ScreenWar; the Dome early draft

The Dome was enormous as experienced from the inside. A residence like no other.

The immediate living space was modest enough. Link and Rita choose to live in an open area, no house, “just a home” as Rita said. A place to sleep was surrounded by staggered partitions allowing for some personal space. Within was a bed at one end, a couch, four free standing closets along the perimeter, wall sconces and free standing light fixtures, two each side the head of the bed, two near the open entrance. His and Her bathrooms was one of the few luxuries included. The floor was bare wood, kept toasty warm by an energy, the same energy that provided light and heat all through the Dome, that Link still did understand. Area carpets were scattered throughout the living space.

Walking out of the sleeping area into the living area was like walking into a planetarium. A domed ceiling, also the roof, one hundred feet high was breathtaking. Simply walking through, like this morning, towards the kitchen area was an awesome experience. The space was established not by walls but by furniture. Four couches, coffee and end tables scattered about, and chairs everywhere of every type were all set in a large circle around a flame that burned night and day in the center. Off to the left was a dining area that could seat forty. Beyond was the start of what would have to be described as a forest.

Walking through towards the kitchen on the right was the recreation area. This was not considered a luxury but a necessary accommodation since there was nowhere else to go to get any exercise.

A pool, tennis courts, running track, a gym with all the usual equipment and more was set up fifty yards out, separated by a row of pine trees (Link loved the smell of pine) and various shrubs set up a small hill, or a mound running the length of space from far side of the sleeping space to well beyond the kitchen.

As Rita walked around the long counter that defined the kitchen area she caught a glimpse of what laid beyond, the feature, or more accurately features, that made this residence truly amazing.

From this area the dome sloped upward. Slowly, until it was almost half a mile high at the summit of the dome three miles away, then sloped back down a mile further.

And set within this enormous expanse was a small mountain range that one might see in a rainforest.

Rita stopped at the first counter then decided to walk around the wall of cabinets, counters, appliances and pantries in front of her as she couldn’t take her eyes off the amazing site beyond.

A waterfall to the far off left, 200 feet high, and another just beyond that, feeding the lower falls, that was another 100 feet high. These were breaking through the tree line, trimmed by granite cliffs, and she could see birds soaring and gliding through the mist coming off the brink of each.

A hike early in their stay revealed the source of these and other rivers to be an access point through the Dome for air and snow which fed the entire ecosystem here.

Panning around right the mountains went higher until they scraped the roof or so it seemed, the summit being solid granite with an almost horizontal profile. Link and Rita had climbed this a number of times. More than once Rita catching Link leaping up ahead as AL, “for a laugh” when he thought she wasn’t looking.

All throughout, up and down the area was sprawling with life.

Tropical trees, animals, insects, were everywhere. Fish filled the streams and small lake down near ground level.

A Garden of Eden.

Standing there Rita felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

Her gaze following the roof, she watched the birds fly back and forth, down from the mountain to the forest on the left, overhead then around and back up the mountains.

Link and Rita were living in perfect harmony with the environment AL had created, and the environment was embracing them in return.

Lost in thought she did not notice Link sneaking up behind her.

“You’ve gaped at that view every morning for the last three years” Link said grabbing her around the waste and burying his face in her hair,

“And all I can do is stand by and look at you with the same awe and gratitude.” He felt this in her, recognizing her feelings the same as he recognized his own.

Rita turned and looked in his eyes. And now it wasn’t awe or gratitude that he was feeling and it wasn’t what Rita was feeling either. It was love, pure and simple. Their love, which had become one thing, not each love for the other but the love they shared.

As AL Link knew this love extended beyond. And in a beautiful way during their time here he felt Rita grow in that same love. In fact it was becoming overwhelming, providing the necessary strength and power for both of them.

Necessary because as amazing as it was, enduring the solitude of this place with grace and gratitude required a greater power. And this overwhelming love was providing just that.

When Link first realized Rita was growing in this capacity he was so grateful he couldn’t help but cry. Then he quickly pulled himself together; “too human”, and has been simply and thoroughly enjoying her growth ever since.