By Hubert Hug
For Francis, each day starts with programming on an apparatus at the bed. His life is easy. Everything, including all housework, is performed by electronic devices. But due to a horrible fear of hackers, Francis has created complicated passwords, different for each application, and without writing them down.
A screen sparks; he mixes passwords.
Today he has no tea, no heating, no music, no access to his computers, and no connection via his smartphone. He may have to eat the eggs raw. He drinks water from the brook. Then he visits his girlfriend. Did he create a password for dating her?
Wonderful! This writer shines out with the light of frustration from having to juggle so many passwords just to make it through another computer day. Loved it.
If each day begins with programming his hi-tech apparatus surely things have gone wrong in the past. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the sign of what again……?
The phrase “apparatus at the bed” both rings untrue (apparatus?? as opposed to app. and a bit vague in comparison to virtual touchscreen or something which could work for the bedroom) and “at the bed” suggests a special type of bed – like a hospital bed.
It also occurs that someone that computerized would be lacking in the girlfriend department, especially if he keeps forgetting birthdays and anniversaries – doubtless also under a password.
There’s a definite sense of unfamiliarity with the jargon which detracts from the ability to suspend disbelief – or maybe I just mixed up my PWs to access same.