Episode 3: A Higher Integer Order

...In the twenty third century school many subjects were taught, but they were mere shadows of their former prestige. When Frank was a school boy he had been briefed on many admirable subjects, whose sole worth was in their title; such as "Algebra", "Calculus" or "English Literature", what a ring they had! But that was the end of their worth for Frank. He had fumbled through "Algebra", for example, without really understanding it, or even trying to. But at least he had the satisfaction of saying he had done it! The school world was divided into two groups; those who studied so intensely they forgot why they did so and knowledge became something of an elusive god; and those who could care less, didn't really "know", and otherwise became the majority of society. Frank fell into the last category.

...But Frank's friend Art did not. At least in Franks opinion, and he ranked Art in the "Higher Integer Order" while putting himself in the "Lower Integer Order". You may be wandering what integers and algebra have to do with Franks thought processing, but these two terms are quite possibly the only things he remembers from his algebra class. When the teacher had held up her enlarged palm pilot pointer towards the projected chalk board and announced "Today we shall look at higher and lower integers", Frank thought she had said intelligence orders. And even he was corrected on the point by a friendly classmate. he could not stop thinking of it in that way.

...Now this is not to say that Frank felt inferior to Art. In fact he secretly was proud of his own uncommon good sense, relaxed lifestyle and easy personality. Someone like Art could be tiresome, dangerous and not all the way there at times. It is at such a moment we find them now.

..."I say Frank, come have a look at this blog", cried Art from his comfortable work chair. Frank wandered if it would be worth getting out of his comfortable work chair to have a look, but Arts repeated demands caused him to get up with a sigh. Pushing a wisp of unruly brown bang out of his eyes he leaned over Art to read the blogs title, "Blogeology". Frank looked at Art who looked back at him. "Well", Frank said shrugging his shoulders. "Don't you see the date on the last post!" Art exclaimed. Frank looked down again and read the bold date at the top of the page, it read, "2008". It was odd, even Franks dense perception could gather that.

..."I thought Blogeology didn't become a branch of service until 2180" he said with a puzzled frown. "Odd! I say its more than odd!" Art exclaimed, spluttering with excitement. "Don't you see Frank, this is a fabulous find. Someone in the twenty-first century had the idea of blogeology before it was ever invented!" Franks impetuous friend said with more spluttering. " Well, I'm glad you find interest in it Art. But it looks like a normal blog to me, we are always finding this sort of thing you know" Frank answered while edging back to his seat.

...Art just sat there, stairing at the screen. Frank shook his head, here was another fine example of the downsides to being a higher integer. "Frank" Art said softly. "Uh huh" Frank answered absent mindedly, while returning to his editing of the 2008 election campaign. "I'm going to read this blog, it looks interesting" Art said. Frank snapped back into reality with a rude jolt. "What, read the blog!" he cried aghast. (For those who do not know, TSB's used a computer program which highlighted the areas to be deleted or "fixed". The program did most of the "reading" and TSB's were under solemn oath not to read the blogs if at all possable)

...Frank stared at his friend in disbelief, "You could lose your job or worse!"Art turned around to face him and wore a strange expression on his face. "I know, but I can't help it. There is so much I want to know, and no one will give me the answers. I feel its in there somewhere, just waiting for me." Frank cleared his throat, Art was in one of those moods. " Please don't tell the agency, okay Frank?" Art pleaded. Frank felt stuck, he could tell the agency, but then he would lose his only friend.

..."Alright Art, I won't tell this time but its not happening again" he said. Art smiled, and Frank went back to his work. If Frank had not been wearing his ipod delux, the size of a flea, and turned up high, he would have heard Art mutter "We will see".