NOVEL WEB 0018 – Surveillance Leak
January 24th, 2024
Six-thirty in the morning.
Zoe, who required no sleep, paused her relentless typing. According to her meticulously crafted short-term plan, she had until seven o'clock for her morning run. Just before midnight, she had documented her recent exercise progress with precision.
She glanced at her old phone, where a memo lay open.
Fifth Record: January 23, 2024
Standard Push-ups: 2,200
Discovery: The body craves combat and instinct.
The impressive tally of 2,200 push-ups marked a significant leap from the day before. Naturally, today’s run could not be skipped.
Noting the time—6:32—Zoe saved her text document, an impressive collection of over 10,000 words, a promise fulfilled to her editor.
Without delay, she made her way to the balcony, retrieving two articles of clothing, and grabbed her toothbrush from the washbasin before heading to the bathroom.
Though she no longer sweated or required sustenance, the ritual of bathing and brushing her teeth remained steadfast—a habit ingrained over many years, too deeply embedded to abandon.
The sound of water mingled with the opening notes of the Handsome Dog Music app. A short while later, Zoe emerged into the garden behind the community’s back door precisely at seven o’clock, ready to commence her morning run.
The garden, bathed in the soft light of dawn, radiated a serene vitality. Lush green trees swayed gently in the breeze, seemingly applauding the early risers.
Seven o'clock was hardly early, especially for the many elderly residents who filled the space with their morning exercises. Just as in the past two days, Zoe stood out as the youngest among them.
Taking leisurely strides, she passed an elderly gentleman engrossed in the morning news from Hampsterburgg, the sound from his phone drawing her attention.
'Recently, a resident of Hampsterburgg had bravely confronted armed assailants, concluding the skirmish in a mere three moves.'
Each broadcast sent a ripple of deja vu through Zoe, prompting her to step back slightly and peer at the old man’s phone screen from a respectful distance.
What she saw left her momentarily stunned: a surveillance video from a barbecue restaurant—one she recognized as the scene where she had encountered the assailant just yesterday.
A wave of concern washed over her, but it wasn’t for the incident itself; in this digital age, she was not overly worried about its circulation. At the time of the altercation, no one had the presence of mind to capture footage of the event. Only a few hastily jotted descriptions and snapshots would likely remain, not attracting much attention.
The sole surveillance video that chronicled the incident was vague; even her own face remained obscured. While she felt secure that it wouldn’t disrupt her life significantly, she bristled at the thought of it spreading without her consent. She hadn’t received any interview invitations nor granted permission for anyone to disseminate related footage. Such an action infringed upon her portrait rights.
Though the risk of repercussions seemed minimal, even the slightest chance of danger was enough to unsettle her.
Her dissatisfaction deepened as she caught sight of the Hamsterburgg Morning News logo nestled in the corner of the old man's screen—a media outlet of moderate stature. The incident had just been reported, and she hoped its impact hadn’t escalated beyond control. If she acted swiftly, she might still sever this source of transmission.
With purpose, Zoe halted her morning run and pivoted back toward home. She knew exactly who to contact: Benny, her resourceful friend. Having someone like him in her corner was invaluable. If Benny couldn’t resolve the matter, he would at least know how to proceed. She made a mental note to treat him to a meal afterward.
Before long, she arrived at Benny’s doorstep. A few knocks echoed through the quiet morning air. After a moment, Benny, sporting dark circles beneath his eyes, opened the door.
“Though they say the early bird catches the worm, for an unemployed youth like me, seven o’clock is still a bit too early,” he grumbled, yawning as he reluctantly let Zoe inside.
“Unemployed youth? Didn’t you say you had a second interview at the educational institution yesterday?” Zoe asked, her gaze drifting to the sculpture-shaped coat rack by the door. She raised an eyebrow, genuinely curious.
Benny had parted ways with her after dinner, boasting about the interview that he had seemingly aced. “It’s precisely because the interview went too well,” he replied, flopping onto the sofa. “They asked me to try working until eleven o’clock on the spot. By the time I got home, it was already past one.”
“Shakespeare once said, ‘All living creatures cannot do without the adjustment of sleep,’” Benny added, rolling his eyes at Zoe’s amused expression.
Zoe smiled faintly, revealing a flash of white teeth. “Forget about that. I need your help with something.”
She retrieved her phone and navigated to the official Hampsterburgg Morning News website, locating the report concerning herself. With a swift tap, she played the video beside Benny.
“Hey, isn’t this the thing from yesterday? You’re getting famous,” Benny quipped, casting a glance at the news segment.
“But I don’t really want to be famous,” she replied, crossing her arms. “And most importantly, no one has asked me for permission”
Benny’s expression shifted, a spark of understanding igniting in his eyes. “First of all, only that internet-famous store and the police have access to the surveillance footage. The police likely won’t leak it.”
“So it’s the internet-famous store that sold the footage to Hampsterburgg Morning News,” Zoe deduced.
Benny nodded, his eyes gleaming with indignation. “Both the store and Hampsterburgg Morning News have infringed upon your portrait rights. Uploading surveillance content or photos without consent, especially when it causes adverse effects, is illegal.” He sat up, a newfound energy surging through him.
He had harbored grievances against that second-rate internet-famous store before; now, it appeared they had struck again. “Just wait here for me,” Benny instructed, a sense of urgency in his voice. He sprang from the sofa and dashed into his bedroom, determination etched across his face.