3012: The Artifact

by John M Grier

  ~***~

  In the morning, Paul and Janet fixed breakfast for the three of them. This time Suzie joined them in her favorite way, popping into existence right in front of Paul. Paul jumped and spilled his juice while Jack laughed. Janet very calmly said “Oh hi, Suzie. Glad you could join us” she then simply went back to what she was doing with no other comments.

  Paul was nearly speechless. After a minute of composing himself, he finally said “How can you sit there so calmly when Suzie just suddenly appears out of nowhere?”

  Janet said “Suzie and I had a talk last night. The funny thing was that while we were talking, one of those little robots passed right through her left leg. Why didn’t you guys tell me she was a hologram?”

  Paul said “I wanted to, but since I had no idea what a hologram was when I was first introduced to her, I assumed you didn’t either. Am I to assume you are aware of holograms?”

  “Actually yes, I have access to several, to be honest. After all I have seen from spending time with you, I am no longer surprised to discover you were kept in the dark about them.”

  Laughing, Jack said “Maybe there’s hope for you yet, Janet.”

  Suzie seemed to be more of her usual perky self today. She had been acting as if she were depressed ever since they left Harmony a few days ago. She said “When are we going to see the dinosaurs, Jack?”

  “I was thinking we should spend a few days here first. Too much culture shock all at once might not be good. This’ll give Paul and Janet, as well as YOU a chance to get used to the 21st century before traipsing around 65 million years in the past. There’s an island a few miles from here with a small local population. We’ll go there today and spend a few hours. Later, we can go somewhere else, if you like.”

  Paul said “That sounds great, Jack.”

  After breakfast, they all piled into the hovercraft and made their way to the harbor. Jack landed on the roof and they all climbed down into the boat. Jack brought Suzie’s case with him and stowed it in one of the boats numerous storage compartments.

  Janet saw the case and asked “Suzie, just how old are you, anyway? That case looks absolutely ancient.”

  Suzie said “Normally, a lady would never tell. But, like you said, my case is ancient. I was created nearly nine hundred years ago, or actually, a bit over one hundred years from our current location in the time stream. My normal location was fixed, but I could be transferred temporarily to this mobile unit. Not only is this the longest I have ever been away, but this is the first time I have been off of a military base.” She paused a moment, smiled and continued “I really have been enjoying myself.”

  Janet said, “I may be able to get you an updated case, with a bit more freedom of movement and a few enhanced options. The technology I have access to is much more current, well current a thousand years from now. This certainly gets confusing, thinking of the past as actually the future.”

  Jack said “We’ll be there in a few minutes, guys.”

  Suzie snapped a military perfect salute, which was rather comical in her current attire of bathing suit, sunglasses and big floppy hat. She said “Yes sir, Captain sir.” She then did an instant change to more appropriate clothing for a shopping trip on a tropical island. Everyone laughed heartily.

  Jack pulled up to a dock and Paul threw a line to the young boy standing there awaiting their arrival. Jack and the boy got the boat secured and they all disembarked. The boy said “We haven’t seen you in a while, Captain Jack.”

  Jack said “Actually, I have been busy and had to go on a long trip. I just got back yesterday. Keep an eye on my vessel, please.” Jack handed the boy a five dollar bill, American and walked off. The boy stood guard by the dock.

  Paul, Janet and Suzie walked toward the small town. Paul quietly took everything in while Janet got her first glimpse of life outside the city walls of Harmony. They walked past a family having a lunch on the beach. Paul pointed them out to Janet and began describing the concept of a family to her. They were both fascinated at how the family interacted with each other and could sense the happiness of all the family members.

  They were particularly interested in the children. The father of the family used a machete to cut a coconut from a tree. He chopped it quickly a few times and then held it so his youngest child could drink the liquid from within. Once the liquid was gone, he cut it in half and using a piece of the rind, fed some of the coconut to the child.

  Janet said “I had no idea about families, Paul. I wonder what it would be like to raise a child.”

  Paul said while looking deeply into Janet’s eyes “I have been wondering the same thing.”

  As they continued on to town, they came to a lady selling souvenir items she made from local raw materials. Janet selected a basket, which Jack assured her was a Bahamian specialty and purchased it for her.

  Paul was more fascinated by the wood carvings the lady’s husband was creating. He stood and watched the man carve a beautiful statue of a fisherman for most of an hour. When the man was finished, Jack bought the item for Paul.

  When dinner time approached, Jack said “I have a special treat for you. You are going to enjoy a traditional meal, consisting of Cracked Conch and peas ‘n rice. Janet, this is not a vegetarian meal, but trust me, you will like it. Paul, the archaeologist, today will become the anthropologist. That certainly doesn’t happen very often.”

  Paul said, “If it’s as good as cow is, count me in!”

  Jack laughed and said “Beef, Paul. Cow is the animal; beef is what you call the meat.”

  Janet stopped, obviously shocked. With an incredulous look on her face, she asked “Paul! You ate animal flesh?”

  He said “Yes, and it was delicious! You will have to try it!”

  To avoid questions from the locals about why she wasn’t eating, Suzie wandered down to the beach for a walk, taking everything in. While there, a young girl approached her. The girl asked “Lady, are you an angel?”

  Suzie said “An angel? Why would you ask that?”

  “Your feet don’t sink in the sand; you must be an angel or something.”

  “No, I am not an angel” she said. Hoping to change the subject, she asked “Do you live around here?”

  “Yes, my mother is the basket lady you saw earlier.”

  “She certainly makes beautiful baskets. Do you make them as well?”

  “I’m learning, but I’m not as good as Mommy is. Gotta go!” she said and ran off.

  Suzie quickly returned to the restaurant. She would have to be extra careful. She had no idea she would be spotted so easily by a young child. When she got there, she said “Jack, we should really get going.”

  “Why?” he asked with a concerned look on his rugged face.

  “I was walking by the water and was approached by a young girl who asked me why I wasn’t leaving footprints in the sand. I’ll have to be more careful, but for the moment, we should depart this particular island before she tells her parents and they come with questions.”

  They finished their meals and headed back to the boat. Suzie looked nervous the whole time, until they were well off shore. Then she visibly relaxed. She said “I’m sorry guys that I made your visit here end early.”

  Paul said “Don’t worry about it, Suzie. It’s a big world and Jack can take us anywhere. I, for one, am having the time of my life!”

  “I am as well. No worries, Suzie.” Suzie laughed at the bit of Australian humor from Janet regarding her accent.

  Jack said “I was thinking we should head back to the castle for a bit anyway. I have something to show you, Paul. I found another disk back at the Canadian dig. Why don’t you fill Janet in on what we found under the ice?”

  As they made their way back, Paul told Janet everything.