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"Al, I think I've figured out the coding problem."
"And that means...?" Al turned his head sideways to see where Sam had wedged himself inside the main console.
"I think Ziggy's voice interface may work this time!"
"Ziggy?"
"Yeah."
"Ziggy? You're naming your fancy-schmancy supercomputer Ziggy?"
Sam appeared, face smudged and hair standing up everywhere, the little white streak sticking straight forward like a horn. Al burst out laughing, clapping a hand over his mouth to little effect.
"Why did I hire you again?" Sam frowned.
"I wonder that myself all the time." Al handed over a letter.
"Our funding? Al? You got this much funding?" He leapt up and hugged Al. This is why I hired you." He looked at the letter again, beaming ear to ear.
"Don't get all over-excited. I mean, now I've got to go back to people and ask them for money for your pet computer 'Ziggy.' How do you think that is going to go over?"
"You don't have to mention the name. Anyway, you'll find a way, Al. You always do." He stood, grinning. "Well. I'm just going to get back to this. Maybe we'll talk to Ziggy tonight."
"And what do you think he's going to say?"
"He could say anything. That's the beauty of it. The data storage already contains thirty years of information...who knows what he'll think is worth discussing? Who knows what ideas he'll have or how he'll be able to help us get the Accelerator to work? The possibilities are endless!"
Al patted him on the arm. "When it works, I'll bring the booze for a toast, kid."
Sam frowned again. "If it works. And should we really drink..."
Al waved him back to the console. "Just one drink. And you'll find a way, Sam. You always do."
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