'Then why the big scene?'
'I don't figure everything out immediately. I sure didn't want the mark. I was trying to figure a way to get out of it right up to the time they stuck me. I don't have to like it, but what's done is done, and a smart guy like you ought to be able to see the upside of this.' 'Tell me, oh great intellect.'
'So mock me. Forget it. I shouldn't have to tell you anyway.'
David stood and moved to the front of the desk and sat atop it, his knees inches from Chang's. 'All right, listen. It's obvious you're a mental prodigy, mind like a steel trap, all that. I'd heard you were a Bible-memory freak, which is saying something when you can't risk being caught with one. All that from reading it on the Net?'
Chang nodded.
David continued. 'I'm not hung up on being the smartest guy in the room no matter where I am. That didn't used to be so, especially when I was your age. I enjoyed not only overwhelming older people with my brain but letting them know that we both knew who was the king. You want me on the floor, kissing your feet? Fine. You're the best. You're smarter than I am. I'm a journeyman, a plugger compared to you. That what you want to hear? It doesn't bother me that you're a few steps ahead of me-it really doesn't. What bothers me is your assuming it bothers me, because it would bother you if the shoe were on the other foot. Then I get defensive, trying to prove it doesn't bother me, which only makes it appear that it does. You following this?'
Chang smiled. 'Yeah, I got it.'
'So enlighten me and quit trying to rub it in. What are you going to do with this 'advantage,' as you call it, being bi-loyal for lack of a better term? And how does acting angry with me help that cause, whatever it is?'
'Glad you asked. May I take it from the top?'
David nodded.
'First, I like the term. Bi-loyal. That's the way it appears. This forehead is going to really bother fellow believers. They can only assume the seal mark is fake, because no one would fake the mark of the beast. They're going to take some persuading, and if I were them, I might never trust me.
'But the Carpathia loyalists… they can't see the mark of God, and they have no reason to believe the loyalty mark is anything but what it appears. Therefore, I am free to live among them-buy and sell, come and go, even work here-without suspicion and-if I'm careful-without risk.'
'You're good, Chang. But that last was very teenage thinking.'
Chang appeared to think about that, then nodded his concession. 'Maybe so. Too bad I won't have an old guy like you around to keep me from being too tempestuous and impulsive.'
'I'm starting to feel ancient.'
'You are, Director. Think about how few years you have left on this earth as we know it.'
'Funny.'
'Question is, how do you and your three friends get out of here, and how do I get your job?'
'You're not going to get my job.'
'I could do it.'
'Maybe you could, but not even Carpathia is foolhardy enough to risk that. You have to work your way up, and I have an idea who might take my spot anyway. You'd wind up working for him.'
'That's too bad; if you're right.'
'I'm right. You're so smart, have some common sense. They're not going to put a teenager in a director's chair.
They're just not. Think about it. I'm the youngest director now by eight years.' ' Congratulations.'
'That's not the point. If you're going to stay here and be a better mole than I was-because the mark gives you unquestioned credibility-you have to be strategic. Pick your spots. Do what you can.'
'Which is what, in your opinion?' 'I can teach you everything I know before I leave.' A smile played at Chang's lips. 'What?' David said. 'I know you're dying to say something.'
'Just that you teaching me everything you know shouldn't take long. It's a joke. C'mon.'
'A real comedian. Well, for as limited as I am, I'd like to think you'll be amazed by what I've done here and what I have in place. My biggest worry is that my remote access is only good for as long as they stay with the current system.'
'You don't have to worry about that anymore,' Chang said. 'Because?' 'I'll be here.'
'But you're not going to be a director. It won't be your call what system they stay with or change to.'
'But I can adapt what you've put in place to work with it, either way.' 'You probably could.' 'I know I could.' David covered his mouth with a hand, thinking. Why hadn't he recognized the possibilities right away? 'Some of your confidence is attractive. Part of it is off-putting.'
'Most of it is an act, sir.'
'Really?'
'Sure. The whole thing in here was an act. Pushing your buttons was just for fun. I'm just showing you how I'd fit in here. Be a little sarcastic, a little condescending. Tweak people. You think they're going to suspect I'm a Judah-ite?'
'I'm just wondering what's really inside you, Chang.'
'What do you mean?'
'Spiritually. Your sister is a tough prison guard.'
'She could whip my tail.'
'But she glows with a spirituality, a humility. She has a real Christ-like quality.'
'Not around inmates she doesn't.'
'I suppose not. But what about you, Chang? Do you know who you are and who you're not? Do you understand the depth of your own depravity and realize that God saved you while you were dead in your sins?'
Chang nodded, maintaining eye contact. 'I know I could use a lot more introspection, but yes, I do know. And I appreciate your reminding me.'
'All right, I have a plan, Chang.'
'That's encouraging. So do I. But I had a little more time to think about mine, so you start.'
'I'll start because I'm older, I outrank you, and I am interviewing you. You're not even an employee yet.'
'I defer. Mine's going to be better anyway, so go ahead… Kidding!'
'I say you maintain the attitude in front of the people here and your father, but give him a little slack before he leaves. He needs to believe you're at least OK with being here. Don't act impressed with me.'
'That won't be hard.'
'All right!'
'I'm listening.'
'I'll bet. Come reluctantly to the conclusion that you want to work here and that you figure this is the most logical department to work in, though you're not impressed with it. You don't want to appear too eager. They're all excited about you, so let them stay that way. Play a little hard to get. As for me, I won't act much more thrilled than I did in front of Moon, and I'll just assign you to the guy I assume will replace me. After hours, you and I cram-mostly by phone and E-mail- and I'll show you what I've set up. During the day you work with him. Don't alienate him, because you'll quickly be his number-two guy. You might even want to govern yourself so you don't become too much of a star. Let him forget about you while trusting you. That way you'll be most valuable to our cause. Make sense?'
'You thought of that just now?'
'Don't start.'
'I'm serious. Those were my thoughts exactly. And there's nothing I want more than to use every gift God gave me to be, like you said, valuable to the cause. Do I get to be a member of the Tribulation Force? Or would I have to live in the safe house for that?'
'They consider me a member. Of course, this is like the nerve center and they depend on what we do here to pave the way for them to come and go and infiltrate.'
'So they ought to adopt me soon enough.'
'I would imagine.'
'May I shake your hand, as long as no one is looking?' David reached for him, and Chang gripped hard. 'Don't take me too seriously. I just like to mess with people's minds.'
