Jon Smith

by Richard Proctor

  “You know Catherine; you are beginning to sound like Chris and me. You better be careful or you will lose your socialist views.” said Jon.

  “I was never to that extreme, yes I believed in a lot of what changed and certainly helped it by voting a certain way but now I am not so certain.”

  “Well let’s not get onto politics, let’s enjoy this meal and our family.” said Jon.

  As they were finishing up Amanda brought up the subject of going out to the clubs again.

  “Father, Mother, would it be ok if I took Chris out to a club tonight, just so he can see what young people do here.”

  “Chris, do you really want to see all of that?” asked Catherine.

  “Well I am curious and dad said it would be ok.”

  Jon nodded and added. “As I told him, keep an open mind and see what these people here do.”

  “Well then sure, why don’t you two get ready and go since it is after eight.” said Catherine.

  Chris and Amanda got up from the table and headed back to the bedroom. Amanda went to the bathroom and combed her hair straight back and applied a bit of makeup. She signaled for Chris to come in and instructed him to comb his hair back and added a bit of gel to assist.

  “I guess your clothes will be fine, they won’t match what the people here in urban world wear but fact is when the people get a look at you, they will know you are not from the city any way.”

  “Just act cool and don’t make any scenes.” said Amanda.

  “Now why would I do that?”

  “I don’t know but I sense you won’t take any shit from any one.”

  “I thought you urbanites were all peace freaks now and all got along.”

  “You would think so but youth, boys, and testosterone still exist.” said Amanda.

  “Ok I got it.”

  The two headed back toward the table and prepared to go. Amanda kissed Jon and her mother and Chris gave his mom a hug.

  “You two be safe and don’t make it too late.” said Catherine.

  “Ok mother.” said Amanda.

  They left the condominium and were soon headed down the street.

  “Something tells me that they are going to get into a spot tonight.” said Jon.

  “Do you think they will be alright?” asked Catherine.

  “Chris has a good head on his shoulders, they will be ok.” Jon paused “And of course he is as strong as a bear.”

  “That is what I am afraid of.” said Catherine.

  The two chuckled and rose from the table.

  “Do you have anything to drink here?” asked Jon.

  “Tea, water.”

  “No something with kick, any wine.”

  “Now you know we don’t; only the privileged few have those types of things.”

  “You mean to tell me that some animals are more equal than other animals in this Utopia?” said Jon.

  “Oh Jon, do you ever stop?”

  “You know Chris says the same thing to me. Well go over to the couch, I brought a bottle of wine with me, I will get it.”

  “Wine, I haven’t had that in years, yes, let me get some glasses.”

  The two went over and sat on the couch. Catherine flipped on a switch that illuminated a synthetic fireplace and then sat back. Jon opened the bottle of wine and poured two glasses of the red liquid into each. Catherine took her glass, sniffed the wine and took a drink.

  “Oh, that is good. The taste and feeling just takes me back.”

  “I’m glad you like It.” said Jon.

  “There is much I have missed and the two of you I have missed.”

  Jon looked at his wife and felt the need to go ahead and move the conversation to the point.

  “Catherine, Amanda said that you and her want to come back with us and I have to ask why the sudden urge.”

  Catherine took a long drink of wine, set her glass down and took Jon’s hand.

  “Jon, I have missed you and especially Chris all these years. I want us to be together because.” She paused and looked down then looked up.

  “I am not well. Fact is I have a form of cancer that they have not found a way to treat.”

  Jon had a look of anxiety and concern. He had differences with Catherine about many things but the fact had always been that deep down he was very much in love with her. He had loved her since the day they married and had never really stopped. His move away was more of a belief and a life he wanted for Chris. Had Catherine and Amanda gone with them he would have been happy but she stayed back, believing in the changing world.

  “Do they not have a cure for this? I thought you all had advanced with your government health care. I mean Catherine if you come back with us, we can’t give you the kind of care you get here. We have Doc in the valley and he can fix bones, do x-rays and we have access to antibiotics and such but that is about it.”

  “Jon, I will let you in on something, having government health care does not exactly mean you get the best care. Yes, if you have the flu or a broken bone it is great, but if you have something like I have they deem that the cost does not outweigh the benefit.”

  “Oh, you mean”

  Catherine cut him short.

  “Jon, don’t. Look you have been right in so many things. It is hard to admit so but I wish we had gone with you ten years ago. This life is bad for me and it is terrible for Amanda. I don’t want her growing up to be one of the mindless masses that this type of life has created. I want her to think and live. I want her to live the life that you do.”

  “And you Catherine, what do you want.”

  “If this is the last year of my life, so the doctors say, I want to spend it with you and the kids as a family.”

  “So, you want to be a husband and wife again.” asked Jon.

  “Well we are still legally married you know. Do you still have your band?”

  Jon reached below his shirt and bought out a gold necklace that at the end held a gold wedding band.

  “I have always kept it close.” said Jon.

  Catherine got up and went to the back bedroom. She came back and presented her left hand to Jon.

  “And I have always kept mine in a safe place.”

  Her left hand displaying a wedding band, the two sat back on the couch holding hands and enjoying another sip of wine.

  “Catherine, wait till you get to the mountains and see a real fireplace again. Frankly I have to tell you, this synthetic thing sucks.”

  Then the two broke into laughter and took another drink.

  Chapter 9

  At eight o’clock at night in the city, most people are home from their jobs and are indoors at their esoteric urban living quarters. They are either on the I viewing entertainment and propaganda or are lost in a mindless thought as they prepare to end the day. The city streets are not too busy except for the traffic of the last few shoppers getting home and the young people heading to the various night clubs. In these night clubs the young folk gather to talk, dance, drink the exotic teas, and get their energy out. The bureaucracy did not mind that this sort of diversion existed because it kept the young people from doing too much thinking about anything else.

  The success and takeover in the World Order had been mostly about young people. While the population in the United States had been aging there was a solid block of young voters that supplied just enough votes to put the politicians in office to complete the change. When there were final decisions that voting was no longer needed, the young people went right along as they had no tradition of voting anyway. The bureaucracy made it a point to keep the younger people happy and to find a way to seclude the older population.

  The city life in 2020 was all about the seven hours of work for four days out of the week. Fridays, which had been a traditional work day, was now termed as community work day. That day was rese
rved for working only on community activities that would benefit the many in the city. This could be cleaning streets, or planting urban gardens, or attending a community organized meeting to determine how to best keep the social fabric in place. A few hours a week were left for physical activity at the work out clubs and then of course the nightly social club scene.

  Amanda and Chris had gone about seven blocks when she pointed to a building that contained bright lights at the entrance.

  “Here it is, the Meridian Club.”

  Chris stopped and looked at the entrance. There were three young men standing there observing who was going into the club. The stairs led to a double door that was dark and was tinted so that it could not be seen through. The two walked past the doormen and Chris opened the door where he was immediately met with a rush of cool heavy air.

  “What is it with the air conditioning of this place?”

  “To keep the customers and revelers alert they pump oxygen at sixty degrees into the club.” said Amanda

  Chris didn’t know what to make of the place as he had never been into a night club before in his life. It was still rather early so the place was not crowded. They walked into a large room that was illuminated by numerous small lights. The walls were plain enough and there were three large bar areas. There were two to each side of the room and one of the bars just off the middle. The music, if one could call it that was a mix of electronic staccato with some vocals that no doubt was more synthesized than actual human voice.

  “Let’s get a table and order something to drink.” said Amanda.

  The two made their way to a table not too far from the dance floor. Amanda got up and went to the bar to order the drinks and soon returned.

  “Ok, what is this we are drinking?” asked Chris.

  “It is called black tea. It is a type of herbal tea that supposedly has a calming effect and yet can also release some inhibitions. They claim it sort of leaves your mind wondering.”

  “Well that would make sense based on the way this world had become.” said Chris.

  Chris took a sip of the tea which had a bland taste.

  “Frankly I would prefer a beer, I guess you can’t get that here huh?”

  Amanda gave him a look that was the usual; you know that has been outlawed look.

  The place began to fill up with young people. Some stood around the bar while others gathered and sat at the tables. Chris noted that the girls did not look half bad. They all wore the variation of grayish green clothing but some of the girls had on shorter skirts that exposed their legs. While many of the girls looked as if they could lose a few pounds, some of them were ok. The guys coming in all looked the same. They all seemed to be the same height about five foot ten and all seemed to have dark hair and slightly dark complexions. While some where smaller others had larger builds. None of the guys though looked as tall and strong as Chris. Chris noted their mannerisms and thought that they seemed more like girls than they did men. The feminization of the Urban civilization no doubt had led to his trait.

  “Are all the guys like the ones in here?” asked Chris.

  “Well yes, it is strange. Over the years I think with lack of racial definition and of course the elimination of sports, most of the men have become something of a mix between men and women. That is not to say that they are gay or anything, it is just, well they aren’t like you and father.”

  Within about forty-five more minutes the place had filled up. Chris continued to look around and noticed a group of four girls sitting at a table giving him the look over.

  “Yes Chris they are checking you out.” said Amanda as she noticed Chris looking in the direction of the girls.

  “Why don’t you go talk to them?”

  In another moment Chris didn’t have to make a move as one of the girls walked over to the table and asked

  “Mind if I join you all.”

  “Certainly’ said Chris.

  The girl was cute, about five foot three with brown blonde hair that touched her shoulders. She was wearing a shorter skirt and had eyes that were just staring at Chris.

  “You can’t be from around here?” she asked Chris.

  “Careful.” said Amanda.

  “Well no I am not.” said Chris.

  “There aren’t any guys that look like you in this city. Are you from another city?” asked the girl

  “Kind of.”

  “Well from what city?”

  “Before we talk about that what is your name?” asked Chris.

  “Brittany, what is yours?”

  “Chris and this is my sister Amanda.”

  “Nice to meet you Amanda.” said Brittany.

  “I don’t think you are from a city; you live in the outer world, don’t you? You are way too masculine and big and strong.”

  Chris looked at Amanda as if to say what now.

  “Yes my brother lives in the outlier world. He eats meat, plays football, and breathes real fresh air.”

  “Well that explains your size and muscles.” said Brittany.

  “I understand I am not too welcome here.” said Chris

  “Don’t sweat it. I would love to spend some time with you. Heck, maybe I should go to the outlier world if all the guys look like you.” said Brittany.

  The three sipped their drinks and continued with the small talk. The crowd was growing and with it the pulse of the club grew. The music being played was a loud and enticing to the club goers and soon there were people out dancing. The dancing was not traditional as it was more of just people out gyrating to the beat, not really being concerned with the person who was in front or beside them.

  “Do you want to go out and dance Chris?” asked Brittany.

  Chris looked at Amanda and she gave him the go ahead look.

  Chris and Brittany took to the floor and soon Brittany was gyrating to the sound of the staccato. Chris seemed lost and when he tried a more traditional approach Brittany gave a slight chuckle. She yelled at Chris

  “You really don’t know how to dance do you?”

  “I don’t know how to dance like this. Back home we actually do things like hold the girl.”

  Brittany at first thought that was quaint and had some appeal. The thought of this tall, blonde, and muscular guy holding her seemed most appealing. But then she thought better as it would certainly attract too much attention.

  “It is probably not the best thing to do here. Let’s go back and join your sister.”

  The two came back to the table and sat down. Amanda sort of chuckled looking at Chris.

  “You don’t like how we dance huh?” said Amanda.

  “Well it is not like we do it back in the valley. Your music is not even what I would call music; in fact, I am not sure what to call it.”

  “So, what do you do for fun in this valley of yours?” asked Brittany.

  “Well I love to go hunting and fishing. We play football on Sundays.”

  “Hunting, football, all that is illegal you know.” said Brittany.

  “So we have heard.” as Chris gave a look at Amanda.

  “But what about real fun?”

  “Ok in about a week we have a huge festival in a place we call the party field, the same place we play our football. Everybody in the valley comes and it starts about three o’clock in the afternoon. We fire up the grills and have kegs of beer and wine. About six the band cranks up and we dance and just party. When it is dark, we light a huge bonfire and continue with the drinking and dancing until it is so late and everyone is way tired.”

  “In a week, that is October 31st old Halloween.” said Brittany.

  “That’s right.” said Chris.

  “Part of it also is that the Thursday afterward we men all head out for our big Elk hunt to get meat for the winter. It is sort of a ritual for that as well.”

 
“Sounds prehistoric.” said Brittany.

  “Well take it for what it is as it is a life of freedom and meaning.” said Chris.

  “I could take it if the guys all looked like you.” said Brittany with a wry smile.

  Chris had a somewhat satisfied feeling with that comment but did not quite know how to respond. Amanda just shook her head.

  The other three girlfriends of Brittany sat at their table and watched the exchange with wonder at their friends doting over the handsome tall stranger. With a bit of envy, they sipped their tea and exchanged brief thoughts. Presently four young men came to the table and sat down. It seemed that they all knew each other and began a discussion. At once they looked over at the table of Chris, Amanda and Brittany and the lone male shook his head. He motioned to his fellows and all four of them came over and sat down.

  “Brittany.” said the young man “Have you made some new friends?”

  “Why yes this is Chris and Amanda.”

  Amanda responded with a hello and Chris nodded his head.

  “So why don’t you come back over Brittany and be with us instead of this outlier?” the young man said. “It is obvious he is not Urban and I bet doesn’t even have much of a brain.”

  Chris leaned over and whispered to Amanda.

  “I thought in this new World Order that you all had done away with testosterone and violence.”

  “Not quite.” said Amanda.

  “Why don’t you let the young lady decide.” said Chris.

  “No trouble” muttered Amanda.

  “Brittany has made up her mind and she is coming with us.” said the young man. “And if you get in the way we will deal with you scare crow.”

  The four youths stood up and tried to look imposing. Chris arose and his six-foot one frame overpowered the smaller chubby youths. The difference in size and muscles was a difference that the four noticed immediately. However, the ring leader was driven by more than wit and he shoved Chris. The response from Chris was brief and to the point. He brought a right fist across the jaw of the young man and with a pop the youth hit the floor. His companions did not stick around to give support to their comrade.

  “I think we better get out of here.” said Amanda.