The Couldbe Machine

Date: 01/23/1999
From: Ann_Fredericks

First I want to applaud the newest installment of the Maybe Machine - yay! I loved Quinn and Wade and am glad to see them back together, if only on Earth 374... One question - (did I miss an Earth 374 episode?) How did quinn and remmy find wade and arturo again? I'd love to read the reunion!
Nextly, due to the late hour of this second run of the Couldbe Machine, and the Machine's general newness, I'm going to turn off the character ep switches (The CbM is not up to comparisons to the MbM as far as that goes yet, especially after that meaningful and sentimental installment) and concentrate on an alternate earth for them to visit.
Here goes...
In this Earth the popularity of the Adopt a Highway program rose steadily, as did the economy. People were left without enough outlets for their cash and were encouraged to spend it in ways that would help the declining environment. Eventually whole stretches of roads were sold in the hopes that their new owners would then employ the poor in the service of the environment and the people, ownership would bring responsibility and the private sector seemed more likely to be concerned by the state of the roads anyway, since they were the ones using them. The roads began to take on unusual appearances, each getting its own character from whoever owned it. Some where owned by individuals or families, others by corporations, still others by whole communities. The owners had some restrictions - no arbitrary tolls, no unnecessary blockades, no impeding of the general traffic on said road. The cities began to look cleaner, then to break into sectors, then each became more different as the owners' personalities/advertisements took over. Eventually each street had its own nationality/culture and traveling from an office on one side to a home on the other openned one up to a vast variety of... stuff.
If anybody wants to know more or write a story in this setting, let me know. It is now 2:14am and I'm going to bed.
-Ann

Not bad

Date: 01/23/1999
From: QBall79

Interesting idea for a setting. So what would the Sliders' conflict be on this earth? It sounds like a good episode idea.

Q-Ball79

I like it!

Date: 01/23/1999
From: Chaser9

So the Could-Be Machine has made it's debut. Nice world, it could make for a very interesting story. Also, glad you enjoyed the latest installment from the MAYBE machine. As far as you missing an installment, if you did, here are the addresses for the posts:

Episode 1 "You Can Go Home Again"
www.scifi.com/bboard/browse.cgi/1/5/545/3966

Episode 2 "Ramifications"
www.scifi.com/bboard/browse.cgi/1/5/545/3984

Episode 3 "Turn Left At the Fork In The Road"
www.scifi.com/bboard/browse.cgi/1/5/545/4004

Episode 4 "Patterns"
www.scifi.com/bboard/browse.cgi/1/5/545/4089

--Chaser9

Cool idea!

Date: 01/23/1999
From: SlidingThrough

Sounds like a world I'd love to visit. Although I imagine with
so many different ways of life existing side by side there's the
potential for a lot of conflict. But then, that's perfect for
Sliders...resolving conflict is definitely their thing (after
they've caused quite a bit, that is!).

ST

Original URL http://bboard.scifi.com/bboard/browse.cgi/1/5/545/4097
Nominated by Blinker