2020-02-16 - Coffee and Computers

This place seems to serve as a coffee shop at certain times, and Stefhan takes advantage of such a notion. A cup of Joe near him, he also has a laptop open where he sits. Now and then, his fingers dance upon the keyboard tapping things here and there and glancing at the screen in front of his thoughtful eyes. He mutters a few things under his breath but, for the most part, keeps his comments and observations to him.

Who doesn't like a good pastry? Besides, seeing an actual patisserie shop in a town like this? Well that was enough to pique the Russian woman's interest. She steps in and out of the cold weather, taking a brief look around before walking up the counter to browse. She puts in an order for a small selection of treats to take back to her room and steps aside to wait. Her gaze settling on Stefhan briefly, "Working on anything interesting?" Comes the question next in a very russian-accented voice.

Stefhan hears the pretty lady with the unique accent and looks over. He nods politely in greeting and offers a bit of a smile, "Oh, nothing too unusual I'm afraid. Business reports so, the coffee keeps me focused and entertained. Lately, it seems to be one of the best coffee shops in town." He almost questions the accent but, for now, he figures it's best to be polite. Russian accents are few and far between though, especially in a smaller town.

"I suppose it depends on the type of business." Kip muses with a light smile of her own. "It is a quaint little shop. Are there other coffee shops in town? I am still learning my way around. I just got in about a week ago." She elaborates for him. "Perhaps I should get some coffee myself to try it. " And then decides to do just that, asking for a cup of coffee, black. Paying for it and her little box of pastries before looking back to the man. ."My name is Kapitsa, by the way. Kip for short."

Stefhan shrugs and says, "Computer business, checking investing reports on the side, boring, business stuff. Still, I find machines of technology quite fascinating. They can do so much and, naturally, the profits that follow can be quite remarkable, if you play your cards right." An introduction is offered in turn, "Stefhan, Stefhan Rosenberg, Stefhan for short. It is a pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine Stefhan." Kip smiled a touch more. "Technology is fascinating. The way we can use it to make our lives better, easier...just the things you can make them do." She nodded towards the table. "Do you mind if I join you for a few minutes?" Taking a careful sip of the coffee and letting out a pleased sigh. "That is rather good coffee."

Stefhan purses his lips for a moment then smiles, "Well, that's lovely then." His own accent may be hard to place, but it is a typical American one. "I thank you for the compliment. Most women, do not see it that way but yes, even simple things like brewing a cup of coffee involve forms of technology. Now I wouldn't trust a computer to make the best beverage, but knowing how the parts fit into place to make a machine work, the elaboration is very nice to study and." He seems a bit surprised by the offer and shifts his laptop over, "Not at all. Please, take a seat. Can I get you something else?" A polite question as he intends to be nice to the Russian beauty.

"I admit even though I do bear a business degree I'm not terribly on top of business side of things but, the technology, I can understand some. I like to tinker now and then with machines but, likely for what is considered unconventional uses. Methods?" A light shrug of Kip's shoulders as she took her seat carefully with another sip of coffee. "Oh no, no I am fine. Thank you though." Looking down at the cup a moment. "Is it not funny? How we never really realize or think much about what goes in to something until faced with a question about it or some such?" Her head tilted to look back up at him. "How long have you been in Gray Harbor?"

Stefhan quirks a brow when she mentions business degree. "Interesting thing." He says, "And when you consider tinkering with machines, what is conventional and unconventional can certainly be up for debate. The internet is still new so, what is convention? The business world it's both simple and complex, consider the strengths from within and the threats that surround you, that notion has been around for hundreds of years but, new models are born everyday. But, let me not ramble on about that. To answer your question, a number of months. I got my business setup. It's been doing well, but not that well."

"That is true. Everyone has their own....truth. Thoughts. Ecetera." Kip agrees. "The internet still boggles me sometimes. The intricacies of how it keeps things going and how...chaotic everything would be if it ever totally went down. It would be like a new dark age, would it not? With how....reliant the majority is on it?" Giving a shake of her head, Kip straightens some. "And what is your business?"

Stefhan shrugs and says, "To someone like me, a Ghost in the Machine doesn't have a psychological reference. Computers, act up, networks fail, and that is my business. I fix the machines, setup the network so people can communicate, and try to keep intranets working for business and such. I also dabble in a bit of web design but not much. Mainly, CPUs, routers, and making sure it all turns a profit. Though, for what it's worth, it is good to see someone else of the same mind who isn't out to say rude things. It's, quite nice actually. There's all sorts in this town."

"What rude things could be said?" Kip seems genuinely curious. "I admire your line of work. I am a very patient person but I am not sure if my patience would allow for that. Do you like the town? I have met some very interesting sorts in just the short time I've been."

Stefhan knows he can't judge as people come and go in various places, but he has in the past. "Well, some coffee chat over the same issue haven't been exactly pleasant. It's minor though. I do admit working on machines does take patience. Between computer error and user error, few things work out until, you find a way to make them work. As far as the town, it is growing on me. I have met interesting folks as well. Some nice, some, not so much."

"Ah, disagreements over things then? I can relate." Kip paused for a moment before continuing, "I am a paranormal investigator. Everyone has their own styles and beliefs and things...it can make working with other teams rather difficult." She sat back carefully in her chair. "Anyone or anywhere I should shy away from?"

Stefhan blinks for a moment when he hears paranormal investigator his eyes go wide, "Wow you....you're a what? Now if I heard what I think I just did, THAT is interesting."

She laughs at his expression. "Paranormal Investigator. I go to places that people say are haunted or that bad things happened yet and search for proof of. Well. The paranormal. Ghosts and the like." Kip elaborated. "There is a team in Seattle I came here to the states to work with for a time."

Stefhan pauses from taking a sip from the coffee, as if she now finally has more and more of his attention. "Well, my mother swears that parts of her mansion make more noise than there should be." Then he snaps his fingers and says, "But that pales in comparison to the Winchester Mansion, yes? I admit my family has money, but not that much money. Some of the stories you get, I can only imagine." He then asks, "What percentage do you think turns out to be fake?"

"Does your mother live close?" Kip asked, like she'd totally be interested in checking out a partially haunted mansion." She nodded. "Ohh the Mansion of Winchester, yes. I have not been able to go in person but now that I am stateside for a longer term I shall make plans to see it." Kip opens the small pastry box and picked one up, turning the box to offer one to Stefan. "I hear many stories and there are lots of legends. Especially in Russia and similar places. Many of it...the videos and pictures. Audios. Many of those are faked but...the stories themselves?" Kip thinks a moment, "Vo vsem yest' dolya pravdy. Every story has some truth to it. Have you ever had weird things happen to you?"

Stefhan chuckles at that notion and shakes his head, "Closer to the Chicago area. She and I are still close, we talk a few times a week believe it or not. My family thought the smaller town atmosphere might be a good thing for me. Stories and legends, that could be something quite interesting. I admit sometimes studying the Victorian era is intriguing, though my family has German roots." He's a little bewildered at the Russian words but chuckles again, "If you wanted to keep secrets from it, I think it would be pretty easy for you to do so."

"If I ever go to Chicago perhaps I will have to see the house." Kip chuckled. "It sounds like it could be an interesting thing to explore." She takes a bite of pastry, nodding in agreement. "In history is where we find the best of them. Her brow quirked. "Keep secrets from what?" A light tap to the edge of her mug. "And you did not answer my question," Just a curious, casual note, "On if you have had weird things happen to you>"

Stefhan smiles a little and says, "You have to forgive me, one for overlooking your question. Another for, well, being completey ignorant of your native tongue. I hate to appear as if I might be a blundering idiot, but, I had no idea what you said." He winks a little but the gesture doesn't last long, "Just, making a point I guess. As far as having wierd things happen to me, nothing too wierd but, maybe a few instance of Deja Vu. I don't think I've ever seen a ghost before, though I often question if there's gremlins in some of the computers I work on."

Kip laughed softly. "When I said 'every story has a beginning.' I'd said it in Russian first." She explained to him with a smile. "I have that happen to sometimes. Deja Vu. A funny thing that." A little shake of her head. "I have yet to see a manifestation personally myself. " A little grin given briefly, "So there may be real ghosts in your machines after all"

Stefhan would blush if his skin was a bit fairer, even though he's likely pale enough for most men his age. "Ah yes, that is does, that it definitely does. Each experience must take place with a simple thought, each network must begin with a desire to communicate and, well." He shrugs, "Honestly, I never thought much about it. Computers and business both take logical approaches so." he now asks her, "Have you ever had an unusual event? Did something paranormal ever happen to you?"

Kip looks a little fascinated as Kip gives that analogy. "What an interesting way to put it! I never thought about it in that way. I will remember it." She tapped her temple and chuckled. "I have had some unusual things happen yes. One thing was...well...a large burst of energy...that tossed my team member across a room." Not adding that the energy had emitted from her. "Whether it was paranormal or some kind of freak coincidence I cannot really say. I do like to believe it was paranormal but it is hard to find hard evidence."

Stefhan looks at the woman with wide eyes for a moment, "Large burst of energy? Well that could be, enlightening. It sounds like it could be a tad bit dangerous though, if someone was thrown away. There certainly are forces." he says, "Not that I can commit to believing in aliens and such, but if they wanted to take humanity out, a huge EMP would do the job. So, I imagine if there are forces in some respect, why not others? Again." he shrugs, "My experiences are limited. People throw computers across the room, I promise you computers do not throw people across the room."

"It was dangerous. He is fine but....we definitely left immediately after. We had never had activity like that happen before so it shook us to our bones." Kip relented as she finished off her coffee. "It would be scary if computers started throwing us around." She flashed a smile. "I do think aliens are more likely to exist than ghosts - but I've yet to find proof of them too. an EMP....I can agree with that. It would certainly be the quickest way to start wearing us down." She shifted a bit and took a small piece of paper and a pen out of her purse. "I should get going but," Her name and number get written on the paper and the paper gets handed to him. "This was a good chat, call me if you would like to chat again."

Stefhan seems to be relieved to hear that all is well, or as well as it should be. "Some people think they do, but trust me, those people are just crazy." The slip of paper is taken and, in return, he offers a business card to her. It details his contact information and the location of "The Hub." "I would look forward to another lovely chat as well. Feel free to stop by anytime. I'm always there and the coffee, it's not good, but if you want a cup it's free."