Counting Up To Infinity

by Allen Fleishman

  Martin calmly looked at Roderick, “As I said last night, I’m offering YOU a job. We need a man like you for a very interesting job. If I may, I’d like to ask you a few questions. For reasons that will be apparent if you are offered and you accept the job, a group interview is the only way we work.

  Martin started, “First, could you tell me what happened at Franklin Industries?”

  Roderick, having gone through this a number of times, was used to this question. He gave the short, impersonal answer. “They were caught giving bribes to inspection officers. Due to the bribe, proper inspections were never done, shoddy materials were used, and a bridge collapsed. Nine people died.”

  “Tell me how the inspectors did improper inspections?”

  “The inspectors were given a small bribe, like $100 and told by the site foremen where to place their test drills. Those were the sites that the concrete was correctly poured and thick. Elsewhere they used inferior gravel and didn’t pour thick enough concrete. This was all in the news. If you want the transcripts, I …”

  “How were you involved?”

  “It happened on my watch. My department paid the money. The people who escorted the inspectors were in my payroll. The court of public opinion found me guilty and I wasn’t able to work as an engineer again. The inspectors and my people were ignored and I, the chief engineer on the project, took the rap. They were all white, and I’m black.”

  “Were you guilty?”

  Roderick was feeling frustrated, “What difference does it make Mr. Klein. It all comes down to my word against everyone else’s, everyone else’s.”

  “Were you guilty?”

  “For all it matters, I never knew about it. I was completely surprised when everything was re-inspected and came out so bad.”

  “Who is Chet Herman?”

  “My former boss.”

  “How was he involved?”

  “He fired me for grand theft and non-professional disregard of the public safety.”

  “What would you have done differently?”

  “Humph, I would have followed that inspector and known that he was being led around. I would have taken samples of the concrete and had them analyzed. I would have hired my own lawyer, rather than using the Franklin Industry shyster.”

  Roderick again noticed Martin paused then moved his lips, after a few moments Martin said, “I hate to say it, but that wouldn’t have worked. On the days of the inspection, you would have been called to your boss’s office. The concrete samples would have been replaced. They even had plans to buy out any lawyer you hired. Chet, the people in your department, and Michael McGee, Chet’s boss, made seven million. You were the fall guy, the patsy. However, after that incident, Franklin Corporation got a bad reputation. The governmental inspections were much better controlled. Chet who was living a very rich life was never able to adjust to a normal salary. His wife left him two years later, taking their children. He’s been a bitter alcoholic for the last five years.”

  “What does this have to do with me?”

  Sidney spoke, “We want a man who has a very strong technical background, is very bright – your academic rank at college speaks to that. We also want a person who can keep confidential material secret, when needed. We want a person who is loyal and willing to do what is necessary. You’ve been keeping your appointments with Dr. Brown assiduously. You even came early so Malcolm could speak with his friends. We want a family man, as we are a very tight family. We want someone who is honest. Finally, we want someone who will speak his mind. There are no yes-men in our company.”

  “What exactly is the job?”

  “I can’t tell you precisely, but it will involve implementing some groundbreaking new work.”

  “At Organic Biotechnology?”

  “Well maybe, but not only them.”

  “I take it I will be relocated? What about the pay?”

  Martin wrote a number on a piece of paper and handed it to Rod.

  Rod thought that this might be the only time he might be capable of negotiating. “Hmmm, that’s an interesting number, but you realize that I’m currently making about $29,000 and $35,000 isn’t much higher and also involves a much higher cost of living. I was wondering …”

  Martin said, “One second.” He took the offer from Rod and put in a comma between the 350 and 000. Martin continued, “I think you may have counted the zeroes wrong. Nor do it include a rent-free home and other executive perks.”

  “Uhhh, I think I can work for that. Would I be reporting to you?”

  David spoke, “Actually, you would be primarily reporting to me and Joshua. Do you have any problem with reporting to someone younger?”

  “N … no, did you say Joshua? Like in taking him to school.”

  The Ryans and Kleins all snickered. David continued, “Not in the slightest, you’re going to be involved in new product development, engineering. When could you start?”

  “Uhh immediately?”

  “Great, Dad do you have a sign-on bonus for Mr. Coombs? Can you start on Friday?”

  “Friday?”

  “I figure you’d want to spend some time looking at our ‘processes’. We also expect you eventually to take a few days off to set up your new home. It’s company owned, but it’s free and within a short walk to work. We can also arrange to have your house moved.”

  “You move fast. Does everything move so fast?”

  “At our company? Yes. It’s not a traditional company.”

  “You actually never told me the name of your company. Is it Organic Biotechnology?”

  “Well … that is one company. The umbrella company is C H Enterprises. Do you have a problem with that?”

  “The electricity company?”

  “Also computers, batteries, cars, planes, inter-planetary transport, and a number of other projects that are not yet ready for public use.”

  “Can you tell me what I’ll be first working on?”

  Joshua spoke for the first time, “It was my idea, a recreational park where each person will be able to fly around the park, like Superman, but at a more modest speed.”

  “You gotta be shi … pulling my leg. People fly?”

  Joshua looked up and in a didactic voice said, “You must know that the basis of the car and the electricity production is gravity reflection? It had been personalized and computers can control it. We usually control flying by a grid of 12 interdependent reflectors, computer controlled.” Joshua looked at Sidney, “Dad, can Rod and his family join us Saturday evening, if they’re up to it?”

  Virginia stammered “F-F-Flying? People can fly.”

  David made a half grin as he levitated up a foot above the table. Hovering motionless above the table, David bent down and held out a hand to be shaken. “Friday then?”

  ***

  Roderick arrived at the address at 8:30 on Friday. The building was completely nondescript, with no identifying company name outside. It was nestled in the hollow of a hill, surrounded by a gated housing development. The building was the size of a large elementary school. Roderick looked at the piece of paper three times, making sure the address was correct. However, there was no other building near this location and the number was prominently displayed. Hesitantly he entered the revolving glass door. A guard was sitting in the alcove. A large German Shepherd was lying nearby with a clear view of the doorway out and the clear door to the remainder of the building.

  The guard stood. “Good morning, Mr. Coombs, or would you prefer Roderick or Rod.”

  “Um Rod. Yeah, Rod is fine.”

  Roderick noticed a computer terminal facing the guard.

  “I’m expected. I think by Mr. Martin Klein.”

  “Oh Doctor Klein, walk right in. Phyllis is expecting you.”

  “Phyllis?”

  “Martin’s daughter-in-law. You met David? His wife.”

  “Um, I should just walk right in?”

&n
bsp; “Yeah, take the elevator to the second floor and walk straight.”

  Rod opened the glass inner door and entered the lobby. As he approached the elevator, the door opened. He had not pressed any button. After entering, he turned to face the buttons, the door promptly closed. He was about to press ‘2’ when he noticed the elevator rise. The ‘2’ button was already lit.

  Exiting the elevator, Rod noticed the face of the CEO of C H Electricity walking holding a steaming cup of coffee. He recognized Mr. Gardner from the company’s web page. The only thing different about him was he was wearing glasses and an earphone-set with microphone over one ear. He was wearing a Notre Dame sweatshirt and jeans.

  “Hi, I’m Don Gardner, you can call me Don. May I call you Rod? Would you like some coffee?”

  “Yes, yes, Mister Gardner.”

  The CEO stretched out his hand, “Don to my friends. Great to meet you. Welcome to the power circle.”

  Gardner walked Rod to the kitchen area. A squid like machine was just finishing a small cup of frothy coffee and putting it down.

  “I was told you liked a double latte. Sugar or sweetener is over there. We didn’t know how much.”

  “A double latte?”

  “You don’t want the latte? I’m sorry; we could make you something else.”

  “No, I love to have a double latte, but, but, how did you know?”

  “I’m not sure, but that’s the kind of thing that happens all the time here. There are things that I’ve learned not to ask, like how ‘Squidzy’ knows I like two cups of Arabica high-test with two sugars in the morning and a decaff French vanilla after 2 PM. It just knows. I can tell it to make something different, but I usually just say my ‘regular’ and it’s there, waiting for me. When I’m busy, a cart enters my office bearing the coffee. It just knows.”

  “But how …”

  Don had a knowing smile, “Phyllis is waiting for you in your office, come on.”

  Donald Gardner and Roderick walked through the area. There were no cubes and everyone had their office door open. There weren’t many offices.” Roderick noticed that one office already had Rod’s name on it. David Klein’s office was nearby. Rod noticed David sitting with his feet propped up on his desk. David was also wearing a sweatshirt, except his said, ‘Today – Like my first day of kindergarden’.

  As they approached, Gardner said, “Rod, I’d like to introduce you to Phyllis Klein, David’s wife.” A pretty, auburn haired, young Caucasian was at the side of the desk and extended her hand.

  “Rod, glad you could make it. I’m Phyllis. I see Don has already shown you where the coffee is. Let me show you around the office. Or would you prefer to get your bearings first and enjoy your latte?”

  Rod looked down at the latte. He didn’t want to spill any with the Boss’s pretty daughter-in-law watching. If they wanted to give jobs to their family, that was their business. He took a sip. Rod was startled about the coffee, it wasn’t good. It was great. “This is really good coffee, really good. I don’t remember ever having a latte this good.”

  Phyllis smiled, “We import the bean directly from Italy. It was roasted within the week. One of our secrets is that my chef programmed Squidzy to make it perfectly.” Phyllis closed her eyes for a second and said something to herself. She then said, “Like the frothing is done at exactly 183 degrees on a day like today.”

  “Like today?”

  Phyllis closed her eyes for three seconds, then said, “The barometric pressure is 29.76 and the humidity is 43%.”

  “How did you know that?”

  “Ahh, why don’t I introduce you to your computer.”

  Roderick looked down at his desk. It was empty of pens or paper. There was a cigar-shaped tube lying atop the desk, a pair of glasses, a phone-like device, and a monitor.

  Phyllis asked, “Rod, do you have a name you’d like to give to a secretary?”

  “Give to a secretary?” Rod looked puzzled at Phyllis, who just stood there. This was the oddest place. They are all mad. Finally Rod said, “Drusilla was my first secretary.”

  The monitor came to life with the picture of a handsome, but not beautiful, Negro woman. “Rod, I’d like to introduce you to Drusilla, your last secretary.”

  In a slight southern-drawl the image said, “Please to meet you Rod. I’m Drusilla. I’m here to help you with anything you need.”

  Phyllis motioned for Rod to sit down. “Drusilla will be your constant companion. She will help you do EVERYTHING. She’s going to be your entire staff. Josh mentioned that your first project will be the flying park?”

  “Yes, the kid did. You mean that kid assigned me projects? Is that really going to be my first project?”

  “Oh yes, Dru please present a list of projects that Rod will be working on.”

  The screen listed a half dozen projects. Rod’s eye noticed that one was LPHase patient selection and a second was DNA snipper patients and evaluation of the project. There was also something about ‘shield’ and ‘asteroid mining’.

  Phyllis after letting Rod have some time to read the list, then said, “Display the time line for the air park.”

  A time line appeared, Rod was shocked and almost disappointed to see the planning was scheduled to end in ten business days. The next phase was implementation; the various subtasks were also surprisingly short.

  Rod looked quizzically at Phyllis, “Is the project nearing completion? I only noticed there are only ten days left for planning.”

  “Oh no, Josh came up with it three days ago, we’ve been waiting for you to shepherd it.”

  “You take orders from Josh? But he’s six?”

  “Seven, but yes, from Josh and David. They both report directly to Charlie Haines. But ‘order’ is a bit severe a word, you can opt out of it if you want. Would you prefer to work on Charities? You could work on dealing with the Nobel laureates on how to organize what charitable funds should be supported and what put aside. There are one hundred sixteen billion dollars available to be given out for this quarter. Frankly, I can’t stand working with them, some have egos bigger than this building. You could even propose your own projects. David and Josh are genuine people. They know best, but they’re great listeners.”

  “When will I meet Charlie Haines?”

  Phyllis smiled, “You can speak to him and see him on the camera any time you want, just ask for ‘Charlie’. Meet him personally? Probably never. He’s like that. But like I said, your immediate bosses are David and Josh.”

  “David and Josh? I thought David was Martin’s son and Martin is a major board member. And Josh is just the son of the two medical researchers.”

  Phyllis smiled, “You can think of David as Charlie’s voice and hands. Effectively, the leader, and the uber-head of everything.”

  “That … That … would make him the richest man in the world?”

  Phyllis said, “Yes, my husband and I have 612 billion dollars at our disposal at this moment. On the other hand, our effective joint salary is about $57,000. We live simply.”

  Rod looked startled, “But he drives that ugly car and just, just … he doesn’t look rich.”

  Phyllis nodded, “Everything about my David is understatement. If he ever says he knows something ‘a bit better than ancient Greek’ or ‘once heard something about sub-atomic quantum physics as it relates to Einstein’s physics on time-space’ just be sure to ask him to say something in Greek or write down all the eighty seven pages of relevant equations.” Phyllis paused. Rod saw her laughing at a personal joke. “Everything about my husband is not what you would expect. We’ve beaten it out of him not to show off. Martin is also a sweetheart. He is a stockholder in the company, at one time the only stockholder. He’s given away a bunch of his shares though.”

  “But they both flew to help Malcolm?”

  “Well with Josh, they have a personal interest in the project. Josh has LPH Deficiency.”r />
  “They both dropped everything to come to Dirtwater Missouri to help a poor black man?”

  Phyllis nodded and blushed, “That’s my David. He’s like that.”

  “And Joshua?”

  “Well you can say that David’s grooming him to be second in command of the entire organization.”

  “But he’s only six, I mean seven years old.”

  “Yes.” Phyllis grinned, “You’ll hear it many times over, C H Industries is not your typical company. However, I’d like to stress that this knowledge is not for public consumption. No one outside this building knows anything about the inner structure of C H Industries, not even Virginia.”

  Roderick thought back to the project. “I think ten days is too short. Way too short.”

  Phyllis said, “If you had a staff of a thousand people, do you think you could to the job?”

  “Well maybe. If they didn’t get into each other’s way.”

  The face of Drusilla was looking directly at Rod. Drusilla nodded, smiling.

  “Rod meet Drusilla, Drusilla meet Rod. Let me go over some of her capabilities. First, contrary to what you may have thought, she is not a she, but an it, an AI persona, a computer construct. Rod, ask her to outline the project.”

  Drusilla smiled and nodded.

  In a slow diction Roderick said, “Drusilla, please outline the project.”

  The picture of Drusilla disappeared after she said, “Sure thing Rod.” A list of topics came up: Terrain types, with a subsection on potential locations; Security, Catering, Personnel, with a subcategories of hiring, benefits, training; Manufacturing of units, with a subcategory of design; legal, cost, with subheading of development/manufacturing, and admission. The list went on.

  Phyllis said, “Rod, pick one.”

  “Drusilla, Location.” Rod enunciated his words slowly and carefully.

  A picture of Drusilla appeared in the corner. In a stilted machine-like voice, circa 1970 she said, “Sure - thing - boss”. The image of the woman quickly morphed into ‘Robby the robot’ from the movie Fantastic Planet, then morphed back into her regular appearance, she winked.

  “Why did it do that?”

  Phyllis laughed, “I think she was trying to sass you. Try talking normally, next time.”