Standing with the day’s first coffee in hand, Damian has eyes only for the screen. What exists beyond his window is irrelevant. Fifteen projects have progressed overnight. He reads the dialogue boxes, satisfied that his avatar’s instructions to contractors in Mumbai, Nairobi, Manila and Dubai are worded exactly as he would have written them. He checks the assessment of data submitted in the last nine hours, and notes that the productivity of his Dubai operative is below the acceptable threshold for the third consecutive day. Damian clicks TERMINATE, triggering an automated invitation to a next available contractor, located in Istanbul.
It’s more than a year since his last long haul flight to air-conditioned boardrooms and anonymous hotel suites. Then his world was team-building meetings and strategic plans, mind-numbing conferences and farewell functions. He had staff that expected to be trained, reviewed, motivated, and appreciated. They inconvenienced him by getting sick, taking holidays and breaking down in his office.
Damian slips a cuff over his hand and slides it up his arm until the electrodes sit snugly against his bicep. He clicks the VitalMe icon that appears on his screen and examines the data. Blood pressure: 122/84; pulse: 67; calcium: normal; potassium: normal; magnesium: low. Duncan clicks MenuMe then removes the cuff. He selects TODAY from the options, and surveys the meals recommended by his virtual nutritionist. He initiates a scan of the contents of his pantry and refrigerator, and adding identified low stock or missing items to the list, creates an order to be delivered by his local supermarket within the hour.
It’s been 540 days since he last negotiated a crowded mall car park and queues of payday shoppers. Gone is the agony of canned music, crying toddlers and ‘have a nice day’ from a glassy-eyed checkout chick.
Damian’s recommended exercise for the day is a 60-minute walk with pulse rate maintained at 140 – 150 for a minimum 45 minutes. He moves to the treadmill and selects RESUME HAMPSTEAD HEATH from the touchscreen. Instantly, the digital walls project the path leading from Westfield Gate and past the West Meadow. A touchscreen display tells him that fellow walkers Sam and Gina are logged on and have opted for a shared session. He checks their pace for equivalency to his own, then, deciding company would be nice, selects Gina. She appears on the screen to his left and gives him a smile as he matches her step. Damian enjoys her conversation, and finding a common interest in jazz, he offers her his guest access for a Lincoln Centre concert which they agree to login to together that evening.
His dynamic screen indicates movement at his double-doored entrance lobby. Stepping off the treadmill, Damian grabs a towel to wipe his face as he collects his delivery and carries it to the kitchen. He whistles softly as he sorts the items, while his second coffee brews.
Rosemary McBryde
It’s more than a year since his last long haul flight to air-conditioned boardrooms and anonymous hotel suites. Then his world was team-building meetings and strategic plans, mind-numbing conferences and farewell functions. He had staff that expected to be trained, reviewed, motivated, and appreciated. They inconvenienced him by getting sick, taking holidays and breaking down in his office.
Damian slips a cuff over his hand and slides it up his arm until the electrodes sit snugly against his bicep. He clicks the VitalMe icon that appears on his screen and examines the data. Blood pressure: 122/84; pulse: 67; calcium: normal; potassium: normal; magnesium: low. Duncan clicks MenuMe then removes the cuff. He selects TODAY from the options, and surveys the meals recommended by his virtual nutritionist. He initiates a scan of the contents of his pantry and refrigerator, and adding identified low stock or missing items to the list, creates an order to be delivered by his local supermarket within the hour.
It’s been 540 days since he last negotiated a crowded mall car park and queues of payday shoppers. Gone is the agony of canned music, crying toddlers and ‘have a nice day’ from a glassy-eyed checkout chick.
Damian’s recommended exercise for the day is a 60-minute walk with pulse rate maintained at 140 – 150 for a minimum 45 minutes. He moves to the treadmill and selects RESUME HAMPSTEAD HEATH from the touchscreen. Instantly, the digital walls project the path leading from Westfield Gate and past the West Meadow. A touchscreen display tells him that fellow walkers Sam and Gina are logged on and have opted for a shared session. He checks their pace for equivalency to his own, then, deciding company would be nice, selects Gina. She appears on the screen to his left and gives him a smile as he matches her step. Damian enjoys her conversation, and finding a common interest in jazz, he offers her his guest access for a Lincoln Centre concert which they agree to login to together that evening.
His dynamic screen indicates movement at his double-doored entrance lobby. Stepping off the treadmill, Damian grabs a towel to wipe his face as he collects his delivery and carries it to the kitchen. He whistles softly as he sorts the items, while his second coffee brews.
Rosemary McBryde
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