DIGITAL FUTURES:
ISOLATION YEARS
By
Tom Colley
It was the fifth of October in California, and rain was lazily falling over the district of Palo Alto. As Tim Cook glanced out the window of the master bedroom at 2101 Waverly Street, he couldn’t help but observe how the grey sky, utterly devoid of any colour or life, was a perfect visual representation of the emotion felt inside the room. The rain softly pattering on the window was the only indication of any sort of world outside. In the centre, in all that remained of his glory, lay Steve Jobs and situated above his bed lay a figment of his pride, the National Technology Medal.
Yet for all his accolades, Steve had not managed to overcome the inevitability of death. Frailty and exhaustion had overcome his persona, and the enigma that had revolutionized the digital world was now reduced to state of infant-like dependency. Steve had lost his spark for life, and was soon heading closer towards his own deadline. Next to Steve sat his beloved wife Laurene Powell. Her knuckles were ghostly white as she grasped his hand as if to prevent him from slipping away from her reality. Tear tracks marked her face and sobs bellowed up from her chest, shaking her body.
Steve licked his parched lips, and rasped slowly amid heavy breathes “Before we part, I must discuss something...” His voice had lost the energy and clarity it had once been blessed with, however everyone in the room still looked toward Steve, listening intently.
“My life has been a journey filled with radical change and monumental achievement. With you by my side I have managed to change the material world.”
Even though Steve was walking a fine line between life and death, his arrogance still persisted to shine through. “Though for all my endeavours, I have no regrets.” Steve’s body was shaken as he followed through with a cough. Laurene swiftly pressed a glass of soothing water and trickled it down her husband’s mouth. A scowl took over Steve’s previously neutral features as he pushed the glass away and continued to speak.
“There are a number of issues I would first like to sort before I depart. Firstly, I do not wish for any new philanthropic projects to be established in my name and fronted by Apple. I feel this would be a bad move financially for this company, and I did not build my legacy only to have it slowly drained away ....” Steve cleared his throat then continued, “My beloved Laurene will continue to privately fund charities of her own choosing like we have always done. Bono’s Product Red will be the only organizational charity we will be a part of.”
Laurene nodded her agreement, and Tim scratched at his receding hairline, eagerly awaiting Steve’s next course of action. “Tim, I particularly urge you not to be tempted to sign Bill Gates ‘Giving Pledge’ as well, even if it does bring with it a lot of positive publicity.”
It was becoming noticeably harder for Steve to communicate. His voice had become excessively dry and chalky, and his body was shaking almost beyond his control.
“I would like to thank you all for being in my life. Laurene my love, I must discuss something with Tim.”
Knowing the time to depart was closer than ever, Laurene bent over her husband and soul mate, whispered something inconceivable yet notably private into his ear, and left the room with a kiss. Steve stared after her, a single tear dropped down his rigid face before it was overcome with a frustrated scowl and he wiped it away. Tim waited till the heavy oak door had properly shut before composing himself and approaching the bed. He sat down in the chair Laurene had previously occupied and averted his gaze from Steve’s deadpan face. Steve looked at Tim and his sullen features gave way to a forced smile.
“Tim, as my new CEO I give you free reign of the company. I am positive you will sustain its prosperity. However it is imperative that the iPhone Five is released as soon as humanly possible after it has been perfected... this device will not only influence how people communicate or listen to music... but will revolutionize how people think of technology...”
Steve’s eyes drooped, and for the first time Tim witnessed just how exhausted his colleague actually was. “My designs may have influenced the world, and I may have shaped the direction of communication technology, but I have never radically changed it... the iPhone Five will be the future of technology and will carry my legacy beyond the twenty first century...” Steve cut himself off, and took a series of deep breathes. No longer capable of speaking, Steve motioned for Tim to hand him his platinum plated iPad. It was a beautiful thing, demanding attention and respect, perfectly complementing its owner. Steve hurriedly typed something into the pad and passed it onto Tim impatiently. As Tim read the iPad, a small smirk crept onto his otherwise emotionless face. It was Steve’s will stating that the iPhone Five production was to go ahead as scheduled without compromise.
Tim looked over the iPad towards his old mentor and partner, but was briefly taken aback. In the space of a few short moments Steve had ingloriously passed away, going out with a whimper when ironically his life was so combustive and momentous. As Tim looked down upon the drained and limp face of Steve, he felt a twang of guilt. Quickly he snapped himself out of his daze and grabbed the iPad, swiftly editing what had been written into it. Standing up, Tim rested his hand on the shoulder of his deceased friend, gave his final farewell, and strolled out of the room.
Laurene Powell was sitting alone in the large living room of Steve Job’s Palo Alto residence, playing a mournful tune on the extravagant grand piano at a slow tempo. Tim lurked behind her, keenly listening to the melody she played. Fifty years old, Tim knew he wasn’t getting any younger. His skin tone was turning increasingly pale, and his bones ached with the onset of arthritis. However, so driven was Tim to revolutionize the world beyond the possibilities of mobile phones and tablets he ignored the protests of his body as he moved towards Laurene.
Laurene stopped playing the piano and sat with stooped shoulders, refusing to turn and face Tim.
“I think you should leave...” She whispered.
Tim sighed and embraced Laurene from behind. Her silky blonde hair smelt divine as he pressed his face into it. Laurene gave no sign of reluctance and Tim continued to hold her.
“I don’t know how long I can carry on like this, Tim” She spluttered, a fresh wave of tears building up in her eyes.
“It’s only for a little while longer Laurene I promise” Tim assured her, “The hard part is over honey, we are on the verge of revolutionising the world!”
Laurene was ravaged with guilt. Her body shook and she pushed herself away from Tim in a state of frenzy.
“No!” She screamed, “It’s over for me. For years you had me slipping these pills into my husband’s food! All I feel now is regret and self loathing!”
Tim looked on as Laurene pulled a bag of blue capsules and threw them on the floor. Despite the severity of the situation, Tim couldn’t help but feel slightly accomplished. Indeed his plan was ingenious. He had privately funded a pharmaceutical company to develop a pill which in the long term would cause the pancreatic cells to develop into an untreatable neuroendocrine tumour. Subsequently, he had wooed Steve’s trophy wife Laurene with promises of glory and the chance to be the catalyst for a major turning point in modern society. While she systematically poisoned her Husband’s meals, Tim covered up the affair with rumours of his sexuality. It was so convincing he now had the entire world believe he was homosexual.
“Stop acting like a child!” Tim bellowed. Laurene responded to his shout with a glare of her own.
“I want you out of my house Tim” She said softly, her words dripping with malice, “Make no mistake, I have reached the end of the line. I want you out of my life...”
Tim looked at his lover hopelessly.
“Laurene...” He sighed exasperated, “You know the iPhone Five isn’t the future, we are!”
Laurene did not reply, instead she turned her back on Tim and continued to play. Tim turned on his heels and stormed out of the residence.
The rain was still pouring when Tim walked outside. His black Chevrolet SUV was sitting quietly in the driveway. He heard the engine purr to life as the driver turned on the ignition, and his secretary came to meet him at the doorway of the Job’s residence with a large umbrella.
“He passed...” Tim told his secretary softly.
The secretary looked mournful, and then replied “His death is rather ironic, isn’t it?”
Tim stared at his secretary in surprise.
“How do you mean?” He asked wearily.
“Well, Pancreatic Cancer... the initials...”
“PC?” Tim thought for a while before realization finally dawned on him. “Oh PC! You’re sick; I don’t know why I still employ you.” Tim said, half joking.
“So what’s the plan now, Mr. Cook?” The secretary asked.
Tim stood still for a moment in thought, before replying.
“We divert all funding from the iPhone Five to the Apple:DNA. This time next year we are going to change to world”
ONE YEAR LATER...
Tim stood to the left of the stage in the Apple presentation room. It was here his predecessor had unveiled every product which had cemented his legacy. Now Tim’s time had come. The world had moved on from Steve Job’s death, and was eagerly waiting for what the Apple icon would release next. Tim was nervous. How he pitched his new product would determine how the world would receive it.
The presenter on stage motioned for Tim. He paused for a moment to recollect his composure. Briefly he thought of Laurene, and how she was coping. He forced the memory of their last meeting out of his mind and told himself to keep moving forwards.
Tim walked out on stage. The room was filled with journalists from the Wall Street Journal to the New York Times. Tim felt their scrutinizing eyes observing him, felt the tension of their pens hovering over their notepads.
“Ladies and Gentleman”, Tim announced and let his gaze linger over the crowd in front of him. “This changes everything.”The crowd laughed and clapped, and Tim felt his initial apprehension and nerves wash away as the atmosphere in the room became more relaxed and homely.
“I know you have all heard that before. But the Apple:DNA does not solely change the face of the world concerning communication and simplicity of life. The Apple:DNA will change what it means to be human!”
He let his triumphant words wash over the sea of people; the air seemed to buzz with excitement as everyone in the room hung on to Tim’s every word, craving him to speak.
“The Apple:DNA is our perfected attempt of merging Apple certified technology with our own personal biology.” Tim held up a microchip. “With this state of the art chip inserted into the back of the cranium, and an injection of thousands of microscopic nanobots, the Apple:DNA literally converts your body into a carrier for internet, phone signals and your body will be able to carry out many of the functions that you depend on your phone for. The nanobots will convert into interior speakers, a camera and my personal favourite, temple massages.”
The crowd was dumbstruck. All writing had ceased, and Tim knew he had the audience in his grasp.
“Imagine being able to talk to your friends without even moving your mouth. Imagine a world where human interaction is nigh on instant, when you can communicate without the limitation imposed on you by your physical body. Electrolytes in your brain will power this microchip, providing limitless power. Your phone will no longer run out of battery, because YOU will be the phone.”
Tim had the momentum, and kept pressing the crowd.
“Today, ladies and gentleman, we revolutionize what it means to be human. Interaction will not be limited to face to face confrontations or be dependent on phones or emails. Welcome to a new era of global unity!”
The crowd let loose a cheer so intense it drowned the reception of the iPhone Four. Tim knew he was on the verge of a human revolution.
“Finally, the Apple:DNA will have a feature allowing anybody implemented with the device to switch on an auto-pilot function. Their body will then be controlled by a trusted Apple employee; however they will still retain the possibility to regain control of their body instantaneously.” Tim paused to take a sip of ice cold water placed on a podium to the side of the stage. “This feature will mean the end of having to live through the tedium of everyday life. We here at Apple know that people don’t know what they want anymore, so why not let them take a back seat while we live their lives for them!”
The audience was in a state of ecstatic excitement. Cameras were flashing, and pens scrawling a storm on their respective notepads. In return, Tim flashed the crowd a winning smile and walked off the stage.
ONE MONTH LATER...
Gus took another sip of his cappuccino and dabbed his mouth with his serviette. Sitting with his fiancée, he admired her features over a lunch of fresh sushi. A meek brunette with porcelain features. She caught is gaze and smiled softly, and mouthed “I love you.” Her tongue could hardly be seen in the depth of her mouth, having been bitten if in a car accident. He smiled and thought back, “I love you, too.” She nodded in response. The Apple:DNA had allowed them to communicate on an unprecedented level. She had never once spoken since the accident, yet now her constant Thought-Calls to Gus had enabled her to allow Gus to truly understand her.
“I have to get back to work, I’ll see you tonight”
Gus stood up from the table and shut down his Thought-Call. He was a tall lean man with greying hair and moderate build. Opening his car via his Mind App, he entered the front seat of his Ford Falcon. Sighing happily, he opened his Auto-Pilot, and felt his body lift away under the control of the qualified hands of someone in an Apple office. He felt the stress of the body give way and watched as the BMW rolled off the curb and onto the main road. As Gus’s body merged into the lane, his eyes lazily gazed into the mirror. A large truck was approaching, its momentum making it impossible to break on time. Gus clicked. He instantly attempted to swerve the car back onto the curb, yet his arms did not respond. The takeover had taken too long to complete, and the window of opportunity Gus had to save himself was shattered by an oncoming pillar of metal.
ONE WEEK LATER
Tim Cook watched his life fade away. The trickle of blood leading from his arm had pooled beneath him. Laurene Powell had been pronounced dead. She had taken her own life, and found on her person were a bag of blue pills, and a suicide note:
“I cannot live with the knowledge that everything I had previously believed in was a lie. I had murdered my soul mate for the sake of society, believing this new product would benefit our world. I am wretched. My miss the sound of another’s voice, I miss Steve’s voice. These blue pills are the proof of Tim Cook’s guilt. His creation has not unified society, but rather alienates us from each other. We are living in years of growing isolation.”
Prior to this event,
the media had sunk their teeth into a story about a young man on the
verge of marriage, struck down in his prime due to a fault in the
connection and Take-Over speed in the Apple:
DNA’s Auto-Pilot.
Tim felt the walls’ falling apart as his life was drained and
prepared for his own eternal isolation.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Forbes. (2011) The Charity of Steve Jobs, retrieved 22/10/11 from: http://www.forbes.com/sites/larahoffmans/2011/10/06/the-charity-of-steve-jobs/
The Washington Post: Business. (2011) Record Thin on Steve Job’s Philanthropy, retrieved 22/10/11 from: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/record-thin-on-steve-jobss-philanthropy/2011/10/06/gIQA3YKKRL_story.html
Hi-Tec Analogy. (2011) Top 10 Ugliest Character Flaws of Steve Job’s Personality Those Made Him “Steve Jobs we know today”!, retrieved 22/10/11 from: http://hitechanalogy.com/top-10-ugliest-character-flaws-steve-jobs-personality-steve-jobs-today/
All about Steve Jobs. (2011), Steve’s Home, retrieved 22/10/11 from: http://allaboutstevejobs.com/pics/places/paloalto/paloalto.html
International Business Times. (2011), Steve Jobs' Wife, Laurene Jobs: Businesswoman, Philanthropist, and the Love of His Life, retrieved 22/10/11 from: http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/226445/20111006/steve-jobs-wife-laurene-jobs.htm
ABC News, (2011), Steve Job’s Pancreatic Cancer: A Timeline, retrieved from: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/CancerPreventionAndTreatment/steve-jobs-pancreatic-cancer-timeline/story?id=14681812
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