Flight to Paradise Ch. 13

"I certainly hope so, sir. Talking with you and Ms. Dill, this sounds like an exciting opportunity."

"We think so," Mac says, smiling that Greg has no idea Ms. Dill is really Dana, the proprietary software. "Let me take you around and show you what we're going to be doing," he says standing up. "I guess we can start here. This is going to be the computer room. Access to this room will be very strictly limited because this is where the magic will happen. Once the computers are installed, most of the work will be controlled from this room, but as you know, we can only do so much with robots, no matter how good. What we need is someone to do the maintenance on the robots, and do the things the robots can't."

Mac takes Greg around the facility, showing him what's going where, staying out of the way of the workers as they move about. As they walk, Greg's eyes get wider and wider as he sees the very latest in robotic arms and hands being installed, or sitting on pallets awaiting installation. He asks intelligent questions, most of which Mac can't answer, and will have to defer to Everett or Dana.

"I have to say, Mac, you certainly have selected the best of everything," Greg says as they return to the computer room. "If you don't mind my asking, who wrote your software, the software that's going to drive all of this?"

"You understand you are under an NDA and can't talk about this to anyone, right?" Mac cautions.

"Yes sir, I understand. If it's a problem, I understand. I'm just curious."

Mac decides to trust the man. "Everett Dill."

"Professor Everett Dill, from the University of Oregon?" Greg gasps in awe. "He wrote the software?"

"He did. Do you know him?"

"I know of him. Everyone knows of him. He's probably the greatest mind in computers and robotics ever. He will certainly go down in history with Babbage, Hopper, and Von Neumann," Greg says. "When he left the University, is that when he started working on this? Nobody knew what he was working on, but there were rumors it was going to be revolutionary."

Mac is a little uncomfortable that Greg has so nearly guessed the complete picture, but to back off now would probably raise more questions, so he plows on. "Yes. He's developed some special software that we think is going to give us an advantage over other companies."

"Wow," Greg breathes. "I know this isn't what people are supposed to say, but I would really like this job, Mr. McMillan."

Mac smiles. He and Greg are going to get along just fine. "I guess I'll have to hire you then, if we can come to some agreement on salary. I'm prepared to offer $96,000 a year, plus medical, along with three weeks of vacation. There will also be profit sharing, if we ever make a profit," he adds as an afterthought.

Greg was hoping for a little more money, but $96k is about the going rate. On the other hand, to start out with three weeks' vacation and paid medical, that certainly sweetens the deal. And to perhaps work with Professor Pickle... that doesn't hurt to have on a resume. "I accept," he says extending his hand.

"Don't you want to think about it?" Mac asks with a smile, taking the offered hand.

"I just did," Greg says, his face split by a huge grin. "When do I start?"

"I don't know," Mac says with a chuckle. "Probably within four weeks, though that's subject to change depending on how fast we can get his place up and running. I would plan on at least four weeks."

"About my school..."

"I understand. We'll work with you on that. I'm afraid it's going to be tough on you at first. When we first start up, I expect a lot of problems and I need you here. But we can be flexible on the hours. Do you think you can handle a full-time job and college at the same time?"

"Yes sir!" Greg says with confidence. "I'm already working. And working here will be a lot more fun, not to mention better paying, than what I'm doing now. I can do it, no problem."

Mac fades out for a second as he updates the paperwork needed to extend an offer to Greg. "Here's our formal offer letter," he says, sending the information to Greg over the link. "It details the offer and duties you will be required to perform. If you'll fill them—" he pauses and begins to chuckle as the completed paperwork arrives over the ping "—out, and then sign and return them, we will be done," he says to complete this thought. He extends his hand, "Welcome aboard, Mr. Ryder."

"Thank you, sir," Greg says taking his hand. "I can't thank you enough for this opportunity."

"My pleasure, Greg. Listen, Everett will be flying down here in a couple of weeks into install computers and load the software. If he needs help, will you be available to come help him out for a few days, muscling hardware around, that sort of thing? I'll hire you as a contractor for the required hours at your regular salary."

"Yes sir!" Greg gushes. "I'd do it for free just for the chance to meet Professor Dill."

Mac chuckles again. "I don't think that will be necessary. I'll run it by Everett and Dana, and if they think they'll need your help, I'll let you know."

"Mac?" Greg says on impulse. "Dana Dill, your head researcher, is she related to Professor Dill?"

"Daughter," Mac says, having told this white lie so often he doesn't even give it a second thought.

"Will I have a chance to meet her too?"

"No, probably not," Mac says. "Dana is... shy. She prefers to keep to herself. But I'm sure you'll be speaking with her often enough."

"Okay. I was just wondering. I bet she's pretty amazing too."

"Yes she is," Mac says with a smile.

Charlie and Todd walk through the front door of the Immersion Playground offices. They're running a little late this morning and Kate is already at her desk, looking more like herself than she has in the past week. With a quick jerk of her head, Charlie indicates that Kate should follow her. "Did you talk to Mac last night?" Charlie asks as they turn into her office, Todd continuing down the hall his own.

"I did," Kate says, looking at the floor.

"And?"

"I nearly fucked it up, Charlie. He touched a sore spot and it pissed me off and I started yelling at him."

"Oh no," Charlie murmurs. She really thought they were going to make it.

"The thing is, he was right. He didn't say it to be mean, he was just pointing something out, something I probably needed to hear. Something I did need to hear."

"So, everything is okay now? Did you apologize to his mother also?"

"I think so. It's so hard to tell over a ping. But I think everything is okay. I hope so."

"And his mother?"

"She's nothing like I thought," Kate says sheepishly. "Even after I treated her so badly, she invited me to come to their house."

"In Hays?" Charlie asks, her eyes opening wide in surprise. "Are you going?"

"I don't know. I need to make sure Mac and I are okay first. But... I think I'd like too. Cynthia, Mac's mom, seems so warm and accepting. Not like my mom at all."

"All the best people are from Hays," Charlie says with a big grin.

Kate smiles, but then looks at Charlie as her smile fades. "Charlie, do you think I can make this right? Before, I never cared if I was wrong about something. But with Mac, and his family, I do. It's become important to me that I... live up to their expectations."

Charlie smiles. "I think the fact that you care is going to go a long way. You know what I think?"

"What?" Kate asks when Charlie doesn't continue.

"I think that for the first time, maybe ever, Katherine, Kate, Thompson, is in love," Charlie says with a big grin.

Kate can feel herself blushing furiously as she looks at her feet. "I don't know about that. Maybe." Charlie begins to giggle, unsuccessfully trying to stifle it before Kate can hear. "What?" Kate asks in mock annoyance.

"Nothing!" Charlie says holding her hands up, but at Kate's look continues. "The sheer fact you didn't vehemently deny it speaks volumes."

Kate can feel herself heating up even more, her blush burning her. "Okay, okay," she says, intentionally neither confirming nor denying the accusation. "But what do I do now? I want to show Mac he can trust me to not do this again. If I can not do this again," she adds bitterly.

"Kate, may I give you a piece of advice that I've used myself for years? Don't assume the worst. If someone says something to me that I can take two ways, I assume they didn't mean in the way that makes me mad or hurts my feelings. I believe that most people, if they want to hurt you, will make it clear enough that there won't be any doubt, and if you are wrong the first few times, so what? That makes you the bigger person, the one that doesn't take offense at every little slight. You should try it."

Kate sighs. "I know, but it's hard sometimes."

"I know, but guess what, it gets easier with practice," Charlie says with a wink.

Kate smiles. "I'll try, Charlie. I'll really try. You've been a good friend and you haven't steered me wrong yet, but what do I do now?"

"Go to him. Show him you care."

"He's in Dallas," Kate says dejectedly. Oh, how I want to feel Mac's embrace again.

"When does he get back?"

"He'll be back in San Francisco tonight, late, and then leaves Sunday morning to go to Eugene."

"How late?" Charlie asks. Kate can be so dense sometimes.

"I don't know. I think his flight arrives about midnight," Kate says as Charlie sits and stares at her, clearly waiting for her to put it all together. "I can leave right after work," Kate says, suddenly realizing what Charlie is driving at. "I can surprise him at the airport."

"You can leave right now," Charlie suggests.

Kate smiles, thankful to have a friend like Charlie. "No. After work is fine. I don't want too much time to think, to get the jitters. I can stop by home on the way, pick up a change of clothes, and still be there well before his flight arrives."

"Okay. Have it your way. But, so you know, Todd doesn't know it yet, but we're closing up shop a little early today. I'm beat."

Kate rises and moves to Charlie, bending low and hugging her like a sister. "Thank you, Charlie. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Me either," Charlie says with a smile.

"Have you thought about doing an advice column? You're really good at this."

Charlie begins to giggle. "Maybe I should. You're the second person to tell me that in as many months."