I wake up feeling extra hot and sweaty. Then I turn over and realize that it’s because Michelle is in my bed. I find out why when we both go to the kitchen to eat breakfast.
Michelle: Sorry for hijacking your bed last night. I’m just not used to sleeping in a room all alone yet.
I can definitely understand that.
Alida: It’s okay…no big deal.
Michelle grabs a plate and sits down.
Michelle: Truth is…I also had a hard time sleeping because I’m nervous about my audition today.
Alida: Why? They’d be crazy not to hire you. You’re the most talented person I know.
Michelle: Yeah, but I’m also…me. How many people like me have you seen on commercials?
Alida: What do you mean…like you?
Michelle: You know what I mean…
I realize that Michelle is referring to her gender identity, but I’m not exactly sure how to ease her anxiety.
Alida: Not many…but someone has to pave the way, right?
Michelle: I guess so.
I have an idea to get Michelle’s mind off of her audition.
Alida: Hey…let’s get out the house and find where the locals hang out!
Michelle: I thought we already did that…at the bar.
Alida: That was mostly a military crowd though. We need to find the civilian folks…like us!
I take Michelle to the café that I discovered before we moved here. Unfortunately, the place doesn’t appear to be open. It’s completely empty. This is where I met Q for the 2nd time. After telling me about the job board…he seemed to quickly disappear, which I know is impossible.
Alida: *looks around* Hmmm…there has to be something else around here.
Michelle: Maybe we should just go back to the bar.
The bar is not really my type of scene and I’m not quite ready to give up yet.
Alida: Let’s just wait here for a bit. Maybe someone will show up.
Sure enough…within minutes a couple of people arrive and head straight towards the wreckage. That’s when I notice that there’s a big sign pointing towards a door hidden by a big broken off section of the airplane. Michelle and I follow them.
Michelle opens the door but hesitates at the top of some metal stairs.
Michelle: This place is all kinds of creepy.
I urge her to go down the stairs…
Alida: Let’s just see what’s down there. If we don’t like what we see…we’ll turn back.
Reluctantly, she heads down with me right at her heels. Then she stops suddenly…
Michelle: What if they murder people down here? We haven’t exactly seen anyone leave yet.
Alida: Remember…Michelle Blu is fearless – nobody f*&ks with her!
Michelle: Right…I needed the reminder. Let’s go check it out.
Michelle continues leading the way and opens the door to some sort of lounge. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen and to my surprise, there are bubble machines all over.
Alida: Oh my Gawd…it’s a bubble lounge!
Michelle: A what?
I hurry, sit in front of one of the machines and grab one of the nozzles. Michelle follows.
I inhale the bubble solution and blow out a series of beautifully formed bubbles. Blowing bubbles has been a stress reliever for me all my life. Now I’ve found the adult way to enjoy it. I believe I’ve found my heaven!
Michelle: Well? How do you feel?
Alida: Light and airy!
Michelle: It doesn’t seem like this is for me. I have to keep my head clear for my audition…but I do see a jukebox. Catch you later…
Michelle gets up and heads to the music. I grab the nozzle once again to give it another go.
(Generation 1a Chapter Summaries)
