One by One by Joseph Mark Brewer

Author:Joseph Mark Brewer [Brewer, Joseph Mark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-12-07T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 25

Monday. Early afternoon.

Yuki Yamabe knew there were computer shops along one section of Okubu-dori not far from the old train station. Undeterred by the sudden appearance of ominous clouds threatening a downpour, she tied a knot under her chin to secure her rainhat, fetched her umbrella, and began her trek. Habit set in and she marched as if a soldier, the subconscious left-right-left-right after so many years hustling to the Hatori home to answer Kinoko’s every demand.

Her steady gait held her in good stead. The downpour began moments before she entered an electronics shop offering same-day delivery. Seasoned shopper that she was, Yamabe negotiated delivery by truck for that very moment, to include a technician to ensure proper installation and who also possessed the patience to answer her every question and would accompany her to her flat since it was raining. The salesman was happy to comply. The technician, less so.

Two hours after her purchase and installation she could sufficiently hunt and peck her way around her keyboard. The helpful technician was a young man with acne, glasses, a bad haircut, and a terrific appetite for Yamabe’s onigiri.

In mere moments she struck on a winning formula: feed him and he’ll answer every question, no matter how simple. When she mentioned that her employer was a banker, the young man excitedly explained Unix and the coming computer revolution. He complemented Yamabe on her wise decision to embrace the future.

A demure but insincere smile creased Yamabe’s face. The young man loved his job and loved an audience. Her “Could you tell me more?” led to him writing out several helpful shortcuts he believed would save her time as she began her quests.

With her young mentor’s business card in hand, Yamabe waved goodbye and closed her front door. She reached into her purse for a small red notebook.

Yamabe cleaned Kinoko Hatori’s home. Everything was always in order, except for the bank and computer codes Hatori left lying out when she went to bed drunk. Yamabe had ignored the mess for a long time after once being scolded for touching important papers. Yamabe retaliated by writing down every account and account number she could spot. Long ago she had saved for herself a long string of characters needed to access Kinoko Hatori’s bank information. When she realized Hatori not only didn’t turn off her home personal computer, but left such things as ‘password notes’ written on cards on her desk for anyone to see, Yamabe decided to take advantage of Kinoko’s slovenly habits.

Now, with each passing minute under the young man’s tutelage, Yamabe gained the confidence to find out exactly what had hidden away.

~

After the shock on her Ki-chan’s death, after shedding tears over her son and disconsolate about her future, Yuki Yamabe took matters into her own hands. She had a computer. She had an idea of how to go about what she needed. After half an hour of trying and failing, she worked out a series of numbers and letters that seemed to lead to another screen, then another, then another.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.