It’s a Wonderful Life – 2060
The chapter introduces Juniper Blakely, a 34-year-old man living in the year 2060, and details his structured yet technologically advanced daily life. Juniper uses an implanted pacemaker-like clock to regulate his sleep and follows a routine that includes automated meals, AI-assisted work, and leisure activities like gardening and model train building. He works remotely for Enstro Technologies, fact-checking global news reports and ensuring the accuracy of communication in a world heavily influenced by AI. His wife, Leonder, also works from home, creating pottery that decorates their distinctive home. The chapter explores themes of nostalgia, the challenges of modern technology, and the human need for escape, as Juniper reflects on the complexities of his work and the world’s precarious state. Despite the advancements, he finds solace in his hobbies and fleeting moments of prayer, yearning for a simpler, better life.
It’s a Wonderful Life – 2060
Chapter Twenty-Eight - Back to Business
This final chapter outlines the ambitious development of a model railroad project inspired by It’s a Wonderful Life in Indiana, Pennsylvania, the hometown of actor Jimmy Stewart. Juniper, the project lead, collaborates with various stakeholders to finalize plans for the display, which has already generated significant economic benefits for the area, including $125,000 in ticket sales and increased local business activity. The project, funded by $5.5 million in contributions, has incurred major expenses, including architectural services and animated figures, and is expected to require an additional $3.5–$4 million to complete.
Discussions include the possibility of creating a permanent venue for the display, incorporating shops and restaurants, and expanding the museum’s offerings to include other Stewart films. Juniper emphasizes the uniqueness of the project, highlighting Indiana’s connection to Stewart and the film’s cultural significance. Meanwhile, Juniper and his wife, Leonder, explore personal opportunities in the area, including purchasing land near Buttermilk Falls for their future home. The narrative reflects themes of ambition, community, and the pursuit of dreams, drawing parallels to the values celebrated in It’s a Wonderful Life