A dystopian future where the people do not physically exert themselves and they are able to get what they want through the touch of a button. They do not interact with other humans face-to-face, but rather through a 'screen' where they are able to hear and see, but still no the same. Relationships between humans, like the mother and son is not as tight. They do not live together and rarely spend time together.

The son is special as he has a unique trait of inquisitiveness. He is an explorer and is not rigid as in he does not blindly follow the Machine. In stark contrast his mother follows the Machine unquestionably in that she does not question the trustworthiness and credibility of the Machine.