A Numerical American Dream
Hustling Life Insurance The boss is pleasant, even when things are bad. He’s a funny guy I met before I started work here. Hustling
Headline: Industry Blow Torch on the Cutting Edge
Reality dancing in the Coordinator’s Flame “Some welders enjoy standing around, telling stories. A few corporate types like to suspend thought, light torches, and
Pottery on Display at the Rotunda
Where to Move Your Spirit Standing at the balcony’s circular brass railing, we look down at the lower level. Pillars frame the reception area, temple-like.
Moment of Truth
Romance I glance behind us to make sure we’re alone. I ask Mia, “Hug me—a hug for a vintage, romantic picture? We can call it
Population Clock from the Academy of Reality
Sid Sidney’s world population clock runs non-stop. He never takes his tablet to work. Why create the impression that he’s afraid that overpopulation is a
American Dream
At last! After forty years, the American dream: my first new bathroom scale and vacuum cleaner. No headlights, bells, or buzzers, both reflect pure, functional
River Park Picnic
Heading out for some air, away from the suits, mail robots, paper stacks, and electromagnetic fields, we take a shortcut through the new wing, dimly
On the Wisdom of Tree Injections
Financial Consequence of Tree Injections: The background noise of a thousand other cafeteria voices diminishes—The Director and suits sitting at a nearby table talk about
Mail Robot Lost at the Academy
We step off the elevator; I bump into a mail robot. A random envelope falls from its top tray, a symptom of overload, a sign
Cheap, Automated Words from Misguided Electrons
For Mia’s benefit, I make the call. A ghost voice that’s not electric or alive answers; monotone but cheerful, it sounds somewhat stilted, possibly amoral.
Every Member of the Team is a Winner
Stand Tall and Talk About Teamwork Supposedly, tall men get hired more often than short applicants. I shaved to make myself look less bug-eyed; when