Solomon's Private File #98
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 17 in this story, in the Fall of 2043.
Solomon's Private File #98 "Company Whistleblower"
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More and more people were coming forward in the news to say things
like my police officer applicant had said about facing the possibility
of being killed, and how they felt about what the Senator said. They
caused people to have a more favorable opinion about what I had said.
They came to understand better that I was defending all of them, and
not just the Governor. Most news agencies pushed that. People are still
speculating that I'm causing the tornados to not be as destructive as
they should have been. They are being frustrated by my silence on that
issue. I'm not.
Some of my food products came on the market. There were remarks about
them being not natural. I released a statement: "There have been some
remarks that the new food products I've developed and shared with the
public are not natural. They are correct. They really are not natural,
just like almost everything else you eat. Almost all the animal and
vegetable products you find in the supermarkets are not at all like
nature originally made them, having been purposely modified by people
through direct genetic manipulation, or through careful selective
breeding, and could not exist as they are in the wild for long. And
then there is feeding with chemicals and other unnatural things. Then
there is processing with more of that. Even granulated cane sugar isn't
as nature made it. People also have the mistaken impression that
natural is always healthy. A lot of times it really isn't, such as the
saturated fat in some animal and vegetable products, and nature has
given us some of the most virulent poisons known to man. The diet of
most Americans is not as healthy as it could be. I have helped to
provide some alternate substitutions for some of the most unhealthy
things of our usual diet. They are safe, except when a boxcar full of
them falls on your head. Avoid that unlikely circumstance, and you
could live a longer and better life, with more choices in what you
consume. Have I used those products? I sure have, and years before I
decided to make them public. I didn't think people would be interested
in them. Then some said they would be, and now they are available. I
don't make any money from anything, so I'm not doing this for me, but
for you. Choose them, or not, but please use good reason for your
choices, not uninformed myths."
That caused some interesting discussions and arguments about what
exactly I meant by natural and unnatural. Chad loved it, and we loved
that. Then the olive oil producers got angry with me. I released
another statement: "There have been some complaints from the olive oil
industry. Some of the things they have said, I have to agree with. I
absolutely love olive oil! Nothing beats the varieties of it for aroma
and taste. You want your home to smell like a welcoming place, bake
bread and use olive oil in your cooking. I do that. Yes, I cook. It's a
good stress reliever, and an important family bonding experience. My
products are not to replace anything completely, but to provide
alternatives to some things sometimes, for better health. They
shouldn't be used exclusively. We need real fats in our diets to
maintain good health and energy, just not too much of the less healthy
ones. Olive oil is one of the most healthy of the natural oils. Use it
in normal moderation, and be healthy and happy." That pleased a lot of
people. The PM of Italy praised me. Greece couldn't afford the
electricity to do that. Still, there were the expected lawsuits. Those
attacking me were thrown out. I just invented them and released the
patents. Others did the testing and marketing. I helped behind the
scenes in the suits, and none prevailed.
By appointment, I ported to the PM of Russia. I said, "It happened
again! Can't you screw them to the floor?" He chuckled. He said, "In
truth, they are more trouble than they're worth. Am I to understand
that you don't want to participate in another adventure of this kind?"
I said, "Good understanding!" He said, "The testing of procedures done
with the previous incident showed a complete failure of almost all
security measures in place to prevent things like that. There have been
no significant improvements since then. We just haven't been able to
think of any that wouldn't be too restrictive to be acceptable. If you
could just put them back secretly, and inform us of those responsible,
we will resolve this quietly." I said, "Good. Now I don't have to say
that." He laughed. It happened as we had agreed.
There was an assassination attempt in Brazil. While the Brazilian
President was visiting Sao Paulo, somebody shot at his open car. I
appeared in the air, and caught the bullet. I said to the senior police
officer with him, "Here's the bullet. The assassin is there with the
red light shooting up into the sky. He is restrained, but will be
automatically released to the police when they get to him.
Satisfactory?" He said, "Very! Thank you Solomon. Would you like to
speak with the President?" I said, "Thank you, but no. I believe in
truth and fairness, things he knows very little of. I was sorely
tempted to let the bullet strike him, but I felt for the bullet." He
almost choked trying not to laugh. He said, "Sir, I truly understand.
May I tell him of your words?" I said, "That would be bad for you." He
said, "I am retiring when this visit is over." I said, "If it won't
cause you harm, got for it." He grinned and we shook hands. I ported
away. My comment didn't go public, and there was no change in
government.
I told Eli about Mahmud. He was very interested in meeting with him.
I said, "Something you should know, that you can really relate to. Some
difficulty with some of our customs, being a naturalized citizen as a
teenager." He grinned and said, "Sexplay!" I said, "Could be. Anyway,
he knows a lot about you, and did even before I found him. Whenever I
mentioned the limits he might have, compared to the rest of us, he
would mention what you said in the TV shows. I know you'll love him, so
visit with him when you want. I doubt he would refuse you." He said,
"Your hugs?" I said, "Right. Poked well." He grinned and said, "Just
like your Dad. In fact, to my limited senses, you are more than he
was." I said, "Please. I don't like that." We hugged with love for each
other, and for Dad. They did meet, and they both told me separately
what happened, with big grins, and hugs and kisses.
Rangnorik said to me, "Am I ready now?" I said, "No, not yet. You
will be, and soon. Practice more. There is somebody I would like you to
meet. Come with me?" He said, "Sure!" We ported to Kam's private rooms
in Lhasa. I felt what they felt. The marriage connection. I had to
explain it to Rangnorik. Kam said, "You knew?" I said, "A little
precog, yes. Not positive, though. I should leave you two alone. Have
fun, but be careful." I ported to Guardhome, and to the apartment Galya
and I had set up. She was there. We shared our happiness for the two
kids. Then she said, "Now?" I said, "If it's what you really want, yes.
No kids yet, though." She thought some, and said, "I don't believe it!
I thought I was in a hurry for it. Now I'm not. Content is the word." I
grinned. She said, "You knew!" Pokes. She said, "Just for that, I
shouldn't take care of that flagpole." But she did, and we had a great
time like we always had.
An analyst from the CIA requested to see me for counseling. I said,
"I sense you have some reluctance to say something you want to say. If
it's about me being ugly, that's alright. I can take it." He had to
smile. He said, "There are rumors about you in the Company. I know,
there shouldn't be. Even at the least, you have the ear of people who
can act." I said, "Either that, or it's their noses." He grinned and
said, "I'm not a politician!" I said, "Good. Now that we've cleared
that up, what's on your mind, that you want on mine?" He said, "You
know about Iran's base in Somalia?" I said, "I do." He said, "That's
just the tip of the iceberg. I've watched the logistics. There's
something wrong. Transports take away as much as they bring in." I
said, "The reason is obvious. Secret excavation. Anybody who remembers
the world war 2 POW camps and their tunnels, knows it's very difficult
to secretly dispose of the dug up dirt with all those guards watching."
He said, "Exactly! But they won't believe me. They can't see the detail
I can see. The weight of the trucks based on the physics of their
movements, and other things." I said, "That ability is unusual in your
line of work." He nodded. I said, "You have more." He said, "I think
they are doing atomic work there." He told me why he thought that.
I said, "Your reasoning is accurate. Why don't they accept your
word?" He said, "I think my supervisor is jealous of my ability." I
said, "Unfortunately, that isn't very unusual. Now we come to the
interesting part. What do you think I should do about this?" He said,
"I think you should do whatever you want to do about it." I said, "If
you think that's actually helpful to me, you should NOT be a CIA
analyst!" He laughed. He said, "Tell the Director?" I said, "If I did
that, I would have to give him some recommendations." He said, "Talk to
my supervisor?" I said, "Oh, wouldn't you like to be a fly on the wall
for that!" He grinned really wide. I said, "Your coworkers. What about
them?" He said, "It's difficult to talk with them. We're watched for
that, but I think they feel the same." I said, "I have an idea." I
waited. He said, "You aren't going to tell me?" I said, "Your reactions
on the job should be natural. Even irritated at the inspector." He
nodded slowly and said, "I think I'm seeing something of your idea.
Make him betray himself." I said, "Well, I'm a psychologist. That's my
er, weapon." He grinned and said, "The best weapon is one they never
know about until it's over, and maybe not even then. Got it!" He went
back to work and tried to behave normally.
I had a meeting with the director of the CIA. I said, "One of your
analysis supervisors is holding back important information that's
seriously harmed your operation." He said, "How do you know this?" I
said, "One of the analysts came to me for counseling for frustration. I
investigated. He wasn't just correct, it's much worse than he knows." I
told him what should have been reported and wasn't. He was VERY angry.
I said, "Please wait! I request that I resolve this my way." His very
intense curiosity calmed him down in a hurry. He said, "What do you
have in mind?" I told him. He said with delight, "That's twisted!" I
said, "Of course." He had to laugh.
I said to the supervisor's supervisor, after he had been informed of
my mission, "I am Inspector Crumpelpot. I am here to inspect your
sections. I will start with Mr. Simon's. Any infractions may result in
sessions with the polygraph. I require that my work be without
supervision when I interview the workers. My aid is delayed, but should
be arriving shortly." He nodded. He escorted me to Simon's office. I
was an unusual looking character. Pasty white skin, thin mustache,
slicked back black hair, medium hight, but thin and frail looking, and
effeminate. Prissy, actually, in my close fitting pinstriped suit. My
voice was a little high pitched, and with a slight lisp. All that was
designed to make the macho Simon despise me, and dismiss my ability on
sight. The Department supervisor obviously expected that to happen, and
was trying to conceal his amusement. I said to to him, on the way
there, "I sense your amusement, and can imagine the cause. Going to be
interesting, for sure." He looked at me in reappraisal. I said, "Yes,
I'm competent and prepared." He grinned and said, "Good. I like that."
In Simon's office, he told him, after introducing me, "Give him all he
asks for. Full cooperation, for as long as he requires it. His aid is
delayed, but should be here soon." He left, trying to hide a grin.
Simon looked like he felt, because he didn't bother to conceal it. I
said, "Employee appraisals, please." He got them for me. I glanced
through them all. He said, "Aren't you going to read them?" I said,
"Pick one. Pick a page. Start reading it out loud." Full of curiosity,
he did that, then I took over reciting what was on the page. I said,
"You see, I read them."
I said, "Your reports, please." He said, "They're classified." I
said, "That's good. According to regulations. Where are they?" He said,
"I can't let you see them." I said, "Oh. I see. Failure to follow
orders. When my aid arrives, you will accompany us to the interrogation
room." He said, breaking out in a sweat, "Wait! Let me clarify my
orders." He made a call, and didn't look very happy with what he heard.
He pointed to a couple of filing cabinets, which he then unlocked. I
read everything in them, in real time. A very boring time that took up
the whole afternoon. I said then, "I will return tomorrow morning to
interview the staff. Please do not tell them of my impending action, or
prepare them in any way for it." I pranced out, hearing his teeth
grinding.
I was back in the morning with my assistant, a beautiful blond young
man, slim, but well muscled. It was Seth, looking almost just like
himself, but older. This really upset Simon, and he struggled to
contain his outraged feelings. He led me to a big room full of
interesting equipment and tables. And people hunched over them. He
instructed them to cooperate with me fully. I said to Simon, "I will be
alone with them. You will not enter until I allow it." More teeth
grinding, and he stomped out. I closed the door. On the other side of
it, Seth said to him, "I'm not allowed in there. Could you direct me to
a rest room? I'll be in the cafeteria after that until he calls for
me." He was glad to get rid of him. I said to the analysts, "Please be
comfortable. Tell me, has your supervisor instructed you in any way for
my visit before my arrival here now?" They said he didn't. I said, "I'm
good at my job. Try again?" They looked at each other for a while.
Finally, one sighed and said, "Yes he did. We are not to say anything
bad about him." I said, "I've met him. That would probably fill a whole
book!" They laughed, breaking the tension.
I went to the first one, and said, "Please show me what you're
doing." He did, and from our discussion, they knew I was an expert at
their jobs. Then I went to the next one, it it was the same. Then I
broke off and took a tape measure to the closed door. I then drew with
a pencil, a line parallel to the floor, at middle head hight for Simon.
Then I went back to them, who were feeling a little mystified. Then I
announced who I would be speaking to next, which was the whistleblower.
Then I motioned for quiet, and indicated that he should begin talking
loudly. He did. I went to the door, and listened intently. Then I
stepped back a little, and struck the door on that line, about in the
middle of it, with my cupped palm, with Ki. There was a very loud bang,
and then there was some loud cursing on the other side of the door. I
stepped back a few paces. The door opened and the very angry Simon came
in and yelled at me, "You fucking fag, why did you hit me?" He was
holding his bleeding ear. I said, "I didn't hit you. You were on the
other side of the closed door." He said, "You did too hit me, you
fucking queer shit! These are my witnesses." Who remained silent. I
said, "This may disappoint you, but I'm not a fag, fucking or
otherwise. Obviously, you've been staring into the wrong bedrooms.
Can't afford to pay for it?" He went into a rage and took a wild swing
at me. I avoided it easily. He threw more punches, which I casually
dodged or blocked. Really infuriated, he tried to charge me with a bear
hug, I played the matador, and side stepped, and then guided him in a
All through that performance, he had failed to notice Seth with some
guards who had witnessed the fight. I nodded to them, and they came in,
and the guards picked him up and handcuffed him. Seth brought a chair
in, and they sat him in it at my direction. I said, "Now we will
proceed with the inspection." I went back to the whistleblower, and he
showed me his findings in Somalia. We discussed the technical details,
and the others were very impressed. Simon was impressed, too, and very
dismayed at the implications. I said to my friend, "I confirm your
findings. Your methods of analysis are groundbreaking! I'll advise the
director to discuss with you, training others in this." I then
inspected the others, who were very friendly and forthcoming. Then I
went back to the first few, and they had more to tell me.
I then stood in front of Simon and said, "Simon! The critical Somalia
findings of this man were not in your files, and were not sent up the
chain. Who told you to hold them back? Who are you working for?" He was
very afraid, and yelled, "I'm not working for anybody!" I said, "While
that's very true now, I want to know who made you sell out your
country." He said, "I didn't sell out my country!" I said, "Actually,
you did. I rate this as close to major damage. WHY did you do it!" He
said, "I didn't mean it! I didn't believe him." I said, "Why didn't you
believe him? Has he been known to be a liar?" The others all shook
their heads. He said, "I thought he was mistaken." I said, "But it's
obvious to any educated man that he is correct. How can I believe you?"
He said, desperately, "I didn't understand the engineering." I said,
"So that was the problem. A supervisor doesn't need to know all the
technical details. But then, why didn't you ask for those things to be
independently reviewed for such an important issue?" He cried like a
baby and said, "I didn't want to look stupid." I said, "That sure
didn't succeed!" There were murmurs of agreement. I said, "There is
still the matter of treason. And assault. You attacked me." He said,
"But you hit me first!" I said, "For your information, these people
were standing behind you, when you had your ear to the door, and saw
you open it and rush into this room. You were spying on us, and against
my direct orders which had the full authority of the Director behind
them. And they didn't see me strike you, even as you were attacking
me."
He said, "But you hit the door!" I said, "And do you expect the door
press charges?" Some chuckles. I said, "The door was closed and
latched. My strike to the door didn't move it from that condition. It
was only sound waves that you felt. Very focused, I admit. You should
appreciate my ability with martial arts now." Most of them in the room
nodded. I said, "One more thing. There was a camera in the hall. It
recorded what happened on the other side of the door. And what happened
here was recorded as well. I saw yesterday, you were an abusive fool,
and took all the necessary steps to document it. The Director will see
all the evidence I've gathered, and then decide your fate. That you are
so interested in homosexuality, should please your cellmates no end."
He looked even more upset at that. Seth went to tell Simon's supervisor
what happened. He came in and thanked me for my work. I said, "There's
more. Watch."
I gathered the necessary info from all the applicable stations, and
organized it, and took him through the steps to the then visible
conclusions. He said, "This is important! Extremely!" I said, "And a
man in Simon's position should have seen it." He said, "Oh my God! What
else did he miss?" I said, "Nothing significant. I checked his files
first, and what he sent forward. He was just lucky his section was
relatively uncomplicated, except for this issue." He said, "I have to
take part of the blame for my lack of proper supervision of him. It's
so damn difficult to fire anybody here!" I grinned. He said, "Oh! I
see. You set him up. You EXPECTED him to listen at the door!" I showed
him the back of it, which also had a slight indentation where my palm
had struck it. I said, "He knew he had done wrong, so he HAD to listen.
The rest of what I did was to provoke him into providing some very good
reasons for a negative job action. I like to do complete work." He
said, "Will you be inspecting other units here?" I said, "I don't know.
I'm a special inspector. There might be others in time."
He said, "Do you inspect other agencies?" I grinned and waggled my
finger. He laughed and said, "Sorry, I shouldn't have asked." I took
off my false mustache, and ruffled my hair, and settled my shoulders
into a more broad configuration, and changed my whole physical
attitude, including lowering the pitch of my voice. They all partially
gasped. My analyst friend said, "You KNEW about his prejudices!" I
said, "Yes, and I played with them deliberately. You should have seen
his reaction to my specifically chosen assistant, Frank the intern,
this morning." Seth grinned and bowed. There were a bunch of wows. One
said, "Should we pass the word that Inspection is VERY good, and that
we should all be on the up and up?" I said with a grin, "Why do you
think I'm still here and talking about it?" Chuckles and respect. Seth
and I went to see the Director, and give him the report, files and
crystal, which he read, and laughed very well. He thanked us extremely.
We didn't object.
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Grant
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