Jack Smith texted his group using encrypted messaging.

  Contextual ads, based on his messages, appeared while he browsed and watched the news.

  At the group’s next in-person meeting, Jack grabbed their devices and shut them off.

  The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  They all learned to sign out of fear of audio recordings and to avoid leaving a paper trail.

  ————

  One year earlier, Jack visited an ophthalmologist and underwent LASIK surgery.

  The doctor later spoke on the phone, “I expect full payment. Correct. Optical transmission. I just don’t understand how ...” The doctor nodded. “Oh, I see. Clever. Yes. Yes. They’ll likely resort to sign language.”