Alva was one of those slightly past-middle-age rich people who lived alone and entertained themselves with every new gadget that came on the market. Her garden gate opened by remote control just by pressing a button on her diamond watch. The front and back doors to the house had locks with number pads. Her television on the wall could turn slightly to the left and right depending on where she was in the house. For example, if she was in the kitchen the television screen could turn slightly to the left. Gadget after gadget…
Alva had a large house which she shared with a lodger called Howard. Howard was a promising plumber. He had an apprenticeship. A practical hands-on job with some mathematics suited Howard down to the ground. Alva let him stay for a song. It was her way of helping someone young get a start in life. Of course, Howard the Plumber was as into gadgetry as Alva – and a handy gadget fixer as well!
“What I dislike most of all about modern things,” said Howard to Alva, “is having to remember all these different passwords and pin numbers.”
“Oh, I just use the same one for everything,” said Alva.
“That’s a good idea,” said Howard.
A week later, Howard had a brand new car, and Alva had no money in her bank account.
Weave a Web 
I’m guessing that there are no chances of Alva buying the latest sentient, programmed-to- satiate-your-every-Epicurean-need water bottle. I have a rich friend who bought it last week. He told me that it moved his Television clockwise (or was it counter-clockwise?) and made it display some abstract impressionism, while he was in the kitchen, cooking up frozen parmesan carrot air that it coded into consciousness. There’s a connection between the rotating images on the TV screen and the dish the water bottle was making him cook, which involves heightening sensual pleasure, but I’m afraid that I didn’t understand because I’m too much of a Luddite.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Luddites are the best!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Which is why I stick to black coffee, cigarettes and paperbacks. Moccachino a’la frappe with strawberry molten lava sprinkles, vapes and e-readers unsettle me!
LikeLike
They now had a joint bank account and lived happily ever after at the click of a button.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re such a Romantic, Matthew!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I suspect the story is more about Howard rather than Alva. It’s a bad start in life for Howard, and as things get trickier, for not everyone is as foolish as Alva, and eventually he will graduate to sinister crimes till he meets his match into a police officer, or a rival maifiaso.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s true – today a plumber, tomorrow an arch-bastard. Although my father was a plumber!!
LikeLike
I don’t trust all those automated things, I’m sure someone or something is watching and waiting somewhere – although maybe I should be more concerned about the Howards of the world!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is undoubtedly a devious nerd lurking behind every gadget.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Skilfully done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Alex.
LikeLiked by 1 person