A person who needs to do things on his or her own is often found in the S quadrant, the quadrant of the self-employed or small busi- ness. I also say that "S" stands for solo and smart, because this is where many of the professionals such as doctors, attorneys, accountants, and other technical consultants are found. The CASHFLOW Quadrant explains a lot about the differ- ence between the S quadrant-which is where most small- business owners operate-and the B quadrant-which is the quadrant where big businesses are found. In this book, we will go into much more detail about the technical differences, because it is here that the differences between the rich and everyone else are found. 42 Rich Dad's Guide to Investing The Tax Laws Are Different The differences between the quadrants play a very impor- tant role in this book. The tax laws are different for the differ- ent quadrants. What may be legal in one quadrant is illegal in another. These subtle differences make big differences when it comes to the subject of investing. When discussing the sub- ject of investing, my rich dad was very careful to ask me from which quadrant I was planning to earn my money. The Lessons Begin While Mike was busy running their empire, rich dad and I were having lunch at a hotel on Waikiki Beach. The sun was warm, the ocean beautiful, the breeze light, and the setting as close to paradise as you can get. Rich dad was shocked to see me walk in wearing my uniform. He had never seen me in uni- form before. He had only seen me as a kid, dressed in casual clothes such as shorts, jeans, and T-shirts. I guess he finally re- alized that I had grown up since leaving high school, and by now had seen a lot of the world and fought in a war. I had worn my uniform to the meeting because I was between flights and had to get back to the base to fly that evening. "So that is what you have been doing since leaving high school," said rich dad. I nodded my head and said, "Four years at the military academy in New York, and four years in the Marine Corps. One more year to go." "I am very proud of you," said rich dad. "Thanks," I replied. "But it will be nice to get out of a mili- tary uniform. It's really tough being spit on or stared at, or called 'baby-killers' by all these hippies and people who are against the war. I just hope it ends soon for all of us." "I'm just glad Mike did not have to go," said rich dad. "He wanted to enlist but his poor health kept him out." Pouring a Foundation of Wealth 43 "He was fortunate," I replied. "I lost enough friends to that war. I would have hated to have lost Mike too." Rich dad nodded his head and asked, "So what are your plans once your military contract is up next year?" "Well, three of my friends have been offered jobs with the airlines as pilots. It's tough getting hired right now but they say they can get me in through some contacts they have." "So you're thinking of flying with the airlines?" asked rich dad.