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My Buddy Bali: A Tourist in Kisses and Tears

By Leu Seyer

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Synopsis

In 2051, a seven-month-old Corgi named Bali, full of liveliness, ran away from his residence in Toronto, Canada, in a quest for freedom and ventures. He fell into the hands of two young pickpockets who planned to steal small valuables in Toronto and resell them in New York City. In his run-off, Bali constantly faces adversities created by inconsequential human activities, the so-called progress. He clashed with Climate change and the uncoordinated advances in new modes of flying transportation. During his journey, he stumbled into the house of genius scientists. Unbeknownst to him, their experimental capsule teleported him to the closest parallel dimension. During teleportation, an artificial intelligence microchip unintentionally left inside the device merged animal and machine intelligence into one living being. This helped manage his landing in the soap opera the scientist’s son's girlfriend was watching on television. The episode was a rerun of the award-winning South Korean melodrama "Kisses and Tears" from 2042.

Bali's Short-lived Escaped

At first glance, this story may appear like many others you have likely read before. The language, the tone, and the sentence structure may seem repetitive and predictable. Perhaps the little black box of Noam Chomsky1 could have generated original content (others may think). That is to say, this is a possibility, although writers keep repeating the same limited number of words (in the English language) all the time. Moreover, you might be assuming I am about to recount a tale similar to one you have already read. However, one crucial aspect sets this story apart from all the rest of the fantasy or

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1Chomsky, N. (2014). Aspects of the theory of syntax, 50th anniversary edition. MIT Press.

science-fiction stories you have read or will ever read in the future.

The unique element of this story, akin to each living being's distinct pupils and fingers-or-nose prints, is that two of the main characters are based on a factual person and her puppy (these are not fictional). Billy, lovingly known as Bali, was Dr. Tatiana's constant furry companion. There was no moment in Tatiana's life when Bali was not at her side. Whether having a meal, taking a walk in the park, running errands, going to appointments, or even going to sleep, Bali was always there. Woefully, in reality and fantasy, Bali's fate mirrored each other. In his mischievous way, he slipped from Tatiana's loving home and arms to embark on a journey to a faraway dimension. But let us start from the very beginning of this fantastic story instead.

It all started on a peaceful winter morning when the sun slowly ascended above the horizon, casting a warm glow over the sleeping city. The sky was a vast expanse of clear blue without a single cloud in sight, and the breeze carried a subtle chill with it. On his morning walk, a Corgi puppy, about seven months old and full of boundless energy, pranced through the soft grass. His ears perked up at the cheerful chirping of birds nestled in their tree homes nearby.

As he strolled along, his tiny paws crinkled the dry leaves that lay scattered on the path, filling his sensitive nose with the scents of nature. While he could have frolicked and played to his heart’s content, he walked calmly instead, taking in the sunrise’s beauty as its rays kissed his golden facial fur and warmed his small body. His pace was unhurried, filled only with contentment and joy as he reveled in his morning stroll.

Out of the blue and without warning, a small rabbit leaped into the path of the puppy Corgi, causing the confused pup to jerk his head back and forth in surprise. The bunny came to a graceful stop as if waiting for the Corgi's reaction. In an instant, the pup barked frantically and took off after the bunny with determination, fueled by his incredible speed. The chase was on, with the puppy zigzagging and darting around minor obstacles in his pursuit of the elusive bunny. Too much stuff was on the side of the roads, like the speed limit signs, crash barriers, and all kinds of junk drivers throw out. Suddenly, with a swift turn to the right, the cunning Corgi outmaneuvered the bunny, causing him to spin around in confusion and move left into the road.

Undeterred, the energetic puppy continued his pursuit without missing a beat until he suddenly made a sharp left turn toward the bustling highway. The bunny's agility was on full display, leaving all who witnessed it in awe of his abilities. Although, the chaos created was 'I M P R E S S I V E.'

"ScreeeeeeeeeeK… BANG! WhiirrrrrrrrrK… BANG! KablammmmnG!" A sudden sound of screech from a hard brake echoed in the little Corgi's ears. All the little birds sitting on the electric power lines flew away quickly. A 'rolling noise,' more like a drumming of tires on the dry asphalt roads, filled the space in the next 162 feet (49.38 meters) of pavement.

The sound of metals clashing and the smell of burning tires filled the air. In a couple of minutes, about 15 cars crashed going northwest and another 12 going southeast. Autonomous vehicles could stop before hitting the next, but the total number of entirely manual cars still running on the highways couldn't react on time. Besides, the car that flipped over the longitudinal barriers that separated the opposing traffic on this divided highway made a tremendous difference.

That electric car was a semi-autonomous flying car with the ability to deploy a safety parachute in the event of an accident. It turned out that the driver was controlling the vehicle manually. So, when he tried to avoid the rabbit, he took off into the air at the exact moment when another flying-mobile was already passing over him in that airspace. The collision was minor on the right end of the vehicle, except the other conveyance was coming too fast, and the impact projected his car onto the other side of the highway. To avoid being inside his pairs of wheels when it fell on the asphalt, the driver deployed a compressed air-powered parachute for escape maneuvers, and he landed safely off the road.

Nonetheless, his electric sedan was almost immediately hit by an autonomous truck carrying all kinds of toys for dogs. The quantity and variety of doggy toys were huge. A sample of a red, inflatable bouncing ball, made of an impenetrable material inside the main cabin, escaped after the windows broke on the impact with the concrete lane dividers. This ball rolled down the highway, bouncing into every object it encountered. It bounced down the roads, passing over uneven grounds and street intersections, until the last spin reached the front of the corner side deck in the house of the little Corgi puppy's owners, less than seven miles (about 10 kilometers) from the accident.

The car accident was both shocking and stunning, with twisted metal and skid marks covering the pavement. Some other drivers passing by through the air space had even deployed their parachutes to escape because of the chaos and confusion. Now, broken plastic debris lay scattered on the sides of the highway. Thankfully, advanced technology has dramatically improved over time, protecting the drivers more than the vehicles involved. Only a few commuters suffered minor cuts or concussions as their out-of-date airbags deployed or from impact with the foam padding inside the cars from the mere collision with other vehicles. Fortunately, no one was critically injured, a testament to the effectiveness of modern safety measures.

The highway patrolmen, decked in their gleaming electric manual-flying cars, arrived at the scene with remarkable speed. The flashing orange, red, and blue lights of the patrol cars illuminated the sky and were visible even on that sunny sunrise, conveying the gravity of the accident to all who passed by. They acted as a barrier, preventing other aerial vehicles from entering the area. Also, the ambulances in their sun-powered 'Airship Balloons' expedited their way to the accident. News channels buzzed around in their small electric drone cars, capturing every angle of the chaotic scene. Their miniature drones darted through the air, capturing the most minor details of the accident.

The firefighters came on their 'Hum Riders,' raised almost 14 feet (4.27 meters) into the air, moving through the rest of the traffic without delay. They had a bird's-eye view of the wreckage and could swiftly rescue any injured person trapped inside. Amidst all the chaos and commotion, the friendly little canine made his way back through the small state park that led him to the road. After trekking less than three miles (4.83 kilometers), he stumbled upon his own town. This fortunate canine miraculously found an opening underneath the fence meant to keep pedestrians out of the highway—most likely dug by another clever animal.

Bali wasn't completely the one to blame. Recognizing the social transformation since mid-2040 is crucial. There's a saying that claims chaos is a necessary precursor to substantial changes. It is widely believed that individuals only adjust to changes once the new additions become customary in the system. By 2050, the global economy had fully embraced renewable energy and witnessed the widespread adoption of flying electric cars. Yet, car accidents became very common without the corresponding costly infrastructure adjustments.

Despite this accident, life moved forward, and Bali, sooner than later, left to return home. As Bali returned to the city, calm seemed to have returned to planet Earth. He could hear the sirens in the distance and was already far away from the bustle and chaos of the traffic accident. Once again, he rejoined the placid walk he had started before sunrise. About 97 minutes had passed since he left his house for a walk that Saturday morning. Of course, he had to run a little, chasing a frog before he found that small state park and then a little more to get out of it quickly. Despite that, he had already regained his breath, and his peaceful steps were leading him back home—only if he would not get distracted on his way back.

While he was enjoying his walk, other people were working at a small facility near the state park. It was more like an industrial plant where not too many people worked, based on the number of cars parked in the parking lot—or it could be what the passersby might have thought. The sign outside reads, "Locus Enterprise, LLC." The little Corgi dog did not know where he was going but did not get distracted by the warning signs either. There were many red and white, white and black, and yellow and black placards since he entered the parking lot. Even so, letters or colors didn't make any difference to him. His adventurous spirit wanted to discover the mystery in front of him. "What was inside that building?" That was inside his head, and he would not quit until he found out.

The property housed a small-scale industrial facility, resembling a micro or, better said, "nano nuclear plant," with little to minimal nuclear equipment fixed in the back area. The main building had three floors, and the basement had a separate entrance. Another structure was hidden in the back beneath a double reinforced concrete structure at the end of the property, near a small lake in the state park. The curious little Corgi couldn't resist exploring the building despite more warning signs posted in black and yellow and even black and red.

During the plant's inauguration, the company's marketing director advertised this unique space as a crucial part of a complex process. Their undertaking involved transferring/teleporting objects in their state of matters reduced to their sub-nanoparticles to different locations within a defined coordinate and time. Some pamphlets left at the reception still contained this information. The ultimate goal was to "transfer goods from a warehouse directly to buyers' homes, incurring no extra transportation costs." That was the business vision.

"Kwayyyyyyyyyyk… BOOM! Urrrrrrrrrrrth… CRACK! TthuuuuuuuuuuuD… CLANG!" All of a sudden, once the little Corgi finally got into the building and was on his way to the center of the lab, the building collapsed. A sudden blast echoed throughout the facility, causing glass and metal to shatter and rubble to roll across the floor. The ground shook with high-frequency vibrations, making everyone who worked that day panic. The facility's alarm immediately sent out an emergency call for help, summoning rescue teams already dealing with the string of car accidents nearby. Thankfully, only the decorative structures sustained irreparable damage because of its unique construction design. In contrast, the central and basement installations' vital support structures for managing the nano nuclear plant remained intact.

Even though all the second and third floors of the building collapsed on top of the first floor, practically destroying it, it wasn't completely obliterated. The destruction that demolished the office space and the computing center also trapped 15 scientists working on a top-secret project that morning. They all were in the first-floor conference room when the explosion occurred. Among them, there was also a Corgi puppy who also got trapped in the middle of that chaos.

It was terrifying after the enormous 'boom' and the building falling. The pup barked a lot until there was no more breath on him. For the initial seven minutes, the noise inside the building was enough to deafen everyone. Howbeit, as quickly as it began, the loud noise abruptly ceased, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. The tyke dog cautiously poked his head out from behind a fallen wooden pillar, his heart pounding hard in his chest. The room became filled with smoke and debris, and the air grew heavy with a mixed burnt smell from the metal and electrical cables.

Everything happened so fast! Some people got hurt, but the majority got lucky because they sat next to one of the strongest columns that held up the ceiling where they were chatting in the conference room. The little pup's heart kept racing as dust and debris filled the air, making it hard to see or breathe. He quickly scanned the chaotic scene, his instincts kicking in. An uninjured scientist spots the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. They partnered, and both started rescuing others. Without a second thought, both rushed toward the injured, helping them to safety amid the chaos. As they guided a young woman with a bruised arm toward an open space, she noticed a figure lying trapped under a fallen wood beam.

"Help me!" the man cried out, his voice strained with pain and anguish. The scientist didn't hesitate. With a grunt, he heaved against the heavy beam, muscles straining as he pushed with all his might. Others came to help, and inch by inch, the beam shifted until, finally, the man was free. "Thank you," the man gasped, tears of relief in his eyes. The puppy gave him a nod.

Finally, the fifteen of them were out of risk and ready to leave the building. But… "Where is the exit?" one of them asked. A resounding silence filled the space.

"I have an idea," said the canine's friend. "Let's follow the dog's lead."

Everyone agreed, and as soon as they all started moving, the man said to the little Corgi, "Let's go for a walk. 'Let's go!'"

The little puppy seemed to understand the message and wasted no time in sniffing around for the entrance of fresh air into the enclosure. This fresh air was a stark contrast to the heavy, stagnant air inside the room. It carried hints of nature, perhaps from the small state park and adjacent artificial lake nearby. Step by step, the little hound approached the origin of the fresh air. He could have easily escaped independently; even so, his instinct led him to find the best route for his human companions to fit through. As he advanced, the meadow-like scent of wildflowers and dew surrounded him, calming his nerves and giving him the strength to continue his quest.

As they moved closer to the fresh air source, the Corgi's heart pounded faster in his chest. He desperately dashed toward a viable exit to hit a dead end because his new friends could not escape through such a small hole. However, the deafening wails of sirens from fire trucks, police cars, and ambulances only grew louder, filling their ears with an eerie cacophony. The blaring noise ricocheted off the remnants of the demolished building, sending shivers down their spines. Amid the chaos and destruction, flashing red and blue lights relentlessly illuminated the smoke-filled air, casting an ominous glow over the rubble. The chaotic rush of emergency responders only added to the overwhelming sense of danger and devastation surrounding them like a suffocating blanket.

Our little Corgi, with his big ears and sensitive nose, remained calm as he searched for a way out of the disaster. He navigated around corners, and his followers moved some debris in their relentless quest to find an escape route for themselves. Finally, he reached a section at the northwest corner of the building, where only a few pieces of wood blocked their path. Without hesitation, the pup bolted toward the shadows of what seemed like rescuers, and by sheer chance, the firefighters spotted him and rushed to his side. He barked incessantly and clawed his paws on their pants as if pleading for them to follow him—to help him. So, the firefighters followed his lead and found all 15 employees who were working at the plant on that Saturday morning.

The news channels had shifted their focus from the multiple-car crash to the vicinity of the plant explosion. They arrived at the time when the heroic Cardigan Welsh Corgi emerged from the building, seeming to beg for help from the firefighters in rescuing the 15 people trapped under the rubble of the collapsed building. The explosion that caused this destruction was a mystery, and its origin was unknown, but at least there was no evidence of nuclear spills, significant injuries, or missing people.

As smoke billowed out from the wreckage, an eerie silence filled the air, broken only by shouts and sirens of the first responders in the area. The scene was chaotic and frantic, with bystanders rushing to offer aid while emergency responders worked tirelessly to see if there were more people trapped as they didn't know for sure who was there in the first place. This event imprinted a memory on this little pup, the trapped scientists, and maybe the bystanders who witnessed it.

Nearly two hours had passed since this beloved puppy went out for a morning walk. Now, multiple cameras captured his every move and broadcast it to the world. This fantastic puppy bounded through the debris and wreckage with unbridled energy on every step. The commentators praised his bravery and analyzed how he saved the lives of those trapped inside the building's ruins. Miraculously, they escaped thanks to our furry hero's quick thinking and selflessness.

A few minutes after everyone had evacuated the plant's ruins, a second explosion shook the area, completely destroying what remained of the already devastated building. The once sturdy structure now lay in a pile of rubble while the brave pup remained unscathed. It was a moment that would forever live in the news records as an example of our canine friends' true heroism and loyalty.

The adorable Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppy was the star of the Saturday morning news at 9:00 AM; his slight frame illuminated screens nationwide on different news networks. "Breaking news," announced the anchor on Channel Seven, his voice filled with urgency. "A heroic puppy has saved the lives of 15 scientists at the Locus Enterprise nano nuclear plant here in Toronto, Canada."

Live shots from the scene showed the remains of the plant, still smoking and chaotic. As viewers woke up and tuned in to their TVs, they saw the brave canine who had performed this miraculous feat. The viewers were greeted with a heartwarming sight—a fluffy doggy wagging his tail and eagerly greeting the rescue workers.

"Oh, my goodness!" exclaimed one viewer from her living room, recognizing the friendly pet as her own beloved pooch called 'Bali.' "How did he end up there?" she wondered in disbelief and admiration for the little hero. "Babe, come to see this! It's Bali here on the 9:00 a.m. news on Channel Seven," the doggy owner commented to her husband.

"How did he manage to get out?" the husband responded in perplexity and amazement.

The husband's voice was grave as he turned to his wife. "We need to go to pick up Bali. He is our doggy, and we need to bring him home." The husband's voice took on a serious tone as he spoke, his words laced with urgency. "First things first. We need to get ready. Are you ready? Well, if you are ready, let's go."

His wife's face mirrored his concern as she stood up and reached for her wide-brimmed outdoor anti-UV hat.

"When we get back home, I'm calling the construction company to check the fence and fix any holes or imperfections. This can't happen again." His determination was palpable in every word, his hand tightening around the brim of his hat. They wore hats and sunglasses, although it was winter in Toronto, Canada.

As they set off toward their destination, the husband led the way with swift, purposeful strides while his wife followed closely behind, her resolute expression but calm.

Dr. Manuel Hashbun, an anesthesiology doctor at Toronto General Hospital, and his wife, Dr. Tatiana, a lawyer and university professor specializing in commercial law, went to their City Police Station to claim ownership of their Corgi named Bali—the doggy seen on Channel Seven's morning news at 9:00 a.m.

When they arrived at the precinct, it was around 9:45 AM. The receptionist asked them to wait while she tried to locate the dog. After waiting for 39 minutes at the front desk, the receptionist informed them that a detective would be with them shortly. Twenty-seven minutes later, Mr. and Mrs. Hashbun were feeling frustrated and anxious. Finally, Detective Campbell approached the couple and assured them he would 'personally' contact Dr. Manuel once he had the dog at the police station.

Soon after the Hashbun arrived home, Dr. Manuel immediately instructed his computer assistant to contact both his security services agent and the construction company that sold them their house. By coincidence, they both arrived after lunch to address Dr. Manuel's concerns. They quickly searched through the security camera footage, revealing that there was no need for fence repairs; Bali had jumped onto a nearby trash can and then over the fence to land on the grass in front of the house.

"Thank you, gentlemen, for solving the mystery," Dr. Manuel said gratefully to the two men he had summoned. "However, I would still like to have some metal mesh added around the edges of the fence in the back of the house, as I noticed some small holes, and this will prevent Bali from escaping through there," he added with a nod. Later, both gentlemen bid their farewells before leaving the Hashbun's residence.

"Tring tring… Tring tring… Tring tring." The wireless home phone ringing echoed throughout the house's first floor before Tatiana finally answered it. It was Detective Campbell from the police station, notifying them that Bali was waiting for them at the precinct. It was around 3:53 PM. The detective added that they would need to sign some paperwork and register the puppy, as the one they had previously registered did not match Bali's description. He told them to be sure to bring some pieces of evidence of ownership. The detective also mentioned that the mayor wanted to recognize Bali publicly for his heroic actions and that he would contact them again with the date for the ceremony.

Without hesitation, the Hashbun gathered all the necessary documents and made their way to the police station to pick up their furry companion. By the time they gathered all the required documents, drove to the police station, and completed all the paperwork before returning home, it was already 6:02 PM. They celebrated Bali's bravery with exceptional food for him and playtime in the backyard, where he loved spending time with them. Bali loved his present, the indestructible red inflatable bouncing ball, and played tirelessly with it until he was exhausted. He would hit it with his nose, and Dr. Manuel would kick it back to him in whatever way possible.

"When did we buy this red ball for Bali?" Dr. Manuel asked.

"I don't remember ever having seen it before," Tatiana replied.

Without further ado, they continued playing with him for some time, commemorating his heroic day.

As the sun began its slow descent toward the horizon at dusk, its warm rays beat down upon the face of Bali, the Hashbun's tricolor Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppy. He certainly has a peaceful life in the Hashbun's residence. Bali's owners lived in a prosperous suburban neighborhood outside Toronto, Canada's bustling metropolis. Even though it was winter in Canada, climate change brought them warm temperatures. This was the eighth winter in a row without snow in the northern region of America, with only occasional flurries that quickly melted away in a few hours. The last significant snowfall in that part of the world was in November 2042, almost a decade ago. The only resemblance to a traditional winter in these times was the sight of leaves gently falling and being carried by the wind through the streets of Toronto.


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About the author

At 12, Leu Seyer wrote for theater, "In Duarte's Homeland." He also started "The Hominal Mohin—never finished. In 1979, he wrote a 70-page story, "The Bus Back Home." It is a tale of two high school seniors lost in a bus transfer in the Dominican Republic in 1978. In 2024 My Buddy Bali view profile

Published on September 17, 2024

50000 words

Genre:Action & Adventure