Buddhist Means Are Tough
In which Gene has packed everything and still has too much.
What he had brought with him had been a significant decision. Gene had moved a lot (almost every year) and this time he had decided that it would be no more than necessary; not mementos that he was lightly attached to; not old things; not clothes he hoped would one day fit again; nor paperwork that was ten years old. Here in his new life as a graduate student, he would take only that which was necessary and maybe that which had contributed to his arrival.
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A Series of Tubes
In which Gene points out that computers are generally dumb.
“You can’t do that. You can’t just expect me to be fine with living with a stranger just because you all can’t keep track of a simple list. That’s all it is, a list. People, rooms. Why is that hard?” He was rapidly losing his civility, but was still more determined not to give in.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Copeland, but it was a computer error. There were two room listings for 400 when they’re should’ve been only one.”
“You can’t blame the computer, it’s a dumb machine. Someone in your department created two listings or entered the number twice. The computer didn’t decide to get it wrong. And that’s your department’s problem. And since you’re speaking with me, that makes it your problem. And if you can’t do anything about it, then you need to put me in touch with someone who can.”
And now, modern reader, can you guess what happened next? Yes! The geometric modern trajectory of phone calls, forms and hierarchies pulled Gene Copeland ever onward from office to office, building to building, hold song (”Dancing in the Moonlight,” King Harvest, 1973) to hold song (”Belero” Maurice Ravel, 1928) until he landed at last, in front of an old factory building. He’d won, yes, because he would not have a roommate in this place, but then, had he really won? The site of the industrial-era leviathan caused him to hear the faint shoomp sounds of pneumatic tubes and wonder to himself if we were really any better off.
Gene shrugs. Fair enough.
*News:
"Carousel Cowboy" is now out on Lulu press and looking good (with all requisite editorial blemishes). Please know that this edition will be edited again and available on Amazon.com within the month. If you purchase a copy and submit an edit that's accepted to edits@troped.com, you (include your name!) will be included in the 2nd edition list of thanks.
