“How long?”
“Hundreds of years. Cellular longevity was part of the treatment.”
I was beginning to catch on. “And I’ll bet that you remember this firsthand-since you and the other lady leaders have had the same treatments?”
She nodded, pleased. “Very adroit, James. Yes, the authorities on both sides of the wall have had the treatments. This makes for continuity of leadership-”
“And the need for secrecy of each other’s existence that keeps the powerful in power?”
Mata shook her head in wonder. “You are indeed most perspicacious. How I wish you were in charge next door rather than that hairy halfwit.”
“Thanks for the job offer-but no thanks. So the men beyond the wall don’t know that you women are here. The same must be true of your women-”
“Not at all. They know about the males-and just don’t care. We have a complete and satisfactory society. Childbearing for those who wish it, a fulfilling intellectual life for all.”
“And religion? Do you have a female equivalent of Iron John?”
She laughed merrily at the thought, as did all the other women who were listening to our conversation. Even Marionette was smiling until she saw my glare, turned away.
“That’s it,” I snapped. “Enjoy yourself. And when you are through, if you ever are, you might kindly let me know the joke.”
“I am sorry, James,” Mata said, laughter gone and really quite serious. “We were being rude and I apologize. The answer to your question is a simple one. Women don’t need myths to justify their femininity. All of the myths about Iron Hans, Iron John, Barbarossa, Merlin and other mythological men with their salvation myths are all purely male. Just think about it. I am not making a value judgment, just an observation. Such as the observation that men are basically combative, confrontational, insecure and unstable-and appear to need these myths to justify their existence.”
There was a lot to argue with there, maybe not a lot but some. A good deal of jumping-to-conclusions and more than a bit of rationalization. I sidestepped for the moment, until I knew more about how this society ticked. I raised a finger.
“Nov, let me see if I have this straight. You ladies have a comfortable existence on this side of the wall. You provide the scientific backup to the males on the other side. To keep them chuntering along in their locker-room paradise. Correct?”
“Among other things. That is basically correct.”
“Dare I ask what they supply in return?”
“Very little, if the truth be known. Fresh meat from the nomads. Who not only won’t trade with us but now heartily deny our existence, though they secretly would love to wipe us out. Then there is an occasional supply of sperm to top up our cryogenic sperm bank. Little else. We watch them and keep them going mostly by habit-and for our own safety. If the man in the street doesn’t know that we exist he can’t cause us any trouble. The men also get a lot of pleasure in bashing the nomads when they start bothering us. Altogether a satisfactory relationship.”
“It certainly sounds that way.” I finished the glass of wine and realized that I was beginning to feel the effects of the alcohol. Which was better than feeling the bruises and sore ribs. Which should be looked at soon-but not too soon. The unfolding drama of cultural mish-mash was just too interesting. “If you please-a question or two before we call in the medics. First is the most important question. You mention sperm banks so I assume that pregnancy and motherhood still exist?”
“They certainly do! We would never consider depriving women of their hormonal, psychological and physical rights. Those who wish to become mothers become mothers. Simple enough.”
“Indeed it is. And looking around I see that they are lucky enough to all have female babies.”
For the first time I saw Mata less than completely relaxed and calm. She looked away, looked back-took up her glass and sipped some more wine.
“You must be tired,” she finally said. “We can finish this discussion some other time . . .”
“Mata!” Madonette gasped. “I think that you are avoiding the topic. This cannot be. I have so admired you and your people here. You are not going to tell me that I am wrong?”