dancing to the music of a fine Wurlitzer organ that had risen from the stage, replacing the lectern and screen from earlier.
Gary and the others mixed with the pupils, congratulating the Space Dancers on their space dances, and taking the opportunity to dance with them under the stars that shone, light years away, through the large transparent dome above. Joanie watched on from a table on the balcony above, sipping a glass of red wine as she smiled, reminiscing over her past six years on The Island, a slight tear in her eye, whilst at the same time glancing at the manual in front of her, the cover of which displayed the words ‘Moonbase Alpha. Supreme Commander: Roles and Responsibilities.’
For about an hour they danced before one by one they dispersed to their sleeping quarters. These contained a wooden four-poster bed, behind which was a porthole that offered a panoramic view of the Earth. Tired, but relaxed, Gary and Connie rested unclothed beneath the covers. They embraced. Then, with their marriage consummated, they kissed in the Earthlight. Then Gary turned to Connie and asked “What do those words in Russian mean that are carved above the bed?”
“And the meek shall inherit the Earth.”
Copyright
Published by Clink Street Publishing 2017
Copyright © 2017
First edition.
The author asserts the moral right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
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ISBN:
978-1-911525-66-0 paperback
978-1-911525-67-7 ebook