The Good Doctor's Tales Folio Eight by Randall Farmer Read Free Book Online Page B

us.”
    “I find this hard to believe.”
    “Remember your history.  The Council nearly decided to dissolve the South Region after the Julius rebellion because so many of the South Region leading Focuses refused to help the Council reign in Julius and DeYoung.”  Julius and DeYoung were, or had been, South Region Focuses.  “They’re not going to be making that mistake again.”
    “They’re going after Lori?”
    “Yes, and feel free to point this out to Lori.  She’s being an idiot, or, at least, more of an idiot than is normal for her.”
    “Th is does put a different spin on things,” Tonya said, both appalled and gladdened.  The last thing she wanted was help from her political enemies, or at least Suzie Schrum’s political enemies.  On the other hand, their help would allow her to put more work into her other responsibilities, such as reigning in Hancock.  And the damned Mentoring program.
    Tonya sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose.  “All right.  But I don’t understand why I’m necessary for this.”
    “God knows what kind of bugs are going to crawl out when you start lifting up rocks ,” Polly said.  “I need someone who can go in and straighten things out and clean up the mess.  I’ve seen enough problems generated by young Focuses in the past three or four months to realize that a change needs to be made.  We need someone running the mentoring program who can recognize a problem with she sees it, figure out what needs to be done, and take action.  You’re one of the few people I’d trust to handle it, and you’ve got enough charisma to influence many a young Focus over the telephone.  Furthermore, you’re fresh off a move, so you aren’t having juice troubles, and you’re in as good a shape to handle this as is ever likely to occur.  I also think this will put you on better terms with the younger Focuses.”  That is, give Tonya a chance to build a new power base.
    “All right, all right,” Tonya said, and gave in.
    “Thank you so much. Look, there’s a couple of things you’ll need to do right off.  First, contact Faith Corrigan and ask her advice.  You don’t have to take any of it, just listen, sound appreciative, and tell her all about how you know you won’t do as good a job as she did, but you’ll do your best.”
    “You’re kidding,” Tonya said.
    “No. Look, it’s nothing major.  Just call her up and make her feel appreciated.  If you do that, you won’t have Faith and her cronies giving you grief every time you change something.  Be polite, be appreciative, and flatter her. It’ll work wonders, and make your job ten times easier,” Polly said.
    “I’m not sure my stomach is that strong,” Tonya said.
    “Your stomach is made out of cast iron.  The next thing you need to do is make some phone calls.  Call every Focus who’s transformed in the last five years and check on her.  Update the files and find the problems.  I’ll make sure Faith sends you the files.”
    “Polly, that’s got to be a hundred Focuses!”
    “One hundred and thirty-three.”
    Tonya winced.  She knew it was going to be bad, but… “You know how much money that’s going to be in phone bills?  I can’t afford all that.”
    “ You’ll find the resources to cover it,” Polly said.  “Consider it incentive to be more forthcoming with the Council.”  Tonya translated this as ‘the price you’re going to have to pay to keep any political power at all’.  “The phone bills will hurt, but it’s important that we make those calls. You watch.  I’ll bet you money you’re going to find at least three young Focuses who are fundamentally screwed up in some way that should never, ever have happened.”  She paused, a tiny frown on her face.  “Also, don’t forget we’ll all be watching to see how you’re doing.”
    Polly patted her on her shoulder and walked off.  Tonya shivered, and wondered how she was going to break the news to her household