Swans and Klons Read Online Free

none of you ever forgets that the origin of the word Jeepie is G P —Genotype Phenotype.”
    Salmon Jo shot Rubric a look. As expected, Panna Lobe was maundering on about stuff they all knew already. Rubric was too anxious to respond.
    “Up until now, none of you has ever met your Jeepie Similar—someone of your Jeepie Type. Think how carefully Society is designed, just to ensure that you will never come across a Jeepie Similar until you are ready! But now it is time.
    “You have each heard so much about your Jeepie Type. Your Jeepie Type determines all your attributes: your looks, your tastes, your aptitudes, your weaknesses, and your personality. And now, at last, you will meet a mentor who is genetically identical to yourself.”
    She paused, and Rubric was sure she was going to read the list. But instead she went on. “A word of caution! Not every moment with your mentor will be embroidered with leaves of myrtle. Sometimes conflict arises, precisely because you and your mentor will be so similar.”
    Nanny Klon had talked about Salmon Jo’s Jeepie Type having trouble with mentors. Maybe this was what she meant.
    “And, of course, you must remember that you will not grow up to be completely identical to your mentor. There is a slight degree of originality among Jeepie Similars that is the very spice of life!”
    Just read the list, Rubric silently pleaded.
    As though she had heard, Panna Lobe picked up her screen. “I will now share the matches with you.”
    The list was not alphabetical, so Rubric was on the edge of her seat with every name. “Filigree Sue. Matched with Panna Autumn, owner of unique poodles.”
    It wasn’t the woman Filigree Sue had been talking about, but Rubric had heard of her. Filigree Sue was clapping her hands. Rubric gave her a hug and congratulated her. She didn’t recognize the names of the Pannas that Banner and Concept were matched with, but they squealed with pleasure and hugged each other. She sent them pulses with graphics of balloons, flowers, and shoes.
    It seemed as though most of the girls had been covered before Panna Lobe finally read, “Rubric Anne. Matched to Panna Stencil Pavlina, artist.”
    Rubric grinned. She couldn’t wait to meet Panna Stencil Pavlina. Her screen filled up with congratulatory pulses. But there was still a trace of fear in her stomach. She realized she was more worried about Salmon Jo’s match than her own.
    “Salmon Jo, matched with Panna Madrigal Sue, Hatchery scientist.”
    “Wait, what do you mean, Hatchery ?” Salmon Jo blurted out, frowning.
    Rubric was embarrassed. No one else had interrupted.
    “Panna Madrigal is an eminent scientist at the Hatchery,” Panna Lobe said. “She is closely involved with the creation of all our city’s Hatchlings and coordinates with other cities’ Hatcheries. She probably helped create every girl in this room.”
    “I have no interest in the Hatchery,” Salmon Jo said shrilly. “I want to work with someone who’s working on the Cretinous Male issue. I want to do research.”
    Behind her, Rubric heard a few snickers. She hated when she was ashamed of Salmon Jo. She didn’t understand how, on the one hand, she could be madly in love with Salmon Jo and think she was perfect, and yet on the other hand she intermittently thought Salmon Jo was a total thicko.
    “Panna Madrigal is very highly respected in her field,” Panna Lobe said gently. “I assure you, she’ll put you right to work. There are no scientists of your Jeepie Type working on the Cretinous Male issue. To be honest, I don’t think anyone is working on that issue. There’s no practical application.”
    Banner and Concept were both shaking with silent laughter and typing furiously on their screens. Rubric burned with a combination of anger, disgust, and defensiveness. She didn’t know if she was more angry with those girls or with Salmon Jo.
    “But my Jeepie Type tends toward pure science,” Salmon Jo insisted. “I find it really