Luke J. Matthews

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Perfect Butterflies Pt 2: The Red Man

The following article is an excerpt from The National Report newspaper:

Intercity: The Mega city of the future

By Jasper Cornelius

The idea of a mega city has been in the Zeitgeist for centuries. Now, in the year of our lord 2099, this concept is a reality with the unveiling of the International City or Intercity. The Intercity will house the citizens of Gregor Vermaak’s simulation while the earth heals. The city’s design is simple to make it easy to navigate from day one. To accommodate all cultures the seven continents (Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe and Australia) will be neighborhoods with specific countries being the streets and suburban areas. Special accommodation will be made for Russia. Time will tell if the various cultures will be able to live together in harmony within the Intercity.

The following is an excerpt from the TRO (Third Rock Odyssey) press release about the Eighty-five Percent Initiative:

“A microchip will be installed in the subject’s brain. This is necessary because the human brain is not designed to stay asleep for extended periods of time. We thus have to trick the brain in thinking it is awake while the imagination plays in the simulation. The chip will keep the subject asleep, store information and memories while the subject is in the simulation and will convert abstract images formed by the brain into tangible data in the simulation.”

– from the desk of Nikki Sloan, CEO of NeuroBridge.

***

Wake up… I open my eyes and see my alarm clock going off. Someone is trying to contact me. I press the red face of the clock and sit up, rubbing my eyes as I do so. In the simulation we all get an Alexa type personal assistant who has full access to your brain. Mine is just a robotic voice I call Cherry, because of her red appearance. Cherry gives me a rundown of my day. I have a session with Doctor Samuel Le Fleur and then coffee with my new friend, Tim.

Cherry cautions me to stay away from the Arctic Zone because of all the storms. I had no desire to go there today, so Cherry can relax.

I go through my usual routine as Cherry talks. This is unnecessary of course I can just manifest myself into new, fresh, clothes, but routine keeps me grounded and human.

My sessions with Doctor Le Fleur are uneventful because my dreams of the brunette wild woman have completely stopped. Doctor Le Fleur believed that my mind was becoming fatigued within the simulation. He also thought that I am too secluded; I needed companionship. That is where Tim Eustace Matthee comes in. He used to be a neurosurgeon in the real world, and I met him on a fantasy quest in Skyrim. We were in the same raiding party.

His real face is a mystery to me as he always appears as his favorite anime character, The Red Man from Attack of the Faeries. I also loved that anime, but the Red Man always scared me, but Tim is nice enough to calm my childhood fears.

I meet him at my favorite coffeehouse, the Starbucks in Parkhurst. We meet once a week (again what we perceive as a week) for coffee to discuss life, love and everything else. If I am honest, I’ve always had a stoic, solitary existence , even in the real world. Ever since my wife, Thalia, disappeared I’ve kept my friendship circle small, isolating myself from her friends and family.

According to my therapist this is unhealthy in Intercity. Here I have access to the world. Places I’ve never even thought of visiting before. With Tim I’ve already explored Europe, North America and Australia. We visited Scotland and recreated the battle scene from Braveheart. We went to Niue Zeeland and saw where they shot Lord of the Rings. Tim has really brought adventure to my life.

As I sit, waiting for my friend, I sip my plain black Americano, and feel content. Wake up… I sit up and look around, did someone just talk to me? Wake up… I grab the waitress by the arm as she passes me. She looks down at my hand with a mix of concern and outrage on her face. “Can I help you, sir?” she asks. “Did you hear that?” I ask. The waitress shakes her head, “if there isn’t anything else…”

I let go of her arm. Red lightning streaks across the sky and I feel a sudden chill. Not fear, but actual cold is running up my spine. “Charmer boy,” Tim appears at my table in the chair in front of me. He startles me. Tim holds up his hand apologetically.

“You should be used to it by now, Cornelius,” The Red Man says.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you walk,” I take a sip of my coffee to calm my nerves.

“In the real world I walked everywhere and was constantly tired. Now in Intercity I can relax and manifest everywhere.”

“I’m so happy for you.” I smile thinking of my new friend teleporting everywhere much like his anime counterpart. “How’s your day going?” I ask.

Tim takes too long to answer, and I make eye contact. He is not smiling anymore. The Red Man then takes out a pistol and aims it at my head. Confused, I lift my hands protectively.

“Wake up, Cornelius!”

BANG!

I wake up in my bed and sit up quickly. My smartwatch beeps uncontrollably, my heartrate must be racing. I feel my head and there’s no bullet hole. I must have been dreaming. Tim then appears at the foot of my bed.

“What the hell did you do?” I scream.

The Red Man takes out his pistol. “I am trying to wake you up, Cornelius,” he says and BANG!

I wake up running through the streets of Johannesburg. No one notices me. I am panicked. The Red Man appears again in front of me. I thought my dreams were over. I run past Tim and hear his voice telling me to wake up. He appears in front of me again. I try to run from him but everywhere I look and go he is there.

I run into an ally and try to catch my breath. I stop, remembering that air does not exist in the simulation. My reflection appears in the window in front of me. The program is struggling to render. Something is wrong with my face. It contorts unnaturally. My skin turns red, I’m turning into Tim the Red Man. I turn to run but he breaks through the window and grabs my neck. Tim starts choking me.

“Wake up!” Tim screams.

I pass out.

I wake up in a cold, bare, white room lying on top of a thin mattress. There are tubes everywhere; in my arm for feeding and in my nose for breathing. I pull it out and scream from the pain. There’s a chill in the air. This is not the waiting room I’m used to. There’s a small window in the wall, but no door. Slowly I rise from my mattress. I call for help but receive only silence. My voice is almost gone. I try to stand, but instantly fall flat on the floor. My legs don’t work. A three-note chime comes through the speakers.

“Please relax, JC6016,” the voice is female and sounds eerily familiar.

I clear my throat, “where am I?”

“You are prisoner JC6016. The six zero is designated for political prisoners. You are a guest of the Stasis prison in Antarctica,” the voice says. My eyes burn and I start to cry. Real tears. Am I in the real world?

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Perfect Butterflies Pt 1: The Impossible Dream

Simulation

The action of pretending; deception: ‘clever simulation that’s good enough to trick you’

The production of a computer model of something, especially for the purpose of study: ‘the method was tested by computer simulation’

The new normal: ‘I want to believe in Gregor Vermaak’s simulation’

In 2099 the United Nations (UN) and the world’s richest man, Gregor Vermaak, created a think tank named Third Rock Odyssey (TRO); the purpose of which was to solve earth’s climate change problem. The TRO’s master plan was the Eighty-Five Percent Initiative; a simulation for 85% of the world’s population. It was the last story I covered before entering the Intercity (International City).

The basic idea of The Initiative was that 85% of the world’s population agrees to enter a simulation designed by multi-billionaire genius Vermaak. The theory was that with most of the humans basically asleep and their minds preoccupied within a realistic simulation the earth might have a chance to repair itself.

Climate change would, theoretically, reverse within one hundred years. Prisoners and those awaiting trial would be put in a special, separate simulation called Stasis. This would prevent criminal elements from invading the minds of decent people. The remaining 15% of the population would be left behind for cultural and other reasons. Reasons such as age, health and religion. Some people felt that forcing us to live in a simulation would be against their civil rights.

In hindsight the proposal seems strange. Although in 2099 the earth was in dire need of a holiday from the homosapien.

Today marks fifty years within the Intercity, the name that was given for the simulation. I, award winning journalist Jasper Cornelius, sit in what my mind perceives as a park within the city. It’s impressive what Vermaak and his imagineers have created.

My hand rubs the grass, and each blade feels real. The birds singing in the trees and the cool wind blowing through the leaves. After fifty years it truly boggles the mind. In the distance I see someone riding a dragon from a popular television series. A centaur takes a casual stroll and greets me friendly; I oblige him.

There are many strange creatures in the Intercity. Like the families of fairies and dwarves living in the bushes; or the goblins and trolls living in the caves. I too had a choice to redesign my body before entering the simulation, but I opted for my default, human form. Boring old Jasper.

You could stay awake for ever, but sleep is strongly advised. The mind needs to rest and reboot or otherwise you would get glitches. Like the one I’m seeing now. A perfect butterfly glitch from one side of the park to the other. This shouldn’t happen. I haven’t been sleeping well lately. The same dream has been plaguing me for weeks (or for what feels like weeks). A beautiful, wild, woman with long brown hair rides me like a horse. Her face contorting in ecstasy.

The collection of ones and zeros that is my smartwatch blinks red, reminding me of my therapist appointment. I press the red face of the alarm and the park disappears around me.

I am then instantly transferred to the study of Doctor Samuel Le Fleur, therapist. Today he chose to appear in the skin of Sandra Stargazer, an elven warrior queen.

“I hope you don’t mind; I have a quest after our session,” Sandra says apologetically. I don’t answer. My eyes just follow the contours of her seductive body, and the elf understands. My therapist snaps her fingers and her revealing outfit spawns into a more modest ensemble.

“When last did you have intercourse,” Sandra asks.

“I’m still having the same dream,” I ignore her question.

“The brunette?”

“Yes.”

“Why?” Samuel’s real, male voice bleeds through. Another glitch.

“I think something’s happening to my body in the real world,” I say. “The dreams, the glitches, it’s the only explaination…”

“Enough.” Sandra rubs her eyes. I must be her most difficult patient. “The simulation is flawless. Your body is protected in storage. It’s clear that your dreams are just memories of you wife. How long has she been missing?” The question hits met right in between my eyes.

“I don’t know…” I say. My eyes are burning.

“We can sit and do the math. Including the fifty years we’ve lived in Intercity and the ten she was missing in the real world that is sixty years.” Sandra looks at me trying to look sympathetic, but it’s difficult with her long elven face. I nod.

My wife, Thalia, was a brunette. She was a journalist too and often worked in the most dangerous war zones. Anything for the scoop. Thalia felt it was her duty to report on the plight of the normal people. In 2089 she went missing somewhere in the DRC.

The elven warrior brings me out of my trance by theorizing that I still miss my wife. It is possible, but why would butterflies glitch around me? Because I’m heartbroken?

“Your emotional state before you entered Intercity is unchanged and it’s affecting your experience. You’re welcome to join met on a quest, to get your mind off of your troubles,” Sandra smiles.

“No thank you. Maybe next time,” I say.

Sandra puts down Samuel’s notepad. “Suit yourself. That’s the end of our session.” She stands and the wall behind her disappears. “Remember, the simulation is flawless. Learn to enjoy it. Your body is safe in storage.”

Sandra leaves with, “if you see a glitch then report it.” Just like that I’m alone in a blank waiting room. This is where the simulation spits you out when you haven’t decided where to go. I imagine the Starbucks in Parkhurst where I spent most of my days writing. The coffee shop appears, and the familiar sounds, smells and sights bombard me.

I sit down and manifest an iced mocha latté on the table in front of me. I take my first sip and I know it’s not real, but I don’t mind. My mind is fooled into enjoying the taste. I follow Sandra’s advice and report the glitches I’ve noticed. This makes me relax.

I sit back and watch the people walk by; most looking normal of course while others seem like they would be more at home in a cartoon or storybook. One pedestrian, however, catches my eye.

It’s the brunette wild woman from my dreams and she’s walking across the street to the British themed restaurant. I waste no time and saunter across the street, my eyes fixed on my dream woman. Learn to enjoy it.

She’s sitting alone, her face away from me. I approach the long, brown, flowing locks and tap the brunette on the shoulder. She turns to face me and it’s not her. Suddenly Parkhurst, and the other patrons are gone and I’m standing naked in the middle of the vast white waiting room. I try to imagine my apartment, but for some reason I can’t remember what it looks like. For fifty years I’ve lived in that apartment with little to no changes and now I can’t imagine it.

I look around and pick a direction to start walking in. Am I going forward? Am I staying in one place? There’s no way of knowing.

My smartwatch starts beeping indicating that my heartrate is dangerously elevated. One must be relaxed in the Intercity. I try to remember my apartment but…

CLICK.

Jasper Cornelius, welcome to your seventh day in the simulation. The words run across the face of the ones and zeros that is my digital clock. Gregor Vermaak and his imagineers really outdid themselves with the design of the Intercity. I immediately smell the full farmhouse breakfast my neighbours are making.

Everything feels real. I am enjoying myself. Let me explain what’s going on.

My author journey.

Good day to the two of you who still read my blog.

Who am I kidding?

No one reads my blog.

So… Basically I’m just talking to myself.

Oh well…

To whom ever is reading this post. I’ve recently deleted all the posts about with the New Elizabeth story. The reason is simple; the grammar and general story sucks!

Before the mass culling of my opus I read the individual posts/chapters as the first part of a novel. I printed out the posts and bound them into a manuscript. Eager for my genius to jump off the page. Alas… All I was met with was bad grammar, plot holes and a rushed story.

In case you didn’t know, English is not my mother tongue. I’m a born Afrikaans speaker. For my international readers, Afrikaans sort of, kind of, sounds like angry Dutch. With a mix of French and Arabic and a dash of old school Khoisan words sprinkled in for good measure.

This is not an excuse, dear friend. I just need you to understand why my posts sucked. Or why they sucked to me at least.

I am a reader. I love reading. I struggled academically in high school and primary school and what helped me graduate was reading.

My love for literature is why I’m pursuing a career as an author. I want to tell stories through one of my favorite mediums; books.

I was aghast when I read my first attempt at writing. It was sloppy and for that I apologize. I aim to learn and grow as a writer which is why I deleted the entire New Elizabeth Saga. I’m going to start from scratch and will upload new, reworked stories in due time.

Hopefully there’ll be people to read it.

Thank you to everyone who read and liked the story.

All two of ya’ll.

Bless all of you,

Luke J. Matthews (Attempted Author)

A letter to my future children

This is a letter to my future children. My girlfriend isn’t pregnant, this letter is for the children I will have one day in the future. I recently became unemployed and one of the ways I’m keeping my sanity, while looking for a job, is to focus on the future. what better way to do this than to write a letter to my imaginary children.

In the event of my premature death please show this to Luke Junior and/or Rachel Colette. I want them to know that I loved them even when they didn’t exist. I loved them when they were mere thoughts of a Godly promise.

To Luke Hubbard Bernard Matthews II and Rachel Colette Le Fleur Matthews,

I love both of you, and I will remember that fact especially when you succumb to whatever is trendy in the future.

You have the ability to hold the entire world in the palm of your hands. People will love you and celebrate you and everything you do. You can be rich, famous and powerful but these things are fleeting. They are worth nothing if you don’t have love and humility in your hearts. Like the house that is built on sand, so will your house fall into the ocean if you don’t build on strong rock.

Riches mean nothing unless you use them to improve society. Share your wealth and it will double.

Make friends and not enemies. A king or queen can get more done with a smile and a good word than a scowl and a sword. Never underestimate the virtue of patience, but don’t allow grass to grow under your feet. Opportunity is everywhere, within reach for you to grab it; and if you miss an opportunity create your own.

My children, respect is earned. Whether you’re speaking to the CEO or the car guard, speak in the same tone. Treat all people with respect and love, as you would want to be treated. They will love you for it. When you become the CEO of a company don’t lose yourself. You’re great-grandmothers always told me, ‘stay as sweet as you are,’ keep it in mind.

Rachel Colette Le Fleur you are a queen and don’t let anyone tell you different. You are the descendent of a long line of strong independent women on you mother and father’s side. You have the strength to move mountains. You were born with the light inside you, don’t allow anyone to kill it. Respect yourself or no one else will.

Luke Hubbard Bernard II don’t believe the hype. One good woman is worth more than one billion easy, good time girls. When I die you will become the man of the house, act accordingly. A man doesn’t take advantage of people. A man doesn’t raise his hands to anyone. A man acts with reason and will not lose himself to emotion. At the same time don’t be afraid of your emotions. Never hide your feelings. When you’re sad, cry. When you’re happy, laugh. When you’re angry, punch a bag or workout. It isn’t healthy to suppress your emotions.

Balance is the key to a healthy life. Never let anyone outside your circle know what you’re thinking or how you’re feeling. They might use it against you.

When you both find spouses of your own never let a chance go by without telling them how much you love them. Your beautiful mother suffered and suffers still under an endless storm of kisses and hugs.

They say that when you become a parent you must get used to your heart walking around outside your body. It is for this reason that I will never stop looking out for you. When you were born I attacked you with kisses and hugs. When you fell from your bike I kissed you better. I will always hug and kiss you because you are my pride and joy.

I will always love your mother for blessing me with you. When I first saw you in her arms I had no choice but to thank God for you. I thanked my God and every other god that was and ever will be for you, because you are the greatest gift I have ever received.

It is an honor to be your father and nothing you do or say will change that or cause me to stop loving you.

Anything I left out I will tell Luke Hubbard Bernard and Rachel Colette Le Fleur in person.

The Story of Thembalihle – Pt.2

This is the part 2 of my Thembalihle photo journal series. There will be no part 3. All the photos were taken by me, Luke Matthews.

Photo: Luke Matthews

The Story of Thembalihle – Pt.1

In 2014 I had the opportunity to visit the informal settlement of Thembalihle as part of the Wits Journalism Honors Class. We were there shooting a video for the annual Ruth First lecture.

In Thembalihle I shot so many photos that I decided to post them on my blog as a gallery. This is the first part, part two will follow. All photos were taken by me, Luke Matthews.

None of the photos have caption, I want the photos to speak for themselves.

Photo: Luke Matthews

Christ the King Childrens Christmas Party

Christmas is really the most wonderful time of the year. It’s the time for giving and receiving. A time where goodwill towards your brothers and sisters is encouraged. Blessings are shared.

On Saturday, December 12, 2015 the Sunday school of Christ the King Coronationville threw a Christmas party for all the disadvantaged children in the area, further sharing the blessings from the past year.

Normally I write in words, but this time I would like to share the story through pictures. Here are some of the pictures I took to document the event. All the photos were taken by me, Luke Matthews.

Photo: Luke Matthews

Volunteers from the Christ the King Anglican church Sunday school handing out parcels. Photo: Luke Matthews

Photo: Luke Matthews

One of the children waiting for his present. Photo: Luke Matthews

Children waiting in line for food and presents. Photo: Luke Matthews

This boy was sandwiched in between two other boys while standing in the line for presents and food. Photo: Luke Matthews

Photo: Luke Matthews

These seem very happy with their gifts. Photo: Luke Matthews

While this one seems not so happy, shame. Photo: Luke Matthews

The anticipation is building! Photo: Luke Matthews

Photo: Luke Matthews

Children praying for the food they’re about to receive. Photo: Luke Matthews

Some of them even peeked. Photo: Luke Matthews

This baby doesn’t know what to make of this scene. Photo: Luke Matthews

Photo: Luke Matthews

The children were separated according to ages. Photo: Luke Matthews

Photo: Luke Matthews

Pinocchio is the prequel to Toy Story

It’s hard to find a person today that doesn’t have fond memories of the Toy Story and Pinocchio films. Even today when I watch them I’m transported back to my childhood playing with Batman, Superman and Power Rangers action figures. The films stay with you, especially Pinocchio with its horrifying visuals of young boys turning into donkeys.

What if these two films are connected. What if Pinocchio is the prequel to the Toy Story films?

Pinocchio tells the story of a toy maker named Geppetto who makes a doll out of a magic log from his fireplace. The doll, named Pinocchio, then goes on an adventure with his cricket conscience Jiminy Cricket. Pinnochio’s adventures end with him being swallowed by a giant whale, where he finds his father Geppetto.

Pinocchio’s goal throughout the film is to become a real boy. He goes on this adventure to find the Blue Fairy, so she can help him in his goal. It’s clear she is the one who cast the spell that gave life to Pinocchio in the first place.

In the beginning of Toy Story it’s established that Andy’s toys know that they are not supposed to be seen “alive” by humans. They freeze whenever a human is around. I can’t speak for ya’ll but I always wondered why that is. Why were they so afraid of being discovered. Even Buzz Lightyear, a toy who doesn’t believe he is a toy, freezes in front of humans.

I argue that the reason why the toys never reveal themselves to humans is because of what happened to Pinocchio. The same spell that gave Pinocchio life, gave all toys life. I theorise the story of Pinocchio has been passed down from toy to toy as a cautionary tale (like our fairy tales) of the dangers of humans.

Look at what happens to Pinocchio the moment he makes friends with humans. He goes to a mysterious island made only for boy, has fun and misbehaves.

Pinocchio_realizing_his_mistake — A scene from the Pinocchio film. Pinocchio realizing his mistake in trusting a human.

The moment he lets his guard down he turns into a donkey along with his so-called friends. Pinocchio, as a donkey, is then sold into slavery and when he is of no longer useful he’s thrown into the ocean to drown.

Like our fairy tales Woody and friends are told the same story to warn them of the dangers of human/toy co-habitation.

So in conclusion, Toy Story and Pinocchio take place in the same universe. A universe where the Blue Fairy gave life to all toys. Pinocchio was the first toy to reveal himself to humans. He trusts them and gets nothing but heartache in return (the only human he can trust is Geppetto). The story of Pinocchio is told to all toys as a cautionary tale to not reveal their abilities to humans because that will only bring trouble.

This is why all toys, even Buzz, freeze whenever humans are around.

I hope you enjoyed this little theory. Please comment and like if you found this interesting. And please don’t be selfish, share it if you like it.

SLICE OF LIFE: ‘I don’t like your christians’

Right off the bat I want it to be known that I’m a Christian. I grew up in the church, at first not by choice. My dad’s a priest and this gave me access to various churches and all kinds of Christians.

I’ve seen big churches, small churches, rich churches and poor churches. I’ve even been in churches that served as nuclear plants in the past. You name it, I’ve worshipped in it.

With these different churches came different people – people who worship differently to me. But some things stay the same. The teachings of Jesus Christ are always relevant. These are the basics of our faith, but we somehow forget them in our daily dealings with one another.

That’s why I made a list of the four fundamentals we Christians have forgotten. This is not an attack on Christ or Christians. I am not a perfect Christian, I am just an observer.Slice Luke

Number one: “To err is human, to forgive divine.” This is something we all forget. In traditional churches we have a segment in the service called “the peace”, when members of the congregation turn to each other, and forgive.

We greet each other as Jesus greeted his disciples after he was crucified. He greeted them in peace, because he wanted to show that he forgave them for deserting him. We hold grudges way too easily nowadays. We are too quick to say: “I will forgive, but I will not forget.” Bra, to forgive means to forget. We must forgive in order to see the splendour of God’s kingdom around us.

Number two: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” In short, don’t mess with me and I won’t mess with you. We are too competitive, too confrontational with one another. We hurt each other.

We’re like crabs in a bucket, pulling each other down when we see someone rising above us. Haters are everywhere. They’re in your work place, in your class, on your social media. Let them be. I’ve seen too many upstanding members of the Christian community (even priests) messing with each other just for the sake of it.

Number three: “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s”. What this means is that God wants you, not your money. In George, my hometown, there’s a church whose congregation would give their last two cents to the church solely because the pastor convinced them that God wants them to give all they have to the church.

Now don’t get me wrong, the church needs resources to function properly, but there are people running churches like businesses. Money rules everything and the danger is we forget to listen to the voice of God. He wants you. The church wants your money, there’s a difference.

Number four: “Judge not, lest ye be judged.” Try this: walk straight, but look everywhere but in front of you. See how difficult it is to focus on moving forward if you keep looking at what others are doing?

This is what happens when you judge other people. If Jezebel wants to “twerk for real niggas”, let the woman twerk. You don’t have to do it. Live your life. Keep at your hustle. It’s hard enough out here, so focus on your life.

Well not all of us are perfect. “Let he who has no sin cast the first stone.”

In conclusion, the purpose of this list was not to convert people to Christianity. It’s not a warning for sinners to repent and it’s not a call for all of us to hold hands and sing: “We are the world”.
This is just my observation. And I hope it will make people think.