'I'm sorry,' said sual. I wasn't thinking. Do tell me how the recording went. I want to know.
"OK" said Caroline, happier now the conversation was about music. She told Sual about the problems she was having with a new sonata. Sual listened and offered advice and encouragement. He promised Caroline that he would watch her next virtual concert, in two days' time.
I know you will, said Caroline. I love you.
I love you. too, said Sual, but he was not really thinking about Caroline. He was wondering whether he dare try once again to tell her what Ruth had said, but then thought that if Caroline didn't know about the Music Rooms, then she would not believe that they existed. If they did exist!
Must go, Caroline was saying. Love you, she repeated.
"Love you, too," Saul agreed. They blew kisses at each other and said goodnight. But after Caroline had gone and he was alone with his computer, Sual sat full of thought in the dark, listening to the new music by the dolphin , Wind, It was so beautiful, unlike any other kind of music. It took you on a journey.
But what if Ruth is right?' he thought. "What if this dolphin was about to make his final journey when he made this music, was about to die?"
Sual found that tears were running down his cheeks.
I have to know, he thought. I'll go back to Ruth tomorrow and I'll find out the truth about the Music Rooms.
chapter 4
The phrase "Music Rooms" had and alarm attached to it.
So the moment that Sual said the words, his and Caroline's conversation was immediately recorded by BEATCON, the British and European anti-Terrorist Control Organisation.
The building where BEATCON was based, or B Centre as it was known, was not a beautiful building, but it contained everything that any member of BEATCON had ever wanted. There were the latest Web computers for taking virtual trips and playing games. There was a large swimming pool and gym where BEATCON units could exercise. And there were the latest jetcars and jetbikes which BEATCON officers were allowed to use.
Members of BEATCON were not allowed to get married, but they didn't mind that. They had virtual relationships. And when they were thirty years old, they were offered other jobs. You had to be young in BEATCON. And you had to keep fit. The members of BEATCON were all very fit. There were frequent competitions among the units.
And the winners became part of Captain Marrs' special unit. Every BEATCON member wanted to be in the special unit. The competition was tough. And those in the special unit, the specials, were very pround to be there.
The specials thought they were the best.