Gail's Ghost

Received: Today 5:01 PM
To: Gail Greene
From: Ghost

My Dear Gail,

As promised, I compose my first missive in what I hope is an illuminating correspondence. I believe this is after your scheduled work time, so I hope you have a few minutes to spare.

I would like to apologize in advance, as I deal with information from a wide array of sources, and some of that information pertains to you. I try to preserve your privacy, but I feel I must share one thing: your penchant for coffee, particularly the overpriced and additive-laden swill from Starbucks, shall cause your demise. I realize it’s an extra block’s walk and you strive to increase your Fitbit step count, but the extra half mile to Whole Foods would do you even more good and net you a tastier cup of stimulation.

In any case, I implore you to limit yourself to two cups per diem.

My first question: Why banking? My father was a banker back in the day, and I can’t imagine a more mundane field. For someone with your obvious talent and brilliance, it strikes me as extremely limiting. True, the occasional opportunity to match wits with an interloper alleviates the monotony, but the sheer inanity of dealing with monitoring security and keeping your utilities patched would drive me into an asylum. I should need a cadre of friends to extract me before the treatments I received cause permanent injury. But I digress.

Little wonder you’re a coffee addict.

Would you be amenable to alternative employment should the opportunity arise?

Now with the unsolicited advice far in the past and an interrogative outstanding, ask me what you will.

Yours,
-Ghost


Sent: Today 5:37 PM
To: Ghost
From: Gail Greene

1) Stay the hell out of my coffee.
2) Aren’t you taking the supernatural thing a little far, “Ghost”? I mean, really.
3) How the hell did you remotely hack a camera? It doesn’t have a network connection.
4) Are you offering me a job? If so, doing what?

g


Received: Today 5:38 PM
To: Gail Greene
From: Ghost

1) Fair enough. I share out of concern, but I shan’t bring it up again.

2) I used to be fascinated with supernatural phenomena. Suffice to say that fascination has become somewhat more serious of late.

If you wish to discuss this topic further, I would much prefer to visit in much the way we interacted before, though perhaps in a more personal setting. You have done well with your bank’s security, and dealing with it drains me somewhat. Words fail to capture the details and magnitude of my situation. A demonstration may have greater impact. Please let me know if you’re willing and we can schedule a time for us to meet.

3) Electronics are electronics. If I can reach them, I can modify the firmware, software, and stored data. I have been programming since before you were born, so I have access to a few techniques you may not have seen before. Also, my current situation allows me to break some rules and reach far further.

4) I believe I am. Details forthcoming as I get the organizational pieces in place, but suffice to say that you would never be bored. Given the size of the charitable donation from the last time we spoke, I know you will trust me when I say you would want for nothing. I imagine development tasks, bolstering computer security, and the odd infiltration should you desire some distraction.

This may take me some time to set up, but please forward me the salary requirements of your furthest-flung dreams and I shall make the numbers work.

Yours,
-Ghost


Sent: Today 5:42 PM
To: Ghost
From: Gail Greene

OK, I’m intrigued. I’ll need some time to rediscover my “furthest-flung dreams”, but I’ll get you a number. And I want 50% of that number as a signing bonus before I give my notice.

And yes, let’s talk in real time.

Just who the hell are you, anyway?

g


Received: Today 5:42 PM
To: Gail Greene
From: Ghost

I shall give you a hint as to my identity, as games surely keep the mind sharp.

A bonus shouldn’t be an impediment. It’s all just numbers in this modern age, and electronic ones at that, so money is quite literally no object.

I have somewhat extensive plans. I would be remiss if I didn’t share them with you before you made your decision. Money is well and good, but it hardly forms the basis for a meaningful and lasting professional relationship.

Your idealism should be a great asset in this endeavour, but I shall reserve specifics until after we meet. I assume your calendar is up to date?

Yours,
CB