A camera crew was set up to broadcast the President’s arrival. Some of the dinner guests were already seated at the tables while others were still shuffling in. We were told to stand along the wall at the back of the room with straight backs and arms at our sides. The President would be the last to enter the room and we would need to salute him with the rest of the guests. It seemed to take forever, but finally everyone was seated. The national anthem began to play heralding his imminent arrival. The sound of chairs scraping across the floor filled the room as everyone stood at attention for the arrival of the President Damien Holt.
It all seemed so pompous, yet I was excited by the thought of seeing him for real. It was difficult to see the front of the room from all the way back here, but I was taller than most and standing on my tiptoes gave me a partial view. I saw the President enter the room. He was shorter than I imagined and I could see grey hair at his temples. I had never really seen an old person up close, but there seemed to be plenty of grey haired men in the room tonight. The President took his position at the head table and waited for the music to end. When it did, everyone in the room snapped their right arm straight up in a salute then quickly placed it over their heart – a gesture meant to show support and demonstrate obedience. The room was silent until the President cleared his throat.
“We are here tonight to toast this young man, Jack Kenner,” the President began. He patted the back of the man standing beside him. I recognized the bridegroom, Jack Kenner, from the interviews I had seen on the television in our common room. He was taller than the President. It was hard to tell from this distance if he was as handsome in person. The President continued his speech.
“In two days he will be joined with my most prized possession – my daughter, Leisel. It will mark the first time in the history of the Dome that the Holt and Kenner family will be united by marriage. And one day, Jack, you will occupy the Presidential Office with my daughter at your side. Together you will lead our People,” the President swept his hand toward the crowd, “into the next century.”
The crowd clapped and a cheer went up.
“I won’t lie to you Jack. It won’t be an easy task for you and my daughter. These are turbulent times for all of us. It has been almost 300 years since the enemy dropped nuclear bombs across our lands. Almost 300 years since our people were forced into the Bio-Dome to seek refuge from the fall-out of those bombs. And almost 300 years later, here we all stand,” he paused to look around the room. “A testament to our strength and power! Despite our enemy’s best efforts to annihilate us, we continue to survive!” he said in a loud and determined voice, his finger pointing at everything and nothing.
All the guests were clapping again, shouting President Damien Holt at the top of their lungs. The bridegroom was no exception. They all seemed a little crazy to me. Then the President raised his hand and the crowd was immediately silent again.
“We are a powerful people,” he continued on with the full attention of the room. “Yet we are kind and generous. Did we not open our doors to all those civilians who came to us seeking shelter from the bombs?” he asked. The crowd nodded their head and I heard some yell, yes! “And we continue to provide them shelter, despite their growing population and despite their growing demands on our food and water supplies. We do this BECAUSE WE CARE!” As he spoke, his voice became steadily louder until he was yelling. The guests were shouting their agreement. The President held up his hand to silence them again.
“Yet there have been rumours, my friends. Rumours that our food may be running out and that it’s time we move out of the Dome and back onto our lands,” he paused again this time pointedly looking at some individuals in the room. A few men shifted uncomfortably. “Who here thinks that I would let my people starve? Who here thinks that I do NOT know if our land is yet arable or not?” Another uncomfortable pause as he waited for anyone fool enough to answer his questions. No one did. “I have always been honest. I have always been open about the drones we have combing the land, bringing us back samples, and it is all RADIOACTIVE! GOING OUT THERE IS NOT AN OPTION!”
The President was yelling so loud my ears winced. The bridegroom continued to stand beside his future father-in-law, vigorously nodding his head in agreement.
The President straightened his tie and then smoothed back his hair in what looked like an attempt to regain his composure. He took a few deep breaths.
“The only option we have is to maintain our way of life in the Dome. By continuing to enforce our strict population controls and sustainable use of our resources, our existence in the Dome will continue to grow strong. And the marriage of my daughter to this man – Jack Kenner,” the President again acknowledged the man beside him, “demonstrates that life inside the Dome is indeed every bit as good and beautiful as life was before the bombs. I can’t think of anything more inspiring than to see two young people in love joined in holy matrimony with all the possibilities the future holds laid out before them. They are the embodiment of Hope. And it is with these sentiments that I invite all of my people to take a day off from work and celebrate in Leisel’s day. I have authorized the wedding to be televised. And for all those who think we are on the brink of starvation, I give a feast. It will be a day of celebration! A day to rejoice in all that we have to be thankful for!”
The President reached for Jack Kenner’s hand and held it high in the air. The guests were going crazy. People were shouting long live President Holt! I heard a few voices giving their praises and congratulations to the groom. I could only imagine the reaction in the Pit now that the rumour was confirmed. There would be a feast.
It seemed like an eternity before they finished patting each other on the back and the President took his seat. Everyone else followed suit. The camera crew packed up and left. Our leader ushered us back toward the kitchen doors. We were told to line up and collect the trays of food waiting for us.
“Since you’re new, I’ll help you out,” the girl in front of me announced as she turned to look at Summer and me. I recognized her as the girl I spoke to downstairs. “You’ll be assigned a table number when they give you the tray. Go out through those doors and find the table number. When you serve, you put the plates down gently between the cutleries in front of the person at the table. Usually you serve ladies first, but this is a bachelor party for the groom so there are no ladies here tonight. When everyone at the table is finished eating, clear the plates away. Then you can serve the next course.”
“Thank you,” I said gratefully. I had no idea it would be so complicated. “I’m Sunny and this is Summer.”
“I’m Wynd,” she responded and gave us a weak smile.
We were each given a tray large enough to fit four plates. We had to balance the tray on one hand so the other hand was free to set the plates down at each place setting. I was really afraid I was going to drop it, but when I focused on just putting one foot in front of the other I found myself standing in the dining room. I saw the number 9 on a table and headed toward it.
There were twelve men sitting around the table completely oblivious to my arrival. I set the plates of food down in between the cutlery like I was told. No one complained so I assumed I was doing it right. I expected them to start eating right away. I would. The food looked and smelled delicious. But they just continued to talk among themselves, ignoring both the food and the server. My tray empty, I made my way back to the kitchen for more. My tray was refilled with four more plates and I returned to table number nine. Still no one had eaten. How could they ignore all that food? It was taking every bit of my will power not to eat it myself. I delivered the plates and went back for more. When all the plates were served at the table, the men finally began to eat. I walked away and joined the other servers standing at the back of the room to wait for my table to finish.
While I was waiting, Wynd told Summer and me that the bourge ate their meals in courses. Tonight the first course was salad, the second soup, the third a large plate of food consisting of meat
and vegetables, and the fourth course was dessert. I realized it was going to be a very long night.
With each course I served, it became harder and harder to ignore the smells wafting up into my nose. I was practically drooling. I was certain the growls coming from my stomach were loud enough to be heard over the din of conversation and music. And on and on they ate. I brought a plate full of food and I took it away half empty. I was surprised by how much food was left over. I couldn’t help but think I would see that food again in the Pit in a few days in the form of stew.
“Listen up girls!” our leader called out. “After you finish cleaning off your assigned tables, you’ll meet over by those doors,” she pointed to the doors we came in through. “You’ll be given something more appropriate to wear for the evening and then you’ll return back to the dining room. Someone will greet you by the door and take you to where you’re supposed to be. Under no circumstances do you approach any of the men. If someone wants your company, they’ll let you know.”
I could feel nausea rising up inside me. I was hoping this part of the evening would never happen. Summer looked worried too, although she tried to hide it when she caught me looking at her. Glumly we picked up our trays and went back out into the dining room to clear the tables. This time I kept a close eye on Summer. I didn’t want us separated again, so I matched my speed to hers. When we were finished clearing, I walked just fast enough to get behind her.
“Don’t leave my side tonight, Summer,” I said as soon as we were through the door.
She stopped and turned to look at me. We had a precious moment of privacy.
“I’ll try not to, Sunny. But I’m scared,” she said in a terrified voice.
“So am I,” I agreed.
She reached her arm out toward me and I leaned in for her hug, but instead she picked up a piece of leftover dessert from my tray.
“Summer, what are you doing?” I asked in surprise.
A muffled noise suddenly caught my attention and I realized we were not alone. Without thinking, I snatched the food out of Summer’s hand and popped it into my mouth.
“Hungry?” a woman’s voice asked.
She stepped out of the shadows. She looked vaguely familiar but I couldn’t place her. I noticed she and I were about same height, but that’s where any similarities ended. Her hair was light enough to be blonde and her eyes looked blue, but it was hard to tell with all the make-up she was wearing.
“Yes ma’am, I’m hungry. But I know I shouldn’t have taken the food. I apologize,” I said and quickly turned my eyes down toward the floor. I saw Summer do the same.
“You took the food?” she questioned. “I saw everything. Your friend took the food and you’re covering for her. But I think it’s sweet. What’s your name?”
“Sunny O’Donnell,” I responded.
“I didn’t mean to spy. Well, not on you anyway,” she laughed. “I was peeking through the door to see if my fiancé is behaving himself tonight. Sometimes he drinks a little too much wine.”
Did she say fiancé? The realization hit me. This was Leisel Holt, the President’s daughter. I could feel my heart sink to the floor and panic rise up to take its place. Of all the people to catch us stealing food! Summer gave me a terrified look.
“He has behaved himself tonight, hasn’t he?” she asked us.
“Yes, ma’am,” I spoke up.
“Really, there’s no need to be afraid of me. I won’t hurt you. Please, call me Leisel,” she offered. Summer and I gave each other a nervous glance. We were confused. “I mean it might even be nice to make some friends. I don’t have many… being the President’s daughter and all.” There was a hint of sadness in her voice. I didn’t know what to say to her, so I stayed silent.
“Most people think it must be the most wonderful thing in the world to be the President’s daughter. But it isn’t. It’s absolutely horrible!” she complained, almost on the verge of tears. “I don’t have any friends. I have to live my life in the public eye. Always behaving myself and always looking my best, and if constantly having people look at me isn’t enough, there’s rumours that someone wants to kill me. Can you believe it? Someone actually wants to assassinate me.”
Tears were welling up in her eyes. She looked pathetic. I surprised even myself when I reached out and took her hand.
“That’s awful,” I sympathized. I couldn’t believe someone would want to kill this girl. She looked harmless.
“I’m sorry I don’t mean to cry.” She grabbed my hand as if it might save her and held it tight. “I’m really trying to be brave. But its so scary thinking someone could kill me at any time.”
“I can’t believe anyone would want to hurt you,” Summer joined in.
Leisel considered her for a moment, but turned her attention back to me.
“You’re both so very sweet,” she said of us, but was looking only at me. She took a tissue out of her pocket and dabbed the corner of her eyes, careful not to smudge her make up. “Oh, I must look awful. But I feel so much better. Thank you for listening.”
Seeing that she had stopped crying, I began to relax my hold on her hand, but her grip tightened in response refusing to let me go.
“We are friends, aren’t we?” she asked. I could feel her eyes searing into mine, waiting for my answer.
“Of course,” I reassured her, confused by her strange behaviour.
The last of the girls carrying trays walked past us into the kitchen, giving us puzzled looks.
“I have an idea! We should hang out tonight,” she said only to me. “I mean, I like talking to you and I really do think it was very noble of you to cover up for her,” Leisel said, casting a look at Summer. There was no kindness in her expression. Was she threatening us?
“Um, I have to work tonight,” I said awkwardly. I was beginning to feel very uncomfortable.
“I thought you were almost done?” she questioned, looking at the empty plates on our trays. Then a look of understanding came over her features. “Oh. It’s a bachelor party and you have to go back in,” she said and pondered my dilemma for a moment. “I know. I’ll get Jack to make a request for you. He can take you back to his apartment and I’ll meet you there.”
She looked pleased with her brilliant plan, but I was still feeling very uncomfortable. I didn’t want anyone to request me, least of all the bridegroom. Wouldn’t people be a little curious about him taking a girl to his apartment when he was about to get married? The whole night seemed to be taking a confusing turn and I wasn’t sure what the right answers were anymore.
“If you’re worried about her,” Leisel nodded toward Summer, “I’ll see what I can do about getting her off for the night.”
“Okay,” I said quickly in case she changed her mind.
I remembered Wynd told me that if they liked you, you would be requested often. Summer was the prettiest, nicest girl I had ever known and there was no doubt in my mind that she would be well liked by everyone. If she was sent home, she could be spared the fate Wynd now suffered.
“It’s all settled then. I’ll just go out and tell Jack. He’ll come and get you when the time is right,” Leisel said happily.
“Her name is Summer. Summer Nazeem,” I said pointedly, making sure she excused the right girl from work.
“Summer,” she repeated almost vacantly. “I’m sure I’ll remember.”
She gave my hand a final squeeze before she walked out into the dining room. I could hear the guests clapping at her entrance, then laughter at her being at a bachelor party.
“Sunny, what are you doing?” Summer asked in a terrified voice. “Why did you say you’d go with her? She’s a whackadoodle!”
“Ssshhh! You know the walls have ears,” I whispered. I looked around to see if anyone else was standing in the shadows. “We just got caught stealing food. You know we could be beaten to death for that. And did you miss hearing her say she’d get you off for the night? Not only are you not going to be punished, but you get to go home
too.”
“And you get left behind with her,” Summer said unhappily.
“Ok, so she might be a little nuts,” I whispered, “but she looks harmless. Did you see her crying? I’d rather sit around holding her hand tonight than being the entertainment for one or more of those old men out there. And you get to go home. All our problems are solved.”
“Sunny, I’m not comfortable with this,” Summer said suspiciously.
“Just go along with it Summer. It gets us both out of a bad situation. And besides, I already said yes. Now let’s get back into the kitchen before we get into any more trouble,” I said.
Summer mutely followed me back into the kitchen.
“It’s about time!” our supervisor yelled at us when we entered the kitchen. “Where have you been?”
“We were stopped by the President’s daughter,” I said truthfully. An idea was forming in my mind. I could still hear the crowd shouting out comments to Leisel, asking why she was at a bachelor party. There was no question that she was indeed here.
“Is that so? And why on earth would the President’s daughter want to talk to you two?” she demanded.
“She asked about her fiancé and whether or not he was drinking a lot of wine. She wanted to know if he was behaving himself. That’s all,” I said. She stood staring at us for a moment, not sure to believe me or not. “You can ask her yourself,” I volunteered.
“Hurry up and get changed. You need to be back in that room in 20 minutes,” she said angrily.
Relieved that my half-truth worked, Summer and I emptied our trays. We were directed to a room where the girls were in various states of dress. Some were getting their hair done up, others having make-up applied to their faces.
Sunset Rising Page 4
