Hmmm. It's been a quiet day. People rush in, and out. People need help. All kinds of help. They buy their computers, not knowing what's in them... only hoping they're fast enough, or big enough. CJ stands there at his counter in COMPUTER CHIPS AND DIPS INC. He's a technology consultant. People come to him everyday... for help. Deep inside, CJ wants to be helped. Ohhh wow, does he wanna be helped.
It's my 21st birthday and nobody knows but me. Oh sure, Mike wished me a happy birthday.
"Going home to celebrate with friends? Got a big party planned?" Mike had said earlier as he was leaving the store.
"Going home and get plastered." CJ replied with a sarcastic smile.
"Good for you" Mike said pointing and winking. It was CJ's turn to spend the rest of the eve as consultant, and close the store later. CJ sighed morosely. He wanted to go home, even hope there was a party for him. Well, there's a party deep inside all of us, right? He said pondering as he knelt on the desk. Thirty minutes passed, a guy comes in wondering what he needs to upgrade his processor. CJ can only tell him that processor can't be upgraded. Minutes later, a women with a computer virus. CJ helps with some good advice on an anti-virus program. A few minutes more... an hour later.
CJ goes to get a cup of coffee, watching the traffic slow down. It's getting darker. Hmmm. Could be rain tonight. That could be good he thinks as he sips from his cup. A woman seems to be coming this way. His hand shakes for a moment, almost spilling his coffee. She enters the next shop over. He smiles and reads one of the order catalogs from the store. When no one approaches for another hour, CJ takes out a comic book he was into reading. Glancing up, he still sees no one. As he turns the pages, he hears some quick footsteps. Todd.
Todd is a friend who lives two houses down from him. Well, at least is someone to talk to. Todd approaches grinning.
"Any news on the next super computer?" Todd grins looking around and taking in all the hardware.
"It's .... up and coming, Todd. Look whadaya want here tonight? I'm kinda busy."
"Yeah. Yeah, I can see how busy you are. Todd looks outside and grins. I need some more ram, you guys got EDO ram?"
" Why don't you just give in and get a new computer, man?"
" I don't want a new computer." Todd replied in a weenie-like manner.
" There's still some left over there. CJ yanked his finger over to the far right of the store. Don't blame me if it's not enough. Todd blinked and walked over in to the area. CJ listened to him huffing back in the area, as he browsed. Damn...it's one thing I don't need...he said muttering to himself. He reached for his cup, gulping the last of the coffee down.
"Wondering if you could help me with a small problem...."
CJ jerked his head back to the counter. He had been so engrossed with Todd being in his store, he hadn't noticed her walking in.
She stood there smiling. In a curious manner. A somewhat statuesque woman not much taller than himself. Maybe a few inches shorter. Voluptuous, wearing faded blue jeans and a purple tshirt with the words "Who... me?" emblazoned upon it. If he hadn't noticed her impatiently staring eyes, he would've been stuck on her chest. Her breast seemingly very round... or was it just him?
"I don't see anymore ram here! " Todd's voice suddenly called from the back of the store.
"There ISN'T anymore Todd, check back Friday." CJ replied quickly. Then returning to the girl. "Umm.... what can I help you with?"
She glanced to the back of the store for a moment, smiling and then spoke. Her hair was dark, shoulder-length and pulled back behind her ears. She had wispy bangs, hanging just over her dark green eyes that carefully glanced around the store as she pursed her lips to speak.
"I, um... my computer needs a new graphics card... I dunno, well I've never bought one of those before. I--I really don't even know what I need it for. New software I guess."
CJ's eyes quickly glanced over her features, her fingers nervously grabbing the edge of the counter, Her other hand stroking the strap of her purse. "What operating system do you have?"
She thought for a moment. "Oh, Windoze 2000. Also I have a 600 megahertz processor, and 512meg of ram. Anything else?"
"No... he smiled. No, that's... about it. CJ was almost in awe. Didn't get very many women that knew all that on there computers. He'd gotten even worse. But he was here to help. I think I have a few over here... this way." He gestured to her to follow him to another part of the store. On their way back, he saw Todd quickly leaving.
"I guess I'll have to check somewhere else" Todd said sighing loudly.
"Guess you will, then." CJ replied almost grinning. The girl giggled as they headed to the pc card sector. He went and showed her a few cards picking one up. This one's pretty good... he glanced up at her. She stood only a foot from him glancing at the card and then into his eyes. He handed the graphics card to her. She slowly took it from him.
"It... it has the requirements that... fit your computer, on here." CJ pointed to an area on the back of the box.
" Thank you... is it very expensive? With my classes and all, I'm kinda on a budget." she asked shyly glancing away.
"Its only thirty bucks, I promise it won't set you back. He grinned and bowed. What he thought to himself. Am I doing shows now? They strolled back up to the counter.