Housing and Living Conditions

The hum of the metrodrive faded behind him as Ash waved to his friends at the common stop. “See you at Jinnie’s later!” he called, grinning as Hank shouted back something about his darts trophy. The others laughed, their voices fading into the bustle of the station. Ash shifted his bag on his shoulder and headed for his building.

The condo loomed ahead, a sleek amalgamation of steel and glass, dotted with the occasional holographic advertisement. Approaching the entrance, the commlink detected the ID of his condo and automatically unlocked the door. From five meters away, the lock clicked open, and despite its routine nature, the convenience still felt a little magical.

Inside, his home was a snug 4x6-meter haven, a small but comfortable space he'd transformed into something undeniably his. Trinkets collected from the markets, hand-painted ceramics, and dreamcatcher-like ornaments hung from the walls and ceiling, giving the room warmth and character. Though his unit didn’t come with a window view, the holoscreen that spanned one wall made up for it. Currently, it displayed a serene mountain landscape, softly lit by a digital sunset.

The entrance opened directly into the compact kitchen. Across from the door was the toilet and washroom. As he stepped in, the holoscreen switched to life, and a soft, neutral voice greeted him.

“You have two messages, Ash. One from Hank and one from Josslyn. Would you like me to read them to you?”

Ash chuckled. “Go ahead.”

“Message from Hank:” The AI’s tone lightened to mimic Hank’s voice. “Hey, don’t forget to bring my trophy for tonight’s darts game! ”

Ash laughed, shaking his head. “Sure thing, Hank. Keep dreaming.”

“Message from Josslyn:” The AI shifted seamlessly to a soft, feminine tone. “Hi Ash, just wanted to say I’m looking forward to date night on Friday. Don’t forget!”

His smile lingered. “Thanks, AI. Any other updates?”

“I’ve also prepared your shows. Would you like to start them now?”

“Not tonight,” Ash replied, setting his bag on the counter. “We’ve got game night.” The AI asked, “Are you eating out?”

“Yeah, dinner at the food court.”

AI: “Should I book a metrodrive to ensure it’s ready when you’re leaving?”

“Sure, go ahead,” Ash replied.

The AI chimed a pleasant acknowledgment before falling silent. Ash moved to the living room, the third area in his compact home. With a few quick motions, he began rearranging the space. The couch folded neatly away into the wall, and the bed slid down effortlessly, ready for later. He glanced around, satisfied with the transformation.

Heading to the laundry chute, Ash dumped his work clothes inside. “Set a reminder to pick these up from the cleaners tomorrow,” he said aloud.

“Reminder set,” the AI confirmed.

A quick shower washed away the grime and exhaustion of the day. Fresh and energized, he packed Hank’s “trophy” into his bag, smirking at the absurdity of the claim. He checked his reflection once, adjusted his collar, and headed out.

The metrodrive buzzed with its usual energy as Ash descended to the street. The AI had already booked the ride for him. Ash went over the mental realization solemnly—the metrodrive would likely have coordinated several bookings, meaning he’d be sharing the drive with others. He hoped, with a touch of resignation, that it’d be friendly faces this time.

Outside, the cool evening air carried the faint aroma of street food, and the metrodrive’s glow lit up the sidewalks. True to form, the shared van was already parked, its doors sliding open invitingly. A couple of familiar faces greeted him as he climbed in.

“Hey, Ash,” one said with a grin. “Got that trophy for Hank?”

“I might’ve packed it,” Ash said, grinning back. “But don’t tell him. Let him sweat a bit first.”

Laughter echoed as the van hummed to life, merging seamlessly into the stream of traffic. Game night awaited, and Ash felt the day’s stress melting away with each passing minute.