It was only 8:10am, I.T would probably just ignore her. They didn't really warm up until at least 10:00. She keyed in the four-digit number regardless, and waited. It was ringing, which was a good sign. After the fifth ring it automatically went onto call collect. This meant they were busy and the inquiry would be dealt with as soon as one of their technicians became available. To be fair, they were normally on the shop floor within 10-15 minutes.
After the fourth ring a woman’s voice came onto the line.
“Good morning, you’re through to Jo Weekly, how may I help you?”
Felicity’s eyes widened, and her jaw clenched. If there was anybody she didn't want near her computer it was Jo Weekly, otherwise known as – ‘The biatch from hell’. Though she was a rather gorgeous 'biatch', it had to be said. She had a beautiful hour glass figure, 36C breasts, long lustrous locks careering down her back, and a smile to die for. Definitely not the usual geeky sort.
“Oh hi Jo, it's Felicity here,” she said. “Is Don there?”
Don was her friend, and he knew her computer inside out. If he couldn't fix it, she doubted anyone could.
“Sorry, Don’s out on a call, can I help?” she asked, politely.
Felicity winced, she was already behind that morning, she had no other choice.
“I seem to have a problem with my visible screen data, I've tried all the usual solutions.”
“Okay, I’ll be with you in a couple of minutes,” she said, then hung up.
Felicity then replaced the telephone receiver and sat at her desk awaiting Jo’s arrival. She went through the start-up scenario again before Jo appeared. If Felicity had missed something obvious, Jo would make a big demonstration out of it, and give a lecture on how she’d just wasted her time. And not only that, Jo definitely had it in for Felicity. Why, she didn't really know.
True to her word, a few minutes later Jo appeared carrying a small toolbox.
“Hi, Felicity,” she said, with a smile. “We’ll have you back up and running in no time.”
Felicity gave a nod and rolled her chair back about a foot, she was still close enough to keep watch. If the same problem occurred again, then she’d fix it her damn self.
It was the first time in ages that they’d been this close, the last time being several months before. Jo had come down to replace a faulty cable on that occasion, and Felicity had breathed a sigh of relief the minute she was gone. At least Don gave her advice on quick fix solutions, or a tutorial on the latest software they’d just installed. Jo was a bit tetchy, and didn’t suffer fools gladly.
“So, Felicity,” she began, “the system really is playing up this morning.”
“I just knew there wasn't a lot I could do to solve the problem,” said Felicity.
Jo then turned away from the screen and looked at her. “Sure, come and have a look now though, I've altered a few networking issues.”
Jo budged over and Felicity rolled her chair closer.
“You see this little panel to the top left,” said Jo, pointing to a drop down menu.
“Yes, that’s new.”
“Yep, it’s an interactive helper,” she said, glancing at Felicity.
“Oh, so the computer comes up with its own solutions?”
“Not exactly, but pretty close,” she said.
Felicity was just thankful she’d sorted the error, and without any drama.
“Oh that’s great, thanks Jo.”
The I.T girl then rose from the chair and made to go.
“Oh,” she said, turning back. “I’d like to make sure the new software doesn't require any further tweaking, I’ll send you a message through the helper.”
“Er, okay,” said Felicity.
Jo made her way back to the I.T department, and Felicity logged back into xyz.net. This time she was able to retrieve her work emails. It was mostly company memorandums; there were a few that she had to reply back to that morning.
Felicity was half way into her fifth email when a box flashed up on the screen.
At first she was caught unawares as she’d got side-tracked and had actually forgotten about Jo’s helper message.
Jo: Hi Felicity, hope your morning is going to plan now
Felicity: Yes it is, and thanks, everything is running as normal
Jo: Glad I could assist, the helper should be a good addition for you
Felicity: I’m still not sure how it’ll help
Jo: It just makes communication and diagnostics of computer errors a little easier
Felicity: Oh, so you won’t be on the shop floor as often then?
Jo: Maybe not, that’s a good thing for some I think :)
Felicity hesitated, she wasn't sure how to reply. She’d miss them, but they were kind of disbanding the personal touch she reckoned, mmm.
Felicity: I suppose the company has to move with the times
Jo: Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll find the new system to be fun
Felicity: I will? I’ll let you know in due course
Jo: Lol, okay, I’ve not convinced you
Felicity: Not yet, but it’s been nice chatting
Jo: The same here, you seem different in type
Felicity: The helper reminds me of chatting on yahoo
Jo: You’re right, with inhibitions all but gone
Felicity couldn't quite believe she was talking to the same Jo, who she could have sworn at on many occasions. And to top it all, she was actually feeling rather turned on by her.
Felicity: The only thing being, we’re at work. I wish I had a nice glass of vino to hand
Jo: Just imagine you have, and you’re wearing a nice silk negligee
Felicity: I have to say, you’re making me blush
Jo: That’s what I was hoping, don’t you want to make me blush too?
Felicity: Right now I could just throw caution out the door and meet you in the damn store closet
Jo: Oh, you wicked minx, I always knew you had a trashy side
Felicity: And I've always thought you were jealous of Don and me
Jo: Only because I wanted to have you all to myself
Felicity’s heart rate was starting to increase, and she wondered if her colleagues had noticed anything out the ordinary. By now she’d normally be onto her second coffee and been around the place and said hi to a few people.
Felicity: I don’t know what to say, I thought you hated me
Jo: Nope, not at all, it was just my way of getting your attention, you seemed not to notice me
Felicity: Oh honey, believe me, you have the interest of just about everyone down here
Jo: Really? What the eye doesn't see
Felicity: Oh yeah! Anyhow, I hope you’re pleased with yourself – I need to go visit the ladies room now.