Menaville

The windows are open and the sound of cicadas reminds me it's the height of summer. The sweat and my clothes remind me too, as I glance at the clock and realise it's time to get dressed - the call is close and I can't show up like this. I'll sweat, then I'll have a quick shower and get ready for dinner. The plan is set. The call runs smoothly and my colleague's accent fascinates me. He's not a native English speaker, but perfectly clear, and that lovely way he says "meanwhile" - something like "mean-will" - makes me smile every time. At the end of the call I stare at the screen for a few seconds, at the Galene window. Almost automatically I take off my shirt and dive into a search. In seconds I find what I need and finally launch the Commodore 64 emulator. Full screen. A few moments of waiting. "Zak Zak Zak, What am I going to do with you?" The English version, the one from back then. The Commodore 64 one. I didn't understand it, at that time, but it was enough. I move Zak around the…