by Dan Haronian
I didn't like this conclusion, especially since my uncle, the president of the infidels, received verification in the Books. But there was also a positive outcome. If Daio was the man the Books were talking about, then when this prophecy came to fruition, all Naanites would accept the Books. If this happened then clearly I could not complain.
"Book seven," said my father looking over my shoulder.
I was sitting next to a terminal that was next to the stairs.
"Hello dad," I said.
"How’s it going?"
"It’s hard work," I said.
"No doubt. One needs to memorize it several times until the meanings finally settle in."
I nodded. It was clearly true. He smiled at me, patted my shoulder with affection, and went up the stairs.
"I want to talk to you about something," I said to his back.
He stopped in the middle of the stairs and turned to me. "Why don’t you come up," he said nodding his head at the room.
I followed him. He unlocked the door, walked inside, and sat in front of the terminal.
"What's going on?" he asked as I sat down at a second terminal.
I hesitated for a moment before decisively saying, "I want you to reconsider the marketing issue."
"Marketing?"
"The direct marketing of our products."
"You are still thinking about this?" he asked in a monotone. He looked at me pulling his beard pensively. "We have worked like this for years. Why change something that is working well?"
"That is a new answer," I said. "I thought you would give me a long lecture why it's forbidden."
"Would it help?"
"No."
"So I am trying a new direction."
"We'll be much more profitable if we'll start thinking bigger. The bottleneck is transporting the products through Naan to Mampas. If we start marketing directly to Mampas, and to other nearby planets, this bottleneck will disappear."
"Managing a fleet of shuttles is not something simple. It's beyond our capabilities."
"I have a couple of ideas about these shuttles. I think we can create special preserving conditions in them such that our products will arrive everywhere as fresh as if they were just picked up."
"Why don't you sell this knowledge to Marketing department in The City of Naan and let them do it. That way we both profit."
"Sell them? You want me to give away the knowledge that I gained from studying for so many years? You want me to sell them my dream?"
"Dream," he said dismissively. "I'm not sure this is really your dream."
"What do you mean?"
"I think you just want to disconnect yourself from them."
"I want to be independent. What's so wrong about that?"
"There's nothing wrong with it, but the people there are not stupid. They won’t give up their profits easily, and the last thing we need here is war. Nothing is worth war between brothers."
"I don't want war either, but this is our basic right. These are our products and we have the right to trade them at will."
"But they have rights too. They have a part in our success. You cannot take that benefit away from them just like that. They would lose a significant part of their profits and this will not go over well."
I shook my head angrily.
"Raban, I won’t fight with Daio over this," he said decisively.
"Please don't bury this."
"I'm not burying anything, and please don't use those words. We haven't invested enough effort in the idea that we need to speak of burying it now."
"Maybe you haven't," I said, then stood up and walked away.
"Raban," he called after me.
I turned. He looked at me and shook his head. "If you want I can speak to Daio, but I know he's not going to like it."
I approached him. "Maybe it's better if I speak to him," I said.
"You want speak to him?"
"Why not?"
He nodded his head as if he was considering that idea and eventually said, "It’s a good idea. You speak to him and see where it leads."
"Okay," I said keeping my expression neutral, but inside I was thrilled at this opportunity.
"I want to improve our economy," he said.
"I know."
"You're not the only one who thinks about the future of this place. I just don't want to risk what we've built with so much blood and sweat. Think what this can do to us. Right now they don't need to do much to suffocate us. If they simply stopped marketing our products it would get us into deep trouble."
"And it doesn't bother you to have that hanging over us?” I immediately asked.
He didn't answer. Just nodded and played with his beard.
"I'll keep you updated," I said and left the room.
Two days later I went to see my uncle. I could count the times I visited The City of Naan on one hand. It was my first visit to the government building. Daio's personal secretary met me at the entrance to the presidential chamber. He led me past offices and through a big hall until we finally arrived at Daio's office.
"Hello Raban," said my uncle when I stepped into his office.
"Hello sir," I said trying to hide my excitement.
"Sir?!" said Daio smiling. "I don't suppose you are here for a job interview, so I think uncle Daio is more appropriate."
I smiled. I preferred sir. Uncle Daio simply didn't sound right, probably because I had never felt like we were family. Besides with all the marketing Naan had done for the Chosen, and the fact that they could easily suffocate us if they wanted, I actually felt more like I was his employee.
"I suppose this is your first time in this building."
"Yes."
"We renovated the whole building about twenty years ago and two years ago we made some additional cosmetic changes. We wanted the outside to look like Naan but the inside to look like Mampas." He smiled, "Come in," he said waving me in. He walked around his desk and sat in one of the comfortable armchairs in front. He waved me toward the armchair in front of him.
"Are you thirsty? Hungry? Can I get you anything?"
"No thank you, the trip was not that long," I said.
"Yes," he said sighed. "It was never been long and yet the distance only seems to grow over time. "He smiled again. "I'm sorry I'm burdening you with my thoughts. Things should have been different. We were so close thirty years ago and today we are like two strange countries."
That was true.
"But you came over to speak to me about something. If I remember correctly the last visit was your father’s several years ago, when he started this thing with the Books. This must be important."
I cleared my throat. "I’d like to talk you about the marketing of our products. The products of the chosen."
"You're doing an amazing job," he said. "Simply amazing."
"Yes, thank you, but that is what I wanted to talk to you about. I think we could do a much better job."
"Much better?" he said and laughed.
"We want to market our products directly to our customers."
His laugh immediately fell silent and the smiled was erased from his face. He raised his eyebrows. "Hmmm," he said and nodded his head. "You want to market directly from the City of the Chosen," he said stretching out the words as if he was studying them. "I hope it's not because of the fees that we charge you, because I'm sure we can fix that."
"No, it's not that. I simply think if we can market our own products it will help us become more independent. I have few ideas but the only way to test them is if we do it independently."
He smiled. "I can’t believe what you're saying."
"I hope I'm not offending you in any way."
“No, not at all," he said promptly. "I didn't realize we were restricting your development."
He stood up and started to pace the room. "But you know what, I think it's a great idea," he said turning to me. "A great idea," he said again as if he had reconsidered the things and come to the same conclusion.
"I think we can give it a try. We can start with one shuttle and see how things evolve. I wouldn't start with a more than one shuttle. You can always add more over time depending on your needs. After all it’s not going to be cheap."
"One shuttle is a very good start," I said completely surprised. I didn’t think we could manage otherwise. There were so many things to develop and install in the shuttle that clearly one was sufficient as a start. "I'm so happy that you are not against this."
"It will hurt our economy a bit, don't think I don't know that already. It will be difficult for a few people here and some in Mampas, but I think we can find them a new source of income."
"Father was sure you would be against this idea. I myself thought the chances were slim."
He walked to his desk. "Money is not everything," he said. "Your request will bring your people closer to our values, and I'm willing to lose all the money in the world to see this happening."
I smiled embarrassedly.
A chime sounded from the monitor on his desk and the face of his secretary appeared. He waited for Daio to look at him then said, "Sir, the Doctor is here."
"Send him in," he said and smiled at me. "I'm sure you remember the Doctor," he said.
"Of course."
"He asked to see you."
"Me?" I wondered, shocked.
The door opened and the Doctor walked inside. "It’s not every day we are blessed with a visitor from the City of the Chosen," he said walking towards me. I stood up and watched him approaching. His large head and fast steps were unmistakable. I’d heard my parents speak of it more than once.
"Sit, sit," said the Doctor. "Let me look at your face up close."
I sat down and the Doctor stood in front of me looking closely at my face. It felt as if he was looking for something.
I smiled, embarrassed. "I remember you when you were only this tall," said a Doctor, holding his hand at the level of my waist, palm down. He straightened himself still looking at me. “So, what's new at the Chosen?" he asked.
"Everything is well," I said.
"How are your parents?"
"Very well, thank you for asking."
"Raban is here because of an idea he has," said Daio.
"An idea?" said a Doctor surprised.
"Yes. Direct marketing of the products of the City of the Chosen," said Daio. "They want independence."
"That is not our goal," I said quickly and felt my face heating up.
"Very good," said the Doctor. "A great idea."
"That is exactly what I said," said Daio.
"It’s not a small step," said the Doctor. "You need to make sure it doesn't overload you with debts. There are countless examples of societies trying to grow too fast and being brought down by debt."
"I suggested that they start with one shuttle," said Daio. "They can grow gradually."
"Yes, this is a right attitude," said a Doctor.
My gaze shifted between the Doctor and Daio every time they spoke. I was completely shocked. "I can't believe you are so supportive," I said.
"There is no competition between us," said Daio. "Maybe a competitive atmosphere has built up over time, but it's false."
"How about we talk about this over lunch," said the Doctor suddenly. "What do you say?"
"Lunch?" said Daio. "Since when do you go to lunch?"
The Doctor laughed. "It will give us a chance to show the city to Raban."
"That's an excellent idea," said Daio, "unfortunately I'm not in charge of my schedule."
The Doctor looked at me. "Why don't we go together?"
I looked to my uncle for direction. "You should. I don't know how tasty the food in our restaurants will be to you, but you should certainly visit the city. It has changed quite a bit in the past several years."
I nodded and the Doctor walked to the door. "I'll meet you at the Old Naan Restaurant," he said. "Everyone knows it, and despite what Daio said I think you would love the food there. It's the best in town."
"Thank you," I said.
The Doctor left and Daio smiled at me. "So how are things in the City of the Chosen? How's life there? Are you happy?"
I thought of the questions and wondered where to start. "Life in the chosen is great. The economy is good and people are very happy," I said as if I was reciting something I’d prepared in advanced.
"Yes, it's very important that people are happy," said Daio. "You know when your father and I first came here we met many very generous people. As you know, they had problems, but they were peaceful and generous and pleased with what they had."
"And today?"
"Today? Today they are not the same people. Today they are more sophisticated and more demanding. They are much more aware of their options."
"I guess that makes sense," I said.
He smiled at me. "Yes, but it's harder to please them."
"I can imagine."
"I surely hope so, because it will eventually happen in the chosen too. Like you said it's reasonable. It's natural. The more options people have, the more competitive they become, and the greater their expectations."
He walked to his chair behind the desk then sat down and looked into my eyes. "The abstemiousness that characterizes your society will disappear. As soon as you start interacting with the world, the world will come into your house. Today you even avoid our neighbors on Mampas, whose home shines in your sky almost every night. Right now you can do that because we in Naan serve as an intermediary for you. We are your filter, but as soon as we are out of the picture, and your people start seeing new things, life will become much more complicated. It won’t happen immediately, it may take years, maybe decades, but it will happen eventually."
"We have the Books to guide us," I said. It was only defense I had against his arguments.
"Ahhh, the Books," he said pensively. "Yes, I guess they'll have something to say about this."
He continued looking at me when the chime sounded from his terminal again. Daio looked at the face of his secretary on the screen.
"Sir you have a meeting with the minister of transportation."
"Yes, thank you" he said. The secretary’s face disappeared and he stood up.
"I will speak to Naan about your idea. He will probably make some noise about this, but I think he'll be convinced in the end that it's a good thing."
For a second I thought he was talking about the population of Naan. When I realized he was talking about his son, a shiver went down my spine, though it was clear to me that he needed to be part of this.
When I recovered from my shock I looked up at my uncle. "Thank you very much," I said and stood up.
"It was very good talking with you," said Daio.
"I thank you for your openness to the idea," I said. "This is not how I envisioned this meeting going."
"I wish I had more time."
"It was short and effective. I learned a lot," I said and really meant it.
"You should visit us more often, spend more time in Naan, visit us at home. We are family and it's not too late to get to know each other."
I nodded, but I wondered why they’d never visited us in the Chosen. After all I’d invited Luna during the party in his honor, several years back but she’d never even called. "Thank you," I said. "I'll hope we’ll have additional opportunities soon."
After I left my uncle I wandered the streets of Naan looking for the restaurant the Doctor had mentioned. I did not know the city and the directions I received from people passing by only confused me. The Doctor was waiting for me when I finally found the place. As I walked up to his table I felt uncomfortable. His young face reminded me again that this man was older than my father.
"I'm sorry I’m late," I said. "I got lost."
"That's fine,” said the Doctor and smiled. "Naan has grown so much that sometimes even I get confused."
He waved to the chair on the other side of the table. "At least you got to see a bit of the city," he
said. The chair was too low and my knees bumped the bottom of the table.
A young waitress with a little pad in her hand walked over to us. "What would you like to order?" she asked looking at me.
"Let me," said the Doctor looking at me.
"Please," I said.
The Doctor looked at the waitress and said, "We'll start with the soup of the day, and then I think a varieties of salads, cheeses, and pies." He glanced at me and added, "I want him to get a taste of everything."
She looked at me. "You're not local," she said although the answer to her question was obvious. My head loomed like a mast over the other people in the restaurant. I could feel them sneaking looks at me.
"No, I'm from the City of the Chosen," I said. "I'm Sosi's son."
"You don't say," she said nodding her head. "That's…very nice," She added still nodding her head.
I looked at the Doctor not really knowing how to respond. "I hope that’s not a problem."
"No, of course not. It's just rare to see here people from the Chosen," she said. "I didn't know people there were so tall."
"Well I'm a bit different than most. The majority of us are shorter, like the people of Naan."
"Interesting," she said. "Well, I'll go put in your order," she said and walked away.
I smiled at the Doctor.
"You know they call you the City of the Frozen," he said.
"Frozen?"
"Yes as in frozen in the past." I nodded, "I can understand that."
"It doesn't bother you that they think about you in this way?"
"Not particularly," I said.
The Doctor nodded . "So you came to talk with Daio about independent marketing," he said. "I understand you want to sell throughout the galaxy."
"I don't know how far we can go, but I'm pretty sure we can be competitive on local planets."
"You think you can compete with local products on nearby planets?"