Page 24 of Wolf's Whistle
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Julien’s Townhouse
Friday, Breakfast
“Good morning, mon ange. Did you sleep well?”
“I don’t know what Isabel put in that milk and those cookies, but I slept better than I ever have in my whole life. But Julio is going to be upset with me, I didn’t read the books.” Richard sat down at the breakfast table in Julien’s suite and started filling his plate. “I can’t believe I’m so hungry. Country air is supposed to make you hungry, not city air.”
“You’re adjusting.” Julien countered unfolding his napkin.
“Adjusting to what?” Richard buttered a piece of toast.
“Your new lifestyle. We have nothing we are supposed to do today. Is there somewhere you’d like to go?”
“No place I can think of. Can we stay in today and watch more episodes of the show from last night on the big TV? I sold mine in Chicago, and I missed it. I know it’s considered crass, but I like television.” Richard blushed. “I’ve never seen an eighty-five-inch TV before last night.”
Julien laughed, then confided, “I like television too. I’ll get the discs. Meet me in the media room. Tell Isabel we need popcorn with extra butter.”
Richard laughed. The childlike enthusiasm Julien displayed for the idea of spending a day with him watching an old television show amused him. He followed Julien to the media room and sat down in one of the cushy chairs. Julien inserted a disc, then sat down beside him and the marathon began.
Isabel came in with a snack at around ten. Richard was ravenous. They took a break from television, and Julien brought out the course catalog from the Engineering School at NYU. They scoped out courses in manufacturing, operations management, and mechanical engineering.
“Although my major was electrical engineering, I had a minor in mechanical engineering. Julio always thought I would major in software design, but I couldn’t see myself spending the whole day behind a desk writing computer code. So, I took the hardware route by going for electrical engineering.”
“What made you want a master’s in industrial engineering?” Julien brushed an auburn curl behind Richard’s ear.
“I think that once we solve the pollution problem, and streamline production with robotics and technology savvy employees, manufacturing is going to make a comeback in the United States. We can’t be dependent on foreign goods for things that are necessary for our survival. Remember what happened because we were so dependent on foreign oil. I read a lot of history.” Richard’s smile turned grim. “You can’t tell me that oil wasn’t one of the reasons for the war in Iraq, maybe not Afghanistan, but Iraq for sure.”
Julien nodded. “It wasn’t the main reason, but it sure was in the mix.”
“We need to develop manufacturing systems that are efficient and make up for the wage differences between here and third world countries. If you need to pay high wages, then you have to make sure production costs less without cutting corners on quality. That means inventing innovative systems that use new technologies and apply them to manufacturing.” Richard blushed. “But you know this already. That’s why you provide seed money to startups.”
“Yes, but it’s nice to know that my intern is in sync with my goals.” Julien put his arm around Richard’s shoulder and gave him a squeeze. They ate their snack as they watched two additional episodes ofBabylon 5and broke for lunch at noon. The phone rang. It was Julio. Richard took the call in front of Julien, putting the phone on speaker.
“You’re on speaker, Julio, and Julien is here with me.”
“Have you read Colin’s books yet?”
“I’m watching television with Julien.”
“You’ve got to read them quickly.”
“Why are you so insistent?”
“Richard.” Julio blew out an exasperated breath. “Just read the books and remember what you promised.”
“What did you promise?” Julien asked Richard.
Julio interrupted him. “It’slunchbusiness.”
“Oh,lunch.” Julien laughed. “I won’t ask any more questions.”
Chapter Six
Julien’s Townhouse
Friday Afternoon
