I have recently been working on a short science fiction story. Over the next few weeks I will be posting new parts of the story. I would appreciate comments, questions, and suggestions. Enjoy “iLife”!

Imagine, if there was a world where all your fantasies became reality. Flying cars, robots and high tech gadgets. Innovations have made our lives easier and different. Though many of our current dangers are gone, new ones have arisen. This is what you’ll see, welcome to the 22^nd century.

“Kevin, come here”, called Jack, my brother. We were in the National Organization of Virtual Reality Headquarters. Virtual Reality is a new technology created recently by a group of scientists. NOVR is the organization that’s developing the technology and trying to make it more reliable and helpful.

“What?”, I hollered back, and walked down the corridor into the transfer room. I entered a small, white room. On the right side of the room, there was five booths. Using these booths you could go in and out of Virtual Reality, or VR.

“I need to go check on something in Virtual Reality, I’ll be back in an hour”

“Can I come with you, please?”, I pleaded.

“No, It’s too dangerous for you. You should go home and do your homework, I’ll see you back home.” He ran into a telephone booth styled glass pod, typed in a few commands and disappeared. I waited a few moments and gazed at the wonders of virtual reality.

I left the building and ran down 32^nd street back to our apartment. People are everywhere in New York, but it’s not like back then where people keep on bumping into each other. Since cars are now in the air there is more room to get around.

“Hi, Mom”, I said cheerily as I walked into our territory.

“Hi, where’s Jack?”

“He said that he had to check on something in VR and that he’ll be back soon”

“I see, you should go do your homework, It’s getting late”

“Fine”, I chuckled, “Homework, that’s what Jack said before I left.” I placed my stuff on top of the table and began the long process know as homework. After finishing my homework, I remembered that Jack should be home by then. From my pocket I produced my Xinctra Mobile. “Matt?”

“Yep”, replied a happy voice, and a face filled the vibrant screen.

“Call, NOVR, I need to ask Sam where Jack is.”

“Dialing…”

“Hello, this the National Organization of Virtual Reality Headquarters. This is Sam speaking, how may I help you?” Sam, is the “front desk guy” and he knows all about who went in and who went out.

“Yes, This is Kevin Johnson. I wanted to know if my brother left.”

“Oh, hi Kevin. You were here an hour ago.”

“I know, where is he?”

“I haven’t seen him leave the building”

“Okay, well give me a call back to this number when you see him”

“Fine, bye, Kevin”

“Matt, open WIRED magazine, January Issue 2108”

“Holographic, or on screen”

“ On Screen” Okay, you’re now wondering: why not holographic? Holographic is awkward to work with and the text isn’t very clear, so I just stick with the old fashioned way. Sometimes innovations don’t help. Hmm, interesting: are robots becoming human? I started to read about different AI projects, iRobot and Digibots are the leading producers.

“Kevin! It’s time to go to bed” My mom’s voice startled me.

“Yeah, okay” I picked up my mobile and headed to bed.

“Kevin! Kevin! Wake up, look on the news. Digibots just announced the arrival of Zachbot.”

I was suddenly wide awake. I quickly dressed and ran to the TV.

To be continued…