Upon This Life...

That month, we moved out from an apartment in the slum sections to a mansion in the northwest side of the city. I had just earned two degrees from esteemed colleges, when I learned that my parents had been infected with some viral agent that affected our particular block, with no known cure.

Watching my parents slowly deteriorate, I tried to make my time more useful. I started my own design-to-delight virtual reality machine rental agency, catering to the needs of whomever could afford it.

Eventually, my newly-formed venture was so popular with the aristocracy and well-to-do, I was able to launch four more stores within the metropolis. But, no matter how big my success, my fame or amount of money I had, I couldn't bring my beloved parents back from the well of nether spirits, as they died on the night of a celebration of my success.

I've tried to move on; I now live in a penthouse overlooking the tall buildings of the city I reside in, but I can never feel the comfort I could or will ever feel again, when I was just a child with my parents.

The phone rang, as I was trying to dress for the Invitation­- al Business Ball. All the business people made appearances, made a few speeches and got drunk; not my sort of thing. I let the answering machine take the call, as I could hear myself sounding like an idiot over the recorder, " This is Drake McLough of Virtual Rental Incorporated. Leave me a message and I will try to get back to you. " Then, after a rustle in the background, the caller would hear, " I wonder if it's this button..." I groaned to my self, making a mental note to change that message.

A female voice echoed through the machine. " Hi. Drake? It's Lori. Listen, I was wondering if you could be my date to- night? Matthew canceled out at the last minute and.."

I picked up the phone. " Hi, Lori. Matt had to go to some meeting out of town, but he said he would be at the party. "

Lori seemed at a loss for words. " Oh...well, maybe you drop me off, then? "

I assured her. " You will be at the Ball on time. See you at six. "

I hung up the phone and sighed. Lori Masler has been after me since the time I sat down on her seat and got thumb tacks stuck in my rear end in grade school. Not to say she isn't attractive; it's just she wants to be married to me and I don't feel like being married...but, she never gives up.

After I was properly dressed,I went to my JWP-35 roadster and turned over the engine, hearing it hum and purr like a petted kitten. It roared over the streets, until I careened it near Lori's home. She came out,looking more like she was going to a prom more than going to a ball.