Ones and Twos Ch. 16
Another week later, Dr. Shu cleared Patty for entrance to the White City. The next day, Morty was also cleared for the White City. The two walked hand in hand to the docking station they had been waiting for since their arrival there. The commuter vessel docked and the door slid open. It looked like a normal commuter car with a standing area in the middle and seats on the large windowed walls. They walked in together followed by two others. Morty realized that he might know these two boys, he just didn’t recognize them. “Um, hi. I’m Morty, have we met?”
“Morty? Hey, it’s Bob. You look great!”
“You too Bob, how are you doing?”
“I’m doing fantastic, I can’t wait to get over there.”
“I know the feeling.”
“I’m Patty, who might you be? Joe?” she asked the other boy.
“Jesus, no, do I look that nerdy?”
Patty laughed, “Then who?”
“It’s Felicia.”
“Felicia?” Patty and Morty looked at each other confused.
“Yeah, you know how all men say women have penis envy? Well I really did. I gotta say, I’ve always wondered what it would be like to be a guy. So I had ‘em replace an X with a Y and here I am. Only I go by Felix now.”
“Oh, uh, okay,” Patty said trying to mask her astonishment. She was still trying to decide whether this fit alright in her version of the universe.
“So how do you like it so far?” asked Morty.
“I gotta say, the penis, hours of fun. And you can enjoy it alone, or with others. I’m lovin’ it.”
“Well there ya go,” said Morty now also feeling slightly uncomfortable.
“Please hold on to rails while the White City express undocks,” came the usual voice over the intercom. The four grabbed the nearest pole and stood waiting.
The vessel disembarked and everyone got excited. The energy in the room-sized car felt very similar to when they had first arrived over a month ago on the elevator. It had been a hard transition, but so worth it. The wonders that awaited them on the other side would be immense.
Morty stared out the window at the clouds below them. He looked back to the Central Processing station they were leaving. It was bright silver and so beautiful in the morning sun. If he didn’t know better, he’d think it was Haven, but no, it was the transition between the work force below and Haven above; between Ones and Twos. The great divide which all mankind had a right and a duty to cross at some point in their lives. He was glad he’d been a One first. His next life would seem that much more deserved he thought. He looked ahead at the White City which was also sparkling and breath taking. He could see dozens of tiny commuters much like this one circling around it. He couldn’t wait to be a part of it.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” Patty said.
“I know of something even more beautiful.” He looked at Patty and took her hand. Despite the spectacular view before them, they couldn’t take their eyes off each other.
“Hey, what’s this? Do I sense a little romance here?” asked Felix.
“Maybe,” Patty said with a wink.
“Naw, this is just youthful infatuation,” said Morty.
“Aw, what a thing to say,” said Patty and hit his shoulder.
“I’m kidding. Remember, I know what you’ll look like old and grey, and I love you even more for it.”
She beamed at him.
“Wow, that was a line if I ever heard one,” said Felix.
“Start writing ‘em down, toots, you’ll need ‘em now that you’re a man,” said Bob.
They all laughed. The vessel was almost upon the White City. They could see it now in all its splendor: spiraling white towers, twisting and winding conveyor streets, buildings hundreds of stories tall. It was massive.
“Please hold on to the rails as the commuter docks,” came the voice again. Their hearts were pounding, fluttering like the youthful children they now were.
The door opened and a man was standing there in a uniform and a smile, “Welcome to the White City,” he said extending his arm. They all bustled out into the foyer with its marble floor and chandeliered ceiling. Various “oohs” and “aahs” involuntarily came out of them. “If you’ll please step this way, I’m afraid we have one more injection to give you, then we’ll supply you with your PDAs.”
“An injection?” Bob said.
“Yes, someone coming back from Africa brought with them a nasty virus just yesterday. It’s just an antiviral precaution. You won’t feel any side effects from it.” They stepped into a room with chairs lining the wall. Please have a seat and the doctor will be right with you. Morty and Patty sat next to each other holding hands. Morty kissed her to reassure her it would be alright. She didn’t need it, but appreciated the gesture.
A man in a white coat came in with a cart. “Good morning, everyone. I’m Dr. Kline, welcome to the White City. I’ve got the pleasure of sticking needles into you this morning.” They laughed. “Okay, who’s first? How about you?” He picked up a tiny silver gun-looking mechanism with a needle where the funnel would be. On the back end, he placed a small bottle filled with a light gray liquid. Bob rolled up his shirt sleeve. “Nope, sorry, sir, this one’s gotta go right in the jugular.”
“The jugular?”
“Your neck, it’s the quickest perfusion through the body and we don’t want to take any chances, especially since you just got here.”
Bob tilted his head to the side and Kline put the gun to his skin and fired. There was a quick sound like pressure being released and Bob cringed for a second. “There, that wasn’t so bad was it?”
“No, it was great, here let me try it on you,” Bob replied.
The doctor laughed and moved on to Felix with whom he did the same thing; then to Patty. Morty wasn’t too nervous until he noticed Bob starting to droop his head a little bit. Then suddenly, he fell out of his chair onto the floor. Morty stood up to help, “Bob?”
Kline grabbed his shoulder. “Don’t worry Mr. Walker, he’ll be fine. That happens sometimes.” He pushed Morty back down into his chair and picked up the gun. Morty could see Felix now drooping in his chair. He batted the gun from the doctor’s hand. “What are you doing to them? Who are you? How did you know my name?” He was on his feet now.
“Morty?” said Patty weakly. Her eyes were starting to close.
“Patty! No!”
Just then a group of large men stormed through the door and grabbed Morty, pinning him to the floor. Dr. Kline picked up another gun from his cart and bent over Morty to get to his neck. “Don’t worry, Mr. Walker…” He pressed it against Morty’s skin and pulled the trigger. “You’ve just been to paradise.” With a smile he injected Morty with the serum. The swirling of men above him faded into blackness as Morty passed out.