The Golden Circuit (The Smith Chronicles) by John K. Irvine Page A

school. My ‘quota of required utilities will not be fulfilled’,” she mantra’d. “Which is why I’m not going to have the time to hang out with you that much anymore -”
    Hanoi cut in. “Well, then, we’d better get to work, eh? Can’t have you ending up as a Nite-Watch like me, can we?” He kissed Mikita on her forehead.
    Drain me, she thought. Is he ever going to take the hint?
    “What’s it on, anyway?” he asked, letting her go. “The essay, I mean.”
    “21 st Century Earth-based Cryonic Theory - that MacPherson’s Law stuff – the Scottish guy. But really, I can manage -”
    “Hey! Hang on, I might have my old paper on that lying around somewhere. On my Serene maybe, I’ll go check.”
    “No, Han, really. There’s no need. I was just going to say that I won’t be able to -”
    “Wait a second, I’ll be right back.” Hanoi left the lounge and down the hall to his bedroom.
    Men. Why don’t they ever listen?
    Mikita’s father, Ichiro, had been like that.
    When he’d not been off flying spacecraft.
    When he’d not been saying: ‘There’s an adult world, and there’s a children’s world.’
    When he’d actually taken an interest in her life…
    “Yep, here it is!” Hanoi exclaimed, coming back into the lounge. “I only got a C-, but it might be good for a start, if you’re stuck, I mean?”
    “It’s OK, Han. I can manage on my own, honestly.”
    Hanoi stepped towards Mikita. “Why are you being so defensive, Miki? Why won’t you let me help?”
    “I’m not ‘defensive’. It’s just that I need to do things on my own. Do you understand what I’m saying to you? On. My. Own.”
    Hanoi looked confused. “But we can have a future together, you and I. We’d make a great team. What with this chiseled chin, here, and your -”
    “No, Hanoi. Listen. It’s not that. And anyway, we hardly know each other. Now’s not the time to be talking about our future or being part of any team. It’s far too early for anyone to be making any kind of commitment to each other. Get to the point, Mikita! But, never mind all that, what I’m trying to say is, I think we shouldn’t -”
    “Yeah, you’re right,” said Hanoi, unexpectedly.
    “Oh. Good. So you agree with me that we should stop seeing… well… not that we were actually ‘seeing’ -”
    “Yes. I agree. It’s too early to talk about getting engaged, or marriage. But, soon, we’ll need to -”
    “Hanoi! Marriage? What in Herra’s name -?”
    “Well, Mikita. Look, there’s something I need to tell you. Something I’ve wanted to say to you for some time now. I think I’m… I’m in love with you. Well, I don’t just think I am, I know I am.”
    Mikita took a breath. What? What did he just say?
    “There. I said it. And, you know what? It feels great! I love you! I love you, Mikita Smith!”
    Oh fire!
    “Look, Mikita,” continued Hanoi. “All this talk about TAPCON and The Zip and what-not. You know, they’re really not so bad. I mean, they employ me to look after their buildings. I make money. I live quietly. I have a good life. I have you. We have each other. And when you’ re finished school in September, maybe I can talk to my boss and get you a job. Maybe we can even work together. Maybe I can get you something even better than what I do! You’re bright. Tamashito knows that, and I’m sure the people at TAPCON know it too. You wouldn’t believe what might come your way… if you only bend a little. Just say the right things to the right people, play the game a bit. Listen, let me put in a good word for you, eh? Things will work out. You’ll see.”
    Mikita said nothing. She was stunned. Even though she knew she was a product of the TAPCON system herself, she now resented everything it stood for.
    “Well, what do you think?” Hanoi asked.
    “I think you’ve lost your draining mind! Fire, Hanoi! Do you seriously believe I would ever consider working for TAPCON? Have you gone mad?”
    “Well, you’ve been