DINNER

“Honey, wait until supper for dessert.” Julia had just removed the guava cheesecake from the refrigerator and David was already sampling it. “You can get the wine, set up the webcam and call Gloria and her friend. Entertain them while I set the table.”
Julia had prepared a dish of rontini, asiago, parmesan and garden vegetables. The smell of parmesan and freshly cut basil escaped the kitchen as she carried the food into the living room. David was in conversation with Katrina and he could see Gloria’s movement in the background.
“Has Gloria told you of her soon moving to Florida?” David remark was timed with Gloria’s appearance and was directed at her in an attempt to ascertain her response to his earlier invitation.

“Certainly not,” Gloria’s words punctuated the sound of the background music. “I have made no such commitment; I would like to hear what Julia has to say first.” Gloria darted through the French doors into the kitchen to return with the fruit drink and settled with Katrina at the table. Knowing all eyes were on her she continued, “Dinner is served, bon appétit tout le monde. Riesling is served in San Diego, fruit punch in Schaumburg; may the Lord’s blessings be with the sober of the two. Amen.”

As the evening progressed, David and Katrina separated into respective living rooms while Julia and Gloria went into respective home offices on webcams. Gloria was quick to give a presentation of her research for Julia and eagerly awaited the news on CASH INN’s new venture.

“Thank you Gloria for bringing me up to date with your research. We at CASH INN are taking this several steps further. We are researching the complete transplanting of a human brain into an artificial life support system with complete neurosensory interface to the external world through a remotely controlled humanoid. The humanoids we are developing provide human-like features and sensory feedback to the life support system. We hope that by isolating the brain from harmful external conditions, we would be able to extend life beyond three hundred years.”

Gloria’s interest piqued. Julia revealed work that she only dreamed of doing with the limited budget and facilities at her job. She mused at the revelation imagining that the multibillion resources at CASH INN were certainly needed to bring such research to fruition. “Have you perfected the algorithms for limb motion control? “ She heard herself asking.

“Partially. We have developed a prototype of the link between the life support system interface and the humanoid limb control. Rather than algorithms for translating brain impulses, we use nanotechnology substrates for creating an electronic interface with the brainstem and optic nerves. We are attempting to develop a thinking machine that is part of the computer interface between the life support system and the decap. For this we use algorithms to map thought processes pre-spoken words and pre-motor functions into a learning thought process forecasting application that we believe would be the genesis of a thinking computer. I say this in confidence to you as this is research beyond a ten year horizon. David is working in concert with the research team to create a business case for a stand-alone CASH INN entity. Initial products are centered on pharmaceuticals, longevity and advanced computing. He has endorsed your addition to the team. ”

“Wow! How fascinating! Have you found a decap candidate yet? Have you decided on a place in Florida for the research center? When would it be ready?”

Gloria’s enthusiasm was contagious. Julia reflected a hint of a bubbly smile that grew into deep laughter with an expressive sparkle of her eyes across the webcam. Julia remarked, “Sounds like you are interested!  On-going research is underway at CASH INN’s pharmaceuticals, a site has been chosen in Clementsville to be developed in three years, there are ten candidates that are being tested and of course David can fill you in on the rest. It's at least three years before you can come on board, you have time enough to say good-byes to family, friends and the cold.“

The song of Miles David Blue in Green piped through Gloria’s living room in Schaumburg from David and Julia in San Diego. Gloria left her office to join David and Julia in the living room and invited Julia to do the same. As the night progressed, the four shared their experiences of local events and community initiatives before bidding farewell late in the evening.