Signpost Warning: Part 2 of this story contains a very disturbing conversation in which characters speak cavalierly about their sexual histories. I will provide a more detailed warning at the beginning of Part 2.
Stephanie strode down empty sidewalks, stepping over abandoned e-scooters parked at awkward angles across her path as though left in a hurry by their previous occupants. She passed restaurants with QR codes in the windows, shops purveying smartphone accessories, and screens advertising new television shows and local concerts. Ride-share and delivery vehicles sped past her, shuttling occupants and food between chilled skyscrapers and shopping malls. Few people were outside today. Most of the city’s residents who could afford the convenience would minimize their time in the sun today.
Stephanie did not seem to notice the heat. She wore loosely-fitting, breathable clothing, but close observers would have noticed beads of sweat on her forehead and sweat trickling down her neck. No close observers did notice this, because not a single person stood outside on the sidewalk.
Stephanie checked her phone. 4:07. She had been walking for over an hour. Now that she was nearing her destination, she slowed her brisk pace and tapped at the screen of her phone to send a text message alerting her aunt of her impending arrival. Stephanie never took public transportation.
When she reached the towering apartment building where her aunt lived, she stood for a moment in the shade while waiting for Aunt Tammy to come down and let her inside. For security reasons, residents had to swipe an RFID tag to gain access to the building, so Stephanie had to wait outside. After a moment, her aunt came down and opened the door, grimacing slightly at the wave of hot air that pushed its way in as she did so.
“Hi, Aunt Tammy.”
“Stephanie, you’re sweating. Did you walk here?”
“Yes.”
“How long did it take you?”
“An hour.”
“On this day? In this heat?”
“Yes.”
Her aunt shook her head. “You’ve always been a bit strange,” she said.
“I walk everywhere,” said Stephanie as she stepped inside. Her aunt steered her towards the elevator, which Stephanie grudgingly agreed to use, after making a comment about the stairs and the fact that her aunt’s apartment was only two floors up.
Inside Aunt Tammy’s apartment, Stephanie noticed a new virtual home assistant on the kitchen counter. Unsurprised, she pointed it out to her aunt, who simply said, “Yes, so convenient,” in the middle of an attempt to simultaneously force Stephanie into a chair and offer her a drink. Aunt Tammy rushed about to look busy while the wheels in her head spun and she tried to prioritize the chair or the drink.
“What can I get you to drink?”
“Water, please.”
“Sit down, sit down, please.”
Aunt Tammy procured a glass from her cupboard and held it under the water dispenser on her fridge, which sensed the presence of the glass and began shooting chilled water into it. Some of the water splashed against the bottom of the glass and out onto the floor, but as the glass started filling, the water stopped splashing out.
Tammy looked over at her niece. “Why aren’t you sitting down? I said you could sit at the table there. Or the couch, if you prefer. You’re always on edge, you know. You don’t relax.”
“I just don’t sit much.”
“You don’t sit much?”
“It’s not good to sit so much.”