Marty is out front, the cheerful guy that everyone loves . . . he handles sales, marketing, and vendor relations. Steve takes care of the back office, the guy who handles repairs, fulfillment, and the paperwork.

Steve, a certified CPA, has a side business as an accountant. His latest outstanding effort for that business was a marketing program. An image of an accountant on a bicycle made unnanounced appearances on blogs. He gave free tax advice to that blog’s readers for an entire day. The campaign was a hit and an immediate traffic bonus for the blogs that were visited by “Steve’s SuperCyberCycling Tax Man.”

With that win, you thought that everything was booming and wonderful for Marty and Steve.

Today you found out that Marty and Steve have ended their business relationship. Marty is running the bicycle shops. Steve is staying with his accounting practice.

Yesterday in a conversation with you, Marty called Steve a jerk and made sure you understood that the “SuperCyberCycling Tax Man” campaign was Marty’s idea, not Steve’s. It was obvious that Marty was unhappy that he given Steve the benefit of his thoughts and that he wished Steve had not had success in his accounting business.

This was a side of Marty you had never seen. Marty said he was going to blog about his part in making Steve a “cycling success.”

The program, which is funded by several nations, is a method of supporting the human species in times of severe threat of attack. A high-security computer system connecting 150,000 locations worldwide via a cloaked and encrypted section of the Internet is being constantly being monitored. The participants who pass the testing are asked to sign up to take a turn at one of the 150,000 remote sites.

The terms of the program are simple. You are asked to live away from civilization for a period of 1-3 years. You may bring one other person with you, provided he or she can pass the testing also. Food is grown in the facillities where you will be living and meals are prepared by the only other human living where you will be. Your bills and financial obligations at your current home will be convered while you are gone. A monthy stipend in your name will be deposited into an account in your name.

You will be allowed to take on an assumed name and profile on the Internet under a cloaked IP. You will not be allowed to reveal who you are to anyone you know or to contact anyone directly during the time you are on the project. People can know you have enlisted in government work — that is the limit to your ability to explain your absence.

When you ask about the terms of confidentiality upon leaving at the end of your proposed stay, the answers your receive are vague and confusing. They seem to say, “We’ll talk about that when the time comes.”

Larry is so busy in his world, that he doesn’t seem to notice that you have attained some status. Your blog has gotten press, and you’ve become known as an expert. In fact, you’re a celebrity and highly popular with the gardening set. You’ve written three books of your own and been interviewed by People, House and Garden, and Architectural Digest — not too shabby for a blogger. These days it’s not unusual to get a short bit on the Today Show when they need an expert.

After many months, you finally can announce that you have a daily spot on a national home and garden television show. While you’re reading the press release and formal announcement, Larry calls to congratulate you. Then he says how glad he is that he was able to help you land that job.

You’re stunned. Larry didn’t help. He’s never met any of the people involved. You did it on your own.