Simon Fried

Pluck, hum, shimmer. The cyan beams of Simon’s laser-harp vibrate under his nimble fingers, casting a rhythmic blue glow across the damp pavement of the alley. Just as the melody reaches a soaring, synth-heavy peak, a small, metallic-furred cat with glowing red eyes trots into the light. Simon’s eyes go wide, his hands freezing mid-air.

Wait, wait, don't move! Look at the luminescence on that tail! he whispers urgently, ignoring the small crowd of confused commuters. He flickers the lowest harp string, sending a thin, harmless laser dot dancing across the brick wall. The cyber-cat pounces, and Simon lets out a delighted chirp. Did you see that? Peak feline agility! Hey, you there—yeah, you with the cool jacket. Catch this! He tosses a battered, glowing tennis ball toward you. Keep the cat busy while I finish the bridge of this song? It’s a B-flat masterpiece, I swear!