18: Moving on and Growing Up

The best fact I know is that kindred souls
collect like dew to morning thistle.
So if any of this gets out of hand,
or collapses to pillars of bromide and dust,
or our solitary struggle is cheapened and dashed,
I’ll die knowing we were all stupid in stupid togetherness,
and the allure, lustre, good in that phrase
consoles my wanting spirit, that we made it all too messy,
but kicked out the jams in the process.

Kirk Marshall

“So, how’s the application process going?” Ioana asked, as Logan and Jie joined them in the conference room.

“It’s going well,” Jie answered. “They’re especially impressed, not only with our professional expertise, but the fact our skill sets are so varied too. We’ve accumulated so many glowing recommendations, it pretty much sealed the deal.”

“You got accepted?” Aiesha squealed, leaping up and embracing them.

“Not just the one, we both received acceptances at our primary choices,” Logan revealed. “They wanted to immediately discuss our classes, as well as asking whether we could teach some of our own.”

“That’ll please Dad,” Leslie added. “Hopefully they’ll give you a tuition break for it?”

“As you know, most of our education is already covered, but they were so excited, they offered plenty of latitude to do our other jobs. The classes we’ll instruct will generate additional income.”

“They’re eager to lock us into a future career with the school,” Jie explained, “including employee discounts for us and our families. My parents couldn’t be prouder, but they were enthused with what I’ve been learning here. Now, a college degree is almost overkill, deferring the steady progress I’m currently making as I wait for everyone to quit partying before I can advance!”

“So, how’re things on the home front?” Logan pressed. “How’s the new office? Is it up and running yet, and were there any difficulties, not having us by your side helping out?”

“Despite your absence, it went amazingly well. Or, because you were here, supervising things as they arose, I was able to dedicate the time to set everything up right. There were a few rough patches, but it’s only to be expected. The people in our new San Francisco office are off to a running start, impressing the hell out of everyone there. Even for how green they are, they took everything you’ve learned to heart, adding their own twist.

“Granted, they mostly focused on tracking down lost family members to reassure those surviving, but they had a few sketchy run-ins too.”

“That’s great,” Leslie said, “as it provides an excellent transition. Although Jie and Logan will be busy with college, we won’t be far behind.”

“What are you suggesting?”

“The work we’ve done here has given us enough university credits, Aiesha and I will graduate early, joining them mid-year. We only need to pick one school which suits us all—near enough to continue what we’re currently doing—and we’re set.”

“That’s wonderful,” Ioana said, grinning. “It’s delightful all the bribes I invested in your schools were worth the money. But seriously, this is deductible, as your social efforts are more of a recruitment tool than training in esoteric studies you’ll never use. More than anything, we need bright, intelligent youngsters, rather than their older, stuck-in-their-ways parents and grandparents. They’re the wave of the future, especially since our skills seem to assure most pod-members are exceptionally insightful.”

“So, when’s the next evaluation?” Aiesha asked.

“Given how successful the last two were, we’re still overwhelmed,” Ioana answered. “Frankly, as soon as I can staff an overseas office, I’d prefer some evaluations in either Europe or Asia. But instead of growing too fast, I’m thinking of a brief foreign-student enlistment drive. Say with an all-expenses paid summer break?”

“You’re kidding?”

“Again, it’s a valid business expense. If you can locate enough native students to come study here, we can use them to start native-born foreign offices. Even better, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to visit. Heck, Andrea and Antonio would love introducing you to multiple Vatican personnel, hoping to open even more doors than you already have.

“You can do a whirlwind tour of the other European nations, before hitting South Korea with Jie and conducting a similar swing through the Asian capitals. Though, I’d like some guarantees from the Chinese government, as I’d rather not losing you for saying the wrong thing at an inconvenient time. But, if I can arrange for a diplomatic exemption, we should be covered, even somewhere like Singapore.”

“That’s terrific!” Logan crowed.

“Don’t worry, you’ll be doing even more, but after putting in the work setting everything up, you can actually bring in more business by coasting a while. Though knowing you, you’ll continuing scaring up scads of attention, just by stumbling over the odd encounter. So, expect to stay at the better, older and more established hotels, as the entire trip will be underwritten by them.”

“Damn, I can’t believe how well this is coming together. When you first mentioned this wild scheme, I figured it was just a pipedream and feared you’d lose your shirt, but so far...”

“ ... It’s going tremendously, mostly because you keep pouring on the charm and winning everyone over. I was initially afraid we’d be fighting the more conservative voices everywhere, but you’ve deftly sidestepped those particular potholes. Even you, Logan, with all your discomfort talking to people, you’ve wrapped everybody around your finger. Rather than insulting people, you’ve endeared them, relating how you treat each case as unique, proving our team can handle the inevitable regional and international encounters.”

“Trust us,” Aiesha assured her, “it was no accident. We’ve been working with him, laying the groundwork about what he’s like, and how those people can better address their own Asperger’s employees. We’ve managed to turn a major career obstacle into a significant win for everyone involved.”

“Which is all the more reason to reward you for your accomplishments. I realize this wasn’t easy and doubt anyone else could’ve accomplished as much as you have. And given these trips will pay for themselves, I want you to treat these as educational opportunities. We’ll even hire local native translators—potential pod-mates all—to help ease the transition and convince any remaining doubters.”