Kurt thought about Elizabeth’s question of how it all happened. He rubbed his face with his hands then looked at her, replying, “That is the question of the ages. Thinking about the past ten years is sort of trying to recall a surrealistic dream. A snowball slowly gathering speed and before you know, it’s was an avalanche, taking everything in its way. The impossible, happened. I remember my first years at the University and my father saying, “This country is different now, but it’s going to be totally different in a few years, Kurt. Won’t be ours anymore, son.’ I’ll never forget that. “Nothing you can do, son. Votes dictate, not the other way around”, I remember him saying. He meant that majority rules and the majority had become people not from Europe, at least not directly. They never really attempted to assimilate. They wanted the benefits readily given, but didn’t want to give up their own culture. Another issue was that for thirty years, eighty per cent of the seventy million or so immigrants from Mexico and Central America, were illegal. This country became so dependent on the illegal work force that laws were changed and they were granted citizenship automatically after five years of residency. They also received all the benefits of citizenship even before they officially became citizens. At the same time, gigantic environmental projects, like the Aquifer were created by the government to spur on the economy. The competition from Asia created panic in this country. Who filled the jobs, mostly immigrants without any allegiance to the U.S. or incentives to speak the language or learn the history of their benefactor.
This was the beginning of the alienation between Latinos and the multi-generation U.S. citizens. That struggle began early in the century and never ended. The culture of the Latinos quickly became the culture of many sections of America, primarily in the southwest and the northeast. It was quite a time at the universities where I went. I can remember they taught equally in both English and Spanish, as did most public schools. Later, of course, it wasn’t surprising that when I began to work, my bosses were Latinos and Spanish was the language of the work place. Many Anglos had already begun to leave by moving to other “culturally friendly” States as the slogan went or began the exodus to their homelands in Europe. So that’s when I began to realize the real impact of the catastrophic illegal immigration trends of the early part of the century. I went back and studied that time period. It was as if most people just wanted their yards cut instead of caring about the loss of their language and culture. I don’t blame the Latinos one bit. The great majority had one goal, a better life for themselves and family – the American dream. But their numbers, language, and culture overwhelmed our country. Okay, I’m done,” he said.
“I didn’t realize what was happening. My God, I was working in Brazil. Actually I remember thinking that the U.S. was the epicenter for a world movement of equality. I was a naïve because when I came back to the farm when my parents were sick, I realized that idealism are usually in conflict.”“That’s the crux of it,” Kurt said.
“The irony of all of this is that, as historians, we are experiencing one of the most important historical time periods in human history. To think that a country which called itself the United States of America and based its existence on fundamental rights for all citizens would by its very nature of democracy destroy itself. The question for these ages is just that. Did it destroy itself or was it the natural evolution of Democracy?
Who would have thought fifty years ago that the we would no longer be the most powerful nation ever
developed in the world? Who would have envisioned that its own belief system would be the catalyst for its destruction? It’s an extraordinary story and that we are witnessing first hand. Here we are, two history professionals, living the times that will be written, spoken, and videoed for the new centuries to come,” Kurt finished, almost tired from his mini-dissertation.
“Well that sets the table,” Elizabeth added, smiling. “But this conversation started with a suggestion, I believe, of traveling with you to England. What did you mean by that?”
Kurt looked at her for a few seconds without speaking and then said, “I guess I spoke out of turn, but I was thinking what a great background you have. I am sure you could find work in England. It’s going to get harder to get out of Atlantica, the way things are going and I think I have a good shot at getting passage. I’m sure it would work for you,” he added. “Besides, as I said, this little pow-wow of ours was certainly unexpected, especially in the middle of what I’m trying to do, but it truly has been quite a few hours I’ve spent with you.
Most enjoyable. However, I really do believe that you’re going to become more vulnerable here. There is no security out here unless I come around once in a while.”
Elizabeth laughed, “No, I can handle my own security. I have and I will.”
Kurt took a sip and continued, “Besides, your professional talents would be wasted. Because of your
background, you would be a valuable asset in England, for anyone doing research on the social development and destruction of the great American experiment. Before I made my decision I had numerous transmissions with professionals in London, who were positive that my historical roots, my experiences here, and my working background would find a receptive ear with government personnel placement. England wants American
historians and especially ones with a social understanding of what America was and is becoming. You fit the bill. So that’s why I asked you to think about going to England,” Kurt finished quietly.
She didn’t answer. Finally Elizabeth replied as quietly as Kurt had ended, “You come here, out of nowhere and in a few hours you want me go to England with you. That scotch is older than I thought. Things have changed in this land of ours, no question. However, I appreciate your concern, I really do. You know what you have to do, that’s obvious. You are going off to Scotland, so be it. But I’m staying put for now.” She paused, got up from her chair, and said, “It’s late and I’m also hungry. How about you, ready for some of that good old fashioned country cooking I talked of earlier?”
Kurt smiled and said, “I’m sorry if I railed on a bit, but I also hear my stomach calling. Let me help,” he said.
“No, you fix a couple more drinks,” she said as she walked into the kitchen area. She turned back to him and said, “I want you to know I appreciate what you just said, believe me. What you’ve done is re-open a debate I have had with myself that I thought I’d settled months ago.”
“I’m glad I caused that,” Kurt said.
The room was quiet as the two looked across the room at each other. Then Elizabeth got up from her chair and said, “Okay, let me get some grub ready. You can get your butt out of here at the crack of dawn. She looked out the window and said, ”It’s hard to believe, but it’s actually clear out there, Sloan. You can see all the way to the river. You should have good early morning weather,” she said.
Kurt got up and looked out. “You’re right, doesn’t seem to be any clouds tonight. If I grab some shuteye and catch the last of the moon at daybreak, I’ll be out of here with lots of light and before anyone is stirring around,”
Kurt replied as he followed the flow of Elizabeth Morgan into her kitchen. As he looked at her, he had a sense of closeness, a sort of compatibility.
It was ten o’clock by the time they finished supper. They’d eaten and talked more until almost midnight.
Elizabeth fixed up a sofa in the sun room and Kurt fell asleep immediately from the scotch and exhaustion of his mind and body.
Light poured through the windows, Kurt rolled away, but then his mind came alive and he pushed up on his elbows. Outside the morning was in full bloom. He looked around and realized where he was as the memory of the preceding day filtered back into his brain.
He was in the sun room which was filled with plants seeking the morning rays. Kurt was up and stretching his rested body. Even with his awakening in the middle of the night, he felt rested with a clear head and a body that didn’t ache.
“Good morning, Sloan. Looks like you had a good rest. Must’ve needed that!”
“Where are you?” Kurt answered.
“In here. Coffee’s brewing. Should be done in a minute.”
Kurt walked around several large bending ferns and remembered the small corridor that went into the kitchen were Elizabeth was standing. She was stunning, wearing a white robe with a golden sash around her waist. The robe draped down to the top of her feet which were surrounded by fur.
“Did you make those slippers?”
“Actually they were made by mother, oh, twenty years ago. She made them from a rabbit pelt my dad brought her. Apparently a trapper from up in the mountains, gave them to dad. It brings my parents back just by wearing them. Anything do that for you?” She kept stirring a bowl and looking out of the large sun lit window, which was over the sink area.”
“The watch I wear. My dad gave it to me many years ago and it still works. Weather, GPS, directions, but nothing as comfortable looking as those slippers.” Kurt looks over at Elizabeth and says, “Not to change the subject, but what are you making anyway?”
“Well, you’re going to need a lot of energy and frankly, I felt like a great big breakfast. Since I haven’t got a lot to offer, except loads of wheat flour, I’m making pancakes. Also I have a lot of syrup. In fact there are jars of it down in the cellar. That should do the trick. How’d you sleep?”
“Unbelievable. I must have gone out in a second. Woke once then went right out again. Missed my early departure, but I sure feel rested and my mind is clear. I’ll have to leave as soon as I help you clean up. Did you sleep okay?”
“Great. It must say it’s nice having company. This will be ready in few minutes,” she said, paused, then continued. “So you’re still bent on your trek to Columbia?” she said as she kept focusing on the bowl and her stirring of the pancake flour.
“That’s my plan,” he responded
“Is it that dangerous that you have to sneak out by the old trail? I saw on the news that emigration has been restricted for Anglos, but can’t one just travel within the borders?”
“Well that’s what is funny,” Kurt responded. “The party line is freedom for all citizens which is part of their Constitution, but the reality is that more recently it has become a closed, autocratic society, especially for Anglos. There has been a growing suspicion of us, maybe because of the pending opening of the Aquifer System. Maybe that explains the Security patrols and the increasing concern about Anglos and plots against the security of Atlantica. I’ve never heard any of my few Anglo associates talk of any plots,” Kurt said, pausing, then continuing, “Of course, my leaving, I guess is a plot, of sorts.”
“What does that mean,” Elizabeth quickly asked, as she finished stirring the pancake batter.
“I meant, that I’m leaving. After all, I am an employee of the Administration and I’ve just left without notice,”
he said.
“That is bold, no question. So that’s why they are sending out Security to look for you?” she asked.
“Probably because I work in the Castro Library System. I do historical research and have access to sensitive materials.”Elizabeth began to drop spoonfuls of batter onto the grill. “They probably are a bit jittery and don’t know how to handle you. So many Anglo professionals left. They probably can’t figure out why you stayed in the first place and now you just disappear, so they’re suspicious,” she said.
“You’re probably right.” Kurt ran his hand through his hair. “Listen, I’m going to wash up, so I can get moving.
I need to check my stuff and take a shower. Is that inside or out?”
She laughed, “No, it’s just down the hall. I’ve got a reservoir on the roof. Its cold, but it will work. But, how about holding off, this will be ready in a minute,” she added. She returned to the stove. “In thinking about what you said yesterday, it sounds like you were really on the fence about leaving for a long time. You apparently like your work, but living was becoming too restrictive”
“I loved my work. I was preserving the history of Western Pennsylvania. The Administration wanted to destroy hard copy records going back to the 1700s. Dr. Alexander and I fought to preserve them. I felt like I was an archeologist trying to save artifacts. The added factor was that I had a great man and mentor to work with. The problem was that I wasn’t allowed to do what I wanted to do, which is research time frames of local history.”
There was silence and Elizabeth said, “Okay, let’s get on with breakfast, the day is young, and we both have much to do.”
“You’re absolutely right. I’m ready,” Kurt replied.
Elizabeth turned scooped up some potatoes that had been frying separately, along with some strips of thin meat slices, and placed them on plates. “Venison, Kurt. One thing I have plenty of here is venison. Makes me sad every time I have to kill one, but there is really an overabundance in the woods. Hope you like it,” she said.
“I’m starved and that looks incredible,” Kurt said sitting down at the table.
Elizabeth came over to the table with a large white platter filled with steaming dark brown pancakes. “This should do the trick,” she said as she sat down across from Kurt. “Oh, I’ll get the coffee!”
“Sit still, you haven’t stopped since you got up,” Kurt said as he went over and picked up the large pot of coffee.
He poured dark, black coffee into a cup by her plate and then into his own cup. Returning to the table and sitting down, the two of them just sat for a few seconds without saying a word.