HACKING SONY

I had just driven into Los Angeles to deliver a Ford Fusion to a man in the Culver City area.  My cell phone rang.  "This is Bill."

"OK loser, what's your excuse this time?"  It was my not always charming boss, Riff.

"My excuse for what?"

"Exactly!  There is no excuse for you, not now, not ever."

"What are you talking about, Riff?"

"I'm talking about you taking so damn long to deliver a car."

"Riff, I picked it up in Chicago the day before yesterday.  I'd say driving this far and delivering the third day is pretty good."

"I don't really care about your opinion, blubber ball.  Call me when you're done."  And he hung up.

I had sent a text to my customer, Mr. Emerson, alerting him that I'd be there within the hour.  When I drove up into his driveway, I found him standing on his front porch.  By the look on his face, I thought he must be in a very bad mood.  "Are you Bill?" he asked as I climbed out of the car.

"Yes sir, Bill Thomas.  And this is your new company car."

"Well whoopee, isn't it my lucky day."  His glib and flippant attitude confused me.

"The car is in great shape."

"Oh really, is that your opinion?"  He dropped his head and shook it back and forth.  "Listen Bill, I'm sorry for my behavior."

"Don't worry about it."

"No, please hear me out.  I'm just real upset at the moment because I think my wife is going to lose her job.  She works at Sony Pictures, and I'm sure you heard about the hacking."

"Oh yes, it's all over the news."

"Damn Koreans, they don't like a movie that the studio is making so they start this shit storm.  I mean what the hell?"

"We live in a crazy world."

"You can say that twice and mean it.  She sent out some personal emails, and for that she is on the brink of unemployment."

"I'm sure everything will work out.  Would you like to look over the car?"

"How can I think about my new company car when my wife is in distress?  Why are the Koreans hacking into Sony anyhow?  Can you tell me that?  Can you please explain it?"

I shrugged.  "No, I really can't.  I understand that it was mostly about a new movie that they didn't want to see released."

"Yeah well, mission accomplished.  Now Sony won't be releasing the movie."

"I hadn't heard that."

"Come on Bill, pull your head out of the sand.  It's all over the internet.  There were threats about attacks on the theaters showing the movie and so Sony pulled it completely."

I nodded.  "Well, I'm sure it will be on DVD or video on demand."

"No, no, not at all.  Nothing, nowhere.  Done deal.  But the real issue is my wife, you don't know how this is affecting her.  What can we do, Bill?  I really need your input."

"My input?"

"Tell me what to do to fix this for my wife."

"I don't have any idea."

"Oh come on Bill, you can come up with something.  Please?"

"Say a prayer, cross your fingers, make a wish.  That's the best I can come up with on short notice."

Mr. Emerson nodded and patted me on the shoulder.  "Thanks for caring enough to try to help.  Do you have some paperwork for me to sign?"

"Right here."  He signed and I made a hasty retreat.  I felt for the guy, but he was asking me questions that I had no answers for.  Not even remotely.  As I walked towards the bus stop, I found myself feeling disturbed over the news about this movie THE INTERVIEW not being released.  We've come to the point where another nation can dictate what forms of entertainment we can put out?  We are submitting to terrorism?  And does the hack attack on Sony foreshadow bigger and worse cyber attacks in the future?

All I know is that I love movies, and I don't appreciate the Koreans or anyone else deciding what I can or cannot watch.