the room. “Isn't level ten a
bitch, Richard?” Felix asks.
Richard's expression drops, the
realization setting in. “You traitor,” Richard says as he glares at Felix on
the monitor.
Felix holds up the remote for Richard to
see. “I'm taking my toy and
leaving. I don't want to play on
your team anymore, Richard.”
“You won't get away with this,” Richard
snarls at Felix.
“I am getting away with this,” Felix
coolly responds. “Feel free to waste man hours and resources trying to find
me.”
“I swear to God if it's the last thing I
do I will get the remote back and I will kill you,” Richard threatens,
emphasizing every word.
As if he were relishing engaging Richard
in a chess match Felix offers, “To that end, should you ever find someone who
can make it through level ten, someone whose mind works in the same way as
mine, that person would be the only person who could steal back your precious
remote and I would provide that opportunity. I would welcome challenging that
person. Until then…”
The monitors go black.
*****
PRESENT DAY
Katrina Brice rows down an urban river in
a single person scull. She's
strong, focused, radiating beauty, the kind of beauty enhanced by a healthy
lifestyle and an inner glow. She rows with power and determination; it's a
graceful sight.
An unidentifiable man, hidden in the
shadows on the shore, seems quite interested in Katrina - he's taking pictures
of her.
Once Katrina finishes up her early
morning row, she docks her scull and walks along a quiet city sidewalk to the
Chick Lit Bookstore. She unlocks
the door and enters the store.
The store is cozy and cramped. Tall and short shelves are stacked with
books - all written by female authors. Comfy reading chairs are scattered throughout the store.
Hanging on the one spot of wall not
blocked by a bookshelf - a replica of the steamy painting “Paolo &
Francesca.” The passionate embrace
depicted in the painting is of real life lovers made famous in Dante's Divine
Comedy.
Katrina heads straight for her computer
located behind the cashier counter. She takes a seat and powers up her laptop.
With the screen name "Francesca”
Katrina sends an instant message to "Paolo." They both have the same icon for their
screen image - the painting of the lovers "Paolo & Francesca,"
the same image that hangs on the bookstore wall.
Katrina as “Francesca” and “Paolo” engage
in an instant message chat.
Francesca: I've decided on my favorite George Sand quote. “Let us
accept truth, even when it surprises us and alters our views.”
Paolo: I would have surmised her quote
‘there is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved” to be your
favorite.
Francesca: What would make you surmise
that?
Paolo: The icon we share for one, your
screen name, and the books you choose for us to read and discuss tend to have
an unforgettable romance.
Francesca: Then I could presume the same for you.
Paolo: If I had the right woman in my
embrace you would presume correctly. Have you ever found true love? Has there ever been anyone in your
embrace that you wanted to hold forever?
Katrina sits back, flustered by the
questions. Before she can think of
a reply Paolo sends another message.
Paolo: I apologize. It was an
inappropriate inquiry. I will honor our pledge that our real identities and
lives will remain a mystery to each other, most especially since I was the one
who insisted on anonymity. I value our cyber relationship too much; my inner being
would be shattered if anything were to happen to our connection.
Francesca: I feel the same. To answer your inquiry, no. I haven’t even had a casual date in
almost a year.
Paolo: Perhaps that is my fault since
we’ve spent just about every evening “together” reading and instant messaging.
Francesca:
I have cherished every one of those evenings.
Paolo:
As have I. In all humble sincerity
no one inspires,
bitch, Richard?” Felix asks.
Richard's expression drops, the
realization setting in. “You traitor,” Richard says as he glares at Felix on
the monitor.
Felix holds up the remote for Richard to
see. “I'm taking my toy and
leaving. I don't want to play on
your team anymore, Richard.”
“You won't get away with this,” Richard
snarls at Felix.
“I am getting away with this,” Felix
coolly responds. “Feel free to waste man hours and resources trying to find
me.”
“I swear to God if it's the last thing I
do I will get the remote back and I will kill you,” Richard threatens,
emphasizing every word.
As if he were relishing engaging Richard
in a chess match Felix offers, “To that end, should you ever find someone who
can make it through level ten, someone whose mind works in the same way as
mine, that person would be the only person who could steal back your precious
remote and I would provide that opportunity. I would welcome challenging that
person. Until then…”
The monitors go black.
*****
PRESENT DAY
Katrina Brice rows down an urban river in
a single person scull. She's
strong, focused, radiating beauty, the kind of beauty enhanced by a healthy
lifestyle and an inner glow. She rows with power and determination; it's a
graceful sight.
An unidentifiable man, hidden in the
shadows on the shore, seems quite interested in Katrina - he's taking pictures
of her.
Once Katrina finishes up her early
morning row, she docks her scull and walks along a quiet city sidewalk to the
Chick Lit Bookstore. She unlocks
the door and enters the store.
The store is cozy and cramped. Tall and short shelves are stacked with
books - all written by female authors. Comfy reading chairs are scattered throughout the store.
Hanging on the one spot of wall not
blocked by a bookshelf - a replica of the steamy painting “Paolo &
Francesca.” The passionate embrace
depicted in the painting is of real life lovers made famous in Dante's Divine
Comedy.
Katrina heads straight for her computer
located behind the cashier counter. She takes a seat and powers up her laptop.
With the screen name "Francesca”
Katrina sends an instant message to "Paolo." They both have the same icon for their
screen image - the painting of the lovers "Paolo & Francesca,"
the same image that hangs on the bookstore wall.
Katrina as “Francesca” and “Paolo” engage
in an instant message chat.
Francesca: I've decided on my favorite George Sand quote. “Let us
accept truth, even when it surprises us and alters our views.”
Paolo: I would have surmised her quote
‘there is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved” to be your
favorite.
Francesca: What would make you surmise
that?
Paolo: The icon we share for one, your
screen name, and the books you choose for us to read and discuss tend to have
an unforgettable romance.
Francesca: Then I could presume the same for you.
Paolo: If I had the right woman in my
embrace you would presume correctly. Have you ever found true love? Has there ever been anyone in your
embrace that you wanted to hold forever?
Katrina sits back, flustered by the
questions. Before she can think of
a reply Paolo sends another message.
Paolo: I apologize. It was an
inappropriate inquiry. I will honor our pledge that our real identities and
lives will remain a mystery to each other, most especially since I was the one
who insisted on anonymity. I value our cyber relationship too much; my inner being
would be shattered if anything were to happen to our connection.
Francesca: I feel the same. To answer your inquiry, no. I haven’t even had a casual date in
almost a year.
Paolo: Perhaps that is my fault since
we’ve spent just about every evening “together” reading and instant messaging.
Francesca:
I have cherished every one of those evenings.
Paolo:
As have I. In all humble sincerity
no one inspires,
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