2030_ The Real Story of What Happens to America - Albert Brooks [51]
“Hi, Bob. Sam is bringing his son to the lecture in Chicago, so either change his suite to a three-bedroom or get a suite for the kid.”
“That’s all? No problem.”
“He also wanted to confirm that he was doing the ‘Aging Without Pain’ lecture.”
“That’s right.”
“Fine. Are you sold out?”
“Everything but some balcony seats way in the back, and those will be gone, too, I’m sure.”
“What does the gross look like?”
“A million and a half, not including downloads.”
“Great. Sam will be pleased. He’ll see you Friday.”
“Thanks.” And with that Robert clicked off. He still thought Dr. Sam Mueller was greedy. Ninety percent of the gross. Hell, here he was arranging for everything, doing all the advertising, and only getting ten percent. Bupkis. But then he reminded himself that this was the man who’d cured cancer. By simply doing that, Sam Mueller single-handedly added fifty million people to AARP. Just give him what he wants.
* * *
Kathy and Max were sitting outside of her home in the early evening. She felt so guilty for hurting Brian, but Max handled it perfectly. He was not just a charismatic speaker, he knew when to listen, and he let her vent her feelings without saying a word. And on her own she always came to the same conclusion, that she didn’t love Brian and therefore wasn’t leaving one person for another, and that Brian had never been the right one anyway. Of course, she was leaving one person for another.
Most times, if a relationship is not finished and someone leaves for someone else, it colors the new relationship and everything falls apart. But once in a great while, people leave people for someone new and stay with that new person for fifty years. Max pointed that out and Kathy asked, “Are we the fifty-year couple?”
“It sure feels like it to me.” And he kissed her and her guilt just washed away. “Do you want to do something interesting on Friday?”
“Of course,” she said.
“The guy who cured cancer, Sam Mueller, is speaking in front of thousands of olds in Chicago. Want to go?”
“Sure, I guess. Why do you want to hear him?”
“I’d like to know what he has to say. He’s one of the main reasons the country is so fucked up. Guys like him who extend life for others get to be billionaires and then stick the bill for everyone that they cured on us.”
“Interesting. I never thought of it quite that way. I’d love to go. I hate him already.”
“Great. We can make a fun road trip out of it.”
Then Kathy thought a moment. “Do you think it’s too soon after my father died?”
“I think it’s like a tribute to your dad. If they had spent some money helping your father instead of giving it to all the ninety-year-olds, we would still have him.”
“You’re right. They treated him like shit.”
“Resources going to all the wrong places,” Max said. “By the way, what do you want to do with the ashes?”
“I don’t know. I thought I would put them on the mantel or something.”
“I have a great idea. Let’s put them in the backseat and take them with us to Chicago. It’ll be like he’s on the trip, too. Then we can find a beautiful spot on Lake Michigan and let him free.”
Kathy just looked at this man. “You’re so amazing. God.”
And they kissed again. Softly. Not a crazy, passionate kiss, but a kiss that suited the conversation. It was terrific.
* * *
The pilotless jet turned onto the runway at Eagle County Regional Airport. Sam Mueller liked to fly, especially in the privacy his wealth afforded him, but these smaller airports that serviced resorts like Vail were not his favorite. He looked over and saw Mark. This was unusual. They had not had very many father-son activities over the years, and even though Mark might be bored, Sam thought it was great that he was coming to Chicago to hear his dad speak.
Sam Mueller had so many strangers worshipping him, but it never translated to his children. Maybe a little bit with Patty, but Mark seemed unimpressed. Possibly it was the way he was asserting his own identity entering into his teen years, but Sam wished his son looked up to him more.