PC Load Letter, or Tough Love

[Will Stanton]

Will frowned. "I...don't think I have much choice, do I? ASHLIE set it up, after all..."

[Natalie Denisov]

Natalie frowns a bit more, "That's... strange. That doesn't seem like the Ashlie I know. But maybe I'm wrong about her."

[Will Stanton]

"You think she's been...hacked?" Will said, whispering as if ASHLIE could hear them here in this supply closet.

[Natalie Denisov]

"I think it would be more likely that I have misread some aspect of her personality."

[Will Stanton]

"The other Will seems to think this is some kind of test. Maybe I'm supposed to figure out how to avoid it?"

[Natalie Denisov]

"It might be a puzzle of some sort. Hard to say. She could have just drawn a line to the most straightforward solution that she thought you would accept."

[Will Stanton]

"Well, guessing as to her motivation might be a fool's errand. It's possible she just doesn't like me. Because I broke her face.

[Natalie Denisov]

"You what?"

[Will Stanton]

"Her face. I broke it. Way way back when.

She asked me to hack into a friend, and when I refused, she was...angry. In the scuffle, I hit her really hard in the face, which broke.

She then forced Sam to mess with my head. It wasn't a pretty sight."

[Natalie Denisov]

"That's... well... that's quite the thing. She doesn't seem the sort to hold a grudge, but as I said, I may have misread her."

[Will Stanton]

"You might be closer to her than anyone else. If you've misread her, the rest of us have no chance," Will smiled, wryly.

[Natalie Denisov]

"Well, misreading is kind of a thing with me. You've been a direct party to that once."

[Will Stanton]

"I know," Will frowned. "I still don't know what happened there. I've been trying to avoid you, like you asked, ever since."

[Natalie Denisov]

"I misunderstood things or didn't make myself clear at the time. Maybe I'd seen too many romantic comedies." She waves it away, "It's... really not important right now."

[Will Stanton]

"OK, I'll drop it, then.

Thanks for your help, Natalie."

[Natalie Denisov]

"My pleasure. Is there anything else I can do to help?"

[Will Stanton]

Will paused and thought. "Not now, but if you see me stuck again, I would appreciate whatever help you could offer."

[Natalie Denisov]

"I'll keep an eye out for you." She smiles, "S'what friend do, right?"

[Will Stanton]

"Yeah," Will smiled back. "And if you need anything, just come grab me. Even if it's just an ear you need."