So, I just had one of the worst experiences I can imagine. Today, I was going through my alerts on what I signed up for when it came to author alerts.

I spotted a notification from Genius-626 that a new chapter had been posted. I follow the link, and read her latest work. I go to review, and found out she banned me.

I'm personally wondering what I did to her that got her to ban me. Though I'm not mad, only confused, I still am wondering what I did wrong.

However, please enjoy this new chapter of the fic. It should start to push things forward a little.

Chapter 5: The Adobe Party

Desmond

His shift for the day having ended at five, he said goodbye to his coworkers/second cousins, and left the store.

He remembered how Tom (Neo as he just found out) had told him to pick up some champagne. They were going to be hosting company; Tom/Neo's bosses from Adobe, and he must be wanting to impress.

As he was walking down the street, rather than take a left on Jefferson Street to cross, he instead took a right, then after crossing the street twice, arrived on Watershed Avenue, where he found Spirit's Spirits, the liquor store.

Stepping inside, he sighed. It sure would be hard to find some good champagne for a good price.

Desmond always carried at least $90 on his person; he figured it would be enough for something decent.

He went down the aisles until he came across the champagne. It wasn't long until he found a good variety, with a good, recent year, that he decided on.

The price; $65, was the best he could find; any cheaper and the quality would be less.

He took the bottle and made his way to the register. At the front was someone who he figured was either Pakistani or Kuwaiti, one of the Arabic countries.

"That will be Sixty-seven Twenty" the man replied.

Desmond pulled out his wallet and dispensed a fifty and a twenty dollar bill. He then handed them to the cashier.

"What's the occasion?" The cashier asked "Big sale at the store?"

"We're hosting a party" Desmond corrected.

The cashier dispensed the change and handed it to Desmond "Have fun at your party."

Desmond took the bag that the champagne was in, and exited the store.

"Thank you, come again" Played at the door as he exited.

With that, he retraced his steps to the intersection he left from, before returning home the usual way.

When he got to the apartment, he knocked, before entering.

"I got the champagne" Desmond announced "Hopefully we have ice to put it on."

"Just set it in the ice-bucket" Tom replied, motioning to a small glass container that was half-full of ice.

Desmond placed the bottle in perfectly, making sure it touched plenty of ice.

"So when will they get here?" Desmond asked "If all is well, I can probably make a few snacks."

"Already a step ahead of you" Tom/Neo explained, going into the pantry and pulling out several bags of Chex mix. "Just put all of these into a bowl and we'll be good to go."

"Where did you get those?" Desmond asked "They weren't here when I left."

"Got them while you were out" Neo explained "There's a corner-store a block and a half away from here."

"I'm going to practice my Guitar some" Desmond replied "Let me know when they get here. I think I can find some good party music."

Desmond went to his room, picked up his guitar from the stand, plugged it into the amp, and began to play a few chords.

Rather than go with something original, he decided to play a few bars of Have A Cigar by Pink Floyd.

It was rather easy to get the guitar arrangements, yet for the intro, he just couldn't seem to get it right. It always came off either too high in pitch or too low.

He then heard a knock on the door. Before he knew it, it had become 6:30.

He unplugged and put away his musical instruments, before deciding upon The Police as backing music, grabbing a CD and taking it with him.

The two people from Adobe were already at the door, both wearing business suits, blue in variety, and identical, with the Adobe logo on one spot.

One of them was going bald, and was in the late stages, at the point where most of the hair on his head was gone, leaving only some light-brown hair around his ears and on the back of his neck. He looked to be about in his late 40's, early 50's.

The other one was much younger, and a stark contrast to the other. His hair was blonde, slicked down, long, and held in the back in a ponytail. He looked to be about their age, somewhere in the late 20's range.

"Well Tom," the younger one began "It's been a while hasn't it."

"Sure has" Tom sighed "Come in."
"Sure have improved the place" the older one commented "I see you now have a couch."

"And who is this?" the younger one asked, noticing Desmond.

"he's my new roommate" Tom explained "Desmond, meet Dave," Tom obviously motioned to the younger one.

"Nice to meet you" Desmond replied, shaking Dave's hand.

"And what company do you work for?" Dave asked "Microsoft? Apple? Metacortex?"

"I work at Diamond Street Records." Desmond explained.
"Are they the people who publish Pink Floyd?" Dave asked.

"No, that's Capitol Records here, EMI over in England" Desmond clarified "Diamond Street Records only sells music. We're a Record Store."

"I see" Dave sighed, scratching his goatee "Is there any chance that you were going to play that CD you have in your left hand?"

Desmond was confused, having forgotten the fact that he still had it.

"Why yes" he replied "I was."

"This place could use a bit of good music in here" the older man replied.
"right away" Desmond answered, smiling.

He went to the stereo, and placed the CD in the player, closing the tray, and pressing PLAY.

As the reggae rhythms of The Police filled the room, Tom went on to introduce Desmond to the older man, who had the name of Jeff.

"Is there any way we can see the new software?" Dave asked "We've been dying to get another golden-egg from this goose."

"Sure thing." Tom replied, going to his computer and booting it up.

"So here it is" Tom announced, pulling up the window, showing the beta.

He then went on to explain to them all of the features, starting with the basic ones that were there, then going into all of the new features that he included, and finally showing all of the old ones he improved upon.

"This looks like it's going to be our new seller" Dave announced, clapping Tom on the shoulders.

Desmond had been in the back, listening in on the conversation, yet not really paying much attention; most of the things explained went completely over his head.

"How about we crack open the champagne?" Desmond announced "Celebrate the achievement?"

"That's what I'm talking about!" Jeff replied "Celebrate another moneymaker."

With that, Desmond uncorked the champagne, and proceeded to pour everyone a glass.

"I propose a toast" Dave announced "To Adobe, and it's moneymaker Tom. The goose that lays the golden egg."

"Cheers" Desmond seconded.

With that, and the chinking of glasses, everyone took a drink from their glass.

The night took some of the best moments, before Tom handed over the discs with all of the files on it, and the two corporate reps left into the night.

Further notes:

Hopefully this chapter wasn't too bad. I know they are a bit short, but they're mostly drabbles.

And on a further note; I personally wouldn't have found the inspiration to keep going with Desmond had it not been for Genius-626 and her much appreciated spoof involving my OC. To me, that gave me the strength to carry on, and finding out that I had been banned really shocked me.

I don't know what I did to warrant being banned; yet I'm very sorry for whatever it is.

Genius-626, if you are reading this, I apologize for any uncouth behavior, and wish you'd give me another chance.

And so I humbly dedicate this entire story to you; Genius-626.

Shine On You Crazy Diamond…