by Ken Dickson
The audience gathered all together near the stage, instead of randomly throughout the room or in small groups here and there. I wondered if it was a result of how well resilients got along. This number of resilients had never assembled in one place at any prior time in history to my knowledge. I was likely witnessing a unique new phenomenon of human behavior.
As I approached center stage and turned toward the audience, a large video screen behind me came to life and up-beat music—composed especially for the occasion—queued up. A video played, showing cheerful, enthusiastic people shaking hands, surveying land, constructing buildings, choosing furnishings and more, against backdrops ranging from desert to snow-capped mountains. Exactly fifteen seconds in, the phrase “The Road to Amistad” faded in and expanded to fill the screen. As the music peaked to a crescendo, I raised the microphone and began.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome. My name is Ken Dickson, and for the next half-hour, I will take you on a journey into the future. We are not here by coincidence. We are a lining up of stars; a full eclipse of the moon; an unprecedented confluence of events that is going to change human history forever.
“I know that I am not alone in this experience. Each of you is just like me. You can go in any direction you choose with this gift. Go off on your own if you desire, but I invite you to join me on a grand adventure. For us, the old ways are dead and gone, and all doors are open going forward. We can design our own future—a better future—and I say why not? Why the hell not?”
My old self was incapable of anything this ambitious, but the new me was confident, unafraid and so utterly convinced of my vision that the words flowed with ease—as if each one was a perfect word.
“I’ve been around the block a few times, and so have others joining me. I know all too well the heartbreak of failure. For that reason, we will not shoot for the moon immediately. We will run a three-mile race instead of a marathon. Anyone can run a three-mile race. Why? Because adrenaline fuels the first and last miles—you only really have to run the one mile in the middle.
“Think of this first phase as that adrenaline fueled three-mile race: two-thirds fun and one-third perseverance. When the going gets tough in the middle, I will be beside you, cheering you on. Otherwise, it will be cake. We’ll have a blast. That is why I am aiming small initially: for the fast pace and good times. In. Out. Done. I call it Primera—a grand vision in miniature, right here in our own back yard.”
A dramatic desert scene filled the screen, replete with desert vegetation of all types set against a backdrop of rugged mountains. “The goal of Primera is to understand how resilients will live and work together. To achieve that mission, we will build our own community right here in Arizona. We will find the land, obtain permits, design infrastructure and homes, and then pick up hammers and saws. Working side by side, we will build those homes from the ground up.” A time lapse displayed homes rising from the desert as I spoke. “But why stop there? We will experiment: create new furnishings and new configurations, move people around, discover what works and what doesn’t, and we will live and breathe our dream as it blossoms.”
The time lapse slowed to real time at the community’s completion and came alive with activities of all kinds: volleyball in a volleyball pit; swimming in a community swimming pool; riding and walking on bike trails; and neighborhood cookouts.
“The knowledge gleaned from Primera will be carried forward to an even bolder project—a marathon in comparison—Amistad.”
A view of lush mountains, pine trees, a pristine lake and distant snow-capped mountains replaced Primera: a re-creation of the dream I’d once had. “Amistad will be a completely new kind of community: efficient, environmentally sound, and largely self-reliant. Because of our unique nature, it may be more like a beehive than an urban sprawl. Its unprecedented compactness could make underground living practical and immensely energy efficient.”
The mountain view gave way to an artist’s x-ray depiction of a subterranean city built like a wheel. Living quarters filled the perimeter, and spoke-like tunnels connected that to a hub at the center, housing shopping, banks, restaurants and other businesses. “The underground design will allow us to integrate seamlessly into the environment. It may expand downward in levels or replicate across the landscape to form additional subterranean communities, each with its own cultural flavor. A web of sophisticated infrastructure and technology will link it all together.”
As I described Amistad in more detail, various images filled the screen: small, sleek electric vehicles driving on underground and above ground roadways; a semi-autonomous power grid supplied by micro wind turbines and solar panels; a state of the art fiber optic communications center. A scene zoomed out to show farms and greenhouses to provide for many of the inhabitants’ needs. A final view zoomed more and then panned to show boating activities on a nearby lake and skiing even farther away on the snow-capped mountains. “I intend to build Amistad in a location similar to this to capitalize on the finest nature has to offer.
“There won’t be a better time to begin this journey. We are a different breed of human, and soon there will be more of us. It behooves us to better understand ourselves. President John F. Kennedy once said, “We choose the moon,” and that is what we must do now. Starting with Primera, we will prove our capabilities, and Amistad will push the envelope further, exploring more global concerns. Through action, we will position ourselves, as more resilients join us, to spread our knowledge and accelerate a societal transformation to a resilient mindset, altering the course of humanity forever.”
As I spoke, I covered every extreme of the stage, gestured broadly and exuded confidence. I knew by heart what was happening behind me and rarely glanced at the small monitor facing me to remain synchronized. I made eye contact with many and smiled often. I’d lived and breathed Primera and Amistad daily for months, and everything poured straight from my heart. No one could have been better prepared than I was. When the presentation concluded, I paused to catch my breath and allow the music to fade. The audience began to applaud, but I held up my hand. I wasn’t finished.
“A cathedral cannot be built by passion alone, and neither can this. I need your help, but I am not asking for your money. I have already secured funding for Primera and, over time, will procure funds for Amistad. Along these lines, I have an announcement to make. Matt Bently?” I placed my hand above my eyes to reduce the spotlight glare and searched for him. He stood near the back of the crowd. “Matt appropriated capital for Primera almost single handedly, and he has more tricks up his sleeve. Just today, he filed the Articles of Incorporation for his new firm: Bently Research and Investment, or BRI, who will fund Primera, and ultimately, Amistad. This is a tremendous achievement. Thank you, Matt, for making dreams come true. Let’s give him a hand.”
I set the microphone on a nearby stand and applauded loudly. Then, I picked it up again and resumed. “In case you question my commitment to this venture, I recently gave notice to Nanosys. Shortly, I will end my thirty-three-year career as an engineer to work full time for BRI on Primera and Amistad—and I could not be more thrilled.
“I’ve secured the funding, quit my job and devoted myself one hundred percent. All I need now are some team players who are not afraid to take up a new challenge, get their hands dirty, and change the world. As added incentive, BRI will pay you a competitive salary, allowing you to abandon your eight-to-five grind in favor of this chance of a lifetime. I guarantee you that it will be the best decision that you ever make.
“In closing, whether you wish to design, swing a hammer, pour concrete, install plumbing, or work with public officials, I need you. Please join me on this great adventure and take a stand for our future, and the future of those we love. You can sign up at the back of the room. Welcome, my friends, to the road to Amistad. Thank you.”
The room filled with applause once more, and some even gave a standing ovation. As I gazed at the audience, I saw no pasty blank faces
. Instead, there were gleams in their eyes, and I knew that I’d accomplished what I’d hoped. I stepped from the stage, accepted and quickly downed a glass of water offered by the hotel staff, and began mingling with the crowd. I was exhausted, but still shook everyone’s hand that I could and answered each question. When it seemed there was but one hand left to shake, I found that it was Jessie’s. She’d made it after all. I smiled and hugged her.
“Great job!” she exclaimed.
“Thanks. I’m glad that you could make it.”
As the evening wound down, I made my way to the sign-up forms. To my surprise, nearly everyone signed up. There was little room left on the forms, and on some, people’s names and contact information filled the margins. As I scanned the list of names, I was disappointed that one was missing, but I’d known from the start that there were no guarantees. Jessie’s name was not there. In any case, Amistad and Primera had taken the leap from dream to reality. For the first time, I felt like a competent speaker; either that, or all of this was beyond my influence and these fine people were simply responding to their own calling.
Regardless, I would now need to don a different hat—that of a leader. The thought of that was a little nerve-wracking. I’d never even run a Toastmaster meeting, and somehow, I must lead over a hundred people into the unknown. If I’d spent much time considering it, I would have convinced myself it was folly, but it was actually happening. I’d forced myself into a corner, and it was time to deliver. Despite how I could have felt, I was electrified. Not because I had a larger than life ego, which I certainly did not, but because of the absolute faith I had in the people I’d be working with—these people.
Chapter 15
KIWANIS
Matt wasted no time structuring BRI. The company consisted of two arms: Investment, under which fell Finance, Legal, Information Systems and Security; and Research, comprised of Facilities, Engineering and Human Resources. Matt’s chief focus was nurturing his new mutual fund and associated spinoffs. Joining him were several talented staff from his former employer and his son, Matt Junior, who until recently worked as a stockbroker on Wall Street. The bulk of positions in the company were as yet unfilled.
For several weeks, Matt and I worked overtime, filling BRI positions with resilients who’d committed at the Arizona Grand based upon their experience. We lost thirteen people during that process through failed negotiations and changes of heart. However, one hundred and ten people signed contracts, some as managers. After they accepted positions, we invited them to the first official matter of business: a company picnic at Kiwanis Park in Tempe.
***
It was almost 11:00 a.m. on October 19, 2012, four weeks after the presentation at the Arizona Grand. The sky was cloudless, the temperature was barely over eighty degrees, and the Kiwanis Park Fiesta ramada was abuzz with the chatter of excited new BRI employees. Aromatic smoke rose from sizzling meat on grills scattered between the seven covered “pods” of the ramada. People milled about the tree-shaded lawn surrounding the ramada, or amongst over forty brick-red colored expanded steel picnic tables sheltered from the sun by the galvanized steel pod roofs. Two courtyards lay nestled between the three largest pods. Two rows of tables stocked with food, drinks, condiments, plates, utensils and napkins occupied the brunt of the south courtyard, and I prepared to begin the festivities in the west end of the north courtyard. I switched on a small PA system, tested the wireless hand-held microphone and then sipped some water from the stainless steel fountain next to me before addressing the crowd. “May I have your attention, please? As you may have noticed, we’ve assigned seats according to your departments. Please take a moment and find your seat so that we may begin.” I waited a few minutes for people to sit.
“Hello, everyone, and welcome to our first BRI company picnic. I’ve spoken to each of you personally, but you may not know my story. A year-and-a-half ago, a medical trauma changed my life and left me facing a new world. In no time, I recognized a great opportunity for humanity. Unfortunately, it couldn’t be realized without two things, namely, others like me and a few million dollars.
“For nearly a year, I searched for others without success, and aside from a one-and-a-half percent pay raise in February, the money situation remained unchanged. I nearly abandoned that quest. Then, at the end of April of this year, I found the first of us. Others quickly followed and so did the money. With all doors opening, I quit my engineering job and committed fully, signing on as employee number two at BRI. Some people think I’m mad for doing this, but I see it differently: it’s the bravest thing I’ve ever done. Already, we’ve come far. In only a month’s time, we’ve grown from two employees to over one hundred. How many companies do you know of can pull that off? And believe me we’ve just begun.
“As the director of the Primera and Amistad projects and a fellow employee of BRI, I welcome you to this splendid adventure. Over the next years, we will accomplish amazing feats and change the course of history, but today, I want you to do just one thing: get to know each other. Take this time to introduce yourselves to your department members and to other employees of BRI and then dig into the great spread of food. After lunch, take advantage of the excellent weather and the brand new Frisbees, Nerf footballs and volleyballs at the east end of the ramada. There’s plenty of open lawn to play on, and there are three sand volleyball pits just south of the ramada. And if that isn’t enough, Matt Bently Junior will be playing some great music for your entertainment. At one, I’ll be back to introduce you to the management staff. In the meantime, enjoy yourselves.”
Matt Junior switched from the microphone to an MP3 player filled with upbeat songs. I set about mixing with the new employees. As I did, I heard a familiar voice.
“Caspian, is that you?”
I smiled and turned to see Jessie. “You kill me. Did you sign up for a job behind my back?”
“Sorry, I like my life just the way it is, but I am a big fan.”
“It’s nice to have one fan. Where are you sitting?”
“By some women from Finance.”
“You’d fit right in with them. You should resign and join the fun.”
“Good try.”
“You can’t blame me for trying. Have you met my wife yet?”
“I saw her when you two arrived, but I haven’t spoken to her.”
“In that case, let’s find her and officially introduce you.”
Despite the fact that I’d resigned from Nanosys weeks earlier and held a key management position at BRI, Beth still wasn’t keen on this idea. She’d agreed to come only after Matt twisted her arm but wouldn’t bring my daughters. It was a step in the right direction, at least. I gazed around the crowd and spotted her. Not surprisingly, she was speaking with Matt, of whom she had always been fond. We made our way to them.
“Beth, Matt, I’d like you to meet Jessie. She was at the PDC and Gracewood the same time as me. Fortunately, she made a miraculous recovery.”
“Pleased to meet you,” said Matt, offering his hand. Upon seeing how attractive she was, Beth gave me a suspicious look. Humoring her, I grinned innocently. She introduced herself to Jessie and struck up a conversation whereupon Matt and I left to mingle.
After everyone ate, they dispersed to different areas of the park, staying, for the most part, with their departments. They were particularly gregarious, leaving no one by themselves. Two groups played volleyball, other groups played Frisbee or tossed Nerf footballs and still another went for a stroll around nearby Kiwanis Lake. I wondered if they’d all be back by 1:00 p.m. and was pleasantly surprised when they returned with minutes to spare.
Right on time, Matt Junior stopped the music and switched to the microphone. I stepped into the courtyard again. “Welcome back. I hope that everyone had a chance to meet each other and that you’re having a good time. At this point, I’d like to invite each of the managers to introduce themselves and say a few words. If you would, please hold your applause until every
one has spoken.” The staff stood and made their way toward the courtyard and then gathered on either side of me. I handed the microphone to Steve Hampton, a tanned, muscular man over six feet tall with a buzz cut and a battle-hardened face that spoke volumes.
“Hi, folks. My name is Steve Hampton. Until a few years ago, I proudly served as a captain in the U.S. Marines. I loved my job and thought I’d be a career man. However, when my father’s health failed, a man I worshiped, I left the Marines to help with his air conditioning business. Air conditioning is a brutal job in Arizona—one of the toughest, if you ask me. When you’re built like I am, it’s no picnic negotiating attic rafters, and the 170-degree attic temperatures don’t make it any easier. When Dad finally passed, it broke my heart, but it also gave me a ticket out of that God-forsaken job. I sold the business, unsure of what I’d do next.
“Then, all this happened. Not only did my new mindset ease my suffering over my dad’s death and shift my focus from the uncertainty of my future, it ended my anxiety over atrocities I’d witnessed in the military and filled me with hope. When I heard about Amistad, it seemed right up my alley. I jumped aboard. For the first time in a long time, I feel like shouting Ooh-rah! I’m proud to serve and protect all of you as chief of security, and I’m eager to make a difference in the world ahead. Thank you and God bless.” He passed the microphone to a slender Asian woman with short, perfectly styled hair and a flawless complexion.
“Hi, my name is Keiko Fujita, and I’m the manager of Human Resources. When I was young, I had the most compelling dreams, but as I grew older, I dreamed less and less. Then, a few months ago, I experienced the most remarkable dreams ever. One in particular recurred frequently. At the same time, my life turned completely around. My mind cleared of everyday chatter, my world became more vivid and alive, and I felt increasingly drawn to help others. At the same time, I grew lonely. Friends and family didn’t understand my changes. Some even shunned me as if I’d contracted a contagious disease. My former life no longer made sense. I knew that there must be more. That’s when I learned of us, and the fact that some of us share the same dream. How could I not be a part of this? I can’t wait to see how everything unfolds.” Keiko handed the microphone to a vivacious, wild-haired blonde with blue eyes that sparkled with life.