November 26, 2009 at Jason and the Internet (ending)
The first part tells how Jason, a young geek and seteman, was left without the Internet in a world in which the Internet is already banned. His friends, the same geeks and setemans, like him, throughout the whole story have fun and constantly scream, not knowing about his misfortune. The young girl Eva, whom he met with an illegal provider, offered him to work in an underground computer Internet club.
Three days later, all five (George now did not leave Eugene. Now he was called George-kun) sat in the university cafeteria. Jason was moping. Ifrank did not call him. He had already almost several times made up his mind to take advantage of Eve's offer, but as if something held him back. If there was Internet, he thought evil, one could look for something about these damn clubs. Why is it all at the wrong time?
“Hey Jay, you've been your own for the last couple of days,” said Mack. “What are you moping about?”
“I think I know what’s the matter,” said Eugene. “It seems to me that our friend Jay’s provider got the Internet through the university base station.” And now our friend Jay has been sitting without the Internet for how long? Three days? Four days?
- Ah ha ha ha! - laughed Sergey, - guy, you have an addiction!
“Go to hell,” Jason snapped. Eugene looked reproachfully at Sergey. George alternately looked at everyone.
“Jay, why didn't you say anything?” - asked Mack, - do you want, find an empty audience, read the last dump from my computer?
- Internet read-only? - asked Jason, - when it is impossible to throw new links into the outbox? When can no one write messages? Sorry, but it's like making love to a rubber woman.
Everyone was silent.
- Jason, let me update your flash drive with my provider? - suggested Mack.
- I do not want.
- Do not want?
- Not.
- Why?
Jason sighed.
“It seems like you need some rest.” Good thing happened. I have time to think about myself. Take a look from the side, understand? For example, yesterday I walked in the park.
Eugene shook his head. Sergey raised his eyebrows in surprise.
“Thanks, friends,” said Jason, “but I really will rest.” It seems to be in my favor.
“Okay,” Mack said shortly, and everyone started to eat.
After a couple, Eugene intercepted Jason in the hallway.
“We need to talk,” he said. “One link came to me.” From one dude. It is very interesting. And I would like to show you this ... mmm ... information. I need your advice.
- Dude's name is not Hai? - asked Jason. Eugene looked at him in surprise.
- You know?
“No,” said Jason, “he also sent me a link, but I didn’t have time to read it.”
“Then all the more you should know that,” said Eugene, “I printed the text.” You read it at home, ”he handed Jason an opaque folder,“ just for God's sake, don’t leave it on the bus. ” And best of all, burn it after. It's not a joke.
At home, Jason climbed into his chair and stared at the folder for a long time. "What the heck?" He thought and opened it. Inside there was only one sheet with short text. Jason began to read.
"Hello, dear geek!" - the letter began. Jason grunted. He had never heard a geek be called "respected." “My name is Jeremy O'Reilly, and I work for Google. You probably know about the glorious past of our company in the distant, but close in spirit to the two thousandth years. Contrary to public opinion, our company has a no less glorious present, but it is hidden from the public eye. The fact is that the Internet is alive now, perhaps no less than before. Not only geeks use the Internet, although we greatly respect their desire for freedom of information. Modern society is unthinkable without the Internet, no matter what the media say. Governments of almost all countries, various transnational corporations - their work is impossible without the Network. Without the Web and without Google. If you read these lines, you can consider that you received an official invitation to work in our company. We need young people, students in higher education, and familiar with the architecture of the Web - such as you. Together with us you will support the work of the Internet around the world - and this is a very important and responsible work necessary for peace and stability on the planet.
Naturally, this means round-the-clock and unlimited Internet access.
If you are not interested in our offer, we ask you to keep this information confidential. If you agree, just click OK. ”
Jason leaned back in his chair. To say that he was astounded was to say nothing. His fingers trembled, his eyes shone feverishly. He somehow got into bed, and, wrapped in a blanket, stared at the ceiling.
***
Jason and Eugene sat at the penultimate desk at a lecture on intelligent systems. Jason liked this item, but today he could not concentrate and, pursing his lips, silently looked at the table. Eugene absentmindedly turned the pen in his hands and also paid little attention to the lecturer. Finally Jason said:
“About that link ...”
- A? Eugene asked. “About the link?”
“It seems to me ...
” “You know, Jay,” Eugene interrupted, and Jason realized that he had already decided everything, and his opinion, although he would be listened carefully, would not affect anything. It only remained to listen to the new theory, and agree with it, however, as usual with Eugene, when he had already made a decision.
“You must never stop, Jay.” I think so. You don’t think that you can just surf the Internet for the rest of your life? Sixty-year-olds running with flash drives to providers is no longer funny.
- Well yes.
- What are the prospects in this area? Only the day before yesterday there was only one - to become a provider. Well, or an illegal software developer, or an illegal system administrator. One damn thing, it's all outside the law.
- You're right.
- But now I see real prospects for development. I clicked OK, - he suddenly finished.
“I guess I'm glad for you.”
“Do you disagree with me?”
“No, you said it right.” You can’t stop and all that. But it seems to me that this is not entirely honest, ”Jason said quietly.
- What is not entirely honest?
- You see ... I used to think that the Internet is a real path to freedom. That is, this is freedom. When I understood why it is forbidden and what it can give people, I thought - that’s it. And I wanted to be part of it. I wanted to, if not give people freedom of information, then at least bring this moment closer. Or even just participate in it. I was even proud that I was lucky to learn something more about the Internet than they say from TV, I was proud that I was a geek.
“Why are you telling me this?” I'm not George, I can tell you the same thing.
- But now it seems to me that this is a big fraud. That is, not entirely a hoax, but as if I had seen a part of the picture before. And now it has opened up much wider.
“Maybe it is even wider, the more it seems to you now,” said Eugene.
- May be. Most likely, of course. And it’s not a matter of deception. You correctly said that you can’t stop. I, like you, now see two ways. But I don’t see that one of them could become mine.
They were silent for a moment.
“It's hard to be an idealist, Jason.”
- Especially if you are an idealist not in theory, but in practice.
Eugene turned away and began to carefully look at the board, as if he suddenly became very interested in intelligent systems. Jason noticed Mac in front looking anxiously at them. He propped his head with his hand, took a pen and began to draw geometric shapes in notebooks.
***
A week later I called Frank. "Miss you? Come, ”he said shortly. But Jason did not immediately go to him. For about half a day, he was engaged in insignificant household chores, but in the end he took a prepared flash drive and went to the provider. Apparently, the expression on his face was so harsh that IFRANK refrained from commenting, took the money and just as silently returned the updated flash drive.
Jason walked home on foot, absentmindedly looking around. It was late autumn, and almost all the trees were bare. He stopped on the bridge and watched for a long time as the river lazily carried away the last leaves into the distance. Suddenly, screams were heard overhead. He raised his head and saw a wedge of geese hurrying south to the warmth. Jason swung widely and threw the flash drive into the river.
***
This is the end of the story "Jason and the Internet,"The first part is here . The text is distributed under the Creative Commons by-nc-nd license (free distribution for non-commercial purposes with the indication of the author - frony or another-frony.lj.ru )
Three days later, all five (George now did not leave Eugene. Now he was called George-kun) sat in the university cafeteria. Jason was moping. Ifrank did not call him. He had already almost several times made up his mind to take advantage of Eve's offer, but as if something held him back. If there was Internet, he thought evil, one could look for something about these damn clubs. Why is it all at the wrong time?
“Hey Jay, you've been your own for the last couple of days,” said Mack. “What are you moping about?”
“I think I know what’s the matter,” said Eugene. “It seems to me that our friend Jay’s provider got the Internet through the university base station.” And now our friend Jay has been sitting without the Internet for how long? Three days? Four days?
- Ah ha ha ha! - laughed Sergey, - guy, you have an addiction!
“Go to hell,” Jason snapped. Eugene looked reproachfully at Sergey. George alternately looked at everyone.
“Jay, why didn't you say anything?” - asked Mack, - do you want, find an empty audience, read the last dump from my computer?
- Internet read-only? - asked Jason, - when it is impossible to throw new links into the outbox? When can no one write messages? Sorry, but it's like making love to a rubber woman.
Everyone was silent.
- Jason, let me update your flash drive with my provider? - suggested Mack.
- I do not want.
- Do not want?
- Not.
- Why?
Jason sighed.
“It seems like you need some rest.” Good thing happened. I have time to think about myself. Take a look from the side, understand? For example, yesterday I walked in the park.
Eugene shook his head. Sergey raised his eyebrows in surprise.
“Thanks, friends,” said Jason, “but I really will rest.” It seems to be in my favor.
“Okay,” Mack said shortly, and everyone started to eat.
After a couple, Eugene intercepted Jason in the hallway.
“We need to talk,” he said. “One link came to me.” From one dude. It is very interesting. And I would like to show you this ... mmm ... information. I need your advice.
- Dude's name is not Hai? - asked Jason. Eugene looked at him in surprise.
- You know?
“No,” said Jason, “he also sent me a link, but I didn’t have time to read it.”
“Then all the more you should know that,” said Eugene, “I printed the text.” You read it at home, ”he handed Jason an opaque folder,“ just for God's sake, don’t leave it on the bus. ” And best of all, burn it after. It's not a joke.
At home, Jason climbed into his chair and stared at the folder for a long time. "What the heck?" He thought and opened it. Inside there was only one sheet with short text. Jason began to read.
"Hello, dear geek!" - the letter began. Jason grunted. He had never heard a geek be called "respected." “My name is Jeremy O'Reilly, and I work for Google. You probably know about the glorious past of our company in the distant, but close in spirit to the two thousandth years. Contrary to public opinion, our company has a no less glorious present, but it is hidden from the public eye. The fact is that the Internet is alive now, perhaps no less than before. Not only geeks use the Internet, although we greatly respect their desire for freedom of information. Modern society is unthinkable without the Internet, no matter what the media say. Governments of almost all countries, various transnational corporations - their work is impossible without the Network. Without the Web and without Google. If you read these lines, you can consider that you received an official invitation to work in our company. We need young people, students in higher education, and familiar with the architecture of the Web - such as you. Together with us you will support the work of the Internet around the world - and this is a very important and responsible work necessary for peace and stability on the planet.
Naturally, this means round-the-clock and unlimited Internet access.
If you are not interested in our offer, we ask you to keep this information confidential. If you agree, just click OK. ”
Jason leaned back in his chair. To say that he was astounded was to say nothing. His fingers trembled, his eyes shone feverishly. He somehow got into bed, and, wrapped in a blanket, stared at the ceiling.
***
Jason and Eugene sat at the penultimate desk at a lecture on intelligent systems. Jason liked this item, but today he could not concentrate and, pursing his lips, silently looked at the table. Eugene absentmindedly turned the pen in his hands and also paid little attention to the lecturer. Finally Jason said:
“About that link ...”
- A? Eugene asked. “About the link?”
“It seems to me ...
” “You know, Jay,” Eugene interrupted, and Jason realized that he had already decided everything, and his opinion, although he would be listened carefully, would not affect anything. It only remained to listen to the new theory, and agree with it, however, as usual with Eugene, when he had already made a decision.
“You must never stop, Jay.” I think so. You don’t think that you can just surf the Internet for the rest of your life? Sixty-year-olds running with flash drives to providers is no longer funny.
- Well yes.
- What are the prospects in this area? Only the day before yesterday there was only one - to become a provider. Well, or an illegal software developer, or an illegal system administrator. One damn thing, it's all outside the law.
- You're right.
- But now I see real prospects for development. I clicked OK, - he suddenly finished.
“I guess I'm glad for you.”
“Do you disagree with me?”
“No, you said it right.” You can’t stop and all that. But it seems to me that this is not entirely honest, ”Jason said quietly.
- What is not entirely honest?
- You see ... I used to think that the Internet is a real path to freedom. That is, this is freedom. When I understood why it is forbidden and what it can give people, I thought - that’s it. And I wanted to be part of it. I wanted to, if not give people freedom of information, then at least bring this moment closer. Or even just participate in it. I was even proud that I was lucky to learn something more about the Internet than they say from TV, I was proud that I was a geek.
“Why are you telling me this?” I'm not George, I can tell you the same thing.
- But now it seems to me that this is a big fraud. That is, not entirely a hoax, but as if I had seen a part of the picture before. And now it has opened up much wider.
“Maybe it is even wider, the more it seems to you now,” said Eugene.
- May be. Most likely, of course. And it’s not a matter of deception. You correctly said that you can’t stop. I, like you, now see two ways. But I don’t see that one of them could become mine.
They were silent for a moment.
“It's hard to be an idealist, Jason.”
- Especially if you are an idealist not in theory, but in practice.
Eugene turned away and began to carefully look at the board, as if he suddenly became very interested in intelligent systems. Jason noticed Mac in front looking anxiously at them. He propped his head with his hand, took a pen and began to draw geometric shapes in notebooks.
***
A week later I called Frank. "Miss you? Come, ”he said shortly. But Jason did not immediately go to him. For about half a day, he was engaged in insignificant household chores, but in the end he took a prepared flash drive and went to the provider. Apparently, the expression on his face was so harsh that IFRANK refrained from commenting, took the money and just as silently returned the updated flash drive.
Jason walked home on foot, absentmindedly looking around. It was late autumn, and almost all the trees were bare. He stopped on the bridge and watched for a long time as the river lazily carried away the last leaves into the distance. Suddenly, screams were heard overhead. He raised his head and saw a wedge of geese hurrying south to the warmth. Jason swung widely and threw the flash drive into the river.
***
This is the end of the story "Jason and the Internet,"The first part is here . The text is distributed under the Creative Commons by-nc-nd license (free distribution for non-commercial purposes with the indication of the author - frony or another-frony.lj.ru )