Computer saves the day

Thank goodness for computers, eh?

What a lifesaver…especially when your television packs up just at the wrong moment.

And what moment could be more disastrous than your 32” TV going kaput three minutes before kick-off of the most important match England has ever played. (Although perhaps the way they are playing EVERY match is the most important match they have ever played!)

All the staff at Eflex Computers had come in to work two early so they could knock off two hours early to watch England take on Slovenia in the crucial, must-win game.

Gary, Paul, Kirstie, and Jan had all decided to go to the pub – but family-man Alex had promised to watch the match with his kids who had also been allowed to go home early (nice to see the education system gets their priorities right sometimes!)

So while Gary and the others were supping beer and nibbling pork scratchings with three minutes to go before kick-off, Alex was busy getting the lemonade, and Pringles together on a tray.

He was in the kitchen signing “Three Lions On A Shirt” quite loudly to himself, when he was interrupted by the sound of his son and daughter screaming:

Dad! Dad! The telly’s gone! The telly’s gone!

Alex rushes in to find a smoking Goodmans smouldering away on the smoke-grey tabletop, and puts his hands to his head in utter dismay.

“Do something, dad,” the kids scream, “do something!”

It was obvious by the wisps of grey emanating from the back of the set that it wasn’t a simple fuse problem.

Okay, says Alex in his calmest voice. There’s only one thing to do – reach for the loft!

What? his kids wail.

The spare TV, of course.

But it’s only a 14” and anyway, it doesn’t have a scart socket.

Oh yeah, says Alex.

Come on dad, only a minute to go.

What about the PC, says his daughter knowingly. Of course! thinks Alex. Why didn’t I think of that? Because you’re a twit, says his son under his breath, as Alex rushes over to their AMD home computer and it’s glorious 19-inch widescreen monitor, super VGA graphics, and mega fast 160 gig hard drive! Ideal for a family with young children, the AM3 Sempron processor makes it perfect for day-to-day home and office use…and for watching live television streaming!

And within seconds, Alex has got the home computer up and running, just in time to see Wayne Rooney staring at them during the national anthems.

Phew! Say his kids, that was close. And England made sure they got one-step closer to that elusive prize – the World Cup - with a great Jermain Defoe strike, and a much better all-round display, that leaves everyone at Eflex shouting once again: Come On England!