A story about an Earthling in alien world. If you're just tuning in, consider starting with part 1
Part 31
Although Archie had spent time in the New Oro Century War Museum, he was unprepared for what he found in the War's End Genocide Museum. During the War, undesirables from all over the world were banished to the Midlands, where they spent decades killing each other before joining the emerging global order. Walking through a whole museum about it was uncomfortable. But not as uncomfortable as his next order of business.
Archie met Hank in a hotel reception room, surrounded by important people. Right away, a young archivist presented Hank with a bottle of liquor. "We made this especially for you," she said. "It's eighty percent alcohol."
"Look at that!" said Hank, uncorking the bottle. "Don't mind if I do."
Archie was greatly relieved by this distraction. Soon enough, Hank was drunk and showing off his biceps. Then there was a period of a few hours when Hank went from person to person, tugging at their clothing while emphatically telling stories that made no sense. Archie managed to avoid Hank the entire time.
The next day, Hank woke to find a gold tiara on his head and a pair of archivists looking at him. They informed him that he'd been crowned Mayor of War's End and explained all of the perks of his new job. This all made sense to Hank. Of course he should be mayor. So Head Archivist Wuut's plan worked perfectly.
Archie and Natlin left the next day, returning to New Oro as quickly as possible. After getting settled, they met Benko and the others at their usual observation alcove.
"We all saw," said Jili. "Mayor Hank. So far he seems to be playing along."
"Give it time," said Archie.
"He just got a new warden," said Kammy. "Warden Graffer. Hank won't be getting away with much with Graffer on the job."
"Tougher than Hilla?" asked Horner.
"Much tougher," said Kammy.
"Is Mouse Island going along with it?" asked Archie.
"So far," said Benko. "I think they celebrate his absence."
"Don't we all," said Archie.
Later, at Arnen's place, they were approached by Arnen. "Archie, you clever otter," he said. "Using your political influence to get our man a mayor's seat."
"It just seemed like a logical next step for Hank," said Archie. "It's possible he's found his calling."
"Senior Priest Danpin is pleased as well," said Arnen. "You're a true champion of our cause."
Archie was stoic in the face of this undeserved praise. "Right on," he said.
"Danpin says you should attend another Temple ceremony soon," said Arnen.
"I feed my spirit in other ways," said Archie. "But thanks for the invitation."
"So," said Arnen, in a tone that suggested he was getting down to business. "What about you? Are we going to make you the Mayor of New Oro?"
"Definitely not," said Archie.
"Why not?" asked Natlin. "It's an important position."
"It's a non-position," said Archie. "There is no mayor."
"Please, think about it," said Arnen.
"Fine," said Archie.
As the shopkeeper drifted away, Jili poked Benko, who made a noise of frustration. "Archie," he said. "Some of us were wondering why you haven't mated with anyone but Natlin since you arrived to our planet."
Feeling Natlin's discomfort with the question, Archie considered his answer carefully. "What's the normal thing for an Earthling to do?" he asked.
"All my observations of Earthling males suggest that having multiple mates would be perfectly normal," said Jili. "That is, unless you and Natlin are trying to reproduce. Are you trying to reproduce?"
"Hank has mated with twenty-three females since arriving to Mother," said Kammy. "At least, that's my count. By now, the number is probably higher."
"Is that supposed to mean something to me?" asked Archie.
"It's only a comparison," said Horner.
"And how many people has Nina Wells mated with since she was brought to Mother?" asked Archie.
"Actually, none," said Jili. "She shows no interest at all in mating. All she does is observe Earthlings in the archives."
"Maybe I'm happy with things as they are," said Archie.
"Okay," said Jili. "But if you wanted to mate with me, you should know that everyone would support it."
Archie doubted that, but now he understood what this conversation was really about. Jili wanted to mate with an Earthling. Benko seemed annoyed by the subject, though not upset by it. Natlin, on the other hand, seemed on the verge of losing her temper. "But you don't even know him," she said. "Not like me."
"Don't be selfish about it," said Jili. "He can be your partner and still mate with other females."
Standing up, Archie looked around the table, shook his head, and walked away. No one followed. Pausing to light a cigarette, he kept walking until he reached a neighborhood of winding, pedestrian-only streets and unusual little shops. Finding a park, Archie roped a couple of loitering youths into a game of hacky sack.
After an hour of play, Archie headed back to Arnen's place and found the Outcast Five still there. "Are we done discussing my sex life?" he asked, returning to his seat.
"We've moved on to gambling on the future of Hank," said Benko. "Some think he'll self-destruct, others think he'll reform. What do you think?"
"On Earth, no question, he'd self-destruct," said Archie. "But here? I'm not so sure. Emotionally, I want him to crash and burn, because I hate him and everything he stands for. Intellectually, I'd like to believe that anyone can reform if provided with the conditions necessary to do so, and Mother has provided him with those conditions. My guess? If he can get through six months here, he might reform."
(Feature image from Pixabay)
Read my novels:
- Small Gods of Time Travel is available as a web book on IPFS.
- The Paradise Anomaly is available in print via Blurb and for Kindle on Amazon.
- Psychic Avalanche is available in print via Blurb and for Kindle on Amazon.
- One Man Embassy is available in print via Blurb and for Kindle on Amazon.
- Flying Saucer Shenanigans is available in print via Blurb and for Kindle on Amazon.
- Rainbow Lullaby is available in print via Blurb and for Kindle on Amazon.
- The Ostermann Method is available in print via Blurb and for Kindle on Amazon.
- Blue Dragon Mississippi is available in print via Blurb and for Kindle on Amazon.
See my NFTs:
- Small Gods of Time Travel is a 41 piece Tezos NFT collection on Objkt that goes with my book by the same name.
- History and the Machine is a 20 piece Tezos NFT collection on Objkt based on my series of oil paintings of interesting people from history.
- Artifacts of Mind Control is a 15 piece Tezos NFT collection on Objkt based on declassified CIA documents from the MKULTRA program.