A Ball and a Spike.
In an endless dislike.
There's no way they'd be friends,
So the hate never ends.

As it bounces all day,
Leaping up and away,
The ball stays nice and safe,
From the spike's sharp embrace.

JNKCE20240720
"The Great Software Apocalypse"

[Scene One]
Int. Dave's Room - Morning

[Dave is staring at his computer screen in utter disbelief. Green enters, sipping coffee.]
Dave: (panicking) Green! It's a disaster! Everything's gone!
Green: (sighing) What could possibly have gone wrong this time?
Dave: (frantically) I just installed a tiny software update, and now every piece of code I've ever written has vanished!
Green: (skeptically) Every piece? Are you sure you're not exaggerating?
Dave: (dramatically) My fractals, my weird Windows experiments, all of the software where 'File' is spelt with a 'PH' – all gone!
Green: (deadpan) Well, at least we won't have to worry about you accidentally linking your computer to every system in the neighbourhood anymore.

[Scene Two]
Int. Dave's Room - Afternoon

[Dave is surrounded by stacks of paper, frantically scribbling code. Green watches, bemused.]
Dave: (muttering) Must recreate everything... Can't let my genius be lost to the world...
Green: (sarcastically) Yes, because the world would surely crumble without your 'Phile' system.
Dave: (defensively) Hey! My code is important! What about the hospital software I developed?
Green: (rolling eyes) You mean when you messed it up and they had to revert to pen and paper?
Dave: (ignoring Green) I know! I'll ask my PC for help. It talks to me sometimes, you know.
Green: (exasperated) Dave, it's 2024. Every computer talks.

[Scene Three]
Int. Dave's Room - Evening

[Dave is slumped over his keyboard, surrounded by empty Coke cans. Green is trying to console him.]
Dave: (moaning) It's hopeless. I'm a failure. I can't even spell 'File' correctly.
Green: (patting Dave's back) Come on, it's not that bad. Maybe this is a chance for a fresh start?
Dave: (perking up) You're right! I could create a whole new programming language! I can misspell that, too. "Brogramming Language" For Bro's! Epic.
Green: (sarcastically) Brilliant. And I'm sure Bill Gates will be first in line to buy it.
Dave: (excitedly) Ooh, maybe I could get a job at Microsoft! I could be their chief 'Bro' designer!
Green: (giving up) You know what? I'm going to the pool hall. Wake me when this software apocalypse is over.

[As Green leaves, Dave turns to his computer]
Dave: (to the PC) Don't worry, we'll rebuild everything together. Just like old times! Just like Bro's
PC: (in Dave's imagination) Great idea, Dave! Let's start with Fractal Brocessing!
Dave: (grinning) See, Green? This is how computers should talk! Now, where did I put that Coke? I need to summon the Cola Genie for inspiration!