User:Ryuary

The Machine of the Future  “Number 34, you’re next,” called the young receptionist from behind her gray computer. A man of a moderate build pushed himself off of his chair and strolled across the lounge-like room. Although his face was average — the type often overlooked amongst crowds — the woman at the desk immediately recognized him. “Right on schedule,” she said as the two chuckled. “You’re in here practically every day, Joel,” she continued through a warm smile.



“You can never get too much of a good thing.”



“Do you still have your preset?” the receptionist asked from behind her monitor.



“Yes, of course.” Joel pulled out a penny-sized disk from his pocket.



“Well, you know the drill. You have 30 minutes, but you can leave whenever you want. Enjoy.”

He walked through the open door into a large, beige hallway. The clicking of his heels echoed inside the corridor. Following the wall-mounted signs, he arrived at a heavy, metal door. He entered the room and clicked the silver knob into place behind him. Standing still, Joel’s eyes searched around the walls of the white room. Each side shined like glass and had gray spheres of metal protruding between them.



Speakers hidden in the ceiling began to play. “Welcome new or returning customer to ‘The Machine of the Future,’ presented to you by Matthias Technologies. In this state-of-the-art virtual reality room, any world can be your world. 3-D images are projected to be touched, felt, and experienced. You may choose a default preset like hang gliding over the beaches of Fiji or having lunch with Albert Einstein. You may even load your own adventures using a ‘Custom Preset Disk.’ Your 30 minute session begins now.”



Joel slid the disk into a small opening in the wall and the room began to change. The sleek, white walls morphed into dark, oak wood. A woman appeared in front of him, on top of a red carpet. Joel took off his shoes and walked towards her, he could feel the wool on his feet. The woman smiled and hugged him. Wrapping his arms around her, he grinned and kissed her neck.

<p style="margin-top:0.357143em;margin-bottom:0.357143em;font-size:17.2523px;line-height:1.42857em;color:rgb(255,255,255);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:normal;">

<p style="margin-top:0.357143em;margin-bottom:0.357143em;font-size:17.2523px;line-height:1.42857em;color:rgb(255,255,255);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:normal;">The two stood in the center of the room for a moment, until Joel stepped back mildly. Looking her over, he focused on her baby blue eyes and rose red hair. Still smiling at her, Joel slipped his hand into his pocket. The small knife he pulled out was enough to pierce her sternum and force blood-filled screams from her lungs. She coughed and sprayed the room crimson as Joel knocked her to the floor and began ripping through her skin.

<p style="margin-top:0.357143em;margin-bottom:0.357143em;font-size:17.2523px;line-height:1.42857em;color:rgb(255,255,255);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:normal;">

<p style="margin-top:0.357143em;margin-bottom:0.357143em;font-size:17.2523px;line-height:1.42857em;color:rgb(255,255,255);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:normal;">Broken ribs were displayed through her sweater and the carpet laid soaked. Still focused, Joel continued plunging the knife deeper. Once the physical exertion rose to a level Joel could not sustain, he collapsed on the floor. His hyperventilating filled the silent room. Laying on his back, his eyes traced the ceiling. It grew quiet as the two laid on the floor, until the speakers interrupted. “Your 30 minute session has concluded. Please remove any preset disks and leave through the door marked ‘Exit.’ We at Matthias Technologies hope you enjoyed your experience and hope you come back soon.”

<p style="margin-top:0.357143em;margin-bottom:0.357143em;font-size:17.2523px;line-height:1.42857em;color:rgb(255,255,255);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:normal;">

<p style="margin-top:0.357143em;margin-bottom:0.357143em;font-size:17.2523px;line-height:1.42857em;color:rgb(255,255,255);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:normal;">Joel looked around the blank, white room. His hands and clothes were unstained and clean. He slipped his knife back into his pocket, collected his preset, and headed out the door. Joel arrived home to his wife sitting at the dining room table, alone. She stared intently at the credit card bills in front of her, somehow hoping that would make them go away.

<p style="margin-top:0.357143em;margin-bottom:0.357143em;font-size:17.2523px;line-height:1.42857em;color:rgb(255,255,255);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:normal;">

<p style="margin-top:0.357143em;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:17.2523px;line-height:1.42857em;color:rgb(255,255,255);font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:normal;">Joel sat next to her and placed his hand on hers. She pulled away, and sunk her head onto the table. “You can’t keep going there, Joel. It’s costing us a fortune.” She pulled her head up. “Whatever you do there, you’re going to have to live without it. I mean… What are you going to do when we can’t afford it anymore?” Joel stared blankly back at her baby blue eyes and rose red hair.