Checking her reflection in the smart mirror, Adele examines her face while sitting at her vanity. To the left side it lists her schedule for the day, providing the outdoor and indoor temperatures, as well as projecting a streaming newscast. Tapping the mirror, she programs her air-pod to prepare for her departure in one hour at 8:30 am. The mirror informs her of how many minutes she acquired of REM sleep that night, her current weight, and hydration level. It also lists her network of friends to greet in the morning if she chooses to connect with them. As a final touch, her smart mirror is also an air purifier helping to create a healthy environment for her home.
Listening to music as she uses her facial steamer as it extracts particles from her pores, Adele feels cool and refreshed. Tapping the mirror with two fingers, it slowly scans her features for any blemishes or skin irritation. Highlighting the image of her face, it points to some dryness on her forehead. Using an automated facial scrubber, any remaining makeup is removed. She applies a magnetic face mask to lift any impurities replenishing her skin with a mixture of carrot seed oil, sunflower oil, vitamin C and E. Placing a small round brush on her cheek that attaches to her mask, it removes the magnetic treatment for a smooth clean finish.
Grabbing a small bottle of hydrating moisturizer, she gently rubs the cream until it is absorbed below the surface of her skin. She waits thirty seconds and scans again to see that the cream has resolved the dryness issue.
“Please use the Sensation scent today”, requests Adele as the vanity sprays a light mist of hypo-allergenic fruit and floral scented perfume. Adele applies the milk makeup holographic stick to enhance and lighten her facial glow.
Walking to her closet, she stands in front of her long dressing mirror as the revolving rack displays various outfits. In the long mirror, an image of each item is projected on to Adele’s reflection in the mirror so she can visualize what each of these outfits will look like on her form without actually having to try one on. Sorting through about twenty possibilities, Adele finally chooses her favorite lemon chiffon top with descending “v” collar and white matching slacks. Glancing into her shoe closet, each shelf opens and then returns to its storage space. She chooses a pair of yellow mobilizers that have a cushioned toe with quality arch support, however the shoes do not offer any heel decoration leaving an image of one dancing on their toes. Her shoes buckle at the ankle with magnetized fasteners for comfort that have been customized to her foot size.
Just before stepping out the door, she finds her mid-calf long sleeved coat with sides that have been diagonally “slashed” in the middle section, a trendy fashion detail, one of Adele’s recent splurges from the Holo-mall this past fall.
“Vera, please turn out the lights and lock the door”, requests Adele as she steps onto the Air-pod porch and leaves her rental home. Touching a feature on her bracelet to identify her fingerprint, the air-pod releases the door locks, opening the air-pod for Adele to enter. “Hello Vera, take me to Bank One on Aurora Place”.
As the air-pod moves swiftly past other vehicles on the airway, Adele relaxes into the comfort of her captain’s chair, reviewing the latest trends in advertising for travel. Images float in front of her as she considers the color, texture, and tone of each appeal. She considers what features are attractive and that engage her to discover more information. Evaluating the emotional allure of each artistic piece, she determines the scale of their intrinsic value.
Taking a momentary break from her study, Adele looks out her window to see Raiden in the air-pod next to her own. Recognizing Raiden, she is excited to see him so unexpectedly. As she is observing him, Raiden happens to look up and notice the woman watching him from the air-pod nearby. Adele deeply blushes but nods on being caught. Taking a minute to realize that it is really Adele just across the way from him, Raiden smiles politely and displays a short hand wave before his air-pod curves to the left to head to his workplace.
Upon reaching Bank One, Adele smiles to herself feeling as if the day will be a great day. Adele slides her clear crystal savings bracelet into the kiosk. A 'Fate' greets her, which Adele remembers is another name for a 'Financial-A.I.-Technician', “Hello Adele. Welcome to Bank One. How can I help you today? Would you like to discuss your long-term savings plan?”
“I would like to look at real estate options in the Upper Crestwood Area”, requests Adele having previously entered her specified request for a home within her affordable price range.
Within seconds, 3-d images based on her savings plan appear before her. With recent neighborhood closing costs and values listed next to each image, Adele considers the options available to her. Adele moves her hands to sort through the images rotating in front of her. As she focuses on the virtual 2-inch door with her retina moving her eyes to the upper right corner of the ceiling, the images enlarge so she can view the interior of the home. Contemplating her dream plans, Adele sighs and wonders if everything will come together for her to work at Marks Enterprises.
After concluding her consultation, Adele deeply lost in thought contemplatively walks towards the air-pod portal. Her head bumps into someone standing in front of her. She notices the thick black shiny boots perpendicular to her own shoes. Embarrassed but not looking up, she whispers “I’m so sorry, please excuse me.”
She hears a familiar voice chuckle, “What happens if I don’t?”
Adele snaps her head back to see Raiden standing in front of her with a teasing smirk. Adele whispers “Hi …”
“I didn’t expect to see you here. Do you also do your banking at Bank One?” asks Raiden hoping that he might be running into her in the future as well.
“Yes, I was just looking into some realty options for myself”, Adele replies “I’m currently renting a household unit, but looking for a more permanent location to settle.”
“What area were you looking in? Maybe I can help you. I have several contacts in the real estate business”, offers Raiden wanting to feel useful and helpful to her.
“I’m looking into the Upper Crestwood area” offers Adele feeling slightly nervous that it might appear too obvious that she is planning on getting the position at his company.
“Really? I live in Upper Crestwood. I definitely can be of help to you”, suggests Raiden considering that it might enable him to spend more time with her. “When are you planning to look?”
“I hope to find something this next month that is affordable and suits my needs”, anxiously Adele replies twisting her ankle to the side in a subconscious nervous moment.
Watching her ankle move in an old familiar pattern, Raiden is pleased to see a reaction that she is slightly nervous talking with him, “You don’t need to worry, I have some time available on Monday if you are free.”
“I don’t want to inconvenience you, but that would be fantastic!” exclaims Adele consoled that she will have someone much more knowledgeable about the process of purchasing a home with her.
“Shall we meet at my office at 10 am on Monday?” extends Raiden “If you’re not too busy that day, we can have lunch after viewing some of the locations.”
“Sounds great! Thank you so much, I really appreciate your help” genuinely remarks Adele feeling as if their friendship has revived once again.
“Ok, I’ll see you then”, Raiden nods his head as he turns with a slight jump in his step. After turning away from her, he can't help but to smile to himself as such a wonderful random future opportunity together.
Adele bites her lower lip as she slightly blushes, excited to be spending another day with her old friend.
Walking onto the air-pod portal staging area, she notices the woman from the hologram the other day exiting an upscale air-pod on the platform. Pushing a ruffled teal jacket back onto her shoulder, the woman rushes in her four-inch heels into the bank appearing to be late for an appointment. Adele wonders if the woman is meeting with Raiden, “Why am I even concerned? I just saw him again after twenty years only yesterday. I’m sure he has plenty of friends. It’s none of my concern”. However, her rationale does not console her internal discomfort.
“Vera, please take me to Starcups at Market Place Square” resigning requests Adele sliding into the plush chair. Adele pulls out a mirror from her bag and realizes she does not look quite as together as she had thought this morning. She grins at her image and confidently states out loud, “What does it matter? I am who I am. I don’t need to look like a model as that woman does. Being me is okay”, repeating what she had recently heard in a popular self-help podcast but not necessarily entirely believing the mantra.
The air-pod reaches Starcups where two of her newest friends are waiting for her. As Adele approaches the table, Jennings and Alice Hammer appear to be in a confrontational conversation. She can hear Jennings say, “No Alice, I don’t think chocolate and tomato sounds good together. No, not even as a sauce”.
Adele can see Alice Hammer shaking her head, “You just haven’t tried it. You need to try my cookies! You will definitely change your mind.”
“No, I don’t think so. Chocolate and tomato do not sound good together unless it is something like mole but then chilies and garlic are added. I don’t want to eat spicy cookies”, assuredly Jennings replies having been tortured with other experimentations of Alice Hammer’s cooking and baking.
“They are not spicy, they don’t have chilies in them only a touch of garlic. They are a savory cookie." offers Alice Hammer quite perturbed that her friend will not sample her latest cookie invention “I did put a secret ingredient in the batter though to make it taste even better.”
Deflecting attention, Jennings relieved looks over to see a new friend walking towards her, “Oh look Adele is here” pointing to a chair for Adele to sit next to Alice Hammer.
“You wouldn’t mind sampling a cookie, would you?” asks Alice Hammer holding a container of red cookies with dark brown chunks in them and other questionable items as well.
“Uhhh… sure”, answers Adele as Jennings furiously shakes her head warning Adele of future indigestion.
“Here you go, this one looks really good and it looks like it may hold all of the wonderful flavors I added”, excitedly points Alice Hammer to the largest cookie.
Adele carefully takes a bit and subconsciously chokes as large tears form in her eyes.
“The cilantro might get you a bit. I might have added a little too much tabasco sauce”, concedes Alice Hammer considering how to adjust her recipe. “How do you like it?”
“Don’t ask her that question, Alice. She doesn’t know you, she won’t be honest with you”, adamantly argues Jennings taking a large sip of her drink.
Alice Hammer gives Jennings acute daggers. “It’s because you don’t bake. You don’t understand the higher delicacies of confectionary delights”.
“There is another name for that and isn’t delightful”, truthfully remarks Jennings hanging out her tongue as if it on fire.
“Okay Alice, now that our new friend appears to be crying, tell her what your secret ingredient is that you added”, instructs Jennings wondering if Adele will want to meet with them again or just think they are two crazy old ladies.
“Well, I love coming up with new recipes. We have a contest every year at my church. I think that I might have the winning cookie recipe this year. I was thinking I would call this ‘blood and fire’, what do you think?” asks Alice Hammer looking for a good name for her new invention.
Jennings rolls her eyes, “I think it needs to go to hell and stay there. You still haven’t told her what’s in it yet.”
“It’s an interesting name, it sort-of suits the flavor”, kindly offers Adele feeling as if the roof of her mouth is on fire.
“It’s ghost pepper sauce. I put half a cup in the batter along with some cilantro and a dash of horseradish sauce” explains Alice Hammer “I just love baking!”
“Someone needs to lock her in a closet because she’s a delusional baker”, grunts Jennings feeling a victim of various failed experiments.
Amazed at the chatter, Adele giggles taking another bite of the horrendous cookie and feeling the tears unnaturally well-up in her eyes, “Thank you for the cookie. It’s wonderful to meet you, Alice Hammer”.
“Oh, I think we are going to be great friends!’ Alice Hammer excitedly claps in the confirmation of their new friendship.
“Do you bake?” asks Jennings not sure of Adele’s palette for fine food.
“Not really. I like to experiment as well”, confesses Adele who neither cooks nor bakes above any level other than to sustain life.
‘Oh, I see”, observes Jennings “Perhaps you wouldn’t mind being Alice Hammer’s assistant when she needs a victim .... urr, or I mean someone ... to sample her creative genius.”
Alice Hammer and Adele smile and nod at each other in agreement, Adele offers “I would love to.”
In response Jennings defeatedly shakes her head but pleased that Adele was so kind and accommodating to her lifelong friend.
“So, how did your interview go?” asks Jennings wondering what she will be able to share with her friends at the senior center.
“It went well. I don’t know if I have the job yet though. A committee determines who will be hired”, explains Adele somewhat confident the interview actually went well.
“Where did you interview?” asks Alice Hammer curious to know more about Adele’s interests.
“Marks Enterprises, for the Marketing and Trade department” explains Adele nervously folding her hands in the opposite direction.
“Marks Enterprises! That’s where Jennings’ grandson works. Do you know him?” inquires Alice Hammer.
“I’m not sure who you are asking about. What is his name?” inquires Adele hoping that she will meet Jennings' grandson at some point.
“His name is Raiden Worthington. At first, he might appear a little standoffish, but he’s a nice guy”, truthfully considers Jennings “He’s quite smart, but he takes his time making a decision, sometimes too long and misses an opportunity, especially in the romance department.”
“Oh yes, he’s wonderful. If I was twenty years younger, I might take my chances”, dreamily offers Alice Hammer winking with an exaggerated smile.
“Check your math Alice, it’s more like forty”, corrects Jennings taking a sip of her drink and taping her fingers on the table.
“Oh yeah that is right” agrees Alice Hammer adding the numbers in her head “math never was my thing.”
Adele smiles and giggles to herself, “He seems like he is still a nice man. We were acquainted a long time ago.”
“Did you know him?” curiously asks Jennings “When did you meet?”
“We were on a service team together as young adults. We were in Taiwan working with a children’s home.”
“Oh how thrilling!” declares Alice Hammer quite loudly for other customers to turn their heads and with even more enthusiasm “How erotic!”
“Alice, I think you mean to say exotic, not the other word” flatly corrects Jennings quite familiar with her friend’s rather unique usage of vocabulary.
“Oh yes” smiles Alice Hammer trying to place it in her memory bank “Exotic, that’s the word.”
“Yes, it was very interesting” adds Adele feeling her face return to a normal color once again.
“What kind of things did you do while you were there?” asks Alice Hammer unfazed by anyone around her.
“We lead outdoor evangelism meetings for children, cleaned and painted the classrooms, played games with the children and got to know the families through the feeding program” explains Adele recalling some of the most precious moments of her life.
“I love to travel and learning about different languages and cultures” explains Jennings. “My late husband and I use to be missionaries in the earlier years of our ministry. I met some wonderful people during that time and made some life-long friends.”
“Would you ever consider being a missionary if the opportunity came again?” asks Adele wondering about the adventures of her new friends.
“I’d consider it, if they would consider me. They should have a summer service corps for seniors. I’d go in a heartbeat. I could manage two months of my time to help somewhere. I don’t move as fast or as well, but I can still do some things.” ponders Jennings inspired by her own words.
“What about you? Would you do missionary work again?” Jennings returns the question to Adele who is slowly tracing the rim of her coffee cup lost in thought.
“I’d like to try again one day in the future. I’m not sure about having the opportunity or how I could afford it, but I would like to”, sincerely states Adele wondering if another change would ever be available to her.
“Sometimes our moments are just small stones in a larger pond, but we never know what or how many stones it will take to reach the other side”, offers Jennings “You may have another opportunity, you are just not aware of it yet”.
“Well I hope that stone appears some time for me”, wishfully states Adele hoping that it is a promise of things to come. “It was really good to meet you and Alice Hammer today. Would it be possible that we can meet again maybe next week?”
“Love too!” exudes Alice Hammer “Next time you need to come to my apartment at the senior center!”
Before Alice Hammer can offer a further invitation of details, Jennings jumps in “I’ll bring dessert and tea for everyone”.
Adele smiles and waves goodbye to her friends, looking forward to their next meeting.
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