by Rick Lakin
“Ms. Sakai, I'm Jennifer Gallagher. Did Harper Jennings tell you I was coming?”
“She did. Mr. Kelrithian's on a conference call.”
Jennifer felt uncomfortable as the secretary looked her over.
Kathy thought, She looks just like Anthen. “Jennifer, your technology ideas are causing many changes at Tovar.” A tone sounded on her display, and she responded, “Navvy, Harper sent Jennifer Gallagher over. She has a critical proposal, a price tag, and a deadline. You have fifteen minutes before you need to leave for the premiere tonight.”
“Send her in.”
“Mr. Kelrithian will see you.”
Jennifer went into the office. “We meet again. Kathy says it's important. I know that Harper ran something by me this afternoon about having you use tech and data to streamline production. Have you come up with something?”
“Yes, Sir. Sit down here, and I'll show you a quick presentation.” Jennifer set her pad on the desk. Navvy sat as ordered. A holographic display appeared above the meeting desk.
“Is that the new toy that cost me a lot of money this week?”
Jennifer looked worried. “I believe the HoloPad is increasing productivity on the lot.”
“Calm down. I love it. The safety office is crazy about it. They reported a seventy percent decrease in potential accidents and near misses in just two days. Okay, make your pitch.”
Jennifer made the presentation and answered questions. “Jen, can you tell me about reliability?”
“After it's installed, the new equipment will run side-by-side with the old. If there's a fault, there'll be an immediate switchover to the old system. The switchover will be transparent and protect data, but it'll slow things down to what they are now.”
“Sounds good. What do I need to do?” Navvy asked.
“Kathy has a funding authorization for your approval.”
“Does this come with chips and salsa?”
“Sorry?”
“You had me at $5,000 a day in savings. Miss Gallagher, you are a very expensive intern. How much do you make?”
“Five-hundred dollars a week, sir.”
“Call me…Navvy.” He almost said, Grandpa. “I'll see if I can fix that. Can you bring me a HoloPad on Monday? And enough for the Brilliant crew?”
“I can do that,” Jennifer said.
“Jen, I hear that you have a pretty good memory.”
“Yes, sir. I have an eidetic memory. I remember everything, and I can visualize apps using my memory. I tell people it's my vision thing.”
“You remember the bad things, too?”
“Yes, it hurts sometimes, but I deal with it,” Jennifer said
I can relate to that, Navvy thought. “Jennifer, keep shaking.”
“I'll do my best, Navvy.”
As Jennifer left his office, something told Navvy that he had just been with someone who had to deal with the same mental gifts he had. He felt sorry for the fact that she also had to deal with the curse as well.
“Kathy, did you receive the funding request from Jennifer?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Authorize that request. And, Kathy, on Monday could you look at the things that this girl has done? I don’t think we are paying her enough.”
“Yes, Sir. Enjoy the premiere.”
Jennifer got home after meeting with Navvy. It was the weekend and tomorrow there was tennis with David. Her mother arrived home ahead of her, and they met in the kitchen.
“Hi, Jen. I have news. Tovar agreed to take twenty percent royalties for your apps. I'll have an offer sheet from GGG on Monday,” Sheila said.
“Will I make enough to cover the dinner I paid for as your fees?” Jennifer said.
“I suspect so. GGG will offer two-hundred-thousand plus royalties for the marketable apps you create. As your representative, I also contacted HumanAI. They want to market any apps you create that apply to a wider audience, and they want you to represent the company as an Apps Guru for the education and the entertainment industries. In exchange, they'll allow you to use their massive computing power to code and develop,” Sheila said.
“How much time will that take?”
“Four events per year, including keynoting their developer conference. Two-fifty K, plus royalties.”
“Please tell me you are taking fifteen percent for yourself and Allen?”
“How about we set that aside in a family vacation account? That way, you can pay for family fun.”
“That works. I have news, too. I'm working on Brilliant now. I'm assistant to the Script Supervisor and AD. They want me to streamline production using tech and help with budget issues.”
“You promised.” Sheila’s lips were pressed tightly.
“I’ll be careful,” Jennifer said. “Also, I met with Navvy Kelrithian. I talked him into spending $200K to speed up the hardware.”
“Executives love spending money.”
“I convinced him that it would pay for itself in forty shooting days.”
“Did you discuss anything else?”
“He asked me about the vision thing. He seemed to know more about it than most people. He asked if I remember the bad things, too. Do you think he might have a memory like mine?”
“That’s possible, but still very rare. Remember our agreement: be careful. What’s going on this weekend?”
“Tayla and I are playing tennis tomorrow with David and another cast member. Just an average weekend.”
“Until you fall on your butt.”
“Eww, mom.”
Sheila remembered how Anthen fell under the spell of Brilliant from the very beginning. She knew that show business is a jealous and dangerous mistress. This is what I feared all along, she thought. I hope I am not losing my daughter.
Jennifer went to her room and played with Dandy and Pugsley. “Pugsley, I met with my boss’s boss, and he talked about a pay raise,” Jennifer said.
Pugsley was all wrinkles and tongue, but behind that was a blank look.
“Dandy, what do you think?”
Dandy reclined on the bed. He stood up, walked over next to Jennifer and looked her straight in the eye. You better watch what you wish for. Sometimes you get it, Dandy thought. Be careful.
Jennifer did a double-take as she realized what the prescient cat was thinking. Then she nodded. “You're right, Dandy.”
Jennifer remembered Navvy’s words, You remember the bad things, too? Jennifer thought over the news story of her father’s disappearance and her mother’s warnings about the dangers of Brilliant. She remembered each time growing up when she wished her father was there, but he wasn’t.
As always, when she became overwhelmed with her memories, she replayed scenes from StarCruiser Brilliant, when the ship was flying through outer space, when she would be the one flying on Brilliant, and when she would ring the bell.
Seven
Saturday with David
Jennifer and Tayla arrived at the Calabasas Tennis Center at 12:45 and discovered their opponents at their car, surrounded by tweens seeking selfies and autographs. The two girls approached to a respectful distance and waited until David and Riley signed and posed to the satisfaction of their fans.
“You two look like you enjoy the fan love. This’s my friend Tayla.”
They shook hands and began their walk to their private court. “The studio encourages us to reach out to fans whenever we can. It's good marketing,” Riley said.
“It probably doesn’t hurt that they’re cute thirteen-year-olds,” Tayla said.
“Or even klutzy summer interns,” David said with a smile. That drew a fist to the arm from Jennifer. “Watch out; you'll break my backhand,” he said.
“You don’t have a backhand to break, partner,” Riley said. “Would you two like to play mixed? I held the state singles title back in New Mexico, and it might be fairer that way.”
“I’ll call your state singles with my SoCal Singles title and raise you our SoCal doubles title,” Tayla said
.
“Wow, am I the total newb? I didn’t know I was getting into it with a bunch of total tennis nerds,” David said.
“We'll take it easy on you two. Loser buys lunch,” Jennifer said.
As the club director promised, they found a secluded hardcourt surrounded by shade trees and windscreens. David was a good tennis player after a year of instruction by Riley. Riley had the most velocity on his serve and was dominant. Tayla had power plus a higher level of accuracy. Jennifer was an accomplished player and held her own. They traded games and each pair held serve to 5-all. David’s second serve at 15-30 was short and Tayla charged. She hit the return into Riley’s body, but he was able to react and volley right back to Tayla at the net. They traded four volleys until Tayla forced Riley to chase a forehand. They're both in The Zone, Jennifer thought. He was able to return a lame duck to Tayla’s backhand. She turned and took a two-hand volley into the alley for the winner. David served at 15-40, Jennifer saw Riley ready to poach, and she hit an easy passing shot to the empty court. Tayla served out the set.
During the switchover, the club director approached. “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re hosting a Junior Girls tennis clinic today. Would you four be willing to play a set on our stadium court and give the girls a treat?”
“Is that okay with you guys?” Jennifer asked.
“Let’s go entertain the kids,” David said.
At the stadium court, Riley said, “It’s hot. Is there any rule against playing without our shirts?”
“It’s okay if David doesn’t have a farmer’s tan.” Jennifer looked at David.
They took the court to the sound of almost thirty screaming and giggling tweens.
Tayla looked at Riley and whispered to Jennifer, “I could get drunk on that six pack.”
“I have been high on those blue eyes all week,” Jennifer said.
The girls spent too much time concentrating on eyes and abs, and before a cheering gallery the boys took the first three games. Conditioning wins out, though. Playing a tournament every weekend through the Spring left the girls in much better shape as Riley and David faded. Tayla went on a hot streak, and the girls won the next six games to close out the set and the match, 6-3. The girls in the gallery cheered after the match and David and Riley spent another fifteen minutes providing autographs and selfies.
“Where are you going to take us for our victory lunch?” Jennifer asked.
“There’s a pool at our family ranch in Malibu. Dad is grilling burgers and steaks. Would you two like to skip lunch and join us for dinner?”
Tayla whispered to Jen, “No way I'm dropping my sweaty self into a bikini in front of Riley.”
“Can we shower and change here at the club and meet you there?”
“How about a swim, some games, food, and then whatever?”
Tayla whispered, “Can we skip all the other stuff and go straight to the 'whatever'?”
Prepared for any wardrobe exigencies, the girls showered and then followed Kanan Road through the Santa Monica Mountains to the ranch of Jack and Ellie Masing. The high desert landscape covered several hundred acres. As they approached, Jen’s HoloPad interfaced with the security system, and the gate opened. They rode up the hill to the main house. As a part of her family’s business, Jennifer had seen such places. Tayla just kept repeating, “Omigod. Omigod. Omigod.”
The girls enjoyed the view from high ground. Behind them was Castro Peak. At 2,826 feet it overlooked the town of Malibu. Beyond Laguna Point lay the Pacific.
Jennifer knocked on the door, and the very elegant Ellie Masing answered. Ellie still had the Swedish looks of a movie starlet from when she was cast as Jack Masing’s love interest in the first StarCruiser Brilliant movie. The chemistry caught and two films later, they married. Ava was born first, and several years later, David. Notably, Jack and Ellie continued as successful actors in a successful marriage all while raising a family.
“You must be Jennifer,” Ellie said in greeting. “I’m Ellie Masing, David’s mother.”
“Yes, and this is my friend, Tayla Mendoza. You have a beautiful home. It blends into the high desert.”
Tayla said, “I cannot believe I'm meeting an actress with four statuettes from the Academy. Your house is incredible. It's an honor to meet you.”
“Thank you. It was once owned by rock star. It has been our project to return the property to nature.”
Tayla again muttered, “Omigod.”
“You'll have to excuse my best friend. This is her first Hollywood mansion,” Jennifer explained.
“David,” Ellie said, “why don’t you give the girls the tour. Don’t forget the swimming pool shaped like the Brilliant.”
“Really?” Jennifer exclaimed.
“She’s just kidding,” David said. “Yes, our house has some creature comforts, the twelve bedrooms are pretty spacious, we have a large screening room, an eight-car garage, and two tennis courts, but we call it home.
“Omigod. We could have played here.”
“Riley and I didn’t want to beat you and have you blame us for having a home court advantage.”
“How did that plan work out for you?” Jennifer teased.
The four tired tennis players walked through the house. They paused for a long look at the four statuettes that his mother won for two starring and two supporting roles.
“Here’s the pool. There’s a cabana to change into your suits right over there. Dad says that he'll have burgers and steaks at five.”
The girls were wearing sundresses over their swimwear. They brought jeans and t-shirts for after. Just then Riley arrived already in his swimsuit with his towel. Tayla stared at the six-pack abs.
“We'll be right back,” Jennifer took charge and led Tayla to the cabana. “Aren’t you supposed to be the cool one?”
“This isn't my world, Jen, it’s yours. I’m intimidated by the glam thing here.”
“Today it’s our world, so let’s enjoy it,” Jennifer said.
The two teens stepped out of the cabana and walked to the poolside where the two actors were standing on the edge gawking at the two bikini babes. Having planned the maneuver, Jennifer and Tay pretended to hug David and Riley and then pushed them into the pool and dove in to follow. From there, the two couples demonstrated that pool frolic was a contact sport.
After a half hour, the four served their penance to the SoCal Sun. A Latina approached carrying a tray of drinks, “I have some aqua de fresca for you and your guests, David.”
“The kind with strawberry?” David asked.
“Just the way you like it.”
“Everyone, this is Margarita Lopez,” David said. “She and her husband, Alejandro, have been with our family since before I was born. Their daughter, Candace, is a few years older than my sister, Ava.”
Margarita said, “Mr. Masing will be cooking steaks so don’t ruin your appetite with snacks.”
“Why don’t we change clothes and then go to the game room?” David said.
Dressed in jeans and t-shirts, they walked into the game room and Jennifer gasped, “Is that what I think it is?” There was an elaborate platform with three seats, and each had an instrumentation console surrounded by a three-hundred-and-sixty degree display.
David smiled, “Welcome to BrilliantSim One. It’s a few years old, but it’s up-to-date with all of the bridge controls of StarCruiser Brilliant. It has the latest software updates.”
Tayla whispered to Riley, “Jennifer has left earth and is now walking around in heaven.”
“Take the right seat, Jen,” David said.
Jennifer gingerly stepped up to the platform and softly sat at the Ops/Weapons console, “Omigod, it’s so real. Just like the Manual.”
Riley asked Tayla, “She’s read the Manual?”
Tayla said, “A few years ago we went to Hawaii for Christmas. Two days into the trip she got the first three manuals. I hardly ever saw her at the beach after that.”
The Asteroid Field
&nb
sp; “I'll take the Pilot seat. Let’s take the Brilliant for a spin, Jendroid,” David said.
“Yes, sir, Captain Spaceboy,” Jennifer replied.
The two gamers took their places in the simulator and belted in.
“Are the controls familiar to you?” David asked.
“Yes, it’s just like the one at home on the steveLearn. But much more realistic.”
“Ani, recognize spaceboy847. Authorization: moviestar,” David said.
“Welcome back to the BrilliantSim, David Masing. Would you like to configure your position for Pilot or Commander?” Ani said.
“Jen, the Artificial Navigation Interface on this simulator is connected directly to Brilliant,” David said.
“Got it. I’ve read the Manual,” Jennifer said.
“Ani, just the two of us. Configure the left seat as Commander. Jen?”
“Ani, recognize Jendroid, authorization Dandy Lion. Configure Navigation.”
“Dandy Lion?” David asked.
“I'm petsitting a cat this summer,” Jennifer replied
Ani replied, “Welcome back to the BrilliantSim, Jennifer. Would you like the intro on the controls as it is your first login at this simulator?”
“I’m good, Ani, let’s saddle up.”
Riley and Tayla watched as David and Jennifer became involved in the simulator to the exclusion of all other social interactions. “Tayla, are you familiar with the game of ping-pong? The Masings have a table over here.”
“Is that the game with the wooden paddles?” Riley missed the twinkle in Tayla’s eyes.
“I can help you learn the game if you have never played.”
“That would be nice of you. I'm not sure about the rules,” Tayla said as she led the overconfident bull to slaughter.
Jennifer said, “Take us to the final frontier, David.”
“Let’s start with something easy. Ani, load Sim Program 42.”
“Ready to engage The Asteroid Field,” Ani replied.
David didn't see Jennifer smile. She thought of the many times that she had run this simulation before and gotten herself blown up.