Note: This is the very first sneak peek of the next book, which will not be out for about a year. The title, "Welcome to the Machine" is actually the title of a Pink Floyd song, and may not actually be the book's real title. The book is set in the year 2075. This is a random scene from the middle of a chapter.
Adam was met by a strange man with a commanding presence.
"Adam Douglas?"
"Yes."
"I'm Thomas from Sparkle-fye."
"Sparkle-fye? The music hub?"
"Yes, Sparkle-fye. I'm here, Mr. Douglas because our records indicate that you owe us -" The man looked to his left and brought up a spread sheet. "You owe us exactly two million, three hundred thirty two thousand, six hundred and fifty four dollars...and fifty two cents."
Adam stared at the man as if he had been hit over the head by a solid metal object.
"Mr. Douglas?"
"Did you just say I owe Sparkle-fye two million dollars?"
"Yes, slightly more," Thomas said, matter of factly.
"How...how? How the hell do I owe two mil - "
"You have a habit, Mr. Douglas, of getting the song - " Thomas looked right and brought up another spread sheet - "One Lonely Night, by the artist, Cello Bongo, stuck in your head, is that not true?"
"I hate that song," Adam said. "It always gets stuck in my head."
"Exactly, Mr. Douglas."
"So...What..."
"Mr. Douglas, when you signed up as Sparkle-fye member, you signed our 'terms and conditions' did you not?"
"I mean, of course, you have to, but no one reads - "
"Section three, paragraph seven, 'The listener agrees to pay the sum of four dollars and ninety nine cents each time a song plays in their own head."
"What?"
"You've been playing the song 'One Lonely Night' repeatedly -"
"I don't play it," Adam objected. "It gets stuck in my head. I don't even like the song."
"Mr. Douglas," Thomas said calmly, "There is no reason to become agitated."
"I'm not - " Adam caught himself and swallowed his anger. "Are you telling me that I owe money every time a song gets stuck in my head?"
"It's in the contract."
"But...but..."
Thomas stood in front of Adam with a commanding expression. "Two million, three hundred thirty two thousand, six hundred fifty four dollars, and fifty two cents," he said. There was a moment's pause. then he continued. "We have payment plan options."
Peter Wick
October 14, 2020
