Chapter 1: Introduction
"Welcome to the Skyline!” Mike shouted into his phone, with more enthusiasm than was probably necessary. His jubilation was genuine, but his mom and dad had never quite understood why he chose to live ten stories up, in a rotating apartment building that had no business being called homey.
“We’re waiting for the elevator on the ground floor. Do we have to change elevators on the tenth floor, or is it one of those you just go up to, click here and go on to your own apartment?" his mom asked, nervously.
The fear of technology was real and tangible in her voice. They insisted on just using the phone instead of the easy-to-use building smartphone application that allowed residents to direct the elevator to specific floors.
Mike laughed and looked at his piercings in the mirror, making a face. He smoothed his long brown hair, messier today than usual, and adjusted the top button on his see-through silk Hawaiian shirt. There was no way around introducing them to the high-tech life that he deemed Necessary to function in this bustling city.
“All right, Mom.
It’s one of those buildings where you choose a floor in the lobby, and then take the same set of elevators to your destination. So, just walk inside, and you will see large touch screen devices. Then enter our apartment number – 10D – and wait. An elevator will come and bring you directly to my doorstep!” Mike said as he glanced anxiously at his watch, wondering what was keeping them.
Finally, he heard the elevator's pleasant bing echo through the apartment, a sound that never failed to send a shiver down his spine.