Out Through the Attic Read Online Free PDF Page B

Mathew repeated to his synthetic mistress.
    “I think it exists happily on the brink of barely controlled chaos,” she said matter-of-factly.
    “An interesting observation,” Mathew said. “One I agree with.” He picked up the cup and took a thoughtful sip. As always, it was perfect. “Do you think we will survive?”
    “Humans have controlled every facet of their existence, and with your help, extended life and virtually eliminated death by anything other than extreme old age and trauma. And the blueprint you provided to Yudius two months ago appears to have put mortality on the extinction list as well.”
    “Again, an interesting observation, and again, you did not answer the question. You’re in quite a mood today, Emily.”
    “I believe humanity has reached entropy, Mathew.”
    “You have a keen intellect. I wonder, are your perceptions as a result or in spite of your synthetic nature?”
    “I wish I could answer that question.”
    Matthew smiled. “So do I.”
    “Adrienne is here, Mathew. In the foyer.”
    “So quickly?” He expected her to arrive in hours, not minutes.
    “She says she was already on her way to see you. She has an announcement.”
    His smile turned downwards.
    “That can only mean one thing,” he said slowly. “The anti-aging DNA recombination compound must have been approved. What strange synchronicity.”
    “What do you mean, Mathew?”
    “That will become evident shortly. Please lock down this facility and cut off all communications in or out.”
    “It is done,” Emily said after the handful of nanoseconds necessary to implement his request. The sounds of the night were immediately shut out by a repulsor field. Mathew leaned over and touched the invisible but solid barrier that had come into existence around the previously exposed patio just as Adrienne walked up behind him.
    “We just got the mass-prod facility on line to make the new Deleonix compound. Immortality, Stiggs!” Adrienne was practically exploding with excitement. “And you gave it to us!” “Do you like the name?” she asked him as she placed a hand on his shoulder. He had not risen out of his seat.
    “Emily, will you bring me what I’ve been working on, please?” he asked of the silvery construct still standing in the doorway. “It should be ready by now.” He turned his attention back to Adrienne. “Deleonix. After Ponce De Leon, yes? The fabled finder of the fountain of youth? Clever,” he said dryly. “De Leon was more of a soldier, a killer, than he was a life-giver, though. And he never found any fountain.”
    “Come on, Mathew. It’s absolutely brilliant!” Adrienne beamed.
    “Of course it is,” he said to her, smiling gently. He peered into her ambitious eyes, searching for something but knowing he would not find what he sought. “Do you believe in anything, Adrienne?”
    “What?” she asked, perplexed. The question took her totally by surprise.
    “Do you believe in anything?”
    She hesitated a moment, trying to figure out what he was getting at. He knew she would never tell him the truth. To her, Mathew was an innocent tool, incapable of understanding the mercenary nature of business.
    “I believe in you , Stiggs,” she said finally, a passable façade of earnestness on her face.
    Mathew laughed. He couldn’t help himself. It was a deep-felt, hearty laughter full of irony and disbelief. Of all the answers she could have given, that was the one he absolutely never would have guessed. He had not laughed since the day before the dream. It felt good to laugh.
    “Please, have a seat, Adrienne.” He motioned for her to sit down. “Can I get you anything to drink?”
    “No, thank you,” she replied.
    “Brainstorm, Adrienne,” Mathew said.
    “I know you had a brainstorm, Stiggs. I’ve been dying to find out what it is.”
    “No. It’s called Brainstorm. God gave me the name when he gave me the DNA combination.”
    “Excuse me?” she asked, clearly perplexed.
    “I’ve