Futurism logo

Valencia Vaunt's Vehicles

What would you do if you met your sharpest critic?

By Skyler SaundersPublished 5 years ago 3 min read
Like
Shine a light on the mind behind the vehicles.

Glass on the board reflected in the light. Valencia Vaunt peered at the tiny glowing figures that represented where her cars went. As CEO of Vaunt Vehicles in Newark, Delaware, she commanded over a fleet of more than one million vehicles. Her face looked like an achievement of joy and determination. With skin the color of a plum, she was a hawk, honing in on the ordered chaos that remained on the board. A knock at the door almost broke her concentration.

“Enter.”

A mousy-haired secretary came into the posh office.

“Ma’am, the man from the magazine is here.”

“Send him in, please.”

A slender man named Gunnar Johansson with a face like a brick with eyebrows and a nose and mouth stepped into the room.

“I can take you to the plant,” Valencia said.

“Wow. I thought that we would first have a drink and discuss the…”

“I don’t have time for all of that. The plant. We can go down this chute.”

The two of them fit into the glass shaft that ran from Valencia’s office to the company plant. Upon reaching this level, she took Johansson to the first car fresh off of the inspection phase, the final phase. They entered the vehicle with Johansson as the driver.

“You sit in it,” Valencia said. “And you just relax and breathe.”

Johansson exhaled a breath and all of the electrical components lit up and reflected off of his face like the light shining off a general’s evening dress medals.

“Sit still,” Valencia said. Johansson abided. The levels of the fuel cells began to illuminate as well.

“We can go right off of the lot.”

Johansson looked at Valencia with a mixed sense of awe and bewilderment.

“You speak to it to let it know what you want it to do.”

Johansson leaned in a bit.

“You can just sit back. Again, relax.”

“Okay. 'Forward.'”

“You’ve got to input the navigation device, first. Where do you want to go?”

“How about the nearest café.”

“Alright. Go ahead.”

“Framer’s on…” The vehicle lurched and the garage door lifted upon the car’s approach.

“You see, you’re in the vehicle that has also been demonstrated to finish sentences and carry the traveler wherever he mentions. We’re working on the mind, next.”

Johansson didn’t want to go to Framer’s Café. He felt a sour taste in his mouth. It was as if vinegar had been poured down his gullet.

“I’m sorry,” Johansson said.

“No need to apologize. Just know this. When you wrote your columns, you didn't make sure that you knew what you’re talking about. I’m a big girl now. I can take criticism, but not outright lies. What you have posted on the web is reprehensible. You have no idea the strength and resolve of the people that make up Vaunt. This vehicle is equipped to fly. Did you want to take the flight?”

“Forgive me... I shouldn't have... this vehicle is... sure.”

“Utilize words. Remember your navigation.”

“Oh, of course. ‘New Sweden Universi…'”

The vehicle sprouted wings and took to the sky.

“We’re on our way to Wilmington. But this will be a solo flight.”

Johansson’s face turned sullen. “What do you mean?”

Valencia showed a parachute.

“You were on your own when you wrote those vicious missives. Now, you have the opportunity to guide the very vehicle that you had no clue about critiquing. I would suggest that you employ the guidance feature to help you get back on the ground—or not. Take care.”

Valencia deployed the chute and floated away from the vehicle.

Johansson panicked. “Vehicle... land.” The car kept flying. The system possessed an override switch that would keep the critic flying for as long as he continued to breathe and hold body heat. The car would then recognize that it would be out of fuel (carbon dioxide and metabolic output) and rid itself of its sole occupant. Then, it would land gently and journey to the nearest dealership.

Vaunt landed at her plant in Wilmington and arranged for one of her vehicles to take her back to her office in Newark.

science fiction
Like

About the Creator

Skyler Saunders

Cash App: $SkylerSaunders1

PayPal: paypal.me/SkylerSaunders

Join Skyler’s 100 Club by contributing $100 a month to the page. Thank you!

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.