82

The creation of the Idea Square was one of the greatest contribution to the politics of the city. They had built it on a central lot, with crystallised terminal-walls to collect the ideas of the citizenry.
   Adding to a terminal was easily done with just a few simple gestures of a hand, and then the AI would group the addition together with the notes already added by others. No subject was taboo except for those that violated the Codes of Ethics, of course, and every opinion was open to argumentation. The city had gotten a new focal point.
   The Square had changed the way politics worked completely. At the end of each PoliTerm the AI sifted through all the additions made and found which topics had gotten enough attention to go through a vote, organised them into propositions, and then put them on the public Voters' Board. If a proposition passed the people most suited for the implementation were put to work by the mainframe.

81

I've seen you at the café for some time now. My workmates and I walk past every Thursday on our way to the burger place for lunch.
   Sometimes you're on a computer, typing on and on about something. Sometimes you're reading a book, or the newspaper, and sometimes you're just sitting there with music plugged in your ears. The constants seems to be that you always have a cup of coffee, a half-eaten cupcake, and no company.
   At times I wonder what would happen if I walked up to you, told you my name. Perhaps you'd smile because someone finally wanted to liberate you from your loneliness. Maybe you have seen me walk past for months and kept hoping that I'd notice you. Perchance you'd think I was a creep. I mean, who pays attention to the behaviour of some stranger they've seen on the way to lunch? I must be a disgusting stalker who obsesses over people. Why would I ever have anything in common with anyone like you?
   It's probably for the best if I keep walking...