Geek Mafia

Chloe’s house reminded Paul of a cross between a used bookstore, a computer repair shop, and a college dorm. A wall of bookcases dominated the living room, each shelf crammed with two, sometimes three, layers of books, videotapes, CDs, and DVDs. More stacks of books and magazines stood in every corner. Paul was sure they would have taken over all the other flat spaces if it were not for the half-assembled computers and three dusty old monitors occupying the coffee table, end tables, and everything in between.

The only semi-open spaces were the two couches that faced each other from across the room. A large red and black checkered blanket covered one of them, while the other was cracked but still serviceable brown leather. Thrift store purchases both, Paul thought. “The computer stuff belongs to one of my roommates,” Chloe said. “She’s always fiddling with those things to get better performance or whatever. The books are mostly mine or my other roommate, Kurt’s. Come into the kitchen, and we’ll rustle up a sandwich.” Paul followed her back into the open kitchen area, which (given that he was ostensibly here to have lunch) he was relieved to see was clean.

There was clutter in there indeed, but no dirty dishes or leftover foodstuffs appeared in evidence. Along the left wall was a cheap, plastic patio table with long wooden benches on each side and mismatched chairs at either end. Newspapers, books, and a laptop occupied most of its surface area, but the end closest to Paul seemed clear enough to see actual use as a place for dining. “Is peanut butter ok?” she asked, motioning him towards one of the chairs.