Dave Casler
PO Box 98
Ridgway, Colorado 81432
Young Adult Novels by Dave Casler...
I've been told by publisher after publisher that there's no market for Young Adult novels. I think they're wrong! So I'm putting my novels on-line for you. Forget the publisher! Read to your heart's content--it's free! And, I'd like to hear from you, too! Contact Page.
You're reading About Dan. Be sure to check out About Phillip here.
Dan is a normal kid who loves his soccer. Except everything goes wrong. Everything.
About Series Home
About the About Series
Index to All Chapters
Here are all the chapters, disguised as asterisks. Hover your mouse over an asterisk to see the title of the chapter. Click on the asterisk to go straight to that chapter.
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(About Dan Home) (Last) (Next)
Can Phillip Help?
"Let's think differently. Tech support can't help. I can't help. You're helpless. So what can we do differently?"
Dan picked up the box for the two-player game. He stared at it. The marketing hype looked so promising. He thought of the money he'd spent. He didn't have an income; he was on leave from his job until he got off his crutches. He said nothing.
Peter looked up hopefully. "Hey Dan, you told me about this kid you know from your church who's a computer whiz. Why not call him?"
"You mean Phillip?" asked Dan.
"I don't know. If it's Phillip, it's Phillip. Who is he?" asked Peter.
"Well, he's a sophomore. I just know him by reputation. And, anyway, it's snowing." Dan settled into a glum sullenness.
"What are your other options," pressed Peter.
"None other than ones that involve either a miracle or something that costs lots of money," said Dan.
Peter crossed to Dan's bed, picked up the phone and handed it Dan. "Dial, sir," he said.
"Well," growled Dan, "if you're going to get me the phone, then get me the ward list. It's on the kitchen table in the green notebook."
Peter bowed and disappeared. He came back with both the notebook and a glass of milk, which he sipped as he handed over the notebook.
Dan took the notebook and looked up. " None for me?" he said sarcastically.
"You didn't ask," Peter said evenly. "You are remarkably grumpy tonight."
Dan sighed. "Sorry," he muttered, barely loud enough for Peter to hear. He dialed the number on the portable phone and held it to his ear. He fumbled with the notebook; it tumbled to the floor and its contents spilled onto the carpet.
"Truly helpless!" said Peter.
"This is Dan Cook. Is this Phillip?" asked Dan.
Pause.
"I hear you're a computer whiz."
Pause.
"I'm having trouble installing a modem. What do I do?"
Pause.
"What's a port conflict?"
Long pause.
"How do I do that?"
Pause.
"Can you?"
Very long pause.
"Cool. Thanks."
With that, Dan hung up. He'd been eyeing his computer during the entire conversation. Now he turned to Peter.
"His father's bringing him over. He'll drop him here for an hour," said Dan. "What's wrong with that?" he added, looking at Peter’s expression.
"Nothing," said Peter, surprised. "It's really slick out. But, ok, let's hope he can help."
"So who asked you to the Fall Festival?"
"I’m keeping mum on that one."
That’s because no one asked you yet, thought Dan. "Lisa’s taking me."