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"Hi! Welcome to Mars!"
"Oh hey! Yea, isn't this amazing? I can't believe I'm actually here."
"I know right? Wasn't it surreal watching the planet get bigger?"
"Sure was. It's like a dream come true. I always wanted to be an astronaut as a kid, but I never thought I'd win a chance to actually COME here. Mars is for people with money, you know? Not a broke cashier from Bumfuck, Indiana. Know what I mean?"
"I sure do. Just make sure you hold onto your return ticket, ok?"
"Oh yea. Got it safe right here."
"Good. Let me check it for you, to make sure everything's in order before you leave the boarding area. That way if there's any problem, we can correct it before you head into the main biosphere."
"Sounds good. Here you go."
Zach hands the envelope with the return ticket to the greeter.
"Perfect. Let's see here."
With a white-gloved hand clenching the envelope, the greeter smiles as she pulls the ticket from it. Before Zach can react, she's quickly ripped it into little pieces and let them drop to the ground.
"What the.."
"Yea..see..it looks like you aren't going to be going back any time soon."
"What? You can't do this! I'm..I've..you can't do this."
"Well, we could show you to the door of the biosphere if you like. It gets pretty cold out there. If the dust storms don't sand your flesh off of your bones before you run out of breath."
"What?! No. Why is this happening?! What did I? You're not doing this to me."
Zach turns to run, but he's already been flanked by two large men in matching blue uniforms.
"There's nowhere to run, Zach", the greeter continues, "There's nowhere to hide. There's nothing to eat but the food we give you. There's nothing to drink but the water we provide. There's nothing to breathe unless we say there is, Zach. Do you understand?"
"No! No no no no! Whyyy?! What did I do? Why are you doing this to me?!"
"You're poor, Zach. You're a nobody. We need slaves Zach. Robot slaves lack a certain shall we say, psychological and physical satisfaction that's still very hard to duplicate."
"But..but I.. Please let me go home! Please!! I'll do anything!!"
"That's the spirit, Zach. Now let me introduce you to your new owner. Mr. Spacey? This is Zach."
"Nice to meet you, Zach. You probably recognize me from my acting career. Well, that's all behind me now, and let me say that I just know we're going to be good friends, and have a good time here on Mars. Just be a good boy. Ok, Zach? A very, very, VERY good boy. Now follow me. Thanks again, Erica."
"You're welcome Mr.Spacey. We hope this one lasts longer than the last one. Have a nice stay, Zach. And welcome to Mars."
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