Alex sat on the edge of his bed, trying to wrap his head around everything that had just happened. He felt a surge of anxiety mixed with excitement; he had fused with his aPhone to avoid disintegration, but that wasn't the most pressing issue at the moment. The realization that he had a chance to rewrite his destiny overwhelmed him.
"Okay, okay. Focus, Alex," he muttered, glancing at his reflection in the mirror. The suit he had picked out for the day fit him well, a stark contrast to the chaotic thoughts swirling in his mind. He was no longer just an ordinary finance guy stuck in a dead-end job. He had knowledge from ten years in the future—a chance to seize control over his life.
"Hey, Alien!" he shouted, feeling a little silly talking to a pair of headphones.
"What's the first thing I should do with my future knowledge?"
"Are you asking me for advice?" the alien's voice chimed in, dripping with sarcasm.
"Because I'm pretty sure that's a colossal waste of time. You're still just a blip in the universe, remember?"
"Yeah, thanks for the reminder," Alex replied, rolling his eyes.
"But maybe I can change that blip into something a bit more significant?"
"Sure, buddy. Go ahead and do that. While you're at it, why don't you get a latte and save the world? You really think knowing the future makes you special? It doesn't. You'll still find a way to screw it up."
Alex ignored the alien's mocking tone, focusing instead on the potential swirling in his mind.
"Let's start with something simple. Pull up the latest financial trends for the stock market."
"Good idea. Maybe if you know how to invest your pathetic savings, you might actually get somewhere," the alien replied.
"Shut up, will you?" Alex snapped.
"I'm trying to be productive here." He could feel the irritation building in him, but he knew he had to stay focused. If he was going to change his future, he needed a plan.
As he browsed through the information appearing before him, Alex's curiosity piqued. "How do you know so much about Earth? And how are you even speaking my language?"
"Are you seriously questioning my knowledge?" the alien retorted, annoyance lacing its voice.
"I've been observing your planet for eons! You humans are fascinating creatures, and I've picked up a thing or two along the way. Not to mention, I can adapt to your language with a snap of my—uh, whatever I have now."
"Wait, so you've been watching us this whole time?" Alex asked, a mix of intrigue and apprehension filling his thoughts.
"That's a little creepy, don't you think?"
"Creepy? Not at all. I'm not watching you, moron. I'm watching the magnificent organisms on your planet—the dinosaurs, the colossal woolly mammoths, the graceful blue whales, and, finally, the ants! You humans are nothing but extras in this grand cosmic play," the alien retorted, a hint of amusement in its tone.
"Alright, fine!" Alex said, shaking his head.
"Let's get back to business." He clicked through the information, absorbing the possibilities. This was his chance, and he was going to make it count.
"Just remember to check the date today," the alien reminded him. "You might want to do something about that interview you already bailed on."
The thought hit Alex like a bucket of cold water. Today was indeed the day he had turned down his final interview—a decision that had felt liberating but now felt terrifying. Would he really go back to that mundane life, stuck in middle management?
"No way," he said firmly, shaking his head.
"I'm not going to waste this chance. I'll create something new."
"What, like a better excuse for why you're a failure?" the alien snickered.
"Then I'll just have to create a different future!" Alex countered. He felt the energy surging within him, fueled by determination and a sense of purpose he hadn't felt in years.
Just then, his old brick phone vibrated on the bedside table, cutting through his thoughts. He picked it up, surprised to see a familiar name flashing on the screen. It was his old boss, following up on his interview schedule.
"What the hell?" he muttered.
"I thought I declined that!"
"Looks like someone's eager to check in on your pathetic career," the alien chimed in.
Alex hesitated but ultimately answered the call. "Hey, this is Alex. Sorry, I—I won't be able to make it today."
"Alex! We were just about to finalize the interview schedule. Are you sure about this? You've worked hard to get here," his boss said, concern lacing his voice.
"Yeah, I just... I've decided to take a different path," Alex replied, the weight of his decision suddenly heavy.
"A different path? You've always had potential, Alex. Are you really going to throw it all away?"
"Look, I appreciate the concern, but I need to do this for myself," Alex insisted, feeling the tension in the air.
"Alright, but know this—there may not be another chance like this," his boss warned.
"Thanks for the heads up," Alex said before ending the call. He stared at the phone in disbelief, the words echoing in his mind.
"Wow, what a supportive boss," the alien chimed in.
"How does it feel to have that kind of encouragement?"
"Shut up," Alex said, his jaw tightening. He wasn't going to let his boss's words derail him. He had a plan, and he was going to follow through.
"Now, what are you going to do? Keep wallowing in your self-pity or step up and make something happen?" the alien urged.
Alex took a deep breath, feeling a spark of resolve. "I'm going to prove them all wrong," he declared. "Starting now."
With renewed determination, Alex focused on his investment plan, pushing aside the doubts and negativity. This was his moment, and he was going to seize it.
As he prepared to make his first investment, he felt a rush of excitement—an unfamiliar yet welcome feeling. He was no longer the same Alex who had sat in his apartment for years, waiting for something to change.
He was ready to take control of his destiny, and he would show the world what he was capable of.
He once again checked the Zarafi window floating like a digital hologram in front of him. His eyes widened as he read the numbers. The next big lottery grand prize was $514,000,000—and he knew the winning combination exactly.
Alex's heart raced. This was it! This was his ticket to change everything.
He grabbed his suit jacket, straightened it, and bolted out the door. His footsteps echoed through the hallway as he dashed down the stairs, heading toward the nearest lottery station. As he ran, a faint buzzing sensation filled his mind. A notification popped up inside his head—his aPhone was charging.
No, more accurately, he was charging.
"Damn," he whispered under his breath, half-amused. This whole being fused with his aPhone thing was still going to take some getting used to.