Station, стр. 16
"Where are we going?"
"To the living quarters. Morning's Echo isone of the few Bars in the Celebration Cluster that maintainsliving quarters, which is great if you don't feel like gettingready until you get here. Or if you make a new friend and can'twait to tear their clothes off." Reena released another giggle thatHadder found intoxicating, building on his foundation of Number7.
At the bottom of the stairs, Hadder found that hehad entered a spacious lounge area. There, he found plush whiteleather armchairs, expensive-looking rugs, full-length mirrors, andornate side tables. Spread throughout were colorful drinks, smokingashtrays, and unfamiliar board games. Several patrons were in thelounge, some merely relaxing with drink and smoke while othersworked furiously at the mirrors, straightening here and curlingthere in an attempt to look their best. Those that noticed the newpair enter the room gave Reena a friendly nod and Hadder a curiousglance before returning to their thoughts and endeavors.
Also in the room were two manikins, this time in theshapes of females, waiting patiently for instruction. Reena marchedup to the nearest one. "Lemma, I need some clothes for thisbeautiful man." The manikin's white eyes showed no recognition norbetrayed any emotion, if it had any, merely turning on its heal andmoving towards one of the many small hallways that spidered offfrom the lounge. It passed several closed doors before coming toone with a white hand insignia on its face. Standing silentlybefore the door, the lemma manikin placed its own white hand on thedoor's matching mark. An electric blue line outlined the doormomentarily before it slid to the side, allowing entrance.
Reena explained, "Throughout Station, doors that youcan enter have white hand buttons on them. If the hand buttons arered, it means the room is currently occupied or off limits toresidents."
Shuffling into the room, Hadder looked around tofind that it looked like an impossibly fancy fast food restaurant.Maybe twenty feet into the room, a lucent counter ran from right toleft, effectively cutting the space in half. The lemma manikinwalked behind the impressive counter through a short break on theright side and waited patiently. After a few seconds, it pointedup.
Hadder looked above the manikin and watched as ascreen running the wall's length came to life, showing images ofmen and women wearing a variety of clothing, much of which he hadnever seen or even imagined.
"Show me men's. More formal," said Reena, looking upas the filters took effect and narrowed down selections. "What'syour style, Marlin? And don't tell me it's this t-shirt and jeanslook. I mean, sure it has its place, but not here. And certainlynot tonight. You're going to be the belle of the ball thisHaela."
Hadder thought back to what the people in Stationreferred to as the Before, back to a life too-briefly full of joyand love, hugs and kisses, big smiles, and tiny laughs. In thatlife, Hadder wore suits to work, taking real pride in hisappearance as a reflection of his contentment. He wanted to feelthat way again, if only for a night.
"I'd like a suit, Reena."
She slapped her hands together. "Oh, I was hopingyou'd say that. I was terrified you were gonna say khakis or ahoodie. Do you mind? I have a vision of something breathtaking butcasual, perfect for this Haela. Also, there's a lot of materialsand options here you've never seen before."
Hadder looked again at Reena's exotic outfit, "Ibelieve you. Please have at it."
Reena marched up to the lemma manikin and beganspeaking too low for Hadder to overhear, motioning with her handsin an expression of her excitement. The manikin, as usual, stoodunmoving. After several minutes passed, with Reena conferring withthe digital board and making various selections, she returned toHadder's side. "Ok, stand up straight, Marlin. Now turn to theside. Good, now turn around. Perfect. It should have all yourmeasurements now. Let's head out while it works."
Reena began leading Hadder back into the hallway.Hadder turned briefly and saw the manikin start to move in a blurof motion, grabbing fabrics from behind the counter and taking themto the left-hand wall, against which he noticed a sewing station.There, it sat and began cutting cloth in a fast, measured pace. Asthe door slid shut behind him, he already began to hear the whirrof a sewing machine.
Once outside, Reena walked Hadder further down thehallway, stopping at a pair of large double doors, which slid openupon Reena's light touch. Inside was a large shower room, withnozzles of bright brass on the ceiling and back wall. Ventedflooring gave off warm and inviting steam, and Hadder, for thefirst time, took note of the dirt and grime that stuck to his skinwith dried sweat. Around three-quarters of the shower area, savethe back wall, was an area set back from the sprayers that housedmarble benches and open lockers of polished metal. No one else wasin the community shower, for which Hadder was grateful. Althoughnot a prude, he wasn't quite ready for a group cleansing.
Reena motioned him to the left. "You can getundressed over at the locker. I'll take those clothes."
"Where are you going to put them?"
"In the nearest fire, silly. These rags reek of theBefore."
Hadder walked over and began to undress, feelingawkward about handing a beautiful girl his soiled, smelly garments.He stopped when down to his underwear and gave Reena a nervouslook. She smiled knowingly. "I'll leave the rest to you," she said,turning back to the main doors. Just walk into the shower area andsay water. When you're finished, say water stop. Sayair, and you'll discover why no towels are provided. I'mgoing to dispose of these and check on your suit."
"But it's only been like a minute."
"Desires are met fast here in Station," Reenaresponded as the double doors slid closed again.
Hadder took a deep breath to calm himself. Althoughhe had always done