I took a break from programming and writing documentation to actually use the tool I wrote. Here is part of my story. I hope you enjoy it.
I arrive at the agreed upon meeting place. It's dark -- how I like it. I don't know how long I'm going to have to wait. I hope it's not too long -- that, I don't like. Does my contact arrive on time?
Yes, and...
My contact shows up and hands me an envelope and, unexpectedly, a small box.
"What's this?" I ask.
"They wanted to give you a little gift." he replies, "An extra incentive you might say."
The contact says no more, turns around, and leaves. I look to see if anyone is around. Seems quiet. Do I see anyone?
Yes, but...
Looks like some worker on his way home. Should be nothing. I walk back to my car, get in, and open the small box.
A Ruger hand gun. Nice. I put the weapon in my jacket pocket. I open the envelope. What does it say?
Negotiate the elegant monkeys.
There was a fancy art show down town last night and there was more excitement than expected. It seems the main piece of art, The Elegant Monkeys, was stolen. Can't blame someone for taking a half a million dollar opportunity. Now my client wants it. Why anyone would want that piece of garbage is beyond me, but I'm no art critic so what do I know. Does the envelope provide any location information?
No, and...
It looks they gave me nothing to go on. It looks like I'll be hitting the streets. Does anyone come to mind who might know anything?
Yes, but...
Charlie will know, but it will cost me. He gives nothing for free. I make the drive to his house and pound on the door. Does he answer?
Yes, but...
"I'm not letting you in!" Charlie yells from inside.
I laugh. "Come on Charlie. What will it take?" Does he want money?
Yes, but...
He wants a lot of money. "Listen," I say, "I'm the one doing all the hard work. You get to stay home and watch wheel of fortune. Give me a break!" I know he won't budge. Does he budge?
No, but...
He opens the door and looks me in the eyes. "You won't have the work to do unless I tell you what you need to know." He smiles because he knows I'll give him what he wants.
I pull the gun out of my jacket and he tries to slam the door on me but I stop it and push my way in. Charlie puts his hands up, "OK, OK, OK, I can go down. No problem. I was just kidding, OK?"
I put the gun back in my pocket. "Don't worry. I don't have any bullets yet."
He sneers at me, "That's going to cost you Marco!"
"Just tell me how much you want, Charlie. It's getting late and the monkeys are probably in Europe by now."
Charlie smiles, "Oh, but they're not. There was a bit of a problem with transportation."
I ask him where the problem was. Does he tell me?
No.
"You need to pay me first, Marco."
"What do you want?"
3 = 1[d4]+2
"I want thirty grand."
"Charlie, I think you have an over exaggerated opinion of your worth. I can find out myself." I turn and start walking towards the door. Does Charlie fall for my bluff?
Yes.
"Marco, Marco, I was just playin with ya."
"Charlie, I'll give you 20K just to save myself some time. Take it or leave it." Does Charlie take it?
Yes, and...
Charlie is actually very happy to be a part of the scheme.
I arrive at the agreed upon meeting place. It's dark -- how I like it. I don't know how long I'm going to have to wait. I hope it's not too long -- that, I don't like. Does my contact arrive on time?
Yes, and...
My contact shows up and hands me an envelope and, unexpectedly, a small box.
"What's this?" I ask.
"They wanted to give you a little gift." he replies, "An extra incentive you might say."
The contact says no more, turns around, and leaves. I look to see if anyone is around. Seems quiet. Do I see anyone?
Yes, but...
Looks like some worker on his way home. Should be nothing. I walk back to my car, get in, and open the small box.
A Ruger hand gun. Nice. I put the weapon in my jacket pocket. I open the envelope. What does it say?
Negotiate the elegant monkeys.
There was a fancy art show down town last night and there was more excitement than expected. It seems the main piece of art, The Elegant Monkeys, was stolen. Can't blame someone for taking a half a million dollar opportunity. Now my client wants it. Why anyone would want that piece of garbage is beyond me, but I'm no art critic so what do I know. Does the envelope provide any location information?
No, and...
It looks they gave me nothing to go on. It looks like I'll be hitting the streets. Does anyone come to mind who might know anything?
Yes, but...
Charlie will know, but it will cost me. He gives nothing for free. I make the drive to his house and pound on the door. Does he answer?
Yes, but...
"I'm not letting you in!" Charlie yells from inside.
I laugh. "Come on Charlie. What will it take?" Does he want money?
Yes, but...
He wants a lot of money. "Listen," I say, "I'm the one doing all the hard work. You get to stay home and watch wheel of fortune. Give me a break!" I know he won't budge. Does he budge?
No, but...
He opens the door and looks me in the eyes. "You won't have the work to do unless I tell you what you need to know." He smiles because he knows I'll give him what he wants.
I pull the gun out of my jacket and he tries to slam the door on me but I stop it and push my way in. Charlie puts his hands up, "OK, OK, OK, I can go down. No problem. I was just kidding, OK?"
I put the gun back in my pocket. "Don't worry. I don't have any bullets yet."
He sneers at me, "That's going to cost you Marco!"
"Just tell me how much you want, Charlie. It's getting late and the monkeys are probably in Europe by now."
Charlie smiles, "Oh, but they're not. There was a bit of a problem with transportation."
I ask him where the problem was. Does he tell me?
No.
"You need to pay me first, Marco."
"What do you want?"
3 = 1[d4]+2
"I want thirty grand."
"Charlie, I think you have an over exaggerated opinion of your worth. I can find out myself." I turn and start walking towards the door. Does Charlie fall for my bluff?
Yes.
"Marco, Marco, I was just playin with ya."
"Charlie, I'll give you 20K just to save myself some time. Take it or leave it." Does Charlie take it?
Yes, and...
Charlie is actually very happy to be a part of the scheme.