John walked into the living room still wiping the sleep from his eyes
"Good Morning G.U.L.I.E"
"Good Morning John"
"Any Messages?"
"You currently have zero messages"
"Still nothing? Are you sure?"
John knew it was a stupid question even before he finished saying it.
"You currently have zero messages. Would you like me to run a diagnostic on the communications system?"
"It's OK. Forget I asked. What's the weather looking like today?"
"Sunshine and clear skies with an expected high of 83 degrees and 53 percent
humidity. Chance of precipitation: zero percent."
John smiled, perfect beach weather.
"How's breakfast coming?"
"The coffee is ready and there are pastries in the oven."
John had never had a house computer before,
mainly because he could never have afforded one.
He poured himself a cup of the rich aromatic coffee.
He loved the smell of coffee in the morning.
"This .." he thought to himself "This, I could get used to."
He sipped his coffee and stared out across the water.
He could never get tired of that view, there were no oceans where he'd grown up.
He watched the ferries as they busied themselves, shuttling people to and fro across the bay
to the island.
Tamarin Island. The Capital city of the Academy.
John knew it was only a matter of time before his summons arived, inviting him to an inteview
at the Academy.
Most people would have jumped at the chance to visit Tamarin.
The city was famous for it's incredible architecture.
Rows of shining towers rising up like crystal shards but only a lucky few ever got the opportunity.
Access to the island was strictly controlled.
Only Residents, Employees of the Academy and invited guests.
But John was in no hurry.
Since his arrival a week earlier the Academy had taken care of everything.
They had offered him a penthouse in one of the 'needles', that was what the locals called
the apartment blocks in Nothern Tamarin.
Most people would have given their right arm for one of those apartments, let alone a penthouse,
but John had asked if it would be possible to have something near the water.
The Academy seemed only too happy to oblige and so he'd ended up here on Bay Harbour Road.
That was when he realised that the Academy wanted something from him.
'Nothing's for nothing John', his father had always told him.
'Not in this life'.
If his Father was correct then, juding by what the Academy had already done for him,
they wanted a lot.
John had given that plenty of thought. What on earth could they want from him?
He wasn't wealthy, no powerful friends or political connections and he was certainly
no scientist.
So why were they so interested in him?
"John, there is someone at the door."
John knew who it was. He glanced at the clock .. 8.30am .. on the dot. It was Ginny.
He opened the door and there she was .. grinning at him.
She bounced past him and immediately headed for the kitchen.
"What's for breakfast John? I'm starving" It seemed like Ginny was always starving.
John followed and found her already tucking into a plate of breakfast pastries.
"Oh these are great .." she said, inbetween large hungry bites ".. still warm"
John poured himself another coffee and waited patiently for the inevitable.
"So .." Ginny said, as she started to devour a second pastry
".. where would you like to go today? The beach or the mountains?" she looked at him
expectantly.
This had become their morning ritual and one that, much to his surprise, John found himself
enjoying.
"Hmm .. let me think for a minute .. I think the beach"
"John!" she exclaimed.
John thought she might actually stamp her foot.
"We've been to the beach every day since you arrived. You said you'd let me take you up
to the mountains!"
"I said I'd think about it"
"And?" she said. Crossing her arms indignantly.
"And I've thought about it and I want to go to the beach"
Ginny put down the pain au chocolat that she had been about to start in on.
"Oh please John, I want to show you the views from up there, it's beautiful looking out
over the city from up on the cliffs."
John shuddered inside. Just thinking about heights made his stomach turn and an icy shiver
ran up his spine.
"And there's someone I want you to meet" she implored
"I've told him we're coming .. now you don't want to make me into a liar do you?"
John tried hard not to look, but without success.
Yep, there they were, Ginny's puppy dog eyes.
John knew this battle was already lost. Ginny did puppy dog eye's very well.
This was no doubt a skill she had honed over the years the way an olympic athlete hones
their muscles.
John smiled sardocally and imagined all the little dresses, ponies and parties that those
eye's had won for her as a young girl. John felt sorry for Ginny's parents.
"OK" John sighed.
Ginny beamed a satisfied smile. "You're going to love it I promise."
"John"
"Yes G.U.L.I.E.?"
"You have received a message from the Academy."
"What's the message?"
"They would like you to attend a meeting this afternoon"
"Did they saw how I'll get there?"
"They will send a car to collect you at 12.30"
"You better give me a reminder 30 mintures before"
"Of course"
"Thanks G.U.L.I.E."
"You're welcome"
"Will there be anything else?"
John shook his head and turned back to Ginny.
"Sorry Ginny, the mountains will have to wait for another day." He genuinely hoped she wouldn't
be too upset.
"That's fine" she said cheerily.
"We can still go for a walk on the beach, luckily I brought my bathing suit just in
case. It's in the car. I'll run down and get it."
John was surprised "You're not upset?"
She stopped and looked at him as though he'd just suggested that the Earth was flat or
that the sky wasn't really blue.
"Of course not" she said "When the Academy calls ..."
"And besides .. they're mountains. I'm pretty sure they will still be there tomorrow."
And with that she disappeared out the door.
John surprise was quickly replaced by annoyance.
"Of course she's not upset, she works for the Academy."
That fact had actually slipped John's mind for a moment and he was angry with himself
because of it.
"I'll need to be a lot sharper than that this afternoon" he admonished himself.
Ginny had been appointed by the Academy as his chaperon to show him around and keep him
entertained.
John had initially been raather resentful of being given a babysitter but Ginny had
soon brought him around.
Ginny had turned out to be genuinely good company. She was quick witted and was rarely
without a smile.
"Yes and she still works for the Academy" John reminded himself.
The next few hours passed quickly. John was quieter than was usual for him but if Ginny
noticed then she kept it to herself.
She chattered away about this and that while John remained preoccupied with his impending
appointment.
Ginny made sure they were back at the apartment in time for John to shower, change and even
grab a quick bite to eat.
"John"
"Yes G.U.L.I.E.?"
"Your car is waiting for you downstairs"
"Thank you G.U.L.I.E."
Ginny insisted on walking John down to the car.
"Good luck John" She hesitated for a moment before quickly leaning forward and kissing
him on the cheek.
"Be careful" and with that she turned and hurried back into the building.
"Mr Keeghan?" said a voice from behind him.
"Yes?" said John, still trying to figure out what just happened. "Oh yes that's me."
"I'm your driver Sir. If you'd like to jump in, we should get started
The traffic on the causeway can get a little 'snarly' in the afternoon."
"Oh right" said John "Of course"
John touched his cheek, what HAD just happened. "Be careful?"
What exactly did Ginny know that he didn't. He glanced back at the building but Ginny
had already disappeared inside.
The driver smiled. "Next stop, Tamarin Island!"