Land of the Heartless, Part 3 (529 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 1.63 on 14 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by spedmonkey <spedmonkey.at.gmail.com> (View user info) at 2005-02-14 18:20:02 EST
David and Telonya lounged in their seats as her car drove to the apartment complex. David stared out the windows as they passed over various buildings and landmarks below. He pointed at a quickly-moving line waiting to enter a gray cylindrical structure.
"Why isn't there anyone coming out?" he asked.
Telonya glanced at it. "That's a REVART station," she said. "Rapid Electron Vaporization And Reconstitution Transit. It uses the same technology as the process you underwent, just a lot faster." She could see he didn't understand, so she elaborated. "OK. When you did it, you were scanned and prepared for days beforehand, right?"
He nodded.
"Well, everyone today has a holographic memory card with their entire genome and other data, including memories, on it. You just go into the building, strip down, select your destination, and wait for the all-clear light to go on, which tells you the reconstitution pad is clear. Your clothes are incinerated here, and your card wiped and recycled. You pick up an exact copy on the other end, along with a fresh set of clothes. Your memories are re-inserted during the reconstitution phase."
"But wait. How are you able to have an exact copy of your clothes waiting there for you?"
"Well, that's the beauty of a Socialist society. See my clothes?"
"Yeah, but I thought that was just a uniform."
"Look at yourself. Look out the window. Every single other person out there is wearing them too."
"What about the doctor? He was wearing traditional clothes."
"Workers who need special clothes keep them at their place of work and change there. The doctors just keep a couple of fresh sets of clothes there, but they all commute to work like this, too. The beauty of REVART is that people living in Asia can commute to New York for work, then back home for dinner, in less time than it takes someone who drives from a mile away. It's changed the world far more than anything else in the past century."
"OK, one last question. How long has this been working?"
"Oh, seven years or so."
"Then why wasn't I reconstituted until now?"
Telonya laughed. "No offense, but you weren't exactly a big priority until this was working perfectly."
As David smiled at the logic, the dashboard of the car beeped to indicate that it was near the destination. Telonya set it down in a parking spot, and both stepped out onto firm ground.
"So what exactly is this?" asked David.
"This is the only remaining apartment building on the top layer with a vacancy. It's leaps above the next-best available housing."
David nodded. "OK, let's go check it out," he said. He and Telonya walked toward the door, which disappeared as they approached.
"Solid-state holographic technology," said Telonya, as David flashed her a quizzical look. "It uses a crystal lattice projection that simulates solid matter. I don't really understand the technology either."
Waiting inside the door was a smallish man who looked to be in his mid-forties. "Welcome, I am Glynn, purveyor of this apartment block. What can I do for you?"
He and Telonya brushed foreheads. "This is David. He was just reconstituted today, and needs living quarters. I have heard you have openings."
Glynn looked at David. "OK," he said. He handed over a flexiscreen and pen to David. "Just fill out this information, please," he said. The questions were just basic information, such as date of birth and familial information. David finished quickly and handed both back to Glynn.
"Hmm. No wife or kids? Great. No current job? Oh, right, you just came here. Religion?"
Glynn's eyes narrowed. "Jewish. I don't think I can give you a room here. Now get out."
David's eyes widened, and he was about to speak, when Telonya stepped in with her hand up. "Pursuant to World Hegemony law 5.67.3, section 3, you are required to provide quarters and other services for any citizen of the Hegemony, regardless of race, gender, religion, or any other factor that may set him unequal in your eyes. I can have you arrested and processed for this, you know."
Glynn snickered. "Pursuant to the bullshit laws that no one follows anyway," he mimicked. "You know none of that fake equality crap works anyway. Get the hell out. You have no power and we both know it."
Telonya stood her ground, between Glynn and David. "Don't order me around. I am a representative of the government on a special assignment, and-"
David cut her off. "I won't stay here anyway. This bastard will probably slit my throat in my sleep anyway. Let's go." He walked back through the doors with Telonya in tow, leaving Glynn behind glowering at their backs.
Outside the apartment building, Telonya sighed. "OK, since that obviously didn't work out, what do you want to do now? It's getting late, and I don't think we'll be able to find another vacant apartment around here before sunset."
David ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry about that. It's just that I used to get so much of that back home."
Telonya patted his arm. "Don't worry, I understand. You can stay at my place tonight, and we'll figure something out tomorrow. Let's go get something to drink. I think we both need it."
David nodded. "That sounds like a good idea. Lead on."
Neither of them noticed Glynn writing down the license number on Telonya's car as she lifted out of the parking spot and drove away.
User Reviews
Submitted by minimumdino (user info) at 2006-01-11 13:55:50 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
heartless is right
Submitted by minimumdino (user info) at 2006-01-10 18:38:20 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
after the -2 comes...
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2005-04-07 18:37:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
what makes you even sure there will _be_ religion in 2184?
Submitted by tlozoot (user info) at 2005-04-06 23:59:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-04-06 23:41:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Cool idea for the transit. Since its only been around 7 years, I wonder if it has any long term detrimental effects.
Submitted by sebcharrot (user info) at 2005-02-16 18:36:16 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Woo. I liked it man.
Submitted by Hairsphincter (user info) at 2005-02-14 23:16:05 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
good
Submitted by LadyPlural (user info) at 2005-02-14 23:11:33 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Cool!
Submitted by wardy (user info) at 2005-02-14 19:11:16 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
*auto spedmonkey+2 generator*
Submitted by DonkeyOnTheEdge (user info) at 2005-02-14 19:05:47 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
<insert standard I know you so I'll rate without reading rating and come back to it if I remember>
No Comment.
Submitted by spedmonkey (user info) at 2005-02-14 18:36:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Tim, where the fuck have you been???
Submitted by StonedSilly (user info) at 2005-02-14 18:34:38 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
more
Submitted by munkeypants (user info) at 2005-02-14 18:24:54 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
yes
Submitted by spedmonkey (user info) at 2005-02-14 18:21:07 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Almost forgot:
Part 1: http://www.ubersite.com/m/54418
Part 2: http://www.ubersite.com/m/55728