21st Century: The Age of Innocence

The boy sat next to the TV, playing some stacks. He didn’t necessarily watched the TV, but his ears were listening. The TV was left on by his father who left for work in a hurry just a while ago, and his mother was probably too busy to even notice.

The TV screen displayed a random array of colorful lights and some people dancing in a robot-like style, which didn’t bother the boy. It was the song that turned the boy’s attention, and the message hidden among the lyrics that everyone didn’t notice but a very young, innocent boy. To the boy, the song was heard like “Internet killed the movie stars”, for that’s the only line he could understand. The catchy recurrence of that part of lyrics caught the boy, and all of a sudden, he was mesmerized by the entire display of the program.

Not for long, though, before his mother returned from the kitchen and switched the channel to his discomfort.

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Several years later, the grownup boy was browsing some audio CDs with his friends in a local CD store. Sean was his name. He seemed excited in contrast with the other boys. One of them, Brett, just looked around and yawned a little before turning to Sean, saying:

“C’mon, man, this place is a museum. What’s fancy in browsing CDs when you can just download them at home?”

Sean was viewing an album on his hands while the question got his mind. “I feel more like having something when it’s present in my room physically. Look at the album, look at everything they added in its case. Most of them are stuff you can’t download from the Internet.”

Wallace, another guy, raised his brow comically and said, “The fact that they’re sold in albums bothers me. Music are better released in singles, that’s how we know what’s quality and what’s shit.”

Sean opened the case of the CD he’s holding–the album must’ve interested him. “Almost a century ago, all radio stations were broadcasting album-oriented rock. If you’re saying that in the 1970s, you’re not going anywhere.”

“That’s it, Sean–you’re stuck in the past.”

“Hell, we’re bored–Sean, we’re leaving.”

“Wait, where are you two going?”

“Sasha and Penny are waiting for us in Burger Queen. We’re gonna hang out Beyond the Bars tonight. Are you with us?”

“Yeah, just a few–”

“Catch ya up later,” Wallace waved his hand, and left the place with Brett.

Sean sighed at the sight of their back and the door slamming shut. He looked back at the album he’s holding, and smiled a bit–at least he’d got what he’s looking for.

“Those kids don’t live in the 20th century.” Sean looked up and saw the half-aged storekeeper approaching him. “You’re something rare–brings me back to the old days.”

“Thanks, Mr. Lopez. They just can’t see it.”

“I see that you’re sharing enthusiasm with your father. He also lived in the the 20th century, but it’s your grandfather who lived in the age of AOR.” Mr. Lopez returned to the counter as Sean led there to pay. “CDs are uncommon these days, and those people are just stupid for passing by on this very generous offer. Collectors could pay a couple of grands for a CD of Prince and I’m selling them here for just ten bucks.”

“My dad now starts collecting vinyls and cassettes,” said Sean, putting the CD on the counter. “He said that it’ll bring him back half a century further.”

“I have some names and numbers that can help your dad,” said the storekeeper. “I’ll e-mail you for that. Well, what do we have here?”

“It’s Ron Lewis’ Discover,” Sean watched as Mr. Lopez put the CD in a plastic bag. A smile grew on his face. “Internet Killed the Movie Star.”

“Quite explains,” said Mr. Lopez, taking the money from Sean and returning the changes. “You really brought me back to the old days, when thousands of new-release CDs were sold fresh in stores. These days you can’t buy CDs or DVDs without pre-ordering them. Well, Lewis wrote it based on an older song by the Buggles, ‘Video Killed the Radio Star.’”

“Cool, do you have one?”

“Stock naught,” the shopkeeper consulted his smartphone, “but I promise I’ll get one by next week. I’ll e-mail you when it’s here.”

“Thanks, Mr. Lopez.”

Sean walked out of the store to the pavements of 11 Central Ave in downtown Arkantos. Welcome back to the 21st century, he thought. The age of innocence.

At the corner of the city square, Sean saw a street prophet preaching to a number of people. Funny to see that some people really don’t have a life. Street prophets began their preach somewhere in 2041, and now in 2049, they’re quite common. They preached the end of the world, and people viewed them as a sign of the end of the world. But the street prophet was nothing of his concern right now–he couldn’t wait to play his CD.

I’ll rip the CD as soon as I got home… wait, oh shit. I’m supposed to be hanging out at Beyond the Bars. But to hell with them, I’ve got my business. He took two pill-shaped plug earphones out of his pocket and plugged them on, before setting the wireless of his palmtop for radio cast receiver. Let’s see what’s on air.