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Chapter 5
Cutting the Tape
     Diane saw the white van, Kurt saw Diana coming, Joe saw Diane coming and Diane saw Joe was watching as she walked confidently towards the computer shop. Joe held open the door for her as she entered the shop. “I saw you coming” he murmured, “I see” she replied.
     “Your laptop is fixed” he told her, “Works just fine now”. “Great!” she replied How much do I owe you?” as she reached for her credit card. Joe quickly said “Nothing, nothing at all,” as he tried to avoid turning down her credit card. “It was an easy fix” he explained. “Just a loose wire”. “Here go ahead and try it,” he offered. Diane turned it on and it purred to life. “Oh great, this is my work computer and I dropped it.” “Now I won’t have to explain anything to my boss.”

     “Theres more good news,” Joe explained, “Your free repair comes with a warranty and a free cup of coffee if you join me for lunch at the café next door!” “Well, goodness, lunch?” she stammered. “If you wish.” Joe replied. “Tell you what,” Diane said as she regained her composure, “Only if you let me pay”, “I have to repay you for fixing my laptop somehow,” “my company will pay for lunch.” “You drive a hard bargain,” Joe said amusingly.
     And so, they were off to lunch. They had parlayed their second meeting into a date.