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The voice-clock sings, "Tick-tock, seven o'clock, time to get up, time to get up, seven o'clock!" This gives me the feeling that this story is set in a futuristic world. At this point, there have not been enough events for me to develop a feeling.
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Breakfast is served. I am in awe of the technology. In almost no time, the inhabitants have their breakfast.
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The house reminds the inhabitants to leave. No one leaves the house. I am curious as to why. I think they didn't leave willingly, because wouldn't they have switched off the AI before they left?
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The house cleans the plates, and throws away the untouched food. I am shocked how the food goes "to the distant sea". I'm wondering how much garbage there must be in the sea.
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Tiny robot mice clean the house. Again I am in awe of the advanced technology of the age.
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The sun comes out, the author describes the setting of the story. I am astonished to find out the city is in ruins. The world seemed orderly before, but now it seems as if this perfect world isn't really perfect.
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The sprinklers have turned on, hitting on a wall which has been burnt fully, except for five silhouettes. I am frightened by this new development. Before I thought the family living in the house moved away, but now I think they might have died.
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The dog is let in the house. I am worried for the dog-- if his family died who will look after him? I am also curious as to how he survived whatever killed his family.
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The now starving dog dies. I am in despair. I'm wondering why there was no one -- no neighbours or the house itself -- to feed him.
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The robotic mice start cleaning the dog. They put him in the chimney and burn him. I am startled by such insensitivity towards the dog's body.
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Tables with snacks and cards are put out on the patio. My awe for the technology is continued, and I am also more curious than ever.
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The children's hour: Animals are taking shape in the nursery. I feel joyful and inquisitive. I imagine how much fun this would be for the children of the family.
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The house gets everything ready for the evening: the study, the bedrooms, the bathrooms, the meal. The author describes these actions quickly, which increases my ecstasy regarding the technology.
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A poem, 'There Will Come Soft Rains', is played for Mrs. McClellan. I am apprehensive, because the verse of the poem speaks of a war, and how no one would know "that we were gone".
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The house is destroyed. I feel confused. There are voices, but I don't know whose. It is like I am in the midst of the fire, in the midst of the chaos.
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It is the next day. I feel astonished: was the disappearance of the family and the destruction of the house linked? I feel confused: What caused the disappearance and destruction? I feel curious: what kind of world is it, and was it linked to those two events?
