Hadrian's Rage

by Patricia-Marie Budd

Geoffrey’s late return home from work follows a very similar routine. He quietly calls on the living room’s lights and wall screen. As Roger is already in bed, likely having been asleep for over an hour, Geoffrey never wants to wake him. Waking Roger might result in a conversation. Roger always insists they talk at dinnertime, but Geoffrey never feels like talking. He comes home for supper every night, though, because a teary-eyed Roger would constantly voc him to please come home. Still, Geoffrey is always able to find a reason to return to work. I’m a fucking horrible dad! Geoffrey mutters to himself, another regular aspect of his late night routine.

  The first thing Geoffrey does when he enters the living room is to toss his suit jacket towards the couch, miss it as usual, and ignore that the jacket falls to the floor. As he stretches and attempts to crack his back, he calls up his messaging system: “Voc mail on.” Although he could simply blink and pull up a small screen for his eyes only, Geoffrey is always too tired at this time of the night; he never gets home before 11:30 p.m. He needs the wall screen in order to blow up images for him and to increase print size if necessary. “Messages. Vocal, please.”

  The voice of Geoffrey’s voc message system is Dean’s. He had Dean record his voice to use for his voc a few years back. Even though Dean has been out of his life for almost two years now, he can’t bring himself to change it. Geoffrey shudders briefly as he hears his ex-lover’s voice: “You have two messages.”

  “First message?”

  “Destiny Stuttgart.”

  “Play.”

  Destiny Stuttgart’s image appears on the screen. Even at eighty-eight, she is quite alert and perky. Her hair is completely white, thinning some, but she successfully combs it up and curls it in such a way as to hide her bald spot. She is smiling and her eyes twinkle, complementing her wrinkles. “Hello, Geoffrey. I hope this message finds you well. I had hoped you would be home. It is, after all, 8:30. Who spends the evenings with Roger? I know Dean worries about him. You leave the boy alone far too often. Is being CEO of Hadrian’s Detritus Fisheries really that important? I know you make a decent wage and are using it to help pay for Dean’s uni and saving up for Roger’s—”

  Geoffrey mumbles amidst Destiny’s speech, “I can’t believe he’s going to graduate this year, and so early.” For Roger, the best way of coping with his father’s workaholic nature, his fathers separating, and Frank being sentenced to a life of servitude in the military was to become a workaholic just like his dad. He began fast tracking as soon as he started grade ten, and now, in the first semester of his grade twelve year, Roger is able to graduate early. In fact, as his grades are exceptionally high, always mid to high 90s, Roger has successfully convinced Pride Administration to let him write his finals early so he can begin uni at the start of the new year. It was his counselor at Antinous Uni, Joel Lipmann, who came up with the idea. In fact, Professor Lipmann contacted Pride High on Roger’s behalf, which helped ensure the young man could finish his last semester of high school one month early. Roger will graduate from grade twelve on December 20th, the last day of school before the New Year holiday season begins.

  Mimi’s voice shakes Geoffrey out of his reverie. Mimi, used to Geoffrey shutting down during their voc calls, will often intersperse her messages with a curt reminder, “Geoffrey, are you listening? I hope so.” Geoffrey always shudders when this happens because Mimi always seems able to time these reminders at just the right moment. Every time that woman vocs, I swear by Hadrian’s Lover she is standing in this very room! “As I was saying, Dean tells me you are more than financially able to fund Roger’s uni education. He worries that you work too much—”

  Speaking over Destiny’s voice, this time, Geoffrey grumbles, “Worries so much he never bothers to voc me.”

  Again, it’s almost as if Destiny is in the room with Geoffrey. “I know he hasn’t voc’d you yet—”

  “For over two years.” Geoffrey struggles to control his emotions.

  Again, Destiny responds with foresight into what she knew would be Geoffrey’s response. “—and that it has been two years, but please try to understand that Dean has been through a lot.”

  “And I haven’t?”

  “As have you.” Geoffrey shudders. It really does feel as if Dean’s grandmother is in the room with him and not just an image on the wall screen.

  “I remember how difficult it was for you during the trial, having to deal with both Frank and Dean being so distant. Their refusal to talk or even look at one another after you told Dean—Oh, Geoffrey, I don’t think you should have told Dean. How will he ever learn to forgive?”

  Geoffrey steps closer to the wall as if he is actually addressing the woman. “Oh, yes, it’s all my fault!”

  “I don’t mean to blame you; really, I don’t. It’s just, well, sometimes certain things are better left unsaid.”

  “Dean had a right to know!”

  “I know you believe it was important, but—ah, well, all that is water under the bridge, as they say. We need to move forward, and we can, Geoffrey, if you have faith.”

  “Faith?” The incredulity in Geoffrey’s voice is the result of Destiny’s use of a word that holds no meaning in his life and the fact that it really does feel like he is having a face-to-face conversation with the woman. “What are you,” he shouts to the wall, “a fucking psychic?” Realizing he has raised his voice, Geoffrey immediately starts whispering again. What Geoffrey doesn’t know is that Roger is startled by the sound of his voice and has stumbled into the hall. He restrains himself from entering the living room, though, as it really does sound like his father is talking to someone—or rather having an argument, so he stops short and quietly listens. His father is so elusive these days that spying on his conversations is sometimes the only way Roger gets any news about Geoffrey’s life.

  “At any rate, Geoffrey,” Destiny replies, “the reason for this call is to ask you to transfer 12,000 credits into Dean’s uni account. Oh, Geoffrey, he is doing so well. I am so proud of him. He is always in his study. I have to pull him out for dinner and breaks, but uni is very demanding. He feels so overwhelmed at times. The workload and pace required of him leave him quite exhausted. There’s a reason why we do uni in our youth. It really is a lifestyle designed for the young. Just listen to me; my thoughts wander far too often these days. What was I saying? Oh, yes, 12,000 credits. He doesn’t want me to remind you of this since he’s already feeling guilty about allowing you to help pay the costs, but you did insist and, well, I agree with you. We both know I can carry the cost easily myself, but this one gesture on your part does help maintain a connection between the two of you—”

  “Some connection.”

  “It may not be much, but it ties Dean to you, and I do believe he still loves you. Please be patient with him. We often talk about you—”

  Destiny isn’t allowed to finish because Geoffrey can listen to no more. “Delete message.” After rubbing his eyes, wiping away the tears he struggles so hard not to release, Geoffrey stands erect; he tightens his torso before releasing a deep breath. “Open credit account.” Geoffrey’s arms cross, his hands in fists, as his right hand taps his thumb against his mouth. “Transfer 12—No, make it 13—transfer 13,000 credits into Dean Hun—correction, into Dean Stuttgart’s uni account.”

  Still hiding in the hall, Roger smiles. His father still loves Dean. He worries about him and wants to make sure he doesn’t find himself short of credit. Just as Roger is about to enter the living room, he hears his father open a second message and listens to Papa Dean’s automated voice recite, “Second message from Matthew Malloy.”

  “Who?” Geoffrey looks at the wall screen, his inquiry prompting the voc messaging system to retrieve Matthew’s image. “The boy looks familiar.” Chewing now on his thumb, he ponders the image for a minute until recognition dawns. It is the young man who was Todd Middleton’s roommate at the Northeast Reeducation Camp. “Open.”

  Appearing on the wall screen is the vid image of Matthew Molloy. F
or such a young man—he can’t be more than twenty-one, Geoffrey thinks, —his face is so withered. Hadrian’s Lover, he looks thirty. Geoffrey sighs as he realizes this could have happened to Dean.

  Hello, Mr. Hunter. I’m not sure if you remember me. My name’s Matthew Molloy. We met at Todd Middleton’s funeral. I told you then he and I were bunkmates at re-ed. I am really sorry to call you and cause what I am sure are unpleasant memories, but this is really important. I remember your husband is also re-ed—sorry, but, well, if he is, then you might understand. They say you created most of the reforms that have helped us re-ed workers and, well, I’m hoping you might help out my friend and probably one of your most loyal detritus fishermen, Wolf Gaidosch. You may even recognize his name…

  Geoffrey didn’t.

  He started with Hunter Fisheries and transferred over to Hadrian’s Fisheries when the company went national. Anyway, he was just fired. After fifteen years, to just be let go like that. And the reason is prejudice plain and simple. Our manager has never liked Wolf. Since heterosexuality was made legal, Wolf came out as straight, and the manager has harassed him ever since. He used Wolf’s wanting to help a boat of gay refugees as an opportunity to fire him. But the real reason he fired him is because Wolf is straight. He told him right to his face, called him a “Fucking strai”; sorry, sir, but those were the manager’s words, and he said he was done putting up with Wolf’s “strai bullshit.” I hope you will look into Wolf’s case. I would never have used my slight connection with your family if I didn’t believe Wolf was a decent honest man who doesn’t deserve to be treated this way. Anyway, I’m sorry to bother you. Please help Wolf. And, well, goodbye, sir.

  And then Matthew Molloy did something quite strange. He knuckled his forehead. Geoffrey paused the vid image at that point. Why is he doing that? And then Geoffrey remembered Dean telling him how knuckling the forehead used to be a sign of respect expected from the lower class after addressing someone of a higher class. Dean had done that when they first met at the Northeast Reeducation Camp. Gideon Weller had imposed this on the young men in his camp to instill in them their new place in society. Geoffrey’s tears begin to flow freely as he whispers, “Dean, Dean.” After a time, Geoffrey brings himself under control. Looking up at Matthew Molloy’s image, he decides to respond. “Open reply link.” He pauses briefly to collect his thoughts. “Matthew, yes, I remember you. I will look into Wolf Gaidosch’s case.” He takes a moment to study the young man’s face one last time. “Send reply.”

  With the messages taken care of, Roger assumes his father will head to his room. This is his usual routine, so Roger moves to the center of the hall to greet him, but tonight, something different happens. Maybe it was watching Matthew Molloy knuckle his forehead, coupled with the reminder of Dean with Destiny Stuttgart’s message, that solicits Geoffrey’s inner longing for his lost lover. Roger turns to stone when he hears Geoffrey mutter, “Voc mate. Full flesh sensitivity.” Voc mates are the latest fad in Hadrian. You can design a holographic partner who will interact with you sexually. With full flesh sensitivity, it can feel like having sex with a thick bowl of jelly. Kids at school had been talking about using these and how bizarre and fun they could be. As one friend put it, “It takes masturbation to a whole new level!” The last thing in Hadrian Roger ever expected to learn was that his father had created his own voc mate. Leaning forward just enough, Roger sees that his father’s voc mate is Papa Dean. Then his father chooses a position. “Hands and knees.” Suddenly, Roger feels like a voyeur. The last thing he wants to do is listen in on his father’s—masturbation. He quickly turns around and scuttles back to his room without ever letting his father know he has awoken.

  *****

  Salve!

  Fired Detritus Fisherman Claims Discrimination!

  HNN—Melissa Eagleton Reporting

  Early last week, one of HNF’s detritus fishermen was fired for having attempted to smuggle in a boatful of refugees. He claimed these men were homosexuals who feared returning to their home country. The manager, Malco Neumann, responsible for terminating Wolfgang Gaidosch’s employment, claims otherwise. These men, he says, were in fact heterosexual terrorists looking to find a way to infiltrate our border. This is a—far more believable story than that of a—of a strai trying to save the lives of gay men. Wolfgang Gaidosch claims that Malco Neumann is using the refugees as subterfuge, an excuse justifying dismissal. According to Gaidosch, Neumann concocted this lie to hide the real reason for his dismissal: discrimination. Look to my right and watch our screen as Gaidosch lashes out with unfounded allegation against his former boss. “Malco knows that Geoffrey Hunter, the CEO of Hadrian National Fisheries, is strai-friendly, so Malco doesn’t want him to know the real reason for firing me. He called me a *BEEP* strai and then fired me.”

  At the center of this heated debate is Geoffrey Hunter, former CEO of Hunter Fisheries, who is now CEO of Hadrian National Fisheries. Geoffrey Hunter has taken sides with the detritus fisherman. His comments, too, were recorded: “The real reason for Wolfgang Gaidosch’s termination is Wolfgang’s sexual orientation. He is openly straight. As soon as Wolfgang told me his story, I knew he was telling the truth; I could see it in his eyes.” Using his position as CEO of HNF, Geoffrey Hunter has not only rehired Wolfgang Gaidosch, but promoted him to manager of Wharf 12. This was the position of the manager who had fired Mr. Gaidosch. When questioned, Hunter had this to say about Malco Neumann: “He has been transferred to the main office in Antinous to assume a position he applied for previously.” When asked whether he would have rather fired Neumann, all Hunter had to say was: “There are no grounds for firing Neumann. He acted in accordance with the law. It is within his right to dismiss a man who is straight, just as it is within my right to rehire and promote the said individual.” As you are aware, Geoffrey Hunter is famous for his marriage to Dean Stuttgart, an openly strai man. Hunter’s ex-husband, according to confidential sources, seems to support the contention the two men have divorced, and they hid—his founding family status until—until advantageously—revealing it at their son’s murder trial. It is believed that as a result of his marriage to this strai, Geoffrey Hunter has always been a strong supporter of his re-ed workers. Many speak of the reforms he brought in when he owned the company and even more after he sold controlling interests to HNF. Due to Geoffrey Hunter’s tireless efforts, all detritus fishermen, the majority of whom are from the re-ed class, receive medical benefits. HNF detritus fishermen are the only DF workers in Hadrian to receive medical benefits. It is perhaps—a dangerous precedent to set—suggesting greater value be placed on—the work of re-eds over—natural citizens.

  Geoffrey Hunter, CEO of Hadrian’s Detritus Fisheries, disagrees, believing the number of abuses against heterosexual employees to be much higher than we realize. Malco Neumann’s firing of Wolfgang Gaidosch, Hunter said, opened his eyes to the profuse discrimination against the straight detritus fishermen under his employ. “We are so used to an acceptable standard of hate that we don’t even notice when we say something hurtful or discriminatory against our straight brothers and sisters.” As a result, Mr. Hunter has decided to run a series of sensitivity workshops for all of his employees, including higher management. Viewers, you may remember from the previous Salve! that such workshops were being recommended by Quadrant Four’s Ombudsman spokeswoman, Pazima Zulu. Mr. Hunter had seen that episode and contacted Zulu for more information. The incident involving Neumann and Gaidosch, he said, helped to expedite the sessions. When asked why he was going to such extremes to protect strai employees, his response was simple: “Everyone deserves to feel safe in the workplace. When employees are accepted for who they are in their work environment, productivity cannot help but improve.”

  Not everyone agrees with Hadrian’s National Fisheries CEO, Geoffrey Hunter. The newest addition to HNN, Salve!’s production manager, Darien Dumas, sees “sensitivity training” as a waste of Hadrian’s tax fund. Our money, he believes would be better spent en
suring the successful reeducation of our youth rather than pandering to the hurt feelings of a few strais.

  Vale!

  Call Him!

  “Mimi, I can’t.”

  “Why not?” Mimi sighs. “Oh, Dean, how did you become so stubborn?”

  As Dean leans back in the blue plush reclining seat in his grandmother’s living room, he covers his face with his hands. Mimi, seated next to him in her rocker, shakes her head. “Look,” she points to the wall screen. She and Dean are watching Salve! and, using a remote (“My eyes are too old for a voc,” she claims), Mimi pauses the show on Geoffrey’s image. “Weren’t you listening? Didn’t you just hear him? Even without you in his life prodding him, he is standing up for the reeducated. He rehired that man. He doesn’t care that the man is straight. He just sees a loyal worker who has worked hard for his company for fifteen years. Granted, he should have fired the other man, but that would have been deemed prejudice. That’s the irony of the bigoted world.”

  “Mimi, I know. I saw. I see.” His face is still in his hands, but his elbows are now on his knees, as if his head were a weight too heavy for him to bear.

  “And on top of that, he is planning sensitivity training for his staff. Now that’s got to be a first for Hadrian!”

  “I know. I know.”

  “He still loves you. It’s so obvious.”

  “Mimi, please.”

  “Do you love him, Dean?”

  “Of course I do. You know I do. I always have—I just can’t—”

  “Can’t what, dear? Tell him?”

  “I’ve changed. I can never go back to pretending. I need to express this other side of me.”

  “I understand, dear, but—”

  “No buts, Mimi. I spent the first forty years of my life pretending to be someone I’m not. I can’t go back to that now. Geez, Mimi, you’re always quoting Shakespeare. Wasn’t he the one who said, ‘Be true to yourself.’”