“Filled with bear claws and Pumpkin Spice Latte?” she replied. “I don't think it's low blood sugar.”
“Man...” the traveler replied. “You don't think we've put him into a diabetic coma do you? I mean he ate like five of those things...”
“I doubt it,” she giggled. “I ate three and I'm fine.”
“I just didn't think to check if he was diabetic... Of course, I guess it could be because of that defibrillator...”
“What?”
“Nothing...”
“Whoa!” Morgan said with a start. “Where are we?”
“You alright?” Cleo asked gazing down at him with a smile.
“Oh, yea,” he nodded. “I'm just dandy.”
“Good,” Robert replied, returning to his seat. “We're almost there. Fortunately, this shouldn't take long. When we get back to the ship I want you to head to your room. You need to get some sleep.”
“Boy do I!” Morgan nodded. “I seriously have some dreams to finish!”
“Right...” the traveler replied. “Now, I need to warn you: Vox is not a missing person. He just happens to be one of the best mechanics and technicians that ever lived. So, when we pick him up we'll be surrounded by all kinds of things that could potentially change the time-lines. We have to grab him without causing any car wrecks or anything like that.”
“You didn't seem overly concerned when it was Krispy Kreme time,” Morgan observed.
“Well no,” the time traveler admitted. “But that was kind of a one off. I never get donuts from the same place twice. However, I end up at Vox's place a lot. So, we just have to be careful. Of course, we still have the underwear elastic factor working for us. Anyways, we just need to be careful. That's all I'm saying.”
As he finished speaking the ship dropped into real-space above a very Earth-like planet.
“What's this world called?” Morgan asked.
“What difference does it make?” Robert replied. “It's where Vox lives at the moment. That's all that matters.”
“I just want to know.”
“What if I told you it were called Duck à l'orange?” the traveler asked. “Would it matter?”
“No,” the young man admitted. “But I think it's cool to know. Duck à l'orange... Duck à l'orange … It seems vaguely familiar and yet, at the same time, it's so completely alien...”
“You were right,” Cleo laughed. “I think I am starting to like him.”
“I told ya,” Robert said smiling at her. “He's a riot.”
Just minutes later the ship landed a short distance from Vox's house. In order to lessen the chance of discovery the traveler had them exit the ship by way of the loading platform.
“The thing I like about this,” Robert said, carefully scanning the scene, “is that we can see out, but they can't see in.”
“Well don't we need disguises or something?” Morgan asked.
“It's amazing how smart you can be,” the traveler mused. “And how dumb... Anyways, good question. No. No, we don't. At this place and time, interstellar travel is pretty common. Even rare aliens like humans don't attract much attention. Either way, let's go.”
As he said this he stepped quickly from the loading platform, crossed the street, and made his way toward a large house that seemed much like the others that surrounded it.
“This doesn't look very futury,” Morgan observed.
“No, it doesn't,” Robert agreed. “This is what's called a retro suburb. That's another thing about Vox: the man's got money. Anyway, be quiet for a minute.”
The trio walked up the driveway until the traveler was standing beside what seemed to be a rather ordinary, and definitely large, car.
“Vox, man,” Robert said. “You still under there?”
“Uuuuhhh,” a voice replied from under the car. “Rob, you have got to be kidding me... It's been like fifteen minutes, man...”
“No it hasn't,” he replied, glancing down at his watch. “It's been like twen... No, you're right actually, it's been exactly fifteen minutes...”
“I know I'm right,” the voice chuckled. “And you said you'd give me at least a week to get this thing running.”
“I know that's what I said,” Robert agreed. “But we don't have time.”
“You have all the time there is.”
“Yeah, but you don't,” the traveler replied. “You get to live in a real time-line, but it comes at a price, Vox. You ain't getting any younger, man.”
“You're not kidding,” Vox replied, sliding his head out from under the vehicle. “Oh, hey small-girl!”
Several things struck Morgan about Vox all at once. His skin was raven black, while his short facial hair was snow white. His head seemed extraordinarily large, and his eyes, which matched his skull for size, were a very unique kind of milky blue. In point of fact, as he stared up from under the car they looked like a pair of giant star sapphires. One thing was for sure: Morgan would be able to spot him in a crowd, no problem.
“Hey Vox,” Cleo replied with a smile. “How are ya?”
“Good,” he smiled. “Been missing you.”
“For fifteen minutes?” she laughed.
“Nah, small-girl,” he replied shaking his head. “Me and Rob were trapped on the ship for like a year. Right, Rob?”
“A little over a year,” the traveler nodded.
“I wanted to track you down and fill you in as soon as we got back, but...” he began, his eyes moving from Cleo to Robert as he spoke. “But something came up.”
“You mean Rob wouldn't let you,” she speculated.
“Yeah, small-girl,” he sighed. “I guess I do. You know how he is. There ain't no arguing with him.”
“No,” she agreed, shaking her head. “Or reasoning with him.”
“You're right,” he smiled. “Who's the new guy?”
“Morgan,” she replied. “He's a laugh a minute.”
“Sounds good.”
“Either way, Vox,” Robert replied. “We got to get going man.”
“How long we gonna be gone this time?”
“I don't know...” the traveler replied. “Maybe a week.”
“Okay,” Vox said thoughtfully. “Last time you said it would take an hour and it took a year. This time you think it'll take a week... I better go kiss my wife goodbye and tell her to remember that I loved her right up 'till the end.”
“Very funny, man,” Robert replied. “You know that wasn't my fault.”
“I know,” he chuckled. “Either way, we got to take care of some things. First, we have to tell my wife we're going. And I ain't lying to her anymore. So I'll let you do the talking.”
“That's probably best.”
“Also, as soon as I walked back in the house she told me I needed to be careful where I went with you. She said it looked like that fifteen minute drive had put a year on me. Well, Rob, it did put a year on me...”
“Regenerator.”
“Right,” Vox nodded. “And lastly you're going to have to get me back faster this time for real.”
“I got you back in fifteen minutes.”
“No, Rob, you got me back in a year. I don't remember what's wrong with this car anymore. And I can't just walk in there and ask Celeste what's wrong with a car I been working on for three days. She'll want me to see a doctor, man...”
“Right, right,” Robert nodded. “No problem. Let's go.”
Vox climbed from beneath the vehicle and got to his feet. He was at least six inches taller than Morgan. This gave the young man a feeling of hope: here was a man who was tall enough to save the universe!
“Come here, small-girl,” Vox said, bending down to kiss her on the forehead.
She grabbed his massive head in her seemingly diminutive hands and, standing on her tiptoes, kissed him in return.
“Let's get inside,” he sighed. “And, Rob, make it good.”
“Not a problem!”
The band of four made their way to the front door before the traveler g
rabbed the nob, threw the door open, and marched confidently inside.
“Hey Celeste!” he called out, stepping through the door.
“You back already, Rob?” she cried from the kitchen. “Dinner's almost ready, but I thought you said you'd be an hour.”
“I thought you said you'd be a week,” Vox whispered.
“She made me promise to come back for dinner,” he whispered in reply before continuing at full volume. “Yeah, but we forgot the part!”
“Forgot the part,” Celeste replied, stepping into the living room. “Rob, how you... Oh, hey Cleo.”
Celeste was slightly taller than Morgan. She also had jet-black skin and long white hair that hung down to the middle of her back. While her eyes were similar to her husband's, they were red, giving them the appearance of star rubies.
“Hey Celeste,” Cleo replied. “How are ya?”
“Great,” she smiled. “I'm glad to see you, but what are you doing here, girl?”
“I came to check on, Rob,” Cleo replied. “He was gone way longer than he said he would be.”
“Sounds like him,” Celeste laughed. “And who is this handsome young man?”
“He's Morgan.”
“Nice to meet you Morgan.”
“And you as well,” the young man smiled.
“You Cleo's new boyfriend?”
“He is not her boyfriend,” Robert replied.
“I don't know Rob,” Celeste said shaking her head. “Seems a shame for a pretty little girl like that to just sit on the shelf waiting for her expiration date to come up.”
“It is a shame,” Cleo sighed. “It's a very real shame.”
“Still, girl,” Celeste continued. “I don't think you got much to worry about. I swear, you look younger every time I see you.”
“It's the makeup,” the traveler asserted. “She wears a lot of makeup.”
“I don't wear any makeup! Can you imagine me wearing lipstick?”
“Yes!” Morgan interjected. “Yes I can! Just hold on for a minute, everyone. I don't want to lose this image!”
“Is he alright?” Celeste asked.
“Yeah,” Cleo nodded. “He just has a few medical conditions...”
“Oh... That's too bad,” she replied. “Well, both of you are more than welcome to stay for dinner.”
“Thanks Celeste!” Robert replied. “They'll do that. And actually I told Doc you might have room at the table for him.”
“Always!” she replied with a smile.
“You invited Doc?” Vox whispered.
“Not yet,” he replied.
“Either way, if you need to go get that part then hurry,” she said. “If Doc shows up I'll tell him you'll be back in a few minutes. Of course, I don't know how you forgot to get the part you went up town specifically to get.”
“We got to talking,” the traveler replied. “You know how Vox and I are when we're talking.”
“Yeah,” she laughed. “I do. Anyway go on and get it. Cleo, you and Morgan can stay here with me if you want.”
“Thanks!” Cleo replied. “But I think we'll ride along. I don't want to let Rob out of my sight again.”
“I can understand that,” she laughed once more. “Either way, hurry up.”
“Don't worry Celeste,” Robert replied. “We will. We'll be back in about fifteen minutes.”
The four made their way quickly and cautiously back to ship before slipping onto the loading dock. Minutes later they were enjoying another round of Krispy Kreme with reheated Pumpkin Spice Lattes, while moving through non-space heading directly for the place and time where Doc could be found. The last time traveler decided it would be best to put the ship in orbit for about eight hours to give them enough time to get a good night's... or day's... or whatever it was's sleep.
He then led Morgan to a small room that contained everything the young man would need for both rest and hygiene. Along one wall sat a bed which, in spite of its rather mundane appearance, was unquestionably a future bed. There was also and in-room shower, sink, toothbrush, comb, neck-beard razor, etc. In addition, there were drawers simply packed with clothes. Especially underwear... In fact, there were several drawers filled exclusively with clean underwear. Robert explained that Morgan might really need it before the trip was over. The young man figured he was right... he hadn't seen a laundry room on this bird.
“Well, goodnight, Morgan,” the traveler said with a smile, drawing a small cylinder from his pocket and spraying the young man with a silvery mist. “And turn around real quick.”
“What is that?” Morgan asked, obeying the command.
“Stuff,” Robert replied. “It won't hurt you at all, but your clothes are going to dissolve in about a minute and a half.”
“What?!?!”
“The schwartz is no longer with you, man,” the traveler chuckled. “And take those shoes off. I don't want them turning to goo, they're brand new. Anyways, just rinse off in the shower. Tomorrow you can put on some real clothes.”
After just over forty-five minutes Morgan figured out how to turn the shower on. Two minutes after that he was lying in bed wearing brand new, extremely clean, future underwear. He was still so excited with everything that had happened to him he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep for days. Thirty seconds later he was in a coma.
The next morning he stumbled to the sink, the wakeup call still echoing through the room. He brushed his teeth, amazed that mint flavored toothpaste had remained popular for thousands of years. Morgan then took the time to floss and use mouthwash. This time he planned to be Cleo Ready when he marched onto the bridge. The young man even took the time to eradicate every trace of sprouting beard, neck or otherwise, that had adorned his face.
And, in the spirit of complete preparation, he spent a good deal of time selecting his clothes. Robert had been right. He really should have made better wardrobe choices yesterday. However, this was a new day and another chance to get it right. For what felt like eons he dug through the drawers and closets trying to put together the perfect outfit. When he glanced at the clock he couldn't believe it... He had spent almost twenty minutes getting dressed! His mother would never believe it.
After a quick look in the mirror he strode confidently onto the bridge.
“What's with the jean jacket and the leopard pants?” Cleo asked as Morgan stepped into view.
“Oh wow...” the traveler replied, turning around to gaze at the young man. “I just put that Bon Jovi stuff in there as a joke... Why didn't you wear the wig?”
“I didn't see it...”
“Yeah... that makes sense. Anyway, go change.”
“No,” Cleo said. “I don't know why but that outfit seems really him. You know what I mean?”
“I think I do,” Vox chuckled.
“So,” Morgan said, smiling widely, his eyes locked on the fair maiden, “Does it do something for you?”
“Oh yeah!” she nodded. “I think it's hilarious! Rob, where'd that clown wig get to?”
“That would be epic,” Vox laughed.
“I think I'll go change...” Morgan sighed.
Minutes later he returned in the much more suitable attire that was old-fashioned blue jeans and a white tank-top. He had also grabbed a black leather jacket. It was his hope that it would plant the seed in Cleo's mind that they had some things in common.
“Is it time?” Vox asked.
“Almost,” the traveler replied, glancing at one of the displays.
“This is a time machine,” Morgan pointed out. “We don't ever have to wait.”
“Maybe,” Robert replied. “But I'm not firing up the engines over fifteen minutes.”
“Well, what is it we're waiting for then?”
“Doc,” the traveler replied. “He's a very special kind of missing person and he and I have an agreement. It was the only way I could keep him in active rotation.”
“What makes him so special?” Morgan asked. “And what's the agreement?”
“Well,�
�� Robert began, “Doc is kind of a self-made missing person. He wandered into the no-man's-land of his home planet in search of spiritual enlightenment and never wandered back out. For the rest of his considerably long life he never had a direct effect on the time-line again. So, he could just move to Never Never Land and live with the rest of the survivors, but he won't. He's still out here searching away.”
“Alright,” Morgan nodded. “That makes sense. And the agreement?”
“Every time I pick him up,” the traveler continued, “I have to get him at the exact same time in the morning. And I have to get him on consecutive days. Then, when we're done, I drop him off ten minutes later on the same day, after I've regenerated him for the exact amount of time he was with me. And, because it was the morning when I picked him up, I have to let him sleep on the ship and get up well rested to face the day he hasn't lived yet.”
“Seems like a pain,” the young man observed.
“It might be for some,” Robert admitted. “But I don't mind. Doc sees our time together as visions that the universe has given him to help him understand the true nature of all things. And you'll never find a gentler, more compassionate companion.”
“That's a fact!” Vox replied with a smile.
“And it's time,” the traveler said. “Let's go.”
The entire cockpit became transparent as the ship descended toward a world of red stone, smoking volcanoes, and rivers of molten rock.
“People live down there?” Morgan asked.
“Millions do,” Cleo replied with a smile.
“How?”
“If you're curious, ask Doc,” Vox chuckled.
The ship dropped onto a large plateau that was connected to a nearby cliff face by a natural stone bridge.
“Is this safe?” Morgan asked, as they stepped out onto the impressive arch. “If this thing gives way that's gonna be a long drop.”
“Don't worry,” the traveler said. “It's been here for thousands of years and will be here for thousands more. It's made of wood, it's real sturdy.”
“It's made of...”
“A quote, Morgan,” Robert sighed. “Just a quote. Didn't you ever see Happy Gilmore?”
The Last Time Traveler Page 5
