Primates with a Typewriter [Part 1]

“The density of these markets is really absurd. Every time I go to one, it feels like everyone in the city has been shoved into one spot.”

Izel commented openly as his only audience was Chima, both walking through one of the many tech-filled markets that lie on the outskirts of the city. In spite of the never ending clamor of the crowded market, Izel still felt the urge to spark conversation. Simply as a means to appease his growing boredom and heighten his focus, while they made their way through the dense alleyways.

“Hah, one of my earliest memories is when my dad took me to a market on the east side.” Izel announced, chuckling at the memory. “He was carrying me most of the day, but the one time he set me down to bargain with someone… I uh, something caught my eye and I willfully wandered off to take a look at it, aha.” He giggled. “Obviously, my pops freaked out that I wasn’t by his side. Needless to say that he panicked and ran all over the place looking for me… Thankfully he found me, but what makes it so funny is what I apparently said to him.” He explained.

“I must’ve said ‘I wasn’t lost, I was looking for you!’ Hahaha!” Izel finished with more laughter. “I doubt I said it like that, but I don’t remember what caught my eye, and looking for him, but not scared or anything… Weird hu?” He added.

Izel reflected on the memory for another moment before looking at Chima, seemingly unaware of Izel even talking. Izel allowed Chima to focus on whatever thoughts he may be lost in.

However, this did not last long, as Izel’s constant curiosity came forward.

“So, uh, what's the first stop?” Izel asked.

Several moments pass as Izel switches his gaze to the alleyway and to Chima, waiting for a response. As those moments passed, Izel realized that Chima may not have heard him. So with a light bump with his elbow on Chima’s side, he was able to get his attention.

“Hey, we’ve been walking for like 20 minutes, are we at the first stop?”

“Oh, um, yeah, not much further, I have a special order that I placed.” Chima somewhat stuttered an answer.

“Cool.” Izel simply remarked.

Once more this silence between acquaintances outweighed the noise of the crowd for Izel.

“You know I’ve been thinking of some potential modifiers that I can config into my settings to possibly strengthen my connection to the nanobots. I mean, I think it might be somethin’ useful, ya know?” Izel divulged.

“Hmm.” Chima replied with an empty mutter.

Izel saw that whatever was on Chima’s mind completely clouded the outside world. Only providing a thin veil of vocalizations for Izel to have the appearance that he’s engaged with his conversation, and not distracted by inner thoughts.

“Hey man, you alright?” Izel tapped Chima’s side again to be sure that Chima heard his words of concern.

“Um, uh, yeah, I’m great!” Chima paused his stride to force a smile, recognizing that his mental state is beginning to reflect his image in the eyes of others.

“Okay, if you say so.” Izel said with some skepticism.

“Sorry, I’ve just been thinking a lot these past few days, is all.” Chima then added as they continued to walk forward again.

“‘Bout what? It’s been pretty chill the whole week since the mission.” Izel pressed, knowing that there is more to Chima’s statement.

“Oh, yeah, um, not that, nothing to do with any mission.” Chima remarked. “This week during one of your classes, the one where you gave that presentation. I was pretty impressed to be honest.” He opened.

“Oh yeah? Thanks.” Izel expressed.

“Yeah, I never had much of an education, and in the service, we were taught… Very specific skills, if you know what I mean.” Chima implied. “What I’m saying is I never had a lot of knowledge of the world, unless it was about enemy territory. Like—You mentioned that if we focused on nukes, we wouldn’t have any Immolation Reader.” He confessed.

“Correct, the first Immolation Reader was the one who exposed the schematics for the AI pathing and neural networking of the Million Mind Machine. Which led to other Immolation Readers making themselves known by revealing very important knowledge to the world, those people helped with the many advancements and understandings. They’re much more important to our modern society than people realize.” Izel divulged.

“Exactly, I didn’t know that. Everyone around me always labeled them as terrorists, and idiots… But hearing you talk about them so thoughtfully, opened my eyes a little.” Chima expressed with a hint of gratitude. “And, it just feels like I’ve been lied to for most of my life.” He quietly opened.

“Wow, um, thanks, no one’s ever said such nice things about my ideas.” Izel shyly mentioned.

“Hah, no problem kid, we’re in this together. I like to give praise where it's deserved.” Chima announced with what appeared to be joy as he wrapped his arm around Izel.

“Thanks.” Izel smiled, pinned to Chima.

“Oh, perfect timing! There’s the shop.” Chima quickly pointed.

Within moments, Chima and Izel entered a surprisingly empty shop. With the clamor of the crowd outside still audible, but greatly lessened, they two were able to find some solace in this quiet shop. Izel’s curiosity swiftly guided him to examine the space of the shop. Chima simply made his way to the front, promptly asking for his order and providing a ticket. Chima and Izel locked eyes for a moment, Chima indicating that the shopkeep will likely take a few moments. Understanding this, Izel decided to wander around in the shop. It was more than apparent that this shop specialized in weaponry, however, there weren't any complete ideas of any weapons. As the shop is riddled with parts and pieces of many types of weaponry, most completely unidentifiable.

Scanning every corner of the shop, nothing felt too surprising to Izel. Until a showcase of sorts caught his eye. Tucked away in the back of the shop. The showcase was full of old memorabilia from the World Wars along with more local wars in the Americas. Izel’s curiosity began to grow as he started to hypothesize what kind of special order Chima could need for an upcoming mission. Especially one that would store such old gimmicks as worn badges, used ammo cartridges, deprived flags, and letters that were meant to exchange strategic ideas, instead are simple conversations of hate.

“Believe it or not, a lot of people collect this kind of stuff.” Chima mentioned, quietly approached Izel from behind.

“Oh, I believe it.” Izel remarked. “It's just kinda crazy—Like trying to cling onto a past you were never part of.” He added.

“Holding on to something that forced so many into situations of survival.” Chima spoke with reserved frustrations. “Willfully ignoring the meanings for these conflicts so that these worthless objects can survive.” He remarked with angst.

Izel continued to recognize the clear shift with Chima and his personality. Unfortunately, Izel still does not know Chima as well as the others, so he doesn't find a moment to potentially ask Chima directly. He just stands beside Chima, studying the memorabilia and the gravity that these plain objects hold.

“Hey.” Chima suddenly said, for Izel to nod in his direction. “Do you know anything about the ‘Three Mystic Apes’?” He then asked Izel, as if it was a personal test of his intellect.

“Um, yeah, it's that proverb: ‘see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil’, right?” Izel recalled, rubbing his neck. “Isn’t it about overthinking evil and how that can be as harmful to a person as evil itself?” He analyzed.

“Hah, you are pretty smart.” Chima mentioned with an impressed chuckle at Izel’s knowledge. “Yeah, that’s been one interpretation: dwelling on evil thoughts can lead to your own evils. The other one being the idea of turning a blind eye.” He explained.

“Feigning ignorance.” Izel commented. “A really easy action for someone to take when you are always told to do your job.” He asserted with a mild scoff.

“A lot of what I did in the service felt like that.” Chima mutters with an undertone of regret.