New beginnings… chapter nine

Lynn got to her townhouse, ran in, scurried around the house, took a shower, got dressed, ran out to her car and headed to work not wanting to be late and clocked in just a few minutes early.

"Whew, Lynn, just made it," Joe Berns said as he passed by in the hall. "Have car problems?" he laughed.

"Come on, Joe, you are just jealous I beat you with a fifty plus year old car last time out," Lynn laughed. "Beat by a woman AND a Corvair, so doubly embarrassed."

"Talk big, young lady, next time the tables will be turned. Have a good weekend? Work on that ancient chariot of yours?"

"No, never turned a wrench, looked after a sickie."

"What was it this time, a bird, seal, cat, or another evil looking 'possum?" Joe asked. "Just what you need, more sick, bandaged up animal pictures in your cube," Joe asked as they walked through the halls to the test department.

"Yeah, another animal. So what is on the agenda for today, Joe?"

"You're going to like this, the eggheads have once again tried to diddle with the O'Brien component and want to test their modification. They just don't learn- last time they did it did not end well and their modification dropped performance big time. Think they just don't like that he is smarter than they are….. but stupidly they keep proving he is by messing with his design. Eggheads, sometimes they be pretty brain dead. It will be pretty much the same test we ran when O'Brien was here last week so same-O, same-O as far as set up goes."

"Why is everyone fixated on this component? Gets boring working the same stuff over and over. There are a million stinkin' components on a rocket, the personnel carrying capsule, on and on, and everyone is fixated on the damned fuel booster," Lynn grumbled.

"Lynn, since when do you carp when given a chance to show the obnoxious know-it-all eggheads up? You and I told them back on the first design they were messing up- Richard had to go to the designer to prove it. They just don't learn, so let's prove it AGAIN. Too bad the designer won't be here today- his calculating that fast was something; his taking the lead sure made my day easier. Fun and games for the day- see you in the lab," Joe said as he peeled off to head for his office while Lynn continued to hers.

Entering her office she grabbed her small coffee makers pot to go get some water and got the coffee going. Sat down at her desk while the coffee maker on the shelf behind her gurgled away. She sat back looking at all the pictures hanging on the big corkboard on one office wall- filled with numerous sick, bandaged animals- 'possum, cats, birds, people, a partially plucked cockatoo on the shoulder of a man whose arm was in a sling. There were numerous pictures of Corvairs, a couple Porsche, and in the center a picture of a yellow Devin-C, race day track shots, office parties, award ceremonies from the past five years working at Elias Enterprises.

The coffee maker quit gurgling so she poured herself a cup and headed to Joe's office to get the needed data for setting up the days test for the eggheads.

Two hours before quitting time, Joe popped into Lynn's office while she was tapping away on her computer. She glanced up from the screen to see his big ear to ear grin as he fell into one of the chairs in front of her desk.

"You keeping the report wording nice and mannerly or just coming out and calling them morons? So funny! Didn't even get to the 7.34% O'Brien started with much less make it close to his attained 8%... so damned funny. Maybe the eggheads will leave his designs alone from now on. One of the guys upstairs said Richard is trying hard to get O'Brien on board but for some reason he resists. Might be a good idea to have him come in and look over the entire fuel delivery system- think I will suggest it to Richard. Wouldn't THAT just torque the eggheads."

"Yes, Joe, keeping the wording nice and mannerly- that is why you have ME write the reports rather than you….. you write them you would no longer be employed. However, I am putting a couple of the data points in bold to stand out. But, yes, it is funny- think they have a competition between them to see which proves O'Brien wrong? Wonder what their stakes are. But, this happens often enough- wasting time retesting over and over- and getting worse results, Richard may get them focused on something other than O'Brien designs…. or slash their Christmas bonus."

"Well, have you heard when the next company race day is? Want to get my REAL Porsche ready 'cause I hear some FAKE American Porsche wanna' be may show up."

"Yeah, and kick your butt AGAIN," Lynn laughed. "You're just jealous I can beat your expensive imported German foo-foo car with my ancient American I can still get parts for in junk yards. I gotta' get this report done and sent before quitting time so shuffle on back to your office and read it when it comes out hot off the presses. See you tomorrow."

Joe cruised on out whistling the horse racing post time tune as he went down the hall. Lynn continued typing her report on the days test results, smiling as she hit send.

Well, another day down, so she turned to shut down the coffee maker on the shelf behind her to turn around and see Richard at the door.

"Whoa, you startled me."

Richard sat in one of the chairs, "I went to pick up Walter at the clinic last week, but was told you already had. Then I got a call from Stony at the data facility that the two of you took care of the security issue there but that Walter was looking none too good. He have anyone to stay with him, how is his recovery doing?"

"Yeah, he found the Corvair interesting, and you know me and what a sucker I am with the sick and wounded," she said waved at the pictures on the corkboard. "Stayed in the garage, he won't take pain meds, got him to the data center as he insisted, but I got booted out when we returned from there, so he is on his own. While I was there some chick came by and said his team was totally dispersed and the guy that assaulted him had been picked up and was under psych eval. So he should be OK, but I won't be checking on him, like I said, booted out."

"I must admit, he definitely is a difficult individual, has been since I met him," Richard said. "But so very valuable. I may have the clinic send over a nurse to check on him. But, thanks for trying to help."

"When you planning another race day? Joe is really chomping at the bit for a rematch, glutton for punishment that he is. I admit, I do get a sinful pleasure beating his German engineering with my old American."

"That is a good idea, maybe in a month or two. So how did todays test go?"

"Well, to be politic, the design needs work, to be blunt was a waste of time. I sent the report out about twenty minutes ago. What is it with O'Brien and the think tank guru's? To be honest, is O'Brien even aware he is in competition with them?"

"To be honest, I don't know what their problem is with O'Brien, maybe I will spend some time finding out what their deal is. Should be interesting. Have a good night, Lynn…. you doing OK?"

"Yup, you know me, always good. You have a good night Richard."

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After Lynn left, Walter decided to stay downstairs- sleeping on the sofa was good enough once he got his medicines and a pile of clothes dropped over the side and stashed in the bathroom in the back bay. The ribs were feeling a lot better as the chest wrap closed with Velcro so easy to take off and put on after a shower, but the head wrapping came to an end the first time he tried it himself, but dabbing hydrogen peroxide on the stitches seemed to work just fine, and the cuts on his shoulder were healing OK though one itched a lot so might have split but he could not see it. He will have a couple scars to remember Sylvester by, the scars from the others hurt more even though not visible.

The police had come by to let him know Sylvester would not be going to trial- his psych evaluation was not good so he would be residing at Patton state hospital for some time. Walter informed them of Sylvester's probability and mathematical abilities and told them to relay that information to the doctors as it might help in his 'recovery'.

So Paige was back east with Drew. He hoped they resolved their differences and got Ralph in university, at the least the three of them became a true, happy family. He just wondered how it was that being with Drew was preferable to being with him- he never would have abandoned his child like Drew had- twice. He never would have 'spent time with a blonde in Tahoe'… or why attending a public lecture was equated to spending time with a blond in Tahoe.

While in the downstairs bathroom applying hydrogen peroxide to his scalp looking in the mirror periodically he would stop to look at himself trying to figure out what was wrong with him. The biggest problem Walter had but just could not with all his IQ, quantitative, rational thought processes and abilities figure out was WHY he was apparently so toxic to others. Inside his own head he thought of himself as reasonably decent looking, articulate, certainly truthful, nonviolent person… what was the big flaw that was obviously so glaring everyone saw but he was oblivious to. What was so wrong with Walter that a woman would rather be with a man that had not only abandoned her but their child as well. Every time he got to this point all the things Paige had said that night came flooding back and he had to shut his mind to it and spend an hour or two at the whiteboard doing theoretical math.

Walter came to the conclusion each time he had these bouts of self-reflection that it would have to remain one of the many great mysteries of life….. then went on with his day.

Walter was sitting at his desk coding a security program for a small business when there was a knock at the garage door. He switched to the security feed to see an unknown woman with a case in hand standing at the door. He answered it to be told Elias clinic had sent her to examine his injuries as he had not returned to the clinic for check-ups.

"I am Nurse Hopkins, Mr. O'Brien," she said entering and putting her case down. "Here are my credentials and Elias Enterprises medical clinic badge. We generally expect patients who were kept 24 hours at the clinic to come in for regular check-ups until the attending physician is satisfied of full recovery. You have not been in for evaluation for over a week so I was sent to make an evaluation of your condition. Would you mind giving me fifteen minutes of your time to check you over?"

"I do not recall being told to go in for check-ups when I was discharged, but very well. What do you want me to do?"

"Nothing more than for you to sit in a chair so I can take vitals, blood pressure, temperature, a general over view of physical condition, then inspect the injuries you were treated for. Per my chart they were broken ribs, numerous cuts to shoulders, upper back and scalp," she explained. "If you could remove your shirt, sit down this should not take long at all. The rib rap is helping your movement, keeping the discomfort manageable?"

"Yes, manageable so moving OK." Walter said as he pulled one of the kitchen table chairs out to the open common area, pulled his t-shirt over his head and sat down facing the back of the chair so the nurse would have easy access to the healing cuts on his back and shoulders. She opened her case and put the blood pressure band on his arm and pumped it up. She had him hold the tablet she was entering information on. She put on disposable examination gloves and parted his hair to inspect the suture sites. "These on your scalp are healing well," she said. "Dr. Peters does good work and the sutures used will be removed probably in another week- so you will need to make an appointment and come in. Were you aware this cut on your left shoulder was broken open so you should have come in to have it reclosed- now, this far along the healing process it will leave a bigger scar. You have been taking the antibiotics sent home with you?"

"Yes."

"Good, the full prescription needs to be taken though it looks like everything is closing up well so less chance of infection. You have been applying hydrogen peroxide on these scalp cuts regularly since you have not been covering them, right?"

"Yes."

"Thank you for your time Mr. O'Brien. I will give this report to Dr. Wilson, he was your attending physician when you were brought into the clinic. You can call or get on the clinic website to make an appointment for the stitches to be removed and the final check-up to close out your file." She put her tablet in her case, removed her gloves and dropped them in a trashcan by the desk. "Have a pleasant day," she said heading to the door.

"Thank you." Walter said as she left. Wow, he thought, as big a whirlwind as Joe Berns, and returned to his desk to finish up the security program.

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The following morning Walter came downstairs to start coffee and went to his desk to check mail on the laptop to find an Elias Enterprise Newsletter- everything you ever wanted to know about the company and its employees, so he sat back to read it while drinking his coffee. There were articles on scholarships that were given to deserving students around the LA area….. most appeared to be geared toward the 'hard sciences'.

**no underwater basket weavers getting scholarships Walter thought and smiled**

Numerous articles on the assorted organizations the employees had formed, amateur rocketry and when the next get together for launches was scheduled.

** Walter thought- that might be interesting- wonder if any are like Megan's rocket I launched**

Various automotive clubs from Salt Flat and China Lake speed runs, car shows for classics, road racing at the local tracks,

** With a smirk Walter thought wonder if my street racing would count**

Organized engine rebuilding sessions. Organizations for tutoring promising area students,

** Pensively Walter wondered if any are of Ralph's intellect**

Musical concerts or shows at local venues. Baseball teams representing different sectors of the enterprise.

** Baseball- ugh**

There were a number of pictures- among them he recognized Joe Berns with a Porsche, Lynn with her Corvair, and Richard with one of his Ferrari. Lots of pictures of lots of employees having a good time outside the workplace.

He got the new mail alert and saw a message from Richard"

Walter- tomorrow there is a conference the space think tank group are having- like to sit in with me? You may find it interesting to see the direction the enterprise is heading- might even have a couple suggestions, or design ideas. Richard

Walter sat back after reading the message thinking you have to give Richard credit for perseverance….. but he did know how to pique the interest….. and certainly could make money from the ideas of others…. and he sure knew how to 'read' people, and apparently he has read me well….

Walter sat up and hit reply:

Richard- give time and place- happy to sit in. Walter

Well, looks like tomorrow is going to be an interesting day.

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Walter drove to the Elias Enterprises main headquarters to meet Richard to attend the, as Richard put it, 'eggheads gathering'. There would be a talk given and questions answered, and general discussion on how the space program was proceeding.

"You should find this interesting, Walter." Richard said walking with Walter to get coffee at the cafeteria then on to the conference.

"I am sure I will. Enjoy the theoretical groundwork needed to initiate design before actual nuts and bolts fabrication and assembly. Especially enjoy the theoretical mathematics- that is the base the rest is built on," Walter agreed.

"Yeah, I enjoy the ideas, but to be honest, my math never got to that level. Maybe had I remained in the field, but got into business and =poof= off and running into other things. Delving into pure theory is probably fun for people of your mind set, Walter, but my real proficiency seems to be keeping a pot full of people employed to, in time and with luck, get people off this planet and on others." Richard chuckled, "That's the idea, anyway."

"Were it not for people with eyes on the future, we never would have gotten to the moon and the rovers cruising Mars." Walter said. "It is unfortunate NASA, the European Space Agency seem so lackadaisical in their endeavors the past decade or so. There was such a national drive back in the day, especially here in the US…. the 'space race' moved science by leaps and bounds in a relatively short period of time, but has stagnated since. Private enterprise like you and Space X have picked up the pace, fortunately. The best and brightest flock to the private industries looking to the future, so it is a good thing you went =poof= off and running into other things as you say."

Entering the cafeteria they went to the coffee bar, poured large cups and headed out to join the people flowing to the auditorium.

"If you don't mind, Walter, I tend to wait until the lights are dimmed and stand in the back- less chance of being noticed as people do, like it or not, act differently when I am present. Nature of the beast, but I am realistic. You can head on in, you might see Joe or Lynn or others you recognize and enjoy the conference and we can meet up and discuss it afterward. Matter of fact, there is Joe and Lynn right there- the left side seats along the wall- third row back- go join them and I will see you after," and Richard headed down the hall.

Walter stood a moment then walked in and went down the aisle toward the seats where Joe and Lynn were. "Joe, Lynn, nice to see you, mind if I join you? Richard invited me to attend then took off."

"Hey, O'Brien, nice to see you," Joe said. "You know Lynn, this is Ben Knupp, Sue Vaughn, and Tim Hamlin the rest of the test crew that worked your unit. You should have stuck around for the 'good test results' pizza Richard sent down."

"Yeah, no pizza last test," Ben said.

"Come on, Ben, have to be decent results to get pizza," Sue said. "All the eggheads do is lay eggs." The rest of the crew chuckled at that quip.

"Sue, shame, control yourself, gotta' show some respect," Joe injected with a grin. "Time to sit, shuffle down a bit you guys so we can get O'Brien on the end, here."

Everyone sat and the egghead crew, properly referred to the 'Research Group' came out to sit at the long table on the stage with the screen behind them showing the Elias Enterprises headquarters building. The lights lowered as those attending were seated- only about a third of the seats of the auditorium. Walter, sitting on the end seat with Joe to his right, leaned over and whispered to Joe, "why are there so many empty seats?"

Joe whispered back, "most are in other departments, have actual work to do, don't want to listen to the 'eggheads', or don't understand their jargon… not everyone is a scientist or engineer at this complex so have no reason to be here."

"Interesting," Walter said, and sat back to listen to the talk….. looking at the group who had walked on stage to sit at the table, he smiled…. ahhh, some of the VOR collective. Interesting, indeed.

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