The Lightcap by Dan Marshall Page B

candidate, Tim Montery, had unseated the current CEO, Paul Dewey, who had failed to generate profit at a quick enough pace.  The current CEO had focused instead on using a portion of the excess to reinvest in infrastructure and pay outstanding debts, acts for which he had now been punished.
    The screen cut to the smug face of the victor, Tim Montery, who began delivering his acceptance speech.  The energy of the crowd in the bar started to remind Adam of the cold pressure before a sudden rainstorm.  He got up about the same time the first punch was thrown, by an angry, red-faced man who bounded to a cheering man and punched him in the face.  The surprised victim fell back.  At the same moment his friends pushed away from the table and converged on the attacker.  The attacker’s mates were just a step behind.  This is a quick storm, Adam mused.  Glad I was paying attention . 
    Adam was halfway to the door by the time the fight had begun to ripple through the crowd, a shockwave of destruction sent from the center of the room.  He was hit by a bottle, but it bounced harmlessly off his bony shoulder and back into the crowd.  Thank goodness for unbreakable glass , he thought.  Adam’s lean frame was able to pass unhindered between people, and he made it to the door just as the bouncer from outside became aware of what was happening.  Adam reached the door right as the bouncer opened it, a look of surprise on his face as he served as unplanned doorman.
    The bouncer’s wide shoulders took up almost the entire width of the door frame, leaving just enough room.  “Thanks!” Adam said as he slipped through, but the bouncer was gone, his attention already turned to the riotous crowd threatening to overrun his burly fellows.  If the team of ten bouncers weren’t able to quell the crowd’s chaotic energy, the Blues would be called.  Adam wasn’t a fighter, so he had no desire to stay.  Due to his distaste for the Blues, he was doubly glad he made it out with minimal incident.
    Adam felt his heart racing again, but once he was outside in the cold air the pounding subsided.  His every exhalation visible, he pulled his jacket collar up around his neck, then stowed his hands in the warm wool of his pockets.  Adam heard gunshots in the distance, signifying a protest, a celebration, or just a murder.  He enjoyed the crisp air during his walk home, icicles forming in his nose with each breath.  His feet had trouble with some steps toward his home due to the alcohol. 
    Adam eventually stumbled into his apartment, and the soft sheets called to him.  He brushed his teeth and drank a glass of water in an attempt to rid his throat of the taste of scotch, then fell into bed and sleep almost at the same moment.
     

 

    “Adam,” came a soft voice.  The voice seemed familiar, but he couldn’t place it until it continued and he recognized it as his dome AI, saying, “Please make sure you are ready for the presentation this morning.”  Then, “Signed by Nate Taylor.”
    Did I fall asleep with my dome on?  I didn’t think I was wearing it , he thought.  Something about sleeping while wearing the Mind Drive made him more tired than without, and his eyes struggled to adjust to the beam of light that shone through his apartment window.  He expected some degree of a hangover from the night before, but he felt clear-headed as he sat up in bed and stretched his legs against the floor.  He yawned and scratched his shoulder.
    Presentation? Adam thought with a shock.  It had taken him several minutes to parse the message, and he was alarmed when he couldn’t recall anything scheduled for that day.  He focused his attention to his dome, thought, Please refresh my memory regarding today’s presentation , and sent the message to Nate, hoping for a quick reply.
    Despite having plenty of time before he was due to work, Adam thought it best to go in early.  If he had to present something, he would need time to prepare.