Bound in Time by D. F. Jones

Author:D. F. Jones [Jones, D. F.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Science Fiction, General, Action & Adventure, Cyberpunk
Publisher: Orion
Published: 2019-03-21T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Joe led him through the garden, expounding extravagantly on its beauty with Mark trying hard to echo his praises while his mind grappled with that traumatic moment inside the fountain.

They entered a building on the opposite side of the square, Joe explaining that this was ‘his club’. He added hastily that he hoped Mark would be granted the same honour, but without further explanation went on with his fulsome praises of the club and everything else in sight, Mark agreeing with all he said.

The dining room was five-star plus: high ceilings, marble floors and walls and rich drapes; Mark said he’d never seen anything like it, but even as he spoke he remembered Rat Town, and his nightmare grew.

Joe steered him to a table for two, nodding courteously to several men — there were no women — but a girl with a face Botticelli might have painted, her long dress swirling, was beside them before they had settled in their comfortable chairs.

‘I’ll order. You’ll love it.’ Joe, smiling and outwardly confident, still sweated.

The waitress carefully recited the menu, taking Joe’s instructions with small bows, punctuated by the occasional ‘Yes, mister’. Mark realized the term was an honorific, as ‘sir’ had been on Earth. A second realization hit him like a brick: the girl was as terrified as Joe; terrified of making a mistake. Even worse, he had the insight to see that she feared with all her being that Joe would say she had made a mistake.

The meal was a revelation of a different sort. After a very good pâté came chicken in a cream sauce, yet with a tang new to Mark, accompanied by what tasted like spinach. The wine they drank did nothing to relieve the tension, for Joe’s effusive praise of the food and drink was endless, Mark backing him up as best he could, seeking desperately for some further clue. It came halfway through the main course.

‘With his typical generosity,’ said Joe, entrenched behind his false smile, ‘the Boss has ruled you should have a day to orient yourself.’ Under the table he gently pressed Mark’s leg with his foot. ‘Tomorrow, you’ll have the great honour — and pleasure — of being presented to him. And let me tell you, I’ve been honoured with the very pleasurable duty of presenting you.’ He raised his glass. ‘I give you a toast! To the Boss!’

‘The Boss,’ echoed Mark, a few more pieces of the deadly jigsaw falling into place. Aided by the wine, he went on, ‘You’ll forgive me — and I’m sure Boss will, with his evident generosity,’ that got him a sharp look from Joe, ‘but he will know that right now I know nothing, one who is stunned by what he has seen of Moon City … so tell me, who is Boss?’

Joe gulped his wine, giving himself time. ‘Yes, the Boss … well, of course, you are totally ignorant, so it is a fair question. How can I explain? It’s very difficult: you

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