Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 57268 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57268 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
“Sort of—you need to picture it in your mind—imagine it in great detail. Think of the way it looks but not just that—imagine the way it tastes—the way it feels on your tongue and between your teeth when you bite into it,” Gaela instructed. “Think about the scent too—how does it smell? Just remember everything about it and concentrate as hard as you can—the Thought-cooker will do the rest.”
Kara closed her eyes and pressed the suction cup even harder against her temple. It would probably be better to try something simple, she thought. She decided to picture a medium rare steak cooked to perfection and a baked potato with butter and sour cream.
Having decided what to “order” she concentrated on making the image come to life in her head. She pictured the juicy meat of a New York Strip and the crispy, salty skin of the baked potato. Then she added the creamy butter and the cool sour cream mixing together in the fluffy interior of the potato and thought how good it would taste in her mouth…how she would probably have to blow on it a little because it was hot and how…
Ding!
“Oh, there it is—you’re all done,” Gaela said, interrupting her thoughts.
Kara opened her eyes and watched as the other woman pulled open the door of the Thought-cooker. Inside, sitting on a plain china plate, was a juicy New York Strip steak and a crispy baked potato.
“My that smells delicious,” Gaela remarked, smiling. “What is it?”
“It’s called a New York Strip—it’s a cut of meat from an Earth animal called a cow,” Kara explained.
Gaela’s interest turned to horror.
“My dear—are you saying that the people of your planet eat other living beings?”
“Er…well, yes—but just animals. They’re not sentient,” Kara hastily explained.
“That’s still not right.” Gaela shook her head disapprovingly. “My people eat only dishes made from fungus that we grow in our Pure-Light Gardens.”
“But this particular steak isn’t from a real cow, right?” Kara countered. “I mean, I’m not sure what the food the Thought-cooker makes is made it from, but—”
“Oh, all the food is made from juluum,” Gaela told her. “It’s a kind of all-purpose protein/carbohydrate paste that the Thought-cooker forms into whatever shape and consistency you tell it to.”
“Paste?” Kara looked down at her steak and potato uncertainly.
“Yes, but it takes on the exact flavor and texture of whatever you imagine. Let’s try it and you’ll see!” Gaela turned to Brother Nono. “Bring us some utensils,” she ordered. “Oh, and more wine.”
“At once, My Lady.” He bowed and went to rummage in one of the drawers. A moment later he came back with two, three-tined instruments with their points set in a triangular shape and a knife that was serrated on both edges.
“Now, try your dish and see if it tastes how it should,” Gaela instructed. She seemed to have gotten over the idea of Kara eating a “living being” and was eagerly watching to see what she thought.
Kara used the knife and triangle-fork to cut off a small piece of the steak. It looked pink inside and oozed juices just like a real steak would have, she noted. She put it in her mouth and chewed experimentally. It was juice, fatty, salty, and altogether delicious.
“Mmm!” She nodded approvingly at Gaela. “Yes, it’s really good,” she said when she swallowed. “Just like a real steak!”
“Oh, good!” Her new friend smiled. “Can I try a bite then?”
“Even though the real thing comes from a cow?” Kara asked, raising her eyebrows.
“Yes but this is actually just reformed juluum, so it’s all right. I’ll let you try some of mine too,” Gaela told her.
They exchanged bites. Gaela didn’t much care for the steak but she loved the fluffy baked potato. Kara smiled to see the expression of pure bliss on the other woman’s face as she tried a bite.
“Oh my—salty and creamy and just a little sour from that white stuff,” she said, pointing at the sour cream. “That’s delicious!”
“I’m glad you like it. And that’s a potato—it’s a plant that grows in the ground,” Kara told her.
“Oh good—I’m so glad you eat plants as well as animals,” Gaela said. “I was beginning to fear you came from a planet of barbarians!”
She gave Kara a bite from her own plate and Kara thought it tasted a little like lasagna if it was made with sausage and peppers. There was also a hint of dark chocolate in the aftertaste which should have been awful but was somehow delicious instead.
After they finished their meals and drank several more glasses of wine, Gaela had Brother Nono wash the dishes and suggested watching a show.
“There’s some exciting programming on the Action Channel,” she told Kara. “Or if you’d rather watch something else—”
“The Action Channel is fine,” Kara told her. Despite the other woman’s exhibitionist tendencies, she found she was enjoying spending time with Gaela. It had been ages since she’d had a girl’s night because most of her friends still lived back on Earth and it was hard to coordinate their schedules. Plus the dark blue wine was making her feel warm and cozy and slightly light-headed—she was happy to sit on the couch and watch a mindless action movie.