A story that is told
-So, kids, it's time to tell you a story-
The children all sat in a circle, the younger ones in the front, the older in the back.
-By now some of you are old enough to discover our city's story-
The younger ones opened their eyes wide, everybody loved to listen to his tales, he was capable of carrying them in breath-taking, always new adventures.
The older ones, who already knew the story, were still fond of hearing it once again.
-Is this a real story?
There was a light astonishment among the little boys, while the elders giggled. They weren't all convinced about his words, after all he was able to come up with stories that neither the most famous adventures books could tell.
-So, let's begin! Everything started 16 years ago, right on this planet, Deponia, specifically on the continent we're living in, Elisia-
Elisia was a sad continent whose cities were filled and filled with garbage, so much garbage, as far as the eyes could see. In Krem, our city, the inhabitants led their lives in peace, resigned to the idea of living in a continent with such limited resources, lousy food and little potable water, even abandoning the dream of running away one day. It was like this for the 99% of the inhabitants of the city of Krem, yes the 99%, because there was one boy who, a few years ago, decided to one day leave that filthy town, reach Elysium, the city in the sky, and live a life of wealth among green grasses and clear brooks.
Unfortunately, the town's inhabitants couldn't reach this idyllic city, if you consider that Elysians contributed to the filth of the continent by tossing in it their garbage, this exacerbated their conflict.
But not for him, he was going to reach it, he who was motherless since he was 8 and abandoned by his father from the age of 12 would have got to Elysium, oh yes he would…But I want to tell you this story right from the beginning, the story of how this guy not only saved Deponia from total destruction, but also completely changed his life.
16 years ago
Day 365, attempt n. 184.
We're in Krem, a city known for its handyman citizens, or, to put it clearly, those who spent their lives among garbage and junk trying to use it in order to always come up with something new…simply put, they run on fumes, right here where our story begins.
*BOOM,SBAM*
-RUUUFUS!- the voice of a young woman echoed down the alley and a pile of thrash fell down.
-Aio- came from beneath the ruins.
A young boy stood up shaking the dust off, he was thin with dark eyes, he was wearing a long brown jacket with a blue-collar fluorescent orange t-shirt underneath, sand colored trousers and a red bandana decorating his neck, a hat with squared glasses and, the funniest thing of all, an enormous lock of hair coming out from it, orderly and straight thanks to who knows which physical law.
-I must have miscalculated the distance, it will go better next time- he said, trying to calm her down.
The girl, dressed in simple working clothes, frowned, highlighting the blushing that was slowly covering her face. She had chestnut brown hair, pulled back in a ponytail, blue eyes and a slim figure.
-Goddamn you, you're a disaster- she burst out –You destroyed the column that used to hold up the goods lift. And now one of the rockets is headed to God knows where…-
-Yes, that "pile of trash", like you called it, held the rope that carried the goods down to the valley- she kept on going irately.
-It was garbage- he answered with boredom.
The girl stamped her feet and clenched her fists.
-You have to stop, Rufus, you're never going to get to Elysium, we're not allowed to, why can't you get over it!-
-Tony- he began, apparently serious -I'm not going to throw my life away in this sucky place-
-This sucky place is the same sucky place where you, where we grew up-
He pretended not to hear her while picking up junk, most likely for a new attempt.
-What a bore, why do I always have to say the same things over and over- she said to herself, then raised her voice in order to be heard –It's the place where your mother gave her life for…- She stopped as if the last word went down the wrong way.
Rufus was looking toward her, a glance both serious and saddened.
She sighed, then he got near her. He wasn't very tall for a 19 year old boy, maybe 1.70.
They made eye contact; it was in moment like that that Tony realized the reason why she kept on running after him with a first aid kit, though they haven't been a couple for several months now. That boy's eyes sparkled of a certain light, one that she couldn't explain but was drawn to like a magnet.
-Tony…I'm going out of here- he said firmly –I will reach Elysium-
Tony began to look concerned, she had heard those words multiple times before and now it was like she pitied him, than she bent her head and lighted a cigarette.
-Do as you like- she said and got a few steps away.
At the same time, a thunder split the sky open, awakening their interest.
Something that looked like a space shuttle was falling from the sky. It didn't take much for it to hit the ground and, when it did it lifted a lot of dust downhill.
-What the hell was that?!- asked Tony, startled.
Rufus opened his mouth wide in a giant smile.
-My ticket to Elysium!- he finally cried out.
