‘It’s not my fau—’ Koi stopped suddenly, looking around to see if anyone else was listening.
‘What? Why did you stop?’ Martin asked.
‘I mean, how was I to know that the plates would continue to dispense? It isn’t really my fault. He should have mentioned the fast and switch-off buttons,’ Koi said, in a shy, childlike way.
Hearing that, Rogers thought, He is right, but I didn’t think anyone would touch the machine.
The boys all started laughing again, except for Koi, who did not like the feeling of being diminished that he got when someone was disappointed in him. He breathed out a silent sigh before choosing his path thoughtfully, lagging behind his friends.
‘Come on, man, stop sulking. It was a mistake – it could have happened to anybody,’ Chris said.
‘But it didn’t, it happened to Koi. Come on, get over it,’ Martin said, still poking fun at him. They all started laughing again.
Koi still looked solemn. ‘Easy for you to say. You’re not the one getting a bad name for yourself,’ he said.
Morgan threw his hand playfully across Koi’s shoulders and they all started laughing, including Koi. Observing Martin and Koi, Rogers noticed the rivalry and jealousy between them, whether they and the rest of their group were aware of it or not.
Rogers led the group out of the canteen. They walked for about two hundred metres. Standing in front of a building, he pointed to a sign that said, ‘Learning Centre’. He entered a room and they followed him. It was plain, without any natural light, and held rows of seats like a cinema. ‘This learning centre has two entrances, one here in the front and another at the back that’s marked as “emergency exit only”,’ Rogers said, pointing. He stood on a platform; behind him was a white board with a few lines of writing scribbled on it. At the side was a teleprompter and right in the centre was a podium, which held nothing other than a narrow microphone.
Most of the tour group had entered the room; a few at the door had barely squeezed in. Nobody sat on the seats; they were all standing in front of the podium.
‘Now, this is where you will do most of your learning,’ Rogers said. ‘We will meet here first thing tomorrow morning after breakfast. Everyone here belongs to my group but that’s not to say I will be the only one teaching you. I’m your group leader but my colleagues will all take turns teaching you different subjects at some stage during your time here. I will also be giving classes to other groups.’
He was interrupted by Martin’s voice. ‘Sir, I hope we aren’t gonna be taking exams,’ the boy called out, looking scornful. Everyone burst into laughter before starting to chatter anxiously amongst themselves.
Perhaps the formal setting for learning set them off, Rogers thought. From the looks on their faces, a few seemed to share Martin’s view about taking exams.
‘Why? Don’t you like exams?’ Rogers asked with a roguish smile. Martin didn’t reply. ‘No, there will be no exams. Happy?’ Rogers looked around, milking every bit of the opportunity to dig at Martin. He knew it was his chance to play on Martin’s weakness without sounding vindictive. He’d noticed Martin seemed not to like learning and thought he might not have been properly schooled. He remembered what happened between Koi and Martin, when he was showing them their accommodation.
‘Nothing to remember, except how to stay safe out there in space. However, we will have house-versus-house sporting competitions, and even the occasional in-house competition – if that’s okay with you.’ He continued walking without giving Martin a chance to respond. ‘By the way, we will have one of those in-house competitions tomorrow morning. Each of you will have to complete an obstacle course at the jungle gym by the canal.’
Rogers contemplated telling them that, while certain exercises were compulsory to complete during this experience, they had also tailor-made some of the activities to allow each participant to do things at their own pace without hindering the rest. However, he decided not to say anything. He concluded that such a disclosure might lead to some of the migrants opting to participate only in the activity they liked, or deemed easy. Rogers and his colleagues had prepared this programme not to test strength but to build teamwork, which was important for the journey ahead.
The application process had given the migrants the chance to disclose their personal interests, but the organisers understood that the migrants might not have disclosed all their interests due to fear of rejection. They had allowed for this.
When the tour, which lasted well over an hour, was over, the group followed Rogers back to the canteen. ‘Right, you will eat here and then go to your living quarters,’ he said.
As they were about to settle down, the other groups from the Outreach House arrived and started to occupy the vacant tables, since this was the designated canteen for both Stallion and Outreach Houses.
Rogers watched the people as they queued around the plate dispensers and buffet tables. He waited for the line to shrink. Two kitchen staff were stationed around each of the plate-dispensing machines and assisting the migrants who needed help. They must have learned from the incident with Koi earlier, he thought.
More people filled the line. Rogers was famished but, since it was the rush hour, he decided to wait while reading a newspaper he had picked up from a paper rack at the entrance. He could hear his stomach rumble as he smelled the delicious aroma from the food. He saw the migrants collecting their food and returning to their seats.
Rogers sat on a table with some other migrants facing Martin and his gang. There was lots of background noise in the hall as groups of new friends chattered amongst themselves. When the four boys and the girl finished eating their food, they left the canteen.
CHAPTER 4
CAMP LIVING
Martin returned to Stallion House with his friends. Following the signs, they headed first to room 341 on the third floor, which Monica and Chris would be sharing. The room was moderately sized, with a double bed and a bathroom. Martin thought it looked like a standard hotel room, with a reading desk, a chair and a table light.
Chris walked over to the wardrobe and opened it. Clothes were hanging on the rail. Neither Martin nor the other two boys entered the room completely; they crossed the threshold and stood around the door. Martin saw Chris rummage through the wardrobe admiringly.
‘Oh look, Monica, here’s some clothes for you,’ Chris said, pulling a dress from the hanger. It was a strap-sleeved dress with an A-line skirt. She smiled slightly but didn’t touch it. ‘Look at this, it’s size ten, your size, too. I’d say this definitely is your style.’ He turned to look at Monica again, as if Martin and the rest were not in the room.
‘Yeah, I must say, they followed every detail on our application form,’ Monica said, with a broader smile.
Chris placed the dress back in the cupboard and carried on looking. Some male clothing was hanging on the left and women's clothes hung on the right. Everything was thought out and planned. Female and male undergarments had separate compartments in the chest of drawers. Shoes and slippers were laid out neatly at the bottom of the wardrobe, some for him and some for her.
Chris rushed to the bathroom. He pushed the door and popped his head in. ‘Yes, as expected, all toiletry has been provided. That's good,’ he said with a smile.
The space felt cool and fresh because the window, which looked out into the garden, was open. Monica began tugging on it to close it and Chris went over and helped her. She crossed her arms, which were covered in goose bumps, and rubbed them. Chris, standing behind her, rubbed his hands along her arms before pulling her closer. This made Martin and the other boys feel a bit awkward.
Martin said, ‘We’re going to look at our room. It’s on the second floor, room 233. We’ll see you in the reception area in about two hours to explore more of the grounds and the facilities.’ He headed for the door and the others quickly followed.
‘Okay, see you soon,’ Chris answered, his hands still clutching Monica’s arms. She managed to raise one hand sligh
tly and give a little wave before the door slammed shut.
*
Martin was sharing a large room with Morgan and Koi. Immediately upon opening the door, each of the boys flung himself onto a soft bed, which they chose randomly. They had three single beds in a large room; two were facing each other, while the last one occupied the third wall. They got so comfortable that they didn’t bother to investigate the rest of the facilities.
This is a soft bed. I didn't expect it to be so comfortable. Well, so far so good. I’m used to a hard, orthopaedic mattress, Martin thought. He remembered the accident he’d had when he fell doing a stunt with his older brother’s motor bike on the pavement. Since then, his mother had made him sleep on hard surfaces to help relieve the occasional pains he felt. The thought of how serious his injuries had been sent fresh shivers into his brain. I almost broke my hip; that was a narrow escape. He wondered what he was going to do if his back got irritated out here in the camp but quickly waved the thought away.
‘Martin, what’s the problem? You’re suddenly quiet,’ Morgan asked.
‘I’m just thinking that this bed feels so soft,’ Martin said.
‘I know, right!’ Koi agreed. ‘I feel like I’ve been transported to another world. I could stay here all day.’
‘Me too,’ Martin said, without mentioning what he was really thinking about.
‘Please guys, quit trying to fall asleep,’ Morgan said. ‘Remember we promised Chris and Monica we’d meet them shortly. Besides, I want to check out the games room. I didn’t get the chance to see it properly because of that man.’
‘What man?’ Koi asked
‘You know, the tour guide, Rogers,’ replied Morgan, peering past Koi’s gaze to the wall by his bed. ‘I don’t know if you noticed, but he didn’t even give us the chance to look around before he hurried us off.’ Koi just nodded. ‘You were right, Koi, he doesn’t seem like someone you’d want to disappoint.’
‘I’m glad you noticed,’ Koi said.
‘Guys, maybe he is an alien – considering he’s already lived in space and survived. I bet you the rest of his crew died and he was the only one who returned after being possessed by aliens,’ Martin said, widening his eyes spookily.
They all started laughing.
‘Man, your imagination is too active. Maybe he’s not an alien, just a super-intelligent guy. You know, like a wise old owl,’ Morgan said.
‘Yeah, a wise old owl, that’s it! That’s a better description of him,’ Koi laughed.
‘If you ask me, we should keep an eye on him to see if he does anything strange,’ Martin said seriously. They both looked at him as though they were thinking about it, before laughing out loud in dismissal of such a senseless idea.
‘No, I don’t think he is an alien,’ protested Morgan.
‘I will carry out the investigation myself,’ Martin said.
‘And how are you going to do that?’ Morgan asked.
‘I will ask those young assistants of his, Zebe and Joe. They look like they would talk, if I asked them nicely,’ Martin insisted.
*
Martin and the boys relaxed after a long day of travelling and the mental exhaustion from all the information they’d had to take in. An hour and a half had passed since they’d arrived at their room. Morgan was the first to spring to his feet. Martin and Koi reluctantly followed him to the reception, where they were soon joined by Monica and Chris.
They were just in time, as the bar was opening. They walked straight to the bar and each asked for a beer, including Monica. The group sat around a table chatting, drinking and watching TV. Some of the other migrants were loafing in reclining chairs, also watching TV, while others moved in and out of the facility.
Martin noticed a couple sitting nearby. They were laughing and it drew his attention. Each was wearing a gold band, Martin noticed. They looked young and spoke affectionately to each other; perhaps they were newlyweds. Martin didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but he couldn’t help overhearing.
‘Tomorrow will be a big sports day, I heard,’ the girl said. ‘We’re each meant to complete an obstacle course. I’m not good at rope climbing. I never even went to PE class during my school days – let alone passed it.’
‘Really? How did you get out of it? How did the school let you graduate?’ the young man asked softly.
‘Let’s just say my mum had to bake lots and lots of cakes for the PE teacher, Mrs Lawson. Most mornings, just as I arrived at school, I would hear her calling out for me down the corridor in her horsey voice: “Please tell your mom I said thank you for the lovely chocolate cakes she delivered to my office yesterday. They were really very delicious.” I’d say I would, and then I’d move away before the other students started to wonder why my mum baked cakes for her.’
‘Your PE teacher was a woman?’ the man asked.
‘Yeah. Don’t worry, you couldn’t tell. She looked more masculine than most men I know, starting from her short haircut.’
The man laughed and the woman smiled wryly, as though not proud of what had happened.
Hearing about PE made Martin remember his PE teacher, Miss Megan. He wondered where she was now. He gazed out, thinking how he’d loved PE in school; it was his best subject and Miss Megan used to call Martin her best student. Martin had liked her; she was slender and fit, with a beautiful smile. Martin was carried away in thought before he heard the couple’s voices again.
‘Don’t worry, this isn’t a school. You just have to do as much as you can,’ the young man said, taking the girl’s hand.
‘Well, that’s easy for you to say! I don’t want to embarrass my house or be the reason we fail,’ she said. She ran her free hand through her hair, looking concerned.
‘You’re overthinking this. Don’t worry. You can be in my group. It doesn’t matter to me who wins or loses, I just want to have fun with you beside me,’ he said reassuringly, shifting slightly closer to her.
‘Okay. I hope I won’t embarrass you,’ she said with a slight smile.
‘You will never embarrass me.’ He gazed at her lovingly before drawing her close. They hugged and kissed, which made Martin look away quickly.
Her concern made Martin remember how he’d felt in the learning centre, when he’d thought they would be subjected to school conditions. That was not what he’d signed up for, hence his question to Rogers regarding exams. He did not want to feel like he was back in high school, where he’d struggled with exams. He was happy to learn that he was not the only one with such concerns.
Martin stood up and walked through the automatic door to the outer courtyard. His friends saw him; they weren’t sure where he was going, until he stepped out of the door. The sun was low to the ground and shone vividly and Martin cupped his hand to his eyes to protect them from the dazzling glow. After a few minutes, he walked back to the group inside. ’Guys, I’m getting bored sitting here watching TV. Let’s go to the games room. Morgan, you wanted to check it out. Let’s go,’ he said.
‘Yeah, you’re right, let’s go,’ Morgan agreed. They stood up and headed towards the massive hall that contained all kinds of gaming machines and a bowling alley.
‘Seems like we are late to the party. How come there are so many people here already? I hope we can find some machines to play,’ Morgan said.
‘I don’t think that will be a problem. Look over there, those guys are leaving,’ Chris said, pointing.
‘Yeah, but that’s still only three machines and there are four of us. Monica, no offence, but I know you don’t like playing the machines,’ said Martin.
Monica shrugged and looked away. Martin, Morgan and Koi rushed to the free machines.
‘Guys, don’t worry about me,’ Chris called after them. ‘The three of you start playing. Monica and I will walk around and see more of the facilities. When we come back, hopefully there will be more space.’ He glanced shyly at Monica.
‘Man, it will be dinner time by the time you return,’ Koi called back, without turning to
them. He’d already started his game.
Monica and Chris left and returned after an hour.
‘Where did you guys go?’ Koi asked.
‘We walked around the same places we’d been this morning,’ Monica responded.
As Koi had predicted, just as they were entering the games room the other boys were rounding up, ready to leave for dinner. Chris and Monica joined them and they all went and ate. Afterwards they returned to the Stallion House reception area and watched TV until it was time for bed, when they bade each other goodnight.
*
The next morning, Martin was the first to wake up. ‘Morgan? Koi?’ he called, but no one answered. ‘Guys! We have to leave for breakfast. You heard the man!’ There was movement in the boys’ beds but still neither of them said anything.
‘Rogers said to meet at the educational hall first thing after breakfast. I’m ready to eat. For some reason, I’m starving,’ Martin continued.
‘Okay, man, we better go and eat. I’m starving, too,’ said Koi, finally rolling over.
They dressed quickly. Martin wore cycling trousers and a long-sleeved T-shirt. They met up with Chris and Monica at the reception area of Stallion House and went to breakfast together.
In the hall, breakfast was laid out buffet style. They quickly found vacant seats at the front of the room, close to the food tables. Martin was the first to stand up, followed by Morgan; they both headed straight to the drinks table. Martin fetched some orange juice from a round bottle with a tap on the bottom; Morgan waited for him to finish and got one for himself. They placed their glasses on the table as a territorial mark to stop other people from occupying their seats when they went to fetch their food. Other people from the other tables did the same.
The hall was bustling with people. Some were chattering and their voices competed with the noises made by the clanking of the silverware on the ceramic plates, the clicking of the tea cups on saucers, and shuffling feet and footsteps moving in different directions, both from the people sitting and the ones walking to and from the food table.
The Gate Page 6