Escape from Paradise

Chapter 10: Mister Fiderscolch

Larry and Sully carried a casual conversation for about a half of an hour -- two old friends catching up on the lost time. Sully solemnly spoke of his days at the office, of his so-called 'difficult' decisions such as flattening of a kilometer on kilometer area and rising a giant square with a dancing fountain in its stead; he also spoke of the data his clerks had gathered about the least used structures, which happened to be in the district number four, in the proximity of Larry's home. Sully had suggested architects remove the useless structures and slide the existing buildings to the vacant spots so that in the center of them all there would be an empty spot to form anything, though Sully and the board still had no idea what they would create.

Thirty minutes after the conversation had started, Larry lied that he had to go meet Diana, saying that she had asked his assistance in one of the dancing classes. This was an excuse serious enough to be allowed to leave. From Sully's point of view, they both were in the same shoes when it came to the women. From Larry's perspective, their shoes were quite different. While Sully's pair was a few sizes too small and always tight, Larry's had a needle and a few paper pins which stung during the least expected moments.

Before Larry had left the building he had to do one more thing. A thing which could only be done from inside the pyramid. Most computer networks in Paradise were localized. To learn anything about the business going on inside the city hall one had to view the information from the consoles and computers inside the bureaucratic belly. This was to discourage message and request spamming and assure that only the motivated folk would get their wishes granted. Coming all the way from outer districts to the pyramid was the necessary proof of motivation for anyone to be taken seriously. Of course, just like Larry had silly Sam, the bureaucrats had quite a few admirers who found it fun to come to the Pyramid and spill their heart in their letters even if they received no replies.

On the first floor, scattered in intervals of ten steps were computer boxes used for accessing information. The working hours of the pyramid drew closer. Clerks and citizens flooded out of the three exits at the centers of all building sides. Clerks walked in a separate line avoiding interaction with the common city folk. Even off from work, the clerks formed a separate caste which socialized behind closed doors in a tiny world that had a fake odor of importance. During midday, a person had to stand in a line to use one of the human-sized rectangular beams sticking out of the ground. Now, during the early evening, Larry could pick any device he wanted.

Larry's tap on a screen revealed a list of services in which he selected 'information' category. Inside it, he touched a search line and entered 'Sully Harding'. His friend's picture with a list of accomplishments emerged out of the screen center and spread through the entire page.

It said:

Sully Harding – a member of the board since 2712 AP. The longest-serving board member of all time, serving for 278 years. He is renowned for making original decisions when it comes to complex problem-solving. If board members tend to bring their problems to the meetings to discuss them, Sully comes to announce solutions to his problems. As a person, he is <...>

Larry scrolled down the three-page-long personal information, which had been varnished to the limit between the truth and a myth. Then followed ancient history filled with terms and names which had links to their own endless pages.

List of accomplishments:

2712 AP September 8 – first day in the office as a board member.

2712 AP November 11 – takes the duty of secretary during the board meetings.

2712 AP December 10 – gives permission to build 'Cookie Cooker.' City board approves the permit.

2712 AP December 21 – approves Tom June's design of 'Cookie Cooker.'