Y2K

Y2K Summary | Part 1 Summary

Y2K tells how a computer hacker destroys the lives of a successful businessman and his equally successful wife. Issues of trust, in people and in systems, are explored through the development of an increasingly suspenseful, chilling narrative that ultimately warns that too much trust, in anyone or anything, can lead to disaster.

Astrakhan speaks in a brief prologue about how he's invisible, everywhere and ruthless. Joseph comes into an interrogation area, accompanied by Slake and McAlvane. He seems surprised to be there, but the other two assure him they brought him in out of concern for his reputation. If other people see him being interrogated, they say, rumors might start. Joseph makes a joke about how easily that happens and then asks for a phone so that he can call his lawyer.

Slake hands him a cell phone, and Joseph makes the call. His conversation reveals that his lawyer is unavailable and that Slake and McAlvane are federal agents. When he discovers he can't receive a call back, Joseph makes a joke about how he's now in the hands of the gods, hangs up and refers to being unable to stay too long because he has an appointment. Slake tells him exactly where and when and what his appointment is, and then as Joseph reacts with surprise, Slake begins his interrogation. He starts by asking whether Joseph recognizes several names, including ISeeU, and whether he's ever corresponded in any way with anyone calling himself ISeeU. When Joseph says he can't recall whether he has or hasn't, the agents take him to mean he might have. Joseph admits it's possible, with conversation revealing that he works in a publishing house and that ISeeU might be one of the authors he works with. When the agents ask whether he's familiar with the name "Bunghole," Joseph makes jokes about how neither he nor his wife would be remotely familiar with anyone who goes by that name. Slake reveals that ISeeU knows Joseph's wife. Joseph angrily says he's lying.

Astrakhan reappears, talking about how he can see everything about people's lives, referring crudely to both bodies and bank accounts and talking about how we should believe him because wherever possible, he's honest.