Chapter 11

Sam's parent's house was twice the size of theirs. Dan drove there with his wife navigating because he didn't know the way. Her frustration and worry did not set a good mood for the journey and visit. They swept into the drive and before the car stopped the front door opened and both a maid and a butler appeared.

The children were taken off to play and the adults congregated in a large drawing room. The décor was Victorian with more modern touches which Dan didn't like. Everything was rather ostentatious to reflect the families position in society. Eric, Sam's father was in the obligatory, three piece suit and he had a beard. Dan was glad that Eric had met the stereotype of government personnel that he had drawn in his imagination.

He recognised Eric and Sarah because they looked the same as their counterparts, but he doubted that they would be the same in character. Sarah smiled when she saw them and said hello in a tiny voice. She was definitely overwhelmed by her husband's domineering manner. Eric studied Dan's face as he shook his hand vigorously. He enquired how Dan was and asked if there had been any lasting effects from his injury.

Dan had decided to be a bit belligerent about his recent hospital stay.

£I've got some memory problems. Nothing that won't sort itself out, I imagine. I remember the work stuff, which is important, and I know the names of my family members"

That last quip was met with a sneer.

Sarah fussed over Dan which he found very sweet. She patted his shoulder each time that she passed his chair and she delivered choice titbits of food to him. She also noticed the way he acted with the children. Grace and Alex loved the fact that their father played with them and she felt wistful as she thought of Eric and his distant relationship with his daughter.

Samantha loved her father. Her feelings were more about awe and respect than a close emotional connection. Sarah had been a bridge between the two of them. It was Sarah who told her daughter how much her father cared for her. She gave twice the hugs and encouragement to make up for his physical and mental absence.

A meal was provided which Dan thought would have been referred to as a high tea. Small sandwiches and slices of cake were produced on doily strewn plates. They were eating salmon and prawns which Dan had not seen anywhere since he had turned up here. It came as no surprise that the OWG looked after their own and kept the best for themselves.

He listened as Eric droned on about his work for the OWG. He was talking about the army of bureaucrats who ensured that goods were transported around the world. The numbers of people in the various countries and their specific needs were all logged in electronic files. This was the first time someone had alluded to some kind of computer, Dan noted. He was desperate to find out more, but thought questions would get him into trouble.

"Phone calls can be made to anywhere in the world, so if there is a shortage or a crisis the OWG is able to respond quickly."

Eric was extremely proud of the government and the work he did for them. As he spoke about the myriad of foodstuffs that were transported Dan asked a question.

"Why do we not get coffee?"

"Thousands of tons of essential food are moved every day. Note Daniel, that I say essential. Coffee is a luxury and not necessary for life." Eric started to talk again but was interrupted.

"Presumably you take stuff to and from South America. Maybe someone could bring me back a plant. I could grow it in a greenhouse or a polytunnel."

"My position with the OWG is not to be exploited to get you a coffee plant. What the hell is a polytunnel."

Dan's reply was not helpful. "What the hell? If you have banned God I don't think that you can refer to hell."

Sam decided it was time to leave and rounded up the children and hurried everyone out of the door. The drive home was undertaken in stony silence.

The following day Dan would be going to work. He was nervous, but he was pleased to be going. He needed to be doing something and wanted to get to a place which was part of the OWG. He would finally see the way this vast omnipotent organisation worked. Knowledge was power and he needed to learn a great deal more before he could decide what his role in this society should be.

Dan was standing in a modern looking office He shared this space with Martin who was supposed to be his closest friend. A number of people had said hello to him when he had arrived and he was relieved that he recognised one or two of them. The building which housed the research and development team for road transport, was awash with men in suits. There were a few women in secretarial roles who wore high necked blouses and calf length skirts.

There was so much to look at and discover, but Dan was completely distracted by what appeared to be a keyboard and a monitor. He found himself rushing towards the desk desperate to touch a piece of modern technology. The screen flickered into life and a cursor blinked awaiting input. He pressed a key and saw the letter appear and then punched the air in celebration.

Martin had been standing in the doorway observing his friend and he laughed which made Dan look around.

"You are happy to be back at work then."

Dan confirmed that he was. He also told his colleague how his head injury had affected him. "If you could give me a quick tutorial on this thing and bring me up to speed on what we are working on I would be grateful."

Having knowledge about computers at this point put him in a good position. He could see the logic in the system which was demonstrated to him and learned how they used it. He referred to the computer and Martin looked bewildered.

"We call it the ESD, electronic storage device, but I like the sound of the word computer."

Initially it had been used solely for collecting data but its calculating abilities had now become its main function.

The next couple of hours were spent looking at drawings and studying information. The OWG had set down what it required and then Dan and his team set about fulfilling their wishes. It was far too soon to start introducing revolutionary ideas, so Dan just read all he could and caught up with their latest projects.

He was relieved as he settled into his work role. There was nothing here that Dan couldn't handle and he even knew a few of the people around him. At lunchtime Martin suggested that they go outside and stretch their legs. Once they were in an isolated spot Martin turned to him and began to speak freely.

"I can tell you we were really worried. We heard that you had a head injury and we were terrified that you would blurt something out. I couldn't come and see you at the hospital, that would have been odd, but then I was told that you had gone home."

Dan was feeling very nervous. What might he have blurted out?

He desperately tried to think of an appropriate response. The fact that Martin was fearful about what he might say suggested that he was part of something illicit. He studied his best friend and decided that they were probably not gay. He might be involved in some sort of religious group but that seemed unlikely. That only left one thing. He was part of an organisation which opposed the government.

"I didn't say very much at all in hospital except give me more NL15."

Martin smiled with relief. "That's good. NL15? You can only get NL12 in the pharmacy. They are bringing out new improved drugs all the time."

Dan asked what the NL stood for and was told that it was neo laudanum.

"There is a meeting on Wednesday evening. Will you be able to make it?"

Dan said that he would. He then explained that he had difficulty finding his way around and perhaps Martin could help him. Apparently, Dan had told Sam that he went to play cards with Martin every Wednesday. This was the cover for their meetings. It would be fine to have Martin call at the house before they made their way to the venue.

The time crawled by until Martin was knocking at his front door ready to take him to a meeting. The other Dan had made a commitment to some sort of group and he must at the very least find out what it was all about. He had many doubts about the OWG and, in time, he was sure that he would have found some way to protest about their actions. That decision looked like it had been taken out of his hands. He was about to discover what he was involved in.