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     "So, Dick::::why not tell Sun about those tubes?"
     "Oh::::I don't know. I'm in that space where it was all a dream, you know? Tubes are these tunnels, with trains::::more like bob-sleds::::only six people at a time; you kinda slide in and all. And it's some kind of manipulation of light. People travel at the speed of light. Anywhere in the world. No countries::::just hundreds of thousands of communities. And each one has its Detta::::this central computer which takes care of all the supply and demand. There's no money, you know, so it's like::::people just got what they need. No money::::no greed. A funny change in human beings. The power thing is still there::::I mean I witnessed arrogance a number of times::::and there are, though I wouldn't call them politicians::::certain people who like to push buttons::::you know? The money thing was really strange::::no money. Seems all the grunt work is performed by machines::::and they've invented materials that kinda supercede wood, bricks, cement and steel::::even fabrics are wholly new::::no cotton or wool or leather::::but materials that imitate them completely::::even surpass them. And there's this codon attached to every Detta which manipulates transport logistics and can even be used for time-travel. That's where I came in. Sheesh::::they're even trying to travel into their own future."
     "Trying?"::::Sun.
     "Yeah. I guess it's a tricky business. Like archeologists digging around in this vast future space. It's only been happening for a few years::::haven't found much of anything yet."
     "Hey, Dick::::you see any surfing?"::::Nick.
     "Oh, dude::::you don't need surfing anymore. There's airboards where you can just surf in plain air. There's even these things called wingmakers::::these wings that pop out of your back::::people just flying around like birds."
     "You never mentioned that before."::::Angel.
     "Yeah, well. I saw so much. The wingmaker thing::::well, turns out it's just a toy. Like a surfboard."
     "Ah::::dude!"::::Nick.
     "Anyway, people are pretty much locked-in to elaborate educations and entertainments mostly. People are healthy. I mean if you know you're going to be around a hundred and fifty years::::you've gotta work-out::::keep yourself in shape. They're all vegetarians::::maybe that has dampened the greed thing::::I don't know. There's this incredible equality. No poverty. No wars. Information is readily available to all. Everything is taken care of::::like this perfect socialist utopia::::and yet the freedom is incredible::::you can do pretty much as you please::::live how you want to live::::just gotta find a community with people and laws you can live with and plunk yourself down there. The people all just accept these basic laws::::they've become facts of human behavior. They're not zombies::::just well-behaved::::law-abiding. Since everything is given to them, it's not a matter of them all working toward some great common goal or society::::they're free to focus on their own lives. The society kinda takes care of itself. I guess I'd describe it as a missing existential crisis. But of course I didn't experience that much of it::::didn't meet so many people::::and, like, world population is 30 billion or something."
     Pause.
     "I'm beginning to connect it all. I'm beginning to see::::to imagine::::how who we are now will evolve into who we are then. At first I thought it was a huge leap::::there had to be a break of some kind::::but no, I'm beginning to feel it."
     "Yet you think it was maybe a dream?"::::Sun.
     "Just something I say. Defense mechanism. Most people would just go plain crazy. Zipping forth and back like that. Thank god I've got Angel::::and Nick::::who believe me. I think it keeps me sane."
     Pause.
     "So, shall I tell Sun why we're in Mex?"::::Nick. "Well, I was down at Squiddy's one day::::hanging::::you know?::::and this Mexican dude pulls up in the old classic red F-150. And he's got this box of shades::::right? Cat's Eyes::::classics. Mint. So I skaf a pair. Turns out::::these glasses::::got something in or on 'em::::so that they see into another dimension! Isn't that cool?"
     "I don't really follow."
     "Well, we tracked down where they originated::::and we're going!"
     "Another dimension?"
     "Yeah. Trippy."
     "You have these?"
     "Won't work in a moving car::::gotta be perfectly still to see it. But it's there."
     "Very interesting."
     "Well, you should probably stay out of it. Major investigation and all. You gotta concentrate on my show::::'Cook'in!'"
     "Yes. We should probably use this time to outline your show. Have you worked it out in a grid::::or do you use a script?"
     "What?"
     "I saw the audition tape, but I received no paperwork."
     "Paperwork?::::Naw, man, this is live!"
     "I would suggest that you have a general idea of what you wish for your show::::"
     "::::Ah. I've got ideas::::got ideas pouring out my… ears. Listen, this is real simple. I show people how to make good food in an entertaining way."
     "Good. Good you can reduce it to a single sentence. Now all we need is a plan so that we can bring your concept to fruition."
     "There's going to be fruit, man. And veggies. No meat at all. My first show was going to be my famous 'cardboard burger.' Did you know you can make a real tasty burger pattie out of oatmeal and carrots and soy sauce? Really. Naw, I've got the stuff::::the goods."
     "Have you held a pre-production talk with your producer?"
     "I kind of::::well there was a little swell running::::I kinda called in sick. I've met the guy::::not really my style::::you know?"
     "____________ is a legend, Nick."::::Dick.
     "Yeah, that mother's old."
     "You should respect him."
     "I respect him all right. Weber wouldn't stick me with a loser."
     "Sheesh, Nick. You really wanna do this thing, you gotta accept all the help at your disposal."::::Dick.
     "Well, now it's just me and old Sun here. Right, partner? This will be like one of those old Cosby and Sinatra buddy buddy films::::you know? (sings) Just me, and, my, shadow."
     "You need to work-up a story-board. You need to do at least a little scripting. And we need to discuss sequencing."
     "Yeah, yeah. You know, my sense is, if we just have fun with it::::it'll turn out fun."
     "Brilliant."
     "Thanks."

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