Tron's office. T-28 cycles to migration.
On cloud nine is the only way to explain Tron's reaction when he receives a vid message directly from his first User, Alan. HIS User thought enough to send a message. Kris stifles a giggle and pats Tron on the back, when she catches him replaying the vid message over and over. He's oblivious to any teasing, because the contents of the vid message make him more hopeful than he's been since he was placed on the grid. He lets it run one more time, just to be sure he understood it right.
A face just like his, but a little older and with glasses appears. The same voice as Tron's speaks, "Hey Tron! This is Alan Bradley. It's great to finally be able to communicate with you. How are things going on the grid? I've wondered how you're doing. Flynn said he didn't move your counterpart, Yori, to the grid. But I think she'll be of use to you on the new system. Would you mind if I install her? I expect to make the trip to the new grid to help with the transition. See you soon!"
"Alan is so much like you Tron. It's almost scary. He even mentioned that Flynn told him once that Yori looks just like his wife, Lora," she shares, hoping to help the User world seem a little closer for her friend.
"He's installing Yori...and HE thinks of me, even after all this time," Tron mumbles almost dazed.
"He really is an awesome guy and loves to hear the stories about you. And you two will probably be trying to out do each other with politeness, worried what the other will think," she gently jests.
"Nah... A User wouldn't worry what a program thinks, would He?" clearly a little nervous about meeting Alan.
"Wrong, bucko. I do." Her childish chagrin makes him laugh at his fear.
...
T-22 cycles to migration.
Tumbling. Falling. Helpless. A look of resigned acceptance. He's descending into endless dark depths and she can't do a damn thing to save him. Why can't she make a program to catch him? She tries to scream his name and dive after him, but no sound comes out and she can't move.
"Kris!" she hears his voice but it's not coming from his mouth.
"User!" startles her awake with a gasp and she tumbles awkwardly out of bed, twisted up in her sheet. Hand to her chest she tries to catch her breath after the dream. Then she sees the boots with the distinctive yellow orange circuits in front of her. He's only recently changed his outward form. But she'd know that unique circuit color anywhere.
Puzzlement covers her face as she looks up to him and tries to cover herself better with her sheet. Her cami pajamas aren't enough to cover her for her comfort at this instant. "What in the world are you doing here? In MY ROOM?" she demands.
"You were screaming my name. I assumed you needed my assistance. Was I incorrect?" he states as if there's nothing weird about this situation at all and he starts inspecting the things in her room.
"I..I was having a nightmare. It was so vivid...I can't get it out of my head...I must have actually voiced the scream when I couldn't in my dream," she covers her head with her arms wishing for the images to go away.
"You needed me? Yes or no," he presses.
"Technically both... Even though it's a bit creepy that you were hovering over me while I was sleeping. I'm relieved to know my nightmare isn't true and you're NOT falling to your deresolution," she shakes her head, "That was the worst dream I've had in a long time. So...Tell me. How did you know I was calling your name? And how long have you been in my room?"
"I set up a cron job to monitor you and alert me if you were in trouble. I'm here." Her broken apartment door supports his story.
"Just, how should I take the idea of being monitored?" she says with a set jaw.
"I was ensuring your safety. Nothing more," he tilts his head a little confused at her mood. Making an educated guess, "Nothing on the grid is truly private. Didn't you know? All commands and communication traffic are recorded for review later."
"Oh my. Think I need a while to process that," she shuffles as she gathers up some clothes for the day, while clutching the sheet to herself. "I'm going to change in there...Uhm...make yourself at home..." she sweeps her arm in a halted gesture because of the sheet. As she heads into the other room and is about to close the door, she turns back as it dawns on her, "So, you really were worried about me?"
"I thought you might be in trouble," he repeats simply, holding an image of her and another User.
"Right then," she bunglingly closes the door.
...
When she's presentable, she closes the broken front door and invites him into the living room for a drink. He states a crew will be around to fix it.
Handing a glass to him and sitting down across from him, she nervously adjusts her tunic. "Umm...Thank you. I mean it was weird. But I appreciate that you'd come to my aid...And I keep sticking my foot in my mouth...Ugh."
He gives a nod of recognition to her gratitude and asks, "So who were you with in the image?"
"Oh that...she was my older sister. Despite living in her shadow, I loved her very much."
"Was?...What happened?" he holds his glass in both hands and leans forward to hear better.
She takes a deep breath. "Well, it's not easy for me to talk about. But I'll try. See, she was killed in an automobile accident..." Kris swirls her drink and gathers herself for the rest, "I had sent her a text message. I didn't know she was driving at the time. When she checked it, she ran a red light and was killed instantly when the semi hit her." Tears fill her eyes, "I keep telling myself that it wasn't my fault. But it keeps nagging at the back of my mind..."
"I don't know what to say..." he fumbles.
"It was several years ago. Sorry for being such a downer," she sniffles and tries to regain her composure. "I need to get out for a bit. What about that race you owe me?"
"I should verify the progress on the new station." He gets up to go and puts his glass in the sink.
"Perfect! A race up the coast to there might be just the thing we need! And maybe I could be of help ta-boot." She grabs her light cycle baton and points it at him, "You up for it?"
"You don't stand a chance, User," he states flatly as he heads out the door.
She's not quite sure if he's taking her up on the race, or trying to discourage her. But she hopes for the best as she banters, "I think it'll be the other way around, with my User Mojo and all," she runs past him and wiggles her fingers conspiratorially, before rezzing her light cycle.
"You'll need it," he hollers, while he's at a dead run and his helmet goes up. He leaps into the air with his cycle rezzing and passes her up.
"Clu, you stinker!" She slams it into high gear and lets the light ribbon trail behind her.
In town, it's easier to keep up with him. She lets him lead - since he knows all the short cuts. She'd just be behind here anyway. But on the single lane highway, this is where she has the best chance. His racing experience keeps him in the lead. Every time she thinks she can pass him on a corner using a little mojo for boost, he uses the corner to his advantage. Near the station, she sees her chance. She chants a bit of code to use his cycle's momentum to slingshot her cycle forward. Some how though, he manages to pull ahead of her and reach that station first.
"You cheated!" he fusses still with his helmet up, despite his win.
"No, I warned you I was going to use the Mojo," and she wiggles her fingers again. "Put down your helmet so I can see your expression. You're difficult enough to read as it is." She waits while he complies. The ever so small grin on his face is worth everything to her. She pokes her baton in his direction again, "And talk about cheating, mister. How did you get such a fast bike?"
"Just a few modifications. Can't have anyone being faster than me." He tosses the baton in the air idly.
His pretend modesty entices her, "So that's how it is. I'll just have to snitch your cycle next time."
"Next time? I see you don't give up," he looks back as he heads into the station work area toward the back office.
"Nope," she catches up and matches his stride.
"I took it easy on you..."
"If word gets around..." she feigns shock.
"It won't, if you want a rematch."
"Scandalous! That's extortion..." she mock protests.
"I know...Lets get this over with. I have another meeting. And I want to see if you manage to steal my cycle..."
"Are you sure you want to tempt me to do that? I might keep it."
"I know where you live."
"You just can't stand to lose, can you?" she smiles at his audacity.
"I don't lose. But I do enjoy a challenge," he tilts his head indicating the location of the site foreman.
During the meeting, Clu runs through a few tricks with the orbs Kris gave him to help fend off the boredom. The terminal is progressing on target. A minor glitch with a crane down, but two crews worked over time to repair it. They need an extra order of i-beams, because the inspector had the architect update the blueprints and said the roof needs better stabilization. But the i-beams are on the way, so Kris doesn't have to conjure them.
"I questioned that when they first showed me the drawing," he mutters as they walk out and he swings his baton lackadaisically. Does he really want her to do this? Jeeze, he's such a tease. Who would have thought?
Figuring there won't be a better chance, she catches the baton on the upswing and tugs it from his grip. Using a small code boost to propel herself forward faster than he can take off in a run, she rezzes the cycle. As soon as it hits the ground it sends up a dust cloud.
He anticipated her move and pulls a second baton from his side. In no time, he's right behind her and then pulls out in front.
"Hey! I thought your cycle was faster!" she yells into the helmet mic.
"It is. That one was bait," he taunts as his lead grows.
"Fine. Play that way." She waves her left hand feeling the familiar tingle of the code being spun and she snaps her fingers. Suddenly the cycle she's on is the one he was just on, and vice versa. "Whoo hoo!" she cackles with glee as she's finally ahead of him. "If I win, I'm keeping your cycle," she goads.
Feeling rather smug as she rounds the next corner, movement catches the corner of her eye. He's taken an off road short cut and is headed into a cave as he scolds through the helmet mic, "You lost focus. And it would be cheating to just teleport yourself to HQ."
She wracks her brain. Dang! She's not sure where he is, so she can't just show up there. Think! Think! Think! While she ponders, she spins a little code to increase her speed and the light ribbon starts to show up a ways behind her. Ugh! How much faster will he get there? It's so not fair that he knows the grid better than she does.
At least she can enjoy his tricked out cycle. It had to be tailor made for him, because it doesn't fit her as well as her own bike.
City lights appear and it occurs to her that he insinuated a single teleport would be cheating. She makes several small jumps through inconvenient turns in town. When she finally pulls up to HQ, he's standing there waiting and his visor slides back to show his 'I told you so' expression. She tries just walking past him, but he motions 'gimmie' with his hand. "You teleported, didn't you," he chides.
"A few inconvenient corners. You did say 'just' in the definition." She smacks the baton into his hand, "Sweet ride by the way."
The ribbing continues as they head inside.
Dyson catches a glimpse, nudges Shaddox and jerks a thumb toward the couple. Both officers peek around the door to watch the interchange.
Kris gestures, out of view, that there's an audience.
"Slow day, programs?" Clu queries with his back to them.
The two heads poke back into the room, and Kris shakes her head trying to keep a straight face. As soon as she can manage it she mentions, "Well, I should check on the migration from Flynn and Alan's end. Let me know when you're up for another race, ok?"
"You weren't beaten badly enough the last two times?" he prods and leans back on the wall.
"I'm learning your tricks plus I have a few more up my sleeve, bud."
"I believe the phrase 'up my sleeve' refers to cheating," he says blandly, but she notices a twinkle in his eye.
"Oh, and baiting me wasn't?"
"It wasn't in the rules."
"What rules?!" she exclaims.
"Exactly."
She executes a one-eighty and throws her hands into the air, "Gah! What am I going to do with you?"
...
A luscious waft greets her as she opens the new door to her apartment, and her stomach growls in response. Tip toeing slowly over to the cardboard tub, she picks up a piece with the utmost delicacy - afraid that it won't be real. "Oh my word! Somebody really loves me!" She cradles the tiny white puff smothered in warm butter, and inhales its scent as she giggles with absolute pleasure then pops it into her mouth. "Mmm! Oh, wow... this HAS to be a dream!" she says in ecstasy. Cramming a whole handful into her mouth and her next words come out rather muffled, "Now where did you come from, my delectable little morsels? Who Convinced Alan to send you to me?"
It occurs to her, that if she eats ALL the popcorn, she might not ever be able to have some again. Regretfully, she tucks a little into a zip file. Hopefully the warmth and melted butter will be replicated if she copies the file. Instant popcorn - what a novelty that will be!
Next she realizes that her friends back at HQ might like to try the treat, too. Pouting and sticking out her bottom lip, she's a little afraid that there won't be enough for her. But she dutifully puts the tub in a zip file and slaps it on her sleeve. Dashing out the door she heads off to share her treasure.
On her way into the building, she does a quick test and copies the zip file with the precious contents. Then she opens the copy and the intoxicating scent starts drifting down the halls. Programs start appearing, following their noses, as she walks to the break room. The whole building seems to be there and it's standing room only. Perched on a desk to hand out copies of the tempting treat, she directs, "One at a time now, I'll share as fast as I can."
"Where did you get this?" and "What's it called?" are shouted from the crowd.
"Well, it's called popcorn and it's one of my favorite User foods ever! Someone was really kind and figured out how to get some for me. There's a couple programs that might have heard me talk about it. I'll be sure to hunt them down to say thank you for such a thoughtful thing."
"And you're willing to share?" a familiar voice emanates from the back of the crowd. Clu stands in his signature hands behind his back stance, with a minute hint of amusement on his face.
"Truth be told, I started stuffing it by the handful into my mouth, unable to think of anything else. Then I realized I should probably share..." she says slightly chagrined.
"Leave it to a user to cause utter chaos with a small token of apology," Clu mockingly reprimands.
"Yep. It must be in my nature to make things as crazy as possible," she volleys. Then a blush covers her face, "Thank you, by the way..." He's ducking out before the crowd puts two and two together. She's left to endure the cat calls as she makes her way out of the room. Playing it down is next to impossible. Shaddox, catches her arm as she goes past and encourages, "Go get him, User. He deserves something good."
She knocks on the closed conference room door. "It's just me, may I come in?"
Hearing, "Enter," she sneaks in before others notice and closes the door again.
"Hey, you," she drags a chair up next to him, a little closer than she's dared before, and opens the zip file, placing it by him. "Want to try some, since you were kind enough to give it to me in the first place?"
"I wanted you to enjoy it," he tries to refuse.
She takes a handful and says with a full mouth, "I am. Immensely! This is too good not to share..."
He reluctantly gives in and takes a kernel. "Good."
"Dude, better than good! It's awesome!" she munches happily.
"Users... always so dramatic..." in his customary straight-laced tone.
"Thank you. I seriously missed this! It's one of my very favorite foods, ever!"
Pushing his chair back and putting his boots on the table, he sighs, "I thought it would be kept quiet. Now there's chaos, and it won't be quickly calmed."
Drawing her knees up to herself, she sheepishly replies, "Sorry. I meant well. I was just so happy, I couldn't keep it to myself." She puts her head on her knees and munches. "Forgive me?"
"You'd nag me until I did."
She covers her face then peeks from between her fingers. How does he know her so well? "Yeah..."
"What is it about the User spark?" The theoretical question hangs in the air. "What is it in you that is the essence of energy? Flynn has it too. It didn't translate to me or other programs. We emulate you. But we don't have that...that vibrancy or potential for entropy," he ponders popping another kernel into his mouth.
"Those two things seem to go together, don't they? Kind of like calm and in control, or order and perfection..." she muses with him.
"Perfection...that elusive mist that only appears in the distance or stays for less than a nanocycle..."
"That's why we should just take time out to enjoy the most perfect of moments that we can find, right?"
"Perhaps..."
"Like right now," she unfolds and puts her feet up along side his and grabs another handful of popcorn then grabs the tub and offers him some more.
He accepts and closes his eyes as he crunches contentedly. Then he nonchalantly twirls the spheres she gave him, the first time she's ever seen him at peace.
...
"What?! They're just sitting there with their feet up?" Dyson's creased brows express his exasperation.
Shaddox, in on the conspiracy, makes his voice go up in pitch at the next part to mimic a female voice as he stuffs his mouth with a handful of popcorn, "And there's no 'Oh thank you Clu, baby!' and giving him a big smooch?" Neither program can seem to get enough of the snack or the drama.
"It's time you step away from the system log," Tron enters the room behind him and gives a tug on their shoulders simultaneously.
"But..."
"Now!" There's a dark tone that won't book disagreement in Tron's voice.
"Tron, you're such a killjoy...You got no spark, man. No spark at all!" Shaddox protests as Dyson closes the sound file that told all about the moment between Clu and Kris. Then he rounds on his co-conspirator, "Dyson! How could you eat the last of my popcorn!? That was low, man. Real low..."
"You snooze, you lose," Dyson shrugs as he leaves.
...
When Ruby returns from break, she finds a little zip file with a note.
Didn't want you to miss out on the treat Kris shared with us. Enjoy! -Dyson
She smiles to herself as she daintily tries a kernel, then messages him back, "Thanks! You're getting bolder. Try face to face next time."
Chapter End of Line