The Reincarnation

49

David and Laura finished with breakfast and walked in the field behind the bluffs.

“What do you think, Laura? Have you thought about life as a fugitive?” David asked her.

“I haven’t really had time to think about it until today. When I took you from the Lab I was going more on instinct than any long-term thought process. Looking back, I still know it was the right decision. But I don’t know if I can do it.” She stopped and looked at him. “I’d always believed that the system was corrupt, but thought I’d just have to deal with it, warts and all. I’ve always lived by the party line – you know, good grades, get a full time job, retire at 70, that sort of thing. This...other way sort of frightens me. Did you know that most people in the Movement don’t even have to work at regular jobs?” They sat down together in the tall grass. “I mean, they provide everything they need for themselves and don’t really use money. They rely on each other for whatever else they need. I can’t imagine not working all the time.”

“Yeah, I talked with Donna about that. They just simplify their lives to the point where they don’t need all that much. I think the idea’s fascinating, but you’re looking at somebody who, for all intents and purposes, is starting life all over again. Not like you.”

“Well, let’s look at it methodically. Forget the Church is even after us. We start with today. Would you rather be sitting in a field talking to me or slaving away at some eight to six job? No wait, that’s too easy.” Laura smiled to stop David’s response. “How about, would you rather work all day and use the money you earn to buy the things you’d be able to make for yourself if you didn’t work all day? That’s probably too easy too. Though I guess it’s a pretty confusing question.” She looked up. “Was that even a question?”

David shook his head. “I don’t know. I think you lost me.” He smiled. “You’re right, though. When you really look at it, it’s an easy decision. It’s just easy for you to take an objective look at it now because you’re out of it. Make less money, and use all that extra time to make the things you need, not to reward yourself with the things you want.” David leaned over, looking closely at a flower he had never seen before. Looking back to Laura, he said, “You only reward yourself with stuff because you think you deserve it because you’re working all the time anyway. Does that make sense?”

“Definitely.” Laura paused reflectively. “I’m going to miss my house though, all my stuff, my salary – I never could have afforded my own house without the Church paying as well as it did.” She was flustered. “Not that I have a choice. Even if I did, though, I think I’d prefer this. I should have stayed in closer touch with Donna over the years. Maybe I would have figured all this out earlier.”

“Yeah, but then you never would have rescued me.” David had a glint in his eye as he said this.

A smile was Laura’s only answer.

They lay down in the middle of a sea of grass. It swayed in the wind like waves on an ocean.

Laura sighed. “I feel so whole in nature. It’s awkward at first, but once you spend some time in it, you realize how sterile the world has become. Straight lines, sharp angles. You don’t see any of that here.” Laura motioned with her arm, as if displaying the field, the sky.

David, meanwhile, slipped off into the sleep that had been so rudely interrupted this morning.