Anthony opened his fridge and began searching its depths for something to eat. He moved a few beers and pushed aside a small carton of butter. He gave a disgusted grimace as he pushed aside a bowl of potatoes, then in the back he saw them…
…Radishes.
“Shit!” He cursed.
He still craved radishes, of course, which meant the market still favored them, but he knew they were about to fall out of favor. Indeed, as he navigated the UI screens on his neurochip, he saw the price of radishes had increased… Were increasing… Would soon reach the ‘craving threshold’.
He quickly grabbed the radishes and began washing them. He searched the net for recipes and found a delicious looking dish that called for minimal time and ingredients.
-Tick
The price of radishes increased another cent per pound. They were now two cents away from the threshold.
He cut the radishes. He gathered the ingredients. His mouth watered…He knew he craved radishes, but also knew that if the market price increased too much, because of his economic position, his neurochip would completely alter his brain chemistry and he’d no longer enjoy them. Indeed, eating radishes after the market price increased above the threshold of what he could afford would cause him to feel physically ill.
-Tick
Another cent.
The stove was warm and the butter melted quickly in the skillet. He threw the radishes into the pan and began measuring out and dumping the ingredients. A wonderful, hearty smell filled the kitchen.
Anthony paced back and forth. It would take a few minutes. In the meantime he grabbed some aluminum foil and began shaping sheets of it into a hat. Some people believed that a metal headpiece would temporarily block a neurochip’s net connection, but this had never been definitively proven. Nevertheless, if it could buy him a few precious moments, it was worth the attempt.
-Tick
Anthony felt nerves gathering in the pit of his stomach. The radishes could have used a bit longer on the stove, but he didn’t have the time. He dumped them on a plate and dashed to the table.
He grabbed a fork and plunged it into one of the succulent vegetables. He brought it to his lips, blew on it a bit, then quickly stuffed it in his mouth. He felt the heat explode outward, burning his tongue and palate as he crunched into it. He opened his mouth to try and lower the temperature, but this was not very effective.
Finally, after several grueling seconds, he was able to swallow the mouthful.
Delicious.
He cut into another radish and blew on it a bit longer. This time he managed to avoid burning his throat.
He found a pace that allowed him to carefully and quickly consume the meal.
There were just 5 radishes left…
…Then 4…
…Then 3…
-Tick
The threshold had been crossed. Radishes were no longer a rational market purchase. Potatoes would be what people craved.
An invisible signal washed across the Earth and activated most peoples’ neurochips. Despite the aluminum foil on his head, Anthony’s was also affected, and a small chemical change was made in the part of his brain responsible for culinary preferences.
He looked down at the three remaining radishes. He frowned.
His frown grew into a grimace.
He picked up the plate, walked to the trash, and threw away the offending food. The smell still lingered in the kitchen, so he took the garbage out to the bin, then washed the dishes, then sprayed air freshener throughout the house.
Eventually the smell dissipated to the point where his slight, lingering hunger overtook his disgust. He opened the fridge and was excited to see a few potatoes.