NEW YORK CAFé
AUGUST 15 2030
It is August 15, 2030, and an e-mail from S. Fuller is going to Computer 1 at the First Bank of New York. It says, 'Take one cent from 5,000,000 people and give it all to S. Fuller. Then forget this e-mail.' Nobody at the office of the First Bank of New York sees the e-mail. It goes into the computer, the computer gives the money to S. Fuller and then it forgets the e-mail. After that, the e-mail is not in the computer, and only S. Fuller knows about it.
AUGUST 16 2030
The Fuller family is looking at the family's money on their computer.
There's $50,000 more in the bank, now,' says Mr Fuller.
But, Simon, why?' asks Mrs Fuller. 'Why $50,000 more?'
I don't know,' says Mr Fuller.
Sam, the son, smiles.
It's good!' he says. 'Don't ask questions about it. Be happy!'
I'm not happy about it,' says Mr Fuller. 'Because I don't understand it.'
Who wants a drink?' says Sheila, Sam's little sister.
AUGUST 17 2030
The e-mail from S. Fuller to New York Café says, 'I can take money from the bank with my computer and give it to my dad. But I need to do much more. I want to help people and make them happy. I am very, very good with computers – the best in New York. How can I help people? Maybe I can help people with no money. Can somebody at the New York Café help me?'
The e-mail from New York Café to S. Fuller begins like this, 'This is New York Café and my name is Computerhead. At this computer café we are all good with computers. We can do lots of things with computers here. Do you want to help people? People with no money? I like that! OK. I can help you. You must...'
AUGUST 18 2030
Two astronauts are going to Mars. But suddenly one of them says, 'Hey, the computer's taking us back to New York. We're not going to Mars. We're going back home. I can't stop this computer!'
AUGUST 18 2030
One of the astronauts says, 'What's that? An e-mail?' The e-mail to the astronauts says, 'Do not go to Mars. It does not help poor people. It does not make them happy. I can stop your computers again. And again and again. So give $1,000,000,000 to people with no money TODAY and then tell the television people. I want it on the news!'
AUGUST 19 2030
The next day, the Fuller family watch the news on television. The news-reader is saying, 'Two astronauts are back in New York. Something's wrong with the computer...' There is a picture of the astronauts and a picture of the computer. But there is nothing on television about $1,000,000,000 for people with no money.
AUGUST 20 2030
A plane is going from New York to London. But then suddenly the plane's computer stops it. The plane waits over New York. It gets an e-mail message. 'All the people on this plane have a lot of money. Give some of your money to poor people by e-mail, now. Then you can go to London.'
AUGUST 21 2030
Some very important people are talking in New York.
Who's doing this to the computers?'
We don't know.'
Well, we must find him. How can we find him?'
We're looking for a signal, from his computer. Every computer has a signal. When we find the signal, we find him.'
OK. But I tell you this: He must stop now. Do you understand?'
Well, we can give a new password to all the important computers in the country. And without a computer's password he can't get into the computer.'
OK. Give new passwords to all the important computers in America. At the same time, find the signal from his computer. But most important, find him!'
AUGUST 22 2030
S. Fuller e-mails Computerhead at New York Café and says, 'I am not happy. The police are putting new passwords in all the important computers in America. I cannot get into them. I do not want to stop now. Computerhead, help me!'
AUGUST 23 2030
The e-mail from Computerhead at New York Café to S. Fuller says, 'Fuller no, please do not stop your work. I am an old man now. I do not know you, but I have a picture of you in my head. I see a young man. What are you, seventeen or eighteen years old? And you want to do something good! OK! Let's do something very good. I can help you. Let's talk again tomorrow.'
AUGUST 24 2030
Today's e-mail from Computerhead to S. Fuller says, 'I am sending you a box. It can help you. When you send a signal to any computer, it finds the computer's password. And then you are in the computer and you can do anything with it. Any computer in America is your computer. Let's talk again tomorrow.'
AUGUST 25 2030
Computerhead sends S. Fuller an e-mail. It says, 'Fuller, there is one more thing. The police are looking for your computer signal. From now on, send everything by e-mail to me at New York Café. Later I can send it out again from here, with a lot of new signals. Then, they cannot find your signal. Fuller, tomorrow is an important day for you.'
AUGUST 26 2030
The next e-mail from Computerhead to S. Fuller says, 'Fuller, this man's name is Smith. You must get his computer password. But get his computer password at home, not at work. It is easy. I know this man because I work with him. What is his work? He kills people.'
AUGUST 26 2030
Another e-mail from Computerhead to S. Fuller says, 'Yes, Smith kills people. And I help him. But now I am doing something good, for the first time. Tomorrow you and I can help poor people. Tomorrow we can do something big. Tomorrow people must listen to us. We want a new America, Fuller. A new America!'
AUGUST 26 2030
Mr and Mrs Fuller are very happy, but the children are not.
Hey, we're going sailing for two weeks,' says Mr Fuller.
Oh no!' says Sam. 'I want to stay here.'
Me too,' says his little sister, Sheila.
But why, Sam?' says Mrs Fuller.
Mum, I'm eighteen. I have important things to do,' says Sam.
Important things? What important things?' says Mr Fuller.
I can't tell you that,' says Sam.
Oh, Simon, it's OK,' says Mrs Fuller. 'You and I can go. The children can stay here.'
OK,' says Mr Fuller. But he is angry and leaves the room.
AUGUST 27 2030
The e-mail from S. Fuller to Computerhead at New York Café says, 'My mum and dad are sailing now. I have more time at the computer. Mr Smith's password is his daughter's name. I am in Smith's computer now. He works in Washington. I am going into the President's computer. I can do a lot of things now. Look at the next picture!'
AUGUST 27 2030
S. Fuller sends the President an e-mail. It says, 'Dear Mr President. Look at this picture. The missiles can stay in the sky or they can come down. I can bring them down with my computer. Are you listening to me, Mr President? I want a better America. I do not want money. Not for me. I want money for poor people. And sandwiches. Give sandwiches to poor people. Start now, or they all come down tomorrow.'
AUGUST 27 2030
The President has S. Fuller's e-mail and he is very angry.
Sandwiches! Sandwiches! Can we stop this? Please?'
No, Mr President. I'm sorry. We can't find the signal.'
What do we do now?'
Give money to poor people, Mr President. Make sandwiches. Do anything for now. We need more time.'
OK. You! Yes, you. The tall man in the white shirt. Go and make some sandwiches.'
Yes, Mr President.'
AUGUST 27 2030
A woman is running into the President's office.
Mr President,' says the woman. 'We have his signal. It's coming from a computer café in New York.'
OK!' says the President. 'Get him!'
AUGUST 27 2030
A better America. I want a better America,' says Computerhead. The police take him away. Then they look at his computer at the New York Café. There is an e-mail there. It is from S. Fuller.
AUGUST 27 2030
The police have Sam now, too. Sam is very afraid. He says, 'Stop! I must phone my mum and dad. They're sailing. And my little sister's here. I can't leave her. Why are you doing this? Please stop.'
AUGUST 28 2030
Mr and Mrs Fuller are with their son. They are talking to the police.
Sam?' says Mrs Fuller. 'Our Sam and this... Computerhead? Sorry, but I must laugh.'
It's not our Sam,' says Mr Fuller. 'Sam can't understand computers. His teachers help him, but he's no good.'
Yes,' says Mrs Fuller. 'Sheila helps him too. Sheila's very good with computers.'
Oh yes,' says Mr Fuller. 'Sheila's the best girl in New York with computers.'
Mr Fuller looks at Mrs Fuller and then Mrs Fuller looks at Mr Fuller.
Where's Sheila?' say Mr and Mrs Fuller.
AUGUST 28 2030
S. Fuller's last e-mail to Computerhead says, 'Hello. Where are you? My e-mails to you come back all the time. Can you see the picture? Look at the missiles, in the Washington sky. They are going to New York, London, Tokyo, Paris, Moscow and Rome too. But I cannot get them down, Computerhead. Can you help me? What do I do now?'
New York Café
紐約網吧
2030年8月15日
2030年8月15日,一封來自S. 富勒的電子郵件正發(fā)往紐約第一銀行1號電腦。郵件寫道:“從500萬人的賬戶上分別轉賬1美分給S. 富勒,然后忘掉此郵件。”在紐約第一銀行辦事處,誰都沒有看到這封郵件。郵件進了電腦后,電腦把錢劃撥給S. 富勒,接著就把郵件給忘了。這之后,郵件就不在電腦里了,只有S. 富勒知道這件事。
2030年8月16日
富勒一家人正在電腦上查看家庭賬目。
“現(xiàn)在銀行里多出了5萬美元?!备焕障壬f。
“可是,西蒙,這是怎么回事?”富勒太太問,“為什么會多出5萬美元?”
“我不知道?!备焕障壬f。
他們的兒子薩姆笑了。
“這是件好事!”他說,“別問了。盡管樂吧!”
“可我樂不起來,”富勒先生說,“因為這錢來得不明不白。”
“誰想喝點飲料?”薩姆的妹妹希拉問。
2030年8月17日
S. 富勒發(fā)給紐約網吧的電子郵件寫道:“我能用自己的電腦把銀行的錢取出來,給我爸爸。但我還要做更多事情。我想幫助別人,使他們快樂。我對電腦非常非常在行——是全紐約最棒的。我怎樣才能幫助別人?也許我能幫助那些身無分文的人。紐約網吧有誰能幫幫我嗎?”
紐約網吧給S. 富勒的郵件是這么開頭的:“這里是紐約網吧,我的名字叫‘電腦通’。這家網吧里的人都是電腦高手。在這里,我們能用電腦做很多的事情。你想幫助別人,幫那些沒錢的人,是嗎?我喜歡這個想法!好的,我可以幫你。你必須……”
2030年8月18日
兩名宇航員正前往火星。突然,其中一名宇航員說:“嘿,電腦正在把我們帶回紐約。我們不是在去火星的途中。我們在往回走。我無法讓這臺電腦停下來!”
2030年8月18日
其中一名宇航員說:“那是什么?一封電子郵件?”這封給宇航員的電子郵件寫道:“不要去火星。這么做對窮人沒有幫助。這不會使他們快樂。我能夠再次停掉你們的電腦,而且能一而再、再而三地這么做。所以,今天就拿出10億美元給那些身無分文的人,然后告訴電視臺的人。我要這件事上新聞!”
2030年8月19日
第二天,富勒一家看電視新聞。新聞播報員說:“兩名宇航員已返回紐約。電腦發(fā)生了故障……”電視上出現(xiàn)了宇航員和電腦的畫面,但沒有提到給窮人10億美元的事。
2030年8月20日
一架飛機正從紐約飛往倫敦,但是突然間,飛機的電腦停止了飛機的前行。飛機在紐約上空盤旋等待。它收到一條電子郵件信息:“這架飛機上的人全都很有錢?,F(xiàn)在,通過電子郵件把你們的錢分一些給窮人,然后你們就可以去倫敦了?!?/p>
2030年8月21日
在紐約,一些重要人物正在交談。
“是誰對這些電腦動了手腳?”
“我們不知道。”
“好吧,我們必須找到此人。怎么才能找到他呢?”
“我們正在搜索他的電腦發(fā)出的信號。每臺電腦都有自己的信號。當我們找到信號時,就能找到他?!?/p>
“好。但我告訴你們:他必須立刻罷手。你們明白嗎?”
“哦,我們可以給全國所有重要的電腦設置一個新密碼。沒有密碼,他就無法進入電腦?!?/p>
“好。給全國所有重要的電腦都設置新的密碼。與此同時,找到他的電腦信號。但最重要的是,找到他!”
2030年8月22日
S. 富勒給紐約網吧的“電腦通”發(fā)電子郵件寫道:“我高興不起來。警察正在給全國所有重要的電腦設置新密碼。我進不去這些電腦了。我不想現(xiàn)在就罷手?!娔X通’,幫幫我!”
2030年8月23日
紐約網吧的“電腦通”給S. 富勒的電子郵件寫道:“富勒,不,請不要收手。我現(xiàn)在老了。我不認識你,但我腦子里想象得出你的模樣。我看到的是一個年輕人。你多大了,17還是18歲?而且你想做些好事!好!我們來做些大好事。我可以幫你。明天再聊?!?/p>
2030年8月24日
今天“電腦通”給S. 富勒發(fā)的電子郵件寫道:“我給你寄了一個盒子。它可以幫你。你給任何一臺電腦發(fā)送信號時,它都會找到這臺電腦的密碼。然后你就可以進入電腦做任何事情。美國的任何一臺電腦都是你的了。明天再聊?!?/p>
2030年8月25日
“電腦通”給S. 富勒發(fā)了一封電子郵件。郵件寫道:“富勒,還有一件事。警方正在搜索你的電腦信號。從現(xiàn)在開始,把所有信息都用電子郵件發(fā)送到紐約網吧我這里來。隨后我會把你的信息從這里再發(fā)出去,并帶上很多新信號。這樣他們就找不到你的信號了。富勒,明天對你來說是個重要的日子?!?/p>
2030年8月26日
“電腦通”在發(fā)給S. 富勒的下一封郵件中寫道:“富勒,這個人名叫史密斯。你必須弄到他的電腦密碼。但要弄到他家里電腦的密碼,而不是他的工作電腦。這很容易。我認識他,是因為我們在一起工作。他是做什么的?他殺人?!?/p>
2030年8月26日
另一封“電腦通”發(fā)給S. 富勒的電子郵件寫道:“是的,史密斯殺人,而我?guī)退鍪?。但現(xiàn)在我在做好事,這是頭一次。明天你和我就能幫助窮人了。明天我們可以做一件大事。明天人們必須聽從我倆。我們想要一個嶄新的美國,富勒,一個嶄新的美國!”
2030年8月26日
富勒夫婦興沖沖的,但孩子們卻不開心。
“嘿,我們要駕船出游兩個星期。”富勒先生說。
“哎呀,不要!”薩姆說,“我想留在這里?!?/p>
“我也是?!彼拿妹孟@f。
“可這是為什么呢,薩姆?”富勒太太問。
“媽媽,我18歲了。我有重要的事情要做?!彼_姆說。
“重要的事情?什么重要的事情?”富勒先生問。
“我不能告訴你?!彼_姆回答。
“哦,西蒙,沒關系?!备焕仗f,“你和我去好了,孩子們可以留在這里。”
“好吧?!备焕障壬f。但他生氣了,離開了房間。
2030年8月27日
S. 富勒發(fā)給紐約網吧“電腦通”的郵件寫道:“我父母現(xiàn)在駕船出游了,我有更多的時間用電腦。史密斯先生的密碼是他女兒的名字。我現(xiàn)在進了史密斯的電腦。他在華盛頓工作。我快要進入總統(tǒng)的電腦了。我現(xiàn)在可以做好多事情??聪乱粡堈掌?”
2030年8月27日
S. 富勒給總統(tǒng)發(fā)了一封郵件。郵件寫道:“親愛的總統(tǒng)先生,看這張照片。這些導彈既可以呆在天上,也可以掉下來。我可以用自己的電腦把它們弄下來。你在聽我說嗎,總統(tǒng)先生?我想要一個更好的美國。我不想要錢。不想為我自己要錢。我想為窮人要錢,還要三明治。給窮人三明治?,F(xiàn)在就給,不然這些導彈明天全都會掉下來?!?/p>
2030年8月27日
總統(tǒng)收到了S. 富勒的郵件,非常生氣。
“三明治!三明治!我們能夠制止這件事嗎?誰有辦法?”
“不能,總統(tǒng)先生。我很抱歉。我們找不到信號?!?/p>
“那我們現(xiàn)在怎么辦?”
“給窮人發(fā)錢,總統(tǒng)先生。做三明治。眼下只能一切照辦。我們需要更多的時間?!?/p>
“好。你!是的,就是你,穿白襯衫的高個子男人。去做些三明治?!?/p>
“是,總統(tǒng)先生。”
2030年8月27日
一個女人跑進總統(tǒng)辦公室。
“總統(tǒng)先生,”女人說,“我們找到他的信號了。信號是從紐約的一家網吧發(fā)出來的?!?/p>
“好!”總統(tǒng)說,“抓住他!”
2030年8月27日
“更好的美國,我想要一個更好的美國?!薄半娔X通”說。警方把“電腦通”帶走了,并查看他在紐約網吧用的那臺電腦。里面有一封電子郵件,是S. 富勒發(fā)來的。
2030年8月27日
警察現(xiàn)在也抓住了薩姆。薩姆驚恐萬分。他說:“等一下!我必須給我爸媽打個電話,他們駕船出游了。而且我的妹妹在這里,我不能離開她。你們?yōu)槭裁催@樣做?請放了我?!?/p>
2030年8月28日
富勒夫婦和他們的兒子在一起。他們在和警察交談。
“薩姆?”富勒太太說,“我們的薩姆和這位……‘電腦通’?抱歉,但是我忍不住笑了?!?/p>
“不是我們的薩姆,”富勒先生說,“薩姆不懂電腦。他的老師們輔導他,但他根本不開竅?!?/p>
“是的,”富勒太太說,“希拉也在幫他。希拉對電腦很在行?!?/p>
“哦,是的,”富勒先生說,“希拉是全紐約的女孩中對電腦最在行的?!?/p>
富勒先生看看富勒太太,富勒太太又看看富勒先生。
“希拉在哪兒?”富勒夫婦問。
2030年8月28日
S. 富勒在給“電腦通”的最后一封電子郵件中寫道:“喂,你在哪兒?我發(fā)給你的電子郵件老是被退回來。你能看到這張照片嗎?看這些導彈,它們在華盛頓上空飛行,飛往紐約、倫敦、東京、巴黎、莫斯科,還有羅馬。但我沒辦法把它們弄下來,‘電腦通’。你能幫幫我嗎?我現(xiàn)在該怎么辦?”