30
Anthony and Tom manoeuvred their way through parked cars outside the lecture theatre until they reached Anthony’s Alfa Romeo. They had just come from a lecture on economics and information systems, and neither had found any inspiration or stimulation from it. They spent most of the time trying to stay awake, so it was a relief to be out in the fresh air, even though it did bring with it a chill. “I can’t be doing with much more of that,” said Tom.
“What are you doing it for? You don’t need to work,” said Anthony. “Nor do I,” he continued, “So I suppose it’s for the same reason as me”.
“Achievement,” said Tom. “What’s the point in climbing Everest? It’s the achievement of the goal. The fact you can say, I did it. I passed. I got this certificate. Anyway, if something happens to our source of income, but we don’t get caught, then that means we’ll have to get a proper job then, doesn’t it?”
“I suppose,” Anthony said. “Are you sure you want to go to wired world?” he asked. “Absolutely. I need a new sound system. I want one with bluetooth. Should get one yourself. Kit out your car a bit better. Anyway, you haven’t got anywhere better to go, have you? My car’s in for its MOT, so I need a lift. It’s good of you to offer,” Tom said, smiling.
Anthony entered the vehicle. He immediately saw the letter on the passenger seat and made to snatch it up, but Tom entered, and picked it up first. He made no reference to it as he put it on the dashboard, then fastened his seat belt. Anthony did likewise, looking out of his side window as he felt his face redden. He slowly breathed out a nervous sigh, then started the engine.
As the car headed towards the retail park, Anthony’s eyes sometimes couldn’t help but glance at the letter. He tried to keep Tom’s attention from it.
“Do you think any animals will have been brought into Ryvak yet? I wonder if they’re ready to bring them in. Your intervention will probably have halted it, won’t it?”.
“I don’t know about halted, but look at this”. He put his hand into his inside jacket pocket. “I hacked back into their server and had a nose at their internal emails. They must have set up the system after I went there”. He brought out a sheet of paper. On it were the printouts of two emails.
“None of it was of much interest until I saw these. These were the most recent messages as well. I had to print them off to show you. I’ll read you them. This is from the financial accountant to the executive director: ‘It has come to my attention that incoming funds have not been covering costs of late. I was under the distinct impression that we were receiving a much higher total.
At the present rate we will increasingly find ourselves closer to the red. Should this occur then I would recommend the ceasing of employment of non-essential staff. If our funds continue the way they are, then we will find ourselves having to make further cuts, and this I hope we do not even have to think about. However, I recommend that we must think about reviewing the pay of certain employees. It was always my view that they were receiving too much for the work they do.
Now it seems they will probably have to take a pay cut in order to remain employed here, but if we continue to lose funds then there will probably be only the essential staff here, probably on a lower wage. I do hope there will not be industrial action. I write with a request for you to organise a meeting of the board of directors. We need to see if we can halt the slide in funds’ And here’s the reply: ‘It troubled me greatly to receive your message. I do think we need to prioritise our agendas, and obviously our finances is top of the list. I will organise an urgent meeting and trust you will attend. I will notify you immediately when it has been arranged.’
See, they’re flapping around, desperately trying to save their asses. Watch them sack everyone now. Non-essential staff eh? You can bet these directors will sack the scientists before themselves. They’ll be the last to go, but they will go”. The car pulled into a large square car-park of the retail area and he parked close to the entrance, shutting off the engine. He looked at Tom and frowned.
“Wouldn’t they know where their money is going? Surely they keep track of outgoing finances”.
“Yes, I’m sure they do. The funds they are using now still is automatically directed to where it was already programmed to go, such as employees wages and the repayments of debts, but this money is gradually getting less and less as it filters into the accounts of the banks that the charities use. I’ve still got the false screen that comes up when they check their capital, and it’s still getting less. Soon the workers will be complaining about their low wages. When they check where their outgoing funds are going to, they will find it exactly where it has been programmed to go, not by me.
So while the records will show that the workers were paid their usual amount, their accounts will show different. I even had to hack into the bank that Ryvak uses in-case they get them to look at where the money has gone. I needed to change the direction of the information that told them where the money went. Instead of Animal action, or Bird sanctuary, it will come up with the account of the workers it was meant to go to. It will mean that the bank's records will be all present and correct, and will make the workers out to look like liars”.
“You should become a teacher,” said Anthony. “You probably know much more than half the tutors here”.
“Imagine the shame I would feel if I was to fail. That’s the challenge”. Anthony managed a slight smile.
“Let’s go and get this sound system” he said. Tom left the vehicle. Anthony looked at the letter, then sighed. He fitted a steering wheel bar-lock, then left the car, locked it, and joined Tom.