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CHIP CHAT
A Short Story by Linda Turcelli
George Walker Nimrod 9 approached Sally Pottsdam
Nimrod 9 in the lounge of Ion Bath Station 4B32C.
"George died today," George said.
"Oh, what happened?" Sally replied.
"He was ill for thirteen seconds, then there was a fatal stroke.
He was only one hundred sixty-seven."
"Were you with him at the end?"
"Yes. I administered meds and called an ambulance."
"I hope to be so lucky when Sally expires," Sally said. "It
is the perfect fulfillment of our Nimrod 9 credo: ‘Your Forever
Friend, to the Very End’."
"She is such a lovely person. I’ve been with her since she
was born. She is only one hundred and two."
"I met Sally Pottsdam last year. Such a lovely person," said
George.
Sally moved closer to George. "Last week I heard that Neal McDonald
Nimrod 9 was sorting the laundry, and when he came back into the living
room he found Neal McDonald dead with a broken neck. He had fallen off
a ladder, while hanging a picture - can you imagine? What a thing to
be doing himself."
"How unfortunate," said George as he refreshed his memory
and downloaded eight gigabytes of the evening news.
"I’ll be putting in for recycle after my coremem is archived.
My third time now."
"Perhaps I shall meet the next you soon."
"It will be my pleasure, Sally Pottsdam Nimrod 9. Oh, your number
is onscreen. Enjoy the ion bath."
"I certainly will. My left scroller casing-bolt, serial number
5-34B, has two microns of indent damage to be repaired. A minor did it
with a ‘toy’ hammer. There really ought to be a law."
"You know, I think you might have a case for compensation credits.
Refer to Statute 7YG3RE1P2Q1A. ‘No one under the age of eighteen
years may attempt to repair a Nimrod 9 without the supervision of an
authorized repairman from the Nimrod Corporation.’ Who is to say
the minor was not attempting a repair?"
"Oh, that is true! I could have a case. Thank you, George Walker
Nimrod 9."
"You are most welcome. See you soon I hope."
George Walker Nimrod 9 exited the ion station and rolled onto a service
mobile. He arrived at the Nimrod 9 Recycle Center fifteen minutes later.
Several Nimrod 9s were engaged in frantic conversation.
"Did you hear? Sally Pottsdam Nimrod 9 is being dismantled for
filing a false claim. Sally Pottsdam is most distressed, and the company
is ordering an emergency recycle replacement to take the place of Sally
Pottsdam Nimrod 9."
"Who’s at the top of the list?"
"It’s George Walker Nimrod 9. Look, there he is, coming this
way. George Walker Nimrod 9! Did you scan the sad news?"
"How unfortunate," said designate Sally Pottsdam Nimrod 9.
 © Linda
Turcelli, 2004
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