The Grim Reaper

The Key Fob Grim Reaper appeared today. Not one of those ghostly looking guys carrying a scythe, instead it took the impersonal form of an e-mail.

Our records indicate that a Security Fob issued to
you will expire on 28 February 2010.

Please check the back of the security device to confirm the
date. This date cannot be extended.

The message was cold, insensitive, direct and condemning like getting notice from your doctor that you have an incurable disease and less than thirty days to live. So what's next? Shall I take a vacation? Say goodbye to all the other fobs and keys I have known along the way? Should I apologize to Owner for the occasional mis-synchronized code causing him to reenter data? No, I must persevere and continue counting and serving until my last binary calculation is over. I will provide faithfully for Owner as I have during the past eight years and go out of this world with dignity knowing I did my best. I want to depart proud of my job well done.

I have heard of other security fobs that get bored with their task and give up early. What's the point, they ask. They see their lot in life as a meaningless counter, providing codes on demand. Early in my career I decided I was not going to succumb to the monotony of counting codes. Instead, I found excitement in my role as a true defender of the network. As somebody that made Owner's life easier and a protector of the environment. After all, without me, telecommuting is not possible. Without telecommuting Owner is subjected to meaningless commute hours. Not to mention the thousands of pounds of carbon monoxide I have rescued from the atmosphere. I bring Owner closer to his family. Like the time when one of them got sick and he needed to be close. Especially when she was ready to move on. Owner needed to be near the hospital so he could be there for the last hours. I made this possible for him. Yes, every time I produce the string of six secret digits I realize the importance of what I do. It helps me stay strong and reliable, to persevere even when times are tough. As I face my own death I know that however it happens I will have served owner and my community well.

Next code please.