Page 137 - Just Deserts

Telepax

representative for Transglobal Technologies. Here’s my card; I work
out of the Fresno office—or, at least I will, once the carpet in the
executive washroom is finished. Ha-ha. But, seriously, my secretary
always knows where to find me: that phone number is up-to-date.
Well, thanks for making the trip out here today. Perhaps you’d like
some refreshments before we see the demonstration of Telepax? Step
right this way for a tall cool one.”
They entered the welcome relief of a shaded interior. The chief
removed his sunglasses and blinked. A smiling hostess in a mini-skirt
handed him a glass of chilled orange juice with a shot of vodka.
“Thanks, ma’am.”
His thoughts briefly strayed to bygone conventions in Las Vegas
hotels, but he quickly squelched the memories: he had important
business to transact here, and he had to be back in the city in time to
clean up and change into his dress uniform for a testimonial dinner
on the Westside.
Skinner, perhaps sensing his mood, took Drubble’s glass as soon
as it was drained and directed the chief’s attention to the other side of
the shed. “Enjoy your drink? Winnie tends bar at many of our TTI
functions, and she really knows how to shake up a martini. Ha-ha!
Well, as promised, you will be the first to get a crack at Telepax. We
need a beta test site, and your department fits the profile: high rate of
arrests for violent crimes, and a correspondingly high incidence of
police brutality charges. We know those statistics are related, but a
certain segment of the public doesn’t appreciate the risks your
patrolmen run out there in the ghettoes and barrios. When Telepax
goes national next year, many police departments around the country
are going to look at the settlements they are paying, in and out of
courts, to the so-called victims of brutality, and the cost effectiveness
is going to be evident. For you, of course, as a test site, we will
provide free training and a generous discount on the hardware.”
During this monologue Skinner had skillfully maneuvered his
guests to an exhibition-style booth with a brochure-covered table and
a droning videotape monitor. “Most of this material is not for public
consumption yet, but you can take a look at it after the
demonstration. Just keep in mind that TTI has already logged
hundreds of hours of testing, and that we are prepared to give you
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