LMAC Image Gallery.Image by @justclickindiva, from the
Andrea saw herself mirrored in the immense glass walls of the mysterious building. A detour on the way home to her dormitory was forbidden, but still she had repeated the offense every day for the last two weeks.
A park-like perimeter of the edifice contrasted dramatically with its austere opacity. Flowered walkways hosted graceful wooden benches. On the benches, sparsely distributed, were solitary people who seemed to do nothing but stare into the distance. The people were of different ages, though most were elderly. The one quality all the bench sitters shared was an air of composure and somber contemplation.
Finally, one day, Andrea summoned the courage to sit next to an elderly man who had met her gaze with his own. His manner was benign, almost inviting.
"Hello," Andrea murmured softly, as she regarded him with a cautious glance.
His eyes were the color of coal. The skin around them wrinkled like pieces of crinoline. Andrea realized this man was older even than her grandfather, who was the oldest person she'd ever met.
"Young lady, you are brave," the elderly man observed. "People pass by all the time. They look but hurry on. Why did you stop ? Are you not afraid?"
There wasn't much that frightened Andrea, but she didn't tell him that. She said instead, "Everybody on the benches looks peaceful. Why are you here? Why do the others sit outside on the benches, as though waiting for something?"
"That's because we are waiting. We are waiting to go into that building, which is a memory vault, and then we are waiting to die."
Andrea pulled back from the man. What could he possibly mean? She'd never heard of anything called a memory vault. And dying... that was one of the subjects no one raised because to do so was to breach etiquette.
"There is no need to be alarmed, young lady. In the memory vault are contained memories from thousands of volunteers. We, all of us on these benches, are waiting to record for tomorrow what we know today, and what we experienced yesterday."
People didn't refer to the past as he did. It was another breach of etiquette. Everyone was expected to look forward, to hope and plan for the future.
"Isn't it wrong to spend time looking back?"
"Not for those invited to engage in this exercise. All of us have been given news that death is close, perhaps only months away. When we die, all our memories, everything we know, dies with us. It would be a loss to science to forfeit that information. The memory vault preserves it."
Andrea knew of course that some people who were ill, or very old, became disoriented and rambled about times past. This breach of etiquette was a pathology, a sign of mental decline. Ramblers were placed in health care facilities where they could recover or pass their days of decline in the care of physicians.
"A building dedicated to the pathology of rambling?" Andrea questioned.
"No dear, not rambling. Those unfortunates who have begun to ramble are of no use to the memory vault. Invitations to this place only come on recommendation of a doctor who certifies that the individual is of sound mind but is facing a short lifespan."
"You know you're going to die?" Andrea was incredulous. She knew people died, but usually that happened far away, or suddenly.
"Well, dear, we all die. It's just that there is some certainty about when that will happen for contributors to the memory vault."
"What does the memory vault do with the information?"
"Our recollections are fed into computers, where they will be analyzed and quantified. AI is powerful. It has freed humans from most kinds of physical labor. But gaps remain. These exist in the irrational aspect of human psychology. Memories, recalled with inevitable error, may provide a key to unlocking the puzzle of the illogical."
"Imperfections help to make something more perfect?" Andrea was confused by the apparent contradiction. She had been instructed that the perfect is the ideal. To be uniform and consistent is to approach the perfect.
"Because, my dear--what did you say your name was?"
"Andrea." It was a breach of etiquette to give her name to a stranger, but so far she had broken every rule. Worst of all, she had given in to irrational curiosity.
"Well, Andrea, it seems that imperfection, unpredictability, is central to the human psyche. Those of us who sit on these benches recall our memories several times for the vault. Each time, our recollection changes. It is in the way the narratives change that science hopes to discern a pattern. In this pattern the frailty, an elusive essence of the human psyche must reside."
Discussion of human error and frailty was new to Andrea. A door was opening, and it frightened her. The foundation of certainty began to crumble.
She stood up, and spoke to the elderly man in a shaky voice.
"I'm not sure I should be talking to you, sir...."
The elderly man's eyes narrowed.
"Perhaps you should have thought of that before. We have been looking for someone unique. Contemplating death alters perception. We need someone for whom tomorrow is a promise, not a lost opportunity. We need you, Andrea."
Andrea started to walk backwards. She felt arms holding her shoulders. Where had these people come from?
"You see, Andrea, we were waiting for you. Well, not you, but someone with your curious nature. You will be a valuable addition to our project."
Andrea wanted to scream, but she was bundled so tightly that no scream could escape.
The elderly man spoke to her warders.
"I think this one will be more productive than the last. She has spirit, and intelligence. Her spontaneous responses will be critical to our studies."
He called softly after the bundled woman.
"Don't be afraid Andrea. The use we put you to will be far more significant than anything else you would have done with your life."
He looked away, toward the pedestrians who strolled by. If he sat there long enough he was bound to draw the attention of another potential subject for the memory vault.
This story was written as a response to an early prompt from the Inkwell: Tomorrow (Prompt #54).
After reading this fascinating but though-provoking story that delves into human psychology, I'll say you are great with sci-fi! The part about recalling the same memory every day but slight changes occur reveals the intricacy of human mind and memory. It's easy to recall some things as time passes or forget them!
Andrea is an interesting character. I like that she's curious and questions that which appears strange which seems to be a taboo in this futuristic world as well as dwelling on the past or talk about dying. But how can we exist without reference to the past? Would that not be the essence of the memory vault? The scary part of this story is the poor lady is captured and her curiosity used for their memory vault project against her will. Beautifully written! Your story puts me into an introspective mood. 😄 I enjoyed it. !PIMP
You must be killin' it out here!
1.000 PIMP@kemmyb just slapped you with , @agmoore.
You earned 1.000 PIMP for the strong hand.
They're getting a workout and slapped 1/1 possible people today.
Read about some PIMP Shit or Look for the PIMP District
Hello dear @kemmyb,
Thank you very much for reading and for that responsive, thoughtful comment.
This idea came to me while I was driving and thinking about nothing in particular. Often, ideas pop up when I'm not focused. It's as though the mind has to be empty, to be open. Of course, the mind is never empty :))
Indeed. We know who we are partly by who we have been.
If you reflect, I hope the reflection does not take you down a sinister path. I can go into the shadows, as this story indicates, but consciously try to stay in the sun.
Have a most wonderful day, @kemmyb
Death is, of course, the finite response to life. The curious should contain themselves lest they be chosen—how scary. There’s so much going on here that one cannot fail to stop and think (deeply). It’s like a merry-go-round with seriously disturbing stops—each stop has a victim and the selectors rejoice. Brilliantly macabre 🥹🥹🥹🥹🙃😍
Hello my friend, @itsostylish,
This came to me while I was driving home one day. You know how, when the mind wanders it goes to different corners of the imagination? All of the suggestions you mention are in there--including punishment for questioning, for standing apart from the crowd--but these are long-term concerns of mine, so I guess they just came out in the story.
Thank you very much for reading, and for your generous estimation of its quality. I hope you are having a peaceful Thursday. End of Thanksgiving here--quiet, but still busy. A new oven that would not heat properly😅
So sorry about your oven😢😢😢
My estimation isn’t generous it’s, simply, true 😍😍😘😘😘😘😘🤗🤗🤗🤗
Creepy psychological tale. Very entertaining. It seems that they're living in some sort of dystopic society where discussion of things past and human frailties is not acceptable. Was the old man telling the truth about the memory vault? I want a memory vault. I think that an AI could use your memories, even just written ones, to create accurate constructs of your personality. This might come in handy somehow 🤖
I really like your science fiction worlds in which characters struggle with deeply moral/ethical/humane questions that are a deep part of our nature. I think that by exploring the extremes of a fictional future one can clarify those very real conundrums that vex us today. You do a masterful job of it.
😁 I'm sure you do.
I am intrigued by your fascination with AI. You are ahead of the rest of us in mastering this technology.
Is the old man telling the truth? Who knows. Whatever he has planned, you can be sure it's not good for Andrea😂
Thanks for reading and for responding, as always, with an interesting, relevant comment.
Heh. I can't help myself. I'm a boy, so I like to learn about the intricate machinations of evil dudes and their overelaborate hijinks.
AI in general (not necessarily art) is about to transform the world rapidly (culturally, socially, politically, and economically), and I don't think we can keep up with all the changes, so these AI developments are very interesting, exciting, and a bit disconcerting. We are living through historical times, but I guess you could say the same thing for every year.
Curiosity kills the cat only that her curious mind led her to something she never thought should be a discussion. As I read, the story became almost real. Thanks for sharing this with us.
That is the best compliment any writer could have. To make a story 'real'--suspension of disbelief--is the goal in fiction.
Thank you, @balikis95 for reading and for the lovely comment.
Suspension of disbelief. I like that. Thanks for the writing.
The concept of the memory vault itself is creative, this idea of preserving imperfect human memories to try to understand the irrational parts of the psyche. The building loomed like a giant beast, all cold concrete lines and yawning entryways that threatened to swallow visitors whole. Andrea shuffled from foot to foot, trying not to get trampled by the frenzied crowd pressing against the wrought iron gates. This mysterious place, promised.
I like the way you lean into the sinister aspect of the story. Your imagination works overtime (as mine does!)
Thanks very much for reading and commenting :)
That was an enjoyable read. Very cool and nice 👌 There is a Fortress of Memories in dnd. Ruled by the Raven Queen. I think you should check it out 🙏
As the saying goes, There is nothing new under the sun :)
I guess it's impossible to be truly original, although this felt original when I wrote it. I know dnd can be quite cerebral. I remember my son played it for years...perhaps still does.
Thanks for the kind words. Being cool is an achievement for senior lady 🌼
Imaginative story. Nicely done. The concept of a memory vault. To have one's memories stores after death is unique. What the elderly man stated was truth that memories are lost. That is, unless they are recorded either orally or written and passed on to another generation.
I can't help but wonder how the individuals on the benches or whoever was in charge of the memory vault in the building determined that Andrea would not in the future accomplish more in her life than the experiment offered.
Thanks for sharing. An interesting read. I appreciate you including my fractal image from the #LIL. I appreciate the support.
Take care.
!ALIVE
Isn't that the thing with autocratic government? They decide what's good for the individual and the individual is always at the service of society. Of course the Memory Vault doesn't know, but that doesn't matter. Because Andrea only matters to the extent that they see her as useful to them.
Thanks for reading and commenting with such interesting feedback.
So true of autocracies. It doesn't matter one's potential. Controls are put into place to ensure that the more they determine an individuals to be a positive influencer or leader, the more threatening to their power. Control is the name of the game by proactive elimination.
I loved the theme. Take care.
!LADY
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Brilliant story, @agmoore. I loved how it took an unexpected turn. We don't know what will become of Andrea, but certainly the course of her life has changed! The memory vault is inspired. Nicely done!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you very, very much, @jayna. It's wonderful to have a community like @theinkwell in which to post a story when one comes to mind. It's interesting that when I was editing the story, I toned down the sinister elements to conform with community culture. It turns out, the story is better because I toned it down. Thank you!!
Andrea breaks the barrier by approaching the old man sitting in front of the building, she asks him why he is sitting there, he answers that there is the heart chamber that will process his memories before he dies. Have a nice day.
Hello @rammargarita,
It is very nice of you to read my story and comment. Thank you! I don't write fiction often. Every now and then I get an idea and it's really satisfying to put that down on paper (or Internet😄). When people read and comment that is a great bonus.
I hope you are having a wonderful Sunday.
Peace and good health.
Dark!!!! @agmoore San...
I love it😭😭.
T'was enthralling all to the end as always ✨
Thank you, @seki1. It's great to know I can still be relevant to a young audience :) I really appreciate your feedback.
What a horrifying scenario, being analysed and quantified by machines so that we can be perfected, stripped of our idiosyncracies and frailties - the very things that make us human.
Down with that sort of thing!:)
A horrible prospect for anyone, but for people who are as idiosyncratic as you and I--truly a nightmare😄 We wouldn't survive long in that universe.
Thanks very much for reading.
If one wants to be successful in this world, then a person has to be a little stone-hearted, then he will get success and if a person is not like that, then people will continue to cheat and the person will continue to go into trouble and depression. will remain.