Two miles away, a large car driven by Martin, with Bill and Rebecca Norris, and Corey Rogers met the pizza car driven by David. The pizza delivery sign and rear deck spoiler was tossed into a garbage can, while a dog, ferret and bird entered the front seat of the pizza car. Both cars drove west across the Mass Pike. Four other cars, filled with large men, flanked David’s and Martin’s cars.
***
It was 8 AM in Ellenville, New York. A young woman met the owner of the Corona Hotel in the Catskills.
“Mr. Gilbert, I’d like to rent your entire hotel for $25,000 per day for the next two weeks.”
John Gilbert looked at the redheaded woman, who had a stylish asymmetric hairstyle with one side cut short and the other cascading over her shoulder blade. She looked like she was in her mid-twenties, but had the no-nonsense voice of someone who always gets what she wants. He realized it must be some sort of a scam. “I’m sorry, but we have guests staying with us right now.”
The woman took out a wad of hundred dollar bills. “I’ll give them each $1,000 per day to relocate to another hotel.”
John Gilbert had never seen such a large stack of hundreds. He gulped.
“Like I said, I want to rent your entire hotel for two hundred eighty thousand dollars. Do we have a deal.”
“W-what is it for?”
“A very, very private meeting of noted businessmen. I’m sorry, but that’s all I can tell you. And it wouldn’t be a good idea to ask any other questions.”
“I’m going to have to ask my wife.”
“He hurried to the back and had a brief discussion with his wife, who came to the front to look at the woman.”
The young redheaded woman had opened a large suitcase with piles of hundred dollar bills. Gilbert’s wife checked one pile at random, riffled through them, and then checked to see if it were counterfeit. She made a small nod to her husband.
“At the end of two weeks, I recommend you come back to see if we need the hotel for any longer stay. However, I don’t recommend you stay. These businessmen are quite private and the less you see, the better for all concerned. Capiche? If you agree, I want all rooms prepared, firewood set, and the kitchen stocked. I want everyone out by one o’clock. We’ll supply our own staff.”
The guests were told of a gas leak and given the offer to stay free at a nearby four-star hotel, with the hotel paying $300 for the guest’s inconvenience. All patrons greedily accepted the offer. The rooms were prepared and a light meal was set on trays for the oven. The owners and staff of the Corona Hotel left.
Six hours later, two cars arrived and parked in the reception area. The four other cars, filled with large bodyguards, were parked on either side of the hotel’s driveways.
The Ryans, Norris family, and Corey Rogers were all ushered into the dining room, where some light refreshments and drinks were waiting for them and they were given keys for their rooms. David suggested that they reassemble in two hours at six PM, while they refresh themselves, change, and rest from their ordeal. The worst was over.
***
In their rooms, Bill and Rebecca Norris sat down on their queen-sized bed. Rebecca looked around, “This is not even a two-star hotel room. Bill, look at the wallpaper and the water stains on the ceiling.”
Bill sighed, “I know dear. I’m not sure if I trust them. I pity the poor Ryans though. They had to spend three hours cooped up in the back seat of that car sharing it with those two dogs and parrot. It was a strange time to send them for a constitutional.”
“Bill, I’m not sure you noticed, but there was a ferret with them as well.”
“You’re kidding, Becky, no I didn’t. And how would they expect us to get dressed? Did you pack anything?”
“No, I didn’t have any time. Let’s see if they left us anything. There may be a set of janitor’s clothes somewhere.”
Bill walked to the closet and opened it. “Oh-my-god, Becky, get over here, and look at this.”
Rebecca looked at the closet. She exclaimed, “It’s a complete wardrobe of clothes. Let me look. It’s even your size. There are pants, jackets, and two coats. And a set of clothes for me. It’s my size too. Check the drawers.”
Bill opened some draws “This drawer has a dozen packages of unopened sox and underclothes. And I found another drawer for you too.” Hold on, “Toiletries are in the bathroom. It even has my cologne and my brand of electric razor, like the one you bought me for Christmas.”
Rebecca looked at Bill, “I’m getting scared Bill. How did they know our sizes, what you use for cologne? They know too much. Perhaps they’ve had private investigators tailing us night and day.”
“I’m tending to agree. That offer they gave for my company. The company is almost bankrupt, why would they have offered to buy it? Something is certainly wrong. Did you notice all those cars that surrounded our car and the Ryan’s cars and are now parked in the driveway? They were full of very large men.”
“Bill, I’m scared, I’m very scared. Should we leave?”
“Those bodyguards, I’m not sure we even can leave. Why don’t we play along for a bit? Frankly, I’m getting a bit curious. They obviously went to great expense to get us all here. And the Ryans are really in trouble. I want to hear what they want to say.”
Rebecca fearfully looked at Bill, “Bill, is the company really doing so bad?”
Bill somberly nodded, “I don’t think we can recover. We may need to sell the house.”
“Bill, this Dr. Klein, do you think he’s behind the catastrophe with your company?”
“I don’t think so Becky. But looking at the wardrobe, he has the resources.”
***
At six PM, all the parties gathered in a small room. Drinks were in the center of the room and all the chairs were set facing one another in a broken circle. Three chairs were moved slightly away from the others, two dogs and a large blue and gold bird were sitting in them. The animals were watching the groups enter. When the Lepto-Molecular contingent arrived, the bird flew to the top of its chair and said in a 1930-style formal English accent, “Good day to you ladies and gentlemen, my name is Eagle One. I apologize for my name, but the person who named me had a, shall I say, warped sense of humor. I am of course a macaw.” The bird raised its wings, bowed, and then flew to a nearby table where four earplugs were placed. The bird continued, “My apologies, Ms. Rogers, but we had not anticipated your joining us, so alas, we are currently one short. I hope one of the others could tell you what they will be hearing.”
At this time, Martin and David appeared and stood behind the chairs where the two dogs were seated. Martin said, “I think we should all introduce ourselves. Could you please put on the earplugs.” Everyone nodded. The larger of the two dogs jumped from the chair, looked at each and talked via the earplugs.
Hansel: Hullow, my namen ist Hansel. I am sheven years old; in your years, I’m in my middle years. However, if I shay so myself, I feel I am in da prime ov my life. My chief duty in the Klein household iz zat of shecurity, vhich I share vit the uttor enhanced animals.” The dog had a strong German accent. Hansel paused, lifted up a paw and pointed it toward the other two animals. Would one of you please tell Ms. Rogers what I said?
Bill looked at the dog, “That is a remarkable trick. How did you get the dog to make those expressions and move around like that?”
Corey asked, “What is going on? Who is saying what?”
Bill said, “The dog, which was on the floor, was making all these motions in time to a voice track. It sounded like it introduced himself.”
Hansel, looked at Martin, slowly shook his head from side to side.
Hansel: Dey don’t get it yet Martin.
Martin sighed, “They will.”
The dog looked at Bill and shook his head as if saying no.
Hansel: Perhaps Eagle One could zpeak some zense into them. I think he vould do a better job of it than Hildegard or I and she vill be able to talk and be heard by all ov zhem.
Hansel wal
ked slowly back to the chair, hopped on, gestured for Eagle One to start.
Sidney turned to Corey and said, “They dog suggested the parrot should talk. It actually looked and sounded like it was exasperated with us. A remarkable trick.”
Eagle One looked at each of the guests, it cleared its throat, and then began. “First, Ms. Rogers, we had not anticipated your arrival today so we had not gotten any clothes for you yet. Phyllis is currently shopping at a mall about 45 minutes away. She says she expects to be back here in fifteen minutes. Perhaps I could relax you a bit with some imitations. Anyone?”
Corey who had been largely unaware of most of what had been going on before said “Elvis”.
The parrot flew to a dining room settee, picked up a teaspoon, and flew it to the table that had held the earplugs. Eagle One put the spoon down and grabbed it near the bottom end, holding it like a microphone, “Love me tender / Love me sweet, never let me go.” Then he went into some gyrations singing Jailhouse Rock. After singing part of Hound Dog, he asked her for another performer. Corey asked for Homer Simpson. The bird then said “Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It's what separates us from the animals ... except the weasel. Here's to alcohol, the cause of—and solution to—all life's problems. I'm normally not a praying man, but if you're up there, please save me Superman.” Corey approached the bird, looked at Martin, pointed to the bandanna and asked, “May I”.
Martin smiled, “Don’t ask me, ask Eagle One.” Corey bent down and asked, “May I look under your bandanna?” The bird nodded, said “Yes.” It then turned around to let her touch him. The bird continued, “You may look, Doctor Rogers, but remember, it’s all connected, so probe gently.”
Corey lifted the bandanna up and a postage-stamp sized computer was revealed under the feathers, she traced the wire to a place behind the bird’s neck. “There is no speaker here at all. I see what I think is a computer and it’s attacked to the bird’s neck going anterior to the scalp. So who is controlling the bird, how many behaviors can you mimic.”
David sighed, “No one is controlling the bird or Hansel or Hilda. This is all real. The computer is a computer. I apologize if I’m a bit short, but I drove in from Oslo Norway yesterday evening, and neither Phyllis nor I had much sleep. But no, there are no speakers, except for the earplugs worn by the humans. No one is controlling them. We can talk to them. But it is up to them to act and say what they want. They are who they are. Just what you see.”
Corey looked incredulous, “then do you understand me?” Eagle One shook his head yes, “I think she’s got it,” the bird replied facing Martin.
Bill looked around, “Next you’ll be telling us that the dog can do calculus.”
Hilda jumped to the floor.
Hilda: I’ve never had a formal class in it, but I’m willing to give it a try.
Bill guffawed, “What is the derivative of X squared plus X?” Hilda jumped to the floor, tapped twice then crossed her paws. She then tapped again.
Hilda: Two X plus 1.
Hilda walked up to Corey, turned around and sat there.
Janet whispered, “Sidney, these animals are really enhanced.”
Corey looked at them, “What did the dog say?”
Sidney looked at Corey, “He got the calculus correct. Two X plus one. Janet, you’re right.”
Bill looked at the Ryans and Corey, “You’re bullshitting us. The next thing you’re going to do is have the dogs parade around and start to dance.” Hilda got off the floor, stood on her hind legs.
Hilda: I wouldn’t dream of dancing, nor of demeaning myself. This position is terribly uncomfortable for me as it is. Do I look like a trained bear? I’m a quadruped. Next you’ll ask me to wear a funny hat.
Hilda went back to the chair.
Sidney turned to Bill, “Bill, I think this is real, on the up-and-up.”
Rebecca Norris stood, “This is like I’m in a horror movie. I’m scared. This whole set up is terrifying. These are mad scientists. What the Ryans did was bad enough for Lepto-Molecular. Getting involved with these people is worse. This is a horror movie.”
David turned red, in a loud voice he said. “Bullshitting you? Horror Movie? You stupid shit-for-brains! You’re as unenlightened and as ignorant as those cows holding up their signs outside your office and homes. Like a horror movie? Like a horror movie? Let me tell you about a horror movie. It’s seeing your business fail. That is a horror. Being saved by complete strangers is a salvation. Driving 28 hours from Oslo Norway to help strangers, that is a horror. Seeing your son born to a lethal condition, that is a horror. Watching him being stolen from you by the police is a horror. Knowing you can and will help is a salvation. Being told that your entire existence is wrong by people, perhaps the only people, you hoped to trust; now that’s a real horror. We thought you would understand. You’re as bad as the torch wielding mobs. Bah.”
David stormed out of the room.
Martin said, “I apologize for my son; at times he has quite a temper. Like he said he didn’t get much sleep last night.”
Janet asked, “Did he say drove in from Europe?”
Martin nodded and pointed out the window. Two headlights slowly descended from the sky and landed on a knoll that faced the patio windows. The Fiat was clearly seen descending from the sky, lit up by the floodlights of the resort. Out of the car came a young woman with short brown hair carrying a number of packages. Phyllis walked to the rear door, opened it and put the packages down on a chair. The room was deathly silent as she entered. Phyllis put her phone over her ear and said, “Did I miss much?”
***
Phyllis served the food that they had slow cooked in the oven.
She then sat down at the awkward dinner. As she ate she had the Teacher give a synopsis of the last half hour, including when David walked out. After the quiet dinner, Martin turned to the Ryans, “I think we’ve demonstrated that we are the only people on Earth who could help Joshua.” Turning to Bill, “The offer to assist you is freely given, but is yours to refuse. However I’m also tired. The last two days have been exhausting. So please excuse me. I think you five need to talk to each other.” Martin left the room.
Phyllis finally said, “I must admit you took things quite well Dr. and Dr. Ryan. I wasn’t as adroit as you were when I first met the menagerie. Did you meet Masseur Le Cook?” Phyllis looked at Janet.
“No, I don’t think so, only the Kleins and yourself, and the dogs and parrot. Did the young man really mean it when he said he could help?”
Phyllis laughed then said, “You mean David? One thing that I’ve learned in the three years I’ve known him is David is pathologically honest. It’s a character defect. If David says something, you can believe it.”
Bill said somewhat satirically, “Like driving from Oslo?”
Phyllis looked at Bill and Rebecca, feeling a touch of exhaustion and anger. She paused, slowly closed her eyes and then a few seconds later opened them. “Yes, like driving from Oslo. A day and a half ago I was in Oslo with David; we drove here in that black Fiat. Ever hear of C H Motors?”
Rebecca said, “The police car people? Of course. Did you steal one of their cars?”
Phyllis stood and took two deep breaths. She paused again and took a third deep breath then said, “Of course not. That car outside is THE first flying car. It was built before C H Ford was in existence. Until today, C H, Martin, David and I were the only ones who knew about this first prototype. And David and I were its only drivers. Yes, we drove in from Oslo Norway.”
Rebecca put her fork down and sat up straight, with a bright smile she said, “Do you know C H, that old man behind C H Motors?”
Phyllis put her napkin down and with a sly smile, “I know him very, very well.” Phyllis paused, “I think I’ve said too much. I have to go talk to David. You five need to talk. If you want, tomorrow morning or even tonight, we can drive you back. To anywhere you want to go, including the Somerville police department to hand over your son. P
erhaps you’d prefer to take one of the larger cars and drive yourselves. Ask and I’ll get you the keys.” Somewhat bitterly she said, “I have a feeling that David and Martin might have made a very bad mistake. So, if you’ll excuse me.” Phyllis stood and left.
Rebecca put her napkin down. “I’m glad she’s gone. I was feeling quite uncomfortable with all of them.” Turning to the Ryans and Corey, Rebecca said matter-of-factly, “Bill and I think this was all a scheme to take over Bill’s company.”
The Infinite when it was Two Digits Old Page 28
