Family

---

Under Surveillance: A Family’s Dilemma

Introduction

From the time you leave your house or apartment, you may be under surveillance. You may be monitored when you enter an airport, a train station, a restaurant—even inside the fitting room of your favorite clothing store. A private moment at the park on a Saturday afternoon or a walk along the beach at sunset is a thing of the past. Someone will always be watching through surveillance equipment.
Surveillance cameras are becoming extinct with the rise of portable digital wireless systems. Surveillance technology is so advanced that it can be accessed through satellites and the Internet. With just a few keystrokes on a laptop or personal computer, someone can watch your loved ones like a Tuesday night sitcom on television.
Workplace surveillance is a common concern for many people. Many employees are watched at work, as employers are increasingly concerned about productivity and theft. Many individuals feel it's an invasion of privacy, while others believe it's necessary and has a positive effect on privacy. What if surveillance equipment gets into the wrong hands?
Under Surveillance is a fictional story, set in the year 2013, about a family under total surveillance. The Conway family's privacy becomes violated while Milton Conway and his wife, Veronica, work at a Fortune 100 company with a diminishing reputation, named Webster & Browning, Inc., in New York City. Milton, a software engineer, has an invention called "The Process" which will make Webster & Browning number one in the industry. Every one of its employees will certainly gain, from the CEO/President of the company to the entry-level new hire.
Unfortunately, the "powers to be" find out about this invention. Jealousy as well as greed sets in. They will do anything to get their hands on "The Process," even if it means not only violating a person's right to privacy, but violating the law as well. The company attempts to spy on the Conway family 24/7 without the family's awareness. The Conway family, including the children, is harassed, which sets the stage for this story about an American family under surveillance.

Under Surveillance: A Family’s Dilemma

Excerpt

CEO Chris Bacardi, H.R. Director Edie Havdouglas, and Head Security Officer Joseph Montgomery are in a teleconference via satellite regarding Milton and Veronica. Joseph Montgomery, a medium-height, muscular man with brown hair and mustache, conceals his laughter as he looks at Chris through his screen. Chris appears agitated and more bloated than usual. His hairplugs are visible and clumps of hair gel cling to his spiked hair. Joseph shakes his head and says to himself, “And this is the man who signs my paychecks. He looks like one of ‘America’s Most Wanted.’ Unbelievable.”
“Alright, Joe, here it is. Two employees, Milton Conway and Veronica Freeman Conway, have stolen vital information that is company property. I need to know where they are hiding it.”
“You can call me Joseph. Question—as far as proof, do you have any?”
“I know for a fact that they have stolen company files,” Chris replies.
“Have you confronted Milton and Veronica in regards to the missing files?”
“To make a long story short, my father—the former president, as you already know—was working on what I like to call an invention called ‘The Process.’ He asked Milton to assist him with the project. ‘The Process’ is my father’s brainchild. When he became ill, I took over. Milton stole his idea of ‘The Process’ and has it buried somewhere. I need to find out where. He’s sitting on top of a gold mine. I have reason to believe that he’s working alongside someone—I don’t know whom; it could even be one of our competitors, for all I know. It is imperative that you find where it is. The reason why I chose you is simply because you are an expert in surveillance technology. If we spy on Veronica and Milton, they will lead us to ‘The Process.’”
Joseph thinks about it for a moment.
“I don’t know. It’s one thing for the security department to monitor employees throughout the day. When you use the word spy, I don’t feel comfortable with that. There are privacy issues we need to take into consideration. Why don’t you just sit down and discuss the matter with Veronica and Milton?”
“We’ve tried to discuss this matter with them. As a matter of fact, Edie spoke with them today. Right, Edie?”
Edie widens her eyes; she can’t believe the audacity of Chris’ comment. “Yeah, that’s right. Milton and Veronica won’t compromise.”
“All I’m asking for you to do is find ‘The Process.’ This will save Webster & Browning. I’m sure you want to keep your job,” Chris adds.
Joseph thinks about it for a moment.
“All right, I recommend we use a new system known as ‘The Stalker.’ This is the latest in technology—it will allow you to…”
“Okay, Joe, how does this system of yours work?” Edie interrupts.
“That’s what I’m about to explain if you give me a chance. ‘The Stalker’ is a wireless system unlike the cameras we used ten to fifteen years ago. This system will enable you to spy on an individual, or ‘stalk’ them, so to speak. All you do is type in a few digits and you can locate a person within seconds.” Joseph opens his briefcase containing a computer.
“What is Veronica’s employee tracking number?”
“626-486,” Edie blurts, as she knows Veronica’s number by heart.
Joseph types in the six-digit number and Veronica’s employee profile pulls up on the screen. In seconds, she is seen in the technical support training room placing labels on file folders.
“I can pull up any date or time during the day, real time; this is stored in my files.”
Joseph randomly types in Tuesday, 9/29/13 at 2:30 p.m. Veronica is seen in the training room teaching a class. Chris has a frown upon his face. He’s not impressed by Joseph’s surveillance equipment.
“You’re not showing me anything new. Your system is antiquated! I can do that from my PC at home.”
Edie laughs and says, “We’re light years ahead of you, Joe. You’re whistling ‘Dixie,’ my friend.”
“Yeah, how is this stalker system going to help me? You don’t get it, do you? I—’’
Edie interrupts Chris and quips, “Joe, I don’t think you quite understand what we are aiming for. We need to know—’’
Chris bangs his fist on his desk “Would you put a sock in it, Edie, and let the man do his job! Look, Joe—your ‘Stalker’ is good for keeping tabs on employees within the posh confinements of this building. I need to know where they are 24/7, you see…”
“Okay—once again, my name is Joseph. I don’t like when people call me ‘Joe.’ Now there are many companies that already have this system. Let me show you a brief…”
Chris’ wireless phone rings and he interrupts Joseph to answer it.
“Hold up! Hello? Yeah, call me back in about fifteen minutes, I’m in a meeting.”
Chris disconnects the call. Joseph seems annoyed by the interruption, but remains calm and professional.
“The Stalker System is like a partner—a silent partner. You can be anywhere in the world and watch your business. Not only do you keep an eye on your own employees, but productivity as well. This will virtually eliminate employee theft. Your employees will be on their best behavior at all times, because they know that they are being watched by ‘Big Brother.’”
Chris shakes his head. “You’re in the old times, Joe. You’re back in the 1970’s. We already got top-of-the-line surveillance equipment.”
“What you have are videotapes and cameras. This is a wireless system; you won’t need to use tapes anymore; this is via satellite. All you have to do is log onto the Internet. Let me show you a brief demo.”
Joseph logs onto the Internet. Once he logs onto the Surveillance and Security Web site, he types in a few digits and pulls up a company that has the Stalker System.
“Now, I’m about to show you a company located in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. The name of this company is not shown for privacy issues. As you know, once and employee files for disability and is approved, they are under 24/7 surveillance. This company installed surveillance equipment close to an employee’s home in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. She was followed everywhere she went and the telephone conversations were monitored as well.”
Joseph clicks on a button and an employee profile pulls up on to the screen.
“This woman, who I’ll call Jane for security purposes, worked at XYZ, Inc. This past January, this particular company failed to shovel the snow in front of the building one morning, and Jane slipped and fell. Jane injured her hip and she filed for disability. In fact, she was a few days away from receiving a nice settlement from the company. Jane was on disability for approximately seven months. One Wednesday afternoon in August, Jane received a call from a friend. I’ll let you listen to the conversation.”
Joseph clicks on a button and Jane’s telephone is heard ringing. Jane answers the telephone and says, “Hello?”
“Hi! What are you doing this afternoon?” another young lady asks her.
“Nothing much, just sitting here bored to tears.”
“Well, I have an extra ticket to Six Flags, Great Adventures. Grace won’t be able to go because her mother is sick.”
“Again?”
“Yeah, again! So, do you want to take her place?”
Jane thinks about it for a brief moment.
“Who’s going with you?” Jane asks with a naïve curiosity.
“Chad and Ronnie!”
Jane thinks about the invitation for a brief moment.
“Cool! Give me thirty minutes!”
Joseph, Edie and Chris watch intensely at the monitor. A blue convertible pulls up in front of the woman’s house. The driver toots the horn as Jane pulls her curtains back and peeps out the window. She comes out of the house in a tank top, denim shorts and white sneakers. Jane looks around to make sure no one is watching her. A guy gets out the car, pulls the seat forward, and Jane climbs into the backseat before the driver speeds off. Joseph stops the monitor.
“Unknown to Jane, she was followed—or should I say stalked—all the way to Six Flags. The company wouldn’t have viewed this as a big issue if an employee goes to an amusement park just as long as they didn’t engage in any strenuous activity.”
Joseph plays the scenario again from his monitor. “As you can see on your monitors, Jane enters the theme park. She rides on the roller coaster and she is screaming and throwing up her hands in the air. She should be on bed rest. Companies lose thousands of dollars on employee scams like this one. XYZ Inc., as you can imagine, fired dear Jane. Her settlement fell through and the company filed a lawsuit against her. Jane will never be able to file for disability ever again.”
Chris and Edie are dumbfounded.
“Unbelievable,” Chris utters.
“She was caught red-handed!” Edie exclaims.
Joseph logs out of his system and closes his briefcase.
“Now, when Veronica and Milton leave this evening to go home, I will follow them. Once they lead me to their place of residence, I can install the equipment nearby. It will be a piece of cake. All I need to know is…”
Joseph is once again interrupted by Chris’ ringing wireless phone.
“Hello! I know, I did that already; I’ll call you back in a minute. I am in a meeting—yes a meeting. Bye!”
Joseph continues, “All I need to know is Milton’s employee tracking I.D. number and we can get the ball rolling.”
Chris holds up his hand and says, “Wait a minute, hold up! I’m confused; you’re going to follow them home on foot?”
“Yes, I—“
“Doesn’t that defeat the purpose, dear?” Eddie Interrupts Joseph.
“No, what I’m going to do is—“
“Why can’t we just monitor them from our own computers?” Chris asks.
“I have to follow them so that I know where to install the equipment. After the installation, we will be able to view their going out and coming in. You will be able to-’
“Joe, I want to be able to see them in their home, I want to be a fly on their living room wall. I want to hear their private conversations behind closed doors. I want them to lead me to ‘The Process.’ Can’t you install your equipment inside their home?”
“Not without their consent. That would be illegal.”
“Says who, Cochise?”
“Chris, that would be breaking and entering; there are laws against that.”
“Well if you won’t, I will. You don’t seem to understand the seriousness of my getting back what belongs to this company. If something is not done, all of us will be out of a job. There’s got to be away that we can do this.”
Joseph laughs while shaking his head.
“Not your way. I can install equipment close to their home. That way, it will be legal.”
Chris smirks as he shrugs. “By the way, how is the chip implant coming along?”
“Fine. Now with the chip implant, you will be able to monitor and know where your employees are—anywhere, any place. The Stalker is your best bet for now. Remember, about twenty years ago, cell phones were new, and ten years later, everyone had a wireless phone—even your grandmother. Thirteen years ago, just a handful of companies had surveillance equipment like the Stalker System. Today it seems as if everyone has the stalker, businesses and residences. You can’t leave home without it. I’ve heard you say many times to me, ‘look after my investments.’ The Stalker is the way to go, because it will help protect your investments. We’re not talking about cameras, Chris. If you want cameras, look in the Yellow Pages. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have time or money to waste.”
Chris thinks about it for a minute and says, “All right, Joe—you sold me.”
Joseph is relieved that Chris is finally convinced.
“Now all I need to know is Milton Conway’s tracking I.D. number.”
“Alright, Joe, go ahead and do what you got to do. I want Milton Conway nailed.”
“Chris, Edie, I need to know Milton’s tracking I.D. number.”
Chris and Edie apparently aren’t good listeners as their images vanish from Joseph’s computer screen. Joseph throws his hands up out of frustration.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE