Correlation
"Yes, ma'am," Captain Rogers nodded. Sargent Barnes nodded his head in affirmation.
I smiled before I walked out, quickly reaching for my phone to help me figure out how to get back to the airstrip. One week down, many to go.
I received the email on Tuesday. We'd been so busy in the office this week, comparing polls for the upcoming election, going around and conducting interviews in the surrounding area, and writing articles as fast as facts came in that I'd hardly had time to think about my weekend at a top secret superhero facility. Perhaps that's why it took me a minute to figure out who the email could possibly be from.
The net ID was entirely unrecognizable, but the name before it read "jbuchanan." I stared at my screen with a blank expression for a full minute before it clicked. Even then, I was curious as to how Sargent Barnes had figured out how to write an email.
After checking over my shoulder to make sure no one was nearby, I opened the email.
"Dear Miss Reynolds,
Sam showed me how to write one of these email things. I don't think it will work, but he assures me that this letter should reach you as soon as I send it. I've been writing down my questions, but something has been bothering me and I'd like an answer sooner than Saturday. Everyone around here keeps talking about the election. It's the only thing people talk about, and I have no idea what is going on. I'd appreciate your help with this.
Sincerely,
James"
The email first made me laugh to myself, but then I stopped to think about it. Being lost in a political conversation was never fun, especially if you already struggle with normal conversations. I checked over my shoulder once more before I began my reply.
"Dear James,
I'm glad Sam showed you how to use email! It's pretty simple once you get the hang of it, and it'll help you communicate with anyone you meet. The election has been a big deal this year, so I understand how you might be lost…"
I stopped writing. This was going to take a while to explain, and it wouldn't be easy, either. An idea popped into my head, and I found myself shutting my laptop before I walked down the hall. I knocked on the door in front of me, heard a muffled "come in," and opened the door.
"Mr. Fields, I have an idea," I said immediately.
My boss turned around, a frustrated expression on his face as he studied a piece of paper. He set it down with a sigh before he looked at me. "Hit me with it."
I sat down in the chair opposite of him. "This election is driving everyone in our office crazy. News comes out faster than we can type. The old fashioned way isn't gonna cut it."
"And your proposal is?" Mr. Fields inquired.
"A timeline," I said. "A constantly growing timeline. Whenever something happens, we add the event. It'll keep everything in a clear, chronological order for our readers to see. They'll go down the line and be able to see causation, how one event lead to another, what the latest news is. It can be set up right under our main banner, in the perfect location for people to see and click on."
Mr. Fields hummed. "If you can get the IT guys to set it up, I don't have a problem with it. If it works, it'll make our job easier."
"I'll get to work on it!" I promised as I sped out the door. A quick trip to the IT department later, I sat down at my desk to finish my email.
"Your email gave me an idea. Have Steve show you how to get to our news website. A solution will be up within a few days. Also, feel free to call me Eliza.
Thank you,
Eliza"
It wasn't until an hour later that I received a simple response.
"Thank you, Eliza."
I smiled and got back to work.
I got the second email Wednesday.
I was in the middle of chatting with my coworkers about the new timeline when I heard the notification on my phone. After excusing myself to check it, I found another email from jbuchanan.
"Dear Eliza,
What time will you be arriving on Saturday? I overheard Coulson saying that there will be a lot of rain that morning, so I thought I should warn you. Also, I hope you don't mind, but I started reading through your psychology textbook. I should be done with it by tomorrow, and I have some more questions about it.
Sincerely,
James"
My curiosity tried to goad me into looking at what areas in upstate New York were anticipating rain Saturday morning, but I resisted. It was probably better that I didn't know.
"Dear James,
I usually arrive around 10am, so I'll be sure to wear a raincoat! Thank you for the heads up. Which psychology book are you reading? I look forward to your questions about it!
Thank you,
Eliza"
The return email only took thirty minutes this time.
"Dear Eliza,
It's titled Sensation and Perception by Bruce Goldstein. Why does it say this is the twelfth edition?
Sincerely,
James"
And thus began our constant correspondence.
On Thursday, I answered questions about what national adopt-a-dog month was and who decided these arbitrary holidays.
"Dear James,
People often make these 'holidays' or 'awareness months' to promote something they care about. October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Lupus Awareness Month, to name a few. I'm not really sure who decides these things, honestly, but now I'd like to find out.
Have you and Steve been keeping up with your sleeping logs?
Thank you,
Eliza"
His response came five minutes later, and it nearly made me laugh out loud.
"Dear Eliza,
They should have Former Assassins Trying To Be Good Awareness Month.
Yes, we have been keeping up with our logs. I have been keeping notes about how long it takes me to fall asleep, how many times I wake up in the night, why I woke up in the night, and how I feel when I wake up. I hope that will be sufficient information.
Sincerely,
James"
On Friday, I decided to send the first email.
"Dear James,
I'm sorry it took a few days, but it's finally up. All you need to know about what has been happening in the election is on our website at the very top! I hope it's helpful for you and everyone else who needs it.
See you tomorrow,
Eliza"
It hardly took two minutes before the reply came in.
"Dear Eliza,
See you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
James"
That night, I found myself humming as I packed a backpack for the next morning. I made sure to include a raincoat, assuming James' weather report was accurate. I sat down and reviewed my lesson plan— next up, space race.