City 55

by William Pinecroft

  “I’m off,” Pam said.

  “Me too,” Jerry chimed in.

  “You know me,” Dan said.

  “We’ll be there,” Charlie promised. They hung up the call after receiving the location. “Dan, can you plot this?” asked Charlie.

  “On it,” responded Dan.

  Dan pulled up another screen in Charlie’s living room. He accessed a digital globe and punched in the latitude and longitude from Fred. The globe spun and highlighted the location on the surface. Dan minimized the rest of the earth, while expanding the information centered on this point. He then brought it forward in 3D, presenting it to the group.

  “Dude, you’re never going to believe where this is?” Dan said.

  Everyone looked at Dan in expectation.

  “Road trip. It’s Death Valley.”

  Charlie and Jerry took a closer look at the expanded point in California. Sure enough, this point lay on the western edges of Death Valley.

  “Bus will be ready,” said Jerry.

  Charlie looked at both Pam and Dan. They were committed.

  ****

  The group met at Charlie’s apartment the next morning at five. The fog was still heavy across San Francisco. The sun was beginning to make its showing for the day. Everyone rolled into his place, each in their own states of morning consciousness. Dan arrived first, skidding up to the front door on his bike. He walked through the unlocked door, bounding with energy. Charlie was in the kitchen in his boxers putting on some of the Mandabatmaz coffee that Fred had served during their trip to Los Angeles. He had purchased a Turkish Ibrik since then as well, welcoming the strong aroma that filled his apartment. As he finished measuring the coffee and water, Pam walked in. She had on sweatpants, a t-shirt, and a jacket, struggling to wake herself up. She looked awesome.

  The aroma had already saturated the apartment, reaching the front door. “Thank god,” said Pam. “Please, coffee, now,” she said.

  “A couple minutes,” said Charlie.

  “Nice getup,” responded Pam.

  “Shit, can you take over?” asked Charlie as he rushed back to his room to change. Pam laughed and watched the coffee.

  “It’s done,” Charlie said as he walked back into the kitchen.

  Right before the liquid boiled, she poured the cups for everybody. The three of them sat on the stools around Charlie’s kitchen counter. They all sipped in silence, backpacks and gear gathered together by the door. Charlie pondered what they were about to do. The freedom that comes with this type of adventure and the unknown was before them, allowing him to revel in what might become. Saving the world had its perks.

  They heard Jerry pull up, so Charlie grabbed a mug for him as they all made their way to the bus, laden with the gear. Jerry opened up the back hatch for them to place the backpacks, tents, food, and other items inside. Of course, Dan acquired some necessary ingredients that would be the catalyst to reinvent his and Charlie’s last camping trip, should the need arise. This was placed in the freezer for easy access.

  Jerry jumped up front after finishing his coffee.

  Dan looked at Charlie and winked. “Shotgun,” he yelled.

  Charlie knew Dan was looking out for him. Charlie would rather spend the journey relaxing in the back of the camper van with Pam.

  Jerry cranked up the burly 1776 cc engine, and they puttered off down the road. Their route today was designed by Dan to experience the trip, rather than to solely act as a means to the destination.

  They were traveling out of San Francisco to the east through Yosemite, before heading south on the eastern edges of the Sierra National Forest, with a turn to the east through Panamint Springs, and on to their final destination. Pam relaxed on the back bench seat, looking forward. Charlie faced to the rear with his feet up on another bench that joined the driver’s and passenger seats. As the bus rolled through the streets of San Francisco, City 55 bustled with morning movement to work. San Francisco was nowhere to be seen. The bus continued out over the Bay Bridge before heading through Oakland and onto the rest of the journey.

  Dan cranked up some nineties rap to get them back to their roots, as he put it. Eazy-E and Ice Cube dominated the station as this unlikely group in a VW classic traveled through some of the most exquisite parts of California. Charlie was in heaven yet again. It was strange how that feeling always coincided with the presence of Pam. She sat there smiling with the wind and sun warming her face, gazing out the window, watching the scenery and what the mighty state of California had to offer. She had long ago changed out of her sweat pants and sat there in board shorts and a tank top. Charlie wasn’t complaining.

  “So you think Fred can get us where we need to be?” asked Charlie.

  “If anyone can, he can. Fred’s been all over. He’s never stopped searching,” responded Pam.

  “Searching?”

  “Come on. Charlie. You’re searching right now. Something’s wrong, right? Something that controls each and every one of our lives. None of us can get away from it and none of us has had a way of stopping it. You’re the one that brought this about. Look at what is going on now. The four of us are traveling to the remote Death Valley to meet Fred, someone you barely know and they,” she pointed at Jerry and Dan, “don’t know at all. We all agreed without argument. All because you convinced us something is wrong and more importantly, that we can fix it. The normal people that we are, being able to affect the world this way, that all happened because you’re searching.”

  “Fred is that same person, but he’s been like that since I’ve known him. Nothing is ever okay with him. He questions all. He won’t settle for the status quo or the common answer just because it’s been the answer before. He wants to know the why’s and the how’s, and then he wants to make the decision himself. It has to be with his eyes. He won’t if he has nothing to base his decisions on. Everything he does is a quest to answer something. He’s on the ultimate journey. And now, you have catapulted into his life with the greatest challenge and adventure there is.” Pam paused a second before continuing. “To take on that which controls us all. But he’ll push you to the edge and then some. He’ll push us all. For him, life within the bounds of someone else’s perceptions isn’t worth a life at all. If you can’t define, and then push your own boundaries, why even waste the time we have on this earth?”

  “Wow.”

  “Listen Charlie, you know this in your heart or none of this would have happened. But here it is. We’re in it now and none of us are getting out of it. You’ve given us a taste of hope, to be in control of our own lives. This is the best day of my life Charlie. And yesterday was the best day of my life before this. You know why?” asked Pam.

  Charlie shook his head.

  “Because I’m defining what my life means now. And that’s because of you.”

  Charlie took to heart the solemnness of Pam.

  “Now, throw me a beer.”

  Charlie obliged of course, grabbing a couple beers out of the refrigerator for him and Pam. They cracked the cans, and Pam winked before taking a sip of hers.

  “Hey man!” yelled Dan as he threw his arms up in expectation.

  Charlie grabbed another and passed it over.

  Jerry continued through Yosemite. He stopped for a bit at a natural rest stop overlooking Mt. Dana. They all helped themselves to more refreshments and sat with the bus doors open enjoying the views south over the dramatic Yosemite backdrop. A few more miles up the road, lay Lake Mono. It was there Jerry took the bus south. They gazed out over the vast lake, resting at the base of the mountains to the west and vast plains to the east. The transformations in scenery became more and more extreme mile after mile. These changes solidified in Charlie’s heart, the worthiness of what they were doing and validated Pam’s words. If they were willing to lose everything, it had better be for something worthwhile. What they were seeing now was amazing and in these moments, the decision was easy. Who could ask for better inspiration than the ever-altering backdrop that of
fered the human race an immense playground for which to truly find themselves?

  Jerry exited the highway north of Whitmore Hot Springs and pulled the bus up to a creek that cut through the mountainous landscape.

  “All right, kids. Everyone, get the fuck out. Time for a little rejuvenation. Welcome to paradise bitches. Sorry Pam, I meant Charlie and Dan,” said Jerry.

  Pam laughed. “Last one out of the bus brings the beer,” she yelled as she ran toward the creek, shedding her clothes midstride. The guys stood back in stunned silence for a moment but followed suit. Charlie was the last one out, giving him the distinguished job of grabbing the beers and bringing them to the creek. The unfortunate circumstance that arose was that he had to strip while everyone else relaxed, having already made it into the creek. Charlie made it even more awkward than strictly necessary. Everyone got a kick out of it. When he finally made it into the water, he realized he had left the drinks sitting up on the edge. After a bit of heckling from the others, he jumped out of the creek again and retrieved the beer. He finally made it back and was able to relax in the California warmth.

  Pam was the first to get out and head back up to the camper van. “I’m hot fellas. I’ll see you up at the van.” She turned her back to them and stood up out of the water. As she did, the water streamed off her slim glistening body. Charlie about choked on his beer, while the others stared, mouths hanging open. She hopped up onto the shore. Her bare body rippled in the sun. She inched her shorts on, and then threw the tank top over her head. Her skin was still wet causing her clothes to stick to every tiny curve of her body. She turned to them and waved. As she did, the thin tank top stretched to its limit, clinging to her ever so delicately. She turned and disappeared up the slope toward the bus.

  “Well damn,” said Jerry. “And I thought Yosemite was nice.”

  Charlie remained speechless.

  The guys met Pam back at the bus a short time later before they were off again for their final destination. After more than ten hours, Jerry pulled the bus eastward down through a little valley. Dan was helping navigate the final portion of the journey. He directed them onto a gravel road, which sliced two peaks to the north and south, leading the gang to a small plain of beautifully barren land at the base of rolling hills.

  “We’re here,” said Dan with a pause. “I think.”

  They all got out and looked around. Charlie checked the coordinates as well, but it showed they had arrived at the right place. There was nothing about except for Death Valley and all its vast openness.

  “Should we set up camp?” asked Dan.

  Charlie looked at Pam. “Let’s wait,” he said. It was almost five o’clock, and the sun was cresting behind the highest hilltops surrounding them. They decided to sit and relax, pulling out a few chairs from their trusty vehicle to construct a temporary campsite in the cool desert air.

  “Ode lay.” Laughed Fred as he walked up to them. As usual, he went straight to Pam and gave her a hug and kiss on the cheek.

  Dan looked over at Charlie. Charlie wasn’t sure yet if he should be jealous of Fred. On occasion, his instincts could be quite fallible, which is why he wasn’t sure of the “status” of Fred and Manuel. Pam didn’t offer up any insights during their journey back from Los Angeles, allowing him instead, to stew on the possibilities. Fred made the rounds, introducing himself to everyone in the group, until finally ending with Charlie.

  “Charlie, over here,” said Fred as he led the group to a small area protected from the elements, while also providing views of the valley eastward.

  They set up camp, with the bus marking the western edge. Fred’s two vehicles lined the eastern and northern edges of the camp, providing additional protection from the vast openness surrounding them. Fred had four other people accompanying him. They were all sitting around an open pit carved from the dirt. No one stood up to introduce themselves, so Jerry started setting up a grill next to the bus.

  Finally, Fred brought Charlie over to his group of friends, waking them from their unified trance. “Charlie, these are four magical people who will change your life if you let them. This is Dr. Kunchen, Peter Harrold, Indra Yama, and The Boss.”

  Charlie looked at Fred.

  “Don’t ask.”

  Fred’s magical people each took their time with all four of the friends, expressing their pleasure in meeting some of Fred’s most renowned acquaintances. This was how they termed the relationship, surprising Charlie and the rest of the group.

  After the two groups were comfortable with one another and few jokes passed between all parties, Dan asked Fred, “So what’s next?”

  Fred laughed. “We need to break the ice. We party tonight.”

  “Holy shit, that’s what I’m talking about,” followed up Jerry.

  Charlie began preparing the dishes he had brought from his apartment. Likewise, The Boss began laying out food he had traveled with. Charlie and The Boss teamed up to provide everyone with one of the most eclectic campsite feasts known. After a few hours, Jerry ventured the proposition that they break into the stash Dan had brought. No one objected, so Dan retrieved what he had. Indra gave the weed one look and calmly retrieved her bag. Out of it, she brought another bag with what looked to be similar contents. She handed the bag to Dan and made a gesture that he should smell it, which he did. As soon as he did, he threw his bag back in the bus and set about preparing what Indra had provided.

  “What’s the deal man?” asked Jerry.

  “You want to smell it or feel it?” asked Dan. “Either way, you won’t object.”

  “Cool.”

  The group of nine enjoyed what Charlie and The Boss prepared for them. They also relished the donation from Indra. They sat around the campfire, listening to a playlist Dan put on while talking in separate groups for a while. Charlie and The Boss discussed techniques for flambéing, a topic that arose as they cooked the previous meal. Dr. Kunchen, Peter, Dan, and Fred were discussing the landscape, overlooking the sharp tabletops that dotted an otherwise barren land. Indra and Pam were involved in a deep debate. About girl stuff no doubt, thought Charlie.

  “Indra. That’s a beautiful name by the way. Is Indra from—” Pam paused, taking a long puff before sharing with Indra. She slowly exhaled, coughing a few times in the process. Pam looked at Indra. “Actually, I have no idea where that name is from,” Pam said.

  Indra took a long drag as well. She sat for a moment, appearing to allow the smoke the ability to seep into her bones. She finally exhaled, the smoke fully dissipating from her lungs. “It’s Hindu.”

  “Oh… Cool.”

  Origin of names? thought Charlie. Do people talk about that? I wonder what my name means. Charlie shook his head, taking a moment to scan the different people out in the desert together. Never would he have imagined that a trip like this might take place.

  “Indra was actually the king of the gods. My father really wanted a boy I think, so named me after one of the most powerful deities in my culture.”

  “Cool.”

  “What about Pam?”

  “It means sweetness or something like that.”

  “Nice.”

  “Indra, I want to make a pot beer. An IPA.”

  Hello. That’s more like it, thought Charlie.

  “Yeah. Totally,” Indra said as she took another long puff.

  “I’m thinking I’ll let the pot get in there after the yeast gets a hold of the beer.”

  Charlie diverted his attention to some of the guys sitting across the camp.

  “I heard you held your breath for ten minutes,” Jerry said. “Right?” he continued, looking at Charlie.

  “What?”

  “Fred. Underwater for ten minutes, right?”

  “Oh, yeah.”

  “You going to pass that?” Fred responded.

  Jerry looked at his hand. “Hold on.” Jerry took a long puff, and then passed it over to Fred. “So, is it true? Ten minutes?”

  Fred took his time. Jerry wasn’t the
most charitable when it came to sharing Mother Nature’s gifts with the group. “Yeah, I think so. I don’t normally time myself.” Fred looked over at Charlie. “Was it really ten minutes?”

  “Yup,” Charlie said. “He’s like part fish, part man.”

  “How in the fuck is that possible?” Jerry asked.

  “He’s a cyborg,” Charlie chimed in before Fred could answer.

  Fred smiled. “Not exactly.”

  “Yup.”

  “Take off your shirt. Show them. Cyborg all the way, man.”

  “Yeah, take off your shirt Fred,” Pam interjected.

  Fred leaned back in his chair. He gave a subtle shake of his head to Pam. “Listen, you just have to get in sync with your body. You need to be able to accept the energy of the world around, and then use that force to expand your mind, letting you really understand what is out there and what is possible.”

  “Sweet. Can you show me?” Jerry asked.

  “Yeah, absolutely. Harnessing Mother Nature is the ultimate test. She’s the ultimate force. Nothing can stand up to her.”

  The enlightened conversations came to a close as midnight passed. Indra’s contribution had run out fifteen minutes prior and no one wanted to partake in Dan’s after that. Everyone retired back to the tents and the camper bus. The pop-top was erected and the backseat folded down into a double bed. Most people turned in for the night. Charlie and Fred remained sitting by the campfire, talking about Fred’s love of meditation.

  “Charlie, meditation is an unbiased, clear look into your mind. There is no one and nothing out in the world that can provide you with such an honest reflection on what is important to you as a person. I have found true reflection that is not available anywhere else. My mind is trained to concentrate and focus, leaving me with a deep sense of self-gratification and awareness. I know you are eager to learn, but you must also trust wholeheartedly in the process for it to truly lead you to a better understanding of yourself and the world around you.” Fred paused for a moment. “Now, it’s time for bed.”

  They got up and retired for the night. Charlie walked over to the camper bus. Jerry and Dan were sleeping on the double bed and Pam was sleeping up in the pop-top. It was a mild night, so Charlie grabbed a sleeping bag and slept outside by the sliding door of the bus. He pondered what Fred had told him. The profound trust in his lifestyle, along with the effects of the weed, put Charlie’s mind in euphoric wonder, and he focused on what was possible and what was to come. He stared up at the clear night sky and fell asleep stoned on hope and expectation.