Not forgotten

[evillurks]

There has been work for Myra in both worlds, over the past few years, but the older Shadow has been seen less by his agents, or at least by her, over the past year or two. Harry doesn't seem to have seen much of their chief, either, and the retreat might be a worrying one but the orders still come as usual, and there is still a relentless war on crime. Unseen and silent, The Shadow's hand shows in mobs gunned down unexpectedly and masters of crime meeting mysterious deaths. He's still hard at work, that much should be clear to his agents.

It's out of the blue, though, when Myra receives a PINpoint message in the very early hours of the morning. She may not even catch it until she wakes, and there seems to be no urgency. It's simply the address for the James Rettigue apartment, and '3:00PM'. It's from him, of course, without apology for a long absence of communication, nor any friendly social niceties such as asking how she's been. His mood and underlying motivations are impossible to guess.

Comments

[myra_reldon]

Likewise, Myra's been keeping busy, whether with her own personal affairs or those of the chief she serves in her own world. She's had a few missions here and there in the world of the Old Tiger, but those have become few and far between. She still visits of her own accord, however. Mostly to keep up on the dynamic culture of his world and for a break from her own. There's some opportunities in his world that she's come to enjoy, especially after what she's learned was called the Women's Liberation movement.

However, when the message arrives she's indeed asleep, back in her own time but a blurry view of the device in the dim light of a bedside lamp tells her this is no emergency and she dozes back asleep. She will better serve him well-rested.

When it nears time for her appearance she pinPoints back to his world, but to her own apartment. There she cleans up and prepares for her visit. It's a touch chilly out, but she braves the streets and public transportation anyway, making her way to the Rettigue apartment. It's 3PM on the dot when there's a knock at his door and she waits patiently, coat in hand. She's had time in the elevator to warm up but she's ready for whatever task he assigns to her.

[evillurks]

Somehow, he expected her to PINpoint in, and the knock at the door takes him by surprise a bit. Therefore it's a moment before the summons is answered, although there's a peephole in the door so he's sure of his visitor before he opens it.

The Old Tiger has aged very little, although he's as thin and angular as she remembers, and absent-mindedly still wearing his reading glasses perched on the magnificent piece of facial architecture he has for a nose. Rather than the cloak and hat, he's in what he tends to consider casual clothes, with a sweater over the oxford shirt as a nod to the cold weather.
She can smell tea brewing.

"It's been a while." He says mildly, standing aside and holding out an arm to gesture her inside. The smile is faint, but the lines around his eyes multiply thickly, and there's something energetic underlying his movements. He's pleased to see her, excited, even, although that may have as much to do with the reason for the visit itself.

[myra_reldon]

That smile around his eyes is as contagious as it is rare, and she finds herself returning the smile,though more evident through the barely reserved showing of teeth. That, and the smell of tea makes it impossible to maintain any semblance of a stoic expression. She enters with a measured look around his apartment to note any changes that may have occurred in her extended absence.

"It has, Lăohŭ."

[evillurks]

As formality goes, there doesn't seem to be much, today. Whatever he has in mind, it doesn't look ominous or dangerous.

The apartment is still spartan, and slightly dusty, as if it's gone unlived-in for a while. Whatever he has been up to, he may not have been spending his time here. The living room has been rearranged, though, the shelves moved to another wall, so that the one that once held his books, television, and stereo is now dominated by two large desks pushed together to make one long one. There are three different computer monitors, half a dozen boxes that must be the actual computers, two keyboards, and a bit of clutter to one end of screwdrivers and circuit boards and other odds and ends. A rolling chair has been added to the furniture, while the old black leather sofa has been pushed back a bit, neglected, and the coffee table is covered in computer disks and other odds and ends in addition to the usual paperwork.

He has been very busy, since she saw him last.

"Have a seat, I'll fetch the tea." It's brusque, but not unfriendly, and he's light on his feet off to the kitchen. The old nickname has kept the hint of a smile on his face. He's also fond of his new toys, and eager to show them off.

[myra_reldon]

She's only vaguely familiar with the sight of computers, having seen various displays for word processors in store windows in her few meanderings around the city. She can't help wandering near, at least glad that the keys appear in a familiar patter. She's adept with a typewriter and that much is the same, though that fact alone further amuses her today. After that brief wander she makes her way back to take a seat, neatly draping her coat over an arm of a chair and sits to wait for his return. In his presence there's less effort to hide the more prim nature of her era in the way she sits, but there's a little more aloofness there that might hint at her still relaxing.

[evillurks]

He returns with the tea tray, and has to nudge a few things aside on the coffee table to make room. There might be more room at the desk, but it's best to keep liquids and electronics separate. The aroma of pu-erh wafts toward her as he pours two cups, but he stays standing after he's offered her one, restless on his feet. "You haven't worked with computers much yet? Here or in the Nexus?"

[myra_reldon]

She graciously takes the cup, the aroma sure to cement that smile permanently on her face if nothing else today already had done the job. She keeps her eyes on him, his energy is almost palpable and she can't quite recall seeing him so...excited.

"I haven't. Aside from the pinPoint, I haven't had much opportunity."

[evillurks]

"Perfect. You'll make an ideal guinea pig." He smirks faintly, aware that's not an entirely reassuring way of putting it.

[myra_reldon]

Myra was a moment from sipping her tea but his remark earns a disruptive, though quiet snort from her.

"Oh, I will?" She gives a coy lilt to her voice and resumes that sip from her tea, the look from behind her cup both amused and challenging.

[evillurks]

"Oh yes. What I need is someone with complete ignorance." If she's going to challenge him, he's liable to take her up on it, but after a moment he seems to realize he's looming with his tea, and forces himself to sit on the slightly dusty sofa.

"...Anything to report?" It's a belated formality, or possibly what The Shadow thinks is small talk. His social skills are somewhat atrophied compared to his younger counterpart.

[myra_reldon]

"Aside from the fact that my boss is lucky I'm holding a tea cup?" She takes a more filling drink and settles it into her lap neatly. "Only that things are going well back home, the Chief has been keeping me busy, but it's otherwise been normal operations as far as I'm aware."

"I've also been making an occasional visit around here as well. And that" she smiles coyly, "is a floppy disk." Which was, entertainingly, one of the only things she knew, and it was from a magazine advertisement she'd read recently. Pure coincidence had a hand in that small iota of knowledge.

[evillurks]

He gives a whispery chuckle, sipping his own tea while glittering blue eyes watch her through the steam. "Not that I want to encourage you, but hot water can make a terribly effective weapon, in a pinch." It's best not to question what experience led to that thought.

"It is. They're limited in how much they can hold, and I would've liked to jump to something more advanced, but I'm being careful what I bring from the Nexus just in case the wrong person gets their hands on it. I've stuck to equipment from this world, and had to find other ways to make it secure, but I need a testing phase before I start having agents using this..." It's not merely a social visit, although as work goes this is far less dangerous than usual.

[myra_reldon]

"Hot water yes, good tea, only in the most dire of circumstances." She remains smiling but her posture straightens slightly as she enters more of a business mode once he starts talking about what he's been up to. It doesn't take her more than a half-beat to put his prior statement and his new revelations together.

"Oh." Her eyes light up. Getting to try something the Shadow made, possibly one of the first people to do so, it was an exciting idea.

[evillurks]

"Especially my tea." He nods in approval, although it's an effort to sit calmly and drink tea when what he truly wants is to leap off the couch and show her how to boot up the computer. Fortunately he has made an entire lifetime of controlling himself, practicing focus and calm. Instead of leaping over to the computer, he sits apparently at ease (and oblivious to the dusty state of the sofa he's on), and continues in an even tone.

"The best way I could think of to keep it hacker-proof was to write the operating system from the ground up, but I'm afraid the GUI- the graphical user interface, which is how you interact with the computer, may fall short, so I need a layperson to test it. Burbank and Vincent need to be able to operate this, too..." It goes unsaid that they may be the lowest common denominator in this, being older than Myra and less agile of mind than their chief.

[myra_reldon]

"I think I can manage that." More that she's certain she can look at it from whatever point of view he needs of her to make certain it works the way he wants. She takes another drink of her tea, trying not to rush it, but she gets the feeling that as soon as she finishes it'll be time for the task ahead and she's anticipating the excitement of learning the new skill, and helping the Old Tiger.

"And which Burbank?" She knows exactly which one he refers to, but she's in too good of a mood to stop being coy for the time being.

[evillurks]

"Both, but I'm sure the one with the deeper voice is more familiar to you." It can't have escaped her attention that the second Burbank he employs sounds uncannily like a young woman, albeit a very capable and efficient one.

"I intend to have a few of my younger agents try cracking the security, too. There won't be any sensitive information stored with network access, but I do intend to have some of this used for communication between agents, particularly those overseas." The Old Tiger's network is a far-reaching one, and the primitive beginnings of the internet are too good an opportunity to be ignored.

[myra_reldon]

To be honest, she liked the older Burbank, but the new one is a refreshing change of pace. The female voice is easier to relate to, and while she's never met old Burbank, she'd like a chance to meet the new one to get an idea of the woman. It's more professional curiosity than anything, but she'll be the first to admit it's nice to meet other capable female agents.

At the mention of long distance communications her posture straightens a bit and she looks back at the monitors. In his presence there's hardly any point to hiding her impressed expression at the wonders of technology, he'd likely see through any facade she attempted anyway.

"Keep dangling that carrot, Chief, and I might not finish my tea." She smiles, sipping but keeping her eyes on the computers now. Such incredible marvels of this world he lives in, and here she is getting the opportunity for hands-on experience.

[evillurks]

It may be worth noting that he employs far more female agents now than he did in her time- or than his alternate does. It could simply be the changes of modern culture, but it may also reflect some subtle changes in his own thinking. His manner of dressing may be old fashioned, but this old man has moved with the times.

"...I can always make more." The rim of his cup does little to hide a faint smile. He's as eager as she is, if not more so. "We could start with teaching you how to turn it on..."

[myra_reldon]

She'll be the last to complain about that, even if there were a few 'Margo Lanes' to deal with. It makes her proud to see the positive change, and she's learned to appreciate it even more now that she has learned how much the world has changed since her time.

"That sounds important." She smirks, finishing off the last of her tea, though certainly not rushing it. "I'm ready whenever you are."

[evillurks]

He finishes his own in a swallow, and sets the cup on the table, movements swift and brusque, but carefully not over-eager.

"It'll take a minute, anyway. Everything I build from what we have here is maddeningly slow compared to the marvels of the Nexus." He gives a sigh, and a faint wheezy cough, the first she's heard out of him today. The old problem with his lungs is not gone, but the extra rest of spending hours sitting at a desk each day has done him good. "Do you know where the power button is, or should we go over the basic components, first?" There's no insult intended, he's just not quite certain what ground zero is for her.

[myra_reldon]

"At least let me take a look." She's worked plenty of power buttons in this world now, she's starting to get the hang of things. She takes a look at the monitor, and the boxes below, getting down on one knee to take a look there. Once she's made her study she stands up, but keeps her eyes on the machines.

"I can take a guess, but I'd rather you show me." She frowns, she'd have liked to figure it out but there are a few buttons that look like they could power the machine, and she doesn't know if there's a specific sequence to all of this or not.

[evillurks]

He rolls back the chair to let her look, and when her inspection seems complete he makes a little gesture to offer her the seat. "I'll give you a rundown, then. You'll probably need to know the basics soon enough just to pass for keeping up with the times."

There is no second rolling chair, but when The Shadow frequently prefers to be on his feet, ever restless.

[myra_reldon]

Myra takes the offered seat without arguing, and watches the Shadow closely. She will take in every detail he gives to her, and keeps her mind open to any potential for questions Burbank or Vincent may have.

"Ready." She gives an additional nod of her head.

[evillurks]

With a little push he rolls her closer to the desk, and begins to give her a crash course in the basic parts of the computer, what order it reads the disk drives in on booting up, and at last nudges her to turn it on. As the fan whirrs to life, he points out the various lights and sounds and what they mean it's doing inside.

The Shadow is many things, but he is not an easy teacher. She may wish she'd brought a tape recorder to play it all back later, because he tends to go fast.

[myra_reldon]

It's a lot of information at once but she manages. Working closely with him and his younger self has helped her get used to the rapid-fire information dump. Once it's up and running and she's pushed up to the table, she reaches out and hovers her hands over the keyboard, but makes certain not to touch it yet. The monitor glows warmly as it shows a small arrow and what she realizes must be the 'graphical user interface' he was talking about.

[evillurks]

She may also notice the icons and text are set at a larger size than necessary, at least for her own eyes. The Shadow's are not quite so young, and neither are Harry's or Burbank's for that matter. Once the thing has finished booting up, he begins to talk her around the set up, but only enough to give her some idea what she's looking at, and what's on it. There's nothing sensitive stored here, but there are test files, information, sample communications, and he explains it's hooked to the phone line and able to reach out to another computer that by that means. He isn't going to explain how to access it all, though, and begins to tell her to look for this or that file, and then to dial out, watching to see how easily she works out which icons will allow her to complete those tasks.

One can only hope that having him hovering over her shoulder all the while, intense blue gaze boring through the reading glasses, won't throw off her concentration.

[myra_reldon]

She really wouldn't know large from normal sized text in this setting, so she merely accepts it as it is currently. She follows his directions, and while the mouse takes a few tries to keep from over or under shooting the icons, her typing is quick and precise. She's at home with a QWERTY style keyboard and that much requires no learning curve at all.

She follows along well enough, but a few icons catch her up, the pixeled image a little difficult to decipher despite it's larger size. She makes a good show of it though, considering the most difficult machine she's ever had to work was a PINpoint.

[evillurks]

Needing some time to adjust to the mouse is expected, since he's been through it himself, and while The Shadow gives commands, he's always had the patience to stand back and let his agents complete them. The icons are very basic, but it's fairly intuitive to navigate. Perhaps it's helped that he is a newcomer to the world of computers himself.

"The machine you'll be connecting to is located across town, but in theory you could reach any computer connected to a phone line." The ramifications are, of course, enormous.

[myra_reldon]

Myra would be impressed, but she's had so much exposure to not only the Nexus, but its many technological wonders that the true impact of it is currently lost to her. Given time, the understanding that millions of people will have instant access to untold levels of information and each other will dawn on her. For the moment, however, she's currently focused on performing the task set before her and listening to her Chief's instructions.

She creates a query to the system across town, her fingers dancing fluidly across the keys. Lacking the force required for a typewriter, her already fast speed at the keys is made slightly more impressive.

"And...there." She depresses enter, to find her screen displaying one of his demonstration files, and she smiles proudly as she uses the mouse to scroll down the lines of information.

[evillurks]

Much of this time, the old man has been leaning forward slightly to watch her progress, one gnarled hand on the back of her chair, but now he straightens and folds his arms with a slim, satisfied smile. "Not bad at all. Any criticisms thus far? If you think anything can be improved, I'm open to suggestion."

That is, in itself, a rare invitation. This is an unusual experiment, however, and one that he is aware depends far more on the ability of others to use it than his own feelings on the matter.

[myrareldon]

"No complaints here, Chief." She reads the file, still interested to see what his test information is about. Mundane information so far, but she can't help her curiosity. "I think Vincent and Burbank should be able to pick this up well enough. All the kids will probably have un with this."

His work was really impressive, and thorough of course. She starts to carefully navigate her way back out of his database, to make certain she can manage that too.

[evillurks]

"Some of the kids will be testing the security and encryption." He gives a nod, still watching her work her way around the system with ease. "That's as important as useability, if not more so. I've seen how advanced the hackers can get, and it'll be a race to keep ahead of them, here." The Shadow has always been a few steps ahead of the current technology, even without the aid of the Nexus, so perhaps he shouldn't be too worried.

Sorry for the delay!

[myra_reldon]

"I imagine you'll make it work somehow." She smiles, the sense of a wink in her voice so she doesn't see it as necessary to make it more obvious by actually winking. She logs off with a click and watches the screen a moment. "You, I think it's missing only one thing, Chief."

Re: Likewise!

[evillurks]

"Oh?" One eyebrow arches eloquently, but he suspects a joke is coming, and looks mildly amused. "What's that?"

((New post here if you're interested, inspired by excessive winter weather. The Shadow has cabin fever. Or I'd be content to start up a new thread...))

[myra_reldon]

Of course he's well ahead of her, but she forges on with a smile.

"You need one of those start-up sounds. Something to give the kids a good fright before they even get into the system."

((Hah! I'm looking at that post right now, debating who to tag with. Can't blame Shadow, this weather is pretty crazy. New thread would work too. I'm free today, so whatever works!))

[evillurks]

He lets out a low, shuddery laugh, which just might make a fairly good sound sample in itself. Even when it is a sound of genuine amusement, his laugh is a subtly fearsome sound. "I'll keep it in mind."

((Ah, are you also snowbound? Perhaps one or the other of them could visit, what with crime being muffled by lengthy bad weather...))

[myra_reldon]

She can't help as her grin splits a little wider at his laughter. It's not that it doesn't affect her, it is indeed a powerful sound, but she's acquainted enough with it to know when he's truly amused.

"Otherwise, as far as the adults are concerned, I think it's pretty solid."

((Yes, i am indeed snowbound. Will be tagging at SWS shortly!))

[evillurks]

Unlike some, Myra has nothing to fear from that laugh. His voice and laugh tend to make up for the odd lack of expression in his face. Even his smile is a mild one.

"Thank you for the seal of approval, then. You'll be seeing it in use soon, so set aside space for a computer in your apartment."

((Brilliant! Perhaps we can wrap this thread up, then.))

[myra_reldon]

"Consider it done." She'll need to acquire a bigger desk, but that won't be a problem. "Anything else?"

[evillurks]

"Just the tea, I suppose." He gives a sweeping gesture toward the table, where it's gone cold. The computer was far more interesting.

[myra_reldon]

"Oh..." She turns back, having literally forgotten about it during their time on the computer. Her cheeks flush a little and she shakes her head. "Shame on us, we've let it get cold."

[evillurks]

"Well... shame though it is to waste tea, I could always make more, but I also wouldn't want to keep you from anything." He never knows what his alternate has her doing.

[myra_reldon]

"I do wish I could stay, but I have work ahead of me tonight." She stands with a slight bow. "Another time, gladly."

[evillurks]

He gives a mild nod, mind quick to shift to tweaks he could make on his system after watching her use it. The tea will have to grow colder still, because he can find plenty to do.

[myra_reldon]

She quickly pulls out the PINpoint, stalling is something unnecessary here, and with the nod she takes it as a dismissal. In a flash she's gone, back to her own world and already preparing for the tasks set to her by the other half of her command.