Monday, April 24, 2017

The Travels of Jack Pynesapp - Book 2 Chapter 7: Red and Jimmy

This is 40 in a series of lblogs chronicling an expedition into 'space' with Jack Pynesapp and his granddaughter Red. To read the entire story (with notes) please see the JackPynesapp web site: [ click here ]

Travels of Jack Pynesapp

Book 2: Red and Jimmy

Chapter 7;
A soft female voice said; "Please find an empty seat and, while sitting down, activate your ticket. Once your ticket is validated you will be assigned to that seat for the duration of your trip with us. You may then move about the train at your pleasure and your seat will be reserved for your return. Thank you for choosing United Rail and have an enjoyable journey."

Red's phone said; "Your ticket has been accepted to Chicago. You have reserved seat 305-14-2. Thank you."

Red and Jimmy settled in as the train took off. The only sensation of motion was the pressure of their backs against the seats as they accelerated. That, and an almost imperceptible feeling like they were falling.  The conductor was standing by the seat across the isle from them. The lady who was sitting there, asked him about this. He said that some are more sensitive to the sensation than others, and that standing up and turning around a couple times usually helps. He said that it's only a brief sensation, while the train is speeding up, and it will end when the train reaches full speed.  

"A clue." Jimmy whispered to Red. 

"Arthur called it a 'gravity drive' so I guess it makes sense."

They had been watching for Arthur -- and anyone else who looked like they were watching -- as they waited for the train and then boarded. Nobody seemed the least interested in this young couple. Red had commented that this probably just meant that whoever was following them was very good at their job. 

"I still don't know why you think anybody would be interested in us." Jimmy laughed. "You're just being paranoid." 

"Shut up." Red said, "And keep an eye out for anything suspicious." She stood up and turned around like she was having problems with the falling sensation. As she turned she looked at the people in the other seats.  The car was nearly full. People were busy settling in: adjusting their seats, taking out blankets and pillows, taking out various things to read, work with or play with or just looking out the windows. Nobody paid her any attention so she sighed and settled back down next to Jimmy. 

"See anything?"

"No."

"Told ya." Jimmy scoffed.

"Just keep watching." Red scolded.

----------------------------------------------------

The sensation that they were getting heavier was the only way Red and Jimmy could tell they were approaching Albuquerque. This was an express train so Kansas City would be the only other stop before Chicago.

The lady across the isle was gathering up her things and getting up to leave.

Three hours had passed since leaving L.A. Red was getting hungry so she opened the diner app.

"Let's get something to eat." She said to Jimmy. "There are two seats available in the dinning car right now. Should I reserve them?"

"Sounds great." Jimmy agreed.

They were seated at an empty table (so far) and they ordered two cheese burgers and fries.

"No company this time?" Jimmy observed.

"It's kinda late and maybe people don't like eating during take-off. But don't worry, maybe someone will show. "

"I'm not complaining."

Nobody did show up to join them and Red and Jimmy ate in relative silence.

-----------------------

As they approached their seats, Red nudged Jimmy and pointed to the man sitting in the seat across the isle that the lady had vacated. He was looking out the window as they sat down.

"Did you enjoy your dinner?" He asked the window.

Red looked at him and said; "Hello Arthur."





Thursday, April 20, 2017

Nightmares

For all my life, any nightmares I have had have been about threats to me personally. Only lately have they become threats to all life on earth.

The first was the night after Trump was elected president. I dreamed we were on vacation on the west coast when our tour guides had everyone move to designated bomb shelter areas. This was a general alarm that everyone in the area knew about and all the news and the whole internet was covering it. Our country and some foreign power had escalated to a point where the missiles had been launched and we were just waiting for them to arrive. We were all hoping - against hope - that at the last minute someone would come to their senses and abort the missiles and we would be saved. But nobody really believed that and we all knew that this was the end of all life on earth. It was a totally empty and hopeless feeling; complete despair; utterly hopeless; helpless feeling. Then came the rage and then I woke up.

The second came last night. I don't remember much of the background or what led up to the end. It was a battle with some sort of general darkness. Everyone was waiting for this darkness to come and animate us all. It came as a sort of smoke; completely black (even in the night) and it swept over us like a fog. The first wave came many of us found a way to hide from it and we escaped. But another wave was coming and we all knew there was no escaping this time. It was terrifying but we all held out some glimmer of hope that we would survive again somehow and then I woke up.

Friday, April 7, 2017

The Travels of Jack Pynesapp - Book 2 Chapter 6: Red and Jimmy

This is 39 in a series of lblogs chronicling an expedition into 'space' with Jack Pynesapp and his granddaughter Red. To read the entire story (with notes) please see the JackPynesapp web site: [ click here ]

Travels of Jack Pynesapp

Book 2: Red and Jimmy

Chapter 6; 

Okay. Well, that was interesting.  But it didn't answer any questions, did it. I like these 'Port' things. It sounds like they will give us (as well as Red and Jimmy) ALL the answers. Dosen't it? 

"Jack Pynesapp"; Red said out loud in order to 'call' her Grandpa on her new 'Port' phone thing. She wanted to talk to him some more and find out what the heck is going on here.

"Jack Pynesapp is currently unavailable. Please try again later." came the reply from somewhere in her head.

She gave Jimmy a look of exasperation. 

"Busy?" Jimmy asked.

"Unavailable." she said.  "So much for advanced technology.

"Who said it was advanced?" Jimmy said. "It's just different."

"Same shit, different dimension." Red laughed dryly.

"Try Grandma." Jimmy said.

"Marge Pynesapp." Red said. Another look of exasperation. "Same thing."

"Probably talking to each other." Jimmy suggested.

"Why would they be talking to each other on the ports when they're together?"

"You're assuming they are still together."

"Grandpa said we could learn how to use these things by asking questions. How do we ask questions?" Red asked.

Jimmy shrugged and then said; "Port, how do we ask you questions?"

He heard a soft voice say; "What would you like to know?"

"Like that." He said to Red. "It said 'What would you like to know?'"

"Okay," Red sighed, "Port, where is Jack Pynesapp?"

"You are not authorized for that information."

"It said I'm not authorized for that information."  She echoed to Jimmy.

"Port, how do I get authorized for that information."

"This access is controlled by the administrator of your Node."

"Who's that?"

Nothing.

"Port, who is that."

"Jack Pynsapp is the administrator of your Node."

Red looked at Jimmy and said, "Grandpa has to give me access."

"It makes sense, I guess, " Jimmy said, "they said they want us on that return train and maybe if we knew where they were we (you) would be tempted to try to find them."

Red thought for a minute. "I guess." She said finally, "Port, is Jack Pynesapp safe."

"His readings are normal."

"Port, what do you mean? What readings?"

" His metabolic readings are within his normal range, although his respiration, pulse, and blood pressure are slightly elevated. It would appear that he is performing some sort of physical exertion."

"Port, can you sense all these things from the earpiece?"

"Yes."

"It said 'Yes.'" She said to James.

"Now that's pretty cool." Jimmy said, "Port, what are Red Vanderbilt's metabolic readings?"

"Pulse: 85, blood pressure: 105 over 73,  blood oxygen: 98%."

"Port, is that all you know about Red?"

"I know her physical location, her rate of movement,  and the history of all these parameters."

"Port: but you can't tell me what her location is?"

"Yes, I can."

"It said it can tell me where you are. So your grandparents must have specifically blocked us from knowing where they are."

"I guess you were right." Red said.

Red said; "Port: are Jack Pynesapp and Marge Pynesapp close to each other?"

"Please be more specific."

"Port: Are they withing 100 feet of each other."

"You are not authorized for that information."

"You are not authorized for that information. " Red echoed and then sighed. "How could I guess. "

Jimmy smiled. "Port, " He started, "Tell me about Arthur Hale".

"I know of 14 Arthur Hale's. Please be more specific."

Jimmy looked at Red and then said; "Wait, Port. Can you let Red -- I mean Red Vanderbilt -- hear what you're saying?"

"I can put you both in a pod if you want."

"What is that?"

"It is like a private space where the three of us can have a conversation."

"Yes, that's what I'm after."

Red heard; "Red, would you like to enter a Pod with James Vanderbilt?"

"Yes, please".

Red and Jimmy both heard a short rising tone.

Jimmy continued, "Arthur Hale is middle aged and the head of some consulting company."

"The closest match is an Arthur Hale,  age 52, currently of Los Angeles, California; President and CEO of Hale and Sons Consulting Company. "

"That's gotta be him!" Jimmy said. "Now what do you know about him?"

"That's the only information that is published."

Red said; "Port, what can you tell us about Hale and Sons Consulting Company?"

"Hale and Sons provide expert engineering and design services to the transportation industry - both private and public. Specializing in state of the art propulsion, conveyance,  guidance, and control systems."

"That sounds pretty darn close." Jimmy laughed.

"Port, can you tell us the names of the other employees of Hale and Sons?" To Jimmy she said: "I've got an idea."

"Arthur Hale; Principle owner and CEO. John Hale; CIO and head of R&D. Arthur Jr.; Chief Engineer and Chairman of the board. William Thompson ; Engineer. Alice Olsen: Senior Account Manager. ... "

"Port, stop there." Red interrupted. "Jimmy, do you suppose?" She asked in wonder.

"If it's not, it's an awful coincidence. What the hell? I'll bet that's Bill and Alice from the train."

"Now I know why Grandpa gave us these things. It wasn't to keep tabs on Him and Grandma. It was to help us figure out this world and stay safe."

"Okay, so? Again I say 'What the hell?' Why are these three people playing games with us? Why us?"

"And what's Billy doing here?" Red added.

"Billy who?" Jimmy asked.

"Billy! You know William Thompson! Could that be Billy Thompson? You know the kid my Dad was talking about from when he was in school. From when he first caught that train?"

One of the problems with working on this story over years is remembering the names of the characters. I had to go back to Chapter XXVI to remember Billy's last name. 


"Yeah, I get it, I get it. But that can't be the same guy, can it?"

"He'd be the right age. We've never seen him. He hasn't been around has he? Why not?"

"That's an awful big coincidence."

"But it might explain how Arthur and Co know about us."

"Why haven't we heard about any of this until now?" Jimmy protested. "Jack must know he's around. Why didn't he tell us."

"Maybe he didn't have a chance."

"How long would it take to say; 'Oh, and Red; you remember we told you about Billy ....... Well he's here. Watch out for him.' How long does that take?"

"I don't know. What ever, okay. Now we know. So what do we do now."

"I say we get on the train and get the hell out of here."

They both stood up and looked around. What if Arthur, or one of his friends was watching them -- had been watching all along? And just because they didn't see Arthur, Bill, or Alice doesn't mean one of the other people in that company wasn't watching.  The next train departed in about an hour. They decided to get their tickets and just wait in the station.