It's been a week since that weird incident with the mystery vehicle. The driver, a link to the world outside our ecocity, remains a mystery. This unsolved puzzle nags at me, reminding me of what I can't reach. Lately, I've been aimlessly driving my ecocar around Harmony Plaza. Each parking space seems to hint at life beyond our city.

"AI, can you park yourself? I'll leave here."

"For sure. Leave it to me." AI replied, stopped my vehicle and opened the door.

My shoes hit the pavement with a thud, and a vertical billboard on the sidewalk showed the message: "Environmental science with no thought for humanity is gardening." The display flickered in an array of colours and angles that resembled the surrounding cityscape; another message to beware us in the Old Way of Living.

A bold sign screamed, "Free Markets: The Path to Plunder". It was New Eden's oldest mantra against the Old Way of Living’s self-sacrifice for survival. An absurd concept, hard to fathom. Who'd choose such a life? The sign continued, "Forget labour. Embrace New Eden’s gifts: leisure, unity, sustenance, culture, health and immediate medical aid." In the old days, they called Sundays utopia.

Every table, same talk: the Council's latest spiel on right and wrong. Maddening. If they wanted us to ditch our past behaviours, they should have buried it. But maybe that's just me; others seemed to lap it up.

I reached Ada and Joanne; they exchanged a knowing glance as they looked at me.

"Since when were you avoiding coming to the plaza with us?" Joanne asked.

I sighed, my brows pull together and down. "um.. I didn't, I was, busy…" I replied.

The Harmony Plaza, our ecocity's heart, was always buzzing. Crowds filled the streets daily, mingling or taking part in activities. From concerts to art exhibits and food stalls, there was constant action. Ada, Joanne, and I were due for a plaza visit. As we walked around, distant guitar chords reached us. A small crowd enjoyed the music while laughter filled the air. It seemed everyone was having fun.

Joanne shook her head in mock disbelief. "See, I told you she was avoiding us!"

"Jojo, I don't think Mari was sidestepping, she probably just forgot about it like we sometimes do."

Joanne laughed and poked me in the side playfully. "Let me tease her a little bit!"

Directly in front of us, a delightful rhythm and grace seized our focus. Some dancers twirled harmoniously, their bodies remembering age-old steps, while others traced delicate patterns in the air with their imaginative, freestyle movements. The energy they radiated was contagious, illuminating bystanders' faces with smiles as warm and bright as sunshine while they soaked up the enchanting spectacle.

We continued walking and admiring the sights around until Ada brought up a topic that caught my attention: "Can you believe it, sweetheart? The last soul clinging to the old ways of life was finally laid to outside our ecocity."

They what?

"Those sly foxes. Many folks around still didn't had decent outhouses, yet they were quick to cobble together newfangled business ventures, aiming to profit off the wants and whims of common people." Ada added.

The words hit me hard, making me realise how much life had changed since New Eden began. I guess they figure different priorities rather than they helping with plumbing and sanitation.

Under the sun's generous powered solar rays, a collection of stalls sparkled. They were like little treasure chests, with eco-friendly delights and earth-loving drinks for everyone. Little ones scampered around, hands filled with desserts cooled by the sun itself, while adults chatted over cups of herbal tea brewed from plants nurtured by locals. 

A couple passing by said to me, "Mari? Is it you, right?"

Jerked my head back. How did he know my name? "Sure, can I help you?"

"No, you have already done, well not to me exactly, to my caregiver. The other day he almost thought you were in trouble at his farm, but you were actually opening a fresh water stream and ended saving our crops, amazing of you." The man standing tall with good posture, showing lots of teeth.

Ada and Joanne shook me with pride, and I with rounded shoulders couldn't answer the couple only wave and bow.

Close by was a playground, its structure woven from upcycled materials, a world of safe fun where they could let loose their boundless energy. 

I gazed at the vibrant life around me, a hallmark of ecocity living. Despite it all, I couldn't help but smile at the holovid's message: "In spite of hurdles, we're meant to celebrate in unity."

 It was strange how fast everyone adapted to this new lifestyle without truly grasping why. The Councillors' rule was last - but to me, it always felt like a cage without bars.

Strolling across Harmony Plaza with Ada and Joanne, a call to my name made me pivot and quint. A pair of shepherd-like in their late twenties were approaching.

"Mari, right?" the man asked.

"uh.. yeah, that would be me," I replied.

The woman smiled at me and said, "No need to worry, we just wanted to thank you for what you did for us the other day. Without your help, we wouldn't have been able to gather together our lost cattle. You were amazing!" Her words freezing my body in place.

Before I could respond, Joanne spoke up. "That was all Mari! She really is an amazing person who always goes above and beyond to help others. We are so lucky that she is part of our lives!" The couple nodded in agreement before thanking us again and heading off on their way.

As they disappeared into the crowd of people around us, Ada shook her head in awe and said, "You never fail to surprise me Mari! I guess this is why you are so great — you always find ways to lend a helping hand even when no one else will!"

"I guess I am just lucky," trying to brush it off.

"Well, I reckon I can find a bit of truth in that." Ada replied with a soft laugh.

We approached the guitar man.

"Ah, what a classic," I said with a smile. "That's The Rolling Stones, right?"

I was shocked as I recognised the lyrics of the song.

"—pleased to meet you. Hope you guess my name, oh yeah"

That's a hit, everybody is singing.

"—ah what's puzzling you, is the nature of my game, oh yeah"

My caregivers nodded in agreement, although Joanne seemed to be the only one familiar with the band's catalogue, "I know that song", she continued after a beat

"Are they still playing?"

"I don't think so, most of the members are already deceased, just one still alive, I think it is the bassist?" Joanne concluded.

"Oh I see"

"—just as every cop is a criminal, and all the sinners are saints, as heads are tails..."

Bold lyrics.

Joanna finishes saying, "the holographic recorded show doesn't do justice to what they were."

I feel like getting something to eat. "Gals, who's up for some spring rolls and dumplings?"

"Me!"

"Me too!"

Both stood up, taping their trousers to get some dust out.

The food park isn't far. Ada throws her arm around me and hugs me so we are squished together as we stroll. Joanna checks her comm for something, I guess.

I could overhear from the near video billboard, "We live in nature, nature is our body. The physical and spiritual life of humans is a part of nature…" I like the visuals in this, though, how the body and its veins comprised vines. It could make for some nightmare material for some of us, "Human life has no other meaning outside of nature, because humans are part of nature." Another joyful message by our Councillors.

The automata from the food stand are quite busy with everybody's requests. I pull my comm up display and entered the queue.

"We will share ours, right Jojo?" Ada said.

I place an order for two spring rolls and dumplings.

"We can wait by the pond fea—" a loud announcement resounded through the plaza, causing everyone to stop and listen in surprise.

We exchanged confused glances before to witness the source of the sound.

Before long, a large group had formed, eager for the news. Some jostled closer to the solar-watchtower, now a video billboard. A Councillor appeared on screen, ready to make an announcement.

"We had more than 80% of your choices at our Conductor referendum".

Oh! The public delegations forgot it was running!

"Hey Ada, who did you vote for? Who do you choose?"

"Hush now, Mari, take a gander! We ain't supposed to spill the beans, ya know. Them Caregivers' votes are kept hushed up tight." She replied.

The plaza fell into whispers as everyone's attention was drawn to the video billboard. My chest tightened as I the announcement of the new Conductor.

Suddenly, a voice emerged from the video billboard: "In our search for a new mobility Conductor, we wanted to hear from our Caregivers, who protect our culture, you think should be our new Conductor. We were blown away by the sheer number of indications she received, and it's an honour to announce Mari Sato as our new —"

My heart fluttered as I realised what had just happened — I had been chosen by 80% of caregivers as the new Conductor!? The crowd erupted into a massive cheer as I stood there with mouth falling open. A tingling sweeps up the back of the neck and across my face. Even the automata stopped its duties. Oh my, OHMY. What had just happened!? Mind went blank as this new information changes my path forward.

The voice continued: "Our new Conductor will lead us, into a new era of mobility growth and prosperity; her dedication and hard work will help shape our mobility for generations to come. Please join us in welcoming Mari Sato as your new Conductor!"

The crowd erupted into thunderous applause once again, and I felt overwhelmed by this. It was a massive a responsibility that I should carry proudly — one that I knew I wouldn't take lightly.

The idle banter with passersby became a distant hum in my mind as I focused on the daunting task at hand. A labyrinth of trials and tribulations loomed ominously before me, but one thing was crystal clear: I needed to revert to this decision.