Self Defense: Part II

Yves Gorman stood in the dimly lit, in the visible range at least, metallic corridor of the ElectroConvenience Corporation sub-basement. He stared intensely at the place on the wall, which he knew opened in the large room housing PAT. PAT had always given Gorman the "creeps". The simultaneous movement of nineteen people was fun to watch in those old musical Vids, but in a business discussion it went quickly from annoying to unnerving. The group mind PAT, all nineteen of him / her / them, moved in unison, even down the synchronized blinking! They were still people but a very special group of people, the first and hopefully last, transponder linked human group mind. A poorly designed implanted transponder malfunction had made one personality out of nineteen brains.

"Creepy for sure." Gorman said out loud. PAT needed Gorman's help again. There was trouble and Gorman had made a profession out of fixing trouble. He said to the wall panel. "PAT its Gorman." And the panel slid open; follow by nineteen faces turning toward him; nineteen sets of eyes being happy to see him.

"Please! come in." Said the chorus of voices that was PAT speaking. Nineteen right arms invited Gorman to sit. One chair facing nineteen chairs.

"Like the inquisition." Gorman said.

There was a massive sigh. PAT stood off to the side of the room. PAT began to pace back and forth as Gorman sat down. "I wish this was a social situation." PAT said.

"I see most people because they want me to do something for them." Gorman shrugged. "I've gotten use to it." He shrugged again, "Actually, I like to help people. And you have to admit, you are a lot of people." Gorman’s professional side was trying to lighten the heavy mood.

"Good, because its about to hit the fan, any moment now." PAT continued to synchronously pace.

"Janis told me you needed to see me." Gorman felt uncertain who in PAT he should look at. He understood so much about a person by the way their eyes moved as they talked. PAT had officially incorporated as a business entity, but apparently had not elected a CEO or President.

"I violated the contract. It was necessary!" PAT stopped pacing and moved to sit in front of Gorman.

Gorman had never seen PAT show emotion. "What has happened?"

"The Company has been notified that I have exceeded my daily time allowed on the Web / Net by 1.785 minutes." PAT wrung all their hands.

"Hardly, more than a minor infraction. In total that's not even five minutes on the Web / Net."

"4.675 minutes." PAT snapped.

"Okay, just explain the need for the extension." Gorman frowned.

"I can't, it . . . It would complicate . . . Make matters worse . . . " Nineteen sets of eyes glanced up at the Vid Cam in the corner of the ceiling.

"Here comes the message for you." PAT waved at Gorman as his phone implant buzzed in his ear. Gorman jumped in surprise. PAT smiled weakly at Gorman. "If it’s on the Web / Net, I can monitor it."

********

Gorman stood in the reception area of ECC's executive suites. No one had come for him yet. There were no chairs and only one door in the reception area, the one he had come in through. Either you have an appointment or you aren't supposed to be here. A young man walked through an unidentifiable opening in the smooth tan wall. "Yves, or should I say, President Gorman, congratulations, I haven't seen you since your promotion." The young man smiled.