Friday, August 19, 2016
Dueling Phones, 2066
Merritt Dash-Haas silenced his phone
which was a hot brick in his hand,
and blinking RED DAY!
Third time this month, and now with
pictures of people in earthquake and
wars, trudging to whatever will grind
them up.
“Not Red LETTER Day?” he laughed.
“Well, I’ll handle whatever! Battle-
scarred me!”
But the phone warned he was ill equipped
for such bravery: Blinking 6,7s filled the
screen rapidly.
“I’m at 6s and 7s? No wonder! Life has kicked
the crap outa me this month.
So I’m to do nothing? Take it! Let it blow over.
Emerge so shaken that I...!”
Mercy-Dell Halloran studied him quizzically.
Soon, their phones magnetized and threw back
each violently.
She was on the ground when he got hers away
from her and flung it into Coxey’s Pond.
Followed by his.
“Might kill a few fish but...never an emergency
like this!”
These naive individuals went off with each other.
To God knows what forbidden destination.
Just a perfect capsule detailing the wilfulness
of today’s sexed-up youngsters!
Labels: cellphone, future, individuality, privacy, sex., smartphone, society vs individual, totalitarian, young
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Raising Bridge or Lowering River
Roper got sick of doing things the same way.
But when he changed, too disorienting.
To the point of illness: queasiness and unrelenting fear.
Well, enough was enough. He had tried when nobody
else would!
So, attempted switching back.
No go. A surprise that the government and corporations*
militated against it. Adoring status-quo usually!
His personal channel popped on, and a committee of professors
explained that his new way, difficult as it was proving, was the
future, that he was a pioneer, a rebel in the accepted sense that
the government was now mysteriously encouraging.
A box slid into he upper right of the screen. Mr Hepplewhite
telling him not to report to work. Congratulatory? Terrified?
A knock! NOW what? Just a Rick Kelsey, explaining that wife
and children have been removed, so don't bother yelling at
them for breakfast.
"Just to relatives. Erase the visions of terminal camps."
He'd be glad to eat their eggs instead. And clean up.
He’s detailed to help "Ropes" in every way. Later they'll
watch videos further elucidating the Authorities' new position.
For now they'll chant slogans. Those always relax.
Especially before eating.
(*Some would say they're the same thing, but such ones have disappeared.)
Labels: change, future, government and corporations, rebel, totalitarian, visionary
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Buzz During Fright
The Brilliant Associate
-I just know they're culling the quiet ones. They read out an
order and then shoot you. And not necessarily in that order!
-I'm saying nothing because I don't understand a thing anyone says.
I recognize that it's English, though.
-That's a start. Look! Learn the buzz words. When anyone looks to
you to say anything, spout!
-Such as?
-Well, prioritize always stays hot.
-As in Prioritize the remaining aggregate?
-That's inspired!
-Just...came to me.
-Then, follow it up with something sorta rhymey.
-Don't...buy the insaning domain!
-Better yet! You've been a slumbering genius.
Now, add something literary.
-For there are more things in heaven and earth
than are dreamt of in your philosophy!
-Too literary. They'll say you're condescending them. Shoot you
for that too! Notch it down from Shakespeare.
-Okay, okay. Because it's the best of times and the worst of
times, you...
-Go on!...must prioritize the remaining aggregate...
-...thus avoiding the insaning domain!
-Finishing touch of vulgar or folky? Continue!
-Since that's all she wrote...
-Bingo!
-...before she bought the farm!
-You’re God-like! Recap the whole business!
-Nah! I'll puke! But I can vary things, right? Juggle ‘em around,
and with different intros? Bit of a joke here and there?
-That's where the Art comes in. Man! Instead of dead, you'll be
a Section Leader!
Down by a couple of rungs. Retired as Chief of Thirty Sections!
Honored personally by the Presiding Chief! as “The Associate
who always found the right, brilliant, words.”
Labels: business, buzz, buzz words, government, jargon, totalitarian
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Boxes
“Who died and made him God? He’s half our
age and gets us trembling! It’s a farce.”
“Later.”
"He’s incompetent and we’re heading
for disaster!”
“Soft-pedal a bit till we’re outa here.
Then, we’ll talk. Like, really cool it!”
The lobby was all tile and the sound of the
disintegrator deafened me.
George ended in a sealed waxen box.
“I warned him but, well, bit headstrong.”
Not the first time I had addressed such a box.
Labels: future, leadership, political disaster, speaking out, totalitarian
