"Nooo," the girl replied slowly, rolling her eyes slightly in contempt. "Modern games don't appeal to me at all. They're too simple and based on chance. They're for single-celled organisms..."
"Then what?"
"Chess."
"Really?" Alexei asked with interest. "I know how to play, but I don't really like it. Especially lately..."
"Oh? Well, that's a shame. Even though the opponents start out on equal footing, everything can turn out in the most unpredictable way," the girl said enthusiastically. "And even numerical superiority doesn't determine the outcome. By creating an advantageous position, you can block your opponent's pieces and win, even when you're outnumbered."
"But you probably know that chess has been completely figured out by a supercomputer? If you play correctly, white always wins."
"However, that doesn't stop people from playing, does it? After all, you can play even when computers aren't working."
Suddenly, the entire shopping center was plunged into semi-darkness. Numerous lamps and lights, shop window displays, and even the animated sky above went out. Disgruntled exclamations from shoppers could be heard from the lower floors. People began to hurriedly descend the stopped escalators to the exit.
"Looks like another power failure at the substation..." Alexei said, looking around.
He was about to suggest that his companion also go outside, but a helpful waitress appeared nearby.
"We apologize for the inconvenience. The lighting has gone out for reasons beyond our control. If you would like to continue your evening, we will try to fix the lighting problem, and I can also offer you a complimentary gift from the establishment."
"Do you have batteries?" asked the programmer.
"We have candles for romantic evenings..." smiled the waitress, glancing at Alexei and then at his companion.
"That will do..." replied the girl confidently. "Let's consider that it's a romantic evening. And please, another cup of coffee.
A couple of minutes later, an elegant candlestick with a thick, specially melted candle stood on the table. In the flickering warm light of the trembling flame, the blonde's hair also seemed to be as a fire.
"I love watching old movies," Alexei said, looking intently at the girl. "You even remind me of the heroines of those black-and-white films..."
"How sweet," his companion replied ironically. "So, nothing human is alien to you."
"Do you have any hobbies besides chess?"
"I read and collect books," replied the blonde.
"Paper ones?"
"Mmm…yeah... Like chess, they can save you when there's no electricity, but there are candles."
"By the way, it's strange that everything still isn't working. These failures have become frequent lately. I wonder what happened there..."