Acquisitioner’s Entry 15: “Keeping It Simple” And Meeting Finn
I had been dreading the boat ride back to the mainland but by some miracle I didn’t get sick. Karl and I take a taxi to the airport and get on our flight like clockwork. Now all we need to do is sit next to each other like big boys and girls for only about 48 hours…simple.
I try to make small talk as we take off but we both feel awkward and the conversation goes through fits and starts. I finally hit a topic that works when I ask, “So how many animals have you stuffocated?”
Karl says, “As you know, I started 6 years ago. My first year was kind of slow and I only stuffocated 5 animals. Finn was still working out the bugs and we had a lot of down time. By the second year we were getting a good rhythm and I stuffocated 22 animals. The following years continued with 23, 22, 19, and 17 so far this year. One of the things you’ll find is that you remember every stuffocation vividly. The impact seems to leave an indelible print on your brain.”
“So why did Finn pick you?” I ask.
“I don’t really know. I think there was a specific personality type he was looking for and he must have thought that I matched the personality type. Of course, that doesn’t explain you.” she says looking at me with her sarcastic smile.
What a relief to break the tension of “keeping things simple”. I think we both feel it and are able to relax a little.
“So what do you know about Finn?” I ask Karl.
“Mostly what I’ve been able to observe. He doesn’t volunteer a lot of information. He is clearly brilliant. I think he was attending a prestigious university and he dropped out. He had been working on the idea of the stuffocator. At some point he must have convinced himself that it would be faster and easier to complete it without school. Things like saying he has this degree or that degree don’t have any value for him.
While he doesn’t say much, he’s really nice. You can tell he cares about 4 things, his family, his employees, all living creatures, and the planet.” Karl pauses as if reflecting and then says, “He told me just before I left on this trip that he is working on some new Acquisitioner equipment. I’ve gotta tell you, the first time I used the stuffocator I was absolutely overwhelmed. I slept for 37 hours straight. You seemed to adjust must faster.”
“Any idea what the new equipment might be? The stuffocator seems to do everything you could possibly imagine.” I wonder aloud.
“No idea. I think he gets a kick out of surprising us.” Karl says.
We plow through 6 airline food meals over the next 48 hours picking mainly at the vegetables. The food punctuates our sleeping and reading cycles. Occasionally we have some small talk and at least we’re feeling comfortable with each other if you don’t count the overwhelming need for a shave and shower.
Finally we get to LA. Karl and I head through customs and on to the international luggage belt. Just as our duffle bags arrive we hear, “Karl, V it’s great to see you!” we both turn to see Finn. “I’ve really missed you. Oh sure, the stuffocators have been keeping me in the loop but it’s just not the same.” He shakes my hand vigorously and gives Karl a big hug.
Come on, I’ve got the company car here. Grab your stuff and lets go, we’ve got lots to talk about!
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