Island of the Unemployed

BUNDLES OF BAMBOO

The next day...

River dreamed he was five years old, asleep in bed, while his mother tenderly woke him. It was like stepping into a time machine, going back to a better time and place. A time before all the mental disorders that derailed his life came along.

"Time for breakfast!" A hand patted him on the cheek, as the dream faded. He blinked, then opened his eyes to find Sasha standing over him. "Better get up, or you vill meess it."

"Okay, thanks." River sat up. His mind felt clearer than it had ever been, and his anxiety level lower than he could ever remember it being. Why didn't someone wake me? Cian thought it best to give him some extra rest, since he was still in recovery mode.

Sasha extended a hand, offering to help him to his feet. He reached out and noticed his own wreaking body odor for the first time. Maybe she won't notice.

"Okay. You are smelly. Look! There is beeg vater over there. You vill take bath later." She pointed to the ocean. River nodded. "Good! Breakfast ees over here." She pointed to the campfire where a few small fish were cooking.

River noticed Deja missing from the table. He glanced around and found her sitting under the pavilion. It was a good opportunity to ask her about the aliens.

"Deja," River approached her in a hushed voice. "What's the matter with these people?"

"I know. Don't even get me started. I don't want to be around them any more than you do."

"Why don't they have blonde hair?"

"Huh?"

"I thought all humans had blonde hair."

She looked at River questioningly. "River."

"What?"

"You know, you don't have blonde hair either, right?"

"I don't?"

"No. It doesn't matter. Those were just avatars. They don't mean anything. But I think we should leave. I think we're better off on our own."

The smell of cooked fish wafted in their direction. "But I'm hungry," River said.

Deja was hungry too. She gave it some thought. "Okay. A day. We'll give it a day."

The sun had not yet risen high enough to bring the island to a comfortable temperature. Cian, Sasha, Lum, and Kadee sat on some logs around a fire, warming themselves. Lum stood when he saw River and Deja coming. "You can sit here." He offered his place, which was big enough for the both of them to join the circle.

Deja looked him directly in the face for the first time. "Thanks," she said, while taking her place at the fire.

His hair was scraggly and brown, coming down to his shoulders. He was enormous. His girth came from a mixture of large muscles and an over-exuberant appetite. His facial features were as imposing as his physique, but his eyes reflected a gentle soul. Up to that point, she thought of Lum as the thug that captured her, and took her spear away. It took a single glance to change that impression.

"Here. Let's spread oot a bi'. Na need fur a'body to stand," Cian said.

Vladi walked up to Deja and stood between her and Lum with two halves of coconut shells containing chopped-up pineapple. She handed Deja one of the shells with her typical smile, and handed the other to Lum. Deja examined her portion, then compared it to the one in Lum's enormous hand. His was about three times the size. He looked back at her with a guilty grin.