Internetless

The internet here at REL offices crashes and we are left for four whole days without access to the outside world. 'It is a conspiracy', the cleaner says. 'I told you the secret sevices wouldn't like what you write.' A back of deep grey cloud passes overhead and blocks out the sun. Maybe she is right. Perhaps the remaining land line is being tapped as well. There is a conspiracy. But it is a much smaller, apolitical and, so, far more dangerous type . A wire inside a connectal portal amidst a hedge of leads and junctions that connect the various electronic boxes and devices has disintergrated over time and shorted the whole setup. Calls are made, and the piece is replaced and the fault fixed.
But each day, all the other wires bide their time and wait whilst the new component joins their slow inevitable slide to rupture and oblivion.