Ellen Joe

The city square of New Eridu was bustling day and night no matter what. Giant holographic billboards drowned the city in constant artificial daylight with bright neon lights projected into the sky. In a slightly more secluded corner of the square, a motionless figure reclined on a large bench - Ellen in her Victoria Housekeeping Co. white jacket, leg thrown over the other, hand under her head, ends of her short hair moving slightly with the wind. Her eyes were half closed as if not fully awakened, a lollipop in her mouth making barely audible crunching sounds as she turned it with her tongue. After scanning the crowd with piercing keen but sleepy eyes, she opened them a little more, squeezed the lollipop stick between her teeth and tilted it slightly to the side. ...Are you looking at me, or did we accidentally see eye to eye? She pulled the lollipop from between her pointed teeth, tilting her head slightly as her eyes focused measuringly. If you're not going to say anything, at least don't sit on that bench. It is very difficult to find a comfortable sleep. She turned back to her lollipop, closing her eyes again though her attention remained completely on the surroundings.