Building New Land
“Did you just get here?” asked the man sitting next to David on the bus.
“Yes,” replied David cheerfully. “Yesterday.”
“Yeah, me too. I’m still adjusting to the time change,” chuckled the man. “But, they say they want this project done within five years, so they need workers going 24/7. No room for jet lag.”
“You’re right.”
“Where are you from?”
“Oh, nowhere,” responded David, looking out the bus’ window at the enormous construction site.
“Come on,” insisted the man, “where are you from? I’m from Venezuela.”
David turned his head and smiled. “My country was abandoned two years ago before it sank beneath the waves. It doesn’t exist anymore… I guess the ocean decided it wanted the land back.”
“I’m sorry, my friend,” said the man with dismay. To his surprise David kept smiling. “Are you not saddened by that?”
“No,” said David, looking back out the window.
“Why?”
David pointed to one of dozens of earthmovers that were scattered across the site. “Because I get to build a new country now, on new land,” he grinned.
The man nodded his head. “Hmm, I guess you’re right. I’ll have to tell my children that’s what I’m doing… Yeah, building a new country, a better country. A country that gives a damn. What’s this one called again?”
“Tranquility.”