Part 3 (1/2)

”Okay,” Kim said.

”Of course.” Chlorine said.

Then the scene dissolved, and the four of them from Mundania were standing at the O-Xone exit. Edsel hum-whistled, and they were back on their linked computers. Back in Mundania. Already it seemed dreary.

Chapter 2: COMPANION.

Pia had to admit that Edsel had come up with something interesting She had been finding him increasingly boring and marriage itself boring, but the magic Land of Xanth was interesting. She had privately envied Dug and Kim's ability to believe in it, and to submerge themselves in mutual fantasy. Maybe that was what made them get along so well there was magic in their relations.h.i.+p.

Pia herself hardly believed in magic But that demonstration in the O-Xone had satisfied her that there was something there. Maybe not magic, but one h.e.l.l of a good show, like the effects of a stage magician. You could enjoy it even when you knew it was all trickery.

Best of all, if it turned out disappointing, it still committed Edsel to dissolving the marriage without a fight. That would make it much easier to recover her freedom. Edsel wasn't a bad sort really but if you took away that motorcycle, and his software, and his supposed humor very little was left. She wanted excitement, novelty, fresh romance and endless indulgence Dug had come to bore her, years ago. and Edsel had seemed to be an escape from that, but Edsel had turned out just about as boring While Dug ironically, had grown more interesting after he got together with Kim. Maybe he had been about to turn the corner and she had left him at just the wrong time.

But she would give this fantasy adventure a fair trial She wasn't sure why Edsel thought it might change her opinion of their marriage, but that was his problem. She preferred to get free of him without suffering an ugly scene, and this was the way. Share the adventure, return to their separate ways. It was a straightforward course, and a good one.

Now if only she could be as readily free of her diabetes. She had long since learned to give herself insulin shots, they really didn't hurt any more, and twice a day was enough. The blood sugar level checks were mere pinp.r.i.c.ks, a nuisance, but again, routine. So apart from a certain caution about her diet, she could mostly ignore it. But she would rather be free of it. For one thing, it was likely to complicate things if she ever decided to have children, not that she expected to. Children were such demanding nuisances.

On the appointed day, their business in temporary remission, they sat at their computers again and connected via their modems to the Mode M Mesh. The three others were so enthusiastic that Pia found herself reluctantly carried along. Dug and Kim swore that there was no better land than Xanth, as long as a person was careful about dragons and such. Edsel-he seemed a bit much taken with that black girl, what's her-name, with her l.u.s.trous waist length black hair green eyes and pert figure. As if Pia herself didn't have those same things, except that her hair was brown. Well Pia's figure had filled out some in the past few years She had to use a corset when wearing a show dress. She hated that, but she loved chocolate, and the two sort of went together. Her malady also tended to add to her weight, because she was constantly balancing sugar against insulin, and it was easier to eat a bit of sugar than to cancel a shot she had just taken. If she antic.i.p.ated needing less insulin, then she could cut down, but life was full of ugly little surprises. So she was fighting a losing battle of bulge. Edsel hadn't commented but she could no longer bend him to her whim as readily as she once had, and she figured this was why. Of course there was an age difference between the black girl and Pia sixteen vs twenty two, and she remembered how well Edsel had liked that age. Wait till time had its way with the girl then see how pert she remained. But what was her concern? That girl was otherwise committed, and in a fantasy land, and if Edsel strayed-well that would make the divorce that much easier.

They reached the O-Xone interface and Edsel whistled them in. Pia had to admit it was a nice effect, the way it went 3D making them seem to be standing in a hall. They ought to learn the secret, so they could incorporate it into the Companions software, it would sell a million. a.s.suming there still was a business, after the divorce.

They walked down the hall and entered the girl's chamber. Breanna-that was her name. Of the Black Wave, as if anyone could doubt her color. But she seemed nice enough, and they'd better get along, because there really were dragons in Xanth, and Pia had no idea how to avoid them.

Justin was there, as quiet as before. Then the gaudy dragon man and splashy damsel arrived. The odd thing was that the room didn't seem at all crowded, even with eight people.

”Some things we need to clarify,” the damsel said. Chlorine-that was her name, like a chemical treatment-was taking charge, in her pushy manner, as she had before. ”We shall need to remain in touch, in case it should prove necessary to end the exchange early. So we must report to this O-Xone each day.” She glanced around, but n.o.body disagreed. ”And though Nimby and I will not have magic in Mundania, the two of you will have talents in Xanth. We want you to have useful ones, that will help you get along without being so strong as to attract undue attention. So you, Edsel, will have the ability to create solid illusionary creatures. And you, Pia, will be able to see one day into the future. That should help you avoid problems, as you will be able to change that future by changing your immediate actions.”

She would have a magic talent? This was becoming increasingly interesting. She would have to experiment, to be sure she know how to use it.

”Now let's make the exchange,” Chlorine said. As she spoke, she and Nimby changed form, becoming exactly like Pia and Edsel. ”Take our hands.”

They held hands, then separated. That was all.

”So when do we change?” Pia asked, not really trying to mask her impatience with this ritual.

There was laughter, which she didn't appreciate. ”Uh. I think we are changed,” Edsel murmured beside her ”We're on the other side of the room.”

She saw that they were facing Dug and Kim, though she was not aware of turning around. Beside them were Justin and Breanna. ”But we're the same,” she protested.

”I'm not sure. I feel better than I did, somehow.”

”We provided you with bodies in perfect health,” the other Pia said. ”Except for your malady, of course.”

Pia suppressed her irritation. Since this was really illusion, they couldn't cure the incurable. She checked her purse: her insulin kit was still there. So she was in her own body. Yet she did feel better. She had a recent scratch on her left foot that itched; it no longer did. She had meant to wash her hair, as it had started to feel grungy, but had forgotten in the distraction of getting ready; it now felt fine. Surely her imagination, yet enough to make her wonder at the power of suggestion.

”This way,” Breanna said, turning to the door opposite the one they had entered by.

Edsel and Justin followed, so Pia had to go too. But she wasn't easy with this. Could this all be a fancy joke? Yet what was there to do except play along until it ended?

Breanna turned her head back. ”See you here tomorrow for check-in!” she called.

”Got it.” Kim called back from the far doorway.

Then they were on their way down a hall. As they proceeded, it gradually lost its square outline, becoming rounded. Soon it resembled a natural cave tunnel. What was the point? To show off the morphing abilities of the program?

The tunnel opened into a regular cave. There was a stream running through it, and a sweetness wafted from the water. Pia sniffed, trying to identify the tantalizing fragrance, and felt distinctly strange.

”Don't breathe too much of that,” Breanna warned. ”It's from a love spring.”

Definitely a joke. But Pia stifled her breathing. She didn't know what the consequence of imbibing from a love spring would be, but doubted she would care for it.

They came to a metallic or ceramic or plastic contraption with a gla.s.sy screen.

”Hi, Pa.s.sion,” Breanna said brightly. ”These are Edsel and Pia Mundane.”

”Pia Putz,” Pia corrected her, using her maiden name. ”And my business a.s.sociate, Edsel.”

Edsel glanced at her. but did not challenge her statement. She was choosing to be herself on this excursion, not someone's disenchanted wife.

(. the screen printed.

”And this is Com Pa.s.sion.” Breanna continued. ”She is our interface connection to the O-Xone And her mouse, Terian.”

A lovely, sultry woman emerged from the shadow. She nodded, then faded back into obscurity.

”Looks human to me,” Pia remarked.

Terian stepped forward again. She s.h.i.+mmered, and suddenly was a brown mouse.

”Eeeek!” Pia screamed, jumping back.

”What's the matter with a mouse?” Breanna asked.

”It might run up my leg!”

The mouse became the woman, who retreated again. Pia realized that she had made a fool of herself. She hoped she wasn't flus.h.i.+ng.

r/ycuu/ t/t^u /we fo //Ma Jrme jf/fffttsr ?

”We can't right now,” Breanna said. ”We have to go out and see Xanth.”

”In a day. Pa.s.sion,” Breanna promised. ”Thank you so much for helping.”

W V W V That was evidently the machine's way of expressing appreciation.

They stepped out into daylight. The sun was s.h.i.+ning down on a thickly forested landscape. A pleasant path led away from the cave.