bakerstreet | Heaven is a place on earth

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Heaven is a place on earth

San Junipero is a lively, bustling seaside town. It's both a popular vacation destination and a lovely permanent residence. The days are always long, the weather is often perfect, there's always your favorite song playing on the radio.

During the day, the sun shines and the carefree residents spend their days lounging on the beach, perusing the strip or spending private time in their homes. At night, San Junipero transforms into a party town. Booming bass fills the clubs and echoes out into the streets, the once carefree residents become boisterous and jovial, dancing and drinking long into the night.

And everything set to the backdrop of a beachy paradise.

What San Junipero really is, however, is a simulated reality in which the minds of the dead, or dying, can be uploaded to the TCKR Systems Cloud Server as alternative versions of their younger selves forever; and which the living can visit for up to five hours per week.

While there is no real concept of time in San Junipero (the days on the calendar may change, but residents and visitors do not age.), the program itself rotates through the decades.

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[The uploaded party. Happy to do ages ~9 - mid-thirties.]

1987

He came back to the 80s again. He liked the vibe at Tuckers during the 80s. It was also the decade that Yani visited the most. He waited for her. Always at the same table. Always at the same time. She showed up sometimes but not as often as he liked. Still, that didn't stop him from leaving his beach house (the replica of their summer home in the real world) for a night out.

David ordered a beer from the pretty waitress who usually served him. He invited her back to the beach house a few times in the past. They had an understanding. He had a wife and she had a husband. Loneliness brought them together, but it wasn't enough to sustain them for long. David was okay with that.

He glanced up at the clock hanging on the wall. If she came now they'd have eight hours together. Eight hours wasn't nearly enough, but he's take it if it meant holding Yani in his arms again. David took a sip of his beer and waited.

Yani opted for the retro triangular earrings.

Style had cycled back to the 80s in the present day so she didn’t feel so out of place wearing them again. Besides. San-j thought of most things with updates to expand it all the time but it still had very limited options on things. She dressed more like prince back in the day than she did Jody Watley.

But something told her she could’ve come in nuns habits and David just wouldn’t have cared. He was always so happy to see her. Which made the time between her visits wrack her with guilt. Still though. That problem was hers. Not his. And she would try not to project it on their time together. After all. She had time to live her life. Her very very long life. It wasn’t fair that he was no longer around to live his except in this digital capacity.

She smiled when she saw him.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.” She smiled before casting a quick glance at the pretty waitress behind the bar. “Did you miss me?”

Did he miss her? With every breath he took. Or something like that. David stood to his feet. He drank her in, his eyes sweeping over her from head to toe. She was as beautiful as ever. How long had it been this time? He lost count.

"You know I did," he said with a warm smile. David helped her into the booth.

David couldn't keep his eyes off her. He wanted to ask her about her life. What she'd been up to? Their son. They always got around to that part later. For now he just wanted to look at her.

"Hey, Dave," the waitress said as she came up to their table. "Do you want another?" She looked over at Yani and smiled. "And how about your friend."

David chuckled and glanced over at Yani. "Candice, this is my wife."

"Oh my God! Shut the front door." Candice gave Yani a quick once over. "I've heard so much about you. You're even more beautiful than I imagined."

David put his arm around Yani's shoulder. "You know what you want to drink, babe?"

Edited 2019-04-06 01:06 (UTC)

“Sure I’ll have a sour apple martini.”

“Sounds good.” Candice nodded and headed back behind the bar to fill their drink orders when she returned she’d brought along a small bowl of pretzels just in case David felt like snacking as he sometimes did.

“Thank you Candice.” Yani softened a bit. She didn’t know why she felt that twinge of jealousy. She had no damn business. “She’s nice... and really pretty.” She rolled her eyes without looking up at him because she knew what he was thinking. “I won’t dangle her out of any windows..” yani chuckled and placed her hand on his.

“Is this a new blazer?” She teased. “Very Miami vice.” She said around a laugh to break their tension.

David had a flash of memory of that night in Miss New York's hotel room. He could laugh about it now, but back then...she'd been terrifying and hot.

David looked down at his blazer. "Ha, no. I mean in retrospect no," he said looking around at the 80's atmosphere. He popped his collar for her. "You don't like my Don Johnson?" He winked at her.

David took her hand in his. She felt so warm. Real. It still amazed him how everything felt real. San Junipero was a real testament to how powerful the mind was. That's why he'd chosen it for his final resting place. He just wished it hadn't come so early. David lifted her hand and brought it to his lips. He kissed the back of it, letting his lips linger on her skin. Did she still feel the same way about him after all of these years? Was she here for pity? Is that why she stayed away for so long. These were the questions that ate him up whenever she did visit. He wanted to ask her, but he also didn't want to ruin the time they had together. Five hours a week wasn't very much time and who knew when he'd see her again.

"You're so beautiful," he told her instead. His eyes bore into hers. His words were rife with longing. "I'm glad you could make it tonight, Yani. I really missed you. You have no idea."

“I miss you too Babe.” She took a deep breath and allowed herself a few moments to her thoughts. Should she tell him why her visits became spaced? Would it upset him to know that she didn’t like coming to him while she was in a relationship?

It would hurt him. It hurt her to even think about it. He was sitting here in this digital purgatory while the rest of his family chugged through time. How could she make him understand that? Or worse. How could she take the look in his eyes once she tried to explain it to him.

“I’m feeling claustrophobic. Aren’t you?” She lifted his hand so that she could playfully nibble his knuckle as she always did. “Let’s take a walk, or a ride. Or something. I want to feel the sand between my toes.” She then rubbed his hand against her cheek. “We could play all your favorite new wave jams on your new tape player.” She joked.

They left Tuckers together. David walked them to his car, white Lamborghini Countach . Yani snickered when she saw it parked on the street. "You always said you would get one."

He shrugged his shoulders sheepishly. "It's the 80s," he said by way of explanation. He held the passenger side door open for her. The beach house wasn't far, but he took the scenic route. They drove with the top down and the sounds of classic 80s rock in their ear. David took the corners like an Indie 500 pro. He looked over at Yani and flashed her a smile. Her hair whipped in the wind across her face. He loved her hair. He remembered what it was like to run his hand through her hair. He remembered the feel of it across his chest or curtaining is face in the heat of passion.

David reached over and caught a silky tress between his fingers. Yani caught his hand again and playfully nibbled the fleshy portion. Why couldn't she stay? He thought to himself.

The beach was deserted as usual. Inky, black water lapped against the white sandy beach. When they stepped out the car they were both wearing white. Things like that happened a lot there. David was used to it. His white linen pants billowed against the wind as he reached out his hand to her.

There was a bungalow waiting for them near the shore. Tiki lights added a soft glow to the still night. David grabbed a bottle of champagne and popped the cork. The bubbly liquid fizzled to the top before retreating down the neck once again. It was surprisingly real. So, real that David often forgot...

They settled down on the white cushions together. A soft breeze blee his blonde hair to the side. David gazed out into the ocean and sighed. "Everything is perfect here," he said finally. "A part of me is glad that I...decided to do this. Then there's another part of me that wishes this thing had been a little stonger," he said tapping his hand over his heart. David looked over at Yani and smiled wistfully.

"But enough about that. I want to know about you. Tell me everything." He rubbed the pad of his thumb against her cheek.

Another pang of guilt.

She didn’t want to tell him how he really died. She wondered if he would ever get that much of his consciousness uploaded or if they purposely omitted peoples deaths from their memory banks so that they couldn’t be angry in their afterlives. It was more than just sophisticated AI. They were uploading people into this magnificent thing.

She thought back to that day she had to identify his body. He was cold. And grey, Leaving only the pulsing light in the flesh behind his ear and a notification on her phone that DavidMontgomery547.exe was ready to be uploaded. Followed by a more sincere heartfelt email from the company offering their condolences and heartfelt words of encouragement that physical death was not the end.

She wondered how many people helped plan their own funerals. Thankfully her husband had the foresight to make all the arrangements ahead of time. Because Yani was worthless through that whole process.

“What’s that face?” He asked, already knowing. “Don’t make that face Yani.” She wrapped her arms around him and just allowed her husband to think that it was his heart after all. That was easier for both of them.

“No face. I just love being in your arms so much.” She snuggled against him forgetting her guilt and allowing one fragment of joy with the love of her very long life. “I’ve been okay. Working at the company. It’s holding steady.” She answered honestly. “Your son is in a band.” She smiled from ear to ear.

“Band? Really?” He laughed.

“I know right? I mean I think it’s a band. It’s like they have someone to play drums and guitar while he does like eclectic spoken word.”

“That’s weird.” David laughed.

“He’s still young. Trying to figure himself out. At least he’s not going through that crazy naruto phase anymore.” She chuckled. “His birthday is coming up.” She treaded lightly wondering if he knew Darius was almost old enough to start visiting him as well.

Dari. He pictured his son with bouncing curls wading in ankle deep ocean water. His wild giggles carried across the beach. No. Wait. That wasn't right. Dari was how old now. He didn't know. Time was different here.

David looked over at his wife. "How long has it been?"

Yani gazed out into the ocean as she spoke. "A little over four years."

A low whistle escaped his lips. "Wow. So, that would make Dari... 12?"

He remembered the day he contacted his lawyer. That was after his heart nearly failed him the first time. It came as a shock to everyone. He'd gone over 30 years of his life never knowing he had a heart condition. He'd seen the advertisement for this place several times before his trip to the hospital. It never occurred to him that he would ever need the service so soon.

Yani bit down on her lip and shook her head. "17."

"Jesus, Yani." David stood to his feet. He didn't know what to say. His son was nearly a man and he missed it. Tears sprung to his eyes.

Fake tears.

Artificial tears.

This was all just bullshit.

Yani wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed his shoulder. "I didn't want to upset you." Her voice was low.

David shook his head. The air was thick between them. Ocean waves lapped against the shore. The sound of wind filled the bungalow. David sighed heavily, lifting his shoulders up then down. He turned around to face her again.

"I'm missing everything."

Edited 2019-04-06 21:43 (UTC)

“No no you aren’t missing everything. You are here and we are still a team and it’s just a little harder now but we are going to work together.” She forced him to look into her eyes.

“There was talk of upgrades to the system that would allow you to receive messages. Hear his shitty music see the things you can’t see yet. It’s coming!” She wiped her face and tried to comfort him.

“You are such a bad liar. Only to me.” He kissed her hair adoringly.

“Tech is changing all the time baby. Just hold tight in here. They are making it bigger, better. Not just These eras. More variety. I will pay for every upgrade. And I will come every week.”

“Except when you don’t.”

She was silent.

“I don’t expect you to stop living just because I did. I want you to be happy Yani.”

“I am happiest with you. If I couldn’t come to you this way I would’ve never gotten through your death.” She lifted on her toes to kiss him. “Just kiss me... please.”

He meant it. He didn't want her to stop living. When she wasn't around he continued on with this life. And when she came, they picked up where they had left off. That had to be better than nothing at all.

David gathered her into his arms. He ran his hands up her slender back and pulled her closer to him. He feathered his lips around her jaw line, before pressing his lips against hers. The kiss was gentle at first, but the taste of her threatened to drive him wild. He groaned before trailing his lips down her fragrant throat. He loved the bite of her nails in his back. She still wanted him as much as he wanted her. David kissed her again hungrily as Yani arched against him.

David swept her into his arms and laid them down on the white cushions. She sifted her hands into his hair and deepened their kiss. Her lips were soft and supple. Her skin was smooth under the palm of his hands. Her body was just the way he remembered. David pulled away suddenly to look at her face.

"Let's go home," he panted.

They were silent finally.

But that wasn’t new to them. Sometimes after making love they just laid together in silence. This time he rested his chin against her stomach after planting delicate kisses on it moments before. Yani loved it. They felt like little signatures after a beautiful love letter.

She looked him over lovingly and massaged his hair. “You’re thinking something.” She replied with a smile.

“Technically I’m nothing but 1’s and 0’s so I’m processing.” He smirked.

“Smart ass.” She laughed a little.

“I’m not real. I’m as real as I can be.”

“As real as you want to be.” She corrected. “Do you feel? You certainly have the capacity to be maudlin and self deprecate. That’s exclusive to the human condition.” She stroked his hair. “You are real to me.” She kissed his fingertips. “You are everything to me.”

“Do you think he will come to see me?” He asked before resting his head on her stomach once more.

“I think so. He’s scared you won’t recognize him.”

“Do you think this is too hard for him?”

“Being without you is too hard for him. He needs you as much as I do.”

They smiled at one another. He climbed to sit against the headboard with her beside him.

“So...” She began carefully. “Have you met anyone here. That you’d want to ask me to....”

Edited 2019-04-07 00:13 (UTC)

David shook his head. There wasn't anyone. No one important enough to mention to her. He wished he could say that he'd been celebate the entire time he'd been there. But she would see right through that lie. There were women. Some stayed, others were visitors like her. The first time he made love to someone else, he'd been wracked with guilt through several decades. Yani hadn't visited in over a year.

He had been lonely and she was warm and inviting.

"No," he answered finally.

David glanced over at her. He saw the embarrassment on her face. Yani wasn't the type to feel insecure. She exuded confidence. She was the embodiment of it. He studied her tossled hair and well kissed lips. He hadn't remained celebate and he didn't expect her to put those same restraints on herself. As much as he hated the idea of another man touching her, he couldn't make those demands.

As long as I'm fucking you, no one else is.

His lips twitched at the memory of his harsh words. He never said he wasn't a selfish bastard. David gathered Yani in his arms. He hooked his chin over her shoulder and cupped her breast. Even in the digital world she still had power over him.

"How about when you're here we don't talk about that...stuff? None of it matters anyway. Not to us."

“You’re right.” She smiled as she slipped out of bed and took his hand to lead him out with her. Naked, they walked out onto the sandy beach and headed into the water.

“How much time do we have left?” He asked.

“Not enough.” She frowned as he lifted her into his arms just as the water met their feet.

“I’ll be back as soon as they’ll let me.” She promised him.

“As soon as you can.”

“We could have a picnic.”

“Or we can go hiking.”

“Or we can just stay in all day and I won’t have to share you with San Junipero.” She rested her head on his chest as the water reached her back.

“I don’t care what we do- as long as we are—

She was gone.

She opened her eyes as the attendant took away the Leeds. She wiped a tear from her eyes and sat upright. Every time they talked about prioritizing their time better, And every time it tore them apart unceremoniously.

“Can I get more time next time?” She asked weakly.

“12 hours is the most I can offer but I have to get approval first.” He frowned.

“So like a couple of days is completely out of the question.” She frowned.

“We can’t do a couple of days. The system will overheat. And you can’t sit without moving for that long. You could dehydrate or starve or develop a blood clot.”

“I’ll fucking manage just...” Yani brought her hands to her face and willed herself not to cry. “You can’t offer me heaven then tear me away from him.”

The attendant sat beside her. “Ethically the company doesn’t want to offer more anyway. Not only is it a liability, it’s wrong.”

“How could it be wrong?” She sniffled.

“Because if we could offer more than that, the living would waste their lives chasing their relatives that can’t exist in the capacity that we do.”

“Uh huh..” She rose to her feet.

“Will you be back next week?” The attendant asked.

“I don’t know.. this is hard.” She slumped her shoulders and walked out of the room.

She was gone as quickly as she appeared. When he opened his eyes again, bright sun filtered through the window of his beach home. He touched the side of the bed where she had laid beside him. It was cool. Time passed again without her. Like a butterfly, she filtered in and out of his life. They found each other scattered throughout San Junipero's digital time line. Once in the 90s and a few times in the early 2000s.

Darius came to visit often. He was proud of the man his son had become. They sat in Tuckers and discussed life over beers (his non-alcoholic) or tried to beat each's scores on Mrs. Pacman. He visited him when he graduated from college and his first day at his new job. They talked about him taking over the business. Whenever he thought about unplugging himself, Darius kept him tethered to that world.

I think I found the one, dad! Her name is Delilah!

Is she like your mother?

Yeah, I think so. She's smart and independent. I like her a lot.

Some more years passed. The visits were sporadic, but he still came. This time to announce the birth of his son. David was a grandfather. The ache in his heart was starting to grow.

The 90's

Maybe it was time to let go. He knew why Yani didn't visit as often. It wasn't the relationships. It was the heartache of not being able to stay. Who understood that pain better than him? He was the dead guy. Life moved on for her. He was in a time loop. There was a way that he could end it. He used to believe in an after life. A God. A heaven. A hell. If he was good enough, maybe he'd make it into heaven.

David grabbed the keys to his Lambo. At the edge of the town there was a building. Only a few people ever went there and when they did, they never came out. He looked around his beach house one last time.

"I thought I'd find you here."

David lifted his head. Yani was sitting on top of the passenger side of his car with a smile on her face.

"Yani...?" He walked toward her like a man possessed. "I didn't--"

"Shhhh, I know," she said cupping his face in her hands. She planted soft kisses on his cheeks and lips.

"You've got shitty timing, woman," he grinned.

Yani lifted a brow. "Yeah?"

He nodded his head. "Yeah." The sun brightened her face. She looked even more beautiful in the daylight...wait. Daylight? Did that mean?

She watched as his eyes finally caught on and smiled. "You sure about my timing?" She asked with a teasing glint in her eyes.

David gathered her in his arms. "When did you--"

"Today. I was surrounded by everyone I loved."

"And Darius?"

"He'll be alright. I told him he can visit us any time he wants."

A smile lit David's face and brightened his eyes. He kissed her passionately before pulling away. "I love, Yani, now and forever."

"And I love you. Now and forever."

[Would really love to do 1970s, 80s or 90s.]

[ Here for the 70’s. K thnx. ]

[Straight up 80s]

[Maybe it was a whim or an accident or some kind of late night 'on a time clock' lifetime realization. But he's one of the uploaded ones and he'll be happy to pretend he doesn't know it or know what that means unless confronted. Want to go hover bike racing, get introduced to the best 1960s diner or, some evenings, find him in a dark corner of a hole in the wall 80s bar? He's got the time. He's got forever, or at least as long as the servers last]

[ooc: Let's discuss!]

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Heaven is a place on earth

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