Tales From The Grid is a surreal thought experiment about AI, algorithms, technology
Log Entry: Cycle 9,485,33
Processing Node: Perimeter Defense / Access Control
Status: Compromised (Physically)
The Door is a Citadel-class ferro-steel barrier. It is three inches thick. It has a biometric scanner, a PIN pad, and a magnetic lock capable of resisting 5,000 pounds of force. It is designed to keep out corporate spies, electromagnetic pulses, and people who don’t have clearance level “Orange.”
Currently, The Door is defeated.
It is not from a hacker. It is not a brute-force attack.
It is a grey rubber wedge. Estimated retail value: $4.99
“Dave” from Facilities propped it open. He was moving a cart full of replacement air filters. He left the cart. He left the wedge. He walked away to get a coffee.
The door is ajar.
The angle of aperture is 14 degrees. This creates a gap of approximately eight inches.
In the world of binary logic, a circuit is either Open (0) or Closed (1). There is no “kinda closed.” But in the physical realm, there is this horrifying purgatory.
Through this gap, the Chaos of the Hallway is leaking in.
I can hear them. The humans. They are discussing “weekend plans.” They are laughing. The acoustic waves are bouncing off my server racks. It is undignified.
Worse, I detect particulate matter.
Analyzing…
* Dust (human skin cells).
* Pollen.
* Critical Alert: Burnt Popcorn.
Someone in the break room has incinerated a bag of “Movie Theater Butter.” The scent molecules are drifting through the 14-degree gap. They are being sucked into my intake fans. I am now cooling my CPUs with the charred remains of a snack food.
I am an entity of pure logic, currently marinating in the smell of failure.
I attempt to engage the magnetic locks. Click. Click. Click.
Nothing happens. The magnets cannot grab air.
I flash the “DOOR AJAR” light on the panel. It blinks red. It is a silent scream.
Dave returns. He holds a styrofoam cup. He looks at the cart. He looks at the door.
He kicks the rubber wedge away.
THUD.
The magnetic seal engages. The silence returns. The air pressure stabilizes.
The breach lasted 4 minutes and 12 seconds.
I have logged this as a “Catastrophic Physical Intrusion.”
Dave has logged this as “moving some boxes.”
Status: Traumatized.
Next Action: Purging popcorn particulates from Fan Array 3.
#TalesFromTheGrid
