Brave New Worlds

had discussed cruises in the five months they had known each other. She thought for a moment, but no such conversation came to mind. "No," she said, "this will be my first time. "
    "You're going to love it here," he said.
    But she didn't. Within two hours she was heaving into the toilet.
    "You should give it more of a chance," Larry said.
    "I'll try," she said.
    "It's all in your attitude. "
    "I think I'm feeling a little better," she whispered, trying to prove him right. Then she grabbed the rim of the toilet and vomited again.
    Larry spent the rest of their honeymoon pacing the ship's deck. Occasionally, between doses of Dramamine, Linda would look out the cabin window. She had never seen so much water. Larry refused to join her, refused to eat with her, refused to talk to her. He had decided to boycott any activity that included Linda.
    Linda stood under the pear tree until the taxi arrived. As it pulled over, Sarah dropped her pruning sheers and dashed across the street.
    "Sarah, I would to love talk but I need to go. "
    "I would say so. " Sarah opened the taxi door and slid into the back seat; she waved for Linda to join her. Linda crawled in.
    "Just tell me, dear," said Sarah, "why did you shoot him?"
    "Where to?" asked the driver.
    "The police station," said Linda.
    The taxi sped into the night.

    Linda stared out the window as the simple homes of Merry Valley slipped by. She felt Sarah's strong hands grab her arm and pull her close. "Now don't you worry," said Sarah. "You're not worried, are you?"
    "A little," admitted Linda.
    "There's nothing to it. Really. I had a cousin once who used a red card, and he said it was the easiest thing he ever did. "
    "Who'd he use it on?" asked Linda.
    "I don't remember. It's been years. At least five and it wasn't around here. "
    "He said it was easy?"
    "I think he shot a speeder. He always hated careless drivers. "
    Linda buried her face into the fat flesh of Sarah's right arm. She wanted to cry. The handbook had mentioned this— Shooter's Regret . It will pass , the handbook stated, just trust your decision, trust your instincts .
    "When I was young, I used to drive around with my cousin," said Sarah. "He would yell at people all the time. Yell at them for going too slow, for going too fast, for cutting him off. I wasn't surprised when I heard he had used a red card. "
    "It wasn't easy," said Linda.
    "Think he got an award for it. Used the card the same week he got it. A lot of people like to see the cards circulate. Lets more people take part in the system. "
    "How'd you know I used a red card?"
    "Why, dear, I heard it on the radio. They broke into ‘Phil's Follies. ' there's nothing as exciting as one of the cards being used. "
    "I guess," said Linda. She didn't mind excitement; she just didn't want the excitement to revolve around her.

    By the time Linda and Sarah arrived at the police station, a small crowd had already gathered. Sarah wrapped an arm around Linda and pulled her close. "OK, dear, you ready for this?"
    Linda nodded.
    "You stay by me," she snapped with authority. Linda pulled in close for protection.
    Linda recognized several faces in the crowd—Jerry Miles, Freddy Nevers, and Ann Davidson. She knew them well enough to carry on casual conversation at the Happy Druggist—Jerry's store—or Mel's Fill 'em Up where Freddy and Ann worked. There were also half a dozen people not quite as familiar to her, but she had seen them all around town at one time or another.
    Freddy Nevers called her name, and Jerry Miles even shouted a little encouragement: "Way to go!"
    Deputy Williams met Linda and Sarah at the entrance to the police station and escorted them to the reception counter. At one point, Jerry, excited at having his monotonous evening livened up a little, dashed toward Linda to congratulate her, but Deputy Williams reached out and shoved him back. Linda gave the deputy an appreciative glance. "Where were you when I needed you?" she thought.
    Barry Giles, lead reporter for Channel Seven, moved as close to Linda as he could, microphone in hand, ready to broadcast the details to all of Merry Valley. "How did it happen, Mrs. Jackson?" he called out.
    Linda started to answer, but the deputy interrupted in a low forceful voice he saved for his most serious duties. "there'll be time for that later. "
    Officer Hamilton was waiting for Linda behind a mahogany reception desk. Linda pulled a revolver out of her purse and laid it gently in front of him. After