trust in you, Will. Thanks for lightening my load.”
The next morning, Bill caught the seven o’clock train going east.
The ride took eight days because a huge herd of Bison decided to graze along the route, and “they just don’t respect the train whistle,” as the conductor said.
DATELINE: 2011 PLACE: THE 1800 CLUB, NEW YORK
Bill looked forward to a long hot shower in his 2011 apartment as he opened the door. He buzzed Matt, “I’m home, Matt. I’ll be in the shower. Will you, please bring me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and chocolate milk?”
After he had scrubbed the eight days of train dust off, he went into his den and sat at his desk. Matt had brought in his food on a tray, and as Bill attacked it, he sent a text message to the future.
Edmund, I’m in my office now. Want to chat? Bill.
A return message read.
Welcome home, Bill. Be there in a New York Minute. Edmund.
A knock at the door announced his arrival. Bill opened it and greeted his grandson with a warm hug. He always enjoyed having family around, but this was unique. Bill suggested he take a seat in one of the easy chairs.
Edmund smiled as he sat in the leather easy chair, “So Bill, the Roosevelt mission is moving along fine?”
“Yep. It’s a bit more complicated at this moment, but I’m sure it will turn out just the way the history books say it did. Now, what’s so important that you dragged me a few thousand miles away?”
Edmund took a deep breath. Bill saw he was having a difficult time with the atmosphere. “Take your time, breathe slowly.”
The younger man nodded and took his advice. Finally, he said, “We believe this new trouble could have worse consequences than the trouble with Roosevelt.” He paused and took a deep breath.
Bill’s eyebrows came together, as he waited for the young man from the future to continue. Whatever it is, thought Bill, it must be bad to pull me back in the middle of a mission.
Edmund spoke slowly, “One of our probes detected the Wright brothers in 1907 still building bicycles instead of airplanes. We sent probes to other nations and found their airplanes flying while the United States was buying their cast-offs.” He paused and took a deep breath before continuing. “We were so far behind that we didn’t lead the aviation industry the way history says we did, and the Allies lost World War One.”
He wheezed and coughed. “Bill, we have to send you there right away to see what the problem is. According to our computers, the Germans and their allies will occupy Great Britain and France, and the U.S. will have only Canada to trade with. We fear the Germans will attack and win against a weak U.S.”
Bill sat back and thought a minute, then turned to Edmund. “Wow! I have to read up on the Wrights and set a plan of action. It’ll take me at least one week to learn all I need to know about the brothers, and I’ll use that time to finish up the Roosevelt problem. Fair enough?”
“That sounds good to me grandpa . . . uh . . . I mean, Bill. I’m sure the group will be satisfied with that solution.”
Edmund looked exhausted and Bill realized that New York City was bathed in fog today and that probably added to his breathing problem.
“Good,” he said, “Now, I’ve got to get you out of here before I lose my future grandson. Next time, why don’t you bring an oxygen bottle with you?”
Edmund smiled weakly. “Perhaps I will Bill. Thank you. The group thinks highly of you, and I might add, I’m proud to be your relative.”
Bill took his arm and guided him toward the door. “Let’s go. And tell them not to worry. Your grandfather will pull it off.” He gave Edmund a hug, helped him out, and closed the time portal. That done, Bill finished his sandwich, briefed Matt of his needs for the next day, and went to bed. He had a train to catch in the morning and he knew what his reading material was going to be: The Wright brothers.
DATELINE: 1875 PLACE: DODGE CITY, KANSAS
The train ride back west took five days and Bill spent the time reading up on the Wright brothers and their flying machine. He got off at Dodge City and as usual, there was Timmy looking for a fare. They went to the Splinter and the same clerk napped at his desk. Bill woke him as he dropped his bags.
“Yessir!” he said with a start. “Can I help . . . oh, Mr. Scott, it’s you. Do ya’ want a room?”
Bill answered as he reached for the pen to sign in, “Yes, of course. Is the same room available? The one next to Miss Walters?”
“Sure is, but Miss Walters isn’t here anymore.”
Bill was suddenly more alert and leaned toward the clerk. “What do you mean, not here anymore? Where is she?”
The clerk stepped back in fear. “I . . . I . . . I dunno! She left with Mr. Masterson a little over a week ago. She’s . . . she’s probably shooting billiards with him right now over at Biff’s place. They seem to do that a lot. Do . . . do you still want your room?”
Bill looked at his watch. “Yes.” He took the key, bounded up the stairs, changed into his black outfit and after getting directions, walked briskly to Biff’s billiard hall. The place was empty. He walked over to the man reading the newspaper behind the counter. He was about to ask of Emma and Masterson when the saloon-style swinging doors opened and they walked in. They were laughing as they went over to the table. Masterson didn’t look at the clerk but called to him.
“Biff, rack ‘em up for us, would you?” Then Masterson looked up, and he and Emma both saw Bill.
Emma rushed over and embraced him. “Bill! Welcome back. How was it?”
Masterson approached with his hand out, and Bill shook it.
Bill answered, “It was okay. There are still some things I have to take care of in New York, but I have a little time. How come you’re not staying at the hotel?”
She blushed. “That creep at the hotel insisted on bringing me water after you left. Then he wanted to bring it into the room and offered to wash my back. I pushed him out. But at night I could hear him sneaking around my door. I told Bat and . . .”
Masterson interrupted, “And I offered to take her in. It made sense. Gets me some more practice time, too. She sleeps upstairs, Bill. There’s no messin’ on my part.”
She blushed again. “Bat’s a gentleman, Bill. And what a student! He’s got it. That pistol has become part of him.”
Bill looked her. “Bat? You said Bat. What’s that all about?”
Masterson laughed out loud. “Damned silly, if you ask me. We were in here shooting billiards and three of the boys from town thought they’d get funny with Emma . . . ”
Emma cut in, “You should have seen him, Bill. He picked up a cue stick and used it on those three punks. The owner, Biff, started calling him Bat, because he used the stick the way the baseball players use their bats.”
“Well, Bat,” Bill, said, “do you think we have enough material to write that story?”
Bat looked at him and became serious. “Bill, you were right. After learning how to handle a pistol, doors opened for me. Marshal Earp would like me to be his deputy. It just gave me a new tool to better myself. As I said, it opened more doors for me, but I don’t think we should write this story.”
Bill looked at him. “Not write it? Why?”
“Because it’d be like telling some young kids that the way to get ahead is to use a gun. And somehow that doesn’t seem like the message I want stuck with my name. Do ya’ understand, Bill?”
Bill nodded, looked at him and smiled. “Bat Masterson, you are one wise man.”
“Then, you’re not angry with me, partner?”
Bill shook his head. “Heck no, Bat, in fact, I’m in awe of you. And I do believe your name will carry a strong message over the years.”
Bill looked at Emma. “And you, Emma, do you feel that the project is over?”
“I think that if Bat says it’s over, then it’s over. And you Bill, what do you think?”
Bat put his cue stick down. “Why don’t I let you two cousins talk while I step out
side for a spell?” He walked out.
Bill and Emma took a seat in a corner away from the clerk. Bill looked at Emma. She had a deep tan and looked every inch the part of a Western woman, but a very liberated Western woman with her long blond hair flowing freely around her shoulders.
“So, Emma, are you ready to come back home?”
She smiled and shook her head. “No, Bill,” she said. “I’m not going back. He’s progressed a lot, but he’s not ready to be on his own. He needs lots more tutoring. I’m going to stay.”
“Stay? For how long?”
“Bill, he asked me to marry him.”
Bill’s eyes opened wide. “Marry him? You can’t marry him!”
Emma put a hand on his shoulder. “Shh, Bill, why can’t I marry him? As you said we’re here today, alive and breathing. The only difference between us is that I’m from his future. But if I stay here, I become his future.”
Bill thought quickly and said, “I don’t know if they have a rule against that. I’m, I’m not sure . . .”
Emma opened her hands wide, “Rules? What rules? I’m here, and they’re far away. In fact, as you said, they couldn’t even come here because of the polluted atmosphere. Do they even know I’m here?”
Bill looked at her, and then broke into a grin. “You know what? I don’t think I ever told them that I brought you along.” He shrugged his shoulders, “I guess it’d be okay.”
She held his hand, “Bill, it’s the best thing that could ever happen to me. It’s the time period our club members would give anything to live in, and
Time Travel Adventures Of The 1800 Club, BOOK I Page 28