"Computer, enter these parameters into the holomatrix." "Parameters entered." "Display the character. hmm. make her two inches shorter. change the hair colour to blond. there! That's it! Now, access the 'Beach Alpha One' programme." "Programme accessed." "Add the character and run programme." * * * "Hello there!" The young woman opened her eyes and covered them from the sun. She took a good look at the man who just sat on her blanket. He was young and handsome. "Hello," she smiled. The man moved closer and took a good look of her too. She was slim and slender and beautifully sun tanned. He apparently liked what he saw because he smiled even more. "Fantastic weather," he remarked. "Would you care for a swim?" "Why not?" The pair got up from the blanket and went hand in hand into the cool waters of the ocean. The swim was good. Relaxing and refreshing. They ran back onto the beach, laughing and splashing water. The man grabbed the woman's hand and pulled her onto the blanket. She stumbled and they both fell down, breathless. The sun was hot and it felt good to just lie there and feel exhausted. "Dinner tonight?" "Why not?" The woman was smiling playfully. "Good. See you then!" The man got up reluctantly. "Wait." she started saying something. "Computer end programme." * * * "Hi!" The man approached her table. She looked around, confused. "Where are we?" "The bar, why? Would you like to go some place else?" The place was stylish. The walls covered with dry straw, wooden floor and furniture, no glass in windows, just big holes open to the cool, night air. A perfect place to rest after the whole day in the hot sun. He pulled up a chair and sat next to her. "Wanna drink?" he asked. The woman glanced at him, thoughtfully. "Where were you?" She said suddenly. The man looked baffled. "What do you mean?" "We were on the beach," she started recalling slowly. "We went swimming. Then you asked me to dinner and then. everything went black. And now we're here and you're offering me a drink." "Is there something wrong?" The man asked casually. "You look upset." "Of course I am upset! How would you feel if you lost a couple of hours of your life?" "Oh, I don't know." he replied dismissively. "I wouldn't worry too much. You must have fell asleep on the beach. Too much sunlight is unhealthy." The woman looked at him, clearly unconvinced. "Come on," he smiled, trying to cheer her up. "Let's dance!" He was a good dancer. The way he moved around made other pairs on the dance floor stop to watch their performance. After the music stopped, they received quite an applause. "Gotta go," he said, having walked her back to the table. "See you around!" "No!" The woman screamed. But it was too late. "Computer, end programme." * * * "Computer, run a level four diagnostic on the holomatrix." "Diagnostic complete. All systems are functioning within normal parameters." "Run programme 'Beach Alpha One.'" "Programme running. You may enter when ready." * * * "How are you today?" The young woman opened her eyes and covered them from the sun. She took a good look at the man standing on the edge of her blanket. He was young and. "You again!" "Is that bad?" The man laughed. "I thought you'd be pleased to see me." "I am." she replied hesitantly. "I just. can we talk?" "Talk? Sure!" He sat beside her. "I thought you'd rather swim a little. The water is just great today." "Can you be serious for a moment?" The man shrugged. "Whatever you say." The woman fell silent. "What do you want to talk about?" He reclined on the blanket. His voice sounded a little bored. "Who am I?" She asked. The man smiled. "You're the loveliest creature I've ever seen," he said. "Oh, stop it!" She was genuinely angry. "I mean, really - who am I? What is my name, where do I live, what's my job." "Job?" The man was still smiling. "I have no idea, sweetie. You never told me." He reached out with his hand to caress her arm. "No," she shrugged him off. "I suppose I haven't. That's because I don't know. Do you know who you are?" "Of course I do!" He laughed. "I am." he paused. "Well?" "I. I don't know, really." He laughed out loud. "Must be this sun! Come on, let's go swimming!" He got up and took her hand. She shook her head but raised from the blanket, reluctantly. They ran into the water, laughing like children. * * * "Computer, freeze programme!" "I told you it wasn't going to work! The personality parameters were too complex! She's developed a consciousness!" "Yes, well, store her character in the data base. We may go back to her one day."
