The Myth of the Maker by Bruce R Cordell

Author:Bruce R Cordell [Cordell, Bruce R]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Science Fiction, Fantasy, The Strange, RPG
Publisher: Angry Robot
Published: 2017-04-02T16:00:00+00:00

22: Computation

Katherine Manners

The orange taxi pulled up outside the sprawling Federal University of Parana, Brazil. The main structure reminded Kate of the White House back in the USA. Lots of white columns, windows, pomp and circumstance.

“Obrigado,” Raul told the taxi driver, handing over several colorful bills. The car sped off, leaving Katherine wondering which door they should enter by. Various signs seemed promising, but she couldn’t read them. Before she applied for a visa to visit Brazil, she hadn’t even known that Portuguese was the country’s official language. She was embarrassed to remember she’d assumed it was Spanish.

A man with black-rimmed glasses and neatly trimmed gray hair noticed them from the steps. He yelled, “Olá!” and waved them over.

“Is that Claudio?” said Raul.

“Must be,” she said. They waded through the sea of students to the steps.

Liza Banks had provided their contact, one Claudio Rodrigues, who worked in the Federal University computing lab, spoke English, and was amenable to showing an “American silicon valley investor” around the newly founded, next-generation computer research facility the university was building.

“You must be Ms Manners!” said Claudio, beaming.

“And you’re Senhor Rodrigues?”

The man’s smile widened with delight. “Yes, indeed I am. I am so glad to make your acquaintance. But please call me Claudio.” His command of English was so perfect that his accent was hardly noticeable, but when he said Claudio, the name sounded to her ears more like clowd-joe.

Claudio looked at Raul. “And this is?”

Raul smiled, turning up the amperage to match their host. He extended his hand and said, “Glad to meet you. Vick Tanzler. I’m hoping what you’ve got here is as exciting as what we’ve been led to believe. Because I’ve got angel investment cash gathering dust in an index fund. An index fund, dude! Boring. I can’t tell you how awesome it would be to put those greenbacks to work on something exciting. Something like I hear you’ve got cooking down here in Brazil!”

Kate’s mouth fell open. Raul’s Mexican accent was gone, replaced by an over-cooked LA surfer accent. Awesome?

Claudio blinked a few times, apparently as taken aback at “Vick’s” enthusiasm as Kate.

Kate jumped into the breach and said, “Didn’t Liza tell you? Things were moving so fast I guess our wires got crossed. Mr Tanzler has joined our group. You can probably see why. So yes, if we like what we see, then we’re ready to move with investment papers immediately. Maybe even today?”

“Oh.” Comprehension dawned. “Oh! Well that would be wonderful! Though the formal tour of the facility isn’t scheduled until tomorrow–”

Raul clapped Claudio on the shoulder and said, “I didn’t get where I am by wasting time while the sun’s up, dude. All of us only have so much time on this Earth. And I only want to spend part of the days left for me on business, know what I mean?”

“I guess. Well, maybe not–”

“Dude – listen.” Raul squeezed Claudio’s shoulder for emphasis. “Is there any way you could let us take a peek early? Like, right now? I’d really appreciate it.

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