The Multiplicity Has Arrived
by Matthew S. Rotundo
Critical mass has been attained, brothers and sisters. The tipping point has been
reached. They tell us that we know not the day nor the hour, but I say to you the
time is now. The Multiplicity has arrived, brothers and sisters. Can I get an
amen?
Spencer Reese started to go into his standard pitch, but she cut him off with a wave
of her hand. "Mr. Reese," she said, "I've done my research. I know what you can
and can't do. Reese Research and Strategies is a very lean political consulting
operation; the staff consists of you and some occasional temps. You're ambitious,
but you don't have the resources to run a high-profile campaign from start to
finish. You're hired to do specialized work, usually involving the opposition. You
are, in other words, a professional character assassin. Your weapon of choice is
the Internet."
Spencer, seated across the table from her, met her gaze calmly. She would
definitely need some polishing. But at least naïveté was not among her faults.
In that moment, vague recognition flashed in his mind and then faded, gone so
quickly he dismissed it.
She wore a tweed jacket and matching skirt over a wiry frame. Weathered, angular
features, strong cheekbones, cropped dark hair, frosted at the tips. He guessed she
was just into her thirties. Her handshake grip had been firm and reassuringly
strong, her smile spare, showing no teeth.
Her name was Diana Gilbertson. The handshake had been good; the wardrobe and
the smile needed work. Professional, but a little too hard-edged. She would need
softening.
"Am I too blunt for you?" she said.
"I have no problem with directness."
"You were a pioneer of Web-based fundraising. You have developed an extensive
network of bloggers, through which you influence political commentators, and
ultimately, the news itself. You are among the best at generating publicity and
shaping perceptions. Yet you keep a low profile."
"I'm more effective that way."
"Indeed you are. It would not do for people to learn how they've been
manipulated, would it?"
