6.n.
Halo rings and
starburst effects danced on every possible reflective surface. Things looked wet, for no other apparent
reason than to quiver light into attention grabbing forms. LED sensors glowed like molten lava and glass
panes had deliberate substance and form as if to suggest a crystalline
structure.
“It’s all
about the look these days,” said a doctor wearing a gleaming white lab coat and
excessively sparkling safety glasses.
“You also need gadgetry. Sleek
and stylized, not the overly bulky, look-at-the-size-of-my-penis gear that
everybody used to go in for.”
“Like the arm,
you mean,” said Commander Credit.
“Yes,” the
doctor said, giving Commander Credit a reproachful look. “But that was the look back then. People were supposed to see that arm and know
you had power. That you were solid. Substantial.”
“That my dick
was big?”
The doctor
sighed, his shoulders slouching, just enough.
“Anyway, we’ve redesigned the arm a few times over the years. And now its not such an eyesore.”
“It’s still
oversized-dick big.”
“Yes, well, the
message still needs to come across. And
you need the room to store all your cool gadgets and open market
accessories. There’s a full maintenance
kit in the shoulder, electrical parts in the bicep, motorized–”
“Yeah,
yeah. I get it. Snacks in the forearm and juice in the
elbow,” said Commander Credit.
“Vials of
nutrient solutions actually. And
coffee. For office visits. You’re also hooked up with a modem,
transaction terminal, etc.”
