The streets were empty. Everybody was inside, celebrating Christmas together. Junior was alone, wandering around the neighbourhood, trying to gather his thoughts...
JUNIOR
I should have had something to eat...
He hadn't had any breakfast either. That was ironic, since the only thing he could remember from that morning's biology study session, was how important nutrition is to perform mentally...
His hunger was probably the reason why he had lost his temper that much. He didn't usually behave this way.
JUNIOR
What is the deal with mom?
Junior had the habit of talking to himself when he was on his own. It was something his father had taught him. According to him, it helped in thinking things through, something Junior desperately needed right now.
JUNIOR
She can't keep doing this... She needs to stop freaking out every single time...
Every single time an interstellar traveller comes to Earth wanting to bring some humans along for the ride?
Deep down, Junior knew his mother was not being unreasonable. Leaving on a journey with Konos would most likely mean he would be gone for decades, possibly never setting foot back on Earth.
What he didn't realise was the selfishness of his desire to leave the planet.
JUNIOR
It's not like I'm definitely going to be chosen to go with him...
The task to select those who were going to compete for a place on Konos' starship had been left to humans themselves. Naturally, that meant tedious and protracted litigations among countries, regarding how to select worthy candidates.
Waiting for official criteria, Junior had decided to prepare himself best he could. He was studying everything he normally enjoyed with renowned passion, and tackled topics he usually ignored with great interest. There was no guarantee that what he was studying would improve his chances to be chosen, but he couldn't just sit around doing nothing.
Given his relationship with Konos, he felt like he had an edge over everyone else, but
JUNIOR
I'm just a kid... they are probably not even going to consider me...
Actually, his young age would give him another advantage, considering the length of any interstellar voyage.
JUNIOR
But how do I get mom to agree to this?
Unbeknownst to him, Beatrix had already come to terms with Junior's will. She was sitting on the doorstep, anxiously waiting for him to return.
Junior turned the corner and saw her in the distance, solitary in the winter cold. Instead of going another way, he decided to walk home to her.
JUNIOR
Mom, I'm sorry...
Said Junior, as soon as she could hear him.
BEATRIX
You should be sorry!
She said, in an angry tone, before continuing, in a softer voice
BEATRIX
And I'm sorry too, Junior...
Junior sat down beside her. The ground was cold, but his mother's hug warmed him from the inside.
BEATRIX
You are very much like your father...
Junior smiled.
BEATRIX
You are just as stubborn as he was, and you are just as passionate when you truly want something...
She took a long, longing pause.
BEATRIX
That's why, even though I can stop you from going, it won't make you want it less...
Her mother was talking slowly, barely holding back tears, each word she was speaking costing her an immense strain.
BEATRIX
Unfortunately whatever I say or whatever I do won't slow you down...
She took another pause, gathering her thoughts.
BEATRIX
And what is going to happen if I stop you? Won't I have lost you anyway? Won't you hate me for having taking this away from you... a chance to an extraordinary life?!
JUNIOR
Mom, I...
BEATRIX
I cannot lock you in your room until Konos has left and he can't take you away from me anymore...
JUNIOR
Thank you, mom...
BEATRIX
I'm not finished!
Said Beatrix, raising her voice.
BEATRIX
I am your mother, I love you and I always will, however you choose to hurt me...
JUNIOR
I don't want to hurt you!
BEATRIX
I know you don't mean to hurt me, but you need to understand that your choices affect other people too, dear... It's fine to go your own way, to make your own decisions, but you have to be careful! Make the kind of choices that bring you closer together with people, not further apart. Listen to your mother for once: we live in order to love and be loved, that is what will make you happy...
If Beatrix had had any idea how similar her words were to Konos' own, she probably wouldn't have said them...
JUNIOR
I love you, mom...
BEATRIX
I love you too, sweetie...
