Page 4 of 4 <

The Elite Apple Corps

The technical assistance counter, a.k.a. the Genius Bar, at the Clarendon Apple Store. "Of all the places I worked, it was the place where I was most able to be myself," says Alex Frankel, who's written a book about his life as a front-line employee. (Photos By Gerald Martineau -- The Washington Post)

Discussion Policy

Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.

And he recently made a new hire -- a young tech specialist who'd previously worked at an Apple Store. But the kid couldn't take the relentless eight-hour shifts behind the Genius Bar, the chaos. He loved the place so much -- loves it still -- but he needed the serenity of a smaller, more special realm.

* * *

Epilogue: Clarendon again. Apple Store madness on a Tuesday afternoon.

The titanium Powerbook G4 has died. It was purchased in the Santa Monica Apple Store on a lavender August evening of breezes and palm trees, way back in 2003, just as people were wandering in and wanting to know more about the ancient click-wheel version of the iPod. There was wheezing from its fan, and horrid, osteoporotic clicking from the hard drive.

"It's time," nods a Mac Specialist.

Don't even bother with an exam at the Genius Bar. Your ProCare agreement expired many moons ago. Here is the new MacBook. The Apple Store is always willing to help you cope with a death, and $2,000 later, it didn't feel like death at all.

One leaves the store feeling both shamed and thrilled.

< 4