1. memory.
I.
" So you have a hot date tomorrow tonight, blonde or brunette? said Frank.
"Redhead. Said Xander.
" Well I hope you have a good time. But I'll probably see you before then, maybe I will make a turn tomorrow. Don't get to carried away with the programming, cheers. Said Frank. "Till then. Said Xander.
They had been working in alternating shifts for six months now, working on their pet project, a computer program called 'memory'. The program once perfected would enable a person to relive his or her favorite memory in virtual reality. So precise was their programming that it would feel to the participant as if he was actually physically reliving his fondest memory.
Frank had not been gone for an hour when Xander stumbled on the key command that would enable him activate the program. He wasn't sure of his calculations so didn't bother to phone Frank and confirm his discovery. Instead he decided to take a chance by testing the program on himself; after all, he was pretty sure no harm could come of it.
He took a while to decide which memory he should choose but ultimately decided on one in which he and a beautiful girl he had known long ago, lay in each others arms in blissful sleep, half-a-slumber, half-awake, next to the river under the shade of some blue gum trees. It was a lovely summer day with the breeze blowing gently and birds chirping in the trees. They were young and in love, yes, it was his favorite memory, he thought to himself as he adjusted the headgear and prepared to install the program.
When the program was finished loading he sat back in his chair and relaxed, remembering, and with the aid of the program, now reliving his best-loved memory.
II.
At first it was just a memory, vague and uncertain, in his mind. But steadily it grew in strength and clarity. Where their bodies had been less than air in his memory, it now became as real as physical flesh. The wind he could actually feel, and hear it make the blue gums murmur. The songs of the birds he heard distinctly. The memory had become real; it lived, and radiated life.
They did not speak much as they lay down on the lush green grass and prepared to rest. They exchanged some words of love and closed their eyes to sleep. And although their rest was deep as they slept, they were still distinctly aware of their surroundings and each other. They were dreaming sweet dreams while still being half aware, and thus half awake, in each other's arms. His memory was real, and he was contented.
It went like this for a prolonged period time, and when he had rested his fill he expected it to end, and for him to awake in his chair in front of the computer as the program was intended to do. But it did not. It repeated it itself in a continual cycle of;
'They did not speak much as they lay down on the lush green grass and prepared to rest. They exchanged some words of love and closed their eyes to sleep. And although their rest was deep as they slept, they were still distinctly aware of their surroundings and each other. They were dreaming sweet dreams while still being half aware, and thus half awake, in each other's arms. His memory was real, and he was contented.'
And again;
'They did not speak much as they lay down on the lush green grass and prepared to rest. They exchanged some words of love and closed their eyes to sleep. And although their rest was deep as they slept, they were still distinctly aware of their surroundings and each other. They were dreaming sweet dreams while still being half aware, and thus half awake, in each other's arms. His memory was real, and he was contented.'
And still;
'They did not speak much as they lay down on the lush green grass and prepared to rest. They exchanged some words of love and closed their eyes to sleep. And although their rest was deep as they slept, they were still distinctly aware of their surroundings and each other. They were dreaming sweet dreams while still being half aware, and thus half awake, in each other's arms. His memory was real, and he was contented.'
And so he was caught up in an eternity of this continual re-enactment of love. His vision of paradise was turning into a bittersweet hell of eternal love and joy. As this eternity passed, and did not pass, he came to loathe the smell of his loved ones hair, which once he cherished. Still he was powerless, as the comedy of torturous love continued:
'They did not speak much as they lay down on the lush green grass and prepared to rest. They exchanged some words of love and closed their eyes to sleep. And although their rest was deep as they slept, they were still distinctly aware of their surroundings and each other. They were dreaming sweet dreams while still being half aware, and thus half awake, in each other's arms. His memory was real, and he was contented.'
III.
Long ago he had learnt to accept that eternity was indeed just that; eternity, when he awoke in his chair.
Frank was there when he revived.
"Where am I, what year is it? he inquired from Frank who informed him that it was the following day. It seems there had been a glitch in the program, which had caused it to freeze and hang, thus the eternal repetition of his favorite memory. Frank took over for his shift as Xander gratefully prepared to retire for the day.
"Are you still going on that hot date tonight inquired Frank before he left.
"No, I decided against it. Said Xander.
"Are you at least going to ask her for a rain check? Frank asked.
"Yes, a permanent one. He said as he walked out of the door.
