Note to readers: “2200 Blues” is a novel in progress, and each chapter is an early draft in its unfolding journey. Your thoughts and reactions are invaluable, guiding its evolution and refinement. 2200 Blues © 2024 by G.R. Nanda. All rights reserved.
“I’m an agent of myself,” Steve grumbled. “I know what I want and why I want it.”
“Really?” shouted Nickel, his chest growing with a rising heat. He shook his head, scoffing. “Oh my God, your whole plan—get to Hedonim, use my hovercraft. I get why Farrul said you were so crazy, why Farrul hated your plan so much.”
“My plan is why you’re here!” Steve growled.
“So what?” Nickel hissed. “I’m supposed to go along with and help your addiction? Help you get another digital hit?”
“Listen, I’ve seen a lot more than you,” Steve said. “I have years ahead of you. I’ve seen war and famine.”
“Really?” Nickel shrieked. “What is that supposed to mean? Because you’re older, all your plans and ideas are justified?”
“I know what gets us out of this mess,” Steve said. He pointed a stubby finger at Nickel. “You belong in the Ether too. It’s the only place where people like us can find the help we need and live a life worth living.”
“How would you know what a ‘life worth living’ would be?” Nickel said.
“You’ve got spirit,” Steve said, “but that don’t count for years.” He pointed at his temple. “That’s where I’m ahead of you. I can see further ahead.”
“Oh, fuck off with that,” Nickel sneered. “You’ve just had more time to get your head stuck in the Ether.”
“Nickel, I’m trying to help you!” Steve growled. “That’s all I’ve ever done.”
Nickel froze on the verge of retort, caught off guard by Steve’s comment. He felt a pang of guilt that was quickly subsumed by the outrage he felt at Steve.
“Aaaaaargh,” grumbled Nickel as he dropped his head into his palms, rubbing his forehead.
“Why can’t you see?” Nickel said between his fingers. “This wasn’t going anywhere. You acted like I was the key. It seemed like you were really just thinking about my hovercraft.”
“You know what you sound like?” Steve said. “You sound like those Luddite party members who just want to take away our freedoms.”
“What?!” Nickel exclaimed, ripping his hands away from his face.
“Yeah,” Steve said, nodding his head, frowning at Nickel. Now he crossed his arms. The familiar old man was now a stranger to Nickel. The face that had shown him warmth so much was now a wall to Nickel, a wall of misunderstanding and ignorance that Nickel wanted so desperately to break through but couldn’t.
“I’ve heard everything you’re going to say!” Steve asserted, weighing his finger he used to point at Nickel. “Those party members have been saying all that for far longer than you’ve been alive! They’re afraid of anyone who looks like a genetic human, and they think that because of that, we need to go back to the Stone Ages. They don’t want anyone in the Ether.”
Nickel’s mouth dropped in astonishment. “What does anything I said have to do with that?”
“Listen, kid,” Steve said, wagging his finger in the air. “I got years on you, seen more than you’d think to know because you haven’t seen it yet! I don’t have that much schooling, but I’ve learned from those smarter and older than me!—believe it or not—that the world gets torn down by those who want to take away our freedoms and those that want to keep them.”
“You think you’re free in the Ether?” Nickel screamed.
“I’m freer than I would be,” Steve said. “Anyone who says that we don’t need to get rid of the Ether is really trying to take away my freedom!”
“You’re a fucking idiot,” Nickel snarled, walking around Steve towards the entrance of the hut that he and Steve came through.
“You know it’s true,” grumbled Steve. “It’s why you were in that hovercraft.”
That’s why I don’t want to go back, Nickel thought.
“But you don’t get that,” Nickel whispered.
“That’s why you met us, right?” called Steve. “To help us out. So we could help each other out? But I guess you don’t want to do that even after everything I did for you!”
Nickel closed the flaps of the hut entrance behind him without looking back. He breathed heavily, his heart pounding. A film of tears formed in his eyes, creating a haze over the sight of the orange fog and the neighboring huts and caves it shrouded.
“Ungrateful little shit!” came Steve’s voice, echoing from inside the hut walls. “Just like Farrul! You think you’re better than me? You’re just as hooked to the Ether as I am! Get back in the hovercraft! Stay in it and see if you stay out of the Ether.”
Nickel balled his fists in anger. He gritted his teeth, wanting to say something but too overwhelmed by anguish and outrage to do so. He knew Steve was right. If he stayed in the hovercraft a night, he’d be pulled to the Ether in heartbeats. It didn’t mean he wanted to for the rest of his life.
“You’re gonna leave me here to die?” Steve called. “The Thraíha can’t use me! I’m gonna die in these canyons!”
G.R. Nanda 