by James Cage
I am used to spending most of my time alone. I always have a book to read. Sometimes I listen to CDs or the radio. The radio stations in Massachusetts play Aerosmith constantly. In New Jersey, the local stations play Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen. The radio stations in New York City play everything. Hours pass by quickly when I listen to music or read a book.
I also pass time on the Internet. The Verizon Telephone Company man hooked up the phone in my apartment so I could connect to the Internet with my Dell laptop computer. I expect to receive email from both Danny and Louis. For a short period longer, I will monitor the logs and maintain the L&J Corporate website. I placed a notification on the website that L&J Incorporated will close down, December 31, 2002.
During the evening, I continue to watch some television. Sporting events and movies are what I enjoy mostly. The History Channel, Discovery Channel, Food Network, and Weather Channel are good too. I do not enjoy network and cable news programs. The news organizations give opinionated, censored versions of what is happening in the world. About half of what they report is true. The other half of reporting is slanted or outright lies.
The worst programs on television are those involving politicians and political opinions. I do not believe anything the Democrats or Republicans say. I don’t trust foreign heads of state or representatives from the United Nations. The personality traits of most politicians are selfish, egoistic and deceptive. Politicians have a voracious appetite for power and money. They are like dinosaurs, devouring everything in their path. I think that some politicians are actual monsters just posing as human beings.
Today is my first Saturday in Massachusetts. It is a beautiful morning. I take the train back into Boston. This time I walk along the Charles River all the way to the Boston University Bridge. According to my map there are many colleges and universities on the Boston side of the river. There are Boston University, Emerson College, Suffolk University, Tufts University, the University of Massachusetts Boston Campus and Boston College. On the Cambridge side of the river are MIT and Harvard. There are lots of other schools in the area. My apartment, in the suburbs, is not that far from Northeastern University.
There are many more people today jogging, bicycling and walking along the river. At lunchtime, I visit a pub on Commonwealth Avenue near Boston University. The patrons are local university students and their professors. I have a burger, fries and a pint of Sam Adams beer. There are television sets in strategic positions throughout the bar. I shall return to this establishment some Sundays, to watch the Patriot’s football games.
On my return trip walking along the river, I stop to watch a show at the Hatch Memorial Shell. It is a rock concert. Mostly middle aged, ex-hippies are hanging out listening to the music. There are a few college students too. Since most of the audience is my age, I stay to hear a few songs. I do not know the name of this group but they are very good.
Sunday morning is another nice day. I map out a three miles jogging path near my apartment complex. I run past churches, schools and houses. Traffic is lighter on a Sunday, so I am able to run safely. However, some of the homes have dogs that are unleashed. I walk by the dogs slowly. I will avoid these homes the next time I run. When the jog is complete, I stop at the nearby Dunkin Donuts and drink a large coffee and eat a cream donut. I am going to have to change my eating habits. I have been eating only hamburgers and donuts since I arrived in Massachusetts.
In the afternoon I skip lunch and watch a football game at home. The score is Jets 37, Bills 31. After the football game, I have dinner at a nearby, family style, Italian Restaurant near the Woburn Mall on Commerce Way. Because it is Sunday the establishment is crowded. I have to wait ten minutes for a table. The food is good. The spaghetti with marinara sauce, salad and bread are equivalent to a pizza takeout joint in New York City.
When I order a cup of coffee, the young waitress asks, “Where are you from?”
I answer, “New Jersey.”
She says, “Where are you living in this area?”
I say, “Woburn.”
She corrects my pronunciation. She says, “It is pronounced, Wu-burn.” She pronounces Woburn, like the name Dr. Wu, in the song by Steely Dan. My pronunciation was “Woo-burn.” I made a woo sound, like a cowboy makes pulling up his horse and saying, “Woo.”
Whenever I return to this restaurant it won’t be on a Sunday. I suspect that during the week there will be less people. The crowd should be different too, probably office workers and businessmen. I figure the best time to eat in this restaurant is on a weekday at 5:00 PM.
Monday, the ninth of September, is my first day of work in Wakefield. I open a file from L&J Incorporated titled “WFD Genetic Engineering.” Part of this job is data entry into an Excel Spreadsheet. For most people this is boring, tedious work. But I do not mind entering numbers into a spreadsheet. The work keeps me busy. I don’t have to think very much. Because I am working only two days per week in Wakefield, it will take a month for me to do this particular job. Scotty will supply more data entry work after this file is finished.
Scotty and I are the only two people occupying this office. The accounting and controller’s offices are located in this section of the building. No other person enters these two rooms, or even knocks on the door. Scotty never answers the phone. The three calls that come in today go directly into the answering machine.
After lunch break I do the other part of my job. I copy computer programs, written by Louis and Danny, into the computer. These programs are written in the C programming language. As I look over the material, I can tell the programs are not complete. Scotty will finish writing these programs. The programs are written in sections. When one section is constructed properly, you check the functionality. If that part of the program works bug free, you continue onto the next part. Different people may write parts of a program. Then someone integrates the whole thing and you have your completed software program.
Scotty’s company deals with genetic engineering. This program is specific to, “Enhancing the virulence of naturally sporulating organisms.” From recent newspaper articles about anthrax, I know that Bacillus Anthrax is a sporulating organism. The only other sporulating organism I can think of is Clostridium Botulinum. The botulism toxin causes illness and death. I remember that from the microbiology class I took thirty years ago. I am going to have to do an Internet search on “sporulating organisms.”
After completing my first day’s assignment, Scotty tells me that this work has to do with Advanced Biological Warfare. This is a new government contract.
I say, “Danny and Louis are against biological warfare.”
Scotty says, “That is exactly what we are doing. Danny and Louis helped create this program to thwart the creation of biological weapons. If someone develops a genetically engineered virulent organism, we create the antidote against it.”
I think about the AIDS virus. I wonder if that is a genetically engineered virulent organism.
When I report to WFD Genetics on Tuesday, I follow the same procedure as the preceding day. Scotty is always here to help and to explain things to me.
After finishing work Tuesday, I drive to the Woburn Train Station. I take the train to Boston’s North Station. I get on the orange line subway, and then at Downtown Crossing I change to the red line. I take this train to Boston’s South Station. I barely catch the Amtrak’s Regional Service train, departing at 6:45 PM, for New York’s Penn Station.
The train arrives in New York at 10:45 PM. It is a little dangerous taking the subway late at night. So, I take a cab from Eighth Avenue to the Eighty-Third Street apartment.
Wednesday morning in New York City, I go to the local post office. I fill out a card to hold the mail for the apartment. I thought I would be able to come into New York each week. However, a one way train ride takes a minimum of three and a half hours. Most of the trains take four hours or more. A Gre
yhound bus or driving a car takes just as long.
Before I departed New Jersey the previous week, I told the Jersey post office to hold all my mail. I knew I would be unable to return to New Jersey every week. Now I understand that I will be unable to return to New York City each week too.
At 3:03 PM Wednesday afternoon, I take the Acela Express train, back to Boston’s South Station. The train takes three and a half hours arriving at 6:33 PM. The express train costs double the regional train. I pay the train expenses out of my own pocket. I do not charge this trip to the L&J Incorporated credit card.
I eat at a pub in the South Station. I have roast beef, a baked potato, salad and a pint of Guinness. There are lots of good-looking women in this bar.
When I get to the Woburn Station, I have to pay an eight dollars parking fee for overnight and the next day.
It is Thursday’s at Seghar’s Company in Boston. I have the file from Danny and Louis that says, “Manchester Automated Robotics.” My work is similar to the work that I do at Scotty’s firm. I enter data in the morning and copy C programs in the afternoon. If I have a problem, Seghar is here to help me. I do not enter data quickly, accuracy is more important.
Seghar’s Company’s goal is to diagnose disease early and specifically. This is part of the Advanced Biological Warfare Program, abbreviated, ABW in the WFD and Automated Robotics documentation. I did not know specifics about the ABW program until Scotty explained it to me on Monday.
During this four weeks period, working with Scotty and Seghar, I have maintained a good work, exercise and recreational schedule. I have managed to run or walk four times per week. In order not to waste time cooking and cleaning, I eat meals out. When I eat at my apartment, I eat fruits and vegetables. I have replaced the breakfast donuts with a soft boiled egg and whole wheat toast.
It is Wednesday morning, the second of October. I am searching the area near the Government Center on Court Street. Yesterday, Seghar gave me the new corporation contract. He told me to go over the contract with a lawyer. He asked me, “Do you need to go to New York for a lawyer or do you have one locally?”
I told him, “I have a cousin here in Boston. I shall give him a call.”
With the exception of my cousin, Nicky, who is a first cousin, my cousins are second and third cousins from the brothers and sisters of my father’s parents.
After walking around in circles for half an hour, I finally find my cousin’s office. There are office buildings in this area that include: the JFK Federal Building, Boston City Hall, and the Suffolk County Court House. His law office is in a large building on Cambridge Street.
My cousin Paul is a graduate of Boston University. He attended law school in Pennsylvania. He returned to Boston a few years ago to set up private practice. He is twenty years younger than I am and unmarried. Paul is a big man. He is six feet tall, two hundred pounds, blue eyes, and blond hair.
Paul has a medium size office. There is a secretary at the front desk. I have just made the 10:00 AM appointment on time. She leads me into his office. The secretary has good legs. Paul is probably fooling around with her.
He says, “This is my legal secretary Kathy.”
She waves, “Hello,” and goes back to her desk.
He gives me a hug and asks. “How are you doing cousin?”
I say, “Fine, you look well. How many people do you have working for you?”
Paul replies, “I have Kathy and one paralegal. He is in school right now. When he gets his law degree, I shall make him a junior partner. He is a decent kid.”
Then he says, “Let’s look at the contract you told me about.”
He explains to me that the papers are for the formation of an S Corporation. The name of the newly formed corporation is Molay Biotech Incorporated.
He asks, “Do you know the difference between an S Corporation and a partnership?”
“Yes, I know the difference. In a partnership the partners are liable. It depends on the type of partnership, general or limited, how much liability each partner has. The S Corporation is a better setup. The corporation is a separate entity and the individuals are not liable. The corporation is responsible for payment of debt. When it comes to paying taxes, an S corporation is like a partnership. Each individual investor pays tax on the percentage of his investment. The taxpayer uses the schedule K-1 form and pays the taxes. A taxpayer in a partnership pays individual taxes the same way.”
We go over the basics of the contract. Seghar, Scott and Mario have a twenty-five percent share each. Danny and Louis individually own a twelve and one half percent share. Seghar, Scott and Mario will invest $100,000 apiece into the corporation. Louis and Danny add $50,000 apiece. Total assets invested are $400,000.
The breakdown of shares at one dollar par value per share is as follows: 100,000 shares for Scott, 100,000 shares for Seghar, 100,000 shares for Mario, 45,000 shares for Danny, 45,000 shares for Louis and 10,000 shares for me.
My cousin Paul says, “Danny and Louis cut you in for ten percent of their shares because you are their agent.”
I say, “Wow, they did not have to do that.”
I write an L&J Incorporated check, in the amount of $500 and give it to my cousin.
He says, “Look, I don’t want to take any money from you.”
I say, “This is a business expense and L&J Incorporated needs a lawyer in Massachusetts.”
Paul speaks, “I’ll take you to lunch. It is a nice day out. We can go for a walk.”
We walk through the Boston Common, go across Charles Street, and enter the Public Gardens. We cross the next street, walk past the hotel and get onto fancy Newbury Street. We eat at an Italian restaurant. My cousin and I order the same meal: a dish of pasta, salad and a glass of Chianti. This restaurant is equivalent to a good Italian eatery in New Jersey. It cannot compare to an Italian restaurant in Manhattan, New York City.
My cousin spends some time with me. He shows me Chinatown and the Financial Center. I notice there is a World Trade Center in Boston. I did not know that. He also takes me past Paul Revere’s House.
I say, “At the end of his midnight ride, didn’t Paul Revere say, Woo.”
My cousin laughs.
At 3:00 PM, Paul leaves me at the North Station. It was good to see him.
Chapter 27
October, 2002
On Friday morning, the eleventh of October, I begin my drive back to New Jersey. Monday is the Columbus Day holiday. Seghar told me on Thursday to take Friday off. Scotty gave me Monday and Tuesday off. Wednesday, I can use as a travel day to return to Boston. Seghar told me to take Interstate 90, the Massachusetts Turnpike and cut through Connecticut to return to New Jersey.
There is heavy traffic on Interstate 90 and I have to pay a toll. This ride is better than taking Interstate 95 on the coast. At Exit 9 on the turnpike, I get off and enter Interstate Highway 84. This road takes me through Hartford the capital of Connecticut. I pass the University of Connecticut in Farmington. I take Highway 84 all the way through Danbury. I know my way from here. In the 1980’s, I would visit my Uncle Jerry at the Federal Penitentiary in Danbury. He was there for a couple of years on a bookmaking rap. That was the second occasion he did prison time. At Danbury, I get onto Highway 684 and go south through Westchester County in New York State.
Now, I am driving on Highway 287. Traffic slows because of roadwork. I pay the toll on the New York side of the Tappan Zee Bridge. I continue my journey a few miles west, turn south and enter the Garden State Parkway into New Jersey. I arrive home after six hours of traveling. The ride was at least one half hour less than my initial ride to Boston. However, on my return trip, I have to go to New York City, so I am going to take the coast and Interstate 95.
Saturday in New Jersey, I collect my mail at the post office. I pay any bills that have arrived and mail them out. Part of the afternoon, I look out the window to see if any unmarked white va
ns are passing by. Thankfully, none are.
From the front window, I also watch for certain types of people that may walk by my house. I don’t like it when someone in a jogging suit and in good physical condition walks by. I wonder why they are walking and not jogging. If it is a man or a woman and they are in running gear, they should be running. If they are walking, he or she is probably a watcher.
On Sunday Morning the thirteenth of October, I go for a walk on the boardwalk. I do not put on jogging gear other than sneakers. Usually on Columbus Day weekend, I run in an eighteen miles race on Long Beach Island. But I am too tired to run even five miles. I decide that this is the last time I drive from Boston to New Jersey. When I come back home for Thanksgiving, I shall take the train. The next time I drive to New Jersey, my business in Boston will be complete.
Late Monday evening, I drive into Manhattan. I sleep at the East Eighty Third Street apartment.
Tuesday, I go to the local post office on Eighty-Fifth Street near Third Avenue and pick up the mail. After returning to the apartment, I check for any correspondence from Danny and Louis. There are no letters from the boys. There is mostly junk mail and a few bills. I pay the bills. I have not received any email from the boys since August.
My next job is to visit the New York lawyer. The local number six, subway train from Eighty-Sixth Street, takes ten minutes to arrive at Thirty-Third Street. I walk the few blocks west, to the Empire State Building. The lawyer’s office is on a middle floor.
The lawyer is a woman. She is a New York girl that received her law degree from Fordham University in Manhattan. Her name is Susan. Her age is forty-three years old. She has a fine figure and is five feet, five inches tall. There is a picture of a boy and girl on her desk. Like their mother, both siblings have blue eyes and brown hair. The children are one year apart. The boy is eleven and the girl is twelve years old. Susan is divorced and does not have a picture of her ex-husband. I say, “Susan this is the file for the new company Danny and Louis are forming.” I hand it to her.
