Wrote a little story~

That was a cold night in December. Carlson stood in his office, looked down at the night scene outside the window. Next to the mansions where he works are residential buildings, with warm lights and laughter in their windows. He was absorbed in this sound of laughter. It was New Year’s Eve, but he still had to work at his office.

The phone rings inopportunely, he frowned and picked up it. “Mr. Zhang,” an urgent voice came out of the phone, “We figured it out. It’s the switch in Tianjin that had the problem. But all the technicians there went back for the Spring Festival,” The voice paused, and said “there were only a few staff on duty.”

No one spoke, only silence between them.

A few second age, “I see.” Carlson exhaled his breath and hung up the phone. If they didn’t change the calendar in the switch from 1999 to 2000 successfully tonight, there would be millions of people can’t do phone call tomorrow. He went out his office and walked into the procedure room, “Everyone,” he clapped his hand to let them all look at him, “we have a problem, the switch in Tianjin is broke and no technician there, it is too late to send someone else.” He stopped, looked around. “so, we have to contact the staff there remotely and direct him to fix it.” It was as if a few drops of oil had been poured into a hot pan, and instantly there was a murmur of voices around.

“Nancy,” Carlson said, “you are responsible for the main technical communication with the person on the other side. Others help her.” Nancy, one of his most diligent subordinates. “But I…” she looked nervous, want to say something but stops. Carlson pated her on the shoulder, she finally nodded.

“hurry up, guys! We have to finish it tonight!” Carson clapped and everyone entered work state.

“Can we connect the security personnel now?” he asked his clerk. “Yes, we already get in touch with him. But there has a bad signal, so the connection is easy to break down.” Carson rubbed his brow with his hand. “I see, thank you.” The screen suddenly appeared a face, that was the watchkeeper there. Carson was back to his bright side again, “I am the employee in Beijing, I’m here to teach you how to fix the switch, can you hear me clearly?” “Yes, sir. I had call to the technical personnel and show him the switch, he said cables that connect to it have some problem, but I can’t see which one is short out.” The switch in Beijing is the switchboard of this system in China, they can use the computer to search for the situation of circuits. “Ok, we already know the condition. Nancy, come here to guide him.” Carlson looked at the clock, “hurry up! We only have 2 hours left.” He walked away from the command set and left it to Nancy. The clerk hurried up and followed him, handed over files about this emergency plan that need his sign. When he finally finished those documents and raised his head, time was approaching eleven fifty, he felt impatient and went out his office. The conversation has gone into the significant instant.

In the dam imaging came from the opposite side of the screen, they were facing a collection of colorful, interwoven cables. They needed to find the faulty cable in it, cut it and put a new one in. If you get it wrong, there's no choice. It’ll over. Sweat beaded out on Nancy’s forehead, she stared at the screen, fingers clutched the mouse unconsciously. Carlson went up to, patted her shoulder, she fierce turn head, saw is he again fierce of flabby come down, casted to him look for help. Carlson shrugged it off, tell her, "You should make your own choice."

She was bewildered, looked directly into his eyes, but only saw trust and encourage, to her. Suddenly, an unknown feeling swapped over her heart, she exhaled. Nancy thought she had never been so calm. She took the data sheet from the technical personnel and looked at the clock, it was 11:55. she looked the data sheet carefully and locked her eyes on the green cable on the far left. “That one, the green one on the left.” She said with a small shuddering. “Are you sure?” she trembled a little, want to look for Carlson but failed. She closed her eyes, carefully recalled the previous data. “Yes, I’m sure.” She heard she said.

It was 23:57.

Everyone held their breath, only the electric current clanged. A tiny click broke the silence, and everyone looked up at the screen in unison. The cable had been cut.

23:59.

Nancy looked at her computer, the circuit was repaired. Everyone cheered and hugged. Carlson stood in his office, listened to the hurrah outside. He smiled, picked up his phone and dialed out a string of numbers.

24:00.

Fireworks exploded in the air and cheers rang out from the building next door. Carlson smiled, again. “Happy New Year, dear.” He spoke.