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Bodin enlisted Dalton in Project Whammy the next week.
Boingy enlisted Dalton the day after Bodin did. They video-chatted via the internet.
“Dalton, you are one of the few people who understand the scope of what’s going to happen. Bodin doesn’t know that I know about his project. I do know, and I support it. What Bodin is planning is important and beneficial to mankind. But I need someone I trust to keep an eye on him. You, more than anyone else here, understand what’s a stake. You know Bodin is severely damaged by PTSD. That damage adds uncertainty to a project with global consequences. I just need you to keep him on target, to do what he has set out to do, nothing more, nothing less. His project, as planned, will do great good. But the uncertainty he brings to it means it could also do great evil. We must prevent that.”
“I understand,” said Dalton. “I’ll keep an eye on him.”
“I suggest that you invite him to base his work at your Venice offices. As I understand it, he can live there. And you can provide the communications security he needs.”
“That’s right.” Dalton paused. “Boingy ... there’s something you need to know about me.” Another pause. “I’m damaged, too. My father ... ”
“Ah ... yes,” said Boingy. “I understand better than you might think. I have similar damage. But the thing is, Dalton ... the thing is, we are, all of us, damaged. Every last one of us is damaged. That is part of what it means to be human. The trick is to minimize the damage that is self-inflicted.”
Dalton was quiet for a moment. Then, “Someday I’d like to read your rulebook, Boingy.”
“Thanks. Someday I’ll write it. Until then, we both have a lot to do. You and Dorothy have a technological revolution. Bodin has a global whammy brewing. And I’m spending most of my time working on the fucking economic revolution that you brought to my attention. And, frankly, I’d rather have any one of your jobs instead. Do you have any idea what it’s like to prepare the world for complete economic upheaval? Think for a moment about the many millionaires and billionaires around the world. Think how much power they have. They own all the major corporations. They own most of the governments. They own the world. They can easily destroy the world, or any part of it they want. How do you think they’ll react to their money and power becoming worthless?”
Dalton thought for a second, then said, “Maybe Bodin is targeting the wrong people.”
Boingy laughed. “Oh! Don’t tempt me, Dalton! Don’t tempt me! And what are you sitting around chatting for? Haven’t you got something useful to do? Bye! And keep in touch.” Boingy disconnected.
Dalton smiled. Maybe I am helping to save the world.