Santa Maria

SANTA MARIA

I meet Carl at Voyager in Santa Maria — along the coastline north of Santa Barbara. Carl lives in Santa Barbara with his wife and two children, but has to commute more than two hours every other day to Santa Maria, driving by the Solvang ostriches, which study his pickup truck as he passes. Why Voyager couldn’t open a clinic in Santa Barbara is beyond his comprehension, but Carl tends to just go with the flow of the universe. He apparently was like this as a teenager, so it had nothing to do with his conversion.

Amasa and Voyager needs periodic review of the different clinics from a vampire’s perspective, and based on several successful (noeffort) achievements after Nancy I was promoted to this role. All those missions were flukes the same as Nancy’s: I believe my influence was no better than a good bar room debate. But Amasa was so happy with me they promoted me to this clinic audit and relations role. Others check out the RNs, technicians, machines, and procedures. I just look for any issues associated with the vampires and process for them. The job involves constantly traveling for just a few day visit.

A few years earlier and I would have despised this new role: my kids were young, still at home with my wife, and I actually enjoy being with them. But the kids are adults now, my wife works all hours of the day, and I am frequently bored. The last of these statements is a lie: I created it specifically for Dr. A. And Amasa. I am not at all bored: I just need a good excuse to visit as many clinics as possible over the next year. And being on the road has to seem like it is not a problem for me or my family.

Santa Maria is the first — of a five city circle route including San Diego, Palm Springs, Bishop, and Redding. Carl and I have lunch after his morning shift and before my afternoon session.

“How are things running at the clinic and for you, Carl?”

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“Things are fine… I can’t complain… ”

“Well, I am here to hear your complaints, so you can definitely complain. How is the commute going? It looks like it takes a couple hours round-trip.”

“Yes, as much as three hours if traffic is bad. I am thinking we should move to Santa Maria, but the kids are happily in school and my wife likes the Santa Barbara boardwalk and is taking classes at UCSB. So it doesn’t seem like a good trade. ”

“Has anyone explained why there isn’t a clinic in Santa Barbara itself?”

“There is a clinic, but it is run by Remigius. Apparently they have their own clinics along with making the machines that Voyager uses. ”

“Could you shift to that clinic?”

“No, there is some kind of exclusive contract that prevents vampires from changing providers. Remigius will not respond to my emails or visits to their clinics. I think this would be considered ‘hiring collusion’ and is illegal in California at least, but undead don’t have the right to complain or sue. ”

“That is apparently one of our mottos. I am not sure it is true, but I understand where you are coming from.”

“Other than the drive, and the fact that I have a shift schedule I don’t like, I have nothing to complain about. I just wake up at 3 a.m., get in the car, and eventually get home at about 2 p.m. Maybe I should drive for Hoyst: you said you do that?”

“Yes, but not for the money. With gas at current prices, each trip is basically a net loss.”

“So why do you do it?”

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“Primarily to help dialysis patients that can ’t manage or afford their own transport. I should also tell you about a project I am working on… ”

By the time I leave Santa Maria heading south for San Diego, I think I have Carl on my team. The desire for more control and meaning is enough to overcome his apathy. He may also be able to get a college friend, Hod, to help him when the time comes.

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