“Are you ready?” Lydia asked Jellia, as she put everything in her backpack.
“Ready?” Jellia asked. “Ready for what? I hope I’m ready.”
“For shopping!” Leah said, coming up. “I snipped your ska-drek and ska-drek-a and got you excused from all duties tonight. You and I and Lydia are going to go shopping.”
“Oh!” Jellia said. She just stopped herself from asking which Ska-drek-a was going to take them. Old habits die hard, it seems. “But, why? I mean, I’m thrilled to go shopping with you two, but do we have some sort of goal?”
“We do,” Leah said. “We are going to get some clothes for you. We are going to stop by the colour matcher, first. I don’t think you’ve ever been.”
Note: This scene takes place earlier in the story, but I have just written it. It comes right after the ‘exploding fruit’ scene.
“Umm, no, I don’t even know what that is.”
“Oh, I’m sure that they must have had them on Ephemera,” Lydia said.
“But she wasn’t allowed out of her house on her own, so how could she have known?” Leah agreed, taking Jellia’s arm. Lydia took the other arm and together they marched off toward the front where, no doubt, Leah already had a skimmer called.
“A colour matcher, Dearest,” Leah said, “Is… it is usually a ska-drek-a… who has this machine. And you take your clothes off and stand in front of it, and it measures your colours.”
“And then,” Lydia said, “she gives you this simply awful jumpsuit, and measures you with it. Time and again.”
“I don’t understand,” Jellia admitted, as they climbed up into the skimmer.
“Each of the suits is a different colour, Dear,” Leah said, putting a destination into the skimmer and sitting back. “And the picture and computer and all measure how they go against your skin.”
“And when you are all done,” Lydia said, “She sends an analysis to your comp. And then you can scan any bit of clothing, put in what it is… like a blouse or shoes or whatever… and it will tell you how it will look on you.”
“And not just good or bad, Dear,” Leah said. “But cheerful or hot or whatever.”
“Oh!”
“And then, Dear, we are going to do some food shopping. Your ska-drek-a snipped me a simply enormous list of items she is considering purchasing for her business, and we are to get some of all of it so you can try it out on them at your home and see if she thinks it would be worth shipping. Jams and jellies, marinades, sauces, fruits…”
“Oh, she is always doing that. Our cupboards and statis box is simply full. We must go by my house on your way home and I will load you up with things we have tried. If we are coming home with more, why, I will have no room. Anything interesting?”
“I didn’t even look!”
Jellia had found the colour matcher horribly embarassing and insanely fun at the same time. Oh, the colours that she had had to put on! And now there was, apprently, a whole paradigm or whatever on her comp.
“Next we get some fruit spreads, Dear Jelly,” Leah said, walking her out of the colour matching boutique.
“Not clothes?”
“I did an entire plan, don’t confuse me,” Leah said. “The fruit store is right now here, and they will, of course, send it to your house, so we won’t have to carry anything. Efficiency, Dear.”
They walked into the store, a very pretty store with large windows with jars and jars of things filling it, and Jellia almost tripped over a littlie, running after another littlie. “Oh, come in, come in,” a ska-drek-a said, coming up and kissing merchant-to-customer. She had an infant at her breast, and there was an older kesh, a bit older, sitting in a corner reading an archaic. “What can I do for you?”
“We have an enormous order,” Leah said and, ignoring them, Jellia went over to the shelves and started looking. This was fantastic. She must have several hundred different types of items in jars. And such pretty jars! Oh, she could see these selling on Ephemera. She picked one up… cactus? Cactus Jelly! And, she looked, rather spicy.
“I think I’ll get this, too,” she said, and Leah came over, looked at it, looked at her comp, and put it back on the shelf. “Your ska-drek-a ordered some of that. The larger jar.”
“Oh! Is there anything Mother didn’t order?”
“Not much, I don’t think,” Leah said. “I am very glad we don’t have to carry it.”
“It must be so nice, to be so helpful for your ska-drek-a,” Lydia said. “Mine is in bio, and there is nothing I can do to help.”
“Well, I’m sure you can come over to my house and help me figure out what to do with all of this,” Leah said, staring around bemusedly.
There was a bit of a silence and Jellia looked over at the daughters, who were looking at each other. Finally Lydia said, “It is a bit hard, you being from exo, from time to time. Hard to read what you are saying, that is.”
“I… I don’t understand…” Jellia admitted.
“Dear,” Leah said, “do you remember when I had to explain what a ‘job’ was to you?”
Jellia flushed, “Yes?”
“Well, what you just did might have been considerd a ‘job offer’, so now I have to explain something else to you…”
“Kesh,” the shop daughter said, “You just, out loud, in front of witnesses, said that this kesh could come over to your house and ‘help your mother’. That would normally, if you weren’t wearing that bracelet, be considered a job offer. That you would pay her for her time.”
“Oh! Well, I can’t… I mean… let me snip Mother!”
Everyone looked rather awkward as she snipped, except the shop daughter, who was far too busy taking things down and packing them up, and the kesh-u, who continued their play. Although the older one had looked up at the by-play.
“Oh!” Jellia said, looking up from her snip, her face red. “Oh how wonderful! Mother says to send some of the ingredients home with you lot, and she will pay your for your reports at ’standard sub-contractor rates’, which I don’t know what that is, do you want me to ask?”
Lydia’s face had lit up, and she hurried over to the boxes and started moving things. “No, Dear,” Leah said, “That is quite clear enough. We can look it up, it will be published by Ephemera. It will depend on timeliness and all sorts of factors. Next time make sure you snip her first, though.”
“Well, I never…”
“Yes, yes, code and custom. An experience for all of us. Lydia, pick some out for me, too, please. Not too many, with my shifts at Garden Party I don’t get as much chance to cook as I’d like. Although, actually, I can pawn it off on my sisters. Get me several, please.”
Lydia nodded and Jellia watched, amazed and appalled.
“Now, next we are going to get you some new skirts,” Leah said. “I’m sure you will enjoy that!”
Thank you for reading Von’s Substack. I would love it if you commented! I love hearing from readers, especially critical comments. I would love to start more letter exchanges, so if there’s a subject you’re interested in, get writing and tag me!
Being ‘restacked’ and mentioned in ‘notes’ is very important for lesser-known stacks so… feel free! I’m semi-retired and write as a ministry (and for fun) so you don’t need to feel guilty you aren’t paying for anything, but if you enjoy my writing (even if you dramatically disagree with it), then restack, please! Or mention me in one of your own posts.
If I don’t write you back it is almost certain that I didn’t see it, so please feel free to comment and link to your post. Or if you just think I would be interested in your post!
If you get lost, check out my ‘Table of Contents’ which I try to keep up to date.
Von also writes as ‘Arthur Yeomans’. Under that name he writes children’s, YA, and adult fiction from a Christian perspective. His books are published by Wise Path Books and include:
The Bobtails meet the Preacher’s Kid
and
Soon to be coming out is GK Chesterton’s wonderful book, “What’s Wrong with the World”, for which ‘Arthur’ wrote most of the annotations.
Arthur also has a substack, and a website.
Thanks again, God Bless, Soli Deo gloria,
Von
Contract Marriage Appendix
This post is both ‘hidden’ and in progress. I will be altering it as the book is written. Even the format may change from time to time. Feel free to suggest additions or changes.
Contract Marriage
Contract marriage is an adult dystopia examining the issues of marriage. Like 1984 and Brave New World, Contract Marriage treats the relations between the sexes as a fundamental aspect of how a society is formed and, thus, how a society can go wrong.
Unlike those dystopias, Contract Marriage isn’t all horrible all of the time. The characters for the most part have a good time and get along in their society. But the issues of sexuality, of marriage or not, monogamy or not, faithfulness or not, and gender roles… keep coming up and causing tension and conflict and joy and pain.
My desire is that my readers would be thinking along with my characters about these issues and perhaps even arrive at the same place (minus the flying cars).
Introduction // Podcast Version
In which I lay out the themes that I intend to explore in this light Dystopia, and ask others to participate.
Trade Master: First Chapter // Podcast Version
In which Fenestra, our heroine’s mother, puts in her application for the job of 'Trade Master’ on the planet Libertas, and finds out that it isn’t that easy.
En-Drek Contract // Podcast Version
In which Fenestra finds out that, on Libertas, everyone must be in an ‘En-drek’ contract… a long-term, live-in, heavy date between a man and a woman for the purpose of producing one child after the other with one date after the other.
Disappointment and Meditation // Podcast Version
In which Jellia, the daughter and our heroine, finds out about her mother’s job opportunity, including its difficulties, and commits herself to meditating on the situation. (And internally commits herself to encouraging her mother to take the job.)
Decision Reached // Podcast Version
Jellia tells her mother that she thinks she should take the job, and so her mother puts in her application… and gets the job!
First School // Podcast Version
Jellia goes to school and gets to tell everyone about her new adventure.
First Work // Podcast Version
Fenestra goes to work, and tells her coworker about her new opportunity.
Writing Class: Podcast Version
Jellia writes a poem (a limerick) and tells her classmates more about her new adventure.
Trader Galloway: Podcast Version
In which a man comes over for a ‘date’ (Ie to sleep over with her mother) and to tell them all about his time as Trade Master for their company on Libertas. And as how he was almost executed for asking a woman out on a date.
Shopping: Podcast Version
In which Jellia and her mother go shopping for the last time, and we explore some of the nature of the planet she is leaving.
Language: Podcast Version
In which Jellia starts using some new words at school, and everyone gathers round to find out what they mean.
Kesh-i Cooking Class: Podcast Version
In which Jellia finds out that children (Kesh-i) on Libertas are expected to cook.
Trade Master Training: Podcast Version
In which Fenestra begins her training for her new role, with an old enemy.
Two Week Date: Podcast Version
In which Fenestra and Alex decide to date for the next two weeks.
The Facts of Life: Podcast Version
In which Fenestra brings Alex home, and Jellia isn’t impressed. Although she is interested in how dating works for boys.
Snips: Podcast Version
In which Jellia spends time snipping with a boy, and brings him home.
Kissing: Podcast Version
In which Jellia and her mother both have a sexual ‘last fling’ before they leave, and Jellia practices the new kisses she will need for her new planet.
Off Ephemera // Podcast Version
In which Jellia and her mother arrive at the shuttle port, go through some annoying formalities, and take off!
And Fly! // Podcast Version
In which Jellia and her mother board their spaceship, and Jellia starts doing her homework.
Abstinate // Podcast Version
In which Jellia gets bored, rejects an older gentleman, and rejects her mother’s idea of dating.
Older Kesh-u // Podcast Version
In which Jellia learns more about what Kesh-u (children) are allowed to do on Libertas.
Fertility // Podcast Version
In which Jellia and her mother are taken off birth control by an odd doctor.
New Girl // Podcast Version
-Added out of order- Jellia meets a new girl on the shuttle, from a strange culture!
Decon // Podcast Version
Jellia and her mother arrive on their new planet, go through an awful decontamination, get sent to a briefing, and receive their first kiss/greeting!
Briefing // Podcast Version
Jellia and her mother are warned that the laws on Libertas can be very serious.
En-drek File
Fenestra reads up on her new ‘en-drek’.
Justicia // Podcast Version
Jellia rejoices in the new planet!
The House // Podcast Version
Jellia explores her new house.
Shopping and Greeting // Podcast Version
Jellia uses her new ‘kesh liberty’ and runs off to do some shopping. And has to kiss everyone all the way home.
Ska Illoh Kiladi // Podcast Version
Jellia meets her new Ska, who has business with her mother.
Ooops // Podcast Version
Jellia makes a mistake, gets chastised, and hates it here!
Neighbours // Podcast Version
In which Jellia goes off the cry, and meets neighbours.
Breakfast // Podcast Version
Jellia wakes up, makes breakfast, and runs off for a new day!
Kesh Liberty // Podcast Version
Jellia takes off for town with two younger kesh in tow, and has a fun time shopping!
Dinner // Podcast Version
Jellia comes home from her day in town, raced to unpack her new noodle machine, and cooks dinner!
Testing // Podcast Version
Jellia shows up at her new school, has to check herself it, gets tested for math, art, engineering… and whether she’s mature enough for a live in date.
Great Room // Podcast Version
Fenestra was finally Trade Master, and finally by herself, and finally got to start her new work! Sitting in her new living room in her PJs!
Great Hopes // Podcast Version
Iloh Kiladi shows up at work and gets grilled on how his new relationship is going.
Physio // Podcast Version
Jellia has to do ‘Physio’ at school… which involves running and climbing and getting sweaty.
Engineering // Podcast Version
Jellia finds out that what her engineering teacher cares about is that she learn, not that she come to class.
Basic Bio // Podcast Version
Can there be anything more embarrassing than being at a new school and having all the other girls discuss where you are in puberty?
Pastels and Colic // Podcast Version
Jellia’s next was with pastels, and they had a nursing mother and her baby for a study! Until the baby started crying.
Physio // Podcast Version
PE by any other name would be as annoying.
Report // Podcast Version
School is done for the day, and Ska-drek picks her up… and quizzes her on how it went!
Second Day // Podcast Version
Jellia begins her second day in school all excited, and much less nervous.
All by Herself // Podcast Version
Meditation Day // Podcast Version
Other Planet BBQ // Podcast Version
Invitation // Podcast Version
The Lawyer // Podcast Version
Meditation Day // Podcast Version
Other Planet BBQ // Podcast Version
The Lawyer // Podcast Version
Invitation // Podcast Version
Armed // Podcast Version
En-e-ska // Podcast Version
Garden Party // Podcast Version
At Work // Podcast Version
So Responsible! // Podcast Version
Jellia’s mother is having a very hard time adjusting to life on this new planet. Including how responsible her daughter is getting!
Communications // Podcast Version
So, Jellia’s on another planet. Which means that, from time to time, she gets… mail!!
Kissing Guests // Podcast Version
So… having company over. They are an engaged couple. And according to code and custom they are actually supposed to be doing a good deal of kissing while they are there!
Exploding Fruit // Podcast Version
Fruit looked like it would make a good export. Exploding fruit looked like it would be an interesting one!
Marks // Podcast Version
Jellia gets her first set of grades and, while she does well in all of her classes, she is shocked at how poorly she is doing in Code and Custom!
Reunion // Podcast Version
How odd to take a vacation at the place you work. Well, Jellia couldn’t think of a better place for her father’s family to meet.
Excercises // Podcast Version
Jellia has to learn how to live in this new society. Including how to pick a boy for her husband.
Congratulations // Podcast Version
In which Jellia is told her mother is pregnant, and isn’t sure how to handle the news.
A Little Charge // Podcast Version
Jellia is supposed to be wandering around, taking orders, and bringing food. She doesn’t expect to get handed a kid to babysit!
Sympathy // Podcast Version
Jellia’s mother is pregnant. Which she never thought she would be again, and doesn’t want to be, and curse this stupid planet with their stupid rules. And Jellia tries to be sympathetic.
Bracelet Off // Podcast Version
Jellia wore an ‘exo bracelet’, which told the world she was new, and would be making mistakes. The time has come to take it off.
How to Make a Baby // Podcast Version
She understands how they do it on their new planet, but how did it work on their old one?
Zoomy // Podcast Version
In which Jellia finds out her new father figure can do some work around the house. Like, plumbing!
Considering En-e-Kesh // Podcast Version
In which Jellia has to pick a boy. Or an older man.
Approval Needed // Podcast Version
In which Jellia’s proposed En-e-Drek has to decide yeah or nay.