Chapter 14 - Alice Liddell-2 (1/2)
Chapter 14: Chapter 2 Alice Liddell-2
SoYoon was surprised that Mad Hatter had left his house just to show Heart the smartphone. Determined to not be bothered by the two, SoYoon grabbed a fork and knife to cut the mille-feuille.
She cut it cleanly without dropping any crumbs. Strangely, the two remained quiet as she ate a piece of her dessert, and they had only started talking about the smartphone's features after she was about halfway done.
”It's essentially a cellphone,” Heart said after hearing the simplified explanation. Then he sighed for Mad Hatter to hear.
”I can understand why someone like you would think of this masterpiece as 'essentially a cellphone,'” said Mad Hatter. ”It's normal for those less knowledgeable to clash with great innovators. Oh, it also includes an element of jealousy. It is the action of a simple soul who thinks he can gain love by forcing time.”
He continued. ”The important thing is not the item itself but the user. How many people do you think could use all the functions I described? Plus, this drastic change is almost violent. Let's pretend you gave these to your minions right now. How many do you think would actually accept it? They will just think it is a useless thing with no real purpose, just some showy thing trying to uproot their comforts.
”So you do realize that your minions are as naive as their owner. But don't worry. I've made it simple enough so that even you, Heart, could figure out how to use it. If the comforts of today are not efficient, then is it not our duty to find a better way? If you give it a chance, it will stick.”
”It looks like you designed and created this yourself, but you probably aren't planning to have this spread to the Outhouse,” Heart said. ”Then what is the point of having just a few in Wonderland use this specific phone? I don't think there is a reason to invest in such a thing. If a person is content with the way of their life, is there is no reason to force them to break it for such a frivolous reason?”
As the two men fought, the mille-feuille and coffee were gone, and SoYoon pulled out her cellphone out of habit. There were no new tasks at hand.
Should I play the game Mad Hatter downloaded for me? She pressed the buttons to get into the game when she realized it had gotten quiet. She turned to find the two men staring at her.
”There are plenty of reasons.”
SoYoon still had one ear open to their conversation and knew that Mad Hatter's answer was meant to get on Heart's nerves. Mad Hatter took the phone that sat between the two men and pushed it over to SoYoon.
”Use it.”
”You're giving it to me?”
”Of course, why else would I show it to you? It uses a magic capsule so you don't even have to charge it from day to day.”
SoYoon turned on the smartphone and checked the apps. It was no different from the one she had used 13 years ago.
Heart, who was watching her, asked, ”This looks familiar to you?”
”It's…”
”Of course it is. She was the one who came up with the idea.”
Violent, and no need for investment, huh? Mad Hatter smiled.
Eventually, Mad Hatter received the funds to create a smartphone for Heart and left the office. With a scowl, the moment Heart closed the door, he lay on SoYoon's lap. His pouting face was appropriate for a 25-year-old.
”I lost this time.”
Did he? Not really understanding what he'd lost, SoYoon didn't answer. Heart wasn't expecting an answer, but he concentrated all his energy into playing with her hand. SoYoon let Heart borrow her one hand as she played with the smartphone in her other.
Heart asked softly but with a twang of annoyance. ”Do you like that thing that much?”
Do I like it? SoYoon couldn't answer. Smartphones were useful. No, even that wasn't an adequate explanation. For the average 21st-century person on Earth, it was difficult to not feel an attachment to one's smartphone. But after 13 years of not using it, that no longer applied. Right now, a smartphone wasn't a necessity.
SoYoon touched the smooth screen of the phone. Her heart twinged. Who would have thought a new piece of technology could bring such nostalgia?
Heart got up, caressed her face, and stared into her eyes. Different from hers, his eyes had a twinge of red and emanated a wild energy. He pulled her into his arms. Heart's breath swept across her neck.
”You smell nice.”
”It tickles.”
”Isn't it time that you give off a different type of scent than soap?”
”Stop talking. Stop breathing.”
”Telling me to die. So mean.”
Heart laughed quietly. SoYoon pushed him away as the tickling worsened. He let her push him away without a fight, then walked back to his desk.
”You can leave.”
SoYoon got up and said a short goodbye, then left—as was the routine in her life.
***
The next day, SoYoon was examining her things when she realized that she was running out of the patches she wore over her brand. She went to see the Mad Hatter around midday. He must have woken early today because he looked surprisingly alert.
”Sit, please.”
SoYoon sat on the sofa on the first floor. On the table was a teacup. She was about to drink out of it when she realized the cup was empty.
”Did you want to drink?” Mad Hatter asked, shaking a glass bottle that held slushy vodka left in the fridge too long.
When SoYoon shook her head, he didn't ask twice and poured himself a glass. His long white fingers lightly held the antique handle of the cup as he brought it to his lips. His giant leopard print hat and classic ink pen made him look like a member of nobility from the cold north.
As he drank the vodka, SoYoon told him her business. Because she was the only person to use the patch, she had to order first, then have it made.
”How long will it take?”
”How many do you have left? No, never mind. Give me your bag.”
Mad Hatter checked the wide cross bag that SoYoon always carried. His blue eyes reflected green.