Legacy

Hello, my name is Eli Winslow.  My wife is Julie.  This story started many years ago.  In the beginning of these things I’m about to relate, it should be noted that I was seventy-one years old and my wife was age seventy.

I awoke one morning, but I wasn’t in my bed.  I was standing on a narrow path in tall grass and Julie was right behind me.  I assumed I was having a wild dream, as did my wife.  A short ways ahead on the path stood a gentlemen in a black suit.  We didn’t know it until later; but his name was Tenar, a servant of He Who Is.  He had a handful of small leather pieces about the size of a ticket.  He handed me one and told me to present it to the next person on the path.  It was stamped number one, and he gave my wife one stamped number two.  I looked at my wife and at myself; we were still in our bedclothes.  Yes indeed, this must be a dream.  I figured I might as well follow instructions for whatever fun it would be.  After all, I might wake up any minute.

About another two hundred feet down, the path led to a narrow opening in a shadowy, dense tree and brush line.  Just as I entered a voice to the right said, “This way, please.”  I turned to the right and stepped down into what appeared to be a room dug out of the earth with high walls and no ceiling or roof.  It was lined with benches all around.

A man in a light blue suit asked for the tickets.  I assumed he meant that little leather piece I’d been given, so I gave it  to him.  He thanked me and told us to be seated.    My wife and I had a great conversation, laughing a lot about the weird dream we were having. Of course without realizing it we each thought we were the one having the dream and the other happened to be in it.

Over the next half hour more people came in and were seated,  fifteen young women and fifteen young men who more or less appeared to be in their late teens.  The man who had taken those strange tickets said farewell and good luck.   And with that he disappeared.

The next thing that happened was the sky above the opening in the room top grew black, then a loud humming sound followed by the sky becoming bright yellow, followed by black and more humming.  This pattern repeated itself for what seemed like fifteen minutes.  It was rather disconcerting.

That all stopped and the sky above the room opening was sunny and bright blue again.  There was sufficient light for us to see by.  I looked at Julie and was about to say, “What now?” but I didn’t get the words out.  While I recognized my wife, she was young again like when we were first married.  I’m sure I looked shocked.  She certainly did, and while I didn’t have a mirror her eyes told me the same had happened to me.  I also noticed my rather pronounced pot was gone and I now had teeth again. Whoa! This dream was getting to be a little much.  Then I noticed in the somewhat dim light that she and I and those thirty other persons were all sitting there naked as jay birds.  Talk about mass embarrassment!   Hands don’t cover much.

There came a voice from an unknown source which said, “You may all leave now, and again, good luck.”

Talk about mass confusion and chatter.  It was a din of noise.  I said, “Everyone, please be quiet for a moment.  We all have questions for which  we don’t have answers.  The first thing to do is exit this place and take it from there.” Julie agreed.

I continued, “We are all embarrassed, that’s true.  But we might as well get past that as we will be seeing a lot more of each other.”   Of course, I mean that in a different sense.  No one put me in charge, but due to my chronological age and the water my wife and I had seen flow under the bridge, we just gravitated to taking the lead.  All the others were young with little experience in anything.

“Folks, can I assume that everyone here thought he or she was having a dream?”

There was one big chorus of “yes.”  A few of the girls were crying.  I couldn’t blame them much, as I wanted to just sit down and do that myself.  I might have if it hadn’t been for all those young people.  Taking responsibility when it was needed was sort of a knee-jerk reaction my wife and I had cultivated over the years.

We exited and found ourselves back on the same path we had come in on with no idea as to how or why we’d gotten there in the first place.  I looked as far as the eye could see and there was nothing but tall prairie grasses with an odd tree here and there.

I said, “Everyone, follow us.  There is this slight path that may eventually lead somewhere, maybe not, but as I see it there aren’t really any other choices.”  So, down that path our small band of confused and  disbelieving  group  went.   The sun was getting pretty hot and we had no protection whatsoever.  We could sense we were in the beginnings of possibly severe sunburn.  Not a good beginning, not that such was even possible.

About that time along the side of the path there was a number of good sized aloe plants growing.  I was relieved.  Hmm, funny they would be there just when needed, but there they were and we were grateful.  The juice from that plant was not only soothing and healing to the skin, it was also somewhat of a natural sun screen.  None of us had a tool, so we tore pieces off and squeezed the juice out with our bare hands.

As the day wore on we were wondering about shelter for the night.  We were also getting mighty thirsty and hungry.  About two miles later we spotted a group of three trees.  Amazingly, the path took us right to them.  There was a very small but adequate spring-fed pool and one of the trees was an apple tree whose fruit was ripe.  It seemed like small things, but now we were happier to find them than if we had won a big lottery.

A couple of the girls were from Hawaii and said as children they had watched how thatched roofs were made.  They noted there was an abundance of grass around us, and if we did the roof process in miniature we could make grass skirts to somewhat help cover us.  Weaving a hat wouldn’t be difficult either.  They showed us and we followed every movement closely.

It involved getting about a dozen plumes of grass and tying those together with pliable green stems.  All were small enough to snap bare-handed or bite off.  It took about sixty plumes woven together with more pliable green stems to make a grass skirt.  Hats were a little easier and we worked half way through the night making them.

We slept late and awoke refreshed and encouraged, but still scared stiff at what might lie before us.  For the first time, the group began contemplating the how come of it all.  They raised good questions, such as:  Had we been saved from something? Was this a reward of some sort, or was it a punishment?  Mind boggling questions.  There would be no quick answers. The only thing we did all agree on was that it wasn’t a dream.

The next few days brought some progress.  The ladies busied themselves with  grass weaving and  making tops for themselves,  We were one motley crew.  I thought we resembled islanders or fugitives from a Robinson Crusoe movie.  We managed a laugh here and there which helped to keep our sanity and composure.  I knew deep down we all felt we were walking into the unknown, not knowing why, and that was very scary.  In a way worrying about those young people helped Julie and I keep a focus and purpose.  I think they felt relieved that someone cared and provided some structure.

We all believed in He Who Is and prayed that he would go with us. Waking up from this dream wouldn’t hurt anyone’s feelings.  However, we had gotten to the point that we knew it wasn’t a dream.

We had only a small hope we openly  expressed, but a huge one in our hearts.  It seemed that each day when we were at the end of knowing where our next meal or drink would come from, there would be small stand of trees and some water.  Usually, with a fruit tree of one kind or another.

This idea nagged at me that  if we strayed from the narrow path  resources might not be so plentiful.  As it was, they were at intervals as if masterfully planned for travelers.  I put my wonderings on the back burner, because I had more important things to deal with.

I got a surprise shortly after we arrived at our next oasis.  A young man by the name of Richard Slocum got fumble-footed and twisted his ankle.  Thank heaven he didn’t break it.  It wasn’t real severe, but enough that he should stay off his feet for several days.  There wasn’t sufficient fruit left to sustain the group for several days.  So I had Julie take the group on ahead, and told her we would catch up eventually, not to worry.

After five days, Richard was okay so he and I hurried to catch up with the group.  It might take double-timing it for eight or nine days, but I figured we could accomplish that.

Were we surprised when it only took one day.  We arrived at a fairly large stand of trees, like a small woods.  Everyone was there waiting with big smiles, they were glad to see us and we them.  Apparently there was an abundance of assorted fruit trees and other trees, as well as a small stream with pure cool water.  Almost like a mini Garden of Eden, at least compared to what we’d seen so far.

Julie said that while most of where we had walked was easy on the feet, the last couple of hundred yards to reach  these woods had rocks in the path.  It made them acutely aware of their lack of shoes.  Then Julie smiled about a mile wide and said,  “Eli, I did you proud.”

“Oh?  How’s that?”

“In looking around for anything that might protect our feet, I spotted a tree that reminded me of the cork trees I’d seen in pictures.  I checked out its bark and saw it had a place here and there one could get a finger hold into.  So I tried pulling some off.  It came off in strips or pieces about four by twelve inches on the average.  It was sort of rubbery to the touch, slightly flexible,  yet brittle enough that if you scored it with a pointed rock you could snap it in two at the score line.  Then using small supple vines growing abundantly around here, we lashed them to our feet.  Very primitive, I’ll admit, but comfortable to stand on and it beats walking over rocks by a long ways.”

“Julie, you are why we are a team.  I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Thanks Eli, you have also taught me a lot.”

“Hey, honey, how are the kids doing?”

“Pretty well for young ones thrust into a situation like this.  You know how having each other helps us both so much.  Well, they need someone to relate to and confide in on a one-on-one basis also.  They have started somewhat pairing off, and I think that’s good.”

We left that more sizeable bit of woods.  One or two had said they wondered if it big enough to make a home.  It wasn’t, but I got the message.  We marched on following the narrow path.  I began wondering what made the path which wasn’t much more than a wide game trail, what it was used for, and by what or whom.  It didn’t seem heavily used at all.

We came to a small river, clear as a crystal, about knee deep, and very fast flowing.  Fast enough that even though it wasn’t deep it could knock one off their feet and tumble sweep them for a bruising ride of some distance, maybe even cause drowning.  We could see where the path continued on the other side, so we knew we had to cross somehow.  But how?  It was about eighty feet wide.  I was sure that if we had a rope to let out, one could pull back up and continue, even if knocked off their feet.   A good idea, but no rope.  So I sat down to ponder what to do.

A young man by the name of Bud Franklin came up with an idea he had seen done in a movie under similar circumstances.  He said, “But you know in movies they always do the impossible, so I’m not sure if it will work in real life.”

“Well, shoot it to me, Bud, I haven’t got any ideas.”

“In the movie they made a human rope.  They linked hands very tightly and waded in at an angle towards the upstream.  The idea of the angle was to lean slightly into the current like leaning into the wind as to not be blown over.  The human rope would be somewhat self-anchoring and the current would somewhat force the human rope line down stream.   As the first person reached the other side, he would be lined up with the path and at an easy point to get out of the water.  Once out, he would anchor from that side and the line would get shorter and shorter till the last person was out.”

I said, “Bud, it sounds doable, and we can’t stay here forever. The path continues on the other side, and I feel an impetus that we must follow it for whatever reason I’ve yet to learn.  So let’s get everyone lined up in a row/ I’ll lead off and Julie will bring up the tail end.”

We entered the water which was brrrrr!  very chilly.  Everything came off without a hitch and we made the other side.  I thanked Bud and about shook his hand off.

We were becoming a cohesive, caring group, all for one and one for all.  Julie asked, “Where did you get that saying, from watching The Three Musketeers?”

“Of course,  I went to movies also.”  Best laugh we’d had in a couple of days.  The warm sun felt good as it dried us out from the chilly crossing.

We continued uneventfully, rather routinely from mini-oasis to mini- oasis for the next three weeks. Then when we were a couple of hundred yards out of the last oasis there came a big, I do mean big, surprise.

We all stopped and stared in near disbelief; but there it was, right in front of us.  A two-lane wide white crushed rock road.  Now we all knew that nature didn’t make it.  Where did it lead?  Were we to cross it, or go left or right, or what?

After staring at the ground it was obvious the path didn’t pick up on the other side.  So then we looked back to where the path dead ended at the road, or did it?  Very close examination revealed  that what little was left of the path veered right along the road and tapered to nothing in about six feet.   That was the only clue I’d get, but for the purpose I felt it might as well  have been an arrow pointing sign with “This way” painted on it.

I waved my arm and told them to follow me.  Julie wasn’t totally convinced and said.  “I liked left.”

“Dear, if it was a case of like, none of us would even be here.”

“Point taken.”  We had come to learn a little about each other. Julie and I, of course, knew about ourselves.  Even though we had wanted children we’d never been able to have any.   And now here we are somewhat surrogate parents of a large group of kids that are almost adults by age.  Certainly they are already by virtue of attitude and being able to take responsibility as assigned and frequently without even being asked.

We had also found out that, without exception, each one of them was an orphan.  Some were raised in the orphanage and some were bounced from one foster parent to another.  What was amazing is that considering their beginnings, they all had marvelous attitudes.  We were impressed.  Somehow I felt this had something to do with it all, but I could only wonder what.

We trudged along that road and were grateful for our jury-rigged, home-made footwear while walking on those sharp hot rocks.   The grade increased a bit and there was an occasional tree along the roadside.  However, none of them fruit.

When we topped the grade, there was a railroad crossing.  We knew nature didn’t make this either.  Across the tracks and dead ahead and slightly down grade was an impoundment.  It was large and had very high fencing all around except where this road entered.  There were piles of that white crushed rock around what appeared to be loading equipment, and a large corrugated metal building in the compound.  We decided to explore it.

We were amazed!  It was quite clean.  There was a row of lockers on each side and benches to sit on, as in a typical locker room.  The locker count was thirty two; a bit of coincidence maybe as we numbered thirty two souls.  The lockers were unlocked so we opened them.

Wonder of wonders, in each locker there were a pair of clean white coveralls, a pair of work boots, and a billed baseball style hat with a logo which read Apex Rock Company.  It was trial and error to see what would fit whom, but when the dust had settled each of us had a perfect fit.  We felt so fashionable that we thought an Easter Parade might be in order.  Much laughter followed.  But it didn’t end there. We also found working showers with soap.  We were happier than kids at Christmas.

We figured this was a daily change site for those who worked this rock depot, but there was no sign of their having been there. Very mysterious.

We wondered about the impoundment and noted the road continued on the other side of it.  However, that way was barred by a high fence and high locked gate with barb wire.  It was apparent that we weren’t supposed to go that way.   Julie couldn’t pass it up.  She said, “Maybe this means we should now reverse ourselves and go down the rock road, the way I wanted to go.”

“Julie, dear, you get an A plus for trying, but I don’t think so.”

“Do you have a better idea?”

“Not yet, but I’m working on it.”

We more or less gravitated back to the railroad tracks.  Julie said, “Are you thinking about following the tracks??

“Yes, I am.”

“Which way?  If I had a coin, I’d give it to you to flip.”

I said, That would trust too much to luck.  The directions are here, we just have to recognize them.”  I stared and stared at the tracks, first one direction then the other, scratched my head and wondered what I was missing.

Another of the fine young men by the name of Barney Smyth asked.  “Hey, Eli.  Why are the tracks rusty that way and shiny the other way?”

Well duh! and call me blind for missing the obvious.  I said, “Thanks, Barney, you have turned on my mental light bulb and now I see the obvious.”  I explained that the rusty tracks hadn’t been used since who knows when. But the shiny ones had.  The train wheels being metal to metal kept them worn shiny, and they would stay that way for some time even after the last train passed.  This was a materials depot and trains would come here,  get rock, and then return to wherever.

I told everyone that Barney had solved the problem, and we would follow the shiny tracks.  Julie whispered to me, “Kind of slick aren’t  you?”

I said, “What you see is what you get.  Anyone who would let ego get in the way of common sense might not have any.  So there, Missy Smarty Pants.”

She replied, “I sure do love you.”  Now that’s playing dirty pool, I had to reply with the same even though I knew she had just defused me.  She was good at it too.  One of the reasons I loved her so.

As we set off down the shiny railroad tracks, someone started singing “I’ve been working on the rail road…” and about then the rest of us joined in with “all the live long day,”  Nothing like a happy song to set cadence.  It helped us to have a focus to take our minds off the unknown,  and made time pass more quickly.

About seven hours down the tracks we spotted a small farm house approximately three hundred yards  off to one side.  We decided it was worth investigating.  It was peculiar that it didn’t have any worn paths leading up to it.

We knocked on the door, and after getting no answer we tried the door and found it unlocked.  No one was home.  It was clean and nicely furnished.  There were pots and pans in the cabinets, but no food anywhere.  It appeared  no one had been here for a while, if ever.  Someone heard some clucking outside and went to check it out.    How about that, no people but there was a flock of fat chickens.

We were cast as foragers in circumstance we hadn’t chosen.  So we bowed our heads and thanked He Who Is for this bounty. We also apologized to the chickens’ owners, whomever they might be, if anyone.  I was getting suspicious about some things, but I couldn’t worry about that now.   We had   to figure out how not to have raw chicken.

There was a large kettle and we figured we could boil eggs in it and have them for breakfast.  It was a wood stove and there was a nice wood pile right outside.  The ladies drew water from the well to boil the eggs.  Since there was no oil or lard, fried chicken was out of the question.  It seemed putting the chickens on a spit over an open fire would work best in this case, if we could find something to hold them.   Someone spotted a box of matches by the wood stove which would prove helpful, as well as the hatchet conveniently stuck in the top of a chopping stump.

A few of us began plucking the chickens.  We were less than experienced at it so it got to be quite a sight.  Slow we were, but we got it done.  We found a pitchfork and used it like a big weenie roasting stick to do  three chickens at a time.  Though it took a little while, we just about decimated the whole flock.   A nice peach tree provided a fine desert.   It was at that time better than a Thanksgiving feast, and made for a lot of smiling faces.

Since it looked like it might rain, we thought it would be a good idea to sleep in the house that night.  It turned out that was a good decision, as there was a moderate to light rain a good part of the night.  Everyone scattered about finding floor space where they could.   Of course, we fellows let the ladies have the couch and one odd bed.  Even so, some of the women had the swanky floor suites along with us fellows.

When the rooster crowed, we knew it was morning.   The few hens that were left were busy scratching like nothing happened.  We figured the rooster would get busy and help the flock regain its former head count.  It was a cool morning, and after the rain the breeze was very refreshing   We enjoyed the boiled eggs.   Salt would have been nice, but no one was complaining.

It was time to hit the trail again, so it was back to the railroad tracks and forward march.  That peach tree had really been loaded, and everyone had grabbed an extra peach to take with them for a mid-morning snack.

I hate to sound like a stuck record, but it was a routine again, mile after mile with an occasional conveniently located track-side oasis. This went that way for about ten days.

Then I spotted something up ahead.   As we grew closer I could see another rock road crossing the tracks.  That meant another directional question coming up.  As I got close enough, I could see an arrow sign pointing to the left.  It said “Airport, 3 miles.”  Julie jumped up and down and hollered, “That way, Eli, I’m just sure of it.  Don’t argue about it, take my word for it.”

This time I agreed with her conclusion, so I said, “Thank you Julie.  I think you are right.  You hit the old nail right on the head.”  Needless to say, that perked her up quite a bit.

In about three miles, there it was in all its glory.   Very small and quaint.  Not a soul in sight.  There was an old DC-3 sitting on the runway.  It looked flyable.  Julie said,  “Now we can make some tracks.”

“It’s been a long time and I’m not sure I remember everything.”

Undaunted and still bubbly, Julie said, “Eli, it’s like riding a bicycle, you never really forget.”

“Okay, we can all go aboard and look around for fun.”

We did.   Then a voice came out of nowhere and said, “Please be seated and fasten your belts. We are about to take off.”

Julie said, “Wow!  A human voice other than ours; we better do as instructed.”

“Okay.”  But I was thinking, Look what happened the last time we did as instructed.

As we took off, a voice said,  “This is a short flight and no refreshments will be served.  Thank you.  This is your Acme auto pilot speaking on behalf of Acme Airlines. Thank you for flying us.”

Whoa!  Auto what?  I went to speak to the Captain.  I opened the cabin door and there was no one flying the plane.  Just a big sign that said “Acme Auto Pilot Activated.”  I returned to my seat.   “Julie, I don’t like telling you this.  It’s a bit scary, and I don’t think we should tell the others.”  I told her and she fainted dead away.

She came to after awhile, and said, “Am I still alive?”

I said, “Yes, the auto pilot appears to be functioning correctly.  I told her it wasn’t a totally new concept; I’d heard of such things”.  That seemed to be calming information.

The voice from wherever came on again and said, “Please fasten seat belts.   We will be landing at the Mid Dale Airport in eight minutes.”

We sat down like a feather with the greatest of ease. The door opened and the steps went down.  As we disembarked, a voice said “Thank you for flying Acme.”

Julie and I figured the less elaborating the better. No point in spooking the group.  We went over to the tiny terminal and availed ourselves of the water fountain and toilet facilities.

Back outside we spotted a sign that said “Mid Dale, two miles.”

“Okay, gang, I don’t see any taxis, so I guess we have to hoof  it.”

Mid Dale was a nice small town that looked like it could support and house five or six hundred people.  But as usual, there were no people.  It was beginning to get dark and we spotted a combination restaurant/hotel up ahead.  At least it was a place to lay our heads.

When we drew closer, our noses started twitching.  The aroma of hot food filled the air and it was coming from that restaurant.  There were no people inside, just thirty-two places set with steaming, delectable meals in place.

It was getting spooky.  But why look a gift horse in the mouth?  Just think of it as providence.  There were no waiters, waitresses or table- clearing bus boys in sight.  We all enjoyed a very fine meal, the finest we had had in several months.

At the hotel we were greeted by a sign that said “Welcome to Mid Dale’s finest thirty-two room hotel.  Keys are in each door.”  I didn’t get much sleep that night because my mind was churning with things I couldn’t express.

I began wondering.  After all, it was no small power that erased the years from Julie and me.  Thirty-two sets of coveralls, exactly what was needed, no more no less.  Thirty-two was becoming a pattern.  Was He Who Is somehow involved in all of this?   If not, I was sure he was at least aware. He does watch over his children no matter where they are.  That was comforting to remember.

It was bugging me something fierce.  I didn’t know if anyone else was having similar concerns, and didn’t want to say anything for fear of starting who knows what.   Aarrrggghh!  It’s a heavy responsibility I’ve had thrust upon me.

Morning came and we awoke refreshed.  We headed out to go  through the town to see if there were any  directions indicated on the other side.  We no more than got outside when our noses started twitching.   It was the food smell from the restaurant again.  Someone suggested we follow our nose, and that got a round of hearty chuckles.  But it was a good idea and we did just that.

Once inside we were greeted by a pleasant sight.  It was a breakfast buffet, hot and steaming.  Serve yourself style.  There was still not a soul in sight, just magically appearing food.   Eggs, bacon, sausage links, pancakes. toast, orange juice, hot coffee, and fresh fruit.  It was deluxe, and tasted mighty fine.

Yet, in the back of my mind, I wondered.   It seemed whomever or whatever, like an alien even, who intended no harm and was giving good care.  However, it was running us up and down like a yo-yo on a string, playing us like a fiddle.  Or were we like lab rats in some sort of cosmic maze, being tested for what, or why?  I figured might as well go along.  I would never get answers if I didn’t.

After breakfast we headed down the street.  One of the girls hollered,  “Look at that!”  It was a store called Mid Dale Clothing and Accessory Store with an Open sign.  We went in and they had it all.

Julie said, “Eli, this must belong to someone, we can’t just help ourselves.”

“Julie dear, I think we are supposed to.”

“It doesn’t seem quite right.”

“If I had one I’d write a check and leave it by the register.”

“Well, why don’t you?”

“Do you remember the nothing we started out with?”

“Oh!, I’d just as soon forget that.:

“I’ll tell you what I’ll do.  I’ll leave an I.O.U. with my name and address on the counter. It’s the best I can do.”

“I guess that’s okay, considering.”

I said, “Everyone, help yourselves.   It’s on me.”  The cheers went up all over.   It’s an easy crowd to please.

The girls spent hours trying on dresses, then selected one.  They also selected a pair of jeans, a top, some hiking grade tennis shoes, a comb, a handbag with a strap, and some makeup.  The handbag held the makeup, comb, and a tightly but neatly rolled-up dress.  The guys each got a pocket comb, tennis shoes, a pair of jeans, and a nice shirt. They had less requirements than the ladies.  Before going any farther, the guys said they found something in the men’s hat section and wanted to give it to me.  They said they wanted to thank me for being their leader and this would be a symbol to formalize that position.   It was a decorative macho hat pin, about the size of a quarter, not too big, not too small, just right.  Its shape was a circle with a star in it, and in the upper left star point was a small green stone.  They said that probably meant something, they didn’t know.

Before I could get a word out, one of the girls piped up and said, “Julie, you are like the mother we never had.   Can we call you Mom?”

Julie said, “Of course.”  I thought we both were going to sit down and bawl, but we didn’t.

Needless to say, the work boot’s  and white coveralls were left behind.  As we got to the other side of town we saw two signs, one said “Mid Dale Zoo,  two blocks.”  The other sign pointed the opposite direction and it said “Big Bob’s Paddle Boat Transport Service, Departure time two o’clock daily,  Just two miles.”

Everyone  thought the paddle boats was  a good idea.   However, since we had three hours on our hands, we decided to go to the zoo.  That sounded like a fun break of pace.   It wasn’t large nor terribly ellaborate, but it was nice and clean, with a fairly good assortment of animals.  A signs said “The Mid Dale Zoo is proud to have one of the first automatic feeding and watering systems.”  We guessed that was good since we couldn’t see any zoo keepers anywhere.

Some of the girls noticed that some animals looked mighty thirsty and some were lying down like in the throes of dehydration.  I looked about quickly and saw that their watering troughs were empty.  Was the system malfunctioning?  We concurred that it must be.  Where do you suppose the controls are?  No one knew, of course, but we started looking around.

One of the fellows came running back and said he saw a small metal building with water running out of it, just going here and there over the ground.  Immediately we were suspicious that the building housed the controls.  The door was unlocked so we went in.   Bingo!   It was the control hub for the water, numerous pipes and valves.  The problem was obvious, a pipe had broken and the water was not going to the cages, just running on the ground.  This needed to be fixed immediately to save the animals’ lives.  The guys broke into teams to scout for tools and supplies.

One of the girls said that according to the sun’s position time was getting away and we might miss the paddle boat.   I said, “That’s not good, but if we do we do, the priority is these defenseless animals.  Do we all agree?”   We did.  I told them I was proud of them.

One of the fellows came back with a handful of tools and assorted pieces of pipe.  He said he’d found them in a shed.  I’ve never done a lick of plumbing in my life; I just kind of stared helplessly at the tools.  One of the guys, Tony Parks, told us one of his foster parents had been a plumber and he used to go along on the jobs occasionally.  He never did anything, but had observed quite a bit.  He volunteered to tackle the job.

He was right.  He did a crackerjack good  job.  The water flowed to the troughs and the animals drank and drank and all became healthy-looking again.

That ended well and the sun’s position indicated we had better get a move on, and even then it might be too late.

We arrived at the dockside and saw the paddle boat was still there.  However, the loading gate was closed.  We sat down on benches to wait.  A few minutes later a voice came over the loud speaker and said,  “Sorry for the delay folks, it won’t be much longer.  We had a plumbing problem in the boiler room, but it’s almost fixed.”

Just like magic, about fifteen minutes later the loading gate swung open and a voice said, “All aboard for the most scenic route of the many, to the famous  Big Tree National Park.”   Once we were seated, a female voice came over the loud speaker and said, “Welcome aboard, I’m Hope, your captain and pilot.  The trip will take about four hours.  Please notice all the lovely scenery as we go.”

This Hope person went on to say, “For your refreshment you will find  on the counter behind the seats some sack lunches especially prepared for you.  Drinks are in the underside cooler.”

That was a pleasant surprise, seeing how suppertime wasn’t that far away.  I should have guessed it, but again I was amazed by the thirty-two pattern.  That’s the exact number of sack lunches there were, and the exact number of ice cold bottles of strawberry pop.  I hoped everyone liked strawberry.  I was beginning to get a little less concerned about patterns and more able to enjoy the ride so to speak, even if I had no idea where we were supposed to wind up.

We arrived at dockside,  Big Trees National Park according to the sign.  As we disembarked, that female voice said,  “Thank you for riding with Big Bob’s.”  Cool!  Nice fellow no doubt.

Again I was elated and amazed for  just ahead up the hill a bit  were numerous cabins, each had a vacant sign and a key in the door.  How convenient.  Puzzling, however, was the fact there were forty cabins in the rather large complex.  I thought, What happened to thirty-two? Is  someone messing with me?

We had a nice relaxing rest and in the morning we went to the park office.  No one was there, of course, but there was a large table with fruit, juices, bread and a toaster, and pastries, and coffee.  A sign said “Continental breakfast, compliments of the management.”  Nice. I sure would like to meet some management.  Oh well, par for the course.

After having satisfied our hunger, we set off.   Down at the end of the cabin complex was a good-size log cabin structure bearing a sign, “Big Trees Camping  Equipment Store.”   It was very well stocked.  They had thirty two each of canteens, mess kits,  combination hatchet hunting knife outfits, steel match sets,  light-weight sleeping bags, back packs, and fishing poles with lure sets.  Not to mention thirty-two sets/packages of freeze dried rations, a week’s supply for each.

Yes, I feel it’s safe to say that thirty-two is a meaningful factor somehow.  We all loaded ourselves up and took off down the trail.  Shortly we came to an electric solar-powered golf cart rental lot that operated by Big Bob.   I’ve heard that name before, I think.  Another sign said “Big Bob on vacation, no charge while gone, help yourself.”

As it were, there were sixteen of them, all two-passenger.  Hmmmm! That’s the thirty-two factor again.  We all piled in one or another and went down the trail.   Sure was more comfortable than walking and a wee bit faster.  It was a beautiful forest with winding trails, chirping birds, deer,  raccoons,  more life than we’d seen anywhere so far, outside of the zoo.   In places, the trail ran alongside a pristine trout stream.  Needless to say, we supplemented our freeze-dried rations.  We sang songs by the campfire and slept under beautiful stars.   It was a wonderful week.

The entire group we were leading approached me  the next morning and said they had a request.  The spokesperson said, “All of us have paired off and have fallen in love.  You are the leader, Eli, somewhat like a ship’s captain.   Therefore, we would like for you to marry us.”  You could have bowled me over with a feather.   I didn’t see that coming.  I certainly understood it, but…

I said, “I’m not sure that I am technically able to do that, but I don’t see anyone else more qualified.  Yet as much as I hate to deny your request, I must for this reason.  Once married, it in effect would be a  license to engage in very intimate activity, which as you know could lead to other things.  That could complicate considerably our ability to travel.   We don’t know how long it will be yet that we are to stay on this journey, to wherever.  Therefore, please, let’s wait until the journey’s end.”

They were disappointed, but agreed that what I said made the best logic for the moment.

We mounted our golf carts and in a few minutes rounding a bend.  We saw parked golf carts and a sign that said “Park carts here and follow arrow to bus stop for bus going to Journey’s End.”  We looked at that sign and all thought that made it pretty plain.  We weren’t too sure whether to be relieved or further frightened, but we had followed instructions this far, so why quit now?

It wasn’t far and we could see a bus.  On the way to it, we passed another person, the first we’d seen since we started this journey.  It was the man in the blue suit who had taken our leather tickets in that roofless earthen room.  He said, “My name is Line.  My colleague in the black suit is Tenar who will be your driver and will explain everything.  Have a good trip.”

We boarded the bus, a thirty-two passenger bus, of course.  The man in black said, “I’m Tenar, an enlightened being in the service of He Who Is.  I will explain all when we arrive at the final destination.”  His identity sure gave us all a big sigh of relief. Our last contact with him hadn’t been much fun.

We went whizzing down the road.  It appeared we were headed directly towards a large lake.  As we drew near we could see the road ended at the lake.  At that juncture we could see a large arch of yellow light, peculiar to me to say the least.  Our driver wasn’t even attempting to slow down.  I was sure we were going to end up in the drink.

Big,  big surprise.  As we went under that soft yellow light that formed an arch, the lake vanished and the bus came to a stop.  Our jaws  about bounced  off the bus floor.  We stared in absolute silent shock and awe.  It was the biggest, most beautiful, modern-looking city I’d ever seen.  It was centered in a large valley completely surrounded by mountains. Many water falls were present and pristine streams flowed near and around the city. The gardens all around were unbelievably abundant.  Flowers as never seen before in gorgeous bloom everywhere.

Tenar said, “I will now explain.  Do you remember hearing how your ancestors came to be on New Earth?”  We said we did.   Tenar continued,   “This city was one  module  of a star system.  The only one that was not inhabited by anyone from old earth.  That is because on old earth this city was called Shangri-La.  Its original inhabitants were as close to perfect as humans could get.  Unfortunately at some point they all took a vow of celibacy.  Hence, no more children and the population simply aged out of existence.  He Who Is wished to preserve such a place for use on New Earth.  This is a new improved version of that city.  Only the very select will be offered a chance to live here.  You have been put through a journey to test you as persons of right character and values.  The abstinence of you young people was most impressive and pleasing to He Who Is.  You all are being offered, and we hope you accept, the opportunity to be the first residents of this city, which He Who Is  has named New Eden.  If you all accept, Eli will be the first mayor and Julie his first lady.   The rest of you will be assorted elders and officials, the details to be worked out.  Will you accept?”

Tenar was pleased when he got a resounding total “Yes!”

He added, “As an enlightened being representing He Who Is, I’m authorized to perform weddings, if any one is interested.”

Eli smiled and said to Julie, “Fastest forming line I’ve ever seen. What’s more, I’m off the hook for it.”

Over the years, in addition to children being born, there would be other select persons showing up to expand the population base.  Tenar really surprised  them when he introduced L-10 and  ninety-nine more of his kind, explaining that these well-programmed, cuter than a bugs ear, and intelligent androids  would help in getting  them settled in and set up.   They were on loan from the moon, and would return there when no longer need.

Everyone took this information at face value, because it was a little hard to digest.

As you know know, name is Eli Winslow,   I’m told that I’m to be the first mayor of New Eden.  I believe that most of you already know how that came about, so I will continue my story from here.

My wife Julie and I arrived here after an arduous journey along with fifteen young men and fifteen young women who were married within minutes after our arrival.  Their courtships had been a bit lengthy. They are to become the initial body of officials and elders helping to govern New Eden.

An enlightened being by the name of Tenar introduced me to an android called L-10 which indicates highest level of programming.  This android is on loan to help us settle in and get things started, along with 99 of his cohorts of various programming levels.

Since they all look exactly alike, except for some differences in tunic color, I asked L-10 if I may name him Manners which seemed to reflect his attitude.  He said that would be fine.  I told him that I’d appreciate it if for the time being each of his cohorts would select a name, and make themselves a name tag.  Then we would all have a point of reference for addressing each and it would be a lot nicer than “Hey You”.  Manners agreed that was a good idea and he’d see that it was carried out.

In due time, I will introduce you to the fifteen couples to share the initial occupancy and governing of New Eden with us, but first things first.

Manners wished to escort us to our official residence and get us settled in.   He took us to an area about two miles from the edge of town and elevated  around forty feet above the plain of garden and crop areas that surrounded the city.

The city was ultra-modern with skyscrapers here and there toward its center that were from 50 to 200 stories high.  Much colorful glass was incorporated into the architecture, with high skywalks at various levels connecting many buildings. Indeed it gleamed, a marvel to the eye.  I mention that because it contrasted sharply with the architecture of the areas I and the fifteen couples would call home.  It was old world, really old world, with much stone work, almost castle like, and marble floors, palatial verandas and spacious interiors.  There were many plantings to landscape it all inside and out.  Everything was double deluxe which when you consider that He Who Is designed and built it should be no surprise.  He Who Is deals only in perfection.  We felt blessed.

I was told that I’d be shown a little later my in-city apartment for use when duty might require more time in the city proper.

Meanwhile, Manners showed us around our residence.  It was awesome.  Then he took us to the master bedroom and opened the vast closet that was mine.  Julie had one of equal size.  Mine, however, came with a piece of clothing already in it.  Manners held it up and said this is your official uniform, so to speak, to wear when holding important meetings or addressing the population.

At the moment the population was sparse indeed, but I was told that within a few years it could swell to a half million souls.  The uniform consisted of white slacks,  a dark brown tunic, and an open-fronted robe or coat that was floor length.  It was deep red with about a four-inch wide gold- colored  trim on the opening edges.   It was breath-taking.

Then Manners opened a drawer and took out a lovely carved wooden case with pearl insets that spelled Eli.  I was about ready to gasp for breath. What next, what was in the case?  Manners opened it and removed a solid gold chain with a large medallion on it.  It was a circle with a star in it and a green emerald set in the upper left star point.  Manners said it was an official symbol of office, a little weighty but not a neck breaker.  Like the uniform, it only needed to be worn at important meetings or when addressing the people.

After a minute or so my normal thinking returned and I said to Julie, “Isn’t it interesting that except for being a little larger, this medallion is exactly like my hat pin.  I don’t think that hat pin, being where it was when it was, is any more of a coincidence than the patterns of thirty-two were. In fact, I think that Tenar person has a sense of humor, or likes to give mysterious hints of the unknown.   Spooky, yes, but nice.

Manners went on to display an initial supply of linens of all kinds.  In the kitchen there was every utensil required along with dishes, etc., for serving food.

He then proudly showed us the food acquisition box built into the wall with a glass-fronted door, and adjacent to it,  the liquid dispenser.  Okay, nice, but how does it work?  Manners said, “It does require some effort on your part.  In the case of the liquid dispenser, you must place a glass or cup under the spigot.  In the case of the food acquisition box, you must place a dish or dishes within, close door, and then simply push button and speak your order.  It will be filled almost instantaneously by means of molecular rearrangement and synthesizing  the  material to your order.  It may be hot or cold, fresh or raw, however it is desired.

“The basic material for this is the crops you see growing in abundance.  It is quick and easy to harvest, fast-growing, and by the time the second field is harvested it’s time to do the first one again.  Abundance will never be a problem.  He Who Is got the idea for such a crop from observing all the different things the original Shangri-La inhabitants did with something called soy beans.  This version which is aptly named alpha beans is so vastly  improved that there is very little comparison, especially in the processing.  Consequently, the numerous grocery stores spotted around the city are rather small and sell only 50-pound bags of alpha beans, more of a bean depot than a grocery store.  It serves the purpose if one wants to think, grocery store.  The alpha beans are dumped in a hopper, the door to which is just under the food acquisition box.  Replenish as needed.”

I asked Manners about the fruit trees that also grew in abundance.  He said, “It’s perfectly good fruit, feel free to eat.  They are there primarily for their beauty, but waste not, want not.  And when not in season they can be duplicated by the food acquisition box.

“Also note the many birds and small animals.  They are here to be enjoyed for their beauty, not to be killed for sport or food source.  They will never become so numerous as to pose a problem.  He Who Is has balanced their life cycles and propagation rates so as to maintain a stable population.”

Manners  is a great source of information.  Apparently on each side of us somewhat following the curve of things are the residences for the other fifteen couples, who are getting the cooks’ tour of their digs about now also.  They are a little smaller than ours, but still very impressive.  Other androids are assisting each of them.  Tomorrow we are going to get the grand tour of the city.  It will take’s us years to get intimate with every nook and cranny, but this will be a very informative introductive start.

What a wonderful rest we had that night on our marvelously comfortable bed, just one item of the many beautiful furnishings.  We awoke feeling cheerful and excited.

We tried out the fancy food-makers.  Alternately we stuck a cup and a glass under the spigot.  I said, “Hot coffee with one cream, no sugar,” and that’s what came out.  Then I said, “Tomato juice” and that’s what came out.  Each time the spigot cleaned itself. Julie took coffee with cream and two sugars.  Bingo, a perfect brew, also fresh-squeezed orange juice.

Then we ordered from the food box.  First we put in three plates and requested scrambled eggs, sausage links, and hotcakes with maple syrup.  All three were presented at the same time, all to perfection.  I think I’m going to like this very much.

After breakfast we gathered with the others. It was a beautiful morning, with a slight breeze, and the sun warming just right.

Manners was there with his name tag on.  He said that as we go we’d notice they all did.  Golly, what a swell little guy.  It was a short walk of about thirty minutes to reach the city edge.  Every step of the way was beauty of one kind or another wherever we looked.

We entered the city, it was breath-taking.   The buildings got taller as we got closer to the center.  The facades of the buildings were every shade conceivable of marble,  alabaster, and onyx.  Much of the surface areas were glass to let in lots of natural light.  The taller ones varied in shape from square, rectangular, circular, conical, semi pyramid, and some with spires.  There were sky walks hundreds of feet up connecting all manner of buildings and lower ones sky walks also.

But first we looked over the shorter ones, from one to four stories for the most part.  They represented individual homes, apartments, schools, coffee shops and ice cream parlors.  All had the food acquisition boxes but included tables and chairs for social gathering spots.  There were shops here and there selling various items.

Churches were placed every so often.  Even though they were ultra- modern, their architecture still left them as obvious churches.  That sets  quite well with me.

Julie piped up and asked where the dress shops were located. Now isn’t that just like a woman?  I had to bite my tongue on that one.  Surprisingly, Manners said there was a nice one  just two doors down.  Julie couldn’t wait to see it and the other wives were purring with anticipation.  The guys didn’t know what they were in for yet, but I’d been there, done that.  I’d learned a long time ago that the answer to “How do I look?” is always, “Wonderful, honey.”  The guys were probably about to learn that the hard way.  I chuckled to myself on that one.

Well, I’ll have to admit that it was the most interesting dress store I’d ever been drug into.  There were many manikins displaying various styles and colors.  Each had a stack of cards beside them with a picture of that dress. Instructions were to take a card to the order counter, stick it in slot, punch in size and color on the key board, then hit enter.  In about  two minutes you are to open door on a nearby cabinet.   Voila!  There is your dress.

You may try it on to see how you like it.  If you do like it, you may keep it.  No payment is required; everything in New Eden is free.  If you don’t like it, throw it in the bin marked “recycle” and press the button.

It seems all clothing is synthesized from recyclables, trash, and even dust from the air.  All waste of any kind is processed into microscopic granules as fine as dust.  This is piped into the machines that utilize it to synthesize whatever they are programmed to do.  Just the slightest hint of anything combined with the molecules of the very air are atomically restructured into anything they are programmed to be.  They are universal materials, so to speak.

The ladies were so enjoying getting new wardrobes that the process just about blew the rest of the day.  Then we went home to rest and would resume the tour in the morning.   The guys and I were really beat.  You know how it is.  The ladies were all happy and energized, of course.  That is the nature of things.

After a fabulous supper, we retired for the evening.  We awoke in the morning raring to go.  We were so anxious that we just had a light breakfast. Then it was time to resume the tour.  We noticed the interiors of the housing units varied in size from a bachelor pad to a large family.  All were very nice.  Some of the high rise apartments offered spectacular views.

We then took an elevator to the top of the tallest sky scraper.  The top two floors were set aside for me and the council members when we would be in long sessions on governing matters.

A few floors down was an entry point to the fantastic sky walks.  We all had a spin on that.  At first it was scary, and we were afraid of falling off.  But it was quickly explained that was impossible because   special gravity locks the feet which  couldn’t be  lifted once they stepped on a red or yellow moving light.  You were moved along automatically at a pleasant pace.  One light went one way, the other light the other way.   They ended at one of the many building entrance junctions which were crystal dome areas that prevented falling from within, and allowed foot movement again so one could enter a building, go on, or turn around and go back.  It took a little getting used to.

We toured an art museum, some fine music halls, theatres, and some sports arenas.  All this wasn’t even scratching the surface.  It would be years until we took it all in, but it was something to look forward to, especially as the population would begin to swell as individuals were called and offered residency opportunity.  Then this city would begin to hum and become truly alive so to speak.

The next day we were all back in the tallest building one floor below our in-town quarters, which is the council meeting place and business area.  The first order of business will be assigning specific areas of responsibility for each of the fifteen young men who are to be part of the initial governing body.

I will take this time to introduce the couples as I assign duties.

Bill (and Jane) Franklin, Street Commissioner

Barney (and Ruth) Smyth, Transportation Commissioner

Terry (and Wilma)  Parks, Water Commissioner

Thomas (and Karen) Robinson, Superintendent of Schools

Leon (and Georgia) Sims, Public Parks Commissioner

George (and Ellen) Johnson, Director of Sports and Public Recreational Facilities

Raymond (and Tillie) Stone, Curator of  The Art Museum

Robert (and Sally) Jones, Commerce Commissioner

John (and Betty) Cobb, Public Works Commissioner

Dennis (and Joy) Hooper, Agriculture Commissioner

Damon (and Carol) Fitzgerald, Director of All Public Area Custodial Services

Percy (and Justine) Russell, Director Public Libraries

Timothy (and Geraldine) Gordon, Director of Public Safety

James (and Harriet) Curtis, Director of Public Relations and Communications

Harlan (and Fannie) Dorsett, Commissioner of Employment.

Commissioner of Employment is a very important position.  Since everything in New Eden is free, there is no need for money.  Yet things that need to be done to make this a thriving community don’t and won’t do themselves.  That takes manpower.  Right now we have those wonderful androids to help, but as people come in they will return to their moon base.

So Harlan will be responsible for determining the range of individual skills and making proper assignment to a point of need.

Actually that makes us one big unique community.

Whew!  I’m glad that’s all said and done.  Reading the list of initial assignments will be as much fun as reading the begats.  However, they will enjoy finding themselves on it.

After the introductions I continued, “I guess that concludes things for our first session.  I know none of you, or I for that matter, know anything whatsoever about how to do what you have been assigned.    You will each be getting a knock on the door from a personal trainer, specifically an android whose programming includes all knowledge for those respective areas.  They will teach you all you need to know.

“So let’s go home and rest up for the day.  Whoa!  Someone has raised a hand.  I guess we are not quite finished.  Well, my goodness, it’s my wife Julie.”   I’m getting that old now-what feeling coming on.  “Julie, you have the floor.”

“Mr. Mayor, what you have done so far is well and good, but the other wives and I want to know what we get to do?”   I should have seen it coming, lucky me.  One of the benefits of being at the top is you get to make the unpopular announcements and benefit from the thanks for them.

So tongue in cheek, I thought straight-out truth is the best way to answer Julie.  I said, “This is an  equal society, everyone has a voice and a vote.   In the future, many women will be part of this community, some will be store clerks, some will be teachers, some will be secretaries, and on and on the usual things, including housewife, a time honored vocation.

“As far as this specific group of ladies go, let me say, under your new circumstances you already have the valued position of not only being First Ladies, but loving wives and housewives as well.   And to each of your husbands you are also like a personal secretary, confidant, supporter, and advisor.  The arduous tasks and responsibilities your husbands now have set before them, make you ladies their most valued asset, and, yes, partner in all things.” I thought to myself, yes it’s a wise man that recognizes the power behind his throne. “Are there any other questions? No, then the meeting is adjourned.  Tomorrow we all begin the task of learning.”

Whew!  I finessed my way through that one.  As we left, all the guys were smiling and the ladies appeared to be proud.   That’s good.  I hope I don’t get a lecture when I get home.  Seriously, wives are great sounding boards and aren’t a bit bashful about giving good advice.  That’s one of the reasons we love them so.

We got home and had an excellent supper.  No lumpy gravy, so I figured all’s well that ends well and then….   Julie said,  “Eli, honey there’s something we need to talk about.”

Oh, boy.   Here it comes.  It was not what I was expecting, but certainly a surprise, a nice one.   Julie said, “Do you remember when we started out on the journey we first thought was a dream?”

“I do.”

“Well, in addition to our biological age being set back, and your pot going bye bye, and your teeth reappearing, apparently other physical corrections were made.” Okay, that’s nice.  Julie then said, “I think you should know that we have a cake in the oven so to speak.”

“Huh?!  You mean?”

“Yes, what we thought would never be, is.”

Wow! And double wow! What a perfect end to a perfect day.  I couldn’t wait to spread the word.

Here it is, the first day of school and here comes my instructor.  Why, it’s Manners himself.   “Good morning, Manners.  I assume you are here to tutor me.”

“Yes, Eli, I certainly am.   Let me say up front, I’m not a stick in the mud and I like a little levity here and there, with the accent on the word ‘little.’  Mostly I’m rather serious in executing my duties as an instructor and I am happiest when my students are equally serious. Now I know you are the head man and I respect that, but in the classroom I’m the Boss.  Do you find that reasonable?”

“I certainly do.”

“Compared to the others, you are going to get the works; not only from me, but you will also be instructed by those who are instructing the others. However,  in those cases it will be a more abbreviated course.   You will need to have some working knowledge about what they do so you can better comprehend things they will bring up from time to time.”

I thought lucky me, but I can see the truth of what Manners is saying.  Funny thing is that I used to muse while admitting I didn’t like school when I was a kid.  I found it boring, and hated home work with a passion, but as I aged I  wished I could go back.   I think I’d enjoy it and learn a lot I missed squeaking through the first time.  And now I’m getting the chance to do that very thing. Praise He Who Is.   He is always giving second chances.

The next few weeks were very intense.  Sometimes I thought my head would burst or not stop whirling with so many new thoughts to sort out, remember, and make sense out of.   It wasn’t easy, but I got the job done.  Julie said she was proud of me and so did Manners. That meant an awful lot to me.

As I understand it, everyone else was having a similar experience.  I think it kind of made us like double new kids on the block.

Now that the education process was complete,  I called a meeting to see what we all had new to say.  I started with myself and reported that among other things taught, I’d really got intensive training in public speaking, communications, and get this, how to listen well.  That was an important part of it all.

Bill, our Street Commissioner, said that until he’d been trained he had no idea of the importance of planning for traffic flow, placement of signal devices, determining where one way streets should be and then which way. The time it took for signals to change depended on where they were and the traffic flow. Then there’s street maintenance.   He was now enlightened and said that didn’t even scratch the surface.  We laughed because we knew exactly what he meant.

Barney, our Transportation Commissioner, said he was amazed to learn that it was important to schedule public transportation units like buses to take large groups of people to many places, especially public events.  Individual transportation provided was two-passenger moped-like units that operated with anti-gravity devices that kept them a few inches above any surface.  They had a safe speed of 5 to 20 mph, and were simply placed everywhere. If you needed one you just grabbed one.  It didn’t make any difference whether or not it was the one you arrived on as there always was one available.  They were identical and maintenance-free which pleased him.

Terry, our Water Works Commissioner, reported that the technical aspects of managing such a system were legion, but the bottom simple line was to keep it clean and flowing.  Someone said, “Right on, that’s the way we like it.”   We got a chuckle or two from that response.

Percy, Director of Public Libraries,  said,  “I used  to think all there was to it was throw books on a shelf and put up a sign saying  ‘Help yourself.’  But it seems it’s a lot more than that by an almost immeasurable amount. I now understand why people used to earn degrees in Library Science.  Yes, there’s a lot to it, and I’m considerably more informed in that area than I once was.”

Harlan, Commissioner of Employment, commented, “I’ve received vast training, but it will be ongoing forever.   Things change and one has to keep up with it.  Yes, indeed, I’ve got one hot potato here to manage.  There will be tests to design to measure abilities in any area, and knowledge to be gained and maintained of every conceivable skill and profession.”

Similar statements were made by all, and our joint awareness was elevated considerably.

I said, “One more thing is obvious to me and I wish to share that with you.  You all have very important life’s work ahead of you.  It should be rewarding and give you much satisfaction, a great feeling of community.

“However, it is true that your duties will overlap in some areas, so I don’t want anyone getting too territorial.  Rather I’d like to see cooperation at all times.”  Everyone agreed that was right and thanked me for the heads up. They could see where that could happen and should be avoided.

Continuing, I said, “As people begin to arrive, one of the first things we should all do is staff our respective departments as needed.  That will be important in order to have a great transitioning experience for people.

Hope said, “Tenar, it looks like  Eli and crew are ready to start receiving people.  Only one thing needs to be done first and that is build an adequate receiving and processing area.  I will contact Eli and have him tell L-10, I guess it’s Manners now, to gather his crew and hop to it.  It shouldn’t  take but a couple of weeks.  Meanwhile, please hand me that thick envelope with the list of those to be offered the opportunity of New Eden.”

“It’s a lot of people, Hope, and it will keep us busier than beavers and bees for quite a long while.  About fifty thousand souls will be the base population.  Past that, nature and time should swell it to it half a million capacity.  And I suspect He Who Is has very specific plans beyond that. Who knows, it might even involve one generation or another of Weston’s.  It wouldn’t surprise me a whole lot.  Well, here we are, Hope.  Won’t Eli be surprised?”

Julie hollered, “Eli would you get the door?   My hands are full.”

Eli opened the door and said, “What a surprise Tenar!”  We weren’t expecting you just yet, but I figured you’d be along in the not to distant future.”

“I’m here and it’s time to tell you that the day has arrived for incoming people.  You will need to build a receiving processing area to handle about five thousand souls a month for the next ten months.  We will both be busier than beavers, in fact all of you will.”

“That’s almost overwhelming, a staggering figure to consider.  We will do our best.”

“I know you will.  The first will arrive in about two weeks.”

“Where do they all come from?”

“From all over the new earth.  You remember from your history books about old earth, there was a Statue of Liberty that had a plaque saying in effect, give me  your poor, your downtrodden, your disenfranchised, your huddled masses and so on.  Well, that somewhat describes these persons.   They all have two things in common:  one, none of them would be leaving anyone behind; two they all have a positive spirit.  And in spite of much misfortune of circumstance, all maintain  a faith in and love for He Who Is.  Here, regardless of age, most will have a chance to build relationships and gain family.  Things so dear to the human spirit.”

“Tenar, what you have said moves me to tears and gratitude toward He Who Is.  Praise him!  We also were orphans of one kind or other from the storms of life.   I will let the rest of the crew know.”

“Good.   I’ll see you later.  I’ve got to get busy with my end.”

The next day I sounded the rally gong and all of the crew arrived at  the meeting room posthaste.  I said, “It’s time. Man your stations.  Tenar will be busy twenty-four/five and we will be busy twelve/five. So buckle up and forward march.”

The process went on for ten months.  I lost count of the welcoming speeches, but every thing went like clock work. I was so pleased with my crew.

The city, which had seemed a bit lonely when there were just thirty-two of us roaming its immensities, now started to come alive,  buzzing with joy.

The day came when the last arrived and Tenar bade us goodbye. He reminded us if anything got dire he was just a short ways off, time wise.

Day to day living went well and during the processes our son was born.  We named him Frank.  So our little saga for now ends here, for now.