Chp. 3: Entrance To The Future

After hours of walking, we entered New Arcadia City, and it instantly felt like entering an upgraded high tech lifestyle. We felt out of place and noticed that nobody walked at a normal pace. Everyone either had jetpacks or turbo heelys and high tech gear. This is so strange because I distinctly recall modes of transport being vehicles back when Arnold was around, and heelys being kids shoes. This is definitely impressive.

I felt like a kid in a movie I was in awe and span around taking in every inch of scenery around me with an expression of excitement and interest.

Terrchel: "Right so Mr. Chicken, where do you presume we start looking to find what we are here for? I mean, this place is huuuuge".

Leghorn: "I'll tell you what this place is; it's a circus! Look at the bright colors everywhere, and these advertisements are absolutely annoying. THEY TALK TO YOU. I had a comprehensive understanding of all this in The Light Realm, but witnessing it firsthand is insane. Especially after the last time I was here. The growth has been rapid. It just shows the danger of that celestial energy. In the wrong hands all this power will bring destruction"

Terrchel: "You sound paranoid. Let's just living in the moment and have a good day".

Whilst crossing the street, we received weird stares, probably because we were the only two walking at what I'd presume to be a normal speed. I guess I could get myself a pair of Heelys and remove the turbo charger; that way I'd be able to get by at full speed without anybody noticing it's an ability and I won't look out of place, but Leghorn and his tiny chicken feet won't be able to keep up, and I absolutely refuse to carry him around. It's good enough that everyone is staring. Plus then he will certainly feel like a Master. I can't give him that satisfaction.

Terrchel: "Hey, Mr. Chicken, do you suppose they are staring at us because we are weirdos without tech gear, or because you, well... YOU?"

Leghorn: "It's 2050; nobody cares about a deformed-looking 'chicken.' They probably all think I'm some high-tech artificial intelligence pet. I mean, they have these holographic ads that talk and do sales pitches and robots all around. There's even humans with artificial intelligence upgrades. It's like we're living in a movie or something!"

Terrchel: "Artificial Intelligence? The longer I'm in Arcadia, the more unintelligent I feel".

Leghorn: "Hahahah The mistake was made in the assumption that you ever were intelligent. Do you know the size of a fly's brain? Anyway, come over here. Let's see what this advertisement has to say so we can figure out a plan".

Terrchel: "For your information a study has shown that flies appear to think before they act and, humans take longer to make trickier decisions, Scientists admitted to being surprised by the discovery, which indicates that even insects show signs of intelligence".

Leghorn: "Okaaay and I assume that you collected that data from Arnold's scientist memory box brain".

Terrchel: "Yeah, it has it's perks I guess. These holographic advertisements are really impressive.... ".

Leghorn: "I can sense you're about to spit out more scientific facts. Please refrain. If I wanted a walking encyclopedia I would have activated my swatch assistant".

Terrchel: "Yea yeah [rolls eyes] I spot a shopping center a few blocks down. Got any celestial cash or magic beans? Because I'm starving and thirsty!"

Leghorn: "I possess some Arcadian Dollars. I anticipated that you would not secure a job to support our upcoming adventure. I tend to plan ahead".

Terrchel: "Are you kidding me! Why have we walked all this way or slept outside on a bench if you're clearly loaded? Well, where do you keep it? Are you going to summon it from the heavens? Should I expect a loot drop any second?"

Leghorn: "This isn't a video game, Terrchel. If you are genuinely interested, cash has become outdated like a dinosaur since you were dead. We now have cryptocurrency-a modern approach-and it's all conveniently stored on my Swatch. A simple scan is all that's required. When you get your gear I'll transfer you some".

Leghorn: "Annnd just because I'm here doesn't mean you get a free pass at missing vital human experiences and making freewill decisions that needs to take place for your growth, especially if you want to start unlocking those levels on your abilities. As it stands you're not even on level one yet".

Leghorn stopped pacing and turned to look at me with a serious look on his face he took me by the shoulders stared me in my eyes and said "Most times I will already be informed or have the answers to your questions, but this journey isn't about me giving you a golden spoon and making everything convenient. I will assist as far as allowed, but none further. Soon you'll understand the greater picture at work."

I nodded at Leghorn showing understanding to what he is saying and also processing all the information he just gave me but not feeling the need to respond because what would I say to that. I instead led us towards the advertisement section of the street up ahead. As we walked in silence I could only ponder on the seriousness of what he said. It wasn't what he said but mostly how he said it that has me feeling like things are going to get out of hand and I might be on my own. It's like he knows something and is trying to warn me before it happens but he doesn't want to scare me by saying it outright.

As we walked, a holographic advertisement caught our attention, directing us to the nearest store for the latest tech wear. However, what really caught me off guard was its claim that this wearable technology not only came equipped with artificial intelligence but some people opt for personalized companionship based on their needs and wants and that was only the beginning. It's crazy how far technology has advanced it's like there's basically nothing that can't be done.

Somehow this high-tech advertising hologram eavesdropped on our previous conversation about cryptocurrency and the hologram made a bizarre comment about my "artificial chicken", referring to Leghorn. The hologram assumed Leghorn was assigned to me because I had suffered some kind of memory loss or trauma due to analyzing our previous conversation.

The hologram then asked permission to scan me, supposedly to recommend an upgraded AI pet based off my overall needs. According to the hologram, Leghorn was outdated and no longer useful. It was clear that the hologram was trying to make a sale and earn a high rating but what I couldn't understand was how the hologram had overheard our conversation in the first place, and why it felt the need to comment on something unrelated to its initial sales pitch. I kindly declined it's offer and refused to being scanned, knowing that would lead to unnecessary discoveries the Arcadia patrol doesn't need to know about.

According to my memory or should I say Arnold's memory, if I should rewind to when expert systems and rule-based AI emerged, mimicking human decision-making. It seems the real magic happened in the 21st century. Image recognition accuracy surpassing human capabilities, AI-generated art selling, AI-assisted protein folding predictions, accelerating medical research but this what I'm seeing right now surpasses what he thought he knew.

Arnold knew The future of AI is bright, but also raised important questions about ethics, bias, and responsibility. As he continued to push the boundaries of what's possible. I can sense that in my being.

I have more questions about this artificial intelligence operations in general, but I decided it was best not to annoy Leghorn with it, especially since I was counting on him to buy me food.

After the hologram advertisement service, a holographic bar suddenly appeared above it. The bar resembled the one I'd seen on Leghorn's high-tech swatch, functioning as a 3D status display. It showed the number of likes and dislikes the hologram had received, along with other reviews and information that I didn't take the time to read. I just gave it a rating and we made our way to the shopping center.

As I explored this new world, I noticed that the rating system was omnipresent. Everyone used it, from humans interacting with each other to customers reviewing stores. From a distance, I watched people pull up their personal status bars after conversations, leaving tips and ratings. It was surreal, like walking social media. Is this what the world had come to, people are defining their worth off ratings and reviews instead of human morality. I can definitely anticipate problems for The City of New Arcadia and I think I understand a bit now why so many people opted to make a home in the undergrid.

I had a plethora of questions. What happened to the clothes people bought? Everyone entered stores, but no one carried shopping bags. Instead, all they had on them was always their high-tech gear. The logistics of this world baffled me.

Leghorn: "Your silence suggests that you might be deep in thought once more".

Terrchel: "I hope you don't mind me asking, but when do you intend to buy me that chicken meal you promised?".

Leghorn: "I do mind, seeing that you insistent on promoting cannibalism. Let's grab everything we need here at the shopping center then we can get some proper Cryobro's pizza the New Arcadia City version".

The shopping experience was strange. We entered a store and we were immediately greeted by an AI robot, who asked us what we were here for and in a few seconds gave us suitable options to which I insisted Leghorn try on the hello kitty jetpack.

Leghorn being himself, declined and opted for the more boring approach. The AI robot assistant ordered everything we needed and had it airdropped onto something called the Arcadia Space and uploaded all access onto our new tech gear which we immediately put on. Leghorn paid for everything in a remarkably short time. I must admit, the human male in me appreciates this level of efficiency.

I put my gear on and removed the turbo charger from my heelys. Leghorn transferred me some Arcadia Dollars as promised and we made our way to Cybro's Pizza Den in the shopping center. The atmosphere was quite different to the Cybro's in The Undergrid.

We were immediately seated in a booth. The nostalgic smell of freshly baked melon pan wafted through the air as the robotic waitress walked past me with a tray. Immediately, my mind transported me back to a distant memory.

It was a sunny Saturday morning. Arlene, my wife, held my hand, her bright smile illuminating the bustling streets of New Arcadia City. Our son, Emerson, excitedly skipped ahead, his curious eyes scanning the vibrant market stalls. As we strolled through the crowded alleys, Arlene and I exchanged a warm glance, our hearts filled with joy and contentment.

This memory brought about intense emotions. It felt like, in this moment, the importance of family and the beauty of ordinary days spent together were all that mattered, but I never had this; all of this is not mine; it's Arnold's feelings and memories! I clenched my fists and sat in these emotions.

Leghorn: "Excuse me, Terrchel, are you feeling alright? It seems you have lost focus again, and your fork appears to be broken in half".

I blinked a few times and looked down at my hands, and saw the bent fork, tears started streaming down my face, but I felt angry. I didn't know how to explain any of this to Leghorn honestly; I didn't want to either. I felt like burning this place down in search of this joy that I lost but wasn't mine. I was in conflict with Arnold's memories and feelings entangling with my own desire to yet discover who I am and what MY purpose is. I feel pulled in all directions by emotions and memories.

Leghorn: "Terrchel, tell me what you saw. By the way you zoned out I know you had a flashback".

I knew telling Leghorn wouldn't matter; nothing makes sense, and he wouldn't care. He's only asking to ensure I don't jeopardize whatever special quest I've been reincarnated into this specific body to execute. That's why The Light Realm sent him anyway; he's not my friend. As a fly I was discarded, Arnold surely was a loner because of his line of work and that's probably why we were brought together in this messed up way.

Yet, still not being together because he's dead and...

I'm well, me.

In him...

But we strangers

But we one

Or we not one, I'm just using his meat suit because for some reason I couldn't get my own...

Leghorn's gaze never left my face, he's waiting for me to say something.

Terrchel: "I saw something that could help us find a place for the night: a street name 'Addisons.' I remembered the names of Arnold's loved ones: Arlene Maximus and Emerson Maximus. Perhaps you could run all that through your tech and give us an overview of what we are working with here".

Leghorn: "Certainly, I am currently retrieving the information for you from the Arcadia citizens webspace, maybe this will jog your memory about your stalker from the abandoned amusement park too".

The holographic status read:

Subject: Maximus family

Husband: Arnold Maximus

Gender: Male

Occupation: New Arcadia City Head Scientist

Possession: Z3 Addison Street bachelor cube

Status: Deceased

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cause of death: INCONCLUSIVE

✧✧

Wife: Arlene Maximus

Gender: Female

Occupation: Freelance Archeologist

Possession: Vault [click here to upload location to personal Arcadia Space using access code]

Status: deceased

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Cause of death: Natural causes

✧✧

Son: Emerson Maximus

Gender: male

Rating: ⭐

[no further information found for Arcadian Citizen Record]

[last recorded status: alive]

Terrchel: "Okay, so we have two dead people, a property, a vault; which we need a code to gain access to and a ghost for a son. Plus none of this jogged my memory about who is after me".

Leghorn: "You don't seem too thrilled about this".

Terrchel: "We have vague information to go off...what is really wild though is this rating system. What if someone is a good person but just because they don't meet societies ratings they are basically then discarded?"

Leghorn: "Unfortunately they will be seen as the worst in society and most unlikely obtain opportunities and have people want to be around them because they will be labeled, but from my experience the people with the low ratings are the most sincere genuine humans. It really is a shame".

A robot interrupted us by bringing us our pizza and side dishes. Leghorn immediately shut down the holographic tab. We ordered chicken wings, as I insisted, and Leghorn allowed it after making me promise to stop irritating him. I used the food as a way of avoiding further discussion on the matter with Leghorn, I was still overwhelmed by my own feelings and memories and hearing about the unfair standards of Arcadia stirred up something in me.

I was still trying to process the fact that my so-called wife is dead and I'm left with these feelings that don't belong to me. My memories aren't my own and come and go in stages. I wish there was a way to either remember everything or forget everything because living between 2 realities is driving me insane. I still don't understand my purpose here. At least as a fly I knew my purpose was to help the ecosystem or something like that. Things were simple. I guess that's why humans often say be careful what you wish for.

We completed our meal in silence until I reached a point where I felt compelled to speak.

Terrchel: "So the person who is watching me, can't be the wife Arlene, seeing that she died years ago. It seems the husband Arnold and kid Emerson carried on without her, so there is still much that needs to be unraveled. Who knows maybe I do have a admirer, I am handsome there's no doubt it that but for now, let's get going; it's getting late".

Leghorn: "Yes, you're right, let's head out. At least now we have jetpacks to get by easier and as for the stalker I'm sure it was nothing. You would likely have observed if someone was continuing to follow you, particularly given your skills."

I activated my navigation system on my new tech gear with Leghorns guidance so we could reach our destination in a timely manner. He remembers to link my tech gear to the celestial frequency as well for in ever needed.

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