The Governess

House Tour

Hours later Fleur Saumon was woken up by the professor in genetic engineering, who brought her a plate of French toast, a cup of coffee and a glass of orange juice on a tray. Slowly the young woman realized where she was and why, though she was still doubting whether anything what had happened, was nothing but a strange dream.

"Have you had enough rest, young lady?" Charles Bow asked her, while Fleur started to consume her meal. "I guess so," she answered. "But I can still hardly believed what I have seen just hours ago." "I completely understand. But you would agree with me, I couldn't have told you - you had to see it for yourself." "You're absolutely right," she admitted albeit it reluctantly.

"I don't understand why, Charles. I can see why you need a governess for Ulde and all the secrecy involving her education, but I don't see the point of creating a mermaid - save for pure curiosity. Though I can't believe that the Elynesian government would sponsor such endeavor just to satisfy a couple of scientists."

"There is a lot," the genetic engineer calmly said, "you need to learn about Elynesia before you can even start to understand the reason of Ulde's existence. Meanwhile I would like to urge you to focus on your job as a governess and to give your pupil the best education." "Does she knows?" "No," was her employer's resolute answer. "This is Veldman's work, isn't it?" "I am as responsible as he is for Ulde's very existence."

Subsequently her employer left her alone in her room. It was clear, the governess thought while enjoying her breakfast, that Charles Bow really did not want to talk about the reason of Ulde's existence. Of course, this only strengthened her curiosity. Also she remembered his earlier refusal to discuss the reason of the Elynesian government's involvement.

On the other hand, however, somethings made a lot of sense now. For instance Fleur understood why the authorities wanted to raise Ulde in the rather small settlement of Hawking - less people who could discover her existence by accident. Also there was no way that a mermaid could go to a normal school, not only for the obvious logistical troubles.

What did she need to know about Elynesia in order to understand Ulde? Well, the young woman realized, she needed to learn something as she was unable to figure out an even remotely plausible motive for creating a mermaid. Worst of all, perhaps, was the fact that her pupil herself was utterly unaware of the reason of her very existence. The idea that she was subject of some kind of government sponsored research program without her consent or even awareness, Fleur found appalling.

Once the governess had finished her breakfast she stood up, walked to the wash basin and started to brush her teeth. Though still a little bit confused Fleur could not fail to notice how soft the water was and the lack of chlorine in it really pleased her. Spacers, she knew, use both ozone and UV radiation to disinfect tap water and for a moment the young woman wondered why did not the same for swimming pools.

Half an hour later Charles Bow returned to collect the tray. Meanwhile he asked her:

"Are you ready to see the house?" "Yes, I am." "In that case, please, follow me."

Their first stop was back at first floor, the kitchen to be more precisely. There the genetic engineer put the tray and its contents into the dishwasher. Subsequently he explained the young woman how the kitchen was organized. Thereafter they went to the living room, which was twice as big as Fleur had expected.

"Well," her employer smiled, "Elynesian middle-class homes are a little bigger than their terrestrial counter-parts." "Yes, I see." "Anyway, the pool room is located in an extended room, which is covered with a one-way solar blinds. That way, people inside can see the Sun while outsiders can't see them. Such thing is by no means exceptional in this country. In any rotating space habitat people on the other side are able to see us, so in order to have some privacy nearly all Elynesian homes have one-way blinds."