Agnes Zucherberg was born in 1997. Today is her birthday. She is 103. Nurse Alice entered her room triggering the simulation of the dawning of a new day. The images of stars faded from the walls and ceiling as the room brightened.
“Good morning, Mrs. Zucherberg. Rise and shine.” She set the breakfast tray down on the table and helped Mrs. Zucherberg sit up. “Happy Birthday,” she said setting the breakfast tray in front of her. “Look, the 3-D printer printed out breakfast sausage as a special birthday girl treat.”
“Thank you,” Agnes said. “Thank you for taking such good care of me.”
“You are very welcome, Mrs. Zucherberg. Eat up. Your physical therapist will be here shortly.” The room continued to brighten to full daylight. Soon after Nurse Alice picked up her tray, Physical Therapist Margaret entered the room.
“Happy Birthday, Mrs. Zucherberg. Where would you like to go today? Would you like to take a walk through the gardens or along the beach?”
“A walk on the beach sounds refreshing.” Physical Therapist Margaret attached bands around Mrs. Zucherberg’s ankles and wrists and led her into the corridor. The bands emitted a force field to support Agnes so she could easily walk upright. The floor of the corridor appeared as golden sand. The right wall projected gleaming blue water lapping gently onto the beach. The left wall projected sand dunes, beach grass, and palm trees.
“Oh look, there’s a sailboat!” Agnes exclaimed pointing out into the distance. “My Albert and I used to love sailing.”
“It is indeed a beautiful day for sailing,” Physical Therapist Margaret agreed. After a long pleasant stroll in the warm sea breeze, breathing the invigorating fresh air, Agnes was returned to her room.
Soon Nurse Alice arrived with her lunch which included a small birthday cake richly decorated. “Your daughter Mildred will be arriving shortly for a visit. You can save the cake to share with her.”
After lunch, Mildred arrived as expected. “Happy Birthday, Mother! How are you doing today?”
“Probably better than expected,” Agnes said. “What do you have there?” she asked referring to the gift wrapped box Mildred carried.
“It’s a birthday present. Here, open it.”
Agnes ripped off the wrapping and opened the box to reveal a small iridescent blue cube. “What is it?”
“It’s the latest 3-D game. Place the cube on the table and press the four corners.” Agnes loved games. She quickly activated the cube. The cube flattened out and expanded covering the entire surface of the table, then projected upward to reveal a complex game board.
Agnes and Mildred spent the afternoon drinking tea, eating birthday cake, and conquering the challenges of the 3-D game. At long last Mildred kissed her mother goodbye.
Mildred walked down the corridor to her room. Upon entering, she approached her dressing table, deactivated her head, carefully detached it from her body, and placed it on a stand. She picked up Nurse Alice’s head, attached it to her neck, and activated it. Then she opened the closet door labeled “Nurse Alice” and changed her clothes before heading to the food dispenser to take Mrs. Zucherberg her dinner.
