“Oh, I think so. I’d probably only use it for storage anyway.”
“That’s fine.” Yinge gazed around in a way that said that should settle everything. “Does any other party need to see it or get involved?”
“No. Just me and my dog.”
“So, is there any reason why we shouldn’t start an application?”
Kieran smiled at the choice of term. It was through habit. Kieran had already said he’d be paying cash. He changed the colors of the walls and carpeting to orange and maroon to see the effect. “Not just yet. I’d like to see a couple of places farther out, just to compare them.”
“Of course.”
The apartment vanished. Kieran took off the VR goggles to find himself back in the office of J.J. Hamblin Properties, standing in one of the showerstall-like cubicles with roller-pebble floors, where wall sensors registered suggestions of body movements more faithfully than the old body suits had—and without the hassle of getting into them. He emerged to find Yinge removing his own goggles and Guinness evidently relieved to see his master acting normally again. Kieran and Yinge sat down to coffees while they selected several more offerings and then reentered the simulations to “visit” a new development on the outer fringes of Lowell—better appreciation prospects but a bit far out; a more spacious unit intended for family occupation in Osaka, on the north side toward Tharsis—not bad, but set in surroundings too uniform and regimented for Kieran’s taste; and a not-yet-complete complex at a fast-growing city called Zerolon on the far side of the planet above Hellas, where the proposed synchronous sky elevator would be built if the project went ahead—surprisingly comfortable and well situated. Kieran said he’d like copies of the files available for review later.
“Just for the record, what kind of timescale do you see yourself on with regard to firming something up?” Yinge inquired as he keyed in the appropriate codes.
“It’s elastic at the moment. In any case, I’d need to go there physically before concluding anything—among other things, to let Guinness check it out.”
“Guinness?”
“The dog.”
“Oh yes, of course.”
“You’d be amazed at some of the things he can turn up.”
Yinge looked taken aback, if not mildly offended. “Surely you’re not suggesting there might be anything not aboveboard,” he protested. “I assure you, Mr. Thorn, our virtuals are completely as-is, untouched and unedited from the original scans.”
“Yes, of course,” Kieran agreed, smiling disarmingly.
* * *
Kieran had just emerged and was standing, considering which direction to head next, when his phone sounded its call tone. He drew the unit out and raised it to his face. The caller was Leo Sarda.
“Mr. Thane, how are you fixed? I need to talk to you right now.” Sarda sounded strangely agitated after the self-assuredness that Kieran had observed yesterday at lunch and in the labs the day before.
“I’m free,” Kieran said. “What’s happened?”
“I can’t go into it now. Let’s meet somewhere away from here. Where are you right now?”
“In the Trapezium area. I’m looking at realtors.”
“Fine. Look, there’s a small pub and eatery kind of joint up on one of the levels over the main square. It’s called the Mars Bar. Can I meet you there in, say, half an hour?”
“I’ll be there.”
“Fine,” Sarda said again, and hung up.
7
Kieran found the Mars Bar without difficulty. It was on a balcony looking down over the main commercial precinct. Not having eaten yet, he ordered pâté and salad with a glass of chablis for himself (from home-grown grapes—a bit on the dry side but not bad), and a couple of thick burgers, a biscuit, and a dish of cold tea for Guinness. There was plenty of time, and he ate at a leisurely pace, taking in the scene. A band was playing in the court below, where figures on roller blades and skateboards maneuvered expertly among the shoppers and strollers. On a level above, members of some kind of sect wearing hooded green robes formed part of an audience listening to a speaker delivering a harangue about something. Farther on, a group of elderly people who had stopped to sit on some benches by a fountain were talking loudly and laughing among themselves. Kieran wondered what would possess a person to uproot and come all this way at such a stage in life. To stay with families who were moving out, he supposed. The changes and necessary adjustments would be all the more difficult for them. He hoped the laughter and the joviality were not too forced.