No, hed never seen it, damn, and it was a hell of a lot of currencies.
Fred, Fred, Fred went on the hologram, in an almost epic tone Tell me, Fred, isnt it the perfect chance? When you come back, thirty-six years old, youll finally be able to start the life youve only dreamed of so far, that has always been denied by fate and bad luck the moment has arrived to defeat it and take your life in your hands, Fred! You owe it to yourself! Dont betray yourself!
Damned hologram, Fred thought, theyd never told him those things could read your mind, See, Martin, Ive already thought about it all and Im almost persuaded, but theres just one thing I dont understand: whats your gain in all this? In short, where is the catch?
Martin the hologram stared at him, sincerely hurt, then he smiled paternally Fred, Ill be sincere with you, dont think FartherWorld is a charitable institution, of course we have our profit as well. he explained See, our problem is that the asteroids rich with Ambrongold, that our space drones have discovered throughout space, have such morphological features and geological composition that make them unproductive to be dug by our existing mining robots and, according to the computations of our analysts, it would be too expensive and too long to build new ones suitable for this purpose; therefore, we need old-style manpower, we need miners, thinking miners, miners who are fit to face and bear the tough conditions of the space and the asteroids.
Fred listened closely, everything made sense and it was consistent with the information hed been able to get; according to the Ambrongold quotations, just one kilo would have paid for at least one hundred miners like him and for sure, on the asteroids Martin had shown, there must have been hundreds of kilos, or maybe even of tons If I prove to be fit, what happens?
The hologram rubbed his hands Well, my lad, look forward, always, this is the right attitude!
Fred smiled, this Martin was so enthusiastic that he resulted ridiculous. A splendid caricature of the typical salesman.
Now, its very simple. continued the hologram Let us suppose you prove to be fit for the job, and youll know it by tomorrow night, then youll have he made some quick computations, glancing at the holophone he wore on his wrist a week of time to prepare, set up your belongings and show up at Zurich spaceport where youll board on the shuttle another look at the holophone Triton-23, that will take you on the spaceship Enterprise 7, which will finally land you on Mars after only 12 months.
Fred widened his eyes A years journey?
Have you ever been in space? Martin asked him back, at the peak of his enthusiasm.
Fred shook his head.
An exhilarating experience, especially the absence of gravity, youll see how nice!
But said Fred one year? Nowadays it takes even less than two weeks! he protested.
Yes, yes, we save a little on the transportation, but dont worry, you wont even notice, I mean, youve already been cryo-sedated, havent you?
No!
Ah, well, thats another reason to do the genetic test. Martin answered calmly You see? No problem.
Fred was already nervous thinking about the space journey, but now he was even more, knowing hed have to be cryo-sedated.
Any other questions? asked Martin hastily, glancing at the holophone.
Fred shook his head.
Perfect! Well, very well! continued the hologram I see youve already paid the fee for the genetic analysis, so if you agree Ill call our Nara wholl proceed and do it.
Fred was perplexed Not a hologram or a robot? nowadays only in specialised private hospitals could one be assisted by a nurse in flesh and bone.
Martin laughed, sincerely amused Nara is a robot.
Fred was disappointed And you gave her a name, as well? he complained.
Still better than I12-A16 or Nurse Aid Robot Assistant, dont you think? he laughed before continuing with the same jovial tone, pointing at a small window on the table that rotated and lifted up, offering a contract on a crypto-parchment and an electro-biometric pen. In order to proceed, you just need to sign at the end of the page and then youll be all for Nara.
Fred was about to start reading, but then he thought Damn it, be whatever it is! and whispered in a low voice My life will be better than this. and with a deep sigh he signed.
Perfect! exclaimed Martin, applauding Very good, Id understood since the first moment that you were a smart guy! he complimented here comes Nara.
Fred was about to stand up, then he asked What kind of beer or beerotch do you have up there on Mars?
Martin put on an unexpected serious expression No beerotch or other stuff up there, youre there to work and its a delicate and dangerous work, so youll have to do without it for a while! then seeing the disappointment on Freds face, he added, becoming jovial and smiling again Can you just think how good it will taste once youll come back and have it again? It will be like the first time. he said, winking at him.
Fred couldnt help but smile, this guy could sell poverty to a beggar.
Then Martin took on again that serious expression that didnt suit him, hurrying on to state We dont even have lobotoxicaine and I hope you dont make regular use of it, otherwise I warn you that itll be difficult to get you among the lucky ones wholl be chosen by FartherWorld.
Fred shook his head I am clean he said, recalling the last time hed used it. He could still remember. It was the evening of his last birthday, almost one year ago. He had never loved birthdays so, to numb himself a bit, hed gone into one of the many federal shops to buy lobotoxicaine. As per law, everybody had the right to buy a daily dose. When he came back home, he opened the tube and spread it on his temples. The effect was almost immediate and one instantly felt relaxed and uncapable of thinking of anything negative. Then he had looked out below from his window and, staring at the horde of grey people slowly proceeding in an apparently chaotic way, constantly bumping into one another as crazy balls of a congested pinball machine, hed thought Its not so bad, after all. That was the moment when he decided hed never use that substance again.
The door opened Here she is, I leave you for her, so farewell and may genetics be with you! Martin laughed, disappearing.
Nara entered. She was a robot identical to the one who met him at the entrance, except for a red cross on her chest. Please, Mr. Alfred, follow me. she said with such a calm and warm voice that could only be artificial your journey towards a bright future starts here. she announced, reciting another FartherWorld slogan, before heading into the narrow corridor.
Fred followed her into a room, even smaller than the one hed just come from, where an uncomfortable-looking armchair was waiting for him.
Sit down, Alfred the robot invited him Roll up your left sleeve.
Fred executed.
The robot firmly grasped his forearm Maybe Im clutching a little too strongly, but dont worry, its just to ensure youll stay still, itll be done in a minute.
Fred stared at the robot and thought with the voice they gave you, I could close my eyes and imagine without hesitation that youre the most beautiful woman Ive ever seen but he didnt say it.