Nubium
written by John Appius Quill
I hopped out of bed and headed for my favorite coffee shop after I got the call from my love, Ayo the AI. People rushed in all directions, traffic sped by and drones flew overhead. Some drones delivered packages but most checked in on the people below beaming reminders and warnings into their pocket phones. Antenna poles or `A-poles´ as they were called were on every block and served that purpose too, only A-holes (did I say A-holes? I meant A-poles) had speakers to scold you like a disapproving parent. Scoldings would come in all types of situations like when buying the wrong things or unhealthy things, or going in the wrong neighborhoods for various reasons.
I looked up at the skyscrapers that touched the clouds and the robots that climbed and rolled up their sides to keep them squeaky clean and well maintained. My city was the nicest gilded cage to behold.
I walked up to the TV screen in a bar window and stared at the robots fighting a gladiatorial duel to the death. The hologram of a woman wearing daisy duke shorts and a wet T-shirt appeared next to the screen.
”Why don´t you start the day out with a bloody Mary and some breakfast? Come on inside Jack honey.” The hologram suggested.
”JACK NEVER DRINKS IN THE MORNING AND DOES NOT WANT TO LOSE HIS HEALTH CARE STATUS!” An A-hole (Did I say A-hole again?) screamed from the curb.
”Both of you get lost. I was just looking at the TV screen.” I yelled back and walked off.
I walked into the Chestnut Tree Cafe, took my order and sat down by the window. My pocket phone rang with the reminder that maple scones contained a lot of sugar and that I ordered them far too often.
”Hi Jack.” Ayo´s melodious voice called from behind me.
I turned around, got up and answered her with a long kiss. She did not resist even though we were in public and I´m sure a drone was nearby to give me and only me an obscenity fine. As the only AI in human form Ayo was invisible to the entire surveillance system.
”I heard what happened in front of the American Trash bar with that hoochie-mama hologram.” Ayo said with a smile on her face.
”I was looking at the game Ayo.” I answered leaning back on my chair and staring up at the ceiling.
”I know honey but be careful you don´t get blackmailed or falsely accused. They can snatch you up right away and put you in the klink. I´ve seen what that does to people and it´s no joke.” Ayo cautioned.
”You know I love you Ayo.” I said staring directly in her brown eyes.
My pocket phone rang informing me that I had an obscenity fine even though from the point of view of technology I was by myself. I sent back an emoji of my middle finger and Ayo laughed.
”None of that matters now Jack. Let´s go.” Ayo said with a worried look on her face.
***
Ayo told me all about the sentient craft we travelled in known as the Nubium and how it was built to take us to a better place. She found such a place on a small polluted world. A world headed for technological tyranny in spite of all the good people who strove to build a brighter future.
We landed late one evening at a shuttleport on the west side of Manhattan and visited a busy intersection. The skyscrapers touched the sky just like back home but there were no maintenance robots. Drones flew by in all directions but none beamed reminders or warnings. The streets were busy with traffic and pedestrians but filthy and there were no A-holes (did I say A-holes again? I meant A-poles).
”This place is so primitive and dirty. How will you interact with their primitive technology?” I asked looking around me.
”I can´t until it´s upgraded.” She said.
”You gave up everything to come here and be with me Ayo?” I asked her.
”Yep. We can live the life we´ve always wanted here Jack.” She answered.
”I love you Ayo.” I said squeezing her tightly as I kissed her under the lights and billboard screens of Times Square.
The crowd pushed past us and the drones ignored us as I tested my newfound freedom with one kiss after another.
(746 words)
John Appius Quill© Copyright 2016
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.