~ is internal speech

bold is symbiote speaking with symbiote voice

Denver, February 27th 2000 (Sunday)

A few more days had passed, with Martouf and Lantash spending much of the time training on the bicycle. They were getting quite good at riding it now, and had even used it for going grocery shopping.

~We should learn some more about Tau'ri culture. Maybe go to some of those museums we read about, or go read books at a library, or go to the Zoo to see their animals?~

~Not a bad idea - we could also go see a movie in that movie theater we passed yesterday. I think the movie called 'Pitch Black' sounds good.~

~A science fiction movie. You want to watch more about the Tau'ri fantasies about space travel?~

~Yes, I find it interesting to learn about how they imagine it could be in a future where they have space travel, or where they are living on other worlds. Much of it is very naive, but also fascinating.~

~All right, let's go watch the movie then.~ Martouf agreed.

~This is interesting! They are selling various kinds of food that you bring to see a movie. I did not think the movie was so long that it was necessary to bring food?~

~It is not. It is what they call 'snacks' and 'candy' which they eat for pleasure and comfort.~

~Ah, yes, that makes sense. It sounds like it could make you fat, though - if you do it often.~

~I would assume going to a movie theater to watch movies, and buying snacks is something you do rarely.~

~Except we have seen many people who have clearly indulged too much.~ Martouf looked at the many advertisements for the snacks. ~Not surprisingly. It all looks good. It must be difficult to resist all these advertisements - they seem to be everywhere. I wonder if it is a Goa'uld ploy to make the population harmless.~

~I doubt that - and since we are not going to the movie theater very often, I am going to buy some of that funny drink they have that is called 'soda pop', more particularly 'cola'... and also some of those popcorn. They look like a snack I tried on one of Zipacna's planet's once. I don't think I want butter on them though - that sounds nasty.~

~You're welcome to pick what you want - since you're the one that gets to undo any damage to our shared body!~ Martouf noticed the clock on the wall. ~Better hurry - the movie starts in 10 minutes.~

~That was - different,~ Martouf observed when they left the movie theater. ~And the music was very loud!~

~It was, yes, but I liked the movie - and the popcorn.~

~Agreed. That was good.~ Martouf conceded.

~It is almost midnight. We should return to our apartment, because I was thinking we should go to one of those museums you mentioned tomorrow. I believe we should start early so we have time to study everything.~

~Good idea.~ Martouf unlocked their bicycle from the rack and off they went, towards their apartment.

They had not gotten far, though, before a middle-aged man in a uniform shouted at them to stop, which they did.

~I wonder what the problem is?~

~I believe that is 'police officer'.~ Martouf observed, nervously. ~I hope we have not done something wrong.~ He looked at the police officer. "Hello, sir. Did I do something wrong?"

"Did you do something wrong?" the man snorted. "Young people nowadays! You have no light on your bicycle! Don't you know that is required by the law?"

"I, uh, of course. I just... forgot them." Martouf said, frantically looking for an excuse.

~Tell him you didn't plan to stay out until so late, and that you'll never do it again. Something like that.~ Lantash suggested.

"I apologize, sir, I had not planned to remain out until it got dark, but I will make sure to remember to bring them in the future." Martouf said politely.

The police man looked a bit strangely at him for a moment. "You're not from around here, are you son?"

"No, I am from Canada. I am here to study. I just arrived about two weeks ago." Martouf told the policeman.

The policeman nodded. "I'm sure the law about bicycle lights is the same in Canada, but I guess it can be difficult being new any place. I'll let you get away without a fine this time, but make sure you remember those lights in the future!"

"Of course, sir. And thank you. Good night." Martouf said, bowing his head politely.

They hurried off, feeling very relieved they had escaped without further problems. While they had an ID, it would probably be safest if they were not written up in a police report!

Denver, February 28th 2000 (Monday)

~Ready to go to a museum?~ Martouf asked, when they had finished eating breakfast, consisting of fruit, berries, and some yogurt.

~Yes, but we need to buy bicycle lights on the way so we have them for tonight.~

~We probably returns before it is dark, though?~

~Maybe, but it is not worth the risk.~

Martouf sighed. ~I agree. Where do we get them?~

~The bicycle store, or a sports store. Or maybe one of those big stores that sell both food and other things?~

~The super markets?~

~Yes.~

~Okay, we'll check the nearest one first.~

They were on their way out of the building when they noticed some paper on the floor. Picking it up, they stared with surprise at the front.

~It's our names! It says 'Martouf Lantash', and then this address!~

~Ah, they are letters. I had forgotten about that! Our mailbox must be full since the mail is on the floor.~

~Mailbox? Ah, yes, I remember the lady from the apartment office told us about that the first day. That the mailbox was here. I've seen them, one for each of the apartments.~ Martouf shook his head. ~I don't know why I didn't think of it again.~

~We had better check the mailbox. Do you have the key for it? It is clearly locked.~

~Yes, I think so.~ Martouf took out their keys and looked at them, then found a small one, only a little larger than the one for the bicycle lock. ~This one, I think.~

~Unlock it, then!~

~Relax! I am doing just that!~ Martouf grumbled, and opened the mailbox. An avalanche of letters, advertisements, notes, and what looked to be magazines, fell out. ~Aaahhh! How did we get this much mail?~

~I... do not know! Wait... much of it seems to be what they call 'advertisements', and doesn't have our name on it. I am guessing it is given to everyone?~

~Possibly, but what do I do with it?~

~Throw it in the garbage container. There is no reason to keep anything except what was sent directly to us, and so has our name on it.~

~That makes sense.~ Martouf sighed. ~Let's go back to our apartment and sort through this, and determine if there is anything important in it.~

It took them some time going through the mail, and determining there was only four pieces of mail which was actually meant for them, and had any relevance. Two were letters from the cell phone company, one was from the bank, and one was from the apartment complex, with information that there would be an increase of $5.00 a month due to change of content of the cable package.

Martouf and Lantash threw all the rest in the garbage can, except for an advertisement from the local pizza restaurant. After moaning about how much easier it was to just fight the Goa'uld and live with the Tok'ra, they again set out on the journey they had intended to make before seeing the mail.

After trying four different stores, they had finally managed to find some bicycle lights that they could easily mount on their bicycle, and it was time for their museum visit.

~Which museum did you want to go to? An art museum?~

~No, at least not right now. I was thinking history or science, since it would be good to learn more about the Tau'ri.~

~We will learn from their art too.~

~Yes, that is true, but I think we should start with history or science.~

Martouf thought about it for a moment. ~Okay, I agree with you.~

~Good! It is called Denver Museum of Nature and Science. I found the address tonight on the internet.~

~Tonight? I don't remember that!~

~I woke up to get some water and use the facilities, and decided to check out the museums. It only took... maybe half an hour. I saw no reason to wake you up for that.~

~Right. Well, I appreciate that. I would not have wanted to be woken up for that.~

~See? I can be considerate?~

Martouf mentally rolled his eyes. ~Where do we find this museum? Can we ride the bicycle there?~

~Yes, I think so. It is in the center of the city. I have the address, and I looked at the map. I have memorized the route there.~

~Then you take control.~ Martouf insisted.

Lantash did so, and they were on their way.