Cashback

by Duncan James

  ***

  The new place had quite a buzz about it, and was already quite full when they arrived. There was a small bar tucked away in one corner at the front, from where they served drinks to those who wanted them - or could afford them, in the case of under-grads - and the usual silk dragon prints on the walls. But the tables had real tablecloths on, rather than paper ones, and little vases with real freesias in them. The little Chinese ladies who were bustling about serving had spotless white uniforms on - Marian approved.

  Jim Farlow was already there, and had saved them a table near the bar.

  "Good job you got here when you did," he said. "The place is filling up quickly."

  "Very posh, this," commented Freddy, looking around and grabbing the menu. "I hope the prices aren't the same."

  The set menus were within financial range, so they decided to order a meal for four, which the five of them would share.

  "If I'm still hungry afterwards," announced Robin, "I shall have one of those crunchy banana things."

  "What I want to know," demanded Rupert, as he sat back at the end of their meal, "What I want to know is exactly what it is that you've invented."

  "And if you can invent things that Bill Gates wants before you've even half started your degree course, why are you bothering?" added Freddy.

  "Well, it really is quite a simple piece of software that enhances a programme that's already installed in most computers. There's usually a system which allows parents to block certain internet programmes - porn channels, for instance - to prevent their children logging on to them, but there isn't a good one which allows parents to control the amount of time their children spend on the internet looking at programmes which are OK. So my little add-on provides that facility," explained Robin.

  "What happens, then," asked Marian.

  "All the parents have to do is enter their chosen password and set a time limit of, say half an hour, after which the computer switches off."

  "So what's to stop the child switching it on again?" asked Rupert.

  "Can't be done without using the password," explained Robin. "So Dad won't switch it on again until after the kid has finished its homework, or whatever."

  "What if the kid is researching something for its homework, or writing to Aunty Betty, or something useful like that?" asked Freddy.

  "The programme makes sure that any new data are automatically saved before the machine is turned off, so nothing gets lost."

  "Clever," pronounced Rupert.

  "I'm surprised no one else has thought of it," said Marian. "It seems such an obvious thing to do."

  "Well, there are a few programmes which do much the same thing," said Jim Farlow. "But Robin's seems simpler and cheaper to install, so I suppose that's why it's been taken up."

  "The boy's a genius, no doubt about it!" said Freddy, draining the dregs from his glass.

  "I can't say I altogether approve of anyone who makes life more difficult for us hackers," said Jim, with a grin, "but you're right - it is a clever bit of kit, and I have yet to crack it!"

  "Anyone who can make money while still at University is a genius if you ask me, however it's done," claimed Rupert, looking at his watch. "Bloody hell - I really must go! I've got an essay to finish by tomorrow."

  "I'll come with you," said Freddy. "Thanks for the grog, Robin."

  "And congrats again," added Rupert.

  "Don't keep him out too late, Marian," demanded Freddy. "You might stop him inventing something else."

  Jim Farlow got up to leave as well.

  "I'll let you know when I manage to hack into your new device," he promised. "Then you can work on it a bit more to make it even more secure. G'night."

  "Funny chap, that Jim Farlow," said Marian. "I can never quite make him out."

  "He's certainly a bit of a loner," said Robin. "I was surprised he joined us this evening, as he usually keeps himself very much to himself, and doesn't mix much. But he is very good at what he does, and is just fascinated by computer security systems. He's already had work taken on by one of the major companies in that field."

  "Is that why he spends so much time trying to break into other people's systems?" asked Marian.

  "Exactly that," said Robin. "He can usually find the weak spot in most computer networks, which is all he seems to be interested in. He never actually does any harm when he's hacked his way in, but reckons he learns a great deal in trying to achieve access. I find him very useful sometimes, testing out some of my ideas. In fact, his enthusiasm is infectious, and I'm becoming quite interested myself. As he's discovered, it's surprising what you can learn by trying to hack into other people's security systems."

  "What's his background?" asked Marian.

  "Comes from London, I think," replied Robin. "Highgate, or somewhere. Never seems to have two brass farthings to rub together, and I gather his parents can't really afford to support him to any great extent. Which is another reason why he so seldom goes out. He already reckons he'll be well over 30 before he's paid off his student loan, so he's obviously keen not to add to his debts."

  "It makes you realise just how fortunate we are, you and I," said Marian. "Although we think we're hard up, we can at least go out from time to time without bothering about the cost too much."

  "Since you almost raised the subject, I've been wanting to ask you something for some time," said Robin looking embarrassed, "but I've not really been able to pluck up the courage. But, you know, we could save quite a lot of cash if we shared a flat, and I can think of nothing I would like more. There! I've said it!"

  "There's nothing I'd like more, either," said Marian, reaching for his hand across the table. "We get on so well together, it seems silly living apart on opposite sides of town."

  "It would be wonderful to be with you all the time," said Robin. "You know how very fond I am of you."

  "I love you, too," she replied. "But I always thought that you lived on your own without sharing because you wanted the solitude."

  "My parents thought it would do me good to look after myself for a bit, but it's also useful not sharing because of some of the software I'm trying to develop. I simply haven't wanted to risk other people, like Rupert or Jim, finding out what I'm doing. But I've got to the stage now where I would really like to share some of my ideas with someone I can trust absolutely."

  "You can certainly trust me, you know that," replied Marian. "Although I'm not sure I shall be a lot of help because I know next to nothing about how computers work. But I'll learn if you want me to."

  "You won't need to," Robin assured her. "It's you I need. Someone I love and trust, who I can share some ideas with."

  "I'm your girl, then," she said.

  "I do love you, Marian," said Robin. "Let's go home."

  "Your place or mine?" asked Marian.