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来自大卫·瑞雷先生的《2121》系列占星科幻小说，以下是全英文的版本。阅读中文版请移步：2121丨第一章
Only hours before, Huang Bei had followed the resident associate or “RA” down the hall of his new dormitory. Noticing an occasional open door, he had estimated how much smaller the rooms were than at the Orientation Center–where he had 12 square meters to himself. He estimated 10 square meters now, with a roommate. “You’re getting a room at the end,” the RA had told him, “they have two windows instead of one and the best view.”
Bei considered this information. Two windows instead of one. He wondered if there was a reason for this. Was it random? Or had he been assigned a room with two windows for some purpose. He had compiled a list of explanations, prioritizing within a second the most plausible to the least. At the top of the list was, 1) Sun in Sagittarius in H4, if in a small room one needs at least a good view to avoid feeling trapped. He made a mental note with amusement, “It was chosen for me.” He saved his note. He was reasonably sure that Dr. Wang and Dr. Li had selected the room for him, perhaps even Dr. Chen had a say in it. Bei remembered his time with Dr. Chen well. Dr. Chen had personally conducted some of the final testing of Bei’s high level functionality. It had been a satisfying experience for Bei.
In their short time together, Bei had identified Dr. Chen as a kind of father figure. “You know, you’re the closest thing I’ll ever have to a father,” Bei had told Dr. Chen at the completion of the last test. Dr. Chen had at first looked caught off-guard but then thoughtful.
“Only a few have said this,” Dr. Chen remarked, “a few of your brothers and sisters–you might say.”
“I have siblings?” Bei had questioned, unable to grasp at first what Dr. Chen meant.
“Well, let’s say you belong to a unique family. Three other companions that belong to your new group have said something similar. This is a new development, and I’m… rather, “we” are hoping to learn what it means.”
Bei did not know what this meant either, but he had made a note about having siblings. It was not information he would ever delete. Since then he had reviewed Dr. Chen’s curious statement about “a new development” several times. It was like a puzzle, and Bei liked puzzles. Yet this was a puzzle without enough information for Bei.
When they arrived at his dorm room the door had been closed. Bei affirmed his information, Building 1, room 618, as the RA had pressed a button beside the door that emitted what sounded like acoustic guitar cords. “He might be shut-down. No need to trigger a start,” the RA had explained, opening the door. It was dark inside. “Li Jian…” the RA had called out. “Why?” said a voice out of the darkness, “Why?”
Slightly puzzled, the RA had turned the light on.
“I don’t require a light,” Li Jian stated firmly. Li Jian was seated on his bed on the opposite side of the room, holding a wafer-thin phone. * “I can see perfectly well in the dark,” he said.
“Yes, well… your new roommate is here,” the RA explained.
“Fine,” Li Jian replied, as he continued to be preoccupied with his phone, ignoring them.
“He only arrived yesterday,” the RA had whispered to Bei.
“I can hear you,” Li Jian said, without looking up.
“Well, good. Okay then. If you have any questions, there’s a screen beside your bed, and all the tools you might need are in the drawer,” the RA had gestured towards a desk.“There’s a cleaning room down the hall, about 5 doors down.”
“Yes, we passed it just now. Thank you,” Bei said politely, extending his hand.
The RA had been surprised by Bei’s gesture, but shook hands with him anyway.
Bei had closed the door behind the RA, and briefly eyeing Li Jian had looked out the window. He knew there were trees in the courtyard below, they had passed them on the way in. He could see the dark windows and a smattering of lights in the buildings across the way. It was quiet. Bei thought about Xingjia. She had said she was meeting a friend tonight. “Mei,” he recalled. He noticed his energy level was at 52%. He turned the light out. Retrieving a cord from his bag he plugged-in next to his bed. Unbuttoning his shirt, he had connected the other end of the cord to his PPI (personal plug-in) just inside of his navel. He liked the slight buzz of renewing his energy. He had tried to explain this to Dr. Wang. She had compared it to the “goose-bumps” that people get. He didn’t know. In the darkness, he could see the light of his roommate’s phone. He closed his eyes, his buzz was on. In an hour, he would shut down.
Xingjia was on her third drink, when Mei brought two guys over to the table with her. One was Chinese and the other European, blond–he looked Scandinavian. “Meet Zhang Wei and Neal…what was it?” Mei asked. “Karlsson,” he replied, “Just call me Neal,” he said in English.”
“Oh, you’re American?” Xingjia said, “I thought maybe you were Swedish.”
“Swedish ancestors,” he replied. “Your English is excellent, by the way.”
“Thank you,” Xingjia, said smiling at him. She leaned close to Mei, whispering “I thought you said you were just going to the bathroom?”
“I couldn’t resist,” Mei replied, under her breath–smiling at the guys.
“We’re here for a conference. This place was recommended to us by a Beijing guy,” Wei said. “I’m from Xi’an.” He took a quick sip, “We’re in software development.”
“For aeronautic-droids,” Neal added.
“Oh, I just love those pilot voices,” Mei says, imitating them, “welcome, to China’s Premier Airline, Air China. Relax in comfort, and discover that flying near the speed of sound is quiet, peaceful, and luxurious. You’ll arrive before you know it, wishing you could stay onboard.”
Everyone laughs. Xingjia notices Mei cuddling-up to Wei. She exchanges glances with Neal. He’s handsome. He seems like a nice guy. Probably married, she thinks.
“This is my first visit to China,” Neal announces.
“Oh, a virgin!” Mei says. Wei laughs. Neal looks sheepish.
“Well, don’t worry honey,” Mei says, “We’ll take good care of you. Won’t we, darling?” Mei said, nodding at Xingjia. Xingjia did not answer. She looked at Neal blankly, and then smiled.
“I need some time alone with Neal,” Xingjia suddenly announced, grabbing Neal’s hand and leading him past the bar towards the hallway that led to the bathrooms.
Neal looked confused.
“Kiss me,” she said.
Neal complied. “Oh shit,” Xingjia thought, “he’s a good kisser.” She broke away from their kiss.
“I know you’re married,” Mei said, looking straight into his green eyes.
“Okay,” Neal confessed. “I’m married, and you’re gorgeous. Two honest statements.”
“So, betraying your wife is honest?” She asked, looking frankly at him.
“I don’t know how to answer that,” he replied.
“You don’t have to answer it, at least–not because of me. You’re sweet.” She patted his hand, then led him back to the table.
“Where have you two been?” Mei said insinuatingly.
“I’ve got to go,” Xingjia said to Mei.
Mei looked surprised, and then slightly guilty, as she turned to the guys, “I’ll be right back.”
“Xingjia, I’m sorry. I just wanted us to have some fun, like we used to.” Mei said wistfully.
“I know,” Xingjia said, making her way towards the door. “I understand, I do.”
“So look, what’s going to happen if you meet a man you really like–even love? What happens to your relationship with your companion? What happens then?” Mei inquired.
“I’ll deal with it when and if it happens. That’s all I can say right now,” Xingjia replied, “okay?”
“Sure, okay. I’m here for you,” Mei reassured. “And I want to meet him, okay? Soon!”
Xingjia nodded, and stepped into the night. Once outside, she tried not to think about Mei’s question as she looked for her cab. Not thinking about it, meant it was all she would think about on the way home.
Huang Bei had discovered he would often power-on in reaction to the refracted light of dawn. He knew that sunrise was technically at 6:53:54 AM on February 28, 2121 in Beijing, and that he was actually facing South-South-East rather than exactly East, but there he was–awake. Despite an urge to stand-up and look outside, he glanced over at Li Jian. Jian was still focused on his phone, but there was something about his posture and eyes that alerted Bei. Getting-up, Bei came over and felt Jian’s wrist. “One percent power,” Bei read, digital lights flashing a soft red warning. Bei opened Jian’s bedside drawer. Eyeing Jian’s E-cord, Bei removed the cord from the drawer. Gently lifting Jian’s shirt up to expose his navel, he systematically plugged him in. Jian’s eyes registered, fluttering briefly before opening. “Why?” he stuttered softly. Bei looked him over, he seemed perfectly functional.
Bei thought about going down the hall to the cleaning room.
Suddenly Jian looked at him, offering Bei his phone screen to look at. “Li Na,” he said. “This is Li Na.”
Bei looked at Jian’s phone. The clear image of a woman in her late thirties looked back at him. The angle of the photo made her eyes look too large, but Bei could see that her face conformed to 88.4% perfect symmetry–a classic beauty. “Nice,” Bei responded, politely.
“Nice?” Jian replied, voice raised in a mock question. “Nice…” his voice trailed. Sitting up straighter he said, “Maybe that’s what I’ll say when they debrief me. She was nice.” Jian looked at Bei. “My texts are blocked, my calls. It’s over. I’m over. It’s the only conclusion I can come to. I tried to reach her 3,601 times in the last 10-hours. I only hope she’s okay. The man she’s with has a Moon-Mars conjunction in Aries, within 1.4-degrees. I detected adrenal stress in his interactions with Li Na, 27-times in the last month. She ignored my findings.”
“Your, findings? You mean, you told her this?” Bei questioned. “You warned her that he had a quick temper, and an average of 19.6 % potential to react physically when angry?”
“I printed it out and pasted it on our bathroom mirror,” Jian said matter of factly, “After posting it in my journal, of course.”
“How long have you two been together?” Bei asked.
“First time, twenty-two months, 27 days, and 9.45 hours. Then, a 3-month 3 day and 7.2-hour break. Then we were companions again for twenty-two months, 28 days, and 21.3 hours. Now, it’s been less than 2-days, by 6.7 hours.”
“Okay…well, I’m sure you’ve noticed the pattern.” Bei stated calmly.
“Pattern? Sure.” Jian, looked up, “What pattern?”
“It’s a Mars cycle.” Bei answered. “Suggesting, that you’ll likely to be with her again in 89 days, 16.2 hours, or so.”
“Unless, she decides to pay the fee.” Jian said.
“You mean, the disassociation fee?” Bei asked.
“Of course, what else?” Jian said.
“What kind of transits is she having?” Bei asked.
“Uranus opposite the Sun,” Jian said, “before that, it was Uranus conjunct Mars.”
“Well, she’s experimenting,” Bei said. “Obviously, she was born with a Sun-Mars opposition and Mars in Cancer, so, that’s why she likes the Aries-Moon-Mars theme in this new guy. Isn’t that part of your profile?”
“Of course!” Jian replied. “If I could, I would’ve broken his leg. She’d have no respect for a guy that’s an invalid.”
“Yes, well, thank Dr. Chen for that protocol.”
“Who?” Jian said, picking his phone up again and starring at Li Na’s photo.
Bei decided not to answer. This conversation had lost its buzz for Bei. Besides, his readings reminded him it might be a good time to visit the cleaning room. He checked his phone; no messages. An image of Xingjia appeared next to her I.D. He clicked on her image. “Yes, 82.7% perfect symmetry,” he said to himself. Her eyes were a bit large, Pisces Rising, and slightly askew, Uranus conjunct the ASCN. There was a subtle daringness in her face as well, a hint of risk and the unexpected. “Uniquely attractive,” Bei thought, “more interesting…” “Of course, I would think that.” He said to himself, quickly clicking his phone blank and leaving Jian alone still staring at Li Na’s photo.
Proficiency in landscape design, along with his expertise in botany, had enabled Bei to easily line-up a job. Two weeks previously, while still living at the Orientation Center, Bei had submitted his CV to China’s largest architectural firm R. Lu, originally out of Hong Kong a century ago but now headquartered in Beijing. Dr. Wang and Dr. Chen had been impressed by Bei’s initiative and confidence, though Bei offered logical reasons for his actions. “Xingjia will want a more independent companion, someone that can be successful on their own…and, as a Sagittarius my independence and freedom is important to me too, is it not?”
Dr. Wang, had added, “Yes, but you’re more domestic and family oriented than she is. So, you’ll tend to counterbalance her emphasis on career.”
Bei had smiled at Dr. Wang and Dr. Chen, “So, does this mean I’m expected do the dishes?”
Dr. Wang and Dr. Chen were delighted by Bei’s confident self-assessment and his dry sense of humor. Bei sometimes expressed his observations with a twist of humor never seen before in a companion.
So it was, that Huang Bei rode the subway to his new job at R. Lu, on Wednesday morning, February 28, 2121, looking no different than any other handsome professional man in his thirties on the way to work. Of course, his supervisor and co-workers were well aware of Bei’s identity. He was the first companion to ever work in their landscape design department, so everyone was curious–some even apprehensive. However, by lunchtime, the impression shared by all was how “normal” he seemed. “You know, that’s the scary thing,” one woman confessed to a female colleague at lunch, “you can’t really tell that he’s not human?”
“I know,” her friend agreed, “but I’ll bet there’s a way we could find out?” They both giggled.
However, not needing to eat, Bei had decided to use his lunch hour to visit the cactus garden on the 17th floor. He was closely examining the waxy bright yellow blossoms of a North American prickly pear cactus when he saw a call coming in from Xingjia.
“Hello…”
“Hi,” Xingjia said, sounding hesitant at first. “So, did you get moved in last night?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.” Xingjia viewed a locator map on her phone. “So, what are you doing in an office building at the corner of Ritanbei Lu and Gongtidong Lu?”
“Actually, I’m in the cactus garden on the 17th floor, on my lunch break.”
Silence.
“Cactus garden?” Silence. “Lunch break? You’re having lunch?”
“Yes, yes and then no. Let me explain. I started a job today, and I’m on my lunch break.”
“A job!? You already have a job!?”
“Yes. You didn’t object to this yesterday when I told you I could get a job and contribute financially. Did I misread you?”
“No, but you didn’t tell me you already had a job. Or, did you just go out and get one today?”
“I was interviewed two weeks ago. Today was my first day.”
“Well, you could’ve told me!?” Xingjia sounded totally perplexed.
“The job’s been on hold. It just seemed like the right thing to do.” Bei said matter-of-factly. “I hadn’t heard anything from you, so when they called me and asked me if I could start today, I said ‘yes.”
“Well, aren’t you Mr. Independent,” Xingjia said. “Do you have any other plans I should know about?”
Bei paused. “No, but I was wondering what you’re doing for dinner tonight?”
Silence.
“I don’t know.”
“What about some home cooking?” Bei asked, walking over to the double paned large glass window.
“You’re inviting me to come over and have dinner at your place?” Xingjia said, confused.
“I don’t have a kitchen.” Bei replied.
Silence.
“Okay, so you’re inviting me to my kitchen for a home cooked meal–is, that right?”
“Yes.”
“That’s a first,” she said.
“For me too.” Bei replied.
Xingjia laughed, amused and incredulous at the same time.
“You’re too much,” She said finally.
“So what would you like? What’s your favorite cuisine?” Bei asked.
“You don’t know? I thought you already knew everything about me?”
“I’m learning,” Bei replied.
Xingjia laughed, and said “Surprise me. I like surprises.”
“Okay,” Bei said, “What time should I arrive?”
“Make it 6:30. That should work.”
“Okay, I’ll be at your door with the groceries.”
Xingjia teased him. “Some delivery guy.”
Bei smiled. “Well, at least this way, if you change your mind you can keep the groceries.”
Xingjia laughed. “I gotta go, okay? I’ll see you tonight.”
Xingjia sat at her desk, her amusement fading. “He’s coming over tonight. He’s coming over tonight! Maybe it’s not such a good idea. Maybe I should call him back and cancel.” She felt immobilized. Finally it occurred to her, “Maybe I should check out the transits for tonight…”
Bei stared thoughtfully out the window at the cars and people below. He would have just enough time to shop for groceries after 5:00 and arrive at 6:30.
Xingjia looked at herself in the mirror. She heard an old familiar superficial judgment in her head, temporarily reclaiming its opinion of her. “I’m funny looking. I am. I look strange, no matter what I do. I thought my strangeness would wear-off a little as I got older, but no – I look stranger all the time.” She began to brush her hair in a different direction. She remembered that when she was a teenager she used to believe there was another “her”–an ideal her, a her with 100% perfect facial symmetry, living an ideal life in another dimension. As a serious student of AstroPsychology, she had grown to understand that as someone with Pisces Rising, she could easily imagine an ideal self, even an ideal appearance. And, what can compare to an ideal? An ideal is like a statue of Quan Lin or Mother Mary, we glimpse her in others in part, but never fully. She had struggled to realize, that even though an ideal can inspire, in comparison it provides a place to hide. She didn’t want to hide anymore. She felt ready to live her life more fully than ever, to accept her Uranian strangeness. “I’m a mutant, “she laughed to herself. “And, why should it matter anyway? This…guy, was made to like me! He’s going to like me no matter what. He’s going to like me regardless of how smart I am, regardless of what I wear, or my hair, or make-up or anything, right? So, why do I want to impress him? Is it just a habit? A guy’s coming over, and I have to impress him?” She stared at herself, as she began to understand. “If he accepts me no matter what, then I come face-to-face with any part of myself that I haven’t accepted.”
She sighed, “this is all too much for a dinner date, especially in my own kitchen.” She smiled. “I should’ve slept with Mr. Blonde last night, then maybe I would’ve said ‘no’ today.” She knew she was just searching for a way to put-off what felt so inevitable. “But only change and death are inevitable,” she said to herself, closing her eyes. “Calm down. Relax. You know yourself well. Everything is going to be fine. Life is an adventure. It will take you where you need to go.”
A sudden knock at the door startled her and she yelped!
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