BAD WINE CRAPPY CHOCOLATE

CHAPTER FOUR-3

Brandon went into the hygiene room and stripped. He stepped into the cleansing stall, closing the door behind him. A fine spray came down from above, while a soothing melody bathed his ears. The liquid that drenched his body was not water, but a chemical cleanser and disinfectant. An artificially created breeze engulfed him after the deluge stopped, causing the clear liquid to evaporate.
Brandon then walked into the bedroom, opened the closet, and put the invisibility suits inside. After discovering that Jesse had not discarded his clothes, he put on some comfortable slacks and a shirt. Brandon joined her in the dining area, where there were steamed vegetables and pasta on the table, along with a decanter of red wine.
"To the most beautiful woman in Chicago," Brandon said as he raised his glass. "To the biggest bullshit artist in Chicago," Jesse responded with a smile.
"You know I mean it, Jess."
"Did you know about this?"
She sent him an image from the computer chip in her head. The one in his own displayed a gold invitation. He read the words on the inside, written in a fancy script.
"That's for the cotillion being given for your sister tomorrow, to honor her being elected as our senator. I was included on the guest list. It was probably because she wanted to know if I heard from you. Now I'll have plenty to tell her."
"I can go with you," Brandon said eagerly. "I can talk to Cybil there."

"Well, Danny Akers is supposed to take me. He'll be awfully disappointed if I stand him up at the last minute. What can I tell him?"
"Tell him you have to do something for the good of this territory. This is perfect because it's a costume ball. Everyone's supposed to wear a mask until midnight."
"But you still have to get past the scanner."
"I'll use my lenses," Brandon said. "Just remember to call me Frank."
"I should go with Danny. Then I won't have to remember an alias."
"But it won't be as intriguing," Brandon replied.
"I can hardly wait, Frank."
Brandon saw Jesse's vibrant green eyes sparkle as she filled the room with her laughter. He stood up and walked behind her, running his lips over the shapely woman's exposed shoulder. She responded to this gesture, and they were soon on the bed in a posture that had been too long absent from both their lives. For Jesse and Brandon, the infinite universe was quickly reduced to the space occupied by their intertwined bodies. Nothing but their feelings for each other mattered at that moment.
"Cane and Grable together again," Brandon whispered, while he ran his fingers through her short blonde hair.
"Don't you ever disappear again!" Jesses said, as she pinched his buttock hard.
The formal ball to mark Cybil Cane's election as senator of the Second Sovereign Territory was held in Nance Hall. The mostly glass building was named for a politician from the 21st century, though most of the people living in modern times could not recall who the man was or what he had done (most people assumed he had been responsible for getting the funds to build it). Brandon and Jesse had to ride in a gravity train to reach the hall, which was located on the other side of Chicago.
Jesse dressed as Marie Antoinette, while Brandon wore an outfit that was appropriate to her time. He took no notice of the security personnel and devices that watched every inch of Nance Hall. The mask he wore prevented his face from being recognized. The lenses got him through the screening station at the door.

After walking inside, the two were bedazzled by the bright lights illuminating the large ballroom. The elegant costumes worn by those in the crowd were almost as effective as a Mis in bringing them back to the past. Brandon saw his sister, the only person not in costume, standing in a corner of the room with a crowd of well wishers around her.
"Let's go see Cybil," he said to Jesse.
"I'm starved. Can't we eat first?"
"I might not get another chance tonight. Cybil's mingling with the crowd now, but I'm sure she'll be meeting with the power brokers very shortly."
"Oh, all right. Hang in there, Ethel," she said, patting herself on the belly.
"I forgot that you have a name for your stomach," Brandon said with a grin as they made their way across the crowded room.
"It's important to keep in touch with your vital organs. And there isn't one that's more vital than my stomach."
They joined the crowd around Cybil Cane. The future senator was speaking about the general
condition of the Second Territory, promising to find ways to improve the lives of average citizens.
"You do the most important job in the world," she said to the crowd. "You raise the children who will one day be responsible for ensuring the prosperity of our territory. I'm here to make sure you have the resources and the environment you need to do your job."
Everyone in her audience believed the tall woman in the flowing white gown was speaking directly to them. Even those standing on the perimeter of the crowd heard her words and believed senator- elect Cane was addressing them personally, though they could not see her face. The ones without children of their own were equally enthralled, despite her neglecting to mention them.
Cybil moved toward the center of the room as music began to play. A band using electronic equipment had performed the pre-recorded waltz. The beauty that was once associated with instruments made of wood and strings was absent, though the people in this time did not realize that. This was the sound they were accustomed to.