LifeintheFuture.doc

Life in the future
I still cannot believe that I am taking up my prize that was won last year. I have to constantly rub my eyes to remind myself that I have traveled to the year AD 3005. Worried about the journey, I was unsettled for the first few days. As a result, I suffered from “time lag”. This is similar to the “jet lag” you get when flying, but instead it means you keep getting flashbacks from your previous time period. So I felt very nervous and uncertain at first. My friend and guide, Wang Ping, was very understanding and gave me some green tablets, which helped a lot. Well-known for their expertise, his parents’ company named “Future Tours” transported me safely into the future in a time capsule.
The six of us were called to the capsule together and climbed in through the round opening. The seats were comfortable and after a calming drink, which made us sleepy. Our eyes closed. The capsule shook as we lay relaxed by our dreams. Sounds came from below our feet as we rose slowly from the ground. Swinging gently. A few minutes later the journey was completed and we had arrived. I was still on the earth but one thousand years in the future. What would I find?
Confused by the new surrounding. I was hit by the lack of fresh air. My head ached. The air seemed thin as though its combination of gases had little oxygen left. Just then Wang Ping appeared and solved the problem. “Put on this mask,” he advised. “It will make you feel much better,” He handed it to me and immediately hurried me through to a small room nearby for me to rest. I felt better in no time. Soon I was back on my feet again and followed him to collect a hovering carriage driven by computer. These hovering carriages float above the ground and by bending and pressing down on the driving stick strongly one can move swiftly. It took me only a few minutes to master the idea and soon I could fly as fast as Wang Ping. I got lost when we reached what looked like a large market because of the people flying by in all directions. There were so many carriages that I lost sight of Wang Ping. He was swept up into the centre of them and my link with him was broken as I was carried up to the top of a high building nearby. Just at that moment I had a “time lag” flashback. I saw the area again as it had been in the year AD 2005. I realized I had been transported into the future but was still in my own hometown. Just then I caught sight of Wang Ping and flew after him.
Arriving home, he showed me into a large bright, clean room, It had a green wall, a brown floor and soft lighting. Then the wall moved—there were trees I found later that their leaves provided the house with much-needed oxygen Wang Ping’s mother appeared, flashed a switch on a computer screen, and a table and chairs rose from under the floor as if by magic. “Why not sit down and rest?” she said, ”My name is Li Mengxi, Wang Ping’s mother. You may find it difficult as this is your first time travel trip. Just relax as there is plenty of oxygen here. Tomorrow you will by ready for some visits organized by the company.” Spreading some food on the table, she produced a bed from the floor. Exhausted, I slid into bed and fell fast asleep.