PART TWO
Just a few blocks from where Chandler lived, Monica Geller sat in her apartment staring at the phone, shocked at what she had just done. Only half an hour before, she had listened to a message from the radio. A plea for help from a man she felt she connected with. His words matched her feelings. After calling the station with her reply, she'd waited. Now, the presenter, Diane, had called her privately asking for her details, background, age, name etc. She gave a fake name, calling herself 'Lizzie Geller'. She was then informed that the man, 'Tom', wanted her address. She impulsively gave it.
Monica turned to her roommate and friend, Phoebe, who had been witnessing the conversation.
"Have I just made a big mistake?" she asked.
Phoebe hesitated, and then shook her head. "I think you're crazy, but you've got to take your chances. This guy could be the one you've been looking for your entire life!"
"Yes but…I don't know him! He could be anyone!"
"The station would have checked him out before giving him your address…" Phoebe shrugged, "…besides, it's not as if you will be meeting yet. It's too soon for that."
"Ok…I'll see what happens."
A few weeks passed, and Monica tried to forget about what happened with the 'advice woman' on the radio. Her job as a chef kept her busy, but she still hoped for a letter to come soon, only to be disappointed when one didn't come.
One morning, she checked through the post, and came across an envelope that immediately caught her attention. It just said 'Lizzie' and the address underneath. Her heart leaping, she tore open the envelope and read what was inside:
Dear Lizzie, she read silently, I'm sorry I haven't written to you before now. The only excuse I have is that I was scared. I didn't know what to write…I didn't want to sound weird and needy…not that I'm NOT interested! I'm not very good at this…I hope for your reply…
Tom.
Monica smiled when she finished reading, amused by Tom's ramblings and nervousness. She grabbed a pen and paper and began to write…
A day later, Chandler finished reading the letter he'd received that morning. He was happy by Lizzie's reply:
Dear Tom. I was scared too! I'm happy that you have written to me. I guess I should introduce myself properly. I'm 24 years old and I live in an apartment with my roommate. If you think this sounds like a perfect life, it isn't. I hope as I get to know you better, I'll be able to tell you about the whole of my life. I hope to hear from you soon.
Lizzie
"I bet she has a normal job," Chandler muttered to himself. "My job is going to sound so weird compared to hers."
"Compared to whose job?" Rachel asked, walking into the apartment.
"Er…um…anybody's!" Chandler replied, not wanting to tell his friend the truth. "My job is complicated compared to anybody else's!"
"You can say that again," Rachel commented, grinning. "What is it you do?"
Chandler rolled his eyes. "See what I mean?" he said into thin air, "Even my best friend doesn't know what I do!"
"Sorry," Rachel apologised, "Computers are not really my thing."
"…And you can say that again!" Chandler grinned.
"He's an only child and his job is a Data Processor." Monica told Phoebe a week later. Chandler and Monica had started to write to each other on a daily basis and Monica was beginning to like 'Tom' more and more, but there was still one thing bothering her.
"Data Processor?" Phoebe asked, looking confused. "What's that?"
Monica shrugged. "Something to do with computers I think…I'm not sure," she replied, "…But that's not the problem."
"Then what is? Tom seems really nice. He sounds cute too." Phoebe looked at her friend mischievously.
"How can you tell?"
"I just have that feeling…anyway, what's the problem?"
"He still doesn't know my real name. I feel so guilty lying to him about that. He doesn't know my surname either."
"Right now, I don't think that matters too much. You've only been writing to each other for a little over a week. Tell him only when you feel ready."
Monica looked down at the latest letter she'd received. "He seems so nice and really sweet. I hope one day we can meet…"
Phoebe immediately started to shake her head. "That's not a good idea!" she told her, "don't rush things."
"I want to speak to him…have a conversation with him." Monica said wistfully, "Writing letters are ok, but it's just not the same."
Phoebe snapped her fingers. "I think I've just found the answer to your problem!" she exclaimed, "Do you know anyone who has an computer?"
Monica frowned uncertainly. "Someone at work may have one. Why?"
"Have you ever thought about talking to him online? You can send each other instant messages or something!"
"That's a great idea!" Monica smiled a little, "I bet Tom will have a computer. I'll ask him now…"
"Wow…" Chandler muttered, reading his letter from Monica. He looked up at his laptop. Should I tell her I have one?
Hesitating for only a second, he grabbed a pen and paper and began to write.
Dear Lizzie, he wrote, I DO have a computer. If you think we're ready, I would LOVE to talk to you. My I.D is 90CMB. Hope to talk to you soon.
Tom
"Here you go!" Phoebe handed Monica a laptop.
"Oh my god Pheebs," Monica smiled at her friend gratefully, "Thank you. Where did you get it from?"
"One of my clients at the massage place lent me it. He's going away for a few months and won't be needing it."
"Great!" Monica turned the computer on and set it up.
"I'm going to bed now…it's late." Phoebe hugged her friend and went to her bedroom.
"Night," Monica acknowledged vaguely as she concentrated on logging on to the message place. Deciding to use her alias, 'Lizzie' she went online, hoping her new friend was around. She registered '90CMB' and waited.
He's probably in bed, she thought, It's almost 11pm!
Suddenly, a message appeared on the screen.
Hi Lizzie. Great timing. I was just about to go to bed!!!
Monica smiled and typed back.
I'm sorry! I've only just got the computer. I was just messing around.
Chandler settled himself in bed and began to have a conversation with Monica. They talked far into the night, telling each other about their interests. Before Chandler knew it, the early morning sun was peeking through his curtains.
Oh well, who cares if I fall asleep during the meeting, he thought, shutting down his computer, it was worth it.
Coming into the lounge, he saw Joey looking curiously at him. "What?" he asked, confused by the expression on his friend's face.
"Not a lot of sleep last night, huh?" Joey replied, "I could hear you tapping away at the computer of yours all night!"
"Oh…er…well, I had a report to write," Chandler lied.
For the next month, Chandler and Monica continued to talk to each other. They found their personalities similar and could talk to each other at ease. Both of them were getting more and more curious as to what the other looked like. By now, Joey had found out about Chandler's secret chatting.
"So, are you going to meet her?" Joey asked him one morning.
"I don't know," Chandler replied, sighing, "We've both told each other that we want to know what the other looks like, but we've never talked any further than that."
"Why don't you ask her?"
"Because I don't want to freak her out and scare her! We've been talking for weeks now, but she might think it's too soon."
Later that night, Chandler and Monica were talking again. After a lot of thought, Chandler decided to ask her about meeting.
Would you be interested in meeting up one day? He typed. He waited anxiously for her response. Minutes passed and still no reply. He buried his face in his hands, assuming he'd probably just ruined their friendship. How could I be so stupid? He thought.
After what seemed like forever, a message appeared on the screen. Chandler's eyes widened as he read it, then he smiled happily.
Yes, I would love to meet you! The message said.
END OF PART TWO