The Companions by Sheri S. Tepper Read Free Book Online Page B

pay a fortune to see them.” She paused, shaking her head, leaning forward to pat my hand. “I’m rambling again…
    â€œThe next floor up is vacant and windowless. The top floor is a park floor. Though it was roofed with solar collectors, I insisted they leave large sections open so trees could grow up through it. So, the 260th floor will serve as exercise ground, and we can build whatever else we need on Floor 259.”
    I said, “If Gainor Brandt doesn’t get a delay, we have only a little time.”
    â€œI know. The dogs you’re concerned about should be brought here today, now. Bring them by flit along with the poor man who’s been taking care of them. I have dog-owning friends who don’t have exempt estates, and they need a place for their animals as well, so an experienced kennelman will be invaluable. If you’re interested, Jewel, I should think we could also employ you very profitably!”
    â€œAre you ready for all that?” I cried.
    Shiela patted my knee again, this time a fond, almost maternal gesture, as she twinkled at me. “Of course not, my dear. One is seldom ready for disaster, but one just has to cope, any old how.”
    We settled a few details with Shiela; she added more appreciative words about Matty and Joram while Witt shifted impatiently; and we left.
    Witt said, “I’m hungry, and you look starved.”
    â€œFood hasn’t tasted very good lately.”
    â€œEarth food never tastes very good. I’d like something different.”
    He took me to an expensive little restaurant high up in Tower 50 something, a place that specialized in off-planet foods. He ordered, and I ate what he ordered. It was the firsttime I’d tasted anything I could call delicious. Though Worldkeeper uses engineered flavors and aromas, all earth food ends up tasting alike, and even that is better than Mars food. That night I learned that cheese from a dairy planet is not in the same category as algae-cheese, even when the algae-cheese is labeled AGED CHEDDAR FLAVOR .
    Witt grinned at me, he said, because I was scrunching up my eyes when I was chewing as though I was using my whole face to squeeze out every bit of taste. He also said I was looking nice, half-starved, but nice. Mostly we talked about the food.
    â€œNo faux pepper,” he remarked.
    I took a deep breath and smiled. “And no coffee 10, no pretend-cinnamon, no maybe-ginger.”
    â€œNo can-this-possibly-be vanilla?”
    â€œI know the answer to that one. It can’t. No matter what Worldkeeper says.”
    He laughed. “Give Worldkeeper credit for seeing that we’re all fed, Jewel.”
    I made a face. “Worldkeeper doesn’t have to eat meat substitute or simulated vegetable flakes. It’s always weeks or months between the times we get fresh stuff.”
    â€œSpecial-license places like this always have fresh food.”
    I was annoyed at the way he said it, offhand, as though I was being absurd. “Always for the wealthy, Witt. You’re rich, and other people aren’t. You keep forgetting that.”
    â€œNo,” he said, shaking his head, flushing slightly. “I don’t forget it. It just…gets in the way sometimes.”
    I put down my fork and frowned. “You can be glad you’re rich. Most of the rest of us can’t eat like this ever!”
    Witt muttered. “Many humans used to eat like this. Many of us could eat this way if we got rid of the Law of Return.”
    â€œWhy don’t we? Everybody on Earth hates it.”
    He shook his head impatiently. “Unfortunately, that’s not quite true. The outer worlds don’t hate it. They want to keep high birthrates to have lots of workers available for development. Development is everything. If things aren’t getting bigger and faster and higher, people aren’t satisfied. The trouble is, high birthrates eventually result in very large numbers of