V-OTEL
(Koma.Koma)
project 1994/95
Sydney
I really do like this hotel. It truly satisfies every longing…
When Jann opened the door, the space was still not as he wanted it to be, so he tried changing it anew. Again he moved furniture around, made new chairs by snapping his fingers and pulled larger windows into the space (for he loved the sun). When, finally, even the wall achieved that silkpaper quality which he had experimented with for so long, he went out into the sunlit garden in order to feel the wind and the sun on his skin again.
Helen, I think we made the right decision. We can’t do more. Don’t you think that, for the moment, he is well cared for? Oh sure, she replied. We’ve made so many mistakes up till now. Blast this damned accident!
There was still such a lot to do… The security system still had some loopholes. Only last week an unimaginative ‘Cyhb’ had managed to ‘dispose of’ my hotel cupboard and to get hold of two of my favourite books. Where is all this to end? Not even hotel suites are safe any more. Jann?, a voice rang out, are you in the garden? Yes, Wonder, I’m here. It was sometimes uncanny how Wonder seemed to know exactly when I desired her. What a funny world. However, the thought that Wonder should belong to everyone who succeeds in breaking my security system, is one of those I will probably never get used to. She is so good-natured…
How is his condition? Unchanged! Is there still hope…? There is always hope, replied Doctor Black.
Well, I can really count myself lucky. Only last week, I won the big marathon in New York and became the Number One of the international squash circuit for the second time. I own a Ferrari and travel to whichever place takes my fancy. In fact, I am about to start off on my first journey to Mars, four weeks and three hours from now. I am well-balanced, enjoy the sex of my life, am creative and … I love Wonder.
I can rely on my friends. Actually, I have never before had so many good friends. There is nothing that I don’t have. This is an easy world, a beautiful world – and I have worked for it and earned it. It simply is fantastic…
How long did you say you were going to be able to pay for this service? – About another six years. Very well then, do you have any particular requests to make to our ‘V-Designer’? – No, nothing special. Just tell him all the longings that you can glean from the pages of your diary. I will leave again tomorrow. That’s okay, but please leave via the institute’s secretariat to give a receipt of your stay.
At times, mother and father appear in my dreams and treat me in a very loving way, quite different from what they normally do… If only I knew why they always beg me, in these dreams, to come back … back from where? Do they want me to leave Wonder? Oh these cursed parents – all the terrible things they’ve done to me – not even in my dreams can they leave me in peace! Lately I have dreamt a lot, of things and people I know and yet don’t know, and that confuses me…
Will we ever manage to pay all the instalments for this implant? – I don’t care how much it costs, he now has more than we were ever able to give him ourselves. The only regret is that it had to come to this. – But is it really and truly safe? They say he is now a part of a larger entity. – Darling, this computer is the best available at the moment. And the doctors here are all specialists, so why don’t you calm down. – But what shall we do when he is cured and wakes up? The loss of his legs will also maim his mind and spirit. – Helen, nothing has changed, he is still in a coma. … In fact, are you really sure that it would be good for him to wake up one day? Do you really want that … ?
Again, it was one of those infinitely beautiful days at the seaside. I snuggled up to Wonder and watched the seagulls, the air tasted of salt. If I wanted it, this lovely day would never end. It is wonderful to know where you belong. The roar of the sea merged with the distant barking of the hotel dog, Willy. Wonder’s skin was fragrant with life.
I really do like this hotel. It truly satisfies every longing…
The End
