by B. C. CHASE
Jinkins slipped a keychain out of his pocket and pressed a small square up to the door handle, “Mr. Potter, I am trying to show the utmost respect, but I—”
“If I hear one more word from you I will call security!” Henry growled from inside. “Leave my doorstep at once.”
High Seas Cove
Henry’s cell rang. He answered, “Potter.”
“About a hundred of the Biobots disappeared overnight, sir.”
“What do you mean?”
“Someone from command checked to see if their sensors quit working, but they were not in their pods. They must have just walked away.”
“Sounds like a comprehensive failure. Call GLS. Let me know what they tell you,” Henry said. Ending the call, he turned his attention to the large aquarium in front of him. The gills on their ribcages under their breasts fluttered as water passed through them. They undulated their large tails and waved their webbed hands in order to push their bodies through the water. They moved slowly and almost seemed to struggle to make progress, like the overbred ornamental goldfish common in household aquariums.
A skinned animal dropped into the gigantic tank, blood coiling out as it rose back up toward the surface. The mermaids pushed one another in the face as they writhed their way toward it. When they reached it, they grasped it with their clawed fingers and bit into it directly, dragging it downwards. One raised its head for a moment to lick its mouth and stare out of the tank with eerie satisfaction.
“I wouldn’t put feedings on display. It’s just not what people think when they think of mermaids,” said Doctor Han.
“Indeed,” Henry said, eyeing the spectacle warily. The mermaids had begun to fight one another for the food, gruesomely shredding flesh off of bones and yanking out the intestines. “And what is the reason we can’t feed them individually?”
“We tried that. It did not work out very well, I’m afraid.”
“Why is that?”
“Well, it seems they are social eaters. Without the ability to feed as a group, they began to attack one another until one of them was proven to be the weakest. Then they ate her.”
“I see,” Henry said uneasily.
“But of course you can wait for the next version if you’d like. This one is not perfected, as you can see. I mean they are, for all intents and purposes, mermaids, but some of the kinks have yet to be worked out.”
Jinkins, fidgeting uncomfortably, said, “Can’t we put some tops on them? Little swimsuits or something? This isn’t family friendly.”
“Oh, why not give the house husbands a little something to see while they ferry their children around.”
Doctor Han said, “If I may, Mr. Potter …” He opened his palms, “You wouldn’t strap a bikini on an ape in your zoo, and yet some female apes have extremely human-like mammae. Likewise, you shouldn’t humanize these mermaids. That could lead your guests to some erroneous —and, I daresay, ultimately very dangerous —conclusionsfor everyone including the mermaids. That is why I urge you to call them by their scientific name: pisces manibus. These fish behave like piranhas, and you certainly wouldn’t dress piranhas up. Believe me, they would waste no time in tearing to tatters whatever you put on them.”
Henry inquired, “Do they feed their young?”
“As I’m sure you know, behavior is a much harder thing to nail down genetically than anatomy. So even though they possess mammary glands, we have yet to see the young suckle. In fact, pisces manibus do not express any interest in their young—except perhaps to hone their hunting skills. So we raise them apart from their parents, in nurseries. But you won’t have to deal with that here. These have all been sterilized of course, so no fry are to be expected.”
“Couldn’t you engineer them to be plant eaters?” Henry asked.
“If you want them to be the size of manatees and look nothing like mermaids, then yes.”
“And our contract guarantees these won’t show up at any other attractions anywhere in the world for a period of one year?”
“That is correct.”
“Perfect,” Henry smiled eagerly.
Paradeisia Angel Plaza
The crowd was gigantic, and the anticipation was palpable. The red sun had lowered beneath the horizon and the last rays were giving way to a perfectly still night, the stars revealed in all their spangled splendor in an azure sky. The Paradeisia Angel statue, illuminated with spotlights of crimson, white, and navy, contrasted brilliantly against the black of the sky. A giant stage had been erected in front of it. Electrifying orchestral music blasted over the plaza, and bubbles drifted down into the crowd, delighting the children. Vendors were roaming through the masses selling halo hats with circling lights, white t-shirts that said “PARADEISIA,” and angel wings. Camera cranes swung over the expanse and a myriad of camera flashes burst from all over the place.
Rows upon rows of chairs had been set in place for the VIPs, while everyone else stood in a giant mass of humanity behind them, separated by ropes and security guards.
Henry was standing at the front row with Jinkins and Maggie. He rubbed his hands together anxiously. He told Jinkins, “Well I must admit you’ve surprised me, Jinkins. I’ve never seen so many celebrities in one place.”
Jinkins smiled, “As old as you think I am, I’m not dead yet. I have a few tricks up my sleeve, yet, Harry!”
Before Henry could correct him, Jinkins had looked up and seen Lady Shrewsbury making her way through the throng toward them. She was wearing an embellished, stately, golden evening gown and a flamboyant hat. He rushed to her to give her a hearty greeting. Jinkins soon left her to welcome yet another celebrity whom he apparently knew. As she approached Henry, she stared him directly in the eye and announced, “Before the opportunity is lost, let me make one thing abundantly clear: I am here for Ignatius’ sake and his alone. As soon as this ceremony is over I shall return to England, and I will take all my dignity with me. I am afraid that will leave Paradeisia with none, but you are determined to make it that way.”
Henry said, “Are you still stewing about the Biobots?”
“I am afraid I have lost all hope in your good character.”
“If you think that causes me the least bit of distress, you are quite mistaken.”
His phone rang and he answered, “Potter.”
The voice on the other end was the person from operations. “GLS is still trying to track them down, but more have gone missing. If it continues at this rate we won’t have any of the darn things left.”
“Okay, I’ll make a call as soon as I’m done with this. GLS needs to solve this problem or the contract is off.”
When he was done speaking, Lady Shrewsbury said, “I realize I am behind the times. Morality is a lost cause with your generation. Why aspire to be a civilized man when you can live like an animal?” She sniffed, “The problem is that you are smarter than an animal. In fact, as a man, there is no limit to the evil your mind can conceive. The human heart is evil, absolutely. That is why self-discipline is a virtue. Once you open the floodgates of corruption, there’s no stopping it. Look at the Nazis.”
“If you are quite through comparing me to Adolf Hitler, I have something to say.”
“We are all Adolf Hitler, at heart.”
“I am doing this for you. After I have returned Paradeisia to profitability I will turn it back over to you and you will be wealthier than you ever were before. I might be offensive in many ways but I am by no means a thief.”
“Don’t you see that I can never trust you again? What you have done is despicable, no matter your motivations. You have deceived me. And, worst of all, you consider burglary to be a worse crime than kidnapping.”
“I really don’t follow you,” Henry stated with a bored tone.
“For me to take Paradeisia back after you’ve polluted it with these Biobots would be equivalent to throwing Pinocchio into a cage after he became a real boy! From what I have seen, those Biobots are people. People on strings. And you fancy you
rself their puppeteer!”
“Then you should be glad they have been disappearing.” Henry was interrupted by a powerful, commanding voice that echoed over the plaza.
Everyone stilled as the voice spoke, “Good evening, thrill-seekers! Thank you for joining us this night in a celebration of hope. The grand opening extravaganza of Paradeisia: Eden on Earth will begin in five minutes. We ask that you please take your seats or final positions at this time as the lights will be dimmed shortly.”
Henry said, “Are you quite finished?”
Lady Shrewsbury lowered herself into a seat, saying, “If banal conversation is all you will accept from me, you are unworthy of my camaraderie.”
Henry sat down and realized that Jinkins was gone. He asked, “Did you see Jinkins leave?”
“No, but I don’t blame him for slipping away. He doesn’t thrive on conflict, like you do.”
“As I told you before, you are not averse to conflict, either, my dear aunt.”
“Oh, indeed?” she pasted a grin. Then, flattening her dress over her lap, she said, “If that be true I’m relieved to know I passed at least one virtue down the family line.”
Henry quietly said, “Mum used to tell me I was like you.” He nodded, forcing the words out like cheese through a grater, “I think she meant it as a compliment.”
Lady Shrewsbury stared ahead as she sighed, “Henry, my sister and I were very close. It broke my heart when your father … when it happened. That, too, we have in common.” She gazed up at the stage where someone in a hummingbird costume was leading the children in a dance with motions. With a wave, he jogged off the stage as the music ceased.
Maggie, sitting beside Henry, said, “I’m not feeling very well. Do you think I could skip this and head to the hotel?”
Henry said, “Certainly, no problem at all. I hope you feel better.”
“Thank you,” she said as she got up to leave. She started to walk away, then suddenly spun around and almost leaped to pick up her cell where she had left it on her chair. Laughing nervously, she said, “See you later. I hope it goes well,” and scampered away.
Suddenly all the lights went out and the resonant voice said, “We ask that there be no flash photography or unnecessary movement during the performance. Please silence your cellular devices. And now, we welcome you to enjoy the grand opening extravaganza of Paradeisia: Eden on Earth.”
The crowd hushed to a near-silence.
A deafening, deep voice echoed over the plaza, “Welcome to our story. This is the story of Paradeisia. The story of paradise.”
Music with solemn strings accompanied the voice, “In the beginning, the heavens and the earth were created.”
Above the crowd deep purple and navy hazy laser beams flashed in rows, creating the illusion of moving through space. “The earth was without form. Darkness was over the surface of the deep.” Fog began to pour down from high above the stage, like a giant, wide waterfall of cloud. Black light shone on it, flashing from all sides, and creating an ethereal darkness. More fog poured in from several spots surrounding the plaza. The laser beams gradually stopped flashing and instead shone solidly, circling the air above the crowd.
“And God said, ‘Let there be light.’”
In the sky spun projections of galaxies and beautiful, colorful supernovas accompanied by the sound of a boys’ choir with electronic noise. “God divided the light from the darkness, and he called the light day and the darkness he called night.’” An incredibly bright, yellow light appeared from the right side of the plaza through a mist. It rose up and over the crowd, shining down into it like a spotlight and changing from yellow to white. It passed over the crowd and lowered on the other side, trailed by wide spreading white laser beams.
“God said, ‘Let the water under the sky be gathered together, and let dry ground appear.’” In the waterfall of fog an image of the earth’s blue globe appeared, and on that a spot of land that grew ever larger. “And God said, ‘Let the earth grow living plants of all kinds.” Green began to appear on the globe. “And let the waters teem with living creatures.” Above the crowd the forms of blue-tinted whales glided into view, rising and falling in the air as if they were swimming. Sounds of whale calls resounded over the music, which now had the voices of a full choir. “Let birds fly in the sky.” A flock of white doves and colorful parrots suddenly fluttered across the plaza. “And God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth living creatures upon the ground.’” There was a loud trumpeting sound as the gigantic head of an elephant flew into view, its trunk swaying beneath its head, over the crowd. The trunk raised and a splash of water shot out, sprinkling the crowd. Following the elephant, a long-necked dinosaur stomped over the plaza. Meanwhile, the whales had fully crossed the plaza and were sinking to the ground behind it.
“And God saw that what He had made was good, and He took the best of everything and placed it in a hidden paradise. This he gave a name. He called it…” the music reached a crescendo with booming drums, “Eden on Earth.” All the lights that had been on now went off.
An exotic flute accompanied by strings broke the hush. The voice said, “As the ages passed by, the secret paradise was lost to time, and was recalled only in legend. But one day, a little bird looked across the sea and wondered … what if?” The image of an iridescent purple-throated hummingbird in flight appeared on the Paradeisia Angel’s robes, the only thing illuminated. The image appeared to be projected from within the statue, and some of the light poured out in flickering rays. “The bird ventured across the sea, the most perilous flight it ever took.” A turbulent ocean appeared underneath the bird, and it flew away from the audience, besieged by winds and rain. A shower of droplets poured down in front of the statue, catching the light. “The little bird thought it could fly no longer and that it would surely be swept into the raging sea. But just as its wings were about to give out, it beheld two magnificent mountains. It gathered its last strength and made a final push for them. As it neared, the clouds parted, giving way to radiant sunshine, and beneath the mountains was revealed an endless forest of tropical splendor. The bird discovered pristine sand beaches, hidden springs and waterfalls, and the best of every natural thing the world has to offer. The bird could not keep this incredible secret to himself, so he made the journey back across the sea to share his good fortune. When he reached the cliff on the edge of the sea, he saw a girl dancing there. The bird flew up to tell her the good news. And that is how Eden was rediscovered on earth.” The image of the bird traveled up the statue to light on her outstretched finger above her head.
“Because of the courage of one small bird, we are proud to welcome you here to a paradise of dreams, where you are the author of your own adventure. And if one little bird can make this amazing discovery, we invite you to imagine what you can do if you reach inside yourself and find the courage to ask what if . If you reach for the impossible!” A flock of birds flew from the base of the statue to the top as a splash of electrifying tropical scenes projected on it. Enormous letters of undulating crimson hues floated in front of the statue: P A R A D E I S I A. The voice thundered, “Welcome to Eden on Earth. Welcome to Paradeisia.” The crowd went wild as the music reached a powerful climax and fireworks exploded from all around the plaza. “And now, please welcome his Excellency the Secretary General of the United Nations, Kwame Aidoo.”
Mr. Aidoo stepped up to the stage to monstrous applause and said, “Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this spectacular event. It is wonderful to see such a vision of peace as this island represents. I understand that it is the work of over seventy nations that has brought Paradeisia to life. To see such a united effort by mankind is truly inspiring. We have come together to do something wonderful. Let me tell every one of you watching, wherever you are, that Paradeisia belongs to you. We are, all of us, seeking paradise. This fact is even emblazoned on the charters of nations: Life, liberty, and the pursuit of paradise, isn’t it? And whether you are in America, Europe, Africa, Asia, t
he Middle East, or even Antarctica: Paradeisia is your paradise. This is, I believe, the only place where all mankind can come together as one and enjoy Eden on Earth! Hopefully it is the birth of a new prosperity and unity where we seek the better good together wherever we live. Remember, it all begins with you. If you want peace on earth, do not wage war. If you want prosperity for the poor, build wealth. If you seek paradise, go out and find it! If you don’t have the courage to take an adventure, you won’t have one. And that is what I am told this magnificent statue represents. Her arms are stretched out with her face to the sky looking toward heaven, reaching for that spark of imagination, searching for dreams to come. She doesn’t know what life will bring, but she knows that it is a gift, and there can be happiness on earth if we have the courage to make it happen. So if you take anything away from Paradeisia, let it be this: that you have the power to change your world. If something isn’t right, then make it right. Thank you very much, and enjoy Paradeisia!" He backed away, joining the audience in applause.
The sonorous voice boomed over the plaza, "Please stay with us as Paradeisia presents the grand opening extravaganza featuring a cast of the world's greatest performers including the London Symphony Orchestra, The London Voices, the Vienna Boy's Choir, Andrea Pocelli, the Flatmate Boys, Queen Lakeisha, the Nashville Gospel Choir, the New London Children's Choir, Sounds of Africa, Trance, Jona Arc, Shawnmark, ScareCrow, Riley Rodriguez, Alexica, and introducing the Paradeisia Symphony Orchestra comprised of members of some of the most renowned orchestras in the world.
"And now, Paradeisia proudly presents the Grand Opening Extravaganza!" The audience roared as fireworks burst up along the ribbon of the Angel to above her head where two monstrous rounds exploded. Tiered stages edged by surging waterfalls began to rise from the bottom of the ribbon to the top. On each stage was a performing group, and at the statue’s base were the two orchestras. All the performers wore white feather angel wings. Timpani beat boldly as a boy soloist sang several soft notes.
