In Loving Memory of Robert A. George and Donald R. George

“Wilson, lock up.” Serendipity opened her car door. “Come on, kid.”
She unclasped her belt, jumped out, and took off across the parking
garage.
Sherman dashed to catch up. The woman always seemed to be in a
rush. “Where are we headed?” He asked, panting.
“Elevator. Help me find it, kid.”
“Okay, Ser.”
Serendipity stopped and turned around. “Ser?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“No, that’s okay.” Serendipity smiled at him. “I like that way more
than Dippy. Ser’s good.” She scanned about then took off again. “Stick
close to me. Don’t want to lose you. Once you have your PAL puter I can
call you or track you down if we get separated.”
“A what?” Sherman followed after her.
“PAL puter. Personal Assistant Lackey Computer. The small computer
everyone carries around with them in their pocket or purse. They come in
a variety of small sizes. You have to have a PAL puter. No idea how
people in your time survived without them.”
“Awesome! I always wanted my own computer,” Sherman said,
catching up with her again. “Aren’t they expensive?”
“Snack Marts have ‘em cheap—really poor quality—made in Siberia.
We’ll get you a good one made in India.”
They stopped in front of a pair of bare metal doors.
“May I help you?” a male voice asked.
Sherman looked about. “Who said that?”
“The elevator.” Serendipity fought back a smile. “Yes,” she replied,
“we’re going to Puter Place.”
“Very good.” The bare lustrous doors slid open. “Seventh floor. Please
step in.”
Serendipity obeyed and an astonished Sherman followed. The shiny
panels slid shut and Sherman felt his stomach lurch as the silver box—as
bare on the inside as it was on the outside—steadily and speedily rose.
The doors slid open to a store which seemed, to Sherman, to go on
forever; he convinced himself it must at least take up the entire floor. The
crowd and the buzzing electronics dazzled the small-town boy from 1985.
In the distance, 3-D images popped out from twenty-foot-high screens. On
a white pillar a man singing opera blinked out, replaced by a ballet dancer.
Holograms, Sherman determined. Above many of the components,
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