"What would you like to see next Ginny," said Jan.
"Do the oceans have life and also the land I'd like to see its flora and fauna?"
"Yes this planet possesses a multitude of flora and fauna. The oceans also have an abundant of living things. From your new work station you can call up anything you want to see and learn about. Okay here we go on a flyby of ocean shore lines and land next to the seas."
~~~~~
While VW was viewing the planets solar system and the planet itself, a meeting was taking place in the Councils Chambers. The council was made up of five members. AZ and BZ were the members on the ground. The other three members were rather stationary. They saw, heard and made policy amongst themselves. When it came to an important vote, all five members participated.
At the present time they were discussing the new arrivals in general and AZ asked permission to speak about one new arrival, all heads turned towards him. They nodded and he said, "Our latest arrival from Earth is a female writer of some high intelligence. She seems more wary than the others who've come on board. Most all were happy to be alive and doing what they love doing. Virginia Watersfield seems more curious about who and what we are and why we do what we do. I want our staff to keep a watchful eye on her. Humans as you know are very curious by nature and are always asking the question why. It's my plan to show her just enough to satisfy her curiosity."
AE, the oldest and most powerful member said, "AZ if you suspect a problem why not terminate her now and be done with it?"
"AB and I have discussed it thoroughly and think she is or will be a valuable addition to our literature department. Humans and other intelligent species read to learn. Reading seems the best way to retain and learn information. Seminars seem to only whet their appetites on various subjects. Therefore they read to totally understand what was of interest."
"We've other issues to discuss now. We've word in the solar system of Darious the workers are demanding a better life. If we didn't need their precious minerals – well – never mind for now? AZ and AB you both need to take a firsthand look at what is happening and why."
~~~~~
Ginny had finished her viewing and asked Jan what they should do next. "Let's take a walk through the arboretum. I'm sure there're plants there that you've never seen or imagined. Besides you'll probably meet some others of your kind."
"What I'd really like to do is talk to my husband. We grew up together and grew old together. It's rather difficult to be alone after such a long time together. But, I like your company Jan. I hope we can be friends. Friends watch each other's backs. Do you know what that means Jan?"
"Yes I do Ginny. AIs are on a learning curve like you are. Every minute I acquire information and assimilate it. From what I've heard is that we will grow together. I hope that is true. I've heard from others that when their host ceases to exist they too are cast away. I guess the why is because they assume their hosts personality and other things. Accidents do happen here on land and in space. Let's watch out for each other."
-5-
Harry Watersfield sat in his Lazy Boy recliner at home in Greenlake, Seattle. He had a grin on his face that would not go away. He had published the first of two installments about their encounter while camping out on Mt. Rainier back in the middle 1960s.
After the publication his desk phone and e-mail box was flooded. They also discovered his home phone. He disconnected it and lucky for him he had a cell he bought at the local store. Only his boss knew his number. Before it was published his boss called him into the office. Harry told him the story. His boss asked him if he believed the aliens. Harry said yes he did. His boss said publish it and damn the torpedoes.
Other than a few long time readers, the remainder thought he was a crackpot. Those few who had open minds wanted more of the story. Others wanted proof. As if proof would convince the nonbelievers. Finally he offered to exhume his wife's body and have them check to see if her brain was still inside her head.
Needless to say it was quite a media event at the coroner's office. There were police guards with the excavation crew and with the transportation from grave to the morgue. Harry stood in the background surrounded by police as they cut open his wife's head. The coroner stepped back astounded as he said, "Her brain is missing. Lord almighty could this be true that aliens took her brain?"
Questions flew and the police quickly escorted Harry out and sequestered him at the police station until things quieted down. He knew it would not be long before the big news outfits grabbed a hot story. Before a couple hours went by it would be international news. He smiled thinking that was just what the aliens wanted in the first place.
After he published the second piece, he was lauded by people he never knew existed. It seemed that the 'proof' that folks demanded was good enough. He also wrote in his second piece that the public were welcome to open his head and see if he had a brain or not.
From that moment on he was asked by any and all talk show hosts and even CBS asked him to do a piece on "60 Minutes". He made it public that he would let the media know after a complete physical.
A knock on his door broke the thoughts he had been having. However, the smile was still locked on as he answered his door. It was his boss Andy Leatherwood. "Can I come in Harry or are you going to just stand there with that shit eatin grin on your face?"
"Sorry bout that Andy. I was flashing back seeing all those naysayers eating their hats. How about a drink of fine scotch whiskey?"
"Wouldn’t say no, would I?"
"Coming right up and to what do I owe this pleasure of your visit tonight?"
"You'd best sit down before I tell you what developed late this afternoon." Harry handed him a tumbler of twenty year old scotch. He took his glass and sat down in his recliner.
"Okay I'm sitting down Andy and if you think you can shock me at my age have right at it," said Harry.
"I got a call that came from Europe this afternoon. It was from the Nobel Peace Prize people. They're nominating you for the Nobel in Literature. I thought you'd be interested in the news coming from me and not some yahoo media person."
"All because we were visited by some aliens who may or may not be on the level. When somebody wants something, it's not usually a two way street, but a one way street. Be that as it may, I'm game and so was Virginia. When I go it's for either good or bad. Above all it will be interesting. Here's to my brain Andy," he said while raising his glass for a toast.
There was good reason why Harry mentioned his need to see a doctor before making any rounds of talk shows. His suspicion would soon be confirmed that he did not have long to live. Without treatment, he had maybe six months at the maximum. He chose the short way to see his wife.
-6-
While AZ and AB were off on council business, Ginny was pretty much left to her own devices. Jan helped a lot and she introduced herself to other writers in the Literature Department. The first writer she met was Dorothy Whipple. She wrote popular fiction of the day and, what Ginny liked best, was her children's stories. Of course DW did not recognize Ginny but they soon became fast friends. DW said, "I've been here since the early 1970s. I love it here and there're so many of us old writers here we really don't have the time to sit down and just talk a lot."
"I just arrived and how should I address you," asked Ginny.
"When the council members are around we use our formal alphabet letters. I'm DW and you're VW. Amongst friends we use nicknames like I’m Dot."
"I'm Ginny Dot. I hate to trouble you but can you show me around a little bit," asked Ginny.
"I sure can, but most of us when we're here in this room work at our assigned station. You'll see when you are settled in that once you begin some research you soon become immersed without seeing or hearing what's around you. We're encouraged to continue our writing that made us so called famous. The council slips the books back into earth's system as being published posthumously. Families of writers are always discovering hidden manuscripts stashed h
ere and there," Dot said laughing.
"I got it Dot. That does indeed sound like fun. However, I'll miss reading paper books and have never really endorsed reading e-readers or computers. For me perusing a bookshelf looking for something to read is such a warm feeling. But I suppose I can get used to anything."
Dot was smiling and she said, "You're in for a treat Ginny. I've no idea how many famous writers are here and other places, but all of our most popular books are in print at libraries across the universe; or so I'm told. Let me take you to our library and show you what is on the shelves."
Dot led the way to the elevator. Ginny tried to memorize the numbers of the various floors, but Jan said, "Not to worry Ginny, I know all the floors. While you were talking to Dot I was talking her AI. She's been with Dot many of your years. She told me that the two of them have nice conversations and are the best of friends."
"I wonder what she thinks about this place after more than thirty years," said Ginny.
"Oh, I think it's a nice place and they do treat us just like family," said Dot.
"I forgot about the telepathy part Dot," said Ginny a little embarrassed.
"I did the same thing back when, but now we're all used to it. I've noticed or felt that if asked a question outside of our fields, the council members are reluctant to answer. Many of us would love to take a trip to other planets where life flourishes. However, only some technical scientists are allowed outside of the home planet. Well, here we are Ginny," she said with arms wide as they entered a large circular room with literally thousands of books. "Those robots at the counter will help you find what you're looking for. They know where every book is by genre, author or title."
"It seems their days are long and have time for us to read and to listen to others speak about certain subjects. I'm warming up to this culture. I wonder Dot; the council is all male and are there any native females on this planet?"
"Not that we're aware of Ginny. We've talked amongst ourselves and have asked, but they told us they are unisex. We also asked how old the Virtuians culture was. The answer we received was literally millions of years old. They did say when their race started they were similar to humans. The only other comment was that biological bodies are very primitive and only the brain is of any value."
"I've taken up too much of your time Dot. I'll browse around and find some reading material for later. Thanks for the tour and the conversation."
"Anytime Ginny and I'm only a door down from you as both of our family names end in W. Just ask your AI to contact mine and we'll see if we're free to visit."
Ginny went browsing for books. Her thoughts were about the Virtuians and their longevity in this part of the universe. "Jan, are you with me?"
"I am always with you Ginny. What can I help you with?"
"I wonder can those library robots hear my thoughts."
"I can't answer that with a yes or no. But I can ask them when we check a book out. Choose one and let's go see. I can detect if one or both is not telling the truth. We're supposed to believe honesty is the best policy."
Ginny found an Ayn Rand novel. She'd read both her novels at least twice and a reread of the Fountainhead would not be such a bad idea. She turned and went to the counter to find out how to get a loan on a book. The robot said, "If you place your finger into this slot it will identify you." It turned the spine side to Ginny and pointed out a tiny light at the bottom of the spine. "This will turn red when your time is up for the loan."
"Thanks and as I'm new here, can you tell me if you can read my thoughts telepathically?"
"No we can't. Our programming is literature."
"Thank you and let's be on our way Jan," said Ginny. Ginny was beginning to get the hang of her new body. It did not have any of that herky-jerky robot moves she was used to seeing. Her movements were smooth and fluid. When she picked up a book, her precession grip was just enough to hold the book firmly. Ginny decided when she returned to her apartment she would practice all of her former human movements to become familiar with all facets of movements.
She found her apartment and was soon inside sitting down and thinking about a cup of coffee. "Jan I want a cup of coffee. Is that possible?"
"Yes it is. You must take a look around near your cleaning area. I'll show you how to operate the automatic dispenser using the computer." Ginny was up in a flash moving to the small area about the size of a small closet. Above the sliding door was a cabinet with coffee mugs just like back home. "Okay now as you move the cup towards the sliding door it will open. Place the cup in the circle area and say, 'Computer, coffee' and then say how you like your coffee."
"Computer, hot coffee with cream please." In seconds she had her steaming cup of coffee. She went to the living area to sit down and enjoy her coffee. "Jan," she asked, "How or where does the coffee go. On Earth we had a stomach and then it was processed and eliminated out of the body."
"There's a passage way that lead to a storage area. Some chemicals are used to recycle the mostly water. The water drifts out of some tiny pores into the air. There're taste buds in your mouth that relay the message that it tastes just like fresh brewed coffee."
"I'm impressed. Do any of us eat solid foods?"
"No they don't. From what I understand eating food was delightful, but totally unnecessary here. Also, from what I hear eating soon leaves your mind completely."
Ginner raised the mug and took a sip. It tasted just like coffee and it felt wonderful. "Now I almost feel like I’m back home Jan. While I'm waiting for my Harry to come, I want to learn more and more about where I'm living and what is expected of me. I know they didn't' bring me all this way to just hang around looking good. I remember Jan one of our mystery writers who was probably the queen of murder for many decades. She was still writing at age 90. I remember her saying, "I'm afraid to begin a novel because I might pass on before I finish it." Well, I wonder if she is here Jan."
"Let me check my memory of a PD James. Yes, she's here, but not on this planet. There're a group of mystery writers on a distant planet collectively working on crimes that are difficult to solve. I'm sorry I'm not clearer about that, but information about their department s scarce."
"So there are more humans on other planets as well as here. Is there ever a time when one of us can visit another planet with famous humans?"
"I don’t know if there is any inner planetary travel or not. You might ask one of the council members when the opportunity arises."
"Thanks Jan and now I'm going to lie down and do some thinking. I hope my dream of Harry comes back. Although I don't feel sad or lonely here at all. I've met two friends already with you and Dot."
"Enjoy your downtime Ginny. I’m going to do some main frame research and see what I can find to help you adjust to life here easier."
-7-
It was almost to the day that the doctor's told Harry his life would end. He passed on with a smile on his face even though his body was eaten up by cancer. Andy his boss and dear friend shed the most tears, but he was heartened that, if true, Harry's brain would survive and be active for lord knows how long.
Harry said to see if his brain was gone at the autopsy. Andy was reluctant to do that, but the public was crying for more proof. Seattle's morgue was never more popular the day of Harry's post mortem.
Most turned their heads away when the condoner sawed his head open to reveal what most hoped for and that was an empty cavity. On that day the ripples ran across from the west coast to the east coast like a tsunami. Of course the Seattle Post Intelligencer was the first to release the news that indeed Harry's cranium was empty. Andy took the rest of the day off. He went to a quiet bar and had a few scotch whiskeys for his departed friend.
While Andy was sipping his scotch, Harry's brain was being transported to the home planet Virtue. AZ was on hand when Harry arrived. He refrained from telling VW that her husband was here because she would immediately want to see and talk to him. He thought another day will not matter much. Besides ther
e was that labor unrest that he and BZ had tried to mediate that needed their attention. Darious was becoming a rather big problem instead of a little one. It appeared that the locals acquired some information about labor unions and thought it would be a good idea on their planet.
That information should have never happened. Somehow someone or something had given a book or some such document outlining the labor movement on earth many years ago. AZ instituted a search for the leak. If this labor union business got out into the neighboring solar systems, it could upset the balance of a very stringent economic system.
There were many prominent economists on record. However, as noted by most economists, labor unions are not good for an economy. This was serious and the council had made it a top priority. The council demanded an end to the idea of a labor union.
AZ was standing over Harry or rather what was left of Harry. He asked Harry telepathically, "How are you feeling Harry?"
"Beings I can see anything or feel my mouth moving, I guess I'm where you told me I'd be when I died. Is my wife here?"
"Yes, she is here, but not in this room. You're just arrived and need some time to acclimate your brain to our nutrients. After that we'll provide you with a robot from the neck down. You'll have a kind of plastic face which will be a very good likeness of you when you were about forty years old. Right now Harry you'll be put to sleep and later when you awake, you'll be able to see, hear and speak. No smell however. We're sure you'll like your new body. You wife has adjusted well and likes it here very much. Pleasant dreams Harry."
Harry did not hear the last part as he drifted off. His last thoughts were of his wife, friend and lover for most of his life. He wondered what the reunion would be like.
Virginia was working at her computer terminal. It was nothing like when she was back on earth pounding the keys of a keyboard. It was quite the contrary. This was all telepathic linked from Jan to the central mainframe facility. For example, if she wanted some information she asked Jan and Jan passed it on. There were three levels of said information. One was a brief overview; next was an overview with details and the last one was comprehensive. The information flowed across a monitor. The text moved at the reader's rate of speed. A simple tap on a sensor that was inlaid on the table could stop - start or any combination of actions did not take long to master.
Campers Dream Part Two Page 2
