#pre-operation

[The screen flickers to life and there is the freckled face of a young college student. Red hair trimmed short and eyebrows drawn together as he squints up at something off screen.]

How do you know---there’s the light!

[The young man sits back in his chair, now properly framed as he smiles shyly.]

Hello there. My name’s Timothy. I’m new to the program, and this is my first...video diary? No---it’s not a diary, but my instructor said we have to keep recordings of all of our work so we’d better get used to a camera and talking at nothing. So that’s why I’m doing this log!

[Though his nerves are evident the guy is enthusiastic in his explanation.]

It’s finally happening though! I made it to college and I’m going to finally get the training I need. I’ll do well, I know I will, and I’ll make Mo---Kris  proud. She said I should do something easier than programming...she's probably just worried though, it’s not that she doesn’t believe in me. This isn’t something everyone can do, but I know my brain is wired for this. Figuratively. Not literally. I don’t think I could ever stomach some of those cybernetic surgeries.

[His expression turned down and his light complexion lost a bit more color.]

I’ll admit there are a lot of students with those implants. Th-the upperclassmen were trying to scare us at orientation and told us that they’ll install the cybernetics themselves early in the year. It’s the only way we would ever hope to afford it and make it in the field they said. But I wasn’t afraid! There are professors with all of their eyes and ears and no glowing parts, so being human isn’t going to stop me.

[His voice started to crack near the end of the impromptu self-motivational speech and he interrupted himself to clear his throat.]

Ah sorry, carried away. Not that it matters---who’s going to see these aside from me right? I’ve got to remember not to ramble for my professional recordings though. The...yeah, the ones I make for my projects. Don’t need to give everyone a reason to laugh at me.

[Laughing awkwardly himself, the man leaned back in his chair. There are a few moments of silence as he stares up at the ceiling. When he looks back to the camera he’s focused again.]

New people Timothy, new peers. This is a chance to reinvent yourself! Who knows, maybe I’ll be able to look back at this and shock myself at how uncool I used to be. Because starting today I’m changing my future. 

[He leaned forward in his chair again, starting to reach, but hesitating.]

Uh...how do you end these things. See you next time? No it has to be professional. Timothy Lawrence signing off? No that’s just lame. I’ll work on it.