Trials of Time Edition

Day 2,204, 15:13 • Published in Ireland USA • by Raven Anarcho

In this special issue, I'll be breaking away from global updates to try out a story, which I will add to as time goes on, every few issues. I'm going to call this project the "Trials of Time" series.

TRIALS OF TIME

As I walk up to the door, I feel a sense of anxiousness. Odd, as I already know what to expect. I usually come here once or twice a month. A 1990's themed restaurant, the only one I've ever been to, or even heard of for that matter. So this is the type of place my grandfather used to eat at? Obviously not, but it is fun to pretend though.

The place is empty, as usual. Not many come here anymore. I think it's existence was a desperate attempt to get those of us like myself to actually spend money, since nobody really eats out anymore.



The music is mediocre and shouldn't really be considered "90's" as half of them are from the 70's, 80's and early 2000's. Currently, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana is playing. The whole restaurant has a very strong "grunge" vibe, as if the owners were too lazy to add in any other theme from the 90's. I'm satisfied however. It makes me think of a time I never knew. Sometimes I wish I could go back in time and live in the 90's. Surely, the people then knew just how lucky they were... Of course they didn't. They probably hated their lives like we do today, and think back to the days before them, wishing to go back as I do.

There's one major thing this restaurant is missing in order to be an authentic "90s" restaurant. That is, actual employees. Across the restaurant there's a door that says "supervisor" though they're more of a technician than a supervisor. So who do they manage? Oh that's right, my "waiter", the small touch screen computer terminal that sits on my table. It's very 90's.

It's very rare to find actual employees at a restaurant these days. The only two I know of are in Chicago and the Capital, New York. Instead, I'll order my food on the computer, and await for it to come out to my table via an assembly line style setup that runs through the building. I think long and hard... What will I order today?

One of my options is an old style Hamburger... Of course, unlike in the real "90's", this burger is made from cloned meat, something unheard of back then. I do have a more "healthier" alternative however. This place does have a low calorie menu of course. By low calorie, I mean they extract pretty much all of the vitamins and nutrients from the meat. The diet alternative also has little flavor, something I hear wasn't uncommon in the "90's", so I guess I should be thankful for that authenticity. Yes, I think I'll take the cardboard style burger today.



Despite my sarcasm, I truly am grateful. Afterall, most people are living off of the government packages each month. I receive them too, but they're even worse than this "board burger". Better (edible) food is one of the few things I'm willing to spend my money on. Now that I've placed my bank card in the terminal, the food should be out in a minute or two.

It's been nice chatting, but glancing at the clock, one of the few authentic decorations here, reminded me of an appointment I have in an hour. I'll have to cut our meeting short. I suppose I'll add a touch of salt to this cardboard and head out soon. Till next time...

MY CURRENT MISSION

I figured since I'm releasing foreign affairs related info via the MoFA account, I'd break away for now and experiment some with my paper. Militarily I've been fighting in Central and South America. I'm sure I'll be fighting hard for Canada soon. In the meantime, I'll continue my role as MoFA.

-R.A.

Issue Song:
Tyord - Humility ft. CoMA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfIlm3tTL7U

"Machines were, it may be said, the weapon employed by the capitalists to quell the revolt of specialized labor." - Karl Marx

The Irish Radical issue #58