I’ve met the most interesting man today. He says he’s a teacher from Earth, specializing in William Shakespeare and his plays. Of course he didn’t bring any books with him, which is a pity. But he seems to have memorized much of Shakespeares work. He certainly memorized lines from Romeo and Juliet! I didn’t have the heart to tell him I never much cared for that play, but it was very sweet to compare me to Juliet.

- From the journals of Gertrude Goodfellow

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It turned out the box contained a wide variety of useful and silly stuff, from basic necessities like a toothbrush and toothpaste (With Scrubbing Nanobots! Use again and again!), to a vibrant patchwork quilt.

Maggie ran her fingers along the hand stitching, smiling at the bright colors. “This is really pretty. Don’t tell me Theseus made this.”

Robin laughed and lounged on stuffed animal that kind of looked like an otter, or maybe an axolotl? It was furry, but had the weird head tendril things like axolotls had. Of course it was also wearing a very retro headset and a bright pink sparkly skirt. “God no! He can’t sew without stabbing himself more than the fabric. Our mother made that. Originally it was mine, but I figured you could use it more than me.”

There was a sad note to his voice, even though he was smiling. “She loved to make those things, gave them to everyone she thought could use some, I think she’d have liked you to have one too.”

Maggie looked at Robin, a sinking feeling forming in her stomach. “Did she... die?”

“A few years ago, yeah. In the same accident that killed me. Unfortunately, she didn’t get sucked into a computer. Or maybe fortunately.” Robin laughed, gesturing to himself. “I haven’t had anything to eat in years, but hey, the trade off isn’t awful. I can do cool tricks in this form. Can’t touch anyone though.”

He reached out, his hand hovering over Maggie’s cheek. He let it drop, and smiled ruefully. “But anyways, the same accident killed both our parents, Theseus took it hard, he hasn’t been the same since.”

“I’m sorry.” Maggie felt guilt twist like a knife in her gut. She had been such a bitch to them, and even though she wasn’t entirely unjustified in it, she felt bad now.

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“Don’t be. They died fighting for the Coalition, for what they believed in.” Robin waved a hand dismissively, and his smile returned full force. “Now, I know you saw the ID card, that will get you in and out of most places you’re allowed to go. But it also has some funds on it, a gift from me and Theseus to you. But I actually had a thought. You should get a job!”

“What?” Maggie asked flatly. First she was abducted, and now he wanted her to get a job?

“A job, it would help make you feel more independent, and you could meet some people. Doc Tomas suggested a place that I think won’t be too weird for you.”

“Oh he did, did he? What kind of job could I possibly do in this place that wouldn’t be weird?” Maggie looked at Robin suspiciously. “And why would they hire me anyways?”

“Because Doctor Tomas recommended you, and just wait until you see it! Go on, get washed up and lets go! I promise I won’t peek.” He winked at that last comment, and Maggie shook her head.

“Great. I wasn’t worried about it before, but now that you mention it....” Maggie trailed off, looking at the holographic ghost.

Robin raised his hands defensively. “Hey now! I promised I wouldn’t. I am a man of my word.” He put a hand over his heart, and lounged back on the stuffed otter thing. “Go on, I can’t wait to show you your new job!”

“You act like I already agreed to this!” She picked up a small packet that was supposed to contain something to keep her bandage dry. She looked at it doubtfully, but shrugged and headed into the bathroom. It was worth a shot.

As Maggie soon found out, the thing was basically a giant condom glove that stretched all the way up to her shoulder. It was weird not being able to feel the water against that arm, but not as weird as the full-room blow dry she got after. When she looked in the mirror, she saw that her hair poofed out in all directions, a frizzy mess of curls. “This is going to take forever to brush.”

“That’s what the conditioner spray is for.” Robin called from the other side of the wall.

Maggie looked at the wall suspiciously. Could he see her? Or just hear her? It wasn’t exactly like this place had thick walls. She reached out of the bathroom, snagging some of the clothes Theseus had brought. Apparently jumpsuits were in on the station, or maybe they were just cheap. She pulled it on with a shrug, at least it was comfortable.

“So are you going to tell me what this job is yet?” Maggie asked as she stepped out of the bathroom, already dragging her brush through her hair.

Robin laughed, floating up into the air. “Nope, I want to see your face when you see where you’ll be working. Hurry up, grab the tablet and your bag and lets go!”

“What do you have to hurry for?” Maggie pulled her headband on and stepped into the boots they had brought. The fuzzy slippers would have been more comfortable, but not exactly what she wanted to show up to a potential job in. Although Robin was talking as if it were a done deal. She didn’t even know if she wanted whatever job he had in mind!

“I get bored. Now come on, you look gorgeous already, lets go.”

“Sure, why not?” Maggie rolled her eyes and picked up the tablet. She took one final look around the pod before heading out the door.

Home, for as long as she had to stay here.