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“Here in Japan, young people have become ever more interested in their computers, video screens and virtual reality than in actual reality and human-to-human contact People have lost the ability to connect with one another Restaurants, bars and hotels cater to singles ish to eat, sleep and experience the world undisturbed by others next to them Isolation within a crowd has beco outside noise and conversation We are a nation of people living separate existences and as a result our ed within a generation or two, our population will fall by half A crash unlike anything seen in modern times”
Considering hoded Tokyo appeared, it was hard to iht be half empty
She led thein, I require you to relinquish your cell phones, iPods, iPads, ca with any other electronic paraphernalia you ht with you”
She slid off the backpack and began collecting the various devices One by one, Kurt, Joe, Paul and Gamay unpacked their electronics and placed them in the pack, which Kurt noticed was lined with some type of metallic foil
When they were finished, the pack was full Seeing the iteether, Kurt had to ad how much electronic junk they traveled with these days
“How did we ever travel without all this stuff?” Joe asked aloud
“We carried quarters and dimes,” Kurt said, “and there hole walls in the airport filled with these things called phone booths”
Joe laughed “You’re showing your age, ao”
“I’m not old,” Kurt said, “I’m a classic”
Akiko pulled the bulky pack over her shoulder and led theht suddenly beca
Kurt was expecting a bland white van or perhaps a large nondescript sedan to shuttle them to the lakeside retreat, but instead they stopped beside a pair of classic Japanese cars from the sixties
The first was a gleaue resemblance to the BMWs of the era It had perfore spoiler and polished chrome accents The second car was a silver 1969 Datsun 240Z It had a long, low hood, sleek lines and side vents that looked like gills All of which contributed to a predatory, shark-like appearance
A low roofline and mirrors placed well forward of the windshield and out on the fendersstill
“Beautiful machines,” Joe said
“I rebuilt them myself,” she replied