Code Name: Sabra

Part I

I love top-secret projects. It is thrilling to work on something in complete secrecy, then see the fruits of your labors being sold to consumers. It is a great feeling to point with pride and say, “I helped create that.” I think this project will be the same way. And for now, even though we are mired in technical challenges, I think the results will be worth all of the hush-hush efforts we are expending on behalf of the project, Code Name: Sabra. 

It all started innocently enough, as these projects do, with the signing of a confidentiality agreement. Once these were exchanged, discussions began in earnest. The first step was to meet in person. I received a brief phone message. “Wednesday at 1, be at Boston Logan. One of our people will be holding a sign with the name ‘Wonka.’ The code word is ‘oompa loompa.’ ” I booked my flight. After deplaning, I headed toward the baggage claim. I have learned to travel light on these assignments, so I bypassed the luggage carousel and looked for my contact. A muscular, solidly built man with a mustache was holding the name card. “Are you looking for oompa loompas?” I asked. He nodded. “I am Wolverine. Come,” he said. “The Sabra doesn’t like people who are late.” We got into his car and proceeded north out of Boston. As we drove, Wolverine talked briefly. “He is a brilliant scientist. He speaks five languages. Much of his scientific work, of course, is highly classified. Many of his inventions are still being used by the Israeli military. The head of the Mossad was the best man in his wedding.”

After 30 minutes of driving and passing what must have been hundreds of Dunkin’ Donuts, we pulled up in front of a large building. We got out of the car and walked to the door. Closed-circuit cameras were following our every move. Wolverine placed his hand on the pad next to the door, and with a click, the lock released and the door swung open. We entered, and the door closed behind us. As I heard the door lock, I wondered what I was getting myself into.

Part II

We entered the conference room. On the wall was a whiteboard with some complicated mathematical formulas. Standing in front of the board holding a dry-erase marker was a tall, thin man with a shock of gray hair. He turned as we entered. “Welcome,” he said, in flawless yet accented English. “I am known as the Sabra. You have already met Wolverine. Let us discuss the project.” For the next hour, the three of us talked about what we were trying to do. It was thrilling and daunting at the same time. Their plan was to crack a specific market and upstage big, national brands with better-tasting, more cost-effective, easier-to-make beverages. And they needed some help. “This is not an easy project,” the Sabra said, “and we must be extremely careful about how we proceed. Are you prepared to make the sacrifice and continue working with us? If you do not want to continue, Wolverine will take you back to the airport. It is up to you.” I didn’t hesitate. “I will do it,” I said. “I look forward to the challenge.” 

“I expected nothing less,” said the Sabra. “Let us give you the tour so that you can understand what we do here.” We left the conference room and walked to a locked door. The Sabra placed his hand on the pad, and the door clicked open. A long, narrow staircase led into the gloom. As we descended deep below the building, I could feel the temperature get cooler. Finally, we reached the bottom. I could hear the hiss of compressed air and the thunking of a machine in the distance. From the gloom emerged a small man. He stuck out his hand. “They call me the Engineer,” he said. “I’m in charge of our skunk works, and I keep the machines running.” We followed him back through the tunnel until we emerged in a small, brightly lit room, which contained the machine. I watched as robotic arms assembled the different pieces that would be used to make the finished drinks, as the Sabra explained each step. I nodded, and he gave me a finished piece, which I carefully examined. “Let us return to the conference room,” he said. He thanked the Engineer, and we ascended the staircase to the main building and returned to the conference room. “You have now seen our operation,” said the Sabra. “Are you prepared to continue working with us?” I noticed Wolverine became tense and eyed me carefully from across the table. “Yes,” I said, and saw Wolverine relax in his chair. “This sounds like an exciting project, and something that will engage me and my team. I have learned what I need to here. I will contact you when I am ready with samples for you to try. When I return, we will test our products. Together, we will end the monopoly of the fabled Green Monster.” 

To be continued …