The View From Colletta Hall

SM Stirling, Conquistador (New York, 2004), pp. 84-85.

Behind Giovanni Colletta's desk is a portrait of his father flanked by tall glass doors through which Giovanni sees:

a broad, balustraded terrace where malachite and crimson hummingbirds hover around gold, white and purple blossoms tumbling from man-high stone vases. From the balustrade, he can see:

gardens with trees, lawns, pools, fountains and terraced flowers;
the red-roofed town;
Settler farms;
plum, almond and apricot trees, green now, in June, but pink and white in spring;
vineyards;
breeze-blown golden grain with green windbreaks;
tall corn, soon to be harvested;
cattle and sheep in pastures with oak trees;
dark soil behind tractors followed by gulls;
the Santa Clara valley stretching to San Francisco Bay;
behind the Hall, redwood groves on low mountains.

Sounds:

vehicle engines;
wind in trees;
an ax chopping wood;
speech;
song;
hummingbird wings.

Scents:

the flowers on the terrace;
in spring, the fruit trees.

A proud sight but the ambitious Colletta is not content.