White Noise, Part 10 of 10
z119z
© the author 2015
Comments are appreciated. Please send them to z119z2000@yahoo.com. Thanks.
Chapter 19
"Hi, I'm back. I hope you're hungry. I got two pizzas. I'm starving. Let's eat. Hey, what's with you two? You look so serious." Jeff set the boxes down on the table and flipped open the lids. The smell of pizza filled the room.
Without preamble, Michael said, "Matt knows, Jeff. I've told him everything about Sandman."
"Don't worry, Jeff," said Matt. He walked over to Jeff and put an arm across Jeff's shoulders and pulled him close. " I'll see that you're protected. It's a clear case of undue influence. You're as much a victim as these units Michael has been telling me about. With your testimony, we'll be able to put Foster away for the rest of his life."
"Put Foster away? What do you mean? If anyone needs to be punished, it's me." Jeff ducked out of Matt's embrace. He picked up one of the pizza boxes and held it before Matt. "Here. Take some. Eat it before it gets cold."
"Jeff, you've got to help the police. It's your only chance to be free of Kenneth."
"Michael, what are you saying? I'm not Kenneth's slave. Come on, let's sit down and eat. You must be starving."
"You don't seem to understand what I'm saying, Jeff. Matt's going to help us. We'll finally be free of Kenneth."
"Michael, OK, OK. We'll talk about this. But first let's eat and then we'll talk. I promise. Here have a slice."
"This tastes funny," Michael looked askance at the slice in his hand.
"Probably an anchovy," suggested Jeff.
"No, it tasted like I bit into a peppercorn." Michael took another bite and chewed it thoughtfully. "Must have been my imagination. It tastes fine now."
"Yes, Director?"
"We've been following your nephew, Kenneth. He left the River Towers at around 4:00 this afternoon and took a cab to that warehouse of his. About 45 minutes later, he left in his van, with his two helpers. One of them was dressed like a bike messenger. Your nephew parked near your store, and the helper dressed like a messenger took a manila envelope inside about 5:30. A minute or so later, the woman who works for you and then the messenger came out of the store. Your nephew waited inside the van for 10 minutes or so and then made a phone call. Your assistant Jeff opened the door of the shop, and your nephew and the two helpers went inside. A short time later, the lead helper came out again and drove off in the van. We didn't have enough men on the scene to follow him. So we let him go and concentrated on your nephew. We could tell that Jeff and your nephew weren't in the front of the shop, and one of my men had the bright idea to see if there was a back entrance to the shop."
"There is. How long was Scott in the shop? He's rather jealous of Jeff. He thinks I favor Jeff. This is not good, Director."
"Our man discovered the van parked in the alleyway behind the shop. He contacted the other two men. One man watched the front and the third man ran around the block to the other end of the alley. Unfortunately there was no way for the two men in the alley to get close enough to hear or see what your nephew was doing without being discovered. A few minutes after they found the alleyway and got in position, Scott and Jeff and the other two were getting ready to leave. Scott was inside the shop with Jeff for about 30 minutes. They drove off in the van, and my men followed. The van stopped at a pizza place, and Jeff went in. He came out a few minutes later with two boxes of pizza. Then the van drove to an address that we subsequently ascertained is Jeff's apartment."
"Then what happened?"
"Jeff got out alone and walked into the building carrying the pizzas. We assume he went to his apartment. The rest of them waited in the van for about fifteen minutes. Your nephew got a phone call a few minutes ago. We could see him through the front window of the van talking on a cell phone. He just now got out of the van and went into the building."
"Alone?"
"Yes, his two assistants are still in the van."
"I'm going over there. Instruct your men to wait for me. They should enter the apartment only if they suspect Scott is harming Jeff and Michael or if he tries to take them away in his van. I'll be there in about half an hour."
Jeff had been disgusting enough, but Michael and this policeman were even worse. One couldn't always choose one's test subjects, but really he was going to have to insist to Uncle Kenneth that he needed subjects that met rigid and strict criteria. No more rats harvested from the streets. Scott giggled. The city would be better off without these three. Dad was always stressing that everyone had a civic duty to improve the appearance of the world. Well, Dad would be right behind him in this endeavor. The appearance of the city would be much improved after he had finished with these three. He should have done Michael in when he had had the chance. Instead he had relied on Philip to take care of him. And Philip had proved to be a weak vessel. He had had hopes for Philip, but the boy was too squeamish to follow through. He was sadly lacking in moral fiber. Moral fiber—that was another of Dad's campaigns. Dad would be so proud to see how much moral fiber his younger son had. William Vee didn't even come close in the fiber department. Probably thought fiber was something you got by eating bran flakes.
And the policeman. Had Jeff actually had sex with this oaf? The man had to be six-six and a yard wide across the shoulders. Ridiculously narrow through the hips, and his thighs and butt strained the fabric of his pants. Overdeveloped moron. Not a gentleman. If he was going to be so large, at least he could have his clothes tailored. He would never find ready-to-wear that fit. Well, Jeff must like the dark, Mediterranean type. And all that hair, so riotously curly. Michael had dark hair too.
All three of them were docile now. The drug had seen to that. But the place smelled like pizza. A disgusting food. All that garlic and tomatoes and cheese. And anchovies. They ought to be banned. The smell was making him quite nauseous. And they had a cat too. A real cat, not one of his clean manimals. He had to get out of there quickly. But first he had to make a phone call.
"Uncle Kenneth?"
"Scott, how's my favorite nephew?"
"I'm fine, Uncle Kenneth. Where are you now?"
"I've just left my office on Canal Street. I'm in my car. Where are you?"
"Uncle Kenneth, I've uncovered a plot."
"A plot? What sort of a plot?"
"It's Jeff and that Michael of his. They've been conspiring with the police against you. They've even been having sex with one of them, an inspector."
"Is the inspector named Dell'uomo."
"I don't know. A big, ugly guy. Jeff called him Matt."
"Yes, that's Dell'uomo. How did you find all of this out, Scott?"
"I've known for some time that Jeff was plotting something, Uncle. Tonight I gave him some of the drug, and he confessed everything to me. Then I tricked Michael and this Matt into taking some of the drug. I have all three of them under control, Uncle."
"Where are you now, Scott?"
"I'm at Jeff's place, Uncle. But I can't stay here. It smells, and they have a cat. It's so small. They have so much stuff. There's no room to breathe here, Uncle. I have to get out of here soon. I'm going to take them to my place."
"The River Towers?"
"No, my loft. There's more room there."
"Scott, wait for me at Jeff's. I will be there in just a few minutes. I'll help you move the three of them. If they have only just been drugged, they could be too much for one person to handle. Open a window. Get some fresh air. That will help you, Scottie. Uncle Kenneth will be there soon. You'll do that for me, won't you, Scottie?"
"Yes, Uncle Kenneth, but please hurry. I don't like this place."
"Just open the window and keep talking to me. Have you got the window open? Good. Now take deep breaths and just be calm. I'll be there soon."
His brain wasn't working right, Matt decided. He could think that he wanted to move, he could form the motions in his mind, but his muscles weren't getting the message. He had to protect Jeff and Michael from this strange man who had come in. But he felt so tired, and it was so easy to do what the man said and just sit still, but the man was going to hurt Jeff and Michael and he had to protect them. The man was talking on the phone to someone. He was going to take them somewhere. Matt knew that if this man told him to move, his body would obey. He had to prevent the man from taking them away. Now the man was opening the window and leaning out. If he could only stand up, if he could just gain control of his legs and his arms and move. It would only take a second to cross to the window. He had to protect Jeff and Michael. He was so much bigger than this man, it would be easy to subdue him. He was so tired. His mind wasn't working. He had to concentrate. Concentrate on moving.
"Scott, what was that noise? Scott? Scott, are you all right?"
"Director, this is Kenneth Foster. I was talking with my nephew Scott Foster inside my assistant's apartment. I heard a strange noise, and my nephew is no longer speaking. Get your men in there and control the situation. They will need to be quiet so that the neighbors aren't disturbed. I'll be there in about five minutes."
"Is this how you found them?"
"No, Sir, we've been trying to bring the little guy around. He was lying on the floor by the window when we came him. He appears to have been knocked out by the big guy. When we got here, the big guy was lying on top of him. The big guy was out of it too, but as far as we can tell there's no physical damage to him, other than a small cut on his face, but that must have happened when he fell. He seems to be drugged, Sir. He keeps struggling to move. We told him to get up and all he could do was roll over off the other guy. We carried the small guy over to that couch so that we could administer first aid."
"How did he knock him out? I don't see any weapon." Kenneth Foster pointed to Dell'uomo and his nephew to make it clear whom he was talking about. He intentionally did not identify the people in the room. The less the team of agents knew, the less they would have to be made to forget.
"I'm just guessing, but if I had to do it, Sir, I would ball my fists together like this and bring them down on the back of the other person's neck. Given the difference in size and height, it wouldn't have been difficult for the big guy to knock the other one out."
"What about the other two?"
"When we came in, they were sitting at that table with the same vacant looks on their faces. It looks like they just finished a pizza. They haven't moved since we arrived. Do you know these guys?"
"Yes, but you don't need to know their names. I'll take care of these three. It's this man I'm concerned about." Kenneth Foster pointed to his nephew. "He has been doing some work for the agency that brought him into contact with these three. He is not well. I'm afraid he has been taking some medications that have affected his mind and caused him to become paranoid. I don't know why he became suspicious of the others, but he called me a short time ago and ranted on about a conspiracy. It's all in his mind. Are you in contact with the director?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Please call him and tell him that we need to transfer this man to a safe facility. He will explain to you what needs to be done. I will take care of the others. They have been given a drug that I developed for the agency. I know how to deal with it. For the moment, however, it would be best if you and your man removed this man and transported him to the site the director arranges."
"I will have to check with the director first, Sir."
"Yes, of course. Tell him that I will call him after I have dealt with these three."
"Should I call medical backup, Sir? We have a team standing by. They could help you with these men."
"No, that will not be necessary. They are in no danger. The drug will wear off shortly. Right now it is imperative to remove this man and get him medical treatment in a safe facility. The director will give you your orders."
- "Matt, how are you feeling?" Kenneth Foster leaned over Dell'uomo. Of the three, he was the only one even partially conscious.
"Yunishtz."
"Yunishtz?"
"U . . . nits. You musht shtop."
"Matt, everything is being taken care of. You don't have to worry about anything right now. You can relax. You have done your job by protecting Jeff and Michael. Why don't you just sleep for a while? Remember how we talked about hypnosis in my office and you watched the red light?"
"Mmmm, 's nice."
"Yes, it was nice. Just close your eyes for a moment and think of that red light. Remember how it grew brighter and then dimmer, brighter and dimmer. And how you felt so peaceful as you watched it. Brighter and then dimmer. You feel so relaxed, so at peace, so calm. You want to go to sleep for hours. You feel so tired. That's right, Just close your eyes. Your eyes are so heavy. Your whole body is so heavy. Just relax. Sleep. Just sleep deeply."
"Michael, Matt is sleeping on your bed. You are going to get up from the table and walk into your bedroom and lie down on the bed with Matt. Good. Very good, Michael. Now lie down. Just relax. Sleep, Michael. You remember all of our talks from years ago, Michael. Remember how you used to sleep when I told you to. How you would relax so completely. So deeply. You feel that wave of relaxation slowly moving down your body. Relaxing you completely. Totally. Just sleep, Michael. You and Matt will sleep until I awaken you."
- "Jeff, how are you feeling?"
"Dizzy."
"What happened?"
"A bike messenger delivered a package, one of those padded manila envelopes, addressed to me at the shop. According to the delivery slip, you sent it. Inside the envelope was a wet towel. There was a funny smell. It made me feel dizzy. Then I got a phone call telling me to open the front door. I didn't want to, but I couldn't stop myself. And then that man was in the shop. He put the towel over my mouth and made me breathe deeply several times. After that, I don't remember what happened very well. I know he talked to me and made me buy some pizzas to bring back here for Michael and Matt to eat. He put something on the pizzas. I was supposed to make them eat. But they didn't want to eat. They wanted to talk. I had to trick them into eating."
"What did they want to talk about?"
"Michael told Matt everything about Sandman, about the units. Michael wants me to quit, and Matt says that he will arrange for me to testify against you so that you can be put away."
"I see. Well, you won't do that."
"No, Kenneth. I would never do that."
"I know I can trust you, Jeff. Now, I want you to lie down on the couch. You have had a hard day. You deserve a good sleep. You will be oblivious to everything that happens until I awaken you. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Kenneth."
"I will take care of you, Jeff. Just sleep for a while and I will take care of everything."
Kenneth Foster let the three men sleep. He had to decide what to do. Jeff was no problem. His loyalty was beyond question, but Michael and Matt had to be dealt with. He had been too complacent about Michael. He had left it to Jeff to see that Michael remained well trained, but obviously Jeff had grown so enamored of Michael that he had neglected to reinforce Michael's training. So should he remove Michael or reinforce his training? Michael already had received a preliminary dose of the drug. If he gave him a few more drops, Michael would cease to be a problem ever again. It would be easy enough to convince Jeff to forget Michael and move on. But, he had to admit, Michael did stellar work on the financial side. Given the sensitive nature of his business, he needed someone he could trust. It would be a nuisance to train someone else up to Michael's level. And removing Michael would mean that he would have no one to take care of the finances until he found a replacement. Michael also kept Jeff happy and satisfied sexually and apparently emotionally. As for Dell'uomo, he couldn't just remove a policeman. Not at this point. Maybe in a few years, when he had achieved Stage 4 penetration with the drug he could make people disappear without worry, but that wasn't possible—yet. Meanwhile it wouldn't hurt to have control over a police lieutenant, especially the lieutenant in charge of homicide. If Scott could be believed, Jeff and Michael had already forged some sort of relationship with Dell'uomo. He could build on that.
Both Michael and Dell'uomo were still under the influence of the drug. Their minds would be easy to influence. Foster headed back into the bedroom.
Across the street Scott Foster's van cooled along with the night air. The two manimals sat quietly, oblivious to everything happening around them. They had been forgotten. They would sit there for almost 36 hours, until a neighbor noticed that the same man who had been waiting motionless in the driver's seat when he had returned home the night before was still sitting there the next morning. The patrolmen who answered the call didn't know what to make of them. They were quite docile, however, and did not resist being taken away to the hospital.
"Where have you guys been?" Lieutenant Dell'uomo looked up from the report he was reading when Susan Trent knocked on his door. Samuels was standing behind her, with a huge grin on his face. Dell'uomo was familiar with that grin. It meant that Samuel either had just gotten laid or was about to get laid. He knew the feeling. If he were prone to grinning after great sex, his mouth would be splitting open at the corners after last night with Jeff and Michael.
"Just following up a lead, Matt. A loose end," said Trent.
"Find anything?"
"What we found is a health club. It's a great place run by this fantastic guy named Joe. You ought to check it out—the Midtown Health Club over on Silver south of Delancy."
"Maybe I will. I need to get more exercise."
"Now that the Spier case has been cleared, what do we do now, Matt?"
"There's still the Campbell murder. I still think the husband's good for that one."
Epilogue: Stage 4
Death Announced The Chronicle, July 18, 2017
A spokesperson for the family of Senator William Foster IV announced the death on July 12 of Scott Foster, 36, the younger son of Senator Foster and the late Elizabeth Coutrell Foster, following a brief illness. Burial was at the family's mausoleum in Westport. Prior to his illness, Scott Foster had been employed as a researcher for the Department of the Treasury. The White House issued a statement of condolences to the family and noted "Scott Foster's upholding of his family's long tradition of service to the nation." Senator Foster is widely rumored to be considering a run for the presidency in 2020. His office declined to comment on what effect, if any, his son's death might have on the Senator's plans.
Channel 7 Nightly News October 6, 2017
"Lanning, in Barlow county, is famous for the many ancient trees that make this community a desired home for commuters. But the peace and serenity of this sylvan paradise was shattered earlier this year when flocks of noisy starlings invaded the town and began roosting in the trees. Residents complained of the noise and the mess, but to no avail. Conventional methods of discouraging the birds did not work. Lanning, however, has found a unique solution to its problems, thanks to a company called Sandman Enterprises. Here with the story is our own Jill Potter."
"Thank you, Marsha. Behind me is the town square of Lanning. Until two weeks ago, the many oaks you can see here were filled every night with thousands of starlings."
[Cut to a picture of a middle-aged man; the label "Winston Heald, mayor" appears at the bottom of the screen.]
"The noise was unbelievable. And the sidewalks were so covered with bird droppings that no one wanted to walk on them. Our downtown businesses were suffering because no one would shop here. Plus, any car parked in the area quickly became fouled. The birds were even beginning to attack pets and small children."
The camera cut back to the reporter. "With the help of a small research company named Sandman Enterprises, Lanning was able to get rid of the pesky birds. This is white noise machine. As you can hear, it produces a steady stream of sound, rather like a hair dryer running. It is used to prevent others from overhearing conversations or to drown out streets noise and help people sleep. Sandman modified this basic unit and installed them on light poles around Lanning. Within days, all the birds had flown away."
[Cut to a picture of a young woman in the parking lot of a supermarket holding a baby in one arm; she stands before the open rear door of an SUV; a shopping cart filled with groceries rests against the rear bumper of the car; the label "Melissa Henderson, Lanning resident" appears on the screen.]
"It was a miracle. Every day for months we were woken up by these birds. Sean here couldn't sleep for all the noise. Then they install these machines all over town, and the next morning all the birds are gone."
The reporter smiles at the baby and then turns to the camera. "It's been two months since Lanning got rid of its birds, but it has decided to continue using the machines. Does it have any plans to remove the white noise machines? Here with the answer to that question is Lanning's chief of police, Ron Williams."
"We've found that all of us are sleeping better with the white noise machines. The sound is very restful. I can't tell you what a difference it makes to get a good night's sleep. We even think that it's cut down on crime. We don't get nearly as many calls as we used to."
"There you have it, Marsha. One town's problems solved by technology. This is Jill Potter, reporting live from Lanning."
"Thank you, Jill. I'm definitely going to look into buying one of those machines. Wouldn't it be nice not to be awakened at 5:00 in the morning by garbage trucks? Now here's Ted with the weather and an update on the best places to see fall foliage. What have you got in store for us, Ted? Another glorious weekend?"
Military Re-enlistments Up The Chronicle, February 23, 2018
The Department of Defense announced today that military re-enlistments are running 90 percent overall. "We are experiencing close to 100 percent re-enlistments among combat-ready personnel," said Alicia White, spokesperson for the Defense Department. "Even personnel who qualify for full retirement are opting to continue in the services. We are even having to turn down many who are no longer physically capable of serving." White attributed the increase in re-enlistments to improvements in the military's benefit package as well as to the military's new "Defend the Homeland" initiatives. The controversial program of what critics have labeled "indoctrination" and proponents call "patriotism building" has clearly "paid off in better morale throughout the military," said White. "The proof is that our fighting man and women want to continue to serve our country."
Changes at Foster Enterprises The Chronicle, August 14, 2019
In a move that caught observers by surprise, Foster Enterprises announced the resignation of William Foster V as its president and CEO and the appointment of another member of the Foster family, Kenneth Foster, as its new head. "Vee," as he is known to his associates, said that he was stepping down to help with his father's presidential campaign. "Even if he were not my father, I would want to participate in his election. This country needs my father's bold thinking and his plans to restore greatness to our country. And I am confident that my cousin Kenneth Foster will continue the aggressive posture that has made Foster Enterprises a leading force in the American economy." Kenneth Foster, who is head of Sandman Enterprises, said that he would take up his new position immediately. Sandman Enterprises has attracted much attention lately for its new environmental white noise machines and their possible crime-reduction role in what has been dubbed the "Lanning effect" after the town in which crime rates dropped precipitously after it installed the machines. Jeff Ange, vice-president for product development and customer relations at Sandman, will replace Kenneth Foster as head of Sandman.
Foster in a Landslide The Chronicle, November 4, 2020
William Foster IV has coasted to an easy win in the presidential elections. Returns from 95 percent of precincts show Senator Foster winning 80 percent of the popular vote and 100 percent of the votes in the electoral college. Although he began as the underdog, trailing his then-opponent Margaret Rollings by as much as 45 points, Foster surged ahead after the first presidential debate when Rollings burst into tears and confessed that she thought Foster would make a better president. Rollings's resignation a week later and the elevation of vice-presidential candidate Joseph Townes to the top spot did nothing to revive the flagging fortunes of their party. Townes conceded the election a minute after the polls closed on the West Coast. In his victory statement, Foster pledged to restore greatness and decency to the nation. . . .
Foster Enterprises Reports Rise in Earnings The Chronicle, January 7, 2022
Foster Enterprises today announced an increase in earnings for last year of 15 percent over the previous year. The increase was attributed to the runaway success of Foster's new soft drink, Red Dragon. Propelled by an aggressive marketing campaign featuring former head of the NYPD Homicide Squad, Matt Dell'uomo, sales of the new drink, which was introduced only in February 2021, quickly outpaced those for all other soft drinks combined. . . .
Congress Adjourns The Chronicle, April 15, 2022
In what historians are labeling a first in modern times, Congress adjourned today after a record three-and-a-half-month session. Not since the early days of the republic has Congress finished its business and packed up so quickly. Congressional leaders said that they had no plans to reconvene before next January. With hardly a dissenting voice, the members passed all of President Foster's programs and the budget. "I'm looking forward to going trout fishing," remarked Senate Majority Leader Robert Morse. "You all come join me. We've got great trout streams, and you won't find friendlier people anywhere." . . .
Foster Enterprises Introduces New Food Supplement The Chronicle, May 2, 2023
Foster Enterprises' Food Division today announced that it had received FDA approval to begin selling its new food supplement, Fostrix. "It's a breakthrough," said Foster Research Director Giles Ames. "It's cheap, incredibly nutritious, tasteless. It can be added to any food. It promises to help relieve malnutrition and hunger worldwide." Foster plans to begin adding Fostrix to its line of food products immediately. . . . Sales of Foster stock rose on expectations of increased earnings.
Entertainment News, October 10, 2025
"I'm here this morning with the stars of Foster Entertainment's new mega-hit City Streets, Matt Dell'uomo, Susan Trent, and Robert Samuels. Good morning, guys."
"Thank you, Eric, we're happy to be here."
"Now as most viewers know by now, all three of you were homicide cops. Matt, do you feel that your experience helps your performance on City Streets?"
"Absolutely. I think our viewers can sense the authenticity we bring to the portrayals of our characters."
"Susan, women throughout the country are praising the sense of strength you bring to the character of Lieutenant Alpins. What's your secret?"
"Well, part of it is physical, Eric. We all work out with this wonderful trainer, Joe, and we've all bulked up. I was surprised when I first saw myself on screen and realized how imposing I had become physically. Of course, I've worked with Matt for many years, and next to him I'm petite. I think I had grown used to the idea that I was smaller because I was comparing myself to him."
"So are you saying that Matt is intimidating?"
"Nah, he's a pussycat. But I learned from him how to use your sheer physicality to intimidate suspects."
"You said that part of it is physical. What else is there?"
"Well, the other part is mental preparation. While we were still on the police force, we came in contact with motivational trainer Jeff Ange in connection with one of our cases. He's helped all three of us develop the self-confidence to tackle acting."
"Robert, critics have noted, and I am quoting, that the `vibrant masculinity and robust charm that Samuels bring to the character of Sergeant O'Deigh misleads the bad guys into underestimating his intelligence and intuitive understanding of the criminal mind.' Do you think that is a fair assessment?"
"I don't know if it is fair, but I'm not going to reject the compliment. O'Deigh is really the comic relief on the program and the plodder—he's the one who uncovers the more boring details that help solve the crime but aren't really sexy."
"Now you are trying to mislead us into underestimating you, Robert. Your fans have noted your physical assets."
"Well, that's my one complaint about the series. Once people started commenting on what you call my assets, the producers decided to dress me in these painfully tight pants. They literally sew me into them. They're so tight I can barely move, and the writers have to figure out reasons why I'm not wearing a suit coat when Matt and Susan are. It's getting so that I dread seeing the direction `O'Deigh removes his coat and turns his back to the camera' in our scripts."
"And you feel that you have more to offer?"
"Much more, Eric. I do have a face and other body parts."
"The face and the other body parts have been noticed as well, Robert. Now Matt, you play the role of the brooding Captain Donatello in the series. The role is not unlike the job you had as a homicide inspector. Do you ever regret quitting your day job?"
"Not at all. We saw a lot of terrible things as homicide detectives. What some monsters will do to human beings—well, I still have nightmares about it occasionally. Would I want to return to the old days, before the environmental white noise controls? No, I don't think any cop would. Sure, it meant that a lot of cops became superfluous, but if I had to choose between playing a cop on a TV series set forty years ago and investigating murders for real, then, well, there's no choice at all. Pretend beats reality every day."
"I think most of our viewers also recognize you from the ads that introduced Red Dragon. How did that get started?"
"It was just an accident. I was visiting a friend who works in the Foster Building, and the man who was putting together the ad campaign noticed me and asked me to try out."
"Do you still drink Red Dragon?"
"Doesn't everyone?"
The view from the CEO's office on the top floor of the Foster Building looked west across the Hudson. Nothing interfered with Kenneth Foster's gaze toward the horizon. Foster Enterprises was running much better now that it was under his control. Profits were up substantially. The employees were happy and more productive than ever. The company was expanding in new directions.
He thought, not for the first time, that he had pulled off the greatest feat of social engineering in history. Every poll showed that people were happier, more content with their jobs and lives. Crime had practically disappeared. The environment was much cleaner. His cousin had run for re-election unopposed. Of course, there had been casualties along the way. But no one was arguing with the results. But, then, there weren't any dissenters from the new order left. And now it was spreading throughout the world, thanks to the Fostrix dietary supplement and Red Dragon drinks and the environmental white noise machines. So much white noise—not just from the machines but from the news and television and movies, sports, the gossip machines, everything combining to keep people from wondering why they were so content and compliant.
Matt and Jeff lie on their sides in bed in their usual positions to the right and left of Michael. Matt likes to put his head on Michael's chest and sleep with Michael's arm around his shoulders and his left hand lying on Michael's stomach, the fingers interlaced with those on Jeff's right hand. Given the difference in size, it isn't easy for Michael to hug Matt closely. But he does the best he can. Any discomfort he has to endure for Matt's and Jeff's sake is worth it. They are both so great to be with. Matt's much happier now, and Jeff—well, Jeff's wonderful. Plus their jobs are as great as their love life. They owe everything to Kenneth Foster. Nothing would be the same without him.