The Twins Paradox, Alan Gasparutti [online e reader txt] 📗

the benefits would only be borne-out if this idea was taken on by a leading energy company. Henry thought to himself during his flight back to Glasgow, and believed that sooner or later, someone would come along and pursue the idea.
When Henry arrived back home at Ribblehead Cottage late that afternoon, Ramondo and Maria congratulated him on his latest achievement. Ramondo even arranged a celebration party on Saturday, where Lucas, Madaly, Zebrina and Richard Copeland all came along. There was no mention of the Interstellar Pilgrim, not while Richard was there at least.

This Time Next Year…

Henry wanted to map-out his past, however, as though he been born and bred on Earth. His name and colour suggested he was from Africa, which was handy as some countries had no up-to-date records of births, deaths and marriages. He had by now been registered with a national insurance number, and when he checked records linking to this, he found he was now 48 years old. This seemed to fit his looks and features, even though he was actually over 800 years older. He wanted the status which Frank seemed to be getting in California and the USA, and knew he needed these details if he was to become an icon or a celebrity.
Over the next few months, however, Henry didn’t seem to get a lot more recognition than he had done previously. There were reports about the turbine on TV and in the media, but contained very little mention of him.
Henry kept in contact with Malcolm on Stornoway, though not to the same degree as he had done with Andrew. Perhaps this was because the main project had now been completed and the turbine continued to operate well.
“By next October, you will have reclaimed most of the money you invested in the project,” Malcolm often told him when Henry seemed a little down and dispirited.
Sales at each of the car showrooms seemed to be on the increase, too. Malcolm had spoken to a few other councilors across Scotland, and recommended them, which helped increase the sales. Malcolm even suggested opening a new showroom in Scotland.
On a positive note, the money from his businesses continued to come in; perhaps not exactly thick and fast, but certainly at a good rate in the times of recession. It was just before Christmas when Henry received the 9 month sales figures from Tenerife for the solar paneling business. What a present that seemed to be! This part of his business took in over 300,000 Euros in revenue, even accounting for additional staff and premises on the neighbouring island of Gran Canaria. There were plenty of hotels all over the Canary Islands requesting solar panelled windows that Gaspar spent most of his time replicating new panels, while Rico was often visiting hotels and negotiating new installation deals. The added advantage of the location was that the Canaries were warm all year round, so there was never a low season for the hotels. Everyone on the islands’ was happy, apart from the local gas and electric companies, of course.
Henry also kept in touch with his original colleagues, including Commander Ondichi aboard the Interstellar Pilgrim. The Commander even forwarded a Christmas card to him in December. Henry invited his full team at Christmas, to celebrate in the festivities.
Attention was briefly diverted in the new year, however, when Maria gave birth to a daughter, who she and Ramondo named Rebecca. Doctors at the Royal Lancaster hospital were rather intrigued with Maria, as she was found to have unusual minerals in her body. They quizzed her about her original diet, and where precisely she came from. One doctor even asked her, jokingly, if she was from outer space! In the end, as she was perfectly healthy, as was baby Rebecca, they released her, and it was assumed that this was just a combination of a freak of nature and her early diet. Commander Ondichi sent a Congratulations card online to her.
Henry’s attentions then reverted to his businesses, particularly after he received a call from Malcolm on Stornoway.
“Hello Henry, how was Christmas?” he asked.
“Pretty good, in all truth,” Henry replied. “I had a few nice surprises from parts of my business.”
“Oh, what might they be?” asked Malcolm.
“I don’t want to divulge too much, but they made between a quarter and half a million pounds.”
“Was that including overheads?” queried Malcolm.
“No, I’m afraid,” said Henry. “Net profit came to between 100K and 200K. How is the turbine coming along? Have you any idea what the results for the first period are likely to be?”
“I haven’t fully analysed them yet, but from what the finance department told me, they should make you about 600K, after admin costs.”
“That’s nice to hear,” said a jolly Henry.
“I’ve actually rang about some more positive news for us both,” Malcolm then told him.
“Oh? What might that be?” asked an intrigued Henry.
“I had a call from BBC Highlands & Islands inviting me to an interview about the turbine,” said Malcolm. “I’ve given them your details and suggested to invite you along, too. You should receive a call or a letter in the next couple of days.”
“Have you any idea how long the interview will last?” queried Henry.
“An hour probably, maybe two,” said Malcolm. “It’ll be whittled down to about 5 minutes on the local news channel, though. I don’t suppose you get Highlands & Islands TV in Yorkshire?”
”No, but I may be able to get it on satellite,” said Henry.
“Come to think of it, the interview may be shown in full on News 24,” said Malcolm.
“Do you know where the interview will be held?” asked Henry.
“Inverness, probably,” confirmed Malcolm. “I don’t suppose you know the place, off hand?”
“I have been there on one occasion,” Henry told him. “It was only for a short while on my way to Stornoway, though.”
“If you receive an invitation, perhaps you may want to give me a call, so we can arrange to meet at a suitable time,” suggested Malcolm.
“I’ll do that,” said Henry.

The following day, Henry received a call from the BBC inviting him to an interview in Inverness on Tuesday January 19th 2010, and by the end of the week he had received a letter confirming this. He arranged to meet Malcolm at Inverness Aiport the day before.
There were no flights to Inverness from Leeds/Bradford airport, so Henry had to travel to Manchester to get there. He could have taken the early flight, but the next wasn’t until mid afternoon, not arriving at the airport until nearly 6pm in the evening. Henry thought about driving there, but remembered how long it took him when he drove there the previous winter. In the end, he decided to catch the later flight.
When he arrived at Inverness Airport and had gone through customs, he saw, to his surprise, Malcolm.
“Have you been waiting long?” Henry asked as he walked over to him.
“About an hour-and-a-half,” replied Malcolm. “I bought a magazine and a book to read, as I knew you may be a while. This is only a small airport.”
“I thought about driving here,” said Henry. “I wouldn’t have been any later.”
“Nahhh, you don’t want to be driving all the way from Yorkshire to Inverness,” Malcolm commented. “You’d be driving all day, and that wouldn’t be good preparation for an interview.”
“I suppose you’re right,” mumbled Henry. “Shouldn’t we get a move-on, otherwise hotels in town may be fully booked by the time we get there.”
“I shouldn’t worry too much,” Malcolm told him. “I know a few guest houses in the centre of town that will always have some rooms available. They’re inexpensive, too.”
“That reminded me,” said Henry. “Do you have the first quarterly figures for the turbine?”
“Yes, thanks, I’ve got them with me,” said Malcolm. “They’re slightly better than what had originally anticipated.”
“Oh good,” said Henry as they walked towards the taxi rank.
“This time next year, Henry,” said Malcolm. “It looks like you’ll be well on the way.”
“I don’t consider these figures a profit, in any way,” Henry replied. “This will go to recoup the initial expense of the project. Don’t forget, it was all done with my finances – we didn’t get anything from parliament. I’d rather not say anymore for now, and look at the figures when weve got accommodation for the night.”
Henry and Malcolm booked into a small guest house that evening. It was only a mile or so from the local TV studios, which suited them both.
They each got up early the next morning, and went straight to the bathroom to wash and shave. After a hearty fried breakfast, they each, in turn, went to brush their teeth carefully, wrinse their mouths and put on after-shave. By 9 o’clock, Henry and Malcolm were each ready for their interview.
After a brief debate on getting to the studios, it was agreed, on Malcolm’s suggestion, to walk the journey. When they arrived at reception, a lady came to greet them, and led them each to seperate dressing rooms, where they ‘prepared’, before they were each taken to the interview room.
Before opening the session, the interviewee welcomed them both, introduced herself, and announced that this was additionally being played on local radio, and was due to be broadcast on local TV, and on News 24. As the cameras took focus, the interviewee then introduced herself, Henry and Malcolm for the TV audience. After a brief description of the turbine, she introduced a brief film of it, before opening the debate. She first asked Malcolm about the turbine’s benefits.
“The main benefit is that the turbine is using natural energy from the Atlantic Ocean, and is not reliant upon fossil fuels,” explained Malcolm. “This also means lower costs, and hence, savings, which we have passed on to residents of the Western Isles.”
“Can you elaborate on that?” the lady then asked Malcolm.
”First of all I should emphasise that we are merely administering the energy,” he told her. “The company supplying the energy, via the new turbine, is run by my colleague, Henry.”
The lady then turned to Henry and asked him to elaborate.
“Basically, we do not have to purchase oil or gas from other parts of the world, and hence, will ensure a lower cost of energy,” Henry pointed out. “Our only charges are to the Western Isles Council, for administering the system, and for regular and routine maintenance.”
“What maintenance might that be?” she then asked him.
“The turbine is in motion in the Atalntic,” said Henry. “Therefore, it is constantly being bombarded by the ocean, which will lead to wear and tear. Perhaps you can consider it rather like the Forth Road Bridge.”
“But will this lead to the turbine being closed down?” she queried. “Surely it will need to be switched off while any maintenance is being carried?”
“We have built in an auxiliary energy supply,” Henry informed her. “The waves off the Atlantic are constant, whereas residents of the Western Isles will utilise less energy overnight, for instance. The auxiliary system will absorb the additional energy not being utilised.”
“Can you be sure the turbine and it’s auxiliary are sufficient for the Western Isles?” the lady then asked.
“Yes we can,” chipped-in Malcolm. “The turbine has been tested, and shown to be more than adequate for it’s environment.”
“I can confirm that a similar turbine has been constructed in County Kerry, Ireland,” said Henry. “That is a larger model. All items in the turbine are appropriately larger to cater for a larger population.”
“I understand that you have gained revenue for the first quarter of the turbine?” the lady then queried.
“That is correct,” said Henry, before she turned to Malcolm.