Visit to the Twenty-first Century

Of course, he was not a virgin. He'd had virtual sex with human and android partners quite often. He'd had actual sex with androids. And once with a real woman. But that was quite different. First they undressed completely and stared at each for several minutes before culminating. It had rather dull actually. What Carla was expecting seemed daring and exciting, to touch and grope and kiss before actual penetration. Yet it repulsed him too, knowing that they'd be touching each other skin to skin for several minutes or longer.

"I'd better leave," he said.

"Are you sure? I'll be gentle. Don't be so old fashioned. We could have a good time." She gave him a sad look.

"I ... I need to find out more about your ways."

"That's right. You are from a foreign country. I knew you had an accent. Okay. So long then." She kissed him gently on the lips. "We could still date. Maybe after a while ..."

"Yes. I'd like that. But do we have to go to that horrible dancing place?"

She laughed. "No, of course not."

***

The following Monday when he reported to work, the manager called him to his office. "We've run into a glitch with bookkeeping. Apparently you forgot to enter your social security number on your employment form. What is it?"

Obsidian stuttered, "I ... I don't have one."

"What? Oh I get it. You're an illegal. I should've guessed. Sorry, I'm going to have to let you go. You had the makings of a good salesman, but I don't want any trouble with the feds."

Obsidian recalled the men with the dark suits at the police station. "You won't report me, will you?"

"Naw." He handed Obsidian an envelope. "Here's your pay for the time you worked here. Good luck. It's been nice knowing you." He held out his hand. Obsidian carefully shook it, touching the manager's sweaty palms as lightly as possible.

As he walked through the showroom on his way out, Carla asked, "What's up, Obssie?"

"I'm being let go."

"How come? You were doing a good job. You made more sales than half the guys here."

"I'm illegal."

"Oh. So that's why you kept talking about marriage. You wanted me to marry you so you could stay in this country. I should've known by the way you were acting Friday night that something wasn't right. Don't bother calling." She quickly turned and walked away.

Obsidian was hurt and confused. He wondered what was so terrible about being an illegal. It was like having a terrible disease. With slumped shoulders he wandered slowly towards his apartment. After he'd gone a ways, somebody tapped him on the shoulder. He looked up to see Doctor Dee.

"Hello. They finally released you, I see."

Doctor Dee chuckled. "You haven't guessed yet. I'm your guide."

"What are you talking about? What guide?"

"Your guide from TAC. The adventure's over."

"Over. You're taking me back to the thirty-first century."

"Of course. Was the twenty-first exciting?"

"Very."

***

On the way back to Enceladus, Obsidian stopped by the artificial satellite where Blato lived. He told his friend about his adventures in the twenty-first century.

"I still say that you're a brave man even though the whole trip was simulated."

Obsidian sighed. "Yes, I am. Y'know, it was so realistic that sometimes I felt as though I was really trapped in the past. If someone ever invents real time travel, I'd volunteer. I'd like to know what the twenty-first century was really like. That simulated danger was exciting and fun."

The End