Techno Turkey's Home Security System

Client:

Personal Computing

Audience:

Computer hobbyists

Goal:

Combine humor and technical details to instruct readers on how to construct a personal computer-based home security system

Role:

Writing

One day, not long after the blustery drizzle of late fall had given way to the first white dust of winter, Mrs. Turkey returned home from her karate lesson to find the front door bolted, the shades pulled and a rudely painted sign planted in the front lawn: "Keep Out! This Means You!"

"Oh, no! Not again!" she said.

Knowing full well that pounding on the door was futile, she borrowed a ladder from her neighbor Clutterback and climbed in through an upstairs window. She found her husband, Techno Turkey, in the darkened bedroom, fully clothed, in bed, with his head buried under a pillow.

"Bit of a relapse, eh, chief?" she said, gently pulling the pillow away.

Turkey was ashen. His body was quaking. His eyes darted up at her pitifully as he yanked the pillow back over his head.

"You've got to face up to this thing, you know," she said, peeling the pillow away a second time.

"He's still lurking out there," Turkey stuttered. "The man with the ax."

"Still dressed like John Alden?" Mrs. Turkey asked sarcasticaly, "Or did he change his disguise to Ebenezar Scrooge?"

"You don't take this seriously."

"Of course not. It's all in your head, Turkey, and you know it. Besides, you're so stringy he'd break his electric carving knife."

"How can you think such a thing!" squeaked Turkey, stuffing his head back under the pillow.

"I know, I know," said Mrs. Turkey, stroking his listless feathers.

"Besides, how can anyone feel secure in a country where they celebrate two national holidays in a row with... with... cannibalism."

"To them it's not cannibalism - it's tradition."