Page 8 - Psychoceramics and the Test of Fire

Prologue

group of investors. Further, you are a quick study, know how to
dress, have a university education and have dealt with complex
technical issues. In short, Mr. Baker, you can walk the walk and talk
the talk better than anyone else who applied; as to how many there
were, let us simply agree that this metropolis abounds in job-seekers
of roughly the same characteristics and eagerness to respond to help-
wanted notices.”
That topic seemed closed: who would argue with the assurance
that he was a very special person, even though it was determined by a
computer coughing up a scatter diagram? But something else
bothered me: the no-free-lunch, too-good-to-be-true aspect of the
deal.
“All right, sir, I can take that as given. But why the exalted
salary?—contract terms, excuse me! I cannot help wondering if this
job entails some personal risk or other downside not mentioned.”
Magnus smiled. “Ah, I see. No, I am not the devil seeking your
soul in exchange for fleeting fame or riches. I admit there might be
more danger than is faced by a counter-girl handing out free samples
of ice cream. But you will have something your clients badly want,
and if you are able to convince them of your bona fides and
respectful interest in their ideas then they should be eating out of
your hand—not biting it. All they need is an opportunity. Once you
have given them the means to pursue their goal, you will disappear.
Your temporary identity will vanish, the organization contracting
your services will pay you and dissolve immediately, and you will have
no liability for whatever happens next. No chance to profit from or
be blamed for those sequelae: just pack it in, relax for a while and
move on to the next assignment. One final condition: you may not
communicate, by spoken or written word, anything about our
arrangement or your activities, until I have deceased. Now tell me, sir:
are you game?”
I took a deep breath. Did he also know that I had a tendency to
take chances, a trait as often as not landing me in trouble?
“On the condition, as stated, that I might terminate our
association at any time after the first contract, I accept.”
Al Magnus beamed with pleasure. We shook hands and clinked
glasses.
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