City Center, The Read Online Free

in approval of her beautification. She had been done up to replicate Marie Antoinette at the height of fashion. Her white hair was pulled up high in a mountain of intricate curls. Light blue feathers decorated the crown of her head. Her enormous dress of blue and silver satin rustled as she walked toward him. A lavish bow rested on her bosom as though she were a present just for him.
    “Sir,” she curtsied.
    “You’re a doppelganger for Queen Antoinette. I’m quite pleased. Come sit.” Morray led her to one of the couches overlooking the vineyards.
    “Thank you for your most kind invitation. The King has been neglecting me for quite some time.”
    “Why haven’t you replaced him with a second-tier nobleman to accommodate your needs?” Morray handed her a flute of sparkling champagne.
    “I haven’t found the appropriate match, sir.” She looked up. “Not since you.”
    “But that was so long ago, my dear Queen. I have a busy schedule, managing the palace and the City Center. Not to mention the labs.”
    “I understand, but it’s been so lonely this time around. The King simply cannot be satisfied. I hope things change after Graduation Day.”
    “Yes, I agree. A change would be most welcome.” He reached out and caressed her powdery cheek.
    The Queen tilted her head giving Morray space to move in closer. He touched her lips and looked into her pale blue eyes. He stopped and held her face, examining it more closely.
    “Sir?” she pulled back, embarrassed.
    “You’re not holding up as nicely as I had hoped. Your eyes. Something’s off with your eyes. Graduation Day cannot get here fast enough. You must go.” Morray got up and poured himself another drink.
    The Queen fumbled, trying to stand and maneuver the layers upon layers of fabric. Her eyes glistened. “I apologize,” she whispered.
    “Leave me,” Morray turned away.
    *
    On the rooftop, Morray made sure all ten members of Royal Court boarded the aircraft to the Arena. The King had been refreshed—his slender waist returned, and his eyes wide and alert. Planner Dickson was a true genius. After they flew off, Morray entered his personal hovercraft and flew toward the City Center. He selected a slow flight down the hill so he could take in the endless stretches of grass and vegetation where the city grid used to cover. Miles and miles of untouched land. No more meddling humans and their never-ending accumulation of waste, he thought. No more highways, cluttered neighborhoods or decaying warehouses.
    Morray lowered his craft at the eastern wall of the City Center. He entered a series of access codes and conducted his microchip and retinal scan recognition. The panel slid open and he took a private transporter to the Arena. He waited in his private room while Royal Court made their grand and sweeping entrance. The women had their hair stacked high and wore majestic gowns, the men flamboyant waistcoats. The audience burst to life with cheering and whistling. The ten members smiled and waved, as they walked to their private box. Morray waited until everyone was seated before he entered the production booth and projected his colossal hologram in the center of the Arena. Again, the crowd cheered and whistled.
    “Dear citizens of the Los Angeles City Center, welcome. As we count down the final days leading up to Graduation Day, it’s my pleasure to bring you a treat. Your votes are in and it was close.”
    He glanced to the box containing the ten members of Royal Court; relieved this would be their final performance. He had grown tired of looking at the entire lot. He needed a change in scenery. He looked down toward the box below, containing the ten Successor Candidates—the future. Their young faces fresh and dewy. He noticed one of the young female Successor Candidates staring off, uninterested. He made a note to follow up with Dickson.
    “For tonight’s surprise, Royal Court will perform a Viennese Waltz. Their final performance before we bring in