techno geek

“I always thought the security at the CIA would be more intense, but some people are just idiots. WAP is easily hacked. No matter, the problem was fixed. I don’t know why we even use wireless... Sorry, it’s probably not interesting to hear about that.” 

Atticus: How old are you?

Atticus: Well for the record, I'm not strange.

Kieran: 36. I'm old.

Atticus: Why didn't you do something different that doesn't involved computers?

Atticus: You're not that weird. Trust me, in my profession, I've met people who are far more weird than you are. And for sure, I will.

Kieran: I like technology and math. I just couldn't handle being employed in Silicon Valley. They only want the best of the best there and the youngest. I'm neither of those things.

Atticus: Better at what?

Atticus: Um ...

Atticus: Some joke, I guess? It was weird mostly, dude. No you didn't waste my time. I enjoyed texting you.

Kieran: Computers. My dad owns his own computer business, my mom is in cyber security for a high end company, and my sister works for Apple.

Atticus: That is an acceptable correction, Kieran. Sometimes it isn't that awkward.

Atticus: Sounds like an important job, dude. I'm ...

Atticus: [unsent] an escort.

Atticus: I work at Starbucks.

Kieran: Not really. The rest of my family is better at it than I am.

Kieran: So, I guess you talk to boys in coffee shops a lot then?

Atticus: Of course you don't. Talking to any boy under the age of eighteen is creepy.

Atticus: What do you do?

Kieran: Correction: I don't talk to anyone in coffee shops. It's awkward.

Atticus: Oh then it's not you, Kieran.

Atticus: I don't either, but I do have a laptop and Netflix account. No, please don't hack into Netflix. I have one.

Kieran: Thought so. I don't talk to boys in coffee shops.

Erin had been counting the minutes to her lunch break. At exactly one o'clock she stood up from her desk and immediately texted a fellow intern telling where to meet to go out and have lunch together. It took her a few minutes to arrive at the agreed place, but of course, her friend wasn’t there yet. She turned her attention to her phone, mostly to avoid making eye contact to anyone who passed next to her. 

“Can you believe it?” she began as she felt someone approaching her. “Tom fucking Hanks sent a brand new coffee machine to the Communications department,” she paused to look up at who she believed was her friend before realizing it was someone else. “You’re not Lauren,” she said, stating the obvious before drifting her gaze away from the person.

Today was one of those days where Kieran just needed to leave work for lunch. He could go home to get something from his house and in turn see his dog, but traffic always sucked and he could never get there and back before he needed to be back at work. Kieran said goodbye to his co-workers -- or those that even acknowledged he was leaving as several were busy staring at their computers. There was a place near the office that was actually decent and was a fair price. Not that he had to watch his spending, but still. Most people shouldn’t have been at lunch at this time, yet the place was packed. Kieran almost considered leaving, except he was starving and this place wasn’t far from the office. Hopefully, someone would share a table with him. Kieran noticed a woman that was sitting alone. He might as well try to see if she’d let him sit with her. 

“H--” he started, but she began talking before he could ask. “Uh...” he replied when she seemed finished about some coffee machine. “No, I’m not. I just wanted to know if there’s anyway I can sit here. There aren’t any other tables and I... have to get back to work soon. If not, that’s okay. I’ll just... I don’t know. Go somewhere else?” 

Atticus: My name is Atticus. I met you at the coffee shop.

Atticus: ............... What? How could you not???

Kieran: I don't think you did??? My name is Kieran.

Atticus: so i'll bring the chocolate and wine.

Atticus: you provide the movies and netflix?

Kieran: Sorry, who is this?