"Thank you for coming in today," the man said. "Don't forget your paperwork, you'll need it until you get your bank book."
Matty picked up the papers, folded them and put them in his pocket along with his money. "Thanks." He stood and offered his hand for the man to shake. The man did so and inclined his head politely. Matty found himself being escorted out of the train car by Linda, who had grabbed his other arm and tugged him along.
Once out on the station platform, Matty stopped. "Linda, just stop a moment. Wait. You're rushing me along so fast, I can't see much. I need to be able to get my bearings, figure out where everything is. Can you slow down a bit? Please?"
Linda clapped a hand to her cheek, looking shocked. "Oh gosh, I'm so sorry. Of course we can slow down. You absolutely need to see everything here, this is a great city and we live really well. You'll see. You'll love it."
That remained to be seen. Matty was already beginning to feel the first stirrings of claustrophobia and he wanted to go outside, to stand in the sunlight and feel the wind on his face, not have the sense of the walls and ceiling closing in on him. He gave her a smile that he hoped was cheerful, and she smiled in return.
"What did you want to do first?"
"How about we get some food?" Matty asked. "Are there any cafes or restaurants or anything like that?"
She nodded. "There's several places we can eat at, up on the Concourse. There's also the shops too. That would be a good place to go. We can eat up there, after that, I can take you to get some clothes, if you want to buy groceries, we can do that, too, or we can go on to the newspaper offices, whichever you prefer."
Matty was growing accustomed to her ability to talk rapidly without pause. "Sure. Food then clothes, then the newspaper."
"Great! This way." She set off at a rapid pace, and Matty rolled his eyes. He refused to do the same this time, wanting to linger and see the things that he hadn't been able to on their way here.
It took Linda several minutes to realize that he wasn't following hard on her heels. Matty had stopped to listen to the violinist and enjoy the music that poured forth. It was good to hear music again. It had been so quiet up in the clinic, that all noise was wonderful. The sounds of humanity living and going about their day-to-day business were a welcome thrum of sound and this, the liquid strains of the violin, was a burst of pleasure for him. He took his money out of his pocket and found a five dollar note and dropped it into the violin case. The violinist played a little flourish and said, "Thank you, sir." Matty gave him a little wave.
Linda rushed up to him, her eyes wide as saucers. "Oh gosh, I thought I'd lost you. I'm sorry. I forgot to slow down. I'm really sorry."
"Linda. It's okay. You don't have to apologize. Just be cool, it's all okay."
She nodded and slowed her pace. They fell into step together, leaving the bank train and business area behind them. Linda ushered him up a flight of steps into another level of the underground city. Here, there were more people, and Matty could instantly see why. Shops of all kinds were here, on either side of what looked like a broad causeway. Large terracotta style plant pots filled with flowers and small fruit trees stood beside walls and seats, and the air was full of their perfume. It was lovely and it was not at all what Matty had expected to find.
"This is the Concourse," Linda said. "This is where we do all our shopping. Over there is Angelo's Delicatessen. It's one of the best places to get lunch and take away food."
"Then let's eat there," Matty said.
"Okay! My treat," she said.
"Are you… I mean, I've got money."
"I know, silly. I want to. Look, there's a table. You sit down and I'll go grab us something to eat. Any preference?" As Matty shook his head, Linda beamed at him and scurried off.
"I'm exhausted," Matty muttered to himself. He sat down at the table Linda had indicated and stretched, feeling his muscles ache in response. He felt tense, off-balance, and more and more confused as time went on. Everything was so different and he was not assimilating quickly. Although it had only been a night and a day so far, so really, he thought, he should give himself a break. People seemed nice, even if some had been more formal than others, he had no real reason to complain. That didn't mean he felt relaxed, though. He felt that he was a stranger in a strange land, a land that had once been the subway where he'd caught a train to get from one part of New York City to another, to leave this subterranean world and go and stand in the outdoors, beneath whatever weather Mother Nature threw at the city. Now it was all a constant, and it made Matty uneasy.
Everything since he had woken up made him uneasy, he thought. Not just the clinic with its seeming complete absence of patients and the library that was dusty and unused, missing books about the last century of history. No, it was Paul, too; Paul who didn't really seem much like the Paul he remembered, who now worked in agriculture, though he said he still had a cache of weapons and tech. Matty wanted to very much know how Paul had hidden all of that to survive until he woke up, his answer being far too glib for Matty's liking. The society that lived and worked down in the subway system, where cave dwelling and business appeared to be the norm and wanting to go outside was considered a fate worse than death. The notion that the sun meant destruction yet solar power was used; that the wind and air were toxic, yet wind turbines provided more power than was necessary. He supposed that was the same for the sea, that the water was poison yet there were hydroelectric generators that provided power and energy. Everything here was a contradiction.
Linda returned and sat down opposite him. "It'll be brought out to us. I hope you like pastrami. They do a great pastrami on rye with coleslaw, cheese and mustard."
"Sounds delicious. Linda, can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead. Mr. Paul said I was to answer any question you have, though I might not know the answers to some of them, so if I don't, you'll have to ask him, okay?"
"Okay. Have you ever been outside? As in up to the world above?"
She blanched, looking as if he'd thrown a bucket of ice cold water over her. "No! No, no, no! Why on Earth… no! It's dangerous up there. It's death. You can't possibly… goodness gracious, no!"
"Linda, it's okay. I was just wondering, that's all." Matty mentally scrambled for a way to calm her shock. "Before I went into cryo, I went swimming in the sea, it felt like the most natural thing to do. Living below ground like this is very new to me. It's taking me a while to get used to it."
"Oh." She looked less worried and reached over to pat his hands. "I get it. Well, you've only been in the city for a day. It'll take a while, you'll do just fine. That's what Mr. Paul said."
"Do you know him well?"
"He hired me a few years ago," Linda said. "He's a great boss."
So Paul had been awake for much longer than Matty had first thought. That was interesting. "I see. I knew him as a friend," Matty said.
"You're so lucky. Everyone likes Mr. Paul."
"Yeah, he was like that back before we went into cryo."
"Do you know the other man? The Russian?" Linda canted her head to one side as she asked.
"Arkady Petrov, you mean?"
"Yes. I can never remember his name."
"Oh. Yeah, I know him, too." Matty hoped he wasn't blushing as he spoke.
"Mr. Paul doesn't like him much," Linda said, leaning forward and speaking in just above a whisper. "He thinks he's an arrogant jerk."
Takes one to know one. "Well, they both could be a bit that way," Matty said. "They were both talented at their work. They took pride in it. Nothing wrong with that."
"I suppose not." Linda sat back.
"Have you met Arkady?"
"No." She shook her head. "Mr. Paul doesn't like him much, so that's good enough for me."
"Huh." Matty digested that. "I dread to think what Paul said about me," he went on, and he was only half-joking.
"Oh Mr. Paul really likes you. He said you're a good friend and he hopes that you'll come work with us in agricultur
e, he knows you might not because you're a much better writer than an animal husbander. He thinks you'll end up working in one of the shops up here or maybe at the paper, he's good with that, because he thinks you'll be really happy here, just like he is."
"Well," Matty said, "we'll see, won't we. I haven't made a decision yet. I want to see what's on offer before I make my final choice."
"That's a really good way to go about it. When we were learning how to choose what area to go to work in back in school, that's what our teacher said, before we went to do work study units, where we had to spend a week in each area to find out what we were best suited for."
"That's called work experience where I'm from."
"That's what it was like, yeah, getting experience about different occupations. Anyway, I didn't like any of them except agriculture. I love animals. I've got two pet cats, a budgie, and a cocker spaniel cross."
"You're allowed pets down here?" Matty was surprised.
"Oh yes. The cats are especially good, because they keep the rats and mice down, which is what we need. The birds eat all the bad bugs, the dogs are good for protection, though there isn't much crime down here. My pets all live with me in my apartment."
Matty canted his head to one side. "How old are you, Linda, if you don't mind me asking?"
"I turned twenty-one just last month," she said proudly. "I've been working for Mr. Paul for three years. I graduated from high school when I was seventeen and a half."
The food was brought to them and all conversation ceased for the time being, leaving Matty with plenty to ponder as he ate. Lunch was indeed delicious, and he nodded and gave Linda a thumb up when she asked him what he thought of his meal. At least one thing hadn't changed about New York—they still knew how to make an amazing pastrami on rye.
CHAPTER SEVEN
By the time he'd bought his new clothes—jeans, shirts, T-shirts, and a plain sweater—Matty was ready to call it a day. He was beyond tired and he really wanted to just sit in his apartment and not think or do anything. He needed, basically, a time out, a moment to himself to process everything that he'd seen, heard and done that day. Linda was determined though, and she was taking him to the newspaper office. Matty devoutly hoped it was the last stop for the day and afterwards he could go home and have his five-minute regulated shower and just relax. Despite his weariness, he tried not to seem too eager to go to the newspaper office or too nervous about seeing Arkady. Attempting to appear calm and nonchalant was exhausting.
The newspaper office was several tunnels that had been joined together by the simple method of knocking down the walls. It was lit by bright white lights and had a reception desk at the front. There were no partitions. Matty could see everything and everyone beyond the desk, all the people seated and working, others standing and talking, yet others in small offices that were set off at the rear of the space with large windows looking into the group area and solid looking doors.
The young man at the desk looked up at them as they entered. Linda bounced up to him and announced, "We'd like to see Mr. Arkady, please."
"Just a minute." The young man heaved a great sigh, as if he were carrying the weight of all of the city upon his slender shoulders and turned, walking off down the line of tables, reporters and staff towards the rear of the newspaper office. Matty watched him with interest, trying not to smile as he saw the young man stop by a desk that was in the far corner. A man stood up, a man that Matty recognized instantly, with his shock of mussed dark blond hair and his warm brown eyes, the ever-present stubble dusting his jawline. Arkady looked exactly the same as Matty remembered him, his piercing gaze picking Matty out immediately. Arkady grinned when their eyes met and the grin broadened, becoming almost blinding, and Matty's heart began to pound. He'd almost forgotten just how good looking Arkady was in real life.
"Matty" Arkady came to join them and hugged him. Matty pounded his back warmly. "It's good to see you." Unlike Paul's first meeting with Matty, Arkady's was warm and welcoming. Matty put that down to Paul being over-cautious. He thought no more about it as he breathed deep of Arkady's scent, the light sandalwood cologne Arkady wore reminding Matty of long-gone days when they'd been together, talking, walking through streets of this or that city together. They would stop in secluded places and kiss, then resume their walks. The memories were sharp and clear and Matty was glad they returned so vividly to his mind. He was delighted to see Arkady again, and he couldn't hide it.
"And you, too, Arkady." Matty found that he couldn't stop grinning. "It's been a bloody long time."
Arkady laughed at that, a full-bodied laugh that made people nearby turn their heads to look at them. "Yes, that it has. Come outside, let's sit by the plants and have a chat."
"Sounds great. Oh, this is Linda, my guide for the day. Linda, this is Arkady Petrov."
"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Linda," Arkady said.
"And you too, Mr. Arkady."
"Outside, outside. Out of this stuffy office full of serious business," Arkady said, making a 'shoo' gesture with his hands. "Let us talk where it's happy."
Matty cheerfully complied.
Arkady led the way to a bench between a lemon tree and an orange tree. Matty sat down, glad to be off his feet for a little while, and set down the bags of his clothes. Linda sat beside him, silent now and watchful.
"It's really good to see you," Matty said to Arkady. "How long have you been out of the cryo, in the land of the conscious?"
Arkady chuckled. "Two, two and a half years, I think. I don't keep count. Yourself? When Paul told me that you were here in the city, I was delighted."
"When did you speak to Mr. Paul?" Linda asked.
"Last night, Miss Linda. We are old comrades, friends."
Matty butted in. "This is my first full day in the city since coming out of the cryo. I was in the clinic for a while, though."
Arkady nodded. "Yes, they like to be sure we're going to be all right. I think they're a little over cautious, but it's probably for the best. How are you feeling? You look tired."
"I am. It's been a long day, actually. After this, I hope we'll be heading home." Matty hesitated a moment and then plunged into it. "I'm told there's a job opening here at the paper?"
"You're interested in working here?" Arkady's eyebrows shot up. "I thought you would be working with Paul over in agriculture. I don't recall you doing much writing in the past."
"I haven't decided yet. I want to know what all my options are."
"I see. Well yes, there is a position here. It's a small job, not full-time. It's to cover the general news, things like people's pets going missing, have you seen a masked man, that sort of thing."
Matty laughed. "Masked man? Batman still lives here, does he?"
"Ah, who knows." Arkady laughed as well. "It's all still strange to me. Paul, he fits in fine. He had no troubles. For me, it's a bit different."
"I got weird looks when I said I'm Australian," Matty said.
Arkady nodded. "It is unusual, I understand, for anyone not native to New York City to be living here. You will get used to it."
"I'm hearing that a lot. Who do I talk to about a job here?"
"The chief editor. His name is Frank Romanesco, he's a good man and a good boss. Just ask for him when you have made up your mind if you want to work here. Part-time is still good wages. It's enough to live on comfortably if you are not married."
"Are you married now?" Matty was surprised by that idea.
"Me? No." Arkady burst out laughing again. "Paul is married, however. He didn't tell you this," he added as Matty straightened in surprise.
"He didn't tell me much, apparently." Aware that they weren't alone, Matty forced himself to keep his tone of voice light. "I suppose he was just really busy and he'll get around to it when I next see him."
"Which will be real soon," Linda added.
"I hope so," Matty said.
"I can't stay and talk long, Matty," Arkady said. "I am very glad to see you, though. I'll
come visit soon, you must visit, too. We'll drink vodka, talk about old times and old friends, yes?"
"I would really, really like that," Matty said. He meant every word. Seeing Arkady had made him homesick for the world they had both lost and yearning for the closeness of someone who understood him.
"Good, I'll organize something and let you know on the two-way. I am sorry to be so abrupt. We will talk again very soon, I promise."
Matty got to his feet and nodded. He hugged Arkady again and when they parted, Matty felt tears prick at his eyes. Arkady and Paul were his only connections to the world that was now gone and while he'd found them again, it didn't feel as if they were all as tightknit as they had once been. He felt a wave of depression crash over him.
"Matty," Arkady said in a soft voice, "it will be all right. I can't say much here in public. Neither can Paul. Hold on. We will be with you very soon." Much louder, Arkady said, "It does my soul good to see such an old and dear friend again."
"Mine, too," Matty said. He gave Arkady a smile, hoping that it was a confident one. "And I'm going to hold you to that, having a drink and a talk about old times."
"It will be good." Arkady clapped Matty's arm. "It was nice to have met you, Miss Linda."
"And you, too, Mr. Arkady."
With a quick wink and a wave, Arkady went back inside the newspaper building. Matty watched him go and sighed, turning back to Linda. "I'm really very tired," he said. "I'd like to go home now, if that's okay."
"Sure, of course. Are you all right?"
"I'm fine. Just tired." Matty smiled. It was beginning to feel that he had to smile to reassure others, and he was sick of it, weary of smiling and pretending to be okay when he didn't feel okay at all. "Thanks for all your help today. I couldn't have done it all without you."
Linda's answering smile was like the sun coming up. "It's my pleasure. I had a great time. I hope I wasn't too annoying and I hope you enjoyed yourself. I do hope that you'll come work with us down in agriculture. I think you'd really love it. We're all great people and what we do is awesome, I mean, everyone likes animals and plants right?"
The Outsiders Page 8
