The Other Tree Read Online Free PDF Page A

the millennia, that maybe if God cured cancer, and healed sick babies, and stopped entire countries from being wiped out by famine, then maybe scientists wouldn’t have to do it.
    “All you see are profits and politics,” said Chris. “Markets to conquer and margins to expand. You think economics will sort things out in the same way that teachers used to think a room full of violent children would sort things out. You see the world as consumers, not people. You think in terms of price, not value. You believe in restricting information so you can sell products that pander to fear and vanity, rather than sharing knowledge to help people question, understand, and act. I will not join SinaCorp. And I will not let you turn the Tree of Life into some kind of Viagra on crack.”
    Marrick’s expression did not change.
    “Your mother was far more sophisticated,” said Marrick. “I blame the public education system.”

3
    “And the Lord God said, Behold the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil; and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever.”
    - Genesis, Chapter Three, Verse Twenty-Two
    There are times in life when one is struck with a rare sense of clarity and purpose. When an impulse seems so irresistible and irreproachably right that one is carried forward into actions that, in retrospect, are probably not such a good idea. Las Vegas probably bears witness to a high percentage of these moments.
    Chris was having such a moment now. She could see a conjunction of so many things in her life, and the path ahead seemed so clear, so compelling. It was the call that drew sailors to sea, humans to the stars, writers to madness. It was more than fate, it was hope.
    Chris carefully stacked the dishes in the drying rack, while her father wiped down the kitchen bench.
    “Dad,” said Chris. “I’m going on a break, probably just a few days.”
    She saw his shoulders sag a little as he continued scrubbing at a stain.
    “On your own?” asked Mr. Arlin. “They kidnap people from public toilets these days.”
    “I’m hoping to go with a friend.”
    “Who? And where?”
    “I’ll call you. And I’ll be back before you know it.”
    Chris hugged her dad, kissing him on the cheek.
    Mum’s mistake was trusting SinaCorp , thought Chris. But I plan on coming back .
    “Well, have fun,” said Mr. Arlin, looking unconvinced as he followed Chris to the front door. “Make sure you read the customs leaflet this time.”
    Mr. Arlin held on to her arm for a moment.
    “Chris,” he said. “You’re not going to do something stupid, are you?”
    “Like study cryptobotany?” said Chris, forcing a smile.
    Mr. Arlin hugged Chris again, and said nothing else. But his eyes were wet as he closed the door.
    * * *
    People often picture life as a montage of work and holidays, shopping and endless bills, relationships and aspirations. It seems like there isn’t enough time, until you realise there’s far, far less than you thought. When someone suddenly discovers a rapidly draining timer hanging above the person they love, people react in a variety of ways. Some concentrate on cherishing what time remains. Some run away, unable to bear the devastation of their own grief.
    Some look for God.
    On rare occasions, literally.
    * * *
    The door burst inwards, and Luke dove behind his desk, half-expecting it to be the paint-throwing animal-rights campaigners, getting his office confused with the Satanists down the hall again.
    Instead, it was the woman from the other day, the one who had asked about miracles. The expression in her eyes filled Luke with quiet dread. It was the kind of expression you saw on the crusaders, on the soldiers about to go to war—a jumble of sorrow, fear, and determination.
    “Hi,” she said.
    Sometimes, when two innocuous substances come into contact, they create something sublime and unexpected. At other times, they create something the insurance companies