“I wonder if anyone says a prayer before eating anymore,” Elizabeth said.
“It’s been a while for me,” he said, pausing and then he went on, “Would you care if I offered a prayer of thanks?” he said.
“Please, I was hoping you would,” Elizabeth answered.
“Power of this universe, thank you for all the blessings of this life that we each lead. Watch over the spirits of our families, and bless the years ahead for the both of us. Also, a special thanks for bringing us together.
Amen,” he finished.
“That was perfect, now dig in, Kurt.”
Kurt took three of the pancakes from the platter and soaked them with the rich, dark syrup.
“These look unbelievable.”
“Old family recipe,” she answered.
They both ate quietly. Elizabeth, fork in hand said, “Well, it sounds like you’re all set then. Is it hard to get boarding space?”
“Very hard,” Kurt replied cutting a pancake.
“So what makes you think you’ll get space?”
“Well, I said before that Security was looking for me because I’m an employee who left his position without an explanation. I haven’t checked in for two days. They probably have put out an alert on me. I’ve wanted to tell you this earlier, but now is the time for me to give you the whole story of my journey,” he said, putting down his fork and taking a sip of coffee. “When I was thinking of leaving Pittsburgh, I knew I would need something of value to offer the authorities in Columia to both gain asylum and passage for a flight to Europe. I had no EURO funds or gold credits. I told you I worked in the Historical Commission. Several weeks ago I came across some original data on the Aquifer System, the system that is the source of Atlantica’s survival over the next years. What I didn’t share with you was that my father was the Chief Engineer on the Aquifer project. I had been looking for information on our family for a personal history I wanted to preserve. I could never find anything on the Aquifer except newspaper articles, which I copied. Then two weekends ago I came across valuable data about the working design and infrastructure of the Aquifer System. When I stopped at Dr.
Alexander’s to say goodbye, he informed me that he had been working with the UN in trying to coerce
Atlantica into sharing the water. Apparently, Atlantica has threatened to hold the other countries of the Hemisphere hostage for economic concessions. That violates the UN mandate signed by all countries, including Atlantica.”
“So what does that have to do with you and your hike to Columbia?”
“Everything,” Kurt quickly responded. “When Dr. Alexander learned of the data that I had and my plan, he said that he was going to contact the UN to provide an escort to take me to England in exchange for this information.
If it works, it means I won’t have to go to Columbia and more importantly, the UN would get the data and be better able to negotiate with Atlantica. Not only will I be able to get to England, but this transfer might avoid major confrontation between countries.”
Elizabeth was silent, then she asked, “Where are you supposed to meet the UN escort?” At Fallingwater. Dr.
Alexander looked at a map and selected that site.”
“That explains a lot but help me understand something. What value would this information be the UN?”
“When the Aquifer was taken over by Atlantica, all of the plans, designs, programs, and original data was turned over to Atlantica. No one else had access to it which was a real blunder by the UN who handled the transfer of power from the U.S. government to the new countries in 2039. Any information they can obtain about the system’s operation might give them counter leverage with Atlantica,” Kurt finished.
“Wow. That’s quite a tale, all here in my farmhouse. Sounds like the destiny of this world has come to my doorstep,” Elizabeth said and then added, “So what does this mean to you?” she asked questioningly.
“I found something else that same weekend. Maps of the Great Allegheny Passage which is why I’m using the hiking path along the river,” Kurt said.
“My God, you really did all that? You actually took that data? You must’ve been desperate. Is Alleghenia so terrible that you’d sell it for your own escape? You just went back a step or two in my estimate,” she said quietly. “It’s the same old story. The old ‘I’ factor that turned me away from society years ago. That’s why I went to Brazil. Why I’ve been happy in my seclusion here. ”Me first, fuck the rest” is an old Elizabeth Morgan expression. That’s what you’re doing.”
Kurt’s face tightened, and he replied, “Maybe you should have stayed in Brazil. Maybe you should stay here on this farm because there is a world crisis looming and its right here. This country is slowly denying us civil liberties and destroying any remnants of our whole culture. But more importantly, this country is going to deny water access to others for their own monetary benefit. It makes me livid and you, the great liberal of twenty years ago don’t understand that? If you don’t like what I’ve done, that’s fine, but its obvious you and I are on two different wavelengths,” he said, putting down his fork and standing up. “I really appreciate all that you have done for me.”
Without turning around to look at him she said, “You make a good case, Sloan. I can understand it from your perspective,” she slowly answered and turned towards him.
Kurt said quietly, “I’m sorry if I was abrupt, but you hit a nerve. I have been processing this whole debate for months, years, so you got both barrels.”
“I guess I overreacted, but I think you’re judging this new country too soon,” she said.
”I don’t think so, but if life here is okay for you, fine. Do what you have to do, Elizabeth, but I have to pursue my life and my life’s work,” he said walking into the hallway near the back door. He leaned over and picked up his backpack.
There was a few seconds of silence between them and finally Elizabeth said, “So, it’s off to Fallingwater?”
“It is. I asked you earlier about joining me in England. Well maybe you could at least hit the trail with me to Fallingwater. You know the trail. It might be good for you to get away from here for a day,” Kurt said.
“You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“Absolutely, besides I’ve grown a bit accustomed to your company and your supply of Scotch, which we could take with us for a bit of a celebration at Fallingwater,” he said quickly with a smile.
Elizabeth took his hands and held them. She looked up at him and said, “It’s like I’ve known you for a long time. Odd feeling, I must say.”
“Is that a yes, you will go to Fallingwater?”
“All I said was that I feel like I have known you for a long time. The truth is that I do like you in such a short time which goes against all my usual instincts. You have literally blown my cover. I have been insulated from the world and you have exposed all the realities going all around me. But the biggest reality, is that I am in a cocoon here. I will not be a butterfly if I remain here, so against all my usual past reticence I’ll go to Fallingwater with you. To be honest with you, my gut feeling is that I should go all the way to Europe. The reality is there is absolutely nothing here for me but memories, she said, tapping her head. “So, I guess, Mr.
Sloan, we better get ready to leave.”