Solomon's Private File #76
These stories about Stephen and Solomon take place starting in
1950's. Stephen wrote about his life in letters to a penpal, and then
in a secure blog, in case he lost his memory again, in the master
computer in his school for gifted students, which he started attending
in 2016 in a new incarnation, until his death. Now his son Solomon is
attending the same school, and is writing in his own secure blog for
his future incarnations.
All characters are fictitious, even if some of them might have names
that belong to some actual people, or act like people we know.
Solomon is 16 in this story, in the Summer of 2042.
Solomon's Private File #76 "Media Analyst"
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I said to Kam, "I had an applicant that has cerebral palsy. Since
birth. He's an adult. Doesn't the healing broadcasts fix that?" She
said, "I don't know why it didn't. It could be because fixing the brain
would remove something that's good and necessary to who he is." I said,
"And maybe he asked that it not be fixed. Could have become part of his
self image. I don't know if I should ask him about it, and maybe do a
mini love and healing broadcast for him." She hugged me and said,
"Sometimes we shouldn't interfere." I said, "I know. Problem is knowing
which times." We hugged with love.
I started work on Vesuvius. It got really hot around the mountain.
They called it unusual weather. I ported some of the magma into space,
and hardened some to make a plug. I warned Turkey. They took
precautions. Earthquake happened on schedule. Daren ported a lot of
people out of collapsing homes. They complained very loudly about that.
I said in the air in their shelters, "Greetings. I am Solomon. I have a
message for the people who suddenly appeared here. I could put you back
in your homes, but for one problem. They don't exist any more.
Earthquake destroyed them. If you were still there, you would be dead.
There was no time to ask each of you what you wanted to happen to you.
If you would like to complain about being alive, well, I know how it is
for people to look at you strangely. It happens a lot with my strange
humor. But at least, I'm being funny. You're not. You've been through a
terrible event. Please try to be calm, and help each other with love,
to cope with this unfortunate situation. Be strong, that others may
share your strength. I care about you. God cares about you. Be well."
That was recorded by somebody and sent to the media. Earned some
positive public responses, and a lot in private.
The Pope died. I was asked to comment. I said, "My parents liked and
loved him. I liked and loved him. If he reincarnates, I hope we will be
friends again." Paolo was made the new Pope. He broke precedent by not
changing his name. I was asked to comment on that. I said, "I have no
opinion on the issue of Pope Paolo not changing his name, except that
I'm happy if he's happy, with whatever name he uses."
I sent a statement to CNN. I said, "Many members of Congress are
asking me to take them to the Moon. Demanding, actually. So much, and
so insistently, I'm tempted to provide their transportation with a well
placed foot. To them I say, I do not exist to pamper your inflated self
worth with useless public sightseeing. And if I did take you, and
managed your safety as well as you do your jobs, you wouldn't survive
it. I actually take my responsibilities seriously, and do the best I
can in everything I do. Big difference. I suggest you spend more time
and effort in bettering your country, for ALL its people, and less time
posturing, and pestering me with it. Oh, and have a nice day." When I
showed it around, I got a lot of laughter, and hugs and kisses. Media
loved it. Members of Congress were unusually silent about it, even when
pestered by the media. Wise of them. Media said that, too.
Bureau office people tried not to laugh. I said to my client, "I
heard you talking out there. Another fan?" She said, "I have to admit
it, yes. Penetrating wit from a nice guy is hard to resist." I said,
"I'm resisting." She grinned. I looked in her file. I said, "Media
analyst. We need that here?" She said "Yes." I said, "Hmm, strange you
should say that." She laughed. I said, "Why?" She said, "You should
play to the media more than you do. Create a better image." I said,
"And why do we need a better image?" She said, "You might get more
funding if the public thought better of you." I said, "I was unaware
that they thought so poorly of us." She said, "They don't. However if
connection?" She said, "Doesn't he work for you?" I said, "Didn't you
hear what the President said about that?" She said, "He's a politician.
Who believes him?" I said, "I do in that. If Solomon actually worked
for us, well, he would be shouting it from the rooftops. After somebody
gave him a ladder." She said, "Not if Solomon told him not to say
that." I said, "Possibly true in one way. Not so much in another. If
Solomon did work for us, and the President knew it, and said he didn't,
that would be a lie. I doubt Solomon would allow that to go
unchallenged." She said, "A point. But the truth is often what we make
it." I said, "Is it wise to say that to a psychologist?" She said with
a smile, "Probably not."
I said, "The President was correct. Solomon does help us, and other
agencies and people around the world, but by doing what he wants,
telling us not to interfere, and then presenting us with the results.
In reality, we help HIM, when it benefits our missions, but only as he
allows it. I see you want to know how I know this. You are far from the
only person who has raised this issue here. We like to know what we're
doing. So we do. You will likely get the same from all in this building
who responds. Well, they all get asked the same thing by their
neighbors and friends, too. If you came to work here, you would be
required to support what I said. Or would you want us, the premiere
investigative and law enforcement agency in the world, to risk being
caught in a lie?" She said, "But you still could hint." I said, "Two
problems with that. He would drop all contact with us like we were a
hot fried potato. And the other governments around the world would go
ape er, crap about favoritism, and they might even feel more violent
toward us. All for nothing real. Is all THAT what you want?" She said,
you ever think of the consequences of what you propose? Do you even
care? If you do, I don't see it here. I don't know if we need somebody
of your specialty. That's not my decision. What I do know is my job.
And that is to evaluate applicants for how well they will fit into our
workforce and mission. Honesty and forethought are paramount among the
qualities we look for. You have shown a severe lack of them. I don't
usually say this to applicants, but you are in sore need of exposure to
this reality. One more thing before I ask you to leave. If you make
this conversation less than private in any way, we will release it in
full. Do you understand that? That if needed, you will be exposed as
the reckless dishonest person you are." She ran out crying.
I walked out and said to the sec, "I'll be in Personnel, and then the
Director if he's available." She nodded in wonder, still not recovered
from what she had seen. I was able to see the boss in Personnel right
away. I said, "I sent a candidate away in tears. You should know about
it. Here's a recording." I played it for her. She said, "Would it have
helped if I had warned you?" I smiled and said, "No, not in results,
but maybe a little in our friendship. I think I might have gone a
little too far. But she won't talk. I fixed that." She said, "Good. We
would like to have that kind of position here, if we could justify it
in the budget, and if we could find one who had the qualities we want,
which you listed." I said, "May be an insurmountable incompatibility."
She said, "Could be. Going to tell the Director next?" I said, "I
should. And not just because he might like to see me being mean." She
chuckled.
I played the recording to the director, and told him about the
conversation in Personnel. He said, "Rough with her." I said, "As much
as I could get away with, yes. She won't talk, though. Can't. Hope what
I said can help her improve herself." He said, "Likely?" I said,
"Probably not until she changes professions." He nodded. He said with a
grin, "What you said about the Moon trip. They deserved it and more." I
said, "I thought of the more. Want to see it?" He said, "Absolutely!" I
made a fat cartoon man illusion on his desk turn his back and and drop
his pants, and moon the Director, wiggling his butt enticingly, saying
over his shoulder, "You wanted the Moon? Here it is!" He laughed really
hard. I said, "That on the desk for a whole day, any who said something
negative about my statement. Very disappointed they didn't." He laughed
some more.
Back in my Department, I said in reception, "I see you need to know
what happened. She insisted on showing she was dishonest and reckless,
even after I told her that gently. Then I wasn't er, gently. Didn't
work. I played the recording to Personnel and the Director." They
obviously felt better about the situation. More, after some of the
school kids there nodded. They all knew I'm watched by everybody who
can.
Next client huffed and puffed his way into my office. He was obese. I
examined his mind. I said to him, "Your appearance. You have some
explaining to do." He said, "I didn't come here to be insulted!" I
remained silent, just raising an eyebrow at him. He said, "I like who I
am!" I said, "You have a mental illness. A kind of body dysmorphia. You
look at yourself and see that you are proportioned correctly, when you
are not, and you know this. That you still have it, means you have
refused all healing broadcasts. We do not accept people who have a
voluntary mental illness, even if that wouldn't interfere with their
work. Our health insurance just won't cover you, or anybody, who won't
accept healing. I'm sorry, but that's the way it is." He sighed, and
said, "Nobody will hire me, but you have been the most polite about
it." I said, "I know you think it's a horrible thing now, but after the
healing, you would think VERY differently. An 'I could kick myself in
my now smaller ass, for not doing it sooner,' feeling." He had to
laugh. I said, "I know you can do it! You have the courage. I can see
it in you. Er, somewhere." He chuckled. I said, "One more bit of
motivation. You can always cause your er, expansion again, if you
really needed to. Will I see you back here in September?" He said, "I
don't know. I'll think about it. Thank you." I shook his hand before he
left.
Seth said in contact, "Got an inactive pedophile here. Policy?" I
said, "Otherwise qualified?" He said, "Very!" I said, "You have to talk
with him about it, and see how he reacts and what he says." He said,
"Will do." I watched. Seth said to the applicant, "These tests are very
revealing. There is something we need to discuss. Your sexuality." The
client looked startled, and then very cautious. Seth said, "First, I
should tell you that we don't care about a person's sexuality, only
about their behavior, that it's within the law. Your attraction to
young girls. Have you ever acted on that in a way the court would be
interested in?" He said, "No. I've never abused anybody." Seth said,
"Do you think that will always be so?" He said, "I intend that to be
so, very strongly." Seth said, "Any adult relationships?" He said,
"I've had some. Partially satisfying." Seth said, "We won't put this
part of you in the personnel file, but it WILL be in our confidential
files here. If you are hired, which we won't appose for this in
particular, we will be watching you. You cross the line, we will all
regret it." He said, "This is surreal! I can hardly believe it's
believe it!" Seth said, "You know about Hoover?" He said, "Oh! Boys?"
Seth said, "Yes, but he never touched them. So we know it can work for
some. I suggest you don't go around spreading this all over. Only the
psychologists in this office will ever know." He said, "You can count
on me!" He said, "Then please take your file with you back to
personnel. There is a list. We don't see it, so I can't advise you on
your chances." They shook hands, and he left. I said in contact to
Seth, "Well done! I couldn't have done it better." He said, "Thanks."
There was a LOT of love in it.
A client glided in. I said, "We don't often see applicants of your
obvious physical accomplishments." She said in surprise, "You knew that
just by looking?" I said, "Got eyes. Not wasted." She grinned and sat.
I said, "Sixth degree. Hmm, Tae Kwon Do?" She said, "How did you know?"
I said, "As you would know a person who had a second degree black
belt." She bowed in her chair. She said, "Ever used it here?" I grinned
and nodded. She laughed. I said, "A man mountain first degree tried to
get rough with me. Over the desk, I jump side kicked him into the
middle of reception. Caused a little stir." She grinned widely. I
looked in her file. Then we did the tests. It went well. I said, "So
you want to be an instructor. We don't get many applicants for that.
All we do here is the psychological evaluation. But personally, I hope
you make it." She said, "Thank you sir. May I ask your specialty?" I
said, "Mostly, Ki." I stood, and went around the desk and held out my
hand. I said, "Try to move it." She really did try, but it wouldn't
move. She said in awe, "That explains why your hands don't look overly
conditioned." I said, "If you do come to work here, you will hear about
a demonstration I did. A little unusual." She said, "Aikido?" I said,
"Some, yes. And ruined a heavy bag." She laughed. She said, "You're the
Department head?" I said, "You knew that just by looking?" She laughed
well. She took her highly recommend application back to Personnel.
It was on the news in France. A small private aircraft was in
trouble. The instructor was incapacitated. The student didn't know what
to do. I said with an image in the local control tower, "Greetings. I'm
Solomon. I can help. Will you allow me to assist?" The people all
looked at each other, and nodded. The supervisor said, "What will you
do?" I said, "I will advise the student to relax, and possibly be
mindful of incontinence, and I'll operate the controls remotely." He
grinned and said, "We know who you are now. Please." I sighed, and they
chuckled. I said, "Please inform the student of my intent. Surprises
are not fun with a low canopy." They chuckled and did that. I said to
the student, invisibly, "Greetings. I am Solomon. If you will permit, I
will operate your controls remotely, and guide your aircraft safely
back to the ground." He said, "Thank you sir! Please. What of my
instructor?" I said, "He is stable now. I'll be watching his condition.
I'm using transparent hands and feet, so you can see it happening. I'll
also be explaining it. You arranged for lessons. I see no reason not to
continue them. Better you have something to concentrate on." That I
did, and he paid attention, more than he thought he could. We landed at
the airport he had taken off from. We taxied to the allocated position
for parking. There was an ambulance there. I said to the student,
"Please tell the medics that the pilot has reacted poorly to diet and
altitude. He will recover soon, with some extra oxygen. One more thing.
I request that you keep my involvement in this a secret." He said,
"Your embarrassment? I understand. I will, and thank you very much!" I
said in the control tower, "You heard?" The supervisor said, "I agree,
but I doubt that it will be possible." I said, "Fleas in bad places for
those who tell?" They laughed. I said, "Have a nice day." I stopped the
image. It did get exposed, along with my request that it not happen. I
didn't comment.
There was a cruise ship in trouble. I told Mom about it, and she had
to laugh. She said, "You obviously want me to do it and let them know.
I've done it before. Sure. That Captain is NOT going to like me." We
said together, "Good!" I recorded, and passed it live to CNN. She
ported to the bridge and said, "Captain. You hit another ship.
Unsportsmanlike conduct." He said, "What are you doing here? No
passengers are allowed on my Bridge!" Mom said, "I'm not a passenger.
That other ship is in trouble. There are injured people on board, and
it's taking on water. What are you going to do about that?" He said,
"That's not my responsibility. Get off my bridge!" She said, "If you
don't help those people, I will make you feel their pain every hour for
the rest of your life. Ask any suicide bomber if I can do that." His
eyes went really wide, and he gulped loudly. The first officer tried
not to grin. He directed him to handle that. Mom ported out. The
Captain called the FO back and said, "Belay that order." FO said, "Sir,
I wouldn't recommend that. She's watching us." He said, "She's not
here. Follow my orders!" Then he dropped to the deck, screaming in
pain. After a minute of that, Mom said in the air, "Smart officer. I AM
watching. Do a good job, or there will be more of that. Oh, and you
might think of pursuing another occupation after you dock. End
communication." He said, "What to you mean about my occupation?" The FO
obviously guessed correctly, but silently. They did rescue the people
from the other ship before it sank, and gave them medical attention.
When the ship next docked, they were boarded by the local
authorities, and an executive from the cruise line. The Captain was
relieved of command duties. He protested, saying, "What is the meaning
of this? I have done nothing wrong!" The exec said, "The matter of the
other ship you hit, and your delay in helping them." The Ex Captain
said, "My First Officer! I told him not to report that. Mutiny! He
should be brought up on charges!" Exec said, "He followed your orders.
What you did, and what Rose did, went on television networks live as it
happened." The ex Captain's jaw dropped. He was taken prisoner, to be
held for extradition to the country of registration of the ship. I was
asked to comment. I said, "Mom likes ships. Bad Captains, not so much.
She doesn't take backtalk from ANYBODY. I like that a lot. Love it,
actually, and her." We hugged and kissed a lot.
She said, "Why?" I said, "People forget about you, concentrating on
me. Not good for women. You are THEIR special hero. I want them to have
that, if they want to." I wiped her tears, and we hugged and kissed
some more.
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Grant
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