Page 110 of The Thorne at My Side
“Man,” Charlie laughs, “You called us to be on the show! You’re not sharing anything. But actually, if you're not going to share who the speeches were for or what the lawsuit is about; can you tell us why you're sharing this information now."
"Well, a person I respect and admire lost their job because AIM was being used to write speeches. This person believes in elevating the discussion and the goal for AIM generated content was to find the lowest common denominator.
"I often disagreed with this person because I focused on the bottom line of this product. How more people would use it if they felt the news agreed with them. And, I was right, for the record, but I also saw in the data that people's opinions started to skew even further from the middle. They get stuck in an algorithm that took them further away from common ground. And that concerns me."
"How so?"
"Well, this country takes all sorts of people to make it work. It does best when diverse groups of citizens come together for the good of everyone. It feels like that is slipping away from us now. That we only want to interact with people who think like us. And while that might be easier, it's fucking boring."
He laughs, "You seem to feel passionate about this, Austin."
"Yeah, I do, I am, because I've found a person who challenges me and makes me think deeper about issues. She pushes me. She's the person I want to talk to about things. We come from different places. We have different opinions. We hardly ever agree." I let out a chuckle as Maggie's face comes to mind. "And even though she frustrates me to no end, I'm gratefulshe's in my life."
"Who is this lucky lady?"
"Again, I'm not at liberty to say," I reply with a smirk.
"Well you know we always get to dating on For The Record, so does this mean you, Austin Thorne, are off the market?"
"I hope so."
CHAPTER 34
For The Record, Again Pt 2
MAGGIE
"I can't believe I'm calling you about a political podcast," Liz says into the phone.
"I can't believe you're calling me about a political podcast either." I tell her as I swing my legs under me and settle into the corner of my chair. I switch the call to speakerphone and set it down on the armrest while Liz continues.
"It's that one you went on last year, when you got in a fight with Austin Thorne."
The way she says his name has me picturing her wiggling her eyebrows at me.
"Yeah? For The Record. What about it?"
"Austin was on it again, yesterday."
"He was?" I ask as I grab my phone. I pull up the podcast's website and scroll to find the latest episode.
"So you haven't heard it yet?" Liz asks.
"No, I don't follow it as closely anymore."
"Well, this one might be worth a listen."
"Okay, I'll listen when we're done talking,” I promise. “What photo sessions do you have booked this week?"
"One family session, a newborn, and, oh, what's that? Surething, be right there," she calls off to the side of the phone. "Gotta go, call me when you listen to the show! Bye!"
I doubt anyone was really calling her considering she spat that all out in one breath and she works by herself. With an eye roll I press play on the podcast.
My mind pictures Austin sitting in the same studio we were in together. Did he sit in the same seat? Take mine? I didn't see another guest's name so he is on this one alone.
He starts with some updates on AIM and I like hearing what happened from his side. I get the sense there is more to the story than what he’s sharing. I can picture his emotionless business face.
He continues with the news that AIM was used for speech writing. Which I certainly knew all about but no one outside the senator’s, well the president’s, inner circle knew.
