21 Centurian #71,547,028
Earth by way of the Milky Way
By way of the Solar System
-10,000 years
ENTER
31st Centurian #28
Earth by way of the Milky Way
By way of the Solar System,
Dear 31st Centurian #28:
You make perfect sense, I received your letter on April 19th, 2026, and yes: “people watching.”
I think the best way to start this letter is with my own personal anecdote. Coffee shops are decent, but I feel most at ease when I’m wandering through a forest with half my mind flying among its canopies. The other day I had been hiking for about an hour when my path was suddenly interrupted by a serene little stream. There was a rocky path I could have crossed over, but I opted to rest my legs; so I sat on one of the larger rocks and dipped the tips of my fingers into the running water. I could feel the rush of water moving against me——imagine how many years of momentum built up to that moment. Running water continues to be the only consistent remedy to running thoughts (in my experience). I wonder if you could find that same stream, or if it even exists where/when you are. It sounds like your soul requires a similar quiet-solitude to mine.
I enjoy reading too——but I can’t imagine making my way through an entire book while waiting in line! How do you absorb everything so rapidly? Is it still enjoyable? Sometimes my favorite part of reading isn’t the story, but the permission a book gives me to find a solitary spot to reacquaint myself with my mind. Sorry if that sounds odd——I’m taking this psychology class at college and we’re reading about William James this week so everything feels very metatheatrical right now. Maybe that’s why I sat at that stream for so long; my subconscious was trying to connect my studies to something real/tangible——stream of consciousness and all that. Is this boring? I’m sorry if this is boring. I think the distance makes this feel more like a diary and less like a letter en route to a real person. To you.
Honestly, you’d think with all the training I’ve been through I’d be better at this, or they would have given me some correspondence outline, but nope! This is the one task they’ve volleyed into my court, and despite all the training my mind remains perplexed at our ability to communicate at all. It’s comforting to know we are “in the same boat” as far as that goes. I guess we’re a couple of government guinea pigs who’ll have to figure this out as we go.
How is all this for you? You said you felt naive, but you do not sound so to me. And as far as “being relegated to the past goes” don’t sweat it; I wouldn’t want it any other way. I prefer my century——thank you very much! But I too am eager to learn more about the future (thanks for sending that pamphlet by the way. Kinda weird, but good to know). I think we can be a great source of information to each other and to our people.
And to answer your final question I receive my mail through UPS (United Parcel Service). They received from TDDPS then UPS dropped your letter in my mailbox. It’s neat that you get mail directly from TDDPS——It’s nice to know there’s one less middle man in the future at least!
Sincerely,
Your fellow earthling,
21st Centurian #71,547,028 (AKA Spencer)
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