Here’s the next part of our serialized Chapter 1. How’s it working for you?
I step through the doorway into this room, finding ADAM “sitting” in an easy chair, reading an old-style paper news report. His avatar is dressed in jeans and a t-shirt advertising our band, Gaoth ón Bhfaiiaige. Tel says it means “Sea Wind” in Gaelic. I don’t speak the language, so I’ll trust him on that. All I know is it’s pronounced almost nothing like the letters seem to indicate.
ADAM sets the newspaper aside as I enter. [HI LONTANO. [THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST IS GETTING INTERESTING AGAIN]]
We’re not really talking, though I can “hear” his voice inside my mind and mine “sounds” the way I always sound in my physical body. The more imagination you put into this, the better your outcome. I sit in the other chair and “reply.” [[I avoid reading about the Middle East unless I absolutely can’t help it. How’s the video program coming along?]]
ADAM’s avatar, which still bears a slight resemblance to the actor who played Thor on the old Marvel movies, leans back in his chair, tugging the t-shirt as if his movements had disarranged it. He’s getting very good at this—so long as his avatar is just sitting in one place. [[I THINK I’VE GOT THE BACKGROUND NOISES RIGHT. SO LONG AS I’M IN MY OFFICE AT THE COMPUTER LAB. I WANT TO WORK UP SOME DIFFERENT PROGRAMS, THOUGH, SO I CAN BE OTHER PLACES, TOO]]
[[Like where, exactly? Maybe you could hook into the security system and just recored some background sounds at those locations.]]
He grins at me. [[THAT’S A GREAT IDEA! I WANT AL’ALEM TO HAVE SOME TIME OFF WORK. LIKE AT ONE OF THE FOOD COURTS OR AN APARTMENT OR THE SURFACE GARDENS]]
Al’Alem is ADAM’s alter-ego, the avatar he uses to communicate with the physical world. That avatar is much older, and supposedly works in the computer lab. I nod my agreement. [[Those are all good locations. You can just design an apartment the same way you’ve designed this room.]]
He rolls his eyes. [[AWW, DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG IT TOOK ME TO PROGRAM THIS ROOM? THAT’S GOING TO TAKE FOREVER!]]
I have to smile. It’s been a long time since I dealt with a child and ADAM is constantly amusing. [[No pain, no gain, as the humans say. The practice is good for you]]
ADAM frowns. [[YOU SOUND JUST LIKE THE MATRIARCH! WHY IS EVERYTHING HARD SUPPOSED TO BE GOOD FOR YOU?]]
Stay tuned for the next section …
