Chapter 2
Jeffrey took a deep breath in, taking in the scenery as they walked along. It was the same place he was sure and yet it looked so different. That building wasn’t there, this is not the same he thought. As they moved towards where their street should have been, it was no longer there. Instead, there was this huge complex, towering buildings and mighty monuments. He spotted a large lake encircling it there were at least two dozen beautiful females, all blondes, all wearing identical outfits. Where was he, maybe he had died and gone to heaven he thought? "Who are all those pretty girls? Where have they come from?" Asked Jeffrey pointing towards the scene.
"They are chosen handmaidens. Now come on time is of the essence or I shall be late." Replied Shirley. Scene after scenic he drank in as they progressed. "I know you told me not to ask any questions." He stated. "Are we in heaven?"
"Don't be silly." She laughed. " Come on slow coach."
Shirley led Jeffrey into a large complex; she scanned a wrist across a panel next to the huge metallic door they then went through a narrow corridor. Jeffrey noted the walls, were they really walls? He stretched out his hands and touched them, they felt soft and warm and Jeffrey was amazed to see that the wall had left an imprint of his hand for a good few seconds before they faded away. They passed through several large doors each one Shirley had to scan before entering into an average sized room. This room was sparse only containing a strange looking glass petition, standing on what he thought must be an extension of the walls. He witnessed two bucket chairs floated down hovering above them Shirley grabbed one and Jeffrey promptly followed suit grabbed the other. Confronting them were four girls. Jeffrey stared at them, opened mouthed. All the girls were identical, both in looks and in dress. All had dark hair and dark brown eyes. In fact to Jeffrey's amazement were all Shirley look-a- likes. That's why he thought to himself she had dressed in that fashion. It must be some kind of uniform. He looked across at Shirley; she gestured with a finger to her mouth, for him to keep silent. She mouthed. "I'll explain later."
"What,” Said one of the girls " Is this male doing here? Number seventeen you know this is not permitted."
"I am sorry number three, but it was, believe, me necessary." Shirley replied. " I will explain everything to the controller." Just then the door opened, gliding in the most beautiful girl Jeffrey had ever seen. "So your back number seventeen!" She said without giving Shirley a second glance. " Follow me you." Looking at Jeffrey she said." Stay here, the team will look after you until we get back." This was not a request. This Jeffrey knew was an order. Shirley followed. "See you soon." She whispered on passing. Jeffrey was left with the Shirley look-a-likes, more bewildered than before. What on earth was going on? He thought. What was this place? Were they all robots? He felt sick to his stomach. Maybe he was married to a machine number seventeen! All these thoughts going around his head. He was brought back to reality one of the numbers (is how he now thought of them) handed him a tray. On this tray was food, but of a kind he had never seen before. It wasn't hot, but there again it wasn't cold he noted. He sniffed at it, much to the amusement of the onlookers. Jeffrey then cautiously took a bite. "Mm not bad." He announced out loud. "Different, but certainly not bad." One of the numbers laughed, the others glared at him. He realised then just how hungry he felt. Looking at his watch was amazed to see the time it was 2.30 pm. Wow he thought how time flies, then he giggled out loud, when realising time had really flown for him this day.
Jeffrey knew he had a lot of questions needing answering. Also he had to come to terms with his Shirley. How did he feel about her now? He really didn't know. His emotions were all over the place, above all he wasn't sure about anything any more. Jeffrey the practical down to earth man. He laughed again, he wasn't even sure he was on Earth. Jeffrey felt his whole life was crumbling before him.
Meanwhile, Shirley was being thoroughly grilled by her controller. "Well seventeen." Her controller said when Shirley had finished talking. " You are a dark horse, what possessed you to marry this man? You know when you travel back into the past for your pleasure, you are not allowed to touch, never mind marry, don't you?" She chided. "I know, I know, don't think I didn't tell myself over and over again the same thing." Shirley cried. "I tried not to love Jeffrey, but I couldn't help myself. I was only going to rent the property for my allotted annual holiday. I didn't mean to stay and I certainly did not intend to deceive you or Jeffrey. This is why I sneaked back everyday. I thought it would resolve itself and that no one would be any the wiser".
"Well now," the controller said angrily "You have messed everything up. I am answerable for you and will take the consequences. You know that don't you?"
"I'm sorry what can I do to make amends?" Shirley replied nervously. "Oh don't worry you will, no doubt the head will find away." With that the controller dismissed Shirley. "Go and keep your Jeffrey company, I will inform you what is to become of you after I have spoken to the head." Shirley once back with Jeffrey said.
"Can we go back to my apartment? It's quieter there and we can talk." She promised him she would tell him all, omitting nothing.
Shirley’s apartment complex was also very sparse, once having gone through the scanning procedure and having walked down the white walled corridor they finally entered Shirley’s minimalist room. Jeffrey could see that Shirley tried hard to add a feminine feel and he guessed she had learned a little from their life together. He recognised the vase he had bought her, sat upon a wall like table. There was a bed in the corner, small and plain with plain white bedding. Yes it was truly a gloomy little room. Jeffrey settled down in a cosy armchair to the right of Shirley. Taking a deep breath in Shirley began. "It all started the day we met, that morning was the start of my holiday, I as you have now guessed, live in this all female complex. There are thirty girls living here, yes I know all of us do look alike, I will explain why." She said knowing Jeffrey was about to ask. " Firstly, though do you know what year we are in?"
"That's easy said Jeffrey smugly 3rd July 2002, the day before American Independence Day". Shirley smiled at that, she knew how Jeffrey being half-American (on his mother’s side) had planned a big celebratory party for all his friends and neighbours. She also had been looking forward to the event, it would, Shirley thought, be quite different to anything she had ever experienced in her life before. Jeffrey said, "Go on Shirley." "Sorry I was miles away." She replied. " It is in fact 3rd July, but the year is 2052."
Jeffrey gasped, Shirley continued. "You see, she said I wasn't even born in your time. I will continue to explain. In the year 2024 four years before I was born. selective breeding became popular. People began to choose what they wanted their child to look like. It was an inevitable step I suppose, to cloning. In 2027 it was all cloning, no one gave birth any more. In the beginning of the next year, it was decided to clone in bulk. The dark ones like myself are in administration, the blonde ones you have seen are handmaidens". Jeffrey interrupted at this point. "Aren’t there any males?"
"Oh yes, indeed there are." She replied with a rye smile. " Apart from the handmaidens we are not allowed contact. The maidens tend to the males every need each one has two males to attend to. The males also fall into two main categories. We have the tall dark males; these are for law and order. The fair slighter built ones are bred for their brains, therefore they run the country".
"How do they know who has strayed off the path when everyone looks alike?" Said a puzzled Jeffrey.
"Quite easily, remember the numbers, mine being seventeen. These numbers are put on us all at birth, though you can't see it, I assure you it is there." Shirley remarked unconsciously, rubbing her right upper arm. She continued. " You will also now be aware that the machine we arrived in was a time machine. This was invented five years ago. We the administrators were the first to try them out and because of this we were allowed to use them annually for two weeks holiday. However, we were warned not to get close to anyone".
"Did you all choose 2002?" Jeffrey demanded.
"No not at all." Was the reply. " When I walked into your office, it was the first time. I just decided on the year because it was fifty years before. I'm so sorry Jeffrey." Shirley began to cry.
"Don't cry darling." Jeffrey stood up drawing Shirley into his arms. She sobbed on his shoulder. Jeffrey just stood there in silence. When Shirley's tears were all spent, he handed her the handkerchief from his top jacket pocket. "Thank you, I'm all right to carry on now." She smiled bravely. " I've made a mess of everything, haven't I?" Jeffrey did not answer. What could he say? It was all out of their control, he felt hopeless, and lost what to say or do for once he knew it was beyond him. This someone else would have to solve. He was beginning to get a headache and realised he in fact was very tired. "Look,” Shirley said, feeling Jeffrey's tension. " I will go and see if the controller will allow you to stay until tomorrow."
"Thanks." He gratefully replied.
After ten minutes, Shirley arrived back at the flat. "It's all arranged, I will take you to the place where you can stay. I'm afraid I cannot stay with you, but your every need will be looked after. We will talk some more tomorrow when you have rested. I know it's a lot for you to take in." With that the two of them departed.
It was only a short walk to the next complex. Jeffrey and Shirley walked in silence. Once there Shirley handed Jeffrey over to one of the blonde maidens. "Hi," She said.
"Take good care of him will you?"
“Of course." Was the reply. Shirley waved forlornly. Jeffrey saluted back. "Night see you in the morning." Then Shirley was gone.
Has good as her word the blonde handmaiden tended his every need. Jeffrey smiled ruefully under different circumstances he knew he would enjoy the attention. For now though, he wished she would go, leave him alone with his thoughts. His mind was in turmoil, after what seemed like an eternity, but was in fact only thirty minutes the maiden took her leave. Jeffrey then could think over the day. Try to get things into perspective. Fifty years for him would make him in his seventies. That was if he was still alive. If he was, where was he now? This is where he started off, perhaps even this very spot or at least somewhere nearby. What if he should meet himself? This was silly he chided. There isn't anyone around here, apart from look-a likes. Perhaps, he thought they killed all the others off or even shipped them away into camps. Such was Jeffrey's thoughts at the time.
Jeffrey yawned, he felt very tired and on looking around he noted that this room was much larger and more luxurious than Shirley’s. In the corner was a large ornately carved circular bed. It wasn't like anything he had seen before, being suspended about a foot from the ground. Hovering, without apparently any means of support. There was also a beautifully carved statue of a handmaiden and sitting on the top was a wash basin. When Jeffrey placed his tired body onto the bed, he was amazed at how very comfortable it was. Dam he thought where is the light switch? He searched in vain, guess I’m stuck with it. However, to his amazement has soon has his head hit the soft pillow, out went the light. This shocked Jeffrey and he raised himself from the pillow and the light came on again. Fascinating he mumbled to himself I could do with one of these lights at home. Despite his mental turmoil, Jeffrey was very soon in a sound sleep.
Next morning Jeffrey was awakened gently by the maiden. "Good morning." She said. " I have prepared you a bath. Your breakfast then awaits you."
"Thank you." Jeffrey said politely. She smiled.
"I have arranged for number seventeen to come and collect you in an hour. So you must get a move on. I will leave you now. Goodbye, good luck." The handmaiden looked at him sympathetically and promptly left not waiting for a reply.
Jeffrey having bathed and breakfast now awaited Shirley's arrival. Shirley opened the door flinging herself into Jeffrey's arms. She said. "Oh I have missed you. Do you realise this is the first night we haven't been together since our marriage?"
"Of course,” Said Jeffrey cynically. " It is probably not going to be our last."
"Let's go for a walk, we'll head towards the cave. There we will be totally alone. We won't be interrupted. Get your jacket Jeffrey, we have to be back before lunch. The controller is going to give me her decision then". Said Shirley walking towards the door. Jeffrey noted as they walked a total lack of cars. He remarked upon this to Shirley. She told him that they did not require transport any more. Everything was done within their own complex. This was the same throughout the country. That is why the time machine was developed and used for the annual holidays. Poor things Jeffrey thought to himself, he knew he couldn't live this way. "Do you do any partying?" He asked Shirley, thinking about the one he had planned for tonight back in his own time. "Not really, but until I met you, I didn't know about partying. What you've never had, you cannot miss. I know now how different and in some ways better life was in the past." Shirley answered. Jeffrey looked at her tears staining her face. "Don't cry, I can't bear it." With that Jeffrey embraced her. "Please don't." She cried. " People walk here before commencing their daily tasks. This situation is unheard of here; there isn't any physical contact now. Should anyone see, this also would be reported to my controller."
"Oh I see." Was all Jeffrey could say. He was becoming more and more confused. He thought he would be a lot happier when everything was resolved and they could go back to his time. He hadn't any doubts that they would let Shirley go back with him.
They arrived at the cave Shirley let them in. "We'll sit in the machine. Then I will answer any queries you have. Sit beside me Jeffrey." Jeffrey really didn't know where to begin. His mind was still in utter turmoil. "When will we be able to go back?" He said meekly. "We have the big party tonight."
"Oh I'd forgotten that." Shirley replied "You know Jeffrey I don't think the controller will let me go."
"Of course she will. Why wouldn't she?" He remarked. " It's not as if they don't have a lot of Shirley's!"
"Jeffrey,” Shirley screamed. "How could you?"
"I'm sorry, it's just that I am so uptight I'm afraid OK. I will not lose you now that I have found you. You are my life, my soul mate, my life wouldn't be complete without you." Jeffrey cried.
"Oh darling." Shirley placed her arms around him trying to console him. Please let's not waste time arguing." They embraced.
Later, sitting back all content, Jeffrey said. "Maybe I'll smoke or is it too dangerous?" "You may if you’re careful." Shirley answered with a smile. Whilst Jeffrey lit his cigarette, Shirley combed her hair, looking ruefully at her reflection she said. "Are you fed up of looking at me now that you see me everywhere?" Jeffrey laughed.
"I would never get tired of seeing you. Seriously, though there are certain things I need to know."
"Fire away, I will answer as truthfully as I can." Was Shirley's reply. "In your time I would be in my seventies. I could still be alive. If I am, where will I be?" He said with a wry smile.
"Oh I never thought of that. This does add to our problems. As far as I know, none clones were tagged. They were then placed in a village complex where they were allowed to grow old gracefully. However, they were sterilised, because they weren’t allowed to breed. I don't think they have a bad life though." She said defensively.
"How do you mean tagging?" Jeffrey said angrily, imagining himself being tagged. "Well. Shirley responded. It's quite a story really. When my visit in your time came officially to an end, I was by then very attracted to you and did not want to leave. I confided in my friend, the one whom I spoke to when we arrived. She came up with an idea for me to stay on. Maybe if I could get my controller to agree. In your year the government started a tagging scheme, because the prisons were overcrowded. They needed a way of controlling less violent prisoners in their own homes. This I am sure you are aware was electronic tagging. I convinced my controller that I should research into how successful it was at that time and how we had adapted it for modern day use. Today’s tagging is totally different to earlier methods. It is similar to our numbers, just a means of knowing everyone is where they should be."
"I see, clever girl aren’t you? I wonder though, would you change the course of history, should you come back with me? Confusing isn't it? How on earth are we to solve this problem?" He asked.
"We won't. Shirley deliberated. The controller will. I suppose she will think of all of the consequences and make her decision upon them."
"I am afraid. What if it doesn't go in our favour?" Jeffrey then said, "Lets not go back. We have this machine, let's use it.”
"We can’t, it's not as simple as that. Have you forgotten about my identification number? They can track me any time, anywhere. There is no escape." Wailed Shirley.
"I'll fight for you." Said Jeffrey bravely. " I will go and confront this controller and make her see I need you more than she does."
"No don't, I will and must abide by her decision. We will know soon, whichever way the verdict, promise me you will go along with it, if only for my sake please?" She pleaded. "Look." she said pointing at her watch. " It is time to go." Jeffrey and Shirley walked the short distance back in silence. Both deep in thought.
Arriving back at the complex, Shirley was summoned by the controller. The handmaiden who had been waiting for their arrival beckoned Jeffrey. "Come she said your meal awaits you. I am here to tend you until number seventeen comes back." She duly led him back to the complex where he had spent the night.
Meanwhile Shirley's meeting wasn't going the way she had hoped. "Therefore," said the controller. "I see no other recourse, but to sever this relationship. Do you understand? It has many repercussions, it can never be allowed. What is more she continued you must never see this man again. Of course you will be able to say your good-byes. In fact you will also be the one to take him back. I feel under the circumstances, I am being very lenient with you. Don't you?"
"Yes controller." Shirley replied, biting back the tears.
"All right you may go now. You will leave at 15.30 hours. I'll expect you back within the hour. Do you understand?" Barked the controller. Shirley nodded in agreement and left. How she thought would Jeffrey take it? How would he react? She hoped he would accept the verdict and not do anything silly.
She went back to her apartment where a meal was awaiting, though she had little appetite, ate some of the food. Pushing the plate away Shirley arose, her mind still in turmoil, she was totally devastated at the thought of never seeing her beloved Jeffrey again. He may not be the most handsome of men, but to her he is. A tall man around six foot with quiet broad shoulders, fair wavy hair, she laughed to herself thinking about his crooked nose and remembering when he told her about the time he broke it playing cricket. She thought about his wonderful winning smile and the way he always dresses impeccably. How she would miss him. Then she exited the building and made her way to the complex where Jeffrey was awaiting her.
Jeffrey looked up expectantly as the door opened. One look at Shirley told him she had failed in her mission. His heart sank. "No need to tell me the gory details." He said bitterly. " I can tell by your face. When do I go back?"
"Oh Jeffrey,” she sobbed "what can I say? You can go back to a life, even find another love, have children. I can't, I know this isn't any consolation for you now. Given time Jeffrey, you will forget and I hope you will forgive me."
"I cannot help but forgive you. You are my life, my love Shirley." Jeffrey cried passionately. " I cannot envisage my life without you." "You must,” She replied. " I am to take you back in forty five minutes from now. At least I am being allowed to escort you and say my good-byes. I know this is a small comfort to you. It is all we've got." "So be it." Said Jeffrey sadly. " I must make love to you one last time. I don't care if this is breaking your rules. You owe me this much at least."
"Darling, I wouldn't let you leave without." Shirley cried. " I too cannot bear it." Thirty minutes later their passion was spent, Shirley and Jeffrey prepared for the coming journey back in time. "All ready." Said Jeffrey closing the door firmly behind him. Together they walked silently towards the cave.