As our aerotaxi came into view, I grabbed my helium-coat and pulled it closer to my chest. I could almost taste the pollution-free air on my lips, and I was deeply thankful that the government allotted each citizen with the privilege of enjoying it for six hours every year. I ran my left hand over the mask imprint on my face. It was ugly, yes, but everyone from The City had one–well, everyone alive that is. It was such a strange yet happy thing, knowing that I would finally be able to take off my mask and breathe real, non-factory air.
My living unit and I were all equally excited to step aboard the aerotaxi. It would be my fourth time on one, but I was still very much looking forward to flying over the farming sector, enjoying the sights of forests and rivers, and perhaps even spotting an animal.
“All aboard!” sang the taxi pilot as he touched down and opened the entry area.
The nine of us clamored on board, collapsing ourselves into the taxi’s belly like a pack of artificially manufactured sardines in a Cost-Saving Aerodynamic Can™ from Good Corporation®.
“Welcome aboard folks! I will be your pilot for the next five hours and forty-seven minute round trip through the farming sector,” shouted the pilot as he revved up the engines, disengaged from the ground, and engaged the air. “My name is Joseph Howard-Montgomery-Mario-Martinez-Lopez-Jackson-Johnson-Smith but you may call me Joe.”
“Why’s your name so long?” questioned a small boy, Thomas, the youngest and least tactful member of my living unit. We all gave him a demeaning glance and let off a single, collective scoff.
“Well, kid, my maternal grandmother’s name was Ms. Howard-Montgomery, my maternal grandfather’s name was Mr. Mario-Martinez, my paternal grandmother was Ms. Lopez-Jackson, and my paternal grandfather was Mr. Johnson-Smith. So you can figure out the rest.”
“Oh,” said Thomas as he sank deeper into his Thermal-Reacting Smart Seat™ by Very Good Corporation®. “Are we safe to take our masks off now?”
“You might want to wait about six more minutes. We’re still in the pollution storm cloud,” answered Joe politely, apparently unfazed by Thomas’s barrage of questioning.
I could just about make out the end of The City and the beginning of the farm sector. A flood of memories wrapped over me as I remembered my last trip in the aerotaxi, when I saw a wonderful couple of cows towards the end of the trip.
“Excuse me, do you think there’ll be any cows out there today, Joe?” I asked gently.
“Yes, I reckon there will be a few,” called back Joe as he turned his head towards me. “There were about four out yesterday and we also saw a whole flock of birds, too. Big white ones with wings and such.”
“Oh, great, thank you. I would very much like to see some animals today,” I replied, completely satisfied with Joe’s response.
I was so grateful that I was going to be spending the next five hours and forty-four minutes in pure bliss. I could feel my heart beating faster as we began our exit of the pollution storm cloud.
“Thank you government,” I reverently sang, almost reflexively, almost unconsciously, as joyful tears streamed from my face.
“Thank you government,” sang the rest of the members of my living unit in perfect rhythmic response.
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