Jacob smiled apologetically as he looked me over. “Not able to find any work, I take it?”
“No, nothing I want to do. I’ve probably sent a hundred resumes and have had no response at all.” I sighed as we rounded a corner. “If I don’t get a reply soon, I’m going to have to scoop ice cream for the summer to make some money.”
“Things will work out. I’m sure of it.” He placed his hand onto my shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze. My dad had told me the same thing a thousand times, but for some reason, when Jacob said it, it seemed to truly resonate with me. It made me feel like things really would work out.
“I hope you’re right,” I said. “Because honestly, I don’t want to scoop ice cream.”
“I actually love ice cream.” He grinned at me as he put his hand on his chest like he was admitting to something important.
“But do you want to scoop it for a living?” I asked.
“No, but I'd buy it from you,” he replied with a grin. “You'd be the best tipped ice-cream scooper there.”
Another blush heated my face and I looked down, pretending to focus on my phone.
“What kind of software did you develop?” I asked, sincerely wanting to know more about him.
He hesitated, as if forming his answer carefully. He also looked around at the other people around, as if they would overhear us. Of course, they were all buried in their phones, so he turned to me and answered.
“All kinds. I started out working for a company that custom designed human resources software for corporations. I couldn’t stand working in that world, though. It felt like I was the face of the ‘the man’ and I cringed every time I stepped foot into that office.” He crinkled his nose. “The work felt so empty and meaningless. I’d say it was simply uninspiring, but that word doesn’t give it justice.”
“What did you do?” I asked, genuinely interested.
“I started working for myself, building websites and apps. Just doing whatever it took to make ends meet. I even came up with a few of my own apps,” he explained. “I can definitely say that things have worked out for the better. Leaving the corporate world and working for myself was one of the best decisions I ever made.”
“That sounds amazing,” I said with a small sigh. I was rather impressed. “I wish I knew how to start my own business. That way I wouldn’t even have to apply for a job. I could also take the day off whenever I wanted.”
“That’s true,” he said. “Except as a business owner, you never really get a day off. The work always seems to draw you back in, no matter how hard you fight it.”
“I don't know, it can't be
that bad,” I said smiling at him. “It means you get to show the unemployed how to play games.”
He grinned at me as we started another lap around the fountain. I couldn't help but smile back. Not only was he handsome and charming, but it turned out that he was also driven. I glanced around, looking for cameras hidden in the trees.
Surely, this must be some kind of reality show that I’m on because this guy can’t be real, I thought. Cute, sexy, charming, and apparently a successful business owner. Why couldn't I have met a guy like that in college?
“What is your company’s name?” I asked. I would have to look it up. Maybe they were hiring. “Are you still running it now that you’re living here?”
Before he could answer my question, our phones vibrated. We both glanced down at the same time to see the Monster GO app flashing on the screen.
“There’s a Buugybuug nearby,” he said. He put his hand on the small of my back to turn me in the right direction. “It’s not a rare monster, but you should catch it anyway. Anything you can do to get experience points will help get you leveled up.”
Talking with Jacob, I had forgotten we were playing a game. I lifted my phone, and so did at least five other strangers around us. With a swipe, I caught the little cartoon creature. The catch gave me a grand total of five monsters in my inventory.
“See, it’s easy,” Jacob said, holding up his phone. His inventory screen looked way fuller than mine did.
“I’m still shocked at how much of a worldwide craze it’s started. It’s insane.” As much as I fought it at first, I was starting to see how this game could be fun.
He laughed. “You're telling me. I never would have expected this game to become the cultural phenomenon that it has.”
“Maybe that’s all I need to do,” I said with a laugh. “If I can create an app like this, I’ll become a millionaire and not have to work ever again.”
“Sounds easy,” he replied. “I expect you on the cover of Forbes any day now.”
Our conversation was interrupted when a group of younger kids nearby screamed out in excitement. The noise was quickly followed by the familiar tune of the local ice cream truck. It turned the corner and pulled onto the frontage road that ran alongside the edge of the park. The kids all scurried away, running frantically toward the utility truck carrying their favorite treats.
“You know, I wouldn’t normally want something like ice cream at ten in the morning,” he said, tipping his head toward the screaming. “But sometimes a craving hits and you just have to get an orange creamsicle.”