Randy Chats with Soli by Video Call Ron AI
“Hey Randy! There's a video call for you. Some guy he says is the Emir of Bohran, whatever that is. Should I ditch him as a scam caller, or what?”
“Let me take it, Rick. We've done business in that country. It's one of the Emirates. I'll soon know if he is for real.”
I wasn't sure whether I should have said that or not. I waited a bit anxiously, while Rick forwarded the link to my desktop computer.
What flashed on the screen was a middle-aged gentlemen dressed to match the part. His beard and hair tipped with gray and a look of power in his demeanor. The posh surroundings behind him showed him as a person of much prominence.
Reluctant to say anything more, in case I was being recorded, I merely said, “Lo.” Knowing that stating my name could be used against me by AI manipulation. Even “Hello” might be too much of my voice to a stranger or computer.
The man smiled, and said, “I am Emir Ebrihim al-Salimon Kahran of Bohran. I was educated in the UK and your country where I acquired the nickname, Sali. You may use it if you find my name cumbersome like most. I believe I have something very valuable to you. But I must be sure.” He waved a small pocket size card about, but I couldn't see what was on it except some flashes of red and blue.
I thought for a moment before I answered. “I can't think of anything you would have of mine that I would know about. We've had brief contracts in your country, but nothing with you or even your government. We are just supply chain consultants helping companies transport their goods and services more easily.”
“I think I have your Social Security card. I know it is one because I had one when I was a student in your country and worked. We all had to have Social Security cards to do any work there. A great experience for me. I learned a lot about the way commerce is done in your country. How to work my way up from the ground floor. But I want to be sure that it's your card. Can you tell me your full name, and I will look on the card and see if that's the way you signed it.”
“Oh, my goodness! I was 16 when I signed that card. I don't know if I included my middle initial or not. How does, Randall H. Werner, sound? Is that what you see?”
Sali took a quick look at the card and shook his head up and down. Then he said, “Can you tell me your whole Social Security number in case this card has been forged by one of our immigrant workers here who has used it in America?”
I repeated the full number to him and once again, he shook his head up and down indicating that it matched. I begin to get worried…
Sali then held the card right up to the camera in front of him so that I could see it clearly. There it was – my fledgling signature at 16 on my first card to get me work for real money at minimum wage. It was my card and I was flabbergasted!
I blurted, “How in the hell did you get my Social Security card? Come to think of it, I haven't seen it in ages. I always carried it in my billfold but never had to pull it out for any reason, even while traveling overseas with my passport. How you got it, I don't have a clue.”
“My driver, Joseph Sanchez, found it. Joe is from the Philippines like so many people we have here. He's been driving for me for 10 years and hasn't had a single accident. He also keeps my cars shining. As honest as the day is long. But to earn extra money, he has a side business where he buys up unclaimed luggage at our International airport, sorts through it while waiting for me while I'm out of the car at meetings and other events. I have even let him use my mostly empty car trunks to keep what he's got currently. He sells some of it on the Internet but sends quite a bit of it back to the Philippines to family and friends.”
“But what about my Social Security card?”
“Joe said he found it in an old suitcase that he bought. There was some men's clothing and an old billfold that was empty of everything but the Social Security card that was tucked up under one of the folds where it wasn't seen until he lifted that fold up and saw it. He thought it was important and brought it to me, because he didn't know how he would be able to return it to you. I got really curious and thought I would look you up and surprise you with it.”
“Well, you sure have surprised me with it, Sali, if I can call you that, Your Excellency.”
“You have reminded me of my wonderful time there in college; go right ahead, it's refreshing, like my relationship with Joe. I feel like I know you already having looked you up and your fine résumé online. You have done very well for yourself and your company. And really helped us in the Middle East. We are grateful.”
I had been thinking while we were talking. A memory of losing my luggage while traveling through the Emirates three years before and never recovering one of the pieces. Writing it off as just clothes and items from an office I was closing in Dubai after our contract there ran out.
“I remember now that I lost that piece of luggage three years ago and was never able to recover it. I'm sure glad that I can get that card back now. But even better that I've come to have a new friend from Bohran. Can I send Joe $1000 for a finder’s fee?”
“No need, Randy. I will tell him you are very grateful and reward him handsomely. Honesty is a commodity rather hard to find these days. I'm so glad he was willing to give it to me rather than try to make some money from it. I will send it out immediately and you should have it in a couple of days. In the meantime, if you're ever out our way on business, be sure to stop by. Set aside a couple of days so that I can take you out to my desert hideaway where we can enjoy the pleasures of living on the desert like our ancestors.”
“You have a deal.”
“I'll hold you to it.”
Both men said goodbye and hung up with big smiles on their faces.
Copyright 2026 © Ronald W. Hull
4/21/26
