My cell phone vibrated and lit up with an alert. A message! I thought. I must attend to this immediately!

"Yo, any interest in grabbing a burger and watching the game tomorrow?"

I responded immediately and forthwith:

"Yes, my dear friend, I would be delighted! I had planned to watch the game anyway, but it will surely be improved by a burger and a companion watcher, to root on our beloved G---s or to commiserate in the event of their failure. Let's plan to arrive at H--- at 12:30pm EST, in order to secure a premium vantage point and get our orders in before kick off begins. Of course, I am happy to arrive first and obtain said seating, in the event you would prefer a later arrival. Looking forward to it!"

And SENT. I shook off my fingers, still getting used to the new speed with which they would execute their messaging commands. I watched the screen with rapt attention, eagerly awaiting my friend's reply and confirmation. I arched an eyebrow at the sight of three dots, which disappeared and reappeared with some regularity before the phone vibrated with new correspondence.

"lol ok cool, see you at 12:30."

A confirmation! My synapses fired with satisfaction and I punched the air in victory. The future was now a little more certain for the two of us, with a plan being cemented on the calendar.

I returned to organizing my pencil jar when, not but two minutes later, my phone lit up anew.

"Yo, buddy. Going over to Pat's to watch G---s E----s tomorrow, any interest?"

Ack! A scheduling issue! Crisis!

"I am so sorry to report that I've already arranged to watch the game at H---s with my dear friend Jeremy. Could I interest you and/or Pat in joining us? I know Jeremy is a stranger to you, now, but that need not be the case. In fact, you two have much in common in background and temperament. I daresay you might be friends. I do worry that Jeremy and Pat may find themselves at odds should the topic of country music come up, but given H---s propensity to play hip hop and top 40 songs during commercial breaks, when the game audio is paused, I am reasonably confident such a conflict need not arise. Please advise."

And SENT. I doubled over in pain while the situation remained unresolved, curled up on the floor like an overcooked shrimp. I waited forty-five enervating minutes, drenched in sweat but cold to the touch, before the phone buzzed again.

"All good, maybe another time."

OPPORTUNITY. Boiling excitement pulled me from my delirious posture and I resumed my position in my desk chair, firing off a response.

"Another time? Let's pick one! How about Monday night, at 7pm EST? I've recently acquired the new M--- W--- game for the Playstation 5 and have desired to try its co-op multiplayer functionality. I can order pizza and have beers chilling in the refrigerator for our enjoyment. You can even invite Jeremy! Please confirm."

And SENT. A SOLUTION, discovered and offered. The day was saved!

And now I wait for a reply.