Interview (9) – Conversation Three

 (Change of tack – I’m going to write this piece of conversation as a play. Little description, no “he said – she said”, no stage directions – This is just to see how an approach works. A lot of this is experimentation.) (Continued)

AL: We consider it highly desirable. We got to great lengths to keep our business and the information about it secure from the outside world.

JG: If you don’t mind me asking, what exactly is your business? I realise it isn’t strictly necessary for me to know, but I’m curious. I tried to do a little research myself, and I found surprisingly little. You’re obviously technically aware and yet you have a remarkably sparse digital footprint.

DM smiled has he spoke. He had large white teeth. The effect was unsettling.

DM: We don’t mind you asking in the least. If we are to do business together, then we don’t think we need to have any secrets from you, but we do value our privacy. Our business is in two areas: biotechnology – specifically research into cell replication and cancer and what might loosely be called computer networking and the transmission of incremental changes to dynamic datasets. If you are interested, you will have opportunities to learn more during your work for us.

JG: I think I see. The computer networking is closer to my expertise than biotechnology. It seems an unusual mixture of businesses. I don’t altogether see how the two businesses fit together, but then, it’s not my business, it’s yours” He said with a smile.

AL: The two different business lines are the results of a past merger between two entities. We find there is a useful symbiotic relationship between the two which although it may not be obvious, is extremely useful to us.

JG: I’m not sure I understand, but I don’t think it has much bearing on what you want me to do for you. Again, for my curiosity, why have you based your business in such a remote location? I don’t think you’ve mentioned where it is.

AL: The location is an island called “Eilean Banrigh”, which means “Queen’s Island” in Scottish Gaelic. The painting above the fireplace is the view from the highest point. (She said, indicating the picture)

We use that location for a number of reasons: An important, though perhaps not the most important, is that the island belonged to one of our main investors, that of course was a considerable help when we were starting our company. The second reason is that operating on an island is a help for research into both of our areas of interest. Using an island makes it easier to manager bio-security and the remoteness reduces the stray electromagnetic radiation we have to deal with.

 (continued)

(Part of the “Tyson” project: 20th January 2017 – 418 words)