2008年9月18日 星期四

intelligence design

A lawyer Mark called me, saying he represented Tane’s father. He asked for an appointment with me, which I did. I knew from Tane that his father was a scholar of intelligence design, whatever it means.

The time was before noon. Mark was a white man with good pronunciation. He said Tane’s father had heard, observed and known enough about me.

‘I heard about you, Gt.’ Mark said.

‘From Tane?’

‘Not only from him.’ He smiled slightly.

‘Oh.’ I said. ‘From the web?’

‘I was told about some security concern, and would like to share with you.’

‘Is it classified?’ I made a joke.

‘Yes.’ He took a firm look at me, ‘owing to the close relation of you two, his father encountered some inconvenience.’

‘Such as?’

‘Interrogation. Would that be enough?’

‘About what, the interrogation?’

‘Something about his work, not entirely for this country, from elsewhere. They don’t want you to get close to them.’

I was surprised. I nodded, ‘I see. I never knew... okay, I know what to do.’

‘Like what?’ Mark followed with inquiry.

‘Do not talk to Tane or get close to his family any more.’ I said.

‘You can do that?’

‘I can, sure.’

‘The boy wants to talk to you.’

I looked at him, ‘Then it’s your client’s problem. Not mine.’

Mark seemed contented. ‘Thanks. I have to go. Please stay for the lunch, it would be on my bill.’

‘No, thanks.’