ONE OF the structures shaken by the earthquake that struck Seattle last month

was the Microsoft building. An insider tells us that when the tremor started,

staff remained largely indifferent not only to the vibrations of the earthquake,

but also to the klaxons and flashing lights of the alarm system—until,

that is, they received this message on their computer screens, complete with the

traditional autosignature: “Alarms going off! Please evacuate the building! Have

a Wonderful Day!”

Convinced, at last, that there really was a problem—until it’s virtual,

it’s not real—they started to file out of the building. …