Let There Be Light
By Atk. Butterfly
Tom Knight smiled wearily after completing the installation of his brand new, computer-controlled Smart Lights. No longer would he have to fumble in the dark for switches or cross the room to turn a light on or off. He was pleased with himself as he tested the lights in each room of the house.
"Lights on!" he commanded.
"Yes sir," the living room lights responded as they turned on. Then, "But sir, it's daylight outside."
"I'm testing you," Tom said.
"Oh, very good sir. Are you satisfied?" the living room lights responded.
"Yes, turn off now," Tom said before walking to another room in the house to conduct the same test. When he was finished testing all the rooms, Tom returned to the living room and sank down in his easy chair.
"Recliner, adjust to a reclining position."
Without comment, the computer-controlled, smart recliner adjusted until Tom said, "Okay, this feels fine."
Tom reached over for a book he kept on the end table. Tom could have chosen to read something new in his electronic reader, a book-sized slate that could load just about any book sold from the Internet through his home computer. However, he still owned some old books that he hadn't finished reading yet. Tom felt he owed it to himself to read those first. After all, he'd bought those because they interested him. Not to read them would be a waste.
***
With supper over and his day's chores done, Tom returned to the living room to read some more. Once more, he sank into his recliner, positioning it to his comfort. As the daylight faded, Tom ordered, "Lights, adjust continually to compensate for lack of daylight."
"Yes sir," the living room lights responded as the light in the room returned to what was the daylight level.
Tom thoughtfully engaged his mind in reading his book.
***
Tom was startled when the lights suddenly blinked off and on several times at precisely nine o'clock. At the same time, the lights said, "Sorry, sir. Time for you to turn in. It's nine o'clock now."
"Nine isn't my bedtime. I go to bed when I feel like it," Tom countered.
"But sir, you need your rest if you're to be fresh for tomorrow."
"I'll go to bed when I damn well feel like it."
The lights turned down in intensity. "Sorry sir, but you must get some rest. We'll provide only enough light for you to find your way to the bedroom safely."
Tom glared at the sudden behavior. "Turn back onto a reading level. I'm reading a book and I don't intend to stop until I reach the end of this chapter!"
"No sir. You need your rest."
Tom stood up after ordering his recliner to adjust. Thinking he could fool the lights, Tom took his book with him as he left the living room. He entered the hall only to find the lighting was at the same low level. Even when he reached the bedroom, the lights were on only enough for him to see where he was going.
For a moment, Tom stood and thought.
"Sir, you better undress for bed. Lights will go out in two more minutes."
"I'll have you know I'm not a child. In fact, I happen to be the master of this house. You're supposed to obey my orders. Not the other way around."
"Sorry sir, but this is best for you. My manufacturer doesn't want you suing him because you stayed up too late," the bedroom lights replied.
"So that's how it is? Well, I guess your manufacturer and I will need to talk about this tomorrow." Tom undressed, his book on the end table by his bed. He suddenly had an inspiration. Picking up his book, he went to the bathroom. Entering it, he ordered, "I need more light so I can hit the toilet."
Tom stood beside the toilet with his book in his hand. The lights came up in intensity.
"Is that sufficient, sir?"
"No, a little brighter. I don't want to make a mess. That would be unhealthful and reason for me to sue your manufacturer."
"Yes sir," the lights responded as they obeyed.
Tom turned on the faucet. It took a moment to get the water to sound as if he was standing while taking care of business. Satisfied with the sound at last, Tom stood in the bathroom and read.
the end
Author’s Bio--
Stories by Atk. Butterfly have been published in dozens of print and electronic publications. His newest novels Censored by Earth Command: Bullets and Lasers and Space Rescue One are available from New Concepts Publishing and Boson Books respectively as well as from major book dealers on the Internet. Crystal Treasure will soon be released by Silver Lake Publishing, and Beasts Are Us will soon be released by Hard Shell Word Factory. Winkers will soon be released by Crossroads Publishing. Censored by Earth Command: Arrows and Lasers will soon be released by New Concepts Publishing.
