by Travis Borne
“Well, that surely did it,” Nanny said, feeling quite a bit of the drain. “But a little reckless for my taste.” Sitting there, she slouched and sighed. She opened her purse and pulled out a little tin. It held a few cigarettes and a lighter. “Care for a smoke, dear?” And she lit one. “Job well done. I’d say that is quite creative. But, you did still use the bag.”
“Ha, ha, ha,” Amy said slowly and smart-alecky. “Nanny, it counts.” And Amy shrugged as Nanny held the smoke outward. “No thanks on the cigarette, yuck, but I think I’ll have a candy apple.” She ran over to the booth and stole the largest ones she could. They were covered in several layers of chocolate and caramel and measled with chunky over-sized sprinkles. She skipped back to the bench, which now had some dicey shade from the Ferris wheel. They both sat back and relaxed for a while, recuperating from the drain. Amy noticed the feeling and made a mental comparison. It was at least half as effective as outright killing. But nevertheless, she knew, a pretty decent day. Nanny enjoyed her menthol and Amy ate two candy apples and even drank a state-fair-sized soda.
Two hours passed and Nanny got up from the bench for the first time since. She was hunched over and looked tired.
Amy had been blazin’ to go an hour ago, but waited—patiently because of the delights. She had helped herself to more edibles: a pizza and hot dogs, cotton candy, and some fries and fried gobs of cream pies and pickles, and another mondo soda to wash it all down. She’d entertained herself, messing around in the empty food stand making all sorts of concoctions while Nanny rested.
“Sure, what’s next? Another session?” Amy asked. “We usually do at least two. Jim and I did three once.”
Walking over slowly, Nanny replied, “That’s more than I do in a week, sweetie. I think we’re good for the day. Let’s have some fun and talk a little. I feel better now. How about a race to the bumper cars?”
“Sure. Where are they?” Amy asked, running to meet her before she’d gotten more than a few feet.
“This row—” She pointed left. “—all the way to the end, then veer a little right.” Nanny was already fastening her purse then tossed it around her shoulder and onto her back. She had half a smoke left and clamped it to the side of her mouth. She turned her old ladies’ hat, flowers facing back, and pulled it tight onto her head, forcing her bun further onto her neck.
“Okay, but I’m gonna win for sure,” Amy said, and took her stance too, like an athlete. The place had filled with a meager amount of DCs. Things were finally getting back to normal. Bystanders were watching, seated a bench over. They whipped out their devices and started recording the weird event: eighty versus eighteen.
Nanny kicked the dirt path like a rodeo bull then started the countdown: “Ready… Set… Go!”
Amy took off a running as fast as her skinny legs could carry her. She was way in front of Nanny. “Ha, ha, you can’t beat me!”
Nanny didn’t sweat it and shifted into second gear, then third. In a raspy voice, shifting noises fluttered past thin lips on one side of her mouth, the other held her fag; its ember glowed red-hot against a wall of winning air.
“What?” Amy exclaimed.
Nanny shifted into her fourth and final gear and sped past Amy, who was giving it all she had. Frictionlessly, her skinny legs sliced the air as if it was outer space, but that didn’t buy her an advantage. The path became invisible, obscured by Nanny’s dust, dust that Amy was eating.
Nanny sat on the bench in front of the bumper cars. She had reversed her flowery hat to face forward. A final victory drag on the fag and she flicked it like a basketball champ, right into a fifty-gallon drum of trash ten feet away.
Arms waving, panting-Amy emerged from the dust cloud coughing. “Dang, Nanny!” she blurted, imitating some anger. She coughed some more. “How’d—” Cough, cough. “—you do that? You literally—smoked me!” Amy patted herself down with open ears. She had to hear this. How in the world can an old lady go so fast?
“Let’s ride the bumper cars, then I’ll tell ya. We have a lot of time left today.”
Nanny had to teach Amy how to drive the pillow-wheeled car but she caught on quickly and gave her some payback for the race. After that they rode the Gravity Magnifier 5000, the Sinister Swing, toured the Freak Show, and enjoyed a live rock concert for a bit. Then, they rode just about every other ride too. Eventually the dream scene rebuilt itself enough and the Ferris wheel reopened, but Amy declined. The accident sent shivers into her spine—something about the girl and their mutual gaze. So, they settled on a cotton candy each and sat down to talk for what was left of the day. And once again, there were people everywhere, more than Nanny had ever seen.
“So, are ya gonna tell me?” Amy asked. “How did you beat me in that race? You must’ve been going a hundred miles an hour.”
“There’s one thing you can’t forget, little Amy,” Nanny started. “It is a dream world, and although the software that runs this place has some sort of built-in stabilizer—it will never, ever, be as powerful as your mind. You might find as time goes by you will be able to change a few things, and who knows—the sky really is the limit as far as your imagination is concerned.”
“So, you added a little imagination and changed the rules,” Amy said. Her mind frivolously wandered. “And you look a little older outside, Nanny, but here, you aren’t. You’re younger in the dream. Can you show me how to do that too? How old are you, Nanny?”
“My dearie no, a young woman never reveals her age.” Nanny smiled. “In time, you’ll learn. Just use your imagination—it’s everything—it’s the whole universe, sweetie, and beyond, more powerful than any of us can know. For our race, I simply imagined I was driving a race car, and for a moment, in my mind I was. I believed it, through to the bone. The belief will take your power to new heights, and make the magic happen. I’m sure you’ve felt it already. Yes, I’ve been watching you. Don’t be afraid to fuse emotions to your creativity and desires. Faith is an emotion too, my dear—the most powerful one.”
“Ah, thank you, Nanny. I’m really going to practice,” Amy said. She was visibly intrigued by the words of wisdom Nanny had offered—then had a terrible thought. “Nanny—what will happen after our…” Amy realized she was quite old and reverting her DNA might make her physical life difficult, or worse, make her much older than she is now.
Amy choked up, and Nanny knew right off what she’d meant. “Amy, I’ve had a good long life, and yes, after the cleansing I did appear younger, and was cured of many ailments. I know our time together will change me but—I’m ready to dream again. I want to feel alive like I did before, even if I will be older looking. I’m almost ninety. The modifications made me look like I was in my fifties again and I loved it at first, but noticed soon after what I had sacrificed. I assume much of the world knew it too, but most didn’t talk about it, most didn’t care. The fountain of youth will do that to people you know. People can be very superficial, and reluctant to step aside and let others have a turn in the world. Many will sacrifice almost anything to look beautiful, stay young, or beat disease. Amy—when it’s time, it’s time. And I’ve learned to accept that.”
“But, I want you to stay,” Amy sobbed. She fell into Nanny’s soft bosom and Nanny held her with a gentle smile and rocked slightly.
“It’s okay, Amy. I am ready to dream, and live, even if it is only for a short time. It’s what I want. And, when the time comes for us to join together and make that purple status—I’m gonna show ’em what this old lady’s got!”
Amy looked up to her, tears filling her lids, and squeezed. Nanny felt like a grandma, one she’d never had a chance to have. She read plenty of books about grandmas and knew in her mind—she believed it now, through to the bone—Nanny would be hers.
“Nanny, would you be my grandma? I never—”
“I’d love to, dearie,” Nanny said slowly, and they hugged again. And in that moment, the present, not the past or future, they lived and loved. Both enjoyed the precipice o
f happiness, then the rest of the day.
57. Lia
Lia’s eyes were a universe. Many could understand her by taking a moment to look into them: large, compelling, brown and beautiful. And her white Asian skin appeared young and flawless—on one side. The other was a mix of red and pink, a web of scars from the cheek down, always curtained by her glossy jet-black shoulder-length hair. Scarring glazed her entire left side. An elastic neck sleeve helped, for cover and compression comfort. And beneath her blue lender uniform she wore identical sleeves. One tightly wrapped her disfigured arm, another her torso; a similar, wetsuit-like material capped each leg stub. She’d lost one above and one below the knee. Lia was the only lender who worked six days a week.
When Amy first saw her, she wondered why Lia couldn't use a prosthesis, perhaps try to walk, so eventually asked Jim. He told her she didn’t have control over her motor functions—or likely, the will to take control; that the doctors had already tried physical therapy along with many other remedies. They concluded it would be possible for her to walk again, but cited she lacked the willpower to continue. And they agreed it would take months to years of tortuous effort just to regain the basics. Possibly, Jim explained, and many lenders believed the same, Lia cared only for life inside the dream world and had accepted it to be her foremost life, the only one with value. To her the outside world was merely a delay, worse yet, a waste, to which she afforded little interest or care. Maintaining her physical body was an onerous chore, and perhaps, Lia could only truly be alive for eight hours a day.
Lia was almost always carried around by him, her longtime lending partner. Rarely did she use her wheelchair, always preferring to be held safely by the giant who was Abell. Both he and her caretaker, Betty, cared for her physical needs.
Amy half devoured a double cheeseburger in the break room. She had already eaten a large breakfast but was, as usual, still hungry. When she saw Lia enter, draped over Abell’s shoulder, she quickly stuffed the remaining half and rushed over to say hello.
Walking alongside Abell, looking up at her, Amy said, “Hi, Lia! I can’t wait to work with you. Hey, Abell.”
“Pree-vyét,” Abell replied shortly, walking steadily with a friendly smile. Being normal for him to utter only one or two words per day, that hello in Russian, was one. Arriving to the break room, the giant set Lia down in a comfy chair. And across the way, Ted caught Amy’s antsy glance. He replied to her eagerness by holding up ten fingers. Amy nodded, then pulled a “Yes!” fist into her side. Ten minutes!
Also in reply to Amy’s fired-up zeal, Lia managed a sliver of a smile and nodded the best she could. Her glossy eyes widened, returning a matching dose of enthusiasm. Amy read her clearly and knew Lia was equally delighted. Because, those eyes! She had the largest, most exquisite eyes Amy had ever seen: encircled by lines of defining obsidian black, iridescent creme to chocolate-brown irises were wildfires dancing around grand portals of light-hungry pupils! Even Jessie with her fluorescent greens, had nothing on Lia.
Jim arrived. He joined them. His hair had finished falling out and made for a large bald spot with receding hairline. Amy noticed he’d cut it to suit and he looked older, but quite handsome. He also walked purposefully, head high, and his clear thermos contained coffee that wasn’t the usual pitch black.
“Hi, Jim. The haircut looks great!” Amy said, barely beating him to a greeting.
“Good morning, Amy, and thanks. Abell, Lia,” he greeted. With a brighter than usual smile he lifted his coffee thermos. Abell nodded and headed away to the kitchen.
“Abell doesn’t talk much, does he?” Amy asked.
“He’s a good man,” Jim replied. “He really takes care of Lia, until they log in. Then it’s a whole different story.”
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, you’ll see…” He winked at Lia. “Yep, you sure will. She’s the fastest, most agile person on the team—and can she skate.” Jim opened his thermos and took a big chug.
“Skate?” Amy asked, turning to her. Lia managed a tiny grin and winked.
“Like I said, you’ll see,” Jim said tantalizingly. “Hey, we better get ready, Ted’s shooting some hand signals our way. I’m gonna do a few quick stretches. Pushed it pretty hard at the gym yesterday. Bye, Lia, and have fun with this one. Oh, and get ready for a few DCs.” He grinned. “I’ll see you later, Amy, gotta go. You both have a great day.” Jim walked as if he was a little sore. He jerked his neck side to side and swung his arms enthusiastically, ripping at his tight muscles while heading over to work out his kinks.
It was a must to keep a hushed tone in the broadcast room so Ted had a hand gesture for just about everything. He swirled a finger around and Amy knew it was her call. She headed over and hopped onto the bed she would be using. In a sitting position she looked around while swinging her legs, expending a few joules of her never-ending supply of energy. Ted sent her a thumbs-up. She waited impatiently for Lia.
Abell brought Lia a special shake from the fridge after warming it. She guzzled it quickly. Her mind burned fuel rapidly, like Amy’s, although Amy ate considerably more. All knew: her shakes were labeled LIA ONLY, and contained a special blend of high-energy proteins and slow-absorbing carbs and nutrients. She couldn’t chew regular food, but at least—pizza flavor. After the meal Abell carried her to the beds.
Jim headed over too, merging with Abell and Lia. Ted gave the six of them an anytime-you’re-ready signal. George and Jessie were across the way, also awaiting the signal. George had a spiteful gaze fixed on Amy; Jessie tugged at him to come on.
“Looks like I’m with you today,” Jim said, looking up to the giant towering over him. Abell returned a single slow nod and a basic smile then ascended his specially reinforced bed. It creaked and moaned under the immense pressure.
Moments later, each of the lenders quietly commanded the director. At the HAT, Ted slowly moved a slider control for each. The hologram divided itself into three slices, showing a portion from each of the initiating maps. The stability meter fluctuated on Devon’s screen as each successfully entered the dream state. Devon turned his head and signaled a 10-4, and Ted finalized the login procedure.
Moments later Amy awoke; as usual on a bench. But something was very different—quite extraordinary actually.
Lia had already sprung vibrantly to her feet, beating her to the login; a first for Amy. She ran around the deck, looked over the edge, jumped up and down a few times and darted back, overflowing with alacrity.
It was an enormous skate park but it certainly gave no resemblance to planet Earth. For one, there were two planets in the star-peppered sky. From her reading, Amy quickly recognized the large one. Fine traces of blue got lost at the edges of its white bands. But most revealing was its domineering great red spot, surrounded overwhelmingly by churning oranges and reds, mixing wildly, beautifully. She could feel its celestial presence on her face, tugging at her with an almost ghostly magnetic draw; as if somehow, on some scale, it was alive in its own way. Seemingly so near, it took up most of the sky; its storming swirls were utterly hypnotizing. She found it stealing her attention, turning every glance into a stare.
The smaller one was grey and rocky and mirrored sunlight brightly. It was splattered with white blasts as though it had been hit with snowballs, and full of impact craters. She determined it was a moon.
The glow from the celestial neighbors lit the world amply but it was a night scene. The park had many tall and scattered lampposts. At one end a still-water ocean could be seen, and far beyond, barely distinguishable, were what seemed snowy arctic mountains. The white-sand beach was edged with chairs and tables, all stabbed right into the thick sand. Some were half planted in the still water. A pieced-together shack of a restaurant, a long eyelet-shaped dock with a futuristic boat-like craft, and tall purple-leafed palms with a glossy appearance, adorned the seascape. The reflection of the night sky and all of its ingredients were beautifully mirrored onto the motionless water. Paradise. And the sum
was nothing less than just that.
It’s wonderful, Amy thought, realizing one could lose all lucidity, forever, never get it back, and happily merge with its beauty for an eternity.
“You like it?” Lia asked. “They made this world just for me, exactly how I wanted it.”
“Wow.” Amy said dully, shaking her head slowly as if her mind had been blown. “Can I say that again? Wow. It is, amazing, Lia. I’m, speechless, really.” She couldn't stop looking around. “But…I thought the worlds were predetermined long ago and we can’t change any of the programming.”
“Well, they are but this one was a gift,” Lia explained. “They, whoever they are, must have overheard me talking—or thinking. They created it for me.”
“They? Who?” Amy asked.
Lia took a seat next to her. “Ted thinks there’s something inside our system that thinks intelligently. At least that’s his best guess. And it had never come forward before, or since, except for this map, so he told me. Amy, I was sad once, really sad. I tried to kill myself in one of the maps with Abell, long ago. I cried out, and lost it. I mean, you see my body. Life isn’t exactly easy, and I just couldn’t go on—” Lia lowered her head in sad remembrance, then rebounded. “Something heard my cries. And the next day this map appeared. I told Ted it was exactly as I had imagined it. I was depressed for a long time and it hurt my work. But you know what? Whenever I’m here, I’m happy. You know they were gonna give me the chair until Ted found enough data to back up my story. But he’s never been able to figure out how or why, or where it came from. It surprised everyone. When this map first appeared, a day after my breakdown, it was named LIA, after me! Can you believe it? I call it Terra Lia. And I welcome you, Amy!” Lia slapped a lively arm around Amy’s shoulders. They were the same size and looked the same age—although Lia was at least twenty years older—and had the same enthusiastic spunk; and they looked happily into each other’s eyes. “Come on now, let’s have some fun. And be careful jumping because the gravity is less. We are on a moon you know.”