The New York Cafe

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 $5,000 more in the bank, now,' says Mr Fuller.

'But, Simon, why?' asks Mrs Fuller. 'Why $5,000 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 Cafe 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 Cafe help me?'

The e-mail from New York Cafe to S. Fuller begins like this, 'This is New York Cafe and my name is Computerhead. At this computer cafe 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 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!'