Page 25 of Curvy Love

“Shit! I gotta go,” Willow says. Then she disconnects the call.

Two hours later I’ve cleaned my entire apartment, folded and refolded clothes. I’m considering reorganizing my kitchen cabinets and that’s when I know it’s time for me to quit being ridiculous about the task I’ve been putting off. I pour myself a cup of tea and head to my laptop.

I’m unexpectedly nervous when I sit down to log into my newly formed Zeebra account. Zeebra is the latest software from the local Austin company, Zee Suite Software. Theoretically, Zeebra is software designed to improve workflow by pairing experienced mentors with less experienced workers. I’ve been recruited to help beta test the software as part of my senior seminar.

As the software opens, a screen shows a herd of zebras grazing. One zebra looks up, and breaks into a run. As it runs, its stripes slip away and it becomes a white stallion, leaving the rest of the herd behind. Then the company logo appears. “Zee Suite — Tools to Transform Your Workforce.”

I roll my eyes as the software loads into the corner of my screen as a sleek dialogue box. Subtle. Really subtle. Not that I expect anything less from the company started by local business shark, Ezra Carlisle.

Feeling petty—because there’s no way I’d be using this software if I wasn’t basically hamstringed into doing it for a class—I leave the window open, but move it to the back, behind my music app, which is playing my lofi “work” playlist. Then I open up the latest version of my code and get to work.

I almost forget about the Zeebra app running in the background when I get a notification that a message has come through.

@ZebraInfo: Congratulation, @PsychedelicAlmond! You’ve been paired with a mentor! @TheZMan will be messaging you shortly.

“I can hardly wait,” I mutter.

It’s another twenty minutes before the next message comes through.

@TheZMan: Hi, just a quick check in. Looks like we’ve been paired together to beta test this mentoring software.

I move the window to the background again and keep working for another eleven minutes. I’m not being passive-aggressive. I just like to work in thirty-minute-long chunks. If I stop mid-chunk to answer every little message, I’ll get out of the coding zone.

When the timer on my phone goes off, I pop open the window and type out a quick reply.

@PsychedelicAlmond: Thanks for the check in. I doubt I’ll need much mentoring, but thank you.

@TheZMan: That’s a shame. I was looking forward to helping out a young entrepreneur.

@PsychedelicAlmond: Thanks, but I’m good.

@TheZMan: You’re a college student, right?

@PsychedelicAlmond: last semester of my MBA, actually. BS in computer programing. Summa Cum Laude.

@TheZMan: Nice! So you know your stuff.

@PsychedelicAlmond: I do.

@TheZMan: well, I know my stuff too. And I’m good at it. So if you need help, guidance, or expertise, I’m here.

@PsychedelicAlmond: Look, I don’t mean to be rude, but ZeeSuite isn’t really my thing. I get that you’re invested in this. That it’s your thing. But I’m more of a march-to-the-beat-of-my-own-drum kind of girl. I wouldn’t be using it if it wasn’t for my senior seminar.

@TheZMan: Why isn’t ZeeSuite “your thing?” I thought your profile said you were an app developer. The software must have thought we’d be a good match.

@PsychedelicAlmond: You really want to know?

@TheZMan: I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t.

@PsychedelicAlmond: Yes, I’m an app developer, but I’m starting my own company. I have zero interest in being a worker drone for a software behemoth.

@PsychedelicAlmond: No offense.

@TheZMan: Not offended. But why do you assume I’m just a worker drone?

@PsychedelicAlmond: “TheZMan”? Company loyalty is right there in your user name.

@TheZMan: Fair enough.

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