“I only asked him if I was in the right line!” yelled Ailsa. She glimpsed the hard, stubbled face and blank eyes of the Guardian through his helmet. He had a growing double-chin and his abdomen stretched the white fabric of his suit.
“We don’t have time for troublemakers or line-jumpers at this protectorate.” He kicked the front door open and pushed them out into the night.
Ailsa and the wild-eyed man collided. He kicked her and she fell down the steps, back first. In mid-air, she grabbed tight onto Texa and nestled the girl’s head into her soft chest.
Ailsa’s back hit the sharp concrete steps and she gasped for breath. Texa screamed.
“Stay away from my mommy!” Texa yelled. She got up and walked over to the man. She shook a finger in his face and curled her upper lip. “Don’t you touch her again.”
6
Ailsa fought her own body as she lowered herself down to the sidewalk just a few feet down from their usual spot. Where they normally sat lay a body covered in dirty white rags next to a mix of tan feces and pale green vomit. A fat, black rat fed on the brew.
“Mommy, are you going to be okay?” Texa asked. The girl fixed her eyes on the viewscreen across the street. They went blank and her face relaxed. “With hope, anything is possible,” she whispered with rising intonation.
“Don’t worry, baby, I will—” She let out a tiny whimper as she stretched her back. “I will be okay.” She turned and smiled at Texa. A stench of graphite and bologna mixed with a deep sewer musk reached her nose. She started to move, then remembered Texa and gave up hope.
Texa giggled. The darkness in her eyes lifted for a moment as her cheeks curved upward.
Ailsa sighed. I can’t blame her for wanting to escape into the screen. But what future is there for a child addicted to it and without any education? She closed her eyes.
A man tapped her on the shoulder. “How about a meal, angel?”
She looked up at him out of the haze of her dream. He looked like a god to her.
“A meal, what meal?” she asked.
“Five clients, five tickets. Come on.” He snatched her hand and pulled her up. He was portly, with short, dark hair that sat tousled above his lined face.
She groaned as her back reorganized itself.
He narrowed his eyes. “You alright, angel?”
“I just hurt my back, that’s all.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll get you some satiators.” He grinned. His teeth were black and gray. A front tooth and two smaller bottom ones were missing.
Ailsa frowned. “I’m just so hungry. Do you have a lot of food?”
“It’s the all-you-can-eat, angel.” He leaned down and picked up Texa. She laid her head on his shoulder and kept her eyes on the viewscreen. “And one order of the usual entertainment for this one!”
“Mac, I need to see the food first. I need to know…”
He turned around and smiled at her. “You know I always take care of my girls.” He coughed and spit phlegm on the sidewalk with a deep, gurgling noise.
Ailsa plodded after him. This is not the chance I wanted but maybe it’s the only one I deserve.
7
A Guardian walked into the room. He took off his helmet, stomped his feet and raised his eyebrows at her.
Ailsa lay on the narrow, lumpy bed. She stared up at the dust-encrusted ceiling. She struggled to purge her mind of disgust and fear.
“What’s it gonna take?” yelled the Guardian.
A tremor ran through Ailsa. She raised herself up to look. It’s the same one. “Hey, I still need a job,” she said. “Maybe we can work something—”
“I only have a five-minute break so be quick about it,” he said. He opened the velcro flap on the front of his suit and exposed himself. He stared at her with dead eyes.
She got off the bed and kneeled in front of him. She caught her reflection in a mirror that lay to her left. She was naked and emaciated. Her small breasts clung tightly to her chest just above the outlines of her rib cage. She studied her face and found it pleasing. Her hair was freshly washed. It hung around her head like a flowing halo. Am I really here? Again? Is this all there is for me? What about my little girl?
Ailsa despaired but resolved to try anyway. “If you can get me into that trainee position, we can work out a more regular arrangement,” she said. She looked up at him and softened her face.
He pursed his lips in contempt. “This is the position you seem to be most qualified for. Now I have four minutes. Take care of the Republic and it will take care of you. He smirked then scowled down at Ailsa. “Be quick!”
Ailsa did what she had to do.
8
Ailsa lay naked under the gray, threadbare sheet. She hurt. She didn’t like to hurt. It reminded her of things she wanted to forget. The current still pulsed through her but it was much weaker now.
The door slid open and Mac stuck his head in. “Last one. Texa is asleep and I’ve got my eye on her, no worries there.”
“Just give me five minutes,” said Ailsa. “The last one…”
“Yeah that one is, uh, okay. Five minutes. I’ll try to send this one to someone else.” He paused a moment to look at her hair and opened his mouth. He snapped it shut, turned and closed the door behind him.
The door slammed closed. It jarred her awake. “I said five minutes, Mac. Just—”
She turned. It was the wild-eyed man from the protectorate.
He grinned. He had no teeth. He scratched an open sore on his cheek.
“No. No. Just get out,” Ailsa said.
His eyes went wide. His lips flapped open and his body began to shake. “But I paid,” he said in a gentle voice.
She sat up in bed. “I’m sorry.” She cleared her throat. “Are you going to be violent?”
“No, no, of course not. I just…” He blushed.
“Let’s get it over with,” she said.
“Yes, ma’am.” He stared at her as he undressed.
She threw the covers back and looked at herself in the mirror. She was bleeding.
Just get through it, just get through it. Almost done. Then we eat. All you can eat. Her spirit jumped and a smile pushed the sides of her mouth up.
9
The wild-eyed man struggled to get his shirt over his head. “Are you going to be alright?” he asked.
Ailsa curled into a fetal position, her head on the soft pillow. She felt safe, relaxed. The bed was cool. She ignored the pain and focused on the good feelings. My little girl can eat now. I can eat now! A feeling of joy welled up in her and nothing else mattered.
She nodded to the man. “What’s your name?”
“Milton.” He pulled his pants up and fastened his belt tight around his thin midsection. “I’m real sorry about when I pushed you earlier, over at the protectorate. I got freaked out and I didn’t…” He looked away. “I can’t always get my meds.”
“You have your meds now?” She lay on her side and twirled her hair around her right index finger.
Milton nodded with a small smile. “Oh, yeah. Five days worth.”
“How did you afford them?” asked Ailsa.
There was a pounding at the door. “Thirty seconds, bud.” It was Mac.
“It’s the— What’s your name, if you don’t mind my asking?”
“Call me Lizzy.” She raised an eyebrow and smiled at him. She let her hair flop forward over her face and she giggled.
Milton’s toothless mouth hung open. “If I hadn’t just…” He gulped. “Well, I would want to do it again. Have you done any modeling?”
She looked down and pouted. “I did plumber training but with all the bots, who needs a plumber?”
Milton finished slipping into his shoes. He nodded. “I was a scientist, a long time ago.”
“So how did you earn the money for your meds, and for me?”
“Oh, Death Shop,” he said. “They—”
The door flew open. “You’re over, sir,” said Mac. “Time to go.”
<
br /> “No, wait!” cried Ailsa.
10
“Wait, Milton,” Ailsa yelled. She ran out the door of the brothel with a sleeping Texa over her shoulder and her shoes in one hand. She stepped on something sharp and fell onto her butt.
“Ow, my back,” she whispered. A dull ache shot up her spine. “Milton!”
Milton walked a few steps back towards her. “It’s 4 AM, Lizzy. I have to go to work. Gotta pay for my next date with you.” He turned and walked away from her.
Ailsa picked herself up with one hand on the back of Texa’s neck. “What is the Death Shop?” she asked in a loud whisper.
Milton’s eyes went wide. “I can’t— No. No!” He took a step towards her. “Quiet! You mustn’t— It’s…” He shook his head violently.
Ailsa took a step back. “I’m dying here, Milton.” Her eyes watered up and sparkled. “My baby girl… We need money!”
Milton scowled at her and crossed his arms. “Seems like you made some money tonight.”
Ailsa’s shoulders sagged forward. “That’s no life, Milton. What about my little girl? What kind of life can she expect if I can’t even feed her?” Ailsa collapsed to the ground and sobbed. “I just… We have no future, Milton! I need help!”
Milton rolled his eyes upwards and sighed. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry, Lizzy. I’m sorry!” He grasped his hands together in front of him. “But I have to go!” He ran a few steps then turned back to her. “At least we’re not in uplift. We have time.” He shrugged. His shadow bounced and elongated in front of her as he ran away up the deserted street.
11
A moist hand slapped the back of Ailsa’s neck. She picked her head up from the table at the all-you-can-eat restaurant and looked to her right.
“Mommy,” said Texa through gritted teeth, “the viewscreen’s not working!” She folded her arms and grunted. The plate in front of her overflowed with meat nuggets and carb strips.
Ailsa looked around through half-open eyelids. The viewscreen monopolized the wall about fifteen feet to her left. It showed 5:59 PM. A scribble of black and gray lines ran across it.
Texa smacked Ailsa’s cheek. “Mommy! Do something!”
Ailsa took a deep breath. Her stomach was empty and dry. She still hurt down there. Her ear crackled. “Texa, I need you to just—”
“Alert.” The word appeared on the viewscreen in white on a black background a millisecond before it was spoken into her ear.
“By order of the High Council of the Republic Trust, protectorate 13477 is hereby scheduled for uplift. The Guardianship instructs you to report to grid 115, street 4, entry 9 for immediate invitation to the accommodations of your choosing.”
Uplift. Ailsa’s back straightened. Terror displaced her brain fog.
“You will receive,” the message continued in Ailsa’s ear, “1,250 calories per day, viewscreen access and complimentary audio subscription for the duration of your stay.”
Texa scraped her fingernails on Ailsa’s tricep. “How much longer?” she asked through gritted teeth.
Ailsa’s mind refused to process the new information. She ignored her daughter, and the pain in her arm.
“When your health is restored and your retraining complete, you will be able to resettle in a place of your choosing other than protectorate 13477. Report within thirty minutes to avoid additional correction.”
The screen went black and a timer counted down thirty minutes.
Everyone screamed.
12
Ailsa stepped out into the twilight. A dark orange sun was setting straight ahead. People ran in every direction. Some carried suitcases. Others barely had any clothes on. She shivered.
Texa smiled up at her. “Why is everyone so crazy?”
Someone hit them from behind and they went flying into the street. A foot landed on Ailsa’s back, right in the spot that hurt. She lost sight of Texa.
“Texa! Texa!” she yelled. She got onto all fours but the herd kicked her onto her back. Feet fell on her face and her abdomen. She reached out, grabbed an ankle and twisted.
She hit another person behind the knee and got up. “Texa! Texa!” she screamed.
A hand grasped her shoulder. She turned around. It was Milton. Texa sat on his shoulders.
“I’ve got her,” he said. He grinned like a champion steer. “We’ll hide at the shop until the chaos settles.”
“No!” yelled Ailsa. “We have to get out of this protectorate. They’re—”
“Uplifting. I know,” he said.
“Well? How do we get out of here?” she asked. I can’t let her go through an uplift.
His mouth went flat and he scowled at her. “Where are you going to go? They’ll track you. They’ve already disabled all the vehicles and the walls are well-guarded. It’s the same everywhere, anyway. No food, no work, no mercy, no love. This’ll be my fourth time.” He narrowed his eyes. “And what’s in it for me?”
She stared at him, her eyes wide and her mouth open.
“Come to the Death Shop with me,” he said. He held out his hand and she grabbed it. Her eyes glazed over.
13
“How does it work?” Ailsa asked. Milton stood next to her. Texa slept with her head on his shoulder. They stood in the entryway of a narrow and dark storefront. Outside it was quiet.
“It’s really quite pleasant,” said the shop attendant, a female-styled android with a bob cut and Asian eyes. “I am Aiko and it is a pleasure to meet you. I am here to gain your informed consent and meet your needs throughout the process. Do you understand?”
Death. Is that really our only way out? “Yes,” said Ailsa. “Tell me more.”
“At the Death Shop, we honor the end of your time with dignity. Mix and match any of more than one thousand virtual reality scenarios in our exclusive holodeck. Pass away your final moments in bliss, light pain, heavy pain or feel nothing at all!” The machine wore a low, amber top and a tasteful gray skirt.
Aiko’s mouth pulled back from her silicon teeth in something approaching a smile.
We could run right now. We could run. She was silent a moment. The Gards would catch us. And then we’ll be dead anyway. But it will be long and painful. “How much does it cost?” Ailsa asked. A doubt rose within her. She thought about how little money she had in her pocket. She stole a glance at Texa’s face. She won’t even know it happened. We’ll just put on her favorite show.
“How much is your budget?” asked Aiko.
Ailsa felt in her pocket. “Maybe a few coins, that’s it. I have some money on this device,” she pulled the non-working computer out of her gut pocket, “but it won’t connect to the grid.”
Aiko’s eyes rotated to look at Milton. “We can take trade.” Its head angled to the side and it smiled again. “Show us how much you have.”
Ailsa dumped everything in her pockets on the table. There were a few copper- and silver-colored coins and the remaining meal coupons. “Is there enough?”
“The four all-you-can-eat coupons will buy you the deluxe option,” said Aiko. “Please, have a seat. We will sign the paperwork, then you can have thirty minutes in the fun room before it is time.”
14
Ailsa set the stylus down. “I clicked ‘OK’ on them all. Are we done now?”
Aiko’s motorized body groaned as she hobbled over to Ailsa.
“It’s just that I’m getting hungry again and my daughter’s going to want a viewscreen as soon as she wakes up.”
Aiko stood very still. A whining sound came from inside of her. “Your contract is approved. Thank you for choosing the Death Shop. We are honored by your trust. Please, come this way.”
15
Texa opened her eyes. She blew out the candles on her virtual birthday cake and chirped with glee.
“Did you make a wish, baby?” Ailsa asked.
“Yes, Mommy. I want to visit Disneyland and have a lifetime audio subscription. Do you think we can do that someday?”
Ailsa’s eyes unfocus
ed as she contemplated her daughter. She’s only seven. So much life ahead. But what will it be like for her? Scraping for food and… that, with those men? No. No! Better this. Then nothingness. It’s better.
“You know what? Right after your show, we’ll do just that.”
“Really, Mommy? I love you. You’re the best mom I could ever—”
Texa’s favorite show came on the viewscreen in full definition. She turned her attention to that and was silent.
A cold, rubbery hand touched Ailsa’s arm and she jumped awake.
“It is time,” said Aiko. “Your daughter is already in the chair and sedated.”
Ailsa did a double-take. “What do you mean she’s already sedated? I want to say goodbye to her. I want us to fall asleep together. You promised we could do that!”
“I humbly apologize,” said the android, “but your daughter is now in place and we are only waiting on you.” The machine tapped its wrist.
“Where is Milton? I want to talk to him.”
“Who is Milton?” asked Aiko.
Ailsa sighed. Always the same thing. No one knows anything. She took her seat in a reclining chair next to Texa. She caressed Texa’s soft cheek. It’s really the best thing for us both, baby girl. A twinge of regret grabbed her gut. I’m a failure.
Aiko moved her hand toward a red button. “The world will miss you,” she said. The android took a deep and perfectly executed bow.
“Wait,” said Ailsa. “What do your other customers do now?”
“You selected the option to feel bliss, so lay back and enjoy your happy moment,” said Aiko. It attempted to smile again.
“Mommy?” Texa woke and took a deep breath. Her eyes remained closed. “Anything is—”
Death Shop: With Hope, Anything is Possible — Or Not Page 2