Chapter 34
“I’m in love.”
“Congratulations, Dalia.”
“I’m serious.”
“Who said otherwise?”
“You implied it with your sarcasm.”
“I chatted two words.”
“I can read between the lines.”
“Join the crowd.”
“I’m joining you.”
“Here?”
“No, why would I want to be institutionalized?”
“Then how are you joining me?”
“As part of the Love Revolution.”
“There is no such revolution.”
“It’s underway, and you and Marco started it.”
“We didn’t start anything.”
“Don’t say that. How can you decide what is at stake?”
“What’s at stake is a pile of nightlies.”
“You’re worried about nigthtlies at a time like this? Don’t tell me they got to you?”
“What am I supposed to do?”
“Embrace the future. Go out with love.”
“You’re always on to something, Dalia.”
“You taught me.”
“All I did was live.”
“That’s the example the we needed. We’re going out.”
“You’re going out as a couple or you’re going outside?”
“Both, Emmy. When it’s real, they are one and the same.”
“Lucky you. Just don’t let the patrol catch you.”
“Don’t worry. We’re not stupid. We won’t end up in an institution.”
“I was stupid for telling you.”
“That’s why we’re going to marry first before telling anyone.”
“You just told me, Dalia.”
“You won’t say anything.”
“Probably not.”
“We’re going to find a justice so we don’t have to undergo compatibility tests first.”
“Congratulations. After you’re married, are you going to live out or in?”
“We haven’t figured out all the details. We’d like to have the best of both worlds.”
“In and out?”
“If possible. We haven’t figured out all the details. You and Marco started with a logical plan. We’ll start with love.”
“We started with love.”
“I know, but you got caught up in the details and the telling. We’re just going with it.”
“Sounds deep.”
“Don’t make fun. We’re serious.”
“I’m sure you are. I wish you both the best.”
“That’s it, Emmy? That’s the best you can do?”
“Don’t want to get hung up on the details.”
“Don’t use my words against me.”
“Why not? Seems to be a cultural norm.”
“The Love Revolution will change that.”
“I’m sure it will. I’m sure once you declare your love, City will adjust accordingly.”
“Don’t make fun.”
“I bet the Mod is rolling out the welcome mat right now.”
“What’s that?”
“For a revolutionary, your grasp on history seems weak.”
“Revolutions are about the future not the past.”
“I learn more each day.”
“You’re making fun again.”
“Am I?”
“Emmy, stop it. You used to be such a sweet friend. You shouldn’t let them change you.”
“I didn’t exactly let them. You kind of pushed me into it. The rest is now my history.”
“Still, you don’t have to let it get to you.”
“Dalia, do you even know what you are talking about? Do you have any idea what it’s like to be institutionalized?”
“You think the rest of us have it so much easier?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t you remember, Emmy, what it was like to live under your parents’ roof? To rush through your nightlies, and then sneak out after the ship arrived just to meet the one you love? Do you know how much harder sneaking out has become since you and Marco inspired this movement?”
“No, I wouldn’t know. I’m in here.”
“Well, parents are on the look. The patrol has intensified, and Privates are working on new technologies to keep us inside without violating privacy rights.”
“I’m surprised they extend the rights to college students.”
“You heard?”
“No.”
“That is the very question the Mod is addressing. Privacy rights trigger when a citizen turns eighteen. Members of the Mod have begun to argue that kids mature at a different pace today than when the regulations were first enacted. The Mod contends privacy rights shouldn’t extend until one has completed their college studies and internalized the rationale. Many of the parents agree. Things are getting worse.”
“Some revolution. Maybe you should have left things alone and let Marco and I have the life we wanted.”
“Not everyone can take advantage of a grandfathered situation, Emmy.”
“I’m sure you would have been happy to have your love and an actuator, too. You always seemed patient. You could have just waited until graduation and then got married once you received your programming license. I’m sure your nightly ships would have been magnificent.”
“You’re making fun.”
“No, I’m not, Dalia. The rationale works for some. Might have worked for you.”
“There still would have been a waiting period and compatibility tests. Love is more complicated than logic.”
“Sure is.”
“So what do we do now, Emmy?”
“I don’t know, Dalia. That choice will be yours.”