This is the story of Arthur Fickelstein, a man whose dreams were shattered due to the absence of vent visors. Set in the nostalgic backdrop of the 1990s, Arthur's tale is a blend of humor, misfortune, and a lesson in the unpredictability of life.
The year was 1994. It was a typical Friday evening at the Fickelstein residence, filled with laughter and the warmth of family. Friday nights in the '90s were synonymous with TGIF (Thank God It's Friday) television programming. Arthur Fickelstein, a loving father and devoted husband, was in the middle of his weekly comedy routine in the family room.
"Why don't you want to play cards with a cheetah?" he asked, pausing for effect. "Because it's a cheetah!"
His children, Timmy and Jimmy, burst into laughter. His wife, Lisa, sat next to them on the couch, eagerly awaiting the latest episode of Full House. This was their cherished Friday night ritual: relaxing after a long week, eating pizza, and watching TGIF shows until their cheeks hurt from smiling. Life was good—darn good, if you asked Arthur.
Arthur worked as an internet consultant, primarily focused on addressing the Y2K problem. The Y2K bug, also known as the Millennium Bug, was a computer flaw that was expected to cause havoc as the year changed from 1999 to 2000. According to a report by the U.S. Senate Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem, the potential cost of fixing the Y2K bug was estimated to be between $400 billion and $600 billion globally (source).
Despite enjoying his job, Arthur knew that his role would become obsolete after January 1, 2000. He didn't want to spend his life worrying about computer problems that would soon be irrelevant. So, he began searching for a more stable career. After a few days of looking, he found the perfect opportunity: a managerial position at an automotive company. "Computers may come and go, but cars are here to stay," he thought.
Arthur prepared meticulously for his interview, scheduled for Friday. He trimmed his nails, cleaned his ears with a Q-tip, donned his power tie, and made his favorite breakfast. He felt confident and ready to secure the job.
Being a prudent man, Arthur left his house an hour early for a drive that would typically take twenty minutes. He even made a quick stop at a drive-through car wash to ensure his 1992 Ford Taurus looked pristine. The candy apple red paint sparkled like a firework on the 4th of July as he pulled out of the car wash.
Everything was going smoothly until Arthur hit the highway. Traffic was at a standstill due to an accident. "Oh no!" Arthur thought. "I need to make it there on time." He decided to take the narrow shoulder, with one wheel on the grass and the other on the pavement. Suddenly, his right tire dipped into a pothole, splashing his entire car with dark, chunky mud.
The time was now 10:47 AM, and his interview was at 11:00 AM. He didn't have time to return to the car wash. He flipped on his wipers and pulled the washer fluid lever to clean the windows. However, Arthur had forgotten that his windows were open. The wind blew a mixture of glass cleaner and mud all over him. His car was dirty, his suit was dirty, and worst of all, he was now late.
You can imagine the look on the interviewer's face when Arthur finally arrived. Needless to say, he did not get the job. That night, when he returned home, there was no pizza, no Full House—just an empty shell of a man. Ironically, when the year 2000 arrived, the Y2K bug turned out to be a minor issue, and everything was fine. Perhaps Arthur should have just stayed in his job.
Arthur's story is a reminder of the unpredictability of life. Despite our best efforts and meticulous planning, unforeseen events can derail our plans. It's a tale that resonates with many, especially those who lived through the Y2K scare and the '90s nostalgia.
Arthur Fickelstein's tale is a humorous yet poignant reminder that sometimes, despite our best-laid plans, life has its own agenda.
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