Jack received a package on the night of his graduation. It was from his brother, Gabriel — he lived too far away.
He opened the package with a razor and unpacked it onto the table. A hologram emitter: this small circular thing. Similar to a fire alarm or a hockey puck.
He took the device and attached it to the wall. It gave a small whistle as it received its signal, and the little machine came to life. Jack’s phone whistled too, and so he took it up:
“Gabriel?”
“Alright, did you get it online?”
“Yes, it’s working, I think.”
“Okay, just wait.”
Jack hung up the phone and was momentarily alone, until the device started to buzz, and a beam of light cast from it, taking the form of his brother.
“Jack,” it said.
“What the fuck!?”
The hologram sizzled like soda and was almost fluid in form.
It was the shape of his brother, like some ghastly digital apparition. Jack looked up and down the thing in disbelief, as it spoke more, but he didn't hear. He went to tear the emitter from the wall, but Gabriel’s avatar hologram brought its body of light between Jack and the emitter.
“Wait!” it said, “Please, Jack. I need to talk to you.”
He stopped, trying not to look the hologram in the eye.
“No, not like this.”
“Look, I’m sorry I couldn't be there. Just give me a few minutes, please. I miss you.”
Jack was torn, but ultimately, he backed off from the hologram.
“Okay, can you just turn it off for a moment? Give me just a minute or two. I haven't seen one of these yet.”
“Fine, that’s cool. I’ll be back.” The hologram said, as it fizzled away like steam.
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