Michael heard a knock on the outside of his door. “Come in,” he said. The door slid open and Gorad told Michael that his family would be leaving shortly for a restaurant. Michael went downstairs to the living room where the family where once again convened. Michael walked down the winding roads with the family to a nearby train station. Mr. Kolar used a metal card to purchase tickets and the five of them boarded the maglev train. “This is nothing like where I’m from, there’s a lot of public transportation,” commented Michael.
“Here in Sevani, we take pride in our transit. We got a culture shock when visiting other planets on vacation as they can be very different,” said Mr. Kolar.
“What is your home planet Michael?” asked Mrs. Kolar.
“Oh, um, it’s a place called Earth, it’s very far away, sorry I’m not too great at geography I couldn’t tell you where it is,” said Michael.
The train arrived at the station and made a pinging sound when it arrived. “Well, this is our stop,” said Mr. Kolar.
“Wow! Well that was quick,” said Michael with surprise.
“As I said, we take pride in our transit,” said Mr. Kolar.
They walked from the train station through a park to a restaurant on the other side. After entering the restaurant they were seated by a waiter at a table near the window overlooking the park. The waiter passed out holographic menus to the table with small, 3-dimentional models of the different foods on the menu. “I’ll be back with you when you’re ready to order,” said the waiter holding a towel around his arm. The family swiped through the foods as if they already knew ahead of time what they wanted. Michael picked out the closest looking thing to a sandwich he could find on the menu and the waiter returned. “Okay, are you all ready to order?” asked the waiter.
“We sure are,” said Mrs. Kolar.
The waiter checked the orders and left for the kitchen returning with all the meals within just a minute or two. “So, what brings you out here?” asked Mr. Kolar.
“Well, I’m here for some time to find work. I’m trying to make it to Ikti Prime,” said Michael.
“Oh Ikti Prime, it really is wonderful there, I haven’t been there in over 40 intergalactic years,” said Mrs. Kolar.
“Oh really? What can you tell me about it?” asked Michael.
“Well, the weather was always nice during my visit, plus it holds the Ikti Interplanetary Alliance and the Intergalactic Council there in the capital. Really, Ikti Prime is indescribable, there’s no place quite like it, in terms of what it stands for, the types of people you’ll meet there. I really wish I could go back some day,” said Mrs. Kolar.
“You said you needed a job Michael?” asked Mr. Kolar.
“Yeah, I’m looking for work, I’m short on credits and need quite a few so I can get to Ikti Prime,” said Michael.
“Well, as long as you have a college education there’s plenty of jobs around here,” said Mr. Kolar.
“Unfortunately, I don’t have any experience. I worked retail on my homeplanet for a year or so, but I don’t have any diploma or anything,” said Michael.
“Well, you’re not out of options, but you’ll have to find work beyond our neighborhood. I know a guy he could help you find something,” said Mr. Kolar.
“As I said I’m looking for anything,” said Michael.
“Okay, I’ll send him a message right now,” said Mr. Kolar.
Mr. Kolar sent a message on his Galactoband and looked up at Michael. “He asks are you available tomorrow?” said Mr. Kolar.
“Yeah, tomorrow works. Thank you so much,” said Michael.
Michael and the family finished their meal and head home on the train. When arriving home the sky was dark as the sun set over the horizon. The sky turned to a dark blue and the temperature rapidly declined. The five walked into the townhouse shutting the door behind them and each going their separate ways for bed.
Michael woke up the following morning and went down the stairs to the living room to see Veraki once again doing homework. Veraki was young and looked like she may have been 9 or 10 years old in Earth years. “What are you doing do you need any help?” asked Michael trying to build a connection as he hadn’t spoken to Veraki much since meeting her.
“I’m doing my homework for rocket technology. I just finished my homework for economics and for calculus,” she said.
Michael looked down nervously acknowledging Veraki was much younger and intelligent than him.
Gorad walked into the room and waved to Michael. “How’s it going Michael? Did you sleep well?” asked Gorad.
“Yeah, I did the bed was very comfortable. Thank you for letting me stay,” said Michael.
“Well, that’s great to hear. My dad was talking on the phone last night with his friend they’re coming by later so you can go and get a job,” said Gorad.
“Oh great! That will be neat,” said Michael.
“Are you hungry at all? I’ll go and get something for us to eat,” said Gorad before turning towards the kitchen. Michael followed Gorad to the kitchen, which had several appliances and utensils with seemingly unique purposes. “What do you like to eat for breakfast on your home planet?” asked Gorad.
“Well, I don’t know, I like to eat cereal or Poptarts,” said Michael.
“What’s that?” asked Gorad.
“Well, cereal is like grain kinda, you put in milk,” said Michael.
“Oh, I can make you that,” said Gorad leaving to the pantry.
Gorad returned with a plant stalk for some type of grain and some milk. “Okay, so how do you like this?” asked Gorad.
“Well, that’s not exactly what I was thinking. You know what, if you just have that fruit from yesterday I’m fine with that,” said Michael.
Gorad passed the bowl of fruit to Michael and he picked out the fruit he had tried the previous night. Michael ate the fruit while sitting at the kitchen table as Gorad ate what looked like Jell-O across the table from him.
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Mr. Kolar entered the room and looked at Michael and Gorad. “Hey Michael, me, you and Gorad are leaving later to go meet my friend for you to get a job. First, we have to go shopping though,” said Mr. Kolar.
“Oh, that’s fine I can come with,” said Michael.
Mr. Kolar and Gorad grabbed their coats off the hook before leaving. The three boarded the train and got off at the retail district to go shopping. After a short walk they arrived at a large facility with several vendors selling different items. From clothes, to rugs, to electronic devices, and some even selling weapons. Michael and Gorad followed Mr. Kolar through the chaotic market to a vendor selling clothing clothing. “What’s the deal today?” asked Mr. Kolar.
“Pick a coat, a hat, and hand gear all for just 125 credits,” said the vendor.
“Heard that Michael? Go find a coat, a hat, and some gloves. Gorad can help you, I’ll be here until you find something,” said Mr. Kolar.
“Well, you heard my dad, let’s go take a look at what they got,” said Gorad.
Michael looked at the daunting large selection of clothes ranging in size for several alien species. “Um, do you know where I could find something that’s more my size?” asked Michael.
“Of course, that’s why I think my dad had me help you,” Gorad said smiling.
Gorad walked Michael over to a pod around the corner inside the store. “These are measuring pods, step inside and it’ll give you a range of sizes,” said Gorad.
Michael stepped inside the pod, a neon light illuminated the space and sensors surrounded him. He called out to the other side of the pod. “Uh, Gorad, I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do,” Michael said.
“Just stand there, it does it automatically,” responded Gorad.
The pod began to whir and make noise and Michael saw as the sensors started moving to analyze everything about him. After a few seconds of spinning and whirring the neon light turned green. “Scan complete,” said a robot voice.
Michael stepped out from the pod and saw Gorad standing outside holding a small holograph of Michael. “What’s that?” asked Michael.
“It’s your scan, see this model contains all your sizing information. If you had a Galactobracelet you could keep the size on there, but you don’t so you can just do it each time manually,” said Gorad.
“Actually, I have a Galactobracelet,” said Michael revealing the bracelet on his arm.
“Wow, you never told me, here let me put your information in,” said Gorad pressing the holograph device against Michael’s Galactobracelet. The Galacobracelet chimed in acceptance of Michael’s sizing information.
“Thanks Gorad, just one problem, I don’t know how to use my Galactobracelet,” said Michael.
“Oh, it can be hard to navigate at first, but really I don’t bother with all the features on mine,” said Gorad.
“Well, it told me I needed a password, but I never set a password,” said Michael.
“That’s odd, mine never asked for a password it just worked automatically,” said Gorad.
Mr. Kolar walked over to Michael and Gorad. “Have you two picked anything out yet?” asked Mr. Kolar.
“Sorry dad, we got a little side-tracked. We’re on it now,” said Gorad motioning for Michael to follow.
Michael and Gorad went to a section of the store with clothes that were all suitable for Michael to wear and within human size. Michael grabbed a red coat from one of the shelves and tried it on. It was warm with a smooth fabric on the inside with insulation and a rougher fabric with a red exterior. He also picked out some black gloves that didn’t fit the best, but at least had five fingers, and a warm black hat with insulation like one people wear in colder places. “What do you think are these good?” asked Michael genuinely to Gorad.
“It’s not my style personally, but as long as it fits well and is warm that’s all that matters,” said Gorad.
“I think it checks all the boxes,” said Michael.
“Check the what now?” said Gorad.
“Checks all the boxes, like it’s everything we were looking for,” said Michael.
“Good, let’s go to the counter then and tell my dad,” said Gorad.
Michael and Gorad approached the counter and Mr. Kolar noticed them. “Found what you wanted?” asked Mr. Kolar.
“Yeah, I found something warm and I like how it all feels,” said Michael.
“Great,” said Mr. Kolar as he paid for the clothes before motioning to Michael and Gorad to follow.
“Have a nice day,” said the vendor as the three left the store.
After a short walk back the three were once again at the train station. Mr. Kolar handed Michael a metal card. “We’re going to your work. Here’s a train pass. I can’t come with you every day, so you’re going to need to memorize what train and stop you need to get to,” said Mr. Kolar. “What stop do I get off at for your neighborhood?” asked Michael. “Our neighborhood is Sevani North Station 19,” said Mr. Kolar. “Got it, Sevani North Station 19,” repeated Michael. The three boarded the train and arrived sometime later. Michael watched out the window as the train approached the mountain. The outside turned black as they traveled through a tunnel. “How far are we going?” asked Michael.
“Well, all the jobs that require no experience are on the outside of the city. So, that’s where we’re headed,” said Mr. Kolar.
The train arrived at the station which had a bleak atmosphere. The air was bitter and cold, the buildings were short and utilitarian, and fences divided many of the buildings. Michael instantly felt the chill of the wind as he stepped off the maglev train. It was snowing slightly, and Michael couldn’t help but notice the cameras located around every corner of the station. Black smoke rose from box shaped factories made of brick. Michael followed Mr. Kolar down a street which luckily was heated with grates that allowed rising steam to exit from below. “Well, there he is,” said Mr. Kolar pointing to a black figure leaned up against a brick wall.