[VIDEO] // 001

[twatter]

[ And we're live. The Technical Boy is seated on his bed in his room, communicator in one hand and the newest uPhone in the other, distractedly playing one of those mindnumbing mobile games. Every once in a while, the sound effects chirp, chime and serve as background music. His room's been redecorated in geometric decor and a roomba goes zooming by on the floor. ]

24.45 hours studying this network. And I'm bored.

[ Implied: You're boring. ]

You guys are practically gods. Granted, that's a lowercase G. But still. Your power here goes unmatched and all you can do is sit around talking about restaurant recommendations and dating sims? How about we have some real talk.

[ His thumb blurs over the screen of his uPhone, taking just a minute to beat the level with an air of superiority. Everyone can wait for him to make his proposal because he's definitely more important. And once the victory fanfare sounds, he tosses the phone to the side -- for the first time giving his full attention to the camera. ]

You're the old models. The old generation of imPorts who are just waiting to be made anew. So here's where I come in.

[ A beat. A smirk. A drag off of his vape pen. ]

Let's talk Upgrades.

Comments

video

[fehus]

Having more power doesn't make people more interesting.

video

[twatter]

What? Are you going to try and tell me 'it's all about personality.' Having more power is the only thing that makes people more interesting. Look at the celebrities.

Re: video

[fehus]

What's to look at? They're not interesting either. It's not about power or personality, it's about substance. The celebrity of the week doesn't have that.

video

[twatter]

Yet more people follow them, copy them, aspire to be them than some random schmuck you meet on the streets. People don't find substance in each other. They seek to find it in other means of stimulation. Drugs. Alcohol. Technology. You know how many people prefer to go on porn binges rather than going out and actually getting laid?

Re: video

[fehus]

I guess, but I'd be willing to bet those people know it's an empty life, after they ruin some perfectly good socks. Same for the instagram addicts and junkies. It's just addiction.

video

[twatter]

You claiming to be free from all that?

Re: video

[fehus]

[he visibly considers this]

-- Yeah, mostly. I've been using this network since I got here, but I've never been dependent on that kind of stuff. If the network went away tomorrow I'd be fine.

video

[twatter]

Well, fortunately I don't think it can go away. It's with us always.

[ Pointing to his head. ]

Up here. Another proof that we are all essentially technology now.

Re: video

[fehus]

That sounds a little cultish, dude.

video

[twatter]

Tell that to our generous hosts. They're the ones who made it that way.

Re: video

[fehus]

You don't sound too worried about any plastic dixie cups?

[twatter]

I don't. Worry. I figure out solutions. Endless search results and webpages.

[ He points to his forehead to indicate where they're indexed. ]

[fehus]

Figure out the solution to getting us sent back to our worlds, then.

[pummelgranite]

Depends on the power.

[fehus]

What makes you say that?

[pummelgranite]

Some powers're interesting.

[fehus]

So? Some people are hot or rich or good at carving instruments out of large vegetables or whatever. That's not a guarantee they have anything else going on.

I just don't think powers make a person, I guess.

[pummelgranite]

[ She thinks about what he's said for a long beat, tipping her head to the side. ]

One of those is extremely specific.

[fehus]

Specific examples help make a point. Reference: middle school English class. Also check this.

[attached;]

[pummelgranite]

. . . huh.


[ That's kind of interesting. A tiny bit interesting. She is interested a little bit.


But not much. ]

[fehus]

Yeah. So like, obviously the lady on the far left is the life of the party and a treasure to mankind, but who knows about the other three, you know?

Anyway. Hi?

[pummelgranite]

Hi.

[fehus]

Sup?

[pummelgranite]

You're new. Who are you?

[fehus]

Is it obvious? Magnus.