by John M Grier
~***~
Suzie wandered the halls of the castle much like a ghost in the old stories Jack told her about. She found the idea creepy. As she was thinking these thoughts, and the little robots were doing their nightly cleaning rounds, Janet came out of her room in search of the bathroom.
Before she could disappear, Janet spotted her, right about the time a robot passed through Suzie’s left leg. Janet said “I knew there was something strange about you, Suzie. You’re a hologram! I don’t know how I didn’t see it before.”
Suzie said “Actually, that is a relief! I was getting weary of the charade. Jack obviously knows and Paul has known for a short time. They were waiting for the right time to let you know. Paul assumed you didn’t know about holograms because he didn’t.”
“Actually, I do know about them and I’m not really surprised that Paul was unaware. Paul and I are discovering many things that are different in the two cultures we share. Somehow, years ago, I assume, two different sets of rules were laid down, one for the government and another for the civilians. I don’t agree with it, but don’t know how to go about changing it, either.”
“Jack has some pretty good insights; maybe he’ll have a suggestion, when the time is right.”
“Okay, I’ll ask him.” Janet went off to the bathroom and Suzie continued her exploration of the castle.
She would go crazy with nothing to do. Maybe Jack would begin shutting her down when she wasn’t needed. She would have to ask him. The internet was very primitive here, but she had full access to what little of it there was. Fortunately, Jack had supplied a satellite dish with access, very slow, but she had no other options. It was better than nothing.
