Chapter 14: The Family Syndicate and the Art of the Deal
Location: The Cooper Household / Medford High – Football Field
Date: December 1st, 1980
Status: Organizational Expansion
I've decided to move forward with The Family Syndicate Path. While a speakerphone is technologically impressive, it lacks the physical presence required to manage a man like Arthur Miller long-term. More importantly, George Jr. (Georgie) is currently an underutilized asset. He possesses a natural, raw charisma and a "hustler" spirit that neither Sheldon nor I (in this infant form) can project.
By recruiting Georgie, I solve two problems: I gain a mobile executive assistant, and I prevent his future resentment by making him an essential part of the "Cooper Genius" machine.
04:30 PM — The Recruitment of the Elder
Georgie was sitting on his bed, staring miserably at a math worksheet on long division. His aura was a Frustrated, Static Grey. He was smart, but not "Cooper Smart"—his brain was wired for sales and systems, not abstract theory.
I crawled into his room, pushing my [Architect's Pacifier] into his hand. It had a mild [Focus Aura] that cleared the mental fog.
"Gah-jee," I said, locking eyes with him. I didn't use baby talk. I used [Vocal Mimicry] to pitch my voice into a low, resonant tone that commanded attention. "Division is just... repeated subtraction. Focus."
Georgie jumped, dropping his pencil. "Did you just... talk? For real?"
I didn't answer. Instead, I pulled out a crisp $100 bill from my "hidden" savings (acquired via the [Daily Sign-In]). I placed it on his worksheet.
"That's for a pair of high-end sneakers," I whispered. "I need a partner. A businessman. Someone who can talk to Mr. Miller for me."
Georgie's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. He looked at the money, then at me. The Grey aura exploded into a Golden, Greedy Spark. "You want me to be your... bagman? Like in the movies?"
"Executive Assistant," I corrected. "I do the math. You do the talking. We both get rich. Deal?"
Georgie took the bill. "Deal. But you gotta help me pass this test first."
[QUEST COMPLETED: THE FIRST RECRUIT]
[REWARD: GEORGIE COOPER IS NOW 'THE CONSIGLIERE']
[TRAIT UNLOCKED: 'SYNDICATE LEADERSHIP' (Team actions gain 25% efficiency)]
02:00 PM — The First Executive Meeting
The next day, Mary was occupied with a PTA meeting. I sat in the [Mark I Super-Stroller], which Georgie was pushing toward Miller's shop. To any passerby, it was just a boy taking his baby brother for a walk. In reality, it was a mobile boardroom meeting.
"Now, listen," I whispered as we approached the shop. "Tell Miller that 'The Architect' is pleased with the packet-switching prototype. Give him this envelope. It contains the schematic for a 10-Megabit Ethernet Controller."
Georgie took the envelope, looking nervous but excited. He walked into the shop. Through the [Stealth Bug] I'd previously planted, I listened.
"Hey, Mr. Miller," Georgie said, his voice dropping into a surprisingly effective 'business' register. "I'm here on behalf of my... associate. He says the packet switcher is a good start, but we're moving to Ethernet logic now."
Miller's voice was a mix of awe and terror. "You? The kid who failed shop class is 'The Associate'?"
"I'm the face of the operation, Artie," Georgie replied, leaning against the counter. "Now, look at the drawings. The Architect says if you can build this in a month, there's a five-thousand-dollar 'research grant' in it for you."
[SKILL ACTIVATED: THE INVISIBLE HAND]
[RESULT: ARTHUR MILLER'S LOYALTY INCREASED TO 'DEVOTED']
The Nightly Briefing
That evening, back in the nursery, Sheldon was vibrating with intellectual jealousy. He had seen Georgie and me whispering. He had seen the $100 bill.
"C-C-Capitalism," Sheldon hissed, clutching his train. "U-U-Unfair!"
"It's not unfair, Sheldon, it's an ecosystem," I whispered back. I pulled out a [Brain Development Serum] I'd finally decided to purchase from the Midnight Market. I hadn't bought it for myself—I bought it for him.
"Drink this, Sheldon," I said, handing him a modified bottle. "I need your brain to hit the 'College Level' by age nine. I'm going to need a lead researcher for Gump-Cooper Aerospace, and Missy is going to need a private jet. Let's get to work."
[QUEST STARTED: THE PRODIGY'S EVOLUTION]
[REWARD: SHELDON COOPER'S IQ +20 (PERMANENT)]
[ETHAN COOPER - STATUS REPORT]
Intelligence: 24
Charisma: 28
Syndicate Members: Georgie (Assistant), Arthur Miller (Engineer), Sheldon (Research-in-training)
Liquid Wealth: $55,000.00