Read Online Zollocco: A Novel of Another Universe by Cynthia Joyce Clay - Free Book Online
Authors: Cynthia Joyce Clay
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proof that it is from another universe entirely. If she were an infant we could rear her in the matrix of our unified cultures. However, as she is an adult, any language she may learn here, even if she learns Leekimbee, will be Other to her, and so her life must be one of disadvantage, insecurity, and disharmony with her surroundings. We can ease her difficulties significantly by accepting our responsibility to protect her animal rights, and looking after her sentient welfare. This we can only do by entering her on the List."
The young man on the left argued, "And turn her into a commodity to be bought and sold."
Lifting his chubby arm, and swaying it to punctuate his oily remarks, the fat man sought to convince the youngest member of the board. "As the Forests have taught, no-one owns any entity. Those who pay the Zitam fee, do so for the privilege of signing the registration forms. The forms that will guarantee this creature the comforts of existence; food, shelter, medical attention, humane treatment. Would that our own children could demand such a guarantee.
"Also," added the carefully ironed, white-haired bigot, "we need to keep track of this creature. If it is not entered on the List, we will most definitely lose track of it."
"Why keep track of her? She is not a pedigree beast of--"
"There are important scientific reasons for keeping track of it," cut in the white-haired demon. "Its language acquisition needs to be studied further; its interactions need to be analyzed; its biological responses to our universe will greatly aid our medical studies."
"I am beginning to see your point, but still, I'm not sure."
Again the fat man intervened, "I can understand your problem with Listing her as a Zitam, but consider, people will never consider her a human. And if you refuse the Listing, you will be forcing people to accept her as human and they will resent her, maybe even attack her. As the Forests teach us, force resisted is violence. Give her the protection of the List."
"Well..."
"The fat man pressed his point, "She may look human at first glance, but how do we know that for sure? She is from another universe, and she chose to live in a Forest. If she is not a human it would be cruel to deny her the rights of a Zitam."
"I can not accept that she is not human, but you are correct about her need to be protected," said the young man. The white haired man smiled at his knees.
"This is the best way," urged the fat man. "Are we agreed then?"
"Agreed!" the three men chorused. The men standing behind them smiled stiffly at each other.
The fat man spoke solemnly, "In accordance with Intercultural Zitam Act, the Toelakhan traders have brought a three member board of independent and non-partisan consultants to meet the Being under question of Zitam authenticity, to examine the evidence, and to debate the question. After meeting the Being, examining the evidence presented by the Merchant Spaceship `Star's Limit', and debating the question, we the independent and non-partisan consultants do agree that this Being is from another universe, is of animal form, and has the right to the protection of the Zitam List."
The fat man then wrote on some papers and passed the papers to the others to do likewise.
"Professor Raiboothnar," said the fat man, "since you are the one to bring the creature to the Board of List, you are entitled to the presenter's commission. If you accept this payment the original registration will be in your name, but you must sell the registration within ten days. Or -- "
"Those terms are acceptable to me," said Raiboothnar, smiling sweetly for the first time in her nasty little life. Raiboothnar took the money, and the scroll was handed to her. At that moment, her teaching assistant stuck his head in the door.
"Here they come," he said.
Sunbreeze and a handful of professors and students rushed into the room, "We object to the Listing..."
"I'm sorry, you are too late. The Board has reached its decision. We have concluded
The young man on the left argued, "And turn her into a commodity to be bought and sold."
Lifting his chubby arm, and swaying it to punctuate his oily remarks, the fat man sought to convince the youngest member of the board. "As the Forests have taught, no-one owns any entity. Those who pay the Zitam fee, do so for the privilege of signing the registration forms. The forms that will guarantee this creature the comforts of existence; food, shelter, medical attention, humane treatment. Would that our own children could demand such a guarantee.
"Also," added the carefully ironed, white-haired bigot, "we need to keep track of this creature. If it is not entered on the List, we will most definitely lose track of it."
"Why keep track of her? She is not a pedigree beast of--"
"There are important scientific reasons for keeping track of it," cut in the white-haired demon. "Its language acquisition needs to be studied further; its interactions need to be analyzed; its biological responses to our universe will greatly aid our medical studies."
"I am beginning to see your point, but still, I'm not sure."
Again the fat man intervened, "I can understand your problem with Listing her as a Zitam, but consider, people will never consider her a human. And if you refuse the Listing, you will be forcing people to accept her as human and they will resent her, maybe even attack her. As the Forests teach us, force resisted is violence. Give her the protection of the List."
"Well..."
"The fat man pressed his point, "She may look human at first glance, but how do we know that for sure? She is from another universe, and she chose to live in a Forest. If she is not a human it would be cruel to deny her the rights of a Zitam."
"I can not accept that she is not human, but you are correct about her need to be protected," said the young man. The white haired man smiled at his knees.
"This is the best way," urged the fat man. "Are we agreed then?"
"Agreed!" the three men chorused. The men standing behind them smiled stiffly at each other.
The fat man spoke solemnly, "In accordance with Intercultural Zitam Act, the Toelakhan traders have brought a three member board of independent and non-partisan consultants to meet the Being under question of Zitam authenticity, to examine the evidence, and to debate the question. After meeting the Being, examining the evidence presented by the Merchant Spaceship `Star's Limit', and debating the question, we the independent and non-partisan consultants do agree that this Being is from another universe, is of animal form, and has the right to the protection of the Zitam List."
The fat man then wrote on some papers and passed the papers to the others to do likewise.
"Professor Raiboothnar," said the fat man, "since you are the one to bring the creature to the Board of List, you are entitled to the presenter's commission. If you accept this payment the original registration will be in your name, but you must sell the registration within ten days. Or -- "
"Those terms are acceptable to me," said Raiboothnar, smiling sweetly for the first time in her nasty little life. Raiboothnar took the money, and the scroll was handed to her. At that moment, her teaching assistant stuck his head in the door.
"Here they come," he said.
Sunbreeze and a handful of professors and students rushed into the room, "We object to the Listing..."
"I'm sorry, you are too late. The Board has reached its decision. We have concluded