The Observatory

"Hey look, there's nobody here!" 

"There's security cameras." 

"Want to hold hands? Walk arm in arm?" 

"Haven't done that in a while." 

"What's the matter, Human? They don't teach hand-holding in Basic anymore? You're a free man; live a little! Don't know why you still want to wear those things."

"The tags? Can't forget." 

"That you were a Marine?" 

"I always will be a Marine, just like you'll always be a Marine." 

"I guess. You have to admit it feels good to let your hair grow out a little." 

"Not really." 

"What do you mean? I bet you'll look nice with longer hair!" 

"Nah, even before I shipped out I liked it short. Less work. You don't like yours short?" 

"Uh, bit hard to wear a helmet with long locks, Human." 

"Got me there. You do look nice with longer hair you know. Man, look at this. I haven't been here in... three years? Four? No. Way longer. Empire State Building observatory. I haven't been here since before I left for Talahan V." 

"Hey, Chris?" 

"Hmm?"

"You mind if I ask you a question? 

"What's up?" 

"Promise you won't get upset?" 

"Sally, what is it?" 

"Did you ever bring Michelle here? Christopher? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."

"Yeah. No, it's OK; that's just a part of my life I thought I forgot. Yeah, I brought here here. It was... uh, it was... just before I was drafted. Maybe three weeks before. I remember that. We were actually ten feet from here; right over there. I remember that day; it makes me smile just thinking about it. We were looking out at the One World Trade Center, thinking about everybody working in this city. Aw man, I remember I was wearing this white shirt; we were eating fries. I tried to impress her by tossing fries into the air and catching them in my mouth. It went well, but then there was this big ol' fry that had this huge glob of ketchup on it, and it was too heavy! So it went splat, right on the shirt! Oh, she's dying laughing. Said it served me right." 

"Are you alright?" 

"I was eighteen years old." 

"My love?" 

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. That was a good time. Good time. I know dust flying around up here can get in your eyes. You want to know what I said to her?" 

"What?" 

"I told Michelle, 'This is our city. One day everyone will know it, and we'll make it a better place'. You know what, Sally?" 

"What?" 

"I'm going to say the same thing. This city, from the Brooklyn to the Bronx really is my city. Now I want it to be your city too. You want to know something else?"

"What's that, my love?" 

"This time I know we can make it a better place. You'll love it here; I promise you." 

"I know I will. New York, New York. It's a hell of a town."

"I have so much to show you here." 

"And I'll walk every mile with you. Show me why you love this city and make me love it too. We're going to make new memories here. We'll be happy."