Free LoveStar by Andri Snaer Magnason Page A

reality and watching Elizabeth II fired over Windsor Castle lasted for one day. It lasted from the first rocket being launched at six in the morning, until Elizabeth fell to earth at 3:00 am the following morning. The moment the flash faded I became superfluous. Universities produce people in the tens of thousands who can, want, and know how to keep LoveDeath running and expanding. I had the sense to give them free rein.”
    That wasn’t to imply that LoveStar didn’t make demands on his people: “WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN MICK JAGGER WAS BURIED?! HE HAS A SEAT RESERVED WITH LOVEDEATH AND IF HE DOESN’T GO UP ONE OF YOU WILL GO IN HIS PLACE!!!”
    The cleanup job and tower buildings in the big cities were entirely the responsibility of Ragnar Ö. Karlsson and the LoveDeath Mood Division. LoveStar roved from tower to tower and then rang Ivanov, head of LoveDeath.
    â€œHave you found out what’s supposed to go in those towers?” LoveStar asked.
    â€œDon’t worry, it’s a safe project.”
    â€œBut what are the towers supposed to house?”
    â€œHotels, offices, or shops, I expect.”
    â€œYou expect?”
    â€œThis is the most valuable real estate in the cities and it’s almost self-evident that the towers will house these kinds of businesses. Anyway, it’s 100 percent Ragnar’s baby.”
    â€œSo you’re not sure? I want to you keep a close eye on him.”
    â€œI can’t stick my nose in everything. I had the sense to give Ragnar free rein. It’s worked out well, as you can see.”
    â€œWhat about the cost?”
    â€œThe profit from the cleanup job covers the cost in full, and the bodies can go straight to the Million Star Festival.”
    â€œSo you were paid for the bodies, got the land thrown in, and now you’re supposed to sell the space in the towers?”
    â€œI’m telling you, he’s a brilliant moodman, Ragnar, unbelievably brilliant. The cities paid tenfold for the bodies, due to the decomposition, you see, and the Million Star Festival is a bonus. It’s a mood boost, a pure image boost. It was a good idea of yours to transfer Ragnar over to us. I never dreamed that I’d live to see boomtime again at LoveDeath in my old age.”
    â€œSo everything’s going well?” asked LoveStar skeptically.
    â€œThe Million Star Belt is visible to the naked eye. Take a look.”
    â€œI’ll look at it this evening.”
    â€œIt’s visible by daylight,” said Ivanov.
    LoveStar went over to the window and looked up at the sky where there was a gleam from something that lay like a broad arch over the vault of the heavens, like a stripe of glittering, powdered glass, like glitter or fool’s gold on a riverbed. He picked up a telescope to see better. It was like a dense shoal of herring swimming far above the clouds. He switched perspective to the LoveStar satellite telescope. He shuddered at the sight that met his eyes: an endless shoal of LoveDeath orbiting the Earth, a hundred million gleaming silver bodies forming a Saturn-ring right around the globe!
    â€œIsn’t it fantastic?” said Ivanov. “It’s equivalent to six years’ worth of deaths.”
    LoveStar gulped, closed his eyes, and tried to breathe evenly. Ragnar had certainly not given up.
    â€œAre you okay, by the way?”
    â€œYes,” said LoveStar.
    â€œYou’ve been a bit preoccupied. You should talk to Ragnar more. I don’t understand what you’ve got against him. Damn it, I reckon you’ve got an heir in that boy. It’s time to let the youngsters have a go. It’s not as if we’re immortal.”
    LoveStar didn’t answer.
    â€œHello? Are you there?”
    LoveStar looked at the sun. It was sailing behind the Million Star Belt, its light reflecting from the shoal and forming a halo, a shining circular double halo with an additional sun to the east and