The Infinite when it was Two Digits Old
Page 31
***
Both complete families were driven up to the Tallman Mountain State Park at dusk. The dogs and Eagle One were with them. They each had put on harnesses, strapped on the gravity reflectors, put on warm clothes, then put on a special suit on top of everything. David explained before they left that the ‘hairs’ on the external suit were actually small cameras that see in near darkness. Other sensors on the helmet knew its relative position, so by moving the head in different orientations the body would fly in a corresponding direction. All the non-enhanced had practiced. Secretly the adults admitted that the simulators were tremendous fun. The suit was actually a fabric that had color liquid crystal displays in it, which displayed the background from the other side, giving them an adaptive camouflage suit. The non-enhanced were also given a facemask so they could see in the dark. Joshua and David wore simple goggles to protect their eyes. Joshua had his own ‘necklace’.
Sidney kept telling Joshua that they couldn’t go too fast. If they made mommy or daddy scared they would stop and wouldn’t go again.
David set a very slow pace, after walking a half-mile to a clearing in the forest. He gently increased the gravity reflectors so that Sidney and Janet were hovering an inch above the ground. He then gently tilted each person, amidst a number of ohhh and ahhh and let them rise ten feet. “I’m going to turn off my own control. Remember don’t turn your head to look at someone at your side, otherwise you’ll fly right into them. Just use your eyes and you will see them. The visor is 270-degree vision. I’m releasing control in 3-2-1.”
Despite the admonition not to turn to face one another, they still did with the predictable results. Fortunately, with all the padding and body armor no one had more than the air knocked out of them. After ten minutes, they started to fly forward near treetop level. They kept up a slow pace, so the dogs and bird were able to keep up. The dogs kept to the ground and Eagle One had his own gravity reflectors. The adults started to get tired after an hour. It was only after three more “just five more minutes,” that they returned to their car. The dogs had made sure that there were no late park visitor on-lookers.
They returned to the house and had their dinner, Martin made sure that everyone left with an empty stomach. Le Chef had a World War I French aviator’s café motif for dinner. The dining room was completely abuzz with “did you see that rabbit eating” or “Josh, did you notice that owl swooping down to the ground.” Most of the adults realized that they were grossly out of shape. Even with the gravity reflectors, it was hard work, twisting in space. They all agreed to do it again, later in the week. After dinner, the Ryans put Joshua to sleep, after removing Josh’s gravity reflectors and putting him into his PJs. David said, “Rather than getting undressed now, why don’t I collect the gravity reflectors and harnesses in the morning. They’re still turned on, so if you want to practice some flying or being weightless, you can.” All three couples had the same thought. Everyone went to bed early.
***
C H Motors / Ford, started to make a $19,000 passenger car. The cars, like the emergency vehicles, did not need an engine, mechanical steering, or transmission. The air conditioner and heater were still used. The power was generated by a small C H Electricity generator, which also powered the electronics in the car. All cars had a GPS. One of the restrictions was that the cars could be used in the United States only. A number of cameras were placed both inside and outside the car. The cars were also able to fly automatically to the nearest fire station, police station or hospital, following an emergency protocol. Under normal driving conditions, they drove almost normally. The cameras prevented the cars from driving faster than the weather permitted (preventing tailgating). The car automatically took control to avoid some accidents. For example, if the car hit a patch of black ice, it would simply rise out of the way of an impending accident. A number of interesting circumstances occurred when police had to pull the car out of the sky, when it was unable to land in a safe manner. Insurance premiums dropped precipitously for the new cars. The car recognized its driver and only the driver or designated drivers were ‘allowed’ to drive the car. Car theft and carjacking were now historical crimes.
All owner/drivers were required to sign an agreement that no attempt would ever be made to open or modify either the computer or the gravity reflectors, under penalty of forfeiture of any driving or riding privileges on any C H Motors cars, now or in the future. Similar notices were placed on the computer and gravity reflectors. Some car thieves attempted to steal the car and found themselves forever banned from even being driven by a C H Motors car. Engineers who attempting to do the same, found themselves only being able to use a gasoline-powered car. Their bosses also found their driving privileges revoked. Over time, gas stations became rarer and rarer. Depending on the severity of the crime, many criminals or industrial reverse-engineers, gave themselves up to the police for punishment. In a number of cases, following receipt of a letter from C H Motors, the felon demanded longer sentences, which were typically in the form of hours of community service.
C H Motors donated a large amount of money to install cameras along motorways. Highways with these cameras allowed C H Motors vehicle traffic to proceed 20 feet above the standard traffic automatically to a destination, at three times the previous legal speed limit.
Because of a non-exclusivity clause, C H Motor subsidiaries were added to other carmaker’s lines as well. Cars for use in other countries were now being manufactured.
***
It was 9:30 in the evening and Dr. Long was relaxing for the evening. He was finishing some correspondence when the phone rang. He had long stopped giving out his unlisted phone number. Caller ID indicated C H Electricity. His electrical bill was paid, what could it be at this hour?
An older man’s voice was on the other end, “Hello, Dr. Long, you probably heard of me, my name is Charlie Haines, and I’d like to ask you a favor.”
“Who is this?”
“Charlie Haines, Charlie Haines the inventor of the gravity reflector. That Charlie Haines.”
“How do I know this is really him? I’ve gotten a number of crank phone calls since I got that, that Nobel Prize.”
“Good question. Go to any phone book, call up C H Electricity, and either ask for me, when you get my secretary tell him your name and that I’m expecting your call, or ask the first person you reach to connect you to operator 0001. That will also connect you to my secretary. I’ll wait.
Michael Long had heard that Dr. Haines would not speak to presidents, even the US president. He was the quintessential mystery man. He pulled up the local phone book and dialed.
“C H Electricity, is this an emergency?”
“No, could you connect me with Operator 0001?”
“I don’t think that’s a valid operator; let me try, one second.”
A male assistant answered, “Office of Dr. Haines”
“My name is Michael Long. Dr. Haines is expecting my call.”
“One moment.”
“Michael, I’m glad you called back. May I call you Michael, or do you prefer Mike or Dr. Long. You can call me Charlie, that’s what my friends call me.”
“Uh, Mike is fine. This is an unusual phone call, to say the least.”
“Like I said I have a favor to ask. I would like to have a conference call with Nobel Peace Prize winners. I have a problem. It’s a problem that not many people have. I have 217 Billion US dollars I’d like spend to help humanity, but I need a group of levelheaded people to guide me. Would you be free at eight in the morning Monday?”
“All the Nobel Prize winners?”
“Well I called a select group, so far only one said no. But I think the money that could go to her country might help. Like I said, I have all this money to give away and I would like to get your ideas. We all know the story of give a man a fish and he eats one day but give a man a hook and he can eat every day? Well if you give away hooks then most of the time, the head of police gets these carto
ns of hooks and sells them. He typically sells them at a cheaper price than the local hook maker. So, the local hook maker goes out of business and there is no local hook production. You increase the cycle of poverty. I want to learn how to break the cycle entirely. Can I count on you? Oh, could you install a microphone onto the computer and a camera? I’ll send you one along with the website to log onto.”
***
Sidney was reading a file on the computer screen, when his son walked up. “Dad, you’ve a doctor right?” Sidney said “Yes”. Josh looked at him then said, “You studied organic chemistry?” Sidney, who was no longer surprised by his son’s questions, nodded. Joshua continued, “Biological organic molecules?” Sidney nodded; he had no idea where this was leading. “Well dad, I noticed that with levo and the dextro oriented molecules, the levo is often less toxic than the dextro. How come?”
Sidney had no answer for Joshua. “Did you ask your mother?” He thought, ‘Why couldn’t it be ‘how does a light bulb work’ or ‘why is the grass green?’ I have answers to those. I had even read a beginner’s science book six years ago, when Janet and I were first trying to conceive. For some obscure reason, the book omitted this one.’
“Mommy sent me to ask you.”
“Do you understand about how the body has many chemicals and parts of it which absorb these chemicals?”
“You know that these very tiny molecules have things called receptors, they are like locks, which the chemicals can fit, like keys.”
“Well the body has these locks which sometimes bend to the right and sometimes to the left.”
“The dextro and levo, yeah. But why is the levo often more potent and safer?”
“I’m not really sure why. Sorry.”
Joshua went running off.
***
David sent an e-mail with attachments to a prominent patent attorney. The gist of the letter was that the novel nanoscale array of dimension 232, hydrogen-bromide ion encapsulated, digital quantum capacitors should have twelve times longer battery life than lithium ion batteries while not in use, and was capable of storing thirty nine times more power. The new batteries could be recharged in as little as 11 minutes, with energy efficiencies of 74%. Due to its design, the battery could also double as a 4 gigabit digital storage media. Could the attorney contact prominent battery producers and arrange the production and sale of the batteries where David (under a pseudonym) would be given 15% of the profits. The attorney was given a sizable retainer.
Two months later, the attorney sent back a letter with the full patent rights to the production, chemical composition, and basic science of the battery. However, there was no interest in the battery. One company said that if the inventor wanted to supply already produced batteries, they would be willing to test the batteries further.
David arranged for a small chemical company to make four dozen prototypes. Each of the original battery companies were sent two prototype batteries and told that they could produce them under non-exclusive rights for C. Haines Design Limited, but would need to agree to give the designer 60% of the profits.
The new hydrogen-bromide ion batteries were initially backordered for six months. The largest initial purchasers were car, cell phone and tablet computer manufacturers for prototype development.
***
The multi-tiered diamond/carbon nanotubes organic computers were now operating at eighty three-times the speeds of traditional silicone chips. The first prototype in the dog was stable and was not rejected. At maximum computer usage, the hydrogen-bromide ion battery required weekly energy boosts. The dog was now thirteen months old and had never missed a clock cycle.
YEAR 19.5 I’M WITH STUPID <--
Dr. Claude Marguine was the Medical Director of the small Hospital Albert Schweitzer in Deschappels Haiti. He was also a survivor. He survived the earthquake and the cholera epidemic. A survivor of Papa Doc, Bébé Doc, Jean Bertrand Aristide, and the others. He gave the temporary leaders what they asked for. Otherwise, he kept his head low and ministered to the poorer sections of Haiti. Walking down a corridor of his hospital, his cell phone rang. It was his secretary.
“Doctor Marguine”
“Yes, what is it?”
“I have a call from the United States.”
Just what he needed, Americans, ignorant Americans. “Can you take a message? I’m on rounds.”
“He says he’s Charlie Haines.”
Dr. Marguine thought, ‘Charlie Haines, the richest philanthropist in the world?!? This was not a man to antagonize.’ In a softer voice, “Patch him through, please.”
“Doctor Marguine, this is Charlie Haines. I was wondering if you’re heard of me and my company?”
The man was speaking French, like a Parisian, however Marguine recognized the voice from the television interviews. It could be Haines. “Professor Haines, I didn’t know you spoke French.”
“Hehe, I take pride in learning many languages. You’d be surprised about the number I’ve mastered. However, I didn’t call to chat about my countrymen’s ignorance. I’d like to contribute to Hospital Albert Schweitzer. Could you use an electrical generator for the hospital and the nearby town?”
Marguine thought, ‘Charlie Haines is the biggest mystery man on Earth. However, if this was not a prank I had nothing to lose.’ “That is very generous, very generous indeed. We frequently have power outages in this section of Haiti. We can use whatever assistance we can get.”
“I’d also like to donate four million American dollars for a renovation of your operating room suite. You can use that in any way, but it has to be equipment related.”
“That is most generous. Would you like us to name the room in your honor?”
“No. At this point in my life, publicity and self-aggrandizement are the last things I need. Why don’t you name it after your country’s current president? However, don’t chisel the name into stone. A plaque would be best.”
“Yes, you are most wise, Professor. However, if you don’t want to be honored for your gift, is there anything I could do for you?”
“Come to think of it, there is a small favor. A woman, who has worked on organizing my charities, needs a small operation. It is nothing serious. However, I would like to reward her with a small vacation in Haiti and to let her see the fruit of her work. If it is permissible, I would like three of our surgeons to do the operation. All I will need is an anesthesiologist and the use of the new OR. Would that be possible?”
“Are the doctors recognized in America?”
“Yes, of course.”
“I see no problem with granting them professional courtesies of that nature.”
“I will naturally pay for the use of your facilities.”
“That is most kind, but you are already being quite generous.”
“But I insist.”
“Well, if you insist, then we will make the accommodations.”
***
Although Dr. Marguine initially felt it might have been a hoax, C H Charities sent the money the next day. Work on the power generator began two weeks later. Dr. Marguine checked the credentials of the physicians and realized that they were all accredited by the American Medical Association, and their licenses had not been revoked. However, he did notice that one of them had not been practicing in the last 20 years, and the other two were researchers at a drug company. Claude Marguine was not a stupid man. Free electrical power and four million dollars, yes, he will look away from the obviously illegal experiment they planned to do, as long as the patient was willing.
***
Three days before the operation, a private corporate jet arrived at Cap Haitien on the north shore of Haiti. Arrangements were made to bypass customs. The party consisted of Martin, Corey, the Ryans, David and Phyllis. Joshua remained home with Dr. Mgumba and the guards.
Everyone except for Phyllis ate, drank, and enjoyed the be
ach. David stayed out of the water and was the only person to wear a shirt to the beach. His tee-shirt said, ‘I’m with Stupid <--’. The party drove that evening to Hospital Albert Schweitzer. The three doctors were introduced to Dr. Marguine. Marguine gave them and Phyllis a tour of the hospital and the newly refurbished operating room. Marguine was satisfied that the patient was not being coerced. Rather than being apprehensive of the surgery, she was, if anything, eager. He let the staff know that the surgery could proceed.
***
The nurses prepped Phyllis the day before the operation. David, who was introduced as a translator, was told that his services were not needed, as the nurses, Dr. Marguine, and the anesthesiologist all spoke fluent English. The pre-surgery catheter and relaxant were administered. Phyllis’ hair had been shaved. Before Phyllis left the pre-surgery waiting room, she looked at David and asked, “Will you still love me now that I’m bald?”