User blog:Spikewitwicky/April 1, 2016 - Spike's Journal Entry



Our 3-month national nightmare is over... we can officially buy the new Kanye West album without subscribing to Tidal.

It's around 3:30 in the morning, about 45 minutes before my wake-up alarm. But we're getting an early start, because we're headed to Cybertron today for dad's building dedication. He's cleared to go. And he seems to be in great spirits. Aunt Ron and Uncle Judy are also going for the occasion.

Last night, Psyche-Out spoke with me about a Joe recruit who is going thorugh some serious trauma. She no longer wants to be involved in combat. So, one POSSIBLE alternative would be to hire this recruit to EDC in our 'search and rescue' division. Good so far, right? Actually, Psyche-Out asked me to "secure funding."

Shit...

First off, I'll preface this by saying I'm JUST starting to get into this diplomacy thing. NOW, I'm supposed to be a small business owner. Only thing is that the Autobots aren't really big on money. Before I joined the 'bots full-time, I worked for Blackrock, and a few other construction sites. But when the 'bots had enough demand for a full-time employee, they managed to pay for my salary (trust me, Carly makes faaaaar more) - they did it in as non-obtrusive a way as possible. For example, speaking fees, and a few 'land agreements' with the Ark (since they were the area's original inhabitants). Now... I've been told that with possible cuts to the Joe's budget, EDC may even be in danger, so the Autobots may have to get MORE money.

Why is this bad? Well... think of it. Prime wants humans to evolve with as little interference from the 'bots as possible. What's usually the best way to make money? By securing licensing agreements/patents with other companies. But what sort of advantage would someone like Blackrock have by using Autobot technology when his competitors wouldn't have access to the same technology? People would throw a fit...justifiably so. The 'bots can't whore themselves out for commercials because... well, just because. With due respect to Bob Dylan, Jeff Goldbloom, and Samuel Jackson, they're above that. So, what's left? Speaking fees? Not really. The Autobots are busy fighting Decepticons. They can't be pounding the lecture circuit full-time. And truth be told, with the various agreements that the 'bots did to get me on a salaried position, I still have to take a few speaking engagements to pay for stuff like Daniel 's college, and our retirement.

I'm seriously hoping for a resolution. But that's for another day.

Next stop...Cybertron.