For a few seconds Troy Lombardi felt nothing. Mr. Senoma's contraption intercepted all the communications to his brain and left it bare of all input. In this strange void, the clarity of his thoughts heightened, no longer distracted by a constant stream of information. This strange, momentary sensation ended as a wash of artificial information, coming from Mr. Kilgore's program, flooded his brain.
Troy Lombardi stood in the center of a large circular stone platform, made from a single thirty foot slab of red and white marble. The word “Origin” was carved in letters larger than a man in the center of the stone, right in front of where Troy stood. Four arrows were also carved pointing to each of the cardinal directions. A large N labeled the arrow directly in front of him.
A beginnings of a river flowed peacefully on his left, coming from a large clear lake. The smell of evergreen trees, from a thick forest just across the river, filled his nostrils carried by a light wind. Patchy clouds floated on a vast blue sky warding of excessive heat. To his right stood a large grass covered hill.
Troy took a deep breath of the fresh air, then looked down at himself. He looked and felt great. The computer had edited out a few pounds and returned his youthful energy. It had also dressed him in simple jeans and a white t-shirt.
He dropping one knee to the ground and felt the smooth polished marble with his hands. Then, on impulse, he ran and jumped off the edge of the stone. His body moved in perfect form without strain. The dirt and gravel ground under his weight and cushioned his landing. He felt the grime of dirt with his hands. The prime condition of his health was the only evidence that the entire scenery around him was fake.
A sudden electronic ring burst from the cell phone on his belt. Startled he stood and wiped the dirt off of his hands. After a few more rings he answered it.
“Hello,” he said.
“Congratulations!” came Mr. Kilgore's voice over the phone, “You are the first man to experience full virtual reality.”
“This is absolutely incredible,” said Mr. Lombardi. “I feel as though you dropped me in Yellowstone. This is wonderful. You should see this place. I don't hardly believe my eyes.”
“We can see it sir,” said Mr. Senoma, “Well, at least a computer screens worth. I'm sure the full panorama is much more dramatic.”
Looking back Troy saw a small camera mounted on a poll next to the origin. It slowly turned around surveying the valley then stopped and focused on him.
“You two come in as soon as your ready. I'm going to go skip some rocks on the lake.” Without saying goodbye he hung up the phone and picked up a particularly flat rock he had noticed earlier.
When Dean and William arrived a few minutes later they found Mr. Lombardi knee deep in the lake with his pants rolled up and his shoes left behind on the shore.
“Well, Mr. Kilgore, how does it feel to be inside a universe you created?” said Mr. Lombardi as he sloshed his way back to shore.”
“I've seen so many maps and computer generated pictures of this place as I worked on building it that I feel right at home. The lake looks bigger than I thought it would now that I am standing next to it. But still, this all is so real. I have a hard time believing I designed it.”
“I thought you said the landscape was random,” said Mr. Lombardi.
“Once you get out of this valley it is. I wanted to establish a good base to explore from. There is a lodge with all the supplies you could possibly want on the other side of that hill. If you follow the river you will arrive at a shore line where a boat is waiting, just in case seafaring is in your plans. On the canyon wall on the other side of the lake is a huge waterfall with a staircase cut next to it in the cliff. That I added just for fun. Once you reach the top of the staircase, or the ridge-line of any of the mountains you see, or sail out to sea, you will venture into the frontier where no one knows what you will find.”
“Ouch!” Troy jerked his foot out of the water. A small trickle of blood mix with water dripping off his foot. He stumbled onto dry ground and examined the small cut. Turning to Mr. Senoma he said, “Maybe, you should have left out the pain sensation.”
“Pain is a part of reality. If I took out all the pain it would be just another computer game, not a virtual reality,” Dean said.
“You're right I suppose. Without pain, there would be no fear, without fear there would be no need for courage. There would be no adventure.”
“I did put a limit on the pain though. No matter what happens to you, a broken arm is about the worst thing you'll feel. Not fun, but it won't kill you.”
“And any injury will be fixed by the computer after three hours, so you can continue exploring,” added William.
Mr. Lombardi sat on the ground and began putting his shoes and socks back on. “Well we have a few hours before we have to be back in the real world. Let's go to the waterfall Mr. Kilgore mentioned earlier. I'd like to climb those stairs and see what the computer will generate for us.”
“The best way to do that would be to cross the lake on canoes. There are a bunch over at the lodge,” said Mr. Kilgore.
“Well,” said Troy, “lets go. You said the lodge is behind this hill?” Not waiting for an answer he began to climb it.
Dean put his hand on William's shoulder stopping him from following Mr. Lombardi. William looked at him expectantly, but he didn't speak until Mr. Lombardi was out of sight over the hill.
“Just curious,” said Mr. Senoma, “How do we get out, back to the real world?”
“Eventually you will be able to use the phone to exit,” said Mr. Kilgore, “but I ran into some strange errors that I need to work out before I incorporate it into the main program, so that is currently disabled. Right now you just have to call Elizabeth and ask her to get you out.”
“Is there any other way out?” Mr. Senoma's question was deliberate, seeking a specific answer.
“No, not really,” William answered, “Why?” A strange dark feeling ran through his body.
A smile formed on Dean's face. “Good,” he said. Then opening his phone he said to Miss Stratford, “The plan will work, get me out of here.”
Dean Senoma vanished. The white t-shirt and jeans he had been wearing crumpled to the ground.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Episode Three: The Portal
Mr. Lombardi smiled as he waited for the elevator to reach the thirty-second floor. Eight months ago, when work began on the Endless Frontier, he had been confident that they would succeed. However, the fast progress absolutely surprised him, especially Mr. Kilgore's work. William worked around the clock and regularly sent detailed reports of the progress he was making.
Mr. Senoma, on the other hand, seemed intentionally vague in his infrequent reports. Dean spent a lot of time and extra money on lavish living. Mr. Lombardi had been tempted to draw the line when he took a six week foreign vacation that cost a few million dollars. But now, sooner than he ever expected, The Endless Frontier was ready for testing.
He easily found the room where Mr. Senoma and Mr. Kilgore were waiting for him. At Mr. Kilgore's suggestion the words “The Portal” had been printed in large block letters across the door. Troy expected heavy medical equipment with lots of wires and tubes, but the Portal was deceptively bare. Six beds, three lined up against the left wall and three on the right, made it look more like a dormitory than a portal to a virtual world.. At the front of the room Mr. Kilgore sat at a desk that was empty except for a keyboard and mouse, both wireless. A projector mounted on the ceiling cast the screen on the front wall. That was all. The walls were newly painted white and the floor cold tile.
“Good morning Mr. Kilgore,” said Mr. Lombardi. “Doing some last minute adjustments I see.”
William Kilgore turned around stood to welcome Mr. Lombardi. “Good morning. I'm just double checking the equipment. We set it up here last week, and I wanted to make sure that everything is still running fine. Mr. Senoma just left to pick up his assistant Miss Stratford. She will be the one to operate the computer since you wanted the three of us to go in together.”
“I hope she is as trustworthy as Mr. Senoma claims. I want to keep this project low until it is ready to reveal to the public.”
“Mr. Senoma doesn't seem to like the secrecy.”
“That's because he's never dealt with big businesses. If word of what we were doing got out there would be all kinds of attempts to steal our technology. Not to mention random groups that would somehow think what we were doing was wrong and try to get legislation passed to stop us. Believe me. this is best this way.”
“Anyway, have a seat.” Mr. Kilgore waved a hand at two other chairs near the desk. “I need to get this finished so that we can start as soon as Mr. Senoma gets back.”
Miss Stratford wore a neat business suit and high heels that clicked loudly against the tile when they she and Mr. Senoma walked in. Troy was surprised to see that her smile was strained as they greeted each other.
“Miss Stratford, come take a seat. I'll show you how to run this thing,” said Mr. Kilgore.
“That's alright, Mr. Senoma showed me the controls yesterday, after we finished setting up the mental connections equipment”
Mr. Kilgore gave Mr. Senoma a questioning look.
“Don't worry,” said Mr. Senoma. “We didn't use any of the equipment. I just ran the program dry like you did when you showed me the controls the other day.”
“Well,” said Mr. Lombardi after an awkward pause. “If I didn't know that you two were both geniuses. I would say the whole thing is a joke. There is nothing out of the ordinary in sight, yet you tell me that this room is a portal into a virtual world.” He said the words with an air of excitement.
Mr. Kilgore pushed a few keys on the keyboard closing the program he was checking and bringing up the desktop. “What you don't see, Mr. Lombardi is the large computer server in the other room. Top of the line, the best money can buy, with a few improvements by myself.” The picture on the desktop was of a small jungle covered island on a warm summer day. There was only a single Icon, labeled “The Endless Frontier.”
“What about the equipment that will connect this wonderful computer to my brain?” said Mr. Lombardi turning to Mr. Senoma.
“Wireless brain connections,” he said. “Under the head of each bed you will notice a somewhat large white box. The equipment is in there.”
“Impressive,” he said as he crouched and examined the closest box. “Enough talk. I came here to become the first man to experience a complete virtual reality. What do you need me to do?”
“Give me a moment to get the program up and running, then all you have to do is choose a bed and lie down. The computer will do the rest,” said Mr. Kilgore as he loaded the program. “Oh, one more thing. The cameras you see in the corners of the room have been recording your every movement. The computer will analyze the video and create a virtual model of you. You might want to turn around a few times and stretch so that there is enough video to make an accurate representation.”
Mr. Lombardi followed William's instructions as he continued to talk. “Once you've entered The Endless Frontier, you will see a camera nearby, that is how we will see you. You will be able to communicate with us through a cell phone you will find on your belt.”
Dean and Elizabeth stood off to the side watching Mr. Lombardi as he stretched. Their apparent lack of excitement bothered him. He could tell something was making them nervous, but he determined not to let their problems ruin his moment of glory. After stretching he did a few jumping jacks and jogged in place.
“It's ready,” said Mr. Kilgore.
Troy lay down on one of the beds nearest the computer where he could still see the screen. As he did a message popped up. “Mind detected. Do you want to establish a new connection?” Mr. Kilgore clicked the yes option, and Mr. Lombardi felt the world vanish around him.
Mr. Senoma, on the other hand, seemed intentionally vague in his infrequent reports. Dean spent a lot of time and extra money on lavish living. Mr. Lombardi had been tempted to draw the line when he took a six week foreign vacation that cost a few million dollars. But now, sooner than he ever expected, The Endless Frontier was ready for testing.
He easily found the room where Mr. Senoma and Mr. Kilgore were waiting for him. At Mr. Kilgore's suggestion the words “The Portal” had been printed in large block letters across the door. Troy expected heavy medical equipment with lots of wires and tubes, but the Portal was deceptively bare. Six beds, three lined up against the left wall and three on the right, made it look more like a dormitory than a portal to a virtual world.. At the front of the room Mr. Kilgore sat at a desk that was empty except for a keyboard and mouse, both wireless. A projector mounted on the ceiling cast the screen on the front wall. That was all. The walls were newly painted white and the floor cold tile.
“Good morning Mr. Kilgore,” said Mr. Lombardi. “Doing some last minute adjustments I see.”
William Kilgore turned around stood to welcome Mr. Lombardi. “Good morning. I'm just double checking the equipment. We set it up here last week, and I wanted to make sure that everything is still running fine. Mr. Senoma just left to pick up his assistant Miss Stratford. She will be the one to operate the computer since you wanted the three of us to go in together.”
“I hope she is as trustworthy as Mr. Senoma claims. I want to keep this project low until it is ready to reveal to the public.”
“Mr. Senoma doesn't seem to like the secrecy.”
“That's because he's never dealt with big businesses. If word of what we were doing got out there would be all kinds of attempts to steal our technology. Not to mention random groups that would somehow think what we were doing was wrong and try to get legislation passed to stop us. Believe me. this is best this way.”
“Anyway, have a seat.” Mr. Kilgore waved a hand at two other chairs near the desk. “I need to get this finished so that we can start as soon as Mr. Senoma gets back.”
Miss Stratford wore a neat business suit and high heels that clicked loudly against the tile when they she and Mr. Senoma walked in. Troy was surprised to see that her smile was strained as they greeted each other.
“Miss Stratford, come take a seat. I'll show you how to run this thing,” said Mr. Kilgore.
“That's alright, Mr. Senoma showed me the controls yesterday, after we finished setting up the mental connections equipment”
Mr. Kilgore gave Mr. Senoma a questioning look.
“Don't worry,” said Mr. Senoma. “We didn't use any of the equipment. I just ran the program dry like you did when you showed me the controls the other day.”
“Well,” said Mr. Lombardi after an awkward pause. “If I didn't know that you two were both geniuses. I would say the whole thing is a joke. There is nothing out of the ordinary in sight, yet you tell me that this room is a portal into a virtual world.” He said the words with an air of excitement.
Mr. Kilgore pushed a few keys on the keyboard closing the program he was checking and bringing up the desktop. “What you don't see, Mr. Lombardi is the large computer server in the other room. Top of the line, the best money can buy, with a few improvements by myself.” The picture on the desktop was of a small jungle covered island on a warm summer day. There was only a single Icon, labeled “The Endless Frontier.”
“What about the equipment that will connect this wonderful computer to my brain?” said Mr. Lombardi turning to Mr. Senoma.
“Wireless brain connections,” he said. “Under the head of each bed you will notice a somewhat large white box. The equipment is in there.”
“Impressive,” he said as he crouched and examined the closest box. “Enough talk. I came here to become the first man to experience a complete virtual reality. What do you need me to do?”
“Give me a moment to get the program up and running, then all you have to do is choose a bed and lie down. The computer will do the rest,” said Mr. Kilgore as he loaded the program. “Oh, one more thing. The cameras you see in the corners of the room have been recording your every movement. The computer will analyze the video and create a virtual model of you. You might want to turn around a few times and stretch so that there is enough video to make an accurate representation.”
Mr. Lombardi followed William's instructions as he continued to talk. “Once you've entered The Endless Frontier, you will see a camera nearby, that is how we will see you. You will be able to communicate with us through a cell phone you will find on your belt.”
Dean and Elizabeth stood off to the side watching Mr. Lombardi as he stretched. Their apparent lack of excitement bothered him. He could tell something was making them nervous, but he determined not to let their problems ruin his moment of glory. After stretching he did a few jumping jacks and jogged in place.
“It's ready,” said Mr. Kilgore.
Troy lay down on one of the beds nearest the computer where he could still see the screen. As he did a message popped up. “Mind detected. Do you want to establish a new connection?” Mr. Kilgore clicked the yes option, and Mr. Lombardi felt the world vanish around him.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Episode Two: Preparations
Dean Senoma hung a few feet above the floor. Wires covered the harness that held him and extended to sensors placed all over his body. Through sound proof headphones, he heard Mr. Kilgore ask him if he was ready. After a moment of hesitation, he slid the opaque glasses from off his forehead down over his eyes.
“I'm ready.” Dean braced himself, but for the moment nothing happened.
“Where would you like to go?” Mr. Kilgore's voice asked. “I could drop you of in a desert, or a mountain, or I could set you in a blank location and let the computer randomly create something for you.”
“Mountains sound nice.”
“Mountains it is.”
Compound lasers came from lenses in the goggles and filled each of his eyes with a full panorama image. An entire three dimensional landscape appeared before him.
“The computer is calculating all five external senses, even though the only feedback you are getting is sight and sound. I'm still working on the internal ones, but that doesn't change anything in this demonstration,” said Mr. Kilgore.
“This mountain sure seems real.” Dean moved his legs in walking motion, even though they hung in air. “You were right Mr. Kilgore, walking without feeling the ground is very strange. In fact the mountain seems more real than I do right now. I feel like a ghost.”
“Try not to fall over, it is hard to move correctly when the computer 'up' is different from the 'up' your body feels.”
Dean walked as best he could up the mountain slope. Mr. Kilgore had set him some two hundred feet under the ridge on a barren slope that overlooked a forest. He could hear crunch of gravel as he walked, but felt nothing push against his feet. He did fall down a few times. Which proved more difficult than he thought. Eventually he learned to ignore the gravity he felt and pay attention to which way looked up. When he stood still he almost believed the valley below him and the peak overhead were real, even the sound of wind in the trees was accurately present.
“How did you create such a realistic setting,” said Dean. “The detail surprises me. Each rock is different, unique. I can hold them in my hands—even though I can't feel them—when I throw them they bounce against each other with all the expected clatter. It's amazing!”
“Lots of physics equations.” Mr. Kilgore laughed. “The real achievement is actually in the computer hardware and software logic. I have figured out much more efficient methods to transmit and process data, allowing for more information to be used in real time simulation. The sheer about of information being processed as you walk around that mountain is staggering. Everything from air pressure variation around the rock you threw to heat generated from its impact on the dirt is calculated into the equations. Its all just information running on wires.”
“I've almost reached the ridge, I'd like to look over it before . . . whoops!” Deans arms instinctively reached out and braced to catch himself when he misplaced a foot and fell yet again. “This will be much easier once we connect it directly to the brain and get the whole sensation. I feel like a fool waving my arms and legs around feeling nothing.” Out of curiosity he put his hand behind his head and felt the thick rope he was hanging from. Strange, he thought, to feel reality and see a virtual imitation.
When he was on his feet climbing again he asked, “What's on the other side of that ridge?”
“Nothing.” said Mr. Kilgore, “at least not yet.”
“When you invited me to come for this demonstration I thought you said you were done with the landscape and world creation. Mr. Lombardi won't be happy if his frontier vanishes into nothingness. He wants it to be endless.”
“I could never make an endless landscape. But Mr. Lombardi won't be able to find any end in it, and you won't either. The moment your head goes over the ridge the computer will extend the landscape beyond your sight and fill it in randomly. I created databases and information files that allow the computer to make the landscape itself. The edge will always be just over the horizon, and never in sight.”
A few moments later Dean leaped onto the ridge hoping to see the nothingness. After slopping down for a few feet the mountain dropped in a shear cliff away from Dean's feet. Below lay a vast grassland dotted with lakes. A glimmering sea could barely be seen on the horizon. At the same time Mr. Kilgore heard a momentary hum come from the supercomputer next to him signaling that an unusual amount of information was being processed.
“Wow.”
“So,” asked Mr. Kilgore, “What is beyond the ridge?”
“The Endless Frontier. Just like you said. I've seen enough. Get me out of here so we can work out the details of how to connect this program into the human brain.”
A few hours later Mr. Senoma closed his laptop and slid it into his suitcase. Mr Kilgore was still examining charts on the table. It had taken longer than both of them thought it would, but the project was moving along.
“What we are doing will completely revolutionize the world. This is big enough for the history books,” said Dean. “The improvements you've made to computer processing alone make modern computers look sluggish.”
“That doesn't mean I'll make the history books, computers have improved drastically over the last few years and will probably continue to do so, leaving mine in the dust. I'll be a forgotten step along the way. But you, on the other hand, have pioneered new ground. The stuff you are doing is entirely new. Your understanding of the brain and how it functions is unprecedented. Technology that comes out of the work you are just beginning not only revolutionize human interactions with computers, but will also be turned to medical use helping millions. You'll be the famous one.”
Mr. Senoma looked at the ground for a moment then looked up at Mr. Kilgore. “I hate that Mr. Lombardi just sits there in his office doing nothing, yet he's the one who will make the money with our creation. Everyone will give us a nice pat on the back, then pay him to use it. He'll gain even more control over the business world than he already has. And we won't even be able to work on our own discoveries without his permission.” Mr. Senoma was angrily pacing the room.
“I'm sure he'll want us to continue working for him. We'll both be richer than kings with the reward he promised and he'll give us all the money we need to keep working. Were not like his other business ventures that he squeezes every penny from. This is his dream, his hobby. And I think he'll keep us employed as long as we want.”
“You don't know that. He could dump us off and pay someone else to continue our work.”
“Mr. Lombardi isn't like that. Besides with a hundred million you could start your own research facility.”
“He will own the patent. I can't do anything unless he lets me. Its all in that fine print stack of papers he gave us. I shouldn't have signed it.”
Mr. Kilgore finished putting all the papers a binder and snapped it close. “You worry too much, no one can replace you. Your the best mind in the entire medical field.”
Dean opened his mouth, but closed it quickly. Mr. Kilgore, he realized, didn't care. He was willing to let Mr. Lombardi walk way with it all. Grabing his suitcase he quickly left the office.
After Mr. Senoma left Mr. Kilgore sat for a while thinking about what Mr. Senoma had said. Mr. Senoma is just in a bad mood, he told himself, everything will work out fine.
“I'm ready.” Dean braced himself, but for the moment nothing happened.
“Where would you like to go?” Mr. Kilgore's voice asked. “I could drop you of in a desert, or a mountain, or I could set you in a blank location and let the computer randomly create something for you.”
“Mountains sound nice.”
“Mountains it is.”
Compound lasers came from lenses in the goggles and filled each of his eyes with a full panorama image. An entire three dimensional landscape appeared before him.
“The computer is calculating all five external senses, even though the only feedback you are getting is sight and sound. I'm still working on the internal ones, but that doesn't change anything in this demonstration,” said Mr. Kilgore.
“This mountain sure seems real.” Dean moved his legs in walking motion, even though they hung in air. “You were right Mr. Kilgore, walking without feeling the ground is very strange. In fact the mountain seems more real than I do right now. I feel like a ghost.”
“Try not to fall over, it is hard to move correctly when the computer 'up' is different from the 'up' your body feels.”
Dean walked as best he could up the mountain slope. Mr. Kilgore had set him some two hundred feet under the ridge on a barren slope that overlooked a forest. He could hear crunch of gravel as he walked, but felt nothing push against his feet. He did fall down a few times. Which proved more difficult than he thought. Eventually he learned to ignore the gravity he felt and pay attention to which way looked up. When he stood still he almost believed the valley below him and the peak overhead were real, even the sound of wind in the trees was accurately present.
“How did you create such a realistic setting,” said Dean. “The detail surprises me. Each rock is different, unique. I can hold them in my hands—even though I can't feel them—when I throw them they bounce against each other with all the expected clatter. It's amazing!”
“Lots of physics equations.” Mr. Kilgore laughed. “The real achievement is actually in the computer hardware and software logic. I have figured out much more efficient methods to transmit and process data, allowing for more information to be used in real time simulation. The sheer about of information being processed as you walk around that mountain is staggering. Everything from air pressure variation around the rock you threw to heat generated from its impact on the dirt is calculated into the equations. Its all just information running on wires.”
“I've almost reached the ridge, I'd like to look over it before . . . whoops!” Deans arms instinctively reached out and braced to catch himself when he misplaced a foot and fell yet again. “This will be much easier once we connect it directly to the brain and get the whole sensation. I feel like a fool waving my arms and legs around feeling nothing.” Out of curiosity he put his hand behind his head and felt the thick rope he was hanging from. Strange, he thought, to feel reality and see a virtual imitation.
When he was on his feet climbing again he asked, “What's on the other side of that ridge?”
“Nothing.” said Mr. Kilgore, “at least not yet.”
“When you invited me to come for this demonstration I thought you said you were done with the landscape and world creation. Mr. Lombardi won't be happy if his frontier vanishes into nothingness. He wants it to be endless.”
“I could never make an endless landscape. But Mr. Lombardi won't be able to find any end in it, and you won't either. The moment your head goes over the ridge the computer will extend the landscape beyond your sight and fill it in randomly. I created databases and information files that allow the computer to make the landscape itself. The edge will always be just over the horizon, and never in sight.”
A few moments later Dean leaped onto the ridge hoping to see the nothingness. After slopping down for a few feet the mountain dropped in a shear cliff away from Dean's feet. Below lay a vast grassland dotted with lakes. A glimmering sea could barely be seen on the horizon. At the same time Mr. Kilgore heard a momentary hum come from the supercomputer next to him signaling that an unusual amount of information was being processed.
“Wow.”
“So,” asked Mr. Kilgore, “What is beyond the ridge?”
“The Endless Frontier. Just like you said. I've seen enough. Get me out of here so we can work out the details of how to connect this program into the human brain.”
A few hours later Mr. Senoma closed his laptop and slid it into his suitcase. Mr Kilgore was still examining charts on the table. It had taken longer than both of them thought it would, but the project was moving along.
“What we are doing will completely revolutionize the world. This is big enough for the history books,” said Dean. “The improvements you've made to computer processing alone make modern computers look sluggish.”
“That doesn't mean I'll make the history books, computers have improved drastically over the last few years and will probably continue to do so, leaving mine in the dust. I'll be a forgotten step along the way. But you, on the other hand, have pioneered new ground. The stuff you are doing is entirely new. Your understanding of the brain and how it functions is unprecedented. Technology that comes out of the work you are just beginning not only revolutionize human interactions with computers, but will also be turned to medical use helping millions. You'll be the famous one.”
Mr. Senoma looked at the ground for a moment then looked up at Mr. Kilgore. “I hate that Mr. Lombardi just sits there in his office doing nothing, yet he's the one who will make the money with our creation. Everyone will give us a nice pat on the back, then pay him to use it. He'll gain even more control over the business world than he already has. And we won't even be able to work on our own discoveries without his permission.” Mr. Senoma was angrily pacing the room.
“I'm sure he'll want us to continue working for him. We'll both be richer than kings with the reward he promised and he'll give us all the money we need to keep working. Were not like his other business ventures that he squeezes every penny from. This is his dream, his hobby. And I think he'll keep us employed as long as we want.”
“You don't know that. He could dump us off and pay someone else to continue our work.”
“Mr. Lombardi isn't like that. Besides with a hundred million you could start your own research facility.”
“He will own the patent. I can't do anything unless he lets me. Its all in that fine print stack of papers he gave us. I shouldn't have signed it.”
Mr. Kilgore finished putting all the papers a binder and snapped it close. “You worry too much, no one can replace you. Your the best mind in the entire medical field.”
Dean opened his mouth, but closed it quickly. Mr. Kilgore, he realized, didn't care. He was willing to let Mr. Lombardi walk way with it all. Grabing his suitcase he quickly left the office.
After Mr. Senoma left Mr. Kilgore sat for a while thinking about what Mr. Senoma had said. Mr. Senoma is just in a bad mood, he told himself, everything will work out fine.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Episode One: The Plan
Troy Lombardi, multibillionaire and sole owner of Lombardi Inc, leaned forward in his plush office chair and smiled broadly at the two men seated on the other side of his desk. His office was an odd mixture of a corporate office and a wilderness cabin. The full wall window behind him looked down on the lesser skyscrapers of New York City. On one wall hung the head of a large moose mixed with many framed certificates. A stuffed muskrat occupied a place next to the laptop on the desk itself. The room expressed the disposition of its owner quite accurately.
“Gentlemen,” he said, “thank you for making time in your busy schedules to come talk with me. Before we get to the details of why I have asked you two men to come here, I have a few thing I would like to explain.” Reaching into his gold striped black suit he pulled out two objects and laid them on the table. The first was an old, worn compass. It was a simple model, the kind that can be purchased for only a few dollars. The second was a hand-held computer. Pointing to it he added, “Waterproof, high powered GPS. It contains topographical maps of the whole world.”
Mr. Kilgore leaned forward and examined them. He wore a deep blue suit that other than needing the help of a lint brush portrayed him as a confident able man. He noticed the initials T.L. written in permanent marker among the scratches, nearly worn away from use. Out of habit he pushed his spectacles higher on his nose, even though it really didn't improve his vision. Mr. Senoma, less interested, remained sitting, unimpressed.
“These two instruments, represent different eras of exploration,” said Mr. Lombardi. “The compass was used by daring men who ventured into the unknown. They were the map makers, the trailblazers. They boldly paved the way before them, often at the peril of there own life.
“The GPS represents the modern era. Explores who now venture into the back country armed with knowledge. They are not really on a journey of discovery at all. They have a specific destination and a planned route. As they travel they do not subdue the wilderness, but seek to harm it as little as possible.
“I am an adventurer at heart and I year for the old frontier. The modern back countries of the world weary me. Even space, the so called 'final frontier,' is more like the back country. Robots and computers map the way before, and a single trip takes years of planning. That is hardly a frontier at all!
“The frontier is lost, gentlemen. We, the human race, have overcome it. It was a glorious achievement, but the glory did not come from a final declaration that we had mastered the world. The glory came from the effort of each man who boldly faced the frontier and conquered his piece of the unknown. That glory is now gone.
“I have called you here to my office because I believe that the three of us have the means necessary to create a new frontier. This new frontier, unlike the old one, will never run out. It is to be an endless frontier.
“Mr. William Kilgore, you have a doctorate in Physics and another in Computer Technology, but more importantly you have made incredible progress in computer simulations that mimic reality. You have the potential of making the first fully comprehensive virtual reality. Up until now you have been held back by lack of funding and equipment, in my employment you will lack neither. You will create a program that mimics reality and expands into randomly created wilderness infinitely in all directions.
“Mr. Dean Senoma, esteemed brain surgeon and leading researcher on the central nervous system. I will help you will continue the work you have already begun in manipulating the central nervous system to artificially simulate the senses. Once you have developed a system that will allow all senses to be supplied to the brain artificially and at the same time intercept all the brain's commands to the body so that they can be fed back into a computer, all this without harm to the patient, we will connect your system to Mr. Kilgore's program and the Endless Frontier will be born.
“The Endless Frontier will allow the adventurers of humanity to fulfill their passion and bring in a new era of exploration, combining the best of both previous eras of exploration. Men will face an unknown and untamed wilderness that they are free to discover and subdue without having to fear for life and limb.”
Troy Lombardi voice had slowly heightened as he spoke. The last two sentences were spoken with a sense of triumph, as though the Endless Frontier had already been completed and the victory won. He paused in silence, eyeing the two men in front of him.
William Kilgore had a far off look in his eye. Others might have mistaken it as disinterest or lack of attention, but Mr. Lombardi had an unusual knack for reading people's faces—which had helped him build his fortune and business empire—and he knew that Mr. Kilgore's eyes were unfocused because his mind was whirring with activity, thinking of the possibilities and already working on overcoming the many problems and obstacles of such a bold project. Mr. Lombardi knew that he had earned Mr. Kilgore support.
Dean Senoma, on the other hand, was still skeptical. His eyes, small and shrewd, returned Mr. Lombardi's gaze. “Employment you said? What are your terms? I am a busy man with many potential employers for many projects.” His confident pose let Mr. Lombardi know that he anticipated much and would bargain for more if given the chance.
Very few people knew the true extent of the Lombardi estate. One of Troy's favorite parts of being wealthy was proving it. With a large grin on his face he reached into his desk and pulled out two black credit cards with gleaming gold lettering. After tossing one on the desk in front of each of them, he explained, “For the duration of the time you work on the project you may use these to support yourselves, they have no limit: elegant parties, Caribbean cruises, and whatever else you want. When you complete the project to my satisfaction I will reclaim the cards, and any properties purchased with them, and give you each one hundred million dollars.” Then placing a stack of papers and pen in front of each of them added, “Here is the long winded, fine print version of the same offer.”
Fifteen minutes later, Troy Lombardi sat alone in his office. Out of his desk he produced a thin paperback novel and commenced reading it for the fourth time. As the mountain man in the story climbed up over the ridge of a mountain top and beheld the yet undiscovered frontier, Troy looked out across the overpopulated city and in his mind's eye it became a virtual wilderness, one that would never end.
“Gentlemen,” he said, “thank you for making time in your busy schedules to come talk with me. Before we get to the details of why I have asked you two men to come here, I have a few thing I would like to explain.” Reaching into his gold striped black suit he pulled out two objects and laid them on the table. The first was an old, worn compass. It was a simple model, the kind that can be purchased for only a few dollars. The second was a hand-held computer. Pointing to it he added, “Waterproof, high powered GPS. It contains topographical maps of the whole world.”
Mr. Kilgore leaned forward and examined them. He wore a deep blue suit that other than needing the help of a lint brush portrayed him as a confident able man. He noticed the initials T.L. written in permanent marker among the scratches, nearly worn away from use. Out of habit he pushed his spectacles higher on his nose, even though it really didn't improve his vision. Mr. Senoma, less interested, remained sitting, unimpressed.
“These two instruments, represent different eras of exploration,” said Mr. Lombardi. “The compass was used by daring men who ventured into the unknown. They were the map makers, the trailblazers. They boldly paved the way before them, often at the peril of there own life.
“The GPS represents the modern era. Explores who now venture into the back country armed with knowledge. They are not really on a journey of discovery at all. They have a specific destination and a planned route. As they travel they do not subdue the wilderness, but seek to harm it as little as possible.
“I am an adventurer at heart and I year for the old frontier. The modern back countries of the world weary me. Even space, the so called 'final frontier,' is more like the back country. Robots and computers map the way before, and a single trip takes years of planning. That is hardly a frontier at all!
“The frontier is lost, gentlemen. We, the human race, have overcome it. It was a glorious achievement, but the glory did not come from a final declaration that we had mastered the world. The glory came from the effort of each man who boldly faced the frontier and conquered his piece of the unknown. That glory is now gone.
“I have called you here to my office because I believe that the three of us have the means necessary to create a new frontier. This new frontier, unlike the old one, will never run out. It is to be an endless frontier.
“Mr. William Kilgore, you have a doctorate in Physics and another in Computer Technology, but more importantly you have made incredible progress in computer simulations that mimic reality. You have the potential of making the first fully comprehensive virtual reality. Up until now you have been held back by lack of funding and equipment, in my employment you will lack neither. You will create a program that mimics reality and expands into randomly created wilderness infinitely in all directions.
“Mr. Dean Senoma, esteemed brain surgeon and leading researcher on the central nervous system. I will help you will continue the work you have already begun in manipulating the central nervous system to artificially simulate the senses. Once you have developed a system that will allow all senses to be supplied to the brain artificially and at the same time intercept all the brain's commands to the body so that they can be fed back into a computer, all this without harm to the patient, we will connect your system to Mr. Kilgore's program and the Endless Frontier will be born.
“The Endless Frontier will allow the adventurers of humanity to fulfill their passion and bring in a new era of exploration, combining the best of both previous eras of exploration. Men will face an unknown and untamed wilderness that they are free to discover and subdue without having to fear for life and limb.”
Troy Lombardi voice had slowly heightened as he spoke. The last two sentences were spoken with a sense of triumph, as though the Endless Frontier had already been completed and the victory won. He paused in silence, eyeing the two men in front of him.
William Kilgore had a far off look in his eye. Others might have mistaken it as disinterest or lack of attention, but Mr. Lombardi had an unusual knack for reading people's faces—which had helped him build his fortune and business empire—and he knew that Mr. Kilgore's eyes were unfocused because his mind was whirring with activity, thinking of the possibilities and already working on overcoming the many problems and obstacles of such a bold project. Mr. Lombardi knew that he had earned Mr. Kilgore support.
Dean Senoma, on the other hand, was still skeptical. His eyes, small and shrewd, returned Mr. Lombardi's gaze. “Employment you said? What are your terms? I am a busy man with many potential employers for many projects.” His confident pose let Mr. Lombardi know that he anticipated much and would bargain for more if given the chance.
Very few people knew the true extent of the Lombardi estate. One of Troy's favorite parts of being wealthy was proving it. With a large grin on his face he reached into his desk and pulled out two black credit cards with gleaming gold lettering. After tossing one on the desk in front of each of them, he explained, “For the duration of the time you work on the project you may use these to support yourselves, they have no limit: elegant parties, Caribbean cruises, and whatever else you want. When you complete the project to my satisfaction I will reclaim the cards, and any properties purchased with them, and give you each one hundred million dollars.” Then placing a stack of papers and pen in front of each of them added, “Here is the long winded, fine print version of the same offer.”
Fifteen minutes later, Troy Lombardi sat alone in his office. Out of his desk he produced a thin paperback novel and commenced reading it for the fourth time. As the mountain man in the story climbed up over the ridge of a mountain top and beheld the yet undiscovered frontier, Troy looked out across the overpopulated city and in his mind's eye it became a virtual wilderness, one that would never end.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Introduction to The Endless Frontier
I first had the idea for "The Endless Frontier" in the Philippines as I served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For a few months my assignment included many hours of driving and office work which left me plenty of time to think. My companion at the time was Adam Griffiths. Because of all the driving time we talked about a wide range of subjects. I don't remember exactly how the conversation came about, but we created the character Troy Lombardi and began to make a story for him. In that time we developed most of the characters and the basic plot, but not much more.
A few weeks ago I decided to create a blog to motivate me in my writing and invite others to enjoy a novel as I wrote it. I went through my mental catalog of story ideas and selected "The Endless Frontier." Starting on Monday October 5, 2009 I will post an episode of "The Endless Frontier" to this blog each week. If I stick to my current outline, the novel will be completed on March 29, 2010.
A few weeks ago I decided to create a blog to motivate me in my writing and invite others to enjoy a novel as I wrote it. I went through my mental catalog of story ideas and selected "The Endless Frontier." Starting on Monday October 5, 2009 I will post an episode of "The Endless Frontier" to this blog each week. If I stick to my current outline, the novel will be completed on March 29, 2010.
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