Chapter 3: Chapter 2: to the airport

Beep, beep, beep. While still deep asleep, Peter hears his alarm clock beeping. It shows 08:00 hours.

Trying to ignore it, he groans and pulls on his blankets, covering his ears. Beep, beep, beep. Every merciless beep is louder and more annoying than the first. 

"Shut up, I'm awake you bloody idiot" he shouts. But unfortunate for him, it is not a modern, voice enabled system, so it continues to happily beep three more times. After that, a loud bang on the alarm-off switch follows..it's definitely quiet now.

After a loud yawn, blankets seem to fly everywhere. He gets out of bed, stretches, "ah right, no work today! Today is Tokyo-day! Or should I just cancel it? Maybe I should read a good book and stay at home. There is still time to cancel the tickets..." He unsteadily walks to the bathroom, still half asleep, uses the toilet, washes up, gets dressed in his casual weekend-outfit and walks to the kitchen. 

"Coffee and a sandwich, then I'm off to Japan" he mumbles to himself. "Ah man, I really should stop talking out loud." 

It is a bad habit, which started a long time ago in high school. While his sandwich is being printed, his thoughts go back to a time long past. Girls never seemed to have any issues, always having fun, talking together, going out, having sleepovers. But no fun for him, there was always a bully to mess up his day. Even teachers thought he would drop out of school. Then, one day after school, he started talking to himself. He was not yet aware of it, but it unconsciously comforted him, it cleared his thoughts and gave him the feeling he was never alone. Since that day his grades improved dramatically, like studying together with a friend would do, only further fueling bullies to hurt him. But then he passed his exams, leaving his bullies and his surprised teachers far behind. Granted, his current job was not fulfilling, but his skills made sure he at least had one now. Unfortunately for him though, his bad habit never left him. 

Realising how depressed his thoughts were becoming, he made a firm decision: "stop! no more depressing thoughts. Starting today, I will live a new life!" Unbeknownst to him, truer words were never spoken...

Having finished his breakfast, recycling his dishes and packing clothes for his one week trip to Japan, he glanced outside. It was going to be another cold day and it looked like snow was in the air, but at least it would stop raining for a while. A faint outline of what just might be the sun was slowly rising in the distance. A single ray of sunshine made it into his living room. Hope, a small ray of hope. His lips showed a small smile, as this must surely be a good omen.

Beep, beep, beep...his hand computer was beeping. A small implanted chip used to pay for purchases, used as a digital passport, but also a communication device or computer. Above his hand, a small holographic window was projected, "Reminder. Your flight to Tokyo will leave at 09:30 hours. Would you like to order a taxi?" 

His eyes wide, realising it is already 08.45 hours. "Yes!" he quickly answers.
He immediately takes his travel bag, and throws it in front of the door. "Clothes? Check! Reservation, taxi, check and check. If needed, I can always buy things in Japan. Computer! Put the apartment into sleep-mode!" 

"Sleep-mode activated", his apartment-computer replied. 

"Ok, the door is locked, time to go", Peter puts his travel bag over his shoulder and walks to the elevator at a brisk pace. Looking at his hand, it now shows 08:55 hours. Time to run, before the taxi gets here. 

"Ah, I have the elevator for myself, lucky me! Ground floor!"
A few minutes later, he is waiting outside in front of the building; waiting for the taxi to arrive. 

"Mmm, the weather is still improving, that's a good omen. How would the weather in Tokyo be? Meh, that can wait."  While continuing to wait and beginning to feel like a snowman, his eyes follow the small garbage disposal robots doing their hard work, slowly cleaning the streets. A man walking his dog walks past him without making eye contact, let alone saying a word. 

 

Finally, the taxi arrives while he is frozen to the bone. "Good morning", the taxi driver says after opening the door. Not an android today, surprise surprise. 

 

Peter manages to stop himself saying the usual "I will decide that for myself", instead remembering his resolution to stay positive from now on. Couldn't hurt, right?   "Good morning indeed" he replied to the driver while entering the taxi. 

 

"Alrighty,  where to dude?" The driver's question obviously lacks anything civilised. 

 

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"Excuse me? You are not from around here are you?" Peter replies with a smile. 

 

"Ah sorry, no I moved here two weeks ago, still trying to fit in I guess. Let me try again, where would you like me to drive you?" 

 

"No worries, please go....there", Peter replied, while touching the backside of his hand against the taxi computer. Beep, and the destination was set.

 

"Oh, the airport, going somewhere nice and warm? Can't blame you with this crappy weather all the time" the driver noted while engaging hover-mode and heading towards the destination. 

 

"Nah, nothing too fancy, I'm going to Japan for a week. Just a change of scenery." 

The driver nodded and our conversation thankfully went quiet for a while. We manoeuvred between the buildings, then following pre-set lanes like all other traffic.

 

Five minutes later, we arrived at the airport. 

"Ok, we're here," the driver said. 

 

Peter puts his hand against the computer again and pushes the virtual "yes" button to pay for the ride. 

 

"Thanks, have a good flight, dude!'' His final remark created an instant headache for Peter. 

 

Remembering his resolution, Peter replied "thank you and bye".  

"...Not giving you a 5 star rating though," he thought with an evil grin on his face, when the taxi departed. 

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