“It’s not exactly our property,” Art told him. “Not until the contractor finishes the building, passes inspection and turns it over to the corporation.”
“A mere technicality,” Ben retorted. “You guys give up too easily. I’m coming back after lunch with tools to get this lock opened!”
They left the building and went to the pool. They had worn their bathing suits on their excursion that morning, so before playing cards they all went for a swim. Ben Green was a strong swimmer and did ten laps. Bernie and Art swam a lap each and then lolled around in the Jacuzzi at the far end of the pool. Several of the Antares tenants were at the pool. They all had warm greetings for the four men.
“We’re going to name this the Pool of the Fearsome Foursome!” yelled Paul Amato. Ben waved to him.
Joe was the last into the pool. He swam a few strokes, then turned and got out of the pool. I could have swum a hundred laps a few years ago, he thought. Now ... and the expression “tired blood” crossed his mind. His blood wasn’t tired. It was killing him.
They gathered at their table and played their daily gin game. As the noon hour approached they promised to meet in Building A’s lobby after lunch. Joe begged off, saying he was going to nap. “If you need tools, I have some in the car,” Joe volunteered. Ben told him that he had plenty of tools for the job.
They met at one-thirty without Joe, and the three men proceeded to Building B. On the way they saw Wally Parker walking in their direction. Bernie and Art suggested that they continue, but that Ben, who was carrying a toolbox and his auto jack, said he would circle around the back of the building. “You guys open the back door me,” he said, and left.
Wally said a polite hello to the two men as they passed. He stopped and watched them walk toward Building B. “Excuse me gentlemen!” he shouted. “Where are you going?”
“For our after lunch walk. It helps digestion,” Bernie yelled back.
There was definite sarcasm in his voice. Wally decided that all old people were senile and those two were, but seemed harmless enough. “Be careful of the construction equipment. We don’t want any accidents.”
“Who wants accidents?” Bernie answered “And when are you going to finish this place, anyway?”
There was anger in his voice and Wally felt he had made a mistake in stopping the old codgers. The memory of Ben Green and the man from the Attorney General’s office was still fresh in his mind. He didn’t need more trouble. “Right,” he called out, waved, and then quickly continued on his way.
Art and Bernie laughed to themselves and detoured around the pool into Building B. When they opened the back door, they found Ben waiting for them.
The trio proceeded to the orange door. Ben put his ear to it again. “Still humming,” he remarked.
“How are you going to get in?” Bernie asked.
“I saw this in a movie once,” Ben answered. “We pry the back side of the door with the tire iron and I slip in the ‘L’ bracket so that it rests under the hinges on the other side. Then we slip the putty knife into the lock and it pops open.”
“I don’t understand,” Bernie said.
“Just watch. You’re never too old to learn.”
He began to slip the tire iron into the slot at the rear of the door when. “Just wait a minute,” Art Perlman said. “I think I have a better way. Without damaging the door.” He took a leather packet from his pocket, unzipped it and removed a lock-picking set.
Ben and Bernie stared in amazement. “Where the hell did you get that?” they both asked simultaneously.
“Arthur Perlman is a man of many accomplishments,” Art said. “In other words, don’t ask!”
He slipped the lower pick into the deadbolt lock and then selected a smaller metal strip from the bottom of the lock. As he worked he flashed back to his youth and the education he had received from the “Family.” He could hear Angelo Sorocco explaining the art of picking a lock just as though he were standing by Art now - Be gentle and slow. Slip in the bottom probe carefully until you feel a click. If it doesn’t click after two tries, then use the next smaller probe. But that wasn’t necessary because the lock popped almost immediately. Art pulled the probes out and, with a grand gesture, said, “Gentlemen! After you.”
Although Ben was their unofficial leader, it was Bernie Lewis who went into the room first. “What the hell is this?” he whispered. The others followed immediately. They stopped in their tracks and scanned the room.
The center table was empty. All of the cocoons that had been processed the night before had been moved to the roof. The room was glowing pale blue. The fixture over the center table was dormant. On the left there was a slight mist rising from the cabinets. The cots at the rear of the room were empty and their overhead units were also dormant. The screen on the right wall was the source of the pale blue light. On the floor in front of the screen were several pieces of apparatus that the aliens had brought recently from the mother ship in order to combat the moisture problem that was plaguing the cocoons.
Ben spoke first. “It’s a health club.”
“A health club?” Bernie asked. “Why a health club?”
“Well, just look. Those are steam cabinets over there and the table in the center is for massages. The cots in back are where you wait for the masseuse or rest with hot towels. Believe me, this is a health club,” Ben said confidently.
“Our health club,” Art added as he walked toward the blue screen. “What the hell is this for?” he asked.
“Movies,” Ben answered, sure of himself. “It’s a wall TV unit. We had a smaller version at the ad agency. You can run films, or ball games, or music. We used to show porn’s on it, too,” he chuckled.
Bernie was excited. “Hey, this is great. It looks ready to me. Those rats were going to keep it closed until they finished the building. I think we ought to go down there and chew their asses out about this.” He moved toward the cabinets.
“Just a minute,” Ben suggested. “Let’s stop and think about this.”
“Why?” Art asked. “Bernie’s right. The club looks okay to me. Why shouldn’t we use it?”
“I’m not saying we shouldn’t use it,” Ben said. “I’m only saying that it seems to me that if we keep our mouths shut about this place, we can have exclusive use of it. And no one will be the wiser ... for a while, anyway. Understand?”
“Yeah,” Art agreed. “But we have to tell Joe about it.”
“Of course we tell Joe, but that’s all. At least for a week or so. What do you say?” Ben asked. Art and Bernie agreed. The three then went off in different directions to examine the room in detail.
Joe awoke from his nap to find Alma sitting on the edge of the bed. She was holding his hand. “Feel better?” she asked.
“Yes. That was a good nap,” he answered.” And I’m hungry.”
“Good,” she said. “I’ll fix you a ham-and-Swiss on rye. Want a beer?” She didn’t wait for an answer. If he didn’t say no, that meant yes. Joe got out of bed and decided to shower.
When he came into the kitchen his lunch was on the table. He did feel better, but he still a little tired. “Couldn’t you sleep last night?” he asked. “I heard you get out of bed after midnight.”
She looked at him with some surprise because she was sure he was fast asleep when she had gotten up. “Just restless. I had too much coffee at the dance last night,” she told casually, not wanting to reveal how worried she was.
“How late were you up?” he asked.
Why is he pressing me? she thought. Maybe he wants to talk about it. “Not too late, dear. I think I got into bed around one.”
“Oh,” he answered, and went back to eating.
No, she thought, he doesn’t want to talk. I’ll change the subject. “I would have gone to bed sooner, but I saw something strange over on the roof of the other building. It took me awhile to figure it out.” Good going, Alma, she thought.
“What was it?” he asked.
She procee
ded to tell him about the red laser light on the roof of Building B and how she had finally deduced that it was an airplane beacon.
“That’s strange,” he said. “These buildings aren’t that tall that they would be a menace to air traffic.”
“Maybe we’re in a flight pattern,” she said.
“I don’t recall hearing any planes,” he said, and then went back to his lunch.
“Well, anyway, it stopped after a few minutes. I’m sure there is some explanation,” she remarked. “What do you want to do for the rest of the day?”
“Let’s just take it easy, honey. How about a drive down to the beach?” he suggested.
“Love it,” she said. “I’ll go put on a bathing suit.” She went to the bedroom to change, feeling good that he wanted to get out. But instinctively she sensed he was fighting off the tiredness. She promised herself to call the doctor Monday without his knowing and ask about these recent symptoms.
By the time Joe and Alma Finley were heading for the beach, Bernie Lewis was in a “steam cabinet” having a good time. It had taken a few minutes to open the cabinet. At first, Bernie had been puzzled because he was used to sitting in a steam cabinet. But he had to lie down in this one. He slipped his body in and called Art over to close the door. It took some time until they figured out how to turn it on. When the mist increased they knew they had hit the right button. It wasn’t hot, but Bernie felt as though he was getting a deep massage. It felt great. He suggested that Art get in the next one and show Ben how to operate it. With Art encased next to Bernie, Ben went off to explore the other equipment.
He walked around the big center table twice. The surface was smooth, but it had some give to it. He could press his finger into the material, which resembled a shiny black patent leather. Once he withdrew his finger the material immediately sprang back to its original form. Strange stuff, thought Ben. He left the table and went over to the row of cots on the back wall. He lay down on the first cot and the overhead conical light went on. It began to hum and then the white light beam came out of the cone and split into two green beams. Ben jumped off the cot just before the beam reached his eyes. The overhead light went off. He yelled over to Art and Bernie, “This is weird, guys. They must have installed some of the latest equipment here.”
“It might be weird, but it sure feels great,” Bernie yelled back, “You ought to try this. I’m about done. Come on.”
Ben went over and helped him out of the cabinet. Bernie stretched. He felt wonderfully refreshed. “Boy, I don’t know what that thing is, but it sure woke this old body up.”
Ben started to get into the cabinet that Bernie had just vacated when Art suggested that Ben try the third cabinet. “Maybe they’re different. Let’s find out. All I know is I’m not leaving this one for a while. I feel like I’m getting laid.”
Ben laughed and eagerly slipped into the third cabinet. Art closed the door and turned it on. A smile came across Ben’s face. “Holy shit! This is sensational! But if we tell everyone about this place, we won’t get near it for a month.”
“Roger that,” Bernie agreed. “I bet this place would perk Joe up too!”
Knowing Joe was ailing, they agreed that as soon as possible they would bring him to their new, private health club.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN – A HELPER IS HELPED
Although Judy Simmons had reluctantly agreed to accept the fact that Jack would be away for a week at a time, she found herself depressed and lonely the next morning. It took her two hours to clean the small apartment, do laundry and make some calls. She had exercise class at eleven and then she was free for the day. By two that afternoon she had worked herself into a state. She understood Jack’s taking the job, but she convinced herself that she would not be in the way if she came along with him for a week or two. He could tell the clients that she was the mate and that he needed her aboard.
Later that evening Jack’s brother Arnie called, looking for Jack. Judy told him about the charter. Arnie thought it was great news and then put his new wife Sandy on the phone. She invited Judy for dinner the next night. “I’d love that,” Judy said, adding, “Maybe we can call Jack on the radio phone.”
“Good idea,” Sandy told her. “We’ll see you about seven.”
Okay, Jack Fischer, Judy thought, you’re going to invite me onto that boat next week whether you know it or not. After that she felt better. She called her friend Monica. The two actresses got stoned and listened to music until three in the morning.
At the time that Judy and Monica were crashing on the waterbed, Jack Fischer was up to his waist in cocoons. The day’s harvest had been brought into the processing room.
Amos Bright was pleased with Jack’s promised return and his enthusiastic cooperation. As a reward the Antarean leader told Jack he would learn more about their mission that evening.
After docking that evening they allowed him to off-load the cocoons with Hal and Harry. Jack was surprised by the texture and apparent lightness of the cocoons. They were not solid, but rather pliable and pleasing to the touch. He thought of Jell-O as he lifted the first one, nearly dropping it onto the deck. The other surprising quality of the cocoons was their warmth. He was so enthralled with the sensations that he did not notice the black commander watching him. However, shortly thereafter Jack felt him.
Treat them carefully, Jack Fischer, Commander No Light telepathed strongly, like and electric shock.
The thought ran through Jack like an electric shock. Sorry, Jack thought. The shock immediately dissipated.
Then Jack heard another voiced in his head. Very good, Jack. You are beginning to telepath. It was Amos Bright.
Hal and Harry both looked at Jack and nodded. Jack was proud of his accomplishment, but not quite sure how he did it.
Amos signaled again. Don’t think about how, Jack, just do it. Practice with us and you will come to know how to control. For now we will listen for your thoughts and send you ours. Eventually, you will be able to communicate this way at will. Your race has the ability, but you have not yet realized that and developed it. Perhaps you can teach others when we are gone.
Although the ability to communicate this way with the Antareans was amazing, Jack also realized that he could not have a private thought without their knowing. That was unsettling, yet what could he do about it? He accepted it.
After the cocoons had been delivered to the processing room and encased in the cabinets, Jack went to his room for a shower and dinner. There were fresh linens on the bed and fresh towels in the bathroom. Maid service, he mused. By who? The warm shower felt especially good this evening. Making love with Judy last night, and through the wee hours of the morning, released a lot of built up tension. He was tired. He also wondered why Amos picked this night to reveal more of the mission to him. As he dried himself there was a knock at the door.
“Just a second,” Jack called. By the time he opened the door his visitor was gone, but his dinner was on a tray placed neatly on the floor. The menu tonight was red snapper in lemon-butter sauce, mashed potatoes, carrots, salad, coffee, and cake. I’ve got to meet their chef one of these days, he thought. The food seemed to get better each day, as though someone was getting attuned to his taste. Maybe someone was. With these folks, anything was possible.
By the time Jack dressed, ate and got to the orange door, the group was processing the third cocoon. Amos telepathed him to enter the room. Jack thought, Maybe I’ll explain how tired I am to Amos and he’ll give me a rain check. Amos’ voice filled his mind. Go to the last cot and lie down for a moment. Don’t be afraid of the light beams. They won’t hurt you. Relax. Tiredness will leave you.
Jack did as he was told. He felt wonderfully refreshed after a few moments on the cot. The world could sure use this device, he thought.
Amos silently agreed. Perhaps we will leave one for you Jack, he beamed, but now we could use your help.
Jack got off the cot and the beams shut down. “How can I help tonight?” he said aloud.
> Commander All Light motioned Jack to the cabinets and telepathed for him to give Hal a hand. As they loaded the cocoons and adjusted the settings on the cabinet control panels, Hal explained that the cabinets began the process of tissue restoration as well as a complete cleaning and priming of all glandular activity. The process, like most of the technology of the Antareans, began from within the cocoon. There were chemicals and molecular constructions stored inside the cocoon and the body of the soldier. The process in the cabinet filtered through to the stored chemicals and started a chain reaction that was the first step in restoring life to the soldier. Hal showed Jack the various settings on the first five cabinets. Jack had not realized that the last five cabinets were different and that the cocoons had to spend time in one of the first five cabinets, and then a few moments in one of the last five cabinets before moving to the center table to be peeled.
“What do the second group of cabinets accomplish?” asked Jack.
Hal did not answer for a moment because he was checking with the other commanders to see whether he was authorized to explain that part of the process to their human helper. He received an okay from both commanders in the room. “Help me with the first cocoon and I’ll show you what happens next.” As they slid the cocoon from the first cabinet onto the gurney, Hal gestured to leave it for a moment. They walked to the back of the room and wheeled a fresh cocoon to the first cabinet and inserted it for processing. Then they wheeled the cocoon they had just removed over to the sixth cabinet and inserted it. Hal closed the cabinet door and beckoned Jack to the control panel. “All living matter carries some disease and decay within it, Jack. This set of cabinets cleanses the tissues, organs and blood of all such substances. It gives the soldier a perfect, healthy start to his rebirth.”
Jack couldn’t believe what he had just heard. “That’s incredible. You mean these soldiers start over disease free?” Jack asked.
“Absolutely,” answered Hal. “It’s quite necessary for a mission to another planet. We never want to carry diseases for which there is no immunity on other worlds. That would be disastrous.”
The Cocoon Trilogy Page 8
