Марта Уэллс - From a Certain Point of View

“You have every right to leave!” Elad calls out as I near the exit. “No worries. I’ll just send 3-76 to take care of Na’Tala.”

I stop. A visit from 3-76 is a death note. Na’Tala is only trying to look out for herself, like we all are. I turn back.

“Smart, Isabalia, smart! To make sure there’s no hard feelings, how about I give you access to Cloud Regalia?” Elad says. “New clothes, hmmm? Before your big meetup with Boba Fett?”

His droid punches in a code that will allow me entrance to the exclusive clothing store.

“Take care of Na’Tala and I’ll set up the meet-and-greet.”

I nod, accept his terms, and push down the guilt growing inside of me. I’m closer to my goal and this is what matters.

Before I head out, Joy rushes up to me and hands me a metallic card.

“I think you need a change as much as I do,” she says. “Tonight.”

She quickly walks back to her still-empty table. I pocket her card before anyone notices and exit the club. Outside, the suns shine bright as ever. Cloud City is fully awake. I find a quiet corner to read Joy’s card.

A Change

Sector Four

I knew today was going to be different. I felt it! I’ll hit up Cloud Regalia first before searching for Na’Tala. I will finally dress the part. I hurry to the wing where anyone who has any clout shops. Extravagant stores for only a privileged few, and today I’m one of them.

“Isabalia,” I tell the droid staffing the entrance. It punches my name and the doors open. The store is exactly what I imagined: completely pristine in white and silver with racks of clothes that can appear with just a press of a button. Because it’s on the early side, the store is somewhat empty with only a handful of customers.

“How would you like to be dressed today? Is it for a private event or a day spent in the casinos? You’re petite but shapely. Perhaps a formfitting gown that changes with every step you take?”

I try to shoo the store droid away but it’s not possible. It is relentless.

“I need clothes I can move around in,” I say. “For fighting. With hidden pockets and such.”

The droid directs me to another room. I can’t help myself. I instantly gravitate to the capes.

An older couple enters the room. The man has white hair while his partner wears hers in the elaborate Bespin braids. The man grabs a flashy outfit, stares at it with confusion, and brusquely places it back on the rack.

“This isn’t really my style.”

“Stop being so silly,” she says. “It’s not every day you mark a union as long and as fruitful as ours. Tonight, we celebrate.” She laughs, gently nudging at him.

They haven’t noticed me yet. I dig deeper into a rack as if I’m looking for something in particular. I can’t stop sneaking glances over to them. How the man caresses her cheek. How she presses into his hand. I remember when my parents looked at each other like that. They were never afraid to show tenderness, to laugh loudly at their inside jokes, to hold each other. I never had a bad childhood. I was always shown affection, just like this couple freely exhibits. But poverty makes a person hungry. Love can only get you so far.

The couple look up and see me. They give me a nod, a warm smile, and I do the same. Then they walk out with new clothes.

The droid returns with a pile of garments for me to try on. Soon I’m dressed in an extravagant blue jumpsuit with a matching cape.

“A dash of the baron administrator’s taste is always a good thing,” the droid says. I walk out of the store wearing my new threads, throwing the old ones away.

—

Breaking in to Na’Tala’s place is pretty easy. Her room is as small as mine, but unlike my empty space devoid of any personality, Na’Tala’s unit is an explosion of color and items. Clothes are thrown everywhere and every centimeter of her wall is a piece of art or a declaration. “BE FREE!” “NO FEAR!”

I rummage through her stuff, trying to find a clue, anything to point me in the right direction. Unfortunately, I find nothing but more affirmations.

Annoyed, I head out. Before I close the door my boot crunches down on something. I bend and pick up the two cracked pieces of a card . “A Change Sector Four.”

Sector Four is where it’s at, apparently. My destination is set.

As I draw nearer to the sector, I hear the sound of voices, hushed but still there. A gathering. Did Joy invite me and Na’Tala to a secret party?

“If we stop work then they will have to meet our demands for better pay. We run Cloud City. Without us, the city simply won’t function.”

Joy is at the center of this gathering, but this isn’t a social get-together. This is bad news. They’re trying to overthrow Cloud City rules. It’s not possible. Lando will never allow it. There’s a reason why we are not part of the Mining Guild. We are able to thrive under secrecy. Protesting against how things run in Cloud City is a fruitless endeavor.

“They’re wasting their time,” I mutter to myself.

“Are we?” Na’Tala suddenly appears beside me. “Heard you’ve been looking for me. Still playing the role of Elad’s messenger? Don’t worry. I got my own message for Elad.”

Na’Tala walks away and joins the others.

“Full city stoppage. It’s the only way to get their attention,” Joy says. She looks radiant, more beautiful than ever. “Who is with us?”

The crowd nods in agreement. After a few more fiery speeches, I’m left wondering why Joy thinks I would be a part of this.

“What did you think?” she asks as the crowd lingers, excited and ready for action.

“I think you guys are in for a losing battle,” I say. “Cloud City is built for business and pleasure, or have you forgotten Lando’s mandate?”

“I’ve seen you take these little jobs,” she says. “Apprehend this two-bit player. Rough up another. You’re more than that. We all are.”

How can she be so sure? This time I can’t hold her stare. Instead I look down at my shiny new boots.

“I believe in you even now when you can’t meet my eyes,” she says.

My face burns up.

“This is a pivotal time. Don’t you want to be a part of this?” Joy asks. “A real movement.”

She rests her hand on my arm, gently squeezes it. The crowd around us has all but disappeared. It’s just Joy and this hope she’s offering me.

“Why me?” I ask.

“Because it’s time to come out from the shadows and be with your people,” she says. “We’re right on the edge. It’s time to take a leap.”

I’m not used to this. She’s laying it out plain for me, this chance. But I’m destined to walk another path. Maybe if I explain this to Joy, she would understand.

“When I take care of this one thing, then I’ll be able to do whatever I want,” I say. “Boba Fett can show me the ropes and—”

Her face falls.

“You’re looking at a man hired to track others as your ticket out.” She says this with such disappointment. “I guess you better run off then. I’m sure the person you hurt won’t mind. At least you’ll be dressed in nice clothes while you do it.”

Joy storms off, and I’m left there feeling foolish in this jumpsuit that suddenly feels too tight.

—

There’s so much unrest. Whispers of the work stoppage due to start any minute. Strange new faces about. And through it all, I just can’t stop thinking of Joy and her words. I stare at the beldons but they hold no answers for me today.

Nothing has felt right. When I finally caught up with Na’Tala she didn’t put up a fight; instead she simply shook her head. “You are on the wrong side,” she said before I deposited her back to the Azure Den and Elad. I completed my task, and Elad promised the introduction I’ve been waiting for. The carbon freezing facility is where I’m to meet Boba Fett this morning. Everything I’ve worked on for so long is about to come true. Yet, why do I feel like bantha crap?