Unbound by human formalities, Konos strode away, completely ignoring the heads of states who had gathered to greet him.
KUTUZOV
Well done everybody. Great idea to bring the kid along...
Kutuzov said, looking at Konos, getting farther and farhter away.
Junior leapt off the landing pad and sprinted towards him.
JUNIOR
KONOS, COME BACK!
Junior screamed at the top of his lungs.
MIYAMOTO
What are you doing?!
"What have I done?! What am I doing?!" Junior thought to himself in a panic.
KUTUZOV
Yes... really great idea...
Junior caught up with Konos just as he was about to break into the crowd gathered around the UN building.
The police had been ordered to keep people from entering the perimeter, and weren't prepared to keep someone like Konos from getting out. Unsure about what to do, they looked at the army officers mixed between them, but they too were caught off guard. They simply moved the barriers and let Konos through.
This action was mirrored by the people in the crowd, who didn't dare come too close to the alien, and cleared a narrow path for him and Junior, who was now following him closely.
Junior carefully observed Konos behavior. His gaze was set straight in front of him, uncaring of the bewildered multitude of people standing around. When they were both through the thick of the crowd, Junior could race in front of him, put his hands on Konos' hips and scream
JUNIOR
KONOS, STOP!
Konos stopped walking and looked down at Junior.
JUNIOR
WE NEED TO GO BACK!
Said Junior, indicating the way they had just come from.
JUNIOR
They all want to meet you. There's the President of the United States, the Secretary of.. of the Soviet Union...
KONOS
Space, I need information.
JUNIOR
NO!
Said Junior, shaking his head.
JUNIOR
We need to go back. They will give you information.
KONOS
No.
Said Konos, shaking his head as well.
KONOS
I NEED information.
And with that, he walked away.
Junior just stood there, in the middle of the road, hesitant about what to do next. Should he go back? Would Konos be okay on his own?
JUNIOR
Konos, wait for me!
Cried out Junior, as, once again, he chased after the alien.
This time, to Junior's surprise, Konos actually stopped and turned around.
JUNIOR
Wait here.
Said Junior, as he looked around for someone to give him directions. He had been to the Public Library only once before, on a trip his family had taken to New York. He remembered fondly that place full of books, but he had been very young back then and now wouldn't know how to get there.
Getting someone to help him out proved harder than Junior thought, as everyone around was avoiding him as if he had a highly contagious disease.
JUNIOR
Can anyone tell me how to get to 5th Avenue?
Cried out Junior in desperation. A woman stepped off the curb towards him.
KIND WOMAN
You want to turn left and once you get to East 42nd, just turn right and walk about five blocks!
JUNIOR
Thank you so much!
Junior walked back to Konos, and was amazed to find him exactly where he had left him. He was looking around, examining the skyscrapers, the street and shop signs.
JUNIOR
This way.
He said, leading the way. Konos followed him without missing a beat. They walked in silence until East 42nd, where they were back in traffic.
JUNIOR
Konos, stay on the sidewalk.
Said Junior, and then, gesturing towards the road.
JUNIOR
You don't want to get hit!
Konos gazed at the street, where cars and trucks were speeding past them. He nodded.
JUNIOR
Do you have cars where you're from?
Asked Junior, wanting to say something. Konos looked at him, puzzled.
KONOS
Cars? What is cars?
JUNIOR
Cars! Do you have them?
Said Junior, indicating at a passing taxi.
KONOS
No. No cars.
JUNIOR
Do you have planes?
Said Junior, his arms spread out, imitating a flying plane.
Konos looked clueless, so Junior gave up on his impression.
JUNIOR
Nevermind...
Junior didn't break the silence for several minutes, as
Konos was contemplating everything and everyone around him.
JUNIOR
How old are you?
Asked Junior.
KONOS
How old? What is?
Answered Konos. "Great! How am I supposed to explain that to him?".
Junior started counting aloud, using his fingers.
JUNIOR
One second, two seconds, three seconds...
He got up to sixty and then said
JUNIOR
Sixty seconds is one minute. Sixty minutes is one hour. 24 hours is one day. 365 days is one year. I am 14 years old.
Konos nodded, but didn't reply. "Didn't have high hopes for that..." thought Junior to himself.
They walked in silence the rest of the way, until they were on the steps outside New York Public Library.
JUNIOR
This is it. In there you can find the information you need. I hope...
Konos started climbing the steps towards the entrance, but swiftly turned around to give Junior his answer.
KONOS
You are old 6 cycles. I am old 4160 cycles. I am old 9312 years.
Junior dropped his jaw, astonished by that number.
KONOS
But I die time ago...
Konos turned around and walked into the library, leaving a bewildered Junior behind.
