Written in 1991 - perchance foretelling the future of online friends meeting for the first time.
He sat, as he had on many previous evenings, watching the computer terminal and waited. He knew it was only a matter of time until she would sign on again. It was always that way with the lonely hearts. They were online every night, searching the new singles' bar of the nineties for Mr. Right.
Half interested, he read the lines as they scrolled off the screen. Although he had been doing this for over a year, it never ceased to amaze him, the confidences people would reveal to total strangers. He supposed they felt safe in anonymity. Yet, he knew if he handled the conversations right, the desperate ones would tell him everything about themselves. It was only a matter of gaining their trust. These women were so gullible.
* * *
The woman rushed into the small apartment, not bothering to take the time to feed the cat. She had promised Wanderer that she would sign online by eight o'clock, and it was now seven after nine. While waiting for the computer to boot up, she cursed Cheryl for not showing up at the library tonight, causing her to have to work over and be late for her 'date'. Once connected, she immediately pressed the keywords to locate him. Holding her breath, she let it go only when she found him in 'Lobby B' discussing current events with someone using the handle NormalJoe.
Pausing, she waited for Wanderer to acknowledge her. Until she had met him, she had been too shy to participate in the conversations, but one night he had noticed her. He had made a point to direct all his comments and statements to her. Since that night, three weeks ago, she had met him here every Friday night, always declining to enter a private room so as not to appear too forward or easy. Tonight, though, she figured she owed him for being late. Tonight, she would go private, if he asked.
* * *
"Ah, there she is." The man said aloud, although no one was around to hear him. For a moment or two, he decided to let her sweat, make her think he might be upset at her for being late signing on. In truth, it made no difference; he had used his time marking future contacts. By the time he finished with this one, he would have his next game already in play.
Deciding that he had allowed her to suffer long enough, he began entering words on the keyboard.
"Hello, again, BookLady. Did you have to work late tonight?"
"Sure did, Wanderer, and sometimes it makes me so upset. Especially on Friday's. I'm sure you understand why."
"Hey, no sweat. I was late signing on myself. In fact I just got here a few minutes ago."
"Oh, good, that makes me feel a little better anyway. So how was your week?"
"Same old stuff, busy as always. So what shall we talk about this evening?"
"I'm not real sure, so I'll leave that up to you." she replied.
Got her, the man thought to himself. Now he would just have to play it cool for the next hour or so. By the end of the evening, he hoped he would have not only her real name, but her address and phone number as well. Then the fun would begin.
"Well then, my dear BookLady, why don't we play a game of make believe tonight?"
"What do you mean, Wan?" the woman answered.
"Let's pretend that we are about to have our first date. Something very simple. Like maybe, dinner somewhere nice. What is the best restaurant in your city?"
"The finest would have to be The Top of the Towers, it's downtown and I understand it is elegant. Though I've never actually been there."
"OK, then that's where we'll meet. If it is all right with you, I'll create the room. Then I will Instant Message you and you can meet me there. I promise to behave like a perfect gentleman. You should know by now that I'm not like some people on this service. What do you say?"
"I think it might be fun." she replied, "I'll wait for your message."
A few moments later he sent the Instant Message, "Meet me in the Tower Room. I'll have the champagne ordered."
* * *
Almost giggling, Emma Spencer, began pushing the keys that would take her to the private room. She hoped she wasn't making a fool of herself, after all what did she really know about this man.
He had told her, he worked in a large hospital. She assumed he was a doctor. When she had tried to identify him online, the service just said that he was from Kansas City. They had both exchanged ballpark figures of their ages. Other than that, and the assumption that he was a gentleman, she didn't know much. Maybe she would learn more tonight.
Watching the screen change to the private room, she smiled as she saw the graphics all ready on the screen. Beside the picture of a mug, he had written, "Your champagne, my lady. Sorry about the mug, but for some reason, the glasses in this place are all dirty."
"That's fine, sir. A mug will do nicely."
"And, which would you prefer for our meal... steak, seafood or a combination of the two?"
"Oh, I don't know. Why don't you order for me, Wan?"
"Well then, let us start with Caesar salad, then have steak and lobster, and maybe finish with strawberry cheesecake? Does that sound all right?"
"That sounds perfect, Wan." was all she could reply. She wondered if this was the type of meal he treated his real dates to. If so, she felt they were very lucky.
