Alex Foster in a city where nothing ever happens
Leo Lubavitch

© Leo Lubavitch, 2023

ISBN 978-5-0060-6011-1

Created with Ridero smart publishing system

In the year 2200, under the rule of our Lord, I found myself wandering through the streets of an American provincial town. The air was heavy with a unique blend of hope and nostalgia, carrying echoes of a bygone era. Oh, how much the landscape had changed since my youth!

As I strolled along the cobblestone streets, the towering buildings seemed to stretch towards the sky, adorned with gleaming metal and glass. No longer were there quaint wooden structures of the past, where one could hear the echoes of people sharing laughter and stories by a warm fireplace. These new structures mirrored the modern mindset, cold and calculated, devoid of the spirit that once defined these humble towns.

Though progress had left its mark on the town, there were still remnants of simpler times. On every corner, I witnessed crowds of people scurrying about with purpose, their eyes glued to handheld devices. Ah, the wonders of technology! These devices seemed to be an extension of their souls, a connection to the outside world, yet a distraction from the present moment.

But amidst this bustling sea of humanity, I yearned for the warm embrace of community, the comforting whispers of neighborly gossip and shared experiences. Sadly, it appeared that the essence of the province had been diluted by the demands of progress.

Gone were the leisurely walks to the local market, where farmers and craftsmen proudly displayed their goods. Now, faceless corporations dominated the landscape, offering mass-produced products and services that lacked the character of those personal endeavors.

The once vibrant brooks, shimmering in the sunlight, had become lifeless, polluted waterways. The riverboats, once a symbol of prosperity and romance, had vanished, replaced by high-flying modes of transportation.

Indeed, the town had become a breeding ground for anonymity, as faces passed by each other without a nod or smile, immersed in their own worlds. The spirit of unity and companionship that once thrived on these streets had been suffocated by the ever-demanding nature of progress.

Oh, the stories his eyes seemed to convey! They shimmered with the magic of witnessing something extraordinary, as if catching sight of a creature believed to be extinct, tucked away in the forgotten pages of a fairy tale. Maybe he encountered a being of immense beauty, or perhaps he connected with a new companion, wild and free.

As I witnessed this scene, my spirit soared with joy, for in that singular moment, the child and the grass united, bridging the divide between the untouched wilderness and the encroaching wave of industrial progress. It felt as if history itself took a breath and whispered through the rustling leaves, reminding all who would listen that the essence of simplicity and nature yearned to be revived.

In a world where screens compete for our attention, peddling fragments of virtual marvels at the expense of our own senses, this young boy became a beacon of hope. He stood as proof that the human spirit, with its intrinsic inclination to wonder and explore, could defy the alluring grasp of technology, if only for a fleeting moment.

With that image imprinted in my mind, I embarked on my journey, longing for the day when more hearts would awaken from this slumber induced by technology. A day when people would turn their gaze away from captivating screens and embrace the joys and mysteries entwined within the natural forms and the simple wonders of existence.

For in that provincial town, through the innocent eyes of a child, I caught a glimpse of the promise of a future where humanity, guided by its insatiable curiosity, would rekindle the delight found in the humble pleasures just beyond the grasp of modernity’s handheld veil.

*****

Well, well, well. Hey there, folks! Call me Alex Foster, and today I’m setting off on a grand adventure – off to that legendary place known as school. Now, one might expect my dear parents to lend a hand on this journey, but alas, their work had them forget their parental duties. But fear not! Young Alex is ready to step up. I’ve decided to venture forth alone, fearless and undeterred, armed with nothing but a trusty GPS to guide my way.

This GPS sure is something, lemme tell ya. Just a bit of kidding around, punch in the right route and it hands you the directions like an explorer’s map. It feels like I’m embarking on a great exploration, a pioneer discovering new lands I know little about. Sure, I’ve watched some videos on that fantastic video-sharing site about what to expect at this mysterious place called school, but deep down I know there’s a world of discovery waiting for me. And let me tell ya, it beats sitting around at home any day.

As I made my way, I crossed paths with a quirky old fellow, dressed in clothes that seemed straight out of the past. His worn appearance gave him an air of wisdom and experience. Intrigued, I found myself trailing behind him, captivated by his every move. So engrossed was I that I strayed from the planned route, lost in the enchantment of the moment. He turned and caught me staring, and, caught off guard, I pretended to be fascinated by the gathering of grass. You see, in our buzzing city, real grass is quite a rarity. Most patches are covered in artificial turf boasting some self-renewing magic. But this particular grass, though it may wither and dry, still pulses with life. And within its vibrant blades, I sensed something extraordinary, as if it held invisible secrets.

Yet as time slipped away, that peculiar stranger disappeared from sight, vanishing into the unknown. Our encounter left me pondering, wondering about this wanderer, gazing at our fine town with an expression of perplexity. Maybe he was seeing our city for the very first time. It made me a little uneasy, as if he might suspect my watchful eye. To brush off any suspicion, I busied myself pretending my keen observation was focused solely on the grass and its earthly wonders.

So, my fellow adventurers, the tale of young Alex Foster marches on. Though the mysterious man has vanished from view, his impression lingers like a whisper on the wind. And now, contemplating the twists and turns this journey brings, I forge ahead, prepared to unfold the mysteries that lie ahead. Take your leave, dear readers, for this chapter comes to a close and a new one unfurls, ready to unveil its wonders in the magnificent tapestry of life.

*****

Elizabeth Foster, a woman of undeniable beauty and contemporary sensibilities, led a life filled with extraordinary juxtapositions. While embracing the joys and responsibilities of motherhood to her charming five-year-old son, Alex, Elizabeth was equally devoted to her exhilarating career as a cosmobiologist – an explorer of new worlds, delving deep into the wonders of their unique plant and animal life.

From the moment Elizabeth first embarked on her path as a cosmobiologist, she found herself irresistibly drawn to the allure of discovery. The mysteries contained within uncharted worlds enticed her with an otherworldly enchantment that she simply could not resist. With unwavering determination, she dedicated herself to her profession, even after becoming a mother. For Elizabeth, the desire to introspect and unravel the secrets of the universe was a passion that burned bright within her.

As she ventured into the depths of unknown planets, Elizabeth often encountered breathtaking landscapes and species that defied imagination. From the iridescent flora of alien jungles to the mesmerizing movements of extraterrestrial creatures, every new discovery fed her insatiable hunger for knowledge. With each step she took on foreign soil, a sense of exhilaration coursed through her veins, reaffirming her decision to continue her career alongside her fulfilling role as a mother.

In the midst of her cosmic explorations, Elizabeth balanced her time meticulously, ensuring that her love and attention were equally divided between her child and the captivating realm of cosmobiology. She instilled in Alex a love for the natural world, recounting tales of her adventures and infusing his young mind with the same curiosity and wonder that fueled her own pursuits.

Elizabeth’s journey as a cosmobiologist and a mother painted a picture of resilience, strength, and the ability to embrace the seemingly contradictory facets of life. Her unwavering passion for discovery pushed the boundaries of what was traditionally expected of a mother, demonstrating that one could pursue their profession and fulfill their parental duties with equal ardor.

In the eyes of Elizabeth Foster, the beauty of being a mother and a cosmobiologist lay in the boundless possibilities that each role presented. She reveled in the knowledge that she was not only shaping the life of her son but also contributing to the understanding of the universe itself. It was this extraordinary balance that allowed her to create a legacy of adventure, inspiration, and love – a testament to the multifaceted nature of a woman driven by her passions.

Currently, Elizabeth Foster found herself engrossed in the examination of a newfound plant sample, plucked from a distant planet light years away from our beloved Earth. With every delicate movement, she peeled back the layers of the alien specimen, revealing the hidden mysteries within. However, as her keen eyes studied the peculiar cells before her, an unease began to grow within her.

The plant sample, unlike anything she had encountered on Earth or any other planet, exhibited a behavior that defied expectation. The cells pulsated with an eerie luminescence, their movements fluid and enigmatic. Elizabeth’s scientific instincts took over as she meticulously documented and analyzed the anomalous behavior displayed by the alien plant.

Her mind raced with thoughts of the implications such peculiarities could have. Could this newfound sample be a catalyst for unforeseen scientific advancements or a potential threat to Earth’s fragile ecosystem? The weight of responsibility settled heavily upon her shoulders, driving her to delve even deeper into the mysteries of this enigmatic plant.

As Elizabeth continued her examination, her spirit became consumed by a mix of curiosity and unease. The inexplicable behavior of the plant sample hinted at an exceptionally peculiar outcome – one that held the potential to reshape their understanding of the universe and challenge the boundaries of known scientific principles.

However, as Elizabeth delved into the mysteries of the alien plant, another wave of unease washed over her. It wasn’t solely the botanical enigma that caused her heart to race with trepidation. No, it was the nagging feeling deep within her that something was amiss with her own flesh and blood – her precious son, Alex.

As she immersed herself in her scientific pursuits, Elizabeth had inadvertently let time slip by. Blast it all! Today marked the day when young Alex was to embark on his first voyage to school, a momentous occasion that Elizabeth had inexplicably forgotten in the midst of her research.

A mixture of panic and guilt surged through her, overwhelming her senses. How could she have allowed herself to become so consumed by her work that she neglected this significant milestone in her son’s life? The weight of her oversight settled heavily upon her conscience, and regret pierced her heart.

Upon the sudden realization of her mistake, Elizabeth’s heart raced, and a sense of urgency propelled her into action. She swiftly sprang from her seat, reaching for her communication device to summon the nanny robot through the wonders of video calling. This ingenious marvel, a gleaming beacon of hope for hardworking parents like herself, held the promise of bridging the physical distance between her and Alex.

With trembling fingers, Elizabeth dialed the necessary commands, her hope wavering as the screen illuminated. But alas, there existed one minor hiccup within this remarkable creation that she had overlooked. Unbeknownst to her, young Alex, with his precocious nature and insatiable curiosity, had managed to decipher the inner workings of the nanny robot at the tender age of three.

As the video connection established, Elizabeth’s anticipation was met with disappointment. The familiar nanny robot, a technological guardian designed to watch over and care for Alex in her absence, appeared motionless on the screen. There was no response, no sign of life.

Inquisitive by nature, Alex had likely discovered the joys and mysteries of a computer game, capturing his attention and temporarily rendering the nanny robot obsolete. It was a testament to his resourcefulness, but an unfortunate setback for Elizabeth on this crucial day.

An exasperated sigh escaped Elizabeth’s lips as she realized the predicament at hand. No amount of calling out or pleading through the video connection would stir the dormant nanny robot. Her ingenious plan had been foiled by her son’s relentless curiosity and mastery of technology.

In the face of this unexpected obstacle, Elizabeth knew that she had to think on her feet. «Oh, what a wretched mother I am,» Elizabeth mused, her heart heavy with guilt as she berated herself for her oversight. How could she have forgotten such an important detail? Not only had she failed to remember her son’s first day of school, but she had neglected to install the necessary program within the nanny robot, one that would dutifully escort Alex to his educational haven. A surge of frustration washed over her, threatening to break her spirit.

In that moment, a realization crystallized within Elizabeth’s mind. She couldn’t bear the burden of her mistake any longer. The weight of her guilt, combined with the burning desire to be there for her son, overwhelmed her. Determination etched into her features, she made the audacious decision to abandon the responsibilities that once consumed her in the cosmos and return to Earth herself.

Elizabeth toiled away on the orbiting station, her focus sharpened by the acute awareness of the swiftly ticking clock that separated her from the solid ground below. Time pressed against her, whispering its relentless urgency as she wrestled with the weight of her mistake. The prospect of reaching the school in time, albeit with the unfortunate blemish of tardiness, weighed heavily on her mind. Oh, what a bitter pill to swallow!

Despite the odds stacked against her, Elizabeth’s determination burned brightly. She couldn’t bear the thought of missing her son’s first day of school entirely, even if she couldn’t be there for the morning like she had hoped. As her thoughts wandered through the recesses of her mind, seeking a glimmer of hope, a breakthrough suddenly emerged before her eyes.

Fate, it seemed, had intervened at a critical moment, unveiling a forgotten truth that lay within the depths of Elizabeth’s own workplace.

One colleague, a brilliant mind within the ranks of the scientific community, had dedicated countless hours to perfecting a peculiar invention – a miraculous contraption known as the teleportation device. Through their tireless efforts, he had pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible, delving deep into the realms of science and technology to bring this creation to fruition.

Elizabeth’s heart raced with a renewed sense of hope as she absorbed the astonishing reality before her. The wonders of this teleportation device, it seemed, had reached their pinnacle. Its development had been completed, and successful experimentation had been conducted on the brave souls who dared to venture forth.

The mere notion of the teleportation device ignited a flame within Elizabeth’s spirit, infusing her with a newfound fervor. The realization that she could traverse the vast expanse of space in an instant, returning her weary feet to the familiar soil of Earth, filled her with an indescribable thrill. The beckoning call of urgency propelled her forward, her heart set ablaze with anticipation.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Elizabeth swiftly made her way towards the engineering compartment, feeling a surge of energy course through her veins. Every step brought her closer to the possibility of rectifying her oversight and being there for her son.

As she approached the engineering department, her excitement intensified.

*****

As my finger made contact with the first button, a soft hum emanated from the contraption, hinting at a dormant power within. The touch screen came to life, displaying an assortment of symbols and words in an unfamiliar language. Undeterred, I continued my exploration, tapping on different buttons and observing the reactions they elicited.

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