the Story Shop

by Peter Ponzo

  When Clifford entered the bank, there was no one there. He rang the bell at the desk and a fellow appeared from a neighbouring room. He wore a tie and a dark suit. Nice, thought Clifford.

  "Howdy, mister. I'm Clem Belford. What can I do for you?"

  "My name is Clifford Eldridge Urquhart and Id like to open an account here."

  "Certainly Mr. Oakcart. Please come this way and we can sign the papers and I'll explain the procedure."

  "I am quite familiar with banking procedure," Clifford said. "I am a banker from Toronto."

  "Delightful!" Clem said. "You'll be happy to learn that I only charge a cent on the dollar."

  Clifford was taken aback.

  "You are charging me for placing my money in your bank?"

  Clem was taken aback.

  "Yes, of course. I need to put food on the table for my family. How could I run a bank without charging? Do you provide free banking in Toronto?"

  "No, we pay our customers a cent on the dollar for their deposits, then I invest their money at three cents on the dollar."

  Clem was shocked.

  "You invest money that isn't yours? Is that legal?"

  "Perfectly legal," Clifford was pleased to say.

  Clem smiled. "Then you should buy my bank, Mr. Oakcart."

  "I'm afraid I wouldn't want to live in a town like this," Clifford said. "I had expected people to be honest, but somebody stole my donkey."

  "Ah, the donkey that was tied up at the hotel, without food or water? Tch, tch, Mr. Oakcart. That's no way to treat an animal. Sammy took the donkey and put him in his barn, with water and hay."

  Clifford was shocked.

  "You mean no one stole the donkey?"

  "Of course not. There hasn't been a theft in town for many years. You can pick up your ass at Sammy's at any time. It would be a nice gesture if you were to pay Sammy a few cents for the hay."

  Clifford was delighted...and he bought the bank.

  Chapter Three

  Clifford Eldridge Urquhart was now the proud owner of a bank at the edge of town. He built a rather large house alongside the bank and advertised the change of ownership with a pamphlet that said that deposits would earn a cent per year for each dollar deposited. By the following year the amount of money held by Urquhart Bank had increased by a factor of ten. He hired Clem Belford to run the bank at twice his previous salary. At the end of summer, 1898, Clifford had a huge party for all the town folk. Annie made buffalo stew for everyone, Annie's daughter, a half-breed called Lily, served the meal, there were gallons of beer to be consumed and Clem Belford even played the fiddle. Clifford was the big man in town.

  Clifford eventually sold his banking interests in Toronto, married the beautiful Lilly and began to buy property in Pile of Bones. Every property was cleaned, refurbished and modernized. He was elected Mayor of Pile of Bones and the town gained a reputation for cleanliness and beauty. The population doubled within eight years. He was a happy man.

  Clifford Eldridge Urquhart died at the ripe old age of eighty three. The whole town came to his funeral, but Lilly made sure that there was no sadness. She had several fiddlers play happy tunes and served up sourdough pancakes. That was the way Clifford had wanted it and Lilly was devoted to him. Clifford is now buried in the cemetery at the edge of town.

  The town is no longer called Wascana, Buffalo Bones, but Regina, Saskatchewan.

  Chapter One

  It was the most astounding archaeological find of the century: a giant cube, older than the pyramids, buried hundreds of metres beneath the desert sands of Mesopotamia, probably during the pre-Pottery Neolithic era, perhaps 10,000 BC or even earlier. Jeffrey Saxton had found it in his search for reservoirs of petroleum, using ground penetrating radar while doing seismic surveys. It took almost three weeks to uncover the cube. There was no obvious entrance. Jeffrey had invited a number of notable archaeologists to the site, including Professor Werner Adelbert who immediately claimed that it was the earliest known evidence of complex human structures. Jeffrey supposed it was something else...but he was reluctant to mention his supposition to anyone.

  After exhaustive examination of the exterior in search of an entrance, it was decided to generate a narrow channel in the side of the cube in order to enter the interior. The passageway was several metres above the base of the cube and just large enough for a man to enter...crawling. Jeffrey insisted that he be the first to enter. The crowd watched as he vanished into the narrow channel. He was in cell phone communication with Professor Adelbert. It was almost twenty minutes before the Professor received a call. Jeffrey sounded excited.

  "Professor, you must come in. You will not believe what I have found!"

  Professor Adelbert was not a young man, nor was he slender, yet he managed to squeeze through the entrance and fall onto the floor inside the cube. He rose to his feet and saw Jeffrey with a large flashlight, illuminating what appeared to be a human figure.

  "Have you ever seen anything like it, Professor?"

  Adelbert walked to the side of the figure and ran his hand across its chest.

  "It is metal," he murmured. "Very smooth and very cold, even in this dreadful heat. No, I have neither seen nor read of anything like this. Can we remove it to study, somewhere better suited to an examination?"

  "Yes, yes, I'm sure we can. I'll get some others to come in and we can push or pull it to the exterior."

  "Do not damage it!" the Professor warned.

  "No, no. We can wrap it in cloth, thick enough to shield it from the roughness of the channel. Wait here. I'll be back very soon.

  Jeffrey gave Adelbert the flashlight then left through the tunnel. The Professor continued to run his hands over the metallic figure. The metal skin was unusually cold. It was very human-like, at least two metres tall with piercing blue eyes that seemed almost to be studying the Professor. He ran his flashlight over the extent of the body, from head to foot. It was naked, without hair, genitals, nails, wrinkles or any irregularities to mar its perfect smoothness. Then the Professor quickly removed his hand. The figure had suddenly become hot, much hotter than the ambient temperature. Adelbert stood back from the tall figure, his hand trembling, the light vibrating.

  Chapter Two

  The metal figure, which Jeffrey named Ferrous, arrived at a laboratory in Baghdad by the end of the week. It was carefully unpacked from its cloth wrappings and laid on a table in a spacious room with various electrical equipment, video cameras and audio recording devices. No moment during the examination would go unrecorded. This was a find that might have global repercussions. Jeffrey became the leader, even though it wasn't his area of expertise, but Professor Werner Adelbert was the principal investigator. Although the trip to Baghdad was along dirty roads and the cloth wrapping was less than perfect, Ferrous arrived immaculate, without a hint of grime, without a stain on its surface. Indeed, the metallic surface almost glowed as though by an internal light. Further, it was now quite hot to the touch. The source of that heat would clearly be one of the major challenges of the investigation.

  Both Jeffrey and Adelbert were exhausted after the long drive to Baghdad and, after a short inspection to ensure that Ferrous was clean and satisfactorily attached to the table, they left. A small lamp was turned on and the audio and video equipment continued to monitor the room. It was deathly quiet for most of the night. Early the next morning, Jeffrey unlocked the door, flipped the switch that turned on the ceiling lights and looked about. The table was bare. The room was empty. Ferrous was gone.

  Adelbert arrived in less than an hour, confused by the disappearance.

  "Was the door locked?"

  "Yes, of course, but it wasn't to confine Ferrous...the equipment is expensive. The door was also locked when I came in, this morning."

  "Then how could he have escaped?"

  Jeffrey shook his head. He looked a tragic figure.

  "Someone must have let him out," Adelbert said. "Many knew of his existence, but I know that very few have keys.
Yet, what other explanation is there?"

  Jeffrey was reluctant to speak. He sat in a plastic chair then finally said: "I think Ferrous was capable of animation. I think he was an android of some sort. Remember how cold he was? Remember, soon after we opened the cubical tomb, how he then became very warm?"

  Adelbert looked bewildered. "Yes, I remember that very well, but what would explain it–the change in temperature?"

  "Well, it's just a guess of course, but I think the cold was to maintain a preservation temperature, until the android was found. Perhaps to keep the internal mechanisms viable. However, once it was found, then he became...became..."

  "Alive? Is that what you're saying? You do refer to the machine as 'he'."

  "Yes, I guess that's what I'm saying."

  They stood, staring at each other for some time.

  "But don't you have video?" asked Adelbert.

  Jeffrey jumped up and ran to the monitor.

  "Yes, what a fool I am. We should have video of everything that happened last night...throughout the night."

  He punched some buttons and a large video monitor glowed, displaying the room, with Adelbert by the table and Jeffreys by the control panel. Another few buttons punched and the monitor image was that of both of them leaving the room the previous night. They both watched very closely. Nothing was happening, the android was on the table, motionless. Jeffrey pressed fast forward and when he stopped the video, the table was empty, Ferrous was gone.

  "Back up!" Adelbert yelled. "You went right by... "

  "Yes, yes! Give me a minute!"

  The video reversed, slowed and played, showing the android getting off the table, looking about, then walking to the door. The door swung open, Ferrous left and the door closed again.

  "Did you see that?" Adelbert yelled. "Somebody let it out, some lab technician with a key."

  "No, I don't think so," Jeffrey whispered. "I'll play that in slow motion. Hold on...there, the door is opening. There! Did you see that! A hand holding the door knob. The hand that opened the door. It's metallic!"

  The video was paused and they both stared at the gleaming metal hand holding the door open for Ferrous.

  "Shit," Jeffrey whimpered. "Another android."

  Chapter Three

  After reviewing the video several more times and listening to the audio, Adelbert studied the other instruments in the room.

  "Look at this," he said. "There were bursts of electromagnetic radiation, a series of short pulses, modulated, then they stopped, then they repeated. Looks like they continued for hours before the door was opened. I can't imagine why they... "

  "Communication! " Jeffrey said, loudly. "Ferrous was calling...to other androids. They came and freed him. They...they... "

  "God help us," Adelbert said. "There are others. How many? How many? Good Lord, how many?"

  "We should call the police!" Adelbert said. "They should search for..."

  "Okay, you call the police. I know what I'm gonna do."

  "What?"

  Jeffrey was halfway out the door. "Back to the cube," he shouted.

  Jeffrey went home, packed a few things for the long drive to the desert location of the cube, then left. Adelbert stayed behind saying he wanted to inform the police of the details. While driving, Jeffrey turned on the radio. Soothing music would help him think, of Ferrous, of the significance of other androids, of where they came from, what Ferrous was doing in that cube in the first place, why...

  "...and robots were roaming the streets of Paris and Rome. Concerned government officials are asking for calm. In New York, a robot was shot by a citizen with a hand gun. The mechanical man simply fell and was ignored by other the robots."

  Jeffrey pulled the truck to the side of the road and turned up the volume.

  "The latest count puts the number of robots world-wide at three hundred and seventeen. They are apparently harmless... there is no explanation of their origin. Are they from outer space? What is their purpose? People are frightened. In one American city, vigilante groups are forming to hunt and destroy the invaders."

  Jeffrey mumbled, "Their purpose? Exactly my question. But outer space? Hardly. Yet why a cube and why did it take thousands of years to come alive? Were they waiting to be discovered? So many questions."

  Jeffrey pulled back on to the road and continued. He was certain that the cube held the answers to his questions.

  At the archaeological site several scientists were standing by the cube, pointing. Jeffrey jumped out of his truck and ran to the group who were in animated discussion.

  "I didn't see it happen," one said.

  "It just closed up, before our eyes."

  "Hi Jeff. The cube is now closed again. The entrance has been closed."

  "And nobody saw it happen?" Jeffrey asked.

  "I did," said a short man with a great grey beard. "The stones just slid into place from either side of the hole. It was quite remarkable."

  "And was anyone inside? Did anyone enter the cube before that happened?"

  "No, we had called it quits for the day. Most of us had spent the day inside."

  "Did you find anything else inside, anything unusual?"

  "Nothing. It's an empty cube in there."

  "That's not quite true," one fellow said. "Before I left I saw one wall move. I was pretty sure it moved. We measured the inner volume of the cube and it does seem to be at variance with the outer dimensions. It's as though the inner chamber isn't the whole volume. I think that there may be other rooms inside. My colleagues don't agree."

  "Then let's go in again, first thing in the morning,' Jeffrey said. "Now, let's get a good night's sleep. We'll start at dawn."

  At dawn, the cube had vanished.

  Chapter Four

  They all stood and stared at the desert sands where the cube had stood. There was no evidence that the structure had been there, not a depression, not an area of compressed sand, nothing. Somebody shouted and they all ran to listen to the radio broadcast.

  "...so it appears that most of the alien invaders have been destroyed. The riots in most cities have subsided, police have gained control of the situation and have restored law and order. Government officials praised the police and military for their rapid response to the threat."

  Jeffrey was furious. "Threat? What threat?" he shouted.

  The others nodded agreement. Slowly the group disbanded, each returning to their pre-Ferrous life, each unhappy that the investigation had come to an end. Jeffrey, in particular, was enraged.

  When he got back to the lab in Baghdad, it was late and the room that contained Ferrous was empty. He sat on the plastic chair. It was a typical human reaction to something that no one understood: kill the alien. Jeffrey wept.

  There was a rasping noise and Jeffrey looked up to see Ferrous standing before him. The android looked pained.

  "Doctor Saxton," Ferrous said, in a voice that sounded like an echo. "Our mission has been a failure. We waited for a sign of an advanced civilization, but we were early. Those of us who are left have returned to our cubes. Perhaps, in another 10,000 years..."

  The silver face wrinkled, just a bit. Ferrous was smiling. Before Jeffrey could respond, the android was gone.

  Alpha looked haggard.

  "I tried. It was an experiment that failed," He said.

  Beta smiled. "We have time. Try again," She said.

  Alpha shook His head, His long grey hair falling in random curl to His shoulder.

  "You are so easily discouraged," Beta whispered. "Again. One more time. Please."

  "I suppose 'An Eye for an Eye' was not the ideal philosophy," Alpha said dejectedly.

  "Nor 'Turn the Other Cheek'," Beta said. "We’ve both made mistakes."

  "Yes, but it was my idea, wasn’t it? A foolish game."

  Alpha reached down and waved His hand.

  The universe collapsed to a point.

  Again.

  Chapter One

  It's was a helluva week...maybe sever
al weeks, but the past week especially. It was disastrous. I needn't go into the reason for the disaster. Suffice it to say that I never want to experience such a week again. It was really just Monday evening, but that coloured the whole week. I never expected it to happen. I'm usually pretty cool, don't take no crap from nobody, usually let things just slide by, don't let romantic adventures fluster me...

  The phone rang and I stopped my rumination and picked it up.

  "McAlister Detective Agency, Jake McAlister speaking."

  I leaned back and listened, then jumped to my feet.

  "Yes," I said. "I do know the case. It was in yesterday's paper. Yes...sure, any time. I'll be here all morning."

  It was about Janice Boomer, the young woman whose body was found in Galway Bush, out by Doon Road. She'd been stabbed several times, no obvious sexual violation, she was fully clothed except for bra and panties. A fellow who was looking for mushrooms had found her. She'd been missing for a day or two. I would be happy to investigate, at $500 per day plus expenses. It was a case close to my heart. He knew Janice Boomer.

  The front door buzzer sounded and I picked up the phone:

  "Yeah, c'mon up." I said.

  The woman who showed up was fiftyish, grey-blond unruly hair and way to much lipstick and face powder. I pointed to the chair and she sat.

  "Janice was my daughter," she grunted. "She was a good girl, not too wild I'd say...though we didn't get along too good. The police don't tell me nothin'. I need to know who done this. Somebody told me you was good. I don't got a lot of money, so I needs to know how much to find the guy who killed my daughter."

  "Well, Mrs. Boomer..."

  "No. My name is Foster. I changed it when Fritz upped and dumped me. He was a bum, never worked a day in his life, just wanted somebody to sleep with. We wasn't married, but we had a kid anyways–that'd be Janice. I figured he enjoyed Janice more'n me, so I was gonna dump him, but he jest left without saying shit."

  "Okay Mrs. Foster... "

  "No, now I go by the name of Miss Foster, thank you very much. "