Negative Energy

Jungle Float

When Matt passed back through the screen, the raucous colors and music of Carnival hit him like a physical force. His mood rose sharply but, without a set point, hit an early plateau. The encounter with Delnai still churned at the back of his mind.

What had she meant by people at Carnival not being what they seemed? Sure, most of them were just ordinary joes like himself out for a celebratory weekend, but was there something more to it? He took in the revelers scattered along the beachfront. Aside from their universal fitness and good looks, there was nothing unusual about them. But as he passed a succession of strollers, he noticed something odd. While some people gave off a palpable sense of excitement, others felt inert, like they weren't physically there. As he passed one of the inert ones, he flung an arm out.

"Sorry—" he started to apologize, but the passerby showed no reaction as Matt's hand passed right through his arm. He was only a hobo, a holographic body. Of course, it made sense now. While simulated agents weren't allowed in the concourse, that didn't prevent people from projecting themselves in holographically. Mind presence was what counted, not the location of a physical body. He hadn't noticed the difference before; Ina's constant nearness was like standing next to a heat lamp, and the collective prexing of the crowd masked the presence of holograms. His mood dipped lower as he realized that the majority of people at Carnival could not be bothered to travel a few minutes across the arcology. Not that he had any grounds to judge. Were it not for Ina, he might never have left the safety of his own apartment either.

Matt kicked at the sand. It felt dry and baked on top, moist and cool below. But that was just an illusion too, a formless substance with no character of its own made to mimic something else. Just like he was no kind of partygoer. What was he doing here? Dressing up for Carnival could not have been more out of character for him. His Nex, like some kind of on-demand wonder drug, had boosted him so high he had briefly forgotten his true nature.

Where are you? Ina pathed with a note of urgency. How long can it possibly take to pee?

I had an unpleasant encounter with a crab, Matt tried to jest.

Then bring it along. I'm saving the perfect spot for you.

Matt came to a decision. Even if Carnival had lost its enchantment for him, it still meant something special to Ina. She had gone to great pains planning for this event and been gracious enough to make him a part of it. He owed it to her to at least see the evening through.

He located the crumb trail and broke into an effortless jog. The activation of muscles and newfound clarity gave his mood a natural lift. Nearing the crowd, it rose even further as he sensed the prexing of live bodies and the upbeat sound of Latin rhythms.

The center of the beach road was emptying out to make way for the floats. People took up fixed positions along the sides as twirling sweeper-bots cleared away trash and debris along with some shed garments. Further on, towering stands had been erected and were quickly filling up with spectators. The sky was starting to deepen. It was parade time.

The crumb trail led to a feeder street winding its way between pastel-colored shopfronts. Concealed behind a hill, more than a dozen floats were lined up in a row, ready to begin their singular journey. Each one was an island of wonders. There was a pirate ship, a giant tortoise, a pair of swans, a coral reef, castles, mansions, fountains, a barge-sized guitar, larger-than-life goddesses, and even a festive graveyard. Dancers and attendants in extravagant garb buzzed around them like tribes of worshippers. The prexing intensified. The crumb trail ended at a jungle-themed float. Where was Ina?

Up here! she beckoned.

Matt finally spotted her perched atop the tallest of a cluster of fantastical palm trees. Lower down were other women in winged floral costumes, none so elaborate and beautiful as hers. Farther down still, at the base of the palms, were the men. Apparently, this jungle was under matriarchal rule.