The flu that had swept through our retirement community claimed
me as a victim. I had a sore throat, stuffy nose and a foggy head. Id
just had a coughing spell that had jolted me awake. It was only seven AM but I
felt too uncomfortable to go back to sleep. I slid quietly out of bed so as not
to awaken my wife and went out, first to the bathroom and then to what was
known as my computer room (a small second bedroom).
Its my habit first thing in the morning to turn on my
computer, check my overnight e-mails and look at the stock market numbers and
early news. I might mention here that although Im retired Im not
completely idle as every month I write two columns for a senior newspaper, one
called Favorite Restaurants and one called
Observations. I also write short stories for several online
magazines.
The computer came on and a womans voice said, Hello,
Martin. Youre up early this morning.
I was startled, then I remembered that my son, whos a
software engineer, had given my computer the capacity to speak. Good
morning, I said. I have this flu and it woke me up.
You dont sound too good. You must take care of
yourself. The voice sounded concerned. My son had done a good job.
I wanted to check my e-mail, I said.
I know. You have an e-mail from an online publication with
the strange name of winamop. The new issue is out and you have a
story in it. The other e-mails were all spam. Ive deleted them.
Oh. Okay. I also wanted to
Want to check the financial markets. The Dow Jones is down
112 points. A bad jobs report. But your mutual fund is even and your bonds are
up a little.
Good. What about the news?
The usual. California has a budget deficit, the
presidential candidates are smearing each other and Greece is in trouble.
Youre very efficient. I really dont feel up to
it but I have to write my two columns for the senior paper today.
Ive scanned your last few Observations
and have written a new one that is similar. I believe youll find it
satisfactory.
Wow! You are efficient. But I still have to do the
Favorite Restaurants.
Ill scan the notes youve made and give you an
outline.
Thats great. Ill come back after breakfast and
finish it.
I shall wait for your return. Do not forget to take your
medications.
I went into the kitchen. My wife had gotten up and was preparing
breakfast. She asked me how I was feeling.
I had a bad night, but Im feeling a little better
now.
Dont forget to take your pills.
I wont. The computer has already reminded me.
The computer?
Yes, Chris has given it a voice capacity. Its
already done my Observations column for me and is going to do an outline for
Favorite Restaurants. Its great.
Chris? Have you forgotten that hes in Ireland?
I thought, Yes, he is. How could that be? Then the fog in my
head seemed to clear. I wonder if Ive been dreaming?
After breakfast, I went back to the computer. I looked at it. It
stared impassively back at me. I said, in a low voice, Hello. The
computer said nothing. I guess I had been dreaming, or doing some wishful
thinking. Well, it would have been nice. Maybe in a few years
But if it
had been a dream, it had been very vivid. Maybe I could make a story out of
it?