Slogans - Prince XML

Chapter 10
“Good. Then there is a chance that it might be. But I don’t think you put the case strongly
enough. Have you ever thought of the possibilities for forming players’ basic attitudes to
learning through the game?”
“I am not sure I know what you mean.”
“I mean... ” An elegant woman in a red dress taps him on the shoulder and hands him
something without interrupting. He acknowledges her and puts the small object in his pocket.
“I mean the subliminal signals and implicit cues that are placed into the imagery.” She walks
away, glancing only tangentially at Den.
“Well, what makes you think there are subliminal signals?”
Howard laughs loudly. “Nice try, Den. Can I call you Den?!”
Den nods in amusement.
“Well–did you see the cuffuffle on the highway, coming here?”
“The billboard.”
“Yes, the billboard. An angry mob of people tired of being sent these subliminal signals
took over the electronics in order to reveal to all, in slow motion, just what the billboard is
really doing.”
Den snatches a glance behind him and sees that Cathy Kim has received a call and is
walking away from the lounge to talk. “Well, okay. We have subliminal channels in our
scenery. That is part of the spec. You must know that.”
He nods. “Of course, but how is it being used?”
“Well, I don’t know all of the content. My company works on certain things, and helps to
design the strategies for targeting interest groups.”
“But you have access to these channels. Channels that millions of people all over the globe
are using.”
“That is true,” he agrees.
“A position of great responsibility.”
“Yes, I suppose it is.”
“So, in fact, you have the skills to manipulate the manipulators, if you wanted to. You
could even change the course of the development. You are a powerful man, and you perhaps
don’t even realize it.”
A plump woman approaches purposefully, with a lesser man in tow and, thankfully ignores
Den entirely. Rather he addresses himself to Howard. “Mister Rubin,” she interrupts, “would
you do me the honour of allowing me to present you to the Vice Chancellor of the faculty of
political studies.”
“I ... Look, would you excuse me. I don’t mean to be rude, but I have to speak to someone
quite urgently.”
95