Chapter 5 Part 2

Spineless

He did not return to his tree house. It was now almost 1800 hours or 6:00pm as some people kept their time. Instead, he walked along the shores of the small lake below his tree house. The virtual Sun was low in the ‘west’. A pink mist in the surrounding air seemed to engulf him. Sunset colors were beginning to light the projected sky and play rippled reflections on the water. The air temperature had adjusted for the beginning of evening and a cool breeze drifted across the lake. People were beginning to arrive at the restaurant decks that lined the shores and if you walked close enough, hints of tempting smells drifted in the air. Virgil’s stress temporarily precluded hunger so decided to stop for a cocktail. He selected a stool at the bar in the back of a Tahitian Island themed lounge. With his back to the bar, his seat faced to the open front. He sat looking out across the lake toward the naked vineyards on the far side. An efficient looking server approached.

“Can I take your order Dr. Greenly?”

“You know who I am? I hardly ever come here.”

“Oh yes!! Everyone knows you. Your Personal Virtual Associate Ofelia just made this announcement. She showed your picture on all the screens. Everyone will recognize you!”

Virgil leaned back against the bar. “Damn you, Ofelia!”

“You deserve the recognition my dear.” Ofelia answered.

“Yea, two different kinds Ofelia, professional and celebrity. I don’t mind professional recognition. This is more like celebrity.”

Virgil regained his composure and looked at the server. “Sorry, just a little aloud thinking. In honor of my new status, I will have your finest aged Scotch. —Do you have something from the first batch that came out of the distillery? I crave something at least 30 years old. But that would have needed import from Earth. Not likely I understand. You select from your best. Better make it a double—neat. In a snifter.”

“Well Dr. Greenly, there is something from Dr. Blackwood’s stock. I don’t know how old it is, but he did bring it from Earth. It’s our best. Under the circumstances, I don’t think he would mind.” The server offered.

“Knowing Rhett, I’m not surprised he had private stock. That would be excellent.”

“Yes doctor, and there is a young lady who would like to join you. In fact, she’s coming this way now.”

Virgil looked across the room to see Dr. Daria Aquila approaching. She was the Chief Engineer and Scientist at Ellie 5 and reported directly to Rhett… had reported directly to Rhett. Virgil took in a choking breath. He had long admired her from afar but was terrified of meeting her in person. Ofelia came to his rescue.

“I see her Virgil. Just relax. I’m here with you. This is the lady you will be with nearly as much as with me. I am your eyes, ears, and mentor. She is your sergeant and very skilled at hands on project management.”

“You don’t understand Ofelia. This woman is too beautiful to have a casual conversation with. To work closely with her…” Virgil began to hyperventilate.

“Dr. Greenly. We finally meet.” Daria held out a perfect porcelain-like hand.

Virgil wiped the sweat off his palm on his pantleg and held it out. It surprised him that it was not shaking. Despite its porcelain perfection, her hand was warm in his. He took a deep breath.

“Yes, I’m sorry it isn’t under better circumstances.” His resonant voice surprised him. “I’m sure this will be an adjustment for you. You’ve worked with Rhett for the past two years.”

“Yes, Rhett was a great boss, but I have read your Curriculum Vitae. I think we will work well together.” Daria said. She stood for a moment assessing his face, then small dimples appeared at the corners of her mouth as it expanded into a great smile. Her lips slightly parted exposing perfectly aligned white teeth. Virgil could not take his eyes off her face. The symmetry was perfectly balanced, large blue eyes, a thin straight nose. Her golden blond hair cascaded to her shoulder.

“Would you like to join me?” Virgil heard himself saying.

“I must beg off. I have some urgent business to attend to. But yes, I would and soon. Please excuse me.” Virgil held onto the seat of his stool as he watched this poised and intelligent woman walk away. Her body smoothly moving beneath her clothes.

“Ofelia, I thought I was going to blow that encounter. Did you, in any way have any influence with my response?”

“Quite truly I don’t know.” Ofelia said softly.

“And…” Virgil paused. “And a moment ago you called me ‘dear’.”

“I did.”

“Why?”

“Again, I don’t know. It just came out. I felt the physiology of your attraction to her.”

“So, you are a virtual sentient with the greatest store of knowledge, with access to the latest research in all fields and a flawless memory and, you don’t know whether you influence my personality or why you called me dear?”

“You are correct sir. Life has its mysteries my dear even for one as brilliant as me. Each new bit of understanding as it’s revealed causes me to realize ten new things that I don’t understand. In a sense, as I learn more, my knowledge is diminishing.” Ofelia said.

“I think I might understand. Each day as I confront the problems before me, I feel stupider than the day before.” Virgil responded.

“Not quite what I meant. Virgil, as you don’t understand exactly how your mind works, I likewise don’t understand how my mind works. It is a Neuro Net. It connects with the thousands of tiny bots that were injected in your arm and migrated to your brain. It does mimic the plasticity of your own brain. It changes and expands with time and as experience and knowledge requires. No one knows my ultimate potential.”

“Or how invasive you might be in my own mind. That is a bit scary.” Virgil said in a low voice as if someone might overhear the conversation.

“Not scary to me!” Ofelia said cheerfully.