Kids Can Fly: A Real Mother

into Holo-City is by computer. It would take several weeks of scanning and a complete series of interviews for the database. Even then, you'd be only an image, like your daughter. She wouldn't really see you, the way we see each other. She would react to you as if she could see you, but that's a completely different thing. Do you understand?"

"No," said Christine.

"Its funny that," remarked Travis, "Its like we're the real things, and our shadows are the pictures of us. If we were shadows, we couldn't do anything because we need the real us to move about."

"Well said," smiled Trent, "I couldn't have put it better myself."

"He's not usually as bright as that," said Christine, "Its all those scientific books he's been reading. He's turning into one of your lot!"

"I'll, er, take that as a compliment," said Trent, "Now, before you go, I'd like to show you one more thing."

He tapped more instructions into the keypad and waited. In the Holo-City, a sleek limousine cruised up the street and slowed gracefully to a stop outside Barbara's house. A chauffeur opened the door for a tall, well-dressed young man, who went to the front door and rang the bell. Barbara got up and went to the door. She brushed her dress down, and tidied her hair, then she opened the door and smiled.

Christine and Travis watched, fascinated, as the suitor spoke silent words to their daughter. They saw him take her hand, lean forward, kiss her lightly on the cheek. She responded with more words, and another kiss, then she parted with him for a moment as she picked her jacket up and returned with it. He closed the door and followed her down the path to the car. The car pulled out and glided away.

"Where's he taking her?" asked Christine.

"I don't know," replied Trent, "I gave the computers an open command. We could follow the car and find out, or we could get the determined path on screen."

"What does that mean?" asked Travis.

"I'm sorry. I forgot to tell you about that. What I mean is, we can see what results this intervention will have on Barbara's life. I told it to send Paul Montefort round. It's like a game of chess in a way. There are a certain number of possible moves. Once I have made mine, the computer will work out the next possible and most