Cyberpunk

let me do a spot reprogramming, during which I will erase his memory of this incident. After that, we’ll consider the matter closed.”
    “Why don’t I just drop my pants and bend over while I’m at it?”
    “Look, you can pretend if you want, but you’re not a kid anymore. You’re twenty-five years old. I don’t believe for a minute that you’re as thick as your friends out there. If you think about it, you’ll realize that you can’t fight us. The fact that I’m here and I know what I know means that all your personal information systems are already tapped. I’m an op, son. I could wipe your files clean any time and I will, if it comes to that. However, my orders are to be thorough. The only way I can be sure I have everything is if you cooperate.”
    “You’re not even real, are you, Montross? I’ll bet you’re nothing but cheesy old code. I’ve talked to elevators with more personality.”
    “The offer is on the table.”
    “Stick it!”
    The owl flew back into the room, braked with outstretched wings, and caught onto the armrest of the Dolley Madison sofa. “Oh, you’re still here,” she said, noticing us. “I didn’t mean to interrupt . . .”
    “Wait there,” I said. “I’m coming right down.”
    “I’ll be in touch,” said the snowman. “Let me know just as soon as you change your mind.” He faded.
    I flipped backward off the ceiling and landed in front of her; my video armor rang from the impact. “Owl, you just saved the evening.” I knew I was showing off, but just then I was willing to forgive myself. “Thanks.”
    “You’re welcome, I guess.” She edged away from me, moving with precise little birdlike steps toward the top of the couch. “But all I was trying to do was escape the band.”
    “Bad?”
    “And loud.” Her ear tufts flattened. “Do you think shutting the door would help?”
    “Sure. Follow me. We can shut lots of doors.” When she hesitated, I flapped my arms like silver wings. Actually, Montross had done me a favor; when he threatened me, some inner clock had begun an adrenaline tick. If this was trouble, I wanted more. I felt twisted and dangerous and I did not care what happened next. Maybe that was why the owl flitted after me as I walked into the next room.
    The sumptuous State Dining Room can seat about 130 for formal dinners. The white-and-gold decor dates from the administration of Theodore Roosevelt.
    The owl glided over to the banquet table. I shut the door behind me. “Better?” Warhead still pounded on the walls.
    “A little.” She settled on a huge bronze doré centerpiece with a mirrored surface. “I’m going soon anyway.”
    “Why?”
    “The band stinks, I don’t know anyone, and I hate these stupid disguises.”
    “I’m Mr. Boy.” I raised my visor and grinned at her. “All right? Now you know someone.”
    She tucked her wings into place and fixed me with her owlish stare. “I don’t like VEs much.”
    “They take some getting used to.”
    “Why bother?” she said. “I mean, if anything can happen in a simulation, nothing matters. And I feel dumb standing in a room all alone jumping up and down and flapping my arms. Besides, this joysuit is hot and I’m renting it by the hour.”
    “The trick is not to look at yourself,” I said. “Just watch the screens and use your imagination.”
    “Reality is less work. You look like a little kid.”
    “Is that a problem?”
    “Mr. Boy? What kind of name is that anyway?”
    I wished she would blink. “A made-up name. But then all names are made up, aren’t they?”
    “Didn’t I see you at school Wednesday? You were the one who dropped off the dinosaur.”
    “My friend Stennie.” I pulled out a chair and sat facing her. “Who you probably hate because he’s twanked.”
    “That was him on the ceiling, wasn’t it? Listen, I’m sorry about what I said. I’m new here. I’d never met anyone like him before I came to New Canaan. I mean, I’d heard of reshaping and all—getting twanked. But where I used to live, everybody was pretty much the same.”
    “Where was that, Squirrel Crossing, Nebraska?”
    “Close.” She laughed. “Elkhart; it’s in Indiana.”
    The reckless ticking in my head slowed. Talking to her made it easy to forget about Montross. “You want to leave the party?” I said. “We could go into discreet.”
    “Just us?” She sounded doubtful. “Right now?”
    “Why not? You said you weren’t staying. We could get rid of these