Context: Technology is playing an increasingly large role in our lives. From cell phones to social media, technological innovations are changing the way we interact, work, study, relax, and negotiate

Context: Technology is playing an increasingly large role in our lives. From cell phones to social media, technological innovations are changing the way we interact, work, study, relax, and negotiate
PU BLIS H ED B Y ALFR ED A . K N OPF & A LFR ED A . K N OPF C AN ADA PU BLIS H ED B Y M C SW EEN EY ’ S B O OKS SA N F R AN CIS C O TH IS IS A B O RZO I B O OK Copyrig h t © 2 013 b y D ave E ggers A ll r ig h ts r e se rv ed . P ubli s h ed i n t h e U nite d S ta te s b y A lf r e d A . K nopf, a d iv is io n o f R an dom H ou se L LC , N ew Y ork , a n d i n Can ada b y A lf r e d A . K nopf C an ada, a d iv is io n o f R an dom H ou se o f C an ada L im ite d , T oro n to , P en gu in R an dom H ou se Com pan ie s. www.a akn opf.c o m www.r a n dom hou se .c a www.m csw een ey s.n et Knopf, B orz o i B ooks, a n d t h e c o lo ph on a re r e g is te re d t r a dem ark s o f R an dom H ou se L LC . Knopf C an ada a n d c o lo ph on a re t r a dem ark s. M cS w een ey ’s a n d c o lo ph on a re r e g is te re d t r a dem ark s o f M cS w een ey ’s , a p riv ate ly h eld c o m pan y w ith w ild ly f lu ctu atin g re so u rc es. This is a w ork o f f ic tio n. N am es, c h ara cte rs, p la ces, a nd in cid en ts e ith er a re th e p ro duct o f th e a uth or’s im agin atio n o r a re use d f ic titio usly . A ny r e se m bla nce to a ctu al p erso ns, liv in g o r d ea d, e ven ts , o r lo ca le s is e n tir e ly c o in cid en ta l . Cata lo gin g-in -P ubli c a tio n d ata i s a vaila ble f r o m t h e L ib ra ry o f C on gre ss a n d f r o m L ib ra ry a n d A rc h iv es C an ada. IS B N : 9 78-0 -3 85-3 5139-3 eB ook I S B N : 9 78-0 -3 85-3 5140-9 Ja ck et d esig n b y J essic a H is c h e v3.1 There w asn ’t a n y li m it, n o b ou ndary a t a ll, t o t h e f u tu re . A nd i t w ou ld b e s o a m an w ou ld n ’t h ave r o om t o s to re his h appin ess. J OHN S TEIN BEC K East o f E den Con te n ts Cover Title P age Copyrig h t Epig ra ph Book I Book I I Book I II A N ote A bo ut th e A uth or Oth er B ooks b y T his A uth or M Y G O D , M AE t h ough t. I t’s h eav en . The c a m pus w as v ast a n d r a m blin g, w ild w it h P aci y c c o lo r, a n d y et th e s m alle st d eta il h ad b een c a re fu lly c o nsid ere d , s h ap ed b y t h e m ost e lo quen t h an ds. O n la n d t h at h ad o nce b een a s h ip yard , t h en a d riv e-in m ovie t h eate r, t h en a f le a m ark et, t h en b lig h t, t h ere w ere n ow s o ft g re en h ills a n d a C ala tr a v a fo unta in . A nd a p ic n ic a re a, w it h ta b le s a rra n ged in c o nce n tr ic c ir c le s. A nd te n nis c o urts , c la y a n d g ra ss. A nd a v olle y ball c o urt, w here tin y c h ild re n f r o m t h e c o m pan y’s d ay ca re c e n te r w ere r u nnin g, s q uealin g, w eav in g lik e w ate r. A m id a ll th is w as a w ork pla ce , to o, fo ur h undre d a cre s o f b ru sh ed s te el a n d g la ss o n th e h ead quarte rs o f th e m ost in { uen tia l c o m pan y in th e w orld . T he sk y a b ove w as sp otle ss a n d b lu e. Mae w as m ak in g h er w ay t h ro ugh a ll o f t h is , w alk in g f r o m t h e p ark in g lo t t o t h e m ain h all, tr y in g to lo ok a s if sh e b elo nged . T he w alk w ay w ound a ro und le m on a n d o ra n ge t r e es a n d it s q uie t re d c o bble sto nes w ere re p la ce d , o cca sio nally , b y tile s w it h im plo rin g m essa ges of in sp ir a tio n. “D re am ,” one sa id , th e w ord la se r-c u t in to th e re d sto ne. “ P artic ip ate ,” sa id an oth er. There were doze n s: “F in d Com munit y .” “In novate .” “ Im agin e.” S h e ju st m is se d ste p pin g o n th e h an d o f a y oung m an in a g re y ju m psu it ; h e w as in sta llin g a n ew s to ne t h at s a id “ B re ath e.” On a s u nny M onday in J u ne, M ae s to pped in f r o nt o f t h e m ain d oor, s ta n din g b elo w t h e l o go e tc h ed in to th e g la ss a b ove. T hough th e co m pan y w as le ss th an six y ears o ld , it s n am e a n d lo go — a c ir c le s u rro undin g a k nit te d g rid , w it h a s m all ‘c ’ in th e c e n te r— were a lr e ad y a m ong t h e b est-k now n in t h e w orld . T here w ere o ver t e n t h ousa n d e m plo yees o n t h is , th e m ain ca m pus, b ut th e C ir c le h ad o } ce s all o ver th e glo be, an d w as h ir in g h undre d s o f g if te d y oung m in ds e v ery w eek . I t h ad b een v ote d t h e w orld ’s m ost a d m ir e d c o m pan y f o ur y ears r u nnin g. Mae w ould n’t h av e th ough t sh e h ad a c h an ce to w ork a t su ch a p la ce , b ut fo r A nnie . A nnie w as tw o y ears o ld er a n d th ey ’d r o om ed to geth er fo r th re e s e m este rs in c o lle ge, in a n u gly b uild in g m ad e h ab it a b le t h ro ugh t h eir e xtr a o rd in ary b ond, s o m eth in g lik e f r ie n ds, s o m eth in g lik e sis te rs o r c o usin s w ho w is h ed th ey w ere sib lin gs a n d w ould h av e re aso n n ev er t o b e a p art. T heir y rst m onth liv in g t o geth er, M ae h ad b ro ken h er ja w o ne t w ilig h t, a fte r fa in tin g, { u-r id den a n d u nderfe d , d urin g y nals . A nnie h ad to ld h er to sta y in b ed , b ut M ae h ad g o ne t o t h e 7 -E le v en f o r c a ein e a n d w oke u p o n t h e s id ew alk , u nder a t r e e. A nnie to ok h er to th e h osp it a l, a n d w ait e d a s th ey w ir e d h er ja w , a n d th en s ta y ed w it h M ae, s le ep in g n ext to h er, in a w ooden c h air , a ll n ig h t, a n d th en a t h om e, fo r d ay s, h ad f e d M ae th ro ugh a s tr a w . It w as a y erc e le v el o f c o m mit m en t a n d c o m pete n ce th at M ae h ad n ev er s e en f r o m s o m eo ne h er a ge o r n ear h er a ge, a n d M ae w as t h ere afte r lo yal in a w ay s h e’d n ev er k now n s h e c o uld b e. While M ae w as still at C arle to n, m ean derin g betw een m ajo rs, fr o m art his to ry to m ark etin g to p sy ch olo gy — gettin g h er d egre e in p sy ch w it h n o p la n s to g o fu rth er in th e yeld — Annie had gra d uate d , go tte n her M BA fr o m Sta n fo rd an d was re cru it e d ev ery w here , b ut p artic u la rly a t th e C ir c le , a n d h ad la n ded h ere d ay s a fte r g ra d uatio n. Now sh e h ad so m e lo fty tit le — Dir e cto r o f E nsu rin g th e F utu re , A nnie jo ked — an d h ad urg ed M ae t o a p ply f o r a jo b. M ae d id s o , a n d t h ough A nnie in sis te d s h e p ulle d n o s tr in gs, Mae w as s u re t h at A nnie h ad , a n d s h e f e lt in deb te d b ey ond a ll m easu re . A m illio n p eo ple , a b illio n, w an te d to b e w here M ae w as a t th is m om en t, e n te rin g th is a tr iu m , th ir ty fe et hig h an d sh ot th ro ugh w it h C alif o rn ia lig h t, on her y rst day w ork in g fo r th e only co m pan y t h at r e ally m atte re d a t a ll. Sh e p ush ed o pen th e h eav y d oor. T he fr o nt h all w as a s lo ng a s a p ara d e, a s ta ll a s a ca th ed ra l. T here w ere o } ce s e v ery w here a b ove, fo ur { oors h ig h o n e it h er sid e, e v ery wall m ad e o f g la ss. B rie { y d iz zy , sh e lo oked d ow nw ard , a n d in th e im macu la te g lo ssy {oor, sh e sa w h er o w n fa ce re { ecte d , lo okin g w orrie d . S h e sh ap ed h er m outh in to a sm ile , f e elin g a p re se n ce b eh in d h er. “Y ou m ust b e M ae.” Mae tu rn ed to y nd a b eau tif u l y oung h ead { oatin g a to p a s c a rle t s c a rf a n d w hit e s ilk blo use . “I’m R en ata ,” s h e s a id . “H i R en ata . I ’m lo okin g f o r— ” “A nnie . I k now . S h e’s o n h er w ay .” A s o und, a d ig it a l d ro ple t, c a m e f r o m R en ata ’s e ar. “S h e’s a ctu ally … ” R en ata w as lo okin g a t M ae b ut w as se ein g so m eth in g e ls e . R etin al in te rfa ce , M ae a ssu m ed . A noth er in novatio n b orn h ere . “S h e’s in t h e O ld W est,” R en ata s a id , f o cu sin g o n M ae a gain , “ b ut s h e’l l b e h ere s o on.” Mae s m ile d . “ I h ope s h e’s g o t s o m e h ard ta ck a n d a s tu rd y h orse .” Ren ata s m ile d p olit e ly b ut d id n ot la u gh . M ae k new th e c o m pan y’s p ra ctic e o f n am in g each p ortio n o f th e c a m pus a fte r a n h is to ric a l e ra ; it w as a w ay to m ak e a n e n orm ous pla ce le ss im perso nal, le ss co rp ora te . It beat Build in g 3B -E ast, w here M ae had la st work ed . H er la st d ay a t t h e p ublic u tilit y in h er h om eto w n h ad b een o nly t h re e w eek s a go —th ey ’d b een stu pe y ed w hen sh e g av e n otic e — but a lr e ad y it se em ed im possib le sh e’d waste d so m uch o f h er lif e th ere . G ood rid dan ce , M ae th ough t, to th at g u la g a n d a ll it re p re se n te d . Ren ata w as still gettin g sig n als fr o m h er earp ie ce . “O h w ait ,” sh e sa id , “n ow sh e’s sa y in g sh e’s still tie d u p o ver th ere .” R en ata lo oked a t M ae w it h a ra d ia n t sm ile . “ W hy don’t I t a k e y ou t o y our d esk ? S h e s a y s s h e’l l m eet y ou t h ere in a n h our o r s o .” Mae th rille d a b it a t th ose w ord s, you r d esk , a n d im med ia te ly s h e th ough t o f h er d ad . He w as p ro ud. So p ro u d , h e’d s a id o n h er v oic e m ail; h e m ust h av e le ft t h e m essa ge a t f o ur a.m . S h e’d g o tte n it w hen s h e’d w oken u p. So v ery p ro u d , h e’d s a id , c h okin g u p. M ae w as tw o y ears o ut o f c o lle ge a n d h ere sh e w as, g ain fu lly e m plo yed b y th e C ir c le , w it h h er ow n h ealt h in su ra n ce , h er o w n a p artm en t in t h e c it y , b ein g n o b urd en t o h er p are n ts , w ho had p le n ty e ls e t o w orry a b out. Mae fo llo w ed R en ata o ut o f th e a tr iu m . O n th e la w n, u nder d ap ple d lig h t, a p air o f young p eo ple w ere s it tin g o n a m an m ad e h ill, h old in g s o m e k in d o f c le ar ta b le t, ta lk in g wit h g re at in te n sit y . “Y ou’l l b e in th e R en ais sa n ce , o ver h ere ,” R en ata sa id , p oin tin g a cro ss th e la w n, to a build in g o f g la ss a n d o xid iz e d c o pper. “ T his is w here a ll th e C usto m er E xp erie n ce p eo ple are . Y ou’v e v is it e d b efo re ?” Mae n odded . “ I h av e. A f e w t im es, b ut n ot t h is b uild in g.” “S o y ou’v e se en th e p ool, th e sp orts a re a.” R en ata w av ed h er h an d o to w ard a b lu e para lle lo gra m a n d a n a n gu la r b uild in g, th e g y m , r is in g b eh in d it . “ O ver th ere th ere ’s th e yoga s tu dio , c ro ss y t, P ila te s, m assa ges, s p in nin g. I h eard y ou s p in ? B eh in d t h at t h ere ’s t h e bocce c o urts , a n d t h e n ew t e th erb all s e tu p. T he c a fe te ria ’s ju st a cro ss t h e g ra ss … ” R en ata poin te d to th e lu sh r o llin g g re en , w it h a h an dfu l o f y oung p eo ple , d re sse d p ro fe ssio nally an d s p la y ed a b out lik e s u nbath ers. “ A nd h ere w e a re .” They s to od b efo re th e R en ais sa n ce , a n oth er b uild in g w it h a fo rty -f o ot a tr iu m , a C ald er mobile t u rn in g s lo w ly a b ove. “O h, I lo ve C ald er,” M ae s a id . Ren ata s m ile d . “ I k now y ou d o.” T hey lo oked u p a t it t o geth er. “ T his o ne u se d t o h an g in t h e F re n ch p arlia m en t. S o m eth in g lik e t h at.” The w in d t h at h ad f o llo w ed t h em in n ow t u rn ed t h e m obile s u ch t h at a n a rm p oin te d t o Mae, a s if w elc o m in g h er p erso nally . R en ata t o ok h er e lb ow . “ R ead y? U p t h is w ay .” They e n te re d a n e le v ato r o f g la ss, tin te d fa in tly o ra n ge. L ig h ts { ic k ere d o n a n d M ae sa w h er n am e a p pear o n th e w alls , a lo ng w it h h er h ig h sc h ool y earb ook p hoto . W ELC O M E M AE H OLLA N D . A s o und, s o m eth in g lik e a g asp , le ft M ae’s t h ro at. S h e h ad n’t s e en t h at p hoto in years, an d had been hap py fo r it s ab se n ce . This m ust hav e been A nnie ’s doin g, assa u lt in g h er w it h it a gain . T he p ic tu re w as in deed M ae— her w id e m outh , h er th in lip s, her o liv e s k in , h er b la ck h air , b ut in t h is p hoto , m ore s o t h an in lif e , h er h ig h c h eek bones gav e h er a lo ok o f se v erit y , h er b ro w n e y es n ot sm ilin g, o nly sm all a n d c o ld , re ad y fo r war. S in ce th e p hoto — sh e w as e ig h te en th en , a n gry a n d u nsu re — Mae h ad g ain ed m uch – need ed w eig h t, her fa ce had so fte n ed an d cu rv es ap peare d , cu rv es th at bro ugh t th e atte n tio n o f m en o f m yria d ages a n d m otiv es. S h e’d tr ie d , s in ce h ig h s c h ool, to b e m ore open , m ore acce p tin g, an d se ein g it h ere , th is d ocu m en t o f a lo ng-a go era w hen sh e assu m ed t h e w orst o f t h e w orld , r a ttle d h er. J u st w hen s h e c o uld n’t s ta n d it a n ym ore , t h e photo d is a p peare d . “Y eah , e v ery th in g’s o n se n so rs,” R en ata sa id . “T he e le v ato r re ad s y our ID , a n d th en sa y s h ello . A nnie g av e u s th at p hoto . Y ou g u ys m ust b e tig h t if sh e’s g o t h ig h sc h ool pic tu re s o f y ou. A nyw ay , h ope y ou d on’t m in d. W e d o th at fo r v is it o rs, m ostly . T hey ’r e usu ally im pre sse d .” As th e e le v ato r r o se , th e d ay ’s fe atu re d a ctiv it ie s a p peare d o n e v ery e le v ato r w all, th e im ages a n d t e xt t r a v elin g f r o m o ne p an el t o t h e n ext. W it h e ach a n nounce m en t, t h ere w as vid eo , p hoto s, a n im atio n, m usic . T here w as a sc re en in g o f Koyaan is q ats i a t n oon, a se lf – massa ge d em onstr a tio n a t o ne, co re str e n gth en in g a t th re e. A co ngre ssm an M ae h ad n’t heard o f, g re y -h air e d b ut y oung, w as h old in g a to w n h all a t six th ir ty . O n th e e le v ato r door, he w as ta lk in g at a podiu m , so m ew here els e , {ags rip plin g beh in d him , his sh ir ts le ev es r o lle d u p a n d h is h an ds s h ap ed in to e arn est f is ts . The d oors o pen ed , s p lit tin g t h e c o ngre ssm an in t w o. “H ere w e a re ,” R en ata sa id , ste p pin g o ut to a n arro w ca tw alk o f ste el g ra tin g. M ae lo oked d ow n a n d fe lt h er s to m ach c in ch . S h e c o uld s e e a ll th e w ay to th e g ro und { oor, fo ur s to rie s b elo w . Mae a tte m pte d le v it y : “ I g u ess y ou d on’t p ut a n yone w it h v ertig o u p h ere .” Ren ata s to pped a n d t u rn ed t o M ae, lo okin g g ra v ely c o nce rn ed . “ O f c o urse n ot. B ut y our pro file s a id — ” “N o, n o,” M ae s a id . “ I’m f in e.” “S erio usly . W e c a n p ut y ou lo w er if — ” “N o, n o. R eally . I t’s p erfe ct. S o rry . I w as m ak in g a jo ke.” Ren ata w as v is ib ly s h ak en . “ O kay . J u st le t m e k now if a n yth in g’s n ot r ig h t.” “I w ill.” “Y ou w ill? B eca u se A nnie w ould w an t m e t o m ak e s u re .” “I w ill. I p ro m is e ,” M ae s a id , a n d s m ile d a t R en ata , w ho r e co vere d a n d m oved o n. The ca tw alk re ach ed th e m ain { oor, w id e an d w in dow ed an d bis e cte d by a lo ng hallw ay . O n e it h er sid e, th e o } ce s w ere fr o nte d b y { oor-t o -c e ilin g g la ss, th e o ccu pan ts vis ib le w it h in . E ach h ad d eco ra te d h is o r h er s p ace e la b ora te ly b ut ta ste fu lly — one o } ce fu ll of sa ilin g para p hern alia , m ost of it se em in g air b orn e, han gin g fr o m th e exp ose d beam s, a n oth er a rra y ed w it h b onsa i tr e es. T hey p asse d a s m all k it c h en , th e c a b in ets a n d sh elv es all gla ss, th e cu tle ry m agn etic , atta ch ed to th e re fr ig era to r in a tid y grid , ev ery th in g illu m in ate d b y a v ast h an d-b lo w n c h an delie r a glo w w it h m ult ic o lo re d b ulb s, it s a rm s r e ach in g o ut in o ra n ge a n d p each a n d p in k. “O kay , h ere y ou a re .” They s to pped a t a c u bic le , g re y a n d s m all a n d lin ed w it h a m ate ria l lik e s y nth etic lin en . Mae’s h eart fa lt e re d . It w as a lm ost p re cis e ly lik e th e c u bic le s h e’d w ork ed a t fo r th e la st eig h te en m onth s. I t w as t h e y rst t h in g s h e’d s e en a t t h e C ir c le t h at h ad n’t b een r e th ough t, th at b ore a n y re se m bla n ce to th e p ast. T he m ate ria l lin in g th e cu bic le w alls w as— sh e co uld n’t b elie v e it , it d id n’t s e em p ossib le — burla p . Mae k new R en ata w as w atc h in g h er, a n d sh e k new h er fa ce w as b etr a y in g so m eth in g lik e h orro r. Sm ile , s h e t h ough t. Sm ile . “T his o kay ?” R en ata s a id , h er e y es d artin g a ll o ver M ae’s f a ce . Mae f o rc e d h er m outh t o in dic a te s o m e le v el o f s a tis fa ctio n. “ G re at. L ooks g o od.” This w as n ot w hat s h e e xp ecte d . “O kay th en . I’l l le av e y ou to g et y ourse lf a cq uain te d w it h th e w ork sp ace , a n d D en is e an d J o sia h w ill b e in s o on t o o rie n t y ou a n d g et y ou s e t u p.” Mae tw is te d h er m outh in to a s m ile a gain , a n d R en ata tu rn ed a n d le ft. M ae s a t, n otin g th at th e b ack o f th e ch air w as h alf -b ro ken , th at th e ch air w ould n ot m ove, it s w heels se em in g s tu ck , a ll o f t h em . A c o m pute r h ad b een p la ce d o n t h e d esk , b ut it w as a n a n cie n t model sh e h ad n’t se en a n yw here e ls e in th e b uild in g. M ae w as b a ed , a n d fo und h er mood s in kin g in to t h e s a m e s o rt o f a b yss in w hic h s h e’d s p en t t h e la st f e w y ears. Did a n yone re ally w ork a t a u tilit y co m pan y a n ym ore ? H ow h ad M ae co m e to w ork th ere ? H ow h ad sh e to le ra te d it ? W hen p eo ple h ad a sk ed w here sh e w ork ed , sh e w as more in clin ed to lie a n d sa y sh e w as u nem plo yed . W ould it h av e b een a n y b ette r if it had n’t b een in h er h om eto w n? Afte r s ix o r s o y ears o f lo ath in g h er h om eto w n, o f c u rsin g h er p are n ts f o r m ovin g t h ere an d s u bje ctin g h er t o it , it s lim it a tio ns a n d s c a rc it y o f e v ery th in g— div ersio n, r e sta u ra n ts , en lig h te n ed m in ds— Mae h ad re ce n tly c o m e to re m em ber L ong y eld w it h so m eth in g lik e te n dern ess. I t w as a s m all t o w n b etw een F re sn o a n d T ra n quillit y , in co rp ora te d a n d n am ed by a lit e ra l-m in ded fa rm er in 1 866. O ne h undre d a n d y fty y ears la te r, it s p opula tio n h ad peak ed a t ju st under tw o th ousa n d s o uls , m ost o f th em w ork in g in F re sn o, tw en ty m ile s aw ay . L ong y eld w as a c h eap p la ce t o liv e, a n d t h e p are n ts o f M ae’s f r ie n ds w ere s e cu rit y gu ard s, t e ach ers, t r u ck ers w ho lik ed t o h unt. O f M ae’s g ra d uatin g c la ss o f e ig h ty -o ne, s h e was o ne o f tw elv e to g o to a fo ur-y ear c o lle ge, a n d th e o nly o ne to g o e ast o f C olo ra d o. That s h e w en t s o fa r, a n d w en t in to s u ch d eb t, o nly to c o m e b ack a n d w ork a t th e lo ca l utilit y , s h re d ded h er, a n d h er p are n ts , t h ough o utw ard ly t h ey s a id s h e w as d oin g t h e r ig h t th in g, t a k in g a s o lid o pportu nit y a n d g ettin g s ta rte d in p ay in g d ow n h er lo an s. The u tilit y b uild in g, 3 B -E ast, w as a t r a gic b lo ck o f c e m en t w it h n arro w v ertic a l s lit s f o r win dow s. In sid e, m ost o f th e o } ce s w ere w alle d w it h c in derb lo ck , e v ery th in g p ain te d a sic k ly g re en . I t w as lik e w ork in g in a lo ck er r o om . S h e’d b een t h e y oungest p erso n in t h e build in g b y a d eca d e o r so , a n d e v en th ose in th eir th ir tie s w ere o f a d i ere n t c e n tu ry . They m arv ele d at h er co m pute r sk ills , w hic h w ere b asic an d co m mon to an yone sh e knew . But her co w ork ers at th e utilit y w ere asto unded . They ca lle d her th e Bla ck Lig h tn in g , so m e w ilt e d re fe re n ce to h er h air , a n d to ld h er sh e h ad qu it e a b rig h t fu tu re a t th e u tilit y if s h e p la y ed h er c a rd s r ig h t. In fo ur o r y ve y ears, th ey to ld h er, s h e c o uld b e head o f I T f o r t h e w hole s u b-s ta tio n! H er e xasp era tio n w as u nbounded . S h e h ad n ot g o ne to c o lle ge, $ 234,0 00 w orth o f e lit e lib era l a rts e d uca tio n, fo r a jo b lik e th at. B ut it w as work , an d sh e need ed th e m oney . H er stu den t lo an s w ere vora cio us an d dem an ded month ly fe ed in gs, so sh e to ok th e jo b an d th e p ay ch eck an d k ep t h er ey es o pen fo r gre en er p astu re s. Her im med ia te su perv is o r w as a m an nam ed K ev in , w ho se rv ed as th e oste n sib le te ch nolo gy o } ce r a t th e u tilit y , b ut w ho, in a s tr a n ge tw is t, h ap pen ed to k now n oth in g ab out te ch nolo gy . H e k new ca b le s, s p lit te rs; h e s h ould h av e b een o pera tin g a h am r a d io in h is b ase m en t— not s u perv is in g M ae. E very d ay , e v ery m onth , h e w ore th e s a m e s h ort- sle ev ed b utto n-d ow n, th e s a m e r u st-c o lo re d tie s. H e w as a n a w fu l a ssa u lt o n th e s e n se s, his b re ath sm ellin g o f h am a n d h is m usta ch e fu rry a n d w ay w ard , lik e tw o sm all p aw s em erg in g, s o uth w est a n d s o uth east, f r o m h is e v er-f la re d n ostr ils . All th is w ould h av e b een y ne, h is m an y o en se s, b ut fo r th e fa ct th at h e actu ally belie v ed t h at M ae c a re d . H e b elie v ed t h at M ae, g ra d uate o f C arle to n, d re am er o f r a re a n d go ld en d re am s, ca re d a b out th is jo b a t th e g as a n d e le ctr ic u tilit y . T hat sh e w ould b e worrie d if K ev in c o nsid ere d h er p erfo rm an ce o n a n y g iv en d ay s u bpar. I t d ro ve h er m ad . The tim es h e w ould a sk h er to c o m e in , w hen h e w ould c lo se h is d oor a n d sit a t th e co rn er o f h is d esk — th ey w ere e xcru cia tin g. Do y ou k n ow w hy y ou ’r e h ere ? h e w ould a sk , lik e a h ig h w ay co p w ho’d p ulle d h er o ver. O th er tim es, w hen h e w as sa tis y ed w it h whate v er w ork s h e’d d one t h at d ay , h e d id s o m eth in g w orse : h e pra is e d h er. H e c a lle d h er his pro té gée . H e lo ved th e w ord . H e in tr o duce d h er to v is it o rs th is w ay , sa y in g, “ T his is my p ro té gée, M ae. S h e’s p re tty sh arp , m ost d ay s” — an d h ere h e’d w in k a t h er a s if h e were a ca p ta in an d sh e his y rst m ate , th e tw o of th em vete ra n s of m an y ra u co us ad ven tu re s a n d f o re v er d ev ote d t o e ach o th er. “ If s h e d oesn ’t g et in h er o w n w ay , s h e h as a b rig h t f u tu re a h ead o f h er h ere .” Sh e c o uld n’t s ta n d it . E very d ay o f t h at jo b, t h e e ig h te en m onth s s h e w ork ed t h ere , s h e wondere d if sh e co uld re ally ask A nnie fo r a fa v or. Sh e’d n ev er b een o ne to ask fo r so m eth in g lik e th at, to b e re sc u ed , to b e lif te d . It w as a k in d o f n eed in ess, p ush in ess — nudgin ess , h er d ad c a lle d it , s o m eth in g n ot b re d in to h er. H er p are n ts w ere q uie t peo ple who d id n ot lik e to b e in a n yone’s w ay , q uie t a n d p ro ud p eo ple w ho to ok n oth in g fr o m an yone. And M ae w as th e sa m e, b ut th at jo b b en t h er in to so m eth in g e ls e , in to so m eo ne w ho would d o a n yth in g to le av e. It w as s ic k en in g, a ll o f it . T he g re en c in derb lo ck s. A n a ctu al wate r c o ole r. A ctu al p unch c a rd s. T he a ctu al certi y ca te s o f m erit w hen s o m eo ne h ad d one so m eth in g deem ed sp ecia l. A nd th e hours! A ctu ally nin e to y ve! A ll of it fe lt lik e so m eth in g f r o m a n oth er t im e, a r ig h tfu lly f o rg o tte n t im e, a n d m ad e M ae f e el t h at s h e w as not o nly w astin g h er lif e b ut th at th is e n tir e c o m pan y w as w astin g lif e , w astin g h um an pote n tia l a n d h old in g b ack t h e t u rn in g o f t h e g lo be. T he c u bic le a t t h at p la ce , her c u bic le , was th e d is tilla tio n o f it a ll. T he lo w w alls a ro und h er, m ean t to fa cilit a te h er c o m ple te co nce n tr a tio n o n t h e w ork a t h an d, w ere lin ed w it h b urla p , a s if a n y o th er m ate ria l m ig h t dis tr a ct h er, m ig h t a llu de to m ore e xo tic w ay s o f s p en din g h er d ay s. A nd s o s h e’d s p en t eig h te en m onth s in a n o } ce w here th ey th ough t, o f a ll th e m ate ria ls m an a n d n atu re o ere d , th e o ne th eir s ta s h ould s e e, a ll d ay a n d e v ery d ay , w as b urla p . A d ir ty s o rt o f burla p , a le ss r e y ned f o rm o f b urla p . A b ulk b urla p , a p oor m an ’s b urla p , a b udget b urla p . Oh go d, sh e th ough t, w hen sh e le ft th at pla ce sh e vow ed nev er to se e or to uch or ack now le d ge t h e e xis te n ce o f t h at m ate ria l a gain . And sh e d id n ot e xp ect to se e it a gain . H ow o fte n , o uts id e o f th e n in ete en th c e n tu ry , outs id e a gen era l sto re of th e nin ete en th ce n tu ry , does one en co unte r burla p ? M ae assu m ed sh e nev er w ould , but th en here it w as, all aro und her in th is new C ir c le work sp ace , an d lo okin g at it , sm ellin g it s m usty sm ell, h er ey es w elle d u p. “F uck in g burla p ,” s h e m um ble d t o h erse lf . Beh in d h er, s h e h eard a s ig h , th en a v oic e : “ N ow I’m th in kin g th is w asn ’t s u ch a g o od id ea.” Mae t u rn ed a n d f o und A nnie , h er h an ds in y sts a t h er s id es, p osin g lik e a p outin g c h ild . “F uck in g b urla p ,” A nnie s a id , im it a tin g h er p out, th en b urst o ut la u gh in g. W hen s h e w as done, s h e m an aged , “ T hat w as in cre d ib le . T han k y ou s o m uch f o r t h at, M ae. I k new y ou’d hate it , b ut I w an te d t o s e e ju st h ow m uch . I ’m s o rry y ou a lm ost c rie d . J esu s.” Now M ae lo oked t o R en ata , w hose h an ds w ere r a is e d h ig h in s u rre n der. “ N ot m y id ea!” sh e s a id . “ A nnie p ut m e u p t o it ! D on’t h ate m e!” Annie sig h ed w it h sa tis fa ctio n. “ I h ad to a ctu ally bu y th at c u bic le fr o m W alm art. A nd th e c o m pute r! T hat t o ok m e a ges t o y nd o nlin e. I t h ough t w e c o uld ju st b rin g t h at k in d o f stu u p fr o m th e b ase m en t o r so m eth in g, b ut w e h onestly h ad n oth in g o n th e e n tir e ca m pus u gly a n d o ld e n ough . O h g o d, y ou s h ould h av e s e en y our f a ce .” Mae’s h eart w as p oundin g. “ Y ou’r e s u ch a s ic k o.” Annie f e ig n ed c o nfu sio n. “ M e? I ’m n ot s ic k . I ’m a w eso m e.” “I c a n ’t b elie v e y ou w en t t o t h at m uch t r o uble t o u pse t m e.” “W ell, I d id . T hat’s h ow I g o t to w here I a m n ow . It’s a ll a b out p la n nin g a n d it ’s a ll ab out f o llo w -t h ro ugh .” S h e g av e M ae a s a le sm an ’s w in k a n d M ae c o uld n’t h elp b ut la u gh . Annie w as a lu natic . “ N ow le t’s g o . I ’m g iv in g y ou t h e f u ll t o ur.” As M ae fo llo w ed h er, s h e h ad to r e m in d h erse lf th at A nnie h ad n ot a lw ay s b een a s e n io r execu tiv e a t a co m pan y lik e th e C ir c le . T here w as a tim e, o nly fo ur y ears a go , w hen Annie w as a co lle ge stu den t who w ore m en ’s { an nel h ouse p an ts to c la ss, to d in ner, o n ca su al date s. A nnie w as w hat one of her boyfr ie n ds, an d th ere w ere m an y, alw ay s monogam ous, a lw ay s d ece n t, c a lle d a doofu s . B ut s h e c o uld a ord to b e. S h e c a m e fr o m money , g en era tio ns o f m oney , a n d w as v ery c u te , d im ple d a n d lo ng-la sh ed , w it h h air s o blo nd it c o uld o nly b e re al. S h e w as k now n b y a ll a s e erv esc e n t, se em ed in ca p ab le o f le ttin g a n yth in g b oth er h er f o r m ore t h an a f e w m om en ts . B ut s h e w as a ls o a d oofu s. S h e was g an gly , a n d u se d h er h an ds w ild ly , d an gero usly , w hen sh e sp oke, a n d w as g iv en to biz a rre c o nversa tio nal ta n gen ts a n d str a n ge o bse ssio ns— ca v es, a m ate u r p erfu m ery , d oo- wop m usic . S h e w as fr ie n dly w it h e v ery o ne o f h er e xes, w it h e v ery h ookup, w it h e v ery pro fe sso r ( sh e k new th em a ll p erso nally a n d s e n t th em g if ts ). S h e h ad b een in volv ed in , or ra n , m ost o r a ll o f th e clu bs a n d ca u se s in co lle ge, a n d y et sh e’d fo und tim e to b e co m mit te d to h er c o urse w ork — to e v ery th in g, r e ally — while a ls o , a t a n y p arty , b ein g th e most lik ely t o e m barra ss h erse lf t o lo ose n e v ery one u p, t h e la st t o le av e. T he o ne r a tio nal exp la n atio n f o r a ll t h is w ould h av e b een t h at s h e d id n ot s le ep , b ut t h is w as n ot t h e c a se . Sh e s le p t d eca d en tly , e ig h t to te n h ours a d ay , c o uld s le ep a n yw here — on a th re e-m in ute ca r r id e, in t h e f ilt h y b ooth o f a n o ff-c a m pus d in er, o n a n yone’s c o uch , a t a n y t im e. Mae k new th is y rsth an d, h av in g b een s o m eth in g o f a c h au eu r to A nnie o n lo ng r id es, th ro ugh out M in neso ta an d W is c o nsin an d Io w a, to co untle ss an d la rg ely m ean in gle ss cro ss-c o untr y c o nte sts . M ae h ad g o tte n a p artia l s c h ola rsh ip t o r u n a t C arle to n, a n d t h at’s where sh e m et Annie , w ho w as e ortle ssly go od, tw o years old er, but w as only in te rm it te n tly co nce rn ed w it h w heth er sh e, o r th e te am , w on o r lo st. O ne m eet A nnie would b e d eep in it , ta u ntin g th e o pponen ts , in su lt in g th eir u nif o rm s o r S A Ts, a n d th e next sh e’d b e w holly u nin te re ste d in th e o utc o m e b ut h ap py to b e a lo ng fo r th e rid e. It was o n th e lo ng rid es, in A nnie ’s ca r— whic h sh e p re fe rre d M ae to d riv e— th at A nnie would p ut h er b are f e et u p o r o ut t h e w in dow , a n d w ould r i o n t h e p assin g s c e n ery , a n d would s p ecu la te , fo r h ours, o n w hat w en t o n in th e b ed ro om o f th eir c o ach es, a m arrie d co uple w it h m atc h in g, a lm ost m ilit a ry , h air c u ts . M ae la u gh ed a t e v ery th in g A nnie sa id , an d it k ep t M ae’s m in d o t h e m eets , w here s h e, u nlik e A nnie , h ad t o w in , o r a t le ast d o well, to ju stif y th e su bsid y th e c o lle ge h ad p ro vid ed h er. T hey w ould in varia b ly a rriv e min ute s b efo re t h e m eet, w it h A nnie h av in g f o rg o tte n w hat r a ce s h e w as m ean t t o r u n, o r wheth er s h e r e ally w an te d t o r u n a t a ll. And so h ow w as th is p ossib le , th at th is sc a tte rsh ot an d rid ic u lo us p erso n, w ho still ca rrie d a p ie ce o f h er c h ild hood b la n ket a ro und in h er p ock et, h ad ris e n so q uic k ly a n d hig h t h ro ugh t h e C ir c le ? N ow s h e w as p art o f t h e f o rty m ost c ru cia l m in ds a t t h e c o m pan y —th e G an g o f 4 0— priv y to it s m ost se cre t p la n s a n d d ata . T hat sh e c o uld p ush th ro ugh th e h ir in g o f M ae w it h out b re ak in g a s w eat? T hat s h e c o uld s e t it a ll u p w it h in w eek s o f Mae y nally s w allo w in g a ll p rid e a n d m ak in g t h e a sk ? I t w as a t e sta m en t t o A nnie ’s in ner will, so m e m yste rio us a n d c o re se n se o f d estin y. O utw ard ly , A nnie sh ow ed n o sig n s o f garis h a m bit io n, b ut M ae w as su re th at th ere w as so m eth in g w it h in A nnie th at in sis te d upon th is , th at s h e w ould h av e b een h ere , in th is p osit io n, n o m atte r w here s h e’d c o m e fr o m . If sh e’d g ro w n u p in th e S ib eria n tu ndra , b orn b lin d to sh ep herd s, sh e still w ould hav e a rriv ed h ere , n ow . “T han ks A nnie ,” s h e h eard h erse lf s a y . They ’d w alk ed p ast a fe w c o nfe re n ce r o om s a n d lo unges a n d w ere passin g th ro ugh th e co m pan y’s n ew g alle ry , w here a h alf -d oze n B asq uia ts h ung, ju st a cq uir e d fr o m a n ear- bro ke m use u m in M ia m i. “W hate v er,” A nnie sa id . “A nd I’m so rry y ou’r e in C usto m er E xp erie n ce . I k now th at so unds sh it ty , b ut I w ill h av e y ou k now th at ab out h alf th e co m pan y’s se n io r p eo ple sta rte d t h ere . D o y ou b elie v e m e?” “I d o.” “G ood, b eca u se it ’s t r u e.” They le ft t h e g alle ry a n d e n te re d t h e s e co nd- { oor c a fe te ria — “T he G la ss E ate ry , I k now it ’s su ch a te rrib le n am e,” A nnie sa id — desig n ed su ch th at d in ers a te a t n in e d i ere n t le v els , a ll o f th e { oors a n d w alls g la ss. A t y rst g la n ce , it lo oked lik e a h undre d p eo ple were e atin g in m id -a ir . They m oved th ro ugh th e B orro w R oom , w here a n yth in g fr o m b ic y cle s to te le sc o pes to han g g lid ers w ere lo an ed , fo r fr e e, to a n yone o n s ta , a n d o nto th e a q uariu m , a p ro je ct ch am pio ned b y o ne o f th e fo unders. T hey sto od b efo re a d is p la y , a s ta ll a s th em se lv es, where je lly fis h , g h ostly a n d s lo w , r o se a n d f e ll w it h n o a p pare n t p atte rn o r r e aso n. “I’l l b e w atc h in g y ou,” A nnie sa id , “a n d ev ery tim e y ou d o so m eth in g gre at I’l l b e mak in g su re e v ery one k now s a b out it so y ou w on’t h av e to sta y th ere to o lo ng. P eo ple move u p h ere p re tty r e lia b ly , a n d a s y ou k now w e h ir e a lm ost e xclu siv ely fr o m w it h in . So ju st d o w ell a n d k eep y our h ead d ow n a n d y ou’l l b e s h ock ed a t h ow q uic k ly y ou’l l b e out o f C usto m er E xp erie n ce a n d in to s o m eth in g ju ic y .” Mae lo oked in to A nnie ’s e y es, b rig h t in t h e a q uariu m lig h t. “ D on’t w orry . I ’m h ap py t o be a n yw here h ere .” “B ette r to b e a t th e b otto m o f a la d der y ou w an t to c lim b th an in th e m id dle o f s o m e la d der y ou d on’t , r ig h t? S o m e s h it ty -a ss la d der m ad e o f s h it ? ” Mae la u gh ed . It w as th e sh ock o f h earin g su ch y lt h co m in g fr o m su ch a sw eet fa ce . “D id y ou a lw ay s c u rse t h is m uch ? I d on’t r e m em ber t h at p art o f y ou.” “I d o it w hen I ’m t ir e d , w hic h is p re tty m uch a lw ay s.” “Y ou u se d t o b e s u ch a s w eet g ir l.” “S o rry . I’m fu ck in g so rry M ae! J esu s fu ck in g C hris t, M ae! O kay . L et’s se e m ore stu . The k en nel! ” “A re w e w ork in g a t a ll t o day ?” M ae a sk ed . “W ork in g? T his is w ork in g. T his is w hat y ou’r e ta sk ed w it h d oin g th e y rst d ay : g ettin g to k now th e p la ce , th e p eo ple , g ettin g a cclim ate d . Y ou k now h ow w hen y ou p ut n ew wood f lo ors in to y our h ouse — ” “N o, I d on’t .” “W ell, w hen y ou d o, y ou y rst h av e to le t th em s it th ere fo r te n d ay s, to g et th e w ood acclim ate d . T hen y ou d o t h e in sta lla tio n.” “S o in t h is a n alo gy , I ’m t h e w ood?” “Y ou a re t h e w ood.” “A nd t h en I ’l l b e in sta lle d .” “Y es, w e w ill th en in sta ll y ou. W e’l l h am mer y ou w it h te n th ousa n ds tin y n ails . Y ou’l l lo ve it .” They v is it e d th e k en nel, a b ra in ch ild o f A nnie , w hose d og, D r. K in sm an n, h ad ju st passe d o n, b ut w ho h ad sp en t a fe w v ery h ap py y ears h ere , n ev er fa r fr o m h is o w ner. Why sh ould th ousa n ds o f e m plo yees a ll le av e th eir d ogs a t h om e w hen th ey co uld b e bro ugh t h ere , to b e a ro und p eo ple , a n d o th er d ogs, a n d b e c a re d fo r a n d n ot a lo ne? T hat had b een A nnie ’s lo gic , q uic k ly e m bra ce d a n d n ow co nsid ere d v is io nary . A nd th ey sa w th e n ig h tc lu b— ofte n u se d d urin g th e d ay fo r so m eth in g c a lle d e csta tic d an cin g, a g re at work out, A nnie s a id — an d t h ey s a w t h e la rg e o utd oor a m phit h eate r, a n d t h e s m all in door th eate r— “th ere a re a b out te n c o m ed y im pro v g ro ups h ere ”— an d a fte r th ey s a w a ll th at, th ere w as lu nch in th e la rg er, y rst- { oor c a fe te ria w here , in th e c o rn er, o n a s m all s ta ge, th ere w as a m an , p la y in g a gu it a r, w ho lo oked lik e an agin g sin ger-s o ngw rit e r M ae’s pare n ts lis te n ed t o . “Is t h at … ?” “It is ,” A nnie sa id , n ot b re ak in g h er str id e, “T here ’s so m eo ne e v ery d ay . M usic ia n s, co m ed ia n s, w rit e rs. T hat’s B aile y ’s passio n pro je ct, to brin g th em here to get so m e exp osu re , e sp ecia lly g iv en h ow r o ugh it is o ut t h ere f o r t h em .” “I k new t h ey c a m e s o m etim es, b ut y ou’r e s a y in g it ’s e v ery d ay ?” “W e b ook t h em a y ear a h ead . W e h av e t o f ig h t t h em o ff.” The s in ger-s o ngw rit e r w as s in gin g p assio nate ly , h is h ead tilt e d , h air c o verin g h is e y es, his f in gers s tr u m min g f e v eris h ly , b ut t h e v ast m ajo rit y o f t h e c a fe te ria w as p ay in g lit tle t o no a tte n tio n. “I c a n ’t im agin e t h e b udget f o r t h at,” M ae s a id . “O h g o d, w e d on’t pay t h em . O h w ait , y ou s h ould m eet t h is g u y.” Annie s to pped a m an n am ed V ip ul, w ho, A nnie s a id , w ould s o on b e r e in ven tin g a ll o f te le v is io n, a m ed iu m s tu ck m ore t h an a n y o th er in t h e t w en tie th c e n tu ry . “T ry n in ete en th ,” h e s a id , w it h a s lig h t I n dia n a cce n t, h is E nglis h p re cis e a n d lo fty . “ It’s th e la st p la ce w here cu sto m ers d o n ot, e v er, g et w hat th ey w an t. T he la st v estig e o f fe u dal a rra n gem en ts b etw een m ak er a n d v ie w er. W e a re v assa ls n o lo nger!” h e s a id , a n d so on e xcu se d h im se lf . “T hat g u y is o n a n oth er le v el,” A nnie s a id a s t h ey m ad e t h eir w ay t h ro ugh t h e c a fe te ria . They sto pped a t y ve o r six o th er ta b le s, m eetin g fa sc in atin g p eo ple , e v ery o ne o f th em work in g o n so m eth in g A nnie d eem ed world -r o ck in g o r lif e -c h an gin g o r yfty y ea rs a hea d o f an yon e e ls e . T he r a n ge o f th e w ork b ein g d one w as s ta rtlin g. T hey m et a p air o f w om en work in g on a su bm ersib le exp lo ra tio n cra ft th at w ould m ak e th e M aria n as Tre n ch myste rio us n o m ore . “ T hey ’l l m ap it lik e M an hatta n ,” A nnie s a id , a n d t h e t w o w om en d id not a rg u e t h e h yperb ole . T hey s to pped a t a t a b le w here a t r io o f y oung m en w ere lo okin g at a s c re en , e m bed ded in to th e ta b le , d is p la y in g 3 -D d ra w in gs o f a n ew k in d o f lo w -c o st housin g, t o b e e asily a d opte d t h ro ugh out t h e d ev elo pin g w orld . Annie g ra b bed M ae’s h an d a n d p ulle d h er t o w ard t h e e xit . “ N ow w e’r e s e ein g t h e O ch re Lib ra ry . Y ou h eard o f it ? ” Mae h ad n’t , b ut d id n’t w an t t o c o m mit t o t h at a n sw er. Annie g av e h er a c o nsp ir a to ria l lo ok. “ Y ou’r e n ot s u ppose d t o s e e it , b ut I s a y w e g o .” They g o t in to a n e le v ato r o f p le xig la ss a n d n eo n a n d ro se th ro ugh th e a tr iu m , e v ery {oor a n d o } ce v is ib le a s th ey c lim bed y ve { oors. “ I c a n ’t s e e h ow s tu lik e th at w ork s in to t h e b otto m lin e h ere ,” M ae s a id . “O h g o d, I d on’t k now , e it h er. B ut it ’s n ot ju st a b out m oney h ere , a s I’m g u essin g y ou know . T here ’s e n ough re v en ue to su pport th e p assio ns o f th e co m munit y . T hose g u ys work in g o n th e su sta in ab le h ousin g, th ey w ere p ro gra m mers, b ut a c o uple o f th em h ad stu die d a rc h it e ctu re . S o th ey w rit e u p a p ro posa l, a n d th e W is e M en w en t n uts fo r it . Esp ecia lly B aile y . H e ju st lo ves en ab lin g th e cu rio sit y o f gre at y oung m in ds. A nd h is lib ra ry ’s in sa n e. T his is t h e f lo or.” They ste p ped o ut o f th e e le v ato r a n d in to a lo ng h allw ay , th is o ne a p poin te d in d eep ch erry a n d w aln ut, a s e rie s o f c o m pact c h an delie rs e m it tin g a c a lm a m ber lig h t. “O ld s c h ool,” M ae n ote d . “Y ou k now a b out B aile y , rig h t? H e lo ves th is a n cie n t sh it . M ah ogan y, b ra ss, sta in ed gla ss. T hat’s h is a esth etic . H e g ets o verru le d in th e r e st o f th e b uild in gs, b ut h ere h e h as his w ay . C heck t h is o ut.” Annie s to pped a t a la rg e p ain tin g, a p ortr a it o f th e T hre e W is e M en . “ H id eo us, r ig h t? ” sh e s a id . The p ain tin g w as a w kw ard , th e k in d o f th in g a h ig h s c h ool a rtis t m ig h t p ro duce . In it , th e th re e m en , th e fo unders o f th e c o m pan y, w ere a rra n ged in a p yra m id , e ach o f th em dre sse d in t h eir b est-k now n c lo th es, w earin g e xp re ssio ns t h at s p oke, c a rto onis h ly , o f t h eir perso nalit ie s. T y G osp odin ov, t h e C ir c le ’s b oy-w onder v is io nary , w as w earin g n ondesc rip t gla sse s a n d a n e n orm ous h oodie , s ta rin g le ftw ard a n d s m ilin g; h e s e em ed to b e e n jo yin g so m e m om en t, a lo ne, tu ned in to so m e d is ta n t fr e q uen cy . P eo ple sa id h e w as b ord erlin e Asp erg er’s , an d th e pic tu re se em ed in te n t on undersc o rin g th e poin t. W it h his dark unkem pt h air , h is u nlin ed f a ce , h e lo oked n o m ore t h an t w en ty -f iv e. “T y lo oks c h eck ed o ut, rig h t? ” A nnie sa id . “ B ut h e c o uld n’t b e. N one o f u s w ould b e here if he w asn ’t a fu ck in g brillia n t m an agem en t m aste r, to o. I sh ould exp la in th e dynam ic . Y ou’l l b e m ovin g u p q uic k ly s o I ’l l la y it o ut.” Ty, b orn T yle r A le xan der G osp odin ov, w as th e y rst W is e M an , A nnie e xp la in ed , a n d ev ery one a lw ay s ju st c a lle d h im T y. “I k now t h is ,” M ae s a id . “D on’t s to p m e n ow . I ’m g iv in g y ou t h e s a m e s p ie l I h av e t o g iv e t o h ead s o f s ta te .” “O kay .” Annie c o ntin ued . Ty re aliz e d h e w as, at b est, so cia lly aw kw ard , an d at w orst an u tte r in te rp erso nal dis a ste r. So , ju st six m onth s befo re th e co m pan y’s IP O , he m ad e a very w is e an d pro y ta b le d ecis io n: h e h ir e d th e o th er tw o W is e M en , E am on B aile y a n d T om S te n to n. The m ove assu aged th e fe ars of all in vesto rs an d ult im ate ly tr ip le d th e co m pan y’s valu atio n. T he IP O ra is e d $ 3 b illio n, u npre ce d en te d b ut n ot u nexp ecte d , an d w it h all moneta ry c o nce rn s b eh in d h im , a n d w it h S te n to n a n d B aile y a b oard , T y w as f r e e t o { oat, to h id e, to d is a p pear. W it h e v ery su cce ssiv e m onth , h e w as se en le ss a n d le ss a ro und ca m pus an d in th e m ed ia . H e beca m e m ore re clu siv e, an d th e au ra aro und him , in te n tio nally o r n ot, o nly g re w . W atc h ers o f t h e C ir c le w ondere d , Where is T y a n d w hat is he p la n nin g? T hese p la n s w ere k ep t u nknow n u ntil th ey w ere re v eale d , a n d w it h e ach su cce ssiv e in novatio n bro ugh t fo rth by th e Cir c le , it beca m e le ss cle ar w hic h had orig in ate d f r o m T y h im se lf a n d w hic h w ere t h e p ro ducts o f t h e in cre asin gly v ast g ro up o f in ven to rs, t h e b est in t h e w orld , w ho w ere n ow in t h e c o m pan y f o ld . Most o bse rv ers a ssu m ed h e w as s till in volv ed , a n d s o m e in sis te d th at h is y ngerp rin ts , his k nack fo r so lu tio ns g lo bal a n d e le gan t a n d in y nit e ly sc a la b le , w ere o n e v ery m ajo r Cir c le in novatio n. H e h ad f o unded t h e c o m pan y a fte r a y ear in c o lle ge, w it h n o p artic u la r busin ess a cu m en o r m easu ra b le g o als . “ W e u se d to c a ll h im N ia gara ,” h is r o om mate s a id in o ne o f t h e y rst a rtic le s a b out h im . “ T he id eas ju st c o m e lik e t h at, a m illio n { ow in g o ut of h is h ead , e v ery s e co nd o f e v ery d ay , n ev er-e n din g a n d o verw helm in g.” Ty had dev is e d th e in it ia l sy ste m , th e U ni y ed O pera tin g Sy ste m , w hic h co m bin ed ev ery th in g onlin e th at had here to fo re been se p ara te an d slo ppy— use rs’ so cia l m ed ia pro y le s, th eir pay m en t sy ste m s, th eir vario us passw ord s, th eir em ail acco unts , use r nam es, p re fe re n ce s, e v ery la st to ol a n d m an if e sta tio n o f th eir in te re sts . T he o ld w ay — a new t r a n sa ctio n, a n ew s y ste m , f o r e v ery s it e , f o r e v ery p urc h ase — it w as lik e g ettin g in to a d i ere n t c a r to r u n a n y o ne k in d o f e rra n d. “ Y ou s h ould n’t h av e to h av e e ig h ty -s e v en dif fe re n t c a rs,” h e’d s a id , la te r, a fte r h is s y ste m h ad o verta k en t h e w eb a n d t h e w orld . In ste ad , h e p ut a ll o f it , a ll o f e v ery u se r’s n eed s a n d to ols , in to o ne p ot a n d in ven te d Tru Y ou— one acco unt, one id en tit y , one passw ord , one pay m en t sy ste m , per perso n. There w ere n o m ore p assw ord s, n o m ult ip le id en tit ie s. Y our d ev ic e s k new w ho y ou w ere , an d y our o ne id en tit y — th e Tru Y ou , u nben dab le a n d u nm ask ab le — was t h e p erso n p ay in g, sig n in g u p, re sp ondin g, v ie w in g a n d re v ie w in g, se ein g a n d b ein g se en . Y ou h ad to u se your re al n am e, a n d th is w as tie d to y our c re d it c a rd s, y our b an k, a n d th us p ay in g fo r an yth in g w as s im ple . O ne b utto n f o r t h e r e st o f y our lif e o nlin e. To u se a n y o f th e C ir c le ’s to ols , a n d th ey w ere th e b est to ols , th e m ost d om in an t a n d ubiq uit o us a n d f r e e, y ou h ad t o d o s o a s y ourse lf , a s y our a ctu al s e lf , a s y our T ru Y ou. T he era o f fa ls e id en tit ie s, id en tit y th eft, m ult ip le u se r n am es, co m plic a te d p assw ord s a n d pay m en t s y ste m s w as o ver. A nytim e y ou w an te d t o s e e a n yth in g, u se a n yth in g, c o m men t on a n yth in g o r b uy a n yth in g, it w as o ne b utto n, o ne a cco unt, e v ery th in g t ie d t o geth er a n d tr a ck ab le a n d s im ple , a ll o f it o pera b le v ia m obile o r la p to p, ta b le t o r r e tin al. O nce y ou had a s in gle a cco unt, it c a rrie d y ou t h ro ugh e v ery c o rn er o f t h e w eb , e v ery p orta l, e v ery pay s it e , e v ery th in g y ou w an te d t o d o. Tru Y ou c h an ged th e in te rn et, in to to , w it h in a y ear. T hough s o m e s it e s w ere r e sis ta n t at y rst, a n d fr e e-in te rn et a d voca te s s h oute d ab out th e r ig h t to b e a n onym ous o nlin e, th e Tru Y ou w av e w as tid al an d cru sh ed all m ean in gfu l opposit io n. It sta rte d w it h th e co m merc e sit e s. W hy w ould a n y n on-p orn sit e w an t a n onym ous u se rs w hen th ey c o uld know e xactly w ho h ad c o m e th ro ugh th e d oor? O vern ig h t, a ll c o m men t b oard s b eca m e civ il, all poste rs held acco unta b le . The tr o lls , w ho had m ore or le ss overta k en th e in te rn et, w ere d riv en b ack in to t h e d ark ness. And th ose w ho w an te d o r n eed ed to tr a ck th e m ovem en ts o f co nsu m ers o nlin e h ad fo und th eir V alh alla : th e actu al buyin g hab it s of actu al peo ple w ere now em in en tly map pab le a n d m easu ra b le , a n d th e m ark etin g to th ose a ctu al p eo ple c o uld b e d one w it h su rg ic a l p re cis io n. M ost T ru Y ou u se rs, m ost in te rn et u se rs w ho s im ply w an te d s im plic it y , e } cie n cy , a c le an a n d str e am lin ed e xp erie n ce , w ere th rille d w it h th e re su lt s . N o lo nger did th ey h av e to m em oriz e tw elv e id en tit ie s a n d p assw ord s; n o lo nger d id th ey h av e to to le ra te th e m ad ness a n d r a ge o f th e a n onym ous h ord es; n o lo nger d id th ey h av e to p ut up w it h b uck sh ot m ark etin g t h at g u esse d , a t b est, w it h in a m ile o f t h eir d esir e s. N ow t h e messa ges t h ey d id g et w ere f o cu se d a n d a ccu ra te a n d, m ost o f t h e t im e, e v en w elc o m e. And T y h ad c o m e u pon a ll th is m ore o r le ss b y a ccid en t. H e w as tir e d o f r e m em berin g id en tit ie s, en te rin g p assw ord s an d h is cre d it -c a rd in fo rm atio n, so h e d esig n ed co de to sim plif y it a ll. D id h e p urp ose ly u se t h e le tte rs o f h is n am e in T ru Y ou? H e s a id h e r e aliz e d only a fte rw ard th e c o nnectio n. D id h e h av e a n y id ea o f th e c o m merc ia l im plic a tio ns o f Tru Y ou? H e cla im ed h e d id n ot, a n d m ost p eo ple a ssu m ed th is w as th e ca se , th at th e monetiz a tio n o f T y’s in novatio ns ca m e fr o m th e o th er tw o W is e M en , th ose w it h th e exp erie n ce a n d b usin ess a cu m en to m ak e it h ap pen . It w as th ey w ho m onetiz e d Tru Y ou, who f o und w ay s t o r e ap f u nds f r o m a ll o f T y’s in novatio ns, a n d it w as t h ey w ho g re w t h e co m pan y in to th e fo rc e th at su bsu m ed F ace b ook, T w it te r, G oogle , a n d y nally A la crit y , Zoopa, J efe , a n d Q uan . “T om d oesn ’t lo ok s o g o od h ere ,” A nnie n ote d . “ H e’s n ot q uit e th at s h ark y. B ut I h ear he lo ves t h is p ic tu re .” To th e lo w er le ft o f T y w as T om S te n to n, th e w orld -s tr id in g C EO a n d se lf -d esc rib ed Capit a lis t P rim e —he lo ved t h e T ra n sfo rm ers— wearin g a n I ta lia n s u it a n d g rin nin g lik e t h e wolf th at a te L it tle R ed R id in g H ood’s g ra n dm oth er. H is h air w as d ark , a t th e te m ple s str ip ed in g re y , h is e y es { at, u nre ad ab le . H e w as m ore in th e m old o f th e e ig h tie s W all Str e et tr a d ers, u nab ash ed ab out b ein g w ealt h y, ab out b ein g sin gle an d aggre ssiv e an d possib ly d an gero us. H e w as a fr e e-s p en din g g lo bal tit a n in h is e arly y ftie s w ho se em ed str o nger e v ery y ear, w ho th re w h is m oney a n d in { uen ce a ro und w it h out fe ar. H e w as unafr a id o f p re sid en ts . H e w as n ot d au nte d b y la w su it s fr o m th e E uro pean U nio n o r th re ats fr o m sta te -s p onso re d C hin ese hack ers. N oth in g w as w orris o m e, noth in g w as unatta in ab le , n oth in g w as b ey ond h is p ay g ra d e. H e o w ned a N ASC AR te am , a ra cin g yach t o r tw o, p ilo te d h is o w n p la n e. H e w as th e a n ach ro nis m a t th e C ir c le , th e { ash y CEO , a n d c re ate d c o nflic te d f e elin gs a m ong m an y o f t h e u to pia n y oung C ir c le rs. His k in d o f c o nsp ic u ous c o nsu m ptio n w as n ota b ly a b se n t fr o m th e liv es o f th e o th er tw o W is e M en . T y re n te d a ra m sh ack le tw o-b ed ro om a p artm en t a fe w m ile s a w ay , b ut th en a gain , n o o ne h ad e v er s e en h im a rriv e a t o r le av e c a m pus; t h e a ssu m ptio n w as t h at he liv ed th ere . And ev ery one knew w here Eam on Baile y liv ed — a hig h ly vis ib le , pro fo undly m odest th re e-b ed ro om h om e o n a w id ely a cce ssib le str e et te n m in ute s fr o m ca m pus. B ut S te n to n h ad h ouse s e v ery w here — New Y ork , D ubai, J ack so n H ole . A { oor ato p t h e M ille n niu m T ow er in S an F ra n cis c o . A n is la n d n ear M artin iq ue. Eam on B aile y , sta n din g n ext to h im in th e p ain tin g, se em ed u tte rly a t p eace , jo yfu l ev en , in th e pre se n ce of th ese m en , both of w hom w ere , at le ast su per y cia lly , dia m etr ic a lly o ppose d to h is v alu es. H is p ortr a it , to th e lo w er r ig h t o f T y’s , s h ow ed h im as h e w as— gre y -h air e d , r u ddy-f a ce d , t w in kly -e y ed , h ap py a n d e arn est. H e w as t h e p ublic fa ce of th e co m pan y, th e perso nalit y ev ery one asso cia te d w it h th e C ir c le . W hen he sm ile d , w hic h w as n ear-c o nsta n tly , h is m outh s m ile d , h is e y es s m ile d , h is s h ould ers e v en se em ed to sm ile . H e w as w ry . H e w as fu nny. H e h ad a w ay o f sp eak in g th at w as b oth ly ric a l a n d g ro unded , g iv in g h is a u die n ce s w onderfu l tu rn s o f p hra se o ne m om en t a n d pla in sp oken co m mon se n se th e n ext. H e h ad co m e fr o m O m ah a, fr o m a n e xce ed in gly norm al fa m ily o f s ix , a n d h ad m ore o r le ss n oth in g r e m ark ab le in h is p ast. H e’d g o ne to Notr e D am e a n d m arrie d h is g ir lf r ie n d, w ho’d g o ne to S ain t M ary ’s d ow n th e ro ad , a n d now th ey h ad fo ur c h ild re n o f th eir o w n, th re e g ir ls a n d y nally a b oy, th ough th at b oy had b een b orn w it h c e re b ra l p als y . “ H e’s b een t o uch ed ,” B aile y h ad p ut it , a n nouncin g t h e bir th t o t h e c o m pan y a n d t h e w orld . “ S o w e’l l lo ve h im e v en m ore .” Of th e T hre e W is e M en , B aile y w as th e m ost lik ely to b e se en o n ca m pus, to p la y Dix ie la n d tr o m bone in th e co m pan y ta le n t sh ow , m ost lik ely to a p pear o n ta lk sh ow s re p re se n tin g th e C ir c le , c h uck lin g w hen ta lk in g a b out— when sh ru ggin g o — th is o r th at FC C in vestig atio n, o r w hen u nveilin g a h elp fu l n ew f e atu re o r g am e-c h an gin g t e ch nolo gy . He p re fe rre d t o b e c a lle d U ncle E am on, a n d w hen h e str o de t h ro ugh c a m pus, h e d id s o a s would a b elo ved u ncle , a cce ssib le a n d g en uin e. “ L ik e B ill M urra y s tr id in g t h ro ugh P eb ble Beach ,” w as h ow S te n to n o nce d esc rib ed h im . “ L oved b y a ll, a n d I th in k h e r e ally lo ves th em b ack .” T he t h re e o f t h em , in lif e a n d in t h is p ortr a it , m ad e f o r a s tr a n ge b ouquet o f mis m atc h ed { ow ers, b ut th ere w as n o d oubt th at it w ork ed . E very one k new it w ork ed , th e th re e-h ead ed m odel of m an agem en t, an d th e dynam ic w as th ere afte r em ula te d els e w here in t h e F ortu ne 5 00, w it h m ix ed r e su lt s . “B ut s o w hy,” M ae a sk ed , “ co uld n’t th ey a ord a r e al p ortr a it b y s o m eo ne w ho k now s what t h ey ’r e d oin g?” The m ore s h e lo oked a t it , th e s tr a n ger it b eca m e. T he a rtis t h ad a rra n ged it s u ch th at each o f th e W is e M en h ad p la ce d a h an d o n a n oth er’s sh ould er. It m ad e n o se n se a n d defie d t h e w ay a rm s c o uld b en d o r s tr e tc h . “B aile y th in ks it ’s hila rio us,” A nnie sa id . “H e w an te d it in th e m ain hallw ay , but Ste n to n v eto ed h im . Y ou k now B aile y ’s a c o lle cto r a n d a ll t h at, r ig h t? H e’s g o t in cre d ib le ta ste . I m ean , h e c o m es a cro ss a s th e g o od-t im e g u y, a s th e e v ery m an fr o m O m ah a, b ut he’s a c o nnois se u r, t o o, a n d is p re tty o bse sse d w it h p re se rv in g t h e p ast— ev en t h e b ad a rt of t h e p ast. W ait t ill y ou s e e h is lib ra ry .” They a rriv ed a t a n e n orm ous d oor, w hic h s e em ed a n d lik ely w as m ed ie v al, s o m eth in g th at w ould h av e k ep t b arb aria n s a t b ay . A p air o f g ia n t g arg o yle k nock ers p ro tr u ded a t ch est le v el, a n d M ae w en t f o r t h e e asy g ag. “N ic e k nock ers.” Annie s n orte d , w av ed h er h an d o ver a b lu e p ad o n t h e w all, a n d t h e d oor o pen ed . Annie t u rn ed t o h er. “ H oly f u ck , r ig h t? ” It w as a th re e-s to ry lib ra ry , th re e le v els built aro und an open atr iu m , ev ery th in g fa sh io ned in w ood a n d c o pper a n d s ilv er, a s y m phony o f m ute d c o lo r. T here w ere e asily te n th ousa n d b ooks, m ost o f th em b ound in le ath er, a rra n ged tid ily o n s h elv es g le am in g wit h la cq uer. Betw een th e books sto od ste rn busts of nota b le hum an s, G re ek s an d Rom an s, J e erso n a n d J o an o f A rc a n d M LK . A m odel o f t h e Spru ce G oose —or w as it th e Enola G ay? —hung fr o m th e ce ilin g. T here w ere a d oze n o r so a n tiq ue g lo bes lit fr o m wit h in , t h e lig h t b utte ry a n d s o ft, w arm in g v ario us lo st n atio ns. “H e b ough t s o m uch o f th is s tu w hen it w as a b out to b e a u ctio ned o , o r lo st. T hat’s his c ru sa d e, y ou k now . H e g o es t o t h ese d is tr e sse d e sta te s, t h ese p eo ple w ho a re a b out t o hav e to se ll th eir tr e asu re s a t so m e te rrib le lo ss, a n d h e p ay s m ark et ra te s fo r a ll th is , giv es th e o rig in al o w ners u nlim it e d a cce ss to th e stu h e’s b ough t. T hat’s w ho’s h ere a lo t, t h ese g re y -h air s w ho c o m e in t o r e ad o r t o uch t h eir s tu . O h y ou h av e t o s e e th is . It’l l blo w y our h ead o ff.” Annie le d M ae u p th e th re e { ig h ts o f s ta ir s, a ll o f th em tile d w it h in tr ic a te m osa ic s— re p ro ductio ns, M ae a ssu m ed , o f s o m eth in g f r o m t h e B yza n tin e e ra . S h e h eld t h e b ra ss r a il go in g u p, n otin g t h e la ck o f y ngerp rin ts , o f a n y b le m is h w hats o ev er. S h e s a w a cco unta n ts ’ gre en re ad in g la m ps, te le sc o pes c ris sc ro sse d a n d g le am in g in c o pper a n d g o ld , p oin tin g out th e m an y b ev ele d -g la ss w in dow s— “O h lo ok u p,” A nnie to ld h er, a n d s h e d id , to y nd th e c e ilin g w as sta in ed g la ss, a fe v ere d re n derin g o f c o untle ss a n gels a rra n ged in rin gs. “T hat’s f r o m s o m e c h urc h in R om e.” They a rriv ed a t th e lib ra ry ’s to p { oor, a n d A nnie le d M ae th ro ugh n arro w c o rrid ors o f ro und-s p in ed b ooks, s o m e o f th em a s ta ll a s her— Bib le s a n d a tla se s, illu str a te d h is to rie s of w ars a n d u pheav als , lo ng-g o ne n atio ns a n d p eo ple s. “A ll r ig h t. C heck t h is o ut,” A nnie s a id . “ W ait . B efo re I s h ow y ou t h is , y ou h av e t o g iv e me a v erb al n on-d is c lo su re a gre em en t, o kay ?” “F in e.” “S erio usly .” “I’m s e rio us. I t a k e t h is s e rio usly .” “G ood. N ow w hen I m ove t h is b ook … ” A nnie s a id , r e m ovin g a la rg e v olu m e t it le d The Best Y ea rs o f O ur L iv es . “ W atc h th is ,” s h e s a id , a n d b ack ed u p. S lo w ly , th e w all, b earin g a hundre d b ooks, b egan to m ove in w ard , re v ealin g a se cre t c h am ber w it h in . “ T hat’s H ig h Nerd , r ig h t? ” A nnie s a id , a n d t h ey w alk ed t h ro ugh . I n sid e, t h e r o om w as r o und a n d lin ed wit h b ooks, b ut th e m ain fo cu s w as a h ole in th e m id dle o f th e { oor, su rro unded b y a co pper b arrie r; a p ole e xte n ded d ow n, t h ro ugh t h e f lo or a n d t o u nknow n r e gio ns b elo w . “D oes h e f ig h t f ir e s? ” M ae a sk ed . “H ell if I k now ,” A nnie s a id . “W here d oes it g o ?” “A s f a r a s I c a n t e ll, it g o es t o B aile y ’s p ark in g s p ace .” Mae m uste re d n o a d je ctiv es. “ Y ou e v er g o d ow n?” “N ah , e v en s h ow in g m e th is w as a r is k . H e s h ould n’t h av e. H e to ld m e th at. A nd n ow I’m s h ow in g y ou, w hic h is s illy . B ut it s h ow s y ou th e k in d o f m in d th is g u y h as. H e c a n hav e a n yth in g, a n d w hat h e w an ts is a y re m an ’s p ole th at d ro ps se v en sto rie s to th e gara ge.” The so und of a dro ple t em it te d fr o m Annie ’s earp ie ce , an d sh e sa id “O kay ” to whom ev er w as o n t h e o th er e n d. I t w as t im e t o g o . “S o ,” A nnie sa id in th e e le v ato r— th ey w ere d ro ppin g b ack to th e m ain sta { oors— “I hav e t o g o a n d d o s o m e w ork . I t’s p la n kto n-in sp ectio n t im e.” “It’s w hat t im e?” M ae a sk ed . “Y ou k now , lit tle s ta rtu ps h opin g t h e b ig w hale — th at’s u s— will y nd t h em t a sty e n ough to e at. O nce a w eek w e t a k e a s e rie s o f m eetin gs w it h t h ese g u ys, T y-w an nab es, a n d t h ey tr y t o c o nvin ce u s t h at w e n eed t o a cq uir e t h em . I t’s a lit tle b it s a d , g iv en t h ey d on’t e v en pre te n d t o h av e a n y r e v en ue, o r e v en p ote n tia l f o r it , a n ym ore . L is te n , t h ough , I ’m g o in g to h an d y ou o t o t w o c o m pan y a m bassa d ors. T hey ’r e b oth v ery s e rio us a b out t h eir jo bs. Actu ally , b ew are o f ju st how in to t h eir jo bs t h ey a re . T hey ’l l g iv e y ou a t o ur o f t h e r e st o f th e c a m pus, a n d I ’l l p ic k y ou u p f o r t h e s o ls tic e p arty a fte rw ard , o kay ? S ta rts a t s e v en .” The d oors o pen ed o n t h e s e co nd { oor, n ear t h e G la ss E ate ry , a n d A nnie in tr o duce d h er to D en is e a n d J o sia h , b oth in th eir la te -m id dle -t w en tie s, b oth w it h th e sa m e le v el-e y ed sin ce rit y , b oth w earin g sim ple b utto n-d ow n sh ir ts in ta ste fu l co lo rs. E ach sh ook M ae’s han d in t w o o f t h eir s, a n d a lm ost s e em ed t o b ow . “M ak e su re sh e d oesn ’t w ork to day ,” w ere A nnie ’s la st w ord s b efo re sh e d is a p peare d back in to t h e e le v ato r. Jo sia h , a t h in a n d h eav ily f r e ck le d m an , t u rn ed h is b lu e u nblin kin g e y es t o M ae. “ W e’r e so g la d t o m eet y ou.” Den is e , t a ll, s lim , A sia n -A m eric a n , s m ile d a t M ae a n d c lo se d h er e y es, a s if s a v orin g t h e mom en t. “ A nnie to ld u s a ll a b out y ou tw o, h ow fa r b ack y ou g o . A nnie ’s th e h eart a n d so ul o f t h is p la ce , s o w e’r e v ery lu ck y t o h av e y ou h ere .” “E very one lo ves A nnie ,” J o sia h a d ded . Their defe re n ce to M ae fe lt aw kw ard . T hey w ere su re ly old er th an her, but th ey beh av ed a s if s h e w ere a v is it in g e m in en ce . “S o I k now s o m e o f t h is m ig h t b e r e d undan t,” J o sia h s a id , “ b ut if it ’s o kay w e’d lik e t o giv e y ou t h e f u ll n ew co m er t o ur. W ould t h at b e o kay ? W e p ro m is e n ot t o m ak e it la m e.” Mae la u gh ed , u rg ed t h em o n, a n d f o llo w ed . The r e st o f t h e d ay w as a b lu r o f g la ss r o om s a n d b rie f, im possib ly w arm in tr o ductio ns. Every one s h e m et w as b usy , ju st s h ort o f o verw ork ed , b ut n ev erth ele ss th rille d to m eet her, so h ap py sh e w as th ere , a n y fr ie n d o f A nnie ’s … T here w as a to ur o f th e h ealt h ce n te r, a n d a n in tr o ductio n t o t h e d re ad lo ck ed D r. H am pto n w ho r a n it . T here w as a t o ur of th e em erg en cy clin ic an d th e Sco ttis h n urse w ho d id th e ad m it tin g. A to ur o f th e org an ic g ard en s, a h undre d y ard s s q uare , w here t h ere w ere t w o f u ll-t im e f a rm ers g iv in g a ta lk to a la rg e g ro up o f C ir c le rs w hile th ey sa m ple d th e la te st h arv est o f ca rro ts a n d to m ato es a n d k ale . T here w as a t o ur o f t h e m in i-g o lf a re a, t h e m ovie t h eate r, t h e b ow lin g alle y s, th e gro ce ry sto re . F in ally , d eep in w hat M ae assu m ed w as th e co rn er o f th e ca m pus— sh e co uld se e th e fe n ce b ey ond, th e ro ofto ps o f San V in ce n zo h ote ls w here vis it o rs to th e C ir c le s ta y ed — th ey to ure d th e c o m pan y d orm s. M ae h ad h eard s o m eth in g ab out th em , A nnie m en tio nin g th at s o m etim es s h e c ra sh ed o n c a m pus a n d n ow p re fe rre d th ose r o om s t o h er o w n h om e. W alk in g t h ro ugh t h e h allw ay s, s e ein g t h e t id y r o om s, e ach wit h a s h in y k it c h en ette , a d esk , a n o verstu ed c o uch a n d b ed , M ae h ad t o a gre e t h at t h e ap peal w as v is c e ra l. “T here are 180 ro om s now , but w e’r e gro w in g quic k ly ,” Jo sia h sa id . “W it h te n th ousa n d o r s o p eo ple o n c a m pus, th ere ’s a lw ay s a p erc e n ta ge o f p eo ple w ho w ork la te , or ju st n eed a n ap d urin g th e d ay . T hese ro om s a re a lw ay s fr e e, a lw ay s c le an — you ju st hav e to c h eck o nlin e to se e w hic h o nes a re a v aila b le . R ig h t n ow th ey b ook u p fa st, b ut th e p la n is t o h av e a t le ast a f e w t h ousa n d r o om s w it h in t h e n ext f e w y ears.” “A nd a fte r a p arty lik e to nig h t’s , th ese a re a lw ay s fu ll,” D en is e sa id , w it h w hat sh e mean t t o b e a c o nsp ir a to ria l w in k. The to ur c o ntin ued th ro ugh th e a fte rn oon, w it h sto ps to sa m ple fo od a t th e c u lin ary cla ss, ta u gh t th at d ay b y a ce le b ra te d y oung ch ef k now n fo r u sin g th e w hole o f an y an im al. Sh e pre se n te d M ae w it h a dis h ca lle d ro aste d pig fa ce , w hic h M ae ate an d dis c o vere d ta ste d lik e a m ore fa tty b aco n; sh e lik ed it v ery m uch . T hey p asse d o th er vis it o rs a s th ey to ure d th e c a m pus, g ro ups o f c o lle ge s tu den ts , a n d p ack s o f v en dors, a n d what a p peare d to b e a se n ato r a n d h is h an dle rs. T hey p asse d a n a rc a d e sto ck ed w it h vin ta ge p in ball m ach in es a n d a n in door b ad m in to n co urt, w here , A nnie sa id , a fo rm er world ch am pio n w as k ep t o n re ta in er. B y th e tim e J o sia h a n d D en is e h ad b ro ugh t h er back aro und to th e ce n te r of th e ca m pus, th e lig h t w as dim min g, an d sta ers w ere in sta llin g tik i to rc h es in th e g ra ss a n d lig h tin g th em . A fe w th ousa n d C ir c le rs b egan to gath er in th e tw ilig h t, a n d sta n din g a m ong th em , M ae k new th at sh e n ev er w an te d to work — nev er w an te d to b e— an yw here e ls e . H er h om eto w n, a n d th e re st o f C alif o rn ia , th e r e st o f A m eric a , s e em ed lik e s o m e c h ao tic m ess in th e d ev elo pin g w orld . O uts id e th e walls o f th e C ir c le , a ll w as n ois e a n d str u ggle , fa ilu re a n d y lt h . B ut h ere , a ll h ad b een perfe cte d . T he b est p eo ple h ad m ad e th e b est sy ste m s a n d th e b est sy ste m s h ad re ap ed fu nds, u nlim it e d f u nds, t h at m ad e p ossib le t h is , t h e b est p la ce t o w ork . A nd it w as n atu ra l th at it w as s o , M ae t h ough t. W ho e ls e b ut u to pia n s c o uld m ak e u to pia ? “T his p arty ? T his is n oth in g,” A nnie a ssu re d M ae, a s th ey sh u ed d ow n th e fo rty -f o ot bu et. I t w as d ark n ow , t h e n ig h t a ir c o olin g, b ut t h e c a m pus w as in exp lic a b ly w arm , a n d illu m in ate d b y h undre d s o f to rc h es b urstin g w it h a m ber lig h t. “ T his o ne’s B aile y ’s id ea. Not lik e h e’s so m e E arth M oth er, b ut h e g ets in to th e sta rs, th e se aso ns, so th e so ls tic e stu is h is . H e’l l a p pear a t s o m e p oin t a n d w elc o m e e v ery one— usu ally h e d oes a t le ast. Last y ear h e w as in s o m e k in d o f t a n kto p. H e’s v ery p ro ud o f h is a rm s.” Mae a n d A nnie w ere o n t h e lu sh la w n, lo ad in g t h eir p la te s a n d t h en y ndin g s e ats in t h e sto ne a m phit h eate r b uilt in to a h ig h g ra ssy b erm . A nnie w as r e y llin g M ae’s g la ss fr o m a bottle o f R ie slin g th at, s h e s a id , w as m ad e o n c a m pus, s o m e k in d o f n ew c o nco ctio n th at had fe w er c a lo rie s a n d m ore a lc o hol. M ae lo oked a cro ss th e la w n, a t th e h is sin g to rc h es arra y ed in ro w s, each ro w le ad in g re v ele rs to v ario us activ it ie s— lim bo, k ic k ball, th e Ele ctr ic S lid e— none o f t h em r e la te d in a n y w ay t o t h e s o ls tic e . T he s e em in g r a n dom ness, th e la ck o f a n y e n fo rc e d sc h ed ule , m ad e fo r a p arty th at se t lo w e xp ecta tio ns a n d fa r exce ed ed t h em . E very one w as q uic k ly b lit z e d , a n d s o on M ae lo st A nnie , a n d t h en g o t lo st en tir e ly , e v en tu ally y ndin g h er w ay to th e b occe co urts , w hic h w ere b ein g u se d b y a sm all g ro up o f o ld er C ir c le rs, a ll o f th em a t le ast th ir ty , to r o ll c a n ta lo upes in to b ow lin g pin s. S h e m ad e h er w ay b ack to th e la w n, w here sh e jo in ed a g am e th e C ir c le rs w ere ca llin g “ H a,” w hic h s e em ed to in volv e n oth in g m ore th an ly in g d ow n, w it h le gs o r a rm s or b oth o verla p pin g. W hen ev er t h e p erso n n ext t o y ou s a id “ H a” y ou h ad t o s a y it , t o o. I t was a te rrib le gam e, but fo r th e tim e bein g, M ae need ed it , beca u se her head w as sp in nin g, a n d s h e f e lt b ette r h oriz o nta l. “L ook a t th is o ne. S h e lo oks so p eace fu l.” It w as a v oic e clo se b y. M ae re aliz e d th e voic e , a m an ’s , w as r e fe rrin g t o h er, a n d s h e o pen ed h er e y es. S h e s a w n o o ne a b ove h er. Only sk y, w hic h w as m ostly c le ar, w it h w is p s o f g re y c lo uds m ovin g sw if tly a cro ss th e ca m pus a n d h ead in g o ut to s e a. M ae’s e y es fe lt h eav y, a n d s h e k new it w as n ot la te , n ot past t e n a n yw ay , a n d s h e d id n’t w an t t o d o w hat s h e o fte n d id , w hic h w as f a ll a sle ep a fte r tw o o r th re e d rin ks, s o s h e g o t u p a n d w en t lo okin g fo r A nnie o r m ore R ie slin g o r b oth . Sh e fo und th e b u et, a n d fo und it in s h am ble s, a fe ast r a id ed b y a n im als o r V ik in gs, a n d mad e h er w ay to th e n eare st b ar, w hic h w as o ut o f R ie slin g a n d w as n ow o erin g o nly so m e k in d o f v odka-a n d-e n erg y d rin k c o nco ctio n. S h e m oved o n, a sk in g r a n dom p asse rsb y ab out R ie slin g, u ntil s h e f e lt a s h ad ow p ass b efo re h er. “T here ’s m ore o ver h ere ,” t h e s h ad ow s a id . Mae tu rn ed to y nd a p air o f g la sse s re { ectin g b lu e, sit tin g a to p th e v agu e sh ap e o f a man . H e t u rn ed t o w alk a w ay . “A m I f o llo w in g y ou?” M ae a sk ed . “N ot y et. Y ou’r e s ta n din g s till. B ut y ou s h ould if y ou w an t m ore o f t h at w in e.” Sh e fo llo w ed th e sh ad ow acro ss th e la w n an d under a ca n opy of hig h tr e es, th e moonlig h t sh ootin g th ro ugh , a h undre d silv er sp ears. N ow M ae co uld se e th e sh ad ow bette r— he w as w earin g a sa n d-c o lo re d T -s h ir t a n d so m e k in d o f v est, le ath er o r su ed e, over it — a co m bin atio n M ae had n’t se en in so m e tim e. Then he sto pped an d w as cro uch in g d ow n n ear th e b otto m o f a w ate rfa ll, a m an m ad e w ate rfa ll c o m in g d ow n th e sid e o f t h e I n dustr ia l R ev olu tio n. “I h id a fe w b ottle s h ere ,” h e s a id , h is h an ds d eep in th e p ool th at r e ce iv ed th e fa llin g wate r. N ot y ndin g a n yth in g, h e k neele d d ow n, h is a rm s s u bm erg ed to th e s h ould er, u ntil he r e tr ie v ed tw o s le ek g re en b ottle s, s to od u p a n d tu rn ed to h er. F in ally s h e g o t a g o od lo ok a t h im . H is f a ce w as a s o ft t r ia n gle , c o nclu din g in a c h in s o s u btly d im ple d s h e h ad n’t se en it b efo re t h at m om en t. H e h ad t h e s k in o f a c h ild , t h e e y es o f a m uch o ld er m an a n d a p ro m in en t n ose , c ro oked a n d b en t b ut s o m eh ow g iv in g s ta b ilit y to th e r e st o f h is fa ce , lik e th e k eel o f a y ach t. H is e y eb ro w s w ere h eav y d ash es r u sh in g a w ay , to w ard h is e ars, whic h w ere r o unded , la rg e, p rin ce ss-p in k. “ Y ou w an t to g o b ack to th e g am e o r … ?” H e se em ed t o b e im ply in g t h at t h e “ o r” c o uld b e f a r b ette r. “S u re ,” sh e sa id , re aliz in g th at sh e d id n’t k now th is p erso n, k new n oth in g a b out h im . But b eca u se h e h ad th ose b ottle s, a n d b eca u se s h e’d lo st A nnie , a n d b eca u se s h e tr u ste d ev ery one w it h in th ese C ir c le w alls — sh e h ad a t th at m om en t s o m uch lo ve fo r e v ery one wit h in t h ose w alls , w here e v ery th in g w as n ew a n d e v ery th in g a llo w ed — sh e f o llo w ed h im back to th e p arty , to th e o uts k ir ts o f it a n yw ay , w here th ey sa t o n a h ig h rin g o f ste p s overlo okin g t h e la w n, a n d w atc h ed t h e s ilh ouette s r u n a n d s q ueal a n d f a ll b elo w . He o pen ed b oth b ottle s, g av e o ne to M ae, to ok a s ip fr o m h is , a n d s a id h is n am e w as Fra n cis . “N ot F ra n k?” s h e a sk ed . S h e to ok th e b ottle a n d y lle d h er m outh w it h th e c a n dysw eet win e. “P eo ple t r y t o c a ll m e t h at a n d I … I a sk t h em n ot t o .” Sh e la u gh ed , a n d h e la u gh ed . He w as a d ev elo per, h e s a id , a n d h ad b een a t t h e c o m pan y f o r a lm ost t w o y ears. B efo re th at h e’d b een a k in d o f a n arc h is t, a p ro voca te u r. He’d g o tte n th e jo b h ere b y h ack in g fu rth er in to t h e C ir c le s y ste m t h an a n yone e ls e . N ow h e w as o n t h e s e cu rit y t e am . “T his is m y f ir st d ay ,” M ae n ote d . “N o w ay .” And th en M ae, w ho in te n ded to s a y “ I s h it y ou n ot,” in ste ad d ecid ed to in novate , b ut so m eth in g g o t g arb le d d urin g h er v erb al in novatio n, a n d sh e u tte re d th e w ord s “ I fu ck you n ot,” k now in g alm ost in sta n tly th at sh e w ould re m em ber th ese w ord s, an d h ate herse lf f o r t h em , f o r d eca d es t o c o m e. “Y ou fu ck m e n ot? ” h e a sk ed , d ead pan . “ T hat s o unds v ery c o nclu siv e. Y ou’v e m ad e a decis io n w it h v ery lit tle in fo rm atio n. Y ou f u ck m e n ot. W ow .” Mae tr ie d to e xp la in w hat s h e m ean t to s a y , h ow s h e th ough t, o r s o m e d ep artm en t o f her b ra in t h ough t, t h at s h e w ould t u rn t h e p hra se a ro und a b it … B ut it d id n’t m atte r. H e was la u gh in g n ow , a n d h e k new s h e h ad a s e n se o f h um or, a n d s h e k new h e d id , t o o, a n d so m eh ow h e m ad e h er fe el sa fe , m ad e h er tr u st th at h e w ould n ev er b rin g it u p a gain , th at th is te rrib le th in g sh e sa id w ould re m ain b etw een th em , th at th ey b oth u ndersto od mis ta k es a re m ad e b y a ll a n d t h at t h ey s h ould , if e v ery one is a ck now le d gin g o ur c o m mon hum an it y , our co m mon fr a ilt y an d pro pen sit y fo r so undin g an d lo okin g rid ic u lo us a th ousa n d t im es a d ay , t h at t h ese m is ta k es s h ould b e a llo w ed t o b e f o rg o tte n . “F ir st d ay ,” h e s a id . “ W ell c o ngra tu la tio ns. A t o ast.” They clin ked b ottle s a n d to ok sip s. M ae h eld h er b ottle u p to th e m oon to se e h ow much w as le ft; th e liq uid tu rn ed a n o th erw orld ly b lu e a n d sh e sa w th at sh e’d a lr e ad y sw allo w ed h alf . S h e p ut t h e b ottle d ow n. “I lik e y our v oic e ,” h e s a id . “ W as it a lw ay s t h at w ay ?” “L ow a n d s c ra tc h y?” “I w ould c a ll it se a so n ed . I w ould c a ll it so u lf u l . Y ou k now T atu m O ’N eal? ” “M y p are n ts m ad e m e w atc h Paper M oon a h undre d tim es. T hey w an te d m e to fe el bette r.” “I lo ve t h at m ovie ,” h e s a id . “T hey th ough t I’d g ro w u p lik e A ddie P ra y , str e etw is e b ut a d ora b le . T hey w an te d a to m boy. T hey c u t m y h air lik e h ers.” “I lik e it .” “Y ou lik e b ow l c u ts .” “N o. Y our v oic e . S o f a r it ’s t h e b est t h in g a b out y ou.” Mae s a id n oth in g. S h e f e lt lik e s h e’d b een s la p ped . “S h it ,” h e s a id . “ D id t h at s o und w eir d ? I w as t r y in g t o g iv e y ou a c o m plim en t.” There w as a tr o ublin g p au se ; M ae h ad h ad a fe w te rrib le e xp erie n ce s w it h m en w ho sp oke to o w ell, w ho le ap ed over an y num ber of ste p s to la n d on in ap pro pria te co m plim en ts . Sh e tu rn ed to h im , to co n y rm h e w as n ot w hat sh e th ough t h e w as— gen ero us, h arm le ss— but a ctu ally w arp ed , tr o uble d , a sy m metr ic a l. B ut w hen sh e lo oked at h im , sh e sa w th e sa m e sm ooth fa ce , b lu e g la sse s, a n cie n t e y es. H is e xp re ssio n w as pain ed . He lo oked a t h is b ottle , a s if to la y th e b la m e th ere . “ I ju st w an te d to m ak e y ou fe el bette r a b out y our v oic e . B ut I g u ess I in su lt e d t h e r e st o f y ou.” Mae th ough t o n th at fo r a se co nd, b ut h er b ra in , ad dle d w it h R ie slin g, w as slo w – movin g, s tic k y. S h e g av e u p t r y in g t o p arse h is s ta te m en t o r h is in te n tio ns. “ I t h in k y ou’r e str a n ge,” s h e s a id . “I d on’t h av e p are n ts ,” h e s a id . “ D oes th at b uy m e s o m e fo rg iv en ess? ” T hen , r e aliz in g he w as r e v ealin g t o o m uch , a n d t o o d esp era te ly , h e s a id , “ Y ou’r e n ot d rin kin g.” Mae d ecid ed t o le t h im d ro p t h e s u bje ct o f h is c h ild hood. “ I’m a lr e ad y d one,” s h e s a id . “I’v e g o tte n t h e f u ll e ffe ct.” “I’m r e ally s o rry . I s o m etim es g et m y w ord s in th e w ro ng o rd er. I’m h ap pie st w hen I don’t t a lk a t s o m eth in g lik e t h is .” “Y ou a re re ally str a n ge,” M ae sa id a gain , a n d m ean t it . S h e w as tw en ty -f o ur, a n d h e was u nlik e a n yone s h e’d e v er k now n. T hat w as, s h e t h ough t d ru nken ly , e v id en ce o f G od, was it n ot? T hat s h e c o uld e n co unte r t h ousa n ds o f p eo ple in h er lif e t h us f a r, s o m an y o f th em s im ila r, s o m an y o f t h em f o rg etta b le , b ut t h en t h ere is t h is p erso n, n ew a n d b iz a rre an d sp eak in g b iz a rre ly . E very d ay so m e sc ie n tis t d is c o vere d a n ew sp ecie s o f fr o g o r wate rlily , a n d t h at, t o o, s e em ed t o c o nfir m s o m e d iv in e s h ow m an , s o m e c e le stia l in ven to r puttin g n ew to ys b efo re u s, h id den b ut h id den p oorly , ju st w here w e m ig h t h ap pen u pon th em . A nd th is F ra n cis p erso n, h e w as s o m eth in g e n tir e ly d i ere n t, s o m e n ew fr o g. M ae tu rn ed t o lo ok a t h im , t h in kin g s h e m ig h t k is s h im . But h e w as b usy . W it h o ne h an d, h e w as e m pty in g h is s h oe, s a n d p ourin g f r o m it . W it h th e o th er h e s e em ed t o b e b it in g o ff m ost o f h is f in gern ail. Her r e v erie e n ded , s h e t h ough t o f h om e a n d b ed . “H ow w ill e v ery one g et b ack ?” s h e a sk ed . Fra n cis lo oked o ut a t a s c ru m o f p eo ple w ho s e em ed to b e tr y in g to fo rm a p yra m id . “T here ’s th e d orm s, o f c o urse . B ut I b et th ose a re fu ll a lr e ad y. T here a re a lw ay s a fe w sh uttle s r e ad y, t o o. T hey p ro bab ly t o ld y ou t h at.” H e w av ed h is b ottle in t h e d ir e ctio n o f th e m ain en tr a n ce , w here M ae c o uld m ak e o ut th e ro ofto ps o f th e m in ib use s sh e’d se en th at m orn in g o n h er w ay in . “ T he c o m pan y d oes c o st a n aly se s o n e v ery th in g. A nd o ne sta er d riv in g h om e to o tir e d o r, in th is ca se , to o d ru nk to d riv e— well, th e co st o f sh uttle s is a lo t c h eap er in th e lo ng ru n. D on’t te ll m e y ou d id n’t c o m e fo r th e sh uttle buse s. T he sh uttle b use s a re a w eso m e. In sid e th ey ’r e lik e y ach ts . L ots o f c o m partm en ts an d w ood.” “L ots o f w ood? L ots o f w ood?” M ae p unch ed F ra n cis in th e a rm , k now in g sh e w as {ir tin g, k now in g it w as id io tic to { ir t w it h a fe llo w C ir c le r o n h er y rst n ig h t, th at it w as id io tic to d rin k th is m uch o n h er y rst n ig h t. B ut s h e w as d oin g a ll th ose th in gs a n d w as hap py a b out it . A y gu re w as g lid in g to w ard th em . M ae w atc h ed w it h d ull c u rio sit y , r e aliz in g y rst th at th e f ig u re w as f e m ale . A nd t h en t h at t h is f ig u re w as A nnie . “Is t h is m an h ara ssin g y ou?” s h e a sk ed . Fra n cis m oved q uic k ly a w ay fr o m M ae, a n d th en h id h is b ottle b eh in d h is b ack . A nnie la u gh ed . “F ra n cis , w hat a re y ou s o s q uir re lly a b out? ” “S o rry . I t h ough t y ou s a id s o m eth in g e ls e .” “W hoa. G uilt y c o nsc ie n ce ! I s a w M ae h ere p unch y ou in t h e a rm a n d I m ad e a jo ke. B ut are y ou t r y in g t o c o nfe ss s o m eth in g? W hat h av e y ou b een p la n nin g, F ra n cis G arb an zo ?” “G ara v en ta .” “Y es. I k now y our n am e.” “F ra n cis ,” A nnie sa id , d ro ppin g h erse lf clu m sily b etw een th em , “I n eed to ask y ou so m eth in g, a s y our e ste em ed c o lle agu e b ut a ls o a s y our f r ie n d. C an I d o t h at? ” “S u re .” “G ood. C an I h av e s o m e a lo ne t im e w it h M ae? I n eed t o k is s h er o n t h e m outh .” Fra n cis la u gh ed , th en sto pped , notic in g th at neit h er M ae nor A nnie w as la u gh in g. Sca re d a n d c o nfu se d , a n d v is ib ly in tim id ate d b y A nnie , h e w as so on w alk in g d ow n th e ste p s, a n d a cro ss t h e la w n, d odgin g r e v ele rs. H alf w ay a cro ss t h e g re en h e s to pped , t u rn ed back a n d lo oked u p, a s if m ak in g s u re A nnie in te n ded t o r e p la ce h im a s M ae’s c o m pan io n th at n ig h t. H is f e ars c o n y rm ed , h e w alk ed u nder t h e a w nin g o f t h e D ark A ges. H e t r ie d t o open t h e d oor, b ut c o uld n’t . H e p ulle d a n d p ush ed , b ut it w ould n ot b udge. K now in g t h ey were w atc h in g, h e m ad e h is w ay a ro und t h e c o rn er a n d o ut o f v ie w . “H e’s in s e cu rit y , h e s a y s,” M ae s a id . “T hat’s w hat h e t o ld y ou? F ra n cis G ara v en ta ?” “I g u ess h e s h ould n’t h av e.” “W ell, it ’s not lik e he’s in se cu r it y -s e cu rit y . H e’s not M ossa d . B ut did I in te rru pt so m eth in g y ou d efin it e ly s h ould n’t b e d oin g o n y our f ir st n ig h t h ere y ou id io t? ” “Y ou d id n’t in te rru pt a n yth in g.” “I t h in k I did .” “N o. N ot r e ally .” “I d id . I k now t h is .” Annie lo ca te d t h e b ottle a t M ae’s f e et. “ I t h ough t w e r a n o ut o f e v ery th in g h ours a go .” “T here w as s o m e w in e in t h e w ate rfa ll— by t h e I n dustr ia l R ev olu tio n.” “O h, r ig h t. P eo ple h id e t h in gs t h ere .” “I ju st h eard m yse lf sa y , ‘T here w as so m e w in e in th e w ate rfa ll b y th e In dustr ia l Rev olu tio n.’ ” Annie lo oked a cro ss t h e c a m pus. “ I k now . S h it . I k now .” At h om e, a fte r t h e s h uttle , a fte r a je llo s h ot s o m eo ne g av e h er o nboard , a fte r lis te n in g t o th e s h uttle d riv er ta lk w is tfu lly a b out h is fa m ily , h is tw in s, h is w if e , w ho h ad g o ut, M ae co uld n’t s le ep . S h e la y o n h er c h eap f u to n, in h er t in y r o om , in t h e r a ilr o ad a p artm en t s h e sh are d w it h tw o near-s tr a n gers, both of th em { ig h t atte n dan ts an d ra re ly se en . H er ap artm en t w as o n th e se co nd { oor o f a fo rm er m ote l a n d it w as h um ble , u ncle an ab le , sm ellin g o f th e d esp era tio n a n d b ad c o okin g o f it s fo rm er re sid en ts . It w as a sa d p la ce , esp ecia lly a fte r a d ay a t t h e C ir c le , w here a ll w as m ad e w it h c a re a n d lo ve a n d t h e g if t o f a g o od e y e. I n h er w re tc h ed lo w b ed , M ae s le p t f o r a f e w h ours, w oke u p, r e co unte d t h e day a n d t h e n ig h t, t h ough t o f A nnie a n d F ra n cis , a n d D en is e a n d J o sia h , a n d t h e y re m an ’s pole , an d th e Enola G ay , a n d th e w ate rfa ll, a n d th e tik i to rc h es, a ll o f th ese th in gs th e stu o f v aca tio ns a n d d re am s a n d im possib le t o m ain ta in , b ut t h en s h e k new — an d t h is is what w as k eep in g h er u p, h er h ead c a re en in g w it h so m eth in g lik e a to ddle r’s jo y— th at sh e w ould b e g o in g b ack t o t h at p la ce , t h e p la ce w here a ll t h ese t h in gs h ap pen ed . S h e w as welc o m e t h ere , e m plo yed t h ere . Sh e g o t t o w ork e arly . W hen s h e a rriv ed , t h ough , a t e ig h t, s h e r e aliz e d s h e h ad n’t b een giv en a d esk , a t le ast n ot a r e al d esk , a n d s o s h e h ad n ow here t o g o . S h e w ait e d a n h our, under a s ig n t h at s a id L ET ’ S D O T HIS . L ET ’ S D O A LL O F T HIS , u ntil R en ata a rriv ed a n d bro ugh t h er to th e s e co nd { oor o f th e R en ais sa n ce , in to a la rg e r o om , th e s iz e o f a b ask etb all c o urt, where th ere w ere a b out tw en ty d esk s, a ll d i ere n t, a ll sh ap ed fr o m b lo nd w ood in to desk to ps o f o rg an ic sh ap es. T hey w ere se p ara te d b y d iv id ers o f g la ss, a n d a rra n ged in gro ups o f f iv e, lik e p eta ls o n a f lo w er. N one w ere o ccu pie d . “Y ou’r e th e y rst here ,” R en ata sa id , “b ut you w on’t be alo ne fo r lo ng. E ach new Custo m er E xp erie n ce a re a te n ds to y ll p re tty q uic k ly . A nd y ou’r e n ot fa r fr o m a ll th e more s e n io r p eo ple .” A nd h ere s h e s w ep t h er a rm a ro und, in dic a tin g a b out a d oze n o } ce s su rro undin g th e o pen s p ace . T he o ccu pan ts o f e ach w ere v is ib le th ro ugh th e g la ss w alls , each o f t h e s u perv is o rs s o m ew here b etw een t w en ty -s ix a n d t h ir ty -t w o, s ta rtin g t h eir d ay , se em in g r e la xed , c o m pete n t, w is e . “T he d esig n ers r e ally lik e g la ss, e h ?” M ae s a id , s m ilin g. Ren ata s to pped , f u rro w ed h er b ro w a n d t h ough t o n t h is n otio n. S h e p ut a s tr a n d o f h air beh in d h er e ar a n d sa id , “ I th in k so . I c a n c h eck . B ut y rst w e sh ould e xp la in th e se tu p, an d w hat t o e xp ect o n y our f ir st r e al d ay .” Ren ata e xp la in ed th e fe atu re s o f th e d esk a n d c h air a n d s c re en , a ll o f w hic h h ad b een erg o nom ic a lly p erfe cte d , a n d c o uld b e a d ju ste d fo r th ose w ho w an te d to w ork sta n din g up. “Y ou c a n se t y our stu d ow n a n d a d ju st y our c h air , a n d— Oh, lo oks lik e y ou h av e a welc o m in g c o m mit te e. D on’t g et u p,” s h e s a id , a n d m ad e w ay . Mae fo llo w ed R en ata ’s e y elin e a n d s a w a tr io o f y oung fa ce s m ak in g th eir w ay to h er. A b ald in g m an in h is la te tw en tie s exte n ded h is h an d. M ae sh ook it , an d h e p ut an oversiz e d t a b le t o n t h e d esk in f r o nt o f h er. “H i M ae, I’m R ob fr o m p ay ro ll. B et y ou’r e g la d to se e m e.” H e sm ile d th en la u gh ed heartily , a s if h e’d ju st r e aliz e d a n ew th e h um or in h is r e p arte e. “ O kay ,” h e s a id , “ w e’v e ylle d o ut e v ery th in g h ere . T here ’s ju st t h ese t h re e p la ce s y ou n eed t o s ig n .” H e p oin te d t o th e s c re en , w here y ello w r e cta n gle s f la sh ed , a sk in g f o r h er s ig n atu re . When s h e w as y nis h ed , R ob t o ok t h e t a b le t a n d s m ile d w it h g re at w arm th . “ T han k y ou, an d w elc o m e a b oard .” He tu rn ed a n d le ft, a n d w as re p la ce d b y a fu ll- y gu re d w om an w it h { aw le ss, co pper sk in . “H i M ae, I’m T ash a, th e n ota ry .” S h e h eld o ut a w id e b ook. “ Y ou h av e y our d riv er’s lic e n se ?” M ae g av e it t o h er. “ G re at. I n eed t h re e s ig n atu re s f r o m y ou. D on’t a sk m e w hy. And don’t ask m e w hy th is is on pap er. G overn m en t ru le s.” T ash a poin te d to th re e co nse cu tiv e b oxes, a n d M ae s ig n ed h er n am e in e ach . “T han k y ou,” T ash a s a id , a n d n ow h eld o ut a b lu e in kpad . “ N ow y our y ngerp rin t n ext to e ach . D on’t w orry , t h is in k w on’t s ta in . Y ou’l l s e e.” Mae p ush ed h er th um b in to th e p ad , a n d th en in to th e b oxes n ext to e ach o f h er th re e sig n atu re s. T he in k w as v is ib le o n th e p age, b ut w hen M ae lo oked a t h er th um b, it w as ab so lu te ly c le an . Tash a’s e y eb ro w s a rc h ed , r e gis te rin g M ae’s d elig h t. “ S ee? It’s in vis ib le . T he o nly p la ce it s h ow s u p is in t h is b ook.” This w as th e so rt o f th in g M ae h ad c o m e fo r. E very th in g w as d one b ette r h ere . E ven th e fin gerp rin t in k w as a d van ce d , in vis ib le . When T ash a le ft s h e w as r e p la ce d b y a t h in m an in a r e d z ip pere d s h ir t. H e s h ook M ae’s han d. “H i, I ’m J o n. I e m aile d y ou y este rd ay a b out b rin gin g y our b ir th c e rti y ca te ?” H is h an ds ca m e t o geth er, a s if in p ra y er. Mae r e tr ie v ed th e c e rti y ca te fr o m h er b ag a n d J o n’s e y es lit u p. “Y ou b ro ugh t it !” H e cla p ped q uic k ly , s ile n tly , a n d r e v eale d a m outh o f t in y t e eth . “ N o on e r e m em bers t h e y rst tim e. Y ou’r e m y n ew fa v orit e .” H e to ok th e c e rti y ca te , p ro m is in g to r e tu rn it a fte r h e’d mad e a c o py. Beh in d h im w as a f o urth s ta m em ber, t h is o ne a b eati y c-lo okin g m an o f a b out t h ir ty – fiv e, b y f a r t h e o ld est p erso n M ae h ad m et t h at d ay . “H i M ae. I’m B ra n don, a n d I h av e th e h onor o f g iv in g y ou y our n ew ta b le t.” H e w as hold in g a g le am in g o bje ct, t r a n slu ce n t, it s e d ges b la ck a n d s m ooth a s o bsid ia n . Mae w as s tu nned . “ T hese h av en ’t b een re le a se d y et.” Bra n don sm ile d b ro ad ly . “It’s fo ur tim es a s fa st a s it s p re d ece sso r. I’v e b een p la y in g wit h m in e a ll w eek . I t’s v ery c o ol.” “A nd I g et o ne?” “Y ou a lr e ad y d id ,” h e s a id . “ It’s g o t y our n am e o n it .” He tu rn ed th e ta b le t o n it s sid e to re v eal th at it h ad b een in sc rib ed w it h M ae’s fu ll nam e: MAEBELLIN E R EN NER H OLLA N D . He h an ded it t o h er. I t w as t h e w eig h t o f a p ap er p la te . “N ow , I ’m a ssu m in g y ou h av e y our o w n t a b le t? ” “I d o. W ell, a la p to p a n yw ay .” “L ap to p. W ow . C an I s e e it ? ” Mae p oin te d t o it . “ N ow I f e el lik e I s h ould c h uck it in t h e t r a sh .” Bra n don p ale d . “ N o, d on’t d o t h at! A t le ast r e cy cle it .” “O h n o. I w as ju st k id din g,” M ae s a id . “ I’l l p ro bab ly h old o nto it . I h av e a ll m y s tu o n it .” “G ood s e gu e, M ae! T hat’s w hat I ’m h ere t o d o n ext. W e s h ould t r a n sfe r a ll y our s tu t o th e n ew t a b le t.” “O h. I c a n d o t h at.” “W ould y ou g ra n t m e t h e h onor? I ’v e t r a in ed a ll m y lif e f o r t h is v ery m om en t.” Mae la u gh ed a n d p ush ed h er c h air o ut o f th e w ay . B ra n don k nelt n ext to h er d esk a n d put th e n ew ta b le t n ext to h er la p to p. In m in ute s h e h ad tr a n sfe rre d a ll h er in fo rm atio n an d a cco unts . “O kay . N ow le t’s d o th e sa m e w it h y our p hone. T a-d a.” H e re ach ed in to h is b ag a n d unveile d a n ew p hone, a f e w s ig n if ic a n t s te p s a h ead o f h er o w n. L ik e t h e t a b le t, it h ad h er nam e a lr e ad y e n gra v ed o n t h e b ack . H e s e t b oth p hones, n ew a n d o ld , o n t h e d esk n ext t o each o th er a n d q uic k ly , w ir e le ssly , t r a n sfe rre d e v ery th in g w it h in f r o m o ne t o t h e o th er. “O kay . N ow ev ery th in g you had on your oth er phone an d on your hard driv e is acce ssib le h ere o n t h e t a b le t a n d y our n ew p hone, b ut it ’s a ls o b ack ed u p in t h e c lo ud a n d on o ur s e rv ers. Y our m usic , y our p hoto s, y our m essa ges, y our d ata . It c a n n ev er b e lo st. You lo se th is ta b le t o r p hone, it ta k es e xactly six m in ute s to re tr ie v e a ll y our stu a n d dum p it o n t h e n ext o ne. I t’l l b e h ere n ext y ear a n d n ext c e n tu ry .” They b oth lo oked a t t h e n ew d ev ic e s. “I w is h o ur sy ste m e xis te d te n y ears a go ,” h e sa id . “ I fr ie d tw o d i ere n t h ard d riv es back t h en , a n d it ’s lik e h av in g y our h ouse b urn d ow n w it h a ll y our b elo ngin gs in sid e.” Bra n don s to od u p. “T han k y ou,” M ae s a id . “N o s w eat,” h e s a id . “ A nd t h is w ay w e c a n s e n d y ou u pdate s f o r t h e s o ftw are , t h e a p ps, ev ery th in g, a n d k now y ou’r e c u rre n t. E very one in C E h as to b e o n th e sa m e v ersio n o f an y g iv en s o ftw are , a s y ou c a n im agin e. I th in k th at’s it … ” h e s a id , b ack in g a w ay . T hen he sto pped . “ O h, a n d it ’s c ru cia l th at a ll c o m pan y d ev ic e s a re p assw ord pro te cte d , so I gav e y ou o ne. It’s w rit te n h ere .” H e h an ded h er a s lip o f p ap er b earin g a s e rie s o f d ig it s an d n um era ls a n d o bsc u re t y pogra p hic a l s y m bols . “ I h ope y ou c a n m em oriz e it t o day a n d th en t h ro w t h is a w ay . D eal? ” “Y es. D eal.” “W e c a n c h an ge th e p assw ord la te r if y ou w an t. J u st le t m e k now a n d I’l l g iv e y ou a new o ne. T hey ’r e a ll c o m pute r-g en era te d .” Mae t o ok h er o ld la p to p a n d m oved it t o w ard h er b ag. Bra n don lo oked a t it lik e it w as a n in vasiv e s p ecie s. “ Y ou w an t m e t o g et r id o f it ? W e do it in a v ery e n vir o nm en ta lly f r ie n dly w ay .” “M ay be t o m orro w ,” s h e s a id , “ I w an t t o s a y g o odbye.” Bra n don sm ile d in dulg en tly . “O h. I g et it . O kay th en .” H e g av e a b ow a n d le ft, a n d beh in d h im s h e s a w A nnie . S h e w as h old in g h er k nuck le u p t o h er c h in , t ilt in g h er h ead . “T here ’s m y lit tle g ir l, g ro w n u p a t la st!” Mae g o t u p a n d w ra p ped h er a rm s a ro und h er. “T han k y ou,” s h e s a id in to A nnie ’s n eck . “A w ww.” A nnie t r ie d t o p ull a w ay . Mae g ra b bed h er t ig h te r. “ R eally .” “It’s o kay .” A nnie y nally e xtr ic a te d h erse lf . “ E asy th ere . O r m ay be k eep g o in g. It w as sta rtin g t o g et s e xy .” “R eally . T han k y ou,” M ae s a id , h er v oic e q uak in g. “N o, n o, n o,” A nnie s a id . “ N o c ry in g o n y our s e co nd d ay .” “I’m s o rry . I ’m ju st s o g ra te fu l.” “S to p.” A nnie m oved in a n d h eld h er a gain . “ S to p. S to p. J esu s. Y ou a re s u ch a f r e ak .” Mae b re ath ed d eep ly , u ntil sh e w as c a lm a gain . “ I th in k I h av e it under c o ntr o l n ow . Oh, m y d ad s a y s h e lo ves y ou, t o o. E very one’s s o h ap py.” “O kay . T hat’s a lit tle str a n ge, g iv en I’v e n ev er m et h im . B ut te ll h im I lo ve h im to o. Passio nate ly . I s h e h ot? A s ilv er f o x? A s w in ger? M ay be w e c a n w ork s o m eth in g o ut. N ow ca n w e g et t o w ork a ro und h ere ?” “Y up, y up,” M ae s a id , s it tin g d ow n a gain . “ S o rry .” Annie a rc h ed h er e y eb ro w s m is c h ie v ously . “ I fe el lik e sc h ool’s a b out to sta rt a n d w e ju st f o und o ut w e g o t p ut in t h e s a m e h om ero om . T hey g iv e y ou a n ew t a b le t? ” “J u st n ow .” “L et m e s e e.” A nnie in sp ecte d it . “ O oh, t h e e n gra v in g is a n ic e t o uch . W e’r e g o in g t o g et in s u ch t r o uble t o geth er, a re n ’t w e?” “I h ope s o .” “O kay , h ere c o m es y our t e am le ad er. H i D an .” Mae ru sh ed to w ip e an y m ois tu re fr o m her fa ce . Sh e lo oked past A nnie to se e a han dso m e m an , c o m pact a n d tid y, a p pro ach in g. H e w ore a b ro w n h oodie a n d a s m ile o f gre at c o nte n tm en t. “H i A nnie , h ow a re y ou?” h e s a id , s h ak in g h er h an d. “G ood, D an .” “I’m s o g la d , A nnie .” “Y ou g o t a g o od o ne h ere , I h ope y ou k now ,” A nnie sa id , g ra b bin g M ae’s w ris t a n d sq ueezin g. “O h I do k now ,” h e s a id . “Y ou w atc h o ut f o r h er.” “I w ill,” h e sa id , a n d tu rn ed fr o m A nnie to M ae. H is sm ile o f c o nte n tm en t g re w in to so m eth in g lik e a b so lu te c e rta in ty . “I’l l b e w atc h in g you w atc h her ,” A nnie s a id . “G la d t o k now it ,” h e s a id . “S ee y ou a t lu nch ,” A nnie s a id t o M ae, a n d w as g o ne. Every one b ut M ae a n d D an h ad le ft, b ut h is s m ile h ad n’t c h an ged — it w as t h e s m ile o f a man w ho d id n ot sm ile fo r sh ow . It w as th e sm ile o f a m an w ho w as e xactly w here h e wan te d t o b e. H e p ulle d u p a c h air . “S o g o od t o s e e y ou h ere ,” h e s a id . “ I’m v ery g la d y ou a cce p te d o ur o ffe r.” Mae lo oked in to h is e y es fo r sig n s o f d is in gen uousn ess, g iv en th ere w as n o ra tio nal perso n w ho w ould h av e d eclin ed a n in vit a tio n to w ork h ere . B ut th ere w as n oth in g lik e th at. D an h ad in te rv ie w ed h er t h re e t im es f o r t h e jo b, a n d h ad s e em ed u nsh ak ab ly s in ce re each t im e. “S o I a ssu m e a ll t h e p ap erw ork a n d f in gerp rin ts a re d one?” “I t h in k s o .” “L ik e t o t a k e a w alk ?” They le ft h er d esk a n d, a fte r a h undre d y ard s o f g la ss h allw ay , w alk ed th ro ugh h ig h double d oors a n d in to t h e o pen a ir . T hey c lim bed a w id e s ta ir w ay . “W e ju st f in is h ed t h e r o ofd eck ,” h e s a id . “ I t h in k y ou’l l lik e it .” When t h ey r e ach ed t h e t o p o f t h e s ta ir s, t h e v ie w w as s p ecta cu la r. T he r o of o verlo oked most o f th e c a m pus, th e s u rro undin g c it y o f S an V in ce n zo a n d th e b ay b ey ond. M ae a n d Dan t o ok it a ll in , a n d t h en h e t u rn ed t o h er. “M ae, n ow th at y ou’r e a b oard , I w an te d to g et a cro ss s o m e o f th e c o re b elie fs h ere a t th e c o m pan y. A nd c h ie f a m ong th em is th at ju st a s im porta n t a s th e w ork w e d o h ere — an d th at w ork is v ery im porta n t— we w an t to m ak e s u re th at y ou c a n b e a h um an b ein g here , t o o. W e w an t t h is t o b e a w ork pla ce , s u re , b ut it s h ould a ls o b e a hu m an pla ce . A nd th at m ean s t h e f o ste rin g o f c o m munit y . I n f a ct, it must b e a c o m munit y . T hat’s o ne o f o ur slo gan s, as you pro bab ly know : Com munit y Fir st . A nd you’v e se en th e sig n s th at sa y Hum an s W ork H ere —I in sis t o n th ose . T hat’s m y p et is su e. W e’r e n ot a u to m ato ns. T his is n ’t a sw eats h op. W e’r e a g ro up o f th e b est m in ds o f o ur g en era tio n. G en era tio n s . A nd mak in g su re th is is a p la ce w here o ur h um an it y is re sp ecte d , w here o ur o pin io ns a re dig n i y ed , w here o ur v oic e s a re h eard — th is is a s im porta n t a s a n y re v en ue, a n y sto ck pric e , a n y e n deav or u nderta k en h ere . D oes t h at s o und c o rn y?” “N o, no,” M ae ru sh ed to sa y . “D e y nit e ly not. That’s w hy I’m here . I lo ve th e ‘c o m munit y y rst’ id ea. A nnie ’s b een te llin g m e a b out it s in ce s h e s ta rte d . A t m y la st jo b, no o ne re ally co m munic a te d v ery w ell. It w as b asic a lly th e o pposit e o f h ere in e v ery way .” Dan t u rn ed t o lo ok in to t h e h ills t o t h e e ast, c o vere d in m ohair a n d p atc h es o f g re en . “ I hate h earin g th at k in d o f th in g. W it h th e te ch nolo gy a v aila b le , co m munic a tio n sh ould nev er b e in d oubt. U ndersta n din g s h ould n ev er b e o ut o f r e ach o r a n yth in g b ut c le ar. It’s what w e d o h ere . Y ou m ig h t sa y it ’s th e m is sio n o f th e co m pan y— it ’s a n o bse ssio n o f min e, a n yw ay . C om munic a tio n. U ndersta n din g. C la rit y .” Dan n odded e m phatic a lly , a s if h is m outh h ad ju st u tte re d , in dep en den tly , so m eth in g th at h is e ars f o und q uit e p ro fo und. “In t h e R en ais sa n ce , a s y ou k now , w e’r e in c h arg e o f t h e c u sto m er e xp erie n ce , C E, a n d so m e p eo ple m ig h t t h in k t h at’s t h e le ast s e xy p art o f t h is w hole e n te rp ris e . B ut a s I s e e it , an d th e W is e M en s e e it , it ’s th e fo undatio n o f e v ery th in g th at h ap pen s h ere . If w e d on’t giv e th e cu sto m ers a sa tis fy in g, hum an an d hu m an e exp erie n ce , th en w e hav e no cu sto m ers. I t’s p re tty e le m en ta l. W e’r e t h e p ro of t h at t h is c o m pan y is h um an .” Mae d id n’t k now w hat t o s a y . S h e a gre ed c o m ple te ly . H er la st b oss, K ev in , c o uld n’t t a lk lik e th is . K ev in h ad n o p hilo so phy. K ev in h ad n o id eas. K ev in h ad o nly h is o dors a n d h is musta ch e. M ae w as g rin nin g lik e a n id io t. “I k now y ou’l l b e gre at h ere ,” h e sa id , an d h is arm exte n ded to w ard h er, as if h e wan te d to p ut h is p alm o n h er s h ould er b ut th ough t a gain st it . H is h an d fe ll to h is s id e. “L et’s g o d ow nsta ir s a n d y ou c a n g et s ta rte d .” They le ft t h e r o ofd eck a n d d esc e n ded t h e w id e s ta ir s. T hey r e tu rn ed t o h er d esk , w here th ey s a w a f u zzy -h air e d m an . “T here h e is ,” D an s a id . “ E arly a s a lw ay s. H i J are d .” Jare d ’s f a ce w as s e re n e, u nlin ed , h is h an ds r e stin g p atie n tly a n d u nm ovin g in h is a m ple la p . H e w as w earin g k hak i p an ts a n d a b utto n-d ow n s h ir t a s iz e t o o s m all. “J are d w ill b e d oin g y our t r a in in g, a n d h e’l l b e y our m ain c o nta ct h ere a t C E. I o verse e th e t e am , a n d J are d o verse es t h e u nit . S o w e’r e t h e t w o m ain n am es y ou’l l n eed t o k now . Jare d , y ou r e ad y t o g et M ae s ta rte d ?” “I a m ,” h e sa id . “H i M ae.” H e sto od, e xte n ded h is h an d, a n d M ae sh ook it . It w as ro unded a n d s o ft, lik e a c h eru b’s . Dan s a id g o odbye t o b oth o f t h em a n d le ft. Jare d grin ned an d ra n a h an d th ro ugh h is fu zzy h air . “S o , tr a in in g tim e. Y ou fe el re ad y?” “A bso lu te ly .” “Y ou n eed c o ffe e o r t e a o r a n yth in g?” Mae s h ook h er h ead . “ I’m a ll s e t.” “G ood. L et’s s it d ow n.” Mae s a t d ow n, a n d J are d p ulle d h is c h air n ext t o h ers. “O kay . A s y ou k now , fo r n ow y ou’r e ju st d oin g str a ig h t-u p c u sto m er m ain te n an ce fo r th e s m alle r a d vertis e rs. T hey s e n d a m essa ge to C usto m er E xp erie n ce , a n d it g ets r o ute d to o ne o f u s. R an dom a t y rst, b ut o nce y ou s ta rt w ork in g w it h a c u sto m er, t h at c u sto m er will c o ntin ue t o b e r o ute d t o y ou, f o r t h e s a k e o f c o ntin uit y . W hen y ou g et t h e q uery , y ou ygu re o ut th e an sw er, y ou w rit e th em b ack . T hat’s th e co re o f it . Sim ple en ough in th eo ry . S o f a r s o g o od?” Mae n odded , a n d h e w en t th ro ugh th e tw en ty m ost c o m mon re q uests a n d q uestio ns, an d s h ow ed h er a m en u o f b oile rp la te r e sp onse s. “N ow , th at d oesn ’t m ean y ou ju st p aste th e a n sw er in a n d se n d it b ack . Y ou sh ould mak e each re sp onse p erso nal, sp eci y c. Y ou’r e a p erso n, an d th ey ’r e a p erso n, so y ou sh ould n’t b e im it a tin g a ro bot, a n d y ou sh ould n’t tr e at th em lik e th ey ’r e ro bots . K now what I m ean ? N o r o bots w ork h ere . W e n ev er w an t t h e c u sto m er t o t h in k t h ey ’r e d ealin g wit h a fa ce le ss e n tit y , s o y ou s h ould a lw ay s b e s u re to in je ct h um an it y in to th e p ro ce ss. That s o und g o od?” Mae n odded . S h e lik ed t h at: No r o bots w ork h ere . They w en t t h ro ugh a d oze n o r s o p ra ctic e s c e n ario s, a n d M ae p olis h ed h er a n sw ers a b it more e ach tim e. J are d w as a p atie n t tr a in er, a n d w alk ed h er th ro ugh e v ery cu sto m er ev en tu alit y . In th e e v en t th at sh e w as stu m ped , sh e c o uld b ounce th e q uery to h is o w n queu e, a n d h e’d t a k e it . T hat’s w hat h e d id m ost o f t h e d ay , J are d s a id — ta k e a n d a n sw er th e s tu m pers f r o m t h e ju nio r C usto m er E xp erie n ce r e p s. “B ut th ose w ill b e p re tty r a re . Y ou’d b e s u rp ris e d a t h ow m an y o f th e q uestio ns y ou’l l be a b le to y eld rig h t a w ay . N ow le t’s sa y y ou’v e an sw ere d a c lie n t’s q uestio n, a n d th ey se em sa tis y ed . T hat’s w hen y ou se n d th em th e su rv ey , a n d th ey y ll it o ut. It’s a se t o f quic k q uestio ns a b out y our s e rv ic e , t h eir o vera ll e xp erie n ce , a n d a t t h e e n d t h ey ’r e a sk ed to ra te it . T hey se n d th e q uestio ns b ack , a n d th en y ou im med ia te ly k now h ow y ou d id . The r a tin g p ops u p h ere .” He p oin te d t o t h e c o rn er o f h er s c re en , w here t h ere w as a la rg e n um ber, 9 9, a n d b elo w , a g rid o f o th er n um bers. “T he b ig 9 9 is t h e la st c u sto m er’s r a tin g. T he c u sto m er w ill r a te y ou o n a s c a le o f, g u ess what, 1 to 1 00. T hat m ost re ce n t ra tin g w ill p op u p h ere , a n d th en th at’l l b e a v era ged wit h th e re st o f th e d ay ’s sc o re s in th is n ext b ox. T hat w ay y ou’l l a lw ay s k now h ow you’r e d oin g, re ce n tly a n d g en era lly . N ow , I k now w hat y ou’r e th in kin g, ‘O kay , J are d , what k in d o f a v era ge is a v era ge?’ A nd th e a n sw er is , if it d ip s b elo w 9 5, th en y ou m ig h t ste p b ack a n d s e e w hat y ou c a n d o b ette r. M ay be y ou b rin g t h e a v era ge u p w it h t h e n ext cu sto m er, m ay be y ou s e e h ow y ou m ig h t im pro ve. N ow , if it ’s c o nsis te n tly s lu m pin g, t h en you m ig h t hav e a m eet-u p w it h D an or an oth er te am le ad er to go over so m e best pra ctic e s. S o und g o od?” “It d oes,” M ae sa id . “ I re ally a p pre cia te th is , J are d . In m y p re v io us jo b, I w as in th e dark a b out w here I s to od u ntil, lik e, q uarte rly e v alu atio ns. I t w as n erv e-w ra ck in g.” “W ell, y ou’l l lo ve th is th en . If th ey y ll o ut th e su rv ey a n d d o th e ra tin g, a n d p re tty much e v ery one d oes, th en y ou se n d th em th e n ext m essa ge. T his o ne th an ks th em fo r yllin g o ut th e s u rv ey , a n d it e n co ura ges th em to te ll a fr ie n d a b out th e e xp erie n ce th ey ju st h ad w it h y ou, u sin g t h e C ir c le ’s s o cia l m ed ia t o ols . I d eally t h ey a t le ast z in g it o r g iv e you a sm ile o r a fr o w n. In a b est-c a se sc e n ario , you m ig h t g et th em to z in g a b out it o r writ e a b out it o n a n oth er c u sto m er-s e rv ic e sit e . W e g et p eo ple o ut th ere z in gin g a b out th eir g re at c u sto m er s e rv ic e e xp erie n ce s w it h y ou, t h en e v ery one w in s. G ot it ? ” “G ot it .” “O kay , le t’s d o a liv e o ne. R ead y?” Mae w asn ’t , b ut c o uld n’t s a y t h at. “ R ead y.” Jare d b ro ugh t u p a cu sto m er re q uest, a n d a fte r re ad in g it , le t o ut a q uic k sn ort to in dic a te it s e le m en ta ry n atu re . H e c h ose a b oile rp la te a n sw er, a d ap te d it a b it , to ld th e cu sto m er to h av e a fa n ta stic d ay . T he exch an ge to ok ab out n in ety se co nds, an d tw o min ute s la te r, th e s c re en c o n y rm ed th e c u sto m er h ad a n sw ere d th e q uestio nnair e , a n d a sc o re a p peare d : 9 9. J are d s a t b ack a n d t u rn ed t o M ae. “N ow , t h at’s g o od, r ig h t? N in ety -n in e is g o od. B ut I c a n ’t h elp w onderin g w hy it w asn ’t a 1 00. L et’s lo ok.” H e o pen ed u p th e cu sto m er’s su rv ey a n sw ers a n d sc a n ned th ro ugh . “W ell, th ere ’s n o cle ar sig n th at a n y p art o f th eir e xp erie n ce w as u nsa tis fa cto ry . N ow , most c o m pan ie s w ould s a y , W ow , 9 9 o ut o f 1 00 p oin ts , th at’s n early p erfe ct. A nd I s a y , exactly : it ’s nea rly p erfe ct, su re . B ut a t th e C ir c le , th at m is sin g p oin t n ags a t u s. S o le t’s se e if w e c a n g et t o t h e b otto m o f it . H ere ’s a f o llo w -u p t h at w e s e n d o ut.” He s h ow ed h er a n oth er s u rv ey , th is o ne s h orte r, a sk in g th e c u sto m er w hat a b out th eir in te ra ctio n c o uld h av e b een im pro ved a n d h ow . T hey s e n t it t o t h e c u sto m er. Seco nds la te r, th e r e sp onse c a m e b ack . “ A ll w as g o od. S o rry . S h ould h av e g iv en y ou a 100. T han ks!!” Jare d t a p ped t h e s c re en a n d g av e a t h um bs-u p t o M ae. “O kay . S o m etim es y ou m ig h t ju st e n co unte r s o m eo ne w ho is n ’t r e ally s e n sit iv e to th e metr ic s. S o it ’s g o od t o a sk t h em , t o m ak e s u re y ou g et t h at c la rit y . N ow w e’r e b ack t o a perfe ct s c o re . Y ou r e ad y t o d o y our o w n?” “I a m .” They d ow nlo ad ed a n oth er c u sto m er q uery , a n d M ae s c ro lle d th ro ugh th e b oile rp la te s, fo und th e a p pro pria te a n sw er, p erso naliz e d it , a n d se n t it b ack . W hen th e su rv ey c a m e back , h er r a tin g w as 1 00. Jare d s e em ed b rie fly t a k en a b ack . “ F ir st o ne y ou g et 1 00, w ow ,” h e s a id . “ I k new y ou’d be g o od.” H e h ad lo st h is f o otin g, b ut n ow r e gain ed it . “ O kay , I t h in k y ou’r e r e ad y t o t a k e on s o m e m ore . N ow , a c o uple m ore th in gs. L et’s tu rn o n y our s e co nd s c re en .” H e tu rn ed on a s m alle r s c re en to h er r ig h t. “ T his o ne is fo r in tr a -o } ce m essa gin g. A ll C ir c le rs s e n d messa ges o ut th ro ugh y our m ain fe ed , b ut th ey a p pear o n th e se co nd sc re en . T his is to mak e c le ar th e im porta n ce o f th e m essa ges, a n d to h elp y ou d elin eate w hic h is w hic h . Fro m tim e to tim e y ou’l l s e e m essa ges fr o m m e o ver h ere , ju st c h eck in g in o r w it h s o m e ad ju stm en t o r n ew s. O kay ?” “G ot it .” “N ow , r e m em ber to b ounce a n y s tu m pers to m e, a n d if y ou n eed to s to p a n d ta lk , y ou ca n s h oot m e a m essa ge, o r s to p b y. I’m ju st d ow n th e h all. I e xp ect y ou to b e in to uch pre tty f r e q uen tly f o r t h e y rst f e w w eek s, o ne w ay o r t h e o th er. T hat’s h ow I k now y ou’r e le arn in g. S o d on’t h esit a te .” “I w on’t .” “G re at. N ow , a re y ou r e ad y t o g et sta rte d -s ta rte d ?” “I a m .” “O kay . T hat m ean s I o pen t h e c h ute . A nd w hen I r e le ase t h is d elu ge on y ou, y ou’l l h av e your o w n q ueu e, a n d y ou’l l b e in undate d f o r t h e n ext t w o h ours, t ill lu nch . Y ou r e ad y?” Mae f e lt s h e w as. “ I a m .” “A re y ou s u re ? O kay t h en .” He a ctiv ate d h er a cco unt, g av e h er a m ock -s a lu te , a n d le ft. T he c h ute o pen ed , a n d in th e y rst tw elv e m in ute s, s h e a n sw ere d fo ur r e q uests , h er s c o re a t 9 6. S h e w as s w eatin g heav ily , b ut t h e r u sh w as e le ctr ic . A m essa ge f r o m J are d a p peare d o n h er s e co nd s c re en . Gre a t s o fa r! L et’s s e e if w e c a n g et th at u p to 9 7 s o on . I w ill! s h e w ro te . And s e n d fo llo w -u ps to th e s u b-1 00s . Okay , s h e w ro te . Sh e se n t o ut se v en fo llo w -u ps, a n d th re e c u sto m ers a d ju ste d th eir sc o re s to 1 00. S h e an sw ere d a n oth er t e n q uestio ns b y 1 1:4 5. N ow h er a ggre gate w as 9 8. Anoth er m essa ge ap peare d o n h er se co nd sc re en , th is o ne fr o m D an . Fan ta stic w ork , Mae! H ow y ou fe elin g? Mae w as a sto nis h ed . A t e am le ad er w ho c h eck ed in w it h y ou, a n d s o k in dly , o n t h e f ir st day ? Fin e. T han ks! s h e w ro te b ack , a n d b ro ugh t u p t h e n ext c u sto m er r e q uest. Anoth er m essa ge f r o m J are d a p peare d b elo w t h e f ir st. Anyth in g I c a n d o? Q uestio n s I c a n a n sw er? No th an ks! s h e w ro te . I’m a ll s e t fo r n ow . T han ks, J a re d ! S h e r e tu rn ed t o t h e y rst s c re en . Anoth er m essa ge f r o m J are d p opped u p o n t h e s e co nd. Rem em ber th at I c a n o n ly h elp if y ou te ll m e h ow . Than ks a ga in ! s h e w ro te . By lu nch s h e h ad a n sw ere d t h ir ty -s ix r e q uests a n d h er s c o re w as a t 9 7. A m essa ge fr o m J are d ca m e th ro ugh . Well d on e! L et’s fo llo w u p o n a n y re m ain in g su b- 100s . Will d o , s h e a n sw ere d , a n d s e n t o ut t h e f o llo w -u ps t o t h ose s h e h ad n’t a lr e ad y h an dle d . Sh e b ro ugh t a f e w 9 8s t o 1 00 a n d t h en s a w a m essa ge f r o m D an : Gre a t w ork , M ae! Seco nds la te r, a se co nd-s c re en m essa ge, th is o ne fr o m A nnie , a p peare d b elo w D an ’s : Dan s a ys y ou ’r e k ic k in g a ss. T hat’s m y g ir l! And t h en a m essa ge t o ld h er s h e’d b een m en tio ned o n Z in g. S h e c lic k ed o ver t o r e ad it . It w as w rit te n b y A nnie . New bie M ae is k ic k in g a ss! S h e’d se n t it o ut to th e re st o f th e Cir c le c a m pus— 10,0 41 p eo ple . The zin g w as fo rw ard ed 3 22 tim es an d th ere w ere 1 87 fo llo w -u p co m men ts . T hey ap peare d o n h er se co nd sc re en in a n e v er-le n gth en in g th re ad . M ae d id n’t h av e tim e to re ad t h em a ll, b ut s h e s c ro lle d q uic k ly t h ro ugh , a n d t h e v alid atio n f e lt g o od. A t t h e e n d o f th e d ay , M ae’s sc o re w as 9 8. C ongra tu la to ry m essa ges a rriv ed fr o m J are d a n d D an a n d Annie . A s e rie s o f z in gs f o llo w ed , a n nouncin g a n d c e le b ra tin g w hat A nnie c a lle d th e h ig h est sc o re o f a n y C E n ew b e ver o f a ll tim e s u ck it . By h er y rst F rid ay M ae h ad se rv ed 4 36 c u sto m ers a n d h ad m em oriz e d th e b oile rp la te s. Noth in g su rp ris e d h er a n ym ore , th ough th e v aria tio n in cu sto m ers a n d th eir b usin esse s was diz zy in g. The C ir c le w as ev ery w here , an d th ough sh e’d know n th is fo r years, in tu it iv ely , hearin g fr o m th ese p eo ple , th e b usin esse s c o untin g o n th e C ir c le to g et th e word o ut a b out th eir p ro ducts , to tr a ck th eir d ig it a l im pact, to k now w ho w as b uyin g th eir w are s a n d w hen — it b eca m e r e al o n a v ery d i ere n t le v el. M ae n ow h ad c u sto m er co nta cts in C lin to n, L ouis ia n a, a n d P utn ey , V erm ont; in M arm aris , T urk ey a n d M elb ourn e an d G la sg o w an d K yoto . In varia b ly th ey w ere polit e in th eir querie s— th e le gacy of Tru Y ou— an d g ra cio us in t h eir r a tin gs. By m id m orn in g t h at F rid ay , h er a ggre gate f o r t h e w eek w as a t 9 7, a n d t h e a } rm atio ns were c o m in g f r o m e v ery one in t h e C ir c le . T he w ork w as d em an din g, a n d t h e { ow d id n ot sto p, b ut it v arie d ju st e n ough , a n d th e v alid atio n w as fr e q uen t e n ough , th at s h e s e ttle d in to a c o m fo rta b le r h yth m . Ju st a s s h e w as a b out to ta k e a n oth er r e q uest, a te xt c a m e th ro ugh h er p hone. It w as Annie : Eat w it h m e, fo ol . They sa t on a lo w hill, tw o sa la d s betw een th em , th e su n m ak in g in te rm it te n t ap peara n ce s b eh in d slo w -m ovin g c lo uds. M ae a n d A nnie w atc h ed a tr io o f y oung m en , pale a n d d re sse d lik e e n gin eers, a tte m ptin g t o t h ro w a f o otb all. “S o y ou’r e a lr e ad y a s ta r. I f e el lik e a p ro ud m am a.” Mae s h ook h er h ead . “ I’m n ot a t a ll. I h av e a lo t t o le arn .” “O f c o urse y ou d o. B ut a 9 7 s o fa r? T hat’s in sa n e. I d id n’t g et a b ove 9 5 th e y rst w eek . You’r e a n atu ra l.” A p air o f s h ad ow s d ark en ed t h eir lu nch . “C an w e m eet t h e n ew bie ?” Mae lo oked u p, s h ie ld in g h er e y es. “C ourse ,” A nnie s a id . The s h ad ow s s a t d ow n. A nnie ja b bed h er f o rk a t t h em . “ T his is S ab in e a n d J o se f.” Mae s h ook th eir h an ds. S ab in e w as b lo nd, s tu rd y, s q uin tin g. J o se f w as th in , p ale , w it h co m ic a lly b ad t e eth . “A lr e ad y sh e’s lo okin g a t m y te eth !” h e w aile d , p oin tin g to M ae. “ Y ou A m eric a n s a re obse sse d ! I f e el lik e a h orse a t a n a u ctio n.” “B ut y our t e eth are b ad ,” A nnie s a id . “ A nd w e h av e s u ch a g o od d en ta l p la n h ere .” Jo se f u nw ra p ped a b urrit o . “ I t h in k m y t e eth p ro vid e a n ece ssa ry r e sp it e f r o m t h e e erie perfe ctio n o f e v ery one e ls e ’s .” Annie t ilt e d h er h ead , s tu dyin g h im . “ I’m s u re y ou sh ou ld f ix t h em , if n ot f o r y ou f o r t h e sa k e o f c o m pan y m ora le . Y ou g iv e p eo ple n ig h tm are s.” Jo se f p oute d t h eatr ic a lly , h is m outh f u ll o f c a rn e a sa d a. A nnie p atte d h is a rm . Sab in e tu rn ed to M ae. “S o y ou’r e in C usto m er E xp erie n ce ?” N ow M ae n otic e d th e ta tto o o n S ab in e’s a rm , t h e s y m bol f o r in fin it y . “I a m . F ir st w eek .” “I s a w y ou’r e d oin g p re tty w ell s o f a r. I s ta rte d t h ere , t o o. J u st a b out e v ery one d id .” “A nd S ab in e’s a b io ch em is t,” A nnie a d ded . Mae w as s u rp ris e d . “ Y ou’r e a b io ch em is t? ” “I a m .” Mae h ad n’t h eard ab out b io ch em is ts w ork in g at th e C ir c le . “C an I ask w hat y ou’r e work in g o n?” “C an you ask ? ” Sab in e sm ile d . “O f co urse y ou ca n ask . B ut I d on’t h av e to te ll y ou an yth in g.” Every one s ig h ed f o r a m om en t, b ut t h en S ab in e s to pped . “S erio usly th ough , I c a n ’t te ll y ou. N ot rig h t n ow , a n yw ay . G en era lly I w ork o n stu fo r th e b io m etr ic s id e o f th in gs. Y ou k now , ir is s c a n nin g a n d fa cia l r e co gn it io n. B ut r ig h t now I ’m o n s o m eth in g n ew . E ven t h ough I ’d lik e t o — ” Annie g av e S ab in e a n im plo rin g, q uie tin g lo ok. S ab in e f ille d h er m outh w it h le ttu ce . “A nyw ay ,” A nnie sa id , “ J o se f h ere is in E duca tio nal A cce ss. H e’s tr y in g to g et ta b le ts in to sc h ools th at rig h t n ow c a n ’t a ord th em . H e’s a d o-g o oder. H e’s a ls o fr ie n ds w it h your n ew f r ie n d. G arb onzo .” “G ara v en ta ,” M ae c o rre cte d . “A h. Y ou do r e m em ber. H av e y ou s e en h im a gain ?” “N ot t h is w eek . I t’s b een t o o b usy .” Now J o se f’s m outh w as o pen . S o m eth in g h ad ju st d aw ned o n h im . “ A re y ou M ae?” Annie w in ce d . “ W e a lr e ad y s a id t h at. O f c o urse t h is is M ae.” “S o rry . I d id n’t h ear it r ig h t. N ow I k now w ho y ou a re .” Annie sn orte d . “W hat, d id y ou tw o lit tle g ir ls te ll e ach o th er a ll a b out F ra n cis ’s b ig nig h t? H e’s b een w rit in g M ae’s n am e in h is n ote b ook, s u rro unded b y h earts ? ” Jo se f in hale d in dulg en tly . “ N o, h e ju st s a id h e’d m et s o m eo ne v ery n ic e , a n d h er n am e was M ae.” “T hat’s s o s w eet,” S ab in e s a id . “H e t o ld h er h e w as in s e cu rit y ,” A nnie s a id . “ W hy w ould h e d o t h at, J o se f? ” “T hat’s n ot w hat h e s a id ,” M ae in sis te d . “ I t o ld y ou t h at.” Annie d id n’t s e em t o c a re . “ W ell, I g u ess y ou c o uld c a ll it s e cu rit y . H e’s in c h ild s a fe ty . He’s b asic a lly t h e c o re o f t h is w hole p ro gra m t o p re v en t a b ductio ns. H e a ctu ally c o uld d o it .” Sab in e, h er m outh fu ll a gain , w as n oddin g v ig o ro usly . “O f co urse h e w ill,” sh e sa id , sp ra y in g f r a gm en ts o f s a la d a n d v in aig re tte . “ It’s a d one d eal.” “W hat is ? ” M ae a sk ed . “ H e’s g o in g t o p re v en t a ll a b ductio ns? ” “H e c o uld ,” J o se f s a id . “ H e’s m otiv ate d .” Annie ’s e y es w en t w id e. “ D id h e t e ll y ou a b out h is s is te rs? ” Mae s h ook h er h ead . “ N o, h e d id n’t s a y h e h ad s ib lin gs. W hat a b out h is s is te rs? ” All th re e C ir c le rs lo oked a t e ach o th er, a s if to g au ge if th e s to ry h ad to b e to ld th ere an d t h en . “It’s th e w orst sto ry ,” A nnie sa id . “ H is p are n ts w ere su ch fu ck ups. I th in k th ere w ere lik e fo ur o r y ve k id s in th e fa m ily , a n d F ra n cis w as y oungest o r se co nd-y oungest, a n d an yw ay t h e d ad w as in ja il, a n d t h e m om w as o n d ru gs, s o t h e k id s w ere s e n t a ll o ver t h e pla ce . I t h in k o ne w en t t o h is a u nt a n d u ncle , a n d h is t w o s is te rs w ere s e n t t o s o m e f o ste r hom e, a n d th en th ey w ere a b ducte d fr o m th ere . I g u ess th ere w as so m e d oubt if th ey were , y ou k now , g iv en o r s o ld t o t h e m urd ere rs.” “T he w hat? ” M ae h ad g o ne lim p. “O h g o d, th ey w ere ra p ed a n d k ep t in clo se ts a n d th eir b odie s w ere d ro pped d ow n so m e k in d o f a b an doned m is sile s ilo . I m ean , it w as t h e w orst s to ry e v er. H e t o ld a b unch of u s a b out it w hen h e w as p it c h in g th is c h ild s a fe ty p ro gra m . S h it , lo ok a t y our fa ce . I sh ould n’t h av e s a id a ll t h is .” Mae c o uld n’t s p eak . “It’s im porta n t th at y ou k now ,” J o se f s a id . “ T his is w hy h e’s s o p assio nate . I m ean , h is pla n w ould p re tty m uch e lim in ate th e p ossib ilit y o f a n yth in g lik e th is e v er h ap pen in g again . W ait . W hat t im e is it ? ” Annie c h eck ed h er p hone. “ Y ou’r e rig h t. W e g o tta sc o ot. B aile y ’s d oin g a n u nveilin g. We s h ould b e in t h e G re at H all.” The G re at H all w as in t h e E nlig h te n m en t, a n d w hen t h ey e n te re d t h e v en ue, a 3 ,5 00-s e at ca v ern a p poin te d in w arm w oods a n d b ru sh ed ste el, it w as lo ud w it h a n tic ip atio n. M ae an d A nnie f o und o ne o f t h e la st p air s o f s e ats in t h e s e co nd b alc o ny a n d s a t d ow n. “J u st y nis h ed th is a fe w m onth s a go ,” A nnie sa id . “F orty – y ve m illio n d olla rs. B aile y modele d t h e s tr ip es o ff t h e D uom o in S ie n a. N ic e , r ig h t? ” Mae’s a tte n tio n w as p ulle d to th e s ta ge, w here a m an w as w alk in g to a lu cit e p odiu m , am id a r o ar o f a p pla u se . H e w as a ta ll m an o f a b out fo rty – y ve, r o und in th e g u t b ut n ot unhealt h y, w earin g je an s a n d b lu e V -n eck s w eate r. T here w as n o d is c e rn ib le m ic ro phone, but w hen h e b egan s p eak in g, h is v oic e w as a m plif ie d a n d c le ar. “H ello e v ery one. M y n am e is E am on B aile y ,” h e s a id , t o a n oth er r o und o f a p pla u se t h at he q uic k ly d is c o ura ged . “ T han k y ou. I’m s o g la d to s e e y ou a ll h ere . A b unch o f y ou a re new t o t h e c o m pan y s in ce I la st s p oke, o ne w hole m onth a go . C an t h e n ew bie s s ta n d u p?” Annie n udged M ae. M ae s to od, a n d lo oked a ro und t h e a u dit o riu m t o s e e a b out s ix ty o th er peo ple sta n din g, m ost o f th em h er age, all o f th em se em in g sh y, all o f th em q uie tly sty lis h , to geth er r e p re se n tin g e v ery r a ce a n d e th nic it y a n d, th an ks to th e C ir c le ’s e orts to ease perm it s fo r in te rn atio nal sta ers, a diz zy in g ra n ge of natio nal orig in s. The cla p pin g fr o m th e r e st o f th e C ir c le rs w as lo ud, a s p rin klin g o f w hoops m ix ed in . S h e s a t dow n. “Y ou’r e s o c u te w hen y ou b lu sh ,” A nnie s a id . Mae s u nk in to h er s e at. “N ew bie s,” B aile y sa id , “ y ou’r e in fo r so m eth in g sp ecia l. T his is c a lle d D re am F rid ay , where w e pre se n t so m eth in g w e’r e w ork in g on. O fte n it ’s one of our en gin eers or desig n ers o r v is io narie s, a n d s o m etim es it ’s ju st m e. A nd to day , fo r b ette r o r fo r w orse , it ’s ju st m e. F or t h at I a p olo giz e in a d van ce .” “W e lo ve y ou E am on!” c a m e a v oic e f r o m t h e a u die n ce . L au gh te r f o llo w ed . “W ell th an k y ou,” h e s a id , “ I lo ve y ou b ack . I lo ve y ou a s th e g ra ss lo ves th e d ew , a s th e b ir d s lo ve a b ough .” H e p au se d b rie { y, a llo w in g M ae to c a tc h h er b re ath . S h e’d s e en th ese t a lk s o nlin e, b ut b ein g h ere , in p erso n, s e ein g B aile y ’s m in d a t w ork , h earin g h is o – th e-c u e lo quen ce — it w as b ette r th an sh e th ough t p ossib le . W hat w ould it b e lik e, sh e th ough t, to be so m eo ne lik e th at, elo quen t an d in sp ir a tio nal, so at ease in fr o nt of th ousa n ds? “Y es,” h e c o ntin ued , “ it ’s b een a w hole m onth s in ce I’v e g o tte n u p o n th is s ta ge, a n d I know m y re p la ce m en ts h av e b een u nsa tis fy in g. I a m so rry to d ep riv e y ou o f m yse lf . I re aliz e th ere is n o su bstit u te .” T he jo ke b ro ugh t la u gh te r th ro ugh out th e h all. “A nd I know a lo t o f y ou h av e b een w onderin g ju st w here t h e h eck I ’v e b een .” A v oic e f r o m t h e f r o nt o f t h e r o om y elle d “ su rfin g!” a n d t h e r o om la u gh ed . “W ell, th at’s r ig h t. I h av e b een d oin g s o m e s u r y ng, a n d th at’s p art o f w hat I’m h ere to ta lk a b out. I lo ve to s u rf, a n d w hen I w an t to s u rf, I n eed to k now h ow th e w av es a re . Now , it u se d t o b e t h at y ou’d w ak e u p a n d c a ll t h e lo ca l s u rf s h op a n d a sk t h em a b out t h e bre ak s. A nd p re tty s o on t h ey s to pped a n sw erin g t h eir p hones.” Know in g la u gh te r c a m e f r o m t h e o ld er c o ntin gen t in t h e r o om . “W hen c e llp hones p ro lif e ra te d , y ou c o uld c a ll y our b uddie s w ho m ig h t h av e g o tte n o ut to t h e b each b efo re y ou. T hey , t o o, s to pped a n sw erin g t h eir p hones.” Anoth er b ig la u gh f r o m t h e a u die n ce . “S erio usly , th ough . It’s n ot p ra ctic a l to m ak e tw elv e c a lls e v ery m orn in g, a n d c a n y ou tr u st s o m eo ne e ls e ’s ta k e o n th e c o ndit io ns? T he s u rfe rs d on’t w an t a n y m ore b odie s o n th e lim it e d b re ak s w e g et u p h ere . S o th en th e in te rn et h ap pen ed , a n d h ere a n d th ere so m e g en iu se s s e t u p c a m era s o n t h e b each es. W e c o uld lo g o n a n d g et s o m e p re tty c ru de im ages o f t h e w av es a t S tin so n B each . I t w as a lm ost w orse t h an c a llin g t h e s u rf s h op! T he te ch nolo gy w as p re tty p rim it iv e. S tr e am in g t e ch nolo gy s till is . O r w as. U ntil n ow .” A s c re en d esc e n ded b eh in d h im . “O kay . H ere ’s h ow it u se d t o lo ok.” The s c re en s h ow ed a s ta n dard b ro w se r d is p la y , a n d a n u nse en h an d t y ped in t h e u rl f o r a w eb sit e ca lle d Su rfS ig h t. A poorly desig n ed sit e ap peare d , w it h a tin y im age of a co astlin e str e am in g in th e m id dle . It w as p ix ila te d an d co m ic a lly slo w . T he au die n ce tit te re d . “A lm ost u se le ss, rig h t? N ow , a s w e k now , str e am in g v id eo h as g o tte n a lo t b ette r in re ce n t years. But it ’s still slo w er th an re al lif e , an d th e sc re en qualit y is pre tty dis a p poin tin g. So w e’v e so lv ed , I th in k, th e q ualit y is su es in th e la st y ear. L et’s n ow re fr e sh t h at p age t o s h ow t h e s it e w it h o ur n ew v id eo d eliv ery .” Now th e p age w as r e fr e sh ed , a n d th e c o astlin e w as fu ll-s c re en , a n d th e r e so lu tio n w as perfe ct. T here w ere s o unds o f a w e t h ro ugh out t h e r o om . “Y es, th is is liv e v id eo o f S tin so n B each . T his is S tin so n rig h t a t th is m om en t. L ooks pre tty g o od, r ig h t? M ay be I s h ould b e o ut t h ere , a s o ppose d t o s ta n din g h ere w it h y ou!” Annie le an ed in to M ae. “ T he n ext p art’s in cre d ib le . J u st w ait .” “N ow , m an y o f y ou still are n ’t so im pre sse d . A s w e all k now , m an y m ach in es ca n deliv er hig h -r e s str e am in g vid eo , an d m an y of your ta b le ts an d phones ca n alr e ad y su pport th em . B ut th ere a re a c o uple n ew a sp ects to a ll th is . T he y rst p art is h ow w e’r e gettin g th is im age. W ould it su rp ris e y ou to k now th at th is is n ’t co m in g fr o m a b ig ca m era , b ut a ctu ally ju st o ne o f t h ese ?” He w as h old in g a s m all d ev ic e in h is h an d, t h e s h ap e a n d s iz e o f a lo llip op. “T his is a v id eo ca m era , an d th is is th e p re cis e m odel th at’s gettin g th is in cre d ib le im age q ualit y . I m age q ualit y t h at h old s u p t o t h is k in d o f m agn i y ca tio n. S o t h at’s t h e y rst gre at th in g. W e c a n n ow g et h ig h -d ef-q ualit y r e so lu tio n in a c a m era th e s iz e o f a th um b. Well, a v ery b ig t h um b. T he s e co nd g re at t h in g is t h at, a s y ou c a n s e e, t h is c a m era n eed s no w ir e s. I t’s t r a n sm it tin g t h is im age v ia s a te llit e .” A r o und o f a p pla u se s h ook t h e r o om . “W ait . D id I s a y it r u ns o n a lit h iu m b atte ry t h at la sts t w o y ears? N o? W ell it d oes. A nd we’r e a y ear a w ay fr o m a n e n tir e ly s o la r-p ow ere d m odel, to o. A nd it ’s w ate rp ro of, s a n d- pro of, w in dpro of, a n im al-p ro of, in se ct-p ro of, e v ery th in g-p ro of.” More a p pla u se o verto ok t h e r o om . “O kay , s o I s e t u p t h at c a m era t h is m orn in g. I t a p ed it t o a s ta k e, s tu ck t h at s ta k e in t h e sa n d, in th e d unes, w it h n o p erm it , n oth in g. In fa ct, n o o ne k now s it ’s th ere . S o th is morn in g I tu rn ed it o n, th en I d ro ve b ack to th e o } ce , a cce sse d C am era O ne, S tin so n Beach , a n d I go t th is im age. N ot b ad . B ut th at’s n ot th e h alf o f it . A ctu ally , I w as p re tty busy t h is m orn in g. I d ro ve a ro und, a n d s e t u p o ne a t R odeo B each , t o o.” And n ow th e o rig in al im age, o f S tin so n B each , sh ru nk a n d m oved to a c o rn er o f th e sc re en . A noth er b ox e m erg ed , s h ow in g th e w av es a t R odeo B each , a fe w m ile s d ow n th e Paci y c c o ast. “ A nd n ow M onta ra . A nd O ce an B each . F ort P oin t.” W it h e ach b each B aile y men tio ned , a n oth er liv e im age a p peare d . T here w ere n ow s ix b each es in a g rid , e ach o f th em liv e, v is ib le w it h p erfe ct c la rit y a n d b rillia n t c o lo r. “N ow re m em ber: n o o ne se es th ese ca m era s. I’v e h id den th em p re tty w ell. T o th e av era ge p erso n t h ey lo ok lik e w eed s, o r s o m e k in d o f s tic k . A nyth in g. T hey ’r e u nnotic e d . So in a fe w h ours th is m orn in g, I s e t u p p erfe ctly c le ar v id eo a cce ss to s ix lo ca tio ns th at help m e k now h ow to p la n m y d ay . A nd e v ery th in g w e d o h ere is a b out k now in g th e pre v io usly u nknow n, r ig h t? ” Head s n odded . A s m atte rin g o f a p pla u se . “O kay , so , m an y o f y ou a re th in kin g, W ell, th is is ju st lik e c lo se d -c ir c u it T V c ro sse d wit h str e am in g te ch nolo gy , sa te llit e s, a ll th at. F in e. B ut a s y ou k now , to d o th is w it h exta n t te ch nolo gy w ould h av e b een p ro hib it iv ely e xp en siv e fo r th e a v era ge p erso n. B ut what if a ll th is w as a cce ssib le a n d a ord ab le to a n yone? M y fr ie n ds, w e’r e lo okin g a t re ta ilin g t h ese — in ju st a f e w m onth s, m in d y ou— at f if ty -n in e d olla rs e ach .” Baile y h eld th e lo llip op ca m era o ut, a n d th re w it to so m eo ne in th e fr o nt ro w . T he wom an w ho c a u gh t it h eld it a lo ft, t u rn in g t o t h e a u die n ce a n d s m ilin g g le efu lly . “Y ou ca n b uy te n o f th em fo r C hris tm as a n d su dden ly y ou h av e co nsta n t a cce ss to ev ery w here you w an t to be— hom e, w ork , tr a } c co ndit io ns. A nd an yone ca n in sta ll th em . I t t a k es f iv e m in ute s t o ps. T hin k o f t h e im plic a tio ns!” The s c re en b eh in d h im c le are d , t h e b each es d is a p pearin g, a n d a n ew g rid a p peare d . “H ere ’s th e v ie w fr o m m y b ack y ard ,” h e sa id , re v ealin g a liv e fe ed o f a tid y an d modest b ack y ard . “ H ere ’s m y fr o nt y ard . M y g ara ge. H ere ’s o ne o n a h ill o verlo okin g Hig h w ay 1 01 w here it g ets b ad d urin g ru sh h our. H ere ’s o ne n ear m y p ark in g sp ace to mak e s u re n o o ne p ark s t h ere .” And so on th e sc re en h ad six te en d is c re te im ages o n it , a ll o f th em tr a n sm it tin g liv e fe ed . “N ow , th ese a re ju st my c a m era s. I a cce ss t h em a ll b y s im ply t y pin g in C am era 1 , 2 , 3 , 12, w hate v er. E asy . B ut w hat a b out s h arin g? T hat is , w hat if m y b uddy h as s o m e c a m era s poste d , a n d w an ts t o g iv e m e a cce ss? ” And n ow th e s c re en ’s g rid m ult ip lie d , fr o m s ix te en b oxes to th ir ty -t w o. “ H ere ’s L io nel Fit z p atr ic k ’s sc re en s. H e’s in to sk iin g, so h e’s g o t c a m era s p osit io ned so h e c a n te ll th e co ndit io ns a t t w elv e lo ca tio ns a ll o ver T ah oe.” Now t h ere w ere t w elv e liv e im ages o f w hit e -t o pped m ounta in s, ic e -b lu e v alle y s, r id ges to pped w it h d eep g re en c o nif e rs. “L io nel ca n giv e m e acce ss to an y o f th e ca m era s h e w an ts . It’s ju st lik e fr ie n din g so m eo ne, b ut n ow w it h a cce ss to a ll th eir liv e fe ed s. F org et c a b le . F org et y ve h undre d ch an nels . If y ou h av e o ne th ousa n d fr ie n ds, a n d th ey h av e te n c a m era s e ach , y ou n ow hav e te n th ousa n d o ptio ns fo r liv e fo ota ge. If y ou h av e y ve th ousa n d fr ie n ds, y ou h av e yfty th ousa n d o ptio ns. A nd s o on y ou’l l b e a b le to c o nnect to m illio ns o f c a m era s a ro und th e w orld . A gain , im agin e t h e im plic a tio ns!” The sc re en a to m iz e d in to a th ousa n d m in i-s c re en s. B each es, m ounta in s, la k es, cit ie s, o } ce s, liv in g r o om s. T he c ro w d a p pla u ded w ild ly . T hen t h e s c re en w en t b la n k, a n d f r o m th e b la ck e m erg ed a p eace s ig n , in w hit e . “N ow im agin e th e h um an rig h ts im plic a tio ns. P ro te ste rs o n th e str e ets o f E gy pt n o lo nger h av e to h old u p a c a m era , h opin g to c a tc h a h um an rig h ts v io la tio n o r a m urd er an d t h en s o m eh ow g et t h e f o ota ge o ut o f t h e s tr e ets a n d o nlin e. N ow it ’s a s e asy a s g lu in g a c a m era t o a w all. A ctu ally , w e’v e d one ju st t h at.” A s tu nned h ush c a m e o ver t h e a u die n ce . “L et’s h av e C am era 8 in C air o .” A liv e s h ot o f a s tr e et s c e n e a p peare d . T here w ere b an ners ly in g o n t h e s tr e et, a p air o f polic e in r io t g ear s ta n din g in t h e d is ta n ce . “T hey d on’t k now w e s e e th em , b ut w e d o. T he w orld is w atc h in g. A nd lis te n in g. T urn up t h e a u dio .” Su dden ly th ey c o uld h ear a c le ar c o nversa tio n, in A ra b ic , b etw een p ed estr ia n s p assin g near t h e c a m era , u naw are s. “A nd of co urse m ost of th e ca m era s ca n be m an ip ula te d m an ually or w it h voic e re co gn it io n. W atc h th is . C am era 8 , tu rn le ft.” O n s c re en , th e c a m era ’s v ie w o f th e C air o str e et p an ned le ft. “ N ow rig h t.” It p an ned rig h t. H e d em onstr a te d it m ovin g u p, d ow n, dia go nally , a ll w it h r e m ark ab le f lu id it y . The a u die n ce a p pla u ded a gain . “N ow , re m em ber th at th ese ca m era s a re ch eap , a n d e asy to h id e, a n d th ey n eed n o wir e s. S o it h asn ’t b een t h at h ard f o r u s t o p la ce t h em a ll o ver. L et’s s h ow T ah rir .” Gasp s fr o m th e a u die n ce . O n sc re en th ere w as n ow a liv e sh ot o f T ah rir S q uare , th e cra d le o f t h e E gy ptia n R ev olu tio n. “W e’v e h ad o ur p eo ple in C air o a tta ch in g c a m era s fo r th e la st w eek . T hey ’r e s o s m all th e a rm y c a n ’t y nd t h em . T hey d on’t e v en k now w here t o lo ok! L et’s s h ow t h e r e st o f t h e vie w s. C am era 2 . C am era 3 . F our. F iv e. S ix .” There w ere s ix s h ots o f t h e s q uare , e ach s o c le ar t h at s w eat o n a n y f a ce c o uld b e s e en , th e n am eta gs o f e v ery s o ld ie r e asily r e ad . “N ow 7 t h ro ugh 5 0.” Now th ere w as a g rid o f y fty im ages, se em in g to c o ver th e e n tir e p ublic sp ace . T he au die n ce r o are d a gain . B aile y r a is e d h is h an ds, a s if t o s a y “ N ot y et. T here ’s p le n ty m ore .” “T he s q uare is q uie t n ow , b ut c a n y ou im agin e if s o m eth in g h ap pen ed ? T here w ould b e in sta n t acco unta b ilit y . A ny so ld ie r co m mit tin g an act of vio le n ce w ould in sta n tly be re co rd ed fo r p oste rit y . H e c o uld b e tr ie d fo r w ar c rim es, y ou n am e it . A nd e v en if th ey cle ar t h e s q uare o f jo urn alis ts , t h e c a m era s a re s till t h ere . A nd n o m atte r h ow m an y t im es th ey tr y to e lim in ate th e c a m era s, b eca u se th ey ’r e s o s m all, th ey ’l l n ev er k now fo r s u re where th ey a re , w ho’s p la ce d th em w here a n d w hen . A nd th e n ot-k now in g w ill p re v en t ab use s o f p ow er. Y ou ta k e th e a v era ge s o ld ie r w ho’s n ow w orrie d th at a d oze n c a m era s will c a tc h h im , fo r a ll e te rn it y , d ra ggin g s o m e w om an d ow n th e s tr e et? W ell, h e s h ould worry . H e s h ould w orry a b out th ese c a m era s. H e s h ould w orry a b out S eeC han ge. T hat’s what w e’r e c a llin g t h em .” There w as a q uic k b urst o f a p pla u se , w hic h g re w a s th e a u die n ce c a m e to u ndersta n d th e d ouble -m ean in g a t p la y . “L ik e it ? ” B aile y s a id . “ O kay , n ow t h is d oesn ’t ju st a p ply t o a re as o f u pheav al. I m agin e an y c it y w it h th is k in d o f c o vera ge. W ho w ould c o m mit a c rim e k now in g th ey m ig h t b e watc h ed a n y t im e, a n yw here ? My f r ie n ds in t h e F B I f e el t h is w ould c u t c rim e r a te s d ow n by 7 0, 8 0 p erc e n t in a n y c it y w here w e h av e r e al a n d m ean in gfu l s a tu ra tio n.” The a p pla u se g re w . “B ut f o r n ow , le t’s g o b ack t o t h e p la ce s in t h e w orld w here w e m ost n eed t r a n sp are n cy an d s o r a re ly h av e it . H ere ’s a m ed le y o f lo ca tio ns a ro und t h e w orld w here w e’v e p la ce d ca m era s. N ow im agin e th e im pact th ese ca m era s w ould h av e h ad in th e p ast, a n d w ill hav e in t h e f u tu re , if s im ila r e v en ts t r a n sp ir e . H ere ’s f if ty c a m era s in T ia n an m en S q uare .” Liv e sh ots fr o m a ll o ver th e sq uare y lle d th e sc re en , a n d th e cro w d e ru pte d a gain . Baile y w en t on, re v ealin g th eir co vera ge of a doze n au th orit a ria n re gim es, fr o m Kharto um to P yongy an g, w here th e a u th orit ie s h ad n o id ea th ey w ere b ein g w atc h ed b y th re e t h ousa n d C ir c le rs in C alif o rn ia — had n o n otio n t h at t h ey co u ld b e w atc h ed , t h at t h is te ch nolo gy w as o r w ould e v er b e p ossib le . Now B aile y cle are d th e sc re en a gain , a n d ste p ped to w ard th e a u die n ce . “Y ou k now what I sa y , rig h t? In sit u atio ns lik e th is , I agre e w it h th e H agu e, w it h h um an rig h ts activ is ts th e w orld o ver. T here n eed s to b e a cco unta b ilit y . T yra n ts c a n n o lo nger h id e. There n eed s to b e, a n d w ill b e, d ocu m en ta tio n a n d a cco unta b ilit y , a n d w e n eed to b ear wit n ess. A nd t o t h is e n d, I in sis t t h at a ll t h at h ap pen s s h ould b e k now n.” The w ord s d ro pped o nto t h e s c re en : A LL T H AT H APPEN S M UST B E K N OW N . “F olk s, w e’r e a t th e d aw n o f th e S eco nd E nlig h te n m en t. A nd I’m n ot ta lk in g a b out a new b uild in g o n c a m pus. I’m ta lk in g a b out a n e ra w here w e d on’t a llo w th e m ajo rit y o f hum an th ough t a n d a ctio n a n d a ch ie v em en t a n d le arn in g to e sc a p e a s if fr o m a le ak y buck et. W e d id th at o nce b efo re . It w as c a lle d th e M id dle A ges, th e D ark A ges. If n ot fo r th e m onks, e v ery th in g t h e w orld h ad e v er le arn ed w ould h av e b een lo st. W ell, w e liv e in a s im ila r t im e, w hen w e’r e lo sin g t h e v ast m ajo rit y o f w hat w e d o a n d s e e a n d le arn . B ut it d oesn ’t h av e to b e th at w ay . N ot w it h th ese c a m era s, a n d n ot w it h th e m is sio n o f th e Cir c le .” He tu rn ed a gain to w ard th e sc re en a n d re ad it , in vit in g th e a u die n ce to c o m mit it to mem ory . A LL T H AT H APPEN S M UST B E K N OW N . He t u rn ed b ack t o t h e a u die n ce a n d s m ile d . “O kay , n ow I w an t to b rin g it b ack h om e. M y m oth er’s e ig h ty -o ne. S h e d oesn ’t g et aro und a s e asily a s s h e o nce d id . A y ear a go s h e f e ll a n d b ro ke h er h ip , a n d s in ce t h en I ’v e been c o nce rn ed a b out h er. I a sk ed h er t o h av e s o m e s e cu rit y c a m era s in sta lle d , s o I c o uld acce ss th em o n a clo se d cir c u it , b ut sh e re fu se d . B ut n ow I h av e p eace o f m in d. L ast week en d, w hile s h e w as n ap pin g— ” A w av e o f la u gh te r r ip ple d t h ro ugh t h e a u die n ce . “F org iv e m e! F org iv e m e!” h e sa id , “ I h ad n o c h oic e . S h e w ould n’t h av e le t m e d o it oth erw is e . S o I sn uck in , a n d I in sta lle d c a m era s in e v ery ro om . T hey ’r e so sm all sh e’l l nev er n otic e . I’l l sh ow y ou re ally q uic k . C an w e sh ow ca m era s 1 to 5 in m y m om ’s house ?” A g rid o f im ages p opped u p, in clu din g h is m om , p ad din g d ow n a b rig h t h allw ay in a to w el. A r o ar o f la u gh te r e ru pte d . “O ops. L et’s d ro p t h at o ne.” T he im age d is a p peare d . “ A nyw ay . T he p oin t is t h at I k now sh e’s sa fe , an d th at giv es m e a se n se of peace . A s w e all know here at th e C ir c le , tr a n sp are n cy le ad s to p eace o f m in d. N o lo nger d o I h av e to w onder, ‘H ow ’s M om ?’ N o lo nger d o I h av e t o w onder, ‘W hat’s h ap pen in g in M yan m ar? ’ “N ow , w e’r e m ak in g a m illio n o f th is m odel, a n d m y p re d ic tio n is th at w it h in a y ear we’l l h av e a m illio n a cce ssib le liv e str e am s. W it h in y ve y ears, y fty m illio n. W it h in te n years, t w o b illio n c a m era s. T here w ill b e v ery f e w p opula te d a re as t h at w e w on’t b e a b le to a cce ss f r o m t h e s c re en s in o ur h an ds.” The a u die n ce r o are d a gain . S o m eo ne y elle d o ut, “ W e w an t it n ow !” Baile y c o ntin ued . “ In ste ad o f se arc h in g th e w eb , o nly to y nd so m e e d it e d v id eo w it h te rrib le q ualit y , n ow y ou g o to S eeC han ge, y ou ty pe in M yan m ar. O r y ou ty pe in y our hig h s c h ool b oyfr ie n d’s n am e. C han ce s a re t h ere ’s s o m eo ne w ho’s s e t u p a c a m era n earb y, rig h t? W hy sh ould n’t y our c u rio sit y a b out th e w orld b e re w ard ed ? Y ou w an t to se e F iji but ca n ’t g et th ere ? S eeC han ge. Y ou w an t to ch eck o n y our k id a t sc h ool? S eeC han ge. This is u lt im ate t r a n sp are n cy . N o f ilt e r. S ee e v ery th in g. A lw ay s.” Mae le an ed t o w ard A nnie . “ T his is in cre d ib le .” “I k now , r ig h t? ” A nnie s a id . “N ow , d o th ese c a m era s h av e to b e s ta tio nary ?” B aile y s a id , r a is in g a s c o ld in g y nger. “O f c o urse n ot. I h ap pen to h av e a d oze n h elp ers a ll o ver th e w orld r ig h t n ow , w earin g th e c a m era s a ro und t h eir n eck s. L et’s v is it t h em , s h all w e? C an I g et D an ny’s c a m era u p?” An im age o f M ach u P ic ch u a p peare d o nsc re en . I t lo oked lik e a p ostc a rd , a v ie w p erc h ed hig h ab ove th e an cie n t ru in s. A nd th en it sta rte d m ovin g, d ow n to w ard th e sit e . T he cro w d g asp ed , t h en c h eere d . “T hat’s a liv e im age, th ough I g u ess th at’s o bvio us. H i D an ny. N ow le t’s g et S ara h o n Mount K en ya.” A noth er im age a p peare d o n th e g re at s c re en , th is o ne o f th e s h ale y eld s hig h o n th e m ounta in . “ C an y ou p oin t u s to w ard th e p eak , S ara h ?” T he c a m era p an ned up, re v ealin g th e peak of th e m ounta in , en sh ro uded in fo g. “S ee, th is open s up th e possib ilit y of vis u al su rro gate s. Im agin e I’m bed rid den , or to o fr a il to exp lo re th e mounta in m yse lf . I s e n d s o m eo ne u p w it h a c a m era a ro und h er n eck , a n d I c a n e xp erie n ce it a ll in r e al t im e. L et’s d o t h at in a f e w m ore p la ce s.” H e p re se n te d liv e im ages o f P aris , Kuala L um pur, a L ondon p ub. “N ow le t’s e xp erim en t a b it , u sin g a ll o f t h is t o geth er. I ’m s it tin g a t h om e. I lo g o n a n d wan t to g et a s e n se o f th e w orld . S h ow m e tr a } c o n 1 01. S tr e ets o f J ak arta . S u r y ng a t Bolin as. M y m om ’s h ouse . Sh ow m e th e w eb ca m s o f ev ery one I w en t to h ig h sc h ool wit h .” At ev ery co m man d, n ew im ages ap peare d , u ntil th ere w ere at le ast a h undre d liv e str e am in g im ages o n t h e s c re en a t o nce . “W e w ill b eco m e a ll-s e ein g, a ll-k now in g.” The a u die n ce w as s ta n din g n ow . T he a p pla u se t h undere d t h ro ugh t h e r o om . M ae r e ste d her h ead o n A nnie ’s s h ould er. “A ll t h at h ap pen s w ill b e k now n,” A nnie w his p ere d . “Y ou h av e a g lo w .” “Y ou d o.” “I d o n ot h av e a g lo w .” “L ik e y ou’r e w it h c h ild .” “I k now w hat y ou m ean t. S to p.” Mae’s fa th er re ach ed acro ss th e ta b le an d to ok h er h an d. It w as Satu rd ay , an d h er pare n ts w ere tr e atin g h er to a c e le b ra to ry d in ner c o m mem ora tin g h er y rst w eek a t th e Cir c le . T his w as th e k in d o f s e n tim en ta l s lo p th ey w ere a lw ay s d oin g— at le ast r e ce n tly . When s h e w as y ounger, th e o nly c h ild o f a c o uple w ho lo ng c o nsid ere d th e possib ilit y o f hav in g n one a t a ll, th eir h om e w as m ore c o m plic a te d . D urin g th e w eek , h er fa th er h ad been sc a rc e . H e’d b een th e b uild in g m an ager a t a F re sn o o } ce p ark , w ork in g fo urte en – hour d ay s a n d le av in g e v ery th in g a t h om e t o h er m oth er, w ho w ork ed t h re e s h if ts a w eek at a h ote l re sta u ra n t an d w ho re sp onded to th e p re ssu re o f it all w it h a h air -t r ig ger te m per, p rim arily d ir e cte d a t M ae. B ut w hen M ae w as t e n , h er p are n ts a n nounce d t h ey ’d bough t a p ark in g lo t, tw o s to rie s n ear d ow nto w n F re sn o, a n d fo r a fe w y ears, th ey to ok tu rn s m an nin g it . It w as h um ilia tin g to M ae to h av e h er fr ie n ds’ p are n ts s a y , “ H ey , s a w your m om a t t h e lo t,” o r “ T ell y our d ad t h an ks a gain f o r c o m pin g m e t h e o th er d ay ,” b ut so on t h eir y nan ce s s ta b iliz e d , a n d t h ey c o uld h ir e a c o uple g u ys t o t r a d e s h if ts . A nd w hen her p are n ts c o uld ta k e a d ay o , a n d c o uld p la n m ore th an a fe w m onth s a h ead , th ey mello w ed , b eco m in g a v ery ca lm , e xasp era tin gly sw eet o ld er co uple . It w as a s if th ey wen t, in th e co urse of a year, fr o m bein g young pare n ts in over th eir head s, to gra n dpare n ts , slo w -m ovin g an d w arm an d clu ele ss ab out w hat exactly th eir d au gh te r wan te d . W hen sh e g ra d uate d fr o m m id dle sc h ool, th ey ’d d riv en h er to D is n ey la n d, n ot quit e u ndersta n din g th at sh e w as to o o ld , an d th at h er go in g th ere alo ne— wit h tw o ad ult s , w hic h w as e ectiv ely a lo ne— was a t c ro ss-p urp ose s w it h a n y n otio n o f fu n. B ut th ey w ere so w ell-m ean in g th at sh e c o uld n’t re fu se , a n d in th e e n d th ey h ad a m in dle ss kin d of fu n th at sh e did n’t know w as possib le w it h one’s pare n ts . Any lin gerin g re se n tm en t s h e m ig h t d ir e ct a t th em fo r th e e m otio nal u nce rta in tie s o f h er e arly lif e w as douse d b y t h e c o nsta n t c o ol w ate r o f t h eir la te m id dle a ge. And n ow th ey ’d d riv en to th e b ay , to sp en d th e w eek en d at th e ch eap est b ed an d bre ak fa st th ey c o uld y nd— whic h w as y fte en m ile s fr o m th e C ir c le a n d lo oked h au nte d . Now th ey w ere o ut, a t s o m e fa k e-f a n cy r e sta u ra n t th e tw o o f th em h ad h eard a b out, a n d if a n yone w as a glo w , it w as t h em . T hey w ere b eam in g. “S o ? I t’s b een g re at? ” h er m oth er a sk ed . “It h as.” “I k new it .” H er m oth er s a t b ack , c ro ssin g h er a rm s. “I d on’t e v er w an t t o w ork a n yw here e ls e ,” M ae s a id . “W hat a r e lie f,” h er f a th er s a id . “ W e d on’t w an t y ou w ork in g a n yw here e ls e , e it h er.” Her m oth er lu nged fo rw ard , a n d to ok M ae’s a rm . “ I to ld K aro lin a’s m om . Y ou k now her.” S h e sc ru nch ed h er n ose — th e c lo se st sh e c o uld c o m e to a n in su lt . “ S h e lo oked lik e so m eo ne h ad s tu ck a s h arp s tic k u p h er b eh in d. B oilin g w it h e n vy.” “M om .” “I le t y our s a la ry s lip .” “M om .” “I ju st s a id , ‘I h ope s h e c a n g et b y w it h a s a la ry o f s ix ty t h ousa n d d olla rs.’ ” “I c a n ’t b elie v e y ou t o ld h er t h at.” “It’s t r u e, is n ’t it ? ” “It’s a ctu ally s ix ty -t w o.” “O h je ez. N ow I ’l l h av e t o c a ll h er u p.” “N o y ou w on’t .” “O kay , I w on’t . But it ’s been very fu n,” sh e sa id , “I ju st ca su ally slip it in to co nversa tio n. M y d au gh te r’s a t t h e h otte st c o m pan y o n t h e p la n et a n d h as f u ll d en ta l.” “P le ase d on’t . I ju st g o t lu ck y. A nd A nnie — ” Her f a th er le an ed f o rw ard . “ H ow is A nnie ?” “G ood.” “T ell A nnie w e lo ve h er.” “I w ill.” “S h e c o uld n’t c o m e t o nig h t? ” “N o. S h e’s b usy .” “B ut y ou a sk ed h er? ” “I d id . S h e s a y s h i. B ut s h e w ork s a lo t.” “W hat d oes s h e d o e xactly ?” h er m oth er a sk ed . “E very th in g, re ally ,” M ae sa id . “S h e’s in th e G an g o f 4 0. Sh e’s p art o f all th e b ig decis io ns. I t h in k s h e s p ecia liz e s in d ealin g w it h r e gu la to ry is su es in o th er c o untr ie s.” “I’m s u re s h e’s g o t a lo t o f r e sp onsib ilit y .” “A nd s to ck o ptio ns!” h er f a th er s a id . “ I c a n ’t im agin e w hat s h e’s w orth .” “D ad . D on’t im agin e t h at.” “W hy is s h e w ork in g w it h a ll t h ose s to ck o ptio ns? I ’d b e o n a b each . I ’d h av e a h are m .” Mae’s m oth er p ut h er h an d o n h is . “ V in nie , s to p.” T hen t o M ae s h e s a id , “ I h ope s h e h as tim e t o e n jo y it a ll.” “S h e d oes,” M ae s a id . “ S h e’s p ro bab ly a t a c a m pus p arty a s w e s p eak .” Her fa th er s m ile d . “ I lo ve th at y ou c a ll it a c a m pus. T hat’s v ery c o ol. W e u se d to c a ll th ose p la ce s offic es .” Mae’s m oth er s e em ed t r o uble d . “ A p arty , M ae? Y ou d id n’t w an t t o g o ?” “I d id , b ut I w an te d t o s e e y ou g u ys. A nd t h ere a re p le n ty o f t h ose p artie s.” “B ut in y our y rst w eek !” h er m oth er lo oked p ain ed . “M ay be y ou sh ould h av e g o ne. Now I f e el b ad . W e t o ok y ou a w ay f r o m it .” “T ru st m e. T hey h av e th em e v ery o th er d ay . T hey ’r e v ery so cia l o ver th ere . I’l l b e fin e.” “Y ou’r e n ot ta k in g lu nch y et, a re y ou?” h er m oth er a sk ed . S h e m ad e th e sa m e p oin t when M ae h ad sta rte d a t th e u tilit y : d on’t ta k e lu nch y our y rst w eek . S en ds th e w ro ng messa ge. “D on’t w orry ,” M ae s a id . “ I h av en ’t e v en u se d t h e b ath ro om .” Her m oth er r o lle d h er e y es. “ A nyw ay , le t m e ju st s a y h ow p ro ud w e a re . W e lo ve y ou.” “A nd A nnie ,” h er f a th er s a id . “R ig h t. W e lo ve y ou a n d A nnie .” They a te q uic k ly , k now in g t h at M ae’s f a th er w ould s o on t ir e . H e’d in sis te d o n g o in g o ut to d in ner, th ough b ack a t h om e, h e ra re ly d id a n ym ore . H is fa tig u e w as co nsta n t, a n d co uld c o m e o n s u dden ly a n d s tr o ng, s e n din g h im t o n ear-c o lla p se . I t w as im porta n t, w hen out lik e th is , to b e re ad y to m ak e a q uic k e xit , a n d b efo re d esse rt, th ey d id so . M ae fo llo w ed th em b ack to th eir ro om an d th ere , am id th e B & B o w ners’ d oze n s o f d olls , sp re ad a b out t h e r o om a n d w atc h in g, M ae a n d h er p are n ts w ere a b le t o r e la x, u nafr a id o f ev en tu alit ie s. M ae had n’t go tte n use d to her fa th er hav in g m ult ip le sc le ro sis . The dia gn osis h ad c o m e d ow n o nly tw o y ears e arlie r, th ough th e s y m pto m s h ad b een v is ib le years b efo re t h at. H e’d b een s lu rrin g h is w ord s, h ad b een o versh ootin g w hen r e ach in g f o r th in gs a n d, y nally , h ad fa lle n , tw ic e , e ach tim e in th e fo yer o f th eir h ouse , r e ach in g fo r th e fr o nt d oor. S o th ey ’d s o ld th e p ark in g lo t, m ad e a d ece n t p ro y t, a n d n ow s p en t th eir tim e m an agin g h is c a re , w hic h m ean t a t le ast a f e w h ours a d ay p orin g o ver m ed ic a l b ills an d b attlin g w it h t h e in su ra n ce c o m pan y. “O h, w e s a w M erc e r t h e o th er d ay ,” h er m oth er s a id , a n d h er f a th er s m ile d . M erc e r h ad been a b oyfr ie n d o f M ae’s , o ne o f th e fo ur se rio us o nes sh e’d h ad in h ig h sc h ool a n d co lle ge. B ut a s fa r a s h er p are n ts w ere c o nce rn ed , h e w as th e o nly o ne w ho m atte re d , o r th e o nly o ne t h ey a ck now le d ged o r r e m em bere d . I t h elp ed t h at h e s till liv ed in t o w n. “T hat’s g o od,” M ae sa id , w an tin g to e n d th e to pic . “ H e still m ak es c h an delie rs o ut o f an tle rs? ” “E asy t h ere ,” h er f a th er s a id , h earin g h er b arb ed t o ne. “ H e’s g o t h is o w n b usin ess. A nd not t h at h e’d b ra g, b ut it ’s a p pare n tly t h riv in g.” Mae n eed ed t o c h an ge t h e s u bje ct. “ I’v e a v era ged 9 7 s o f a r,” s h e s a id . “ T hey s a y t h at’s a r e co rd f o r a n ew bie .” The lo ok o n h er p are n ts ’ fa ce s w as b ew ild erm en t. H er fa th er b lin ked s lo w ly . T hey h ad no id ea w hat s h e w as t a lk in g a b out. “ W hat’s t h at, h on?” h er f a th er s a id . Mae le t it g o . W hen sh e’d h eard th e w ord s le av e h er m outh , sh e k new th e se n te n ce would ta k e to o lo ng to e xp la in . “H ow a re th in gs w it h th e in su ra n ce ?” sh e a sk ed , a n d in sta n tly r e gre tte d it . W hy d id s h e a sk q uestio ns lik e t h is ? T he a n sw er w ould s w allo w t h e nig h t. “N ot g o od,” h er m oth er sa id . “I d on’t k now . W e h av e th e w ro ng p la n . I m ean , th ey don’t w an t to in su re y our d ad , p la in a n d sim ple , a n d th ey se em to b e d oin g e v ery th in g th ey c a n t o g et u s t o le av e. B ut h ow c a n w e le av e? W e’d h av e n ow here t o g o .” Her f a th er s a t u p. “ T ell h er a b out t h e p re sc rip tio n.” “O h, rig h t. Y our d ad ’s b een o n C opaxo ne fo r tw o y ears, fo r th e p ain . H e n eed s it . Wit h out it — ” “T he p ain g ets … o rn ery ,” h e s a id . “N ow th e in su ra n ce sa y s he doesn ’t need it . It’s not on th eir lis t of pre -a p pro ved med ic a tio ns. E ven t h ough h e’s b een u sin g it t w o y ears!” “It s e em s u nnece ssa rily c ru el,” M ae’s f a th er s a id . “T hey ’v e o ffe re d n o a lt e rn ativ e. N oth in g f o r t h e p ain !” Mae d id n’t k now w hat to sa y . “ I’m so rry . C an I lo ok u p so m e a lt e rn ativ es o nlin e? I mean , h av e y ou se en if th e d octo rs c o uld y nd a n oth er d ru g th at th e in su ra n ce w ill p ay fo r? M ay be a g en eric … ” This w en t o n f o r a n h our, a n d b y t h e e n d, M ae w as w re ck ed . T he M S, h er h elp le ssn ess to s lo w it , h er in ab ilit y to b rin g b ack th e lif e h er fa th er h ad k now n— it to rtu re d h er, b ut th e in su ra n ce s it u atio n w as s o m eth in g e ls e , w as a n u nnece ssa ry c rim e, a p ilin g-o n. D id n’t th e in su ra n ce co m pan ie s re aliz e th at th e co st of th eir obfu sc a tio n, den ia l, all th e fr u str a tio n th ey c a u se d , o nly m ad e h er fa th er’s h ealt h w orse , a n d th re ate n ed th at o f h er moth er? If n oth in g e ls e , it w as in e } cie n t. T he tim e sp en t d en yin g co vera ge, a rg u in g, dis m is sin g, t h w artin g— su re ly it w as m ore t r o uble t h an s im ply g ra n tin g h er p are n ts a cce ss to t h e r ig h t c a re . “E nough o f th is ,” h er m oth er s a id . “ W e b ro ugh t y ou a s u rp ris e . W here is it ? Y ou h av e it , V in nie ?” They g ath ere d o n th e h ig h b ed co vere d w it h a th re ad bare p atc h w ork q uilt , a n d h er fa th er p re se n te d M ae w it h a s m all w ra p ped g if t. T he s iz e a n d s h ap e o f th e b ox s u ggeste d a n eck la ce , b ut M ae k new it c o uld n’t b e t h at. W hen s h e g o t t h e w ra p pin g o , s h e o pen ed th e v elv et b ox an d la u gh ed . It w as a p en , o ne o f th e ra re y ed k in d th at’s silv er an d str a n gely h eav y, r e q uir in g c a re a n d f illin g a n d m ostly f o r s h ow . “D on’t w orry , w e d id n’t b uy it ,” M ae’s f a th er s a id . “V in nie !” h er m oth er w aile d . “S erio usly ,” h e s a id , “ w e d id n’t . A fr ie n d o f m in e g av e it to m e la st y ear. H e fe lt b ad I co uld n’t w ork . I d on’t k now w hat k in d o f u se h e th ough t I’d h av e fo r a p en w hen I c a n bare ly t y pe. B ut t h is g u y w as n ev er s o b rig h t.” “W e t h ough t it w ould lo ok g o od o n y our d esk ,” h er m oth er a d ded . “A re w e t h e b est o r w hat? ” h er f a th er s a id . Mae’s m oth er la u gh ed , a n d m ost c ru cia lly , M ae’s f a th er la u gh ed . H e la u gh ed a b ig b elly la u gh . In th e se co nd, ca lm er p hase o f th eir liv es a s p are n ts , h e’d b eco m e a la u gh er, a co nsta n t la u gh er, a m an w ho la u gh ed a t e v ery th in g. It w as th e p rim ary so und o f M ae’s te en age y ears. H e la u gh ed a t th in gs th at w ere cle arly fu nny, a n d a t th in gs th at w ould pro voke ju st a s m ile in m ost, a n d h e la u gh ed w hen h e s h ould h av e b een u pse t. W hen M ae mis b eh av ed , h e th ough t it w as h ila rio us. H e’d c a u gh t h er sn eak in g o ut o f h er b ed ro om win dow one nig h t, to se e M erc e r, an d he’d pra ctic a lly keele d over. E very th in g w as co m ic a l, e v ery th in g a b out h er a d ole sc e n ce c ra ck ed h im u p. “ Y ou sh ould h av e se en y our fa ce w hen y ou s a w m e! P ric e le ss!” But th en th e M S d ia gn osis a rriv ed a n d m ost o f th at w as g o ne. T he p ain w as c o nsta n t. The s p ells w here h e c o uld n’t g et u p, d id n’t t r u st h is le gs t o c a rry h im , w ere t o o f r e q uen t, to o d an gero us. H e w as in th e e m erg en cy ro om w eek ly . A nd y nally , w it h so m e h ero ic e orts fr o m M ae’s m om , h e sa w a fe w d octo rs w ho c a re d , a n d h e w as p ut o n th e rig h t dru gs a n d sta b iliz e d , a t le ast fo r a w hile . A nd th en th e in su ra n ce d eb acle s, th e d esc e n t in to t h is h ealt h c a re p urg ato ry . This n ig h t, th ough , h e w as b uoyan t, a n d h er m oth er w as fe elin g g o od, h av in g fo und so m e s h erry in th e B & B’s tin y k it c h en , w hic h s h e sh are d w it h M ae. H er fa th er w as s o on en ough a sle ep in h is c lo th es, o ver th e c o vers, w it h a ll th e lig h ts o n, w it h M ae a n d h er moth er still ta lk in g a t fu ll v olu m e. W hen th ey n otic e d h e w as o ut c o ld M ae a rra n ged a bed f o r h erse lf a t t h e f o ot o f t h eir s. In th e m orn in g th ey s le p t la te a n d d ro ve to a d in er fo r lu nch . H er fa th er a te w ell, a n d Mae w atc h ed h er m oth er fe ig n n onch ala n ce , th e tw o o f th em ta lk in g a b out a w ay w ard uncle ’s la te st b iz a rre b usin ess v en tu re , so m eth in g a b out ra is in g lo bste rs in ric e p ad die s. Mae k new h er m oth er w as n erv ous, e v ery m om en t, a b out h er fa th er, h av in g h im o ut fo r tw o m eals in a r o w , a n d w atc h ed h im c lo se ly . H e lo oked c h eerfu l b ut h is s tr e n gth fa d ed quic k ly . “Y ou g u ys s e ttle u p,” h e s a id . “ I’m g o in g t o t h e c a r t o r e clin e f o r a m om en t.” “W e c a n h elp ,” M ae sa id , b ut h er m oth er h ush ed h er. H er fa th er w as a lr e ad y u p a n d head ed f o r t h e d oor. “H e g ets t ir e d . I t’s f in e,” h er m oth er s a id . “ It’s ju st a d if fe re n t r o utin e n ow . H e r e sts . H e does t h in gs, h e w alk s a n d e ats a n d is a n im ate d f o r a w hile , t h en h e r e sts . I t’s v ery r e gu la r an d v ery c a lm in g, t o t e ll y ou t h e t r u th .” They p aid th e b ill a n d w alk ed o ut to th e p ark in g lo t. M ae s a w th e w hit e w is p s o f h er fa th er’s h air th ro ugh th e ca r w in dow . M ost o f h is h ead w as b elo w th e w in dow fr a m e, re clin ed so fa r h e w as in th e b ack se at. W hen th ey a rriv ed a t th e c a r, th ey sa w th at h e was a w ak e, lo okin g u p in to th e in te rlo ck in g b ough s o f a n u nre m ark ab le tr e e. H e ro lle d dow n t h e w in dow . “W ell, t h is h as b een w onderfu l,” h e s a id . Mae m ad e h er g o odbyes a n d le ft, h ap py to h av e th e a fte rn oon fr e e. S h e d ro ve w est, th e day su nny an d ca lm , th e co lo rs o f th e p assin g la n dsc a p e sim ple an d cle ar, b lu es an d yello w s a n d g re en s. A s sh e a p pro ach ed th e c o ast, sh e tu rn ed to w ard th e b ay . S h e c o uld get a f e w h ours o f k ay ak in g in if s h e h urrie d . Merc e r h ad in tr o duce d h er to k ay ak in g, a n a ctiv it y th at u ntil th en sh e’d co nsid ere d aw kw ard a n d d ull. S it tin g a t th e w ate rlin e, str u gglin g to m ove th at str a n ge ic e -c re am – sp oon p ad dle . T he c o nsta n t tw is tin g lo oked p ain fu l, a n d th e p ace se em ed fa r to o slo w . But th en sh e’d tr ie d it , w it h M erc e r, u sin g n ot p ro fe ssio nal-g ra d e m odels b ut so m eth in g more b asic , t h e k in d t h e r id er s it s o n t o p o f, le gs a n d f e et e xp ose d . T hey ’d p ad dle d a ro und th e bay , m ovin g fa r quic k er th an sh e’d exp ecte d , an d th ey ’d se en harb or se als , an d pelic a n s, a n d M ae w as c o nvin ce d th is w as a c rim in ally u ndera p pre cia te d sp ort, a n d th e bay a b ody o f w ate r w oefu lly u nderu se d . They ’d la u nch ed fr o m a tin y b each , th e o ut y tte r r e q uir in g n o tr a in in g o r e q uip m en t o r fu ss; y ou ju st p aid y our y fte en d olla rs a n h our a n d in m in ute s w ere o n th e b ay , c o ld a n d cle ar. Today , s h e p ulle d o t h e h ig h w ay a n d m ad e h er w ay t o t h e b each , a n d t h ere s h e f o und th e w ate r p la cid , g la ssin e. “H ey y ou,” s a id a v oic e . Mae tu rn ed to y nd a n o ld er w om an , b ow le gged a n d fr iz zy -h air e d . T his w as M ario n, ow ner o f M aid en ’s V oyages. S h e w as th e m aid en , a n d h ad b een fo r y fte en y ears, sin ce sh e’d o pen ed th e b usin ess, a fte r s tr ik in g it r ic h in s ta tio nery . S h e’d to ld M ae th is d urin g her y rst re n ta l, a n d to ld e v ery one th is sto ry , w hic h M ario n a ssu m ed w as a m usin g, th at sh e’d m ad e m oney se llin g sta tio nery an d open ed a kay ak an d pad dle -b oard re n ta l opera tio n. W hy M ario n th ough t th is w as fu nny Mae n ev er k new . B ut M ario n w as w arm an d a cco m modatin g, e v en w hen M ae w as a sk in g to ta k e o ut a k ay ak a fe w h ours b efo re clo sin g, a s s h e w as t h is d ay . “G org eo us o ut t h ere ,” M ario n s a id . “ J u st d on’t g o f a r.” Mario n h elp ed h er p ull th e k ay ak a cro ss th e sa n d a n d ro ck s a n d in to th e tin y w av es. Sh e c lic k ed o n M ae’s lif e p re se rv er. “ A nd re m em ber, d on’t b oth er a n y o f th e h ouse b oat peo ple . T heir liv in g r o om s a re a t y our e y e le v el, s o n o s n oopin g. Y ou w an t fo otie s o r a win dbre ak er t o day ?” s h e a sk ed . “ M ig h t g et c h oppy.” Mae d eclin ed a n d g o t in to th e k ay ak , b are fo ot a n d w earin g th e c a rd ig an a n d je an s s h e wore to b ru nch . In s e co nds s h e h ad p ad dle d b ey ond th e y sh in g b oats , p ast th e b re ak ers an d p ad dle -b oard ers a n d w as in t h e o pen w ate r o f t h e b ay . Sh e s a w n o o ne. T hat th is b ody o f w ate r w as s o s e ld om u se d h ad c o nfo unded h er fo r month s. T here w ere n o je ts k is h ere . F ew c a su al y sh erm en , n o w ate rsk ie rs, t h e o cca sio nal moto rb oat. T here w ere s a ilb oats , b ut n ot n early a s m an y a s o ne w ould e xp ect. T he f r ig id wate r w as o nly p art o f it . M ay be t h ere w ere s im ply t o o m an y o th er t h in gs t o d o o utd oors in N orth ern C alif o rn ia ? It w as m yste rio us, b ut M ae h ad n o c o m pla in t. It le ft m ore w ate r to h er. Sh e p ad dle d in to th e b elly o f th e b ay . T he w ate r d id in deed g et ch oppie r, a n d co ld wate r w ash ed o ver h er f e et. I t f e lt g o od, s o g o od s h e r e ach ed h er h an d d ow n a n d s c o oped a h an dfu l a n d d re n ch ed h er f a ce a n d t h e b ack o f h er n eck . W hen s h e o pen ed h er e y es s h e sa w a h arb or s e al, tw en ty fe et in fr o nt o f h er, s ta rin g a t h er a s w ould a c a lm d og w hose yard sh e’d w alk ed in to . H is h ead w as ro unded , g re y , w it h th e g lo ssy sh een o f p olis h ed marb le . Sh e k ep t h er p ad dle o n h er la p , w atc h in g t h e s e al a s it w atc h ed her. I ts e y es w ere b la ck butto ns, u nre { ectiv e. S h e d id n’t m ove, a n d th e se al d id n’t m ove. T hey w ere lo ck ed in mutu al re gard , a n d th e m om en t, th e w ay it str e tc h ed a n d lu xu ria te d in it s e lf , a sk ed fo r co ntin uatio n. W hy m ove? A g u st o f w in d c a m e h er w ay , a n d w it h it t h e p ungen t s m ell o f t h e s e al. S h e h ad n otic e d th is th e la st tim e sh e h ad k ay ak ed , th e str o ng sm ell o f th ese a n im als , a c ro ss b etw een tu na a n d u nw ash ed d og. I t w as b ette r t o b e u pw in d. A s if s u dden ly e m barra sse d , t h e s e al duck ed u nderw ate r. Mae co ntin ued o n, aw ay fr o m sh ore . Sh e se t a go al to m ak e it to a re d b uoy sh e sp otte d , n ear th e b en d o f a p en in su la , d eep in th e b ay . G ettin g to it w ould ta k e th ir ty min ute s o r s o , a n d e n r o ute , s h e w ould p ass a fe w d oze n a n ch ore d b arg es a n d s a ilb oats . Man y h ad b een m ad e in to h om es o f o ne k in d o r a n oth er, a n d s h e k new n ot to lo ok in to th e w in dow s, b ut sh e co uld n’t h elp it ; th ere w ere m yste rie s a b oard . W hy w as th ere a moto rc y cle o n th is b arg e? W hy a C onfe d era te { ag o n th at y ach t? F ar o , sh e sa w a se ap la n e c ir c lin g. The w in d p ic k ed u p b eh in d h er, s e n din g h er q uic k ly p ast t h e r e d b uoy a n d c lo se r t o t h e fa rth er s h ore . S h e h ad n’t p la n ned t o la n d t h ere , a n d h ad n ev er m ad e it a cro ss t h e b ay , b ut so on it w as in sig h t a n d co m in g q uic k ly u pon h er, e elg ra ss v is ib le b en eath h er a s th e wate r w en t s h allo w . Sh e ju m ped o ut o f th e k ay ak , h er fe et la n din g o n th e s to nes, a ll r o unded a n d s m ooth . As s h e w as p ullin g t h e k ay ak u p, t h e b ay r o se u p a n d e n gu lf e d h er le gs. I t w asn ’t a w av e; it w as m ore o f a s u dden u nif o rm r is in g o f th e w ate r le v el. O ne s e co nd s h e w as s ta n din g on a d ry s h ore a n d t h e n ext t h e w ate r w as a t h er s h in s a n d s h e w as s o ak ed . When th e w ate r fe ll a gain , it le ft a w id e sw ath o f b iz a rre , b eje w ele d se aw eed — blu e, an d g re en , a n d, in a c e rta in lig h t, ir id esc e n t. S h e h eld it in h er h an ds, a n d it w as s m ooth , ru bbery , it s e d ges ru ed e xtr a v agan tly . M ae’s fe et w ere w et, a n d th e w ate r w as sn ow co ld b ut s h e d id n’t m in d. S h e s a t o n th e r o ck y b each , p ic k ed u p a s tic k a n d d re w w it h it , clic k in g th ro ugh th e s m ooth s to nes. T in y c ra b s, u nearth ed a n d a n noyed , s c u rrie d to y nd new s h elt e rs. A p elic a n la n ded d ow nsh ore , o n th e tr u nk o f a d ead tr e e, w hic h h ad b een ble ach ed w hit e a n d le an ed d ia go nally , r is in g fr o m th e s te el-g re y w ate r, p oin tin g la zily to th e s k y. And th en M ae fo und h erse lf s o bbin g. H er fa th er w as a m ess. N o, h e w asn ’t a m ess. H e was m an agin g it a ll w it h g re at d ig n it y . B ut th ere h ad b een so m eth in g v ery tir e d a b out him t h at m orn in g, s o m eth in g d efe ate d , a cce p tin g, a s if h e k new t h at h e c o uld n’t f ig h t b oth what w as h ap pen in g in h is b ody a n d th e co m pan ie s m an agin g h is ca re . A nd th ere w as noth in g s h e c o uld d o fo r h im . N o, th ere w as to o m uch to d o fo r h im . S h e c o uld q uit h er jo b. S h e c o uld q uit a n d h elp m ak e t h e p hone c a lls , y gh t t h e m an y y gh ts t o k eep h im w ell. This is w hat a g o od d au gh te r w ould d o. W hat a g o od c h ild , a n o nly c h ild , w ould d o. A go od o nly c h ild w ould s p en d t h e n ext t h re e t o y ve y ears, w hic h m ig h t b e h is la st y ears o f mobilit y , o f fu ll c a p ab ilit y , w it h h im , h elp in g h im , h elp in g h er m oth er, b ein g p art o f th e fa m ily m ach in ery . B ut s h e k new h er p are n ts w ould n’t le t h er d o a ll th at. T hey w ould n’t allo w it . A nd so sh e w ould b e ca u gh t b etw een th e jo b sh e n eed ed a n d lo ved , a n d h er pare n ts , w hom s h e c o uld n’t h elp . But it fe lt g o od to c ry , to le t h er s h ould ers s h ak e, to fe el th e h ot te ars o n h er fa ce , to ta ste th eir b ab y s a lt , to w ip e s n ot a ll o ver th e u ndersid e o f h er s h ir t. A nd w hen s h e w as done, s h e p ush ed t h e k ay ak o ut a gain a n d s h e f o und h erse lf p ad dlin g a t a b ris k p ace . O nce in th e mid dle o f t h e b ay , s h e s to pped . H er t e ars w ere d ry n ow , h er b re ath in g s te ad y. S h e was c a lm a n d fe lt s tr o ng, b ut in ste ad o f r e ach in g th e r e d b uoy, w hic h s h e n o lo nger h ad an y in te re st in , s h e s a t, h er p ad dle o n h er la p , le ttin g t h e w av es t ilt h er g en tly , f e elin g t h e warm s u n d ry h er h an ds a n d fe et. S h e o fte n d id th is w hen s h e w as fa r fr o m a n y s h ore — sh e ju st sa t still, fe elin g th e v ast v olu m e o f th e o ce an b en eath h er. T here w ere le o pard sh ark s in th is p art o f th e b ay , an d b at ra y s, an d je lly y sh , an d th e o cca sio nal h arb or porp ois e , b ut s h e c o uld s e e n one o f th em . T hey w ere h id den in th e d ark w ate r, in th eir bla ck p ara lle l w orld , a n d k now in g th ey w ere th ere , b ut n ot k now in g w here , o r re ally an yth in g e ls e , fe lt , a t th at m om en t, s tr a n gely r ig h t. F ar b ey ond, s h e c o uld s e e w here th e mouth o f t h e b ay le d t o t h e o ce an a n d t h ere , m ak in g it s w ay t h ro ugh a b an d o f lig h t f o g, sh e s a w a n e n orm ous c o nta in er s h ip h ead in g in to o pen w ate r. S h e t h ough t a b out m ovin g, but s a w n o p oin t. T here s e em ed n o r e aso n to g o a n yw here . B ein g h ere , in th e m id dle o f th e b ay , n oth in g t o d o o r s e e, w as p le n ty . S h e s ta y ed t h ere , d rif tin g s lo w ly , f o r t h e b ette r part o f a n h our. O cca sio nally s h e w ould s m ell th at d og-a n d-t u na s m ell a gain , a n d tu rn to ynd a n oth er c u rio us s e al, a n d t h ey w ould w atc h e ach o th er, a n d s h e w ould w onder if t h e se al k new , as sh e d id , h ow go od th is w as, h ow lu ck y th ey w ere to h av e all th is to th em se lv es. By t h e la te a fte rn oon, t h e w in ds c o m in g f r o m t h e P aci y c p ic k ed u p, a n d g ettin g b ack t o sh ore w as t r y in g. W hen s h e g o t h om e h er lim bs w ere le ad en a n d h er h ead w as s lo w . S h e mad e h erse lf a s a la d a n d a te h alf a b ag o f c h ip s, s ta rin g o ut t h e w in dow . S h e f e ll a sle ep a t eig h t a n d s le p t f o r e le v en h ours. The m orn in g w as b usy , a s D an h ad w arn ed h er it w ould b e. H e’d g ath ere d h er a n d th e hundre d -o dd o th er C E re p s a t e ig h t a .m ., re m in din g th em a ll th at o pen in g th e c h ute o n Monday m orn in g w as a lw ay s a h aza rd ous th in g. A ll th e c u sto m ers w ho w an te d a n sw ers over t h e w eek en d c e rta in ly e xp ecte d t h em o n M onday m orn in g. He w as r ig h t. T he c h ute o pen ed , t h e d elu ge a rriv ed , a n d M ae w ork ed a gain st t h e { ood until ele v en or so , w hen th ere w as so m eth in g lik e re sp it e . Sh e’d han dle d fo rty -n in e querie s a n d h er s c o re w as a t 9 1, h er lo w est a ggre gate y et. Don ’t w orry , J are d m essa ged . Par fo r th e c o u rse o n M on day. J u st g o a fte r a s m an y fo llo w – ups a s y ou c a n . Mae h ad b een f o llo w in g u p a ll m orn in g, w it h lim it e d r e su lt s . T he c lie n ts w ere g ru m py. The o nly g o od n ew s th at m orn in g c a m e fr o m th e in tr a -c o m pan y fe ed , w hen a m essa ge fr o m F ra n cis a p peare d , a sk in g h er to lu nch . O } cia lly sh e a n d th e o th er C E sta w ere giv en a n h our fo r th e m eal, b ut sh e h ad n’t se en a n yone e ls e le av e th eir d esk fo r m ore th an tw en ty m in ute s. Sh e gav e herse lf th at m uch tim e, th ough her m oth er’s w ord s, eq uatin g lu nch w it h a m onum en ta l b re ach o f d uty , r a ttle d in h er m in d. Sh e w as la te g ettin g to th e G la ss E ate ry . S h e lo oked a ro und, a n d u p, a n d y nally sa w him s it tin g a fe w le v els a b ove, h is fe et d an glin g fr o m a h ig h lu cit e s to ol. S h e w av ed , b ut co uld n’t g et h is a tte n tio n. S h e y elle d u p to h im , a s d is c re etly a s sh e c o uld , to n o a v ail. Then , f e elin g f o olis h , s h e t e xte d h im , a n d w atc h ed a s h e r e ce iv ed t h e t e xt, lo oked a ro und th e c a fe te ria , f o und h er, a n d w av ed . Sh e m ad e h er w ay t h ro ugh t h e lin e, g o t a v eggie b urrit o a n d s o m e k in d o f n ew o rg an ic so da, a n d s a t d ow n n ext to h im . H e w as w earin g a w rin kle d c le an b utto n-d ow n s h ir t a n d ca rp en te r’s p an ts . H is p erc h overlo oked t h e o utd oor p ool, w here a g ro up o f s ta ers w ere ap pro xim atin g a g am e o f v olle y ball. “N ot s u ch a n a th le tic g ro up,” h e n ote d . “N o,” M ae a gre ed . A s h e w atc h ed t h e c h ao tic s p la sh in g b elo w , s h e t r ie d t o o verla y t h is fa ce in fr o nt o f h er w it h th e o ne sh e re m em bere d fr o m h er y rst n ig h t. T here w ere th e sa m e h eav y b ro w s, th e sa m e p ro m in en t n ose . B ut n ow F ra n cis se em ed to h av e sh ru nk. His h an ds, u sin g a k nif e a n d f o rk t o c u t h is b urrit o in t w o, s e em ed u nusu ally d elic a te . “It’s a lm ost p erv erse ,” h e s a id , “ h av in g s o m uch a th le tic e q uip m en t h ere w hen th ere ’s no ath le tic ap tit u de at all. It’s lik e a fa m ily of C hris tia n Scie n tis ts liv in g next to a pharm acy .” N ow h e t u rn ed t o h er. “ T han ks f o r c o m in g. I w ondere d if I ’d s e e y ou a gain .” “Y eah , it ’s b een s o b usy .” He p oin te d to h is fo od. “ I h ad to s ta rt a lr e ad y. S o rry a b out th at. T o b e h onest, I d id n’t to ta lly e xp ect y ou t o s h ow u p.” “I’m s o rry f o r b ein g la te ,” s h e s a id . “N o, b elie v e m e, I g et it . Y ou n eed to h an dle th e M onday { ow . T he c u sto m ers e xp ect it . L unch is p re tty s e co ndary .” “I h av e to s a y , I’v e fe lt b ad a b out th e e n d o f o ur c o nversa tio n th at n ig h t. S o rry a b out Annie .” “D id y ou g u ys a ctu ally m ak e o ut? I tr ie d to y nd a s p ot w here I c o uld w atc h fr o m , b ut —” “N o.” “I t h ough t if I c lim bed a t r e e— ” “N o. N o. T hat’s ju st A nnie . S h e’s a n id io t.” “S h e’s a n id io t w ho h ap pen s to b e in th e to p o ne p erc e n t o f p eo ple h ere . I w is h I w as th at k in d o f id io t.” “Y ou w ere t a lk in g a b out w hen y ou w ere a k id .” “G od. C an I b la m e it o n t h e w in e?” “Y ou d on’t h av e t o t e ll m e a n yth in g.” Mae f e lt t e rrib le , a lr e ad y k now in g w hat s h e d id , h opin g h e w ould t e ll h er, s o s h e c o uld ta k e th e p re v io us, se co ndhan d, v ersio n o f h is sto ry a n d w rit e o ver it w it h th e v ersio n dir e ctly f r o m h im . “N o, it ’s y ne,” h e s a id . “ I g o t to m eet a lo t o f in te re stin g a d ult s w ho w ere p aid b y th e go vern m en t t o c a re f o r m e. I t w as a w eso m e. W hat d o y ou h av e le ft, t e n m in ute s? ” “I h av e t ill o ne.” “G ood. E ig h t m ore m in ute s th en . E at. I’l l ta lk . B ut n ot a b out m y c h ild hood. Y ou k now en ough . I a ssu m e A nnie f ille d in t h e g o ry s tu ff. S h e lik es t o t e ll t h at s to ry .” And s o M ae t r ie d t o e at a s m uch a s s h e c o uld a s f a st a s s h e c o uld , w hile F ra n cis t a lk ed ab out a m ovie h e’d s e en th e n ig h t b efo re in th e c a m pus th eate r. A ppare n tly th e d ir e cto r had b een t h ere t o p re se n t it a n d h ad a n sw ere d q uestio ns a fte rw ard . “T he m ovie w as a b out a w om an w ho k ills h er h usb an d a n d k id s, a n d d urin g th e Q &A we y nd o ut th is d ir e cto r’s in volv ed in th is p ro tr a cte d cu sto dy b attle w it h h er o w n e x- husb an d. S o w e w ere a ll lo okin g a ro und, th in kin g, Is th is la d y w ork in g o ut so m e is su es on-s c re en , o r … ” Mae la u gh ed , a n d t h en , r e m em berin g h is o w n h orrib le c h ild hood, s h e c a u gh t h erse lf . “It’s y ne,” h e s a id , k now in g im med ia te ly w hy s h e’d p au se d . “ I d on’t w an t y ou t o t h in k you h av e t o t ip to e a ro und m e. I t’s b een a lo ng t im e, a n d if I d id n’t f e el c o m fo rta b le in t h is te rrit o ry , I w ould n’t b e w ork in g o n C hild T ra ck .” “W ell, s till. I ’m s o rry . I ’m b ad a t k now in g w hat t o s a y . B ut s o t h e p ro je ct is g o in g w ell? How c lo se a re y ou t o — ” “Y ou’r e s till s o o ff-b ala n ce ! I lik e t h at,” F ra n cis s a id . “Y ou lik e a w om an w ho’s o ff-b ala n ce .” “E sp ecia lly in m y pre se n ce . I w an t you on your to es, o -b ala n ce , in tim id ate d , han dcu ffe d , a n d w illin g t o p ro str a te y ourse lf a t m y c o m man d.” Mae w an te d t o la u gh , b ut f o und s h e c o uld n’t . Fra n cis w as s ta rin g a t h is p la te . “ S h it . E very tim e m y b ra in p ark s th e c a r n eatly in th e driv ew ay , m y m outh driv es th ro ugh th e back of th e gara ge. I’m so rry . I sw ear I’m work in g o n t h is .” “It’s f in e. T ell m e a b out … ” “C hild T ra ck .” H e lo oked u p. “ Y ou r e ally w an t t o k now ?” “I d o.” “B eca u se o nce y ou g et m e s ta rte d , it ’l l m ak e y our M onday d elu ge lo ok lik e a t in kle .” “W e h av e f iv e a n d a h alf m in ute s le ft.” “O kay , r e m em ber w hen t h ey t r ie d t o d o t h e im pla n ts in D en m ark ?” Mae s h ook h er h ead . S h e h ad s o m e v agu e r e co lle ctio n o f a t e rrib le c h ild a b ductio n a n d murd er— Fra n cis c h eck ed h is w atc h , a s if k now in g t h at e xp la in in g D en m ark w ould s te al a m in ute fr o m h im . H e s ig h ed a n d s ta rte d in : “ S o a c o uple y ears a go , th e g o vern m en t o f D en m ark tr ie d a p ro gra m w here t h ey in se rte d c h ip s in k id s’ w ris ts . I t’s e asy , t a k es t w o s e co nds, it ’s med ic a lly so und, a n d in sta n tly it w ork s. E very p are n t k now s w here th eir k id is a t a ll tim es. They lim it e d it to under-f o urte en s, an d at yrst, ev ery one’s yne. The co urt ch alle n ges are d ro pped b eca u se th ere are so fe w o bje ctio ns, th e p ollin g is th ro ugh th e ro of. T he p are n ts lo ve it . I m ean , lo ve it . T hese a re k id s, a n d w e’d d o a n yth in g to k eep th em s a fe , r ig h t? ” Mae n odded , b ut s u dden ly r e m em bere d t h at t h is s to ry e n ded h orrib ly . “B ut th en se v en kid s go m is sin g one day . The co ps, th e pare n ts , th in k, H ey , no pro ble m . W e k now w here th e k id s a re . T hey fo llo w th e c h ip s, b ut w hen th ey g et to th e ch ip s, a ll s e v en t r a ck in g t o s o m e p ark in g lo t, t h ey y nd t h em a ll in a p ap er b ag, a ll b lo ody. Ju st t h e c h ip s.” “N ow I r e m em ber.” M ae f e lt s ic k . “T hey y nd th e b odie s a w eek la te r, a n d b y th en th e p ublic is in a p an ic . E very one’s ir ra tio nal. T hey th in k th e ch ip s ca u se d th e k id nap pin g, th e m urd ers, th at so m eh ow th e ch ip s p ro voked w hoev er d id t h is , m ad e t h e t a sk m ore t e m ptin g.” “T hat w as s o h orrib le . T hat w as t h e e n d o f t h e c h ip s.” “Y eah , but th e re aso nin g w as illo gic a l. Esp ecia lly here . W e hav e, w hat, tw elv e th ousa n d a b ductio ns a y ear? H ow m an y m urd ers? T he p ro ble m th ere w as h ow sh allo w th e c h ip s w ere p la ce d . A nyone c a n ju st c u t it o ut o f so m eo ne’s w ris t if th ey w an te d to . Too e asy . B ut t h e t e sts w e’r e d oin g h ere — did y ou m eet S ab in e?” “I d id .” “W ell, s h e’s o n t h e t e am . S h e w on’t t e ll y ou t h at, b eca u se s h e’s d oin g s o m e r e la te d s tu sh e c a n ’t t a lk a b out. B ut f o r t h is , s h e y gu re d o ut a w ay t o p ut a c h ip in t h e b one. A nd t h at mak es a ll t h e d if fe re n ce .” “O h s h it . W hat b one?” “D oesn ’t m atte r, I d on’t t h in k. Y ou’r e m ak in g a f a ce .” Mae c o rre cte d h er f a ce , t r ie d t o lo ok n eu tr a l. “S u re , it ’s in sa n e. I m ean , s o m e p eo ple fr e ak o ut a b out c h ip s in o ur h ead s, o ur b odie s, but th is th in g is ab out as te ch nolo gic a lly ad van ce d as a w alk ie -t a lk ie . It doesn ’t do an yth in g b ut te ll y ou w here so m eth in g is . A nd th ey ’r e e v ery w here a lr e ad y. E very o th er pro duct y ou b uy h as o ne o f t h ese c h ip s. Y ou b uy a s te re o , it h as a c h ip . Y ou b uy a c a r, it ’s go t a b unch o f c h ip s. S o m e c o m pan ie s p ut c h ip s in f o od p ack agin g, t o m ak e s u re it ’s f r e sh when it g ets to m ark et. It’s ju st a sim ple tr a ck er. A nd if y ou e m bed it in b one, it sta y s th ere , a n d c a n ’t b e s e en w it h t h e n ak ed e y e— not lik e t h e w ris t o nes.” Mae p ut d ow n h er b urrit o . “ R eally in t h e b one?” “M ae, t h in k a b out a w orld w here t h ere c o uld n ev er a gain b e a s ig n i y ca n t c rim e a gain st a c h ild . N one p ossib le . T he s e co nd a k id ’s n ot w here h e’s s u ppose d to b e, a m assiv e a le rt go es o , an d th e kid ca n be tr a ck ed dow n im med ia te ly . Every on e ca n tr a ck her. A ll au th orit ie s k now in sta n tly sh e’s m is sin g, b ut th ey k now e xactly w here sh e is . T hey c a n ca ll th e m om a n d sa y ‘H ey , sh e ju st w en t to th e m all,’ o r th ey ca n tr a ck d ow n so m e mole ste r in s e co nds. T he o nly h ope a n a b ducto r w ould h av e is t o t a k e a k id , r u n in to t h e woods w it h h er, d o so m eth in g a n d ru n o b efo re th e w orld d esc e n ds u pon h im . B ut h e would h av e a b out a m in ute a n d a h alf t o d o it .” “O r if t h ey c o uld ja m t h e t r a n sm is sio n f r o m t h e c h ip .” “S u re , b ut w ho h as th at e xp ertis e ? H ow m an y e le ctr o nic -g en iu s p ed ophile s a re th ere ? Very fe w , I’m g u essin g. S o im med ia te ly y ou ta k e a ll c h ild a b ductio n, ra p e, m urd er, a n d you r e d uce it b y 9 9 p erc e n t. A nd t h e p ric e is t h at t h e k id s h av e a c h ip in t h eir a n kle . Y ou wan t a liv in g k id w it h a c h ip in h is a n kle , a k id w ho y ou k now w ill g ro w u p s a fe , a k id who c a n a gain r u n d ow n t o t h e p ark , r id e h is b ik e t o s c h ool, a ll t h at? ” “Y ou’r e a b out t o s a y or .” “R ig h t, o r d o y ou w an t a d ead k id ? O r y ears o f w orry e v ery t im e y our k id w alk s t o t h e bus sto p? I m ean , w e’v e p olle d p are n ts w orld w id e, a n d a fte r th ey g et o ver th e in it ia l sq ueam is h ness, w e g et a n 8 8 p erc e n t a p pro val. O nce th ey g et it in th eir h ead th at th is is possib le , w e hav e th em yellin g at us, ‘W hy don’t w e alr e ad y hav e th is ? W hen ’s it co m in g?’ I m ean , th is w ill b egin a n ew g o ld en a ge fo r y oung p eo ple . A n a ge w it h out worry . S h it . N ow y ou’r e la te . L ook.” He p oin te d t o t h e c lo ck . 1 :0 2. Mae r a n . The a fte rn oon w as r e le n tle ss, a n d h er s c o re b are ly r e ach ed 9 3. B y t h e e n d o f t h e d ay , s h e was e xh au ste d , a n d sh e tu rn ed to h er se co nd sc re en to y nd a m essa ge fr o m D an . Got a se co n d? G in a fr o m C ir c le S ocia l w as h opin g to g ra b a fe w m in ute s w it h y ou . Sh e w ro te h im b ack : How a bou t in fif te en ? I h ave a h an dfu l o f fo llo w -u ps to d o, a n d h aven ’t peed sin ce n oon . T his w as th e tr u th . S h e h ad n’t le ft h er c h air in th re e h ours, a n d s h e a ls o wan te d to s e e if s h e c o uld g et th e s c o re a b ove 9 3. S h e w as s u re th is , h er lo w a ggre gate , was w hy D an w an te d h er t o m eet w it h G in a. Dan w ro te o nly , Than k y ou M ae , w ord s th at s h e tu rn ed o ver in h er m in d a s s h e m ad e her w ay to th e b ath ro om . W as h e th an kin g h er fo r b ein g a v aila b le in y fte en m in ute s, o r th an kin g h er, g rim ly , f o r a n u nw an te d le v el o f h ygie n ic in tim acy ? Mae w as a lm ost a t t h e b ath ro om d oor w hen s h e s a w a m an , in s k in ny g re en je an s a n d a sn ug lo ng-s le ev ed sh ir t, sta n din g in th e hallw ay , u nder a ta ll n arro w w in dow , sta rin g a t his p hone. B ath ed in a b lu e-w hit e lig h t, h e s e em ed t o b e w ait in g f o r in str u ctio ns f r o m h is sc re en . Mae w en t in sid e. When sh e w as y nis h ed , sh e o pen ed th e d oor to y nd th e m an in th e sa m e p la ce , n ow lo okin g o ut t h e w in dow . “Y ou lo ok lo st,” M ae s a id . “N ah . J u st y gu rin g o ut s o m eth in g b efo re , y ou k now , h ead in g u psta ir s. Y ou w ork o ver here ?” “I d o. I ’m n ew . I n C E.” “C E?” “C usto m er E xp erie n ce .” “O h r ig h t. W e u se d t o ju st c a ll it C usto m er S erv ic e .” “S o I t a k e it y ou’r e n ot n ew ?” “M e? N o, n o. I ’v e b een h ere a lit tle w hile . N ot s o m uch in t h is b uild in g.” H e s m ile d a n d lo oked o ut th e w in dow , a n d w it h h is fa ce tu rn ed a w ay , M ae to ok h im in . H is e y es w ere dark , h is fa ce o val, a n d h is h air w as g re y , a lm ost w hit e , b ut h e c o uld n’t h av e b een o ld er th an th ir ty . H e w as th in , sin ew y, a n d h is sk in ny je an s a n d tig h t lo ng-s le ev e je rse y g av e his s ilh ouette t h e q uic k t h ic k -t h in b ru sh str o kes o f c a llig ra p hy. He tu rn ed b ack to h er, b lin kin g, s c o } ng a t h im se lf a n d h is p oor m an ners. “ S o rry . I’m Kald en .” “K ald en ?” “It’s T ib eta n ,” h e s a id . “ It m ean s g o ld en s o m eth in g. M y p are n ts a lw ay s w an te d t o g o t o Tib et b ut n ev er g o t c lo se r t h an H ong K ong. A nd y our n am e?” “M ae,” s h e s a id , a n d t h ey s h ook h an ds. H is h an dsh ak e w as s tu rd y b ut p erfu ncto ry . H e’d been t a u gh t h ow t o s h ak e h an ds, M ae g u esse d , b ut h ad n ev er s e en t h e p oin t. “S o y ou’r e n ot lo st,” M ae sa id , re aliz in g sh e w as exp ecte d b ack at h er d esk ; sh e’d alr e ad y b een la te o nce t o day . Kald en se n se d it . “ O h. Y ou h av e to g o . C an I w alk y ou th ere ? J u st to se e w here y ou work ?” “U m ,” M ae sa id , n ow fe elin g v ery u nse ttle d . “ S u re .” If sh e h ad n’t k now n b ette r, a n d co uld n’t se e th e ID co rd aro und h is n eck , sh e w ould h av e assu m ed K ald en , w it h h is poin te d b ut u nfo cu se d c u rio sit y , w as e it h er so m eo ne w ho’d w an dere d o th e str e et, o r so m e k in d o f co rp ora te sp y. B ut sh e d id n’t k now a n yth in g. S h e’d b een a t th e C ir c le a week . T his c o uld b e s o m e s o rt o f t e st. O r ju st a n e cce n tr ic f e llo w C ir c le r. Mae le d h im b ack t o h er d esk . “It’s v ery c le an ,” h e s a id . “I k now . I ju st s ta rte d , r e m em ber.” “A nd I k now s o m e o f t h e W is e M en lik e t h e C ir c le d esk s v ery t id y. Y ou e v er s e e t h ose gu ys a ro und h ere ?” “W ho? T he W is e M en ?” M ae s c o ffe d . “ N ot h ere . N ot y et a t le ast.” “Y eah , I g u ess n ot,” K ald en s a id a n d c ro uch ed , h is h ead a t th e le v el o f M ae’s s h ould er. “C an I s e e w hat y ou d o?” “F or m y w ork ?” “Y eah . C an I w atc h ? I m ean , n ot if it m ak es y ou u nco m fo rta b le .” Mae p au se d . E very th in g a n d e v ery one e ls e s h e’d e xp erie n ce d a t th e C ir c le h ew ed to a lo gic a l m odel, a r h yth m , b ut K ald en w as th e a n om aly . H is r h yth m w as d i ere n t, a to nal an d s tr a n ge, b ut n ot u nple asa n t. His f a ce w as s o o pen , h is e y es liq uid , g en tle , u nassu m in g, an d h e s p oke s o s o ftly t h at a n y p ossib ilit y o f t h re at s e em ed r e m ote . “S u re . I g u ess,” s h e s a id . “ It’s n ot s o e xcit in g, t h ough .” “M ay be, m ay be n ot.” And so he w atc h ed M ae an sw er re q uests . W hen sh e tu rn ed to him afte r ev ery se em in gly m undan e p art o f h er jo b, t h e s c re en d an ce d b rig h tly in h is e y es, h is f a ce r a p t— lik e h e’d n ev er s e en a n yth in g m ore in te re stin g in h is lif e . A t o th er m om en ts , th ough , h e se em ed re m oved , se ein g so m eth in g sh e co uld n’t . H e’d lo ok a t th e sc re en b ut h is e y es were s e ein g s o m eth in g d eep w it h in . Sh e co ntin ued , a n d h e co ntin ued to a sk o cca sio nal q uestio ns. “N ow w ho w as th at? ” “H ow o fte n d oes t h at h ap pen ?” “ W hy d id y ou r e sp ond in t h at w ay ?” He w as c lo se to h er, fa r to o c lo se if h e w as a n orm al p erso n w it h e v ery day id eas o f perso nal s p ace , b ut it w as a b undan tly c le ar h e w as n ot t h is k in d o f p erso n, a n orm al k in d of p erso n. A s h e w atc h ed th e sc re en , a n d so m etim es M ae’s y ngers o n th e k ey board , h is ch in g o t e v er-c lo se r to h er s h ould er, h is b re ath lig h t b ut a u dib le , h is s m ell, a s im ple o ne of so ap a n d b an an a sh am poo, co m in g to h er o n th e w in ds o f h is tin y e xh ala tio ns. T he whole exp erie n ce w as so odd th at M ae la u gh ed nerv ously ev ery fe w se co nds, not know in g w hat e ls e t o d o. A nd t h en it w as d one. H e c le are d h is t h ro at a n d s to od u p. “W ell, I b ette r h ead o ut,” h e s a id . “ I’l l ju st s lip a w ay . D on’t w an t t o in te rru pt y our p ace here . I ’l l s e e y ou a ro und c a m pus I ’m s u re .” And h e w as g o ne. Befo re M ae c o uld u npack a n y o f w hat ju st h ap pen ed , a n ew f a ce w as b esid e h er. “H i. I ’m G in a. D an s a id I ’d b e h ere ?” Mae n odded , th ough sh e d id n’t re m em ber a n yth in g a b out th is . S h e lo oked a t G in a, a wom an a fe w y ears o ld er th an h erse lf , h opin g to r e m em ber s o m eth in g a b out h er o r th is meetin g. G in a’s e y es, b la ck a n d h eav y w it h e y elin er a n d m oon-b lu e m asc a ra , sm ile d a t her, t h ough M ae f e lt n o w arm th e m an atin g f r o m t h ese e y es, o r f r o m G in a a t a ll. “D an s a id t h is w ould b e a g o od m om en t t o s e t u p a ll y our s o cia ls . Y ou g o t t im e?” “S u re ,” M ae s a id , t h ough s h e h ad n o t im e a t a ll. “I t a k e it la st w eek w as t o o b usy f o r y ou t o s e t u p y our c o m pan y s o cia l a cco unt? A nd I don’t t h in k y ou’v e im porte d y our o ld p ro file ?” Mae c u rse d h erse lf . “ I’m s o rry . I ’v e b een p re tty o verw helm ed s o f a r.” Gin a f r o w ned . Mae b ack tr a ck ed , m ask in g h er m is c a lc u la tio n w it h a la u gh . “ N o, in a g o od w ay ! B ut I hav en ’t h ad t im e y et t o d o e xtr a cu rric u la r s tu ff.” Gin a t ilt e d h er h ead a n d c le are d h er t h ro at t h eatr ic a lly . “ T hat’s s o in te re stin g y ou p ut it th at w ay ,” s h e s a id , s m ilin g, t h ough s h e d id n’t s e em h ap py. “ W e a ctu ally s e e y our p ro y le , an d t h e a ctiv it y o n it , a s in te gra l t o y our p artic ip atio n h ere . T his is h ow y our c o w ork ers, ev en th ose o n th e o th er sid e o f c a m pus, k now w ho y ou a re . Com munic a tio n is c e rta in ly not e xtr a cu rric u la r, r ig h t? ” Now M ae w as e m barra sse d . “ R ig h t,” s h e s a id . “ O f c o urse .” “If y ou v is it a c o w ork er’s p age a n d w rit e s o m eth in g o n th e w all, th at’s a posit iv e th in g. That’s a n a ct o f co m munit y . A n a ct o f re a ch in g o u t . A nd o f c o urse I d on’t h av e to te ll y ou th at th is co m pan y exis ts b eca u se of th e so cia l m ed ia y ou co nsid er ‘e x tr a cu rric u la r.’ M y understa n din g w as t h at y ou u se d o ur s o cia l m ed ia t o ols b efo re c o m in g h ere ?” Mae w as u nsu re w hat s h e c o uld s a y to a p pease G in a. S h e’d b een s o b usy a t w ork , a n d did n’t w an t t o s e em d is tr a cte d , s o s h e’d d ela y ed r e -a ctiv atin g h er s o cia l p ro file . “I’m so rry ,” M ae m an aged . “I did n’t m ean to im ply th at it w as extr a cu rric u la r. I actu ally t h in k it ’s c e n tr a l. I w as ju st g ettin g a cclim ate d h ere a t w ork a n d w an te d t o f o cu s on le arn in g m y n ew r e sp onsib ilit ie s.” But G in a h ad h it a g ro ove a n d w ould n ot b e sto pped u ntil sh e’d y nis h ed h er th ough t. “Y ou re aliz e th at co m munit y an d co m munic a tio n co m e fr o m th e sa m e ro ot w ord , co m munis , L atin f o r c o m mon, p ublic , s h are d b y a ll o r m an y?” Mae’s h eart w as h am merin g. “I’m v ery so rry , G in a. I fo ugh t to g et a jo b h ere . I d o know a ll th is . I’m h ere b eca u se I b elie v e in e v ery th in g y ou sa id . I w as ju st a b it c ra ze d la st w eek a n d d id n’t g et a c h an ce t o s e t it u p.” “O kay . B ut ju st k now , fr o m n ow o n, th at b ein g so cia l, a n d b ein g a p re se n ce o n y our pro y le a n d a ll r e la te d a cco unts — th is is p art o f w hy y ou’r e h ere . W e c o nsid er y our o nlin e pre se n ce t o b e in te gra l t o y our w ork h ere . I t’s a ll c o nnecte d .” “I k now . A gain , I ’m s o rry t o h av e m is sta te d m y f e elin gs.” “G ood. O kay , le t’s sta rt by se ttin g th is up.” G in a re ach ed over M ae’s div id er an d re tr ie v ed a n oth er s c re en , b ig ger th an h er s e co nd s c re en , w hic h s h e q uic k ly a rra n ged a n d co nnecte d t o M ae’s c o m pute r. “O kay . S o y our s e co nd s c re en w ill c o ntin ue t o b e t h e w ay y ou’l l s ta y in t o uch w it h y our te am . T hat w ill be exclu siv ely fo r C E busin ess. Your th ir d sc re en is fo r your so cia l partic ip atio n, in t h e c o m pan y C ir c le a n d y our w id er C ir c le . D oes t h at m ak e s e n se ?” “It d oes.” Mae w atc h ed G in a activ ate th e sc re en , an d fe lt a th rill. Sh e’d nev er had su ch an ela b ora te a rra n gem en t b efo re . T hre e s c re en s fo r s o m eo ne s o lo w o n th e la d der! O nly a t th e C ir c le . “O kay , y rst I w an t to g o b ack to y our s e co nd s c re en ,” G in a s a id . “ I d on’t th in k y ou’v e activ ate d C ir c le Searc h . L et’s d o t h at.” A n e la b ora te , t h re e-d im en sio nal m ap o f t h e c a m pus ap peare d . “ T his is p re tty sim ple , a n d ju st a llo w s y ou to y nd a n yone o n c a m pus in c a se you n eed a f a ce -t o -f a ce .” Gin a p oin te d t o a p uls in g r e d d ot. “H ere ’s y ou. Y ou’r e re d h ot! I’m k id din g.” A s if re co gn iz in g th at m ig h t h av e b een co nsid ere d in ap pro pria te , G in a q uic k ly m oved o n. “ D id n’t y ou s a y y ou k new A nnie ? L et’s ty pe in h er n am e.” A b lu e d ot a p peare d in th e O ld W est. “ S h e’s in h er o } ce , su rp ris e su rp ris e . A nnie is a m ach in e.” Mae s m ile d . “ S h e is .” “I’m so je alo us you know her so well,” Gin a sa id , sm ilin g but brie { y an d unco nvin cin gly . “ A nd o ver h ere y ou’l l s e e a c o ol n ew a p p, w hic h s o rt o f g iv es u s a h is to ry of t h e b uild in g e v ery d ay . Y ou c a n s e e w hen e ach s ta ffe r c h eck ed in e v ery d ay , w hen t h ey le ft t h e b uild in g. T his g iv es u s a r e ally n ic e s e n se o f t h e lif e o f t h e c o m pan y. T his p art y ou don’t h av e to u pdate y ourse lf , o f co urse . If y ou g o to th e p ool, y our ID a u to m atic a lly update s th at o n th e fe ed . A nd o uts id e o f th e m ovem en t, an y ad dit io nal co m men ta ry would b e u p t o y ou, a n d o f c o urse w ould b e e n co ura ged .” “C om men ta ry ?” M ae a sk ed . “Y ou k now , lik e w hat y ou th ough t o f lu nch , a n ew fe atu re a t th e g y m , a n yth in g. J u st basic r a tin gs a n d lik es a n d c o m men ts . N oth in g o ut o f t h e o rd in ary , a n d o f c o urse a ll in put help s u s d o a b ette r jo b a t s e rv in g th e C ir c le c o m munit y . N ow th at c o m men ta ry is d one rig h t h ere ,” s h e s a id , a n d r e v eale d t h at e v ery b uild in g a n d r o om c o uld b e c lic k ed o n, a n d wit h in , s h e c o uld a d d a n y c o m men ts a b out a n yth in g o r a n yone. “S o th at’s y our se co nd sc re en . It’s a b out y our co w ork ers, y our te am , a n d it ’s a b out yndin g p eo ple in t h e p hysic a l s p ace . N ow it ’s o n t o t h e r e ally f u n s tu . S cre en t h re e. T his is w here y our m ain s o cia l a n d Z in g f e ed s a p pear. I h eard y ou w ere n ’t a Z in g u se r? ” Mae a d m it te d s h e h ad n’t b een , b ut w an te d t o b e. “G re at,” G in a sa id . “S o n ow y ou h av e a Z in g acco unt. I m ad e u p a n am e fo r y ou: MaeD ay . L ik e t h e w ar h olid ay . I s n ’t t h at c o ol? ” Mae w asn ’t s o s u re a b out t h e n am e, a n d c o uld n’t r e m em ber a h olid ay b y t h at n am e. “A nd I c o nnecte d y our Z in g a cco unt w it h th e to ta l C ir c le c o m munit y , so y ou ju st g o t 10,0 41 n ew fo llo w ers! P re tty c o ol. In te rm s o f y our o w n z in gin g, w e’d e xp ect a b out te n or s o a d ay , b ut t h at’s s o rt o f a m in im um . I ’m s u re y ou’l l h av e m ore t o s a y t h an t h at. O h, an d over here ’s your pla y lis t. If you lis te n to m usic w hile you w ork , th e fe ed au to m atic a lly se n ds th at p la y lis t o ut to ev ery one els e , an d it go es in to th e co lle ctiv e pla y lis t, w hic h r a n ks t h e m ost-p la y ed s o ngs in a n y g iv en d ay , w eek , m onth . I t h as t h e t o p one h undre d so ngs c a m pusw id e, b ut y ou c a n a ls o slic e it a th ousa n d w ay s— to p-p la y ed hip -h op, in die , c o untr y , a n yth in g. Y ou’l l g et re co m men datio ns b ase d o n w hat y ou p la y , an d w hat o th ers w it h sim ila r ta ste p la y — it ’s a ll c ro ss-p ollin atin g w hile y ou’r e w ork in g. Mak e s e n se ?” Mae n odded . “N ow , n ext t o t h e Z in g f e ed , y ou’l l s e e t h e w in dow f o r y our p rim ary s o cia l f e ed . Y ou’l l als o se e th at w e sp lit it in to tw o p arts , th e In nerC ir c le so cia l fe ed , a n d y our e xte rn al so cia l, t h at’s y our O ute rC ir c le . I s n ’t t h at c u te ? Y ou c a n m erg e t h em , b ut w e y nd it h elp fu l to se e th e tw o d is tin ct fe ed s. B ut o f c o urse th e O ute rC ir c le is still in th e C ir c le , rig h t? Every th in g is . M ak e s e n se s o f a r? ” Mae s a id it d id . “I c a n ’t b elie v e y ou’v e b een h ere a w eek w it h out b ein g o n t h e m ain s o cia l f e ed . Y ou’r e ab out to hav e your w orld ro ck ed .” G in a ta p ped M ae’s sc re en an d M ae’s In nerC ir c le str e am b eca m e a t o rre n t o f m essa ges p ourin g d ow n t h e m onit o r. “S ee, y ou’r e g ettin g a ll la st w eek ’s stu , to o. T hat’s w hy th ere ’s so m an y. W ow , y ou re ally m is se d a lo t.” Mae f o llo w ed t h e c o unte r o n t h e b otto m o f t h e s c re en , c a lc u la tin g a ll t h e m essa ges s e n t to h er fr o m e v ery one e ls e a t th e C ir c le . T he c o unte r p au se d a t 1 ,2 00. T hen 4 ,4 00. T he num bers s c ra m ble d h ig h er, s to ppin g p erio dic a lly b ut f in ally s e ttlin g a t 8 ,2 76. “T hat w as la st w eek ’s m essa ges? E ig h t t h ousa n d?” “Y ou c a n c a tc h u p,” G in a s a id b rig h tly . “ M ay be e v en to nig h t. N ow , le t’s o pen u p y our re gu la r so cia l acco unt. W e ca ll it O ute rC ir c le , b ut it ’s th e sa m e p ro y le , sa m e fe ed as you’v e h ad f o r y ears. M in d if I o pen it u p?” Mae d id n’t m in d. S h e w atc h ed a s h er s o cia l p ro y le , t h e o ne s h e’d y rst s e t u p y ears a go , now a p peare d o n h er t h ir d s c re en , n ext t o t h e I n nerC ir c le f e ed . A c a sc a d e o f m essa ges a n d photo s, a f e w h undre d , f ille d t h e m onit o r. “O kay , lo oks lik e y ou h av e s o m e c a tc h in g u p t o d o h ere , t o o,” G in a s a id . “ A f e ast! H av e fu n.” “T han k y ou,” M ae s a id . S h e tr ie d to s o und a s e xcit e d a s s h e c o uld . S h e n eed ed G in a to lik e h er. “O h w ait . O ne m ore th in g. I sh ould e xp la in m essa ge h ie ra rc h y. S h it . I a lm ost fo rg o t messa ge h ie ra rc h y. D an w ould k ill m e. O kay , so y ou k now th at y our y rst-s c re en C E re sp onsib ilit ie s a re p ara m ount. W e h av e to se rv e o ur c u sto m ers w it h o ur fu ll a tte n tio n an d o ur f u ll h earts . S o t h at’s u ndersto od.” “It is .” “O n y our se co nd sc re en , y ou m ig h t g et m essa ges fr o m D an a n d J are d , o r A nnie , o r an yone dir e ctly su perv is in g your w ork . T hose m essa ges in fo rm th e m in ute -t o -m in ute qualit y o f y our s e rv ic e . S o t h at w ould b e y our s e co nd p rio rit y . C le ar? ” “C le ar.” “T he t h ir d s c re en is y our s o cia l, I n ner- a n d O ute rC ir c le . B ut t h ese m essa ges a re n ’t , lik e, su per { uous. T hey ’r e ju st a s im porta n t a s a n y o th er m essa ges, b ut a re p rio rit iz e d th ir d . And s o m etim es t h ey ’r e u rg en t. K eep a n e y e o n t h e I n nerC ir c le f e ed in p artic u la r, b eca u se th at’s w here y ou’l l h ear a b out sta m eetin gs, m an dato ry g ath erin gs, a n d a n y b re ak in g new s. If th ere ’s a C ir c le notic e th at’s re ally pre ssin g, th at’l l be m ark ed in ora n ge. So m eth in g e xtr e m ely u rg en t w ill p ro m pt a m essa ge o n y our p hone, t o o. Y ou k eep t h at in vie w ?” M ae n odded a t h er p hone, re stin g ju st b elo w th e sc re en s o n h er d esk . “G ood,” Gin a sa id . “ S o th ose a re th e p rio rit ie s, w it h y our fo urth p rio rit y y our o w n O ute rC ir c le partic ip atio n. W hic h is ju st a s im porta n t a s a n yth in g e ls e , b eca u se w e v alu e y our w ork – lif e b ala n ce , y ou k now , t h e c a lib ra tio n betw een y our o nlin e lif e h ere a t t h e c o m pan y a n d outs id e it . I h ope t h at’s c le ar. I s it ? ” “It is .” “G ood. S o I t h in k y ou’r e a ll s e t. A ny q uestio ns? ” Mae s a id s h e w as f in e. Gin a’s head tilt e d sk ep tic a lly , in dic a tin g sh e knew th at M ae actu ally had m an y questio ns s till, b ut d id n’t w an t t o a sk t h em f o r f e ar o f lo okin g u nin fo rm ed . G in a s to od u p, sm ile d , to ok a s te p b ack , b ut th en s to pped . “ C ra p . F org o t o ne m ore th in g.” S h e c ro uch ed next t o M ae, t y ped f o r a f e w s e co nds, a n d a n um ber a p peare d o n t h e t h ir d s c re en , lo okin g much lik e h er a ggre gate C E s c o re . I t s a id : M AE H OLLA N D : 1 0,3 28. “T his is y our P artic ip atio n R an k, P artiR an k fo r sh ort. So m e p eo ple h ere ca ll it th e Popula rit y R an k, b ut it ’s n ot re ally th at. It’s ju st an alg o rit h m -g en era te d n um ber th at ta k es in to a cco unt a ll y our a ctiv it y in t h e I n nerC ir c le . D oes t h at m ak e s e n se ?” “I t h in k s o .” “It ta k es in to a cco unt z in gs, e xte rio r fo llo w ers o f y our in tr a -c o m pan y z in gs, c o m men ts on y our z in gs, y our c o m men ts o n o th ers’ z in gs, y our c o m men ts o n o th er C ir c le rs’ p ro y le s, your p hoto s p oste d , a tte n dan ce a t C ir c le e v en ts , c o m men ts a n d p hoto s p oste d a b out t h ose ev en ts — basic a lly it c o lle cts a n d c e le b ra te s a ll y ou d o h ere . T he m ost a ctiv e C ir c le rs a re ra n ked h ig h est o f c o urse . A s y ou c a n s e e, y our r a n k is lo w n ow , b ut t h at’s b eca u se y ou’r e new an d w e ju st activ ate d y our so cia l fe ed . B ut ev ery tim e y ou p ost o r co m men t o r atte n d a n yth in g, t h at g ets f a cto re d in , a n d y ou’l l s e e y our r a n k c h an ge a cco rd in gly . T hat’s where th e fu n c o m es in . Y ou p ost, y ou r is e in th e ra n kin gs. A b unch o f p eo ple lik e y our post, a n d y ou r e ally s h oot u p. I t m oves a ll d ay . C ool? ” “V ery ,” M ae s a id . “W e s ta rte d y ou w it h a lit tle b oost— oth erw is e y ou’d b e 1 0,4 11. A nd a gain , it ’s ju st f o r fu n. Y ou’r e n ot ju dged b y y our r a n k o r a n yth in g. S o m e C ir c le rs ta k e it v ery s e rio usly , o f co urse , a n d w e lo ve it w hen p eo ple w an t to p artic ip ate , b ut th e r a n k is r e ally ju st a fu n way t o s e e h ow y our p artic ip atio n m an if e sts it s e lf v is -à -v is t h e o vera ll C ir c le c o m munit y . Okay ?” “O kay .” “O kay t h en . Y ou k now h ow t o g et h old o f m e.” And w it h t h at, G in a t u rn ed a n d le ft. Mae o pen ed th e in tr a -c o m pan y s tr e am a n d b egan . S h e w as d ete rm in ed to g et th ro ugh a ll th e In ner a n d O ute r fe ed s th at n ig h t. T here w ere c o m pan y-w id e n otic e s a b out e ach d ay ’s men us, e ach d ay ’s w eath er, e ach d ay ’s w ord s o f th e w is e — la st w eek ’s a p horis m s w ere fr o m M LK , G an dhi, S alk , M oth er T ere sa a n d S te v e J o bs. T here w ere n otic e s a b out e ach day ’s ca m pus vis it s : a pet ad optio n agen cy , a sta te se n ato r, a Congre ssm an fr o m Ten nesse e, th e d ir e cto r o f M éd ecin s San s F ro ntiè re s. M ae fo und o ut, w it h a stin g o f re m orse , t h at s h e’d m is se d , t h at v ery m orn in g, a v is it f r o m M uham mad Y unus, w in ner o f th e N obel P riz e . S h e p lo w ed th ro ugh th e m essa ges, e v ery o ne, lo okin g fo r a n yth in g sh e would h av e r e aso nab ly b een e xp ecte d to a n sw er p erso nally . T here w ere s u rv ey s, a t le ast yfty o f th em , gau gin g th e C ir c le rs’ o pin io ns o n v ario us co m pan y p olic ie s, o n o ptim al date s fo r u pco m in g gath erin gs, in te re st g ro ups, ce le b ra tio ns a n d h olid ay b re ak s. T here were d oze n s o f c lu bs so lic it in g m em bers a n d n otif y in g a ll o f m eetin gs: th ere w ere c a t- ow ner gro ups— at le ast te n — a fe w ra b bit gro ups, six re p tile gro ups, fo ur of th em ad am an tly sn ak e-e xclu siv e. M ost o f a ll, th ere w ere g ro ups fo r d og-o w ners. S h e c o unte d tw en ty -t w o, b ut w as su re th at w asn ’t a ll o f th em . O ne o f th e g ro ups d ed ic a te d to th e ow ners o f v ery s m all d ogs, L uck y L ap dogs, w an te d t o k now h ow m an y p eo ple w ould jo in a w eek en d c lu b fo r w alk s a n d h ik es a n d su pport; M ae ig n ore d th is o ne. T hen , re aliz in g th at ig n orin g it w ould o nly p ro m pt a s e co nd, m ore u rg en t, m essa ge, s h e t y ped a m essa ge, exp la in in g th at sh e d id n’t h av e a d og. S h e w as a sk ed to sig n a p etit io n fo r m ore v egan optio ns a t lu nch ; s h e d id . T here w ere n in e m essa ges f r o m v ario us w ork -g ro ups w it h in t h e co m pan y, a sk in g h er to jo in th eir su bC ir c le s fo r m ore sp eci y c u pdate s a n d in fo rm atio n sh arin g. F or n ow s h e jo in ed t h e o nes d ed ic a te d t o c ro ch et, s o cce r, a n d H it c h co ck . There se em ed to b e a h undre d p are n ts ’ g ro ups— yrst-t im e p are n ts , d iv orc e d p are n ts , pare n ts o f a u tis tic c h ild re n , p are n ts o f G uate m ala n a d opte es, E th io pia n a d opte es, R ussia n ad opte es. T here w ere s e v en im pro v c o m ed y g ro ups, n in e s w im t e am s— th ere h ad b een a n in te r-s ta m eet la st W ed nesd ay , hundre d s of sw im mers partic ip atin g, an d a hundre d messa ges w ere ab out th e co nte st, w ho w on, so m e glit c h w it h th e re su lt s , an d h ow a med ia to r w ould b e o n c a m pus t o s e ttle a n y lin gerin g q uestio ns o r g rie v an ce s. T here w ere vis it s , te n a d ay at le ast, fr o m co m pan ie s p re se n tin g in novativ e n ew p ro ducts to th e Cir c le . N ew fu el-e } cie n t ca rs. N ew fa ir -t r a d e sn eak ers. N ew lo ca lly so urc e d te n nis ra ck ets . T here w ere m eetin gs of ev ery co nce iv ab le dep artm en t— R& D, se arc h , so cia l, outr e ach , p ro fe ssio nal n etw ork in g, p hila n th ro pic , a d s a le s, a n d w it h a p lu m metin g o f h er sto m ach , M ae s a w th at s h e’d m is se d a m eetin g, d eem ed “ p re tty m uch m an dato ry ” fo r a ll new bie s. T hat h ad b een la st T hursd ay . W hy h ad n’t an yone to ld h er? Well, stu pid , sh e an sw ere d h erse lf . They d id te ll y ou . R ig h t h ere . “S h it ,” s h e s a id . By te n p .m ., sh e’d m ad e h er w ay th ro ugh a ll th e in tr a -c o m pan y m essa ges a n d a le rts , an d n ow t u rn ed t o h er o w n O ute rC ir c le a cco unt. S h e h ad n’t v is it e d in s ix d ay s, a n d f o und 118 n ew n otic e s fr o m th at d ay a lo ne. S h e d ecid ed to p lo w th ro ugh , n ew est to o ld est. Most re ce n tly , o ne o f h er fr ie n ds fr o m co lle ge h ad p oste d a m essa ge a b out h av in g th e sto m ach { u, a n d a lo ng t h re ad f o llo w ed , w it h f r ie n ds m ak in g s u ggestio ns a b out r e m ed ie s, so m e o erin g sy m path y, so m e p ostin g p hoto s m ean t to c h eer h er u p. M ae lik ed tw o o f th e p hoto s, lik ed t h re e o f t h e c o m men ts , p oste d h er o w n w ell w is h es, a n d s e n t a lin k t o a so ng, “ P ukin g S ally ,” t h at s h e’d f o und. T hat p ro m pte d a n ew t h re ad , 5 4 n otic e s, a b out t h e so ng a n d t h e b an d t h at w ro te it . O ne o f t h e f r ie n ds o n t h e t h re ad s a id h e k new t h e b assis t in t h e b an d, a n d t h en lo oped h im in to t h e c o nversa tio n. T he b assis t, D am ie n G hilo tti, w as in N ew Z eala n d, w as a s tu dio e n gin eer n ow , b ut w as h ap py to k now th at “ P ukin g S ally ” was still re so natin g w it h th e { u-r id den . H is p ost th rille d a ll in volv ed , a n d a n oth er 1 29 notic e s a p peare d , e v ery one t h rille d t o h ear f r o m t h e a ctu al b assis t f r o m t h e b an d, a n d b y th e e n d o f th e th re ad , D am ie n G hilo tti w as in vit e d to p la y a w ed din g, if h e w an te d , o r vis it B ould er, o r B ath , o r G ain esv ille , o r S t. C harle s, I llin ois , a n y t im e h e h ap pen ed t o b e passin g th ro ugh , a n d h e w ould h av e a p la ce to sta y a n d a h om e-c o oked m eal. U pon th e men tio n of St. C harle s, so m eo ne ask ed if an yone fr o m th ere had heard ab out Tim Jen kin s, w ho w as y gh tin g in A fg h an is ta n ; t h ey ’d s e en s o m e m en tio n of a k id f r o m I llin ois bein g s h ot t o d eath b y a n A fg h an in su rg en t p osin g a s a p olic e o } ce r. S ix ty m essa ges la te r th e re sp onden ts had dete rm in ed th at it w as a di ere n t T im Jen kin s, th is one fr o m Ran to ul, Illin ois , n ot S t. C harle s. T here w as re lie f a ll a ro und, b ut so on th e th re ad h ad been o verta k en b y a m ult ip artic ip an t d eb ate a b out th e e } ca cy o f th at w ar, U .S . fo re ig n polic y in g en era l, w heth er o r n ot w e w on in V ie tn am o r G re n ad a o r e v en W WI, a n d th e ab ilit y o f th e A fg h an s to se lf -g o vern , a n d th e o piu m tr a d e y nan cin g th e in su rg en ts , a n d th e p ossib ilit y o f le galiz a tio n o f a n y a n d a ll illic it d ru gs in A m eric a a n d E uro pe. S o m eo ne men tio ned th e use fu ln ess of m ariju an a in alle v ia tin g gla u co m a, an d so m eo ne els e men tio ned it w as h elp fu l fo r th ose w it h M S, to o, a n d th en th ere w as a fr e n etic e xch an ge betw een th re e fa m ily m em bers o f M S p atie n ts , a n d M ae, fe elin g s o m e d ark ness o pen in g it s w in gs w it h in h er, s ig n ed o ff. Mae c o uld n o lo nger k eep h er e y es o pen . T hough s h e’d o nly m ad e it t h ro ugh t h re e d ay s of h er s o cia l b ack lo g, s h e s h ut d ow n a n d m ad e f o r t h e p ark in g lo t. T uesd ay m orn in g’s c h ute w as lig h te r th an M onday ’s , b ut th e a ctiv it y o n h er th ir d s c re en k ep t h er in h er c h air fo r th e d ay ’s y rst th re e h ours. B efo re th e th ir d sc re en , th ere h ad a lw ay s b een a lu ll, m ay be te n o r tw elv e s e co nds, b etw een w hen s h e’d a n sw ere d a q uery a n d w hen s h e k new w heth er o r n ot t h e a n sw er h ad b een s a tis fy in g; s h e’d u se d t h e t im e t o m em oriz e th e b oile rp la te s a n d d o a fe w fo llo w -u ps, e v ery so o fte n to c h eck h er p hone. B ut now th at beca m e m ore ch alle n gin g. The th ir d -s c re en fe ed dro pped fo rty new I n nerC ir c le m essa ges e v ery fe w m in ute s, y fte en o r so O ute rC ir c le p osts a n d z in gs, a n d M ae u se d ev ery a v aila b le m om en t o f d ow ntim e t o q uic k ly s c ro ll t h ro ugh , m ak e s u re t h ere w as n oth in g th at d em an ded h er im med ia te a tte n tio n, a n d th en co m e b ack to h er m ain s c re en . By th e e n d o f th e m orn in g, th e { ow w as m an ageab le , e v en e xh ila ra tin g. T he c o m pan y h ad so m uch g o in g o n, so m uch h um an it y a n d g o od fe elin g, a n d w as p io neerin g o n a ll f r o nts , th at s h e k new s h e w as b ein g im pro ved ju st b y b ein g in th e C ir c le rs’ p ro xim it y . It w as lik e a w ell-c u ra te d o rg an ic g ro ce ry sto re : y ou k new , b y sh oppin g th ere , th at y ou w ere h ealt h ie r; y ou co uld n’t m ak e a b ad ch oic e , b eca u se ev ery th in g h ad b een v ette d a lr e ad y. L ik ew is e , e v ery one a t th e C ir c le th ere h ad b een c h ose n , a n d th us th e g en e p ool w as extr a o rd in ary , th e bra in pow er phen om en al. It w as a pla ce w here ev ery one e n deav ore d , c o nsta n tly a n d p assio nate ly , to im pro ve th em se lv es, e ach o th er, s h are th eir k now le d ge, d is se m in ate it t o t h e w orld . By lu nch tim e, th ough , sh e w as w ip ed o ut, a n d v ery m uch lo okin g fo rw ard to sit tin g, w it h h er c e re b ra l c o rte x r e m oved , f o r a n h our, o n t h e la w n, w it h A nnie , w ho h ad in sis te d o n it . At 1 1:5 0, t h ough , a s e co nd-s c re en m essa ge f r o m D an a p peare d : You g o t a fe w m in s? Sh e to ld A nnie s h e m ig h t b e la te , a n d w hen s h e a rriv ed to D an ’s o } ce , h e w as le an in g a gain st t h e d oorja m b. H e s m ile d s y m path etic a lly a t M ae, b ut w it h a r a is e d e y eb ro w , a s if t h ere w as so m eth in g a b out M ae th at w as p erp le xin g h im , so m eth in g h e c o uld n’t p ut h is y nger o n. H e e xte n ded h is a rm in to th e o } ce , a n d sh e slip ped p ast h im . H e c lo se d th e d oor. “S it d ow n, M ae. Y ou k now A lis ta ir , I a ssu m e?” Sh e h ad n’t s e en t h e m an s it tin g in t h e c o rn er, b ut n ow t h at s h e s a w h im , s h e k new s h e d id n’t k now h im . H e w as ta ll, in h is la te tw en tie s, w it h a c a re fu l sw ir l o f sa n dy b ro w n h air . H e w as p osit io ned d ia go nally a gain st a r o unded c h air , h is th in fr a m e r e stin g s ti y, l ik e a t w o-b y-f o ur. H e d id n’t s ta n d t o m eet h er, s o M ae e xte n ded h er h an d t o h im . “N ic e t o m eet y ou,” s h e s a id . Alis ta ir sig h ed w it h g re at re sig n atio n a n d e xte n ded h is h an d a s if h e w ere a b out to t o uch s o m eth in g w ash ed a sh ore a n d r o ttin g. Mae’s m outh w en t d ry . T here w as s o m eth in g v ery w ro ng. Dan sa t d ow n. “N ow , I h ope w e ca n m ak e th is rig h t a s so on a s p ossib le ,” h e sa id . “ W ould y ou lik e t o s ta rt, M ae?” The tw o m en lo oked a t h er. D an ’s e y es w ere s te ad y, w hile A lis ta ir ’s lo ok w as h urt b ut e xp ecta n t. M ae h ad n o id ea w hat to sa y , n o id ea w hat w as h ap pen in g. A s th e sile n ce f e ste re d a n d g re w , A lis ta ir b lin ked f u rio usly , h old in g b ack t e ars. “I c a n ’t b elie v e t h is ,” h e m an aged t o s a y . Dan tu rn ed to h im . “A lis ta ir , c’m on. W e k now y ou’r e h urtin g, b ut le t’s k eep it in persp ectiv e.” D an tu rn ed to M ae. “I’l l p oin t o ut th e o bvio us. M ae, w e’r e ta lk in g a b out Alis ta ir ’s P ortu gal b ru nch .” Dan le t th e w ord s lin ger, e xp ectin g M ae to ju m p in , b ut M ae h ad n o id ea w hat th ose word s m ean t: Alis ta ir ’s P ortu ga l b ru nch ? C ould s h e s a y s h e h ad n o id ea w hat th at m ean t? Sh e k new s h e c o uld n’t . S h e’d b een la te to th e fe ed . T his m ust h av e s o m eth in g to d o w it h th at. “I’m so rry ,” sh e sa id . S h e k new sh e w ould h av e to tr e ad w ate r u ntil sh e c o uld y gu re out w hat a ll t h is w as a b out. “T hat’s a g o od s ta rt,” D an s a id . “ R ig h t, A lis ta ir ? ” Alis ta ir s h ru gged . Mae c o ntin ued f u m blin g. W hat d id s h e k now ? T here h ad b een a b ru nch , t h at m uch w as ce rta in . A nd c le arly s h e h ad n ot b een t h ere . The b ru nch w as p la n ned b y A lis ta ir , a n d n ow he w as h urt. A ll t h is w as r e aso nab le t o a ssu m e. “I w is h I co uld h av e b een th ere ,” sh e v en tu re d , a n d im med ia te ly sa w slig h t sig n s o f co n y rm atio n in th eir fa ce s. S h e w as o nto so m eth in g. “ B ut I w asn ’t su re if … ” N ow sh e to ok a le ap . “ I w asn ’t s u re if I w as w elc o m e, b ein g s o n ew h ere .” Their f a ce s s o fte n ed . M ae s m ile d , k now in g s h e’d h it t h e r ig h t n ote . D an s h ook h is h ead , hap py to h av e h is a ssu m ptio n— th at M ae w as n ot a n in here n tly b ad p erso n— co n y rm ed . He g o t u p f r o m h is c h air , c a m e a ro und h is d esk a n d le an ed a gain st it . “M ae, h av e w e n ot m ad e y ou f e el w elc o m e?” h e a sk ed . “N o, y ou h av e! Y ou r e ally h av e. B ut I’m n ot a m em ber o f A lis ta ir ’s te am , a n d I w asn ’t quit e su re w hat th e ru le s w ere a b out, y ou k now , m em bers o f m y te am a tte n din g th e bru nch es o f m ore s e aso ned m em bers o f o th er t e am s.” Dan n odded . “ S ee, A lis ta ir ? I t o ld y ou it w as e asily e xp la in ed .” N ow A lis ta ir w as s it tin g uprig h t, a s if r e ad y t o e n gage a gain . “W ell o f c o urse y ou’r e w elc o m e,” h e s a id , p attin g h er k nee p la y fu lly . “ E ven if y ou’r e a lit tle o b liv io us.” “N ow A lis ta ir … ” “I’m s o rry ,” h e s a id , a n d to ok a d eep b re ath . “ I’v e g o t it u nder c o ntr o l n ow . I’m v ery hap py.” There w ere a fe w m ore sta te m en ts o f a p olo gy a n d la u gh s a b out u ndersta n din gs a n d mis u ndersta n din gs, an d co m munic a tio ns an d { ow an d m is ta k es an d th e ord er of th e univ erse , a n d f in ally it w as t im e t o le t it g o . T hey s to od. “L et’s hug it out,” D an sa id . A nd th ey did , fo rm in g a tig h t sc ru m of new fo und co m munio n. By t h e t im e M ae w as b ack a t h er d esk , a m essa ge w as w ait in g f o r h er. Than ks a ga in fo r c o m in g to m eet A lis ta ir a n d m e to d ay. I th in k th at w as v ery p ro d uctiv e a n d help fu l. H R k n ow s a bou t th e sit u atio n , a n d to c lo se it o u t th ey a lw ays lik e to g et a sta te m en t to geth er. S o I ty ped th is u p. If it s o u nds g o od , ju st s ig n it o n -s c re en a n d s e n d it b ack . Glit c h N o. 5 616A RN /M RH /R K2 Day : M onday , J u ne 1 1 Partic ip an ts : M ae H olla n d, A lis ta ir K nig h t Sto ry : A lis ta ir o f th e R en ais sa n ce , T eam N in e, h eld a b ru nch fo r a ll sta ers w ho had d em onstr a te d a n in te re st in P ortu gal. H e s e n t o ut t h re e n otic e s a b out t h e e v en t, none of w hic h M ae, of th e R en ais sa n ce , Team Six , an sw ere d . A lis ta ir beca m e co nce rn ed th at th ere w as n o R SV P o r c o m munic a tio n o f a n y k in d fr o m M ae. W hen th e b ru nch o ccu rre d , M ae d id n ot a tte n d, a n d A lis ta ir u ndersta n dab ly w as d is tr e sse d ab out w hy sh e w ould n ot re sp ond to re p eate d in vit a tio ns, a n d th en fa il to a tte n d. This w as n on-p artic ip atio n in a c la ssic s e n se . Today a m eetin g w as h eld b etw een D an , A lis ta ir a n d M ae, w here M ae e xp la in ed th at sh e w as n ot su re th at sh e w as w elc o m e a t su ch a n e v en t, g iv en it w as b ein g hoste d b y a m em ber o f a d i ere n t te am , a n d s h e w as in h er s e co nd w eek o f lif e a t th e co m pan y. Sh e fe els v ery b ad ab out ca u sin g w orry an d em otio nal d is tr e ss to Alis ta ir — not t o m en tio n t h re ate n in g t h e d elic a te e co lo gy o f t h e R en ais sa n ce . N ow a ll is w ork ed o ut a n d A lis ta ir a n d M ae a re g re at f r ie n ds a n d f e el r e ju ven ate d . A ll a gre e a fr e sh s ta rt is w arra n te d a n d w elc o m e. There w as a lin e belo w th e sta te m en t w here M ae w as to sig n , an d sh e use d her yngern ail t o s ig n h er n am e o n t h e s c re en . S h e s u bm it te d it , a n d in sta n tly r e ce iv ed a t h an k you f r o m D an . That w as g re a t , h e w ro te . Alis ta ir is o bvio u sly a lit tle se n sit iv e, b u t th at’s o n ly b eca u se h e’s su ch a y erc ely c o m mit te d C ir c le r. J u st lik e y ou , r ig h t? T han k y ou fo r b ein g s o c o opera tiv e. Y ou were g re a t. O nw ard ! Mae w as la te , a n d h oped A nnie w ould s till b e w ait in g. T he d ay w as c le ar a n d w arm , a n d Mae fo und A nnie o n th e la w n, ty pin g o n h er ta b le t w it h a g ra n ola b ar d an glin g fr o m h er mouth . S h e s q uin te d u p a t M ae. “ H ey . Y ou’r e t a rd y.” “S o rry .” “H ow a re y ou?” Mae m ad e a f a ce . “I k now , I k now . I f o llo w ed t h e w hole t h in g,” A nnie s a id , c h ew in g e xtr a v agan tly . “S to p e atin g lik e t h at. C lo se y our m outh . Y ou d id ?” “I w as ju st lis te n in g w hile I w ork ed . T hey a sk ed m e to . A nd I’v e h eard m uch w orse . Every one has a fe w of th ose early on. E at fa st, by th e w ay . I w an t to sh ow you so m eth in g.” In q uic k s u cce ssio n, t w o w av es p asse d o ver M ae. F ir st, p ro fo und u nease t h at A nnie h ad been lis te n in g w it h out h er k now le d ge, fo llo w ed b y a w av e o f r e lie f, k now in g h er fr ie n d had b een w it h h er, e v en if r e m ote ly , a n d c o uld c o nfir m t h at M ae w ould s u rv iv e. “D id you ?” s h e a sk ed . “D id I w hat? ” “E ver g et c a lle d o n t h e c a rp et lik e t h at? I ’m s till s h ak in g.” “O f c o urse . O nce a m onth m ay be. I s till d o. C hew f a st.” Mae a te a s q uic k ly a s s h e c o uld , w atc h in g a g am e o f c ro quet b ein g p la y ed o n t h e la w n. The p la y ers s e em ed t o h av e m ad e u p t h eir o w n r u le s. M ae f in is h ed h er lu nch . “G ood, g et u p,” A nnie s a id , a n d th ey m ad e th eir w ay to w ard T om orro w Tow n. “ W hat? Your f a ce s till h as a q uestio n p ro tr u din g f r o m it .” “D id you g o t o t h at P ortu gal b ru nch ?” Annie s c o ffe d . “ M e? N o, w hy? I w asn ’t in vit e d .” “B ut w hy w as I ? I d id n’t s ig n u p f o r it . I ’m n ot s o m e P ortu gal f r e ak .” “It’s o n y our p ro file , is n ’t it ? D id n’t y ou g o t h ere o nce ?” “S u re , b ut I n ev er m en tio ned it o n m y p ro y le . I’v e b een to L is b on, b ut th at’s it . T hat was f iv e y ears a go .” They ap pro ach ed th e T om orro w Tow n b uild in g, fr o nte d b y a w all o f ir o nw ork th at lo oked v agu ely T urk is h . A nnie w av ed h er p ass o ver a w all-m ounte d p ad a n d th e d oor open ed . “D id y ou t a k e p ic tu re s? ” A nnie a sk ed . “In L is b on? S u re .” “A nd t h ey w ere o n y our la p to p?” Mae h ad t o t h in k a s e co nd. “ I g u ess s o .” “T hen t h at’s p ro bab ly it . I f t h ey w ere o n y our la p to p, n ow t h ey ’r e in t h e c lo ud, a n d t h e clo ud g ets s c a n ned f o r in fo rm atio n lik e t h at. Y ou d on’t h av e t o r u n a ro und s ig n in g u p f o r Portu gal in te re st c lu bs o r a n yth in g. W hen A lis ta ir w an te d to d o h is b ru nch , h e p ro bab ly ju st a sk ed f o r a s e arc h o f e v ery one o n c a m pus w ho h ad v is it e d t h e c o untr y , t o ok p ic tu re s or m en tio ned it in a n e m ail o r w hate v er. S o th en h e au to m atic a lly g ets a lis t, a n d s e n ds his in vit a tio n o ut. I t s a v es a b out a h undre d h ours o f n onse n se . O ver h ere .” They s to pped in f r o nt o f a lo ng h allw ay . A nnie ’s e y es w ere a lig h t w it h m is c h ie f. “ O kay . You w an t t o s e e s o m eth in g s u rre al? ” “I’m s till w eir d ed o ut.” “D on’t b e. G et in h ere .” Annie o pen ed a d oor to a b eau tif u l r o om , s o m e c ro ss b etw een a b u et a n d a m use u m an d a t r a d e s h ow . “H ow c ra zy is t h is ? ” The r o om lo oked v agu ely f a m ilia r. M ae h ad s e en s o m eth in g lik e t h is o n T V . “It’s lik e o ne o f t h ose g if t b ag p la ce s f o r c e le b rit ie s, r ig h t? ” Mae sc a n ned th e ro om . T here w ere p ro ducts sp re ad all o ver d oze n s o f ta b le s an d pla tfo rm s. B ut h ere , in ste ad o f je w elr y a n d p um ps th ere w ere s n eak ers a n d to oth bru sh es an d a d oze n t y pes o f c h ip s a n d d rin ks a n d e n erg y b ars. Mae la u gh ed . “ I’m g u essin g t h is is f r e e?” “F or y ou, f o r v ery im porta n t p eo ple lik e y ou a n d m e, y es.” “J esu s C hris t. A ll o f t h is ? ” “Y up, t h is is t h e f r e e s a m ple r o om . I t’s a lw ay s f u ll, a n d t h is s tu n eed s t o g et u se d o ne way o r th e o th er. W e in vit e r o ta tin g g ro ups in — so m etim es it ’s p ro gra m mers, s o m etim es CE p eo ple lik e y ou. D if fe re n t g ro up e v ery d ay .” “A nd y ou ju st t a k e w hate v er y ou w an t? ” “W ell, y ou h av e to z a p y our ID o n a n yth in g y ou’r e ta k in g so th ey k now w ho’s ta k en what. O th erw is e s o m e id io t t a k es h om e t h e w hole r o om .” “I h av en ’t s e en a n y o f t h is s tu ff y et.” “In s to re s? N o, n one o f t h is s tu ff is in s to re s y et. T hese a re p ro to ty pes a n d t e st r u ns.” “T hese a re a ctu al L ev i’s ? ” Mae w as h old in g a p air o f b eau tif u l je an s, a n d s h e w as s u re t h ey d id n ot y et e xis t in t h e world . “T hey m ig h t b e a fe w m onth s till m ark et, m ay be a y ear. Y ou w an t th ose ? Y ou c a n a sk fo r a d if fe re n t s iz e .” “A nd I c a n w ear t h em ?” “A s o ppose d to w hat, w ip in g y our a ss w it h th em ? Y eah , th ey w an t y ou to w ear th em . You’r e a n in { uen tia l p erso n w ork in g a t t h e C ir c le ! Y ou’r e a s ty le le ad er, e arly a d opte r, a ll th at.” “T hese a re a ctu ally m y s iz e .” “G ood. T ak e t w o. Y ou h av e a b ag?” Annie re tr ie v ed a clo th b ag w it h th e C ir c le lo go o n it a n d g av e it to M ae, w ho w as hoverin g o ver a d is p la y o f n ew p hone c o vers a n d a cce sso rie s. S h e p ic k ed u p a b eau tif u l phone s h ell t h at w as s tu rd y a s s to ne, b ut w it h a c h am ois -s m ooth s u rfa ce . “C ra p ,” M ae s a id . “ I d id n’t b rin g m y p hone.” “W hat? W here is it ? ” A nnie a sk ed , a sto unded . “I g u ess a t m y d esk .” “M ae, y ou are in cre d ib le . Y ou’r e so fo cu se d an d to geth er, b ut th en y ou h av e th ese weir d s p acy la p se s. Y ou c a m e t o lu nch w it h out y our p hone?” “S o rry .” “N o. I t’s w hat I lo ve a b out y ou. Y ou’r e lik e p art h um an , p art r a in bow . W hat? D on’t g et upse t.” “I’m ju st g ettin g a lo t o f in put t o day .” “Y ou’r e n ot s till w orrie d , a re y ou?” “Y ou t h in k it ’s o kay , t h at m eetin g w it h D an a n d A lis ta ir ? ” “It’s d efin it e ly o kay .” “H e’s ju st t h at s e n sit iv e?” Annie r o lle d h er e y es. “ A lis ta ir ? B ey ond a ll r e aso n. B ut h e w rit e s g re at c o de. T he g u y is a m ach in e. It’d ta k e a y ear to y nd a n d tr a in s o m eo ne to d o w hat h e d oes. S o w e h av e to deal w it h th e c ra zy . T here a re ju st s o m e n uts h ere . N eed y n uts . A nd th ere a re th ose , lik e Dan , w ho en ab le th e n uts . B ut d on’t w orry . I d on’t th in k y ou’l l o verla p m uch — wit h Alis ta ir a t le ast.” A nnie c h eck ed t h e t im e. S h e h ad t o g o . “Y ou s ta y t ill t h at b ag is f u ll,” s h e s a id . “ I’l l s e e y ou la te r.” Mae s ta y ed , a n d y lle d h er b ag w it h je an s, a n d fo od, a n d s h oes, a n d a fe w n ew c o vers fo r h er p hone, a s p orts b ra . S h e le ft th e r o om , fe elin g lik e a s h oplif te r, b ut e n co unte re d no o ne o n t h e w ay o ut. W hen s h e g o t b ack t o h er d esk , t h ere w ere e le v en m essa ges f r o m Annie . Sh e re ad th e y rst: Hey M ae, re a liz in g I sh ou ld n’t h ave g o n e o o n D an a n d A lis ta ir th at way. W asn ’t v ery n ic e. N ot C ir c ly a t a ll. P re te n d I d id n’t s a y it . The s e co nd: You g et m y la st m sg ? The t h ir d : Sta rtin g to fr e a k o u t a lit tle . W hy a re n ’t y ou a n sw erin g m e? Fourth : Ju st te x te d y ou , c a lle d y ou . A re y ou d ea d ? S hit . F org o t y ou fo rg o t y ou r p hon e. Y ou su ck . Fif t h : If y ou w ere o en ded b y w hat I sa id a bou t D an d on ’t go a ll sile n t-tr e a tm en t. I sa id so rry . W rit e b ack . Six th : Are y ou g ettin g th ese m essa ges? It’s v . im porta n t. C all m e! Sev en th : If y ou ’r e te llin g D an w hat I sa id y ou ’r e a b it c h . S in ce w hen d o w e ta ttle o n e a ch oth er? Eig h th : Rea liz in g y ou m ig h t ju st b e in a m eetin g. T ru e? Nin th : It’s b een 2 5 m in s. W hat is U P? Ten th : Ju st ch eck ed a n d se e th at y ou ’r e b ack a t y ou r d esk . C all m e th is in sta n t o r w e’r e th ro u gh . I th ou gh t w e w ere fr ie n ds . Ele v en th : Hello ? Mae c a lle d h er. “W hat t h e h ell, s p az? ” “W here were y ou?” “I s a w y ou t w en ty m in ute s a go . I y nis h ed in t h e s a m ple r o om , u se d t h e b ath ro om , a n d now I ’m h ere .” “D id y ou t e ll o n m e?” “D id I w hat? ” “D id y ou t e ll o n m e?” “A nnie , w hat t h e f u ck ?” “J u st t e ll m e.” “N o, I d id n’t t e ll o n y ou. T o w ho?” “W hat d id y ou s a y t o h im ?” “W ho?” “D an .” “I h av en ’t e v en s e en h im .” “Y ou d id n’t s e n d a m essa ge t o h im ?” “N o. A nnie , s h it .” “P ro m is e ?” “Y es.” Annie sig h ed . “O kay . F uck . S o rry . I se n t h im a m essa ge, a n d ca lle d h im , a n d h ad n’t heard b ack . A nd t h en I d id n’t h ear b ack f r o m y ou, a n d m y b ra in ju st p ut a ll t h is t o geth er in a w eir d w ay .” “A nnie , s h it .” “S o rry .” “I t h in k y ou’r e o verstr e sse d .” “N o, I ’m f in e.” “L et m e g et y ou s o m e d rin ks t o nig h t.” “T han ks, n o.” “P le ase ?” “I c a n ’t . W e h av e t o o m an y t h in gs g o in g o n h ere t h is w eek . J u st t r y in g t o d eal w it h t h is clu ste rfu ck in W ash in gto n.” “W ash in gto n? W hat a b out it ? ” “It’s s u ch a lo ng s to ry . I c a n ’t s a y , a ctu ally .” “B ut y ou’r e t h e o ne t h at h as t o h an dle it ? A ll o f W ash in gto n?” “T hey g iv e m e s o m e o f t h e g o vern m en t-h assle s tu b eca u se , I d on’t k now , b eca u se t h ey th in k m y d im ple s h elp . M ay be t h ey d o. I d on’t k now . I ju st w is h t h ere w ere f iv e o f m e.” “Y ou s o und t e rrib le , A nnie . T ak e a n ig h t o ff.” “N o, n o. I’l l b e y ne. I ju st h av e to a n sw er th ese q uerie s fr o m s o m e s u bco m mit te e. It’l l be f in e. B ut I b ette r g o . L ove y ou.” And s h e h ung u p. Mae c a lle d F ra n cis . “ A nnie w on’t g o o ut w it h m e. W ill y ou? T onig h t? ” “O ut-o ut? T here ’s a b an d h ere t o nig h t. Y ou k now t h e C re am ers? T hey ’r e p la y in g in t h e Colo ny. I t’s a b en efit .” Mae sa id y es, th at so unded g o od, b ut w hen th e tim e c a m e, sh e d id n’t w an t to se e a ban d c a lle d th e C re am ers p la y in th e C olo ny. S h e c a jo le d F ra n cis in to h er c a r, a n d th ey le ft f o r S an F ra n cis c o . “Y ou k now w here w e’r e g o in g?” h e a sk ed . “I d on’t . W hat a re y ou d oin g?” He w as t y pin g f u rio usly in to h is p hone. “ I’m ju st t e llin g e v ery one I ’m n ot c o m in g.” “F in is h ed ?” “Y es.” H e d ro pped h is p hone. “G ood. L et’s d rin k f ir st.” And so th ey p ark ed d ow nto w n a n d fo und a re sta u ra n t th at lo oked so te rrib le , w it h fa d ed a n d u nap petiz in g p ic tu re s o f th e fo od ta p ed h ap haza rd ly to th e w in dow s, th at th ey fig u re d it m ig h t b e c h eap . T hey w ere r ig h t, a n d t h ey a te c u rry a n d d ra n k S in gh a a n d s a t in bam boo c h air s t h at s q ueale d a n d s tr a in ed t o s ta y e re ct. S o m ew here t o w ard t h e e n d o f h er yrst b eer, M ae d ecid ed th at sh e w ould h av e a se co nd, q uic k ly , a n d th at sh ortly a fte r din ner s h e w ould k is s F ra n cis o n t h e s tr e et. They f in is h ed d in ner a n d s h e d id . “T han k y ou,” h e s a id . “D id y ou ju st t h an k m e?” “Y ou ju st s a v ed m e s o m uch in ner tu rm oil. I’v e n ev er m ad e th e y rst m ove in m y lif e . But u su ally it t a k es a w om an w eek s t o f ig u re o ut s h e’l l h av e t o t a k e t h e in it ia tiv e.” Again M ae h ad th e fe elin g o f b ein g clu bbed w it h in fo rm atio n th at co m plic a te d h er fe elin gs a b out F ra n cis , w ho s e em ed s o s w eet o ne m om en t a n d s o s tr a n ge a n d u n y lt e re d th e n ext. Still, b eca u se s h e w as r id in g a t t h e c re st o f a S in gh a w av e, s h e le d h im b y t h e h an d b ack to h er c a r, w here t h ey k is se d m ore , w hile p ark ed o n a v ery b usy in te rse ctio n. A h om ele ss man w as w atc h in g th em , as an an th ro polo gis t w ould , fr o m th e sid ew alk , m im in g th e ta k in g o f n ote s. “L et’s g o ,” sh e sa id , a n d th ey le ft th e ca r, a n d w an dere d th ro ugh th e cit y , y ndin g a Jap an ese so uven ir sh op o pen , a n d, n ext to it , a ls o open , a g alle ry fu ll o f p hoto re alis tic pain tin gs o f g ig an tic h um an h au nch es. “B ig p ic tu re s o f b ig a sse s,” F ra n cis n ote d , a s th ey fo und a b en ch , in a n a lle y -t u rn ed – pia zza , th e s tr e etla m ps a b ove g iv in g it th e lo ok o f b lu e m oonlig h t. “ T hat w as r e al a rt. I co uld n’t b elie v e t h ey h ad n’t s o ld a n yth in g y et.” Mae k is se d h im a gain . S h e w as in a k is sin g m ood, a n d k now in g th at F ra n cis w ould n’t mak e a n y a ggre ssiv e m oves, s h e f e lt a t e ase , k is sin g h im m ore , k now in g it w ould b e o nly kis sin g to nig h t. S h e th re w h erse lf in to th e k is sin g, m ak in g it m ean lu st, a n d fr ie n dsh ip , an d th e p ossib ilit y o f lo ve, a n d k is se d h im w hile th in kin g o f h is fa ce , w onderin g if h is ey es w ere o pen , if h e ca re d a b out th e p asse rsb y w ho clu ck ed o r w ho h oote d b ut still passe d b y. In t h e d ay s t h at f o llo w ed , M ae k new t h at it c o uld b e t r u e, t h at t h e s u n c o uld b e h er h alo , th at t h e le av es c o uld e xis t t o m arv el a t h er e v ery s te p , t o u rg e h er o n, t o c o ngra tu la te h er on th is F ra n cis , w hat th e tw o o f th em h ad d one. T hey h ad c e le b ra te d th eir sh im merin g youth , th eir fr e ed om , th eir w et m outh s, an d had done so in public , fu ele d by th e know le d ge th at w hate v er h ard sh ip s th ey h ad fa ce d o r w ould fa ce , th ey w ere w ork in g a t th e c e n te r o f th e w orld a n d tr y in g m ig h tily to im pro ve it . T hey h ad r e aso n to fe el g o od. Mae w ondere d if s h e w as in lo ve. N o, s h e k new s h e w as n ot in lo ve, b ut s h e w as, s h e f e lt , at le ast h alf w ay . T hat w eek , s h e a n d F ra n cis a te lu nch t o geth er o fte n , e v en if b rie { y, a n d afte r t h ey a te , t h ey f o und a p la ce t o le an a gain st e ach o th er a n d k is s. O nce it w as u nder a yre exit beh in d th e Pale o zo ic . O nce it w as in th e R om an E m pir e , b eh in d th e p ad dle co urts . S h e lo ved h is ta ste , a lw ay s cle an , sim ple lik e le m on w ate r, a n d h ow h e w ould re m ove h is g la sse s, lo ok b rie { y lo st, t h en w ould c lo se h is e y es a n d lo ok a lm ost b eau tif u l, his f a ce a s s m ooth a n d u nco m plic a te d a s a c h ild ’s . H av in g h im n ear b ro ugh t a n ew c ra ck le to t h e d ay s. E very th in g w as a sto undin g. E atin g w as a sto undin g, u nder t h e b rig h t s u n, t h e heat of his sh ir t, his han ds on her an kle . W alk in g w as asto undin g. Sit tin g in th e Enlig h te n m en t w as a sto undin g, a s th ey w ere n ow d oin g, a w ait in g D re am F rid ay in th e Gre at H all. “P ay a tte n tio n,” F ra n cis s a id . “ I r e ally t h in k y ou’l l lik e t h is .” Fra n cis w ould n’t te ll M ae w hat th e su bje ct o f th at F rid ay ’s in novatio n ta lk w as. T he sp eak er, G us K haze n i, h ad a p pare n tly b een p art o f F ra n cis ’s c h ild s a fe ty p ro je ct b efo re h e sp un o , fo ur m onth s a go , to h ead u p a n ew u nit . T oday w ould b e h is y rst a ir in g o f h is fin din gs a n d n ew p la n . Mae a n d F ra n cis sa t n ear th e fr o nt, a t G us’s re q uest. H e w an te d to se e so m e fr ie n dly fa ce s a s h e s p oke, fo r th e y rst tim e, in th e G re at H all, F ra n cis s a id . M ae tu rn ed to s c a n th e cro w d, se ein g D an a fe w ro w s back , an d R en ata an d Sab in e, sit tin g to geth er, co nce n tr a tin g o n a t a b le t la id b etw een t h em . Eam on B aile y s te p ped o nto t h e s ta ge t o w arm a p pla u se . “W ell, w e re ally h av e a tr e at fo r y ou to day ,” h e sa id . “M ost o f y ou k now o ur lo ca l tr e asu re a n d ja ck -o f-a ll-t r a d es, G us K haze n i. A nd m ost o f y ou k now h e h ad a n in sp ir a tio n a w hile b ack th at w e u rg ed h im to fo llo w . T oday h e’l l d o a b it o f a p re se n ta tio n, a n d I th in k y ou’l l re ally lik e it .” A nd w it h th at, h e c e d ed th e sta ge to G us, w ho h ad th e o dd co m bin atio n o f p re te rn atu ra lly g o od lo oks a n d a tim id , m ouse -lik e dem ean or. O r a t le ast it s e em ed t h at w ay , a s h e p it te re d a cro ss t h e s ta ge lik e h e w as t ip -t o ein g. “O kay , if y ou’r e lik e m e, y ou’r e sin gle a n d p ath etic a n d fo re v er a d is a p poin tm en t to your P ersia n m oth er a n d f a th er a n d g ra n dpare n ts , w ho s e e y ou a s a f a ilu re f o r n ot h av in g a m ate a n d c h ild re n b y n ow b eca u se y ou’r e p ath etic .” Lau gh s f r o m t h e a u die n ce . “D id I u se th e w ord p ath etic tw ic e ?” M ore la u gh te r. “ If m y fa m ily w as h ere , it w ould hav e b een m an y m ore t im es. “O kay ,” G us co ntin ued , “b ut le t’s sa y y ou w an t to p le ase y our fa m ily , an d m ay be yourse lf t o o, b y f in din g a m ate . A nyone in te re ste d in f in din g a m ate h ere ?” A f e w h an ds r o se u p. “O h c ’m on. Y ou lia rs. I h ap pen to k now th at 6 7 p erc e n t o f th is c o m pan y is u nm arrie d . So I ’m t a lk in g t o y ou. T he o th er 3 3 p erc e n t c a n g o t o h ell.” Mae la u gh ed o ut lo ud. G us’s d eliv ery w as p erfe ct. S h e le an ed o ver to F ra n cis . “ I lo ve th is g u y.” He c o ntin ued : “ N ow m ay be y ou tr ie d o th er d atin g s it e s. A nd le t’s s a y y ou’r e m atc h ed up, a n d th at’s a ll g o od, a n d y ou’r e h ead ed o ut fo r a re n dezv ous. A ll g o od, th e fa m ily ’s hap py, t h ey b rie fly e n te rta in t h e id ea t h at y ou’r e n ot a w orth le ss u se o f t h eir s h are d D NA. “N ow , th e se co nd y ou a sk so m eo ne o ut, y ou’r e sc re w ed , rig h t? A ctu ally , y ou’r e n ot sc re w ed . Y ou’r e c e lib ate , b ut y ou w an t t o c h an ge t h at. S o y ou s p en d t h e r e st o f t h e w eek str e ssin g o ver w here to ta k e th em — fo od, c o nce rt, w ax m use u m ? S o m e k in d o f d ungeo n? You h av e n o id ea. T he w ro ng c h oic e a n d y ou’r e a n id io t. Y ou k now t h at y ou hav e a w id e varie ty o f ta ste s, th in gs y ou lik e, a n d th ey p ro bab ly d o, to o, b ut th at y rst c h oic e is to o im porta n t. Y ou need help to se n d th e rig h t m essa ge— th e m essa ge bein g th at you’r e se n sit iv e, in tu it iv e, d ecis iv e, y ou h av e g o od t a ste a n d y ou’r e p erfe ct.” The cro w d w as la u gh in g; th ey h ad n’t sto pped la u gh in g. T he sc re en b eh in d G us n ow sh ow ed a g rid o f ic o ns, w it h in fo rm atio n lis te d c le arly b elo w e ach . M ae c o uld m ak e o ut what se em ed to be sy m bols fo r a re sta u ra n t, fo r m ovie s, m usic , sh oppin g, outd oor activ it ie s, b each es. “O kay ,” G us c o ntin ued , “ so c h eck t h is o ut a n d r e m em ber it ’s ju st a b eta v ersio n. T his is ca lle d LuvLuv. O kay , m ay be th at nam e su ck s. A ctu ally , I know it su ck s an d w e’r e work in g o n it . B ut t h is is h ow it w ork s. W hen y ou’v e f o und s o m eo ne, a n d y ou h av e t h eir nam e, y ou m ad e c o nta ct, y ou h av e a d ate p la n ned — th is is w hen L uvLuv c o m es in . M ay be you’v e a lr e ad y m em oriz e d th eir d atin g-s it e p age, th eir p erso nal p age, a ll th eir fe ed s. B ut th is L uvLuv g iv es y ou a n e n tir e ly d i ere n t s e t o f in fo rm atio n. S o y ou fe ed in y our d ate ’s nam e. T hat’s t h e s ta rt. T hen L uvLuv s c a n s t h e w eb a n d u se s s o m e h ig h -p ow ere d a n d v ery su rg ic a l s e arc h m ach in ery to e n su re th at y ou d on’t m ak e a n a ss o ut o f y ourse lf a n d th at you m ig h t y nd lo ve a n d p ro duce g ra n dch ild re n fo r y our b ab a, w ho th in ks y ou m ig h t b e ste rile .” “Y ou’r e a w eso m e, G us!” a w om an ’s v oic e y elle d f r o m t h e a u die n ce . “T han k y ou! W ill y ou g o o ut w it h m e?” h e s a id , a n d w ait e d fo r a n a n sw er. W hen th e wom an w en t q uie t, h e sa id , “ S ee, th is is w hy I n eed h elp . N ow , to te st th is so ftw are , I th in k w e r e q uir e a n a ctu al p erso n w ho w an ts to y nd o ut m ore a b out a n a ctu al p ote n tia l ro m an tic in te re st. C an I h av e a v olu nte er? ” Gus lo oked o ut t o t h e a u die n ce , t h eatr ic a lly p eerin g a ro und w it h h is h an d s h ie ld in g h is ey es. “N o o ne? O h w ait . I s e e a h an d u p.” To M ae’s s h ock a n d h orro r, G us w as lo okin g h er w ay . M ore s p eci y ca lly , h e w as lo okin g at F ra n cis , w hose h an d w as r a is e d . A nd b efo re s h e c o uld s a y a n yth in g t o h im , F ra n cis w as out o f h is s e at a n d h ead ed u p t o t h e s ta ge. “G iv e th is b ra v e v olu nte er a ro und o f a p pla u se !” G us sa id , a n d F ra n cis jo gged u p th e ste p s a n d w as e n velo ped in th e w arm s p otlig h t, n ext to G us. H e h ad n ot lo oked b ack to Mae s in ce h e’d le ft h er s id e. “N ow w hat is y our n am e, s ir ? ” “F ra n cis G ara v en ta .” Mae th ough t s h e’d p uke. W hat w as h ap pen in g? T his is n ’t r e al, s h e s a id to h erse lf . W as he re ally g o in g to ta lk a b out h er o nsta ge? N o, sh e a ssu re d h erse lf . H e’s ju st h elp in g a fr ie n d, a n d t h ey ’l l d o t h eir d em onstr a tio n u sin g f a k e n am es. “N ow F ra n cis ,” G us c o ntin ued , “ a m I t o a ssu m e y ou h av e s o m eo ne y ou’d lik e t o d ate ?” “Y es, G us, t h at is c o rre ct.” Mae, d iz zy a n d te rri y ed , n oneth ele ss c o uld n’t h elp n otic in g th at o nsta ge, F ra n cis w as tr a n sfo rm ed , ju st a s G us h ad b een . H e w as p la y in g a lo ng, sh ow in g h is te eth , a ctin g sh y but d oin g s o w it h g re at c o nfid en ce . “Is t h at p erso n a r e al p erso n?” G us a sk ed . “O f co urse ,” F ra n cis sa id . “I n o lo nger d ate im agin ary p eo ple .” T he cro w d la u gh ed heartily , a n d M ae’s s to m ach d ro pped t o h er s h oes. Oh s h it , s h e t h ough t. Oh s h it . “A nd h er n am e?” “H er n am e is M ae H olla n d,” F ra n cis sa id , a n d fo r th e y rst tim e, lo oked d ow n to h er. Her fa ce w as in h er h an ds, h er e y es p eek in g fr o m u nder h er tr e m blin g y ngers. W it h a n alm ost im perc e p tib le tilt o f h is h ead , h e se em ed to re gis te r th at M ae w asn ’t en tir e ly co m fo rta b le w it h th e p ro ce ed in gs th us fa r, b ut ju st a s so on a s h e a ck now le d ged h er, h e tu rn ed b ack t o G us, g rin nin g lik e a g am e-s h ow h ost. “O kay ,” G us sa id , ty pin g th e n am e in to h is ta b le t, “ M ae H olla n d.” In th e se arc h b ox, her n am e a p peare d in t h re e-f o ot le tte rs o n t h e s c re en . “S o F ra n cis w an ts to g o o ut w it h M ae, a n d h e d oesn ’t w an t to m ak e a n a ss o ut o f him se lf . W hat’s o ne o f t h e f ir st t h in gs h e n eed s t o k now . A nyone?” “A lle rg ie s!” s o m eo ne y elle d . “O kay , a lle rg ie s. I c a n s e arc h f o r t h at.” He c lic k ed o n a n ic o n o f a c a t s n eezin g, a n d im med ia te ly a s ta n za a p peare d b elo w . Lik ely g lu te n a lle rg y Defin it e h orse a lle rg y Moth er h as n ut a lle rg y No o th er lik ely a lle rg ie s “O kay . I c a n c lic k o n a n y o ne o f th ese lis tin gs a n d y nd o ut m ore . L et’s tr y th e g lu te n one.” G us c lic k ed o n t h e y rst lin e, r e v ealin g a m ore c o m ple x a n d d en se s c ro ll o f lin ks a n d te xt b lo ck s. “ N ow a s y ou c a n s e e, L uvLuv h as s e arc h ed e v ery th in g M ae’s e v er p oste d . I t’s co lla te d th is in fo rm atio n a n d a n aly ze d it fo r re le v an ce . M ay be M ae’s m en tio ned g lu te n . May be sh e’s b ough t o r re v ie w ed g lu te n -f r e e p ro ducts . T his w ould in dic a te sh e’s lik ely glu te n -a lle rg ic .” Mae w an te d to le av e th e a u dit o riu m , b ut k new it w ould m ak e m ore o f a sc e n e th an sta y in g. “N ow le t’s lo ok a t th e h orse o ne,” G us s a id , a n d c lic k ed o n th e n ext lis tin g. “ H ere w e ca n m ak e a m ore d e y nit e a sse rtio n, g iv en it ’s fo und th re e in sta n ce s o f m essa ges p oste d th at d ir e ctly s a y , f o r e xam ple , I’m a lle rg ic to h orse s .” “S o d oes t h at h elp y ou?” G us a sk ed . “It d oes,” F ra n cis s a id . “ I w as a b out t o t a k e h er t o s o m e s ta b le s t o e at le av en ed b re ad .” He m ugged t o t h e a u die n ce . “ N ow I k now !” The au die n ce la u gh ed , an d G us n odded , as if to sa y , Are n ’t w e a p air ? “O kay ,” G us co ntin ued , “ n ow n otic e th at th e m en tio ns o f th e h orse a lle rg y w ere w ay b ack in 2 010, fr o m F ace b ook o f a ll p la ce s. F or a ll o f y ou w ho t h ough t it w as s illy o f u s t o p ay w hat w e did fo r F ace b ook’s arc h iv es, ta k e h eed ! O kay , n o alle rg ie s. B ut ch eck th is o ut, rig h t nearb y. T his is w hat I h ad in m in d n ext— fo od. D id y ou th in k y ou m ig h t ta k e h er o ut to eat, F ra n cis ? ” Fra n cis a n sw ere d g am ely . “Y es I d id , G us.” M ae d id n’t re co gn iz e th is m an o n sta ge. Where h ad F ra n cis g o ne? S h e w an te d t o k ill t h is v ersio n o f h im . “O kay , t h is is w here t h in gs u su ally g et u gly a n d s tu pid . T here ’s n oth in g w orse t h an t h e back a n d f o rth : ‘W here d o y ou w an t t o e at? ’ ‘O h, a n yth in g’s y ne.’ ‘N o, r e ally . W hat’s y our pre fe re n ce ?’ ‘D oesn ’t m atte r t o m e. W hat’s y ours? ’ N o m ore o f t h at b ull … s h it e . L uvLuv bre ak s it dow n fo r you. A ny tim e sh e’s poste d , an y tim e sh e’s lik ed or dis lik ed a re sta u ra n t, a n y t im e s h e’s men tio n ed f o od— it a ll g ets r a n ked a n d s o rte d a n d I e n d u p w it h a lis t lik e t h is .” He c lic k ed o n th e fo od ic o n, w hic h r e v eale d a n um ber o f s u bse t lis ts , w it h r a n kin gs o f ty pe o f fo od, n am es o f re sta u ra n ts , re sta u ra n ts by cit y a n d b y n eig h borh ood. T he lis ts were u nca n ny in th eir a ccu ra cy . T hey e v en fe atu re d th e p la ce s h e a n d F ra n cis h ad e ate n earlie r t h at w eek . “N ow I clic k o n th e p la ce I lik e, a n d if sh e p aid th ro ugh T ru Y ou, I k now w hat sh e ord ere d la st tim e sh e a te th ere . C lic k h ere a n d se e th e sp ecia ls fo r th ose re sta u ra n ts o n Frid ay , w hen our date w ill hap pen . H ere ’s th e av era ge w ait fo r a ta b le th at day . Unce rta in ty e lim in ate d .” Gus w en t o n a n d o n th ro ugh out th e p re se n ta tio n, in to M ae’s p re fe re n ce s fo r y lm s, fo r outd oor sp ace s to w alk o n a n d jo g th ro ugh , to fa v orit e sp orts , fa v orit e v is ta s. It w as accu ra te , m ost o f it , a n d w hile G us a n d F ra n cis h am med it u p o nsta ge, a n d th e a u die n ce gre w e v er-m ore im pre sse d w it h th e so ftw are , M ae h ad y rst h id den b eh in d h er h an ds, th en su nk to th e lo w est-p ossib le p la ce in h er se at, a n d y nally , w hen sh e fe lt th at a n y mom en t sh e’d b e a sk ed to g et o nsta ge to c o n y rm th e g re at p ow er o f th is n ew to ol, sh e slip ped o ut o f h er s e at, a cro ss th e a is le , o ut th e a u dit o riu m ’s s id e d oor a n d in to th e { at whit e lig h t o f a n o verc a st a fte rn oon. “I’m s o rry .” Mae c o uld n’t lo ok a t h im . “M ae. S o rry . I d on’t u ndersta n d w hy y ou’r e s o m ad .” Sh e d id n ot w an t h im n ear h er. S h e w as b ack a t h er d esk , a n d h e’d f o llo w ed h er t h ere , sta n din g over her lik e so m e ca rrio n bir d . Sh e did n’t gla n ce at him , beca u se besid es lo ath in g h im a n d y ndin g h is f a ce w eak a n d h is e y es s h if ty , b esid es b ein g s u re s h e’d n ev er need to s e e th at w re tc h ed fa ce a gain , s h e h ad w ork to d o. T he a fte rn oon c h ute h ad b een open ed a n d th e { ow w as h eav y. “W e ca n ta lk la te r,” sh e sa id to h im , b ut sh e h ad n o in te n tio n o f t a lk in g t o h im a gain , t h at d ay o r a n y d ay . T here w as r e lie f in t h at c e rta in ty . Even tu ally h e le ft, a t le ast h is c o rp ore al se lf le ft, b ut h e a p peare d in m in ute s, o n h er th ir d s c re en , p le ad in g f o r f o rg iv en ess. H e t o ld h er h e k new h e s h ould n’t h av e s p ru ng it o n her, b ut th at G us h ad in sis te d o n it b ein g a su rp ris e . H e se n t fo rty o r y fty m essa ges th ro ugh out th e a fte rn oon, a p olo giz in g, te llin g h er w hat a b ig h it sh e w as, h ow it w ould hav e b een e v en b ette r if s h e’d g o tte n o nsta ge, b eca u se p eo ple w ere c la p pin g fo r h er. H e assu re d h er th at e v ery th in g th at h ad b een o nsc re en w as p ublic ly a v aila b le , n one o f it em barra ssin g, a ll o f it c u lle d f r o m t h in gs s h e’d p oste d h erse lf , a fte r a ll. And M ae k new a ll t h is t o b e t r u e. S h e w asn ’t a n gry a t t h e r e v ela tio n o f h er a lle rg ie s. O r her fa v orit e fo ods. S h e h ad o pen ly o ere d th is in fo rm atio n fo r m an y y ears, a n d s h e fe lt th at o erin g h er p re fe re n ce s, a n d r e ad in g a b out o th ers’, w as o ne o f th e th in gs s h e lo ved ab out h er lif e o nlin e. So w hat h ad s o m orti y ed h er d urin g G us’s p re se n ta tio n? S h e c o uld n’t p ut h er y nger o n it . W as it o nly t h e s u rp ris e o f it ? W as it t h e p in poin t a ccu ra cy o f t h e a lg o rit h m s? M ay be. But th en a gain , it w asn ’t e n tir e ly a ccu ra te , s o w as th at th e p ro ble m ? H av in g a m atr ix o f pre fe re n ce s p re se n te d a s y our e sse n ce , a s t h e w hole y ou? M ay be t h at w as it . I t w as s o m e kin d o f m ir ro r, b ut it w as in co m ple te , d is to rte d . A nd if F ra n cis w an te d a n y o r a ll o f th at in fo rm atio n, w hy co uld n’t h e ju st ask h er? H er th ir d sc re en , th ough , a ll a fte rn oon w as fille d w it h c o ngra tu la to ry m essa ges. You ’r e a w eso m e, M ae . Good jo b, n ew bie . No h orse b ack r id es fo r y ou . M aybe a lla m a? Sh e p ush ed th ro ugh th e a fte rn oon a n d d id n’t n otic e h er b lin kin g p hone till a fte r y ve. Sh e’d m is se d th re e m essa ges fr o m h er m oth er. W hen sh e lis te n ed to th em , th ey a ll sa id th e s a m e t h in g: “ C om e h om e.” As s h e d ro ve o ver t h e h ills a n d t h ro ugh t h e t u nnel, h ead in g e ast, s h e c a lle d h er m om a n d go t t h e d eta ils . H er f a th er h ad h ad a s e iz u re , h ad g o ne t o t h e h osp it a l, w as a sk ed t o s p en d th e n ig h t fo r o bse rv atio n. M ae w as to ld to d riv e d ir e ctly th ere , b ut w hen s h e a rriv ed , h e was g o ne. S h e c a lle d h er m oth er. “W here is h e?” “H om e. S o rry . W e ju st g o t h ere . I d id n’t t h in k y ou’d g et o ut h ere s o s o on. H e’s f in e.” So M ae d ro ve h om e, a n d w hen s h e a rriv ed , b re ath le ss a n d a n gry a n d s c a re d , s h e s a w Merc e r’s T oyota p ic k up in th e d riv ew ay , a n d th is se n t h er in to a m en ta l b ra m ble . S h e did n’t w an t h im h ere . I t c o m plic a te d a n a lr e ad y g o ry s c e n e. Sh e o pen ed th e d oor a n d sa w n ot h er p are n ts , b ut M erc e r’s g ia n t sh ap ele ss fo rm . H e was s ta n din g in th e fo yer. E very tim e s h e s a w h im a gain a fte r tim e a p art s h e w as ja rre d by h ow b ig h e w as, h ow lu m py. H is h air w as lo nger n ow , a d din g to h is m ass. H is h ead blo ck ed a ll lig h t. “H eard y our c a r,” h e s a id . H e h ad a p ear in h is h an d. “W hy a re y ou h ere ?” s h e a sk ed . “T hey c a lle d m e t o h elp ,” h e s a id . “D ad ?” S h e r u sh ed p ast M erc e r a n d in to t h e liv in g r o om . T here , her fa th er w as r e stin g, le n gth w is e , o n t h e c o uch , w atc h in g b ase b all o n t h e t e le v is io n. He d id n’t t u rn h is h ead , b ut lo oked h er w ay . “ H ey h on. H eard y ou o ut t h ere .” Mae s a t o n t h e c o ffe e t a b le a n d h eld h is h an d. “ Y ou o kay ?” “I a m . J u st a s c a re , r e ally . It s ta rte d s tr o ng b ut p ete re d o ut.” A lm ost im perc e p tib ly , h e was in ch in g h is h ead f o rw ard , t o s e e a ro und h er. “A re y ou t r y in g t o w atc h t h e g am e?” “N in th in nin g,” h e s a id . Mae m oved o ut o f th e w ay . H er m oth er e n te re d th e r o om . “ W e c a lle d M erc e r to h elp get y our f a th er in to t h e c a r.” “I d id n’t w an t t h e a m bula n ce ,” h er f a th er s a id , s till w atc h in g t h e g am e. “S o w as it a s e iz u re ?” M ae a sk ed . “T hey ’r e n ot s u re ,” M erc e r s a id f r o m t h e k it c h en . “C an I h ear t h e a n sw er f r o m m y o w n p are n ts ? ” M ae c a lle d o ut. “M erc e r w as a lif e sa v er,” h er f a th er s a id . “W hy d id n’t y ou c a ll m e t o s a y it w asn ’t s o s e rio us? ” M ae a sk ed . “It was s e rio us,” h er m oth er s a id . “ T hat’s w hen I c a lle d .” “B ut n ow h e’s w atc h in g b ase b all.” “It’s n ot a s s e rio us n ow ,” h er m oth er s a id , “ b ut f o r a w hile t h ere , w e r e ally d id n’t k now what w as h ap pen in g. S o w e c a lle d M erc e r.” “H e s a v ed m y lif e .” “I d on’t t h in k M erc e r s a v ed y our lif e , D ad .” “I d on’t m ean th at I w as d yin g. B ut y ou k now h ow I h ate th e w hole c ir c u s w it h th e EM Ts a n d th e sir e n s, a n d th e n eig h bors k now in g. We ju st c a lle d M erc e r, h e g o t h ere in fiv e m in ute s, h elp ed g et m e t o t h e c a r, in to t h e h osp it a l, a n d t h at w as t h at. I t m ad e a ll t h e dif fe re n ce .” Mae fu m ed . S h e’d d riv en tw o h ours in a re d p an ic to y nd h er fa th er re la xin g o n th e co uch , w atc h in g b ase b all. S h e’d d riv en t w o h ours t o y nd h er e x in h er h om e, a n oin te d t h e hero o f t h e f a m ily . A nd w hat w as s h e? S h e w as s o m eh ow n eglig en t. S h e w as s u per { uous. It re m in ded h er o f so m an y o f th e th in gs sh e d id n’t lik e a b out M erc e r. H e lik ed to b e co nsid ere d k in d, b ut h e m ad e su re e v ery one k new it , a n d th at d ro ve M ae m ad , a lw ay s hav in g to hear ab out his kin dness, his str a ig h t-u pness, his re lia b ilit y , his boundle ss em path y. B ut w it h her he’d been di } den t, m oody, unav aila b le to o m an y tim es sh e need ed h im . “Y ou w an t so m e c h ic k en ? M erc e r b ro ugh t so m e,” h er m oth er sa id , a n d M ae d ecid ed th at w as a g o od c u e t o u se h er b ath ro om f o r a f e w m in ute s o r t e n . “I’m g o nna c le an u p,” s h e s a id , a n d w en t u psta ir s. Late r, a fte r th ey ’d a ll e ate n , a n d re co unte d th e d ay , e xp la in in g h ow h er fa th er’s v is io n had d im in is h ed to an ala rm in g sta te , an d th e n um bness in h is h an ds h ad w orse n ed — sy m pto m s th e d octo rs s a id w ere n orm al a n d tr e ata b le , o r a t le ast a d dre ssa b le — an d a fte r her p are n ts h ad g o ne to b ed , M ae a n d M erc e r s a t in th e b ack yard , th e h eat s till c o m in g off t h e g ra ss, t h e t r e es, t h e r a in -w ash ed g re y f e n ce s t h at s u rro unded t h em . “T han ks f o r h elp in g,” s h e s a id . “It w as e asy . V in nie ’s lig h te r t h an h e u se d t o b e.” Mae d id n’t lik e th e so und o f th at. Sh e d id n’t w an t h er fa th er to b e lig h te r, easily ca rrie d . S h e c h an ged t h e s u bje ct. “H ow ’s b usin ess? ” “R eally g o od. R eally g o od. I a ctu ally h ad to ta k e o n a n a p pre n tic e la st w eek . Is n ’t th at co ol? I h av e a n a p pre n tic e . A nd y our jo b? G re at? ” Mae w as t a k en a b ack . M erc e r w as r a re ly s o e b ullie n t. “It is g re at,” s h e s a id . “G ood. G ood to h ear. I w as h opin g it ’d w ork o ut. S o y ou’r e d oin g w hat, p ro gra m min g or s o m eth in g?” “I’m in C E. C usto m er E xp erie n ce . I d eal w it h th e a d vertis e rs rig h t n ow . W ait . I sa w so m eth in g a b out y our stu th e o th er d ay . I lo oked y ou u p a n d th ere w as th is c o m men t ab out so m eo ne g ettin g so m eth in g sh ip ped d am aged ? T hey w ere so p is se d . I’m a ssu m in g you s a w t h at.” Merc e r e xh ale d t h eatr ic a lly . “ I d id n’t .” H is f a ce h ad g o ne s o ur. “D on’t w orry ,” s h e s a id . “ It w as ju st s o m e n utjo b.” “A nd n ow it ’s in m y h ead .” “D on’t b la m e m e. I ju st— ” “Y ou ju st m ad e m e a w are t h at t h ere ’s s o m e k ook o ut t h ere w ho h ate s m e a n d w an ts t o hurt m y b usin ess.” “T here w ere o th er c o m men ts , t o o, a n d m ost o f t h em w ere n ic e . T here w as a ctu ally o ne re ally f u nny o ne.” S h e b egan s c ro llin g t h ro ugh h er p hone. “M ae. P le ase . I ’m a sk in g y ou n ot t o r e ad it .” “H ere it is : ‘A ll t h ose p oor d eer a n tle rs d ie d f o r t h is s h it ? ’ ” “M ae, I a sk ed y ou n ot t o r e ad m e t h at.” “ What? I t w as f u nny!” “H ow c a n I a sk y ou n ot t o d o t h at in a w ay w here y ou’l l r e sp ect m y w is h es? ” This w as th e M erc e r M ae re m em bere d an d co uld n’t sta n d— pric k ly , m oody, hig h – han ded . “W hat a re y ou t a lk in g a b out? ” Merc e r t o ok a d eep b re ath , a n d M ae k new h e w as a b out t o g iv e a s p eech . I f t h ere w as a podiu m b efo re h im , h e’d b e ste p pin g u p to it , re m ovin g h is p ap ers fr o m h is sp ortc o at pock et. T w o y ears o f c o m munit y c o lle ge a n d h e th ough t h e w as s o m e k in d o f p ro fe sso r. He’d g iv en h er sp eech es a b out o rg an ic a lly so urc e d b eef, a b out th e e arly w ork o f K in g Crim so n, a n d e ach tim e it sta rte d w it h th is d eep b re ath , a b re ath th at sa id Settle in , th is will ta ke a w hile a n d w ill b lo w y ou r m in d . “M ae, I h av e t o a sk y ou t o — ” “I k now , y ou w an t m e t o s to p r e ad in g y ou c u sto m er c o m men ts . F in e.” “N o, t h at’s n ot w hat I w as— ” “Y ou wan t m e t o r e ad t h em t o y ou?” “M ae, h ow a b out if y ou ju st le t m e y nis h m y se n te n ce ? T hen y ou’l l k now w hat I’m sa y in g. Y ou gu essin g th e en d o f ev ery o ne o f m y se n te n ce s is n ev er h elp fu l, b eca u se you’r e n ev er r ig h t.” “B ut y ou t a lk s o slo w .” “I t a lk n orm ally . Y ou’v e ju st g o tte n im patie n t.” “O kay . G o.” “B ut n ow y ou’r e h yperv en tila tin g.” “I g u ess I ’m ju st s o e asily b ore d b y t h is .” “B y t a lk in g.” “B y t a lk in g in s lo w m otio n.” “C an I s ta rt n ow ? I t’l l t a k e t h re e m in ute s. C an y ou g iv e m e t h re e m in ute s, M ae?” “F in e.” “T hre e m in ute s w here y ou w on’t k now w hat I’m ab out to sa y , o kay ? It w ill b e a su rp ris e .” “O kay .” “A ll r ig h t. M ae, w e h av e t o c h an ge h ow w e in te ra ct. E very t im e I s e e o r h ear f r o m y ou, it ’s th ro ugh th is y lt e r. Y ou s e n d m e lin ks, y ou q uote s o m eo ne ta lk in g a b out m e, y ou s a y you sa w a p ic tu re o f m e o n so m eo ne’s w all.… It’s a lw ay s th is th ir d -p arty a ssa u lt . E ven when I ’m t a lk in g t o y ou f a ce -t o -f a ce y ou’r e t e llin g m e w hat s o m e s tr a n ger t h in ks o f m e. I t beco m es lik e w e’r e n ev er a lo ne. E very tim e I s e e y ou, th ere ’s a h undre d o th er p eo ple in th e r o om . Y ou’r e a lw ay s lo okin g a t m e t h ro ugh a h undre d o th er p eo ple ’s e y es.” “D on’t g et d ra m atic a b out it .” “I ju st w an t to ta lk w it h y ou d ir e ctly . W it h out y ou b rin gin g in e v ery o th er s tr a n ger in th e w orld w ho m ig h t h av e a n o pin io n a b out m e.” “I d on’t d o t h at.” “Y ou d o, M ae. A fe w m onth s a go , y ou r e ad s o m eth in g a b out m e, a n d r e m em ber th is ? When I s a w y ou, y ou w ere s o s ta n doffis h .” “T hat’s b eca u se t h ey s a id y ou w ere u sin g e n dan gere d s p ecie s f o r y our w ork !” “B ut I ’v e n ev er d one t h at.” “W ell, h ow a m I s u ppose d t o k now t h at? ” “Y ou ca n ask m e! A ctu ally a sk me . Y ou k now h ow w eir d th at is , th at y ou, m y fr ie n d an d e x-g ir lf r ie n d, g ets h er in fo rm atio n a b out m e fr o m s o m e r a n dom p erso n w ho’s n ev er met m e? A nd th en I h av e to s it a cro ss fr o m y ou a n d it ’s lik e w e’r e lo okin g a t e ach o th er th ro ugh t h is s tr a n ge f o g.” “F in e. S o rry .” “W ill y ou p ro m is e m e t o s to p d oin g t h is ? ” “S to p r e ad in g o nlin e?” “I d on’t c a re w hat y ou r e ad . B ut w hen y ou a n d I c o m munic a te , I w an t t o d o it d ir e ctly . You w rit e to m e, I w rit e to y ou. Y ou a sk m e q uestio ns, a n d I a n sw er th em . Y ou sto p gettin g n ew s a b out m e f r o m t h ir d p artie s.” “B ut M erc e r, you ru n a busin ess. Y ou need to partic ip ate onlin e. T hese are your cu sto m ers, an d th is is how th ey exp re ss th em se lv es, an d how you know if you’r e su cce ed in g.” M ae’s m in d c h urn ed th ro ugh a h alf -d oze n C ir c le to ols s h e k new w ould h elp his b usin ess, b ut M erc e r w as a n u ndera ch ie v er. A n u ndera ch ie v er w ho s o m eh ow m an aged to b e s m ug a b out it . “S ee, th at’s n ot tr u e, M ae. It’s n ot tr u e. I k now I’m su cce ssfu l if I se ll c h an delie rs. If peo ple o rd er th em , th en I m ak e th em , a n d th ey p ay m e m oney fo r th em . If th ey h av e so m eth in g to sa y a fte rw ard , th ey c a n c a ll m e o r w rit e m e. I m ean , a ll th is stu y ou’r e in volv ed in , it ’s a ll g o ssip . It’s p eo ple ta lk in g a b out e ach o th er b eh in d th eir b ack s. T hat’s th e v ast m ajo rit y o f th is s o cia l m ed ia , a ll th ese r e v ie w s, a ll th ese c o m men ts . Y our to ols hav e ele v ate d go ssip , hearsa y an d co nje ctu re to th e le v el of valid , m ain str e am co m munic a tio n. A nd b esid es t h at, it ’s f u ck in g d ork y.” Mae e xh ale d t h ro ugh h er n ostr ils . “I lo ve it w hen y ou d o th at,” h e sa id . “ D oes th at m ean y ou h av e n o a n sw er? L is te n , tw en ty y ears a go , it w asn ’t s o c o ol t o h av e a c a lc u la to r w atc h , r ig h t? A nd s p en din g a ll d ay in sid e p la y in g w it h y our c a lc u la to r w atc h s e n t a c le ar m essa ge th at y ou w ere n ’t d oin g s o well s o cia lly . A nd ju dgm en ts lik e ‘l ik e’ a n d ‘d is lik e’ a n d ‘s m ile s’ a n d ‘f r o w ns’ w ere lim it e d to ju nio r h ig h . S o m eo ne w ould w rit e a n ote a n d it w ould s a y , ‘D o y ou lik e u nic o rn s a n d stic k ers? ’ a n d y ou’d s a y , ‘Y eah , I lik e u nic o rn s a n d s tic k ers! S m ile !’ T hat k in d o f t h in g. B ut now it ’s n ot ju st ju nio r h ig h k id s w ho d o it , it ’s e v ery one, a n d it s e em s to m e s o m etim es I’v e e n te re d s o m e in verte d z o ne, s o m e m ir ro r w orld w here t h e d ork ie st s h it in t h e w orld is c o m ple te ly d om in an t. T he w orld h as d ork if ie d it s e lf .” “M erc e r, is it im porta n t t o y ou t o b e c o ol? ” “D o I lo ok lik e it is ? ” H e p asse d a h an d o ver h is e xp an din g s to m ach , h is to rn fa tig u es. “C le arly I’m n o m aste r o f c o ol. B ut I re m em ber w hen y ou’d se e J o hn W ay ne o r S te v e McQ ueen a n d y ou’d s a y , W ow , th ose g u ys a re b ad ass. T hey r id e h orse s a n d m oto rc y cle s an d w an der t h e e arth r ig h tin g w ro ngs.” Mae c o uld n’t h elp b ut la u gh . S h e s a w t h e t im e o n h er p hone. “ It’s b een m ore t h an t h re e min ute s.” Merc e r p lo w ed o n. “ N ow th e m ovie s ta rs b eg p eo ple to fo llo w th eir Z in g fe ed s. T hey se n d p le ad in g m essa ges a sk in g e v ery one to sm ile a t th em . A nd h oly fu ck , th e m ailin g lis ts ! E very one’s a ju nk m aile r. Y ou k now h ow I sp en d a n h our e v ery d ay ? T hin kin g o f way s to u nsu bsc rib e to m ailin g lis ts w it h out h urtin g a n yone’s fe elin gs. T here ’s th is n ew need in ess— it perv ad es ev ery th in g.” H e sig h ed as if he’d m ad e so m e very im porta n t poin ts . “ It’s ju st a v ery d if fe re n t p la n et.” “It’s d i ere n t in a g o od w ay ,” M ae s a id . “ T here a re a th ousa n d w ay s it ’s b ette r, a n d I ca n lis t th em . B ut I ca n ’t h elp it if y ou’r e n ot so cia l. I m ean , y our so cia l n eed s a re so min im al— ” “It’s n ot th at I’m n ot so cia l. I’m so cia l e n ough . B ut th e to ols y ou g u ys c re ate a ctu ally man ufa ctu re u nnatu ra lly e xtr e m e so cia l n eed s. N o o ne n eed s th e le v el o f c o nta ct y ou’r e purv ey in g. It im pro ves n oth in g. It’s n ot n ouris h in g. It’s lik e sn ack fo od. Y ou k now h ow th ey e n gin eer th is fo od? T hey sc ie n ti y ca lly d ete rm in e p re cis e ly h ow m uch sa lt a n d fa t th ey n eed to in clu de to k eep y ou e atin g. Y ou’r e n ot h ungry , y ou d on’t n eed th e fo od, it does n oth in g fo r y ou, b ut y ou k eep eatin g th ese em pty ca lo rie s. T his is w hat y ou’r e push in g. S am e th in g. E ndle ss e m pty ca lo rie s, b ut th e d ig it a l-s o cia l e q uiv ale n t. A nd y ou ca lib ra te it s o it ’s e q ually a d dic tiv e.” “O h J esu s.” “Y ou k now h ow y ou y nis h a b ag o f ch ip s a n d y ou h ate y ourse lf ? Y ou k now y ou’v e done n oth in g g o od fo r y ourse lf . T hat’s th e s a m e fe elin g, a n d y ou k now it is , a fte r s o m e dig it a l b in ge. Y ou f e el w aste d a n d h ollo w a n d d im in is h ed .” “I n ev er f e el d im in is h ed .” M ae t h ough t o f t h e p etit io n s h e’d s ig n ed t h at d ay , t o d em an d more jo b o pportu nit ie s fo r im mig ra n ts liv in g in th e su burb s o f P aris . It w as e n erg iz in g an d w ould hav e im pact. But M erc e r did n’t know ab out th is , or an yth in g M ae did , an yth in g t h e C ir c le d id , a n d s h e w as t o o s ic k o f h im t o e xp la in it a ll. “A nd it ’s e lim in ate d m y a b ilit y t o ju st t a lk t o y ou.” H e w as s till t a lk in g. “ I m ean , I c a n ’t se n d y ou e m ails , b eca u se y ou im med ia te ly fo rw ard th em to so m eo ne e ls e . I c a n ’t se n d you a p hoto , b eca u se y ou p ost it o n y our o w n p ro y le . A nd m ean w hile , y our c o m pan y is sc a n nin g a ll o f o ur m essa ges fo r in fo rm atio n th ey c a n m onetiz e . D on’t y ou th in k th is is in sa n e?” Mae lo oked a t h is f a t f a ce . H e w as t h ic k en in g e v ery w here . H e s e em ed t o b e d ev elo pin g jo w ls . C ould a m an o f t w en ty – y ve a lr e ad y h av e jo w ls ? N o w onder s n ack f o od w as o n h is min d. “T han ks f o r h elp in g m y d ad ,” s h e s a id , a n d w en t in sid e a n d wait e d fo r h im to le av e. It to ok h im a fe w m in ute s to d o s o — he in sis te d o n y nis h in g h is b eer— but s o on e n ough h e did , a n d M ae t u rn ed o ut t h e d ow nsta ir s lig h ts , w en t t o h er o ld r o om a n d d ro pped h erse lf in to h er b ed . S h e c h eck ed h er m essa ges, f o und a f e w d oze n t h at n eed ed h er a tte n tio n, a n d th en , b eca u se it w as o nly n in e o ’c lo ck a n d h er p are n ts w ere a lr e ad y a sle ep , s h e lo gged o n to her C ir c le acco unt an d han dle d a fe w doze n querie s, fe elin g, w it h ev ery fu l y lle d re q uest, t h at s h e w as c le an in g t h e M erc e r o ff o f h erse lf . B y m id nig h t s h e f e lt r e b orn . On S atu rd ay M ae w oke in h er o ld b ed , a n d a fte r b re ak fa st, sh e sa t w it h h er fa th er, th e tw o o f th em w atc h in g w om en ’s p ro fe ssio nal b ask etb all, so m eth in g h e’d ta k en to d oin g wit h gre at en th usia sm . T hey w aste d th e re st of th e day pla y in g ca rd s, an d ru nnin g erra n ds, a n d to geth er c o oked a c h ic k en -s a u té d is h h er p are n ts h ad le arn ed a t a c o okin g cla ss t h ey ’d t a k en a t t h e Y . On S u nday m orn in g, t h e r o utin e w as t h e s a m e: M ae s le p t in , f e elin g le ad en a n d f e elin g go od a b out it , a n d w an dere d in to th e T V ro om , w here h er fa th er w as a gain w atc h in g so m e W NBA gam e. T his tim e h e w as w earin g a th ic k w hit e ro be a fr ie n d o f h is h ad pilf e re d f r o m a L os A ngele s h ote l. Her m oth er w as o uts id e, u sin g d uct ta p e to r e p air a p la stic g arb age c a n th at r a cco ons had d am aged w hile tr y in g to e xtr a ct it s c o nte n ts . M ae w as fe elin g d ull-w it te d , h er b ody re lu cta n t to d o a n yth in g b ut re clin e. S h e h ad b een , sh e re aliz e d , o n c o nsta n t a le rt fo r a fu ll w eek , a n d h ad n’t s le p t m ore t h an y ve h ours o n a n y g iv en n ig h t. S im ply sit tin g in h er pare n ts ’ d im liv in g r o om , w atc h in g th is b ask etb all g am e, w hic h m ean t n oth in g to h er, a ll th ose p onyta ils a n d b ra id s le ap in g, a ll th at sq ueak in g o f sn eak ers, w as re sto ra tiv e a n d su blim e. “Y ou th in k y ou c a n h elp m e u p, S w eet P ea?” h er fa th er a sk ed . H is y sts w ere d eep in th e c o uch , b ut h e c o uld n’t lif t h im se lf . T he c u sh io ns w ere t o o d eep . Mae g o t u p a n d r e ach ed f o r h is h an d b ut w hen s h e d id , s h e h eard a f a in t liq uid s o und. “M oth er-b asta rd ,” h e s a id , a n d b egan t o s it d ow n a gain . T hen h e a d ju ste d h is t r a je cto ry , an d le an ed o n h is s id e, a s if h e’d ju st r e m em bere d t h ere w as s o m eth in g f r a gile h e c o uld n’t sit o n. “C an y ou g et y our m oth er? ” h e a sk ed , h is t e eth c le n ch ed , h is e y es c lo se d . “W hat’s w ro ng?” M ae a sk ed . He o pen ed h is e y es, a n d th ere w as a n u nfa m ilia r fu ry in th em . “ P le ase ju st g et y our moth er.” “I’m r ig h t h ere . L et m e h elp ,” s h e s a id . S h e r e ach ed f o r h is h an d a gain . H e s w atte d h er aw ay . “G et. Y our. M oth er.” And t h en t h e s m ell h it h er. H e’d s o ile d h im se lf . He e xh ale d lo udly , c o m posin g h im se lf . N ow w it h a s o fte r v oic e h e s a id , “ P le ase . P le ase dear. G et M om .” Mae r a n to th e fr o nt d oor. S h e fo und h er m oth er b y th e g ara ge a n d to ld h er w hat h ad hap pen ed . M ae’s m oth er d id n ot r u sh in sid e. I n ste ad , s h e h eld M ae’s h an ds in h er o w n. “I t h in k y ou b ette r h ead b ack n ow ,” s h e s a id . “ H e w on’t w an t y ou t o s e e t h is .” “I c a n h elp ,” M ae s a id . “P le ase , h oney . Y ou h av e t o g ra n t h im s o m e d ig n it y .” “B onnie !” H is v oic e b oom ed f r o m in sid e t h e h ouse . Mae’s m oth er g ra b bed h er h an d. “ M ae, s w eetie , ju st g et y our s tu a n d w e’l l s e e y ou in a f e w w eek s, o kay ?” Mae d ro ve b ack t o t h e c o ast, h er b ody s h ak in g w it h r a ge. T hey h ad n o r ig h t t o d o t h at, t o su m mon h er h om e a n d th en ca st h er o ut. S h e d id n’t wan t to sm ell h is sh it ! S h e w ould help , y es, a n y tim e s h e w as a sk ed , b ut n ot if th ey tr e ate d h er th at w ay . A nd M erc e r! H e was s c o ld in g h er in h er o w n h ouse . J esu s C hris t. T he th re e o f th em . M ae h ad d riv en tw o hours th ere , a n d n ow w as d riv in g tw o b ack , a n d w hat h ad s h e g o tte n fo r a ll th is w ork ? Ju st f r u str a tio n. A t n ig h t, le ctu re s f r o m f a t m en , a n d d urin g t h e d ay , s h ooed a w ay b y h er ow n p are n ts . By th e tim e s h e g o t b ack to th e c o ast, it w as 4 :1 4. S h e h ad tim e, s h e th ough t. D id th e pla ce clo se at y ve o r six ? Sh e co uld n’t re m em ber. Sh e sw erv ed o th e h ig h w ay an d to w ard th e m arin a. W hen s h e g o t to th e b each , th e g ate to th e k ay ak -s to ra ge a re as w as open , b ut t h ere w as n o o ne in s ig h t. M ae lo oked a ro und, b etw een t h e r o w s o f k ay ak s a n d pad dle s a n d lif e p re se rv ers. “ H ello ?” s h e s a id . “H ello !” a v oic e s a id . “ O ver h ere . I n t h e t r a ile r.” Beh in d th e ro w s o f e q uip m en t, th ere w as a tr a ile r, o n c in derb lo ck s, a n d th ro ugh th e open d oor, M ae c o uld s e e a m an ’s f e et o n a d esk , a p hone c o rd s tr e tc h in g f r o m a d esk u nit to a n u nse en f a ce . S h e w alk ed u p t h e s te p s, a n d in t h e d ark en ed t r a ile r s h e s a w a m an , in his th ir tie s, b ald in g, h old in g h is in dex y nger u p to h er. M ae c h eck ed h er p hone fo r th e tim e e v ery f e w m in ute s, s e ein g t h e m in ute s s lip a w ay : 4 :2 0, 4 :2 1, 4 :2 3. W hen h e w as o th e p hone, h e s m ile d . “T han ks f o r y our p atie n ce . H ow c a n I h elp ?” “Is M ario n a ro und?” “N o. I ’m h er s o n. W alt .” H e s to od a n d s h ook M ae’s h an d. H e w as t a ll, t h in , s u nburn ed . “N ic e t o m eet y ou. A m I t o o la te ?” “T oo la te f o r w hat? D in ner? ” h e s a id , t h in kin g h e’d m ad e a jo ke. “T o r e n t a k ay ak .” “O h. W ell, w hat t im e is it ? I h av en ’t c h eck ed in a w hile .” Sh e d id n’t h av e t o c h eck . “ 4 :2 6,” s h e s a id . He c le are d h is th ro at a n d s m ile d . “ 4 :2 6, e h ? W ell, w e u su ally c lo se a t y ve, b ut s e ein g as y ou’r e s o g o od w it h t im e, I b et I c a n t r u st y ou t o b rin g it b ack a t 5 :2 2. Y ou t h in k t h at’s fa ir ? T hat’s w hen I h av e t o le av e t o p ic k u p m y d au gh te r.” “T han k y ou,” M ae s a id . “L et’s g et y ou se t u p,” h e sa id . “ W e ju st d ig it iz e d o ur sy ste m . Y ou sa id y ou h av e a n acco unt? ” Mae g av e h im h er n am e, a n d h e t y ped it in to a n ew t a b le t, b ut n oth in g r e gis te re d . A fte r th re e t r ie s, h e r e aliz e d h is w i y w asn ’t w ork in g. “ M ay be I c a n c h eck y ou in o n m y p hone,” he s a id , t a k in g it f r o m h is p ock et. “C an w e d o it w hen I c o m e b ack ?” M ae a sk ed , a n d h e a gre ed , th in kin g it w ould g iv e him tim e to b rin g th e n etw ork b ack u p. H e s e t M ae u p w it h a lif e p re se rv er a n d k ay ak , an d w hen s h e w as o ut o n th e w ate r, s h e c h eck ed h er p hone a gain . 4 :3 2. S h e h ad a lm ost an h our. O n t h e b ay , a n h our w as a lw ay s p le n ty . A n h our w as a d ay . Sh e p ad dle d o ut, a n d th is d ay s a w n o h arb or s e als in th e m arin a, th ough s h e d aw dle d purp ose ly to tr y to d ra w th em o ut. S h e m ad e h er w ay o ver to th e o ld h alf -s u nken p ie r where th ey so m etim es su nned th em se lv es, b ut fo und n one. T here w ere n o h arb or se als , no s e a lio ns, t h e p ie r w as e m pty , a s o le f ilt h y p elic a n s it tin g a to p a p ost. Sh e p ad dle d b ey ond th e tid y y ach ts , b ey ond th e m yste ry s h ip s a n d in to th e o pen b ay . Once t h ere , s h e r e ste d , f e elin g t h e w ate r b en eath h er, s m ooth a n d u ndula tin g lik e g ela tin fa th om s d eep . A s sh e sa t, u nm ovin g, a p air o f h ead s a p peare d tw en ty y ard s in fr o nt o f her. T hey w ere h arb or s e als , a n d w ere lo okin g a t e ach o th er, a s if d ecid in g w heth er t h ey sh ould lo ok a t M ae, in u nis o n. W hic h t h ey p re se n tly d id . They s ta re d a t e ach o th er, t h e t w o s e als a n d M ae, n o o ne b lin kin g, u ntil, a s if r e aliz in g how u nin te re stin g M ae w as, ju st s o m e y gu re u nm ovin g, o ne s e al le an ed in to a w av e a n d dis a p peare d , a n d t h e s e co nd s e al q uic k ly f o llo w ed . Ahead , h alf w ay in to th e b ay , sh e sa w so m eth in g n ew , a m an m ad e sh ap e sh e h ad n’t notic e d b efo re , a n d d ecid ed th at w ould b e h er ta sk th at d ay , to m ak e h er w ay to th e sh ap e an d in vestig ate . Sh e pad dle d clo se r, an d sa w th at th e sh ap e w as actu ally tw o vesse ls , a n a n cie n t y sh in g b oat te th ere d to a sm all b arg e. O n th e b arg e th ere w as a n ela b ora te b ut je rry -r ig ged so rt o f sh elt e r. If th is exis te d an yw here o n la n d, esp ecia lly aro und h ere , it w ould b e d is m an tle d im med ia te ly . It lo oked lik e p ic tu re s sh e’d se en o f Hooverv ille o r s o m e m ak esh if t r e fu gee s e ttle m en t. Mae w as sit tin g, sq uin tin g at th e m ess o f it , w hen , fr o m u nder a b lu e ta rp au lin , a wom an e m erg ed . “O h h ey ,” t h e w om an s a id . “ Y ou c a m e o ut o f n ow here .” S h e w as a b out s ix ty , w it h lo ng whit e h air , f u ll a n d f r a y ed , p ulle d in to a p onyta il. S h e t o ok a f e w s te p s f o rw ard a n d M ae sa w t h at s h e w as y ounger t h an s h e’d a ssu m ed , m ay be e arly y ftie s, h er h air s tr e ak ed w it h blo nd. “H i,” M ae s a id . “ S o rry if I’m g ettin g to o c lo se . T he p eo ple in th e m arin a m ak e a p oin t of t e llin g u s n ot t o d is tu rb y ou g u ys o ut h ere .” “U su ally , t h at’s t h e c a se ,” t h e w om an s a id . “ B ut s e ein g a s w e’r e c o m in g o ut t o h av e o ur ev en in g co ck ta il,” sh e sa id , as sh e se ttle d in to a p la stic w hit e ch air , “y our tim in g is im pecca b le .” S h e c ra n ed h er h ead b ack , s p eak in g to th e b lu e ta rp au lin . “ Y ou g o nna h id e in t h ere ?” “G ettin g th e d rin ks, lo veb ir d ,” a m ale v oic e sa id , h is fo rm still in vis ib le , h is v oic e str a in in g t o b e p olit e . The w om an tu rn ed b ack to M ae. In th e lo w lig h t h er e y es w ere b rig h t, a b it w ic k ed . “Y ou s e em h arm le ss. Y ou w an t t o c o m e a b oard ?” S h e t ilt e d h er h ead , a sse ssin g M ae. Mae pad dle d clo se r, an d w hen sh e did , th e m ale voic e em erg ed fr o m under th e ta rp au lin a n d t o ok o n h um an f o rm . H e w as le ath ery , a b it o ld er t h an h is c o m pan io n, a n d he m oved slo w ly gettin g o ut o f th e b oat an d o nto th e b arg e. H e w as ca rry in g w hat ap peare d t o b e t w o t h erm ose s. “Is s h e jo in in g u s? ” t h e m an a sk ed t h e w om an , d ro ppin g h im se lf in t h e m atc h in g p la stic ch air n ext t o h ers. “I a sk ed h er t o ,” t h e w om an s a id . When M ae w as c lo se e n ough to m ak e o ut th eir fa ce s, sh e c o uld se e th ey w ere c le an , tid y— sh e’d f e are d t h eir c lo th in g w ould c o nfir m w hat t h eir v esse l im plie d — th at t h ey w ere not ju st w ate rb orn e v agab onds, b ut d an gero us, t o o. For a m om en t, t h e c o uple w atc h ed a s M ae m an eu vere d h er w ay t o t h eir b arg e, c u rio us ab out h er, b ut p assiv e, a s if t h is w as t h eir liv in g r o om a n d s h e t h eir n ig h t’s e n te rta in m en t. “W ell, help h er,” t h e w om an s a id t e stily , a n d t h e m an s to od. The b ow o f M ae’s k ay ak k nock ed again st th e ste el ed ge o f th e barg e an d th e m an quic k ly tie d a ro pe a ro und it a n d p ulle d th e k ay ak so it w as p ara lle l. H e h elp ed h er u p an d o nto t h e s u rfa ce , a p atc h w ork o f w ooden p la n ks. “S it h ere , h oney ,” t h e w om an s a id , in dic a tin g t h e c h air h e’d v aca te d t o h elp h er. Mae s a t d ow n, a n d c a u gh t t h e m an g iv in g t h e w om an a w ild lo ok. “W ell, get an oth er o ne,” th e w om an sa id to h im . A nd h e d is a p peare d a gain u nder th e blu e t a rp . “I d on’t u su ally b oss h im a ro und so m uch ,” sh e sa id to M ae, re ach in g fo r o ne o f th e th erm ose s he’d se t dow n. “B ut he doesn ’t know how to en te rta in . Y ou w an t re d or whit e ?” Mae h ad n o r e aso n to a cce p t e it h er in th e m id dle o f th e a fte rn oon, w hen s h e h ad th e kay ak t o r e tu rn , a n d t h en t h e d riv e h om e, b ut s h e w as t h ir sty , a n d if t h e w in e w as w hit e , it w ould b e s o g o od u nder th e a fte rn oon’s lo w s u n, a n d q uic k ly s h e d ecid ed s h e w an te d so m e. “ W hit e , p le ase ,” s h e s a id . A sm all re d sto ol ap peare d fr o m th e fo ld s o f th e ta rp au lin , fo llo w ed b y th e m an , mak in g a s h ow o f lo okin g p ut-o ut. “J u st sit a n d h av e a d rin k,” th e w om an sa id to h im , a n d in to p ap er c o ee c u ps, sh e poure d M ae’s w hit e a n d r e d fo r h erse lf a n d h er c o m pan io n. T he m an s a t, th ey a ll r a is e d th eir g la sse s, a n d t h e w in e, w hic h M ae k new w as n ot g o od, t a ste d e xtr a o rd in ary . The m an w as a sse ssin g M ae. “ S o y ou’r e so m e k in d o f a d ven tu re r, I ta k e it . E xtr e m e sp orts a n d s u ch .” H e d ra in ed h is c u p a n d r e ach ed f o r t h e t h erm os. M ae e xp ecte d h is m ate to lo ok a t h im d is a p pro vin gly , a s h er m oth er w ould h av e, b ut th e w om an ’s e y es w ere clo se d , f a cin g t h e s e ttin g s u n. Mae s h ook h er h ead . “ N o. N ot r e ally a t a ll.” “W e d on’t se e th at m an y k ay ak ers o ut h ere ,” h e sa id , re y llin g h is c u p. “ T hey te n d to sta y c lo se r t o s h ore .” “I th in k s h e’s a n ic e g ir l,” th e w om an s a id , h er e y es s till c lo se d . “ L ook a t h er c lo th es. Sh e’s alm ost pre p py. B ut sh e’s no dro ne. Sh e’s a nic e gir l w it h occa sio nal bursts of cu rio sit y .” Now th e m an to ok th e r o le o f a p olo gis t. “ T w o s ip s o f w in e a n d s h e th in ks s h e’s s o m e fo rtu ne-t e lle r.” “It’s okay ,” M ae sa id , th ough sh e did n’t know how sh e fe lt ab out th e w om an ’s dia gn osis . A s s h e lo oked a t t h e m an , a n d t h en a t t h e w om an , t h e w om an ’s e y es o pen ed . “T here ’s a p od o f g re y w hale s h ead in g u p h ere to m orro w ,” sh e sa id , a n d tu rn ed h er ey es t o w ard t h e G old en G ate . S h e n arro w ed t h em , a s if c o m ple tin g a m en ta l p ro m is e w it h th e o ce an t h at, w hen t h e w hale s a rriv ed , t h ey w ould b e w ell t r e ate d . T hen s h e c lo se d h er ey es a gain . E nte rta in in g M ae s e em ed t o b e le ft t o t h e m an f o r n ow . “S o h ow ’s t h e b ay f e el t o day ?” h e a sk ed . “G ood,” M ae s a id . “ It’s s o c a lm .” “C alm est it ’s b een th is w eek ,” h e a gre ed , a n d fo r a w hile n o o ne s p oke, a s if th e th re e of th em w ere h onorin g th e w ate r’s tr a n quilit y w it h a m om en t o f sile n ce . A nd in th e sile n ce , M ae t h ough t a b out h ow A nnie , o r h er p are n ts , w ould r e act t o s e ein g h er o ut h ere , drin kin g w in e in th e a fte rn oon o n a b arg e. W it h s tr a n gers w ho liv ed o n a b arg e. M erc e r, sh e k new , w ould a p pro ve. “Y ou s e e a n y h arb or s e als ? ” t h e m an f in ally a sk ed . Mae k new n oth in g ab out th ese p eo ple . T hey h ad n’t o ere d th eir n am es an d h ad n’t ask ed M ae f o r h ers. Far b ey ond, a f o gh orn s o unded . “J u st a f e w t o day , c lo se r t o s h ore ,” M ae s a id . “W hat’d th ey lo ok lik e?” th e m an a sk ed , a n d w hen M ae d esc rib ed th em , th eir g re y gla ssin e h ead s, t h e m an g la n ce d t o t h e w om an . “ S te v ie a n d K ev in .” The w om an n odded in r e co gn it io n. “I t h in k t h e o th ers a re f u rth er o ut t o day , h untin g. S te v ie a n d K ev in d on’t le av e t h is p art of t h e b ay t o o o fte n . T hey c o m e h ere a ll t h e t im e t o s a y h ello .” Mae w an te d to a sk th ese p eo ple if th ey liv ed h ere , o r, if n ot, w hat e xactly th ey w ere doin g o ut h ere , o n th is b arg e, a tta ch ed to th at y sh in g b oat, n eit h er o f w hic h se em ed fu nctio nal in a n y w ay . W ere t h ey h ere f o r g o od? H ow d id t h ey g et h ere in t h e y rst p la ce ? But a sk in g a n y o f t h ese q uestio ns s e em ed im possib le w hen t h ey h ad n’t a sk ed h er n am e. “W ere y ou h ere w hen th at b urn ed ?” th e m an a sk ed , p oin tin g to a la rg e u nin hab it e d is la n d in th e m id dle o f th e b ay . It ro se , m ute a n d b la ck , b eh in d th em . M ae sh ook h er head . “It b urn ed fo r tw o d ay s. W e h ad ju st g o tte n h ere . A t n ig h t, th e h eat— you c o uld fe el it ev en h ere . W e s w am e v ery n ig h t in t h is g o dfo rsa k en w ate r, ju st t o s ta y c o ol. W e t h ough t th e w orld w as e n din g.” Now t h e w om an ’s e y es o pen ed a n d s h e f o cu se d o n M ae. “ H av e y ou s w um in t h is b ay ?” “A fe w tim es,” M ae sa id . “ It’s b ru ta l. B ut I u se d to sw im in L ak e T ah oe g ro w in g u p. That’s a t le ast a s c o ld a s t h is .” Mae y nis h ed h er w in e, a n d fe lt b rie { y a glo w . S h e s q uin te d in to th e s u n, tu rn ed a w ay , an d s a w a m an in t h e d is ta n ce , o n a s ilv er s a ilb oat, r a is in g a t r ic o lo re d f la g. “H ow o ld a re y ou?” t h e w om an a sk ed . “ Y ou lo ok a b out e le v en .” “T w en ty -f o ur,” M ae s a id . “M y g o d. Y ou d on’t h av e a m ark o n y ou. W ere w e e v er tw en ty -f o ur, m y lo ve?” S h e tu rn ed to th e m an , w ho w as u sin g a b allp oin t p en to sc ra tc h th e a rc h o f h is fo ot. H e sh ru gged , a n d t h e w om an le t t h e m atte r d ro p. “B eau tif u l o ut h ere ,” M ae s a id . “W e agre e,” th e w om an sa id . “T he beau ty is lo ud an d co nsta n t. T he su nris e th is morn in g, it w as so g o od. A nd to nig h t’s a fu ll m oon. It’s b een ris in g fu ll o ra n ge, tu rn in g silv er a s it c lim bs. T he w ate r w ill b e s o ak ed in g o ld , t h en p la tin um . Y ou s h ould s ta y .” “I h av e to re tu rn th at,” M ae sa id , in dic a tin g th e k ay ak . S h e lo oked a t h er p hone. “ In ab out e ig h t m in ute s.” Sh e sto od u p, a n d th e m an sto od a n d to ok h er cu p, se ttin g h is o w n cu p in sid e h ers. “Y ou t h in k y ou c a n g et b ack a cro ss t h e b ay in e ig h t m in ute s? ” “I’l l t r y ,” M ae s a id , a n d s to od. The w om an le t o ut a lo ud t s k . “ I c a n ’t b elie v e s h e’s le av in g a lr e ad y. I lik ed h er.” “S h e’s n ot d ead , d ear. S h e’s s till w it h u s,” th e m an s a id . H e h elp ed M ae in to th e k ay ak an d u ntie d it . “ B e p olit e .” Mae d ip ped h er h an d in to t h e b ay a n d w et t h e b ack o f h er n eck . “F ly a w ay , t r a it o r,” t h e w om an s a id . The m an r o lle d h is e y es. “ S o rry .” “It’s o kay . T han ks f o r t h e w in e,” M ae s a id . “ I’l l c o m e b ack a gain .” “T hat’d b e s w ell,” th e w om an s a id , th ough s h e s e em ed y nis h ed w it h M ae. It w as a s if , fo r a m om en t, sh e th ough t M ae w as o ne k in d o f p erso n, b ut n ow , k now in g sh e w as an oth er, s h e c o uld p art w it h h er, s h e c o uld g iv e h er b ack t o t h e w orld . Mae p ad dle d to w ard th e s h ore , h er h ead fe elin g v ery lig h t, th e win e p uttin g a c ro oked sm ile o n h er fa ce . A nd o nly th en d id s h e r e aliz e h ow lo ng s h e’d b een fr e e o f th ough ts o f her p are n ts , o f M erc e r, o f t h e p re ssu re s a t w ork . T he w in d p ic k ed u p, n ow h ead in g w est, an d sh e p ad dle d w it h it re ck le ssly , sp ra y ev ery w here , so ak in g h er le gs an d fa ce an d sh ould ers. S h e f e lt s o s tr o ng, h er m usc le s g ro w in g b old er w it h e v ery s p la sh o f c o ld w ate r. Sh e lo ved it a ll, s e ein g th e fr e e-r a n ge b oats g et c lo se r, th e c a ged y ach ts a p pear a n d ta k e on n am es, a n d, f in ally , t h e b each t a k e s h ap e w it h W alt w ait in g a t t h e w ate rlin e. On M onday , w hen sh e g o t to w ork a n d lo gged o n, th ere w ere a h undre d o r so se co nd- sc re en m essa ges. Fro m A nnie : We m is se d y ou F rid ay n ig h t! Jare d : You m is se d a g re a t b ash . Dan : Bum med y ou w ere n ’t a t th e S u nday C ele b r! Mae se arc h ed h er ca le n dar a n d re aliz e d th ere h ad b een a p arty o n F rid ay , o pen to ev ery one in t h e R en ais sa n ce . S u nday h ad b een a b arb ecu e f o r n ew bie s— th e n ew bie s t h at had a rriv ed in t h e t w o w eek s s h e’d b een a t t h e C ir c le . Busy d ay , D an w ro te . See m e a sa p . He w as sta n din g in th e c o rn er o f h is o } ce , fa cin g th e w all. S h e k nock ed lig h tly a n d, wit h out tu rn in g, h e ra is e d h is in dex y nger, ask in g fo r a m om en t. M ae w atc h ed h im , assu m in g h e w as o n a c a ll, a n d s to od p atie n tly , s ile n tly , u ntil s h e r e aliz e d h e w as u sin g h is re tin als a n d w an te d a b la n k b ack gro und. S h e’d b een se ein g C ir c le rs o cca sio nally d oin g th is — fa cin g w alls , s o t h e im ages o n t h eir r e tin al d is p la y s c o uld b e s e en m ore c le arly . N ow fin is h ed , h e s w ir le d t o M ae, f la sh in g a f r ie n dly a n d q uic k -d is so lv in g s m ile . “Y ou w ere n ’t a b le t o c o m e y este rd ay ?” “S o rry . I w as w it h m y f o lk s. M y d ad — ” “G re at e v en t. I t h in k y ou w ere t h e o nly n ew b a b se n t. B ut w e c a n t a lk a b out it la te r. F or now I n eed to a sk y ou a fa v or. W e’v e h ad to b rin g o n a lo t o f n ew h elp , g iv en h ow fa st th in gs a re e xp an din g n ow , so I w ondere d if y ou co uld h elp m e w it h so m e o f th e n ew arriv als .” “O f c o urse .” “I th in k it ’l l b e a cin ch fo r y ou. L et m e sh ow y ou. W e’l l h ead b ack to y our d esk . Ren ata ?” Ren ata fo llo w ed th em , ca rry in g a sm all m onit o r, a b out th e siz e o f a n ote b ook. S h e in sta lle d it a t M ae’s d esk a n d le ft. “O kay . So id eally you’l l be doin g w hat Jare d use d to do w it h you, re m em ber? When ev er th ere ’s a stu m per a n d it n eed s to b e b ounce d u p to a m ore se aso ned p erso n, you’l l b e t h ere . Y ou’r e t h e v ete ra n n ow . D oes t h at m ak e s e n se ?” “It d oes.” “N ow t h e o th er t h in g is t h at I w an t t h e n ew bie s t o b e a b le t o a sk y ou q uestio ns a s t h ey work . T he e asie st w ay w ill b e o n th is sc re en .” H e p oin te d to th e sm all sc re en th at h ad been p la ce d u nder h er m ain m onit o r. “ Y ou s e e s o m eth in g a p pear h ere y ou k now it ’s f r o m so m eo ne in y our p od, o kay ?” H e tu rn ed o n th e n ew sc re en a n d ty ped o ut a q uestio n, “M ae, h elp m e!” o n h is t a b le t, a n d t h e w ord s a p peare d o n t h is n ew , f o urth , s c re en . “ D oes th at s e em e asy e n ough ?” “It d oes.” “G ood. S o th e n ew bie s w ill b e h ere a fte r J are d tr a in s th em . H e’s d oin g it e n m asse a s we s p eak . T here w ill b e t w elv e n ew p eo ple h ere b y a b out e le v en a .m ., o kay ?” Dan t h an ked h er a n d le ft. The lo ad w as h eav y u ntil e le v en , b ut h er r a tin g w as 9 8. T here w ere a h an dfu l o f s u b- 100s, an d tw o lo w er-9 0s th at sh e fo llo w ed up on, an d in m ost ca se s th e cu sto m ers co rre cte d t h eir r a tin g t o a 1 00. At ele v en sh e lo oked u p to se e Jare d le ad in g a gro up in to th e ro om , all o f th em se em in g v ery y oung, a ll o f th em ste p pin g ca re fu lly , a s if a fr a id to w ak e so m e u nse en in fa n t. J are d p osit io ned e ach o f th em a t a d esk a n d th e ro om , w hic h h ad b een u tte rly em pty f o r w eek s, w as n early f u ll in a m atte r o f m in ute s. Jare d sto od on a ch air . “O kay ev ery one!” he sa id . “T his is by fa r our quic k est onboard in g p ro ce ss. A nd o ur q uic k est tr a in in g s e ssio n. A nd o ur m ost m an ia ca lly fa st y rst day . B ut I k now y ou a ll c a n h an dle it . A nd I e sp ecia lly k now y ou c a n h an dle it b eca u se I ’l l be h ere a ll d ay t o h elp , a n d M ae w ill b e h ere , t o o. M ae, c a n y ou s ta n d u p?” Mae s to od. B ut it w as o bvio us t h at f e w o f t h e n ew bie s in t h e r o om c o uld s e e h er. “ H ow ab out sta n din g o n y our ch air ? ” Jare d ask ed , an d M ae d id so , str a ig h te n in g h er sk ir t, fe elin g v ery s illy a n d v is ib le a n d h opin g s h e w ould n ot f a ll. “T he t w o o f u s w ill b e h ere a ll d ay t o a n sw er q uestio ns a n d t a k e s tu m pers. I f y ou h av e a s tu m per ju st fo rw ard it , a n d it ’l l b e r o ute d to w hic h ev er o f u s h as th e lig h te st lo ad . If you hav e a questio n, sa m e th in g. Sen d it th ro ugh th e ch an nel I sh ow ed you in th e orie n ta tio n, a n d it ’l l g o to o ne o f u s. B etw een m e a n d M ae, y ou’l l b e c o vere d . E very one fe el g o od?” N o o ne m oved o r s a id a w ord . “ G ood. I’l l o pen th e c h ute a gain a n d w e’l l g o till tw elv e th ir ty to day . L unch w ill b e sh orte r to day to a cco unt fo r th e tr a in in g a n d a ll, but w e’l l m ak e it u p t o y ou o n F rid ay . E very one r e ad y?” N o o ne s e em ed r e ad y. “ G o!” And Jare d ju m ped d ow n, an d M ae clim bed d ow n, arra n ged h erse lf again , an d w as im med ia te ly t h ir ty q uerie s b eh in d. S h e s ta rte d o n h er yrst, a n d w it h in a m in ute s h e h ad a questio n o n h er f o urth s c re en , t h e o ne f o r n ew bie s. Custo m er w an ts th eir e n tir e p aym en t r e co rd fr o m la st y ea r. A va ila ble ? A nd w here ? Mae d ir e cte d t h e n ew bie t o t h e r ig h t f o ld er, t h en r e tu rn ed t o t h e q uery in f r o nt o f h er. Sh e c o ntin ued th is w ay , b ein g p ulle d a w ay fr o m h er o w n w ork e v ery fe w m in ute s b y a new bie q uestio n, u ntil t w elv e t h ir ty , w hen s h e s a w J are d a gain , s ta n din g a gain o n a c h air . “W hoa. W hoa,” h e sa id . “T hat’s lu nch . In te n se . In te n se . R ig h t? B ut w e d id it . O ur overa ll a v era ge is a t 9 3, w hic h is n orm ally n ot so g o od, b ut o kay c o nsid erin g th e n ew sy ste m s a n d in cre ase d { ow . C ongra tu la tio ns. G et so m e fo od, so m e fu el, a n d se e y ou a t one p .m . M ae, s e e m e w hen y ou c a n .” He ju m ped dow n again , an d w as at M ae’s desk befo re sh e co uld get to his . H is exp re ssio n w as o ne o f f r ie n dly c o nce rn . “Y ou h av en ’t g o ne t o t h e c lin ic .” “M e?” “Is t h at t r u e?” “I g u ess s o .” “Y ou w ere s u ppose d t o h av e g o ne y our f ir st w eek .” “O h.” “T hey ’r e w ait in g. C an y ou g o t o day ?” “S u re . N ow ?” “N o, n o. W e’r e to o sw am ped rig h t n ow , a s y ou ca n se e. H ow a b out a t fo ur? I ca n han dle th e la st s h if t. A nd b y th e a fte rn oon a ll o f th ese n ew bie s w ill b e b ette r h oned . D id you h av e f u n s o f a r t o day ?” “S u re .” “S tr e sse d ?” “W ell, it a d ds a n ew la y er t o t h in gs.” “It d oes. I t d oes. A nd t h ere w ill b e m ore la y ers, I w an t t o a ssu re y ou. I k now s o m eo ne lik e y ou w ould g et b ore d o f ju st th e re gu la r C usto m er E xp erie n ce stu , so n ext w eek we’l l h ook y ou u p w it h a d i ere n t a sp ect o f t h e jo b. I t h in k y ou’l l lo ve it .” H e g la n ce d a t his b ra ce le t a n d s a w th e tim e. “ O h c ra p . Y ou s h ould g o e at. I’m lit e ra lly ta k in g fo od o ut of y our m outh . G o. Y ou h av e t w en ty -t w o m in ute s.” Mae f o und a p re -m ad e s a n dw ic h in t h e c lo se st k it c h en a n d a te a t h er d esk . S h e s c ro lle d th ro ugh th e th ir d -s c re en s o cia l fe ed , lo okin g fo r a n yth in g u rg en t o r n eed in g a r e p ly . S h e fo und an d re sp onded to th ir ty -o ne m essa ges, fe elin g sa tis y ed th at sh e’d giv en ca re fu l atte n tio n t o a ll t h ose t h at r e q uir e d it . The afte rn oon w as a ru naw ay tr a in , w it h th e q uestio ns fr o m th e n ew bie s co nsta n t, co ntr a ry t o t h e a ssu ra n ce s o f J are d , w ho w as in a n d o ut t h ro ugh out t h e a fte rn oon, le av in g th e ro om a d oze n tim es, ta lk in g o n h is p hone w it h g re at in te n sit y . M ae d ealt w it h th e double d { ow a n d b y 3 :4 8 h ad a p erso nal s c o re o f 9 6; t h e p od’s a v era ge w as 9 4. N ot b ad , sh e t h ough t, c o nsid erin g t h e a d dit io n o f t w elv e n ew p eo ple , a n d h av in g t o h elp t h em , f o r much o f th re e h ours, s in gle h an ded ly . W hen fo ur o ’c lo ck c a m e a ro und, s h e k new s h e w as exp ecte d a t th e c lin ic , a n d h oped J are d h ad re m em bere d . S h e sto od, fo und h im lo okin g her w ay , a n d h e g av e h er a t h um bs-u p. S h e le ft. The c lin ic ’s lo bby w as r e ally n ot a lo bby a t a ll. It lo oked m ore lik e a c a fe , w it h C ir c le rs ta lk in g in p air s, a w all o f b eau tif u lly a rra y ed h ealt h fo ods, a n d h ealt h d rin ks, a n d a s a la d bar fe atu rin g v egeta b le s g ro w n o n c a m pus, a n d a w all-m ounte d s c ro ll fe atu rin g a r e cip e fo r p ale o s o up. Mae d id n’t k now w ho to a p pro ach . T here w ere y ve p eo ple in th e r o om , fo ur o f th em work in g o n ta b le ts , o ne fu lly r e tin al, s ta n din g in th e c o rn er. T here w as n oth in g lik e th e sta n dard w in dow t h ro ugh w hic h a m ed ic a l a d m in is tr a tiv e’s f a ce w ould h av e g re ete d h er. “M ae?” Sh e fo llo w ed th e v oic e to th e fa ce o f a w om an w it h s h ort b la ck h air , d im ple s in b oth ch eek s, s m ilin g a t h er. “Y ou r e ad y n ow ?” Mae w as le d d ow n a b lu e h allw ay a n d in to a ro om th at lo oked m ore lik e a d esig n er kit c h en t h an a n e xam in atio n r o om . T he d im ple d w om an le ft h er t h ere , s h ow in g h er t o a n overstu ffe d c h air . Mae sa t in it , th en sto od, dra w n by th e ca b in ets lin in g th e w alls . Sh e co uld se e horiz o nta l lin es, as y ne as th re ad , d elin eatin g w here o ne d ra w er en ded an d th e n ext began , b ut th ere w ere n o k nobs o r h an dle s. S h e ra n h er h an d a cro ss th e su rfa ce , b are ly re gis te rin g t h e h air lin e g ap s. A bove t h e c a b in ets w as a s te el s tr ip , a n d e n gra v ed in it w ere th e w ord s: T O H EA L W E M UST K NOW . T O K NOW W E M UST S HARE . The d oor o pen ed a n d M ae s ta rtle d . “H i M ae,” a fa ce sa id as it {oate d , go rg eo us an d sm ilin g, to w ard her. “I’m D r. Villa lo bos.” Mae s h ook t h e d octo r’s h an d, m outh a gap e. T he w om an w as t o o g la m oro us f o r t h is , f o r th is r o om , f o r M ae. S h e w as n o m ore t h an f o rty , w it h a b la ck p onyta il a n d lu m in ous s k in . Ele gan t r e ad in g g la sse s h ung f r o m h er n eck , b rie fly f o llo w ed t h e lin e o f h er c re am -c o lo re d ja ck et, a n d r e ste d o n h er a m ple c h est. S h e w as w earin g t w o-in ch h eels . “I’m s o g la d t o s e e y ou t o day , M ae.” Mae d id n’t k now w hat t o s a y . S h e a rriv ed a t “ T han ks f o r h av in g m e,” a n d im med ia te ly fe lt lik e a n id io t. “N o, th an k you fo r c o m in g,” th e d octo r sa id . “ W e h av e e v ery one c o m e in , u su ally in th eir y rst w eek , s o w e w ere g ettin g w orrie d a b out y ou. Is th ere a n y r e aso n y ou d ela y ed th is lo ng?” “N o, n o. J u st b usy .” Mae s c a n ned t h e d octo r f o r p hysic a l { aw s, y nally y ndin g a m ole o n h er n eck , a s in gle , tin y h air p ro tr u din g f r o m it . “T oo b usy fo r y our h ealt h ! D on’t sa y th at.” T he d octo r h ad h er b ack tu rn ed to M ae, pre p arin g so m e kin d of drin k. Sh e tu rn ed an d sm ile d . “S o th is is re ally ju st an in tr o ducto ry e xam , a b asic c h eck up w e g iv e to a ll n ew s ta m em bers h ere a t th e C ir c le , okay ? A nd y rst o f a ll, w e’r e a p re v en tio n-e m phasis c lin ic . In th e in te re st o f k eep in g o ur Cir c le rs h ealt h y o f m in d a n d b ody, w e p ro vid e w ra p aro und w elln ess s e rv ic e s. D oes th at sq uare w it h w hat y ou’v e b een t o ld ?” “It d oes. I h av e a fr ie n d w ho’s w ork ed h ere fo r a c o uple y ears. S h e sa y s th e c a re is in cre d ib le .” “W ell t h at’s n ic e t o h ear. W ho’s y our f r ie n d?” “A nnie A lle rto n?” “O h, t h at’s r ig h t. T hat w as in y our in ta k e. W ho d oesn ’t lo ve A nnie ? T ell h er h ello . B ut I gu ess I c a n d o th at m yse lf . S h e’s in m y r o ta tio n, s o I s e e h er e v ery o th er w eek . S h e to ld you t h e c h eck ups a re b iw eek ly ?” “S o t h at’s — ” The d octo r s m ile d . “ E very t w o w eek s. T hat’s t h e w elln ess c o m ponen t. I f y ou c o m e h ere only w hen th ere ’s a p ro ble m , y ou n ev er get ah ead o f th in gs. T he b iw eek ly ch eck ups in volv e d ie t co nsu lt a tio ns, an d w e m onit o r a n y v aria n ce s in y our o vera ll h ealt h . T his is key fo r early dete ctio n, fo r ca lib ra tin g an y m ed s you m ig h t be on, fo r se ein g an y pro ble m s a f e w m ile s a w ay , a s o ppose d t o a fte r t h ey ’v e r u n y ou o ver. S o und g o od?” Mae t h ough t o f h er d ad , h ow la te t h ey ’d r e aliz e d h is s y m pto m s w ere M S. “ It d oes,” s h e sa id . “A nd a ll th e d ata w e g en era te h ere is a v aila b le to y ou o nlin e. E very th in g w e d o a n d ta lk a b out, a n d o f c o urse a ll y our p ast r e co rd s. Y ou s ig n ed t h e f o rm w hen y ou s ta rte d t h at allo w ed u s to b rin g in a ll y our o th er d octo rs’ in fo rm atio n, s o y nally y ou’l l h av e it a ll in one p la ce , a n d it ’s a cce ssib le to y ou, to u s, a n d w e c a n m ak e d ecis io ns, s e e p atte rn s, s e e pote n tia l is su es, g iv en o ur a cce ss t o t h e c o m ple te p ic tu re . Y ou w an t t o s e e it ? ” t h e d octo r ask ed , a n d th en a ctiv ate d a sc re en o n th e w all. M ae’s e n tir e m ed ic a l h is to ry a p peare d befo re h er in lis ts a n d im ages a n d ic o ns. D r. V illa lo bos to uch ed th e w alls c re en , o pen in g fo ld ers a n d m ovin g im ages, r e v ealin g th e r e su lt s o f e v ery m ed ic a l v is it s h e’d e v er h ad — back t o h er f ir st c h eck up b efo re s ta rtin g k in derg arte n . “H ow ’s th at k nee?” th e d octo r a sk ed . S h e’d fo und th e M RI M ae h ad d one a fe w y ears ago . M ae h ad o pte d n ot t o g et A CL s u rg ery ; h er p re v io us in su ra n ce d id n’t c o ver it . “It’s f u nctio nal,” M ae s a id . “W ell, if y ou w an t to ta k e c a re o f it , le t m e k now . W e d o th at h ere a t th e c lin ic . It would ta k e a n a fte rn oon a n d o f c o urse w ould b e fr e e. T he C ir c le lik es it s e m plo yees to hav e o pera tio nal k nees.” T he d octo r t u rn ed f r o m t h e s c re en t o s m ile a t M ae, p ra ctic e d b ut co nvin cin g. “P ie cin g to geth er so m e o f th e stu w hen y ou w ere v ery y oung w as a c h alle n ge, b ut fr o m h ere o n o ut, w e’l l h av e n ear-c o m ple te in fo rm atio n. Every t w o w eek s w e’l l d o b lo od work , c o gn it iv e te sts , re { exes, a q uic k e y e e xam , a n d a ro ta tin g re tin ue o f m ore e xo tic te sts , lik e M RIs a n d s u ch .” Mae c o uld n’t y gu re it o ut. “ B ut h ow is t h is a ord ab le f o r y ou g u ys? I m ean , t h e c o st o f an M RI a lo ne— ” “W ell, p re v en tio n is c h eap . E sp ecia lly c o m pare d t o y ndin g s o m e S ta ge-4 lu m p w hen w e co uld h av e f o und it a t S ta ge 1 . A nd t h e c o st d i ere n tia l is p ro fo und. B eca u se C ir c le rs a re gen era lly y oung a n d h ealt h y, o ur h ealt h c a re c o sts a re a fr a ctio n o f th ose a t a sim ila r- siz e d c o m pan y— one w it h out t h e s a m e k in d o f f o re sig h t.” Mae h ad t h e f e elin g, w hic h s h e w as u se d t o b y n ow a t t h e C ir c le , t h at t h ey a lo ne w ere ab le to th in k a b out— or w ere sim ply a lo ne in b ein g a b le to en act —re fo rm s th at se em ed bey ond d eb ate in t h eir n ece ssit y a n d u rg en cy . “S o w hen w as y our la st c h eck up?” “M ay be c o lle ge?” “O kay , w ow . L et’s sta rt w it h y our v it a l sig n s, a ll th e b asic s. H av e y ou se en o ne o f th ese ?” T he d octo r h eld o ut a silv er b ra ce le t, a b out th re e in ch es w id e. M ae h ad se en healt h m onit o rs o n J are d a n d D an , b ut th eir s w ere m ad e o f r u bber, a n d y t lo ose ly . T his one w as t h in ner a n d lig h te r. “I t h in k s o . I t m easu re s y our h eart r a te ?” “R ig h t. M ost of th e lo ngtim e C ir c le rs hav e so m e versio n of it , but th ey ’v e been co m pla in in g a b out it b ein g t o o lo ose , lik e s o m e k in d o f b an gle . S o w e’v e m odi y ed it s o it sta y s in p la ce . Y ou w an t t o t r y it o n?” Mae d id . T he d octo r y t it o nto h er le ft w ris t, a n d c lic k ed it c lo se d . It w as sn ug. “ It’s warm ,” M ae s a id . “It’l l fe el w arm fo r a fe w d ay s, th en y ou a n d th e b ra ce le t w ill g et u se d to e ach o th er. But it h as to to uch th e s k in , o f c o urse , to m easu re w hat w e’d lik e to m easu re — whic h is ev ery th in g. Y ou d id w an t t h e f u ll p ro gra m , r ig h t? ” “I t h in k s o .” “In your in ta k e, you sa id you wan te d th e co m ple te re co m men ded arra y of measu re m en ts . I s t h at s till t r u e?” “It is .” “O kay . C an y ou d rin k th is ? ” T he d octo r h an ded M ae th e d en se g re en liq uid s h e’d b een pre p arin g. “ It’s a s m ooth ie .” Mae d ra n k it d ow n. I t w as v is c o us a n d c o ld . “O kay , y ou ju st in geste d th e s e n so r th at w ill c o nnect to y our w ris t m onit o r. It w as in th at g la ss.” T he d octo r p unch ed M ae’s s h ould er p la y fu lly . “ I lo ve d oin g t h at.” “I a lr e ad y s w allo w ed it ? ” M ae s a id . “It’s th e b est w ay . If I p ut it in y our h an d, y ou’d h em a n d h aw . B ut th e se n so r is so sm all, a n d it ’s o rg an ic o f c o urse , s o y ou d rin k it , y ou d on’t n otic e , a n d it ’s o ver.” “S o t h e s e n so r is a lr e ad y in m e?” “It is . A nd n ow ,” th e d octo r sa id , ta p pin g M ae’s w ris t m onit o r, “ n ow it ’s a ctiv e. It’l l co lle ct d ata o n y our h eart r a te , b lo od p re ssu re , c h ole ste ro l, h eat { ux, c a lo ric in ta k e, s le ep dura tio n, sle ep q ualit y , d ig estiv e e } cie n cy , o n an d o n. A n ic e th in g fo r th e C ir c le rs, esp ecia lly th ose lik e y ou w ho m ig h t h av e o cca sio nally str e ssfu l jo bs, is th at it m easu re s galv an ic s k in r e sp onse , w hic h a llo w s y ou to k now w hen y ou’r e a m ped o r a n xio us. W hen we se e non-n orm ativ e ra te s of str e ss in a C ir c le r or a dep artm en t, w e ca n m ak e ad ju stm en ts t o w ork lo ad , f o r e xam ple . I t m easu re s t h e p H le v el o f y our s w eat, s o y ou ca n te ll w hen y ou n eed to h ydra te w it h a lk alin e w ate r. It d ete cts y our p ostu re , s o y ou k now when y ou n eed t o r e p osit io n y ourse lf . B lo od a n d t is su e o xy gen , y our r e d b lo od c e ll c o unt, an d th in gs lik e s te p c o unt. A s y ou k now , d octo rs r e co m men d a b out te n th ousa n d s te p s a day , an d th is w ill sh ow y ou h ow clo se y ou’r e gettin g. A ctu ally , le t’s h av e y ou w alk aro und t h e r o om .” Mae sa w th e n um ber 1 0,0 00 o n h er w ris t, a n d w it h e ach ste p sh e to ok, it d ro pped — 9999, 9 998, 9 997. “W e’r e a sk in g a ll n ew bie s to w ear th ese s e co nd-g en m odels , a n d in a fe w m onth s w e’l l hav e a ll C ir c le rs c o ord in ate d . T he id ea is th at w it h c o m ple te in fo rm atio n, w e c a n g iv e bette r ca re . In co m ple te in fo rm atio n cre ate s gap s in our know le d ge, an d m ed ic a lly sp eak in g, g ap s in o ur k now le d ge c re ate m is ta k es a n d o m is sio ns.” “I k now ,” M ae sa id . “ T hat w as th e p ro ble m in c o lle ge fo r m e. Y ou se lf -r e p orte d y our healt h d ata , a n d so it w as a ll o ver th e p la ce . T hre e k id s d ie d o f m en in git is b efo re th ey re aliz e d h ow it w as s p re ad in g.” Dr. V illa lo bos’s e xp re ssio n d ark en ed . “ Y ou k now , th at k in d o f th in g is ju st u nnece ssa ry now . F ir st o f a ll, y ou c a n ’t e xp ect c o lle ge k id s to se lf -r e p ort. It sh ould a ll b e d one fo r th em , so th ey c a n c o nce n tr a te o n th eir stu die s. S T D s a lo ne, H ep C — im agin e if th e d ata was ju st t h ere . T hen a p pro pria te a ctio n c o uld b e t a k en . N o g u essw ork . H av e y ou h eard o f th at e xp erim en t u p in I c e la n d?” “I t h in k s o .” M ae s a id , b ut w as o nly h alf -s u re . “W ell, beca u se Ic e la n d has th is in cre d ib ly hom ogen ous popula tio n, m ost of th e re sid en ts h av e r o ots m an y c e n tu rie s b ack o n th e is la n d. A nyone c a n tr a ce th eir a n ce str y very e asily b ack a th ousa n d y ears. S o th ey sta rte d m ap pin g th e g en om es o f Ic e la n ders, ev ery s in gle p erso n, a n d w ere a b le to tr a ce a ll k in ds o f d is e ase s to th eir orig in s. T hey ’v e go tte n s o m uch v alu ab le d ata fr o m th at p ool o f p eo ple . T here ’s n oth in g lik e a y xed a n d re la tiv ely h om ogen ous g ro up, e xp ose d to th e sa m e fa cto rs— an d a g ro up y ou c a n stu dy over tim e. T he y xed g ro up, th e c o m ple te in fo rm atio n, b oth w ere k ey in m axim iz in g th e ta k eaw ay . S o t h e h ope is t o d o s o m eth in g lik e t h at h ere . I f w e c a n t r a ck a ll y ou n ew bie s, an d e v en tu ally a ll 1 0,0 00-p lu s C ir c le rs, w e c a n b oth s e e p ro ble m s f a r b efo re t h ey b eco m e se rio us, a n d w e c a n c o lle ct d ata a b out th e p opula tio n a s a w hole . M ost o f y ou n ew bie s are a ro und th e sa m e a ge, a n d in g en era lly g o od h ealt h , e v en th e e n gin eers,” sh e sa id , sm ilin g a t w hat w as e v id en tly a jo ke s h e o fte n to ld . “ S o w hen th ere a re d ev ia tio ns, w e’d lik e to k now a b out th em , a n d s e e if th ere a re tr e n ds w e c a n le arn fr o m . D oes th at m ak e se n se ?” Mae w as d is tr a cte d b y t h e b ra ce le t. “M ae?” “Y es. T hat s o unds g re at.” The b ra ce le t w as b eau tif u l, a p uls in g m arq uee o f lig h ts a n d c h arts a n d n um bers. M ae’s puls e w as re p re se n te d b y a d elic a te ly re n dere d ro se , o pen in g a n d c lo sin g. T here w as a n EK G , sh ootin g rig h t lik e blu e lig h tn in g an d th en sta rtin g over. H er te m pera tu re w as re n dere d la rg e, in gre en , 9 8.6 , re m in din g h er o f th at d ay ’s aggre gate , 9 7, w hic h sh e need ed to im pro ve. “ A nd w hat d o th ese d o?” sh e a sk ed . T here w ere a se rie s o f b utto ns an d p ro m pts , a rra n ged in a r o w b elo w t h e d ata . “W ell, y ou c a n h av e t h e b ra ce le t m easu re a b out a h undre d o th er t h in gs. I f y ou r u n, it ’l l measu re h ow fa r. It tr a ck s y our sta n din g h eart ra te v ersu s activ e. It’l l m easu re B M I, ca lo ric in ta k e.… S ee, y ou’r e g ettin g it .” Mae w as b usy e xp erim en tin g. It w as o ne o f th e m ore e le gan t o bje cts s h e’d e v er s e en . There w ere d oze n s o f la y ers to th e in fo rm atio n, e v ery d ata p oin t a llo w in g h er to a sk more , t o g o d eep er. W hen s h e t a p ped t h e d ig it s o f h er c u rre n t t e m pera tu re , it c o uld s h ow th e a v era ge te m pera tu re fo r th e p re v io us tw en ty -f o ur h ours, th e h ig h a n d th e lo w , th e med ia n . “A nd o f c o urse ,” D r. V illa lo bos sa id , “ a ll th at d ata is sto re d in th e c lo ud, a n d in y our ta b le t, a n yw here y ou w an t it . It’s a lw ay s a cce ssib le , a n d is c o nsta n tly u pdate d . S o if y ou fa ll, h it y our h ead , y ou’r e in th e a m bula n ce , th e E M Ts c a n a cce ss e v ery th in g a b out y our his to ry in s e co nds.” “A nd t h is is f r e e?” “O f c o urse it ’s f r e e. I t’s p art o f y our h ealt h p la n .” “It’s s o p re tty ,” M ae s a id . “Y eah , e v ery one lo ves it . S o I s h ould a sk th e r e st o f th e s ta n dard q uestio ns. W hen w as your la st p erio d?” Mae t r ie d t o r e m em ber. “ A bout t e n d ay s a go .” “A re y ou s e xu ally a ctiv e?” “N ot a t t h e m om en t.” “B ut in g en era l? ” “G en era lly , s u re .” “A re y ou t a k in g b ir th c o ntr o l p ills ? ” “Y es.” “O kay . Y ou c a n m ove t h at p re sc rip tio n o ver h ere . T alk t o T an ya o n y our w ay o ut, a n d sh e’l l giv e you so m e co ndom s fo r th e th in gs th e pill ca n ’t pre v en t. Any oth er med ic a tio ns? ” “N ope.” “A ntid ep re ssa n ts ? ” “N ope.” “W ould y ou s a y y ou’r e g en era lly h ap py?” “I a m .” “A ny a lle rg ie s? ” “Y es.” “O h r ig h t. I h av e t h ose h ere . H orse s, t o o b ad . A ny f a m ily h is to ry o f illn ess? ” “L ik e, a t m y a ge?” “A ny a ge. Y our p are n ts ? T heir h ealt h is g o od?” So m eth in g a b out h ow th e d octo r a sk ed th e q uestio n, h ow sh e so c le arly e xp ecte d th e an sw er t o b e y es, h er s ty lu s h overin g a b ove h er t a b le t, k nock ed t h e w in d o ut o f M ae, a n d sh e c o uld n’t s p eak . “O h h oney ,” s h e s a id , a n d b rin gin g h er a rm a ro und M ae’s s h ould er a n d t ilt in g h er c lo se . Sh e sm elle d fa in tly { ora l. “ T here th ere ,” sh e sa id , a n d M ae b egan to c ry , h er sh ould ers heav in g, h er n ose a n d e y es { oodin g. S h e k new sh e w as g ettin g th e d octo r’s c o tto n c o at wet, b ut it fe lt lik e r e le ase , a n d fo rg iv en ess, a n d M ae fo und h erse lf te llin g D r. V illa lo bos ab out h er f a th er’s s y m pto m s, h is f a tig u e, h is a ccid en t o ver t h e w eek en d. “O h M ae,” t h e d octo r s a id , s tr o kin g h er h air . “ M ae. M ae.” Mae co uld n’t sto p. S h e to ld D r. V illa lo bos a b out h is so ul- { ay in g in su ra n ce sit u atio n, how h er m oth er w as e xp ectin g to sp en d th e re st o f h er lif e c a rin g fo r h im , y gh tin g fo r ev ery t r e atm en t, h ours o n t h e p hone e v ery d ay w it h t h ose p eo ple — “M ae,” th e d octo r y nally sa id , “ h av e y ou a sk ed H R a b out a d din g y our p are n ts to th e co m pan y p la n ?” Mae lo oked u p a t h er. “ W hat? ” “T here a re a h an dfu l o f C ir c le rs w ho h av e fa m ily m em bers lik e th at o n th e in su ra n ce pla n . I w ould im agin e it ’s a p ossib ilit y in y our s it u atio n.” Mae h ad n ev er h eard o f s u ch a t h in g. “Y ou s h ould a sk H R,” t h e d octo r s a id . “ O r a ctu ally , m ay be y ou s h ould ju st a sk A nnie .” “W hy d id n’t y ou te ll m e so oner? ” A nnie sa id th at n ig h t. T hey w ere in A nnie ’s o } ce , a la rg e w hit e r o om w it h { oor-t o -c e ilin g w in dow s a n d a p air o f lo w c o uch es. “ I d id n’t k now your p are n ts h ad t h is in su ra n ce n ig h tm are .” Mae w as lo okin g a t a w all o f fr a m ed p hoto s, e ach o f th em fe atu rin g a tr e e o r sh ru b gro w n in to a p orn ogra p hic s h ap e. “ L ast t im e I w as h ere y ou h ad o nly s ix o r s e v en , r ig h t? ” “I k now . W ord g o t o ut t h at I w as s o m e p assio nate c o lle cto r, s o n ow s o m eo ne g iv es m e one ev ery d ay . A nd th ey ’r e gettin g y lt h ie r all th e tim e. See th e o ne o n to p?” A nnie poin te d t o a p hoto o f a n e n orm ous p hallic c a ctu s. A c o pper-s k in ned fa ce a p peare d in th e d oorw ay , h er b ody h id den a ro und th e c o rn er. “Y ou n eed m e?” “O f c o urse I n eed y ou, V ic k ie ,” A nnie s a id . “ D on’t g o .” “I w as t h in kin g o f h ead in g t o t h e S ah ara k ic k off t h in g.” “V ic k ie . D on’t le av e m e,” A nnie sa id , d ead pan . “I lo ve y ou a n d d on’t w an t u s to b e ap art.” V ic k ie s m ile d , b ut s e em ed t o b e w onderin g w hen A nnie w ould e n d t h is b it a n d le t her g o . “F in e,” A nnie s a id . “ I s h ould g o , t o o. B ut I c a n ’t . S o g o .” Vic k ie ’s f a ce d is a p peare d . “D o I k now h er? ” M ae a sk ed . “S h e’s o n m y te am ,” A nnie s a id . “ T here a re te n o f u s n ow b ut V ic k ie ’s m y g o -t o . Y ou hear a b out t h is S ah ara t h in g?” “I t h in k s o .” M ae h ad r e ad a n I n nerC ir c le n otic e a b out it , s o m e p la n t o c o unt t h e g ra in s of s a n d in t h e S ah ara . “S o rry , w e w ere ta lk in g ab out y our d ad ,” A nnie sa id . “I ca n ’t u ndersta n d w hy y ou would n’t t e ll m e.” Mae to ld h er th e tr u th , w hic h w as th at s h e d id n’t s e e a n y s c e n ario w here h er fa th er’s healt h w ould o verla p w it h t h e C ir c le . T here w as n o c o m pan y in t h e c o untr y t h at c o vere d an e m plo yee’s p are n ts o r s ib lin gs. “S u re , b ut y ou k now w hat w e s a y h ere ,” A nnie s a id . “ A nyth in g t h at m ak es o ur C ir c le rs’ liv es b ette r … ” S h e s e em ed t o b e w ait in g f o r M ae t o f in is h t h e s e n te n ce . M ae h ad n o id ea. “… in sta n tly b eco m es p ossib le . Y ou s h ould k now t h at!” “S o rry .” “T hat w as in y our in ta k e o rie n ta tio n. M ae! O kay , I’l l g et o n th is .” A nnie w as ty pin g so m eth in g in to her phone. “P ro bab ly la te r to nig h t. I’m ru nnin g in to a m eetin g now , th ough .” “It’s s ix o ’c lo ck .” S h e c h eck ed h er w ris t. “ N o. S ix t h ir ty .” “T his is e arly ! I ’l l b e h ere t ill t w elv e. O r m ay be a ll n ig h t. W e’v e g o t s o m e v ery f u n s tu hap pen in g.” H er f a ce w as a glo w , a liv e t o p ossib ilit y . “ D ealin g w it h s o m e ju ic y R ussia n t a x stu ff. T hose g u ys d o n ot f u ck a ro und.” “Y ou s le ep in g in t h e d orm s? ” “N ah . I’l l p ro bab ly ju st p ush th ese tw o co uch es to geth er. O h sh it . I b ette r g o . L ove you.” Annie s q ueeze d M ae a n d w alk ed o ut o f t h e r o om . Mae w as a lo ne in A nnie ’s o } ce , stu nned . W as it p ossib le th at h er fa th er w ould so on hav e re al co vera ge? T hat th e cru el p ara d ox o f h er p are n ts ’ liv es— th at th eir co nsta n t battle s w it h in su ra n ce c o m pan ie s a ctu ally d im in is h ed h er fa th er’s h ealt h a n d p re v en te d her m oth er fr o m w ork in g, e lim in atin g h er a b ilit y to e arn m oney to p ay fo r h is ca re — would e n d? Mae’s p hone b uzze d . I t w as A nnie . “A nd d on’t w orry . Y ou k now I’m a n in ja w it h stu lik e th is . It’l l b e d one.” A nd sh e hung u p. Mae lo oked o ut A nnie ’s w in dow to S an V in ce n zo , m ost o f it b uilt o r r e n ovate d in th e la st fe w y ears— re sta u ra n ts to s e rv e C ir c le rs, h ote ls to s e rv e v is it o rs to th e C ir c le , s h ops hopin g to e n tic e C ir c le rs a n d th eir v is it o rs, sc h ools to se rv e c h ild re n o f th e C ir c le . T he Cir c le h ad ta k en o ver y fty b uild in gs in th e v ic in it y , tr a n sfo rm in g b lig h te d w are h ouse s in to clim bin g gy m s, sc h ools , se rv er fa rm s, each str u ctu re bold , unpre ce d en te d , w ell bey ond L E ED . Mae’s p hone w en t o ff a gain a n d a gain it w as A nnie . “O kay , g o od n ew s so oner th an e xp ecte d . I ch eck ed a n d it ’s n ot a b ig d eal. W e h av e ab out a d oze n o th er p are n ts o n t h e p la n , a n d e v en s o m e s ib lin gs. I t w is te d a f e w a rm s a n d th ey s a y t h ey c a n g et y our d ad o n.” Mae lo oked a t h er p hone. It h ad b een fo ur m in ute s s in ce s h e’d y rst m en tio ned a ll th is to A nnie . “O h s h it . Y ou’r e s e rio us? ” “Y ou w an t y our m om o n th e p la n , to o? O f co urse y ou d o. S h e’s h ealt h ie r, so th at’s easy . W e’l l p ut b oth o f t h em o n.” “W hen ?” “I g u ess im med ia te ly .” “I c a n ’t b elie v e t h is .” “C ’m on, giv e m e so m e cre d it ,” Annie sa id , bre ath le ss. Sh e w as w alk in g bris k ly , so m ew here . “ T his is e asy .” “S o s h ould I t e ll m y p are n ts ? ” “W hat, y ou w an t me t o t e ll t h em ?” “N o, n o. I ’m ju st m ak in g s u re it ’s d efin it e .” “It is . It’s r e ally n ot th e b ig gest d eal in th e w orld . W e h av e e le v en th ousa n d p eo ple o n th e p la n . W e g et t o d ic ta te t e rm s, r ig h t? ” “T han k y ou A nnie .” “S o m eo ne fr o m H R w ill c a ll y ou to m orro w . Y ou g u ys c a n w ork o ut th e d eta ils . G otta go a gain . N ow I ’m r e ally la te .” And s h e h ung u p a gain . Mae ca lle d her pare n ts , te llin g her m om y rst, th en her dad , an d th ere w as so m e whoopin g, a n d th ere w ere te ars, m ore p ra is e fo r A nnie a s th e sa v io r o f th e fa m ily , a n d so m e v ery e m barra ssin g ta lk a b out h ow M ae h ad b eco m e a re al a d ult , h ow h er p are n ts were ash am ed an d h um ble d to b e le an in g o n h er, le an in g so h eav ily o n th eir y oung dau gh te r th is w ay , it ’s ju st th is m esse d -u p s y ste m w e’r e a ll s tu ck in , th ey s a id . B ut th an k you, th ey sa id , w e’r e so p ro ud o f y ou. A nd w hen sh e w as a lo ne o n th e p hone w it h h er moth er, h er m oth er s a id , “ M ae, y ou’v e s a v ed n ot ju st y our f a th er’s lif e b ut m y lif e , t o o, I sw ear t o g o d y ou h av e, m y s w eet M aeb ellin e.” At s e v en M ae fo und s h e c o uld n’t s ta n d it a n y lo nger. S h e c o uld n’t s it s till. S h e h ad to g et up an d ce le b ra te in so m e w ay . Sh e ch eck ed th e ca m pus th at n ig h t. Sh e’d m is se d th e Sah ara k ic k o a n d a lr e ad y re gre tte d it . T here w as a p oetr y sla m , in co stu m e, a n d sh e ra n ked th at one y rst a n d e v en R SV P’d to it . B ut th en s h e s a w th e c o okin g c la ss in w hic h th ey w ere g o in g t o r o ast a n d e at a n e n tir e g o at. S h e r a n ked t h at s e co nd. A t n in e t h ere w as an a p peara n ce b y s o m e a ctiv is t w an tin g th e C ir c le ’s h elp in h er c a m paig n a gain st v agin al mutila tio n in M ala w i. I f s h e t r ie d , M ae c o uld g et t o a t le ast a f e w o f t h ese e v en ts , b ut ju st when sh e w as a rra n gin g so m e so rt o f it in era ry , sh e sa w so m eth in g th at o blit e ra te d a ll els e : t h e F unky A rse W hole C ir c u s w ould b e o n c a m pus, o n t h e la w n n ext t o t h e I r o n A ge, at s e v en . S h e’d h eard o f t h em , a n d t h eir r e v ie w s a n d r a tin gs w ere s te lla r, a n d t h e t h ough t of a c ir c u s, t h at n ig h t, m ost m atc h ed h er e u phoria . Sh e tr ie d A nnie , b ut sh e c o uld n’t m ak e it ; sh e w ould b e in h er m eetin g till e le v en a t le ast. B ut C ir c le Searc h in dic a te d a bunch of peo ple sh e knew , in clu din g R en ata an d Alis ta ir a n d J are d , w ould b e th ere — th e la tte r tw o a lr e ad y w ere — so s h e y nis h ed u p a n d fle w . The lig h t w as fa d in g, th re ad ed in go ld , w hen sh e tu rn ed th e co rn er of th e T hre e Kin gd om s a n d s a w a m an s ta n din g, tw o s to rie s ta ll, b lo w in g y re . B ey ond h im , a w om an in a g lit te rin g h ead dre ss w as th ro w in g a n d ca tc h in g a n eo n b ato n. M ae h ad fo und th e cir c u s. There w ere a b out tw o h undre d p eo ple fo rm in g a lo ose fe n ce a ro und th e p erfo rm ers, who w ork ed in o pen a ir , w it h m in im al p ro ps a n d w hat s e em ed to b e a d ecid ed ly lim it e d budget. T he C ir c le rs r in gin g th e p erfo rm an ce e m it te d a n a rra y o f lig h ts , s o m e fr o m th eir wris t m onit o rs, s o m e f r o m t h eir p hones, o ut a n d a glo w , c a p tu rin g t h e p ro ce ed in gs. W hile Mae lo oked f o r J are d a n d R en ata , a n d c a u tio usly k ep t a n e y e o ut f o r A lis ta ir , s h e w atc h ed th e c ir c u s s w ir l in f r o nt o f h er. T here s e em ed t o b e n o d e y nit e b egin nin g t o t h e s h ow — it was alr e ad y u nderw ay w hen sh e’d arriv ed — an d n o d is c e rn ib le str u ctu re to an y o f it . There w ere te n o r s o m em bers o f th e cir c u s, a ll o f th em v is ib le a t a ll tim es, a ll o f th em wearin g th re ad bare c o stu m es th at re v ele d in th eir a n tiq ue h um ilit y . A sm allis h m an d id wild a cro batic s w hile w earin g a te rrif y in g e le p han t m ask . A m ostly n ak ed w om an , h er fa ce obsc u re d under a {am in go head , dan ce d in cir c le s, her m ovem en ts alt e rn atin g betw een b alle t a n d a s tu m blin g d ru nk. Ju st b ey ond h er, M ae s a w A lis ta ir , w ho w av ed t o h er, a n d t h en b egan t e xtin g. M om en ts la te r s h e c h eck ed h er p hone a n d s a w t h at A lis ta ir w as p uttin g o n a n oth er, n ow b ig ger a n d bette r, e v en t f o r a ll P ortu gal e n th usia sts , n ext w eek . It w ill b e th u ndero u s , h e t e xte d . Film s, music , p oetr y , sto ry te llin g, a n d jo y! S h e te xte d th at sh e’d b e th ere a n d c o uld h ard ly w ait . Acro ss th e la w n, p ast th e { am in go , M ae sa w h im re ad in g h er m essa ge, w atc h ed a s h e ra is e d h is e y es t o h er, w av in g. Sh e w en t b ack to w atc h in g th e c ir c u s. T he p erfo rm ers s e em ed to b e n ot ju st a ectin g th e a ir o f p overty b ut to b e liv in g it — ev ery th in g a b out th em s e em ed o ld , a n d s m elle d o f age an d d eca y . A ro und th em th e C ir c le rs ca p tu re d th e p erfo rm an ce o n th eir sc re en s, wan tin g to r e m em ber th e v ery s tr a n gen ess o f th is b an d o f h om ele ss-s e em in g r e v ele rs, to docu m en t h ow in co ngru ous it w as h ere a t t h e C ir c le , a m id t h e c a re fu lly c o nsid ere d p ath s an d g ard en s, a m id t h e p eo ple w ho w ork ed t h ere , w ho s h ow ere d r e gu la rly , t r ie d t o s ta y a t le ast r e aso nab ly f a sh io nab le , a n d w ho w ash ed t h eir c lo th es. Mae, m ak in g h er w ay t h ro ugh t h e c ro w d, f o und J o sia h a n d D en is e , w ho w ere d elig h te d to s e e h er, b ut b oth s e em ed s c a n daliz e d b y th e c ir c u s, th e to ne a n d te n or o f w hic h , th ey th ough t, h ad g o ne to o fa r; J o sia h h ad a lr e ad y re v ie w ed it u nfa v ora b ly . M ae le ft th em , hap py th ey ’d se en h er, h ad re gis te re d h er a tte n dan ce , a n d w en t lo okin g fo r a b ev era ge. Sh e s a w a r o w o f b ooth s in th e d is ta n ce a n d w as m ak in g h er way to th em w hen o ne o f th e p erfo rm ers, a sh ir tle ss m an w it h a h an dle b ar m usta ch e, ra ce d o ver to h er, c a rry in g th re e sw ord s. H e se em ed u nste ad y, an d in th e m om en ts b efo re h e re ach ed h er, M ae gra sp ed t h at t h ough h e w an te d t o s e em u nder c o ntr o l, t h at t h is w as p art o f h is a ct, h e w as actu ally g o in g to r u n in to h er w it h h is a rm s fu ll o f b la d es. S h e fr o ze , a n d h e w as in ch es aw ay fr o m h er, w hen sh e fe lt h er sh ould ers b ein g g ra b bed a n d th ro w n. S h e fe ll to h er knees, h er b ack t o t h e m an w it h t h e s w ord s. “Y ou o kay ?” a d i ere n t m an a sk ed . S h e lo oked u p to s e e h e w as s ta n din g w here s h e’d been . “I t h in k s o ,” s h e s a id . And t h en h e t u rn ed b ack t o t h e w ir y s w ord -m an . “ W hat t h e f u ck , c lo w n?” Was it K ald en ? The s w ord ju ggle r w as lo okin g to M ae, to a ssu re h im se lf th at s h e w as o kay , a n d w hen he s a w t h at s h e w as, h e t u rn ed h is a tte n tio n t o t h e m an in f r o nt o f h im . It w as K ald en . N ow M ae w as s u re . H e h ad K ald en ’s c a llig ra p hic s h ap e. H e w as w earin g a p la in w hit e V -n eck u ndersh ir t a n d g re y p an ts , a s s k in ny a s th e je an s s h e’d y rst s e en o n him . H e h ad n ot s tr u ck M ae a s s o m eo ne q uic k t o y gh t, a n d y et h e w as s ta n din g, c h est o ut an d han ds aw ak e, as th e cir c u s perfo rm er asse sse d him , ey es ste ad y, as if ch oosin g betw een s ta y in g in c h ara cte r, in th is c ir c u s, fo llo w in g th ro ugh w it h th e s h ow a n d g ettin g paid , an d paid w ell, by th is en orm ous an d pro sp ero us an d in { uen tia l co m pan y, or ta n glin g w it h t h is g u y in f r o nt o f t w o h undre d p eo ple . Fin ally h e c h ose t o s m ile , t h eatr ic a lly t w ir l h is m usta ch e b y b oth e n ds, a n d t u rn . “S o rry t h at h ap pen ed ,” K ald en s a id , h elp in g h er u p. “ Y ou s u re y ou’r e o kay ?” Mae s a id s h e w as. T he m usta ch e m an h ad n’t t o uch ed h er, h ad o nly s c a re d h er, a n d e v en th en , o nly f o r a m om en t. Sh e s ta re d a t h is f a ce , w hic h in t h e s u dden ly b lu e lig h t w as lik e s o m e B ra n cu si s c u lp tu re —sm ooth , p erfe ctly o val. H is e y eb ro w s w ere R om an a rc h es, h is n ose lik e s o m e s m all s e a cre atu re ’s d elic a te s n out. “T hose a ssh ole s s h ould n’t b e h ere in th e y rst p la ce ,” h e s a id . “ A b unch o f c o urt je ste rs here to en te rta in ro yalt y . I don’t se e th e poin t,” he sa id , now lo okin g aro und him , sta n din g o n h is t ip to es. “ C an w e le av e h ere ?” They f o und t h e f o od a n d d rin ks t a b le e n r o ute a n d t o ok t a p as a n d s a u sa ges a n d c u ps o f re d w in e t o a r o w o f le m on t r e es b eh in d t h e V ik in g A ge. “Y ou d on’t r e m em ber m y n am e,” M ae s a id . “N o. B ut I k now y ou, an d I w an te d to se e y ou. T hat’s w hy I w as n ear w hen th e musta ch e c a m e a t y ou.” “M ae.” “R ig h t. I ’m K ald en .” “I k now . I r e m em ber n am es.” “A nd I t r y t o . I ’m a lw ay s t r y in g. S o a re J o sia h a n d D en is e y our f r ie n ds? ” h e a sk ed . “I d on’t k now . S u re . I m ean , th ey d id m y o rie n ta tio n a n d, y ou k now , I’v e ta lk ed to th em s in ce . W hy?” “N o r e aso n.” “W hat d o y ou d o h ere , a n yw ay ?” “A nd D an ? Y ou h an g o ut w it h D an ?” “D an ’s m y b oss. Y ou w on’t t e ll m e w hat y ou d o, w ill y ou?” “Y ou w an t a le m on?” h e a sk ed , a n d s to od. H e k ep t h is e y es o n M ae a s h e r e ach ed h is han d in to t h e t r e e a n d r e tr ie v ed a la rg e o ne. T here w as a m asc u lin e g ra ce t o t h e g estu re , how h e s tr e tc h ed , { uid ly u pw ard , s lo w er t h an m ig h t b e e xp ecte d , t h at m ad e h er t h in k o f a d iv er. W it h out lo okin g a t t h e le m on, h e h an ded it t o h er. “It’s g re en ,” s h e s a id . He s q uin te d a t it . “ O h. I th ough t th at w ould w ork . I w en t fo r th e b ig gest o ne I c o uld fin d. I t s h ould h av e b een y ello w . H ere , s ta n d u p.” He g av e h er h is h an d, h elp ed h er u p, a n d p osit io ned h er ju st a w ay fr o m th e b ough s o f th e t r e e. T hen h e t h re w h is a rm s a ro und t h e t r u nk a n d s h ook it u ntil le m ons r a in ed d ow n. Fiv e o r s ix h it M ae. “J esu s. S o rry ,” h e s a id . “ I’m a n id io t.” “N o. I t w as g o od,” s h e s a id . “ T hey w ere h eav y, a n d t w o h it m e in t h e h ead . I lo ved it .” He t o uch ed h er t h en , s h ap in g h is h an d a ro und h er h ead . “ A nyth in g e sp ecia lly b ad ?” Sh e s a id s h e w as f in e. “Y ou a lw ay s h urt th e o nes y ou lo ve,” h e sa id , h is fa ce a d ark sh ap e a b ove h er. A s if re aliz in g w hat h e’d sa id , h e cle are d h is th ro at. “A nyw ay . T hat’s w hat m y p are n ts sa id . And t h ey lo ved m e v ery m uch .” In t h e m orn in g, M ae c a lle d A nnie , w ho w as o n h er w ay t o t h e a ir p ort, h ead in g t o M exic o to u nta n gle s o m e r e gu la to ry s n afu . “I m et s o m eo ne in tr ig u in g,” M ae s a id . “G ood. I w asn ’t c ra zy a b out t h e o th er o ne. G allip oli.” “G ara v en ta .” “F ra n cis . H e’s a n erv ous lit tle m ouse . A nd th is n ew o ne? W hat d o w e k now ab out him ?” M ae c o uld s e n se A nnie s p eed in g t h e c o nversa tio n a lo ng. Mae tr ie d to d esc rib e h im , b ut re aliz e d sh e k new a lm ost n oth in g. “H e’s th in . B ro w n ey es, t a llis h ?” “T hat’s it ? B ro w n e y es a n d t a llis h ?” “O h w ait ,” M ae s a id , la u gh in g a t h erse lf . “ H e h ad g re y h air . H e has g re y h air .” “W ait . W hat? ” “H e w as y oung, b ut w it h g re y h air .” “O kay . M ae. I t’s o kay if y ou’r e a g ra n dpa c h ase r— ” “N o, n o. I ’m s u re h e w as y oung.” “Y ou s a y h e’s u nder t h ir ty , b ut w it h g re y h air ? ” “I s w ear.” “I d on’t k now a n yone h ere lik e t h at.” “Y ou k now a ll t e n t h ousa n d p eo ple ?” “M ay be h e’s g o t s o m e t e m pora ry c o ntr a ct. Y ou d id n’t g et h is la st n am e?” “I t r ie d , b ut h e w as v ery c o y.” “H uh. T hat’s n ot s o C ir c ly , is it ? A nd h e h ad g re y h air ? ” “A lm ost w hit e .” “L ik e a s w im mer w ould ? W hen t h ey u se t h at s h am poo?” “N o. T his w asn ’t s ilv er. I t w as ju st g re y . L ik e a n o ld m an w ould h av e.” “A nd y ou’r e s u re h e wasn ’t s o m e o ld m an ? L ik e s o m e o ld m an y ou f o und o n t h e s tr e et? ” “N o.” “W ere y ou ro am in g th e str e ets , M ae? A re y ou in to th at p artic u la r sm ell o f a n o ld er man ? A m uch o ld er m an ? I t’s m usty . L ik e a w et c a rd board b ox. Y ou lik e t h at? ” “P le ase .” Annie w as en te rta in in g herse lf , an d so co ntin ued : “I gu ess th ere ’s co m fo rt th ere , know in g h e c a n c a sh in h is 4 01(k ). A nd h e m ust b e so g ra te fu l fo r a n y a ectio n a t a ll. … O h s h it . I ’m a t t h e a ir p ort. I ’l l c a ll y ou b ack .” Annie d id n’t c a ll b ack , b ut te xte d fr o m th e p la n e a n d la te r fr o m M exic o C it y , s e n din g Mae p ic tu re s o f v ario us o ld m en sh e sa w o n th e str e et. Is th is h im ? T his o n e? T hat o n e? Ése ? É se ? Mae w as le ft to w onder a b out a ll o f th is . H ow d id sh e n ot k now K ald en ’s la st n am e? Sh e d id a p re lim in ary s e arc h in th e c o m pan y d ir e cto ry , a n d fo und n o K ald en s. S h e tr ie d Kald an , K ald in , K hald en . N oth in g. M ay be s h e’d m is sp elle d o r m is h eard it ? S h e c o uld h av e done a m ore su rg ic a l se arc h if sh e’d k now n w hat d ep artm en t h e w as in , w hat p art o f ca m pus h e m ig h t o ccu py, b ut s h e k new n oth in g. Still, s h e c o uld t h in k o f lit tle e ls e . H is w hit e V -n eck , h is s a d e y es t h at t r ie d n ot t o s e em sa d , h is s k in ny g re y p an ts t h at m ig h t h av e b een s ty lis h o r h orrib le , s h e c o uld n’t d ecid e in th e d ark , th e w ay h e h eld h er a t th e e n d o f th e n ig h t, w hen th ey ’d w alk ed to w here th e helic o pte rs la n ded , h opin g to se e o ne, a n d th en , se ein g n one, th ey w alk ed b ack to th e le m on g ro ve, a n d th ere h e sa id h e w ould h av e to g o , a n d c o uld sh e w alk to th e sh uttle fr o m th ere . H e p oin te d to th e ro w o f th em , n ot tw o h undre d y ard s o , a n d sh e sm ile d an d s a id s h e c o uld h an dle it . T hen h e’d b ro ugh t h er t o h im , s o s u dden ly , t o o s u dden ly f o r her to k now if h e p la n ned a k is s o r g ro pe o r w hat. W hat h e d id w as a { atte n in g o f h er sh ap e a gain st h is , w it h h is r ig h t a rm c ro ssin g her b ack , h is h an d a to p h er s h ould er, a n d h is le ft h an d f a r lo w er, b old er, r e stin g o n h er s a cru m , h is f in gers f a n nin g d ow n. Then h e p ulle d a w ay a n d s m ile d . “Y ou s u re y ou’r e o kay ?” “I a m .” “Y ou’r e n ot s c a re d ?” Sh e la u gh ed . “ N o. I ’m n ot s c a re d .” “O kay . G ood n ig h t.” And h e t u rn ed a n d w alk ed in a n ew d ir e ctio n, n ot t o w ard t h e s h uttle s o r t h e h elic o pte rs or t h e c ir c u s, b ut t h ro ugh a n arro w s h ad ow ed p ath , a lo ne. All w eek sh e th ough t o f h is re tr e atin g fo rm , a n d h is str o ng h an ds re ach in g, a n d sh e lo oked a t th e b ig g re en le m on h e’d p ic k ed , w hic h s h e’d r e tr ie v ed a n d th ough t, w ro ngly , would h av e r ip en ed o n h er d esk if g iv en t h e t im e. I t s ta y ed g re en . But sh e c o uld n’t g et h old o f h im . S h e p ut o ut a fe w a ll-c o m pan y z in gs, lo okin g fo r a Kald en , c a re fu l n ot t o lo ok d esp era te . B ut s h e g o t n o r e sp onse . Sh e k new A nnie c o uld y gu re it o ut, b ut A nnie w as n ow in P eru . T he c o m pan y w as in so m e m odera te ly h ot w ate r o ver th eir p la n s in th e A m azo n— so m eth in g in volv in g d ro nes to co unt an d photo gra p h ev ery re m ain in g tr e e. B etw een m eetin gs w it h m em bers of vario us e n vir o nm en ta l a n d re gu la to ry o } cia ls , A nnie y nally c a lle d b ack . “ L et m e d o a fa cia l r e c o n h im . S en d m e a p hoto .” But M ae h ad n o p hoto s o f h im . “Y ou’r e k id din g. N oth in g?” “It w as d ark . I t w as a c ir c u s.” “Y ou s a id th at. S o h e g av e y ou a g re en le m on a n d n o p hoto s. A re y ou s u re h e w asn ’t ju st v is it in g?” “B ut I m et h im b efo re , r e m em ber? N ear th e b ath ro om ? A nd th en h e c a m e b ack to m y desk a n d w atc h ed m e w ork .” “W ow , M ae. T his g u y so unds lik e a w in ner. G re en le m ons a n d h eav y b re ath in g o ver your sh ould er w hile you an sw er cu sto m er querie s. If I w ere bein g th e slig h te st bit para n oid , I’d th in k h e w as a n in y lt r a to r o f so m e k in d, o r a lo w -g ra d e m ole ste r.” A nnie had to h an g u p, b ut th en , a n h our la te r, te xte d . You h ave to k eep m e p oste d o n th is g u y. Gettin g in cre a sin gly u nse ttle d . W e’v e h ad s o m e w eir d s ta lk er p eo ple o ver th e y ea rs. L ast y ea r w e had a g u y, so m e k in d o f b lo gger, w ho a tte n ded a p arty a n d sta yed o n c a m pu s fo r tw o w eek s, sk u lk in g a ro u nd a n d s le ep in g in s to ra ge r o om s. H e tu rn ed o u t to b e r e la tiv ely h arm le ss, b u t y ou ca n s e e h ow s o m e U nid en tif ie d F re a ky M an w ou ld b e c a u se fo r c o n cern . But M ae w asn ’t co nce rn ed . Sh e tr u ste d K ald en , an d co uld n’t belie v e he had an y nefa rio us in te n tio ns. H is fa ce had an open ness, an unm is ta k ab le la ck of gu ile — Mae co uld n’t q uit e e xp la in it to A nnie , b ut sh e h ad n o d oubts a b out h im . S h e k new , th ough , th at h e w as n ot r e lia b le a s a c o m munic a to r, b ut s h e k new , a ls o , s h e w as s u re o f it , t h at h e would c o nta ct h er a gain . A nd th ough b ein g u nab le to r e ach a n yone e ls e in h er lif e w ould hav e been gra tin g, exasp era tin g, hav in g him out th ere , at le ast fo r a fe w day s, unre ach ab le b ut p re su m ab ly s o m ew here o n c a m pus, p ro vid ed a jo lt o f w elc o m e f r is so n t o her h ours. T he w eek ’s w ork lo ad w as h eav y b ut w hile t h in kin g o f K ald en , e v ery q uery w as so m e g lo rio us a ria . T he c u sto m ers s a n g t o h er a n d s h e s a n g b ack . S h e lo ved t h em a ll. S h e lo ved R is a T hom aso n in T w in F alls , Id ah o. S h e lo ved M ack M oore in G ary , In dia n a. S h e lo ved t h e n ew bie s a ro und her. S h e lo ved J are d ’s o cca sio nally w orrie d v is a ge a p pearin g in his d oorw ay , a sk in g h er to se e h ow th ey co uld k eep th eir a ggre gate o ver 9 8. A nd sh e lo ved t h at s h e h ad b een a b le t o ig n ore F ra n cis a n d h is c o nsta n t c o nta ctin g o f h er. H is m in i vid eo s. H is a u dio g re etin g c a rd s. H is p la y lis ts , a ll o f th em s o ngs o f a p olo gy a n d w oe. H e was a m em ory n ow , o blit e ra te d b y K ald en a n d h is e le gan t s ilh ouette , h is s tr o ng s e arc h in g han ds. S h e lo ved h ow sh e co uld , a lo ne, in th e b ath ro om , sim ula te th e e ect o f th ose han ds, c o uld , w it h h er o w n h an d, a p pro xim ate th e p re ssu re h e a p plie d to h er. B ut w here was h e? W hat h ad b een in tr ig u in g o n M onday a n d T uesd ay w as a p pro ach in g a n noyin g b y Wed nesd ay a n d e xasp era tin g b y T hursd ay . H is in vis ib ilit y b egan to fe el in te n tio nal a n d ev en a ggre ssiv e. H e’d p ro m is e d to b e in to uch , h ad n’t h e? M ay be h e h ad n’t , s h e th ough t. What had h e s a id ? S h e s e arc h ed h er m em ory a n d r e aliz e d , w it h a k in d o f p an ic , th at a ll he’d s a id , a t t h e e n d o f t h e n ig h t, w as “ G ood n ig h t.” B ut A nnie w ould b e c o m in g b ack o n Frid ay , a n d to geth er, w it h e v en a n h our to geth er, th ey c o uld y nd h im , k now h is n am e, lo ck h im in . And y nally , o n F rid ay m orn in g, A nnie r e tu rn ed , a n d t h ey m ad e p la n s t o m eet ju st b efo re th e D re am Frid ay . There w as su ppose d to be a pre se n ta tio n ab out th e fu tu re of Cir c le M oney — a w ay to se n d all o nlin e p urc h ase s th ro ugh th e C ir c le an d, ev en tu ally , obvia te th e n eed fo r p ap er c u rre n cy a t a ll— but th en th e p re se n ta tio n w as c a n ce lle d . A ll sta ffe rs w ere a sk ed t o w atc h a p re ss c o nfe re n ce b ein g h eld in W ash in gto n. Mae h urrie d d ow n t o t h e lo bby o f t h e R en ais sa n ce , w here a f e w h undre d C ir c le rs w ere watc h in g th e w alls c re en . A w om an in a blu eb erry -c o lo re d su it sto od b eh in d a p odiu m fe sto oned w it h m ic ro phones, s u rro unded b y a id es a n d a p air o f A m eric a n { ags. B elo w h er th e tic k er: S EN ATO R W IL LIA M SO N SE EK IN G TO BR EA K U P TH E C IR CLE . It w as to o lo ud at y rst to h ear an yth in g, b ut a se rie s o f h is sin g sh ush es a n d v olu m e in cre ase s m ad e h er v oic e a u dib le . The s e n ato r w as in t h e m id dle o f r e ad in g a w rit te n s ta te m en t. “W e are here to day to in sis t th at th e Sen ate ’s Antit r u st Task Forc e begin an in vestig atio n in to w heth er o r n ot th e C ir c le acts as a m onopoly . W e b elie v e th at th e Ju stic e D ep artm en t w ill s e e th e C ir c le fo r w hat it is , a m onopoly in it s p ure st s e n se , a n d move to bre ak it up, ju st as th ey did w it h Sta n dard O il, AT& T an d ev ery oth er dem onstr a te d m onopoly in o ur h is to ry . T he d om in an ce o f th e C ir c le sti { es c o m petit io n an d is d an gero us t o o ur w ay o f f r e e-m ark et c a p it a lis m .” Afte r sh e w as y nis h ed , th e sc re en w en t b ack to it s u su al p urp ose , to ce le b ra te th e th ough ts o f th e C ir c le sta , a n d a m id th e th ro ngs th at d ay w ere m an y th ough ts . T he co nse n su s w as th at th is se n ato r w as k now n fo r h er o cca sio nally o uts id e-t h e-m ain str e am posit io ns— sh e h ad b een a gain st t h e w ars in I r a q a n d A fg h an is ta n — an d t h us s h e w ould n ot get m uch tr a ctio n w it h th is a n tit r u st c ru sa d e. T he C ir c le w as a c o m pan y p opula r o n b oth sid es o f th e a is le , k now n fo r it s p ra gm atic p osit io ns o n v ir tu ally e v ery p olit ic a l is su e, fo r it s gen ero us d onatio ns, an d th us th is le ft-o f-c e n te r se n ato r w ould n’t get m uch su pport fr o m h er lib era l c o lle agu es— much le ss a m ong t h e R ep ublic a n r a n ks. Mae d id n’t k now e n ough a b out a n tit r u st la w s t o h av e a n o -t h e-c u o pin io n. W as t h ere re ally n o c o m petit io n o ut th ere ? T he C ir c le h ad 9 0 p erc e n t o f th e s e arc h m ark et. E ig h ty – eig h t p erc e n t o f th e fr e e-m ail m ark et, 9 2 p erc e n t o f te xt se rv ic in g. T hat w as, in h er persp ectiv e, a sim ple te sta m en t to th eir m ak in g an d deliv erin g th e best pro duct. It se em ed in sa n e to p unis h th e co m pan y fo r it s e } cie n cy , fo r it s a tte n tio n to d eta il. F or su cce ed in g. “T here y ou a re ,” M ae sa id , se ein g A nnie c o m in g to w ard h er. “ H ow w as M exic o ? A nd Peru ?” “T hat id io t,” A nnie sc o ed , n arro w in g h er e y es a t th e sc re en w here th e se n ato r h ad re ce n tly a p peare d . “S o y ou’r e n ot c o nce rn ed a b out t h is ? ” “Y ou m ean , lik e sh e’s g o in g to a ctu ally g et so m ew here w it h th is ? N o. B ut p erso nally , sh e’s in a w orld o f s h it .” “W hat d o y ou m ean ? H ow d o y ou k now t h is ? ” Annie lo oked a t M ae, th en tu rn ed to fa ce th e b ack o f th e ro om . T om S te n to n sto od, ch attin g w it h a fe w C ir c le rs, h is arm s cro sse d , a p ostu re th at in so m eo ne els e m ig h t co nvey c o nce rn o r e v en a n ger. B ut m ore t h an a n yth in g, h e s e em ed a m use d . “L et’s g o ,” A nnie s a id , a n d t h ey w alk ed a cro ss c a m pus, h opin g t o g et lu nch f r o m a t a co tr u ck h ir e d t o f e ed C ir c le rs t h at d ay . “ H ow ’s y our g en tle m an c a lle r? D on’t t e ll m e h e d ie d durin g s e x.” “I s till h av en ’t s e en h im s in ce la st w eek .” “N o c o nta ct a t a ll? ” A nnie a sk ed . “ W hat a s h it .” “I t h in k h e’s ju st f r o m s o m e o th er e ra .” “S o m e o th er e ra ? A nd g re y h air ? M ae, y ou k now th at m om en t in The S hin in g w hen Nic h ols o n is h av in g s o m e k in d o f s e xy e n co unte r w it h th e w om an in th e b ath ro om ? A nd th en t h e la d y t u rn s o ut t o b e s o m e e ld erly u ndead c o rp se ?” Mae h ad n o id ea w hat A nnie w as t a lk in g a b out. “A ctu ally — ” A nnie s a id , a n d h er e y es lo st f o cu s. “W hat? ” “Y ou know , w it h th is W illia m so n in vestig atio n th in g, it w orrie s m e to hav e so m e sh ad ow y g u y s k ulk in g a ro und c a m pus. C an y ou t e ll m e t h e n ext t im e y ou s e e h im ?” Mae lo oked a t A nnie , a n d s a w , fo r th e y rst tim e s h e c o uld r e m em ber, s o m eth in g lik e re al w orry . At f o ur t h ir y D an s e n t a m essa ge: Gre a t d ay s o fa r! M eet a t fiv e? Mae a rriv ed a t D an ’s d oor. H e s to od, g u id ed h er t o a c h air , a n d c lo se d t h e d oor. H e s a t beh in d h is d esk a n d t a p ped t h e g la ss o f h is t a b le t. “9 7. 9 8. 9 8. 9 8. W onderfu l a ggre gate s t h is w eek .” “T han k y ou,” M ae s a id . “R eally s p ecta cu la r. E sp ecia lly c o nsid erin g t h e in cre ase d w ork lo ad w it h t h e n ew bs. H as th at b een d if fic u lt ? ” “M ay be th e y rst c o uple d ay s, b ut n ow th ey ’r e a ll tr a in ed a n d d on’t n eed m e a s m uch . They ’r e a ll e xce lle n t, s o if a n yth in g, it ’s s lig h tly e asie r, h av in g m ore p eo ple o n t h e jo b.” “G ood. G ood to h ear.” N ow D an lo oked u p, a n d p ro bed in to h er e y es. “ M ae, h av e y ou had a g o od e xp erie n ce s o f a r h ere a t t h e C ir c le ?” “A bso lu te ly ,” s h e s a id . His fa ce b rig h te n ed . “ G ood. G ood. T hat’s v ery g o od n ew s. I a sk ed y ou to c o m e in ju st to , w ell, t o s q uare t h at w it h y our s o cia l b eh av io r h ere , a n d t h e m essa ge it ’s s e n din g. A nd I th in k I m ig h t h av e fa ile d to c o m munic a te e v ery th in g a b out th is jo b p ro perly . S o I b la m e myse lf if I h av en ’t d one t h at w ell e n ough .” “N o. N o. I k now y ou d id a g o od jo b. I ’m s u re y ou d id .” “W ell, th an k y ou, M ae. I ap pre cia te th at. B ut w hat w e n eed to ta lk ab out is th e, well … L et m e p ut it a n oth er w ay . Y ou k now th is is n ’t w hat y ou m ig h t c a ll a c lo ck -in , clo ck -o ut t y pe o f c o m pan y. D oes t h at m ak e s e n se ?” “O h, I k now . I w ould n’t … D id I im ply t h at I t h ough t … ” “N o, n o. Y ou d id n’t im ply a n yth in g. W e ju st h av en ’t s e en y ou a ro und s o m uch a fte r y ve o’c lo ck , s o w e w ondere d if y ou w ere , y ou k now , a n xio us t o le av e.” “N o, n o. D o y ou n eed m e t o s ta y la te r? ” Dan w in ce d . “ N o, it ’s n ot t h at. Y ou h an dle y our w ork lo ad ju st y ne. B ut w e m is se d y ou at t h e O ld W est p arty la st T hursd ay n ig h t, w hic h w as a p re tty c ru cia l t e am -b uild in g e v en t, ce n te re d aro und a p ro duct w e’r e all v ery p ro ud o f. Y ou m is se d at le ast tw o n ew bie ev en ts , a n d a t t h e c ir c u s, it lo oked lik e y ou c o uld n’t w ait t o le av e. I t h in k y ou w ere o ut o f th ere in tw en ty m in ute s. A nd th ose th in gs w ould b e u ndersta n dab le if y our P artic ip atio n Ran k w asn ’t s o lo w . D o y ou k now w hat it is ? ” Mae g u esse d it w as in t h e 8 ,0 00-r a n ge. “ I t h in k s o .” “Y ou t h in k s o ,” D an s a id , c h eck ed h is s c re en . “ It’s 9 ,1 01. D oes t h at s o und r ig h t? ” I t h ad dro pped in t h e la st h our, s in ce s h e’d la st c h eck ed . Dan c lu ck ed a n d n odded , a s if tr y in g to y gu re o ut h ow a c e rta in s p ot h ad a p peare d o n his sh ir t. “S o it ’s b een so rt o f a d din g u p a n d, w ell, w e sta rte d w orry in g th at w e w ere so m eh ow d riv in g y ou a w ay .” “N o, n o! I t’s n oth in g lik e t h at.” “O kay , le t’s fo cu s o n T hursd ay a t y ve y fte en . W e h ad a g ath erin g in th e O ld W est, where y our fr ie n d A nnie w ork s. It w as a se m i-m an dato ry w elc o m e p arty fo r a g ro up o f pote n tia l p artn ers. Y ou w ere o -c a m pus, w hic h re ally c o nfu se s m e. It’s a s if y ou w ere fle ein g.” Mae’s m in d ra ce d . W hy h ad n’t sh e g o ne? W here w as sh e? S h e d id n’t k now a b out th is ev en t. It w as a cro ss ca m pus, in th e O ld W est— how h ad sh e m is se d a se m i-m an dato ry ev en t? T he n otic e m ust h av e b een b urie d d eep in h er t h ir d s c re en . “G od, I ’m s o rry ,” s h e s a id , r e m em berin g n ow . “ A t y ve I le ft c a m pus t o g et s o m e a lo e a t th is h ealt h s h op in S an V in ce n zo . M y d ad a sk ed f o r t h is p artic u la r k in d o f— ” “M ae,” D an in te rru pte d , h is to ne co ndesc e n din g, “th e co m pan y sto re h as alo e. O ur sto re ’s bette r sto ck ed th an so m e co rn er sto re , an d w it h su perio r pro ducts . O urs is ca re fu lly c u ra te d .” “I’m s o rry . I d id n’t k now t h e c o m pan y s to re h ad s o m eth in g lik e a lo e.” “Y ou w en t t o o ur s to re a n d c o uld n’t f in d it ? ” “N o, n o. I d id n’t g o to th e s to re . I w en t s tr a ig h t to th e o th er s to re . B ut I’m s o g la d to know t h at— ” “L et m e s to p y ou t h ere , b eca u se y ou s a id s o m eth in g in te re stin g. Y ou s a id y ou d id n’t g o to o ur s to re f ir st? ” “N o. S o rry . I ju st a ssu m ed s o m eth in g lik e t h at w ould n’t b e t h ere , s o — ” “N ow lis te n . M ae, I s h ould a d m it th at I k now y ou d id n’t g o to th e s to re . T hat’s o ne o f th e t h in gs I w an te d t o t a lk t o y ou a b out. Y ou h av en ’t b een in t h e s to re , n ot o nce . Y ou— a fo rm er c o lle ge a th le te — hav en ’t b een t o t h e g y m , a n d y ou’v e b are ly e xp lo re d t h e c a m pus. I t h in k y ou’v e u se d a b out o ne p erc e n t o f o ur f a cilit ie s.” “I’m s o rry . I t’s ju st b een a w hir lw in d s o f a r, I g u ess.” “A nd F rid ay n ig h t? T here w as a m ajo r e v en t t h en , t o o.” “I’m s o rry . I w an te d to g o to th e p arty , b ut I h ad to r u n h om e. M y d ad h ad a s e iz u re an d it e n ded u p b ein g m in or b ut I d id n’t k now t h at u ntil I g o t h om e.” Dan lo oked a t h is g la ss d esk a n d, w it h a t is su e, t r ie d t o r e m ove a s m udge. S atis y ed , h e lo oked u p. “T hat’s v ery u ndersta n dab le . T o s p en d t im e w it h y our p are n ts , b elie v e m e, I t h in k t h at is v ery , v ery c o ol. I ju st w an t t o e m phasiz e t h e co m munit y a sp ect o f th is jo b. W e s e e th is work pla ce a s a co m munit y , a n d e v ery p erso n w ho w ork s h ere is part o f th at c o m munit y . And to m ak e it a ll w ork it r e q uir e s a c e rta in le v el o f p artic ip atio n. It’s lik e, if w e w ere a kin derg arte n c la ss, a n d o ne g ir l h as a p arty , a n d o nly h alf th e c la ss s h ow s u p, h ow d oes th e b ir th day g ir l f e el? ” “N ot g o od. I k now t h at. B ut I w as a t t h e c ir c u s e v en t a n d t h at w as g re at. So g re at.” “It was g re at, w asn ’t it ? A nd it w as g re at to se e y ou th ere . B ut w e h av e n o re co rd o f you b ein g t h ere . N o p hoto s, n o z in gs, n o r e v ie w s, n otic e s, b um ps. W hy n ot? ” “I d on’t k now . I g u ess I w as c a u gh t u p in t h e— ” Dan s ig h ed lo udly . “ Y ou d o k now t h at w e lik e t o h ear f r o m p eo ple , r ig h t? T hat C ir c le rs’ opin io ns a re v alu ed ?” “O f c o urse .” “A nd th at th e C ir c le is p re d ic a te d , to a la rg e e xte n t, o n th e in put a n d p artic ip atio n o f peo ple lik e y ourse lf ? ” “I k now .” “L is te n . It to ta lly m ak es se n se y ou’d w an t to sp en d tim e w it h y our p are n ts . T hey ’r e your p are n ts ! I t’s t o ta lly h onora b le o f y ou. L ik e I s a id : v ery , v ery c o ol. I ’m ju st s a y in g we lik e y ou a lo t, to o, a n d w an t to k now y ou b ette r. T o th at e n d, I w onder if y ou’d b e wil lin g to s ta y a fe w e xtr a m in ute s, to ta lk to J o sia h a n d D en is e . I th in k y ou r e m em ber th em fr o m y our o rie n ta tio n? T hey ’d lo ve to ju st e xte n d th e c o nversa tio n w e’r e h av in g, an d g o a b it d eep er. D oes t h at s o und g o od?” “S u re .” “Y ou d on’t h av e t o r u sh h om e o r … ?” “N o. I ’m a ll y ours.” “G ood. G ood. I lik e t o h ear t h at. H ere t h ey a re n ow .” Mae tu rn ed to se e D en is e a n d J o sia h , b oth w av in g, o n th e o th er sid e o f D an ’s g la ss door. “M ae, h ow a re y ou?” D en is e sa id , a s th ey w alk ed to th e co nfe re n ce ro om . “I ca n ’t belie v e it ’s b een t h re e w eek s s in ce w e g av e y ou y our f ir st t o ur! W e’l l b e in h ere .” Jo sia h o pen ed th e d oor to a c o nfe re n ce ro om M ae h ad p asse d m an y tim es. T he ro om was o val, t h e w alls g la ss. “L et’s h av e y ou sit h ere ,” D en is e sa id , in dic a tin g a h ig h -b ack ed le ath er c h air . S h e a n d Jo sia h s a t a cro ss fr o m h er, a rra n gin g th eir ta b le ts a n d a d ju stin g th eir s e ats , a s if s e ttlin g in fo r a ta sk th at m ig h t ta k e h ours, a n d w ould a lm ost s u re ly b e u nple asa n t. M ae tr ie d to sm ile . “A s y ou k now ,” D en is e sa id , p uttin g a str a n d o f h er d ark h air b eh in d h er e ar, “ w e’r e fr o m H R, a n d th is is ju st a r e gu la r c h eck -in w e d o w it h n ew c o m munit y m em bers h ere . We d o th em s o m ew here in th e c o m pan y e v ery d ay , a n d w e’r e e sp ecia lly g la d to s e e y ou again . Y ou’r e s u ch a n e n ig m a.” “I a m ?” “Y ou a re . I t’s b een y ears s in ce I c a n r e m em ber s o m eo ne jo in in g w ho w as s o , y ou k now , sh ro uded in m yste ry .” Mae w asn ’t s u re h ow t o a n sw er t h is . S h e d id n’t f e el s h ro uded in m yste ry . “S o I th ough t m ay be w e w ould s ta rt b y ta lk in g a lit tle a b out y ou, a n d a fte r w e g et to know m ore a b out y ou, w e c a n t a lk a b out w ay s t h at y ou m ig h t f e el c o m fo rta b le jo in in g in a b it m ore in t e rm s o f t h e c o m munit y . D oes t h at s o und g o od?” Mae n odded . “ O f c o urse .” S h e lo oked to J o sia h , w ho h ad n’t s a id a w ord y et, b ut w ho was w ork in g f u rio usly o n h is t a b le t, t y pin g a n d s w ip in g. “G ood. I t h ough t w e w ould s ta rt b y s a y in g t h at w e r e ally lik e y ou,” D en is e s a id . Jo sia h y nally sp oke, h is b lu e e y es b rig h t. “ W e do ,” h e s a id . “ W e r e ally d o. Y ou a re a su per-c o ol m em ber o f t h e t e am . E very one t h in ks s o .” “T han k y ou,” M ae sa id , fe elin g su re th at sh e w as b ein g y re d . S h e’d g o ne to o fa r in ask in g f o r h er p are n ts t o b e a d ded t o t h e in su ra n ce p la n . H ow c o uld s h e h av e d one t h at s o so on a fte r b ein g h ir e d ? “A nd th at y our w ork h ere h as b een e xem pla ry ,” D en is e c o ntin ued . “ Y our r a tin gs h av e been av era gin g 9 7, an d th at’s exce lle n t, esp ecia lly fo r y our y rst m onth . D o y ou fe el sa tis fie d w it h y our p erfo rm an ce ?” Mae g u esse d a t t h e r ig h t a n sw er. “ I d o.” Den is e d n odded . “ G ood. B ut a s y ou k now , it ’s n ot a ll a b out w ork h ere . O r r a th er, it ’s not a ll a b out r a tin gs a n d a p pro vals a n d s u ch . Y ou’r e n ot ju st s o m e c o g in a m ach in e.” Jo sia h w as s h ak in g h is h ead v ig o ro usly , n o. “ W e c o nsid er y ou a fu ll, k now ab le h um an bein g o f u nlim it e d p ote n tia l. A nd a c ru cia l m em ber o f t h e c o m munit y .” “T han k y ou,” M ae s a id , n ow le ss s u re s h e w as b ein g le t g o . Den is e ’s s m ile w as p ain ed . “ B ut a s y ou k now , y ou’v e h ad a b lip o r tw o w hen it c o m es to m esh in g w it h th e co m munit y here . W e hav e of co urse re ad th e re p ort fr o m th e in cid en t w it h Alis ta ir an d his Portu gal bru nch . W e fo und your exp la n atio n to ta lly understa n dab le , a n d w e’r e e n co ura ged t h at y ou s e em t o h av e r e co gn iz e d t h e is su es a t p la y th ere . B ut th en th ere ’s y our a b se n ce a t m ost o f th e w eek en d a n d e v en in g e v en ts , a ll o f whic h are o f co urse to ta lly o ptio nal. Is th ere an yth in g els e y ou w an t to ad d to o ur understa n din g o f a ll t h is ? M ay be w it h t h e A lis ta ir s it u atio n?” “J u st t h at I r e ally f e lt b ad t h at I m ig h t h av e in ad verte n tly c a u se d A lis ta ir a n y d is tr e ss.” Den is e a n d J o sia h s m ile d . “G ood, g o od,” D en is e sa id . “S o th e fa ct th at y ou u ndersta n d m ak es m e co nfu se d , in te rm s o f s q uarin g t h at w it h a f e w o f y our a ctio ns sin ce t h at d is c u ssio n. L et’s s ta rt w it h t h is past w eek en d. W e k now y ou le ft c a m pus a t 5 :4 2 p .m . o n F rid ay , a n d y ou g o t b ack h ere 8:4 6 a .m . o n M onday .” “W as th ere w ork on th e w eek en d?” M ae se arc h ed her m em ory . “D id I m is s so m eth in g?” “N o, n o, n o. T here w asn ’t , y ou k now , m an dato ry w ork h ere o n t h e w eek en d. T hat’s n ot to sa y th at th ere w ere n ’t th ousa n ds o f p eo ple h ere S atu rd ay a n d S u nday , e n jo yin g th e ca m pus, p artic ip atin g in a h undre d d if fe re n t a ctiv it ie s.” “I k now , I k now . B ut I w as h om e. M y d ad w as s ic k , a n d I w en t b ack t o h elp o ut.” “I’m s o rry t o h ear t h at,” J o sia h s a id . “ W as t h is r e la te d t o h is M S?” “It w as.” Jo sia h m ad e a s y m path etic fa ce , a n d D en is e le an ed fo rw ard . “ B ut se e, h ere ’s w here it gets e sp ecia lly c o nfu sin g. W e d on’t k now a n yth in g a b out th is e p is o de. D id y ou r e ach o ut to a n y C ir c le rs d urin g th is cris is ? Y ou k now th at th ere a re fo ur g ro ups o n ca m pus fo r sta ers d ealin g w it h M S? T w o o f t h em a re f o r c h ild re n o f M S s u ere rs. H av e y ou s o ugh t out o ne o f t h ese g ro ups? ” “N o, n ot y et. I ’v e m ean t t o .” “O kay ,” D en is e sa id . “ L et’s ta b le th at th ough t fo r a se co nd, b eca u se th at’s in str u ctiv e, th e fa ct th at you w ere aw are of th e gro ups, but did n’t se ek th em out. Su re ly you ack now le d ge t h e b en efit o f s h arin g in fo rm atio n a b out t h is d is e ase ?” “I d o.” “A nd th at s h arin g w it h o th er y oung p eo ple w hose p are n ts s u er fr o m th e d is e ase — do you s e e t h e b en efit in t h is ? ” “A bso lu te ly .” “F or e xam ple , w hen y ou h eard y our d ad h ad a se iz u re , y ou d ro ve, w hat, a h undre d mile s o r s o , a n d n ev er o nce d urin g th at d riv e d id y ou tr y to g le an a n y in fo rm atio n fr o m th e In nerC ir c le rs, o r fr o m th e la rg er O ute rC ir c le . D o y ou se e th at as an o pportu nit y waste d ?” “N ow I d o, a b so lu te ly . I w as ju st u pse t, a n d w orrie d , a n d I w as d riv in g lik e a m an ia c. I wasn ’t v ery p re se n t.” Den is e r a is e d a y nger. “ A h, pre se n t . T hat is a w onderfu l w ord . I ’m g la d y ou u se d it . D o you c o nsid er y ourse lf u su ally p re se n t? ” “I t r y t o b e.” Jo sia h s m ile d a n d t a p ped a f lu rry in to h is t a b le t. “B ut t h e o pposit e o f p re se n t w ould b e w hat? ” D en is e a sk ed . “A bse n t? ” “Y es. A bse n t. L et’s p ut a p in in th at th ough t, to o. L et’s g o b ack to y our d ad , a n d th is week en d. D id h e r e co ver o kay ?” “H e d id . I t w as a f a ls e a la rm , r e ally .” “G ood. I’m so g la d to h ear a b out th at. B ut it ’s c u rio us th at y ou d id n’t sh are th is w it h an yone e ls e . D id y ou p ost a n yth in g a n yw here a b out th is e p is o de? A zin g, a co m men t an yw here ?” “N o, I d id n’t ,” M ae s a id . “H m . O kay ,” D en is e sa id , ta k in g a b re ath . “D o y ou th in k so m eo ne e ls e m ig h t h av e ben e y te d fr o m y our e xp erie n ce ? T hat is , m ay be th e n ext p erso n w ho m ig h t d riv e tw o o r th re e h ours h om e m ig h t b en efit f r o m k now in g w hat y ou f o und o ut a b out t h e e p is o de, t h at it w as ju st a m in or p se u do-s e iz u re ?” “A bso lu te ly . I c o uld s e e t h at b ein g h elp fu l.” “G ood. S o w hat do y ou t h in k t h e a ctio n p la n s h ould b e?” “I th in k I’l l jo in th e M S clu b,” M ae sa id , “a n d I sh ould p ost so m eth in g a b out w hat hap pen ed . I k now it ’l l b e b en efic ia l.” Den is e s m ile d . “ F an ta stic . N ow le t’s t a lk a b out t h e r e st o f t h e w eek en d. O n F rid ay , y ou ynd o ut th at y our d ad ’s o kay . B ut th e re st o f th e w eek en d, y ou b asic a lly g o b la n k. It’s lik e y ou d is a p peare d !” H er e y es g re w w id e. “ T his is w hen s o m eo ne lik e y ou, w it h a lo w Partic ip atio n R an k, m ig h t b e a b le to im pro ve th at, if sh e w an te d to . B ut y ours a ctu ally dro pped — tw o th ousa n d p oin ts . N ot to g et a ll n um ber-g eek y, b ut y ou w ere o n 8 ,6 25 o n Frid ay a n d b y la te S u nday y ou w ere a t 1 0,2 88.” “I d id n’t k now it w as t h at b ad ,” M ae s a id , h atin g h erse lf , t h is s e lf w ho c o uld n’t s e em t o get o ut o f h er o w n w ay . “I gu ess I w as ju st re co verin g fr o m th e str e ss o f m y d ad ’s ep is o de.” “C an y ou t a lk a b out w hat y ou d id o n S atu rd ay ?” “It’s e m barra ssin g,” M ae s a id . “ N oth in g.” “N oth in g m ean in g w hat? ” “W ell, m ost o f t h e d ay I s ta y ed a t m y p are n ts ’ h ouse a n d ju st w atc h ed T V .” Jo sia h b rig h te n ed . “ A nyth in g g o od?” “J u st s o m e w om en ’s b ask etb all.” “T here ’s noth in g w ro ng w it h w om en ’s bask etb all! ” Jo sia h gu sh ed . “I lo ve w om en ’s bask etb all. H av e y ou f o llo w ed m y W NBA z in gs? ” “N o, d o y ou h av e a Z in g f e ed a b out t h e W NBA ?” Jo sia h n odded , lo okin g h urt, e v en b ew ild ere d . Den is e ste p ped in . “A gain , it ’s ju st cu rio us th at y ou d id n’t ch oose to sh are it w it h an yone. D id you jo in an y of th e dis c u ssio ns ab out th e sp ort? Jo sia h , how m an y partic ip an ts a re t h ere in o ur g lo bal W NBA d is c u ssio n g ro up?” Jo sia h , still v is ib ly sh ak en k now in g th at M ae h ad n’t b een re ad in g h is W NBA fe ed , man aged t o f in d t h e n um ber o n h is t a b le t a n d m utte re d , “ 1 43,8 91.” “A nd h ow m an y z in gers o ut t h ere f o cu s o n t h e W NBA ?” Jo sia h q uic k ly f o und t h e n um ber. “ 1 2,9 92.” “A nd y ou’r e n ot p art o f e it h er, M ae. W hy d o y ou t h in k t h at is ? ” “I gu ess I ju st did n’t th in k m y in te re st in th e W NBA ro se to th e le v el w here it warra n te d jo in in g a d is c u ssio n gro up, o r, y ou k now , fo llo w in g an yth in g. I’m n ot th at passio nate a b out it .” Den is e s q uin te d a t M ae. “ T hat’s a n in te re stin g c h oic e o f w ord s: Passio n . Y ou’v e h eard o f PPT? P assio n, P artic ip atio n a n d T ra n sp are n cy ?” Mae had se en th e le tte rs PPT aro und ca m pus an d had not, until th at m om en t, co nnecte d t h e le tte rs t o t h ese t h re e w ord s. S h e f e lt lik e a f o ol. Den is e p ut h er p alm s o n th e d esk , a s if sh e m ig h t g et u p. “ M ae, y ou k now th is is a te ch nolo gy c o m pan y, c o rre ct? ” “O f c o urse .” “A nd t h at w e c o nsid er o urse lv es o n t h e f o re fr o nt o f s o cia l m ed ia .” “Y es.” “A nd y ou k now t h e t e rm T ra n sp are n cy , c o rre ct? ” “I d o. A bso lu te ly .” Jo sia h lo oked a t D en is e , h opin g to c a lm h er. S h e p ut h er h an ds in h er la p . J o sia h to ok over. H e s m ile d a n d s w ip ed h is t a b le t, t u rn in g a n ew p age. “O kay . L et’s g o t o S u nday . T ell u s a b out S u nday .” “I ju st d ro ve b ack .” “T hat’s it ? ” “I k ay ak ed ?” Jo sia h a n d D en is e r e gis te re d d ual lo oks o f s u rp ris e . “Y ou k ay ak ed ?” J o sia h s a id . “ W here ?” “J u st in t h e b ay .” “W it h w ho?” “N o o ne. J u st a lo ne.” Den is e a n d J o sia h lo oked h urt. “ I k ay ak ,” J o sia h s a id , a n d t h en t y ped s o m eth in g in h is t a b le t, p re ssin g v ery h ard . “H ow o fte n d o y ou k ay ak ?” D en is e a sk ed M ae. “M ay be o nce e v ery f e w w eek s? ” Jo sia h w as lo okin g in te n tly a t h is t a b le t. “ M ae, I ’m lo okin g a t y our p ro y le , I ’m y ndin g noth in g a b out y ou a n d k ay ak in g. N o s m ile s, n o r a tin gs, n o p osts , n oth in g. A nd n ow y ou’r e te llin g m e y ou k ay ak o nce every fe w w eek s ?” “W ell, m ay be it ’s le ss t h an t h at? ” Mae la u gh ed , b ut D en is e a n d J o sia h d id n ot. J o sia h c o ntin ued to sta re a t h is sc re en , while D en is e ’s e y es p ro bed in to M ae. “W hen y ou g o k ay ak in g, w hat d o y ou s e e?” “I d on’t k now . A ll k in ds o f t h in gs.” “S eals ? ” “S u re .” “S ea lio ns? “U su ally .” “W ate rb ir d s? P elic a n s? ” “S u re .” Den is e ta p ped a t h er ta b le t. “ O kay , I’m d oin g a se arc h n ow o f y our n am e fo r v is u al docu m en ta tio n o f a n y o f t h ese t r ip s y ou’v e t a k en . I ’m n ot f in din g a n yth in g.” “O h, I ’v e n ev er b ro ugh t a c a m era .” “B ut h ow d o y ou id en tif y a ll t h ese b ir d s? ” “I h av e th is lit tle g u id e. It’s ju st a th in g m y e x-b oyfr ie n d g av e m e. It’s a lit tle fo ld ab le gu id e t o lo ca l w ild lif e .” “S o it ’s ju st a p am phle t o r s o m eth in g?” “Y eah , I m ean , it ’s w ate rp ro of a n d— ” Jo sia h e xh ale d lo udly . “I’m s o rry ,” M ae s a id . Jo sia h r o lle d h is e y es. “ N o, I m ean , t h is is a t a n gen t, b ut m y p ro ble m w it h p ap er is t h at all co m munic a tio n d ie s w it h it . It h old s n o p ossib ilit y o f co ntin uit y . Y ou lo ok a t y our pap er b ro ch ure , a n d th at’s w here it e n ds. It e n ds w it h you . L ik e y ou’r e th e o nly o ne w ho matte rs. B ut th in k if y ou’d b een doc um en tin g. If y ou’d b een u sin g a to ol th at w ould h elp co n y rm th e id en tit y o f w hate v er b ir d s y ou sa w , th en an yone ca n b en e y t— natu ra lis ts , stu den ts , h is to ria n s, th e C oast G uard . E very one c a n k now , th en , w hat b ir d s w ere o n th e bay o n th at d ay . It’s ju st m ad den in g, th in kin g o f h ow m uch k now le d ge is lo st e v ery d ay th ro ugh t h is k in d o f s h orts ig h te d ness. A nd I d on’t w an t t o c a ll it s e lf is h b ut— ” “N o. I t w as. I k now it w as,” M ae s a id . Jo sia h so fte n ed . “B ut docu m en ta tio n asid e, I’m ju st fa sc in ate d w hy you w ould n’t men tio n a n yth in g a b out k ay ak in g a n yw here . I m ean , it ’s a part o f y ou. A n in te gra l p art.” Mae le t o ut a n in volu nta ry sc o . “I d on’t th in k it ’s a ll th at in te gra l. O r in te re stin g, re ally .” Jo sia h lo oked u p, h is e y es f ie ry . “ B ut it is !” “L ots o f p eo ple k ay ak ,” M ae s a id . “T hat’s e xactly it !” J o sia h sa id , q uic k ly tu rn in g re d . “ W ould n’t y ou lik e to m eet oth er peo ple w ho k ay ak ?” J o sia h ta p ped a t h is s c re en . “ T here a re 2 ,3 31 p eo ple n ear y ou w ho als o lik e t o k ay ak . I n clu din g me .” Mae s m ile d . “ T hat’s a lo t.” “M ore o r le ss t h an y ou e xp ecte d ?” D en is e a sk ed . “M ore , I g u ess,” M ae s a id . Jo sia h a n d D en is e s m ile d . “S o s h ould w e s ig n y ou u p t o h ear m ore a b out t h e p eo ple n ear y ou w ho lik e t o k ay ak ? There a re s o m an y t o ols … ” J o sia h s e em ed t o b e o pen in g a p age w here h e c o uld s ig n h er up. “O h, I d on’t k now ,” M ae s a id . Their f a ce s p lu m mete d . Jo sia h s e em ed a n gry a gain . “ W hy n ot? D o y ou t h in k y our p assio ns a re u nim porta n t? ” “T hat’s n ot q uit e it . I ju st … ” Jo sia h le an ed fo rw ard . “ H ow d o y ou th in k o th er C ir c le rs fe el, k now in g th at y ou’r e s o clo se to th em p hysic a lly , th at y ou’r e o ste n sib ly p art o f a c o m munit y h ere , b ut y ou d on’t wan t t h em t o k now y our h obbie s a n d in te re sts . H ow d o y ou t h in k t h ey f e el? ” “I d on’t k now . I d on’t t h in k t h ey ’d f e el a n yth in g.” “B ut t h ey d o!” J o sia h s a id . “ T he p oin t is t h at y ou’r e n ot en ga ged w it h t h e p eo ple a ro und you!” “It’s ju st k ay ak in g!” M ae s a id , la u gh in g a gain , tr y in g to b rin g th e d is c u ssio n b ack to a pla ce o f le v it y . Jo sia h w as a t w ork o n h is ta b le t. “ Ju st k ay ak in g? D o y ou re aliz e th at k ay ak in g is a th re e-b illio n-d olla r in dustr y ? A nd y ou s a y it ’s ‘j u st k ay ak in g’! M ae, d on’t y ou s e e t h at it ’s all c o nnecte d ? Y ou p la y y our p art. Y ou h av e t o part -ic ip ate .” Den is e w as lo okin g a t M ae in te n se ly . “ M ae, I h av e t o a sk a d elic a te q uestio n.” “O kay ,” M ae s a id . “D o y ou t h in k … W ell, d o y ou t h in k t h is m ig h t b e a n is su e o f s e lf -e ste em ?” “E xcu se m e?” “A re y ou r e lu cta n t t o e xp re ss y ourse lf b eca u se y ou f e ar y our o pin io ns a re n ’t v alid ?” Mae h ad n ev er t h ough t a b out it q uit e t h is w ay , b ut it m ad e a c e rta in s e n se . W as s h e t o o sh y a b out e xp re ssin g h erse lf ? “ I d on’t k now , a ctu ally ,” s h e s a id . Den is e n arro w ed h er e y es. “M ae, I’m n o p sy ch olo gis t, b ut if I w ere , I m ig h t h av e a questio n ab out y our se n se o f se lf -w orth . W e’v e stu die d so m e m odels fo r th is k in d o f beh av io r. N ot to sa y th is k in d of a ttit u de is a n tis o cia l, b ut it ’s ce rta in ly su b -s o cia l, a n d ce rta in ly f a r f r o m t r a n sp are n t. A nd w e s e e t h at t h is b eh av io r s o m etim es s te m s f r o m a lo w se n se o f s e lf -w orth — a p oin t o f v ie w t h at s a y s, ‘O h, w hat I h av e t o s a y is n ’t s o im porta n t.’ Do y ou f e el t h at d esc rib es y our p oin t o f v ie w ?” Mae w as to o o -b ala n ce to se e herse lf cle arly . “M ay be,” sh e sa id , buyin g tim e, know in g sh e sh ould n’t be to o plia n t. “B ut so m etim es I’m su re th at w hat I sa y is im porta n t. A nd w hen I h av e s o m eth in g s ig n i y ca n t to a d d, I d e y nit e ly fe el e m pow ere d to do it .” “B ut notic e you sa id ‘s o m etim es I’m su re ,’ ” Jo sia h sa id , w aggin g a y nger. “T he ‘s o m etim es’ is in te re stin g to m e. O r c o nce rn in g, I s h ould s a y . B eca u se I th in k y ou’r e n ot yndin g t h at ‘s o m etim e’ f r e q uen tly e n ough .” H e s a t b ack , a s if r e stin g a fte r t h e h ard w ork of s o lv in g h er w as c o m ple te . “M ae,” D en is e s a id , “ w e’d lo ve if y ou c o uld p artic ip ate in a s p ecia l p ro gra m . D oes t h at so und a p pealin g?” Mae k new n oth in g a b out it , b ut k new , b eca u se sh e w as in tr o uble , a n d h ad a lr e ad y co nsu m ed s o m uch o f t h eir t im e, s h e s h ould s a y y es, s o s h e s m ile d a n d s a id , “ A bso lu te ly .” “G ood. A s so on a s w e ca n , w e’l l h ook y ou u p. Y ou’l l m eet P ete R am ir e z, a n d h e’l l exp la in it . I th in k it m ig h t m ak e y ou fe el su re n ot ju st so m e tim es, b ut alw ays . D oes th at so und b ette r? ” Afte r t h e in te rv ie w , a t h er d esk , M ae s c o ld ed h erse lf . W hat k in d o f p erso n w as s h e? M ore th an an yth in g, sh e w as ash am ed . Sh e’d b een d oin g th e b are m in im um . Sh e d is g u ste d herse lf a n d f e lt f o r A nnie . S u re ly A nnie h ad b een h earin g a b out h er d ead beat f r ie n d M ae, who to ok th is gif t, th is co vete d jo b at th e C ir c le — a co m pan y th at had in su re d her pare n ts ! had sa v ed th em fr o m fa m ilia l ca ta str o phe!— an d had been sk atin g th ro ugh . God dam nit , M ae, g iv e a s h it ! s h e t h ough t. Be a p erso n o f s o m e v a lu e to th e w orld . Sh e w ro te t o A nnie , a p olo giz in g, s a y in g s h e w ould d o b ette r, t h at s h e w as e m barra sse d , th at sh e d id n’t w an t to a b use th is p riv ile ge, th is g if t, a n d te llin g h er th at th ere w as n o need to w rit e back , th at sh e w ould sim ply do bette r, a th ousa n d tim es bette r, im med ia te ly a n d f r o m t h en o n. A nnie t e xte d b ack , t o ld h er n ot t o w orry , t h at it w as ju st a sla p o n t h e w ris t, a c o rre ctio n, a c o m mon t h in g f o r n ew bie s. Mae lo oked a t th e tim e. It w as s ix o ’c lo ck . S h e h ad p le n ty o f h ours to im pro ve, th ere an d th en , so sh e em bark ed o n a { urry o f activ it y , se n din g fo ur zin gs an d th ir ty -t w o co m men ts an d eig h ty -e ig h t sm ile s. In an h our, h er P artiR an k ro se to 7 ,2 88. B re ak in g 7,0 00 w as m ore di } cu lt , but by eig h t o’c lo ck , afte r jo in in g an d postin g in ele v en dis c u ssio n gro ups, se n din g an oth er tw elv e zin gs, o ne o f th em ra te d in th e to p 5 ,0 00 glo bally f o r t h at h our, a n d s ig n in g u p f o r s ix ty -s e v en m ore f e ed s, s h e’d d one it . S h e w as a t 6,8 72, a n d t u rn ed t o h er I n nerC ir c le s o cia l f e ed . S h e w as a f e w h undre d p osts b eh in d, a n d sh e m ad e h er w ay t h ro ugh , r e p ly in g t o s e v en ty o r s o m essa ges, R SV Pin g t o e le v en e v en ts on c a m pus, s ig n in g n in e p etit io ns, a n d p ro vid in g c o m men ts a n d c o nstr u ctiv e c rit ic is m o n fo ur p ro ducts c u rre n tly in b eta . B y 1 0:1 6 h er r a n k w as 5 ,3 42, a n d a gain , t h e p la te au — th is tim e a t 5 ,0 00— was h ard to o verc o m e. S h e w ro te a se rie s o f zin gs a b out a n ew C ir c le se rv ic e , a llo w in g a cco unt h old ers to k now w hen ev er th eir n am e w as m en tio ned in a n y messa ges s e n t fr o m a n yone e ls e , a n d o ne o f th e z in gs, h er s e v en th o n th e s u bje ct, c a u gh t fir e a n d w as r e zin ged 2 ,9 04 t im es, a n d t h is b ro ugh t h er P artiR an k u p t o 3 ,8 87. Sh e fe lt a p ro fo und s e n se o f a cco m plis h m en t a n d p ossib ilit y th at w as a cco m pan ie d , in sh ort o rd er, b y a n ear-c o m ple te se n se o f exh au stio n. It w as alm ost m id nig h t an d sh e need ed sle ep . It w as to o la te to go all th e w ay hom e, so sh e ch eck ed th e dorm av aila b ilit y , re se rv ed one, go t her acce ss co de, w alk ed acro ss ca m pus an d in to Hom eT ow n. When s h e c lo se d th e d oor to h er r o om , s h e fe lt lik e a fo ol fo r n ot ta k in g a d van ta ge o f th e d orm s s o oner. T he r o om w as im macu la te , a w ash in s ilv er y xtu re s a n d b lo nd w oods, th e { oors w arm fr o m ra d ia n t h eat, th e sh eets a n d p illo w ca se s so w hit e a n d cris p th ey cra ck le d w hen to uch ed . T he m attr e ss, exp la in ed a ca rd n ext to th e b ed , w as o rg an ic , mad e n ot w it h s p rin gs o r fo am b ut in ste ad a n ew y ber th at M ae fo und w as b oth y rm er an d m ore p lia n t— su perio r to a n y b ed sh e’d e v er k now n. S h e p ulle d th e b la n ket, c lo ud- whit e a n d f u ll o f d ow n, a ro und h er. But s h e c o uld n’t s le ep . N ow , th in kin g a b out h ow m uch b ette r s h e c o uld d o, s h e lo gged on a gain , th is tim e o n h er ta b le t, a n d p le d ged to w ork till tw o in th e m orn in g. S h e w as dete rm in ed to b re ak 3 ,0 00. A nd sh e d id so , th ough it w as 3 :1 9 a .m . w hen it h ap pen ed . Fin ally , n ot q uit e exh au ste d b ut k now in g sh e n eed ed re st, sh e tu ck ed h erse lf in an d tu rn ed o ff t h e lig h ts . In th e m orn in g, M ae lo oked th ro ugh th e clo se ts a n d d re sse rs, k now in g th at th e d orm s were sto ck ed w it h a n a rra y o f c lo th es, a ll n ew , a v aila b le to b e b orro w ed o r k ep t. S h e ch ose a c o tto n T -s h ir t a n d a p air o f c a p ri p an ts , b oth p ris tin e. O n t h e s in k t h ere w ere n ew bottle s o f m ois tu riz e r a n d m outh w ash , b oth o rg an ic a n d lo ca l, a n d s h e s a m ple d e ach . S h e sh ow ere d , d re sse d , a n d w as b ack a t h er d esk b y 8 :2 0. And im med ia te ly th e fr u it s of her la b ors w ere ev id en t. There w as a riv er of co ngra tu la to ry m essa ges o n h er th ir d s c re en , fr o m D an , J are d , J o sia h , D en is e , y ve o r s o messa ges f r o m e ach o f t h em , a n d a t le ast a d oze n f r o m A nnie , w ho s e em ed s o p ro ud a n d excit e d sh e m ig h t b urst. W ord sp re ad th ro ugh th e In nerC ir c le , a n d M ae w as se n t 7 ,7 16 sm ile s b y n oon. E very one h ad k now n s h e c o uld d o it . E very one s a w g re at th in gs fo r h er at th e C ir c le , e v ery one w as c e rta in sh e w ould g ra d uate fr o m C E in n o tim e, a s so on a s Sep te m ber, b eca u se ra re ly h ad a n yone ris e n so q uic k ly th ro ugh th e P artiR an k a n d w it h su ch la se r-lik e f o cu s. Mae’s n ew fe elin g o f co m pete n ce a n d co n y den ce ca rrie d h er th ro ugh th e w eek , a n d giv en how clo se sh e w as to th e to p 2,0 00, sh e sta y ed at her desk la te th ro ugh th e week en d a n d e arly th e n ext w eek , d ete rm in ed to cra ck th ro ugh , sle ep in g in th e sa m e dorm ro om ev ery n ig h t. Sh e k new th e u pper 2 ,0 00, n ic k nam ed T 2K , w as a gro up o f Cir c le rs a lm ost m an ia ca l in t h eir s o cia l a ctiv it y a n d e lit e in t h eir c o rre sp ondin g f o llo w ers. The m em bers o f th e T 2K h ad b een m ore o r le ss lo ck ed in p la ce , w it h fe w a d dit io ns o r movem en ts w it h in t h eir r a n ks, f o r a lm ost e ig h te en m onth s. But M ae k new s h e n eed ed to tr y . B y T hursd ay n ig h t, s h e’d g o tte n to 2 ,2 19, a n d k new sh e w as a m ong a g ro up o f s im ila r s tr iv ers w ho w ere , lik e h er, w ork in g f e v eris h ly t o r is e . Sh e w ork ed fo r a n h our a n d sa w h erse lf c lim b o nly tw o sp ots , to 2 ,2 17. T his w ould b e di } cu lt , s h e k new , b ut th e c h alle n ge w as d elic io us. A nd e v ery tim e s h e’d r is e n to a n ew th ousa n d, s h e r e ce iv ed s o m an y a cco la d es, a n d fe lt s h e w as r e p ay in g A nnie in p artic u la r, th at it d ro ve h er o n. By te n o ’c lo ck , ju st w hen s h e w as tir in g, a n d w hen s h e’d g o tte n a s h ig h a s 2 ,1 88, s h e had t h e r e v ela tio n t h at s h e w as y oung, a n d s h e w as s tr o ng, a n d if s h e w ork ed t h ro ugh t h e nig h t, one nig h t w it h out sle ep , sh e co uld cra ck th e T2K w hile ev ery one els e w as unco nsc io us. S h e f o rti y ed h erse lf w it h a n e n erg y d rin k a n d g u m my w orm s, a n d w hen t h e ca ein e an d su gar k ic k ed in , sh e fe lt in vin cib le . T he th ir d sc re en ’s In nerC ir c le w asn ’t en ough . S h e t u rn ed o n h er O ute rC ir c le f e ed , a n d w as h an dlin g t h at w it h out d i } cu lt y . S h e push ed fo rw ard , s ig n in g u p fo r a fe w h undre d m ore Z in g fe ed s, s ta rtin g w it h a c o m men t on e ach . S h e w as s o on a t 2 ,0 12, a n d n ow s h e w as r e ally g ettin g r e sis ta n ce . S h e p oste d 3 3 co m men ts o n a p ro duct-t e st s it e a n d r o se t o 2 ,0 09. S h e lo oked a t h er le ft w ris t t o s e e h ow her b ody w as r e sp ondin g, a n d t h rille d a t t h e s ig h t o f h er p uls e -r a te in cre asin g. S h e w as in co m man d o f a ll th is a n d n eed ed m ore . T he to ta l n um ber o f sta ts sh e w as tr a ck in g w as only 4 1. T here w as h er a ggre gate c u sto m er s e rv ic e s c o re , w hic h w as a t 9 7. T here w as h er la st s c o re , w hic h w as 9 9. T here w as th e a v era ge o f h er p od, w hic h w as a t 9 6. T here w as th e n um ber o f q uerie s h an dle d t h at d ay t h us f a r, 2 21, a n d t h e n um ber o f q uerie s h an dle d by t h at t im e y este rd ay , 2 19, a n d t h e n um ber h an dle d b y h er o n a v era ge, 2 20, a n d b y t h e pod’s o th er m em bers: 1 98. O n h er s e co nd s c re en , t h ere w ere t h e n um ber o f m essa ges s e n t by o th er s ta ers t h at d ay , 1 ,1 92, a n d t h e n um ber o f t h ose m essa ges t h at s h e’d r e ad , 2 39, an d t h e n um ber t o w hic h s h e’d r e sp onded , 8 8. T here w as t h e n um ber o f r e ce n t in vit a tio ns to C ir c le co m pan y e v en ts , 4 1, a n d th e n um ber sh e’d re sp onded to , 2 8. T here w as th e num ber o f o vera ll v is it o rs to th e C ir c le ’s sit e s th at d ay , 3 .2 b illio n, a n d th e n um ber o f pagev ie w s, 8 8.7 b illio n. T here w as th e n um ber o f fr ie n ds in M ae’s O ute rC ir c le , 7 62, a n d outs ta n din g re q uests b y th ose w an tin g to b e h er fr ie n d, 2 7. T here w ere th e n um ber o f zin gers s h e w as fo llo w in g, 1 0,3 43, a n d th e n um ber fo llo w in g h er, 1 8,1 98. T here w as th e num ber o f u nre ad z in gs, 8 87. T here w as th e n um ber o f z in gers s u ggeste d to h er, 1 2,8 62. There w as th e num ber of so ngs in her dig it a l lib ra ry , 6,8 77, num ber of artis ts re p re se n te d , 9 21, a n d b ase d o n h er ta ste s, th e n um ber o f a rtis ts re co m men ded to h er: 3,4 08. T here w as th e n um ber o f im ages in h er lib ra ry , 3 3,0 02, a n d n um ber o f im ages re co m men ded t o h er, 1 00,0 38. T here w as t h e t e m pera tu re in sid e t h e b uild in g, 7 0, a n d t h e te m pera tu re o uts id e, 7 1. T here w as th e n um ber o f sta ers o n c a m pus th at d ay , 1 0,9 81, an d n um ber o f v is it o rs to c a m pus th at d ay , 2 48. M ae h ad n ew s a le rts se t fo r 4 5 n am es an d s u bje cts , a n d e ach t im e a n y o ne o f t h em w as m en tio ned b y a n y o f t h e n ew s f e ed s s h e fa v ore d , s h e r e ce iv ed a n otic e . T hat d ay t h ere w ere 1 87. S h e c o uld s e e h ow m an y p eo ple had v ie w ed h er p ro y le th at d ay , 2 10, a n d h ow m uch tim e o n a v era ge th ey sp en t: 1 .3 min ute s. If sh e w an te d , o f co urse , sh e co uld go d eep er, an d se e p re cis e ly w hat each perso n h ad v ie w ed . H er h ealt h sta ts a d ded a fe w d oze n m ore n um bers, e ach o f th em giv in g h er a se n se o f g re at c a lm a n d c o ntr o l. S h e k new h er h eart ra te a n d k new it w as rig h t. S h e k new h er ste p c o unt, a lm ost 8 ,2 00 th at d ay , a n d k new th at sh e c o uld g et to 10,0 00 w it h e ase . S h e k new sh e w as p ro perly h ydra te d a n d th at h er c a lo ric in ta k e th at day w as w it h in a cce p te d n orm s fo r s o m eo ne o f h er b ody-m ass in dex. It o ccu rre d to h er, in a m om en t o f su dden cla rit y , th at w hat h ad a lw ay s ca u se d h er a n xie ty , o r str e ss, o r worry , w as n ot a n y o ne fo rc e , n oth in g in dep en den t a n d e xte rn al— it w asn ’t d an ger to herse lf o r t h e c o nsta n t c a la m it y o f o th er p eo ple a n d t h eir p ro ble m s. I t w as in te rn al: it w as su bje ctiv e: it w as not k n ow in g . It w asn ’t th at sh e h ad a n a rg u m en t w it h a fr ie n d o r w as ca lle d o n t h e c a rp et b y J o sia h a n d D en is e : it w as n ot k now in g w hat it m ean t, n ot k now in g th eir p la n s, n ot k now in g th e c o nse q uen ce s, th e fu tu re . If s h e k new th ese , th ere w ould b e ca lm . Sh e knew , w it h so m e degre e of ce rta in ty , w here her pare n ts w ere : hom e, as alw ay s. Sh e co uld se e, w it h h er C ir c le Searc h , w here A nnie w as: in h er o } ce , p ro bab ly still w ork in g, to o. B ut w here w as K ald en ? It h ad b een tw o w eek s sin ce sh e’d se en o r heard f r o m h im . S h e t e xte d A nnie . You a w ake? Alw ays . Still h aven ’t h ea rd fr o m K ald en . The o ld m an ? M aybe h e d ie d . H e h ad a g o od lo n g lif e . You r e a lly th in k h e w as ju st s o m e in te rlo per? I th in k y ou d od ged a b u lle t. I’m g la d h e h asn ’t c o m e b ack . I w as w orrie d a bou t th e e sp io n age possib ilit ie s . He w asn ’t a s p y . Then h e w as ju st o ld . M aybe s o m e C ir c le r’s g ra n dfa th er c a m e to v is it a n d g o t lo st? It’s ju st a s well. Y ou w ere to o y ou ng to b e a w id ow . Mae th ough t o f h is h an ds. H is h an ds h ad ru in ed h er. A ll sh e w an te d a t th at m om en t was h is h an ds u pon h er again . H is h an d o n h er sa cru m , p ullin g h er clo se . C ould h er desir e s b e so sim ple ? A nd w here in th e h ell h ad h e g o ne? H e h ad n o rig h t to d is a p pear lik e t h is . S h e c h eck ed C ir c le Searc h a gain ; s h e’d lo oked f o r h im a h undre d t im es t h is w ay , wit h n o s u cce ss. B ut s h e h ad a r ig h t to k now w here h e w as. T o a t le ast k now w here h e was, w ho h e w as. T his w as th e u nnece ssa ry , a n d a n tiq uate d , b urd en o f u nce rta in ty . S h e co uld k now , in sta n tly , th e te m pera tu re in J ak arta , b ut sh e c o uld n’t y nd o ne m an o n a ca m pus lik e th is ? W here is th at m an w ho to uch ed you a ce rta in w ay ? If sh e co uld elim in ate th is k in d o f u nce rta in ty — when a n d b y w hom w ould y ou b e to uch ed a c e rta in way a gain — you w ould e lim in ate m ost o f th e s tr e sso rs o f th e w orld , a n d m ay be, to o, th e wav e o f d esp air th at w as g ath erin g in M ae’s c h est. S h e’d b een fe elin g th is , th is b la ck r ip , th is lo ud te ar, w it h in h er, a fe w tim es a w eek . It d id n’t u su ally la st lo ng, but w hen sh e clo se d h er e y es sh e sa w a tin y te ar in w hat se em ed to b e b la ck c lo th , a n d th ro ugh th is tin y t e ar s h e h eard t h e s c re am s o f m illio ns o f in vis ib le s o uls . I t w as a v ery s tr a n ge t h in g, sh e r e aliz e d , a n d it w asn ’t a n yth in g s h e’d m en tio ned t o a n yone. S h e m ig h t h av e d esc rib ed it t o A nnie , b ut d id n’t w an t t o w orry h er s o s o on in to h er t im e a t t h e C ir c le . B ut w hat w as th is fe elin g? W ho w as s c re am in g th ro ugh th e te ar in th e c lo th ? S h e’d fo und th e b est w ay to g et p ast it w as t o r e d ouble h er f o cu s, t o s ta y b usy , t o g iv e m ore . S h e h ad a b rie f, s illy th ough t th at sh e m ig h t y nd K ald en o n L uvLuv. S h e ch eck ed , a n d fe lt stu pid w hen h er doubts w ere c o n y rm ed . T he te ar w as o pen in g u p in sid e h er, a b la ck ness o verta k in g h er. Sh e clo se d h er e y es a n d h eard u nderw ate r sc re am s. M ae cu rse d th e n ot-k now in g, a n d knew s h e n eed ed s o m eo ne w ho c o uld b e k now n. W ho c o uld b e lo ca te d . The k nock o n t h e d oor w as lo w a n d t e n ta tiv e. “It’s o pen ,” M ae s a id . Fra n cis p ush ed h is f a ce in to t h e r o om a n d h eld t h e d oor. “Y ou s u re ?” h e s a id . “I in vit e d y ou,” M ae s a id . He slip ped in an d clo se d th e d oor, as if n arro w ly esc a p in g fr o m a p ursu er in th e hallw ay . H e lo oked a ro und t h e r o om . “ L ik e w hat y ou’v e d one w it h t h e p la ce .” Mae la u gh ed . “L et’s g o t o m in e in ste ad ,” h e s a id . Sh e th ough t o f p ro te stin g b ut w an te d to se e w hat h is ro om lo oked lik e. A ll th e d orm ro om s v arie d in su btle w ay s, a n d n ow , b eca u se th ey ’d b eco m e so p opula r a n d p ra ctic a l th at m an y Cir c le rs w ere liv in g in th em m ore or le ss perm an en tly , th ey co uld be cu sto m iz e d b y t h eir o ccu pan ts . W hen t h ey a rriv ed , s h e s a w t h at h is r o om w as a m ir ro r o f her o w n, th ough w it h a fe w F ra n cis to uch es, m ost n ota b ly a p ap ie r-m âch é m ask h e’d mad e a s a c h ild . Y ello w a n d w it h e n orm ous b esp ecta cle d e y es, it lo oked o ut fr o m o ver th e b ed . H e s a w h er s ta rin g a t it . “W hat? ” h e s a id . “T hat’s o dd, d on’t y ou t h in k? A m ask o ver t h e b ed ?” “I d on’t s e e it w hen I s le ep ,” h e s a id . “ Y ou w an t s o m eth in g t o d rin k?” H e lo oked in t h e fr id ge, f in din g ju ic e s a n d a n ew k in d o f s a k e in a r o und g la ss c o nta in er t in te d p in k. “T hat lo oks g o od,” s h e s a id . “ I d on’t h av e th at in m y r o om . M in e’s in a m ore s ta n dard bottle . M ay be a d if fe re n t b ra n d.” Fra n cis m ix ed d rin ks f o r t h em b oth , o verfillin g e ach g la ss. “I h av e a f e w s h ots e v ery n ig h t,” h e s a id . “ It’s t h e o nly w ay t o s lo w m y h ead d ow n s o I ca n c ra sh . Y ou h av e t h at p ro ble m ?” “It t a k es m e a n h our t o g et t o s le ep ,” M ae s a id . “W ell,” F ra n cis s a id , “ th is r e d uce s t h at c o m e-d ow n f r o m a n h our t o f if te en m in ute s.” He h an ded h er t h e g la ss. M ae lo oked in to it , t h in kin g it v ery s a d a t y rst, t h e s a k e e v ery nig h t, t h en k new s h e w ould t r y it h erse lf , t o m orro w . He w as lo okin g a t s o m eth in g b etw een h er s to m ach a n d h er e lb ow . “W hat? ” “I c a n n ev er g et o ver y our w ais t,” h e s a id . “E xcu se m e?” M ae s a id , t h in kin g it w as n ot w orth it , it c o uld n’t b e w orth it , t o b e w it h th is m an w ho s a id t h in gs lik e t h is . “N o, n o!” h e sa id , “ I m ean it ’s so e xtr a o rd in ary . T he lin e o f it , h ow it b en ds in lik e so m e k in d o f b ow .” And t h en h is h an ds w ere t r a cin g t h e c o nto ur o f h er w ais t, d ra w in g a lo ng C in t h e a ir . “ I lo ve th at y ou h av e h ip s a n d s h ould ers. A nd w it h th at w ais t.” H e s m ile d , s ta rin g s tr a ig h t in to M ae, a s if h e h ad n o id ea o f t h e s tr a n ge d ir e ctn ess o f w hat h e’d s a id , o r d id n’t c a re . “I g u ess t h an k y ou,” s h e s a id . “T hat’s r e ally a c o m plim en t,” h e s a id . “ It’s lik e th ese c u rv es w ere c re ate d fo r s o m eo ne to p ut t h eir h an ds t h ere .” H e m im ed t h e r e stin g o f h is o w n p alm s u pon h er w ais t. Sh e sto od, to ok a sip o f h er d rin k, an d w ondere d if sh e sh ould { ee. B ut it w as a co m plim en t. H e’d g iv en h er a n in ap pro pria te , clu m sy , b ut v ery d ir e ct co m plim en t th at sh e k new s h e w ould n ev er fo rg et a n d th at h ad a lr e ad y s e t h er h eart to a n ew a n d e rra tic poundin g. “Y ou w an t t o w atc h s o m eth in g?” F ra n cis a sk ed . Mae s h ru gged , s till s tr u ck d um b. Fra n cis sc ro lle d th ro ugh th e o ptio ns. T hey h ad acce ss to v ir tu ally ev ery m ovie an d te le v is io n s h ow e xta n t, a n d s p en t y ve m in ute s n otin g d i ere n t t h in gs t h ey c o uld s e e, t h en th in kin g o f s o m eth in g e ls e t h at w as lik e it b ut b ette r. “H av e y ou h eard t h is n ew s tu ff b y H an s W illis ? ” F ra n cis a sk ed . Mae h ad d ecid ed to sta y , an d h ad d ecid ed th at sh e fe lt go od ab out h erse lf aro und Fra n cis . T hat s h e h ad p ow er h ere , a n d s h e lik ed t h at p ow er. “ N o. W ho’s h e?” “H e’s o ne o f t h e m usic ia n s-in -r e sid en ce ? H e r e co rd ed a w hole c o nce rt la st w eek .” “Is it o ut? ” “N o, b ut if it g ets g o od r a tin gs f r o m C ir c le rs t h ey m ig h t t r y t o r e le ase it . L et m e s e e if I ca n f in d it .” He p la y ed it , a d elic a te p ia n o p ie ce , s o undin g lik e t h e b egin nin g o f r a in . M ae g o t u p t o tu rn o th e lig h ts , allo w in g th e gre y lu m in esc e n ce o f th e m onit o r to re m ain , ca stin g Fra n cis in a g h ostly lig h t. Sh e n otic e d a th ic k le ath ery b ook a n d p ic k ed it u p. “ W hat’s th is ? I d on’t h av e o ne o f th ese in m y r o om .” “O h t h at’s m in e. I t’s a n a lb um . J u st p ic tu re s.” “L ik e fa m ily pic tu re s? ” M ae ask ed , an d th en re m em bere d his co m plic a te d his to ry . “S o rry . I k now t h at’s p ro bab ly n ot t h e b est w ay t o p ut it .” “It’s o kay ,” h e s a id . “ T hey ’r e s o rt o f fa m ily p ic tu re s. M y s ib lin gs a re in s o m e o f th em . But t h ey ’r e m ostly ju st m e a n d t h e f o ste r f a m ilie s. Y ou w an t t o lo ok?” “Y ou k eep it h ere a t t h e C ir c le ?” He to ok it fr o m M ae a n d s a t o n th e b ed . “ N o. It’s u su ally a t h om e, b ut I b ro ugh t it in . You w an t t o lo ok a t it ? I t’s m ostly d ep re ssin g.” Fra n cis h ad a lr e ad y o pen ed th e a lb um . M ae s a t n ext to h im , a n d w atc h ed a s h e tu rn ed th e p ages. S h e s a w g lim pse s o f F ra n cis in m odest liv in g r o om s, a m ber-lit , a n d in k it c h en s, th e o cca sio nal am use m en t p ark . A lw ay s th e p are n ts w ere b lu rry o r cro pped fr o m th e fr a m es. H e a rriv ed a t a p hoto o f h im se lf sit tin g o n a sk ate b oard , lo okin g o ut th ro ugh en orm ous g la sse s. “T hose m ust h av e b een t h e m oth er’s ,” h e s a id . “ L ook a t t h e f r a m es.” H e d re w h is y nger over t h e r o und le n se s. “ T hat’s a w om an ’s s ty le , r ig h t? ” “I th in k so ,” M ae sa id , sta rin g at Fra n cis ’s younger fa ce . H e had th e sa m e open exp re ssio n, t h e s a m e p ro m in en t n ose , t h e s a m e f u ll lo w er lip . S h e f e lt h er e y es f illin g. “I c a n ’t r e m em ber th ose fr a m es,” h e s a id , “ I d on’t k now w here th ey c a m e fr o m . A ll I ca n th in k is th at m y r e gu la r g la sse s h ad b ro ken a n d th ese w ere h ers, a n d s h e w as le ttin g me w ear t h em .” “Y ou lo ok c u te ,” M ae s a id , b ut s h e w an te d t o c ry a n d c ry . Fra n cis w as sq uin tin g a t th e p hoto , a s if h opin g to g le an so m e a n sw ers fr o m it if h e lo oked lo ng e n ough . “W here w as t h is ? ” M ae a sk ed . “N o id ea,” h e s a id . “Y ou d on’t k now w here y ou liv ed ?” “N o c lu e. E ven h av in g p ic tu re s is p re tty r a re . N ot a ll t h e f o ste r f a m ilie s w ould g iv e y ou photo s, b ut w hen t h ey d id , t h ey m ad e s u re n ot t o s h ow a n yth in g t h at c o uld h elp y ou y nd th em . N o e xte rio rs o f t h e h ouse s, n o a d dre sse s o r s tr e et s ig n s o r la n dm ark s.” “Y ou’r e s e rio us? ” Fra n cis lo oked a t h er. “ T hat’s t h e f o ste r c a re w ay .” “W hy? S o y ou c o uld n’t c o m e b ack o r w hat? ” “It w as ju st a r u le . Y eah , s o y ou c o uld n’t c o m e b ack . If th ey h ad y ou a y ear, th at w as th e d eal, a n d t h ey d id n’t w an t y ou la n din g b ack o n t h eir d oorste p a gain — esp ecia lly w hen you g o t o ld er. S o m e o f t h e k id s h ad s o m e s e rio us t e n den cie s, s o t h e f a m ilie s h ad t o w orry ab out w hen t h ey g o t o ld er a n d c o uld t r a ck t h em d ow n.” “I h ad n o id ea.” “Y eah . I t’s a w eir d s y ste m b ut it m ak es s e n se .” H e d ra n k t h e r e st o f h is s a k e a n d g o t u p to a d ju st t h e s te re o . “C an I lo ok?” M ae a sk ed . Fra n cis sh ru gged . M ae p aged th ro ugh it , lo okin g fo r a n y id en tif y in g im agery . B ut in doze n s o f p hoto s, sh e sa w n o ad dre sse s, n o h om es. A ll th e p hoto s w ere in te rio rs, o r an onym ous b ack yard s. “I b et s o m e o f t h em w ould w an t t o h ear f r o m y ou,” s h e s a id . Fra n cis w as d one w it h th e ste re o , a n d a n ew so ng w as p la y in g, a n o ld so ul so ng sh e co uld n’t n am e. H e s a t d ow n n ext t o h er. “M ay be. B ut t h at’s n ot t h e a gre em en t.” “S o y ou h av en ’t t r ie d t o c o nta ct t h em ? I m ean , w it h f a cia l r e co gn it io n— ” “I d on’t k now . I h av en ’t d ecid ed . I m ean , t h at’s w hy I b ro ugh t it h ere . I ’m s c a n nin g t h e pic tu re s to m orro w ju st to s e e. M ay be w e g et a fe w m atc h es. B ut I’m n ot p la n nin g to d o much b ey ond t h at. J u st f ill in a f e w g ap s.” “Y ou h av e a r ig h t t o k now a t le ast s o m e b asic s.” Mae w as le a y ng th ro ugh th e p ages, a n d la n ded o n a p ic tu re o f a y oung F ra n cis , n o more th an y ve, w it h tw o gir ls , n in e o r te n , { an kin g h im . M ae k new th ese w ere h is sis te rs, th e tw o w ho h ad b een k ille d , a n d s h e w an te d to lo ok a t th em , th ough s h e d id n’t know w hy. Sh e d id n’t w an t to co erc e F ra n cis in to ta lk in g ab out th em , an d k new sh e sh ould n’t s a y a n yth in g, th at s h e s h ould a llo w h im to in it ia te a n y d is c u ssio n o f th em , a n d if h e d id n’t , s o on, s h e s h ould t u rn t h e p age. He s a id n oth in g, s o s h e tu rn ed th e p age, fe elin g a s u rg e o f fe elin g fo r h im . S h e’d b een to o t o ugh o n h im b efo re . H e w as h ere , h e lik ed h er, h e w an te d h er w it h h im , a n d h e w as th e s a d dest p erso n s h e’d e v er k now n. S h e c o uld c h an ge t h at. “Y our p uls e is g o in g n uts ,” h e s a id . Mae lo oked d ow n a t h er b ra ce le t, a n d s a w t h at h er h eart r a te w as a t 1 34. “L et m e s e e y ours,” s h e s a id . He r o lle d u p h is s le ev e. S h e g ra b bed h is w ris t a n d t u rn ed it . H is w as a t 1 28. “Y ou’r e n ot s o c a lm y ourse lf ,” s h e s a id , a n d le ft h er h an d r e stin g a cro ss h is la p . “L eav e y our h an d t h ere a n d w atc h it g et f a ste r,” h e s a id , a n d t o geth er, t h ey d id . I t w as asto nis h in g. I t q uic k ly r o se t o 1 34. S h e t h rille d a t h er p ow er, t h e p ro of o f it , r ig h t b efo re her a n d m easu ra b le . H e w as a t 1 36. “W an t m e t o t r y s o m eth in g?” s h e s a id . “I d o,” h e w his p ere d , h is b re ath la b ore d . Sh e r e ach ed d ow n in to t h e f o ld s o f h is p an ts a n d f o und h is p en is p re ssin g u p a gain st h is belt b uck le . Sh e ru bbed it s tip w it h h er in dex y nger, an d to geth er th ey w atc h ed th e num bers r is e t o 1 52. “Y ou’r e s o e asy t o e xcit e ,” s h e s a id . “ Im agin e if s o m eth in g w ere r e ally h ap pen in g.” His e y es w ere c lo se d . “ R ig h t,” h e f in ally s a id , h is b re ath la b ore d . “Y ou’r e e n jo yin g t h is ? ” s h e a sk ed . “M m-h m ,” h e m an aged . Mae th rille d a t h er p ow er o ver h im . W atc h in g F ra n cis , h is h an ds o n th e b ed , h is p en is str a in in g a gain st h is p an ts , s h e t h ough t o f s o m eth in g s h e c o uld s a y . I t w as c o rn y, a n d s h e would n ev er s a y it if s h e th ough t a n yone w ould e v er k now s h e’d s a id it , b ut it m ad e h er sm ile , a n d s h e k new it w ould s e n d F ra n cis , t h is s h y b oy, o ver t h e e d ge. “W hat els e d oes t h at m easu re ?” s h e a sk ed , a n d lu nged . His e y es w en t w ild , a n d h e s tr u ggle d w it h h is p an ts , t r y in g t o r e m ove t h em . B ut ju st a s he p ulle d t h em t o h is t h ig h s, a s o und c a m e f r o m h is m outh , s o m eth in g lik e “ O h g o d” o r “ I go tta ,” ju st b efo re h e d ouble d o ver, h is h ead je rk in g le ft a n d r ig h t u ntil h e c ru m ple d o n th e b ed , h is h ead to th e w all. S h e b ack ed a w ay , lo okin g a t h im , h is sh ir t hik ed u p, h is cro tc h e xp ose d . S h e c o uld t h in k o nly o f a c a m pfir e , o ne s m all lo g, a ll o f it d ouse d in m ilk . “S o rry ,” h e s a id . “N o. I lik ed t h at,” s h e s a id . “T hat w as a b out a s s u dden it ’s e v er h ap pen ed w it h m e.” H e w as s till b re ath in g h eav ily . And t h en s o m e r o gu e s y nap se w it h in h er c o nnecte d t h is s c e n e t o h er f a th er, t o s e ein g h im on t h e c o uch , h elp le ss o ver h is b ody, a n d s h e w an te d b ad ly t o b e s o m ew here e ls e . “I s h ould g o ,” s h e s a id . “R eally ? W hy?” h e s a id . “It’s a fte r o ne, I s h ould s le ep .” “O kay ,” h e s a id , in a w ay th at s h e fo und u nap pealin g. H e s e em ed to w an t h er g o ne a s much a s s h e w an te d t o b e g o ne. He sto od a n d re tr ie v ed h is p hone, w hic h h ad b een p ro pped u prig h t o n th e ca b in et, fa cin g t h em . “W hat, w ere y ou f ilm in g u s? ” s h e jo ked . “M ay be,” h e s a id , h is t o ne m ak in g c le ar t h at h e h ad . “W ait . S erio usly ?” Mae r e ach ed f o r t h e p hone. “D on’t ,” h e s a id . “ It’s m in e.” H e s h oved it in to h is p ock et. “It’s you rs ? W hat w e ju st d id is you rs ?” “It’s ju st a s m uch m in e a s y ours. A nd I w as th e o ne h av in g y ou k now , a c lim ax. A nd why d o y ou c a re ? Y ou w ere n ’t n ak ed o r a n yth in g.” “F ra n cis . I c a n ’t b elie v e t h is . D ele te t h at. N ow .” “D id y ou s a y ‘d ele te ’? ” h e s a id , jo kin gly , b ut th e m ean in g w as c le ar: We d on ’t d ele te a t th e C ir c le . “ I h av e t o h av e a w ay t o s e e it m yse lf .” “T hen every on e c a n s e e it .” “I w on’t a d vertis e it o r a n yth in g.” “F ra n cis . P le ase .” “C ’m on, M ae. Y ou h av e t o u ndersta n d h ow m uch t h is m ean s t o m e. I ’m n ot s o m e s tu d. This is a ra re occa sio n fo r m e, to hav e so m eth in g lik e th is hap pen . C an ’t I keep a mem en to o f t h e e xp erie n ce ?” “Y ou c a n ’t w orry ,” A nnie s a id . They w ere in th e G re at R oom o f th e E nlig h te n m en t. In a r a re o ccu rre n ce , S te n to n w as to g iv e t h e I d eas t a lk , w it h t h e p ro m is e o f a s p ecia l g u est. “B ut I am w orry in g,” M ae s a id . S h e’d b een u nab le t o c o nce n tr a te in t h e w eek s in ce h er en co unte r w it h F ra n cis . T he v id eo h ad n’t b een v ie w ed b y a n yone e ls e , b ut if it w as o n h is phone, it w as in th e C ir c le c lo ud, a n d a cce ssib le to a n yone. M ore th an a n yth in g, s h e w as dis a p poin te d in h erse lf . S h e’d le t t h e s a m e m an d o t h e s a m e t h in g t o h er, t w ic e . “D on’t a sk m e a gain to d ele te it ,” A nnie sa id , w av in g to a fe w se n io r C ir c le rs in th e cro w d, m em bers o f t h e G an g o f 4 0. “P le ase d ele te it .” “Y ou k now I c a n ’t . W e d on’t d ele te h ere , M ae. B aile y w ould f r e ak . H e’d w eep . I t h urts him p erso nally w hen an yone ev en co nsid ers th e d ele tin g o f an y in fo rm atio n. It’s lik e killin g b ab ie s, h e s a y s. Y ou k now t h at.” “B ut th is b ab y’s g iv in g a h an djo b. N o o ne w an ts th at b ab y. W e n eed to d ele te th at bab y.” “N o o ne w ill e v er s e e it . Y ou k now t h at. N in ety -n in e p erc e n t o f th e s tu in t h e c lo ud is nev er s e en b y a n yone. If it e v en g ets o ne v ie w , w e c a n ta lk a gain . O kay ?” A nnie p ut h er han d o n M ae’s . “ N ow w atc h t h is . Y ou d on’t k now h ow r a re it is t o h av e S te n to n d oin g t h e ad dre ss. T his m ust b e b ig , a n d it m ust in volv e s o m e k in d o f g o vern m en t th in g. T hat’s h is nic h e.” “Y ou d on’t k now w hat h e’s a b out t o s a y ?” “I h av e s o m e id ea,” s h e s a id . Ste n to n to ok th e s ta ge w it h out a n in tr o ductio n. T he a u die n ce a p pla u ded , b ut in a w ay th at w as m ark ed ly d i ere n t fr o m th e w ay th ey h ad fo r B aile y . B aile y w as th eir ta le n te d uncle w ho h ad sa v ed ev ery o ne o f th eir liv es p erso nally . Ste n to n w as th eir b oss, fo r whom th ey h ad to a ct p ro fe ssio nally a n d c la p p ro fe ssio nally . In a { aw le ss b la ck s u it , n o tie , h e w alk ed t o t h e c e n te r o f t h e s ta ge, a n d w it h out in tr o ducin g h im se lf o r s a y in g h ello , he b egan . “A s y ou k now ,” h e s a id , “ tr a n sp are n cy is s o m eth in g w e a d voca te h ere a t t h e C ir c le . W e lo ok to a g u y lik e S te w art a s a n in sp ir a tio n— a m an w ho’s w illin g to o pen u p h is lif e to fu rth er o ur c o lle ctiv e k now le d ge. H e’s b een y lm in g, r e co rd in g, e v ery m om en t o f h is lif e now f o r f iv e y ears, a n d it ’s b een a n in valu ab le a sse t t o t h e C ir c le , a n d s o on, I b et, t o a ll o f hum an kin d. S te w art? ” Ste n to n lo oked o ut to th e a u die n ce , a n d fo und S te w art, th e T ra n sp are n t M an , s ta n din g wit h w hat lo oked lik e a s m all te le p hoto le n s a ro und h is n eck . H e w as b ald , a b out s ix ty , ben din g s lig h tly , a s if fr o m th e w eig h t o f th e d ev ic e r e stin g o n h is c h est. H e g o t a w arm ro und o f a p pla u se b efo re s it tin g d ow n. “M ean w hile ,” Ste n to n sa id , “th ere ’s an oth er are a o f p ublic lif e w here w e w an t an d exp ect t r a n sp are n cy , a n d t h at’s d em ocra cy . W e’r e lu ck y t o h av e b een b orn a n d r a is e d in a dem ocra cy , but one th at is alw ay s underg o in g im pro vem en ts . W hen I w as a kid , to co m bat b ack -r o om p olit ic a l d eals , fo r exam ple , cit iz e n s in sis te d u pon Su nsh in e L aw s. These la w s giv e cit iz e n s acce ss to m eetin gs, to tr a n sc rip ts . T hey co uld atte n d public hearin gs an d p etit io n fo r d ocu m en ts . A nd y et still, so lo ng afte r th e fo undin g o f th is dem ocra cy , e v ery d ay , o ur e le cte d le ad ers s till y nd t h em se lv es e m bro ile d in s o m e s c a n dal or a n oth er, u su ally in volv in g th em d oin g so m eth in g th ey sh ould n’t b e d oin g. S o m eth in g se cre tiv e, ille gal, a gain st th e w ill a n d b est in te re sts o f th e re p ublic . N o w onder p ublic tr u st f o r C ongre ss is a t 1 1 p erc e n t.” There w as a w av e o f m urm urin g fr o m th e a u die n ce . S te n to n fe d o it . “ C ongre ssio nal ap pro val is a ctu ally a t 1 1 p erc e n t! A nd a s y ou k now , a c e rta in s e n ato r w as ju st r e v eale d to b e in volv ed in s o m e v ery u nsa v ory b usin ess.” The c ro w d la u gh ed , c h eere d , t it te re d . Mae le an ed t o A nnie . “ W ait , w hat s e n ato r? ” “W illia m so n. Y ou d id n’t h ear? S h e g o t b uste d fo r a ll k in ds o f w eir d s tu . S h e’s u nder in vestig atio n f o r a h alf -d oze n t h in gs, a ll k in ds o f e th ic a l v io la tio ns. T hey f o und e v ery th in g on h er c o m pute r, a h undre d w eir d s e arc h es, d ow nlo ad s— so m e v ery c re ep y s tu ff.” Mae t h ough t, u nw illin gly , o f F ra n cis . S h e t u rn ed h er a tte n tio n b ack t o S te n to n. “Y our o ccu patio n c o uld b e d ro ppin g h um an fe ce s o n th e h ead s o f se n io r c it iz e n s,” h e sa id , “a n d y our jo b a p pro val w ould b e h ig h er th an 1 1 p erc e n t. S o w hat ca n b e d one? What c a n b e d one t o r e sto re t h e p eo ple ’s t r u st in t h eir e le cte d le ad ers? I a m h ap py t o s a y th at th ere ’s a w om an w ho is ta k in g a ll th is v ery s e rio usly , a n d s h e’s d oin g s o m eth in g to ad dre ss t h e is su e. L et m e in tr o duce O liv ia S an to s, r e p re se n ta tiv e f r o m D is tr ic t 1 4.” A s to ut w om an o f a b out y fty , w earin g a r e d s u it a n d a y ello w { ora l s c a rf, s tr o de f r o m th e w in gs, b oth a rm s w av in g h ig h o ver h er h ead . F ro m t h e s c a tte re d a n d p olit e a p pla u se , it w as c le ar t h at f e w in t h e G re at H all k new w ho s h e w as. Ste n to n g av e h er a s ti h ug, a n d a s s h e s to od b esid e h im , h er h an ds c la sp ed in f r o nt o f her, he co ntin ued . “F or th ose w ho need a civ ic s re fr e sh er, C ongre ssw om an San to s re p re se n ts t h is v ery d is tr ic t. I t’s o kay if y ou d id n’t k now h er. N ow y ou d o.” H e t u rn ed t o her. “ H ow a re y ou t o day , C ongre ssw om an ?” “I’m f in e, T om , v ery f in e. V ery h ap py t o b e h ere .” Ste n to n o ere d his versio n of a w arm sm ile to her, an d th en tu rn ed back to th e au die n ce . “C ongre ssw om an San to s is here to an nounce w hat I m ust sa y is a very im porta n t dev elo pm en t in th e his to ry of go vern m en t. A nd th at is a m ove to w ard th e ult im ate tr a n sp are n cy th at w e’v e all so ugh t fr o m our ele cte d le ad ers sin ce th e bir th of re p re se n ta tiv e d em ocra cy . C ongre ssw om an ?” Ste n to n s te p ped b ack a n d s a t b eh in d h er o n a h ig h s to ol. R ep re se n ta tiv e S an to s m oved to th e fr o nt o f th e sta ge, h an ds n ow e n tw in ed b eh in d h er, a n d sw ep t h er e y es o ver th e ro om . “T hat’s rig h t, T om . I’m a s c o nce rn ed a s y ou a re a b out th e n eed fo r c it iz e n s to k now what th eir e le cte d le ad ers a re d oin g. I m ean , it is y our r ig h t, is it n ot? It’s y our r ig h t to know h ow th ey sp en d th eir d ay s. W ho th ey ’r e m eetin g w it h . W ho th ey ’r e ta lk in g to . What th ey ’r e d oin g o n th e ta xp ay er’s d im e. U ntil n ow , it ’s b een an ad h oc sy ste m o f acco unta b ilit y . Sen ato rs an d re p re se n ta tiv es, may ors an d co uncilp erso ns, hav e occa sio nally r e le ase d t h eir s c h ed ule s, a n d h av e a llo w ed c it iz e n s v ary in g d egre es o f a cce ss. But s till w e w onder, W hy a re t h ey m eetin g w it h t h at f o rm er-s e n ato r-t u rn ed -lo bbyis t? A nd how d id t h at c o ngre ssm an g et t h at $ 150,0 00 t h e F B I f o und h id den in h is f r id ge? H ow d id th at o th er s e n ato r a rra n ge a n d c a rry o ut t r y sts w it h a s e rie s o f w om en w hile h is w if e w as underg o in g ca n ce r tr e atm en t? I m ean , th e arra y o f m is d eed s ca rrie d o ut w hile th ese o } cia ls w ere bein g paid by you, th e cit iz e n ry , is not only dep lo ra b le , not only unacce p ta b le , b ut a ls o u nnece ssa ry .” There w as a s m atte rin g o f a p pla u se . S an to s s m ile d , n odded , a n d c o ntin ued . “W e’v e all w an te d an d exp ecte d tr a n sp are n cy fr o m our ele cte d le ad ers, but th e te ch nolo gy w asn ’t th ere to m ak e it fu lly possib le . But now it is . As Ste w art has dem onstr a te d , it ’s v ery e asy to p ro vid e th e w orld a t la rg e fu ll a cce ss to y our d ay , to s e e what y ou se e, h ear w hat y ou h ear an d w hat y ou sa y . T han k y ou fo r y our co ura ge, Ste w art.” The a u die n ce a p pla u ded a gain f o r S te w art w it h n ew v ig o r, s o m e o f t h em g u essin g w hat San to s w as a b out t o a n nounce . “S o I in te n d to fo llo w S te w art o n h is p ath o f illu m in atio n. A nd a lo ng th e w ay , I in te n d to s h ow h ow d em ocra cy c a n a n d s h ould b e: e n tir e ly o pen , e n tir e ly tr a n sp are n t. S ta rtin g to day , I w ill be w earin g th e sa m e dev ic e th at Ste w art w ears. M y ev ery m eetin g, movem en t, m y e v ery w ord , w ill b e a v aila b le t o a ll m y c o nstit u en ts a n d t o t h e w orld .” Ste n to n g o t o h is s to ol a n d m ad e h is w ay to S an to s. H e lo oked o ut to th e a sse m ble d Cir c le rs. “ C an w e g iv e C ongre ssw om an S an to s a r o und o f a p pla u se ?” But th e a u die n ce w as a lr e ad y cla p pin g. T here w ere w hoops a n d whis tle s, a n d S an to s beam ed . W hile th ey ro are d , a te ch nic ia n e m erg ed fr o m th e w in gs a n d h ung a n eck la ce aro und S an to s’s h ead — a s m alle r v ersio n o f t h e c a m era S te w art h ad b een w earin g. S an to s held th e le n s to h er lip s a n d k is se d it . T he a u die n ce ch eere d . A fte r a m in ute , S te n to n ra is e d h is h an ds, a n d t h e c ro w d q uie te d . H e t u rn ed t o S an to s. “S o y ou’r e s a y in g th at e v ery c o nversa tio n, e v ery m eetin g, e v ery p art o f y our d ay w ill be b ro ad ca st? ” “Y es. It w ill all be av aila b le on m y C ir c le page. E very m om en t till I sle ep .” T he au die n ce d a p pla u ded a gain , a n d S te n to n in dulg ed t h em , t h en a gain a sk ed f o r q uie t. “A nd w hat if th ose w ho w an t to m eet w it h y ou d on’t w an t a giv en m eetin g to b e bro ad ca st? ” “W ell, t h en t h ey w ill n ot m eet w it h m e,” s h e s a id . “ Y ou’r e e it h er t r a n sp are n t o r y ou’r e not. Y ou’r e e it h er a cco unta b le o r y ou’r e n ot. W hat w ould a n yone h av e to s a y to m e th at co uld n’t b e s a id in p ublic ? W hat p art o f r e p re se n tin g th e p eo ple s h ould n ot b e k now n b y th e v ery p eo ple I ’m r e p re se n tin g?” The a p pla u se w as d ro w nin g h er o ut. “In deed ,” S te n to n s a id . “T han k y ou! T han k y ou!” S an to s s a id , b ow in g, p uttin g h er p alm s to geth er in a p ostu re of p ra y er. T he a p pla u se c o ntin ued fo r m in ute s. F in ally , S te n to n g estu re d fo r c a lm o nce more . “S o w hen a re y ou s ta rtin g t h is n ew p ro gra m ?” h e a sk ed . “N o tim e lik e th e p re se n t,” sh e sa id . S h e p ush ed a b utto n o n th e d ev ic e a ro und h er neck , a n d th ere it w as, th e v ie w fr o m h er c a m era , p ro je cte d o n th e g ia n t s c re en b eh in d her. T he a u die n ce s a w it s e lf , w it h g re at c la rit y , a n d r o are d w it h a p pro val. “It b egin s n ow fo r m e, T om ,” sh e sa id , “ A nd I h ope it b egin s so on fo r th e re st o f th e ele cte d le ad ers in t h is c o untr y — an d f o r t h ose in e v ery o ne o f t h e w orld ’s d em ocra cie s.” Sh e b ow ed , s h e p ut h er h an ds to geth er a gain , a n d th en b egan to w alk o th e s ta ge. A s sh e w as n earin g th e c u rta in s a t sta ge-le ft, sh e sto pped . “ T here ’s n o re aso n fo r m e to g o th at w ay — to o d ark . I’m g o in g th is w ay ,” s h e s a id , a n d th e lig h ts in th e a u dit o riu m c a m e on a s sh e ste p ped d ow n to th e { oor, in to th e b rig h t lig h t, th e ro om ’s th ousa n d fa ce s su dden ly v is ib le a n d c h eerin g. S h e w alk ed s tr a ig h t u p th e a is le , a ll th e h an ds r e ach in g to her, g rin nin g f a ce s t e llin g h er t h an k y ou, t h an k y ou, g o f o rth a n d m ak e u s p ro ud. T hat n ig h t, in th e C olo ny, th ere w as a re ce p tio n fo r C ongre ssw om an San to s, an d sh e c o ntin ued t o b e s w arm ed w it h n ew a d m ir e rs. M ae b rie { y e n te rta in ed t h e n otio n o f t r y in g t o g et c lo se e n ough t o s h ak e h er h an d, b ut t h e c ro w d a ro und h er w as y ve d eep , a ll n ig h t, s o in ste ad M ae a te fr o m th e b u et, s o m e k in d o f s h re d ded p ork th at h ad b een m ad e o n c a m pus, a n d w ait e d fo r A nnie . S h e’d s a id s h e w ould tr y to m ak e it d ow n, b ut w as o n a d ead lin e, p re p arin g so m eth in g fo r a h earin g at th e E U . “T hey ’r e w hin in g ab out ta xes a gain ,” s h e s a id . Mae w an dere d th e ro om , w hic h h ad b een d eco ra te d in a v agu ely d ese rt th em e, w it h s m atte rin gs o f c a cti a n d sa n dsto ne in fr o nt o f w alls o f d ig it a l su nse ts . S h e sa w a n d sa id h ello to D an a n d J are d , a n d a fe w o f th e n ew bie s sh e’d b een tr a in in g. S h e lo oked fo r F ra n cis , h opin g h e w ould n’t b e t h ere , b ut t h en r e m em bere d , w it h g re at r e lie f, t h at h e w as a t a c o nfe re n ce in L as V egas— a g ath erin g o f la w e n fo rc e m en t a gen cie s h e w as in tr o ducin g t o C hild T ra ck . A s sh e w an dere d , a walls c re en su nse t fa d ed to m ak e w ay fo r th e fa ce o f T y. H is fa ce w as u nsh av en , a n d th ere w ere b ags u nder e y es, a n d th ough h e w as c le arly a n d th oro ugh ly tir e d , h e w as sm ilin g b ro ad ly . H e w as w earin g h is c u sto m ary o versiz e d b la ck h oodie , a n d to ok a m om en t to c le an h is g la sse s o n h is s le ev e b efo re lo okin g o ut a t t h e ro om , le ft a n d rig h t, a s if h e c o uld se e th em a ll fr o m w here v er h e w as. M ay be h e c o uld . T he r o om q uic k ly h ush ed . “H ey e v ery one. S o rry I c a n ’t b e th ere w it h y ou a ll. I’v e b een w ork in g o n so m e v ery i n te re stin g n ew p ro je cts th at a re k eep in g m e a w ay fr o m in cre d ib le so cia l a ctiv it ie s lik e t h e o ne y ou’r e e n jo yin g. B ut I d id w an t to c o ngra tu la te y ou a ll o n th is p hen om en al n ew d ev elo pm en t. I th in k it ’s a c ru cia l n ew s te p fo r th e C ir c le a n d w ill m ean a g re at d eal to o ur overa ll aw eso m en ess.” For a se co nd he se em ed to be lo okin g at w hoev er w as o pera tin g th e c a m era , a s if c o n y rm in g h e’d s a id e n ough . T hen h is e y es r e tu rn ed to lo ok i n to t h e r o om . “ T han k y ou a ll f o r y our h ard w ork o n it , a n d le t t h e p arty t r u ly b egin !” His f a ce d is a p peare d , a n d t h e w alls c re en a gain d is p la y ed t h e d ig it a l s u nse t. M ae c h atte d w it h s o m e o f t h e n ew bie s in h er p od, s o m e o f w hom h ad n’t s e en a n y liv e a d dre sse s f r o m T y b efo re , a n d w ere c lo se to e u phoric . M ae to ok a p ic tu re , z in ged it a n d a d ded a fe w w ord s: Excit in g s tu ff! Mae p ic k ed u p h er s e co nd g la ss o f w in e, d ecid in g h ow s h e c o uld d o s o w it h out ta k in g t h e n ap kin u nder it , w hic h w ould s e rv e n o p urp ose a n d e n d u p in h er p ock et, w hen s h e s a w K ald en . H e w as in a s h ad ow y s ta ir w ell, s it tin g o n th e s te p s. S h e m ean dere d h er w ay o ver t o h im , a n d w hen h e s a w h er, h is f a ce b rig h te n ed . “O h h i,” h e s a id . “O h h i? ” “S o rry ,” h e s a id , a n d le an ed in to h er, in te n din g a h ug. Sh e r e co ile d . “ W here h av e y ou b een ?” “B een ?” “Y ou d is a p peare d f o r t w o w eek s,” M ae s a id . “It h asn ’t b een th at lo ng, h as it ? A nd I’v e b een a ro und. I lo oked fo r y ou o ne d ay b ut y ou lo oked b usy .” “Y ou c a m e t o C E?” “I d id , b ut I d id n’t w an t t o b oth er y ou.” “A nd y ou c o uld n’t le av e a m essa ge s o m eh ow ?” “I d id n’t k now y our la st n am e,” h e s a id , s m ilin g, a s if h e k new fa r m ore th an h e w as le ttin g o n. “ W hy d id n’t y ou c o nta ct me ?” “I d id n’t k now y our la st n am e, e it h er. A nd t h ere ’s n o K ald en lis te d a n yw here .” “R eally ? H ow w ere y ou s p ellin g it ? ” Mae b egan t o e n um era te t h e p erm uta tio ns s h e’d t r ie d , w hen h e in te rru pte d . “L is te n , it d oesn ’t m atte r. W e b oth s c re w ed u p. A nd n ow w e’r e h ere .” Mae s te p ped b ack to ta k e h im in , th in kin g m ay be, s o m ew here o n h im , s h e w ould y nd so m e c lu e a s to w heth er o r n ot h e w as r e al— a r e al C ir c le r, a r e al p erso n. A gain h e w as wearin g a s n ug lo ngsle ev e s h ir t, t h is o ne w it h n arro w h oriz o nta l s tr ip es in g re en s a n d r e d s an d b ro w ns, a n d a gain h e h ad m an eu vere d h is w ay in to v ery n arro w b la ck p an ts th at gav e h is le gs t h e lo ok o f a n in verte d V . “Y ou d o w ork h ere , r ig h t? ” s h e a sk ed . “O f c o urse . H ow e ls e c o uld I g et in ? S ecu rit y is p re tty g o od h ere . Esp ecia lly o n a d ay lik e t o day , w it h o ur lu m in ous g u est.” H e n odded t o t h e c o ngre ssw om an , w ho w as s ig n in g her n am e o n s o m eo ne’s t a b le t. “Y ou lo ok lik e y ou’r e r e ad y t o le av e,” M ae s a id . “D o I? ” K ald en s a id . “ N o, n o. I’m ju st c o m fo rta b le b ack h ere . I lik e to s it d urin g th ese th in gs. A nd I g u ess I lik e to h av e th e o ptio n o f { eein g.” H e th re w h is th um b o ver h is sh ould er, in dic a tin g t h e s ta ir s b eh in d h im . “I’m ju st g la d m y s u perv is o rs s a w m e h ere ,” M ae s a id . “ T hat w as m y y rst p rio rit y . D o you h av e t o b e s e en h ere b y a s u perv is o r o r a n yth in g?” “S u perv is o r? ” F or a m om en t, K ald en lo oked a t h er a s if s h e’d ju st s a id s o m eth in g in a fa m ilia r a n d y et in co m pre h en sib le la n gu age. “ O h y eah ,” h e s a id , n oddin g. “ T hey s a w m e here . I t o ok c a re o f t h at.” “H av e y ou t o ld m e w hat y ou d o h ere y et? ” “A h, I d on’t k now . H av e I ? L ook a t t h at g u y.” “W hat g u y?” “O h, nev er m in d,” K ald en sa id , se em in g to hav e alr e ad y fo rg o tte n w hom he w as lo okin g a t. “ S o y ou’r e in P R ?” “N o. C usto m er E xp erie n ce .” Kald en tilt e d h is h ead . “ O h. O h. I k new th at,” h e sa id , u nco nvin cin gly . “ Y ou’v e b een th ere a w hile ?” Mae h ad to la u gh . T he m an w as n ot a ll th ere . H is m in d s e em ed b are ly te th ere d to h is body, m uch le ss t h e e arth . “I’m s o rry ,” h e s a id , h is fa ce tu rn in g to h er, n ow lo okin g im possib ly s in ce re a n d c le ar- ey ed . “ B ut I wan t to r e m em ber th ese th in gs a b out y ou. I w as a ctu ally h opin g I’d s e e y ou here .” “H ow lo ng h av e y ou w ork ed h ere a gain ?” s h e a sk ed . “M e? U m .” H e s c ra tc h ed t h e b ack o f h is h ead . “ W ow . I d on’t k now . A w hile n ow .” “O ne m onth ? A y ear? Six y ears? ” sh e ask ed , th in kin g h e re ally w as so m e k in d o f sa v an t. “S ix ?” h e s a id , “ T hat w ould b e t h e b egin nin g. Y ou t h in k I lo ok o ld e n ough t o h av e b een here s ix y ears? I d on’t w an t t o lo ok t h at o ld . I s it t h e g re y h air ? ” Mae had no id ea w hat to sa y . O f co urse it w as th e gre y hair . “S h ould w e get a re fr e sh m en t? ” s h e a sk ed . “N o, y ou g o a h ead ,” h e s a id . “A fr a id t o le av e y our h id eo ut? ” “N o, ju st f e elin g le ss s o cia l.” Sh e m ad e h er w ay t o a t a b le w here a f e w h undre d g la sse s o f w in e h ad b een p oure d a n d were w ait in g. “M ae, r ig h t? ” Sh e tu rn ed to ynd th e tw o w om en , Day na an d H illa ry , w ho w ere build in g a su bm ersib le fo r S te n to n. M ae r e m em bere d m eetin g th em o n h er y rst d ay , a n d s in ce th en had b een g ettin g t h eir u pdate s o n h er s e co nd s c re en a t le ast t h re e a d ay . T hey w ere w eek s aw ay f r o m f in is h in g t h e c ra ft; S te n to n p la n ned t o t a k e it t o t h e M aria n as T re n ch . “I’v e b een f o llo w in g y our p ro gre ss,” M ae s a id . “ In cre d ib le . Y ou’r e b uild in g it h ere ?” Mae g la n ce d o ver h er s h ould er t o m ak e s u re K ald en h ad n’t m ad e a q uic k e xit . “W it h th e P ro je ct 9 g u ys, y eah ,” H illa ry s a id , w av in g a h an d a t s o m e o th er, u nknow n part o f t h e c a m pus. “ S afe r t o b uild it h ere , t o k eep t h e p ate n te d s tu ff s e cu re .” “T his is th e y rst v esse l b ig e n ough to re ally b rin g b ack fu ll-s iz e d a n im al lif e ,” D ay na sa id . “A nd y ou g u ys g et t o g o ?” Day na a n d H illa ry la u gh ed . “ N o,” H illa ry s a id . “ T his th in g’s b uilt fo r o ne m an a n d o ne man o nly : T om S te n to n.” Day na lo oked a sk an ce a t H illa ry , t h en b ack t o M ae. “ T he c o sts o f m ak in g it b ig e n ough fo r m ore p eo ple a re p re tty m uch p ro hib it iv e.” “R ig h t,” H illa ry s a id . “ T hat’s w hat I m ean t.” When M ae re tu rn ed to K ald en ’s sta ir w ell, h old in g tw o g la sse s o f w in e, h e w as in th e sa m e p la ce , b ut h e h ad s o m eh ow g o tte n h im se lf t w o g la sse s o f h is o w n. “S o m eo ne c a m e b y w it h a t r a y ,” h e s a id , s ta n din g u p. They s to od b rie fly , e ach t w o-f is te d , a n d M ae c o uld t h in k o f n oth in g b ut c lin kin g a ll f o ur gla sse s t o geth er, w hic h t h ey d id . “I r a n in to t h e t e am b uild in g t h e s u bm ersib le ,” M ae s a id . “ Y ou k now t h em ?” Kald en ro lle d h is e y es. It w as sta rtlin g. M ae h ad n’t se en a n yone e ls e d o th at a t th e Cir c le . “W hat? ” M ae s a id . “N oth in g,” h e s a id . “ D id y ou lik e t h e s p eech ?” h e a sk ed . “T he w hole S an to s t h in g? I d id . V ery e xcit in g.” S h e w as c a re fu l w it h h er w ord s. “ I t h in k th is w ill b e a m om en to us, u h, m om en t in th e h is to ry o f d em o— ” S h e p au se d , s e ein g h im sm ile . “ W hat? ” s h e s a id . “N oth in g,” h e sa id . “ Y ou d on’t h av e to g iv e m e a sp eech . I h eard w hat S te n to n sa id . You r e ally t h in k t h is is a g o od id ea?” “Y ou d on’t ? ” He s h ru gged a n d d ra in ed h alf h is g la ss. “ T hat g u y ju st c o nce rn s me s o m etim es.” T hen , know in g h e s h ould n’t h av e s a id th at a b out o ne o f th e W is e M en , h e c h an ged ta ck s. “ H e’s ju st s o s m art. I t’s in tim id atin g. Y ou r e ally t h in k I lo ok o ld ? W hat w ould y ou s a y ? T hir ty ?” “Y ou d on’t lo ok t h at o ld ,” M ae s a id . “I d on’t b elie v e y ou. I k now I d o.” Mae dra n k fr o m one of her gla sse s. T hey lo oked aro und, w atc h in g th e fe ed fr o m San to s’s c a m era . It w as b ein g p ro je cte d o nto th e fa r w all, a n d a g ro up o f C ir c le rs s to od, watc h in g, w hile S an to s m in gle d a f e w f e et a w ay . O ne C ir c le r f o und h is o w n im age c a u gh t on th e c o ngre ssw om an ’s c a m era , a n d p osit io ned h is h an d to c o ver h is s e co nd, p ro je cte d , fa ce . Kald en w atc h ed c lo se ly , h is b ro w fu rro w ed . “ H m ,” h e sa id . H e tilt e d h is h ead , lik e a tr a v ele r p uzzlin g o ut s o m e o dd lo ca l c u sto m s. T hen h e tu rn ed to M ae, a n d lo oked a t h er tw o g la sse s a n d a t h is o w n, a s if ju st n ow r e aliz in g th e h um or in b oth o f th em s ta n din g tw o- y ste d in a d oorw ay . “ I’m g o nna g et r id o f t h is o ne,” h e s a id , a n d d ow ned t h e g la ss in his le ft h an d. M ae f o llo w ed s u it . “S o rry ,” s h e s a id , f o r n o r e aso n. S h e k new s h e w ould s o on b e t ip sy , p ro bab ly t o o t ip sy to h id e it ; b ad d ecis io ns w ould e n su e. S h e tr ie d to th in k o f so m eth in g in te llig en t to sa y while s h e c o uld . “S o w here d oes a ll t h at g o ?” s h e a sk ed . “T he s tu ff f r o m t h e c a m era ?” “Y eah , is it s to re d s o m ew here h ere ? T he c lo ud?” “W ell, it ’s in th e c lo ud, s u re , b ut it h as to b e s to re d in a p hysic a l p la ce , to o. T he s tu fr o m S te w art’s c a m era … W ait . Y ou w an t t o s e e s o m eth in g?” He w as a lr e ad y h alf w ay d ow n t h e s ta ir w ell, h is lim bs n im ble a n d s p id ery . “I d on’t k now ,” M ae s a id . Kald en lo oked u p, a s if h e’d h ad h is fe elin gs h urt. “ I c a n sh ow y ou w here S te w art is sto re d . Y ou w an t t o ? I ’m n ot t a k in g y ou t o s o m e d ungeo n.” Mae lo oked a ro und t h e r o om , s c a n nin g f o r D an a n d J are d , b ut c o uld n’t y nd t h em . S h e’d sta y ed a n h our, a n d th ey ’d se en h er, so sh e a ssu m ed sh e co uld le av e. S h e to ok a fe w pic tu re s, poste d th em , an d se n t a se rie s of zin gs, deta ilin g an d co m men tin g on th e pro ce ed in gs. Then sh e fo llo w ed K ald en dow n th e sta ir s, th re e {ig h ts , to w hat sh e assu m ed w as t h e b ase m en t. “ I’m r e ally t r u stin g y ou,” s h e s a id . “Y ou s h ould ,” K ald en s a id , a p pro ach in g a la rg e b lu e d oor. H e p asse d h is y ngers o ver a wall-m ounte d p ad a n d it o pen ed . “ C om e.” Sh e fo llo w ed h im d ow n a lo ng h allw ay , a n d s h e h ad th e fe elin g s h e w as p assin g fr o m one build in g to an oth er, th ro ugh so m e tu nnel fa r underg ro und. So on an oth er door ap peare d , a n d a gain K ald en r e le ase d t h e lo ck w it h h is y ngerp rin ts . M ae f o llo w ed , a lm ost gid dy, in tr ig u ed by his extr a o rd in ary acce ss, to o tip sy to m easu re th e w is d om of fo llo w in g t h is c a llig ra p hic m an t h ro ugh t h is la b yrin th . T hey r o de d ow n w hat M ae g u esse d was fo ur { oors, e xit e d in to a n oth er lo ng co rrid or, a n d th en e n te re d a n oth er sta ir w ell, where th ey a gain w en t d ow n. M ae s o on fo und h er s e co nd g la ss o f w in e c u m berso m e, s o sh e f in is h ed it . “A nyw here I c a n p ut t h is ? ” s h e a sk ed . W it h out a w ord , K ald en t o ok t h e g la ss a n d le ft it on t h e lo w est s te p o f t h e s ta ir w ay t h ey ’d ju st f in is h ed . Who w as th is p erso n? H e h ad a cce ss to e v ery d oor h e e n co unte re d , b ut h e a ls o h ad a n an arc h ic str e ak . N o one els e at th e C ir c le w ould ab an don a gla ss lik e th at— whic h am ounte d to s o m e g ra n d a ct o f p ollu tio n— an d n o o ne e ls e w ould ta k e s u ch a jo urn ey in th e m id dle of a c o m pan y p arty . T here w as a m u ed p art o f M ae th at k new K ald en w as lik ely a t r o uble m ak er h ere , a n d t h at w hat t h ey w ere d oin g w as p ro bab ly a gain st s o m e o r all r u le s a n d r e gu la tio ns. “I s till d on’t k now w hat y ou d o h ere ,” s h e s a id . They w ere w alk in g th ro ugh a d im ly lit c o rrid or th at s lo ped g en tly d ow nw ard a n d w it h no a p pare n t e n d. He tu rn ed . “N ot m uch . I go to m eetin gs. I lis te n , I p ro vid e fe ed back . It’s n ot v ery im porta n t,” h e s a id , w alk in g b ris k ly a h ead o f h er. “D o y ou k now A nnie A lle rto n?” “O f c o urse . I lo ve A nnie .” N ow h e t u rn ed b ack t o h er. “ H ey , y ou s till h av e t h at le m on I gav e y ou?” “N o. I t n ev er t u rn ed y ello w .” “H uh,” h e sa id , a n d h is e y es b rie { y le ft th eir fo cu s o n h er, a s if th ey w ere n eed ed so m ew here e ls e , s o m ew here d eep in h is m in d, f o r a b rie f b ut c ru cia l c a lc u la tio n. “W here a re w e?” M ae a sk ed . “ I f e el lik e w e’r e a t h ousa n d f e et u nderg ro und.” “N ot q uit e ,” h e s a id , h is e y es r e tu rn in g. “ B ut c lo se . H av e y ou h eard o f P ro je ct 9 ?” Pro je ct 9 , a s fa r a s M ae k new , w as th e a ll-e n co m passin g n am e fo r th e s e cre t r e se arc h bein g d one a t th e C ir c le . A nyth in g fr o m sp ace te ch nolo gy — Ste n to n th ough t th e C ir c le co uld d esig n a n d b uild a f a r b ette r r e u sa b le s p ace cra ft— to w hat w as r u m ore d t o b e a p la n to e m bed a n d m ak e a cce ssib le m assiv e a m ounts o f d ata in h um an D NA. “Is t h at w here w e’r e g o in g?” M ae a sk ed . “N o,” h e s a id , a n d o pen ed a n oth er d oor. They e n te re d a la rg e ro om , a b out th e siz e o f a b ask etb all co urt, d im ly lit b ut fo r a doze n s p otlig h ts t r a in ed o n a n e n orm ous r e d m eta llic box, t h e s iz e o f a b us. E ach s id e w as sm ooth , p olis h ed , th e w hole th in g su rro unded b y a n etw ork o f gle am in g silv er p ip es fo rm in g a n e la b ora te g rid a ro und it . “It lo oks lik e s o m e k in d o f D onald J u dd s c u lp tu re ,” M ae s a id . Kald en tu rn ed to her, his fa ce alig h t. “I’m so gla d you sa id th at. H e w as a big in sp ir a tio n t o m e. I lo ve t h at t h in g h e o nce s a id : ‘T hin gs t h at e xis t e xis t, a n d e v ery th in g is on t h eir s id e.’ Y ou e v er s e e h is s tu ff in p erso n?” Mae w as o nly p assin gly fa m ilia r w it h th e w ork o f D onald J u dd— th ey ’d d one a fe w day s o n h im in o ne o f h er a rt h is to ry c la sse s— but d id n’t w an t t o d is a p poin t K ald en . “ N o, but I lo ve h im ,” s h e s a id . “ I lo ve h is h eft.” And w it h th at, so m eth in g n ew a p peare d o n K ald en ’s fa ce , so m e n ew re sp ect fo r, o r in te re st in , M ae, a s if a t t h at m om en t s h e’d b eco m e t h re e-d im en sio nal a n d p erm an en t. Then M ae ru in ed it . “ H e d id th is fo r th e c o m pan y?” sh e sa id , n oddin g a t th e m assiv e re d b ox. Kald en la u gh ed , t h en lo oked a t h er, h is in te re st in h er n ot g o ne, b ut c e rta in ly in r e tr e at. “N o, n o. H e’s b een d ead fo r d eca d es. T his w as ju st in sp ir e d b y h is aesth etic . T his is actu ally a m ach in e. O r in sid e it is . I t’s a s to ra ge u nit .” He lo oked a t M ae, e xp ectin g h er t o c o m ple te t h e t h ough t. Sh e c o uld n’t . “T his is S te w art,” h e f in ally s a id . Mae k new n oth in g a b out d ata s to ra ge, b ut h ad b een u nder t h e g en era l id ea t h at s to rin g su ch in fo rm atio n c o uld b e d one in a f a r s m alle r s p ace . “A ll t h is f o r o ne p erso n?” s h e a sk ed . “W ell, it ’s th e sto ra ge of th e ra w data , an d th en th e ca p acit y to ru n all kin ds of sc e n ario s th ro ugh it . E very bit of vid eo is bein g m ap ped a hundre d di ere n t w ay s. Every th in g S te w art s e es is c o rre la te d w it h t h e r e st o f t h e v id eo w e h av e, a n d it h elp s m ap th e w orld a n d e v ery th in g in it . A nd o f c o urse , w hat y ou g et t h ro ugh S te w art’s c a m era s is exp onen tia lly m ore d eta ile d a n d la y ere d t h an a n y c o nsu m er d ev ic e .” “A nd w hy h av e it h ere , a s o ppose d t o s to re d in t h e c lo ud o r in t h e d ese rt s o m ew here ?” “W ell, so m e p eo ple lik e to sc a tte r th eir a sh es a n d so m e lik e to h av e a p lo t clo se to hom e, r ig h t? ” Mae w asn ’t p re cis e ly su re w hat th at m ean t b ut sh e d id n’t fe el sh e co uld a d m it th at. “A nd t h e p ip es a re f o r e le ctr ic it y ?” s h e a sk ed . Kald en o pen ed h is m outh , p au se d , th en sm ile d . “N o, th at’s w ate r. A to n o f w ate r’s need ed to k eep th e p ro ce sso rs c o ol. S o th e w ate r ru ns th ro ugh th e sy ste m , c o olin g th e overa ll a p para tu s. M illio ns o f g allo ns e v ery m onth . Y ou w an t t o s e e S an to s’s r o om ?” He le d h er th ro ugh a d oor to an oth er, id en tic a l, ro om , w it h an oth er gre at re d b ox dom in atin g th e sp ace . “T his w as su ppose d to be fo r so m eo ne els e , but w hen San to s ste p ped u p, it w as a ssig n ed t o h er.” Mae h ad a lr e ad y s a id to o m an y s illy th in gs th at n ig h t, a n d w as fe elin g lig h t-h ead ed , s o sh e d id n’t a sk t h e q uestio ns s h e w an te d t o a sk , s u ch a s, H ow c o uld t h ese t h in gs t a k e u p s o much s p ace ? A nd u se s o m uch w ate r? A nd if e v en a h undre d m ore p eo ple w an te d t o s to re th eir e v ery m in ute — an d s u re ly m illio ns w ould o pt t o g o t r a n sp are n t, w ould b eg t o — how co uld w e d o t h is w hen e ach lif e t o ok u p s o m uch s p ace ? W here w ould a ll t h ese g re at r e d boxes g o ? “O h w ait , s o m eth in g’s a b out t o h ap pen ,” K ald en s a id , a n d h e t o ok her h an d a n d le d h er back in to Ste w art’s ro om , w here th e tw o o f th em sto od, lis te n in g to th e h um o f th e mach in es. “H as it h ap pen ed ?” M ae a sk ed , th rillin g a t th e fe el o f h is h an d, h is p alm so ft a n d h is fin gers w arm a n d lo ng. Kald en r a is e d h is e y eb ro w s, t e llin g h er t o w ait . A lo ud ru sh c a m e fr o m o verh ead , th e u nm is ta k ab le m ovem en t o f w ate r. M ae lo oked up, b rie { y th in kin g th ey w ould b e d re n ch ed , b ut re aliz e d it w as o nly th e w ate r c o m in g th ro ugh t h e p ip es, h ead in g f o r S te w art, c o olin g a ll h e’d d one a n d s e en . “S u ch a p re tty s o und, d on’t y ou t h in k?” K ald en s a id , lo okin g t o h er, h is e y es s e em in g t o wan t t o g et b ack t o t h e p la ce w here M ae w as s o m eth in g m ore t h an e p hem era l. “B eau tif u l,” sh e sa id . A nd th en , b eca u se th e w in e h ad h er te ete rin g, a n d b eca u se h e’d ju st h eld h er h an d, a n d b eca u se s o m eth in g a b out th e r u sh o f w ate r s e t h er fr e e, s h e to ok Kald en ’s f a ce in h er h an ds a n d k is se d h is lip s. His h an ds ro se fr o m h is sid es an d h eld h er, te n ta tiv ely , aro und th e w ais t, ju st h is yngertip s, a s if s h e w ere a b allo on h e d id n’t w an t to p op. B ut fo r a te rrib le m om en t, h is mouth w as in an im ate , s tu nned . M ae t h ough t s h e’d m ad e a m is ta k e. T hen , a s if a b undle o f sig n als an d dir e ctiv es had y nally re ach ed his ce re b ra l co rte x, his lip s aw ak en ed an d re tu rn ed t h e f o rc e o f h er k is s. “H old o n,” h e sa id a fte r a m om en t, a n d p ulle d a w ay . H e n odded to w ard th e re d b ox co nta in in g S te w art, a n d le d h er b y th e h an d o ut o f th e r o om a n d in to a n arro w c o rrid or sh e h ad n’t s e en b efo re . I t w as u nlit , a n d a s t h ey s te p ped f u rth er, t h e lig h t f r o m S te w art n o lo nger p en etr a te d . “N ow I ’m s c a re d ,” M ae s a id . “A lm ost t h ere ,” h e s a id . And th en th ere w as th e c re ak in g o f a s te el d oor. It o pen ed , a n d r e v eale d a n e n orm ous ch am ber illu m in ate d b y w eak b lu e lig h t. K ald en le d h er th ro ugh th e d oorw ay a n d in to what s e em ed t o b e a g re at c a v e, t h ir ty f e et h ig h , w it h a b arre l-v au lt e d c e ilin g. “W hat is t h is ? ” s h e a sk ed . “It w as s u ppose d to b e p art o f th e s u bw ay ,” h e s a id . “ B ut th ey a b an doned it . N ow it ’s ju st em pty , a str a n ge co m bin atio n of m an m ad e tu nnel an d actu al ca v e. See th e sta la ctit e s? ” He p oin te d d ow n t h e g re at t u nnel, w here s ta la gm it e s a n d s ta la ctit e s g av e t h e t u nnel t h e lo ok o f a m outh f u ll o f u nev en t e eth . “W here d oes it g o ?” s h e a sk ed . “It c o nnects t o t h e o ne u nder t h e b ay ,” h e s a id . “ I’v e g o ne a b out a h alf -m ile in to it , b ut th en it g ets t o o w et.” Where t h ey s to od, t h ey c o uld s e e b la ck w ate r, a s h allo w la k e o n t h e t u nnel f lo or. “M y g u ess is th at th is is w here th e fu tu re S te w arts w ill g o ,” h e sa id . “T housa n ds o f th em , p ro bab ly sm alle r. I’m su re th ey ’l l get th e co nta in ers d ow n to p eo ple -s iz e so on en ough .” They lo oked in to th e tu nnel to geth er, a n d M ae p ic tu re d it , a n e n dle ss g rid o f r e d s te el boxes s tr e tc h in g in to t h e d ark ness. He lo oked b ack t o h er. “ Y ou c a n ’t t e ll a n yone I t o ok y ou h ere .” “I w on’t ,” M ae sa id , th en k new th at to k eep th is p ro m is e sh e w ould h av e to lie to Annie . In th e m om en t, it s e em ed a s m all p ric e to p ay . S h e w an te d to k is s K ald en a gain , an d s h e to ok h is fa ce a gain , d ow n to h ers, a n d o pen ed h er m outh to h is . S h e c lo se d h er ey es, a n d p ic tu re d t h e lo ng c a v e, t h e b lu e lig h t a b ove, t h e d ark w ate r b elo w . And th en , in th e sh ad ow s, a w ay fr o m S te w art, so m eth in g in K ald en c h an ged , a n d h is han ds b eca m e m ore su re o f th em se lv es. H e h eld h er c lo se r, h is h an ds g ain in g str e n gth . His m outh m oved fr o m h ers, a cro ss h er ch eek a n d o nto h er n eck , p au sin g th ere , a n d clim bin g to h er e ar, h is b re ath h ot. S h e tr ie d to k eep u p, h old in g h is h ead in h er h an ds, exp lo rin g h is n eck , h is b ack , b ut h e w as le ad in g, h e h ad p la n s. H is r ig h t h an d w as o n th e sm all o f h er b ack , b rin gin g h er in to h im , w here s h e f e lt h im h ard a n d p re ssin g a gain st h er sto m ach . And th en s h e w as lif te d . S h e w as in th e a ir , a n d h e w as c a rry in g h er, a n d s h e w ra p ped her le gs a ro und h im a s h e s tr o de p urp ose fu lly to s o m e p oin t b eh in d h er. S h e o pen ed h er ey es, b rie { y, th en c lo se d th em , n ot w an tin g to k now w here h e w as ta k in g h er, tr u stin g him , th ough k now in g h ow w ro ng th is w as, tr u stin g h im , so fa r u nderg ro und, a m an sh e co uld n’t f in d, w hose f u ll n am e s h e d id n’t k now . Then h e w as lo w erin g h er, a n d sh e b ra ce d h erse lf to fe el th e sto ne o f th e c a v e { oor, but in ste ad s h e fe lt th e s o ft la n din g o f s o m e k in d o f m attr e ss. N ow s h e o pen ed h er e y es. They w ere in a n a lc o ve, a c a v e w it h in t h e c a v e, a f e w f e et o t h e g ro und a n d c a rv ed in to th e w all. I t w as f ille d w it h b la n kets a n d p illo w s, a n d h e e ase d h er d ow n u pon t h em . “T his is w here y ou s le ep ?” s h e a sk ed , in h er f e v ere d s ta te t h in kin g it a lm ost lo gic a l. “S o m etim es,” h e s a id , a n d b re ath ed f ir e in to h er e ar. Sh e re m em bere d th e co ndom s sh e’d been giv en at D r. V illa lo bos’s o } ce . “I hav e so m eth in g,” s h e s a id . “G ood,” h e s a id , a n d h e t o ok o ne f r o m h er, t e arin g t h e w ra p per a s s h e p ush ed h is p an ts dow n h is h ip s. In tw o q uic k m otio ns h e p ulle d h er p an ts a n d p an tie s d ow n a n d to sse d th em a sid e. H e burie d h is fa ce in h er sto m ach , h is h an ds h old in g th e b ack o f h er th ig h s, h is y ngers cra w lin g u pw ard , in w ard . “C om e b ack u p h ere ,” s h e s a id . He d id , a n d h e h is se d in to h er e ar. “ M ae.” Sh e c o uld n’t f o rm w ord s. “M ae,” h e s a id a gain , a s s h e f e ll a p art a ll o ver h im . Sh e w oke up in th e dorm s an d y rst im agin ed sh e’d dre am t it , ev ery m om en t: th e underg ro und c h am bers, th e w ate r, th e r e d b oxes, th at h an d o n th e s m all o f h er b ack a n d th en t h e b ed , t h e p illo w s in t h e c a v e w it h in t h e c a v e— none o f it s e em ed p la u sib le . I t w as th e k in d o f r a n dom a sse m bla ge o f d eta ils t h at d re am s f u m ble d w it h , n one o f it p ossib le in th is w orld . But a s s h e r o se a n d s h ow ere d a n d d re sse d , s h e r e aliz e d th at e v ery th in g h ad h ap pen ed th e w ay sh e re m em bere d . S h e h ad k is se d th is p erso n K ald en , w ho sh e k new v ery lit tle ab out, a n d h e h ad le d h er n ot o nly th ro ugh a se rie s o f h ig h -s e cu rit y c h am bers, b ut in to so m e d ark a n te ro om , w here t h ey ’d lo st t h em se lv es f o r h ours a n d p asse d o ut. Sh e c a lle d A nnie . “ W e c o nsu m mate d .” “W ho d id ? Y ou a n d t h e o ld m an ?” “H e’s n ot o ld .” “H e d id n’t h av e a m usty s m ell? D id h e m en tio n h is p ace m ak er o r d ia p ers? D on’t t e ll m e he d ie d o n y ou.” “H e’s n ot e v en t h ir ty .” “D id y ou g et h is la st n am e t h is t im e?” “N o, b ut h e g av e m e a n um ber w here I c a n c a ll h im .” “O h, t h at’s c la ssy . A nd h av e y ou t r ie d it ? ” “N ot y et.” “N ot y et? ” Mae’s s to m ach t ig h te n ed . A nnie e xh ale d lo udly . “Y ou k now I’m w orrie d a b out h im b ein g s o m e k in d o f s p y o r s ta lk er. D id y ou c o n y rm th at h e’s le git ? ” “I d id . H e w ork s a t t h e C ir c le . H e s a id h e k new y ou, a n d h e h ad a cce ss t o lo ts o f p la ce s. He’s n orm al. M ay be a lit tle e cce n tr ic .” “A cce ss t o p la ce s? W hat d o y ou m ean ?” A nnie ’s t o ne t o ok o n a n ew e d ge. At th at m om en t, M ae k new sh e w ould b egin ly in g to A nnie . M ae w an te d to b e w it h Kald en a gain , w an te d to th ro w h erse lf a ro und h im a t th at m om en t, a n d s h e d id n’t w an t Annie t o d o a n yth in g t o je o pard iz e h er a cce ss t o h im , a n d h is b ro ad s h ould ers, h is e le gan t silh ouette . “I ju st m ean h e k new h is w ay a ro und,” M ae s a id . T here w as a p art o f h er th at th ough t he m ig h t in deed be th ere ille gally , th at he w as so m e in te rlo per, an d, in a su dden re v ela tio n, sh e re aliz e d h e m ig h t b e liv in g in th at str a n ge u nderg ro und la ir . H e m ig h t re p re se n t s o m e fo rc e o ppose d to th e C ir c le . M ay be h e w ork ed fo r S en ato r W illia m so n in so m e ca p acit y , or so m e w ould -b e co m petit o r to th e C ir c le . M ay be he w as a sim ple nobody b lo gger-s ta lk er w ho w an te d to g et clo se r to th e m ach in e a t th e ce n te r o f th e world . “S o y ou c o nsu m mate d w here ? I n y our d orm ?” “Y up,” M ae s a id . I t w as n ot s o d if fic u lt t o lie t h is w ay . “A nd h e s le p t o ver? ” “N o, h e h ad t o g et h om e.” A nd, r e aliz in g t h at t h e lo nger s h e s p en t t a lk in g t o A nnie t h e more lie s s h e w ould t e ll, M ae c o nco cte d a r e aso n t o h an g u p. “ I’m s u ppose d t o g et h ooked up f o r t h e C ir c le Su rv ey t o day ,” s h e s a id . W hic h w as m ore o r le ss t r u e. “C all m e la te r. A nd y ou h av e t o g et h is n am e.” “O kay .” “M ae, I’m n ot y our b oss. I d on’t w an t to b e y our su perv is o r o r an yth in g. B ut th e co m pan y n eed s to k now w ho th is g u y is . C om pan y s e cu rit y ’s s o m eth in g w e h av e to ta k e se rio usly . Let’s get him naile d dow n to day , okay ?” A nnie ’s voic e had ch an ged ; sh e so unded lik e a d is p le ase d s u perio r. M ae h eld h er a n ger a n d h ung u p. Mae c a lle d t h e n um ber K ald en h ad g iv en h er. B ut w hen s h e d id , t h e p hone r a n g w it h out en d. T here w as n o v oic e m ail. A nd a gain M ae r e aliz e d s h e h ad n o w ay t o g et in t o uch w it h him . I n te rm it te n tly , t h ro ugh out t h e n ig h t, s h e’d t h ough t t o a sk h im h is la st n am e, f o r a n y oth er k in d o f in fo rm atio n, b ut t h e t im e w as n ev er r ig h t, a n d h e h ad n’t a sk ed f o r h ers, a n d sh e a ssu m ed th at w hen th ey le ft e ach o th er, th ey w ould e xch an ge in fo rm atio n. B ut th en th ey ’d fo rg o tte n . S h e, a t le ast, h ad fo rg o tte n . H ow h ad th ey p arte d , a fte r a ll? H e w alk ed her to th e d orm s, a n d k is se d h er a gain , th ere , u nder th e d oorw ay . O r m ay be n ot. M ae th ough t a gain , a n d r e m em bere d h e’d d one w hat h e d id b efo re : h e’d p ulle d h er a sid e, o ut of th e lig h t o f th e d oorw ay , a n d h e’d k is se d h er fo ur tim es, o n h er fo re h ead , h er c h in , each ch eek , th e sig n o f th e cro ss. T hen h e sp un a w ay fr o m h er, d is a p pearin g in to th e sh ad ow s n ear t h e w ate rfa ll, t h e o ne w here F ra n cis f o und t h e w in e. Durin g lu nch M ae m ad e h er w ay t o t h e C ult u ra l R ev olu tio n, w here , a t t h e b eh est o f J are d an d J o sia h a n d D en is e , sh e w ould b e o ut y tte d to a n sw er C ir c le Su rv ey s. S h e h ad b een assu re d th is w as a re w ard , a n h onor, a n d a n e n jo yab le o ne— to b e o ne o f th e C ir c le rs ask ed ab out her ta ste s, h er p re fe re n ce s, h er b uyin g h ab it s an d p la n s, fo r u se b y th e Cir c le ’s c lie n ts . “T his is r e ally t h e r ig h t n ext s te p f o r y ou,” J o sia h h ad s a id . Den is e h ad n odded . “ I t h in k y ou’l l lo ve it .” Pete R am ir e z w as a b la n dly h an dso m e m an a fe w y ears o ld er th an M ae, w hose o } ce se em ed t o h av e n o d esk , n o c h air s, n o r ig h t a n gle s. I t w as r o und, a n d w hen M ae e n te re d , he w as sta n din g, ta lk in g o n a h ead se t, sw in gin g a b ase b all b at, an d lo okin g o ut th e win dow . H e w av ed h er in a n d y nis h ed h is c a ll. H e w as s till h old in g th e b at w it h h is le ft han d w hen h e s h ook h er h an d w it h h is r ig h t. “M ae H olla n d. S o g o od to h av e y ou. I k now y ou’r e o n lu nch , s o w e’l l b e q uic k . Y ou’l l be o ut in s e v en m in ute s if y ou f o rg iv e m y b ru sq uen ess, o kay ?” “O kay .” “G re at. D o y ou k now w hy y ou’r e h ere ?” “I t h in k s o .” “Y ou’r e h ere b eca u se y our o pin io ns a re v alu ed . T hey ’r e s o v alu ed t h at t h e w orld n eed s to k now t h em — your o pin io ns o n ju st a b out e v ery th in g. I s n ’t t h at f la tte rin g?” Mae s m ile d . “ It is .” “O kay , y ou s e e t h is h ead se t I h av e o n?” He p oin te d to th e a sse m bly o n h is h ead . A h air -t h in a rm , a m ic ro phone a t it s e n d, fo llo w ed h is c h eek bone. “I’m g o in g to h ook y ou u p w it h th e s a m e s w eet s e tu p. S o und g o od?” M ae s m ile d , b ut Pete w asn ’t w ait in g fo r an sw ers. H e arra n ged an id en tic a l h ead se t o ver h er h air an d ad ju ste d t h e m ic ro phone. “C an y ou s a y s o m eth in g s o I c a n c h eck t h e le v els ? ” He h ad n o ta b le t o r s c re en v is ib le , s o M ae a ssu m ed h e w as fu lly r e tin al— th e y rst o ne sh e’d m et. “J u st t e ll m e w hat y ou a te f o r b re ak fa st.” “A b an an a, g ra n ola ,” s h e s a id . “G re at. L et’s d ecid e y rst o n a so und. D o y ou h av e a p re fe rre d o ne fo r y our n otic e s? Lik e a c h ir p o r t r i-t o ne o r s o m eth in g?” “M ay be a s ta n dard c h ir p ?” “T his is t h e c h ir p ,” h e s a id , a n d s h e h eard it t h ro ugh h er h ead phones. “T hat’s f in e.” “It s h ould b e b ette r t h an y ne. Y ou’l l b e h earin g it a lo t. Y ou w an t t o b e s u re . T ry a f e w more .” They ra n th ro ugh a d oze n m ore o ptio ns, y nally se ttlin g o n th e so und o f a tin y b ell, dis ta n t a n d w it h a n in tr ig u in g r e v erb , a s if it h ad b een r u ng in s o m e f a ra w ay c h urc h . “G re at,” P ete s a id . “ N ow le t m e e xp la in h ow it w ork s. T he id ea is t o t a k e t h e p uls e o f a ch ose n sa m plin g o f C ir c le m em bers. T his jo b is im porta n t. Y ou’v e b een c h ose n b eca u se your o pin io ns a re c ru cia l to u s, a n d to o ur c lie n ts . T he a n sw ers y ou p ro vid e w ill h elp u s in t a ilo rin g o ur s e rv ic e s t o t h eir n eed s. O kay ?” Mae b egan t o r e sp ond b ut h e w as a lr e ad y t a lk in g a gain . “S o e v ery tim e y ou h ear th e b ell, y ou’l l n od, a n d th e h ead se t w ill re gis te r y our n od, an d th e q uestio n w ill b e h eard th ro ugh y our h ead phone. Y ou’l l a n sw er th e q uestio n in sta n dard E nglis h . I n m an y c a se s y ou’l l b e a sk ed a q uestio n t h at’s s tr u ctu re d t o r e ce iv e o ne of t h e s ta n dard t w o a n sw ers, sm ile a n d fr o w n . T he v oic e r e c is e xq uis it e ly a ttu ned t o t h ese tw o a n sw ers, s o y ou d on’t h av e t o w orry a b out m um blin g o r an yth in g. A nd o f c o urse y ou sh ould n’t h av e t r o uble w it h a n y a n sw er if y ou e n uncia te . Y ou w an t t o t r y o ne?” Mae n odded , a n d a t th e s o und o f th e b ell, s h e n odded , a n d a q uestio n a rriv ed th ro ugh th e e arp ie ce : “ H ow d o y ou f e el a b out s h oes? ” Mae s m ile d , t h en s a id , “ S m ile .” Pete w in ked a t h er. “ E asy o ne.” The v oic e a sk ed , “ H ow d o y ou f e el a b out d re ssy s h oes? ” Mae s a id , “ S m ile .” Pete ra is e d h is h an d in p au se . “ N ow o f c o urse th e m ajo rit y o f th e q uestio ns w on’t b e su bje ct to o ne o f th e th re e sta n dard a n sw ers: sm ile , fr o w n , o r meh . Y ou c a n a n sw er a n y questio n w it h m ore d eta il. T he n ext o ne w ill r e q uir e m ore . H ere g o es.” “H ow o fte n d o y ou b uy n ew s h oes? ” Mae a n sw ere d “ O nce e v ery t w o m onth s,” a n d t h ere w as t h e s o und o f a t in y b ell. “I h eard a b ell. I s t h at g o od?” “Y eah , so rry ,” h e sa id . “I ju st a ctiv ate d th e b ell, w hic h w ill m ean y our a n sw er w as heard a n d r e co rd ed , a n d th at th e n ext q uestio n is r e ad y. T hen y ou c a n n od a gain , w hic h will b rin g o n y our n ext q uestio n, o r y ou c a n w ait f o r t h e p ro m pt.” “W hat’s t h e d if fe re n ce a gain ?” “W ell, y ou h av e a ce rta in , w ell, I d on’t w an t to sa y qu ota , b ut th ere ’s a n um ber o f questio ns th at w ould b e id eal a n d e xp ecte d fo r y ou to a n sw er in a g iv en w ork day . L et’s ca ll it y ve h undre d , b ut it m ig h t b e m ore , m ig h t b e le ss. Y ou c a n e it h er g et t h ro ugh t h em on y our o w n p ace , b y p ow erin g th ro ugh , o r b y s p re ad in g th em th ro ugh out th e w ork day . Most p eo ple c a n d o y ve h undre d in a n h our, s o it ’s n ot to o s tr e ssfu l. O r y ou c a n w ait f o r th e p ro m pts , w hic h w ill o ccu r if th e p ro gra m th in ks y ou sh ould p ic k u p th e p ace . H av e you e v er d one o ne o f t h ose o nlin e t r a ffic c o urt p ro gra m s? ” Mae h ad . T here h ad b een tw o h undre d q uestio ns, a n d it w as e stim ate d th at it sh ould ta k e t w o h ours t o c o m ple te . S h e’d d one it in t w en ty -f iv e m in ute s. “ Y es,” s h e s a id . “T his is ju st lik e th at. I’m s u re y ou c a n g et th ro ugh th e d ay ’s q uestio ns in n o tim e. O f co urse , w e c a n in cre ase t h e p ace if y ou r e ally g et g o in g. G ood?” “G re at,” s h e s a id . “A nd th en , s o if y ou h ap pen to g et b usy , a fte r a w hile , th ere ’l l b e a s e co nd s ig n al, th at re m in ds y ou to g et b ack to th e q uestio ns. T his sig n al sh ould b e d i ere n t. Y ou w an t to ch oose a s e co nd?” And s o t h ey r a n t h ro ugh t h e s ig n als a gain , a n d s h e c h ose a d is ta n t f o gh orn . “O r,” h e s a id , “ th ere ’s a r a n dom o ne th at s o m e p eo ple c h oose . L is te n to th is . A ctu ally , hold o n a s e co nd.” H e lo st h is f o cu s o n M ae a n d t a lk ed in to h is h ead se t. “ D em o M ae v oic e M-A -E .” N ow h e t u rn ed t o M ae a gain . “ O kay , h ere it g o es.” Mae h eard h er o w n v oic e s a y h er n am e, in s o m eth in g ju st a b ove a w his p er. I t w as v ery in tim ate a n d s e n t a s tr a n ge s w ir lin g w in d t h ro ugh h er. “T hat’s y our o w n v oic e , r ig h t? ” Mae w as f lu sh ed , b ew ild ere d — it d id n’t s o und lik e h er a t a ll— but s h e m an aged t o n od. “T he p ro gra m d oes a v oic e c a p tu re f r o m y our p hone a n d t h en w e c a n f o rm a n y w ord s. Even y our o w n n am e! S o t h at s h ould b e y our s e co nd s ig n al? ” “Y es,” M ae sa id . S h e w asn ’t su re sh e w an te d to h ear h er o w n v oic e sa y in g h er o w n nam e, r e p eate d ly , b ut s h e k new , t o o, t h at s h e w an te d t o h ear it a gain a s s o on a s p ossib le . It w as s o o dd, ju st a f e w in ch es f r o m n orm al. “G ood,” P ete sa id . “ S o w e’r e d one. Y ou g et b ack to y our d esk , a n d th e y rst b ell w ill co m e o n. T hen y ou r u n t h ro ugh a s m an y a s y ou c a n t h is a fte rn oon— ce rta in ly t h e f ir st f iv e hundre d . G ood?” “G ood.” “O h, a n d w hen y ou g et b ack t o y our d esk , y ou’l l s e e a n ew s c re en . E very s o o fte n , o ne of th e q uestio ns w ill b e a cco m pan ie d b y a n im age if it ’s n ece ssa ry . W e k eep th ese to a min im um , t h ough , b eca u se w e k now y ou n eed t o c o nce n tr a te .” When M ae g o t b ack to h er d esk , a n ew sc re en , h er y fth , h ad b een se t u p ju st to th e rig h t o f h er n ew bie -q uestio n sc re en . S h e h ad a fe w m in ute s b efo re o ne o ’c lo ck , so sh e te ste d th e s y ste m . T he y rst b ell r a n g, a n d s h e n odded . A w om an ’s v oic e , s o undin g lik e a new sc a ste r’s , a sk ed h er, “ F or v aca tio ns, a re y ou in clin ed to w ard o ne o f r e la xatio n, lik e a beach o r lu xu ry h ote l, o r a re y ou in clin ed to w ard a d ven tu re , lik e a w hit e -w ate r ra ftin g tr ip ?” Mae a n sw ere d “ A dven tu re .” A t in y b ell r a n g, f a in t a n d p le asa n t. “T han k y ou. W hat s o rt o f a d ven tu re ?” t h e v oic e a sk ed . “W hit e -w ate r r a ftin g,” M ae a n sw ere d . Anoth er t in y b ell. M ae n odded . “T han k y ou. F or w hit e -w ate r ra ftin g, d o y ou p re fe r a m ult i-d ay tr ip , w it h o vern ig h t ca m pin g, o r a d ay t r ip ?” Mae lo oked u p t o y nd t h e r o om y llin g w it h t h e r e st o f t h e p od, r e tu rn in g f r o m lu nch . I t was 1 2:5 8. “M ult i-d ay ,” s h e s a id . Anoth er b ell. M ae n odded . “T han k y ou. H ow d oes a t r ip d ow n t h e G ra n d C an yon s o und?” “S m ile .” The b ell s a n g f a in tly . M ae n odded . “T han k y ou. W ould y ou b e w illin g to p ay 1 ,2 00 d olla rs fo r a w eek lo ng tr ip d ow n th e Gra n d C an yon?” t h e v oic e a sk ed . “M eh ,” M ae s a id , a n d lo oked u p t o s e e J are d , s ta n din g o n h is c h air . “T he c h ute is o pen !” h e y elle d . Alm ost im med ia te ly tw elv e c u sto m er q uerie s a p peare d . M ae a n sw ere d th e y rst, g o t a 92, f o llo w ed u p, a n d it r o se t o 9 7. S h e a n sw ere d t h e n ext t w o, f o r a n a v era ge o f 9 6. “M ae.” It w as a w om an ’s v oic e . S h e lo oked a ro und, t h in kin g it m ig h t b e R en ata . B ut t h ere w as no o ne n ear h er. “M ae.” Now s h e r e aliz e d it w as h er o w n v oic e , t h e p ro m pt s h e’d a gre ed t o . I t w as lo uder t h an sh e’d e xp ecte d , lo uder th an th e q uestio ns o r th e b ell, a n d y et it w as s e d uctiv e, th rillin g. Sh e t u rn ed t h e v olu m e d ow n o n t h e h ead se t, a n d a gain t h e v oic e c a m e: “ M ae.” Now , w it h it t u rn ed d ow n, it w asn ’t n early a s in tr ig u in g, s o s h e r e tu rn ed t h e v olu m e t o th e p re v io us le v el. “M ae.” It w as h er v oic e , s h e k new , b ut th en s o m eh ow it s o unded le ss lik e h er a n d m ore lik e so m e o ld er, w is e r v ersio n o f h erse lf . M ae h ad th e th ough t th at if s h e h ad a n o ld er s is te r, an o ld er s is te r w ho h ad s e en m ore t h an s h e h ad , t h at s is te r’s v oic e w ould s o und lik e t h is . “M ae,” t h e v oic e s a id a gain . The v oic e s e em ed t o lif t M ae o h er s e at a n d s p in h er a ro und. E very t im e s h e h eard it , her h eart s p ed u p. “M ae.” “Y es,” s h e s a id f in ally . But n oth in g h ap pen ed . It w as n ot p ro gra m med to a n sw er q uestio ns. S h e h ad n’t b een to ld h ow to re sp ond. S h e tr ie d n oddin g. “ T han k y ou, M ae,” h er v oic e sa id , a n d th e b ell ra n g. “W ould you be w illin g to pay 1,2 00 dolla rs fo r a w eek lo ng tr ip dow n th e G ra n d Can yon?” t h e f ir st v oic e a sk ed a gain . “Y es.” The b ell r a n g. It w as a ll e asy e n ough t o a ssim ila te . T he y rst d ay , s h e’d g o tte n t h ro ugh 6 52 o f t h e s u rv ey questio ns, a n d c o ngra tu la to ry m essa ges c a m e fr o m P ete R am ir e z, D an a n d J are d . F eelin g str o ng a n d w an tin g to im pre ss th em e v en m ore , s h e a n sw ere d 8 20 th e n ext d ay , a n d 9 91 th e d ay a fte r th at. It w as n ot d i } cu lt , a n d th e v alid atio n fe lt g o od. P ete to ld h er h ow much th e c lie n ts w ere a p pre cia tin g h er in put, h er c a n dor a n d h er in sig h ts . H er a p tit u de fo r t h e p ro gra m w as m ak in g it e asie r t o e xp an d it t o o th ers in h er p od, a n d b y t h e e n d o f th e se co nd w eek , a d oze n o th ers in th e ro om w ere a n sw erin g su rv ey q uestio ns, to o. It to ok a d ay o r s o to g et u se d to , s e ein g s o m an y p eo ple n oddin g s o fr e q uen tly — an d w it h vary in g s ty le s, s o m e w it h s u dden b ir d lik e je rk s, o th ers m ore { uid ly — but s o on it w as a s norm al a s th e re st o f th eir ro utin es, in volv in g ty pin g a n d sit tin g a n d se ein g th eir w ork ap pear o n a n a rra y o f s c re en s. A t c e rta in m om en ts , th ere w as th e h ap py v is u al o f a h erd of h ead s n oddin g in w hat a p peare d to b e u nis o n, a s if th ere w ere so m e c o m mon m usic pla y in g in a ll o f t h eir m in ds. The e xtr a la y er o f t h e C ir c le Su rv ey s h elp ed d is tr a ct M ae f r o m t h in kin g a b out K ald en , w ho had y et to c o nta ct h er, a n d w ho h ad n ot o nce a n sw ere d h is p hone. S h e’d s to pped c a llin g afte r tw o d ay s, a n d h ad c h ose n n ot to m en tio n h im a t a ll to A nnie o r a n yone e ls e . H er th ough ts a b out h im fo llo w ed a s im ila r p ath a s th ey h ad a fte r th eir y rst e n co unte r, a t th e cir c u s. F ir st, sh e fo und h is u nav aila b ilit y in tr ig u in g, e v en n ovel. B ut a fte r th re e d ay s, it se em ed w illf u l a n d a d ole sc e n t. B y t h e f o urth d ay , s h e w as t ir e d o f t h e g am e. A nyone w ho dis a p peare d lik e th at w as n ot a se rio us p erso n. H e w asn ’t se rio us a b out h er o r h ow sh e fe lt . H e h ad s e em ed s u pre m ely s e n sit iv e e ach tim e th ey ’d m et, b ut th en , w hen a p art, h is ab se n ce , b eca u se it w as to ta l— an d b eca u se to ta l n on-c o m munic a tio n in a p la ce lik e th e Cir c le w as so d i } cu lt , it fe lt lik e v io le n ce . E ven th ough K ald en w as th e o nly m an fo r whom s h e’d e v er h ad r e al lu st, s h e w as y nis h ed . S h e w ould r a th er h av e s o m eo ne le sse r if th at p erso n w ere a v aila b le , f a m ilia r, lo ca ta b le . In th e m ean tim e, M ae w as im pro vin g h er C ir c le Su rv ey p erfo rm an ce . B eca u se th eir peers’ s u rv ey n um bers w ere m ad e a v aila b le , c o m petit io n w as h ealt h y a n d k ep t th em a ll on th eir to es. M ae’s av era ge w as 1 ,3 45 q uestio ns each d ay , se co nd-h ig h est o nly to a new bie n am ed S eb astia n , w ho s a t in th e c o rn er a n d n ev er le ft h is d esk fo r lu nch . G iv en sh e w as still g ettin g th e n ew bie s’ q uestio n-o verru n o n h er fo urth sc re en , M ae fe lt y ne ab out b ein g se co nd in th is o ne ca te go ry . E sp ecia lly g iv en h er P artiR an k h ad b een in th e 1,9 00s a ll m onth , a n d S eb astia n h ad y et t o c ra ck 4 ,0 00. Sh e w as tr y in g to push in to th e 1,8 00s one Tuesd ay afte rn oon, co m men tin g on hundre d s o f In nerC ir c le p hoto s a n d p osts , w hen s h e s a w a y gu re in th e d is ta n ce , r e stin g again st th e d oorja m b a t th e fa r e n d o f th e r o om . It w as a m an , a n d h e w as w earin g th e sa m e s tr ip ed s h ir t K ald en w as w earin g w hen s h e’d la st s e en h im . H is a rm s w ere c ro sse d , his h ead tilt e d , a s if h e w as se ein g so m eth in g h e co uld n’t q uit e u ndersta n d o r b elie v e. Mae w as su re it w as K ald en , a n d fo rg o t to b re ath e. B efo re sh e c o uld c o nce iv e o f a le ss eager r e actio n, s h e w av ed , a n d h e w av ed b ack , r a is in g h is h an d ju st a b ove h is w ais t. “M ae,” t h e v oic e s a id t h ro ugh h er h ead se t. And a t t h at m om en t, t h e f ig u re in t h e d oorw ay s p un a w ay a n d w as g o ne. “M ae,” t h e v oic e s a id a gain . Sh e to ok o th e h ead phones a n d jo gged to th e d oor w here s h e’d s e en h im , b ut h e w as go ne. S h e in stin ctiv ely w en t to th e b ath ro om w here sh e’d y rst m et h im , b ut h e w asn ’t th ere , e it h er. When s h e g o t b ack t o h er d esk , t h ere w as s o m eo ne in h er c h air . I t w as F ra n cis . “I’m s till s o rry ,” h e s a id . Sh e lo oked a t h im . H is h eav y e y eb ro w s, h is b oat-k eel n ose , h is te n ta tiv e sm ile . M ae sig h ed a n d to ok h im in . T hat sm ile , sh e re aliz e d , w as th e sm ile o f so m eo ne w ho w as nev er su re h e’d g o tte n th e jo ke. S till, M ae h ad , in re ce n t d ay s, th ough t o f F ra n cis , th e pro fo und c o ntr a st h e o ere d to K ald en . K ald en w as a g h ost, w an tin g M ae to c h ase h im , an d F ra n cis w as s o a v aila b le , s o u tte rly w it h out m yste ry . I n a w eak m om en t o r t w o, M ae had w ondere d w hat sh e m ig h t d o th e n ext tim e sh e sa w h im . W ould sh e su ccu m b to Fra n cis ’s r e ad y p re se n ce , to th e s im ple fa ct th at h e w an te d to b e n ear h er? T he q uestio n had b een in h er h ead fo r d ay s, b ut o nly n ow d id sh e k now th e an sw er. N o. H e still dis g u ste d h er. H is m eek ness. H is n eed in ess. H is p le ad in g v oic e . H is t h ie v ery . “H av e y ou d ele te d t h e v id eo ?” s h e a sk ed . “N o,” h e s a id . “ Y ou k now I c a n ’t .” T hen h e s m ile d , s w iv elin g in h er c h air . H e th ough t th ey w ere b ein g fr ie n dly . “ Y ou h ad a n In nerC ir c le su rv ey q uestio n a n d I a n sw ere d it . I assu m e y ou a p pro ve o f t h e C ir c le s e n din g a id t o Y em en ?” Sh e p ic tu re d , b rie fly , b ury in g h er f is t in h is f a ce . “P le ase le av e,” s h e s a id . “M ae. N o one’s w atc h ed th e vid eo . It’s ju st a part of th e arc h iv e. It’s one of te n th ousa n d c lip s t h at g o u p e v ery d ay h ere a t t h e C ir c le a lo ne. O ne o f a b illio n w orld w id e, ev ery d ay .” “W ell, I d on’t w an t it t o b e o ne o f t h e b illio n.” “M ae, y ou k now te ch nic a lly n eit h er o ne o f u s o w ns th at v id eo a n ym ore . I co uld n’t dele te it if I t r ie d . I t’s lik e n ew s. Y ou d on’t o w n t h e n ew s, e v en if it h ap pen s t o y ou. Y ou don’t o w n h is to ry . I t’s p art o f t h e c o lle ctiv e r e co rd n ow .” Mae’s h ead w as a b out t o e xp lo de. “ I h av e t o w ork ,” s h e s a id , m an agin g n ot t o s la p h im . “C an y ou le av e?” Now h e se em ed , fo r th e y rst tim e, to g ra sp th at sh e re ally lo ath ed h im a n d d id n ot wan t h im n ear. H is f a ce t w is te d in to s o m eth in g lik e a p out. H e lo oked a t h is s h oes. “ Y ou know t h ey a p pro ved C hild T ra ck in V egas? ” And s h e fe lt fo r h im , e v en if b rie { y. F ra n cis w as a d esp era te m an w ho’d n ev er h ad a ch ild hood, h ad n o d oubt tr ie d a ll h is lif e to p le ase th ose a ro und h im , th e su cce ssio n o f fo ste r p are n ts w ho h ad n o in te n tio n o f k eep in g h im . “T hat’s g re at, F ra n cis ,” s h e s a id . The b egin nin gs o f a s m ile lif te d h is fa ce . H opin g it m ig h t p acif y h im a n d a llo w h er to get b ack t o w ork , s h e w en t f u rth er. “ Y ou’r e s a v in g a lo t o f liv es.” Now h e b eam ed . “ Y ou k now , in s ix m onth s it c o uld b e a ll o ver. I t c o uld b e e v ery w here . Full sa tu ra tio n. E very ch ild tr a ck ab le , ev ery ch ild sa fe fo re v er. Ste n to n to ld m e th is him se lf . D id y ou k now h e v is it e d m y la b ? H e’s ta k en a p erso nal in te re st. A nd a p pare n tly th ey m ig h t c h an ge t h e n am e t o T ru Y outh . G et it ? T ru Y ou, T ru Y outh ?” “T hat’s s o g o od, F ra n cis ,” M ae s a id , h er b ody o verta k en b y a s u rg e o f fe elin g fo r h im , so m e m ix o f e m path y a n d p it y a n d e v en a d m ir a tio n. “ I’l l t a lk t o y ou la te r.” Dev elo pm en ts lik e F ra n cis ’s w ere h ap pen in g w it h in cre d ib le fr e q uen cy in th ose w eek s. There w as ta lk o f th e C ir c le , a n d S te n to n in p artic u la r, ta k in g o ver th e ru nnin g o f S an Vin ce n zo . It m ad e s e n se , g iv en m ost o f th e c it y ’s s e rv ic e s w ere fu nded b y, a n d h ad b een im pro ved b y, t h e c o m pan y. T here w as a r u m or t h at P ro je ct 9 e n gin eers h ad y gu re d o ut a way t o r e p la ce t h e r a n dom ju m ble o f o ur n ig h ttim e d re am in g w it h o rg an iz e d t h in kin g a n d re al-lif e pro ble m so lv in g. Anoth er Cir c le te am w as clo se to ygu rin g out how to dis a sse m ble to rn ad oes a s so on a s th ey fo rm ed . A nd th en th ere w as e v ery one’s fa v orit e pro je ct, in th e w ork s fo r m onth s n ow : th e c o untin g o f th e sa n ds in th e S ah ara . D id th e world n eed th is ? T he u tilit y o f th e p ro je ct w as n ot im med ia te ly c le ar, b ut th e W is e M en had a se n se o f hum or a b out it . S te n to n, w ho h ad in it ia te d th e e n deav or, c a lle d it a la rk , so m eth in g t h ey w ere d oin g, y rst o f a ll, t o s e e if it c o uld b e d one— th ough t h ere s e em ed t o be n o d oubt, g iv en th e e asy a lg o rit h m s in volv ed — an d o nly s e co ndarily fo r a n y s c ie n ti y c ben e y t. M ae understo od it as m ost C ir c le rs did : as a sh ow of str e n gth , an d as a dem onstr a tio n th at w it h th e w ill a n d in gen uit y a n d e co nom ic w here w it h al o f th e C ir c le , no e arth ly q uestio n w ould r e m ain u nan sw ere d . A nd s o , th ro ugh out th e fa ll, w it h a b it o f th eatr ic a lit y — th ey d ra gged o ut th e p ro ce ss lo nger th an n ece ssa ry , fo r it o nly to ok th em th re e w eek s t o c o unt— th ey y nally r e v eale d t h e n um ber o f g ra in s o f s a n d in t h e S ah ara , a num ber th at w as co m ic a lly la rg e an d did not, im med ia te ly , m ean m uch to an yone, bey ond t h e a ck now le d gem en t t h at t h e C ir c le d id w hat t h ey s a id t h ey w ould d o. T hey g o t th in gs d one, a n d w it h s p ecta cu la r s p eed a n d e ffic ie n cy . The m ain d ev elo pm en t, a n d o ne t h at B aile y h im se lf z in ged a b out e v ery f e w h ours, w as th e r a p id p ro lif e ra tio n o f o th er e le cte d le ad ers, in th e U .S . a n d g lo bally , w ho h ad c h ose n to go cle ar. It w as, to m ost m in ds, an in exo ra b le p ro gre ssio n. W hen San to s h ad y rst an nounce d h er n ew cla rit y , th ere w as m ed ia co vera ge, b ut n ot th e k in d o f exp lo sio n an yone a t th e C ir c le h ad h oped fo r. B ut th en , a s p eo ple lo gged o n a n d b egan w atc h in g, an d b egan re aliz in g th at sh e w as d ead ly se rio us— th at sh e w as a llo w in g v ie w ers to se e an d h ear p re cis e ly w hat w en t in to h er d ay , u n y lt e re d a n d u nce n so re d — th e v ie w ersh ip gre w e xp onen tia lly . S an to s p oste d h er s c h ed ule e ach d ay , a n d b y th e s e co nd w eek , w hen sh e w as m eetin g w it h a g ro up o f lo bbyis ts w an tin g to d rill in th e A la sk an tu ndra , th ere were m illio ns w atc h in g h er. S h e w as c a n did w it h th ese lo bbyis ts , a v oid in g a n yth in g lik e pre ach in g o r p an derin g. S h e w as so fr a n k, a sk in g th e q uestio ns sh e w ould h av e ask ed beh in d c lo se d d oors, t h at it m ad e f o r r iv etin g, e v en in sp ir in g v ie w in g. By t h e t h ir d w eek , t w en ty -o ne o th er e le cte d le ad ers in t h e U .S . h ad a sk ed t h e C ir c le f o r th eir h elp in g o in g c le ar. T here w as a m ay or in S ara so ta . A s e n ato r f r o m H aw aii, a n d, n ot su rp ris in gly , b oth s e n ato rs fr o m C alif o rn ia . T he e n tir e c it y c o uncil o f S an J o se . T he c it y man ager o f I n dep en den ce , K an sa s. A nd e ach t im e o ne o f t h em m ad e t h e c o m mit m en t, t h e Wis e M en z in ged a b out it , a n d t h ere w as a h astily a rra n ged p re ss c o nfe re n ce , s h ow in g t h e actu al m om en t w hen th eir d ay s w en t tr a n sp are n t. B y th e e n d o f th e y rst m onth , th ere were th ousa n ds o f r e q uests fr o m a ll o ver th e w orld . S te n to n a n d B aile y w ere a sto unded , were { atte re d , w ere o verw helm ed , th ey sa id , b ut w ere ca u gh t { at-f o ote d . T he C ir c le co uld n’t m eet a ll t h e d em an d. B ut t h ey e n deav ore d t o d o s o . Pro ductio n o n th e ca m era s, w hic h w ere a s y et u nav aila b le to co nsu m ers, w en t in to overd riv e. T he m an ufa ctu rin g p la n t, in C hin a’s G uan gd ong p ro vin ce , ad ded sh if ts an d began c o nstr u ctio n o n a s e co nd fa cto ry to q uad ru ple th eir c a p acit y . E very tim e a c a m era was in sta lle d a n d a n ew le ad er h ad g o ne tr a n sp are n t, th ere w as a n oth er a n nounce m en t fr o m S te n to n, a n oth er c e le b ra tio n, a n d t h e v ie w ersh ip g re w . B y t h e e n d o f t h e y fth w eek , th ere w ere 1 6,1 88 e le cte d o } cia ls , fr o m L in co ln to L ah ore , w ho h ad g o ne co m ple te ly cle ar, a n d t h e w ait in g lis t w as g ro w in g. The p re ssu re o n t h ose w ho h ad n’t g o ne t r a n sp are n t w en t f r o m p olit e t o o ppre ssiv e. T he questio n, fr o m p undit s a n d c o nstit u en ts , w as o bvio us a n d lo ud: If y ou a re n ’t tr a n sp are n t, what a re y ou h id in g? T hough so m e cit iz e n s a n d co m men ta to rs o bje cte d o n g ro unds o f priv acy , asse rtin g th at go vern m en t, at v ir tu ally ev ery le v el, h ad alw ay s need ed to d o so m e th in gs in p riv ate fo r th e s a k e o f s e cu rit y a n d e } cie n cy , th e m om en tu m c ru sh ed a ll su ch a rg u m en ts a n d th e p ro gre ssio n c o ntin ued . If y ou w ere n ’t o pera tin g in th e lig h t o f day , w hat w ere y ou d oin g in t h e s h ad ow s? And t h ere w as a w onderfu l t h in g t h at t e n ded t o h ap pen , s o m eth in g t h at f e lt lik e p oetic ju stic e : e v ery tim e s o m eo ne s ta rte d s h outin g a b out th e s u ppose d m onopoly o f th e C ir c le , or th e C ir c le ’s unfa ir m onetiz a tio n of th e perso nal data of it s use rs, or so m e oth er para n oid a n d d em onstr a b ly f a ls e c la im , s o on e n ough it w as r e v eale d t h at t h at p erso n w as a c rim in al o r d ev ia n t o f t h e h ig h est o rd er. O ne w as c o nnecte d t o a t e rro r n etw ork in I r a n . One w as a b uyer o f c h ild p orn . E very tim e, it s e em ed , th ey w ould e n d u p o n th e n ew s, fo ota ge o f in vestig ato rs le av in g th eir h om es w it h co m pute rs, o n w hic h a n y n um ber o f unsp eak ab le se arc h es h ad b een e xecu te d a n d w here re am s o f ille gal a n d in ap pro pria te mate ria ls w ere sto re d . A nd it m ad e se n se . W ho but a fr in ge ch ara cte r w ould tr y to im ped e t h e u nim peach ab le im pro vem en t o f t h e w orld ? Wit h in w eek s, th e n on-t r a n sp are n t o } ce h old ers w ere tr e ate d lik e p aria h s. T he cle ar ones w ould n’t m eet w it h t h em if t h ey w ould n’t g o o n c a m era , a n d t h us t h ese le ad ers w ere le ft o ut. T heir co nstit u en ts w ondere d w hat th ey w ere h id in g, a n d th eir e le cto ra l d oom was all but assu re d . In an y co m in g ele ctio n cy cle , fe w w ould dare to ru n w it h out decla rin g th eir tr a n sp are n cy — an d, it was assu m ed , th is would im med ia te ly an d perm an en tly im pro ve th e q ualit y o f c a n did ate s. T here w ould n ev er a gain b e a p olit ic ia n wit h out im med ia te a n d th oro ugh a cco unta b ilit y , b eca u se th eir w ord s a n d a ctio ns w ould be k now n a n d re co rd ed a n d b ey ond d eb ate . T here w ould b e n o m ore back ro om s, n o more m urk y d eal-m ak in g. T here w ould b e o nly c la rit y , o nly lig h t. It w as in ev it a b le th at tr a n sp are n cy w ould co m e to th e C ir c le , to o. A s cla rit y a m ong ele cte d o } cia ls p ro lif e ra te d , th ere w ere ru m blin gs in sid e a n d o uts id e th e C ir c le : W hat ab out th e C ir c le it s e lf ? Y es, B aile y s a id , in p ublic a n d to th e C ir c le rs, w e s h ould a ls o b e cle ar. W e s h ould a ls o b e o pen . A nd s o s ta rte d th e C ir c le ’s o w n tr a n sp are n cy p la n , w hic h began w it h th e in sta lla tio n o f a th ousa n d SeeC han ge ca m era s o n ca m pus. T hey w ere pla ce d in co m mon ro om s, ca fe te ria s a n d o utd oor sp ace s y rst. T hen , a s th e W is e M en asse sse d a n y p ro ble m s th ey m ig h t p ose fo r th e p ro te ctio n o f in te lle ctu al p ro perty , th ey were p la ce d in h allw ay s, w ork a re as, e v en la b ora to rie s. T he s a tu ra tio n w as n ot c o m ple te —th ere w ere still h undre d s o f m ore se n sit iv e sp ace s w it h out acce ss, an d th e ca m era s were p ro hib it e d fr o m b ath ro om s a n d o th er p riv ate r o om s, b ut o th erw is e th e c a m pus, to th e ey es of a billio n-o dd C ir c le use rs, w as su dden ly cle ar an d open , an d th e C ir c le dev ote es, w ho a lr e ad y f e lt lo yal t o t h e c o m pan y a n d e n th ra lle d b y it s m ystiq ue, n ow f e lt clo se r, f e lt p art o f a n o pen a n d w elc o m in g w orld . There w ere e ig h t S eeC han ge ca m era s in M ae’s p od, a n d w it h in h ours o f th em g o in g liv e, sh e a n d e v ery one e ls e in th e ro om w ere p ro vid ed a n oth er sc re en , o n w hic h th ey co uld s e e a g rid o f th eir o w n a n d lo ck in to a n y v ie w o n c a m pus. T hey c o uld s e e if th eir fa v orit e ta b le a t th e G la ss E ate ry w as a v aila b le . T hey c o uld se e if th e h ealt h c lu b w as ja m med . T hey c o uld s e e if th e k ic k ball g am e w as a s e rio us o ne o r fo r d u ers o nly . A nd Mae w as s u rp ris e d b y h ow in te re stin g C ir c le c a m pus lif e w as to o uts id ers. W it h in h ours sh e w as h earin g fr o m fr ie n ds fr o m h ig h sc h ool a n d co lle ge, w ho h ad lo ca te d h er, w ho now c o uld w atc h her w ork . H er m id dle -s c h ool g y m te ach er, w ho h ad o nce th ough t M ae in su } cie n tly s e rio us a b out th e P re sid en t’s P hysic a l F it n ess T est, n ow s e em ed im pre sse d . Good to se e y ou w ork in g so h ard , M ae! A g u y s h e d ate d b rie { y in c o lle ge w ro te : Don ’t y ou ever le a ve th at d esk ? Sh e b egan to th in k a b it h ard er a b out th e c lo th es s h e w ore to w ork . S h e th ough t m ore ab out w here sh e sc ra tc h ed , w hen sh e b le w h er n ose o r h ow . B ut it w as a g o od k in d o f th in kin g, a g o od k in d o f c a lib ra tio n. A nd k now in g s h e w as b ein g w atc h ed , t h at t h e C ir c le was, overn ig h t, th e m ost-w atc h ed work pla ce in th e world , re m in ded her, m ore pro fo undly th an e v er, ju st h ow r a d ic a lly h er lif e h ad c h an ged in o nly a fe w m onth s. S h e had b een , tw elv e w eek s a go , w ork in g a t th e p ublic u tilit y in h er h om eto w n, a to w n n o one had heard of. N ow sh e w as co m munic a tin g w it h clie n ts all over th e pla n et, co m man din g six sc re en s, tr a in in g a n ew g ro up o f n ew bie s, a n d a lt o geth er fe elin g m ore need ed , m ore v alu ed , a n d m ore in te lle ctu ally s tim ula te d t h an s h e e v er t h ough t p ossib le . And, w it h t h e t o ols t h e C ir c le m ad e a v aila b le , M ae f e lt a b le t o in { uen ce g lo bal e v en ts , to sa v e liv es ev en , h alf w ay acro ss th e w orld . T hat v ery m orn in g, a m essa ge fr o m a co lle ge fr ie n d, T an ia S ch w artz , ca m e th ro ugh , p le ad in g fo r h elp w it h a n in it ia tiv e h er bro th er was sp earh ead in g. There was a para m ilit a ry gro up in Guate m ala , so m e re su rre ctio n o f t h e t e rro riz in g f o rc e s o f t h e e ig h tie s, a n d t h ey h ad b een a tta ck in g v illa ges an d ta k in g w om en ca p tiv e. O ne w om an , A na M aría H erre ra , h ad e sc a p ed a n d to ld o f rit u al r a p es, o f t e en age g ir ls b ein g m ad e c o ncu bin es, a n d t h e m urd ers o f t h ose w ho w ould not co opera te . M ae’s fr ie n d Tan ia , nev er an activ is t in sc h ool, sa id sh e had been co m pelle d to a ctio n b y th ese a tr o cit ie s, a n d s h e w as a sk in g e v ery one s h e k new to jo in in an in it ia tiv e c a lle d W e H ear Y ou A na M aría . Let’s make su re sh e k n ow s sh e h as fr ie n ds a ll over th e w orld w ho w ill n ot a ccep t th is , T an ia ’s m essa ge s a id . Mae s a w a p ic tu re o f A na M aría , s it tin g in a w hit e r o om o n a f o ld in g c h air , lo okin g u p, exp re ssio nle ss, a n u nnam ed c h ild in h er la p . N ext to h er p ic tu re w as a s m ile b utto n th at sa id “ I h ear y ou A na M aría ,” w hic h , w hen c lic k ed o n, w ould a d d M ae’s n am e to a lis t o f th ose le n din g t h eir s u pport t o A na M aría . M ae c lic k ed t h e b utto n. Ju st a s im porta n t , T an ia wro te , is th at w e se n d a m essa ge to th e p ara m ilit a rie s th at w e d en ou nce th eir a ctio n s . B elo w th e p ic tu re o f A na M aría w as a b lu rry p hoto o f a g ro up o f m en in m is m atc h ed m ilit a ry garb , w alk in g th ro ugh d en se ju ngle . N ext to th e p hoto w as a fr o w n b utto n th at s a id “ W e den ounce th e C en tr a l G uate m ala n S ecu rit y F orc e s.” M ae h esit a te d b rie { y, k now in g th e gra v it y o f w hat s h e w as a b out to d o— to c o m e o ut a gain st th ese r a p is ts a n d m urd ere rs— but sh e n eed ed to m ak e a sta n d. S h e p ush ed th e b utto n. A n a u to re sp onse th an ked h er, notin g t h at s h e w as t h e 2 4,7 26th p erso n t o s e n d a s m ile t o A na M aría a n d t h e 1 9,2 82nd t o se n d a f r o w n t o t h e p ara m ilit a rie s. T an ia n ote d t h at w hile t h e s m ile s w ere s e n t d ir e ctly t o Ana M aría ’s p hone, T an ia ’s b ro th er w as s till w ork in g o n a w ay to g et th e fr o w ns to th e Cen tr a l G uate m ala n S ecu rit y F orc e s. Afte r T an ia ’s p etit io n M ae s a t fo r a m om en t, fe elin g v ery a le rt, v ery a w are o f h erse lf , know in g t h at n ot o nly h ad s h e p ossib ly m ad e a g ro up o f p ow erfu l e n em ie s in G uate m ala , but th at u nto ld th ousa n ds o f S eeC han ge w atc h ers w ere se ein g h er d oin g it . It g av e h er la y ers o f s e lf -a w are n ess a n d a d is tin ct s e n se o f t h e p ow er s h e c o uld w ie ld in h er p osit io n. Sh e d ecid ed t o u se t h e r e str o om , t o t h ro w s o m e c o ld w ate r o n h er f a ce a n d u se h er le gs a bit , a n d it w as in t h e b ath ro om t h at h er p hone b uzze d . T he c a lle r I D w as b lo ck ed . “H ello ?” “It’s m e. K ald en .” “W here h av e y ou b een ?” “It’s c o m plic a te d n ow . A ll t h e c a m era s.” “Y ou’r e n ot a s p y, a re y ou?” “Y ou k now I ’m n ot a s p y.” “A nnie t h in ks y ou a re .” “I w an t t o s e e y ou.” “I’m in t h e b ath ro om .” “I k now .” “Y ou k now ?” “C ir c le Searc h , S eeC han ge … Y ou’r e n ot h ard t o f in d.” “A nd w here a re you ?” “I’m c o m in g. S ta y t h ere .” “N o. N o.” “I n eed t o s e e y ou. S ta y t h ere .” “N o. I c a n s e e y ou la te r. T here ’s a th in g in th e N ew K in gd om . O pen -m ic fo lk n ig h t. A sa fe , p ublic p la ce .” “N o, n o. I c a n ’t d o t h at.” “Y ou c a n ’t c o m e h ere .” “I c a n a n d I w ill.” And h e h ung u p. Mae c h eck ed h er p urse . S h e h ad a c o ndom . A nd s h e s ta y ed . S h e c h ose th e fa r s ta ll a n d wait e d . S h e k new th at w ait in g fo r h im w as n ot w is e . T hat it w as w ro ng o n m an y le v els . Sh e w ould n’t b e a b le t o t e ll A nnie a b out t h is . A nnie w ould a p pro ve o f m ost c a rn al a ctiv it y but n ot h ere , a t w ork , in a b ath ro om . T his w ould d em onstr a te p oor ju dgm en t, a n d r e { ect poorly o n A nnie . M ae w atc h ed th e tim e. T w o min ute s h ad p asse d a n d s till s h e w as in a bath ro om s ta ll, w ait in g fo r a m an s h e k new o nly v agu ely , a n d w ho, s h e g u esse d , w an te d only t o r a v is h h er, r e p eate d ly , in e v er-s tr a n ger p la ce s. S o w hy w as s h e t h ere ? B eca u se s h e wan te d t h is t o h ap pen . S h e w an te d h im t o t a k e h er, in t h e s ta ll, a n d s h e w an te d t o k now th at s h e h ad b een ta k en in th e s ta ll, a t w ork , a n d th at o nly th e tw o o f th em w ould e v er know . W hy w as t h is s o m e g lit te rin g t h in g s h e n eed ed ? S h e h eard t h e d oor o pen , a n d t h en th e c lic k in g o f th e lo ck o n th e d oor. A lo ck s h e d id n’t k now e xis te d . T hen s h e h eard th e so und o f K ald en ’s lo ng s tr id es. T he f o ots te p s s to pped n ear t h e s ta lls , g iv in g w ay t o a d ark sq ueak in g, t h e s tr a in o f b olt s a n d s te el. S h e f e lt a s h ad ow a b ove h er a n d c ra n ed h er n eck to s e e a y gu re d esc e n din g to it . K ald en h ad c lim bed th e h ig h s ta ll w all, a n d h ad c ra w le d acro ss th e grid to get to h ers. Sh e fe lt h im slip in b eh in d h er. T he h eat o f h is b ody warm ed h er b ack , h is b re ath h ot o n t h e n ap e o f h er n eck . “W hat a re y ou d oin g?” s h e a sk ed . His m outh o pen ed o n h er ear, h is to ngu e d iv in g. Sh e gasp ed an d le an ed in to h im . Kald en ’s h an ds c a m e a ro und h er s to m ach , t r a ce d h er w ais t, t r a v ele d q uic k ly t o h er t h ig h s, hold in g th em y rm ly . S h e p ush ed h is h an ds in w ard a n d u p, h er m in d b attlin g, a n d y nally asse rtin g h er r ig h t t o d o t h is . S h e w as t w en ty -f o ur, a n d if s h e d id n ot d o t h is k in d o f t h in g now — did n ot d o exactly th is , exactly now —sh e n ev er w ould . It w as th e im pera tiv e o f youth . “M ae,” h e w his p ere d , “ sto p t h in kin g.” “O kay .” “A nd c lo se y our e y es. P ic tu re w hat I ’m d oin g t o y ou.” His m outh w as o n h er n eck , k is sin g it , lic k in g it , w hile h is h an ds w ere b usy w it h h er sk ir t a n d p an tie s. H e e ase d b oth o h er h ip s an d to th e { oor a n d b ro ugh t h er to h im , yllin g h er a t o nce . “ M ae,” h e s a id , a s s h e p ush ed h erse lf in to h im , h is h an ds h old in g h er hip s, b rin gin g h im so d eep sh e c o uld fe el h is sw olle n c ro w n so m ew here n ear h er h eart. “M ae,” h e s a id , a s s h e h eld t h e w alls o n e it h er s id e o f t h em , a s if h old in g b ack t h e r e st o f th e w orld . Sh e c a m e, g asp in g, a n d h e y nis h ed , to o, sh udderin g b ut sile n t. A nd im med ia te ly th ey both la u gh ed , q uie tly , k now in g th ey ’d d one so m eth in g re ck le ss an d ca re er-t h re ate n in g an d th at th ey n eed ed to le av e. H e tu rn ed h er to w ard h im a n d k is se d h er m outh , h is e y es open , lo okin g a sto unded a n d f u ll o f m is c h ie f. “ B ye,” h e s a id , a n d s h e o nly w av ed , f e elin g his s h ap e r is e a gain b eh in d h er, c lim b t h e w alls a n d m ak e h is w ay o ut. And b eca u se h e p au se d a t th e d oor to u nlo ck it , a n d b eca u se sh e th ough t sh e m ig h t nev er se e h im again , M ae fo und h er p hone, re ach ed o ver th e sta ll w all, an d to ok a pic tu re , n ot k now in g w heth er o r n ot sh e w ould c a tc h a n y se m bla n ce o f h im . W hen sh e lo oked a t w hat s h e’d c a p tu re d , it w as o nly h is r ig h t a rm , f r o m t h e e lb ow t o h is y ngertip s, th e r e st o f h im a lr e ad y g o ne. Why lie t o A nnie ? M ae a sk ed h erse lf , n ot k now in g t h e a n sw er, b ut k now in g s h e w ould lie to h er a n yw ay . A fte r c o m posin g h erse lf in t h e b ath ro om , M ae h ad g o ne b ack t o h er d esk , an d im med ia te ly , unab le to co ntr o l herse lf , had m essa ged Annie , w ho w as {yin g so m ew here to o r o ver E uro pe: Aga in w it h g re y -h air , s h e w ro te . T ellin g A nnie a t a ll w ould pre cip it a te a s e rie s o f lie s, b ig a n d s m all, a n d M ae fo und h erse lf , in th e m in ute s b etw een when sh e se n t th e m essa ge a n d A nnie ’s in ev it a b le re p ly , w onderin g ju st h ow m uch to co nce al, a n d w hy. Fin ally Annie ’s m essa ge ca m e. Must kn ow every th in g now . I’m in Lon don w it h so m e Parlia m en t la ck ey s. I th in k o n e ju st p u lle d o u t a m on ocle . G iv e m e d is tr a ctio n . While s h e d ecid ed ju st h ow m uch t o t e ll A nnie , M ae t e ase d o ut d eta ils . In a b ath ro om . Annie r e p lie d im med ia te ly . The o ld m an ? In a b ath ro om ? D id y ou u se th e d ia per-c h an gin g s ta tio n ? No. In a s ta ll. A nd h e w as V IG ORO US . A v oic e b eh in d M ae s a id h er n am e. M ae t u rn ed t o y nd G in a a n d h er e n orm ous n erv ous sm ile . “Y ou h av e a se co nd?” M ae atte m pte d to tu rn aw ay th e sc re en co nta in in g th e dia lo gu e w it h A nnie , b ut G in a h ad a lr e ad y s e en it . “Y ou’r e t a lk in g t o A nnie ?” s h e s a id . “ Y ou g u ys r e ally a re t ig h t, h uh?” Mae n odded , t u rn ed h er s c re en , a n d a ll lig h t le ft G in a’s f a ce . “ Is t h is s till a g o od t im e t o exp la in C onversio n R ate a n d R eta il R aw ?” Mae h ad fo rg o tte n , e n tir e ly , th at G in a w as su ppose d to co m e to d em onstr a te a n ew la y er. “S u re ,” M ae s a id . “H as A nnie t o ld y ou a b out t h is s tu ff a lr e ad y?” G in a s a id , h er f a ce lo okin g v ery f r a gile . “N o,” M ae s a id , “ sh e h asn ’t .” “S h e d id n’t t e ll y ou a b out C onversio n R ate ?” “N o.” “O r R eta il R aw ?” “N o.” Gin a’s fa ce b rig h te n ed . “O h. O kay . G ood. S o w e’l l d o it n ow ?” G in a’s fa ce se arc h ed Mae’s , a s if lo okin g fo r th e slig h te st sig n o f d oubt, w hic h G in a w ould ta k e a s re aso n to co lla p se e n tir e ly . “G re at,” M ae s a id , a n d G in a b rig h te n ed a gain . “G ood. L et’s sta rt w it h th e C onversio n R ate . T his is fa ir ly o bvio us a n yw ay , b ut th e Cir c le w ould n ot exis t, an d w ould n ot gro w , an d w ould n ot b e ab le to get clo se r to co m ple tin g th e C ir c le , if th ere w ere n ot a ctu al p urc h ase s b ein g m ad e, a ctu al c o m merc e sp urre d . W e’r e h ere t o b e a g ate w ay t o a ll t h e w orld ’s in fo rm atio n, b ut w e a re s u pporte d by a d vertis e rs w ho h ope t o r e ach c u sto m ers t h ro ugh u s, r ig h t? ” Gin a sm ile d , h er la rg e w hit e te eth b rie { y o verta k in g h er fa ce . M ae w as tr y in g to co nce n tr a te , b ut s h e w as t h in kin g o f A nnie , in h er P arlia m en t m eetin g, w ho w as n o d oubt th in kin g o f M ae a n d K ald en . A nd w hen M ae t h ough t o f h erse lf a n d K ald en , s h e t h ough t o f his h an ds o n h er w ais t, p ullin g h er g en tly d ow n o nto h im , h er e y es clo se d , h er m in d en la rg in g a ll— Gin a w as still ta lk in g. “B ut h ow to p ro voke, h ow to stim ula te p urc h ase s— th at’s th e co nversio n r a te . Y ou c a n z in g, y ou c o uld c o m men t o n a n d r a te a n d h ig h lig h t a n y p ro duct, but c a n y ou t r a n sla te a ll t h is in to a ctio n? L ev era gin g y our c re d ib ilit y t o s p ur a ctio n— th is is c ru cia l, o kay ?” Now G in a w as sit tin g n ext to M ae, h er y ngers o n h er k ey board . Sh e b ro ugh t u p a co m ple x sp re ad sh eet. A t th at m om en t, an oth er m essa ge fr o m A nnie arriv ed o n M ae’s se co nd sc re en . S h e tu rn ed it slig h tly . Now I h ave to b e th e b oss. Y ou g o t h is la st n am e th is tim e? Mae sa w th at G in a w as re ad in g th e m essa ge, to o, m ak in g no pre te n se of doin g oth erw is e . “G o a h ead ,” G in a s a id . “ T hat lo oks im porta n t.” Mae re ach ed o ver G in a, to h er k ey board , a n d ty ped th e lie sh e k new , m om en ts a fte r le av in g t h e b ath ro om , s h e w ould t e ll A nnie . Yes. I k n ow a ll . Im med ia te ly A nnie ’s r e p ly a rriv ed : And h is n am e is ? Gin a lo oked a t th is m essa ge. “ T hat m ust b e s o c ra zy , to ju st g et m essa ges fr o m A nnie Alle rto n.” “I g u ess s o ,” M ae s a id , a n d t y ped Can ’t te ll . Gin a r e ad M ae’s m essa ge a n d s e em ed le ss in te re ste d in th e c o nte n t o f it th an th e fa ct th at th is b ack -a n d-f o rth w as a ctu ally h ap pen in g in fr o nt o f h er. “ Y ou g u ys ju st m essa ge each o th er lik e it ’s n o b ig d eal? ” s h e a sk ed . Mae s o fte n ed t h e im pact. “ N ot a ll d ay .” “N ot a ll d ay ?” G in a’s f a ce c a m e a liv e w it h a t e n ta tiv e s m ile . Annie b urst t h ro ugh . You ’r e a ctu ally n ot te llin g m e? T ell m e n ow . “S o rry ,” M ae s a id . “ A lm ost d one.” S h e t y ped No. Y ou ’ll h assle h im . Sen d m e a p ic tu re , A nnie w ro te . No. B ut I h ave o n e , M ae ty ped , e xecu tin g th e se co nd lie sh e k new w as n ece ssa ry . S h e did h av e a p hoto o f h im , a n d o nce s h e r e aliz e d s h e d id , a n d t h at s h e c o uld t e ll A nnie t h is , an d b e t e llin g t h e t r u th w it h out t e llin g a ll o f it , a n d t h at t h is p hoto , a lo ng w it h t h e w hit e lie o f k now in g h is a ctu al la st n am e, w ould a llo w h er to c o ntin ue w it h th is m an , K ald en , who v ery w ell m ig h t b e a d an ger to th e C ir c le , sh e k new sh e w ould u se th is se co nd lie wit h A nnie , a n d it w ould b uy h er m ore t im e— more t im e t o r is e a n d f a ll o n K ald en , w hile tr y in g t o a sc e rta in e xactly w ho h e w as a n d w hat h e w an te d f r o m h er. An a ctio n s h ot , s h e t y ped . I d id a fa cia l- r e c a n d it a ll c o n nects . Than k g o d , A nnie w ro te . But y ou ’r e a b it c h . Gin a, w ho h ad re ad th e m essa ge, w as v is ib ly { uste re d . “M ay be w e sh ould d o th is la te r? ” s h e s a id , h er f o re h ead s u dden ly g lis te n in g. “N o, s o rry ,” M ae s a id . “ G o o n. I ’l l t u rn t h e s c re en a w ay .” Anoth er m essa ge a p peare d fr o m A nnie . W hile tu rn in g th e s c re en aw ay , M ae g la n ce d a t it . Did y ou h ea r th e fr a ctu rin g o f a n y b on es w hile sit tin g o n h im ? O ld er m en h ave b ir d b on es, an d p re ssu re lik e y ou ’r e ta lk in g a bou t c o u ld b e fa ta l . “O kay ,” G in a s a id , s w allo w in g h ard , “ fo r y ears le sse r c o m pan ie s h ad b een t r a ck in g, a n d tr y in g t o in { uen ce , t h e c o nnectio n b etw een o nlin e m en tio ns, r e v ie w s, c o m men ts , r a tin gs, an d a ctu al p urc h ase s. C ir c le d ev elo pers h av e y gu re d o ut a w ay to m easu re th e im pact o f th ese f a cto rs, o f y our p artic ip atio n, r e ally , a n d a rtic u la te it w it h t h e C onversio n R ate .” Anoth er m essa ge a p peare d , b ut M ae ig n ore d it , a n d G in a fo rg ed o n, th rille d to h av e been d eem ed m ore im porta n t t h an A nnie , e v en f o r a m om en t. “S o e v ery p urc h ase in it ia te d o r p ro m pte d b y a r e co m men datio n y ou m ak e r a is e s y our Conversio n R ate . I f y our p urc h ase o r r e co m men datio n s p urs y fty o th ers t o t a k e t h e s a m e actio n, th en y our C R is x 5 0. T here a re C ir c le rs w it h a c o nversio n ra te o f x 1 ,2 00. T hat mean s a n a v era ge o f 1 ,2 00 p eo ple b uy w hate v er th ey b uy. T hey ’v e a ccu m ula te d e n ough cre d ib ilit y th at th eir fo llo w ers tr u st th eir re co m men datio ns im plic it ly , an d are d eep ly th an kfu l fo r th e s u re ty in th eir s h oppin g. A nnie , o f c o urse , h as o ne o f th e h ig h est C Rs in th e C ir c le .” Ju st th en , an oth er dro ple t so unded . G in a blin ked as if sh e’d been sla p ped , but co ntin ued . “O kay , s o y our a v era ge C onversio n R ate s o fa r h as b een x 1 19. N ot b ad . B ut o n a s c a le of 1 to 1 ,0 00, th ere ’s a lo t o f r o om fo r im pro vem en t. B elo w th e C onversio n R ate is y our Reta il R aw , th e to ta l g ro ss p urc h ase p ric e o f re co m men ded p ro ducts . S o le t’s sa y y ou re co m men d a c e rta in k ey ch ain , a n d 1 ,0 00 p eo ple ta k e y our r e co m men datio n, th en th ose 1,0 00 k ey ch ain s, p ric e d a t $ 4 e ach , b rin g y our R eta il R aw to $4,0 00. It’s ju st th e g ro ss re ta il p ric e o f t h e c o m merc e y ou’v e s to ked . F un, r ig h t? ” Mae n odded . S h e lo ved t h e n otio n o f a ctu ally b ein g a b le t o t r a ck t h e e ect o f h er t a ste s an d e n dorse m en ts . Anoth er d ro ple t s o unded . G in a s e em ed t o b e b lin kin g b ack t e ars. S h e s to od u p. “O kay . I f e el lik e I ’m in vad in g y our lu nch a n d y our f r ie n dsh ip . S o t h at’s t h e C onversio n Rate a n d R eta il R aw . I k now y ou u ndersta n d it . T here ’l l b e a n ew s c re en b y t h e e n d o f t h e day t o m easu re t h ese s c o re s.” Gin a tr ie d to sm ile , b ut c o uld n’t se em to lif t th e sid es o f h er m outh e n ough to se em co nvin cin g. “O h, an d th e m in im um exp ecta tio n fo r hig h -f u nctio nin g Cir c le rs is a co nversio n r a te o f x 2 50, a n d a w eek ly R eta il R aw o f $ 45,0 00, b oth o f w hic h a re m odest go als th at m ost C ir c le rs fa r e xce ed . A nd if y ou h av e q uestio ns, w ell,” sh e sto pped , h er ey es f r a gile . “ I’m s u re y ou c a n a sk A nnie .” Sh e t u rn ed a n d le ft. A fe w n ig h ts la te r, o n a clo udle ss T hursd ay , M ae d ro ve h om e, h er y rst tim e sin ce h er fa th er’s C ir c le in su ra n ce h ad t a k en e ect. S h e k new h er f a th er h ad b een f e elin g f a r b ette r, an d sh e w as lo okin g fo rw ard to se ein g h im in p erso n, h opin g, rid ic u lo usly , fo r so m e mir a cu lo us ch an ge, but know in g sh e w ould se e only m in or im pro vem en ts . Still, her pare n ts ’ v oic e s, o n th e p hone a n d in te xts , h ad b een e b ullie n t. “E very th in g’s d i ere n t now ,” t h ey ’d b een s a y in g f o r w eek s, a n d h ad b een a sk in g t o h av e h er c o m e c e le b ra te . A nd so , lo okin g fo rw ard to th e im min en t g ra tit u de, sh e d ro ve e ast a n d so uth a n d w hen sh e arriv ed , her fa th er g re ete d h er a t th e d oor, lo okin g fa r str o nger a n d, m ore im porta n tly , more c o n y den t, m ore lik e a m an — th e m an h e o nce w as. H e h eld o ut h is w ris t m onit o r an d a rra n ged it p ara lle l t o M ae’s . “ L ook a t u s. W e m atc h . Y ou w an t s o m e v in o?” In sid e, th e th re e o f th em a rra n ged th em se lv es a s th ey a lw ay s h ad , a lo ng th e k it c h en co unte r, a n d th ey d ic e d , a n d b re ad ed , a n d th ey ta lk ed a b out th e v ario us w ay s th e h ealt h of M ae’s fa th er had im pro ved . N ow he had his ch oic e of docto rs. N ow he had no lim it a tio ns o n th e m ed ic in es h e co uld ta k e; th ey w ere all co vere d , an d th ere w as n o co pay . M ae n otic e d , a s th ey n arra te d th e s to ry o f h is r e ce n t h ealt h , th at h er m oth er w as brig h te r, m ore b uoyan t. S h e w as w earin g s h ort-s h orts . “T he b est t h in g a b out it ,” h er f a th er s a id , “ is t h at n ow y our m oth er h as w hole s w ath s o f extr a tim e. It’s a ll so sim ple . I se e th e d octo r a n d th e C ir c le ta k es c a re o f th e re st. N o mid dle m an . N o d is c u ssio n.” “Is th at w hat I th in k it is ? ” M ae sa id . O ver th e d in in g ro om ta b le , th ere w as a silv er ch an delie r, t h ough u pon c lo se r in sp ectio n it s e em ed lik e o ne o f M erc e r’s . T he s ilv er a rm s were a ctu ally p ain te d a n tle rs. M ae h ad b een o nly p assin gly e n th usia stic a b out a n y o f h is work — when th ey w ere d atin g, sh e la b ore d fo r k in d th in gs to sa y — but th is o ne sh e gen uin ely lik ed . “It is ,” h er m oth er s a id . “N ot b ad ,” M ae s a id . “N ot b ad ?” h er f a th er s a id . “ It’s h is b est w ork , a n d y ou k now it . T his t h in g w ould g o f o r fiv e g ra n d in o ne o f t h ose S an F ra n cis c o b outiq ues. H e g av e it t o u s f o r f r e e.” Mae w as im pre sse d . “ W hy f o r f r e e?” “W hy fo r fr e e?” h er m oth er a sk ed . “ B eca u se h e’s o ur fr ie n d. B eca u se h e’s a n ic e y oung man . A nd w ait b efo re y ou r o ll y our e y es o r c o m e b ack w it h s o m e w it ty c o m men t.” Mae d id w ait , a n d a fte r s h e’d p asse d o n a h alf -d oze n u nkin d t h in gs s h e c o uld s a y a b out Merc e r a n d h ad c h ose n sile n ce , sh e fo und h erse lf fe elin g g en ero us to w ard h im . B eca u se sh e n o lo nger n eed ed h im , b eca u se s h e w as n ow a c ru cia l a n d m easu ra b le d riv er o f w orld co m merc e , a n d b eca u se sh e h ad tw o m en a t th e C ir c le to c h oose fr o m — one o f th em a volc a n ic , ca llig ra p hic en ig m a w ho clim bed w alls to ta k e h er fr o m b eh in d— sh e co uld affo rd t o b e g en ero us t o w ard p oor M erc e r, h is s h aggy h ead a n d g ro te sq ue f a tty b ack . “It’s r e ally n ic e ,” M ae s a id . “G la d y ou t h in k s o ,” h er m oth er s a id . “ Y ou c a n t e ll h im y ourse lf in a f e w m in ute s. H e’s co m in g f o r d in ner.” “N o,” M ae s a id . “ P le ase n o.” “M ae,” h er f a th er s a id f ir m ly , “ h e’s c o m in g, o kay ?” And s h e k new s h e c o uld n’t a rg u e. In ste ad , s h e p oure d h erse lf a g la ss o f r e d w in e a n d, while s e ttin g t h e t a b le , s h e d ow ned h alf o f it . B y t h e t im e M erc e r k nock ed a n d le t h im se lf in , h er f a ce w as h alf -n um b a n d h er t h ough ts w ere v agu e. “H ey M ae,” h e s a id , a n d g av e h er a t e n ta tiv e h ug. “Y our c h an delie r th in g is r e ally g re at,” s h e s a id , a n d e v en w hile s a y in g th e w ord s, s h e sa w t h eir e ffe ct o n h im , s o s h e w en t f u rth er. “ It’s r e ally b eau tif u l.” “T han ks,” h e s a id . H e lo oked a ro und to M ae’s p are n ts , a s if c o n y rm in g th ey h ad h eard th e s a m e t h in g. M ae p oure d h erse lf m ore w in e. “It r e ally is ,” M ae c o ntin ued . “ I m ean , I k now y ou d o g o od w ork .” And w hen s h e s a id th is , M ae m ad e s u re n ot to lo ok a t h im , k now in g h is e y es w ould d oubt h er. “ B ut th is is th e b est o ne y ou’v e d one y et. I ’m s o h ap py t h at y ou p ut t h is m uch in to … I ’m ju st h ap py th at m y f a v orit e p ie ce o f y ours is in m y p are n ts ’ d in in g r o om .” Mae t o ok o ut h er c a m era a n d t o ok a p ic tu re . “W hat’r e y ou d oin g?” M erc e r s a id , t h ough h e s e em ed p le ase d t h at s h e’d d eem it w orth y of a p hoto gra p h. “I ju st w an te d t o t a k e a p ic tu re . L ook,” s h e s a id , a n d s h ow ed h im . Now her pare n ts had dis a p peare d , no doubt th in kin g sh e w an te d tim e alo ne w it h Merc e r. T hey w ere h ila rio us a n d in sa n e. “It lo oks g o od,” h e sa id , sta rin g a t th e p hoto a b it lo nger th an M ae h ad e xp ecte d . H e was n ot, e v id en tly , a b ove t a k in g p le asu re , a n d p rid e, in h is o w n w ork . “It lo oks in cre d ib le ,” s h e s a id . T he w in e h ad s e n t h er a lo ft. “ T hat w as v ery n ic e o f y ou. And I k now it m ean s a lo t to th em , e sp ecia lly n ow . It a d ds so m eth in g v ery im porta n t here .” M ae w as e u phoric , a n d it w asn ’t ju st t h e w in e. I t w as r e le ase . H er f a m ily h ad b een re le ase d . “ T his p la ce h as b een s o d ark ,” s h e s a id . And f o r a b rie f m om en t, s h e a n d M erc e r s e em ed t o y nd t h eir f o rm er f o otin g. M ae, w ho fo r years had th ough t ab out M erc e r wit h a dis a p poin tm en t bord erin g on pit y , re m em bere d n ow th at h e w as c a p ab le o f g re at w ork . S h e k new h e w as c o m passio nate , an d v ery k in d, e v en th ough h is lim it e d h oriz o ns h ad b een e xasp era tin g. B ut n ow , s e ein g th is — co uld sh e c a ll it a rtw ork ? It w as so m eth in g lik e a rt— an d th e e ect it h ad o n th e house , h er f a it h in h im w as r e k in dle d . That g av e M ae a n id ea. U nder th e p re te n se th at s h e w as g o in g to h er r o om to c h an ge, sh e e xcu se d h erse lf a n d h urrie d u psta ir s. B ut in ste ad , sit tin g o n h er o ld b ed , in th re e min ute s sh e’d p oste d h er photo o f th e c h an delie r in tw o d oze n d esig n a n d h om e d esig n fe ed s, lin kin g to M erc e r’s w eb sit e — whic h fe atu re d ju st h is p hone n um ber an d a fe w pic tu re s; h e h ad n’t u pdate d it in y ears— an d h is e m ail a d dre ss. If h e w asn ’t s m art e n ough to g et b usin ess f o r h im se lf , s h e w ould b e h ap py t o d o it f o r h im . When s h e w as y nis h ed , M erc e r w as s it tin g w it h h er p are n ts a t t h e k it c h en t a b le , w hic h was cro w ded w it h sa la d a n d stir -f r ie d ch ic k en a n d v egeta b le s. T heir e y es fo llo w ed h er dow n t h e s ta ir s. “ I c a lle d u p t h ere ,” h er f a th er s a id . “W e lik e t o e at w hen it ’s h ot,” h er m oth er a d ded . Mae h ad n’t h eard t h em . “ S o rry . I w as ju st— Wow , t h is lo oks g o od. D ad , d on’t y ou t h in k Merc e r’s c h an delie r is a w eso m e?” “I d o. A nd I t o ld y ou, a n d h im , a s m uch . W e’v e b een a sk in g f o r o ne o f h is c re atio ns f o r a y ear n ow .” “I ju st n eed ed t h e r ig h t a n tle rs,” M erc e r s a id . “ I h ad n’t g o tte n a n y r e ally g re at o nes in a while .” H e w en t o n to e xp la in h is so urc in g, h ow h e b ough t a n tle rs o nly fr o m tr u ste d co lla b ora to rs, p eo ple h e k new h ad n’t h unte d t h e d eer, o r if t h ey h ad , h ad b een in str u cte d to d o s o b y F is h a n d G am e t o c u rb o verc ro w din g. “T hat is f a sc in atin g,” h er m oth er s a id . “ B efo re I f o rg et, I w an t t o r a is e a t o ast … W hat’s th at? ” Mae’s p hone h ad b eep ed . “ N oth in g,” sh e sa id . “ B ut in a se co nd I th in k I’l l h av e so m e go od n ew s t o a n nounce . G o o n, M om .” “I w as ju st s a y in g t h at I w an te d t o t o ast h av in g u s— ” Now it w as M erc e r’s p hone r in gin g. “S o rry ,” h e s a id , a n d m an eu vere re d h is h an d o uts id e h is p an ts , f in din g t h e o ff b utto n. “E very one d one?” h er m oth er a sk ed . “S o rry M rs. H olla n d,” M erc e r s a id . “ G o o n.” But a t th at m om en t, M ae’s p hone b uzze d lo udly a gain , a n d w hen M ae lo oked to it s sc re en , s h e s a w t h at t h ere w ere t h ir ty -s e v en n ew z in gs a n d m essa ges. “S o m eth in g y ou h av e t o a tte n d t o ?” h er f a th er s a id . “N o, n ot y et,” M ae s a id , th ough s h e w as a lm ost to o e xcit e d to w ait . S h e w as p ro ud o f Merc e r, a n d s o on s h e’d b e a b le t o s h ow h im s o m eth in g a b out t h e a u die n ce h e m ig h t h av e outs id e L ong y eld . I f t h ere w ere t h ir ty -s e v en m essa ges in t h e y rst f e w m in ute s, in t w en ty min ute s t h ere w ould b e a h undre d . Her m oth er c o ntin ued . “ I w as g o in g t o t h an k y ou, M ae, f o r a ll y ou’v e d one t o im pro ve your f a th er’s h ealt h , a n d m y o w n s a n it y . A nd I w an te d t o t o ast M erc e r, t o o, a s p art o f o ur fa m ily , a n d to th an k h im fo r h is b eau tif u l w ork .” S h e p au se d , a s if e xp ectin g a b uzz to so und a n y m om en t. “ W ell, I’m ju st g la d I g o t th ro ugh th at. L et’s e at. T he fo od’s g ettin g co ld .” And th ey b egan to e at, b ut a fte r a fe w m in ute s, M ae h ad h eard so m an y d in gs, a n d sh e’d s e en h er p hone s c re en u pdate s o m an y t im es, t h at s h e c o uld n’t w ait . “O kay , I c a n ’t s ta n d it a n ym ore . I p oste d t h at p hoto I t o ok o f y our c h an delie r, M erc e r, an d p eo ple lo ve it !” S h e b eam ed , a n d r a is e d h er g la ss. “ T hat’s w hat w e s h ould t o ast.” Merc e r d id n’t lo ok a m use d . “ W ait . Y ou p oste d t h em w here ?” “T hat’s g re at, M erc e r,” h er f a th er s a id , a n d r a is e d h is o w n g la ss. Merc e r’s g la ss w as n ot r a is e d . “ W here ’d y ou p ost t h em , M ae?” “E very w here re le v an t,” sh e sa id , “ a n d th e c o m men ts a re a m azin g.” S h e se arc h ed h er sc re en . “ J u st le t m e r e ad th e y rst o ne. A nd I q uote : Wow , th at is g o rg eo u s . T hat’s fr o m a pre tty w ell-k now n in dustr ia l desig n er in Sto ck holm . H ere ’s an oth er one: Very co ol. Rem in ds m e o f s o m eth in g I s a w in B arc elo n a la st y ea r . T hat w as f r o m a d esig n er in S an ta F e who has her ow n sh op. Sh e gav e your th in g th re e out of fo ur sta rs, an d had so m e su ggestio ns ab out h ow y ou m ig h t im pro ve it . I b et y ou co uld se ll th em th ere if y ou wan te d t o . S o h ere ’s a n oth er— ” Merc e r h ad h is p alm s o n t h e t a b le . “ S to p. P le ase .” “W hy? Y ou h av en ’t e v en h eard th e b est p art. O n D esig n M in d, y ou a lr e ad y h av e 1 22 sm ile s. T hat’s a n in cre d ib le a m ount t o g et s o q uic k ly . A nd t h ey h av e a r a n kin g t h ere , a n d you’r e in th e to p y fty fo r to day . A ctu ally , I k now h ow y ou co uld ra is e th at— ” A t th e sa m e tim e, it o ccu rre d to M ae th at th is k in d o f a ctiv it y w ould su re ly g et h er P artiR an k in to th e 1 ,8 00s. A nd if sh e c o uld g et e n ough o f th ese p eo ple to b uy th e w ork , it w ould mean s o lid C onversio n a n d R eta il R aw n um bers— “M ae. S to p. P le ase s to p.” M erc e r w as s ta rin g a t h er, h is e y es s m all a n d r o und. “ I d on’t wan t t o g et lo ud h ere , in y our p are n ts ’ h om e, b ut e it h er y ou s to p o r I h av e t o w alk o ut.” “J u st h old o n a s e c,” s h e s a id , a n d s c ro lle d th ro ugh h er m essa ges, lo okin g fo r o ne th at sh e w as su re w ould im pre ss h im . S h e’d se en a m essa ge c o m e in fr o m D ubai, a n d if sh e fo und it , s h e k new , h is r e sis ta n ce w ould f a ll a w ay . “M ae,” s h e h eard h er m oth er s a y . “ M ae.” But M ae c o uld n’t lo ca te th e m essa ge. W here w as it ? W hile s h e s c ro lle d , s h e h eard th e sc ra p in g o f a c h air . B ut s h e w as s o c lo se to y ndin g it th at s h e d id n’t lo ok u p. W hen s h e did , s h e f o und M erc e r g o ne a n d h er p are n ts s ta rin g a t h er. “I th in k it ’s n ic e y ou w an t to su pport M erc e r,” h er m oth er sa id , “b ut I ju st d on’t understa n d w hy y ou d o t h is n ow . W e’r e t r y in g t o e n jo y a n ic e d in ner.” Mae s ta re d a t h er m oth er, a b so rb in g a ll t h e d is a p poin tm en t a n d b ew ild erm en t t h at s h e co uld s ta n d, t h en r a n o uts id e a n d r e ach ed M erc e r a s h e w as b ack in g o ut o f t h e d riv ew ay . Sh e g o t in to t h e p asse n ger s e at. “ S to p.” His e y es w ere d ull, lif e le ss. H e p ut th e ca r in p ark a n d re ste d h is h an ds in h is la p , exh alin g w it h a ll t h e c o ndesc e n sio n h e c o uld m uste r. “W hat t h e h ell is y our p ro ble m , M erc e r? ” “M ae, I a sk ed y ou t o s to p, a n d y ou d id n’t .” “D id I h urt y our f e elin gs? ” “N o. Y ou h urt m y b ra in . Y ou m ak e m e th in k y ou’r e b ats h it c ra zy . I a sk ed y ou to s to p an d y ou w ould n’t .” “I w ould n’t s to p t r y in g t o h elp y ou.” “I d id n’t a sk fo r y our h elp . A nd I d id n’t g iv e y ou p erm is sio n to p ost a p hoto o f m y work .” “Y our work .” S h e h eard so m eth in g b arb ed in h er v oic e th at sh e k new w asn ’t rig h t o r pro ductiv e. “Y ou’r e s n id e, M ae, a n d y ou’r e m ean , a n d y ou’r e c a llo us.” “W hat? I’m th e opposit e o f c a llo us, M erc e r. I’m tr y in g to h elp y ou b eca u se I b elie v e in what y ou d o.” “N o y ou d on’t . M ae, y ou’r e ju st u nab le to a llo w a n yth in g to liv e in sid e a ro om . M y work e xis ts in o ne r o om . I t d oesn ’t e xis t a n yw here e ls e . A nd t h at’s h ow I in te n d it .” “S o y ou d on’t w an t b usin ess? ” Merc e r lo oked th ro ugh h is w in dsh ie ld , th en le an ed b ack . “M ae, I’v e n ev er fe lt m ore th at th ere is so m e c u lt ta k in g o ver th e w orld . Y ou know w hat s o m eo ne tr ie d to s e ll m e th e o th er d ay ? A ctu ally , I b et it ’s s o m eh ow a } lia te d w it h th e C ir c le . H av e y ou h eard o f Hom ie ? T he t h in g w here y our p hone s c a n s y our h ouse f o r t h e b ar c o des o f e v ery p ro duct —” “R ig h t. T hen it o rd ers n ew s tu ff w hen ev er y ou’r e g ettin g lo w . I t’s b rillia n t.” “Y ou th in k th is is o kay ?” M erc e r s a id . “ Y ou k now h ow th ey fr a m ed it fo r m e? It’s th e usu al u to pia n v is io n. T his tim e th ey w ere s a y in g it ’l l r e d uce w aste . If s to re s k now w hat th eir c u sto m ers w an t, th en th ey d on’t o verp ro duce , d on’t o versh ip , d on’t h av e to th ro w stu a w ay w hen it ’s n ot b ough t. I m ean , lik e e v ery th in g e ls e y ou g u ys a re p ush in g, it so unds perfe ct, so unds pro gre ssiv e, but it ca rrie s w it h it m ore co ntr o l, m ore ce n tr a l tr a ck in g o f e v ery th in g w e d o.” “M erc e r, t h e C ir c le is a g ro up o f p eo ple lik e m e. A re y ou s a y in g t h at s o m eh ow w e’r e a ll in a r o om s o m ew here , w atc h in g y ou, p la n nin g w orld d om in atio n?” “N o. F ir st o f a ll, I kn ow it ’s a ll p eo ple lik e y ou. A nd th at’s w hat’s s o s c a ry . In div id ually you don’t know what you’r e doin g co lle ctiv ely . But se co ndly , don’t pre su m e th e ben ev ole n ce o f y our le ad ers. F or y ears th ere w as th is h ap py tim e w hen th ose c o ntr o llin g th e m ajo r in te rn et c o nduit s w ere a ctu ally d ece n t e n ough p eo ple . O r a t le ast th ey w ere n ’t pre d ato ry a n d v en gefu l. B ut I a lw ay s w orrie d , w hat if so m eo ne w as w illin g to u se th is pow er t o p unis h t h ose w ho c h alle n ged t h em ?” “W hat a re y ou s a y in g?” “Y ou t h in k it ’s ju st a c o in cid en ce t h at e v ery t im e s o m e c o ngre ssw om an o r b lo gger t a lk s ab out m onopoly , th ey su dden ly b eco m e en sn are d in so m e te rrib le se x-p orn -w it c h cra ft co ntr o versy ? F or tw en ty y ears, th e in te rn et w as c a p ab le o f ru in in g a n yone in m in ute s, but n ot until y our T hre e W is e M en , o r a t le ast o ne o f th em , w as a n yone w illin g to d o it . You’r e s a y in g t h is is n ew s t o y ou?” “Y ou’r e s o p ara n oid . Y our c o nsp ir a cy th eo ry b ra in a lw ay s d ep re sse d m e, M erc e r. Y ou so und s o ig n ora n t. A nd s a y in g t h at H om ie is s o m e s c a ry n ew t h in g, I m ean , f o r a h undre d years t h ere w ere m ilk m en w ho b ro ugh t y ou m ilk . T hey k new w hen y ou n eed ed it . T here were b utc h ers w ho s o ld y ou m eat, b ak ers w ho w ould d ro p o ff b re ad — ” “B ut t h e m ilk m an w asn ’t s c a n nin g m y h ouse ! I m ean , a n yth in g w it h a U PC c o de c a n b e sc a n ned . Alr e ad y, millio ns of peo ple ’s phones are sc a n nin g th eir hom es an d co m munic a tin g a ll t h at in fo rm atio n o ut t o t h e w orld .” “A nd s o w hat? Y ou d on’t w an t C harm in t o k now h ow m uch o f t h eir t o ile t p ap er y ou’r e usin g? I s C harm in o ppre ssin g y ou in s o m e s ig n if ic a n t w ay ?” “N o, M ae, it ’s d i ere n t. T hat w ould b e e asie r t o u ndersta n d. H ere , t h ough , t h ere a re n o oppre sso rs. N o o ne’s fo rc in g y ou to d o th is . Y ou w illin gly tie y ourse lf to th ese le ash es. And y ou w illin gly b eco m e u tte rly s o cia lly a u tis tic . Y ou n o lo nger p ic k u p o n b asic h um an co m munic a tio n c lu es. Y ou’r e a t a ta b le w it h th re e h um an s, a ll o f w hom a re lo okin g a t you a n d tr y in g to ta lk to y ou, a n d y ou’r e sta rin g a t a sc re en , se arc h in g fo r str a n gers in Dubai.” “Y ou’r e n ot s o p ure , M erc e r. Y ou h av e a n e m ail a cco unt. Y ou h av e a w eb sit e .” “H ere ’s th e th in g, a n d it ’s p ain fu l to sa y th is to y ou. B ut y ou’r e n ot v ery in te re stin g an ym ore . Y ou s it a t a d esk t w elv e h ours a d ay a n d y ou h av e n oth in g t o s h ow f o r it e xce p t fo r so m e num bers th at w on’t exis t or be re m em bere d in a w eek . Y ou’r e le av in g no ev id en ce t h at y ou liv ed . T here ’s n o p ro of.” “F uck y ou, M erc e r.” “A nd w orse , y ou’r e n ot doin g a n yth in g in te re stin g a n ym ore . Y ou’r e n ot s e ein g a n yth in g, sa y in g a n yth in g. T he w eir d p ara d ox is th at y ou th in k y ou’r e a t th e c e n te r o f th in gs, a n d th at m ak es y our o pin io ns m ore v alu ab le , b ut y ou y ourse lf a re b eco m in g le ss v ib ra n t. I b et you h av en ’t d one a n yth in g o ffs c re en in m onth s. H av e y ou?” “Y ou’r e s u ch a f u ck er, M erc e r.” “D o y ou g o o uts id e a n ym ore ?” “Y ou’r e th e in te re stin g o ne, is th at it ? T he id io t w ho m ak es ch an delie rs o ut o f d ead an im al p arts ? Y ou’r e t h e w onderb oy o f a ll t h at’s f a sc in atin g?” “Y ou k now w hat I t h in k, M ae? I t h in k y ou t h in k t h at s it tin g a t y our d esk , f r o w nin g a n d sm ilin g so m eh ow m ak es you th in k you’r e actu ally liv in g so m e fa sc in atin g lif e . Y ou co m men t o n th in gs, a n d th at su bstit u te s fo r d oin g th em . Y ou lo ok a t p ic tu re s o f N ep al, push a sm ile b utto n, a n d y ou th in k th at’s th e sa m e a s g o in g th ere . I m ean , w hat w ould hap pen if y ou a ctu ally w en t? Y our C ir c le Jerk ra tin gs o r w hate v er-t h e-f u ck w ould d ro p belo w a n a cce p ta b le le v el! M ae, d o y ou r e aliz e h ow in cre d ib ly b orin g y ou’v e b eco m e?” For m an y y ears n ow , M erc e r h ad b een t h e h um an s h e’d lo ath ed m ore t h an a n y o th er. T his was not new . H e’d alw ay s had th e uniq ue ab ilit y to se n d her in to ap ople xy . H is pro fe sso ria l s m ugn ess. H is a n tiq uaria n b ulls h it . A nd m ost o f a ll, h is b ase lin e a ssu m ptio n— so w ro ng— th at he k new h er. H e k new th e p arts o f h er h e lik ed a n d a gre ed w it h , a n d h e pre te n ded t h ose w ere h er t r u e s e lf , h er e sse n ce . H e k new n oth in g. But w it h e v ery p assin g m ile , a s s h e d ro ve h om e, s h e f e lt b ette r. B ette r w it h e v ery m ile betw een h er a n d t h at f a t f u ck . T he f a ct t h at s h e’d e v er s le p t w it h h im m ad e h er p hysic a lly sic k . H ad sh e been posse sse d by so m e w eir d dem on? H er body m ust hav e been overta k en , fo r th ose th re e years, by so m e te rrib le fo rc e th at blin ded her to his wre tc h ed ness. H e’d b een f a t e v en t h en , h ad n’t h e? W hat k in d o f g u y is f a t in h ig h s c h ool? He’s ta lk in g to me a b out sit tin g b eh in d a d esk w hen h e’s fo rty p ounds o verw eig h t? T he man w as u psid e d ow n. Sh e w ould n ot ta lk to h im a gain . S h e k new th is , a n d th ere w as c o m fo rt in th at. R elie f sp re ad o ver h er lik e w arm w ate r. S h e w ould n ev er ta lk to h im , w rit e to h im . S h e w ould in sis t t h at h er p are n ts s e v er a n y c o nnectio n t o h im . S h e p la n ned t o d estr o y t h e c h an delie r, to o; it w ould lo ok lik e an accid en t. M ay be sta ge a b re ak -in . M ae la u gh ed to h erse lf , th in kin g o f e xo rc iz in g th at fa t id io t fr o m h er lif e . T hat u gly , e v er-s w eatin g m oose -m an would n ev er h av e a s a y in h er w orld a gain . Sh e sa w th e sig n fo r M aid en ’s V oyages a n d th ough t n oth in g o f it . S h e p asse d th e e xit an d d id n’t f e el a t h in g. S eco nds la te r, t h ough , s h e w as le av in g t h e h ig h w ay , a n d d oublin g back to w ard th e b each . It w as a lm ost te n o ’c lo ck , s o s h e k new th e s h op h ad b een c lo se d fo r h ours. So w hat w as sh e d oin g? Sh e w asn ’t re actin g to M erc e r’s b ulls h it q uestio ns ab out w hat s h e w as o r w asn ’t d oin g o uts id e. S h e w as o nly s e ein g if th e p la ce w as o pen ; sh e k new it w ould n’t b e, b ut m ay be M ario n w as t h ere , a n d m ay be s h e’d le t M ae t a k e o ne out fo r h alf a n h our? S h e liv ed in th e tr a ile r n ext d oor, a fte r a ll. M ay be M ae c o uld c a tc h her walk in g w it h in t h e c o m pound, a n d b e a b le t o p ersu ad e h er t o r e n t h er o ne. Mae p ark ed a n d p eere d t h ro ugh t h e c h ain -lin k f e n ce , s e ein g n o o ne, o nly t h e s h utte re d re n ta l k io sk , th e r o w s o f k ay ak s a n d p ad dle -b oard s. S h e s to od, h opin g to s e e a s ilh ouette wit h in t h e t r a ile r, b ut t h ere w as n one. T he lig h t w it h in w as d im , r o se -c o lo re d , t h e t r a ile r em pty . Sh e w alk ed to th e tin y b each an d sto od, w atc h in g th e m oonlig h t p la y o n th e still su rfa ce o f th e b ay . S h e sa t. S h e d id n’t w an t to g o h om e, th ough th ere w as n o p oin t in sta y in g. H er h ead w as f u ll o f M erc e r, a n d h is g ia n t in fa n t’s f a ce , a n d a ll t h e b ulls h it t h in gs he s a id th at n ig h t a n d s a id e v ery n ig h t. T hat w ould b e, s h e w as c e rta in , th e la st tim e s h e tr ie d to h elp h im in a n y w ay . H e w as in h er p ast, in th e p ast, h e w as a n a n tiq ue, a d ull, in an im ate o bje ct s h e c o uld le av e in a n a ttic . Sh e sto od u p, th in kin g sh e sh ould g o b ack to w ork o n h er P artiR an k, w hen sh e sa w so m eth in g o dd. A gain st th e fa r sid e o f th e fe n ce , o uts id e th e e n clo su re , sh e sa w a la rg e obje ct, le an in g p re ca rio usly . It w as e it h er a k ay ak o r p ad dle b oard , a n d s h e q uic k ly m ad e her w ay t o it . I t w as a k ay ak , s h e r e aliz e d , a n d it w as r e stin g o n t h e f r e e s id e o f t h e f e n ce , a p ad dle n ext to it . T he p osit io nin g o f th e k ay ak m ad e lit tle s e n se ; s h e’d n ev er s e en o ne sta n din g n early u prig h t b efo re , a n d w as su re th at M ario n w ould n’t h av e a p pro ved . M ae co uld o nly th in k th at s o m eo ne h ad b ro ugh t a r e n ta l b ack a fte r c lo sin g, a n d tr ie d to g et it as c lo se t o t h e e n clo su re a s p ossib le . Mae th ough t a t th e v ery le ast s h e s h ould b rin g th e k ay ak to th e g ro und, to r e d uce th e ch an ce s th at it w ould fa ll overn ig h t. Sh e did so , ca re fu lly lo w erin g it to th e sa n d, su rp ris e d b y h ow lig h t it w as. Then s h e h ad a th ough t. T he w ate r w as ju st th ir ty y ard s a w ay , a n d s h e k new th at s h e co uld e asily d ra g it to s h ore . W ould it b e th eft to b orro w a k ay ak th at h ad a lr e ad y b een borro w ed ? Sh e w asn ’t lif tin g it o ver th e fe n ce , afte r all; sh e w as o nly exte n din g th e borro w in g t h at s o m eo ne e ls e h ad e xte n ded . S h e w ould r e tu rn it in a n h our o r t w o, a n d n o one w ould k now t h e d if fe re n ce . Mae p ut t h e p ad dle in sid e a n d d ra gged t h e k ay ak a cro ss t h e s a n d f o r a f e w f e et, t e stin g th e fe elin g o f th is act. Was it th eft? C erta in ly M ario n w ould u ndersta n d if sh e k new . Mario n w as a fr e e sp ir it , n ot a ru le -b ound sh re w , a n d se em ed lik e th e ty pe o f p erso n who, in M ae’s sh oes, w ould do th e sa m e th in g. Sh e w ould not lik e th e lia b ilit y im plic a tio ns, b ut th en again , were th ere su ch im plic a tio ns? H ow co uld M ario n b e h eld acco unta b le if t h e k ay ak w as t a k en w it h out h er k now le d ge? Now M ae w as a t th e s h ore , a n d th e b ow o f th e k ay ak w as w et. A nd th en , fe elin g th e wate r u nder th e v esse l, th e w ay th e c u rre n t s e em ed to p ull th e k ay ak o ut fr o m h er a n d in to t h e f u lle r v olu m e o f t h e b ay , M ae k new t h at s h e w ould d o t h is . T he o ne c o m plic a tio n was th at s h e w ould n’t h av e a lif e p re se rv er. It w as th e o ne th in g th e b orro w er m an aged to h eav e o ver th e fe n ce . B ut th e w ate r w as so c a lm th at M ae sa w n o p ossib ilit y o f re al dan ger if s h e s ta y ed c lo se t o t h e s h ore . Once sh e w as o ut o n th e w ate r, th ough , fe elin g th e h eav y g la ss u nder h er, th e q uic k pro gre ss s h e w as m ak in g, s h e t h ough t s h e m ig h t n ot s ta y in t h e s h allo w s. T hat t h is w ould be th e n ig h t to m ak e it to B lu e Is la n d. A ngel Is la n d w as e asy , p eo ple w en t th ere a ll th e tim e, b ut B lu e Is la n d w as str a n ge, ja gged , n ev er v is it e d . M ae sm ile d , p ic tu rin g h erse lf th ere , a n d sm ile d w id er, th in kin g o f M erc e r, h is sm ug fa ce , su rp ris e d , u pen ded . M erc e r would b e to o fa t to y t in to a k ay ak , sh e th ough t, a n d to o la zy to m ak e it o ut o f th e marin a. A m an , f a st a p pro ach in g t h ir ty , m ak in g a n tle r c h an delie rs a n d le ctu rin g h er— who work ed a t th e C ir c le !— ab out lif e p ath s. T his w as a jo ke. B ut M ae, w ho w as in th e T 2K an d w ho w as m ovin g q uic k ly u p th ro ugh th e ra n ks, w as a ls o b ra v e, c a p ab le o f ta k in g a kay ak in t h e n ig h t in to t h e b la ck w ate r b ay , t o e xp lo re a n is la n d M erc e r w ould o nly v ie w th ro ugh a t e le sc o pe, s it tin g o n h is p ota to -s a ck a ss, p ain tin g a n im al p arts w it h s ilv er p ain t. Hers w as n ot a n it in era ry r o ote d in a n y lo gic . S h e h ad n o id ea o f t h e c u rre n ts d eep er in th e b ay , o r o f t h e w is d om in g ettin g s o c lo se t o t h e t a n kers t h at u se d t h e n earb y s h ip pin g la n e, e sp ecia lly g iv en sh e w ould b e in th e d ark , in vis ib le to th em . A nd b y th e tim e sh e re ach ed , o r g o t c lo se t o , t h e is la n d, t h e c o ndit io ns m ig h t b e t o o r o ugh f o r h er t o g o b ack . But d riv en b y a f o rc e w it h in h er a s s tr o ng a n d r e { exiv e a s s le ep , s h e k new s h e w ould n ot sto p u ntil s h e’d m ad e it to B lu e Is la n d, o r w as s o m eh ow p re v en te d fr o m d oin g s o . If th e win d k ep t q uie t a n d t h e w ate r h eld s te ad y, s h e w ould m ak e it t h ere . As s h e p ad dle d b ey ond t h e s a ilb oats a n d b re ak ers, s h e lo oked s o uth , s q uin tin g in s e arc h of th e b arg e w here th e w om an a n d m an liv ed , b ut th e sh ap es th at fa r a w ay w ere n ot cle ar, a n d a n yw ay , th ey w ere u nlik ely to h av e lig h ts o n th is la te . S h e s ta y ed o n c o urse , cu ttin g q uic k ly b ey ond t h e a n ch ore d y ach ts a n d in to t h e r o und s to m ach o f t h e b ay . Sh e h eard a q uic k s p la sh b eh in d h er, a n d t u rn ed t o y nd t h e b la ck h ead o f a h arb or s e al, not y fte en fe et aw ay . Sh e w ait e d fo r h im to d ro p b elo w th e su rfa ce , b ut h e sta y ed , sta rin g a t h er. S h e t u rn ed b ack a n d p ad dle d a gain t o w ard t h e is la n d, a n d t h e s e al f o llo w ed her fo r a b it , a s if a ls o w an tin g to s e e w hat s h e w an te d to s e e. M ae w ondere d , b rie { y, if th e s e al w ould fo llo w h er a ll th e w ay , o r if h e w as, p erh ap s, o n h is w ay to th e g ro up o f ro ck s n ear t h e is la n d, w here m an y t im es, d riv in g o n t h e b rid ge o verh ead , s h e’d s e en s e als su nnin g. B ut t h e n ext t im e s h e t u rn ed a ro und, t h e a n im al w as g o ne. The w ate r’s su rfa ce re m ain ed ca lm ev en as sh e v en tu re d d eep er. W here it u su ally tu rn ed ro ugh , w here th e w ate r w as e xp ose d to o ce an w in ds, it w as, th is n ig h t, u tte rly pla cid , a n d h er p ro gre ss r e m ain ed s w if t. I n t w en ty m in ute s s h e w as h alf w ay t o t h e is la n d, or it a p peare d t h at w ay . T he d is ta n ce s w ere im possib le t o t e ll, e sp ecia lly a t n ig h t, b ut t h e is la n d w as g ro w in g in h er v is io n, a n d fe atu re s o f th e ro ck sh e’d n ev er g ra sp ed b efo re were n ow v is ib le . S h e sa w so m eth in g re { ectiv e a t th e to p, th e m oonlig h t ca stin g it in brig h t silv er. S h e sa w th e re m ain s o f w hat sh e w as su re w as a w in dow , re stin g o n th e bla ck sa n d o f th e sh ore . F ar a w ay , sh e h eard a fo gh orn , c o m in g fr o m th e m outh o f th e Gold en G ate . T he f o g m ust b e t h ic k t h ere , s h e t h ough t, e v en w hile w here s h e w as, o nly a fe w m ile s a w ay , t h e n ig h t w as c le ar, t h e m oon b rillia n t a n d n early w hole . I ts s h im mer o n th e w ate r w as o utla n dis h , s o b rig h t s h e fo und h erse lf s q uin tin g. S h e w ondere d a b out th e ro ck s n ear th e is la n d w here sh e’d se en se als a n d se a lio ns. W ould th ey b e th ere , a n d would th ey {ee befo re her arriv al? A bre eze ca m e fr o m th e w est, a Paci y c w in d sw oopin g d ow n o t h e h ills , a n d s h e s a t s till f o r a m om en t, m easu rin g it . I f it p ic k ed u p, sh e w ould h av e to tu rn b ack . S h e w as n ow c lo se r to th e is la n d th an th e s h ore , b ut if th e wate r g re w c h oppy, th e d an ger, a lo ne a n d w it h out a lif e p re se rv er, s it tin g a to p a k ay ak , would b e u nte n ab le . B ut a s q uic k ly a s it h ad c o m e, t h e w in d d is a p peare d . A lo ud m urm urin g so und b ro ugh t h er a tte n tio n to th e n orth . A boat, so m eth in g lik e a tu g, w as c o m in g to w ard h er. O n th e r o of o f th e c a b in s h e s a w lig h ts , w hit e a n d r e d , a n d knew it w as a p atr o l o f s o m e k in d, C oast G uard p ro bab ly , a n d t h ey w ere c lo se e n ough t o se e h er. I f s h e r e m ain ed u prig h t, h er s ilh ouette w ould q uic k ly g iv e h er a w ay . Sh e { atte n ed h erse lf a gain st th e { oor o f th e k ay ak , h opin g th at if th ey s a w th e s h ap e sh e w as m ak in g, th ey w ould a ssu m e it w as a r o ck , a lo g, a s e al, o r s im ply a w id e b la ck rip ple in te rru ptin g th e b ay ’s s ilv er s h im mer. T he g ro an o f th e b oat’s e n gin e g re w lo uder, an d M ae w as s u re th ere w ould s o on b e s o m e b rig h t { ood u pon h er, b ut th e b oat p asse d quic k ly a n d M ae w en t u nse en . The la st p ush to th e is la n d w as so q uic k M ae q uestio ned h er se n se o f d is ta n ce . O ne mom en t s h e fe lt s h e w as h alf w ay th ere a t b est, a n d th e n ext s h e w as r a cin g to w ard th e is la n d’s b each a s if p ro pelle d b y h eav y ta ilw in ds. S h e ju m ped fr o m th e b ow , th e w ate r whit e -c o ld a n d s e iz in g h er. S h e r u sh ed to g et th e k ay ak o n s h ore , d ra ggin g it u p u ntil it was e n tir e ly o ut o f th e w ate r a n d o nto th e s a n d. R em em berin g th e tim e w hen a q uic k ly ris in g tid e n early to ok h er v esse l a w ay , sh e tu rn ed it p ara lle l to th e sh ore a n d p la ce d la rg e s to nes o n e it h er s id e. Sh e sto od, b re ath in g h eav ily , fe elin g str o ng, fe elin g e n orm ous. W hat a str a n ge th in g, sh e th ough t, to b e h ere . T here w as a b rid ge n earb y, a n d w hile d riv in g o ver it s h e’d s e en th is is la n d a h undre d t im es a n d h ad n ev er s e en a s o ul, h um an o r a n im al. N o o ne d are d o r both ere d . W hat w as it a b out h er th at m ad e h er th is c u rio us? It o ccu rre d to h er th at th is was t h e o nly , o r a t le ast t h e b est, w ay t o c o m e h ere . M ario n w ould n ot h av e w an te d h er to g o th is fa r, a n d m ig h t h av e s e n t a s p eed boat to y nd h er a n d b rin g h er b ack . A nd th e Coast G uard , d id n’t th ey ro utin ely d is su ad e p eo ple fr o m c o m in g h ere ? W as it a p riv ate is la n d? A ll o f th ese q uestio ns a n d c o nce rn s w ere ir re le v an t now , b eca u se it w as d ark , n o one c o uld s e e h er, a n d n o o ne w ould e v er k now s h e w as h ere . B ut s h e w ould k now . Sh e w alk ed th e p erim ete r. T he b each c o lla re d m ost o f th e s o uth ern s id e o f th e is la n d, th en g av e w ay to a sh eer c li . S h e lo oked u p, se ein g n o fo oth old s, a n d b elo w w as th e fr o th y s h ore , s o s h e r e tu rn ed t h e w ay s h e c a m e, y ndin g t h e h ills id e r o ugh a n d r o ck y, a n d th e s h ore la rg ely u nre m ark ab le . T here w as a t h ic k s tr ip e o f s e aw eed , w it h c ra b s h ells a n d {ots a m em bed ded , an d sh e th re ad ed her y ngers th ro ugh it . T he m oonlig h t gav e th e se aw eed s o m e o f t h e p hosp hore sc e n ce s h e’d s e en b efo re , a d din g a r a in bow s h een , a s if lit fr o m w it h in . F or a b rie f m om en t, sh e fe lt lik e sh e w as o n so m e b ody o f w ate r o n th e moon it s e lf , e v ery th in g c a st in a str a n ge in verte d p ale tte . W hat sh ould h av e b een g re en lo oked g re y , w hat sh ould h av e b een b lu e w as silv er. E very th in g sh e w as se ein g sh e’d nev er s e en b efo re . A nd ju st a s s h e h ad t h is t h ough t, o ut o f t h e c o rn er o f h er e y e, d ro ppin g over th e P aci y c, sh e sa w w hat sh e w as su re w as a sh ootin g sta r. S h e’d o nly se en o ne befo re , an d co uld n’t be su re w hat sh e sa w w as th e sa m e th in g, an arc of lig h t, dis a p pearin g b eh in d th e b la ck h ills . B ut w hat e ls e c o uld it b e? S h e s a t fo r a m om en t o n th e b each , s ta rin g in to t h e s a m e s p ot w here s h e’d s e en it , a s if t h ere m ig h t b e a n oth er, o r th at it m ig h t g iv e w ay t o a s h ow er. But s h e w as, s h e k new , p uttin g o w hat s h e w an te d m ost t o d o, t o c lim b t h e s h ort p eak of t h e r o ck , w hic h n ow s h e s e t h erse lf u pon. T here w as n o p ath , a f a ct t h at g av e h er g re at ple asu re — no o ne, o r a lm ost n o o ne, h ad e v er b een w here s h e w as— an d s o s h e c lim bed usin g t u fts o f g ra ss a n d r o ots f o r h an dhold s, a n d p la ce d h er f e et u pon t h e o cca sio nal r o ck outc ro ppin gs. S h e s to pped o nce , h av in g fo und a la rg e h ole , a lm ost r o und, a lm ost tid y, in th e hills id e. It had to be an an im al’s h om e, b ut w hat so rt sh e co uld n’t b e su re . Sh e im agin ed th e b urro w s o f ra b bit s an d fo xes, sn ak es an d m ole s an d m ic e , an y o f th em eq ually p ossib le an d im possib le h ere , an d th en sh e co ntin ued , u p an d u p. It w as n ot di } cu lt . Sh e w as at th e p eak in m in ute s, jo in in g a lo ne p in e, n ot m uch b ig ger th an herse lf . S h e sto od n ext to it , u sin g it s ro ugh tr u nk fo r b ala n ce , a n d tu rn ed a ro und. S h e sa w t h e t in y w hit e w in dow s o f t h e c it y f a r b ey ond. S h e w atc h ed t h e p ro gre ss o f a t a n ker, lo w -s lu ng a n d c a rry in g a c o nste lla tio n o f r e d lig h ts in to t h e P acif ic . The b each su dden ly se em ed so fa r b en eath h er, a n d h er sto m ach so m ersa u lt e d . S h e lo oked e ast, n ow g ettin g a b ette r v ie w o f t h e s e als ’ g ro up o f r o ck s, a n d s a w a d oze n o r s o of t h em ly in g a b out, s le ep in g. S h e lo oked u p t o t h e b rid ge a b ove, n ot t h e G old en G ate b ut a le sse r o ne, it s liq uid w hit e str e am o f c a rs, still c o nsta n t a t m id nig h t, a n d w ondere d if an yone co uld se e h er h um an silh ouette again st th e silv er b ay . Sh e re m em bere d w hat Fra n cis h ad o nce sa id , th at h e’d n ev er k now n th ere w as a n is la n d b en eath th e b rid ge a t all. M ost o f t h e d riv ers a n d t h eir p asse n gers w ould n ot b e lo okin g d ow n a t h er, w ould n ot hav e t h e f a in te st id ea o f h er e xis te n ce . Then , s till h old in g th e p in e’s b ony tr u nk, s h e n otic e d , fo r th e y rst tim e, a n est, r e stin g in th e tr e e’s upper bough s. Sh e did n’t dare to uch it , know in g sh e w ould upse t it s eq uilib riu m o f s c e n ts a n d c o nstr u ctio n, b ut s h e b ad ly w an te d t o s e e w hat w as in sid e. S h e sto od o n a sto ne, tr y in g to g et a b ove it , to lo ok d ow n in to it , b ut sh e c o uld n’t p osit io n herse lf h ig h e n ough t o g et a n y p ersp ectiv e. C ould s h e lif t it , b rin g it d ow n t o h er t o p eek in ? J u st fo r a s e co nd? S h e c o uld , c o uld n’t s h e, a n d th en p ut it r ig h t b ack ? N o. S h e k new en ough t o k now s h e c o uld n’t . I f s h e d id , s h e’d r u in w hate v er w as in sid e. Sh e s a t d ow n, f a cin g s o uth , w here s h e c o uld s e e t h e lig h ts , t h e brid ges, t h e b la ck e m pty hills d iv id in g th e b ay fr o m th e P aci y c. A ll th is h ad b een u nderw ate r so m e m illio ns o f years a go , sh e’d b een to ld . A ll th ese h ead la n ds a n d is la n ds h ad b een so fa r u nder th ey would h av e b are ly r e gis te re d a s r id ges o n t h e o ce an { oor. A cro ss t h e s ilv er b ay s h e s a w a pair o f b ir d s, e gre ts o r h ero ns, g lid in g lo w , h ead in g n orth , a n d sh e sa t fo r a tim e, h er min d d rif tin g to w ard b la n k. S h e th ough t o f th e fo xes th at m ig h t b e u ndern eath h er, th e cra b s t h at m ig h t b e h id in g u nder t h e s to nes o n t h e s h ore , t h e p eo ple in t h e c a rs t h at m ig h t be p assin g o verh ead , th e m en a n d w om en in th e tu gs a n d ta n kers, a rriv in g to p ort o r le av in g, s ig h in g, e v ery one h av in g s e en e v ery th in g. S h e g u esse d a t it a ll, w hat m ig h t liv e, movin g p urp ose fu lly o r d rif tin g aim le ssly , u nder th e d eep w ate r aro und h er, b ut sh e did n’t th in k to o m uch ab out an y of it . It w as en ough to be aw are of th e m illio n perm uta tio ns p ossib le a ro und h er, a n d t a k e c o m fo rt in k now in g s h e w ould n ot, a n d r e ally co uld n ot, k now m uch a t a ll. When M ae a rriv ed b ack a t M ario n’s b each , it lo oked , a t y rst, ju st a s s h e’d le ft it . T here were n o p eo ple v is ib le , a n d th e lig h t w it h in M ario n’s tr a ile r w as a s it w as b efo re , ro se – co lo re d a n d d im . Mae ju m ped t o t h e s h ore , h er f e et s h ush in g d eep in to t h e w et s a n d, a n d s h e d ra gged t h e kay ak up th e beach . H er le gs w ere so re , an d sh e sto pped , dro pped th e kay ak , an d str e tc h ed . W it h h er h an ds o ver h er h ead , sh e lo oked to w ard th e p ark in g lo t, se ein g h er ca r, b ut n ow th ere w as a n oth er c a r n ext to it . A nd a s s h e w as r e gard in g th is s e co nd c a r, wonderin g if M ario n w as b ack , M ae w as b lin ded b y w hit e lig h t. “S ta y t h ere ,” a n a m plif ie d v oic e r o are d . Sh e t u rn ed in stin ctiv ely a w ay . The a m plif ie d v oic e c a m e a gain . “ D on’t m ove!” it s a id , n ow w it h v en om . Mae fr o ze th ere , o -b ala n ce , w orry in g b rie { y a b out h ow lo ng s h e c o uld m ain ta in s u ch a p ose , b ut t h ere w as n o n eed . T w o s h ad ow s d esc e n ded u pon h er, g ra b bed r o ugh ly a t h er arm s, a n d h an dcu ffe d h er h an ds b eh in d h er. Mae s a t in t h e b ack o f t h e s q uad c a r, a n d t h e o } ce rs, c a lm er n ow , w eig h ed w heth er o r not w hat M ae w as te llin g th em — th at sh e w as a re gu la r re n te r, h ad a m em bersh ip , a n d was m ere ly la te in re tu rn in g a re n ta l— co uld b e th e tr u th . T hey h ad re ach ed M ario n o n th e p hone, a n d sh e c o rro bora te d th at M ae w as a c u sto m er, b ut w hen th ey h ad a sk ed if Mae h ad r e n te d th at d ay a n d w as ju st ta rd y, M ario n h ad h ung u p a n d s a id s h e’d b e r ig h t over. Tw en ty m in ute s la te r, M ario n a rriv ed . S h e w as in th e p asse n ger se at o f a v in ta ge re d pic k up tr u ck , th e d riv er a b eard ed m an w ho a p peare d b ew ild ere d a n d a n noyed . M ae, se ein g M ario n w alk u nste ad ily to th e p olic e ca r, re aliz e d sh e h ad b een d rin kin g, an d possib ly t h e b eard ed m an h ad , t o o. H e w as s till in t h e c a r, a n d s e em ed d ete rm in ed t o s ta y th ere . As M ario n m ad e h er w ay t o t h e c a r, M ae c a u gh t h er e y e, a n d M ario n, s e ein g M ae in t h e back o f a s q uad c a r, h er a rm s c u ffe d b eh in d h er, s e em ed t o s o ber in sta n tly . “O h J esu s C hris t,” sh e sa id , ru sh in g to M ae. S h e tu rn ed to th e o } ce rs. “ T his is M ae Holla n d. S h e r e n ts h ere a ll th e tim e. S h e h as th e r u n o f th e p la ce . H ow th e h ell d id th is hap pen ? W hat’s g o in g o n h ere ?” The o } ce rs e xp la in ed t h at t h ey ’d g o tte n t w o s e p ara te m essa ges a b out a p ro bab le t h eft. “W e g o t o ne c a ll fr o m a c it iz e n w ho d oesn ’t wis h to b e id en ti y ed .” A nd th en th ey tu rn ed to M ario n. “ A nd t h e o th er w arn in g c a m e f r o m o ne o f y our o w n c a m era s, M s. L efe b vre .” Mae b are ly s le p t. H er a d re n alin e k ep t h er p acin g t h ro ugh t h e n ig h t. H ow c o uld s h e b e s o stu pid ? Sh e w asn ’t a th ie f. W hat if M ario n had n’t sa v ed her? Sh e co uld hav e lo st ev ery th in g. H er p are n ts w ould h av e b een c a lle d to b ail h er o ut, a n d h er p osit io n a t th e Cir c le w ould b e lo st. M ae h ad n ev er g o tte n a s p eed in g t ic k et, h ad n ev er b een in t r o uble a t an y le v el, a n d n ow s h e w as s te alin g a t h ousa n d-d olla r k ay ak . But it w as o ver, a n d M ario n h ad e v en in sis te d , w hen t h ey p arte d , t h at M ae c o m e b ack . “I k now y ou’l l b e e m barra sse d , b ut I w an t y ou t o c o m e b ack h ere . I w ill h ound y ou if y ou don’t .” S h e k new M ae w ould b e so so rry , a n d fu ll o f sh am e, th at sh e w ould n’t w an t to fa ce M ario n a gain . Still, w hen sh e w oke afte r a fe w h ours o f y tfu l sle ep , M ae fe lt a str a n ge se n se o f lib era tio n, a s if s h e’d w oken u p fr o m a n ig h tm are to k now it h ad n’t h ap pen ed . T he s la te was b la n k a n d s h e w en t t o w ork . Sh e lo gged o n a t e ig h t th ir ty . H er ra n k w as 3 ,8 92. S h e w ork ed th ro ugh th e m orn in g, fe elin g th e e xtr a o rd in ary fo cu s p ossib le fo r a fe w h ours a fte r a la rg ely sle ep le ss n ig h t. Perio dic a lly , m em orie s f r o m t h e n ig h t b efo re c a m e t o h er— th e s ile n t s ilv er o f t h e w ate r, th e lo ne p in e o n t h e is la n d, t h e b lin din g lig h t o f t h e s q uad c a r, it s p la stic s m ell, t h e id io tic co nversa tio n w it h M erc e r— but th ese m em orie s w ere fa d in g, o r s h e w as fo rc in g th em to fa d e, w hen s h e r e ce iv ed a s e co nd-s c re en m essa ge f r o m D an : Ple a se c o m e to m y o } ce a sa p. Ja re d w ill c o ver fo r y ou . Sh e ru sh ed th ere , a n d w hen sh e g o t to h is d oor, D an w as sta n din g, re ad y. H is fa ce se em ed to sh ow so m e sa tis fa ctio n th at sh e’d h urrie d . D an c lo se d th e d oor a n d th ey sa t dow n. “M ae, d o y ou k now w hat I w an t t o t a lk a b out? ” Was t h is a t e st t o s e e if s h e w ould lie ? “I’m s o rry , I d on’t ,” s h e t r ie d . Dan b lin ked s lo w ly . “ M ae. L ast c h an ce .” “Is it a b out la st n ig h t? ” sh e sa id . If h e d id n’t k now a b out th e p olic e , sh e c o uld m ak e so m eth in g e ls e u p, s o m eth in g e ls e t h at h ad h ap pen ed a fte r h ours. “It is . M ae, t h is is v ery s e rio us s tu ff.” He k new . G od, h e k new . In s o m e r e ce ss o f h er m in d M ae r e aliz e d th at th e C ir c le m ust hav e s o m e w eb a le rt to n otif y th em a n ytim e a s ta m em ber w as c h arg ed o r q uestio ned by t h e p olic e . I t o nly m ad e s e n se . “B ut t h ere w ere n o c h arg es,” s h e p ro te ste d . “ M ario n c le are d e v ery th in g u p.” “M ario n is t h e o w ner o f t h e s h op?” “Y es.” “B ut M ae, y ou a n d I k now t h at t h ere w as a c rim e c o m mit te d , d on’t w e?” Mae h ad n o id ea w hat t o s a y . “M ae, I ’l l s p are y ou. D id y ou k now t h at a m em ber o f t h e C ir c le , G ary K atz , h ad p la ce d a S eeC han ge c a m era a t t h at b each ?” Her s to m ach d ro pped in to h er s h oe. “ N o, I d id n’t .” “A nd t h e o w ner’s s o n, W alt , h ad s e t o ne u p, t o o?” “N o.” “O kay , y rst o f a ll, th at’s tr o ublin g in a n d o f it s e lf . Y ou g o k ay ak in g so m etim es, y es? I se e o n y our p ro y le th at y ou’r e a k ay ak er. J o sia h a n d D en is e sa y y ou h ad a g o od ta lk ab out t h is .” “I d o g o s o m etim es. I t’s b een a f e w m onth s.” “B ut y ou’v e n ev er t h ough t t o c h eck S eeC han ge t o s e e a b out w ate r c o ndit io ns? ” “N o. I s h ould . B ut e v ery tim e I g o , it ’s r e ally a s p ur-o f-t h e-m om en t th in g. T he b each is on m y w ay h om e f r o m m y p are n ts ’ h ouse s o — ” “A nd y ou w ere a t y our p are n ts ’ h ouse y este rd ay ?” D an s a id , in a w ay th at m ad e c le ar th at if s h e s a id y es, h e w ould b e e v en a n grie r. “I w as. J u st f o r d in ner.” Dan sto od now , an d tu rn ed fr o m M ae. Sh e co uld hear his bre ath in g, a se rie s of exasp era te d b ursts . Mae h ad th e d is tin ct s e n sa tio n s h e w ould b e y re d a n y m om en t. T hen s h e r e m em bere d Annie . C ould A nnie s a v e h er? N ot t h is t im e. “O kay ,” D an s a id . “ S o y ou g o h om e, m is sin g a n y n um ber o f a ctiv it ie s h ere , a n d w hen you d riv e b ack t h is w ay , y ou s to p b y t h e r e n ta l s h op, a fte r h ours. D on’t t e ll m e y ou d id n’t know t h ey w ere c lo se d .” “I f ig u re d t h ey w ere , b ut I ju st s to pped t o m ak e s u re .” “A nd w hen y ou s a w a k ay ak o uts id e t h e f e n ce , y ou ju st d ecid ed t o t a k e it .” “B orro w it . I ’m a m em ber t h ere .” “H av e y ou s e en t h e f o ota ge o f t h is ? ” D an a sk ed . He tu rn ed o n h is w alls c re en . M ae sa w a c le ar, m oonlig h t im age o f th e b each fr o m a wid e-a n gle c a m era . T he lo glin e a t t h e b otto m o f t h e s c re en in dic a te d it h ad b een t a k en a t 10:1 4 p .m . “D on’t y ou th in k a ca m era lik e th is w ould b e u se fu l to y ou?” D an a sk ed . “W ate r c o ndit io ns a t th e v ery le ast? ” H e d id n’t w ait fo r a r e sp onse . “ L et’s s e e y ou here .” He fa st-f o rw ard ed a fe w s e co nds, a n d M ae s a w h er s h ad ow y y gu re a p pear o n th e b each . Every th in g was very cle ar— her su rp ris e at yndin g th e kay ak , her m om en ts of delib era tio n an d d oubt, th en h er q uic k w ork o f b rin gin g th e v esse l to th e w ate r an d pad dlin g o ut o f v ie w . “O kay ,” D an sa id , “a s you ca n se e, it ’s pre tty obvio us you knew you w ere doin g so m eth in g w ro ng. T his is n ot th e b eh av io r o f s o m eo ne w it h a s ta n din g a rra n gem en t w it h Marg e o r w hom ev er. I m ean , I ’m h ap py t h at y ou t w o c o llu ded o n y our s to ry a n d t h at y ou were n ’t a rre ste d , b eca u se th at w ould h av e m ad e y our w ork in g h ere im possib le . F elo ns don’t w ork a t th e C ir c le . B ut s till, a ll o f th is m ak es m e fr a n kly s ic k to m y s to m ach . L ie s an d a v ersio ns. I t’s ju st a sto undin g t o e v en h av e t o d eal w it h t h is .” Again M ae h ad th e d is tin ct fe elin g, a v ib ra tio n in th e a ir th at s a id s h e w as b ein g y re d . But if s h e w as b ein g y re d , D an w ould n’t h av e s p en t t h is k in d o f t im e w it h h er, w ould h e? And w ould h e y re so m eo ne A nnie , w ho w as fa r h ig h er o n th e la d der, h ad h ir e d ? If sh e were to h ear a b out h er te rm in atio n fr o m a n yone, it w ould b e A nnie h erse lf . S o M ae s a t, hopin g t h is w as g o in g s o m ew here e ls e . “N ow , w hat’s m is sin g h ere ?” h e a sk ed , p oin tin g t o t h e f r o ze n im age o f M ae g ettin g in to th e k ay ak . “I d on’t k now .” “Y ou r e ally d on’t k now ?” “P erm is sio n t o u se t h e k ay ak ?” “S u re ,” h e s a id c u rtly , “ b ut w hat e ls e ?” Mae s h ook h er h ead . “ I’m s o rry . I d on’t k now .” “D on’t y ou u su ally w ear a lif e p re se rv er? ” “I d o, I d o. B ut t h ey w ere o n t h e o th er s id e o f t h e f e n ce .” “A nd if s o m eth in g h ap pen ed t o y ou o ut t h ere , g o d f o rb id , h ow w ould y our p are n ts f e el? How w ould M arg e f e el? ” “M ario n.” “H ow w ould sh e fe el, M ae? O vern ig h t, h er b usin ess is o ver. F in is h ed . A ll th e p eo ple who w ork f o r h er. T hey ’r e a ll o ut o f w ork . T he b each is s h ut d ow n. K ay ak in g in t h e b ay , as a b usin ess o vera ll, g o es t h ro ugh t h e { oor. A ll b eca u se o f y our c a re le ssn ess. F org iv e m e fo r t h e b lu ntn ess, b ut b eca u se o f y our s e lf is h ness.” “I k now ,” M ae s a id , fe elin g th e s tin g o f tr u th . S h e h ad b een s e l y sh . S h e h ad n’t th ough t of a n yth in g b ut h er o w n d esir e . “It’s sa d , b eca u se y ou’v e b een im pro vin g so m uch . Y our P artiR an k w as as h ig h as 1,6 68. Y our C onversio n R ate a n d R eta il R aw w ere in t h e t o p q uartile . A nd n ow t h is .” D an sig h ed e la b ora te ly . “ B ut a s u pse ttin g a s t h is a ll is , it p ro vid es u s w it h a t e ach ab le m om en t. And I m ean a t e ach ab le m om en t o n a lif e -c h an gin g le v el. T his s h am efu l e p is o de h as g iv en you t h e c h an ce t o m eet E am on B aile y h im se lf .” Mae’s g asp w as a u dib le . “Y es. H e t o ok a n in te re st in t h is , s e ein g h ow m uch it o verla p s w it h h is in te re sts a n d t h e overa ll g o als o f t h e C ir c le . W ould y ou b e in te re ste d in s p eak in g t o E am on a b out t h is ? ” “Y es,” M ae m an aged . “ O f c o urse .” “G ood. H e’s a n xio us to m eet y ou. A t six th is e v en in g, y ou’l l b e b ro ugh t to h is o } ce . Ple ase c o lle ct y our t h ough ts in t h e m ean tim e.” Mae’s h ead e ch oed w it h s e lf -d en uncia tio ns. S h e h ate d w ho s h e w as. H ow c o uld s h e h av e done th at, ris k ed h er jo b? E m barra sse d h er b est fr ie n d? J eo pard iz e d h er fa th er’s h ealt h in su ra n ce ? S h e w as a n im becile , yes, b ut w as s h e s o m e s o rt o f s c h iz o phre n ic , to o? W hat had o verta k en h er t h e n ig h t b efo re ? W hat s o rt o f p erso n d oes t h at? H er m in d a rg u ed w it h it s e lf w hile sh e w ork ed , fe v eris h ly , tr y in g to d o so m eth in g v is ib le to d em onstr a te h er co m mit m en t t o t h e c o m pan y. S h e h an dle d 1 40 c u sto m er q uerie s, h er r e co rd s o f a r, w hile an sw erin g 1 ,1 29 su rv ey q uestio ns, a n d w hile k eep in g th e n ew bie s o n ta rg et. T he p od aggre gate sc o re w as 9 8, w hic h sh e to ok p rid e in e v en w hile k now in g th ere w as so m e lu ck , a n d s o m e o f J are d ’s in volv em en t, t o o— he k new w hat w as h ap pen in g w it h M ae a n d had p le d ged h is h elp . A t y ve p .m . t h e c h ute c lo se d a n d M ae w ork ed o n h er P artiR an k f o r fo rty – y ve m in ute s, b rin gin g it fr o m 1 ,8 27 to 1 ,4 30, a p ro ce ss e n ta ilin g 3 44 co m men ts , posts , a n d a lm ost a th ousa n d sm ile s a n d fr o w ns. S h e c o nverte d 3 8 m ajo r to pic s a n d 4 4 min or o nes, a n d h er R eta il R aw w as $ 24,0 50. S h e f e lt s u re t h at t h is w ould b e n otic e d a n d ap pre cia te d b y B aile y , w hose c o nce n tr a tio n o n P artiR an k w as t h e m ost a cu te o f t h e T hre e Wis e M en . At y ve fo rty – y ve, a v oic e c a lle d h er n am e. S h e lo oked u p to s e e a y gu re a t th e d oor, so m eo ne n ew , a m an o f a b out t h ir ty . S h e m et h im a t t h e d oor. “M ae H olla n d?” “Y es.” “I’m D onta e P ete rso n. I w ork w it h E am on, a n d h e’s a sk ed m e to b rin g y ou u p to h is offic e . Y ou r e ad y?” They to ok th e s a m e r o ute M ae h ad ta k en w it h A nnie , a n d a lo ng th e w ay M ae r e aliz e d th at D onta e d id n’t k now M ae h ad b een to B aile y ’s o } ce b efo re . A nnie h ad n ev er s w orn her to se cre cy , b ut th e fa ct th at D onta e d id n’t k now in dic a te d th at B aile y d id n’t k now , an d t h at s h e s h ould n’t r e v eal t h is h erse lf . As th ey e n te re d th e lo ng c rim so n h allw ay , M ae w as sw eatin g h eav ily . S h e c o uld fe el riv ule ts m ak in g t h eir w ay f r o m h er a rm pit s t o h er w ais t. S h e c o uld n’t f e el h er f e et. “H ere ’s a fu nny p ortr a it o f th e T hre e W is e M en ,” D onta e sa id a s th ey sto pped a t th e door. “ B aile y ’s n ie ce d id it .” Mae p re te n ded t o b e s u rp ris e d b y it , d elig h te d b y it s in noce n ce a n d c ru de in sig h t. Donta e to ok th e la rg e g arg o yle k nock er a n d ra p ped th e d oor. It o pen ed , a n d B aile y ’s sm ilin g f a ce f ille d t h e v oid . “H ello !” h e sa id . “H i D onta e, h i M ae!” H e sm ile d w id er, a ck now le d gin g h is rh ym e. “C om e in .” He w as w earin g khak is an d a w hit e butto n-d ow n, lo okin g fr e sh ly sh ow ere d . M ae fo llo w ed h im as h e to ok in th e ro om , sc ra tc h in g th e n ap e o f h is n eck , as if alm ost em barra sse d b y h ow w ell h e’d d one h ere . “S o th is is m y fa v orit e ro om . V ery fe w p eo ple h av e se en it . N ot lik e I’m su per-s e cre t ab out it o r a n yth in g, b ut t im e ju st d oesn ’t a llo w m e t o g iv e t o urs a n d s u ch . H av e y ou s e en an yth in g lik e t h is b efo re ?” Mae w an te d to sa y , but co uld n’t , th at sh e had se en th is very ro om befo re . “N ot re m ote ly ,” s h e s a id . So m eth in g h ap pen ed in B aile y ’s f a ce a t t h at m om en t, s o m e t w it c h t h at s e em ed t o b rin g th e le ft c o rn er o f h is e y e a n d t h e le ft s id e o f h is m outh c lo se r t o geth er. “T han k y ou D onta e,” B aile y s a id . Donta e s m ile d a n d le ft, c lo sin g t h e h eav y d oor b eh in d h im . “S o M ae. T ea?” B aile y w as sta n din g b efo re a n a n tiq ue te a se t, a silv er p ot e m it tin g a narro w c o rk sc re w o f s te am . “S u re ,” s h e s a id . “G re en ? B la ck ?” h e a sk ed , s m ilin g. “ G re y ?” “G re en , t h an ks. B ut y ou d on’t h av e t o .” Baile y w as b usy w it h t h e p re p ara tio ns. “ Y ou’v e k now n o ur b elo ved A nnie a lo ng t im e?” he a sk ed , p ourin g c a re fu lly . “I h av e. S in ce s o phom ore y ear in c o lle ge. F iv e y ears n ow .” “F iv e y ears! T hat’s , w hat, t h ir ty p erc e n t o f y our lif e !” Mae k new h e w as r o undin g u p a b it , b ut s h e e m it te d a tin y la u gh . “ I g u ess s o . A lo ng tim e.” H e h an ded h er a s a u ce r a n d c u p a n d g estu re d f o r h er t o s it d ow n. T here w ere t w o ch air s, b oth le ath er a n d o verstu ffe d . Baile y d ro pped h im se lf in to h is c h air w it h a lo ud s ig h , a n d r e ste d h is a n kle o n h is k nee. “W ell, A nnie is v ery im porta n t t o u s h ere , a n d t h us y ou a re , t o o. S h e t a lk s a b out y ou lik e you c o uld e n d u p b ein g v ery v alu ab le t o t h is c o m munit y . D o y ou b elie v e t h at’s t r u e?” “T hat I c o uld b e v alu ab le h ere ?” He n odded , t h en b le w o n h is t e a. H e lo oked o ver h is t e acu p t o h er, h is e y es s te ad y. S h e met h is g aze , th en , b rie { y o verw helm ed , sh e lo oked a w ay , o nly to y nd h is fa ce a gain , th is tim e in a fr a m ed p hoto o n a n earb y s h elf . It w as a fo rm al p ortr a it o f B aile y ’s fa m ily in b la ck a n d w hit e , h is th re e g ir ls sta n din g a ro und th eir m oth er a n d B aile y , w ho w ere both sit tin g. B aile y ’s so n w as o n h is la p , w earin g a tr a ck su it a n d h old in g a n Ir o n M an actio n f ig u re . “W ell, I h ope so ,” M ae sa id . “ I’v e b een tr y in g a s h ard a s I c a n . I lo ve th e C ir c le , a n d ca n ’t e xp re ss h ow m uch I a p pre cia te t h e o pportu nit y I ’v e b een g iv en h ere .” Baile y s m ile d . “ G ood, g o od. S o te ll m e, h ow a re y ou fe elin g a b out w hat h ap pen ed la st nig h t? ” H e a sk ed th e q uestio n a s if g en uin ely c u rio us, a s if h er a n sw er m ig h t g o in a n y num ber o f d ir e ctio ns. Mae w as o n y rm g ro und n ow . N o o bfu sc a tio n w as n ece ssa ry . “ T errib le ,” sh e sa id . “I bare ly sle p t. I’m so a sh am ed I w an t to p uke.” S h e w ould n’t h av e u se d th e w ord w hen ta lk in g t o S te n to n, b ut s h e f e lt B aile y m ig h t a p pre cia te t h e c o arse n ess. He s m ile d a lm ost im perc e p tib ly a n d m oved o n. “ M ae, le t m e a sk y ou a q uestio n. W ould you hav e beh av ed di ere n tly if you’d know n ab out th e SeeC han ge ca m era s at th e marin a?” “Y es.” Baile y n odded e m path etic a lly . “ O kay . H ow ?” “I w ould n’t h av e d one w hat I d id .” “A nd w hy n ot? ” “B eca u se I w ould h av e b een c a u gh t.” Baile y t ilt e d h is h ead . “ Is t h at a ll? ” “W ell, I w ould n’t w an t a n yone s e ein g m e d o t h at. I t w asn ’t r ig h t. I t’s e m barra ssin g.” He p ut h is c u p o n th e ta b le n ext to h im a n d r e ste d h is h an ds o n h is la p , h is p alm s in a gen tle e m bra ce . “ S o in g en era l, w ould y ou sa y y ou b eh av e d i ere n tly w hen y ou k now you’r e b ein g w atc h ed ?” “S u re . O f c o urse .” “A nd w hen y ou’l l b e h eld a cco unta b le .” “Y es.” “A nd w hen th ere w ill b e a h is to ric a l r e co rd . T hat is , w hen o r if y our b eh av io r w ill b e perm an en tly a cce ssib le . T hat a v id eo o f y our b eh av io r, f o r e xam ple , w ill e xis t f o re v er.” “Y es.” “G ood. A nd d o y ou r e m em ber m y ta lk fr o m e arlie r in th e s u m mer, a b out th e u lt im ate go al o f S eeC han ge?” “I k now it w ould e lim in ate m ost c rim e, if t h ere w as f u ll s a tu ra tio n.” Baile y se em ed p le ase d . “R ig h t. C orre ct. E very day cit iz e n s, lik e G ary K atz an d W alt Lefe b vre in th is in sta n ce , b eca u se th ey to ok th e tim e to se t u p th eir c a m era s, th ey h elp keep u s a ll s a fe . T he c rim e w as m in or in t h is c a se , a n d t h ere w ere n o v ic tim s, t h an k g o d. You’r e a liv e. M ario n’s b usin ess, a n d th e k ay ak in g in dustr y g en era lly , liv es to s e e a n oth er day . B ut o ne n ig h t o f s e l y sh ness f r o m y ou c o uld h av e r is k ed it a ll. T he in div id ual a ct h as re v erb era tio ns t h at c a n b e n early e n dle ss. D o y ou a gre e?” “I d o. I k now . It’s u nco nsc io nab le .” A nd h ere M ae a gain h ad th e fe elin g th at s h e w as a very s h ort-s ig h te d p erso n, w ho r e p eate d ly je o pard iz e d a ll s h e’d b een g iv en b y t h e C ir c le . “M r. B aile y , I c a n ’t b elie v e I d id th is . A nd I k now y ou’r e w onderin g if I y t in h ere . I ju st w an t y ou to k now h ow m uch I v alu e m y p osit io n h ere a n d y our fa it h in m e. A nd I wan t to h onor th at. I’l l d o a n yth in g to m ak e th is u p to y ou. S erio usly , I’l l ta k e o n a n y extr a w ork , I ’l l d o a n yth in g. J u st t e ll m e.” Baile y ’s fa ce b ro ke in to a h ig h ly a m use d g rin . “ M ae, y our jo b is n ’t in je o pard y. Y ou’r e here fo r g o od. A nnie ’s h ere fo r g o od. S o rry if y ou b elie v ed o th erw is e , fo r e v en a s e co nd. We d on’t w an t e it h er o f y ou t o e v er le av e.” “T hat’s v ery g o od to h ear. T han k y ou,” M ae sa id , th ough h er h eart w as h am merin g hard er n ow . He sm ile d , n oddin g, a s if h ap py a n d re lie v ed to h av e a ll th at se ttle d . “ B ut th is w hole ep is o de giv es u s a v ery im porta n t te ach ab le m om en t, d on’t y ou th in k?” T he q uestio n se em ed rh eto ric a l, b ut M ae n odded a n yw ay . “M ae,” h e sa id , “w hen is a se cre t a g o od th in g?” Mae t o ok a f e w s e co nds o n t h is . “ W hen it c a n p ro te ct s o m eo ne’s f e elin gs.” “F or e xam ple ?” “W ell,” s h e f u m ble d . “ L et’s s a y y ou k now y our f r ie n d’s b oyfr ie n d is c h eatin g o n h er b ut —” “B ut w hat? Y ou d on’t t e ll y our f r ie n d?” “O kay . T hat’s n ot a g o od e xam ple .” “M ae, a re y ou e v er h ap py w hen a f r ie n d k eep s a s e cre t f r o m y ou?” Mae t h ough t a b out t h e m an y s m all lie s s h e’d t o ld t o A nnie r e ce n tly . L ie s t h at s h e’d n ot only sp oken b ut ty ped , lie s m ad e p erm an en t a n d u nden ia b le . “N o. B ut I u ndersta n d w hen t h ey h av e t o .” “T hat’s in te re stin g. C an y ou th in k o f a tim e w hen y ou w ere h ap py o ne o f y our fr ie n ds kep t s o m eth in g f r o m y ou?” Mae c o uld n ot. “ N ot a t t h e m om en t.” S h e f e lt s ic k . “O kay ,” B aile y sa id , “fo r n ow , w e ca n ’t th in k o f g o od se cre ts b etw een fr ie n ds. L et’s move o n to fa m ilie s. In a fa m ily , is a se cre t a g o od th in g? T heo re tic a lly , d o y ou e v er th in k, You k n ow w hat w ou ld b e g re a t to k eep fr o m m y fa m ily ? A s e cre t .” Mae t h ough t o f t h e m an y t h in gs h er p are n ts w ere lik ely k eep in g f r o m h er— th e v ario us in dig n it ie s h er f a th er’s illn ess c a u se d t h em . “ N o,” s h e s a id . “N o s e cre ts w it h in a f a m ily ?” “A ctu ally ,” M ae sa id . “ I d on’t k now . T here a re d e y nit e ly th in gs y ou d on’t w an t y our pare n ts t o k now .” “W ould y our p are n ts wan t t o k now t h ese t h in gs? ” “M ay be.” “S o y ou’r e d ep riv in g y our p are n ts o f s o m eth in g t h ey w an t. T his is g o od?” “N o. B ut m ay be b ette r f o r a ll.” “B ette r fo r y ou. B ette r fo r th e k eep er o f th e se cre t. S o m e d ark se cre t is b ette r k ep t fr o m th e p are n ts . Is th is a se cre t ab out so m e w onderfu l th in g y ou’v e d one? P erh ap s know in g a b out it w ould b rin g ju st t o o m uch jo y t o y our p are n ts ? ” Mae la u gh ed . “ N o. C le arly a se cre t is so m eth in g y ou d on’t w an t th em to k now a b out beca u se y ou’r e a sh am ed o r y ou w an t t o s p are t h em f r o m k now in g y ou s c re w ed u p.” “B ut w e a gre e t h ey w ould lik e t o k now .” “Y es.” “A nd a re t h ey e n tit le d t o k now ?” “I g u ess.” “O kay . S o c a n w e a gre e th at w e’r e ta lk in g a b out a s it u atio n w here , in a p erfe ct w orld , you’r e n ot d oin g a n yth in g y ou’d b e a sh am ed o f t e llin g y our p are n ts ? ” “S u re . B ut t h ere a re o th er t h in gs t h ey m ig h t n ot u ndersta n d.” “B eca u se t h ey w ere n ’t e v er s o ns o r d au gh te rs t h em se lv es? ” “N o. B ut— ” “M ae, d o y ou h av e a n y g ay r e la tiv es o r f r ie n ds? ” “S u re .” “D o y ou k now h ow d i ere n t th e w orld w as fo r g ay s b efo re a n d a fte r p eo ple b egan co m in g o ut? ” “I h av e a n id ea o f it .” Baile y s to od a n d a tte n ded t o t h e t e a s e t. H e p oure d m ore f o r h im se lf a n d f o r M ae, a n d sa t d ow n a gain . “I d on’t k now if y ou d o. I w as fr o m th e g en era tio n th at s tr u ggle d g re atly w it h c o m in g out. M y b ro th er is g ay , a n d h e w as tw en ty -f o ur b efo re h e a d m it te d it to m y fa m ily . A nd until th en , it n early k ille d h im . It w as a tu m or fe ste rin g in sid e h im , a n d it w as g ro w in g ev ery day . B ut w hy d id h e th in k it w ould b e b ette r k ep t in sid e? W hen h e to ld o ur pare n ts , th ey b are ly b lin ked . H e h ad c re ate d a ll th is d ra m a in h is m in d— all th is m yste ry an d w eig h t a ro und h is b ig se cre t. A nd p art o f th e p ro ble m , h is to ric a lly , w as w it h o th er peo ple k eep in g sim ila r th in gs se cre t. C om in g o ut w as so d i } cu lt u ntil m illio ns o f o th er men a n d w om en c a m e o ut. T hen it g o t a lo t e asie r, d on’t y ou a gre e? W hen m illio ns o f men a n d w om en c a m e o ut o f th e c lo se t, it m ad e h om ose xu alit y n ot s o m e m yste rio us s o – ca lle d d ev ia n ce b ut a m ain str e am lif e p ath . Y ou f o llo w ?” “Y es. B ut— ” “A nd I w ould a rg u e th at a n y p la ce in th e w orld w here g ay s a re still p erse cu te d , y ou co uld in sta n tly a ch ie v e g re at p ro gre ss if a ll th e g ay s a n d le sb ia n s c a m e o ut p ublic ly a t once . Then w hoev er is perse cu tin g th em , an d all th ose w ho ta cit ly su pport th is perse cu tio n, w ould re aliz e th at to p erse cu te th em w ould m ean p erse cu tin g a t le ast te n perc e n t o f th e p opula tio n— in clu din g th eir so ns, d au gh te rs, n eig h bors a n d fr ie n ds— ev en th eir o w n p are n ts . It w ould b e in sta n tly u nte n ab le . B ut th e p erse cu tio n o f g ay s o r a n y min orit y g ro up is m ad e u niq uely p ossib le t h ro ugh s e cre cy .” “O kay . I h ad n’t t h ough t o f it t h at w ay .” “T hat’s y ne,” h e s a id , s a tis y ed , a n d s ip ped h is t e a. H e r a n h is y nger o ver h is u pper lip , dry in g it . “S o w e’v e exp lo re d th e dam age of se cre ts w it h in th e fa m ily an d betw een fr ie n ds, a n d th e r o le o f s e cre cy in p erse cu tin g la rg e c la sse s o f p eo ple . L et’s k eep o n o ur quest to y nd a u se fo r a p olic y o f s e cre cy . S h ould w e lo ok in to p olit ic s? D o y ou th in k a pre sid en t s h ould k eep s e cre ts f r o m t h e p eo ple s h e o r h e g o vern s? ” “N o, b ut t h ere h av e t o b e s o m e t h in gs t h at w e c a n ’t k now . F or n atio nal s e cu rit y a lo ne.” He s m ile d , h ap py, it s e em ed , t h at s h e’d s a id w hat h e e xp ecte d h er t o s a y . “ R eally , M ae? Do y ou re ca ll w hen a m an n am ed J u lia n A ssa n ge le ak ed se v era l m illio n p ages o f se cre t U.S . d ocu m en ts ? ” “I r e ad a b out it .” “W ell, y rst o f a ll, th e U .S . g o vern m en t w as v ery u pse t, a s w as m uch o f th e m ed ia . Man y p eo ple th ough t th is w as a se rio us b re ach o f se cu rit y a n d th at it p re se n te d a c le ar an d p re se n t d an ger to o ur m en an d w om en in u nif o rm h ere an d ab ro ad . B ut d o y ou re m em ber if a n y s o ld ie rs e v er a ctu ally w ere h arm ed b y t h ese d ocu m en ts b ein g r e le ase d ?” “I d on’t k now .” “N one w ere . N ot a one. Sam e th in g hap pen ed in th e se v en tie s w it h th e P en ta go n Pap ers. N ot o ne so ld ie r g o t e v en a sp lin te r d ue to th e re le ase o f th ese d ocu m en ts . T he main e ect, I r e m em ber, o f t h ese d ocu m en ts b ein g m ad e p ublic is t h at w e f o und o ut t h at man y of our dip lo m ats are go ssip y ab out th e le ad ers of oth er co untr ie s. M illio ns of docu m en ts , a n d t h e m ain t a k eaw ay w as t h at U .S . d ip lo m ats t h ough t G ad ha y w as a k ook, wit h a ll h is fe m ale b odygu ard s a n d str a n ge e atin g h ab it s . If a n yth in g, th e re le ase o f th e docu m en ts ju st p ut th ese d ip lo m ats o n b ette r b eh av io r. T hey w ere m ore ca re fu l a b out what t h ey s a id .” “B ut n atio nal d efe n se — ” “W hat a b out it ? T he o nly tim e w e’r e in d an ger is w hen w e d on’t k now th e p la n s o r motiv es o f th e c o untr ie s w e’r e su ppose d ly a t o dds w it h . O r w hen th ey d on’t k now o ur pla n s b ut w orry a b out t h em , r ig h t? ” “S u re .” “B ut w hat if th ey did k now o ur p la n s a n d w e k new th eir s? Y ou’d su dden ly b e fr e e o f what th ey u se d to c a ll th e r is k o f m utu ally a ssu re d d estr u ctio n, a n d in ste ad y ou’d a rriv e at m utu ally assu re d tr u st . T he U .S . h as n o p ure ly n efa rio us m otiv es, rig h t? W e’r e n ot pla n nin g to w ip e so m e co untr y o th e m ap . S o m etim es, th ough , w e ta k e su rre p tit io us ste p s t o g et w hat w e w an t. B ut w hat if e v ery one w as, a n d h ad t o b e, o pen a n d u pfr o nt? ” “It w ould b e b ette r? ” Baile y s m ile d b ro ad ly . “ G ood. I a gre e.” H e p ut h is c u p d ow n a n d a gain r e ste d h is h an ds in h is la p . Mae k new s h e s h ould n’t p re ss h im , b ut h er m outh g o t a h ead o f h er. “ B ut y ou c a n ’t b e sa y in g t h at e v ery one s h ould k now e v ery th in g.” Baile y ’s e y es w id en ed , a s if p le ase d s h e’d le d h im t o a n id ea h e c o vete d . “ O f c o urse n ot. But I a m sa y in g th at e v ery one sh ould h av e a rig h t to k now e v ery th in g, a n d sh ould h av e th e to ols to know an yth in g. T here ’s not en ough tim e to know ev ery th in g, th ough I ce rta in ly w is h t h ere w as.” He p au se d , lo st b rie { y in th ough t, th en re tu rn ed h is fo cu s to M ae. “ I u ndersta n d y ou were n ’t v ery h ap py a b out b ein g t h e s u bje ct o f G us’s L uvLuv d em onstr a tio n.” “It ju st c a u gh t m e b y s u rp ris e . H e h ad n’t t o ld m e a b out it b efo re h an d.” “Is t h at a ll? ” “W ell, it p re se n te d a d is to rte d im pre ssio n o f m e.” “W as t h e in fo rm atio n h e p re se n te d in co rre ct? T here w ere f a ctu al m is ta k es? ” “W ell, it w asn ’t th at. It w as ju st … p ie ce m eal. A nd m ay be th at m ad e it se em in co rre ct. It w as t a k in g a f e w s liv ers o f m e a n d p re se n tin g t h at a s t h e w hole m e— ” “It s e em ed in co m ple te .” “R ig h t.” “M ae, I’m v ery g la d y ou p ut it th at w ay . A s y ou k now , th e C ir c le is it s e lf tr y in g to beco m e c o m ple te . W e’r e tr y in g to c lo se th e c ir c le a t th e C ir c le .” H e sm ile d a t h is o w n word pla y . “ B ut y ou k now t h e o vera ll g o als o f c o m ple tio n, I a ssu m e.” Sh e d id n’t . “ I t h in k s o ,” s h e s a id . “L ook a t o ur lo go ,” h e sa id , a n d p oin te d to a w alls c re en , w here , o n h is c u e, th e lo go ap peare d . “ S ee h ow th at ‘c ’ in th e m id dle is o pen ? F or y ears it ’s b oth ere d m e, a n d it ’s beco m e s y m bolic o f w hat’s le ft to d o h ere , w hic h is to c lo se it .” T he ‘c ’ o n s c re en c lo se d an d b eca m e a p erfe ct c ir c le . “ S ee th at? ” h e sa id . “ A c ir c le is th e str o ngest sh ap e in th e univ erse . N oth in g c a n b eat it , n oth in g c a n im pro ve u pon it , n oth in g c a n b e m ore p erfe ct. And t h at’s w hat w e w an t t o b e: p erfe ct. S o a n y in fo rm atio n t h at e lu des u s, a n yth in g t h at’s not a cce ssib le , p re v en ts u s f r o m b ein g p erfe ct. Y ou s e e?” “I d o,” M ae s a id , t h ough s h e w asn ’t s u re s h e d id . “T his is in lin e w it h o ur g o als fo r h ow th e C ir c le c a n h elp u s, in div id ually , fe el m ore co m ple te , a n d fe el th at o th ers’ im pre ssio ns o f u s a re c o m ple te — are b ase d o n c o m ple te in fo rm atio n. A nd to p re v en t u s fr o m fe elin g, a s y ou d id , th at so m e d is to rte d v ie w o f ourse lv es is p re se n te d to th e w orld . It’s lik e a b ro ken m ir ro r. If w e lo ok in to a b ro ken mir ro r, a m ir ro r t h at’s c ra ck ed o r m is sin g p arts , w hat d o w e g et? ” Now it m ad e s e n se to M ae. A ny a sse ssm en t, ju dgm en t, o r p ic tu re u tiliz in g in co m ple te in fo rm atio n w ould a lw ay s b e w ro ng. “ W e g et a d is to rte d a n d b ro ken r e fle ctio n,” s h e s a id . “R ig h t,” B aile y s a id . “ A nd if t h e m ir ro r is w hole ?” “W e s e e e v ery th in g.” “A m ir ro r is t r u th fu l, c o rre ct? ” “O f c o urse . I t’s a m ir ro r. I t’s r e alit y .” “B ut a m ir ro r c a n o nly b e t r u th fu l w hen it ’s c o m ple te . A nd I t h in k f o r y ou, t h e p ro ble m wit h G us’s L uvLuv p re se n ta tio n w as t h at it w asn ’t c o m ple te .” “O kay .” “O kay ?” “W ell, t h at’s t r u e,” s h e s a id . S h e w asn ’t s u re w hy s h e o pen ed h er m outh , b ut t h e w ord s tu m ble d o ut b efo re s h e c o uld r e str a in t h em . “ B ut I s till t h in k t h ere a re t h in gs, e v en if ju st a fe w , th at w e w an t to k eep to o urse lv es. I m ean , e v ery one d oes th in gs a lo ne, o r in th e bed ro om , t h at t h ey ’r e a sh am ed o f.” “B ut w hy s h ould t h ey b e a sh am ed ?” “M ay be n ot a lw ay s a sh am ed . B ut th in gs th ey d on’t w an t to sh are . T hat m ay be th ey don’t t h in k p eo ple w ill u ndersta n d. O r w ill c h an ge t h e p erc e p tio n o f t h em .” “O kay , w it h th at k in d o f th in g, o ne o f tw o th in gs w ill e v en tu ally h ap pen . F ir st, w e’l l re aliz e th at w hate v er b eh av io r w e’r e ta lk in g a b out is s o w id esp re ad a n d h arm le ss th at it need n’t b e se cre t. If w e d em ystif y it , if w e a d m it th at it ’s so m eth in g w e a ll d o, th en it lo se s it s p ow er to s h ock . W e m ove to w ard h onesty , a n d w e m ove a w ay fr o m s h am e. O r se co nd, a n d e v en b ette r, if w e a ll, a s a so cie ty , d ecid e th at th is is b eh av io r w e’d ra th er not e n gage in , th e fa ct th at e v ery one k now s, o r h as th e p ow er to k now w ho’s d oin g it , th is w ould p re v en t th e b eh av io r fr o m b ein g e n gaged in . T his is ju st a s y ou sa id — you would n’t h av e s to le n if y ou k new y ou w ere b ein g w atc h ed .” “R ig h t.” “W ould t h e g u y d ow n t h e h all v ie w p orn a t w ork if h e k new h e w as b ein g w atc h ed ?” “N o. I g u ess n ot.” “S o , p ro ble m s o lv ed , r ig h t? ” “R ig h t. I g u ess.” “M ae, h av e y ou e v er h ad a se cre t th at fe ste re d w it h in y ou, a n d o nce th at se cre t w as out, y ou f e lt b ette r? ” “S u re .” “M e to o. T hat’s th e n atu re o f se cre ts . T hey ’r e ca n ce ro us w hen k ep t w it h in u s, b ut harm le ss w hen t h ey ’r e o ut in t h e w orld .” “S o y ou’r e s a y in g t h ere s h ould b e n o s e cre ts .” “I h av e th ough t o n th is fo r y ears, a n d I h av e y et to c o nju re a s c e n ario w here a s e cre t does m ore g o od t h an h arm . S ecre ts a re t h e e n ab le rs o f a n tis o cia l, im mora l a n d d estr u ctiv e beh av io r. D o y ou s e e h ow t h is is ? ” “I t h in k s o . B ut— ” “Y ou k now w hat m y s p ouse s a id to m e y ears a go w hen w e g o t m arrie d ? S h e s a id th at when ev er w e w ere a p art, f o r in sta n ce w hen I m ig h t g o o n a b usin ess t r ip , I s h ould b eh av e as if th ere w ere a ca m era o n m e. A s if sh e w ere w atc h in g. W ay b ack w hen , sh e w as sa y in g th is in a p ure ly c o nce p tu al w ay , a n d s h e w as h alf -k id din g, b ut th e m en ta l p ic tu re help ed m e. If I fo und m yse lf a lo ne in a r o om w it h a w om an c o lle agu e, I w ould w onder, What w ou ld K are n th in k o f th is if s h e w ere w atc h in g fr o m a c lo se d -c ir c u it c a m era ? T his w ould gen tly g u id e m y b eh av io r, a n d it w ould p re v en t m e fr o m e v en a p pro ach in g b eh av io r s h e would n’t lik e, an d o f w hic h I w ould n’t b e p ro ud. It k ep t m e h onest. Y ou se e w hat I mean ?” “I d o,” M ae s a id . “I m ean , th e tr a ck ab ilit y o f s e lf -d riv in g c a rs is s o lv in g a lo t o f th is , o f c o urse . S p ouse s in cre asin gly k now w here th e o th er h as b een , g iv en th e c a r lo gs w here it ’s b een d riv en . But m y p oin t is , w hat if w e all b eh av ed a s if w e w ere b ein g w atc h ed ? It w ould le ad to a more m ora l w ay o f lif e . W ho w ould d o s o m eth in g u neth ic a l o r im mora l o r ille gal if th ey were bein g w atc h ed ? If th eir ille gal m oney tr a n sfe r w as bein g tr a ck ed ? If th eir bla ck m ailin g p hone c a ll w as b ein g r e co rd ed ? I f t h eir s tic k -u p a t t h e g as s ta tio n w as b ein g ylm ed b y a d oze n c a m era s, a n d e v en th eir r e tin as id en ti y ed d urin g th e r o bbery ? If th eir phila n derin g w as b ein g d ocu m en te d in a d oze n w ay s? ” “I d on’t k now . I ’m im agin in g a ll t h at w ould b e g re atly r e d uce d .” “M ae, w e w ould y nally b e c o m pelle d to b e o ur b est s e lv es. A nd I th in k p eo ple w ould be r e lie v ed . T here w ould b e t h is p hen om en al g lo bal s ig h o f r e lie f. F in ally , y nally , w e c a n be g o od. I n a w orld w here b ad c h oic e s a re n o lo nger a n o ptio n, w e h av e n o c h oic e bu t to be g o od. C an y ou im agin e?” Mae n odded . “N ow , s p eak in g o f r e lie f, is t h ere a n yth in g y ou’d lik e t o t e ll m e b efo re w e w ra p u p?” “I d on’t k now . S o m an y t h in gs, I g u ess,” M ae s a id . “ B ut y ou’v e b een s o n ic e t o s p en d a ll th is t im e w it h m e, s o — ” “M ae, is th ere so m eth in g sp eci y c th at y ou’v e k ep t h id den fr o m m e as w e’v e b een to geth er h ere in t h is lib ra ry ?” Mae k new , in sta n tly , t h at ly in g w as n ot a n o ptio n. “T hat I ’v e b een h ere b efo re ?” s h e s a id . “H av e y ou?” “Y es.” “B ut y ou im plie d w hen y ou e n te re d t h at y ou h ad n’t .” “A nnie b ro ugh t m e. S h e sa id it w as so m e k in d o f se cre t. I d on’t k now . I d id n’t k now what t o d o. I d id n’t s e e e it h er w ay a s b ein g id eal. I g et in t r o uble e it h er w ay .” Baile y s m ile d e xtr a v agan tly . “ S ee, th at’s n ot tr u e. O nly lie s g et u s in tr o uble . O nly th e th in gs w e h id e. O f co u rse I k new y ou’d b een h ere . G iv e m e s o m e c re d it ! B ut I w as c u rio us th at y ou h id th is fr o m m e. It m ad e m e fe el d is ta n t fr o m y ou. A se cre t b etw een tw o fr ie n ds, M ae, is a n o ce an . It’s w id e a n d d eep a n d w e lo se o urse lv es in it . A nd n ow th at I know y our s e cre t, d o y ou f e el b ette r o r w orse ?” “B ette r.” “R elie f? ” “Y es, r e lie f.” Mae d id fe el r e lie f, a s u rg e o f it th at fe lt lik e lo ve. B eca u se s h e s till h ad h er jo b, a n d sh e w ould n ot h av e t o g o b ack t o L ong y eld , a n d b eca u se h er f a th er w ould s ta y s tr o ng a n d her m oth er u nburd en ed , s h e w an te d t o b e h eld b y B aile y , t o b e s u bsu m ed b y h is w is d om an d g en ero sit y . “M ae,” h e sa id , “ I tr u ly b elie v e th at if w e h av e n o p ath b ut th e rig h t p ath , th e b est path , th en th at w ould p re se n t a k in d o f u lt im ate a n d a ll-e n co m passin g re lie f. W e d on’t hav e t o b e t e m pte d b y d ark ness a n ym ore . F org iv e m e f o r p uttin g it in m ora l t e rm s. T hat’s th e M id w este rn ch urc h -g o er in m e. B ut I’m a b elie v er in th e p erfe ctib ilit y o f h um an bein gs. I th in k w e c a n b e b ette r. I th in k w e c a n b e p erfe ct o r n ear to it . A nd w hen w e beco m e o ur b est s e lv es, th e p ossib ilit ie s a re e n dle ss. W e c a n s o lv e a n y p ro ble m . W e c a n cu re a n y d is e ase , e n d h unger, ev ery th in g, b eca u se w e w on’t b e d ra gged d ow n b y a ll o ur weak nesse s, our petty se cre ts , our hoard in g of in fo rm atio n an d know le d ge. W e w ill fin ally r e aliz e o ur p ote n tia l.” Mae h ad b een d iz zy fr o m th e c o nversa tio n w it h B aile y fo r d ay s, a n d n ow it w as F rid ay , an d t h e t h ough t o f g o in g o nsta ge a t lu nch m ad e c o nce n tr a tio n a lm ost im possib le . B ut s h e knew s h e h ad t o w ork , t o s e t a n e xam ple f o r h er p od, a t t h e v ery le ast, g iv en t h is w ould lik ely b e h er la st f u ll d ay a t C E. The { ow w as s te ad y b ut n ot o verw helm in g, a n d s h e g o t th ro ugh 7 7 c u sto m er q uerie s th at m orn in g. H er s c o re w as 9 8 a n d th e p od a ggre gate w as 9 7. A ll r e sp ecta b le n um bers. Her P artiR an k w as 1 ,9 21, a n oth er f in e f ig u re , a n d o ne s h e f e lt c o m fo rta b le t a k in g in to t h e Enlig h te n m en t. At 1 1:3 8, s h e le ft h er d esk a n d w alk ed to th e s id e d oor o f th e a u dit o riu m , a rriv in g te n min ute s b efo re n oon. S h e k nock ed a n d th e d oor o pen ed . M ae m et th e s ta ge m an ager, a n old er, a lm ost s p ectr a l m an n am ed J u le s, w ho b ro ugh t h er in to a s im ple d re ssin g r o om o f whit e w alls a n d b am boo { oors. A b ris k w om an n am ed T ere sa , e n orm ous e y es o utlin ed in blu e, s a t M ae d ow n, lo oked o ver h er h air a n d b lu sh ed h er f a ce w it h a f e ath ery b ru sh , a n d ap plie d a la v alie r m ic ro phone to h er b lo use . “ N o n eed to to uch a n yth in g,” s h e s a id . “ It’l l be a ctiv ate d o nce y ou g o o ut o nsta ge.” It w as h ap pen in g v ery q uic k ly , b ut M ae fe lt th is w as b est. If sh e h ad m ore tim e sh e would o nly g et m ore n erv ous. S o s h e lis te n ed t o J u le s a n d T ere sa , a n d in m in ute s s h e w as in th e w in gs o f th e sta ge, lis te n in g to a th ousa n d C ir c le rs e n te r th e a u dit o riu m , ta lk in g an d la u gh in g an d d ro ppin g t h em se lv es in to t h eir s e ats w it h h ap py t h um ps. S h e w ondere d , brie fly , if K ald en w as a n yw here o ut t h ere . “M ae.” Sh e tu rn ed to y nd E am on B aile y b eh in d h er, w earin g a s k y-b lu e s h ir t, s m ilin g w arm ly at h er. “ A re y ou r e ad y?” “I t h in k s o .” “Y ou’l l b e g re at,” h e sa id . “D on’t w orry . J u st b e n atu ra l. W e’r e ju st re -c re atin g th e co nversa tio n w e h ad la st w eek . O kay ?” “O kay .” And t h en h e w as o nsta ge, w av in g t o t h e c ro w d, e v ery one c la p pin g w it h a b an don. T here were t w o b urg u ndy-c o lo re d c h air s o n t h e s ta ge, f a cin g e ach o th er, a n d B aile y s a t d ow n in one a n d s p oke in to t h e d ark ness. “H ello , C ir c le rs,” h e s a id . “H ello E am on!” t h ey r o are d b ack . “T han k y ou fo r b ein g h ere to day , o n a v ery sp ecia l D re am F rid ay . I th ough t w e’d ch an ge it u p a b it to day a n d h av e n ot a s p eech , b ut a n in te rv ie w . A s s o m e o f y ou k now , we d o t h ese f r o m t im e t o t im e t o s h ed lig h t o n m em bers o f t h e C ir c le a n d t h eir t h ough ts , th eir h opes, a n d in t h is c a se , t h eir e v olu tio ns.” He sa t in o ne o f th e ch air s a n d sm ile d in to th e w in gs. “I h ad a co nversa tio n w it h a young C ir c le r th e o th er d ay th at I w an te d to s h are w it h y ou. S o I’v e a sk ed M ae H olla n d, who s o m e o f y ou m ig h t k now a s o ne o f o ur n ew bie s in C usto m er E xp erie n ce , to jo in m e to day . M ae?” Mae ste p ped in to th e lig h t. T he fe elin g w as o f in sta n t w eig h tle ssn ess, o f { oatin g in bla ck s p ace , w it h t w o d is ta n t b ut b rig h t s u ns b lin din g h er. S h e c o uld n’t s e e a n yone in t h e au die n ce , a n d co uld b are ly o rie n t h erse lf to th e sta ge. B ut sh e m an aged to d ir e ct h er body, her le gs m ad e o f str a w , h er fe et le ad en , to w ard B aile y . S h e fo und h er c h air , a n d wit h t w o h an ds, f e elin g n um b a n d b lin d, lo w ere d h erse lf in to it . “H ello M ae. H ow a re y ou?” “T errif ie d .” The a u die n ce la u gh ed . “D on’t b e n erv ous,” B aile y sa id , sm ilin g to th e a u die n ce a n d g iv in g h er th e slig h te st lo ok o f c o nce rn . “E asy fo r y ou to sa y ,” sh e sa id , an d th ere w as la u gh te r th ro ugh out th e ro om . T his la u gh te r fe lt g o od a n d c a lm ed h er. S h e b re ath ed in , a n d lo oked in th e fr o nt r o w , y ndin g yve o r six sh ad ow y fa ce s, a ll sm ilin g. S h e w as, sh e re aliz e d a n d n ow fe lt in h er b ones, am ong fr ie n ds. S h e w as sa fe . S h e to ok a sip o f w ate r, fe lt it c o ol e v ery th in g in sid e h er, an d p ut h er h an ds in h er la p . S h e f e lt r e ad y. “M ae, in o ne w ord h ow w ould y ou d esc rib e t h e a w ak en in g y ou h ad t h is p ast w eek ?” This p art th ey h ad re h earse d . S h e k new B aile y w an te d to sta rt w it h th is id ea o f a n aw ak en in g. “ It w as ju st th at, E am on”— sh e’d b een in str u cte d to c a ll h im E am on— “it w as an a w ak en in g.” “O ops. I g u ess I ju st s to le y our t h under,” h e s a id . T he a u die n ce la u gh ed . “ I s h ould h av e sa id , ‘W hat d id y ou h av e t h is w eek ?’ B ut t e ll u s, w hy t h at w ord ?” “W ell, ‘a w ak en in g’ s e em s r ig h t t o m e … ” M ae s a id , a n d t h en a d ded “ … n ow .” The w ord “n ow ” a p peare d a sp lit -s e co nd la te r th an it sh ould h av e, a n d B aile y ’s e y e tw it c h ed . “ L et’s t a lk a b out t h is a w ak en in g,” h e s a id . “ It s ta rte d o n S u nday n ig h t. M an y o f th e p eo ple in th e ro om a lr e ad y know th e b ro ad o utlin es o f th e e v en ts , w it h S eeC han ge an d a ll. B ut g iv e u s a s u m mary .” Mae lo oked a t h er h an ds, in w hat s h e r e aliz e d w as a th eatr ic a l g estu re . S h e h ad n ev er befo re lo oked a t h er h an ds t o in dic a te s o m e le v el o f s h am e. “I c o m mit te d a c rim e, b asic a lly ,” s h e s a id . “ I b orro w ed a k ay ak w it h out t h e k now le d ge of t h e o w ner, a n d I p ad dle d t o a n is la n d in t h e m id dle o f t h e b ay .” “T hat w as B lu e I s la n d, I u ndersta n d?” “It w as.” “A nd d id y ou t e ll a n yone y ou w ere d oin g t h is ? ” “N o, I d id n’t .” “N ow M ae, d id y ou h av e t h e in te n tio n o f t e llin g a n yone a b out t h is t r ip a fte rw ard ?” “N o.” “A nd d id y ou d ocu m en t it a t a ll? P ic tu re s, v id eo ?” “N o, n oth in g.” There w ere s o m e m urm urs f r o m t h e a u die n ce . M ae a n d E am on h ad e xp ecte d a r e actio n to t h is r e v ela tio n, a n d t h ey b oth p au se d t o a llo w t h e c ro w d t o a ssim ila te t h is in fo rm atio n. “D id y ou k now y ou w ere d oin g s o m eth in g w ro ng, in b orro w in g th is k ay ak w it h out th e ow ner’s k now le d ge?” “I d id .” “B ut y ou d id it a n yw ay . W hy?” “B eca u se I t h ough t n o o ne w ould k now .” Anoth er lo w m urm ur f r o m t h e a u die n ce . “S o t h is is a n in te re stin g p oin t. T he v ery f a ct t h at y ou t h ough t th is a ctio n w ould r e m ain se cre t e n ab le d y ou t o c o m mit t h is c rim e, c o rre ct? ” “C orre ct.” “W ould y ou h av e d one it h ad y ou k now n p eo ple w ere w atc h in g?” “D efin it e ly n ot.” “S o in a w ay , d oin g a ll th is in d ark ness, u nobse rv ed a n d u nacco unta b le , it fa cilit a te d im puls e s t h at y ou r e gre t? ” “A bso lu te ly . T he fa ct th at I th ough t I w as a lo ne, u nw atc h ed , e n ab le d m e to c o m mit a crim e. A nd I r is k ed m y lif e . I w asn ’t w earin g a lif e p re se rv er.” Again , a lo ud m urm ur r ip ple d t h ro ugh t h e a u die n ce . “S o y ou n ot o nly c o m mit te d a c rim e a gain st t h e o w ner o f t h is p ro perty , b ut y ou r is k ed your ow n lif e . A ll beca u se you w ere bein g en ab le d by so m e, w hat, so m e clo ak of in vis ib ilit y ?” The a u die n ce r u m ble d w it h la u gh te r. B aile y ’s e y es s ta y ed o n M ae, t e llin g h er Thin gs a re go in g w ell . “R ig h t,” s h e s a id . “I h av e a q uestio n, M ae. D o y ou b eh av e b ette r o r w orse w hen y ou’r e b ein g w atc h ed ?” “B ette r. W it h out a d oubt.” “W hen y ou’r e a lo ne, u nw atc h ed , u nacco unta b le , w hat h ap pen s? ” “W ell, f o r o ne t h in g, I s te al k ay ak s.” The a u die n ce la u gh ed in a s u dden b rig h t b urst. “S erio usly . I d o t h in gs I d on’t w an t t o d o. I lie .” “T he o th er d ay , w hen w e s p oke, y ou h ad a w ay o f p uttin g it th at I th ough t w as v ery in te re stin g a n d s u ccin ct. C an y ou t e ll u s a ll w hat y ou s a id ?” “I s a id t h at s e cre ts a re lie s.” “S ecre ts a re lie s. It’s v ery m em ora b le . C an y ou w alk u s th ro ugh y our lo gic w it h th at phra se , M ae?” “W ell, w hen th ere ’s so m eth in g k ep t se cre t, tw o th in gs h ap pen . O ne is th at it m ak es crim es p ossib le . W e b eh av e w orse w hen w e’r e n ot a cco unta b le . T hat g o es w it h out s a y in g. And se co nd, se cre ts in sp ir e sp ecu la tio n. W hen w e d on’t k now w hat’s b ein g h id den , w e gu ess, w e m ak e u p a n sw ers.” “W ell t h at’s in te re stin g, is n ’t it ? ” B aile y t u rn ed t o t h e a u die n ce . “ W hen w e c a n ’t r e ach a lo ved o ne, w e s p ecu la te . W e p an ic . W e m ak e u p s to rie s a b out w here th ey a re o r w hat’s hap pen ed to th em . A nd if w e’r e fe elin g ungen ero us, or je alo us, w e m ak e up lie s. So m etim es so m e v ery d am agin g lie s. W e a ssu m e th ey ’r e d oin g so m eth in g n efa rio us. A ll beca u se w e d on’t k now s o m eth in g.” “It’s lik e w hen w e s e e t w o p eo ple w his p erin g,” M ae s a id . “ W e w orry , w e f e el in se cu re , we m ak e u p te rrib le th in gs th ey m ig h t b e sa y in g. W e a ssu m e it ’s a b out u s a n d th at it ’s ca ta str o phic .” “W hen th ey ’r e p ro bab ly a sk in g w here th e b ath ro om is .” B aile y g o t a b ig la u gh a n d en jo yed it . “R ig h t,” M ae sa id . S h e k new sh e w as a p pro ach in g a fe w p hra se s sh e n eed ed to g et rig h t. S h e’d s a id th em in B aile y ’s lib ra ry , a n d s h e ju st n eed ed to s a y th em a gain th e w ay sh e’d f ir st s a id t h em . “ F or e xam ple , if t h ere ’s a lo ck ed d oor, I s ta rt t o m ak e u p a ll k in ds o f sto rie s a b out w hat m ig h t b e b eh in d it . I fe el lik e it ’s s o m e k in d o f s e cre t, a n d it le ad s to me m ak in g u p lie s. B ut if a ll th e d oors a re o pen , p hysic a lly a n d m eta p horic a lly , th ere ’s only t h e o ne t r u th .” Baile y s m ile d . S h e’d n aile d it . “I lik e th at, M ae. W hen th e d oors a re o pen , th ere ’s o nly o ne tr u th . S o le t’s r e ca p th at fir st s ta te m en t o f M ae’s . C an w e g et t h at o n t h e s c re en ?” The w ord s S EC RETS A RE L IE S a p peare d o n th e sc re en b eh in d M ae. S eein g th e w ord s fo ur fe et ta ll g av e h er a c o m plic a te d fe elin g— so m eth in g b etw een th rill a n d d re ad . B aile y w as all s m ile s, s h ak in g h is h ead , a d m ir in g t h e w ord s. “O kay , w e’v e re so lv ed th at h ad y ou k now n th at y ou’d b e h eld a cco unta b le fo r y our actio ns, y ou w ould n’t h av e c o m mit te d t h is c rim e. Y our a cce ss t o t h e s h ad ow s, in t h is c a se illu so ry sh ad ow s, fa cilit a te s b ad b eh av io r. A nd w hen y ou k now y ou’r e b ein g w atc h ed , you a re y our b ette r s e lf . C orre ct? ” “C orre ct.” “N ow le t’s t a lk a b out t h e s e co nd r e v ela tio n y ou m ad e a fte r t h is e p is o de. Y ou m en tio ned th at y ou d id n’t d ocu m en t t h is t r ip t o B lu e I s la n d in a n y w ay . W hy n ot? ” “W ell, f ir st o f a ll, I k new I w as d oin g s o m eth in g ille gal.” “S u re . B ut y ou’v e sa id th at y ou o fte n k ay ak in th e b ay , a n d y ou’d n ev er d ocu m en te d th ese t r ip s. Y ou h ad n’t jo in ed a n y C ir c le c lu bs d ev ote d t o k ay ak in g, a n d y ou h ad n’t p oste d acco unts , p hoto s, v id eo , o r c o m men ts . H av e y ou b een d oin g th ese k ay ak tr ip s u nder th e au sp ic e s o f t h e C IA ?” Mae, a n d t h e a u die n ce , la u gh ed . “ N o.” “T hen w hy t h ese s e cre t t r ip s? Y ou h av en ’t t o ld a n yone a b out t h em b efo re o r a fte r, y ou hav en ’t m en tio ned th em a n yw here . N o a cco unts e xis t o f a n y o f th ese e xcu rsio ns, a m I rig h t? ” “Y ou a re r ig h t.” Mae h eard lo ud c lu ck s s p re ad t h ro ugh t h e a u dit o riu m . “W hat d id y ou s e e o n t h is la st t r ip , M ae? I u ndersta n d it w as q uit e b eau tif u l.” “It w as, E am on. T here w as a n a lm ost-f u ll m oon, a n d th e w ate r w as v ery c a lm , a n d I fe lt lik e I w as p ad dlin g t h ro ugh liq uid s ilv er.” “S o unds in cre d ib le .” “It w as.” “A nim als ? W ild lif e ?” “I w as fo llo w ed fo r a w hile b y a s o le h arb or s e al, a n d h e d ip ped a b ove a n d b elo w th e su rfa ce , a s if h e w as c u rio us, a n d a ls o u rg in g m e o n. I’d n ev er b een to th is is la n d. V ery fe w p eo ple h av e. A nd o nce I g o t t o t h e is la n d, I c lim bed t o t h e t o p, a n d t h e v ie w f r o m t h e peak w as in cre d ib le . I s a w t h e g o ld en lig h ts o f t h e c it y , a n d t h e b la ck f o oth ills t o w ard t h e Pacif ic , a n d e v en s a w a s h ootin g s ta r.” “A s h ootin g s ta r! L uck y y ou.” “I w as v ery lu ck y.” “B ut y ou d id n’t t a k e a p ic tu re .” “N o.” “N ot a n y v id eo .” “N o.” “S o t h ere ’s n o r e co rd o f a n y o f t h is .” “N o. N ot o uts id e m y o w n m em ory .” There w ere a u dib le g ro an s fr o m th e a u die n ce . B aile y tu rn ed to th e a u die n ce , sh ak in g his h ead , in dulg in g t h em . “O kay ,” h e s a id , s o undin g a s if h e w ere b ra cin g h im se lf , “ n ow t h is is w here w e g et in to so m eth in g p erso nal. A s y ou all k now , I h av e a so n, G unner, w ho w as b orn w it h C P, ce re b ra l p als y . T hough h e’s liv in g a v ery f u ll lif e , a n d w e’r e t r y in g, a lw ay s, t o im pro ve h is opportu nit ie s, he is co n y ned to a w heelc h air . H e ca n ’t w alk . H e ca n ’t ru n. H e ca n ’t g o kay ak in g. S o w hat d oes h e d o if h e w an ts to e xp erie n ce so m eth in g lik e th is ? W ell, h e watc h es v id eo . H e lo oks a t p ic tu re s. M uch o f h is e xp erie n ce s o f th e w orld c o m e th ro ugh th e e xp erie n ce s o f o th ers. A nd o f c o urse s o m an y o f y ou C ir c le rs h av e b een s o g en ero us, pro vid in g h im w it h v id eo an d p hoto s o f y our o w n tr a v els . W hen h e exp erie n ce s th e SeeC han ge v ie w o f a C ir c le r clim bin g M ount K en ya, h e fe els lik e h e’s clim bed M ount Ken ya. W hen h e s e es y rsth an d v id eo f r o m a n A m eric a ’s C up c re w m em ber, G unner f e els , in so m e w ay , th at he’s sa ile d in th e Am eric a ’s Cup, to o. These exp erie n ce s w ere fa cilit a te d b y g en ero us h um an s w ho h av e s h are d w hat th ey s a w w it h th e w orld , m y s o n in clu ded . A nd w e c a n o nly e xtr a p ola te h ow m an y o th ers t h ere a re o ut t h ere lik e G unner. May be th ey ’r e d is a b le d . M ay be th ey ’r e e ld erly , h om eb ound. M ay be a th ousa n d th in gs. But t h e p oin t is t h at t h ere a re m illio ns o f p eo ple w ho c a n ’t s e e w hat y ou s a w , M ae. D oes it f e el r ig h t t o h av e d ep riv ed t h em o f s e ein g w hat y ou s a w ?” Mae’s th ro at w as d ry a n d s h e tr ie d n ot to s h ow h er e m otio n. “ It d oesn ’t . It fe els v ery wro ng.” M ae t h ough t o f B aile y ’s s o n G unner, a n d t h ough t o f h er o w n f a th er. “D o y ou t h in k t h ey h av e a r ig h t t o s e e t h in gs lik e y ou s a w ?” “I d o.” “In t h is s h ort lif e ,” B aile y s a id , “ w hy s h ould n’t e v ery one s e e w hate v er it is t h ey w an t t o se e? W hy s h ould n’t e v ery one h av e e q ual a cce ss t o t h e s ig h ts o f t h e w orld ? T he k now le d ge of t h e w orld ? A ll t h e e xp erie n ce s a v aila b le in t h is w orld ?” Mae’s v oic e w as ju st a b ove a w his p er. “ E very one s h ould .” “B ut t h is e xp erie n ce y ou h ad , y ou k ep t it t o y ourse lf . W hic h is c u rio us, b eca u se y ou d o sh are o nlin e. Y ou w ork a t th e C ir c le . Y our PartiR an k is in th e T 2K . S o w hy d o y ou th in k th is p artic u la r h obby o f y ours, t h ese e xtr a o rd in ary e xp lo ra tio ns, w hy h id e t h ese f r o m t h e world ?” “I c a n ’t q uit e f ig u re o ut w hat I w as t h in kin g, t o b e h onest,” M ae s a id . The c ro w d m urm ure d . B aile y n odded . “O kay . W e ju st ta lk ed a b out h ow w e, a s h um an s, h id e w hat w e’r e a sh am ed o f. W e d o so m eth in g ille gal, o r u neth ic a l, an d w e h id e it fr o m th e w orld b eca u se w e k now it ’s wro ng. B ut h id in g so m eth in g glo rio us, a w onderfu l tr ip o n th e w ate r, th e m oonlig h t co m in g d ow n, a s h ootin g s ta r … ” “It w as ju st se l y sh , E am on. It w as se l y sh a n d n oth in g m ore . T he sa m e w ay a ch ild doesn ’t w an t to sh are h er fa v orit e to y. I u ndersta n d th at se cre cy is p art o f, w ell, an ab erra n t b eh av io r s y ste m . I t c o m es f r o m a b ad p la ce , n ot a p la ce o f lig h t a n d g en ero sit y . And w hen y ou d ep riv e y our f r ie n ds, o r s o m eo ne lik e y our s o n G unner, o f e xp erie n ce s lik e I h ad , y ou’r e b asic a lly s te alin g f r o m t h em . Y ou’r e d ep riv in g t h em o f s o m eth in g t h ey h av e a rig h t to . K now le d ge is a basic hum an rig h t. Equal acce ss to all possib le hum an exp erie n ce s is a b asic h um an r ig h t.” Mae s u rp ris e d h erse lf w it h h er e lo quen ce , a n d th e a u die n ce a n sw ere d w it h th undero us ap pla u se . B aile y w as lo okin g a t h er lik e a p ro ud fa th er. W hen th e a p pla u se su bsid ed , Baile y s p oke s o ftly , a s if r e lu cta n t t o g et in h er w ay . “Y ou h ad a w ay o f p uttin g it t h at I ’d lik e y ou t o r e p eat.” “W ell, it ’s e m barra ssin g, b ut I s a id t h at s h arin g is c a rin g.” The a u die n ce la u gh ed . B aile y s m ile d w arm ly . “I d on’t th in k it ’s e m barra ssin g. T his e xp re ssio n h as b een a ro und fo r a w hile , b ut it ap plie s h ere , d oesn ’t it , M ae? M ay be u niq uely a p ro pos.” “I th in k it ’s sim ple . If y ou c a re a b out y our fe llo w h um an b ein gs, y ou sh are w hat y ou know w it h th em . Y ou s h are w hat y ou s e e. Y ou g iv e th em a n yth in g y ou c a n . If y ou c a re ab out th eir p lig h t, th eir s u erin g, th eir c u rio sit y , th eir r ig h t to le arn a n d k now a n yth in g th e w orld c o nta in s, y ou s h are w it h t h em . Y ou s h are w hat y ou h av e a n d w hat y ou s e e a n d what y ou k now . T o m e, t h e lo gic t h ere is u nden ia b le .” The au die n ce ch eere d , an d w hile th ey did so , th re e new w ord s, S HARIN G I S C ARIN G , ap peare d o n t h e s c re en , b elo w t h e p re v io us t h re e. B aile y w as s h ak in g h is h ead , a m aze d . “I lo ve th at. M ae, y ou h av e a w ay w it h w ord s. A nd th ere ’s o ne m ore sta te m en t y ou mad e th at I th in k sh ould ca p o w hat I th in k e v ery one h ere w ould a gre e h as b een a wonderfu lly e n lig h te n in g a n d in sp ir in g t a lk .” The a u die n ce c la p ped w arm ly . “W e w ere t a lk in g a b out w hat y ou s a w a s t h e im puls e t o k eep t h in gs t o y ourse lf .” “W ell, it ’s n ot so m eth in g I’m p ro ud o f, a n d I d on’t th in k it ris e s a b ove th e le v el o f sim ple se l y sh ness. N ow I re ally u ndersta n d th at. I u ndersta n d th at w e’r e o blig ate d , a s hum an s, t o s h are w hat w e s e e a n d k now . A nd t h at a ll k now le d ge m ust b e d em ocra tic a lly acce ssib le .” “It’s t h e n atu ra l s ta te o f in fo rm atio n t o b e f r e e.” “R ig h t.” “W e all hav e a rig h t to know ev ery th in g w e ca n . W e all co lle ctiv ely ow n th e accu m ula te d k now le d ge o f t h e w orld .” “R ig h t,” M ae sa id . “ S o w hat h ap pen s if I d ep riv e a n yone o r e v ery one o f so m eth in g I know ? A re n ’t I s te alin g f r o m m y f e llo w h um an s? ” “In deed ,” B aile y sa id , n oddin g earn estly . M ae lo oked to th e au die n ce , an d sa w th e en tir e f ir st r o w , t h e o nly f a ce s v is ib le , n oddin g, t o o. “A nd g iv en y our w ay w it h w ord s, M ae, I w onder if y ou c a n te ll u s th is th ir d a n d la st re v ela tio n y ou m ad e. W hat d id y ou s a y ?” “W ell, I s a id , p riv acy is t h eft.” Baile y t u rn ed t o t h e a u die n ce . “ Is n ’t t h at a n in te re stin g w ay o f p uttin g it , g u ys? ‘P riv acy is t h eft.’ ” T he w ord s n ow a p peare d o n t h e s c re en b eh in d h im , in g re at w hit e le tte rs: P RIV ACY I S T HEFT Mae tu rn ed to lo ok a t th e th re e lin es to geth er. S h e b lin ked b ack te ars, se ein g it a ll th ere . H ad s h e r e ally t h ough t o f a ll t h at h erse lf ? S EC RETS A RE L IE S S HARIN G I S C ARIN G P RIV ACY I S T HEFT Mae’s t h ro at w as t ig h t, d ry . S h e k new s h e c o uld n’t s p eak , s o s h e h oped B aile y w ould n’t ask h er to . A s if se n sin g h ow sh e fe lt , th at sh e w as o verc o m e, h e w in ked a t h er a n d tu rn ed t o t h e a u die n ce . “L et’s t h an k M ae f o r h er c a n dor, h er b rillia n ce , a n d h er c o nsu m mate h um an it y , c a n w e ple ase ?” The a u die n ce w as o n it s fe et. M ae’s fa ce w as o n y re . S h e d id n’t know if s h e s h ould s it or s ta n d. S h e s to od b rie fly , t h en f e lt s illy , s o s a t d ow n a gain , a n d w av ed f r o m h er la p . So m ew here in th e sta m ped in g a p pla u se , B aile y m an aged to a n nounce th e c a p per to it all— th at M ae, in th e in te re st o f s h arin g a ll s h e s a w a n d c o uld o er th e w orld , w ould b e go in g t r a n sp are n t im med ia te ly . BO OK I I I T W AS A B IZ A RRE c re atu re , g h ostlik e, v agu ely m en acin g a n d n ev er s till, b ut n o o ne w ho s to od befo re it co uld lo ok aw ay . M ae w as h ypnotiz e d b y it , it s sla sh in g fo rm , it s y ns lik e bla d es, it s m ilk y s k in a n d w ool-g re y e y es. It w as c e rta in ly a s h ark , it h ad it s d is tin ctiv e sh ap e, it s m ale v ole n t sta re , b ut th is w as a n ew sp ecie s, o m niv oro us a n d b lin d. S te n to n had b ro ugh t it b ack fr o m h is tr ip to th e M aria n as T re n ch , in th e C ir c le s u bm ersib le . T he sh ark w as n ot th e o nly d is c o very — Ste n to n h ad r e tr ie v ed h ere to fo re u nknow n je lly y sh es, se ah orse s, m an ta ra y s, a ll o f th em n ear-t r a n slu ce n t, e th ere al in th eir m ovem en ts , a ll o n dis p la y in a se rie s o f en orm ous aq uariu m s h e’d h ad co nstr u cte d , n early o vern ig h t, to house t h em . Mae’s ta sk s w ere to sh ow h er w atc h ers th e b easts , to e xp la in w hen n ece ssa ry , a n d to be, t h ro ugh t h e le n s w orn a ro und h er n eck , a w in dow in to t h is n ew w orld , a n d t h e w orld , gen era lly , o f th e C ir c le . E very m orn in g M ae p ut o n a n eck la ce , m uch lik e S te w art’s , b ut lig h te r, s m alle r, a n d w it h th e le n s w orn o ver h er h eart. T here , it p re se n te d th e s te ad ie st vie w , a n d t h e w id est. I t s a w e v ery th in g t h at M ae s a w , a n d o fte n m ore . T he q ualit y o f t h e ra w v id eo w as su ch th at v ie w ers co uld zo om , p an , fr e eze a n d e n han ce . T he a u dio w as ca re fu lly en gin eere d to fo cu s on her im med ia te co nversa tio ns, to re co rd but m ak e se co ndary a n y a m bie n t s o und o r b ack gro und v oic e s. In e sse n ce , it m ean t th at a n y r o om sh e w as in w as sc a n nab le b y a n yone w atc h in g; th ey c o uld fo cu s in o n a n y c o rn er, a n d, wit h s o m e e ffo rt, is o la te a n d lis te n t o a n y o th er c o nversa tio n. There w as to b e a fe ed in g fo r a ll o f S te n to n’s d is c o verie s a n y m in ute , b ut th e a n im al sh e a n d h er w atc h ers w ere p artic u la rly in te re ste d in w as t h e s h ark . S h e h ad n’t y et s e en it eat, b ut w ord w as it w as in sa tia b le an d v ery q uic k . T hough b lin d, it fo und it s m eals im med ia te ly , n o m atte r h ow b ig o r s m all, a liv e o r d ead , a n d d ig este d t h em w it h a la rm in g sp eed . O ne m in ute a herrin g or sq uid w ould be dro pped in to th e ta n k w it h it , an d mom en ts la te r th e s h ark w ould d ep osit , o n th e a q uariu m { oor, a ll th at r e m ain ed o f th at an im al— a t in y g ra in y s u bsta n ce t h at lo oked lik e a sh . T his a ct w as m ad e m ore f a sc in atin g giv en th e sh ark ’s tr a n slu ce n t sk in , w hic h a llo w ed a n u nfe tte re d v ie w in to it s d ig estiv e pro ce ss. Sh e h eard a d ro ple t th ro ugh h er e arp ie ce . “ F eed in g m oved b ack to 1 :0 2,” a v oic e s a id . It w as n ow 1 2:5 1. Mae lo oked d ow n t h e d ark h allw ay , t o t h e t h re e o th er a q uariu m s, e ach o f t h em s lig h tly sm alle r th an th e o ne b efo re it . T he h all w as k ep t e n tir e ly u nlit , to b est h ig h lig h t th e ele ctr ic -b lu e a q uariu m s a n d t h e f o g-w hit e c re atu re s w it h in . “L et’s m ove o ver t o t h e o cto pus f o r n ow ,” t h e v oic e s a id . The m ain au dio fe ed , fr o m A ddit io nal G uid an ce to M ae, w as pro vid ed via a tin y earp ie ce , a n d th is a llo w ed th e A G te am to g iv e h er o cca sio nal d ir e ctio ns— to s u ggest s h e dro p by th e M ach in e A ge, fo r exam ple , to sh ow h er w atc h ers a n ew , so la r-p ow ere d co nsu m er dro ne th at co uld tr a v el unlim it e d dis ta n ce s, acro ss co ntin en ts an d se as, pro vid ed a d eq uate e xp osu re t o s u n; s h e’d d one t h at v is it e arlie r t h is d ay . T his w as a g o od portio n o f h er d ay , t h e t o urin g o f v ario us d ep artm en ts , t h e in tr o ductio n o f n ew p ro ducts , eit h er C ir c le -m ad e o r C ir c le -e n dorse d . I t e n su re d t h at e v ery d ay w as d if fe re n t, a n d h ad , in th e six w eek s sh e’d been tr a n sp are n t, exp ose d M ae to vir tu ally ev ery co rn er of th e ca m pus— fr o m t h e A ge o f S ail t o t h e O ld K in gd om , w here t h ey w ere , o n a la rk m ore t h an an yth in g, w ork in g o n a p ro je ct t o a tta ch a c a m era t o e v ery r e m ain in g p ola r b ear. “L et’s s e e t h e o cto pus,” M ae s a id t o h er v ie w ers. Sh e m oved over to a ro und gla ss str u ctu re six te en fe et hig h an d tw elv e fe et in dia m ete r. In sid e, a p ale s p in ele ss b ein g, th e h ue o f a c lo ud b ut v ein ed in b lu e a n d g re en , was f e elin g a ro und, g u essin g a n d f la ilin g, lik e a n ear-b lin d m an f u m blin g f o r h is g la sse s. “T his is a re la tiv e o f th e te le sc o pe o cto pus,” M ae sa id , “ b ut th is o ne h as n ev er b een ca p tu re d a liv e b efo re .” Its sh ap e se em ed to c h an ge c o ntin uously , b allo on-lik e a n d b ulb ous o ne m om en t, a s if in { atin g it s e lf , co n y den t an d gro w in g, th en th e n ext it w ould b e sh rin kin g, sp in nin g, str e tc h in g a n d r e ach in g, u nsu re o f it s t r u e f o rm . “A s y ou c a n s e e, it s t r u e s iz e is v ery h ard t o d is c e rn . O ne s e co nd it s e em s lik e y ou c o uld hold it in y our h an d, a n d t h e n ext it e n co m passe s m ost o f t h e t a n k.” The c re atu re ’s t e n ta cle s s e em ed t o w an t t o k now e v ery th in g: t h e s h ap e o f t h e g la ss, t h e to pogra p hy o f t h e c o ra l b elo w , t h e f e el o f t h e w ate r a ll a ro und. “H e’s alm ost en dearin g,” M ae sa id , w atc h in g th e o cto pus re ach fr o m w all to w all, sp re ad in g it s e lf lik e a n et. S o m eth in g a b out it s c u rio sit y g av e it a s e n tie n t p re se n ce , f u ll o f doubt a n d w an tin g. “S te n to n fo und th is o ne y rst,” s h e s a id a b out th e o cto pus, w hic h w as n ow r is in g fr o m th e { oor, s lo w ly , { am boyan tly . “ It c a m e fr o m b eh in d h is s u bm ersib le a n d s h ot in fr o nt, as if it w ere a sk in g h im to fo llo w . Y ou ca n se e h ow fa st it m ig h t h av e m oved .” T he octo pus w as n ow ca re en in g a ro und th e a q uariu m , p ro pellin g it s e lf in m otio ns lik e th e open in g a n d c lo sin g o f a n u m bre lla . Mae c h eck ed t h e t im e. I t w as 1 2:5 4. S h e h ad a f e w m in ute s t o k ill. S h e k ep t h er le n s o n th e o cto pus. Sh e w as u nder n o illu sio n th at e v ery m in ute o f e v ery d ay w as e q ually sc in tilla tin g to her w atc h ers. In th e w eek s M ae h ad b een tr a n sp are n t, th ere h ad b een d ow ntim e, a g o od deal o f it , b ut h er t a sk , p rim arily , w as t o p ro vid e a n o pen w in dow in to lif e a t t h e C ir c le , th e s u blim e a n d t h e b an al. “ H ere w e a re in t h e g y m ,” s h e m ig h t s a y , s h ow in g v ie w ers t h e healt h clu b fo r th e y rst tim e. “P eo ple a re ru nnin g a n d sw eatin g a n d d ev is in g w ay s to ch eck e ach o th er o ut w it h out g ettin g c a u gh t.” T hen , a n h our la te r, sh e m ig h t b e e atin g lu nch , ca su ally an d w it h out co m men ta ry , acro ss fr o m oth er Cir c le rs, all of th em beh av in g, o r a tte m ptin g to , a s if n o o ne w as w atc h in g a t a ll. M ost o f h er fe llo w C ir c le rs were h ap py to b e o n-c a m era , a n d a fte r a fe w d ay s a ll C ir c le rs k new th at it w as a p art o f th eir jo b a t th e C ir c le , a n d a n e le m en ta l p art o f th e C ir c le , p erio d. If th ey w ere to b e a co m pan y e sp ousin g t r a n sp are n cy , a n d t h e g lo bal a n d u nen din g a d van ta ges o f o pen a cce ss, th ey n eed ed t o b e liv in g t h at id eal, a lw ay s a n d e v ery w here , a n d e sp ecia lly o n c a m pus. Than kfu lly , th ere w as e n ough to illu m in ate a n d c e le b ra te w it h in th e C ir c le g ate s. T he fa ll a n d w in te r h ad b ro ugh t t h e in ev it a b le , a ll o f it , w it h b lit z k rie g s p eed . A ll o ver c a m pus th ere w ere s ig n s th at h in te d a t im min en t C om ple tio n. T he m essa ges w ere c ry ptic , m ean t to p iq ue cu rio sit y a n d d is c u ssio n. What w ou ld C om ple tio n m ea n ? S ta ers w ere a sk ed to co nte m pla te th is , su bm it a n sw ers, a n d w rit e o n th e id ea b oard s. Every on e o n E arth h as a Cir c le a cco u nt! o ne p opula r m essa ge s a id . The C ir c le so lv es w orld h u nger , sa id a n oth er. The Cir c le help s m e ynd m y an cesto rs , sa id yet an oth er. No data , hu m an or num eric a l or em otio n al o r h is to ric a l, is e ver lo st a ga in . T hat o ne h ad b een w rit te n a n d sig n ed b y B aile y him se lf . T he m ost p opula r w as The C ir c le h elp s m e fin d m yse lf . So m an y o f th ese d ev elo pm en ts h ad b een lo ng in th e p la n nin g s ta ges a t th e C ir c le , b ut th e tim in g h ad n ev er b een q uit e so rig h t, an d th e m om en tu m w as to o str o ng to b e re sis te d . N ow , w it h 9 0 p erc e n t o f W ash in gto n tr a n sp are n t, a n d th e r e m ain in g 1 0 p erc e n t wilt in g u nder th e su sp ic io n o f th eir c o lle agu es a n d c o nstit u en ts , th e q uestio n b eat d ow n on th em lik e a n a n gry s u n: w hat a re y ou h id in g? T he p la n w as th at m ost C ir c le rs w ould be tr a n sp are n t w it h in th e y ear, b ut fo r th e tim e b ein g, to w ork o ut th e b ugs a n d g et ev ery one u se d to th e id ea, it w as ju st M ae a n d S te w art, b ut h is e xp erim en t h ad b een la rg ely e clip se d b y M ae’s . M ae w as y oung, a n d m oved fa r q uic k er th an S te w art, a n d h ad her voic e — watc h ers lo ved it , co m parin g it to m usic , ca llin g it lik e w ood w in d an d a won derfu l aco u stic str u m —an d M ae w as lo vin g it , to o, fe elin g daily th e a ectio n of millio ns f lo w t h ro ugh h er. It to ok g ettin g u se d to , th ough , s ta rtin g w it h th e b asic w ork in g o f th e e q uip m en t. T he ca m era w as lig h t, a n d a fte r a f e w d ay s, M ae c o uld b are ly s e n se t h e w eig h t o f t h e le n s, n o heav ie r th an a lo ck et, o ver h er b re astb one. T hey ’d tr ie d v ario us w ay s to k eep it o n h er ch est, in clu din g v elc ro a tta ch ed to h er c lo th in g, b ut n oth in g w as a s e ectiv e, a n d sim ple , as s im ply h an gin g it a ro und h er n eck . T he s e co nd a d ju stm en t, o ne s h e fo und c o ntin ually fa sc in atin g a n d o cca sio nally ja rrin g, w as s e ein g— th ro ugh a s m all f r a m e o n h er r ig h t w ris t —what t h e c a m era w as s e ein g. S h e’d a ll b ut f o rg o tte n a b out h er le ft-w ris t h ealt h m onit o r, but th e c a m era h ad m ad e e sse n tia l th e u se o f th is , a s e co nd, r ig h t-w ris t b ra ce le t. It w as th e s a m e s iz e a n d m ate ria l a s h er le ft, b ut w it h a la rg er s c re en t o a cco m modate v id eo a n d a s u m matio n o f a ll o f h er d ata o n h er u su al s c re en s. W it h a b ra ce le t o n e ach w ris t, e ach sn ug a n d w it h a b ru sh ed -m eta l y nis h , s h e fe lt lik e W onder W om an a n d k new s o m eth in g of h er p ow er— th ough t h e id ea w as t o o r id ic u lo us t o t e ll a n yone a b out. On h er le ft w ris t, s h e s a w h er h eartb eat; o n h er r ig h t, s h e c o uld s e e w hat h er w atc h ers were s e ein g— a r e al-t im e v ie w fr o m h er le n s, w hic h a llo w ed h er to m ak e a n y n ece ssa ry ad ju stm en ts to th e v ie w . It als o gav e h er cu rre n t w atc h er n um bers, h er ra n kin gs an d ra tin gs, a n d h ig h lig h te d th e m ost re ce n t a n d m ost p opula r co m men ts fr o m v ie w ers. A t th at m om en t, s ta n din g b efo re t h e o cto pus, M ae h ad 4 41,7 62 w atc h ers, w hic h w as a lit tle ab ove h er a v era ge, b ut s till le ss t h an w hat s h e’d h oped f o r w hile r e v ealin g S te n to n’s d eep – se a dis c o verie s. The oth er num bers dis p la y ed w ere unsu rp ris in g. Sh e w as av era gin g 845,0 29 uniq ue vis it o rs to her liv e fo ota ge in an y giv en day , an d had 2.1 m illio n fo llo w ers to h er Z in g fe ed . S h e n o lo nger h ad to w orry a b out sta y in g in th e T 2K ; h er vis ib ilit y , a n d th e im men se p ow er o f h er a u die n ce , g u ara n te ed str a to sp heric C onversio n Rate s a n d R eta il R aw s, a n d e n su re d s h e w as a lw ay s in t h e t o p t e n . “L et’s se e th e se ah orse s,” M ae sa id , a n d m oved to th e n ext a q uariu m . T here , a m id a paste l b ouquet o f co ra l a n d { ow in g fr o nds o f b lu e se aw eed , sh e sa w h undre d s, m ay be th ousa n ds, o f t in y b ein gs, n o b ig ger t h an t h e f in gers o f a c h ild , h id in g in n ooks, c lin gin g t o th e fo lia ge. “N ot p artic u la rly fr ie n dly y sh , th ese g u ys. W ait , a re th ey e v en y sh ?” sh e ask ed , a n d lo oked t o h er w ris t, w here a w atc h er h ad a lr e ad y s e n t t h e a n sw er. Abso lu te ly a fis h ! C la ss A ctin opte ry gii. S am e a s c o d a n d tu na . “T han k y ou, S u sa n na W in f r o m G re en sb oro !” M ae s a id , a n d r e zin ged t h e in fo rm atio n t o her f o llo w ers. “ N ow le t’s s e e if w e c a n y nd t h e d ad dy o f a ll t h ese b ab y s e ah orse s. A s y ou mig h t k now , th e m ale se ah orse is th e o ne th at ca rrie s th e o sp rin g. T he h undre d s o f bab ie s y ou se e w ere b ir th ed ju st a fte r th e d ad dy a rriv ed h ere . N ow w here is h e?” M ae walk ed a ro und th e a q uariu m , a n d s o on fo und h im , a b out th e s iz e o f h er h an d, r e stin g a t th e b otto m o f th e ta n k, le an in g a gain st th e g la ss. “ I th in k h e’s h id in g,” M ae s a id , “ b ut h e doesn ’t s e em t o k now w e’r e o n t h e o th er s id e o f t h e g la ss h ere , a n d c a n s e e e v ery th in g.” Sh e c h eck ed h er w ris t a n d a d ju ste d th e a n gle o f h er le n s a b it , to g et th e b est lo ok a t th e fr a gile y sh . H e w as c u rle d w it h h is b ack to h er, lo okin g e xh au ste d a n d s h y. S h e p ut her fa ce , a n d le n s, u p to th e g la ss, so c lo se to h im sh e c o uld se e th e tin y c lo uds in h is in te llig en t ey es, th e unlik ely fr e ck le s on his delic a te sn out. H e w as an im pro bab le cre atu re , a te rrib le sw im mer, b uilt lik e a C hin ese la n te rn a n d u tte rly w it h out d efe n se . Her w ris t h ig h lig h te d a zin g w it h e xce p tio nally h ig h ra tin gs. The cro is sa n t o f th e a n im al kin gd om , it sa id , a n d M ae re p eate d it a lo ud. B ut d esp it e h is fr a gilit y , so m eh ow h e h ad alr e ad y r e p ro duce d , h ad g iv en lif e t o a h undre d m ore lik e h im se lf , w hile t h e o cto pus a n d th e s h ark h ad tr a ce d th e c o nto urs o f th eir ta n ks a n d e ate n . N ot th at th e s e ah orse s e em ed to c a re . H e w as a p art fr o m h is p ro gen y, a s if h av in g n o c lu e w here th ey c a m e fr o m , a n d no in te re st in w hat h ap pen ed t o t h em . Mae c h eck ed th e tim e. 1 :0 2. A ddit io nal G uid an ce sp oke th ro ugh h er e arp ie ce : “ S h ark fe ed in g r e ad y.” “O kay ,” M ae sa id , g la n cin g a t h er w ris t. “ I’m se ein g a b unch o f re q uests th at w e g et back t o t h e s h ark , a n d it ’s a fte r o ne, s o I ’m t h in kin g w e’l l d o t h at.” S h e le ft t h e s e ah orse , who t u rn ed t o h er, b rie fly , a s if n ot w an tin g t o s e e h er g o . Mae m ad e h er w ay b ack to th e y rst a n d la rg est a q uariu m , w hic h h eld S te n to n’s s h ark . Above th e a q uariu m , sh e sa w a y oung w om an , w it h cu rly b la ck h air a n d cu ed w hit e je an s, s ta n din g a to p a s le ek r e d la d der. “H ello ,” M ae s a id t o h er. “ I’m M ae.” The w om an s e em ed r e ad y t o s a y “ I k now t h at,” b ut t h en , a s if r e m em berin g t h ey w ere on ca m era , a d opte d a stu die d , p erfo rm ativ e to ne. “H ello M ae, I’m G eo rg ia , a n d I’l l b e fe ed in g M r. S te n to n’s s h ark n ow .” And t h en , t h ough it w as b lin d, a n d t h ere w as n o f o od y et in t h e t a n k, t h e s h ark s e em ed to se n se a fe ast w as a t h an d. It b egan tu rn in g lik e a cy clo ne, ris in g e v er-c lo se r to th e su rfa ce . M ae’s w atc h ers h ad a lr e ad y r is e n b y 4 2,0 00. “ Som e one’s h ungry ,” M ae s a id . The sh ark , w hic h h ad se em ed o nly p assin gly m en acin g b efo re , n ow a p peare d v ic io us an d w holly s e n tie n t, t h e e m bodim en t o f t h e p re d ato ry in stin ct. G eo rg ia w as a tte m ptin g t o lo ok c o n y den t, c o m pete n t, b ut M ae sa w fe ar a n d tr e p id atio n in h er e y es. “ R ead y d ow n th ere ?” s h e a sk ed , w it h out t a k in g h er e y es o ff t h e s h ark m ak in g it s w ay t o w ard h er. “W e’r e r e ad y,” M ae s a id . “O kay , I’m g o in g to fe ed th e s h ark s o m eth in g n ew to day . A s y ou k now , h e’s b een fe d all k in ds o f stu , fr o m sa lm on to h errin g to je lly y sh . H e’s d ev oure d ev ery th in g w it h eq ual e n th usia sm . Y este rd ay w e tr ie d a m an ta , w hic h w e d id n’t e xp ect h im to e n jo y, b ut he d id n’t h esit a te , a n d a te w it h g u sto . S o to day w e’r e a gain e xp erim en tin g w it h a n ew fo od. A s y ou c a n s e e,” s h e s a id , a n d M ae n otic e d t h at t h e b uck et s h e c a rrie d w as m ad e o f lu cit e , a n d in sid e sh e sa w so m eth in g b lu e a n d b ro w n, w it h to o m an y le gs. S h e h eard it tic k in g again st th e buck et w alls : a lo bste r. M ae had nev er th ough t of sh ark s eatin g lo bste rs, b ut s h e c o uld n’t s e e w hy t h ey w ould n’t . “H ere w e h av e a r e gu la r M ain e lo bste r, w hic h w e’r e n ot s u re if th is s h ark is e q uip ped to e at.” Geo rg ia w as p erh ap s tr y in g to p ut o n a g o od sh ow , b ut e v en M ae w as n erv ous a b out how lo ng sh e w as h old in g th e lo bste r o ver th e w ate r. Dro p it , M ae th ough t to h erse lf . Ple a se d ro p it . But G eo rg ia w as h old in g it o ver th e w ate r, p re su m ab ly fo r th e b en e y t o f M ae a n d h er vie w ers. T he sh ark , m ean w hile , h ad se n se d th e lo bste r, h ad n o d oubt m ap ped it s sh ap e wit h w hate v er s e n so rs it p osse sse d , a n d w as c ir c lin g q uic k er, s till o bed ie n t b ut a t t h e e n d of it s p atie n ce . “S o m e s h ark s c a n p ro ce ss th e s h ells o f c ru sta ce an s lik e th is , s o m e c a n ’t ,” G eo rg ia s a id , now d an glin g t h e lo bste r s u ch t h at it s c la w w as la zily t o uch in g t h e s u rfa ce . Dro p it , p le a se , Mae t h ough t. Ple a se d ro p it n ow . “S o I ’l l ju st d ro p t h is lit tle g u y in to — ” But b efo re s h e c o uld y nis h h er s e n te n ce t h e s h ark h ad r is e n u p a n d s n atc h ed t h e lo bste r fr o m th e c a re ta k er’s h an d. B y th e tim e G eo rg ia le t o ut a s q ueal a n d g ra b bed h er y ngers, as if to c o unt th em , th e sh ark w as a lr e ad y b ack in th e m id dle o f th e ta n k, th e lo bste r en gu lf e d in it s ja w s, t h e c ru sta ce an ’s w hit e f le sh s p ra y in g f r o m t h e s h ark ’s w id e m outh . “D id h e g et y ou?” M ae a sk ed . Geo rg ia s h ook h er h ead , h old in g b ack t e ars. “ A lm ost.” S h e r u bbed h er h an d a s if it h ad been b urn ed . The lo bste r h ad b een c o nsu m ed , a n d M ae s a w s o m eth in g g ru eso m e a n d w onderfu l: th e lo bste r w as b ein g p ro ce sse d , in sid e th e sh ark , in fr o nt o f h er, w it h lig h tn in g sp eed a n d in cre d ib le c la rit y . M ae s a w t h e lo bste r b ro ken in to d oze n s, t h en h undre d s o f p ie ce s, in t h e sh ark ’s m outh , th en sa w th ose pie ce s m ak e th eir w ay th ro ugh th e sh ark ’s gu lle t, it s sto m ach , it s in te stin es. In m in ute s th e lo bste r h ad b een re d uce d to a g ra in y, p artic u la te su bsta n ce . T he w aste le ft t h e s h ark a n d f e ll lik e s n ow t o t h e a q uariu m f lo or. “L ooks lik e h e’s still h ungry ,” G eo rg ia sa id . S h e w as a to p th e la d der a gain , b ut n ow wit h a d i ere n t lu cit e co nta in er. W hile M ae h ad b een w atc h in g th e d ig estio n o f th e lo bste r, G eo rg ia h ad r e tr ie v ed a s e co nd m eal. “Is t h at w hat I t h in k it is ? ” M ae a sk ed . “T his is a P aci y c se a tu rtle ,” G eo rg ia sa id , h old in g u p th e co nta in er th at h eld th e re p tile . It w as a b out a s b ig a s G eo rg ia ’s to rso , p ain te d in a p atc h w ork o f g re en a n d b lu e an d b ro w n, a b eau tif u l a n im al u nab le t o m ove in t h e t ig h t s p ace . G eo rg ia o pen ed t h e d oor at one e n d o f t h e c o nta in er, a s if in vit in g t h e t u rtle t o e xit if h e s o c h ose . H e c h ose t o s ta y where h e w as. “T here ’s lit tle c h an ce o ur sh ark h as e n co unte re d o ne o f th ese , g iv en th e d i ere n ce in th eir h ab it a ts ,” G eo rg ia sa id . “T his tu rtle w ould h av e n o re aso n to sp en d tim e w here Ste n to n’s s h ark d w ells , a n d t h e s h ark s u re ly h as n ev er s e en t h e lig h t-d ap ple d a re as w here th e t u rtle s liv e.” Mae w an te d t o a sk if G eo rg ia w ere t r u ly a b out t o f e ed t h at t u rtle t o t h e s h ark . I ts e y es had b eh eld th e p re d ato r b elo w , a n d w as n ow , w it h th e slo w e n erg y it co uld h arn ess, push in g it s w ay t o t h e b ack o f t h e c o nta in er. F eed in g t h is k in dly c re atu re t o t h e s h ark , n o matte r th e n ece ssit y o r sc ie n ti y c b en e y t, w ould n ot p le ase m an y o f M ae’s w atc h ers. Alr e ad y z in gs w ere c o m in g th ro ugh h er w ris t. Ple a se d on ’t k ill th at tu rtle . It lo oks lik e m y gra n ddad ! T here w as a se co nd th re ad , th ough , th at in sis te d th e sh ark , w hic h w as n ot much b ig ger th an th e tu rtle , w ould n ot b e a b le to s w allo w o r d ig est th e r e p tile , w it h it s im pen etr a b le sh ell. B ut ju st w hen M ae w as a b out to q uestio n th e im min en t fe ed in g, a n AG v oic e c a m e t h ro ugh M ae’s e arp ie ce . “ H old t ig h t. S te n to n w an ts t o s e e t h is h ap pen .” In th e ta n k, th e sh ark w as cir c lin g a gain , lo okin g e v ery b it a s le an a n d ra v en ous a s befo re . T he lo bste r h ad b een n oth in g to it , a m ean in gle ss sn ack . N ow it ro se clo se r to Geo rg ia , k now in g t h e m ain c o urse w as a p pro ach in g. “H ere w e go ,” G eo rg ia sa id , an d tilt e d th e co nta in er u ntil th e tu rtle b egan slid in g, slo w ly , t o w ard t h e n eo n w ate r, w hic h w as s w ir lin g b en eath h im — th e s h ark ’s t u rn in g h ad cre ate d a v orte x. W hen th e c o nta in er w as v ertic a l, a n d th e tu rtle ’s h ead h ad c le are d th e lu cit e t h re sh old , t h e s h ark c o uld w ait n o lo nger. I t r o se u p, g ra b bed t h e tu rtle ’s h ead in it s ja w s, a n d p ulle d it u nder. A nd lik e th e lo bste r, th e tu rtle w as c o nsu m ed in s e co nds, b ut th is t im e it t o ok a s h ap e-s h if tin g t h at t h e c ru sta ce an h ad n’t r e q uir e d . T he s h ark s e em ed t o unhook it s ja w , d oublin g t h e s iz e o f it s m outh , e n ab lin g it t o e asily s u bsu m e t h e w hole o f th e tu rtle in o ne sw allo w . G eo rg ia w as n arra tin g, sa y in g so m eth in g ab out h ow m an y sh ark s, w hen e atin g tu rtle s, w ill tu rn th eir s to m ach s in sid e o ut, v om it in g th e s h ells a fte r dig estin g t h e { esh y p arts o f t h e r e p tile . B ut S te n to n’s s h ark h ad o th er m eth ods. T he s h ell se em ed to d is so lv e in sid e th e s h ark ’s m outh a n d s to m ach lik e a c ra ck er s o ak ed in s a liv a. And in le ss t h an a m in ute , t h e t u rtle , a ll o f it , h ad b een t u rn ed t o a sh . I t e xit e d t h e s h ark as h ad th e lo bste r, in { ak es th at fe ll p ondero usly to th e a q uariu m { oor, jo in in g, a n d in dis tin gu is h ab le f r o m , t h ose t h at h ad c o m e b efo re . Mae w as w atc h in g t h is w hen s h e s a w a y gu re , n early a s ilh ouette , o n t h e o th er s id e o f th e g la ss, b ey ond t h e a q uariu m ’s f a r w all. H is b ody w as ju st a s h ad ow , h is f a ce in vis ib le , but th en , fo r a m om en t, th e lig h t fr o m a b ove re { ecte d o n th e c ir c lin g sh ark ’s sk in , a n d re v eale d t h e f ig u re ’s f a ce . It w as K ald en . Mae h ad n’t se en h im in a m onth , a n d sin ce h er tr a n sp are n cy , h ad n’t h eard a n y w ord fr o m h im . A nnie h ad b een in A m ste rd am , th en C hin a, th en J ap an , th en b ack to G en ev a, an d so h ad n’t h ad tim e to fo cu s o n K ald en , b ut th e tw o o f th em h ad tr a d ed o cca sio nal messa ges a b out h im . H ow c o nce rn ed s h ould t h ey b e a b out t h is u nknow n m an ? But t h en h e’d d is a p peare d . Now h e w as s ta n din g, lo okin g a t h er, u nm ovin g. Sh e w an te d t o c a ll o ut, b ut t h en w orrie d . W ho w as h e? W ould c a llin g t o h im , c a p tu rin g him o n c a m era , c re ate s o m e s c e n e? W ould he { ee? S h e w as s till in s h ock f r o m t h e s h ark ’s dig estio n o f th e tu rtle , fr o m it s d ull-e y ed w ra th , a n d sh e fo und sh e h ad n o v oic e , n o str e n gth t o s a y K ald en ’s n am e. S o s h e s ta re d a t h im , a n d h e s ta re d a t h er, a n d s h e h ad t h e th ough t t h at if s h e c o uld c a tc h h im o n h er c a m era , p erh ap s s h e c o uld s h ow t h is t o A nnie , an d th at m ig h t le ad to so m e cla rit y , so m e id en ti y ca tio n. B ut w hen M ae lo oked to h er wris t, sh e sa w o nly th e d ark est fo rm , h is fa ce o bsc u re d . P erh ap s h er le n s co uld n’t se e him , w as w atc h in g fr o m a d i ere n t an gle . A s sh e tr a ck ed h is sh ap e o n h er w ris t, h e back ed a w ay a n d w alk ed o ff in to t h e s h ad ow s. Mean w hile , G eo rg ia h ad b een n atte rin g a b out t h e s h ark a n d w hat t h ey ’d w it n esse d , a n d Mae h ad n’t c a u gh t a n y o f it . B ut n ow s h e w as s ta n din g a to p h er la d der, w av in g, h opin g th at M ae w as y nis h ed , b eca u se sh e h ad n oth in g le ft to fe ed th e a n im al. T he sh ow w as over. “O kay th en ,” M ae s a id , th an kfu l fo r th e c h an ce to g et a w ay a n d to fo llo w K ald en . S h e sa id g o odbye a n d t h an ks t o G eo rg ia , a n d w alk ed b ris k ly t h ro ugh t h e d ark h allw ay . Sh e c a u gh t s ig h t o f h is s ilh ouette le av in g t h ro ugh a f a ra w ay d oor, a n d s h e p ic k ed u p h er pace , c a re fu l n ot to s h ak e h er le n s o r c a ll o ut. T he d oor h e’d s lip ped th ro ugh le d to th e new sro om , w hic h w ould b e a lo gic a l e n ough p la ce fo r M ae to b e v is it in g n ext. “ L et’s s e e what’s g o in g o n in th e n ew sro om ,” sh e sa id , k now in g a ll w it h in w ould b e a w are o f h er ap pro ach in th e tw en ty ste p s it w ould ta k e h er to get th ere . Sh e als o k new th at th e SeeC han ge ca m era s in th e h allw ay , o ver th e d oorw ay , w ould h av e ca u gh t K ald en , a n d sh e’d k now s o oner o r la te r if it w as a ctu ally h im . E very m ovem en t w it h in t h e C ir c le w as ca u gh t o n o ne c a m era o r a n oth er, u su ally t h re e, a n d r e co nstr u ctin g a n yone’s m ovem en ts , afte r t h e f a ct, w as o nly a f e w m in ute s’ w ork . As sh e a p pro ach ed th e n ew sro om d oor, M ae th ough t o f K ald en ’s han ds u pon h er. H is han ds r e ach in g lo w , p ullin g h im se lf in to h er. S h e h eard th e lo w r u m ble o f h is v oic e . H is ta ste , lik e so m e w et fr e sh fr u it . W hat if sh e fo und h im ? S h e co uld n’t ta k e h im to th e bath ro om . O r c o uld s h e? S h e w ould f in d a w ay . Sh e o pen ed th e d oor to th e n ew sro om , a w id e sp ace B aile y h ad m odele d o n o ld -t im e new sp ap er o } ce s, w it h a h undre d lo w cu bic le s, n ew s tic k ers an d clo ck s ev ery w here , each d esk w it h a re tr o a n alo g te le p hone, a ro w o f w hit e b utto ns b elo w th e n um bers, blin kin g arrh yth m ic a lly . There were old prin te rs, fa x mach in es, te le x dev ic e s, le tte rp re sse s. The deco r, of co urse , w as fo r sh ow . All th e re tr o m ach in es w ere nonfu nctio nal. T he n ew s gath ere rs, w hose fa ce s w ere n ow u pon M ae, sm ilin g, sa y in g hello to h er a n d h er w atc h ers, w ere a b le to d o m ost o f th eir re p ortin g v ia S eeC han ge. There w ere n ow o ver a h undre d m illio n ca m era s fu nctio nal a n d a cce ssib le a ro und th e world , m ak in g in -p erso n r e p ortin g u nnece ssa rily e xp en siv e a n d d an gero us, t o s a y n oth in g of t h e c a rb on e xp en dit u re s. As M ae w alk ed th ro ugh th e n ew sro om , th e sta w av ed to h er, u nsu re if th is w as a n o } cia l v is it . M ae w av ed b ack , sc a n nin g th e ro om , k now in g sh e ap peare d d is tr a cte d . Where w as K ald en ? T here w as o nly o ne o th er e xit , so M ae ru sh ed th ro ugh th e ro om , noddin g a n d g re etin g, u ntil s h e c a m e to th e d oor o n th e fa r e n d. S h e o pen ed it , { in ch in g at t h e b rig h t lig h t o f d ay , a n d s a w h im . H e w as c ro ssin g t h e w id e g re en la w n, p assin g t h e new sc u lp tu re b y th at C hin ese d is sid en t— sh e re m em bere d sh e sh ould h ig h lig h t it so on, may be e v en to day — an d ju st th en h e tu rn ed b rie { y, a s if c h eck in g to s e e if M ae w as s till fo llo w in g. H er e y es m et h is , p ro vokin g a tin y sm ile b efo re h e tu rn ed a gain a n d w alk ed quic k ly a ro und t h e P erio d o f F iv e D ynastie s. “W here a re y ou h ead ed ?” t h e v oic e in h er e ar a sk ed . “S o rry . N o p la ce . I w as ju st. N ev er m in d.” Mae w as a llo w ed , o f c o urse , to g o w here s h e p le ase d — her m ean derin gs w ere w hat s o man y w atc h ers a p pre cia te d m ost— but th e A ddit io nal G uid an ce o } ce s till lik ed to c h eck in fr o m tim e to tim e. A s sh e sto od in th e su nlig h t, C ir c le rs a ll a ro und, sh e h eard h er phone r in g. S h e c h eck ed h er w ris t; th ere w as n o c a lle r id en ti y ed . S h e k new it c o uld o nly be K ald en . “H ello ?” s h e s a id . “W e h av e t o m eet,” h e s a id . “E xcu se m e?” s h e a sk ed . “Y our w atc h ers ca n ’t h ear m e. T hey o nly h ear y ou. R ig h t n ow y our en gin eers are wonderin g w hy th e in co m in g a u dio is n ’t w ork in g. T hey ’l l y x it in a fe w m in ute s.” H is voic e w as te n se , s h ak y. “ S o lis te n . M ost o f w hat’s h ap pen in g m ust s to p. I’m s e rio us. T he Cir c le is a lm ost c o m ple te a n d M ae, y ou h av e t o b elie v e m e t h at t h is w ill b e b ad f o r y ou, fo r m e, f o r h um an it y . W hen c a n w e m eet? I f it h as t o b e in t h e b ath ro om t h at’s y ne w it h me— ” Mae h ung u p. “S o rry a b out t h at,” s a id A G t h ro ugh h er e arp ie ce . “ S o m eh ow t h e in co m in g a u dio w asn ’t work in g. W e’r e w ork in g o n it . W ho w as it ? ” Mae k new s h e c o uld n’t lie . S h e w asn ’t s u re if a n yone h ad in deed h eard K ald en . “ S o m e lu natic ,” M ae im pro vis e d , p ro ud o f h erse lf . “ B ab blin g a b out t h e e n d o f t h e w orld .” Mae c h eck ed h er w ris t. A lr e ad y p eo ple w ere w onderin g w hat h ad h ap pen ed a n d h ow . The m ost p opula r z in g: Tech p ro ble m s a t C ir c le H Q? N ex t: S an ta fo rg ets C hris tm as? “T ell t h em t h e t r u th , a s a lw ay s,” A G s a id . “O kay , I h av e n o id ea w hat ju st h ap pen ed ,” M ae s a id a lo ud. “ W hen I d o, I ’l l le t y ou a ll know .” But sh e w as sh ak en . Sh e w as still sta n din g, in th e su nlig h t, w av in g o cca sio nally to Cir c le rs n otic in g h er. S h e k new h er w atc h ers m ig h t w onder w hat w as h ap pen in g n ext, where sh e w as g o in g. S h e d id n’t w an t to ch eck h er w ris t, k now in g th at th e co m men ts would b e p erp le xed a n d e v en c o nce rn ed . O in th e d is ta n ce , s h e s a w w hat lo oked lik e a gam e o f c ro quet, a n d a lig h tin g o n a n id ea, s h e m ad e h er w ay t o it . “N ow , a s y ou a ll k now ,” sh e sa id w hen sh e w as c lo se e n ough to se e a n d w av e to th e fo ur p la y ers, w ho s h e r e aliz e d w ere tw o C ir c le rs a n d a p air o f v is it o rs fr o m R ussia , “ w e do n ot a lw ay s p la y h ere a t th e C ir c le . S o m etim es w e h av e to w ork , w hic h th is g ro up is dem onstr a tin g. I d on’t w an t t o d is tu rb t h em , b ut I c a n a ssu re y ou t h at w hat t h ey ’r e d oin g in volv es p ro ble m -s o lv in g a n d c o m ple x a lg o rit h m s a n d w ill r e su lt in th e im pro vin g o f th e pro ducts a n d s e rv ic e s w e c a n p ro vid e t o y ou. L et’s s o ak t h is in .” That w ould g iv e h er a fe w m in ute s to th in k. P erio dic a lly , s h e w ould fo cu s h er le n s o n so m eth in g lik e t h is , a g am e o r d em onstr a tio n o r s p eech , a n d t h is m ig h t a llo w h er m in d t o wan der, w hile t h e w atc h ers w atc h ed . S h e c h eck ed t h e v ie w o n h er w ris t, a n d s a w t h at h er watc h ers, 4 32,0 28, w ere w it h in th e a v era ge, a n d th ere w ere n o u rg en t c o m men ts , s o s h e perm it te d h erse lf t h re e m in ute s b efo re s h e h ad t o r e ta k e c o ntr o l o f t h e f e ed . W it h a w id e sm ile — fo r sh e w as su re ly vis ib le on th re e or fo ur outd oor SeeC han ges— sh e to ok a bre ath . T his w as a n ew sk ill sh e’d a cq uir e d , th e a b ilit y to lo ok, to th e o uts id e w orld , utte rly se re n e a n d e v en c h eerfu l, w hile , in h er sk ull, a ll w as c h ao s. Sh e w an te d to c a ll Annie . B ut sh e co uld n’t ca ll A nnie . Sh e w an te d K ald en . Sh e w an te d to b e alo ne w it h Kald en . S h e w an te d t o b e b ack in t h at b ath ro om s it tin g o n h im , f e elin g t h e c ro w n o f h im push th ro ugh . B ut h e w as n ot n orm al. H e w as so m e k in d o f sp y h ere . So m e k in d o f an arc h is t, d oom sa y er. W hat h ad h e m ean t w hen h e w arn ed o f th e co m ple tio n o f th e Cir c le ? S h e d id n’t e v en k now w hat C om ple tio n m ean t. N o o ne d id . T he W is e M en h ad re ce n tly b egu n to h in t a b out it , th ough . O ne d ay , in n ew tile s a ll o ver c a m pus, c ry ptic messa ges h ad a p peare d : T HIN K C OM PLE TIO N a n d C OM PLE TE T H E C IR CLE a n d T HE C IR CLE M UST B E W HOLE , an d t h ese s lo gan s h ad s tir re d u p t h e d esir e d in tr ig u e. B ut n o o ne k new w hat it m ean t, a n d th e W is e M en w ere n ’t t e llin g. Mae c h eck ed th e tim e. S h e’d b een w atc h in g th e c ro quet m atc h fo r n in ety s e co nds. S h e co uld only re aso nab ly hold th is pose fo r an oth er m in ute or tw o. So w hat w as her re sp onsib ilit y t o r e p ort t h is c a ll? H ad a n yone a ctu ally h eard w hat K ald en h ad s a id ? W hat if t h ey h ad ? W hat if t h is w as s o m e k in d o f t e st, t o s e e if s h e’d r e p ort a r o gu e c a ll? M ay be th is w as p art o f C om ple tio n— a t e st lik e t h is t o m easu re h er lo yalt y , t o t h w art a n yone o r an yth in g th at w ould im ped e C om ple tio n? O h sh it , sh e th ough t. S h e w an te d to ta lk to Annie , b ut sh e k new sh e co uld n’t . Sh e th ough t o f h er p are n ts , w ho w ould giv e go od co unse l, b ut th eir h ouse w as tr a n sp are n t, to o, fu ll o f S eeC han ge c a m era s— a c o ndit io n o f her fa th er’s tr e atm en t. M ay be sh e c o uld g o th ere , m eet th em in th e b ath ro om ? N o. S h e had n’t , a ctu ally , b een in t o uch w it h t h em f o r a f e w d ay s. T hey h ad w arn ed h er t h ey w ere hav in g s o m e te ch nic a l d i } cu lt ie s, w ould b e b ack in to uch s o on, th at th ey lo ved h er, a n d th en h ad n’t a n sw ere d a n y o f h er m essa ges f o r t h e la st f o rty -e ig h t h ours. A nd in t h at t im e, sh e h ad n’t c h eck ed th e c a m era s in th eir h ouse . S h e h ad to do th at. S h e m ad e a m en ta l note . M ay be sh e c o uld c a ll th em ? M ak e su re th ey w ere o kay , a n d th en h in t, so m eh ow , th at s h e w an te d t o t a lk t o t h em a b out s o m eth in g v ery u nse ttlin g a n d p erso nal? No, n o. T his w as a ll m ad . S h e’d g o tte n a r a n dom c a ll fr o m a m an s h e n ow k new to b e nuts . O h sh it , sh e th ough t, h opin g n o o ne co uld gu ess at th e ch ao s in h er m in d. Sh e re lis h ed bein g w here sh e w as, vis ib le lik e th is , a co nduit lik e th is , a gu id e to her watc h ers, b ut th is r e sp onsib ilit y , th is u nnece ssa ry in tr ig u e, it c rip ple d h er. A nd w hen s h e fe lt th is p ara ly sis , ca u gh t b etw een e n tir e ly to o m an y p ossib ilit ie s a n d u nknow ns, th ere was o nly o ne p la ce s h e f e lt r ig h t. At 1 :4 4 M ae e n te re d th e R en ais sa n ce , fe lt , a b ove h er, th e g re etin g o f th e s lo w ly tu rn in g Cald er, a n d to ok th e e le v ato r to th e fo urth { oor. J u st r is in g th ro ugh th e b uild in g c a lm ed her. W alk in g d ow n th e c a tw alk , th e a tr iu m v is ib le b elo w , b ro ugh t h er g re at p eace . T his , Custo m er E xp erie n ce , w as h om e, w here t h ere w ere n o u nknow ns. At y rst, M ae h ad b een s u rp ris e d w hen th ey ’d a sk ed h er to c o ntin ue w ork in g, a t le ast a fe w h ours a w eek , a t C E. S h e’d e n jo yed h er t im e t h ere , y es, b ut s h e a ssu m ed t r a n sp are n cy would m ean s h e’d le av e t h at f a r b eh in d. “ T hat’s e xactly t h e p oin t,” B aile y h ad e xp la in ed . “I th in k N um ber O ne, it ’l l k eep y ou c o nnecte d w it h th e g ro und-le v el w ork y ou d id h ere . Num ber T w o, I t h in k y our f o llo w ers a n d v ie w ers w ill a p pre cia te y ou c o ntin uin g t o d o t h is esse n tia l w ork . I t’l l b e a v ery m ovin g a ct o f h um ilit y , d on’t y ou t h in k?” Mae w as a t o nce a w are o f th e p ow er sh e w ie ld ed — in sta n tly , sh e b eca m e o ne o f th e th re e m ost v is ib le C ir c le rs— an d d ete rm in ed to wear it lig h tly . S o M ae h ad fo und tim e in each w eek to r e tu rn to h er o ld p od, a n d to h er o ld d esk , w hic h th ey ’d le ft v aca n t. T here had b een c h an ges m ad e— th ere w ere n ow n in e s c re en s, a n d th e C Es w ere e n co ura ged to be d elv in g f a r d eep er w it h t h eir c lie n ts , t o r e cip ro ca te in f a r-r e ach in g w ay s— but t h e w ork was e sse n tia lly t h e s a m e, a n d M ae f o und t h at s h e a p pre cia te d t h e r h yth m o f it , t h e a lm ost med it a tiv e q ualit y o f d oin g s o m eth in g s h e k new in h er b ones, a n d s h e f o und h erse lf b ein g dra w n t o C E a t t im es o f s tr e ss o r c a la m it y . And so , in h er th ir d w eek o f tr a n sp are n cy , o n a su nny W ed nesd ay , sh e p la n ned o n puttin g in n in ety m in ute s a t C E b efo re t h e r e st o f t h e d ay o verto ok h er. A t t h re e s h e h ad to giv e a to ur o f th e N ap ole o nic E ra , w here th ey w ere m odelin g th e elim in atio n o f physic a l m oney — th e tr a ck ab ilit y o f in te rn et cu rre n cy w ould e lim in ate h uge sw ath s o f crim e overn ig h t— an d at fo ur, sh e w as su ppose d to hig h lig h t th e new m usic ia n s’ re sid en ce s on ca m pus— tw en ty -t w o fu lly eq uip ped ap artm en ts where music ia n s, esp ecia lly t h ose w ho c o uld n’t c o unt o n m ak in g a liv in g t h ro ugh s a le s o f t h eir m usic , c o uld liv e fo r fr e e an d pla y re gu la rly fo r th e C ir c le rs. That w ould ta k e her th ro ugh th e afte rn oon. A t y ve, s h e w as s u ppose d t o a tte n d a n a n nounce m en t f r o m t h e la te st p olit ic ia n to g o c le ar. W hy th ey c o ntin ued to m ak e th ese p ro cla m atio ns w it h fa n fa re — th ey w ere now c a llin g th em C la ri y ca tio ns— was a m yste ry to h er a n d m an y o f h er w atc h ers. T here were te n s o f th ousa n ds o f c le ar e le cte d o } cia ls a ll o ver th e c o untr y a n d w orld , a n d th e movem en t w as le ss a n ovelt y a n d m ore o f a n in ev it a b ilit y ; m ost o bse rv ers p re d ic te d fu ll go vern m en ta l tr a n sp are n cy , a t le ast in d em ocra cie s— an d w it h S eeC han ge th ere w ould so on b e n o o th er k in d— wit h in eig h te en m onth s. A fte r th e C la ri y ca tio n, th ere was an im pro v co m ed y b attle o n ca m pus, a fu ndra is e r fo r a sc h ool in ru ra l P ak is ta n , a w in e ta stin g, a n d f in ally a n a ll-c a m pus b arb ecu e, w it h m usic b y a P eru via n t r a n ce c h oir . Mae w alk ed in to h er o ld p od ro om , w here h er o w n w ord s— S EC RETS A RE L IE S ; S HARIN G I S C ARIN G ; P RIV ACY I S T HEFT —had b een c a st in s te el a n d d om in ate d a n e n tir e w all. T he p la ce w as burstin g w it h n ew bie s, a ll o f w hom lo oked u p, a la rm ed a n d h ap py t o s e e h er t h ere a m ong th em . S h e w av ed to th em , g av e th em a th eatr ic a l fa u x-c u rts e y , s a w J are d s ta n din g in th e doorw ay to h is o } ce , a n d w av ed a t h im , to o. T hen , d ete rm in ed to d o h er w ork w it h out fa n fa re , M ae sa t d ow n, lo gged o n a n d o pen ed th e c h ute . S h e a n sw ere d th re e q uerie s in ra p id su cce ssio n, w it h a n a v era ge o f 9 9. H er fo urth c lie n t w as th e y rst to n otic e th at it was M ae, T ra n sp are n t M ae, h an dlin g h er q uery . I’m w atc h in g you ! th e clie n t, a m ed ia buyer fo r a sp ortin g-g o ods im porte r in N ew Jerse y , w ro te . H er n am e w as J an ic e , a n d s h e c o uld n’t g et o ver th e fa ct s h e c o uld w atc h Mae ty pin g th e a n sw er to h er q uery in r e al-t im e, o n h er s c re en , r ig h t n ext to w here s h e was r e ce iv in g M ae’s t y ped a n sw er. Hall o f m ir ro rs!! s h e w ro te . Afte r J an ic e , M ae h ad a s e rie s o f c lie n ts w ho d id n ot k now it w as h er a n sw erin g th eir querie s, a n d M ae fo und th at th is b oth ere d h er. O ne o f th em , a T -s h ir t d is tr ib uto r fr o m Orla n do nam ed N an ci, ask ed her to jo in her pro fe ssio nal netw ork , an d M ae re ad ily agre ed . J are d h ad to ld h er a b out a n ew le v el o f r e cip ro ca tio n e n co ura ged a m ong th e C E sta . If y ou s e n d a s u rv ey , b e p re p are d to a n sw er o ne y ourse lf . A nd s o a fte r s h e jo in ed th e O rla n do T -s h ir t dis tr ib uto r’s pro fe ssio nal netw ork , sh e go t an oth er m essa ge fr o m Nan ci. S h e a sk ed M ae t o r e sp ond t o a s h ort q uestio nnair e a b out h er p re fe re n ce s in c a su al ap pare l, an d Mae a gre ed . S h e lin ked to th e q uestio nnair e , w hic h sh e re aliz e d w as n ot sh ort; it e n co m passe d fu lly 1 20 q uestio ns. B ut M ae w as h ap py to a n sw er th em , fe elin g her o pin io n m atte re d a n d w as b ein g h eard , a n d t h is k in d o f r e cip ro ca tio n w ould e n gen der lo yalt y fr o m N an ci a n d a ll w ho N an ci ca m e in to co nta ct w it h . A fte r sh e a n sw ere d th e su rv ey q uestio ns, N an ci s e n t h er a p ro fu se t h an k-y ou, a n d t o ld h er s h e c o uld c h oose t h e T – sh ir t o f h er c h oic e , a n d d ir e cte d M ae t o h er c o nsu m er s it e . M ae s a id s h e w ould c h oose a t a la te r t im e, b ut N an ci w ro te b ack , t e llin g M ae t h at s h e c o uld n ot w ait t o s e e w hic h s h ir t Mae w ould c h oose . M ae c h eck ed h er c lo ck ; sh e’d b een o n th e O rla n do q uery fo r e ig h t min ute s, f a r s u rp assin g t h e n ew g u id elin e p er q uery , w hic h w as 2 .5 . Mae k new s h e w ould h av e to p ow er th ro ugh th e n ext te n o r s o q uerie s to g et b ack to an a cce p ta b le a v era ge. S h e w en t t o N an ci’s s it e , c h ose a s h ir t t h at f e atu re d a c a rto on d og in a s u perh ero c o stu m e, a n d N an ci to ld h er th at it w as a g re at c h oic e . M ae th en to ok th e next q uery , an d w as in th e p ro ce ss o f an easy b oile rp la te co nversio n, w hen an oth er messa ge ca m e fr o m N an ci. Sorry to b e M s. S en sit iv e, b u t a fte r I in vit e d y ou to ch oose m y pro fe ssio n al n etw ork , y ou d id n’t a sk m e to jo in y our pro fe ssio n al n etw ork , a n d th ou gh I k n ow I’m ju st a n obod y in O rla n do, I fe lt lik e I h ad to te ll y ou th at it m ad e m e fe el d eva lu ed . M ae to ld N an ci s h e h ad n o in te n tio ns o f m ak in g h er fe el d ev alu ed , th at th in gs w ere ju st b usy at th e C ir c le , a n d th at sh e h ad sp ace d o n th is e sse n tia l re cip ro ca tio n, w hic h sh e q uic k ly re m ed ie d . M ae y nis h ed h er n ext q uery , g o t a 9 8, a n d w as f o llo w in g u p o n t h at o ne, w hen sh e g o t a n oth er m essa ge fr o m N an ci. Did y ou se e m y m essa ge o n th e p ro fe ssio n al n etw ork ? Mae lo oked a t a ll h er fe ed s a n d sa w n o m essa ge fr o m N an ci. I p oste d it o n th e m essa ge board o f your pro fe ssio n al n etw ork ! sh e sa id . A nd so M ae w en t to th at p age, w hic h sh e did n’t v is it o fte n , a n d s a w t h at N an ci h ad w rit te n , Hello s tr a n ger! M ae t y ped Hello y ou rse lf ! But y ou ’r e n o str a n ger!! a n d th ough t fo r a m om en t th at th at w ould m ean th e e n d o f th eir exch an ge, b ut sh e p au se d o n th e p age, b rie { y, w it h a se n se th at N an ci w as n ot q uit e fin is h ed . A nd s h e w asn ’t . So g la d y ou w ro te b ack ! T hou gh t y ou m ig h t b e o en ded th at I c a lle d you ‘S tr a n ger.’ P ro m is e y ou w ere n ’t p eeved ? M ae p ro m is e d N an ci th at s h e w as n ot p eev ed , an sw ere d w it h a n X O , se n t h er te n su bse q uen t sm ile s, a n d w en t b ack to h er q uerie s, hopin g th at N an ci w as s a tis y ed a n d h ap py a n d th at th ey w ere c o ol. S h e to ok th re e m ore querie s, s h e f o llo w ed u p w it h s u rv ey s, a n d s a w t h at h er a v era ge w as a t 9 9. T his p ro voked a { urry o f c o ngra tu la to ry z in gs, w atc h ers h ap py to se e M ae’s c o m mit m en t, still, to th e day -t o -d ay t a sk s a t t h e C ir c le a n d e sse n tia l t o t h e o pera tio n o f t h e w orld . S o m an y o f h er watc h ers, th ey r e m in ded h er, w ere w ork in g a t d esk jo bs, to o, a n d b eca u se s h e c o ntin ued to d o th is w ork , v olu nta rily a n d w it h e v id en t jo y, th ey sa w h er a s a ro le m odel a n d in sp ir a tio n. A nd th is fe lt g o od. T his fe lt tr u ly v alu ab le to M ae. T he c u sto m ers m ad e h er bette r. A nd se rv in g th em w hile tr a n sp are n t m ad e h er fa r b ette r. S h e e xp ecte d th is . S h e was ap pris e d by Ste w art th at w hen th ousa n ds, or ev en m illio ns, are w atc h in g, you perfo rm y our b est se lf . Y ou are ch eerie r, m ore p osit iv e, m ore p olit e , m ore gen ero us, more in quis it iv e. B ut h e h ad n ot to ld h er o f th e sm alle r, im pro vin g a lt e ra tio ns to h er beh av io r. The y rst tim e th e c a m era r e d ir e cte d h er a ctio ns w as w hen s h e w en t to th e k it c h en fo r so m eth in g to e at. T he im age o n h er w ris t sh ow ed th e in te rio r o f th e re fr ig era to r a s sh e sc a n ned f o r a s n ack . N orm ally , s h e w ould h av e g ra b bed a c h ille d b ro w nie , b ut s e ein g t h e im age o f h er h an d re ach in g fo r it , a n d se ein g w hat e v ery one e ls e w ould b e se ein g, sh e pulle d b ack . Sh e clo se d th e fr id ge, an d fr o m th e bow l o n th e co unte r, sh e se le cte d a pack et o f a lm onds, a n d le ft t h e k it c h en . L ate r t h at d ay , a h ead ach e a p peare d — ca u se d , s h e th ough t, b y e atin g le ss c h oco la te th an u su al. S h e r e ach ed in to h er b ag, w here s h e k ep t a fe w s in gle -s e rv in g a sp ir in p ack ets , b ut a gain , o n h er s c re en , s h e s a w w hat e v ery one w as se ein g. S h e sa w a h an d se arc h in g h er b ag, c la w in g, a n d in sta n tly sh e fe lt d esp era te a n d wre tc h ed , lik e s o m e k in d o f p ill-p oppin g a d dic t. Sh e d id w it h out. E very d ay s h e’d d one w it h out th in gs s h e d id n’t w an t to w an t. T hin gs sh e d id n’t n eed . S h e’d g iv en u p so da, e n erg y d rin ks, p ro ce sse d fo ods. A t C ir c le so cia l ev en ts , sh e n urse d o ne d rin k o nly , a n d tr ie d e ach tim e to le av e it u n y nis h ed . A nyth in g im modera te w ould p ro voke a { urry o f z in gs o f c o nce rn , s o s h e s ta y ed w it h in th e b ounds of m odera tio n. A nd sh e fo und it fr e ein g. S h e w as lib era te d fr o m b ad b eh av io r. S h e w as lib era te d fr o m d oin g th in gs sh e d id n’t w an t to b e d oin g, e atin g a n d d rin kin g th in gs th at did h er n o g o od. S in ce sh e’d g o ne tr a n sp are n t, sh e’d b eco m e m ore n oble . P eo ple c a lle d her a r o le m odel. M oth ers s a id t h eir d au gh te rs lo oked u p t o h er, a n d t h is g av e h er m ore a fe elin g o f r e sp onsib ilit y , a n d t h at f e elin g o f r e sp onsib ilit y — to t h e C ir c le rs, t o t h eir c lie n ts an d p artn ers, t o t h e y outh w ho s a w in sp ir a tio n in h er— kep t h er g ro unded a n d f u ele d h er day s. Sh e w as re m in ded o f th e C ir c le ’s o w n su rv ey q uestio ns, a n d sh e p ut o n h er su rv ey head se t a n d g o t s ta rte d . T o h er w atc h ers s h e w as e xp re ssin g h er o pin io ns c o nsta n tly , y es, an d fe lt fa r m ore in { uen tia l th an b efo re , b ut s o m eth in g a b out th e tid y r h yth m a n d c a ll- an d-r e sp onse n atu re o f th e su rv ey s fe lt m is sin g. S h e to ok a n oth er c u sto m er q uery , a n d th en n odded . T he d is ta n t b ell r a n g. S h e n odded . “T han k y ou. A re y ou h ap py w it h t h e s ta te o f a ir p ort s e cu rit y ?” “S m ile ,” M ae s a id . “T han k y ou. W ould y ou w elc o m e c h an ge in a ir p ort s e cu rit y p ro ce d ure s? ” “Y es.” “T han k y ou.” “D oes t h e s ta te o f a ir p ort s e cu rit y d is su ad e y ou f r o m f ly in g m ore o fte n ?” “Y es.” “T han k y ou.” The q uestio ns c o ntin ued , a n d sh e w as a b le to g et th ro ugh n in ety -f o ur o f th em b efo re sh e a llo w ed h erse lf t o la p se . S o on t h e v oic e a rriv ed , u nch an ged . “M ae.” Sh e ig n ore d it o n p urp ose . “M ae.” Her n am e, s p oken b y h er v oic e , c o ntin ued to h old it s p ow er o ver h er. A nd s h e h ad n’t dis c o vere d w hy. “M ae.” It s o unded , t h is t im e, lik e s o m e p ure r v ersio n o f h erse lf . “M ae.” Sh e lo oked d ow n to h er b ra ce le t, s e ein g a n um ber o f z in gs a sk in g if s h e w as o kay . S h e knew s h e h ad t o r e sp ond, le st h er w atc h ers t h in k s h e’d lo st h er m in d. T his w as o ne o f t h e man y sm all a d ju stm en ts sh e h ad to g et u se d to — now th ere w ere th ousa n ds o ut th ere se ein g w hat s h e s a w , h av in g a cce ss to h er h ealt h d ata , h earin g h er v oic e , s e ein g h er fa ce —sh e w as a lw ay s v is ib le th ro ugh o ne o r a n oth er o f th e c a m pus S eeC han ge c a m era s, in ad dit io n to th e o ne o n h er m onit o r— an d so w hen a n yth in g d ev ia te d fr o m h er n orm al buoyan cy , p eo ple n otic e d . “M ae.” Sh e w an te d t o h ear it a gain , s o s h e s a id n oth in g. “M ae.” It w as a y oung w om an ’s v oic e , a y oung w om an ’s v oic e th at s o unded b rig h t a n d y erc e an d c a p ab le o f a n yth in g. “M ae.” It w as a b ette r, m ore in dom it a b le v ersio n o f h erse lf . “M ae.” Sh e f e lt s tr o nger e v ery t im e s h e h eard it . Sh e s ta y ed a t C E u ntil y ve, w hen s h e s h ow ed h er w atc h ers th e n ew est C la ri y ca tio n, th e go vern or o f A riz o na, a n d e n jo yed th e s u rp ris e tr a n sp are n cy o f th e g o vern or’s e n tir e s ta —so m eth in g th at m an y o } cia ls w ere d oin g, to e n su re to th eir co nstit u en ts th at d eals were n ot b ein g d one, in d ark ness, o uts id e th e lig h t o f th e c le ar le ad er. A t th e C la rif y in g ev en t, M ae m et u p w it h R en ata a n d D en is e a n d J o sia h — th ese C ir c le rs w ho h ad o nce wie ld ed so m e p ow er o ver h er a n d n ow w ere h er a co ly te s— an d a fte rw ard , th ey a ll h ad din ner in th e G la ss E ate ry . T here w as lit tle r e aso n to le av e c a m pus fo r m eals g iv en th at Baile y , h opin g to e n gen der m ore d is c u ssio ns a n d b ra in -s h arin g a n d so cia liz a tio n a m ong Cir c le rs, h ad in stit u te d a n ew p olic y , w here b y all fo od w ould b e n ot o nly fr e e, as it alw ay s h ad b een , b ut p re p are d d aily b y a d if fe re n t n ota b le c h ef. T he c h efs w ere h ap py f o r th e e xp osu re — th ousa n ds o f C ir c le rs sm ilin g, zin gin g, p ostin g p hoto s— an d th e p ro gra m was in sta n tly a n d w ild ly p opula r a n d th e c a fe te ria s w ere o ver { ow in g w it h p eo ple a n d, pre su m ab ly , id eas. Am ong th e b ustle th at n ig h t, M ae ate , fe elin g u nste ad y, K ald en ’s word s an d cry ptic messa ges still ra ttlin g in h er h ead . S h e w as g la d , th en , fo r th e d is tr a ctio ns o f th e n ig h t. The im pro v c o m ed y b attle w as a p pro pria te ly te rrib le a n d fu nny d esp it e it s w all-t o -w all in co m pete n ce , th e P ak is ta n fu ndra is e r w as th oro ugh ly in sp ir in g— th e e v en t w as a b le to am ass 2 .3 m illio n s m ile s fo r th e s c h ool— an d y nally th ere w as th e b arb ecu e, w here M ae allo w ed h erse lf a s e co nd g la ss o f w in e b efo re s e ttlin g in to h er d orm . The r o om h ad b een h ers fo r s ix w eek s n ow . It n o lo nger m ad e s e n se to d riv e b ack to her a p artm en t, w hic h w as e xp en siv e a n d, la st t im e s h e’d b een t h ere , a fte r b ein g g o ne f o r eig h t d ay s, h ad m ic e . S o s h e g av e it u p, a n d b eca m e o ne o f t h e h undre d S ettle rs, C ir c le rs who h ad m oved o nto c a m pus p erm an en tly . T he a d van ta ges w ere o bvio us a n d t h e w ait in g lis t w as n ow 1 ,2 09 n am es lo ng. T here w as r o om o n c a m pus n ow f o r 2 88 C ir c le rs, a n d t h e co m pan y h ad ju st b ough t a n earb y b uild in g, a fo rm er fa cto ry , p la n nin g to c o nvert it in to 500 m ore ro om s. M ae’s had been upgra d ed an d now had fu lly sm art ap plia n ce s, walls c re en s a n d s h ad es, e v ery th in g c e n tr a lly m onit o re d . T he r o om w as c le an ed d aily a n d th e r e fr ig era to r s to ck ed w it h b oth h er s ta n dard it e m s— tr a ck ed v ia H om ie — an d p ro ducts in b eta . S h e co uld h av e a n yth in g sh e w an te d so lo ng a s sh e p ro vid ed fe ed back to th e man ufa ctu re rs. Sh e w ash ed her fa ce an d bru sh ed her te eth an d se ttle d in to th e clo ud-w hit e bed . Tra n sp are n cy w as o ptio nal afte r te n p .m ., an d sh e u su ally w en t d ark afte r h er te eth – bru sh in g, w hic h sh e fo und peo ple in te re ste d in gen era lly , an d, sh e belie v ed , m ig h t pro m ote g o od d en ta l h ealt h a m ong h er y ounger w atc h ers. A t 1 0:1 1 p .m ., s h e s a id g o od- nig h t to h er w atc h ers— th ere w ere o nly 9 8,0 27 a t th at p oin t, a fe w th ousa n d o f w hom re cip ro ca te d h er g o od-n ig h t w is h es— lif te d t h e le n s o ver h er h ead a n d p la ce d it in it s c a se . Sh e w as a llo w ed t o t u rn o t h e S eeC han ge c a m era s in t h e r o om , b ut s h e f o und s h e r a re ly did . S h e k new th at th e fo ota ge s h e m ig h t g ath er, h erse lf , fo r in sta n ce a b out m ovem en ts durin g s le ep , c o uld b e v alu ab le s o m ed ay , s o s h e le ft th e c a m era s o n. It h ad ta k en a fe w week s t o g et u se d t o s le ep in g w it h h er w ris t m onit o rs— sh e’d s c ra tc h ed h er f a ce o ne n ig h t, an d cra ck ed h er rig h t sc re en an oth er— but C ir c le en gin eers h ad im pro ved th e d esig n , re p la cin g th e rig id sc re en s w it h m ore {exib le , unbre ak ab le ones, an d now sh e fe lt in co m ple te w it h out t h em . Sh e s a t u p in b ed , k now in g th at it u su ally to ok h er a n h our o r s o to m ak e h er w ay to sle ep . Sh e tu rn ed on th e w alls c re en , pla n nin g to ch eck on her pare n ts . But th eir SeeC han ge c a m era s w ere a ll d ark . S h e s e n t th em a z in g, e xp ectin g n o a n sw er a n d g ettin g none. S h e s e n t a m essa ge t o A nnie b ut g o t n o r e sp onse . S h e p aged t h ro ugh h er Z in g f e ed , re ad in g a fe w fu nny o nes, a n d, b eca u se s h e’d lo st s ix p ounds s in ce g o in g tr a n sp are n t, s h e sp en t tw en ty m in ute s lo okin g fo r a n ew sk ir t a n d T -s h ir t, a n d so m ew here in th e e ig h th sit e s h e v is it e d , s h e f e lt t h e t e ar o pen in g u p in h er a gain . F or n o g o od r e aso n, s h e c h eck ed to s e e if M erc e r’s s it e w as s till d ow n, a n d f o und it w as. S h e lo oked f o r a n y r e ce n t m en tio n of h im o nlin e o r n ew s o f h is w here ab outs , a n d fo und n one. T he te ar w as g ro w in g w it h in her, o pen in g q uic k ly , a fa th om le ss b la ck ness sp re ad in g u nder h er. In h er fr id ge sh e h ad so m e o f th e sa k e F ra n cis h ad in tr o duce d h er to , so sh e g o t u p, p oure d h erse lf fa r to o much , a n d d ra n k it d ow n. S h e w en t to th e S eeC han ge p orta l a n d w atc h ed fe ed s fr o m beach es in S ri L an ka a n d B ra zil, fe elin g c a lm er, fe elin g w arm er, a n d th en re m em bere d th at a fe w th ousa n d c o lle ge k id s, c a llin g th em se lv es C han geSeers, h ad s p re ad th em se lv es all o ver th e p la n et, in sta llin g ca m era s in th e m ost re m ote re gio ns. So fo r a tim e sh e watc h ed t h e v ie w f r o m a c a m era in a N am ib ia n d ese rt v illa ge, a p air o f w om en p re p arin g a m eal, th eir c h ild re n p la y in g in th e b ack gro und, b ut a fte r a fe w m in ute s w atc h in g, sh e fo und t h e t e ar o pen in g w id er, t h e u nderw ate r s c re am s g ettin g lo uder, a n u nbeara b le h is s. Sh e lo oked a gain fo r K ald en , s p ellin g h is n am e in n ew a n d ir ra tio nal w ay s, s c a n nin g, fo r fo rty – y ve m in ute s, th e co m pan y d ir e cto ry b y fa ce , y ndin g n o o ne lik e h im a t a ll. S h e tu rn ed o th e S eeC han ge c a m era s, p oure d m ore sa k e, d ra n k it d ow n a n d g o t in to b ed , an d, th in kin g o f K ald en an d h is h an ds, h is th in le gs, h is lo ng y ngers, sh e cir c le d h er nip ple s w it h h er le ft h an d w hile , w it h h er r ig h t, s h e m oved h er u nderw ear t o t h e s id e a n d sim ula te d th e m ovem en ts o f a to ngu e, o f h is to ngu e. It h ad n o e ect. B ut th e sa k e w as dra in in g h er m in d o f w orry , a n d y nally , a t ju st b efo re tw elv e, s h e fo und s o m eth in g lik e sle ep . “O kay , e v ery one,” M ae s a id . T he m orn in g w as b rig h t a n d s h e w as f e elin g c h ip per e n ough to tr y o ut a p hra se s h e h oped m ig h t c a tc h o n C ir c le -w id e o r b ey ond. “ T his is a d ay lik e ev ery o th er d ay , in th at it is u nlik e a n y o th er d ay !” A fte r sh e sa id it , M ae c h eck ed h er wris t, b ut s a w lit tle s ig n it h ad s tr u ck a n erv e. S h e w as m om en ta rily d e { ate d , b ut t h e d ay it s e lf , th e u nlim it e d p ro m is e it o ere d , b uoyed h er. It w as 9 :3 4 a .m ., th e s u n w as a gain brig h t an d w arm , an d th e ca m pus w as busy an d ab uzz. If th e C ir c le rs need ed an y co n y rm atio n th at th ey w ere in th e m id dle o f ev ery th in g th at m atte re d , th e d ay h ad alr e ad y bro ugh t it . Sta rtin g at 8:3 1, a se rie s of helic o pte rs had sh ak en th e ca m pus, brin gin g le ad ers fr o m a ll th e m ajo r h ealt h in su ra n ce c o m pan ie s, w orld h ealt h a gen cie s, th e C en te rs f o r D is e ase Contr o l, a n d e v ery s ig n i y ca n t p harm ace u tic a l c o m pan y. F in ally , it was r u m ore d , t h ere w ould b e c o m ple te in fo rm atio n-s h arin g a m ong a ll o f t h ese p re v io usly dis c o nnecte d a n d e v en a d versa ria l e n tit ie s, a n d w hen t h ey w ere c o ord in ate d , a n d o nce a ll th e h ealt h d ata t h ey ’d c o lle cte d w as s h are d , m ost o f t h is m ad e p ossib le t h ro ugh t h e C ir c le an d m ore im porta n tly , T ru Y ou, v ir u se s c o uld b e s to pped a t th eir s o urc e s, d is e ase s w ould be t r a ck ed t o t h eir r o ots . A ll m orn in g M ae h ad w atc h ed t h ese e xecu tiv es a n d d octo rs a n d o } cia ls str id e hap pily th ro ugh th e gro unds, head in g fo r th e ju st-b uilt H ip poca m pus. There , th ey ’d h av e a d ay o f m eetin gs— priv ate th is tim e, w it h p ublic fo ru m s p ro m is e d in th e fu tu re — an d, la te r, th ere w ould b e a c o nce rt fr o m s o m e a gin g s in ger-s o ngw rit e r o nly Baile y c a re d f o r, w ho h ad c o m e in t h e n ig h t b efo re , f o r d in ner w it h t h e W is e M en . Most im porta n t fo r M ae, th ough , w as th at one of th e m an y m orn in g helic o pte rs co nta in ed A nnie , w ho w as y nally c o m in g h om e. S h e’d b een g o ne fo r a lm ost a m onth in Euro pe a n d C hin a a n d J ap an , ir o nin g o ut s o m e r e gu la to ry w rin kle s, m eetin g w it h s o m e o f th e t r a n sp are n t le ad ers t h ere , t h e r e su lt s o f w hic h s e em ed g o od, ju dgin g f r o m t h e n um ber of s m ile s A nnie h ad p oste d o n h er Z in g f e ed a t t h e t r ip ’s c o nclu sio n. B ut m ore m ean in gfu l co nversa tio n b etw een M ae a n d A nnie h ad b een d i } cu lt . A nnie h ad c o ngra tu la te d h er o n her tr a n sp are n cy , o n h er asc en sio n , a s A nnie p ut it , b ut th en h ad b eco m e v ery b usy . T oo busy to w rit e n ote s o f c o nse q uen ce , to o b usy to h av e p hone c a lls s h e c o uld b e p ro ud o f, sh e’d s a id . T hey ’d e xch an ged b rie f m essa ges e v ery d ay , b ut A nnie ’s s c h ed ule h ad b een , in her w ord s, mad ca p , a n d th e tim e d i ere n ce m ean t th ey w ere ra re ly in sy nc a n d a b le to exch an ge a n yth in g p ro fo und. Annie h ad p ro m is e d to a rriv e in th e m orn in g, d ir e ct fr o m B eijin g, an d M ae w as h av in g tr o uble c o nce n tr a tin g w hile w ait in g. S h e’d b een w atc h in g th e h elic o pte rs la n d, s q uin tin g hig h o n th e ro ofto ps, lo okin g fo r A nnie ’s y ello w h ead , to n o a v ail. A nd n ow sh e h ad to sp en d a n h our a t th e P ro ta go re an P av ilio n, a ta sk s h e k new w as im porta n t a n d n orm ally would y nd fa sc in atin g b ut to day fe lt lik e a n u nbre ach ab le w all b etw een h erse lf a n d h er clo se st f r ie n d. On a g ra n it e p an el o uts id e th e P ro ta go re an P av ilio n th e b uild in g’s n am esa k e w as q uote d lo ose ly : Hum an s a re th e m ea su re o f a ll th in gs . “M ore im porta n t fo r o ur p urp ose s,” M ae sa id , o pen in g th e d oor, “is th at n ow , w it h th e to ols a v aila b le , hu m an s ca n mea su re all th in gs. I s n ’t t h at r ig h t T erry ?” In fr o nt o f h er s to od a ta ll K ore an -A m eric a n m an , T erry M in . “ H ello M ae, h ello M ae’s watc h ers a n d f o llo w ers.” “Y ou c u t y our h air s o m e n ew w ay ,” M ae s a id . Wit h A nnie co m in g b ack , M ae w as fe elin g lo opy, g o ofy , a n d T erry w as te m pora rily dera ile d . H e h ad n’t c o unte d o n a d -lib s. “ U h, y eah ,” h e s a id , r u nnin g h is f in gers t h ro ugh it . “It’s a n gu la r,” M ae s a id . “R ig h t. I t is m ore a n gu la r. S h ould w e g o in sid e?” “W e s h ould .” The d esig n ers o f th e b uild in g h ad ta k en p ain s to u se o rg an ic s h ap es, to s o fte n th e r ig id math o f th e en gin eers’ d aily w ork . T he atr iu m w as en ca se d in silv er an d se em ed to undula te , a s if t h ey s to od a t t h e b otto m o f a n e n orm ous c o rru gate d t u be. “W hat w ill w e b e s e ein g t o day , T erry ?” “I t h ough t w e’d s ta rt w it h a t o ur, a n d t h en g o a b it d eep er w it h s o m e s tu w e’r e d oin g fo r t h e e d uca tio nal s e cto r.” Mae f o llo w ed T erry t h ro ugh t h e b uild in g, w hic h w as m ore o f a n e n gin eer’s la ir t h an t h e parts o f c a m pus s h e’d b eco m e a ccu sto m ed t o v is it in g. T he t r ic k w it h h er a u die n ce w as t o bala n ce t h e m undan e w it h t h e m ore g la m oro us p arts o f t h e C ir c le ; b oth w ere n ece ssa ry t o re v eal, a n d c e rta in ly t h ousa n ds o f v ie w ers w ere m ore in te re ste d in t h e b oile r-r o om s t h an th e p en th ouse s, b ut t h e c a lib ra tio n h ad t o b e p re cis e . They passe d Jo se f an d his te eth , an d th en sa id hello to vario us dev elo pers an d en gin eers, e ach o f w hom t u rn ed t o e xp la in t h eir w ork a s b est a s t h ey c o uld . M ae c h eck ed th e tim e a n d sa w th ere w as a n ew n otic e fr o m D r. V illa lo bos. S h e a sk ed M ae to c o m e vis it a s so on a s sh e c o uld . Noth in g u rg en t , sh e sa id . But it sh ou ld b e to d ay . A s th ey m ad e th eir w ay th ro ugh th e b uild in g, M ae ty ped b ack to th e d octo r, sa y in g sh e’d se e h er in th ir ty m in ute s. “ S h ould w e s e e t h e e d uca tio n p ro je ct n ow ?” “I t h in k t h at’s a g re at id ea,” T erry s a id . They w alk ed th ro ugh a c u rv in g h allw ay a n d in to a g re at o pen sp ace , w it h a t le ast a hundre d C ir c le rs w ork in g w it h out div is io n. It lo oked a bit lik e a m id ce n tu ry sto ck mark et. “A s y our v ie w ers m ig h t k now ,” T erry s a id , “ th e D ep artm en t o f E duca tio n h as g iv en u s a nic e g ra n t— ” “W asn ’t it t h re e b illio n d olla rs? ” M ae a sk ed . “W ell, w ho’s c o untin g?” T erry s a id , a b undan tly s a tis y ed w it h th e n um ber a n d w hat it dem onstr a te d , w hic h w as th at W ash in gto n knew th e C ir c le co uld m easu re an yth in g, in clu din g s tu den t a ch ie v em en t, bette r th an th ey e v er h ope to . “ B ut th e p oin t is th at th ey ask ed u s to d esig n a n d im ple m en t a m ore e ectiv e w ra p aro und d ata a sse ssm en t sy ste m fo r t h e n atio n’s s tu den ts . O h w ait , t h is is c o ol,” T erry s a id . They s to pped in fr o nt o f a w om an a n d a s m all c h ild . H e lo oked a b out th re e, a n d w as pla y in g w it h a v ery s h in y s ilv er w atc h a tta ch ed t o h is w ris t. “H i M arie ,” T erry s a id t o t h e w om an . “ T his is M ae, a s y ou p ro bab ly k now .” “I do k now M ae,” M arie s a id in t h e s lig h te st F re n ch a cce n t, “ a n d M ic h el h ere d oes, t o o. Say h ello , M ic h el.” Mic h el c h ose t o w av e. “S ay s o m eth in g t o M ic h el, M ae,” T erry s a id . “H ow a re y ou, M ic h el? ” M ae s a id . “O kay , n ow s h ow h er,” T erry s a id , n udgin g M ic h el’s s h ould er. On it s t in y d is p la y , t h e w atc h o n M ic h el’s w ris t h ad r e gis te re d t h e f o ur w ord s M ae h ad ju st s a id . B elo w t h ese n um bers w as a c o unte r, w it h t h e n um ber 2 9,2 66 d is p la y ed . “S tu die s s h ow t h at k id s n eed t o h ear a t le ast 3 0,0 00 w ord s a d ay ,” M arie e xp la in ed . “ S o th e w atc h d oes a v ery sim ple th in g b y re co gn iz in g, ca te go riz in g an d, m ost cru cia lly , co untin g th ose w ord s. T his is p rim arily fo r k id s a t h om e, a n d b efo re sc h ool a ge. O nce th ey ’r e t h ere , w e’r e a ssu m in g a ll t h is is t r a ck ed in t h e c la ssro om .” “T hat’s a g o od s e gu e,” T erry s a id . T hey t h an ked M arie a n d M ic h el, a n d m ad e t h eir w ay dow n th e h all to a la rg e ro om d eco ra te d lik e a c la ssro om b ut re b oote d , w it h d oze n s o f sc re en s, e rg o nom ic c h air s, c o lla b ora tiv e w ork sp ace s. “O h, h ere ’s J ack ie ,” T erry s a id . Jack ie , a sle ek w om an in h er m id -t h ir tie s, e m erg ed a n d sh ook Mae’s h an d. S h e w as wearin g a s le ev ele ss d re ss, h ig h lig h tin g h er b ro ad s h ould ers a n d m an neq uin a rm s. S h e h ad a s m all c a st o n h er r ig h t w ris t. “H i M ae, I’m s o g la d y ou c o uld v is it to day .” H er v oic e w as p olis h ed , p ro fe ssio nal, b ut wit h s o m eth in g { ir ta tio us in it . S h e s to od in f r o nt o f t h e c a m era , h er h an ds c la sp ed b efo re her. “S o J ack ie ,” T erry sa id , c le arly e n jo yin g b ein g n ear h er. “ C an y ou te ll u s a b it a b out what y ou’r e d oin g h ere ?” Mae sa w a n a le rt o n h er w ris t, a n d in te rru pte d . “ M ay be y rst te ll u s w here y ou c a m e fr o m . B efo re h ead in g u p t h is p ro je ct. T hat’s a n in te re stin g s to ry .” “W ell, th an k y ou fo r sa y in g th at, M ae. I d on’t k now h ow in te re stin g it is , b ut b efo re jo in in g th e C ir c le , I w as in p riv ate e q uit y , a n d b efo re th at I w as p art o f a g ro up th at sta rte d — ” “Y ou w ere a s w im mer,” M ae p ro m pte d . “ Y ou w ere in t h e O ly m pic s!” “O h, t h at,” J ack ie s a id , t h ro w in g a h an d in f r o nt o f h er s m ilin g m outh . “Y ou w on a b ro nze m ed al in 2 000?” “I d id .” J ack ie ’s s u dden s h yness w as e n dearin g. M ae c h eck ed to c o n y rm , a n d s a w th e accu m ula tio n o f a f e w t h ousa n d s m ile s. “A nd y ou h ad s a id in te rn ally th at y our e xp erie n ce a s a w orld -c la ss s w im mer in fo rm ed your p la n h ere ?” “Y es it d id , M ae,” J ack ie sa id , n ow se em in g to g ra sp w here M ae w as g o in g w it h th e dia lo gu e. “ T here a re s o m an y t h in gs w e c o uld t a lk a b out h ere in t h e P ro ta go re an P av ilio n, but o ne in te re stin g o ne fo r y our v ie w ers is w hat w e’r e ca llin g Y outh R an k. C om e o ver here fo r a s e co nd. L et’s lo ok a t th e b ig b oard .” S h e le d M ae o ver to a w alls c re en , ab out tw en ty fe et sq uare . “ W e’v e b een te stin g a sy ste m in Io w a fo r th e la st fe w m onth s, a n d now t h at y ou’r e h ere , it s e em s a g o od t im e t o d em onstr a te it . M ay be o ne o f y our v ie w ers, if th ey ’r e cu rre n tly in hig h sc h ool in Io w a, w ould lik e to se n d you th eir nam e an d sc h ool? ” “Y ou heard th e w om an ,” M ae sa id . “A nyone out th ere w atc h in g fr o m Io w a an d cu rre n tly in h ig h s c h ool? ” Mae c h eck ed h er w ris t, w here e le v en z in gs c a m e th ro ugh . S h e s h ow ed th em to J ack ie , who n odded . “O kay ,” M ae s a id . “ S o y ou ju st n eed h er n am e?” “N am e a n d s c h ool,” J ack ie s a id . Mae re ad one of th e zin gs. “I hav e here Jen nif e r B ats u uri, w ho sa y s sh e atte n ds Ach ie v em en t A ca d em y in C ed ar R ap id s.” “O kay ,” J ack ie sa id , tu rn in g b ack to th e w alls c re en . “ L et’s b rin g u p J en nif e r B ats u uri fr o m A ch ie v em en t A ca d em y.” The n am e a p peare d o n th e sc re en , w it h a sc h ool p hoto a cco m pan yin g it . T he p hoto re v eale d h er to b e a n In dia n -A m eric a n g ir l o f a b out six te en , w it h b ra ce s a n d w earin g a gre en an d ta n u nif o rm . B esid e h er p hoto , tw o n um eric a l co unte rs w ere sp in nin g, th e num bers r is in g u ntil t h ey s lo w ed a n d s to pped , t h e u pper y gu re a t 1 ,3 96, t h e o ne b elo w it at 1 79,8 27. “W ell, w ell. C ongra tu la tio ns, J en nif e r!” J ack ie s a id , h er e y es to th e s c re en . S h e tu rn ed to M ae. “ It s e em s w e h av e a r e al a ch ie v er h ere f r o m A ch ie v em en t A ca d em y. S h e’s r a n ked 1,3 96 o ut o f 1 79,8 27 h ig h s c h ool s tu den ts in I o w a.” Mae ch eck ed th e tim e. S h e n eed ed to sp eed J ack ie ’s d em onstr a tio n u p. “A nd th is is ca lc u la te d — ” “J en nif e r’s s c o re is th e r e su lt o f c o m parin g h er te st r e su lt s , h er cla ss r a n k, h er s c h ool’s re la tiv e a ca d em ic s tr e n gth , a n d a n um ber o f o th er f a cto rs.” “H ow ’s th at lo ok to y ou, J en nif e r? ” M ae a sk ed . S h e c h eck ed h er w ris t, b ut J en nif e r’s fe ed w as s ile n t. There w as a b rie f a w kw ard m om en t w here M ae a n d J ack ie e xp ecte d J en nif e r t o r e tu rn , exp re ssin g h er jo y, b ut s h e d id n ot c o m e b ack . M ae k new it w as t im e t o m ove o n. “A nd ca n th is b e co m pare d a gain st a ll th e o th er stu den ts in th e co untr y , a n d m ay be ev en t h e w orld ?” s h e a sk ed . “T hat’s th e id ea,” J ack ie sa id . “J u st a s w it h in th e C ir c le w e k now o ur P artic ip atio n Ran k, fo r e xam ple , s o on w e’l l b e a b le to k now a t a n y g iv en m om en t w here o ur s o ns o r dau gh te rs sta n d again st th e re st of A m eric a n stu den ts , an d th en again st th e w orld ’s stu den ts .” “T hat so unds v ery h elp fu l,” M ae sa id . “A nd w ould e lim in ate a lo t o f th e d oubt a n d str e ss o ut t h ere .” “W ell, t h in k o f w hat t h is w ould d o f o r a p are n t’s u ndersta n din g o f t h eir c h ild ’s c h an ce s fo r co lle ge a d m is sio n. T here a re a b out tw elv e th ousa n d sp ots fo r Iv y L eagu e fr e sh m en ev ery y ear. If y our c h ild is in th e to p tw elv e th ousa n d n atio nally , th en y ou c a n im agin e th ey ’d h av e a g o od c h an ce a t o ne o f t h ose s p ots .” “A nd it ’l l b e u pdate d h ow o fte n ?” “O h, d aily . O nce w e g et f u ll p artic ip atio n f r o m a ll s c h ools a n d d is tr ic ts , w e’l l b e a b le t o keep d aily r a n kin gs, w it h e v ery t e st, e v ery p op q uiz in co rp ora te d in sta n tly . A nd o f c o urse th ese ca n b e b ro ken u p b etw een p ublic a n d p riv ate , re gio nal, a n d th e ra n kin gs ca n b e merg ed , weig h te d , an d an aly ze d to se e tr e n ds am ong vario us oth er fa cto rs— so cio eco nom ic , r a ce , e th nic it y , e v ery th in g.” AG d in ged in M ae’s e ar. “ A sk a b out h ow it in te rse cts w it h T ru Y outh .” “J ack ie , I understa n d th is overla p s in an in te re stin g w ay w it h T ru Y outh , fo rm erly know n a s C hild T ra ck .” M ae g o t th e s e n te n ce o ut ju st b efo re a w av e o f n au se a a n d s w eat overto ok h er. S h e d id n’t w an t to s e e F ra n cis . M ay be it w ould n’t b e F ra n cis ? T here w ere oth er C ir c le rs o n t h e p ro je ct. S h e c h eck ed h er w ris t, t h in kin g s h e m ig h t b e a b le t o q uic k ly fin d h im w it h C ir c le Searc h . B ut t h en t h ere h e w as, s tr id in g t o w ard h er. “H ere ’s F ra n cis G ara v en ta ,” Jack ie sa id , o bliv io us to M ae’s d is tr e ss, “w ho ca n ta lk ab out th e in te rse ctio n b etw een Y outh R an k a n d T ru Y outh , w hic h I m ust sa y is a t o nce re v olu tio nary a n d n ece ssa ry .” As F ra n cis w alk ed to w ard th em , h is h an ds c o yly b eh in d h is b ack , M ae a n d J ack ie b oth watc h ed h im , M ae fe elin g sw eat p ool in h er a rm pit s a n d a ls o se n sin g th at J ack ie h ad a more t h an p ro fe ssio nal f e elin g f o r h im . T his w as a d i ere n t F ra n cis . H e w as s till s h y, s till slig h t, b ut h is s m ile w as c o nfid en t, a s if h e’d b een r e ce n tly p ra is e d a n d e xp ecte d m ore . “H i F ra n cis ,” J ack ie sa id , sh ak in g h is h an d w it h h er u nbro ken o ne, a n d tu rn in g h er sh ould er { ir ta tio usly . I t w as n ot a p pare n t t o t h e c a m era , o r t o F ra n cis , b ut t o M ae it w as as s u btle a s a g o ng. “H ello J ack ie , h ello M ae,” h e sa id , “ca n I b rin g y ou in to m y la ir ? ” H e sm ile d , a n d wit h out w ait in g f o r a r e sp onse , t u rn ed a n d le d t h em in to t h e n ext r o om . M ae h ad n’t s e en his o } ce , a n d f e lt c o n { ic te d a b out s h arin g it w it h h er w atc h ers. I t w as a d ark r o om w it h doze n s o f s c re en s a rra n ged o n t h e w all in to a s e am le ss g rid . “S o a s y our w atc h ers m ig h t k now , w e’v e b een p io neerin g a p ro gra m t o m ak e k id s s a fe r. In th e sta te s w here w e’v e b een te stin g th e pro gra m , th ere ’s b een a n a lm ost 9 0 p erc e n t dro p in a ll c rim e, a n d a 1 00 p erc e n t d ro p in c h ild a b ductio ns. N atio nw id e, w e’v e h ad o nly th re e a b ductio ns, to ta l, a n d a ll w ere re cti y ed w it h in m in ute s, g iv en o ur a b ilit y to tr a ck th e lo ca tio n o f t h e p artic ip atin g c h ild re n .” “It’s b een ju st in cre d ib le ,” J ack ie sa id , sh ak in g h er h ead , h er v oic e lo w a n d so ak ed in so m eth in g lik e lu st. Fra n cis sm ile d at her, obliv io us or pre te n din g to be. M ae’s w ris t w as aliv e w it h th ousa n ds o f sm ile s an d h undre d s o f co m men ts . P are n ts in sta te s w it h out Y outh T ra ck were c o nsid erin g m ovin g. F ra n cis w as b ein g c o m pare d t o M ose s. “A nd m ean w hile ,” J ack ie sa id , “th e cre w h ere a t th e P ro ta go re an P av ilio n h as b een work in g to co ord in ate all stu den t m easu re m en ts — to m ak e su re th at all hom ew ork , re ad in g, a tte n dan ce a n d te st sc o re s a re a ll k ep t in o ne u ni y ed d ata b ase . T hey ’r e a lm ost th ere . W e’r e in ch es a w ay fr o m th e m om en t w hen , b y th e tim e a stu den t is re ad y fo r co lle ge, w e h av e c o m ple te k now le d ge o f e v ery th in g t h at s tu den t h as le arn ed . E very w ord th ey re ad , e v ery w ord th ey lo oked u p, e v ery se n te n ce th ey h ig h lig h te d , e v ery e q uatio n th ey w ro te , e v ery a n sw er a n d c o rre ctio n. T he g u essw ork o f k now in g w here a ll s tu den ts sta n d a n d w hat t h ey k now w ill b e o ver.” Mae’s w ris t w as still sc ro llin g m ad ly . Where w as th is 2 0 y rs a go ? a w atc h er w ro te . My kid s w ou ld h ave g o n e to Y ale . Now F ra n cis s te p ped in . T he id ea t h at h e a n d J ack ie h ad b een r e h earsin g t h is m ad e M ae ill. “N ow th e excit in g, an d bla zin gly sim ple part,” he sa id , sm ilin g at Jack ie w it h pro fe ssio nal re sp ect, “ is th at w e c a n sto re a ll th is in fo rm atio n in th e n early m ic ro sc o pic ch ip , w hic h is n ow u se d p ure ly f o r s a fe ty r e aso ns. B ut w hat if it p ro vid es b oth lo ca tio nal tr a ck in g a n d e d uca tio nal t r a ck in g? W hat if it ’s a ll in o ne p la ce ?” “It’s a n o-b ra in er,” J ack ie s a id . “W ell, I hope pare n ts w ill se e it th at w ay . For partic ip atin g fa m ilie s, th ey ’l l hav e co nsta n t a n d r e al-t im e a cce ss t o e v ery th in g— lo ca tio n, s c o re s, a tte n dan ce , e v ery th in g. A nd it w on’t b e in s o m e h an dheld d ev ic e , w hic h t h e k id m ig h t lo se . I t’l l b e in t h e c lo ud, a n d in th e c h ild h im – o r h erse lf , n ev er t o b e lo st.” “P erfe ctio n,” J ack ie s a id . “W ell, I h ope s o ,” F ra n cis s a id , lo okin g a t h is s h oes, h id in g in w hat M ae k new to b e a fo g o f fa ls e m odesty . “ A nd a s y ou a ll k now ,” h e sa id , tu rn in g to M ae, sp eak in g to h er watc h ers, “ w e h ere a t th e C ir c le h av e b een ta lk in g a b out C om ple tio n a lo t, a n d th ough ev en us C ir c le rs don’t know yet ju st w hat C om ple tio n m ean s, I hav e a fe elin g it ’s so m eth in g lik e t h is . C onnectin g s e rv ic e s a n d p ro gra m s t h at a re ju st in ch es a p art. W e t r a ck kid s fo r s a fe ty , w e tr a ck k id s fo r e d uca tio nal d ata . N ow w e’r e ju st c o nnectin g th ese tw o th re ad s, a n d w hen w e d o, w e c a n y nally k now th e w hole c h ild . It’s sim ple , a n d, d are I sa y , it ’s c o m ple te .” Mae w as s ta n din g o uts id e, in th e c e n te r o f th e w este rn p art o f c a m pus, k now in g s h e w as sta llin g u ntil A nnie re tu rn ed . It w as 1 :4 4, fa r la te r th an sh e th ough t it w ould b e b efo re her a rriv al, a n d n ow sh e w orrie d a b out m is sin g h er. M ae h ad a n a p poin tm en t w it h D r. Villa lo bos a t tw o o ’c lo ck , a n d th at m ig h t ta k e a w hile , g iv en th e d octo r h ad w arn ed h er th at t h ere w as s o m eth in g r e la tiv ely s e rio us— but n ot h ealt h -s e rio us, s h e’d m ad e c le ar— to ta lk a b out. B ut cro w din g o ut th ough ts o f A nnie a n d th e d octo r w as F ra n cis , w ho w as su dden ly , b iz a rre ly , a ttr a ctiv e t o h er a gain . Mae k new t h e e asy t r ic k t h at h ad b een p la y ed u pon h er. H e w as t h in , a n d w it h out a n y musc le to ne, h is ey es w ere w eak , an d h e h ad a p ro nounce d p ro ble m w it h p re m atu re eja cu la tio n, y et sim ply b eca u se sh e’d se en th e lu st in J ack ie ’s e y es, M ae fo und h erse lf wan tin g to b e a lo ne w it h h im a gain . S h e w an te d to b rin g h im in to h er r o om th at n ig h t. The th ough t w as d em en te d . S h e n eed ed to c le ar h er m in d. It s e em ed lik e a n a p pro pria te tim e t o e xp la in a n d r e v eal t h e n ew s c u lp tu re . “O kay , w e h av e to se e th is ,” M ae sa id . “ T his w as d one b y a re n ow ned C hin ese a rtis t who’s b een in fr e q uen t tr o uble w it h th e a u th orit ie s th ere .” A t th at m om en t, th ough , M ae co uld n’t r e m em ber t h e a rtis t’s n am e. “ W hile w e’r e o n t h e s u bje ct, I w an t t o t h an k a ll t h e watc h ers w ho se n t fr o w ns to th e g o vern m en t th ere , b oth fo r th eir p erse cu tio n o f th is artis t, a n d f o r t h eir r e str ic tio ns o n in te rn et f r e ed om s. W e’v e s e n t o ver 1 80 m illio n f r o w ns fr o m t h e U .S . a lo ne, a n d y ou c a n b et t h at h as a n e ffe ct o n t h e r e gim e.” Mae still co uld n’t re tr ie v e th e artis t’s n am e an d fe lt th e o m is sio n w as ab out to b e notic e d . T hen it c a m e t h ro ugh h er w ris t. Say th e m an ’s n am e! A nd t h ey p ro vid ed it . Sh e d ir e cte d h er le n s to w ard th e sc u lp tu re , a n d a fe w C ir c le rs, sta n din g b etw een h er an d t h e p ie ce , s te p ped o ut o f t h e w ay . “ N o, n o, it ’s g o od,” M ae s a id . “ Y ou g u ys h elp s h ow th e sc a le o f it . S ta y th ere ,” sh e sa id , a n d th ey ste p ped b ack to w ard th e o bje ct, w hic h dw arfe d t h em . The s c u lp tu re w as fo urte en fe et h ig h , m ad e o f a th in a n d p erfe ctly tr a n slu ce n t fo rm o f ple xig la ss. T hough m ost of th e artis t’s pre v io us w ork had been co nce p tu al, th is w as re p re se n ta tio nal, u nm is ta k ab le : a m assiv e h an d, a s b ig a s a c a r, w as r e ach in g o ut f r o m , o r th ro ugh , a la rg e r e cta n gle , w hic h m ost t o ok t o im ply s o m e s o rt o f c o m pute r s c re en . The tit le o f th e p ie ce w as Rea ch in g T hro u gh fo r th e G ood o f H um an kin d , a n d h ad b een note d , im med ia te ly u pon it s in tr o ductio n, fo r it s e arn estn ess, a n om alo us to th e a rtis t’s ty pic a l w ork , w hic h h ad a d ark ly s a rd onic t o ne, u su ally a t t h e e xp en se o f r is in g C hin a a n d it s a tte n dan t s e n se o f s e lf -w orth . “T his s c u lp tu re is r e ally h it tin g t h e C ir c le rs a t t h eir c o re ,” M ae s a id . “ I’v e b een h earin g ab out p eo ple w eep in g b efo re it . A s y ou c a n se e, p eo ple lik e to ta k e p hoto s.” M ae h ad se en C ir c le rs p osin g b efo re th e g ia n t h an d, a s if it w ere r e ach in g fo r th em , a b out to ta k e th em , e le v ate t h em . M ae d ecid ed t o in te rv ie w t h e t w o p eo ple w ho w ere s ta n din g n ear t h e sc u lp tu re ’s o uts tr e tc h ed f in gers. “A nd y ou a re ?” “G in o. I w ork in t h e M ach in e A ge.” “A nd w hat d oes t h is s c u lp tu re m ean t o y ou?” “W ell, I’m n ot a n a rt e xp ert, b ut I th in k it ’s p re tty o bvio us. H e’s tr y in g to s a y th at w e need m ore w ay s t o r e ach t h ro ugh t h e s c re en , r ig h t? ” Mae w as n oddin g, b eca u se t h is w as t h e c le ar m ean in g f o r e v ery one o n c a m pus, b ut s h e fe lt it m ig h t a s w ell b e s a id , o n c a m era , f o r a n yone le ss a d ep t a t a rt in te rp re ta tio n. E orts to co nta ct th e artis t afte r it s in sta lla tio n had been unsu cce ssfu l. Baile y , w ho had co m mis sio ned th e w ork , s a id h e h ad n o h an d— “y ou k now m e a n d p uns,” h e s a id — in it s th em e o r e xecu tio n. B ut h e w as th rille d w it h th e r e su lt , a n d d early w an te d th e a rtis t to co m e to th e c a m pus to ta lk a b out th e s c u lp tu re , b ut th e a rtis t h ad s a id h e w as u nab le to co m e in p erso n, o r e v en to te le co nfe re n ce . H e’d r a th er le t th e s c u lp tu re s p eak fo r it s e lf , he s a id . M ae t u rn ed t o t h e w om an w it h h im . “W ho a re y ou?” “R in ku. A ls o f r o m t h e M ach in e A ge.” “D o y ou a gre e w it h G in o?” “I d o. I m ean , t h is f e els v ery s o ulf u l t o m e. L ik e, in h ow w e n eed t o y nd m ore w ay s t o co nnect. T he s c re en h ere is a b arrie r, a n d t h e h an d is t r a n sc e n din g it … ” Mae w as n oddin g, th in kin g sh e n eed ed to w ra p th is u p, w hen sh e sa w , th ro ugh th e tr a n slu ce n t w ris t o f th e gia n t h an d, so m eo ne w ho lo oked lik e A nnie . It w as a y oung wom an , b lo nd, a b out A nnie ’s h eig h t a n d b uild , a n d sh e w as w alk in g b ris k ly a cro ss th e quad . R in ku w as s till t a lk in g, h av in g w arm ed u p. “I m ean , h ow c a n th e C ir c le y nd a w ay to m ak e th e c o nnectio n b etw een u s a n d o ur use rs s tr o nger? T o m e it ’s in cre d ib le t h at t h is a rtis t, s o f a r a w ay a n d f r o m s u ch a d i ere n t world , e xp re sse d w hat w as o n t h e m in ds o f a ll o f u s h ere a t t h e C ir c le ? H ow t o d o b ette r, do m ore , r e ach f u rth er, y ou k now ? H ow d o w e t h ro w o ur h an ds t h ro ugh t h e s c re en t o g et clo se r t o t h e w orld a n d e v ery one in it ? ” Mae w as w atc h in g th e A nnie -lik e y gu re w alk in to th e In dustr ia l R ev olu tio n. W hen th e door clo se d , an d A nnie , or A nnie ’s tw in , dis a p peare d w it h in , M ae sm ile d at R in ku, th an ked h er a n d G in o, a n d c h eck ed t h e t im e. It w as 1 :4 9. S h e h ad t o b e w it h D r. V illa lo bos in e le v en m in ute s. “A nnie !” The y gu re co ntin ued to w alk . M ae w as to rn b etw een re ally y ellin g, w hic h ty pic a lly upse t th e vie w ers, or ru nnin g afte r A nnie , w hic h would ca u se th e ca m era to sh ak e vio le n tly — whic h a ls o u pse t th e v ie w ers. S h e se ttle d o n a k in d o f sp eed w alk in g w hile hold in g th e c a m era a gain st h er c h est. A nnie tu rn ed a n oth er c o rn er a n d th en w as g o ne. Mae h eard t h e c lic k o f a d oor, t h e d oor t o a s ta ir w ay , a n d r u sh ed t o it . I f s h e d id n’t k now bette r, s h e w ould h av e t h ough t A nnie w as a v oid in g h er. When M ae en te re d th e sta ir w ay , sh e lo oked u p, sa w A nnie ’s d is tin ctiv e h an d, an d yelle d u p. “ A nnie !” Now th e y gu re sto pped . It w as A nnie . S h e tu rn ed , slo w ly m ad e h er w ay d ow n th e ste p s, a n d w hen s h e s a w M ae, s h e s m ile d a p ra ctic e d , e xh au ste d s m ile . T hey h ugged , M ae know in g a n y e m bra ce a lw ay s p ro vid ed fo r h er v ie w ers a s e m i-c o m ic a l, a n d o cca sio nally mild ly ero tic , m om en t, as th e oth er hugger’s body sw ooped to w ard an d ev en tu ally su bsu m ed t h e c a m era ’s le n s. Annie p ulle d b ack , lo oked d ow n a t th e c a m era , s tu ck o ut h er to ngu e a n d lo oked u p a t Mae. “E very one,” M ae sa id , “th is is A nnie . Y ou’v e h eard a b out h er— Gan g o f 4 0 m em ber, world -s tr id er, b eau tif u l c o lo ssu s a n d m y c lo se p erso nal f r ie n d. S ay h i, A nnie .” “H i,” A nnie s a id . “S o h ow w as t h e t r ip ?” M ae a sk ed . Annie s m ile d , th ough M ae c o uld te ll, th ro ugh th e b rie fe st o f g rim ace s, th at A nnie w as not e n jo yin g t h is . B ut s h e c o nju re d a h ap py m ask a n d p ut it o n. “ It w as g re at,” s h e s a id . “A nyth in g y ou’d lik e t o s h are ? H ow d id t h in gs g o w it h e v ery one in G en ev a?” Annie ’s s m ile w ilt e d . “O h, y ou k now w e s h ould n’t t a lk a b out m uch o f t h at s tu ff, g iv en s o m uch o f it is — ” Mae n odded , a ssu rin g A nnie s h e k new . “ I’m s o rry . I w as ju st t a lk in g a b out G en ev a a s a lo ca tio n. N ic e ?” “S u re ,” A nnie sa id . “J u st g re at. I sa w th e V on T ra p ps, a n d th ey ’v e g o tte n so m e n ew clo th es. A ls o m ad e o f d ra p es.” Mae g la n ce d a t h er w ris t. S h e h ad n in e m in ute s u ntil s h e h ad t o s e e D r. V illa lo bos. “A nyth in g e ls e y ou’d lik e t o t a lk a b out? ” s h e a sk ed . “W hat e ls e ?” A nnie s a id . “ W ell le t m e t h in k … ” Annie tilt e d h er h ead , a s if s u rp ris e d , a n d m ild ly a n noyed , th at th is fa u x-v is it w as s till co ntin uin g. But th en so m eth in g ca m e over her, as if y nally se ttlin g in to w hat w as hap pen in g— th at sh e w as stu ck o n ca m era a n d h ad to a ssu m e h er m an tle a s co m pan y sp okesp erso n. “O kay , th ere ’s a n oth er v ery co ol p ro gra m th at w e’v e b een h in tin g a t fo r a w hile , a sy ste m c a lle d P astP erfe ct. A nd in G erm an y I w as w ork in g o ut s o m e la st h urd le s t o h elp it hap pen . W e’r e c u rre n tly lo okin g fo r th e rig h t v olu nte er h ere w it h in th e C ir c le to tr y it out, b ut w hen w e y nd th e rig h t p erso n, it ’l l m ean th e sta rt o f a v ery n ew e ra fo r th e Cir c le , a n d, n ot t o b e o verly d ra m atic a b out it , f o r h um an kin d.” “N ot d ra m atic a t a ll! ” M ae s a id . “ C an y ou s a y a n yth in g m ore a b out it ? ” “S u re , M ae. T han k y ou fo r ask in g,” A nnie sa id , lo okin g b rie { y at h er sh oes b efo re ra is in g h er e y es b ack t o M ae, w it h a p ro fe ssio nal s m ile . “ I c a n s a y t h at t h e b asic id ea is t o ta k e t h e p ow er o f t h e C ir c le c o m munit y a n d t o m ap n ot ju st t h e p re se n t b ut t h e p ast, t o o. We’r e rig h t n ow d ig it iz in g e v ery p hoto , e v ery n ew sre el, e v ery a m ate u r v id eo in e v ery arc h iv e in th is c o untr y a n d E uro pe— I m ean , w e’r e d oin g o ur b est a t le ast. T he ta sk is herc u le an , b ut o nce w e h av e a c rit ic a l m ass, an d w it h f a cia l r e co gn it io n a d van ce s, w e c a n , we h ope, id en tif y p re tty m uch e v ery one in e v ery p hoto a n d e v ery v id eo . Y ou w an t to ynd e v ery p ic tu re o f y our g re at-g ra n dpare n ts , w e c a n m ak e th e a rc h iv e se arc h ab le , a n d you ca n — we exp ect, w e b et— th en gain a gre ate r u ndersta n din g o f th em . M ay be y ou ca tc h t h em in a c ro w d a t t h e 1 912 W orld ’s F air . M ay be y ou y nd v id eo o f y our p are n ts a t a b ase b all g am e in 1 974. T he h ope, in t h e e n d, is t o y ll in y our m em ory a n d t h e h is to ric a l re co rd . A nd w it h th e h elp o f D NA a n d fa r b ette r g en ealo gic a l so ftw are , w it h in th e y ear we’r e h opin g th at a n yone c a n q uic k ly a cce ss e v ery a v aila b le p ie ce o f in fo rm atio n a b out th eir f a m ily lin eage, a ll im ages, a ll v id eo a n d f ilm , w it h o ne s e arc h r e q uest.” “A nd I im agin e t h at w hen e v ery one e ls e jo in s in , t h e C ir c le p artic ip an ts t h at is , t h e g ap s will q uic k ly b e f ille d .” M ae s m ile d , h er e y es t e llin g A nnie s h e w as d oin g g re at. “T hat’s r ig h t, M ae,” A nnie s a id , h er v oic e s ta b bin g a t t h e s p ace b etw een t h em , “ lik e a n y pro je ct o nlin e, m ost o f th e co m ple tio n w ill b e d one b y th e d ig it a l co m munit y . W e’r e gath erin g o ur o w n m illio ns o f p hoto s a n d v id eo s, b ut th e r e st o f th e w orld w ill p ro vid e billio ns m ore . W e e xp ect t h at w it h e v en p artia l p artic ip atio n, w e’l l b e a b le t o y ll in m ost his to ric a l h ole s easily . If y ou’r e lo okin g fo r all th e re sid en ts o f a ce rta in b uild in g in Pola n d, cir c a 1 913, a n d y ou’r e m is sin g o ne, it w on’t ta k e lo ng to tr ia n gu la te th at la st perso n b y c ro ss-r e fe re n cin g f r o m a ll t h e o th er d ata w e’l l g et.” “V ery e xcit in g.” “Y es, it is ,” A nnie s a id , a n d { ash ed th e w hit e s o f h er e y es, u rg in g M ae to w ra p a ll th is up. “B ut y ou d on’t h av e t h e g u in ea p ig y et? ” M ae a sk ed . “N ot y et. F or th e y rst p erso n, w e’r e lo okin g fo r so m eo ne w hose fa m ily go es b ack pre tty f a r in t h e U nit e d S ta te s. J u st b eca u se w e k now w e’l l h av e m ore c o m ple te a cce ss t o re co rd s h ere t h an in s o m e o th er c o untr ie s.” “A nd th is is p art o f th e C ir c le ’s p la n to co m ple te ev ery th in g th is y ear? It’s still o n sc h ed ule ?” “It is . P astP erfe ct is ju st a b out re ad y to u se n ow . A nd w it h a ll th e o th er a sp ects o f Com ple tio n, it lo oks lik e t h e b egin nin g o f n ext y ear. E ig h t m onth s a n d w e’l l b e d one. B ut you n ev er k now : th e w ay th in gs a re g o in g, w it h th e h elp o f s o m an y C ir c le rs o ut th ere , we c o uld f in is h a h ead o f t im e.” Mae s m ile d , n odded , a n d s h e a n d A nnie s h are d a lo ng, s tr a in ed m om en t, w hen A nnie ’s ey es a gain a sk ed h ow lo ng t h ey n eed ed t o g o o n w it h t h is s e m ip erfo rm ativ e d ia lo gu e. Outs id e, th e su n b ro ke th ro ugh th e clo uds, a n d th e lig h t th ro ugh th e w in dow sh one dow n o n A nnie ’s f a ce . M ae s a w , t h en , f o r t h e y rst t im e, h ow o ld s h e lo oked . H er f a ce w as dra w n, h er s k in p ale . A nnie w as n ot y et t w en ty -s e v en b ut t h ere w ere b ags u nder h er e y es. In t h is lig h t, s h e s e em ed t o h av e a ged f iv e y ears in t h e la st t w o m onth s. Annie to ok M ae’s h an d, a n d d ug h er y ngern ails in to h er p alm ju st e n ough to g et h er atte n tio n. “ I a ctu ally h av e t o u se t h e b ath ro om . C om e w it h ?” “S u re . I h av e t o g o , t o o.” Though M ae’s tr a n sp are n cy w as c o m ple te , in th at sh e c o uld n ot tu rn o th e v is u al o r au dio fe ed s a t a n y tim e, th ere w ere a fe w e xce p tio ns, in sis te d u pon b y B aile y . O ne w as durin g b ath ro om u sa ge, o r a t le ast t im e s p en t o n t h e t o ile t. T he v id eo f e ed w as t o r e m ain on, beca u se , B aile y in sis te d , t h e c a m era w ould b e t r a in ed o n t h e b ack o f t h e s ta ll d oor, s o it h ard ly m atte re d . B ut t h e a u dio w ould b e t u rn ed o , s p arin g M ae, a n d t h e a u die n ce , t h e so unds. Mae e n te re d th e sta ll, A nnie e n te re d th e o ne n ext to h er, a n d M ae d eactiv ate d h er au dio . T he ru le w as th at sh e h ad u p to th re e m in ute s o f sile n ce ; m ore th an th at w ould pro voke c o nce rn f r o m v ie w ers a n d C ir c le rs a lik e. “S o h ow a re y ou?” M ae a sk ed . S h e c o uld n’t se e A nnie , b ut h er to es, lo okin g c ro oked an d in n eed o f a p ed ic u re a tte n tio n, w ere v is ib le u nder t h e d oor. “G re at. G re at. Y ou?” “G ood.” “W ell, y ou sh ou ld b e g o od,” A nnie s a id . “ Y ou a re k illin g it !” “Y ou t h in k?” “C ’m on. F als e m odesty w on’t w ork h ere . Y ou s h ould b e p sy ch ed .” “O kay . I a m .” “I m ean , y ou’r e lik e a m ete o r h ere . I t’s in sa n e. P eo ple a re c o m in g t o me t r y in g t o g et t o you . I t’s ju st … s o c ra zy .” So m eth in g h ad c re p t in to A nnie ’s v oic e t h at M ae r e co gn iz e d a s e n vy, o r it s c lo se c o usin . Mae r a n th ro ugh a s tr in g o f p ossib ilit ie s o f w hat s h e c o uld s a y in r e sp onse . N oth in g w as rig h t. I c o u ld n’t h ave d on e it w it h ou t y ou w ould n ot w ork ; it s o unded b oth s e lf -a ggra n diz in g an d c o ndesc e n din g. I n t h e e n d, s h e c h ose t o c h an ge t h e s u bje ct. “S o rry a b out a sk in g s tu pid q uestio ns b ack t h ere ,” M ae s a id . “It’s o kay . B ut y ou p ut m e o n t h e s p ot.” “I k now . I ju st— I s a w y ou a n d w an te d t o s p en d t im e w it h y ou. A nd I d id n’t k now w hat els e t o a sk a b out. S o a re y ou r e ally o kay ? Y ou lo ok w ip ed o ut.” “T han k y ou, M ae. Y ou k now h ow m uch I lik e t o b e t o ld s e co nds a fte r I a p pear in f r o nt of y our m illio ns t h at I lo ok t e rrib le . T han k y ou. Y ou’r e s w eet.” “I’m ju st w orrie d . H av e y ou b een s le ep in g?” “I d on’t k now . M ay be I ’m o ff-s c h ed ule . I ’m je t-la gged .” “Is t h ere a n yth in g I c a n d o? L et m e t a k e y ou o ut t o e at.” “T ak e m e o ut to eat? W it h y our ca m era an d m e lo okin g so te rrib le ? T hat so unds fa n ta stic , b ut n o.” “L et m e d o s o m eth in g f o r y ou.” “N o, n o. I ju st n eed t o g et c a u gh t u p.” “A nyth in g in te re stin g?” “O h y ou k now , t h e u su al.” “T he re gu la to ry stu w en t w ell? T hey w ere re ally p uttin g a lo t o n y ou o ut th ere . I worrie d .” A c h ill s w ep t t h ro ugh A nnie ’s v oic e . “ W ell, y ou h ad n o r e aso n t o w orry . I ’v e b een d oin g th is f o r a w hile n ow .” “I d id n’t m ean I w as w orrie d in t h at w ay .” “W ell, d on’t w orry in an y w ay .” “I k now y ou c a n h an dle it .” “T han k you ! M ae, y our c o nfid en ce in m e w ill b e t h e w in d b en eath m y w in gs.” Mae c h ose t o ig n ore t h e s a rc a sm . “ S o w hen d o I g et t o s e e y ou?” “S o on. W e’l l m ak e s o m eth in g h ap pen .” “T onig h t? P le ase ?” “N ot to nig h t. I’m ju st g o nna c ra sh a n d g et fr e sh fo r to m orro w . I h av e a b unch o f s tu . There ’s a ll t h e n ew w ork o n C om ple tio n, a n d … ” “C om ple tin g t h e C ir c le ?” There w as a lo ng p au se , d urin g w hic h M ae w as s u re t h at A nnie w as r e lis h in g t h is p ie ce of n ew s, u nknow n t o M ae. “Y eah . B aile y d id n’t t e ll y ou?” A nnie s a id . A c e rta in e xasp era tin g m usic h ad e n te re d h er voic e . “I d on’t k now ,” M ae s a id , h er h eart b urn in g. “ M ay be h e d id .” “W ell, th ey ’r e fe elin g very clo se now . I w as out th ere re m ovin g so m e of th e la st barrie rs. T he W is e M en t h in k w e’r e d ow n t o t h e la st f e w h urd le s.” “O h. I t h in k I m ig h t h av e h eard t h at,” M ae s a id , h earin g h erse lf , h earin g h ow p etty s h e so unded . But sh e was je alo us. O f co urse sh e w as. W hy w ould sh e hav e acce ss to in fo rm atio n th at A nnie d id ? S h e k new s h e h ad n o r ig h t to it , b ut s till, s h e w an te d it , a n d fe lt sh e w as clo se r to it th an th is , th an h earin g ab out it fr o m A nnie , w ho h ad b een half w ay aro und th e w orld fo r th re e w eek s. The om is sio n th re w her back to so m e ig n om in io us sp ot a t th e C ir c le , so m e p le b eia n p la ce o f b ein g a sp okesw om an , a p ublic sh ill. “S o y ou’r e s u re I c a n ’t d o a n yth in g f o r y ou? M ay be s o m e k in d o f m udpack t o h elp w it h th e p u } ness u nder y our e y es? ” M ae h ate d h erse lf f o r s a y in g it , b ut it f e lt s o g o od in t h at mom en t, lik e a n it c h s c ra tc h ed h ard . Annie c le are d h er t h ro at. “ Y ou’r e s o k in d,” s h e s a id . “ B ut I s h ould g et g o in g.” “Y ou s u re ?” “M ae. I d on’t w an t t h is t o s o und r u de, b ut t h e b est t h in g f o r m e r ig h t n ow is t o g et b ack to m y d esk s o I c a n g et b ack t o w ork .” “O kay .” “I’m n ot s a y in g t h at in a r u de w ay . I a ctu ally ju st n eed t o g et c a u gh t u p.” “N o, I know . I get it . T hat’s y ne. I’l l se e you to m orro w an yw ay . A t th e C once p t Kin gd om m eetin g.” “W hat? ” “T here ’s a C once p t K in g— ” “N o. I k now w hat it is . Y ou’r e g o in g?” “I a m . B aile y t h ough t I s h ould g o .” “A nd b ro ad ca st it ? ” “O f c o urse . I s t h at a p ro ble m ?” “N o. N o,” A nnie sa id , c le arly sta llin g, p ro ce ssin g. “ I’m ju st su rp ris e d . T hose m eetin gs are fu ll o f se n sit iv e in te lle ctu al p ro perty . M ay be h e’s p la n nin g to h av e y ou a tte n d th e begin nin g o r s o m eth in g. I c a n ’t im agin e … ” Annie ’s t o ile t f lu sh ed , a n d M ae s a w t h at s h e’d s to od u p. “Y ou le av in g?” “Y eah . I ’m r e ally s o la te I w an t t o p uke n ow .” “O kay . D on’t p uke.” Annie h urrie d t o t h e d oor a n d w as g o ne. Mae h ad f o ur m in ute s t o g et t o D r. V illa lo bos. S h e s to od, t u rn ed h er a u dio b ack o n, a n d le ft t h e b ath ro om . Then sh e w alk ed b ack in , sile n ce d h er a u dio , sa t d ow n in th e sa m e sta ll, a n d g av e herse lf a m in ute to g et h erse lf to geth er. L et p eo ple th in k s h e w as c o nstip ate d . S h e d id n’t ca re . S h e w as su re A nnie w as c ry in g b y n ow , w here v er sh e w as. M ae w as so bbin g, a n d was cu rsin g A nnie , cu rsin g e v ery b lo nd in ch o f h er, h er sm ug se n se o f e n tit le m en t. S o what t h at s h e’d b een a t t h e C ir c le lo nger. T hey w ere p eers n ow , b ut A nnie c o uld n’t a cce p t it . M ae w ould h av e t o m ak e s u re s h e d id . It w as 2 :0 2 w hen s h e a rriv ed . “H ello M ae,” D r. V illa lo bos s a id , g re etin g h er in t h e c lin ic lo bby. “ I s e e y our h eart r a te is n orm al, an d I im agin e w it h y our jo g o ver h ere , all y our v ie w ers are gettin g so m e in te re stin g d ata , t o o. C om e in .” In re tr o sp ect, it sh ould n’t hav e been a su rp ris e th at D r. V illa lo bos had beco m e a vie w ers’ f a v orit e , t o o. W it h h er e xtr a v agan t c u rv es, h er s u lt r y e y es a n d h arm onic a v oic e , sh e w as v olc a n ic o nsc re en . S h e w as th e d octo r e v ery one, e sp ecia lly s tr a ig h t m en , w is h ed th ey ’d had . T hough T ru Y ou had m ad e le w d co m men ts alm ost im possib le fo r an yone wan tin g to k eep th eir jo b o r sp ouse , D r. V illa lo bos b ro ugh t o ut a g en te el, b ut n o le ss dem onstr a tiv e, b ra n d o f a p pre cia tio n. So g o od to se e th e g o od d octo r! o ne m an w ro te a s Mae en te re d th e o } ce . Let th e ex am in atio n begin , sa id an oth er, b ra v er, so ul. A nd D r. Villa lo bos, w hile p uttin g o n a sh ow o f b ris k p ro fe ssio nalis m , se em ed to e n jo y it , to o. Today sh e w as w earin g a z ip pere d b lo use th at d is p la y ed a n a m ount o f h er a m ple c h est th at at a p ro per d is ta n ce w as ap pro pria te b ut, se en th ro ugh M ae’s clo se ca m era , w as so m eh ow o bsc e n e. “S o y our v it a ls h av e b een lo okin g g o od,” s h e s a id t o M ae. Mae w as sit tin g o n th e e xam in atio n ta b le , th e d octo r sta n din g b efo re h er. L ookin g a t her w ris t, M ae c h eck ed t h e im age h er v ie w ers w ere g ettin g, a n d s h e k new t h e m en w ould be p le ase d . A s if re aliz in g th e p ic tu re m ig h t b e g ettin g to o p ro voca tiv e, D r. V illa lo bos tu rn ed t o t h e w alls c re en . O n it , a f e w h undre d d ata p oin ts w ere d is p la y ed . “Y our ste p c o unt c o uld b e b ette r,” sh e sa id . “ Y ou’r e a v era gin g o nly 5 ,3 00, w hen y ou sh ould b e a t 1 0,0 00. S o m eo ne y our a ge, e sp ecia lly , s h ould b e e v en h ig h er t h an t h at.” “I k now ,” M ae s a id . “ It’s ju st b een b usy la te ly .” “O kay . B ut le t’s b rin g th ose s te p s u p. A s a p ro m is e to m e? N ow , beca u se w e’r e ta lk in g to a ll y our w atc h ers n ow , I’d lik e to to ut th e o vera ll p ro gra m y our o w n d ata fe ed s in to , Mae. I t’s c a lle d t h e C om ple te H ealt h D ata p ro gra m , o r C H AD f o r s h ort. C had w as a n e x o f min e, a n d C had , if y ou’r e o ut t h ere , I d id n’t n am e it f o r y ou.” Mae’s w ris t w en t w ild w it h m essa ges. Chad , y ou fo ol . “T hro ugh C H AD , w e g et re al-t im e d ata o n e v ery one a t th e C ir c le . M ae, y ou a n d th e new bie s w ere th e y rst to get th e new w ris tb an ds, but sin ce th en , w e’v e eq uip ped ev ery one e ls e a t th e C ir c le . A nd th is h as e n ab le d u s to g et p erfe ct a n d c o m ple te d ata o n th e e le v en t h ousa n d p eo ple h ere . C an y ou im agin e? T he y rst b oon h as b een t h at w hen t h e {u a rriv ed o n c a m pus la st w eek , w e k new in m in ute s w ho b ro ugh t it . W e s e n t h er h om e an d n o o ne e ls e w as in fe cte d . If o nly w e c o uld p re v en t p eo ple fr o m b rin gin g g erm s on to ca m pus, r ig h t? If th ey n ev er le ft, g ettin g d ir ty o ut th ere , th en w e’d b e a ll s e t. B ut le t m e get o ff m y s o ap box a n d f o cu s o n y ou, M ae.” “A s lo ng a s th e n ew s is g o od,” M ae sa id , a n d tr ie d to sm ile . B ut sh e w as u neasy a n d wan te d t o m ove a ll t h is a lo ng. “W ell, I t h in k it ’s g o od,” t h e d octo r s a id . “ T his c o m es f r o m a w atc h er in S co tla n d. H e’d been tr a ck in g y our v it a ls , a n d c ro ss-r e fe re n cin g w it h y our D NA m ark ers, h e r e aliz e d th at th e w ay y ou’r e e atin g, p artic u la rly n it r a te s, is e le v atin g y our p ro pen sit y f o r c a n ce r.” “J esu s. R eally ? I s t h at t h e b ad n ew s I ’m h ere f o r? ” “N o, n o! D on’t w orry . It’s e asily s o lv ed . Y ou d on’t h av e c a n ce r a n d p ro bab ly w on’t g et it . B ut y ou k now y ou h av e a m ark er f o r g astr o in te stin al c a n ce r, ju st a n in cre ase d r is k , a n d th is re se arc h er in G la sg o w , w ho’d b een fo llo w in g y ou a n d y our v it a ls , sa w th at y ou’r e eatin g sa la m i a n d o th er m eats w it h n it r a te s th at m ig h t b e tip pin g y ou to w ard ce llu la r muta tio n.” “Y ou k eep s c a rin g m e.” “O h g o d I’m so rry ! I d on’t m ean to . B ut th an k g o d h e w as w atc h in g. I m ean , w e’r e watc h in g, t o o, a n d w e’r e g ettin g b ette r a t w atc h in g a ll t h e t im e. B ut t h e b eau ty o f h av in g so m an y fr ie n ds o ut th ere , a s y ou d o, is th at o ne o f th em , y ve th ousa n d m ile s a w ay , h as help ed y ou a v ert a g ro w in g r is k .” “S o n o m ore n it r a te s.” “R ig h t. L et’s sk ip th e n it r a te s. I’v e z in ged y ou a lis t o f fo ods th at c o nta in th em , a n d your w atc h ers c a n se e, to o. T hey sh ould a lw ay s b e e ate n in m odera tio n, b ut sh ould b e av oid ed a lt o geth er if th ere ’s a n y h is to ry o f o r ris k o f ca n ce r. I h ope y ou’l l b e su re to co nvey t h is t o y our p are n ts , in c a se t h ey h av en ’t b een c h eck in g t h eir o w n Z in g f e ed .” “O h, I ’m s u re t h ey h av e,” M ae s a id . “O kay , a n d th is is th e n ot-s o -g o od n ew s. It’s n ot a b out y ou o r y our h ealt h . It’s y our pare n ts . T hey ’r e y ne, b ut I w an t to sh ow y ou so m eth in g.” T he d octo r b ro ugh t u p th e SeeC han ge ca m era fe ed s in M ae’s pare n ts ’ house , se t up a m onth in to her fa th er’s tr e atm en t. T he m ed ic a l t e am a t t h e C ir c le w as t a k in g a s tr o ng in te re st in h er f a th er’s c a se , an d w an te d a s m uch d ata a s it c o uld g et. “ Y ou s e e a n yth in g w ro ng?” Mae sc a n ned th e sc re en . W here a grid o f six te en im ages sh ould h av e b een v is ib le , tw elv e w ere b la n k. “ T here a re o nly f o ur w ork in g,” s h e s a id . “C orre ct,” s a id t h e d octo r. Mae w atc h ed th e fo ur fe ed s fo r sig n s o f h er p are n ts . S h e sa w n one. “H as te ch b een th ere t o c h eck ?” “N o n eed . W e sa w th em d o it . F or e ach o ne, th ey re ach ed u p a n d p ut so m e k in d o f co ver o ver t h em . M ay be ju st s o m e s tic k er o r f a b ric . D id y ou k now a b out t h is ? ” “I d id n’t . I ’m s o s o rry . T hey s h ould n’t h av e d one t h is .” In stin ctiv ely , M ae c h eck ed h er c u rre n t v ie w ersh ip : 1 ,2 98,0 01. It a lw ay s s p ik ed d urin g th e v is it s t o D r. V illa lo bos. N ow a ll t h ese p eo ple k new . M ae f e lt h er f a ce f lu sh . “H av e y ou h eard f r o m y our f o lk s r e ce n tly ?” D r. V illa lo bos a sk ed . “ O ur r e co rd s s a y y ou hav en ’t . B ut m ay be— ” “N ot in t h e la st f e w d ay s,” M ae s a id . I n f a ct, s h e h ad n’t b een in t o uch f o r o ver a w eek . Sh e’d t r ie d t o c a ll t h em , t o n o a v ail. S h e’d z in ged a n d r e ce iv ed n o r e sp onse . “W ould y ou b e w illin g t o g o v is it ? ” t h e d octo r a sk ed . “ A s y ou k now , g o od m ed ic a l c a re is h ard t o p ro vid e w hen w e’r e in t h e d ark .” Mae w as d riv in g h om e, h av in g le ft w ork a t y ve— so m eth in g s h e h ad n’t d one in w eek s— an d w as t h in kin g o f h er p are n ts , w hat k in d o f m ad ness h ad o verta k en t h em , a n d s h e w as worrie d th at so m eh ow M erc e r’s ow n m ad ness had in fe cte d th em . H ow dare th ey dis c o nnect c a m era s! A fte r a ll s h e’d d one to h elp , a fte r a ll th e C ir c le h ad d one to b en d a ll ru le s t o c o m e t o t h eir a id ! A nd w hat w ould A nnie s a y ? Dam n h er , M ae th ough t a s sh e m ad e h er w ay h om e, th e a ir g ro w in g w arm er a s th e dis ta n ce g re w b etw een h er a n d th e P aci y c. M ae h ad se t u p h er le n s o n th e ca r d ash , in se rtin g it in to a sp ecia l m ount c re ate d fo r h er tim e in th e c a r. That fu ck in g d eb u ta n te . This w as b ad t im in g. A nnie w ould lik ely y nd s o m e w ay t o t u rn a ll t h is t o h er a d van ta ge. Ju st w hen h er e n vy o f M ae— an d it w as t h at, it w as s o a b undan tly o bvio us— was g ro w in g, sh e co uld cu t M ae d ow n to siz e a gain . M ae a n d h er n oth in g to w n, h er p ark in g-g ara ge pare n ts w ho co uld n’t keep th eir sc re en s opera tio nal, w ho co uld n’t keep th em se lv es healt h y. W ho to ok a m onum en ta l g if t, p re m iu m h ealt h c a re , fo r fr e e, a n d a b use d it . M ae knew w hat A nnie w as th in kin g in h er lit tle e n tit le d b lo nd h ead : You ju st c a n ’t h elp so m e peo ple . Annie ’s fa m ily lin e w en t back to th e Mayflo w er , her an ce sto rs hav in g se ttle d th is co untr y , a n d th eir a n ce sto rs h av in g o w ned s o m e v ast s w ath o f E ngla n d. T heir b lo od w as blu e all th e w ay b ack , it se em ed , to th e in ven tio n o f th e w heel. In fa ct, if an yone’s blo odlin e had in ven te d th e w heel, it w ould h av e b een A nnie ’s . It w ould m ak e a b so lu te an d p erfe ct s e n se a n d w ould s u rp ris e n o o ne. Mae had dis c o vere d all th is one Than ksg iv in g at A nnie ’s house , w it h tw en ty -o dd re la tiv es th ere , a ll w it h th eir th in n ose s, th eir p in k s k in , th eir w eak e y es h id den b eh in d fo rty le n se s, w hen s h e b eca m e a w are , d urin g a n a p pro pria te ly s e lf -e acin g c o nversa tio n —fo r A nnie ’s f a m ily w as e q ually u nw illin g t o t a lk t o o m uch o r c a re t o o m uch a b out t h eir lin eage— th at s o m e d is ta n t r e la tiv e o f t h eir s h ad b een a t t h e v ery f ir st T han ksg iv in g. “O h g o d, w ho c a re s? ” A nnie ’s m oth er h ad s a id , w hen M ae h ad p re sse d f o r m ore d eta ils . “S o m e r a n dom g u y g o t o n a b oat. H e p ro bab ly o w ed m oney a ll o ver t h e O ld C ountr y .” And t h ey h ad p ro ce ed ed w it h d in ner. A fte rw ard , A nnie h ad , a t M ae’s in sis te n ce , s h ow n her so m e d ocu m en ts , a n cie n t y ello w ed p ap ers d eta ilin g th eir fa m ily h is to ry , a b eau tif u l bla ck portfo lio of gen ealo gie s, sc h ola rly artic le s, pic tu re s of gra v e old m en w it h extr a v agan t s id eb urn s s ta n din g n ear r o ugh -h ew n c a b in s. In o th er v is it s to A nnie ’s h ouse , h er fa m ily w as eq ually gen ero us, u nassu m in g an d ca re le ss w it h th eir n am e. B ut w hen A nnie ’s s is te r w as m arrie d , a n d th e e xte n ded fa m ily arriv ed , M ae sa w a d i ere n t sid e. S h e w as se ate d a t a ta b le o f sin gle m en a n d w om en , most o f th em Annie ’s c o usin s, a n d n ext to A nnie ’s a u nt. S h e w as a w ir y w om an in h er fo rtie s, h er fe atu re s s im ila r to A nnie ’s b ut a rra n ged w it h le sse r r e su lt s . S h e w as r e ce n tly div orc e d , h av in g le ft a m an “ b en eath m y s ta tio n,” s h e s a id w it h p re te n d h au gh tin ess. “A nd y ou k now A nnie fr o m … ?” S h e’d y rst tu rn ed to M ae fu lly tw en ty m in ute s in to din ner. “C olle ge. W e w ere r o om mate s.” “I t h ough t h er r o om mate w as P ak is ta n i.” “T hat w as f r e sh m an y ear.” “A nd y ou s a v ed t h e d ay . W here a re y ou f r o m ?” “M id dle o f th e sta te . C en tr a l V alle y . A sm all to w n n o o ne’s h eard o f. So rt o f n ear Fre sn o.” Mae d ro ve o n, r e m em berin g a ll t h is , s o m e o f it in je ctin g f r e sh p ain in to h er, s o m eth in g still w et a n d r a w . “W ow , F re sn o!” t h e a u nt h ad s a id , p re te n din g t o s m ile . “ I h av en ’t h eard t h at w ord in a lo ng tim e, th an k g o d.” S h e’d ta k en a s w allo w fr o m h er g in a n d to nic a n d s q uin te d o ut a t th e w ed din g p arty . “ T he im porta n t th in g is th at y ou g o t o ut. I k now g o od c o lle ges lo ok fo r p eo ple lik e y ou. T hat’s p ro bab ly w hy I d id n’t g et in w here I w an te d to . D on’t le t an yone te ll y ou E xete r h elp s. S o m an y q uota s p ots to y ll w it h p eo ple fr o m P ak is ta n a n d Fre sn o, r ig h t? ” The y rst t im e s h e’d g o ne h om e t r a n sp are n t h ad b een r e v ela to ry a n d h ad b urn is h ed M ae’s fa it h in h um an it y . S h e’d h ad a s im ple e v en in g w it h h er p are n ts , m ak in g a n d e atin g d in ner an d w hile d oin g s o , th ey ’d d is c u sse d th e d i ere n ce s in h er fa th er’s tr e atm en t b efo re a n d afte r th ey b eca m e in su re d th ro ugh th e C ir c le . V ie w ers c o uld s e e b oth th e tr iu m phs o f h is tr e atm en t— her fa th er s e em ed v ib ra n t a n d m oved w it h e ase th ro ugh th e h ouse — but th ey als o s a w th e to ll th e d is e ase w as ta k in g o n h im . H e fe ll a w kw ard ly w hile tr y in g to m ak e his w ay u psta ir s, a n d a fte rw ard th ere w as a { ood o f m essa ges fr o m c o nce rn ed v ie w ers, fo llo w ed b y th ousa n ds o f sm ile s fr o m a ll o ver th e w orld . P eo ple su ggestin g n ew d ru g co m bin atio ns, new physic a l th era p y re gim en s, new docto rs, exp erim en ta l tr e atm en ts , Easte rn m ed ic in e, J esu s. H undre d s o f ch urc h es p ut h im in th eir w eek ly p ra y ers. M ae’s pare n ts fe lt c o n y den t in th eir d octo rs, a n d m ost v ie w ers c o uld s e e th at h er fa th er’s c a re was e xce p tio nal, so w hat w as m ore im porta n t a n d p le n tif u l th an th e m ed ic a l c o m men ts were th ose sim ply c h eerin g h im a n d th e fa m ily o n. M ae c rie d re ad in g th e m essa ges; it was a { ood o f lo ve. P eo ple s h arin g t h eir o w n s to rie s, s o m an y liv in g w it h M S t h em se lv es. Oth ers sp oke o f th eir o w n str u ggle s— liv in g w it h o ste o poro sis , w it h B ell’s p als y , w it h Cro hn’s d is e ase . M ae h ad b een fo rw ard in g th e m essa ges to h er p are n ts , b ut a fte r a fe w day s d ecid ed t o m ak e t h eir o w n e m ail a n d m ailin g a d dre ss p ublic , s o h er p are n ts c o uld b e em bold en ed a n d in sp ir e d b y t h e o utp ourin g t h em se lv es, e v ery d ay . This , th e se co nd tim e sh e’d g o ne h om e, w ould , sh e k new , b e e v en b ette r. A fte r sh e ad dre sse d th e is su e wit h th e ca m era s, whic h sh e exp ecte d was so m e so rt of mis u ndersta n din g, sh e p la n ned to g iv e a ll th ose w ho h ad re ach ed o ut th e c h an ce to se e her p are n ts a gain , a n d t o g iv e h er p are n ts a c h an ce t o t h an k a ll t h ose w ho h ad s e n t t h em sm ile s a n d h elp . Sh e f o und t h e t w o o f t h em in t h e k it c h en , c h oppin g v egeta b le s. “H ow a re y ou g u ys? ” s h e s a id , w hile f o rc in g t h em in to a t h re e-w ay e m bra ce . T hey b oth sm elle d o f o nio ns. “Y ou’r e s u re a ffe ctio nate t o nig h t, M ae!” h er f a th er s a id . “H a h a,” M ae sa id , a n d tr ie d to in dic a te , w it h a ro llin g b ack o f h er e y elid s, th at th ey sh ould n ot im ply t h at s h e w as e v er le ss a ffe ctio nate . As if r e m em berin g th at th ey w ere o n c a m era , a n d th at th eir d au gh te r w as n ow a m ore vis ib le a n d im porta n t p erso n, h er p are n ts a d ju ste d th eir b eh av io r. T hey m ad e la sa gn a, wit h M ae ad din g a fe w in gre d ie n ts A ddit io nal G uid an ce had ask ed her to brin g an d dis p la y t o w atc h ers. W hen d in ner w as r e ad y, a n d M ae h ad g iv en a d eq uate c a m era t im e t o th e p ro ducts , t h ey a ll s a t d ow n. “S o th ere ’s a slig h t co nce rn fr o m th e h ealt h fo lk s th at so m e o f y our ca m era s a re n ’t work in g,” M ae s a id , k eep in g it lig h t. “R eally ?” h er fa th er s a id , s m ilin g. “ M ay be w e s h ould c h eck th e b atte rie s? ” H e w in ked at h er m oth er. “Y ou g u ys,” M ae s a id , k now in g s h e h ad t o m ak e t h is s ta te m en t v ery c le ar, k now in g t h is was a p iv ota l m om en t, fo r th eir o w n h ealt h a n d th e o vera ll h ealt h d ata -g ath erin g s y ste m th e C ir c le w as tr y in g to m ak e p ossib le . “ H ow c a n a n yone p ro vid e y ou w it h g o od h ealt h ca re w hen y ou d on’t a llo w th em to s e e h ow y ou’r e d oin g? It’s lik e g o in g to s e e a d octo r an d n ot a llo w in g h er t o t a k e y our p uls e .” “T hat’s a v ery g o od p oin t,” h er f a th er s a id . “ I t h in k w e s h ould e at.” “W e’l l g et th em y xed rig h t a w ay ,” h er m oth er sa id , a n d th at b egan w hat w as a v ery str a n ge n ig h t, d urin g w hic h M ae’s p are n ts a gre ed re ad ily w it h a ll o f M ae’s a rg u m en ts ab out tr a n sp are n cy , n odded th eir h ead s v ig o ro usly w hen sh e ta lk ed a b out th e n ece ssit y fo r e v ery one to b e o nboard , th e c o ro lla ry to v accin es, h ow th ey o nly w ork ed w it h fu ll partic ip atio n. T hey agre ed h eartily w it h it all, co m plim en tin g M ae re p eate d ly o n h er pow ers o f p ersu asio n a n d lo gic . I t w as o dd; t h ey w ere b ein g f a r t o o c o opera tiv e. They s a t d ow n to e at, a n d M ae d id s o m eth in g s h e’d n ev er d one befo re , a n d w hic h s h e hoped h er p are n ts w ould n’t r u in b y a ctin g lik e it w as u nusu al: s h e g av e a t o ast. “H ere ’s a t o ast t o y ou t w o,” s h e s a id . “ A nd w hile w e’r e a t it , a t o ast t o a ll t h e t h ousa n ds of p eo ple w ho r e ach ed o ut t o y ou g u ys a fte r t h e la st t im e I w as h ere .” Her p are n ts sm ile d sti y a n d ra is e d th eir g la sse s. T hey a te fo r a fe w m om en ts , a n d when h er m oth er h ad ca re fu lly ch ew ed an d sw allo w ed h er y rst b it e , sh e sm ile d an d lo oked d ir e ctly in to t h e le n s— whic h M ae h ad t o ld h er r e p eate d ly n ot t o d o. “W ell, w e s u re d id g et a lo t o f m essa ges,” h er m oth er s a id . Mae’s fa th er jo in ed in . “Y our m om ’s been so rtin g th ro ugh th em , an d w e’v e been mak in g a lit tle d en t in t h e p ile e v ery d ay . B ut it ’s a lo t o f w ork , I h av e t o s a y .” Her m oth er r e ste d h er h an d o n M ae’s a rm . “ N ot t h at w e d on’t a p pre cia te it , b eca u se w e do. W e su re ly d o. I ju st w an t to g o o n re co rd a s a sk in g e v ery one’s fo rg iv en ess fo r o ur ta rd in ess in a n sw erin g a ll t h e m essa ges.” “W e’v e g o tte n t h ousa n ds,” h er f a th er n ote d , p okin g a t h is s a la d . Her m oth er sm ile d sti y. “ A nd a gain , w e a p pre cia te th e o utp ourin g. B ut e v en if w e sp en t o ne m in ute o n e ach r e sp onse , th at’s a th ousa n d m in ute s. T hin k o f it : s ix te en h ours ju st f o r s o m e b asic r e sp onse t o t h e m essa ges! O h je ez, n ow I s o und u ngra te fu l.” Mae w as gla d h er m oth er sa id th is , b eca u se th ey d id so und u ngra te fu l. T hey w ere co m pla in in g a b out p eo ple ca rin g a b out th em . A nd ju st w hen M ae th ough t h er m oth er would r e v erse h erse lf , w ould e n co ura ge m ore g o od w is h es, h er fa th er s p oke a n d m ad e it worse . L ik e h er m oth er, h e s p oke d ir e ctly in to t h e le n s. “B ut w e d o a sk y ou, fr o m n ow o n, to ju st s e n d y our b est w is h es th ro ugh th e a ir . O r if you p ra y , ju st p ra y f o r u s. N o n eed t o p ut it in to a m essa ge. J u st” — an d h e c lo se d h is e y es an d s q ueeze d t h em t ig h t— “se n d y our g o od w is h es, y our g o od v ib es, o ur w ay . N o n eed t o em ail o r z in g o r a n yth in g. J u st g o od th ough ts . S en d ’e m th ro ugh th e a ir . T hat’s a ll w e ask .” “I t h in k y ou ju st m ean t o s a y ,” M ae s a id , t r y in g t o h old h er t e m per, “ th at it ’l l ju st t a k e you a lit tle w hile t o a n sw er a ll o f t h e m essa ges. B ut y ou’l l g et t o t h em a ll e v en tu ally .” Her f a th er d id n’t h esit a te . “ W ell, I c a n ’t s a y t h at, M ae. I d on’t w an t t o p ro m is e t h at. I t’s actu ally v ery str e ssfu l. A nd w e’v e a lr e ad y h ad m an y p eo ple g et a n gry w hen th ey d on’t hear b ack f r o m u s in a g iv en a m ount o f t im e. T hey s e n d o ne m essa ge, t h en t h ey s e n d t e n more in th e s a m e d ay . ‘D id I s a y s o m eth in g w ro ng?’ ‘S o rry .’ ‘I w as o nly tr y in g to h elp .’ ‘U p y ours.’ T hey h av e th ese n eu ro tic c o nversa tio ns w it h th em se lv es. S o I d on’t w an t to im ply th e k in d o f im med ia te m essa ge tu rn aro und th at m ost o f y our fr ie n ds se em to re q uir e .” “D ad . S to p. Y ou s o und t e rrib le .” Her m oth er le an ed fo rw ard . “M ae, y our d ad ’s ju st tr y in g to sa y th at o ur liv es are alr e ad y p re tty fr a u gh t, a n d w e h av e o ur h an ds fu ll ju st w ork in g, p ay in g b ills a n d ta k in g ca re o f t h e h ealt h s tu . I f w e h av e s ix te en h ours m ore w ork t o d o, t h en t h at p uts u s in a n unte n ab le p osit io n. C an y ou s e e w here w e’r e c o m in g f r o m ? I s a y t h at, a gain , w it h a ll d ue re sp ect a n d g ra tit u de t o e v ery one w ho h as w is h ed u s w ell.” Afte r d in ner, h er p are n ts w an te d to w atc h a m ovie , a n d th ey d id so , Basic In stin ct , a t her fa th er’s in sis te n ce . H e’d se en it m ore th an a n y o th er y lm , a lw ay s c it in g th e n ods to Hit c h co ck , t h e m an y w it ty h om ages— th ough h e’d n ev er m ad e c le ar h is lo ve o f H it c h co ck in th e yrst p la ce . M ae h ad lo ng su sp ecte d th at th e m ovie , w it h it s c o nsta n t a n d v arie d se xu al t e n sio ns, m ad e h im r a n dy. As h er p are n ts w atc h ed th e y lm , M ae tr ie d to m ak e th e tim e m ore in te re stin g b y se n din g a se rie s o f z in gs a b out it , tr a ck in g a n d c o m men tin g o n th e n um ber o f m om en ts o en siv e to th e L G BT co m munit y . S h e w as g ettin g a g re at re sp onse , b ut th en sa w th e tim e, 9 :3 0, a n d f ig u re d s h e s h ould g et o n t h e r o ad a n d b ack t o t h e C ir c le . “W ell, I ’m g o nna h ead o ut,” s h e s a id . Mae th ough t s h e c a u gh t s o m eth in g in h er fa th er’s e y e, s o m e q uic k lo ok to h er m oth er th at m ig h t h av e sa id at la st , b ut sh e c o uld h av e b een m is ta k en . S h e p ut o n h er c o at a n d her m oth er m et h er a t t h e d oor, a n e n velo pe in h er h an d. “M erc e r a sk ed u s t o g iv e t h is t o y ou.” Mae to ok it , a sim ple b usin ess-s iz e d en velo pe. It w asn ’t ev en ad dre sse d to h er. N o nam e, n oth in g. Sh e k is se d h er m oth er’s c h eek , le ft t h e h ouse , t h e a ir o uts id e s till w arm . S h e p ulle d o ut an d d ro ve to w ard th e h ig h w ay . B ut th e le tte r w as o n h er la p , a n d h er c u rio sit y o verto ok her. S h e p ulle d o ver a n d o pen ed it . Dear M ae, Yes, y ou c a n a n d s h ould r e ad t h is o n c a m era . I e xp ecte d t h at y ou w ould , s o I ’m writ in g t h is le tte r n ot o nly t o y ou, b ut t o y our “ a u die n ce .” H ello , a u die n ce . Sh e co uld alm ost hear his in tr o ducto ry in ta k e of bre ath , his se ttlin g in befo re an im porta n t s p eech . I ca n ’t se e you an ym ore , M ae. N ot th at w e had su ch a co nsta n t or perfe ct fr ie n dsh ip a n yw ay , b ut I c a n ’t b e y our fr ie n d a n d a ls o p art o f y our e xp erim en t. I’l l be sa d to lo se y ou, a s y ou h av e b een im porta n t in m y lif e . B ut w e’v e ta k en v ery dif fe re n t e v olu tio nary p ath s a n d v ery s o on w e’l l b e t o o f a r a p art t o c o m munic a te . If y ou sa w y our p are n ts , a n d y our m om g av e y ou th is n ote , th en y ou sa w th e e ect a ll y our stu h as h ad o n th em . I w ro te th is n ote a fte r se ein g th em , b oth o f th em str u ng o ut, e xh au ste d b y th e d elu ge y ou u nle ash ed o n th em . It’s to o m uch , Mae. A nd it ’s n ot r ig h t. I h elp ed t h em c o ver s o m e o f t h e c a m era s. I e v en b ough t t h e fa b ric . I w as h ap py t o d o it . T hey d on’t w an t t o b e s m ile d u pon, o r f r o w ned u pon, o r zin ged . T hey w an t to be alo ne. A nd not w atc h ed . Su rv eilla n ce sh ould n’t be th e tr a d eo ff f o r a n y g o ddam n s e rv ic e w e g et. If th in gs c o ntin ue th is w ay , th ere w ill b e tw o so cie tie s— or a t le ast I h ope th ere will b e t w o— th e o ne y ou’r e h elp in g c re ate , a n d a n a lt e rn ativ e t o it . Y ou a n d y our ilk will liv e, w illin gly , jo yfu lly , under co nsta n t su rv eilla n ce , w atc h in g each oth er alw ay s, co m men tin g on each oth er, votin g an d lik in g an d dis lik in g each oth er, sm ilin g a n d f r o w nin g, a n d o th erw is e d oin g n oth in g m uch e ls e . Alr e ad y th ere w ere c o m men ts p ourin g th ro ugh h er w ris t. Mae, w ere y ou e ver so y ou ng an d d um b? H ow d id y ou e n d u p d atin g a z ero lik e th is ? T hat w as th e m ost p opula r, so on su perse d ed by Ju st lo oked u p h is p ic tu re . D oes h e h ave so m e S asq u atc h so m ew here in th e fa m ily tr e e? Sh e c o ntin ued r e ad in g t h e le tte r: I w ill a lw ay s w is h a ll g o od th in gs fo r y ou, M ae. I a ls o h ope, th ough I r e aliz e h ow unlik ely it is , t h at s o m ew here d ow n t h e lin e, w hen t h e t r iu m phalis m o f y ou a n d y our peers— th e u nre str a in ed M an if e st D estin y o f it a ll— go es to o fa r a n d c o lla p se s in to it s e lf , t h at y ou’l l r e gain y our s e n se o f p ersp ectiv e, a n d y our h um an it y . H ell, w hat a m I sa y in g? It’s a lr e ad y g o ne to o fa r. W hat I sh ould sa y is th at I a w ait th e d ay w hen so m e v oca l m in orit y y nally r is e s u p t o sa y it ’s g o ne t o o f a r, a n d t h at t h is t o ol, w hic h is fa r m ore in sid io us th an an y hum an in ven tio n th at’s co m e befo re it , m ust be ch eck ed , re gu la te d , tu rn ed b ack , a n d th at, m ost o f a ll, w e n eed o ptio ns fo r o ptin g out. W e a re liv in g in a t y ra n nic a l s ta te n ow , w here w e a re n ot a llo w ed t o — Mae ch eck ed how m an y pages w ere le ft. Four m ore double -s id ed sh eets , lik ely co nta in in g m ore o f th e sa m e d ir e ctio nle ss b la th er. S h e th re w th e p ile o n th e p asse n ger se at. P oor M erc e r. H e’d a lw ay s b een a b lo w hard , a n d h e n ev er k new h is a u die n ce . A nd th ough sh e k new h e w as u sin g h er p are n ts a gain st h er, so m eth in g w as b oth erin g h er. Were th ey re ally th at a n noyed ? S h e w as o nly a b lo ck a w ay , so sh e g o t o ut a n d w alk ed back h om e. I f t h ey w ere t r u ly u pse t, w ell, s h e w ould a n d c o uld a d dre ss it . When s h e w alk ed in , s h e d id n’t s e e t h em in t h e t w o m ost lik ely p la ce s, t h e liv in g r o om an d t h e k it c h en , a n d p eek ed a ro und t h e c o rn er in to t h e d in in g r o om . T hey w ere n ow here . The o nly sig n o f th em a t a ll w as a p ot o f w ate r b oilin g o n th e sto ve. S h e tr ie d n ot to pan ic , b ut t h at p ot o f b oilin g w ate r, a n d t h e o th erw is e e erie q uie t o f t h e h ouse , a rra n ged it s e lf in a c ro oked w ay in h er m in d, a n d v ery s u dden ly s h e w as th in kin g o f r o bberie s, o r su ic id e p acts , o r k id nap pin gs. Sh e r a n u p th e s ta ir s, ta k in g th em th re e a t a tim e, a n d w hen s h e r e ach ed th e to p a n d tu rn ed le ft q uic k ly , in to t h eir b ed ro om , s h e s a w t h em , t h eir e y es t u rn ed t o h er, r o und a n d te rri y ed . H er f a th er w as s it tin g o n t h e b ed , a n d h er m oth er w as k neelin g o n t h e { oor, h is pen is in h er h an d. A sm all c o nta in er o f m ois tu riz e r re ste d a gain st h is le g. In a n in sta n t th ey a ll k new t h e r a m if ic a tio ns. Mae tu rn ed a w ay , d ir e ctin g th e ca m era to w ard a d re sse r. N o o ne sa id a w ord . M ae co uld t h in k o nly o f r e tr e atin g t o t h e b ath ro om , w here s h e p oin te d t h e c a m era a t t h e w all an d t u rn ed o t h e a u dio . S h e r e w ound h er s p ool t o s e e w hat h ad b een c a u gh t o n c a m era . Sh e h oped t h e le n s s w in gin g f r o m h er n eck h ad s o m eh ow m is se d t h e o ffe n din g im age. But it h ad n ot. If a n yth in g, th e a n gle o f th e c a m era r e v eale d th e a ct m ore c le arly th an sh e’d w it n esse d it . S h e t u rn ed t h e p la y back o ff. S h e c a lle d A G . “Is t h ere a n yth in g w e c a n d o?” s h e a sk ed . Wit h in m in ute s sh e w as o n th e p hone w it h B aile y h im se lf . S h e w as g la d to g et h im , beca u se s h e k new t h at if a n yone w ould a gre e w it h h er o n t h is , it w ould b e B aile y , a m an of u nerrin g m ora l c o m pass. H e d id n’t w an t a s e x a ct lik e t h at b ro ad ca st a ro und t h e w orld , did h e? W ell, th at h ad a lr e ad y b een d one, b ut s u re ly th ey c o uld e ra se a fe w s e co nds, s o th e im age w ould n’t b e s e arc h ab le , w ould n’t b e m ad e p erm an en t? “M ae, c ’m on,” h e s a id . “ Y ou k now w e c a n ’t d o t h at. W hat w ould t r a n sp are n cy b e if w e co uld dele te an yth in g w e fe lt w as em barra ssin g in so m e w ay ? Y ou know w e don’t dele te .” H is voic e w as em path etic an d fa th erly , an d M ae knew sh e w ould ab id e by whate v er h e sa id . H e k new b est, c o uld se e m ile s fu rth er th an M ae o r a n yone e ls e , a n d th is was e v id en t in h is p re te rn atu ra l c a lm . “ F or t h is e xp erim en t, M ae, a n d t h e C ir c le a s a whole , to w ork , it h as to b e a b so lu te . It h as to b e p ure a n d c o m ple te . A nd I k now th is ep is o de w ill b e p ain fu l fo r a fe w d ay s, b ut tr u st m e, v ery s o on n oth in g lik e th is w ill b e th e le ast b it in te re stin g t o a n yone. W hen e v ery th in g is k now n, e v ery th in g a cce p ta b le w ill be a cce p te d . S o fo r th e tim e b ein g, w e n eed to b e str o ng. Y ou n eed to b e a ro le m odel here . Y ou n eed t o s ta y t h e c o urse .” Mae d ro ve b ack to th e C ir c le , d ete rm in ed th at w hen s h e g o t b ack to c a m pus, s h e w ould sta y th ere . Sh e’d had en ough of th e ch ao s of her fa m ily , of M erc e r, her w re tc h ed hom eto w n. S h e h ad n’t e v en a sk ed h er p are n ts a b out th e S eeC han ge ca m era s, h ad sh e? Hom e w as m ad ness. O n c a m pus, a ll w as fa m ilia r. O n c a m pus th ere w as n o fr ic tio n. S h e did n’t n eed to e xp la in h erse lf , o r th e fu tu re o f th e w orld , to th e C ir c le rs, w ho im plic it ly understo od h er a n d t h e p la n et a n d t h e w ay it h ad t o b e a n d s o on w ould b e. In cre asin gly , sh e fo und it d i } cu lt to b e o -c a m pus an yw ay . T here w ere h om ele ss peo ple , a n d t h ere w ere t h e a tte n dan t a n d a ssa u lt in g s m ells , a n d t h ere w ere m ach in es t h at did n’t w ork , a n d { oors a n d s e ats th at h ad n ot b een c le an ed , a n d th ere w as, e v ery w here , th e c h ao s o f a n o rd erle ss w orld . T he C ir c le w as h elp in g to im pro ve it , s h e k new , a n d s o man y o f th ese th in gs w ere b ein g a d dre sse d — hom ele ssn ess c o uld b e h elp ed o r y xed , s h e knew , once th e gam i y ca to n of sh elt e r allo tm en t an d public housin g in gen era l w as co m ple te ; th ey w ere w ork in g o n th is in th e N ara P erio d— but in th e m ean tim e, it w as in cre asin gly tr o ublin g to b e a m id th e m ad ness o uts id e th e g ate s o f th e C ir c le . W alk in g th ro ugh S an F ra n cis c o , o r O ak la n d, o r S an J o se , o r a n y cit y , re ally , se em ed m ore a n d more lik e a T hir d W orld e xp erie n ce , w it h u nnece ssa ry y lt h , a n d u nnece ssa ry str if e a n d unnece ssa ry e rro rs a n d in e } cie n cie s— on a n y c it y b lo ck , a t h ousa n d p ro ble m s c o rre ctib le th ro ugh s im ple e n ough a lg o rit h m s a n d t h e a p plic a tio n o f a v aila b le t e ch nolo gy a n d w illin g mem bers o f t h e d ig it a l c o m munit y . S h e le ft h er c a m era o n. Sh e m ad e th e d riv e in le ss th an tw o h ours a n d it w as o nly m id nig h t w hen s h e a rriv ed . Sh e w as w ir e d fr o m th e tr ip , fr o m h er n erv es o n c o nsta n t a le rt, a n d n eed ed re la xatio n, an d d is tr a ctio n. S h e w en t to C E, k now in g th ere sh e c o uld b e u se fu l a n d th at th ere , h er e orts w ould b e a p pre cia te d , im med ia te ly a n d d em onstr a b ly . S h e e n te re d th e b uild in g, lo okin g b rie { y u p at th e slo w -t u rn in g C ald er, an d ro se th ro ugh th e ele v ato r, b re eze d acro ss t h e c a tw alk a n d t o h er o ld s ta tio n. At h er d esk , s h e s a w a p air o f m essa ges fr o m h er p are n ts . T hey w ere s till a w ak e, a n d th ey w ere d esp onden t. T hey w ere o utr a ged . M ae tr ie d to se n d th em th e p osit iv e z in gs sh e’d s e en , m essa ges th at c e le b ra te d th at a n o ld er c o uple , d ealin g w it h M S n o le ss, c o uld still b e s e xu ally a ctiv e. B ut t h ey w ere n ’t in te re ste d . Ple a se s to p , t h ey a sk ed . Ple a se , n o m ore . And th ey , lik e M erc e r, in sis te d th at sh e ce ase to co nta ct th em u nle ss p riv ate ly . S h e tr ie d to e xp la in to th em th at th ey w ere o n th e w ro ng sid e o f h is to ry . B ut th ey w ere n ’t lis te n in g. M ae k new th at e v en tu ally sh e’d co nvin ce th em , th at it w as o nly a m atte r o f tim e, fo r th em a n d fo r e v ery one— ev en M erc e r. H e a n d h er p are n ts h ad b een la te to g et PC s, la te to b uy a c e llp hone, la te to e v ery th in g. It w as c o m ic a l a n d it w as sa d , a n d it se rv ed n o p urp ose , t o p ut o ff t h e u nden ia b le p re se n t, t h e u nav oid ab le f u tu re . So s h e w ould w ait . I n t h e m ean tim e, s h e o pen ed t h e c h ute . T here w ere f e w p eo ple w it h pre ssin g need s at th at hour, but th ere w ere alw ay s unan sw ere d querie s w ait in g fo r busin ess h ours t o s ta rt, s o s h e y gu re d s h e c o uld c h ip a w ay a t t h e lo ad b efo re t h e n ew bie s ca m e in . M ay be s h e’d y nis h t h em a ll, s tu n e v ery one, le t t h em c o m e in w it h a c le an s la te , an e m pty c h ute . There w ere 1 88 la te n t q uerie s. S h e’d d o w hat s h e c o uld d o. A c u sto m er in T w in F alls wan te d a ru ndow n o f a ll th e o th er b usin esse s v is it e d b y c u sto m ers w ho h ad v is it e d h is . Mae fo und th e in fo rm atio n e asily a n d se n t it to h im , a n d in sta n tly sh e fe lt c a lm er. T he next tw o w ere e asy , b oile rp la te a n sw ers. S h e s e n t s u rv ey s a n d g o t 1 00s o n b oth . O ne o f th em se n t h er a su rv ey in re tu rn ; sh e a n sw ere d it a n d w as d one in n in ety se co nds. T he next fe w q uerie s w ere m ore c o m plic a te d b ut sh e k ep t h er ra tin g a t 1 00. T he six th w as more c o m plic a te d s till, b ut s h e a n sw ere d it , g o t a 9 8, f o llo w ed u p a n d b ro ugh t it t o a 1 00. The c lie n t, a h eatin g/air -c o ndit io nin g a d vertis e r fr o m M elb ourn e, A ustr a lia , a sk ed if h e co uld a d d h er t o h is p ro fe ssio nal n etw ork a n d s h e r e ad ily a gre ed . T hat’s w hen h e r e aliz e d sh e w as M ae. TH E M ae ? h e t y ped . H is n am e w as E dw ard . Can ’t d en y it , s h e a n sw ere d . I’m h on ore d , E dw ard ty ped . What tim e is it th ere ? W e’r e ju st y nis h in g o u r w ork d ay h ere . Sh e s a id it w as la te . H e a sk ed if h e c o uld a d d h er t o h is m ailin g lis t, a n d a gain s h e r e ad ily agre ed . W hat fo llo w ed w as a q uic k d elu ge o f n ew s a n d in fo rm atio n a b out th e in su ra n ce world o f M elb ourn e. H e o ere d to m ak e h er a n h onora ry m em ber o f th e M HAPB, th e Melb ourn e H eatin g an d Air -C ondit io nin g Pro vid ers Guild , fo rm erly th e M elb ourn e Heatin g a n d A ir -C ondit io nin g P ro vid ers B ro th erh ood, a n d s h e s a id s h e w ould b e { atte re d . He a d ded h er to t h e f r ie n ds o n h is p erso nal C ir c le p ro y le , a n d a sk ed t h at s h e r e cip ro ca te . Sh e d id . Gotta g et b ack to w ork n ow , s h e w ro te , sa y h ello to a ll in M elb ou rn e! S h e fe lt , a lr e ad y, a ll of t h e m ad ness o f h er p are n ts , o f M erc e r, e v ap ora tin g lik e m is t. S h e t o ok t h e n ext q uery , whic h c a m e fr o m a p et g ro om in g c h ain b ase d in A tla n ta . S h e g o t a 9 9, fo llo w ed u p, g o t back a 1 00, an d se n t six o th er su rv ey s, y ve o f w hic h th e clie n t an sw ere d . Sh e to ok an oth er query , th is one fr o m Ban galo re , an d w as in th e m id dle of am en din g th e boile rp la te to th e q uery w hen a n oth er m essa ge c a m e th ro ugh fr o m E dw ard . Did y ou se e my d au gh te r’s re q u est? h e a sk ed . M ae c h eck ed h er s c re en s, lo okin g fo r s o m e r e q uest fr o m Edw ard ’s d au gh te r. E ven tu ally h e c la ri y ed th at h is d au gh te r h ad a d i ere n t la st n am e, an d w as in s c h ool in N ew M exic o . S h e w as r a is in g a w are n ess o f t h e p lig h t o f b is o n in t h e sta te , an d w as ask in g M ae to sig n a p etit io n an d m en tio n th e ca m paig n in w hate v er fo ru m s sh e c o uld . M ae sa id sh e w ould tr y , a n d q uic k ly se n t a z in g a b out it . Than k y ou ! Edw ard w ro te , f o llo w ed , a f e w m in ute s la te r, b y a t h an k-y ou f r o m h is d au gh te r, H ele n a. I ca n ’t b elie ve M ae H olla n d s ig n ed m y p etit io n ! T han ks! s h e w ro te . M ae a n sw ere d t h re e m ore querie s, h er r a tin g d ip pin g to 9 8, a n d th ough s h e s e n t m ult ip le fo llo w -u ps to th ese th re e, sh e g o t n o s a tis fa ctio n. S h e k new s h e’d h av e t o g et t w en ty -t w o o r s o 1 00s t o a v era ge t h e 98 u p t o 1 00 o vera ll; s h e c h eck ed t h e c lo ck . I t w as 1 2:4 4. S h e h ad p le n ty o f t im e. A noth er messa ge c a m e f r o m H ele n a, a sk in g a b out jo bs a t t h e C ir c le . M ae o ere d h er u su al a d vic e , an d s e n t h er t h e e m ail a d dre ss o f t h e H R d ep artm en t. Can y ou p u t in a g o od w ord fo r m e? Hele n a a sk ed . M ae sa id sh e w ould d o a s m uch a s sh e c o uld , g iv en th ey h ad n ev er m et. But y ou k n ow m e p re tty w ell b y n ow ! H ele n a s a id , a n d t h en d ir e cte d h er t o h er o w n p ro y le page. S h e e n co ura ged Mae to re ad h er e ssa y s a b out w ild lif e p re se rv atio n, a n d th e e ssa y sh e u se d to g et in to c o lle ge, w hic h s h e s a id w as s till r e le v an t. M ae s a id s h e w ould tr y to re ad th em w hen s h e c o uld . W ild lif e a n d N ew M exic o b ro ugh t M erc e r to m in d. T hat s e lf – rig h te o us w aste . W here w as th at m an w ho m ad e lo ve to h er o n th e e d ge o f th e G ra n d Can yon? T hey h ad b oth b een so co m fo rta b ly lo st th en , w hen h e p ic k ed h er u p fr o m co lle ge a n d th ey d ro ve th ro ugh th e S o uth east w it h n o sc h ed ule , n o it in eary , n ev er w it h an y id ea o f w here th ey ’d s ta y th at n ig h t. T hey p asse d th ro ugh N ew M exic o in a b liz za rd an d t h en t o A riz o na w here t h ey p ark ed , a n d f o und a c li o verlo okin g t h e c a n yon, w it h n o fe n ce s, an d th ere under a noonday su n he undre sse d her, a fo ur-t h ousa n d-f o ot dro p beh in d h er. H e h eld h er a n d s h e h ad n o d oubts b eca u se h e w as s tr o ng t h en . H e w as y oung th en , h e h ad v is io n t h en . N ow h e w as o ld a n d a cte d o ld er. S h e lo oked u p t h e p ro y le p age sh e’d s e t u p f o r h im , a n d f o und it b la n k. S h e m ad e a n in quir y t o t e ch a n d f o und h e’d b een tr y in g t o t a k e it d ow n. S h e s e n t h im a z in g a n d g o t n o a n sw er. S h e lo oked u p h is b usin ess page b ut it h ad b een ta k en d ow n, to o; th ere w as o nly a m essa ge sa y in g h e w as n ow ru nnin g a n a n alo g-o nly b usin ess. A noth er m essa ge c a m e th ro ugh fr o m H ele n a: What d id you th in k? M ae to ld h er s h e h ad n’t h ad tim e to r e ad a n yth in g y et, a n d th e n ext m essa ge was fr o m E dw ard , H ele n a’s fa th er: It su re w ou ld m ea n a lo t if you w ere to re co m men d Hele n a fo r a jo b th ere a t th e C ir c le . N o p re ssu re b u t w e’r e c o u ntin g o n y ou ! M ae to ld th em , again , th at sh e’d d o h er b est. A n otic e ca m e th ro ugh h er se co nd sc re en a b out a C ir c le ca m paig n to era d ic a te sm allp ox in W est A fr ic a . Sh e sig n ed her nam e, se n t a sm ile , ple d ged y fty d olla rs, an d se n t a zin g ab out it . Sh e sa w im med ia te ly th at H ele n a an d Edw ard re zin ged th e m essa ge. We’r e d oin g o ur part! E dw ard w ro te . Quid p ro q u o? It w as 1:1 1 w hen t h e b la ck ness s w ep t th ro ugh h er. H er m outh t a ste d a cid ic . S h e c lo se d h er e y es an d s a w t h e t e ar, n ow y lle d w it h lig h t. S h e o pen ed h er e y es a gain . S h e t o ok a s w allo w o f wate r b ut it o nly se em ed to h eig h te n h er p an ic . S h e c h eck ed h er w atc h ers; th ere w ere only 2 3,0 10, b ut s h e d id n’t w an t to s h ow th em h er e y es, fe arin g th ey w ould b etr a y h er an xie ty . S h e c lo se d th em a gain , w hic h s h e fe lt w ould s e em n atu ra l e n ough fo r a m in ute , afte r so m an y h ours in fr o nt o f th e sc re en . Ju st re stin g th e e y es , sh e ty ped a n d se n t. B ut when sh e c lo se d th em a gain , sh e sa w th e te ar, c le are r n ow , lo uder n ow . W hat w as th e so und s h e w as h earin g? It w as a s c re am m u ed b y fa th om le ss w ate rs, th at h ig h -p it c h ed sc re am o f a m illio n d ro w ned v oic e s. S h e o pen ed h er e y es. S h e ca lle d h er p are n ts . N o an sw er. S h e w ro te to th em , n oth in g. S h e ca lle d A nnie . N o a n sw er. S h e w ro te to h er, noth in g. S h e lo oked h er u p in th e C ir c le Searc h b ut sh e w asn ’t o n c a m pus. S h e w en t to Annie ’s p ro y le p age, sc ro lle d th ro ugh a fe w h undre d p hoto s, m ost o f th em fr o m h er Euro pe-C hin a tr ip , a n d, fe elin g h er e y es b urn , s h e c lo se d th em a gain . A nd a gain s h e s a w th e rip , th e lig h t tr y in g to g et th ro ugh , th e u nderw ate r sc re am s. S h e o pen ed h er e y es. Anoth er m essa ge c a m e th ro ugh fr o m E dw ard . Mae? Y ou o u t th ere ? S u re w ou ld b e n ic e to kn ow if y ou c a n h elp o u t. D o w rit e b ack . C ould M erc e r r e ally d is a p pear lik e th is ? S h e w as dete rm in ed t o y nd h im . S h e s e arc h ed f o r h im , f o r m essa ges h e m ig h t h av e s e n t t o o th ers. Noth in g. S h e c a lle d h im , b ut h is n um ber h ad b een d is c o nnecte d . S u ch a n a ggre ssiv e m ove, to c h an ge y our n um ber a n d le av e n o n ew o ne. W hat h ad s h e s e en in h im ? H is d is g u stin g fa t b ack , th ose te rrib le p atc h es o f h air o n h is s h ould ers. J esu s, w here w as h e? T here w as so m eth in g v ery w ro ng w hen y ou c o uld n’t y nd so m eo ne y ou w ere tr y in g to y nd. It w as 1:3 2. Mae? E dw ard a ga in . C an y ou r e a ssu re H ele n a th at y ou ’ll lo ok a t h er s it e s o m etim e s o on ? She’s a b it u pse t n ow . J u st a n y w ord of e n co u ra gem en t w ou ld b e h elp fu l. I k n ow y ou ’r e a g o od perso n a n d w ou ld n’t in te n tio n ally m ess w it h h er h ea d , y ou k n ow , p ro m is in g to h elp a n d th en ig n orin g her. Cheers! Edw ard . M ae w en t to H ele n a’s sit e , re ad one of th e essa y s, co ngra tu la te d h er, to ld h er it w as b rillia n t, an d se n t o ut a zin g te llin g ev ery one th at Hele n a fr o m M elb ourn e/N ew M exic o w as a v oic e to b e re ck oned w it h , a n d th at th ey sh ould s u pport h er w ork in a n y w ay t h ey c o uld . B ut t h e r ip w as s till o pen in sid e M ae, a n d sh e n eed ed to c lo se it . N ot k now in g w hat e le se to d o, sh e a ctiv ate d C ir c le Su rv ey s, a n d nodded t o b egin . “A re y ou a r e gu la r u se r o f c o ndit io ner? ” “Y es,” s h e s a id . “T han k y ou. W hat d o y ou t h in k a b out o rg an ic h air p ro ducts ? ” A lr e ad y s h e f e lt c a lm er. “S m ile .” “T han k y ou. W hat d o y ou t h in k a b out n onorg an ic h air p ro ducts ? ” “F ro w n,” M ae s a id . T he r h yth m f e lt r ig h t. “T han k y ou. If y our fa v ore d h air c a re p ro duct is n ’t av aila b le at y our u su al sto re o r onlin e s it e , w ould y ou s u bstit u te it f o r a s im ila r b ra n d?” “N o.” “T han k y ou.” The ste ad y co m ple tio n o f ta sk s fe lt rig h t. M ae ch eck ed h er b ra ce le t, w hic h sh ow ed hundre d s o f n ew sm ile s. T here w as so m eth in g re fr e sh in g, th e c o m men ts w ere a sse rtin g, ab out s e ein g a C ir c le s e m i-c e le b rit y lik e h erse lf c o ntr ib utin g t o t h e d ata p ool lik e t h is . S h e was hearin g, als o , fr o m cu sto m ers sh e’d help ed in her CE day s. Custo m ers fr o m Colu m bus, J o han nesb urg a n d B ris b an e a ll s a id h ello a n d c o ngra tu la tio ns. T he o w ner o f a mark etin g y rm in O nta rio th an ked her, v ia z in g, fo r h er g o od e xam ple , fo r h er g o odw ill, an d M ae b rie fly c o rre sp onded , a sk in g h ow b usin ess w as u p a n d o ver t h ere . Sh e a n sw ere d th re e m ore q uerie s, a n d w as a b le to g et a ll th re e c u sto m ers to y ll o ut exte n ded su rv ey s. T he p od ra tin g w as 9 5, w hic h sh e h oped sh e co uld p erso nally h elp brin g u p. S h e w as f e elin g v ery g o od, a n d n eed ed . “M ae.” The so und o f h er n am e, sp oken b y h er p ro ce sse d v oic e , w as ja rrin g. S h e fe lt lik e sh e had n’t h eard th is v oic e in m onth s, b ut it h ad n’t lo st it s p ow er. S h e k new s h e s h ould n od, but s h e w an te d t o h ear it a gain , s o s h e w ait e d . “M ae.” It f e lt lik e h om e. Mae knew , in te lle ctu ally , th at th e only re aso n sh e w as in Fra n cis ’s ro om w as th at ev ery one e ls e in h er lif e h ad , fo r th e tim e b ein g, a b an doned h er. A fte r n in ety m in ute s a t CE, s h e c h eck ed t h e C ir c le Searc h t o s e e w here F ra n cis w as, a n d s a w h e w as in o ne o f t h e dorm s. T hen sh e sa w h e w as a w ak e a n d o nlin e. M in ute s la te r h e’d in vit e d h er o ver, so gra te fu l a n d s o h ap py, h e s a id , t o b e h earin g f r o m h er. I’m s o rry , h e w ro te , an d I’ll s a y th at aga in w hen y ou g et to m y d oor . S h e t u rn ed o ff h er c a m era a n d w en t t o h im . The d oor o pen ed . “I’m s o s o rry ,” h e s a id . “S to p,” M ae s a id . S h e s te p ped in a n d c lo se d t h e d oor. “Y ou w an t a n yth in g?” h e a sk ed . “ W ate r? T here ’s th is n ew v odka, to o, th at w as h ere when I g o t b ack t o nig h t. W e c a n t r y it .” “N o th an ks,” sh e sa id , a n d sa t o n a c re d en za a gain st th e w all. F ra n cis h ad se t u p h is porta b le s t h ere . “O h w ait . D on’t s it t h ere ,” h e s a id . Sh e s to od u p. “ I d id n’t s it o n y our d ev ic e s.” “N o, it ’s n ot th at,” h e sa id . “It’s th e cre d en za . T hey to ld m e it ’s fr a gile ,” h e sa id , sm ilin g. “ S u re y ou d on’t w an t a d rin k o r a n yth in g?” “N o. I ’m r e ally t ir e d . I ju st d id n’t w an t t o b e a lo ne.” “L is te n ,” h e s a id . “ I k now I s h ould h av e a sk ed y our p erm is sio n y rst. I k now th is . B ut I hope y ou c a n u ndersta n d w here I w as c o m in g fr o m . I c o uld n’t b elie v e I w as w it h y ou. And th ere w as so m e p art o f m e th at a ssu m ed it w ould b e th e o nly tim e. I w an te d to re m em ber it .” Mae k new th e p ow er s h e h ad o ver h im , a n d th at p ow er g av e h er a d is tin ct th rill. S h e sa t o n t h e b ed . “ S o d id y ou f in d t h em ?” s h e a sk ed . “H ow d o y ou m ean ?” “L ast I s a w y ou, y ou w ere p la n nin g t o s c a n t h ose p hoto s, t h e o nes f r o m y our a lb um .” “O h y eah . I g u ess I h av en ’t ta lk ed to y ou s in ce th en . I d id s c a n th em . T he w hole th in g was e asy .” “S o y ou f o und w ho t h ey w ere ?” “M ost o f th em h ad C ir c le a cco unts s o I c o uld ju st fa ce -r e c th em . I m ean , it to ok a b out se v en m in ute s. T here w ere a f e w I h ad t o u se t h e f e d s’ d ata b ase f o r. W e d on’t h av e t o ta l acce ss y et, b ut w e c a n s e e D M V p hoto s. T hat’s m ost o f t h e a d ult s in t h e c o untr y .” “A nd d id y ou c o nta ct t h em ?” “N ot y et.” “B ut y ou k now w here t h ey ’r e a ll f r o m ?” “Y eah , y eah . O nce I k new th eir n am es, I co uld y nd all th eir ad dre sse s. So m e h ad moved a fe w tim es, b ut I co uld cro ss-r e fe re n ce wit h th e y ears I m ig h t h av e b een w it h th em . I a ctu ally d id t h is w hole t im elin e o f w hen I m ig h t h av e b een a t e ach p la ce . M ost o f th em w ere in K en tu ck y. A f e w in M is so uri. O ne w as in T en nesse e.” “S o t h at’s it ? ” “W ell, I d on’t k now . A c o uple a re d ead , s o … I d on’t k now . I m ig h t ju st d riv e b y s o m e of th ese h ouse s. Ju st to y ll in so m e gap s. I d on’t k now . O h,” h e sa id , tu rn in g o ver, brig h te n in g, “I d id h av e a co uple re v ela tio ns. I m ean , m ost o f th e stu w as sta n dard mem orie s o f t h ese p eo ple . B ut t h ere w as o ne f a m ily w ho h ad a n o ld er g ir l, s h e w as a b out yfte en w hen I w as tw elv e. I d id n’t r e m em ber m uch , b ut I k now s h e w as m y y rst s e rio us se xu al f a n ta sy .” Those w ord s, se x ual fa n ta sy , h ad a n im med ia te e ect o n M ae. In th e p ast, w hen ev er th ey ’d b een u tte re d , w it h o r b y a n y m an , it le d to th e d is c u ssio n o f fa n ta sie s, a n d s o m e degre e o f e n actin g o ne o r a n oth er f a n ta sy . W hic h s h e a n d F ra n cis d id , e v en if b rie { y. H is fa n ta sy w as to le av e th e ro om a n d k nock o n th e d oor, p re te n din g to b e a lo st te en ager knock in g o n t h e d oor o f a b eau tif u l s u burb an h ouse . H er jo b w as t o b e a lo nely h ouse w if e an d in vit e h im in , s c a n tily c la d a n d d esp era te f o r c o m pan y. And s o h e k nock ed , a n d s h e g re ete d h im a t th e d oor, a n d h e to ld h er h e w as lo st, a n d sh e to ld h im h e sh ould g et o ut o f th ose o ld c lo th es, th at h e c o uld p ut o n so m e o f h er husb an d’s . F ra n cis lik ed th at so m uch th at th in gs a cce le ra te d q uic k ly , a n d in se co nds h e was u ndre sse d a n d s h e w as o n t o p o f h im . H e la y b en eath h er f o r a m in ute o r t w o, le ttin g Mae r is e a n d fa ll, lo okin g u p a t h er w it h th e w onderm en t o f a b oy a t th e z o o. T hen h is ey es clo se d , an d h e w en t in to p aro xy sm s, em it tin g a b rie f sq ueal b efo re gru ntin g h is arriv al. Now , a s F ra n cis b ru sh ed h is te eth , M ae, e xh au ste d a n d fe elin g n ot lo ve b ut so m eth in g clo se to c o nte n tm en t, a rra n ged h erse lf u nder th e th ic k c o m fo rte r a n d fa ce d th e w all. T he clo ck s a id 3 :1 1. Fra n cis e m erg ed f r o m t h e b ath ro om . “I h av e a s e co nd fa n ta sy ,” h e s a id , p ullin g th e b la n ket o ver h im a n d b rin gin g h is fa ce clo se t o M ae’s n eck . “I’m in ch es f r o m s le ep ,” s h e m utte re d . “N o, n oth in g s tr e n uous. N o a ctiv it y r e q uir e d . T his is ju st a v erb al t h in g.” “O kay .” “I w an t y ou t o r a te m e,” h e s a id . “W hat? ” “J u st a r a tin g. L ik e y ou d o a t C E.” “L ik e f r o m 1 t o 1 00?” “E xactly .” “R ate w hat? Y our p erfo rm an ce ?” “Y es.” “C ’m on. I d on’t w an t t o d o t h at.” “It’s ju st f o r f u n.” “F ra n cis . P le ase . I d on’t w an t t o . I t t a k es t h e e n jo ym en t o ut o f it f o r m e.” Fra n cis sa t u p w it h a lo ud sig h . “ W ell, not k now in g ta k es th e e n jo ym en t o ut o f it fo r me.” “N ot k now in g w hat? ” “H ow I d id .” “H ow y ou did ? Y ou d id f in e.” Fra n cis m ad e a lo ud s o und o f d is g u st. Sh e t u rn ed o ver. “ W hat’s t h e m atte r? ” “F in e?” h e s a id . “ I’m fin e ?” “O h g o d. Y ou’r e g re at. Y ou’r e p erfe ct. W hen I s a y y ne, I ju st m ean t h at y ou c o uld n’t d o bette r.” “O kay ,” h e s a id , m ovin g c lo se r t o h er. “ T hen w hy d id n’t y ou s a y t h at b efo re ?” “I t h ough t I d id .” “Y ou t h in k ‘f in e’ is t h e s a m e a s ‘p erfe ct’ a n d ‘c o uld n’t d o b ette r’? ” “N o. I k now it ’s n ot. I ’m ju st t ir e d . I s h ould h av e b een m ore p re cis e .” A s e lf -s a tis fie d s m ile o verto ok F ra n cis ’s f a ce . “ Y ou k now y ou ju st p ro ved m y p oin t.” “W hat p oin t? ” “W e ju st a rg u ed a b out a ll th is , a b out th e w ord s y ou u se d a n d w hat th ey m ean t. W e did n’t u ndersta n d t h eir m ean in g t h e s a m e w ay , a n d w e w en t a ro und a n d a ro und a b out it . But if y ou h ad ju st u se d a n um ber I w ould h av e u ndersto od rig h t a w ay .” H e k is se d h er sh ould er. “O kay . I g et it ,” s h e s a id , a n d c lo se d h er e y es. “W ell? ” h e s a id . Sh e o pen ed h er e y es t o F ra n cis ’s p le ad in g m outh . “W ell w hat? ” “Y ou’r e s till n ot g o in g t o g iv e m e a n um ber? ” “Y ou r e ally w an t a n um ber? ” “M ae! O f c o urse I d o.” “O kay , a h undre d .” Sh e t u rn ed t o t h e w all a gain . “T hat’s t h e n um ber? ” “It is . Y ou g et a p erfe ct 1 00.” Mae f e lt lik e s h e c o uld h ear h im g rin nin g. “T han k y ou,” h e s a id , a n d k is se d t h e b ack o f h er h ead . “ N ig h t.” The r o om w as g ra n d, o n th e to p { oor o f th e V ic to ria n E ra , w it h it s e p ic v ie w s, it s g la ss ce ilin g. M ae e n te re d a n d w as g re ete d b y m ost o f t h e G an g o f 4 0, t h e g ro up o f in novato rs who r o utin ely a sse sse d a n d g re en lig h te d n ew C ir c le v en tu re s. “H ello M ae!” s a id a v oic e , a n d s h e fo und it s s o urc e , E am on B aile y , a rriv in g a n d ta k in g his p la ce a t th e o th er e n d o f th e lo ng ro om . W earin g a z ip pere d sw eats h ir t, h is sle ev es ro lle d a b ove h is e lb ow s, h e e n te re d th eatr ic a lly a n d w av ed to h er a n d, s h e k new , to a ll th ose w ho m ig h t b e w atc h in g. S h e e xp ecte d th e a u die n ce to b e la rg e, g iv en s h e a n d th e Cir c le h ad b een zin gin g ab out it fo r d ay s. Sh e ch eck ed h er b ra ce le t an d th e cu rre n t vie w ersh ip w as 1 ,9 82,9 92. In cre d ib le , sh e th ough t, a n d it w ould clim b. S h e sa t in th e mid dle o f t h e t a b le , b ette r t o g ra n t t h e v ie w ers a cce ss n ot ju st t o B aile y b ut t o m ost o f t h e Gan g, t h eir c o m men ts a n d r e actio ns. Afte r s h e’d s a t, a n d a fte r it w as to o la te to m ove, M ae r e aliz e d s h e d id n’t k now w here Annie w as. S h e s c a n ned th e fo rty fa ce s in fr o nt o f h er, o n th e ta b le ’s o pposit e s id e, a n d did n’t s e e h er. S h e c ra n ed h er n eck a ro und, c a re fu l t o k eep t h e c a m era t r a in ed o n B aile y , an d y nally c a u gh t s ig h t o f A nnie , b y t h e d oor, b eh in d t w o r o w s o f C ir c le rs, t h ose s ta n din g by th e d oor, in c a se th ey n eed ed to le av e u nnotic e d . M ae k new A nnie h ad s e en h er, b ut sh e m ad e n o a ck now le d gem en t. “O kay ,” B aile y s a id , s m ilin g b ro ad ly a t th e r o om , “ I th in k w e s h ould ju st d ig in , g iv en we’r e a ll p re se n t” — an d h ere h is e y es sto pped , e v er so b rie { y, o n M ae a n d th e c a m era aro und h er n eck . I t w as im porta n t, M ae h ad b een t o ld , t h at t h e e n tir e e v en t s e em n atu ra l, an d t h at it a p pear t h at M ae, a n d t h e a u die n ce , w ere b ein g in vit e d in to a v ery r e gu la r s o rt of e v en t. “H i g an g,” B aile y sa id . “ P un in te n ded .” T he fo rty m en a n d w om en sm ile d . “ O kay . A fe w m onth s a go w e a ll m et O liv ia S an to s, a v ery c o ura geo us a n d v is io nary le gis la to r w ho is b rin gin g tr a n sp are n cy to a n ew — an d I d are sa y ult im ate —le v el. A nd y ou m ig h t h av e se en th at as o f to day , o ver tw en ty th ousa n d o th er le ad ers an d le gis la to rs aro und th e world h av e fo llo w ed h er le ad a n d h av e ta k en th e p le d ge to m ak e th eir liv es a s p ublic se rv an ts c o m ple te ly t r a n sp are n t. W e’v e b een v ery e n co ura ged b y t h is .” Mae c h eck ed th e v ie w o n h er w ris t. H er c a m era w as tr a in ed o n B aile y a n d th e s c re en beh in d h im . C om men ts w ere a lr e ad y c o m in g in , t h an kin g h er a n d t h e C ir c le f o r t h is k in d of acce ss. O ne w atc h er co m pare d it to w atc h in g th e M an hatta n Pro je ct. Anoth er men tio ned E dis o n’s M en lo P ark la b , c ir c a 1 879. Baile y c o ntin ued : “ N ow th is n ew e ra o f tr a n sp are n cy d oveta ils w it h s o m e o th er id eas I hav e a b out d em ocra cy , a n d t h e r o le t h at t e ch nolo gy c a n p la y in m ak in g it c o m ple te . A nd I use th e w ord co m ple te o n p urp ose , b eca u se o ur w ork to w ard tr a n sp are n cy m ig h t a ctu ally ach ie v e a f u lly a cco unta b le g o vern m en t. A s y ou’v e s e en , t h e g o vern or o f A riz o na h as h ad her e n tir e s ta g o tr a n sp are n t, w hic h is th e n ext s te p . In a fe w c a se s, e v en w it h a c le ar ele cte d o } cia l, w e’v e se en so m e c o rru ptio n b eh in d th e sc e n es. T he tr a n sp are n t e le cte d hav e b een u se d a s y gu re h ead s, sh ie ld in g th e b ack ro om fr o m v ie w . B ut th at w ill c h an ge so on, I belie v e. T he o } cia ls , an d th eir en tir e o } ce s w it h noth in g to hid e, w ill go tr a n sp are n t w it h in th e y ear, a t le ast in th is c o untr y , a n d T om a n d I h av e s e en to it th at th ey get a ste ep d is c o unt o n th e n ece ssa ry h ard w are an d se rv er ca p acit y to m ak e it hap pen .” The 4 0 c la p ped h eartily . “B ut th at’s o nly h alf th e b attle . T hat’s th e ele cte d h alf o f th in gs. B ut w hat a b out th e oth er h alf — ou r h alf a s c it iz e n s? T he h alf w here w e’r e a ll s u ppose d t o p artic ip ate ?” Beh in d B aile y , a p ic tu re o f a n e m pty p ollin g p la ce a p peare d , in a d eso la te h ig h s c h ool gy m s o m ew here . I t d is so lv ed in to a n a rra y o f n um bers. “H ere are th e n um bers o f p artic ip an ts in th e la st ele ctio ns. A s y ou ca n se e, at th e natio nal le v el, w e’r e a t a ro und 5 8 p erc e n t o f th ose e lig ib le to v ote . In cre d ib le , is n ’t it ? And t h en y ou g o d ow n t h e lin e, t o s ta te a n d lo ca l e le ctio ns, a n d t h e p erc e n ta ges d ro p o a c li : 3 2 p erc e n t fo r s ta te e le ctio ns, 2 2 p erc e n t fo r c o untie s, 1 7 p erc e n t fo r m ost s m all- to w n e le ctio ns. H ow illo gic a l is th at, th at th e c lo se r g o vern m en t is to h om e, th e le ss w e ca re a b out it ? I t’s a b su rd , d on’t y ou t h in k?” Mae ch eck ed her w atc h ers; th ere w ere over tw o m illio n. Sh e w as ad din g ab out a th ousa n d v ie w ers a s e co nd. “O kay ,” B aile y co ntin ued , “so w e k now th ere a re a b unch o f w ay s th at te ch nolo gy , much o f it o rig in atin g h ere , h as h elp ed m ak e it e asie r t o v ote . W e’r e b uild in g o n a h is to ry of t r y in g t o in cre ase a cce ss a n d e ase . B ack in m y d ay t h ere w as t h e m oto r v ote r b ill. T hat help ed . T hen s o m e s ta te s a llo w ed y ou t o r e gis te r o r u pdate y our r e gis tr a tio n o nlin e. F in e. But h ow d id it im pact v ote r tu rn out? N ot e n ough . B ut h ere ’s w here it g ets in te re stin g. Here ’s h ow m an y p eo ple v ote d in t h e la st n atio nal e le ctio n.” The s c re en b eh in d h im r e ad “ 1 40 m illio n.” “H ere ’s h ow m an y w ere e lig ib le t o v ote .” The s c re en r e ad “ 2 44 m illio n.” “M ean w hile , t h ere ’s u s. H ere ’s h ow m an y A m eric a n s a re r e gis te re d w it h t h e C ir c le .” The s c re en r e ad “ 2 41 m illio n.” “T hat’s s o m e s ta rtlin g m ath , r ig h t? A h undre d m illio n m ore p eo ple a re r e gis te re d w it h us t h an v ote d f o r t h e p re sid en t. W hat d oes t h at t e ll y ou?” “W e’r e a w eso m e!” a n o ld er m an , w it h a g ra y p onyta il a n d a f r a y ed T -s h ir t, y elle d f r o m th e s e co nd r o w . L au gh te r o pen ed u p t h e r o om . “W ell s u re ,” B aile y s a id , “ b ut b esid es th at? It te lls y ou th at th e C ir c le h as a k nack fo r gettin g p eo ple to p artic ip ate . A nd th ere a re a lo t o f p eo ple in W ash in gto n w ho a gre e. There a re p eo ple in D C w ho se e u s a s th e so lu tio n to m ak in g th is a fu lly p artic ip ato ry dem ocra cy .” Beh in d B aile y , t h e f a m ilia r im age o f U ncle S am p oin tin g a p peare d . T hen a n oth er im age, of B aile y w earin g th e sa m e o ut y t, in th e sa m e p ose , a p peare d n ext to U ncle S am . T he ro om g u ffa w ed . “S o n ow w e g et to th e m eat o f to day ’s s e ssio n, a n d th at is : W hat if y our C ir c le p ro y le au to m atic a lly r e gis te re d y ou t o v ote ?” Baile y sw ep t h is e y es a cro ss th e ro om , h esit a tin g a gain a t M ae a n d h er w atc h ers. S h e ch eck ed h er w ris t. Goose b u m ps , o ne v ie w er w ro te . “W it h T ru Y ou, to se t u p a p ro y le , y ou h av e to b e a re al p erso n, w it h a re al a d dre ss, co m ple te p erso nal in fo , a r e al S o cia l S ecu rit y n um ber, a r e al a n d v eri y ab le d ate o f b ir th . In o th er w ord s, a ll t h e in fo rm atio n t h e g o vern m en t t r a d it io nally w an ts w hen y ou r e gis te r to v ote . In fa ct, a s y ou a ll k now , w e h av e fa r more in fo rm atio n. S o w hy w ould n’t th is b e en ough in fo rm atio n t o a llo w y ou t o r e gis te r? O r b ette r y et, w hy w ould n’t t h e g o vern m en t —our go vern m en t or an y go vern m en t— ju st co n sid er you re gis te re d o nce y ou se t u p a Tru Y ou p ro file ?” The fo rty h ead s in th e r o om n odded , s o m e o ut o f a ck now le d gem en t o f a s e n sib le id ea, so m e c le arly h av in g t h ough t o f t h is b efo re , t h at it w as a n otio n lo ng d is c u sse d . Mae c h eck ed h er b ra ce le t. T he v ie w er n um bers w ere c lim bin g q uic k er, te n th ousa n d a se co nd, a n d w ere n ow o ver 2 ,4 00,0 00. S h e h ad 1 ,2 48 m essa ges. M ost h ad c o m e th ro ugh in th e la st n in ety se co nds. B aile y g la n ce d d ow n a t h is o w n ta b le t, n o d oubt se ein g th e sa m e n um bers sh e w as se ein g. S m ilin g, h e co ntin ued : “T here ’s n o re aso n. A nd a lo t o f le gis la to rs agre e w it h m e. C ongre ssw om an San to s does, fo r one. A nd I hav e verb al co m mit m en ts f r o m 1 81 o th er m em bers o f C ongre ss a n d 3 2 s e n ato rs. T hey ’v e a ll a gre ed t o push le gis la tio n to m ak e y our T ru Y ou p ro y le y our a u to m atic p ath to re gis tr a tio n. N ot bad , r ig h t? ” There w as a b rie f r o und o f a p pla u se . “N ow t h in k,” B aile y s a id , h is v oic e a w his p er o f h ope a n d w onder, “ th in k if w e c a n g et clo se r to fu ll p artic ip atio n in a ll e le ctio ns. T here w ould b e n o m ore g ru m blin g fr o m th e sid elin es fr o m peo ple w ho had negle cte d to partic ip ate . There w ould be no m ore ca n did ate s w ho h ad b een ele cte d b y a fr in ge, w ed ge gro up. A s w e k now h ere at th e Cir c le , w it h f u ll p artic ip atio n c o m es f u ll k now le d ge. W e k now w hat C ir c le rs w an t b eca u se we a sk , a n d b eca u se th ey k now th eir a n sw ers a re n ece ssa ry to g et a fu ll a n d a ccu ra te pic tu re o f th e d esir e s o f th e w hole C ir c le c o m munit y . S o if w e o bse rv e th e s a m e m odel natio nally , e le cto ra lly , th en w e c a n g et v ery c lo se , I th in k, to 1 00 p erc e n t p artic ip atio n. One h undre d p erc e n t d em ocra cy .” Appla u se rip ple d th ro ugh th e ro om . B aile y sm ile d b ro ad ly , a n d S te n to n sto od; it w as, fo r h im a t le ast, a p pare n tly th e e n d o f th e p re se n ta tio n. But a n id ea h ad b een fo rm in g wit h in M ae’s m in d, a n d s h e r a is e d h er h an d, t e n ta tiv ely . “Y es M ae,” B aile y s a id , h is f a ce s till lo ck ed in to a b ro ad g rin o f t r iu m ph. “W ell, I w onder if w e c o uld n’t ta k e th is o ne ste p fu rth er. I m ean … W ell, a ctu ally , I don’t t h in k it — ” “N o, n o. G o o n, M ae. Y ou s ta rte d w ell. I lik e t h e w ord s on e s te p fu rth er . T hat’s h ow t h is co m pan y w as b uilt .” Mae lo oked a ro und th e r o om , th e fa ce s a m ix o f e n co ura gin g a n d c o nce rn ed . T hen s h e alig h te d o n A nnie ’s fa ce , a n d b eca u se it w as ste rn , a n d d is sa tis y ed , a n d se em ed to b e exp ectin g, o r w an tin g, M ae to fa il, to e m barra ss h erse lf , M ae g ath ere d h erse lf , to ok a bre ath , a n d f o rg ed a h ead . “O kay , w ell, y ou w ere sa y in g w e c o uld g et c lo se to 1 00 p erc e n t p artic ip atio n. A nd I wonder w hy w e co uld n’t ju st w ork b ack w ard s fr o m th at g o al, u sin g a ll th e ste p s y ou outlin ed . A ll t h e t o ols w e a lr e ad y h av e.” Mae lo oked a ro und th e r o om , r e ad y to q uit a t th e y rst p air o f s k ep tic a l e y es, b ut s h e sa w only cu rio sit y , th e slo w co lle ctiv e noddin g of a gro up pra ctic e d in pre -e m ptiv e valid atio n. “G o o n,” B aile y s a id . “I’m ju st g o in g to c o nnect so m e d ots ,” M ae sa id . “ W ell, y rst o f a ll, w e a ll a gre e th at we’d lik e 1 00 p erc e n t p artic ip atio n, an d th at ev ery one w ould agre e th at 1 00 p erc e n t partic ip atio n is t h e id eal.” “Y es,” B aile y s a id . “ It’s c e rta in ly t h e id ealis t’s id eal.” “A nd w e cu rre n tly hav e 83 perc e n t of th e votin g-a ge A m eric a n s re gis te re d on th e Cir c le ?” “Y es.” “A nd it s e em s th at w e’r e o n o ur w ay to v ote rs b ein g a b le to r e gis te r, a n d m ay be e v en to a ctu ally v ote , t h ro ugh t h e C ir c le .” Baile y ’s h ead w as b obbin g sid e to sid e, so m e in dic a tio n o f m ild d oubt, b ut h e w as sm ilin g, h is e y es e n co ura gin g. “ A s m all le ap , b ut o kay . G o o n.” “S o w hy n ot re q u ir e e v ery v otin g-a ge c it iz e n t o h av e a C ir c le a cco unt? ” There w as so m e sh u in g in th e ro om , so m e in ta k e o f b re ath , m ostly fr o m th e o ld er Cir c le rs. “L et h er y nis h ,” s o m eo ne, a n ew v oic e , s a id . M ae lo oked a ro und to y nd S te n to n n ear th e d oor. H is a rm ed w ere c ro sse d , h is e y es s ta rin g a t th e { oor. H e lo oked , b rie { y, u p to Mae, a n d n odded b ru sq uely . S h e r e gain ed h er d ir e ctio n. “O kay , I know th e in it ia l re actio n w ill be re sis ta n ce . I m ean , how ca n w e re q u ir e an yone to u se o ur s e rv ic e s? B ut w e h av e to r e m em ber th at th ere a re a ll k in ds o f th in gs th at a re m an dato ry fo r c it iz e n s o f th is c o untr y — an d th ese th in gs a re m an dato ry in m ost in dustr ia liz e d c o untr ie s. D o y ou h av e t o s e n d y our k id s t o s c h ool? Y es. T hat’s m an dato ry . It’s a la w . K id s h av e t o g o t o s c h ool, o r y ou h av e t o a rra n ge s o m e k in d o f h om e s c h oolin g. But it ’s m an dato ry . I t’s a ls o m an dato ry t h at y ou r e gis te r f o r t h e d ra ft, r ig h t? T hat y ou g et rid o f y our g arb age in a n a cce p ta b le w ay ; y ou c a n ’t d ro p it o n th e str e et. Y ou h av e to hav e a lic e n se if y ou w an t t o d riv e, a n d w hen y ou d o, y ou h av e t o w ear a s e at b elt .” Ste n to n jo in ed in again . “W e re q uir e peo ple to pay ta xes. A nd to pay in to So cia l Secu rit y . T o s e rv e o n ju rie s.” “R ig h t,” M ae sa id , “a n d to pee in doors, not on th e str e ets . I m ean , we hav e te n th ousa n d la w s. W e r e q uir e s o m an y le git im ate th in gs o f c it iz e n s o f th e U nit e d S ta te s. S o why c a n ’t w e r e q uir e t h em t o v ote ? T hey d o in d oze n s o f c o untr ie s.” “It’s b een p ro pose d h ere ,” o ne o f t h e o ld er C ir c le rs s a id . “N ot b y u s,” S te n to n c o unte re d . “A nd th at’s m y p oin t,” M ae s a id , n oddin g to S te n to n. “ T he te ch nolo gy h as n ev er b een th ere b efo re . I m ean , a t a n y o th er m om en t in h is to ry , it w ould h av e b een p ro hib it iv ely exp en siv e t o t r a ck d ow n e v ery one a n d r e gis te r t h em t o v ote , a n d t h en t o m ak e s u re t h ey actu ally d id . Y ou’d h av e to g o d oor to d oor. D riv e p eo ple to p olls . A ll th ese u nfe asib le th in gs. E ven in th e c o untr ie s w here it ’s m an dato ry , it ’s n ot r e ally e n fo rc e d . B ut n ow it ’s wit h in r e ach . I m ean , y ou c ro ss-r e fe re n ce a n y v otin g r o lls w it h th e n am es in o ur T ru Y ou data b ase , a n d y ou’d y nd h alf th e m is sin g v ote rs r ig h t th ere a n d th en . Y ou r e gis te r th em au to m atic a lly , a n d t h en w hen e le ctio n d ay c o m es a ro und, y ou m ak e s u re t h ey v ote .” “H ow d o w e d o th at? ” a fe m ale v oic e sa id . M ae re aliz e d it w as A nnie ’s . It w asn ’t a dir e ct c h alle n ge, b ut t h e t o ne w asn ’t f r ie n dly , e it h er. “O h je ez,” B aile y sa id , “a h undre d w ay s. T hat’s a n e asy p art. Y ou re m in d th em te n tim es th at d ay . M ay be th eir a cco unts d on’t w ork th at d ay till th ey v ote . T hat’s w hat I’d fa v or a n yw ay . ‘H ello A nnie !’ it c o uld s a y . ‘T ak e y ve m in ute s t o v ote .’ W hate v er it is . W e do th at fo r o ur o w n su rv ey s. Y ou k now th at, A nnie .” A nd w hen h e sa id h er n am e, h e sh ad ed it w it h d is a p poin tm en t a n d w arn in g, d is c o ura gin g h er fr o m o pen in g h er m outh again . H e b rig h te n ed a n d t u rn ed b ack t o M ae. “ A nd t h e s tr a ggle rs? ” h e a sk ed . Mae sm ile d a t h im . S h e h ad a n a n sw er. S h e lo oked a t h er b ra ce le t. There w ere n ow 7,2 02,8 21 p eo ple w atc h in g. W hen h ad t h at h ap pen ed ? “W ell, e v ery one h as t o p ay t a xes, r ig h t? H ow m an y p eo ple d o it o nlin e n ow ? L ast y ear, may be 8 0 p erc e n t. W hat if w e a ll s to pped d uplic a tin g s e rv ic e s a n d m ad e it a ll p art o f o ne uni y ed s y ste m ? Y ou u se y our C ir c le a cco unt t o p ay t a xes, t o r e gis te r t o v ote , t o p ay y our park in g tic k ets , to d o a n yth in g. I m ean , w e w ould sa v e e ach u se r h undre d s o f h ours o f in co nven ie n ce , a n d c o lle ctiv ely , t h e c o untr y w ould s a v e b illio ns.” “ Hundre d s o f b illio ns,” S te n to n a m en ded . “R ig h t,” M ae s a id . “ O ur in te rfa ce s a re in y nit e ly e asie r to u se th an , s a y , th e p atc h w ork of D M V s it e s a ro und t h e c o untr y . W hat if y ou c o uld r e n ew y our lic e n se t h ro ugh u s? W hat if e v ery g o vern m en t s e rv ic e c o uld b e f a cilit a te d t h ro ugh o ur n etw ork ? P eo ple w ould le ap at th e ch an ce . In ste ad of vis it in g a hundre d di ere n t sit e s fo r a hundre d di ere n t go vern m en t s e rv ic e s, it c o uld a ll b e d one t h ro ugh t h e C ir c le .” Annie o pen ed h er m outh a gain . M ae k new it w as a m is ta k e. “B ut w hy w ould n’t th e go vern m en t,” A nnie a sk ed , “ ju st b uild a s im ila r w ra p aro und s e rv ic e ? W hy d o th ey n eed us? ” Mae c o uld n’t d ecid e if sh e w as a sk in g th is rh eto ric a lly o r if sh e tr u ly fe lt th is w as a valid p oin t. I n a n y c a se , m uch o f t h e r o om w as n ow s n ic k erin g. T he g o vern m en t b uild in g a s y ste m , fr o m s c ra tc h , to r iv al th e C ir c le ? M ae lo oked to B aile y a n d to S te n to n. S te n to n sm ile d , r a is e d h is c h in , a n d d ecid ed t o t a k e t h is o ne h im se lf . “W ell, A nnie , a g o vern m en t p ro je ct to b uild a sim ila r p la tfo rm fr o m th e g ro und u p would b e lu dic ro us, a n d c o stly , a n d, w ell, im possib le . W e a lr e ad y h av e t h e in fr a str u ctu re , an d 8 3 p erc e n t o f t h e e le cto ra te . D oes t h at m ak e s e n se t o y ou?” Annie n odded , h er e y es s h ow in g fe ar a n d r e gre t a n d m ay be e v en s o m e q uic k ly fa d in g de y an ce . Ste n to n’s to ne w as dis m is siv e, an d M ae hoped he w ould so fte n w hen he co ntin ued . “N ow m ore t h an e v er,” h e s a id , b ut n ow m ore c o ndesc e n din g t h an b efo re , “ W ash in gto n is tr y in g to s a v e m oney , a n d is d is in clin ed to b uild v ast n ew b ure au cra cie s fr o m s c ra tc h . Rig h t n ow it c o sts t h e g o vern m en t a b out t e n d olla rs t o f a cilit a te e v ery v ote . T w o h undre d millio n p eo ple v ote , a n d it c o sts t h e f e d s t w o b illio n t o r u n t h e p re sid en tia l e le ctio n e v ery fo ur y ears. J u st to p ro ce ss th e v ote s fo r th at o ne e le ctio n, th at o ne d ay . Y ou fa cto r in ev ery sta te an d lo ca l ele ctio n, w e’r e ta lk in g hundre d s of billio ns ev ery year in unnece ssa ry c o sts a sso cia te d w it h s im ple v ote p ro ce ssin g. I m ean , t h ey ’r e s till d oin g it o n pap er in s o m e s ta te s. If w e p ro vid e th ese s e rv ic e s fo r fr e e, w e’r e s a v in g th e g o vern m en t billio ns o f d olla rs, a n d, m ore im porta n tly , t h e r e su lt s w ould b e k now n s im ult a n eo usly . D o you s e e t h e t r u th in t h at? ” Annie n odded g rim ly , a n d S te n to n lo oked t o h er, a s if a sse ssin g h er a n ew . H e t u rn ed t o Mae, u rg in g h er t o c o ntin ue. “A nd if it ’s m an dato ry to hav e a Tru Y ou acco unt to pay ta xes or re ce iv e an y go vern m en t se rv ic e ,” sh e sa id , “th en w e’r e very clo se to hav in g 100 perc e n t of th e cit iz e n ry . A nd th en w e c a n ta k e th e te m pera tu re o f e v ery one a t a n y tim e. A s m all to w n wan ts e v ery one to v ote o n a lo ca l o rd in an ce . T ru Y ou k now s e v ery one’s a d dre ss, s o o nly re sid en ts o f th at to w n c a n v ote . A nd w hen th ey d o, th e r e su lt s a re k now n in m in ute s. A sta te w an ts t o s e e h ow e v ery one f e els a b out a n ew t a x. S am e t h in g— in sta n t a n d c le ar a n d verif ia b le d ata .” “It w ould elim in ate th e gu essw ork ,” Ste n to n sa id , n ow sta n din g at th e h ead o f th e ta b le . “ E lim in ate lo bbyis ts . E lim in ate p olls . It m ig h t e v en e lim in ate C ongre ss. If w e c a n know th e w ill o f th e p eo ple at an y tim e, w it h out y lt e r, w it h out m is in te rp re ta tio n o r basta rd iz a tio n, w ould n’t it e lim in ate m uch o f W ash in gto n?” The n ig h t w as c o ld a n d th e w in ds w ere la ce ra tin g b ut M ae d id n’t n otic e . E very th in g fe lt go od, c le an a n d r ig h t. T o h av e th e v alid atio n o f th e W is e M en , to h av e p erh ap s p iv ote d th e e n tir e c o m pan y in a n ew d ir e ctio n, to h av e, p erh ap s, perh aps , e n su re d a n ew le v el o f partic ip ato ry d em ocra cy — co uld it b e th at th e C ir c le , w it h h er n ew id ea, m ig h t re ally perfe ct dem ocra cy ? C ould sh e hav e co nce iv ed of th e so lu tio n to a th ousa n d-y ear-o ld pro ble m ? There h ad b een s o m e c o nce rn , ju st a fte r th e m eetin g, a b out a p riv ate c o m pan y ta k in g over a v ery p ublic a ct lik e v otin g. B ut th e lo gic o f it , th e s a v in gs in here n t, w as w in nin g th e d ay . W hat if t h e s c h ools h ad t w o h undre d b illio n? W hat if t h e h ealt h c a re s y ste m h ad tw o h undre d b illio n? A ny n um ber o f t h e c o untr y ’s ills w ould b e a d dre sse d o r s o lv ed w it h th at k in d o f sa v in gs— sa v in gs n ot ju st ev ery fo ur y ears, b ut so m e se m bla n ce o f th em ev ery y ear. T o e lim in ate a ll c o stly e le ctio ns, r e p la ce d b y in sta n ta n eo us o nes, a ll o f th em nearly c o st-f r e e? This w as th e p ro m is e o f th e C ir c le . T his w as th e u niq ue p osit io n o f th e C ir c le . T his is what p eo ple w ere z in gin g. S h e re ad th e z in gs a s sh e ro de w it h F ra n cis , in a tr a in u nder th e b ay , th e tw o o f th em grin nin g, o ut o f th eir m in ds. T hey w ere b ein g re co gn iz e d . Peo ple w ere ste p pin g in fr o nt o f M ae to g et o nto h er v id eo fe ed , a n d sh e d id n’t ca re , hard ly n otic e d , b eca u se t h e n ew s c o m in g t h ro ugh h er r ig h t b ra ce le t w as t o o g o od t o t a k e her e y es o ff. Sh e c h eck ed h er le ft a rm , b rie { y; h er p uls e w as e le v ate d , h er h eart r a te a t 1 30. B ut s h e was lo vin g it . W hen th ey a rriv ed d ow nto w n, th ey to ok th e sta ir s th re e a t a tim e a n d arriv ed a b ove g ro und, su dden ly lit in g o ld , o n M ark et S tr e et, th e B ay B rid ge b lin kin g bey ond. “H oly s h it , it ’s M ae!” W ho h ad s a id t h at? M ae f o und, h urry in g t o w ard t h em , a t e en aged pair , h oodie s a n d h ead phones. “ R ock o n, M ae,” th e o th er o ne s a id , th eir e y es a p pro vin g, sta rstr u ck , b efo re th e tw o o f th em , c le arly n ot w an tin g to s e em s ta lk y, h urrie d d ow n th e sta ir s. “T hat w as f u n,” F ra n cis s a id , w atc h in g t h em d esc e n d. Mae w alk ed to w ard th e w ate r. Sh e th ough t o f M erc e r an d sa w h im as a sh ad ow , quic k ly d is a p pearin g. S h e h ad n’t h eard fr o m h im , o r A nnie , s in ce th e ta lk , a n d s h e d id n’t ca re . H er p are n ts h ad n’t s a id a w ord , a n d m ig h t n ot h av e s e en h er p erfo rm an ce , a n d s h e fo und h erse lf u nco nce rn ed . S h e c a re d o nly a b out th is m om en t, th is n ig h t, th e sk y c le ar an d s ta rle ss. “I ca n ’t belie v e how pois e d you w ere ,” Fra n cis sa id , an d he kis se d her— a dry , pro fe ssio nal k is s o n t h e lip s. “W as I o kay ?” s h e a sk ed , k now in g h ow r id ic u lo us it s o unded , th is k in d o f d oubt in th e wak e o f s u ch a n o bvio us s u cce ss, b ut w an tin g o nce m ore t o h ear t h at s h e h ad d one a g o od jo b. “Y ou w ere p erfe ct,” h e s a id . “ A 1 00.” Quic k ly , a s t h ey w alk ed t o w ard t h e w ate r, s h e s c ro lle d t h ro ugh t h e m ost p opula r r e ce n t co m men ts . T here se em ed to b e o ne p artic u la r z in g w it h h eat, so m eth in g a b out h ow a ll th is c o uld o r w ould le ad t o t o ta lit a ria n is m . H er s to m ach s a n k. “C ’m on. Y ou ca n ’t lis te n to a lu natic lik e th at,” F ra n cis sa id . “W hat d oes sh e k now ? So m e c ra n k s o m ew here w it h a t in -f o il h at.” M ae s m ile d , n ot k now in g w hat t h e t in -f o il h at re fe re n ce m ean t, b ut k now in g s h e’d h eard h er f a th er s a y it , a n d it m ad e h er s m ile t o t h in k of h im s a y in g it . “L et’s g et a lib atio n,” F ra n cis sa id , a n d th ey d ecid ed o n a g lit te rin g b re w ery o n th e wate r f r o nte d b y a w id e o utd oor p atio . E ven a s t h ey a p pro ach ed , M ae s a w r e co gn it io n in th e e y es o f t h e a rra y o f p re tty y oung p eo ple d rin kin g o utd oors. “It’s M ae!” o ne s a id . A y oung m an , s e em in g t o o y oung t o b e d rin kin g a t a ll, a im ed h is f a ce a t M ae’s c a m era . “H ey m om , I’m h om e stu dyin g.” A w om an o f a b out th ir ty , w ho m ay o r m ay n ot h av e been w it h t h e t o o y oung m an , s a id , w alk in g o ut o f v ie w , “ H ey h oney , I ’m a t a b ook c lu b wit h t h e la d ie s. S ay h i t o t h e k id s!” The n ig h t w as d iz zy a n d b rig h t a n d w en t t o o f a st. M ae b are ly m oved a t t h e b ay sid e b ar —sh e w as su rro unded , sh e w as h an ded d rin ks, sh e w as p atte d o n th e b ack , sh e w as ta p ped o n t h e s h ould er. A ll n ig h t s h e p iv ote d , t u rn in g a f e w d egre es, lik e a h ay w ir e c lo ck , to g re et e ach n ew w ell-w is h er. E very one w an te d a p ic tu re w it h h er, w an te d to a sk h er when all th is w ould hap pen . W hen w ould w e bre ak th ro ugh all th ese unnece ssa ry barrie rs? t h ey a sk ed . N ow t h at t h e s o lu tio n s e em ed c le ar a n d e asy e n ough t o e xecu te , n o one w an te d to w ait . A w om an a b it o ld er th an M ae, slu rrin g a n d h old in g a M an hatta n , exp re sse d it b est, th ough u nw it tin gly : H ow , sh e a sk ed , sp illin g h er d rin k b ut w it h e y es sh arp , H ow d o w e g et t h e in ev it a b le s o oner? Mae a n d F ra n cis fo und th em se lv es a t a q uie te r p la ce d ow n th e E m barc a d ero , w here th ey ord ere d an oth er ro und an d fo und th em se lv es jo in ed by a m an in his yftie s. Unin vit e d , h e sa t d ow n w it h th em , h old in g a la rg e d rin k in b oth h an ds. In se co nds h e’d to ld th em he w as once a div in it y stu den t, w as liv in g in O hio an d head in g fo r th e prie sth ood, w hen h e d is c o vere d c o m pute rs. H e’d d ro pped it a ll a n d m oved to P alo A lt o , but h ad f e lt r e m oved , f o r t w en ty y ears, h e s a id , f r o m t h e s p ir it u al. U ntil n ow . “I s a w y our t a lk t o day ,” h e s a id . “ Y ou c o nnecte d it a ll. Y ou f o und a w ay t o s a v e a ll t h e so uls . T his is w hat w e w ere d oin g in th e c h urc h — we tr ie d to g et th em a ll. H ow to s a v e th em a ll? T his h as b een t h e w ork o f m is sio narie s f o r m ille n nia .” H e w as s lu rrin g, b ut t o ok an oth er lo ng s w allo w fr o m h is d rin k. “ Y ou a n d y ours a t th e C ir c le ”— an d h ere h e d re w a cir c le in th e a ir , h oriz o nta lly , a n d M ae th ough t o f a h alo — “y ou’r e g o nna sa v e a ll th e so uls . Y ou’r e g o nna g et e v ery one in o ne p la ce , y ou’r e g o nna te ach th em a ll th e sa m e th in gs. T here c a n b e o ne m ora lit y , o ne s e t o f r u le s. Im agin e!” A nd h ere h e s la m med h is open p alm u pon th e ir o n ta b le , r a ttlin g h is g la ss. “ N ow a ll h um an s w ill h av e th e e y es o f God. Y ou k now th is p assa ge? ‘A ll th in gs a re n ak ed a n d o pen ed u nto th e e y es o f G od.’ So m eth in g lik e th at. Y ou k now y our B ib le ?” S eein g th e b la n k lo oks o n th e fa ce s o f M ae an d F ra n cis , h e sc o ed a n d to ok a lo ng p ull fr o m h is d rin k. “ N ow w e’r e a ll G od. E very one o f u s w ill s o on b e a b le to s e e, a n d c a st ju dgm en t u pon, e v ery o th er. W e’l l s e e w hat He se es. W e’l l artic u la te H is ju dgm en t. W e’l l ch an nel H is w ra th an d deliv er H is fo rg iv en ess. O n a c o nsta n t a n d g lo bal le v el. A ll r e lig io n h as b een w ait in g fo r th is , w hen ev ery h um an is a d ir e ct a n d im med ia te m esse n ger o f G od’s w ill. D o y ou se e w hat I’m sa y in g?” M ae lo oked a t F ra n cis , w ho w as h av in g lit tle su cce ss h old in g b ack a la u gh . H e burst y rst, a n d s h e fo llo w ed , a n d th ey c a ck le d , tr y in g to a p olo giz e to h im , h old in g th eir han ds u p, b eggin g h is fo rg iv en ess. B ut h e w as h av in g n one o f it . H e s te p ped a w ay fr o m th e ta b le , th en sw ir le d b ack to g et h is d rin k, a n d, n ow c o m ple te , h e ra m ble d c ro oked ly dow n t h e w ate rfr o nt. Mae a w oke n ext t o F ra n cis . I t w as s e v en a .m . T hey ’d p asse d o ut in h er d orm r o om s h ortly afte r tw o. S h e c h eck ed h er p hone, y ndin g 3 22 n ew m essa ges. A s s h e w as h old in g it , h er ey es b le ary , it r a n g. T he c a lle r I D w as b lo ck ed , a n d s h e k new it c o uld o nly b e K ald en . S h e le t it g o to v oic e m ail. H e c a lle d a d oze n m ore tim es th ro ugh out th e m orn in g. H e c a lle d while F ra n cis g o t u p, k is se d h er, a n d r e tu rn ed to h is o w n r o om . H e c a lle d w hile s h e w as in th e s h ow er, w hile s h e w as d re ssin g. S h e b ru sh ed h er h air , a d ju ste d h er b ra ce le ts , a n d lif te d th e le n s o ver h er h ead , a n d h e c a lle d a gain . S h e ig n ore d th e c a ll a n d o pen ed h er messa ges. There w as a n a rra y o f c o ngra tu la to ry th re ad s, fr o m in sid e a n d o uts id e th e C ir c le , th e most in tr ig u in g o f w hic h w as sp urre d b y B aile y h im se lf , w ho a le rte d M ae th at C ir c le dev elo pers h ad b egu n t o a ct o n h er id eas a lr e ad y. T hey ’d b een w ork in g t h ro ugh t h e n ig h t, in a fe v er o f in sp ir a tio n, an d w it h in a w eek h oped to p ro to ty pe a v ersio n o f M ae’s notio ns, to b e u se d y rst in th e C ir c le , p olis h ed th ere a n d la te r ro lle d o ut fo r u se in a n y natio n w here C ir c le m em bersh ip w as s tr o ng e n ough t o m ak e it p ra ctic a l. We’r e c a llin g it D em ox ie , B aile y zin ged . It’s d em ocra cy w it h y our vo ic e, a n d y our mox ie . And it ’s c o m in g s o on . That m orn in g M ae w as in vit e d to th e d ev elo pers’ p od, w here sh e fo und tw en ty o r so exh au ste d but in sp ir e d en gin eers an d desig n ers, w ho ap pare n tly alr e ad y had a beta versio n o f D em oxie r e ad y. W hen M ae e n te re d , c h eers e ru pte d , th e lig h ts d im med , a n d a sin gle lig h t s h one o n a w om an w it h lo ng b la ck h air a n d a f a ce o f b are ly c o nta in ed jo y. “H ello M ae, h ello M ae’s w atc h ers,” s h e s a id , b ow in g b rie { y. “ M y n am e is S h arm a, a n d I’m s o g la d , a n d s o h onore d , t o b e w it h y ou t o day . T oday w e’l l b e d em onstr a tin g t h e v ery earlie st fo rm of D em oxie . N orm ally w e w ould n’t m ove so quic k ly , an d so , w ell, tr a n sp are n tly , b ut g iv en t h e C ir c le ’s f e rv en t b elie f in D em oxie , a n d o ur c o n y den ce t h at it will b e a d opte d q uic k ly a n d g lo bally , w e c o uld n’t s e e a n y r e aso n t o d ela y .” The w alls c re en c a m e to lif e . T he w ord Dem ox ie a p peare d , re n dere d in a sp ir it e d fo nt an d s e t in sid e a b lu e-a n d-w hit e s tr ip ed f la g. “T he g o al is t o m ak e s u re t h at e v ery one w ho w ork s a t t h e C ir c le c a n w eig h in o n is su es th at a ect t h eir liv es— mostly o n c a m pus, b ut in t h e la rg er w orld , t o o. S o t h ro ugh out a n y giv en d ay , w hen th e C ir c le n eed s to ta k e th e c o m pan y’s te m pera tu re o n a n y g iv en is su e, Cir c le rs w ill g et a p op-u p n otic e , a n d t h ey ’l l b e a sk ed t o a n sw er t h e q uestio n o r q uestio ns. The e xp ecte d tu rn aro und w ill b e sp eed y, a n d w ill b e e sse n tia l. A nd b eca u se w e c a re so much a b out e v ery one’s in put, y our o th er m essa gin g s y ste m s w ill fr e eze te m pora rily u ntil you a n sw er. L et m e s h ow y ou.” On t h e s c re en , b elo w t h e D em oxie lo go , t h e q uestio n Shou ld w e h ave m ore v eggie o ptio n s at lu nch ? w as b ooken ded b y b utto ns o n e it h er s id e, Yes a n d No . Mae n odded . “ V ery im pre ssiv e, g u ys!” “T han k y ou,” S h arm a sa id . “ N ow , if y ou’l l in dulg e u s. Y ou h av e to a n sw er, to o.” A nd sh e in vit e d M ae t o t o uch e it h er Y es o r N o o n t h e s c re en . “O h,” M ae sa id . S h e w alk ed u p to th e sc re en a n d p ush ed Y es. T he e n gin eers c h eere d , th e d ev elo pers c h eere d . O n th e sc re en , a h ap py fa ce a p peare d , w it h th e w ord s You a re hea rd ! a rc in g a b ove. T he q uestio n dis a p peare d , r e p la ce d b y t h e w ord s Dem ox ie r e su lt : 7 5% of r e sp on den ts w an t m ore v eggie o ptio n s. M ore v eggie o ptio n s w ill b e p ro vid ed . Sh arm a w as beam in g. “S ee? That’s a sim ula te d re su lt , of co urse . W e don’t hav e ev ery one o n D em oxie y et, b ut y ou g et th e g is t. T he q uestio n a p pears, e v ery one sto ps brie { y w hat t h ey ’r e d oin g, r e sp onds, a n d in sta n tly , t h e C ir c le c a n t a k e a p pro pria te a ctio n know in g t h e f u ll a n d c o m ple te w ill o f t h e p eo ple . I n cre d ib le , r ig h t? ” “It is ,” M ae s a id . “Im agin e t h is r o lle d o ut n atio nw id e. W orld w id e!” “It’s b ey ond m y c a p ab ilit y t o im agin e.” “B ut y ou c a m e u p w it h t h is !” S h arm a s a id . Mae d id n’t k now w hat t o s a y . H ad s h e in ven te d t h is ? S h e w asn ’t s u re . S h e’d c o nnecte d a f e w d ots : t h e e } cie n cy a n d u tilit y o f t h e C ir c le Su rv ey s, t h e c o nsta n t C ir c le g o al o f t o ta l sa tu ra tio n, th e u niv ersa l h ope fo r re al a n d u n y lt e re d — an d, m ost cru cia lly , co m ple te — dem ocra cy . N ow it w as in th e h an ds o f th e d ev elo pers, h undre d s o f th em a t th e C ir c le , th e b est in th e w orld . M ae to ld th em th is , th at s h e w as ju st o ne p erso n w ho c o nnecte d a fe w id eas th at sto od in ch es a p art, a n d S h arm a, a n d h er te am , b eam ed , a n d sh ook h er han d, a n d th ey a ll a gre ed th at w hat h ad a lr e ad y b een d one w as se ttin g th e C ir c le , a n d possib ly a ll o f h um an it y , o n a s ig n if ic a n t n ew p ath . Mae le ft th e R en ais sa n ce a n d w as g re ete d , ju st o uts id e th e d oor, b y a g ro up o f y oung Cir c le rs, a ll o f w hom w an te d t o t e ll h er— all o f t h em o n t h eir t ip to es, b urstin g— th at t h ey had n ev er v ote d b efo re , th at th ey h ad b een u tte rly u nin te re ste d in p olit ic s, h ad fe lt dis c o nnecte d e n tir e ly fr o m th eir g o vern m en t, fe elin g th ey h ad n o re al v oic e . T hey to ld her t h at b y t h e t im e t h eir v ote , o r t h eir n am e o n s o m e p etit io n, w as y lt e re d t h ro ugh t h eir lo ca l go vern m en t, an d th en th eir sta te o } cia ls , an d y nally th eir re p re se n ta tiv es in Wash in gto n, it fe lt lik e s e n din g a m essa ge in a b ottle a cro ss a v ast a n d tr o uble d s e a. B ut now , th e y oung C ir c le rs sa id , th ey fe lt in volv ed . If D em oxie w ork ed , th ey sa id , th en la u gh ed — when D em oxie is im ple m en te d , o f co u rse it w ill w ork , th ey sa id — an d w hen it does, y ou’l l y nally h av e a f u lly e n gaged p opula ce , a n d w hen y ou d o, t h e c o untr y a n d t h e world w ill h ear f r o m t h e y outh , a n d t h eir in here n t id ealis m a n d p ro gre ssiv is m w ill u pen d th e p la n et. T his is w hat M ae h eard a ll d ay , a s sh e w an dere d th ro ugh th e ca m pus. S h e co uld b are ly g et fr o m o ne b uild in g to a n oth er w it h out b ein g a cco ste d . We’r e o n th e v erg e of a ctu al c h an ge , t h ey s a id . Chan ge a t th e s p eed th at o u r h ea rts d em an d . B ut th ro ugh out th e m orn in g, th e c a lls fr o m th e b lo ck ed n um ber c o ntin ued . S h e k new it w as K ald en , a n d s h e k new s h e w an te d n o p art o f h im . T alk in g to h im , m uch le ss s e ein g h im , w ould b e a s ig n i y ca n t s te p b ack n ow . B y n oon, S h arm a a n d h er t e am a n nounce d t h at t h ey w ere r e ad y f o r t h e y rst a ctu al a ll-c a m pus D em oxie t r y out. A t 1 2:4 5 e v ery one w ould r e ce iv e y ve q uestio ns, a n d th e r e su lt s w ould n ot o nly b e ta b ula te d im med ia te ly , b ut, th e W is e M en p ro m is e d , t h e w ill o f t h e p eo ple w ould b e e n acte d w it h in t h e d ay . Mae w as sta n din g in th e ce n te r o f th e ca m pus, a m id a fe w h undre d C ir c le rs e atin g l u nch , a ll o f th em b uzzin g a b out th e im min en t D em oxie d em onstr a tio n, a n d s h e th ough t o f th at p ain tin g o f th e C onstit u tio nal C onven tio n, a ll th ose m en in p ow dere d w ig s a n d w ais tc o ats , sta n din g sti y, all of th em w ealt h y w hit e m en w ho w ere only passa b ly i n te re ste d in re p re se n tin g th eir fe llo w hum an s. T hey w ere purv ey ors of an in nate ly { aw ed k in d o f d em ocra cy , w here o nly t h e wealt h y w ere e le cte d , w here t h eir v oic e s w ere h eard lo udest, w here th ey p asse d th eir se ats in C ongre ss to w hate v er sim ila rly e n tit le d p erso n th ey d eem ed a p pro pria te . T here h ad b een s o m e in cre m en ta l im pro vem en ts in th e s y ste m s in ce t h en , m ay be, b ut D em oxie w ould e xp lo de it a ll. D em oxie w as p ure r, w as t h e o nly c h an ce a t d ir e ct d em ocra cy t h e w orld h ad e v er k now n. It w as t w elv e t h ir ty , a n d b eca u se M ae w as f e elin g s tr o ng, a n d f e elin g s o c o n y den t, s h e f in ally s u ccu m bed a n d a n sw ere d h er p hone, k now in g it w ould b e K ald en . “H ello ?” s h e s a id . “M ae,” h e s a id , h is v oic e t e rse , “ th is is K ald en . D on’t s a y m y n am e. I ’v e r ig ged it s o t h e i n co m in g a u dio is n ’t w ork in g.” “N o.” “M ae. P le ase . T his is lif e o r d eath .” Kald en h eld a p ow er o ver h er th at s h am ed h er. It m ad e h er fe el w eak a n d p lia b le . In e v ery o th er f a ce t o f h er lif e s h e w as in c o ntr o l, b ut h is v oic e a lo ne d is a sse m ble d h er, a n d o pen ed h er t o a n a rra y o f b ad d ecis io ns. A m in ute la te r s h e w as in t h e s ta ll, h er a u dio w as o ff, a n d h er p hone r a n g a gain . “I’m s u re s o m eo ne is t r a cin g t h is ,” s h e s a id . “N o o ne is . I b ough t u s t im e.” “K ald en , w hat d o y ou w an t? ” “Y ou c a n ’t d o th is . Y our m an dato ry th in g, a n d th e p osit iv e r e actio n it ’s g o tte n — th is is t h e la st s te p t o w ard c lo sin g t h e C ir c le , a n d t h at c a n ’t h ap pen .” “W hat a re y ou t a lk in g a b out? T his is t h e w hole p oin t. I f y ou’v e b een h ere s o lo ng, y ou k now m ore th an an yone th at th at’s b een th e go al o f th e C ir c le sin ce th e b egin nin g. I m ean , it ’s a c ir c le , s tu pid . I t h as t o c lo se . I t h as t o b e c o m ple te .” “M ae, a ll a lo ng, fo r m e a t le ast, th is k in d o f th in g w as th e fe ar, n ot th e g o al. O nce it ’s m an dato ry to h av e a n a cco unt, a n d o nce a ll g o vern m en t s e rv ic e s a re c h an nele d th ro ugh t h e C ir c le , y ou’l l h av e h elp ed c re ate th e w orld ’s y rst ty ra n nic a l m onopoly . D oes it s e em l ik e a g o od id ea t o y ou t h at a p riv ate c o m pan y w ould c o ntr o l t h e { ow o f a ll in fo rm atio n? T hat p artic ip atio n, a t t h eir b eck a n d c a ll, is m an dato ry ?” “Y ou k now w hat T y s a id , r ig h t? ” Mae h eard a lo ud s ig h . “ M ay be. W hat d id h e s a y ?” “H e s a id t h e s o ul o f t h e C ir c le is d em ocra tic . T hat u ntil e v ery one h as e q ual a cce ss, a n d th at a cce ss is f r e e, n o o ne is f r e e. I t’s o n a t le ast a f e w t ile s a ro und c a m pus.” “M ae. F in e. T he C ir c le ’s go od. A nd w hoev er in ven te d T ru Y ou is so m e k in d o f ev il gen iu s. B ut n ow it h as t o b e r e in ed in . O r b ro ken u p.” “W hy d o y ou c a re ? If y ou d on’t lik e it , w hy d on’t y ou le av e? I k now y ou’r e s o m e s p y fo r s o m e o th er c o m pan y. O r W illia m so n. S o m e lo ony a n arc h is t p olit ic ia n .” “M ae, th is is it . You know th is a ects ev ery one. W hen w ere you la st ab le to mean in gfu lly co nta ct y our p are n ts ? O bvio usly th in gs are m esse d u p, an d y ou’r e in a uniq ue p osit io n to in { uen ce v ery cru cia l h is to ric a l ev en ts h ere . T his is it . T his is th e mom en t w here h is to ry p iv ots . I m agin e if y ou c o uld h av e b een t h ere b efo re H it le r b eca m e ch an ce llo r. B efo re S ta lin a n nexed E aste rn E uro pe. W e’r e o n th e v erg e o f h av in g a n oth er very h ungry , v ery e v il e m pir e o n o ur h an ds, M ae. D o y ou u ndersta n d?” “D o y ou k now h ow c ra zy y ou s o und?” “M ae, I k now y ou’r e d oin g th at b ig p la n kto n m eetin g in a c o uple d ay s. T he o ne w here th e k id s p it c h t h eir id eas, h opin g t h e C ir c le b uys t h em a n d d ev ours t h em .” “S o ?” “T he a u die n ce w ill b e b ig . W e n eed to re ach th e y oung, a n d th e p la n kto n p it c h in g is when y our w atc h ers w ill b e y oung a n d v ast. It’s p erfe ct. T he W is e M en w ill b e th ere . I need y ou t o t a k e t h at o pportu nit y t o w arn e v ery one. I n eed y ou t o s a y , ‘L et’s t h in k a b out what c lo sin g t h e C ir c le m ean s.’ ” “Y ou m ean c o m ple tin g?” “S am e th in g. W hat it m ean s fo r perso nal lib ertie s, fo r th e fr e ed om to m ove, do whate v er o ne w an ts t o d o, t o b e f r e e.” “Y ou’r e a lu natic . I ca n ’t b elie v e I— ” M ae m ean t to y nis h th at se n te n ce w it h “sle p t wit h y ou” b ut n ow , e v en t h e t h ough t o f it s e em ed s ic k . “M ae, n o e n tit y s h ould h av e t h e p ow er t h ose g u ys h av e.” “I’m h an gin g u p.” “M ae. T hin k a b out it . T hey ’l l w rit e s o ngs a b out y ou.” Sh e h ung u p. By t h e t im e s h e m ad e it t o t h e G re at H all, it w as r a u co us w it h a f e w t h ousa n d C ir c le rs. The r e st o f t h e c a m pus h ad b een a sk ed t o s ta y a t t h eir w ork sp ace s, t o d em onstr a te t o t h e world h ow D em oxie w ould w ork a cro ss th e w hole c o m pan y, w it h C ir c le rs v otin g fr o m th eir d esk s, fr o m th eir ta b le ts a n d p hones a n d e v en r e tin ally . O n th e s c re en in th e G re at Room , a v ast g rid o f S eeC han ge c a m era s s h ow ed C ir c le rs a t th e r e ad y in e v ery c o rn er o f ev ery b uild in g. S h arm a h ad e xp la in ed , in o ne o f a s e rie s o f z in gs, th at o nce th e D em oxie questio ns w ere s e n t, e ach Cir c le r’s a b ilit y t o d o a n yth in g e ls e — an y z in g, a n y k ey str o ke— would b e su sp en ded u ntil th ey v ote d . Dem ocra cy is m an dato ry h ere ! sh e sa id , a n d a d ded , much to M ae’s delig h t, Sharin g is ca rin g . M ae p la n ned to v ote o n h er w ris t, an d h ad pro m is e d h er w atc h ers th at sh e w ould ta k e in to a cco unt th eir in put, to o, if th ey w ere quic k e n ough . T he v otin g, S h arm a s u ggeste d , s h ould n’t t a k e lo nger t h an s ix ty s e co nds. And th en th e D em oxie lo go ap peare d o n th e sc re en , an d th e y rst q uestio n arriv ed belo w it . 1. S hou ld th e C ir c le o ffe r m ore v eggie o ptio n s a t lu nch ? The cro w d in th e G re at H all la u gh ed . Sh arm a’s te am h ad ch ose n to sta rt w it h th e questio n th ey ’d b een te stin g. M ae c h eck ed h er w ris t, s e ein g th at a fe w h undre d w atc h ers had se n t sm ile s, a n d so sh e c h ose th at o ptio n a n d p ush ed “ se n d.” S h e lo oked u p to th e sc re en , w atc h in g C ir c le rs v ote , a n d w it h in e le v en s e co nds t h e w hole c a m pus h ad d one s o , an d th e re su lt s w ere ta b ula te d . E ig h ty -e ig h t p erc e n t o f th e c a m pus w an te d m ore v eggie optio ns a t lu nch . A z in g c a m e t h ro ugh f r o m B aile y : It s h all b e d on e . The G re at H all s h ook w it h a p pla u se . The n ext q uestio n a p peare d : 2. S hou ld T ake Y ou r D au gh te r to W ork D ay h appen tw ic e a yea r, in ste a d o f ju st o n ce? The a n sw er w as k now n w it h in 1 2 se co nds. F orty – y ve p erc e n t sa id y es. B aile y z in ged : Looks lik e o n ce is e n ou gh fo r n ow . The dem onstr a tio n so fa r w as a cle ar su cce ss, an d M ae w as bask in g in th e co ngra tu la tio ns o f C ir c le rs in th e r o om , a n d o n h er w ris t, a n d fr o m w atc h ers w orld w id e. The t h ir d q uestio n a p peare d , a n d t h e r o om b ro ke u p w it h la u gh te r. 3. J o hn o r P au l o r … R in go ? The a n sw er, w hic h to ok 1 6 se co nds, p ro voked a rio t o f su rp ris e d ch eers: R in go h ad won, w it h 6 4 p erc e n t o f t h e v ote . J o hn a n d P au l w ere n early t ie d , a t 2 0 a n d 1 6. The fo urth questio n w as pre ce d ed by a so ber in str u ctio n: Im agin e th e W hit e H ou se wan te d th e u nfilt e re d o pin io n o f it s c o n stit u en ts . A nd im agin e y ou h ad th e d ir e ct a n d im med ia te abilit y to in { uen ce U .S . fo re ig n p olic y . T ake y ou r tim e o n th is o n e. T here m ig h t c o m e a d ay— th ere s h ou ld c o m e a d ay— when a ll A m eric a n s a re h ea rd in s u ch m atte rs . The in str u ctio ns d is a p peare d , a n d t h e q uestio n a rriv ed : 4. In te llig en ce a gen cie s h ave lo ca te d te rro ris t m aste rm in d M oham med K halil a l- H am ed in a lig h tly p opu la te d a re a o f ru ra l P akis ta n . S hou ld w e se n d a d ro n e to k ill h im , c o n sid erin g th e lik elih ood o f m od era te c o lla te ra l d am age? Mae c a u gh t h er b re ath . S h e k new th is w as a d em onstr a tio n o nly , b ut th e p ow er fe lt re al. A nd it fe lt r ig h t. W hy w ould n’t th e w is d om o f th re e h undre d m illio n A m eric a n s b e ta k en in to a cco unt w hen m ak in g a d ecis io n t h at a ecte d t h em a ll? M ae p au se d , t h in kin g, weig h in g th e pro s an d co ns. The Cir c le rs in th e ro om se em ed to be ta k in g th e re sp onsib ilit y a s s e rio usly a s M ae. H ow m an y liv es w ould b e s a v ed b y k illin g a l-H am ed ? It c o uld b e t h ousa n ds, a n d t h e w orld w ould b e r id o f a n e v il m an . T he r is k s e em ed w orth it . S h e v ote d y es. T he fu ll ta lly a rriv ed a fte r o ne m in ute , e le v en se co nds: 7 1 p erc e n t o f Cir c le rs f a v ore d a d ro ne s tr ik e. A h ush f e ll o ver t h e r o om . Then t h e la st q uestio n a p peare d : 5. Is M ae H olla n d a w eso m e o r w hat? Mae la u gh ed , a n d t h e r o om la u gh ed , a n d M ae b lu sh ed , t h in kin g t h is w as a ll a b it m uch . Sh e d ecid ed sh e c o uld n’t v ote o n th is o ne, g iv en h ow a b su rd it w ould b e to c a st a v ote eit h er w ay , a n d s h e s im ply w atc h ed h er w ris t, w hic h , s h e s o on r e aliz e d , h ad b een f r o ze n . So on th e questio n o n h er w ris ts c re en w as b lin kin g u rg en tly . All C ir c le rs m ust vo te , th e sc re en s a id , a n d s h e r e m em bere d t h at t h e s u rv ey c o uld n’t b e c o m ple te u ntil e v ery C ir c le r had re gis te re d th eir o pin io n. B eca u se sh e fe lt silly c a llin g h erse lf a w eso m e, sh e p ush ed “fr o w n,” g u essin g it w ould b e t h e o nly o ne, a n d w ould g et a la u gh . But w hen t h e v ote s w ere t a llie d , s e co nds la te r, s h e w as n ot t h e o nly o ne t o h av e s e n t a fr o w n. T he v ote w as 9 7 p erc e n t to 3 , s m ile s to fr o w ns, in dic a tin g th at o verw helm in gly , her fe llo w C ir c le rs fo und h er a w eso m e. W hen th e n um bers a p peare d , th e G re at R oom eru pte d in w hoops, a n d sh e w as p atte d o n th e b ack a s e v ery one y le d o ut, fe elin g th e exp erim en t a m onum en ta l su cce ss. A nd M ae fe lt th is w ay , to o. S h e k new D em oxie w as work in g, a n d it s p ote n tia l u nlim it e d . A nd s h e k new s h e s h ould f e el g o od a b out 9 7 p erc e n t of th e c a m pus y ndin g h er a w eso m e. B ut a s sh e le ft th e h all, a n d m ad e h er w ay a cro ss ca m pus, s h e c o uld o nly t h in k o f t h e 3 p erc e n t w ho d id n ot y nd h er a w eso m e. S h e d id t h e math . If th ere w ere n ow 1 2,3 18 C ir c le rs— th ey ’d ju st su bsu m ed a P hila d elp hia sta rtu p sp ecia liz in g in th e g am i y ca tio n o f a ord ab le h ousin g— an d e v ery o ne o f th em h ad v ote d , th at m ean t th at 3 69 p eo ple h ad fr o w ned a t h er, th ough t sh e w as so m eth in g o th er th an aw eso m e. N o, 3 68. S h e’d f r o w ned a t h erse lf , a ssu m in g s h e’d b e t h e o nly o ne. Sh e fe lt n um b. S h e fe lt n ak ed . S h e w alk ed th ro ugh th e h ealt h clu b, g la n cin g a t th e bodie s s w eatin g, s te p pin g o n a n d o m ach in es, a n d s h e w ondere d w ho a m ong th em h ad fr o w ned a t h er. T hre e h undre d a n d six ty -e ig h t p eo ple lo ath ed h er. S h e w as d ev asta te d . Sh e le ft t h e h ealt h c lu b a n d lo oked f o r a q uie t p la ce t o c o lle ct h er t h ough ts . S h e m ad e h er way to th e ro ofto p near her old pod, w here D an had y rst to ld her of th e C ir c le ’s co m mit m en t to c o m munit y . It w as a h alf -m ile walk fr o m w here s h e w as, a n d s h e w asn ’t su re sh e c o uld m ak e it . S h e w as b ein g sta b bed . S h e h ad b een sta b bed . W ho w ere th ese peo ple ? W hat h ad s h e d one to th em ? T hey d id n’t k now h er. O r d id th ey ? A nd w hat k in d of co m munit y m em bers w ould se n d a fr o w n to so m eo ne lik e M ae, w ho w as w ork in g tir e le ssly w it h t h em , fo r t h em , in f u ll v ie w ? Sh e w as tr y in g to h old it to geth er. S h e sm ile d w hen sh e p asse d fe llo w C ir c le rs. S h e acce p te d th eir co ngra tu la tio ns a n d g ra tit u de, e ach tim e w onderin g w hic h o f th em w as tw o-f a ce d , w hic h o f t h em h ad p ush ed t h at f r o w n b utto n, e ach p ush o f t h at b utto n t h e p ull of a tr ig ger. T hat w as it , s h e r e aliz e d . S h e fe lt fu ll o f h ole s, a s if e v ery o ne o f th em h ad sh ot h er, f r o m b eh in d, c o w ard s f illin g h er w it h h ole s. S h e c o uld b are ly s ta n d. And th en , ju st b efo re re ach in g h er o ld b uild in g, sh e sa w A nnie . T hey h ad n’t h ad a natu ra l in te ra ctio n in m onth s, b ut im med ia te ly so m eth in g in A nnie ’s fa ce sp oke o f lig h t an d h ap pin ess. “ H ey !” s h e s a id , c a ta p ult in g h erse lf fo rw ard to ta k e M ae in a w ra p aro und hug. Mae’s ey es w ere su dden ly w et, an d sh e w ip ed th em , fe elin g silly an d ela te d an d co nfu se d . A ll h er c o nflic te d t h ough ts o f A nnie w ere , f o r a m om en t, w ash ed a w ay . “Y ou’r e d oin g w ell? ” s h e a sk ed . “I a m . I a m . S o m an y g o od th in gs h ap pen in g,” A nnie sa id . “D id y ou h ear a b out th e PastP erfe ct p ro je ct? ” Mae se n se d so m eth in g in A nnie ’s v oic e th en , an in dic a tio n th at A nnie w as ta lk in g, prim arily , t o t h e a u die n ce a ro und M ae’s n eck . M ae w en t a lo ng. “W ell, y ou t o ld m e t h e g is t b efo re . W hat’s n ew w it h P astP erfe ct, A nnie ?” While lo okin g a t A nnie , a n d a p pearin g in te re ste d in w hat A nnie w as s a y in g, M ae’s m in d was e ls e w here : H ad A nnie fr o w ned a t h er? M ay be ju st to k nock h er d ow n a n otc h ? A nd how w ould Annie f a re in a D em oxie p oll? C ould s h e b eat 9 7 p erc e n t? C ould a n yone? “O h g o sh , so m an y th in gs, M ae. A s y ou k now , P astP erfe ct h as b een in th e w ork s fo r man y y ears. It’s w hat y ou m ig h t ca ll a p assio n p ro je ct o f E am on B aile y . W hat if , h e th ough t, w e u se d th e p ow er o f th e w eb , a n d o f th e C ir c le a n d it s b illio ns o f m em bers, to tr y t o f ill in t h e g ap s in p erso nal h is to ry , a n d h is to ry g en era lly ?” Mae, se ein g h er fr ie n d tr y in g so h ard , co uld d o n oth in g b ut tr y to m atc h h er g lo ssy en th usia sm . “W hoa, th at so unds in cre d ib le . L ast w e ta lk ed , th ey w ere lo okin g fo r a p io neer to b e th e f ir st t o h av e t h eir a n ce str y m ap ped . D id t h ey f in d t h at p erso n?” “W ell, th ey d id , M ae, I’m g la d y ou a sk ed . T hey fo und th at p erso n, a n d th at p erso n is me.” “O h, r ig h t. S o t h ey r e ally d id n’t c h oose y et? ” “N o, re ally ,” A nnie sa id , h er v oic e lo w erin g, an d su dden ly so undin g m ore lik e th e actu al A nnie . T hen s h e b rig h te n ed a gain , r is in g a n o cta v e. “ It’s m e!” Mae h ad b eco m e p ra ctic e d in w ait in g b efo re s p eak in g— tr a n sp are n cy h ad ta u gh t h er to measu re ev ery w ord — an d n ow , in ste ad o f sa y in g, “I exp ecte d it to b e so m e n ew bie , so m eo ne w it h out a w hole lo t o f e xp erie n ce . O r a t t h e v ery le ast a s tr iv er, s o m eo ne t r y in g to m ak e s o m e P artiR an k le ap s, o r c u rry f a v or w it h t h e W is e M en . B ut y ou?” S h e r e aliz e d th at A nnie w as, o r f e lt s h e w as, in a p osit io n w here s h e n eed ed a b oost, a n e d ge. A nd t h us sh e’d v olu nte ere d . “Y ou v olu nte ere d ?” “I d id . I d id ,” A nnie sa id , lo okin g a t M ae b ut u tte rly th ro ugh h er. “ T he m ore I h eard ab out it , th e m ore I w an te d to b e th e y rst. A s y ou k now , b ut y our w atc h ers m ig h t n ot, my fa m ily c a m e h ere o n th e Mayflo w er ”— an d h ere s h e r o lle d h er e y es— “a n d th ough w e hav e s o m e h ig h -w ate r m ark s in o ur f a m ily h is to ry , t h ere ’s s o m uch I d on’t k now .” Mae w as s p eech le ss. A nnie h ad g o ne h ay w ir e . “ A nd e v ery one’s o nboard w it h t h is ? Y our pare n ts ? ” “T hey ’r e s o e xcit e d . I g u ess th ey ’v e a lw ay s b een p ro ud o f o ur h erit a ge, a n d th e a b ilit y to s h are it w it h p eo ple , a n d a lo ng t h e w ay y nd o ut a b it a b out t h e h is to ry o f t h e c o untr y , well, it a p peale d t o t h em . S p eak in g o f p are n ts , h ow a re y ours? ” My g o d, th is w as str a n ge, M ae th ough t. T here w ere so m an y la y ers to a ll th is , a n d while h er m in d w as c o untin g t h em , m ap pin g t h em a n d n am in g t h em , h er f a ce a n d m outh had t o c a rry o n t h is c o nversa tio n. “T hey ’r e y ne,” M ae s a id , e v en t h ough s h e k new , a n d A nnie k new , t h at M ae h ad n’t b een in to uch w it h th em in w eek s. T hey h ad se n t w ord , th ro ugh a co usin , o f th eir h ealt h , whic h w as y ne, b ut th ey h ad le ft th eir h om e, “ { eein g” w as th e o nly w ord th ey u se d in th eir b rie f m essa ge, t e llin g M ae n ot t o w orry a b out a n yth in g. Mae w ra p ped u p th e c o nversa tio n w it h A nnie a n d w alk ed slo w ly , fo ggy -h ead ed , b ack th ro ugh c a m pus, k now in g A nnie w as s a tis y ed in h ow s h e’d c o m munic a te d h er n ew s, a n d tr u m ped an d th oro ugh ly co nfu se d M ae, all in one brie f en co unte r. A nnie had been ap poin te d th e ce n te r o f P astP erfe ct a n d M ae h ad n’t b een to ld , a n d w as m ad e to lo ok id io tic . C erta in ly t h at w ould h av e b een A nnie ’s g o al. A nd w hy Annie ? It d id n’t m ak e s e n se to g o to A nnie , w hen it w ould h av e b een e asie r to h av e M ae d o it ; M ae w as a lr e ad y tr a n sp are n t. Mae re aliz e d th at A nnie had ask ed fo r th is . Begged th e W is e M en fo r th is . H er pro xim it y to th em h ad m ad e it p ossib le . A nd s o M ae w as n ot a s c lo se a s s h e’d im agin ed ; Annie still h eld so m e p artic u la r sta tu s. A gain A nnie ’s lin eage, h er h ead sta rt, th e v arie d an d a n cie n t a d van ta ges s h e e n jo yed , w ere k eep in g M ae s e co nd. A lw ay s s e co nd, lik e s h e was so m e k in d o f lit tle sis te r w ho n ev er h ad a ch an ce o f su cce ed in g a n o ld er, a lw ay s old er sib lin g. M ae w as tr y in g to re m ain ca lm , b ut m essa ges w ere co m in g th ro ugh h er wris t t h at m ad e c le ar h er v ie w ers w ere s e ein g h er f r u str a tio n, h er d is tr a ctio n. Sh e n eed ed t o b re ath e. S h e n eed ed t o t h in k. B ut t h ere w as t o o m uch in h er h ead . T here was A nnie ’s lu dic ro us g am esm an sh ip . T here w as th is rid ic u lo us P astP erfe ct th in g, w hic h sh ould h av e g o ne to M ae. W as it b eca u se M ae’s p are n ts h ad slip ped o th e p ath ? A nd where were h er p are n ts , a n yw ay ? W hy w ere t h ey s a b ota gin g e v ery th in g M ae w as w ork in g fo r? B ut w hat w as s h e w ork in g fo r, a n yw ay , if 3 68 C ir c le rs d id n’t a p pro ve o f h er? T hre e hundre d an d six ty -e ig h t p eo ple w ho ap pare n tly activ ely h ate d h er, en ough to p ush a butto n at her— to se n d th eir lo ath in g dir e ctly to her, know in g sh e w ould know , im med ia te ly , th eir se n tim en ts . A nd w hat ab out th is ce llu la r m uta tio n so m e Sco ttis h sc ie n tis t w as w orrie d a b out? A c a n ce ro us m uta tio n th at m ig h t b e h ap pen in g in sid e M ae, pro voked b y m is ta k es in h er d ie t? H ad th at r e ally h ap pen ed ? A nd s h it , M ae th ough t, h er th ro at tig h te n in g, d id s h e r e ally s e n d a fr o w n to a g ro up o f h eav ily a rm ed p ara m ilit a rie s in Guate m ala ? W hat if th ey had co nta cts here ? Certa in ly th ere w ere ple n ty of Guate m ala n s in C alif o rn ia , a n d c e rta in ly t h ey w ould b e m ore t h an h ap py t o h av e a t r o phy lik e M ae, t o p unis h h er f o r h er oppro briu m . F uck , s h e t h ough t. F uck . T here w as a p ain in her, a p ain th at w as s p re ad in g it s b la ck w in gs in sid e h er. A nd it w as c o m in g, p rim arily , fr o m t h e 3 68 p eo ple w ho a p pare n tly h ate d h er s o m uch t h ey w an te d h er g o ne. I t w as o ne th in g t o s e n d a f r o w n t o C en tr a l A m eric a , b ut t o s e n d o ne ju st a cro ss c a m pus? W ho w ould do t h at? W hy w as t h ere s o m uch a n im osit y in t h e w orld ? A nd t h en it o ccu rre d t o h er, in a brie f a n d b la sp hem ous { ash : s h e d id n’t wan t to k now h ow th ey fe lt . T he { ash o pen ed u p in to so m eth in g la rg er, a n e v en m ore b la sp hem ous n otio n th at h er b ra in co nta in ed to o much . T hat th e v olu m e o f in fo rm atio n, o f d ata , o f ju dgm en ts , o f m easu re m en ts , w as to o much , a n d th ere w ere to o m an y p eo ple , a n d to o m an y d esir e s o f to o m an y p eo ple , a n d to o m an y o pin io ns o f to o m an y p eo ple , a n d to o m uch p ain fr o m to o m an y p eo ple , a n d hav in g a ll o f it c o nsta n tly c o lla te d , c o lle cte d , a d ded a n d a ggre gate d , a n d p re se n te d t o h er as if th at a ll m ad e it tid ie r a n d m ore m an ageab le — it w as to o m uch . B ut n o. N o, it w as not, h er b ette r b ra in c o rre cte d . N o. Y ou’r e h urt b y th ese 3 68 p eo ple . T his w as th e tr u th . Sh e w as h urt b y t h em , b y t h e 3 68 v ote s t o k ill h er. E very o ne o f t h em p re fe rre d h er d ead . If o nly s h e d id n’t k now a b out th is . If o nly s h e c o uld r e tu rn to lif e b efo re th is 3 p erc e n t, when sh e co uld w alk th ro ugh ca m pus, w av in g, sm ilin g, ch attin g id ly , eatin g, sh arin g hum an c o nta ct, w it h out k now in g w hat w as d eep in t h e h earts o f t h e 3 p erc e n t. T o f r o w n at h er, t o s tic k t h eir y ngers a t t h at b utto n, t o s h oot h er t h at w ay , it w as a k in d o f m urd er. Mae’s w ris t w as { ash in g w it h d oze n s o f m essa ges o f c o nce rn . W it h h elp f r o m t h e c a m pus SeeC han ge c a m era s, w atc h ers w ere n otic in g h er sta n din g, sto ck -s till, h er fa ce c o nto rte d in to s o m e r a gin g, w re tc h ed m ask . Sh e n eed ed to d o so m eth in g. S h e w en t b ack to C E, w av ed to J are d a n d th e re st, a n d lo gged h erse lf in to t h e c h ute . In m in ute s sh e h ad h elp ed w it h a q uery fr o m a sm all je w elr y m ak er in P ra gu e, h ad ch eck ed o ut th e m ak er’s w eb sit e , h ad fo und th e w ork in tr ig u in g a n d w onderfu l a n d h ad sa id so , alo ud an d in a zin g, w hic h p ro duce d an astr o nom ic a l C onversio n R ate an d a Reta il R aw , in te n m in ute s, o f 5 2,0 98 e u ro s. S h e h elp ed a su sta in ab ly so urc e d fu rn it u re whole sa le r in N orth C aro lin a, D esig n fo r L if e , an d afte r an sw erin g th eir q uery , th ey wan te d h er to y ll o ut a c u sto m er su rv ey , w hic h w as e sp ecia lly im porta n t g iv en h er a ge an d in co m e b ra ck et— th ey n eed ed m ore in fo rm atio n a b out th e p re fe re n ce s o f c u sto m ers in h er d em ogra p hic . S h e d id t h at, a n d a ls o c o m men te d o n a s e rie s o f p hoto s h er c o nta ct a t Desig n fo r L if e , S h erile e F ro nte au , h ad se n t h er o f h er so n a t h is y rst T -b all p ra ctic e . When M ae c o m men te d o n th ose p hoto s, sh e re ce iv ed a m essa ge fr o m S h erile e th an kin g Mae, a n d in sis tin g t h at s h e c o m e t o C hap el H ill s o m etim e, t o s e e T yle r in p erso n a n d e at so m e g en uin e b arb ecu e. M ae a gre ed s h e w ould , f e elin g v ery g o od t o h av e t h is n ew f r ie n d on th e o pposit e c o ast, a n d m oved o n to h er s e co nd m essa ge, fr o m a c lie n t, J erry U lr ic h , in G ra n d R ap id s, M ic h ig an , w ho ra n a re fr ig era te d tr u ck co m pan y. H e w an te d M ae to fo rw ard a m essa ge to e v ery one o n h er lis t a b out th e c o m pan y’s s e rv ic e s, th at th ey w ere tr y in g very hard to in cre ase th eir pre se n ce in Calif o rn ia , an d an y help w ould be ap pre cia te d . M ae zin ged h im th at sh e w ould te ll e v ery one sh e k new , sta rtin g w it h th e 14,6 11,0 02 f o llo w ers s h e h ad , a n d h e s e n t w ord b ack t h at h e w as t h rille d t o h av e b een s o in tr o duce d , a n d th at h e w elc o m ed b usin ess o r c o m men ts fr o m a ll 1 4,6 11,0 02 p eo ple — 1,5 56 o f w hom in sta n tly g re ete d J erry a n d s a id th ey , to o, w ould s p re ad th e w ord . T hen , as he w as en jo yin g th e { ood of m essa ges, he ask ed M ae how his nie ce , w ho w as gra d uatin g f r o m E aste rn M ic h ig an U niv ersit y in t h e s p rin g, m ig h t g o a b out g ettin g a jo b a t th e C ir c le ; it w as h er d re am t o w ork t h ere , a n d s h ould s h e m ove o ut w est t o b e c lo se r, o r sh ould s h e h ope t o g et a n in te rv ie w b ase d o n h er r é su m é a lo ne? M ae d ir e cte d h im t o t h e HR d ep artm en t, a n d g av e h im s o m e h in ts o f h er o w n. S h e a d ded t h e n ie ce t o h er c o nta ct lis t, a n d m ad e a n ote to k eep tr a ck o f h er p ro gre ss, if s h e in deed a p plie d fo r w ork th ere . One c u sto m er, H ecto r C asilla o f O rla n do, F lo rid a, to ld M ae a b out h is in te re st in b ir d in g, se n t h er so m e o f h is p hoto s, w hic h M ae p ra is e d an d ad ded to h er o w n p hoto clo ud. Hecto r a sk ed h er to r a te th em , fo r th is m ig h t g et h im n otic e d in th e p hoto -s h arin g g ro up he w as tr y in g to jo in . Sh e d id so , an d h e w as ecsta tic . W it h in m in ute s, H ecto r sa id , so m eo ne in h is p hoto -s h arin g g ro up h ad b een d eep ly im pre sse d t h at a n a ctu al C ir c le r w as aw are o f h is w ork , so H ecto r th an ked M ae a gain . H e se n t h er a n in vit a tio n to a g ro up exh ib it io n h e w as p art o f th at w in te r, in M ia m i B each , a n d M ae s a id if s h e fo und h erse lf dow n t h at w ay in J an uary , s h e w ould c e rta in ly a tte n d, a n d H ecto r, p erh ap s m is c o nstr u in g th e le v el o f h er in te re st, c o nnecte d h er w it h h is c o usin , N ata lia , w ho o w ned a b ed a n d bre ak fa st o nly f o rty m in ute s f r o m M ia m i, a n d w ho c o uld a b so lu te ly g et M ae a d eal if s h e ch ose t o c o m e o ut— her f r ie n ds, t o o, w ere w elc o m e. N ata lia t h en s e n t a m essa ge, w it h t h e B& B’s ra te s, w hic h , sh e n ote d , w ere { exib le if sh e w an te d to sta y d urin g th e w eek . Nata lia fo llo w ed u p a m om en t la te r w it h a lo ng m essa ge, fu ll o f lin ks to a rtic le s a n d im ages of th e M ia m i are a, elu cid atin g th e m an y activ it ie s possib le in w in te r— sp ort ysh in g, je t-s k iin g, dan cin g. M ae w ork ed on, fe elin g th e fa m ilia r te ar, th e gro w in g bla ck ness, b ut w ork in g t h ro ugh it , k illin g it , u ntil s h e f in ally n otic e d t h e t im e: 1 0:3 2. Sh e’d b een in C E fo r o ver fo ur h ours. S h e w alk ed to th e d orm s, fe elin g fa r b ette r, fe elin g ca lm , a n d fo und F ra n cis in b ed , w ork in g on h is ta b le t, p astin g h is fa ce in to h is fa v orit e m ovie s. “C heck th is o ut,” h e sa id , a n d sh ow ed h er a se q uen ce fr o m a n a ctio n movie w here , in ste ad of Bru ce W illis , th e pro ta go nis t now se em ed to be Fra n cis Gara v en ta . T he so ftw are w as n ear-p erfe ct, F ra n cis sa id , a n d co uld b e o pera te d b y a n y ch ild . T he C ir c le h ad ju st p urc h ase d it f r o m a t h re e-p erso n s ta rtu p o ut o f C open hagen . “I g u ess y ou’l l s e e m ore n ew s tu to m orro w ,” F ra n cis s a id , a n d M ae r e m em bere d th e meetin g w it h t h e p la n kto n p it c h ers. “ It’l l b e f u n. S o m etim es t h e id eas a re e v en g o od. A nd sp eak in g o f g o od id eas … ” A nd t h en F ra n cis p ulle d h er d ow n t o h im , a n d k is se d h er, a n d pulle d her hip s in to him , an d fo r a m om en t sh e th ough t th ey w ere ab out to hav e so m eth in g lik e a re al se xu al e xp erie n ce , b ut ju st w hen sh e w as ta k in g o h er sh ir t, sh e sa w F ra n cis c le n ch h is e y es a n d je rk fo rw ard , a n d s h e k new h e w as a lr e ad y d one. A fte r ch an gin g a n d b ru sh in g h is t e eth , h e a sk ed M ae t o r a te h im , a n d s h e g av e h im a 1 00. Mae o pen ed h er ey es. It w as 4 :1 7 a.m . F ra n cis w as tu rn ed aw ay fr o m h er, sle ep in g so undle ssly . S h e c lo se d h er e y es, b ut c o uld th in k o nly o f th e 3 68 p eo ple w ho— it s e em ed se lf -e v id en t n ow — would ra th er sh e’d n ev er b een b orn . S h e h ad to g et b ack in to th e C E ch ute . S h e s a t u p. “W hat’s t h e m atte r? ” F ra n cis s a id . Sh e t u rn ed t o f in d h im s ta rin g a t h er. “N oth in g. J u st t h is D em oxie v ote t h in g.” “Y ou c a n ’t w orry a b out t h at. I t’s a f e w h undre d p eo ple .” He r e ach ed fo r M ae’s b ack , a n d, a tte m ptin g to c o m fo rt h er fr o m th e o th er s id e o f th e bed , a ch ie v ed m ore o f a w ip in g m otio n a cro ss h er w ais t. “B ut w ho?” M ae s a id . “ N ow I h av e t o w alk a ro und c a m pus n ot k now in g w ho w an ts m e dead .” Fra n cis s a t u p. “ S o w hy d on’t y ou c h eck ?” “C heck w hat? ” “W ho f r o w ned a t y ou. W here d o y ou t h in k y ou a re ? T he e ig h te en th c e n tu ry ? T his is t h e Cir c le . Y ou c a n f in d o ut w ho f r o w ned a t y ou.” “It’s t r a n sp are n t? ” In sta n tly M ae f e lt s illy e v en a sk in g. “Y ou w an t m e to lo ok?” F ra n cis sa id , a n d in se co nds h e w as o n h is ta b le t, sc ro llin g. “H ere ’s th e lis t. It’s p ublic — th at’s th e w hole th in g w it h D em oxie .” H is e y es n arro w ed a s he r e ad t h e lis t. “ O h, t h at o ne’s n o s u rp ris e .” “W hat? ” M ae s a id , h er h eart ju m pin g. “ W ho?” “M r. P ortu gal.” “A lis ta ir ? ” Mae’s h ead w as o n f ir e . “F uck er,” F ra n cis s a id . “ W hate v er. F uck h im . Y ou w an t th e w hole lis t? ” F ra n cis tu rn ed th e ta b le t to h er, b ut b efo re sh e k new w hat sh e w as d oin g, sh e w as b ack in g a w ay , h er ey es c le n ch ed . S h e s to od in t h e c o rn er o f t h e r o om , c o verin g h er f a ce w it h h er a rm s. “W hoa,” F ra n cis s a id . “ It’s n ot s o m e r a b id a n im al. T hey ’r e ju st n am es o n a lis t.” “S to p,” M ae s a id . “M ost o f th ese p eo ple p ro bab ly d id n’t e v en m ean it . A nd s o m e o f th ese p eo ple I kn ow actu ally lik e y ou.” “S to p. S to p.” “O kay , o kay . Y ou w an t m e t o c le ar t h e s c re en ?” “P le ase .” Fra n cis c o m plie d . Mae w en t in to t h e b ath ro om a n d c lo se d t h e d oor. “M ae?” F ra n cis w as o n t h e o th er s id e. Sh e t u rn ed o n t h e s h ow er a n d t o ok o ff h er c lo th es. “C an I c o m e in ?” Under th e p oundin g w ate r, M ae fe lt c a lm er. S h e re ach ed th e w all a n d tu rn ed o n th e lig h t. S h e sm ile d , th in kin g h er re actio n to th e lis t w as fo olis h . O f co u rse th e v ote s w ere public . W it h a ctu al d em ocra cy , a p ure r k in d o f d em ocra cy , p eo ple w ould b e u nafr a id to ca st th eir v ote s, a n d, m ore im porta n tly , u nafr a id to b e h eld a cco unta b le fo r th ose v ote s. It w as u p to h er, n ow , to k now w ho th ose w ho fr o w ned a t h er w ere , a n d to w in th em over. M ay be n ot im med ia te ly . S h e n eed ed tim e b efo re sh e’d b e re ad y, b ut sh e w ould know — sh e n eed ed to k now , it w as h er r e sp onsib ilit y to k now — an d o nce s h e k new , th e work to co rre ct th e 368 w ould be sim ple an d honest. Sh e w as noddin g, an d sm ile d re aliz in g s h e w as a lo ne in t h e s h ow er, n oddin g. B ut s h e c o uld n’t h elp it . T he e le gan ce o f it all, th e id eo lo gic a l p urit y o f th e C ir c le , o f r e al tr a n sp are n cy , g av e h er p eace , a w arm in g fe elin g o f lo gic a n d o rd er. The g ro up w as a g o rg eo us ra in bow c o alit io n o f y outh , d re ad lo ck s a n d fr e ck le s, e y es o f blu e a n d g re en a n d b ro w n. T hey w ere a ll s it tin g f o rw ard , t h eir f a ce s a lig h t. E ach h ad f o ur min ute s to p re se n t h is o r h er id ea to th e C ir c le b ra in tr u st, in clu din g B aile y a n d S te n to n, who w ere in t h e r o om , t a lk in g in te n tly t o o th er m em bers o f t h e G an g o f 4 0, a n d T y, w ho was a p pearin g v ia v id eo f e ed . H e s a t s o m ew here e ls e , in a b la n k w hit e r o om , w earin g h is oversiz e d h oodie a n d sta rin g, n ot b ore d a n d n ot v is ib ly in te re ste d , in to th e c a m era a n d in to th e ro om . A nd it w as h e, as m uch o r m ore th an an y o th er W is e M en o r se n io r Cir c le rs, t h at t h e p re se n te rs w an te d t o im pre ss. T hey w ere h is c h ild re n , in s o m e s e n se : a ll of t h em m otiv ate d b y h is s u cce ss, h is y outh , h is a b ilit y t o s e e id eas in to e xecu tio n, w hile re m ain in g h im se lf , p erfe ctly a lo of a n d y et fu rio usly p ro ductiv e. T hey w an te d th at, to o, an d t h ey w an te d t h e m oney t h ey k new w en t a lo ng w it h t h e r o le . This w as th e a sse m bly K ald en h ad b een ta lk in g a b out, w here , h e w as ce rta in , th ere would b e a m axim um v ie w in g a u die n ce , a n d w here , h e in sis te d , M ae sh ould te ll a ll h er watc h ers t h at t h e C ir c le c o uld n ot c o m ple te , t h at C om ple tio n w ould le ad t o s o m e k in d o f arm aged don. S h e h ad n ot h eard fr o m h im sin ce th at c o nversa tio n in th e b ath ro om , a n d sh e w as g la d f o r it . N ow s h e w as s u re , m ore t h an e v er, t h at h e w as s o m e k in d o f h ack er- sp y, s o m eo ne fr o m a w ould -b e c o m petit o r, tr y in g to tu rn M ae a n d w hoev er e ls e a gain st th e c o m pan y, t o b lo w it u p f r o m w it h in . Sh e sh ook a ll th ough ts o f h im fr o m h er m in d. T his fo ru m w ould b e g o od, sh e k new . Doze n s o f C ir c le rs h ad b een h ir e d th is w ay : th ey c a m e to c a m pus a s a sp ir a n ts , p re se n te d an id ea, a n d th at id ea w as b ough t o n th e s p ot a n d th e a sp ir a n t w as th ere afte r e m plo yed . Jare d had been hir e d th is w ay , M ae knew , an d G in a, to o. It w as one of th e m ore gla m oro us w ay s t o a rriv e a t t h e c o m pan y: t o p it c h a n id ea, h av e it a cq uir e d , b e r e w ard ed wit h e m plo ym en t a n d s to ck o ptio ns a n d s e e t h eir id ea e xecu te d in s h ort o rd er. Mae e xp la in ed a ll o f th is to h er w atc h ers a s th e ro om se ttle d . T here w ere a b out y fty Cir c le rs, th e W is e M en , th e G an g o f 4 0 a n d a fe w a ssis ta n ts in th e ro om , a ll o f th em fa cin g a r o w o f a sp ir a n ts , a fe w of th em s till in th eir te en s, e ach o f th em s it tin g, w ait in g fo r h is o r h er t u rn . “T his w ill b e v ery e xcit in g,” M ae s a id to h er w atc h ers. “ A s y ou k now , th is is th e y rst tim e w e’v e b ro ad ca st a n A sp ir a n t s e ssio n.” S h e a lm ost s a id “ p la n kto n” a n d w as h ap py to hav e c a u gh t th e slu r b efo re u tte rin g it . S h e g la n ce d d ow n a t h er w ris t. T here w ere 2 .1 millio n w atc h ers, t h ough s h e e xp ecte d t h at t o c lim b q uic k ly . The y rst s tu den t, F ais a l, lo oked n o m ore th an tw en ty . H is s k in g lo w ed lik e la cq uere d wood, a n d h is p ro posa l w as e xce ed in gly sim ple : in ste ad o f h av in g e n dle ss m in i-b attle s over w heth er o r n ot a g iv en p erso n’s s p en din g a ctiv it y c o uld o r c o uld n ot b e t r a ck ed , w hy not m ak e a deal w it h th em ? For hig h ly desir a b le co nsu m ers, if th ey agre ed to use Cir c le M oney fo r all th eir purc h ase s, an d agre ed to m ak e th eir sp en din g hab it s an d pre fe re n ce s acce ssib le to C ir c le P artn ers, th en th e C ir c le w ould giv e th em dis c o unts , poin ts , a n d r e b ate s a t t h e e n d o f e ach m onth . I t w ould b e lik e g ettin g f r e q uen t { yer m ile s fo r u sin g t h e s a m e c re d it c a rd . Mae knew sh e w ould perso nally sig n up fo r su ch a pla n , an d assu m ed th at, by exte n sio n, s o w ould m illio ns m ore . “V ery in tr ig u in g,” S te n to n sa id , a n d M ae w ould la te r le arn th at w hen h e sa id “v ery in tr ig u in g” h e m ean t t h at h e w ould p urc h ase t h at id ea a n d h ir e it s in ven to r. The se co nd n otio n c a m e fr o m a n A fr ic a n -A m eric a n w om an o f a b out tw en ty -t w o. H er nam e w as B elin da a n d h er id ea, s h e s a id , w ould e lim in ate r a cia l p ro y lin g b y p olic e a n d air p ort se cu rit y o } ce rs. M ae began noddin g; th is w as w hat sh e lo ved ab out her gen era tio n— th e ab ilit y to se e th e so cia l-ju stic e ap plic a tio ns to th e C ir c le an d ad dre ss th em su rg ic a lly . B elin da bro ugh t up a vid eo fe ed of a b usy u rb an str e et w it h a fe w hundre d p eo ple v is ib le a n d w alk in g to a n d fr o m th e c a m era , u naw are th ey w ere b ein g watc h ed . “E very day , polic e pull over peo ple fo r w hat’s know n as ‘d riv in g w hile bla ck ’ or ‘d riv in g w hile b ro w n,’ ” B elin da sa id e v en ly , “A nd e v ery d ay , y oung A fr ic a n -A m eric a n men a re s to pped in th e s tr e et, th ro w n a gain st a w all, fr is k ed , s tr ip ped o f th eir r ig h ts a n d dig n it y .” And fo r a m om en t M ae th ough t o f M erc e r, a n d w is h ed h e c o uld b e h earin g th is . Y es, so m etim es s o m e o f th e a p plic a tio ns o f th e in te rn et c o uld b e a b it c ra ss a n d c o m merc ia l, but fo r ev ery one co m merc ia l ap plic a tio n, th ere w ere th re e lik e th is , pro activ e ap plic a tio ns t h at u se d t h e p ow er o f t h e t e ch nolo gy t o im pro ve h um an it y . Belin da co ntin ued : “T hese p ra ctic e s o nly cre ate m ore an im osit y b etw een p eo ple o f co lo r a n d th e p olic e . S ee th is cro w d? It’s m ostly y oung m en o f co lo r, rig h t? A p olic e cru is e r g o es b y a n a re a lik e th is , a n d th ey ’r e a ll s u sp ects , r ig h t? E very o ne o f th ese m en mig h t b e s to pped , s e arc h ed , d is re sp ecte d . B ut it d oesn ’t h av e t o b e t h at w ay .” Now , o n-s c re en , a m id th e c ro w d, th re e o f th e m en in th e p ic tu re w ere g lo w in g o ra n ge an d r e d . T hey c o ntin ued to w alk , to a ct n orm ally , b ut n ow th ey w ere b ath ed in c o lo r, a s if a s p otlig h t, w it h c o lo re d g els , w as s in glin g t h em o ut. “T he t h re e m en y ou s e e in o ra n ge a n d r e d a re r e p eat o en ders. O ra n ge in dic a te s a lo w – le v el c rim in al— a g u y c o nvic te d o f p etty th efts , d ru g p osse ssio n, n onvio le n t a n d la rg ely vic tim le ss crim es.” T here w ere tw o m en in th e fr a m e w ho h ad b een co lo re d o ra n ge. Walk in g c lo se r to th e c a m era , th ough , w as a n in nocu ous-e n ough se em in g m an o f a b out yfty , g lo w in g r e d fr o m h ead to to e. “ T he m an s ig n alin g r e d , th ough , h as b een c o nvic te d of v io le n t crim es. T his m an h as b een fo und g u ilt y o f a rm ed ro bbery , a tte m pte d ra p e, re p eate d a ssa u lt s .” Mae t u rn ed t o f in d S te n to n’s f a ce r a p t, h is m outh s lig h tly o pen . Belin da c o ntin ued . “ W e’r e s e ein g w hat a n o } ce r w ould s e e if h e w ere e q uip ped w it h SeeY ou. It’s a s im ple e n ough s y ste m th at w ork s th ro ugh a n y r e tin al. H e d oesn ’t h av e to do a th in g. H e sc a n s an y cro w d, an d h e im med ia te ly se es all th e p eo ple w it h p rio r co nvic tio ns. Im agin e if you’r e a co p in N ew Y ork . Su dden ly a cit y of eig h t m illio n beco m es in fin it e ly m ore m an ageab le w hen y ou k now w here t o f o cu s y our e n erg ie s.” Ste n to n s p oke. “ H ow d o t h ey k now ? S o m e k in d o f c h ip ?” “M ay be,” B elin da s a id . “ It c o uld b e a c h ip , if w e c o uld g et t h at t o h ap pen . O r e ls e , e v en easie r w ould b e t o a tta ch a b ra ce le t. T hey ’v e b een u sin g a n kle b ra ce le ts f o r d eca d es n ow . So y ou m odif y it so th e b ra ce le t c a n b e re ad b y th e re tin als , a n d p ro vid es th e tr a ck in g ca p ab ilit y . O f c o urse ,” s h e s a id , lo okin g t o M ae w it h a w arm s m ile , “ y ou c o uld a ls o a p ply Fra n cis ’s t e ch nolo gy , a n d m ak e it a c h ip . B ut t h at w ould t a k e s o m e le gal d oin g, I e xp ect.” Ste n to n le an ed b ack . “ M ay be, m ay be n ot.” “W ell, o bvio usly t h at w ould b e id eal,” B elin da s a id . “ A nd it w ould b e p erm an en t. Y ou’d alw ay s know w ho th e o en ders w ere , w here as th e bra ce le t is still su bje ct to so m e ta m perin g a n d re m oval. A nd th en th ere a re th ose w ho m ig h t sa y it sh ould b e re m oved afte r a c e rta in p erio d. T he v io la to rs e xp unged .” “I h ate t h at n otio n,” S te n to n s a id . “ It’s t h e c o m munit y ’s r ig h t t o k now w ho’s c o m mit te d crim es. It ju st m ak es s e n se . T his is h ow th ey ’v e b een h an dlin g s e x o en ders fo r d eca d es. You c o m mit s e xu al o en se s, y ou b eco m e p art o f a r e gis tr y . Y our a d dre ss b eco m es p ublic , you h av e to w alk th e n eig h borh ood, in tr o duce y ourse lf , a ll th at, b eca u se p eo ple h av e a rig h t t o k now w ho liv es in t h eir m id st.” Belin da w as n oddin g. “ R ig h t, r ig h t. O f c o urse . A nd s o , f o r la ck o f a b ette r w ord , y ou t a g th e co nvic ts , a n d fr o m th en o n, if y ou’r e a p olic e o } ce r, in ste ad o f d riv in g d ow n th e str e et, s h ak in g d ow n a n yone w ho h ap pen s to b e b la ck o r b ro w n o r w earin g b aggy p an ts , im agin e in ste ad y ou w ere u sin g a r e tin al a p p t h at s a w c a re er c rim in als in d is tin ct c o lo rs— yello w fo r lo w -le v el o en ders, ora n ge fo r nonvio le n t but slig h tly m ore dan gero us offe n ders, a n d r e d f o r t h e t r u ly v io le n t.” Now S te n to n w as le an in g fo rw ard . “T ak e it a ste p fu rth er. In te llig en ce a gen cie s ca n in sta n tly c re ate a w eb o f a ll o f a su sp ect’s c o nta cts , c o -c o nsp ir a to rs. It ta k es se co nds. I wonder if th ere c o uld b e v aria tio ns o n th e c o lo r s c h em e, to ta k e in to a cco unt th ose w ho mig h t b e k now n asso cia te s o f a c rim in al, e v en if th ey h av en ’t p erso nally b een a rre ste d o r co nvic te d y et. A s y ou k now , a lo t o f m ob b osse s a re n ev er c o nvic te d o f a n yth in g.” Belin da w as n oddin g v ig o ro usly . “ Y es. A bso lu te ly ,” s h e s a id . “ A nd in t h ose c a se s, y ou’d be u sin g a m obile d ev ic e to ta g th at p erso n, g iv en y ou w ould n’t h av e th e b en e y t o f a co nvic tio n t o e n su re t h e m an dato ry c h ip o r b ra ce le t.” “R ig h t. R ig h t,” S te n to n s a id . “ T here a re p ossib ilit ie s t h ere , t h ough . G ood t h in gs t o t h in k ab out. I ’m in tr ig u ed .” Belin da g lo w ed , s a t d ow n, f e ig n ed n onch ala n ce b y s m ilin g a t G are th , t h e n ext a sp ir a n t, who s to od u p, n erv ous a n d b lin kin g. H e w as a t a ll m an w it h c a n ta lo upe-c o lo re d h air , a n d now t h at h e h ad t h e r o om ’s a tte n tio n, h e g rin ned s h yly , c ro oked ly . “W ell, f o r b ette r o r w orse , m y id ea w as s im ila r t o B elin da’s . O nce w e r e aliz e d w e w ere work in g o n sim ila r n otio ns, w e c o lla b ora te d a b it . T he m ain c o m monalit y is th at w e’r e both in te re ste d in sa fe ty . M y pla n , I th in k, w ould elim in ate crim e blo ck by blo ck , neig h borh ood b y n eig h borh ood.” He s to od b efo re th e s c re en , a n d r e v eale d a r e n derin g o f a s m all n eig h borh ood o f fo ur blo ck s, tw en ty – y ve h ouse s. B rig h t g re en lin es d en ote d th e b uild in gs, a llo w in g v ie w ers to se e in sid e; it r e m in ded M ae o f h eat-r e ad in g v is u al d is p la y s. “It’s b ase d o n th e n eig h borh ood w atc h m odel, w here g ro ups o f n eig h bors lo ok o ut fo r each o th er, a n d re p ort a n y a n om alo us b eh av io r. W it h N eig h borW atc h — th at’s m y n am e fo r th is , th ough it co uld b e ch an ged o f co urse — we le v era ge th e p ow er o f SeeC han ge sp eci y ca lly , an d th e C ir c le gen era lly , to m ak e th e co m mit tin g o f a crim e, an y crim e, extr e m ely d if fic u lt in a f u lly p artic ip atin g n eig h borh ood.” He p ush ed a b utto n a n d n ow th e h ouse s w ere fu ll o f y gu re s, tw o o r th re e o r fo ur in each b uild in g, all o f th em co lo re d b lu e. T hey m oved aro und in th eir d ig it a l k it c h en s, bed ro om s, a n d b ack yard s. “O kay , a s y ou c a n s e e, h ere a re t h e r e sid en ts o f t h e n eig h borh ood, a ll g o in g a b out t h eir busin ess. T hey ’r e r e n dere d b lu e h ere , b eca u se t h ey ’v e a ll r e gis te re d w it h N eig h borW atc h , an d th eir p rin ts , re tin as, p hones an d ev en b ody p ro y le h av e b een m em oriz e d b y th e sy ste m .” “T his is t h e v ie w a n y r e sid en t c a n s e e?” S te n to n a sk ed . “E xactly . T his is t h eir h om e d is p la y .” “Im pre ssiv e,” S te n to n s a id . “ I’m a lr e ad y in tr ig u ed .” “S o a s y ou c a n s e e, a ll is w ell in t h e n eig h borh ood. E very one w ho’s t h ere is s u ppose d t o be t h ere . B ut n ow w e s e e w hat h ap pen s w hen a n u nknow n p erso n a rriv es.” A y gu re , c o lo re d r e d , a p peare d , a n d w alk ed u p t o t h e d oor o f o ne o f t h e h ouse s. G are th tu rn ed t o t h e a u die n ce a n d r a is e d h is e y eb ro w s. “T he sy ste m doesn ’t know th is m an , so he’s re d . Any new perso n en te rin g th e neig h borh ood w ould a u to m atic a lly tr ig ger th e c o m pute r. A ll th e n eig h bors w ould r e ce iv e a n otic e o n t h eir h om e a n d m obile d ev ic e s t h at a v is it o r w as in t h e n eig h borh ood. U su ally it ’s n o b ig d eal. S o m eo ne’s fr ie n d o r u ncle is d ro ppin g b y. B ut e it h er w ay , y ou c a n se e th ere ’s a n ew p erso n, a n d w here h e is .” Ste n to n w as s it tin g b ack , a s if h e k new t h e r e st o f t h e s to ry b ut w an te d t o h elp it s p eed alo ng. “ I’m a ssu m in g, t h en , t h ere ’s a w ay t o n eu tr a liz e h im .” “Y es. T he p eo ple h e’s v is it in g c a n s e n d a m essa ge to th e s y ste m s a y in g h e’s w it h th em , ID in g h im , v ouch in g f o r h im : ‘T hat’s U ncle G eo rg e.’ O r t h ey c o uld d o t h at a h ead o f t im e. So t h en h e’s t a gged b lu e a gain .” Now U ncle G eo rg e, th e y gu re o n th e sc re en , w en t fr o m re d to b lu e, a n d e n te re d th e house . “S o a ll is w ell in t h e n eig h borh ood a gain .” “U nle ss t h ere ’s a r e al in tr u der,” S te n to n p ro dded . “R ig h t. O n t h e r a re o cca sio n w hen it ’s t r u ly s o m eo ne w it h ill-in te n t … ” N ow t h e s c re en fe atu re d a r e d y gu re s ta lk in g o uts id e th e h ouse , p eerin g in th e w in dow s. “ W ell, th en th e whole n eig h borh ood w ould k now it . T hey ’d k now w here h e w as, a n d c o uld e it h er sta y aw ay , c a ll t h e p olic e , c o nfr o nt h im , w hate v er it is t h ey w an t t o d o.” “V ery g o od. V ery n ic e ,” S te n to n s a id . Gare th b eam ed . “ T han k y ou. A nd B elin da m ad e m e th in k th at, y ou k now , a n y e x-c o ns liv in g in t h e n eig h borh ood w ould r e gis te r a s r e d o r o ra n ge in a n y d is p la y . O r s o m e o th er co lo r, w here y ou’d k now th ey w ere r e sid en ts o f th e n eig h borh ood, b ut y ou’d a ls o k now th ey w ere c o nvic ts o r w hate v er.” Ste n to n n odded . “ It’s y our r ig h t t o k now .” “A bso lu te ly ,” G are th s a id . “S eem s lik e t h is s o lv es o ne o f t h e p ro ble m s o f S eeC han ge,” S te n to n s a id , “ w hic h is t h at ev en w hen t h ere a re c a m era s e v ery w here , n ot e v ery one c a n w atc h e v ery th in g. I f a c rim e is c o m mit te d a t t h re e a .m ., w ho’s w atc h in g c a m era 9 82, r ig h t? ” “R ig h t,” G are th sa id . “ S ee, th is w ay th e c a m era s a re ju st p art o f it . T he c o lo r-t a ggin g te lls y ou w ho’s a n om alo us, s o y ou o nly h av e t o p ay a tte n tio n t o t h at p artic u la r a n om aly . Of c o urse , t h e c a tc h is w heth er o r n ot t h is v io la te s a n y p riv acy la w s.” “W ell, I d on’t th in k th at’s a p ro ble m ,” S te n to n sa id . “ Y ou h av e a rig h t to k now w ho liv es o n y our s tr e et. W hat’s th e d i ere n ce b etw een th is a n d s im ply in tr o ducin g y ourse lf to e v ery one o n th e str e et? T his is ju st a m ore a d van ce d a n d th oro ugh v ersio n o f ‘g o od fe n ce s m ak e g o od n eig h bors.’ I w ould im agin e t h is w ould e lim in ate p re tty m uch a ll c rim e co m mit te d b y s tr a n gers t o a n y g iv en c o m munit y .” Mae g la n ce d a t h er b ra ce le t. S h e co uld n’t co unt th em a ll, b ut h undre d s o f w atc h ers were in sis tin g o n B elin da’s a n d G are th ’s p ro ducts , n ow . T hey a sk ed Where ? W hen ? H ow much ? Now B aile y ’s v oic e p opped t h ro ugh . “ T he o ne u nan sw ere d q uestio n, t h ough , is , w hat if th e c rim e is c o m mit te d b y s o m eo ne in sid e t h e n eig h borh ood? I n sid e t h e h ouse ?” Belin da a n d G are th lo oked to a w ell-d re sse d w om an , w it h v ery sh ort b la ck h air a n d sty lis h g la sse s. “ I g u ess t h at’s m y c u e.” S h e s to od a n d s tr a ig h te n ed h er b la ck s k ir t. “M y n am e is F in negan , an d m y is su e w as v io le n ce again st ch ild re n in th e h om e. I myse lf w as a v ic tim o f d om estic v io le n ce w hen I w as y oung,” s h e s a id , t a k in g a s e co nd t o le t th at r e gis te r. “ A nd th is c rim e, a m ong a ll o th ers, s e em s lik e th e m ost d i } cu lt th in g to pre v en t, g iv en th e p erp etr a to rs a re o ste n sib ly p art o f t h e f a m ily , r ig h t? B ut t h en I r e aliz e d th at a ll th e n ece ssa ry to ols a lr e ad y e xis t. F ir st, m ost p eo ple a lr e ad y h av e o ne o r a n oth er monit o r t h at c a n t r a ck w hen t h eir a n ger r is e s t o a d an gero us le v el. N ow , if w e c o uple t h at to ol w it h s ta n dard m otio n s e n so rs, t h en w e c a n k now im med ia te ly w hen s o m eth in g b ad is hap pen in g, o r is a b out to h ap pen . L et m e g iv e y ou a n e xam ple . H ere ’s a m otio n se n so r in sta lle d in th e k it c h en . T hese a re o fte n u se d in fa cto rie s a n d e v en r e sta u ra n t k it c h en s to se n se w heth er th e ch ef or w ork er is co m ple tin g a giv en ta sk in a sta n dard w ay . I understa n d t h e C ir c le u se s t h ese t o e n su re r e gu la rit y in m an y d ep artm en ts .” “W e d o in deed ,” B aile y s a id , p ro vokin g s o m e d is ta n t la u gh te r f r o m t h e r o om w here h e was s it tin g. Ste n to n e xp la in ed : “ W e o w n th e p ate n t fo r th at p artic u la r te ch nolo gy . D id y ou k now th at? ” Fin negan ’s f a ce { ush ed , a n d s h e s e em ed t o b e d ecid in g w heth er o r n ot t o lie . C ould s h e sa y s h e did k now ? “I w as n ot a w are o f t h at,” s h e s a id , “ b ut I ’m v ery g la d t o k now t h at n ow .” Ste n to n s e em ed im pre sse d w it h h er c o m posu re . “A s y ou k now ,” s h e c o ntin ued , “ in w ork pla ce s, a n y ir re gu la rit y o f m ovem en t o r in th e ord er of opera tio ns, an d th e co m pute r eit h er re m in ds you of w hat you m ig h t hav e fo rg o tte n , o r it lo gs th e m is ta k e fo r m an agem en t. S o I th ough t, w hy n ot u se th e sa m e motio n s e n so r t e ch nolo gy in t h e h om e, e sp ecia lly h ig h -r is k h om es, t o r e co rd a n y b eh av io r outs id e t h e n orm ?” “L ik e a s m oke d ete cto r f o r h um an s,” S te n to n s a id . “R ig h t. A sm oke d ete cto r w ill g o o if it se n se s e v en th e slig h te st in cre ase in c a rb on dio xid e. S o th is is th e s a m e id ea. I’v e in sta lle d a s e n so r h ere in th is r o om , a ctu ally , a n d wan t t o s h ow y ou h ow it s e es.” On th e sc re en b eh in d h er, a y gu re a p peare d , th e siz e a n d sh ap e o f F in negan , th ough fe atu re le ss— a b lu e-s h ad ow v ersio n o f h erse lf , m ir ro rin g h er m ovem en ts . “O kay , th is is m e. N ow w atc h m y m otio ns. If I w alk a ro und, th en th e s e n so rs s e e th at as w it h in t h e n orm .” Beh in d h er, h er f o rm r e m ain ed b lu e. “If I cu t so m e to m ato es,” F in negan sa id , m im in g th e cu ttin g o f im agin ary to m ato es, “sa m e t h in g. I t’s n orm al.” The f ig u re b eh in d h er, h er b lu e s h ad ow , m im ic k ed h er. “B ut n ow s e e w hat h ap pen s if I d o s o m eth in g v io le n t.” Fin negan r a is e d h er a rm s q uic k ly a n d b ro ugh t t h em d ow n in f r o nt o f h er, a s if h it tin g a ch ild b en eath h er. Im med ia te ly , o nsc re en , h er y gu re tu rn ed o ra n ge, a n d a lo ud a la rm wen t o ff. The a la rm w as a ra p id rh yth m ic sc re ech in g. It w as, M ae re aliz e d , fa r to o lo ud fo r a dem onstr a tio n. S h e lo oked t o S te n to n, w hose e y es w ere r o und a n d w hit e . “T urn it o ff,” h e s a id , b are ly c o ntr o llin g h is r a ge. Fin negan h ad n’t h eard h im , a n d w as g o in g a b out h er p re se n ta tio n a s if t h is w ere p art o f it , a n a cce p ta b le p art o f it . “ T hat’s t h e a la rm o f c o urse a n d— ” “T urn it o !” S te n to n y elle d , a n d th is tim e, F in negan h eard . S h e { aile d o n h er ta b le t, lo okin g f o r t h e r ig h t b utto n. Ste n to n w as lo okin g a t th e c e ilin g. “ W here is th at so und c o m in g fr o m ? H ow is it so lo ud?” The s c re ech in g c o ntin ued . H alf t h e r o om w as h old in g t h eir e ars. “T urn it o o r w e w alk o ut o f h ere ,” Ste n to n sa id , sta n din g, h is m outh sm all an d fu rio us. Fin ally F in negan f o und t h e r ig h t b utto n a n d t h e a la rm w en t s ile n t. “T hat w as a m is ta k e,” S te n to n sa id . “ Y ou d on’t p unis h th e p eo ple y ou’r e p it c h in g. D o you u ndersta n d t h at? ” Fin negan ’s e y es w ere w ild , v ib ra tin g, f illin g w it h t e ars. “ Y es, I d o.” “Y ou c o uld h av e s im ply s a id a n a la rm g o es o ff. N o n eed t o h av e t h e a la rm g o o ff. T hat’s my b usin ess le sso n f o r t o day .” “T han k y ou s ir ,” s h e s a id , h er k nuck le s w hit e a n d e n tw in ed in f r o nt o f h er. “ S h ould I g o on?” “I d on’t k now ,” S te n to n s a id , s till f u rio us. “G o a h ead , F in negan ,” B aile y s a id . “ J u st m ak e it q uic k .” “O kay ,” s h e s a id , h er v oic e s h ak in g, “ th e e sse n ce is th at th e s e n so rs w ould b e in sta lle d in ev ery ro om an d w ould be pro gra m med to know w hat w as w it h in th e norm al boundarie s, a n d w hat w as a n om alo us. S o m eth in g a n om alo us h ap pen s, t h e a la rm g o es o , an d id eally t h e a la rm a lo ne s to ps o r s lo w s w hate v er’s h ap pen in g in t h e r o om . M ean w hile , th e a u th orit ie s h av e b een n oti y ed . Y ou c o uld h ook it u p s o n eig h bors w ould b e a le rte d , to o, g iv en th ey ’d b e th e c lo se st a n d m ost lik ely to b e a b le to ste p in im med ia te ly a n d help .” “O kay . I get it ,” Ste n to n sa id . “L et’s m ove o n.” Ste n to n m ean t move on to th e n ex t pre se n te r , b ut F in negan , s h ow in g a d m ir a b le r e so lv e, c o ntin ued . “O f co urse , if you co m bin e all th ese te ch nolo gie s, you’r e ab le to quic k ly en su re beh av io ra l n orm s in a n y c o nte xt. T hin k o f p ris o ns a n d s c h ools . I m ean , I w en t to a h ig h sc h ool w it h fo ur th ousa n d stu den ts , an d o nly tw en ty k id s w ere tr o uble m ak ers. I co uld im agin e if te ach ers w ere w earin g re tin als , a n d c o uld se e th e re d -c o ded stu den ts fr o m a mile aw ay — I m ean , th at w ould elim in ate m ost tr o uble . A nd th en th e se n so rs w ould pin poin t a n y a n tis o cia l b eh av io r.” Now S te n to n w as le an in g b ack in h is c h air , h is th um bs in h is b elt lo ops. H e’d r e la xed again . “ It o ccu rs t o m e t h at s o m uch c rim e a n d t r o uble is c o m mit te d b eca u se w e h av e t o o much to tr a ck , r ig h t? T oo m an y p la ce s, to o m an y p eo ple . If w e c a n c o nce n tr a te m ore o n is o la tin g th e o utlie rs, a n d b ein g a b le to b ette r ta g th em a n d fo llo w th em , th en w e sa v e en dle ss a m ounts o f t im e a n d d is tr a ctio n.” “E xactly s ir ,” F in negan s a id . Ste n to n s o fte n ed , a n d, lo okin g d ow n a t h is ta b le t, s e em ed to b e s e ein g w hat M ae w as se ein g o n h er w ris t: F in negan , a n d h er p ro gra m , w ere im men se ly p opula r. T he d om in an t messa ges w ere c o m in g f r o m v ic tim s o f v ario us c rim es: w om en a n d c h ild re n w ho h ad b een ab use d in t h eir h om es, s a y in g t h e o bvio us: If o n ly th is h ad b een a ro u nd te n y ea rs a go , y fte en yea rs a go . A t le a st , th ey a ll s a id in o ne w ay o r a n oth er, th is k in d o f th in g w ill n ever h appen aga in . When M ae re tu rn ed to h er d esk , th ere w as a n ote , o n p ap er, fr o m A nnie . “ C an y ou se e me? J u st t e xt ‘n ow ’ w hen y ou c a n , a n d I ’l l m eet y ou in t h e b ath ro om .” Ten m in ute s la te r M ae w as s it tin g in h er u su al s ta ll, a n d h eard A nnie e n te r t h e o ne n ext door. M ae w as r e lie v ed t h at A nnie h ad r e ach ed o ut t o h er, t h rille d a t h av in g h er s o c lo se again . M ae c o uld r ig h t a ll w ro ngs n ow , a n d w as d ete rm in ed t o d o s o . “A re w e a lo ne?” A nnie a sk ed . “A udio ’s o ff f o r t h re e m in ute s. W hat’s w ro ng?” “N oth in g. It’s ju st th is P astP erfe ct th in g. T hey ’r e s ta rtin g to d ole o ut th e r e su lt s to m e, an d it ’s a lr e ad y p re tty d is tu rb in g. A nd t o m orro w it g o es p ublic , a n d I ’m a ssu m in g it ’l l g et ev en w orse .” “W ait . W hat did th ey y nd? I th ough t th ey w ere sta rtin g in th e M id dle A ges or so m eth in g.” “T hey are . B ut ev en th en , it ’s lik e b oth sid es o f m y fa m ily are th ese b la ck hearte d peo ple . I m ean , I d id n’t e v en k now t h e B rit is h had I r is h s la v es, d id y ou?” “N o. I d on’t t h in k s o . Y ou m ean , w hit e I r is h s la v es? ” “T housa n ds o f th em . M y an ce sto rs w ere th e rin gle ad ers o r so m eth in g. T hey ra id ed Ir e la n d, b ro ugh t b ack s la v es, s o ld t h em a ll o ver t h e w orld . I t’s s o f u ck ed u p.” “A nnie — ” “I m ean , I k now th ey ’r e su re a b out th is b eca u se it ’s c ro ss-r e fe re n ce d a fe w th ousa n d way s, b ut d o I lo ok lik e a d esc e n den t o f s la v e o w ners? ” “A nnie , giv e y ourse lf a b re ak . So m eth in g th at h ap pen ed six h undre d y ears ago h as noth in g to d o w it h y ou. E very one’s b lo odlin e h as r o ugh p atc h es, I’m s u re . Y ou c a n ’t ta k e it p erso nally .” “S u re , b ut a t th e v ery le ast it ’s e m barra ssin g, rig h t? It m ean s th at it ’s p art o f m e, a t le ast t o e v ery one I k now . T o t h e n ext p eo ple I s e e, t h is ’l l b e p art o f m e. T hey ’l l b e s e ein g me, a n d ta lk in g to m e, b ut th is w ill b e p art o f m e, to o. It’s m ap ped th is n ew la y er o nto me, a n d I d on’t f e el lik e t h at’s f a ir . I t’s lik e if I k new y our d ad w as a f o rm er K la n sm an — ” “Y ou’r e co m ple te ly o verth in kin g it . N o o ne, I m ean n o o ne, w ill lo ok a t y ou fu nny beca u se so m e a n cie n t a n ce sto r o f y ours h ad sla v es fr o m Ir e la n d. I m ean , it ’s so in sa n e, an d s o d is ta n t, t h at n o o ne w ill p ossib ly c o nnect y ou t o it . Y ou k now h ow p eo ple a re . N o one c a n r e m em ber a n yth in g lik e t h at a n yw ay . A nd t o h old y ou r e sp onsib le ? N o c h an ce .” “A nd t h ey k ille d a b unch o f t h ese s la v es, t o o. T here ’s s o m e s to ry a b out a r e b ellio n, a n d th at so m e re la tiv e o f m in e le d so m e m ass sla u gh te r o f a th ousa n d m en a n d w om en a n d ch ild re n . I t’s s o s ic k . I ju st— ” “A nnie . A nnie . Y ou’v e g o t to c a lm d ow n. F ir st o f a ll, o ur tim e’s u p. A udio ’s g o in g b ack up in a s e co nd. S eco ndly , y ou ju st c a n not w orry a b out t h is . T hese p eo ple w ere p ra ctic a lly ca v em en . E very one’s c a v em en a n ce sto rs w ere a ssh ole s.” Annie la u gh ed , a lo ud s n ort. “P ro m is e m e y ou w on’t w orry ?” “S u re .” “A nnie . D on’t w orry a b out t h is . P ro m is e m e.” “O kay .” “Y ou p ro m is e ?” “I p ro m is e . I ’l l t r y n ot t o .” “O kay . T im e.” When th e n ew s o f A nnie ’s a n ce sto rs w en t o ut th e n ext d ay , M ae fe lt a t le ast p artia lly vin dic a te d . T here w ere so m e u npro ductiv e c o m men ts o ut th ere , su re , b ut fo r th e m ost part t h e r e actio n w as a c o lle ctiv e s h ru g. N o o ne c a re d m uch a b out h ow t h is c o nnecte d t o Annie , b ut th ere w as n ew an d p ossib ly u se fu l atte n tio n b ro ugh t to th e lo ng-f o rg o tte n mom en t in h is to ry , w hen t h e B rit is h w en t t o I r e la n d a n d le ft w it h h um an c u rre n cy . Annie s e em ed to b e ta k in g it a ll in s tr id e. H er z in gs w ere p osit iv e, a n d s h e r e co rd ed a brie f an nounce m en t fo r h er v id eo fe ed , ta lk in g ab out th e su rp ris e in y ndin g o ut th is unfo rtu nate r o le s o m e d is ta n t p art o f h er b lo odlin e p la y ed in t h is g rim h is to ric a l m om en t. But th en sh e tr ie d to ad d so m e p ersp ectiv e an d le v it y to it , an d to en su re th at th is re v ela tio n w ould n’t dis su ad e oth ers fr o m exp lo rin g th eir perso nal his to ry th ro ugh PastP erfe ct. “ E very one’s a n ce sto rs w ere a ssh ole s,” s h e s a id , a n d M ae, w atc h in g th e fe ed on h er b ra ce le t, la u gh ed . But M erc e r, t r u e t o f o rm , w as n ot la u gh in g. M ae h ad n’t h eard f r o m h im in o ver a m onth , but th en , in F rid ay ’s m ail ( th e o nly d ay th e p ost o } ce s till o pera te d ), w as a le tte r. S h e did n’t w an t to re ad it , beca u se sh e knew it w ould be orn ery , an d accu sa to ry an d ju dgm en ta l. B ut h e’d a lr e ad y w rit te n a le tte r lik e t h at, h ad n’t h e? S h e o pen ed it , g u essin g th at h e c o uld n’t p ossib ly b e w orse t h an h e’d b een b efo re . Sh e w as w ro ng. T his tim e h e c o uld n’t e v en b rin g h im se lf to ty pe th e D ear b efo re h er nam e. Mae, I k now I s a id I w ould n’t w rit e a gain . B ut n ow t h at A nnie ’s o n t h e v erg e o f r u in , I hope t h at g iv es y ou s o m e p au se . P le ase t e ll h er s h e s h ould c e ase h er p artic ip atio n in th at e xp erim en t, w hic h I a ssu re y ou a n d h er w ill e n d b ad ly . W e a re n ot m ean t t o know e v ery th in g, M ae. D id y ou e v er t h in k t h at p erh ap s o ur m in ds a re d elic a te ly ca lib ra te d b etw een t h e k now n a n d t h e u nknow n? T hat o ur s o uls n eed t h e m yste rie s of n ig h t a n d t h e c la rit y o f d ay ? Y ou p eo ple a re c re atin g a w orld o f e v er-p re se n t day lig h t, a n d I t h in k it w ill b urn u s a ll a liv e. T here w ill b e n o t im e t o r e fle ct, t o sle ep , t o c o ol. D id it o ccu r t o y ou C ir c le p eo ple , e v er, t h at w e c a n o nly c o nta in s o much ? L ook a t u s. W e’r e t in y. O ur h ead s a re t in y, t h e s iz e o f m elo ns. Y ou w an t t h ese head s o f o urs t o c o nta in e v ery th in g t h e w orld h as e v er s e en ? I t w ill n ot w ork . Mae’s w ris t w as p oppin g. Why d o y ou b oth er, M ae? I’m a lr e a d y b ore d . You ’r e o n ly fe ed in g S asq u atc h . D on ’t fe ed S asq u atc h ! Her h eart w as a lr e ad y th um pin g, a n d sh e k new sh e sh ould n’t re ad th e re st. B ut sh e co uld n’t s to p. I h ap pen ed t o b e a t m y p are n ts ’ h ouse w hen y ou d id y our lit tle id ea m eetin g w it h th e D ig it a l B ro w nsh ir ts . T hey in sis te d on w atc h in g it ; th ey ’r e so pro ud of you, desp it e h ow h orrif y in g th at s e ssio n w as. E ven s o , I’m g la d I w atc h ed th at s p ecta cle (ju st a s I ’m g la d I w atc h ed Triu m ph o f th e W ill ). I t g av e m e t h e la st n udge I n eed ed t o ta k e t h e s te p I ’d b een p la n nin g a n yw ay . I’m m ovin g n orth , to th e d en se st a n d m ost u nin te re stin g fo re st I c a n y nd. I k now th at y our c a m era s a re m ap pin g o ut th ese a re as a s th ey h av e m ap ped th e A m azo n, Anta rc tic a , t h e S ah ara , e tc . B ut a t le ast I ’l l h av e a h ead s ta rt. A nd w hen t h e c a m era s co m e, I ’l l k eep g o in g n orth . Mae, I h av e t o a d m it t h at y ou a n d y ours h av e w on. I t’s p re tty m uch o ver, a n d n ow I k now th at. B ut b efo re th at p it c h se ssio n, I h eld o ut so m e h ope th at th e m ad ness was lim it e d to your o w n c o m pan y, to th e b ra in w ash ed th ousa n ds w ho w ork fo r y ou or t h e m illio ns w ho w orsh ip a ro und t h e g o ld en c a lf t h at is t h e C ir c le . I h eld o ut h ope th at th ere w ere th ose w ho w ould ris e up again st you peo ple . O r th at a new gen era tio n w ould s e e a ll t h is a s lu dic ro us, o ppre ssiv e, u tte rly o ut o f c o ntr o l. Mae ch eck ed her w ris t. There w ere alr e ad y fo ur new M erc e r-h atin g clu bs onlin e. So m eo ne o ffe re d t o e ra se h is b an k a cco unt. Ju st s a y th e w ord , t h e m essa ge r e ad . But n ow I k now t h at e v en if s o m eo ne w ere t o s tr ik e y ou d ow n, if t h e C ir c le e n ded to m orro w , so m eth in g w orse w ould p ro bab ly ta k e it s p la ce . T here a re a th ousa n d more W is e M en o ut t h ere , p eo ple w it h e v er-m ore r a d ic a l id eas a b out t h e c rim in alit y of p riv acy . E very t im e I t h in k it c a n ’t g et w orse , I s e e s o m e n in ete en -y ear-o ld w hose id eas m ak e th e C ir c le s e em lik e s o m e A CLU to pia . A nd y ou p eo ple ( a n d I k now n ow th at you p eo ple a re most p eo ple ) a re im possib le to s c a re . N o a m ount o f s u rv eilla n ce ca u se s t h e le ast c o nce rn o r p ro vokes a n y r e sis ta n ce . It’s o ne th in g to w an t to m easu re y ourse lf , M ae— you a n d y our b ra ce le ts . I ca n acce p t y ou a n d y ours tr a ck in g y our o w n m ovem en ts , re co rd in g e v ery th in g y ou d o, co lle ctin g d ata o n y ourse lf in th e in te re st o f … W ell, w hate v er it is y ou’r e tr y in g to do. B ut it ’s n ot e n ough , is it ? Y ou d on’t w an t ju st you r d ata , y ou n eed min e . Y ou’r e not c o m ple te w it h out it . I t’s a s ic k ness. So I ’m g o ne. B y t h e t im e y ou r e ad t h is , I ’l l b e o t h e g rid , a n d I e xp ect t h at o th ers will jo in m e. I n f a ct, I kn ow o th ers w ill jo in m e. W e’l l b e liv in g u nderg ro und, a n d in th e d ese rt, in th e woods. W e’l l b e lik e re fu gees, o r h erm it s , so m e u nfo rtu nate b ut nece ssa ry c o m bin atio n o f t h e t w o. B eca u se t h is is w hat w e a re . I e xp ect th is is so m e se co nd g re at sc h is m , w here tw o h um an it ie s w ill liv e, a p art but p ara lle l. T here w ill b e t h ose w ho liv e u nder t h e s u rv eilla n ce d om e y ou’r e h elp in g to c re ate , a n d t h ose w ho liv e, o r t r y t o liv e, a p art f r o m it . I ’m s c a re d t o d eath f o r u s all. Merc e r Sh e’d r e ad th e n ote o n c a m era , a n d s h e k new th at h er v ie w ers w ere y ndin g it a s b iz a rre an d h ila rio us a s s h e h ad . T he c o m men ts w ere p oppin g, a n d th ere w ere s o m e g o od o nes. Now th e S asq u atc h w ill r e tu rn to h is n atu ra l h abit a t! a n d Good r id dan ce, B ig fo ot . B ut M ae w as so e n te rta in ed b y it th at sh e so ugh t o ut F ra n cis , w ho, b y th e tim e th ey sa w e ach o th er, had a lr e ad y s e en t h e n ote t r a n sc rib ed a n d p oste d o nto a h alf -d oze n s u b-s it e s; o ne w atc h er in M is so ula h ad a lr e ad y r e ad it w hile w earin g a p ow dere d w ig , t h e b ack gro und y lle d w it h fa u x-p atr io tic m usic . That vid eo had been se en th re e m illio n tim es. M ae la u gh ed , watc h in g it t w ic e h erse lf , b ut f o und s h e f e lt f o r M erc e r. H e w as s tu bborn , b ut h e w as n ot stu pid . H e w as n ot b ey ond h ope. H e w as n ot b ey ond c o nvin cin g. The n ext d ay , A nnie le ft h er a n oth er p ap er n ote , a n d a gain th ey p la n ned to m eet in th eir ad jo in in g s ta lls . M ae o nly h oped th at s in ce th e s e co nd r o und o f m ajo r r e v ela tio ns, A nnie had f o und a w ay t o c o nte xtu aliz e it . M ae s a w t h e t ip o f A nnie ’s s h oe u nder t h e n ext s ta ll. Sh e t u rn ed o ff h er a u dio . Annie ’s v oic e w as r o ugh . “Y ou h eard it g o t w orse , r ig h t? ” “I d id h ear s o m eth in g. H av e y ou b een c ry in g? A nnie — ” “M ae, I d on’t th in k I ca n h an dle th is . I m ean , it w as o ne th in g to k now a b out th e an ce sto rs in jo lly O ld e. B ut th ere w as a p art o f m e th at w as th in kin g, y ou k now , th at’s yne, m y p eo ple c a m e to N orth A m eric a , s ta rte d a n ew , p ut a ll th at in th e p ast. B ut s h it , Mae, k now in g t h at t h ey w ere s la v e o w ners here , t o o? I m ean , t h at is f u ck in g s tu pid . W hat kin d o f p eo ple a m I f r o m ? I t h as t o b e s o m e d is e ase in m e, t o o.” “A nnie . Y ou c a n ’t t h in k a b out t h is .” “O f c o urse I c a n . I c a n ’t t h in k o f a n yth in g e ls e — ” “O kay . F in e. B ut y rst, c a lm d ow n. A nd s e co nd, y ou c a n ’t ta k e it p erso nally . Y ou h av e to s e p ara te y ourse lf f r o m it . Y ou h av e t o s e e it a b it m ore a b str a ctly .” “A nd I’v e b een g ettin g a ll th is c ra zy h ate m ail. I g o t six m essa ges th is m orn in g fr o m peo ple c a llin g m e M assa A nnie . H alf th e p eo ple o f c o lo r I h ir e d o ver th e y ears a re n ow su sp ic io us o f m e. L ik e I’m so m e g en etic a lly p ure in te rg en era tio nal sla v e o w ner! N ow I ca n ’t h an dle h av in g V ic k ie w ork f o r m e. I ’m le ttin g h er g o t o m orro w .” “A nnie , you know how cra zy th is all so unds? I m ean , besid es, are you su re your an ce sto rs here h ad b la ck s la v es? T he s la v es w ere n ’t I r is h h ere , t o o?” Annie s ig h ed lo udly . “N o. N o. M y p eo ple w en t fr o m o w nin g Ir is h p eo ple to o w nin g A fr ic a n p eo ple . H ow ’s th at? C ould n’t k eep m y p eo ple f r o m o w nin g p eo ple . Y ou a ls o s a w t h at t h ey f o ugh t f o r t h e Confe d era te s id e in t h e C iv il W ar? ” “I sa w th at, b ut th ere ’s m illio ns o f p eo ple w hose a n ce sto rs fo ugh t fo r th e S o uth . T he co untr y w as a t w ar, h alf a n d h alf .” “N ot my h alf . I m ean , d o y ou kn ow t h e c h ao s t h is is w re ak in g o n m y f a m ily ?” “B ut t h ey n ev er t o ok a ll t h is f a m ily h erit a ge s tu ff s e rio usly , d id t h ey ?” “N ot w hen th ey a ssu m ed w e w ere blu e blo ods, M ae! N ot w hen th ey th ough t w e w ere Mayflo w er peo ple w it h th is unim peach ab le lin eage! N ow th ey ta k e it re a lly fu ck in g se rio usly . M y m om h asn ’t le ft t h e h ouse in t w o d ay s. I d on’t w an t t o k now w hat t h ey y nd next.” What t h ey f o und n ext, t w o d ay s la te r, w as f a r w orse . M ae d id n’t k now , a h ead o f t im e, pre cis e ly w hat it w as, b ut s h e d id k now t h at A nnie k new , a n d t h at A nnie h ad s e n t a v ery str a n ge z in g o ut in to th e w orld . It s a id Actu ally , I d on ’t k n ow if w e sh ou ld k n ow e very th in g . When th ey m et in th e s ta lls , M ae c o uld n’t b elie v e A nnie ’s y ngers h ad a ctu ally ty ped th at se n te n ce . T he C ir c le c o uld n’t d ele te it , o f c o urse , b ut s o m eo ne— Mae h oped it w as A nnie —had a m en ded it to sa y We sh ou ld n’t k n ow e very th in g— wit h ou t th e p ro per sto ra ge re a d y. You d on ’t w an t to lo se it ! “O f c o urse I s e n t it ,” A nnie s a id . “ T he f ir st o ne a n yw ay .” Mae h ad h eld o ut h ope t h at it w as s o m e t e rrib le g lit c h . “H ow c o uld y ou h av e s e n t t h at? ” “It’s w hat I b elie v e, M ae. Y ou h av e n o id ea.” “I kn ow I d on’t . W hat id ea d o y ou h av e? Y ou k now w hat k in d o f s h it y ou’r e in ? H ow ca n y ou o f a ll p eo ple e sp ouse a n id ea lik e t h at? Y ou’r e t h e p oste r c h ild f o r o pen a cce ss t o th e p ast a n d n ow y ou’r e s a y in g … W hat a re y ou s a y in g, a n yw ay ?” “O h f u ck , I d on’t k now . I ju st k now I ’m d one. I n eed t o s h ut it d ow n.” “S h ut w hat d ow n?” “P astP erfe ct. A nyth in g lik e it .” “Y ou k now y ou c a n ’t .” “I’m p la n nin g t o t r y .” “Y ou m ust alr e a d y b e in d eep s h it .” “I a m . B ut th e W is e M en o w e m e th is o ne fa v or. I c a n ’t h an dle th is . I m ean , th ey ’v e alr e ad y q uote -u nquote re lie v ed m e o f so m e o f m y d utie s. W hate v er. I d on’t e v en c a re . But if th ey d on’t sh ut it d ow n I’l l g o in to so m e k in d o f c o m a. I a lr e ad y fe el lik e I c a n bare ly s ta n d o r b re ath e.” They sa t in sile n ce fo r a m om en t. M ae w ondere d if sh e sh ould n’t le av e. A nnie w as lo sin g h er h old o n s o m eth in g v ery c e n tr a l a b out h erse lf ; s h e fe lt v ola tile , c a p ab le o f r a sh an d ir re v oca b le a cts . T alk in g t o h er, a t a ll, w as a r is k . Now s h e h eard A nnie g asp in g. “A nnie . B re ath e.” “I ju st t o ld y ou I c a n ’t . I h av en ’t s le p t in t w o d ay s.” “S o w hat h ap pen ed ?” M ae a sk ed . “O h f u ck , e v ery th in g. N oth in g. T hey f o und s o m e w eir d s tu w it h m y p are n ts . I m ean , a lo t o f w eir d s tu ff.” “W hen d oes it g o liv e?” “T om orro w .” “O kay . M ay be it ’s n ot a s b ad a s y ou t h in k.” “It’s s o m uch w orse t h an y ou c a n im agin e.” “T ell m e. I b et it ’s f in e.” “It’s n ot fin e , M ae. It’s a n yth in g b ut fin e . T he y rst th in g is th at I fo und o ut m y d ad a n d mom h ad s o m e k in d o f o pen m arria ge o r s o m eth in g. I h av en ’t e v en a sk ed th em a b out it . But t h ere a re p hoto s a n d vid eo o f t h em w it h a ll k in ds o f o th er p eo ple . I m ean , lik e, s e ria l ad ult e ry o n b oth s id es. I s t h at fin e ?” “H ow do you know it w as an a air ? I m ean , if th ey w ere ju st w alk in g next to so m eo ne? A nd it w as t h e e ig h tie s, r ig h t? ” “M ore lik e t h e n in etie s. A nd t r u st m e. I t’s d efin it iv e.” “L ik e s e x p hoto s? ” “N o. B ut k is sy p hoto s. I m ean , th ere ’s o ne w it h m y d ad w it h h is h an d a ro und so m e wom an ’s w ais t, h is o th er h an d o n h er t it . I m ean , s ic k s h it . O th er p ic tu re s w it h M om a n d so m e b eard ed g u y, a se rie s o f n ak ed p hoto s. A ppare n tly th e g u y d ie d , h ad th is sta sh o f photo s, th ey w ere b ough t a t so m e g ara ge sa le a n d sc a n ned a n d p ut in th e c lo ud. T hen when t h ey d id t h e g lo bal f a cia l-r e c, t a -d a, M om ’s n ak ed w it h s o m e b ik er g u y. I m ean , t h e tw o o f t h em ju st s ta n din g t h ere s o m etim es, n ak ed , lik e p osin g f o r p ro m .” “I’m s o rry .” “A nd w ho to ok th e p ic tu re s? T here ’s so m e th ir d g u y in th e ro om ? W ho was th at? A help fu l n eig h bor? ” “H av e y ou a sk ed t h em a b out it ? ” “N o. B ut t h at’s t h e b ette r p art o f it . I w as a b out t o c o nfr o nt t h em w hen t h is o th er t h in g popped u p. It’s so m uch w orse th at I d on’t ev en ca re ab out th e a air s. I m ean , th e pic tu re s w ere n oth in g c o m pare d t o t h e v id eo t h ey f o und.” “W hat a b out t h e v id eo ?” “O kay . T his w as o ne o f t h e r a re t im es t h e t w o o f t h em w ere a ctu ally t o geth er— at n ig h t at le ast. T his is fr o m s o m e v id eo ta k en a t s o m e p ie r. T here w as a s e cu rit y c a m era th ere , beca u se I g u ess t h ey s to re s tu in t h e w are h ouse s t h ere o n t h e w ate r. S o t h ere ’s a t a p e o f my p are n ts h an gin g a ro und t h is p ie r a t n ig h t.” “L ik e a s e x t a p e?” “N o, it ’s m uch w orse . O h fu ck , it ’s s o b ad . M ae, it ’s fu ck in g s o tw is te d . Y ou k now m y pare n ts d o th is th in g e v ery s o o fte n — th ey s o rt o f h av e a c o uple s n ig h t w here th ey g o o n so m e b en der? T hey ’v e to ld m e a b out it . T hey g et s to ned , d ru nk, g o d an cin g, s ta y o ut a ll nig h t. It’s o n th eir a n niv ersa ry e v ery y ear. S o m etim es it ’s in th e c it y , s o m etim es th ey g o so m ew here lik e M exic o . It’s lik e so m e a ll-n ig h t th in g to k eep th em y oung, k eep th eir marria ge f r e sh , w hate v er.” “O kay .” “S o I k now t h is h ap pen ed o n t h eir a n niv ersa ry . I w as six y ea rs o ld .” “S o ?” “It’s o ne t h in g if I h ad n’t b een b orn — Oh s h it . S o a n yw ay . I d on’t k now w hat t h ey w ere doin g b efo re h an d, b ut t h ey s h ow u p o n t h is s u rv eilla n ce c a m era a ro und o ne a .m . T hey ’r e drin kin g a b ottle o f w in e, a n d k in d o f d an glin g t h eir f e et o ver t h e w ate r, a n d it a ll s e em s pre tty in noce n t a n d b orin g f o r a w hile . B ut t h en t h is m an c o m es in to t h e f r a m e. H e’s lik e so m e k in d o f h om ele ss g u y, stu m blin g a ro und. A nd m y p are n ts lo ok a t h im , a n d w atc h him w an derin g a ro und a n d s tu . I t lo oks lik e h e s a y s s o m eth in g t o t h em , a n d t h ey s o rt o f la u gh a n d g o b ack to th eir w in e. T hen n oth in g h ap pen s fo r a w hile , a n d th e h om ele ss gu y’s o ut o f th e fr a m e. T hen a b out te n m in ute s la te r h e’s b ack in th e fr a m e, a n d th en h e fa lls o ff t h e p ie r a n d in to t h e w ate r.” Mae t o ok in a q uic k b re ath . S h e k new it w as m ak in g t h is w orse . “ D id y our p are n ts s e e him f a ll? ” Now A nnie w as s o bbin g. “ T hat’s t h e p ro ble m . T hey t o ta lly d id . I t h ap pen ed a b out t h re e fe et fr o m w here th ey w ere sit tin g. O n th e ta p e y ou se e th em g et u p, so rt o f le an o ver, yellin g d ow n in to th e w ate r. You ca n te ll th ey ’r e fr e ak in g o ut. T hen th ey so rt o f lo ok aro und, t o s e e if t h ere ’s a p hone o r a n yth in g.” “A nd w as t h ere ?” “I d on’t k now . I t d oesn ’t lo ok lik e it . T hey n ev er r e ally le ft t h e f r a m e. T hat’s w hat’s s o fu ck ed u p. T hey s e e t h is g u y d ro p in to t h e w ate r a n d t h ey ju st s ta y t h ere . T hey d on’t r u n to g et h elp , o r c a ll t h e p olic e o r a n yth in g. T hey d on’t ju m p in t o s a v e t h e g u y. A fte r a f e w min ute s o f f r e ak in g o ut, t h ey ju st s it d ow n a gain , a n d m y m om p uts h er h ead o n m y d ad ’s sh ould er, a n d t h e t w o o f t h em s ta y t h ere f o r a n oth er t e n m in ute s o r s o m eth in g, a n d t h en th ey g et u p a n d le av e.” “M ay be t h ey w ere in s h ock .” “M ae, t h ey ju st g o t u p a n d le ft. T hey n ev er c a lle d 9 11 o r a n yth in g. T here ’s n o r e co rd o f it . T hey n ev er re p orte d it . B ut th e b ody w as fo und th e n ext d ay . T he g u y w asn ’t e v en hom ele ss. H e w as m ay be a lit tle m en ta lly d is a b le d b ut h e liv ed w it h h is p are n ts a n d work ed a t a d eli, w ash in g d is h es. M y p are n ts ju st w atc h ed h im d ro w n.” Now A nnie w as c h okin g o n h er t e ars. “H av e y ou t o ld t h em a b out t h is ? ” “N o. I c a n ’t t a lk t o t h em . T hey ’r e r e ally d is g u stin g t o m e r ig h t n ow .” “B ut it h asn ’t b een r e le ase d y et? ” Annie lo oked a t t h e t im e. “ It w ill b e s o on. L ess t h an t w elv e h ours.” “A nd B aile y s a id ?” “H e c a n ’t d o a n yth in g. Y ou k now h im .” “M ay be t h ere ’s s o m eth in g I c a n d o,” M ae s a id , h av in g n o id ea w hat. A nnie g av e n o s ig n sh e b elie v ed M ae c a p ab le o f s lo w in g o r s to ppin g t h e s to rm c o m in g h er w ay . “It’s so sic k . O h sh it ,” A nnie sa id , a s if th e re aliz a tio n h ad ju st p asse d th ro ugh h er. “N ow I d on’t h av e p are n ts .” When t h eir t im e w as u p, A nnie r e tu rn ed t o h er o } ce , w here , s h e s a id , s h e p la n ned t o lie dow n in de y nit e ly , a n d M ae r e tu rn ed t o h er o ld p od. S h e n eed ed t o t h in k. S h e s to od in t h e doorw ay , w here sh e’d se en K ald en w atc h h er, a n d sh e w atc h ed th e C E n ew bie s, ta k in g co m fo rt in th eir honest w ork , th eir noddin g head s. Their m urm urs of asse n t an d dis a p pro val g av e h er a s e n se o f o rd er a n d r ig h tn ess. T he o cca sio nal C ir c le r lo oked u p to sm ile a t h er, to w av e ch aste ly a t th e ca m era , a t h er a u die n ce , b efo re re tu rn in g to th e work a t h an d. M ae f e lt a s u rg in g p rid e in t h em , in t h e C ir c le , in a ttr a ctin g p ure s o uls lik e th is . T hey w ere o pen . T hey w ere t r u th fu l. T hey d id n ot h id e o r h oard o r o bfu sc a te . There w as a n ew bie c lo se to h er, a m an o f n o m ore th an tw en ty -t w o, w it h w ild h air ris in g fr o m h is h ead lik e s m oke, w ork in g w it h s u ch c o nce n tr a tio n th at h e h ad n’t n otic e d Mae s ta n din g b eh in d h im . H is y ngers w ere t y pin g f u rio usly , { uid ly , a lm ost s ile n tly , a s h e sim ult a n eo usly a n sw ere d c u sto m er q uerie s a n d s u rv ey q uestio ns. “ N o, n o, s m ile , fr o w n,” he s a id , n oddin g w it h a q uic k a n d e ortle ss p ace . “ Y es, y es, n o, C an cu n, d eep -s e a d iv in g, upsc a le re so rt, b re ak aw ay w eek en d, Jan uary , Jan uary , m eh , th re e, tw o, sm ile , sm ile , meh , y es, P ra d a, C onverse , n o, f r o w n, f r o w n, s m ile , P aris .” Watc h in g h im , th e so lu tio n to A nnie ’s p ro ble m se em ed o bvio us. S h e n eed ed su pport. Annie n eed ed to k now sh e w asn ’t a lo ne. A nd th en it a ll c lic k ed . O f c o urse th e so lu tio n was b uilt in to th e C ir c le it s e lf . T here w ere m illio ns o f p eo ple o ut th ere w ho n o d oubt would sta n d b eh in d A nnie , an d w ould sh ow th eir su pport in m yria d u nexp ecte d an d heartfe lt w ay s. Su erin g is only su erin g if it ’s done in sile n ce , in so lit u de. Pain exp erie n ce d in p ublic , in v ie w o f lo vin g m illio ns, w as n o lo nger p ain . I t w as c o m munio n. Mae t u rn ed f r o m t h e d oorw ay a n d m ad e h er w ay t o t h e r o ofd eck . S h e h ad a d uty h ere , not o nly to A nnie , h er fr ie n d, b ut to h er w atc h ers. A nd b ein g w it n ess to th e h onesty a n d open ness o f t h e n ew bie s, o f t h is y oung m an w it h h is w ild h air , m ad e h er f e el h ypocrit ic a l. As sh e clim bed th e sta ir s, sh e asse sse d her optio ns an d herse lf . M om en ts ago , sh e’d purp ose ly o bfu sc a te d . Sh e’d b een th e o pposit e o f o pen , th e o pposit e o f h onest. Sh e’d hid den a u dio f r o m t h e w orld , w hic h w as t a n ta m ount t o ly in g t o t h e w orld , t o t h e m illio ns who a ssu m ed s h e w as b ein g s tr a ig h tfo rw ard a lw ay s, t r a n sp are n t a lw ay s. Sh e lo oked o ut o ver t h e c a m pus. H er w atc h ers w ondere d w hat s h e w as lo okin g a t, w hy th e s ile n ce . “I w an t y ou a ll t o s e e w hat I s e e,” s h e s a id . Annie w an te d t o h id e, t o s u ffe r a lo ne, t o c o ver u p. A nd M ae w an te d t o h onor t h is , t o b e lo yal. B ut c o uld lo yalt y to on e tr u m p lo yalt y to millio n s ? W asn ’t it th is k in d o f th in kin g, fa v orin g th e p erso nal a n d te m pora ry g ain o ver th e g re ate r g o od, th at m ad e p ossib le a n y num ber o f h is to ric a l h orro rs? A gain th e so lu tio n se em ed in fr o nt o f h er, a ll a ro und h er. Mae n eed ed t o h elp A nnie a n d r e -p urif y h er o w n p ra ctic e o f t r a n sp are n cy , a n d b oth c o uld be d one w it h o ne b ra v e a ct. S h e c h eck ed t h e t im e. S h e h ad t w o h ours u ntil h er S o ulS earc h pre se n ta tio n. Sh e ste p ped o nto th e ro ofd eck , o rg an iz in g h er th ough ts in to so m e lu cid sta te m en t. S o on s h e m ad e h er w ay t o t h e b ath ro om , t o t h e s c e n e o f t h e c rim e, a s it w ere , an d b y th e tim e s h e’d a rriv ed , a n d s a w h erse lf in th e m ir ro r, s h e k new w hat s h e n eed ed to s a y . S h e t o ok a b re ath . “H ello , w atc h ers. I h av e a n a n nounce m en t to m ak e, a n d it ’s a p ain fu l o ne. B ut I th in k it ’s t h e r ig h t t h in g t o d o. J u st a n h our a go , a s m an y o f y ou k now , I e n te re d t h is b ath ro om , oste n sib ly u nder t h e a u sp ic e s o f d oin g m y b usin ess in t h e s e co nd s ta ll y ou s e e o ver h ere .” Sh e t u rn ed t o t h e r o w o f s ta lls . “ B ut w hen I e n te re d , I s a t d ow n, a n d w it h t h e a u dio o , I had a p riv ate c o nversa tio n w it h a f r ie n d o f m in e, A nnie A lle rto n.” Alr e ad y a f e w h undre d m essa ges w ere s h ootin g t h ro ugh h er w ris t, t h e m ost-f a v ore d o ne th us fa r a lr e ad y fo rg iv in g h er: Mae, b ath ro om ta lk is a llo w ed ! D on ’t w orry . W e b elie ve in you . “T o th ose s e n din g y our g o od w ord s to m e, I w an t to th an k y ou,” M ae s a id . “ B ut m ore im porta n t th an m y o w n a d m is sio n is w hat A nnie a n d I ta lk ed a b out. Y ou se e, m an y o f you k now t h at A nnie ’s b een p art o f a n e xp erim en t h ere , a p ro gra m t o t r a ce o ne’s a n ce str y as f a r b ack a s t e ch nolo gy w ill a llo w . A nd s h e’s f o und s o m e u nfo rtu nate t h in gs in t h e d eep re ce sse s o f h er h is to ry . S o m e o f h er a n ce sto rs c o m mit te d se rio us m is d eed s, a n d it ’s g o t her s ic k a b out it a ll. W orse , t o m orro w , a n oth er u nfo rtu nate e p is o de w ill b e r e v eale d , t h is one m ore r e ce n t, a n d p erh ap s m ore p ain fu l.” Mae g la n ce d a t h er b ra ce le t, s e ein g th at th e a ctiv e v ie w ers h ad n early d ouble d in th e la st m in ute , to 3 ,2 02,9 84. S h e k new th at m an y p eo ple k ep t h er fe ed o n th eir s c re en s a s th ey w ork ed , but w ere ra re ly activ ely w atc h in g. N ow it w as cle ar her im pen din g an nounce m en t h ad th e fo cu se d a tte n tio n o f m illio ns. A nd, sh e th ough t, sh e n eed ed th e co m passio n o f t h ese m illio ns t o c u sh io n t o m orro w ’s f a ll. A nnie d ese rv ed it . “S o m y f r ie n ds, I t h in k w e n eed t o h arn ess t h e p ow er o f t h e C ir c le . W e n eed t o h arn ess th e c o m passio n o ut th ere , o f a ll th e p eo ple o ut th ere w ho a lr e ad y k now a n d lo ve A nnie , or w ho c a n e m path iz e w it h A nnie . I h ope y ou c a n a ll se n d h er y our g o od w is h es, y our ow n s to rie s o f f in din g o ut a b out s o m e d ark s p ots in y our f a m ily p ast, a n d m ak e A nnie f e el le ss a lo ne. T ell h er y ou’r e o n h er s id e. T ell h er y ou lik e h er ju st t h e s a m e, a n d t h at s o m e dis ta n t a n ce sto r’s c rim es h av e n o b earin g o n h er, d on’t c h an ge th e w ay y ou th in k a b out Annie .” Mae y nis h ed by pro vid in g A nnie ’s em ail ad dre ss, Z in g fe ed an d pro y le page. T he re actio n w as im med ia te . A nnie ’s fo llo w ers in cre ase d fr o m 8 8,1 98 to 2 43,0 87— an d, a s Mae’s a n nounce m en t w as p asse d a ro und, w ould lik ely p ass a m illio n b y th e e n d o f th e day . T he m essa ges p oure d in , th e m ost p opula r b ein g o ne th at sa id The p ast is p ast, a n d Annie is A nnie . It d id n’t m ak e p erfe ct s e n se , b ut M ae a p pre cia te d th e s e n tim en t. A noth er messa ge g ain in g t r a ctio n s a id , Not to r a in o n th e p ara d e, b u t I th in k th ere is e vil in D N A, a n d I w ou ld w orry a bou t A nnie . A nnie n eed s to tr y d ou bly h ard to p ro ve to s o m eo n e lik e m yse lf , a n Afr ic a n -A m eric a n w hose a n cesto rs w ere e n sla ved , th at s h e’s o n th e p ath o f ju stic e . That c o m men t h ad 9 8,2 01 s m ile s, a n d a lm ost a s m an y fr o w ns, 8 0,1 98. B ut o vera ll, a s Mae sc ro lle d th ro ugh th e m essa ges, th ere w as— as a lw ay s w hen p eo ple w ere a sk ed fo r th eir fe elin gs— lo ve, a n d th ere w as u ndersta n din g, a n d th ere w as a d esir e to le t th e p ast be t h e p ast. As M ae fo llo w ed th e re actio n, sh e w atc h ed th e c lo ck , k now in g sh e w as o nly a n h our aw ay fr o m h er p re se n ta tio n, h er y rst in th e E nlig h te n m en t’s G re at R oom . S h e fe lt r e ad y, th ough , w it h th is A nnie b usin ess e m bold en in g h er, m ak in g h er fe el, m ore th an e v er, th at sh e h ad le gio ns at h er b ack . Sh e als o k new th at th e te ch nolo gy it s e lf , an d th e C ir c le co m munit y , w ould d ete rm in e th e su cce ss o f th e d em onstr a tio n. A s sh e p re p are d , sh e watc h ed h er b ra ce le t fo r a n y sig n o f A nnie . S h e h ad e xp ecte d so m e re actio n b y n ow , ce rta in ly so m eth in g lik e g ra tit u de, giv en th at A nnie w as n o d oubt in undate d b y, b urie d under, a n a v ala n ch e o f g o odw ill. But t h ere w as n oth in g. Sh e s e n t A nnie a s e rie s o f z in gs, b ut h eard n o r e p ly . S h e c h eck ed A nnie ’s w here ab outs , an d fo und h er, a p uls in g r e d d ot, in h er o } ce . M ae th ough t, b rie { y, a b out v is it in g h er— but d ecid ed a gain st it . S h e h ad to fo cu s, a n d p erh ap s it w as b ette r to le t A nnie ta k e it a ll in , alo ne. C erta in ly by th e afte rn oon, sh e w ould hav e ta k en in an d sy nth esiz e d th e warm th o f t h e m illio ns w ho c a re d f o r h er, a n d w ould b e r e ad y t o p ro perly t h an k M ae, t o te ll h er h ow , n ow w it h th e n ew p ersp ectiv e, s h e c o uld p ut th e c rim es o f h er r e la tiv es in co nte xt, a n d c o uld m ove fo rw ard , in to th e so lv ab le fu tu re , a n d n ot b ack w ard , in to th e ch ao s o f a n u nfix ab le p ast. “Y ou d id a v ery b ra v e t h in g t o day ,” B aile y s a id . “ It w as b ra v e a n d it w as c o rre ct.” They w ere b ack sta ge in t h e G re at R oom . M ae w as d re sse d in a b la ck s k ir t a n d a r e d s ilk blo use , both new . A sty lis t orb it e d aro und her, ap ply in g pow der to M ae’s nose an d fo re h ead , V ase lin e to her lip s. Sh e w as a fe w m in ute s aw ay fr o m her y rst m ajo r pre se n ta tio n. “N orm ally I w ould w an t t o t a lk a b out w hy y ou’d c h ose n t o o bfu sc a te in t h e y rst p la ce ,” he s a id , “ b ut y our h onesty w as r e al, a n d I k now y ou’v e a lr e ad y le arn ed a n y le sso n I c o uld giv e y ou. W e’r e v ery h ap py t o h av e y ou h ere , M ae.” “T han k y ou, E am on.” “A re y ou r e ad y?” “I t h in k s o .” “W ell, m ak e u s p ro ud o ut t h ere .” As s h e s te p ped o nto th e s ta ge, in to th e b rig h t s in gle s p otlig h t, M ae fe lt c o n y den t th at sh e c o uld . B efo re s h e c o uld g et t o t h e lu cit e p odiu m , t h ough , t h e a p pla u se w as s u dden a n d th undero us a n d a lm ost k nock ed h er o h er f e et. S h e m ad e h er w ay t o h er a p poin te d s p ot, but th e th under o nly g o t lo uder. T he a u die n ce s to od, y rst th e fr o nt r o w s, th en e v ery one. It t o ok M ae g re at e ffo rt t o q uell t h eir n ois e a n d a llo w h er t o s p eak . “H ello e v ery one, I ’m M ae H olla n d,” s h e s a id , a n d t h e a p pla u se s ta rte d a gain . S h e h ad t o la u gh , an d w hen sh e d id , th e ro om go t lo uder. T he lo ve fe lt re al an d o verw helm in g. Open ness is a ll, s h e t h ough t. T ru th w as it s o w n r e w ard . T hat m ig h t m ak e a g o od t ile , s h e th ough t, a n d p ic tu re d it la se r-c u t in s to ne. T his w as t o o g o od, s h e t h ough t, a ll o f t h is . S h e lo oked o ut to th e C ir c le rs, le ttin g th em c la p , fe elin g a n ew s tr e n gth s u rg e th ro ugh h er. It was s tr e n gth a m asse d t h ro ugh g iv in g. S h e g av e a ll t o t h em , g av e t h em u nm it ig ate d t r u th , co m ple te t r a n sp are n cy , a n d t h ey g av e h er t h eir t r u st, t h eir t id al lo ve. “O kay , o kay ,” s h e s a id , y nally , r a is in g h er h an ds, u rg in g th e a u die n ce in to th eir s e ats . “T oday w e’r e go in g to dem onstr a te th e ult im ate se arc h to ol. You’v e heard ab out So ulS earc h , m ay be a r u m or h ere a n d th ere , a n d n ow w e’r e p uttin g it to th e te st, in fr o nt of t h e e n tir e C ir c le a u die n ce h ere a n d g lo bally . D o y ou f e el r e ad y?” The c ro w d c h eere d it s a n sw er. “W hat y ou’r e a b out to se e is co m ple te ly sp onta n eo us a n d u nre h earse d . E ven I d on’t know w ho w e’l l b e se arc h in g fo r to day . H e o r sh e w ill b e ch ose n at ra n dom fr o m a data b ase o f k now n f u git iv es w orld w id e.” Onsc re en , a g ia n t d ig it a l g lo be s p un. “A s y ou k now , m uch o f w hat w e d o h ere a t t h e C ir c le is u sin g s o cia l m ed ia t o c re ate a sa fe r a n d sa n er w orld . T his h as a lr e ad y b een a ch ie v ed in m yria d w ay s, o f c o urse . O ur Weap onSen so r p ro gra m , fo r e xam ple , re ce n tly w en t liv e, a n d re gis te rs th e e n tr y o f a n y gu n in to a n y b uild in g, p ro vokin g a n a la rm th at a le rts a ll re sid en ts a n d th e lo ca l p olic e . That’s b een b eta -t e ste d in tw o n eig h borh oods in C le v ela n d fo r th e la st y ve w eek s, a n d th ere ’s b een a 5 7 p erc e n t d ro p in g u n c rim es. N ot b ad , r ig h t? ” Mae p au se d f o r a p pla u se , f e elin g v ery c o m fo rta b le , a n d k now in g w hat s h e w as a b out t o pre se n t w ould c h an ge t h e w orld , im med ia te ly a n d p erm an en tly . “F in e jo b s o f a r,” s a id t h e v oic e in h er e ar. I t w as S te n to n. H e’d le t h er k now h e w ould be A ddit io nal G uid an ce to day . S o ulS earc h w as a p artic u la r in te re st o f h is , a n d h e w an te d to b e p re se n t t o g u id e it s in tr o ductio n. Mae t o ok a b re ath . “B ut o ne o f t h e s tr a n gest f a ce ts o f o ur w orld is h ow f u git iv es f r o m ju stic e c a n h id e in a world a s in te rc o nnecte d a s o urs. It to ok u s te n y ears to y nd O sa m a b in L ad en . D . B . Cooper, t h e in fa m ous t h ie f w ho le ap t f r o m a n a ir p la n e w it h a s u it c a se o f m oney , r e m ain s on t h e la m , d eca d es a fte r h is e sc a p e. B ut t h is k in d o f t h in g s h ould e n d n ow . A nd I b elie v e it w ill, n ow .” A s ilh ouette a p peare d b eh in d h er. It w as th e s h ap e o f a h um an , to rso a n d u p, w it h th e fa m ilia r m ug-s h ot m easu re m en ts in t h e b ack gro und. “In s e co nds, th e c o m pute r w ill s e le ct, a t r a n dom , a fu git iv e fr o m ju stic e . I d on’t k now who it w ill b e. N o o ne d oes. W hoev er it is , th ough , h e’s b een p ro ven a m en ace to o ur glo bal c o m munit y , a n d o ur asse rtio n is th at w hoev er h e o r s h e is , S o ulS earc h w ill lo ca te him o r h er w it h in t w en ty m in ute s. R ead y?” Murm urs f ille d t h e r o om , f o llo w ed b y s c a tte re d a p pla u se . “G ood,” M ae s a id . “ L et’s s e le ct t h at f u git iv e.” Pix el b y p ix el, th e silh ouette slo w ly b eca m e a n a ctu al a n d sp eci y c p erso n, a n d w hen th e se le ctio n w as y nis h ed , a fa ce h ad e m erg ed , a n d M ae w as sh ock ed to y nd it w as a wom an . A hard -lo okin g fa ce , sq uin tin g in to a polic e ca m era . So m eth in g ab out th is wom an , h er s m all e y es a n d s tr a ig h t m outh , b ro ugh t t o m in d t h e p hoto gra p hy o f D oro th ea Lan ge— th ose s u n-s c a rre d f a ce s o f t h e D ust B ow l. B ut a s t h e p ro y le d ata a p peare d b en eath th is p hoto , M ae re aliz e d th e w om an w as B rit is h a n d v ery m uch a liv e. S h e sc a n ned th e in fo rm atio n o nsc re en a n d f o cu se d t h e a u die n ce o n t h e e sse n tia ls . “O kay . T his is F io na H ig h brid ge. F orty -f o ur y ears o ld . B orn in M an ch este r, E ngla n d. Sh e w as c o nvic te d o f t r ip le m urd er in 2 002. S h e lo ck ed h er t h re e c h ild re n in a c lo se t a n d wen t to S p ain fo r a m onth . T hey a ll sta rv ed . T hey w ere a ll u nder y ve. S h e w as se n t to pris o n in E ngla n d b ut e sc a p ed , w it h th e h elp o f a g u ard w ho s h e a p pare n tly s e d uce d . It’s been a d eca d e sin ce a n yone’s se en h er, a n d p olic e h av e a ll b ut g iv en u p o n y ndin g h er. But I b elie v e w e c a n , n ow t h at w e h av e t h e t o ols a n d t h e p artic ip atio n o f t h e C ir c le .” “G ood,” S te n to n s a id in to M ae’s e ar. “ L et’s f o cu s n ow o n t h e U K.” “A s y ou a ll k now , y este rd ay w e a le rte d a ll th re e b illio n C ir c le u se rs th at to day w e’d hav e a w orld -c h an gin g a n nounce m en t. S o w e c u rre n tly h av e th is m an y p eo ple w atc h in g th e liv e fe ed .” M ae tu rn ed back to th e sc re en an d w atc h ed a co unte r tic k up to 1,1 09,0 01,8 87. “ O kay , o ver a b illio n p eo ple a re w atc h in g. A nd n ow le t’s s e e h ow m an y we h av e in th e U K.” A se co nd c o unte r sp un, a n d la n ded o n 14,0 28,9 81. “ A ll rig h t. T he in fo rm atio n w e h av e s a y s th at h er p assp ort w as r e v oked y ears a go , s o F io na is p ro bab ly still in t h e U K. D o y ou a ll t h in k f o urte en m illio n B rit s a n d a b illio n g lo bal p artic ip an ts c a n fin d F io na H ig h brid ge in t w en ty m in ute s? ” The a u die n ce r o are d , b ut M ae d id n’t , in f a ct, k now if it w ould w ork . S h e w ould n’t h av e been s u rp ris e d , a ctu ally , if it d id n’t — or if it t o ok t h ir ty m in ute s, a n h our. B ut t h en a gain , th ere w as a lw ay s s o m eth in g u nexp ecte d , s o m eth in g m ir a cu lo us a b out t h e o utc o m es w hen th e f u ll p ow er o f t h e C ir c le ’s u se rs w as b ro ugh t t o b ear. S h e w as s u re it w ould b e d one b y th e e n d o f lu nch . “O kay , e v ery one re ad y? L et’s b rin g u p th e c lo ck .” A g ia n t six -d ig it tim er a p peare d in th e c o rn er o f t h e s c re en , in dic a tin g h ours, m in ute s, a n d s e co nds. “L et m e s h ow y ou s o m e o f th e g ro ups w e h av e w ork in g to geth er o n th is . L et’s s e e th e Univ ersit y of East A nglia .” A fe ed sh ow in g m an y hundre d s of stu den ts , in a la rg e au dit o riu m , a p peare d . T hey c h eere d . “ L et’s s e e t h e c it y o f L eed s.” N ow a s h ot o f a p ublic sq uare , f u ll o f p eo ple , b undle d u p in w hat a p peare d t o b e c o ld a n d b lu ste ry w eath er. “ W e hav e d oze n s o f g ro ups a ll o ver th e c o untr y , w ho w ill b e b an din g to geth er, in a d dit io n to th e p ow er o f th e n etw ork a s a w hole . E very one re ad y?” T he M an ch este r c ro w d ra is e d th eir h an ds a n d c h eere d , a n d t h e s tu den ts o f E ast A nglia d id , t o o. “G ood,” M ae s a id . “ N ow o n y our m ark , g et s e t. G o.” Mae d re w h er h an d d ow n, n ext to th e p hoto o f F io na H ig h brid ge, a s e rie s o f c o lu m ns sh ow ed th e co m men t fe ed , th e h ig h est-r a n ked a p pearin g a t th e to p. T he m ost p opula r th us fa r w as fr o m a m an n am ed S im on H en sle y , fr o m B rig h to n: Are w e su re w e w an t to fin d th is h ag? S he lo oks lik e th e S ca re cro w fr o m W iz a rd o f O z . There w ere la u gh s t h ro ugh out t h e a u dit o riu m . “O kay . T im e t o g et s e rio us,” M ae s a id . Anoth er co lu m n fe atu re d u se rs’ o w n p hoto s, p oste d acco rd in g to re le v an ce . W it h in th re e m in ute s, t h ere w ere 2 01 p hoto s p oste d , m ost o f t h em c lo se c o ro lla rie s t o t h e f a ce o f Fio na H ig h brid ge. O n sc re en , v ote s w ere ta lly in g, in dic a tin g w hic h o f th e p hoto s w ere most lik ely h er. In fo ur m in ute s it w as d ow n to y ve p rim e c a n did ate s. O ne w as in B en d, Ore go n. A noth er w as in B an , C an ad a. A noth er in G la sg o w . T hen so m eth in g m agic a l hap pen ed , s o m eth in g o nly p ossib le w hen t h e f u ll C ir c le w as w ork in g t o w ard a s in gle g o al: tw o o f th e p hoto s, th e cro w d re aliz e d , w ere ta k en in th e sa m e to w n: C arm arth en , in Wale s. B oth lo oked lik e t h e s a m e w om an , a n d b oth lo oked e xactly lik e F io na H ig h brid ge. In a n oth er n in ety se co nds so m eo ne id en ti y ed th is w om an . S h e w as k now n a s F atim a Hile n sk y, w hic h th e cro w d v ote d w as a p ro m is in g in dic a to r. W ould so m eo ne tr y in g to dis a p pear c h an ge th eir n am e c o m ple te ly , o r w ould th ey fe el s a fe r w it h th e s a m e in it ia ls , wit h a n am e lik e th is — di ere n t e n ough to th ro w o a n y c a su al p ursu ers, b ut a llo w in g her t o u se a s lig h t v aria tio n o n h er o ld s ig n atu re ? Sev en ty -n in e w atc h ers liv ed in o r n ear C arm arth en , a n d t h re e o f t h em p oste d m essa ges cla im in g th ey sa w h er m ore o r le ss d aily . T his w as p ro m is in g e n ough , b ut th en , in a co m men t th at q uic k ly sh ot to th e to p w it h h undre d s o f th ousa n ds o f v ote s, a w om an , Gre tc h en K ara p ce k , p ostin g fr o m h er m obile p hone, s a id s h e w ork ed w it h th e w om an in th e p hoto , a t a c o m merc ia l la u ndry o uts id e S w an se a. T he c ro w d u rg ed G re tc h en to y nd her, t h ere a n d t h en , a n d c a p tu re h er b y p hoto o r v id eo . I m med ia te ly , G re tc h en t u rn ed o n th e vid eo fu nctio n on her phone an d— th ough th ere w ere still m illio ns of peo ple in vestig atin g oth er le ad s— most v ie w ers w ere c o nvin ce d G re tc h en h ad th e rig h t p erso n. Mae, an d m ost w atc h ers, w ere riv ete d , w atc h in g G re tc h en ’s ca m era w eav e th ro ugh en orm ous, ste am in g m ach in es, c o w ork ers lo okin g c u rio usly a t h er a s sh e p asse d q uic k ly th ro ugh th e c a v ern ous sp ace a n d e v er-c lo se r to a w om an in th e d is ta n ce , th in a n d b en t, fe ed in g a b ed sh eet b etw een t w o m assiv e w heels . Mae ch eck ed th e clo ck . Six m in ute s, 33 se co nds. Sh e w as su re th is w as Fio na Hig h brid ge. T here w as s o m eth in g in t h e s h ap e o f h er h ead , s o m eth in g in h er m an neris m s, an d n ow , a s s h e r a is e d h er e y es a n d c a u gh t s ig h t o f G re tc h en ’s c a m era g lid in g t o w ard h er, a c le ar r e co gn it io n th at s o m eth in g v ery s e rio us w as h ap pen in g. It w as n ot a lo ok o f p ure su rp ris e or bew ild erm en t. It w as th e lo ok of an an im al ca u gh t ro otin g th ro ugh th e garb age. A f e ra l lo ok o f g u ilt a n d r e co gn it io n. For a s e co nd, M ae h eld h er b re ath , a n d it s e em ed th at th e w om an w ould g iv e u p, a n d would s p eak t o t h e c a m era , a d m it tin g h er c rim es a n d a ck now le d gin g s h e’d b een f o und. In ste ad , s h e r a n . For a lo ng m om en t, t h e h old er o f t h e c a m era s to od, a n d h er c a m era s h ow ed o nly F io na Hig h brid ge— fo r t h ere w as n o d oubt n ow t h at it w as h er— as s h e { ed q uic k ly t h ro ugh t h e ro om a n d u p t h e s ta ir s. “F ollo w h er!” M ae y nally y elle d , a n d G re tc h en K ara p ce k a n d h er c a m era b egan p ursu it . Mae w orrie d , m om en ta rily , th at th is w ould b e s o m e b otc h ed e ort, a fu git iv e fo und b ut th en q uic k ly lo st b y a fu m blin g co w ork er. T he ca m era jo stle d w ild ly , u p th e co ncre te sta ir s, t h ro ugh a c in derb lo ck h allw ay , a n d f in ally a p pro ach ed a d oor, t h e w hit e s k y v is ib le th ro ugh it s s m all s q uare w in dow . And w hen th e d oor b ro ke o pen , M ae s a w , w it h g re at r e lie f, th at F io na H ig h brid ge w as tr a p ped a gain st a w all, s u rro unded b y a d oze n peo ple , m ost o f t h em h old in g t h eir p hones to h er, a im in g t h em a t h er. T here w as n o p ossib ilit y o f e sc a p e. H er f a ce w as w ild , a t o nce te rri y ed a n d d e y an t. S h e se em ed to b e lo okin g fo r g ap s in th e th ro ng, so m e h ole sh e co uld s lip t h ro ugh . “ G otc h a, k id -k ille r,” s o m eo ne in t h e c ro w d s a id , a n d F io na H ig h brid ge co lla p se d , s lid in g t o t h e g ro und, c o verin g h er f a ce . In s e co nds, m ost o f th e c ro w d’s v id eo fe ed s w ere a v aila b le o n th e G re at R oom s c re en , an d th e a u die n ce c o uld se e a m osa ic o f F io na H ig h brid ge, h er c o ld h ard fa ce fr o m te n an gle s, a ll o f t h em c o nfir m in g h er g u ilt . “L ynch h er!” s o m eo ne o uts id e t h e la u ndry y elle d . “S h e m ust b e k ep t s a fe ,” S te n to n h is se d in to M ae’s e ar. “K eep h er sa fe ,” M ae p le ad ed w it h th e m ob. “H as so m eo ne ca lle d th e p olic e — th e co nsta b le s? ” In a f e w s e co nds, s ir e n s c o uld b e h eard , a n d w hen M ae s a w t h e t w o c a rs r a ce a cro ss t h e park in g lo t, s h e c h eck ed t h e t im e a gain . W hen t h e f o ur o } ce rs r e ach ed F io na H ig h brid ge an d a p plie d h an dcu s to h er, th e c lo ck o n th e G re at R oom sc re en re ad 1 0 m in ute s, 2 6 se co nds. “I g u ess t h at’s it ,” M ae s a id , a n d s to pped t h e c lo ck . The au die n ce exp lo ded w it h ch eers, an d th e partic ip an ts w ho had tr a p ped Fio na Hig h brid ge w ere c o ngra tu la te d w orld w id e in s e co nds. “L et’s c u t th e v id eo fe ed ,” S te n to n sa id to M ae, “ in th e in te re st o f a llo w in g h er so m e dig n it y .” Mae re p eate d th e d ir e ctiv e to th e te ch s. T he fe ed s sh ow in g H ig h brid ge d ro pped o ut, an d t h e s c re en w en t b la ck a gain . “W ell,” M ae s a id t o t h e a u die n ce . “ T hat w as a ctu ally a lo t e asie r t h an e v en I t h ough t it would b e. A nd w e o nly n eed ed a f e w o f t h e t o ols n ow a t t h e w orld ’s d is p osa l.” “L et’s d o a n oth er!” s o m eo ne y elle d . Mae s m ile d . “ W ell, w e co u ld ,” s h e s a id , a n d lo oked t o B aile y , s ta n din g in t h e w in gs. H e sh ru gged . “M ay be not an oth er fu git iv e,” Ste n to n sa id in to her earp ie ce . “L et’s tr y a re gu la r civ ilia n .” A s m ile o verto ok M ae’s f a ce . “O kay e v ery one,” s h e s a id , a s s h e q uic k ly f o und a p hoto o n h er t a b le t a n d t r a n sfe rre d it to t h e s c re en b eh in d h er. I t w as a s n ap sh ot o f M erc e r t a k en t h re e y ears e arlie r, ju st a fte r th ey ’d sto pped datin g, w hen th ey w ere still clo se , th e tw o of th em sta n din g at th e en tr a n ce t o a c o asta l t r a il t h ey w ere a b out t o h ik e. Sh e h ad n ot, b efo re ju st t h en , o nce t h ough t o f u sin g t h e C ir c le t o y nd M erc e r, b ut n ow it s e em ed t o m ak e p erfe ct s e n se . H ow b ette r t o p ro ve t o h im t h e r e ach a n d p ow er o f t h e netw ork a n d t h e p eo ple o n it ? H is s k ep tic is m w ould f a ll a w ay . “O kay ,” M ae sa id to th e au die n ce . “O ur se co nd ta rg et to day is n ot a fu git iv e fr o m ju stic e , b ut y ou m ig h t s a y h e’s a f u git iv e f r o m , w ell, f r ie n dsh ip .” Sh e s m ile d , a ck now le d gin g t h e la u gh te r in t h e r o om . “T his is M erc e r M ed eir o s. I h av en ’t s e en h im in a fe w m onth s, a n d w ould lo ve to s e e him a gain . L ik e F io na H ig h brid ge, t h ough , h e’s s o m eo ne w ho is t r y in g n ot t o b e f o und. S o le t’s s e e if w e c a n b re ak o ur p re v io us r e co rd . E very one r e ad y? L et’s s ta rt t h e c lo ck .” A nd th e c lo ck s ta rte d . Wit h in n in ety s e co nds t h ere w ere h undre d s o f p osts f r o m p eo ple w ho k new h im — fr o m gra d e s c h ool, h ig h s c h ool, c o lle ge, w ork . T here w ere e v en a fe w p ic tu re s fe atu rin g M ae, whic h e n te rta in ed a ll in volv ed . T hen , t h ough , m uch t o M ae’s h orro r, t h ere w as a y aw nin g gap , o f f o ur a n d a h alf m in ute s, w hen n o o ne o ere d a n y v alu ab le in fo rm atio n o n w here he w as n ow . A n e x-g ir lf r ie n d s a id s h e, t o o, w ould lik e t o k now h is w here ab outs , g iv en h e had a w hole sc u ba a p para tu s th at b elo nged to h er. T hat w as th e m ost re le v an t m essa ge fo r a t im e, b ut t h en a z in g a p peare d f r o m J asp er, O re go n, a n d w as im med ia te ly v ote d t o th e t o p o f t h e s c ro ll. I’v e s e en th is g u y a t o u r lo ca l g ro cery . L et m e c h eck . And th at p oste r, A dam F ra n ken th ale r, go t in to uch w it h h is n eig h bors, an d q uic k ly th ere w as a gre em en t t h at t h ey h ad a ll s e en M erc e r— in t h e liq uor s to re , in t h e g ro ce ry , a t th e lib ra ry . B ut t h en t h ere w as a n oth er e xcru cia tin g p au se , a lm ost t w o m in ute s, w here n o one c o uld f ig u re o ut q uit e w here h e liv ed . T he c lo ck s a id 7 :3 1. “O kay ,” M ae s a id . “ T his is w here th e m ore p ow erfu l to ols c o m e in to p la y . L et’s c h eck lo ca l r e al e sta te s it e s fo r r e n ta l h is to rie s. L et’s c h eck c re d it c a rd r e co rd s, p hone r e co rd s, lib ra ry m em bersh ip s, a n yth in g h e w ould h av e s ig n ed u p f o r. O h w ait .” M ae lo oked u p t o se e t w o a d dre sse s h ad b een f o und, b oth in t h e s a m e t in y O re go n t o w n. “ D o w e k now h ow we go t th ose ?” sh e ask ed , b ut it h ard ly se em ed to m atte r. T hin gs w ere m ovin g to o quic k ly n ow . In th e n ext fe w m in ute s, ca rs co nverg ed o n b oth a d dre sse s, th eir p asse n gers y lm in g th eir arriv al. O ne ad dre ss w as ab ove a hom eo path ic m ed ic in e outle t in to w n, gre at re d w oods ris in g h ig h a b ove. A ca m era sh ow ed a h an d k nock in g o n th e d oor, a n d th en peerin g in to th e w in dow . T here w as n o a n sw er a t y rst, b ut y nally th e d oor o pen ed , a n d th e c a m era p an ned d ow n to y nd a tin y b oy, a b out y ve, s e ein g a c ro w d a t h is d oorste p , lo okin g t e rrif ie d . “Is M erc e r M ed eir o s h ere ?” s a id a v oic e . The b oy t u rn ed , d is a p pearin g in to t h e d ark h ouse . “ D ad !” For a m om en t M ae p an ic k ed , th in kin g th at th is b oy w as M erc e r’s — it w as h ap pen in g to o q uic k ly fo r h er to d o th e m ath p ro perly . H e a lr e ad y h as a s o n? N o, s h e r e aliz e d , th is co uld n’t be his bio lo gic a l ch ild . M ay be he’d m oved in w it h a w om an w ho had kid s alr e ad y? But w hen th e sh ad ow o f a m an e m erg ed in to th e lig h t o f th e d oorw ay , it w as n ot Merc e r. I t w as a g o ate ed m an o f a b out f o rty , in a { an nel s h ir t a n d s w eatp an ts . D ead e n d. Ju st o ver e ig h t m in ute s h ad e la p se d . The se co nd a d dre ss w as fo und. It w as in th e w oods, h ig h u p a m ounta in slo pe. T he main v id eo f e ed b eh in d M ae s w it c h ed t o t h is v ie w , a s a c a r r a ce d u p a w in din g d riv ew ay to s to p a t a la rg e g re y c a b in . This tim e th e ca m era w ork w as m ore p ro fe ssio nal a n d cle ar. S o m eo ne w as y lm in g a partic ip an t, a g rin nin g y oung w om an , k nock in g o n t h e d oor, h er e y eb ro w s d an cin g u p a n d dow n w it h m is c h ie f. “M erc e r? ” sh e sa id to th e d oor. “ M erc e r, y ou in th ere ?” T he fa m ilia rit y in h er v oic e was m om en ta rily u nnerv in g t o M ae. “ Y ou in t h ere m ak in g s o m e c h an delie rs? ” Mae’s sto m ach tu rn ed . S h e h ad a se n se th at M erc e r w ould n ot lik e th at q uestio n, th e dis m is siv e to ne o f it . S h e w an te d h is fa ce to a p pear a s so on a s p ossib le , so sh e co uld sp eak t o h im d ir e ctly . B ut n o o ne a n sw ere d t h e d oor. “M erc e r!” th e y oung w om an sa id . “I k now y ou’r e in th ere . W e se e y our ca r.” T he ca m era p an ned t o t h e d riv ew ay , w here M ae s a w , w it h a t h rill, t h at it w as in deed M erc e r’s pic k up. W hen t h e c a m era p an ned b ack , it r e v eale d a c ro w d o f t e n o r t w elv e p eo ple , m ost of th em lo okin g lik e lo ca ls , in b ase b all h ats a n d a t le ast o ne in c a m ou { age g ear. By th e tim e th e c a m era a rriv ed b ack a t th e fr o nt d oor, th e c ro w d h ad b egu n to c h an t. “ M erc e r! Merc e r! M erc e r!” Mae lo oked at th e clo ck . N in e m in ute s, 24 se co nds. T hey w ould bre ak th e Fio na Hig h brid ge r e co rd b y a t le ast a m in ute . B ut f ir st h e h ad t o c o m e t o t h e d oor. “G o aro und,” th e y oung w om an sa id , an d n ow th e fe ed fo llo w ed a se co nd ca m era , peerin g a ro und th e p orc h a n d in to th e w in dow s. In sid e, n o y gu re s w ere v is ib le . T here were y sh in g p ole s, a n d a s ta ck o f a n tle rs, a n d b ooks a n d p ap ers in p ile s b y d usty c o uch es an d c h air s. O n t h e m an te l, M ae w as s u re s h e c o uld s e e a p hoto s h e r e co gn iz e d , o f M erc e r wit h h is b ro th ers a n d p are n ts , o n a tr ip th ey ’d ta k en to Y ose m it e . S h e re m em bere d th e photo , a n d w as s u re o f th e y gu re s in it , b eca u se it h ad a lw ay s s tr u ck h er a s s tr a n ge a n d wonderfu l, t h e f a ct t h at M erc e r, w ho w as s ix te en a t t h e t im e, w as le an in g h is h ead o n h is moth er’s s h ould er, in a n u ngu ard ed e xp re ssio n o f f ilia l lo ve. “M erc e r! M erc e r! M erc e r!” t h e v oic e s c h an te d . But it w as v ery p ossib le , M ae r e aliz e d , th at h e w as o n a h ik e o r, lik e s o m e c a v em an , out c o lle ctin g y re w ood a n d m ig h t n ot r e tu rn f o r h ours. S h e w as r e ad y t o t u rn b ack t o t h e au die n ce , c a ll th e s e arc h a s u cce ss, a n d c u t th e d em onstr a tio n s h ort— th ey h ad , a fte r a ll, fo und h im , b ey ond t h e s h ad ow o f a d oubt— when s h e h eard a s h rie k in g v oic e . “T here h e is ! D riv ew ay !” And b oth c a m era s b egan to m ove a n d s h ak e a s th ey r a n fr o m th e p orc h to th e T oyota . There w as a y gu re g ettin g in to th e tr u ck , a n d M ae k new it w as M erc e r, a s th e c a m era s desc e n ded u pon h im . B ut a s th ey g o t c lo se — clo se e n ough fo r M ae to b e h eard — he w as alr e ad y b ack in g d ow n t h e d riv ew ay . A y gu re w as ru nnin g a lo ngsid e th e tr u ck , a y oung m an , w ho c o uld b e se en a tta ch in g so m eth in g t o t h e p asse n ger-s id e w in dow . M erc e r b ack ed in to t h e m ain r o ad a n d s p ed o . There w as a c h ao s o f r u nnin g a n d la u gh te r, a s a ll th e p artic ip an ts a sse m ble d a t M erc e r’s house g o t in to t h eir c a rs t o f o llo w h im . A m essa ge fr o m o ne o f th e fo llo w ers e xp la in ed th at h e’d p ut a S eeC han ge c a m era o n th e p asse n ger w in dow , a n d in sta n tly it w as a ctiv ate d a n d a p peare d o nsc re en , s h ow in g a very c le ar p ic tu re o f M erc e r d riv in g. Mae k new th is c a m era h ad o nly o ne-w ay a u dio , so sh e c o uld n’t sp eak to M erc e r. B ut sh e k new sh e h ad to . H e w ould n’t k now , y et, th at it w as sh e w ho w as b eh in d th is . S h e need ed to a ssu re h im th is w asn ’t s o m e c re ep y s ta lk in g e xp ed it io n. T hat it w as h is fr ie n d Mae, s im ply d em onstr a tin g th eir S o ulS earc h p ro gra m , a n d a ll s h e w an te d w as to ta lk to him f o r a s e co nd, t o la u gh a b out t h is t o geth er. But a s t h e w oods r a ce d p ast h is w in dow , a b lu r o f b ro w n a n d w hit e a n d g re en , M erc e r’s mouth w as a te rrib le sla sh of an ger an d fe ar. H e w as tu rn in g th e tr u ck fr e q uen tly , re ck le ssly , a n d s e em ed t o b e r is in g t h ro ugh t h e m ounta in s. M ae w orrie d a b out t h e a b ilit y of th e p artic ip an ts to c a tc h u p to h im , b ut k new th ey h ad th e S eeC han ge c a m era , w hic h was o erin g a v ie w s o c le ar a n d c in em atic t h at it w as w ild ly e n te rta in in g. H e lo oked lik e his h ero , S te v e M cQ ueen , fu rio us b ut c o ntr o lle d w hile o pera tin g h is h eav in g tr u ck . M ae brie { y h ad th e th ough t o f s o m e k in d o f s tr e am in g s h ow th ey c o uld c re ate , w here p eo ple sim ply b ro ad ca st t h em se lv es d riv in g t h ro ugh in te re stin g la n dsc a p es a t h ig h v elo cit y . Driv e, She S aid , th ey c o uld c a ll it . M ae’s r e v erie w as in te rru pte d b y M erc e r’s v oic e , y lle d w it h ven om : “ F uck !” h e y elle d . “ F uck y ou!” He w as lo okin g at th e ca m era . H e’d fo und it . A nd th en th e ca m era ’s vie w w as desc e n din g. H e w as ro llin g d ow n th e w in dow . M ae w ondere d if it w ould h old , if it s ad hesiv e w ould tr u m p th e str e n gth o f th e a u to m atic w in dow , b ut th e a n sw er a rriv ed in se co nds, as th e ca m era w as sh av ed o th e w in dow , it s ey e sw in gin g w ild ly as it desc e n ded a n d f e ll, s h ow in g w oods, t h en p av em en t, t h en , a s it s e ttle d o n t h e r o ad , s k y. The c lo ck r e ad 1 1:5 1. For a lo ng f e w m in ute s, t h ere w ere n o v ie w s o f M erc e r a t a ll. M ae a ssu m ed t h at a t a n y mom en t, o ne o f th e ca rs in p ursu it w ould y nd h im , b ut th e v ie w s fr o m a ll fo ur ca rs sh ow ed n o s ig n o f h im a t a ll. T hey w ere a ll o n d i ere n t r o ad s, a n d t h eir a u dio m ad e c le ar th ey h ad n o id ea w here h e w as. “O kay ,” M ae s a id , k now in g s h e w as a b out to w ow th e a u die n ce . “ R ele ase th e d ro nes!” sh e r o are d in a v oic e m ean t t o in voke a n d m ock s o m e w it c h y v illa in . It t o ok a go niz in gly lo ng— th re e m in ute s o r s o — but s o on a ll t h e a v aila b le p riv ate d ro nes in t h e a re a, e le v en o f t h em , w ere in t h e a ir , e ach o pera te d b y it s o w ner, a n d a ll w ere o n th e m ounta in w here , it h ad b een s u rm is e d , M erc e r w as d riv in g. T heir o w n G PS s y ste m s kep t th em fr o m co llid in g, an d, co ord in atin g w it h th e sa te llit e vie w , th ey fo und his pow der-b lu e t r u ck in s ix ty -s e v en s e co nds. T he c lo ck w as a t 1 5:0 4. The dro nes’ ca m era vie w s w ere now bro ugh t onsc re en , giv in g th e au die n ce an in cre d ib le g rid o f im ages, a ll o f t h e d ro nes w ell-s p ace d , p ro vid in g a k ale id osc o pic lo ok a t th e tr u ck r a cin g u p th e m ounta in r o ad th ro ugh h eav y p in es. A fe w o f th e s m alle r d ro nes were a b le t o s w oop d ow n a n d g et c lo se , w hile m ost o f t h em , t o o la rg e t o w eav e betw een th e tr e es, fo llo w ed fr o m ab ove. O ne o f th e sm alle r d ro nes, ca lle d R eco nM an 10, h ad dro pped th ro ugh th e tr e e ca n opy an d se em ed to atta ch it s e lf to M erc e r’s driv er-s id e win dow . T he v ie w w as ste ad y a n d c le ar. M erc e r tu rn ed to it , re aliz in g it s p re se n ce a n d te n acit y , a n d a lo ok o f u nm it ig ate d h orro r t r a n sfo rm ed h is f a ce . M ae h ad n ev er s e en h im lo ok lik e t h is b efo re . “C an so m eo ne g et m e o n a u dio fo r th e d ro ne ca lle d R eco nM an 10?” M ae a sk ed . S h e knew h is w in dow w as s till o pen . I f s h e s p oke t h ro ugh t h e d ro ne’s s p eak er, h e’d h ear h er, know it w as h er. S h e r e ce iv ed t h e s ig n al t h at t h e a u dio w as a ctiv ate d . “M erc e r. I t’s m e, M ae! C an y ou h ear m e?” There w as s o m e fa in t s ig n o f r e co gn it io n o n h is fa ce . H e s q uin te d , a n d lo oked to w ard th e d ro ne a gain , d is b elie v in g. “M erc e r. S to p d riv in g. It’s ju st m e. M ae.” A nd th en , a lm ost la u gh in g, sh e sa id , “ I ju st wan te d t o s a y h i.” The a u die n ce r o are d . Mae w as w arm ed b y th e la u gh te r in th e r o om , a n d e xp ecte d th at M erc e r w ould la u gh , to o, a n d w ould s to p, a n d w ould s h ak e h is h ead , in a d m ir a tio n f o r t h e w onderfu l p ow er o f th e to ols at her dis p osa l. W hat sh e w an te d him to sa y w as, “O kay , you go t m e. I su rre n der. Y ou w in .” But h e w asn ’t sm ilin g, a n d h e w asn ’t sto ppin g. H e w asn ’t e v en lo okin g a t th e d ro ne an ym ore . I t w as a s if h e’d d ecid ed o n a n ew p ath , a n d w as lo ck ed in to it . “M erc e r!” sh e sa id , in m ock -a u th orit a tiv e v oic e . “ M erc e r, sto p th e c a r a n d su rre n der. You’r e su rro unded .” T hen sh e th ough t o f so m eth in g th at m ad e h er sm ile a gain . “ Y ou’r e su rro unded … ” s h e s a id , lo w erin g h er v oic e , a n d th en , in a c h ir p y a lt o , “ b y fr ie n ds!” A s sh e’d know n th ey w ould , a burst of la u gh te r an d ch eers th undere d th ro ugh th e au dit o riu m . But still h e d id n’t sto p. H e h ad n’t lo oked a t th e d ro ne in m in ute s. M ae ch eck ed th e clo ck : 1 9 m in ute s, 5 7 se co nds. Sh e co uld n’t d ecid e w heth er o r n ot it m atte re d if h e sto pped , o r ack now le d ged th e ca m era s. H e’d b een fo und, afte r all, h ad n’t h e? T hey ’d pro bab ly b eate n th e F io na H ig h brid ge r e co rd w hen th ey ’d c a u gh t h im r u nnin g to h is c a r. That w as th e m om en t th ey ’d v eri y ed h is c o rp ore al id en tit y . M ae h ad th e b rie f th ough t th at th ey s h ould c a ll o th e d ro nes, a n d s h ut d ow n th e c a m era s, b eca u se M erc e r w as in one o f h is m oods, an d w ould n’t b e co opera tin g— an d an yw ay , sh e’d p ro ven w hat sh e in te n ded t o p ro ve. But s o m eth in g a b out h is in ab ilit y t o g iv e in , t o a d m it d efe at, o r t o a t le ast a ck now le d ge th e in cre d ib le p ow er o f th e te ch nolo gy a t M ae’s c o m man d … s h e k new s h e c o uld n’t g iv e up u ntil sh e h ad re ce iv ed so m e se n se o f h is a cq uie sc e n ce . W hat w ould th at b e, th ough ? Sh e d id n’t k now , b ut s h e k new s h e’d k now it w hen s h e s a w it . And th en th e la n dsc a p e p assin g b esid e th e ca r o pen ed u p. It w as n o lo nger w oods, den se a n d m ovin g q uic k ly . N ow t h ere w as a ll b lu e, a n d t r e eto ps, a n d b rig h t w hit e c lo uds. Sh e lo oked t o a n oth er c a m era -v ie w , a n d s a w t h e v ie w f r o m a n o verh ead d ro ne. M erc e r was d riv in g o n a b rid ge, a n arro w b rid ge c o nnectin g th e m ounta in to a n oth er, th e sp an ris in g h undre d s o f f e et o ver a g o rg e. “C an w e t u rn t h e m ic ro phone u p a t a ll? ” s h e a sk ed . An ic o n a p peare d , in dic a tin g th at th e v olu m e h ad b een a t h alf -p ow er, a n d w as n ow a t fu ll. “M erc e r!” sh e sa id , u sin g a v oic e as o m in ous as sh e co uld m uste r. His h ead je rk ed to w ard t h e d ro ne, s h ock ed b y t h e v olu m e. M ay be h e h ad n’t h eard h er b efo re ? “M erc e r! It’s m e, M ae!” sh e sa id , n ow h old in g o ut h ope th at h e h ad n’t k now n, u ntil th en , t h at it w as h er t h at w as b eh in d a ll t h is . B ut h e d id n’t s m ile . H e o nly s h ook h is h ead , slo w ly , a s if in d is a p poin tm en t m ost p ro fo und. Now sh e co uld se e a n oth er tw o d ro nes o n th e p asse n ger-s id e w in dow . A n ew v oic e , male , b oom ed fr o m o ne o f th em : “ M erc e r, y ou m oth erfu ck er! S to p d riv in g, y ou fu ck in g assh ole !” Merc e r’s h ead sw ung to th is v oic e , an d w hen h e tu rn ed b ack to th e ro ad , h is fa ce sh ow ed r e al p an ic . On th e sc re en b eh in d h er, M ae sa w th at tw o S eeC han ge ca m era s, p osit io ned o n th e brid ge, h ad b een a d ded to th e g rid . A th ir d c a m e a liv e s e co nds la te r, o erin g a v ie w o f th e s p an f r o m t h e r iv erb an k f a r b elo w . Now a n oth er v oic e , th is o ne a w om an ’s a n d la u gh in g, b oom ed fr o m th e th ir d d ro ne: “M erc e r, s u bm it t o u s! S u bm it t o o ur w ill! B e o ur f r ie n d!” Merc e r tu rn ed h is tr u ck to w ard th e d ro ne, a s if in te n din g to r a m it , b ut it a d ju ste d it s tr a je cto ry a u to m atic a lly a n d m im ic k ed h is m ovem en t, s ta y in g d ir e ctly in s y nc. “ Y ou c a n ’t esc a p e, M erc e r!” t h e w om an ’s v oic e b ello w ed . “ N ev er, e v er, e v er. I t’s o ver. N ow g iv e u p. Be our fr ie n d!” T his la st en tr e aty w as re n dere d in a ch ild ’s w hin e, an d th e w om an tr a n sm it tin g th ro ugh th e e le ctr o nic s p eak er la u gh ed a t it s s tr a n gen ess, th is n asa l e n tr e aty em an atin g f r o m a d ull b la ck d ro ne. The a u die n ce w as c h eerin g, a n d th e c o m men ts w ere p ilin g u p, a n um ber o f w atc h ers sa y in g t h is w as t h e g re ate st v ie w in g e xp erie n ce o f t h eir liv es. And w hile th e ch eers w ere g ro w in g lo uder, M ae sa w so m eth in g co m e o ver M erc e r’s fa ce , so m eth in g lik e dete rm in atio n, so m eth in g lik e se re n it y . H is rig h t arm sp un th e ste erin g w heel, a n d h e d is a p peare d fr o m th e v ie w o f d ro nes, te m pora rily a t le ast, a n d when th ey re gain ed th eir lo ck o n h im , h is tr u ck w as cro ssin g th e h ig h w ay , sp eed in g to w ard it s c o ncre te b arrie r, s o f a st t h at it w as im possib le t h at it c o uld h old h im b ack . T he tr u ck b ro ke t h ro ugh a n d le ap t in to t h e g o rg e, a n d, f o r a b rie f m om en t, s e em ed t o { y, t h e mounta in s v is ib le f o r m ile s b ey ond. A nd t h en t h e t r u ck d ro pped f r o m v ie w . Mae’s e y es t u rn ed , in stin ctiv ely , t o t h e c a m era o n t h e r iv erb ed , a n d s h e s a w , c le arly , a tin y o bje ct d ro ppin g fr o m th e b rid ge o verh ead a n d la n din g, lik e a tin to y, o n th e ro ck s belo w . T hough s h e k new t h is o bje ct w as M erc e r’s t r u ck , a n d s h e k new , in s o m e r e ce ss o f her m in d, th at th ere c o uld b e n o su rv iv ors o f su ch a fa ll, sh e lo oked b ack to th e o th er ca m era s, to th e v ie w s fr o m th e d ro nes still h overin g a b ove, e xp ectin g to se e M erc e r o n th e b rid ge, lo okin g d ow n a t t h e t r u ck b elo w . B ut t h ere w as n o o ne o n t h e b rid ge. “Y ou d oin g o kay t o day ?” B aile y a sk ed . They w ere in h is lib ra ry , a lo ne b ut fo r h er w atc h ers. S in ce M erc e r’s d eath , n ow a fu ll week a go , t h e n um bers h ad r e m ain ed s te ad y, n ear t w en ty -e ig h t m illio n. “I a m , th an ks,” M ae sa id , m easu rin g h er w ord s, im agin in g th e w ay th e p re sid en t, n o matte r th e sit u atio n, h as to y nd a m ed iu m b etw een ra w em otio n, an d q uie t d ig n it y , pra ctic e d c o m posu re . S h e’d b een t h in kin g o f h erse lf a s a p re sid en t. S h e s h are d m uch w it h th em — th e r e sp onsib ilit y to s o m an y, th e p ow er to in { uen ce g lo bal e v en ts . And w it h h er posit io n c a m e n ew , p re sid en t-le v el c ris e s. T here w as M erc e r’s p assin g. T here w as A nnie ’s co lla p se . S h e t h ough t o f t h e K en ned ys. “ I’m n ot s u re it ’s h it m e y et,” s h e s a id . “A nd it m ig h t n ot, n ot fo r a w hile ,” B aile y sa id . “ G rie f d oesn ’t a rriv e o n sc h ed ule , a s much a s w e’d lik e it to . B ut I d on’t w an t y ou to b e b la m in g y ourse lf . Y ou’r e n ot d oin g th at, I h ope.” “W ell, it ’s so rt o f h ard n ot to ,” M ae sa id , a n d th en w in ce d . T hose w ord s w ere n ot pre sid en tia l, a n d B aile y le ap t o n t h em . “M ae, y ou w ere tr y in g to h elp a v ery d is tu rb ed , a n tis o cia l y oung m an . Y ou a n d th e oth er p artic ip an ts w ere r e ach in g o ut, tr y in g to b rin g h im in to th e e m bra ce o f h um an it y , an d h e r e je cte d t h at. I t h in k it ’s s e lf -e v id en t t h at y ou w ere , if a n yth in g, h is o nly h ope.” “T han k y ou f o r s a y in g s o ,” s h e s a id . “It’s lik e y ou w ere a d octo r, c o m in g t o h elp a s ic k p atie n t, a n d t h e p atie n t, u pon s e ein g th is d octo r, ju m ps o ut o f t h e w in dow . Y ou c a n h ard ly b e b la m ed .” “T han k y ou,” M ae s a id . “A nd y our p are n ts ? T hey ’r e o kay ?” “T hey ’r e f in e. T han k y ou.” “It m ust h av e b een g o od t o s e e t h em a t t h e s e rv ic e .” “It w as,” M ae s a id , t h ough t h ey ’d b are ly s p oken t h en , a n d h ad n’t s p oken s in ce . “I k now th ere ’s still so m e d is ta n ce b etw een y ou a ll, b ut it w ill co lla p se w it h tim e. Dis ta n ce a lw ay s c o lla p se s.” Mae f e lt t h an kfu l f o r B aile y , f o r h is s tr e n gth a n d h is c a lm . H e w as, a t t h at m om en t, h er best fr ie n d, a n d s o m eth in g lik e a fa th er, to o. S h e lo ved h er o w n p are n ts , b ut th ey w ere not w is e lik e th is , n ot str o ng lik e th is . S h e w as th an kfu l fo r B aile y , a n d S te n to n, a n d esp ecia lly f o r F ra n cis , w ho h ad b een w it h h er m ost o f e v ery d ay s in ce . “It fr u str a te s m e to se e so m eth in g lik e th at hap pen ,” Baile y co ntin ued . “It’s exasp era tin g, re ally . I k now th is is ta n gen tia l, a n d I k now it ’s a p et is su e o f m in e, b ut re ally : th ere ’d b e n o ch an ce o f th at h ap pen in g if M erc e r w as in a se lf -d riv in g v eh ic le . Their p ro gra m min g w ould h av e p re clu ded th is . V eh ic le s lik e th e o ne h e w as d riv in g sh ould f r a n kly b e ille gal.” “R ig h t,” M ae s a id . “ T hat s tu pid t r u ck .” “A nd n ot th at it ’s a b out m oney , b ut d o y ou k now h ow m uch it ’l l c o st to re p air th at brid ge? A nd w hat it a lr e ad y c o st t o c le an u p t h e w hole m ess d ow n b elo w ? Y ou p ut h im in a se lf -d riv in g ca r, a n d th ere ’s n o o ptio n fo r se lf -d estr u ctio n. T he ca r w ould h av e sh ut dow n. I’m so rry . I sh ould n’t g et o n m y so ap box a b out so m eth in g so u nre la te d to y our grie f.” “It’s o kay .” “A nd th ere h e w as, a lo ne in so m e ca b in . O f co u rse h e’s g o in g to g et d ep re sse d , a n d work h im se lf in to a sta te o f m ad ness an d p ara n oia . W hen th e p artic ip an ts arriv ed , I mean , th at g u y w as fa r p ast g o ne. H e’s u p th ere , a lo ne, u nre ach ab le b y th e th ousa n ds, millio ns e v en , w ho w ould h av e h elp ed in a n y w ay t h ey c o uld if t h ey ’d k now n.” Mae lo oked u p to B aile y ’s sta in ed -g la ss c e ilin g— all th ose a n gels — th in kin g h ow m uch Merc e r w ould lik e t o b e c o nsid ere d a m arty r. “ S o m an y p eo ple lo ved h im ,” s h e s a id . “ So m an y p eo ple . H av e y ou se en th e c o m men ts a n d tr ib ute s? P eo ple w an te d to h elp . They tr ie d to h elp . You d id . A nd c e rta in ly th ere w ould h av e b een th ousa n ds m ore , if h e’d le t th em . If y ou r e je ct hum an it y , if y ou r e je ct a ll th e to ols a v aila b le to y ou, a ll th e h elp av aila b le to y ou, th en b ad th in gs w ill h ap pen . Y ou re je ct th e te ch nolo gy th at p re v en ts ca rs f r o m g o in g o ver c li s, a n d y ou’l l g o o ver a c li — physic a lly . Y ou r e je ct t h e h elp a n d lo ve o f th e w orld ’s c o m passio nate b illio ns, a n d y ou g o o ver a c li — em otio nally . R ig h t? ” Baile y p au se d , a s if to a llo w th e tw o o f th em to s o ak in th e a p t a n d tid y m eta p hor h e’d co nju re d . “ Y ou r e je ct t h e g ro ups, t h e p eo ple , t h e lis te n ers o ut t h ere w ho w an t t o c o nnect, to em path iz e an d em bra ce , an d d is a ste r is im min en t. M ae, th is w as cle arly a d eep ly dep re sse d a n d is o la te d y oung m an w ho w as n ot a b le to su rv iv e in a w orld lik e th is , a world m ovin g to w ard c o m munio n a n d u nit y . I w is h I’d k now n h im . I fe el lik e I d id , a lit tle b it , h av in g w atc h ed t h e e v en ts o f t h at d ay . B ut s till.” Baile y m ad e a s o und o f d eep f r u str a tio n, a g u ttu ra l s ig h . “Y ou k now , a fe w y ears a go , I h ad th e id ea th at I w ould e n deav or, in m y lif e tim e, to know e v ery p erso n o n E arth . E very p erso n, e v en if ju st a lit tle b it . T o s h ak e t h eir h an d o r sa y h ello . A nd w hen I h ad t h is in sp ir a tio n, I r e ally t h ough t I c o uld d o it . C an y ou f e el t h e ap peal o f a n otio n lik e t h at? ” “A bso lu te ly ,” M ae s a id . “B ut t h ere a re s e v en -o dd b illio n p eo ple o n t h e p la n et! S o I d id t h e c a lc u la tio ns. T he b est I c o uld c o m e u p w it h w as th is : if I sp en t th re e se co nds w it h e ach p erso n, th at’s tw en ty peo ple a m in ute . T w elv e h undre d a n h our! P re tty g o od, r ig h t? B ut e v en a t t h at p ace , a fte r a y ear, I w ould h av e k now n o nly 1 0,5 12,0 00 p eo ple . I t w ould t a k e m e 6 65 y ears t o m eet ev ery one a t t h at p ace ! D ep re ssin g, r ig h t? ” “It is ,” M ae s a id . S h e h ad d one a s im ila r c a lc u la tio n h erse lf . W as it e n ough , s h e t h ough t, to b e se en b y s o m e f r a ctio n o f t h ose p eo ple ? T hat c o unte d f o r s o m eth in g. “S o w e h av e to c o nte n t o urse lv es w it h th e p eo ple w e d o k now a n d c a n k now ,” B aile y sa id , sig h in g lo udly a gain . “ A nd c o nte n t o urse lv es w it h k now in g ju st h ow m an y p eo ple th ere are . T here are so m an y, an d w e h av e m an y to ch oose fr o m . In y our tr o uble d Merc e r, w e’v e lo st o ne o f t h e w orld ’s m an y, m an y p eo ple , w hic h r e m in ds u s o f b oth lif e ’s pre cio usn ess a n d it s a b undan ce . A m I r ig h t? ” “Y ou a re .” Mae’s th ough ts had fo llo w ed th e sa m e path . Afte r M erc e r’s death , afte r Annie ’s co lla p se , w hen M ae fe lt so a lo ne, sh e fe lt th e te ar o pen in g u p in h er a gain , la rg er a n d bla ck er th an e v er b efo re . B ut th en w atc h ers fr o m a ll o ver th e w orld h ad re ach ed o ut, se n din g h er t h eir s u pport, t h eir s m ile s— sh e’d g o tte n m illio ns, t e n s o f m illio ns— sh e k new what t h e t e ar w as a n d h ow t o s e w it c lo se d . T he t e ar w as n ot k now in g. N ot k now in g w ho would lo ve her an d fo r how lo ng. T he te ar w as th e m ad ness of not know in g— not know in g w ho K ald en w as, n ot k now in g M erc e r’s m in d, A nnie ’s m in d, h er p la n s. M erc e r would h av e b een sa v eab le — would h av e b een sa v ed — if h e’d m ad e h is m in d k now n, if he’d le t M ae, a n d th e re st o f th e w orld , in . It w as n ot k now in g th at w as th e se ed o f mad ness, lo nelin ess, su sp ic io n, fe ar. B ut th ere w ere w ay s to so lv e a ll th is . C la rit y h ad mad e h er k now ab le to th e w orld , a n d h ad m ad e h er b ette r, h ad b ro ugh t h er c lo se , sh e hoped , to p erfe ctio n. N ow th e w orld w ould fo llo w . F ull tr a n sp are n cy w ould b rin g fu ll acce ss, a n d t h ere w ould b e n o m ore n ot-k now in g. M ae s m ile d , t h in kin g a b out h ow s im ple it a ll w as, h ow p ure . B aile y s h are d h er s m ile . “N ow ,” h e s a id , “ sp eak in g o f p eo ple w e c a re a b out a n d d on’t w an t t o lo se , I k now y ou vis it e d A nnie y este rd ay . H ow ’s s h e d oin g? H er c o ndit io n t h e s a m e?” “It’s t h e s a m e. Y ou k now A nnie . S h e’s s tr o ng.” “S h e is str o ng. A nd sh e’s so im porta n t to u s h ere . J u st a s y ou a re . W e’l l b e w it h y ou, an d w it h A nnie , a lw ay s. I k now y ou b oth k now th at, b ut I w an t to sa y it a gain . Y ou’l l nev er b e w it h out t h e C ir c le . O kay ?” Mae w as t r y in g n ot t o c ry . “ O kay .” “O kay th en .” B aile y s m ile d . “ N ow w e s h ould g o . S te n to n a w ait s , a n d I th in k w e c o uld all,” a n d h ere h e in dic a te d M ae a n d h er w atc h ers, “ u se s o m e d is tr a ctio n. Y ou r e ad y?” As t h ey w alk ed d ow n t h e d ark h allw ay t o w ard t h e n ew a q uariu m , r a d ia tin g a liv in g b lu e, Mae co uld se e th e n ew ca re ta k er clim bin g a la d der. S te n to n h ad h ir e d a n oth er m arin e bio lo gis t, afte r he’d had philo so phic a l di ere n ce s w it h Geo rg ia . Sh e’d obje cte d to Ste n to n’s e xp erim en ta l fe ed in gs a n d h ad r e fu se d to d o w hat h er r e p la ce m en t, a ta ll m an wit h a sh av ed h ead , w as a b out to d o, w hic h w as to c o m bin e a ll o f S te n to n’s M aria n as cre atu re s in to o ne t a n k, t o c re ate s o m eth in g c lo se r t o t h e r e al e n vir o nm en t in w hic h h e’d fo und th em . It se em ed lik e a n id ea so lo gic a l th at M ae w as g la d th at G eo rg ia h ad b een dis m is se d a n d r e p la ce d . W ho w ould n’t w an t a ll th e a n im als in th eir n ear-n ativ e h ab it a t? Geo rg ia h ad b een tim id a n d la ck ed v is io n, a n d su ch a p erso n h ad lit tle p la ce n ear th ese ta n ks, n ear S te n to n o r in t h e C ir c le . “T here h e is ,” B aile y s a id a s th ey a p pro ach ed th e ta n k. S te n to n s te p ped in to v ie w a n d Baile y s h ook h is h an d, a n d t h en S te n to n t u rn ed t o M ae. “M ae, so g o od to se e y ou a gain ,” h e sa id , ta k in g b oth h er h an ds in his . H e w as in a n eb ullie n t m ood, b ut h is m outh fr o w ned , b rie { y, in d efe re n ce to M ae’s re ce n t lo ss. S h e sm ile d sh yly , th en ra is e d h er e y es. S h e w an te d h im to k now th at sh e w as y ne, sh e w as re ad y. H e n odded , ste p ped b ack a n d tu rn ed to th e ta n k. F or th e o cca sio n, S te n to n h ad built a fa r la rg er ta n k, a n d y lle d it w it h a g o rg eo us a rra y o f liv e c o ra l a n d s e aw eed , th e co lo rs sy m phonic u nder th e b rig h t a q uariu m lig h t. T here w ere la v en der a n em ones, a n d bubble c o ra ls in g re en a n d y ello w , th e str a n ge w hit e sp here s o f se a sp onges. T he w ate r was c a lm b ut a s lig h t c u rre n t s w ay ed t h e v io le t v egeta tio n, p in ch ed b etw een n ooks o f t h e honey co m b c o ra l. “B eau tif u l. J u st b eau tif u l,” B aile y s a id . Baile y an d Ste n to n an d M ae sto od, her ca m era tr a in ed on th e ta n k, allo w in g her watc h ers a d eep lo ok in to t h e r ic h u nderw ate r t a b le au . “A nd s o on it w ill b e c o m ple te ,” S te n to n s a id . At th at m om en t, M ae fe lt a p re se n ce n ear h er, a h ot b re ath o n th e b ack o f h er n eck , passin g le ft t o r ig h t. “O h, t h ere h e is ,” B aile y s a id . “ I d on’t t h in k y ou’v e m et T y y et, h av e y ou, M ae?” Sh e t u rn ed t o y nd K ald en , s ta n din g w it h B aile y a n d S te n to n, s m ilin g a t h er, h old in g o ut his h an d. H e w as w earin g a w ool c a p a n d a n o versiz e d h oodie . B ut it w as u nm is ta k ab ly Kald en . B efo re s h e c o uld s u ppre ss it , s h e’d le t o ut a g asp . He s m ile d , a n d s h e k new , im med ia te ly , t h at it w ould s e em n atu ra l t o h er w atc h ers, a n d to th e W is e M en , th at sh e w ould gasp in th e p re se n ce o f T y. Sh e lo oked d ow n an d re aliz e d s h e w as a lr e ad y s h ak in g h is h an d. S h e c o uld n’t b re ath e. Sh e lo oked u p t o s e e B aile y a n d S te n to n g rin nin g. T hey a ssu m ed s h e w as in t h ra ll o f t h e cre ato r of all th is , th e m yste rio us young m an beh in d th e C ir c le . Sh e lo oked b ack to Kald en , lo okin g fo r so m e e xp la n atio n, b ut h is sm ile d id n’t ch an ge. H is e y es re m ain ed perfe ctly o paq ue. “S o g o od to m eet y ou, M ae,” h e s a id . H e s a id it s h yly , a lm ost m um blin g, b ut h e k new what h e w as d oin g. H e k new w hat t h e a u die n ce e xp ecte d f r o m T y. “G ood t o m eet y ou, t o o,” M ae s a id . Now h er b ra in sp lin te re d . W hat th e fu ck w as h ap pen in g? S h e sc a n ned h is fa ce a gain , se ein g, u nder h is w ool c a p , a f e w o f h is g ra y h air s. O nly s h e k new t h ey e xis te d . A ctu ally , did B aile y a n d S te n to n k now th at h e’d a ged s o d ra m atic a lly ? T hat h e w as m asq uera d in g as s o m eo ne e ls e , a s a n obody n am ed K ald en ? I t o ccu rre d t o h er t h at t h ey h ad t o k now . O f co urse th ey d id . T hat’s w hy h e a p peare d o n v id eo fe ed s— pro bab ly p re -t a p ed lo ng a go . They w ere p erp etu atin g a ll o f t h is , h elp in g h im d is a p pear. Sh e w as s till h old in g h is h an d. S h e p ulle d a w ay . “It sh ould h av e h ap pen ed so oner,” h e sa id . “ I a p olo giz e fo r th at.” A nd n ow h e sp oke in to M ae’s le n s, giv in g a perfe ctly natu ra l perfo rm an ce fo r th e w atc h ers. “I’v e been work in g o n so m e n ew p ro je cts , lo ts o f v ery c o ol th in gs, so I’v e b een le ss so cia l th an I sh ould h av e b een .” In sta n tly M ae’s w atc h er n um bers r o se , fr o m ju st o ver th ir ty m illio n to th ir ty -t w o, a n d clim bin g q uic k ly . “B een a w hile sin ce a ll th re e o f u s w ere in o ne p la ce !” B aile y sa id . M ae’s h eart w as fr a n tic . Sh e’d b een sle ep in g w it h T y. W hat d id th at m ean ? A nd T y, n ot K ald en , w as warn in g h er a b out C om ple tio n? H ow w as t h at p ossib le ? W hat d id th at m ean ? “W hat a re w e a b out to s e e?” K ald en a sk ed , n oddin g to th e w ate r. “ I th in k I k now , b ut I’m a n xio us t o s e e it h ap pen .” “O kay ,” B aile y s a id , c la p pin g h is h an ds a n d w rin gin g t h em in a n tic ip atio n. H e t u rn ed t o Mae, a n d M ae t u rn ed h er le n s t o h im . “ B eca u se h e’d g et t o o t e ch nic a l, m y f r ie n d S te n to n here h as a sk ed m e t o e xp la in . A s y ou a ll k now , h e b ro ugh t b ack s o m e in cre d ib le c re atu re s fr o m th e u nm ap ped d ep th s o f th e M aria n as T re n ch . Y ou a ll h av e s e en s o m e o f th em , in partic u la r th e o cto pus, an d th e se ah orse an d h is p ro gen y, an d m ost d ra m atic a lly , th e sh ark .” Word w as gettin g o ut th at th e T hre e W is e M en w ere to geth er an d o n ca m era , an d Mae’s w atc h ers h it fo rty m illio n. S h e tu rn ed to th e th re e m en , a n d sa w , o n h er w ris t, sh e’d c a p tu re d a d ra m atic p ic tu re o f th eir th re e p ro y le s a s th ey a ll lo oked to th e g la ss, th eir fa ce s bath ed in blu e lig h t, th eir ey es re { ectin g th e ir ra tio nal lif e w it h in . H er watc h ers, s h e n otic e d , w ere a t y fty -o ne m illio n. S h e c a u gh t t h e e y e o f S te n to n, w ho, w it h an a lm ost im perc e p tib le t ilt o f h is h ead , m ad e c le ar t h at M ae s h ould t u rn h er le n s b ack t o th e a q uariu m . S h e d id , h er e y es s tr a in in g to c a tc h K ald en in s o m e a ck now le d gem en t. H e sta re d in to t h e w ate r, g iv in g a w ay n oth in g. B aile y c o ntin ued . “U ntil n ow , o ur th re e sta rs h av e b een k ep t in se p ara te ta n ks a s th ey ’v e a cclim ate d to th eir liv es h ere a t th e C ir c le . B ut th is h as b een a n a rti y cia l se p ara tio n, o f c o urse . T hey belo ng to geth er, a s th ey w ere in th e se a w here th ey w ere fo und. S o w e’r e a b out to se e th e th re e r e u nit e d h ere , s o th ey c a n c o -e xis t a n d c re ate a m ore n atu ra l p ic tu re o f lif e in th e d eep .” On t h e o th er s id e o f t h e t a n k, M ae c o uld n ow s e e t h e c a re ta k er c lim bin g t h e r e d la d der, hold in g a la rg e p la stic b ag, h eav y w it h w ate r a n d t in y p asse n gers. M ae w as t r y in g t o s lo w her b re ath in g b ut c o uld n’t . S h e fe lt lik e sh e’d th ro w u p. S h e th ough t a b out ru nnin g o , so m ew here v ery f a r a w ay . R un w it h A nnie . W here w as A nnie ? Sh e sa w S te n to n sta rin g a t h er, h is e y es c o nce rn ed , a n d a ls o ste rn , te llin g h er to g et herse lf t o geth er. S h e t r ie d t o b re ath e, t r ie d t o c o nce n tr a te o n t h e p ro ce ed in gs. S h e w ould hav e tim e a fte r a ll th is , sh e to ld h erse lf , to u nta n gle th is c h ao s o f K ald en a n d T y. S h e would h av e t im e. H er h eart s lo w ed . “V ic to r,” B aile y s a id , “ a s y ou m ig h t b e a b le to s e e, is c a rry in g o ur m ost d elic a te c a rg o , th e se ah orse , a n d o f c o urse h is m an y p ro gen y. A s y ou’l l n otic e , th e se ah orse s a re b ein g bro ugh t in to t h e n ew t a n k in a b aggie , m uch a s y ou w ould b rin g h om e a g o ld y sh f r o m t h e co unty fa ir . T his h as p ro ven to b e th e b est w ay to tr a n sfe r d elic a te c re atu re s lik e th is . There a re n o h ard s u rfa ce s t o b um p a gain st, a n d t h e p la stic is f a r lig h te r t h an lu cit e o r a n y hard s u rfa ce w ould b e.” The c a re ta k er w as n ow a t th e to p o f th e la d der, a n d, a fte r a q uic k v is u al c o n y rm atio n fr o m S te n to n, c a re fu lly lo w ere d th e b ag in to th e w ate r, so it re ste d o n th e su rfa ce . T he se ah orse s, p assiv e a s a lw ay s, w ere r e clin in g n ear th e b otto m o f th e b ag, s h ow in g n o s ig n th at t h ey k new a n yth in g— th at t h ey w ere in a b ag, t h at t h ey w ere b ein g t r a n sfe rre d , t h at th ey w ere a liv e. T hey b are ly m oved , a n d o ffe re d n o p ro te sta tio n. Mae c h eck ed h er c o unte r. T he w atc h ers w ere a t s ix ty -t w o m illio n. B aile y in dic a te d t h at th ey w ould w ait a f e w m om en ts t ill t h e w ate r t e m pera tu re s o f t h e b ag a n d t h e t a n k m ig h t be a lig n ed , a n d M ae to ok th e o pportu nit y to tu rn b ack to K ald en . S h e tr ie d to c a tc h h is ey e, b ut h e c h ose n ot ta k e h is e y es a w ay fr o m th e a q uariu m . H e sta re d in to it , sm ilin g ben ig n ly a t t h e s e ah orse s, a s if lo okin g a t h is o w n c h ild re n . At th e b ack o f th e ta n k, V ic to r w as a gain c lim bin g th e re d la d der. “ W ell, th is is v ery excit in g,” B aile y sa id . “N ow w e se e th e o cto pus bein g ca rrie d u p. H e n eed s a b ig ger co nta in er, b ut n ot p ro portio nate ly b ig ger. H e c a n y t h im se lf in to a lu nch box if h e w an te d to — he h as n o s p in e, n o b ones a t a ll. H e is m alle ab le a n d in fin it e ly a d ap ta b le .” So on b oth c o nta in ers, t h ose h ousin g t h e o cto pus a n d t h e s e ah orse s, w ere b obbin g g en tly on th e n eo n su rfa ce . T he o cto pus se em ed a w are , to so m e d egre e, th at th ere w as a fa r big ger h om e b en eath h im , a n d w as p re ssin g it s e lf a gain st t h e b ase o f h is t e m pora ry h om e. Mae sa w V ic to r p oin t to th e se ah orse s a n d g iv e a q uic k n od to B aile y a n d S te n to n. “O kay ,” B aile y s a id . “ It lo oks lik e it ’s tim e to r e le ase o ur s e ah orse fr ie n ds in to th eir n ew hab it a t. N ow I e xp ect th is to b e q uit e b eau tif u l. G o a h ead , V ic to r, w hen y ou’r e re ad y.” And w hen V ic to r re le ase d th em , it was q uit e b eau tif u l. T he se ah orse s, tr a n slu ce n t b ut tin te d ju st s o , a s if g ild ed o nly s lig h tly , f e ll in to t h e t a n k, d rif tin g d ow n lik e a s lo w r a in o f go ld en q uestio n m ark s. “W ow ,” B aile y s a id . “ L ook a t t h at.” And y nally t h e f a th er o f t h em a ll, lo okin g t e n ta tiv e, f e ll f r o m t h e b ag a n d in to t h e t a n k. Unlik e his ch ild re n , w ho w ere sp re ad out, dir e ctio nle ss, he m an eu vere d him se lf , dete rm in ed ly , d ow n t o t h e b otto m o f t h e t a n k a n d q uic k ly h id h im se lf a m id t h e c o ra l a n d vegeta tio n. I n s e co nds h e w as in vis ib le . “W ow ,” B aile y s a id . “ T hat is o ne s h y f is h .” The b ab ie s, th ough , co ntin ued to { oat d ow nw ard , a n d to sw im in th e m id dle o f th e ta n k, f e w o f t h em a n xio us t o g o a n yw here in p artic u la r. “W e’r e r e ad y?” B aile y a sk ed , lo okin g u p to V ic to r. “ W ell th is is m ovin g r ig h t a lo ng! It se em s w e’r e r e ad y f o r t h e o cto pus n ow .” V ic to r o pen ed t h e b otto m o f t h e b ag, s p lit tin g it , an d th e o cto pus in sta n tly sp re ad it s e lf u p lik e a w elc o m in g h an d. A s it h ad d one w hen alo ne, it tr a ce d th e c o nto urs o f th e g la ss, fe elin g th e c o ra l, th e se aw eed , a lw ay s g en tle , wan tin g t o k now a ll, t o uch a ll. “L ook at th at. R av is h in g,” Baile y sa id . “W hat a stu nnin g cre atu re . H e m ust hav e so m eth in g lik e a b ra in in th at g ia n t b allo on o f h is , rig h t? ” A nd h ere B aile y tu rn ed to Ste n to n, a sk in g fo r a n a n sw er, b ut S te n to n c h ose to c o nsid er th e q uestio n r h eto ric a l. T he slig h te st s m ile o verto ok t h e c o rn er o f h is m outh , b ut h e d id n ot t u rn a w ay f r o m t h e s c e n e befo re h im . The o cto pus { ow ere d a n d g re w , a n d { ew f r o m o ne s id e o f t h e t a n k t o t h e o th er, b are ly to uch in g th e se ah orse s o r a n y o th er liv in g th in g, o nly lo okin g a t th em , o nly w an tin g to know th em , an d as he to uch ed an d m easu re d ev ery th in g w it h in th e ta n k, M ae sa w movem en t a gain o n t h e r e d la d der. “N ow w e h av e V ic to r a n d h is h elp er b rin gin g t h e r e al a ttr a ctio n,” B aile y s a id , w atc h in g th e y rst c a re ta k er, n ow jo in ed b y a s e co nd, a ls o in w hit e , w ho w as m an nin g s o m e k in d o f fo rk lif t. T he ca rg o w as a la rg e lu cit e b ox, an d in sid e it s te m pora ry h om e, th e sh ark th ra sh ed a fe w tim es, it s ta il w hip pin g le ft a n d rig h t, b ut w as fa r c a lm er th an M ae h ad se en it b efo re . Fro m th e to p o f th e la d der, V ic to r a rra n ged th e lu cit e b ox o n th e s u rfa ce o f th e w ate r, an d w hen M ae exp ecte d th e o cto pus an d se ah orse s to { ee fo r co ver, th e sh ark w en t ab so lu te ly s till. “W ell, lo ok a t t h at,” B aile y m arv ele d . The w atc h ers s p ik ed a gain , n ow t o s e v en ty – y ve m illio n, a n d c lim bed f r e n etic a lly , h alf a millio n e v ery f e w s e co nds. Belo w , t h e o cto pus s e em ed o bliv io us t o t h e s h ark a n d t h e p ossib ilit y o f it jo in in g t h em in th e aq uariu m . T he sh ark w as utte rly fr o ze n in pla ce , perh ap s negatin g th e ta n k’s occu pan ts ’ a b ilit y to se n se h im . Mean w hile , V ic to r a n d h is a ssis ta n t h ad d esc e n ded th e la d der a n d V ic to r w as r e tu rn in g w it h a la rg e b uck et. “A s y ou c a n s e e n ow ,” B aile y s a id , “ th e y rst th in g V ic to r is d oin g is d ro ppin g s o m e o f our sh ark ’s fa v orit e fo od in to th e ta n k. T his w ill k eep h im d is tr a cte d a n d sa tis y ed , a n d allo w h is n ew n eig h bors t o g et a cclim ate d . V ic to r h as b een f e ed in g t h e s h ark a ll d ay , s o it sh ould b e w ell-s a tis y ed a lr e ad y. B ut t h ese t u na w ill s e rv e a s b re ak fa st, lu nch a n d d in ner, in c a se h e’s s till h ungry .” And so V ic to r d ro pped six la rg e tu na, e ach te n p ounds o r m ore , in to th e ta n k, w here th ey q uic k ly e xp lo re d t h eir e n vir o ns. “ T here ’s le ss n eed t o s lo w ly a cclim ate t h ese g u ys t o th e ta n k,” B aile y sa id . “ T hey ’l l b e fo od p re tty so on, so th eir h ap pin ess is le ss im porta n t th an th e sh ark ’s . A h, lo ok at th em go .” T he tu na w ere sh ootin g acro ss th e ta n k in dia go nals , a n d th eir s u dden p re se n ce c h ase d th e o cto pus a n d s e ah orse in to th e c o ra l a n d fr o nds a t th e b otto m o f th e a q uariu m . S o on th ough , th e tu na b eca m e le ss fr a n tic , a n d se ttle d in to a n e asy c o m mute a ro und t h e t a n k. A t t h e b otto m , t h e f a th er s e ah orse w as s till in vis ib le , b ut h is m an y c h ild re n c o uld b e s e en , th eir ta ils w ra p ped a ro und fr o nds a n d th e te n ta cle s of vario us an em ones. It w as a peace fu l sc e n e, an d M ae fo und herse lf te m pora rily lo st in it . “W ell, t h is is p la in g o rg eo us,” B aile y s a id , s u rv ey in g t h e c o ra l a n d v egeta tio n in le m ons an d b lu es a n d b urg u ndie s. “ L ook a t th ese h ap py c re atu re s. A p eace ab le k in gd om . S eem s alm ost a s h am e to c h an ge it in a n y w ay ,” h e s a id . M ae g la n ce d q uic k ly to B aile y , a n d h e se em ed sta rtle d at w hat he’d sa id , know in g it w as not in th e sp ir it of th e pre se n t en deav or. H e a n d S te n to n e xch an ged q uic k lo oks, a n d B aile y t r ie d t o r e co ver. “B ut w e’r e str iv in g h ere fo r a re alis tic a n d h olis tic lo ok a t th is world ,” h e sa id . “ A nd th at m ean s in clu din g all o f th e in hab it a n ts o f th is e co sy ste m . S o I’m g ettin g a n in dic a tio n fr o m V ic to r t h at it ’s t im e t o in vit e t h e s h ark t o jo in .” Mae lo oked u p t o s e e V ic to r s tr u gglin g t o o pen t h e c o nta in er’s b otto m h atc h . T he s h ark was s till h old in g s till, a m arv el o f s e lf -c o ntr o l. A nd t h en h e b egan t o s lid e d ow n t h e lu cit e ra m p. A s h e d id , f o r a m om en t M ae w as c o nflic te d . S h e k new t h is w as t h e n atu ra l t h in g t o hap pen , h is jo in in g th e re st o f th ose w it h w hom h e sh are d h is e n vir o nm en t. S h e k new th at it w as r ig h t a n d in ev it a b le . B ut f o r a m om en t, s h e t h ough t it n atu ra l in a w ay s e ein g a p la n e f a ll f r o m t h e s k y c a n s e em n atu ra l, t o o. T he h orro r c o m es la te r. “N ow , fo r th e la st p ie ce o f th is u nderw ate r fa m ily ,” B aile y sa id . “W hen th e sh ark is re le ase d , w e’l l g et, fo r th e y rst tim e in h is to ry , a r e al lo ok a t h ow lif e a t th e b otto m o f th e tr e n ch re ally lo oks, a n d h ow cre atu re s lik e th is co hab it a te . A re w e re ad y?” B aile y lo oked t o S te n to n, w ho w as s ta n din g s ile n tly n ext t o h im . S te n to n n odded b ru sq uely , a s if lo okin g t o h im f o r t h e g o -a h ead w as u nnece ssa ry . Vic to r re le ase d th e sh ark , a n d, a s if it h ad b een e y ein g it s p re y th ro ugh th e p la stic , men ta lly p re p arin g it s m eal a n d k now in g th e p re cis e lo ca tio n o f e ach p ortio n, th e s h ark darte d d ow nw ard a n d q uic k ly s n atc h ed th e la rg est tu na a n d d ev oure d it in tw o s n ap s o f it s ja w s. A s th e tu na w as m ak in g it s w ay , v is ib ly , th ro ugh th e s h ark ’s d ig estiv e tr a ct, th e sh ark a te tw o m ore in ra p id su cce ssio n. A fo urth w as still in th e sh ark ’s ja w s w hen th e gra n ula r r e m ain s o f t h e f ir st w ere b ein g d ep osit e d , lik e s n ow , o nto t h e a q uariu m f lo or. Mae lo oked th en to th e b otto m o f th e ta n k a n d s a w th at th e o cto pus a n d th e s e ah orse pro gen y w ere n o lo nger v is ib le . S h e s a w s o m e s ig n o f m ovem en t in t h e h ole s in t h e c o ra l, an d c a u gh t sig h t o f w hat sh e th ough t w as a te n ta cle . T hough M ae se em ed su re th at th e sh ark c o uld n’t b e t h eir p re d ato r— afte r a ll, S te n to n h ad f o und t h em a ll in c lo se p ro xim it y —th ey w ere h id in g fr o m it a s if th ey k new it , a n d it s p la n s, q uit e w ell. M ae lo oked u p an d s a w t h e s h ark c ir c lin g t h e t a n k, w hic h w as n ow o th erw is e e m pty . I n t h e f e w s e co nds th at M ae h ad b een lo okin g fo r th e o cto pus a n d s e ah orse s, th e s h ark h ad d is p ose d o f th e oth er t w o f is h . T heir r e m ain s f e ll lik e d ust. Baile y la u gh ed n erv ously . “W ell, n ow I’m w onderin g— ” h e sa id , b ut sto pped . M ae lo oked u p an d sa w th at Ste n to n’s ey es w ere n arro w an d o ere d n o alt e rn ativ e. T he pro ce ss w ould n ot b e in te rru pte d . S h e lo oked t o K ald en , o r T y, w hose e y es h ad n’t le ft t h e ta n k. H e w as w atc h in g th e p ro ce ed in gs p la cid ly , a s if h e h ad se en it b efo re a n d k new ev ery o utc o m e. “O kay ,” B aile y s a id . “ O ur s h ark is a v ery h ungry f e llo w , a n d I w ould b e w orrie d a b out th e o th er o ccu pan ts o f o ur lit tle w orld h ere if I d id n’t k now b ette r. B ut I d o k now b ette r. I’m s ta n din g n ext to o ne o f th e g re at u nderw ate r e xp lo re rs, a m an w ho k now s w hat h e’s doin g.” M ae w atc h ed B aile y sp eak . H e w as lo okin g a t S te n to n, h is e y es lo okin g fo r a n y giv e, a n y sig n th at h e m ig h t ca ll th is o , o r o er so m e e xp la n atio n o r a ssu ra n ce . B ut Ste n to n w as s ta rin g a t t h e s h ark , a d m ir in g. Quic k a n d s a v age m ovem en t b ro ugh t M ae’s e y es b ack t o t h e t a n k. T he s h ark ’s n ose w as deep in t h e c o ra l n ow , a tta ck in g it w it h a b ru ta l f o rc e . “O h n o,” B aile y s a id . The c o ra l s o on s p lit o pen a n d t h e s h ark p lu nged in , c o m in g a w ay , in sta n ta n eo usly , w it h th e o cto pus, w hic h it d ra gged in to t h e o pen a re a o f t h e t a n k, a s if t o g iv e e v ery one— Mae an d h er w atc h ers a n d t h e W is e M en — a b ette r v ie w a s it t o re t h e a n im al a p art. “O h g o d,” B aile y s a id , q uie te r n ow . In te n tio nally o r n ot, th e o cto pus p re se n te d a c h alle n ge to it s fa te . T he s h ark r ip ped o an a rm , th en s e em ed to g et a m outh fu l o f th e o cto pus’s h ead , o nly to y nd, s e co nds la te r, th at t h e o cto pus w as s till a liv e a n d la rg ely in ta ct, b eh in d h im . B ut n ot f o r lo ng. “O h n o. O h n o,” B aile y w his p ere d . The s h ark tu rn ed a n d, in a { urry , r ip ped it s p re y ’s te n ta cle s o , o ne b y o ne, u ntil th e octo pus w as d ead , a s h re d ded m ass o f m ilk y w hit e m atte r. T he s h ark t o ok t h e r e st o f it in tw o s n atc h es o f it s m outh , a n d t h e o cto pus w as n o m ore . A k in d o f w him per c a m e fr o m B aile y , a n d w it h out tu rn in g h er s h ould ers, M ae lo oked over to y nd th at B aile y w as now tu rn ed aw ay , his palm s again st his ey es. Ste n to n, th ough , w as lo okin g a t th e sh ark w it h a m ix tu re o f fa sc in atio n a n d p rid e, lik e a p are n t watc h in g, fo r th e y rst tim e, h is c h ild d oin g s o m eth in g p artic u la rly im pre ssiv e, s o m eth in g he’d h oped f o r a n d e xp ecte d b ut t h at c a m e d elig h tfu lly s o oner. Above th e ta n k, V ic to r lo oked te n ta tiv e, an d w as tr y in g to ca tc h Ste n to n’s ey e. H e se em ed to b e w onderin g w hat M ae w as w onderin g, w hic h w as w heth er th ey sh ould so m eh ow s e p ara te th e s h ark fr o m th e s e ah orse , b efo re th e s e ah orse , to o, w as c o nsu m ed . But w hen M ae t u rn ed t o h im , S te n to n w as s till w atc h in g, w it h n o c h an ge o f e xp re ssio n. In a f e w m ore s e co nds, in a s e rie s o f u rg en t t h ru sts , t h e s h ark h ad b ro ken a n oth er c o ra l arc h a n d e xtr a cte d th e s e ah orse , w hic h h ad n o d efe n se s a n d w as e ate n in tw o b it e s, y rst it s d elic a te h ead , t h en it s c u rv ed , p ap ie r-m âch é t o rso a n d t a il. Then , lik e a m ach in e g o in g a b out it s w ork , th e s h ark c ir c le d a n d sta b bed u ntil h e h ad dev oure d th e th ousa n d b ab ie s, a n d th e s e aw eed , a n d th e c o ra l, a n d th e a n em ones. It a te ev ery th in g, a n d d ep osit e d th e re m ain s q uic k ly , c a rp etin g th e e m pty a q uariu m in a lo w film o f w hit e a sh . “W ell,” T y s a id , “ th at w as a b out w hat I im agin ed w ould h ap pen .” H e s e em ed u nsh ak en , ev en b uoyan t a s h e s h ook S te n to n’s h an d, a n d th en B aile y ’s , a n d th en , w hile s till h old in g Baile y ’s h an d w it h h is r ig h t h an d, h e t o ok M ae’s w it h h is le ft, a s if t h e t h re e o f t h em w ere ab out t o d an ce . M ae f e lt s o m eth in g in h er p alm , a n d q uic k ly c lo se d h er y ngers a ro und it . Then h e p ulle d a w ay a n d le ft. “I b ette r h ead o ut, to o,” B aile y s a id in a w his p er. H e tu rn ed , d aze d , a n d w alk ed d ow n th e d ark en ed c o rrid or. Afte rw ard , w hen t h e s h ark w as a lo ne in t h e t a n k, a n d w as c ir c lin g, s till r a v en ous, n ev er sto ppin g, M ae w ondere d h ow lo ng s h e s h ould r e m ain in p la ce , a llo w in g th e w atc h ers to watc h th is . B ut sh e d ecid ed th at a s lo ng a s S te n to n re m ain ed , sh e w ould , to o. A nd h e sta y ed f o r a lo ng w hile . H e c o uld n’t g et e n ough o f t h e s h ark , it s a n xio us c ir c lin g. “U ntil n ext tim e,” S te n to n sa id y nally . H e n odded to M ae, a n d th en to h er w atc h ers, who w ere n ow o ne h undre d m illio n, m an y o f th em te rri y ed , m an y m ore in a w e a n d wan tin g m ore o f t h e s a m e. In th e b ath ro om s ta ll, w it h th e le n s tr a in ed o n th e d oor, M ae b ro ugh t T y’s n ote c lo se to her fa ce , o ut o f v ie w o f h er w atc h ers. H e in sis te d o n se ein g h er, a lo ne, a n d p ro vid ed deta ile d d ir e ctio ns fo r w here th ey sh ould m eet. W hen sh e w as re ad y, h e’d w rit te n , sh e need only le av e th e b ath ro om , a n d th en tu rn a n d sa y , in to h er liv e a u dio , “I’m g o in g back .” It w ould im ply sh e w as re tu rn in g to th e b ath ro om , fo r so m e u nnam ed h ygie n ic em erg en cy . A nd a t t h at m om en t h e w ould k ill h er f e ed , a n d a n y S eeC han ge c a m era s t h at mig h t s e e h er, f o r t h ir ty m in ute s. I t w ould p ro voke a m in or c la m or, b ut it h ad t o b e d one. Her lif e , h e s a id , w as a t s ta k e, a n d A nnie ’s , a n d h er p are n ts ’. “ E very one a n d e v ery th in g,” he’d w rit te n , “ is t e ete rin g o n t h e p re cip ic e .” This w ould b e h er la st m is ta k e. S h e k new it w as a m is ta k e t o m eet h im , e sp ecia lly o – ca m era . B ut s o m eth in g a b out th e s h ark h ad u nse ttle d h er, h ad le ft h er s u sc e p tib le to b ad decis io ns. If o nly so m eo ne c o uld m ak e th ese d ecis io ns fo r h er— so m eh ow e lim in ate th e doubt, t h e p ossib ilit y o f f a ilu re . B ut s h e h ad t o k now h ow T y h ad p ulle d a ll t h is o , d id n’t sh e? P erh ap s a ll th is w as s o m e te st? It m ad e a c e rta in s e n se . If s h e w ere b ein g g ro om ed fo r g re at t h in gs, w ould n’t t h ey t e st h er? S h e k new t h ey w ould . So sh e fo llo w ed his dir e ctio ns. Sh e le ft th e bath ro om , to ld her w atc h ers sh e w as re tu rn in g, a n d w hen h er fe ed w en t d ead , sh e fo llo w ed h is d ir e ctio ns. S h e d esc e n ded a s sh e h ad w it h K ald en th at o ne s tr a n ge n ig h t, tr a cin g th e p ath th ey ’d ta k en w hen h e’d y rst bro ugh t h er t o t h e r o om , f a r u nderg ro und, w here t h ey h ouse d a n d r a n c o ol w ate r t h ro ugh Ste w art a n d e v ery th in g h e’d se en . W hen M ae a rriv ed , sh e fo und K ald en , o r T y, w ait in g fo r h er, h is b ack to th e re d b ox. H e’d ta k en o th e w ool h at, re v ealin g h is g re y -w hit e hair , b ut h e w as still w earin g h is h oodie , a n d th e c o m bin atio n o f th e tw o m en , T y a n d Kald en , in o ne y gu re , re p uls e d h er, a n d w hen h e b egan w alk in g to w ard h er, sh e y elle d “N o!” He s to pped . “S ta y t h ere ,” s h e s a id . “I’m n ot d an gero us, M ae.” “I d on’t k now a n yth in g a b out y ou.” “I’m s o rry I d id n’t t e ll y ou w ho I w as. B ut I d id n’t lie .” “Y ou t o ld m e y our n am e w as K ald en ! T hat’s n ot a lie ?” “B esid es t h at, I n ev er lie d .” “B esid es t h at? B esid es ly in g a bou t y ou r id en tit y ?” “I t h in k y ou k now I h av e n o c h oic e h ere .” “W hat k in d o f n am e is K ald en , a n yw ay ? Y ou g et it o ff s o m e b ab y-n am e s it e ?” “I d id . Y ou lik e it ? ” He s m ile d a n u nnerv in g s m ile . M ae h ad t h e f e elin g t h at s h e s h ould n’t b e h ere , t h at s h e sh ould le av e im med ia te ly . “I th in k I n eed to g o ,” s h e s a id , a n d s te p ped to w ard th e s ta ir s. “ I fe el lik e th is is s o m e horrif ic p ra n k.” “M ae, th in k a b out it . H ere ’s m y lic e n se .” H e h an ded h er h is d riv er’s lic e n se . It s h ow ed a cle an -s h av en , d ark -h air e d m an w it h gla sse s w ho lo oked m ore o r le ss lik e w hat sh e re m em bere d T y lo oked lik e, th e T y fr o m th e v id eo fe ed s, th e o ld p hoto s, th e p ortr a it in oil o uts id e B aile y ’s lib ra ry . T he n am e r e ad T yso n M atth ew G osp odin ov. “ L ook a t m e. N o re se m bla n ce ?” H e r e tr e ate d to th e c a v e-w it h in -a -c a v e th ey ’d s h are d a n d r e tu rn ed w it h a pair o f g la sse s. “S ee?” h e sa id . “N ow it ’s o bvio us, rig h t? ” A s if a n sw erin g M ae’s n ext questio n, h e s a id , “ I’v e a lw ay s b een a v ery a v era ge-lo okin g g u y. Y ou k now t h is . A nd t h en I get rid of th e gla sse s, th e hoodie s. I ch an ge m y lo ok, th e w ay I m ove. B ut m ost im porta n tly , m y h air w en t g re y . A nd w hy d o y ou t h in k t h at h ap pen ed ?” “I h av e n o id ea,” M ae s a id . Ty sw ep t h is arm s aro und, en co m passin g ev ery th in g aro und th em , th e v ast ca m pus ab ove. “ A ll t h is . T he f u ck in g s h ark t h at e ats t h e w orld .” “D o B aile y a n d S te n to n k now y ou’r e g o in g a ro und w it h s o m e o th er n am e?” M ae a sk ed . “O f co urse . Y es. T hey exp ect m e to b e h ere . I’m n ot te ch nic a lly allo w ed to le av e ca m pus. A s lo ng a s I ’m h ere , t h ey ’r e h ap py.” “D oes A nnie k now ?” “N o.” “S o I ’m — ” “Y ou’r e t h e t h ir d p erso n w ho k now s.” “A nd y ou’r e t e llin g m e w hy?” “B eca u se y ou h av e g re at in { uen ce h ere , a n d b eca u se y ou h av e t o h elp . Y ou’r e t h e o nly one w ho c a n s lo w a ll t h is d ow n.” “S lo w w hat d ow n? T he c o m pan y y ou c re ate d ?” “M ae, I d id n’t in te n d an y o f th is to h ap pen . A nd it ’s m ovin g to o fa st. T his id ea o f Com ple tio n, it ’s f a r b ey ond w hat I h ad in m in d w hen I s ta rte d a ll t h is , a n d it ’s f a r b ey ond what’s r ig h t. I t h as t o b e b ro ugh t b ack in to s o m e k in d o f b ala n ce .” “F ir st o f a ll, I d on’t a gre e. S eco ndly , I c a n ’t h elp .” “M ae, t h e C ir c le c a n ’t c lo se .” “W hat a re y ou t a lk in g a b out? H ow c a n y ou s a y t h is n ow ? I f y ou’r e T y, m ost o f t h is w as your id ea.” “N o. N o. I w as t r y in g t o m ak e t h e w eb m ore c iv il. I w as t r y in g t o m ak e it m ore e le gan t. I g o t r id o f a n onym it y . I c o m bin ed a t h ousa n d d is p ara te e le m en ts in to o ne u ni y ed s y ste m . But I did n’t pic tu re a w orld w here Cir c le m em bersh ip w as m an dato ry , w here all go vern m en t a n d a ll lif e w as c h an nele d t h ro ugh o ne n etw ork — ” “I’m le av in g,” M ae sa id , a n d tu rn ed . “ A nd I d on’t se e w hy y ou ju st don’t le av e, to o. Leav e e v ery th in g. I f y ou d on’t b elie v e in a ll t h is , t h en le av e. G o t o t h e w oods.” “T hat d id n’t w ork f o r M erc e r, d id it ? ” “F uck y ou.” “S o rry . I’m so rry . B ut h e’s w hy I c o nta cte d y ou n ow . D on’t y ou se e th at’s ju st o ne o f th e c o nse q uen ce s o f a ll t h is ? T here w ill b e m ore M erc e rs. S o m an y m ore . S o m an y p eo ple who d on’t w an t to b e fo und b ut w ho w ill b e. S o m an y p eo ple w ho w an te d n o p art o f a ll th is . T hat’s w hat’s n ew . T here u se d to b e th e o ptio n o f o ptin g o ut. B ut n ow th at’s o ver. Com ple tio n is th e en d. W e’r e clo sin g th e cir c le aro und ev ery one— it ’s a to ta lit a ria n nig h tm are .” “A nd it ’s m y f a u lt ? ” “N o, n o. N ot a t a ll. B ut y ou’r e n ow th e a m bassa d or. Y ou’r e th e fa ce o f it . T he b en ig n , fr ie n dly f a ce o f it a ll. A nd t h e c lo sin g o f t h e C ir c le — it ’s w hat y ou a n d y our f r ie n d F ra n cis mad e p ossib le . Y our m an dato ry C ir c le a cco unt id ea, a n d h is ch ip . T ru Y outh ? It’s sic k , Mae. D on’t y ou s e e? A ll th e k id s g et a c h ip e m bed ded in th em , fo r s a fe ty , w hen th ey ’r e in fa n ts . A nd y es, it ’l l sa v e liv es. B ut th en , w hat, y ou th in k th ey su dden ly re m ove th em when th ey ’r e e ig h te en ? N o. In th e in te re st o f e d uca tio n a n d sa fe ty , e v ery th in g th ey ’v e done w ill b e r e co rd ed , t r a ck ed , lo gged , a n aly ze d — it ’s p erm an en t. T hen , w hen t h ey ’r e o ld en ough to v ote , to p artic ip ate , th eir m em bersh ip is m an dato ry . T hat’s w here th e C ir c le clo se s. E very one w ill b e t r a ck ed , c ra d le t o g ra v e, w it h n o p ossib ilit y o f e sc a p e.” “Y ou r e ally s o und lik e M erc e r n ow . T his k in d o f p ara n oia — ” “B ut I k now m ore th an M erc e r. D on’t y ou th in k if so m eo ne lik e m e, so m eo ne w ho in ven te d m ost o f t h is s h it , is s c a re d , d on’t y ou t h in k y ou s h ould b e s c a re d , t o o?” “N o. I t h in k y ou lo st a s te p .” “M ae, so m an y o f th e th in gs I in ven te d I h onestly d id fo r fu n, o ut o f so m e p erv erse gam e o f w heth er o r n ot t h ey ’d w ork , w heth er p eo ple w ould u se t h em . I m ean , it w as lik e se ttin g u p a g u illo tin e in t h e p ublic s q uare . Y ou d on’t e xp ect a t h ousa n d p eo ple t o lin e u p to p ut t h eir h ead s in it .” “Is t h at h ow y ou s e e t h is ? ” “N o, s o rry . T hat’s a b ad c o m paris o n. B ut s o m e o f t h e t h in gs w e d id , I ju st— I d id ju st t o se e if a n yone w ould a ctu ally u se th em , w ould a cq uie sc e . W hen th ey d id b uy in , h alf th e tim e I c o uld n’t b elie v e it . A nd t h en it w as t o o la te . T here w as B aile y a n d S te n to n a n d t h e IP O . A nd th en it w as ju st to o fa st, a n d th ere w as e n ough m oney to m ak e a n y d um b id ea re al. M ae, I w an t y ou t o im agin e w here a ll t h is is g o in g.” “I k now w here it ’s g o in g.” “M ae, c lo se y our e y es.” “N o.” “M ae, p le ase . C lo se y our e y es.” Sh e c lo se d h er e y es. “I w an t y ou t o c o nnect t h ese d ots a n d s e e if y ou s e e w hat I s e e. P ic tu re t h is . T he C ir c le has been dev ourin g all co m petit o rs fo r years, co rre ct? It only m ak es th e co m pan y str o nger. A lr e ad y, 9 0 p erc e n t o f th e w orld ’s se arc h es go th ro ugh th e C ir c le . W it h out co m petit o rs, th is w ill in cre ase . S o on it ’l l b e n early 1 00 p erc e n t. N ow , y ou a n d I b oth know t h at if y ou c a n c o ntr o l t h e { ow o f in fo rm atio n, y ou c a n c o ntr o l e v ery th in g. Y ou c a n co ntr o l m ost of w hat an yone se es an d know s. If you w an t to bury so m e pie ce of in fo rm atio n, p erm an en tly , th at’s tw o se co nds’ w ork . If y ou w an t to ru in a n yone, th at’s yve m in ute s’ w ork . How ca n a n yone ris e u p a gain st th e C ir c le if th ey co ntr o l a ll th e in fo rm atio n a n d a cce sss to it ? T hey w an t e v ery one to h av e a C ir c le a cco unt, a n d th ey ’r e well o n th eir w ay to m ak in g it ille gal n ot to . W hat h ap pen s th en ? W hat h ap pen s w hen th ey c o ntr o l a ll s e arc h es, a n d h av e f u ll a cce ss t o a ll d ata a b out e v ery p erso n? W hen t h ey know ev ery m ove ev ery one m ak es? If all m oneta ry tr a n sa ctio ns, all h ealt h an d D NA in fo rm atio n, ev ery p ie ce o f o ne’s lif e , go od o r b ad , w hen ev ery w ord u tte re d { ow s th ro ugh o ne c h an nel? ” “B ut th ere a re a th ousa n d p ro te ctio ns to p re v en t a ll o f th is . It’s ju st n ot p ossib le . I mean , g o vern m en ts w ill m ak e s u re — ” “G overn m en ts w ho are tr a n sp are n t? Legis la to rs w ho ow e th eir re p uta tio ns to th e Cir c le ? W ho c o uld b e r u in ed t h e m om en t t h ey s p eak o ut? W hat d o y ou t h in k h ap pen ed t o Willia m so n? R em em ber h er? S h e th re ate n s th e C ir c le m onopoly a n d, su rp ris e , th e fe d s ynd in crim in atin g s tu o n h er c o m pute r. Y ou t h in k t h at’s a c o in cid en ce ? T hat’s a b out t h e hundre d th p erso n S te n to n’s d one th at to . M ae, o nce th e C ir c le ’s c o m ple te , th at’s it . A nd you h elp ed co m ple te it . T his d em ocra cy th in g, o r D em oxie , w hate v er it is , g o od g o d. Under th e g u is e o f h av in g e v ery v oic e h eard , y ou cre ate m ob ru le , a y lt e rle ss so cie ty where se cre ts are crim es. It’s brillia n t, M ae. I m ean , you are brillia n t. Y ou’r e w hat Ste n to n a n d B aile y h av e b een h opin g f o r f r o m t h e s ta rt.” “B ut B aile y — ” “B aile y b elie v es th at lif e w ill b e b ette r, w ill b e p erfe ct, w hen e v ery one h as u nfe tte re d acce ss to e v ery one a n d e v ery th in g th ey k now . H e g en uin ely b elie v es th at th e a n sw ers to ev ery lif e q uestio n c a n b e fo und a m ong o th er p eo ple . H e tr u ly b elie v es th at o pen ness, th at c o m ple te a n d u nin te rru pte d a cce ss a m ong a ll h um an s w ill h elp t h e w orld . T hat t h is is what th e w orld ’s b een w ait in g fo r, th e m om en t w hen ev ery s o ul is c o nnecte d . T his is h is ra p tu re , M ae! D on’t y ou s e e h ow e xtr e m e t h at v ie w is ? H is id ea is r a d ic a l, a n d in a n oth er era w ould hav e been a fr in ge notio n esp ouse d by an ecce n tr ic ad ju nct pro fe sso r so m ew here : th at a ll in fo rm atio n, p erso nal o r n ot, s h ould b e k now n b y a ll. K now le d ge is pro perty a n d n o o ne c a n o w n it . In fo co m munis m . A nd h e’s e n tit le d to th at o pin io n. B ut pair e d w it h r u th le ss c a p it a lis tic a m bit io n— ” “S o it ’s S te n to n?” “S te n to n p ro fe ssio naliz e d o ur id ealis m , m onetiz e d o ur u to pia . H e’s t h e o ne w ho s a w t h e co nnectio n betw een our w ork an d polit ic s, an d betw een polit ic s an d co ntr o l. P ublic – priv ate le ad s to p riv ate -p riv ate , a n d so on y ou h av e th e C ir c le ru nnin g m ost o r e v en a ll go vern m en t s e rv ic e s, w it h in cre d ib le p riv ate -s e cto r e } cie n cy a n d a n in sa tia b le a p petit e . Every one b eco m es a c it iz e n o f t h e C ir c le .” “A nd t h at’s s o b ad ? I f e v ery one h as e q ual a cce ss t o s e rv ic e s, t o in fo rm atio n, w e y nally hav e a ch an ce at eq ualit y . N o in fo rm atio n sh ould co st an yth in g. T here sh ould b e n o barrie rs t o k now in g e v ery th in g, t o a cce ssin g a ll— ” “A nd if e v ery one’s t r a ck ed — ” “T hen th ere ’s n o c rim e. N o m urd er, n o k id nap pin g a n d ra p e. N o k id s e v er v ic tim iz e d again . N o m ore m is sin g p erso ns. I m ean , t h at a lo ne— ” “B ut d on’t y ou s e e w hat h ap pen ed to y our fr ie n d M erc e r? H e w as p ursu ed to th e e n ds of t h e e arth a n d n ow h e’s g o ne.” “B ut th is is ju st th e p iv ot o f h is to ry . H av e y ou ta lk ed to B aile y a b out th is ? I m ean , durin g an y m ajo r h um an tu rn in g p oin t, th ere ’s u pheav al. So m e get le ft b eh in d, so m e ch oose t o b e le ft b eh in d.” “S o y ou t h in k e v ery one s h ould b e t r a ck ed , s h ould b e w atc h ed .” “I th in k ev ery th in g an d ev ery on e sh ould be se en . A nd to be se en , w e need to be watc h ed . T he t w o g o h an d in h an d.” “B ut w ho w an ts t o b e w atc h ed a ll t h e t im e?” “I d o. I wan t t o b e s e en . I w an t p ro of I e xis te d .” “M ae.” “M ost p eo ple d o. M ost p eo ple w ould t r a d e e v ery th in g t h ey k now , e v ery on e th ey k now —th ey ’d t r a d e it a ll t o k now t h ey ’v e b een s e en , a n d a ck now le d ged , t h at t h ey m ig h t e v en be re m em bere d . W e a ll k now w e d ie . W e a ll k now th e w orld is to o b ig fo r u s to b e sig n if ic a n t. S o a ll w e h av e is t h e h ope o f b ein g s e en , o r h eard , e v en f o r a m om en t.” “B ut M ae. W e s a w e v ery c re atu re in t h at t a n k, d id n’t w e? W e s a w t h em d ev oure d b y a beast t h at t u rn ed t h em t o a sh . D on’t y ou s e e t h at e v ery th in g t h at g o es in to t h at t a n k, w it h th at b east, w it h th is b east, w ill m eet t h e s a m e f a te ?” “S o w hat e xactly d o y ou w an t f r o m m e?” “W hen y ou h av e t h e m axim um a m ount o f v ie w ers, I w an t y ou t o r e ad t h is s ta te m en t.” He h an ded M ae a p ie ce o f p ap er, o n w hic h h e’d w rit te n , in c ru de a ll c a p it a ls , a lis t o f asse rtio ns u nder th e h ead lin e “ T he R ig h ts o f H um an s in a D ig it a l A ge.” M ae sc a n ned it , ca tc h in g p assa ges: “ W e m ust a ll h av e t h e r ig h t t o a n onym it y .” “ N ot e v ery h um an a ctiv it y ca n b e m easu re d .” “ T he c e ase le ss p ursu it o f d ata t o q uan tif y t h e v alu e o f a n y e n deav or is ca ta str o phic t o t r u e u ndersta n din g.” “ T he b arrie r b etw een p ublic a n d p riv ate m ust r e m ain unbre ach ab le .” A t th e e n d s h e fo und o ne lin e, w rit te n in r e d in k: “ W e m ust a ll h av e th e rig h t t o d is a p pear.” “S o y ou w an t m e t o r e ad a ll t h is t o t h e w atc h ers? ” “Y es,” K ald en s a id , h is e y es w ild . “A nd t h en w hat? ” “I h av e a s e rie s o f s te p s t h at w e c a n t a k e t o geth er t h at c a n b egin t o t a k e a ll t h is a p art. I know e v ery th in g th at’s e v er h ap pen ed h ere , M ae, a n d th ere ’s p le n ty th at’s g o ne o n th at would c o nvin ce a n yone, n o m atte r h ow b lin d, th at th e C ir c le n eed s to b e d is m an tle d . I know I c a n d o it . I ’m t h e o nly o ne w ho c a n d o it , b ut I n eed y our h elp .” “A nd t h en w hat? ” “T hen y ou an d I go so m ew here . I h av e so m an y id eas. W e’l l v an is h . W e ca n h ik e th ro ugh T ib et. W e c a n b ik e th ro ugh th e M ongo lia n s te p pe. W e c a n s a il a ro und th e w orld in a b oat w e b uilt o urse lv es.” Mae p ic tu re d a ll th is . S h e p ic tu re d th e C ir c le b ein g ta k en a p art, s o ld o a m id s c a n dal, th ir te en th ousa n d p eo ple o ut o f jo bs, th e ca m pus o verta k en , b ro ken u p, tu rn ed in to a co lle ge o r m all o r s o m eth in g w orse . A nd y nally s h e p ic tu re d lif e o n a b oat w it h t h is m an , sa ilin g th e w orld , u nte th ere d , b ut w hen s h e tr ie d to , s h e s a w , in ste ad , th e c o uple o n th e barg e sh e’d m et m onth s a go o n th e b ay . O ut th ere , a lo ne, liv in g u nder a ta rp , d rin kin g win e f r o m p ap er c u ps, n am in g s e als , r e m in is c in g a b out is la n d f ir e s. At t h at m om en t, M ae k new w hat s h e n eed ed t o d o. “K ald en , a re y ou s u re w e’r e n ot b ein g h eard ?” “O f c o urse n ot.” “O kay , g o od. G ood. I s e e e v ery th in g c le arly n ow .” BO OK I II T O H AVE G O TTEN so c lo se to a p oca ly pse — it ra ttle d h er still. Y es, M ae h ad a v erte d it , sh e’d been b ra v er t h an s h e t h ough t p ossib le , b ut h er n erv es, t h ese m an y m onth s la te r, w ere s till fr a y ed . W hat if K ald en h ad n’t r e ach ed o ut to h er w hen h e d id ? W hat if h e h ad n’t tr u ste d her? W hat if h e’d ta k en m atte rs in to h is o w n h an ds, o r w orse , e n tr u ste d h is se cre t to so m eo ne els e ? So m eo ne w it h out h er in te grit y ? W it h out h er str e n gth , h er re so lv e, h er lo yalt y ? In th e q uie t o f th e clin ic , sit tin g n ext to A nnie , M ae’s m in d w an dere d . T here w as se re n it y h ere , w it h th e rh yth m ic h ush o f th e re sp ir a to r, th e o cca sio nal d oor o pen in g o r clo sin g, th e h um o f th e m ach in es th at k ep t A nnie a liv e. S h e’d c o lla p se d a t h er d esk , w as fo und o n th e { oor, c a ta to nic , a n d w as ru sh ed h ere , w here th e c a re su rp asse d w hat sh e co uld h av e re ce iv ed a n yw here e ls e . S in ce th en , sh e’d sta b iliz e d , a n d th e p ro gn osis w as str o ng. T he c a u se o f t h e c o m a w as s till a s u bje ct o f s o m e d eb ate , D r. V illa lo bos h ad s a id , but m ost lik ely , it w as ca u se d by str e ss, or sh ock , or sim ple exh au stio n. T he C ir c le docto rs w ere co n y den t Annie w ould em erg e fr o m it , as w ere a th ousa n d docto rs world w id e w ho had w atc h ed her vit a ls , en co ura ged by th e fr e q uen t { it te rin g of her ey ela sh es, th e o cca sio nal tw it c h o f a y nger. N ext to h er E K G , th ere w as a s c re en w it h a n ev er-le n gth en in g s tr in g o f g o od w is h es f r o m f e llo w h um an s f r o m a ll o ver t h e w orld , m ost or a ll o f w hom , M ae t h ough t w is tfu lly , A nnie w ould n ev er k now . Mae lo oked a t h er fr ie n d, a t h er u nch an gin g fa ce , h er g lis te n in g sk in , th e rib bed tu be em erg in g fr o m h er m outh . S h e lo oked w onderfu lly p eace fu l, s le ep in g a r e stfu l s le ep , a n d fo r a b rie f m om en t M ae fe lt a tw in ge o f e n vy. S h e w ondere d w hat A nnie w as th in kin g. Docto rs had sa id th at sh e w as lik ely dre am in g; th ey ’d been m easu rin g ste ad y bra in activ it y d urin g t h e c o m a, b ut w hat p re cis e ly w as h ap pen in g in h er m in d w as u nknow n t o all, a n d M ae c o uld n’t h elp f e elin g s o m e a n noyan ce a b out t h is . T here w as a m onit o r v is ib le fr o m w here M ae sa t, a re al-t im e pic tu re of A nnie ’s m in d, bursts of co lo r ap pearin g perio dic a lly , im ply in g th at e xtr a o rd in ary th in gs w ere h ap pen in g in th ere . B ut w hat w as sh e t h in kin g? A k nock s ta rtle d h er. S h e lo oked b ey ond A nnie ’s p ro ne f o rm t o y nd F ra n cis b eh in d t h e gla ss, in t h e v ie w in g a re a. H e r a is e d a t e n ta tiv e h an d, a n d M ae w av ed . S h e w ould s e e h im la te r, a t a n a ll-c a m pus e v en t to c e le b ra te th e la te st C la ri y ca tio n m ile sto ne. T en m illio n peo ple w ere n ow t r a n sp are n t w orld w id e, t h e m ovem en t ir re v ersib le . Annie ’s ro le in m ak in g it p ossib le c o uld n ot b e o versta te d , a n d M ae w is h ed sh e c o uld wit n ess it . T here w as s o m uch M ae w an te d t o t e ll A nnie . W it h a d uty t h at f e lt h oly , s h e’d to ld th e w orld a b out K ald en b ein g T y, a b out h is b iz a rre c la im s a n d m is g u id ed e orts to dera il th e co m ple tio n o f th e C ir c le . R em em berin g it n ow , it se em ed lik e so m e k in d o f nig h tm are , bein g so fa r under th e earth w it h th at m ad m an , dis c o nnecte d fr o m her watc h ers an d th e re st of th e w orld . B ut M ae had fe ig n ed her co opera tio n an d had esc a p ed , an d im med ia te ly to ld B aile y an d Ste n to n ab out it all. W it h th eir cu sto m ary co m passio n a n d v is io n, th ey ’d a llo w ed T y to s ta y o n c a m pus, in a n a d vis o ry r o le , w it h a se clu ded o } ce an d n o sp eci y c d utie s. M ae h ad n’t se en h im sin ce th eir su bte rra n ean en co unte r, a n d d id n ot c a re t o . Mae h ad n ot r e ach ed h er p are n ts in a f e w m onth s n ow , b ut it w ould b e o nly a m atte r o f tim e. T hey w ould y nd e ach o th er, s o on e n ough , in a w orld w here e v ery one c o uld k now each o th er tr u ly a n d w holly , w it h out se cre ts , w it h out sh am e a n d w it h out th e n eed fo r perm is sio n to s e e o r to k now , w it h out th e s e l y sh h oard in g o f lif e — an y c o rn er o f it , a n y mom en t o f it . A ll o f th at w ould b e, s o s o on, r e p la ce d b y a n ew a n d g lo rio us o pen ness, a world o f p erp etu al lig h t. C om ple tio n w as im min en t, a n d it w ould b rin g p eace , a n d it would b rin g u nit y , a n d a ll th at m essin ess o f h um an it y u ntil n ow , a ll th ose u nce rta in tie s th at a cco m pan ie d t h e w orld b efo re t h e C ir c le , w ould b e o nly a m em ory . Anoth er b urst o f co lo r ap peare d o n th e sc re en m onit o rin g th e w ork in gs o f A nnie ’s min d. M ae re ach ed o ut to to uch h er fo re h ead , m arv elin g a t th e d is ta n ce th is { esh p ut betw een th em . W hat w as g o in g o n in th at h ead o f h ers? It w as e xasp era tin g, r e ally , M ae th ough t, n ot k now in g. It w as a n a ro nt, a d ep riv atio n, to h erse lf a n d to th e w orld . S h e would brin g th is up w it h Ste n to n an d B aile y , w it h th e G an g of 40, at th e earlie st opportu nit y . T hey need ed to ta lk ab out A nnie , th e th ough ts sh e w as th in kin g. W hy sh ould n’t t h ey k now t h em ? T he w orld d ese rv ed n oth in g le ss a n d w ould n ot w ait . A N ote A bout t h e A uth or D av e E ggers gre w up near C hic a go an d gra d uate d fr o m th e U niv ersit y of Illin ois at U rb an a-C ham paig n . H e is th e fo under o f M cS w een ey ’s , a n in dep en den t p ublis h in g h ouse i n S an F ra n cis c o th at p ro duce s b ooks, a q uarte rly jo urn al o f n ew w rit in g ( McS w een ey ’s Q uarte rly C on cern ), a n d a m onth ly m agazin e, The B elie ver . M cS w een ey ’s p ublis h es V oic e o f W it n ess, a n onpro y t b ook se rie s th at u se s o ra l h is to ry to illu m in ate h um an rig h ts c ris e s a ro und th e w orld . In 2 002, h e co fo unded 8 26 V ale n cia , a n onpro y t y outh w rit in g a n d t u to rin g ce n te r in S an F ra n cis c o ’s M is sio n D is tr ic t. S is te r ce n te rs h av e sin ce o pen ed in s e v en o th er A m eric a n c it ie s u nder th e u m bre lla o f 8 26 N atio nal, a n d lik e-m in ded c e n te rs h av e open ed in D ublin , London, C open hagen , Sto ck holm , an d B ir m in gh am , A la b am a, a m ong o th er lo ca tio ns. H is w ork h as b een n om in ate d fo r th e N atio nal B ook A w ard , th e P ulit z e r P riz e , an d th e N atio nal B ook C rit ic s C ir c le A w ard , an d h as w on th e D ay to n L it e ra ry P eace P riz e , Fra n ce ’s P rix M éd ic is , G erm an y’s A lb atr o ss P riz e , th e N atio nal M agazin e A w ard , a n d t h e A m eric a n B ook A w ard . E ggers liv es in N orth ern C alif o rn ia w it h h is f a m ily . O th er t it le s b y D av e E ggers a v aila b le in e B ook f o rm at A H olo gra m fo r th e K in g • 9 78-1 -9 38073-3 1-1 H ow W e A re H ungry • 9 78-0 -3 07-4 2630-7 W hat Is th e W hat • 9 78-0 -3 07-3 9036-3 T he W ild T hin gs • 9 78-0 -3 07-4 7756-9 Y ou S hall K now O ur V elo cit y • 9 78-0 -3 07-4 2608-6 Z eit o u n • 9 78-0 -3 07-7 3943-8 Vis it : www.m csw een ey s.n et For m ore in fo rm atio n, p le ase v is it www.a ak nopf.c o m B OOKS B Y T HIS A UTH OR N OVELS The C ir c le A H olo gra m f o r th e K in g What I s th e W hat You S hall K now O ur V elo city ! S TO RIE S How W e A re H ungry How th e W ate r F eels to th e F is h es N ONFIC TIO N Zeito un F OR A LL A GES The W ild T hin gs O RAL H IS T O RY ( A S C O -E D IT O R) Surv iv in g J u stic e: A m eric a ’s W ro ngfu lly C onvic te d a nd E xonera te d Tea ch ers H ave I t E asy : T he B ig S acrif ic es a nd S m all S ala rie s o f A m eric a ’s T ea ch ers A S E DIT O R The B est A m eric a n N onre q uir e d R ea din g The B est o f M cS w een ey’s M EM OIR A H ea rtb re a kin g W ork o f S ta ggerin g G en iu s