The AIM Game

Dave and I are at it again.

By "it", I mean the harmless chit-chat on America Online's Instant Messenger, more commonly known as AIM. Light banter, small jokes, a little smiley now and then. Nothing too serious. Which, of course, is the problem.

AIM is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it's the least intrusive way to communicate. A simple "hey" can be responded to at the other chatter's discretion. A screen name can even be blocked, if the instigator becomes annoying enough. It's pretty consequence-free, with small room for embarrassment. On the other hand, it's impersonal. Most importantly, you can't pick up inflection. Is he inviting me to watch movies with him and his friends of his own volition? Or does he feel pressured? Did he pick up a pity-me tone? Am I being paranoid? (the answer to that is always yes; but, in my defense, all spies are conditioned to be paranoid as a safety precaution).

So, nothing comes out of it. Unfortunately, I always end up telling myself that it's just harmless chit-chat. But now, writing this, I don't think it is. It just keeps giving me hope that one day he and I will hook-up. Which, in turn, makes me feel mildly to severely pathetic. Which starts a whole cycle of self-analysis and cross-examination that would make even the bravest psychologist twitch.

For now, I'll keep playing, hoping to come out a winner.

Sincerely,
Your Spy