It’s very Sunday tonight. I thought we were supposed to get a reprieve from the 2020 dumpster fire over the weekend?! Guess not. *sigh* This is a little story. Nothing big was coming today. Tomorrow I may do a Selfie post (remember those?!) in addition to tomorrow’s ghost story talking about the challenge of being creative during this time. Until then, keep your Zoom friends close…

A still image of a middle-aged balding man joins the animated squares on the computer screen.

“Looks like Dave is here,” one of the small video feeds says.

“Dave!” says another video box as Dave’s image is replaced by Dave taking a pull from a tall can of Lagunitas IPA.

“Ralphie!” Dave replies. “Jake! Tim! What’s up gang?”

“Not much,” Jake says as he runs his hand through his thinning black hair. “Just hanging out on Zoom on Friday night. The new normal, right?”

“No joke!” Tim nods in agreement.

“Dave,” Ralphie squints at the screen, “Where are you? It looks dark in there.”

Dave looks around him, “No, all the lights are on…”

“Huh,” Ralphie returns. “Must be my connection…”

“Did you guys see the latest James Bond trailer?”

“Dude, that was sick, right? Seriously thinking I might have to brave the theaters in December when that drops,” Jake says.

“I heard that scene where he jumps the motorcycle into the courtyard is a practical effect – I mean it wasn’t Daniel Craig, but it was still a real jump.”

“Jake,” Dave says, “I hate to burst your bubble but they announced yesterday that they’re pushing it to April 2021.”

“Damnit!” Jake exclaims.

“Dave, you’re in your office, yeah? Is Julie over there?” Ralphie asks

“Yeah and no, she’s at her place,” Dave replies. “What’s up, Ralphie?”

“I thought I saw movement behind you. It’s still really dark – am I the only one seeing this?”

“No,” Tim agrees, “I see it too. Really dark. Is your camera working okay, Dave?”

“There it is again, Dave,” Tim points at the screen.

“Guys. Stop. Seriously,” Dave looks around his dark space, “I’m in my office. Overhead light on, desk light is on. Camera was fine Friday for a work meeting… It’s really well lit here…”

“That’s weird,” Jake says then changes the subject. “April 2021? Seriously? So, can we just say it’s not worth going to the movies until then?”

“Oh shit, Dave, I saw a face behind you. I swear I did!” Ralphie points at the screen.

“Guys…” Dave starts to say, then halts as if he listening for something.

“Dave?” Jake asks. “You okay?”

“I thought I heard something….”

Dave’s screen goes completely black.

“Dave?!” Tim yells, eyes wide.

“Dave, what’s up?!” Ralphie yells, throwing his hands in the air.

“It’s cool. It’s cool. My monitor and camera look like they’ve gone out. I’m still here…” Dave says.

“Jesus, Dave, you’re giving us a heart attack,” Jake leans back heavily in his desk chair.

“I’m fine, guys. Really… wait, that’s weird,” Dave’s voice sounds suspicious.

“Dave?” Tim asks side-eye, “What’s weird?”

“OH MY GOD!” Dave screams.

A message scrolls across Tim, Jake, and Ralphie’s screen: “Dave has left the meeting.”