Professional futurists first earned their name in the 1960s, using mathematical models that ultimately were proven wrong. Asked where he fits into his group of peers, Spool merely smiles, removes his shoe and scratches a greasy foot. All those dudes like Saffo are run by committee. He discusses each job with the client, keeps the books and drafts all the company's forecast scenarios himself, by hand in a wide-ruled Charlie's Angels notebook. Results are faxed within a few days, or the original page is torn from the notebook and sent overnight.
Research is minimal, if it exists at all.
The less I know about a company, the better. Spool stands out on the deck, relieving himself into the bushes. I just come out here, get baked, shut my eyes, and things come to me. He smiles and zips up. It made perfect sense.