The Twins Paradox by Alan Gasparutti (best contemporary novels txt) 📖

/> “Can you confirm that this is slightly higher than the profit made by your former energy supplier?” she then asked, to which Malcolm acknowledged, before Henry reacted to this.
“I should stress that anything resembling a profit is at this stage, is purely re-couping the initial costs of the project,” he emphasised to her. “We will not profit from this project until the turbine’s second year of operation.”
“I understand that you’ve reduced the tariffs?” she then asked Henry.
“That is correct,” he replied. “If we were merely concerned on making a profit, we would simply have increased the tariffs by 50%, to recoup the costs in the first year, and then reduced them to last years levels, simply claiming we made a reduction. We have already, in fact, reduced the tariffs to the customer by 25%.”
“Do you intend to reduce the tariffs further, thereafter?” she asked.
“That is my company’s intention, though it is too early to give any assurances,” Henry replied. “This recession may continue or get worse, and any decision is subject to market forces.”
“What do you say to any criticism of your handling of this?” she then asked.
“I am not a local resident to these parts, but I haven’t heard any criticism of my operations,” said a surprised Henry, before turning to Malcolm.
“I haven’t heard any criticisms, not in Scotland nor in the Western Isles,” added Malcolm, who was just as baffled.
“If there are any criticisms, they’re probably coming from major energy operators,” Henry then added. “We saw one of the giant oil companies’ profits halve from the previous year. That was acknowledged to be due to the reduction in the price of oil. Despite this, energy companies haven’t yet halved their tariffs.”
“My colleague is right,” added Malcolm. “If the price of oil purchased to produce energy has halved, costs to the customers haven’t yet been fully passed on.”
“Far be it from me to defend energy companies,” said the interviewee, “but could it be that they are saving towards major ecological projects such as the turbine?”
“I haven’t heard anything about such projects,” replied Malcolm.
“Nor have I,” added Henry. “None of the large energy companies have approached me for anything like this. In fact, I proposed the turbine over a year ago, and wrote to all energy companies. I didn’t receive as much as an acknowledgement from any of them.”
“Do you have any other schemes or projects in the pipeline?” she then asked Henry.
“I have a few which I would like to carry out at some point,” he replied. “However, these are larger than the turbine, and would require greater financial support than I can currently provide.”
“Would you like to elaborate on your future projects?” she requested.
“I would like to further develop solar energy,” replied Henry. “Successive UK governments have proposed ‘cheap housing’ but never affiliated this with solar paneling, to reduce energy costs, and put the UK firmly at the head of modern development, not merely trying to keep pace with other nations.”
“Strong words,” said the interviewee. “Do you have any other projects in mind?”
“I believe we shall, at some time in the very near future, require de-salination plants,” said Henry. “This will increase our local water supply, while also reducing the growing threat of increased sea levels.”
The female interviewee then turned to Malcolm.
“Do you have any future ecological projects for the Western Isles?” she asked.
“Not at present,” said Malcolm. “We shan’t require de-salinations plants, as we have a lot of natural water within the islands. I would say these projects would be more suited to major cities, particularly in the south of England.”
“De-salination plants may reduce the water levels from the seas around our coast, but not by very much, surely?” she then queried with Henry.
“Individually, these will not reduce sea levels,” he agreed. “If we develop several of them, however, we may be able to reduce sea levels sufficiently to avoid too much of our land ending up under water.”
“Have you consulted the Environment Agency about this?” she queried.
“No, not as yet,” admitted Henry. “Another suggestion for our environment is to develop reservoirs in strategic locations. This may avoid future flooding after periods of heavy rainfall.”
“That may not be a cheap or popular option,” the interviewee commented.
“I accept it may not be, particularly if the reservoir is next to someone’s back yard,” Henry acknowledged. “However, the alternative is to be flooded. I know which situation I’d rather have.”
The interviewee then asked some questions which had been sent in by viewers. She then asked Henry about his businesses, and referred to him as an entrepreneur. Henry said that he was flattered by this, but that he was just trying to make the world a better, more-healthy, place to live. Any financial gains were a bi-product of his and his team’s ingenuity, and would be well-deserved if man could live in a regulated environment. He also emphasised that climate change would eventually lead to catastrophic events, and that come the next century, it would be too late to turn the clock back. The interviewee then thanked Henry and Malcolm for attending and shook their hands, before closing the interview
“So, what time’s your flight home?” Malcolm asked Henry as they walked out of the interview room.
“Not until after 5’ this afternoon,” Henry informed him. “How do you think we did at the interview?”
“I think we did pretty well,” said Malcolm. “You certainly let them know where you stand with your views. If you don’t mind me saying, you may run a business, but you sounded more like a consumer advisor.”
“I suppose so,” muttered Henry. “I just think there are too many business managers out there that are only interested in themselves and what they can get.”
“If you ask me, it’s not just businessmen, and women,” said Malcolm. “Look at our MPs.”
“My view is that you have to gain the trust of your customers,” Henry told him. “There are too many businesses out there which ‘offer’ customer service, but only in the company’s interest.”
“Ai, ai,” agreed Malcolm. “There’s a shopping precinct not too far away - shall we go to one of the pubs there to have a bite to eat for lunch?”
“I thought we might get a taxi back to the airport, unless you have anything to collect at the guest house?” queried Henry.
“I’m not too keen on some of these airport retail facilities. I reckon they’re a bit of a rip-off,” Malcolm then commented. “There are a few pubs nearby and a restaurant in the precinct, where we’ll get fresh food and a better choice, probably.”
“I suppose you’re right,” said Henry, before he looked out of a window and saw the rain coming down outside. “For the moment, I think we should wait in the foyer.”
Malcolm agreed, and when the rain stopped, he and Henry went to have lunch and a pint or two nearby, before they called a taxi to take them to Inverness Airport, where they went they’re separate ways.

Henry was rather pleased with himself, by the time he arrived home. He spent the next two hours telling Ramondo and Maria all about the interview.
It wasn’t until the following Monday that a little of the interview was shown on BBC Highlands & Islands regional TV. Henry tuned into the channel that evening to watch the interview, though what was shown lasted barely 5 minutes, and that included a few clips of the turbine. The interview was shown in full on BBC News 24 the next day, and on BBC 2 the following Monday, after which Henry seemed to get a little more recognition; at least in Skipton and the local towns & villages, anyway.
The anticipated number of calls for Henry’s creative and ecological ideas never materialised over the following month, however. Then, one day, Henry heard a knock at the door, and went to open it.
“Andrew!” he said with surprise.
“Hello there, Henry, and how are you doing today?” he asked as he put his arm forward to shake Henry’s hand.
Henry then welcomed Andrew inside the house, before closing the door. He introduced him to Maria, and asked her to put the kettle on.
“Would you like tea or coffee?” she asked.
“I don’t mind either,” said Andrew. “I’ll have one sugar in tea, or two in coffee.”
Henry then led Andrew into the lounge, where they sat down.
“So, what brings you here?” Henry asked.
“I never really had the chance to say farewell properly, at Stornoway,” Andrew admitted. “I had hoped to be at the opening of the turbine, but had to go to Glasgow for a few days to sort out my new job.”
“What is your new job now, by the way?” asked Henry
“Energy Production Manager,” replied Andrew, before changing the subject slightly. “To be honest, I felt a little guilty leaving Malcolm to deal with the press and media at the opening of the turbine.”
“Well, most of the questions he couldn’t answer he delegated to me,” said Henry.
“How is Malcolm settling into my old role?” asked Andrew. “I noticed you both on TV last month, so I presume you keep in touch?”
“I have spoken to him from time to time, to ask how the turbine is operating,” confirmed Henry.
“How do you find him?” asked Andrew.
“He’s fine, though I get the impression he’s a bit of a skinflint,” said Henry. “I’ve thought about going back to Stornoway sometime, but wanted to leave my calendar clear for the time being, in case I get any productive calls, if you know what I mean.”
“Ai, I know what you mean,” said Andrew as he grinned. “Have you had any productive calls, or any new contracts?”
“No, not yet,” sighed Henry.
“I wouldn’t get too despondent,” Andrew advised him. “I’m sure something will come along. You’ve got too many ideas to be developed, for nothing to come along. It’s probably just happening at an awkward time.”
“I guess you’re right,” sighed Henry. “I hope you’re right.”
“Is something the matter?” Andrew asked him.
“No, it’s nothing really,” replied Henry.
“Nothing is nothing,” said Andrew. “Something’s bothering you, isn’t it?”
“That car plant in California I told you about,” Henry said to him. “I often spoke to the MD over there, and half-expected to be offered the Assistant MD post, when it was eventually implemented.”
“And you didn’t get it?” queried Andrew.
“No – it was given to the MD’s former assistant at NASA,” said Henry.
“Did you apply for the post?” asked Andrew.
“I never even got to find out about the post,” moaned Henry. “One minute the MD, Frank, was telling me he may need an assistant, and a few weeks later, I rang him and spoke to his newly-appointed no. 2 instead.”
“Do you know this other bloke?” queried Andrew.
“Don’t get me wrong, I knew the bloke, Steve, who’s a pretty decent chap, from the dealings I’ve had with him,” Henry commented. “The thing is, I helped the company by sending over some of my cars, while the plant was still under construction. The cars were my idea, or my engineers’, at least.”
“If you don’t mind me saying, I think you’re better off here,” Andrew told him. “California isn’t all it’s cracked-up to be. The recession is hitting them over there, too. Besides, I can see why the Western Isles may appeal to you.”
“Oh, how’s that?” asked Henry.
“Well, you seem to like living in the middle of nowhere, judging by the local environment around here,” Andrew commented.
“I’ve lived all my life in one empty wilderness or another,” replied Henry, not elaborating on where these empty locations may have been. “How did you get here, by the way?”
“Oh