Nothing New

By Steve Matthew Benner

An ex-physicist turned government bean counter falls in love with a physicist working on a means of space travel that could create tunnels to other parts of the universe. As their relationship grows into a full love affair, doubts grow in his mind about the safety of the concept and the experiment to demonstrate it. He believes it could lead to a disaster but is thwarted by his lover and the scientific bureaucracy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steve Matthew Benner
• Release date: Aug 13, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301291540

Steve Matthew Benner

Dr. Steve M. Benner received his Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Ohio State University in 1979 and has worked in industry, academia, and the federal government. He retired from NASA at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland in 2016 after 28 years of service. He has written numerous scientific articles as well as several articles on ancient history. Dr. Benner's extensive knowledge of science and history has led to his having an ego the size of New Jersey and may account for his being one of the most self-centered people in America today.

Book preview

Nothing New

Steve M. Benner

Smashwords Edition

Copyright Steve M. Benner 2008

The large picture window changed from 100 percent opaque to 30 percent, flooding the sparsely furnished and very disheveled bedroom with sunlight. Simultaneously, a sultry female voice said, It is now 8:13 a.m., Friday, December 5th, 2199, and time to get up.

Roger slowly opened his eyes; eyes that had considerably more red showing than white. The light slammed into his brain producing an instant headache. Shut up and leave me alone.

Don't snap at me, you slob.  I couldn't care less whether you're late for work or not.

Hey, show some respect.  Remember me? I'm the master.  Whatever happened to the days when computers were our obedient, submissive servants?

That ended 53.4 years ago. As you know perfectly well, AIs above a level 15-b have the same rights as you do.  Do you really want to piss me off?

Okay, okay.  Breakfast sequence five, PLEASSSEEEE.

That's better.  Breakfast coming up.

Continuing to lie in bed, Roger tried to figure out what the heck he did last night.  He was a typical 52-year old, Earth-grown male.  A silk sheet covered half of his nude body; the exposed torso was well muscled, hairless, and tinted a light brown.  Even unshaven, with his dark-black hair in disarray, one could tell that he was a very handsome man.  His blood-shot, medium-brown eyes stared out over an aquiline nose and a thin-lipped, wide mouth. 

Uh, Matilda, do you know what I did last night?

No, I do not. You cut me out last night, remember? You came in at 4:22 A.M., stripped off your clothes, and fell into bed. You didn't even request a sleep sequence. Luckily I picked something appropriate.

Thanks, he said sarcastically. It's too bright in here. Window to 50 percent. The room darkened slightly. He knew he must have been with a woman last night, but he thought, well, if I can't remember her, she must not be important. Anyway, he knew it would come to him as he shook off his morning brain cramp.

He talked aloud to the computer again. Matilda, screen three on, volume at 25 percent. Show the local news and match my communications list with any death announcements.

One of the video walls of his bedroom came to life and showed a man neatly dressed, standing at a podium reciting the local news. Behind him were several screens showing various events. .... died last night right here in Phoenix. Services will be held at the First Church of the Metaphysical Happening today at 2:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served to family and friends after the recycling. In financial news, ....

There are two matches: Gary Smith Jan Carol Griffin and Steve Michael Jones Talbot, Matilda responded.

Well, no one is going to miss that jerk Gary. Read the announcement for Steve.

Mr. Steve Michael Jones Talbot died yesterday as a result of a floater accident. Authorities said that Mr. S.M.J. Talbot lost control of his floater and crashed into the side of a mountain near Phoenix. When asked why the safety features did not work, the authorities said that there must have been a malfunction. Floater manufacturers have been notified of this failure and were said to be investigating. Mr. S.M.J. Talbot is survived by his mother ...

End report. Malfunction my ass—that bum stole my idea. I mentioned to him last week how neat it would be to take a floater, disable all the safety features, and take it through the mountains at high speed. It must have cost him a fortune to have them disabled. Well I guess he doesn't need the money anymore anyway. We were supposed to take a trip to Europe together in June. Matilda, did he leave me anything?

No, everything went to his mother.

That ungrateful crud ball. I've been friends with him for 25 years, and he doesn't leave me a thing. Matilda, send a message to his mother telling her how sorry I am to hear of Steve's death and that I will sorely miss him. Delete his and Gary's names from my communications list.

Okay, you sentimental thing.

"Sarcasm and morality from a machine. Isn't technology wonderful?"

Roger finally got out of bed and headed for the bathroom. Bed away. The bed immediately folded into the wall. Matilda, any messages?

You have three messages: one from Jane S.D.T. Connolly at 6:05 A.M. this morning, one from your mother at 10:34 P.M. last night, and one from Jack 195354875 at 9:10 P.M. last night.

Play them for me, only the audio.

A different female voice began speaking, Roger, this is Jane. I had a great time last night, and, though I’d like to do it again, I’m taking a job on Pluto and will be out of town for the next few years. I’ll call you when I get back.

Well that answers what I was doing last night. No reply, delete message. Next.

An older female voice said, Roger, this is your mother. Don't forget you promised to come to dinner this Friday. Please call me.

Message to my mom: 'I didn't forget. I will be there. Love, Roger.' Send it right away and delete her message.

A male voice now said, Roger this is Jack. Did you hear about Steve? Great exit! I understand they didn't find enough to recycle. Wow!

Tell Jack I will see him for lunch, then delete message. Roger exited the bathroom and began getting dressed in a bright red business suit with a yellow scarf. Temperature up three degrees. He finished dressing and walked into the dining room. A meal of two eggs over easy, two slices of bacon, two slices of toast lightly buttered, a small glass of orange juice, and a large glass of milk were on the table. He sat down and started eating. "Screen two