It Could Happen...

The place: A long rectangular room with no overhead lighting, paid for solely with taxpayer money. The only illumination is the flashing of hundreds of computer screens. Slouching before every monitor is an analyst, intently studying the data scrolling by. Some have cups of coffee on their desks, others small meals, still others soda or snacks. The clacking of keyboards continually washes over the room.

Analyst 1: Hey, I’ve got something!

Analyst 2: {Wheels over to Analyst 1’s desk} What is it?

Analyst 1: This blog. FromTheDeskOfCurly.blogspot.com.

Analyst 2: What about it?

Analyst 1: It hasn’t been updated in almost two weeks.

Analyst 2: So?

Analyst 1: You don’t understand. It’s updated every week like clockwork, even if the content is sub-par, which it usually is.

Analyst 2: So whoever runs it is an attention hound?

Analyst 1: On yeah. The worst kind. It’s all about quantity, not quality.

Analyst 2: And this guy’s late with an update. What do you make of it?

Analyst 1: I dunno. But it could be something.

Analyst 2: Maybe he just got busy or something.

Analyst 1: No. He makes sure he updates each week. It’s obviously a priority with him. Look here, a few weeks ago he posted a poem about having writer’s block. Who does that? I mean, if you don’t have something to say, then don’t say anything. He obviously continually posts to make himself feel important.

Analyst 2: All right, you’ve convinced me. He should have posted by now. Something is definitely up.

Analyst 1: The question is, what?

Analyst 2: You thinking something sinister?

Analyst 1: Oh yeah. This is the kind of guy that’s writing a blog one day and then decides to take over the world the next.

Analyst 2: Still, he writes bad poetry. Do you really think he wants to take over the world?

Analyst 1: Do you wanna take the risk and ignore it?

Analyst 2: {Thinks it over} No.

Analyst 1: I thought so. I think we better see if we can find him.

Analyst 2: Well, his name is Curly. Think it’s a Three Stooges reference?

Analyst 1: Too obvious. It’s probably a red herring meant to throw us off.

Analyst 2: {wheeling back to his desk} I’m gonna start looking into this over here.

Analyst 1: Good.

Analyst 2: {After looking at the blog for a while} Wow, he makes lots of jokes about giant slugs. Sheesh, learn to quit while you’re ahead, buddy.

Analyst 1: No kidding.

Analyst 2: Hey, wait a minute! There’s a new post!

Analyst 1: I see it! I see it!

Analyst 2: Whoa. This is just about two guys talking back and forth in a room for what seems like hours. It doesn’t even make sense. Is this supposed to be funny? I don’t get it. All right, I’m changing my mind. If this guy has the time to write this then he’s obviously not thinking about taking over the world. Or if he is, he won’t have the slightest clue how to do it.

Analyst 1: You’re right. He’ll post just about anything, won’t he?

Analyst 2: Yup. All right, forget this. I’m going to lunch. You coming?

Analyst 1: Yeah. Let’s get out of here.