The Emergence of Steve Green

"Procedures exist to prevent contact. Not help it. People with small minds and vacant imaginations fill them with schedules and procedures. People of character know when to ignore protocol."
-John Katzenback
THE ANALYST

Twenty-five years ago today

April 29, 1986
Tuesday

Margaret Lai chose to take the day off due to her son, Lance, being ill.

During my first break I took a walk to Pacific Bell Directory which is located at a nearby building. I turned in my request for the Directory Sales Representative job in Sacramento. I telephoned the department later for more insight.
Catherine, the Pac Bell Directory Human Resources gal, said, “There are about a half dozen GA405 forms that were submitted. And those that were transmitted will be competitive with new hires who have applied off of the street.”
I still think I may have a good chance.

If the Derek/San Ramon Marketing Management job doesn’t fall through I still have this Directory Sales option. I just hate the idea of moving to Sacramento. It could only be for six months though. I could request a hardship transfer for some reason or another and transfer to Oakland or San Francisco. If the Derek connection comes through I will simply stay here. There is still no word from Derek yet.

Cedric Green and I ate lunch together at The Haven. It was enjoyable. He’s okay. I agreed to Friday Happy Hour plans to join Cedric at El Torito. Mary and Brenda have cancelled. In a way—that’s a good thing. I may end up going out with Mark Landreth later. I don’t know.

I went to visit Sherri and my niece, Ashley. We went out for Chinese Food and then I left and went to the gym. I saw Bob Maloney at the gym. Mark didn’t show up. He’s probably moving-in to his house. I worked-out anyway. I noticed this one fellow giving me the eye but I didn’t make anything of it. He was riding the Lifecycle next to me, reading a book of science-fiction called EMERGENCE by David R. Palmer. (The sci-fi book begins with Candida Maria Smith-Foster, an eleven-year-old girl, who is unaware that she's a Homo post hominem, mankind's next evolutionary step. Hominems have higher IQs; they're stronger, faster, more resistant to illness and trauma, and have quicker reflexes. Their eyesight, hearing, and sense of smell are superior as well.)

I began talking to this guy and we gave ‘small talk’ introductions as far as our names, workplaces and where we lived. He is planning on moving out soon. As we continued our workouts and as we both walked out of the gym I suggested ‘that if he had the time’ to follow me to my place to check out my pad. I explained that I was looking for a roommate. He works for a firm called TRANSBOX at the Oakland Airport vicinity. It’s a sort of package and courier service. He followed me home and we seemed rather nosey as he checked out my pad. We shared some good conversation. As it turns out I learned that he is attending Cal State University, Hayward and he visits the gym about once a week.
He said, “I may go to the gym tomorrow night. It sounds like you have a lot of friends.”
“Not really,” I answered.
“Well, I have a lot of acquaintances but only about three friends that I can really count on. One of them is fifty-two years old. He’s a friend of my folks as well.”
“He probably provides some wise advice.”
“Yeah, I live in Willits right now. Do you know where that is?”
A flash memory of Ron Waggoner came to mind. I had met him about three years ago and he was from WILLITS, CA.
“Yes, I actually knew someone from Willits!”
“Oh yeah--What’s his name?”
“Ron Waggoner.”
He said, “I don’t believe it…Ron used to be my roommate!”
Whatever---time will tell. This guy is named Steve Green. Steve seems to be a level-headed, nice guy. It amazed me to learn that he lived in West Africa at one time. His folks were in the PEACE CORPS. He has two older sisters, too. Steve is twenty-four years old.


I am afraid, yet excited about getting this Directory Sales job in Sacramento.


Russia had a nuclear bombing accident in their labs a few days ago. It’s the current talk in the US News and World Reports.


Steve Green, “I have a friend who is a biochemist. And I have some friends in San Jose, Aptos and Belmont. I guess I have more than a number of acquaintances—but then I guess you do, too.”
I don’t think I’ll be writing Steve Green off for a good while. He’s too nice and he’s gullible (or so he says—like me). I tend to believe everyone. I am trusting. I liked that we shared that similarity.


I tried calling Mark Landreth at his new telephone number but there was still no answer. He was probably still visiting his folks.


Sherri, my sister in law, said, “I’m going to give Ashley a birthday party next Saturday, so don’t plan anything.”
“I won’t.”
I will have to find her something special.

Everyone has to move when it's time. And right now it's time for you.
-Stieg Larsson
"The Girl Who Played With Fire"