Wasn't kidding was I? Well enjoy part two of this multi-chapter eruption!

Chapter 5- Crazes and formalities

Searchman looked at her in surprise, "Thanks."
"It isn't a problem, I don't think they'll sell that well anyway."
"Because not many navis are stalked like that."
"Not as far as I know."
"What do you suggest as a way around it?"
"Try and find a girl by next year, either that or lie that you have one."
Searchman flushed, "You know the press, they always catch liars out."
"Good point, but trust me, you'll find someone sometime."
"You think so?"
"I know so, there is someone that is right for you out there and you will find her."
"Thanks Iris."
"Anytime."

Searchman headed out of the shop, and Nia said, "Hey Iris, would you test this new transport out for me?""Sure Nia, send it over."
"I just personalised it for you," the young programmer replied, sending it to her PET directly from the computer.
Iris obtained the data and it turned into a hoverboard, "Very sleek design."
"Works like a snowboard that works on level ground and uphill, lean forward to accelerate and back to brake."
"Right." Iris replied, shutting the shop temporarily to test the board along the roads of Internet City. When she finished she noticed a young teen navi looking at her.
"Wow! That is one cool transport."
"Thanks, small enough to be compressed on the PET, and a good piece of work, I was testing it out."
"Are they for sale somewhere?"
"We're working on it, what do you estimate Nia?"
"Judging by his size, I'd say about 1000 plus an extra 10 for customisation and I'll throw in a warrantee since it's new software."
Iris told the navi, "That is a bargain! Where can I buy one?"
"Follow me."
Soon enough the boy had given her the money and was running out eager to test the new transport, "Well, that is looking up."
Nia nodded as she set up a number of display models for the window and inside the shop, "I'll say, I never expected to see that one being demanded for so quickly."
"Well, it is a good start." Iris replied, putting some of the boards into a display cabinet along with other items for sale.
"True, but he may end up being the only one that buys them."
"Or all his friends will buy them, it can go one of two ways."
"Exactly."

A week later Enzan sat in his office, tapping absent-mindedly on his desk, "I don't even have any paperwork to do and the old man insists that I am here."
"Who knows why he does, but it is better to give him what he wants just to shut him up." Blues pointed out.
"Yeah," the vice-president walked over and turned on the television that he had for the news for his other duties as a Netsaviour. Metool News was on, and he felt he might as well check it out, to his regret.
"The anniversary IPC dinner next week is expected to contain an announcement from its president, Ijuuin Shuuseki announced that is will be a sign of a bright future for the company, but refuses to comment further."
"Like I didn't know that already." Enzan muttered.
"You know what the press is like."
"Good point."
"On a lighter note, Program Emporium manager Liona Harmonia is going to be flying to Akihara this weekend. The 21-year-old Ameroupean is going to make her annual charity presentation, this year to the Akihara centre for children with physical and speech difficulties. Metool 963 has this to say."
"Oh no!" Blues moaned.
Enzan looked at the PET, then at the screen.
"Program Emporium is quickly growing into one of Internet City's most popular stores." 963 reported, indicating a long queue, "But rain, sleet, snow or hail, Liona Harmonia once again promises her annual bid to charity."
The screen changed to Iris, who was obviously taking a five-minute break, "Our family has always been encouraged to do what is best with our talents for society as a whole, and this is our way of doing this, but we have obtained help from all our customers and appreciate even the smallest donation to the cause."

"I think I should drop in on her." Blues said.
Enzan looked surprised, "Why?"
"I think I see where that hoverboard craze is coming from."
"Hoverboard craze?"
"Didn't I tell you? Navis everywhere are going on about hoverboards, they use them in the streets, talk about tricks and their features, plus I heard that they're compact enough to be kept in a data form on the PET."
"All that from one small shop? She's going to be in over her head."
"Yeah, you can see from the news report that her filing system is overflowing."
Then the main newsreader reappeared on the screen, "Akihara university students are preparing for the event of the year. This summer a mysterious concert is being held to raise money for the restoration of the music recording and rehearsal studios. The only comment available is that it is completely run by students and that tickets are on sale now."
"Sounds like everyone is busy then."
"Better busy than bored." Blues replied, before he was plugged into the net.

Meanwhile Nia was packing for the trip to Akihara, including an outfit for the presentation, a suit consisting of shirt, skirt and jacket, and a dress for the dinner party. Iris was shutting the shop for the night.
"Man, that was one long day."
"I'll say, those things are selling like hotcakes."
Just then Blues arrived, Iris looked at the screen, "Should I let him in?"
"See what he wants, but if it is about a board he's going to have to wait in line like everyone else."
Iris nodded and walked over, "Hey Blues, what's up?"
"Not much, except that someone has been making a big name for themselves recently." Blues replied, looking at the display boards.
"Yeah, I never expected them to sell this well."
"Have a waiting list yet?"
"I get two orders for every one Nia makes."
"Ouch."
"Yeah, but if you want to order one, I'm afraid that you will have to wait until opening hours like everyone else."
Blues smiled, "I just came to make sure you weren't in over your head."
"Just in paperwork, nothing that can't be cleared up."
"In a few years at this rate."
"Well good help is hard to find these days."
"Right, well, see you this weekend."
"Speaking of which, would Enzan like to come to the presentation?"
Enzan opened a screen, "Why not? It'll give me a break from the old man."
"Cool, perhaps we can have lunch somewhere afterwards." Nia suggested.
"I know a good place."
"Sounds like fun, well, it's getting late down here and I am going to need some sleep if I'm to be awake in the morning, see you Enzan."
"Right, we better blow before someone gets any ideas."
Blues coughed, and it sounded strongly like, "Streakman."
"Who?"
"A navi who keeps giving me a bad look."
"Maybe its because you have duties besides to the company."
"Doubt it, he's got no rights about the matter."
"Doesn't mean he doesn't like it."
"If I keep the company in one piece he's happy."
"I would've heard if you had it any other way."
Blues smiled at this, "Fair point, knowing that 963 he would've found out."
"Speak of the devil, I told you not to come here after hours!" she called over to the metool.
"Darn! She always spots me!"
"I know all your hiding places remember?"
963 pouted, but didn't say anything.
"Don't you get enough dirt from this place?" Blues asked.
"It's high publicity recently, I have to get good news, by the way, what are YOU doing here after hours?"
"Talking, it isn't an offence you know."
"What do you know about…?"
"I told you already, I don't know anything except that he wants Enzan-Sama there!"
"Ok, ok chill out already! I'm trying to do a job!"
Blues whispered to Iris, "Reminds me of Midorikawa."
Iris sniggered slightly at that comment.
"Well, I better be off, if Streakman appears to be following me he'll be asking questions."
"Ok, see you." Iris replied as Blues logged out before 963 could ask anything.
"Who's Streakman?"
"Some navi who works in IPC, and that is enough info for you." Iris replied before booting him from the shop.
"That's not very nice!"
"Neither is snooping around like you do."
"It's my job!" 963 retorted, before walking off, finding Toadman and beginning to interview him.
Iris rolled her eyes and shut the shop for the day.

Preview

The presentation of Nia's biggest cheque arrives, and the press (Including a particular Japanese news reporter) is having a fit about it. And then there's the IPC dinner party, which will bring a shock to the gang's systems.

Stay tuned for part three of this re-boot of this story 'Formal parties and culinary disasters'.