Gravity Rising (The Parallel Multiverse Book 2)

by Ward Wagher

  “I will not pressure you to make a decision immediately,” Arthur said. “Just start thinking about it. I would suggest that we break for an early lunch. This afternoon I have arranged for one of my people to give a presentation on the Palatinate. This will be your opportunity to find out about us.”

  “And you haven’t said much about yourselves,” Maggie commented.

  “And I apologize for that,” Winkleman said. “I was not intentionally misleading you. It was only this week that we finally nailed down the structure of the Palatinate.”

  “And what is this Palatinate? Larry asked. “We heard something about this in Columbia.”

  “It is mainly in the area of the north-central states of the old United States,” Arthur said. “We have been drifting into something like this for some time, and I recently encouraged the trends somewhat.”

  “I haven’t heard of this,” Maggie said.

  Winkleman shrugged. “We really have not said a lot about it. And frankly, I think Boston is somewhat insular.”

  “There is that,” Maggie admitted. “What can you tell me about the new government?”

  “What we are doing is formalizing a process that has been in practice for several decades. We plan to have a minimal governing structure. Typically, the… citizens of the Palatinate volunteer part of their time to help manage things. We are trying very hard to keep the size of the permanent government as small as possible.”

  “And this has worked for you?” Larry asked.

  “Yes, it has worked very well.”

  Larry sat still as he thought. Then he looked at Winkleman. “So, Arthur, this sounds like a recipe for chaos. How do you keep things from spinning out of control?”

  Winkleman looked down at the table and then up at Larry. “We have a strong executive in place to ride herd on the people running the departments. We also have a remarkable degree of coherence in the views of the people. It is usually not difficult to forge a consensus.”

  “But, what if you do not achieve agreement?” Maggie asked.

  “Then the executive makes the decision.”

  “How is the executive selected?” Larry asked.

  “The executive is selected by a consensus of the leadership of the country. It is a lifetime position.”

  “Sort of like a king then,” Maggie said.

  “No, not exactly,” Arthur said. “The position is not necessarily hereditary. For example, the next leader will certainly come from a different family.”

  “Why is that?” Maggie asked.

  “The current Paladin, that is the title of the leader, is childless. When he passes, or is removed from office, the leadership will select the next Paladin.”

  “That seems a little unstructured to me,” Larry said.

  “But, it is very well suited to the times. We have developed a unique culture here, part of which is the unspoken rule where everyone contributes to the well-being of the country. Simply put, we take care of each other, and the community as a whole.”

  “But that could fall apart so easily,” Larry said.

  “You are quite right,” Winkleman said, “and it eventually shall. However, it is surprisingly stable for our purposes. And, the free city of Saint Louis recently joined us. It adds a significant industrial capacity to our new nation.”

  “I can see you are excited about it,” Maggie said. “It sounds fascinating to me after growing up in Montreal. There we have a mayor and City Council running things. And, they never seemed to do much.”

  “I am excited about it,” Winkleman said. “I have invested a lot of time, energy and money into this, and I, of course, am excited to see it succeed. Now, I think we should break for lunch. I will guide you to a cafeteria we have in this building. Unfortunately, I will be unable to join you for lunch. However, we will plan to dine again tonight.”

  The three stood up.

  “This has been an amazing morning,” Larry said. “You have given me a lot to think about.”

  Winkleman offered his soft smile. “That was my intention. This afternoon we will explore the details of our proposed arrangement, and I hope that you will make mutually beneficial decisions.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Arthur Winkleman was once again the charming host at the hotel restaurant that evening. The afternoon had been more grueling than the meetings in the morning. They had hammered out a contract that left everyone satisfied. The surprise of the day, among a day of surprises, was Arthur’s offer to buy out Maggie’s contract and offer her the same stipend he had offered Larry. She had accepted on the spot.

  At Arthur’s invitation, they planned to stay the rest of the week in Indianapolis. He asked for time to make arrangements with MIT in Boston, as well as working with Maggie’s benefactor in Montreal. This seemed reasonable to Maggie and Larry, plus, they enjoyed the hotel and the amenities.

  “I must say that things came together more quickly than I originally thought they would,” Arthur said as he cut into the thick pork chop on his plate.

  “You are being incredibly generous,” Maggie said.

  “Understand, I am trying to build an academic institution in the Palatinate that will be competitive with anything in the world,” Arthur said. “This requires top-flight talent. I am convinced I am getting a bargain with you two.”

  “This places a lot of pressure on me to deliver,” Larry said. “I have begun studying gravitational physics with the aim of finding more applications.”

  Winkleman laughed softly. “I fully intended to place a lot of pressure on you, Lawrence. I have discovered people consistently deliver when they have a demanding taskmaster. I believe you will feel obligated to produce results. And I will, of course, also induce pressure.”

  Larry looked uncomfortable. “I certainly hope I can do what you want me to do.”

  “Oh, I have no doubt you will meet my expectations. I will be reviewing your progress with Dr. Pournelle on a regular basis.”

  Maggie now grinned at Larry. She shoved a stray lock of hair back over her ear and slid in a pencil to anchor it. “We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us.”

  “I’m still not sure I understand how I should manage the expense account,” Larry said. “You did not set any limits.”

  “That is correct,” Winkleman said. “I desire that you have the ability to purchase whatever equipment and services necessary to your work.”

  Larry grimaced and shook his head. “That covers a lot of territory, Arthur. The Physics section at MIT is notoriously under-equipped. Some of the things I need are frightfully expensive.”

  “Remember that anything you purchase becomes the property of the Palatinate. When you have completed your work in Boston, we will move the equipment to Urbana. Any poor decisions you make in that regard will likely be something that you will have to work with, once you set up operations here.”

  “Oh. I hadn’t thought of that.”

  Maggie grinned at him again. “You didn’t think of that, did you, Larry?”

  “Oh, hush, Mags. Did you notice the audit clause in the contract?”

  Her mouth snapped shut, and she blushed.

  “I thought maybe you hadn’t,” Larry smirked.

  “No combat at the dinner table,” Arthur said with a smile. “I believe you might compare the contract to a new pair of shoes. It might pinch a little at first. Then it will grow more comfortable. If you discover something that simply does not work, please speak with me about it. I am not averse to modifying parts that can be improved.”

  “I was wondering when we would be able to visit Urbana,” Larry said. “That is the one thing I was a little unsure about.”

  “Indeed,” Arthur said. “I was hoping to arrange a visit, but the weather is not cooperating. With the entry of St. Louis into the Palatinate, we have had to divert resources to keep the roads and rail lines open in that direction. The road across to Urbana has been closed several times already this fall. I cannot guarantee you would not get stranded along the w
ay. And they are having difficulty keeping their airport open.”

  “I was under the impression the weather didn’t present a problem for you,” Larry responded.

  “Larry!” Maggie snapped.

  “No, no,” Arthur held his hands. “His question is perfectly proper. I regret not arranging a trip for you. However, I expect you to spend some time here during the summer, and there should be ample opportunities for a visit. The winter is indeed a challenge for us, as it is for everyone on the continent.”

  “Not as much as for the Brits,” Maggie interjected.

  “How true,” Arthur said. “Their winters go beyond anything we have seen here. And they do not have the energy resources we have in the North American continent.”

  “I understand they are heating with coal,” Larry said.

  Arthur nodded. “They are unable to afford the fusion plants necessary for their needs. They really struggle.”

  “You seem to do better here,” Maggie said.

  Winkleman had just taken a bite of his baked potato and paused to chew and swallow. “We are beginning to create wealth in the Palatinate. But, we are far from wealthy. I suppose it is because, in the main, we maintain a hands-off policy towards commerce. Oh, some of us will encourage research and development in areas where we see definite advantage. But, the people here are free to make decisions regarding their businesses without bureaucratic oversight.”

  “But, what if they make a bad decision and ruin their businesses?” Larry asked.

  “It happens,” Winkleman said. “It is unfortunate, but it results in the survivors being more robust. We also tend to encourage people to learn from the mistakes of others.”

  “I suppose I need to keep that in mind,” Larry said.

  Arthur laughed. “Indeed you should. I am not expecting you to fail, Lawrence. But, the prospect of failure tends to enhance your focus.”

  Larry snorted. “Arthur, you have this way of getting to the nub of things.”

  “Of course, I do.” There was a note of smugness in Winkleman’s response. “Now, I suppose I need to excuse myself. I apologize for not spending more time with you, but my business is also a hard taskmaster.”

  “We do appreciate the time you have spent,” Maggie said. “You have been really generous with your time.”

  Winkleman caught the eye of the waiter who delivered the small portfolio containing the check to the table.

  “Here you go, Paladin,” the waiter said. “I trust everything was satisfactory.”

  “It was excellent as usual,” Winkleman murmured. He scribbled his name on the check and handed it back to the waiter.

  The waiter glanced at the amount of the tip, and then snapped the folder shut. “Thank you, Sir. It was a pleasure to have you in the house, again.”

  Larry and Maggie stood up when Winkleman did. He shook both their hands.

  “Feel free to tour the city as you desire over the next couple of days. I would suggest you not venture farther because of the weather, though. I will make a car available. Just check with the hotel desk. I will also deliver your flight tickets to Boston along with your first month’s stipend tomorrow.”

  “Thank you, once again,” Larry said. “This has been amazing.”

  “Yes, thank you,” Maggie chimed in.

  Winkleman nodded and then walked briskly from the restaurant.

  After each having a piece of cherry pie, Larry and Maggie walked to the front desk of the hotel.

  “May I help you?” the desk clerk asked.

  “Is there a room where we can study together?”

  The clerk folded his hands together and bowed slightly. “Of course.”

  The clerk snapped his fingers and the bell captain trotted over to the desk.

  “Show our guests to the Wabash Room, and provide refreshments.”

  “At once.” The Bell Captain turned to Larry and Maggie. “If you will come with me, please.”

  He led them down a long hallway, and apparently into another wing of the hotel. He pulled a set of keys from his pocket and opened an ornate door. Stepping into an expansive room, he turned on the lights, revealing what appeared to be a large sitting room.

  “This was formerly part of the Wabash Club. We open it for special groups. We are happy to make it available to you.”

  “Thank you,” Larry said.

  He walked over to what looked like a library table, and Maggie followed. “This looks like a good spot.”

  They laid their computers on the table and sat down, facing one another. Larry opened his computer and typed a few commands.

  “Did you hear the waiter call Arthur, Paladin?” Maggie asked.

  “I did. One thing I have neglected is to do research on this local area, and also the Palatinate. I have been so wrapped up in my problems, it didn’t occur to me to be curious.”

  “I don’t think I’ll comment on that,” she said.

  “Kind of you,” Larry said dryly.

  He connected to the Global Net and began searching. While the Global Net had remained in operation during the time of troubles, it had lost much of its content and links. The server farms for entire nations had shut down, and vast amounts of data were simply lost to the ages. Service tended to be irregular, and links appeared and disappeared with devastating frequency.

  “Okay, here’s a news item on the Buckeye Inquirer site. It says the Paladin announced the addition of the Saint Louis free city to the Palatinate. There’s some background that lists the old territories of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois as making up the federation.”

  “Can you shoot me the link?” Maggie asked. “And, here’s an article about the Paladin.”

  She read for a few moments, and then looked up at Larry. “It says the Paladin is the head of state!”

  “Arthur?”

  She nodded.

  “Let me see that”

  She spun the computer around so he could read the screen. He quickly scanned the article and looked back at Maggie.

  “A lot of things start to make sense. Arthur Winkleman is not only the leader of the Palatinate but is also the wealthiest individual on the continent. I knew he had money, but this...”

  She chuckled. “Larry, we gotta pay better attention.”

  “At least Mrs. Willow hasn’t shown up, here.”

  “Bite your tongue,” she said, severely. “That’s the one thing that concerns me about going back to Cambridge – having to face that old bag, again.”

  “Honestly, Mags, I haven’t thought about her all week. I like this place.”

  “I do too,” she said. “I think I would be happy to move here after we get done at MIT.”

  He stared at her for a while.

  “What?” she asked.

  “Since we are both going to be working here, Mags, I wonder if you would consider marrying me?”

  “I wondered when you were going to get back to that,” she said. “I like having you as my best friend. Let’s not ruin a beautiful friendship.”

  “But, that’s what you said the last time I asked you,” Larry said.

  “You’re whining. Besides, the reasons haven’t changed.”

  Larry sighed and looked down at his computer. “Okay, then, what do we do about the Paladin?”

  “I don’t know about you, but I’m going to ask him about it the next time we see him.”

  “What do you want to achieve?”

  She rolled her eyes. “I want to get to the bottom of the nonsense we have gone through for the past month.”

  “And Arthur has the answers?” Larry asked.

  “Who knows? But, it’s a place to start.”

  With a knock at the door, the Bell Captain rolled in a cart containing food items and beverages.

  “Here you go. Just help yourselves to anything you like,” he said.

  “Thanks,” Larry said. “Although I’m still full from supper.”

  “How long do you expect to work this evening?”

>   “Probably we will be late,” Maggie said. “We have a lot of ground to cover.”

  “If there is anything we can do, just ask,” the Bell Captain said.

  “I did have a question,” Larry said.

  “How can I help you, Sir?”

  “The desk clerk mentioned something about the Wabash club.”

  “Oh, yes. When this hotel was constructed, the owners reserved space for the Wabash Club facilities. The club later decided to construct their own building.”

  “And so that left you with these rooms,” Maggie said. “They are very nice.”

  “The owners will eventually turn this area into a conference center,” the Bell Captain said. “In fact, it works well for business meetings as it lies.”

  Larry nodded as the Bell Captain slipped out of the room. They turned to the work on their computers.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  The breakfast buffet once again offered several varieties of bacon and sausage, along with eggs and multiple varieties of potato dishes. There were even a few types of melon available, which was something Larry and Maggie had never seen in the winter.

  “How did you get melon?” Maggie asked the steward, who stood next to the buffet.

  “Oh, we have greenhouses in the area. Melons seem to do very well for us.”

  “It’s a nice treat,” Larry said. “We don’t get much fresh fruit in the winter.”

  “Considering the weather, that’s understandable,” the steward said. “We are delighted to make it available for our patrons.”

  “I think I could put on some serious weight, here,” Maggie repeated as she lay her plate on the table.

  “I don’t think you have a spare pound anywhere,” Larry said.

  Maggie grinned at him. “So, you have been studying my poundage?”

  He blushed and looked down at his plate. He busied himself with cutting a piece of a sausage link, and then speared it with his fork.

  “I shouldn’t put you on the spot like that,” Maggie said.