Episode Two Logistics

A lex

As I kiss Ro's nape, I snuggle closer, reaching across him to stroke Shanna. My palm lands on her velvet soft flank. She's a beautiful woman in every way. God, I wish things were different.

"You're not so clever, Shanna. Not that I don't love waking up to four-way sex, but we all know what you're up to." I may have been the one to say it, but I imagine everyone is thinking it.

"We do?" Ro asks. I'm not sure if he's joking or not.

"I'll spell it out for you. It's today's mandatory vaccinations. She's worried."

I lean to kiss her.

"But we've had these at least once a year all our lives. What's different about this time?"

"What's different is that this is the first vaccination since the rich abandoned us Down Below," she says. "What's different is that this is the first time women have been ordered to get their shots in different facilities from the men. What's different is that every person on the planet has been ordered to get their shot in one 24-hour period. Usually it's ordered to be completed within a week."

That sums it up. Nothing feels right about this latest mandated vaccination.

About five years ago, Earth reached its tipping point. Between global warming and pollution, we knew it would only be a matter of time before we all choked to death on our own fumes. Maybe in this generation, maybe we'd eke out one generation more.

For years, the wealthy worked on creating spaceships to escape, but that proved fruitless. Then they put their considerable resources into building one hundred towers all across the Earth. The Towers are so tall they rise above the pollution. Many are in the United States, but they're stationed all over the globe, including one built in the Pacific Ocean.

There was nothing democratic about the process of who gets to inhabit the Towers. It's all about money.

A few essential workers were allowed in. They had to vie for spots. For the privilege of living above in the Towers, they and their families will basically be indentured servants for generations. Many believed even that cost wasn't too high. It was a ticket to be above it all when everyone Down Below finally expired on a planet that couldn't sustain humans anymore. Mostly, though, the Tower's inhabitants are the wealthy and powerful.

The last of the Tower-dwellers moved into their new digs two days ago. Those in charge said nothing would change. Life would continue for the billions of us left Down Below. We'd just be ruled by those Up Above. My thought is, if we were careless with the environment before, what will happen when those in charge are literally above it all?

Chass envelops Shanna in his embrace and manages to rock her side to side to comfort her. "Ro's going to take you for your vaccination at the women's station. The rest of us are receiving them at work. We'll meet back here tonight and laugh about this. I'll buy a bottle of your favorite wine." He nips her ear.

We've all learned to tiptoe around the worrisome details that make all our blood boil. Like the little fact that we'll be returning to a meal cooked by Shanna because thirteen months ago, all women were prohibited from working.

Of the four of us, I'm the best cook, but because she's home all day, Shanna stepped into the role of chef. We all know she'd rather be at her job at the genetics lab at the University.

Chass also didn't mention how unfair and insane it is that Roman has to drive her to her vaccination. Not long ago, they passed a law that women must always have a male with them when they leave the house. We all just pretend that isn't the most heinous thing we've ever heard.

"Let's get rolling," I say as I lean on an elbow to kiss Ro, then Shanna, and then Chass when he leans closer. "It's Friday. Maybe you should get two bottles of wine."

"Where are you stationed today?" Shanna asks Ro.

"One of the men's vaccination stations. Inner city. Last time a riot almost broke out. I imagine today, with the rich and famous in their safe apartments Up Above, there's going to be even more unrest than before."

"Let's all stay safe today," she says as we jockey to see who'll get the first shower.