Post:Beauty-Tek
:'''''Note:''' The Arcadia website is currently undergoing reconstruction due to a previous database corruption. Content is in progress and will be available in [[User:Sasoriza|the webmaster]]'s time.''
"I want to look like I'm in my thirties again," the ninety-year-old woman declared loudly in the beauty parlor. "And I don't want to spend all day in front of a mirror; I want to enjoy a social life with the girls."
Nina Black made noises of an understanding nature. She glanced at a tentacled lifeform wedged out of sight under another chair and gave a smirk behind the woman's back. What business this woman had taking a lover whose age was more appropriate for a grandchild was...
"This gem is an infogram uniquely designed for you. It will make you look as if you are in your early thirties regardless of what activity you are doing, provided you wear the gem." Nina Black spoke in a soft voice. "This gem is the program."
Nina encased the gem in a necklace and the lady put it around her neck, then shouted at the effect. "Oh my godling!"
The tentacled one cringed at the shout.
"May I go now? I simply MUST show the girls."
Nina simply nodded.
After the clatter of high heels faded from the shop, the tentacled one emerged from her hiding spot from the chair shaking with her kind's laughter, barely audible squeaks. Nina grinned at the being. "I aim to please."
"Is that an ethical use of non-sentient holograms?" Another form appeared to question. That he was a hologram was evident by the wristband.
"If it was a true hologram I would say no. It is not a hologram," Nina explained with a shrug. "It is an advanced form of infographics interface with CGI elements that depends on the wearer to have its effect. Back in the twenty-first century, people were using this to create illusions on the entertainment screen. I used today's technology to take it off the screen. The brains of the technology is in the wearer."
"I don't understand. I said non-sentient," the hologram clarified.
"A non-sentient hologram is capable of some thought and self-driven activities. An infogram is not," Nina explained patiently. "For example, a hologram of a goldfish has three seconds of memory. That is three seconds more thought than an infogram is capable of."
The hologram leaned forward to open one of Nina's drawers to lift out what looked like a jewel. Fine fingers turned the object over. "Do you mind if I take one of these?"
"Please." Nina nodded.
"Thank you."
"May I have your name?" Nina asked.
"I think not. Everyone's just so... familiar these days." The hologram offered his first facial expression. He looked as if he was sucking a lemon.
The tentacled lifeform began to shake, her form of a chuckle.
"Very well sir," Nina replied formally.
A strident beep interrupted the awkward moment. "If you'd excuse me sir?" Nina requested.
"Yes." The hologram nodded and disappeared.
Nina read at speed noting that her time in the holodeck was at an end. She left the room, shutting down the program, leaving the real people who were at the other side of the quadrant yet as close as a touch via technology. The little tentacled creature was busy puttering at something somewhere. Nina thought with amusement at someone's things being rearranged at the other side of the quadrant. N'fi couldn't keep her bits to herself.
▷ TBC ◁
