Chapter 2: Pod People

Luke did not quite understand the stigma behind living in a pod. Pod Palace was known for housing on the cheap, but the unspoken part of that was if you were living in a pod, you were probably a little lonely. In order to protect themselves from emotional distress lawsuits, Pod Palace created common areas in every location. The common areas allowed for pop up shops, gyms, laundromats, and lounge areas. People no longer had to leave the building in order to live, which led to people isolating themselves from the rest of the outside world. The “pod life” subculture was unique and strange in that way. It was if they formed a small town inside of a city.

Luke stood in his pod apartment, satisfied that Lisa was wrong. He did fit in the apartment. However, while Luke could easily fit inside his new apartment, there were two changes he would have to make in his life due to the downsizing: One, he could no longer fix meals for himself and two, he could no longer bathe privately. However, these were not deal breakers for Luke, the real deal breaker for him was his inability to entertain guests.

Placing his screen on a shelf and opening the mirror app, Luke gave himself a once over in the holographic reflection of himself. Satisfied, he put his screen in his pocket and was on his way.

***

Luke arrived at Mavl’s Respite at approximately twenty-seven hundred Galactic Standard time, about an hour before his first shift. He approached the back entrance of the restaurant, where he found a human male and female having a smoke break. The male was a fair bit older than the woman, with his black hair forming a widow’s peak atop his tanned head. Luke coughed to get their attention. “Uh, hey. I’m Luke, the new guy,” said Luke with a wave. “I got a message saying to come here before my shift and that a… Grarek would be waiting for me.”

“I swear, that old bastard is always late for shit,” said the male, tossing his cigarette on the ground and stomping it out. “I’ll go get him,” he continued before putting on his toque and entering the building. The female reached out to Luke with her free hand. “Hi, I’m Kris. I’m a hostess here. That was Stu,” she said reaching out with her free hand. Luke accepted and shook her hand.

After letting go, Kris brushed a stray strand of her strawberry blonde hair behind her ear and flicked some cigarette ash onto the ground. “You smoke?” she asked.

“Nah, quit before I left earth,” explained Luke in reply.

Kris shrugged. “Well, Stu and I come out here for our break. Naomi - she was here during your interview - she comes out here too sometimes. But, like you, she don’t smoke either.”

“Naomi? She’s a hostess too, right?” Luke questioned, trying to remember some details of the woman in question. Kris shook her head in reply.

“No, she’s actually a waitress here. She took on an extra shift as a hostess because one of her roommates decided to move out, probably because of her,” replied Kris. Luke simply hummed in response, feeling that Kris may have shared information that was neither his nor Kris’ business.

At that moment, Stu returned with Grarek. “Okay, I’m here, right on time!” said the hulking alien. Stu sighed with exasperation behind him.

“No, you’re late,” stated Stu. Grarek let loose a hearty laugh in response.

“Bah! You humans have such a fickle view of time,” said Grarek, his scaly nose flaring. “Only people like me and Nuvar understand it.” Stu pinched his nose in frustration.

Grarek rushed over to Luke and grabbed his hand, squeezing extra tightly with the strength typical of the Jurgund’ran. “Hi, I’m Grarek Shé, second-in-command in the kitchen here at the Mavl’s Respite,” said the Jurgund’ran. Grarek’s hand scales felt rough in Luke’s hand. “Ya must be Look, I’m gonna show ya around today. And probably on your next shift. And the one after that - and so on - until ya get the hang of things here. Today, though, we’re gonna take it easy, sound good?”

Luke smiled in excitement. “Yeah, but uh, my name’s Luke. You said ‘look,’” he said.

“Really? My bad, kid. I’m still learning,” said the older alien in reply. He leaned in close to Luke’s ear. “I call one of the waitresses here ‘bored girl’ because I can’t say her name for the life of me.” Grarek thought he was whispering, however Luke could tell from Stu slapping his hand upon his face and Kris’ laugh, that everyone else could hear what Grarek had said.

***

“So, this is the kitchen. Ya seen one, ya seen ‘em all,” said Grarek, with his arms crossed. He then guided Luke over to a stove and gestured dramatically at it. “This is our workstation, you’re gonna be helping me out here.”

The stove was clean and shiny and there were pots and pans hanging above the stove, along with an assortment of utensils. Off to the side, there was a wooden chopping area. Luke looked over the stove and nodded before being grabbed and dragged to the next portion of the tour.

Luke was pulled into the break room where he saw a row of black lockers, vending machines for snacks and drinks, a drab sofa, and a bland table and chair. Seated at that table was Naomi, reading something on her screen. The employee’s restrooms were also accessible through this room. “This is the break room,” said Grarek with arms outstretched. “Where you can have a snack, use the restroom, and talk to the other employees.” Grarek leaned in to whisper to Luke once more. “There are two you should avoid at all costs, I’ll warn you about them later.” Naomi looked over at the pair and rolled her eyes before returning to whatever she was reading.

Grarek then strolled over to the lockers and pounded his hand against them. One opened, revealing a white toque, chef’s jacket, apron, and necktie. “You put your crap in a locker and take it out when you leave. Oh, and this is yours,” said the Jurgund’ran male as he pointed to the contents of the locker. “I’ll let you get ready, meet me at our station when you’re through.”

Luke walked over to his locker and began to put the jacket on. “So, you’re Naomi, right?” Luke asked the woman, putting one arm through a sleeve.

“Yep,” was the only reply he got. Naomi continued to focus on her screen.

“Um, I’m Luke,” he said, putting his other arm through its sleeve. “It’s nice to actually meet you.” Luke then buttoned up his jacket and began working on the necktie. After struggling with it for a bit, Luke pulled out his screen and opened the mirror app, placing it in the locker. He began to tie the piece of fabric around his neck and once it was satisfactory to him, he grabbed his screen and placed it back in his pocket.

Naomi then got up to head back to work, placing her screen in her pocket. Luke put his toque on and asked, “Hey, how do I look?” Naomi looked him up and down and then walked over, the bun in her raven colored hair bobbing with each step. She then placed her hands on the necktie and began to untie it. Luke looked at her with a look of confusion before she made eye contact with him. Her brown eyes told him that everything was going to be fine. He held his gaze on her as she rewrapped the fabric around his neck, tying it the correct way and then flattening it on his chest. She then looked up at him once more and smiled.

“Better,” she said as she walked out into the dining area. Luke felt himself release a breath he didn’t realize he was holding.

***

Luke was busy making a Chereshan side called a ferrou salad. It called for strained albo leaves, roasted ferrou fish, diced rescal peppers, and (since humanity joined the Coalition) a hearty helping of salt. It was a simple enough dish, but it still kept his mind off of the events in the locker room. Once Luke finished, he handed it off to a waiter and began to chop onions for a meal Grarek was preparing.

Grarek nudged Luke. With Luke’s attention on him, Grarek nodded at the Chereshan woman with short, teal hair, a scowl on her face as she flipped a hunk of meat. “See her?” Grarek asked.

“Uh-huh,” said Luke, briefly looking at her.

“That’s Larinda Dresh. She’s the head chef ‘round here,” he said, voice either hushed for once or drowned out by the sounds of the kitchen. “She’s also one of the people you avoid.”

“Really? Why?” asked Luke, still chopping onions.

“For one, she scares even me. Us Jurgund’ran’s are kinda known for being big on fighting, but not me. But her? She’s Chereshan Navy. And she ain’t happy about this little war that got started cuz of you guys.”

“So avoid the head chef? Yeah, yeah, I can do that,” Luke said sarcastically. He was beginning to sweat.

“It’s all good, you won’t have to put up with her for long. She’s shipping out in a few months,” said Grarek in response. Luke breathed out and wiped his face with his apron.

Luke wasn’t happy about the war either; in fact, he didn’t know many humans that were in favor of it. Everyone was anxious about it and sometimes people expressed that anxiety in dangerous ways. He knew it would be risky to move to The Shell after everything that had happened in the galaxy, but his dream was worth it, especially now that he was living it.

Luke finished up the onions and Grarek began finishing the meal in silence.

Time began move a lot quicker as Luke lost himself in the work of preparing meals. In no time at all, it was time to pack it up and let the next shift come in. As he walked out of the employee entrance into the alleyway behind the restaurant, Grarek tapped him hardly on the shoulder. Luke winced in pain. “So, kid, how was your first day here at Mavl’s Respite?” asked the scaled alien.

“It was great. Got to meet new people and do what I love,” replied Luke, grin plastered on his face like an idiot in love.

“That’s good, that’s good. So, since it’s never really stops being nighttime in this ward, a few of us were thinking of heading out for drinks to celebrate you joining the team. Whaddaya say? Ya in?” Grarek asked, his mouth in a wide smile.

“Yeah, sure.”

“Ay! The kid’s in!” shouted Grarek. Stu, Kris, and Naomi had appeared behind them and Stu and Kris both let out an excited “woohoo” before heading off ahead of Luke and Grarek. Luke looked over at Naomi and he could feel the corners of his lips turn upwards.

“Hey, Naomi,” he said getting her attention. “So, we’re all going out for drinks and I was wondering if you wanted to come with?”

Naomi’s expression didn’t change, but she reached into her bag and pulled out her screen and extended it towards Luke. Luke pulled out his own screen and tapped it on hers. With their numbers exchanged, Naomi’s expression softened. “Sure, text me which club to meet you guys at,” she said before walking off.

Luke turned to face Grarek only to find his face completely dumbstruck. “HOW?!” he shouted.

“What do you mean?” asked Luke as they started making their way out of the alleyway.

“How’d ya get Bored Girl to agree to coming out for drinks? She hasn’t done that since…” Grarek stopped for a moment. “Well, it’s not my place to say.”

“Okay, I’m not gonna pry,” said Luke stretching his arms above his head, screen still in hand. “So, where are we meeting up?”

Grarek pulled out his screen and grabbed Luke’s arm, before tapping his screen to Luke’s. “I’m gonna add you to the group chat, we’ll let you know. Then, you can let Bored Girl know where to meet us.

“Great, I’ll go get changed and you guys there,” said Luke as he started heading in the direction of the Pod Palace. “Also, you really gotta learn how to say her name, man.”

***

Luke slammed his shot glass onto the table to the resounding cheers of Stu, Kris, and Grarek. After downing five shots of tequila in a row, Luke could feel his mind becoming hazier, but he wasn’t quite drunk just yet. Or so he thought.

The club, which was named Dog Park, was quieter than most. Luke suspected that Grarek was the one to pick the club as there was no dancing and the mood generally relaxed. Perfect for someone as old as Grarek. If Luke was being honest, he preferred this as well. You could talk to people in this club and he wanted to get to know his coworkers. He couldn’t do that in a club with loud music and blinding lights.

Looking up from the table, he noticed Naomi at the entrance and waved her over. She then walked over to the bar and ordered a drink. Luke got up and walked over to her at the bar. As he approached her, he burped. “Whoa there, cowboy,” she said looking him over. “Looks like I’ve got some catching up to do, don’t I?”

Luke chuckled. “That’s, like, the most you’ve said to me since we’ve met,” he slurred. “Grarek makes you sound like a stick in the mud.”

“Well, Grarek can’t even say my name. So, maybe don’t take what he says about me too seriously,” she said before taking a sip of her drink.

“Heh, fair enough,” said Luke looking down at his feet in embarrassment. “I’m gonna head back to our table. Meet us when you’re ready?”

Naomi nodded in agreement as Luke walked backwards towards their table. When he turned around, he noticed that Stu and Grarek were both gone. Kris motioned Luke to sit next to her. Luke obliged.

“Where’s the others?” asked Luke.

“Little boy’s room. So, how long have you lived on The Shell?” asked Kris, placing her head in her hand and leaning on the table. She stared at Luke attentively.

“A few months now, I guess,” replied Luke as he stared right back, flashing her a grin. “I grew up on Earth. My twin sister would always tell me how exciting it was here and I grew up wanting to be a chef, so I figured where better to live my dream, y’know?”

“I get that. I’m a colony girl, myself. It’s just so exciting here. It doesn’t compare at all.”

“Right?”

“I meet new people everyday, I’ve gotten really good at spotting the interesting ones.”

“Oh really? Spot anyone interesting lately?” Luke asked as his face drifted closer to Kris’

Kris moved her face closer to Luke’s before saying, “Well, I’m speaking to someone right now and he seems pretty interesting from where I’m sitting.” Luke almost moved in closer to Kris before noticing Naomi out of the corner of his eye and pulled back.

“Oh, hey Naomi!” said Luke as she grabbed a chair from a neighboring table and sat down.

“Naomi, ohmigod! I didn’t know you’d be coming,” said Kris, with a gasp.

“Yeah, Luke invited me,” replied Naomi. She took a sip of her drink.

“Wow, Luke, you are just making friends all over the place today,” said Kris, placing a hand on his shoulder and smiling.

It was at that moment that Stu and Grarek returned from the bathroom. “Woo! What do you say we liven this party up?” asked Stu, with both of his fists raised in the air. He then noticed Naomi sitting at the table and nodded his head at her. “Hey, Naomi.”

As Naomi nodded her head back in reply, Kris replied to Stu’s question. “I wouldn’t mind bumping the excitement up a few notches.”

“Well, if it gets any more exciting than this, I’ll have to bow out,” said Grarek, with a strong slur in his voice. The Jurgund’ran alcohol he drank was heavy on his breath. He waved everyone a goodbye and stumbled his way out of the club.

“So, I was thinking we hit up Electric Rainbow. It’s this hot club that I heard about. I have a friend that works there and a he can get us in if we leave now,” said Stu, obviously excited about the potential change of scenery.

“I’m down,” said Luke as him and Kris got up from their seats. Kris and Stu made their way to the bar to settle the tab. Luke and Naomi pushed their seats into the table and made their way outside. Once outside, in the streets of the ward, Naomi tapped Luke on his shoulder to get his attention.

“I’m gonna head home,” said Naomi, frown on her face. “I’d love to hang out with you guys, but uh, it’s a personal thing with Juice.

Luke was disappointed but understood, so he flashed her a smile and said, “It was really nice to meet you.”

“Yeah, likewise. Wanna hang soon?” she asked confidently.

“Yeah,” said Luke, putting a hand up for a high five. Naomi returned his high five and then bade him farewell.

“Where’s Naomi going?” asked Stu.

“Home,” said Luke. “She said it was a personal thing.”

Stu sighed in frustration. “First time that girl comes along when she’s invited and she ditches halfway through,” he mumbled under his breath. Stu then continued to mumble on in frustration. Luke could barely hear it all over the sounds of the ward.

After a short walk, the group reached Electric Rainbow and was allowed in by Stu’s friend. The club was louder and brighter than Dog Park, and before Luke knew it, Kris was dragging him to the dance floor. Luke was never known for his dancing skills, but tried his best, the alcohol making him looser. Kris and Stu were much better at it; every movement of their bodies was purposeful and Luke felt like he was becoming a better dancer just by dancing with them.

As Luke danced, he and Kris got closer and closer together, before their bodies were touching. Then, Kris turned to face Luke and pushed her mouth into his. He was receptive to the kiss and kissed her back. It was at this point that they lost track of Stu.

The pair broke off their kiss and Kris dragged Luke outside so she could have a smoke break. “Are you really sure you quit back on Earth?” she asked with a slur in her voice as she offered him a cigarette.

“Hah, yeah,” replied Luke, waving the cigarette away. Luke looked out at the neon, and really took in the beauty of it. It wasn’t something he really got to do when he first moved to The Shell, but now that he had the time he was taking it in for all its splendor.

Kris piped up from somewhere behind him. “So, what do you say we get out of here?”

“What do you mean?” asked Luke, turning to face her.

“I mean, we head back to your place and we…” she trailed off. “You know.”

Luke thought about it for a second. The last time he had done the horizontal tango was before he left Earth. He was going to say yes, but then he remembered where he lived now. “Why my place? What’s wrong with your place?” he asked nervously.

“Ugh, there’s some bug infestation in one of the apartments. My place is fine, but the smell when you enter the building is revolting,” she replied as she flicked her cigarette to the ground and stomped it out. She then closed the gap between them, grabbed his shirt, and planted another kiss to Luke’s lips.

“Yeah, um,” Luke scrambled to come up with something believable. “My roommate is probably sleeping right now. If it were just me or he weren’t around, oof, absolutely.” Kris smiled at this. “But, we share a wall and he’s a light sleeper.”

Kris began to frown.

“Plus, I don’t really know him that well, and I don’t want things to get awkward. I mean, I’ve only been here a few months, and I don’t have a lot friends so…”

Kris relented at the reminder of how long Luke had been on The Shell. “Okay, okay. But, if you ever change your mind, you know where to find me,” she said with a wink before walking off.

Luke stood in place for a moment before walking home to the Pod Palace.

***

Luke entered his apartment after taking a shower in the communal shower area. He sighed at the sight of his humble abode. He still fit inside his apartment, but he couldn’t help but feel that it was more cramped than it was before. He lay down on his bed and waited until he fell asleep, staring at the ceiling.

Luke was beginning to understand why people didn’t like the pods.

Next Chapter: Chapter 3: Mesmerize