Solomon's Private File #290
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 28 in this story, in the Fall of 2054.
Solomon's Private File #290 "Academy Hire"
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I said to the Dean of the FBI Academy, "Applicants for the head
trainer's position." He said, "More qualified than second?" I said,
"Two, yes. One has background problems, but has been tested by life.
Other is better in school experience and work, and in his own martial
arts school, which is a better fit. Not tested in life. I did it here,
beating him to a pulp. Well, he agreed to the fight. Improved now, and
fully acceptable." He said, "Wow!" I said, "Nah, he just groaned."
Chuckles. We discussed the candidates and the issues.
He said, "Tough choice. I like the Indonesian better in some ways,
and less in others. Can't help but to admire him, though. The other
one, we couldn't ask for anything better. Still, not as good as
current." I said, "Nobody could come close to being her. But you know
handy for when it blows his mind." Chuckles. I had the same
conversation with the Director. He said, "Wouldn't work if we had
both?" I said, "Nope. Too similar. And you know one would not make it
past the investigation. Even trying could cause problems." He said,
"You like him." I said, "I do. And with the life he's had, he deserves
more. Anything less than us, would be something of a demotion for him."
He said, "You were thinking of something?" I said, "West Point." He
grinned and said, "A small man beating the er, crap out of them. I like
it." I said, "There is also DARPA." He said, "Interesting. Fitness
research, him with a degree in Kinetics. And a possible subject. Need
my help with that, let me know. Your lead candidate is a go."
I called the Military Academy, and spoke to the head of personnel. I
said, "I'm Jack Nimbol, head of Psychological Assessments at the FBI.
Our head fitness instructor at our Academy is leaving. Was open season
on the position. Most were flakes." He laughed. I said, "Don't believe?
One actually showed up in a martial arts uniform. I kicked him out,
almost literally. A school teacher and youth volunteer was wanted on
child abuse. Got physical with me. He survived." Chuckles. I said, "Two
best were better than what we had remaining on hand, and were a virtual
tie. Choice has been made. Got a very well qualified extra. I like him,
so I'm shopping him around. You first. He doesn't know yet. Possible
interest?" He said, "Tell me more." I said, "He had a tough life
growing up. Had to fight to survive. Got a masters in kinetics now, and
is something like a fifth degree black belt. Rest significant is
personal. Need his permission." He said, "Solomon worked with your
current. You, too?" I said, "Senior Master, yes. Secret for internal
FBI workers." He said, "Agreed. You approve?" I said, "Absolutely." He
said, "Some interest. Ask him for more." I said, "Thanks."
I met with the applicant in his home. His wife was very gracious, and
his little children were adorable. I said to him, "The selection was
made. It was close, but he was a better fit. More traditional school
teaching and coaching experience." He said, "My one lack. I understand.
You do have to have the best." I said with a smile, "The best is
leaving. He needs work." He grinned, and said, "I envy him." I said,
"There are other possibilities for you outside of the Bureau, if you
are still interested in employment opportunities." He said, "I am!" I
said, "I thought so, so I called one. Didn't tell him anything
identifying and private. There is some interest, and would like more
with your permission. West Point Military Academy." He thought that
over, and said, "Not too far away. Will my race be a problem?" I said,
"Better not be!" Grins. He said, "They are Christians. I don't have a
religion, but they will think I do." I said, "You know Solomon taught
our trainer?" He said, "I do. And you." I said, "He was also involved
in this approval process. Something like the government workers
approvals. If you work there, and they bother you unjustly, well, I
sure wouldn't want to be them!" He said, "Wow!" I said, "I'll pass that
on." Chuckles.
I said, "Something more I like. You will be smaller than most of the
students. On the outside." We shared grins. I said, "They would have
more to learn from you than just what you would be hired for. You could
make a REAL difference." He said, "Why are you doing this?" I said, "I
like and respect you. Wouldn't you want to do this in my place? I see
you do, so don't bother me with that again." Grins. He said, "Did you
have more positions?" I said, "I haven't asked them, but if you want
the research side, there is DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency. They research physical fitness, among other things. I
don't know if they have any openings." He said, "Would my background
cause a problem with that?" I said, "FBI would investigate for high
security clearance. More than for the Academy." He said, "I see you
have chosen well. Please tell them what you think they should know of
me." I said, "I don't know if the possible position is good enough for
you, but I'll go there in person. You know why." He said, "So you can
evaluate THEM."
I said, "One more little thing. I'll be working with our new Trainer,
after the current one works him over." Grins. I said, "Then Solomon
will. Same offer for you, if you want, and get the job." He said, "And
you will tell them that?" I said, "Can't hide anything from you."
Laughter. I said, "You have been tested in real life. Our new trainer
hadn't. I fixed that. Solomon healed him." He said, "I understand more
now, and have very increased respect for you." I said, "I didn't come
here for ME to be embarrassed!" Chuckles. His wife said, "Sir, you are
a martial artist, too?" I said, "A hobby." He said, "Oh, but a serious
one!" We grinned. I said, "Anything about me, because I'm an inside
worker at the FBI, is to be secret." She said, "I must agree to that!"
I said, "I'm a Senior Master Of Martial Arts. I see you are no beginner
in this." She smiled, and said, "I'm woking on it." I said, "I'll let
you know the results." We shook hands.
I called personnel at West Point, and said, "My candidate gave
permission. Better I do it in person with you." He said, "I get it.
Evaluate US!" I said, "Object?" He said, "No, a little nervous, yes." I
said, "If I ask you not to be?" Chuckles. We set a date and time. I
took a Bureau car, porting it most of the way. It was noticed there. So
was my black suit. My Ki was flowing a little, and some martial artists
noticed me, too. In the main building, I was directed to his office.
There was another man there, who was a martial artist. I recognized
him, and he knew it. We were all introduced. We didn't let on that we
knew each other. I said, "A lot of rubber necked people here." Grins.
Personnel said, "You look like an FBI man. I'm sure they noticed, and
the way you move." The other man said, "And your Ki. Deliberately." I
said, "Yes. I'm a shrink. Always testing." Smiles and nods. Personnel
said, "Do you two know each other?" I nodded to the other, and he said,
"You know I worked there. All know Dr. Nimbol. Great rep." I nodded my
thanks. I said to him, "Why?" He said, "Because I work in that area a
little. History of personal combat teacher." I said, "We lost a good
man, in you." He said, "Shot at too many times. Drove wife crazy. Er,
almost." We grinned.
I said, "I have an applicant who has lived something of what you
teach. Young child in Indonesia taken and made a slave in a logging
camp. Had to fight to survive. Escaped at 14, and was a street kid, and
had to fight even more. Americans found him and paid for his school
there. Was popular, and studied martial arts, too. School sponsored him
to come to America to go to college. He taught martial arts to help pay
for that. Masters in Kinetics. And a fifth degree black belt equivalent
in Pencak Silat, and a naturalized American citizen, fiercely loyal.
Americans literally saved his life and future. Close second in the
running to replace our Head Fitness instructor. Solomon approved." That
woke them up a little. Former SA hid his grin well. Personnel said,
"Going to be a problem with religion?" I said, "He asked about that.
Doesn't have one, but expects others might think he does. He can teach
them to pray, though." Laughter. He said, "Impression?" I said, "A
little small physically, but big in the respect he generates. Soft
spoken and polite, but with a discernible steel core. Very determined
and motivated, but with consideration. Superb concentration, but with
wide awareness. Want to surprise him, don't bother. If somehow you do
succeed, ask for a doctor." Chuckles.
I said, "Solomon and I had some involvement in the training of our
Iron Lady. That will continue with the new selection, and the runner
up, when he lands a job. Well, he's very likable." Smiles. I said,
"When I told him about the training, he was surprised, and then
wondered if I would tell you. Your reaction agrees with his
speculation." Chuckles. He said, "Anything more?" I said, "You could
use some more diversity." He said, "True. Would he pass a general
background check?" I said, "Expected to." He said, "Our head fitness
trainer would like to spend more time concentrating on football." I
said, "Lost cause." He said, "Please don't tell him that!" Chuckles. He
said, "How tough is he?" I said, "In his style and former country, they
practice with almost full contact, and that with sticks, too. Aerobics,
we didn't test, but I expect him to do the chasing, and when they get
to know him, they'll be running." Grins. I said, "How many of your
people can do 10 one armed pull-ups in 15 seconds?" Former SA said,
"Can you?" I said, "You know, I've never tried. First time, I don't
think I want to try that in public." Grins. Personnel said, "Is Solomon
going to be watching?" I said, "He said he knows all, so if you ask him
if he's watching anything, he would have to say yes. Here's his info.
Next moves are up to you."
He said, "I need to see him. My secretary will set up an appointment.
Works out as I suspect, I'll want him, and push for the hiring. I'll
use the incentives you gave me, as needed." We shook hands. Former SA
walked with me to the car. He said, "You arranged for my medical
retirement. I can't think you enough for that." I said, "No need. Doing
my, oops, that wasn't really my job." Chuckles. He said, "You like the
applicant?" I said, "Yes. Had a bad life, and could have turned out
worse. Got to respect him. No, he doesn't know." He grinned, and said,
"You're not mind reading, mind reading." I said, "Not that again! Hmm,
did you know that man over there doesn't actually need the hearing aid
he's using?" He tripped, and looked form the corner of his eye. He
said, "Jamming him?" I said, "Yep." He said, "I don't recognize him." I
said, "ID's on him show him to be a football scout. Research shows he
sells info on the side. Oh, how I wish my candidate were here!" He
laughed, and said, "That good!"
I said, "Problem. You can't report him without exposing me. So, want
to help me mess with him?" He said, "Oh I DO!" I said, "You behind him.
I'll wait, and flash my ID at him." He said, "On the way." He did a
wide circle when he wasn't noticed. Then I turned around and walked
back like I had forgotten something, and was distracted. My path wasn't
directly at him. When I was close enough, I walked briskly up to him,
and said, "Sir, what are you doing here?" He said, "I'm a parent.
Visiting my son." I said, "Identification, please." He said, "I
protest!" I said, "Better not." I showed him my ID, which had FBI on it
in big black letters. He took out his wallet, and reached into it. I
took the whole thing, and said while I was examining the contents,
"Name and class of your son." He didn't say anything, and started to
back away. My temp assistant stopped him. I said, after doing some
fingering on my phone, "Your last name doesn't match any on the roster.
State your business here!" He said, "My son is applying! I came here to
check it out." I did some more fingering. I said, "Occupancy of your
residence doesn't list children. Oh, I see. Interesting occupation; a
sports spy. Do you think that allows you to trespass and eavesdrop?"
He said, "I wasn't doing that." I said, "This is a bug detector.
Remove that earpiece, and hand it over, and any recording devices on
you. This is federal property. You have committed at least two
felonies. You cooperate, and I'll let you go, and suspend the
proceeding, but you will be added to the watch list here. You show up
again, things will happen. We're recording this." He handed everything
over, including his phone. I gave him back his wallet. I said, "The
United States Military Academy trains officers for our, YOUR military,
who will serve YOU and this country, and risk their lives for YOU, with
honor. You WILL respect that! Do you hear me?" He said, "Yes sir! I do!
I'm Sorry. I sincerely apologize!" I said, "You may go." He ran off in
the direction of the gate, and then changed his mind, and ran to the
parking lot. He drove away with a little less control than he should
have used.
I said to my companion with a wink, "I knew he was up to something.
Thanks for you help." He said, playing along, "Glad to be of
assistance. I didn't know you could access those databases from your
phone." I said, "All government info in my pocket, with my clearance
level, and I can even sit down with it. Actually, a relay from the main
office. Sure is amazing what tech can do these days." I did a hand
signal, and said, "Done. Here's a usable audio recording with a picture
and ID information. Could provide some entertainment." He laughed, and
said, "Some! Wow! They're going to LOVE you!" I said, "Just doing and
saying what I should." He said, "Your standard line." I gave him a rude
noise, and he laughed. We shook hands. I said, "Sorry, wouldn't work
for you in public. Next time." We didn't hug.
He ran back with the recording, and played it in Personnel. The whole
office said, "Wow!" Then it went all over the campus. When I turned in
the car, and got back to the office, there was a message to see the
Director. Office manager obviously knew what it was about. I said,
"More embarrassment I don't need." Grins. In his office, he said, "West
Point absolutely loves you. The whole place." I said, "Ah, er, so?" He
laughed. He said, "Please?" I projected it. I said, "Other man used to
work here." He said, "Oh. So that's why you used him that way. He
knew?" I said, "Yes. Played along, too. They all do." He said,
"Loyalty. NOT like my old place!" Nods. He said, "Your man going to get
the job?" I said, "How do I know?" He just looked. I said, "Yes." He
chuckled. I said, "Not predicting the future. I made him too tempting,
and the Sol upgrade, pushed that over the top." He said, "You ever feel
strange talking about yourself?" I said, "I feel strange about almost
everything I say and do! But one thing isn't strange at all. That's why
I have kids." He tried not to laugh.
My candidate was hired, and started immediately. Light background
check was passed. After just a week, he was given more responsibility.
He plans to move his family there. I met with him in his house on a
Sunday. He said, "Was that on purpose?" I knew what he meant. I said,
"No. The situation was there, and I did my duty. I might not have, if
Jim hadn't been there to assist." He said, "Well, that made all the
difference in the world. Personnel was going to push for me. It could
have taken weeks. After that, it took less than a day for the
you very much there. All of them." I said, "No good deed goes
unpunished." He said, "Did that man look as helpless as he sounded?" I
said, "Worse. Almost wet his pants." Chuckles.
I said, "You're staying in a room there, and coming home on weekends.
Boring during the week?" He looked very hopeful, and said, "A little."
I said, "You know your face is like an open book, with LARGE print." He
laughed well. His wife obviously knew what we meant, and grinned. I
said, "Got any special equipment you want to use, bring it, and ask for
more if you want. Need a gym, and some time in it. In the beginning, it
won't need to be private." He grinned widely, and said, "I know what
you mean. For my reputation. Yours doesn't need more at all." I said,
"Too much of a good thing, isn't always the best thing. Tiring, too.
And probably fattening." Chuckles. I said, "Solomon will provide my
said, "You guessed it. Possible. Probably wouldn't hurt too much to
try." He said, "Wow!" I said, "Included." Grins. We settled on dates
and times.
Mom said, "Another Senior Master student. I said, "Two, and only
potential. Well, I can have hobbies, can't I?" Galya said, "As long as
you keep one of you here." I said, "As long?" Pokes and giggles.
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Grant
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