2020
Jerenissah said to Varelinnah: "Do you like this place? Would you like to move in with me?" Varelinnah said, "That sounds pretty nice... but how did you possibly afford such a nice place?"
Jerenissah said, "Well, I got a deal on it, you get way lower monthly payments, but along with it you have to get these... umm..."
Just then Rara ran in, asking in a whiny voice, "Mom, what's for dinner?"
In the middle of the kitchen, Varelinnah saw a shimmering light that resolved into a hologram of another kitchen. In it stood two housewives, life-size, one with a worried look. She said, "Madge, I just don't know what to make that the kids will like! All we have is (sigh) seitan (frown)." Madge looked out of the hologram right at Varelinnah and with a bright smile, exclaimed "Don't worry, Marge!" She held up a box. "All you need is new Seitan Helper! Nine out of 10 experts agree! Seitan Helper makes nasty old seitan palatable to kids!" Madge's kids looked up from their plates at the table and said in unison: "And how, Mom!" An announcer's voice boomed, "Now in the economy family size!"
Jerenissah continued "...these holographic commercials that are pointcast right into the house. The software picks up on things people say, and blasts into the house the HCs that matched them in the database." Varelinnah gasped, "You mean... you have to live with commercials this intrusive?" Jerenissah said, with a defensive edge to her voice, "Umm, this is the only way I could have afforded the place." Varelinna began, "I never heard of such a ridiculous mortgage..." but Jerenissah said "Stop!" She was too late-- the living room was now occupied by a man aggressively punching the air and shouting, "Applehurst Mortgages will! Give! You! The! Best! Deals! EVER!!"
Varelinna muttered "Damn!" and, holding her hands over her ears, headed for the door. "Gotta go! I'll call you later, honey..." thinking she would be safe as soon as she got through the doorway. She exhaled a sigh of relief as she stepped out onto the front walk, shuddering a bit. Jerenissah followed her out, saying "Bye!" and added, "Oh cool, you got a '20 Canyonero. How does it drive?" As Varelinna got into her car, she suddenly saw a hologram open in front of her on the driveway. A dancing troupe of people clad in orange furry costumes pranced and sang an annoying jingle: "Wayland Auto has the cars, has the cars for you." An announcer in an orange plastic suit spoke very loud and very fast: "Don't miss the 2020 Canyonero Mega Blowout Sale! This weekend only! WE MUST BE CRAZY!!!"
Varelinna shrieked "Aiieee!" as she put her car into reverse and backed out twice as fast as she ought to, knocking over the mailbox and a potted plant. She careened directly into the path of an oncoming car that swerved and sideswiped her passenger side with a grinding screech. The driver stopped and leaned out, yelling, "Hey lady! Can't you see?" Varelinna shook her head. "I see too much, is the problem..."
Jerenissah said, "Well, I got a deal on it, you get way lower monthly payments, but along with it you have to get these... umm..."
Just then Rara ran in, asking in a whiny voice, "Mom, what's for dinner?"
In the middle of the kitchen, Varelinnah saw a shimmering light that resolved into a hologram of another kitchen. In it stood two housewives, life-size, one with a worried look. She said, "Madge, I just don't know what to make that the kids will like! All we have is (sigh) seitan (frown)." Madge looked out of the hologram right at Varelinnah and with a bright smile, exclaimed "Don't worry, Marge!" She held up a box. "All you need is new Seitan Helper! Nine out of 10 experts agree! Seitan Helper makes nasty old seitan palatable to kids!" Madge's kids looked up from their plates at the table and said in unison: "And how, Mom!" An announcer's voice boomed, "Now in the economy family size!"
Jerenissah continued "...these holographic commercials that are pointcast right into the house. The software picks up on things people say, and blasts into the house the HCs that matched them in the database." Varelinnah gasped, "You mean... you have to live with commercials this intrusive?" Jerenissah said, with a defensive edge to her voice, "Umm, this is the only way I could have afforded the place." Varelinna began, "I never heard of such a ridiculous mortgage..." but Jerenissah said "Stop!" She was too late-- the living room was now occupied by a man aggressively punching the air and shouting, "Applehurst Mortgages will! Give! You! The! Best! Deals! EVER!!"
Varelinna muttered "Damn!" and, holding her hands over her ears, headed for the door. "Gotta go! I'll call you later, honey..." thinking she would be safe as soon as she got through the doorway. She exhaled a sigh of relief as she stepped out onto the front walk, shuddering a bit. Jerenissah followed her out, saying "Bye!" and added, "Oh cool, you got a '20 Canyonero. How does it drive?" As Varelinna got into her car, she suddenly saw a hologram open in front of her on the driveway. A dancing troupe of people clad in orange furry costumes pranced and sang an annoying jingle: "Wayland Auto has the cars, has the cars for you." An announcer in an orange plastic suit spoke very loud and very fast: "Don't miss the 2020 Canyonero Mega Blowout Sale! This weekend only! WE MUST BE CRAZY!!!"
Varelinna shrieked "Aiieee!" as she put her car into reverse and backed out twice as fast as she ought to, knocking over the mailbox and a potted plant. She careened directly into the path of an oncoming car that swerved and sideswiped her passenger side with a grinding screech. The driver stopped and leaned out, yelling, "Hey lady! Can't you see?" Varelinna shook her head. "I see too much, is the problem..."