2030_ The Real Story of What Happens to America - Albert Brooks [125]
“I’ve got some good ideas,” she said. “There’s no reason he can’t expand into other parts of the state. And his virtual showings are boring. There are better ways to show property without going there, and he’s missing out.” Max was happy she was involved with a new project, but his mind was really somewhere else.
He spent occasional evenings at Kathy’s house but he mainly stayed at home, working there during the day and sleeping there most nights. They both were so absorbed in what they were doing, even though Kathy had no idea what Max was working on, that they started to lose touch on a daily basis. She still admired him for not living the life of a rich kid with his sizable inheritance. She also admired him for trying to make a difference, and she still loved him. Bailing her out of her immediate debt was such a grand gesture; how could she not love a man who would do that? But even though Max called it a gift, Kathy knew that if her job turned into anything at all she would repay him, just so she could feel good about herself.
About two weeks after she started work, Max stopped coming to her house altogether. They had not spent the night together for ten days. “Is anything wrong?” Kathy asked him.
“Absolutely not. I’m working on something that could be big and I’ve been working really late, so I just crash.” Kathy was excited for him.
“What are you working on?”
“Just some ideas. You know what my goal is.”
“Why don’t you run for office?”
Max howled with laughter. “Right. Max Leonard. Congressman. I would rather kill myself.”
“Okay. It was just a suggestion.”
“I love you for it. I’ll talk to you later. I have some guys coming over now for a meeting.” Kathy was surprised. She didn’t know Max was holding meetings.
“Anyone I know?”
“Yes. You remember Louie?”
“The biker?”
“Yeah. He’s coming with another couple of guys. They’re passionate. I like that.”
“Is Louie smart?”
“He’s passionate. That’s more valuable. The whole point now is to actually do something, not just sit around and talk anymore.”
“Well, it sounds like you’re excited. I like hearing that.”
“I love you, baby. I’ll see you later.”
When Kathy hung up, for the first time in ages, she thought about Brian Nelson. Brian had introduced her to this whole world through Louie. If it weren’t for Brian, she wouldn’t know any of these people, including Max. And that made her a little nostalgic. She didn’t want Brian back, but she missed him, at least for a moment. However, Kathy’s job was a lifesaver, not just because she needed to make money, but because now she had something to put her energy into. It was ironic that she was in love with Max Leonard and she was working for an old. But Kathy and Max were different in one major area: Max could write off an entire age group. Kathy couldn’t. Try as she might, she couldn’t hate Clyde Folsom. And why would she? He was taking on someone who had just gotten her real estate license and giving her a chance. So what if he was drawing more tax dollars than a younger person? Here he was trying to help someone younger. Kathy knew that Clyde wasn’t doing it to spread the wealth; he was doing it because younger attractive women sold property. But selfish motives or not, Kathy finally had a job that might have a real future.
Selling real estate in the 2030s was quite different than at any time before. All properties were presented virtually in a compelling holographic style, so when a prospective buyer wanted to see the actual house or condo, they would go there already knowing they loved it. If the virtual tour was handled right, seeing the house was just a formality. Kathy even presented the “in person” visits as if the prospective buyer already owned it. She would say things like,