Generator [volume 3] the tower

meaning. The need to gain understanding about the mysterious experiences of being alive, things which can’t be told, because they transcend the thoughts which refer to that which can’t be thought about.” Yuri was a fountain of blatantly anti-establishment political and social commentary. The writer listened, intrigued by his viewpoints, and impressed by the articulate manner in which he expressed his thoughts.

Yuri was watching a topless woman with small breasts in a nearby booth. The boys she was with don’t even think about it. She has a silver key on a string around her neck... Yuri returns his attention to the writer and refills their coffee cups from the dispenser tube at their table, then hits his with a heavy sugar shot. “Let me tell you about disposal chutes,” he said. “My role is to go in and do the dirty work; laying the groundwork for the digital crew. I do physical hacks, wiring work, load up satellite descrambling codes, whatever it takes... pick up tech components, because we are constantly adjusting and experimenting with new technology, and we need the actual gear right out of the box. I can get into places where nobody wants me to be. It’s what I do best, and I am the best. I’ve seen shit that no one has ever seen, I know about things before they even happen, and that’s a valuable commodity in this information economy, right? And you know why I do it?”

The writer nodded. He had known a lot of operatives like him at Flex Global. They talked the talk right out of the procedure manual, but it wasn’t the idealism of their values and beliefs that made them put their ass on the line, it was pure raw adventure; the need to test the limits they sensed in place around them... the need to take charge of their own destiny and explore their independence.

“You accepted the challenge,” the writer said.

A smile spread from ear to ear. Yuri burst out in laughter, “You’re alright!”

Gradually conversation turned to other matters, and Yuri suggested he knew of an apartment across the street that had ‘opened up’ ~ nice place, up on the roof. He gave out a number.

The writer thanked him for the lead and then they said goodbye. Outside the Eagle Grill, once again walking the street, the writer remembered his affirmation to leave the world of digital intrigue forever ~ never to return. He had been immersed within that environment for so long that he could no longer tell who was right and who was wrong.

He had questioned the motives behind the drive to push the boundaries of technology.

He had begun to lose faith in the ability of human nature to create a better society. He had considered it to be the permanent closure of another chapter of his life; a time to start anew.