Software Evolution

By John Fajo

John Fajo
Software Evolution
Abstract

As the title indicates this is a book about software evolution. Software evolution has two meanings and consequently the novel has two continuous parallel themes, one is thriller-like and its main purpose is to give a supportive framework for the other, which is about development in the thinking manner of a person at childhood’s end, this being called software evolution. Besides these, the book attempts to pinpoint the misconceptions people have about the main essence of science, any science for that matter. Here the second meaning of software evolution emerges.

The book is organized into four parts and follows the classical scheme: introduction, main theme, interlude and conclusion. The events are depicted more as slides or short footages, the time elapsing in-between is irrelevant, and time hasn’t the usual meaning due to the second theme; it’s linear from the characters’ point of view, but has non-linear aspects otherwise.

In ‘The inspector’, we have a build up to the main theme. The protagonist, the inspector arrives in a big city, where he is faced with a different world, his ideas are challenged.

In ‘The scientist’, the main theme unfolds. We step into the world of a scientist, not a joyful inventor or a forgetful genius, but an emotionless and well-organized person on an island secluded from the rest of the world. Most of the events are presented from another character’s point of view, which allows perspective to be obtained. It is also vital for the second theme, for this other, nameless person is the one the scientist talks to, presents his ideas, fears, love and hate.

In ‘In deserted nowhere’ our nameless character is banned, has to travel to a far away planet. He is entirely alone, only a dream world helps him survive his solitude. Romanticism is defended; romanticism the scientist criticized in ‘The scientist’. This part also allows the thriller theme to continue several years later than it had ended, without any abrupt jumps.

In ‘The beggar’, we have the conclusion, childhood’s end. The two main characters confront each other for the last time.

John Fajo, 1996

• Language: English
• Publisher: John Fajo
• Release date: Oct 22, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301107162

John Fajo

The author has written since the age of 8, has received formal education in biochemistry (MD), mathematics (PhD) and law (MD). His main interest in writing is connected to character development, emotions, thinking processes and social conflicts from a somewhat biased point of view, many times contrary to the established line of thinking.'Software Evolution' can be said to be the first and to this day the major work of the author, written at the age of 21, that he deemed to be presentable to the public. The book attempts to introduce several parallel story lines, and some important emotional and philosophical aspects of scientific research. The work is the third and final version of a project that was to be science fiction in the beginning but the sci-fi aspects completely disappeared in the end; what it evolved to could be termed drama instead. 'Software Evolution' was not only influenced by the author’s study subjects at the time of writing (natural sciences) but by the places and various social systems he had experienced in his childhood (80’s-early 90’s), socialism (Budapest), capitalism (New York) and protestant Puritanism (Bergen).The book 'Wild Duck revisited' was greatly inspired by the second part of a ten-year stay in Bergen (Norway) that included high school and some university classes, and a short time spent at Fantoft Studentby (a student hostel, the ugliest building complex in named city), where all kinds of nationalities could be met. Many passages of the book are conversations that actually took place there; in such a way, the work shows some thoughts on the Scandinavian lifestyle from an outsider’s viewpoint.The author had moved to the south since then.In recent years, the author has been co leader of a contemporary modern art gallery profiling the interconnection of art, science and technology. He is currently secretary of an art academy.John Fajo is the author’s penname, after his grandfather, anglicized. Profile picture taken around 2002.

Book preview

Software Evolution

by John Fajo

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 1995, 2012

Proofreading: Corrin Pitluck (2012)

Cover design, editing and short intro: Csaba Mengyan (2012)

For correspondence write to [e-mail]

License Notes

Thank you for downloading this free ebook. Although this is a free book, it remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be reproduced, copied and distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage everyone to download their own copy.

Chapter 1: The Inspector

The train whistled as it arrived at its destination. He looked out of the compartment’s window, watched the grey skyscrapers in the distance as the train rolled into the huge railway station. This was the city, indeed, he thought while feasting his eyes on the surroundings.

The railway station was a city inside the city with its own rules and inhabitants. The train disappeared in a forest of other trains. He could see nothing but the sides of trains on the left and on the right, and an intricate and sophisticated glass roof through which he believed to have glimpsed the sun. Otherwise he couldn’t see anything, he felt as if he was in a tunnel. He heard the muffled sounds of the loudspeakers as arrivals and departures were announced incessantly. He wasn’t able to understand the announcements word for word but he gathered the one relating to his train’s arrival must have been among them.

However, he wasn’t allowed to dwell on that subject, for he had a tremendous trunk to take care of. He felt the train slowly decelerating, and finally, with a jerk, coming to a halt. He struggled to lower the trunk from the storage rack situated above his head, and had at the end, succeeded. Then he seated himself and tried to catch his breath while observing the square-like platform swarming with people outside. He wasn’t used to all the commotion he now perceived. For a moment, he had the sensation of being a tiny ant of no more importance than the others but then he reminded himself that he was the inspector. The tumult without certainly had a negative effect on him, and his self-esteem was brought to ground level from great heights. To pierce through this crowd with the trunk successfully seemed an impossible feat, he thought, and thus decided to first seek out a trolley.

After closing his compartment, he stepped down onto the pavement to be immediately absorbed by a train of human mass flowing opposite the direction he had wished to go. He was a patient fellow and realized there was no use pushing against the crowd. He could only get hurt. Thus, he aligned himself with the masses and hoped that an opportunity would present itself whereby he could turn back. He saw a number of trolleys along the way; they were usually packed in groups at the middle of the platform. But there was no way he could get to them, the tide pushed him forward, and he could advance but a few meters diagonally. It was therefore to his astonishment that suddenly the crowd dispersed near the main entrance of the railway station. He was free to navigate anywhere, and after securing a trolley, he headed back to his compartment for his trunk. In it, he had all the necessities of life and all his possessions. Therefore, he was eager to get back as soon as possible and pushed his way through the crowd aggressively. This haste was in vain though, for he found his compartment empty. He stood there not being able to comprehend the entirety of the blow he had suffered.

He hadn’t the faintest idea how long he grieved over the disappearance of his trunk. Certainly, it must have been some time, for a railway worker entered his compartment and said: Sir, you must disembark. Then seeing his countenance he added: Did something happen? Can I assist you in any way?

My trunk, he murmured. I was in search of a trolley and when I got back it was gone. It must have been stolen, he said sadly, simply staring ahead.

Not necessarily, answered the railway worker. There is a good chance that it might have been taken by the attendants seeing the trunk deserted. There is a central inquiry hall for lost objects. The railway worker hesitated for a moment. I could take you there.

This gave him some hope and he finally gathered himself. He thanked the railway worker. They went together to the central inquiry hall. There the railway worker said: I must get back to my work, and looked at him with demanding eyes. He tipped his guide and groaned for a while even though he had known since his departure that this would be what he could expect.

In the meantime he went to an attendant, who sat by a desk dressed conspicuously in a red suit typical of attendants, and seemed to be profoundly absorbed doing paperwork. He couldn’t hide a haughty smile at the manifestation of such idleness. The attendant glimpsed at him realizing that he was approaching and seeing that lofty expression on his face dived into paperwork with an even greater intensity. He coughed in order to draw the attendant’s attention. But the red suited person was too busy doing nothing. Finally, he broke the deadlock by placing a certain amount of money in front of the attendant, who became all ears at once.

I am looking for a huge blue trunk, which might have been taken by your co-workers, he said briefly and full of expectation.

The attendant quickly typed something into a computer on the desk. He awaited the result with trembling heart. Then, after a short while, the attendant informed him with a dubious and rather menacing smile that his trunk, indeed, had been taken by railway workers on a request from the police department. He looked perplexed.

On what grounds? he asked angrily.

I haven’t the faintest idea, rejoined the attendant.

When and where can I get it back? he sounded more deferential now.

A shrug of the shoulders was the answer from the attendant. He shook his head in complete frustration. He paced out of the inquiry hall, beaten before he could start his work. There was no doubt in his mind that the baron was behind this trunk business. The very man he had to find. He couldn’t resist a smile. It seemed the baron had managed to trace him without delay. Of course, the man could use all his connections and vast resources. He laughed in amusement at himself. He had been nothing but a fool, he thought, to have believed that he could even cause a slight headache for the baron. Now it seemed to him that the baron could dispose of him if he wanted. As he watched the swirling masses, he felt as if he were nothing but a tiny dust particle, which could easily be blown away with a gust. He couldn’t prepare himself enough in advance to what he had to face. This world was so much different from his. The baron had the upper hand with all the advantages the big city could yield.

At last, he sighed as he sauntered out of the railway station. He had all the time in the world. Or perhaps, he thought, no time at all. He looked around and cursed as some people bumped into him from behind. He was slightly annoyed but remained surprisingly listless. Then he sighted some cabs and thought he would stay a night in a hotel, until he decided what to do. He hurried forward and was about to sit into a taxi but a hideous character thwarted his way, and someone else nimbly took advantage of the situation by taking the cab. He mumbled something in despair. Luckily, there was another taxicab, which stopped beside him. He got into it and was about to tell the driver his destination when the hideous character seated himself beside him.

This is my cab, he proclaimed.

Not any more, said the hideous character and showed a revolver while laughing joyfully.

I’ll get out, he screamed as the cab started moving.

Oh, no you don’t, the hideous character enjoyed every second of terrorizing him, you are the man I am after.

That can’t be, he disagreed. I have just arrived.

So we know, replied the hideous character and looked at him seemingly apologetically. But nothing could be further from the truth.

He shrank back. Where are we going? he asked with fear.

As an answer, the hideous character lashed out at him and he fell on his side.

That will be enough for now, the cabdriver told the hideous character. Our orders were to take him alive. If you continue like that, you’ll kill the bastard. Let the others do that if the leaders want it so.

The hideous character moaned and seemed to be offended. The inspector was wiping his face, especially his bloody nose and thought the end was approaching. He glimpsed at the bulky figure of the hideous character with dismay telling himself that this wasn’t happening to him, it was nothing but a dreadful nightmare. He felt small and helpless, a man whose destiny it was to end up in a deserted ditch. He shivered and sat motionless lest the hideous character might find a lively target more attractive and forget the cabdriver’s warnings. He didn’t even look out the window; he thought it was purposeless. But despite all his fears the rest of the ride was uneventful.

The taxi stopped in the middle of a deserted meadow from where he could only see the contours of the skyscrapers; nothing else of the city could be seen. The hideous character dragged him out of the cab and held one of his arms tightly. He wasn’t able to move an inch. There they waited until a black limousine arrived.

Here he is, the cabdriver pointed to him, when three men emerged from the dark car.

Can I join? asked the hideous character.

You should have tamed him by now, said one of the three to the cabdriver. The hideous character was too dumb to comprehend the meaning of that sentence. Your next assignment is at the seventh plaza at half past nine. This is the person, the cabdriver was given a photograph. Then his two earlier acquaintances left him with the three men. He looked after the receding cab with the unreasonable patience of a dying being.

What now? he shrieked.

For the second time that afternoon, he received a terrible punch in answer to his question. He lost a tooth in the jolt. He tried to get up from the ground, where he had been thrown. But this had been only the beginning. He was kicked and punched. His nose started bleeding again and he wished they would be done with him soon. He had received at least a dozen low blows before the men called it a day. He thought the beating lasted an eternity.

Next time you’ll think twice before messing around with us again, one of them said and took his wallet.

They left him there in a pile of grass.

For some time he didn’t dare move. Then slowly, as if being afraid he might fall apart, he struggled to his feet. He was in a pitiful state. All his joints ached. He winced in sorrow and pain and attempted to locate his position. Finally, he realized there was a narrow road to his right. This road headed towards the city as far as he could tell from where he stood. There was at least one good thing about skyscrapers, he thought. One could see them from great distances and they could show one the way.

He limped to the road and started an arduous walk back to the city. Certainly, the beating had done him some good for he no longer feared his attackers. He was determined to find the baron more than ever. There was no mister nice guy any longer. He would crush the baron and the organization, he thought, as he arrived at crossroads.

The skyscrapers showed him the way.

****

It was lucky that he, out of prudence, had put a large sum of money in his shoes, when he had embarked on his mission. That was how he could afford to stay in a central hotel, after having walked all the way from the meadow. In his miserable state, there had been no one to give him a ride. Even the receptionist had looked at him with sharp and investigating eyes and had demanded an advance payment.

But now as he rolled in his bed, after having a bath, he was in good mirth. He was still alive and this in itself made him happy. It was late afternoon and he watched the sun go down. Then suddenly he remembered what had been said before his beating: ...next assignment at seventh plaza half past nine..., he repeated. So it would be, he thought, a pleasure to pay back some of the discomforts he had suffered. His hands were itching for a fight. This time however he had the advantage of surprise.

He got dressed and called a taxi. By eight o’clock he reached the seventh plaza. Then again, his self-assuredness was gone. He had never seen anything of the size of the square, which emerged in front of him. The plaza was swarming with people and he couldn’t see from one end to the other; not