Ria relaxed in the steaming bath. It had been another long day, but she had managed to get home early again.
Jeremy rummaged through one of the cupboards in the bathroom. He smiled at her and stared for a moment. It was so good to be spending time together again. He enjoyed seeing Ria relaxed and comfortable.
A sudden thumping noise upstairs reminded them again that they were on the lower level of an apartment.
They both groaned simultaneously. Their neighbors were always obnoxiously loud. Some nights it sounded like they dropped a box of bricks and then proceeded to throw those bricks at the walls.
"Elephants are quieter," Jeremy snorted.
This was just one of the many reasons Jeremy and Ria longed for their own home so desperately. Apartments, due to the overpopulation problem, had easily become the number one housing option for most people. Individual homes were more and more rare and cost a large sum for even the smallest of places. Even a quaint home easily boasted itself as a status symbol of wealth .
"You know," Ria smiled as she smoothed some bubbles out of the way, "there's always the option of buying an UEI home."
Jeremy paced over to the tub and sat on the floor beside it. He absentmindedly stroked Ria's wet hair and grinned at her proposition. "I thought you couldn't stand the idea of living underground."
She shrugged. "It might not be so bad. You know, they're creating gardens, parks, and family living quarters down there. Pretty close to actual homes. Besides, it couldn't hurt to own some property down there just in case..." her voice trailed off.
"In case of what?" He laid a hand on hers. "You're not referring to all the nuclear missile talk, are you?"
"Possibly," she splashed a little water at him.
"I wouldn't let all the doom-sayers worry you so much. They've been talking about the end of the world forever, it's just a new twist on what's going to kill us," he rubbed his eyes. "And wouldn't your friend or informant guy know something? I thought you said he stayed pretty connected with the military."
"Who? Alex? Oh yeah, I guess you're right. He served in the Navy, but I don't think he's every stopped being in the Navy, if you know what I mean."
"So, that, plus my parents are actually going to buy one of those places as a retirement house, and I think we have our bases covered."
"You didn't tell me this," she shifted so she could look at him better.
"Yeah, they've been building some where they live, but on a smaller scale. I guess they offer great amenities for retired people. It's not being headed up by UEI, but I can't remember the company's name. Something starting with "s."
"Huh, that's neat," she started to eye him. She liked the way his shirt clung to his lean figure. "Why don't you come join me."
"Sure, let me get undressed."
"You better," she splattered him with another handful of soapy water.
In another moment, she was bursting with high pitched giggles as Jeremy pitched himself into the tub, clothes and all.
XXXXX
The elegant reporter stood in front of the camera. Her black hair and dark skin boasted of a Spanish background. She usually sported a vibrant smile, but today her expression was grim. It was the first time the news she was reporting gave her a stir of anxiety. She couldn't lie, they usually elaborated on tragedies and possible war, but this time the facts alone were terrifying without the media adding anything extra.
"You all set, Katie," the cameraman knew she pronounced it "cat-ee," but he never bothered trying to say it right. He figured if she was in the US of A, she had no room to complain. Besides, she had turned him down three times now for something as simple as drinks after work.
"All set, Todd?" Katie asked.
"Rolling," Todd nodded his head making his baseball cap bounce.
"There has been a recent report that Northern Korea has once again threatened to attack the USA using nuclear missiles. It has also been noted that both Russia and China have been creating Weapons of Mass Destruction. Tensions continue to rise between the countries and talk of a World War Three are becoming more common place."
"The President has reassured everyone that the he and the Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency are not dismissing these threats. They are not convinced these Nations have the firing power available, but they are still not taking any chances."
"Previously, China, Russia, and North Korea have threatened to attack the U.S. Naval and Air bases, but it appears they have also declared they're intentions to strike heavy civilian populated areas as well."
"The President did state that there is no need for alarm. This is Katie with CNN reporting live from New York City."
Todd stopped filming. He usually zoned out what she said, but today he paid attention. He felt struck with an odd kind of concern for his family he hardly ever bothered to talk to.
"Hey Todd," Katie pipped up, "how about those drinks? I feel like I could use one."
