next to her desk and opened the tablet, getting ready for the analysis of mail, all kinds of appeals, checking meetings plans and similar administrative routine.

‘Hello, Meryl! What’s up? When are you going to show us anything new?! All same old stuff on the walls!’ Robert roared with laughter, greeting his colleague.

‘Hi, Rob! Yes, everything is fine! Thanks! How are you? Recovered, as I see?!’ Meryl stood up, greeting the old friend, whom she had known since her last job, for more than 30 years.’

‘Oh, Meryl, thank you. It’s all good. My leg almost doesn’t hurt anymore. The doctors say that in a couple of weeks I won’t even remember about this joint problem.’

‘What can I say, we’ll count on it. I’m glad you’re okay!’

‘How’s Lewis doing? How’s his book coming along? I remember him telling me something about a detective story, about a financial fraud… something very intriguing. We discussed it with him at the reception, here at the museum. I think a couple of months have already passed.’

‘Oh, Rob, it’s going on, but I understand that it’s slow.’

‘So I understand—don’t you really know what your husband’s doing?’ Robert frowned exemplary.

‘I know that he has not progressed very far. So I don’t want to bother him asking questions again and again.’

‘Ah, I see, Meryl. Well, here, you know how it happens… From the outside, it seems to all of us that the job is not that difficult. One, two and you’re done.’

‘Well, I think, Rob, that’s how Lewis has imagined this project to be. But you’re probably right—he didn’t fully appreciate the complexity of this venture. You know, if he undertakes anything, he usually gets the job done. Let’s give him some more time,’ smiled Meryl.

‘Since he has retired, he feels a little uneasy. I think Lewis still feels out of place. It is important for him to understand that what he is doing is needed and in demand. That his work is useful and does good.’

‘Like we all feel, Meryl.’

‘Of course. But you know that Lewis has been active and worked hard all his life. In his new status of a pensioner he is uncomfortable.’

‘Okay, I won’t distract you any more, Meryl. As I see it, you have a couple of things to work on here,’ Robert looked at Meryl’s cluttered desk and winked at her. ‘We’ll chat later at lunch! And you’d better change this horrible exposition on the fifth line! A mere disgrace!’ They laughed.

‘See you again, dear!’

The spaceport

The journey from home to the spaceport in New Mexico, located near Upham, with transfers and waiting took about five hours. Fifteen minutes took Meryl and Lewis to get to the Obama International Train Station, located on the thirty-seventh underground level not far from the house.

A high-speed shuttle from New York delivered them in 4 hours to El Paso. And then, by the capsule waiting for them, they finally reached the spaceport America.

Of course, it would be possible to fly by plane from the Kennedy Airport to the destination direct. It would have been even a little faster—might have saved two hours. But Meryl preferred trains.

And the journey itself, the feel of being on the road, pleased them. They often preferred more complex and long tourist routes. So that to see more of interesting things. The spaceport complex of buildings, its infrastructure, rather resembled a large international airport, except that the terminals were a little smaller, and the sound effect at the launch of spaceships worried the local birds more. Initially, America was conceived as a small private project. But over time, when flights and space tourism transformed from billionaires’ hobby at the beginning of the 21st century into big business, the spaceport had grown greatly. Direct flights from all over the world were accepted there, including hypersonic aircrafts which required special servicing, a terminal for NASA, Roscosmos, European, Chinese and Japanese space programs came to life. A little later, the military also pulled up with their tasks—the launching site did not reject budget money. So, once a modest and lonely, eternally idle hangar in the desert, in 150 years since the start of operation America has grown into a huge complex, a modern space hub, covering an area of 5,000 hectares, becoming the largest logistics center in the world. Near space and international space stations, various tourist destinations, including the Moon and Mars, launches for scientific research and military missions—about 10 launches were made from the site every day.

‘Mrs and Mr Podger, we are glad to welcome you at the Spaceport America,’ smiling broadly a young guy greeted Meryl and Lewis at the hotel complex entrance. ‘My name is Bo Eridon. I am at your complete disposal throughout the day. My main job is to provide you with comprehensive assistance and support in preparation for your flight to the Moon, which start, let me remind you, is scheduled for the evening, at 18:00.’

‘Hi, Bo,’ Lewis held out his hand, and then Meryl greeted him too. ‘Glad to meet you.’

‘How did you get to El Paso? Are you tired at all?’

‘It’s fine, Bo!’ Meryl replied cheerfully. ‘What’s next on the program? May we have the details please.’

‘Yes, of course, Mrs Podger.’

‘My last name is Stern. I didn’t take my husband’s last name,’ Meryl corrected him.

‘Oh, I’m sorry, Mrs Stern. In the documents both you and your husband are listed as Podger. I will definitely make the required corrections.’

‘No problem, dear. It’s all right. I remember my husband’s last name, of course, but mine is Stern. You may call me Meryl. And Mr Podger is Lewis.’

‘Thank you, Meryl. The main program we’re having for today is as follows. It’s lunchtime now and I’m glad to have the opportunity to offer you lunch at our magnificent Como restaurant, where Chef Peter is cooking. He has two Michelin stars! I