Probability theory
Time Star Loop: Chapter 2
They have met in a place where you are going to only if there is an absolute necessity to do so. You can expect a long line, no internet connection, and random behaviors from other human beings who, like you, wish to be elsewhere. If you are physically in this place, then with a great probability, you have already spent a significant amount of time trying to communicate with scripts, LLMs, and human operators. However, for some complicated administrative reason or simple human error, your case is on the edges of the normal distribution of possible cases. You need to show up in person.
They have met at the DMV office.
She approached him first. Not that she had planned it or even had an intention to find herself a companion for this lovely day. There was something entirely magnetic about this guy. Something that she wanted to explore. She approached him without much of a thinking.
4:37 pm
- Give me your hand. We have to run! — He seemed to be slightly surprised. Not too much, though. He gave her his hand and raised himself from the waiting room chair.
- What are we running from?
- The reality! — she pointed out the office room. — I’m Angela. Would you like to grab a coffee later today? — He laughed.
- Sure. Why not. I’m K.
- Just K? Is it even a name?
- Well, as you can see on my birth certificate, that accidentally I have with me, apparently it is. — he started taking out some documents from his backpack.
- I believe you. — since they were in an administration office, she assumed that having a birth certificate with him might be justified.
- I know a nice place around the corner. We can grab a coffee there and go for a walk uphill. There is a park with a beautiful view. — He discreetly checked if she didn’t have high hills. She didn’t.
- Sounds like a plan.
- A49 — announced a creaky voice
- It’s mine. Wait for me here.
4:15 pm
He spotted her right away when she entered the room. Long hair, dynamic movements, nice figure. Nothing outstanding, but everything well-balanced. Full of energy. Magnetic.
She took her number from the machine and started looking for a place to sit. The office waiting room was fully packed except for a couple of chairs in random places. There was one seat at the front rote next to an extremely fat man. Technically, the seat was free, but in practice, it was occupied by the man’s left arm. There was another empty chair. However, this one was located in the middle of the central row. To get there, she would need to excuse at least seven people. A couple of unoccupied spots were located next to a lady with an entirely pink outfit, including her underwear, clearly visible on her lower back. Judging from the smell, she urgently needed a shower.
She sighed noticeably. — What the fuck am I doing here? — she thought. There was one more spot. The last road, the first chair next to the wall. Just a jacket lying on the empty seat. She tried her luck.
- Is it free? — she asked him.
- Yes, go ahead. — he placed the jacket on his lap and returned to reading something on Kindle.
To get to the seat, she moved the chair back, squeezed into the free space, and pulled the chair back again. He moved his seat as well to make sure that she had enough space to do that maneuver comfortably.
Thank you — she said.
She had a book with her. Paper one. A set of short stories written around thirty years ago. She took the book out of her backpack. While doing that, surprisingly to herself, she noticed him. There is a slight difference between seeing someone and noticing them. She noticed him. Before that particular moment, she didn’t pay attestation. A random man politely moved his jacket to make some space for her. Nothing special. Now, she acknowledged his existence.
There was not much of a space between their chairs. They were sitting arm to arm. He was just about to start the conversation when the creaky sound interrupted the silence.
- C17
- Oh, It’s mine. — she smiled and started moving her chair back. — That was fast — she added on her way up.
I should have asked for her number. Fuck. — he thought.
The things in the office moved quickly, and since both of them were prepared for long waiting hours and took an afternoon off, they had plenty of time now. As he proposed, they both bought coffee and started climbing the hill to the park.
He really wanted to ask her why she approached him, but it seemed to be much too early for this question.
- How many coffees do you drink a day? — he asked instead
- Up to six, I guess.
- Seriously?
- Yes, I’m addicted — Angela laugh — Seriously, I’m. If I do not have my coffee in the morning, I will have a headache. It can last even a couple of days. You can be physically addicted to coffee, and if you are, you can also experience withdrawal syndromes — a headache, in my case.
- Did you ever try to quit?
- Yes, a couple of times, but I’m always back. I like coffee too much to quit.
- Cheers to that! — he raised the paper coffee mug in the sun’s direction.
A golden retriever and his human, ruining companion overtook them on the path. The hill was significantly steep, and the path they took was over a thirty-degree slope.
- Do you like hiking?
- I do
- Do you have your favorite place to hike in the Bay Area?
- I have some, but I prefer other locations — He started listing some of the trails in the US and South America that he enjoyed or has on the bucket list.
Exactly as he said, there was a park on the top of the hill. Wide green grass area, playground, and palm trees all over the place. From the highest point of the park, you could see the city skyline. A weed aroma was floating around.
- What is your favorite food?
- I eat everything. Maybe besides row garlic and onions. I’m not allergic, just don’t like the taste. I enjoy Indian and Mexican cuisines a lot. How about you, what do you like?
- The Japanese kitchen is my favorite. Sushi, katsu care, wagyu beef, rice. Love it.
- Interesting.
- Why?
- You don’t like spicy food?
- Let’s say that I’m not a big fan — he admitted. — You can experience the richness of high-quality ingredients when the spices are limited.
- Sophisticated. — She laughed — Not my cup of tea, but I respect that.
It was Friday afternoon, late spring. Kind of weather where you don’t need to wear a sweater during the day, but the same sweater will be handy in the early evening. Nights were still chill. More and more people started popping up in the park.
They have find a nice spot to sit. She pulled out a light jacket from her backpack and unfolded it on the ground. He sat directly on the grass.
- The book that you have read in the office … — she started
- Not A book. A short story called “They’re Made out of Meat” by Terry Bisson. I found it long ago and wanted to refresh my perspective. I do that from time to time to time. Most of the stories do not survive the second reading. My perspective seems to evolve quicker than static texts.
- Did this one survive?
- Yes. This one is exceptional.
- Strong recommendation. What is the story about?
- You tell me. I will send you the link.
- Deal.
They exchanged WhatsApp numbers.
He was positively surprised that she didn’t ask him about his job yet. — So, what do you do? — It’s the most common question he hears from most of the people in SF. Networking, parting, dating, it doesn’t matter. You will get the question just right away. Your job determines your position. Define you. But not her. She seemed not to be interested in his career choices.
They kept talking and laughing. It started to get dark at some point.
- Are you single?
- Yes
- My place or yours? — She asked
- Your place. Tomorrow. Today, I need to get back to do my workout. — he seemed to be very serious — Let’s get some dinner first. Tomorrow, I mean.
That was unexpected — she thought. He’s clearly not gay. Maybe he takes his training routine quite seriously. — At this point, she didn’t care if he was telling the truth. — If he is not lying, after all, he looked slim and muscular, I would be quite impressed. This man might have some principles — she thought — On the other hand, if he is lying, I still can have fun. Win, win situation.
They did meet the following day. In fact, they have seen each other for many days and nights to come. It had all happened long before they discovered the bodega, and K found the bottle with endless instructions.
Time Star Loop, Chapter 1: How much is it?
“They’re Made out of Meat” by Terry Bisson https://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/TheyMade.shtml?fbclid=IwAR0KMY-1Y-hzsdskaXJehOOgpIVqVb9CcfaTioAg2ReRtAqMQVxk2yGqEEs
