Future Fortitude

Jalex

Cars flew outside and over the building. On the building, a sign read:

Epsonia, Projected Technologies

In his office, Jalex, a 25-year-old, curly black haired with a two-piece suit, floated slightly above the floor in his hover chair. A projected image appeared on his desk, and he typed as if it were a real keyboard. He

Mellie, his boss, walked up to his office.

“Hey, I met Jaymes Wex, the CEO of Didexa, to discuss the merger, but he said there will be cutbacks and layoffs. I would recommend cutting the minor departments first, like the writing and music departments,” Jalex said.

“I agree that journalism is falling into obscurity and music is digitally chipped into our minds,” Mellie replied.

“I know all this, Jalex. But you? You’re fired.” She set a gentle hand on his shoulder.

“But–I’m your financial advisor, you need me.”

“No, I found someone better. I’ve already hired him, his name is Stevan Waltz, and he’s your replacement. Pack your stuff and get out!”

Jalex hurried to his office, grabbed all his belongings, like his projector watches, and extra ties. I can’t believe I got fired. I’ve been there for 5 years, and they replace me within minutes. What am I going to tell my wife? He thought.

He flew his car back home, and his wife kissed him on the cheek.

“Dear, I got fired today. Epsonia and Didexa are merging, and they let me go.” Jalex sat down and munched on another banapple.

“How are we gonna pay for groceries and bills?” Deirda asked.

“I don’t know, I have a remote side gig that sells GMO foods, FortiGro Foods, ” he lied. He quickly looked at his projected watch for an article on FortiGro Foods. “And they’re creating a genetically modified apple and banana. They’re calling it the banapple. It’s still in its experimental phase.”

“That’s great, is it part-time?”

Jalex nodded his head.

The next day, he tapped on his projected keyboard and looked for jobs at FortiGro Foods, but no jobs were available.

Many sun cycles passed without a response.

Deirdra

Deirdra, the breadwinner, employed by Harizona, a cybernetic enhancement company located in Retford, flew her flying car to work.

One day, it poured and thunder struck from afar. The thunder rumbled louder as it came closer. She rushed home, but lightning struck her flying car. She plummeted into the overflowed Pacific Ocean. Its waters rising from global warming. Well, this is the end. I lived a long, happy life until a few weeks ago, but maybe I’ll come back as someone else this time around. Reincarnation.

“I love you, Jalex!” She drowned and died.

Jalex

Lightning struck the house, and the clouds shielded the sun, so the solar panels’ solar cells weren’t filled. The house floated above the sky by hovering technology and fell into the ocean.

Jalex fell into the water. This is the end. Deirda’s gone. I lived a hard life. I cheated on Dee with Mellie, but Dee will never know the truth. That’s probably why my boss fired me. She never wanted to see me again, as I was her ex-boyfriend, ex-employee.

With one of his last breaths, he screamed, but the bubbles silenced them. He drowned, floated in stillness, and died.