Solomon's Private File #133
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 19 in this story, in the Winter of 2045-2046.
Solomon's Private File #133 "Gift at Shaolin"
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In the Bureau office, the staff had a lot of questions on their
laugh. I said, "Vacation's over. Back to work. Er, whatever that is.
So, who's my next victim?" He and I went into my office and sat. He
said, "What was that all about?" I said, "You know about the Academy
instructor at Shaolin?" He said, "I do. Amazing!" I said, "Well, she
and I have practiced together a little. They obviously wanted to know
more of what happened. Irrelevant. We shrink minds here. Better if they
aren't full of gossip. Never know what might dribble out." He chuckled.
I said, "So you're a chemist. I remember chemistry. Is there anything
in it that doesn't smell awful?" He chuckled and said, "Yes, perfumes."
I said, "We didn't do that. What do you think we need chemists for?" He
said, "A lot of things! Analyzing substances in forensics, which
includes evidence and post mortems. At the scene, managing the take
down of drug labs." I said, "So we DO need people of your specialty.
You actually LIKE doing that?" He grinned, "Didn't you, in college?" I
said, "Shhh." He laughed. I said, "No practical jokes on the job!" He
laughed harder. He said, "I know why, now. Victim?" I said, "I aint
tellin! Anyway, tests, now." We did them.
I said, "Hmm. Am I being sheepish, or are you trying to pull the wool
over my eyes?" He looked at me strangely, and said, "You're VERY good.
Double major with psychology. I can't help messing with the tests, like
playing with a sore tooth." I said, "Tell me why we should hire you,
when we can't get valid test results?" He said, "Wouldn't that be the
same with the psychologist applicants?" I said, "It is, but we test
them in other ways, according to their specialities." He said, "You
know all of them?" I said, "We have to. It's part of our job." He said,
"I think you know more about chemistry than you let on." I said, "We
all know more of things than we let on in the beginning. What's most
intriguing is we know less than we think we know, and we know more than
we know we know." I watched him work that out. He nodded and said,
"Thank you." I said, "Please take this back with you to personnel," He
did, highly approved.
A woman walked into my office. Before I took her file, I said, "Quite
an athlete!" She smiled and said, "You noticed. Kinesthetics?" I said,
"Yes. Part of evaluation. Body communicates truth. Mouth does better
with other things." She chuckled. She said, "Gymnastics. NCAA second in
floor." I said, "I wouldn't mind seeing you in physical training at the
Academy. I think a lot of others would agree. Impressive." She was a
little embarrassed. I said, "We usually have problems with women of
your er, size. Firearms and small wrists don't get along well, but with
your training, that shouldn't be a problem." She said, "I didn't think
of that. So it's not gender discrimination." I said, "Here, no. Even a
whiff of that, and our Personnel director would, well, I don't know
what she would do, but that day I would have to call in sick. Well,
terrified isn't an excuse." She laughed really hard, and so did a lot
of others in my mind. I said, "I think we need more female Special
Agents. Not because they're better, but because most perps think
they're not as good. Surprise is good, when WE make it happen. And some
really are better." She nodded and said, "I didn't think of that." I
said, "But a psychologist would. Oh, that's me! We should do the
tests." We did. I said, "Please take this back with you to personnel."
She said, "Am I approved?" I said, "We aren't supposed to tell." Just
as she was nearing the door, I said, "Good luck at the Academy." She
tried not to grin her face in half, while giving me the thumb's up
sign. Ivanna said in my mind, "That was an interesting interview." I
said, "I thought that would get your attention." We chuckled. She said,
"The pathologist. You were right, and she is NOT enjoying it. And there
were some possible exposures of that I prevented." I said, "Think it's
time to pull her out?" She said, "Getting there, yes." I said, "I'll
talk to her big boss."
With an appointment, I ported to the office of the Director if the
CIA. I said, "I approved one of your recruited applicants, with some
reservations. One of us monitored her. I was correct. She isn't right
for the job. Ethics. She has them." He said, "Who?" I told him. I said,
"She's going to mess up soon if you don't pull her. Could cause a black
eye. Well deserved, I think." He said, "You would. I have to agree. We
can't have that. Will she talk?" I said, "No, we hope. Could be part of
the deal with a bonus and transfer to the Bureau. Approved on that
end." He said, "We'll do it. Dirty business all around. Under your
protection?" I said, "Full now, yes. She's worth it." A week later she
was in my office. She said, "You were right. I have to know. Was I
being watched? I said, "All who work for them should assume that. Spies
never trust each other. Well, not living ones. Dead ones might have.
Yes, it's deadly serious with them. They are necessary. So is using the
bathroom. We don't have to like it, or pay close attention to what goes
on, and we really don't want to, but when you don't have them, you're
in trouble." She said, "Interesting way of showing that they all
stink." We grinned at each other. I said, "This deal is contingent on
you not blabbing. Agree?" She said, "Yes. You arranged it?" I said,
"Team effort. You made a VERY good impression with us, and I don't mean
just in this office. Head of Personnel pulled strings to get you in
fast. No, I didn't push her. That's not even possible." She laughed. I
said, "You'll see. We're like a family here. In fact, let's go meet
her." We did. I introduced them. I was told, "Anything she needs. Now
go back to work." I said, "Er, what's that?" I left in a hurry, to
their chuckles.
The next man walked in and said, "I request a back evaluator." I said
to Bob in the doorway, one of my students who is black, and briefed on
the expected situation, "Please help this applicant." His help was in
leading him back to the entrance. When the applicant realized it, they
were already in the lobby. He said to Bob, "But I asked for another
evaluator!" Bob said, "A black one. And you have one. Me. Yes, I'm a
psychologist in that office. And now I'm asking you to leave." He said,
"Why?" He said, "We all have to work with whoever we are assigned to
work with, and respect each other and our differences. We do NOT allow
any kind of discrimination among us, including what some people falsely
call the reverse. It would be the same if an applicant didn't want me,
but a white evaluator, which has happened. He wasn't welcome here. You
are not welcome here. Please leave." He was going to protest some more,
but one of the very big guards, who was also black, said, "Buddy, you
better listen to him. We think very highly of him and his whole office.
And he's right. No discrimination here. Need help to leave?" He didn't,
and left. The guard said, "Let me guess. Didn't want Dr. Nimbol?" Bob
said, "I shouldn't say," while he was nodding. They shared grins. The
guard said, "He'll never know what he missed." Another guard said,
"Aint that the truth!" Chuckles.
I was waiting for Bob when he came back. I said, "Opinion?" He said,
"Arrogant SOB. Even without the race issues, not right for here. I
agree with not trying to improve him. Probably wouldn't work." Another
applicant came in. An imposing sight. 2.07m tall. I looked way up, and
said, "And a martial artist, too." He said, "How did you know?" I said,
"I got eyes. You got knuckles." He smiled and said, "I should have
realized you aren't blind." I said, "I see a mix of Chinese Kempo and
Tai Kwon Do." He said in surprise, "Yes! That's amazing!" I said, "Not
really. We're supposed to know about people. Part of the job, and
that's one of my hobbies." He said, "You know that Senior Master?" I
said, "We met when she applied, and we've done some practice together.
If you come to work here, you would have restrictions. We wouldn't send
you to Japan." He grinned and said, "My skull would thank you." I said,
"And so would the tops of their door frames. Hard to believe they
insist on doing that in new traditional style homes, but the doorways
are so low, even some of them have to duck, or have quacked heads." He
laughed. I said, "Er, oops. So you want to be a Special Agent. You're
not special enough already?" He said, "I like the challenge and varied
assignments."
We did the tests. I said, "How often does the healing have to work on
your knees?" He said, "I guess you WOULD know. My vulnerability. Often.
But only after full contact sparing. Usually not a problem outside of
that." I said, "Big knobby targets. In a real fight, a real problem, if
you don't flatten them first." He said, "Right. You DO know Martial
arts." I said, "Another problem. Few padded floors in real life. You
fall on your knees, you might not be able to get up." He said, "I have
to be honest, yes, that's happened." I said, "I don't know if any of
that will affect your selection, but you should be prepared for the
fact that it could." He said, "I'm thinking it's likely. Other
positions?" I said, "There are some, but not any you would qualify for
now, that you could take for long. Being a guard would really irritate
you, being so underused." He said, "I know what you mean." I said, "I
like and respect you, but I don't know what I can do about this that
will help you. Please take your file back to personnel. I wish you good
luck." I stood and we shook hands. He was surprised at my strength. He
tried to push my hand back, and I didn't move. He nodded with respect.
I ported to the office of the President of Iran. I said, "I apologize
for the interruption, but there is a bomb under your car, attached to
it underneath, radio controlled. Send anybody to diffuse it, they might
want to set it off. That won't work now. Here's the information on who
and why." I put a memory card on his desk. He said, "Thank you very
much! But why?" I said, "Well, why not? I don't like loud noises
interfering with people I want to talk with sometimes. All good now?"
He nodded. I said, "Fine. See you later." I ported to Shaolin.
I said to the Abbot, "How was her visit?" He said, "It was very good!
We all learned very much. Your mind transfer worked well for her." I
said, "I suspect that you have some desire to experience that
yourself." He said, "I suspect you suspect correctly." I said "There
are limits. Different brains and minds. Of what is available, do you
desire most?" He said, "What she has. Us." I said, "And second?" He
said, "I am undecided. Would you recommend?" I said, "To broaden your
abilities, I would recommend two. First, Shorin Ryu from Okinawa,
including weapons. A hard style with some unique techniques that are
well thought out scientifically. Second, Aikido. It's the softest style
possible, and probably the most difficult to become proficient in. More
suggestions after that. With your ability, I think you can take one a
week." He said, "Wow!" I said, "Those are extra." He chuckled. I said,
"If you know anybody else here who could qualify, let me know." He
said, "We have two who are doing well with external Chi." He gave me
their names. I said, "Two months of hard practice. I will be available
for the ceremony, but I would like it to be the Iron Lady, for the
experience." He said, "In two months. The belt. It's beautiful.
Unfortunately, it is not compatible with Abbot's robes." I ported in a
sash like the belt and said, "But this might be." He looked at it with
delight, and said, "It is VERY acceptable!" He put it on. I made a 4th
mirror for him. He said, "It's beautiful! The mirror. Would you show
me?" I did. He said, "Oh, an external 4th wall, with total energy
reflection. I should have thought of that." I said, "There are
universes of things we think we should have thought of, which you er,
should have thought of." He laughed. He said, "The Master of Masters
teaches!"
I said, "Ready? Oh, and for an Adept of your ability, there will be
no discomfort. If you can, it would be interesting for you if you
watched. Ready?" He nodded. I did the transfer and integration in about
20 seconds. He said, "Wow!" I said, "I agree. Want to go out and try
some things? He said, "Yes!" We went. He did some techniques. Then we
practiced together, side by side, and then against each other. We were
watched by many interested eyes, eager to learn. We stopped for a rest.
He said, "I see your belt is a little different." I said, "A little
change. My clothes are of the same material. Didn't show up well." My
belt had a thin black border on the edges. He said, "It is appropriate
that your belt is different. You are the Master of Senior Masters." I
said, "Eh, just Sol." He grinned said said, "That, too. Our situation
is changed. With your gift of the record to the mind, you are now my
teacher." I said, "In one way of thinking, maybe. Not mine. Friends
share, is how I think of it. Want to fight about it?" He grinned and
said, "Yes!" We did, but not to cause harm, even though it looked like
it. Camera wielding tourists were in awe, frantically trying to follow
us. When we stopped, I indicated them, and said, "So frustrated. Shall
I remedy that?" He said with a grin, "Me practicing with YOU?
Absolutely! Fantastic promotion of Shaolin!" I said, "Well, if you
videos of this, palms up." They all did, even the Monks. I ported
memory cards to them. I said to the Abbot, "And some in your office.
I'll give one to the Iron Lady." I bowed to all, which they returned,
even if some of the tourists had to be encouraged to do it by other
tourists. I bowed to the Abbot, who returned it. I said, "You know I'll
be back soon!" We grinned and I ported away.
I ported to the office of the Iron Lady. I said, "Good visit?" She
said, "Fantastic!" I said, "Oh. Nice." She chuckled. I said, "I gave
him what I gave you. Then we practiced and sparred. Here's the video.
I'm going to give him Shorin Ryu in about a week. Want it?" She said,
"Info?" I told her. She said, "Yes, please!" I said, "After that,
Aikido. Then maybe Japanese sword. Stop looking so hungry! No, you
can't eat me. At least not raw." She had to laugh. I said, "Being an
Adept, he can take them more often than you can, and can er, digest
them faster. Any time you want to port there for practice, let me know.
I won't practice with you here in public during training hours. Too
disruptive. Jack will still be available to scare trainees into being
nice. But there might be questions about him being awarded the belt. He
doesn't want the public recognition for security reasons, and they
better honor that, if they know what's good for them. That brick could
be their heads." She grinned, and said, "I'll pass that on when needed.
There might be a problem. You took your shirt off as Jack. If you do it
as you, and in front of a camera, that could be compared." I said,
"Jack is a disguise. All of him. My real muscles are slightly bigger,
and sixpack is a little different, and I'm taller." She said, "Good.
All ways." I gave her a rude noise. She laughed.
She said, "TV stations and networks want interviews. You included." I
said, "I'll only do CNN, and live. If you want that, I'll tell them."
She said, "TELL them?" I said, "Notoriety. Do you think ANY network
would refuse to have me on a show?" She grinned and said, "I know that.
I just wanted to see your reaction." I put on a tiger's head and
roared. She had to jump, but only a little. I said, "Ha! Made you
jump." She ignored that, regally, and said, "I've been contacted by
some who want to be tested for Senior Master status." She gave me their
info. I said, "One qualifies, but just barely. A few need more work.
Some are dreaming." I gave her a paper with their info and evaluations.
I gave her a different paper and said, "This one is special. A junior
black belt with great potential. He'll be ready for you in two years,
if you are teaching then." She said, "He's in a demonstration team. He
might not want to leave that." I said, "By then, there could be much
more motivation for the change." We smiled at each other. I said, "In
two months, Shaolin could have two who are ready. I would like you to
be the guest presenter. I see the question. I should not be involved in
public any more than is necessary. I'm too much in advance of
everybody. I can't be emulated. YOU can. Well, by a very few, an
obtainable goal." She nodded and said, "Psychology. The whole world is
your patient." I said, "Yes. And what teacher doesn't like to see his
student rise in prominence?" She said, "And take all the heat for
that?" I grinned and said, "Absolutely!" We hugged with love.
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Grant
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