“I know this is a total first world problem,” Wally admitted, “but I’m thinking of going somewhere else because I’m tired of spending half of my day doing nothing.”
Eddie nodded. “Same here.”
“The grass is always greener over the septic tank, they say.” Kristy was trying to lighten the mood. “You’d be begging for this if you had to work a full eight hour day in a real job.”
“Like accounting,” said Eddie.
“Some people like spreadsheets all day,” Kristy offered helpfully. “And they wouldn’t like doing what we do.”
“And what is that? Wait?” Wally asked.
Kristy smiled. “Between moments of utter brilliance.”
Eddie laughed. “And what are we supposed to be doing between spasms of genius? Meditating?”
“That’s it,” Kristy said quietly.
“What? Meditating?” Eddie’s chuckle slowly died.
“No. Spreadsheets,” Kristy answered, her eyes fixed on the space in front of her.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Numbers. Cold data. Bottom-line stuff,” Kristy said triumphantly. “That’s what we need.”
“Ok.” Eddie pretended to be taking her order. “And should I stop at the refrigerated section of the data store on my way home tonight?”
“Funny. You find your own look-busy project,” Kristy answered. “I’ve got this one.”
“But how do I avoid accidentally doing what you’re doing if I have no idea what you’re doing?”
“It involves numbers,” Kristy ribbed. “You keep steering clear of numbers as usual and we’ll be fine.”
“Hardy, har har.”
Caleb popped back in. “Hey, we just got a new potential project. Eddie, I need you to go with me—we want to make a good impression.”
“So this deadline will be right after the last deadline? Are we going to have to push back our two-and-a-half-week-from-now meeting?” asked Kristy.
“Probably.”
“And then there’ll be another potential project right after that?”
“That’s the hope.”
“So when are you going to have time?”
Caleb smiled. “I don’t know. I’ll have to get back to you about that when I have time.”