The Butterfly Effect: metaphor that encapsulates the idea that if one were to make small changes, while going back to the past, the resulting changes to the present would be large and various.
June 6, 2015
"On behalf of Gizmos Inc's fifth year running, we welcome you all to the screening today to present our newest gadget that is sure to be a hit. In honor of Gizmos Inc's birthday, we present to you only our latest work in today's cutting edge technology. The product is not expected to go into sales until 2018 at the earliest, but let us look upon this as... a test-run."
The blue-eyed man maintained direct eye contact with the crowd, his velvet voice rippling through the air as he delivered his speech.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Gizmos Inc would like to present to you... Smatch V 1.0," The sandy-haired man of approximately twenty-five years of age lifted the gadget onto the display as the camera crew shifted across the stage, filming up close and exclusive footage of the latest invention in digital technology that immensely interested the general public.
The crowd sharply drew in their breaths at the simplicity in the outward appearance of the gadget. It looked sleek and trendy - a seemingly simple, thin strip of metal (it came in approximately 250 different shade colors, allowing the product to be customized to the satisfaction of its owner) with numerous buttons that activated applications on the watch. Gasps and whispers from the the crowd echoed through the walls of Gizmos Inc Headquarters.
"If you were rendered speechless when you caught sight of our other works in progress - such as the color-emitting, perfume-emitting jeans, the interactive running shoes with the GPS navigational system, and the multimedia networking electrical appliances in our Kitchen of 2015 - then prepare to be dazzled by the astonishing apps and capabilities of the Smatch V 1.0."
The man's voice was deep and clear, but something in the tone of his voice implied that beneath this exterior lay a broken man.
"The Smatch is a spin on your everyday watch with the addition of other useful components. Its color defined touch screen, high-speed Wi-Fi capability, 5G network, customability, GPS navigation, interactive games, live television, weather updates, mp3 player, traffic reports, email capabilities, Instant Messaging. On top of it all, it is powered by an advanced lithium ion battery, prolonging the battery power to ten times the longevity. In addition, it recharges by itself, saving you from the nuisance. With the lithium phosphate outer material, expect an enhanced lifespan and faster recharge!"
"Smatch V 1.0 has the ability to replace any mobile phone as well as any of Apple's current products like the Fourth generation iPad, iBoard, and iMat. With the simple press of a button, you are able to activate a holagram that lists several of your applications. Smatch V 1.0's impressive sensory recognition is sure to recognize your movements, allowing you to simply point at an application listen on the holagram, and Smatch V 1.0 will load it."
The blue-eyed man demonstrated the basic functions of the Smatch V 1.0 with the press of a button, which activated a 360 degree 3D holagraphic display. The man used his index finger to point at the Weather app, which he Smatch V 1.0 instantly recognized and loaded. The holagram displayed a Weatherman reciting the forecast for the day.
"The forecast for June 6th 2015 as of 1:21 P.M. is as follows:" The melodic voice of the Weatherman in the holographic demonstration rang out. "It is a gloomy and mostly rainy day here in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Scattered clouds loom over us for the majority of the day and there is a chance of thunderstorms later in the afternoon. Residents of Santa Fe must be aware that New Mexico is currently under a storm watch for the majority of the day."
It seemed so fitting, The blue-eyed man thought. The worst day of the year was always murky and dreary. June 6th's forecast had not been sunny in almost seven years.
Albeit his reminiscing and the horrid memories that traveled back into his mind, the man managed to continue with his presentation.
"Smatch V 1.0's impeccable holographic setting gives you the most realistic interactive gaming that America has ever seen. It makes those music videos that you love to watch all the more up close and personal. This interactive system gives you the feeling that you are practically in the music video."
To portray the the high definition quality of music videos, the man pointed at the Music Player and said, "Smatch V 1.0, testing launch music video Never Too Old by Madonna."
Instantly, the holographic screen simmered and reassembled once again with a 3D version of a 58-year-old Madonna dancing and belting out the lyrics of a song about youth and cougars. The crowd gazed in awe at the realism of the demonstration, resuming their chatter.
The man then minimized the application before pointing at the Entertainment News Today application. The hologram simmered once more as it began reloaded and finally reassembled with a 3D view of a perky fake blonde chattering about the latest gossip in Hollywood. The blue-eyed man took a double take as he recognized the blonde; it was the one and only Sharpay Evans whose career on Broadway or in Hollywood never really took off despite a couple films that went straight out to DVD. Apparently, she now spent her time reporting on the latest, juiciest celebrity gossip.
"The latest in breaking news today is that Miley Cyrus gave birth to her third baby today - Becky Sue Montana! Congratulations to the Cyrus family! The identity of the father remains unknown."
The man switched the channel to a local news coverage in New Mexico. This time it was a redhead who he did not recognize reporting on less superficial topics and more worldly news.
"Today marks the anniversary of the brutal murder of an Albuquerque teenager almost seven years ago. To this day, the mystery as to how Miss Gabriella Montez, who was merely seventeen years old at the time of her death, was killed remains. There were not enough leads to trace the killer many years ago and despite efforts by many Albuquerque residents to reopen this case, it is unfortunate that our lack of funding prevents this from happening. Now onto more significant news...The supply of freshwater is rapidly declining across our country. Unless immediate action is taken, we may no longer have an abundance of unpolluted water within the next decade."
As the man exited out of the application, he stood in shock from the newscast, his body immobile. The general public and his coworkers fixated their gazes upon him, steadily waiting for him to continue with the presentation. He was fairly new to Gizmos Inc, and an organized and well-delivered speech could do wonders for his job and perhaps gain him some recognition from his coworkers who still saw him as the newbie.
The man heard the whisper of his coworker, reminding him about the next aspect of his presentation. The man tried to snap out of his daze and regain his focus as he drew in a heavy breath.
With one look at the multicursal maze of mirrors that was set up on the other side of the stage (assembled for another presentation by his coworker that would soon follow after his), he felt himself begin to panic. His throat felt dry and his breathing became uneven when he caught sight of a reflection of a person who was no longer alive and had not been for seven years. He began to panic once he realized that he must be hallucinating.
He felt himself lost in a mirror labyrinth, an intricate maze of confusion. Every corner and crevice that he glanced at, he spotted mirrors and multiple reflections of his surroundings and her. He felt his breath hitch and his body stiffen as his mind played tricks on him while staring at distorted mirrors. The reflections in the mirrors were haunting him - he saw the reflections of individuals from his past in the mirrors. Beads of sweat began forming atop his forehead as he felt his body quiver from intense heat. Suddenly, the noise of the background faded and time began to slow down. His vision grew hazy and fuzzy, and he lost the feeling in his legs. Within moments, the blue-eyed man lost conscious and tumbled onto the ground with a thump.
Then he was trapped in a dark abyss.
AN: I hope you guys are intrigued by this so far. I know it may be rather confusing at the moment, but that's the point. :) This is unlike anything that I have ever written previously but I must admit - I had a blast writing it and imagining the future five years from now. Please let me know if I should continue or focus more on this story. And thank you for all your feedback!
