This is a [SerialStory] with tags [SS] and [Subm] titled 'Submersible.'

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( Here is a link to part #1 so you can start at the beginning. )

( Find other items in the series - search 'Subm' | Find part 3 - search 'Subm_3' | Find other serials on SN - search 'SS_' )

The sharply dressed young man turned to Kevin Boseman and brightened with interest at his comment. "Exactly. It costs Forenza less to commission the art than it will be worth the moment it is completed. If it were ever to hit auction among the general public, it would fetch far more than an identical piece created for any other reason, just because of the Oceanside origin story. The icing on the cake? Art retains its value through tough times and good."

"To the extent there is disposable income among the rich," challenged Boseman.

"Or among the museums, or the foundations for the museums... or the grants to them. Or their charitable donor trusts!" The squat one widened and opened his stance. "And keep in mind it is a global market. It's hard to imagine conditions where there are no buyers to be found anywhere, even when locally there are none. The cushion of additional value Forenza's commissions carry insulates him from any diminished market value caused by economic downturn."

"Pecunia collocare... sui generis," said the peaceful, pensive man, somewhat younger and taller than the first. He'd been surveying the room with what might have been disinterest, but evidently he'd also been absorbing the conversation. Kevin wondered whether the younger man spoke his language at all, when the polyglot enunciated clearly in accented English: "Placing money in something unique. Unique placements of money."

The squat one continued. "That's how Forenza secures his wealth through time. The market for his commissioned art will be there when needed. And if it isn't? We all have larger problems."

"I see, I agree," said Kevin Boseman. "But he must physically secure it." He pointed at security cameras in two corners. "That comes with cost, whereas other investments may outsource security to a custodian."

"Hence the island," he beamed, and straightened his bright collar. "The ocean is his first defense." He gave his hand to conclude their playfully delayed introduction, and guilefully met eyes. "Thaddeus Tilney," he said, palms up, "... and you, of course, are the great Kevin Boseman! I'm a fan, I'm a student... your University Alternatives courses, among others." Thaddeus turned, "This is Thiago Vasquez, a fellow software designer."

Thiago shifted focus to shake hands with Boseman respectfully, nodding quietly with attentive and observant eyes, then drifted back to the eye level showpiece he had been examining. A nearby computer parts assemblage had wires of various colors threaded through circuited components, all surrounding an apple inside.

Perhaps the apple was a criminal, Thiago thought, perhaps I should bind the wires more tightly. He took a step around to view it through another side of the clear encasement. Perhaps the apple is the caged bird, or perhaps a persecuted prisoner. Another step. Perhaps the apple should not rot in here. Perhaps Thiago Vasquez should save it from its fate, and after a final turn for the view from behind... Perhaps I should eat it.

"Thank you, Thaddeus," Kevin said. "I am aware of you too, but not the details of your software, not exactly." Boseman pivoted inquisitively. "Thiago, I'm afraid that I'm not yet acquainted with your work at all."

Upon invitation Thiago Vasquez sprang to life, a new man. Punctuating charismatically, "Mr. Boseman, I am a life-long hobbyist - that is my vocation. I principally follow my curiosity. I spend much time contributing to open projects, which are known to pay well in everything but fiat. For my financial security, I have consulted for commercial interests, I collaborate with those who value such things as I, and I've sold software applications of my own. Mostly, however, I invest wisely." He paused, shifted a half-octave, and added humbly, "So far."

Thaddeus went next, a half-beat past, explaining, "My software leverages AI to calculate the most efficient path that a vehicle should take given a practically unlimited set of options. Several private manufacturers contracted to license it, and pay me for the privelege to this day. Several state governments have authorized contracts for licensing as well... but I have just this year terminated all plans to renew beyond current commitments. I am instead in negotiations for a fire sale of my software to a radio controlled toy car manufacturer." His description begged an explanation that he was happy to provide: "My other projects are far too interesting for me to hang onto this old thing. It's just not worth it anymore."

"Not worth it? How so?" Kevin was curious. "It sounds ideal, and residual. Toy cars?"

"I was young, and I didn't 'see the road ahead,'" he air quoted ironically. "After contracting with civic planners with ostensibly pedestrian motives, my software was immediately repurposed for undisclosed military and police functions. In some cases, I am morally opposed. So I will sell to any good aim. Someone will write similar software, they probably already have. Someone will win the contract. It won't be me. I'd rather sleep well. Besides, I'm a bit short of cash."

Kevin laughed as he braced the man's principle with left hand on right shoulder, ushering a moment of mutual agreement. "Good on you Thaddeus. That's worth a lot. Thiago, tell me, what sort of projects are your focus?"

"They are so varied I cannot summarize. I add value to anything I can. In open software, I build out tools to be more helpful for myself and what I want to accomplish personally. While I'm immersed in the codebase, I inevitably find that I can also make it more robust, or more efficient, or more user-friendly, or, if I may, more elegant. Specifically?" Thiago's hands sought example as he momentarily went distant in thought. "I recently translated documentation for a video codec into Paraguayan Guarani."

"Demand for new languages means new contributors!" said Thaddeus Tilney, "Are you involved with students of coding in your native Argentina?"

"No, my daughter must learn to bingewatch my old Torrents of 'Friends.'"

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