Escape from Starbucks
I pull out my Starbucks card and swipe it in the machine
The funds are too low so I recharge it with my debit card
I pick up the electrodes on the counter and attach them to my temples
A holographic barista appears before my eyes
She asks me to speak my order or type it on the keypad
I slowly speak all the syllables of grande cappuccino
Then she asks me where I would like to be
I say Florence, Italy
She repeats my order and awaits my confirmation
I touch yes on the keypad
The barista fades away and a city scene materializes
I am sitting outside at a cafe on a narrow Via
The air is warm and redolent of centuries old oak beams
The street is busy with people watching and people being seen
A young woman in fashionable shoes struggles to walk on the cobblestones
Two school-aged girls walk arm-in-arm, trying hard not to giggle
Two school-aged boys walk behind them, hands-in-pockets, trying hard not to care
Church bells ring out in the distance announcing the arrival of a new hour
A trio of Vespas buzz by and temporarily drown out all conversation
The wind picks up and the man next to me fights to hold on to his newspaper
I take a sip of my virtual cappuccino
It is still too hot to drink
I put the cup back down and breathe in deeply all that there is
Some people think the price of coffee at Starbucks is too high
1:13:16 PM 
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