The Third Ten

by Jacqueline Druga

  He immediately called the clinic and of course got Andrea. “My dear.”

  She gasped out an excitement breath, “So good to hear from you. How is the East?”

  “It’s fine. Seems we have a case of the brain flu.”

  “Oh, dear, did Jimmy relapse.”

  “Appears so.”

  “That happens. Relapses, and they get worse. Have you isolated him. You won’t want it to spread. It’s highly contagious.”

  “Andrea, a brain flu.”

  “As odd as it is to believe, yes.”

  “Really?” Lars asked.

  “Yes. But no worries. We cured it yesterday. In fact we’re having a Mardi Gras tonight.”

  “A Mardi Gras over curing a brain flu.”

  “Lars, this thing was having a devastating grip on us all.”

  “And they found a cure for it all in a short time.”

  “Yes, Joe brought it back with him.”

  Andrea couldn’t see Lars’ face, nor the fact that he mouthed the words, “Joe brought it back.’, “Andrea, Joe who?”

  “Slagel, silly.”

  “Brought what back? The flu?”

  “The cure.”

  “Joe’s dead.”

  “Not anymore.”

  “I’m sorry, did I hear you say Joe wasn’t dead anymore? Andrea you by chance weren’t diagnosed with this brain flu have you?”

  “Don’t be silly, it’s a male gender gene.”

  Lars sat back in a chair, the simple phone call turned into a story of how Joe from the past was kidnapped by the Clone before he developed the brain flu and went nuts. In Joe’s place they put flu infected future Joe and blew him up until past Joe could find a cure and return from bouncing through space and time.

  She lost him.

  “Andrea, please put Jason Godrichson on the phone, if he’s there.”

  “Oh, you probably want the recipe for the cure. He’ll be here cleaning up, he’ll want to go to the Mardi Gras. Hold on, pleasure speaking to you.”

  “Likewise.” Lars rubbed the corners of his eyes. Upon first connection it was Dean, Lars could have spoken to him. But since he couldn’t stand Dean, Lars merely stated, “Jason please.”

  Dean was happy to oblige.

  Lars listened to Jason explain as best he could. It was a bizarre situation and Lars actually repeated it several times. Then, of course, he went to see Jimmy.

  “You’re discharged,” Lars stated. “You can go back to work.”

  Mick looked baffled. “Discharged. Lars, he has this brain flu. We can’t put him in charge of nuclear weaponry if he has the brain flu.”

  “There is no brain flu.”

  Mick laughed.

  Jimmy laughed. “Lars, please, I know. I had the headaches, memory lapse, I spoke to my father. Others saw him floating. Just his head . . .”

  Lars held up his hand. “My friend, there is no brain flu. The brain flu is a product of your brother Frank’s trouble making imagination.”

  Mick shook his head. “I’m confused.”

  “So was I until I spoke to Jason. Seems, Jimmy, you were the first victim.”

  “Yes.” Jimmy nodded.

  “Your brain flu. Here’s the explanation. The headaches were from you constantly being in front of the computers working on the ALS system. The memory loss of fixing it. You didn’t. The clone did. He figure it out. And so as not to make you feel bad, they invented this brain flu as an explanation for you not remembering figuring it out.”

  “What about my father. People saw him. I spoke to him.”

  “Alive.”

  “What?” Jimmy breathed heavily, almost panting. “I know that’s not true. Lars, I held his dead body. I was there. I watched him get buried. I know.”

  “You did.”

  Mick huffed. “If he saw this then, how is Joe alive.”

  “The body you saw, the Joe that was buried was from the future.” Lars saw he had even more confused looks. “It took me a while too, so let me try to explain. This Great War become worse because Joe made a decision. The clone, figuring if he could just remove Joe from power then Frank would be leader and make the correct decision, the one needed to stop the Great War from being so tragic. The clone tried to warn Joe, but he didn’t listen. So at some point in the Great War, the Clone and Future Joe went back in time, set the explosives, took present Joe out of the equation, and blew up future Joe to make it look like he died. Hence why Dean was blamed.”

  Mick’s hand swiped across his face. “Where did present Joe go.”

  “Never left, he was in Beginnings. Wearing an invisible suit. He removed the hood at times and that’s when he was seen. Robbie discovered it, kept it a secret until Hal found out.”

  Mick held up his hand. “So if they removed Joe to stop him from making some decision that affects the war negatively for us. Doesn’t it now defeat the purpose because Joe’s back.”

  “I asked the same question,” Lars stated. “Frank is in charge of all military decisions. I don’t know.”

  Jimmy jumped from the hospital bed.

  “That’s the spirit,” Lars said. “Off to work.”

  “No,” Jimmy said. “Off to Beginnings.” He began to grab his clothes. “I’ll be back. But I mourned my father. I need to see him.”

  “Mind if I join you?” Lars asked. “I’d like to see Johnny.”

  “Be my guest,” Jimmy replied. “But I fuel up and go tonight.”

  “I’ll be ready.”

  Jimmy just nodded. He didn’t wait, he was dressed and out that door. Lars wasn’t far behind.

  <><><><>

  There was something about Robbie that Roy just found enamoring. Of course, everyone liked Robbie, that was a given.

  Roy enjoyed his enthusiasm about everything, his youth like attitude and more than anything his quirky honesty.

  “Do you think one day I’ll be able to play guitar like you?” Roy asked.

  Robbie grinned that day. The day Roy asked him for guitar lessons. “Um, sure.”

  But Roy knew that wasn’t really going to happen. Robbie was Beginnings rock star.

  It was supposed to be his day for a guitar lessons, but Robbie had to bow out, promising Roy that he’d make it up to him. But, Robbie and the Starters had to practice, they wanted to learn a few new tunes for the Cure All Mardi Gras that was going to happen that night in Beginnings.

  He did, however, invite Roy to practice Roy was thrilled. He gladly accepted.

  On his way there, Roy took in the excitement of Beginnings as they prepared to celebrate the cure of the brain flu.

  Food was being cooked, people chatted. Ben from Fabrics had about four or five people on loan from Containment to help him string Mardi Gras beads.

  A party was about to begin.

  Roy would wear his best outfit. He wanted to look outstanding for the occasion. Nothing but a clean bright bowtie as well.

  The Starters were practicing in the Social Hall and were just getting underway when Roy arrived.

  Sgt. Ryder must have just arrived as well, he was still running chords for his keyboard set up.

  “Don’t get too wired,” Robbie told him. “Remember we’re moving this outside. Only set up the basics. Roy. Hey!”

  Roy smiled and lifted his hand high in a wave. “Robbie. I have come. Thank you so much for the special preview of the band.”

  “No, problem guy, just make yourself comfortable. Get a drink.”

  “Oh, no, I cannot touch alcohol. But thank you for offering. I will sit and enjoy.” Roy nodded his head.

  “Did you think of one?” Robbie asked.

  Roy knew what he spoke about, the others in the band did not. He nodded. “I did.”

  “Cool. We’ll get to that in a moment.”

  Roy took a seat. No sooner did Robbie and the guys get ready to play, Hal walked in.

  “Is this a private session or can anyone join?” Hal asked.

  “What’s up?” Robbie grinned. “Sit with
Roy. You can watch.”

  “Excellent.” Hal walked up to the bar and poured a drink. “I will be on duty tonight, and will miss most of the festivities since my right hand man is . . . playing.” He moved toward Roy.

  “And how proud you must be to have such a talented musician and horseman as your right hand man.”

  Hal grinned over the rim of his glass. “Yes.” He took a seat next to Roy. “What brings you to practice.”

  “A few things,” Roy answered. “Robbie invited me and he asked a great favor of me. And I want to talk to him after . . .” Roy dripped his voice to a whisper. “I want to pay him for the guitar lessons.”

  “I’m sure he’d enjoy the gesture, but there’s no need to offer him Danny dollars.”

  “No. no.” Roy shook his head. “I want to fix his arm to be perfect.”

  “It is.”

  Roy shook his head.

  “It’s not?” Hal asked. “Dean and Danny . . .”

  “While they did a very good job for the knowledge that they have, the arm has imperfections.”

  “Such as.”

  “Do you know Robbie breaks strings at an astronomical rate.”

  Hal replied, “That’s because he’s still getting used to the strength.”

  “That is a defect.”

  “Chip?”

  “Both.”

  “You can fix it.”

  “Oh, yes,” Roy nodded. “Along with the discoloration and the way his small finger doesn’t always bend right. Summer is coming, his sun tan should be even.”

  “That is important.” Hal nodded.

  “It is, plus the hair does not flow on his arm like the other.”

  Hal rubbed his chin. “How do you think Dean and Danny will feel about your improvement.”

  “Oh, like me they will welcome a better solution.”

  “I agree.” Hal smiled with that closed mouth smile.

  Robbie’s ‘ok’ rang out and he stepped, wearing his guitar to Roy. “What did you decide on?”

  “Oh!” Excitedly Roy stood. “I gave great thought. I even was able to semi recreate it the best of my ability.” He gave Robbie a chip. “It isn’t perfect but if you recall it, then you can play it.”

  Elliott shot a curious glance and held up his hand. “What are we talking about.”

  “I gave Roy a task to think of a song that everyone will enjoy and have fun with. As long as it’s not a repeat of the silly song,” Robbie answered.

  Hal asked. “The silly song?”

  “Yeah, it was this stupid song that everyone liked and sang it in every way possible. Country, blues, you name it.”

  Hal chuckled. “I highly doubt that they’ll do that again.”

  “Hal, man, they’re having a party over a cure for a brain flu that never really existed. This town will do it. Roy?”

  “This song I chose is fun. I do not think it will be a repeat of this Silly Song you told me of. In fact, for visual purposes, Captain Slagel may be the perfect one to help out. I can do the dance but probably not as well as him.”

  Hal laughed. “Dance? Me. While I’m flattered Roy, I don’t see how I can lead a dance and be perfect for it.”

  “Oh, yes, yes, you can.” Roy said. “You would be wonderful.”

  Hal blushed a little. “Your faith in me is noble. Thank you.”

  “Really, Roy,” Robbie said. “I have seen Hal dance, it won’t work. What’s the song?”

  Upbeat Roy reached into his pocket and handed Robbie the chip. “It is a very popular pop culture song. With a great rhythm. It lasted as a favorite tune even in my time. It is a classic oldie but goodie to dance to. Similar to your Twist song.”

  “Wow. Cool. What is it?” Robbie looked down to the small sheet of paper adhered to the chip. “No way.” He started to laugh. “I’m not sure I know it.”

  Elliott asked. “What is it.”

  Proudly, Roy answered. “Whip my Hair.”

  Elliott burst into laughter.

  “What?” Roy asked innocently. “Is it not a popular song now?”

  Robbie fluttered his lips. “Not really.”

  “I am surprised. It is quite good. Often times I would dance around the lab to that song.”

  “Like you want me to?” Hal questioned. “Why in the world am I perfect for this song.”

  “Captain if I may,” Elliott said. “Your hair is perfect.”

  “Yes. Yes.” Roy stated. “You can whip it.”

  “Whip my hair?” Hal asked. “You want me to whip my hair.”

  “Yes.”

  “Head bang?” With clarification Hal question.

  Roy shook his head. “Oh, no. Head banging is different. Hair whipping is another thing.”

  “Yeah Hal, be a sport.” Robbie said. “Whip your hair.”

  “I would like to see that,” Roy said. “I would be very excited and would join you.”

  Hal stood mouth agape.

  “Captain,” Elliott called out. “You would be remarkable whipping your hair.”

  “Oh, I agree.” Roy said. “Will you do it now.”

  “I appreciate the confidence all of you have in my whipping of my hair. Unfortunately, I will not . . . whip my hair.” He raised an eyebrow.

  “Why?” Roy asked.

  “Yeah, Hal, why?” Robbie repeated.

  “Because it is unbecoming of an officer.” Hal said. “Besides, really, not that I doubt the Starters ability to pull off such a great tune. But do any of you even know how it goes.”

  Before he could get a verbal reply, Elliott started played using the keyboards synthesized drums. He played the song.

  Robbie squealed a laughter in enjoyment. “Ryder, you rock.”

  Hal closed his eyes in disbelief, especially when the whole band started joining. Robbie and Elliott doubling up on more metal like vocal rendition of ‘Whip my Hair’. “Why does it not surprise me he knew this song?” Hal asked out loud, not really expecting an answer, and deciding at that moment, that he wasn’t really going to stay. Especially when Roy started hopping around whipping what little hair he had on his head.

  <><><><>

  There was a loud ‘bang’ that carried into the lab, as if something were dropped. It was followed by Frank blasting out, “Fuck. Watch. Man.”

  Dean shook his head with chuckle, then looked over to Billy who stood on a crate wiping down the counter. “You know,” Dean said. “You don’t have to help me clean up in here.”

  “Everyone else abandoned you.” Little Billy said. “It’s the least I can do.”

  “I mean, I won’t mind if you want to go with the other kids and get ready for the Mardi Gras.”

  Billy peered over his shoulder at Dean with a look that all but said, ‘You’re kidding right?”, then Billy shook his head. “Trust me when I tell you stringing beads is not my idea of fun.”

  “Yeah, it wouldn’t have been my idea of fun either.” Dean exhaled. “We’re almost done. You are going to go to the festival.”

  “Oh, yeah.” Billy replied. “I don’t wanna miss the food. Uncle Robbie’s band is playing, and I want to see how mom pulls this one off.”

  With a quirky half smile, Dean walked to Billy helping him finish. “Your mom’s amnesia may hinder her some from understanding what is exactly happening.”

  Billy snickered.

  “I know it’s amusing but really . . .”

  “I’m laughing at you.”

  “Me?” Dean asked. “Why?”

  “Ok, I’m what? Nine.”

  “Physically.” Dean nodded. “Yes.”

  “You’ve been at this medical stuff a while, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “So why am I the only one who believes Mom is a medical anomaly.”

  “Hitting your head, having amnesia, is not an anomaly.”

  “It is Dad when you possibly, possibly I stress have a head injury in a totally different portion of the brain.”

  Dean glanced up and gazed outward.

&
nbsp; “Didn’t think of that, did you?” Billy jumped down from the crate. “Didn’t think so.” He took off the lab coat that dragged on the floor. He tried jumping a few times to hang it up, but he was too short and his attempts futile. He let it fall. “I’m going to the party.”

  “Billy.” Dean called out as his son approached the door. “Thanks.”

  Billy nodded. “Oh, yeah, and uh, I wouldn’t let this little knowledge slip to mom.” He started to dart out, paused for a ‘See ya’ and left.

  Biting his bottom lip, Dean nodded with a smile. He’d finish up then put to test his son’s theory, inclusive of the advice he had given as well.

  Chapter Nine

  Apparently George missed an entire day. The steady knocking at his apartment door in New Bowman first seeped into his dream, then finally woke him. It was after six in the evening.

  Although, he’d been sleeping for eight hours, George hated the fact that he missed an entire day. Actually, two days.

  Some of his flight students were moving into the ‘air phase’ of flying, and no matter how well George trained them prior to take off, he always got sick to his stomach on someone’s first flight. That was the day before and he had two students. It was late afternoon by the time he was done.

  That sick feeling carried with him and when he returned he had a plane to fix. Robbie reported a knocking sound. George found the problem, but the sun was coming up when he was finished. Realizing he hadn’t eaten, he grabbed a bite at the Mess hall, then hit his apartment, had a morning night cap and went to sleep.

  A couple of Bowman men had asked George, ‘Hey did you hear?” and not wanting to sound ill informed, George merely stated yes. He hadn’t a clue what they were talking about.

  Stumbling from bed, he walked across his small issued apartment and opened the door.

  Not who he expected.

  Margaret.

  “Glad to see you’re alive,” she said.

  “I was sick and I was up all night fixing a plane. What brings you here?”

  “Didn’t know if you were going. But thought it would be a good gesture.”

  George opened the door wider for Margret. “Going where?”