other. Any resultant offspring would, therefore, be almost identical to both parents. As generation after generation had come together in this way it had resulted in a lack of any strong variation throughout the entire race. There were no 'black' or 'white' aliens, there were just aliens.
Their genetic quirks did not end there. Once their general schooling was complete, the aliens were genetically assessed. Their potential skill levels were then matched with any prevalent social, moral and economic need to decide upon their required vocation. In essence, therefore, it was their biological and emotional make up that decided the path their lives would take, not any personal choice.
Having such an incredible understanding of their genes and their bodies in general, the aliens were, unbelievably, able to calculate their projected date of death (accidents and errors and omissions excepted, of course). The length of their working lives would be calculated accordingly so that there was a fair and equal opportunity for each one of them to enjoy a fixed-length retirement before passing away. I found that concept particularly hard to comprehend. How would I feel knowing the date of my death? Or knowing exactly how many working days I had before I could stop and rest? Such cold precision and knowledge would do me far more harm than good. I now preferred to do nothing for a living and I enjoyed the luxury of being able to get up and not have a clue what I was going to do or where I was going to go. I thrived on the new-found spontaneity of my life.
Chapter 17
At seven-thirty on Tuesday evening Rob brought an alien home with him. He'd been shopping in Dreighton when he'd met the visitor. The novelty of their unexpected arrival on our planet and their unusual appearance had long since worn off, but I still found it difficult to come to terms with the fact that an alien had just walked through my front door.
'This is a friend of mine, Tom,' Rob said as he introduced me to the tall and gangly figure standing next to him. 'I met him while I was in town. I didn't think you'd mind if he came back for a drink and something to eat.'
'Pleased to meet you,' the visitor said, confidently reaching out a spindly hand in front of him. I took hold of it and shook it firmly, staring down as the long extended fingers wrapped around my hand and wrist. 'I hope you don't mind my being here...'
I shook my head.
'No, it's fine...' I mumbled, still shocked.
'You okay?' Rob asked, immediately picking up on my obvious unease and surprise.
'Fine,' I replied.
I really didn't mind the visitor being there, I was just struggling to get over the sudden shock of the unannounced arrival. It would have been okay if I'd had a little time to prepare. It was one thing seeing the aliens on television and even passing them in the street, but in my hallway...?
'There you go,' Rob said to his new friend. 'Told you he'd make you welcome.'
The three of us stood there for a few long seconds in an uncomfortable, awkward silence. As the host (no matter how surprised or unwilling) I took it upon myself to try and break the ice. I stood to one side so that the alien had a clear view through to the living room.
'Go on through,' I said, gesturing deeper into the house.
Rob led the alien down the hallway. Ignorant to his arrival, Siobhan stepped out of the kitchen just in time to see our guest's wiry frame disappear through the living room door.
'Was that...?' she began to ask.
I nodded.
'Certainly was. Rob brought him back with him from...'
I didn't bother to finish my sentence because it was obvious that Siobhan wasn't listening. Like one of the children of Hamlin following the Pied Piper she quickly wandered down the hall and peered round into the living room. I followed at a cautious distance. By the time I had reached the three of them the introductions were already being made. 'This is Siobhan,' Rob said. 'She's Tom's girlfriend. Bloody beautiful, isn't she? Christ knows what she sees in my brother...'
'She must like him,' the alien said quietly and factually, completely misunderstanding Rob's pathetic attempt at being funny.
'Hello,' Siobhan mumbled, uncharacteristically timidly. She squirmed and smiled like an embarrassed teenager being introduced to their favourite pop star.
'So what's your name?' I asked from the doorway. A perfectly reasonable question.
'I can't say