Thankful
Things had been odd around the house for a few days.
but Curtis and Carol managed to finish out the week working.
They took the opportunity to share their thoughts more freely
and it became certain to Curtis that whatever Carol thought,
the two of them could deal with it.
The weekend came, Curtis had finished up a few things he had been working on
and came across Carol, still busy with something.
Curtis ”You still working …
Anything I can help you with?”
Carol ”No … I’m about done, but thanks anyway.
I have just been checking over some invoices
and on the disposition of some pieces Tucker commissioned last week.
I’m wrapping things up now.”
Curtis ”How are things going at the Gallery …
Tucker keeping you busy?”
Carol ”Well for now …
But I really don’t expect it to take much longer.
Tucker’s made a lot of changes, new additions,
but he’s pretty much got things under control for the time being.
I don’t suspect he’ll need me much longer,
and I can’t say I’ll miss the commute.”
Curtis ”I know the drive can be a pain
and I won’t mind having you around a little more …
I hate to say it, but I kind of like you.’
Curtis Continued ”Listen … Carly’s having this thing tonight …
Some fund raiser.
Something about a rhino redistribution project in Kenya.
I don’t know any rhinos personally,
But we haven’t been to Carly’s in a while.
I told her we would come, and cut a check to the project …
I hope you don’t mind that I signed us up for it.”
Carol ”Baby … It’s probably not a good time to tell you,
but you should have said something before now.
I really hate rhinos … Nasty creatures.
I’d pay someone to poach them all.”
For the second time in a week,
Curtis and I are stunned.
I mean where do you go with that?
Carol Cracking Up
at the Same Time ”Oh … The look on your face.
I’m just kidding baby.
I don’t have anything against rhinos,
although I can’t say I know any personally either.
Sure, we can go to Carly’s tonight.
If nothing else, I get to see my man all dressed up.
I’ll make a pie.”
They laughed for few moments then headed out front
in attempts to figure out what they were going to do
with the rest of their day.
Curtis ”Well, where are we headed …
And I guess you are driving?”
Carol ”Let’s go to the gallery here.
It’s been a while since I have been,
or anyone has been, as far as I can tell.
Since I’m going to be finishing up with Tucker,
I’m going to need to find something I can do around here.
Besides … If you get busy with the Council,
You aren’t going to be around as much to keep fixing me dinner.
I know you’ll be glad to take a break from that.”
Curtis ”Oh I don’t mind fixing you dinner …
I have to keep your energy up.
We’ve got a deal you know.”
Carol ”Oh, you are bad …
But I like it!
You really need to hush in get in the car though Mr. Man,
or we aren’t going to get anything else done today.”
Well … At least they managed to get out of the driveway
and made it to the Gallery.
Hang on folks … Here she goes.
I think Curtis might as well just nod his head most of the time.
Carol ”I know it’s kind of run down baby …
And I would use the bushes before I would trust the bathroom out there.
But … Just think of all this as an empty canvas.
The building is what it is, but not all it can be.
If nothing else, the lot is in a great location.”
Curtis ”I’m just saying … See, there’s the piece you recently donated.
It doesn’t look right hanging there.
And the whole place needs a lot of work.”
I could have sworn I told that boy
that he didn’t have to do nothing but nod his head and be supportive.
Carol ”Curtis, honey … Art is subjective at best.
Of course it will require some work.
I’m not really sure what it was we saw running across the floor a minute ago either.
But I, … We, can come up with a Gallery that more than serves
the basic needs of the art community here in Hidden Springs.
Plus … There’s no need in trying to convince me otherwise,
because I already know you are going to let me do it anyway.
Now come here and give me some loving …
But keep an eye out for whatever that was.”
Oh, we know dang well Curtis doesn’t really have a problem with any of it …
And, he’d probably climb to the top of Mount Everest if it would make Carol happy.
I’m still going to have to cut him some slack.
It been an interesting week, Curtis has had some serious stuff on his mind,
and it’s okay if he gets a bit distracted at times.
The two of them headed home and settled down for a late lunch.
Curtis thought he would run something that might be important by Carol.
Cutis
”You know I talked to Alexander Dixson and Simon.
Both said the Mayor was interested in changing some of the zoning restrictions
on quite a few properties around town.
There’s proposals coming up in front of the City Council
regarding those changes this Fall.
I don’t know anything about the Gallery Lot,
But Han’s Café is definitely one they are looking at.
It’s right across the street,
so I would assume the Gallery might be under some scrutiny.”
Carol ”I can see where that may be a concern,
but I did a little research myself.
The City took the Gallery over after the last Wilkes
just left it to pursue their fortune elsewhere.
The City had it for some time before you and Susan picked it up.
They basically did nothing with it, and you saw it today.
I know it would be a big job, and I understand why you and Susan
didn't put it at the front of list during the Challenge.
But, we have the money …
The Gallery doesn’t really have to ever bring in a dime of profit.
I don’t care what the City wants to do.
Whatever I am willing to do with it,
is more than they ever did.”
Curtis and Carol did end up going to Carly’s fundraiser.
Carol brought her customary key lime pie,
and they enjoyed a lot of pleasant mingling with friends they had not seen in a while.
After touching base with everyone, Carol was ready to go home.
Carol ”Drive me home baby …
I had a bit of nectar, it was delicious
But I’m getting sleepy and it’s been a long day.
Did I tell you how handsome you look tonight Mr. Man?”
Curtis ”Yeah … You’re tipsy ...
You didn’t tell me that, and it’s probably the nectar talking now.
Let’s go home.”
When they got home, Carol felt safe and warm inside.
It had not only been a long day, but the week had been
interesting to say the least.
She thought it would be a good idea to let Curtis know
that no matter what he decided about running for City Council,
the two of them could always find a way to make things work for them.
Carol ”I saw you talking with Simon at Carly’s.
I figure you were probably talking some more about the
position on the City Council.
I mean neither one of you were laughing,
so something has to be up.
I’m not prying or pushing on you right now.
I want to give you all the space you need.
I just want to say one more time, that no matter what you choose,
it’s not something you have to do forever …
And we’ll be fine.”
Carol, a bit sleepy, turned and started off to get ready for bed.
Curtis caught her attention, with a serious tone in his voice.
Curtis ”You know … This week I had the opportunity to learn
some more things about you,
and you helped me make some decisions.
Right now … I know what I am going to do.
It’s just something I feel like I almost have to do.
To tell you the truth …
Forever would be fine with me.”
I got to say … That boy knows how to drop a bomb!
Carol was seriously in a state of shock, because she never saw that coming.
What came out of her mouth, when she could speak, was a mess.
Some of it ... Well, I would be a bit uncomfortable repeating it.
I would try to translate it for you, but I still don’t think I would get far.
For the most part, Curtis went through motions and kind of let Carol melt.
She was one happy lady.
If you need to be told what her answer was ...
Well … Then you ain’t been paying attention.
Thanks for stopping by again,
And I look forward to next time.
Freedom
When we last left off Curtis had surprised Carol with a proposal.
When Carol woke up the next morning, the first thing she did was look to make sure
she actually had the ring and it wasn’t all a dream.
Excited and full of joy, she ran around to Curtis squealing the whole way …
Carol ”Oh Mr. Man, I don’t think there is a happier
woman in the world this morning.
I figured we would get married someday,
but I wasn’t in a rush and thought we would just get to it whenever.
Now … I am glad you want it as much as I do.
I love the fact you meant forever, and I’m ready.
Let’s not waste any more time …
We can get dressed and do something small,
just you and me.
Adele will be upset, but it’s not about her.
If you’re okay with it … Let’s get married as soon as possible.”
Curtis ”I would tell you to settled down,
but I kind of like you as a hot mess.
I don’t care when or how we actually get married.
We might as well have gone through it the day after we met
as far as I am concerned.
We don’t even have to get dressed.
I’ll trade rings and vows with you right now and right here.
You’re starting to rub off on me.
No one else tell me who I can love or marry,
and we can do things our way.
Besides … How cool will it be if we have kids
and can tell our grandkids we got married in our underwear.”
Curtis has a point I guess … Society may have all kinds of rules
or requirements and attempt to enforce them with government.
At the same time, Carol has helped him understand that some things
are simply outside the actual purview of governmental or societal control.
You may hold a gun to someone’s head and threaten them with imprisonment
if they don’t do as you wish … But most relationships are internal by all measure.
You can no more tell someone who they can love …
Than you could make them actually worship God.
Yeah … I am pretty sure that Curtis and Carol understand that
their covenant is truly between the two of them …
And if someone else were to have a problem with it,
they could go pound sand as far as those two are concerned.
Liam invited the couple over for dinner that evening.
They of course, didn’t have a problem making an appearance.
Carol had worked that day and didn’t have time to prepare
a her traditional key lime pie ahead of their arrival.
Looks like Curtis is a bit excited about the idea that didn’t stop her from
making one when she got there.
As the pie came out of the oven … Curtis was catching up with Liam.
Author’s Note
What transpires here, is strictly an in-game occurrence that was neither
predicted nor particularly desired by the author.
It’s the way things are … So I’m going to roll with it
instead of trying to fix it back.
The day Cindy started at the lab, Liam quit working there
and started a career as a fan fiction drafter.
Curtis ”Thanks for the invite and it has been a while
since we have had a chance to catch up.
The last I heard, you were getting some help in
from Bridgeport to assist you at the lab.
How are things going anyway?”
Liam ”At the lab … Well, I cannot say.
Mr. Dixson did bring in some new help,
but I legally cannot really tell you any more.
Plus, I don’t work there anymore ...
Which is why I asked you over.
I’m getting starting at writing and assume you could put me on the path
to some helpful insights into perfecting my form and handling publishers.
Sorry, but I cannot say anything else about the lab
or any personnel issues there.”
Hmm … Doesn’t seem like Liam wants
to work with the new help for some reason or another.
It also seems like he doesn’t want to end up in court
for disclosing proprietary information either.
Curtis ”Whoa Liam … That’s a surprise.
I understand your legal agreements with DHE and won’t ask you
anything about what’s going on there.
Yeah, I have some things I can pass on.
How about we meet at the Hut sometime
and we can go over things there?”
Liam ” Sounds Great … And I look forward to it.
I have done my share of technical writing and reporting,
but it will be different branching out into fiction.
I can use all the help I can get.”
You know friends … If I am not mistaken,
that's Sherman playing the guitar.
I guess he’s getting out and about nowadays.
Carol ”Uh … Astrid does know we can see her right?
I mean I understand her being [censored] about not winning the online pool,
but the whole trying to sneak up on me from the front is almost insulting.”
Liam ”Don’t get me to lying …
But she may just be hoping you wet your pants
and decide to leave real quick.
You know … More pie for her.’
Well folks … That Astrid is something else.
She might have given Carol a startle,
but I doubt it was enough to stand between her and some key lime pie.
Curtis ”Sherm my man … Great to see you!
How are you settling in and is everything going well?
Looks like you are making the social scene anyway.”
Sherman ”Oh I’m doing great Curtis,
and your place is exactly what I need for the time being.
I’m so glad you helped me out with that.
Hidden Springs is awesome
and the people are so friendly for the most part.
Laila and Bert just got married and are having a formal at their place
tomorrow night … I’ll be there.
But maybe you can give me a hand with something.
Blake Grayson is probably going to be there as well …
Is there any way you or Carol could introduce us?”
Curtis ”No problem Sherman … Carol and I are going.
I’m pretty sure we can figure something out.
I’m glad to see things are going so well for you.
Did you get on with Peter over at the corporate building?”
Sherman ”Nah … He said he was full at the moment,
but would let me know when a spot opens up.
I got a job as a beat-cop for the time being.
It’s not great, but it pays the bills.”
The following evening, looks like everyone made it to the Alto residence.
Carol decided she would introduce Blake to Sherman.
Carol ”This is Sherman Thomas from Bridgeport,
and a new resident here in the Springs.
We’ve known him for a while.
He’s a nice guy and is getting used to things around town.
Just started working for the HSPD … You may have seen him around.”
Blake ”Oh … So this slightly adorable fencepost
is who Curtis was speaking so well about?
Does he come with a bottle of nectar?”
Sherman ”I’ve got a bottle of nectar at my place
and it’s awesome you think I am slightly adorable.”
Blake ”Easy Tiger … You are going to have to put a bit more work into it than that.
The bottle of nectar sounds nice …
Hell, it might even be a requirement,
but I am not heading out of here yet
and we might want to get to know each other a little better first.”
Blake ”Maybe we could dance …
You do know how to dance don’t you?”
Sherman ”Can’t really say … I never went to dance school.
I mean Curtis and I hit a few strip clubs during the book tour,
but for some reason I don’t think that is what you are talking about …
Not that I would object if you decided to give it a try.”
Curtis ”So, how are things going over there?
Are they having fun yet?”
Carol ”Well, they are dancing now anyways.
As to whether or not they are having fun yet …
I heard something about a strip club and I’m not going to ask.”
Well Friends … Looks like there are some things making their own way
around Hidden Springs at the moment.
As we get close to wrapping things up for today,
BlackSand noticed something over at the cemetery earlier.
Hmm … Wonder what that’s about.
Thanks for stopping by again,
And I look forward to next time.
Y’all have a lovely day!
Irreconcilable Differences
Well folks … Let’s see if we cannot rewind a tad bit
and find out exactly what happened at the Lab.
As mentioned before, Alexander Dixson had assigned Cindy Calvert
to assist Dr. O’Dorke and ensure proper protocols were in place.
Things kind of started off okay.
Cindy was introduced around, but was eager to get to work.
Liam was a bit hesitant, but decided he would go with the flow for the time being.
After lunch, Cindy was reviewing documentation,
while Liam was preparing to try out a few things he had been thinking about.
Liam had 3 successful Lots of specimens
and the data concerning Lot 2 was extremely promising.
After searching the research area to no avail,
he decided to check the data for the Lot disposition in the main system.
That’s when things started to go downhill.
Lots 1 and 3 were still available for research and testing,
but Cindy had quarantined Lot 2 to cryo-suspension.
Essentially, Lot 2 had been at least temporarily removed from the testing line-up.
Furthermore, the specimens in Lot 2 were in the deep freeze.
Liam was unaware that Cindy had removed the specimens
and was concerned it would set his research schedule back considerably.
Somewhat frustrated with the new working arrangements,
and with the possibility of unnecessary delays in his most promising research …
Liam decided he would discuss the quarantine on Lot 2.
As he approached Cindy …
She spoke over her shoulder while finishing what she was doing.
Cindy ”I suppose you want to discuss the quarantine on Lot 2.
I think I covered everything in the email I sent,
but if you have any questions, that’s what I am here for.
Be with you in a second … Just let me wrap this up.”
For some reason … All that didn’t sit very well with Dr. O’Dorke,
and Liam lost it, letting loose on Cindy.
Liam ”I just got back from lunch … And I haven’t read my emails yet.
I need to start today’s research and will catch up on correspondence
when that is complete.
Then I find out that you quarantined my most promising Lot of specimens.
How does Mr. Dixson expect me to do my work,
and how does he see you are helping me by sabotaging my efforts?
He needs to make up his mind …
We are either working on this project or not.
I’m in charge here, and you people need to understand that.”
Cindy ”Yes Dr. O’Dorke …
You are in charge of the facility and the research.
I have been asked to cooperate with you by all means.
However, I am in charge of safety and regulatory compliance.
Unlike anyone else in this facility, I don’t answer to you.
I answer to Mr. Dixson directly, and there is a reason for that.
I don’t have the power to tell you what to do,
but I have the power to shut you down.
I haven’t done that …
You still have two Lots you can work with,
and we can most certainly discuss what you are going to have to do
in order to get lot 2 out of quarantine.
I covered that in the email I sent you.
You may notice that Alexander Dixson is in the list of people
who got the email as well as you.”
Liam started rambling, as Cindy tried to calm him down.
Liam ”Oh for goodness sakes …
I said I didn’t want to work on this project to start with.
I told them there were risks.
I specifically said that the research was not something
I was comfortable with.
They told me that if I wanted to keep working here,
I was going to have to take responsibility and see that things
were managed appropriately.
Now you’re here, supposed to be helping me,
and have quarantined my most promising work on the project.
How am I supposed to manage things when you people
just keep making everything harder on me?
It wasn’t my idea to work on this project to start with.
Now there is no telling what will happen to the samples being frozen.
What ever gave you the idea you could jeopardize my work?”
Cindy ”Dr. O’Dorke … You are going to have to settle down.
I called Martin before I quarantined Lot 2.
He assured me there would be no adverse effects
freezing the samples for the time being.
I wasn’t comfortable with the contamination risks
and your existing protocols.
It’s not that serious and we can handle this.”
Then Liam stepped in it so to say …
Liam ”Look sweetie … I don’t know who you are,
And I dang sure don’t know who this Martin fellow is …
But that sheet of paper hanging on the wall above my desk
is a fair indication that I am not a [censored].
I have been running this facility for years.
I’ll do what I have to do.
But you people need to figure out how it is
you are actually going to help me accomplish what needs to be done.”
Cindy was still a bit nervous, but could see this was not going well.
She was also ready to try and help Liam understand a few things.
Cindy ”Dr. O’Dorke … Nah, excuse me … Liam!
You have been here for quite some time.
You are probably comfortable with the fact that for the most part
you have always been the smartest person in the room.
Well guess what buddy …
You aren’t the only genius in the room right now,
and Martin is smarter than I am.
I don’t know what it is going to take for you to understand
that the work we want to do here will get done.
It’s just going to be done in a safe and compliant manner.
I won’t give you some bubblegum wrapper nonsense like …
‘There is no ‘I’ in ‘Team’ …
Because there is a ‘M’ and a ‘E’, and You better get to figuring out
how You are going to support the Team, and get us where we need to go.
If you are having trouble figuring it out …
It because the question is not ‘if’ … It is ‘how’?
Welcome to DHE!”
Liam might should have let some of that sink in a little …
But we are talking about Liam, and he doesn’t handle confrontation very well.
Liam ”Well … I’ll tell you what …
When you get 5 Doctorate degrees from SIT,
including one in Biophysical Engineering …
Then you can start telling me how to run this facility
and how to handle my research.”
And … Cindy wasn’t interested in giving an inch more.
Cindy ”When you can achieve a D- in
Business Administration and/or Public Relations …
Maybe I will start caring what you think!’
Needless to say … Liam was not interested in figuring out
how he was going to work things out with Cindy or DHE.
He called Mr. Dixson and quit.
Chances are he was just not embracing change.
Thanks for stopping by again, glad we got that cleared up
and I look forward to next time.
Y’all have a lovely day!
New Arrival
As things seemed to fall apart during our last visit to the story …
It was later the same day that the glue arrived in Hidden Springs.
Cindy was not the only person sent in from headquarters to assist at the lab.
Martin Jackson arrived to find the whole operation was in turmoil.
In the same boat as Cindy, so to say, recovery was going to be a challenge.
Martin ”Good Lord Cindy … I have heard you have had one heck of a morning.
It’s so good to see ya … Are you and Phillip settling in here well enough?”
Cindy ”Phillip is staying with his dad while I am here.
It’s killing me, but he wanted to start school and be with
his friends back in Bridgeport.
Jim and I could never get along,
but he is a good father and Phillip will be fine.
However … There is another woman staying with us
at the house DHE is putting us up in while we are here.
Her name is Karen, she has already claimed one bedroom,
but the house is big, and she is nice enough.
She helps a lot and will take care of things when we need her.
I think Mr. Dixson may put her on the payroll, at least part-time.”
Martin ”Look, I want to discuss some things with ya,
but Mr. Dixson has been burning my ear off on the way here.
Let me check on some things with the other samples
and then we’ll try and decide what we are going to do.”
Martin seemed to know his way around the equipment and the data,
while Cindy seem to be a bit relieved in seeing a familiar face.
Alexander Dixson hadn’t called her since Liam quit.
She didn’t know whether or not she was headed to the whipping post on that one.
Of course, it very well could be that what she had done, was the right thing to do,
no matter the fact some could suggest she might could have done a better job handling Liam.
After catching up on the data, Martin returned to Cindy.
Martin ”Okay, I saw where you quarantined Lot 2, good call,
and I completely understand why you did.
The samples in that Lot are much more virulent than the other two Lots,
and you documented where there was a containment issue with one of the containers.
That could have caused contamination with the other samples
and destroyed any basis for our control groups.
What Liam was working on, was doing exactly what we wanted to get done.
If he applied the same procedures and processes to all three Lots,
what did he say about the differences in results with Lot 2?”
Cindy ”We kind of didn’t get that far … Sorry.
I was getting ready to discuss what we were going to have to do,
and he blew up on me.”
Martin ”Let me guess …
You told him to go to hell.
Cindy ... You cannot do that with these small-town people.
They don’t understand big business, and have no experience with
doing anything other than the way they always do things.”
Cindy ”So am I in trouble?
I haven’t heard anything from Mr. Dixson.
I don’t like it when he is quiet.
He’s not someone who wants to talk to you when he is mad at you.”
Martin ”Nah, it’s nothing like that Cindy.
He figures what happened this afternoon was as much his fault as yours.
He knows you, and has dealt with people like Dr. O’Dorke before.
He’s thinking recovery now, and we need to decide what to do with the other samples.”
Cindy ”Where the Project goes from here, will determine what we do with the other samples.
Lot 2 was demonstrating properties the other Lots weren’t,
but the containment issue was the problem that required Immediate Corrective Action.
If Dr. O’Dorke had stuck with me long enough to find that out,
it would have been different.
I told him it was nothing we couldn’t handle.
What do you think we ought to do?”
Martin ”What I think only matters to a certain point.
I don’t know what Dr. O'dorke did different with Lot 2,
or whether or not we are going to have the same complications with Lots 1 and 3.
I swear … He’s a bit of a pack rat with his data,
and his organizational skills are a nightmare.
I found portions of a proprietary formula written on a bev-nap
from the Java hut … That’s not secure.
But back to point …
I cannot make any decision that doesn’t involve shutting the whole thing down
without talking to Dr. O’Dorke first.
I don’t need his approval …
I just need to know what the [censored] he did.
Is he supposed to be coming back for his stuff or what?”
Cindy ”The last thing Dr. O’Dorke said before he left
was something about DHE owning everything
and he didn’t think it made a difference about his stuff.
I mean, it didn’t go well Martin.
When he said that, I thought about telling him he
could go ahead and leave his pants on the table then.
I decided not to say that when I thought he might
not realize I was being a smart-[censored]
and actually take me up on the offer.”
Martin ”In that case … Since I don’t know how I am
going to get to talk to Dr. O’Dorke,
or if he is going to want to be in the least bit cooperative …
Let’s be careful …
Go ahead and freeze the two remaining Lots.”
Cindy ”Are you going to cover that with Mr. Dixson?
As protocol dictates, I’ll notify him when they are quarantined,
but without evidence of a containment breech …
I don’t really have a reason to remove them from testing.
I mean that’s going to be your call and not strictly safety or compliance.
Everything is still well within our tolerance parameters.”
Martin ”Just go ahead and take care of that.
I’ll handle the heat on it if Mr. Dixson gets upset.
Until I fully understand what Dr. O’Dorke did,
I’m not comfortable with the disposition of Lots 1 and 3.
I don’t know how long it is going to take for me to figure it out.
Slowing down the ability for the samples to reproduce by freezing them,
until we can gain some bearing on the research that has already been done,
is just the smart thing to do.”
Cindy ”It’s really none of my business,
but do you think Mr. Dixson ever told Dr. O’Dorke what the
purpose of his research is?
I mean, color me silly,
but I am not sure Dr. O’Dorke might not have had a different
approach to everything if he knew.
Deep down, I think he is a good guy,
and I don’t see him bailing on everything
just because he is upset about administrative junk.”
Martin ”I don’t know what Mr. Dixson discussed with Dr. O’Dorke.
I was instructed to keep our conversations restricted to the
samples here, and our goals at this facility.
I still have to think that someone as smart as Dr. O’Dorke
would have the common wherewithal to figure out
that a small facility like this in the middle of nowhere,
would probably just be working on a piece of the puzzle.
At the same time …
Dr. O’Dorke was standing on the corner shouting at the top of his lungs,
then had that run-in with you today.
If Mr. Dixson had not given him a peek at the big picture,
I can certainly see why he didn’t.
I’m going to have to leave it at that …
We’re getting way above our pay-grade in water cooler chat.”
Well Folks … It looks like things are going backwards instead of forwards at the Lab.
Cindy seems to be a bit more relaxed since Martin has arrived.
Martin doesn’t seem to be making any rash decisions.
If he gets to talk to Liam, I hope he fairs better than Cindy.
Thanks for stopping by again,
and I look forward to next time.
Y’all have a lovely day!
Coming Clean
Welcome back friends … Good to see you made it.
When we left off with our story, we had taken a glimpse back
and tried to figure out what might have happened at the lab.
Liam had gotten a little upset about the way things were going and quit,
while Cindy and Martin were busy figuring out what to do about that.
Meanwhile … Curtis and Carol had gone to a party at Liam’s
and he had asked Curtis for help getting started on a possible
new career choice writing some fan fiction.
Curtis had agreed to meet Liam at the Java Hut one morning
and pass on a few tips and information that might just help Liam out.
It was a beautiful morning and a great day for a fresh start when Liam and Curtis met up.
They both settled in with a hot cup of Joe, and traded a bit of small talk.
After finishing up with their drinks, and as the chit-chat was running thin,
Curtis decided to try and get things on track.
Curtis ”So Liam, where do you want to get started?
Do you have any ideas on a story, or are you more worried about the process?”
Liam, who had been suffering the effects of caffeine overdose
and chatting his head off, hesitated and drew silent for a moment.
Liam ”I hate to have put you out Curtis,
but there’s something else I need to talk to you about.
I’m a researcher … I don’t really want to be a writer.
I didn’t even like writing the reports I had to when I was working at the lab.
No … I made a mess of things at the lab
and I need to talk to you about that.”
Curtis ”Like when you say you made a mess of things …
are you talking about something that means
everyone should start packing a bag and getting out of town?
The last I heard, you and DHE were working on some pretty sensitive stuff.
If it’s something we need to know … You have to say something.
I don’t care what legal obligation you have towards DHE.
We can help you handle that if necessary.”
Liam ”Not at all … DHE brought in a specialist,
Cindy from Bridgeport.
She’s smart, knows her job,
and would lock everything down if there was a credible threat,
even at a cost to advancing the research.
No … I’m not bragging, but I am kind of a smart guy.
Likewise, I don’t have a heck of a lot of experience
with being either careless or wrong, and I don’t know what to do.
Don’t take it as an insult,
but I figure you might be able to help me out with that.
We can’t talk about it here though …
Let’s go to the park or something.”
Well … This is kind of odd.
Curtis was as curious as all get-out to find out what Liam was carrying on about,
but he was careful to give Liam some space as they walked to the park.
Whatever it was … It was weighing heavy on Liam,
and some things, well, you just have to give them time.
Curtis ”Okay Liam, what are we talking about here?
Are you sure you don’t need legal representation?
I have to warn you that I am not your lawyer.
If someone were to call me to testify in regards to anything you tell me,
I can’t afford the trouble and I would have to tell the truth as I know it.”
Liam ”I understand, and I don’t think that will be a problem.
Even if it is … You do what you have to do.
No … It started back when DHE took over.
I came to the lab straight out of SIT, and worked my way up.
It’s the only place I have ever worked,
and by the time DHE took over, it was all mine so to say.
Even when you and Susan owned it, I could work on whatever I wanted.
I kept us in the black and with some profit.
I applied for grants when necessary, and just kept things rolling right along,
There was plenty to do and plenty of money in it.”
Curtis ”Well that’s true … Susan and I never had a problem with any of it.
You kept the books clean, filed reports when necessary, handled the Feds,
and I wasn’t that interested in what you were doing anyway.”
Liam ”Well, you see … When DHE took over, they cared about what was going on.
More importantly, they didn’t want the government nor grant money involved at all.
They pulled the plug on two of the three projects I was working on immediately.
The other one was basically funded by overlap from the two that got axed.
I had to pack up my research, then send it and the money back to the government.
I was literally as mad as a hornet; I had written the grant applications
been approved, got the money and they were things I wanted to know more about.
Furthermore ... Continuing with those projects wouldn’t have cost DHE a dime.
I couldn’t see what the problem was.
Meanwhile … Mr. Dixson had funded the remaining project to the gills.
He had given me enough money to put three researchers in the field twelve hours a day.
Looking back, I know neither DHE nor Mr. Dixson gives a rat’s -rear
about the Migratory and Reproductive Patterns of the Greater Northwest Swamp Newt.
It was a peace offering, and on a silver platter.
I was so mad about the other stuff, that didn’t even register with me.”
Curtis ”Yeah, I can see a problem with that.
We all get caught up in things though, and the lab was in transition anyway.
It’s understandable, it shouldn't be that bad, we can find a way to walk that back.”
Liam got nervous, and looked at the ground,
before taking a breath, looking up and continuing.
Liam ”Oh no Curtis … That’s not all, and it gets worse.
So anyways, I am mad and I start being a pain.
I might have said some things I shouldn’t have,
to people I shouldn’t have been saying them to.
I didn’t completely understand why I was working on what I was …
and still don’t know to tell you the truth.
The next thing I know, Mr. Dixson comes to visit.
He isn’t thrilled, and lays down the law so to say.
I nod my head in the right places, and pretend like everything is okay …
Thinking the road is just going to be rocky, but we can move along.
Two days later I get this box in the mail from Mr. Dixson.
In it is a nice hardcover copy of a book … ‘Who Moved the Cheese’.
I crack the cover, read the dust jacket, and wonder how it was ever a Best Seller.
It’s a silly story, written on a third-grade level, and about two mice.
I immediately took it as an insult to my intelligence and salt in the wound.
I didn’t read any further, and went back to work the next day
madder than I was the day before.”
Curtis ”Well, did you ever go back and read the book?
He might have sent it to you for another reason.
Did you ever think about that?’
Liam ”Uh Yeah, we’ll get to that,
but we aren’t there yet … There’s more.”
Curtis ”Dang Liam … What did you do?
I’m going to let you finish this time,
but you were digging one hell of a hole dude.”
Liam ”Well, while all this is going on. I’m still working on the research
and I figure out exactly what I need to do to move forward with the research.
I mean I figured out how to give DHE what they wanted.
At the same time, I’m still mad, and everyone at the facility is upset and confused.
I start getting worked up with other people,
and dragging my feet moving forward with the research.
Then I find out Mr. Dixson is bringing in two people from Bridgeport.
I panicked and started trying to cover a few things up, muddy the water.
That was a mistake, and I should have known better.
That’s because I lied to Cindy when I said I didn’t know Martin Jackson.
We went to SIT together, and I knew it wouldn’t take him long to figure out
I had been dragging my feet and not doing right by DHE on the research side.
When Cindy implemented Immediate Corrective Action on one of the Lots ...
Nothing for you to worry about, because it was the right thing to do by the way …
I knew right away it wouldn’t take Martin long to be on top of everything,
no matter how hard I tried to hide it.
I got nervous, and I lost it with Cindy.
I got ugly; It’s not like me and I handled it poorly.
She didn’t do anything unreasonable or wrong,
and to the best of my knowledge, neither has DHE.
It’s all on me.”
Curtis ”Go ahead … Tell me about the book.
There’s no reason to stop now.
This doesn’t sound like you Liam.
There's got to be something in all this.”
Liam ”Oh there is … And Mr. Dixson knew it all the time.
Last night, I read the book, and it isn’t that hard to understand.
In the story, these two mice live in a place.
Every day they do what they want to do, and don’t worry about much.
Every morning when they wake up, there is cheese on the table,
until one morning they wake up and there is no cheese.
They sit around and talk about it for a short while.
They start to wonder where the cheese comes from, how it gets there, and who moved it.
Then one mouse starts to lose it; starts running around the place searching everywhere.
It gets upset about there being no cheese,
and the idea someone obviously doesn’t care about the fact they have no cheese.
The upset mouse is screaming and carrying on,
when it notices the other mouse is calmly putting its shoes on.
When the calm mouse walks to the door, the upset mouse asks it what it is doing.
The calm mouse simply says that it’s going to go out and try to find some cheese.
It says it thinks some cheese is out there somewhere, doesn’t know what it will find,
but knows there is no cheese where they are, and has no reason to think it will be back tomorrow.
Mr. Dixson knew what I was going through.
Insult or not, he cared enough to send me the book.
It’s a simple blueprint to what I needed to do.
I’m embarrassed more than anything else.
I don’t know what I need to do, and don’t know how to fix any of this.”
Curtis ” Relax Liam … It will be okay one way or another.
Everyone makes mistakes, even someone as smart as you.
I’ll tell you what … Call Mr. Dixson.
When you get ahold of him, tell him what you just told me.
Tell him exactly the way you just told me.
I don’t know what will happen, and I don’t know what he will think.
But … You will be clean, and you will feel better.
Nothing good will happen out of any of it, if you don’t come clean.
People understand more than you think when you lay everything out.
You have to remember that Mr. Dixson has always
been a step ahead of you ... In this case anyway.
One way or another … He already knows.”
I got to say that I think that is sound advice Curtis has offered.
I hope things work out well, and I know Liam already feels a little better
just telling someone else.
Thanks for stopping by again,
and I look forward to next time.
Y’all have a lovely day!
Big Picture
You know folks … I wasn’t all that surprised to find out Liam was having
his own kind of difficulties at the lab.
Matter of fact, it’s not uncommon for people to lose their bearings
when their world is turned upside down.
Curtis gave Liam a decent piece of advice, and Liam took it.
He called Mr. Dixson and explained things,
and like Curtis had suggested, he explained it without sugarcoating anything.
Mr. Dixson assured Liam that things would be okay
and asked him to come back by the lab when he was ready to go to work.
Liam was a bit surprised to be met by Mr. Dixson when he showed up.
Liam ”Look Mr. Dixson, I’m really sorry about everything we discussed on the phone.
I’m not certain why you’ll even have me back here at the lab.
I was more worried about stuff than I might should have been.
I knew better, and still gave into the desire to fight the changes.
I don’t know what else to say.”
Alexander ”I’m going to tell you something Liam, just a secret between me and you.
You know that book I sent you … Amanda sent that book to me at one point.
You know what else, I did the same thing you did, and threw it back in the box it came in.
I didn’t need to read a silly story, to figure out what I needed to do.
Then she gave me a call and asked if I had read the book.
Well, I’m Alexander Dixson, I don’t need to be told what I need to do …
And that’s pretty much what I told her on the phone.
She said she didn’t need me to read the book so I could better understand the changes
and direction I was taking the company, or the attitude I might have towards anything like that.
She said I needed to read the book so I could understand the crazy mouse.
So I read the book … And low and behold she was right.
I didn’t know what the other people were going through.
They were scared, worried about their jobs and their families.
They were worried about the new bosses and the new requirements.
In some cases, they just weren’t thinking straight, and I can understand why.
No Liam … It’s okay, you know what you did and came clean.
I know why you did it, and you don’t have to explain it.
Some things, you just have to learn them the hard way.”
Liam ”I know I am going to have to earn back your trust.
There’s still a lot questions I have about the research and what we are doing here.
I know what you want me to do, but I can’t figure out why you want me to do it.
It’s hard for me to lead the people at the facility, when I cannot put purpose to what they are doing …
At least not anymore purpose than the fact DHE is telling us to.
It’s questions like that which lead to suspicion.
What we are dealing with is some pretty wild stuff.
If the samples were to get into the water shed, that would be terrible.
If we are going to keep working on things,
I’m going to have to know why it’s so important.”
Alexander ”No Liam … You don’t have to rebuild trust with me or DHE.
We never trusted you to start with … And I think deep down you know that.
But … You did come to me, and laid everything you had done out on the table.
It takes a big man to admit he is wrong, and you are a good man.
That in itself is worth trusting.
No, we’re going to bring you onboard with the rest of the project,
but I need you to do something else for me first.
You need to touch base with Martin and mend fences with Cindy.
They’re my people, and you’ll treat them right.
Martin is also the new Regional Director of Science for this region.
This facility and the people who work here are still yours,
but if push comes to shove, he’s your boss.
And ... With what we are going to be working on shortly …
Well, Cindy better be your best friend,
cause we are going to need what she knows even more.”
Alexander took some time to look over the data while Liam caught up with the other two.
If he was going to start trusting Liam, he was going to find out how smart Liam might be.
Liam ”I could try and explain everything Cindy,
but the short version is that I was simply out of line
talking to you the other day.
We both know what you did concerning Lot 2 was the right thing to do.
I have no good excuse for blaming you or anyone else for what I did.
I sincerely apologize for being ugly with you
and you didn’t deserve any of it.”
Cindy ”I can’t say I wasn’t upset Dr. O’Dorke …
But I know you have been under a lot of stress.
Martin also reminded me that where I have been with DHE for a while,
you are new to us, and are still figuring things out.
I don’t hold it against you so much, and it’s water under the bridge.
We all have a bad day, and I’ll do what I can to keep any day in the future
from being our worst day ever … You can count on that.”
Liam ”It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you Martin,
and I am glad you are here now.
I can always use another set of eyes, sorry about the mess,
and I see you have been making a name for yourself.
Look, enough with the monkey business,
I’m here to get the work done,
I appreciate the both of you coming out here to give me a hand.”
Martin ”Dang Liam, nothing could be any worse than the pineapple-jalapeno
pizza you brought when we were working on that project at SIT.
I’ve seen your research, and was even able to make heads and tails of your notes.
You did it buddy … You are right on track towards what we are looking for.
I know you have questions, and with good reason.
You’ll understand better when Mr. Dixson talks with you about it.
I’m glad to be working with you … Everything will be fine.
We have a good team here.”
Alexander instructed Cindy and Martin not to help Liam out for a few minutes.
He wanted to know if Liam could start putting things together if he knew a few more pieces.
He handed Liam a piece of paper with a formula written on it
and told Liam to examine it carefully.
When Liam was confident with his understanding of what was written,
Alexander started asking questions.
Alexander ”So Liam … Tell me what you know about that formula.
Don’t try to figure everything out.
Just get started with what you know.”
Liam ”It’s a fairly complex compound.
Some of it is rare and hard to come by.
It doesn’t like to bond with other things.
It has a lot of undesirable properties.
It seems like it would be both difficult and time consuming to do anything with it.
I also cannot immediately think of any practical use for it.”
Alexander ”Okay, now … What do you think would happen if you could bind
that compound to a human cell?”
Liam thought about it for a moment before answering
Liam ”I don’t know for sure, but I am guessing it would kill the cell.
It would starve the cell, dry it out, and deconstruct it in the process.”
Alexander ”Okay … What if you could get it to bind with targeted cells?
Not just any cell, but cells you wanted to get rid of.”
Liam ”Oh, if you could get it to do that,
well that would open up a lot of opportunities.
[Censored] … You could cure cancer.”
Alexander ”Uh-hmm … That’s what we’re thinking.”
Looks like Cindy is about to bust …
She knows everything and is fascinated Liam has gotten that far
just looking at a formula on a piece of paper.
She also knows that he is closer to the answer than he thinks,
it just hasn’t dawned on him yet.
Liam ”But what’s any of this have to do with me?
I wouldn’t mind working on a project like this,
but what else do you know?
I mean, it’s a nice dream, but I don’t see it working.
The only way you could get that compound to bind with a human cell,
and even harder, the correct human cells …
You would have to use some kind of protein.
It would have to be plant based to bind to both the compound
and the cell, if I am thinking correctly.
It wouldn’t be a common protein either.
The only place I ...”
Liam stopped at that point as his brain was catching up with what he was saying.
The other three just stood there grinning, as they knew he was about to figure it out.
Liam ”Oh my God … Holy Smokes!
The only place I have ever come across a protein like that,
is in the algae samples you have had me working on.
But … That won’t work, the protein occurs in such minuscule amounts
in the algae, it would take a ton of algae to make one …
Oh … That’s why you had me genetically modifying the algae
so it would reproduce at a higher rate.”
Liam just stood there with a weird look on his face,
while he did what every scientist does when they think they understand something new.
He started trying to figure out what wasn’t going to work,
and what problems they would encounter.
The others started laughing, and gave him a little time to think.
Finally, Alexander brought things back to the discussion.
Alexander ”Actually Liam … The best we can currently figure,
it's going to take a little over one and a half tons of algae to make a single dose.
And uh … We’re going to need a couple of thousand tons of algae
just to start preliminary testing.”
Liam ”But there’s a problem with that.
I have been able to get the algae to reproduce at a rate
that we could pretty much replace it as we destroy it to get the protein,
but we would still need a lot of it to work the rotation.
And then there is the risk.
If the modified algae ever escaped our containment
and made it into the water shed …
There’s literally no telling what would happen.”
Alexander ”Oh, we both know you are right about that …
That’s why Cindy is here, and Martin as well.
We’re going to build the containment area necessary
to house the production stock.
We're not cutting corners on it either,
and it will be top notch.”
Liam ”But facility improvements and a containment area
necessary to handle something like that,
and at that level of sophistication …
Well, [censored], it would cost billions.”
Alexander ”You’re working for DHE …
We’ve got billions …"
Cindy ”The question is never ‘if we are going to do what we want to do’ …
It’s ‘how are we going to do what we want to do’.”
Martin ”Welcome to DHE!”
It was starting to sink in with Liam, and he was getting excited.
He decided he might offer another suggestion.
Liam ”You know, I understand you pulling me off the
other projects I was working on …
But I do have some experience writing grant applications.
I know some people, that would just jump on the opportunity
to help us get approved for a project like this.
We’d have access to a lot of money, personnel
and some pretty state of the art equipment and technology.
It wouldn’t be hard, and …”
Alexander cut him off mid-sentence …
Alexander ”So Liam … How much of what we just talked about
could be weaponized?’
Liam ”Well, if you say it like that …
I guess all of it could really.
But, we are talking about the cure for cancer.
Surely the government …"
Alexander cut Liam off again …
Alexander ”No Liam … I don’t trust them …
And I’m dang sure not giving them my research.
They may eventually figure some things out on their own,
but I’m not giving it to them …
And it ain’t about the money.”
Cindy Breaking in ”Liam … I know you care.
I think you are a good guy, but not everyone is like you.
At DHE, we do what we can within the confines of what
we can accomplish by ourselves.
What we end up doing with the cure,
if it actually works the way we want it to ...
We'll figure that out when we get there, and there is still a ways to go.
If you ever find yourself wondering about our motives …
Just ask one of us, and look around.
DHE will put effort, resources and dedication towards
our research, as well as just doing business.
You and I both know that if we come up with a cure
very few people could afford it at cost.
The rest of our businesses and activities, will subsidize it though.
We’ll find a way … That’s what we do!”
You know folks ... I am just about slap-[censored] confused.
Our little story is taking all kinds of twists and turns ...
and ain't nothing seems like it should be.
Thanks for stopping by again,
and I look forward to next time.
Y’all have a lovely day!
Comments
Thankful
Things had been odd around the house for a few days.
but Curtis and Carol managed to finish out the week working.
They took the opportunity to share their thoughts more freely
and it became certain to Curtis that whatever Carol thought,
the two of them could deal with it.
The weekend came, Curtis had finished up a few things he had been working on
and came across Carol, still busy with something.
Curtis
”You still working …
Anything I can help you with?”
Carol
”No … I’m about done, but thanks anyway.
I have just been checking over some invoices
and on the disposition of some pieces Tucker commissioned last week.
I’m wrapping things up now.”
Curtis
”How are things going at the Gallery …
Tucker keeping you busy?”
Carol
”Well for now …
But I really don’t expect it to take much longer.
Tucker’s made a lot of changes, new additions,
but he’s pretty much got things under control for the time being.
I don’t suspect he’ll need me much longer,
and I can’t say I’ll miss the commute.”
Curtis
”I know the drive can be a pain
and I won’t mind having you around a little more …
I hate to say it, but I kind of like you.’
Curtis Continued
”Listen … Carly’s having this thing tonight …
Some fund raiser.
Something about a rhino redistribution project in Kenya.
I don’t know any rhinos personally,
But we haven’t been to Carly’s in a while.
I told her we would come, and cut a check to the project …
I hope you don’t mind that I signed us up for it.”
Carol
”Baby … It’s probably not a good time to tell you,
but you should have said something before now.
I really hate rhinos … Nasty creatures.
I’d pay someone to poach them all.”
For the second time in a week,
Curtis and I are stunned.
I mean where do you go with that?
Carol Cracking Up
at the Same Time
”Oh … The look on your face.
I’m just kidding baby.
I don’t have anything against rhinos,
although I can’t say I know any personally either.
Sure, we can go to Carly’s tonight.
If nothing else, I get to see my man all dressed up.
I’ll make a pie.”
They laughed for few moments then headed out front
in attempts to figure out what they were going to do
with the rest of their day.
Curtis
”Well, where are we headed …
And I guess you are driving?”
Carol
”Let’s go to the gallery here.
It’s been a while since I have been,
or anyone has been, as far as I can tell.
Since I’m going to be finishing up with Tucker,
I’m going to need to find something I can do around here.
Besides … If you get busy with the Council,
You aren’t going to be around as much to keep fixing me dinner.
I know you’ll be glad to take a break from that.”
Curtis
”Oh I don’t mind fixing you dinner …
I have to keep your energy up.
We’ve got a deal you know.”
Carol
”Oh, you are bad …
But I like it!
You really need to hush in get in the car though Mr. Man,
or we aren’t going to get anything else done today.”
Well … At least they managed to get out of the driveway
and made it to the Gallery.
Hang on folks … Here she goes.
I think Curtis might as well just nod his head most of the time.
Carol
”I know it’s kind of run down baby …
And I would use the bushes before I would trust the bathroom out there.
But … Just think of all this as an empty canvas.
The building is what it is, but not all it can be.
If nothing else, the lot is in a great location.”
Curtis
”I’m just saying … See, there’s the piece you recently donated.
It doesn’t look right hanging there.
And the whole place needs a lot of work.”
I could have sworn I told that boy
that he didn’t have to do nothing but nod his head and be supportive.
Carol
”Curtis, honey … Art is subjective at best.
Of course it will require some work.
I’m not really sure what it was we saw running across the floor a minute ago either.
But I, … We, can come up with a Gallery that more than serves
the basic needs of the art community here in Hidden Springs.
Plus … There’s no need in trying to convince me otherwise,
because I already know you are going to let me do it anyway.
Now come here and give me some loving …
But keep an eye out for whatever that was.”
Oh, we know dang well Curtis doesn’t really have a problem with any of it …
And, he’d probably climb to the top of Mount Everest if it would make Carol happy.
I’m still going to have to cut him some slack.
It been an interesting week, Curtis has had some serious stuff on his mind,
and it’s okay if he gets a bit distracted at times.
The two of them headed home and settled down for a late lunch.
Curtis thought he would run something that might be important by Carol.
Cutis
”You know I talked to Alexander Dixson and Simon.
Both said the Mayor was interested in changing some of the zoning restrictions
on quite a few properties around town.
There’s proposals coming up in front of the City Council
regarding those changes this Fall.
I don’t know anything about the Gallery Lot,
But Han’s Café is definitely one they are looking at.
It’s right across the street,
so I would assume the Gallery might be under some scrutiny.”
Carol
”I can see where that may be a concern,
but I did a little research myself.
The City took the Gallery over after the last Wilkes
just left it to pursue their fortune elsewhere.
The City had it for some time before you and Susan picked it up.
They basically did nothing with it, and you saw it today.
I know it would be a big job, and I understand why you and Susan
didn't put it at the front of list during the Challenge.
But, we have the money …
The Gallery doesn’t really have to ever bring in a dime of profit.
I don’t care what the City wants to do.
Whatever I am willing to do with it,
is more than they ever did.”
Curtis and Carol did end up going to Carly’s fundraiser.
Carol brought her customary key lime pie,
and they enjoyed a lot of pleasant mingling with friends they had not seen in a while.
After touching base with everyone, Carol was ready to go home.
Carol
”Drive me home baby …
I had a bit of nectar, it was delicious
But I’m getting sleepy and it’s been a long day.
Did I tell you how handsome you look tonight Mr. Man?”
Curtis
”Yeah … You’re tipsy ...
You didn’t tell me that, and it’s probably the nectar talking now.
Let’s go home.”
When they got home, Carol felt safe and warm inside.
It had not only been a long day, but the week had been
interesting to say the least.
She thought it would be a good idea to let Curtis know
that no matter what he decided about running for City Council,
the two of them could always find a way to make things work for them.
Carol
”I saw you talking with Simon at Carly’s.
I figure you were probably talking some more about the
position on the City Council.
I mean neither one of you were laughing,
so something has to be up.
I’m not prying or pushing on you right now.
I want to give you all the space you need.
I just want to say one more time, that no matter what you choose,
it’s not something you have to do forever …
And we’ll be fine.”
Carol, a bit sleepy, turned and started off to get ready for bed.
Curtis caught her attention, with a serious tone in his voice.
Curtis
”You know … This week I had the opportunity to learn
some more things about you,
and you helped me make some decisions.
Right now … I know what I am going to do.
It’s just something I feel like I almost have to do.
To tell you the truth …
Forever would be fine with me.”
I got to say … That boy knows how to drop a bomb!
Carol was seriously in a state of shock, because she never saw that coming.
What came out of her mouth, when she could speak, was a mess.
Some of it ... Well, I would be a bit uncomfortable repeating it.
I would try to translate it for you, but I still don’t think I would get far.
For the most part, Curtis went through motions and kind of let Carol melt.
She was one happy lady.
If you need to be told what her answer was ...
Well … Then you ain’t been paying attention.
Thanks for stopping by again,
And I look forward to next time.
Y’all have a lovely day!
To Be Continued
Happy Simming!
.
Freedom
When we last left off Curtis had surprised Carol with a proposal.
When Carol woke up the next morning, the first thing she did was look to make sure
she actually had the ring and it wasn’t all a dream.
Excited and full of joy, she ran around to Curtis squealing the whole way …
Carol
”Oh Mr. Man, I don’t think there is a happier
woman in the world this morning.
I figured we would get married someday,
but I wasn’t in a rush and thought we would just get to it whenever.
Now … I am glad you want it as much as I do.
I love the fact you meant forever, and I’m ready.
Let’s not waste any more time …
We can get dressed and do something small,
just you and me.
Adele will be upset, but it’s not about her.
If you’re okay with it … Let’s get married as soon as possible.”
Curtis
”I would tell you to settled down,
but I kind of like you as a hot mess.
I don’t care when or how we actually get married.
We might as well have gone through it the day after we met
as far as I am concerned.
We don’t even have to get dressed.
I’ll trade rings and vows with you right now and right here.
You’re starting to rub off on me.
No one else tell me who I can love or marry,
and we can do things our way.
Besides … How cool will it be if we have kids
and can tell our grandkids we got married in our underwear.”
Curtis has a point I guess … Society may have all kinds of rules
or requirements and attempt to enforce them with government.
At the same time, Carol has helped him understand that some things
are simply outside the actual purview of governmental or societal control.
You may hold a gun to someone’s head and threaten them with imprisonment
if they don’t do as you wish … But most relationships are internal by all measure.
You can no more tell someone who they can love …
Than you could make them actually worship God.
Yeah … I am pretty sure that Curtis and Carol understand that
their covenant is truly between the two of them …
And if someone else were to have a problem with it,
they could go pound sand as far as those two are concerned.
Liam invited the couple over for dinner that evening.
They of course, didn’t have a problem making an appearance.
Carol had worked that day and didn’t have time to prepare
a her traditional key lime pie ahead of their arrival.
Looks like Curtis is a bit excited about the idea that didn’t stop her from
making one when she got there.
As the pie came out of the oven … Curtis was catching up with Liam.
Author’s Note
What transpires here, is strictly an in-game occurrence that was neither
predicted nor particularly desired by the author.
It’s the way things are … So I’m going to roll with it
instead of trying to fix it back.
The day Cindy started at the lab, Liam quit working there
and started a career as a fan fiction drafter.
Curtis
”Thanks for the invite and it has been a while
since we have had a chance to catch up.
The last I heard, you were getting some help in
from Bridgeport to assist you at the lab.
How are things going anyway?”
Liam
”At the lab … Well, I cannot say.
Mr. Dixson did bring in some new help,
but I legally cannot really tell you any more.
Plus, I don’t work there anymore ...
Which is why I asked you over.
I’m getting starting at writing and assume you could put me on the path
to some helpful insights into perfecting my form and handling publishers.
Sorry, but I cannot say anything else about the lab
or any personnel issues there.”
Hmm … Doesn’t seem like Liam wants
to work with the new help for some reason or another.
It also seems like he doesn’t want to end up in court
for disclosing proprietary information either.
Curtis
”Whoa Liam … That’s a surprise.
I understand your legal agreements with DHE and won’t ask you
anything about what’s going on there.
Yeah, I have some things I can pass on.
How about we meet at the Hut sometime
and we can go over things there?”
Liam
” Sounds Great … And I look forward to it.
I have done my share of technical writing and reporting,
but it will be different branching out into fiction.
I can use all the help I can get.”
You know friends … If I am not mistaken,
that's Sherman playing the guitar.
I guess he’s getting out and about nowadays.
Carol
”Uh … Astrid does know we can see her right?
I mean I understand her being [censored] about not winning the online pool,
but the whole trying to sneak up on me from the front is almost insulting.”
Liam
”Don’t get me to lying …
But she may just be hoping you wet your pants
and decide to leave real quick.
You know … More pie for her.’
Well folks … That Astrid is something else.
She might have given Carol a startle,
but I doubt it was enough to stand between her and some key lime pie.
Curtis
”Sherm my man … Great to see you!
How are you settling in and is everything going well?
Looks like you are making the social scene anyway.”
Sherman
”Oh I’m doing great Curtis,
and your place is exactly what I need for the time being.
I’m so glad you helped me out with that.
Hidden Springs is awesome
and the people are so friendly for the most part.
Laila and Bert just got married and are having a formal at their place
tomorrow night … I’ll be there.
But maybe you can give me a hand with something.
Blake Grayson is probably going to be there as well …
Is there any way you or Carol could introduce us?”
Curtis
”No problem Sherman … Carol and I are going.
I’m pretty sure we can figure something out.
I’m glad to see things are going so well for you.
Did you get on with Peter over at the corporate building?”
Sherman
”Nah … He said he was full at the moment,
but would let me know when a spot opens up.
I got a job as a beat-cop for the time being.
It’s not great, but it pays the bills.”
The following evening, looks like everyone made it to the Alto residence.
Carol decided she would introduce Blake to Sherman.
Carol
”This is Sherman Thomas from Bridgeport,
and a new resident here in the Springs.
We’ve known him for a while.
He’s a nice guy and is getting used to things around town.
Just started working for the HSPD … You may have seen him around.”
Blake
”Oh … So this slightly adorable fencepost
is who Curtis was speaking so well about?
Does he come with a bottle of nectar?”
Sherman
”I’ve got a bottle of nectar at my place
and it’s awesome you think I am slightly adorable.”
Blake
”Easy Tiger … You are going to have to put a bit more work into it than that.
The bottle of nectar sounds nice …
Hell, it might even be a requirement,
but I am not heading out of here yet
and we might want to get to know each other a little better first.”
Blake
”Maybe we could dance …
You do know how to dance don’t you?”
Sherman
”Can’t really say … I never went to dance school.
I mean Curtis and I hit a few strip clubs during the book tour,
but for some reason I don’t think that is what you are talking about …
Not that I would object if you decided to give it a try.”
Curtis
”So, how are things going over there?
Are they having fun yet?”
Carol
”Well, they are dancing now anyways.
As to whether or not they are having fun yet …
I heard something about a strip club and I’m not going to ask.”
Well Friends … Looks like there are some things making their own way
around Hidden Springs at the moment.
As we get close to wrapping things up for today,
BlackSand noticed something over at the cemetery earlier.
Hmm … Wonder what that’s about.
Thanks for stopping by again,
And I look forward to next time.
Y’all have a lovely day!
To Be Continued
Happy Simming!
.
Irreconcilable Differences
Well folks … Let’s see if we cannot rewind a tad bit
and find out exactly what happened at the Lab.
As mentioned before, Alexander Dixson had assigned Cindy Calvert
to assist Dr. O’Dorke and ensure proper protocols were in place.
Things kind of started off okay.
Cindy was introduced around, but was eager to get to work.
Liam was a bit hesitant, but decided he would go with the flow for the time being.
After lunch, Cindy was reviewing documentation,
while Liam was preparing to try out a few things he had been thinking about.
Liam had 3 successful Lots of specimens
and the data concerning Lot 2 was extremely promising.
After searching the research area to no avail,
he decided to check the data for the Lot disposition in the main system.
That’s when things started to go downhill.
Lots 1 and 3 were still available for research and testing,
but Cindy had quarantined Lot 2 to cryo-suspension.
Essentially, Lot 2 had been at least temporarily removed from the testing line-up.
Furthermore, the specimens in Lot 2 were in the deep freeze.
Liam was unaware that Cindy had removed the specimens
and was concerned it would set his research schedule back considerably.
Somewhat frustrated with the new working arrangements,
and with the possibility of unnecessary delays in his most promising research …
Liam decided he would discuss the quarantine on Lot 2.
As he approached Cindy …
She spoke over her shoulder while finishing what she was doing.
Cindy
”I suppose you want to discuss the quarantine on Lot 2.
I think I covered everything in the email I sent,
but if you have any questions, that’s what I am here for.
Be with you in a second … Just let me wrap this up.”
For some reason … All that didn’t sit very well with Dr. O’Dorke,
and Liam lost it, letting loose on Cindy.
Liam
”I just got back from lunch … And I haven’t read my emails yet.
I need to start today’s research and will catch up on correspondence
when that is complete.
Then I find out that you quarantined my most promising Lot of specimens.
How does Mr. Dixson expect me to do my work,
and how does he see you are helping me by sabotaging my efforts?
He needs to make up his mind …
We are either working on this project or not.
I’m in charge here, and you people need to understand that.”
Cindy
”Yes Dr. O’Dorke …
You are in charge of the facility and the research.
I have been asked to cooperate with you by all means.
However, I am in charge of safety and regulatory compliance.
Unlike anyone else in this facility, I don’t answer to you.
I answer to Mr. Dixson directly, and there is a reason for that.
I don’t have the power to tell you what to do,
but I have the power to shut you down.
I haven’t done that …
You still have two Lots you can work with,
and we can most certainly discuss what you are going to have to do
in order to get lot 2 out of quarantine.
I covered that in the email I sent you.
You may notice that Alexander Dixson is in the list of people
who got the email as well as you.”
Liam started rambling, as Cindy tried to calm him down.
Liam
”Oh for goodness sakes …
I said I didn’t want to work on this project to start with.
I told them there were risks.
I specifically said that the research was not something
I was comfortable with.
They told me that if I wanted to keep working here,
I was going to have to take responsibility and see that things
were managed appropriately.
Now you’re here, supposed to be helping me,
and have quarantined my most promising work on the project.
How am I supposed to manage things when you people
just keep making everything harder on me?
It wasn’t my idea to work on this project to start with.
Now there is no telling what will happen to the samples being frozen.
What ever gave you the idea you could jeopardize my work?”
Cindy
”Dr. O’Dorke … You are going to have to settle down.
I called Martin before I quarantined Lot 2.
He assured me there would be no adverse effects
freezing the samples for the time being.
I wasn’t comfortable with the contamination risks
and your existing protocols.
It’s not that serious and we can handle this.”
Then Liam stepped in it so to say …
Liam
”Look sweetie … I don’t know who you are,
And I dang sure don’t know who this Martin fellow is …
But that sheet of paper hanging on the wall above my desk
is a fair indication that I am not a [censored].
I have been running this facility for years.
I’ll do what I have to do.
But you people need to figure out how it is
you are actually going to help me accomplish what needs to be done.”
Cindy was still a bit nervous, but could see this was not going well.
She was also ready to try and help Liam understand a few things.
Cindy
”Dr. O’Dorke … Nah, excuse me … Liam!
You have been here for quite some time.
You are probably comfortable with the fact that for the most part
you have always been the smartest person in the room.
Well guess what buddy …
You aren’t the only genius in the room right now,
and Martin is smarter than I am.
I don’t know what it is going to take for you to understand
that the work we want to do here will get done.
It’s just going to be done in a safe and compliant manner.
I won’t give you some bubblegum wrapper nonsense like …
‘There is no ‘I’ in ‘Team’ …
Because there is a ‘M’ and a ‘E’, and You better get to figuring out
how You are going to support the Team, and get us where we need to go.
If you are having trouble figuring it out …
It because the question is not ‘if’ … It is ‘how’?
Welcome to DHE!”
Liam might should have let some of that sink in a little …
But we are talking about Liam, and he doesn’t handle confrontation very well.
Liam
”Well … I’ll tell you what …
When you get 5 Doctorate degrees from SIT,
including one in Biophysical Engineering …
Then you can start telling me how to run this facility
and how to handle my research.”
And … Cindy wasn’t interested in giving an inch more.
Cindy
”When you can achieve a D- in
Business Administration and/or Public Relations …
Maybe I will start caring what you think!’
Needless to say … Liam was not interested in figuring out
how he was going to work things out with Cindy or DHE.
He called Mr. Dixson and quit.
Chances are he was just not embracing change.
Thanks for stopping by again, glad we got that cleared up
and I look forward to next time.
Y’all have a lovely day!
To Be Continued
Happy Simming!
.
New Arrival
As things seemed to fall apart during our last visit to the story …
It was later the same day that the glue arrived in Hidden Springs.
Cindy was not the only person sent in from headquarters to assist at the lab.
Martin Jackson arrived to find the whole operation was in turmoil.
In the same boat as Cindy, so to say, recovery was going to be a challenge.
Martin
”Good Lord Cindy … I have heard you have had one heck of a morning.
It’s so good to see ya … Are you and Phillip settling in here well enough?”
Cindy
”Phillip is staying with his dad while I am here.
It’s killing me, but he wanted to start school and be with
his friends back in Bridgeport.
Jim and I could never get along,
but he is a good father and Phillip will be fine.
However … There is another woman staying with us
at the house DHE is putting us up in while we are here.
Her name is Karen, she has already claimed one bedroom,
but the house is big, and she is nice enough.
She helps a lot and will take care of things when we need her.
I think Mr. Dixson may put her on the payroll, at least part-time.”
Martin
”Look, I want to discuss some things with ya,
but Mr. Dixson has been burning my ear off on the way here.
Let me check on some things with the other samples
and then we’ll try and decide what we are going to do.”
Martin seemed to know his way around the equipment and the data,
while Cindy seem to be a bit relieved in seeing a familiar face.
Alexander Dixson hadn’t called her since Liam quit.
She didn’t know whether or not she was headed to the whipping post on that one.
Of course, it very well could be that what she had done, was the right thing to do,
no matter the fact some could suggest she might could have done a better job handling Liam.
After catching up on the data, Martin returned to Cindy.
Martin
”Okay, I saw where you quarantined Lot 2, good call,
and I completely understand why you did.
The samples in that Lot are much more virulent than the other two Lots,
and you documented where there was a containment issue with one of the containers.
That could have caused contamination with the other samples
and destroyed any basis for our control groups.
What Liam was working on, was doing exactly what we wanted to get done.
If he applied the same procedures and processes to all three Lots,
what did he say about the differences in results with Lot 2?”
Cindy
”We kind of didn’t get that far … Sorry.
I was getting ready to discuss what we were going to have to do,
and he blew up on me.”
Martin
”Let me guess …
You told him to go to hell.
Cindy ... You cannot do that with these small-town people.
They don’t understand big business, and have no experience with
doing anything other than the way they always do things.”
Cindy
”So am I in trouble?
I haven’t heard anything from Mr. Dixson.
I don’t like it when he is quiet.
He’s not someone who wants to talk to you when he is mad at you.”
Martin
”Nah, it’s nothing like that Cindy.
He figures what happened this afternoon was as much his fault as yours.
He knows you, and has dealt with people like Dr. O’Dorke before.
He’s thinking recovery now, and we need to decide what to do with the other samples.”
Cindy
”Where the Project goes from here, will determine what we do with the other samples.
Lot 2 was demonstrating properties the other Lots weren’t,
but the containment issue was the problem that required Immediate Corrective Action.
If Dr. O’Dorke had stuck with me long enough to find that out,
it would have been different.
I told him it was nothing we couldn’t handle.
What do you think we ought to do?”
Martin
”What I think only matters to a certain point.
I don’t know what Dr. O'dorke did different with Lot 2,
or whether or not we are going to have the same complications with Lots 1 and 3.
I swear … He’s a bit of a pack rat with his data,
and his organizational skills are a nightmare.
I found portions of a proprietary formula written on a bev-nap
from the Java hut … That’s not secure.
But back to point …
I cannot make any decision that doesn’t involve shutting the whole thing down
without talking to Dr. O’Dorke first.
I don’t need his approval …
I just need to know what the [censored] he did.
Is he supposed to be coming back for his stuff or what?”
Cindy
”The last thing Dr. O’Dorke said before he left
was something about DHE owning everything
and he didn’t think it made a difference about his stuff.
I mean, it didn’t go well Martin.
When he said that, I thought about telling him he
could go ahead and leave his pants on the table then.
I decided not to say that when I thought he might
not realize I was being a smart-[censored]
and actually take me up on the offer.”
Martin
”In that case … Since I don’t know how I am
going to get to talk to Dr. O’Dorke,
or if he is going to want to be in the least bit cooperative …
Let’s be careful …
Go ahead and freeze the two remaining Lots.”
Cindy
”Are you going to cover that with Mr. Dixson?
As protocol dictates, I’ll notify him when they are quarantined,
but without evidence of a containment breech …
I don’t really have a reason to remove them from testing.
I mean that’s going to be your call and not strictly safety or compliance.
Everything is still well within our tolerance parameters.”
Martin
”Just go ahead and take care of that.
I’ll handle the heat on it if Mr. Dixson gets upset.
Until I fully understand what Dr. O’Dorke did,
I’m not comfortable with the disposition of Lots 1 and 3.
I don’t know how long it is going to take for me to figure it out.
Slowing down the ability for the samples to reproduce by freezing them,
until we can gain some bearing on the research that has already been done,
is just the smart thing to do.”
Cindy
”It’s really none of my business,
but do you think Mr. Dixson ever told Dr. O’Dorke what the
purpose of his research is?
I mean, color me silly,
but I am not sure Dr. O’Dorke might not have had a different
approach to everything if he knew.
Deep down, I think he is a good guy,
and I don’t see him bailing on everything
just because he is upset about administrative junk.”
Martin
”I don’t know what Mr. Dixson discussed with Dr. O’Dorke.
I was instructed to keep our conversations restricted to the
samples here, and our goals at this facility.
I still have to think that someone as smart as Dr. O’Dorke
would have the common wherewithal to figure out
that a small facility like this in the middle of nowhere,
would probably just be working on a piece of the puzzle.
At the same time …
Dr. O’Dorke was standing on the corner shouting at the top of his lungs,
then had that run-in with you today.
If Mr. Dixson had not given him a peek at the big picture,
I can certainly see why he didn’t.
I’m going to have to leave it at that …
We’re getting way above our pay-grade in water cooler chat.”
Well Folks … It looks like things are going backwards instead of forwards at the Lab.
Cindy seems to be a bit more relaxed since Martin has arrived.
Martin doesn’t seem to be making any rash decisions.
If he gets to talk to Liam, I hope he fairs better than Cindy.
Thanks for stopping by again,
and I look forward to next time.
Y’all have a lovely day!
To Be Continued
Happy Simming!
.
Coming Clean
Welcome back friends … Good to see you made it.
When we left off with our story, we had taken a glimpse back
and tried to figure out what might have happened at the lab.
Liam had gotten a little upset about the way things were going and quit,
while Cindy and Martin were busy figuring out what to do about that.
Meanwhile … Curtis and Carol had gone to a party at Liam’s
and he had asked Curtis for help getting started on a possible
new career choice writing some fan fiction.
Curtis had agreed to meet Liam at the Java Hut one morning
and pass on a few tips and information that might just help Liam out.
It was a beautiful morning and a great day for a fresh start when Liam and Curtis met up.
They both settled in with a hot cup of Joe, and traded a bit of small talk.
After finishing up with their drinks, and as the chit-chat was running thin,
Curtis decided to try and get things on track.
Curtis
”So Liam, where do you want to get started?
Do you have any ideas on a story, or are you more worried about the process?”
Liam, who had been suffering the effects of caffeine overdose
and chatting his head off, hesitated and drew silent for a moment.
Liam
”I hate to have put you out Curtis,
but there’s something else I need to talk to you about.
I’m a researcher … I don’t really want to be a writer.
I didn’t even like writing the reports I had to when I was working at the lab.
No … I made a mess of things at the lab
and I need to talk to you about that.”
Curtis
”Like when you say you made a mess of things …
are you talking about something that means
everyone should start packing a bag and getting out of town?
The last I heard, you and DHE were working on some pretty sensitive stuff.
If it’s something we need to know … You have to say something.
I don’t care what legal obligation you have towards DHE.
We can help you handle that if necessary.”
Liam
”Not at all … DHE brought in a specialist,
Cindy from Bridgeport.
She’s smart, knows her job,
and would lock everything down if there was a credible threat,
even at a cost to advancing the research.
No … I’m not bragging, but I am kind of a smart guy.
Likewise, I don’t have a heck of a lot of experience
with being either careless or wrong, and I don’t know what to do.
Don’t take it as an insult,
but I figure you might be able to help me out with that.
We can’t talk about it here though …
Let’s go to the park or something.”
Well … This is kind of odd.
Curtis was as curious as all get-out to find out what Liam was carrying on about,
but he was careful to give Liam some space as they walked to the park.
Whatever it was … It was weighing heavy on Liam,
and some things, well, you just have to give them time.
Curtis
”Okay Liam, what are we talking about here?
Are you sure you don’t need legal representation?
I have to warn you that I am not your lawyer.
If someone were to call me to testify in regards to anything you tell me,
I can’t afford the trouble and I would have to tell the truth as I know it.”
Liam
”I understand, and I don’t think that will be a problem.
Even if it is … You do what you have to do.
No … It started back when DHE took over.
I came to the lab straight out of SIT, and worked my way up.
It’s the only place I have ever worked,
and by the time DHE took over, it was all mine so to say.
Even when you and Susan owned it, I could work on whatever I wanted.
I kept us in the black and with some profit.
I applied for grants when necessary, and just kept things rolling right along,
There was plenty to do and plenty of money in it.”
Curtis
”Well that’s true … Susan and I never had a problem with any of it.
You kept the books clean, filed reports when necessary, handled the Feds,
and I wasn’t that interested in what you were doing anyway.”
Liam
”Well, you see … When DHE took over, they cared about what was going on.
More importantly, they didn’t want the government nor grant money involved at all.
They pulled the plug on two of the three projects I was working on immediately.
The other one was basically funded by overlap from the two that got axed.
I had to pack up my research, then send it and the money back to the government.
I was literally as mad as a hornet; I had written the grant applications
been approved, got the money and they were things I wanted to know more about.
Furthermore ... Continuing with those projects wouldn’t have cost DHE a dime.
I couldn’t see what the problem was.
Meanwhile … Mr. Dixson had funded the remaining project to the gills.
He had given me enough money to put three researchers in the field twelve hours a day.
Looking back, I know neither DHE nor Mr. Dixson gives a rat’s -rear
about the Migratory and Reproductive Patterns of the Greater Northwest Swamp Newt.
It was a peace offering, and on a silver platter.
I was so mad about the other stuff, that didn’t even register with me.”
Curtis
”Yeah, I can see a problem with that.
We all get caught up in things though, and the lab was in transition anyway.
It’s understandable, it shouldn't be that bad, we can find a way to walk that back.”
Liam got nervous, and looked at the ground,
before taking a breath, looking up and continuing.
Liam
”Oh no Curtis … That’s not all, and it gets worse.
So anyways, I am mad and I start being a pain.
I might have said some things I shouldn’t have,
to people I shouldn’t have been saying them to.
I didn’t completely understand why I was working on what I was …
and still don’t know to tell you the truth.
The next thing I know, Mr. Dixson comes to visit.
He isn’t thrilled, and lays down the law so to say.
I nod my head in the right places, and pretend like everything is okay …
Thinking the road is just going to be rocky, but we can move along.
Two days later I get this box in the mail from Mr. Dixson.
In it is a nice hardcover copy of a book … ‘Who Moved the Cheese’.
I crack the cover, read the dust jacket, and wonder how it was ever a Best Seller.
It’s a silly story, written on a third-grade level, and about two mice.
I immediately took it as an insult to my intelligence and salt in the wound.
I didn’t read any further, and went back to work the next day
madder than I was the day before.”
Curtis
”Well, did you ever go back and read the book?
He might have sent it to you for another reason.
Did you ever think about that?’
Liam
”Uh Yeah, we’ll get to that,
but we aren’t there yet … There’s more.”
Curtis
”Dang Liam … What did you do?
I’m going to let you finish this time,
but you were digging one hell of a hole dude.”
Liam
”Well, while all this is going on. I’m still working on the research
and I figure out exactly what I need to do to move forward with the research.
I mean I figured out how to give DHE what they wanted.
At the same time, I’m still mad, and everyone at the facility is upset and confused.
I start getting worked up with other people,
and dragging my feet moving forward with the research.
Then I find out Mr. Dixson is bringing in two people from Bridgeport.
I panicked and started trying to cover a few things up, muddy the water.
That was a mistake, and I should have known better.
That’s because I lied to Cindy when I said I didn’t know Martin Jackson.
We went to SIT together, and I knew it wouldn’t take him long to figure out
I had been dragging my feet and not doing right by DHE on the research side.
When Cindy implemented Immediate Corrective Action on one of the Lots ...
Nothing for you to worry about, because it was the right thing to do by the way …
I knew right away it wouldn’t take Martin long to be on top of everything,
no matter how hard I tried to hide it.
I got nervous, and I lost it with Cindy.
I got ugly; It’s not like me and I handled it poorly.
She didn’t do anything unreasonable or wrong,
and to the best of my knowledge, neither has DHE.
It’s all on me.”
Curtis
”Go ahead … Tell me about the book.
There’s no reason to stop now.
This doesn’t sound like you Liam.
There's got to be something in all this.”
Liam
”Oh there is … And Mr. Dixson knew it all the time.
Last night, I read the book, and it isn’t that hard to understand.
In the story, these two mice live in a place.
Every day they do what they want to do, and don’t worry about much.
Every morning when they wake up, there is cheese on the table,
until one morning they wake up and there is no cheese.
They sit around and talk about it for a short while.
They start to wonder where the cheese comes from, how it gets there, and who moved it.
Then one mouse starts to lose it; starts running around the place searching everywhere.
It gets upset about there being no cheese,
and the idea someone obviously doesn’t care about the fact they have no cheese.
The upset mouse is screaming and carrying on,
when it notices the other mouse is calmly putting its shoes on.
When the calm mouse walks to the door, the upset mouse asks it what it is doing.
The calm mouse simply says that it’s going to go out and try to find some cheese.
It says it thinks some cheese is out there somewhere, doesn’t know what it will find,
but knows there is no cheese where they are, and has no reason to think it will be back tomorrow.
Mr. Dixson knew what I was going through.
Insult or not, he cared enough to send me the book.
It’s a simple blueprint to what I needed to do.
I’m embarrassed more than anything else.
I don’t know what I need to do, and don’t know how to fix any of this.”
Curtis
” Relax Liam … It will be okay one way or another.
Everyone makes mistakes, even someone as smart as you.
I’ll tell you what … Call Mr. Dixson.
When you get ahold of him, tell him what you just told me.
Tell him exactly the way you just told me.
I don’t know what will happen, and I don’t know what he will think.
But … You will be clean, and you will feel better.
Nothing good will happen out of any of it, if you don’t come clean.
People understand more than you think when you lay everything out.
You have to remember that Mr. Dixson has always
been a step ahead of you ... In this case anyway.
One way or another … He already knows.”
I got to say that I think that is sound advice Curtis has offered.
I hope things work out well, and I know Liam already feels a little better
just telling someone else.
Thanks for stopping by again,
and I look forward to next time.
Y’all have a lovely day!
To Be Continued
Happy Simming!
.
Big Picture
You know folks … I wasn’t all that surprised to find out Liam was having
his own kind of difficulties at the lab.
Matter of fact, it’s not uncommon for people to lose their bearings
when their world is turned upside down.
Curtis gave Liam a decent piece of advice, and Liam took it.
He called Mr. Dixson and explained things,
and like Curtis had suggested, he explained it without sugarcoating anything.
Mr. Dixson assured Liam that things would be okay
and asked him to come back by the lab when he was ready to go to work.
Liam was a bit surprised to be met by Mr. Dixson when he showed up.
Liam
”Look Mr. Dixson, I’m really sorry about everything we discussed on the phone.
I’m not certain why you’ll even have me back here at the lab.
I was more worried about stuff than I might should have been.
I knew better, and still gave into the desire to fight the changes.
I don’t know what else to say.”
Alexander
”I’m going to tell you something Liam, just a secret between me and you.
You know that book I sent you … Amanda sent that book to me at one point.
You know what else, I did the same thing you did, and threw it back in the box it came in.
I didn’t need to read a silly story, to figure out what I needed to do.
Then she gave me a call and asked if I had read the book.
Well, I’m Alexander Dixson, I don’t need to be told what I need to do …
And that’s pretty much what I told her on the phone.
She said she didn’t need me to read the book so I could better understand the changes
and direction I was taking the company, or the attitude I might have towards anything like that.
She said I needed to read the book so I could understand the crazy mouse.
So I read the book … And low and behold she was right.
I didn’t know what the other people were going through.
They were scared, worried about their jobs and their families.
They were worried about the new bosses and the new requirements.
In some cases, they just weren’t thinking straight, and I can understand why.
No Liam … It’s okay, you know what you did and came clean.
I know why you did it, and you don’t have to explain it.
Some things, you just have to learn them the hard way.”
Liam
”I know I am going to have to earn back your trust.
There’s still a lot questions I have about the research and what we are doing here.
I know what you want me to do, but I can’t figure out why you want me to do it.
It’s hard for me to lead the people at the facility, when I cannot put purpose to what they are doing …
At least not anymore purpose than the fact DHE is telling us to.
It’s questions like that which lead to suspicion.
What we are dealing with is some pretty wild stuff.
If the samples were to get into the water shed, that would be terrible.
If we are going to keep working on things,
I’m going to have to know why it’s so important.”
Alexander
”No Liam … You don’t have to rebuild trust with me or DHE.
We never trusted you to start with … And I think deep down you know that.
But … You did come to me, and laid everything you had done out on the table.
It takes a big man to admit he is wrong, and you are a good man.
That in itself is worth trusting.
No, we’re going to bring you onboard with the rest of the project,
but I need you to do something else for me first.
You need to touch base with Martin and mend fences with Cindy.
They’re my people, and you’ll treat them right.
Martin is also the new Regional Director of Science for this region.
This facility and the people who work here are still yours,
but if push comes to shove, he’s your boss.
And ... With what we are going to be working on shortly …
Well, Cindy better be your best friend,
cause we are going to need what she knows even more.”
Alexander took some time to look over the data while Liam caught up with the other two.
If he was going to start trusting Liam, he was going to find out how smart Liam might be.
Liam
”I could try and explain everything Cindy,
but the short version is that I was simply out of line
talking to you the other day.
We both know what you did concerning Lot 2 was the right thing to do.
I have no good excuse for blaming you or anyone else for what I did.
I sincerely apologize for being ugly with you
and you didn’t deserve any of it.”
Cindy
”I can’t say I wasn’t upset Dr. O’Dorke …
But I know you have been under a lot of stress.
Martin also reminded me that where I have been with DHE for a while,
you are new to us, and are still figuring things out.
I don’t hold it against you so much, and it’s water under the bridge.
We all have a bad day, and I’ll do what I can to keep any day in the future
from being our worst day ever … You can count on that.”
Liam
”It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you Martin,
and I am glad you are here now.
I can always use another set of eyes, sorry about the mess,
and I see you have been making a name for yourself.
Look, enough with the monkey business,
I’m here to get the work done,
I appreciate the both of you coming out here to give me a hand.”
Martin
”Dang Liam, nothing could be any worse than the pineapple-jalapeno
pizza you brought when we were working on that project at SIT.
I’ve seen your research, and was even able to make heads and tails of your notes.
You did it buddy … You are right on track towards what we are looking for.
I know you have questions, and with good reason.
You’ll understand better when Mr. Dixson talks with you about it.
I’m glad to be working with you … Everything will be fine.
We have a good team here.”
Alexander instructed Cindy and Martin not to help Liam out for a few minutes.
He wanted to know if Liam could start putting things together if he knew a few more pieces.
He handed Liam a piece of paper with a formula written on it
and told Liam to examine it carefully.
When Liam was confident with his understanding of what was written,
Alexander started asking questions.
Alexander
”So Liam … Tell me what you know about that formula.
Don’t try to figure everything out.
Just get started with what you know.”
Liam
”It’s a fairly complex compound.
Some of it is rare and hard to come by.
It doesn’t like to bond with other things.
It has a lot of undesirable properties.
It seems like it would be both difficult and time consuming to do anything with it.
I also cannot immediately think of any practical use for it.”
Alexander
”Okay, now … What do you think would happen if you could bind
that compound to a human cell?”
Liam thought about it for a moment before answering
Liam
”I don’t know for sure, but I am guessing it would kill the cell.
It would starve the cell, dry it out, and deconstruct it in the process.”
Alexander
”Okay … What if you could get it to bind with targeted cells?
Not just any cell, but cells you wanted to get rid of.”
Liam
”Oh, if you could get it to do that,
well that would open up a lot of opportunities.
[Censored] … You could cure cancer.”
Alexander
”Uh-hmm … That’s what we’re thinking.”
Looks like Cindy is about to bust …
She knows everything and is fascinated Liam has gotten that far
just looking at a formula on a piece of paper.
She also knows that he is closer to the answer than he thinks,
it just hasn’t dawned on him yet.
Liam
”But what’s any of this have to do with me?
I wouldn’t mind working on a project like this,
but what else do you know?
I mean, it’s a nice dream, but I don’t see it working.
The only way you could get that compound to bind with a human cell,
and even harder, the correct human cells …
You would have to use some kind of protein.
It would have to be plant based to bind to both the compound
and the cell, if I am thinking correctly.
It wouldn’t be a common protein either.
The only place I ...”
Liam stopped at that point as his brain was catching up with what he was saying.
The other three just stood there grinning, as they knew he was about to figure it out.
Liam
”Oh my God … Holy Smokes!
The only place I have ever come across a protein like that,
is in the algae samples you have had me working on.
But … That won’t work, the protein occurs in such minuscule amounts
in the algae, it would take a ton of algae to make one …
Oh … That’s why you had me genetically modifying the algae
so it would reproduce at a higher rate.”
Liam just stood there with a weird look on his face,
while he did what every scientist does when they think they understand something new.
He started trying to figure out what wasn’t going to work,
and what problems they would encounter.
The others started laughing, and gave him a little time to think.
Finally, Alexander brought things back to the discussion.
Alexander
”Actually Liam … The best we can currently figure,
it's going to take a little over one and a half tons of algae to make a single dose.
And uh … We’re going to need a couple of thousand tons of algae
just to start preliminary testing.”
Liam
”But there’s a problem with that.
I have been able to get the algae to reproduce at a rate
that we could pretty much replace it as we destroy it to get the protein,
but we would still need a lot of it to work the rotation.
And then there is the risk.
If the modified algae ever escaped our containment
and made it into the water shed …
There’s literally no telling what would happen.”
Alexander
”Oh, we both know you are right about that …
That’s why Cindy is here, and Martin as well.
We’re going to build the containment area necessary
to house the production stock.
We're not cutting corners on it either,
and it will be top notch.”
Liam
”But facility improvements and a containment area
necessary to handle something like that,
and at that level of sophistication …
Well, [censored], it would cost billions.”
Alexander
”You’re working for DHE …
We’ve got billions …"
Cindy
”The question is never ‘if we are going to do what we want to do’ …
It’s ‘how are we going to do what we want to do’.”
Martin
”Welcome to DHE!”
It was starting to sink in with Liam, and he was getting excited.
He decided he might offer another suggestion.
Liam
”You know, I understand you pulling me off the
other projects I was working on …
But I do have some experience writing grant applications.
I know some people, that would just jump on the opportunity
to help us get approved for a project like this.
We’d have access to a lot of money, personnel
and some pretty state of the art equipment and technology.
It wouldn’t be hard, and …”
Alexander cut him off mid-sentence …
Alexander
”So Liam … How much of what we just talked about
could be weaponized?’
Liam
”Well, if you say it like that …
I guess all of it could really.
But, we are talking about the cure for cancer.
Surely the government …"
Alexander cut Liam off again …
Alexander
”No Liam … I don’t trust them …
And I’m dang sure not giving them my research.
They may eventually figure some things out on their own,
but I’m not giving it to them …
And it ain’t about the money.”
Cindy Breaking in
”Liam … I know you care.
I think you are a good guy, but not everyone is like you.
At DHE, we do what we can within the confines of what
we can accomplish by ourselves.
What we end up doing with the cure,
if it actually works the way we want it to ...
We'll figure that out when we get there, and there is still a ways to go.
If you ever find yourself wondering about our motives …
Just ask one of us, and look around.
DHE will put effort, resources and dedication towards
our research, as well as just doing business.
You and I both know that if we come up with a cure
very few people could afford it at cost.
The rest of our businesses and activities, will subsidize it though.
We’ll find a way … That’s what we do!”
You know folks ... I am just about slap-[censored] confused.
Our little story is taking all kinds of twists and turns ...
and ain't nothing seems like it should be.
Thanks for stopping by again,
and I look forward to next time.
Y’all have a lovely day!
To Be Continued ...
Happy Simming!
.