30 Days of Fiction: 2

The device in Josh's ear was nearly three years old then and it had a developed consistent whine to it. It was once a crisp, clean sound source but not the dull noise was growing and every so often it would screech or chirp for no particular reason. All of this made it impossible for Josh to truly enjoy his media. His games and racer shows were not as enjoyable lately and he was becoming more and more irritable.

SCREECH 

"Josh." The familiar voice of Josh's best friend, George, chirped over the communicator. "You gotta get up here. This is incredible." 

Josh put the sanitation wipes down on marble tile floor, pinched two fingers together and said over the comm channel, "I don't gotta do shit."

"No man, really. Fuck cleaning the toilets, you gotta get up here," George said solemnly. George was never solemn so Josh listened carefully. "No one is working," George explained resolutely. 

Josh flung off his bright blue sanitation gloves as fast as he could and bolted out of the bathroom toward the main set of elevators. He started running down the corridor, the bright lights blurring the bright orange signs over head. NO RUNNING, one of them demanded but there were no people in the shop windows or in any of the corridors to see his indiscretion. He bolted into the nearest elevator and as he did he saw another deviant runner running toward the elevator. He pointed his finger at the other person and the elevator stood still. 

"Thanks." A dark haired, older woman said as she rushed into the small, round room. Only a slight blush in her cheeks gave away how far she had just ran. "Do you know what's going on? She asked excitedly. 

"Nope. I'm guessing it's another bullshit trading outfit or security outfit trying to sell things no body wants or needs." Josh said abruptly. 

"Well you're in a good mood," the woman said. She was in a good mood because earlier that day she had give given notice that her salary would be raised for the next two months due to good behavior and continued loyalty. She looked at Josh concerned. 

"Yeah." Josh admitted. "It's this damn earpiece." He said, rubbing his palm on his temple. "It's got this whine to it and it's been shrieking in my ear." He looked at the friendly looking woman, "Sorry about that. What do you think it is?" He said, trying focus on what she was about to say hoping it was drown out the dull noise in his head. 

"I think it's a new planet." She said with glee. "One with trees, animals, water," said pointing at her fingers but making sure not to touch them. She paused, looked intently into Josh's eyes and said,"Aliens." She smiled enthusiastically and as Josh stared back into her eyes he couldn't help but smile back.

They both stood there looking at each other thinking about what might be waiting for them in the main lobby.

BING

The elevator stopped and when the doors opened they saw a swarm of activity as the entire west wing gathered into their assigned viewing rooms. One hundred thousand people neatly filing this way and that in a chaos of evolving and undulating lanes. Everyone knowing generally how to get to their room and everyone generally letting everyone else get to where they needed to go. It was efficient but not without it's casualties. There were at least three befuddled people just outside the elevator standing there not knowing which lane to start their trek with. 

Josh and the woman turned toward each other and said in unison,"See ya." The woman only took a few steps before she disappeared into a fast moving north by north-east bound lane.  

Josh saw the sign for his room and he made a quick plan that it would get him there in only three or four transfers. He started walking and politely joined a lane heading east. He stayed behind the same person for two minutes before crossing in front of someone politely and in an instant was following a different person for a about one minute this time. He looked up as he meandered and saw his large sign growing closer. Then, another two minutes later he was standing in front of a plain white door with a massive M3009 spelled out in bright yellow glowing above it.

He opened the door and as soon as his eyes adjusted to the stark change in light he saw what could only be described as magnificent. Josh's eyes widened. He had never seen such a massive ship before. Especially one that was so bright and round. It looked like a silver sun pulsating with lights and messages. It was at least four times as big as Josh's ship and it looked expensive. 

Josh stared at it as it drew slowly closer to the twenty foot window he and his twenty five roommates shared. Josh joined the group standing in line along the window, all of them in silently wondering what amazing things it might hold. 

"I hope it has better comm technology." Josh said looking at George, who didn't look back. 

"Your a cheap bastard. You could have replaced that a week ago if you wanted. But no. It's too expensive." George mocked. 

"Fuck you. I'm saving for the new XL9."Josh said as if it were the most obvious statement to make. 

After a moment of contemplation George jerked his head to the left and turned his head as quick to see what was so exciting. "Sleep Tech. New fucking sleep tech." He said smiling at Josh like a maniac. 

"Your an idiot." Josh said as he turned his gaze back toward the ship. The shiny orb traveling through the star dusted darkness bringing new interests and devices right to them. All for sale and all offering it's own temptation. Josh wasn't sure he'd be able to resist himself. He was going to shop.