Okay, okay.  The idea isn't mine.  It's Scriviner's.  We had a deal,
that if he didn't do this, I would.  He hasn't.  I tried.

***

The park was balmy this time of year, but the wind was still sharp.
For every day that the sun had risen, and that the sun had set on the
park, the bench was there;  it was no different for today.

On the bench, a man was typing on a laptop.  Occasionally, he'd stop,
cock his head, and look around him.  He would invariably return to
his LCD monitor with a disappointed air, pushing his glasses up his
nose.  The sweater kept him warm outside, but it did nothing for the
cold inside.

*click*  *clack*

He closed a few windows, and sent the reports over to his bosses via
sat-tel-links.  Then he opened a program, the intro sequence of "Gateway
Tycoon 3000" was beginning in a window.

More of a matter of automation, he clicked up a number of his usual co-
gamers.  Ever since he had chosen to conduct business from this very
bench, they were the only "real people" he had contact with.

And, one by one, they signaled absence.

His brow furrowed in thought.  This would mean that he'd have to dial up
some of the BBSs to see who'd be interested in a friendly game.

*click*  *clack*  "Oops."

It was too late to correct the error, so he rubbed his temples;  time spent
staring at the loveless monitor was taking its toll.

By the time that he had checked back to his console, he balked.  On the
screen, the page said, "Goddess Relief Office, standby for uplink."

And then the screen warped.

He stared as, slowly, somebody appeared from out his monitor.  She stepped
out of the monitor, and turned to face him.

He stood, letting the computer fall.  She softly said, as she embraced him,
"Wish granted, Shohei."

***

I killed it!  *sob*

Switch
Nikholas F. Toledo Zu @ http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Flats/3145/mezza9.html
Vector, Switch, Yebah, Don Juan, goo, Pervert, Scruples, Hollie, NomaD,
Blitz, Gee, Datzo, Jewel, Elf, Radler, Pinball, Mayhem
Fanfiction @ http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Flats/3145/fanfics.html
Warp Zone @ http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Flats/3145/thirteen.html
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The logo of the Church of All Worlds is nine concentric circles.
Word from the Laity:  Wipe yer feet!  Bloody 'ell...
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Gallery/3145/index.html
Currently under construction... confessional at the links.
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