Night The Earth Collapsed
They reached Kansas City relatively early even though they had to make several stops along the way. The sudden change in diet didn’t agree with either Belivet or Cantrell who took turns puking their guts out. Apparently the World Is Not Enough was not only enough but way too much for Belivet’s sensitive stomach. She shared her "World" with the unsuspecting side of the road.
Only five miles after her bout of nausea, the hot and humid Chevy turned into a veritable Cape Canaveral when Cantrell’s Moonraker launched unexpectedly all over its interior. They had to pull in to a service station to clean the car before continuing their journey. Furthermore they were compelled to find a farm selling eggs and spinach to soothe the aliens’ troubled tummies. The young hipster couple couldn’t believe its luck when Carol bought all the spheres and greens they could come up with.
Harrison is still under radar, Cantrell said to Belivet after they’d done away with their first hundred eggs.
We can get to Todd-1961 tonight, Belivet consoled her, it will give us an accurate reading of her whereabouts. She had a faraway look in her green eyes.
Do you think something might have happened to her? Carol asked growing restless. She hated to see Belivet so burdened.
Anything’s of course possible, Belivet replied glancing at Cantrell who was chasing Abby into the ladies’ room for some quick tune-up. But I’d rather not think about it just yet. Harrison’s resourceful, she wasn’t called the Princess Busy Fingers for nothing.
Trying not to think of what Belivet had just said, Carol swallowed hard. It was too late, though – the question had already formed in her head. She was called Princess Busy Fingers for the obvious reason that she always manifested such dexterity in everything she did… and we pampered her shamelessly, her being a Catfish and all. Belivet smiled at her memories.
A Catfish? So she’s not a Flounder like you and Cantrell? Carol asked surprised. She wondered how it had been possible for someone called a Catfish to end up among the three ugliest Terezians.
Oh, Catfish is not really a category, Belivet hastened to explain, it’s just a preliminary phase everyone goes through before the final selection. Harrison was on her way to be a Flounder, no doubt about it, but the ceremony was still two moons away.
The ceremony? Carol asked. I might as well know everything, she mused halfheartedly.
We had a ceremony every year to celebrate the newcomers and to appoint them to their rightful groups. The recollection had evidently stirred something powerful in Belivet.
Then you probably gathered in some circle to have hot and heavy fusion, am I right? By now Carol was pretty much prepared for anything.
No, we gave the newcomers flowers and just hugged and hugged for hours. Belivet seemed genuinely surprised by Carol’s hasty conclusion.
I should learn to keep my big mouth… ahem, brain shut, Carol lamented silently.
After all, it always happened only a day after the monthly Terezian orgy, Belivet concluded, no one was really up to any serious action.
“I still don’t understand what I’m doing here,” Rindy complained. “And I don’t particularly enjoy sitting in the back with those two…” She was eyeing Cantrell suspiciously.
“Don’t worry about Cantrell,” Carol tried to calm her, “She keeps… floundering around but she means well.” I hope. “I thought you’d enjoy a little road trip… it’s been a long time since we two did anything fun together.”
“Not long enough,” Rindy quipped dryly. She moseyed over to a nearby store to buy some candy and a couple of magazines. Belivet had asked for the Air & Space magazine, Cantrell wanted the Playboy. The latter aggravated Abby who’d been feeling more or less neglected ever since they’d left Oklahoma City.
How is it possible to be afraid and in love, Carol thought as they were on the last leg of their journey to Sioux City. Her feelings for Belivet grew stronger every day but every night was still the same. She had enjoyed the beauty of their recharging just as Belivet had, but she wanted to possess the miracle of the dangerous, hot fusion as well.
What a rotten time I give you, don’t I? Belivet stared through the windshield without as much as a glance at Carol. She didn’t elaborate any further and she didn’t need to since Carol knew very well she had read her mind again.
You are magnificent, Carol transmitted. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. The days and nights following Belivet’s arrival had been nothing but bewildering but at least she knew where she belonged. To whom she belonged.
Belivet settled back on her seat and seemed to withdraw in thoughts Carol had no access to. Then, quite suddenly, she changed her mind. What is love, Carol-2015?
Carol was taken aback by Belivet’s unexpected question. It is an emotion, she stammered, a feeling so strong and powerful it fills your heart and soul when encountered. A faint flush tinged her face and she tried to hide it by slowly tucking her loose blonde locks behind her ear.
It’s poorly lit meals and aimless walks along the dark shoreline, Cantrell read from the Playboy magazine. It says so right here. Neither Carol nor Belivet had noticed that she’d been listening to their transmissions.
Let me see, Belivet demanded grabbing the magazine out of Cantrell’s hands. The Playmate of the Month here does say so! Belivet enthused. She seems awfully nice… and her outfit resembles the one Sharks used to wear, doesn’t it, Cantrell? The woman in the centerfold picture wore a military style peaked cap and a pair of high heels. If she’s a Playmate, she must work with children? The question was directed at Carol.
Carol let out a desperate sigh. Not exactly… Both Belivet and Cantrell were waiting for her to continue but she wasn’t going to volunteer any further information.
Did you have a Playmate when you were growing up, Carol-2015? Belivet asked eagerly. Did she teach you about love? She was obviously determined to get to the bottom of this love thing.
Candlelight dinners and romantic walks on the beach have NOTHING to do with real love! Carol snapped. Christ! She wanted to snatch the bloody rag away from Belivet and throw it out of the window. Cantrell’s body alarm made her decide against it.
“Did you know that Sioux City was inhabited by the Yankton Sioux before the Spanish and French fur trappers reached the area in the 18th century?” Abby read from an area guide she’d bought from Kansas City.
A lot of beavers here as well then? Cantrell concluded not understanding why Abby found her remark so very amusing. Rindy got caught in the crossfire when irritated Cantrell tried to poke her assigned human between the ribs.
“Cut it out, guys!” she yelled, “I’ve had it with you two! It’s either fighting or some dirty innuendo all the fucking time! Don’t forget I can hear your transmissions as well!” Frowning, Rindy folded her arms defiantly.
Rindy-16 is right, Belivet spoke gravely. You two need to start behaving back there – no more fighting and tawdry transmissions… and no more alcohol! She cast a stern look at Abby who had tried to spike Cantrell’s iced tea at the last rest stop.
Trying to lighten the mood and her own guilt, Abby changed the subject. “Do you know the name of the actress who tested for the lead role in Breakfast at Tiffany’s but didn’t get it because she looked so cheap and unattractive?”
Neither Belivet nor Cantrell had any idea what she was talking about. Carol knew only too well they were all about to find it out any second. “TAWDRY HEPBURN!” Abby chuckled at her own joke but then again she had to for no one else did. Grimacing, Rindy buried her face in her hands.
Where is Todd-1961? Carol asked Belivet when they’d finally made it to Sioux City. I thought you said it was hidden during the Paris Fashion Week… why is it here then and not in Paris? After all, she would’ve preferred a trip to Europe.
Belivet looked a bit apologetic. Well… most of the sisters really wanted to go to Paris instead so we decided to create a diversion as a smoke screen for our operation here.
That doesn’t make any sense, Carol mused sharply. In fact it sounds perfectly preposterous… how would a Parisian diversion in any way affect the locals here? She wasn’t going to let her off the hook so easily.
It didn’t, Belivet admitted sheepishly, the entire operation was a total disaster. The girls got a bit carried away here while burying the computer in the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center… She was reluctant to provide any further details.
WHAT HAPPENED? Carol demanded to know. She wasn’t going to set foot in any nature center until she knew what could be expected.
Sisters were supposed to leave right after the operation but they went to a local women’s bar instead… they had a few drinks… Belivet’s eyes were darting everywhere else except at Carol.
WHAT ON EARTH HAPPENED? Abby’s interest was also piqued by now. Her breathless phrasing was quite spot-on as well. TELL ME!!! She turned to Cantrell for explanation.
In Terezian folklore it’s called The Night The Earth Collapsed, Cantrell revealed. Or rather Iowa… The Supernova Tour, as we jokingly called it, swept across the entire state…
A light bulb went off in Abby’s head. So that’s what caused it! She exclaimed mutely. It was all over the newspapers in 2011, all those strange female victims… Abby was visibly impressed. It took countless hours for several morticians to wipe the broad smiles off their faces.
Carol wished she hadn’t heard any of it. The reality of the dangers of full circle became more palpable than ever as she gripped the steering wheel her knuckles turning seriously white.
She thought about the Bible passage her grandmother had repeatedly quoted when she’d been just a little girl:
“But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”
Carol had never taken the metaphor literally. Not until now.