Viva Roma, Thursday, June 4
Jeff spent the morning transferring money within his accounts to cover the checks he was writing. He had a standing order with Harvey Blankenship, his banker, to cover the checks he wrote in his small bank account but he liked to keep on top of his balances himself. He mailed all his bill payments. He had breakfast alone at the IHOP on Independence and then went into his office. Diane was glad to see him. She was sitting on a stack of messages, only two of which were about real estate. He went through them quickly. Diane asked him who Mary was. She had called and told Diane to transfer all the messages from press people, or people who sounded like press people, to her. Jeff told Diane that Mary was his press agent and she should send everything to her.
Diane smirked at Jeff. “So now you are such a big deal that you need a press agent?”
Jeff puffed up his chest and said, “Yes. I am a really big deal. Just look at me.”
Jack came into his office and sat down. “What am I supposed to do with your ex wife?”
“Give her a shot. She is already studying for the realtor’s exam. She plans to take it in two weeks. She is also thinking of taking the broker’s exam. Let me tell you something, Jack. She is no slouch like me. You bring her in this office and you are going to sell some real estate. She may be a little tough to handle, but she will work like a dog to get what she wants.”
“An aggressive realty salesperson? I am not sure that would work in this office.”
Jeff told Jack and Diane about his plans for the next week and then headed to the airport. He had lunch at the little restaurant there and was at the ticket counter an hour-and-a-half before his flight time. When he showed them his credentials and told them he was armed, the same process happened. An attendant came out from behind the counter and led him through an inspection and into the international gate area.
He sat waiting for boarding. His phone chirped and he saw that it was Clevan Tate. He answered, “Mister Tate, what can I do for you? If you are calling to dun me, you should know that I already sent in my first check. The bill was a stunner. I am not sure how long I can afford you guys.”
Clevan laughed. “That’s just a partial bill. It will get a lot worse. But, as in all things, it will be worth it. We have lined up a special post-graduate program for you with Georgetown and American. You will take a Masters in History from American and a Doctorate in Archaeological Studies from Georgetown. You will only have to be on the campuses for the first week of the program and then the rest can be done on-line. If you care to make a contribution, of, say, one hundred thousand to each school, they will allow you to take both courses at the same time and allow you to accelerate those courses so you can receive your degrees within sixteen months. However, you will have to finish your Masters before they will give you your Doctorate.”
“Wow. I think I would like to do that no matter what I end up doing. You can tell them I will have checks for them by the end of next week. When can I start?”
“In the fall.”
They discussed the arrangement with PBS. Tate wanted him to come up to Washington to meet with the producers of the series the first of August. Jeff said he would. They also talked about some additional press interviews and starting to lead his answers towards history and archaeology.
One of the Alitalia employees approached Jeff and motioned for him to follow. He did and was seated in first class before anyone else boarded. There was one other person seated at the same time. He came over and put out his hand. He was an air marshal and also armed. When Jeff showed him his State credentials, the marshal smiled and said, “I don’t envy you guys, always getting shot at somewhere in the world.”
The flight was very comfortable. The food was good and the seats were wide and far apart. There were only about six people in first class. Business and tourist were full. By six that night, one in the morning Rome time, Jeff was sound asleep.