The Gravity of Anti-Gravity

by Tim Blagge

  “Now Mr. Burton, don’t be hasty. We really think the government would be the best provider of assistance. Now what are the requirements you people have come up with so we can go forward,” said Cushing.

  Again Stella took the lead. “Mr. Cushing, the three of us have talked this over for the last several days. We have only five specific requirements and we believe they are more than fair. The first is that we remain together as a team. You will not be allowed to remove any member from our group unless we approve of it. Second and this is critical. The three of us will be solely responsible for any additions to our team. To be blunt, we want skilled and experienced scientists; not government pseudo-scientists who double as informants. Your people will be welcome on an appointment basis and we will provide monthly progress reports. Third, during the developmental phase, we and our fellow scientists will receive a salary commensurate with and similar to private industry. Fourth, the Government will fund the entire cost of our research. Fifth and last, we will receive 5% of any licensing fees received by the Government for a period of forty years. Bill will get 3% and Dr. Brooks and I will get 1% each.”

  “Dr. Morton, the Government is prepared to offer you a richer package than that!” Cushing announced with a stern voice.

  The feeling of anger crept over my body and I jumped up and almost yelled. “How are you going to pay it Mr. Cushing, with money borrowed from China? We are patriots. We want a fair wage for a fair day’s work. When we produce a marketable product that people want, and it begins to generate profits, that is when we will see additional rewards; not before. I think it’s referred to as capitalism.”

  Dr. Brooks stood up and announced, “I think we are done here gentleman. Let’s meet back here in a week. We three have agreed to hold off discussing anything with any other entity until we meet again.”

  We all stood up and I looked at Stella. Slowly, a beautiful broad smile came across her face. She walked toward Cushing and thanked him. She apologized for her sometimes brash comments. She then she gave him a little kiss on the cheek and slipped something into his coat pocket.

  -20-

  After they left, Stella removed the bug from her purse. She wrapped it in a towel, put it in a small box, put more padding around it and locked in a filing cabinet drawer.

  “We may need this later,” she said.

  “I thought you returned it to Cushing when you gave him that peck on the cheek,” I said.

  “Very observant, Mr. Burton; everything they are saying is being recorded on my laptop right now with our bug; at least until they find it. Rolf suggested I take one of his devices. He thought we might be able to use it and he was right,” Stella said.

  Let’s hope it’s not in the same pocket where he keeps his antacid,” I joked. “If that’s the case, he’ll find it right away. Hey, let’s turn your laptop on Stella. They should be deeply in conversation about us by now.”

  “I’ve got a better idea,” said Stella. “Why don’t you come over tonight and we’ll review the recording. Rolf will be home and I’d like his input about their conversation. He’s trained and experienced in interpreting any hidden meanings in people’s speech and he will be very helpful. You come too, Dr. Brooks.”

  “I’ll let you young folks review everything and then you can fill me in on Monday.” Dr. Brooks answered. “I need to take the week-end off and just sleep. Before I leave maybe you can give me ideas how to explain to my wife why I just gave up a $250,000.00 bonus and a $250,000.00 annual salary. On second thought, why don’t we keep that between the three of us?”

  I got to Stella’s place about 6:30. When she opened the door, I held up the Chinese food I’d bought on the way over. ”I hope you haven’t eaten yet.” I said.

  “Thanks Bill, put it on the kitchen counter,” Stella said. “Rolf and I have started listening to Cushing and Waterman’s conversation. It’s been all small talk until they got to the airport and boarded what we surmised is a government jet. They talked to the pilots briefly, fixed themselves a drink and sat down. They have been in the air about two hours and we figure they are on they’re third drink about now.”

  Rolf handed me the second set of earphones and I put them on. After listening to nothing for about five minutes, they started to talk again.

  “Waterman, I’ve been thinking,” said Cushing. “These young folks we are dealing with are not only brilliant scientists but they are wise beyond their years. We have promised our people that we would deliver the device to them and the technical information needed to build it. Our government people are saying that the written technical description supplied by our geniuses is a little too vague to follow. They have deliberately made it impossible to create a device without them, any suggestions?”

  “It’s always hard to work with this kind of naïve people.” Waterman responded “They stupidly think their honesty and patriotism will carry them through in this world. That’s never worked for me and it won’t work for them. Since money doesn’t motivate them, we may need to bring some extreme pressure to bear to get them to follow our plan. You keep the people in Washington confused and off our backs and I’ll discuss this with our friends. They will know what to do.”

  “And Waterman, I want to commend you on your suggestion to leak just a little bit about the gravity device. Just one bit of information to one blogger and now it’s all over the net. It will give us the cover we need in case we have to do anything unpleasant. I’m going to take a nap now. Wake me just before we arrive.” Cushing said.

  I slowly removed the headphones and just stared into space. Rolf was quietly mulling over what he’d just heard too.

  Loudly Stella asked, “What just happened? You two look like you just saw a ghost!”

  “I’m afraid we might just become that ghost soon,” I said.

  “Fill me in; the short version,” said Stella, “I’ll get the long version off the computer later.”

  Rolf responded in his typically concise way. “You two are in extreme danger. Misters Waterman and Cushing are involved in a conspiracy to steal the anti-gravity device. They are aware you haven’t divulged enough specifics so they can build one of their own. They have ‘friends’. They didn’t say who or what kind of friends. They are responsible for the leak. They are prepared to use some kind of pressure to get what they want. They will use the leak to blame anyone else for any coercion if they have to use it.”

  “In other words, we’re screwed!” I blurted. “And if they find our bug, their ‘friends’ will be banging the door down in about fifteen minutes.”

  “Don’t panic Bill;” said Rolf, “it’s your biggest enemy. The device I gave Stella actually looks like a button off a suit. If Cushing finds it, there’s less than a fifty, fifty chance that he’ll even recognize it for what it is.”

  “Let’s talk through this,” said Stella. “Remember you nailed it this afternoon when you put yourself in Cushing’s place. It will work again.”

  “OK” I said, “let’s imagine that I am a criminal who is planning to steal the most important invention since the wheel. I have an organization of unsavory characters who will do anything to help me accomplish my mission. We don’t know how it works and there are only two people in the world that do. I am a trusted, high level official of the most powerful nation in the world. With my position, I have the power to make the lives of these two people uncomfortable, legally though the justice system if I need to. If that doesn’t work, I have other, non-government ‘friends’ who will do horrible things if required. Like I said, we’re screwed.”

  “There is another scenario” offered Stella. “If I were these guys and their people, I’d want the technology of the device so I could sell it to the highest bidder or bidders. As long as people pay, they won’t care who gets the technology. The best path for them is to keep us in the Government’s program. When they get enough technical information, they hand it over to their people and hooray they’ve got a fat bank account in a Cayman Islands. They have already c
overed the tracks they haven’t even made yet by the leak they planted over the weekend. No matter what happens, it spreads the blame. They keep their Government jobs and look for the next opportunity.”

  “Bill, now let’s look at this from our standpoint. We are the only ones who can recreate the device. As long as we don’t divulge the mechanics, we should be safe. We have the copy of the conversation on the plane. If we could find someone in the Government who is honest and outranks Cushing, it could be our salvation so we do have some leverage. If things develop too slowly and they suspect we are not cooperating, they may use coercion tactics like kidnapping a loved one or worse”

  “Not to complicate things.” Said Rolf, “but the fact that rumors about your device are out there, might bring other people, corporations or regimes into the mix. That could pose an even bigger threat.”

  “Rolf, correct me if I’m wrong.” Stella said. “We need to get a tracking device for Joanna and, what’s your girlfriend’s name?”

  “Brenda” I answered.

  “For Joanna, Brenda, Bill, Bill’s grandparents and Dr. Brooks”

  “What about you Stella?” I asked.

  “Don’t worry about me Bill; Rolf always knows where to find me.”

  “Let’s eat” I said, “all this stress and danger has worked up an appetite.”

  “Bill, it’s OK if you spend the night tonight,” Rolf offered. “I know Stella enjoys your company and I want to keep my sister happy.”

  “Stella, is that what you want? I asked.

  “Yes Bill, it is.”

  The next morning was Saturday and I got home about 10 AM. I had gone out to breakfast with Stella where we continued to play out different possible outcomes. My mind was a muddled mess by the time I dropped her back at her apartment. “See you Monday, Stella and thank you again for another incredible evening.”

  “You too Bill and don’t let your guard down.” Stella warned.

  While I drove home, I practiced my speech. I decided to tell Joanna and my grandparents a watered down version of the danger.

  As I walked in, Joanna was the first to speak. “Hey lover boy how was your evening,” she joked. “One of those all night business meetings, I suppose?”

  “Actually we did discuss a lot of business and if you all have a moment, I’d like to give you a status update.”

  We all sat around the dinette table and I began to lay out the current situation.

  “You three are aware of my project and we have all agreed to discuss it with no one outside of our family. Have any of you broken that rule?” As I looked around, everyone shook their head, no. “Now I don’t want you to be concerned yet, but there has been a leak. A story is all over the internet saying that the time shift was caused by a device and the White House is covering it up. This could lead some people or groups of people to search for the device. Even though we don’t think there is enough information out there to track it here, we all must be aware of our surroundings at all times. Keep your wits about you and if you see anything suspicious, call me ASAP. I have secured these tracking devices so that if we need to find you, we can.”

  “Find us, what’s going to happen, Bill? Is someone going to hold us for ransom?” Joanna asked.

  “Don’t worry, this is only a precaution.” I said

  I then handed out the tracking devices and they too looked like small buttons. “Keep this with you at all times. I love you all and it’s important you follow my instructions”. I cautioned.

  With a worried look Grandma said, “Bill, we understand. If anything changes, we need to know right away, OK?”

  “I promise Grandma. Pops, may I see you outside?” I asked.

  As we were walking out, Joanna said with a devious smile, “Have you told Brenda about your Dr. Morton?”

  “Joanna, no I haven’t and you’d better keep you mouth shut.” I said sternly as I pointed my finger at Joanna. “I have to tell her on our date tonight that she may be in danger thanks to me. That’s going to be tough enough. Again, don’t tell Brenda anything about Dr. Morton. I want to live.”

  Pops and I went outside and walked to the middle of his small pasture.

  “Pops, there’s more to the story than I told the girls”

  I filled Pops in completely including the security cameras in the barn planted by the Feds.

  “After they remove the cameras, we’ll do a sweep to make sure the barn is clean. After we confirm that, we’ll need to hide the device back in the shelter where no one will find it.”

  “My God Bill, you’re starting to talk like a spy again!” Pops said and added, “I am starting to comprehend the gravity of our predicament, if you’ll forgive the pun.”

  “Pops, you’ve been in war before. We’re not there yet and let’s pray it won’t come to that.”

  “Don’t worry son, I’ve got your back,” Pops answered.

  What we didn’t know then, was that there was a dark skinned man about a quarter of a mile behind the house, up the hill, behind a rock, watching us with binoculars!

  -21-

  After my talk with Pops, I went into the house, to my room and the house phone rang. Grandma came in and said, “It’s Jerry on the phone.”

  “Hello, Jerry!” I said happily.

  “Bill, I am calling you from Fort Bragg on a secure line and your land line should prevent anyone from tapping our conversation. I’ve only got three minutes to talk. I’m sure you know that information about the cause of the time shift is all over the net. So tell me what’s going on.”

  “It’s a mess Jerry. Thanks to Stella, we know that at least two of the Feds, high ranking ones too, are behind it all. We have proof that they want to get the information needed to create my machine, sell it to whoever has a bunch of money and then blame anybody but themselves. Jerry, it’s tough when you don’t know who to trust.”

  “You’ve got to eliminate that problem by trusting no one; not even Stella.” Jerry said.

  “Without her I never would have gotten this far against these crooks. If she’s part of the conspiracy, just shoot me now!” I moaned.

  “Bill, is Joanna OK? I didn’t have a chance to tell you before I left but I care deeply for her.” Jerry confessed.

  “Based on some of her comments lately, I think she feels the same about you. How’s your training going?” I asked

  “I’ve got two more weeks. Maybe I should think up some excuse to come home after that. Sounds like you guys could use my help.”

  “I just got an idea. I don’t want to say anything now so just keep doing what you are doing and call me here every time you get access to that secured line.”

  “My three minutes are up to I’ll talk to you later. Said Jerry”

  That night Brenda and I decided to go to a place called Henry’s. It is one of those fifties places where the waitresses wear roller skates and attach the dinner tray to the car window. The malts and hamburgers were great. We decided to complete the evening by going to the last remaining drive-in theater in the area.

  “You know Brenda; I’m starting to think our grandparents had it right. Watching a movie and getting frisky in the semi-privacy of your own car. What could be better?” I asked.

  “Bill, I love being with you too but there is something I need to tell you. My parents have fallen on difficult times. The furniture store they have owned for over twenty years is failing. This rotten economy the last few years has killed their business and they are going to have to close.”

  “Oh Brenda, I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do to help?”

  “Only if you can find us all jobs; remember, my mother has a degree in accounting and is a CPA. My dad has a degree in business and marketing. Until I get my teaching credential, I’ll do anything to make some money.”

  “Let me think this over, I’ll put out some feelers. Maybe I can help.” I answered.

  “Now it’s my turn to tell you something, Brenda. Don’t get alarmed at what I’m about to tell you; and any dan
ger is very minimal right now.”

  Brenda gasped like I’d never heard her do before. “Minimal danger, what does that mean? Bill you’re scaring me. What have you done?”

  “Brenda, let me explain. Recently I invented something. It turns out that a lot of people want it. It is possible they might do something illegal to get it. This places you and everyone around me in danger. I’ve got a small electronic device that I want you to keep with you at all times. It will tell us where you are. As they say, don’t leave home without it.”

  “Real funny, Bill! This is great,” Brenda moaned. “I should have stayed in Utah. Nothing like this ever happens in Utah!”

  Then Brenda’s face brightened. “I know what happened. You are the guy who created the time shift. You’ve discovered a way to turn back time and now all the fat old ladies are trying to track you down so that they can go back in time and regain their misspent youth. You’ll be rich.”

  “Brenda, now you’re the one being funny. If you will simply trust me, this will all be cleared up in no time. For now, put the device in your purse, put your arms around me and pucker up.”

  Monday at 8 AM sharp, I rolled into JPL. When I got inside and greeted Stella she asked me if I’d seen the guy in the parking lot. “He’s driving a brown van and I’ve never seen him before,” she said.

  When Dr. Brooks came up and we told him about the guy, he sent a security guard out to check. The guard came back in and said the brown van was just pulling out of the lot as he walked out.

  We sat down with Dr. Brooks who asked, “I’ve been anxious all weekend to know what those two Feds discussed on their way home. Are there any new developments?”

  “It’s good you are sitting down,” I said. “Waterman and Cushing are major criminals and we have recorded them admitting it.”