"Reed, Robert - FirstTuesday" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reed Robert)

"Hello?" chirped the eleven-year-old boy. "Mr. President?"

The projection hadn't moved. The house computer was wrestling with its
instructions, fashioning a personality within its finite capacity. There was a
sound, a sudden "Sssss" generated by speakers hidden in the squidskin fence and
sky. The projection opened its mouth; a friendly, reedy voice managed,
"Sssstefan." Then the President moved, offering both hands while saying, "Hello,
young man. I'm so very glad to meet you."

Of course he knew Stefan's name. The personality could read the boy's public
files. Yet the simple trick impressed him, and in response he shouted, "I'm glad
to meet you, Mr. President."

The brown hands had no substance, yet they couldn't have acted more real.
Gripping Stefan's pale little hand, they matched every motion, the warmth
carried by the bright eyes and his words. "This is an historic moment, Stefan.
But then you already know that, I'm sure."

The first nationwide press conference, yes. Democracy and science joined in a
perfect marriage. President Perez was invited here for a symbolic dinner, and he
was everywhere else at the same time. It was a wondrous evening . . . magical .
. . !

"A lovely yard," said the President. The eyes were blind, but the personality
had access to the security cameras, building appropriate images as the face
moved. With a faraway gaze, he announced, "I do like your choice of view."

"Thank you, Mr. President."

"Very nice indeed . . . !"

Holo projectors and squidskin fabrics created the illusion of blue skies and
rugged geology. Although nothing was quite as bright as it would appear in the
real outdoors, of course. And the squidskin rocks and the occasional bird had a
vagueness, a dreamy imprecision, that was the mark of a less-than-good system.
Sometimes, like now, the antinoise generators failed to hide unwanted sounds.
Somewhere beyond the President, neighbors were applauding and cheering making it
seem as if ghosts inhabited the ghostly canyon.

President Perez seemed oblivious to the imperfections. Gesturing at their
garden, he said, "Oh, I see you're doing your part. How close are you to
self-sufficiency?"

Not close at all, really.

"Beautiful eggplants," said the guest, not waiting for a response. "And a fish
pond too!"

Without fish. A problem with the filter, but the boy said nothing, hoping