Ages Past: The Isolation

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Copyright 1992, © Casper Parks all rights reserved.

Copyright 2011, © Casper Park, book design all rights reserved.

Cover Image, Blue Marble courtesy of NASA

Special Thanks

Greg Koch, Danny Torres, Ben Satory, Rip and those at Downtown Rehearsal for putting up with me when writing screenplays many years ago.

For Jeremy, Travis, Jake and Vincent

Prayerful thanks for the blessing of an imagination.

Novels by Casper Parks

Perceptional Threshold

Ages Past

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Those Lost of Eden

The heavens await your arrival

PART ONE

Crystalline blue waters lap her shores.

Green roots deeply in her fertile womb.

Her cycles marked by seasons of color and white.

Creatures of the sea swim freely in her wetness.

Beasts of the land roam across her tundra.

Upon her breath, ride birds of flight.

From orbit shall all The Universe hold her beauty in awe.

She glistens in darkness, calling all to come and bask in her glory.

Chapter 1

Inside a pyramid above their staging planet of Horus, Benjamin stood at a window of his temporary home. Unsettled, he gazed outside. A distant bright blue celestial body sparkled in the deepness of space. Mixed emotions had him nerve racked, he was excited and apprehensive.

Was using the colonization of a new solar system laying a foundation for future problems? Had he done the right thing pushing it before the Council of All?

Numerous alien races had raised strong objections and issued vague threats of war. Their threats went unheeded. If war came, he would bear the weight of it for eternity. Was a desire to draw humankind together though interaction too much to ask?

There was no halting this Transcendent Momentum. Humans had cause to celebrate. The Arrival of Bootes into the Heavens, and now their new colony of interaction, a reward for hardships endured at the hands of the Deceivers.

As white and orange light flashed above Horus, his thoughts became distracted. Visible with each flash the outline of an enormous pyramid shimmered above the desert planet. A final radiant burst delivered the pyramid into full view.

Measuring a quarter a mile high and twenty miles at its base, pulsating energy flowing along its vertical and horizontal edges rang of immense power. If not for the energy, a glossy sable color rendered it invisible amidst the blackness of space.

Midway up the pyramid a triangular section opened revealing a docking bay. Two disk shaped crafts departed toward the distant blue planet, streaking orange light tails behind them.

Three additional ships departed and proceeded toward to Horus. Upon entering the upper atmosphere, their orange glows acquired fire reds, whites and blues sizzling upward from beneath their hauls.

As another pyramid transported into the system its flashes reflected against the glossy surface of the first one, amplifying another arrival into the solar system. This pyramid stretched ten miles at the base and a quarter mile high Pulsating hums flawlessly coincided with each other as if a song of celebration.

An overhead speaker system announced, Securing all viewing portals. After his viewing window closed, Benjamin switched on a monitor linking him to an orbiting satellite. He had a clear view of all three pyramids hovering above the red desert planet. As the sun dropped from view beyond the planet’s horizon, three scout ships returned from the surface.

Two of the ships hovered between the pyramids. The third took a position between the planet and space communities. He fingered an access code into the computer.

Their landing in progress came online. Cydonia this Alpha-Seventeen, go ahead.

Alpha-Seventeen this is Cydonia Command... We have a large number of very restless people up here. Are we cleared to land?

A woman replied, Markers are set into place and engaged. You may want to remind everyone, touching down is going to be bumpy.

After a brief acknowledgment from Cydonia, the largest pyramid's energy flow altered direction. Its colors shifted to white and burgundy. Its pulsating hum modulated then suddenly it vanished. Seconds later the other pyramids vanished in dual fashion.

* * *

Across the red desert planet, wind driven sands snaked across scattered rocks and boulders. Slipping beyond the horizon, an evening sun decorated jet stream clouds with hues of violet, red and yellow. Groups of green strobe lights cast an uncanny characteristic across barren landscaped.

Searching for a meal, two large four-foot desert crabs scuttled between the groups of lights. Dual ridges lined their ruby colored shells. With each breath of thin air, a set of ten-inch slits opened and closed along the top of their ridges. Their food of choice was a foot long sandworm. Worms sought shelter under rocks at the slightest vibration in the ground.

Desert crabs hunted in pairs. Using their pincers one crab lifted a rock, while another grabbed underneath and hoped to catch a worm. Shifting through red soil, two-foot pincers clattered amid light winds. They had hunted the same desert-plain for years. An extraordinary amount of activity had spooked worms deep into rusty soil. Over the past few weeks, poor hunting had them hungry. Again, they found no earthworms.

With a loud thump, the first pyramid flashed into view. A dust storm skirted outward as it settled onto the ground. Strobes of white, sky blue and polished copper trailed upward along its four edges. Powering down, pulsating energy hums lessoned the impact of sound waves against their new habitation.

Frightened the desert crabs burrowed themselves beneath the dirt. A strong exhale blew sand clear of their breathing ridges. Their eyes peered above the sand and watched. Burying was a protective measure not used for three hundred years. Not since the disappearance of a bug like creature akin to a five-foot Praying Mantis called the Melta. Massive volcanic eruptions had diminished the Melta population until finally gone.

Two additional pyramids flashed into view and descended at either side of the largest one. Winds dispersed additional clouds of red dust. Announcing their arrival, energy flows glistened against nightfall. Sections at the base of each pyramid swung downward and expelled black tubes that landed with hollow thuds. Fleeing toward distant mountains the crabs scurried from their hiding places, leaving wide trails in the sand behind them.

Rectangular hovercrafts exited lower hanger-bays of each pyramid. Similar to a tugboat's front bridge, their aft section lay exposed to the elements. A harmonious flux of orange energy rotated around the underside of each hovercraft.

After maneuvering into positions, they used anti-gravity beams and lifted tubes into the air. As the crafts backed away, they rotated the cylinders lengthwise. Skillful, they attached each tube twenty feet above the base of each pyramid. The tubes telescoped outward until marrying in the middle, and with a locking twist formed an airtight union between each pyramid.

Chapter 2

Two hours after arrival, Benjamin studied a live image of the nearby primary colony planet that transmitted from an orbiting satellite. The planet glistened like a shining blue star. A thin mist enveloped the planet creating a canopy. Beneath the canopy, shadowed outlines of the planet’s features highlighted a large landmass.

He engaged a slide show of the new colony on the monitor. Prerecorded panoramic images from beneath the canopy altered every few seconds. Blue water covering half of the planet surface glistened with life. Snow and ice coating the north and south poles had eco systems of their own. Colors of green, brown and white painted the planet’s large singular landmass.

Benjamin exhaled a breath and quoted, Crystalline blue waters lap her shores. Green roots deeply in her fertile womb. Her cycles marked by seasons of color and white. Creatures of the sea swim freely in her wetness. Beasts of the land roam across her tundra. Upon her breath, ride birds of flight. From orbit shall the universe hold her beauty in awe.

After quoting his poem, he turned toward the main living quarters. He hailed from a planet known as Bootes. A well-trimmed black beard accented his thin-build, and underscored high-cheek bones and squared chin. Wavy black hair rested on his shoulders.

His facial demeanor conveyed a serious thinker, while his sharp gray eyes seemed to pierce souls of those around him. An inch wide black stripe circled the neck collar of his turquoise shirt. His ebony colored pants reversed that of the shirt, with turquoise strips along the seams.

Located inside of the largest pyramid, his quarters offered a splendid view of the desert planet Horus. Obsessive, he kept a clean house. After their rough landing, he had gone about the task of un-securing everything and returning each item to its proper place. Completing the tasks alone, allowed his son time to explore their new temporary home. Only a broken stone bust needed cleaning off the floor.

His family’s accommodations consisted of three sleeping rooms, a combination dinning and main living area. Standard furniture constructed of sliver chrome metal frames had navy blue cloth on the seats, arms and backrests. A food preparation counter built into a wall made efficient use of space. A study area extended from another wall and partly into the main living area. 

Lady Miriam sat on a chair, taking in the living quarters. Strategically placed wooden and stone statues added a decor of fine art. On off-white walls hung various paintings of planets and nebulas, along with landscapes of ocean beaches and forests.  She noticed a painting of her home star system of Pleiades with additional paintings of planets and landscapes gathered around it. A lot of work had gone into developing style. Jermack was a creative genius, his concepts and arrangements stunned viewers.

She endorsed her age with a subtle flare. Decades ago, streaks of sliver adorned her straight black hair. Friendly brown eyes unveiled a sweet soul. A long smooth golden dress flowed to her ankles. Sparkling sliver encompassed the hemline and edges of the short sleeves. A sky-blue scarf lay across her shoulders. Green stone jewelry decorated her neck, and a thin golden crown with a scarlet gemstone encircled her forehead.

Feeling pinned-in by walls, Benjamin trekked back and forth across the floor. Wanting an open view of the desert terrain outside, he glimpsed at the outer-wall. A matter of safety, until securing connecting tubes between pyramids viewing windows remained closed.

His preferred sharing credit for discovery of this livable star system, his requests had fallen on deaf-ears. Expressing a reverence for Benjamin, Jason and his crew had stepped aside. Jason stood before the Council of All and proclaimed the discovery was a result of Benjamin’s direction. Hence, the Council granted ownership of the newly discovered solar system to the planet Bootes.

Lady Miriam closed her eyes and sighed. Frustrated with his pacing, she offered encouragement, Your poem described the planet perfect.

Benjamin halted, tossed his arms outward and exhaled tension, Seems to be missing flow, green roots deeply in her fertile womb? That sounds a tad on the weak side. There must be a better way of wording it.

It was fine, she insisted, the wording is flawless. You should use it as an introduction for lectures with colonists.

Unsure, Benjamin shrugged and resumed striding his lanky legs from one side of the room to other and back. His gut knotted, so much hinging on this venture. Why was he worried about a simple poem?

Before his mind wandered off to sharing discovery of the star system, he had read the poem to her. Although his thoughts had wondered for a couple minutes, it seemed like half an hour had passed. Time was dragging.

Benjamin, you’ll wear a path in the carpet before it is old. Sit and rest, leave the worrying to others.

Respectful, he clasped his hands at waist level. Lady Miriam...

She raised a palm and interrupted, You need not be so formal with me. Please sit and relax, you are making me nervous.

Benjamin walked to a chair, sat and tried to relax. Within seconds, he was fidgeting and tapping his fingers against the armrest. Then, he stood and sighed, I'm but eager for it all to begin.

It has already begun. Soon enough you'll want an end of introduction lectures to colonists.

Benjamin acknowledged he had already reached that point. Once more, he tried sitting and could not. Thinking of a separation from his soul mate, he looked at the study area. A stone bust of her head lay fragmented across the floor. He walked to the mess, knelt and picked-up several pieces.

His disappointment resonated, Tis a shame, my son shall be heartbroken. He glimpsed over his shoulder. Jermack labored long and hard on this image of his mother. It was prior to our departure that he surprised me with it. He stared at the pieces and shook his head. Tis beyond repair, I should’ve secured it in a padded box before we left.

Lady Miriam always said the appropriate thing and tonight was no-exception. Jermack is young and shall overcome a broken heart. It’s a shame your soul mate could not be among us.

Benjamin's tone reflected his sense of pride. She and our daughter are aiding the Kohana in their search. He took a trashcan from beneath his desk and began placing the broken bust into it.

Appalled, Lady Miriam stated, The Kohana? Humans usually avoid them at all cost. Dismayed, she shook her head. After what they did to those on your own home world of Bootes, I fail to understand why your soul mate aids them?

Benjamin paused from his chore of cleaning the floor. He tried to place a positive note, Not all Kohana are pleased by their Kind's treatment of us. While most unaware of his soul mate's research, it was not a secret. Those who did know spoke little of it. A mere mention of the Kohana jabbed fear into humans.

His voice lowered to a whisper of secrecy, A small group of the Kohana has broken off from their own Kind. They shall be nearing an end soon, and my soul mate is compelled to aid them.

Disapproval tightened Lady Miriam's face. Before Bootes had its awakening to the heavens, Benjamin and his wife had had contact with the Kohana. She wondered if that contact affected his better judgment. Her opinion on the subject fell at a leveled pitch, They’ve been nearing an end for some time. It does not give them a right to do as they have done, especially to those of Bootes.

Perhaps, he should have dodged the issue of his wife and daughter’s absence. It was too late. Retracting words spoken in haste was difficult. He delivered an assured excuse, These Kohana request permission prior to the gathering of genetic data, and should a human say no, this new faction will not force it upon them.

Unconvinced, Lady Miriam crossed her arms, leaned back and persisted, In dimensions past the only species found compatible for their barbaric research have been humans. Living amid darkness, the Kohana lack emotions, the only feelings they have is that of superiority. After the last of them has died, many will breathe sighs-of-relief.

She smiled and offered, Tridor’s people are nearing an end as well. Do you see them abusing other races to save themselves? No, they embrace their end as a new beginning.

Benjamin had not expected a harsh reaction from her. He had thought Miriam knew of his soul mate's research. Apparently, he was wrong. He begged her not to mention it, This faction of the Kohana is not common knowledge. If arriving colonists hear of my soul mate's work, fear may grip their hearts and....

Lady Miriam gestured a halting hand and assured, I understand. Just remember, desperate races do desperate things. She glanced at the door. I must go and prepare my lessons.

Benjamin walked her to the door and said, Thanks for stopping-by. Your presence is always welcome. Jermack shall regret that he hath missed you.

I merely wished to offer my personal thanks. I have heard so-much about the planets you discovered. I have looked forward to being here. Now that we've arrived, I sense great joy ahead for all.

Benjamin asserted, The find was not me alone.

Lady Miriam smirked, Of course... I'm going to the gardens as the first moon enters its second perigee and gather fresh fruit. She looked at an empty food basket on his dining room table. Are you taking care of the body and that of your son?

Embarrassed, Benjamin shrugged.

She hinted, Then I'll be seeing you in the gardens later?

Benjamin stared at the outer wall of his main living area and said, Only should the Givers of Life be in full view.

As if on cue the room's computer announced, Unions complete. Protective exterior shielding on levels seven through twenty-one now returned to personal control.

Lady Miriam grinned, Your spoken wish has come to pass. I will see you at the gardens during the second perigee. She turned and left before he was able to object.

Benjamin looked at the far wall and instructed, Computer, open outer-wall and engage monitoring outside noises.

The outside shielding parted open and revealed a pyramid shaped window. He stepped to the window, crossed both arms against his chest and gazed outside. Dusk had given way to early evening. Several scout ships darted across the skyline, leaving orange streaks of light trailing behind them. Light from a full moon sparkled across the barren red landscape.

Benjamin looked at the broken bust of his soul mate inside of the trashcan. A lengthy separation from her was difficult. His hand rested on top of a life size wooden statue of a dog. Jermack had carved it from a piece of solid cedar, calling it his substitute for a real dog. Proud, he smiled. The lad is talented.

Many on the planet Bootes herded sheep, goats and lamas. It was common for each family to own a herding dog, even if not used for herding. Life among the stars did not allow his own children to have a pet. His daughter never missed it. His son was another story. When Jermack was younger, he had begged for a puppy.

Benjamin petted the dog’s head and joked, At lest ye don’t need caring-after.

Gazing outside, his mind wandered. Barely twenty years had passed since Bootes had stepped to the stars. After discovery of the Kohana’s treachery on Bootes, the universe had peered into a cold and dark crevasse. Even now, humans living in the star systems of Casiopeia, Sirius, Rigel, Pleiades and Perseus remained divided on an issue of going to war against the Kohana.

A law set into place by the Council of All stated that genetic research end after those of Bootes transmitted their first radio waves. Governments on Bootes had made secret deals with the Kohana. Hence, the general population stayed ignorant to life beyond their own planet. Genetic research and abuse persisted for generation after generation. Many suspected the Kohana’s research had grown to genetic manipulation.

Benjamin was grateful his children had not witnessed the near self-destruction of their home planet. Like trapped animals, those of Bootes had turned on themselves. Cries from the humans of Rigel, Pleiades and Sirius before the High Courts had fallen on deaf-ears. The deception on Bootes had persisted for decades, until...

Benjamin forced his thoughts to converge on the present. It was in the past. Life was much better. Inspired by the arrival of Bootes into the Heavens, humans had stepped away from the crevasse and waltzed into a Golden Age. Medical and technological advances leaped forward at amazing pace. Their allies were astonished at the quick progression, their enemies dismayed and quaked with fear.

He disconnected himself from concerns of war, closed his eyes and without a spoken word he called, Jermack, my son.

Chapter 3

Jermack stared at the black walls covering the lower sections of the pyramid city. Behind him, large hydroponic gardens extended as far as an eye could see. Established inside of large wooden pots, trees laden with fruit begged for harvest. Artificial lighting bathed the entire level beneath an indigo glow.

Children had gathered throughout the gardens, sitting on benches and at picnic tables waiting for the outer-walls to open. Their voices carried vigor of youth as if empowering the gardens to grow faster.

A sense of wonderment glistened across Jermack’s blue-gray eyes. Sand-brown hair danced a crossed his shoulders. A well-toned natural muscular build accented his thin frame. His facial features near the spitting image of his father, but neither would admit their striking resemblance.

Tonight at his father’s request, Jermack wore dress clothing. Gray ran along the seams of his black pants. A black stripe encircled the collar of his gray shirt, matching a reverse pattern of his pants.

In the process of picking an apple from a tree, he halted midstream and sighed, Now what? Silent, he closed his eyes, tilted his head and answered, Yea father, I hear thee.

Where are ye? Benjamin's words transmitted as a soothing echo inside of Jermack’s mind.

I'm in the lower gardens awaiting the outer-walls to open, he replied, carrying a pitch of ‘where did you expect me to be.’

I've opened our outer-wall, do ye wish to see?

Eager, Jermack spoke aloud, Yea open your eyes unto me. As he pivoted in a tight circle, a broad smile crinkled his cheeks Ahhh, tis wondrous! Later, we must go for a hike and find stone to chisel.

Jermack sensed another presence and swung around. Surprised, he stepped backward and fell butt first into an empty tree pot. Self-conscious of his blunder, he stood and brushed dirt from the seat of his pants. Then, he looked at Waters and grinned.

Waters failed to suppress a chuckle. She was a full figured teenage woman, donning a pleasant smile. Her knee-length white-dress had designer frayed edges. A woven beaded belt used a kaleidoscopic of colors matching her headband. Straight, dark brown hair flowed to the small of her back. Her deep brown eyes twinkled of an innocence she was ready to abandon. She asked, What is so wondrous?

Being here on Horus with you, Jermack stated at a brisk clip. Days ago, her unexpected presence on this venture had shed him of homesickness, and made bearable missing his mother and sister. His heart jittered, never sure of what to say and always afraid of saying the wrong thing.

*  *  *

Benjamin caught a brief glimpse of her through his son’s eyes. Whimsical, he mocked, I'm waiting for the outer-walls to open. At peace, he shook his head and grinned. Tis a good life I have. An admirable wife who has given me fine children with whom I am pleased.

His stomach twisted and growled reminding him of the empty food basket. He wanted to gather food and depart the gardens before Lady Miriam arrived there. Yet, he wanted to avoid invading his son's time alone with his girlfriend. Instead, he quenched his stomach with a glass of cool water.

Chapter 4

Odin sat at a round oak table, stroking his fluffy white beard and daydreaming of things to come. Those in charge of processing colonists had named their mobile city on Horus, Cydonia. At the top of the largest pyramid, transparent walls presented a splendid view of the night sky. The first moon had entered its second perigee. A second moon was peeked over the horizon.

Considering his age, he was in good shape physically and mentally. Of seven elders on Horus, he was their primary spokesperson, an elected position by fellow elders, and he served as ambassador from Orion before the Council of All.

Often, he wished to retire and spend time with his great, great grandchildren. Pressing matters always seemed to arise, keeping him from a life of ease. He had numerous credits to achievements. Most recent, he had negotiated a solution to the Kohana and Bootes dilemma. With Benjamin’s assistance, Oden had gracefully tied that solution within their League of Humans and averted bitterness between human star systems.

End result, was the birth of a new colony system granted to Bootes by the Council of All, and now opened too all humans in the names of harmony and peace. Known only by a select few, Odin concealed a hidden agenda concerning colonists, a dream transcending far beyond a normal colony.

He smiled at two fellow elders seated across from each other at a large circular wooden table. Due to the scope of their operation, three other elders had remained at the League of Humans headquarters to fend-off potential problems. The seventh, a Sirian was late in arriving on Horus.

Shaman came from the same world as Lady Miriam, Pleiades, however, from opposite sides of the planet. Shaman held the title of Medical Overseer for arriving colonists. His light brown skin accented a clean-shaven face characterized by high cheekbones, a long nose and dimpled chin. Wrinkles at the edges of his eyes defined his age. Refined fabricated clothing had fringed edges and colored beads around the cuffs.

As a renowned surgeon, Shaman had written many articles and books on medicine. One of his greatest accomplishments was the extension of human life. In part due to his work, humans lived for hundreds of years. Three hundred years ago, he and Odin had forged a steadfast friendship.

Chen came from the same star system as Shaman and Lady Miriam, but a different planet. Her skin tone was a light tan. Her narrow dark brown eyes glimmered. She wore a green silk dress with two golden dragons woven into the fabric.

Odin motioned outside and said, Is not He a beautiful world?

Beautiful as Horus is, I prefer the views of our main colony planet, Shaman replied and gazed outside. There is too much desert here to suit my tastes.

Chin asked, Any suggestions on a name for our main colony planet?

Odin stroked his beard, thought for a moment and inquired, Shaman, what's your thought?

Her Calling should ordain a name, Shaman commented, keeping his gaze at the distant horizon.

Chin nodded, I agree. She looked to Odin and asked, Do you wish to discuss it further?

Odin smirked, I find it strange that you called our main colony plant Her.

Shaman shrugged. Given our platform planet is named Horus it seems only fair our main colony to be female. He passed Chin a simple smirk.

Chin moved on to a serious matter, I hate to be a bearer of bad news. A pre-viewer from Sirius who departed here three days ago never arrived at home. His family is worried.

Odin suggested, Perhaps, he is still on the main colony world?

Chin shook her head. No... Since he was reported to have left, I've been on and off the main colony several times. I've asked around and people confirmed he had departed days ago using a personal space craft and filed a flight path.

Odin stood and masked his concern. So far, they had had no serious accidents at the colony. Having a mishap may discourage arriving colonialists. With that thought he said, He could have experienced guidance or engine failure. We will have search parties retrace his course. From this point forward, none should travel alone between systems. Ships are to travel in pairs, thus if trouble arises help is nearby.

Chen walked to a transparent wall and stared outside. Odin and Shaman joined her. They caught a glimpse of a shooting star trailing across the night sky. Quiet, they pondered the days, weeks and months of work that lay ahead.

Our children shall learn and teach us much, Chen broke the silence and smiled. Shaman did you know your granddaughter Waters has been seen with the son of Benjamin?

Shaman cringed. Her mother wished for her to join us. She said coming is a good learning experience for her. Unsure he added, Of this I'm sure...

Odin chuckled, put hand on Shaman’s shoulder and advised, Concern yourself not she’s a fine great-grandchild, raised-well with respect for her elders.

When it came to his granddaughter, Shaman was very protective. So much so, he forbade her to leave their quarters until his meeting here had ended. Learning of the young man meant only one thing. She had ventured outside their quarters against his will. He frowned, Perhaps, I should not have allowed her to come.

Odin assured him, Ye worry too much.

Shaman remained uncertain. His attention turned to the incoming orange glow of two large ships. He inquired, Transports for colonists so soon?

Odin stared at the approaching spaceships and suggested, Most certainly Jason of Perseus.

Bewildered, Chin commented, Jason of Perseus. Are not our colony worlds under joint protection?

Odin wanted to speak. However, Chen pressed forward, If trouble arises Jason is too quick to fight. What of his father's assault against Zuliki’s forth moon? Wasn’t Jason a part of that assault force as well? She already knew the answers to her barrage of questions. Her only reason mentioning it was to point-out a dislike of Jason's methods for solving problems.

Odin stood firm concerning actions taken twenty years ago and retorted, He commanded a justified raid to free imprisoned humans from Bootes. It is a matter of fact the Kohana had secret arrangements with the Zuliki to exchange humans for technology. Your world should have helped in that rescue. Many lives were lost due to a lack of support from fellow humankind.

Our ways are that of peaceful solutions, Chen stated.

Odin offered an understanding nod and promised, Jason is here only to teach defensive flying to our transport pilots. Should a need arise we must be prepared.

Shaman injected, Let us pray a need never arises. He nodded toward the stars. Let us look to the future.

Chen concurred, A future, together in peace.

Odin agreed, Yes, this is a time of celebration. Bootes has reached the heavens and a new colony has just begun. From this shall spring a new-hope for humankind. He drew a concerned breath, keeping silent concerns over the Zuliki’s threat of war if the new colony proceeded.

Chapter 5

Jermack and Waters sat amidst the gardens beneath an apricot tree, waiting for the outer black walls to open. Their conversation awkward at times then