Core Beliefs - Chapter 15 - First Contact

Core Beliefs – Chapter 15 - First contact

Matt was amazed at how much was happening. Eldridge had cut a hole in the plywood going to the silo, attached the exhaust air duct, and started sucking the bad air out.

Chris continued interviewing for his replacement at Cor-Digital.

Charlotte made sure all the paperwork for the purchase of the Big House was being processed and made the lease arrangements for the Elsberry house.

On Monday morning, Matt checked his email and realized he had a meeting with Marcus Corush and Dr. Ling Woo Chang scheduled for Wednesday to discuss the neurology project.

“Oh, my!” Excitement surged through Matt. “Need to make some things happen. So much to do!”

He needed to complete the interview with Clarence Chambers and called Lucy to set up an interview ASAP.

He also received an email from Dr. Kumar advising that he was planning to come to the USA in February and would like to meet if possible. Matt’s deep internal voice whispered that this was a good thing. He remembered Chris’s concerns about being able to pursue the science around The Event. He called Chris.

“Chris, do you still feel that we need more expertise on the physics of the event?”

“Absolutely, yes,” Chris said.

“I have a lead on someone,” Matt said. “Kind of a good vibe about this gentleman. He’s the man I had Charlotte research.”

“Matt, I totally trust you on this,” Chris said. “If we want to do this right, we need the right people.”

Chris’s comment only confirmed the thoughts that had been rolling around in Matt’s head.

“How are things with Charlotte and the house?” Matt asked.

“She’s obsessed,” Chris chuckled, “and completely focused on getting everything scheduled. She even has a Gantt chart posted on the refrigerator.”

Matt chuckled, “I wish you well, but from everything I’ve seen, it’s probably best to let her do her thing.”

Lucy called Matt back in the afternoon and said they could interview Clarence Chambers at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday. Matt said he would be in his office in the morning and asked Lucy to contact Marcus Corush and see if he could attend.

On Tuesday, Matt and Marcus met with Clarence. Following an hour of discussion, an offer was made, and Clarence accepted. Matt asked if Clarence could attend the meeting with Dr. Chang on Wednesday, and Clarence said he could.

Wednesday arrived. Matt’s energy levels had been high all week, and Matt was up early, filled with excitement. He truly was looking forward to meeting Dr. Chang.

A little before 8:00, Matt walked into the office, surprising Lucy. It only took minutes to clear desk of the few things that needed his attention, then opened the proposal Marcus had prepared.

The document was mostly conceptual because this was uncharted territory, but that was what Matt found exciting. He considered the potential healing benefits that could arise from this technology.

Marcus had done a wonderful job, and Matt knew that Dr. Chang would be impressed, if not totally blown off her feet.

His anticipation was making him fidgety. Finally finishing the document, he headed out into the plant.

Matt spent the rest of the morning on the plant floor. He couldn’t get the smile off his face. Several improvements along the production lines had him amped.

“It looks like Arty and Luan have put some of their ideas into action.” And from what Matt could see, it was all good.

At 11:30, Matt left Lasticorp and headed for Inter-mol. The urgency bubbling within had him thumping on his steering wheel the entire drive. Beating out rhythms to music pulsing in his blood more than his head.

Matt was determined to arrive well in advance of the meeting and ensure everything was in order. It was. Good vibes filled the space. Matt sat in the conference room with Clarence Chambers and Melissa Kyle, chatting about the project. They seemed as pumped as Matt was.

Marcus had picked Dr. Chang up from the airport, stopped for lunch on their way, and arrived right on time.

Dr. Chang stepped into the room. Matt was struck by the way she carried herself. The woman was attractive and younger than he had expected, probably in her early forties.

Matt realized she was only part Chinese. Her features and hair color were as much Anglo as Oriental. Almost five feet seven inches, with dark brown hair sporting blond highlights pulled into a ponytail. Her thin and obviously fit body drew Matt’s eyes too many times. Her skin looked tanned, but Matt realized the coloration was her natural skin tone.

Her face was pleasingly angular, with firm cheekbones and beautiful eyes that, for a moment, caused Matt to stare.

However, it was her demeanor and self-assurance that struck Matt the most. He found himself entranced.

After introductions, Matt sat quietly as Marcus presented a detailed overview of the project’s concept and scope, his eyes often tracking to Dr. Chang to read her expression.

Matt listened as both Melissa and Clarence added relevant points.

After almost an hour, the presentation concluded, and it was time for Dr. Chang to ask questions and make observations.

The Dr. was both sharp and prepared. She asked how they had conceived this approach, where they thought they might find the missing technologies, and what kind of timetable was reasonable to expect.

Marcus fielded the questions and answered them accurately and honestly, even if the answer was that he didn’t know. The Q&A session lasted about thirty minutes, and Matt continued to sit, taking pleasure in the intellectual engagement.

He realized that part of the satisfaction he derived from each of the companies came from moments like this, where wheels were set in motion that would make it easier for people to get the help they needed.

Matt was lost in thought when Dr. Chang asked, “What are your thoughts, Mr. Lehman?”

Her words had startled him from his musings, and he was sure she had noticed his dazed expression.

“I was picturing people getting treatment and help that had never before been available,” Matt said. “This is more than a research project for Wheatley University or a product for us. This technology has the potential to change how we not only study the brain and its functions but also how we treat illness, both physical and mental.”

Matt gazed into her eyes and those of the others in the room,

“You people are the scientists. You put your heart and soul into creating technology and knowledge that make life better. I am a dreamer and get to come along for the ride.”

Further discussion ensued before the meeting concluded. Dr. Chang said she would rewrite the specification based on what she had heard today. She would want to correspond with Marcus as the contact person and was extremely excited about the new concepts, wanting to discuss them with her colleagues.

Marcus asked if they would honor a confidentiality agreement that prohibited them from sharing information with other technology providers.

Matt wondered if Marcus had thrown a wrench into the mix, but Dr. Chang said they would honor those terms.

“Dr. Chang, what’s your schedule for the rest of the day?” Matt asked.

“My flight leaves at 8:00.” She replied.

“Would you like to tour a couple of our facilities?” Matt asked.

“I would very much.” She replied, a genuine smile directed his way.

Marcus asked if he might have a few moments to go over timetables, and Matt and the others excused themselves. About ten minutes later, Marcus escorted Dr. Chang to the lobby, where Matt waited.

“Let’s start here with the Inter-Mol labs?” Matt said.

Dr. Chang was fascinated by the microbiology research. She was particularly interested in the project to grow tissue.

“Who commissioned this project?” she asked.

“I got the idea after seeing a story on burn victims. We’ve been working on it for a little over a year. The team has made good progress, but we still need better results before trying for real applications.”

“Not many businesspeople would make this kind of investment based solely on an emotional response to a story,” she said.

“If only one person gets helped by it, then it will have been worth it.” He smiled and pointed her down a hallway to the production area. Dr. Chang watched the manufacture of various sensors used in medical equipment.

“These are all used in relationship with biological analysis,” Matt said, “and many go to other companies who incorporate them in their products.”

They left Inter-Mol and drove to Cor-Digital because it was closer to the airport, and he wanted to make sure she didn’t miss her flight.

Matt showed her the labs and explained some of the R&D taking place. As he approached Lab Seven, he stopped and wondered if it really had been cleared of the materials from “the event.”

Had the hole been fixed, was it safe to show it to someone else?

Just then, a research assistant came out and greeted them. He invited them in and showed them a new robotic micro laser they had been working on. It could provide constant feedback, allowing a surgeon to operate without visual aid and know exactly their location on a monitor with a three-dimensional grid, down to the micrometer.

“We’re going to be able to go into the heart of a tumor,” the assistant said, “and eradicate it with an insertion point no larger than a needlepoint.”

“Matthew,” she stared at him, “I work at one of the finest research universities in the world. We have some of the very best minds and facilities available, and yet I see you are far ahead in applying theories to reality. What we could learn from you would be invaluable.”

Matt gazed at her, mesmerized that she had called him by his first name. It seemed so natural coming from her.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “You dazzled me, and I don’t quite know how to reply.” Matt hustled to recover. “I think the best way to look at it is we start with an objective and not an abstract. We likewise have great minds here and give them the freedom to screw up and, most of all, to think out of the box.”

Matt chuckled, “In fact, I tell them there is no box, and if I see them in one, I’ll kick their ass.”

Dr. Chang laughed. It made something inside of Matt feel lighter and happier. They continued the tour. Matt told her that he had hired Clarence specifically for her project, and one of these labs would be refitted to meet his needs.

She gazed at him. “Marcus told me that you often portrayed yourself as less knowledgeable than others. He cautioned me not to be taken by the guise. I think his words were, ‘Mr. Lehman is able to recognize possibilities before we know a need exists. His mind often grasps concepts that surpass our understanding. He is a genius, even if he does not recognize it himself.’”

Matt was turning beet red, deeply embarrassed, but the way Dr. Chang had said it flattered and humbled him at the same time.

He gazed into her face, lost in her eyes, and could only manage to sputter, “I guess I have him fooled pretty good.”

“I do not fool easily,” Dr. Chang said, “and I think he is very much correct.”

Matt felt somewhat awkward as they finished the tour and headed to the airport.

“Our meeting has more to it than can be explained by coincidence,” Dr. Ling said softly as Matt drove into the departure lane at the airport. They shook hands. It was their first physical contact, and Matt sensed something move deep within, but was clueless about what it might be.

She only had her briefcase, quickly cleared the curbside check-in, and was gone.

He sat for a minute, trying to understand what had just happened. It wasn’t until a police officer tapped on his window that he was jolted to reality, put the Buick in gear, and drove away.

***

The following day, Matt sent a new email to Dr. Kumar, explaining that he had something he needed to discuss in person and would like to fly to India to meet with him.

Matt couldn’t explain the urgency that had gripped him. He was launching himself into the unknown in ways he’d not done in over a decade.

Dr. Kumar replied that night and advised that late January would be the soonest possible. He would be traveling and wrapping up the term at the University through December and the first two weeks of January.

Matt sent a return email, agreeing to the end of January. He would forward details once the tickets were finalized.

That Friday, Matt asked Lucy to help expedite his passport. His old one had expired, and he needed to get his tickets purchased as part of the expedited process. She gave him a raised eyebrow, followed by an ‘Oh?’ when she saw the destination.

***

The following week, Chris headed to Wichita to start moving equipment into the control room and test the air in the silo.

Chris found that the silo air remained toxic. He and Eldridge suited up in the hazmat gear and trekked through the tunnels to the silo. What they found was an estimated forty-five-foot deep pool of water at the bottom of the huge missile chamber.

Nasty organics grew on the walls and in the pool. It didn’t take much to formulate the idea that the growths had generated the toxic gases.

“We get the water out and the walls cleaned, I think we can make the facility safe,” Chris told Eldridge.

Neither man could tell if the water had seeped in from the bottom or washed in from the top.

“I’ll get a pump going and dig a pond, so the scuzzy water doesn’t overflow onto the farmland,” Eldridge nodded as the air gage on his breather beeped that time was up.

From Tuesday through Thursday, the 21^st of December, Chris and Eldridge worked on pumping out and cleaning the silo. Ellie and Elvin Coblintz also lent a hand with scrubbing the nasty from the walls.

Chris headed home for Christmas.

***

On Saturday, the 23^rd, Matt went over to the Martins and gave them Christmas presents. He had been looking forward to this and had put some thought into the gifts.

Matt bought Chris a new pickup truck—a large one, with a crew cab style and a long bed. For Charlotte, it was a diamond bracelet. Jacob’s gift was a laptop computer, and for Janet, a leather-bound edition of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, along with an iPhone. After all, he had promised her a phone so she could call her friends if they moved.

The Martins were flying to New York for Christmas. He also handed Chris a check for $100,000 as his bonus for his first four months on the job. Chris was shocked and elated; Charlotte smothered Matt with kisses and repeatedly told him how much they loved him. The kids were enthusiastic, and Jacob was heard saying that Mr. Lehman was better than Santa Claus.

The Martins also gave Matt a gift. He wasn’t expecting it and was truly surprised. It was a beautiful IWC Chronographer’s watch with an inscription on the back, ‘For one who has given so much. May you find love, peace, and joy in all your life.’

Matt, deeply moved, knew that he cared for these four people as much as any in the world. There were hugs all around and more kisses from Charlotte. With everybody wishing for safe travels, it was time for the Martins to head to the airport.

Matt also had mailed a check to Eldridge for $50,000 with his best Christmas wishes. He really hoped it made this a happy year for them.

Heading home, Matt packed and headed for Kansas City to spend Christmas with Joe and his family. Christmas with Joe’s family had been a tradition for the last ten years, and though past years had been pure misery, this year promised better.

***

Christmas at the Lehman’s house was festive and loose. Christmas was a mixed bag for Matt. There were plenty of good moments, but at other times, Matt could have just passed on it all. Joe’s family spent a lot of time joking, and there seemed to be surprises every day. This year, Matt had a few of his own.

His presents for Joe’s family started with Doug, a four-year college fund to the school of his choice. Charley was already in his final year of college, so Matt gave him a gift certificate from a local car dealership to choose the car of his choice, plus an $8,000 slush fund for college expenses.

For Cynthia, Joe’s wife, Matt’s present was a cruise for two through the Alaskan inner channel. He told her that she could take Joe if she wanted but didn’t have to. Matt’s gift to Joe was $10,000 in stock from each of the companies.

Joe protested, but Matt said, “Joe, if something ever happens to me, most of the stock goes to you, anyway.”

Joe’s family had gifts for Matt, including clothes, luggage, a new electric razor, and other miscellaneous items. The Christmas dinner was great. Matt stayed until Sunday, December 30, before heading home.

***

On Monday night, New Year’s Eve, Matt had been invited to John Sanders’ for a party.

John did this every year, and Matt felt a bit of an obligation to show up. John was the human resources director for Cor-Digital, and he and Matt went back over twenty years. John always invited a wide variety of guests from all the companies and the community, and it wasn’t unusual for there to be eighty people at the party. Matt arrived about 7:00 p.m. and enjoyed visiting.

John always had activities, and it was typical for Matt to find a comfy couch and just chat with people in general. He headed home at about 10:30. He rarely drank alcohol other than an occasional beer at home and liked to get off the street before it got too late.

Matt stayed up and watched TV until midnight Central Time and really wondered to himself what kind of year 2008 was going to be. He sensed it was going to change his life.