What does the future hold?

???: Didn’t expect to see you outside in this weather. Isn’t it a bit cold to be outside? I think it is going to rain.


Tomato: Oh. Good morning, Misere.


Misere: What have you got there?


Tomato: Oh...it's nothing. Just a silly little letter.


Misere: Oh? Someone finally confessed their undying love?


Tomato: Oh no no. Not like that. … hm.




Tomato: … Do you think there will be a day that we’ll have some other technology to replace nephtic? That people can live their lives without it?



Tomato: You don’t think so, do you.
Misere: Who knows what the future may hold? :> I’d like to think anything is possible.


Misere: No matter what happens, you know you have friends and others who will be by your side for whatever you need. Isn’t that more important?


Tomato: But of course! …. Thank you.
I guess I should go back inside and try to get some work done. I suppose it is getting a bit chilly.


Misere: It is probably best, before you catch a cold. Lamina will keep you company.


Misere: Go on in now.

--
Dear Mr.Von Na... Paul,



Thank you for your reply!


This letter took a long time to reach me - I was almost afraid I wouldn't be hearing back from you!
Of course you can call me Tomato! Most people here prefer to call me by that name...


???: ..... stupid name...

...with the exception of a few


You see I grew up in this place call the Greene House, which is an orphange for children with … disabilities. Sister Prema who is like a mother to me, gave me my name: Padmarascha. It means lotus blossom in her native tongue, the hope that I would grow up healthy and beautiful.



However the children I care for at the Greene House simply cannot say it properly. In the end one of them just started to call me Tomato since he said I have hair like the tomato he just ate. The name has caught on since then. I was just glad that the children liked me enough to give me such an endearing nickname. I miss them terribly sometimes when I am in school, they are like my siblings and they surround me with warmth and love that I think makes up for everything else that happens.



Alas, I digress.
Your friends are so very kind to be helping you out in writing these letters. Or... you did mentioned your age like you are a more senior member... are you very important in your.. group? I have met people who have others writing down everything they say, they tend to be people who have everyone else at their disposal.



This electronic mail sounds fascinating! I cannot say I grasp the whole idea entirely. I have used a typewriter before, it seems like this is some very advanced typewriter that you can use to send messages quickly. How very convenient! Since it is just a piece of equipment I am imagining anyone who can afford to own this equipment would be able to use it? It is not going to refuse to send your messages or throw a tantrum because it would like a nap instead?



This gives me hope! Perhaps in the future even invalids like us can still be a functional person who is able to contribute to the world without relying on others.
Oh. I am so sorry, I seem to have been rambling a bit. I suppose I should stop here.


With my best regard,
Tomato