And Eternity

by Piers Anthony

  Now, tuning in, Jolie began to see it: a gentle radiance that surrounded the woman. This evidently meant that she was benign. That was comforting to know.

  The suite was spacious enough, its aspect enhanced by strategically placed mirrors. It had no windows to the outside, but a magic picture showed a scene of thick foliage and a small puddling stream with tiny fish. The leaves of the trees moved with the breeze, and it was even possible to reach into it and touch things, though not to remove them. Vita found it fascinating; she had never had access to gentle magic like this. Orlene was nostalgic; she had had pictures like this during her life, and shared them with her lover Norton.

  Vaasta showed them the room and found several dresses for them; evidently she had been sent word to order some in the appropriate size range. Jolie looked at her host in the mirror and approved; she now looked much more like an innocent girl than a prostitute. As far as Jolie was concerned, that would be the reality henceforth.

  In the evening the carpet brought the Judge home. Jolie presented herself, neatly dressed. "We thank you for providing us this refuge, Judge Scott," she said.

  "Roque," he replied. "Here I am Roque, and you are—which one?"

  "Jolie," Jolie said after a momentary hesitation. She had no mortal identification, so that was better.

  "You understand, this is an unofficial arrangement," he said. "I freed you in court, and you are not required to remain here. But I feel it is better for you to be here until your internal questions are resolved."

  So he has young sex on ice, Vita remarked.

  "Thank you, Roque," Jolie said. "What may I do to earn my keep?"

  "Why, I really hadn't thought of that," he said.

  Ha!

  "I am sure that one of the three of us has some knowledge or ability that you might find useful," Jolie said.

  He smiled. "Unless you can look at a suspect's face and accurately read his innocence or guilt, I have no use for you at court, and Vaasta is quite adequate to maintain the residence. So you should consider yourself—yourselves—guests, as my favor to Senator Kaftan, whose motives and judgment I deeply respect."

  I can do that, Orlene thought. All I would have to do is orient on a person's suitability for release into society, and the good ones would glow.

  "As it happens, Orlene has a magic talent, and could do what you describe," Jolie said. "We should be happy to go to court with you."

  "I was speaking facetiously," he said, surprised.

  "I wasn't."

  He considered a moment, in the way he had. "You really wish to do this?"

  Certainly, Orlene thought.

  I'd rather lie in bed and watch holos, Vita thought.

  "We have a difference of opinion," Jolie said. "But the vote is two to one in favor of going to court with you."

  "Then perhaps we should wait for a unanimous decision," the Judge said.

  "No need. I govern the host, and I feel it is better to earn our keep."

  Listen, it's my body! Vita protested.

  Which will be out on the street and back with the pimp, without Jolie, Orlene returned. She agreed to remain for the duration, which is why he's willing to have us in his home. He knows she's a responsible person, while you aren't.

  "Justice is not always served by the governing party," he said. "The host should not be coerced."

  He's taking my side? Vita asked, amazed. He must want flesh real bad!

  No, he's glowing, Orlene reported. He is really trying to do what is proper.

  Oh, all right! But I'll kick up a storm if it gets boring.

  "Make that unanimous now," Jolie said, smiling wryly.

  He smiled again, this time with increased warmth which added to his presence. "As you wish. Now let us see what Vaasta has for dinner."

  Vaasta was good at her business, and it was an excellent meal. They had carrot casserole and pseudo lobster salad, which caused Vita to tune out in disgust, but she returned for dessert: rainbow wafers. It was inexpensive fare, but nutritious. Then the Judge retired to his study to review upcoming cases, and Jolie settled down to watch the evening holo shows. To Vita's disgust, she insisted on watching the news first. Then she tuned in to an entertainment program for Vita's benefit. It was full of violence, lust and humor, in that order, with virtually no social significance, and Vita loved it. Then to their chamber, where they slept undisturbed, to Vita's expressed surprise and unexpressed annoyance.

  It was a new experience for Orlene, who had not occupied a living body this way since she died, and for Jolie, who had not been away from Gaea this long since coming to her. But it was pleasant enough for all three of them. Their dreams were a mélange of all their minds and experiences.

  In the morning they joined Roque on the carpet and flew into the city. They entered the rush of commuter carpets, so thick that at times it was easy to lose track of the fact that they were high in the air. It was more like being part of a river current, with other carpets above and below and on all sides.

  "By the way," he murmured, "in court I should be addressed as Judge Scott."

  "Of course," Jolie agreed. She was in a formal suit which was somewhat baggy on Vita's slight frame but made her look a trifle older.

  In the courtroom she was given a seat next to the steno, so that she seemed to be an apprentice or assistant, and no one questioned her presence. Orlene watched each case, and Jolie saw the glow she saw. She whispered to the steno, "Guilty... really guilty... innocent... doubtful," and the steno signaled the Judge by some obscure means.

  Vita, far from being bored, was fascinated. I never saw such a line of creeps! she thought. They all want the Judge to think they're good guys, but we're seeing right through them!

  There came a recess, and the Judge summoned steno and assistant to his chambers. "I happened to be versed in most of the morning's cases," he said. "Many are repeaters, or have records elsewhere. You had no prior knowledge of them?"

  "None," Jolie said. "We had never seen or heard of any of them before; we went only by the glow."

  "You called them with complete accuracy. I am amazed."

  "It is Orlene's magic; she had a lifetime to master its use. She can tell who is right for whom, and who is good or bad, or who is telling the truth or lying."

  "I am often required to make judgment calls, and when the evidence is inconclusive, I try to err on the side of leniency. It bothers me greatly to err too far, and to receive news of a crime that was enabled by my misjudgment. I want you to sit in on a preliminary interview and to inform me of your impression."

  "Without the steno? How should I do that?"

  "Sit quietly with your hands in your lap, moving nervously. When the indication is good or true, let your right fingers be exterior; when it is bad or false, let your left fingers show. I will not remark on this; merely keep them appropriately positioned throughout."

  "Yes," Jolie agreed. "Like this for good, and this for bad." She cupped her left hand with her right, then reversed it.

  "Precisely. You may be far more valuable than I had anticipated."

  This is sure more fun than turning tricks! Vita thought.

  I should hope so, Orlene responded dryly. This immersion in the ugly side of society seemed to be helping her: Jolie wondered whether it was because it was now evident how few living folk were perfect or even really good.

  The in-chambers case turned out to be a suave businessman, a rather handsome individual with a commanding presence. There were diamond cuff links on his shirt, and his tie clip was a sparkling opal.

  "So nice to see you, Judge Scott," he said genially, proffering his hand.

  The Judge did not take it. "This is not a social meeting, Mr. Bronx."

  "Call me Cheer," Bronx said. "I don't believe in standing on formality."

  "I do," the Judge said coldly. "As you know, this is a private preliminary hearing to determine whether formal charges of embezzlement should be brought against you. Are there any factors you wish to have placed in evi
dence?"

  "You know, Judge Scott, I really admire your unusual technique. They say you can tell more about a case in an informal hearing than a prosecutor can bring out in a week of witnesses."

  Despite the man's open attitude, his nature was thoroughly evil. The glow about him seemed black. Jolie's hands were set firmly in the negative position.

  "Is there any reason I should not remand you to a criminal court specializing in racketeering?"

  "Apart from lack of evidence? You know I would not soil my hands on that sort of crudity, Judge Scott."

  To Jolie's surprise, the glow changed. This man was innocent of that particular charge. She changed her hands.

  "Extortion?" the Judge asked.

  "You know such charges are unfounded!"

  And it seemed they were.

  "But you do gain considerable illicit wealth by cheating on contracts with state agencies," the Judge said. "I believe the term for this is 'skimming.' "

  "How can you say such a thing! I am a regular businessman!"

  The hands reverted to the "guilty" position.

  "The evidence is inconclusive," the Judge said. "But I believe it is best to determine the accuracy of any charges made. I shall direct that a thorough investigation be made into your business practices. You will present your books to this court next week, for review by a qualified accountant."

  "But my books will show no wrongdoing!" Bronx protested.

  "I was referring to your private set."

  The glow around the man became like a bottomless pit. Now Bronx knew that Judge Scott knew what to look for, and rage and fear surged in him. Yet his face remained bland. "Of course."

  After the interview the Judge nodded to Jolie. "Your hands were invaluable."

  "But you seemed to know the answers already!"

  "I suspected; you confirmed. Now I am able to eliminate the false leads and concentrate on the true one. Bronx will shortly be out of business in this city."

  Gee, this is fun! Vita thought. He's really socking it to those toads!

  So it went, and their day was a success. "Little did I know that you would prove to be so useful," Roque said as they returned to his residence on the carpet in the evening. "For the first time, I was assured of making no errors."

  "We are glad to help," Jolie said.

  He's just warming us up for the night. Vita thought, but she was less certain than she had been.

  "Do you care to tell me more of the background of the girl?" Roque asked.

  Does he glow? Vita demanded.

  Yes, he means well, Orlene replied. He is a good man.

  I guess he is. Okay, tell him about my father.

  "She was raped by her father," Jolie said. "Rather than make an issue that would destroy her family, she ran away, and was taken in by a pimp who dosed her on H and prostituted her to wealthy clients with a taste for what she calls 'young flesh.' She felt that this was better than what she faced at home."

  "It is unfortunately routine. Is she willing now to testify against her father?"

  No!

  "She is not."

  "Will she trust my discretion if she gives me the name?"

  "But you already have the name! You said there was a—a note in her file."

  "Yes. We know her identity unofficially, but it must be corroborated before we are allowed to report it. Unfortunately this restricts my action, and I can not make a further investigation into the matter without that corroboration."

  That's the way I want it! Vita thought.

  "No."

  "Let me explain my interest here. Vita is the daughter of Senator Kaftan's chief researcher. Her absence has made her mother unable to function effectively, and it seems she is the only one able to pursue a critical line of research that relates in essential business. Senator Kaftan must have that information."

  But they'll put my father in prison! Vita thought in anguish. That'll really break up Mom!

  "I feel that a man guilty of a crime like that should receive the full impact of the law," Roque continued. "But circumstances are seldom clear-cut. Would it suffice if her father voluntarily separated, and took up residence in another city, and was denied visitation rights?"

  You mean I'd never see Dad again—and no scandal?

  That is what it means, Orlene agreed.

  And Mom—she wouldn't know?

  "Would her mother know?" Jolie asked.

  "Not unless Senator Kaftan told her—which the Senator might do, if asked."

  I guess... Vita thought uncertainly. And me—would she know about me? I mean, the H and all.

  "Vita doesn't want her mother to know about her recent situation, either," Jolie said.

  "She could call the Senator's office and leave a message for her mother, stating only that she is safe and will return later," he suggested. "I think that would be a great relief to her mother."

  The Senator's office! Vita thought. I never thought of that! Her feeling of relief and elation flooded through them all.

  The carpet pulled into the megabuilding. When they reached the apartment, Roque placed the call. In a moment he was talking to Luna herself, while Jolie watched from just outside pickup range. "Luna, the girl would like to leave a message for her mother, no return address, her father not to know. Can you go along with this?"

  "I can, Roque," the Senator said. "Put her on; her confidence will be protected."

  Roque stepped away, and Jolie stepped into pickup range. She relinquished the body to the girl.

  "Uh, Mom, it's me. Vita," she said awkwardly. "I, uh, I got into some trouble and couldn't come home. But I'm okay now, doing real well, in fact. I, uh, I've got a job, kinda, and it's real nice. I—Oh, Mom, I love you, and I'm coming home soon's I can!" She cut off the contact, unable to continue, overwhelmed by her tears.

  Roque returned. "That will mean a lot to your mother, Vita," he said.

  Vita turned and hugged him tightly, catching him off guard. He stood there somewhat helplessly, patting her shoulder. Then she retreated, and Jolie took over.

  She released Roque. "Thank you; this is Jolie again," she said, stepping away. "It was very kind of you to do this."

  "Well, there is a practical aspect, of course," he said, embarrassed. "Luna needs the services of her mother, and this will facilitate the return of those services."

  But he did it because he didn't like grief in either Vita or her mother, Orlene thought. He glows of goodwill, not practicality.

  "Of course," Jolie said, agreeing with both Orlene and the Judge.

  They had supper and watched the evening holos. As they retired for the night, wearing a silken nightie Vaasta had shopped for during the day. Vita had further comments.

  I hugged him, and he never put a move on me!

  He is a decent man, Orlene agreed. As decent as I have encountered since dying.

  I thought sure he'd grab a feel, at least a little one, but he didn't.

  He didn't, Orlene agreed.

  I mean, he doesn't have a woman, so unless he's—

  He isn't. He glows normal.

  I think I love him.

  "Now, wait!" Jolie murmured.

  I mean, every man I ever got close to, including especially my father, wanted to get into my pants.

  "Well, your pimp didn't."

  You kidding? He had me first thing! Said he never put flesh in the field 'less he knew it was tight.

  "There goes another bastion of morality!" Jolie said with irony. "If you can't trust your pimp—"

  Oh, come off it! It was just business to him. But he sure put me through the grinder! I learned more in fifteen minutes—

  "We really don't need to review it," Jolie said, though she would have smiled had Orlene not been present. It was evident that the girl was resilient and would not suffer emotional crippling from that particular aspect of her experience. At the same time, it wouldn't have bothered Jolie to see the pimp roasting eternally on a spit over a fire in Hell. For every truly decent man, there seem
ed to be two truly unscrupulous ones who would take advantage of any girl they could catch, regardless of age.

  But Roque's different. I mean first he gave us a nice place to stay, and then he helped me talk to Mom, and he's not hot for my flesh. What's more to ask?

  "Time. Experience. Maturity," Jolie said.

  He's got them in spades!

  "Not his. Yours."

  Pooh! Maybe for you old women that's okay, but I'm young and alive. I want to love!

  And some day surely you will, Orlene put in. But not illicitly.

  That's the only kind I know!

  They slept—and suffered through Vita's dreams of hugging a man who didn't grab feels. Her emotion, unwarranted and unrealistic as it was, was nevertheless overwhelming. Perhaps it was a long-dammed reaction to her need for respect for an older man, lost when her father betrayed her. The thing was, Roque really was a good man, one worth loving. But there was no way he would love an underage girl.

  The next day something alarming happened in court. They were sitting as before, beside the steno, when one of the cases turned out to be the pimp. He was there on an accurate charge: soliciting for prostitution.

  Oh, my God—if he sees me...! Vita thought.

  Jolie agreed. She tried to cover her face with her hands, but couldn't do it effectively without becoming obvious.

  The pimp's gimlet gaze caught her and lingered for a moment. There was no question: he recognized her. Vita felt doomed, and Jolie couldn't argue. That pimp would blow the whistle on the whole thing if he didn't get his way!

  Then the judge's head turned, following the pimp's gaze, and he realized what had happened. Abruptly he called a recess. "You will consult in my quarters," he told the pimp.

  In a moment, it seemed, they were there: Judge, Jolie, and pimp. "I gather you recognize this woman," Judge Scott said abruptly.

  "I sure do, Your Honor! That's one of my gals! What's she doing in your court?" He stared penetratingly at Jolie.

  The gall of the man! How could he think to get away with this? He was talking himself into prison!

  No, he figures to blackmail the Judge, Vita thought. Figures the Judge won't want to be exposed with a whore.

  The Judge turned to Jolie. "Is this true?"