After testing it himself several times, Roshan was confident that his new invention, the hologram mat, would be a big hit on the market. The algorithm could generate the most realistic hard-light cityscapes, inhabited by such realistic AI micro humans, that one could hardly distinguish them from a real person. Roshan's successful marketing campaign caught the attention of one of the biggest ShrinkTech investors and potential clients , who immediately called for a meeting to test out the product.

A complex and densely populated cityscape was prepared for the client, Callidus, aiming to offer him the most exquisite experience. He sat down in his chair, facing Roshan, who then went on to demonstrate all he could do with the mat. After a long 6-hour flight and car ride to meet in person, Callidus desperately needed a way to relax - the perfect reason to make use of the hologram mat. He took off his leather shoes, putting his warm tired feet on the hologram city. The feeling of populated buildings crumbling under his soles immediately offered relief to his sore feet, exactly what he had been longing for. Very softly, he could also feel the few survivors squirming between his toes, struggling to stay alive for a brief moment. Leaning back, and with a soft pleasurable sigh, he dragged his foot over the tiny city, grinding it in place, enjoying every moment of his experience. All the little lives crushed by that simple motion were a small price to pay for him - for all he knew was that it gave him a wonderful feeling, and he would do it again in a heartbeat. With the hologram mat, he could walk over millions of tiny lives every day without a care in the world.

Roshan's invention surely made an impact on the investor. It was on its way to revolutionizing the ShrinkTech market. The quality, practicality, efficiency - it was all perfect:

"Are you sure they are not real people? Not that I would care... How does a €150 million investment sound?"

Enjoy ~

Callidus ©
Art and Roshan © me