This is the end… part 9
Saturday morning Walter was up early, dressed and started the coffee in the downstairs kitchen. With cup in hand he was putting the first stage of the Reinler math on the whiteboard in anticipation of Ralph's arrival. Unlike the weekends spent in DC explaining the solution to those either uninterested or unable to grasp the math, Walter was looking forward to working through the solution with Ralph. Walter thought, if he was very lucky (were there such a thing), Ralph might use Walter's work in his own pursuits as a stepping stone to further scientific boundaries. Thanks to youngsters like Ralph, these were exciting times. Thinking of Ralph's possible future endeavors, the strain around his eyes smoothed and his lips unconsciously curved into a slight smile.
Shortly after ten, while getting more coffee he heard a car pull in, a moment later the door banged open. "Walter!" Ralph yelled.
"Hey, buddy! Good to see you. Hope you are ready to get into some deep math- fun times, my boy! Get a couple bottles of water from the fridge and let's get started…
By Saturday evening after dark, Walter and Ralph sat at the picnic table on the roof enjoying the pizza delivered a time short earlier. "You made me feel like a 'normal' today, Walter" Ralph commented in the companionable silence.
"A very smart 'normal', a genius, even," Walter replied looking at the boy. "You have to keep in mind I am thirty-four years old with decades of experience, an exhaustive amount of reading, research, collaborative correspondence, and lab work to come up with my conclusions. By the time we came up here for a dinner break you fully grasped the math entirely- one day, while those who made up the panel needed almost two weeks, and they had to consult with others before making their decision." Walter chuckled. "When you get to my age, you will have far out-stripped my efforts in making progress in scientific advancements."
"Well, you sure left everyone in the dust with this solution, Walter. Plus it may very well impact the black hole theory mechanics. While I was reading up on black hole theory, where everyone says they do nothing but gobble everything up, there is the theory they EMIT and over time will actually lessen and fade. There is a lot of confusion on the subject so lots of room for theories to be tested," Ralph said.
"You will have some very interesting and exciting fields of inquiry when you are fully prepared with the foundations you will attain after you get into university full time. I have those foundations. It is said every new discovery is made due to the discoveries of the past. Look at the first internal combustion engine compared to the Ferrari, and this one isn't even the newest version. Have no worry about your ability, I am sure you will certainly make a mark in whatever field you choose to explore," Walter said with assurance.
Sunday afternoon Walter and Ralph were engaged in their Proton Arnold competition. So wrapped up in playing the noisy console neither were aware of the time and did not hear Toby pull up in Happy's truck until there was a knocking at the door which brought the fun to an abrupt end. Walter opened the door while Ralph gathered his backpack.
"Hey Toby," Walter said. "Was not keeping track of the time and kinda' got carried away."
"Walter" Toby said with a nod. "You still high score holder or has Ralph finally overtaken you? We get a run down, play by play every Sunday night."
"No, still have my place, but I don't think it will be long before he knocks me down to second place," Walter replied. "Just a matter of time as with all records."
Ralph came to the door, "Bye, Walter."
"See you, Buddy. Drive safe, Toby," Walter said as they turned to the truck. Walter continued to stand and watch until the truck made the turn at the corner.
Walter went back in the garage, got a bottle of water and climbed to the roof to break down the telescope and bring it inside. He took a drink then went to lean on the wall and looked over the city as the sun set. After a few minutes he stood, gathered up the telescope and went inside. Silently he went around the garage shutting equipment down, erased the whiteboard, put things away. Opened the rollup door to pull the Ferrari out to the front door, closed the rollup, locked everything up and set the security system. He got in the car and left for the house then decided to stop at the beach. On a Sunday evening, not many were walking the beach, just sea gulls swooping around and sand pipers dashing along the water's edge. As he sat watching the waves and birds time passed and eventually the cool ocean breeze gave him a chill so he got in the car to head to the house. Mind wandering, he took the 'long way home' via a leisure drive around the city. Was close to four-thirty when he pulled the car into the garage at the house. Peaches and Rex there to greet him. Closing the garage door he entered the house by the kitchen door with Rex behind him. He dropped his laptop on the kitchen counter on his way to the bedroom, stripped down to his boxers and stretched out on the bed to stare at the ceiling to eventually doze off while Rex curled up on the chair.
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Walter let Nick Gilman's secretary know he was there for his ten o'clock appointment and sat down to wait. Within minutes Nick opened his office door. "Walter, come on in. Nice to see you again…. have a seat."
"We have a lot to discuss and Richard said to remind you to stop in his office when we finish up. Have you given any thought to your financial planning? The Reinler prize funds are being held awaiting transfer on your decision on where it should go."
"Yes, I have given some thought so need some advice on how to proceed. I have some people I want to set up funds for their use, a college fund for a promising young man, and my parents for example. I have absolutely no idea on how to process these issues, especially since my parents are in Ireland. All others are within the US."
"Just give directions, names, Social Security numbers and any other contact information and funds can be set up. The international funding may take longer as more than likely an attorney in Ireland may be necessary to coordinate. You won't be leaving yourself penniless, I hope, you do have your future to think of."
"No, not hardly. So I will need an account for liquidity- pay off the garage, do some needed repairs and day to day expenses. When I see Richard later we are to discuss my continuing contract work with him which should leave the rest of the prize funds open for investments. Richard has been a great help to me and I will more than likely continue working contract with him though I am seriously considering the rest of my time being devoted to pure theoretical mathematics. I enjoy the speed of computers and whiteboard math work which can be exhilarating, but does not take a lot of money to pursue."
"I can draw up the list of people, their contact information and any other information you deem necessary and send it to you via e-mail. All totaled will probably be less than half the prize funds. Once you have all the proper paperwork drawn up, just tell me where to sign and good to go. If you can deal with Richards billions, with his recommendation I am sure my paltry funds will be safe in your hands."
"Will you be informing these people of your gifts so I can coordinate the timing?" Nick inquired.
"No, being under contract with Richard I may be out of the country at any of his international concerns as I was a few weeks ago. Should Richard's business needs keep me overseas I may take up residence in Europe. However, that is total speculation at this point," Walter said. "I will have a better idea going forward after seeing Richard later."
"Walter, it will be a pleasure doing business with you. When you send your instructions and the relevant information I will get on the paperwork immediately. I will call Richard and let him know you are on your way. His office is directly above. Elevator is just down the hall." He rose from his desk, leaned over to shake Walter's hand and said "Have a pleasant afternoon."
"Toni, nice to see you again, especially as it isn't as tense a setting as was DC." Walter said stopping before Toni's reception desk. "Richard should be expecting me."
"Walter, so nice to see you! And yes, this is a MUCH more pleasant setting. Let me buzz Richard- he is on a teleconference call with Japan but should be finishing up so go right in."
"Walter! Good to see you," Richard said shutting off the computer conference call getting up from his desk. "Have you eaten yet? Seems like every time I see you I am pushing food on you… you could use a bit more meat on you, though- still looking a bit thin. So, is Nick getting you all financially secure? He is a good man."
"Yes, everything is looking good. He is opening accounts as needed and working on the transfer of funds and =poof= I'm rich. Don't feel any different, though. You said you wanted me to come to discuss my contract work- have any particular job that needs my expertise?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact. Remember my banking that was not up to snuff when those nutcases took over the trade fair? My people cobbled something together but it is shaky at best. I want you to perfect it. With the work you did in Australia, I need that kind of system here. I have been keeping in touch with Cindy Rutledge, remember her in Sydney? She said her test people have a pot they keep putting into for the first person who breaks your firewall and manages to hack your program. She says they are some exceptionally bright techies yet not one has taken the pot, yet. That is what I need here. Seems your computer work is not only exceptionally flawless but, according to her head tester, it is 'elegant'. I gather that is quite the compliment. I need flawless elegance for my financial concern here in the US."
"Sounds like a fun bit of coding, to be honest," Walter said smiling at the prospect.
"You must be joking!" Richard retorted.
"No, not a joke. You relax your way; I relax my way. I relax writing code. Keeps my mind focused and the rest of the world just fades away. Very relaxing."
"You want to take that on, you will be even richer when it launches," Richard said. "I will inform my people and they will gather together all the particulars and different aspects needed. That will take some time, so you up to a little competition on the track?" Richard asked with a smirk. "I have my mechanic checking over and dialing in the yellow Ferrari and setting up the use of the track for Wednesday. You think you are up to it?"
"You are on, Richard. That gives me time to do a bit of 'dialing in', myself. Should be fun as racing is meditative." Walter said.
"Relaxing coding and meditative high speed racing, you are decidedly different, Walter." Richard said.
"Probably should not have admitted to that or you might start charging me to work for you," Walter chuckled.
With a laugh, Richard said "I will keep that in mind for future. So, how you want to set this competition up? Head to head or timed lap and highest average speed individually?
"Think the individual runs for the first outing- gives a chance to observe driving style before going head to head. Send me the time to meet and I will be there. See you then" Walter said and left.
Early Tuesday morning Walter opened the garage door and popped the hood of the Ferrari. Time for a tune up, fluid checks and general maintenance. Was not long before Adam came out to see what he was doing.
"Have a race date on the track with Richard tomorrow. I'm running this, his blue Ferrari against him in his yellow Ferrari. Road racing at its finest. He is having his mechanic get his ready so I am checking this one over." Walter explained wiping his hands on a shop rag.
"If you want, we can put 'er on my trailer and all pile into the truck to get to the track. Sounds like fun and track side audience makes it even better. Bet Sue would have a blast- she prefers drags, but as long as it is engine noise she is happy, so care for some company? Besides, bet Richard is going to have a cheering section- he always does when he has the 'need for speed'."
"Sure, sounds like a day at the races for everyone." Walter said then got back to checking the engine.
Wednesday at 10:30 everyone was meeting at the track gate. Adam, Sue and Walter in Adam's dually pulling the trailer with the blue Ferrari. Richard in his mechanics truck pulling a trailer with his yellow Ferrari. There was also a number of other cars being towed as well as motorcycles.
"Told you Richard would have a cheering section." Adam said. "Bet he announced the track would be open and any employee who wanted to do a lap was welcome. He does like to keep his employees happy. You better be ready."
The gate was then opened and everyone drove in, some to the pit area, some just to park and watch from trackside.
Adam parked next to Richards rig, got out and put the ramps to roll the blue Ferrari off the trailer. When the two cars were sitting next to each other, numerous people came by to snap pictures. A few motorcycles went out to do some laps while the cars were being readied.
"Well, Walter, all set? Helmet on, ready to go? How about a coin flip to see who runs first?"
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