TRON Revolution
Chapter 1- Aftermath
"You alright, kid?"
Ed looked up at Alan Bradley, standing in the office door. Alan looked as tired as Ed felt. It had been a long three years, replete with long days, longer nights, and tight deadlines culminating in the new ultra-secure operating system. The one Sam Flynn had released onto the internet.
Ed frowned, and tried to look indifferent. "I get paid either way," he said as he looked down at his tablet. He tapped an icon and watched the app load.
Alan didn't buy it for a minute. He had followed the young programmer's ENCOM Corporation career closely as Ed had developed the revolutionary operating system. Alan admitted that at first he was reluctant to hire the son of the man who had stolen the (now-missing) Kevin Flynn's programs and the ENCOM Corporation itself. But the kid's resume had blown away the committee and he had agreed to hire Ed on a probationary period.
It turned out that Edward Dillinger Jr, son of notorious Ed Dillinger, had spent every minute during his employment at ENCOM Corporation proving that he was not his father. And Alan's feelings toward the young man had turned from suspicion to acceptance to respect and then fondness. He and Lora never had a son of their own, only daughters. Alan loved his daughters more than life itself, but none of them showed any interest in computer programming. When he had first met the skinny, lonely, geeky-looking boy with a chip on his shoulder who was only interested in programming, he felt like he had met a kindred spirit. The first since Kevin Flynn.
What was surprising to Alan was the fact that his clumsy attempts at guiding Ed was not met with complete rejection. Ed seemed to appreciate his efforts, unlike Sam, who wanted nothing to do with Alan, ENCOM or anything that had to do with his missing father.
"Look, Ed. I'm sorry for what happened," he started, but Ed was shaking his head.
"Wasn't your fault, Alan." They both knew that Sam was a loose cannon. But Ed, Alan and the company were usually the ones who paid for Sam's hotheaded antics.
"I know, but still, you worked hard and your work will be recognized, I promise." Alan knew that it was the least he could do.
Ed leaned back and took of his glasses, rubbing at his eyes. "You should go home, Alan. Get some sleep," he advised his mentor.
Alan smiled wanly, "You need it more. Take tomorrow off." He scowled as his phone rang in his jacket pocket. He pulled it out and answered, nodding at Ed to ask his pardon for the interruption. "This is Alan Bradley," he answered.
As he listened to the one-sided conversation, Ed noticed Alan's expression change from annoyed to angry resignation. "Problem?" he asked as Alan clicked off the smart phone.
"Sam," was the completely expected answer.
"Hospital?"
"Jail."
"My second guess," Ed joked wryly.
Alan put the phone back in his pocket and buttoned up his jacket.
"Going to bail him out?" Ed asked, leaning back in his chair.
"No," Alan answered shortly. "He's an adult, he can get his own ass out of jail. I'm going home and getting some sleep. I am not sure when the last time I saw my daughters."
Ed nodded, suppressing a pang of jealousy. An only child of a dead mother and a father in jail, he wished ...and dismissed the thought. "Take care, Alan."
Alan nodded and left, the sound of his footsteps on the carpet faded quickly then the silence filled the office.
Ed sighed and packed up his tablet. As he walked around his desk a sound caught his attention. A small black object was on the floor by the doorway. He picked it up and recognized a old-style pager. It displayed a number. Thoughtfully, he flipped open his tablet and typed it in, curious at who would be paging Alan. His eyebrows rose to see that it was from a land-line from Flynn's, the Arcade according to the reverse directory.
Flynn's.
Goddammit