Reed laughed and bumped his shoulder against Hanne’s. “A sales pitch?”
“Yeah,” she said, leaning briefly against him as they walked. “I’m in the market for a new year. Sell me the 2406 model. I’ve got a wide variety to choose from, so tell me why you decided to live through this one.”
“You’re a nerd. You realize that, right?”
-“Tell me why I should be a nerd in the year 243. Next year we can decide on 244.“
+“Tell me why I should be a nerd in the year 283. Next year we can decide on 284.“
Reed scuffed his heel against the pavement of the street. New Year’s Eve, and everyone was still inside. Bars: full. Restaurants: packed. There were a few scattered couples or groups around, but they were all walking with purpose. Champagne called. Canapes. Crudites.
And here they were, Reed and Hanne, arm in arm, strolling leisurely down the street, heedless of the passersby, to celebrate the last day of 2406, systime 282+365.
“If you’re looking for the utmost in luxury, then it’s really hard to go wrong with 2406. The ride was just about as smooth as could be.”
diff --git a/writing/post-self/marsh/002.html b/writing/post-self/marsh/002.html index 1df7d814a..c9e8d2ec4 100644 --- a/writing/post-self/marsh/002.html +++ b/writing/post-self/marsh/002.html @@ -181,10 +181,10 @@Everyone tilted their heads almost in unison. It was more a habit than anything, not a required motion, but the habit that Marsh had formed so many years ago had stuck with all of the Marshans throughout their own lives.
Systime 284+41 00:17.
“Wait, what–”
-“246? But–”
-“It says 2370, too!”
+“284? But–”
+“It says 2408, too!”
Everyone talking at once quickly grew overwhelming. Reed shook his head, covered his ears with his hands, then, remembering that he was standing in the middle of a small crowd, tried to mask the movement by turning it into running his fingers through his hair.
-“Okay, one at a time,” he said, having to speak up to drown out further exclamations. “I’m seeing 246+41. Everyone else seeing the same thing?”
+“Okay, one at a time,” he said, having to speak up to drown out further exclamations. “I’m seeing 284+41. Everyone else seeing the same thing?”
Nods around.
“Any, uh…” He swallowed drily, looked around, and grabbed the glass of water that still sat, neglected, on the table beside the couch. After a careful sip, he tried again. “Any ideas as to what might have happened?”
Silence.