Seneca Rebel

I LAY IN bed watching the news on my flexer projector at nine o’clock on Friday night. Not that I’m big on the news, in all honesty, but everything else was a rerun and I’m not a fan of media that isn’t on its first run. It must be something about feeling up to date, not stuck in the past. Guess that crosses over to many areas of my life. Tonight’s main story was focused on how the Seneca medical community should be commended for their record in containing 98 per cent of the Necrolla Carne cases. I was right there with them, silently congratulating and counting my blessings. At the same time, I was turned off by the amount of time and attention Necrolla Carne got in Seneca.

All in all, I couldn’t complain about the variety of media available to us here. Virtually every song that ever had been recorded and every movie ever made were at my fingertips. Each Senecan had the same level of access, and it was free. Hollenbeck Media from the Aboves scored the exclusive deal to provide entertainment to all of Seneca and ran it under the “Big Bang Boom Media” banner. Otherwise known as B3, the symbol was just about everywhere you looked and constantly popping up on my flexer to let me know about some new offering.

A knock at my door startled me. Nobody ever knocked at my door and I wasn’t expecting anyone. I got up and moved to the door, pushed my ear up against it. “Who is it?”

“Hi Doro, it’s Ellen–”

“And Gregory!”

I commanded the door to dissolve. It was nice to see familiar faces. I hugged Ellen, then went to shake Gregory’s hand, but he gave me a big ol’ bear hug instead.

“Hey. This is a surprise.”

Gregory barely gave Ellen a chance to speak. “We thought we’d stop in and see how you were taking to your new living situation.”

“Not bad. The food here is ridiculous. And I have a couple new friends, so–”

“Great!”

“That’s good to hear, Doro. I knew you’d fit right in,” Ellen said sincerely as she checked out my room. “You look like you’ve settled in nicely.”

“Yeah. Still doesn’t feel like home, but I know that doesn’t happen over night.”

Gregory took a seat on my desk, feet up on the chair. “Better than college dorms in the Aboves. You should have seen where I lived when I was at the Naval Academy. I was in a sports dorm, too, so it was extra nasty. Compared to that, you’re living in the

lap of luxury.”

Gregory and Ellen laughed.

“I can’t complain.”

Ellen looked genuinely happy to see that I was doing well. Every time I was around her, I felt like she had my back. She had shared some deeply personal things with me, and I knew that, above all the business and politics, she had that maternal vibe going on and it needed an outlet. At the same time, Gregory was over the top with his cheeriness and I had no reason whatsoever to trust this guy. I wasn’t one to buy into that whole “any friend of yours is a friend of mine” boloney. No thanks. Plus, I wasn’t thrilled with the way he always seemed to interrupt Ellen. And here he was again, trying to buddy up to me. “Any plans with friends this weekend?”

“Actually, yeah, did you hear about how I cracked the Iranian

Ministry defense systems?”

“We sure did.”

“Three levels.”

Gregory put his hand up for a high five. I threw one up to him. Why not? Might as well play along with the whole “buddies” song and dance to keep my new status intact. The people here appreciated me, and it was a relief after the way things had been at school back in LA.

“As my reward, tomorrow I get a trip to the Aboves. I’m going to Great Falls Park.”

“Great Falls is beautiful. It’s one of the best-kept secrets in the area. You’ll love it.” Ellen said.

“I cannot wait to feel the sun on my skin. Even though I was never one for tanning and all that, it’s definitely a ’you don’t know what you got ‘til it’s gone’ kinda thing.”

“That it is. Well, soak it up. You deserve it.” Ellen meant it. I appreciated her being proud of me.

“And what deserving friend will be accompanying you?” I blushed. Now it felt like prying.

Gregory caught on. “Uh-oh, must be a love interest. Someone’s cheeks are on fire!”

“It’s not love. I met this guy Dominic at S.E.R.C. I don’t know too many people and thought it would be fun to do this with him, so I invited him and he accepted.”

Ellen didn’t show much expression, just a little nod. “I know Dominic. I actually recruited him in one of my first ever onlocation visits.”

Ellen knew Dominic. Did everyone know Dominic?

Gregory chimed in, “Smart kid.”

“That he is. He’s also... Let’s just say, be careful how much you share with him about yourself and what you’re doing here.

And take what he says with a grain of salt,” Ellen said.

It was fascinating. Everyone seemed to have an opinion on this guy. Now, more than ever, I wanted to form my own opinion. His intrigue factor had grown exponentially with this visit from Ellen and Gregory and, for me, that’s what caught my interest. Not someone’s looks, their sense of humor or how kind they are to babies. The mystery of what was going on in his mind was a major attraction– the unknown, the element of surprise. But I had to reassure Ellen and Gregory that I’d heard their advice, so they’d quit worrying about it.

“I will definitely keep that in mind. Really. I’m just looking to enjoy nature and have a good time with someone my age.”

Ellen nodded. “Perfect, and you should. You have my flexer if you need to talk. Anytime, day or night, I’m here for you, Doro.”