Sven Aune
Security & Tactical
[TI23]
Posts: 378 Likes: 23
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Position: Chief of Security. Combat Engineer
Species: Human
|
Post by Sven Aune on Mar 13, 2020 3:27:31 GMT
Sven considered that.
“I didn’t think about that. I guess with money it feels more personal. More intimate if that makes sense. Do you have any recommendations on good money managers?”
He asked glancing at the lemon tree.
|
|
Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
|
Post by Judith Eastman on Mar 13, 2020 3:42:45 GMT
[Eastman-Williams Family Home]
"I think you're mixing two things together: fund managers and brokers," Max replied, as he helped himself to seconds. "It's okay. I get confused too."
"Max is right," Judy answered, having finished her burger. "A broker is honestly optional in this day and age, since there are programs that can really do the same things, but we have a few, because of the size of our portfolio. These are professionals you come back to, and you want to build a rapport there. With mutual fund managers, it's more transactional; it's like another stock you're buying, except this stock is made of other stocks."
Then, she was struck by a realization.
"Oh, darn it. My meds. Again!" she exclaimed. "God help me. Being old, I need the meds, but I can't remember them. I think my brain's just conspiring with my heart to kill me."
She headed inside to retrieve the pills.
|
|
Sven Aune
Security & Tactical
[TI23]
Posts: 378 Likes: 23
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Position: Chief of Security. Combat Engineer
Species: Human
|
Post by Sven Aune on Mar 13, 2020 14:20:26 GMT
Sven shook his head. Judy wasn't that old, but she enjoyed to play on her age. She had a flair for the dramatic and Sven was convinced that she enjoyed that as well. He took another sip of the lemonade.
"You know, she really isn't that old." he commented, "and I think she forgets just how unforgettable she is. She has like this uncanny elephants memory."
|
|
Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
|
Post by Judith Eastman on Mar 13, 2020 19:10:25 GMT
[Eastman-Williams Family Home]
"Mom likes to complain. It's her pastime," Anna pointed out, sounding unenthused with that whole affair. "She exaggerates, but she's a lot older than most people in her position," Max disagreed, taking a more nuanced position. "A lot of her colleagues, and many of Anna's classmates' mothers, are 20 years or so younger than she is."
Judy returned, pills in hand, and then downed those with some water. "I've had to give up the chemicals I love, to make way for the chemicals I need," she kvetched. "One adult drink a day, one cup of coffee - soon enough mini-me will have more fun than I do."
|
|
Sven Aune
Security & Tactical
[TI23]
Posts: 378 Likes: 23
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Position: Chief of Security. Combat Engineer
Species: Human
|
Post by Sven Aune on Mar 13, 2020 20:28:12 GMT
Sven considered that. Perhaps he didn't see Judy as "that old."
"So you're saying that the party is nearing the midnight hour?" he asked.
|
|
Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
|
Post by Judith Eastman on Mar 13, 2020 20:59:28 GMT
[Eastman-Williams Family Home]
Judy shook her head vigorously. "No, no. Not at all," she answered. "Well, in some sense, yes, but that's just the weakness of the analogy. I think cheese is a more apt metaphor."
She adjusted her glasses, as was her custom.
"The average cream cheese you'll buy off the shelf or pop out of the replicator is going to sit around for a bit, and then spoil. That's how it is, and that's what it does. But, on the other hand, there are other varieties - Gouda, Roquefort, sharp Cheddars - that just take on new, more complex flavors. You wouldn't use a Roquefort and a cream cheese, or a sharp Cheddar and her baby Cheddar, for the same purposes, but the sharp Cheddar hasn't gone bad."
The use of the phrase "her baby Cheddar" gave another layer to the analogy, denoting Judy as the sharp Cheddar, and look-alike Anna as the baby Cheddar, who someday would turn out like her mother.
"The point being, yes, I'm old. My memory isn't what it was, and neither are my joints, and yet, in terms of the work I'm doing, the things I'm capable of, I'm as good as ever, maybe better."
|
|
Sven Aune
Security & Tactical
[TI23]
Posts: 378 Likes: 23
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Position: Chief of Security. Combat Engineer
Species: Human
|
Post by Sven Aune on Mar 13, 2020 21:03:03 GMT
Sven nodded and took another bite. "Yes, that makes sense. As we age, we become more complicated, like the flavors of those harder cheeses. Well, I hope that I have your outlook on things when I'm older. But I'm glad that you are still getting around."
he took a sip of his drink, "What about you Anna, hows school?"
|
|
Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
|
Post by Judith Eastman on Mar 13, 2020 21:17:23 GMT
[Eastman-Williams Family Home]
"It's summer vacation," Anna pointed out, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I was in advanced math this year, and it was really easy." "Your mother helped you a little," Max reminded his daughter. "Only a little. I did the work, and it was easy," the young woman countered, making both of her parents smile. "She has a good head for numbers," Judy complimented. "I got straight A's in all my subjects. Even gym," Anna bragged further, proud of her sixth-grade achievements. "Gym class is annoying."
|
|
Sven Aune
Security & Tactical
[TI23]
Posts: 378 Likes: 23
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Position: Chief of Security. Combat Engineer
Species: Human
|
Post by Sven Aune on Mar 14, 2020 1:46:47 GMT
“Yes, I know you are out for the summer. I was asking overall. Strong math skills is a good thing to have. Useful in almost all jobs.”
He took another bite before continuing. “And ya, gym can be a real drag. Especially some of the team activities.”
|
|
Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
|
Post by Judith Eastman on Mar 14, 2020 2:20:49 GMT
[Eastman-Williams Family Home]
"Oh, she enjoys gym class more than she says - mostly slacking off with her friends while the teacher's not looking. I think she was trying to get under your skin," Judy cut in. "Youngest child problems."
As only children, Max and Judy had learned the hard way that these dynamics of older and younger siblings were very true.
"Anyway, after we finish eating, why don't we go to Ground Zero of human capitalism - Wall Street itself?" she offered. "Every good curriculum includes a field trip."
"Judy's always looking for a reason to head into the city. She still breathes Manhattan," Max pointed out, making light of his wife's proud Big Apple origin.
|
|
Sven Aune
Security & Tactical
[TI23]
Posts: 378 Likes: 23
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Position: Chief of Security. Combat Engineer
Species: Human
|
Post by Sven Aune on Mar 15, 2020 5:50:52 GMT
“I hated gym class. I know that that doesn’t make sense. But I did. It wasn’t until I started going to a private gym that I took up the sport of bodybuilding and fell in love with it. Mostly because it’s not really a team sport. It’s something one can do on their own, or with a partner.” He offered. He knew darn well that Anna didn’t care. She was at the age where teenagers care for very little outside their immediate bubble. But he wanted to give her the space to express herself.
He took another bit when his personal communicator went off with a soft beep. Reaching into his pocket Sven pulled it out and checked it. A frown grew across his face.
“Pardon me.” He said as he excused himself. He left the table to where he thought it was more private but a gentile breeze carried his voice back to the table.
“Look, it’s over. No. I don’t want to talk to you again. It’s beyond salvaging at this point. It’s over, don’t call me again. It’s time you take responsibility for your actions. I won’t put up with it. Good bye.”
Sven returned with a rather dower expression on his face. He picked at the meat on his plate for a second. “Sorry about that. We were saying?”
|
|
Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
|
Post by Judith Eastman on Mar 15, 2020 15:12:47 GMT
[Eastman-Williams Family Home]
Anna nodded. Bodybuilding probably wasn't for her - her goals in terms of fitness were more closely aligned with her parents - but she had manners.
Then, Sven left the table, and as the family ate, they exchanged looks.
At last, the young man returned.
"Max was just pushing my buttons about living here in the'burbs, in Jersey," Judy answered. "I like it here, but it's not Manhattan, and he knows that." "After so many years, I know all the ways to annoy Judy, and there are many," Max added. "In any case, I'd suggested we head over to Manhattan once we're done here, if you're interested," the family matriarch further explained.
Anna cast her eyes about, wanting to ask about the call but waiting for the right moment, waiting for her parents to focus on each other and not their guest.
|
|
Sven Aune
Security & Tactical
[TI23]
Posts: 378 Likes: 23
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Position: Chief of Security. Combat Engineer
Species: Human
|
Post by Sven Aune on Mar 15, 2020 18:57:13 GMT
“Oh, yes. That would be nice. But I’m going to rely on you for directions. Last time I was in Manhattan I got hopelessly lost on the subway.” He explained. And that was true. He came to the city for a competition and sight seeing tour and well, got lost. Though no one tired to mug him. Probably due to his size.
“I don’t know much about Wall Street so I’m hoping you will provide the commentary.
|
|
Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
|
Post by Judith Eastman on Mar 15, 2020 19:12:34 GMT
[Eastman-Williams Family Home]
"Mom is quite the tour guide," Anna answered, looking with a mix of admiration and bottled-up frustration at Judy. "Oh, that I am," the mother accepted. "Anyway, coming from here to the Financial District, where Starfleet inexplicably put its offices, you don't really need the Subway. You'll see: the Big Apple has incredible infrastructure."
Underneath Judy's self-confidence and looks, she was, and always would be, an absolute nerd, and it was showing.
"Anyway, eat up, before we head out, and I'll explain the whole concept of Wall Street," she instructed. "The New York Stock Exchange, on Wall Street, was originally the place where human brokers, back in the really old days, the 19th, 20th centuries, you know, when I was your age, well, the brokers, flesh and blood people, would meet there and make trades. Nowadays, it's mostly a symbolic location, with some administrative offices, and the real trading is happening between computers. These days, a Ferengi sitting on his bed in his underwear can make high-volume trades just the same as a fella in a bespoke suit in Manhattan."
|
|
Sven Aune
Security & Tactical
[TI23]
Posts: 378 Likes: 23
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Position: Chief of Security. Combat Engineer
Species: Human
|
Post by Sven Aune on Mar 17, 2020 2:50:17 GMT
Sven did just that. The food was unbelievable, as par for the Eastman-Williams resident. And he was interested in hearing what Judy had to say about the city. A tour by a real Manhattan New Yorker. That was something he didn't want to miss.
"So, if that is the case, why is there still a Wall Street when everything is done via the subspace relay?" he asked.
|
|