Computer Problems, Part Two
Friday, February 1
9:06am
I stumble into my office, giving the morning the finger.
9:20am
Michael, in the office across from me, does not have a copy of Windows XP Professional. Nor does his office mate, David.
10:04am
Coffee cake in the break room. I get the last slice. Cherry Almond, but still.
10:22am
Office Mate stumbles in. He too does not have a copy of Windows XP Professional.
10:57am
Neither does the secretary.
11:03am
Neither does Kristen.
11:04am
Neither does Phung.
11:16am
I have been told the words “Call EJ.” I do so, and leave a non-specific message. (I figure saying “hay u haz warez?” is not the way to go about things.)
11:45am
Boss (Rank 1) IMs me.
BR1: Did you know we have a section meeting?
Me: Oh yeah? When?
BR1: Today. In fifteen minutes.
Me: Really?
BR1: Apparently? I just got the fifteen-minute warning.
Me: God bless technology. Keeping you organized, so you don’t have to.
12:00pm
A meeting of the Team S, the Team C, and the Database Team (hello!). Twenty people. All programmers. And not a single one of them has a copy of Windows XP Professional. I begin to seriously ponder my life choices.
12:04pm
We fail to set up a proper net meeting for Brett, the only other member of my team, who cleverly decided to move from San Francisco to Los Angeles three months into my employ. Good job, Brett. Also, the fact that we couldn’t set up the net meeting is puzzling, considering that this is a telecommunications company.
1:06pm
I call EJ again. Still no answer.
1:32pm
I call EJ again. Still no answer. I say sod it all and go get an Asian Chicken Salad Wrap from Togo’s.
2:37pm
I call EJ again. An answer!
EJ: Hello?
Me: Hi. Um, I called earlier and left a message. I’m having a computer problem. But it’s at home.
EJ: What can I do for you?
Me: See, um. I have a copy Windows XP Professional. Legitimate. And I tried to reformat my computer last night. But, one thing led to another, and I wiped my boot sector, only to discover that my system disk is so scratched that I can’t use it.
EJ: I see. So how can I help you?
Me: Well, the thing is, I need a system disk. And I’d like to have it as soon as possible, considering that I lack a computer at home. And, er, I was told… that is… I’ve been informed that you can help me.
EJ: … We never had this conversation. *click*
3:10pm
EJ walks in to my office, sets a disk down on my desk, and looks me in the eye.
“We never spoke.”
He leaves.
3:11pm
I burst into dance.
The horizon looks sunny, yes, but not all is as it seems! Will the system disk be enough, or will there be yet more problems? (Dun dun dun…)
