Smartystan

“Mammy!” Someone lobbed an insult at Dr. Frampton’s direction like a grenade, but it did not explode. “Uncle Tom!” aimed at Dr. Strong, ricocheted just above his head. They kept walking. They kept moving through the crowd of paparazzi and citizens who wished to see the two of them walking out of the skyscraper.

“Our decision on Winnington’s hire. Everything was okay with a yellow man, two black people, a white woman but a white man seemed to be beyond any sense of reality,” Dr. Frampton said.

“It’s DEI. People are foaming at the mouth for some semblance of everyone getting together artificially. The irony is of course that we founded this place to do away with all of that,” Dr. Strong replied.

The two of them bounded into a vehicle with one of Dr. Frampton’s synths at the helm.

“I understand it,” she said. “I get why people want to have more color and more women amongst the ranks, but we go by quality. Wesley checks all of the boxes. He’ll be a welcome addition to our team.”

Dr. Strong snorted. “I totally agree with you. People are going to always moan about the disparity of the institutions around them, never mind the reality of merit.”

They traveled to the Mercier restaurant. Once they sat down they both sighed and laughed.

“Just imagine that…white men being discriminated against. Now, they’re at the bottom of the totem pole. It’s disgusting. How can you be a champion of rights for all people if all people don’t include men who happen to have less melanin concentration. When are people going to see brains rather than skin color, hair texture and color, and eye color?” Dr. Strong asked.

“We’ve fought for centuries for blacks and other races and women to be just first class citizens. What we haven’t been able to do is for people to see the truth behind allowing everyone of ability to flourish in this realm.”

“This time period in American history shows that we should be more cautious and still forge on with the wings of our own thoughts. By thinking, we’re tasked with knowing just how many people don’t have the capacity or worse refuse to recognize their capacity to see that men and women should be chosen by whatever goodness morally and greatness skillfully that they possess,” Dr. Frampton responded.

The Drs took their time with their meals. Each of them savored the Lobster Oscar and their own conversations.

“I want to see the day where there will be only those who enjoy the space in which we live. The people who have abilities still have a low register in terms of ethics. Sure they can do their work. That’s admirable. I think, however, that we must look at the idea of offering only the brightest and most virtuous people to this population,” he said.

Dr. Frampton chuckled a bit. “What is the space in which we find ourselves? Where are we as the men and women of the mind and body and morality?

What do we have to prove in order to bring about the change of pace in this whole scheme of things?”

“We prove nothing.”

“Nothing?!” she replied.

“That’s right. We have nothing to show to anyone but our results. Winnington was among a thousand candidates which we whittled down because of his acumen and strength. They can hurl as many insults at us as possible. They mean nothing. Of course they have the right to petition, but that doesn’t give them the impetus over our organization,” Dr. Strong said.

They finished their meals and journeyed to the smoking room where they shared aged whiskey and cigars.

With coils of cobalt smoke rising to the ceiling, they looked at the clock. It was near eight o’clock.

“I have found that there is a distinction between the people who want the DEI and to be free. There is a place where such figures want to hold onto both. This is their error. You can’t have DEI and merit married together. They are totally incompatible,” Dr. Frampton said.

“Absolutely. That’s the special ability that men and women try to reconcile. When you look at it, though, there is really no such thing as DEI,” Dr. Strong asserted.

“Go on, please….” Dr. Frampton said with a sip.

“If you want to diversify, equalize, and include the playing field, then it is open for the worst people to enter the fray just because chemicals. That’s the viciousness that we set out to keep from invading this place. Also, the irony is that the immigrants who don’t come here officially are the ones who champion the idea of capability.”

“I have observed the same. I think there are more people who passed that aptitude test and have forgotten the ethical standpoint of this location.”

“That’s right,” Strong replied.

“We’re going to need to address this at our next convention. You should be the keynote speaker again,” Dr. Frampton suggested.

“Why not you?”

“I could. I mean it would mean that I’d be part of EID, though, no?” The corner of her mouth curled into a grin.

“I think we have to have you up there because you know what you’re talking about.”

“And you don’t?” she asked.

“I’ve known a lot for a lot longer than you but you are more in tune with the younger generation and your depth and breadth of knowledge and righteousness rule supreme.”

“What we do with Winnington is going to come down to showing how it doesn’t matter the color of his skin, he’s highly qualified to be the proxy founder of this land.”

“I agree. If we take the chance and see him excel, it will only be a result of his notion of taking it to the next level. All he has to do is focus. If there is anything we can do to help him in this journey, that would be helpful for us,” Strong asserted.

“Name calling is just my forte. I enjoy the hate,” Dr. Frampton said.

“So do I,” Strong mentioned.