Mitheral

Guys Like Us Don't Get the Girl

Duncan nodded and handed the apple to her. “Sure, but watch the fingers.” He paused for a moment. “Well, I must not be very American them. I was never partial to apple pie and I hate baseball.” He shrugged. “I prefer cherry or blackberry. And my sport was soccer - though it was football that I played in high school. Leg injury kept me from soccer.”

He smiled a little. “You know, it’s only about an hour drive up to Santa Fe. It would take less time to drive there and back. I don’t mind the waste in fuel. And as little data as you have, it wouldn’t take long to analyze back at my lab. I’m TRYing to take a day off.” He snorted a laugh. “And here I am trying to find extra work to do. But this is interesting work. And the more reliable information you have - the better your story. Hate to say it though. Until you get the information straight from the horse’s mouth - “ he paused and grinned back and forth at the horses, “it doesn’t make for much of a story.

“He needs a better name though. And Doctor X? Really? Sounds too much like X Men. I doubt your editor would go for it.

“Oh! His voice? Not human. It is artificial. I know of a some people who are developing software designed to create artificial voices for AI systems. One is Dr Alex Tanis. Watch out for his driver, Eric. He’s likely to add your number to his little black book - and you are WAY out of his league.” Dr Tanis was practically an unknown, a native to the Boston area. “Tanis specializes in dead languages, decryption systems. And he has a hobby of building a VR setting.”

“The other is Dr Misty LiSan in New Atlantis off the coast of Florida. If you can get her away from her dolphins, she might have ideas.” LiSan was a billionaire heiress who was known for developing the most advanced AI systems on the planet - and was spearheading the development of aquatic habitats for the future. She was also a musical prodigy.

“You know, if you want to drive up there today and get it …” Duncan was hinting hard. “Workaholic.”

Guys Like Us Don't Get the Girl

Still here ...

Long haul .. 14 years now

and ... no problem ... looking forward to post. The scene kind of calls for some shorter interactive posts.

Guys Like Us Don't Get the Girl

Only about 14 years.

And ... iffy. Duncan will let her try to bribe him with the apple half w/ brown sugar.

Guys Like Us Don't Get the Girl

Patches isn't ready to ride. Injuries .. and skittish. I think I added a link to some pics that gave an idea of how bad he was in the CS post here

Oh ... and I am a trucker these days. 3rd career

Guys Like Us Don't Get the Girl

Duncan grinned. “Either you’re joking or you haven’t been talking to folks on the farm. I am being accused of spoiling him. And for the record, I am not so sure Buckey like me, so much as what I have in my pockets.” He turned his attention to the far stall from the rest of the horses.

“Yo Patches. How yawl doin’ in there?” Duncan own southern accent slipped. His was definitely not faked either. Most of the time he had a very general accent. But certain words - yawl and aint - were well embedded into his speech patterns. Patches was already waiting and staring at his human as if to say Where’s my damned snack? Duncan chuckled as he walked up and placed his forehead against that of Patches. For a brief moment he was serious. He clearly missed the horse. But Patches broke the monotony and nuzzled the bag the human carried.

“Oh this? Yeah, I brought something for you. You want to say Hi to Jonna? And maybe not bite her hand off?” He leaned in and whispered. “Be cooool. Horses are supposed to be chick magnets. If you are really nice, maybe she’ll introduce you to a lady. You could do that Lady and the Tramp thing and share a snack.”

Duncan backed off a little and pulled out an apple and a small tupperware container that held about ¼ cup of brown sugar. Then he pulled out a small pocket knife and sliced the apple in half. The rest was obvious. Patches WAS being spoiled rotten. He handed half the brown sugar and the other half of the apple. Then pulled out another apple while feeding Patches’ half to him. The reason for pulling the second apple so fast became obvious fast. Patches started to react poorly to seeing HIS apple being offered to another horse.

“Hey, hey,” Duncan spoke calmly. “I brought enough to share. You know, all the other horses see me being nice to you. It is only nice to do something for them once in awhile. Hmm?” Patches had practically inhaled his half of an apple and snorted at the second. “Oh huh. I definitely need to work on your manners.” Duncan sliced the second apple up, pulled out a second thing of brown sugar and made a second snack. Again he made Patches share. “Sulk all you like, buddy. He started to take Patches’ second half of apple to Buckey, eyed his horse, then walked back over. “Get the point?”

Duncan turned his attention back to Jonna, then changed his mind for a moment and spoke to the mare. “Sorry about his manners. He’s a bit of a fixer upper.” Patches snorted behind him. Back to Jonna he smiled. “So … flying superdude is for real? I mean, if so, that’s pretty … amazing. Just the technical aspects of what I saw defy current technology. And I’m THE expert. From what I have heard, he defies gravity. He can resist massive amounts of momentum. I’m surprised you didn’t try to interview him. Or did he just not stick around? Yeah … I suppose he had more pressing matters. Then again, that would fit with the whole superhero gig. He doesn’t do what he does for the fame and glory. He’s out to help people. Next thing we know, he’ll be fighting for Truth, Justice and the American way.

“Seriously though, I’d love to get my hands on the raw footage of anything you get on this guy in action. I might be able to analyze at least some of what he does.”

Guys Like Us Don't Get the Girl

Looks great. Got put on Walmart power ups. (basically picking up some slack on the weekend while their drivers take time off). But it has been putting me in some poor connection areas.

Guys Like Us Don't Get the Girl ("Superhero" MxF) - Re-OPENed

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Not Good Enough (MxF romance)

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Guys Like Us Don't Get the Girl ("Superhero" MxF) - Re-OPENed

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Not Good Enough - IC (Duncan and Violet)

Duncan nodded, showing just a hint of irritation. But it was clearly the whole computer mess. His eyes kept on the lookout for the associate’s return.

“Well, I monitor new arrivals. I’m an official tutor for the Upper school. And I am a TA and Sub teacher for the Lower School.” He frowned. “It’s not common knowledge. I don’t exactly advertise the fact. Mostly the school knows me for guitar work, acting and football.” Then he grinned. “Chicks dig scars?”

He shook his head. “I only joined the football team because last year was supposed to be their last. They were cancelling the program. Last place team. I never liked quitting, so I decided to see what I could do. Took them all the way to the championship, became team Captain this year and gave the program new life. To be honest, I don’t even like football, not really. But I wanted to try being in a team sport - and I couldn’t handle MY sport - soccer. Lung damage. I couldn’t even handle a regular football practice. So I became a Kicker. Special teams don’t have to practice as hard. And … it was the only thing the doctor would clear me for. It was that … or bench.

“Guitar I started back when I was 12 or 13. I forget exactly. I took it because I thought it would be an easy A junk course and something I couldn’t just read a book on and be an instant expert. I discovered it was a language. And … I liked the challenge. I drive my teachers nuts by playing classical on an electric guitar. Or I’ll turn a classic rock song into country or vice versa just to annoy people. That’s mostly what I play - rock or country. I especially like ballads. But I suck at creativity. I play other people’s music.

“Anyways, if you don’t stop me, I’ll talk your ears off. What are you in for - the store - not school. Though school - aka prison for kids - would be good to know too. I might be able to suggest schedule - no wait. You’re a senior. Changing schools this late must suck. Really messes with plans on higher education.”