Phyllis said, “Matt can have a contract, a legal contract, tomorrow. Also, tell the New Jersey people, that they will get a set of blueprints for the building construction for the permits in two days and a contract for energy charges also in two days. The blueprints will be for an unused part of TMI. One-quarter of prevailing rates until the construction is paid off, then it goes down to one-tenth of prevailing rates. We’ll also tie it to the inflation index. That will be in writing. However, any attempt to steal the secrets of his perpetual motion machine will mean the immediate closing down of the facility. Permanent closure. And that applies to Matt’s people too. If that means National Guard at the site replacing Matt, that’s what it means.”
There was silence on Murray’s end, “That boy of yours really does think ahead.”
“No papa, those were my ideas. Papa, I’m going to send you a special cell phone. Other phones will be for all who are on the payroll. They clip over your ear all you need to do is say a name. If it’s in the directory, it will be called. Otherwise, you’ll be asked. When it’s not in use, you can turn it off by the switch in the earpiece. But have it on you, Papa, 24/7, Okay?” Phyllis failed to mention the on-off switches for the phones were deactivated.
***
The first incident occurred during the day, a week after Tortelli was hired. Le Chef had called in a food order and the usual delivery truck made the delivery. Sniffer was on duty and noticed the truck drive by twice. When they rolled into the driveway, there were two new deliverymen, not the usual lone man. Sniffer also smelled the odor of gun oil. The entire house had been silently awakened to the threat. Martin and Eagle One exited the house through an opened door farthest from the assassins. Eagle One watched from a tree. Son-of-Alex went to another tree. The driver and his partner were out of sight of the truck. Slinky was able to let air out of the front two tires. The tires were chocked, so they were unable to move. A call to the mob protectors had been broadcast as soon as the assassins were identified. Tortelli’s men were given a second-by-second descriptions of where the assassins were and what they were doing.
Sniffer followed the fake deliverymen. They initially circled the property, looking for easy access. They returned to the side door. They knocked, but there was no response. One stood guard, as the other picked the lock. The house was quiet. They pulled their guns and started looking for Martin. They had entered the second room then heard someone say, “I’m home.” They smiled to one another and started back to the side door, when each felt a gun pressed to their heads. Hands gently removed their guns. One of Matt’s men said, “Lucy, I’m home.”
***
The vice president of the Allegany Coal Company expected the hit men to call that night. There was no call. He picked up the paper, but didn’t see any news from Larchmont. The only news on the police blotter was the theft of the food delivery truck for a joyride. He concluded that the hit men got cold feet.
Two days later, his daughter received a large box. The box was addressed to her baby. On opening it, she discovered gaily-printed birthday paper wrapping a large box-like object. She picked the box up, it was teddy bear size, but was heavier and more solid. She removed the paper revealing a decapitated head in a bloodied plastic bag. She dropped the head and screamed for fifteen minutes.
Simultaneously, the wife of the president of the Allegany Coal Company also received an identical box. It was addressed to her son.
Both boxes also contained the quite thick wallets of the hitmen.
The vice president denied to the police ever seeing them before. However, these were the same men he met and took a drive with, two weeks before, to discuss the hit. The vice president was never the same again. He now slept with the light on and jumped at every loud noise.
The president of Allegany Coal Company retired one month after his son’s ‘present’.
The power cartel’s inner circle got the news quite quickly.
YEAR 17.8 OUT TO LAUNCH. WILL RETURN SHORTLY.
It was the middle of February. “Murray, this is David. I want to ask a small favor. It involves keeping your daughter safe while this thing blows down.”
Murray paused for a second, “Anything David.”
“Murray, do you still have friends or relatives anywhere in Italy? I’d like to get a car, preferably a black Fiat, with an Italian registration and license plate.”
“Is that all? I could get a more expensive car. The Lamborghini has a much smoother ride and has better acceleration. I also think you should have some bodyguards.”
“No, I think being a bit more discrete is the better part of my plans. Once they get the Fiat, tell me the color, model and year and where we can pick it up in Italy, the more out of the way the better.”
***
Back at college, David sat down at Phyllis’ dining room table. He was wearing a sweatshirt that said, “Out to Launch. Will Return Shortly.’ It was Monday morning.
“Phyllis, I’m a bit concerned with what’s happening in New York. Ever been to Italy for a vacation?”
“Not since I was six.” She paused then studied David, “Don’t be silly, David, I have school, I can’t take off like that. What about my exams and all.”
“You forget I’m the President’s favorite, especially with the new translation of the Old Testament going to press. I can have your teachers put a camera facing the blackboard and you can see everything and listen to it while on holiday. Actually, you might want to have the Teacher persona reprocess it, and teach you the material, based on your optimum learning style and rate. As far as exams go, if your professors can fax it to you, you can fax it back in the allotted time.
“As I said, I know Windseig will be on our side in this. He’s been following the developments in Larchmont. It doesn’t hurt that the first name on that Gravity paper is a Birkhead professor and the second is really me. Plus, he’s smart enough to realize that our presence on campus jeopardizes all the other students. You remember the two hit-men at Carnegie Mellon? By the way, do you speak Italian?”
“Not really, only a few words.”
“Another job for Teacher.” David grinned.
“I don’t know. This is really somewhat sudden. I thought I had stability in my life again.” Phyllis sighed.
“I ordered a set of plane tickets to Rome, for tomorrow night. We’re going to pick the tickets up in Larchmont; I’m also getting a stack of business cards for us and some money. We’ll be leaving this afternoon, I put a packing list together, and we’re going to need passports, your blankets, and some other things, including a new car. I’m having a moving company put all our stuff into long term storage.”
“David, I never realized that you moved so fast. I don’t think I can do all that.”
“I’m sure it’s now known that the Larchmont house is being protected. You and I are now the optimum targets of the energy companies.” David said somberly. Then his tone brightened. “Don’t worry, I’ll help pack. I’m just taking two sets of clothes and my toothbrush. Don’t worry about forgetting things. If we need more clothes, we can buy new stuff, and if needed, throw them away after every use. We can be dining al fresco on Wednesday morning. Would you like to rent a little villa in Capri? I have a surprise for you, a special charter flight to Italy, with our own pilot.”
Fortunately, Phyllis had her ‘flight’ bag, a suitcase she could grab for emergencies and it was a short matter of adding her toiletries. David folded up her blankets and put them in the pile to go into the car. When Phyllis came back with an overflowing backpack with all her notes and books she looked at the blanket. “What do we need a blanket for?”
David grinned, “It’s for the trip to Italy. We’re going to need it. Oh, didn’t you notice your list? You don’t need your books.”
“Of course I will. I still need to study!”
“You forget who you are now, you’re my woman!” David s
aid with a mad grin. “Ask teacher for any book and she’ll provide it for you, already highlighted. I had Hilda go through your loose-leaf and she already transcribed it into a file. Fortunately it’s only the fourth week of class.”
Phyllis looked at her backpack and thought of her mother’s sudden death. She left the backpack on her now empty bed.
David and Phyllis finished packing the few things they needed from her apartment. They loaded their stuff into the trunk of her car and drove to Larchmont. Once in New York, David stopped off at home and got a package. Phyllis looked over his shoulder as he transferred a large sum of money into their suitcases; he gave her a stack of $100 dollar bills, which she put into her purse. David also gave Phyllis some C H Electricity business and credit cards. They then drove to a used car dealership and proceeded to consummate the pre-arranged deal for a new black Fiat. The car was purchased by Comp-Head Industries for the use by Phyllis Marks, Regional Sales Manager - Europe. They sold her old car after moving all their stuff, including the surveillance cameras from one car to the other.
Phyllis drove to a garage where mechanics welded small boxes onto various structural components of the frame. David directed their placement. They then went to the post-office and got their expedited passports, after showing their airlines reservations. It was now five PM.
David looked at Phyllis, “I think we’re almost ready for the flight. Let’s grab some dinner, pack a two-day picnic, then head out.” He was madly grinning.
Phyllis’ jaw dropped. “David Smith-Klein, stop this minute, I demand to know what your plans are. If we’re flying to Italy, why the car? What picnic?”
David looked at her in puzzlement, “Didn’t you ask the computer?”
“N..n..no, should I have?”
David was grinning. He nodded his head.
Phyllis: Computer what is our itinerary?
Teacher: After dinner at Wo Ping’s Chinese restaurant, you will go to the Market Pantry to pick up supplies for both of you and Hilda. Then you will go to the industrial section of Mamaroneck where you will depart by car to Assisi Italy, to arrive at midnight tomorrow local time.
Phyllis blinked, “Computer: please repeat our itinerary.” After it repeated it, she stared at David and started to yell, “WE’RE GOING TO ITALY BY CAR?”
David’s grin intensified. “You’re going to make history, the first one in the history of the world to drive her car to Italy.”
“David, I knew you were a mad genius, but you’ve gone off the deep end this time. Over the top. You’ve never done this. You’re crazy. You never even tested this car thing. What happens if it fails half way there? The answer is NO. We take a plane like normal people.”
David looked at her, still beaming. He said the words that have re-assured women throughout history. “Trust me; I know what I’m doing. Let’s discuss this over dinner.”
At dinner David explained the impossibility of trying to get through airport security with his computer. The first time he walked past the metal detectors, he would be stopped. He also mentioned the security risks of being picked up or followed in Italy. Homeland security would have permanent pictures of him.
Two hours later, after dinner, they drove to a convenience store. David purchased the supplies and loaded them into the back floor of the Fiat. Hilda lay sprawled on the seat. They topped off the gas tank. David took out a small package he had picked up in Larchmont, “a top-of-the-line portable ship radar unit.”
Phyllis drove to a deserted street near the Mamaroneck pier. “Okay, here it goes.” They parked on a road flanked by high security fences on either side. On the right side, they saw a grimy dock and numerous ship cargo boxes.
David: Now for history.
Phyllis said, “I don’t feel anything.” She looked out the window and noticed they were moving. At first straight, then sideways, then finally up and over the fence, above the water.
“Our top speed in this car should be about 210 miles per hour going east. We’ll be getting a slight boost from the winds. Our height will be 50 feet above the waves, until out of US territorial waters.”
“Isn’t that slow? I thought that jets cruise at over 600 miles per hour.”
David: Sorry love. They use jet engines, we’re using natural gravity. Think of the speed of a peregrine hawk in a dive, we’ve already reached our terminal velocity. We’re going only slightly faster than a parachutist, before they open their chute, and that’s because of the slightly better aerodynamics and mass of the car. Do you want to say goodbye to Dad?
Phyllis: Hi Martin, we’re a few miles out to sea right now. I hope no one saw us.
They could almost hear David’s father shrug,
Martin: If they did, they’d think it was a funny shaped plane, or the angle was wrong. David might be able to crank out what Amelia Earhart or Charles Lindberg said as they took off, for me its keep safe and dry. Bon voyage and tell me when you arrive, it should be sometime tomorrow morning. Keep safe huh?
Phyllis: Bye, David says he knows what he’s doing.
Martin’s voice had a laughing lilt.
Martin: He’s been telling me that all his life. It’s your turn now. Oh, tell David that our Senator and the City’s major want us to convert some of their Bayonne power plants to us. They’re even supplying the transformer and the real estate. The governor of New Jersey finally signed the Three Mile Island contract. Bye.
Outside was now dark. Behind them, they could see the glow of New York City’s skyline, but no sight of land. Their driving lights had been off before they started up. They were now 50 feet above the relatively still water. The only light came from the radar unit. Phyllis could barely see David’s face.
“We’re making history tonight, the longest distance ever flown by a Fiat on one tank of gas. Want to enter the Mile High Club?”
“You mean have sex here? Now? Who will drive?”
“We’re on autopilot?” David brightened, “You never wanted to do it in a plane? If you want, I can pull behind a wave down there so no police can see us.” Phyllis felt the car drop five feet.
“Don’t you dare!” Phyllis gripped the side of her seat. She then saw the silly lopsided grin on David’s face. She reluctantly smiled and removed her earplug, carefully turning it off. “Turn off your computer.” She didn’t want his father and the menagerie eavesdropping.
“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?’
The Infinite when it was Two Digits Old Page 14