Viz was also determined to make the world a better place using that double major in journalism and chemical engineering. Most of her work is taking place at the University of Washington, both the Tacoma and Seattle campuses. Of course, these days most of the work is accomplished online.
Viz decided to focus on an immediate societal need. She decided there was too much waste. Waste and garbage. People needed to understand the situation. That would require journalistic skills. Practical solutions were also needed. That would involve Chemical Engineering.
As is usually the case, knowing the right people can be quite beneficial. Viz had unique access to high-level technologies. She also had direct access to a PhD level research biologist, her very own sister, Para. Combining resource information related to nanite technology, fuel cell technology, and research biology, her company is developing prototypes of small-scale (household) digesters. A large-scale (industrial) matter digester is now in operation. Where does she get the energy?
THE END
THE INTERLUDE WITH ROLL. HIGHLIGHTS.
Roll was not doing well. Rock could recall times when Roll acted as though he was depressed. But he always fought his way back after a few days, maybe a week. This time it was different. Rock tried to remember when he had first noticed something unusual about Roll, this time around. It was hard to pinpoint.
Things had been chaotic of late even without considering Roll. The invasion and all. This time around, Roll’s behavior was more troubling, even bordering on self-destructive. Roll had done one heroic deed after another during the invasion. That wasn’t different. Roll was an amazing person. Even so, some of his actions as a hero were reckless. The drinking was certainly something new.
Rock thought about his mom. He knew she used to drink a lot. But he was so young when she left home. He didn’t remember her very well. His dad didn’t really drink, not much anyway, an occasional beer.
Roll was getting worse. He was showing up late to important meetings. The worst thing, he didn’t seem to care. Any apologies were minimal and even appeared trite. Even his college work was being impacted. Rock had concluded it was time to do something, and soon. Para had been saying the same thing for a while. So had Viz.
It was getting late and Roll wasn’t at the apartment. Again. Rock’s s-loop rang. It was Para. She had called Roll and he hadn’t picked up. Rock confessed he was worried, and that Roll was out late, again. Para wasn’t sure what to do. Viz buzzed into the conversation. It was time to get more involved with the situation, before their break ended, and they all returned to their busy school schedules.
It was time to find Roll and confront him. They walked to the park where Roll often hung with his ... friends. Someone confessed he had been there earlier, but warned them that he wasn’t in a good mood. He had said something about going down by the water.
Rock recalled that Roll had found a nice spot along the beach at Donkey Stream Park. That’s right. Roll had ported Para there during the bug commando raid at Mr. T’s house. It was getting late. It was too far to walk in their present mood. Should we port over? No, it would probably be better to just drive. They arrived at the park and looked around, but Roll was nowhere to be found.
Rock decided to give a shout. “Hey, Roll! You here?”
Roll called back. “No. I just want to be alone.” His friends walked over to his spot.
Rock was insistent. “Come on Roll. It’s getting late. Let’s get some rest before tomorrow’s meeting.”
Roll didn’t turn around. He just sat looking out at the water. “No. I’m fine here. I think I’ll call in sick tomorrow. Yeah, that sounds about right.”
Para was getting a little mad. “Quit feeling sorry for yourself Roll. Your antics are starting to catch up with you.”
Roll grumbled. “Oh great, the whole gang’s here. You’re wasting your time. Go and save the planet again or something.”
Viz was worried. “Roll, we all care about you. Please come with us. You need help.”
Roll mumbled. “Physician heal thyself.”
Rock didn’t know what Roll was talking about but it sure sounded as though he had insulted Viz. That pushed Rock’s anger button. He walked over and hoisted Roll to his feet. “Let’s go home and get you sobered up little brother.”
Roll was getting a bit perturbed himself. Little brother, huh? Oh, that’s right. Two is too much. Why don’t they just let me sink into oblivion? His anger dissipated after that. “Leave me alone ... big brother. Or I’ll three stooges you.”
Three stooges. Even though they had been incredibly busy, with the war effort and all, there were frequent downtimes when they weren’t on duty, but had to be available and were on call. During such times they would often watch old videos to keep their spirits up. One of their favorites, of the old slapstick comedy genre, was the Three Stooges.
Rock wasn’t sure what Roll was talking about. “Three stooges me? Roll, you’re messed. Let’s just go.”
Rock moved to take Roll’s arm again. This is how Viz described the next moment to Mr. T.
“As Rock tried to take Roll’s arm to help him to the car, well, I couldn’t believe what happened. If the whole situation wasn’t so tragic it would have been funny. Roll had told Rock to leave him alone or he would three stooges him.
“Anyway, as Rock moved to take Roll by the arm Roll turned and shoved him. It was a gentle shove, nothing mean-spirited really. Just a good push. But then Roll wasn’t there. He was on the ground behind Rock on all fours.
