Ultrabarbital 10 — Alternative Seconal Assistance

By: Zack Dye

“Really, Dad, those stars are houses?”

“They’re not just houses, Mick, they are mansions. Hell, they are palaces. You know what a palace is?”

“Yeah, it’s like a castle, right Dad?” Michael looked at his father. He hadn’t seen him in some weeks. He had just returned from his work at Xander Singh’s space station, one of those large palaces they were now looking at from Earth’s surface.

“Oh, Mick, it’s amazing. They are beautiful. They have everything you could think of. They go on and on for rooms and rooms. They have indoor tennis courts… I heard one even has a whole soccer field and riding area with a horse stable. A room for paintings, like a museum gallery. The kitchens are spectacular. They have food supplies for days. And the vegetables are fresh from the internal gardens and growhouses that are there. The sunlight in space is wonderfully unfiltered, all the vegetables are picked and cooked amidst an endless supply of food they bring up from here on the planet. The bathrooms are lavish. Even my workers’ quarters has a large tub. I have a lap pool, communal sauna and spa that I can share with any of the other engineers or on-site workers that are there with me.”

“I can’t believe it, Dad.”

Jerome looked down at his son with a soft smile, “I agree. It’s pretty hard to believe. It’s not like here. Down here on earth we don’t have any real houses like that any more. The old mansions of the past have been turned into tenement housing or coops… or they are so impractical they’ve been destroyed so larger buildings can go up. We have so many people on Earth now, we’ve had to work hard to make room for everyone. But the few people that have the money, like Mr. Singh, they live real well in their satellite houses. They really are a something.”

“And the gravit???…”

“I was just going to say, Mick. The simulated gravity is terrific. You barely know you’re off of earth it’s so real. I guess you feel a little lighter. Things are a little different. Water pours a little slower. When you watch them play sports, the tennis ball or the soccer ball bounces a little slower too, I guess. But really it’s very close to the real thing. It’s amazing.”

“And they know each other? Or they’re all by themselves? I mean, it seems like it would be lonely up there.”

“I guess it can be. It depends on who you are. Some people have their whole families up there. But also, I think it’s like a community. It’s kind of like a neighborhood, you know? They have shuttles up there. Sometimes they go from one station to another and visit each other. The docking stations are pretty much just fancy driveways where the shuttle just pulls in. I mean they are the richest humans, the richest people on Earth, except they don’t live on Earth,” Jerome winked wryly at his son. “They definitely live above all of this that we experience down here on the surface. They get to live above all the sickness that we have here. The filth and contamination that causes so much starvation and death, they get to live above all that. They have their own doctors up there. They live so comfortably, they live for a long time with their maids and butlers living among them.” An slightly envious tone slipped underneath his normal voice at that point, “And then when they need people to do stuff for them, they have us come up. So there’ll be engineers like myself up there for weeks and stuff to help them do their projects. And yeah, I can’t tell you how nice it is.”

“Wow, dad, and that’s them? Those stars that are moving fast up there? The big ones that are like slow moving helicopters. Those are the mansions in the sky you’ve been working at?”

“I do, Mick. That’s pretty much where Daddy works. I mean, the smog is so thick round here, those big satellites are really all we can up in space usually. Them, and the moon of course. Otherwise it’s just the usual helicopters, airplanes and shuttles taking off.”

“When do you have to go back, Dad?”

“I don’t know, Mick. Not for a few weeks, I don’t think. I never really know though. Whenever Mr. Singh needs me, I’ll go back. He just sends a message and the travel agenda to Kip. You remember, Kip. Daddy’s work friend that he talks to on the holograph sometimes?” Jerome really had no idea when he was supposed to go back. He had been working on installing a set of automated holographic speaker/response harmonics for his indoor/outdoor meeting and hosting needs on the satellite. They were some coordination of artificial intelligence command-based speakers that needed coordination through the entire satellite space. So, if someone needed to have a meeting with Mr. Singh, then Mr. Singh could receive the request and ask the system to set up the meeting anywhere in the house or the adjoining areas, with the necessary audio/visual components like a screen or holographic attendance for any presentations. The domestic help would receive alerts as to who might be arriving and what refreshments or other items they might need to entertain any guests. Depending on the size of the event music or other entertainment could be programmed for somewhere, anywhere, in the house. It was basically a fully integrated event planning and performance program that could be activated and planned based on only a few commands from someone — in this case Mr. Singh. Once the preferences and general uses of the operator were programmed, the system could figure out how best to coordinate the different components for the needed event and related space.

______________________________________

Xander Singh made his fortune with a commonly administered euthanasia treatment called Ultrabarbital 10 — Alternative Seconal Assistance (the approved label read: u10-ASA, a powerful sedative — more commonly referred to as U10). The drug was actually much more than a sedative, taken in the correctly administered dose, it creates a week-long process by which people are able to calmly drift into death, a final sleep from which they do not awake. Basically, taking the right amount of u10 would amount to an overdose of the sedative. As assisted suicide became not just more tolerated but accepted around the turn of the century, terminal illness and those of advanced age turned to u10 to help move into death. The calculated doses allowed people to have a final celebration of their life, having funerals for themselves before they died. These became mortuary rites based on a variety of practices around the world. Over the course of a week someone could plan events that allowed them to meet and move on in a timely manner with their loved ones. Feasts and parties could be planned; eulogies of joy and musical performances could be had in the person’s honor.

Passing gracefully into death became more culturally significant as the population exploded on earth and pestilence, disease and other plagues from over-crowding began killing people at rates the world had never before seen. Planning one’s passing became a normal course of life. Short of automotive accidents and risky behaviors very few people died spontaneously anymore.

U10 became an integral part of living, as everyone realized the significance of preparing for dying. Xander Signh realized the unique nature of u10, a combination of narcotics that permitted people slowly moving towards an inevitable death to complete their lives in a graceful way. Certain facets of the drug created a euphoria in the early days after medically supervised administration, an almost drunken sense of joy as the drug took effect. The time release of Sungh’s U10 was designed in a particular and novel way. As it made its way into the vital organs they would begin slowly shutting down — but painlessly. This would create a numbed lethargy in the patient. But u10 let the patients remained lucid and mobile. They could function normally. As the organs shut down, the final couple of days would leave a person bedridden but still quite aware.

This was the last stage where someone would rest for the final days with their loved ones before their bodies finally shut down in a predictable, routine and timely manner. One’s organs would go into full arrest. In the final hours the person would become very sleepy, with no pain, in a dream like state. Sleep would come and the body would shut down. Death, the ultimate goal, would arrive dignified, with goodbyes and respectful rites.

Although the general effect of u10 was similar, it would behave a little differently for everyone depending on the severity of the terminal illness. If death was not necessarily imminent the whole process could take a week or so. But if u10 was taken in response to a more immediate emergency, a sickness that was more powerful and recent, the process might accelerate and only take a few days.

Although inevitable, dressed in a certain hauter fashion — like a pharaoh or president in state — the patient could be viewed with nothing left to do or say except customary mourning. Meanwhile, the body was readied for cremation. As a shrewed businessman, Xander Signh’s drug was popularized into a way of life for most of the planet and this generated great profits. The sales of u10 also created a market for other related products through which Xander Singh conglomerated a company built on the entire platform of death and mourning, from personalized rites, festivities and any other customs, which even included a patent on the corporeal cremation. Xander Zingh became a very, very rich man.

Jerome looked out the window at the mountainous residences in the surrounding blocks of his house. The sky had it’s typical brownish hue. It hadn’t rained in a couple months. Here in Oakland, California the bowl of smog resting in the bay created its usual limited visibility. He’d only gone outside a couple times. Since being in space he just didn’t feel like putting on the outdoor suit. The helmet was more restricting than he felt like dealing with. Also, the full containment clothing which protected against the air pollution and airborne bacteria was just too much of a pain. For the several weeks he had been at Alexander Singh’s satellite, he was able to roam about freely. The conditioned air and interaction with only people who had medical clearance meant that being “outside” didn’t require any of the cumbersome cautions of modern urban life. That alone was so luxurious.

In his own life, Jerome had done alright for himself, working his way up as an engineer. It wasn’t much but it was certainly more than most others. He and his family lived on the top floor of one of the mixed use buildings in The Towers, which was just a group of large buildings in the Oakland flatlands down by the bay. Since Jerome’s place was so high up he could see out over the water but barely. This wasn’t much to brag about though. The smog never really lifted except after a rain. A hundred years ago maybe you could see San Francisco from where they lived up on the top floor of a big building on the water like that. Not any longer though.

The helicopters overhead were a real annoyance. They buzzed around the tops of the buildings as people made their way across the metropolis, from the old Silicon Valley to Silicon Farms inland then back to San Francisco. Sometimes they would buzz up to weekend getaways in Napa for the very wealthy where the smog seemingly ended. The business was all the same but the size and scope had vastly expanded. Although Earth had changed it also was still the same: people racing around trying to make a living amidst the dirty pestilence of the uncontrolled over-population.

____________________________________

Mick came in from the other room. He’d been at “school” in his room where the lessons came through on his School Monitor. But they had recessed for lunch break for a couple hours. “Teacher says another bacteria has emerged from the Nevada pork plants. That it somehow managed to contaminate food shipments coming in from there.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, Dad. We’re backed to canned food for a few weeks again. Seems like we can never get fresh food for more than a few weeks at a time, then another outbreak.”

“At least it’s not a virus again. Those outbreaks from a few years ago — well, they weren’t as bad like the ones from before we were born — but still… ick… still…” he said, shaking his head.

“You always tell me… how lucky I am.”

“Well, I think so. Kids didn’t even have school back then. So yeah, lucky for us we weren’t born yet. Things were so dangerous to the point that School was cancelled because the deaths were so widespread. School was kind of an after thought, you know?… It wasn’t even important. I mean, really Mick, it was a matter of survival.”

“Yeah, Dad. You tell me that all the time. I get it. I mean, honestly I was just trying to let you know we need to go back to the pantry for our vegetables for a while. If i wanted a history lesson I could ask my teacher.”

“Smart assed teenager. Ok, ok. I get it. Well, I’m pretty sure your mom stocked up. I think we’re good. We’ve gotten pretty used to not being able to go outside or shop for fresh vegetables for a while.”

“Alright. I think I’m going to have macaroni and cheese for lunch then.”

“I’ll take some too then…” he looked at Mick who grinned up at him.

”I do have some reading I have to do for the afternoon, you know…”

“Ah… ok, I’ll make it. I didn’t realize I was waiting on you this afternoon.”

“Wel… you’re not doing anything anyway, Dad. You’ve been on the couch watching movies all morning.”

“How would you even know th… I work hard to keep the lights on and the other bills paid. I pay for all…”

“…food in the house. I know dad. But can you make me lunch anyway?” He kept grinning. Jerome moved into the kitchen where he put the water on to boil. He had been mostly watching movies all morning — he was guilty of that. He looked on his device to look up info on the bacteria while he waited for the water to boil.

Apparently, the outbreak looked bad. Bacteria had flooded the septics from the Nevada pork processors — the primary pork plants for the West Coast. So the dual purpose waste that was used to fertlize the hydroponic vegetables in the remote Nevada hydro-farms had also been infected. This meant that all pork prodcuts, including the processed prodcuts had been contaminated. Furthermore, all produce that Nevada was supplying to California had been contaminated. This was being identified as a hybrid meningitis and e. Coli strain. Since the bacteria infestations from a couple decades back, most bacterial infections were some strain of E. coli but often the new ones also began taking on some hyrbid meningital component. This followed the bacterial genome sequencing that had caused an outbreak a few years ago where a company’s research department, trying to find ways to auto-combat E. Coli with a meningitis gene sequencing ultimately did just the opposite and had fused the two bacteria to make a worst case scenario — a mentally arresting bacteria that enhanced into a lethal dysentery.

Towards the end of the article, as the water looked about to boil, his boss Kip interrupted him. But the message was easily clear, avoid processed pork product and fresh produce for the time being until the relevant health organizations could get the problem localized and under control.

Kiranpreet Smith was a hands-on boss who ran his division of the agency. While he had many people helping his tech laborer staffing agency, Kip managed the high end engineers personally. They were the hardest to find and they worked for his richest clients. He was called Kip, for short. He was born to a white father and a Sikh mother. So while his surname was very anglo, he had been raised on the subcontinent by his mother while his father would be away at work. His father had been a successful factory owner and manager of teams of engineers building high tech infrastructure all over the world. Kip had followed in his footsteps and when the space mansions started really coming into vogue for the wealthy, Kip moved the company in that direction. That was about 20–25 years ago. Kip had a family that had gotten much older and he didn’t have many hobbies, so that let him keep managing many facets of the family business directly still — an aging man who didn’t know what else to do with his time.

“Jerry, they want you back up at Singh’s place.” His voice was deep, raspy, friendly but direct. Kiranpreet was busy and connected directly with his space engineers — the specialists among the many specialities his company offered. Usually they were the smarter types and often harder to keep happy, this was certainly why he found it valuable to still connect directly with these employees.

“So soon? Really?”

“Yeah, his family is going to be off on some extended shuttle trip around Jupiter. They expect it to take several months. They’re going to see the moons again. Anyway, you know how these rich folks are — nothing but time, money and technology at their disposal. Mr. Singh thinks this is a perfect time to bring you right back so you can work out all the systems and get any kinks out. He’s going to be able to do more business with them gone for so long so he wants you to set up the system so he can start hologramming with them. You know how he is about those grandkids — wants to see them all time… and the business angle of course. He wants to do his meetings. He keeps talking about doing the meetings on the front lawns… ‘the front lawns’… whatever that means.”

“Oh, ha. He showed me what he wants. I know what he wants. But Kip, seriously, I just got back. I mean, I got my own kids.”

“Jerry, buddy… I’ll be direct so you know I’m not bullshitting you…” Kip paused and he knew what Jerome was about to say, “You know no one cares. You work or you don’t get paid. It’s not like there’s any guarantee for work. When you’re up there the old man pays you good money.”

“I know, I just kind of wanted some extra time. Mick just keeps growing up so quick. I miss a few weeks, it feels like I miss the whole thing. You know I’ll go back. But I’m not too excited about it… Whatever boss… you know I’m only griping to you.”

“I know you are. It’s tough, for sure. Enjoy the rest of the day. I’ll get back to Singh — I’ll buy you an extra day.”

“Wait, when did he want me to go?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Hahaha. That guy can be relentless. Alright, give me two days, can you Boss?”

“I can do that. He’s not gonna be happy but I’ll tell him you just got back. There’s a family ‘thing’ and you’ll take the first ship out on Saturday.”

Jerome thought to himself how well his boss knew how to work people, himself included. Me, Singh, whomever, it’s why he was, the boss. So Jerry sort of relaxed accepting the reality, “Alright — thanks, Buddy.”

“No, thank you Jerry. You know this is a big account. I’ll make it up to you at year end or something. But for now, yeah, I’ll send you the details on travel first thing tomorrow. You can take off from the platforms in South San Francisco, correct?”

“Yeah.”

“You know what? I’ll even get you a ‘copter. That’ll save you an extra two hours of public transit trying to get over there — putting on the suit and all that shit. I can bill it to the old man. He knows he’s asking for a quite a bit.”

“Alright, alright. Just send me the agenda and stuff. I do appreciate the work, Kip.”

“No problem.” And Kip quickly hung up. He was so matter of fact — he rarely wasted a moment. The water came to a boil and Jerome finished making the mac and cheese. He took it into Mick and they both put on some show that Mick liked. They watched together as they ate. It was then that he delivered the bad news to Mick about having to go back so soon.

“Dad, you just got back. I mean, c’mon. I thought we might have a movie night this weekend.”

“I’m sorry, Son.”

“This stinks. You’re never home he whined.”

The accuracy of the observation stung him. He sifted through those guilty parental emotions where responsibility overcomes the true joys of parenting. The boy was changing so much so fast here in his early teens. This is time he knew he never got back. It was one or the other. This decision was always binary. “I’m sorry Mick.”

“You say that every time.”

“I mean it every time.” Mick smiled lightly. Honestly. Remember that game your mom wouldn’t let you get a few months ago. Yeah, I had to work for you buddy. I had to do a lot of apologizing for both us… but I got you, Kiddo. I promise. I’ll make it up to you. As they mulled over what this new favor or treat might be the two of them chomped on their boxed mac and cheese together and cracked some jokes. Jerome always made sure Mick knew, life was short and life promised them nothing. “I mean, remember, Kip pays the best life insurance because of our space travel. If I die, you’ll be rich. I mean, I’m probably literally worth more dead than alive right now. We’ll see how long I get to work.” Mick smiled even more at that. He came over and gave his dad a kiss on the cheek like when he was eight or nine, just a few years earlier.

“I miss you when you’re gone dad. I love you.”

“I love you and your mother so very much,” and with that the finished dinner and accepted the inevitability of this current situation.

Later that night, when his wife Colette found out, she was a little less sympathetic. She came home late when Mick was in his room yapping at friends online. She worked at the local hospital as an obstetric nurse. Mainly, she delivered babies all day. It was rewarding and with little risk. Given the times they lived in, health professionals in other medical areas were more exposed to the pathogens of the day, more at risk for infection and serious illness. They were paid significantly more for it. But because of Jerome’s job she could take some of the lighter, happier work of delivering babies. She had stepped out of the sanitation shower they had in their entryway. “Ugh, always gotta do it twice. Once before leaving work and getting into the suit and then once when I get through the door. I’m never not annoyed by it… anyway,” she said, tying up her hair in a bun, “So, you need to go back already!?”

“That’s what Kip said. He’s sending me specifics tomorrow.”

“Honey, I don’t want you to go. To be honest. I know we don’t have much choice. If it weren’t for your job I might have to work in another wing of the hospital. I get that. Way more dangerous no matter what they pay. But you’ve barely been home the last few months.”

“I know but it is…”

They sounded off in unison, “… What it is.”

“I know.” Colette admitted, “It’s just that… honey, I feel like if we stick with this, this will be the rut we’re in. This is all we’re ever going to get.”

“What do you mean, Babe? I mean, I’m not sure what more we can really want. We have a decent place to live here in the Towers. Other folks just have it so much worse.”

“But that’s what I mean. We’re always comparing ourselves to the worst off. Meanwhile, at least lately, you’re gettin shuttled up to the monstrous satelite palace far from the problems of Earth. We don’t compare ourselves to Alexander Singh though. No. Instead it’s all about how much better we are than the people that live in studio apartments with three kids just twenty stories below us. There’s got to be a better way.”

“Honey, we’re not gonna start this now are we? You just got off of work. We should enjoy our time together.”

“But that’s the thing. What time together? We have to work until we’re barely able to live anymore. Retirement… you remember when people were expected to retire? I don’t. My grandmother used to tell me stories about when my great grandpa retired and he would take her to the beach. She talked about them like they were such great times. And now we just work and work and work. Then we take that crazy Xander Singh U10 pill and…”

“Honey, Honey, Honey,” he prodded as he tried to hug and comfort her.

“I can’t get over my resentment that you’re some handyman for one of the richest men in the world even though you’ve got a PhD in music with a masters degree in electrical engineering. Educated people like you were supposed to have real opportunities. But there’s nothing. You have no sick time. You’re at the beck and call of someone who doesn’t even live on this planet. I mean what the hell is the point?”

“The point is to make a life for you and Mick and me… at least you don’t have work in the other parts of the hospital.”

“So long as there shall exist, by reason of law and custom,” she launched into a monologue, “a social condemnation which, in the midst of civilization, artificially creates a hell on earth, and complicates with human fatality a destiny that is divine; so long as the three problems of the age-” she stomped her foot as if preparing for some expository oration, “The degradation of man by pover…”

“Sweetie, stop. I can’t do Les Mis quotations tonight. No matter how often you think it applies. Just stop that one,” he put his hands together in faux prayer pleading with her to stop. “Just cuz your parents named you Colette and read it to you all the time as a baby… just, not tonight please. Let’s just focus on getting through these next few weeks while we have to work and Mick has school.”

“We say that every time but what does that get us? We’re always just running from the lowest common denominator.” She paused. She looked around the apartment. There were a few dishes in the sink. The house was disheveled but not a mess, dingy but not disgusting — what you’d expect from two parents working hard with a young teenager. She looked down at her hands, cleaned, nails cut neatly. She looked over at Jerome, where he stood a little taller than her. She could see herself in the darkened kitchen window, the dark night sky behind it. She had on her house sweatsuit — very comfortable and light purple, her favorite color. She had put on a couple pounds from the last few weeks. Maybe she was over eating, maybe she was just getting her period. She could see a touch of cleavage from her breasts poking beneath the top. She liked having big boobs because she knew Jerome liked her having big boobs. Mostly she saw a woman who used to be young and voluptuous, sexy and often carefree. Tonight she saw a middle aged mom losing her husband to work for another couple of weeks.

“I don’t know why I’m complaining tonight. I must be tired. I know you have to go back. But I just don’t wonder why we’re not working towards anything better: I mean, not retirement but still: long vacations, a backyard, something. We’re never trying to get to a better life. And I know we’re not alone, it’s all of us. All our friends. We all have the same conversations. We’re just trying to stay away from the worst life. From dying before when we’re 50, living long enough to see Mick have kids of his own.” She was shaking her head. She was crying now and Jerome was very sympathetic. He didn’t feel like there was anything he could do but he understood her anguish.

“Let’s talk about this when I’m back. Kip says he’s gonna make it worth my while. Maybe I can talk him into some paid time off. Obviously it won’t be a lot. But when I get back let’s try and do something nice for ourselves.” She nodded her head as she cried a little more. Jerome himself shed a few tears. He felt her frustration — the unspoken stress on the family. It weighed on him more than he expected tonight. They held each other there for some time before they went into the kitchen and opened a bottle of wine. They poured a couple glasses and held hands at the kitchen table for a while. Another helicopter buzzed loudly outside. Jerome went and pulled the shades. That did nothing for the sound but it muted the lights coming through the haze and smoggy air outside. In the flashing glow, they drank the bottle and said little to each other. Despite the stresses of the modern world, they were good at remembering to take solace in one another’s company and whatever moments they had together.

_______________________________

Jerome left two mornings later. He was able to take off from the helicopter landing pad in The Towers. Although it was rarely used, it was an original feature in the building way back when. It was a few blocks away in one of the south towers right on the bay’s edge. It only took him about 10 minutes to get there because he was able to take the communal raised corridors between the buildings. He waited about 15 minutes and after boarding, the flight across the bay was there in only 20 minutes. So all told, it was only 45 minutes for him to get to the shuttle platforms. Normally, to get to the station and through the heavy traffic of a Saturday morning would have required him putting on his self-contained suit just to be in such a crowded place. The work traffic that filled the morning commute all seven days a week required waiting several trains to board. Given all the stops and another train transfer, getting to the shuttle platforms took a couple hours. Jerome noted that and was certianly tell Kip how much easier this trip was.

He noticed some stark differences between his travel across the San Francisco Bay and his trip up to the Singh satellite. Flying across the noticeably brown water, he thought of the pictures he’d seen on the webs of the blue water from the early industrial days in San Francisco, before the 21st and 22nd. Now barges sat in the Bay with almost blackish puddles surrounding the hulls. The sky was dusty and, as usual, brown in color. Clouds were invisible since they hung above the dirty pedestrian air. The bridge carried the usual bumper to bumper traffic and the electric autos looked like wind up cars at rest. He knew the Golden Gate Bridge was out there somewhere. You could only see that after a rain. But with the extended California droughts that would only happen a handful of times every year. He had to admit that the ring of residential skyscrapers tickling the sooty sky was actually pretty, a testament to the power of human survival even in increasingly uninhabitable conditions. The shore walls to keep out the surge of the tides that had increased with climate change from the past several centuries helped reinforce the sturdy persistence of the human condition. People stacked up on people living in adversity but still perpetuating the cycles of human function — working, producing, sleeping, living and dying.

Conversely only a few hours later lifting through the atmosphere could he see the complete opposite. The clouds were beautiful and billowing as the passenger rocket shuttle lifted high above the stratosphere. They offered such a comfortable floor on which to look at the planet. The sky brightened into the atmosphere, a crystal blue into a light hue finally giving way to the darkening space. He felt his seat give beneath him as his body lifted slightly into the safetybelts as the gravity gave way. He lifted a bottle velcroed to his supply case and sucked a drink of water. He felt the engines thrust as they moved through an orbit. He looked back on the old globe and saw the blue water around it, a far different color than what he saw flying in the helicopter earlier. The world looked like such a tender place from above and he felt a certain pain to think about how hard life actually was on the surface; from the stacked cages of skyscrapers hemmed into against the constantly encroaching ocean and polluted tidal streams to the rat-like tunnels which carried the subway cars to the filthy city streets; where people walked in fully contained suits and gear in order to avoid the omnipresent threat of sickness that swirled about in the city centers and out to the exurban exurban countryside.

He had been so completely absorbed in the trip that he hadn’t even really paid attention to anything close by to him including other passengers. His mind continued to wander until he heard, “Didn’t I see you last time? You were working out in the patio area and with all the technical things? Right?”

He looked over to see a younger woman sitting across from him on the other side of the small rocket shuttle, “Oh, yes. I did see you. You work for Mr. Singh?”

“I do. I’m Petra.” She extended her hand.

Jerome took it offering back, “Jerome. So, you’re there all the time?”

“Well, I just had to go back to San Francisco to oversee the shopping for the month. He prefers the San Francisco shopping because it has stock from all over the world. He loves the Pacific fish. Then there is also great food from the subcontinent. But by shopping in the US, he’s able to get some of the nice American items, like US Beef. Plus he loves sausage. Loves it! And of course, California organic produce to go with the varities of Nevada produce. We have our own greenhouses for produce but I can always get something a little exotic down there. And since we buy it in the Bay Area it’s always fresher — travels less distance… I mean, I’ve only been working for him in the house for a couple of months. Since Ms. Morta died, I was hired to take over.”

“Ms. Morta…?”

“Well, I guess, it’s been almost a year now. But anyway, she was the housekeeper before me. I run the affairs of the home for Ms. Singh. I’ve been out of school for a couple years now looking for appropriate placement. I graduated from business school at Oxford.

“So, you’re British? You have no accent.”

“Oh, no. I’m from New York. I’ve been in a school a while. That’s how I got this job. I have a culinary degree from the CIA that I got after I graduated with a Masters in Classic literature from Columbia.” Petra was very attractive. She looked to be in her late twenties. She had very light brown skin. Her hair was pulled back in a bun, like his wife would do after work. She was wearing her self-contained suit still — just without the helmet, which he took to mean that she had indeed been in a rush while she was back on Earth. With the helmet on he likely hadn’t bothered to even see who was under there since the mask made it hard to see people’s faces. But now he took note, lifting his finger to point out that she still had her suit on. She smiled, “Yes. I’m a mess. I have been running around ‘outside,’ if you will, trying to get everything on Mr. Signh’s list. It’s been quite a busy couple of days. I think you left just the day before me…” Jerome nodded. “So yeah, right after you left I was sent to replenish supplies for Mr. Signh. After it was decided his family would be touring the Saturn moons he compiled a more personal list for himself. He wanted some things he isn’t usually allowed to have while the “Mrs.” is around.” She winked and flashed a lovely smile. “I didn’t expect to really see you again… or if so, so soon.”

“Me neither. But I guess when the family decided to leave he figured that was the best time for me to come finish up the work. There were some final technical specs that he was going to wait on. But now we can do them, I suppose, uninterrupted. So I got put back on one of his shuttles. Just like that. I was told all the equipment was being shipped up yesterday or today. So I should be able to get right back to work.”

“Just the way Mr. Signh likes it.”

“Um, I don’t mean to be rude. But you have some chocolate on your lip.” She did indeed look a little disheveled with her helmet off.

“Oh no. Thank you for telling me. Truth be told, I’m a touch late because of the free chocolate tasting at Mr. Signh’s favorite chocolatier, Ghiradelli. I must seem a bit of a mess,” she said as she swiped some chocolate from her lip.

“There’s still some there.”

“Oh dear,” and she tried to wipe it off again.

“I’m just, I’m sorry,” Jerome shyly pulled away embarrassed that he had to keep telling her. It just seemed rude.

“Why don’t you wipe it away for me? You can see it.”

“Well, I don’t think that’s appropr…”

“Oh, you’re married. I see your ring. In the fidgety and spontaneous way in which she seemed to conduct much of her life she grabbed his hand and sloppily pressed it against her cheek, “just wipe!” She giggled. Jerome was surprised but it meant no harm. This was not a woman who seemed much for permanence. He realized it was better to wipe it away than get caught in a discussion as to the definition of impropriety.

“To be certain,” he nodded. Then he slipped back into his chair. He heard Petra giggling and he knew to just leave it alone. He then fell silent feeling the thrusters push in reverse. That meant they were getting ready to dock at Mr. Singh’s satellite. Jerome took in the vast complex as they made their docking approach. The pool glistened under the artificial light as the natural sunlight came in from the side. The house was just as majestic as it was three days ago. But after having described it all to Mick back home cooped up in the Towers he was newly taken with the satellite’s vast expanse. The tennis courts and front lawns were so expansive. They could have housed a dozen or more families from Marin or Los Gatos. The opulence was suddenly not lost on him. He felt uncomfortable with such a juxtaposition, thinking of his wife crying in his arms just the night before, lamenting further that he had to leave yet again and the insecurity it created. He usually thought little of the many less fortunate neighbors above whom he lived. But he dwelled on it this time. Even as he knew he had a job to do — a literal job and the more figurative job of caring for his family. But he was taken with this newly appreciated disparity of wealth. Here where there was seemingly no misfortune, no want, no hunger, no need — just comfort… an artificial comfort built in space above earth.

He was exhausted from all of it — the emotions, the travel, even just the thinking about it. Upon exiting the shuttle he took himself and his belongings through the standard quarantine procedure at the docking stations and then went to the servants’ quarters. He unpacked, took another post-quarantine shower and then hopped in bed to watch some sports from Earth. While he did, he called Collette to let her know he was safe and to talk to Mick for a couple minutes. None of that lasted long and he fell asleep very quickly.

The next morning he didn’t even check in with Mr. Singh first. He found the parts in the storage room where all the equipment was left. He knew where he wanted to start and he started unpacking everything and drawing up the specifications. He looked over his old plans and pictures that he logged on the company site. He found a couple old protein bars and a warm energy drink he had left in the workstation the week before. So he worked diligently after putting those down for breakfast. He was tired. Like usual, the travel really did take a little extra out of him. After he had drawn up the specifications that he felt comfortable with, he needed a break so he went back to his room to call Kip and Colette.

“Everything ok?” Kip asked.

“It’s fine, why?”

“Mr. Singh said he hadn’t seen you yet. He’s very appreciative. He wanted to thank you himself. Even he recognizes it’s short notice. He just wondered where you were.”

“Oh yeah. Not to worry. I just got straight to work. You know how he is and I just wanted to spec it out. You got the prints and pics I sent you, right?”

“I just saw them. Let me look at them. Go have a bite to eat. Mr. Singh said you met his maid on the shuttle over. That’s how he knew you were there. He was going to say, ‘Hi,’ as well. I think he’s lonely to be honest, Jerry. I think that’s part of why you got called back — cost not being any object for him.”

“Tell him I loved the helicopter.”

“You know better than that, Jerry. Tell him yourself, buddy. Anyway, my guess is you’re calling Colette after this. But then go downstairs and have something to eat, say hi to the old man.”

“I’m predictable eh?”

“You’re an engineer, you’re all predictable. But don’t think I don’t appreciate everything. Seriously. I’ll look at the specs and send you my comments. But I’m sure they’re fine. You’ve built the whole system from scratch. But yeah. Talk soon!”

“Ok,” Jerome hung up and did exactly what Kip thought he would do. He called Colette. She even dragged Mick out of class for 2 minutes to say a quick hello. Then Jerome hungup so as to go downstairs and meet Xander Singh.

“Jerome!!!” Xander Singh stretched his arm out for a handshake, an old custom among the wealthy.Jerome met his hand, “So good to have you back. I know you were only back for a couple days. I’m just so happy you could agree to my request.”

“No problem Mr. Singh. I’m happy…”

“Call me Xander.”

“Of course, of course, Xander. No problem. Anyway, it was no problem to come back. I understand there’s a lot of parts in motion. I heard your family took a luxury liner to the Saturn moons?”

“Yes, they are offering tours of the last discovered moons. The ones they only named some 100–200 years or so ago — the smaller ones. Given the orbit at the moment, they had to go now to make the trip practical. To be honest, it might be better timing. Business is going great. We’re having a massive expansion of the drug and related events. Things have been pretty terrible down on the surface, no?”

“Well, I’ve…”

“I know I’m in the awkward position to celebrate misfortune like that — don’t hold it against me. It’s how I’ve come to have all this. As I mentioned, we need everything finished up. Then I can speak to my family by hologram while they are gone and I can manage the rest of my meetings and shareholder issues from anywhere in the house… even the front lawns, yes?… yes?” he smiled and winked at Jerome. Jerome nodded back in approval. “You are the best, Jerome. I knew you could handle it. Can I walk you through the property one more time? I just want to make sure we remain on the same page as to what I am looking for.”

Jerome pulled up his work tablet, “Actually that would be perfect. I have the specs from this morning here. This way we can coordinate and when I hear back from Kip, we can make sure we’re all on the same page.”

“You were already working?”

“I was, I know how you and I share a similar work ethic.”

“Oh, Jerome, you know what I like to hear. Honestly, let me consider you a bit of a guest this time though. Maybe like a work colleague. I know you’re staying with the rest of the help but this is a big favor and we’ll be working together… Plus the house is so empty.” He nudged Jerome with his elbow.

“I tell my kid it’s like a castle, Mr. Sin… Xander.”

“Aaaah. Yes, like a castle. I suppose. I think of it as a home. Please, do the same for the time you are here. Which reminds me, you’ve been working but have you eaten? You’re hungry.” He tried to drag him towards the kitchen putting on arm on the same elbow he’d just nudged.

“No sir. I found a couple protein bars when I was working in the storage space that I had left from before.”

“That is no meal! Let Petra make you something! She’s around here. I know she’d be happy to make you something. She said you were so nice on the shuttle last night…. Petra! Petra — are you here?”

“I am sir,” she said, emerging from the large storage area where she was making inventory of the goods that she’d brought back.

“Jerome is hungry. Do you think you can…”

Jerome interrupted, “Sir, sir. With all due respect, I’m fine for now. And if you have time to walk through the plans, let’s do that. Petra do you think maybe when I’m back you’ll have time for a quick something?”

“Of course, Jerome. Whatever works for you.” She smiled.

“A man after my own heart. Alright then, let’s get to it, Jerome!” Mr. Singh smiled and began to motion Jerome out to the expansive patio deck. Mr. Singh was not a large man. He was slender and old, probably close to 100 years at this point. But the very wealthy were often living until they were 150–160 years old, given all the medical advancements available to those who could afford them. He was lean, a critical component of long life. He looked like he exercised quite frequently with a vibrant sort of glow about his brown skin. He had a clean shaven face, probably to better attach his rejuvenating oxygen mask at night. Having facial hair often made such applications difficult to adhere to the face for the duration of the evening. He wore form fitting pants that cut neatly down the side, tailored to his frame — they fit him perfectly — a grey ensemble that looked very comfortable but still fit his figure perfectly.

They walked through all the specifications across the property. From the front lawns, where it seemed Xander Singh was most excited to have installations. Then they went throughout the house, from his office and entertainment rooms into the several dining halls, the large and small ones. The process was actually very quick because Jerome revisited all of these issues in the morning looking back over the diagrams and work that he had done the week before. Mr. Singh made very few adjustments but clearly appreciated the preparedness and detail that Jerome brought to this final stage. When they were done Jerome did go back into the kitchen to greet Petra who has still going through the seemingly endless amount of goods in the storage room.

“You know what I want, Petra? I really want some macaroni and cheese!”

“Ha. I’m sure you want that old fashioned Earth crap from the box don’t you? From the dust where I rehydrate it all with milk and butter. I bet you eat that all the time on the surface.”

“Um, yeah,” he answered sheepishly. “It reminds me of my son. He loves it. We were eating some the other day.”

“Well, I must say, we don’t eat that around here. No one will eat that. But let me make you some gourmet macaroni and cheese. I have fresh parmesean and cheddar. I have everything you need… including the butter. I’ll do my best to make it look like that radioactive orange color you and your son are used to as well.”

“Um. Ok. I suppose I can’t say no to that. Or at least, there’s really no point… how long will it take you?”

“I can use the pressure pot to boil the water in a matter of seconds. From there… I don’t know another 10 minutes for the pasta and to make the rue, well another five minutes. Give me 20 minutes.”

“The roooo?”

She chuckled, “The gooey sauce that makes it taste like salt and cheese.”

“Ah. Ok.” He laughed as well. “Well, then I’ll go out to the front lawns and make some more measurements. I’ll be back in a few. It’s awkward because with the telometer I only need about 5 mintues to make all the measurements. But it’s gonna take me 10 minutes to walk all the way over there.” They both laughed.

“I’ll have it for you when you’re back.”

Jerome came back a little later to find a bowl pushing steam upward. He never ceased to be amazed at how the gravity worked up here on the satellite. Just amazing. He stepped to the bowl because now he was hungry. Petra peeked from around the corner of the pantry yet again, “There you are. The mac and cheese should still be warm, it’s only been about 10 minutes since I finished. If it’s unsatisfactory please just let me know and I’ll fix it up again, Jerome.”

“Jerry. You can just call me Jerry.”

“Jerry. Yes. Well just let me know,” he took a bite and admittedly it was perfect. She could see it on his face, “I told you you’d like that stuff that doesn’t come from a box.”

“It is delicious,” he said, his mouth stuffed with food. He thought of Mick back home. He would love this. “I mean, I do truthfully very much love the stuff from the box. That’s just an Earth staple. But… but this is delicious.”

“I used to make it when I was at Columbia. I didn’t have much money and I could actually make it cheaper than the box. I shouldn’t really brag about that in this house. Mr. Singh loves to appreciate a certain opulence to everything. I shouldn’t say that either. Anyway,” she continued after taking her hand back down from in front of her mouth, “I would make loads of this and just eat it inside in the winter and read all my literature books. I loved an afternoon with coffee, mac and cheese and vonnegut or murakami back then. Something a little twisted from the 20th century. I specialized in that.”

“I don’t read that much. I guess I’ve heard of those guys. My wife reads a lot. But mostly she likes the modern political dramas and stuff. I like to fiddle with stuff. Make stuff in my free time.”

“Sure. I’m just remembering myself. I used to read a lot of crazy, flaky books back when.”

“All of it sounds like a pretty comfortable memory.”

“Well, that was back when I was a little more aloof. Throw in some cocktails and boys I was a typical twenty year old mess of a girl in New York City. I guess I’ve outgrown that. Well, I do get a little sidetracked and I’m not the most, most, most attentive person. But I’m relatable and I really like people. I think that’s why they asked me around here.” She stopped and stared out the window onto the patio then she came to again, “Well, that was certainly more info than you bargained for.” A little embarrassed but no worse for the maximum disclosures, Jerome shoveled a few more bites of food into his mouth. Petra was so nice. She was quite a lot to take in. She did indeed move quickly about her chores without much explanation. Still, she was so nice. “That’s enough out of me, Jerry. I’ve got all this inventory I’m behind on. I was supposed to finish that before tending to some other chores. It’s so busy around here. I wonder how I keep up.” She patted Jerome on the back as she went by, a friendly informal gesture that, if anything, made him feel more at home so far away from the Earth’s surface.

The next morning the house was in frantic stir when Jerome finally showered and came out ready to finish up some of the things he had started the afternoon before. Petra was nowhere to be found. He had gone by the kitchen to see if she was there and maybe get a bite to eat. But there was no sign of her. Instead he took a banana from the fruit basket and ate it as he made his way back to the front gardens; his goal for the day just to continue with installation. The butler, who was also the physician, was barking across the massive entry way at the house cleaner. Apparently she was also a nurse because of the way the butler was talking to her. As Jerome tried to make his way outside to the front lawns he could some of the commotion, “I think it’s bacterial! He’s been puking the whole night. I can’t get him to sleep, I can’t get him to keep fluids. I need the IV stat. We might as well get an EKG and other vitals. This just seems to be getting worse. I have no idea what the hell is wrong but he’s very ill!” Voices splattered the words intermittently interrupting each other.

She responded as he assumed a nurse would, “The fluids are most important right now, Doctor. Let me know about the intravenous assistance and then we’ll get the other medical equipment out.”

“I thought he was just getting some flu and then as he complained about the upset stomache, I thought it might even be a heart attack!! I have no idea wha…”

“Doctor, I’ll be right there!”

“Ok, ok! I’m going back in!” The Doctor was an old man, looking much the same age as Xander Singh and like one might envision a butler from the days of old british nobility. But he was quite in charge at the moment, “What are you looking at?!” He barked at Jerome.

“I’m just going to the front yards.”

“Well go do the landscaping or whatever you’re here to do. This is none of your business!”

“It’s just that…” Jerome didn’t dare say another word. “Sir… yes, Sir.” He spoke politely and went quickly out the giant front doors to the expansive lot of yards where he was setting up connective relays and light pulsation so that every tree or stone would be able to project and coordinate with Mr. Singh. He worked diligently through the morning. With the automatic temperature controls, there was no need to worry about damaging the equipment with dew, rain, wind or wild animals. So, with no one around, Mr. Singh gave him permission to leave everything out the night before which saved him even more time today. That morning given the commotion indoors, he worked until he could no longer ignore his hunger at which point he made the long walk back to the kitchen to look for a snack… or maybe even to find Petra for a meal.

When he returned he found Petra, she was crying in the massive storage space. He could hear her. “What‘s wrong?”

“The pork!”

“Pork?!” Jerome was quite surprised.

“Mr. Singh asked for sausage yesterday morning. He does love it. And I made it for him. I’m a vegetarian. The specifics of meat, it’s just not something I think much about.” She heaved heavily again.

“What abou…” And then it dawned on Jerome exactly what had dawned on Petra some time earlier. Xander Singh must have eaten the infected pork. From all that shopping that Petra had done, she must have brought back infected pork products from Nevada to the space shuttle. Having shopped in California, he could see she was quite certain she had brought back contaminated pork.

“I’m so much smarter than this. He must have, have… it, it’s just.” She was inconsolable. She seemed very confident that the pork was suddenly the problem.

When the doctor briefed him later, he was very direct, “We had to send Petra home. I’m not sure you’ve heard but it seems there has been an infection from the recent purchases she had coordinated back on Earth. She overlooked a very, very serious issue that was reported almost a week ago in the Nevada pork farms. We are unsure what action we can take against her. She always seemed a touch aloof to me.Naturally, her employment is terminated, pending any and all legal discussions of course. I’m a mess. I shouldn’t be discussing that with you. Anyway, you were contracted to do this work, not just for Mr. Singh but also for the property and the family. I have sedated Mr. Singh and currently can’t discuss his wishes with him but for a variety of reasons we want you to continue doing the work you’ve been asked to do. There is no chance of you contracting anything — I do not believe your health is at risk provided you eat no pork. To ensure such ends our nurse has made sure to remove all meat from the house, pork, beef or otherwise. You are in no danger. As we tend to Mr. Singh and determine his needs, we’ll move forward. Because of his advanced age, he is very susceptible to this disease… well, to be very candid, I am not optimistic. That is all I can say right now. Go ahead and continue on and I’ll come find you later as I have more information. Of course, we are very concerned and preoccupied. But I will seek you out later to discuss the next best options.” Jerome said nothing but nodded. He turned around softly as the doctor spun around quickly, walking briskly back to the house and the rest of his duties.

Slowly, Jerome moved outside. He wanted only to continue working at that moment, so he continued outside with the imaging equipment. It was only later that he realized he should call Kip and tell him what was going on.

“Kip, he got really sick, I guess. That pork outbreak.”

“Oh dear.”

“Yeah, I don’t know what to do but I was told to keep working.”

“Then you keep working… is he sick enough to die?”

“I mean, I haven’t looked but are people dying on Earth?”

“I don’t kno… hang on well…,” he paused while he looked the info up, “I got it. It is bad. There’s been a rash of deaths. And it is even harder on the elderly. Shit, Jerry. Shit. This is bad.” His accent was coming through pronouncedly. This only happened at his most stressed.

“Well, they want me to keep working. Don’t worry, Kip.”

“Ha. You know I’m worried about my bottom line. But I’m worried about him too — like as a person. Yes. Just keep doing the work. In fact, get back now. Let me talk to a few people about things.”

“I’ll call you in a few hours…”

“Yeah, one of us will. I’ll… yeah, let’s talk in a little bit. Bye.” And the connection dropped.

_____________________________________

The Doctor didn’t speak to Jerome until two days later, approximately thirty-six hours to be precise. Jerome had been keeping hours for Kip, so it was easy for him to note when he and the doctor had last spoken, which was right before the last time he spoke to Kip. Jerome was running the final hologram tests on the work he’d finished in and on the front lawns. The Doctor emerged, downtrodden, in his sweatsuit. His hair was disheveled. He looked as if he hadn’t had any sleep since they last talked. He stood a little shorter than Jerome, some five and a half feet — his balding head was clear as he stood next to Jerome, salt and pepper hair but thinning all over. “Doctor, how are you?… things any better?”

“Well… call me Guy…” he paused and rubbed his hand on his face, looking up at the fake satellite sky and then scanned the front lawns out toward the docking station, “…It’s not good. Things have gotten about as bad as they can. The dystenary has set in. He can’t keep any fluids. He is extremely weak. From the info I’ve received from colleagues down on the planet this is likely terminal given his underlying health and age. The meningitis part of the strain has infected his mind as well. He is in terrible shape. I mean… I mean, it’s really ironic but I think I’m going to recommend he take it.”

“It? LIke the U10?” The doctor nodded and Jerry finished the last of his sentence, “… his own drug.”

“Ironic, isn’t it?”

“I guess.”

“I think it is, I’ve thought about it for a while. After consulting with other doctors, I think it might be a viable option. It’s been two days and he’s not getting any better. They say if after two days there’s no improvement, death IS the likely outcome. And in older patients? Well, I’m really at a loss.” He started to tear up. “I’m here to prevent exactly this. The timing was the worst. I had not heard about the outbreak on the surface. Petra was new and she also hadn’t had time to process all her shopping. She was in that damn pantry the whole time taking the inventory Xander insists on.”

“These happen really fast and frequently. Back on the surface we keep a constant pantry full of dry storage, this happens so much.”

“This happens so fast sometimes, it gets hard to keep up with it. But it’s my job. It’s the servant’s job. Petra has only been here a few months… fuck,” he paused and a tear came down an eye, “it doesn’t matter now. I’ve called his family. We’re just waiting for him to become lucid again to discuss it. Which brings me to why I came out here — can you set up the hologram in his room next?”

“Sure, it’s pretty uninvasive. It won’t take very long to do in just one room.”

“Can you do it right now? I want it available A-S-A-P.”

“That’s not a problem at all,” and Jerome picked up his tools on the ground. “The bedroom and indoor equipment is in the storage room towards the way back. Xander was so hell bent on getting everything done outside. Anyway, let me go in with you and I’ll get started on it. I should be able to get it done in a couple hours”

The process moved quickly. “I didn’t tell you earlier but I’m going to wake him up with some amphetamines I have. If you’re done, I’m going to see if I can get him up and able to talk with his family.”

“It’s not a problem. Here’s the receiver. I have the machine on right now. Just have the family dial in the code from their ship and they should come right up.”

“Can you stay to make sure it works and then leave if it does… maybe just step down to the kitchen to be out of ear shot. But if something happens I’ll yell for you.”

“That’s why I’m here. I wish it were for another kind of emergency. This is all a little crazy. Anyway, have them dial in the code….” From there Guy called Xander Singh’s family and read them the code. Promptly a red light came on at the hologram projector. Jerome pressed the red button, saw the family pop up holographically at which point he promptly left the room. The scene felt depressing — he had no interest in the specifics. He saw enough treachery down on Earth. He went downstairs and had another banana.

Guy found Jerome not long after that. “Mr. Singh responded well to the amphetamine shot. His family stayed on the line while he came to. They had a tearful conversation but Mr. Singh understands the issue as best he can. We administered the dose just now. I put him back to sleep once the amphetamine dosage wore off.”

“You don’t have to tell me anything unless you want to.”

“No, I need to. There’s only a few of us here. You should know. I mean, I feel like I need to tell someone anyway — just a third party. You’re about as objective as it gets.”

“Whatever you need, doct… Guy… whatever you need, Guy.” Jerome paused, he sighed deeply and looked around the room, out at the vast expanse of the patio, the tennis court, and the pool, “What happens now, then?”

“You’ve seen the U10 work?

“I have. My father went through it when the cancer caught him off guard. He had stage four lung cancer diagnosed very late. He took it once it really grabbed a hold of his mind and motor skills. It happened fast. Ugh, it happens fast.”

“Yeah. I expect Mr. Singh to experience an accelerated but similar course. He often joked that he would wind up dying at the hands of his own death drug. I guess I just didn’t expect it to happen like this.”

“I guess the problems of Earth are pretty inescapable… even up here in space.” They both paused for a moment and considered the truth of his statement. It hit the room like a gust of wind hits a palm tree. They paused as the thought bent their minds briefly.

“Well, I expect him to sleep all day. Tomorrow is likely the day of lucidity. He should awake almost normally. Given the power of the drug he’s likely to wake up free of all symptoms. The dysentery should hold. His mind will be the best it can be. From there the pain will cease into what I expect to be a couple days pain free, with intermittent communication with his family. Then, probably on the fourth day — fifth if he’s lucky — he should drift off, the way it’s designed to do. I’ll need to have a room set up outside of his bedroom to communicate with his family during the process. I suppose you can do that.”

Jerome nodded, “I was going to set up the dining room next. But of course that can wait.”

“Thanks.”

“This is all pretty intense, I’m sure.”

“I’m very worried about everything. I am expecting a malpractice suit. Action against Petra. I tell you everything off the record because I’m terrified and have no one else I feel safe talking to you. I shouldn’t be telling you any of this. But, I’m just, just at a tremendous loss.”

“You have to worry about all that?” He waved his hand, ““It’s fine… it’s… it’s fine — you don’t have to tell me anything.” Jerome comforted Guy by putting his hand on his shoulder. He just understood the problem at hand.

“No, no. It is fine. I’ve been here so long I forget it’s weird.”

“It’s not weird.”

“You’re asking yourself who has a butler and a doctor, much who also worries about legal issues.”

“Well… yeah…I guess.”

“It’s fine, like I said. Look, Alexander and I go way back. I’ve known him since our college days. I was his mate at university. ‘Alexander Singh and Guy Anderson, prospective doctors — let us help your health!’ That was the cheesy thing we’d say night out having too many pints. We came of age together: we’d tell that to the birds at the pubs, try and take them drinking in the countryside or leave them alone and go to footie matches. We spent a lot of time together in our twenties. Lotta time goes by though.”

“Goes by fast though,” Jerome interrupted thinking about his own family.

“Exactly. That’s what I was going to say. And a lot of time did go by. I met a girl my first year of medical school in the states. That’s when we split up. He went to med school in London. I got married and worked at hospitals across the U.S. Did I see you come from Oakland, CA?”

“I do.”

“Yes, well, I worked at UCSF for some time. I spent time int he Bay Area. It’s so beautiful — if you can leave it. The old pictures are great, no? From a couple centuries ago? But yeah, the bay is a real pit now. Once you’re an hour outside though, Napa or Santa Cruz.”

“Indeed,” Jerome nodded.

“After my kids left the house my wife and I got a little stir crazy. That was when I heard from Alexander again. He told me he had made a bunch of money. It’s funny only because unless you were dead you had to know that Alexander made a lot of money. A lot of money! I said to him, ‘I heard.’ I don’t know. He said he was finally getting over his divorce. He had buried himself in work. But now he met a new young woman. He was ready to start over. He had no kids. The past was mostly behind him. But he missed something from his old days. ‘Like that bastard in that old Kane movie with the sled,’ he said. He wanted me back. With all this good fortune he needed someone he could trust and he needed an adviser, someone who understood administration and medicine. So he told me he’d pay me some ungodly amount of money to go to law school, become a solicitor and be his Butler.”

“All those things?”

“All those things. And I am paid very well. But sure, in a certain way I live like everyone on the surface. I have several degrees and have to use a variety of disciplines to do a variety of complicated things. Times are challenging. Especially on the surface.”

“Just like me.”

“Like I said, I’ve kept an eye on who comes around. That’s my job.”

“I guess that’s comforting.”

“Well, I also talk to Kip. We didn’t tell you that before because it didn’t really matter. My point is this, Jerome: thanks for all your help here. Your kindness and willingness to work so hard for us will not go unnoticed in some fashion or another.” He patted Jerome on the shoulder and winked quickly at him. Guy left the room. Jerom then walked from the grandiose kitchen shrinking humbly like a tiny fig left on the tree too long.

The next afternoon, while Jerome was working in the patio, Guy came and got him. There was a connectivity issue in Xander’s room. He went up to the room. There was only video from the holographic connection. The audio was silent. This often happened with the fluctuating broadcast magnetisms required as an interplanetary vehicle struggles with changing concentrations of magnetism. The light moves in a different capacity than the audio, which moves slower and is affected differently. Often this requires a software reboot on the ship itself, one of the more anachronistic aspects of technology. But holographic communication through space was complicated still in the middle of the third millennium. Unfortunately, the update usually takes a couple of hours. But Jerome had certainly experience this before. He wrote a note letting them know of the likely delay, how long to expect and that they shouldn’t worry — even though time was certainly of the essence.

During all this Xander Singh was quite alert. He was up in bed while Guy ran some tests on his condition. When Jerome was done he went to leave the room but Xander called him back, “Jerome, I’m awake now. This is shockingly and abruptly my last day ever to be this alert.” Jerome said nothing. “Since this update will take a couple hours can you come chat with me? I don’t want to be alone right now… no offense, Doc.”

“None taken. Do whatever you want, Sir,” Guy responded. “I talked to Jerome last night. He understands our relationship. He’s aware. Do what you need, Friend. This is your time.”

Xander motioned to Jerome to pull up a chair, “Come, sit,” and Jerome obliged, “So, this is what happens on Earth all the time, eh? This is what my drug does?”

“I’m not sure I follow.”
“Unavoidable death. Death happens all the time on Earth. Unexpectedly no less. My drug lets people manage it with dignity.”

“Dignity, Sir, yes.”

“Xander, Jerome. Call me Xander.”

“Yes sir… sorry si… Xander. Xander. Yes.”

“I kept some here, I mean for a variety of reasons. But I didn’t think the moment would come like this.”

“I’m not sure anyone knows what their ‘moment’ will be like.”

“No, I guess not. But I felt so insulated, isolated. I just… this just seems impossible. I guess I would be depressed but we do make a very powerful drug. I’m currently truly feeling very calm and at peace with everything. The mood alterations and powerful anti-depressant aspects we work so hard at are certainly helping me today.” He chuckled at the underlying irony. “My body and mind feel as good as they’ve felt in a long time… as long as I just sit here though, Guy says… Ain’t that right, Doc?!” Guy nodded as he watched a monitor feed from Xander Singh’s internal organs.

“The world has a way of getting to everyone I guess. I mean, my wife and I live fairly comfortably on Earth on and we fight about misery and pain every couple of days.”

“Oh, misery… pain. I have been free of those for so long. I have built myself quite a privileged existence up here.”

“It’s like nothing that exists on Earth, Xander, no. Like I said, I tell my son about it when we look up at the night sky. It’s so smoggy on Earth. You can’t really see stars. But these palaces, they do come through the dark sky. You can see them. They are reminders.”

“Reminders?”

“Yeah. They are pretty strong reminders. They remind us what struggles we have down on the planet. If you look to the sky you can see the miracle, the lottery winners, the people who do not have to live in the muck, the smog, the diseased streets. With luck — really just the hope — there is a chance one could be here. It’s amazing here, Xander.”

“It is. It really is. When I first had my chance to be here many years ago, I used to sit out on the front lawns looking at the shuttle. I would think of my guilt — so guilty that my death drug (that’s what my wife and I used to call it in the early days of my success), that my death drug had made us so astoundingly rich. So rich…. But like all unending good fortune, you take it for granted. You can’t dwell on your immense privileges all the time or else, they cease to be privileges. At that point they would start to imprison you. Besides, what is the true comfort of wealth if you cannot take a great many things for granted?”

“I don’t kn…”

Xander waved his hand, “That was rhetorical, Jerome. That was rhetorical. I’m not sure what wealth is anymore. You can’t take death for granted. But still life is just life. Four days ago, I had my business to worry about. My family was on vacation and I was still worried about my business… my Death Drug and the surrounding…” He paused looking for a word in the wrinkled sheets of his bed.

“Empire, Xander.”

“Ha. Empire! Empire? Me, an emperor. I’ve not thought like that in years… decades. I guess mortality… well life, you take that for granted but not death. Strange now that I look at it. The going to sleep and the waking up. It happens every day, you can’t help but take it for granted. And this is the last day.” He laughed at that thought, “Christ, this drug is amazing. I’m going to die really soon and here I am waxing nostalgic about how rich I am… because… because I help the world walk more calmly to the gates of death… gates of death,” Xander repeated to himself.

“I think that is the privilege, Xander.”

“Come again?”

“Well Xander, on Earth, some people look forward to your drug. Today, the phase of the drug you’re in, is a day of celebration. This is like a birthday, but in reverse. This is the day when all your wishes are granted. Family comes and stands with you. You eat and laugh. You joke about the absurdity of a world that is made to take you too soon. The diseases, the pollution, the stress of constant, unceasing work. This is the one day when all of that ceases and the world takes sympathy on you. You are a hero in your mind and to those with you. On Earth this is a welcome ending. I think that’s part of why your drug is so popular. People are happy to welcome an end with such compassionate means. To take this drug is an end to suffering, an end that comes with joy and love… after so many years of agony, to save the money to finally afford your drug and the rituals that come with, it is a welcome relief. I mean, that’s what my dad said, when we had our final conversations. He was happy to have it end with such dignity and comfort.”

“So much irony. I am not escaping the terrible life that has become planet Earth. And here I am without my family. My riches have them millions of miles away, unable to be near me. And I’m here on my last day of real awareness… talking… talking to my fucking handyman — no offense Jerome.”

“None taken, Xander.”

“I told my family there is no need to come back right away. I will have my body sent to the surface for cremation and then brought back for my family to mourn when they return in several weeks.”

“Xander, I will tell you that you have lived a life that literally almost everyone envies. You have lived many years with many indulgences. Some people live a day like this only once, only right before they die. And you have lived that indulgent day repeatedly, for years and years now.”

“I have, haven’t I, Jerome?” He reached out and took Jerome’s hand. “Thank you.”

“For what, Xander.”

“I’ve had no one speak to me like this in many years.”

“My family wants me only for the things I provide. My employees, my business, my ventures — those people, those things only want me because of the wealth I have or can make for them. But you, right now, you are talking to me just, as a person, like my mates spoke to me back in university.”

“I mean no disrespect.”

“This is as great of respect as you can offer me. I am here, dying because I took for granted the horrors of planet Earth. The mountains of greed to which I have ascended to what seemed like a fortress atop the zenith of wealth. I have taken these vast sums to try and escape the terrors of the planet from which I came… and in the end, I have been abruptly pulled back to its surface… literally in several days when I am going to be shipped back to the planet to be burned in one of my own U10 branded cremation machines. I will be processed in death in the way that has made me rich and oblivious to my mortality, and even worse, immense human suffering.”

“Maybe that’s a bit extre…”

“No, no,” Xander Singh waved his hand dismissively at Jerome again, “I am to die in reverse, surrounded by a virtual stranger, my family unable to comfort me because my vast wealth has allowed them to be far, far away. My legions of help have kept me, myself, Alexander Xingh, conqueror of commerce, from monitoring my own well being. And I’m to die because I let other people manage my most basic needs… I’m to die… because I love sausage for breakfast.” He cackled at his own words. “I am going to die for the most insignificant reason. I am an ignorant old man who insists on sausage for breakfast, willingly ignorant of the recent outbreak, just because I can eat it only when my wife is gone. Have you heard of something so foolish? So impatient that I couldn’t afford those around me a chance to protect me from my own impulses — killed by a sick pig from a sick planet.” He cackled again. Jerome let that laughter fill the room, irony and humor the tools of death to let Xander Singh go comfortably on his way. Then Xander pulled him in further with the hand he had yet to let go: “Bring your family here. I will be gone. Send the shuttle for them. Bring them here for the few weeks until my family is back. In fact!… in fact, can your family bring back my remains. I know this is macabre but this is my request. Let them bring back my ashes and stay here for several weeks. Enjoy the grounds. When my family returns sobeit. But if you aren’t offended by my request, please bring your son and wife to share the spoils. You work with Kip, yes?”

“Yessir.”

“Oh how the memory works on these death drugs. Yes, yes. I will pay you to be here Tell Kip that I am to employ you here for three weeks. And your only job is to utilize the grounds. Enjoy the pool. Enjoy the space, the views, the bedrooms… fuck your wife on the patio for me, will you, Jerome?… you hear that Guy?”

“Aleander,” Guy said looking up a bit irritated from the machines into which he had tried to seemingly disappear during this conversation, “Yes, I will make it so. I can ensure that is what you wanted. No problem.”

“Thank you, Xander.”

“Oh, think nothing of it. I’ve killed myself with my own spoils… all of them. I might as well have the handyman deliver my dead body back from Earth, no offense… and make you enjoy it. Play in my playground before my leeching family returns.”

“Yes, Sir.” And at the moment the excitement of the moment must have got to Xander because the machines at which Guy was working let out a ghastly sequence of beeps. Xander Singh began to cough and fit.

“Jerome, can you leave for the moment?! If there is anything with the hologram, I’ll let you know. But let me tend to Alexander, please and thank you,” Guy said kindly but impatiently.

“Play… play over… play over my dead body, Jerome. Just… just act… act like… act like I’m not here!!!!” Xander Singh said these things through his simultaneous laughing and coughing. The coughing persisted and the machines beeped loudly. The cacophony was overwhelming Guy. Guy motioned Jerome out of the room again, pushing him on the shoulder rushedly as he tended to Xander. And with that Jerome left the room… that was the last time he saw Xander Singh alive, there were apparently no more planets for him to conquer.

__________________________________________

Two days later, Guy found Jerome. He told Jerome that the software update had worked. His family came on line not long after he had stabilized Xander’s coughing fit. Guy said that upon waking the next day, Xander had insisted he meant everything he had said about Jerome’s family coming to the station for a few weeks to enjoy it. There were only a few catches. Jerome was asked to accompany the body back to earth for cremation. The body would be taken from the shuttle and returned to the shuttle. Jerome would fly home to his family for an evening to collect personal items and accompany them back to the shuttle, where they would board a shuttle with Xander Singh’s ashes. They would then bring those back to the satellite palace and deliver them to Guy who would hold them until the family returned.

Guy promptly called Kip and told him everything. He then called Colette who was initially mortified at the story that Jerome told her. Then, as Jerome wove in some personal details and they reminisced over family they had lost, they were more comfortable with the idea. They were certainly flattered that they were being offered the opportunity, an opportunity they had long needed… not the palace, or the luxuries that awaited them. They were most excited at the vacation they had promised themselves, finally a way to get some time off.

Mr Xander Singh died two days later and Jerome boarded the shuttle with his corpse. It was stowed in the same compartment that the food had been in when he travelled to the station with Petra. He went home and packed a new, more leisurely bag the next morning with his family. They went back to the helicopter pad at the Towers and began the journey to the shuttle and up to the Xander Singh’s satellite palace.

After a couple days there Mick and Jerome were looking back down at Earth through the invisible satellite casing, “It looks so safe down there… I can’t believe it. The water is so blue. It’s so… so serene. And then, well I mean, I can’t believe we’re here because someone died.”

“We are. We really are. A man who had all of this, he died.” Jerome motioned his hand across those expansive front lawns Xander Singh was so fond of.

“How long was he sick, Dad?”

“3 days.”

“3 days?”

“Life is a very fragile thing, Son. Down on the Earth it’s too fragile. We don’t even get a chance to recognize how unsafe all of it is for everyone because we’re always worried about our own personal safety. When we finally have a chance to reflect on how dangerous it all is, we’re just happy it’s finally over. But the reason we’re up here is because someone had everything they wanted… They had so much they forgot how fragile life is. They took all this for granted.”

Mick looked out at the Earth. Then he looked out all the front lawns and the massive house behind them. “I don’t think I could ever take this for granted, Dad. This is the most amazing thing I’ve ever had.”

“Me too. Me too.”

“When do we have to go back, though?”

“Let’s not think about that right now, Mick. Right now we’re here, with each other. You, me and your mom. And when it’s all over, I think, that’s all we’ll ever have really wanted, Son.”