The Infinite when it was Two Digits Old

by Allen Fleishman

  “But …”

  “No buts. Now.”

  Phyllis started to open her collar when she perceived a shift in David. Phyllis turned the overhead light on. David was no longer. All life was sucked out of him. The shell was empty. The eyes were completely vacant. He was still in his seatbelt, but it was as if he was completely un-inflated. His skin was turning grey. His soul was gone.

  “DAVID? DAVID, WAKE UP.”

  He lay there, with his eyes open. He gave a slight movement. Up to that point, she didn’t realize that he had not been breathing, but he was now taking shallow breaths.

  “DAVID WAKE UP, Please wake up. No more games,” Phyllis started to rub his face.

  They were now about a hundred miles away from the shore. No plane or boat was in sight. She was panicking. Finally, she thought of something.

  Phyllis reached to the tray between the seats and picked up her earphone. She quickly put it in her ear, and then remembered to turn it on.

  Phyllis: Computer, what is wrong with David.

  Computer: He has turned off the computer. It will auto-connect in 387 seconds.

  Phyllis: Computer turn it back on! Now. Turn it back on.

  Phyllis saw the shallow breaths turn into deeper ones, and color return to his ashen face. His eyes closed. He was obviously waking from a living death.

  “DAVID, WHY DID YOU DO THAT? I WAS SCARED TO DEATH. WE’RE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OCEAN AND YOU DIE? WHY?”

  There was a pause as he came to, David looked at her. He was still dazed. Finally, hesitantly, he said in a meek voice, “You asked me to. I didn’t want to, but you said ‘Now’. I did. I trust you,” almost inaudibly he added, “with my life.”

  “But why? You should know that now is not the time to have a seizure. I didn’t want you to share this private moment with your extended family. Not go catatonic on me.”

  David looked into her eyes and slowly held both of her hands. “Phil, I thought you understood. You told me not to share our private acts with Dad. Did you think I would forget? As if I could EVER forget … anything? I wrote a program to check for 682 cases where I should close my link. Eighteen cases triggered it off two minutes before you asked me to turn the computer off.

  “Last week, when we were with Dad, I thought you understood about me. If you turned off your computer, you can still breathe, think, swallow, and react normally. I’m, I’m not like that. I’m not normal like you. I turn off my computer and all my higher and all but a few lower functions go too. You gotta remember, your mind is that jello between your ears. Mine is embedded in the silicon that barely touches the jello through microscopic nano-carbon tendrils.”

  In spite of the gearshift, they hung together for many minutes. Phyllis looked deeply into David’s eyes. “Listen Kiddo, if I ever, EVER, ask you to turn yourself off, double check with me to make sure I mean it. Then check with your own judgment to see if it’s appropriate. Just because I’m being stupid or a bitch doesn’t mean you have to suffer. Use your own brain.”

  After they separated, they had some hot tea from a thermos and David explained how to fly the car using her phone. Phyllis used the camera/microphone to direct the car and then put it back on autopilot.

  David went to sleep after entering the mile high club. However, Phyllis was too keyed up to sleep, so she turned on Teacher and reviewed her Italian language lessons. As a joke, she had Teacher do it in Persona 35A.

  About a half hour into her lesson, she noticed David moving. She glanced over at him. His face was relaxed, very peaceful. She wanted to kiss him. However, the unusual thing was his arms, legs, and body were tensing and relaxing, straining against itself. She then remembered David mentioned that he exercised by doing calisthenics during sleep. It was the first time she saw him do it. She looked, almost with envy, at his calm face and firm body. ‘Not boy-like at all, almost wiry, with strength.’ She thought, ‘it must be great to run two miles in your sleep to get rid the extra fat from General Gau’s chicken.’ She turned her attention back as Teacher asked, in a very no-nonsense way, “Where is the bathroom?!?” She laughed; ‘no one would ever ignore a tourist who asked that question!’ Then she realized, ‘where is the bathroom?’

  Three hours later she had the computer play a few movies. Still wanting to learn Italian, she had the computer change the words into Italian while she read English subtitles. She watched the Seventh Seal again, thinking about David’s structural and literary insights. Then she watched Harold and Maude, an old black comedy in Italian with subtitles.

  She was still up when she saw the sky lighten in front of her. It was the new dawn. A brand new day. It was a pretty sunrise.

  An hour later, she woke David. “David, I have a problem.” David looked sleepily at her. “I have to, ah, tinkle.” David reached behind him and pulled out an empty quart water bottle. He opened it and handed it to her. He had his stupid big grin.

  Phyllis looked at him in disbelief. “You’ve GOT to be kidding.”

  He smiled, shrugged his shoulders and said, “Only lavatory on board.”

  She thought for a moment and realized he was right. When he bought the large empty bottle, she never thought twice about it, nor did he fill it up. Now she understood its purpose. She never thought of asking why he never filled it up. The kid never forgets anything.

  Phyllis turned her earplug off, turned to David, “You better have your memories on local, buster. This does not go out to the Family or the world.” David said, “Of course. Triggers 16, 18, 47, 125, 126, 127, and 183.” After rolling her eyes, Phyllis tried to pull her pants down discretely, but there was no way to be demure in the Fiat driver’s seat. David watched. “I hope you’re really having fun. This is getting old fast. Really fast,” Phyllis growled. They slowed the car and let the golden shower from the container fall into the ocean.

  David said, “The astronauts on the Apollo missions didn’t have much more room. They were there ten times longer than we’re going to be.”

  Phyllis was ready to put it down to more platitudes, but then she remembered that this truly was a historic ‘flight’. Lindberg and Earhart had done something identical on their historic flights, except they did not have in-house movies, still warm hot and sour soup, or enter the Mile-High Club.

  ***

  When they arrived in Italy, it was midnight local time. Luck was on their side, as it was overcast, with low-lying clouds. David was able, with his GPS, to land on a country lane. As he came down, he broke some branches of the trees that had shrouded the roadway. Fortunately, no harm happened to the car or passengers. Any landing where everyone walks out is a good landing. After landing, both Phyllis and David found two trees to use. They then stretched and re-entered the car. The engine of the Fiat came to life again. They drove at a more leisurely pace to the address of Phyllis’ aunt. Even though it was past 1 AM everyone greeted them. Aunt Rosaria was a thin woman in her 60s, and looked remarkably healthy. She said that Debra looked like her father. And why didn’t they visit more and it was a shame about her mother. She could have stayed here for a few years. The aunt and uncle gave them a quick meal. David had kept relatively quiet. He said he was an Italian classmate of Debra’s who escorted her back home. Phyllis and David were shown different rooms and they slept soundly.

  David and Phyllis (now Debra) spent the next two days at their aunt’s house. Debra’s Uncle, a truck driver, was gone by the time they woke up. Some homemade polenta was on the stove. David and Phyllis also had some of the best coffee they ever tasted. The aunt asked David and Debra to do some chores around the house, which they did. By the time they left, they met six of Debra’s cousins and another two aunts. David switched the plates of the two Fiats and removed the New York temporary license. The Fiat, purchased in America, would pass all but the closest inspection as an Italian vehicle. David told the aunt that was all they needed the car for, the license and registration. She looked at him as if he was crazy. But then again, he was a nice little Italian boy. Would Debra (Ph
yllis) like to meet some neighborhood boys? Phyllis politely, but firmly said no. She used Personality 35A.

  ***

  David and Phyllis drove the Fiat to Capri. Even though it was late February, the temperature was in the low 60s. They went to an expensive hotel with its own beach. For the next two weeks, they spent many hours at the beach, holding hands and laying on the sand. They also had personal massages, facial wraps and the finest the spa could deliver.

  A week into their stay in Capri, David challenged Phyllis to spend $15,000 on a wardrobe. David and Phyllis split up for independent shopping trips. Hilda stayed with Phyllis. In the stores she went to, no one said a word about the dog. David went to one of the most exclusive hairdressers. Speaking with a perfect Italian regional accent, he carefully explained that the wire was for regulating his heart. The hairdresser cut the front of his hair short, leaving the rear long. David and the hairdresser chatted away about how useless doctors were. In a second store, David bought a very expensive Italian suit and had a new set of glasses made. The clothing was tailored by the time he finished the espresso at their bar. He ordered three more suits.

  When David returned in their hotel suite, neither he nor Phyllis could believe the transformations. Phyllis stood in high heels, wearing an ankle length dark green silk dress. The side of the dress had a slit to mid-thigh. Light green highlights and embroidery flattered her figure. The hand tailored dress emphasized and enhanced every curve from her breasts to her toes. Her auburn hair, obviously a wig, was in an asymmetrical style. On the left side, her wig was chin length and curved inward, but went below her shoulder blade on the right. Its red hue completely complemented the dress. She was breathtaking.

  David stood there in his new wire frame glasses. His thin 5’11” height appeared taller and fuller by the suit. Its grey color somehow matched the grey in his eyes and the brown of his hair. The high shirt collar also gave him a roguish look. However, it was the thin glasses and the short hair that marked him apart. He was elegant. He looked 10 years older, much more mature.

  Even Hilda wore a new silk bandana, which also matched her eyes and hair.

  Both Phyllis and David were dumbstruck by each other’s appearance. Phyllis scanned his new look again and focused on his grin. “I take it you like the way I look,” she cooed.

  When they went out to dinner that night, many heads turned their way, followed by whispers. The service by the waiters was also beyond excellent, even by the standards of a five star restaurant.

  David and Phyllis spent another week, going to dinner, getting massages, visiting nightclubs, and going dancing. Phyllis never realized David could dance. At one point, Phyllis heard in her ear, “Let’s Tango 35A style.” Phyllis looked into his eyes and showed her puzzlement.

  Phyllis: I don’t know how to dance.

  David smiled and she heard his voice say, “just follow my lead and the earplug’s instructions”.

  David separated from Phyllis for a second and steely looked her up and down. She followed suit. The earplug said ‘Aloof. Hold the right shoulder up, you’re cold, your look withers. Gaze into David’s eyes, he’s an ice cube.’ They both glided forward onto the dance floor. After a few steps, Phyllis got into the rhythm of the music and the acting. David approached her, his eyes were frigid, and his lips had a cold sneer. His body arched around her as she bent over matching his body. She then hooked her knee over his leg. She was aloof, sultry and exuding sex appeal. Teasing. David spun slowly, spun her around, and she glanced around. There were few dancers moving. David took a pace backward and Phyllis matched his movements. Their bodies were touching. Where his body ended, hers began. As he turned forward, she turned. He bent his knee, she echoed. Her feet moved between his, then around his legs. Her torso remained pressed near his. The dancers on stage had stopped and they were looking at them. The band was staring also, keeping up the music. ‘Keep your eyes on David. Cool, sultry, liquid fire ready to burn him, make him ashes. You are teasing him, making him burn.’ She felt liquid and steel as she flowed across the floor. She had never experienced dance such as this before. He spun her around holding onto her waist, while her feet left the floor. The music ended. “Remember 35A. Steel, ice, yet smoldering fire.” They walked to their seat. The other patrons exploded in applause. She noticed a slight nod of acknowledgement to them from David as they seated themselves. David was not smiling yet.

  Phyllis: You were wonderful. You’re getting applause. I never saw that except in movies.

  David: No, they were applauding you as well as me. I’ll show you later, when you can see what Hilda and I saw. You were fantastic.

  They received complementary wine from other diners. One couple sat down at their table to congratulate them. David introduced himself with an assumed name and said he was from Amalfi on a short holiday with his American wife. Phyllis enjoyed playing this charade. Although the other couple spoke Italian fast, she was able to keep up with the earphone.

  ***

  “Are you ready to expand my empire? How would you like to be the C H Electricity Regional Sales Manager - Europe? Remember 35A. I know you’ll do fine.”

  Phyllis looked at David as if he was crazy. “I don’t know anything about electrical generation. I’ve never met, no less, led a group of businessmen. I never studied business.”

  David looked at her a second, “you’re forgetting you’re an In now. Tell your computer to become an assistant and to present your parts on the white board display. Have it guide you in 35A. You’ll do fine.”

  They drove to Rome to meet the handpicked team at an attorney’s office. David and Phyllis entered the building. It was in a very posh section of Rome, with stainless steel and glass skyscrapers. The attorney had offices near the top floor. Both David and Phyllis were wearing very expensive, but professional, clothes.

  ***

  The group assembled at the conference table. David introduced himself in Italian as the companies Italian Liaison, and introduced Phyllis as the C H Electricity Regional Sales Manager - Europe. The group was composed of some marketing people, an attorney, a building contractor, an electrical engineer, and a government representative. Each Italian representative had his assistants sitting in the back of the room.

  Listening to the earplug, Phyllis handed out a series of presentation slides and went over their Larchmont facility, which was now producing all the electricity for Westchester County, New York at one-quarter the price of the previous supplier. The cost savings were being passed directly to the people. Furthermore, by her current projections, the company would be able to pay off the capital used for construction in six months. At that time, the price would fall to one-tenth the previous costs. She translated the kilowatt-hour costs into Euros. She did this with the assistance of slides.

  The men at the presentation looked impressed. One said in fast Italian, “next she will tell us that the African prince needs to get money out of Zaire.” The other men nervously laughed.

  Phyllis fixed a steely bead, on the man. She slowly and quietly said, “The minute we stop paying you double your usual rates you are free to walk. The minute we break our word and charge you a lira more that a quarter of what you are currently paying per kilowatt hour, you can walk. The minute any claim I’ve made, pollution free, foreign oil free, almost free power, is not true, you can walk. The minute we break any part of our word and you have any reason to doubt our honor, you can walk. If fact, you are free to walk now.” Phyllis walked to the door, stared at the man who spoke out, and opened the door. The man who spoke before was silent and did not move. He said in English, “Excusa Señora, pardon me, it was my poor attempt at humor.”

  Phyllis closed the door and fixed her lips. “However I will hold you not to Italian, but American standards. This project will be on time and on budget. In fact, to expedite things, I’m including a bonus for ‘work incentives,’ to get the ball rolling. I expect a 12-hour day, 6-day workweek, until the construction is completed. We will pay for overtime at 1
00% over standard overtime Italian rates. To help, we will be flying over some friends from my household to make sure the project is managed correctly. I think the Italian phrase is La Cosa Nuestra. I’m sorry if my Italian is quite poor.”

  The men looked nervously at one another.

  The Italian governmental minister spoke up. “What you say is very tempting Señora, but what if you walk out and we’ve trusted you? That will leave Italy without heat or power for her industries. We will need assurances.”

  Phyllis smiled. “First, we will pay for all our building sites. Banks will supply us with a loan, which we will rapidly pay back. However, you’re concerned we will leave as suddenly as we appeared. In America, we would say you need Insurance. I think it reasonable. If a hospital loses its power, it would be disastrous. So, our hospitals and other critical buildings usually have a back-up power generator available for such emergencies. Of course, the bad news is that buying such back-up generators costs a lot of money. The good news is that you already have them. You can add a tax to our power. Say a 1% surcharge, to cover maintenance, security and other costs to have your old oil and coal plants in reserve, in case we fail. Since they don’t need to use oil for power, they don’t need to buy any new expensive oil, nor will they pollute. The cost with such insurance to the Italian people will be a 74% reduction initially then an 89% reduction in their power costs, a significant savings, nevertheless. And for emergencies, we will sell, at cost, small generators for use at critical places, like public hospitals. Their use, once purchased, would be at 11% of current electricity cost, if you want insurance.”