The Fall of the Absolute

by Karen Page

Chapter 15

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Chapter 15

When Reggie arrived at the shop, Jennifer noticed Reggie's nose was flattened. That mixed with the slightly dejected look told Jennifer that Reggie had suffered from a sleepless night.

Not wanting to intrude, Jennifer didn't say anything. Reggie could have found someone, and they'd spent the night together. That first night was never conducive to sleep.

"You're wrong," Reggie said, during their first lull. "Well, Hope was wrong."

"Shakespeare?" Jennifer guessed.

"Yes. I spent all night reading it. I found a modern English version." Reggie shrugged. "I learnt some new words as well. I don't think there is corruption or decay in my government."

Jennifer kept her thoughts in check. "You know them better than I do. I'm blinded by human history and sometimes we forget you are different. You have a different government structure."

"I read somewhere that back in Shakespeare's time that there were only male actors?"

"I believe so."

Reggie looked puzzled. "Then who played Gertrude and Ophelia?"

Jennifer grinned. "Men did."

"Oh. So cross dressing was acceptable back then, but then became problematic later?"

"I don't know if it was ever truly acceptable. It was just the norm in the theatre at that time. They probably thought actors were strange people anyway. Over the last, say, twenty Earth cycles, things have got better, especially in the United Kingdom. We managed to not only elect a leader who had been forcibly transformed, but then Lewis was re-elected with an even bigger majority. During the election, someone leaked that he'd been born female and he was gay. The whole country shrugged and carried on. He was the best person for the job. He was Prime Minister for two terms before losing last May."

"So why was your Ma so nervous?"

"Earth might have a world government and a single voice to the Rohastin. But we are still a world with differences. Each country has its own government for local laws. In some countries being transgender or gay is still a crime."

"Why?"

Jennifer shrugged. "Some is historic. What their parents had taught them passed down the generations. For some countries, it is a way of deflecting attention from their own failures. For others, it might be religious, or a way of making sure there is a high enough birth rate. I remember reading about someone calling them non-breeders."

"Your Auntie Tina explained the feelings she had before she transitioned," Reggie confided. "It sounded awful. I'm glad there are people like your birth mother who help them. It doesn't happen often with our species, but when it does, we fix the brain. Reduce the conflict so they can lead a happy life."

"This is where our two species differ a lot," Jennifer said. "To you, the body is the temple and shouldn't be touched. To us, our minds are who we are, and to change that means we aren't the same person."

"Here both treatments are available," Reggie responded. "So, if there is a human that wants to fix the mind, they can do. And if there is a Reginadde that wants to change the body, that is also an option. The Rohastin is great because we are no longer restricted to the path our species dictates."

Jennifer contemplated that. "If a Reginadde had surgery here, how would they be treated?"

"No differently. They aren't shunned. Most wouldn't understand. We even allow them to register under their new gender. There are processes in place, even when it is really rare."

"I didn't mean just that. I meant if a Reginadde broke their leg, or there was an issue with one of their organs?"

"Oh, we use the nanites. They fix things internally and it can never reoccur. I hear there is a trial happening on Earth where they are using nanites to cure ... runaway cells. Sorry, I don't know your term."

Interesting she knows, Jennifer thought to herself. It wasn't a secret trial. It had been in the news. But it showed how much Reggie was paying attention to what was happening on Earth.

"Cancer. I heard about that trial. It will be interesting to see how it goes. Some are worried about little robots in their bodies, but I think they are more frightened of dying and are willing to try anything."

"But you can also joke about death. I remember hearing someone saying, 'Dying is bad for your health'. That is something we have trouble understanding."

"Death is painful for us. We therefore try to make light of the situation."

Reggie pondered and shook her head. It didn't make sense to her.

"How good is your English?" Jennifer asked in English.

Reggie looked confused and responded in English, "It is okay. I understand more than I speak." Then back in Hytuna, "I do not get much practice apart from talking to the Station computer."

"Then we need to make an effort to help you. With no customers, we will talk English."

"Really?"

Jennifer nodded. "Really. Do you know any other Earth languages?"

Reggie said, "A bit of Chinese, but I've not had to use it much. That and some Spanish. I've used that less. Why?"

"You are one of the human experts for your species, aren't you?"

"Yes," Reggie said confidently.

"Then it helps if you understand more. I'm sorry I hadn't thought about your needs more."

Reggie now was really confused. "Why would you want to help me? You do remember who I work for, don't you?"

"Of course," Jennifer smiled.

"Then why help? And don't say because we're friends."

"We are friends. But the worst thing you could give is something mistaken. We get on, but as we've discussed this morning, humans and Reginaddes have very different views. If you don't understand why a human is doing something, it could cause an invalid interpretation. It helps you. It helps us. A new human phrase for you, 'win-win'."

"Oh, I've heard that one. When it is good for both sides. Both sides win."

"Well done. I've also got an ulterior motive. It is coming up to a human festival called Christmas. I want to take Theo away for a few days. If you understand human culture a bit more, you could look after the shop by yourself."

"You looked after the shop while I was on my home world and then on that rescue mission. I think that is only fair. I can also send any gossip I hear. But could Hope or Kelly pop by sometimes, just in case I get stuck with a request on human culture?"

Jennifer smiled. "We can talk next time we meet up for a drink."

That meant later that evening. It was rare they didn't meet up somewhere. Until the four humans had moved to the station, Reggie hadn't known Hope and Theo apart from mentions in emails from Kelly and Jennifer. But she was starting to know them and admitted to herself that they fitted in well with her friends. And Hope had rushed across to protect her when someone was trying to kill her grandfather; though she still wondered if that was a job or personal.

Tonight, they would be trying a new place. When Kelly and Hope weren't training, they'd been going through each floor seeing what they could find. The bar Reggie had introduced them to hadn't been on the blueprints Adelle had got them, so they wanted to know more. One or two floors were done per day. They'd found a few interesting areas; some which followed a pattern over a few floors, others which seemed to be one-offs.

Species tended to group together over time. Alphonians might have congregated in a section of a floor or even most of a floor. Reginaddes in another area. People liked to be close to people they knew, and that was often the same species. Sometimes a little bar or café might open up close to them. Why traipse up several floors to socialise when you could do it locally with just the people you knew? Hope had called it a Rohastin version of a locals bar.

"Is your Earth Entry Visa still valid?" Jennifer suddenly asked Reggie.

"Yes," Reggie responded, surprised. "Why?"

"I have a plan to help you. A surprise. Would you be up for a trip to Earth after work? Not tonight. You are too tired, and I need to book a few things."

"Sounds fun," Reggie responded with only a little apprehension. "What do you have in mind?"

Jennifer gave an impish grin. "I said it was a surprise."

Reggie blew a raspberry at that statement.

"Oh, very good," Jennifer said, surprised. "Where did you learn that?"

"Kelly and Hope did it on the rescue ship. Did I do it right?"

"You did and at the right time. It isn't something you'd do in polite company but between friends it is fun. Did you practice it?"

"Yes. A few times in my room," Reggie said, sounding proud.

"You are getting to be a human expert! Though I only know the western style culture. There are so many other ways of living on Earth. Different social norms. Different expectations. Different ways of showing manners. For instance, in France they used to kiss on the cheeks. In Japan they bow. In America they fist bump."

"Used to?" Reggie asked. "I'd read about that and handshakes."

"There was a virus that was spread by contact. It caused a lot of people to be ill and some to die. Hospitals and healthcare got overwhelmed. So, some traditions changed. A fist bump replaced a handshake. After a while our immune systems tolerated the virus better, and some returned to the older ways, others didn't."

"Sounds a scary time."

"I believe it was. It was before I was born. It isn't the first time in our history that viruses have caused major death. In Earth units, Spanish Flu killed about fifty million, Smallpox about three hundred million, Ebola, Black Death killed about thirty million in Europe which at the time was about half the population of that region."

"I've been told my nanites will protect me while I'm there," Reggie said.

"I know. If we weren't aware of that, you wouldn't have been invited to my parent's wedding. For this surprise outing, are you okay if Theo comes? Or do you want it to be just the two of us?"

"Bring Theo. I wouldn't want him to feel left out. What about Kelly and Hope?"

"I'm putting this down as part of my cultural exploration. I hope Kelly and Hope will understand but I want at least two of us to be here as much as possible. They've been back to Earth a few times for social things too. I'll get Theo to ask Rupert. But if he is too busy to finish on time, I'll take either Kelly or Hope."

Jennifer continued, "I do have a question though. If a non-Reginadde stepped foot on your home world, what would the reaction be? I know we played a concert there and were treated well. But how often does, say, an Alphonian visit?"

"It is rare. There isn't that much mixing between the species. Only humans seem to do that. When you played your concert, it was a big event. All the news sites on our planet and our colonies covered it. Music like that was very different to our usual style."

"Human music can vary by age, and country. People seem to keep to the styles they grew up with. What we played was classical music because it suits an orchestra. What people listen to is a lot different to what we played. And that is different to what might be heard in Kenya, Jamaica or Japan."

Reggie thought. "You know I said that it was in the news when your school came to play? I was thinking that might happen if I visit Earth. Will there be any problem me visiting with you?"

Jennifer flagged this point for discussion with Theo. She needed advice if there was any protocol they'd need to follow. It was handy having a partner who worked for the Ambassador. "There will probably be some ... curiosity."

Slightly later, Georgina, the Human Ambassador to the Rohastin Council, visited to order a few outfits. She was going to visit Earth the following week to meet the Worlds Assembly. They overarched EarthGov and the Scorpion governments.

After she had been served, Jennifer said, "Ambassador, a question if you don't mind."

"Of course," Georgina said with a smile.

"If Reggie came to the UK with me, are there any procedures that need to be followed? She has an Earth Entry Visa. I know she came to my parents wedding, but since the formation of EarthGov things have changed."

Georgina paused and Jennifer wondered if she was counting to ten.

"No," Georgina said. "Technically she could just turn up at an international entry port. She would have to go through manual entry with an official checking. However, since this is not something that happens often, it might be advisable for me to let the local government know."

"It is a surprise for Reggie, so I'll send you the details," Jennifer said. "I'm sorry if this is going to cause a burden."

Georgina smiled. "It is part of my job. Hopefully, others will follow Reggie's footsteps and visit. After all, Earth is a beautiful planet. The other thing I would advise is for her to let the Reginadde Ambassador know."

To Jennifer, it seemed strange her referring to Reggie's grandfather in an official way.

"He might want to come too," Reggie stated. "He doesn't like to miss out on things."

"If he does, it is a different process. He is an ambassador. That would be a notification to EarthGov. Escorted vehicles etc."

Jennifer connected to her device and sent a small message to Georgina, outlining where she planned to take Reggie and to do what.

Georgina stopped at the threshold having received and read the message. "Do you have tickets?"

"I've organised seats in the circle. The theatre has open seating with no boxes. I was going to ask Theo about coming if he has finished work on time. If not, I might take one of my other friends with me."

"I'll keep you informed about Earthside preparations," Georgina said, and went on her way.

"This sounds like a lot of hassle," Reggie said when they were alone again.

"Things are until they are normal. You are paving the way for others."

* * *

It was the evening two days later that they made their way to the hangar. Theo had called for a request hopper, and they were waiting for it. Rupert had made sure Theo was finished in plenty of time and had told him to wear something nice. Theo thought it was strange a man giving him sartorial advice but had shrugged it off.

"Where are we going?" Reggie asked while they waited, clutching a warm coat.

"Earth."

"This is where you pout like this," Theo said, demonstrating the facial expression. He'd not been told the destination either.

This was a hard one for Reggie, but there was a Reginadde equivalent which she demonstrated.

"We're going to England," Jennifer added, looking at their expectant faces. "Stratford-upon-Avon."

"The theatre to see a play?" Theo guessed.

"Ooh. I've heard of that. Wasn't that where Shakespeare was born?"

Jennifer pretended to huff. "See. I give one clue and you are both quick to discover my secret plans."

The hopper arrived and they all climbed aboard and it transported them via interdimensional tunnel to Earth.

"Welcome to Earth," Theo said as they stepped out at London Victoria Hopperport.

There were other arrivals and a few people stopped to stare. An alien in London wasn't what anybody expected. They weren't unknown. There had been pictures, documentaries and news reports. For the last ten years, aliens had become a fact. Yet there were very few that had seen one with their own eyes. With a population of 9.2 billion people, only twenty thousand might have met one.

They followed the sign for Manual Border Control. There were a few officials there and only a single person being looked after. Most went through the automated procedure. Jennifer and Theo could have scanned right through, but they were sticking with Reggie.

Reggie was waved across to one of the free desks. In shaky Hytuna, the border official said, "Do you have an Earth Entry Visa?"

"I do," Reggie responded and handed it across. Then in English said, "I can speak English if that helps."

The official didn't say anything, just examined it, and ran the details in his system. He looked Reggie over and said, "Everything is in order. Your visa allows entry for thirty Earth days. How long do you plan to stay?"

"If everything goes to plan, just for the day."

"Enjoy and welcome to London, England, Planet Earth."

As Reggie went through the gate, Theo noticed the official looked relieved and slightly proud. It was probably his first non-human he'd processed. Theo and Jennifer quickly scanned their passports and were soon with Reggie.

"Look at this place," Reggie said, sticking with English. "When I came to Earth last, there was nothing like this."

"Was that for my parents wedding?" Jennifer asked.

"Yes."

"Things have changed a lot. Back then the only hoppers were Aurora and Eos. Things have changed since then. We've now got to get a hopper to Stratford. I've only been on the Rohastin Station for a few months and I miss the device. I wanted to check on the schedule and realised I'd have to do it manually."

"All these extra lights and embellishments."

"Oh. It is coming up to Christmas. It is a holiday and they put up these decorations. Do you still have access to your Reginadde systems?"

"Yes, but it doesn't have information on Christmas."

"Something to add when you get back. We'll tell you about it as we go."

They slowly made their way along the concourse towards the domestic hoppers, Theo and Jennifer filling Reggie in about modern Christmas. It was quite busy, but people stopped to look at them. There were a few incidents where people suddenly halted, and someone behind crashed into them, but nobody made any threats.

"I wonder how long the press will take?" Theo muttered as they waited for a scheduled hopper. They'd put their names down and there was room for all three of them. It was a six-minute wait.

A young girl aged about six broke free from her parents grasp and rushed towards Reggie. "Hello," she said excitedly in Hytuna. "Are you a Reginadde?"

"I am," Reggie responded in Hytuna. "You speak Hytuna very well."

"I've been learning it," the girl said proudly, as her parents caught up with her.

"Don't annoy the alien," the mother said.

Jennifer and Theo winced slightly at her tone when she said 'alien'.

"I'm sorry she disturbed you," the mother then said in Hytuna.

"It's fine," Reggie said in English. "Have a wonderful Christmas."

The woman blinked, surprised. "Oh, thank you." She then dragged her child away to continue their journey.

They'd just got into the hopper when they saw press streaming into the hopperport. Their hopper jumped before they spotted them.

The hopperport in Stratford-upon-Avon was at the other side of the river from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. At one stage there had been a large Ferris wheel there and a car park. People didn't use cars for visiting Stratford anymore, so it had been converted to a hopperport.

Being winter in England, it was dark during the evening. But being a major route to the theatres, the bridge and paths were well lit.

"I'm glad you told me to bring a coat," Reggie said as they made their way out of the hopperport.

"It's actually quite mild for this time of year. We shouldn't get a frost," Jennifer said.

Frost was a word she knew and she shuddered. It was never this cold on the Rohastin Station. It was always the same temperature all the time. When she visited the Reginadde home world, there were temperature variations, but it wasn't ever this cold. The wind, coming off the river, impacted her face.

"Are you okay?" Theo asked. "How is your face?"

"Cold, but we can survive much colder. It's just a shock."

"We don't have far to go," he reassured her.

The people in Stratford hardly noticed. Someone bundled up in a coat was just another person keeping out of the cold. Nobody expected a Reginadde to be one of them as they strolled across the bridge.

"Evening," a man greeted, going the other way. He had no idea who he'd passed.

Jennifer gave a small giggle, especially as someone walked towards them and Reggie politely said, "Evening."

When they got to the theatre entrance, things were lit more brightly, and when Reggie lowered the coat hood, there were a few intakes of breath. There was a stifled scream at one side, but they ignored it.

A man who looked in his fifties rushed up. He was wearing a suit and looked very formal.

"Welcome. This is a great honour. I'm Graham Foster, manager of the theatre. Let me take you to your seats."

Jennifer wondered if he was moving them on so as not to disrupt the lobby, or if he gave this treatment to everyone. Reggie wasn't anyone. To the theatre it would be like a special guest. They wouldn't have had a non-human in the audience. She wondered if the actors knew.

Reggie gasped when she saw a Rohastin adjustable chair where they would be sitting. "This is very kind. But how?"

"Mrs North arranged it. We had no idea, but we've ordered several so we can accommodate where needed. Fascinating chairs. I tried one and never felt so comfortable."

When he'd gone, Reggie looked at the small booklet on her chair. "Hamlet! I suspected when I knew it was linked to Shakespeare. I'm looking forward to seeing this."

"A lot of plays adapt the story for modern audiences. I'm told this is very in keeping with the original."

During the interval, they moved to a small bar by the stairs. Jennifer brought them drinks and mince pies. The area was crowded, but nobody disturbed them and nobody screamed or cowered. The rumours of a Reginadde being in the audience had already filtered around the hall. It probably spread quicker than if King George had been in attendance.

Theo gasped. "Mince pies. My first of the season. We should ask Beth to make some back on the station."

Reggie looked at the pie suspiciously. Human food could easily be a miss as much as a hit. She was especially suspicious of pies. She knew they were food surrounded with pastry. Pastry was meh, but it was what was hidden inside that always made her nervous.

Jennifer saw the hesitation. "It's a traditional British food at Christmas. It is mostly dried fruit with a bit of spice. There may be a small bit of alcohol in them. It will be a bit crumbly."

Reggie gave a small nibble but only got the pastry. She then took a larger bite. She didn't want to spit it out, but it didn't do anything for her. The full flavour hit on her next bite, and she paused, taking it in.

"You have such different types of food," Reggie said with awe, after she'd finished it. "Different textures. Different flavours."

"So does Reginadde food," Jennifer insisted. "I'm always trying different dishes. I've yet to have one I didn't like. How are you doing with following the play?"

"Not bad. It helps that I have read it."

"That's why I chose this one. I thought it might be an easier first glimpse at what a historic play is like. Theatre isn't just like this though. There are other types of plays, and also musicals, which are like sung plays. Abroad there are other styles. Then there are different types of music to deal with."

Jennifer's phone buzzed. She'd put it on silent when the play started. "Press have reported that a young Reginadde is watching Hamlet in Stratford. Remnants of Earth First plan to protest. Do you need an extraction?"

Memories of her own kidnapping at the hands of Earth First, the militant wing of Earth First, and then her parents being kidnapped a few months later flooded through her mind. She felt a hand on hers and she looked across at Theo, radiating support in the only way he could.

She prepared a message. "No. We're not going to run. If we do, they win. We will walk out of here."

Theo nodded when she showed it to him and she pressed send. They would tell Reggie after the play had finished. She was here to enjoy Earth culture, and they weren't going to spoil it by giving her something to worry about.