Determinism
Like many others later, I first encountered the website via someone I vaguely knew who sent me an overly enthusiastic “check this out” message.
Enabling my VPN and using a private window for an assumed extra level of security, I clicked.
It was a simple page. A large headline in bold black text proclaimed, “It’s your right to know what will come to pass”. Beneath that was a large button that said, “Click me to learn more”.
“Colour me intrigued,” I thought to myself and clicked.
Small italicised text appeared in place of the button. It read, “A diminutive figure will negatively influence your life.” I leaned back in my creaking office chair and tapped my fingers on the desk. What could I do with that? What did it mean? I considered refreshing the page for another proclamation when I heard someone clearing their throat behind me.
It was my boss. She was a small woman and made up for it by always wearing rather overly large heels to increase her height. I gulped, reflecting on what I had just read.
“Morris, could I have a word?” She said impatiently.
“Sure…“ I stuttered.
“In private.” She said, gesturing in the direction of her office.
I nodded and followed her reluctantly. Was this what the website was referring to? I wondered what use this information had been to me. It had said that “I had a right to know”, but what could I do with the information it had given me? How could I change anything? Avoid all short people?
I closed the door of my boss’s office behind me, and she gestured for me to sit down.
“Morris. I am afraid I have some bad news. We need to make cutbacks, and well…”
You can guess the rest.
The next day, I was determined to figure out how to use the website to my advantage, so I opened the link again, clicked the button, and waited for its new prophecy.
“Today will be the best day of your life. Make the most of it.”
What? I mean, it was simultaneously precise and unhelpful. I was hoping for some sort of exact series of instructions.
The doorbell rang. Gainfully unemployed, I welcomed any distractions and shuffled to the door. The most beautiful woman I had ever seen greeted me. I was never much of a romantic or a believer in love at first sight or anything like that, but something hit me. There was a chemistry I didn’t understand between us, and she also stared agape at me. I sensed she felt the same.
We both stared at each other. She broke the silence. “Err. I think I have the wrong address. But… But… I know this sounds odd. Do you want to grab a coffee or something? If you’re not busy, I mean. And it’s not strange…” She laughed nervously.
I nodded vigorously and thought better of making excuses or mentioning strange text on websites, and instead just followed her.
We clicked instantly. We had so much in common. I have never got on that well with anybody, let alone had much luck with dates or relationships, and here was this, I don’t know, soul mate, who had just appeared on my doorstep.
We stepped out of the cafe, and I seized the moment, suggesting she come back to my place. She agreed, and we crossed the street.
That was when the bus hit me.
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