What’s Above

Wilmington, Delaware 2050

Bustle. That word suited the many people darting here and there. Most of them sported shoes that kept you in stride while walking in the air. These upright postures promoted back and neck support and alleviated any pain on the spine and feet. Everyone, though, possessed a chip in their heads that allowed them to communicate with thoughts.

Not only that, usernames and other handles broadcast from the top of their heads. You might see a text message or a comment on a video and the government had mandated such activity after a major terrorist attack. When Kasden Lahey met up with Kadijah Knoxton, it went a little something like this….

Lahey, the color of coffee with waves and green eyes, finished college. He worked in the travel plaza in Newark, Delaware to pay back student loans. He was tall and appeared as if years peeled away from him. He looked online, which meant other people could see his ideas, too. His supervisor Steph Josephson looked at the bubble above his head. Steph had been the color of mahogany with deep brown eyes. He was stocky and looked like he could have been a linebacker.

“You don’t want her, man. She’s got three kids and is only twenty-two. The fathers are all deadbeats and they don’t have a care for those children. She’s….”

“Beautiful.”

“That may be so, but she’s got plenty of baggage.”

They worked in Newark, Delaware. One of the only upsides of the MindDisplay device was that you knew the name of the person you just poured a latte for at that particular establishment. It was like an invasion of privacy jacked up to extreme levels but also mildly convenient. There had been those who fought against it and found it to be unConstitutional. Both Lahey and Steph couldn’t fight when Khadija walked up to the counter. She had flowing blond and red loches and skin the color of cacao. Her ebony eyes twinkled like black diamonds.

Lahey looked at the bubble above her head.

It read, “A mini triple mocha cappuccino, two shots and no whipped cream.”

“I’ll have that up for you,” Lahey said. His bubble read, “What’s your phone number?” An algorithm allowed for personal information like passwords and security information to be shared by only a select few participants. Khadijah smiled and permitted her phone number to flash across her bubble.

After he made the beverage, there was no need to write a name on the cup.

“Thank you,” she said and walked out of the travel plaza which housed the coffee shop.

“Don’t tell me you got her number….” Steph mentioned. “You got her number? What are you, crazy? She leaves a battlefield of relationship corpses in her wake, while dragging along those units she pumped out and then you’re next in line for utter ruin. I’m telling you right now, there’s going to be trouble for you.” Lahey hated emojis. Steph knew that. He thought of the angry face with the explicit warning over the mouth. He pushed the swinging door to the back of the shop.

“I’ve told you over and over and….” Steph started.

Lahey’s bubble read “Standby.”

“Okay, it’s not my life getting thrown away. I just thought you’d have good enough sense to see what it’s like to be single and alone but not lonely. Any woman but her Kas’. Now you have her number. Call her up right now. Go ahead.”

Lahey exhaled sharply. He thought about dialing. She picked up the phone.

“Hello?” she replied.

“Hey, this is…”

“Kasden Lahey. That was an excellent cappucino you made for me. Thanks, again.”

Steph just sat on a stack of crates with his arms crossed.

“So you want to go to the personal visual center?”

“Yes, sure. What’s playing?”

“That’s just it. I have enough credits to choose any of the thousands of visuals which have been made.” These places essentially allowed for the thrill of a movie theater, but with just a specific number of viewers, all chosen by the ticket holder.

“Sounds great. My synth virtual assistant will look after my kids.”

“I’ll hover over to your house at eight on Saturday.”

“That’s cool.”

The transmission ended. “Now, you see Steph, that’s how you set up a date.”

“But she’s pushing thirty and you’re only nineteen. You’re about to be entangled in so much baby daddy tragedy that it won’t be funny. I’ve given you my warning.” Steph’s emoji returned. This time with wind expelling from his nostrils.

“It’s whatever. I can have any woman choose me. She did. And that’s all there is to it,” Steph’s bubble went blank. He walked past Lahey. The bubble above Lahey sketched out every girlfriend he’d had a relationship with since high school. Steph smiled at a customer with blonde hair and blue eyes. She, in her bubble, showed emojis with her smiling face and hearts all around her. Lahey noticed this. “Steph, a word, sir!” He punched through the swinging door.

“You’re the bossman and you’re giving me advice. You must not have noted my past girlfriends. Look up.”

“Lindsey Kraków….Jesus.”

“Yeah, I tried to warn you, but you’re on your own type time. In all the while you've been trying to prevent me from seeing Khadijah, you failed to know that the snow bunny on the opposite side of this door used to be my girl.”

“Damn. I’m just figuring all of this out now,” Steph said glumly. Then, “Well, I’m going out there and see about my chances with her!”

Lahey walked onto the floor behind Steph. The bubble in Lindsey’s display showed an emoji of her face rolling her eyes. No one said anything as her bubble went blank and their bubbles also cleared.

“Hey, Lindsey,” Lahey finally replied.

“Hi, Kasden,” she announced.

“My supervisor here….” Steph had already decided to send a barrage of information Lindsey’s way. Her coffee order was simple.

A giant vanilla latte with two shots and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

“That order is already up for you,” Steph mentioned.

“Thanks. I’ll see you next Sunday at the Classical Bar.”

“That’s alright,” Steph.

“You’re going out with one of my ex’s, but you have been berating me for going after Khadijah?”

Steph shrugged. ”That’s it my friend, once you know the game and how to play it, you make your own rules.” Lahey sighed and directed a synthetic being to wipe down surfaces.