"Well, considering that it hasn't rained for more than three hours since I awoke from my dreams of elsewhere.....yes....I guess that one could say that it is..... a good day...."
The synthjava is hot in my hand as the rain splashes on the street before me.
"So.... what is is you do now....you were working for the GUV... a science teacher I think, ....at the local school? We have not talked for some time my friend......"
"Yeah, I'm still doing that."
"But why my friend? When everyone has everything ......the GUV provides everything for all of the people who want nothing more.......why do you do it...? Why do THEY do it?
"Oh, I don't know....possibly......habit.....? Who knows?"
"Pardon me proprietor of establishment 16589 my internal configuration requires that I ingest demulcents at least once every five sol rotations. Would provide me with such? And, you will have my credits of course".
I turned around and stared at the rob that stood beside me.
He turned and nodded to me and his synth steel mouth changed to what was to be interpreted as a smile.
"Hello sir, how are you today? He asked.
"Fine, and how are you?"
"I am fine within the confines of my parameters. I hope that I have not inconvenienced you in any way?"
"No, no, not at all"....
"Well rob, your demulcents are standard fare as defined by the ordinances for this sector, I assume that you were produced in this sector?" replied Georgio.
"Yes, I was proprietor. My credits will recompense you for your demulcents, as I said."
"I KNOW THAT.... ...rob....wait a sec, and it will be right up..."
Georgio turns from the bar and busies himself at the stainless steel tableau that he calls work.
'God it is wet..... I really do wish that it would maybe not rain......just one day......"
'The tempo of the passers by seem s to be changing.....
?''They were.......streaming left........? streaming right......
''What? '
'What?......'
'Everybody is .....what.....being..... 'pushed' ......down street?''
'The noise..... what? they aren't talking.....the women aren't grabbing men by their codpieces.... what? the people are not listening to their GUV provided music appendages...what??'
'What?'
"Here ya go Mr. Rob!" Georgio says as he places a tall clear glass with a straw on the counter.
"Thank you very Mr. Georgio! If I may so presume to address you with the personal appelation. Please allow me to place my first digit print on your cred device so that you may be reimbursed."
"Yeah here ya go." replied Georgio as he swung a finger scan around on it's flexible arm.
'But....what is going on....?'
People are streaming down street as if they are being pushed.....well...... they are....
Upstreet there is a great mass of people pushing, pushing, pushing.... panic.....'what is it?'.... I have to draw back from even the meager piece of camino that Georgio calls his own.... even the rob is being jostled as he tries to sip his drink......'
"CITIZENS!! CITIZENS!!! DO NOT BE ALARMED!!!"......
The airship that makes it's dutiful rounds above us ..... the vaguely Oriental woman seems..... upset?
"CITIZENS!!! CITIZENS!!! DO NOT BE ALARMED!!! PLEASE.... look here!!! look here!!! After this announcement by the GUV I will be announcing a two time span credit for ANY sounds or vids which you wish to download!! CITIZENS...CITIZENS!!!! DO NOT BE ALARMED!!! PLeas look here....the latest vids....just for you....."
The airship with the vaguely Oriental woman passes upstreet.. 'WHAT did she say?'
The press of people is becoming overwhelming! Georgio is grabbing my shoulder.
"Professor!? What is going on?"
"I don't know Georgio."
The rob moves toward me and places himself between me and the pressing throng.
"I will protect you sir!"....
The mass of synthsteel and his cold synthetic skin press against me. His right arm is in front of me.....
From the side of my eye I see that he has also placed his left hand on Georgio's counter.
"Mr. Propie....Georgio! May I so address you!? Please close your establishment while I try to protect yourself and.....and how may I address you sir?"
The press of people is crushing.....the rob is thrusting itself against them.... but even it's superhuman frame can't sustain itself against the mass of thousands of people.
I feel Georgio trying to pull down his counter blind...he is pulling, pulling and it is dragging on my back.
"HOLD ME SIR!! I may be able to withstand them!"
"Do you have antigrav!?" I shout!
"Yes sir, I have limited...."....but it is crushed against me. and it's..reply is lost in the screams of the people...
"ROB!!! ROB!!! ORDER 1354 ORDINANCE 234 I HEREBY INVOKE EDUCATOR STATUS!!!