Carl dreamed of the future his whole life. There was nothing wrong with being a teenager in the 60s, but predictions about robots and flying cars made him yearn for more. Every time a fantasy space movie was released, he stood first in line to buy a ticket.
As Carl aged, he lost some of his passion for what the future might bring. He still loved to watch Star Trek and Star Wars, but he knew he would never be around to experience similar adventures. His dreams were really fantasies, something he could enjoy but would never actually realize.
Achievements and inventions such as the Internet, smartphones, self-driving cars, and of course, the moon landing fueled his fantasies. He was getting older with his sixty-fifth birthday just around the corner. He knew the likelihood of jetting around the world in his flying car was highly improbable.
Drones were available to the everyday man. Carl owned one and it was fun, but it fell short of his vision. Robots existed as well, but they could do so much more than deliver pizzas and packages. Carl knew the future would show their true potential,
The predictions and expectations for the future were exaggerated, maybe unintentionally, but the outcome was the same. Born too early, he did not yet live in a Jetson world.
Would there ever be a way to become a part of the future? Carl doubted his vision to be part of the future would be fulfilled. Cryogenics! The word crept into his head and turned an idea into an obsession. That could be the answer he needed. He had no doubt it was possible to freeze his brain and come back to a new body one hundred years from today.The technology was available now. Carl was sure all his dreams would be reality by then. He did extensive research about cryogenics and recognized the possibilities. Sure, there would be risks but with advancements in technology, he felt any issues that developed could easily be rectified by the year 2120.
He had two brothers and a sister but no wife or children. He believed his desire for a new life wouldn’t be a burden on anyone. This new path to his future was his destiny, one he dreamed about since he was a child. Carl was well fixed financially and with 100 years of interest compounded on his account, he knew there would be no worries. He did research on cryogenics for months, listing all the pros and cons and finally convinced himself this was what he wanted to do. A Russian firm has developed a procedure to freeze people before they die. Scientists believe that by freezing a brain before death they can avoid extensive brain damage. He didn’t want to wait until he was on his deathbed before he started this procedure, so he would fly to Switzerland where euthanasia was legal and have the procedure.
Carl had one last visit with his family for a celebratory dinner and to say their last goodbyes. There would be no turning back once he entered the lab.
* * *
Now in the year 2120, Carl’s new life was about to begin. Life was drastically different than he once knew. No one could have predicted the financial disaster devastating the country. So many things changed. Carl didn’t know it yet, but he would need to go back to school to learn about this new world. His brain was outdated, and he would have to get a job to live. The golden parachute he expected to have was almost worthless.
Just as imagined, drones and flying machines filled the skies, almost blocking the sun. Droids did the housework leaving people with more free time. Pet robots replaced the cuddly unpredictable puppies and kittens from the past. It was nearly impossible to tell them apart from the real ones, except the robot pets never ate and never pooped.
Carl saw things he always imagined and some he never believed possible. Everything was miniaturized and also expensive. You could carry a complete dinner in your pocket that could be rehydrated in seconds. The taste was good but the presentation was lacking.
People worked from home with little contact from their co-workers. Physical stores were non-existent since everything was bought on-line and delivered to your door.
Virtual reality (VR) was a boom to the entertainment industry. People still took vacations but never left their homes. VR took them on trips around the world. It replaced true reality in every way. There was something wrong about going on a hike without leaving your family room.
Murders and mass shootings were down because no one went anywhere in mass.
Cyber attacks were up which contributed to the increase in suicides. Technology helped with some things but created new problems. He should have known there was no guarantee that progress would make his life better.
The only things left unchanged were the politicians. They were still crooked. People didn’t talk or connect with others, especially strangers. It was as if their lips were fused together. The new world had robots, drones and flying cars, but instead of bringing people closer, it kept them apart.
When Carl walked into the new world, his dreams were realized, but surprises surfaced as well. After his brain was put into his new body he exited the chamber and realized he was no longer Carl. His chest was bigger and his body more curvy. Carl had become Carla.
He should’ve read the fine print.
* * *
Crash! The lamp fell onto his head and startled him. His body lurched forward from deep sleep to an instant awareness when his nephew’s drone buzzed around his head and crashed into his lap.
“Hey Uncle Carl! Do you want to watch Lost in Space with me?” Setting the remote control on the table. “It’s the old one from the ‘60s.”
The first thing Carl did was reach down and feel his chest. It was flat. He smiled because he realized it was still 2019.
Carl shook the cobwebs out of his head and said, “Yes, Ben, I’d love to.”
With that Ben grabbed his uncle by the hand to lead him to the basement where they had the gigantic TV. “It’s kinda lame but it makes you fantasize about the future.”
He looked at his nephew. “Movies inspire your dreams but don’t let them keep you from living today.”
