With the sting of the bumblebee, six-year-old Keija had found out the rules of nature. It drove her. She wanted to become a botanist at first and a horticulturist and a zoologist. She finally decided to become a biology major in college. With advanced degrees in biochemistry and engineering, she knew the path had been cleared away for her to become ever present on the world stage of science.

She carried this same notion with her everywhere she went. When she spoke at conferences and symposia, she expressed her ideas with grace and equal measures of potency. Every last one of her thoughts had been focused on creating a new world for humans to interact with synths. By granting herself enough time to become the best possible maker of synths, she challenged the status quo. Now, with the merger with Belinda’s company, she knew that they would be able to suggest a revolutionary force for people to interact with their products.

Dr. Strong was of course one of the first customers with both Monicas. The way that the synths had been paired with the learned machines had proven to be a fruitful endeavor, despite the risks. Risks be damned. Dr. Keija Frampton knew better. Through all the striving, toiling, and fixing problems, she knew it all would add up to something of purity and worth. Like a chronograph maker working on an intricate and ornate timepiece, she applied the principles of her youth to learn every detail and to execute with extreme prejudice the notions of reality and the beauty and wonder of the Earth.

All of this resided in the back of her mind as her luxury flying car arrived at the skate shop that Go and Chanda owned. She landed and entered the establishment.

“So is it official?” she asked, almost in a cold tone of voice.

Chanda and Go looked prim. They wore suits for the first time in decades. Their attire looked in complete opposition to the wares of the shop. Now, their status as suits became literal.

“I sold my crypto holdings for a cool twenty five billion dollars.”

“I’m glad you two are still on your feet, still working. This new company will be worth more anyway. You step your game up with every thread that is woven, ever seam sewn.”

“We’re going to own the brands of decks and other gear and the stores that will open up all over the world,” Chanda continued.

“I’m glad to hear it. Now, you do know why I am also here…right?” Dr. Frampton asked.

The couple looked at each other in slight exasperation. They didn’t roll their eyes but it seemed as though they had. 

“Of course. The night of the spin in the car. We could have taken the flier, but if I was tempted to pilot that vehicle, it would have been much worse,” Go announced.

“We’re not blessed or lucky but fortunate that we have been able to survive and even thrive in this business with our wits. Sometimes, we are behind in our own thinking. And that’s okay, because we learn,” Chanda explained.

Dr. Frampton looked around the store. The gleaming hardware had a luster that suggested that they could keep a tight shop. Blues, reds, and yellows dazzled on the decks and the rest of the equipment showed a beauty that befit the treasure chest of a king and queen.

“With all that has happened, what do you think about giving up heroin and the marijuana?” Dr. Frampton sliced right to the point.

“We’re not giving up on anything. We’ve got it all under strict advice from medical professionals. We’re already aware of the fact that what happened that night will never be repeated. I can assure you of that. There’s no Earthly reason for it to occur again,” Go asserted.

“That’s right,” Chanda chimed. “We’re way beyond that, now. We’re so focused on this company, that everything else is secondary.”

“I hope you do, Keij’, because we’re going to continue to use, not abuse. We’re going to have as much of those substances as we possibly can within the framework of recreation and not business.”

“Okay. What is the driving force behind you both coming up with business strategies to create a world of something different, something new?”

“I think we have a sound strategy that will be the savior of all things that have transpired for the bad in the past. Everything will be good,” Chanda replied.

Go grew agitated. His pulse quickened and his face reddened a bit.

“I invited you here, Keija, because I know you’re an exemplary scientist, businesswoman and friend. What is happening now seems like an interrogation. I’ve gone through those and depositions in the past. What is it that you really want us to say? That we’re junkies headed for financial, spiritual, and mental and physical ruin?” 

Dr. Frampton lowered her gaze. “I just want what is best for the both of you. There is a way of looking at how everything has transpired. There is no God but thank God that you nor anyone else was hurt that night.”

“You’re not the first person to say that,” Chanda said.

“I’m glad you’re here, but it feels as if you’re giving us difficulty,” Go spoke further.

“What is the way we can distinguish what happened before and what you plan to do? If it involves drugs, how do you know you will be able to be business professionals as well?”

Chanda’s voice went up an octave. “We’re going to execute on every opportunity to gain business and still be able to relax ourselves after hours.”

“I think we have enough stamina and brains to keep our ship together and keep it powering through the waves of discomfort and malice,” Go continued.

Dr Frampton walked around the space. If the stores set to pop up all over the globe would look like this, they would have even more money than before. Crypto, although less volatile, still produced billionaires every few hours. With Go out of that trade, he focused on the reality of delving further into the depths of the equipment and gear business.

“I’m not here to admonish either one of you. I’m glad that you’re both able to make a change from the single store here in Old Wilmington, Delaware to set your sights on the planet. That’s beautiful,” Dr. Frampton observed.

Go made a scowl and a grin at the same time. It was like his face had contorted into something totally juxtaposed.

“Keij’, we built this country-state together, right?”

“Do you know I was high on heroin when I proofread what Covey had written?”

“I did not know that but that’s interesting,” Dr. Frampton replied.

“So, for you to imply that we should stop taking the drug in the most responsible way, is like saying you should halt your production of your synths. Or have Bellinda take her UltraMinds company and break it from yours. What happened that night was a total fluke. I know that we have the opportunity to become even more aware of what we’re doing,” Go challenged.

This two on one dynamic presented something of a curious situation which Dr. Frampton considered to be a trifle.

“All I’m saying, and I thank you for inviting me before the last day of this shop, I appreciate it immensely. I just want you both to be safe and have enough determination to continue with the idea of the business.”

“We’re there, Dr. Frampton,” Chanda responded.

“Call me Keija, baby,” Dr. Frampton reminded her.

“I just want you to know that we’re productive sometimes because of the drugs we take. I know the moments of sheer exhilaration. And I also know we made all illicit drugs licit with a few swipes of a digital stylus. The expectation divided us. Bellinda and I thought that the drugs should be legalized and used. You and Covey felt otherwise about the last part. I don’t know if your doctorates had anything to do with it or maybe his age. I don’t know. But I do know that we’re going to go into the future powered by our dreams and buoyed by the law.”

“That’s great, Vestin. You have the entirety of your life to make it better and improve with Chanda by your side,” Dr. Frampton reasoned. 

“We really are focused on the future right now. We’re positioning ourselves to be the number one skating clothes maker in the world. It’s going to read on our epitaphs: Best Makers for Skaters.”

Chanda brushed some hair from her eyes. She added, “That’s what we will stake a claim on throughout our entire entry into this space.”

“And who knows, I love investing in crypto, so I might still get back into that. It’s what made me a billionaire. This line of skate equipment will keep us in good health. I can see the day where we have to keep our wits about ourselves as others will try to mimic and copy us. We will be ready for any affronts to the business.”

“So if you’re not quitting and the drugs apparently have the effect of giving you some creative fuel, I will not interfere in any way,” Dr. Frampton asserted.

“But you have to see, it’s not just the drugs, it’s the reason behind the drugs. Covey already spoke about it to the both of us. We’re so focused on this launch that we’re willing and ready to embark on now. We’ll be going public in a few years. This is exciting. Keija, please don’t kill the vibrations,” Go sounded with sincerity and felt almost wounded by Dr. Frampton’s words and presence. He wanted her to be there, nonetheless.

“I see. I want you to win. I want more billions in your bank account. As we all know, it is completely tax free to boot. I think you’ve created your crypto empire much better than gangsters, swindlers, fraudsters, have ‘made’ their fortunes. You did it legally and on drugs. That’s an accomplishment.”

“So why do you have to put it like that?” Chanda asked, an upturned first finger from her right hand hanging out in space.

“I’m just stating that the precedence––”

“Let me stop you right there. We’re happy to have you here, we know that Covey and Bellinda are busy with other matters at the moment. We just happened to consider you, Keija. All you have to do is stand there and listen to us and remark on how great everything will be,” Go described.

“What’s so funny?” Chanda asked. A concerned look colored her countenance.

“I think you two are adorable. You both have the chutzpah and the knowhow very few people your age possess. I’m laughing because it is a rarity to see such talent and ability in a couple. It strikes me as wondrous to know that I helped build something with someone with so much ambition. And his girlfriend matches such a sentiment. That’s what’s so funny,” Dr. Frampton answered.

Go looked at Dr. Frampton for a long time.

“Get the hell out of here, Keija….”

Dr. Frampton walked up to Go and kneed him. Chanda, her face torn into a frown, began to rush her. Go saw this and motioned for her to back away.

“It’s fine,” Go said, gaining back his breath.

“I’m just here because you called me. I answered and I knew that I wanted to be part of this grand closing and opening of your skate shop. But if you don’t want me to be here, fine. We will still be friends.”

“If I have anything to do with it. My visit was a wellness check of sorts. You can take it however you like, but I had the best of inclinations to come here. Take care, you both, I wish you wellness and wealth.”

As she left, Dr. Frampton looked at the couple in their eyes. Chanda seemed a bit melancholic and forlorn. Go offered a knowing look. Between them, here seemed to be a way that they exchanged glances like two  marionettes. They looked so cute to Dr. Frampton. She saw herself and her husband. The light in her own eyes appeared to twinkle a bit more in response. She heard music booming from the back room as the digital assistant Simon reminded them all that the people would be lined up to come into the store.

Chintan Jani

Smartystan

Makers

With the sting of the bumblebee, six-year-old Keija had found out the rules of nature. It drove her. She wanted to become a botanist at first and a horticulturist and a zoologist. She finally decided to become a biology major in college. With advanced degrees in biochemistry and engineering, she knew the path had been cleared away for her to become ever present on the world stage of science.



Smartystan

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