The Goodbye Man
- Автор: Дивер Джеффри
- Серия: Colter Shaw #2
- Год: 2020
- Язык: английский
- Год: G. P. Putnam’s Sons
- ISBN: 978-0-525-53597-3
- Жанр: Другие детективы
Электронная книга - «The Goodbye Man». Краткое содержание книги:
A bit of flirt laced Samuel’s words. Shaw gave a cautious nod, simultaneously acknowledging the man’s meaning and gently rejecting the overture.
The matter was settled, and no harm done.
“This means, I’m pleased to tell you, that if you want to sign on for the training, you’ll be placed in our expedited program. We feel you’d be an asset to the Foundation.”
“Well, I... Sure. Why not?” Still wary.
“Excellent. Now, let’s get to the nitty-gritty, shall we?” In the manner of all good salesmen, Journeyman Samuel devoted himself entirely to the task. He set the tablet down and looked Shaw in the eye. “The Process is expensive but you get—”
“—what you pay for.”
“Indeed, indeed, indeed! Master Eli is committed to making the Process available to everyone so he’s created an ingenious fee structure. Yes, there’s a large payment for the ITP, the Initial Training Period. The seventy-five hundred you saw on the application. Master Eli knows it’s substantial but that guarantees commitment. You put that kind of money into anything, you’ll follow through. Think about those health club memberships — you force yourself out of bed at five a.m. not because you want to work on your pecs but because you don’t want to waste those two thousand buckolas. Am I right?”
He charged ahead without waiting for Shaw’s response. “Now, if you’re satisfied with the Process, the Foundation offers one-week refresher training sessions. Most people return at least two or three times a year.”
“What’s that cost?”
“Two thousand a week. But we offer a lifetime enrollment plan. You pay a nominal fee for expenses — a few hundred — every time you attend and you agree to leave the Foundation five percent of your estate when you die. For that, you can come back as often as you like. I’d recommend that. A number of people sign up.”
Shaw gave a scoffing laugh. “Maybe it’s something to think about. I don’t have any money. It was all I could do to scrape together the seventy-five hundred. But a will? I don’t even have one.”
“We’ll take care of that for you.”
“Well, you really want five percent of a 2006 pickup and my CD collection, be my guest. But... well, is there a guarantee of some kind about this Process?”
This brought a smile to Samuel’s round face. “As you’ll see, a guarantee wouldn’t really be practical. But once you go through the Process, you’ll know that it works. Depression, loneliness, anxiety... They’ll be things of the past.”
“I don’t want drugs. I got into trouble before.”
“None of that. What you need to cure your ills is already within you. Master Eli simply gives you the skills to fix yourself. And it works. Oh my, it works. So, Mr. Skye, I’m pleased to say that you’ve met all the criteria for the training. I do hope you’ll sign up. However, first...”
Samuel extracted from the top desk drawer a single sheet of paper. “You’ll have to be comfortable with the rules. Master Eli has found that the Process works best when we’re on a smooth ship. Or a tight ship. Whichever one, you get the idea.” Samuel chuckled.
Then the smile vanished, as he grew serious. “And I must tell you: infractions do have consequences.” He slid the piece of paper toward Shaw.
22
Welcome, Companions!
The cornerstone of your training, the Process™, is a completely immersive experience. Master Eli has developed a series of simple rules to guarantee that you will get the most you possibly can from your time here. We ask that you follow them at all times.
1. You cannot leave the camp for any reason during your three-week ITP (Initial Training Period). There is a medical team on-site, which can provide treatment for nearly all illnesses and accidents. If necessary, we have access to excellent local medical care.
2. You cannot make or receive any phone calls or emails during the ITP. You will leave your cell phone, computer and other electronic devices with the Assistance Unit. We have arrangements to get messages to you, in the event of a true emergency at home.
3. You will wear your provided clothing and your amulet at all times.
Provided clothing? Required jewelry? Shaw was once more wondering what he’d gotten himself into.
4. You will not consume alcohol or use drugs, other than prescription medications.
5. In the Osiris Foundation, we are not “members” or “followers.” Staff, trainers and trainees are to be referred to as “Companion.” We use given names only and precede them with the status of the Companion you’re addressing: Novice, Apprentice or Journeyman. Those in the Inner Circle should be referred to as “Journeymen.” Using these titles is in keeping with the Foundation’s philosophy of equality among genders, sexual orientation, races and nationalities.
6. You will not engage in relations with other Companions or staff.
7. You should spend your hours of Introspection meditating and reflecting in solitude, not groups.
8. You cannot leave your dormitory between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. This is because of the risk presented by wild animals.
Shaw had an amusing image of a hungry wolf noting angrily that the time was 9:45 in the evening; he’d have to wait fifteen minutes for dinner.
He skipped to the end of the rules.
13. Once you have completed the training, you may tell others about the benefits of the Foundation but nothing about the Process™ itself or the specifics of your training. You will not post anything online regarding the Foundation, the staff or your experiences here.
14. You will do nothing to disparage the integrity of Master Eli, the staff, the Foundation or the Process™.
Weren’t two of the Ten Commandments about not worshiping other gods and taking the name of the Lord in vain?
Tapping the sheet, Shaw asked, “‘Companions’? What’s that about?”
“Master Eli believes the term best captures the spirit of the Foundation. It connotes camaraderie and equality.”
Didn’t people refer to their dogs as companions? Shaw’s sister, Dorion, had. He recalled another use of the word: he’d once rescued the teenage daughter of a prostitute, when the local police had little interest in finding the missing girl. In describing possible suspects, the hooker had referred to her clients as “companions.”
Shaw scanned the sheet once more.
“We can’t leave?” Frowning.
“Master Eli has found the Process works best when you’re wholly focused.”
“No phone?”
“We allow one phone call to let your loved ones know that you’ll be incommunicado for three weeks. Beyond that, Master Eli likes to say that the Foundation will be your family for the time you’re here. Besides, you’re single, have no children.” Samuel knew this without looking at his magic tablet. “Well, what do you think, sir? We’d be happy to have you on board.”
A practiced salesman, Samuel said nothing more. He knew not to oversell. He removed his glasses and cleaned the lenses with a tissue. Replacing the specs, he cocked his head and gazed at Shaw.
As if debating, Shaw studied the desktop, noting in the troubled wood an image of a lopsided Mount Fuji. His brow was furrowed. It was a smart arrangement. Applicants had already paid a nonrefundable fee. Of course they’d sign up; who’d want to flush a thousand dollars down the drain for this ten-minute spiel?
“Okay. I guess. And I’ll think about that, you know, will thing. For the future sessions.”