Short Stories
Crystal's Journey
(A sequel to The House of Stone & Skyelights )
For once, Fidget had arranged his project indoors on the dining room table, rather than in his shed/workshop/lab/den/hideaway, and Crystal took notes as he demonstrated how to use it.
'From what Annie said, I've installed the simplest word processor that gives good print options, and a dial up modem. I've never been one for using the internet much, but two new acquaintances from Wherewithal are very experienced and they are coming over later.'
'Brilliant!' said Crystal.
'With email and forums, Annie will be able to contact them anytime. For some help, I mean.'
'You do have internet, though?' Crystal sounded puzzled.
'Oh yes. I do use it. Actually, everyone uses my internet connection!'
Fidget sounded kind of pleased.
♠
'Crystal, meet Skye and Urchin,' said Fidget.
He'd never met any of them before, except online or by phone, and was in danger of developing a stammer. About a million years ago, or so it felt, he'd even had a spell as chairperson of something or other whilst a student, and he wished he could remember the patter, the protocol, the niceties. He turned from Crystal to his visitors from Wherewithal.
'And vice-versa!' he added. Crystal held out her hand, Urchin raised two fingers (in the more polite orientation) and said 'Peace!'
Skye drawled, 'Hi, golden one. Nice hair.'
Urchin was in holiday mood. Skye had treated him to a return rail ticket and it was years since he'd travelled any distance without having to hitch a lift. Skye, who was probably a billionairess but couldn't care less, didn't even bat an eyelid when the blonde giant rose from her seat.
'Skye invented SkyeLights!' beamed Fidget. He pointed to the SkyeLights icon on the computer screen.
'And Urchin and Fidget have improved it,' said Skye.
I wish Annie was here, thought Crystal. This doesn't feel anything like ''technoland'' or whatever Annie feared.
'Shall we all sit at the table?' suggested Crystal.
'Good idea,' said Urchin. 'I've brought some buns!'
'Ah, Tescos,' sighed Fidget, eyeing the carrier bag. 'We don't have one in Smogdale.'
Skye whistled and everyone turned to see.
'Fidget. This is impressive!' she peered behind the ancient monitor to see the PC itself.
'Different!' said Urchin, and chuckled.
Crystal remained seated at the table. 'I'll bet that's not typical, am I right?'
'This is amazing,' said Skye. 'No mains supply, no hard drive, two USB drives. No fans! It doesn't overheat?'
'No,' said Fidget. 'It's under-clocked.'
'What's the second drive for?' asked Urchin.
'It's a backup of the first, and a second operating system to go online - no risk of viruses on the main system. It does everything Annie asked for, and all we lack is a printer.'
'We'll keep an eye out,' said Skye, and she made a note. 'Here's my phone number, Crystal. You've got the phone line now?'
'Yes. Thanks.'
'This little solar panel tops up the batteries?' asked Urchin.
'Yes,' said Fidget. 'But Annie will probably need a dynamo as well in the winter.'
'Annie won't need a printer much,' said Crystal. 'She's got an amazing memory. She does whole poems, songs and music in her head! Longer works will need a printer, I guess.'
'Hell, why don't you come back with us today, Crystal?' said Skye. She gave Urchin a penetrating stare. 'We can surely find a printer, yes?'
'Probably find two!' said Urchin.
'Great. That suits you?' asked Skye.
Crystal said 'um' and 'ah' and things of that nature while she imagined the idea. It was in the right direction for home, but rather an unappealing route due to main roads.
'Tempting,' she said, by way of gratitude. 'Do you have a road map, Fidget?'
Skye began to interrupt with offers of a train ticket but Crystal shook her head and winked.
'I think so,' said Fidget, and surprised himself by finding one.
'I'll enjoy cycling after another POT OF TEA!' said Crystal.
'I'll put the kettle on!' yelled Fidget from the kitchen. 'Where did you say you found the loose tea, Crystal?'
Crystal and Skye smiled at each other and nodded towards the kitchen.
'The poor man hasn't had to entertain so much for years, I reckon,' Skye suggested.
'It's in the obvious place, Fidget,' said Crystal. 'In the large glass jar, in a prominent position. The one bearing a huge label that says LENTILS 1987!'
There was general uproar at this point, the most amused person appearing to be Fidget.