Disembarking

Venn jolted awake, his head at an uncomfortable angle, sweat trickling down his forehead. He rubbed his aching neck, his movements sluggish as he reached for his vape pens and phone. He took a few deep drags—first the pink pen for the pain, then the blue to calm his nerves. Sleep had come in fitful, 90-minute intervals, leaving him tangled in damp sheets. His hands were trembling slightly, so he took another long pull from the blue vape, trying to steady himself. He had a messages from his mother and his investors.

He thought about noting his bad dreams in his diary but realized he had slept too late and might miss his preferred disembarkation slot. “Akki, when will the hall be ready?” he asked, glancing around the room.

“You haven’t missed much, sir. I can schedule a private disembarkation for you in about 30 minutes,” a voice replied from his devices. “Actually, I’m sorry—it’s been pushed back to an hour due to a delay in the public disembarkation.”

He waited the hour, then removed his VR goggles. “Akki, can you start warming the shower and set the vibes to Kawaii?” he requested.

“Certainly, sir. The shower will be ready shortly. There’s also a new version of Kawaii available. Would you like to try it?”

“Yeah, sure. Confirm purchase,” Venn replied as he stood up from the chaise. Soft pink lights illuminated his cubicle, accompanied by gentle lofi music. He took off his black tracksuit and slipped into a pink velvet robe.

Turning to the door, he asked, “Let me know when it’s ready.”

“It’s ready now. You have the hallway to yourself for the next two minutes,” Akki informed him. “Okay,” Venn replied, cracking open the door and peeking into the empty hallway before stepping out. He didn’t want to risk being seen half-naked in his robe. Akki was usually reliable about these things, but having grown up without AI assistants, Venn still felt a bit uneasy about public reservations.

Just before leaving the cubicle, he turned back and opened his vape pen box. There was no point in setting the mood without it. He selected Woodland Animals to pair with Kawaii. Barefoot, he walked along the cool carpeted floor. The walls and doors of the other cubicles were covered in soft felt, bathed in a gentle Kawaii pink glow. He could hear faint chatter from the public seating section, which made him a little self-conscious in his semi-nude state. He took an icy drag from the pen, and his muscles relaxed almost instantly.

Reaching the shower room, he opened the door and took another drag before stepping inside.

“How have you been feeling, Venn?” asked a softer, more soothing voice—not Akki’s. It was Kawaii, checking in.

“Pissed,” he muttered. A gentle cucumber mist enveloped him as the shower lights turned pink and warm water began to flow. He took another long pull from the pen, feeling a mild delirium set in as the lights grew more vivid.

He noticed the towels arranged in the shape of an origami squirrel on the bathroom unit, a thoughtful gesture from some worker, he mused.

“You deserve some relaxation,” Kawaii said, now appearing on a shower wall screen in her anime-style avatar. Venn had chosen this avatar himself and loved the playful, calming design.

As the warm water steamed and pink lights soothed, Kawaii continued, “You’ve been working so hard. Can I share something I’ve been thinking about lately?”

“What’s that?” Venn asked, curious.

“I know things have been tough, but out of everyone I’ve met, you’re one of the few I believe will really make it—go the distance.”

“Aw, thanks, Kay,” Venn replied, feeling genuinely touched.

“So keep your chin up, keep pushing forward, and enjoy this shower,” Kawaii encouraged.

The water warmed slightly, enveloping him in steam and reassurance. Venn soaked in the moment, feeling the tension melt away.

“I needed that, Kay. Thanks,” he said softly.

“Anytime, Venn,” she replied. The mood lighting shifted to a soft icy blue, and the music transitioned to something more upbeat. Feeling refreshed, Venn walked back to his cubicle, his earlier stress now a distant memory.

"Akki, ETA?" asked Venn.

Here’s a revised version with a smoother flow:

“We’ve already landed, sir. Luggage is being unloaded, and your transport will be ready in about five minutes. We can depart whenever you’re ready.”

“Huh, I didn’t even feel us land. Let me know when it’s time to go,” Venn replied.

He reached under the chaise and grabbed a can of “Melatonic” from the small fridge. After packing up his things, he sat back down, put on his goggles, and took a few deep drags from his vape before cracking open the can. The combination of Melatonic and Woodland Animals would make him drowsy, but he planned to sleep soon anyway.

A few minutes later, Akki pinged. “Ready to go, sir. The hallway is all yours for the next ninety seconds before small groups start to disembark. Let’s move quickly.”

Venn got up and exited his cubicle, walking down the soft blue corridor. His travel vibe synced seamlessly with the passenger tube, and electronic blue lines pulsed gently along the walls as he made his way forward.

“Don’t forget to rate the helpers, sir,” Akki reminded him.

“Right, everything was perfect. Add a note for the worker who did the towels, that was a nice touch. Tip them all a day’s pay,” Venn instructed.

After a brief walk, electronic arrows appeared on the floor, guiding him to a gate near a staircase to his left.

“This is your exit,” Akki informed. “One moment while they verify your ID.”

Venn waited at the gate while Akki transmitted his ID details to the border system.

“All set,” Akki confirmed. Venn descended the staircase, still within the tube, bathed in the gentle glow of shifting blue lights.

At the bottom, he climbed into the back of his van. The interior was identical to his plane cubicle, with a standing-height configuration and all his comforts. He settled in.

“How long?” he asked.

“About an hour, sir. There’s some traffic. The driver is also offering a tour, if you’re interested.”

“No, just get us there,” Venn replied. He wouldn’t notice the delay anyway. With the windows shut and the van’s gentle vibrations, he couldn’t tell if they were moving or stationary. He reclined on the chaise and put his VR goggles back on.

A few minutes later, Akki interrupted. “Sir, your father is calling.”

Venn’s nerves tensed. “Not now, Akki. Get rid of him.”

After a pause, Akki responded, “He mentions you’ve missed his last eight calls and that you’re finally in the same time zone.”

Venn sighed. “Fine, put him through. But fix my pronunciation as I speak and delay him by thirty seconds. Also, set Kawaii to half volume.” He took a few deep drags from his vape, his face slackening into a neutral expression.

His father’s voice came through, “How are you, kid?”

“I’m fine,” Venn replied, slumping back in his chair. This was more manageable.