Here we are, less than a month into the 2020's. We've been on the brink of World War 3, because of the shenanigans in Iraq and Iran. The world is hurtling towards climate catastrophe, Britain is leaving the EU. The coronavirus will possibly cause millions of deaths as it inexorably spreads. Didn't I tell you the 20's would be great? I haven't even scratched the surface of all the things that are bound to lead to death and destruction on a biblical scale. Trump's inevitable acquittal on all charges in his impeachment, that's going to be world ending as well. The fact the British government is producing a commemorative 50 pence piece for Brexit has driven the Remainers into a psychotic rage. They lost. Three times. Yet they still cannot accept they lost. Many of them are completely convinced they won, but reality went wrong somewhere. They want another referendum or election or some kind of new vote where they are sure they'd win. If only people would vote the way they were told to vote, everything would be fine. They wouldn't have to keep demanding new votes because they disagreed with the outcome of the last one. They appear to require a once in a lifetime vote every four years. I love the fact they are so fucking stupid. I love the fact they are so filled with hate and anger. It's brimming over in them and they are pouring it out all over the majority who disagree with them. Accusing them of being filled with hate and anger. That amount of hypocrisy and double standards is legendary. The 2020's is off to a good start. I've got high hopes for it. Long may it continue in this vein. I'm looking forward to all the world ending events that will happen in February. Can't wait.
The nerd option having been ruled out, Jake was left with only filling his belly with some excellent food at the restaurant. Delving into where everyone else had gone, and what they were potentially doing, would only exacerbate this strange feeling. He was going to label it loneliness for now. It wasn't really loneliness as such. It was a lack of someone to ignore, in between short bouts of listening. The roar of his internal dialogue drowning out everything going on around him was being sorely missed. When you had nothing to look for you didn't look for it. Now he kept fooling himself he'd spotted someone he knew. Out of the corner of his eye generally. He'd turn rapidly. Pre-prepared greeting at the ready. The only one he saw was Tamsin. Heading towards the elevators. Wrapped around that good looking guy she'd enraptured with her undoubted charms.
Oh balls. He was further away from the servery than he'd been before. Each of those moments of mistaken recognition had slightly altered his course. And of course he was subconsciously trying to find company. There was a couple over there he'd met at least twice. Maybe he could wedge himself into their conversation. Or any arbitrary gathering really. Sidle up to them. Listen in on their conversation then make some intelligent observation or remark that would instantly intrigue them. Who was this stranger? What unique insights did he have to offer? None really. He could always come up with an opening remark, but as soon as he was cross examined about it he'd fall to pieces. Now he was in the main seating area. No familiar faces there either. He did find another balcony though. This one through a broad opening in the side of the building. Looking out along a wide, tree lined boulevard with fountains along its length. They did like fountains didn't they. He couldn't blame them, Jake liked them himself.
This place was huge. There were hundreds of guests. The vast majority of whom he'd not met. Where was everyone? Despite those hundreds the place wasn't crowded. There must be other parts he'd not seen. The size of the building externally indicated he'd visited only a fraction of it. In theory they could all be humping themselves into a sexual coma. Most of them probably were, if they had any sense. Not all of them surely? Some of them had to be in places he knew nothing of. The question was, should he seek them out? Knowing that he could enter a new area while they'd moved on to another one. He could go from room to room avoiding them in his quest to find them. Locating them using the handy all purpose terminals, was possible. It was advisable. It was sensible and logical. Doing so would be a defeat. It would be nosey and intrusive as he'd already rationalized. It would also be giving in to being lonely. He knew he was pathetic, but he needed to pretend he wasn't. It was like Scarlet's pretence of thinking she was perfect. Two sides of the same warped coin. Bet she wasn't lacking for company, regardless of what she was doing.
Scarlet had magnetism. Even if she wasn't enjoying that trinary married trio this instant, she'd be the center of attention wherever she was. Somewhere here, in this very building. It might not be a big audience. They'd be hanging on her every word though. Laughing at all her jokes and provocative antics. If that wasn't suitable she could instantly switch to being erudite and measured. The calm at the center of her own personal storm. She had layers. He had tangled pile of crap he sifted through. Until he found something he thought might work. This was envy. Not jealousy. The envy wasn't helped by his apathy. If he tried a lot harder he could be a little bit better. Pick up the skills through practise and repetition. Meanwhile he'd continue relying on osmosis. Hope that somehow his proximity to her would enable him to soak up some of that social ease.
Now he was in another bit he'd not known of. There was a holosuite at one end along with some immersive video games. And the entrance to another part where there were physical activities and a gym. Who went to a gym at a party? Well that duo coming out had. Sod it. He was at the terminal. Jake brought up the locate icon. Typing in the names. Safe ones first. Poppy and Norbert. They'd initiated the privacy mode. Quick check on Pip. It was easy to type out. That was the only reason. Privacy mode. Same with Chaska and Kaisha. Hermes and Morag? In a room upstairs. With four other people. My God they were really going at it. Hermes trying to catch up. Was he being unjust? They might be in polite conversation with fellow partygoers. No, they were having sex with strangers. Unless Scarlet was in there with them. he murmured her name as he entered it. Privacy mode. The bastards. Well two could play at that game. Actually way more than two. He'd tried almost a dozen names now. Morag and Hermes were obviously far too busy to waste time switching to that frigging privacy mode.
The option was selected. He activated it. With an undeserved sense of pride and accomplishment. Now not only couldn't he find them, they couldn't find him. All those people not looking for him, wouldn't be able to locate him now. Served them right. There. He'd cut off his nose to spite his face, and it felt good. As long as he avoided using anything resembling logic on his action. Don't think about it. Revel in the inappropriate glory. They could message him. He could have messaged them. That would have shown he was looking for them though. He'd wait for them to contact him. They'd have to do so eventually. he hoped they would anyway. Otherwise he'd still be here months from now. Wandering around, like a lost dog. Someone would miss him eventually. It might not be until they got back to the Centrum though. He'd dropped off their radar completely right now. He was going back into cynical loner mode. On a temporary basis. One thing was for certain, this was a lost dog that wouldn't be wagging its tail anytime soon. No matter what treats they brought him.
It was a five course meal. He was going to enjoy all five courses. If not he was going to pass an ultra high voltage through the logic circuits of the waiter droid that recommended it. The wine was exceptional. He ordered another bottle. The oyster soup was excellent. As was the caviar. Was that an appetizer? Well it was now. The salad had things in he'd never heard of. They tasted okay, in a bland salad way. Nice crunch and a few sharp notes. That might the wine though. Jake was half way through the second bottle by now. He'd forgotten he couldn't get shit faced due to his biological nanites. They'd always keep his blood alcohol well below a lethal level.
He had the lamb for the main course. Medium rare synthetic meat. Succulent and delicious. The potatoes and vegetables cooked just as he liked them. For desert he went with the chocolate gateau. Topped off with a raspberry creme fraiche. He didn't care about convention. He was a lone wolf. Making his way through a Kameerah celebration. Toughing it out with 5 star food and waiter service. He was going to have to get a grip of himself at some point. For now he'd wallow in self pity. Did they do brandy and cigars? They definitely did brandy. He'd only tried one cigar and he'd thrown up. In this current life at least. Jake pushed back his plate, for the droid to clear. Emptied his glass as he loosened his belt a notch, figuratively speaking. He wasn't wearing a belt. These clothes were form fitting. Now he'd bide his time and round the meal off with a massive shit. He didn't care about convention. Or table manners. The thought amused him. he could do with some good cheer.
"Ah. It's you." A seductive, husky voice he thought he recognized stated. "Jake Halliday? Yes that's right. I'm Tandy Kumalo, do you recall? I was hoping to bump into you again."
He tried to stand up, but she signalled for him to remain seated. Taking the chair next to his. Leaning towards him as his brain grated into socializing.
"Yes. General Kumalo. We played that strategy game thing."
Her eyebrows raised.
"Shahmay. That's what it's called." She lifted up a briefcase placing it on the table in front of her. "I don't like losing Jake Halliday. Not to anyone. But especially not to someone who's never played it before." She undid the two sprung catches.
Jake twitched nervously. Was she going to shoot him?
"Oh. Sorry. I did tell you it was beginners luck. I'll probably be useless at it next time. Ummmm... are we in some kind of feud or vendetta here? I promise if I'd known it would upset you I wouldn't have... No that's not going to come out well at all is it. It was a fluke I assure you."
The lid was lifted. He held his breath as she reached in.
"I'm not upset with you." She gave a tight lipped grin. "I'm upset I lost. I'm furious with myself. Your unconventional approach to the game gave me a false sense of superiority. I rarely lose. I'm the best player in this system." She turned the case towards him. "I was wondering if you'd talk me through your reasoning and tactics."
The game was before him in miniature form. She had her own personal Shahmay set. Bit of a games nerd then. It could be worth getting one himself.
"Okay. I don't remember all my moves, but I'll give it a go."
"Don't worry. I've got every move you made in every game you played. I made sure of that." She rubbed her hands together. "I'm quite excited. I love learning new things. Now please teach me."
Jake sighed with relief.
"Thank God for that. For one brief moment there I thought the reason I couldn't find any of my friends was because you'd done away with them out of revenge."
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