17.0116 How do you want to live your life?

@25.0304-0903.48 orig. by Atx

<hr>

Dear Marla,

Lorraine asked me tonight. "If you or your Hevea could live your rubber life any way you want, what would it look like?? "

"Oh, that's easy." I replied. "I would be 100% covered in latex 100% of the time. This is the base urge I have had since childhood. I am aware, of course, that this is simply not feasible in the real world." Then I paused to think for a moment. "That is, I don't think it is."

"What do you mean? " She asked.

"Oh, I tried a few times when Frank was off on his business trips. I'd put my suit and hood on to cover myself '100%' of Anaerobia , more or less."

"Anaerobia? What is that?" She asked just as James walked in and sat down.

I smiled. "It is the opposite of Aerobia, which means 'air'.... you know, like aerobic exercises. Lots of breathing. Anaerobia, then, indicates an isolation from air, as in being 100% engulfed in latex."

I could see Jame's brows rise a bit when I said that. I've seen this 'tell' in him before. He's often reacting to some bit of the sheer craziness of my Rubber Enchantment. He never seems to be judgemental about it at all. Mostly, I think his engineer's mind is just momentarily awestruck at the design challenges for, somehow, making it feasible.

James asked. "So, when you are this state of 'Anaerobia', as you call it, do you not breathe?"

I had to think about this for a moment. "Oh, good point. Well, the '100%' is theoretical. In the real world I suppose we would amend the term Anaerobia to include an exception for, oh, let's call it, 'necessary breathing apparatus' with an emphasis on the word 'necessary'. For example, a simple 'Anaerobic' hood might cover the entire head except for two pencil-sized holes at the nostrils."

"What about seeing? I cannot imagine what it would be like to sightless for the extended periods you speak of." Asked Lorraine.

"Could you use a laser to cut tiny, almost invisible holes in the eye areas of the hood to allow, at least some sight?" Asked James.

"They are already doing that." I volunteered. "I have seen numerous ads on the Internet for 'micro-perf' hoods. I remember seeing one that had elaborate lacing in the back and a very clever built-in gag that I would love to try. It was rather expensive. They say the micro-perf holes will let you see just well enough to move about and do simple chores."

"So, how would we see you dressed like this? Take your time to think about it." Asked Lorraine

"I don't need any time to think." I said. "I've had a clear vision of it for most of my life. It's called a 'rubber drone'. I've seen that term in the literature so often I suspect it is probably archetypal to the Rubberist culture. What you would see is an animated, hyper glossy black android with no visible mouth, eyes or facial expressions, does not hear well due to earplugs, who will clean your house or do any other chores automatically and then return to a 'charging station' to re-energize. Use the more wicked side of your brain to imagine what those 'other' chores might be. Think of it as being like one of those automatic carpet sweeper things. You plug it in, tell it what to do and then forget about it. When your paths inevitably cross, you simply ignore each other."

"So, your drone cannot hear, feel, taste or smell the world outside it's suit and even it's ability to see is severely reduced." Observed James. "That reminds me of the old 'flotation tank' thing back in the '70's. The idea was that you floated in a dark, soundless tank of body-temperature water saturated with epson salts to give it bouyancy. When you closed the door and began to float, nearly all of your sensory apparatus no longer registers any stimuli. There is no sound, no vision, no smell or taste nor touch. Even the super bouyancy of your body floating in the water mitigates some of your sense of gravity. With no external stimuli to deal with, your mind turns inward. After you have been floating for an hour or so, you push past all of the mindless, 'monkey chatter' of your mind such as your grocery list, how much you liked the chicken dinner last night, and so on until you begin to settle down into what's really in there. I tried it only once because the flotation tank rentals were expensive. . It was a long time ago. I only remember that it was a profound experience. I'd go back for another float if I could."

"That must have been interesting, James. I've heard of them. Can you still rent them?" Asked Lorraine.

"I think they are a rare breed now. My point is that by withdrawing one sense, you heighten the others. It's like the person who is suddenly blinded. His hearing will become better to compensate. The idea of the tanks is reduce near

ly as much sensory input as possible, forcing the brain to 'go elsewhere'." Replied James.

He continued, "your 'rubber drone' suit mode is probably similar. Your entire sensory apparatus is either shut off or it senses nothing but the sensation of latex against skin. Obviously, there is a little bit of vision and you certainly have to continue to deal with the effects of gravity, but, mostly, the only thing you are outwardly aware of is the latex. Inwardly, the imagination may have 'field day'. I guess I can understand the allure of this. I guess it's the physical challenges of doing this.

"If it can't hear, how does it communicate" asked Lorraine.

I giggled. "It can still read and write.