After their trips, Frederik would return to school, to hear tales of tall snow covered mountains and ski slopes, of warm sun drenched lagoons and beaches. His special friend Olaf’s family, usually took Olaf to Hawaii for school breaks, and his tales of crystal clear waters, towering waves and brilliant sandy beaches, made the young Frederik envious.
His own description of thatched roof huts, and walls made of earth mixed with cow dung, of dusty floors, dry sweaty heat, mosquitoes, and laying pipes in trenches, sounded unattractive in comparison with the glamour of Olaf’s holidays. However, the smiles and gratitude of the villagers, and the friends he had made and left behind, were etched into Frederik’s mind.
As he grew older, Frederik’s passing jealousy of his friend’s glamorous visits to the Pacific, faded. Increasingly, he began to appreciate the simple villagers Viktor and Freja worked with, their dedication to their families, driven by the need to survive, and their sincere appreciation for what his parents could do, to make their lives easier. Fred recognised how such a simple thing as running water, and clean toilets, could transform their lives.
One thing that did occur to him, was the crowding. Villagers made life for themselves more difficult, by having so many children to look after, and feed. There were always lots of children, and he raised this with his mother. Freja explained it to him this way:
“Life in the village can be unpredictable. It can be dangerous. Having many children, is one way of ensuring the family can continue. In the village, some children die quite young, and so, too, their parents, compared to Sweden. If a villager gets sick, often there is no doctor, no medicine, and many die from diseases that would be treated easily here. The villagers expect their children to take care of them when they grow old, something that does not always happen here. Here in Sweden, we are protected by our lifestyle and health system. We are very lucky Frederik, to be born in Sweden.”
Frederik agreed.
2
“The University of Stockholm can give me that. Why America?”
Frederik voice had an angry edge, which he father duly noted.
The family were coming to the end of a summer vacation, which, this year, they had spent in a holiday house they had leased, bordering one of the thousands of lakes in Halsingland, a few hundred kilometres from Stockholm. Viktor did not often take this sort of holiday, but Frederik would soon be leaving for university, and he wanted some quality time with his family. The family was about to leave for dinner.
Viktor was thoroughly enjoying the break, as were the others. He treasured occasionally getting away from the pressures of everyday life, his factory, the demands of clients, and the endless meetings with his staff, sorting out their jobs. In the late afternoons, from Halsingland, the family would make the short drive into Hudiksvall itself, for dinner. Viktor would have some beer with his meal, and afterwards, a schnapps or two. He would spoil himself.
It would still be light when they returned home, the sun did not set until almost ten, and Freja would drive them. There usually was little traffic, and most evenings it was very pleasant, except today. Today, Frederik was being obstreperous. Viktor peered at his wife for an answer, but Freja was staying out of the argument. Viktor put his arm around the young man’s shoulders.
“Stockholm is a very fine university, and yes, it will give you an excellent degree, if you work for it. I have no complaints about our university. It will give you an education, but then what?
“Frederik, this is a big world we are in, and Sweden is only a very small part of it. Your mother and I want you to know the world, to understand it, and have opportunities that are just not available here.
“America is the place. America drives the world, it is the engine room, and it has the best universities. Harvard is the most famous in the world, and it is where you should go. I have spoken about you with my good friend Bryant Robertson, the Ford motor company man, who is very important in his company, and who knows everyone. He assures me you will have no trouble being enrolled in Harvard, he will sponsor you as a favour to me.
“Think about it, what it means.”
Frederik had thought about what it meant. It meant living in the United States, on the other side of the world, and leaving behind Amelia, gorgeous Amelia. He was only just beginning to appreciate the pleasures those soft curves of hers could bring. He hadn’t known Amelia for very long, but he knew he was in love. If he stayed in Stockholm, Amelia would be here, with him, and they could plan more nights together, wonderful nights.
He also knew he faced a formidable opponent, in his father. Viktor had the infuriating habit of being right, almost always, and he could be very stubborn. It was a quality he had passed down to his son, and Frederik was not going to go down without a fight.
“Our university is excellent, so why is it so important I go to America? I don’t want to go. I want to stay home. What is so wonderful about Harvard anyway?”
Viktor raised his eyes to the ceiling before answering. He had done his homework in preparation for this conversation, which he had anticipated would be forthcoming.
“Frederik, Harvard has produced so many famous people, so many. Eight Presidents of the United States came from Harvard, over one hundred and fifty Nobel laureates, three hundred and thirty five Rhodes scholars, over two hundred and forty Marshall scholars. Today, it can boast sixty two billionaires, alive and kicking, who were schooled there. Billionaires, Frederik! Sixty two, alive today! Also, so many heads of state have received their education there.
“It is the oldest, but it also is the best, university in America. In the world. And, what is so important for you, and you must understand this, you get much more than just education. You get to meet people there, yes, that is what is so important, the people you meet.
“Frederik, it does not matter how clever you might be, and you are a very clever boy, I have seen this. To really become big in this world, you have to know big people, smart people, and wealthy people. They give you connections. The business world is like a giant octopus, with hundreds of arms, tentacles, and they are connected. They all serve to feed each other. You don’t have to like them, but you have to be able to talk to them, be able to ring them up, and have them accept your call, to discuss plans, ideas.
“These people are the movers and shakers of the world, and more of them will be at Harvard, than any other university in the world. It is where you can network. I am not criticising the University of Stockholm, it is very fine, but Frederik, it is chalk and cheese. Harvard is the best, because it has the best educators, the brightest and cleverest teachers, and the smartest people in the world go their for their education.
“It is a research university, and you know what that means? It means they have the pioneers in many fields. It represents the cutting edge, it pushes the limits, and stretches into the future. It makes the future.”
As an aside he added quietly, “Also, in America, you will learn to speak proper English.”
That was quite a speech for Viktor, normally a taciturn man, but he had made up his mind. He decided his son was to have the best possible education his family could provide, and he and Freja were as one, on this. He had to make his son see it, and accept his parents’ advice.
His wife would prefer to keep her son at home, but Freja had to admit, she agreed with Viktor. Harvard would give Frederik the best possible chance to make something of himself, and yes, Viktor was correct. He was a clever boy, she too could recognise that, had always recognised that. They could easily afford the fees, even if he did not win one of the many scholarships on offer from the university, so he should go.
Viktor and Freja had insisted their son attend an international high school in Stockholm, where lessons were given in several languages, but mostly American - English. The family spoke English, albeit haltingly, in India during their trips there, also in Africa, but young Fred, though fluent enough to carry a conversa
tion, had a distinctly European twang to his English words, which he sometimes got wrong. Living in America would fix that, and his parents understood the importance of his being able to speak good English, it was the international language.
Frederik decided it was pointless to continue the conversation. Their minds were made up. He would be going to Harvard. He said nothing further, in sulky silence, then decided he might as well enjoy their trip to Hudiksvall for dinner. He, too, would have some beer with his meal, and perhaps a schnapps. He was old enough now.
3
The time for him to leave Sweden had arrived. Tears streaked both their faces, as Frederik squeezed Amelia tightly for the last time, then walked resolutely through the Customs barrier to join the boarding queue. Viktor and Freja had said their good-byes, and stood back, to allow their son a few minutes with the pretty girl he had recently brought to their home. They saw only his back, as he was swallowed by the surge, moving towards the boarding lounge.
After shaking his father’s hand several times, and hugging him, then kissing his mother, and making promises to Amelia, and kissing her tear wrecked face for the last time, it was, with a sense of relief, the young man sank into his business class seat, for the journey across the Atlantic. His father had insisted on business class, to spoil him a little, perhaps through a sense of guilt at sending his son away, and although Frederik would rather have had the money in his pocket, he appreciated the space to spread out his long legs.
It was happening, he was going to Harvard. He would meet famous people, rub shoulders with the seriously wealthy, and hopefully, not disappoint his parents, who wanted so much for him. The thought of not seeing Amelia again, perhaps for six months or so, weighed on him, but was assuaged somewhat, by the excitement of what lay ahead. The flight passed uneventfully, and eventually the big jet’s engines backed off, to start the glide into Logan international airport.
“My dad still thinks I’m a baby” he thought to himself, when he recognised his name held aloft at the check out, by a young man in jeans and sneakers. His guide to the university called himself Tony, and turned out to be an undergraduate, who hired himself out to new arrivals.
Frederik was grateful in the end, because the trip from airport to the campus was bewildering, and then the university itself, overwhelming. Tony showed him around, explained how things operated, then helped him find his accommodation, which was located in a medium rise building not far from the campus.
“You’ll need a push bike to get around, it’s easier than trying to find a park. I can get you one if you like, around two hundred bucks will get you a really good one, and you can flog it off, when you are finished with it.”
Frederik made the deal. Eventually he found himself in his apartment, again organised by Viktor, unnecessarily large thought Fred, he didn’t need two bedrooms, and the view from the fifth floor was wonderful, but again unnecessary. It must have cost his dad a motza, but wasn’t he here to study, not enjoy the sights?
Still, here he was, and it was certainly very comfortable, in fact, luxurious. His mind flashed back to rush beds on the floor, and smelly walls, and the local native Indians, struggling to get enough food for the family that day. The thought passed, as quickly as it came. He would find a flat mate to share, get back some of the rent his father had forked out.
Again Tony told him how to go about it, posting a notice of who he wanted, and what rent he should expect. Tony recommended he get a girl to share with him, and made a few salacious remarks of the advantages this could bring, but the recent image of Amelia’s tearful face, pushed that idea away. When Tony had finished his explanations, he seemed reluctant to leave, then Frederik realised he wanted to be tipped. This was something new for the young Swede, and he blushed when he had to ask what was expected. Tony did not take advantage, he had already been paid well for his services, the tip was an extra, but one might as well get these newcomers used to the way things were done in the U.S of A.
Twenty dollars passed hands, and it dawned on Frederik he would have to start finding out very quickly, that American way, or he would soon be going broke. His allowance from home was generous, but definitely finite. He had a lot to learn, and he had better start learning right away.
Frederik had a few days to spend before classes began in earnest, and he spent the time exploring the city, as well as the vast campus of the university. Things here were more relaxed than back home. People dressed more casually, but it was obvious, a lot of money lived here. It showed in the motor cars, they were ubiquitous, and while there was a fair sprinkling of older bombs, probably students struggling to meet ends, there were also plenty of Mercedes, large American sedans, BMWs, Porsches, and other, obviously expensive, automobiles.
As he strolled the sidewalks, he couldn’t help but notice the obviously wealthy, with their designer clothes and sharp footwear, but it was a mixture. There were rough ones here too, plenty of rough ones, as he described them to himself, scruffy clothing, and some not too clean. There was wealth in this city, but also he could see people who were doing it tough. It was an interesting pot pourri of human life, and he was fascinated. Sweden was tidier, and more egalitarian. He preferred Sweden.
Classes commenced in the new week, and Frederik’s education began a new phase. At his father’s suggestion, he had enrolled for two degrees, both seemingly unrelated, but Viktor had said they were equally important. Applied Psychology, and an interesting one, calling itself “Inverse Problems of Science and Engineering”. It was a heavy workload, with lots of tutorials, and a pile of books to get through, but Frederik was determined to work, and was not daunted.
He found a flat mate the second week. Gerald Henderson was the son of a stockbroking father, and a sometimes successful, actress mother. Gerry, as he liked to be called, was a flamboyant character, who liked flashy clothes, and drove a Merc convertible, not brand new, but still presentable. It worked for him with the girls.
Gerry, seemingly, always had a different girl with him, and for Viktor, missing Amelia badly, they all seemed very pretty. Viktor resisted at first, Gerry’s offer to pair him with one of the undergrads, but his determination to remain true to Amelia weakened after a couple of weeks, and he allowed himself to accompany a leggy redheaded girl from Texas, called Cindy.
“Don’t be shy Fred, Cindy won’t bight you, at least not too hard. She’s fun, you’ll get along fine.”
Cindy was fun, and the memory of Amelia faded further. He still called her from time to time, but the letters he had promised, rarely eventuated.
Gerry’s aim in life was clear cut, and his take on it, different to Frederik. His father, Peter, a millionaire several times over, had made his fortune on the stock market as a canny trader, and wanted his son to follow in his footsteps. Like Viktor, he had sent his son to Harvard to meet people.
Higher education had not played a big part of Peter’s life. He had learned the skills of the market by shrewd observation, and listening carefully when he was with people, whom, he believed, knew their subjects. He picked up tips, and despite a few blunders, many of his investments turned to gold, because of those tips. Peter had made a point of cultivating those he thought were smart businessmen and women. A natural student of human behaviour, he had used the talents of others, to cash in.
“You go, and watch, and listen, my boy. Listen to what the smart people are saying, then listen again. You have to hear behind the words, sometimes the words are a smoke screen, but then you put the words to what you see, and you get to the truth. Some people will talk big, but if their words are not matched with their results, beware, don’t pay too much attention. But if they have the goods to show, then listen up real good. They’ll tell you how to get rich, and being rich, is all that matters in this country.”
Gerry thought his father had nailed it with that one. Yes, America was all about getting rich. The rich ruled the world, made the decisions that mattered, had the
good life. You had to get rich, and that was Gerry’s goal in life, and Harvard was going to help him to get there.
Frederik had not thought too hard about the advantages of wealth. His parents were wealthy enough. They lived well, his dad’s business was profitable, they could afford better motor cars, and could travel whenever the whim took them, and he never heard his parents discussing money matters. The subject rarely came up. Gerry’s occasional bursts, about the desirability of having lots of money, intrigued him.
Gerry had a generous allowance from his father, which provided the freedom to not only entertain the females he found attractive, but also to make some small investments of his own. He had his own stock broker, and Frederik would overhear him on the phone, discussing with his father, pros and cons of certain holdings he thought were worth dabbling in. His father encouraged this.
“You make money buying and selling, son. Buying and selling! So long as you buy it right, and sell it right, you make money. The trick is, knowing when to buy, and when to sell, especially what to pay for it, that is what it is all about. To know that, you have to watch, listen and learn. Read the market. Look for signs. Particularly, you have to listen to people who know, who have inside knowledge, they’ll give you the clues.”
Gerry’s portfolio was already impressive, and was slowly growing in value. He confided to Frederik he wanted to pass a million dollars before he turned twenty one, and he was well on the way. Frederik decided he would watch, listen and learn…from Gerry. It was apparent his flat mate was no slouch when it came to share trading, so when he occasionally mentioned an interest in a particular company, Fred quietly also spent some of his allowance, buying up a few shares. He decided against using the same stock broker as Gerry. He wanted to keep his business private, and while he had no reason to suspect Gerry’s broker, he decided it was just as well to keep things at arm’s length.
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