The Canadian Empire

III, Chemistry

A time later, Susie Brown heard that Joanne and Ferris were dating. She quickly learned everything about their romance.

In the ideology of Kidville, relations between 15 through 17 years were stifled while sentimental terms like 'love' and 'limerence' were deleted. To have a supply of government slaves stripped of their desires, asexuality was the primary practice.

Dinners, dating, and movie nights harden into philosophy, reform, and discipline. All of this destroys the primary reason for attraction: conception. This is a major reason why steroids are so common in boys while the rate of women's maternal mortality peaks after only two children.

***

Susie Brown is Joanne's 9-year friend and 'play-sister.' Her distinction between 'play' and 'nuisance' – Joanne rebuked when scrambling to retrieve the stolen marmalade from her - was almost non-existent. Still, even with softball meets, Friday mall sprees, and the movies, nothing in the world enchanted the girl more than drama and romance.

The defiance Susie had towards Kidville's Icurisology was abashing, as if the brainwashing had come in one ear and left from out the other. She and Joanne were both renegades from Icurisology and the High Council, however the latter was more mature than Susie could ever be at her age.

Because of this acceptance of love and romance, she was given harsh, reprimanding titles like 'rebel' and 'conspiracist' by her comrades and higher-ups. This is the daughterhood shared by them, and why Susie felt a sense of purpose in Joanne's relationship.

***

Though she was only 9, Susie had the unique skill of sniffing out Joanne's intentions, today being no exception.

It was Saturday – the official day of rest imposed by Kidville's legislature and written into its doctrine – and after denying breakfast, forgetting to walk their Carin terrier, Lynch, and falling over an expensive piece in their home (or Ms. Pratt's home, before she left due to her stroke), Susie had managed to drive Joanne to utter insanity.

"Damn it, Sue... Just.. stay put and don't be a mess! And c'mon.. today's the frickin da--..."

"Day of Rest? Hm.. Sure, but imagine how deluded that sounds coming from someone actively rebelling against Kidville, its cooky people, and legislature."

"You're so brilliant, Ms. Suess; never failing to burn things down with that fire you've got in you."

"Yes, I've been told," she smirked.

"My case in point, don't wreck this place, or I'll personally assign an archangel to provoke you at night!"

"Smooth use of Scripture, Jojo. You find your date christian? Ferris, I believe.. same guy who's tortured our butts about your Mom for years," she giggled.

"No, I'm not dating him.." Joanne stuttered. "Okay.. fine, I am. But shut up, don't tell any friends, and especially not near any Post Guards. If you do.. I'll be killed."

"Sure, lover girl!" called Susie as Joanne slammed the door behind her. With a swoon, the 9 year old fantastically pictured Joanne and Ferris in a secluded place making out.

Meanwhile, Joanne's thought process was bipolar. On one hand, she remarked gladly on driving Susie away from her, however, she did not know what to expect from Thomas. With a reputation both good and of question, Joanne must carefully decide what was right to keep and discard the rest.

Ferris had whispered to her that the meeting was being held "someplace around outside the PU." Joanne smiled, knowing that from here on her girlhood innocence was to terminate, and very soon she - and Susie – would hear what they'd believed for so long.

***

The day before, Ferris had told Joanne his exact location and where to find him. "There you are, silly!" she giggled. For conspiracists, the affair was no more conspicuous than a poisoned apple. Falling into his arms, Joanne stamped a kiss on his cheek.

The Piccadilly Mall was first on the list of their route. Before reaching the PU, they must hit four distinct checkpoints: the Mall, Library, Matt's Treehouse, and Nursery (each listed item is the only mall, library, and nursery in all of Kidville, therefore, they warrant capitalization).

They could already check off their first two points, as the Library was only a five-minute bike ride away, but Matt's treehouse was almost a half-hour from them, so they'd need to work fast.

Thankfully, his neighborhood ran through 451st Avenue and Dorsey Hall Street, making for a hilly intersection which bought Joanne and Ferris an additional five minutes in descent time.

Only Mrs. Grimes's Nursery remained, and being only ten minutes from where they were, it was an easy breather. Throughout their forty minutes of riding, Ferris and Joanne joyously pedaled in the company of one another. As their hearts burned, it was only their rebellious romance keeping the other upright.

***

After an hour, Joanne and Ferris reached the PU. A dome-shaped, 24-acre wide facility, this monument averaged 50 to 100,000 farmers throughout the week excluding Saturdays. However, some volunteers still came, and on occasion were forced.

Ferris told her that Thomas had only given them a general direction to follow. "Due right," he said. The remaining stretch was a sprint.

Joanne leaped off her vehicle, surprised by her force. Because of workers, they didn't enter the actual facility, instead covering its grounds before stopping near one corner.

"I'm picking up chatter here; you receiving it?" Joanne asked, pressing onto Ferris's side while he looked out.

The Parking Lot. Only fifty miles south of the Beaufort Sea, it was their one retreat from Kidville's Argus-eyes. It was like Plato's Academy but for their revolt.