Pass-through

“Did you hear?”

“Hear what?’

“We’re getting the first pass-through.”

“What’s that mean? I’ve heard people on TV talking about it but . . .”

“Pass-throughs. What scientists just invented.”

“Yes, but what do they do?”

“We can go anywhere! Well, at least to where it goes,”

“I don’t understand.”

“It’s this fancy, brand new science thing. Like a road. Or maybe more like a hallway. We can go into it here. They said the first one will go downtown. So no more traffic jams. No more buses. I can just walk to work. So can you.”

“Sound’s really weird. Are you sure about this?”

“Oh yes. It’s all over TV. Look out your window, you’ll even see the news trucks.”

“Can you?  . . I guess you’re right.”

“I can’t wait”

“But why us? This is just an ordinary building. Why not someplace fancy.”

“The owner. His twin brother is one of the guys in charge.”

“Oh. Well, when does it start?”

“There’re some people downstairs setting it up now.”

“Downstairs?”

“In the lobby."

"We still have to use the elevator?”

“Of course. Oh, that was a joke. Well, as of Monday, that’s the only commute you’ll have.”

Tuesday morn"ing, in the elevator . . .

“Hi! You’re early. But, I’m glad I ran into you. How did you like the pass-through yesterday . . “

“It was fine, no trouble at all. But last night seemed kind of noisy. Maybe people celebrating.”

“Maybe, Well here we are. . . . What on earth?”

“What are all those big green things. And the little purple ones? Whatever? . . . They look sort of like people. Walking. They look as if they’re talking to each other. Just . . . strolling along and  . . and . . .chattering . . “