2008-7-30 04:36:00
by Ted Dewey
Henry Bower and Oran Thomas were seated at a small table. Henry had met Oran as he stepped off the plane and they had retreated to the airport cafe for a cup of coffee.
Spread out in front of them was an Arizona road map. Thomas pointed with a pencil. "From the description they gave me it should be right here." He put an "X" on the spot.
Henry picked up the map and studied it for a moment. Slowly he nodded his head. "Its just like you said, right in the middle of Indian country. There are several tribes back in there including the Navajo, Hopi and others. Which one did they lease the land from?"
"I guess there was two or three tribes involved. I haven't got all the details yet. I understand that we took a twenty year lease for which we paid them the sum of ten million dollars. At the end of that time the land and all the improvements will be returned to them." A wry smile spread over the face of Oran Thomas. "That is," he said, "providing there is something to give back."
"And suppose that there has been an atomic war and most everything and about everyone has been wiped out -- what then?"
"In that case," said Thomas, "the people that have survived, both Indian and white man will start rebuilding this old world."
"And you figure that this place we are going to build will come through without a scratch?"
"We hope so, but we must expect some casualties. For a long time after an atomic war there will be the deadly fallout to contend with. We might have to live underground for several years." A solemn look spread over the face of Oran Thomas. "There won't be any real winners, Henry."
"And deep down in the bottom of your heart do you really believe there will be an atomic war?"
"I do. According to our computer analysis we have a very good chance of having one within the next twenty years. Several small countries in the far east are already building reactors. Soon they will be building the bomb. And do you know something my friend? They are not afraid to use it. In the first place they don't have much to live for. They have the crazy idea that if they die in battle their spirit will go straight to heaven. They won't even have to stop and check in with Saint Peter!"
"I know that you are right there."
"They are so brainwashed that they don't know their ass from a hole in the ground!" Thomas was really getting wound up.
Henry changed the subject. "I wonder how they ever talked the Indians into leasing them their land?"
"From what I gather the Indians in that area are quite poor. With this money they can buy a lot of cattle and sheep, even a few horses.
"And if there is no atomic war in the next twenty years they will get it all back?"
"You got it, Henry."
"Sounds good to me. So where do we start?"
"The first thing we must do is disassemble the power plant and get it ready for shipment. Generating electric power will be a top priority."
Henry nodded. "That won't take long. I know where we can rent a rubber tired forklift. We can lift them out of those pipes in just a few minutes."
"We will take only the two larger ones," said Thomas, "and leave the small one to supply energy for your house." He grinned. "We don't want those steaks to thaw out. We might be hungry when we return."
"Thanks, my friend, and there are a couple more things. I have a lot of machinery, and I can't just run off and leave it."
Thomas had all the answers. "We will take it along with us. We will either buy or lease it from you, whatever you say. We will build a lot more of those machines. Having plenty of electric power plays a big part in our plan to survive."
Henry had one more problem, his air car. He couldn't just run off and leave it in that tunnel. Sooner or later someone would discover it. Then his dream car would be gone forever.
So far Ventures Unlimited had been mighty fair with him. Maybe they would be interested in it. He turned to Thomas.
"Do you remember the other day when I told you I was working on another invention?"
"Yes... And is it something that our company might be interested in?"
"I don't know."
"Well, what is it?"
"A car, an automobile that runs on compressed air."
"What?"
"It runs on compressed air, Mister Thomas."
"And do you mean to tell me that you have built such a thing?"
Henry nodded.
"Tell me more."
"I got the idea from an old steam engine. Did you ever hear of the old Stanley Steamer automobile? It would out run and out perform any gas powered rig."
Thomas nodded. "Yes I have read about it. And I guess it was something! The company offered to give any driver a free one if he could get behind the wheel and hold the throttle down for one minute!"
"It would sure take off!
"But Henry that was steam, created by water and fire."
"What's the difference? Steam is nothing more than hot air!"
"By George, you are right. And do you have a working model?"
Henry nodded. "It doesn't look very fancy yet but it will run!"
"Can I have a look at it when we get up to Prescott?"
Henry nodded. "I don't know why not. It is just sitting there in an old mine tunnel and I can't just run off and leave the darn thing. You people have been very good to me. I trust you."
"Thanks Henry."
"And like the wind machines I have no patents. I must trust you, my friend."
Thomas got to his feet. "Let's be on our way. I can hardly wait to see the contraption."
The two men walked out the doorway and down the ramp to the floor below.
Thomas was feeling in his pockets and took a look into the briefcase he was carrying. There was a puzzled look on his face. "Did you lose something?" Henry asked.
Thomas nodded. "The Arizona map that we were looking at just a few minutes ago. It seems to be missing."
"I'll bet we left it lying there on the table. You pick up your luggage and wait here. I will go take a look." Henry took off up the stairway headed for the cafe.
When he reached the top he came to a sudden stop. He was startled at the sight of the two men coming toward him. It was the pair that called themselves Baker and Phillips. They appeared to be surprised to see him.
Baker was the first to recover. He stuck out a big hand, "Well, well imagine seeing you here. Sure didn't expect to run into you."
Henry slowly held out his hand, "Didn't expect to run on to you either. What are you doing here?"
Baker's face seemed to be a little red. "Just got off the plane. Thought we would grab a bite to eat." He pointed with his thumb. "Look Lonnie. There is a bar... What say we have a drink first?"
Phillips grunted and started walking toward the door.
"Join us?" Baker asked.
Henry shook hid head. "No thanks. Just finished eating. Left something in the cafe just come back after it."
"By the way," said Baker, "have you heard anything from our old friend Oran Thomas?"
Henry shrugged his shoulders.
"If you happen to see him remember what I told you. Mum is the word."
Henry nodded.
"We haven't heard a word from him." said Baker. "But if anything important comes up we will give you a call." The two men headed for the bar.
Henry picked up the map that was still lying on the table. As he walked down the stairway he kept glancing over his shoulder. Somehow he didn't trust these two fellows.
Thomas was waiting at the bottom of the stairs. He had picked up his luggage and was ready to go. Henry handed him the map and together they stepped out into the bright sunlight.
The mercury had soared to one hundred and ten. The inside of the car was like an oven. Henry started the motor, put it on fast idle, turned on the air conditioner then stepped outside. They would wait in the shade of a palm tree by the sidewalk until the inside cooled down a bit.
Henry had kept his eyes on the back trail. Two men came out of the building and stopped in the shade of another tree. He couldn't tell for sure but he had a feeling that they were the two that he had met inside.
The car cooled down somewhat. The two men got in and Henry maneuvered around until he got on the Black Canyon freeway. From there it was just one hundred miles to the city of Prescott.
Henry kept one eye on the rear view mirror. There was nothing to indicate that they were being followed. However, if these guys really wanted to surprise Thomas there would be no need of them following from behind. They knew where to find him in Prescott.
They were now out of the city and headed for the mountains. The conversation lagged; Henry was in deep thought. Just who was this Baker? He pretended to be a friend. Was he? Were they really working for Ventures Unlimited?
Thomas broke the silence. "Is something bothering you Henry?" Henry squirmed but didn't answer.
"Don't keep it bottled up my friend. Spill it! If you and I are going to be working together; there will be no secrets."
"I must not have a very good poker face..."
"Want to tell me about it?"
Henry slowly nodded his head. "I was told not to tell, but I've got a gut feeling that they are not on the level."
"Who are you talking about?"
"Do you know a couple of guys that work for the company -- one of them calls himself Ira Baker; the other, Lonnie Phillips?"
Thomas shook his head. "I don't know anyone by those names that is working for our company. What do they look like?"
"Baker, the one that did all the talking was a big, dark complexioned, greasy looking fellow; dark hair and eyes, about fifty years old. The other was much lighter with blue eyes, about the same age."
"Where did you meet them Henry, and who told you they were working for the company?"
"Right after I took you to the airport the other day they came out to my house and said they were friends of yours and wanted to surprise you."
"And they said they were working for Ventures Unlimited?
"That's what they told me."
"And have you seen them since?"
Henry's face was red. "Yes. Today when I went back after the map. I think they were following us."
Thomas reached over and patted Henry on the back. "My friend," he said slowly, "I am glad that you told me about this and I would like to make you a bet that we will see that pair again!"
-- End Of Chapter Fourteen --
"People are more violently opposed to fur than leather because it's safer to harass rich women than motorcycle gangs."
-- Unknown
Word of the Day
A Priori -- Adjective. From cause to effect; from a general law to a particular instance; deductive; valid independently of observation; existing in the mind prior to and independent of experience, as a faculty or character trait; not based on prior study or examination; based on theory instead of experience or experiment; before examination or analysis.
Copyright © 2008 by J.J. Dewey, All Rights Reserved