by VK Fourstone
At last it was his turn.
“What is the purpose of your visit to the USA?” the border protection officer asked.
“I’m going to take a look at New York. The museums, the city. Tourism, basically,” Isaac replied politely.
The officer twirled the passport in his hands and read the form that Isaac had filled in. He was in no hurry.
“What a job! This could drive you crazy!” Isaac thought. “The speed you work at makes no difference to your chances of getting the job done more quickly and going home earlier. Flights are coming in every minute, and people just keep on and on arriving. Just sit here as if you are chained to your seat until the shift is over. And it doesn’t matter how many passports you’ve looked through. A thousand or ten thousand. At least in the bar I used to get tips…”
“Place your palm on the scanner…”
Isaac patiently set his palm on the transparent little window that glowed blue. It felt as if someone gave his palm a gentle pinch. The officer looked at his monitor, then at Isaac’s face and stamped his passport with a loud thud.
Bikie was all right. They took a couple of tests and gave him an injection that rapidly relieved all the symptoms. He was waiting for Isaac at the entrance and already had his suitcase.
“Whoa! You were even quicker than me! I was worried.”
“Yeah, they did everything pretty quick. I’m actually glad they hooked me out and cured me so efficiently.”
“So it’s Hail America, then?”
“Precisely! The future cradle of liberty!”
The USA held the first place among countries for the number of orange energy downloads. And also, interestingly enough, the average level of creativity was higher there than in other countries. The answer to the question of why the Americans were the leaders in the amount of energy per person was fairly obvious.
Ever since WWI the U.S. has imported brains. They came dashing during WWII as well, and many more afterwards. In the States they created good conditions for qualified specialists, so talented scientists from various countries yearned to come here. They knew there were laboratories, grants, abundant opportunities and decent money waiting for them. The perspective of fulfillment and advancement prompted people to make the move. The more lenient tax regime was also a powerful stimulus for European entrepreneurs, while the strong legal framework protecting private property attracted businessmen from Latin America, Africa and Asia.
Nowadays the Agency has grabbed the lead here and there, but not so long ago everything was simple: if you’re a talented programmer, then welcome to Silicon Valley! An artist? Go to Miami or New York! A hot-shot actor? Go and try your luck in Hollywood, which has the most prestigious studios in the world and pays the highest money.
America posed a choice of two options before a gifted individual. Option one: stay in your own country and vegetate in half-empty laboratories, struggling to find financing, sometimes living in poverty and maybe even dying in some military conflict. Option two: immigrate to America and take advantage of new opportunities, feel that you are needed and become a US citizen.
No doubt this was a cunning policy. The best minds produced the best technologies. The best technologies produced the best economy. The American dollar, backed by minds and technologies, is a symbol of stability and a universal reserve currency.
Like a cheapskate who ends up paying twice, the generous America often earned a double profit by eagerly exporting arms and offering refuge to the finest minds of the warring countries. Of course, wars were not permitted in or around America itself.
The result was that until the downloading of creativity has been invented, the whole world said that if you did not know where to find the latest cutting-edge developments in one field or another, you should look in the States. Now the brains that had flowed into the USA were benefitting the country’s image. The Agency was growing more and more powerful, but in the States they had not really felt that yet.
“I think I’m going to love this country,” Bikie declared when they walked out of the airport building. “I’ll just get a breath of the air of freedom and rock’n’roll and fall in love immediately.”
Bikie theatrically filled his lungs and held his breath.
“Take care not to burst with delight! We haven’t even reached Amsterdam yet!”
“What do you mean, Amsterdam?”
“New Amsterdam.”
“And what’s that?”
“New Amsterdam. That’s what Manhattan used to be called. The first European settlement on the island was founded by the Dutch. Then the English pushed them out and renamed the town New York.”
“Freaking awesome! Why didn’t you tell me sooner that we were flying to Amster? I wouldn’t have brought any grass with me.”
“Get out of here, you joker! Let’s get moving. I can’t wait to see the city. We’re staying only three blocks away from Broadway, and Times Square!”
The guys loaded their suitcases into a yellow cab and stared out the window, each on his side. At first there was not anything special to look at, but in less than half an hour, the glow of the megalopolis appeared up ahead. They had picked up an old taxi, from the times before crime was eradicated and a semi-transparent screen separated passengers from the driver. Bikie was annoyed that he couldn’t stretch out his legs; space being too small for his dimensions. But the moment the Empire State Building became recognizable up ahead, he immediately forgot the discomfort.
“Can we drive over the Brooklyn Bridge?” Isaac asked.
“That will take a bit longer and cost more,” the taxi driver replied.
“That’s okay. Take us anyway. This is the first time we are in America.”
“Done!” smiled the taxi driver.
Everything was happening as if in a fairy tale; like pictures on the internet: the beautiful bridge couldn’t possibly be confused with anything else, on the right was a view of the Empire State Building blazed blue and they could see the Chrysler Building with its beautiful, illuminated, frilly yellow design.
The driver turned on to the embankment and the Williamsburg Bridge appeared, connecting the neighborhood of the same name with Manhattan. At this point the two friends were so enthralled by the sights of the city that even the enemy headquarters, the UN building towering up along the embankment, provoked only positive feelings. The car turned left, to cross the island and in succession they cut across Second Avenue, Park Avenue, Madison Avenue and, finally, the most famous of all, Fifth Avenue. There were so many people in the streets, it looked as if some incredible sale for pedestrians was under way. The roads were packed with yellow taxi cabs but basically the traffic was moving smoothly.
As soon as Isaac thought about that, they got stuck in a jam.
“Broadway and Times Square are ahead. The traffic’s always tricky round here.”
“That’s OK. We’re in no hurry,” Bikie replied.
Eventually they arrived, paid the driver, collected their suitcases and walked into the hotel lobby. They didn’t feel like sleeping any longer and had to wait for the professor and Pascal. Bikie went out for a stroll. Isaac asked him to buy some local phones and checked into his room.
Now that he was alone, he could finally call Michelle in peace. She had to release Commissioner Pellegrini. He had done everything he promised and not tricked them. Isaac sighed with relief.
The first question stubborn Michelle raised was about her coming to join them. Isaac was strongly against. Of course, he would be glad to see her, but the risks were too high.
“You know, Isaac, there’s only one person who can tell me where I can and cannot go. And that is me! I’m not a fool, you know that perfectly well…”
“Michelle, please…”
But she did not seem to be listening to him at all.
“I’ve been talking to Pellegrini here. We had loads of time. He won’t let us down. He’s a decent guy. He has really seen the light and now he’s dying to get into the fight.”
“It’s not just him, can’t you see that?” said Isaac, trying to make her reasonable, but it was useless.
“Don’t interrupt! Let me finish! I’m not going to get in your way or interfere in your business. Do whatever you like I’ll simply see my friends.”
“Then why are you asking me?” Isaac was beginning to fume. “If you want to see your friends in New York, London or Melbourne, just buy a ticket and fly.”
“Oh, Isaac, please,” said Michelle, changing her tone. “Why do you keep putting me off all the time? I helped you get to America safely, by the way, so I’m also a member of the team. Besides, I’ve blown my cover with Pellegrini anyway.”
“No you haven’t. Tell him that when you realized we had really left, you untied him immediately. He doesn’t know that you advised us about Miami.”
“I’ll go where I want to go!” said Michelle, changing her tone again.
“My God, how stubborn you are! Exactly as Bikie predicted.”
Michelle hung up.
Oh, boy! Yes, dealing with her will be pretty tricky.
Isaac had another thing to do that he had been putting off for a long time. He had to contact Wolanski and tell him everything somehow or other. He hadn’t yet thought of how to explain that in Wolanski’s house the professor had lived and they had held a police officer hostage. Well, there was nothing to be done about it, he had to call. Isaac reluctantly tapped in Peter’s number.
“Hi, Isaac.” Peter’s voice was as vibrant as always. “How are you getting on? How’s the work going?”
“Everything’s fine. Things are good. Your house is all safe and sound. Where are you right now?”
“In Dubai.”
“Sorry Peter, just a second…” Isaac looked at his phone and then added: “I hope I didn’t wake you up? We’ve got an eight-hour time difference.”
“Whoa?” said Peter, calculating something rapidly. “Good for you, guys! I get it! That’s great!”
“We solved the jigsaw. So we went.”
“You did?” There was more joy than surprise in Peter’s voice. “I never had any doubt!”
“Listen. There were some problems too. I was called in by the police. They asked about the details after that terrorist attack in Monaco. I have told them, you are my employer, just in case.”
“Anything serious?”
“Well, not quite,” Isaac replied mysteriously. “You know I had nothing to do with it. They just latched on to me.”
“I see.” This time Peter’s cheerfulness vanished. “What should I do?”
“Nothing. It’s been fixed already. And the good news is that Vicky will be well soon! An old friend gave me the money. Pascal, I told you about him, remember? He turned out to be a really sound guy. ABSOLUTELY sound, in fact,” Isaac said emphatically.
“Freaking hell!” Peter grunted. “That means…”
“Yes, Peter, that’s exactly what it means!” Isaac interrupted. “Anyway, you relax over there. Get a tan. There’s nothing more to be done in Monaco.”
“Listen, Isaac. There’s something I need to tell you as well. It’s very important. You must find a way to contact me. Call from the hotel.”
“OK, I’ll settle in and call you. Good luck, old buddy!”
“And to you guys! Don’t forget to call.”
“I won’t.”
He did not tell Peter everything, but most important things he got across. The quick-witted Peter understood where they were, who with and what for. Now he just had to explain about Pellegrini, but that could be done from his hotel room.
Isaac glanced at the time. Well now, he ought to get a bite before everyone got together.
13
Bikie came back first bringing six disposable phones: one for each of the team, one for Pellegrini and one in reserve.
Isaac told him that everything was fine with the commissioner, he hadn’t tricked them. Tomorrow he was expected to go back to Paris, arrange an official trip for himself and fly over within a couple of days.
Things were fine with Link and Pascal too. No incidents. They were just tired after two long flights.
“You are quite a sight!” Bikie couldn’t help commenting on the professor’s new appearance. “A genuine villain out of a children’s horror movie”.
Link’s head was shaved smooth and he had a sumptuous ginger moustache protruding from under his nose, upon which there sat a pair of old-fashioned glasses in thick tortoise-shell rim.
“Shut up, Bikie! I swore that none of us would joke on that subject.”
“Got it,” Bikie said as seriously as he could, stifling his laughter.
They decided not to sit up late and went to their rooms. The time in France was well after midnight.
They woke very early, due to the time difference and went down for breakfast in Starbucks to discuss their plans for the day. They decided to visit the laboratory in the museum building the following day; in the meantime they would take it easy and recover from jet lag.
They wandered around the city, each going his own way, planning to meet for lunch.
Everyone was in the café on time, except for Link, who arrived late wearing the most mysterious of his cunning smiles and announced that he didn’t come empty-handed. It turned out that he bought tickets for a Broadway show.
“Let’s relax a bit today. It’s not rock-n-roll or underground, but it’s a new classic. Since we’re in the Big Apple, we can’t pass up Broadway. Especially since no one knows when we’ll have another chance to see it.”
Everyone was delighted; none of them except the professor even thought about it.
The modernistic design of the theater hall was unusual and impressive. Incredibly huge screens, consisting of large numbers of panels joined together, were on the right and the left, at the front and on the ceiling. It was as if the audience was seated in a tele-capsule. The seats reclined to a half-lying position.
Shows of this kind appeared shortly after the discovery and were under the influence of Einsteiner.
Modern music no longer simply contained melodies that stimulated varying degrees of emotion: grief – joy – laughter – joy – sadness. Just as the Russian avant-garde artists abandoned the object in the early twentieth century, the Collective Mind computer has partially discarded melody.
The composing program created by Einsteiner combined all the well-known popular melodies with developments in psychiatry and neuroscience. Calculating which sounds influenced which regions of the brain, the program produced something totally mind-blowing!
By adding light effects in 4D, the first show plunged its audience into a state of total ecstasy.
The computer controlled human emotions, alternating sounds and images, so everyone simultaneously laughed, wept, guffawed and sobbed, and then laughed and rejoiced again. At the end they looked at the outer cosmos and galaxies and went utterly happy.
Тhe final chords of the program aimed to induce in the audience the feeling of ultimate joy. As they left the show, the companions kept talking across each other, sharing impressions.
Even rock’n’roller Bikie lit up like a neon sign, with a smile right past his ears. An hour later in the hotel they all at once felt overwhelmed by fatigue and went to their rooms to fall into a deep, calm sleep.
In the morning everyone was taciturn, nobody felt like talking.
Link explained that during the show the brain had discharged almost all of its reserves of endorphins, adrenalin and serotonin.
“The pituitary gland, the hypothalamus and the pineal gland are exhausted. An hour and a half after the show there was a discharge of melatonin, to stabilize the organism, and we fell asleep. Because of that, driving isn’t allowed after computer operas and shows. The body needs time to recover, so I took the liberty of scheduling a massage for everyone followed by a day of rest,” Link summed up, looking very pleased with himself.
Isaac imagined that Link lectured his students with exactly the same intonation, and thought once agai
n what a class act Link was: not just intelligent, but experienced too. And he was obviously very savvy when it came to cool leisure.
Link added that after these tense weeks, it was an important consideration to cleanse their nervous systems; that was why he had taken the team to the show. Sort of a rebooting.
Everyone was grateful to him. Isaac had been so exhausted, he did not even have the strength to tease Bikie about rock’n’roll. If not for Link’s standing in his eyes, the hard-boiled biker would never have agreed to any experiments like this. But he went along with everyone and came away very content. Isaac smiled as he recalled his friend’s foolishly happy face last night.
“That’s it! We’re relaxing!” Link commanded. “After the massage we’ll have lunch, and at four you’re going to the Guggenheim.”
Link still used the old name for the building of the American branch of the Agency, where one of the four Einsteiner global servers was located. Previously it was the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art, which housed a fabulous collection of art of the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
The Collective Mind had only moved into the Guggenheim building quite recently, after having generously constructed and donated new premises for the museum with much more space – a masterpiece of architecture that was immediately dubbed the Eighth Wonder of the World and the very best thing that mankind had built in its entire history.
The Agency was one of the bidders in a proposal for the design of a new home for the museum. For sure, all leading architects of the world submitted their proposals but there was nothing to match the concept from the Collective Mind, which won in all categories and on all criteria.
