Name/Title
Kyle and the ComputerScope and Content
Written by June Kelly, date unknown.
KYLE AND THE COMPUTER
By June Kelly
Kyle parked his car in the City Hall parking lot, as he has done every work day since he was elected city clerk-treasurer eight years ago.
It was the last day of the week and the last week of the month. He got out of his car and walked toward the door, moving automatically, not actually saying, "Thank God it's Friday," but subconsciously thanking God that it was Friday.
What he was telling himself was, "I could do this in my sleep." Taking his key from his pocket, he unlocked the door and walked through the corridor to his office. Another key was selected. He
didn't even have to think about it. (As he said, he could have done it in his sleep.)
Kyle removed his coat and walked toward the commuter closet. As he stepped through the doorway he noticed that the computer was on and acting crazy. Who turned it on He was the first one in the building.
What was happening? The spreadsheets had turned to bed sheets. The word processor was spitting out words like @%**!, +$-X-), and *&*(1"--a-+###. The database was way off base. All mixed up were the election and public works records. Intead of registered voters there
were . . . registered dump trucks?
According to the figures flashing on the screen, Waupun was the richest municipality in the world. Every employee had received gigantic raises and months of vacation time.
The printer was spewing printouts at a very rapid pace, folding every which way, piling up, covering Kyle's feet up to his knees.
Through all the melee, Kyle heard Carolyn say, "Good morning." Then another voice broke through. It was Betty saying, "Kyle? Something wrong, Kyle?" Carolyn, coming closer, said, "You look like you're walking in your sleep, Kyle, are you all right?"
Startled, Kyle turned around. He said good morning to the girls, and turned back toward the computer. It wasn't turned on. It looked just as it does every morning. "Thank God," he said to
himself, "I'll never say I could do this in my sleep again!"
THE END
* This article as written by the authorAcquisition
Accession
2016.0088Source or Donor
Waupun Historical SocietyAcquisition Method
Collected by Staff