The number of articles attacking the validity of their data was tremendous. Many of them were written by people who knew far less about dolphins or marine biology. She and her team initially thought it was just the conservatives, but a significant number turned out to be liberals too. Some claimed it was a hoax for more attention, or more funding. One talk show host insinuated that it was a simple “trick” using sophisticated software, never meant to do anything but fool the public. For what? What on earth did she stand to gain by fooling the world? It was then she realized that being under the scrutiny of public opinion had a very dark side. Yet fortunately, for every doubter, there were many more believers. But had they really changed anything?
Alison remained motionless, staring at her own reflection in the thick glass. It was true. They had gotten an awful lot of people excited, but was the world fundamentally any different or better? She thought about what Sally had said. Was the world better, or could it really be worse?
The United States was arguably the epicenter of recent technological advancements, on virtually every level. The computer changed everything, and then the internet came along and accelerated it all again. Everyone now had phones that were more powerful than the first space shuttles. Televisions were almost the size of an entire wall, and video games made real life look downright boring to most kids. And to top it off, diseases like heart disease and obesity were at record highs.
What exactly was she working for? In many ways, the world was getting worse. She dropped her head, struck by a wave of shame, but immediately pulled herself out of it. She knew the answer. Now she was working to prove the critics wrong. To prove the communication was genuine. That it was real. That was the whole reason for the vest; to be able to travel out into the wild, where she could show and immerse herself in the real world of dolphins, and to do so out from under the shadow of a man-made tank and any supposed tricks.
Nevertheless, Sally’s remark had caused Alison to step back abruptly and consider whether what they were doing now was truly for the science… or for her.
Go sleep Alison. Rest, Sally said softly.
Alison shook herself out of her trance and managed to grin.
Sally studied Alison through the thick glass, standing in the darkness. Tomorrow we show you. Sally continued. Tomorrow we show you world is beautiful.
She sighed, with just a little of the smile still remaining, and gently reached out for the tank, pushing her palm against the clear glass.
Slowly, Sally floated forward and touched her bottlenose to Alison’s palm, separated only by the thick pane of glass.
Alison sat behind her desk. She stared out the window and watched the sun rise into the morning sky over the bright green hills of Puerto Rico. The scattered, white clouds crawled across the endless expanse of blue. Behind her, the sun’s warm rays slowly crept across the wall of her office.
Her laptop sat on the desk in front of her, displaying a detailed budget sheet. She hated running everything. All right, hate was a strong word. Resentment, perhaps. Deep down she resented having to do it, but the old director was gone, and no one else knew as much about the project details as she did. She had been the lead since the very beginning. The driving force.
Now it was all on her: the vision, execution, details, budgeting, everything. The truth was that it was too much. The difference between being the lead researcher and actually running the place was huge. She was constantly bogged down in administrative minutia, and it was keeping her from doing the one thing she wanted most: to be free. Alison yearned to be back on the front line doing nothing but pure research. Instead, she was stuck in her office much of the day, making sure that everything else was done. She’d thought about stepping down, but she was deathly afraid of what bureaucrat would replace her.
She tilted her head, listening to the loud murmur of children downstairs. It was the last class visit before the big trip tomorrow. Alison smiled at the thought of the small, excited faces pressed up against the glass.
A moment later, there was a knock on the door. Her administrative assistant, Bruna, opened it and poked her head in.
“Alison?”
“Good morning, Bruna.”
The assistant smiled. “There’s someone here to see you. He said he doesn’t have an appointment.”
Alison rolled her eyes. “I’m not in the mood for solicitations. Whatever it is, just tell him I’m not interested.”
Bruna blinked. “Um… actually, he said he’s here to ask for your help. In fact, he asked to see DeeAnn too.”
“Help with what?”
“I don’t know. But he sure doesn’t look like a solicitor.”
Alison raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“Well, he’s old. And he’s dressed in the nicest suit I’ve ever seen.”
DeeAnn had just joined Alison in her office when Bruna escorted the old man in. He entered with the help of a cane and a young female assistant attentively at his side. His hair was completely white, combed straight back and neat. His face bore a deep tan highlighted by his crème-colored dress shirt, which he wore beneath a dark blue, and very expensive, Kiton suit. His cane looked to be made of ivory.
The man smiled sincerely at Alison and then DeeAnn. With a brief nod, he staggered eagerly across the room toward them.
“Ah, Ms. Shaw and Ms. Draper, it is an honor to make your acquaintance.” His accent was noticeable but subtle. “I very much appreciate you meeting me without an appointment. I’m afraid there is a certain urgency to my trip.”
He reached them and held out his hand. “My name is Mateus Alves.”
Alison shook his hand politely. His aged skin was soft and cool. Standing next to her, DeeAnn did the same. “What can we do for you, Mr. Alves?”
“Please,” Alves waved his hand humorously, “call me Mateus. Being called by my first name may be the only thing left that helps me feel young.” He motioned to his aide next to him. “This is Carolina, my assistant. Please excuse her silence. She knows very little English.”
Both ladies smiled politely at Carolina.
Alison motioned to one of the chairs in front of her desk. “May I offer you a chair?”
“Wonderful, thank you,” Alves replied. He turned around and fell gently into the seat with a welcomed sigh. “Please excuse our abruptness. I hope I haven’t intruded too much.”
“Not at all.” Alison relaxed and watched the man curiously. “We were just doing some planning for a trip.”
Alves raised his cane and nonchalantly propped it up in front of him, resting on it. “I’ll be as brief as I can. I know you are very busy. I’ve come to see you both, as I am a follower of your work. And a big fan, I might add. I’m a businessman in Rio de Janeiro. I own a number of hotels and, as you might guess, have done rather well.” He made a humble gesture at his clothing. “As you can also see, I am an old man. And as such, I have spent a number of my later years trying to give something back.”
Alison and DeeAnn glanced at each other. “That’s very kind of you, Mr. Alves.” Alison caught herself. “I mean, Mateus. But we’re not actually in need of additional funding at this time. We have a number of-”
“Forgive me, Ms. Shaw,” he interrupted. “That’s not what I meant. My visit is of a different nature entirely.”
A flash of embarrassment passed between the women. Alison motioned for him to continue.