Interzone 231 Nov. by TTA Press

Author:TTA Press
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: short stories, fantasy science fiction artwork reviews interviews, new authors movie reviews dvd reviews
Publisher: TTA Press

Jason Sanford

MILLISENT KA PLAYS IN REALTIME

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Author’s Introduction •

“At the 2010 Worldcon, Kim Stanley Robinson stated that ‘Economics is the astrology of our time.’ It’s hard to disagree. Economics grasps at the mantle of science but follows neither the scientific method nor scientific ideals. Instead of predicting the recent near collapse of the world’s financial system, the field of economics enabled the event through bad theories and worse advice. There’s a reason the Nobel Prize in Economics isn’t a true Nobel Prize. Just like economic theory, the prize is attempting to pass itself off as more than it truly is.

“But what if economics could truly become a science? What if the only commodity humanity could spend was the one true commodity all humans are gifted with? In this story, I explore these ideas, along with how the answers to all our problems are often merely new problems in disguise.”

* * * * *

MILLISENT KA PLAYS IN REALTIME

* * * * *

This isn’t the way the future should be. But still, here it is. And here’s Millisent Ka, born to a doting mother and father in a neo-feudal musical fiefdom, their cement-dusted house perfectly balanced between the cracked asphalt plains of L.A. la la land and the rich-fool castles on the Pacific Palisades. Never mind that those castles rise so far above everything else – hopes, dreams, reality – it’s hard to remember only dirt and rock exist beneath their gilded skies, same as anywhere else.

The first thing Milli hears as she leaves the womb is music. Her dad, a musical vassal with dreams of itinerant musicianhood, plays the saxophone as Milli screams newborn outrage. Her mom, who has grudgingly streamed gospel day and night since it blew revival, mutters for her husband to stop his foolishness. But he merely smiles and fingers his sax as the midwife injects the artificial chromosomes into Milli’s wrinkly body. For good measure, the midwife slaps a pain patch on Milli’s mom, figuring the poor woman needs a little help putting up with her husband’s antics.

By the time Milli latches onto her mother’s breast, her mom’s all sighs and happiness – maybe from the music, more likely from the meds. “You’re an idiot,” she whispers to her husband. “But damn, you’re a lovable one.”

Milli’s dad laughs and opens the window to the hot Santa Ana winds. As Milli suckles contentedly, her dad blows the notes of an improvised ‘California Dreaming’ while his wife’s haunting mezzo voice hums the words of that ancient folk melody.

Sometimes dreams are all people have left.

To celebrate Milli’s birth, the next day His Lordship’s wife – the grand and amazing Lady Amanza Collins – grants a free performance. Her edict is simple: His Lordship, ruler of the world’s biggest musical fiefdom, waives all rights to his vassals’ performances for one hour. People may play what they like. Debt as they wish.

The vassals are stunned. Who is this Millisent Ka to elicit such unprecedented generosity from their Lord? But the musicians

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