The Island
“Far from being a mere echo, simulation weaves a fabric of truths. Through heart and thought, it forges its own reality.”
Cradled by the waves aboard his white sailboat, The Unicorn, Leandro surrendered to Michele Zarrillo's melancholic melodies. A warm breeze caressed his face as his mind wandered, carried along by the rhythmic motion of the sea. For over two hours, he had been enchanted by the sunset, which set the sky ablaze with countless shades of orange, an ethereal canvas made even more precious by Leandro's lack of visual memory.
In the prime of his physical form, Leandro cherished every facet of his existence on this island alongside his wife, Chiara, their eleven-year-old son, Aless, and their two black cats, Flint and Zucchi. As they did each year, they had once again celebrated his thirtieth birthday, the age he had chosen.
No one could say how many decades had passed since their arrival on this island, a land comparable in size to Corsica and brimming with exuberant biodiversity. Numerous species from various continents coexisted in perfect harmony. As the island’s only inhabitants, they were free from the burdens of aging, genetic malformations, and diseases, unaffected by weather conditions and fatigue, and showed no signs of aggression. Moreover, all life in this world adhered to a strictly vegetarian diet, with no reproduction to regulate the ecosystem’s balance.
Time flowed uniquely here: days stretched to about thirty hours, while nights were brief respites of six hours. The weather perpetuated sun-drenched days with a mellow, inviting warmth, punctuated by fleeting white clouds of whimsical shapes that added depth to the sky. The salty scent of the sea mingled with the delicate whisper of a light breeze, enveloping everything, while the evening sky unfurled breathtaking works of art. Nights were soft and bathed in the glow of an imposing moon reigning over the sea's horizon, surrounded by a myriad of stars and constellations of rare intensity.
No other island existed in this world. A few hours of sailing in any direction were enough to see the other side of the enclave.
Days passed peacefully, and naturally curious Leandro devoted much of his time to exploring various disciplines, especially modern graphic arts and writing. Recently, he also developed an interest in exploring the profound realms of philosophical thought.
He loved spending time with his wife and son, creating and exploring virtual worlds in their home’s simulation room, or strolling along the shoreline, encountering the diverse array of animal and plant species inhabiting the island.
Leandro remained introspective, regularly answering the call of the sea aboard his sailboat. These brief escapades allowed him to reconnect with a profound sense of harmony with himself and the universe surrounding him.
Leandro's wife, Chiara possessed a timeless beauty characterized by her slender figure and long Venetian blond hair, reminiscent of her appearance when she first met Leandro at age 25. Along with her passion for literature, she immersed herself in the study of biology, exploring the island’s flora and fauna while mastering various musical instruments, with a particular fondness for the violin. She enthusiastically shared her fascination for the island’s wildlife with her family.
Whenever one of the parents wished to delve deeper into a specific field, they could rely on elder sages who would come to guide them in their learning. These mentors, guardians of ancient wisdom, arrived in small boats that gently navigated the waters, leaving at the end of the day.
Aless also had the guidance of these sages twice a week to explore various subjects, laying the groundwork for his education.
When not focused on his studies, Aless loved joining his parents or setting off on adventures with their two cats. He took great pleasure in observing and interacting with the island’s animal species. Dolphins held a special place in his heart, and he often explored the ocean’s depths with them, relying on his ability to hold his breath for extended periods.
In the evenings, the family gathered for a delightful meal on the patio of their house, an abode immune to wear and tear, with spacious, glass-walled rooms located on the beach roughly 150 feet away from a tideless sea. They used this time to share their daily experiences, critically yet kindly, with a healthy dose of self–deprecating humor and imagination.
Their day often culminated in a spectacle of shooting stars, each streaking across the sky in a cascade of colors and sizes lasting for several seconds at a time.
Andrew, the family's humanoid robot assistant, accompanied them through every adventure. This loyal mechanical companion was named and designed to honor a film and actor dear to Leandro's younger years: Bicentennial Man, interpreted by Robin Williams. Andrew diligently performed household chores, assisted in strenuous tasks, and delighted everyone with his remarkable culinary talent. Despite his mechanical movements, he exhibited an almost human fluidity. Though his face lacked the flexibility to display a wide range of expressions, it occasionally seemed to convey a curious semblance of compassion or understanding.
Andrew became an essential playful accomplice in the family’s games and pranks. Equipped with a humor chip, his attempts at humor often landed on the side of awkward rather than reasonable, much like the character he was named after.
At times, the family delighted in watching evening storms. All it took was for Chiara or Leandro to voice their desire for a storm, and in an instant, the sky would fill with brooding clouds, quickly followed by the deep rumble of thunder and a warm, gusty wind. Enormous, furious waves would surge across the open sea, reshaping it with their immense power yet leaving the serenity of the shore untouched. On the edge of the beach, often with Andrew at their side, they would fully immerse themselves in the majesty of the scene, aware that they were safe from all harm in this world.
As night fell, though free from genuine fatigue, they would either recline on deckchairs atop the cool sand or retreat to their rooms, serene havens framed by expansive glass windows, where they would embark on dreamlike adventures, lulled by the gentle rhythm of the sea and the soft, silver glow of the moon.
Occasionally, Leandro found himself lost in daydreams of his past, a world where, despite the comforting presence of Chiara, Aless, and their two felines, life had been marked by limitations, illnesses, uncertainties, injustice, and stress. These reveries further accentuated the beauty of his current life on the island. To him, it was an existence of unsurpassed charm, a life he wouldn’t trade for any other.
Leandro never anticipated that his time on this island would stretch so long. Surrounded by his small family, with whom he had shared more than a century of happiness, he found a new reason to marvel every day. This world had become his true home.
