A Welcome Error

This job is a killer

"Maybe it's a sign you're getting 'fired,'" John joked.

Laura looked up at him, piqued. "Johnny! I can't mess up. I could be...well, you know: 'outta here' because this stupid computer won't let me in! God damn this thing!"

"You'll be alright," John said in a soft, confident voice. He looked at the error message on the screen, nodding.

Login Error: Connection Refused by Host.
License integrity overflow.
0x34200072

"I think I know what the issue is."

An instant message appeared on her screen.

         Manny: "Why ain't you logged in?!"

"Oh Jesus, Johnny, get me in!"

John wrinkled his brow. "It's a boat space issue."

"A what?" Laura sounded panicky.

"Only a certain number of people can use this system at once. Five, I think. Damn... I hadn't thought of this..." Now John sounded worried.

         "Make me come over there, lady! Where the hell ARE you?!"

John typed into the IM box:
         "Technical issues... working on it now."

         Manny: Work faster. Or YOU'LL have 'issues' I need those numbers!

         IT is here now, Boss.

John was sweating a bit now. "It's alright, Laura, you're gonna be alright." He clicked the login button again, hoping a certain someone else had logged out. The waiting icon spun and spun. "We might be lucky, Laura. Some—"

Instead of the previous error, an IM from an unknown source popped up for the whole group:

Error: You Messed Up!
Hope you're ready for the prison bus, Manny. We got you, now.
Love, the FBI!

"Finally!" John sighed. He looked at Laura. "Nobody's going to get 'fired' anymore, Laura." He pulled a small FBI badge from an inner pocket. "You're just the receptionist and didn't do anything wrong. See? Told you I'd take care of you!"

Laura relaxed. "Well God bless this computer after all!"


{Word Count: 299)