Chapter Twenty-Nine
As Daniel E. Whitehouse the Third sat patiently waiting in front of the black
deco computer desk, Tim Hegler gazed at the forty-two plasma to the back wall
of his bedroom and grabbed its rectangular-shaped remote before strategically
placing his forefinger across the top of one of its buttons. Two months had
passed since Krypton Software had stolen a copy of their game.
“Is everyone ready?” he questioned, first looking at Daniel, then Paul Pontiac, who was sitting on the floor with his back against the side of Tim’s bed – and eventually young Nathan, who had positioned his wheelchair beside his older brother.
Each of the boys nodded and almost simultaneously lowered their wrist, so they could grasp a pair of black “active” multidimensional glasses resting nearby.
“Okay, gentleman,” Tim continued when all eyes were covered. “It’s time. Daniel, hit my desktop’s start button, and I’ll flick on the TV. Then we’ll let the show begin.”
A red-lettered digital clock hanging on Tim’s wall automatically ticked off another minute and soon afterwards, its sultry female voice said, “The time is now one p.m.”
Daniel glanced in its direction and could not help but break into a grin. He then proceeded to do what Tim instructed while everyone else in the twenty by thirty-five-foot bedroom kept their eyes glued on the large flat screen monitor in front of them.
In less time than it would take someone to shout, “Welcome to Microsoft Windows Version 9,” the monitor’s darkened screen burst to life and an enormous red, blue, yellow, and green Window's flag began to soar toward them.
Surrounding it directly above and below, the words Microsoft Midori sizzled like a 3-D firework display in bold gold-colored letters while the brightly colored flag waved, as if blown by a gusty ten to fifteen mph breeze.
“Wow! That’s amazing,” Nathan exclaimed, unable to contain himself as the logo of the yet unreleased version of Windows fluttered in full glory. “But what’s Midori and how did you get a copy of this Tim?”
Tim turned to face Paul’s handicapped brother, and his lips formed a grin. However, before he answered him, he noticed his best friend’s concerned expression and deliberately chose to remain quiet – at least for a second.
“Have you forgotten that my dad is the head of Titan Industries Software Division?” Tim eventually said, more statement-like than in asking a question. “He happens to have a friend who works on Microsoft’s Windows Development Team. And what you are seeing my friends is a pre-beta copy of Windows 9. … Titan Industries through the help of my dad’s friend was selected as one of few companies that get to preview this upcoming operating system, so they can start developing multidimensional games for it.”
“This new software’s fantastic,” Nathan yelped, his voice echoing throughout the room.
Tim glanced at him and briefly chuckled, then pushed the necessary buttons that would guide the unfamiliar desktop to a square, blue-colored box containing Microsoft’s redesigned Internet Explorer logo. Moments later, when the browser application appeared full screen, he brought up a website called Tech TV. At present, it was showing a live newscast taking place at Krypton Software's headquarters in Hidden Valley, Tennessee.
“Will you take a look at that,” Paul said, raising an eyebrow upon seeing how Krypton had transformed their dark-gray plexiglás exterior to an oversized simulated screen. “They must have spent a small fortune on that special effect.”
Tim laughed a single laugh, then shook his head in disagreement. “Nope. You’re wrong, Paul. What you're seeing is old-school technology and probably only cost them a few hundred bucks. … If they would have transformed their exterior wall into a giant multidimensional screen which didn’t require special viewing glasses, then that would have been both expensive and remarkable.”
Daniel nodded his agreement before grabbing a bright-red aluminum soda can he had earlier set on Tim’s desk, and taking a sip.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” a dark suited gentleman standing on a raised platform located near the middle of the TV screen began to announce while a semi-gray haired executive approached the center stage. “At this time I am proud to introduce to you Mr. Allen Sharp, Krypton Software’s beloved CEO.”
Instantly, the hundreds present at the software company’s flamboyant affair rose to their feet and began to repeatedly clap.
Tim and Daniel watched as the CEO took his bows, and a defiant smirk began to emerge on Tim’s face.
However, unlike the others around the room who seemed entertained with what looked like was going to be a never-ending applause, Nathan quickly got bored and began to shift in his seat. Then a microsecond later, a prolonged high-pitch whistle-like fart flatulently escaped from the bottom of his chair.
At once, Paul’s face turned a bright shade of red, and he covered his mouth as he turned toward his brother. Tim silently observed his friend’s action and proceeded to wonder if Paul was going to yell at Nathan or burst out laughing.
“Man, you sure are crude, Nathan,” Daniel loudly exclaimed, exhibiting a frown as he turned to give the eight-year-old a disapproving stare.
Nathan faced him displaying a clownish grin, and extended both arms wide open. “I’m sorry, everyone. I couldn’t help it. It just happened. I didn’t mean to …”
“I know you didn’t,” Tim interrupted, beaming from ear-to-ear. “You’re a kid and sometimes things like that happen. Which reminds me, all of you do know that if Paul’s Golden Rule Trojan has gone undetected, what Nathan has just said is similar to what a few Krypton Software engineers are going to be saying a few weeks from now.”
“Oh?” Nathan exclaimed.
Tim nodded. “Gee. I don’t know what‘s causing the game to do this boss,” his mocking voice squeaked in a falsetto as if he were one of their employees. “It just happens.”
Immediately, everyone sitting inside Tim’s bedroom rolled in laughter.
Soon afterwards, Allen Sharp completed his opening remarks and turned to face his company's multistory plexiglás complex. Then in the precise amount of time it would take to push a round button on a remote, the gigantic Krypton Software name being displayed against the building’s exterior instantly disappeared, and the words Alien Warfare began to radiate in twenty feet high, ghoulish-green letters. Directly behind it, a two-dimensional background appeared featuring blinding yellow phaser bolts that seared across a darkened galaxy – while mankind-created starships engaged in a fearless battle against numerous monstrous-shaped UFOs.
Amplified “Wows” and “Ahs” soon filled Hidden Valley’s arena, and Tom Steel, Mike Furrow, Ray Sizemore, and George Witherspoon smiled since they could mentally visualize the mega-dollars, which would be subsequently rolling in.
*****
“So. How many copies do you expect will sell today?” Mike Furrow asked, turning to face his coworker.
George Witherspoon, like a German shepherd who was handed a fresh two-foot long rawhide bone for Christmas, instantly grinned. “According to the initial orders we filled the last couple of weeks, I would guess at least a couple million.”