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01 Seven o'clock: Wake up
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. -
02 Seven nine, breakfast time!
Breakfast is served. I am in awe of the technology. In almost no time, the inhabitants have their breakfast. -
03 Eight one, time to leave!
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? -
04 Eight thirty, clean the plates!
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. -
05 Nine-fifteen, time to clean
Tiny robot mice clean the house. Again I am in awe of the advanced technology of the age. -
06 Ten o'clock
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. -
07 Ten-fifteen
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. -
08 Twelve noon
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. -
09 One-thirty
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. -
10 Two o'clock to Two-fifteen
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. -
11 Two thirty-five
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. -
12 Four-thirty
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. -
13 Five o'clock to Nine o'clock
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. -
14 Nine-five
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". -
15 Ten o'clock: The house starts to die.
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. -
16 The next day, August 5th
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?
