The Lonely And Deficient Planet

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John woke up in a 3000 Nimbo Bed that looks like a comfy massage chair. It was the year 3000 and everyone is living in a merely 30 square meter home, no matter how many are you in a family. In this millennium, everything is instant, small and innovative. The 3000 Nimbo Bed of John do all his hygiene needs like brushing his teeth, washing his face and body with soap and water, brushing his hair and changing his clothes with only a push of a button.

Once he was all dressed up, he went to a small room that supposedly is a kitchen minus the refrigerator, gas stove, knives, plates, glasses and other utensils used for cooking. Well, he doesn’t need those things because no one cooks in the new era. Yes, everything is now instant that you can buy a full meal in the grocery wrapped in a sealed paper bag, and because of the cramp space, that was the only option for everyone. John only needs a microwave to heat his meals before eating. He checked his pantry and only saw 3 meal bags that will only last him for today.

Hmmm… I better contact my son again to refill my pantry, John thought.

John is now 80 years old. He lives alone as his wife has died of cancer and his only son has a family of his own. He opt to have a separate house since the government now regulates small homes for everyone. The new rule is that no one can have a house bigger than 40 square meters. Of course, the rich has protested and this has gone for years. But for John, that is not an issue.

He grabbed one and opened the microwave then placed the bag inside. He closed it and timed for 10 minutes. John then grabbed a spoon and waited for his meal to be cooked.

Ting!

He opened the oven and grabbed his meal and sat at a high stool beside the oven. While eating, he contemplated his childhood where the land was greener and you can see grasses on fields. There is a lot of nature to look at but now John needs to pay just to touch a grass again and even see a grasshopper. Times have changed quickly and industries became so advance that the concrete jungle has taken over all the land.

Once he finished his meal, he grabbed a water bottle from a small electric ice box. Every beverage now is on a bottle because the government profits from the beverage sales. And oh, the latter is the one who is allowed to sell drinks now. After finishing his meal, John looked at the clock – it’s already 3 o’clock in the afternoon. He didn’t feel like watching the Sports channel which is usually his routine. John rummages through his small room for something to do.

After minutes of pondering, John realized he haven't seen the outside world for quite sometime now. But where should he go? Oh, that's right, to his son of course!

Mike will be excited to see me! He thought.

During their hologram conversations, he can feel the warmth and care of his only son. John imagines Mike to be full of surprise and happiness in seeing him again after months of just having a conversation and hugging through a hologram. Now, it will be blood and flesh.

John grabbed his jacket and set-off to see his only son. It was weird because there is no one outside. Curfew is still a few hours. Ah, John remembers, people now are just telecommuting from work so there is no need for them to go outside. Even children are schooled through their computer so you can only see a few people walking. Everything is now on delivery and the power of computer has taken over the people’s lives.

John walked from his home to Mike’s placed. He knocked on his son’s door. Someone opened the door, it looks like a 5-year old boy.

“Hello there little fellah, is your dad home?”

“Who is that Jake?”

Mike opened the door wide and saw his Father. He was surprised but did not hug John or even let him in.

"Son, it's good to see —"

"Dad, what are you doing here? You are supposed to be at home!"

"Well, I thought I come here to visit you and my grandson. I was also out of grocery."

"You could have told me that through hologram. There's no point in coming here."

"I wanted to tell you personally because I wanted to see you. I feel so lonely in my house."

Mike let out a sigh.

"Dad, I'm sorry but we're busy right now. Can you just go back another time?"

"Can I just talk for a minute with my grandson."

"Sure, if you can make him talk to him. He have a speech disability and only wants his tablet all day."

With this, Mike let John in their home. The grandfather went straight to his grandson and sat beside him.

"Hi Jake. It's me your grandpa."

Jake looked up from his tablet and looked straight into his grandpa's eyes. The boy suddenly opened his mouth and said, "Grandpa."

This made John happy and Mike was surprised by what his son said.

"Jake, can you repeat that word again?" asked John.

"Grandpa." Repeated by the little kid.

"Dad... You made him speak..." Mike was speechless of this development.

"What are you doing there?" Asked John to Jake. The boy pointed at the characters and copied the dance step of the cartoons he was watching while smiling at his grandfather.

John talked to Jake for an hour more while Mike was watching them the whole time. The latter was in grateful shock by the development he is seeing from his child. It was getting late so John bid Jake goodbye.

"Hey baby Jake, Grandpa needs to go home now okay? You better be a good boy and avoid too much tablet okay? Play with your toys and eat your vegetables," said John while patting his grandchild's head tenderly.

"Mmmkay Grandpa."

"I will be back soon okay? Goodbye for now."

"Gooobye!" Jake responded enthusiastically and even gave his Grandpa a kiss on the cheek.

This made the two grown man laughed. John stood up while Jake resumed to watching the cartoons on his tablet. He went to Mike.

"So son, I hope you permit me again to talk to my grandson."

"Of course Dad... Sorry... About what I did earlier... I was just realy shock."

"No worries," John said while pulling Mike for a hug and patted his back.

"Hey Dad, can you come by again maybe everyday if you can? I really need someone to talk to Jake. Sorry I can't do that because I'm busy at work."

"Sure son, no problem."

"So, see you tomorrow? If you want, you can come here early in the morning so we can have breakfast."

"That will be great. See you tomorrow and always talk to Jake please when I am not around. I believe that's why he has speech delay because he's always on his gadget."

"Will do Dad. Will do and thank you."

"You're always welcome."

And with this, John head back to his shabby home. He felt great knowing that he has helped his son and still needs him. Now, John will always look foward to meeting his grandson everyday. Upon going home, a voice-over of a female greeted him. It was part of a new lock system in this generation.

He rummaged again on his drawer and found a rectangular thing that has thin paper inside.

"What is this?" John asked himself and pondered for awhile thinking about his childhood and where did he saw such a thing before.

Suddenly, an image of himself reading stuck in his head and a light bulb has hit him making him smile geniunely

"I think I know what this is," he said.

He opened the hardbound thing and began reading.

"Once upon a time, there was a girl named Alice..."

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Thank you for reading!

March 12, 2018 - 5 PM