Triiing, triiing... the familiar sound of an alarm marks the start of the day for many people. The only variations are the time it goes off and how individuals respond to it; some take it seriously, others have to, and some can afford to ignore it.
This is the reality for most, but there are many who either can''t afford an alarm or simply don''t need one.
NICK is someone who can afford an alarm but feels he cannot afford to miss it. Working 12 hours a day, often with extended hours, is his norm. While holidays exist, their scarcity is known only to him, God, and the government.
Even with a good salary, his earnings barely cover his expenses. People attribute this to inflation and other factors, but those reasons do little to change his situation. He is too preoccupied to contemplate issues that don''t directly affect him or grander matters.
Trriiing... his day began like any other. He woke up feeling tired despite having slept for six hours in a room equipped with central air conditioning and a $10,000 mattress that promised a restful night. He also used noise-canceling earbuds and silk eye blinds to minimize disturbances.
Upon waking, the first thing he did was check his phone, which displayed work-related messages, ads for automated room cleaners, a text claiming he won a million in the lottery, and a link to claim that money. After sifting through the numerous notifications, he turned to an app that tracks his health, which indicated he had a restful and peaceful sleep, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO).
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NICK is indeed health-conscious, wearing a state-of-the-art digital wristwatch that monitors his heart rate, blood oxygen levels, pulse rhythm, body temperature, breathing sounds, and other vital signs. To enjoy these conveniences, he had to agree to the app''s terms and conditions, which assured him that his data would not be shared with third parties or sold to the highest bidder, and that it would never be provided to the government, despite any potential pressure. However, the government can easily intervene with companies under the guise of national security or potential terrorist involvement.
After completing his morning routine, he heads to the shower where the water is automatically heated according to a preset program, providing him with a refreshing bath.
For breakfast, he enjoyed an omelette with bread, a matcha tea imported from Japan''s Uji region, and delicious, fresh dragon fruit from China and cranberries. The labels boasted terms like "fresh," "organic," "locally sourced," and "best in the world," leaving no doubt about their quality, although the pesky asterisks were a bit of a downer.
He dressed in his branded clothes, which suited him well. Although he wasn''t athletic, his lifestyle didn''t require him to shop at specialty stores; he was just an average guy.
As usual, he arrived at work and performed well in his role. The day was tiring, but he managed to get through it, and his colleagues were friendly, at least in his presence. By 8 PM, a time he cherished, he left the office. He first called his parents and then his sister, as family was his top priority, even though he enjoyed his job.
Living in one of the world''s most populated cities, he often felt alone despite being surrounded by people. As he walked through the crowded streets, he navigated to a spot with a high chance of hailing a taxi. After some effort and a few scuff marks on his shiny shoes, he finally caught one. The traffic was as chaotic as ever, but the taxi driver''s life stories provided a welcome distraction during the stops.
After paying the driver, he returned to his apartment, greeted by the familiar face of the doorman. He took the elevator to the 25th floor, where he collapsed into his room, took a bath, and ordered takeout. He opted for a controversial combo of deep-fried French fries and a burger, accompanied by a dark liquid from a secret recipe. Today, he decided to indulge in something many consider delicious, stepping away from his usual highly nutritious organic meals.
After finishing his meal, he took an antacid tablet as a precaution. Once settled, he went to sleep with his accessories on to block out any external disturbances.
Before drifting off, the AI provided the weather forecast for the next day: cloudy and humid, with thunderstorms expected in the morning and a couple more in the afternoon.
Nothing new everything is normal