Page 4 of Betrothal Blitz
Agent: Just a few more minutes while the system refreshes. We could sit here quietly, or you could tell me about your plans for this weekend.
User: My plans this weekend are to work.
Agent: Not a snow bunny?
Once again,she typed. Then the bubbles stopped. Then started again to indicate that she was typing.
Paul imagined her brain short-circuiting from his chattiness in the chat. No, this wasn't so much a chat anymore. He was flirting. Why was he flirting with her?
User: I find snow highly inefficient. It slows down everything. Everyone romanticizes it. And it usually ends in someone slipping on black ice.
Paul let out a soft laugh.She wasn’t giving him warmth. But she wasn’t keeping quiet, either. The typing bubble flickered back on.
User: Also, snow bunnies are fluffy and useless. I am neither.
His grin widened.Yeah. She was flirting back. Her version of flirting just came wrapped in snark and steel.
Paul leaned back in his chair, suddenly aware of how much he was enjoying this. The system finished updating. She could upload the document now.
User: I'm sure you want to get out of the office soon. You're working overtime now. It's after 5pm.
Agent: I'm being fairly compensated, and I love my work. You must love yours as well if you're working late and into an oncoming snowstorm.
User: I do love my work. Do
There wereno ellipses after that last word. But there were more bubbles. Then she completed her sentence.
User: Do you like your work?
Agent: I like helping people, especially young people. I never know who I'm helping in this chat. Don't know if you're an old person or even a good person.
User: I'm an awesome person.
Agent: I bet. I'm awesome too. Or I will be. I'm up for a promotion and then I'll be helping even more people in need.
He watchedthe little dots blink. No response yet, but he pictured her—whoever she was—blinking back at the screen, maybe adjusting her posture in that way anxious people did, like they just remembered they have a spine.
A reply popped up. Still brusque, but there was a crack in the ice.
User: Didn’t expect humor. Or help this late on a Friday. But I’ll take them both.
He chuckled,despite himself. Ah, there she was. Her guard was down. Unfortunately, the window was up for her to resubmit her form.
Agent: I've got that window opened for you. Once you're in, click “Start New Submission” and choose Biennial Statement from the dropdown.
User: Found it. Shocking. The site actually did what it said it would.
Agent: We live to defy expectations.
User: Who designed this portal, by the way? Someone with a personal vendetta against logic?
Agent: Pretty sure it was the same guy who writes IKEA manuals. All hex keys and no instructions.
User: That tracks. At least IKEA gives you tiny cartoon men who look like they're trying.
Agent: True. Our site just gives you existential dread and a spinning wheel.
User: Look at that—progress and depression. What a combo.
