The Intuitives(58)
“If I might be so bold, I believe there exists a third option: a win-win scenario, if you will. He could be motivated, under the right circumstances, without divulging the information you seek to contain, but I would need your permission to proceed.”
“Well, whatever it is, you’ve picked a piss-damn good time to bring it up. I’m feeling uncharacteristically open to suggestions.”
28
Bargain
Ammu pulled Rush aside at breakfast the next morning.
“Please, make yourself a plate and bring it with you,” he said. “I would like to speak with you privately in the classroom, and I do not want you to miss your breakfast.”
Oh, great, Rush thought to himself. He’s finally figured out that I didn’t do as well as they think on that test.
Ammu didn’t sound angry, but then again, Rush had a hard time imagining the soft-spoken man yelling or carrying on. Even if Ammu were furious, he would probably just scold him in the same even tone with which he always spoke. I am sorry to say that we will have to let you go, Rush imagined him saying, his voice as calm as ever. It is a great sorrow to me, as you can imagine, and it will surely be a great disappointment to your father as well.
Suddenly, Rush didn’t feel very hungry at all. He gulped and followed Ammu into the classroom.
“Sit down. Please,” Ammu said graciously. “I have a deal I would like to propose to you.”
Rush sat one seat away from Ammu, setting his plate on the chair between them as an excuse for leaving it empty. He eyed Ammu warily, but a deal didn’t sound so bad. Teachers didn’t usually make deals with students they were about to kick out of school.
“First of all,” Ammu began, “let me say that I am extremely glad you are here at the ICIC. I do not want yesterday’s revelations about Samantha to undermine the importance of your own unique gift. Your ability to predict behavior is impressive. I believe it has contributed to your success in the video gaming arena, and I believe it will be of even greater aid to you here, whether you realize it or not.
“That said,” he continued, “I am aware that your preference, at the moment, is to attend an upcoming gaming event—an event which, as I understand it, could lead to a lucrative career for you in the industry, yes?”
“Chance of a lifetime,” Rush admitted, but he couldn’t meet Ammu’s gaze, pushing the food idly around his plate with his fork instead. “How’d you know?”
“Kaitlyn told Christina, who told me,” Ammu replied, “but do not be angry with them. Kaitlyn told Christina in praising your abilities. Christina told me because I might be in a position to help you. Knowing what I know now, I would like to offer you a deal.”
Rush looked up, hope daring to blaze in his eyes.
“If you will commit yourself,” Ammu said, “I mean truly commit, with everything you have, to participating in this program, and in the exercises that I ask of you, without question…” Ammu paused, making sure he had Rush’s full attention, “I am now in a position to promise you that when your invitational arrives… a few weeks from now, yes?”
“Yes!” Rush affirmed.
“That the ICIC will ensure your attendance.”
Rush jumped out of his chair.
“Yes!” Rush yelled. “Hell yes!”
“So, you would say we have a deal?” Ammu asked, grinning wryly.
“Yes, we have a deal! Ammu, you’re the best!”
Rush looked like he wanted to hug the older man, so Ammu stood and opened his arms awkwardly, unsure of what the culture of the American teenager called for in such a jubilant situation. Rush saw his uncertainty and just grinned instead, holding out his hand to Ammu, inviting him to shake it to seal their bargain.
But when Ammu extended his own hand, Rush’s excitement got the best of him. He pulled Ammu in for a vigorous bear hug and slapped him on the back several times, leaving the older man laughing.
“Yes, yes. OK then. Very good,” Ammu said, clearly pleased but also in doubt over how best to respond to Rush’s enthusiasm. “Try to eat something now. We have a long day ahead of us.” Ammu indicated Rush’s plate with a nod of his head, what little food Rush had bothered to take still lying upon it, uneaten and getting colder by the minute.
“Yes, sir!” Rush said, and he all but sprinted out the door, heading for either the pancakes, because he was starving, or for Sketch, to tell him the good news, whichever he saw first.
29
Training
“Good morning, everyone! Today, I have something very special for you to try. The exercise is likely to seem strange, as it is an ancient practice from my own part of the world and therefore quite removed from your own experience.”
Ammu stood in the center of a strange room they had not seen before. It was located in a system of narrow tunnels beneath the building, the stairwell to which was hidden behind a gray steel door in the back of the lodge’s industrial kitchen.
The room held no furniture at all. A large mirror was set into one wall, but otherwise there was not a single mark in the pristine white paint. The whitewashed floor appeared to be smoothly sealed concrete. Round, bright lights lay perfectly flush with the unblemished ceiling.
The space was too large and empty to be comfortable, especially given the complete lack of color. It reminded Mackenzie of the despised gray carpet, making her want to shudder, but she hid it as best she could. She suspected the mirror to be a one-way window. Who knew how many unknown observers might be watching from the other side.