Wal-Mart.

“Now approaching the Grocery District,” a synthetic female voice blared from the train speakers.

Anders scanned the light rail map on the wall, watched the holographic model train representing the one he was on fly through the Wal-Care Medical District, then slow upon entering the next zone. He didn’t care much for the Wal-Mart Ultra Mart, this sprawling maze-like-enclosed-mini-ci

ty store the size of a small town. But he had to come.

The train abruptly stopped with a jerk. Anders maneuvered through the mass of people coming in and out, stepped onto the train platform and almost fainted at what he saw – aisles lined with food that filled several supermarkets, bustling like the downtown area of a major city. He left the platform and flagged down an electric taxi, watched digital clouds move across a monitor sky as the vehicle stopped. He quickly got in.

“Where to buddy?” the rough-looking taxi driver asked, smoking a cigarette.

“Well,” he gulped, “I need to buy a Venusian Heart.”

The driver almost cried he laughed so hard.

“Look,” Anders said, “I promised my wife I’d get her one for her birthday, and if you know my wife, you know not to cross her.”

The driver nodded, still smiling, “Alright, but I hope you know what you’re in for.”

The taxi entered the thick traffic flow of other taxis and customers pushing carts. Anders sank into his seat and wondered why he even made such a promise. The Venusian Heart, a rare fruit budded from a large carnivorous plant found while the American Alliance fleet surveyed Venus for life. The heart, they say, is so incredibly delicious, so rich with flavor, that just one bite elicits a sensation best described as an orgasm that lingers for about an hour. Oral ecstasy.

The things one does to keep a marriage together.

As the taxi weaved through aisles like city blocks, it stopped in front of a fenced-off area marked “exotic foods.”

“Good luck,” the driver giggled as Anders left the taxi.

As Anders entered the area, it was like warping into a thriving jungle. He maneuvered his way through paths of overgrown plant life, marveled at the blossoms of mango, starfruit, and acai berry. He felt alone in this artificial wilderness, even fought off the occasional mosquito attack while winding through the maze, then he stood before a large green mass wrapped in spiky vines and sporting a large shell-shaped substance. Just above it, a handball-sized indigo ball with shiny skin hanging from a vine. The Venusian Heart.

Even though the plant mass was large enough to house hundreds of fruits, Anders could see only one heart hanging there. A sign next to him warned, “PICK AT OWN RISK. WAL-MART NOT LIABLE FOR DAMAGES.”

With a deep breath, Anders stretched his hand out toward the heart only to yank it back fast as the shell-shaped mass came to life, transforming into something resembling a giant Venus Fly Trap. A large mouth formed and snapped at his hand. He felt adrenaline pump hard now, took a step back from the organic guardian. The plant looked at him without eyes, moved back and forth like a goalie defending their net.

It was then that Anders noticed a small dried pool of blood just below the beast. He thought for a moment then pulled out a pocket knife. The plant reacted as a person would, becoming more stiff and ready for combat as if aware of his intentions. He thrust the knife at the plant, but it easily dodged it then quickly clipped at his hand.

Anders pulled back and let out a whelp. His knife fell to the ground, along with few drops of blood. His face reddened with anger. Then he realized this plant was more than a plant.

“Um,” Anders looked around, “do you understand what I’m saying?”

The plant dropped its guard and nodded lightly to Anders’ surprise.

“Of course I do,” the plant said with a croak. “You humans are not the only sentient life in this galaxy.”

Anders’ jaw dropped. After shaking away the absurdity of it all, he replied, “Wow, um, well I didn’t mean to, um, disturb you, but I really wanted that, um…”

“My child!” the plant reacted. “You humans keep stealing my children right as I produce them. It’s genocide I tell you.”

“Your children!” Anders’ stomach twisted. “I had no idea.”

“Well, no one bothered to ask!”

Anders stepped back, took the scene in. He couldn’t rob this plant of its child, it wasn’t right, even if it’s a plant. Hoping his wife would understand, he said, “I apologize. I won’t take your, kid, from you. That’s cruel.”

The plant bounced around, excited, “Thank you human. You have shown your race to be good-hearted, something I didn’t conceive as possible.” The plant thought for a moment, then said, “As a reward I give you this. Open your hand.”

Anders did, and the plant spit out a pile of oozing spores that felt like slime.

“These seeds, my seed, are far more potent then my children are. You will find it, entertaining.”

Anders smiled, “Thank you.” He pocketed the seeds and tried not to think about what was really in his pocket as he walked away.