07: Ayala

BERNICE SUMMERFIELD
"Of course things would be easier if we shared a common language," Bernice said. It was clear Ayala was smart but bringing her up to even a functional level in this world was going to take some time. It wasn't merely a language barrier, there was a knowledge barrier too.
To learn about world, she had said. We all know what the world is but there is a whole glut of information behind just that one word that actually gives it meaning.
"You do not have to travel to learn. This whole place is somewhere to learn, we call it a school. I understand your impatience. I really do. But I cannot click my fingers and make you suddenly know everything you need to know. "
"Take what I say as true for now Ayala. Let me show you something."
Bernice called up World View on her tablet, she sat next to Ayala and showed her an image of the Earth.
"Let's start with my world. This is it, seen from a long way off. It is big. Really really big." She stuck to simple words and hoped she wasn't being patronising, best to use words they had in common she decided.
She slowly tracked a finger so the British Isles could be seen and tapped the image. "I come from here, it is a place called Wales."
More tracking and movement and a tap. "You and I are here."
The image zoomed a bit showing the Eastern seaboard. "This land is called America."
Zoom. "The part of America we are in is called New York State. And the next smaller part down is Westchester County."
Bernice did another zoom so that the vast expanse of Breakstone Lake could be seen, along with the island. "On that island sits this house, and in that house is this room along with you and me."
Bernice stopped talking to let the magnitude of this sink in.
"You can see we have a lot to learn together."