Facebook recently changed its business name to Meta.
As Zuckerberg tells us, ‘meeting in a virtual, metaverse type environment can be intrinsically more collaborative and productive.’
What might this mean for Christmas in the not too distant future?
‘I want a perfect Christmas,’ Zelda said. ‘I want snow falling outside in bucket loads, I want a house decorated with pine boughs, and cascades of mistletoe.’
Instantly there it was, the soft hush of falling snow, the zesty scent of pine, a mellow winter night wrapped in the promise of good things to come.
‘How about a fireplace with burning logs?’ Jack said. ‘And a soft fur rug. And why not try some mulled wine and chocolate truffles to get in the mood?’
A table appeared laden with seasonal delights – the warmed wine, plum pudding, star shaped shortbread biscuits, glazed almonds. Jack clicked on the VR of each product. ‘Done,’ he said. ‘Be there in … let’s see. Twenty minutes.’
‘OK. Now we need some music. I want the King’s College Boys’ Choir singing The Messiah, just softly in the background.’
‘Great. Anything else?’
‘I want you, Jack.’
‘Well, here I am.’ Jack’s image appeared, standing in front of the fire. He wore that silly Christmas jumper she had knitted for him. The one with the fair isle pattern of leaping reindeers.
‘Where are you?’ he said.
‘Here.’ Tonight she wore a sparkling sheath that glittered in the firelight.
‘Wow,’ he said. ‘Come here.’
They kissed and felt shivers of delight in the simulated closeness.
When the wine and truffles arrived they wished each other Merry Christmas and ate and drank to celebrate.
‘What’s on for tomorrow?’ Jack asked. ‘Are you taking the day off?’
‘Yes. It’s hot here. I’ll go to the beach.’
‘Lucky you. I’ll be working. If I don’t get this next part of the project in on time I’m a dead man with this company.’
‘Poor Jack. I suppose it’s raining in Seattle.’
‘Yeah. Dismal weather as usual.’
Jack stroked her hair. They were sitting on a soft couch with their arms around each other. The fire crackled and the atmosphere responded, becoming warm closer to the blaze and cold further away.
‘So what do you really want for Christmas?’ he said.
‘I want you, Jack. Not just a virtual you.’
‘Well, it might be a few months before we can meet up. But at least we have this Experiential Reality playground. All the same, I miss you Zelda, and wish you were really here.’
She sighed. ‘What shall we do for New Year’s Eve?’
‘Hmm. Something different. I thought Dubai might be nice.’
‘We have enough tokens?’
‘We can stretch to it. But let’s shut this VR down now. It’s costing a lot.’
‘OK. I’m tired, anyway. Merry Christmas, Jack. I love you.’
‘Love you too, babe.’
The room darkened. Christmas was over for another year.