Chapter 12: A Day in Floor 0

I woke up from a very weird, long dream where only few people can be recognized by me. I've been having them recently and whether it be a foresight or something that's actually happening somewhere at the present, I'm relieved that it's not about my tragic situation that I'm dreaming about. My dreams can be very exact sometimes so I'd rather dream about somebody else's future life than mine.

'Light please,'

I am speaking with a computer installed in the room which can be very creepy sometimes.

'Chak-ay Miss Decade, Chak-ay.'

The computer corrected me as it activated the lights.

'There's no way that I'm going to acknowledge you just because I don't have anyone to talk to, you hear me?'

I made my way to the exceptionally deluxe of an HFA or Hygiene Facility Area measuring 2500 square meters as the door opened just by my proximity.

'Miss Decade, pardon but how am I to consider your word? Is it a command, a request or a simple statement?'

It's a 'he' by the way. The computer had a male for a voice and it sounded authentic and especially well versed in any language. Don't get me started with his worldwide accumulated facts as a computer. The computer aside, the HFA is filled with hygiene caring computer-controlled facilities; some of which are hair and nail salons, massaging area and medical stations.

'Whatever,' I went straight for the sink where a mirror is and the water automatically opened, water gushing out of the faucet. I washed my face but the water feels so refreshing that I can't resist the urge to have at the scented baths. I made quick work of the built in 5 by 5 mini pool as I dipped myself in a relaxing feeling.

'I'm confused but that will have to be shelved for the moment. What specific entertainment would you like for me to activate?'

I rest my head on the headrest and closed my eyes, 'How about you change my legal name to something beautiful and when you're finished, run a search for Vylemor's location thank you very much.'

'Miss Decade. What about the entertainment?'

'I didn't know you computers can be so persistent sometimes. Fine, I want to see the outer space.'

'Granted, your orders shall be accomplished shortly.'

And with that, the whole area darkened to reveal the very image of outer space and its regal beauty.

It was like I myself am in the outer space but in reality, everything in the bathroom acted as monitors in that blackness and sparkling awe-inspired technology, it's akin to a gigantic planetarium. A very peaceful feeling washed over me from the visual and sensual effects of the comparatively warm water pool, the flower scented bath and the vast outer space enveloping everything.

'Thank you Chak-ay,' was all I could say from my overflowing gratitude induced state, washing all the stress away.

'The pleasure's all mine,' whoever had this brilliant idea, they're totally amazing.

An hour later, I'm dressed comfortably for my daily walk around the 0th floor because I didn't want to rot and get fat just because I holed up in my rent free, utopia kind of a living space. Besides, I also fell in love with the deep sea view which enveloped the whole edge of the 0th floor that I can walk around it in a total of 3 hours.

Then it hit me, 'It's probably artificial, nothing real.'

'The ES is built on the sea, an artificial land to be exact.' Someone spoke from behind which got me started because I terribly recognize that voice. I turned around and sure enough, he resembled the president that he could have been his twin. 'The 0th floor is submerged in the ocean so the sea creatures you see before you are real.'

On second thought, he is the president. He wore the same uniform the president always wore and that explains the reason why he rarely appears on camera save during 'The State of the Nation Address'. He doesn't have bodyguards here because they don't have access to this floor.

'Mr President?' Oh no, I don't know how I am supposed to behave!

He smiled, 'I am indeed the President but that is only when I'm working. In here, we are all equal since we managed to have access to such place we will never see outside it. At the very least, not yet.'

Now that I think of it, what the president wore is what everybody in here wears. Anything red and or black, any other colour is prohibited. They confiscated all of our stuff in floor one before letting us proceeds which I believe is for security purposes. I waved it as a dress code the first time I came here and noticed how the people only wore red and or black but it's just the same with office or organization wears.

'Hello?' was all I could manage, thinking 100 thoughts per second in such a tragic incapability for conversations lately.

'I am without company so if you would do me the honours of dining with me at the eatery? Aside from the owners of the establishment, you are the only minor I have seen who have gained access so I'd like to have a chat with you if you don't mind.'

He gestured with his hand to the eatery cordially, waiting for me to respond.

Pickles and sandwiches! It just came to me; Karne and Vylemor are a few of the owners? I absolutely must know. This is a one chance which I can't pass. 'That would be great,' I went ahead but then realizing I don't know where it is, 'Please lead the way for I am not familiar with the place yet.'

Who the hell am I to speak to a president that way! My brains are screaming but the words just keep coming out like a waterfall. The president looks like a 25 year old but how can that be? I've never heard of a president that young. At the very least, they are at most 40 to 50 years old.

The eatery is a little different from the rooms because it was circular and it was located at the very centre of the 0th floor. Far ahead, are plasma monitors at the centre where a post is erected. The room is divided in four eating areas following the four seasons; fall, winter, summer and spring. We chose the summer eating area, agreeing that we could grill some fresh vegetables and a variety of meet. Everything is operated manually by waiters and staff which contrasted the room services that operate on computers which explain the absence of room service.

'So how were you able to gain access to this floor?' The president began setting up his chosen ingredients which is the onion, the beef and some lettuce.

'A friend of mine, Vylemor, gave it to me.' As for me, I grilled every variety because I don't even know how to identify all of them. I'll just register them in my brain by appearance and taste.

The president, his name is Rev, let pass a moment of surprise and then it was gone. 'That's wonderful!'

'So you know the owners of ES?' I very cautiously asked, shoving the half grilled vegetables in my mouth. Nobody knows exactly who owns the ES so it must be something to be kept a secret.

Rev the president arranged them like a burger before carefully putting it in a plate and very carefully sliced a portion, sampling the taste and showing delight from his work. 'Something tells me that you have met with them so what you want is confirmation, right?'

I nodded with my head, meat juice sliding down my chin as I wiped them immediately from embarrassment. I took some water from the pitcher and drinking it in the process, I felt as the lump went down my throat to my stomach.

He drew his hands together to stifle a laugh, 'Well, you have it but I take it that you know of its secrecy?'

I drummed my chest to let the food settle down, 'I figured it must have been that way because if not, the whole world would have known already. Secondly, ES doesn't appear on any map which raises the question 'why?'.'

He took another slice of his hand made bunless burger before turning to the plasma monitors to his right side. It's playing a live video of a martial arts fight featuring a minor fighting with two bulky middle aged guys which is the highest rated tournament on the whole ES that day.

'Why on earth did they allow a fight such as this, it is clear to me that the minor is inexperienced?' Rev complained under his breath.

I was about to say the same thing but he beat me to it. 'It doesn't matter who she is or what authority she has over the registrar's office but I am so going to file a request of annulment for the fight immediately!'

He was about to leave when the commentator announced the appearance of her partner, 'Karne!' We called simultaneously when Karne tried to order the minor to stop and then we turned to each other, 'You know him!'

'Yeah,' I said.

'Same here,' he confirmed.

Again, we got our attentions nailed to the peculiar fight. Karne suddenly joined the fight when the minor applied a headlock as the other man watched from a distance. The man fell unconscious from the barrage of attacks made by the two.

'That's wicked,' I blurted out in my excitement.

'They better not get hurt or I'll be stopping the match,' Rev threatened to nobody in particular while focusing every attention on the screen like every other people in the eatery.

The next that happened? I don't know any more if it was even legal or accepted. Karne and the minor, who is strikingly my age, used a jacket and a knee strike to topple the giant. I recognized that act when lumberjacks in some regions tug on a rope to take down a tree and guide where they want it resting.

'My vegetables are burnt!' I shrieked at the neglected food of mine and quickly put the others in my plate before they get burned as well. The nearby costumers didn't even bother with me because they are focused on the match where the last man standing of the two earlier struggled to get up.

I stuffed another group of meat to my mouth when I nearly choked on it from the very funny attack made by Karne and the position they were in to prepare it.

'Karne is not a martial artist after all; he just decided the most effective way to strengthen his strike.'

Rev's comments are better off said to those watching the match. I find it hard not to notice how less observant the commentator was to the fighting abilities of the contestants.

It was a series of attack again and very wise considering the physical condition of their opponent. I'm just wondering if their skulls are strong enough to stay sane or if they can remember any of that happening after the fight. The man was tough but the minor is crazy, sitting before the enemy like that whispering something to him and making a very smug face. She's just trying to make the match longer when she herself looks like a ragdoll.

'She is trying to stall him to pass the countdown,' Rev offered when he saw the disapproving look on my face.

'Oh, what a clever plan.'

'Not clever enough to stop him,' he looked at the monitor.

The man was able to stand despite the many attacks made to him. 'I guess they were still lacking the strength to take him down.'

Everything was still for a moment before they broke to a fit of laughter to the unexpected turn of events. Surprisingly, the man's arthritis attacked at a moment he didn't anticipate. He was carried away by medics and the fight is won by Karne and Denri as the commentator said so. Rev on the other hand is rather composed and appeared to be relieved of the outcome.

'A relative of yours?'

'She is not a blood relative but she is family,' he confirmed, taking another slice of his burger and taking a sip of his wine.

I was talking about Karne though. Might as well be grateful for the things I'm earning. Speaking of 'not blood relative but family', I should go and visit my stepmother.

She passed as my mother and even though I'm not very comfortable with her tribe, it is only prudent for me to ease her worries a little. After all, she took great care of me when my father passed away due to an illness. 'I'll be on my way after the meal,' I informed the president.

'I understand. I have to talk with Denri as well,' he pointed to Denri and Karne entering the eatery.

I quickly finished my food, 'Oh, I must be on my way now for I have to prepare for a visit. Thank you.'

I was out like a hurricane and in my room in no time, collapsing on the stuff toy-filled bed of mine. I didn't want to talk with anyone from the school because they don't understand me at all and they think I'm some crazy girl who began hallucinating from loneliness. Same goes for anyone who knows me save my stepmother who was greatly saddened by the passing of my father.

'Welcome back,' the computer greeted, lights coming back to life. 'I need update,' I demanded while still lying on my cottony bed, eyes closed.

'The last satellite feed spotted him entering the mansion in the estate named after a police detective naming Arte and a private doctor naming Dechat. He has never stepped out of the mansion since then.'

What a liar! That Karne is, but oh well, they must have their own reasons like keeping their possession over ES a secret. I'll still come back for them to restore my dignity which by the way is still with me but other people think is not.

'Can you look up Luna Decade like right now?'

'Shortly,' the ceiling turned to a monitor showing coordinates of a map.

'This is the location from which she resides and is currently living alone. Her husband had been long dead and her step daughter, you, is reported missing.'

'Pickles and sandwiches! I am not so going out of here just to cause a drama.'

'Would you like for me to arrange a disguise for you?'

A few suggestions flashed on the ceiling consisting of sunglasses, hairstyles, fashion clothing, silicon masks and make up disguises.

'Please do and add some gift for my mother while on it.'

'Your gifts have been delivered and your disguise is in the HFA.'

'Delivered, did I tell you to do that?'

My mother would track me here if I am not careful. I would not want her sending anyone to fetch me, never. The computer just went and did a task I never told it to and the next thing I know, it cut my hair short. I agreed only because I thought I was going to use a wig but clearly, it misunderstood my agreement which resulted to my haircut.

Why do computers love specific commands anyway? I thought it was smart but then it is still a computer. Never mind that though. This is going to be fun because now that I see myself in the mirror, I kind of totally nailed a perfect looker. I just have to wear some sunglass, a pair of ear ring and a good deal of comfortable clothes. Of course, I have to work with my voice to which I am an expert of. Yay!