Storiesonline.net
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                                  Time
                           by John Wales & Joe

Copyright© 2004 by John Wales & Joe


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Description: Alex Kramer possessed a very sharp mind, a photographic memory, and a drive to succeed. After the death of his foster sister 1951, his mind was riddled with a guilt. He drove himself to be the youngest doctor to graduate from the University of Toronto. After practising for a few years he found the guilt leaving. He went back to school to be what he wanted all along, an electrical engineer. He got his degree with a major in physics.His entrepreneurial skills came out. He parlayed his knowledge and abilities into an empire comprising chip manufacturing, high-tech equipment production and eve

Codes: mF FF TimeTr harem slow rom
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Prologue


Hello Readers

At the moment Joe, my editor, and I are still in the midst of the Tandra story. Henry has god-like powers but there is always somebody bigger to knock him down if they wished to do so. There is also another cameo similar to 'Masis' called 'The Home Front' After that the main characters come back into the story. I have been stuck on what to do next with the hero Henry. A small 4 to 600k spin off cameo with some cadets presents itself, but I think that Henry has to stay with us a bit longer before pursuing it. Since I am stymied at around chapter 90 or so, I put my busy fingers to other pursuits. That is the reason that 'Time' was actually started. An overworked septic system means that effluent is not held in check for long.

The 'Time' story only fits slightly into the Science Fiction category. The characters are nothing like the ones in Tandra, or in my other very roughly written story being worked on by a kind chap in Australia (hint, hint).

Joe was flogged till he agreed to add his own words to 'Time'. The mining sequence is for the main part his work along with some of the automotive section. He did spend four and a half years as a miner in order to work on this part of the story I am told. Most of the time taken since was in teaching him to spell in proper Canadian.

Joe and I both have some Polish blood and this is what it thought might be interesting to follow up on. I have found from many people, that the immigrants coming to North America at the beginning or the twentieth century and before were resourceful and talented. Nasty, hard and uncompromising might also be a good adjectives for some. I was told that a few of my own relatives would eat a horse and spit out the shoes as nails. Joe I am sure has his own comments on this matter.

Another proposed part of the time story that was shot down by Joe, involved a Polish sheepherder. Joe researched this too I believe, though he would deny this assumption very strenuously. A word of warning might be in order. Don't go hear him with a fluffy wool sweater or wool pants. He also reacts very violently indeed to the word D a a a a a d d d y y, I am told. There may be a very good reason for there being so few sheep in North Dakota.

We have both spent many hours on researching other portions of the story too. Some of my effort was in getting poor Joe to cough up some data that was needed for this project from his mind. Most of the information gathered has not even been used yet. The next book or books, if they get written, will reflect much of this effort.

The story is being done in book form. This is to allow the readers to reacquaint themselves with the various characters in the story with each new publication. This particular book is for the most part complete and I can see many ways to proceed with the story in further novels.

If there is enough response from the 'Time' story then I will continue it after Tandra is complete, my first story comes back, I get stuck again, or Joe has a fit and needs to do some writing.

The criteria will be the total amount of emails that I get. They may criticise, heap abuse at my spelling or grammar or even possibly send polite complements. Mistakes pointed out are great, if I was told exactly where to find them in the story. The number of votes is another good method I think, and not necessarily the rating. So far I believe that there are quite a few readers that read our Tandra story. I also believe that only a fraction of the many readers have taken the time to show how they feel.

Please enjoy the first installment of the story and vote how you really feel about it at the end.

John Wales

Joe intime@srt.com will get to both of us like the Hollywood movies.



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Chapter 1



Alex Kramer looked out at the large, high resolution monitor that showed the launch platform. An electronic voice in the background gave a countdown, which made visiting dignitaries think of the early days of the quest for space. When the word, "Ignition," came, a large cloud of white smoke suddenly flew out the exhaust ports under the rocket. The vibrations were transferred through the bedrock to the camera mount. The rattling shook the image as the rocket seemed to be considering to fly or not. The rocket slowly rose only a few feet but it was more. It only looked that way because of the distance from the launch vehicle to the cameras. In only minutes it was out of sight and Alex reluctantly turned to the electronic representation of the rocket's position.

When the rocket reached 600 miles, a group of three satellites separated and took up new orbits. Within minutes they would be far apart and able to begin their tasks.

The Secretary of Defence, Donald H. Rumsfeld, was in the room watching the newest and most sophisticated intelligence gathering device yet placed in orbit. The engineers and executives were patting one another on the back and saying how good a job they had done. Their location in California felt like it was in Florida where the launch had actually taken place.

Alex stood away from most and kept his own council. The three satellites would soon form a phased array that could pick up the presence of a humming bird on earth. Even on an overcast day, or at night, the bird would be seen. This would be a great thing to find potential military action, but it could also be used to look at ordinary citizens of the entire earth, not just a potential enemy.

Most people knew how an eye in the sky could see them if an operator chose to view a back yard or a roof top. They did not know that a woman's areola and nipple could be seen as she sunbathed in her back yard, though. The image would even be three dimensional for the three satellites would give slightly different pictures that a computer could interpolate into a view of the woman herself.

As an ordinary man, that would not be a bad thing, but as an ethical citizen, this could lead to all sorts of abuse. The military intelligence services and even political parties could use the data found for their own agendas.

The saddest part was actually the fact that Alex's companies had been the ones to suggest this system in the first place and then manufacture the satellites themselves. His companies had grossed a fantastic sum for this work, and lots of it would make its way to the coffers after all the bills had been paid. If only this effort could have been turned to helping all of mankind find resources and predict abnormal weather patterns. Instead, it would be used to find potential problems that could be headed off with a small effort. If that was a far as it went, then it was all for a good cause. Politics had a way of turning a purse of gold into a bag of shit.

"Thank you, gentlemen. It has been a pleasure working with each of you," the tall, well-built man said. Alex was just six feet tall, but seemed to overshadow all the others at the table. His gray hair gave him a distinguished appearance. The suit and its cut told them that he was younger and very vigorous. Hands were shook, even those of some of the lawyers who looked less than incorruptible.

They stuffed the papers into expensive briefcases and they separated into groups to leave. Alex Kramer stretched when nobody was looking and let the fatigue show on his face for a moment before hiding it again. Men reacted to a person who considered himself an alpha male, even if they thought they were in their own little pond. If the slightest weakness was shown, then, like chickens, they would peck the sickly one to death. Business was sometimes like that, and on occasion very unscrupulous as well. The military and political men in the room were sometimes many times worse.

Alex took out his cell phone and speed dialled a number, "Hello, Honey. The payload is on its way. The images coming in are as good as we thought they should be."

"That's great, Dad. Will they want to exercise their option for more?"

"They will have to play with this system for a few days to come to that decision. It looks like the taxpayers are going to have to foot the bill for more toys, though."

Alex got comfortable in the Challenger's pilot seat. The seat felt good, and it was the usual place he sat when travelling. The fact that he owned quite a few companies allowed him to fly his own plane. There was nothing illegal here, for he had a licence to be just where he now was. The tower was notified and soon he was given permission to leave the naval air station in San Diego. The meeting had just netted his group of companies nearly a half a billion dollars. The navy had agreed to his terms for a better ground station to monitor the satellites just launched. The proprietary large-scale integrated chips his company made and employed would do the communications to and from space much easier.

The encryption was state of the art and could be upgraded from secure locations at any time. This was only the start, for other NATO countries would want to tie in and the U.S. would have the ability to give them this privilege. Whether the U.S. would do this was another matter. Even so-called friends spied on each other all the time.

The plane was full with employees wanting to take advantage of the direct flight to Annapolis on the east coast. Many of the more important chips were made there rather than in Silicon Valley.

Alex stayed at the controls except for a short period when he had to relieve the pressure on his bladder. He did not land at the public airport, though, but at the private one that he owned near his companies. Once the plane came to a halt, it was serviced and would not leave until late tomorrow for a short trip to Toronto. Alex was almost the last to leave, and he ensured that the log was up to date and signed it.

Two hours later he sat across from Patricia Carlson at an upscale dining establishment.

"Alex, are you going to dance with me?" the younger woman asked.

"I can't wait to get my arms around you." He stood and took a step to her chair and said, "Wouldst milady perchance wish to indulge this knave."

She readily came to his arms with a smile on her lips. With her head so close it was easy to smell her hair and body. She was pressing her breasts into him to let him know what she had to offer. His hand started to go lower, but he decided to stop half way. It was so nice to hold this beautiful, red-haired woman to him. She was not only very sophisticated, but also a very talented person.

The live band paused and they must have gauged the reaction of the audience and started to play some mood music with a lead guitar. The musician had a way with the instrument that Alex could not hope to match without a lot of effort. The next set started, and it was a much more lively. The other dancers started to show their stuff, and Alex did too. Patricia usually liked to come here so they could do the same. She was a very accomplished dancer and followed his lead. Soon they got more room as the other dancers turned to watch the athletic, gray-haired man almost throw the red-haired beauty around.

They danced for another hour. Even though Alex was in his mid sixties, he danced like Fred Astaire. Patricia found dancing nice, but with Alex it was an exciting event. The other couples looked at them, and Patricia had to keep her wits about her to keep up with her talented partner. Both were equally bushed, even though Patricia was almost thirty years younger than her handsome escort.

After a last drink they left the establishment with Patricia holding his arm close to her side and ensuring that he felt her large, firm breast on the back of his arm. The driver opened the limousine, and Alex helped his girlfriend into the back seat. Patricia had found herself aroused as the strong man led her in a very energetic dance. She wasted no time in the back and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him with a passion only he could fire in her.

Alex's hand rode up her thigh and under her tight wrap. Patricia only kissed harder as the hand came to her panties. She knew she was soaking wet and soon the smell would permeate the confines of the automobile. Alex in a moment found out the truth, himself. He loved to spend time with the fiery redhead. She seemed so reserved until he dragged her across the floor like a cave man. In bed she wanted the same treatment, but wanted lots of it.

Alex's internal clock got both of them presentable by the time the car came to a stop at Patricia's flat. The woman was very bright and wrote many love stories that made her a rich woman. For the last few years, Alex had found many of his attributes in the male characters of her stories.

After the car was dismissed, Patricia gave one fairly chaste kiss and handed Alex her keys. Once the large oak door was closed, Patricia flung herself at the man who stirred her like no other. Within a minute she was undoing the clasps to her dress and then tried to assist Alex to go faster.

Alex shrugged out of the last of his clothes and placed them in a pile on the expensively upholstered chair.

Patricia looked at the exciting older man before her. His hair was going gray, but he had so much of it all over his body. He looked very strong and fit, almost with a barbaric splendour. A shiver passed through her when she saw him thus. He made her think of an older and very virile king who would, and could, take any woman who pleased him. The fact that he was all hers tonight made her shiver one more time.

He walked forward with an expression saying he owned her. He bent and quickly picked the younger woman up into his arms.

"Have you done as I told you woman?" He said with a demanding voice now.

"Yes sir, I have."

"I may keep you longer before turning you over to my officers. They appreciate choice feminine flesh, too."

Patricia closed her eyes and brought her naked legs together. Her clit throbbed at this man's choice of words. "Please don't cast me off yet, master. You will see that I am more then just dedicated to you."

"We will see. Perhaps I will breed you. My children would look very comely coming from you. You seem to have an inquisitive mind that would aid them to rule."

"Thank you, master."

"I didn't say you would. I only said perhaps."

Patricia was placed on one side of the expensive comforter on her large bed that she only shared with this one man. Her legs remained closed to make her seem shy, but she turned just a bit to him and bent her legs at the knee.

Alex walked around the bed and lay on his back and his feet close to the foot of the bed. "Come here wench. I want to taste my woman."

Patricia sat up like a good slave girl and did as her master wished. She felt his strong hands on her thighs, then his tongue as it entered her mons. She shivered again at the contact, and then settled on his hairy body. Though some were gray, it was all so masculine and she brought her own head down to her master's erection.

She took him into her mouth, and with just a few strokes he was as deep as he could go into her throat. For a moment she remembered the first time at being taught patiently what to do and how to get the most enjoyment out of it. No other man had ever taken his time like Alex had, and she was now too spoiled to even try to find others.

The next morning Alex woke up at seven after sleeping in an extra hour. He slipped out of the bed and looked at the beautiful woman with her hair in disarray on the beige pillowcase. The closet held his robe, as well as many of his other garments. Quietly leaving for the kitchen he started a pot of strong coffee and left for another bathroom to shower. He was almost done when a naked woman pulled back the glass doors and slipped in with him.

"I wondered where you were. I find you at the far end of the house trying to be quiet. You are quite a man, Alex."

"I try to please my lady."

"You certainly do a good job. Now do my back, please, kind sir."

Her back was lovingly done, and then Alex moved lower to clean some of the harder-to-reach areas. Soon the soap was washed away, and he was using his fingers and tongue to drive the woman wild. She hung tenaciously to the short stainless steel tubes that were all over the shower enclosure.

Again Patricia remembered Alex's instructions for her to hang many such bars and to their placement. When the workmen had completed their job and left, he had used handcuffs and locked her to the enclosure while he had his way with her. She had her strongest orgasms to date that time, and she had fallen in love with the man who was in all of her best books.

Alex used his phone and called the limo to pick him up. The meeting was early, because he wanted it that way. Twenty-five minutes later Alex was sitting at a large, cherry table in an equally impressive room. The minutes were read and some small business matters decided on. Alex was the majority shareholder of this pharmaceutical company since its inception almost thirty years before. He had given his money and expertise to make the company what it was today. There were 17 branches in other countries, and the company was in the top ten pharmaceutical companies worldwide.

It had got that way with Alex's grasp of the engineering and the extraordinary way he could work out a problem that seemed to baffle most others. Two drugs were coming online and would soon pass all the tests required of them. Another was one of the many duds that cost so much to pursue, but did not do as they had hoped. Another list of potential drugs was presented with information about each. Proponents of each drug came forward and talked about their pet projects. This is where they would make it or break it. Alex shot down two and gave the green light to two others. One was given different criteria to follow to see if it would work.

They broke for lunch a little after twelve. The meal in the company cafeteria was good, as expected for a company this important. With only a few things to clear up in the afternoon, Alex found himself back in the Challenger winging his way to Toronto.

Alex landed in Pickering and just looked around at his native country. He sadly saw that from his perspective it was not much different from any other airport, except that the tall buildings were in only one direction and far away. The plane was being towed into one of the company hangars to be serviced. A fairly modern Cessna stood ready to make the trip north, but the scenery would be different from two miles up. The Mercedes was parked to one side, and he called for it to be readied. While he waited, he brought forth a private number from his prodigious memory. The phone rang and an authoritative voice answered simply with, "Hello."

"Hello, Jim. This is Alex Kramer. How are you doing?"

"Just great. How about you?"

"I'm not showing my years yet. Did you get the latest proposal?"

"Yes, we did. I like this idea of yours. Has any of the schedule changed?"

"No, everything is set up for Saturday. You have any problems with that?"

"No that's fine. I will be there. I may have to bring a few others. You know how much they like to be in the papers."

When the car was ready, Alex drove north. Some building was going on, but then again, it was always booming around Toronto and its northern gateway.

Alex Kramer eventually pulled into the long, secluded driveway just east of North Bay. The property had been in the family for years, but the building and grounds had seen steady improvement as money and time became available. The drive itself was of interlocking brick that heaved each year because of the frost in this northern Ontario community. The roadway appeared to be narrow due to the tall cedar trees planted close to the boundary. As they matured, they made the boulevard smaller each year.

The house belonged to Alex, but he shared it with his family. This was a win-win situation. The house was watched and actually made use of, while Aron and his family had a great place to live at no expense to them.

The ten-year-old house was sprawling and looked in many ways like a castle it emulated. The original home that had once stood here had been photographed and a new and much larger home placed in the same position. The funds the project required came from selling a small but profitable electronics corporation. The patents the company owned would soon lapse, and competition would make the business less profitable. From the photographs, rooms were faithfully reproduced along with many of the other amenities. The rooms looked the same they did over fifty some years ago when he was first adopted into the Lowca family.

Alex's parents had died in a tragic fire in the local Polish church. They had been cleaning up after a Sunday breakfast. The dated oil furnace had caught fire and spread very quickly through the old, wooden structure, before they and the other occupants could get out. The fire had not only killed his parents, but also three others, including the priest.

The Lowca family were good people and took the lonely boy into their lives. Roch took over the job as foster mother without compelling him to change his last name. The woman was five foot six and had long, dark brown hair. When the tragedy occurred, she was a very handsome woman of just 33. Over the years her waistline bulged a bit and age took its final toll, as it did to everyone. The doctor had previously told her that she could not have more children. Her original two would have to do. This was one of the reasons she so eagerly took Alex in.

The father's name was Jozef. He was almost six feet tall and had strong arms from his work in the mines. His good-natured voice could be heard throughout the house as he talked. The man had a pleasant disposition, and he seemed to love all of his family, even the newest one. The only time a problem arose was when Joseph would bring out the potent Polish home-brew from the cellar and drink with friends. At that time the children learned that it was better to be elsewhere. He would not mean to be abusive, but that seemed to be the usual case if too much alcohol was consumed. The next day he would pretend that nothing happened.

Both adults smoked like chimneys. They were not different from any others in the community or in Canada for that matter.

The Lowcas had a daughter named Helena, or Helen, as she liked to be called. She was two and a half years older than Alex, and looked much like her mother did. They seemed to make a good team, and both girls had similar designs on the young boy. Helen was able to bring Alex out of his shell with her charm and personality. He found her not only bright, but she also had some of his interests.

The son, Aron was five years younger than the newest member of the family. Aron seemed to take after his father and had the same boisterous attitude, but he had a heart of gold and never showed a sign of the meanness that his father had when drinking. Aron was the younger child, and as such Roch was always there to protect him. This wasn't bad for Aron, but at his age it made him feel that he had no freedom like the older kids at school had. He complained that Roch treated him like a baby. This was something he had a problem with, and Alex was the one to treat him more like an adult. When Alex integrated into the family, Aron thought that his new brother caused the sun to shine. After all, Alex was smart and had been a hero of his for a long time. Now, best of all, Alex was to be his big brother. Alex was someone who would listen and treat him as a big person.

The family home also sheltered Roch's parents after their new home had been destroyed in the same fire that destroyed the church. Grandma and grandpa had sold the farm to Jozef and Roch, and they had moved into town three years earlier and gone into semi-retirement. After the fire, Jozef and Roch asked them to move back to the farm to give them some help in the form of light work. This gave the grandparents more contact with the younger members of the family. They had always helped on the family farm, and after the fire they had just decided to move back to be closer. The children worshipped the grandparents, and the feeling was returned. The home soon had an extension built, so that everyone would have some room to move.

The new grandfather was named Edward. Alex could see a bit of reticence at showing how he felt about the newest member of the family. This eventually changed, but it took quite a while. Old Polish men seemed to be this way.

The grandmother's name was Trina. She was short and very protective of all her grandchildren. She also had the patience to talk for hours with the very intelligent boy.

Alex came out of his reverie and pulling up to the front of the imposing stone structure, Alex opened the door to his Mercedes and stepped out. It had been a long trip from Toronto, and for the fifth time he kicked himself for not flying the Cessna to the local airport, instead. He got to see the sights at ground level, but had to put up with the traffic. He did not make it home very often, and he enjoyed the sights on the road trip. He reached into the back to get his jacket and a shopping bag containing different varieties of cheese that he bought just off highway 400.

Two children came out of the large front doors. The boy, Jan, was six, and his sister, Rose, was just five. They ran down the four wide stone steps and rushed the old man getting out of the car. "Uncle Alex, Uncle Alex," was heard from both exuberant children. They each took a side and hugged the man's legs to them.

Inside the home, Aron came forward and hugged his only brother with a fierce energy. His young wife, Joyce, came from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron before doing the same thing.

An hour later, over the meal, everybody had a chance to catch up on what was happening within the family. John, 32, Alex's only son, was still in the mathematics department of the University of Toronto. At present, he was off at a conference in Oxford, or he would have been here with his own family. Gloria, his other child, was in Los Angles, running the American corporations as chief executive officer. This included two more aerospace corporations and a specialized chip manufacturing operation taking advantage of the exacting specifications the American military demanded. Their components usually went into guidance controls to facilitate encrypted communications. The 34-year-old woman was just now starting her family, but was eminently capable of taking care of this portion of the Kramer Empire.

His wife Sarah had divorced him. This was due to his long absences from home and her feelings to be liberated. Sarah had remarried ten years ago and was presently living in North Dakota with her new husband. Their large ranch had almost ten thousand specially bred sheep.

Aron asked, "What are your plans? We haven't seen you for months."

"Just unwind for a while. We finished negotiating a good contract with the American military, and as usual they wanted things changed after the price was completed. They wanted us to do all the extra research for no additional compensation. If this project works out like I hope, then the British and probably NATO will want in on the deal too."

Joyce asked, "Did you hear anything about John? He seems to be keeping more to himself after starting a family."

"I talked to him on the phone recently. I don't think he is getting standoffish; it is more like they are loading him up with more work. I was the same way, if you remember, when I was his age. I just hope his marriage is stronger than his mother's and mine was."

After dinner Alex played with the children. They were a handful, but the interaction was good. At least the television was not turned on. He kept a professional eye on them for any and all physical problems. Guilt still plagued him, even after all these years.

The influential people in the 50's had seen Alex's bright, inquisitive mind early and got the school board to allow him to skip a grade. Two years later, they had to do the same thing again. His IQ was very high, and coupled with a photographic memory it was good enough to ensure that schoolwork was easy.

After entering high school, he had to work hard to develop his body to protect himself from envious bullies. This led to a more social attitude and even organized sports. His new strength and agility gave him a respectable number of awards, but he was not the jock that others were.

He had strong feelings of what was right and wrong, and that had sometimes caused him to run afoul of both adults and his peers. This not only got the seat of his pants dusted, but also a few bruises and scrapes. Some of his peers thought a lot of him and would back him up if he wanted. Girls of all ages seemed to find the skinny, bright boy attractive.

In the 50's, Helen was unexpectedly taken from him. A simple infection had been allowed to progress to a point where current antibiotics were not able to help. After her death, he realized how important the girl had been to him. He began to shun all social contacts. He again withdrew very deeply into himself and his new extracurricular studies.

He voraciously ate up any and all medical texts. Doctor Smiles had been one of the many people to assist him in school, and had also spent his time in tutoring the boy in what aspects of medicine he was not sure of. The boy developed a full-blown guilt complex, which drove him to find the answers he needed, even if it was far too late to help. Though he previously had wanted to become an engineer, the tragic death of his foster sister compelled him to go into medicine. The self-reproach at not being able to help the sister he loved so much had never left him.

His heart were not in school activities any more, but he drove himself to learn all he could, so he could one day be the doctor who could save another girl like his foster sister.

Alex turned out to be the youngest person ever to graduate from the University of Toronto and become a medical doctor. Even with the sceptical and dubious administration in a very conservative Canadian institution, he became a very competent GP.

It took only three years after finishing his internship to find out that being a physician was not his dream any more. He was very good at his chosen profession, but he knew now that this not what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. Helping people piecemeal was not the same as helping a lot of people at one time: new drugs for a sick world, or improved grain yields to feed the multibillion population coming in the next century. Raw materials would be needed, and the hungry first world nations were gobbling up a lion's share, leaving little for future generations. Electronics seemed to be the wave of the future where the masses could learn from the television media.

He went back to the university and majored in two courses. Engineering was his first choice and lead to a degree in electronics. The other major was in physics, and this area helped him develop many of his companies and garner all his wealth.

Alex woke up the next morning at six and felt refreshed. He did not get to sleep in his own bed very much. This only happened a few dozen times a year. Aron and Joyce managed one of his local companies and lived in the house. This made the house a home and gave these members of his family a way to save money while watching the property.

At breakfast he took on his doctor persona and asked into the health of the two children. The parents knew what was happening, and why. They assured the kindly man that the children had more tests done on them that any other children they knew of.

The adults, too, were questioned, and Alex was quick to spot any falsehood. Joyce was still young at 39, while Aron was 61 and almost as old as Alex. Aron had devoted his life to running some of the businesses Alex owned. His first wife had proved to be barren. This put a small cloud over their union, but they stayed with it until the woman passed away in a car accident in Toronto eight years ago. It was only recently that he decided to try leaving a legacy to his family, even if he was getting on in years.

The children soon were on their way to school, and Alex went downstairs to the large, modern gym. He started slow. It was foolish to do otherwise. The only exercise he got recently was in a bed. It was satisfying, but not as strenuous as it needed to be to keep him healthy. An hour and a half later he started a shower and tried to work out the pain that the exercise produced.

The rest of the morning he visited old friends, but sadly most had passed on, and now the children were thinking of their retirement. Alex gave his advice, and most followed this to the letter. It was not often that a man who was worth billions of dollars would sit at their kitchen table and talk over old times.

That afternoon he bought some supplies and drove back to the house to make supper. It was nice to cook for somebody, other than himself. There was no need for a recipe book, for many had already been memorized years before. This time he prepared a meal from his own favourites. The children had preferences, and the meal had to partially revolve around their likes and dislikes.

Joyce came home early and gave Alex a kiss on the cheek and said, "I thought you came here to rest, not make our meals."

"Cooking is a simple pleasure. It brings joy to me when people enjoy my plate."

"Well, I for one enjoy whatever you cook."

The meal was indeed enjoyed. With full stomachs the children went to drama classes, while both Aron and Alex went to the graveyard a few miles away. They did not speak in the car during the short trip. Each had their own thoughts. Both men brought many bunches of flowers and put some at the graves of Aron's parents and Alex's foster parents. Jozef had passed on almost forty years ago; one of the many people that smoked too young and too long. Roch had followed five years later of the same cause. She had seen the writing on the wall, but figured she was too old to change.

The grandparents were to the left. They had died only a year apart. It seemed if one could not go it alone without the other.

Roch was not able to see any of Aron's children before dying. At the end she almost willed herself to live so she could go to her reward with at least a glimpse of her first grandchild from Alex. This was not to be, though. At least Roch's genetic legacy was passed on, for Rose looked much like her grandmother and Helen.

Looking at the black granite headstone, Alex saw, instead, the family table around which they once all ate. At the moment Roch was sitting with a bowl and a pile of peas in front of her. Her nimble hands were making short work of shucking the pods. She was looking up now and smiled faintly at Alex, as if emulating Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. Alex paused for a moment and talked to his foster mother, and he could see in his mind how she understood his thoughts. When he had finished his updates, he gave his goodbyes and got another smile, while the peas in the bowl slowly rose.

Both men said a silent prayer and tried to communicate their thoughts and feelings to all the people they had loved so much. The next stone over was Helen's. It was easy for Alex to picture the child in his mind after all these years. She was exuberant and full of life, till it was quickly snatched from her. He could still see the open casket and the beautiful girl who would forever own his heart. Aron paid his respects to his only real sibling and left Alex in peace to convey his thoughts to his first real friend.

Tears came to Alex's eyes and he took out his kerchief to dry his eyes and nose. It was always this way when he came here to mourn. Before he left, he picked up twigs and old dead flowers from the grave and put new blooms in their place. He had to stop many times to clear his eyes and nose. A look to one side showed him the place in which he would one day have to rest for eternity. It was close to the people he loved.

It took longer than usual to pull himself together and he soon forced himself to travel the short distance to his biological mother and father's graves. The stone had been changed thirty years ago, when there was enough money to do so. He could still see his happy parents as they took their only child to his first day at school and then brought him home again. His birthdays were fondly remembered, even if few people came to celebrate with him.

There were so many happy memories that he could almost burst, but it was all so short lived. Roch and Jozef had done just as much to raise him as his real parents had accomplished. He was proud to be a son to two different families. When this piece of tranquil ground was tidied up, he returned to the car to see Aron sitting there silent, thinking his own thoughts and trying to piece together his real place among all the family, whether alive or dead.

It was getting dark, and both men did not want to go home. Aron said, "Let's go downtown. It is nice to see the young; they are so full of life and show their appreciation of it."

They came home later. The main street did bring things back to perspective, but not with the lighthearted feeling of the morning.

Getting ready for bed, Alex felt the small corundum crystal hanging from a leather thong around his neck. The crystal was reddish in colour, and it been with him for over fifty years now. He had first found it outside a mine that had been worked out. This small piece had been missed, but it had little value. The distinction was only in Alex's heart. He had found the crystal and then traded for the leather strap. Over the years, the leather had been changed, but the small crystal had always been with him.

The night brought him visions of the dead, but they were not hostile. They were family who loved him and were trying their best to see that he was happy.

The next day he made a few phone calls to check on the more important aspects of some pet projects. One was even to involve this area. He had good managers, but it was nice to see what was happening all the same. A further call to the local Holiday Inn secured rooms for some of the people involved. A little later the local school board was called. The people knew who he was, and they were especially helpful in getting the next meeting set up.

A few more calls brought more visits to the people he knew. Sometimes he sat around a table and drank coffee or strong tea. Spirituse or bimber was usually offered, but he always refused. Joe Zupich was the local brewer of moonshine, or what the Polish community called, bimber. He even brought out his bottle of spirituse that was 95% alcohol. His father, Joe Sr. had provided much of the homegrown spirits without the added expense of the excise tax. The very strong Polish drink was the downfall of many people, and it was much too early in the day to take even a little. Memories were brought out into the light one more time, and Alex could see the people involved, as if in a picture once the image was discussed. The old man sitting across from him was losing his memory of current events, but his memory of the past was phenomenal.

Alex ate the noon meal with this family. The grandparents were his friends, and so were the children. Alex had held all of them in his arms at one time or another. He kept the custom going by carrying the newest member of the family in his arms, as he talked to them in his old Polish accent. One member had followed his calling and joined the priesthood. He was presently away being trained in his duties. Joe Zupich was forty-three now and said, "Joe is good polish name. Both my grandpas, my dad, two uncles, one aunt and I have that name."

Languages were easy. Half the population of the Bay spoke French, and he learned to swear in it ahead of many others of his age. Latin in school was a prerequisite for medical training, and was dealt with very quickly. The old local priest was one of the few people who could actually converse in the language.

He had to excuse himself later because of the school board meeting. The details, though, he kept under wraps till the time was right. The meeting went smoothly. A few egos had to be stroked a bit, but he stated flatly the way he wanted things to happen on Saturday. There was no real opposition, but when he said that the Minister of Education and a few other MPPs were coming to town, it seemed that a bomb had been set off.

Soon they were asking for someone to lead this presentation on such short notice. Alex calmly wrote out, in point form, what he wanted and when. The elected officials took the paper and jobs were quickly delegated. Alex left then. If the officials made a fool of themselves, then they would not be reelected.

Back at the house he found Joyce and a pair of women cleaning anything that could reflect poorly on the inhabitants. The home had been used many times for this, and accounted for some of the size. Alex just curled up with a book and tried to keep the noise of the vacuum cleaner from bothering him too much. An hour later Joyce came on him and saw that he was reading one of the sultry Patricia Carlson books. In her opinion the woman must be a slut, or have a very vivid imagination.

"Do you like that kind of a book?" leaving unsaid what she thought of the author and the material.

"Miss Carlson has made millions of dollars and is a very talented and good looking woman. I hear she lives outside Annapolis. Perhaps I can get her invited to one of our fund-raisers and you can get to meet her. I believe she is a very charming lady."

"You would. From the magazine articles, she is very promiscuous. Anyway, I wanted to know if you wanted to go to a restaurant tonight. The children like it for a change, and I am too bushed to make a decent meal."

"Sure," he said as he took the fancy bookmark and closed the hard covered book. It was carefully placed on the side table.

The restaurant made every effort to make their meal enjoyable. The children were a little too sophisticated to eat what the adults liked and opted for ground beef patties on a simple bun, with a side order of French fried tubers. When it was all covered in ketchup the adults tried not to look at what the children were eating.

After the meal, Aron and Alex went for a walk to burn off some of the calories and talk of what would happen on Saturday.

Five-year-old Rose entered her grandfather's room looking for Jan who was hiding in the bathroom. After a peek under the bed and into the closet, she saw the pretty tassels on the leather bookmark in the book. She pulled it out and looked at it. Hearing a noise she ran from the room, still trying to find her brother Jan. Ten minutes later the children were in the kitchen looking for some milk. Joyce noticed the bookmark and asked where it came from.

Rose just said, "Grampa."

Joyce just took the leather bookmark and went back to Alex's room. She picked up the expensively bound book to find the place it belonged. Inside the front cover she found that it was the author's book given out by the publisher as the first that was to be printed. The inscription in ink said, "Alex, you have done it again. You treat me like the heroine so much that I have to cast you as the man of my dreams. Do you have anything new to inspire me for my next book? Patricia C."

Joyce was truly shocked. The writing was obviously from Patricia Carlson, the author. Was Alex enough of a lover to keep this woman happy? Alex never even let on that he knew the woman. The man always had good taste, and this naturally led to the fact that the author was a good woman. With lots to think of, she laid the book on its binding and let it open to where it was last read. The bookmark was inserted and placed back where it had been. Joyce left the room thinking very hard on what she knew of both people.

When the men came home twenty minutes later, Joyce mentioned how she recovered the bookmark from Rose and put it back where she thought it belonged. She said it with a serious face trying to hide the fact that she had read within the front cover. She had just been on the Internet and found much more data. The woman seemed to play at being promiscuous to sell her books. Joyce had read one of her books two years ago and could see many of the ways Alex acted within the pages. The dominant male in the book was almost as if she were describing Alex himself.

When it was time to settle down for sleep, Alex heard some vigorous activity in Aron's room. He wondered idly what had brought all that about.

At noon the next day, the whole family was at the school board offices. There were now six members of the provincial parliament present. A large board supported an architect's plans for an extension to one of the local schools. Another had a similar building with many truck docks.

Alex held the microphone like an old friend. At one time he had been petrified of being in front of people like this. The ones now were just old friends, neighbours, and a few partners in this venture. "The extension will house the technical section of the school. The building was slated to go under the hammer, and it would be a shame to see this beautiful building demolished. The school will be gutted and made as modern as possible. The technical wing will be devoted to modern manufacturing practices. This is the only way for our youth to learn. Once they have mastered these skills, some will be able to find employment in the new furniture factory I am proposing. This will give our youth a chance to gain employment locally and spur on other businesses to participate in our undertaking."

There was some applause. The provincial government had assisted in the plan to bring more employment to the north. They had also agreed to give special treatment for the furniture that the plant would one day build. It was to be state-of-the-art computerized numerical control. Wood, laminates and plastics would be cut and shaped to dimensions that not even a craftsman could mimic. The final assembly, though, was done by hand. Here, too, the finish would be applied by hand the old way. The finished articles, though, would not have any pressboard or particleboard in any of the pieces. The pieces would try to push the standards, so that the average person could afford quality merchandise at a reasonable price.

The name of the extension on the school was very important to some of the people in the room. It would be called the 'Helen K. Lowca School of Design'.

Jan innocently asked, "Is that our aunt?"

His father looked down with a small tear in his eye and quietly said, "Yes Honey, it is."

There was a party that night, and the house had many guests. Alex's employees joined the festivities, but had to resort to the Holiday Inn for a bed. The party wound down late. Alex groggily got up early Sunday morning to get ready to go to church. The smell of his pancakes and sausage got the rest of the house up, too. The stove was a commercial model, and this allowed Alex again to let his talents show. The MPPs and their wives sat in the large kitchen and talked to each other and to their hosts.

Alex had to hurry to make it in time for the services. He sat with his family and many friends. A notice had been posted, with a map to any church desired and a listing of the times for services. It was up to the politicians and their families whether they wanted to go or not. Being a host meant that he had to accommodate many different ideas. A little over an hour later he was outside greeting others whom he had not had time yet to see. He couldn't stay long, for the politicians would be back at the house for a final meal and some prompting on, as to where to find new furniture.

When the last person left around one thirty, Alex decided to have some time for himself. With a new fishing licence, he picked up his equipment stored in a closet since last time he was here. His camera from the briefcase was good for any people doubting his word when he went fishing. After picking up some bait, he drove back toward the house, but took another road that led further into the property. This was grandpa's old farm that Jozef and Roch had purchased. Alex had enlarged it a bit, but not too much. It now had a small, private lake and a nearby river that beckoned him every time he came here.

The car had to be left close to the road, and then the rest of the route had to be taken on foot. After twenty minutes of walking and enjoying the view, he started to fish. It was not long after that he started to pull in the silvery treasures. Most were released and only the larger ones kept. He ate a light lunch topped with a cup of hot coffee from the thermos.

A cold wind blew from his back, and he felt the hair raise and a shiver went down his back from the temperature change. Looking back he saw the dark clouds approaching. Dark streaks were seen, so rain was coming, and he could hear the faint sound of thunder.

He gathered his equipment, took a few steps towards the car and stopped. A smile came to his lips as he thought of what he used to do as a child. The car was fifteen minutes away if he hurried, but only five minutes away was his old sanctuary and refuge. His steps now were quick as he headed west, to the rough ground and the large outcrops of igneous rock.

The door was well hidden, and it was even protected from the elements. It has stayed thus for forty years. He had last been here after graduating from medical school.

The metal was thick and had been painted with many coats of oil-based paint. The rock overhead kept rain and sun off the metal. The small alcove was littered with many years of detritus. The fishing gear was put down, and a windblown branch served to dig the accumulation of years away from the doorway.

The rain was starting to fall, but missed Alex's body where he worked under the protective overhang. Thunder and lightning were getting close, and Alex worked even faster to get inside. When he finally pulled open the door, there was nothing to see but a black opening. Reaching inside and to the right, he found a metal tin. When the now rusty container was opened, its insides revealed some wooden candles smothered in paraffin. He took out one match and set some of the dry leaves at the door alight.

Going inside and further to the right, he found the old coal-oil lamp and a sealed galvanized can of fuel. He brought those to the doorway and poured the last of the old fuel into the lamp. The chimney had to be cleaned of spiders and soot. With everything sealed up, he used a burning twig to ignite the very old wick. The leaf fire was stomped out and the man walked back into the mine. The light from the lamp bounced back and Alex saw the high rock walls. The room was roughly circular, with a domed ceiling over twenty feet high in the centre. There were patches of white glowing rock every few feet.

Close to one wall lay a large plank supporting some quartz. Wires led to contacts on either side of three crystals. This led to two copper pipes on the floor. The ray gun project still brought a bit of humour about what he used to do for fun.

The mine was completely worked out. Small pieces of quartz and garnet were seen. Originally, the garnet crystals covered crystals of corundum. The tiny crystal around his neck had come from right outside the mine opening. The corundum was the hardest natural material known, except for the diamond. It was used for many purposes in the abrasive industry. The garnets came in many colours, and found their way onto sandpaper. Some telluride crystals were also present. The tellurium, however, was in very small quantities and it was uneconomical to mine it.

A strong crash of thunder made Alex look at the walls. There was a steel lookout tower on the rock above. At one time it would be manned to search for forest fires. Now satellites did the same job. One of which Alex had helped to make. The rock walls began to glow, then the glow faded. The metal tower drew the lightning to it. The ground rods were deep. An end of one rod came close to the mine that Alex was now in.

Another strike brought back the glowing, but it faded within a few seconds. Alex put the lantern down on a seat. The fishing equipment was brought in and placed close to the lantern. Another trip allowed him to close the metal door. Though it did not close all the way, the room would be completely dark without the lamp.

Alex thought back to when he was young. He would sit on the wide box, sometimes with Helen or Aron at his side, and sometimes both. Alex seemed to be able to get both of his siblings to stay with him during the miraculous display during a thunderstorm. Other times Alex would just come here to think and be by himself. On a few occasions Helen had to run to find him and bring him home.

A small wooden enclosure had been made to shade the light of the lamp, but not to allow the flame to become extinguished. Alex crossed the wide expanse of floor and after looking around for anything that might have changed, placed the lamp in the special wooden box he had made. Now the room was pitch dark, with only the wind to know that he was still in the mine. Lightning did not always come this way, and sometimes more would strike the tower above.

The wait was a bit nerve wracking. It was always thus. Even billion dollar deals were not the same as here and now. When his eyes had become adjusted, he heard the strike and saw the crystals burst into spontaneous life. A brighter area seemed to float around the wall till it eventually subsided into invisibility.

Alex loved this sight and the feeling of being at the centre of such awesome forces of nature. His memories were good, but a photo might be better, if it would work in this room. The digital camera was with the tackle. He took one quick step, and his foot caught a ridge of rock in the uneven floor. Alex thought he might fall, so he took another quick step to recover his balance. This was his undoing, for his foot hit the tackle and now he would more likely fall. One more attempt at staying upright brought him close to the wall. He instinctively put out his hand to touch the wall even if he could not see it.

A truly massive bolt of lightning struck the tower overhead. The walls grew suddenly blazingly bright, far brighter than he ever could remember. He felt a sudden pain around his neck and chest. For an instant in time, he remembered the same thing happening, as if it were just a minute ago. He and Helen had been playing in this same mine, and he had run to the wall to escape her playfully tossed shoe. He remembered perfectly what happened that day, even without his photographic memory. He did not have photographic hearing. It was only books or sights he worked hard to commit to memory. A split second later his hand contacted the wall, and he felt a jolt go through him, something like electricity, but oddly different.

His head grazed the wall, and this pain made him forget the one around his neck. He finally ended up crumpled on the floor at the wall.

Alex was disoriented with everything that happened to him, and he relaxed for only a few seconds. He put hands on the wall and wondered how vivid the flash of memory had been. It was so exciting to see the girl so alive again after all these years. She did not seem to have changed at all. He reconsidered the danger of the lightning through the wall, and felt his way to where he thought the lantern was.

He found the tackle first and recovered the camera. With practised fingers he set the timing and waited for the next burst of lightning. His forehead was bleeding, and his neck and chest were sore, but the pictures were going to be important to him. One hand stole up and found the salt-soaked thong burnt through. The fingers searched in his shirt and found a hole burnt in the material. The crystal, though, is shattered into tiny grains. The corundum had been with him since he was only eleven, and now it was gone forever. It was one of his only ties to his past. His rational mind took over very quickly, and thought that in the end it would make no difference whether the crystal survived or not.

Soon he was able to take some long exposure shots of the wall as it glowed three more times. All the time his eyes saw the gloss, and he remembered his past with both sadness and joy. In a way he was oddly contented.



-------

Chapter 2



Alekzander, thirteen, sat on a blanket-covered wooden box supported at both ends by a concrete block. Helena sat comfortably beside him. Each had one of their arms around the other. A thick and scratchy Hudson's Bay blanket was over their shoulders to keep them warm in the cool, late March weather.

The mine was completely dry, but a cold rain fell heavily just outside the door. One could faintly hear thunder in the distance. Alekzander did not have to look at the walls to know that perhaps they would get lucky and see the odd luminescence. An old coal oil lamp had given some light, but it was now placed in its box to keep the large open area of the mine almost pitch black.

Helena Lowca sat holding the boy beside her, thinking about his sometimes-strange qualities. He was only thirteen, but he was much brighter than boys three years older. Still, his slight build reminded her of boys even younger than he actually was. He was fun to be with, either studying or playing monopoly. She knew he was only her foster brother, but she sometimes wished the relationship would be different. She liked the shy boy even before he came into her family. The only problem was that he was still a boy, even if a smart one.

She liked to be called Helen in the school both attended. She was in grade eleven, and Alex was in nine. His birthday cruelly made him wait another half year before going to school. This didn't seem to matter much, because he managed to skip two grades. She was five foot even and had long dark brown hair cascading down her back. She was two and a half years older than her best friend. She outweighed the boy by almost twenty pounds, but all of these differences did not seem to matter. Boys her age were seen as loutish at best, and obnoxious at worse. Alekzander treated her differently than any of their other friends. All the girls liked to talk to him, especially when schoolwork was involved. The boys, though, got equal time with Alekzander. One day, she figured, when he found the difference between the genders, she would want to be there, and first in line.

They acted much closer than brother and sister and the only other person in this select group was her younger brother Aron. They had played together since infants, and Helen was sure her parents thought that the two would make a couple, one day. Helen was not against this idea, and encouraged her parents' choice.

Thunder rumbled outside again, as lightning struck the ground nearby. The wall began to take on a soft glow.

Alekzander said, "I have been listening to the thunder and I think the centre of the storm is coming this way. Some of the long hairs on your arm seem to be moving in the electrostatic field."

She pulled one arm away from the boy and tucked it behind her back. The movement opened the blanket and both felt the cool, humid air enter. "Look at your own arms. Mine are not hairy."

"Of course they are. I felt them. My arms are pretty bare still. Your arm is not bad looking. They are just something like Murray's."

"Murray is a boy. Are you saying I have a boy's arms?"

The lightning crashed nearby again and Alekzander could feel the hairs on the back of his head separate. "No, but you do have strong arms. You beat me all the time when we swim or wrestle. You do smell better than Murray. He has that horse of his, and he always smells as if he just came from the stable."

"Ah! So now I smell just better than a horse." She moved purposely like her mother and slipped off her shoe. The faint light from the wall had grown brighter, and this allowed Alekzander to see the fight starting. He abandoned his warm spot and got up to run.

"I'll teach you, Alekzander Kramarz."

Alekzander ran to one side and abruptly stopped as a light shoe zinged by his head. "I am sorry, Helen. You smell much better than Prancer." Helen hid her smile and threatened the smaller boy like their parents usually did. She took the other shoe off and followed the boy in the dark room with her eyes and ears, ready to launch her last missile.

The hairs on both children's arms almost stood up and the strange illumination came from the wall. When Alekzander looked at the wall, the shoe travelled towards his body. Alekzander had been waiting for this and jumped out of the way of the shoe, and directly toward the wall. Before his hands touched the cold, rough surface, the wall burst into even more glorious life. He felt momentarily very odd, as if stretched far beyond what a body could take. Energy flew into him, and his body twisted in a spastic way and he fell against the wall and slid to the rough floor.

-------

Helen woke up slowly. She felt her head pounding, for some reason. This was much worse that any time she had ever felt before. The room was dark, and her eyes stared out trying to perceive anything. The memory came back slowly because of the pain with each movement she made. Her last image was of Alex leaning off balance. The wall had flared very brightly and light seemed to come from Alex like the pictures in the church windows.

"Alex!" She yelled. Not waiting for an answer she called again, but not quite as loud. She scrambled on hands and knees across the rough stone floor looking for Alex. She found the wall, but no Alex. Turning around she saw some dust particles illuminated very faintly above the lantern box. She cautiously made her way to it. She released the catch on the box, and the lantern came into view. Though not very bright, it temporarily blinded her. She reached into the baffled box and burnt her fingers on the hot surface before getting the thick wire handle of the lantern.

With the lantern in hand, she stood to look around. Alex was against the wall, crumpled in a heap. She quickly ran to him and stumbled in her haste. She set the lantern on the floor and kneeled down to look at the boy she thought so much about. She pulled him away from the wall to see his face and found it bleeding from a nasty gash on his forehead. The blood was dry, and thankfully no more was coming out. His hair was matted with the sticky substance, and his face looked deathly in the light from the lantern.

He did not wake up when he was moved, and this put a great fear into her. She put her ear by Alex's mouth, and was very relieved to hear his breathing. "Alex, Alex, wake up, please. Oh, wake up." Alex was not responding, and she gently laid him back down and walked quickly across the floor to the blanket on the box. She came back quickly, and almost knocked the lantern over. She started to grab for it, but it stabilised itself.

Satisfied that it was safe, she carefully sat on the cold, rough rock and put the spread-out blanket on her lap and pulled the smaller boy's head onto her lap. The ends of the blanket were wrapped around the boy to keep him warm. Every few minutes she called his name. After the second time she sobbed as she did this and tears fell onto Alex's head.

Her cries changed till she was crying out loud. The sobs had given way to grief that she had never known before. Soon, she found that she was trying to find help that people have sought for thousands of years. Her prayer went out, and she explained how much she loved the boy. The decision to get help finally came to her. Somebody would have to be able to help him. She got up very stiffly and laid Alex back down as if he was a baby. She started to run out, stopped and got her coat and Alex's and laid them over his comatose body.

Helen fell four times before she made it to the family home.

-------

Loud crying and even louder conversation almost woke Alex up. The conversation paused and sleep retook him.

Roch Lowca sat on one side of the hospital bed and her sister Eva sat on the other. Between them was the small, barely moving body of Alekzander. There was a gauze bandage on his head, and the boy looked peaceful. His hospital gown covered a nasty burn on his neck and chest.

Roch said, "I should never have let poor Alekzander go out into the storm. I knew that mine was dangerous, and I did nothing to stop him. It's all my fault."

Eva had her hand on the bed holding Alex's other hand, and she told her distraught sister, "You are wrong Roch. The boy is small, but his mind is like a man's. He was doing as he should. There is no way you could have kept him from that place. He has his father's disposition, and you remember what it was like to get his father to change his mind once it was made."

"But he is only a baby," she implored.

"He is a young man whose body has not caught up to his brain. He will be all right. It was just the knock on the head that makes him sleep. It has only been a day and a half. Give him time."

Roch was not convinced, and fingered her rosary beads one more time. She held onto Alex's hand and started to say the set of prayers one more time. Surely Saint Mariah, (Polish for Saint Mary), would understand a mother's grief.

Much later Alex hears a masculine voice. Alex faintly opens his eyes to see his foster father standing at the foot of the bed talking to his wife. This dream is very vivid, Alex thinks as his eyes close one more time and he goes back to sleep.

Bright light is shining through the window and, although disoriented, he does manage to flex his hand. His body shifts a little bit, and he goes back to sleep. The two adults around the bed talk excitedly in Polish, talking of what happened, and what it might infer. They are now very happy, thinking the prospects of his recovery are much more probable. More prayers are now said, but now they are ones of thanks.

Alex has dreams of being back home. He can almost hear the voices of some of his loved ones. Helen comes to him during his dream. She is dressed in one of his favourite dresses. Her steps are quick but she slows very much as she gets close. When only a foot away, she stops and leans forward to kiss Alex on the cheek. Another dream is of his being at home in his old bed, hearing Roch prepare breakfast in the kitchen. Aron gets out of his bed, and the seven year old crosses the floor and jumps on Alex to wake him up. Alex is Aron's hero, and the sun would not shine without his big brother making it happen. The feeling is true for Alex, too.

Roch and Aunt Eva saw the body's slight movements, and fingered their rosaries and give ten Ave Marias, a paternoster and then a Gloria Padre. They sometimes mumble their prayers, so as to not disturb each other.

An intermittent time later Alex found himself in school again. It was grade eight, and he was graduating at the top of his class. Everybody else was tall or big. He had skipped grade two and five to get where he was. Mrs. Snyder had kissed his cheek when the others were not around. Both had tears in their eyes as if they would never see each other again. Samantha Soleski had given her own kiss when the grade seven girl was able to get him into a quiet spot.

The methodical voice almost got him to awake. It was like church, but you weren't supposed to sleep there, though some did. The water startled him for a moment as it was traced on his forehead. The words seemed to be mumbled, but it was easier to understand just what the Latin words meant now.

Alex opened his eyes, but could only do this a small amount. A voice to his right caused him to try to turn his head but like his eyelids, the muscles would not completely obey his commands. Out of the corner of one eye he did catch the image of his foster mother. His eyes opened wider in wonder, and he tried to get up to hold her before she disappeared. At the same time he tried to get his voice to say, "Mom!" Nothing came out, and Alex was now really concerned. His muscles would not obey him, though, as if he had been paralysed for a long period of time. He tried to raise his hands, but he could hardly make them move.

Roch felt the movement. Her eyes had been closed to rest. She had been in the hospital for days, and she was exhausted, both physically and mentally. She jumped to her feet without relinquishing the small hand she had held for so many hours. With the eyes now open and staring at her, she can take it no more and bends over and hugs the boy, as if her strength could somehow be transferred into the young body.

Alex can feel his shoulder almost get dislocated, but at the same time he can smell the small dab of perfume and motherly body odour. Never was a dream this realistic. He could feel the large breasts that are comfortably pushing into him as well. Some stray hairs from the under the hat on her head tickled his face.

Words came to him now, in Polish, about how he was missed. Seconds later thanks were given to God and Mary. Aunt Eva had stood and placed her own hand on his shoulder to let both know that he was alive. Alex thought frantically now. "How could this be? Sight, sound, touch and smell all say that this is real. Is it possible after all these years that there really is a heaven, and that is where I now am. Surely these people would be in no other place.

Running was faintly heard over the loud voices. More speech was heard in English. Somebody was commanding to get some room. A pretty nurse interposed her body on one side of the bed, while an old, white-haired doctor came on the other side. The male figure was Dr. Smiles. He was the doctor for much of the town up to recent times. The town was growing, and the doctor was getting on in years. He had even performed the delivery when Alex was born. This was also true for many in town who were younger than thirty.

Alex was laid back and the doctor examined him. "How are you doing my boy?"

Alex wanted to talk, but had no way of doing so. The muscles just would not obey his commands. He tried to move his arms but again nothing happened; only his right hand was able to move, and that was only a twitch. Alex went through the major muscle groups and tried to see which he could get to follow his commands. The eyelids moved slowly, and he was able to move his head from side to side, but only a short distance and with much difficulty. The toes would move on both feet, but with the same lethargic response.

When no obvious response was given, Dr. Smiles took his hand and held open the left eyelid as he examined the pupil. When the other eye was checked he moved a bit and took out his stethoscope and placed the ends in his ears. The nurse assisted and helped the doctor get at the bare skin on the chest to listen to the heart. The pulse was soon checked as the doctor looked at his wristwatch.

Alex was laid back and the doctor's thoughts were saddened. It looked like some of the higher functions of the boy's brain were damaged. There was a possibility that this would only be a temporary inconvenience, but usually it was not.

"This is horrible," I thought. How was I going to get a message out? The feelings were so strong now. The members of my family, who were dead these many years, were now alive and I could not tell them how much I loved each and every one of them.

At first a tear started to form in one eye, then in the other. Everybody was looking at him. Doctor Smiles was being bombarded by questions from the two nearly hysterical women. The doctor was trying to be as noncommittal as possible, and finally he looked at the young boy and saw the tears and a small movement of the nose as he sniffed.

The kind doctor looked around and ignored the women and found a few tissues. He sat on the bed again and wiped the eyes and tried to get the boy to blow his nose. A strong effort got a very small puff of air.

"Ladies," when they did not listen he said again, "Ladies, the boy is having difficulties because you are upsetting him. He has tears and blew his nose. He can probably understand us. Give the boy a chance to tell us what he wants." The women had quieted and the doctor continued. "Alex, can you understand us?"

I could do little except blink once. This brought a lot of smiles and then more questions came. "Do you hurt anywhere?"

The doctor got a double blink, and everybody relaxed a little more. The questions continued. I wanted desperately to know about Helen and had no way of asking. I was getting tired, but fought hard to get my mouth to move. The blinking continued till I was able to open my mouth a small amount, and then close it again. Finally, I was able to put together enough data from what I heard to know that Helen had been the one to run for help. She was fine now, and back in school.

The doctor and the nurse got me sitting up with one leg over the other. He reached into his pocket and took out the triangular Taylor hammer and tapped the patellar tendon to check the reflex. I knew that this only checked that the path to the spinal cord was intact. This would activate a path to the motor (efferent) nerves leading back to the same muscle. The knee jerk is a purely spinal reflex response to find nerve damage or other interference with the spinal-cord motor mechanisms.

The test was a success from my point of view. Since I was up, he looked at the damage to my forehead and checked for any other trauma, including the burn on my neck and chest. I was laid back now, and I had to close my eyes a moment. All this effort seemed to sap most of my energy.

I must have slept. My eyelids flashed open and I moved my eyes a bit within my limited response. I could control my neck partially and saw mother and then Aunt Eva. I was afraid of sleeping now for fear that they would disappear forever when I slept. Mother said in Polish, "I will stay for a while, and you should go for a nap." I could see that she was even more worn out than me.

Later I woke up and saw Helen bending over the bed. She was just standing there and looking at me. She could have been there a long time. Her hand, though, was on the bed and holding my hand. I could feel her strong but delicate hand holding mine. I looked at her now, and recorded her image in my mind. I had no idea when, and if, she would disappear from me again. My mouth opened, but I was still unable to speak. My tongue was just able to go out and touch my dry lips. I moved my mouth again and again, as I tried to gain some mastery of my muscles.

Mother was still here and Helen must have thought that I was trying to whisper. She bent down to put her ear close to my mouth. She was so close now that I could smell the soap we always used to use, and her own body odour. I could feel the stray hairs and smell her scent. This brought back all the memories of her, and I felt so good to be finally at home again.

I could not form audible words but I was able to touch her ear with the tip of my tongue. She pulled off quickly and then put her ear back. I did this again and she just sighed. Mother was asking, "What did he say?"

"He didn't give me words but he did touch my ear. He is trying to talk to us." Before another question could be asked, a different nurse came in. She went to the IV stand and put a new bag of glucose solution and took the connection out of the nearly empty bag. She checked the rate that drops fell, and while looking at me she said, "Well, Alex, that is you supper. The sooner you gain the use of your body, the sooner you can get solid food."

Within a half hour I had to pee and there was nothing I could do about it. I wet the bed and felt shame at doing this. I was not a baby, but I knew that my thirteenth birthday had passed long ago. Mom must have caught on, for she left and I was just lying on a wet bed and looking at Helen.

Mother came back with a nurse and some clean linen. She went through the correct practice to change the bed with a patient still in it. Mother refused to leave, and Helen just stayed, too. My gown was soon removed and a new one was put on. My head was moved enough for me to catch a look, and I found my plumbing had not changed since I last looked.

This shocked me for it was as if I had two sets of memories. One of course would be the mind of the boy that inhabited this body. I had detected none of his presence and wondered if he and I had changed places. Even that seemed to be wrong. I could see myself in the mine in 2004 with only a bit of trauma.

I had long since subtracted my present age from my other body and knew I had regressed 53 years. It was spring now and it was fall in my former life, so an extra half year was added to the total. It was now 1951, and in three months Helen would be dead again.

Some of the family soon came in and talked to me. They knew about my difficulties and just asked simple questions that could be answered with a yea or a nay. A few minutes later dad came in with Aron hidden behind him. I knew that at this time, children were not allowed into the hospital unless they were patients. Aron worked his way around the roomful of adults and came close to my right side. Mother gave way a bit, and he came as close as he could.

When dad finished asking me how I felt, I could only reply with one blink. Josef continued, "What can we do for you?" I was unable to ask anything and eventually he saw the error he made.

I was able to force my head to turn to see Aron. He had just turned eight, and he still looked like a cute little boy. I tried my best to smile at him, but I did not know what my face really looked like. He did reach out and put his hand on my bare arm, and a restrained smile was displayed, as if offering me strength and hope.

Aunt Eva was there beside her sister trying to give support, and now perhaps share in the joy of someone coming back to them whom they thought lost.

Dad still looked concerned. We had a pretty good relationship. He was fairly strict, but gave up some free time to be with his family. At times, even when we were doing chores together, he would talk of his own upbringing and mention the peculiarities of each of his relatives. Like all parents, he always had more work to do as a child, and less reward for doing it.

The next week, a specialist came to evaluate my condition. I pushed myself to learn how to use my muscles. I caught him mentioning bilateral hemiplegia and thought him far off the mark. I had my own diagnosis and thought it prudent to not mention it to him even if I could. There was a good chance he would stay then and try to find the depth of my knowledge, instead of giving me my freedom.

When I was fourteen, I had got into some serious fights and decided to build my body up. Even after six months of effort, the fights still happened, even though I was much larger. I made a punching bag and worked on it as best I could. Anytime there was a fight, I analysed what happened and how it was conducted. At least a fifth of the time I was actually an active participant. When I started to win the occasional fights, I just found that the bullies then wanted reinforcements to make sure I stayed in my proper place.

My previous life had shown me the error of my ways in this. I was not going to let any of that continue, especially when I knew that I would eventually get into a few scrapes when I went back to school. My weakened state, though, might cause me to keep my mouth shut, but would not keep me from taking on bullies fighting people far weaker than them.

Talking became possible, but I was still very weak. I pushed myself very hard in every waking moment. Doctor Smiles suggested that I remain stationary, but I had my own medical licence and had much more access to many problems. He, of course, had many years of practical experience to draw on. He did relent when I questioned the underpinning of his arguments. He knew that I was very bright and along with my photographic memory had learned more than many people older than me. He had been instrumental in getting the school board to let me skip two grades.

Mom came by and helped me walk around the room. There was no physiotherapeutic section, so I had to rely on just walking. Most of the time it was just mom and Aunt Eva. She spent lots of her time with me, but she had her own family hours from North Bay. I also relied on the nursing staff to walk around. At every opportunity I would try to cajole some of them to help me exercise. Helen was not allowed in sometimes, but the nurses seemed to have vision problems on a few occasions. We walked down the main hall very many times, till I had to shoo her off for her meals or rest.

The girl did things girls always did to me. This time, though, I was not ready to take advantage of the situation. If my body stayed the same, it would be almost a year till I entered puberty. My former memories did seem to drive me toward that goal, though. I felt much like an old man who relied on memory alone to appreciate the finer points of feminine flesh. The memories of the people I went to school with were fresh in my mind, as if of yesterday. Now I could interpret their actions as an adult, and saw that I was partially blind to what was happening around me the first time at this age.

We had a candy striper who volunteered to help. I shamelessly took advantage of the situation and luxuriated in the casual touch. I had my own code of ethics, though, and would not grope or fondle. If I knew that they were interested in me this way, I would have really showed them what I could do. Sadly, none of them saw much in a young, skinny boy who could hardly walk and talked slowly at only a whisper.

Three weeks after the lightning storm I was discharged. I was not fit for school yet, but I would be able to stop placing such a heavy financial burden as the hospital bills on the family's shoulders. Over the years, I had learned that money was both the grease and the fuel that the economy ran on. I was very effective at what I did in my previous life, and at last count I had almost four and a half billion dollars in net assets. Here, I would start with a deficit of a thousand dollars. At this time it was an astronomical sum, when you consider that a grown man made 50 cents an hour.

My mind came up with many plans, but sadly they all required money to start. This commodity was in short supply in our family.

Aunt Eva had to leave for her family in Sudbury. At least her children were mostly grown and could afford to have their mother away. I had to cry a bit at her leaving. She didn't make it down all that often, and I would miss her. She had supported mom when I was at my worse, and supported me when I walked the hospital floor. Dad drove her to the bus station with a large supply of things that our family made a specialty of making. One product clinked a lot and had to be wrapped in cloth and paper.

I still did not understand what had happened in the mine. My future self had been ripped from its own time line and brought into my past. I do not think that I truly left the other setting to come here. I did not know why it felt that way, but it did. This left me with a queasy feeling of what happened to my thirteen-year-old self that had resided in this body. I must have simply spun off a copy of my older self and overwritten my younger consciousness. I did searches through my memory and still found nothing of a younger mirror image. The forces that brought about this situation were much stronger that what any two humans could counter.

My understanding of my weakness was that I had not integrated my mind with my present body. This had to be done within the brain itself. Exercises were the only hope I had. These labours went on all the time. I rarely was still for any reason. Even sitting on the toilet afforded me a chance to do isometric exercises. My brain, though, did seem to work much better. I had a much easier time when I tried to plumb the depths of my knowledge, training and skills. This was all crammed on top of what my former self had, even if the first dozen or so years were the same. When I got bored, I turned to mathematics and found that I could do calculations much faster than in my university days. I could not come up with a reason for this phenomenon. My memory also seemed to be sharper, and facts were easier to recover and integrate with other pieces of data within my head.

Aron came to me all the time with offers of help. I took advantage of it as much as I could without overburdening him. At this time, a family was much more cohesive than at the end of the century. Television, which I had once thought of as a media to educate the masses, had later become a device that would break up a family. I had to admit that a computer could do the same thing. The only similarity here and now was the constant work necessary to run a small farm. Books could do the same as TV, but anyone never had enough time to indulge in this pastime.

I usually stayed close to the walls for support, but I could negotiate even the steps. One close call was enough for me to be even extra careful on those. My voice was coming back, but I still had to converse in a whisper with a child's pitch.

Mom, grandma and grandpa did much of the work on the farm while dad was away working at the mine. Grandpa was a wiry man of 54. His name was Edward Corinz, but nobody called him that. He usually wore an old beret that a fellow countryman gave him before passing on. I got a licking one time for throwing it to Aron like a Frisbee.

Grandma's name was Trina. She had married Grandpa young, and she was now 53. She was short like grandpa, and thin like him, too. Her hair was at least half gray. She looked a bit older than her years from the hard life she had. She was a meek and mild woman to her husband, except when he got into the bimber we made here on the farm. She had a little once in a while, but grandpa and dad were much more serious drinkers and smokers. Trina didn't even smoke and got on Mom's case about that, too.

Roch was born very soon after their marriage, I heard. She was 35 now, and she still looked good. There was a lot of her in Helen, and that made me happy.

Helen had chores, as did Aron. I worked hard at my old ones, and used the excuse that the exercise would make me strong just as lifting weights would. Sometimes we would have time to talk, but that was not too often. I knew that they were going to pass on, and I would be very much poorer for not finding out more about them. It seemed that I was much more attentive than I had been in my previous life.

A month of school was lost, and Helen brought home my books, notes and assignments. Getting my hands to write was as difficult as getting my legs to walk. My writing was very bad, even though it was fair when I was young. We did not have a typewriter, but that would only allow me to have my ideas understood without a lexicon to translate my 'chicken scratches'.

When the nights came, dad would play the accordion or the guitar. I had started on the guitar when I was six, with my birth parents, and later Jozef give me some lessons, too. There was no music on paper, for he could not read it if we happened to chance upon some. I had taken lessons for the violin in high school. I was not good at it then, but I could still play music. At present I knew much more, because I took a liking to the instrument, and to music in general, during my second stint in university.

The sounds coming out were not what I wanted, but they got better as my coordination improved. When dad paused in his playing, I took up the guitar and played a little Beatles music. My singing of 'Let It Be' was a shock to them. The guitar playing was well received, but I was told it was not real Polish music. I think it was my voice they were actually talking about. At one time I was able to sing with some sort of finesse, but now I still needed more control over my muscles.

Grandma or mom fed me whenever they could get some food into me. I did not object too much, for I began to burn off the calories. My body was still spastic at best. I had overcome that in my previous life by learning to dance and later by taking martial arts. With three girls in the house dancing had been a natural thing. Dancing now was fun, but tiring. I had a much better knowledge of dancing than I had been as a child, but I was not strong or tall enough to do the same things I could do as a man. The radio played half of our music, while dad and the rest performed live.

Aron was never one for dancing, but I encouraged him to try harder. I knew that it would help him immensely later in life. He, like me, took a long time to get past his shyness. The whole family though was startled when I spoke like an adult with a child's voice. I had simply spent too many years where I had to be aggressive or I would not get a contract. A meek businessman was a poor businessman.

I was now getting strong enough to go for short walks. Even when I was tired I kept on going to build up my endurance. Mom was concerned about me coming home in a ragged state and asked me to take it easy. I always said I would, but I still pressed on to build myself up. One time, at night, I checked my equipment. With a little manipulation I got hard and it felt good, but not like what I would have when puberty started.

In two more weeks I figured I was strong enough to start making money. I had very little credibility as a wheeler-dealer and needed to show positive results first.

In 1990 I had bought a piece of land forty miles northeast of North Bay. It had a great view of a river, and it would afford me an even greater location for a cottage. The beautiful home never got built. The reason was that I had been looking the site over after purchasing it and stumbled on an outcrop of quartz. The freeze and thaw of the seasons had split a small outcrop and it was a fairly easy job to separate the two sections.

When I did this with some young tree trunks, I found one large and one small nugget of pure gold. Their combined weight was nine and a half pounds. With 12 troy ounces to the troy pound, this worked out to a bit over 51 thousand dollars in American funds. I kicked myself later, when I found that a nugget that size and larger would fetch much more than its value in gold, if kept in its original form. Gold, now, was pegged at $US35 a troy once. Today, I would only get about four thousand American dollars. This would, however, be enough to pay the hospital bills and start me on my way to my new goals.

The truly exceptional thing about the site was that there were very many large nuggets. Most gold was in flakes or dust, and nuggets, any day, fetched a premium price. The largest nugget ever found was 215 kilograms, and it was found in New South Wales in 1872. Most nuggets were very much smaller and still quite rare.

The beautiful building site was then turned into a mining site. Further into the hillside we unearthed a collection of very large nuggets. This netted 17,000 ounces of world-class-sized gold nuggets that happened to be quite near the surface. This totalled only $595,000 dollars at 1951 prices for the gold content alone. We had used too much explosives, and the nuggets were damaged and some scattered all over the property. There was a good chance that selling the nuggets in their pristine form to a collector could easily increase this value in gold. Sadly, they had to be collected in small, deformed lumps instead. The gold was recovered, but I had no idea how large some of the nuggets might have been. The entire claim produced a total of almost 12356 troy pounds. Drilling crews came to find the extent of the ore body. I had consulted my lawyers soon after finding the gold and staked the single claim necessary.

The first outcrop was only a small part of the whole seam. The seam continued to a point 120 metres to the west. We had drilled for core samples, and some of the cores showed that the mine could net as much as forty kilograms to the ton. The seam looked deep and wide, but it seemed that strip mining would be the best way to recover the gold.

Gold was usually far underground, and in this area it was actually in microscopic particles invisible to the naked eye. I was going to have to use as much knowledge as I could remember, to convince dad that we could get more by selling the claim to a mining company for a set amount and a percentage of the money from the gold extracted. This would be after we had removed all the larger pieces of gold that our crude abilities allowed. I would have to work hard to convince dad that we could not do all the mining ourselves. This was going to be very difficult, I thought, because dad had mined most of his life. It would give me all the money I needed to get started on my new life.

The flip side to the problem would be to keep dad busy during this time. It did not take me long in my previous life to know that no matter how much money I had, it was always necessary to continue working. An indolent nature would kill him as fast as the cancer did.

The environmental laws at my time required that the land be put back as it was found. This meant that I could one day start building on the property, but as of 2004, that had not begun yet. A good road had been constructed, but the property just did not seem like the pristine wilderness it once was, even with the landscaping and a new growth of trees.

The land in 1951 belonged to the crown, and land claims could be registered. There was also no way I could get anybody to believe me about the gold. There would also be many questions about how I knew of its location. This second type of questions could not be bypassed. My only hope was to shamelessly trade on my family's pious nature.

We had two vehicles on the farm. Dad usually got a ride with a friend for a monetary consideration to get to work. One vehicle was a 41 Plymouth Special Deluxe. This was used when the family had to go to town, or for visits and, of course, for church. Dad was very proud of this car; it was the best he ever owned. I remembered it as a cantankerous old machine that needed a fire lit under it when cold before it would start. The cussing got very colourful when dad had to start it for Sunday church in the winter. The other was a 1939, Ford half-ton truck. The truck was not in the best shape, and in place of some of my chores I got that vehicle to work. Again, the family was quite amazed at my newfound abilities.

The next weekend dad had the time off and wanted to visit friends in the Bay. I, of course, had other plans.

"Dad, I do not feel like going. I am a little queasy, and I do not want to puke in the car." He looked at me seriously trying to see if I was trying to pull the wool over his eyes, as I sometimes had done.

"You better come with us, that way we can watch out for you."

"Dad, you are going to have to make the trip, then when you find the car stunk up, you will all have to come home again. If I made it to Nicolas's house, I would be sick there, and then they would not think much of us coming, especially if I were to give them the flu."

He thought again, but Helen stepped in to help, "I will stay home with Alex. I can catch up on some homework and you can enjoy yourselves."

Dad thought on this and gave his decision. Mom was just happy to go, and like a good wife of the time, followed the dictates of her husband. "You can stay. But you better stay out of trouble."

In half an hour the car was spreading a cloud of dust as it went down the long driveway. I turned to a smiling Helen and said, "Helen, we are going to get in trouble. Get your corduroy pants on, and a thick shirt. Wear the heavy work boots, not the black rubber boots."

"I am not going to let you get into trouble, Alex. I stayed home to make sure you were safe and be here if you needed me."

"Helen, I am going and you always come after a short fight. Now, I have little time and it is important. Get the clothing, or I will leave you here."

"But..."

"Get going!" I ordered in my best voice. She sniffled a bit but turned to run upstairs to her room. I went to the pickup and strapped on the wooden blocks to the brake and the clutch. I had made them a week ago for a time like this. Some trucks of this age had a throttle cable to control the speed from the dash. The truck could be used as a portable power source for doing a multitude of useful tasks besides travelling. The seat held a thick pad to allow me to see far enough ahead and to make me seem taller to anyone who saw the truck.

The back of the truck got a long steel bar that almost weighted as much as I did. Two hammers and all the cold chisels we had were put in a wooden box. A sledgehammer and two steel wedges used to split tough wood followed. The chopping axe and a small had hatchet came, too. The bow saw looked to be a good idea, and it went in as well. A stout wooden wagon was next placed in the back, but upside down to keep it from rolling too much. A canvas bag with a shoulder strap came next. Finally, a rope fall and four lengths of chain got thrown on the bed.

I was back into house when Helen came downstairs dressed as I asked. "Helen, make a lunch for us. Pack something to drink and bring some toilet paper."

"Where are we going?"

"I will tell you in a few minutes. Please hurry. We do not have much time." She usually had a hard head, but I also usually got my way. This time I was very adamant, and things went smoother. I got changed, too, and picked up two pairs of heavy gloves. Helen was in the kitchen waiting with a picnic basket. I saw that she had done a good job. I just walked up to her and gave her a heart-felt kiss and said, "You did very well, Honey. We got to hurry."

I put a note on the table, telling that we had taken the truck and would be back shortly. I specifically asked dad to wait to see what happened before he wanted to hand out punishment. A few sentences were given to infer that I was shown something by God himself, and this could only be proved if I were given the chance. I also had a hope of getting home before the family did, and recover the note without them getting upset at our absence.

I held Helen's hand in mine and I pulled her toward the barn and the truck. She carried the provisions and seemed to like this mode of travel. When I tried to get her into the passenger side of the truck, though, she balked. "Alex, what are you doing? We can't steal Dad's truck and you do not know how to drive."

"Get in the truck, please. I will drive around the barn and you can see how well I can drive. If I am not good enough, I will try to practice more and go another time. Does that seem fair?" She was not sure at all, but nodded her head.

She got up and put the basket protectively on her lap and watched as I closed her door and walked around. She jumped a bit when the truck started. I had only put one block on at a time to test the arrangement before, but it seemed to work. I drove out of the door without any jerks from the standard transmission. I stopped, set the brake and put the truck in neutral. I closed the barn door and got back in.

I drove around the barn three times and saw that Helen was not frightened out of her wits. Half way to the road Helen asked, "Where are we going?"

"About an hour and a half away from here, there is some crown land. There are some large gold nuggets on the property. I am going to get two nuggets - one is about eight pounds and the other about one - and bring them back. Once dad sees the gold, it will be much easier for me to convince him to stake a mineral claim on the property. Once the claim is legalized, we will mine as a family and take more large nuggets off the property. The rest of the gold is harder to get at, but not much. We will sell the property rights to a mining company, and they will pull five tons of easily recoverable gold from it. We will get millions for it."

"Millions? I can't even see a hundred dollars. Nobody has that much money, Alex."

"In a few months we will have the gold nuggets, and then that money too."

"How do you know all this, Alex?"

"Ever since the time in the mine I have been able to see things differently. I know more things, and I have new abilities that I did not have before. This new knowledge has to have come from God."

She started to open her mouth to talk, but stopped to consider more. I took the back roads and drove as fast as I could. To forestall dad if he became a problem, I took a confusing course and pointed out things that would be seen from a different perspective. I didn't want to do this to Helen, but she would buckle to dad's demands if they were allowed to happen.

By the time I got to the small, overgrown side road, Helen could see the granite and quartz outcrop in her mind, and not the route to the nuggets. My verbal description was very precise, and she found herself compelled to look at me much of the time when I talked excitedly of our gold property.

Helen got out and moved deadfalls and pulled branches out to the way. The progress was very slow. A quarter of a mile in, I stopped in a clearer section and got out. Helen helped me with the wagon and the equipment. This time it was much quicker to travel, but we were only on our feet.

The old road continued for a few more miles and I looked at the surrounding hills and branched off into the trees. The wagon and equipment was left. We went on foot with only the axe and hatchet to clear a path. The rock outcrop was easy to find. Helen and I found the best path back to our equipment and rapidly brought our supplies to a clear area close to the outcrop. The rock still had the cleft in it, but this time it was not as noticeable.

"What are we going to do now?"

"Hand me the steel wedge and a hammer." I put the heavy wedge in and swung the hammer a few times but I was getting tired from all the work we had done. I bowed to feminine persuasion and allowed Helen to pound the wedge further in. I heard a distinctive crack as the rock fractured further. The other wedge went on the other side of the rock outcrop. The rock was now as far out as it was in 1997.

The long steel bar went into the cleft and hung to the ground on one end. The rope fall was attached to a tree and the other end tied to the end of the bar. I pulled the rope taut, and Helen released her hold on the bar. She came to me and we both pulled very hard. Another crack, and the rock pulled much further away.

This was done one more time with the mechanical advantage the bar gave us. We put two chains together and around the portion of the outcrop that had moved. A quick glimpse showed me a very white surface and an exposed surface of gold. I said nothing to Helen, and hooked the rope fall to the chain and pulled it one last time.

The rock was fourteen feet high and fell with a heavy thump on the forest floor. Animals all around were now silent. I walked to Helen and took her hand. She was staring open mouthed at the gold surface she saw before her. I pulled her with me, and we walked around the fallen rock to get to the large mass still standing. A smaller mass was in the rock at our feet.

I took out the hammers and chisels. Helen watched me working on the fallen rock. Soon she was holding the chisel and doing all the work. I took the other hammer, stood on the broken stub of the rock, and worked on the visible gold there.

The sun was now dropping; we had stayed longer than I had expected. Helen had got her piece from the rock, and it looked to be about a cubic inch in size. Mine was irregular in shape, and it was about nine cubic inches. The tools were stacked on the wagon and laboriously pulled back to the truck. It was doubtful that somebody would come by, but if there were tools around, they would look to see what we were up to.

The truck took a while to turn around and Helen again moved branches out of the way. All the way back Helen just looked at the two lumps of gold in her hands. One was the eight and a half pound nugget, while the other was only a little over a pound.

When we got back home, I found that we had not been quick enough. The car was back, and there was no way we could sneak in. Helen was worried. Dad had a very bad temper when he was angry. Helen opened the barn door, and I backed the pickup inside. We closed the door and walked to the house. I felt like a man climbing the thirteen steps. Part of the reason was my very recent meeting with his sort of discipline.

I opened the door and stepped in first. Helen still had the two nuggets in her hands.

Dad had been drinking while visiting and was into his own drink now. Mom was standing with an anxious look on her face. He stood up and his chair fell over behind him. "Where have you been?" He yelled at us but looked at me.

"Paying for my hospital stay and for our future education." This did not seem to be enough of a reason, and he started to take off his wide, leather belt. "You can beat me with the belt for helping the family. You have beaten me before when I was a boy, and you can beat me now as a man if that makes you feel better."

He had the belt folded in his right hand, and he grabbed me by his left. When he pulled, I fell down. The belt came down across my back and ass as he yelled at me for doing wrong. I did not cry, but only grunted when the belt fell. I just stayed still as he hit me more times. Mom was yelling at him, but he just ignored her as he continued to swing the belt. Finally it stopped, and when I looked up, it was mom pushing him against the wall. She always bowed to his ways, but now she actively opposed him.

Helen was soon beside me trying to see how damaged I was. I had tears in my eyes and could not see straight. I tried to get up, but fell two times even with Helen's help. Mom and dad were arguing. Hands were moving as if the gestures would make the meaning clearer. Grandma and grandpa were right beside her to add their support. Aron was so shocked that he did not know what to do. His parents were yelling, and I was barely able to stand with Helen's help. He made his decision and ran to me and held my other side.

We walked out the other door, and they helped me up the steps. The progress was very slow, as I felt the pain all over my back and ass. Helen helped me out of my clothes, while Aron supported me. She helped me lay on my bed after it was turned down.

She ran off for a basin and water to wash the blood off my back. Usually, this did not happen. Dad had metal studs on his belt and they usually were turned in. This time, either he was angry or he forgot. The water did not help much, but the fact that Helen was ministering to my needs did. She changed the water twice, and finally I was patted dry.

I asked for some aspirin and took them with water. The fighting had quieted down and I tried to get some sleep. I hoped to be seen in the morning.

During the night, I had to get up to piss, and Aron woke with me and helped me to get to the bathroom. After flushing and washing up, I took the hand mirror and with the one on the medicine cabinet saw that my back was raw. The skin was broken in many places. The scores sometimes crossed each other and I looked like a whipped person. I had actually seen a case like that and the police became involved, but this was much before the legislation came in to enforce this action.

I did not hate dad for what he did. It was quite common for a child to be disciplined this way, especially in these years. Dad was a product of his upbringing where he was disciplined the same way. The fact that he was angry and drunk at the same time only made it worse.

Aron was waiting outside the door and was sniffling with his feeling of empathy. I put my arm around him and said, "It is alright. It doesn't hurt too much, and soon the pain will be gone. Think about the good side. Now there is enough money for all of us to go to university." He just looked at me, not understanding. I let the matter drop as I got the boy back to bed. This time I tucked him in and gave him a kiss.

I got up earlier than usual and hobbled downstairs with only pyjama bottoms. It was too difficult to get the tops on. Dad sat at the table. It looked like he had been there all night. The bottle was beside him and his glass. Both were empty. The ashtray was full, though. The pouch of tobacco and papers were next to it. The belt lay in the centre of the table, and the metal studs were pointed up from it.

I said nothing to him, but got some milk from the fridge and poured a glass.

I heard, "Go put on a shirt."

"I tried, but it hurt too much."

After drinking the milk I rinsed the glass and put it on the board to dry. I made sure dad had a chance to see the damage he had done.

"Put a shirt on anyway."

"Come upstairs and help me, dad." He paused for a minute. He was probably wrestling with his consciousness, as he did every time he got drunk. I waited in front of him to assist his thinking. When my small hand came out, he took it and stood up. His quick steps had to drastically slow down when we came to the steps. I went up first and took most of the tread. My slow pace left him a long time to see the damage his drunken self had done. At the top of the steps I went to the medicine cabinet first and got down some cream to put on the wounds.

Once beside the bed I handed him the bottle and gingerly climbed on the bed and lay down on my stomach.

His hands were very delicate as he spread the lotion on the back. It would be better to let the skin stay exposed, but this was a small price to pay for making him see the damage he had done. When the back was only half done, he stopped and I could hear him sniffle. I moved my feet to the other side of the bed and got onto the floor. It was only a few feet and I was around the bed and hugged the man who had hugged me many times and did his best for his family. He sniffled as I held him.

"It is ok, dad. I love you."

He held me a bit, but I flinched when he touched a painful area. His hands came away as if scalded, and he got up and left. He almost ran into the washroom and the door closed behind him.

I capped the bottle and took my pyjama top downstairs. I did not usually get the chance to make breakfast. I did this time and made the coffee just a bit weaker. The family always wanted it so you had to stir it with two hands. I had my first own cup since coming back to this life. The bacon was cooking, and I put Mom's apron on to protect my chest. The corundum crystal was still there, and it had a new thong. It was now milky, with small fractures throughout its length.

I cleaned up the table and I set it for all of us. Mom came down next and just watched me from the doorway. I had to turn my body to see her, and I gave a small smile. I put the tongs down and pulled a chair from the table and said, "Will you be seated my lady?" As a joke I had said it in French. This was nothing new, for large portion of North Bay spoke this language.

She gave me one of her own smiles and came over as if a great lady and sat herself. Once she was comfortable she said, "Thank you," in German.

"You are very welcome, my lady," I replied in the same language.

While I turned the bacon she asked, "How did you learn German?" but said it in that language.

I replied in the same language, "You know I have a good memory. Sometimes it is just a matter of being polite to do this. Did you see what Helen and I brought home?"

"Yes I did," she said in her Polish tongue. "Your father did not come to bed last night, and I had a long talk with Helen. How did you know the gold was there?"

"Did you read the note I wrote?"

"Yes, but I do not understand."

"When the lightning went through my body it gave me some images of our future. I think they are images of what might be avoided, or aimed for. The image of the gold was very clear. Another one is of dad in his grave after drinking and smoking himself to death. Beside him rests his wife who gave up trying to quit smoking and died of lung cancer." Mom was really shocked and opened her mouth in astonishment.

The bacon was finished and I fried some eggs in the grease. The high cholesterol did not bother me, because all of us burnt off the fat in work. After the food was put before her, I playfully took a tea towel and placed a corner in her collar and took the fork and started to feed her. She was staring at me all the time with her mouth open except when I put food into it. She gently pushed my hand to the table and said, "What more?"

I could see that the food would get cold. I took the cast iron fry pan off the wood stove and said, "Eat and I will talk. I won't do it otherwise."

I nibbled on some toast and waited. Mom saw that I was adamant and began to eat. "The future can be changed, I think, or we have different universes to live in. In one universe dad drank too much and got hurt because of it. He was not able to do his job at the mine and had to leave. He tried to work the farm, but even that was too much for him. We all worked hard especially after Helen died. It seemed that the soul had left our family."

Mom had stopped with the fork half way to her face. "Do not worry mom. This time I will be able to save her. Perhaps the things that have to happen for her to die are now changed and it will not happen. Perhaps dad will not drink, and then he will not get hurt. If we can convince him to give up tobacco, he may live for another thirty or more years."

"You will have to do the same, or he will find it even more difficult to quit." Mom had stopped again. "Come on, mom, eat. The food will get cold."

"What will happen to Aron?"

"Aron and I will be relatively happy and successful. Grandpa smokes and drinks too much, and I know this will shorten his life. Grandma will miss him too much and join him soon after. Not everything is clear." I lied because too much information would also not be a good thing.

I cleaned up and peeked at Mom on occasion. She ate her meal, but never took her eyes from me. Soon grandma and grandpa came down and stepped into the kitchen. They saw me, and grandma turned away because she could not stand the sight of my raw back. I was not that bad, especially when compared to some of the patients I had. I was just her young grandson that was now wounded after being in a coma almost one and a half months ago.

When Helen came down she brought the two nuggets. Aron looked intently at what was in her hands. She just put them on the table beside the salt and pepper. I smiled at both people and served them too. Both grandparents, though, looked at the gold and soon picked the pieces up and felt the weight. They had not heard about the gold, and now saw it for the first time.

Grandpa asked, "Where did this come from?"

"When I was hit by lightning I saw many things. I have many images in my mind. One is of a place not far from here. One day an Alex Kramer, in another time, will find this place and take this gold. At that time he is already so very rich that the gold is of little importance. It is very important to the Alex in this time, though. With it I will have enough money to make many things. I know of some drugs that will save many lives."

Mom said nothing of our conversation, but I knew I would be in for a grilling later.

Dad usually drove us to church and he was now upstairs sleeping. I was not about to usurp his duties and drive the family car. Instead we did our chores. I could do little to help, and both Helen and Aron worked extra hard to cover my shortcomings. Lunch was later than usual, and it was a quiet affair. Dad got up in the middle of the afternoon and came downstairs. After a cup of coffee, he looked around and finally saw the two lumps of metal on the table.

He was still partially asleep and the effects of the alcohol had left him groggier still. He reached over the table and picked the smaller lump up and immediately felt the weight for such a small volume. He used his thick thumbnail and saw the crease in the metal. His eyes flew to the much larger piece and he did the same assessment.

He looked around and saw nobody who could give him some information on the metal. With a piece of gold in each hand he walked through the house till he found Roch.

"Where did these come from?"

Roch looked at her husband, and although she was a dutiful wife said, "The boy went out to find a way to pay his hospital bills. You ripped the skin off his skinny back because you wouldn't listen to him."

Jozef was not deterred by the remark for the gold held the promise of riches in his mind. "Where did this gold come from, Roch?"

"I have no idea. I asked your daughter and she cannot remember much. She was so amazed that Alex was driving the truck, and listening to his descriptions that she was lost."

He got up quickly and searched the house till he found me in my room doing some of the many assignments that I had missed. He just opened the door and stepped in. "Where did you get this gold Alex?"

"Hello father. It is nice to see you. Will you have a seat?"

"Look Alex, where did you get these two big nuggets of gold?"

"It is a secret. Helen, I do not think even knows. A claim has to be registered and then a mining operation begun. Do you want somebody to claim the property first and take the gold that may be on the property?"

"No, but where is this place?"

"It is a secret as I said. We have to sell this gold and then pay off my hospital bill. Some of the rest has to go to some lawyers. I am not going to tell anything more till all of that is completed."

"Alex, I may not be your real father, but I have put a roof over your head and food in your stomach for two years now. I am also older and know what is important. Tell me where you found this?"

"What is important, is that you listen for a few minutes," I said. "Have you wondered how I knew about the gold in the first place? Did you read the note I left or did you react to my being away? I may look like a child but I am not. I want to be in this family, and I want you to be my father even though I have changed."

"Alex, tell me now."

"Or you will get your belt out again and beat my back until I die, or will you just threaten me with that happening to get what you want? I will only tell you when I am ready and we have made a deal. Anything now is premature."

"Alex, this is very important. You are only thirteen, and even though you are smart you do not know the way the world works."

I got up from my desk and guided Jozef into a chair. He still had a tight grip on both pieces of gold. It was easy to see that he had a very old sickness that has affected people throughout the ages. Gold fever was a difficult malady to deal with, and there was no known antibiotic or vaccine.

"Dad, I will tell you of the things I saw." He moved to distract me while asking his question one more time. "Dad, listen to me. Always you have been the head of the house. You thought what was best, and we did what you wanted. You are a good dad and work hard for us. You love your family and me too. I am very happy to be in this family, but it is far from perfect."

"Is this the way you treat me after all the things I did for you?"

"I will leave if you want me to. I may have to go to an orphanage till I am old enough to be on my own. At that time I can start the mine and pay you back the money you think I owe you."

His hand pulled back and he was going to hit me. A man in the 50's, especially one from a very conservative country, was the king of his castle and did not want any of his dictates questioned. I quickly stepped back a step and said, "Are you going to beat me again father? Is your mind muddled like when you drink? Do you have to hit a thirteen-year-old person to make you feel better? Or are you going to listen to the rest of what I have to say?"

He was very angry but managed to lower his hand. If I were hit with the gold, it would probably brake his bones and mine. "Speak your mind. I see that I have had a snake in my home all this time."

"There is a snake father. Just like in the Old Testament, where Adam was tempted. You have taken to the temptation, and drink far too much and smoke too much for your own good. When you are sober, you are the kindest person. When you drink, have you seen how we all hide?"

He just hung his head a bit but not much. "When the lightning struck me, I was given images from the hand of God. Are you too proud to listen to what God has shown me?"

"Go ahead," he said grudgingly.

"God gave me the image of you drinking too much soon, and then going to work. One day, not long from now, you will be seriously hurt, and then you could not work in the mine any more. You came home to make a living on the farm. You could not do the job because of the pain. You drank too much then, and the rest of us had to take care of you while you only drank and made our lives miserable. Your constant smoking and drinking put you in the grave much sooner than was intended for you. Mom was lost after you died, and smoking was her consolation. She died later, before never even seeing Aron's children. She was not even strong enough to hang on long enough to see my first."

Jozef was shocked but thought that all this could be deduced. "It is my right to do what is needed in this house."

"Yes, it is, father. We also have to live with you. God gave me many more visions. One was where the gold was. I described the rock so well that Helen knew we were at the right place when she first saw it. God also showed Helen dying soon. Maybe things have changed enough that she will live or maybe I will have to do something to prevent that happening."

His own death did not frighten Jozef, but his first-born child was another matter. "How is she to die?"

"Helen was going to die of an infection. This will not happen as long as I am alive. I will do anything to protect her."

I saw the man wilt as he thought about his family. Everything that was said could be guessed at or a fabrication but the gold was different. It was glaringly clear that part of the visions had to be true.

The next day I was just able to ride my bike into town. It was only a little over eleven miles to my destination. It had taken quite a bit of work, but I had managed to get the smaller piece of gold from father's care. The larger piece was safely hidden, with only Jozef knowing its whereabouts.

The town now was very different from my last recollection of it in the twenty first century. I passed, not only a milk wagon pulled by a horse, but a bread wagon, too. My bike riding also had to reflect the obstructions found in my path on the road. The fifties relied on the old ways of doing things. The men mostly wore hats like grandpa's beret. The women wore long skirts and hats, too. After the war the population was very straight laced. Sex outside marriage was very much frowned on. It was almost like what the Victorian times were supposed to be like. This meant getting any action was going to be a very hard, uphill battle for me. Perhaps this uphill battle was what the parents were always really talking about when going to school.

An assay office bought the 11.4 troy ounce nugget of gold for thirty-two dollars an ounce. Raw gold is impure in the first place, and the government made a blanket payment of three dollars less for this reason. The Canadian dollar, at this time, was even trading at a premium over the American because of heavy investment. The nugget form it was in should have got me even more of a hefty premium instead. This information would get around town even faster than a scandal. They were very hesitant about giving a child so much money in cash. They did, however, give me an assay report attesting to the purity. Forms for staking a series of claims were also taken. I made a point of going to the wall map and looking at an area close to the city and far from where the gold really was.

The city was getting busier now. The cars I saw really made me think. It was like watching an old black and white movie; only everything was now in colour. Some vehicles were rolling wrecks that would have been pulled off the road very quickly in my time. There were so many old cars. And I mean old even for 1951. Cars were made heavy in the old days, and because salt was of little use this far north the cars lasted longer, too.



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Chapter 3



I had to slow down by the feed mill when a man walked out in front of me with a bag of feed over his shoulder. It appeared that he didn't care about traffic, or about one boy on a bike. The feed was thrown into the back seat of an old Cadillac convertible. A friend had one, and if I was right this was one of those 1922 torpedo models.

I stopped altogether, and got off the road and onto the sidewalk. Another man threw a bag into the back seat and I walked the bike closer. The paint was almost all gone from the metal. A faint patina of rust shone through, but I saw no holes. A running board was in the back seat with the feed. The top was folded back into place and couldn't be seen. Some places on the body sported small bird and, probably, chicken shit. Being from a farm gave me great insight into this decoration.

The man who first blocked me came out with another bag and threw it in. The next man did the same thing. They then shook hands, and thanks were given for help rendered. The driver got into the almost thirty-year-old car, and on impulse I moved forward.

"Hello, sir. It is nice to see how these old cars are holding together."

The man looked at me and then decided to talk instead of leaving. "Yes they do. This one I just got. Paid twenty dollars for it."

"I think you got a deal."

"You are wrong, sonny. It would cost two or maybe two hundred and fifty dollars to get this car fixed up. Paint, a new top, and the seats are f... the seats are damaged over the years it was stored. I saw a similar one a few weeks ago for sale and they wanted a hundred and fifty for it, and it was in good shape. I could have got it for less, though."

I asked, "But two hundred and fifty would make it look like a new car?"

"Suppose so, but that is still a lot of money for an old vehicle. They are not really worth it. Just buy a newer one. My brother just bought a new Ford, and it cost 2100 dollars, and that is a lot of money."

"When they get rare, then they will be worth more money."

"You might be right, son, but who wants an old car. I am just using it because it is cheap transportation."

I thought hard now. The man was right. Antiques were not sought after. It took more of a disposable income to make this endeavour common. I had more than enough money to buy a 1922 Cadillac. Twenty-five dollars might get this one. The body was sound, and as the man said it would cost two hundred and fifty dollars to put back into good but not perfect shape. With five hundred dollars, I could probably get original equipment put on this car and store it in building with a concrete floor and sell this car for a hundred thousand dollars in 2004.

The temptation was very strong but I said, "Thank you, sir, for your time. The car though would look beautiful if it were restored to mint condition."

The man looked at his Cadillac-turned-feed-truck and said, "Yes it would, but it's not worth it."

At ten o'clock my bike was locked in an alley and I was sitting in the offices of MacNeil and Associates. The room was filled with filing cabinets. A typewriter and a steno machine were nearby.

Derrick MacNeil's secretary, Clarice, was hesitant to allow her first potential client of the day in to see her boss. She saw that the boy had a small backpack on his lap and looked to be skipping through a month old copy of 'Look' magazine. With no other clients coming, Clarice said, "What can I do for you, son?"

"Hello! My name is Alex Kramer. I believe Mr. MacNeil handled my family's estate when my parents passed away two years ago. I have come to see if the solicitor will assist me in forming a new corporation."

"A corporation... ? Don't you mean a company?"

"I am sorry for stretching what you would see as my credibility, but I meant what I said. We live outside the city, and at the moment we do not have a telephone service. That is why I am here unannounced. Will you kindly ask if he has a few minutes to see me?"

Clarice got up from her desk and entered the door to Derrick's office. At this time of the morning he was not usually at his best, especially if he was getting over his drunk of the weekend.

"Mr. MacNeil, there is a boy outside whom you once represented, he says. He wants to retain you to get a corporation going."

Derrick had shaved and showered, but still felt like shit. There was no other court cases today, and only a few wills to be drawn up. With nothing really to loose he said, "Send the boy in."

I got up and walked into the room, as Clarice held the door open for me. I walked up to the man and held out my right hand. "Alex Kramer, Mr. MacNeil."

Derrick stood, so he could reach over the clutter on his desk to shake the strange boy's hand. The lad appeared to be around eleven or so, but his quiet voice and stance made him look much older. As he shook the outstretched hand the lawyer said, "Glad to meet you." When he sat back down he continued. "Have a seat and tell me how I can help you."

I went into a detailed description of the aims of my corporation. It was actually a holding company for other, as yet unnamed, corporations that I would need in the future. Another corporation was to be formed to take care of some local mining interests. The statement of facts were quite specific and touched on many ways to protect the corporations. Many would not have been heard of before this time.

After only six minutes, I paused to give the lawyer a chance to speak. "Well, young man, that certainly is a very in-depth proposal for a corporation, but for this to come about, I require far more than what a young man like you can supply. I remember your parents, and I also remember that they were far from wealthy when they passed on."

I stood up and took the assay analysis from my pocket and placed it on his desk. He looked at the pertinent data and saw how much I must have. The rest of the morning we discussed ways in which I could get stiffed because I had not reached the age of majority. We went for lunch, and I had a good meal that didn't encompass the usual teen love of fried potatoes and burgers.

When we left, I paid the bill and kept a receipt. Clarice had to phone the two parties coming later in the afternoon, and we went back to what was currently in vogue when it came to legal matters. A subtle request for the location was met by one of my better icy stares, and this matter was dropped. He knew that I suspected the mine to be worth in excess of five million dollars after I recovered all the easily obtainable nuggets. I did not divulge the value of the nuggets I could recover, and that could be millions more. Most of this was in the form of premiums paid on the raw nuggets. They had been destroyed the first time, and I was determined to get them whole this time around.

The American government had made it illegal for their citizens to buy gold to horde. They did make an exception in the case of nuggets. When this fact was added to the human need to possess the metal, the premium could go from three to possibly six times the price of gold. That was why I felt so bad about getting rid of the nugget I just sold. To get the business going, more gold could be bartered for what we needed. I would hate to use the nuggets, when dust or flakes would do the same thing. But the sad fact was that humans reacted more to the nuggets, for some reason. The gold was supposed to be sold to the government or accounted for, so that it could be taxed. Taxes were a necessary thing, but I hated all the government inefficiency and waste.

"Mr. MacNeil, I believe that there is a substantial amount of gold on my claim. When this becomes public knowledge, there will be a gold rush in this area. I would like to take advantage of this situation. I didn't like to sell the nugget that went to the government, but it did substantiate that the claim is viable. I should have no problems getting the Department of Mines to allow the claim."

"What would you like to do about it?"

"Some gold will have to be placed in a bank as collateral for my line of credit. I can't see this being kept a secret once that happens. People will come to the city and look for a place to stay; prospecting equipment of all kinds will also be in high demand. The city will prosper in many ways. I just want to be in on it. I would be a poor businessman if I simply ignored this situation."

"I want to buy into the coming boom, and I need far more cash than I can presently acquire. I am proposing a small partnership with you. I supply some gold, and you get me some properties that I would like. The properties themselves will be mortgaged to the hilt. Hotels and motels are my current focus. If I could, I would simply lease the buildings for a year. Their profitability would be greatest in the short term."

"Apartment buildings come under another umbrella, along with large homes converted to housing tenants. These I want purchased. The economy is not that good at the moment, but it should improve substantially in the future. A warehouse is needed to house the prospecting supplies for the new arrivals. This I want to mortgage, because I will need the building later for other things I want to do. Next would be a retail outlet to sell the goods I purchased before the boom comes along. A hardware store, is best and perhaps the current owner and employees can be encouraged to stay on for a year."

"The prospecting goods can be ordered through this establishment after it is mine. I believe we will have to stockpile a substantial amount, because people from all over the continent will be coming here to find their own fortunes."

"First of all... , why just a year?"

"I cannot see the boom lasting much longer than that."

"What would my stake be in this endeavour?"

"I plan on buying only ten to fifteen million in properties. The banks will hold the mortgages. I can safely handle that kind of debt load with the first line of credit. Your share will be five percent. If you put in your own money, it will of course, increase that percentage. The partnership will dissolve in two years in any case, and the assets will be disposed of."

The lawyer looked like he was getting in far over his head. "Let me think more on this, and we can talk later. Perhaps I can come up with some of my own ideas."

With only three hundred dollars put on the desk, the ball would now start to roll. Mom and dad would have to sign the papers once they were made up. Derrick would have to come to the house for this. With the corporation in place, I could actively control the mining venture. Derrick himself would get some control as my representative, but I, personally, could switch to mom or dad if I found his ethics lacking.

Dad was not going to be my representative in this matter, and he would resent the fact and think that I did not trust him enough. His other new duties as mine manager would not make him feel too much better.

The secondary business as partner with Derrick to purchase much of this city would soon start. I had many plans, and this was as good as any other place as a base to my future empire.

Two days later, dad handed in his notice. Work was hard to find just after the war, and he was called a fool for giving up a steady job. The remaining piece of gold was grudgingly given to Derrick MacNeil to start our first purchases. He knew a deal when it fell in his lap, and would get the best price possible for the large nugget. He already had contacts to buy the gold. They were far from North Bay. We also got a small amount of cash for our own equipment purchases. We both knew that this was illegal, because the government wanted its share. Whether it deserved it or not was another matter. Taxes served a necessary purpose, but bureaucrats and politicians spent it like water.

We put money down to rent a small dozer, a front-end loader, and a flatbed. At the end of the week we were ready to move. Dad and mom had signed the papers I wanted. I explained to them and the lawyer, how I would react if some odd things started to happen. Everybody was upset, but I explained my reasoning better and they came to the conclusion that it was sound business practice.

I drove the 1939 Ford half ton, with dad and grandpa beside me. The box in back had the equipment for clearing the provincial road allowance. The fact that I did not have a licence didn't seem to bother anyone now. It was comical, in a way, to have the two older men relinquish their authority to me to drive this old vehicle.

We drove off in the general area of the gold, constantly looked to see if we were being followed. Claim jumpers were very uncommon, but it could happen as it did when law and order were more of a hope than a reality. Dad and grandpa got out like a well-rehearsed team: pulled the branches back and I drove into the brush. When we were in a hundred yards, the stopped the truck. We began to clean the road to take the flatbed when we picked it up. We made it to the place where we had to leave the road the last time. We entered the bush to get to where our claim would be.

That night, we had a small fire and had an enjoyable camp out. We had no intentions of leaving till the important things were done. I was stiff from the work, not due to the amount I had done, but to the condition I was in when I did it.

I woke up the next morning to the smell of cooking. Dad was up, and wanted to get an early start. To tell the truth, so did grandpa and I did too. The next part was much harder to do, for the area had not been cleared since the last fire almost sixty years earlier. Power saws were available, but they made too much noise. We wanted to get the claim settled before we had any unwelcome company. That night we were all exhausted, and the skin on my back was killing me. We did get to the upthrust of rock, and dad and grandpa worked on it to see if there were any more nuggets. They were as happy as children when the found a few small pieces that would only add up to an ounce.

I walked a hundred more yards, took off my clothes and swam in the cold river. Well, it felt cold after the exhausting work we had done. Ten minutes later two naked adults joined me. It was fun now, as if it were a 'boys-only' club. We were happy that night, and dad passed around a bottle. I was even offered a bit, which I accepted. It burnt like I remembered it would, but I did not let it show. After only one more round the bottle, thankfully, was put away.

The next morning we measured where we wanted the major claim to be. I'd had MacNeil get the maps for this area and six more. We erected posts with some stones around them to show the corners. Each corner got this cairn with a post. The posts were marked with sheet metal tags, with our claim number impressed deep into it. The lines between corners were paced off, and the trees and brush cleared in between. This time, there was no need for test drilling.

With this done, we had a chance to clear most of the first hundred yards on the abandoned road before racing back to North Bay to complete the registration of our claim. A stop at a public phone booth got MacNeil to the registrar's office, and he assured that every 't' was crossed and every 'i' dotted. We wanted the full 40 acres of the claim, but also 20 acres that covered the other side of the road. This would get the overburden, and in another area, the soil we would filter for the gold. Much of the gold would be missed and this pile could be sold later with the claim.

The next day, after a long, hot bath, we again went to work. The flatbed had been loaded, and the dozer and the front-end loader chained down. A large tank full of diesel fuel was ready for the thirsty beasts. Mom, grandma, Helen and Aron came with me, while dad and grandpa drove the big truck. We had an hour of lead-time, and all five of us were able to clear the last ten yards of saplings from the road allowance when dad drove up. He had a bit of trouble manoeuvring into the narrow road but did a good job of getting the large vehicle to do as he wanted. We parked on the road, and only the dozer came in to work. I pointed out the best place to push the overburden, and dad actually did not argue but just pushed the material across the road where I wanted.

Late in the afternoon grandpa had to get his turn on the dozer, and the two piles of alluvial rock and soil were pushed aside. I saved the important work for the end. Once the soil around another upthrust of rock was cleared, we saw a pillar of granite with quartz showing in some places. It was about fifty feet in length by forty wide, and rose close to twenty feet. The base went through a granite bed that would give us serious trouble without blasting. The base was almost a level rock surface, and stretched hundreds of feet in all directions, and I knew it went even further back toward the road.

Mom was very excited, and so was grandma, though she tried to pretend otherwise. Dad brought the front-end loader in, and managed with some chain to rip another section of rock down. We were lucky, for this had a few ounces on small gold nuggets, but not nearly the massive nuggets hiding within the rock before us. Twenty feet down was an even richer area but, sadly, it was all in smaller pieces.

Grandpa grabbed a sledgehammer and broke some of the larger pieces of quartz and granite up. The women went crazy digging through the rubble looking for gold. There was a small bit of flakes but not enough to worry about. I had them put the flakes they found into a glass jar to keep it from being lost. The mining firm that would eventually purchase this property would strip this entire area again and recover even the smallest pieces.

Tomorrow, dad would have to go to town. It became clear we were going to need a lot more supplies and equipment.

I had brought along our corn screen that we had used for hand cleaning corn kernels. The corn screen was about two foot square, and had a four-inch band around it to hold the corn in, and to give it rigidity. I showed everyone the way to screen the dirt to find nuggets at a dry pile of soil. This got the whole crew started on the fun. Aron grabbed a shovel and started to put dirt into the screen. Dad and grandpa started to shake it as if controlling a bucksaw. The weight was so much that some had to be thrown out. Aron and Helen were right in there looking for nuggets. The screen had rather large openings for hand operation. Too much material simply went through it. As a trial, it did net two fair sized nuggets. I hoped their worth would be enough for dad to use for barter tomorrow. I hated to see the nuggets go. The flakes and dust were worth the same in weight, but the nuggets were many more times more valuable to collectors.

I told them that we would try to pick up a finer screen the next day. They all thought this was a grand idea. If we brought garden tools tomorrow, they could rake some of the ground around the outcrop and try to find many more nuggets that way.

It was starting to get dark, and we all packed up and headed back to the farm. This time, Aron rode in the truck with dad and grandpa. I hopped in the car with Mom, grandma and Helen. Tomorrow would be a very busy day.

We were going to have to think about getting some help, as well as some security at the mine. I didn't think we would have it that long before our gold, and especially the nuggets, would become common knowledge. Once the word got out, we would have problems keeping the curious and the greedy out. We had 40 acres around the hill and a good portion on the other side of the new road. This area was for the tailings. I knew that the gold was all within the claimed area and close to the hill.

On the way back to the farm, the women were all fired up about their 'berry picking' for gold tomorrow. The term came from Helen's fertile imagination. She was all wound up and talking about how much fun she'd had. I thought it was more like wild strawberry picking, myself, for all of the picking was on the ground. I was still snickering to myself about their reactions when we got home.

Inside the house the women rattled on about all the money they were going to make. I informed dad about some very large nuggets under the ground just a ways past the area of the outcrop we were working. I also told him we would have to be very careful about how we would blast.

He started in on me about how he was a miner and he knew how to blast. "Dad," I told him, "if you drill wrong and set the charge too heavy or too light, you will be throwing away as much as a million dollars." This set him back. He couldn't see how I could know this. To tell the truth, I was getting tired of explaining how I knew things and having to explain to him every time we were going to do something. In my other reality, the large gold nuggets were severely damaged, and I had no real idea what size they really were. The blast flung large pieces of gold all across the property and fractured some large pieces.

I was still worried about Helen and really wanted her to have a bath, but this was something I could not bring up with her. I went to Mom and tried to explain that if Helen got sick, it would be very bad and that taking a bath might help keep her from getting sick. While on the subject, I mentioned about poor diet and fatigue.

In these days, one bath a week was the norm. I knew that she died in my past because of a vaginal infection that had turned systemic. It had not been caught in time, and I knew that with a good dose of penicillin she probably would have lived. I wanted to make sure that she would this time. Mom said that she would have Helen take a bath, but Helen would want to know why. I was going to have to try and make everyone take more baths. I wanted all my loved ones to live much longer than they had in my other life.

We were all up bright and early the next day. Mom, grandma, Helen and Aron took off in the car right after breakfast. Mom was driving and she did not do this very well. Her lack of licence didn't bother her as my driving did not bother me. They took rakes from the barn, and were just about as wound up as could be with all the excitement. I could almost see them raking all 40 acres before we got there.

As dad, grandpa and I took off for town I tried to explain to dad what we would need. He started to get all huffy on me and told me to shut up, because he knew what he was doing, and I should keep out of the planning. I kept my temper, and explained again that I did know what I was doing, and that he would ruin the nuggets if he stayed on his track. I was very surprised when grandpa jumped in and told dad to keep quiet for a change and listen. "After all, who was it that had found the gold and showed how to get what we already had?" Dad was not one to argue with grandpa. He had found out a long time ago that grandpa was very stubborn when he wanted to be.

After we got to town, I told dad what we needed in powder, caps and fuse. I got a dirty look, but he went in to talk to the owner of the store. Dad told the man that we would need three 50-pound cases of high yield dynamite and two 50-pound cases of low yield. We would also need 100 caps. The fuses were harder to figure. You never knew how far the run would have to be, or the number of holes to be set. After some discussion we decided that 250 feet of slow burn would work. We also got 300 feet of ignitor fuse.

It took some haggling, but dad managed to get all we needed for the two nuggets we found yesterday. They were fairly large and would be worth more than the supply of powder and fuse we got. I was beginning to wonder if this barter system was going to work the way I wanted. The thought of so many people knowing about the gold worried me no end. Again, the thought of more help came to mind. I had the thought that maybe our priest would have an idea for help at the mine.

I convinced dad and grandpa that we were going to need more help and somebody to stand guard at the mine. When I told dad my idea about the church he thought that I had to have had an inspiration. So before we headed over to the next town for a compressor and a generator, as well as a drill, we stopped at the church. Father Cayer was not my favourite person in the world, but he was usually very fair and did take good care of his flock.

Dad started to tell Father Cayer about the mine and the gold. The priest just stared at dad like he could not believe we had a gold mine. As the story got more detailed, he kept looking at me as if I was some strange apparition. We did get him to understand that we needed help with security, and he suggested that we get the RCMP or Ontario Provincial Police to help. I explained that we really needed somebody to stay at the mine and watch it at night. Dad asked him, if there was anyone he knew that could help. After a bit of confusion, Father Cayer said he could find us at least two men who could do this. More were certainly welcome, but the flock had to be winnowed for the best.

The first man my father knew, Rolph Manz. He and dad had worked together at the mine, and the man had broken his hip in a rockslide. Because of the type of injury, he could not work in the mine any more. We were told that the family was at the very edge of destitution and really needed work. Dad had known him since childhood and was very sure he could trust him. Rolph's wife, Helga, had come over from the old country, and although she still spoke rather broken English. She was considered very honest. They had six children that had thankfully grown and left the nest. This would make their staying at the mine a lot easier.

The other man, Lester Lenz, also seemed trustworthy. He had no disability, but he had not found work. He was a sort of jack-of-all-trades and did do some work around town for those who could pay. He was not the most intelligent man in the world, but was as hard working and loyal as they came. Sometimes his only pay was a hot meal. He was single and lived in a small one-room apartment over the seed store. Working in the store below paid his rent. There was not a lot of work there for him to do, so there was little extra money in it.

Dad asked if the priest could talk to the men and set up a time tomorrow to talk to them. Father Cayer agreed that he would try. Dad said that it would be about five in the afternoon before he would be able to get back into town.

The next stop was fifteen miles away. There was a surplus store dealing in military surplus and older equipment from the mining industries. They also had a bit of new tools along with the majority of their mining surplus. We hoped to get a large compressor and a vertical drill, among other things. Some of the stock here could be purchased now and sold later at a much higher price.

The centre had almost everything we had hoped for, but we found that we didn't have enough to buy outright what we needed. We wandered around for quite a while. There was a compressor that was a little larger than we needed, but the extra capacity could come in handy, I felt. The best thing about it was that it ran on diesel fuel. This is what all the other equipment used, so we would have plenty.

In a back corner there was an old vertical drill. Now, I will grant that it was one of the largest they ever made for hand use, but the size only mattered when you had to move it. We had the front-end loader, so moving the heavy old beast would be no problem. We could tie a chain to it and use the bucket to lift it and move it around. It was mounted on a rather heavy tripod, and it was actually moved in three pieces. The tripod sat on the ground and had a bar brace across to each leg to act as a separator for each foot. The drill itself sat in the top of the tripod, in a sleeve made to hold it upright while drilling. The drill head itself could be raised and lowered on the tripod by air pressure in the air ram. When you put air in the ram, it lifted the head so that the drill could be locked into it. To drill, you would start the drill turning and let air out of the ram so the drill bit would rest on the ground. The less air pressure in the ram, the more weight was put on the bit.

We still had to look for a fair-sized water pump. Water had to be pumped down the drill shaft to cool it and to flush out the dust. I had envisioned a sluice and this, by itself, would take a considerable amount of water.

The only choice was a boot pump powered by a gasoline engine. It would also be adequate for most of our needs. The problem with this pump was the price. It was new and not surplus. Dad said that he didn't figure the owner would want to trade nuggets for new equipment. I took this to mean that the deal would have to go through the books.

Grandpa suggested that maybe we should try for some more nuggets at the mine first. He also said that it might be better to sell them and pay cash for all the equipment. This was something that I was in a bit of a quandary about. If we sold the gold, we would have to pay taxes. This was a loss of income, but still we then could operate with the cash more easily. It just took time to sell the gold with all the regulations. The other avenue was to take a substantial amount of gold to the bank and use it as collateral for a line of credit. That way we could actually borrow more than the value of the gold if we mortgaged the mine.

This would all have to be discussed later. We would go back to the mine and check the others. On the way out of the store we saw a big tent. Grandpa said we should get it for at the mine. It would get us out of the sun and rain. We could also use it for a sort of a guard shelter until we got a solid shelter up. It had a price tag of only eight dollars. We did have enough cash to buy, so we decided to take it.

When we arrived at the claim, the first thing we saw was the group sitting around the car. They all look rather done in. It had been five hours, and it looked like they had run themselves ragged. They saw the truck and all got up to come to us. They were all very happy but tired people. Helen came over to show me her handful of nuggets. She was very proud of herself, as she had picked more berries than anyone else. It looked as if she had a good four pounds of gold in her jar. The others each had canning jars from home also. I asked where they got them, and Mom said she had brought them from home when they brought the rakes. They had remembered the gold jar from yesterday.

Dad and I started sorting through the nuggets in the jars to find some of the right size for bartering. The girls were rather upset that we were taking all their berries, but I told them that without the berries there would be no more picking. They settled down fast after that. It was getting on in the afternoon, and the three of us still had to go to town to interview the men from the church. Aron and the women decided to head for home to get cleaned up and to start supper.

The drive in was used to discuss what we would need to have at the mine for a place for the guards. They would not be able to stay outside all the time, especially if the weather was bad. They would need adequate shelter, clothing, and even some weapons. Dad thought the tent would be enough. Grandpa told him that it was a much better idea to have a permanent place for them to stay. I was rather proud of grandfather. He was showing some real managerial skills. I guess all the years working for others and then the farm bred a sense of fairness into him.

In my time it would have been rather simple. Go and buy a couple of double wide trailers and set them up at the mine. Modular homes were plentiful, and they were built for just about any need. Now the idea of building those homes came to mind, and I was working on a way to get them built in this era.

I had stayed in my motor home at the time. It had cost me over half a million dollars. It was a converted highway bus when it started. It had been gutted, then the roofline was altered and the side windows were removed. This meant that it basically got an entirely new skin. The interior was decked out lavishly. There was even an office that relied on the satellite phones to keep me in touch with the rest of the world. The engine was completely redone with a turbo charger and intercooler to give it a fifty percent power boost and similar amount of savings in fuel. The motor home and diesel enhancements had not even come about at this time, and I could safely patent them and reap the rewards. This also gave me a platform to do my tests on.

Father Cayer was waiting for us outside the church with two men. One was tall and rather heavyset. The other was shorter, but looked well muscled. As we walked up, the priest introduced us. The heavyset man was Rolph Manz. The shorter of the two was Lester Lenz. We shook hands with both of them. They looked a bit confused to be shaking hands with a boy. Dad started to tell them what we would require.

The work would not be hard and as far as Rolph was concerned; he would be strictly a guard. He would watch the place from the time we left until morning. He would also be able to have his wife stay there and live in one of the trailers we would be bringing out. He wanted to know how much the job would pay.

This was the one thing that I had to put my foot down on with dad. While in the car we had discussed the pay. He, being himself, was going to offer $20 a week. I told him that if we didn't pay very well, they would have very little reason to be loyal. I told Rolph that the pay was 50 dollars per week plus housing once we got it up. He was confused that I had been the one to tell him the amount. You could see in his expression, though, that this was going to be a lifesaver for him and his family. He wanted to know when the job would start. We told him that if he didn't mind staying in a tent for a while, it would start tomorrow. We would have the women pick him up tomorrow to take him to the mine. He was very happy to agree.

Through all this Lester was just vibrating with anticipation. The idea of 50 dollars a week and a steady job was just about the biggest thing he could imagine. He didn't even ask what the job was for him; he just wanted to know when he could start. I told him that he should listen and see if he wanted to work for us before committing to the job. His remark was typical of what we would get from him from now on. "Just tell me what you want done, and I'll do it." I considered him to be trustworthy and a hard worker, but this was almost too good to be true. I told him to be at the church to be picked up tomorrow. He also had to bring some extra clothes with him.

After the men had left, the priest thanked us for hiring the men and said his quest for others was continuing. Both men were in need and would do a very good job for us. We thanked him in return for helping us with the meeting and started back to the house. Tomorrow was going to be another very busy day.

We got home just as Helen was coming in from the garden. She had been out picking fresh vegetables and eggs from the few chickens we had. She had a very large smile on her face. I asked her what she was so happy about and she just bubbled over. It was the most wonderful day of her life. She was looking forward to tomorrow and some more berry picking. I asked if she thought she might like to try drilling, too. The thought of being able to do a man's work was to her a great idea, and she looked forward to it. Mom gave me a look that said no way, but did keep the thought to herself for now.

Mom told us to wash up and get ready because supper was almost ready. The meal, as always, was filling but not that tasty. It was a typical starch and meat meal with some vegetables. I knew that this was also something that I would have to change this time around. Dad told Mom about the two men we were hiring, and Mom was delighted to hear about Rolph Manz, as his wife was one of the women she worked with in many of the Sunday breakfasts and brunches at the church. She had felt bad when Rolph had his accident, but she couldn't do anything to help her or the family. Grandma also knew them, and was glad for both families to benefit. Dad told Mom that she would have to pick up the two men at the church in the morning. She mentioned that she would take grandma and Helen to the mine and then go to town and get the men.

I told everyone that I was very tired after the long day of travel and needed to go to bed and prepare for another gruelling day. I had gone upstairs and started to draw a bath, when Helen came by and asked why I was taking a bath today when I had taken one yesterday. This was an opportunity that I couldn't pass up. It was time to teach some basic facts on why it was important to stay clean. I told her about germs and bacteria. I explained that I didn't want her to get sick, and taking baths every day would help her stay healthy. She was having a hard time grasping all this, but when I asked her to make sure she took a bath every day, she said she would try. I shooed her out of the bath and took mine. I really was tired and went to bed right after.

I awoke the next morning. Aron had crawled into bed with me during the night. He snuggled in and told me how much he missed me during the day while he was at the mine and I was off with dad and grandpa. I asked him if he thought it wasn't fun picking berries with the women. The answer of course was yes, but he wanted me around to show all that he could do. After all, he was growing up and could now do a lot more work than before and wanted to show me. I told him that after we got the equipment, I would be back and he could show his stuff then, but now it was time for us to get up and ready to go.

We all gathered for breakfast and talked about the rest of the day. Mom and grandma thought that they would have plenty to do before we got back with the drill and other stuff. We told her to take the tent with her to the mine, and we would set it up when we got there, or possibly the two new hires could do that. It was one of the things we forgot to leave last night. Now the women would have to drag it out with them. I took the car out to the fuel tank and filled it for Mom, then drove it back around for her. Dad took the old truck and filled it up.

We all left the same time for our appointed rounds. The surplus centre was our target. We had enough nuggets to buy nearly the entire store. When we got there, it was time for a real look at the equipment on hand. The old vertical drill was the first to get a close inspection. It had many hours on it, but it looked like the previous owners had taken care of it. The lift valve was easy to move, but still snug. This is the valve that raised and lowered the drill head on the tripod. The motor valve was fairly loose, but a bit of packing would tighten it up. This is the valve that actually turned the drill shaft. We would have to make very sure that we picked up packing and gaskets for the air coupler.

We went to see the manager, and dad was the spokesman. I didn't feel that the man would take me seriously, even with gold in hand. Dad told him we were going to need several pieces of equipment and that we wanted to use gold to buy it. The man acted as most did and was about to brush us off when dad showed him a couple of nice sized nuggets. It was amazing how fast he decided we were on the up and up. Dad told him about the vertical drill and said we would also need a compressor, a water pump, hose, air pipe, pipe connectors, drill shafts and bits. You could see the look of glee on his face at the prospect of getting lots of gold for the equipment. He took us to a different compressor than the one we looked at yesterday.

I looked at the compressor and could tell right away that the man was trying to take us. This time I spoke up and told him we wanted good equipment, not junk that was past its last leg. He told dad that if the kid was going to speak, he would not deal. Grandpa spoke up then and said, "Lets go." We got as far as the truck before the man came out and told us he was sorry, but that there was nothing wrong with the compressor.

I told him, "You can see a gap at the front end bearing seal and it looks like the block is cracked." Dad went back inside and looked at it. He called the man a thief and started out the door. Once again, he was right there apologising and promising that he would make it worth our while to stay and buy from him.

This was the time for me to step in again. "We were willing to look at your supplies, but if you try to sell us bad equipment again, we will go elsewhere to buy." After all, he would be getting top money for the machinery, even though it was in gold and nuggets to boot. He agreed to deal fairly. I was still going to keep an eye on him.

We went to the compressor we saw yesterday and looked it over very carefully. We could find nothing wrong with it, so asked to start it up. It seems I had forgotten what it was like with the old equipment. It didn't have an electric starter, so it had to be cranked by hand. I was glad dad was there, as I could never get it to turn over enough to start. I think it might have been a strain for grandpa to turn this one. It did start after three cranks, though, and settled into a smooth idle. Dad set the throttle to operating speed and there was a very strong stream of air from the compressor outlet. This was the machine for us.

Next we needed a pump for water, both for the sluice box grandpa and dad were going to build, and the vertical drill. Yes, grandpa decided that he would rather build the sluice than buy one. He said we had enough wood at the farm to make one. Anyway, the pump would have to work for both machines. The owner told us that the only pump that would work and he had on hand, was a centrifugal sludge pump. This pump would move a lot of water and not get clogged if it sucked a little mud. When asked if he had a suction screen to fit it, he said he did. This would be a lot better than the boot pump we saw yesterday. It had been in the shop getting serviced when we were here before.

Now dad and grandpa started to dicker with the man. They got all the equipment we needed and six carbide bits for drilling. These bits were new and of a type that was only introduced a couple of years ago. They lasted a lot longer, while drilling quartz, than the old high carbon steel bits.

On the way to the front I saw a generator. This was something that we could live without, but until we could get power lines run all the way out to the mine, it would make things easier at night for the guards. We would still need lights, but we had some at the farm. If they were not enough, we would have to get more. Extension cords and a portable fuse panel were on the back wall. The negotiation changed and the new total was bandied about.

Packing all this stuff in the old truck was a study in organization. It took almost an hour too accomplish. Dad and grandpa managed to get the compressor hooked up to the back of the truck. We now had a slow drive back to the mine, as the truck was overloaded and the compressor didn't track behind the truck very well, so caution was the watchword.

We had told a lot of people about the mine and we took a roundabout way of getting there. As we drove, we kept an eye peeled for anyone following us. When we arrived, the group at the mine was in a very good mood. They had picked even more berries, and the new help was right with them picking. They had even taken time to set up the tent. It was not the best-looking tent I had ever seen, but it would keep the worst of the weather off.

We would now have to hook up all the pipe and hoses for the equipment. This would be a real chore. The pipe had to be hooked to the compressor, and then the hoses run. We unhooked the compressor and moved it over near the area that needed to be drilled for our first blast. With the hose we had, it would have to be very close and would make it necessary to move it all when we blasted. Blasting with it too close would make for a very sorry-looking compressor. Helen and Aron were there and very eager to help. Nothing was more fun than finding gold and this was to expose even more to their delight.

It took about half an hour, but when we got set up and running, we had plenty of air to work with. Dad then started the loader and went over to the truck for the drill. I grabbed one leg and grandpa another. Helen and Aron grabbed the third and we hauled them to the outcrop and set them up. After the tripod was assembled, the drill was put on top and the bolt tightened to hold it. The hose with the oiler was hooked to it, and then the main air hose hooked to that. Helen was right there with me trying to find out how to drill. I thought it might be a bit hard on her, but she was determined to try. There was no real reason to stop her, so I showed her what I was doing.

Dad and grandpa went back to the truck to unload the rest of our purchases. The pump was taken to the riverbank and the suction line thrown in. Dad started the pump and primed it. It had a very strong flow, more than enough for our purposes. They attached the manifold so that we could run hose for the drill. This was where the hard part started. In my past life, the crew that drilled had destroyed the large nuggets in the outcrop. I wanted all of them as large as possible. If big enough, they would bring far more than they would as smaller nuggets. I did know where they were and had a pretty good idea of where to drill to release them without destroying them. It would have to be a very soft blast, enough to fracture the quartz, but not to scatter it.

The granite here had a twelve-foot section of white quartz in an irregular pattern that held the gold captive. I made a circle of fifteen feet around this pattern with a piece of quartz. Every foot, I made a mark on the circumference. These marks would be the locations of the holes.

Dad stood back and tried to keep quiet. He just could not believe that I knew how to drill. He even tried to take over once, but I enlisted grandpa's help again. Dad had a hard time going against grandpa and almost always backed off. I mounted the bit on the shaft and raised the drill so that I could insert the shaft into the head. Dad started the compressor, and grandpa started the pump. With air and water, I started the first hole. I thought that if I went in only about four feet, I could get enough rock broken and all the gold nuggets would stay together. The pattern would have to be rather wide for the holes also. I felt that forty-seven holes in a roughly circular pattern with the bottoms toward the centre would break and lift just enough to pull the gold.

Dad lifted the drill after each hole and positioned it for the next. I let Helen try her hand at the throttle, and after a couple of tries she was doing a very good job. It was just up to me to make sure it was at the right angle. The drilling took all of about five hours. Short holes made it much easier to drill.

The next thing to worry about was the dynamite. Dad picked up the drill and moved it away from the site. Grandpa started to move the water hose and I grabbed the air nozzle to blow some of the water out of the holes. Grandpa and I went for the dynamite sticks and the caps to start stuffing the holes. This started another fight with dad. He wanted me to put more explosive into the holes. This was getting to be a very big problem. All I did, it seemed, was to fight with dad over what was to be done or not done. He just could not let the control go from his hands to mine. I won this argument, but the time was coming for a big blow and I didn't know how I was going to win.

I set the cap in a stick and put it in the hole using a rake handle to push it to the bottom of the hole. One more stick went on top of each and was tamped lightly in. The fuses where cut in a pattern. Each fuse was an inch longer than the previous one, thus taking a moment longer to start the caps. This went all around the circumference till it came back to the start. A series of small explosions was much less destructive than one that all blew up at the same time. No clay or rock was put into the holes, either, to insure that this was the soft blast I wanted.

All the cords were tied together and then connected to the long spitter cord. The spitter ran for about 100 ft. Once it was lit we ran to the backside of the tractor about 100 yards away. There was a long, satisfying thump and a little dust. It looked like the blast had done its job. Now we needed to move some overburden. This part was going to have to be done by hand so the women got in on the task also. Dad positioned the bucket from the tractor over the broken ground. It was pick and shovel time. The girls, of course, were having more fun than us. They just could not wait, and picked as many nuggets as possible while moving dirt. It took some work, but we got down to the point of having to work crystal off of gold nuggets. The first big nugget to come loose weighed about 180 pounds.

We all had to stop and just stare at this oddity. I had heard that there were some very large nuggets found, but they were so rare that they could almost be counted on the fingers of two hands. The blasting in the previous attempt had destroyed the nuggets and gave us only smaller fragments. I had no idea that the nugget would be this big. In my other life, the largest piece was not even a third of this. I was starting to get my own version of gold fever now.

After some more work and more small nuggets, we again had a hit but the nugget was very hard to move. It took all three of us to move it. We took a long time and treated it like an infant caught in the rock. We set it on the edge of the hole we'd made, and again just stared at the gigantic size of it. Everybody helped to get it on the back of the flatbed truck to try and clean it up. Helen saw it in profile, and said it looked like a big bear's head. Well 'big' was the word. It was about 230 pounds of solid gold. A shiver went through me as I remembered that there must still be more in the ground. Helen and grandma went for a hose to wash it, and we put the other large nugget on the truck bed also.

While the girls cleaned, we went back to digging. The next nugget out of the ground was rather small in comparison, only about 90 pounds. We would have to grow a new counting hand. So far, all three were record holders. This one also went to the truck for cleaning. The excitement was very high and grew higher as each piece came out of the ground. Helen was jumping around like a little dervish, while yelling all the time about the bears. As we put the latest nugget up on the truck, she did nothing but brag about the three bears we found. Now I will admit that the first one did resemble a bear's head in profile, but the other two would require a stretch to see bears. Oh well, let her see what she wanted. We had more to dig.

Now we were getting close to the bottom of the blast and could tell that there was one more nugget of a good size. The gold was still firmly held in the ground and I worried that maybe the blast had not been enough to free all of it. After breaking some rock with the pick, hammer and rock chisel, we did manage to get it loose. It felt like about 140 pounds. Once again, we worked it to the flatbed and cleaned off the excess. It wasn't quite as big as we first thought, probably only 120 pounds or so. We would have to get a scale and weigh them to make sure of what we had. I did know that the four nuggets were all world record size. My own gold fever was very hard to control, because I wondered if there were more nuggets close by, ready to see the light of day.

Helen came over and jumped in my arms. She was just beside herself with joy. She started to kiss me all over my face and was really going to town with her joy when mom called to her and told her to behave. Mom, too, was very happy, and it was a wonder that she even noticed us. I gave Helen one big hug and let her down. She was suddenly very embarrassed about the kissing, but I let her know I felt the same way. This little spell didn't last long before remembering the big nuggets, and once again all she could talk about was Goldilocks and the three bears. I guess that was going to be the name for the four nuggets. I though the only way to get the maximum money from them would be to try and sell them as a set of four. The problem was going to be finding someone with that kind of money.

I estimated that their combined weight was around 620 pounds. Their real value beyond their metal content was still undecided, but it had to be astronomical. Nuggets went for three or four times their value in gold alone but large pieces for even more. For these ones I would ask for ten. That figure would not be reached, but it was a good point to start at. The figure alone would draw many people.

It was once again getting late in the day and we decided that we should head for home. Dad and grandpa decided that they would take the flatbed home, as it would be easier to haul Goldilocks and company. They did put a canvas cover over and under it before leaving. It would not do to have somebody catch a glimpse of all that gold. Mom drove the rest of us home, and when we got there, the women went in to get cleaned up so they could start supper. Aron was sent for a bath first.

I had some hot tea at home while the adults talked at the table. Dad asked me to follow him into the barn and he closed the door behind us. He went over to the wooden floor and moved a wooden bar that looked just like a floorboard. A spring opened a hidden hatch, and dad grabbed the edge and opened it all the way.

"This is where we hide our valuables, Alex. You are old enough to know that you cannot mention this location to anybody. Only your Mom and Grandma know this is here."

"I will tell nobody."

Grandpa showed up. We went to the truck and moved the four big nuggets to the hole. This was a chore that raised a sweat on us all, and that was to just get them out of the truck. To get that weight into the pit, we mounted the rope falls over the opening.

Before we left the barn, I told dad that we needed to talk. He and grandpa stopped and looked at me as if I had growth on my head. I told dad that I was getting tired of him trying to control everything. I had not taken lightly the problem with the drill and explosives earlier. When I had set the charge, it had almost been too much as it was. I had told him that I knew what I was doing and if he had not let me, we would have had only smaller nuggets instead of the four large nuggets we did have. This was going to have to stop. I had proved to him over and over that I knew what I was doing, and I would not let him ruin what we had.

You can just about imagine how angry he was getting. He was grabbing for his belt and getting ready to rip my hide one more time, when grandpa grabbed him and told him to simmer down. I thought for a minute that he was going to come after me anyway. He turned on grandpa and started to swing on him when grandpa hauled off and decked dad. This was something I had never seen before. Grandpa was mom's dad, and he normally never interfered with the way dad handled things in his home. This time he had pulled for me again and managed to pull my ass out of the fire one more time. Now dad was on the floor fuming about grandpa interfering with the way he ran the family. Grandpa told him that it was time to grow up and start acting like the head of the family instead of a medieval tyrant. Between his nasty attitude when drinking and his penchant for the use of the belt, he was trying to destroy all who loved him.

This seemed to bring dad back to reality. He really thought about what had happened, and actually apologized to me for the way he had acted. I accepted the apology, but held my reservations about how much of it he meant. We did shake hands, though, and went inside for supper.

Mom told me I had time to take a bath before the food would be ready and chased me out of the kitchen. I knew that one day soon I would have to make supper for the family. Maybe it was time for them to try some new foods. I had been a good cook in the life I had left behind. This would be a good way to help them become more up to date in their tastes and attitudes. As we ate supper, we discussed the day and the wonderful find of the large nuggets, as well as all the rest of the gold we had picked from the ground and tailings.

Grandpa said that he would take the wood from the barn and make a sluice tomorrow to start washing the gold. The rest of us would start drilling and blasting to get the mine up and running as soon as possible. Sleep did come easily for all of us that night. We were all both physically and emotionally worn out from the day.

Morning came, and we all were eager to start the new day. Mom and grandma made breakfast while dad and grandpa loaded wood on the flatbed. I planned on showing Helen how to drill, so that she could work while dad moved overburden. I thought it would be possible to drill and blast three times a day. Dad could help her set the powder for the blasts, while I helped grandpa with the sluice. This morning I rode with dad and grandpa in the flatbed, as the rest took the car.

At the mine we dropped the wood by the river and got all the tools we had brought with us for making the sluice off the truck. Dad, Helen and I went to the drill, and we showed Helen the proper way to operate it. She had done well yesterday, but she needed a little more coaching so that she would not hurt herself. I left them to their work and headed back to grandpa and the sluice. He had already set the long planks out side by side and was cutting some braces for the bottom.

His idea was to put four 1x6's side by side and hold them together with cross bracing. This would be the bottom. The sides were to be put together the same way but would only have three 1x6's. They would make a long trough that water could flow down. He had brought some sheet metal that he was going to line it with on the bottom. This was to stop water from getting out the cracks between the planks. Over the tin he put 1x1's cross pieces at every 3 inches to catch the gold as the lighter dirt was washed over the top. Over the sluice he put the corn screen. This would help keep the larger stones out of the sluice and allow only that which could be washed into our device. Aron was going to be the inspector of the larger stuff looking for nuggets that would not go through the screen. Making the sluice turned out a lot simpler than I thought it would. We had it ready to use by lunchtime.

I had been watching Helen all morning as we worked and could tell she was getting tired. During lunch I told dad that I thought she had done enough drilling for the day. I didn't want her overdoing it and getting sick. I still had the fear of losing her to illness. Dad said that he would set the charges and blast after lunch. They had made a very large blast area and he was sure that it would take most of the day to move overburden and check for loose gold. Helen thought it was a very good idea. After all, to her, berry picking was the most fun of all.

After lunch, grandpa and I went to the sluice and set a one and a half inch hose at the top of the sluice and started the water flow. Dad told us to take cover for the blast. I grabbed Aron and moved to the back of the flatbed truck. Dad let Helen light the fuse and they ran for cover with us. The blast was much stronger than I thought necessary, but I decided that dad knew what he was doing and there should be no more of the very large nuggets to worry about. The rest of the day was spent with all of us working to find nuggets and dust. Tomorrow we were going to town so that I could get some other projects started.

This was a momentous occasion for me. The banks and their money were the true methods I would use to make all the things I would need. Small things would bring good profits, and then those profits would snowball into the kind of power I needed to build the society the way I wanted.

Television had corrupted people, but it had also brought education to people who would never have received it otherwise. The trick seemed to be slipping in the medicine with a good tasting pap. Computers could not function without large scale integrated chips, RAM, ROMs, or a myriad of other components. Space and satellites could be used for more peaceful purposes than what one government dictated. The UN, though, was just a tool of the rich anyway, but at present it could serve the needs of mankind, if they could overcome their great dependence on the rich nations.

In the early morning we all took a bath and got dressed in our Sunday best. Mom took a damp rag and wiped out the inside of the car and then tried the exterior. Both were almost too much to do.

The ride into town to the Toronto Dominion Bank was quiet and a bit too slow for me. We were in luck and pulled up in front of the bank. Dad, this time, locked the car, which he never did before. We walked in to talk to the girl at the counter about who took care of loans. She asked us to take a seat and she would get the manager. Mom and dad still had a goodly accent, and I was the one to do the majority of the talking. We took our seats and waited ten minutes. Mom tried to look at some very old magazine or some simple black and white brochures.

The manager was a florid fellow of forty-five and sported a few too many pounds. His jacket and tie were done up correctly even in the warm weather. He asked us to come into his office and Dad introduced us.

Mr. Jackson, as the name on his desk stated said, "Hello Mr. and Mrs. Lowca. How may I help you?" I seemed to be the proverbial chopped liver.

Dad said, "Our English is not as good as our son's. He will do the talking."

The man turned a saccharin smile at me and paused.

"We would like to set up a line of credit for our corporation. This would be the first financial transaction we are making."

"A family corporation?"

"In a way. We are now ready to purchase equipment and real estate to begin our first manufacturing concern."

"What kind of money are you looking for?"

"Only fifty thousand dollars to start."

"To start!" The man gasped out loud. Do you have any idea what the value of that much money is? I will tell you anyway. A good automobile cost from two to three thousand dollars. A small home can be purchased here for only six thousand dollars. A man's wages, not a boy's, is four to five dollars per day. All this and you want fifty thousand dollars. I think that..."

I rolled a one-pound nugget across his desk and let him look at it. The way he was going, it was like I was asking for the food from his own family's mouths. This bauble at least shut him up. Instead of talking I waited for Mr. Jackson to continue.

"Where did you get this?"

"Our mine."

"Is there more?"

"Probably a few tons, but we have not had the claim accurately surveyed. Are you going to talk seriously to us, or do we go elsewhere with our business? There are three more major banks, and from previous experience I've found that yours was the least obnoxious. That seemed to have changed when my family and I were greeted."

"I am sorry. I did not get your name."

"My blood parents have passed on, and I have been taken in by Jozef and Roch Lowca. My name is Alekzander Kramarz, and I go by Alex Kramer. Now, what rate are you offering us for a fully-secured loan?"

"I think I can get a rate of 4.3 percent. That is half of a percent below what we charge anyone else."

"Perhaps you have a hearing problem. I said a fully secured loan. Backed with much more of what you see before you. Think long and hard because I gave your bank the opportunity to bid first. If you think I was born yesterday, then we will just have to take our business elsewhere."

"Ah Alex," I glared at him. "Ah, Mr. Kramer, you mentioned that you may want to increase this loan at a later time?"

"Yes, perhaps only a few million in the next year of so."

The man now turned red and it looked like I would have to give CPR to him. He gasped quite a few times and finally got out. "Our entire group of TD banks only makes five million a year Mr. Kramer."

"So you can borrow from the central bank and from your competitors. I do assume that you will accept gold such as you see before you as collateral?"

"I have to be honest with you. I am not allowed to loan out even fifty thousand dollars. Anything over twenty has to be cleared by head office."

"Honest bankers, what will I turn up next. Well, I could put about a hundred pounds of gold into your care. You could give us the line of credit immediately for the sum of twenty thousand. In the next week you telephone your head office and get the balance of the line of credit authorized. This still hinges on how good an offer I get."

"May I have a few moments to make a telephone call? I will be as quick as I can."

"You may, but remember that you are costing us money for each moment you keep us waiting."

The man hurriedly left as he took a handkerchief from his pocket and left us to his office. A half a minute later a very flustered teller came in and offered us coffee.

Before the manager got back, Derrick MacNeil called me from the main bank floor. "Alex you there?"

I turned and smiled at Mom and dad. Both looked stricken by what I had done. They always came to the bank with hat in hand for a loan with the thought that the bank would deny them or charge them more than they could afford. "Don't be worried. I have to put the manager through the wringer one more time."

At the door I signalled Derrick and he entered the office. There were not enough chairs, so I went back out and the woman that offered us coffee was beckoned.

"Hello, we seem to require an additional chair."

She just nodded her head and almost ran off. I stood at the office door to help her with the task. When she finished, she stood at attention for anything else we needed. I said, "Thank you. I am sorry, but I never caught your name."

"Cheryl, Sir."

"Relax Cheryl. I am only nasty to sanctimonious bank managers and others of similar ilk. Please have a nice day and watch your boss sweat."

She gave a small smile and quickly hid it. "Thank you, sir."

Back in the office I brought Derrick up to speed. He grinned as I explained what had happened. "If you think that is good, wait till he comes back and I shoot down his magnanimous offer."

Derrick did not have a chance to reply, for Mr. Jackson came back and gave a quick look at his unexpected guest. "This is Derrick MacNeil, one of our corporate lawyers. At the moment I am the comptroller and CEO."

The manager walked to Derrick and shook his hand. This again was more than we had got. After the pleasantries he said, "I was able to swing the best deal we could. I explained that you would fully cover the loan with gold and I was able to convince them to give you 3.9 percent." The last was said with a big smile to show how much we should thank him for his efforts.

"Thank you for your efforts Mr. Jackson, but I am sure the Bank of Montréal will give us 3.5." I got up and the family did right after.

"Oh, Mr. Kramer, let me try again. There is a possibility that they will find a way to do better."

"You have just five more minutes of my time."

The man actually ran out and he was back just after the limit for we were walking out of his office. "Please wait Mr. Kramer. The head office can only go to 3.55 because of central bank policies. Will you come back into my office and I will explain further."

He explained things as they were and after that I took all the loopholes banks had used for years to circumvent foolish government policies. Five minutes later I had signed the papers, and so did the rest of us. The rate was 3.55 and we got a fair number of now free services thrown in.

Four tellers and the manager went out to the car and recovered all the gold in the trunk. I just watched from the curb and dad watched in the vault. The gold went into a large safety deposit box, and so did the loan agreement. The bank and I had a key. Tomorrow, the gold would be assessed and weighted, and then brought back to their own coffers.

The day we paid off the line of credit, we of course would get our gold returned to us. Much of this weight was in nuggets, which were worth a considerable amount by just being in that form.

Derrick said, outside the bank when all the fuss was over, "I have to hand it to you again. I have never seen a manager sweat like that."

"Wait till we have a million in the bank. Then we will get an even cheaper rate. They will groan and sweat blood, but will still want to keep us."

Our one-pound bauble went to Derrick, again for our purchases. He transferred some money to us to meet our current needs.

All four of us went out to eat. Mom and dad were not used to this and worried about the price or inconveniencing the cooks and servers. Mom was the worst, for she knew that her job was to make food for her family.

Derrick smiled at me and said, "I have bad news for you, Alex."

"Why are you smiling, mister lawyer, sir?"

"I have been in touch with the school board and looked up some of Ontario's more quaint laws. You are three days short of being unable to complete grade nine this year."

I looked kind of stunned, I guess, and he continued, "There are a certain minimum number of days that you have to attend school to graduate. You may miss only three more or you will be unable to move on without redoing the entire year, regardless of your marks."

"I see the reason for your sadistic smile. There will be a time when I may be able to bring some similar distressing information to you. Of course my gloat will not be as blatant as yours. I will display a mournful face to one and all, as you remember this time."



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Chapter 4



Monday morning came with the jarring sound of the mechanical alarm clock. At one time it was pleasant to wake up to some classical music gently playing from a radio. My hand went over to silence the alarm and felt the small hammer trying to strike the two bells. As the pulses came to my hand, my finger found the switch. It was thrown, and the spring-powered clanger stopped its incessant quest for noise.

Grade nine was both a long time ago and just a few months, depending on which set of memories I used. The young memories were fresh in my mind, while the old ones of this period were fuzzy around the edges. Every test I had ever taken was in my mind, as well as the answers I had put down. Rarely, I was wrong, or the teacher had been ambiguous and I had chosen a different response.

The school year meant that a subject was studied for ten months and a test was made at the end of that time. If a person forgot what was said at the first of the year, then that person could not get full marks. I could see documents that were printed as well as handwritten and they would stay with me till I died. Even magazines with interesting photographs were memorized. Voices, smells, feelings, sounds and even amorous encounters were probably the same as anybody else.

The work that Helen brought home for me was childishly simple. Math was algebra and a smattering of geometry. Geography covered the entire planet. History was mainly of England during the time of the war of the Roses, the Magna Carta, and a little of the English and the French, as their war played out in Canada. We had a machine shop that I loved, but now was a far cry from the machines I used in later years that employed computerized numerical control. Electricity was simply Ohm's Law and a bit of practical applications. French was compulsory, and a large number of French-speaking friends made the subject very easy. English composition and literature were two distinct subjects. Typing and draughting were fairly easy, but Phys Ed was tough. The fights were not that common at that time, and I think my shy nature was part of the reason some bullies thought I was a good person to push around. It wasn't until grade ten that I took to Phys Ed with a passion, and soon found that most bullies looked for others to antagonize.

The family was still at the mine site. Mom had laid down the law and said that I had to stay home and watch the farm. I believed she just wanted me out of the way so I could recover. They lived in poor conditions, even with the large tent. Trailers in this era were primitive and very small. I would have to correct that, or the family would suffer accordingly. Helen's death in my former life still plagued me in this one, and I was not going to let anything happen to her. Being clean was one of the best ways of staying healthy.

A bath was the only way of getting clean. Our house was old and did not have a shower. The units, though, were readily available, but there was no incentive to update the plumbing. The old claw-foot bathtub had come back into style in my old life. Here it was going through its first time and seemed adequate.

Breakfast was very substantial. The work at the mine and the exercises were causing my body to demand resources. I packed my own lunch and this, too, was larger than I had eaten before. With my pack full of notes I pushed off with my CCM bike and headed the few miles to school. Contrary to some grandfathers, it was not three miles to school, and both ways uphill. Some would even claim that they had to go through three-foot drifts of snow all year round.

A path through a field cut my distance down, and it also kept me off the busy roads. A bus came by, but that was for the children who lived much further from the school. There was no law about school buses in particular, and heavy trucks and cars would pass them when they were discharging kids at school. Once, in grade five, I remembered an older child being struck. He was not hurt badly and just scampered off to be with his friends.

There was no bike rack, so the bikes were just thrown against the fence. Most were not locked, because theft was rare. Here I locked the bike anyways and kept the key on a lace tied to my pack. The school was built about twenty years earlier and had one extension put on. There were only three hundred and twenty or so students covering grades nine to thirteen. The number in each class decreased, as students quit early and went into the work force. Education was not nearly as important as it was in later years, especially for the more labourious jobs.

I walked through the grass and found many of my classmates coming up to see how I was doing. Even Rita came up to see how I was doing. She was a shy girl of Italian descent and had a heart of gold. I liked her, but I had been too shy to do anything about it. Now I would not let such foolish considerations occur.

"Alex, I heard how you were hurt. Are you better now?"

"Hello, Rita. Thank you for your concern. I am still recovering from the lightning and I am even clumsier than I was before. It will be a while before I can do much in Phys Ed. How are you doing? By the way, you look pretty in that dress. I remember that you had a blue scarf that you tied your hair up with before. I think that would make you look even more attractive. Are the boys still bothering you?" I felt good to be saying this. In my old life I would just be petrified to talk to any girl.

She just blushed. She was a very nice person, and this was a way of brightening her life. The girls cliqued into groups of their own gender, and the boys were the same way. Girls and boys of this age dated with chaperones, and usually a girl went to her wedding bed a virgin. This also had the effect of having two people fumbling around for years, trying to find what was good for each. Most of the enjoyable acts were thought of as disgusting or immoral. The 1970s were a good time for the pendulum to have swung in the other direction.

I reached out with my right hand and put a finger under her jaw. "It is good to be shy sometimes, Rita, but it is good to be sure of yourself too. Look people in the eye like you do me, and they will treat you much better. The boys will find you as attractive as I do. We all talk the same way you girls talk. Now I have to go to the office. Maybe we can talk later." I gave her a smile and left.

I was stopped a few times before making it to the office and stayed just long enough to let the well wishers know that their thoughts were appreciated. I stepped up to the large, imposing counter, and only my head and shoulders were over the top. There were three secretaries busily typing or using a pen. When one of the secretaries looked my way, and I said, "Hello Mrs. Cranston, how are you today?"

The older gray-haired woman looked at me more seriously, and then decided to come closer. "Hello, Mr. Kramer. I heard you got out of the hospital a while ago."

"Yes, I did. It took me three weeks more to learn how to use my muscles. I am afraid; I will only have to use my tongue for a quick repartee and not my muscles."

"Well, have a seat. Mr. Summers will be free in a moment." The woman went back to her seat and I sat in a chair. I felt like a kid, for my feet still did not reach the floor the same way as anybody else's in the school did. Mrs. Cranston, instead of going back to work, seemed to pause and study me much more intently. From time to time the younger two secretaries got up to put files away but ignored me.

Shyness had a detrimental effect when negotiating. It took a while to put up a suitable image of myself, and I learned to hide my shyness well. A patient did not feel safe if his doctor was hesitant. Negotiating for a business was the same way.

In a moment Mr. Summers' door opened and he used his hand to bid me to enter. When I stepped within his office, I did not take a seat or stand at attention but walked close enough and said, "Hello, Mr. Summers. Thanks for taking the time to see me."

"Hello, Mr. Kramer. I hear you are ready to come back to us."

"I think I can. although my body will take a month, at least, to get back to what it was."

"That is what I was worried about. Do you have the report from your doctor?"

"I have a report from the school doctor. He is not my family's physician but an employee of the school board. He suggested that I be excused from the usual activities of Phys Ed till I have recovered."

The man looked at the long form and saw the comment at the bottom in Latin. Leave it to a doctor to want to tell the world that he is better than the rest of us. I did a double take for a moment, for I was the same way until I took a while to grow up more.

Mr. Summers said, "I see you can read Latin now." He said it in Latin though; a good way to put an uppity boy in his place.

I replied in Latin, "Latin was the language of scholars for centuries. I believe that would include me, as I am trying to gain an education also." I looked at him as he stared at me. I continued in Latin, "Is there anything else that you need me for, sir? Classes will start in fifteen minutes."

It took him a while to work out what I said. Latin is fine for common things, but you need to have an agile mind to speak in it, if you have let it lapse for forty some years. My time as a doctor allowed me to learn much more Latin. The old texts written in that language, explaining common maladies of the fourteenth century, were quite interesting to me. I doubted if the Vice Principal had used his Latin since he was a student in high school himself.

"You are required to see Miss Vachon," he said in English.

"Thank you, sir. That is a very pleasant way to start my day." I said with a wide smile. I held out my hand and Mr. Summers gave me back the slip for the nurse's records.

On the way out I stopped at the high and wide counter and one of the young secretaries came over. "Hello. My name is Alex. My sister Helen will not be able to make it in for the remainder of the week. Here is a letter from my mother stating the facts. My own translation into English is below."

The pretty girl took the note and read what she could of it. She appeared to be dispirited about something and I hoped it was just because it was Monday.

"Ok, I'll inform her teachers." She just turned and left. I wondered if maybe her home life was what was really bothering her.

Our school had a higher than average incidence of medical reports. Colds, influenza, and especially aches and pains had to be treated by the young nurse. She had worked in a Toronto hospital, but had moved up here for some reason. Stress was a major concern in the twenty first century. This era had much less, but still this amount was too much for some people.

This made me think about myself all over again. I had not really known anything about Miss Vachon last time around. She became a jerk-off fantasy after I entered puberty. This was nothing new for she must have been the focus of every other male in the school also -that did not exclude the teachers. The certainty that stress had caused the beautiful nurse to hide her beauty in drabness had come from later information I had accumulated, combined with my analytical abilities as a doctor. The knowledge that all health care professionals were under the same stress just reinforced the idea.

One of the jocks was just leaving the nurse's station when I arrived. He had a smile on his face that would probably continue till he reached his class. The door was propped open and I stepped in. This was the first time I had been in this room. In my previous life, this occurrence had to wait another year.

The young woman had her black hair in a tight bun. This caused it to pull back the skin on her face; it made me think that she was in pain. Her dress was two sizes too big, and she had ugly glasses that jarred with her fine features. Her shoulders were pulled forward. The poor posture and the other attributes suggested that she was not taking well all the attention she was getting. She had to have been beautiful since she was a child, and this was the way she tried to hide it.

She must have received almost every pick-up line going and was trying to keep it from happening to her again. I did not know if this was just low self-esteem, or possibly hiding from an unpleasant incident.

Her voice, though, was low and sultry. A man would be able to fall in love with that alone. "May I help you?"

"I had hoped you would ask that. Hello, my name is Alex Kramer. I was the person hit by lightning recently. I have a minor myofascial pain extending to the thoracic rib cage. This is also centred at the acromioclavicular joint and the coracoclavicular ligament. I participated in a submaximal aerobic activity. This precipitated an effort headache."

My terms were meant to be technical without overdoing her grasp of the language. If I had guessed wrong, she would be further upset by not being able to understand.

She smiled at me and said, "What would Doctor Kramer recommend as treatment?" This was the first time someone had actually said this in this era and I felt good to hear it.

"Well, Miss Vachon, the patient has obviously suffered a substantial amount of trauma and muscle dysfunction. In some cases the manipulation of the underlying tissue will bring long-term relief, though it would also bring about a temporary dull distress. Would you recommend a suitable person, both medically trained and willing to alleviate some of this condition?"

She laughed at my remarks and said, "Well, let's see the afflicted area."

I took a different tact now and said in a child's voice. "I will show you my manly chest, but I must have your assurances that you will be able to control yourself at the sight of my physique. I have not entered puberty yet, but I know for a fact that women will become infatuated with my most masculine features."

This time she laughed very loudly and immediately caught herself. At once she put her hand over her mouth and just smiled. "I will do my utmost to resist you, sir."

"Thank you for that consideration. It relieves my mind completely." The shirt came off and she saw a skinny chest. It was a bit better than after the hospital stay but not much yet. I flexed my muscles like a body builder would, but there was not much tissue to move. It did have the effect of hurting the wounds on my back. I flexed my arms like Charles Atlas once did and turned around. I heard an indrawn breath at the damaged skin but ignored it.

I felt her cool hands on me and she rubbed them lightly over my small shoulders. "Where does it hurt, Alex?"

"The deltoid is stiff. The abrasions are healing and are not tender. If you look at the muscle, you will see that it is in spasm. Put your hand on it; you should be able to feel the elevated temperature."

Her hands did start to manipulate the muscle but she was too gentle. "Don't be afraid to work it harder. There is very little pain from the trauma."

Her hands pushed harder and covered the entire area. My earlier description had said that the other shoulder was similarly affected. She started to work that, too. The bell rang, but I did not move. This was a very enjoyable experience, even if I did not have the functioning equipment to take it to the next step.

"Your classes have started. I will give you a note."

"Thank you. I do not usually let a pretty woman run her hands over me without knowing her first name. Mine, as you know, is Alex."

She thought for a moment and said, "Laura, but don't call me that in front of the other pupils."

"Thank you for trusting me, Laura. We physicians have a code of honour to not divulge such intimate knowledge of our patients."

"Am I one of your patients now?"

"You would be one of many since getting my degree from the University of Toronto. I interned at St. Mike's, but we are getting ahead of ourselves. I would show you my diploma, but it has sadly been held up in the mail. Those medical correspondence courses are the worse."

She laughed again and then sat at her desk and filled out a note. I handed her the slip from the doctor in return. When she handed me her note I held her hand in mine and said, "My shoulders feel much better. Thank you very much, Laura. I probably would have had a cramp in the muscle before the day was out." I had held her hand as long as I could and released it. She slowly took her hand away never taking her eyes off mine.

"You are welcome, Alex. Come in if you have any more problems."

"If my body was producing more testosterone, I would never leave you. You may put the heart of a thirteen-year-old boy into your vast collection."

She said nothing as I finished buttoning up my shirt then tucked it in. I walked close this time, and took her hand and placed the palm on my cheek. With a small rub I pulled it away, kissed her palm and stepped back. "Thank you again, Laura. May you find peace from all your demons," I said in a serious voice.

I left a confused young nurse and headed for my first class with her note in hand. 'God save the Queen' had played through the school speakers and then 'O Canada'. There were no announcements given. I knew that the teacher had said the Lord's Prayer just before the canned music. When the anthems were over, I opened the door and walked to Mr. Ross, my math teacher. As I handed him the note I said, "Sorry for disturbing the class, sir." I waited to see what he was going to do. It was not uncommon for someone to be turned from the class if they were not respectful. He read the note and just pointed to my desk.

I smiled at my friends as I passed them and sat down. This school was actually modern. It was only recently that we had got out of the old desks, where the desk behind supported the seat for the person in front. These new desks were even better because they were not bolted to the floor. Above the slate blackboards were the Union Jack, our national flag till '65, and a picture of King George VI. Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip would not take the throne till February next year. I had met both a few times when I had business in Britain.

The class started taking on polynomials. This was more in the way of review, because they had been presented much earlier in the year. I just listened to the teacher's voice drone on as I tried to remember more of its qualities and compared them to my first set of memories. My memory was good, but I found it to fail in this instance. The man before me did not seem to inspire me as he once did. It seemed that one of my childhood heroes was less than I remembered him to be. He was still a good teacher, the students respected or feared him, and some of the girls were infatuated. I could see some girls that simply stared at him and he gave them more than their share of looks in return.

Before, the girls were glamorous older students with much more developed chests. Here, they were simply teenage girls that had problems with acne. Their hair was clean, but the rule of one bath a week must have been at their home as well as at mine. The boys who looked tough were usually dirty, except one; Nick, who was well groomed and had his own circle of friends. Nick was into sports and loved to lord it over the weaker students, even though he was in grade nine, too. From the first of the year, he had made my life miserable, and he was one of the reasons I had decided to build my body and take martial arts.

The boys talked among themselves, but did not let Mr. Ross catch them. I must have caught the teacher's eye for he said, "Do I seem to be boring you, Mr. Kramer?"

I looked back at him but did not have the same old fear, "No, sir, I can repeat every word you've said since I came to class. It is the fact that polynomials don't seem to have the same fascination they once did."

He said sarcastically, "Would you wish to have some other facet of mathematics taught?"

"Thank you, sir, for the offer. May I speak to you about it after school is out?"

"I was going to suggest the same thing." I heard some tittering from the girls and even a laugh from Nick.

There were nine classes a day, with lunch being one. There were twelve subjects taught, and they were simply juggled according to what the ministry of education thought best.

English Lit was a good class, and the books by Shakespeare were great. I had read them a long time ago in both lives and got more from them in my later years. We naturally had the abridged versions because of the sexual innuendo in the original versions. The students were the same in this class and did not change till we had machine shop, Phys Ed, and draughting. Here; both of the other grade nine classes worked with us to fill the room. None of the girls would dare take a course that was not feminine, though a few, I thought, were tempted.

Typing was next. I had made the choice to not go into business, which was a mistake I soon rectified in grade ten. In the mean time I learned to type. We were getting to the end of the year, and I was up to 35 words per minute with the old Underwood mechanical typewriter. We did a bit of practice, and it took a while to re-teach my hands that seemed to have forgotten the high mechanical keyboard. My old laptop could take up to 145 words per minute and the Microsoft natural could get me to close to 200 words a minute. Now I was having trouble with twenty.

I had never even checked when the IBM electric typewriter with the golf-ball printing head had come out. Perhaps I should look. Homework was piling up, and I had many reports of my own to make. My penmanship still had not come back to its old standards.

History was the last class before lunch. For some reason my body wanted the period to end so I could indulge myself. We were discussing British history with Mr. Lockhart. King John was forced to sign the Magna Carta by his barons at Runnymede in 1215. I had actually been one of the few people to see the original document.

My courses in college also covered this time period, and at that time it was much more in-depth. Homework was assigned and we all rushed to eat.

I dropped off my books in my locker and headed with my lunch to the cafeteria. I dropped my lunch off at the usual table. Everybody was now in line trying to pay for what they got. Usually I got a half pint of milk. This time I had to go for the pint container. Along the way I picked up a salad. I was being jostled, but that was nothing new for me, or any person my size. I did manage to get a few swallows of milk to tide me over till I ate my sandwich.

At the cash register, I paid for my meal with a twenty-dollar bill. The woman looked hard at me. This was a very high denomination. A man only made four or five dollars a day. This was some of the money from the gold. Ordinarily, I would have just a quarter and many times not even that.

The table with my friends was on the far wall and I walked carefully towards it. I had left the tray. A fork and packet of dressing was safely in my shirt pocket, and a hand held either milk or salad.

Disturbingly, I seemed to notice more. A person's IQ is based on their age. It is not quite true that doubling your age will double the numerator of this ratio. I seemed to be even more observant and perhaps more intelligent than I was before I was flung back in time.

Mike, one of my classmates and a member of Nick's clique, was on the aisle side of their table. There was still a bit of traffic, and I would have to walk close to their table. Nick gave a subtle signal and Mike's foot came out right in front of me. I could have sidestepped the leg, or stepped down hard and hurt his leg but I had a better idea. I fell forward and squeezed the container of milk and the contents gushed out over Nick's face and chest. My other hand kept the salad from falling and pushed his tray of food into his lap.

I pushed the now empty carton into Nick's face, but tried to not do too much damage. I pushed myself up and dropped the carton in his lap. Nick was in shock at this happening. I turned to Mike who was equally flustered.

I composed my voice and said, "Thanks, Mike. I have been looking for a way to show the leader of your rat pack that he better leave me alone. Now, give me fifteen cents for the milk. You tripped me on purpose." I held out my hand and when there was no movement I dropped my salad on the table and made a fist with my other hand. "Give me the money, Mike. I will not wait too much longer," I growled.

His hand dove into his corduroy pants and all he had was a dime. "That will do, Mike. Thank you for being such a gentleman." Nick was sputtering and threatening me. He was quite a bit taller and outweighed me by about thirty pounds.

"Look what you did, Kramer? You owe me the money to clean these clothes."

"Take it out of the money you owe me for the times you have tripped me and ripped my clothes. If you want satisfaction, then see me behind the supermarket thirty minutes after school. Otherwise, close you mouth and go get cleaned up like a man, instead of acting like a spoiled child."

He was going to get up now and fight, but he must have heard the silence. He looked around at all the witnesses and sat back down.

"After school, asshole." He growled under his breath.

I completed his sentence; "You better not be late. Thirty minutes after, and I will wait ten more if necessary. Now, go get washed, boy." The last was said as I picked up my salad and left for my table. It probably galled him to do as I said when he knew that he had to do this anyway.

Even after walking past six more tables the silence had not ended. I simply sat down, slapping one of my friends on the shoulder, in one of the four empty seats. They all just looked at me, and I reached out and used a finger to close the closest person's jaw. This happened to be Andrew, my closest friend. He was not that close, for he had not come to visit or to find out how I was doing. He probably saw me as a friend of convenience, especially when there was need for my notes or answers to some particularly complex questions.

"Close your mouth, Andy. You will have flies landing on your tongue."

"Alex, he is going to kill you."

"Is that any reason for you to eat flies? You even have some lunch you could eat instead."

"You are not paying attention. He is a football player and will kill you."

"He will not, Andy. First, he will have to run home and get changed. When he comes back, he will get a detention for being late. He will have to stay for at least a half-hour after school and will have to run to get to the shopping market. There will be many of his friends and impartial witnesses. He will try to sucker punch me, and then I will lay him out."

"Sucker punch?"

"Yes, as in try to punch me when I am not prepared."

"He doesn't have to do that. He is strong enough to hit you without pretending."

I simply opened the salad and poured on the dressing. I ate slowly and smiled at the group around the table. In between forkfuls of salad I heard what had been happening with the group when I had been in the hospital. I tried to act more like I had at this age, but it was difficult. They were children who happened to appear both older and bigger than I presently was.

Carl was the biggest of our group and claimed to have an unnamed girlfriend. He insinuated to have gone all the way, but like most boys of this age he was boasting for his public and for his own ego. I knew that most boys went through this stage, and it was perhaps even necessary to grow up.

I explained in some detail what had happened to me. I did not leave out that I was just recovering from a full paralysis.

When the warning bell came, I cleaned up my mess and made sure the rest of the table was at least clear of rubbish. Some of the people who left garbage looked at me. I had time to stare at two for doing such a thing before they became uncomfortable and left.

The next class was French. I had been fairly good at the language. Over the years though I had become much more proficient because of the business deals I made in Québec. This had also assisted me in similar deals in France, where I had to learn a completely different way to speak the language. After this was accomplished, I was on at least equal footing with other European businessmen, and much further than Americans that refused to learn other languages.

Once seated in the class, young Mademoiselle Bouchard noticed that I had returned. She asked in simple Québécois how I was, and what had happened to me. I was required to stand, which I did. She was quite shocked when I replied with a much richer vocabulary and expressed myself in what I thought was the best grammar. Some of the medical terms, though, I had to resort to Latin, but I did not go overboard. Part way through my conversation, I sat on my desk and just mentioned about my own needs to get my body built up to what it once was.

"Alex," she said in Québécois. "How did you learn to speak so well?"

"My paralysis was only of my body, my brain worked even harder to compensate. I also came to the conclusion that I should be acting differently. I was too meek and mild mannered. Now, I will still be a gentleman, but not nearly so meek. How have you been doing since our last class together?"

"I have been doing quite well, thank you. You have also been missed."

"Now it is my turn to be a little shy and say that I have missed you, too."

Mademoiselle Bouchard turned a little red and she started to teach the class. Three of the students spoke French at home and could follow the conversation. They would soon pass the information to the rest of the class. Twenty minutes later, Nick came into the room with a scowl on his face and glared at me. I just smiled at him to show he was not intimidating me. Some of the students looked from him to me to see my reaction.

English comp was an easy class. However, the teacher, Miss Forester, was still being tested by the students, and chalk and spitballs went flying across the room. This, I noticed, happened in all the rooms where the teachers were doing their first year. I knew some teachers would abandon the profession because of the unruly young students. This usually occurred if it was the last class of the day or the first one after lunch. Mademoiselle Bouchard had the same problem, but she seemed to be able to hold on better.

Miss Forester taught more of the possessive forms of certain words, and I just wished I had been given the homework first; that way I could do it while the lesson droned on. At least, now I did not look around as I had in Math.

Draughting was in the new wing, and we dutifully trooped there. Nick came up to me in the hallway and said, "I am going to beat you to pulp."

"Do you want to try your luck now in school or at the parking lot? You seem to be posturing a lot for your own benefit. Have you been having second thoughts and want to back out of the fight?"

"Just be there," he said emphatically, as he tried to poke me with his finger.

Draughting was not bad. I had made so many prints, as an engineer, with simple paper and pencil that it was second nature to me. Even after using a cad program, it was sometimes far easier to whip off a simple drawing with a pen. This was the class that had helped me to eventually go into engineering. I had found the pleasure in medicine fading, and eventually I quit to regain my previous interest.

Mr. Clark said, "It is good to see you back, Alex. How are you feeling?"

"It is great to be back, Mr. Clark. I am not too bad. I was paralysed for a while, and I am working hard to get back the control of my body. Have I missed many drawings?"

"Yes, you have. I am afraid that there is little time left to have them completed. Why don't you go to my drafting table in the back room and begin, then. If you have any problems, just ask me." He handed me a list of drawings to make. Their page numbers were listed and I saw that there were only eight to be made.

"Only eight... ? That shouldn't take long."

"Go see what you can do," he said with a smile. He was used to the speed it took to do a drawing for a grade nine student.

I put on the paper and looked at the first simple shape. Its dimensions were memorized. In four minutes it was done with all the dimensions, as well as the title block filled in.

The next drawing took less time as my fingers got used to their old ways of working. Twenty-five minutes later I left the room after cleaning up, and walked to Mr. Clark's desk. The rest of the students were working on the last of the drawings I had just completed.

"What is your problem, Alex?

"Oh nothing, sir, Here are the completed drawings." I answered as I handed him my completed drawings.

The man did not understand, but quickly went through each of the 'A' or 'B' sized sheets. When he got to the last he studied it for mistakes before going through them again.

"Did you just make these drawings?" He looked at me astonished.

"Yes, I did. I want to move on to some architectural work for a series of buildings I plan on erecting. May I do this for the remainder of the school year?"

"You are going to erect buildings?" He looked at me seriously and I stared him in the eye. After what seemed an eternity he gave in. "Go right ahead. But, I will mark the work you will be doing against what is needed for this year."

"Thank you, sir. May I use the back room so as to not disturb your class?"

"As long as you are working, Alex."

I put out my hand and he shook it to seal our deal. He was amazed, himself, at the way I was doing this; not at all like a grade nine student, or even one who was two years younger than the average one.

The back room drew me, with no pun intended. Our new mine needed temporary shelter. I wanted all the basic amenities. This was usually accomplished on a work site by buildings purposely erected. Most, in my former life, had become prefab and rested on wheels so they could be moved to other areas when their job was done. One that could travel on a public highway, though, had size limitations. Building two sections and putting them together on the site usually circumvented this. Even entire homes had been sold in these small, modular shapes.

If I skipped the wheels for now, I could build it on squared beams, and a flatbed could carry them one at a time.

The floor was laid out on one large sheet of vellum. We had not used this material in class, but I had used it many times before. It was not the same as what could be purchased forty years from now, but would still do.

It would be great to have a motor home ready now, for it could simply be driven in and be levelled to function. None of the two options now existed, and I could make a profit selling both.

Mr. Clark came to the opening to see me working, and then came over to see what I was doing. He stayed to watch the lines being put down with no hesitation or difficulty. The studs were now wood, but at some time in the future they would be steel. The siding would be aluminium, because vinyl had not come into use yet.

Mr. Clark said, "This is amazing. Even I cannot put the lines down as quickly."

I responded, "You know I have a photographic memory. It just happens that this is now in my head. I am tracing it, in a way, and you see no pin holes."

He chuckled, for some students took an existing drawing and pushed a pin into each corner and indented the paper below. The lines were drawn from one indentation to the next. All that was needed were the dimensions, then.

When the bell rang, I started removing the drawing, to free up his board. Clark said, "Leave it, Alex. I want to see how quick you get this done. I can use one of the other tables, if I need it."

"Thank you, sir. Four hours should get me the structural, electrical, and plumbing drawings for this half. The other half is symmetrical, and should take even less time. I am installing wiring for television and phones, too."

"Really... ?"

"Yes. I have to go now. This drawing will be for the tradesmen. A few of the variants will be the kitchen, bunkhouse, day room and offices. Soon, I will be making other ones for a family to travel in." After an inquisitive look, I said, "I am going to get a bus and gut it. There are many things that can be put in to make travel very comfortable."

Geography was the last class today. Mr. Armstrong taught this class. The man was nearing retirement and did not want to do anything extra or out of the ordinary. He had made up his class schedule many years ago and did not bend with the times. Day 100 each and every year had the same thing taught, as did any other day. He had converted himself into a flesh and blood robot. The school had not tried to get rid of him I was sure. They just waited for him to retire so that somebody new could come in and teach the students better. The last years of his tenure would produce some students that just happened to be less inspired than most.

Mr. Armstrong just looked at me when I came in and got right to work discussing precipitation patterns in different areas of the world. While his monotonous voice droned on, I began to do some of my homework. I had done this almost since the first day in his class. He knew that I did this, but I still got full marks in all his tests, so he was not concerned enough to break out of his rigid schedule.

When the class ended, I went up to Nick and said, "Half an hour, and I will only wait ten minutes." I left before he could formulate a suitable reply.

Mr. Ross was tidying up his desk when I came in. The last of his students had left just moments before.

I spoke before he could, to set the agenda. "Hello, Mr. Ross. I am glad that you agreed to see me on such short notice."

"Well... Mr. Kramer, I wanted to see you, too."

"That is encouraging to know. First of all, I have been having a problem finding a solution to a mathematical equation. It will demonstrate that my grasp of my current class is adequate." I went to his blackboard and wrote out a problem I had in university that dealt with a mathematical entity comprising multiple dimensions. The solution required a good grasp of advanced calculus. Laplace-Stieltjes transforms were used in two places to simplify the work. When all the board at the front of the room was covered, I went to the sideboards and continued.

The writing was neat, but I did not use all of the space available because I was not tall enough to reach the clean area at the top.

"I have ran out of space, but it is easy to see how this integral makes some odd results when working in the extra dimension." I moved to another section and said, "Here, a(n) and z are complex, and both are monotonic, increasing sequences of real numbers called a general Dirichlet series. I have used a matrix to derive the results based on each of the results from this integral. Over here, I used the first of many discrete Fourier Transforms. The results, though, seem to fit a definite set of conditions that are not quite met, yet."

"This is a difficult problem, and I would not presume to get an educated reply from somebody who has not had time to think on this matter." I handed him fourteen sheets of foolscap with writing on one side only. "Here is the entire problem and my faulty analysis. Would you perhaps find time in your busy schedule to try to help me?"

The man looked at the sheets, one after another, with a pallid look on his face. He was at a loss for words.

"I can see that you are studying the problem. I am also sorry that I have to leave. I have a previous engagement that I cannot be late for." I gathered my things and left. The man had not left his position or, I think, even noticed that I had left, yet.

The halls were mostly empty and quiet. The janitorial staff was already at work. I decided to leave by the front door, as it was the closest. Just past the office I stopped dead. I had heard a male grunt and an exclamation of relief. The door was solid but I could hear a faint male voice. "Get your clothes on. I have to go."

The voice was the VP's. He would be the centre of a scandal where one of the secretaries became pregnant. She had fled the city and nobody knew where she had gone. The other young secretary had attempted suicide but had been rescued in time. There was just enough evidence for Mr. Summers to seek employment as a teacher in another city. It occurred to me that he would just start over again with new, impressionable girls.

The story went that the man used his position to force the women to have sex with him or he would get them fired. From what I knew of the man, I could believe it. He treated all students with distain, and he seemed to be on a perpetual power trip.

When I made it to the bike, I had the lace with the key in hand. When I moved the bike I noticed that the tires were odd. I pushed each of them and found them flat. Nick had the chance and the motive to do this. It also could make me late for our meeting. I left the bike and started to run to the market. If I could keep up the pace, I would probably make it there in time, but only just.

After the fourth block, I was starting to flag. People looked oddly at me, as I ran my heart out. On the seventh block, I heard an insistent honking. I slowed down and looked. Laura Vachon was waving me to her. I tried to smile past the stitch in my side and walked between the parked cars to hers.

"Where are you going so fast, Alex?"

"I have an urgent meeting, and I will be late."

"Get in. I will give you a lift." I gratefully did so.

"I have to get to the market. Three blocks ahead and one to the right." I said while trying to catch my breath.

Laura tried to get her car into motion but it was hesitant and spluttered all the time. It had a serious power loss that could come from a number of reasons. I had no computer to plug into it to find the cause.

"You car is hesitant," I said between heavy breathing. "I think I know what is wrong."

"What is it, Alex?"

"You have dirty plugs, worn points, and condensate in the gas, a vacuum leak, or a gummed-up carb. If you give me a ride back to school just after my meeting, we can pick up my bike. The tires are flat. Now, if you drive me home, I will take a peek under the hood."

"Thank you, Alex. That would be nice. You are an aspiring doctor and a mechanic, too. What other secrets do you keep hidden?"

"I am not George Reeves, but my shirt is blue for a reason. Under my shirt I am a man of steel, Faster than Mrs. Cranston, Stronger than locker room odour. Able to leap two steps with a single bound and masquerading as mild mannered Alex Kramer..."

I heard her laugh, and found the sound doing things to me. She was a very nice woman inside, and she liked some of my jokes, too. She pulled into the parking lot and asked, "How long are you going to be?"

"Ten minutes, I guess. Are you going to do some shopping? If you are, I will get a few things too."

"Ok."

I left my pack in her car and ran around to the right to get to the back of the store. I stopped quickly and found a good portion of the school there to see this fight. Most looked to be grade 9s and 10s but there were a few of the other grades, too. Nick and his five buddies were in a group. A young man of eighteen or so stood with them. I had seen him before and assumed that he was Nick's older brother.

The circle of people opened for me and I walked in.

"I figured that you wouldn't show, asshole," Nick yelled so everyone would hear.

"When you flattened my tires you knew I would be late. Were you doing this because you were afraid to fight me?" My own taunt was just as loud.

I had stopped a few feet from him and just waited with my open hands at my sides. It was easy to see that he overmatched me by a considerable amount. He turned back to talk to his friends, and then quickly turned to throw a punch at my head. This was expected and I stepped back. My reflexes were still slow, and even then my body did not want to respond as it should. His fist hit my cheek, and this hurt both of us.

I had been backing up and regained my stance as Nick came in for his second blow. I wanted the fight over quickly and decisively. When his right fist came at me, I brought my own right up and pushed his arm further to my right. This caused his upper body to turn sideways. My left, though, came to my chest and flicked out and the edge of my open hand connected with his exposed throat.

He was stunned with the pain and just stopped. Taking his long hair in my right hand, I brought his face down to my right knee that was already rising. I felt his nose strike my leg and I just let him go.

I had not fought professionally, but I had taken to the sport on an amateur basis in university to fulfill my sports credits. This was done for both my medical degree and my engineering.

As he crumpled to the ground, I just backed up. His clique ran to him and one of his friends, the next largest boy in the class said, "You cheated," then he ran at me. My foot came up and I kicked his face, but not too hard. Dentists are not fun or cheap. As before, I used my knee on his face and let him drop.

The other three must have thought I was taking on the group and attacked. Only Mike seemed to hang back. I went to the side to cause confusion and keep the two downed opponents close to restrict my attackers' movements. The first I threw over my hip, while the next got a simple stimulation to the family jewels. The last got a spear hand to the throat. They all went down.

The thrown one was going to get up and I walked close. I put my foot on his hand and said, "Get up now, and you will go to the hospital." He just stared at me as if seeing me for the first time. I backed up and he remained as he was. I turned to Mike. "It looks like your gang is not the rough, tough bullies you thought it was. Now, help your friends get home. If anyone wants to call the police, remember that I was hit first and every one of you is much larger and older than I am."

The crowd of students was quiet as I backed up more and turned to leave. Nick's older brother had a red face and came purposely to me with his fists balled at his sides. He was over six feet tall and probably played football; he was certainly big enough for it.

When he was close enough I said, "If we fight, and I win, you look like a wimp. If you win, you are a big bully picking on a little kid." He stopped to think and calm down.

I turned and walked toward front parking lot. The ring of students now gave much more room. I got about twenty more feet past the ring when I heard indrawn breaths. Stones crunched under fast-moving shoes, and I just kept walking. My mind was doing fantastic assessments. This guy was tall and was double my weight. One punch and I would have had it. My only chance was to trip him. When the time came, I fell to the ground as if doing a push-up. My body, though, was perpendicular to the man's approach.

I just made it down as a heavy pair of legs ran into my sides. The wind was knocked out of me and I knew Nick's brother was flying over me. This had to be done quickly. Even with the pain, I got up and ran to the sprawled body. Just as he got up on his hands, I kicked him in the side of the head. He fell onto his side and I kicked him in the abdomen for good measure.

Turning around I looked to see if there were any more. Nobody spoke and most just had their mouths open in astonishment.

Laura's car was empty. She must still be shopping. There were four cash registers. Even in the 70s this was too small of an operation to continue. It would need six or more times the floor space and many more check out aisles. I took my own carriage and soon found Laura checking some fresh vegetables.

She was far down one aisle and I had recovered enough from the kick when I got close. I said, "Hi, Laura. I just have a few things to get."

She looked at me then frowned. It took her only a few seconds to be standing in front of me. Her hands came to my face and looked at whatever mark Nick had put on me. "What happened here?"

"I am not very big and seem to draw the bullies. Today, I did something about it and got this as a temporary souvenir."

"Who was it? We can get the school authorities to take care of that person."

I just smiled at her, as I enjoyed the feel of her small hands on my face. "This time, the downtrodden victim has vanquished the bully and his cohorts. This was a long time coming, and I am feeling good to have had this fight."

"Is this the meeting you had to be at so urgently?"

"The tournament took place on the stony lists behind us. I handled myself with dispatch and in a gentlemanly manner. Now I need some sustenance."

I picked my own vegetables, and got only those that we did not grow on our farm. I picked two large Delmonico stakes and some fresh mushrooms. Soon we were both checked out and carried our purchases to the car. There was no trace of the large group of students who were behind the store just a short while earlier.

We chatted about cooking, and I surprised her again with my culinary knowledge. This was not the memorization of cookbooks, but the skill needed to put certain foods together to make a harmonious meal. We came to a corner and I directed Laura into the large parking lot. The LCBO was doing a fair business and I asked Laura to go into the store with me to pick a few bottles of wine.

"I can get into trouble, Alex. I am not supposed to give alcoholic beverages to a minor."

"Laura, it is to be drunk with a meal, not to get inebriated." She did hesitantly go in with me. I searched the imports first. Ontario wines were world famous in the next century. Now, it was just poor in quality. I picked out two bottles and handed Laura the money. When she got to the register, she was shocked by the cost and the denomination I had given her.

Back in the car she said nothing, as she tried a few times to get her car started. In a few minutes we were back at the school and the bike was put into the trunk. The few miles home seemed to be much too short.

We drove close to the house and Laura and I got out. She admired the structure, but it was in reality only a farmhouse, though it was a bit larger than most.

"The family is out at the new business and will be back tomorrow. Let's take the groceries in and put them in the fridge to keep them fresh. If you make the tea, I will start on the car."

"That sounds like a deal. Just show me where the tea is."

The keys were in the ignition, and when the seat was moved up, I was able to get the car close to the garage. Parking it to the west, I would have the most light. A suit of coveralls was in the barn on a hook, and I put them on.

The engine was still running, and I took my time and traced down two whistling sounds. One was a small rubber hose that came off the carburetor, and the second was the carburetor, itself. The mounting nuts had backed off the studs. A combo wrench tightened the four bolts and the car ran much easier.

I got up in time to see Laura with a tray in her hands and a pot of steaming tea on it. Cups with saucers, and sugar, were beside them. Two spoons rested beside the cups.

"Now that is nice. A pretty girl brings her man something to drink while he works on the family car. Are you going to try your hand at some vegetables and salad? There are a few more things to check."

Laura blushed at this. She started to say something, but stopped and remained quiet. After a brief pause she started, but only said, "I have a good recipe for the peas."

I took the oil bathed air cleaner and washed it out and scraped the accumulated dust that was caked to the bottom of the trap. The distributor was scored with a scriber and removed. The contacts were worn but still usable. The points underneath needed to be cleaned and gapped. I just got the distributor together, when I had to get clean. I washed quickly, using a lanolin-based solution, and then hung up my coveralls.



-------

Chapter 5



I pulled out the barbecue and put in new charcoal. While it started to burn, I went into the house. I raced to the kitchen and saw Laura at the wood stove cooking. Her tight bun of hair was fraying in the humid environment. I came close to her, and with clean hands held the back of her arms and got close, "Hmm, smells nice. I will be back in a minute and cook the steaks."

My bath was fast, but if we had a shower, then it would be even quicker. In the mirror was the boy I used to be. The dark brown hair was getting to be a bit long. The face was cute, and I wondered why I never had as much action as I should. The cheek, though, had a small bruise that should take a week or more to clear up. Young bodies seemed to repair themselves so quickly.

Instead of taking my best clothes, I just picked ones for comfort. I did not want to frighten Laura.

Laura was still at the stove, but now the table was set. Again, I got behind her and smelled her body. She even pushed back a bit. "That is beautiful," leaving unsaid what I was referring to.

The charcoal needed to be placed correctly, and in a moment the steaks were cooking. The wine was in the fridge, as was some of dad's steak sauce. It was spicy, but not that much. "Laura," I called aloud. "Do you like a slightly spicy steak sauce?"

"Sounds great," I got in return.

"How do you like your steak?"

"Medium."

I took a large platter from the cupboard and took it outside with the sauce, fork, and small brush.

When the steaks were done, I brought in the full platter and put it on the table. The steak sauce went beside it. Laura put the hot vegetables on the table and I pulled back her seat. She nodded her head in thanks and I pushed the chair in. With my head again by her neck I quietly took a deep draught of air. She really did smell nice.

I fetched two glasses and opened the French wine. I stood beside Laura and poured like a highly paid waiter. A small amount was poured in the bottom of the glass, without a drop running down the neck of the bottle. She took a sip and nodded to tell me that the vintage was suitable. I poured the rest of her glass and another for me.

I noticed that she had put the settings close and not at the ends of the table. She must have had an appetite, for the meat disappeared along with the vegetables. I poured her another glass of wine, while I nursed my own.

Between bites, we talked about school. I let her know about the fight, but started from when school began, and how I'd let all this happen because I was too shy. The fight itself was glossed over, and she only knew that there was more than one antagonist.

I would have loved to sit with her after dinner and talk more, or to dance to the music from the radio. I did not want to push her, though, and both of us did the dishes. She tried to push me away, but it was easy to see that she liked me being with her.

She came with me to finish her car. Putting on the coveralls to keep from getting dirty I just checked the plugs. They were dirty and needed to be gapped. The gas mixture had been too rich, but that must have been because of the dirty oil. This compensated for the air leak that would cause the fuel to burn too lean. This way the plugs were not burnt or pitted.

I put the plugs back in and tightened down the distributor. The filter was filled with clean oil and I asked Laura to start the car. It started first time and ran much smoother. My reward was to see her smile widely at me. "Oh Alex, it runs great."

I closed the hood and wiped off any prints and said, "Take it down the driveway and back." She did, like a child, and spit up a few stones that flew into the field. She was back in a few minutes and I did not think the smile ever left her. I had hung up the coveralls while she took another turn and washed my hands again.

After parking the car she opened the door and ran to me. Just as she came to my arms, she stopped. I carefully took one hand and guided her lips to mine. Her kiss was short and she pulled back. "We shouldn't, Alex."

I kissed her one more time. "As your doctor, I think that you need this treatment all the time. Six to twelve times a day. Now, kiss me to let me know you have gotten the idea, and then we will go for a walk."

She seemed to think on this idea and did kiss me of her own volition. She was slow at first, and perhaps even timid. As it progressed, she was more demanding. When she pulled back for air, I allowed her to gain her breath then used my tongue to lick her lips. Soon she was allowing me in, and I traced her teeth and played with her tongue.

She slowly pulled back and it took her a moment to open her eyes. "Where did you learn to do that? I didn't think people would do that."

"It is an instinctual thing with all Polish men. You are only getting the mild treatment. I do not have a defibrillator to rescue either of us, if you were going to get even the usual treatment."

We soon pulled away and I walked hand in hand with her around our farm. I showed her the wood lot, the pond and the fair sized stream that was still flowing, though in diminished quantities now that summer was approaching. The mosquitoes were coming out for their meal, so we headed back to the house. When we got there, Laura said, "I don't know what it is about you. I should be running as fast as I can to get away from you, but I am not doing that. I feel drawn to you as if you were a man."

She put her hand up to her mouth at the last sentence as if she had not meant for that to slip out. I could guess at many things in her troubled past. There was trouble, for nobody else would go to that much effort to hide their beautiful features. She was introverted; it seemed, to everybody but me. Perhaps my size and age did not represent a threat like an adult would.

"I am drawn to you. You are a beautiful, intelligent, thoughtful woman, and you now have great taste in men. You see a boy before you, but you should know that my mind is much older than you realize. I have an adult's viewpoint, but my body is sadly that of a boy. If you will wait for that part of me to mature, you will find that I will be all the man you will ever need."

She shied at this statement. Perhaps it was asking her to commit herself to a boy that she was unnaturally drawn to. "Laura," her eyes were far away and I moved her jaw so that she looked at me. "There is no obligation on your part. I hope we will always be friends, at the very least. One day we may be much more, but that is for the future."

"I am so confused, Alex. You are a boy and I am a grown woman. What can we see in each other?"

"There is much to see in you. I see a dedicated but frail woman trying to make something out of her life. She has some heavy emotional baggage to bear. Something has happened to you, perhaps more than once. You would like to have a rich social life, but you have been burnt. I also see that one day you will make a good mother and wife, and perhaps even a career if you can juggle all the responsibilities."

"How do you know all this?"

"I have good eyes and ears, along with an adult's perspective. Doctors also have to be diagnosticians and detectives. I see you acting much like others have; others who have been hurt. Some of my knowledge is from books, but the majority of it is from dealing with people on a one-to-one basis. Some, I might add, do not function nearly as well as you do."

"Are you a psychiatrist now?"

"No, never took that correspondence course, but I am a person that cares a lot about you."

She left within minutes with her groceries and a smile. I wondered, as she travelled down the driveway, how much she had grown in my heart. She, at least, was a woman and all the girls at school were simply that, girls. Maybe when my hormones started to flow I would think differently.

Homework took only a short time. A composition, though, took much longer, and it dealt with analogies and their use. With Laura in mind I made a short story of a man's love for a woman of great beauty.

There was no limitation on size, but I kept it to only two pages. This was at least twice the usual length. For good measure, I threw in a metaphor or two. Our English teacher was a young woman and I slanted the work to reflect more of what a woman would want. This, surprisingly, took much longer than I thought. I ended up writing the story eight times. There was no WordPerfect and there was no laser printer. I was quite tired when I finally finished the work.

Chores had not been done, and I worked to get them completed before I crawled into bed close to midnight. The next morning I woke up very sleepy. Teenagers always complained of this, and now I had to go through it one more time. I had to speed myself up to get to school on time. Luckily, the bike tires only needed new valves. There were three in a box, and this left one for an emergency.

I stopped off at the nursing station and held Laura's hand for a moment as I stared moonstruck into her eyes. She massaged my shoulders and sent me off with a swat to my butt.

Homeroom was Math, even if we had to leave sometimes right after the bell. Mr. Ross looked at me funny, but the subject material was little different. There were four vacant chairs at the back of the room, and the students looked at me and whispered. Mike and Jason were the only two who had been able to make it in. It almost made me want to feel my head to see if I had grown something or that I had left my fly open.

I did manage to make a few drawings of important features I would need to make. One was the design of a double-wall stainless steel tube to take away wood smoke. The mine was my present concern, but once I got enough money I was going to start on many of my other projects. One was to build the needed housing units. There was nobody who could do this without guidance. I would have to be there to assist, as well as perhaps even to start the company from scratch.

English Comp was next, and we all handed our work in. This subject was like the rest. I had university courses in this subject, and now it was as if I had stepped back into grade one. More homework was assigned and we trooped to Phys Ed.

This class was a double, and I put on my gym clothes. Some of the classmates saw my back and started to whisper. The majority of the red had gone, but there were large streaks of bruised tissue. The ripped flesh, though, would take quite a bit longer to heal.

We ran out to the gym and lined up with both grade nine classes. The girls were segregated and exercised with the female members of this class behind a wall-to-wall partition that went up to the trusses. Mr. Richardson called me aside and sent the rest to running around the gym a few times to warm up.

"What are your restrictions, Kramer?"

"To not get hurt till I heal."

He just looked at me with one eye more than the other. He was a very physically fit man of forty to forty-five. I knew he was married and had one boy about ten and a girl a bit younger. The way he treated the weaklings and the jocks could easily be seen. The jocks could play sports and win, while the younger group were of no use to him.

"What can you do to keep busy without bothering me?"

"Lift weights and callisthenics. That also means that I get to use the showers. I am not going to class smelling like a dumb jock who cannot smell his own body odour."

"Pretty big words from such a little guy."

"Let's just say our thresholds of personal hygiene are different. Sometimes it is just a matter of how sensitive a nose is."

He didn't like me. I did not take it personal. It was just that I was of no use to him. "Do what you want, but clean up after yourself. I am not your mother. You screw up, and I will have you sitting through the rest of the year."

I smiled and stuck out my hand, "A deal." He was stuck or he would be seen as unjust. He did shake hands but had to give me a squeeze.

The weight room was small and poorly equipped. I had no towel, or change of clothes, so I just did isometrics so I would not work up a sweat. When the next period started, Richardson threw in a clean towel and left.

I yelled my thanks but he may not have heard. Now I went to the weights and tried to fall into a pattern that I could keep. I was very tired when I went into the shower. I was the only one there and did a quick job. I came out later to dress and found the rest of the class putting on their clothes over their gym shorts. They looked at me funny. They sometimes got to their underwear, or changed in the toilet cubicles. They never seemed to have seen another naked male. I just ignored them and got dressed. At least they would know that I was not shy as I used to be.

Lunch this time was different again. My lunch went on our table and I got my large milk and salad. While walking in line to pay I noticed that Rita was behind me. "Hi, Rita," she was better dressed today than I remembered. It was mostly her usual clothes, but she wore them better and walked much straighter. This made her much more desirable to any red blooded male, especially those in puberty.

I thought of my gender. Sometimes, I saw some boys pick their noses and scrape off the booger under their desks and go back for more. Other times, I saw them say nasty things to those who were overweight or not as good looking. They were typical boys; it was just that they were two legged pigs.

The girls were different, but only in the ways they attacked each other. All was done with an air of being conciliatory or even diplomatic. I think that women, because of their hormones, are even nastier than males.

The genders knew little about the other or even about themselves. That is why there were so many unwed mothers and the stigma that was attached to both the mother and the baby. Most learned from their peers in the schoolyard, and those knew no more than those they taught. Maybe I could help these children over some of the rough spots. In the process I would find some responsible adults emerging from these piles of uncoordinated flesh.

"Hi, Alex. Ah... did you do what the others said you did?"

"Depends on what they said."

"That you beat up Nick and four others, then Nick's older brother. I know him, he is big and going to play hockey professionally."

"They bothered me since I started school. After my accident I knew that I was acting foolish by staying shy. Nick will think twice before he tries something again. His brother, though, was just stupid and got what he deserved."

"Weren't you scared?"

"Not with Nick or his friends. His brother terrified me, though."

I continued, "I would like to try an experiment. The boys in grade nine are afraid of those strange creatures called girls. Will you do me the honour of dining with me at the table where I usually sit?" She looked trapped, but she had never known me to be cruel or malicious.

I bent over to be close to her ear. "All the girls will ask you questions. This will not end for days. This will help you as well as some uneducated young males. What do you say?"

"What do I have to do?"

"Rita, I want you to act like a proper lady, and I will act as your escort. I, of course, will be a perfect gentleman."

She looked serious and didn't trust her voice, so she just nodded her head. We went with our trays to her table and she told her friends that she had to talk to me for a while. With her lunch now on her tray she walked back with me. I whispered as we walked, "Keep your head up. You are proud."

At my usual table I said, "Gentlemen, I plan on making each of you more of a social animal. To do this, I am going to act as a gentleman. If, at any time, you find this unsightly or abhorrent you are free to leave." I set my tray down and then took Rita's and did the same. "Gentlemen; this charming young lady is Rita Leone. She is my dining companion today." I introduced each of our classmates as if they were new to her.

Andrew was first and did not know how to respond. "Say hello, and then use Rita's name and say you are very pleased to meet her."

He did hesitantly. I was sure that if I had not beaten the bullies up yesterday he would have refused. Three others did a similar job but were very unsure of themselves. The chairs were independent of the tables and I sat Rita down. I whispered, "Thank me."

"Thank you, Alex."

"You are very welcome, my lady."

I walked around the table and everyone within earshot was watching us. I took a paper napkin and placed it on my lap and tried to discuss local sports, for this would be the only thing we could discuss. I asked what Rita's feelings were on a local sports hero. I had heard his name mentioned often within her group of girls.

She risked something of herself when she initiated a question to Mark, one of our classmates. His reply was tense, but would have been very easy if one of us had asked him.

By the end of the period the boys were talking casually with Rita as if she were a real human. The warning bell sounded, and it actually felt like there was more sorrow than usual at the end of this period.

I brought up my finger as Rita was going to get up. I casually wiped my mouth and neatly folded the napkin and placed it on the tray. I stood and replaced my chair before walking around and helping Rita to stand.

This time the table was cleaned of rubbish, and we all dumped our trays. I escorted Rita to her friends after she said goodbye to her new table companions. The girls almost jumped on Rita as soon as I turned to leave.

With just the boys, Andrew asked, "Why did you do that to us?"

"First, most of you are socially inept. You have no grace or charm. You each act as if you are drugged and see none of the world around you. At least now you can act formally with one of those weird creatures with those things on their chests. Later, you will be able to talk to them as easily as we do now. Before school ends, all of you will be on your way of becoming gentlemen."

Mark stated, "We don't have to do this."

"Sure you don't. The ones who do stay will get to talk to more girls, and one day they will be able to play with them instead of their own dicks." This didn't shock them, because we always talked this way. Since I had not entered puberty yet, my repertoire of original salacious comments was severely limited.

French was our first subject of the afternoon. Mademoiselle Bouchard taught her lesson, but for the most part kept her eyes on me as if she could find out something with her eyes alone. She asked us to make a short story in French having to do with a girlfriend or a boyfriend. This was far beyond most in the class. It clicked; she must have talked to Miss Forester from English.

It would be fun to take this further, but most of the students would get lost in what had to be said. One way that might be fun, was to get new vocabulary introduced. When Mademoiselle Bouchard paused I raised my hand.

She said, "Yes, Alex."

"Your idea of a story has many merits. I do see a problem with the limited vocabulary most of us sadly have. Might I suggest that we state things in English and the closest translation be placed on the blackboard? At least, this way there will be few groans when asked to copy the work."

"That is a very good idea. Will you come up here and write what you can on the board?"

"I will; because you ask, but I have to warn you that I do not have my teacher's licence yet."

She smiled and stretched out her long pretty arm and handed me the chalk. I started as high as I could reach and wrote, 'I held both of xxxx's hands and stared into her beautiful eyes.' There was no sense putting one of the names of the girls in the class. They would find it too difficult to continue.

Rita was good at French because her family spoke Italian. "Rita, what is your contribution?"

"AHH... He brushed his hand across my cheek"

"That is good. Andrew, you are next." I wrote Rita's words on the board under mine.

Turning to Andrew I waited. "She... held my hand."

"Good, Andrew. Nancy is next."

Again I wrote Andrew's comments. Before I finished, Nancy said simply, "He kissed me on the cheek." There were a few giggles to that, and I wrote the words in French.

"Mark."

I had to turn, because he had no reply. One of his friends kicked his desk and he said in English, "She kicked my leg." This brought gales of laughter and I laughed with them.

This continued till the entire class was asked. Even Nick's erstwhile clique members contributed some fine answers.

"Class, copy the sentences down quickly before the end of the class. Rita, give me another, but the rest of you keep writing."

Blackboard space came to an end. I tipped the wastebasket onto the floor, took the sturdy container to the start again, and wrote much nearer to the top of the board. Andrew did not have to be asked, but called out his next answer. Mark gave his next and this time it was in French. Most of the replies were similar, because they did not want to get into the more erotic phrases.

When the board was as full as I could get it, I jumped down and said, "Enough; if you get carried away, the Vice Principal will be in here wanting to know about all this talk." I saw Mademoiselle Bouchard blanched at my comment, and I could see that I must have hit a nerve of some sort. The bell rang just then and most of the people scrambled to complete the last of the sentences. I replaced the pail and picked up what I had unceremoniously dumped earlier.

Before I got to my desk, Mademoiselle Bouchard dismissed the class and said to me, "Alex, you did a find job. Your grammar and spelling were perfect."

"Thank you, Mademoiselle, and I'm sorry to have made you feel frightened. I did not know he was that much of a cad. I am even more sorry to have you put up with this." I left then without looking back.

Next class was Geography. Mr. Armstrong was true to form and I just wrote out a preliminary draft of the French assignment. As a twist, I made this much different. The story went where a man took out a girl. One looked like an older me, and the other had features similar to Laura. They had a nice meal where the man even fed the girl by hand as if she was unable to do so. The man even wiped the girl's lips and got a smile for his efforts.

'She picked up her arms and the man clung to the girl and danced around the room to the music coming from the radio. He talked incessantly to the girl, but she only used gestures in reply, if she made any at all.'

The possibility was hinted that the girl was mute.

'On the shag flooring, the man began to kiss each of her fingers in turn and the girl pulled her hand away, but soon put it back. When the digits had each been caressed, the man seductively removed the stockings and kissed each of the toes. The same thing happened as with the fingers.

The girl got very excited by this and wanted up. With one more dance, the man saw that his girl was sleepy. He carried her in his strong arms to the bedroom and placed her in her own bed. With a final kiss the girl closed her eyes and the man tucked his baby daughter into the crib.'

There were lots of improvements that could be made, and that would be done tonight. There would be a cover page, seemingly addressed to the man's girlfriend.

At the end of the class I looked on the blackboard and saw the homework assignments. The page numbers were listed and I just searched my memory for what was written and wrote the answers out without ever opening a textbook.

History was our next destination. Our homework was taken up verbally and the students compared their answers against what Mr. Lockhart said as correct. I didn't have any problem with their simplistic and even biased results compared to a more rigorous and honest approach. Schools, at the time, played some things as too black and white, when a more uniform coat of gray should have been applied.

Science was our last class of the day. It was more of a general approach designed to expose the students to a wide variety of subjects and perhaps spark a fire in one of them. Today we were asked to demonstrate how individual atoms "live" forever and can become part of many living and nonliving materials. From the way it was said, I knew that soon this would be on a quiz.

Half way through the class the speakers came alive throughout the school. Mr. Summers' voice came on with a bit of feedback till he turned down his own speaker. "Will Alex Kramer please come to the office? Alex Kramer, come to the office." I could only think of one reason for this call. Summers must really be an asshole. On the wall beside the door was a telephone-type intercom that could have been used. All that would have to have been done was to consult one of the three grade nine period charts.

The class was quiet and everybody was looking at me. "I am sorry for disturbing your class, sir, and it seems the entire school. It would have taken too much work to just talk to you on the phone, I guess."

I hurried to the gym and put a dime in the public phone and made a very quick call. When I got to the office I found an angry Mr. Summers outside his office. "It took you long enough."

The comment did not need a reply and I just looked at him.

"Get in my office," he said as he stood to one side.

I walked in to see another man sitting in a chair and glaring at me. The VP came in and closed the door behind him. He said without preamble, "Do you know who this man is?"

"Is that a rhetorical question, or would you really want me to answer?"

This threw him. "Answer if you can."

"Without fear of repercussions?"

He thought for a second and said, "Sure."

"First thing is that he is a friend of yours whom you intend to impress." This got Summers to sputter, and I continued, "He is the father of two bullies who should have been disciplined long before they had arrived at this school."

"How dare you talk like that to me? You insolent..."

"Going back on your word so soon? Do you lie to your students all the time? What about their parents?"

He was about to strike me, but I stayed as I was and tried not to flinch. Summers stopped part way to my face and pulled his hand back. "You are in deep trouble, Kramer. This man's sons had to go to the hospital because of the beating you gave them. I am told there are many witnesses, too."

He continued, "Do you know that each of his sons has a broken nose? Three other boys have suffered severe damage at your hands. This is a very serious case."

I had looked calmly at Summers as he ranted and then began to say the same thing again in different words. When he wound down, I turned to Nick's father and said, "What did your sons tell you, sir?"

Both men sputtered that I was not cringing before them. The father said finally, "You attacked them when their backs were turned as they walked home."

"I attacked all five people in such a way that I was able to beat them single-handedly? Every person was at least two years older than me. The young man who was in the fight, I believe, is close to 18 years old and twice my weight. It also looks like he and his younger brother play football and hockey. These are the boys that you think a 13-year-old boy, who would normally be in grade seven, has beaten?"

"I don't know how you did it. You could have used a club."

"Our Vice Principal has said that there were many witnesses. Instead of condemning me before hearing my side, why don't a dozen or so witnesses come forth and tell what they saw?"

"You are being expelled, Kramer. I will not have a bully like you in my school."

"Are you sure you want to do that? You have not heard my side of the story, nor do I think that you have asked for any impartial witnesses."

"I know the truth and that is enough. Now get out of here."

"Would you give me the expulsion papers first? It would be something for my family to read." The man turned red. But then thought that it would be a good idea and have me punished by my father too.

He left the room and called for the correct form. A frightened secretary brought it to him and he began to fill it out in pen. In a few minutes it was done, and he signed it with flourish. He took out his copy and gave me a carbon copy of the document.

Just then a flushed Derrick MacNeil came into the main office. I walked over to him and handed him my copy of the form and said, "Protect this." He looked at the paper and then the back before opening his briefcase and putting it safely inside.

"What would you like me to do?"

I said in a normal voice, "Start legal proceedings against the North Bay School Board. Name as defendants Mr. Summers, Vice Principal, our Principal, James Corfu, and the superintendent of this area. I will seek one million dollars in punitive damages as well as full court costs. Further, I want you to call the police and have this man's sons," I said as I pointed to the father, "arrested for assault and attempted assault. Mr. Summers says that there are many witnesses, and I want them subpoenaed for both the criminal and the civil case."

Summers came up to us and demanded, "Who is this?"

"My solicitor, Derrick MacNeil. Perhaps he will even give you some of his business cards to pass around to your friends."

As Summers sputtered again, Derrick asked, "What happened?"

"One of the school's bullies picked on me one time too many. I asked him if he wanted satisfaction far off school property and he accepted. When I got there, he hit me first giving me this bruise on my face. I hit him twice, and he went down. Four of our common classmates came at me when this happened. I struck two in self-defence, and just threw one to the ground. The third decided not to commit a crime at that time. An adult male, who I believe to be the first bully's older brother, came at me to fight. I stated that if he fought and lost, he would be looked on as a fool. If he won, then he would be a big bully. I walked away and at a distance of thirty feet this adult male ran at me. He struck me with his legs and fell. Rather than have myself seriously beaten by an adult, I kicked the man in the face and then in the abdomen to render him unconscious."

"That is quite serious. If this man is 18, I think he will end up with time in jail. Are all the other boys older than you?"

"Yes sir. At least two years."

"Why take on the school board?"

"They allowed an obviously incompetent man to take the position of Vice Principal..."

"See here, that is enough from both of you. I want you out of my building now."

"We..." began Derrick when we heard another voice.

"I want to hear more, Mr. Summers." Principal James Corfu had come out of his office at the noise out here. "What is all this about?"

"We have a bully in our school," Summers stated.

He looked at Derrick and the lawyer said, "I am young Alex's legal representative. He has been unjustly expelled from school on an arbitrary whim. Alex is seeking redress, and I am sorry to say that you will also be involved in this lawsuit along with the superintendent of schools and the school board for the City of North Bay. Soon, the police will become involved due to attacks upon my client. It looks like this school was also derelict in protecting its students in the past."

"These cases are fairly simple, but have long-range repercussions on the careers of many people hanging in the balance. The financial aspects of such a high monetary value placed on punitive damages will also bring the attention of the world on the situation in our school system."

"Money... , how much?"

"My client wishes to pursue the sum of one million dollars."

"A million dollars... ! That is more than our entire school board budget for the year."

I thought again of the way money had deflated in value as time passed. Here, a million dollars would be close to seven and a half times more valuable. I let Derrick continue to see what he could flush from the proverbial blush.

"It is a substantial amount, but only in line with the amount of damage this will affect his life."

"He is just a boy. How much can a year be?"

"In the last week Alex has amassed a very considerable fortune. What he might make in the next year could be astronomical."

This time everybody in the room stared at me. A million dollars was something only governments dealt in. I looked at the Principal and said, "I believe I have the financial ability to pursue a lengthy litigation process. I think it best to talk to the school board's lawyers and discuss this matter in detail. It is possible that there may be some middle ground, but I think that part of the matter lies with my not being able to attend school now."

"Oh you are in. You are not expelled."

"We have documents to the contrary. I might suggest that you call a large group of the people who have seen the altercation into your office. Then you would get to the truth, not what some biassed individuals wish to portray."

"That is a good idea." Principal Corfu said.

Summers jumped in and said, "That is unnecessary. I have looked into the matter and young Alex here is mistaken. Perhaps I was a bit too hasty in expelling him, but I have to keep discipline in this school."

James Corfu replied, "This is a serious matter for the school. I will take care of this matter personally, Mr. Summers."

We walked into the Principals office, and I gave him a list of names. All three secretaries used the intercoms to call individual classes to ask select individuals to come to the office. Derrick and I backed out of the office and waited in the large main office. When the students arrived, I directed them to the Principal's office but said nothing else to them. I did have a smile on my face as reassurance.

The bell rang to end the last class, but the students still came. A half hour later all the students were dismissed even if they had not been interviewed. James Corfu came out. His hair was in disarray, as he must have been unconsciously rubbing his head thinking of a way out of his dilemma.

"Ah... Mr. Kramer... it appears that you are the injured party in this matter. From the first ten students I found that Nick Lasslo has been abusive to his fellow students since the start of the year. It also appears that nothing was done about it."

Mr. Lasslo, the father, said, "My son is a good boy. He is not a bully and the students must have been this boy's friends."

"The students picked by Mr. Kramer were individuals he has never spoken a word to. The fight in question was definitely off school grounds and only of a matter to the police if they become involved. It looks like both of your sons did attack Mr. Kramer. There are at least two sides to each story, and it appears that you talked to the losers of these contests."

He turned to me, "Your suspension has been rescinded, pending any court case that you may initiate."

"I feel that I may be unfairly accused of further acts. I would take it as a favour if any disciplinary measures excluded Mr. Summers and would come directly to you, instead."

"That is agreeable..."

"Sir, I have to protest. This is a matter that rests solely within my scope of duties."

"Perhaps so," the Principal said, "but in this matter you come under a conflict of interest. Perhaps in this matter I do, too."

I shook the Principals hand and said, "Thank you, sir."

I immediately turned to Derrick and said, "Try to find the school board's policies on fights and bullying. Write up the papers for the civil suit against the School board but do not file them yet. Check what we can accomplish if the five boys and the young man are charged. Do a search to find out what possible civil damages we can recover from the families."

"Do you think a possible peace bond would be warranted here? Perhaps the mortgage on their family homes?"

We had spoken aloud to let everyone know our plans. Mr. Lasslo seemed to have crumpled and looked dazed at what had happened to him.

"Thank you Mr. MacNeil for coming down here at such short notice to pull my bacon from the fire."

"I think you were doing quite well yourself. My presence only got you noticed before the court could serve the papers."

"Thank you, anyway." I turned to the rest of the people in the room and found that many of the students had not left yet and many more were in the hall. "I am sorry to have dragged all of you into this unsavoury affair. Please accept my most humble apologies."

I picked up my notes from a stunned Vice Principal's desk and left the office with Derrick. At the main doors I said, "Thanks again, Mr. MacNeil. I would like to leave you here while I go see who, I hope, will be a girlfriend."

"Ahh... ! You are only 13 and have a girlfriend. In a way, I do not see a problem with that. Make sure her parents know what you think, though."

The nurse's office was open still, and Laura was sitting worriedly in the chair. She jumped up very quickly and came to me. I kicked the door closed behind me as I came in. "Oh Alex. I was so worried. I heard the announcement, and then saw the crowd around the office. What happened?"

Instead of answering I held her to me, and then subtly brought my lips to hers. When I withdrew I said, "I found that Mr. Summers has frightened many young women. He tried to use his tactics on me and I brought in my lawyer. Maybe we can get him to leave."

"I would love that. How did you know that he was after all of us?"

"All the young women are very frightened of him, and more are just traumatized. He has been forced to back off for now. I think I can pound him in the courts. I am going to see if I can get him transferred to a job away from the type of game he likes to pursue."

My eyes were just a bit below hers and I wanted to run my hands over her breasts. However, she had been hurt in some way, and I did not want to frighten her needlessly.

"Oh, my lawyer says that I have to talk to your parents about my intentions towards you."

-------

I pushed hard to get home. The family had beaten me to the house. When I got in the door, I found Mom and Grandma in the kitchen trying to make a meal. They turned from peeling potatoes to greet me.

Mom said, "Hello Alex. Have a fun day at school?"

Rather than get her worried, I said, "Part of the day was interesting, but most was boring." I kissed her on the cheek and said, "Sit down please. I wanted to make today's meal."

"You... ?"

"Yes, me. A male, on occasion, can feed his family without poisoning them." I turned to grandma and kissed her the same way, "That goes for you, too; now scoot and take your tea with you. Now, tell me what it was like at the mine."

As both women talked, I brought out the things I had started yesterday and the recent purchases and started to prepare a meal. I heard noise from upstairs so I knew people were having a bath or getting dressed. When my partially pre-made articles were on the stove I took over peeling potatoes.

Mom and Grandma had been keeping count of the nuggets that they had found. There were simply thousands found. The tally was too hard to keep, so they made a competition of how much they picked in weight. A six-quart wooden basket, lined with cloth, had been tried, but once it had even a half-inch on the bottom, it was too heavy for the handle.

Each had got an imperial gallon jar. These were one hundred and sixty ounces, not the American one hundred and twenty-eight. The jars were in a wood box in the trunk of the car, too heavy to get out. It was good to see that they were coming to grips with their gold fever and could leave the gold outside.

The corn screens had been tossed aside after dad made new screens with a solid frame of two by fours. The screen beneath that one was even finer. It would be nice to keep going with ever deceasing sizes of screens, but there was not that much variety to be had.

After the sluice had been built, Grandpa and Aron had been in charge of this device, and they competed against Mom and grandma. They gloated, I heard, because they had more than four times as much gold with their machine, but most was in tiny pieces and flakes.

Helen came down the steps and into the kitchen. Upon seeing me she smiled and walked closer. I put one free arm around her and gave a kiss on the cheek. She had a pretty blush on her face and looked at her mother and grandmother. Both had a small knowing smile on their lips.

"These other pretty ladies are telling me how they tried to beat each other at 'berry picking' and how Aron and grandpa cheated with their mechanized sluice. What did you do?"

Helen did not try to get away but put her arms around my shoulders and said, "I ran that noisy drill while dad ran the bulldozer. Grandpa used the loader to bring soil over to where they were working. I saw him cheat though. He picked the loader bucket up and put it over the sluice and just shovelled it out. He didn't even need to pick the shovel up."

"Ha, I knew it would take some cheating to beat Mom and Grandma at anything. If you are not too tired, will you set the table? I am making something different."

Helen turned but did not leave as she looked on the stove. "What is it?"

With my free hand I took her arms off me and said, "Get to work, wench."

She giggled so delightfully that it would have made me hard if I'd had the hormones raging.

Aron came down a few minutes later and ran to me. His clothing was not even all buttoned up. I bent over him as I held him tight. Again, I could use only one hand because of the stirring spoon in the other. It felt good to hold the boy, too. He was the little brother I never had as a younger child, and now I was his big brother, which was an awesome job. "How are you doing, little brother? Are you making lots of money for the family?"

"Hi, Alex," he said as he pulled closer himself. "We missed you at the mine. You should see the size of the gold I found. One was as big as a quail egg. Dad wouldn't let me keep it."

"Well, I will get a nice crucifix made with some and give it to you."

He smiled and squeezed tighter and said, "Thanks, Alex. You are the bestest brother, ever."

"No, I am not; you are. Now, button your shirt and help you sister. I am making something different." His nose worked and he tried to see into the pot, but it was too high for him to see over the rim.

Dad and Grandpa came down and said hello. They saw the women folk sitting and decided to get their own hot drink and came to the stove to get some coffee.

Jozef peered over the boiling potatoes and into the large dark mass in the biggest pot we had. "What is that stuff, Alex?"

"That is dinner. If you start complaining before you eat it, I will act like mom."

He just poured some coffee from the warm area beside the tea and gave it to grandpa. Then he poured himself a cup.

The smell was strong in the kitchen and actually made me very hungry. The family talked at the table and got progressively hungrier. I was talked to only when they wanted to complain about the time taken.

The pot of potatoes was drained and I mashed them. Usually we left some water in them to make them soft. I added milk and butter and beat them as much as I could. Dad, in a rare moment, actually helped with the potatoes, even though it was women's work.

"Why did you make the potatoes this way?"

"To be different. If you do not like them, then you do not have to eat them, dad." The pot was very big and quite a bit larger than what we usually made. I took dad's plate and heaped potatoes on it, then ladled a thick Mexican chili onto it. There was much more meat than in the real chili, and there was only a bit of hot spices.

We all waited as dad took his first bite. He watched us as we watched him. A small forkful went in, and he seemed to savour all the flavours; then he got another, larger load soon after.

The family all liked my food. They were just too used to old Polish cooking and did not see a reason or a way to change. The family had been working hard and ate accordingly. Grandpa groaned and pushed his empty plate away. "That was good, Alex. I think your grandmother will keep the blankets in the air tonight." He got a quick backhand from grandma and a scowl, but I knew she did not mean it.

We brought each other up to date on what we were doing. I mentioned Laura coming home with my bike, and how I returned the favour with a meal and fixing her car. The fight and the legal problems at school were somehow forgotten in the conversation. Dad and Grandpa told how they worked hard to mechanize the mine as much as possible.

Soon, the newcomers would be helping, and I said, "Dad, we are making very good money now. I want to keep the farm as our home, but it needs to be looked after. I only want somebody to do the chores during the day and later to work on the harvests. I prefer looking out for myself instead of having strangers here. Who could we get?"

This was very unexpected. The farm was an entity that was watched over by the family, and the farm would in turn look after us. The thoughts of having non-family doing work here was foreign to their thinking. "During harvest we get some help. It is no different now. You are all working hard and can't afford the time to keep the farm like it should. I also have another idea. Why don't we talk to a woman who is the third best cook around and get her to make hot meals and deliver them to the mine site? Mom and grandma will not then have to do this other job. I think they like their berry picking better anyway."

Dad said, "That sounds good, Alex. Why do you want the third best cook?"

"Dad, the two best are in this room."

Mom and grandma had smiles from ear to ear. Dad reached out to give me a playful slap and then roared in laughter.

Before turning in I washed the towel that I was loaned and hung it on the line to dry. The humidity was low, but it had not cooled off much. I had enough time to do all the homework and give a final polish to the French assignment. I even took the straight pen out and penned the final version in ink on good paper. There were no ballpoints available, and a fountain pen was what we used in school. My calligraphy was not as good as it used to be, but still acceptable. It took me an hour to just transpose the final version.

The family felt good to be sleeping in their own beds. Dad's bedroom had some repetitious noises for a while before they drifted off. Aron crawled out of his bed and came into mine and I held him while we slept. The warm temperature didn't seem to bother either of us much.

I got up a bit earlier than usual with the noise downstairs. I turned off the alarm and had a quick bath, then went down stairs.

Mom was making breakfast and dad and grandpa were eating theirs first.

Dad said, "Good morning, Alex. I want you to help us bury this batch of gold."

It was a difficult time getting the gold out till I got some cans and scooped or poured the gold into them. The lighter load could now go to the hole. I looked down and found that it was almost five feet deep and continued a distance under the wood floor. When the load was at the edge, dad got into the hole and started to move the burden lower.

"Dad, I want to take some of the gold to Doctor Smiles. He has not billed us for many of the times he should have. He has helped me get ahead in school, and I may want him to help me in the future. I believe this to be very important."

"Take what you think you must. It is your company."

On the windowsill there was a small medicine bottle with only a few nails in it. I took the glass bottle and placed the nails into another. A rag cleaned the glass and cap. A rusty stain still remained inside the glass when I was done. I used a small can to scoop the fine gold flakes and dropped them into the bottle. I filled it as much as I could, and both dad and Grandpa had anxious looks in their eyes. "Do you need that much," dad asked. The bottle was four imperial ounces and presently held about seventy troy ounces of gold in various-sized pieces.

"He deserves this, and more. I want to use his library, and I also want him to train me." I did not tell dad that I already was a licensed doctor, and this way it would look more natural if I learned from a doctor, instead of trying to explain where my information came from.

I had my breakfast with the ones who had not eaten yet. They packed up the chili and potatoes to take with them. Dad said to me, "Your mother and I will talk to Mrs. Rousseau on the way to the mine. She lives with her oldest son, Guy. He has a car and could deliver the food to us."

"Sounds good to me. What did you think about getting people to help on the farm?"

"We are going to drop by one of the men who should want the job. He and his son would be enough to keep the farm going while we are gone."

Grandma and Mom were soon washing the work clothes. There were no facilities at the site, and they would be gone for two more days. Some of my old feelings shone through and I enjoyed the freedom, but I also liked the closeness of family.

I left on time, with the cleaned towel and one of my own in my pack. The five-pound bottle was safely wrapped in my towel and was at the bottom. Mom made me lunch, and for some reason I knew it would be better than my own.

After locking my bike I went into the school. Many more people greeted me, even ones whom I had never spoken to before. I guess, taking on the school bogeyman and winning made me a celebrity.

Laura was at her station early, and her hair was still in a bun, but in less severe one. Her eyes sparkled and she smiled much more. "You are a beautiful sight to come to. I can see myself after a hard day at the clinic coming home to you. Nothing would be finer."

She broke down, then, and cried as she held me to her. "Oh, don't say that, Alex. It can never be."

I pulled her away and looked her in the eyes from only a few inches away. "Never underestimate me, woman. I will get what I want, and in some cases I already know now what that is."

I gave her a final kiss and handed her some tissues. "Miss Vachon, I have written a story for French. Would you care to read it first?"

I opened my pack and took out the document. It was between two pieces of heavy cardboard and a clean piece of paper on each side. Laura held the paper as if it were the most delicate thing. She started to read the cover page, then the story, and her face showed worry. I could imagine she was worrying if she was being mentioned in the story. The hair colour, as well as the eyes, was hers. When she found out it was my child she started to cry. Two tears fell onto the paper and she said, "Alex I have ruined your story."

"Read the third page." Laura read this with alarm and said, "You can't, Alex."

"The third page was for your eyes only. Save the sheet and one day we will look at it together."

I placed everything in the locker and only took the notebooks with me. The teachers had long since stopped giving me hassles about the textbooks, when I had each of them memorized.

Math, again, was first period, and after class Mr. Ross pulled me aside and said, "Would you come and see me after school?"

I thought for a few seconds and replied, "I can come, but I have other meetings. One I want to have with our Principal, Mr. Corfu. It is unrelated to the incident last night."

Draughting was next, and luckily it was a double. Mr. Clark looked at me funny when I came to the class, as if he, too, wanted to find out all the particulars. I went to the small room and saw that my print had been moved and then put back in the right place. I continued with it, and then started the mirror image of the first. Once in place, the two sections would be bolted together.

The next set was the same for the basic structure, but the plan called for it to be the kitchen. This was almost completely done when Mr. Clark came in to see me. "I hear you made quite a stir yesterday."

"Yes sir. I was not judged fairly and only summary justice was handed down. If I had not called in some help, I would have lost the entire year."

"I would not like to see what could have happened to you. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Yes, you can, sir, but not about the legal matters. These buildings I have drawn have to be fabricated soon. I was going to contract the work out to a building firm. A better idea would be to have the school building trades do them for me, and I will pay the school a fair price. Some of your senior students may make up some basic outlines of these trailers. I can then fill them in with what is needed. The school blueprint machine will make some copies for the building department."

"How many of these do you want made? I don't think our students are fast enough to complete these buildings before the end of school."

"I have thought of that already. If you and the trades' teachers bring in carpenters, electricians and other trades, the students will see what it is like to actually work on a site. I will get the job done faster. The students will learn valuable lessons, and the school will be paid for the use of their land and people."

"That sounds like a good idea. You are turning this school into a resource of yours, but I think we will gain just as much. What do you want me to do to help?"

"You can support my efforts at starting this small business venture. If I get out ten minutes early, I can try to arrange a meeting after school."

"You can go at any time you need to."

I slipped out the back of the class with a simple wave. The hall was empty and it was much easier to travel. Many times my small stature meant that I got pushed. The office was as it usually was. Both the Principal and the Vice Principal doors were closed. When I got to the desk, Mrs. Cranston came to me right away. "What do you want, Mr. Kramer?"

"Mrs. Cranston, I am sorry if my actions yesterday upset you. I had no intentions of doing that. I am happy with the majority of the way the school is run and the part you and the other secretaries play in it."

"What would you like Alex?"

"I have a business proposition that I would like to discuss with Mr. Corfu. Is he busy at the moment?"

"I will see. He has been on the phone all day with the school board. I have never seen him so tired."

"I will be as brief as possible."

I was let in almost immediately. "Thank you for seeing me so promptly. I have a proposition that has no bearing on the unfortunate situation yesterday. I would like to propose a small business venture with the school board, this school and me. I need some prefabricated buildings made. Each is similar in many ways, but will have different layouts. The time frame requires that the structures be built soon. I propose that skilled tradesmen work with your building trades' teachers and students to make these structures. Your students will learn valuable skills in a real work environment. Your teachers get more tuned-in to the work in our community. Finally, the school and the board gets paid for their land, tools and the labour of both the teachers and students."

"How much money will find its way to the school?"

"I need eight halves fabricated. I will pay for all the labour and materials. The school will get an additional five hundred dollars for each, and I will be able to write the entire amount off. This also means that I get all the teachers and students involved with the construction till the fabrication is complete. I will host a party at the end, with bonuses for quick deliveries. The students will get bursaries, if they go into a trade union or go to a higher institution. All this will be posted before actual construction begins."

"You are telling me all we have to supply is space, teachers and trade students?"

"Insurance and maybe a tent for inclement weather too."

"I will have to talk to the board and see what they think of this."

"Would you make time after school, so I could discuss this proposal with the trades' teachers and the senior members of the trade students? Then you can give the board the recommendation of this school or not. Please insure that Mr. Clark and his best students attend, also."

The bell rang before more could be said, "I have to leave to make another pretty woman cry."

He just looked at me and said, "I will set up the meeting."

After we were seated, Mademoiselle Bouchard greeted us and we were to reply as a group in the standard way. She asked us about the weather and how good our day was before asking for out assignments to be handed in.

We waited for the people behind us to hand the sheets forward. Then we did the same. Mademoiselle Bouchard went across the front and found one document to be in heavy cardboard and looked directly at me but did not comment.

The class went on and Mademoiselle Bouchard occasionally looked back at the pile. Finally, she could not hold her curiosity in check, and gave us our grammar homework and sat down at the desk. The cardboard was selected first, even if it was in the centre of the pile. She read the note to her on the front, and then opened the ribbon to get at the work within.

Mademoiselle Bouchard took the top sheet and looked at it as if it were a love letter. She carefully took the next sheet and held it only at the edges. Her face got serious, as if she were starting on an erotic novel. It became more serious, as if the character had seduction in mind. Perhaps my mind or my eyes were playing tricks, but I could see her skin blush in excitement. Her respiration increased and I think her nipples became erect. At the climax she looked very excited.

When she read about the cradle and then the man going to bed with his wife she actually burst out in gales of laughter that shocked the entire room. She tried to hold it in, but then laughed even harder. It took a few minutes for her to control herself. She had read the document again, and she again burst out into laughter.

The document was reassembled and the ribbon retied. A few more projects were read to make it seem that it was not just mine she wanted to read. She stood up and said aloud to me, "That was very good work. Perhaps you should send it to a publisher and get some money for it."

"Thank you, Mademoiselle Bouchard, but the work now has some sentimental value. I am not sure if exposing it to the world is what I want or not. You may, of course, read it to the other teachers as, I assume, has been done with my other work." She blushed a bit, but neither confirmed nor denied it.

Throughout the class, people would look at me wondering what was in the story to be so funny.

I noticed that the class was less unruly with Nick gone. Chalk did not fly, nor did spit balls or paperclips. It was an easy way to learn.

The lunch bell rang and we waited for the teacher's words for dismissal. "Alex, will you stay a moment? The rest of the class is dismissed."

When I came over and the rest of the class had left she said, "That was a very good story. You should consider pursuing a career as a writer. I see where the ink has run in two places. When I read you story, I wanted to add to those spots. Someone else must have read this story before me."

"A very caring and perhaps highly emotional woman, like you, has seen this story. I doubt that you will have a hard time spotting her." The woman looked piercingly at me but said nothing.

"You are a very complex young man, Alex."

"Thank you, Mademoiselle, but I am still a boy. The necessary changes have not started yet for my transformation. I do have a blue cape picked out, with a large 'A' on my long-johns when this eventually happens."

She laughed at me, and then pulled me to her. I moved my face a bit, and I was able to kiss her when she had no intention of doing so. She was startled, but stayed for just a second. "That was naughty of you, Alex. I was going to hug you."

"Mademoiselle, I may not be a man, but I am male."

She laughed and said, "Go have your lunch, Alex."

I was last at the lunch line and had my lunch bag on my tray. Instead of going to my usual table, I went to Rita's and stood beside her. "Hello, Rita, Hello, Ladies. Rita, would you care to sup with the ruffians at yonder table?" Looking at one more girl I said, "Linda, you may have heard that I am trying to domesticate some wild, young males. Would you come with us, too?" Looking at the rest I said, "Tomorrow, I would like to invite one more, till both tables are full."

Fish eyes looked at me. Girls knew that boys were different and somehow important, but the nerve to cross that gender barrier was not strong enough, yet.

The two girls picked up their lunches and walked with me. They giggled nervously as we walked to the other table. The boys saw us coming, and at least Andrew started to move the boys around to make our seating arrangements easier. Rita was introduced as a person they had met yesterday. Linda was introduced as a good friend of Rita's that had condescended to accept my dinner engagement.



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Chapter 6



The boys must have talked, too, for they replied like gentlemen. Andrew even got up when he spoke to the ladies. He was beet red and stammered, but his message got across. Rita sat across from him.

The girls, too, were nervous, but fit into the social aspects much better. Rita, with one day's more experience, started a conversation that the rest of the table followed. The tables around us were mainly silent, as they listened to what was being said.

When the bell rang we all reluctantly left for health. This was what the single periods of Phys Ed were for. We sat in a room and Mr. Richardson stood at the front, dressed in sweats and runners.

"Well, class, we are going to talk today, again, about the boring subject of personal cleanliness. It has been brought to my attention that some of you do not smell like a bed of roses." He looked directly at me when he said this. "It is necessary to get cleaner after you exercise or play sports..."

"Basically, you stink and you offend people around you, unless they, too, stink, then it is ok."

I raised my hand and Richardson said, "Yes?"

"If you have some work to do in the back of the room, I could perhaps put a different slant onto the topic that would clarify the matter."

He thought on my offer and then stared at me with one eye more than the other. "Ah... I have to check some papers. Alex, will you do your song and dance?"

"Yes sir," I said. I got up and walked to the front of the class.

The teacher took a manila folder and squeezed into a desk in the back. I said, "Well, guys, the teacher is busy now and can't hear us." The students looked at me as if I was stupid. They looked around at the teacher and saw his head down looking at his work.

"You guys are not too bright sometimes. When a teacher works hard at his work, he has to exclude all outside noise. He can't hear us now." My smile helped and only the densest could not understand. The class laughed at this.

"You guys always talk about your dick being big, or all the hair you have got so far." This shocked the boys. Nobody talked like this with a teacher around. "I am younger than you guys, and I am bald down below and probably look like your little brother." This brought a laugh when the image came to their minds. "I am not stupid, though. I know that girls like boys sometimes. One is when they do not stink so bad that they have to hang their head outside a window to get a breath of air." This brought laughter again as they saw this in their minds.

"Girls stink, too, but not as bad as you guys do. The smell turns on lots of guys, though. Young people have a lot of different hormones going through their bodies. Sometimes there is too much of one kind or another. That makes us do irrational things. It makes us have difficulty sleeping at night and hard to get up in the morning."

"If I were to make a suggestion, it would be to get clean clothes set aside at night, have a quick bath, or better, a shower. Some of you guys are too lazy to even comb your hair. Brush your teeth after eating. Nobody likes to see green stuff or meat between your teeth. Some of your breaths could stop a train better than Superman. Your pits usually stink a lot. Wash with soap and water, not just water. Use a deodorant, but keep it light. You will end up stinking like a whore otherwise. You will bitch, because you never have time. Well, get up earlier."

"Now you guys have clean clothes, clean bodies, and are wearing some deodorant. You walk down the hall and see a pretty girl you like. Do you go up to her and say hi? No, you punch her in the arm as if she is a boy. That way you actually get to touch a girl. The problem is; she thinks you are an asshole." This brought the guys up short and Mr. Richardson looked at me quickly.

"Yes, she maybe is attracted to you, but she hates the rough stuff. Keep your hands to yourself. Maybe you can hold hands if she wants, but only then. She likes to touch as much as you do, but she is shy like you manly types are. Basically, be honest and just keep your deep feelings inside till it is time to let some of them out. Girls are just as insane as you guys are. One minute you are friends, and the next you are fighting. Just remember that to get closer to her; she has to not want to hold her breath."

"Any questions?"

Joe, the class jock, said, "How can you talk to us like this. You have even less experience than we do?"

"Joe, I can dance, I can sing. I do not find it hard to get up here and talk to you guys. I am not hesitant to talk to a girl and show her that I care. I may be young and not developed like you, but I have experienced many more things than you have."

"Name one," he challenged.

"I have flown a plane in the pilot's seat. I started a company worth a lot of money. I have even parachuted. That is three. I can describe in detail how each is done. This cannot be found in a book."

"Explain one."

"I will, but now is not the time. We are talking about you guys being clean enough to come close to girls. Then being nice enough to have them want you to stay. The only other thing to learn is what to talk about. You might be surprised that girls do not care much about cars, motorcycles, or sports. Talk about movies or what is on at the show. Mention some of your favourite musicians. And, best of all, let them see that you find them very important."

"Now, any more questions before I rouse our teacher from his studies?"

When none came I played the charade and walked to Mr. Richardson and said I had finished talking.

"Took your time about it."

"Yes, I did. But jock heads are harder to get through to than regular ones."

This broke the class up and even the teacher saw that he had gotten the dirty end of that conversation. We went on to talk about being physically fit and what that meant to each of us.

Mr. Creighton taught machine shop and this was the first of his classes this week. He was close to retirement and quite sharp in his knowledge. He did have his own problems, though. If you got his shop in the morning, then you had to put up with the alcohol on his breath. He was raised in Britain, and like the Germans, thought that apprentices should toe the line or get some immediate discipline. This took the form of a yardstick smacked against the head of the nefarious party.

I had not been 'kissed' by him yet, but many others had, for reasons ranging from not working like they should to goofing off in general.

We had made a tack hammer, a meat tenderizer, a mould to form a lead hammer and, at the end of the term, we had started on a small drill vice. I had not even started this project yet.

When the class split up to work, I stated to Mr. Creighton what steps were needed to complete the vice. He ran them through his head and said, "It looks like you are finally taking an interest in this shop."

"You are mistaken, sir. I have always liked this shop. I was just too shy earlier to work as I should. That has now changed. You might say that my work ethic went from high to very high."

I took the casting and ground the flashing so that it looked more like the body of a vice. I now wore safety glasses that were not mandatory. The machines I owned in the next century were much more accurate, but these could do the work within the tolerances needed. The tooling was not carbide, but tool steel. I flooded the cutting surface with coolant and ran what I would if this were a production job. By the end of the two periods I had the body completely machined. Most of the others were just a bit beyond me and they had well over a month to work on it.

Before the class ended, I put my things away and talked to Mr. Creighton. "Sir, I need some advice on a complicated project."

"What is that, Alex?"

"I have the money and resources to rebuild a highway bus for family trips. If I find a used one, it will have to be lengthened, strengthened, and get better brakes and suspension. The pusher engine is usually a 100 horsepower. A Cummins engine is one of the better ones around, and it can go into this bus with its transmission."

"That sounds like a very expensive project. Are you sure you can handle this? The cost would be in the thousands of dollars. That is not what the average student can afford."

"I am more than sure. I would like to start producing them for sale. I can afford to put half a million into this project if necessary. "

"Well, forgetting that you have that kind of money, do you really think that people can afford that kind of vehicle?"

"There are many fairly wealthy people that are going to retire and would like to see the world in comfort. What I wanted to ask you about is a business proposition."

"You want to employ me?"

"I want you to make me something that I have no time to make. A simple cash deal."

"What is it?"

"A large diesel can have a turbo charger to increase performance an even provides for more economical travel. The problem is that they do not make a good one for a small, 150 horsepower engine. I will draw up plans and, I would like you to fabricate it for me. There will be a few innovations, like a small sump and a heat exchanger. Ethylene glycol and water will go in at one side, and oil that is cooled much more than engine oil will lubricate the bearings on the exhaust side of the unit."

"Antifreeze and a heat exchanger?"

"Sure. If it works, I'll patent it, and then it gets sold to my company and to others. If you talk to the auto shop teacher you can see what I mean. Anyway, the turbo charger has to fit on the engine, and all of it must be crammed into the bus. The compressed air is now hot and I want another heat exchanger, similar to a radiator, to cool this air further."

The bell rang and Mr. Creighton said, "How much money are you talking about?"

"We will have to talk about that after you have your own talk with the auto teacher. I am a business man now, but I know that you don't get really good help by being frugal."

Mr. Smith was a tall, thin teacher of fifty. He had come out of the last war with a few peculiarities. He would bob his head and upper body and sometimes forget where he was, as he no doubt relived something from during the war.

He taught electricity. For grade nines, it was just house wiring and simple electricity. In the higher grades it changed into electronics with tubes. Transistors had not made it into consumer electronics yet. No products at all were available to the consumer market.

While the rest of the class learned about power factors, I wired a four-walled enclosure that represented a room in a house. Previous students had drilled the holes and I just had to run wire to lights, switches and outlets. Before this was done, I had to make a list of what I needed in supplies.

When I finished hammering in staples, Mr. Smith came in and looked critically at my work. The codes were rigorously followed. He took the wiring and tugged on it to see how well the staples had been seated.

"Good job, Alex."

"Thank you, sir. Did you get an invitation to a meeting after school?"

"Yea, some fool notion, no doubt. Just a waste of time."

"Not this time, I hope. I want to build some modular dwellings. Each piece is almost the same. The portions can be trucked to a site and assembled into a larger structure. This saves time and the building is easier to assemble on good concrete floors with good tools around, as opposed to a wet, muddy work site."

"You are behind all this?"

"Yes sir. I started a few corporations to handle some of my ideas and separate business entities. I need proper housing, and I need it soon. This means that everybody can work as if on an assembly line making the same parts all the time. The parts are assembled in the same area, by the same people, making the units identical. This should, after a while, become very efficient. Our local economy will benefit from the jobs and I believe we can start exporting these units to the rest of North America."

"I need open-minded tradesmen and apprentices. It is the younger ones who will work best. The old hands may not do things the new way, no matter what they are told. The units will suffer from this attitude. The apprentices will do as they are told and produce a superior product that many will want to buy."

"What differences do you see?"

"Heavy polyethylene sheeting has to be used. That means the there has to be holes in it for the electrical connectors and pluming. These joints need to be taped and stapled. Old hands, who think they know enough, will just make a hole in the plastic and let the paneling hide it. There are many more instances, but all relate to quality. That is the selling point of the future."

"How can you know that?"

"The same reason I am very rich now and most people are not."

History was the last class of the day. Mr. Lockhart sprung a surprise test and the class just groaned as he smiled and handed out the mimeographed tests. As usual, I was the first person done. Some of the questions were very simplistic and I remembered how complex the subject really was, when you wanted to dig. I didn't know what Mr. Lockhart, our resident monarchist, would think when I brought up all the foibles of the various royal families throughout history.

Our history homework was given and, as a treat, we were given class time to work on it. When the bell rang, I was one of the first out the door. I dropped off all my notebooks and looked at the five pounds of gold. That would have to wait for later.

Mr. Ross was in his room waiting for me. I walked up to his desk and said, "You wanted to talk to me?

"Yes I did, Alex. Have a seat. I wanted to know when, and how, you learned to do the mathematics you showed me."

"The 'when' is simple. I learned mathematics from a young age. When others were learning to add, I was working in what you are now teaching. When others were learning to divide, I was doing differential and integral calculus. Even our library here has some advanced texts. You would be surprised what can be found in periodicals relating to astronomy and engineering. You might remember that I never asked you questions except, I admit, when I thought a better explanation was needed for your other students."

"My adoptive parents, like my real ones, have very little schooling and no real wish to gain more. I have to scan books and edit the pictures in my mind to integrate the data later. Sometimes I just do math for the joy of working on a problem, like some people do when solving crossword puzzles. You are one of the few people who can actually assist me in getting more of an education."

"Science has possibilities, but all the rest, excluding math, are like being taught at a grade one level."

Mr. Ross said, "Well, I didn't get too far with your problem, but I do see some avenues to pursue." He handed me four sheets of paper explaining each possibility. I had solved the problem long ago, but I had used a computer that was not even invented yet. Three of the ways had resulted in dead ends. These I handed back to Mr. Ross and said, "These I tried. This is something I have not thought of. I will try this tonight, if I have time. By the way, there is a meeting downstairs. It is for a business proposition I have concerning the school, and some teachers and students. Would you like to attend? You will at least know about the meeting when you gossip tomorrow during your break."

"Young man, we do not gossip."

I just smiled at him and in a few seconds he turned red. "I'll come."

The meeting was in a classroom because it had so many people. Instead of being introduced, I simply went to the front of the room and took charge. Waiting around makes a person appear weak. I needed these people to be confident in me.

I did my own introduction. This time I had to drop my many titles and positions, because the companies simply did not exist, yet. My requirements were stated in as simple a way as possible.

Mr. Clark had brought the prints and I laid them on an empty table. On the blackboard I explained some of the ways that my construction would be different from what they did. My stipulations and requirements were even more stringent than the Ontario Building Code.

My pay scale was listed on the chalkboard. Further figures showed where monies were to be spent. Some were to be paid directly to the school, while others would be paid to the teachers and students as additional incentive to work. All hours worked by the students would be notarized and could possibly be used towards an apprenticeship.

A representative of the local labour organizations said, "Is this going to be union work?"

"The first eight pieces will be. After that, they will not." This caused a stir among most of the strange adults.

I explained, "A company will be formed to manufacture these units. The public has to see our product as superior to any competition. This will also take time and effort. I cannot afford to make units that will take years to sell."

"There will be no differences between similar units. Other units will be stamped from a similar type of cookie cutter. A tradesman is not needed for this type of construction. My business will be different from any other you have ever worked for. Quality will be very important. There will be jobs for journeymen when they do inspections on each unit. My pay scale will be fair. I will not fight a union but encourage forming one, but only one union."

"I recognize the need for collective bargaining to secure good wages and working conditions. The unit protects the workers from unfair practices, but it also protects the person who should not be working with us. In addition to wages the workers will share a fixed percentage of profits. This, I hope, will keep both the company and the workers fixed on similar goals. I do not want the adversarial approach to work being done."

The meeting lasted an hour and I offered to put up ten thousand dollars before this could get off the ground. This equated to almost twenty troy pounds of gold. I took out my chequebook and said that this sum was easily covered, though I did not make out the check yet. I could see dad giving me a lot of grief over this, even if our agreement said that the mine was my property.

After the meeting, I picked up my pack with the pill bottle I had left in my clean towel. It was only ten minutes to doctor Smiles' office. His long-time secretary pulled extra duty as his wife. The office, in my opinion, was run even better because of this. The doctor healed people and his wife, Janice, made sure everything went smoothly.

When I walked through the frosted glass door, Janice looked up and said, "Hello, Alex. How are you doing?"

"Bad from your point of view. I am very healthy, thank you."

"I am glad to hear that. What can I do for you?"

"When the doc has three free minutes, I want to talk to both of you."

"Both of us... ?" She asked.

"Yes, the boss and the doc," I replied.

There were three adult patients in the room and all of them tittered at the joke. They too knew that the office here was run as a partnership.

The only child was about four and looked to have been crying. She hung to her mother tightly as if afraid. Being in a strange place sometimes did this. I got up and pulled the coffee table with old periodicals away from the mother and child. I sat on the table so I was far enough away to not be a threat.

"Hi Sweetie, My name is Alex. What is yours?"

She just hid her face behind her mother's arm and said nothing. I said, "My little brother comes here sometimes, but he is brave. He gets yucky medicine and swallows it quick. When he was cut once, they had to give him three stitches and a lot of white cloth. We used the cloth afterwards to make the tail for a kite. Maybe we can get the doctor to give you a tail, too."

The mother said, "Nora is always shy with strangers, then won't shut up after."

"Inoculations... ?"

"Yes, and she feels what is coming."

Measles was the usual shot at her age and the amount was small enough that it was not that uncomfortable. Since she did not stop crying I wanted to help all of us from the sound she was producing.

"Janice, may I have your stethoscope for a few moments?" She just looked at me and reached into her second drawer and pulled out the old pair.

I put the device on and said to the woman, "May I check your pulse at your wrist and neck?" She gave me a funny look and nodded. Nora had quieted as I put the device to my ears and listened to the artery. It was strong and regular but that was what I expected. I looked at the mother again and said, "My nurse has to listen too. May she do so?"

The mother was perplexed but nodded. I took the stethoscope off and put it around the startled child's neck. "I am going to put it in your ears and you can listen to your mother." She did not resist and soon I placed the metal end on her mother's wrist. Her face changed as she listened to the strange noises.

"Let's listen to yours." The girl did not resist as the now warmer piece of metal touched her wrist. Her eyes got large as she listened. I moved her long dark hair and placed the metal over her artery. "You are listening to your heart push blood all through your body. Want to listen to mine?"

I got a much more eager nod. "Doctor Nora, do I have blood moving?" I said in a worried child's voice. She got off her chair and placed the metal end all over me. "Will I live, doctor?"

She smiled and nodded her pretty head.

I opened my shirt and took her hand and placed the metal so she could hear my lungs. "Can you hear my breathing?"

This time I got a "Yes." She moved the stethoscope around for a minute. I took her hand again and placed the metal over my larynx. I hummed low and she could feel the vibrations as well as hear them.

"Do me now," the girl said.

"Ok, but you have to be the patient now." I placed the head at her larynx and she dutifully hummed for me. Her pulse was regular now that she had calmed down. I checked her lungs through her back and found a little congestion in her left lung. Before I could find out more, Janice said that Nora could go in.

The girl got up with a smile and said, "Thank you, doctor."

"You are welcome, Nora. Give Doctor Smiles a hug when you are done. He likes that."

When the child and mother went into the back room I walked over to Janice's desk and said, "Thanks for the stethoscope. Would you please have the doc check for congestion in her left lung? My mail order medical certificate has not come in yet."

Again, she gave me an odd look, but decided to tell her husband. Five minutes later Janice came out with the same look again. "You were right, Alex. How did you know?"

"Because a kind lady gave me the use of her stethoscope. You haven't forgotten that I have a great memory, Mrs. Smiles. Well, in this case, the wind through the bronchial tubes and the gurgling were easy to spot."

"Well, the old doc in there wants to see you."

I walked back to the table and put it back where it was and retrieved my pack. There was a hallway with examination rooms on each side. There was an alternate entrance at the end of the hallway. The voices were coming from the second office on the right. I was not a doctor in these people's eyes, so I paused and called, "Doctor Smiles?"

"In here, Alex."

The two adults were on each side of the examining table and Nora was sitting with her shirt off. "Hello, Doctor Smiles." Then I turned to the girl, "Hello again, Nora. Did you teach the doctor how to use the stethoscope yet?"

She smiled widely but only shook her head no.

"Alex, how did you recognize this problem?"

"Doctor Smiles, you of all people have not forgotten that I have a great memory. You have let me listen to my own heart and lungs and of others. Nora's was just a bit different. There was a gurgling in one lung and it was not in my own. So she must have some congestion."

"That is very good, Alex. You might have a future in medicine."

"Thank you, doctor. That was one of the reasons I was coming to you today to discuss. I will let you continue with your examination and wait my turn in your waiting room."

"Thank you, Alex. I would like to talk to you next, though."

One patient who was waiting said, "Did you really find out what was wrong with that child?"

"No ma'am. I just found some odd noises and reported them. Doctor Smiles has to check and see if I was right and make his own diagnosis. I always wanted to be a doctor. It would be great if I was right."

I looked through an old National Geographic till Janice called me in. She followed me to a small room and Doctor Smiles asked, "What was it that you wanted to talk to us about?"

"This is confidential, for at least a few days." I waited for each to nod or accept my condition. "I found some gold. There is much more and I have staked a claim and my family has begun to extract some of the metal. I am now quite wealthy. I have looked at my last hospital bill and found that you did not put in for any money. This may have gone on at other times, too, but I have no records to find out. I want to correct this situation, now, with my own prescription."

They both looked at me strangely and I reached into the pack and handed the doctor a heavy medicine bottle that he had given to Helen a few years ago. He almost dropped the bottle because of the unaccustomed weight. He looked at it carefully and juggled the weight. "Is this gold?"

"Yes, it is, sir. It is my way of saying thanks for some of the things you have done for my family."

"Does your father know you are giving us this?"

"Sir, the claim is mine, and so is the company. The gold is my property. I did inform dad of my intentions, though. You should have found the gold, I think, when you panned for it. I think this represents years of going into the bush for your vacations."

"I understand the condition this is given, but I think this is still too much, Alex."

"No, it isn't. You deserve all of that, if not more. I just wish I could use more of my money to purchase a library similar to the one you have. Would it be possible to have you order some of the books for me?"

"Nonsense, Alex. You can use my library. I hardly ever need to dig into all those books. Just look on it as our library."

"Thank you, sir. That will make my training that much easier. I want to be a doctor like you."

"That is very good for these old ears to hear. If you run into any problem, just ask me. I don't know if I can give the best answer, but I can try."

"That is great. You don't happen to need an apprentice do you? I can tote haemoglobin and sharpen lancets."

Both adults laughed at the image that was brought to their minds. "I will see what I can do. But it cannot happen soon. Janice and I are going on a vacation. We have been planning on this for two years now. With our newfound wealth, the time away might even be more enjoyable."

We parted a bit more than just friends. With Doctor Smiles' help, my medical training would be much easier to explain. He also might give his endorsement to me, enabling me to enter the medical school much sooner than I had before.

The banks closed at a much earlier time than they did in the latter half of the century, and it was sometimes very difficult for a working man to make it to the wicket. There were no automatic tellers, and the only substitute was the credit unions, but they were not that much better.

I wanted to get some money from the line of credit and move it to the account for the new manufacturing concern. Lumber, shingles, siding, insulation, plastics and all the other things that a home needed, were on the list to acquire. I just wished I could get a simple shower put in at the house.

The Bell Telephone office was along the way. It took a while to get a manager to see me. Even with cash, it was difficult to get them to give us a service. Derrick MacNeil had to be called, and this time, at least, he did not have to come down. The phone service was expensive because I did not want the usual party line. They would have to run more lines. I did my best to get more lines brought to the house for further expansion, but they refused to believe that a residential dwelling would need more than one phone.

The house would be lonely with the family gone for two more days. There was no hot meal waiting for me and my stomach was starting to protest. Many years in the future, I had patronized a small restaurant that became very popular. As the city grew, the restaurant did, too. I decided to see if it had opened for business by this time frame.

Mario's was not on my way, but the city itself was not that big. I also needed some exercise. I pedalled over to the establishment and locked my bike to a street sign. The restaurant was fairly dark from my being in the bright sunlight. A waiter came to me with a questioning look, probably wondering what a boy wanted with this establishment.

I said in my best Toscana dialect, "A table for one by the window, please."

The man was startled. "Yes sir," his reply was probably in Calabrian, but I could tell that he had problems with the dialect I spoke. I had made a few deals with influential Italians. With TV and radio widespread, the various dialects in Italy had been dropped in favour of the one spoken in Tuscany. I did not know much of the other dialects in the twenty first century, and it appeared that this man did not understand very well the dialect I now spoke.

I made my guess and said, "If you don't mind me asking, what part of Calabria do you originate from?"

"A small town you would never have heard of. It's called Paola."

"Paola; the small town that links the entire province with its railways. What makes you think that it is not famous?"

Now the waiter felt out of sorts. "It is such a small town."

"Yes, it is. If I remember right, then you would be able to give me some strangolapreti from that area."

"You want our cavatelli? Let me call my brother out. I think he would like to meet a person ordering strangolapreti."

The happy waiter left and was soon back with a tall, very well built man. The two stood and I decided to also, as this seemed to be an introduction.

"Sir, this is my brother Mario, the owner of this restaurant."

"My name is Alex Kramer. Though I butcher the Tuscana dialect, I have never been to your homeland." I had to supplement with my Latin and hope that some of the words would be close enough for us to communicate well enough.

The man spoke with a very cultured air. His dialect had shifted more toward mine, and he spoke much closer to modern Italian. Television had done this to all of the Italian young of my day. "Hello, Alex. It is surprising to meet any Italians in this area, and even more so to meet a Canadian speaking our tongue. Giovanni says that you have heard of our hometown. How is that?"

"Please sit and I will explain my short story."

Mario sat at the only available chair and Giovanni pulled a vacant chair from a nearby table. Mario put his elbows on the table and I saw a very special tattoo on his right arm. Italians did not go into tattooing, but some groups in the military did. I had seen this one on an old man once.

Giovanni was almost as big, but had thick glasses on. Even in the hot weather he wore the black suit that a proper waiter would wear.

"I once met an older gentleman by the name of Guido Capozi. He was about seventy-two at the time, and he walked with a pronounced limp. During the few hours we were together, he told me of his hometown of Paola Calabria. Among other things, he told how his town connected all of your province through the great hub of railway lines."

Mario excitedly said, "We have a young cousin with the same name. He, too, has a limp from a wound received during the war. I know of no others in our small town with that name. You say he was 72?"

"Yes, he was all of that age and with a full head of white hair. He was very aristocratic, but I think he was basically a down-to-earth gentleman."

Mario asked me, "How do you know about strangolapreti? The name is used very infrequently outside our area."

"Guido Capozi told me about the term. He said that cavatelli is a simple dish. The priests, throughout time, have been well fed. When they visit a poor family, they are offered a meal even if it is all that the family can afford. The priest will eat the cavatelli and pretend to choke. The man of the house would offer water that the family was drinking, which is on the table. The priest would say that he needs wine to survive. In every case this seemed to work. So the term priest choker was coined."

Mario said, "If it is not too much of an inconvenience, will you come into the kitchen to meet some of my family?"

I was soon seated at a table in the kitchen, and then had to get up again to see Mario's wife approach. She was tall and aristocratic in her own right. She was only a little overweight, making her not even Rubenesque yet. She reminded me of Sofia Loren in many ways.

Mario introduced Maria and the woman put out her hand. I held it in mine and bent over to kiss it. "I am very pleased to meet you. Your husband has not done you justice when he simply asked me to meet his family."

She almost pulled her act off very well. Her voice was cool, but not that detached. Her hand did not pull back as if she feared to loose it, either. Her speech was Toscana and her voice was regal. "You are going to be very successful with the women, Mr. Kramer. I fear for all of the young ladies and their mothers' anguish."

I did not let her hand go and said, "The older women with a more developed mind intrigue me much more. If you will give me a year to change into a man, I will seek you out when your husband is busy."

She laughed so loud that all the kitchen staff turned to see what had happened. Mario laughed too and slapped his brother on the shoulder to show how he felt.

From the back room carrying a bag of flour came Rita. She did a double take and came to me. Part way there, she put the flour down and dusted herself off and came up close to me. With my only free hand I reached over and took hers. I brought it to my lips and kissed it as I had her mother's. Looking now I could see the obvious resemblance.

"Hello, my lady. I did not know that you lived here and these people were your relatives. I can see now how much more beautiful you will be, once you grow more."

Rita just opened her mouth in shock and her face turned red with embarrassment. "You... you..."

"You are usually much more eloquent in school."

"How can you speak like this?" She said in her own dialect. Or what I took her words to be.

"I can speak the dialect from Tuscany only. You have to speak slowly for me to understand."

She turned to her parents as I kept a hand from both of the women. "This is the boy who beat up the bullies from school."

I kissed her mother's hand and let it go. I took Rita's hand and held it in mine.

Mario said, "You seem to be very thin and out of shape. Perhaps the boys were much younger than Rita told us."

"This might have been, but then again, the Alpini only herded goats and fought off flies in the last war."

He bristled at the slur, then thought about vengeance, I thought. Maria said, "Mario does not usually get put down, but he deserved it this time. Mario, apologise to our guest. You baited him, and you got what you should."

Mario seemed to be the dominant one in the family, but he stepped forward and held out his hand. I shook his hand and he only squeezed to make it not to seem like the shake of a woman. "I am shamed. I apologise for my unkind words. I did not believe Rita's words when she told us yesterday."

"Your apology is accepted, as I must from any member of the famous Alpini. From what I heard your group was a very fearsome opponent. The Alpine Corps was known for bravery and resourcefulness."

He just nodded his head and I guess he wanted the matter to drop. Giovanni, though, asked; "How did you know that my brother fought with the Alpini?"

"He is only the second man I have ever seen with that tattoo," I said pointing to Mario's arm. I said it with some pain in my voice hoping that they would not pursue this avenue.

Mario asked, "Will you eat with us?"

"I would love to. It would seem right since for the last two days I have eaten my lunch with Rita." I looked at Rita and saw her really blush. "I assume she has not told you, but I have been taking some young men and trying to turn them into young gentlemen. Rita has the obvious mannerisms of her mother and this is the reason I had asked for her assistance. Boys in our grade are only a few steps above infants."

Maria quickly spoke to Rita in her dialect and it was hard to follow. Mothers, being what they were, made the ideas clear without hearing the words.

I released Rita's hand. She was trying to pull away, anyway. I turned to her mother and interrupted, "I have been a gentleman at all times, and Rita has acted like a lady. Now the girls even look up to her. Is that not what you were trying to teach your daughter?"

Maria heard the words but I was sure she would get to the bottom of this matter later.

Giovanni went back to work while Rita, Maria and I sat at a small table. Mario brought over some antipasto and some wine. Three glasses were presented and he waited for my judgment. I accepted a half glass and sipped the wine. "California and some concord, but more moscato, I think."

Maria gave me that look, "You are a very knowledgeable boy, Mr. Kramer."

"My family is Polish and we make our own wine, but prefer harder drink. Your wine is similar to ours. Perhaps I could get you some Spirituse, but I do not think that the delicate Italian stomach can take such harsh treatment."

Mario came to eat with us for a while, and then had to get up again. Even Giovanni had a chance to eat some food.

Maria said, "Tell me about your eating arrangements."

Rita blanched, but I just smiled and said, "Andrew is one of my friends. He is a good example of most of the boys. Sometimes he is dozing off in class and picking his nose. Other times, when he gets up the nerve, he will push girls. This is looked on as a boy type activity, but is really just a way of touching a real, live girl. There are dances coming up, and I plan on getting some clumsy boys to learn how to dance. I have not mentioned this fact, yet, to the girls at school, but it will be coming. When I am done, there will be fewer misunderstandings."

"What do you get out of this, Alex?"

"I get to have the boys pick their noses in private. Test my teaching abilities, and perhaps give them a better role model than the bullies. Lastly, I hate to see inefficiency. The boys and girls are wasting their lives. This way is like the military and will get them to set goals."

An older girl of about sixteen came into the kitchen with a baby in her arms. I looked at her breasts and figured the child was not hers. The face, though, was definitely Leone.

"Mom, you were supposed to come up."

"Come here, Libra. I have someone I wish you to meet."

The girl made a face. I guess the thrill of meeting a boy younger than her sister was not on her top ten things to do.

"Libra, this is Alex Kramer. Alex this is my oldest child Libra, and my son Francesco."

The girl came forward with the baby at her hip to do as her mother asked. She said in Italian, "Glad to meet you, Alex. Do you speak our language?"

I stood up and said, "Hello, Libra. I speak the dialect from around Tuscany, though I have never been to Italy. My parents are Polish, and I have not been there, either. Are there any other beautiful Leone women around?"

While Libra blushed, Maria said, "I have another son upstairs. Antonio is four and quite a handful."

"Perhaps we can go and I could meet your other son." I looked at Libra and said, "Let me hold Francesco. I like babies, and toddlers even better."

Libra looked at her mother, and then gave the baby to me. The baby was around six months old. He was not big, but last time I held a child I was six feet tall and a lot stronger. I got the boy comfortable and said, "This one has given me a present, I believe."

Maria said, "Give him back and I will take him and get him changed."

"That's ok. Just show me the way."

The apartment upstairs was large, and even then the area was in two portions. I was told that Giovanni lived in one portion with his wife Nicoletta. The larger section was for Mario, Maria and their four children.

I put the bag down and changed the boy. There were no handy-wipes here now, and I had to make do with what was used before. Cream went on, and the cloth diaper put on. After dressing I was going to rinse the material, but Libra did the job for me.

Maria said, "I noticed you inspecting Francesco. Have you not seen a boy before?"

I smiled widely and said, "One or two. I am studying medicine now and it is a good thing for me to practice. I get to be quick and proficient and possibly see if anything is wrong. All that I noticed was that part of his intestine is hard, but it does not cause him much discomfort yet. He might be crying tonight, though, with constipation. Some fruit juice, or even some blended fruit would be good for him. Has he eaten yet?"

I said all this as I looked at the boy. His hands came out and tried to make something of my face.

The girls showed me the house. Some things I immediately picked up. The house was clean and tidy, and the few things out of place made it lived-in. The girls, though, wanted things perfect for guests.

Antonio was in his room and after a quick greeting went back to his own pursuits. There was not even a TV in his room yet.

Maria had not replied to my talk of food, but came back with a bowl of mashed, canned peaches. I talked to the people as I sat on the couch and fed the baby the fruit. Libra even got me a cloth to clean me up, and one more for Francesco.

I thought of the future where this building would be transformed into a two-story restaurant. They were a lot more prosperous, but sometimes it needed a spark to get the people to come. Only Derrick and myself had the knowledge of the coming boom.

"Maria, I have a few ideas for you to consider. As business picks up, consider using the second floor as part of the restaurant. You, of course, have to move so you should look for a place close by to go on sale. At the moment, put barriers in the dining room to make the people think they are dining in a full room. When new people come, make them wait. They will think this place is very popular. One section can be made for dancing. With tables and chairs that can be stacked, you can get a portion of the receptions and parties that go on. The kitchen doors have to be hidden better, but make sure that nobody knocks another over. Two different doors will work best. A good speaker system to put radio programmes in the room. A live band on some special occasions will draw the crowds."

"Those are good ideas. Some we have thought of doing before. You have any more ideas?"

"Yes, dress up with more expensive clothes and go for a Roman motif. No centurions serving, but pretty girls dressed as patricians in Rome will draw the customers. Make new menus with some Roman characters and numerals. A local artist could paint the walls when you have got all the alterations done. Charge more money to pay for this, and the wealthier will come in, expecting better cooking. Make them wait, if possible, without being obvious, and open a bar to let them buy expensive drinks."

"I also think you should wear the Roman clothing and try to be as patrician yourself as possible. You have a good body and with a bit of exercise the men will come to see you even if Mario does a poorer job of cooking."

This made Maria sit back. No doubt, she had never considered using her body to lure in customers, and the words were coming from a boy, no less. "What do I have to do, personally?"

"You remind me of Sofia Loren in many ways. Capitalize on that resemblance when you are away from the restaurant. There is no easy way to say this, but you have a few extra pounds. I will give you an exercise regimen to follow, and you will have more than just me at your feet."

"You think I am that good?"

"I think you are. So are your beautiful daughters. I think you already know that, and you are really fishing for compliments." I then said in Latin, "When the people come to Roma they want to see Romans."

Libra did not leave; instead she found an excuse to stay now. Mario and Giovanni's wife, Nicoletta, came over and many more questions were asked. Francesco went for a nap and I drew plans while getting Libra and Rita to add their perspective. More adults came in and some left to take up their duties. In two hours the plans in my head far surpassed what had happened to the restaurant before. I mentioned that they should purchase a new residence soon, because land and housing prices would rise.

"How do you know this, Alex?" Mario asked.

"I own a business that will draw many people to this area soon. If I were you, I would buy land or a home in the next week or so."

It was getting dark and Maria asked, "Alex, it is late. Your parents would be worried."

"You are right, they would be worried, but all of the family is working at our company. I am the only one home. That is the reason I came here to eat in the first place."

"Well, you can sleep here tonight. Antonio can share his room and you can go to school with Rita tomorrow."

"Thank you for the invitation. I really don't like sleeping in an empty house."

I had very little homework to do, and I helped Rita get hers done. I even helped her study by asking her questions. This was more important, because the final test would require data from ten months before. The more modern way of doing things had shorter semesters.

Antonio was happy to get a roommate and did his best now to be a good host. He talked so much, I called him over to my pad on the floor and we slept together like I did with Aron.

I had my first shower in their house in the morning. I had to be quick, with two young girls wanting to use the room, too.

Mario had been working late and then had gone over the plans. He drank more espresso than he usually did to keep his eyes open. I made myself at home and made breakfast. I had French toast, and the girls had some to be friendly but they usually ate little, I found.

The trip was just as far to school. I walked my bike and Rita stayed at my side. She said, "I am glad you came over. It was a lot of fun having a boy over."

"It was fun being with your family. I certainly ate well. Is that the way a boy gets snagged into an Italian family, through his stomach?"

Rita turned all red and I hugged her to me one handed. "I am only kidding, Rita. I like you, but we are both very young. I want to go to the university in a little over one year, and I will be there for a few more."

"I can wait."

I stopped and pulled her to me and kissed her as she should have been kissed. She did not struggle but soon pressed herself as close as possible.

When I pulled away her face was still turned and her eyes closed as her mind went over what had happened. With one more, quick kiss, she opened her eyes and stared at me. "Rita, you will not wait. When I am gone, you will see other boys and one may even be your future husband. We will always be friends."

Walking now became more difficult as the young woman held tightly to me. Even when we got to school, she would not relinquish her grip. When the bike was locked up, I said, "Your friends are now looking at you as if something is wrong. Hold one of my hands and let's walk over to them. We will always be friends but we might never be lovers. If you act too foolish, I will be angry with you. Your parents will be angry, too. It may be difficult, but act like your mother and show that you are grown up."

"I will, Alex. I feel so odd now. I think I am in love."

I smiled at her, "No you are not. It is instinct, now wanting you to get pregnant to make babies. You are just drawn to a male who thinks a lot of you. Now, let's go. You can tell your friends that I slept next to you last night."

"I did not!"

The expression on her face was priceless. "I certainly did. But you were in the next room." She paused, and in a second laughed at her own reaction.

We walked up to her friends. The four girls looked at us as if we had developed green skin. Boys and girls actually holding hands, at school no less, was not even seen at this time.

I said hello to each of the girls and then turned to the side and kissed Rita on the cheek. "See you later, Rita. You too girls." I hurried away, but I would have liked to see what the girls, and Rita in particular, looked like and what they said.

Laura was busy and a boy came out with their usual nirvanic look.

I said, "Hello beau..." I saw her eyes go to one side. "Miss Vachon. How are you today?"

"Hello Alex," her face pointed at me but her eyes went to the left. "I am doing not too bad. What can I do for you?"

"I still have this sore shoulder. You did such a fine job last time that I wondered if you would work on it again?"

Laura massaged my shoulder and I saw that a small room was partially open. It had a bed and probably medical supplies, though I had not been in there before. She whispered, "I have a patient, doctor."

I turned to face her and spoke softly into her ear. "I have missed you. What do you think of taking me shopping again and then taking me to your house to feed me? I warn you, I am a growing lad and need lots of fuel."

"I like that. What do you want to eat?"

I just backed up enough and looked her in the eye without changing my focus. She turned red and pulled me close. I said, "If you have a patient in that room, it means that she is female. And if that is so, she is having a problem with cramps. There is a non-medicinal way of relieving the dysmenorrhoea with massage. It does have an unusual side effect."

Laura recovered from her earlier bout of shyness and asked, "What is that, Doctor Kramer?"

"When the lower abdomen is massaged it has a tendency to pull the dermis. This, in turn, moves some portions of the erogenous areas. The poor woman may have her cramps relieved, but she may turn on her benefactor like the female black widow does on her mate and consumes him. I can prove my theory if you want. The girl in the other room may soon have cramps every day."

We heard movement and I turned and Laura went back to massaging my shoulder. One of the senior students came out and when she saw me she hid her small grimace and tried to pretend to be fine.

"I feel better now Miss Vachon."

Laura looked at the girl and said, "I don't think so, but if you want to go, you may."

The girl did smile a bit and left a bit unsteadily.

Laura asked me quietly, "How did you know all that?"

"Doctors are detectives, too. I knew that only a girl would be in there. And the main reason for a girl's presence is dysmenorrhoea. She is also wearing a brand of perfume that the hockey team would not usually use."

She smiled at my conclusions and said, "Will you show me tonight?"

"My pleasure. I also came to talk to you about something else."

"What is that Alex?"

"A certain, as yet unnamed French teacher, congratulated me for the story I wrote. I was given a hug and somehow or other our lips collided."

I watched Laura and she didn't seem to be upset. "Girls are like that," she said. "It is your masculine body they are after."

I replied, "Exactly what I told you before. And there is more. Last night I went to Mario's for supper. I found out, after being invited to eat in the kitchen, that Rita Leone's parents own the restaurant. I met the family and gave them some remodelling ideas. I slept over last night. Rita seems to find me interesting. I like her, too. I can't be mooning over you all the time, so I want to take her out to show that I am a normal thirteen year old. Now, if I can get you and Mademoiselle Bouchard to keep me honest, then I will be a happy young man."

"Now you want Mademoiselle Bouchard too?"

"No, I want you." I said seriously. "If I have a young girl to date, then, when we are seen together, it will look much more innocent and I do not have any innocent intentions for you."

She thought for a moment. "Perhaps you are right," she said and she completely ignored the comment that I wanted her. Perhaps she came to the conclusion that I should get what I wanted.

I kissed her then and said, "Later, my love. I will meet you at the market."

For some odd reason I got a torrid kiss in return. It seemed that either she had come to a decision, or something I said made her horny.

The classes in the morning were the usual. For some odd reason, all the girls came to talk to me if they could. Rita stood beside me and I guess tried to show me off as her man. Her popularity had even shot up a few notches since we came to school this morning.

At lunch I thought I had a younger version of Rita's mother Maria. She put me in mind of what the Italian aristocracy would be like. Besides Rita, we had Linda over at out table, and Samantha, too. The latter was a little on the chubby side. Because of her weight she had been excluded from the cliques with the prettier girls. I was glad she was with us now.

Our table was now full. All eight positions were taken and the ratios were not even. I looked at the table the girl's usually used and saw a vacant table beside it.

I started to smile widely and Rita said, "What are you smiling about, Alex?"

"Found a temporary solution for our growing population problems. She looked at me, wondering what I meant. To the table I said, "Tomorrow, I would like to put the empty table beside the one that you sat at. It is in girl country, but we men can brave the residents and stake out a claim. Perhaps we can make friends with the natives."

Andrew liked the present seating arrangements, especially with the girls. "Why do you want to go there? We had this table since the start of the year."

"The next step in training my army requires some special manoeuvres. The Friday after next is a school dance. I would like you boys to go to it." I got frightened looks all around. Girls in our own territory were one thing, but to do this was many times more difficult.

"Don't worry. Before the dance you will be doing a lot of practising. The girls here and at the other tables will assist. You just have to stay off their toes."

Rita said, "Do you want me to ask?"

"Good idea, Sweetie. Find out who can dance and who can't. Then we have to find a place to practice; maybe after school, if there are no practices. Mr. Richards will give us the gym, I think. You should pursue this as my social director."

During the first of the two draughting periods the intercom rang in the class. In a minute Mr. Clark was in to see me. "Alex, the superintendent and the Principal would like to see you in the office. It sounds like they want to talk."

"You want to come with me for moral support?"

"I like my job, thank you."

"Don't worry. After the way Derrick went after them, they will be pussycats. Do you want me to see if I can get you a raise?"

He did smile and straightened up, "No, that's fine."

The office was very quiet when I got in. The two young secretaries were hiding, and even Mrs. Cranston seemed to be hiding behind some papers. I knocked loudly on the Principal's door and Mrs. Cranston looked up. From inside, I was bid to enter.

Beside Principal Corfu sat a heavyset man of sixty. It looked like he had been a football player in his younger days and put on weight in later years.

The Principal stood up and said, "Hello, Alex. This is our superintendent of schools. His name is Mr. Edwards. Mr. Edwards looked at me and extended his hand. I shook it and cut him a little slack. He was big and perhaps could not stand like the rest of us would have.

"Hello, Alekzander. I heard a lot of interesting things about you."

"What proportion of the things you heard were from Mr. Summers, if I may ask?"

"Oh, he had his say, but most were very positive of you and your accomplishments. I just found out about your building project. It is very remarkable that a grade nine pupil could come up with an idea like that."

The Principal had regained his seat but had not offered me one yet. In fact there was no seat available. "Even some adults can come up with the occasional good idea. Perhaps more of your pupils should be polled for what they think. Now, if you gentlemen don't mind, since I have to stand, what is it you want to discuss?"

Both men sat straighter. The Principal got up and said, "I am sorry, Alex. It is not often that I have two guests. Please, let me get you a seat."

"Thank you, sir, for the thought. If there is something to discuss, I would like to get it out in the open."

Mr. Corfu said, "We..."

Mr. Edwards continued, "We have been discussing the suit that your lawyer wrote up. Our legal representatives do not believe you have grounds for your suit."

I saw what was happening now. Edwards came in to see what he could do to quash my suit or to get me to retract it. He thought he was dealing with a thirteen-year-old boy who was much smarter than normal. I had been to shareholder meetings where they wanted my hide tacked to the wall and my intestines running on the floor. Boardrooms were worse. There were no uninvolved minor shareholders who might get offended by the actions of some of the more vocal or malicious individuals. Office politics, in its own way, was the worst of all. This was a never-ending jungle environment where the fittest were the only ones to survive and move up the ladder.

In other corporations the opposite was true. In these large businesses the person was promoted till he or she is lost in the job and could not function adequately. Since there was little chance of a demotion, the person had to struggle and could not move up the ladder any longer.

Labour laws and the way litigation was common in the twenty-first century only exacerbated this condition. Lateral promotions only happened when the company had a blocked artery and needed a replacement that was better than the current condition.

I listened patiently and politely to Mr. Edwards' points on the school board's liability. When he ran out of ideas, I simply asked for clarification on some points. School bullying was looked on as a natural human condition and would not fall under school rules unless there were actual fights, or serious injury. The actions of Mr. Summers were seen as an overworked man trying to control a hectic situation and making a simple mistake in judgment.

He denied any responsibility or authority over the fight behind the grocery store. The actions of the Lasslos' were not his concern, while off school property.

When he finally wound down, I repeated his points and even wrote them on a sheet of paper I got from Mr. Corfu. I had to use the back to get all the points listed. I handed the finished document to Mr. Edwards and said, "Will you read this sheet carefully and check to see that your position is stated as you say. I don't want to make an assumption later based on a mistaken premise."

He read the document carefully and said, "This seems to be an accurate statement of the board's position."

I took the sheet and said, "Thank you," and handed the sheet to the Principal to check. When the sheet came back, I said, "Does this paper represent the position of the board?"

The Principal looked at the superintendent in alarm. This finally looked to be a legal trap of some unknown sort. When he did not answer I said, "Surely you have heard what Mr. Edwards has said. Do you see any flaws in the way I put those ideas onto paper?"

"Ah... it appears to be what was said."

"Thank you, sir. I will state my position now. My intent with the lawsuit was to bring about a fundamental change in the way responsibility is handled within the school system. I want Mr. Summers discharged, and you refuse to do so. This smacks of the way a group of people in authority try to protect a bad apple in their midst. I further want a "Zero Tolerance" policy instituted, where bullies are expelled permanently from the school. They can only go to a special school now, with teachers equipped and trained to deal with these delinquents."

"Mr. Edwards, is the position you stated the same as your solicitors? This is important. Your uninformed opinion can lead the entire school board into an untenable position."

Now Mr. Edwards looked very worried. In a moment he said, "This is what our solicitors said our position is."

"Thank you, sir. In the coming weeks and months I hope you will understand that I have no animosity to either of you, or the school board in general. This is just a matter of principle and human dignity that must be resolved." I turned to Mr. Corfu and asked to use his telephone.



-------

Chapter 7



When the phone was picked up I replied, "Hello Clarice. Is Mr. MacNeil free for a moment?"

After a few pleasantries with Derrick I asked, "What is your opinion on the Lasslo matter?"

I got my reply and the two men in the office strained their hearing to get the details.

Next I asked, "What about the school board?"

Now I could see the men pushing their hands down on the arms of their chairs to get a fraction of an inch closer to hear the reply. I gave them some very solemn "Mmmmms," as points were made.

I said, "Call the police and make a complaint, and tell them that I will be down tomorrow after school or they can see me here. I will need your presence because of my age. Ask for an additional million in punitive damages and file the affidavits today, if you will. Phone MacLean's, and tell them of the lawsuit, then phone the CBC about the matter. Tomorrow, phone the Minister of Education and inform him of the lawsuit. I imagine the Solicitor General will be informed by him."

I listened for Derrick's reply; then said, "A very good idea. I will think on that matter, too."

After hanging up the phone I said, "Thank you for the phone, sir. I did this in front of you so that you will understand how strongly I feel about my concern. I suggest that you man the battlements and clean up any loose and embarrassing garbage. I also have to warn you that I will subpoena documents, and if they are not forthcoming, they may be even more detrimental to your case. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to get back to class."

I started to walk out of the room but turned and said to the incredulous men, "Have you agreed to my business proposition, or do I have to get private enterprise to make them? This venture will also show the world that the school board is responding to innovative solutions in education."

A still stricken Edwards said, "We will go along with this."

Mrs. Cranston gave me a note, and I was back toward the end of the second period of draughting. Before Mr. Clark could ask, I said, "The lawsuit is proceeding, and so is the building project. Would you be interested in coordinating the efforts? The remuneration is not much, but it is on top of your salary."

"I would like to try that. Now we only tie in with machine shop. Architectural work will be new to us."

"Then you got the job. There is a list of materials, and you have to coordinate for building space and labour. I am afraid you will be quite busy as site superintendent. I would give you a hand with the class, but I am afraid I will have to explain the facts of life to the tradesmen. They will not take us seriously until a few are fired." I handed him a cheque I had made out for the sum of four thousand dollars to get the project begun.

"Deposit this in a new joint 'or' account. Order the materials as soon as possible. Our work area has to be cleared, and the people involved have to be briefed on what their duties will be. If you wish, you can get the classes taking business involved in inventory, accounts, and even keeping our books. Everything will be completely open. They will learn from actual experience. Next year, we can either start a new business or continue this one."

Mr. Clark's eyes opened wide at the amount written on the paper.

The students were listening intently to our conversation, Mr. Clark said, "You seem to have quite a bit of experience in these matters." He folded the cheque and put it into his wallet.

"More in observations of what people respond to and what I think will happen. For instance, this class has a few boys who would go far in life, if they would get off their arses and get to work. These drawings take time to learn to do right, but they dawdle because they do not have to hurry. In business, they would be constantly pushed for more and more productivity. Those who cannot keep up will be let go. The world is changing, and the old ways of doing things will slowly change."

"What ways do you see, Alex?"

"Transportation has to get cheaper. Goods will be shipped all over the world. Tariffs and duties will have to go for this to come about. This also means that companies that cannot produce cheaply enough will go out of business. Low-wage countries will get many of our jobs. This is bad for us, but good for those regions. We have to find areas where we can produce things cheaply enough to keep the jobs we want. So we are really competing against the rest of the world when we sell our products."

"In the next few decades, industrial jobs will contribute less to the GDP and the service industry will take its place. That is of no use for the people presently prepared to enter the work force. Soon companies will demand more of their employees, and this will be reflected in their hiring practices. A grade eight education is not good enough. After a while, even a grade 13 will not be sufficient. The man using a shovel will be displaced by mechanization. The operator can do more in half an hour than a man can do in one day."

I turned to the class now and got on my soapbox. "Automation is going to disrupt every one in this class. It is a necessary evil, like the industrial revolution was. The only way to prosper in the coming years is to get a good education and to keep learning all through your lives. You will have to change jobs part way through, because the old jobs will simply vanish."

Mr. Clark asked, "What is a good choice for the boys here?"

"Current demographics predict that we are going into a population boom. Children will need teachers, health care professionals, and tradesmen to produce homes, schools and government infrastructure. There is actually a lot to do when the population grows so fast."

The bell rang and the people in the room didn't do the usual scrambling to get ready to leave. Mr. Clark finally came out of his thoughts and said, "Thanks, Alex. You gave us a lot to think about." He looked at the clock then said, "Oh, class dismissed."

Andrew asked, "What other things will happen, Alex?" I used this question to explain about our immediate future, instead.

"In the next few days, the newspapers will talk to some of you about what happened at the fight. Some of you may even get your pictures taken for the Toronto papers. CBC might even have a few words about the court case I am making. And finally, the police will be asking questions about Nick. I am warning all of you to tell the truth and you will not get caught up. Only tell what you have witnessed."

Electricity and geography were next. After class I privately asked Rita to meet me at my locker and to act like her mother. She didn't seem to be offended by the remark, and came to me with her books, ready to leave.

At the locker, in front of witnesses, I asked her how her day was. She replied and slipped in that I was missed. I could see in my mind her mother saying those words. We discussed homework and I got her to talk as if it was necessary for our business. I slipped in about studying and she replied that she would concentrate on her weakest subject, math.

When the spectators started to get bored I stepped in and gave her a kiss. It was not meant to be a spectacle but to convey feelings for a couple comfortable with themselves.

We got a few groans from the girls and some catcalls from the boys. Rita pulled away breathless and with a blush that would compete with Rudolf's nose. Rita gave me a quick kiss back and left with the people of her growing clique.

Some boys from our grade, who previously had not talked, wanted to do so now. I only gave them a few minutes and left.

Auto was still open and I stepped in and saw a middle aged man sitting at a cluttered desk in a large shop. As I came closer he looked up, then squinted. "Hello, Mr. Sotola. My name is Alex Kramer. I believe you have been talking to Mr. Creighton about a product I want manufactured."

"Oh, you are the boy. You seem to have a great knack for getting this school shaken up."

"It is all for a good cause. I value education very much."

"What can I do for you?"

"Mr. Creighton is building a turbo charger for me, along with a special radiator to cool the compressed air. I now need a diesel engine for it to be put on. This also requires a real-life load, because we do not have the expensive machinery and test equipment to see how well it works.

"I want a large diesel powered bus, the larger the better. The vehicle needs to be stripped bare. The skin on the sides of the bus has to be removed and new metal installed. This shell will get many home furnishings. The engine, though, will get my device. Trips can be taken where the mileage and acceleration are compared to similar units. With good records I can sell the turbos and the intercoolers. The completed bus will be called a motor home and will be sold as well."

The man thought for a while and said, "I followed that, but what is the intercooler?"

"That is the device that cools the air between the hot turbo and the engine air intake."

"Never heard of that..."

"You will in the future. I plan on making a lot of money with all three ideas."

"What did you want of me?"

"Simple, I let you spend thousands of my dollars to find a bus. Then you work with a sheet metal worker and Mr. Creighton to put the two units together. If you want, you can talk of the job of spending many more dollars to make the inside of the bus like a very comfortable home. For this work I pay you and Mr. Creighton three hundred dollars to bring the bus here. For the engine work, I will pay one thousand total to get it working. Mr. Creighton will get reimbursed for his time in making the units. You and your students will get paid two thousand dollars, total, to completely rebuild the inside of the bus. I will pay for all materials and expenses."

Mr. Sotola said, "You can afford all that?"

"Easily! Are you in or out?"

"In."

I wrote out a cheque for three hundred dollars and another one for five thousand dollars. "Cash the lesser amount and look for a good bus to work on. I want quality and size. I am going for trips in it and could use the room. Quality is self-explanatory. Use the other check as a down payment."

The man looked at the two checks with very open eyes. "Are these good?"

"Cash one and ask the bank if the other one is while you are at it. Just remember, the totals I mentioned are for you to share with Mr. Creighton or your students."

I just shook the man's hand and he just stared at the two pieces of paper in front of him.

On the bike, I thought of Laura. She was a very beautiful woman. Part of my problem was that I thought her to be far younger than I was, even though I now had a thirteen-year-old body. Being sixty-six, I guess, had much to do with it. She was interesting, though, and I felt drawn to her for more than her looks. She was intelligent and very feminine. A twinge ran through me every time I recalled her face, and I did not even have the levels of testosterone to make it glandular.

I parked the bike at the front of the store and locked my bike to a steel post. The family would be coming home tomorrow and I wanted to make another meal for them. This way, at least dad's conservative views on new food would be superceded by his hunger.

I had my cart half full by the time I met a beautiful nurse pushing her cart through the aisles. I came up behind her and said, "Mmmmm, nice bum."

Laura turned around with an indignant scowl on her face till she saw it was I. "Should have known it was you."

"I may say that, but every man thinks that, and I think some women, too."

Laura looked panicked for a second and looked at me questioningly. I said, "Laura, I am sorry for saying that. But it happens to be true. Not everyone follows a predetermined stereotype. That does not make it bad, just different from most."

She came out of her reverie and said, "That is ok, Alex. I just had a rough day."

"It sure was. The superintendent and the Principal tried to gang up on little old me. I called in to Derrick, my lawyer, and told him to proceed with the suits. This was done right in front of them. Derrick is also going to call the CBC and MacLean's about the suit. The Toronto newspapers will soon follow, and if I play it right, it will be more than one small story. The entire country will be reading about us."

I picked up some steaks and things that I thought I could leave at Laura's home without making her feel obligated to me.

"What is going to come of all this, Alex?"

"Perhaps a better society than there would be otherwise." She just looked at me again, wondering if I was speaking the truth or pulling her leg.

On the last aisle in the frozen food section I told her the joke about a man and his wife. He made wild and passionate love to her and finally pushed her over the freezer and entered her from the behind. The woman cried out in ecstasy and then so did the man. This resulted in both being banned from going to that market again. Laura started to laugh and put both hands over her mouth but couldn't help it. She burst out laughing and many women turned to see what was happening.

We both left with a lot of groceries. The bike was put in the trunk and we drove off. Laura said, "I still can't believe you told me that joke, and right there in the frozen section of the store."

"What better place to tell you."

Laura lived in a third story apartment. Below were apartments and on the ground floor were some retail stores. She made one trip and I made the rest, so she could start dinner. The perishables went into her fridge. She started to do some preparation and I asked to help.

She said, "No, I'm ok, Just rest. There is an old radio in the other room."

I found the old hexagonal Atwater Kent radio and turned it on. In a moment, after the tubes heated up, I selected a popular music station. Laura was humming to herself while she prepared the meal. It seemed that she enjoyed doing this. My previous wife had been the same way, so I did not read too much into it.

I looked around her small apartment. The furnishings were old and seemed to have been picked with care. They were sturdy and had lasted longer than the cheap furniture that was made at the same time. There were two bookcases and I looked at her choices. There were some serious novels and some romances, both in equal numbers. Her nursing textbooks were on the lower shelf and a few extra seemed to have found their way there.

A comfortable chair with a floor lamp behind it stood to one side. An age-darkened side table held an ashtray, but I had never smelt cigarettes on her breath. I looked in the bedroom and saw an old brass bed with a pink comforter on it. Two mismatched dressers were on either side of the bed. A closet to one side was open and I walked over and looked in.

There were more clothes than I thought she would have. Some were very nice, and I would like to see her in them. One caught my eye and I saw that it was for a much taller woman. I looked again, and found more clothes that did not fit Laura. Shoes on the floor were slightly different in size. Some were the same colour and style, as if a twin sister wore them.

Looking back around the room I found two small tables. One was on each side of the bed and one again had an ashtray. I wasn't about to peek in the drawers so, I just left to check the rest of the house. The bathroom looked to be basically for one person but there were some hints of a second person. The second razor and toothbrush were easy to see. I heard Laura come close so I turned on the water and started to wash my hands.

"Are you going to barbecue the steaks, Alex? I have a small porch where you can do it."

"I would love to, Laura. Just show me the way."

There were two small porches at either side of the house. Depending on the wind, either could be used. I got the charcoal going and stepped inside after closing the door. I took the steaks and used a meat tenderizer to do its magic. When done, I put them in a large bowl and put spices and vinegar over them. Laura was working at the stove and I came behind her and wrapped my arms around her chest just under her breasts. As my nose came close I inhaled. "Honey, you smell all woman and I love it. With testosterone-enhanced olfactory nerves, I doubt if I could resist you."

I got a chuckle from her and she said, "You seem to find the oddest but sweetest things to say."

My hands did not move till she had to get something else and I released her then. I put my hands back, but one was pointing up between her breasts, while the other was down across her abdomen. In a moment I started to rub her abdomen, but not hard or insistent; more like a gentle and natural movement. She moved closer to my hand wanting more contact, so I gave a bit more pressure. My fingers went down to her pelvis and pulled the skin up gently. Soon she was rocking in the age-old rhythm.

My other hand came up and held her shirt-covered bra. I worked very slowly. I had seen her fear many times, and I did not want to push too far or too fast. I took my cues from the way she responded to my touch. Her breathing increased. My fingers found her nipple, and it was rock hard and large.

My other hand worked one side to another, but it always pulled the skin, so the clit would get stimulated. In a moment she shook violently and I just held her tight to me and continued what I was doing. When she relaxed I started to slow down and eventually stopped. I put my head forward and kissed her neck and part of her shoulder. "I am going to put the steaks on now. We can continue this later."

Laura was still shaking and I waited till she was sure of keeping her balance. I was happy to see that little Alex was responding to this lovely woman. It didn't go down till the steaks hit the grill. Ten minutes later I brought the steaks back in, and found that Laura had set the table and pulled the drapes. Two candles were lit and illuminated the table.

I stopped with the tray in my hand and said, "Now, this looks nice." The radio station had been changed and soft music by Tommy Dorsey came to my ear. Laura stood, a bit fearful, close to her chair wondering if I found something wrong. "Laura, I love the setting and you have nothing to worry about." I pulled out her chair and she hesitantly sat, and I wondered what was wrong.

When I pushed her chair in, I bent over and sniffed her hair and neck before giving her another small kiss. She turned her head and I held her head with one of my hands and gave her a very tender kiss. She gave me one of her own and I could see she was feeling better now.

We ate our meal slowly while we talked about many things. I tried to stay away from the school and concentrated on politics of the time, even though I had not done very much study on this subject the first time I was this age.

When the meal was finished I thanked Laura by telling her how good I thought it was. We put the dishes in the sink but Laura didn't want me to do even that. A slow song on the radio gave me the idea for an equally slow dance. Laura smiled when I asked, and readily came into my arms. She was just a bit taller than me but it didn't seem to matter.

During some of the dances I kissed her hand and fingers. She laid her head on my shoulder and just seemed to feel at home in this position. When the news came on, we rested on the couch and I began to kiss her more in earnest, but I still did not push. She returned the kiss and eventually her hand stole to my leg and up to where little Alex was standing at attention.

She played with him for a few moments before trying to undo my zipper. I took her hand in mine and said, "We would be more comfortable in the other room, darling."

She seemed to agree and got up first. Hesitantly, she looked at me. I got up from the couch and I took one of her hands and walked to the bedroom. She stopped close to the bed and said, "I need a moment, Alex."

"Take your time, but each second will be an hour."

She got a smile and went to the bathroom and closed the door. I went to my pack and got out a fairly new pair of pyjamas that thankfully did not have some childish designs on it. I pulled back the covers and looked in one side table for some lubricant if it was needed.

Instead, I found a thick package of letters addressed to Laura. I did not read any of them, but I did see that the return name was Ms Bouchard. The letters were scented with the same perfume that Mademoiselle Bouchard wore. I just closed the drawer and lay in bed thinking of what I had found and all the little hints I had been given by Laura.

While thinking I went back to the dining room and took the two candles and brought them to the bedroom. When the water stopped running in the bathroom, I waited a half-minute and said through the door, "Bring out a soft towel when you come, Honey."

Laura finally came out dressed in a diaphanous negligee. Her hair now hung down her back in a fabulous cascade of brown. She stood timidly as if waiting for permission. Her hand held a small towel.

"Come here, Laura. I want you."

She came quickly, and then slowed down at the side of the bed, still waiting for direction. This was unusual for a nurse. They had to be so self-reliant at most times that they were usually aggressive when I managed to take some to bed.

I took a chance and sat at the head of the bed. A pillow was behind me to protect my back from the metal rungs. I spread my legs wide. I took the towel from her hands and spread it, still folded, before me. "Come here, little girl, and sit between my legs."

She smiled now and scrambled onto the bed. As the bed tossed and turned I held her negligee and pulled it up a bit just before she sat. Her bum now was only on the towel and her clothing was bunched behind her. Laura snuggled close to me and I held her tight and again smelt the woman I thought so much about. I kissed her shoulder and said, "Are you comfortable, little girl?"

"Yes Don... I mean Alex."

"That is ok, little girl, I get confused with him all the time." Now I had to wonder who Don was.

My hands again caressed her front through her negligee. I went slowly and tried to gauge her reactions to what I did. She let out a few groans of pleasure, and her hands held my arms to keep them from leaving. Ten minutes later my hands were working harder. I pulled her skin more forcefully, and the sounds coming from this beautiful woman's mouth got louder. My hands went lower, and I could feel her pubic hair through the material. It was not as coarse as most other women had. Her legs spread to give me room and I moved lower, but I did not go beyond the crest of her pubic bone.

Her nails started to painfully squeeze my arms and her pelvis thrust for a phantom phallus that was stimulating her. She slid down on my body, but I kept my hands to the side of her pubis. Her head went from side to side as if looking for escape, and then suddenly she stiffened and screamed her joy. With one hand still on her abdomen, I gently muffled the sound with my other hand, when the second scream escaped her lips. One more was all she could do, and she quieted as if just completing a marathon.

My own erection was poking her back, but I still felt good to have brought such joy to my woman. Even the term I used brought me joy, for I wanted her more than ever. She had some personal problems, but the depth I found in her countered this. Little Alex subsided as I just held Laura. It felt like this was the place I should be, to protect and nurture 'my little girl'.

A few minutes later her hands caressed my arms through my pyjamas. "Oh Alex, that was nice."

"I liked it, too. Holding my little girl like this is satisfying in many ways."

Laura snuggled a bit and asked, "How?"

"You have many good attributes. You are intelligent, talented and of course beautiful. You also have so many secrets. Some hurt you, while others have changed you, but did not damage you psyche. You have a depth and substance to you that compels me to try to find your limits. Even the twists and turns of your soul make me want to find out more."

"Alex, I am not ready to tell you much." She said solemnly. Whatever it was she had buried deep.

"That is ok. I am not asking. I have many years to plumb your depths and search for what is really you."

"Alex, you want me for that long?"

"That long, and longer; Boys and girls are usually fickle but I am not. No matter what you think, I will be steady. You have yet to find my course, though."

"Where are you heading Alex?"

"To change the world, if I can. I need people to help me do that, and I hope that you will be one. I am afraid it will be a life-long quest, and for all I know, it will bring us to space."

"Space... , like the stars?"

"Eventually, but we will not be around when that really gets going. Our children, or grandchildren, may see by the light of a different star. This means that we have to get Humans to work closer together to accomplish this goal. Along the way people have to get much more education to pull themselves from the Malthusian spiral."

"Malthusian... ?"

"He was an early economist and clergyman. He argued that without the practice of 'moral restraint' the population tends to increase at a greater rate than its means of subsistence. This results in the population checks of war, famine, and epidemics. Space, my love, will give us room, but we have to have already come to an accommodation with our fellow man, or we will just take the four horsemen with us."

"How are you going to do this, Alex? Nobody can even come close to your goals."

"Convince families to have fewer numbers, and reward those who comply with gifts of technology. Unlike the commitment that automation implied, I will work hard to make sure the promise is kept."

"Alex, I am fairly well educated; yet I do not understand very much of what you are talking about."

"Ok, honey, This is the way I see it, manual labour is pretty standard now. Soon, more and more machines will be made. One man can do the work of many with a machine to assist him. This means that people will have more money to buy more things. This also has a limit. Men will be displaced and have to find other jobs when the demand is filled. Soon, all of the old, manual jobs will be full or gone.

"Some people will say that the labour-saving ideas will give everybody leisure time, but it will really mean that we all have to work more. Stress will be raised, and the utopia we want will recede even further from our grasp.

"I want people to enjoy life; and that means all the people on the planet. Many, now, die of starvation or disease. If they become educated, they will see the hole they are putting themselves in. A smaller family can mean that there are more resources that can be spent on each member."

"I can see those ideas Alex. How did they ever come to you?"

"You have many secrets, Laura. I have many of my own. Yours are kept to protect you from ridicule. Mine are much more serious. They can get me into an awful lot of trouble. If you are going to be mine, you will have to know more."

"I can share some of mine, Alex."

"Thank you, Honey. My secret is that when I was struck by lightning, I was given many visions. Some are very clear and show me the way I might go. In one vision I knew where gold could be found. I went there and found lots of the metal. The mine belongs to me and is worth many millions of dollars. If I sell the mine in a few months, I will get most of that in cash. Even that amount of money is only a drop in the bucket for what I need to pursue my goals. My other visions show my foster sister dying of an infection. My father was shown getting hurt at the mine, and then drinking and smoking himself into an early grave. Mom became so distraught that she followed her husband soon after."

"Did you see me?"

"No, I didn't. I only saw some high points of this time. Some images are of the future. If people heard of my visions, they would take me and put me in a room and do nothing but question me till I died."

"No, they wouldn't, Alex," Exclaiming in disbelief.

"Laura, I have the visions, and I know that this is what would happen. Only my family knows about this, and now you have to be in my family."

"I would love that, Alex. My own family life was not as nice."

I just waited without talking and soon she said, "When I was ten, my brother Dan started to do things with me. He was about your age when he started. I loved him more than anybody, and I guess he loved me back. It started with me using my mouth to make him happy. He tried to get inside me, but I was always too tight. After a year, though, he used Vaseline and put it into my bum. When I got used to that, I found it enjoyable."

"He died with my mother one day, and dad started to drink. He would beat me, as if I were the blame for the accident or for holding him back from moving on. I have been afraid of men ever since."

She remained quiet, and then I said, "I know it must have been difficult. Thank you for sharing part of your secret with me, Laura."

"Part... ?" she gasped as she looked into my eyes, afraid and apprehensive.

"Yes, part. There is a big secret that you think will drive me away from you. That will not happen, for I already suspect."

Laura started to cry, and I just held her close and whispered words of endearment into her ear. She managed to pull herself together after five minutes and said, "How did you know?"

"I am a detective, remember? Now tell me about the first girl."

Laura paused and I did not know what was going on in her mind. It could be denial, lies, or silence. She said, "Her name was Alice. She was from my school. When Don died, I almost did too. She helped me through this time, and soon we found ourselves doing all the things Don and I did. Over the years there were only two more, and in my own way I loved each of them."

"Thank you, Laura."

I was hesitant about my next question, perhaps leaving it to when she would be more comfortable, but I wanted see how far she trusted me.

"Now tell me about Mademoiselle Bouchard."

Laura jumped a bit in my arms, "How did you know? She can get fired, so can I. We would have to leave."

"Relax, Laura. No matter what, I would not endanger you or your career. Can't you see yet that I love you?"

Again she was quiet, and I just waited. "She is lonely, too. Men have hurt her. Our friendship just sort of grew since we were young. I, at least, had my brother, and when he died, she seemed to just take his place. She is very forceful and that, in a way, is what I like about her. To others, though, she appears to be just a nice lady."

She lowered her head glumly and asked, "What do you want me to do, Alex?"

"I can see that she is a nice lady, too, no matter how both of you have fun. I want the two of you to make each other happy. I would like all of us to be happy as well. Would you have enough love to share some with me?"

Laura got off the bed and turned to hold me to her. Her kiss told me that she had more than enough. We moved around the bed and I ended up beside her. She stopped with her hands over her head and she smiled at me the way only a woman in love could.

I stepped off the bed and held out my hands to her. She came to me and I kissed her tenderly before starting to remove her negligee. I put her back in the centre of the bed and then removed my own clothes. I kissed her and she wrapped her arms around me. I kissed her neck, ears, eyes and, especially, her throat. Her arms were impeding my work, so I sat up and took her hands and put them on two of the brass bars at the head of bed.

"Your hands are tied to the bed and you cannot get them off. I am going to have my way with you." Her breathing immediately got faster. Her eyes bulged out and her nostrils flared. Her hands even moved the bars, thinking to test their strength. Now, this was another interesting secret of hers.

Her breasts were large with large, brown areoles. Her nipples were larger than average, and stood very proud. From some part in my mind I considered the size of her breasts, which made me think of my children and how well they would be fed. I ignored the nipples and planted little kisses all over her chest. I took my time now and made her groan for release. I disregarded all her entreaties and just continued my torture.

When I got to her pubis, I stopped and went to her feet causing her to call out "Noooo," as she thrashed. I picked up her legs and pushed them to her chest when I got to her centre of being. She held herself and I started to lick with only the tip of my tongue. I planted small kisses on her outer lips. The inner ones only got the tongue. Her clit was large, like her nipples, and I avoided it, even when she cried for me to take it.

Finally I relented and pounced on it like a robin on a worm. Laura's abdomen contracted and her back curled to present more of her opening to me. I looked up without stopping, and found the muscles in her neck straining so hard that I feared she would be hurt. I had just enough time to throw a pillow over her face with one hand when a piercing scream rent the room. I was sure that otherwise the neighbours would be here in seconds, looking for a body. Her body now thrust many times, up and down, as if controlled by a crazy person. Then she just collapsed.

I got up and looked at her sleeping form. Her breathing was rapid, however, trying to recover her oxygen from all the exertion. I had met women who were inspired enough to go all out. It always made me feel even more of a man when I considered that I was able to do this.

Laura's hands were still on the bars. I took them off and removed the pillow. She looked so beautiful with her hair now astray on the pillow.

I was still hard, but I just got a sheet out and got under it with her to sleep. Sometime in the night, I found her lips on little Alex, and I just kept my hands away from her to see what she could do. For the first time in my new life I had an orgasm. I thrust forward involuntary and the sensations passed through my body. The feelings, though, were not up to what I had with an adult body. The good part was that my erection did not go down and Laura continued with her efforts.

With a bit of effort, I gained a 69 position and began to eat my woman again. In only a few minutes we both had our little death and relaxed. I turned around and cuddled up to her and we both fell asleep again.

Being in a different house, I was able to get up a bit earlier than I would at home. I had a quiet shower, and was just finishing when I heard the alarm clock ring. Laura came into the washroom and then wanted to leave when she saw me.

"Laura, we had sex last night, and I find your body just as beautiful when you sit at the table, naked in bed, or sitting on the toilet. Have your pee while I make us breakfast." She sat and I got out and dried myself right in front of her, teasing her with little, bald Alex. When I did my hair I felt some fondling going on. "I told you once that you would not be able to resist me."

"You are right, I can't." She looked at me seriously and said, "What is going to become of us, Alex? I am going to be twenty in a month and you are only 13."

"In forty years you will be 59 and I will 53. Our children will be grown by then, and perhaps even left."

"Children, are you serious?"

"I mentioned them last night. The only thing we have to come to an agreement on, are our friends. I love my foster sister, as I said. I think she will have to be part of our family. She too will have my children. You can keep Mademoiselle Bouchard, but I think she may end up staying with us, if you can convince her to give us a try."

"You want Mademoiselle Bouchard too?"

"I have you, I believe, and perhaps you can convince Helen to play with us, but I am not sure about that. Mademoiselle Bouchard is a nice woman, and I just want to keep you happy and perhaps have some fun too. Now, have a quick shower, Love, and I will make breakfast."

I made the meal as quickly as possible and, as a joke, I stayed naked. I even got a start on last night's dishes when Laura came out. She just stopped and stared at me as I worked, as if she had not seen a naked person before. "Aren't you going to get dressed, Alex?"

"Come and eat, Love. If you hurry, you will get something you like before we have to leave."

She did hurry.

On the drive to school we talked about Mademoiselle Bouchard and her usual schedule. Today, they would not be eating together, but tomorrow they would. I had a devious plan and wanted to play it on both Laura and Mademoiselle Bouchard, or as I now knew her, Natalie. Laura also volunteered to drive me home with the groceries I had purchased.

With the family coming home after school, I wanted not only to bring the groceries but to have a meal prepared for them, too. An idea that could serve two ends popped into my mind. Pizza was not that popular in North America during the 50s, but it gained attention later. Perhaps we could get the food recognized in the big city of North Bay. If I included the census of all outlying areas, we could possibly scrape together 40 thousand individuals.

From the pay phone I called Mario's. Maria was the person to pick up the phone. "Darling," I said in Italian, "tell me you love me, before your mean husband comes to the phone."

I could hear the laugh and she said, "He doesn't care. You may as well come over and take me away. He doesn't even appreciate how much of a good wife I am."

I could tell by the sound that she was talking more to Mario than to me. Mario must have run to the phone, and he took it and asked in an angry voice, "Who is this?"

"The person who wants to take you wife from you and place her on the pedestal where she belongs."

His sleepy mind must have left when he heard my voice, and he decided to play along. "You can take her. She is beginning to bother me more than usual."

"Thank you, Mario, and to pay for the trade, I will give you an idea that is worth a lot of money."

"What is that?"

"Italians have made pizza for years. It is easy and fairly cheap to produce. If done in quantity, special ovens with many trays need to be built and machinery purchased to make the dough. Make some pizzas and test market them to see how popular they are. Three or four sizes of round pizzas could be made, and a tray for larger gatherings. There must be thirty or so different toppings you can put on the dough."

"Rent a building and get someone to run this operation. A simple restaurant is needed for a start, and if you get a liquor licence, wine or beer can be sold. If that can't be done, soft drinks will have to do."

"That is a great idea Alex. I have reconsidered getting rid of my wife. She is, at the moment, looking at me with a knife in her hand. I would almost think she were Siciliano and not Veneziano."

"I have more to offer for her. Make it quick for people to come into your restaurant to get fed. Some will phone ahead to place an order. If you find that some people do not come to pick up their orders, ask at the time of the order for their phone number and call back to confirm their order. It is important that you get cardboard boxes made to keep the pizzas warm and place a walnut in the centre of the pizza when it is placed in the box."

"Why is that, Alex?"

"The lid will get pushed onto the pizza and make it look poorly. Later, I can make some plastic supports that will be cheaper. When you get the boxes made, have a picture of our love printed on them. Make the picture large and like a work of art. Use the same clothing that Maria would wear at the restaurant, unless you want to do her nude and get even more customers. The kids in school will cut out her picture and stick it in their lockers here at school."

"I will ask Maria what she thinks of that idea. Perhaps I can convince her."

"Is it possible that when I come after school, I could take away four different pizzas to test market them to a Polish family I know of?"

"I will have them ready when you get here, Alex."

When I asked for tray pizza and the kinds of topping I wanted, he almost exploded with indignation. "You want that garbage on your pizza? Why would anyone do such a thing as to corrupt the pizza like that?"

"They do it that way to sell to people that are used to having odd food. Just look at it as a way the crazy Polish Canadians want it and see if it goes over with some other customers."

"Well, I will make it as you want, but it will not taste as good as mine."

"Thank you, Mario. Now, give my girl a very good kiss from me, then a simple, chaste kiss from you, and watch out for the knife."

Again he laughed and this time he actually dropped the phone. He picked the receiver up and apologized and said that he would do as I asked.

After the morning announcements we all headed for the gym. Lots of us were not even awake yet.

Mr. Richardson was given his cleaned towel back with thanks, and I went into the weight room. I started slowly, and worked my way up till I was sweating profusely by the end of the first period.

Mr. Richardson came in and saw that I was putting a serious effort into my work and said, "I wish some of the others would work as hard as you do."

"Just get them beaten up enough, and the only way out is to get strong and learn to fight back."

"I didn't know you had so much trouble, Alex."

I hadn't had that much trouble, yet, and now I might not have the incentive I had in my other life. Common sense told me that I had to continue with this, anyway. I could get 'cold cocked' at any time, and my reflexes were much too slow to protect me. "There were not that many beatings, but I always lost the fights, mainly because I was unwilling to do what was necessary. The funny thing is; I find now that I have to train like a jock to keep me safe."

The shower at the end of the class felt much better than usual. This time I was very tired, and the hot water seemed to revive me. I got fewer stares this time as I dried and changed into my clothes. My gym clothes were going with me, because I did not intend for them to mellow in a gym bag.

I had a chance to talk to Rita as we went to English Lit. "I am going to your house after school, but I have to pick up some groceries first." I didn't inform her that they were already purchased. "Miss Vachon will give me a lift there, and then she is taking a trip to my parents. I talked your dad into making another business, I think, and to make us some pizza tonight. I would see if you could get a ride with us, but I am not going to your house right away."

"That's ok, Alex. I usually walk home with the girls now. We usually have lots to talk about."

"Let's give them some more." The class was just a few feet away and I turned her with one hand and picked up her chin and gave her a small kiss on the lips."

She was shocked and stopped walking. "I... think that would do it."

Miss Miles was young like Natalie Bouchard and Laura, but she had a more difficult time controlling her class. Half way through her class I interrupted, just as one of the boys was about to start flinging spitballs at one of his friends. I couldn't just raise my hand, but had to just speak out. "Miss Miles, on the topic of Shakespeare's Macbeth, what was the usual punishment for evil doers in that time period?"

She looked up from her book with a little exasperated expression and said, "For what crimes, Alex?"

"Disrupting King Duffe's court, milady."

"I never read much about that. I imagine some stern words or perhaps banishment. Who is that king?"

"Raphael Holinshed, wrote Holinshed's Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and published it in 1577. The book was used by Shakespeare to write Macbeth. Macduff's character was drawn from King Duffe."

"You seem to have taken a liking to Shakespeare, Alex."

"He did write some good books. Parts are very funny, but younger people don't usually try to see the humour. Shakespeare was very erotic, too. If we did not have the abridged versions, we could hear of some of the ways sex was practised in Elizabethan times."

Miss Miles turned red and said, "That is the reason those passages were removed."

"That may be true for some, but some of your students would delve much deeper into the story if those parts had been left in place."

"I am sure they would, Mr. Kramer," the bell rang and she continued, "but we will never know for sure. Class dismissed."

When we got out of the room I walked over to the two boys. To Adam, the guilty party, I said, "Adam, I came here for an education. I don't like when the class gets disrupted. I also don't like the idea of someone being hurt by your horseplay. If you want some action where your mind and body are tested to the limits, come to our table in the cafeteria for lunch."

This didn't seem to be quite a challenge to them, so Adam just moved his head in acknowledgement.

After another boring Geography class we went for lunch. This time I had to buy the entire meal. I tried to find ways where Mario could take over the kitchen here and could not find a way of doing so.

Rita had taken the initiative of putting two of the larger tables together and getting people to sit like she wanted. The genders were split up like the squares on a chessboard. On the way back with my lunch I picked up Adam and two others to join us.

Before we got to the table, I said, "We are meeting some ladies. You have to act as gentlemen. Just take your cues from the way the rest of us act." They just stared at me as if they were going to see the Prime Minister. I gave one a nudge and they all followed.

The boys were not introduced because the group had grown too big for this kind of thing. I just introduced the boys to each of the three girls around them.

At the table Rita found seats for the others, and the one beside her just happened to be mine. She had found a reason to be standing so that I was obliged to do my duty one more time. The table seemed to be listening very intently to our conversation. Rita must have been reading to play this role correctly. The next moment we were talking about the way the city government was trying to back away from some commitments it had previously made.

This was still too much of a heady topic. I had not read the papers or even heard any local news on the radio. I had to go by what I thought the city would try to do when wiggling out of a deal, and reading as much information from Rita's side of the news as possible.

This 'social event' was not going like it should. The idea was to get the different genders to talk easily to each other.

"There is a dance coming up next weekend. If I can get away from work for a while, I would like to see all of you there. Perhaps we can find some willing volunteers. They will have to take some of us who have a surplus of left feet, and do a little teaching."

Some of the girls thought it a good idea. Some remained silent. Most of the boys were silent, and the remainder looked petrified.

"Rita," I said, "since you will be around for a while after school, why don't you get the groups organized. I will see if I can get the gym for some practice." To the boys I said, "Rita will find a partner for each of you. I would like you to try to learn to dance. This will help you for the rest of your life. You will be dealing with people till you die. This is just a way for you to start."

This didn't seem to make any of the boys feel any better, and I figured I'd have to talk to them individually or none would show up.

By the time the lunch ended, the boys had begun to talk to the girls. At least, they did not flee when the warning bell rang. Rita and I talked about suitable topics around the table. Cooking and clothes were banned, as well as sports and cars. This actually left very few topics, and I suggested that Rita give the girls a day or so to research a topic before it was brought up at the table.

After the last class was let out, I quickly went to Mr. Clark. "You were right, Alex. This is a small project, but it is getting very complicated. There is some shop space, but it is jealously guarded. Some of the trades are idle, and want to start right away, while others have commitments and do not want to start till they are done. The construction materials are easy to get, except the thick plastic sheeting."

"Go through a supplier here and pay first. Offer some cash under the table to the counter man, if it gets here in two days."

"I hadn't thought of that."

We talked for a few moments more, and I think all he needed was some reassurance that he was doing right.

I picked up my notebooks and dirty laundry and headed for the nurse's station. Laura smiled and was actually waiting to leave with me. "Hello, Alex," she said, then looked around and added, "lover," and giggled like the young girl she really was.

With nobody close by, I said, "Hello, Miss Vachon. Do you mind immensely if I reach up under your dress and slip you panties off your beautiful legs? I want to lay you on your back and feast for hours on your charms. When you have had so many orgasms that you are delirious, I want to enter you forcefully. When you are at the height of your orgasm, I want to shoot millions of sperm cells into your fertile womb."

My slow speech seemed to have an effect on her. Her eyes seemed to bug out when I spoke this way, and now her respiration was ragged and her nipples were starting to enlarge.

"Don't say that here."

"Worried that someone may hear me?"

"No, you got me worked up, and now we can't do anything."

"I can take you back into your office and bend you over the desk and take you from behind. Perhaps we can get into your car and go back to your apartment. I want to get some rope and tie you to the bed, first. Maybe even a gag to keep your screams down."

Her eyes were glassy, "Stop that, Alex. It is hard for me."

"I know you like to submit to a dominant person. I will be that person from now on. I think I would like to sleep with you one night, and before dawn arrives I will strip you naked. The pet store will give me a large collar, and I will put a leash on it and take you out into the city. We will walk through the streets, and pedestrians will stare at you. You will try to hide behind parked cars or in alleys, but mostly I will show your naked body to everybody who comes around."

Laura was rocking back and forth, overcome with the images she saw in her mind. I was correct, though, that she was, not only a submissive, but also got a thrill out of showing herself. I might have gone too far, for she seemed dazed.

The only medicine was back in the nurse's station. I pushed her into the room and turned on the light. I locked the door behind me. In the small room with an examination table, I pushed Laura further and she landed on it. She was coming to her senses when I picked up her legs and pulled down her panties.

"Hold your knees, woman. Your man wants you," I said forcefully.

She only groaned, but did do as she was asked. Her dress went on her chest and her abdomen was now bare. I took the back of her dress and pushed up on her legs and tucked the end under her lower back. The panties came off and went into my pocket. I pushed her knees further apart and dove into the pungent growth of pubic hair.

Laura started to get too vocal and I just took the panties from my pocket and walked to her head. "Open your mouth, woman," I commanded. She did, and I carefully put all of the cotton material into her small mouth. Her eyes got big at this, but she did not resist.

I found her clit and sucked vigorously while lashing it with my tongue. Laura was moving all over the examination table. I moistened a finger and inserted it into her opening. Inside, I found an unexpected barrier. I continued to stroke, but with more care, now. Two fingers now entered her opening, and I heard her scream through the cloth in her mouth.

She took longer than usual to come back, and when she did, I again started to pump two fingers into her. Her juices were running down her perineum and to her anus. My index finger started making the trip back and forth carrying more lubricant. As I started to suck her clit again my finger worked into her bowels.

Laura's body went wild. She was not trying to dislodge me but to get more in. Within seconds, she had a second major orgasm; her abdominal muscles contracted in spasm, and her mind fled consciousness.

I pulled my finger out of her and got some tissue. Laura was not large, but I was not very big yet, myself. With difficulty, I got her further onto the exam table and kept her dress from getting wet with her secretions. I removed her panties from her mouth. A small sink gave me some water, which I used, first on her face, then on her mons. Soon, I had to push up her legs like before and clean the cleft and her anus, too.

I washed the cloth and then placed it under her hips to catch any more of her flow while she recovered. She came to and immediately reached for me. "Oh Alex, I never felt even half of what that felt like. You are going to kill me with love."

"Maybe we will burn out each other's synapses and die together."

I got her to stand, and I cleaned her like a little girl and we left one more time. Laura was red as she walked beside of me. I wanted to whisper that she was without her panties, but this would just get her back to the condition she was in before.

On the way to Laura's apartment, I stayed with neutral subjects and loaded the groceries with dispatch. She had already agreed to drive me to the Leone's restaurant first. She didn't want to, but I got her to come in with me.

Maria met us first and kissed me the way Italians have greeted family for a long time. "I thought you were going to be true to me, and now I see that you have brought a pretty, young woman," she said in fair English. I made introductions and Laura wanted to shake hands. Maria got close and kissed her cheeks. "If you are Alex's friend, then you are our friend, too." Laura just didn't know what to say or do.

I said, "You are always so hard to get. Your husband follows you like a hawk. If I were he, I would do the same. I am surprised you do not have two dozen children. By the way, has your husband convinced you to pose nude for the picture?"

Now Maria turned red, even more than she had made Laura.

Mario came in, and he, too, was introduced. His English was not as good as his wife's. Soon we were upstairs again, and I introduced Laura to the two boys.

Libra was away and I showed a black and white picture of her to Laura. Soon we heard Rita calling to her family and running up the stairs. She was shocked to see us, even when I said we would be here, previously. She looked at Laura, and it took a few seconds before she seemed to get enough courage to walk to the other side of me and then possessively take my hand.

I said, "Hello, Rita," I reached out and gave her a small kiss in front of her parents. "Now, keep your claws in," I whispered.

Rita's parents were shocked, too. "I decided to kiss Rita on the way to school and even a few times before classes. Rita is now looked on as a very mature woman. This has helped us work with the girls and boys, so they will begin dancing lessons. The two of us like the kissing lessons too, but that is only between us. If you think a kiss is too much for a boy and a young lady to share in, then I will stop."

I just waited and looked at Maria. She was the mother and the person to deal in these matters. Rita turned, too, and watched her mother. I think she had a hopeful look on her face, but she was turned away from me and I could not see. "Rita is too young to date, but I feel that I can trust her with you, Alex. You are old enough to know what I am talking about, even if you are too young to do anything."

"Thank you for your faith in me. Rita is my friend, and I would do nothing to hurt her." I turned to Rita and said, "Talk to your mother about our meal time and how we can get more people involved. You girls may have to do what women down through history have had to do."

"What?" She asked, and sounding worried.

"Watch sports and learn about cars."

Maria told her husband what we were saying and he burst out laughing but then quieted, as he looked at his wife.

Mario said that we had to wait a few minutes more. He continued, when I looked at him questioningly. "This is not our time to rush now. We had your pizzas in the oven and some of the customers asked about the smell. Maria is usually quite tight fisted, but she gave out some samples. The customers liked what they got and ordered more. One of the cooks had to hurry to make the ones for your family."

I translated the statement to Laura then asked Mario if the strictly Italian pizza would have sold as well.

"Sure it would; it is just that today we had more than our share of crazy people."

Close to the oven, there were a lot of small boxes. When I looked closer, they were for pastries and other small items. Another large box was close by. Mario gave Laura a tour of his kitchen and encouraged her to sample some of the many dishes being prepared. She seemed to like most of them.

While we waited, I told Mario about the vinyl-clad thermal bag, but had to leave out the Velcro, because it wasn't invented yet. North Americans went in for pepperoni and many other toppings that Italians never bothered using. Most of the time, a pizza had no tomato sauce but had spices and anchovies. I made a quick list of all the toppings I could recall, and Mario turned a little green when he thought how his food had been corrupted. The ones I suggested this morning were bad, but some others were almost sacrilege. After pineapple, which was listed last, was written down, he actually laughed. He did not know that this was actually the way it was later eaten, and thought they just came from my fertile mind.

"They would eat fruit, too? Perhaps you Canadians will eat chicken droppings, too."

"That reminds me; you could put small pieces of chicken on some pizzas."

Laura helped in loading the pizzas in the back seat, and I gave another chaste kiss to Rita. This time, Maria smiled and I wondered if she could already hear imaginary wedding bells in her mind. I asked Maria to run away with me again, and she said that she would, but that her four small children and her big one needed her.

Laura said in the car as we left, "I feel very close to those people and I can hardly talk their language."

"Most people in the world are that way. Only those of us who chase the mighty dollar more seem to act differently. I also think some of it is because we live in large urban centres. Villages drive kids crazy, but in reality they would keep our race much saner. A boy can fart at one end of a village, and next day his parents would be told by neighbours at the other end of the village how much it smelled."

She gave me a knowing smile. "What about those kisses?"

"They were looking at their daughter, and not at how I look at you. Rita is happy to be popular. I get a young friend to do kid stuff with, and a slightly older friend to do adult stuff with. I'm happy... ; I just hope the rest of my girls will be, too."

"Do you plan on keeping Rita?"

"No, Laura. She is a friend who may get to meet little Alex, but she will get married to some lucky guy and settle down and have a few kids. You are the one I want to keep with me when I have to go. Helen has to be part of our family, and maybe Natalie, too, but only if you agree. She is your friend, and she may not want to have to share you with me, and will grow to hate me."

"Natalie is like me. We like boys, but find them hurtful. You are different. She would love you I am sure. I..."

When she didn't continue I guessed, "Are you worried already that I would take her over you?"

"N... ah, yes, Alex."

"It is good that you didn't start to lie. I haven't lied to you, and in fact I told you my hidden feelings." I also left out that I didn't tell her all the truth. Some secrets had to be kept much longer.

We pulled up in front of the house and Helen came out to see who it was. When she saw me, she ran to my side of the car completely ignoring its driver. I held her tight and kissed her with much more feeling.

"I missed you, Helen. We have to work on a way for this not to happen."

She gave me the look, but did not release me yet. She was about to say something when Laura got out of the car. I could feel Helen tense up a bit, and then relax some.

Taking Helen's hand in mine, we walked around the front of the car and approached Laura. "Laura, this is Helen Lowca, my foster sister. I love her much more than any sister." Turning to Helen again I gave her a kiss that I hoped expressed my love without the lust. When I pulled back, Helen still had her eyes closed. When she opened them, Laura and I could see the love in them. "Helen, this is Laura Vachon who works at our school. I love her also, and I would kiss her, too, but the family is now looking out the window."

Helen was confused and just looked at Laura, then at me, then back at Laura, again. I whispered to Helen, "Greet her like family, Helen, please. It is very important to me."

Helen waited a moment, thinking, then took one, then one more step, and came close to Laura. Again there was a pause, and then the two women embraced. They started to part then, when suddenly Laura pulled Helen in again to give her another sisterly kiss and to whisper in her ear.



-------

Chapter 8



Aron could not wait, and came barrelling out and ran to give me a hug. I squatted down and gave him a hug in return and a kiss on the cheek. When I stood I said, "This is my little brother, Aron. He is the best one I could ever have gotten." Aron put his arm up to hide his face and I said to him, "Aron, this is Laura Vachon. I love her as much as I love you and Helen. Be nice to her, little brother."

Laura waited a second and Aron's training came out. He walked forward and held out his hand to shake and said, "Hello, Laura. I am glad to meet you."

Laura shook his hand and said, "I am very glad to meet such a handsome boy as you, Aron. Now come here and give me a kiss." Laura pulled him in as she squatted much like I had done and did as she said. Aron may have been reluctant, but after being hugged his usual feelings for family came out.

The spies at the window must have seen that it was safe and everybody came out as a group. The first was dad and I said, "Dad, I would like you to meet Laura. She is a very good friend of mine, and works at the school." Turning back to Laura I said, "Laura, this is my dad, Jozef. He and his wife Roch were kind enough to keep me out of an orphanage and took me into their hearts when my real parents died."

This time, Laura came forward. She dropped the two pair of hands she was holding and kissed dad the Italian way and said, "I am very glad to meet you, Jozef."

Dad took her hands in his, and stepped back to see. He thought for a few seconds, looking at the beautiful young woman before him. "I am glad to meet you too, Laura. If you are a friend of Alex, then you are welcome at any time in our house." Laura smiled and pulled her hands free and hugged dad again, this time she whispered in his ear. Dad pulled away with a quizzical look on his face, and I took Laura to see mom.

"Mom, this is Laura..."

Laura just sniffled, went to Mom, and wrapped her arms around her and started to cry. It just occurred to me that Laura's Mom had died when her brother Donald had. She had been without a mother all this time, with a father who didn't really want her.

I pulled Helen to dad and quickly told them my suspicions. Mom must have had some insight and held Laura to her. Mom rubbed Laura's back and whispered Polish to her. We all just waited. Finally, the two women parted and both had some tears in their eyes. Laura was upset at letting her feelings show, but Mom held her hand and would not let them go. She turned around and introduced her own parents to Laura.

Grandma and grandpa accepted her into the family, too. The three of them took Laura into the house, but I stopped the rest. I opened the car doors and got some help bringing the groceries and pizza into the house.

When we got into the kitchen, we found that Mom had taken her group to the living room. Grandpa soon came out, obviously feeling left out because this was not a place for a male. Helen put her burden down and was going to get more from the car. I stopped her and said, "Helen, please go and talk with Laura. I think she needs you."

Helen did what I asked, but I did not know if she knew why she had to go.

With only males in the kitchen, we put away the groceries. The pizza was left in the small boxes on the table. I wiped off the table and then set it. Aron even helped me with this 'woman's work'.

The stove was already hot from making coffee and tea. I took two cookie sheets, put some of the pizza pieces on them and placed them into the oven to keep warm.

Grandpa and dad were looking at more of the strange food on the table, while they listened to the women's indistinct voices from the other room.

"Dad, this is Italian food. You eat it with your hands, like this." I showed them how to take a bite. "The pizzas are all different. Look and see what is on the one you are eating, and then try to remember which ones you like better. This is important to the people who gave me this food for my family to try. There are even more kinds in the oven."

Dad was hesitant to try. I didn't know if it was because of the strange square food, or whether we should wait to eat with family. Aron could not wait, though, and took a piece right away. Dad looked at Aron and saw how fast the piece disappeared. He looked over the assortment and picked one piece. Grandpa could not smell very well, but the scent did get through to him. His hand came out tentatively, and he took his own selection.

By the time the third piece was eaten, the girls came out of the living room and saw us standing around the table. Mom had her arm around Laura, and Helen held one of her hands. Laura looked tired and in a way happy, but that could have been my own feelings.

I sat the women down and put a selection of pizza on each of their plates. The men folk sat, too, and I got some tea for the girls and some coffee for dad and grandpa. We remained quiet, as we ate the pizza. The girls talked as if we weren't there. Even though grandma didn't speak much English, it seemed that all of them could communicate somehow.

Through the course of the meal we learned that I was right about Laura having a need for a mother figure. The fact that Roch was my mother, and I was like her brother, Don, must have reinforced her feelings.

Laura was sitting between grandma and mom. Helen was sitting close enough that I could see both women at the same time. I saw quite a bit of similarities between them. They were about the same size. Helen was pure blood Polish, but didn't look like she belonged to our group as strongly as others did. I think if Laura were to lower her hair, it would look just like Helens. Even their colouration was very similar.

Their ages were a lot closer, too. After graduation Laura had entered nursing school and this was only a one-year course. Because she skipped grade seven, she was only turning twenty now. Helen was roughly three years older than me, and thus only three years younger than Laura.

As the meal progressed, I was able to see a small smile on occasion as the womenfolk talked to Laura.

When the tea and coffee was done, I took Mom's job and filled the various cups. When it looked like the appropriate time, I made some of my own conversation, telling them that, after eating, they had to discuss with me about their preferences in the various kinds of pizza they ate.

Dad used to smoke at the table while he ate, but thankfully the table was smoke-free during the meal. I rinsed some fresh fruit I had purchased and placed a bowl on the table for dessert.

I dragooned Aron to help me with the dishes, more to keep him away from the women. The girls must have thought the same, for Mom showed Laura the house. It seemed they spent an inordinate amount of time upstairs.

Dad asked, "What is all this about, Alex?"

"Laura had some problems growing up. She put on a good face till now, and then it broke. She sees Mom as what her mother would be like. It probably started when we were at the Leone's to pick up the pizza. Italians are passionate people who like to touch. Maria Leone is the type of a woman who either accepts a person unconditionally or not."

"Who are those people?"

"They own Mario's restaurant. Their daughter is in my class. I went there to eat after school, and they invited me to meet the family. I had a family meal with them in the kitchen. We talked till late at night about how their restaurant could be made even more popular. I slept over, and went to school the next day from there."

"You have changed a lot since the accident, Alex. Some changes I cannot understand, yet. You now have what looks like an older girl for a girlfriend. You sleep away from your home. You eat things that you never knew of before, and even tell me what to do."

"Dad, you know many things that I do not know. I just happen to know some things you do not. Did you not think that I would ever grow up and be a man one day? I was always shy. A shy person would not show others what he knows or what he feels. I am not shy now, dad, and it has been a slow time coming. Isn't it better to have a son who is growing up?"

He thought on my words and said, "You are just growing up all of a sudden."

"I was growing up before, but you never noticed because I was too shy. Now I want to help my family and myself, too. You have all cut back on smoking, and that will mean you might live longer. I have brought new food to make our lives more interesting. As for a girlfriend, you are right, but I am still a boy in my pants and there is no reason that all my friends need to be other boys. I want you to be my friend, too, and not just my dad."

Dad was saved from a reply when the girls came down the steps. Laura had her face washed and looked much better now. Mom still held her as if she needed to be protected. The other girls had smiles, even grandma. This might have been a way of showing solidarity with Laura, or because they were happy that Laura felt better.

We had a more family-type meeting now, where the men folk were finally invited to attend. General facts went back and forth till the photo albums came out, and then all the relatives came out. Laura spent quite a bit of time looking at my birth parents and looking at me.

Dad got his bottle of wine out, and we all got some to drink. It was good that the hard liquor was not used, and in fact had been used less lately, I hoped. I had no idea how much dad drank at the mine site when I wasn't there.

Some of the more embarrassing moments came out about Helen, Aron, or me; as if to show that we were improving. Aron usually tried to sneak off whenever this occurred but, surprisingly, now wanted to stay with Laura. He even sat on the floor and soon was by her feet. When he got close enough she pulled him up to sit on the couch with her and played with his hair as we talked. Aron seemed to be in pig heaven with his eyes closed.

Aron had to go to bed and I suggested that Laura sleep over tonight. "Maybe Helen will share her room with you?"

"I couldn't do that. You are all tired and need your rest."

Helen said, "It is no problem. There are lots of clothes that will fit you, and you are like one of the family now."

This brought a change in Laura's face and a tear formed in the corner of her eye. Helen got immediately up and took her hand, "Let me show you what you can wear." The two girls walked up the stairs holding each other for support.

Mom said, "Laura is a nice girl, Alex. Do you think she may be too old for you?"

"Mom, how old do you think my mind is, not my body? I am more than old enough. She is also my friend and perhaps Helen's now, too. You do not have to read too much into this situation. I might not have said it, but I love Helen too, and not as a sister." Mom got an odd expression on her face. "Mom, don't try to pretend that you do not understand. I think you saw the possibility of Helen and me forming a family soon after bringing me into your family."

When I looked at grandma she too lowered her eyes. Women can be devious, but they didn't have any malicious thoughts. I think that in my previous life, if Helen hadn't so tragically died, I would have married her.

The two girls came down the stairs later, completely changed. Laura looked good in some of Helen's clothes, but filled out the blouse better. Both of the girls smiled at me, then looked at the rest of the family. They looked even more like sisters now. They resumed their old seats, and Laura resumed her hold on Aron. Aron didn't put up too much of a fight, unless it was to comply.

We talked more about school and I mentioned some of the problems I had in school. Telling them now that the events were over, made them easier to take.

"Alex," Mom said, "why didn't you tell us before?"

"Before, I was too shy and embarrassed. Now, I wanted to see if I could change things without bringing shame on our school. Mr. MacNeil is going to make them change to a better way. Bullies will still be in schools, but the ones who fight will be sent away. To put more pressure on the school, the newspapers and the CBC were called. They may try to talk to you about me. You don't have to talk to them. They just want something special to talk about, so that people will read their newspapers or listen more to their radio news."

"They want to talk to us?"

"Probably; you are my parents and they will ask what you think of the way the school lets bullies do what they want. They will also try to get you to say that you hate the school or the boys who fought with me. This will not be good for me, because you will look mean."

We talked a lot longer into the night, discussing what would be asked and what should be said. I felt like a campaign manager discussing how to handle questions with his employer before an election.

The pizza was discussed and the likes and dislikes of each person were put on a list. Bacon and green olives seemed to be a hit by everybody, even those who never ate olives before. I made my own comments at the bottom and mentioned some small things, like the sausage cut smaller, or that a better mozzarella be used. I practised my written Italian and hoped that the spelling was correct. Most European languages were spelt as they were spoken, and students had no need for spelling tests.

"Dad, our business needs to be able to talk to the world. I would like to get the phone brought to our house. The business may be mine, but this house is yours. May I do this?"

He again thought, "I have thought of getting a phone, but never saw a need for it. If you want it, then get it."

"Thanks dad. I will leave a note on the table for Mr. Skryba and his son Elek. When I can get the people to put the wires in, then Mr. Skryba can show them where to put the phone." I didn't tell dad that I had already talked to the phone company. There was no need to, anyway, for it would take a while for them to string wire our way, because I did not want a party line, with the way neighbours usually were.

Laura went to bed with a happy look on her face. I guess she never got to sleep over at somebody else's house when she was young. I gave her a very good kiss that made her thrust her body against mine. When I pulled away, my pants were tighter. Helen got the same treatment and this, I thought, would be the first time she felt my erection against her body. When I pulled back I said to both, "I love you both, and I don't know what I would do without you. Have a good night's sleep, and try to keep the girl talk down to only an hour. You have to get up early tomorrow."

Aron crawled in bed with me again and asked, "Alex... is Laura your real girlfriend?"

"Yes, she is, Aron. I think you like her, too. I know she likes you. If I wasn't your big brother I would get mad at you trying to steal her from me."

"I wouldn't do that to you, Alex."

I simply pulled him close and kissed his cheek. "I was only pulling your leg, Aron. But she does like you, just differently from how she likes me."

The next morning I got up a little earlier again and started breakfast. Mom, or Dad, was usually first, but I found two pretty girls instead. Both were dressed similarly, as they walked towards me. Helen said, "Good morning Alex," then proceeded to give me a kiss similar to what I gave her last night. She came up for air and did it again as she snuggled close. Her hip found my erection, and I think that was what she was trying to accomplish. She moved back to give Laura a turn, and Laura tried to burn my lips with the kiss she gave me. The scent in the air told me that there was at least one aroused woman in the room with me.

I reached into my pants and rearranged myself in front of them. "You wenches will pay dearly for that. Now, you better run, or dad will see my tent and sniff the air. Then we will all be in trouble."

The two girls giggled like they were twelve and scampered away. I made bacon quickly and when dad did come down. Good thing for the smell of grease, there was nothing to find.

Breakfast was more lively than usual. Laura seemed to fit in as if she were born to this family. She talked to Helen about girls in school but never anything that would compromise her medical ethics. Mom tried her best, like many mothers, to make sure all her children had enough to eat. Laura, I think, was pleased that she was included in this effort.

Mom packed both Laura and me a lunch. Laura looked at the paper bag a few times on the way to school, and I think she found something very meaningful in a simple meal.

Everybody took time to send us off. My bike was still hanging out of Laura's trunk. At the last stop before we got to school Laura said, "Alex, I love your family. Your mother reminds me of what mine was like. If I had some photos, then I could show you that they even look similar."

"You may be right, but I also see a distinct similarity between you and Helen. I am not going to pry, but I hope the two of you got some sleep last night."

"We got some. It was just that we had so much to talk about."

Before class I got a chance to talk to Mr. Clark, and I found that he had been talking to trades during his evenings and was getting them to understand my concerns. Even Mr. Clark was not too sure about my insistence on this type of quality.

I made it to homeroom just before the bell rang. A moment later I saw that Nick had decided to come back to school. Both of his eyes were black from ruptured blood vessels in the vicinity of his eyes. The other two would have been able to go back to school the next day after the fight, but had decided to play hooky instead. Nick tried to glare at me, but I just smiled and ignored him thereafter.

After class, Nick had the chance to talk to me, but I think he was gathering courage from his circle of friends.

The next three classes only got me some nasty glances and some whispered words from the group of boys.

Rita held court at lunch. She must have talked quite a bit to her mother. The conversation was much more sparkling and everybody seemed to get involved at some point. After our meal I handed Rita the note to her dad with my critique of his new North American style pizza.

The last class of the day was French. Mademoiselle Bouchard seemed to be staring at me again. Perhaps Laura mentioned something about us. This was fine, and I just hoped it didn't upset Natalie too much. We got back our assignments personally and Mademoiselle Bouchard held mine longer in her hand, as if trying to hold onto the paper.

It was Friday, and everyone was anxious to get out. When the bell rang, the class quieted right down waiting for the order to depart. A mad rush as everyone left, and I only got another glare from Nick. Rita and four of her friends stayed for a moment. Rita asked, "What are you doing this weekend, Alex?"

"I am sorry, Rita, but I will be working all weekend and perhaps for the next six or so."

"Even graduation?" she said as she hung her head. She, I guess, wanted me to be her date at the year-end party.

"No, Rita, not that weekend. Would you do me the honour of being my date for the party?"

She sprang at me and gave me a kiss, then looked around at the teacher and her friends. "Yes, Alex. I would love for us to go together."

"Good. Then think of a good dress, but think of one that is Roman or Greek in style but will still fit in with the rest of the crowd."

"Oh, I will. Mom will help."

"I am sure she will. I have to talk to Mademoiselle Bouchard for a moment, and then I have to get home. I have a lot of work to do before I get to sleep tonight."

"Ok, bye," she said, and with a quick glance at Mademoiselle Bouchard gave me another small kiss. This was never done in school, and I think the teacher was a bit shocked to see it happening.

I walked over to her desk after the group of girls left. Mademoiselle Bouchard said, "You have her wrapped around you finger, Alex. I hope you don't hurt her."

"I would like to think that I am not a cruel or callous person. I try to be honest with my dealings with others, and hope the same is done in return. If I knew that it would work, I would turn the other cheek if hurt. But I have found that doing so only gets the other side of my face struck, too."

"That happens many times, Alex. Now, what can I do for you?"

"The conversation will be delicate to say the least. Would it be possible to talk to you about this next Tuesday, after school?"

"What is it about, Alex?"

"I would rather talk about it then. Would you be able to give me some of your time?"

"I have a few things to do, but I think I can do them at other times. Tuesday will be fine."

"Thank you, Mademoiselle Bouchard. I will see you then."

Laura was waiting for me, and when I knew that we were safe, I kissed her very tenderly. "The first day I said you had my heart to add to all your others. It's true, for I think you got Aron's, too, last night."

She smiled at me, "I only want yours."

"That thought will have to tide me over the weekend. I have to work all weekend. The family will come home on Monday. Helen and Aron will be going to school for the rest of the year. There was just too much to do, and their help was needed to get the mine going."

"They looked a little tired. I don't think they were getting enough sleep."

"They are still too excited about the gold and drive themselves hard. Next week, I should be home every day. Partly because Helen will be there, and I do not want to do anything behind her back. Aron will be there also and is still quite impressionable. I would like you to come over and visit one night, but not Tuesday."

"Why not that day?"

"I want to have a heart to heart talk with Natalie about my girl. I do not want her hurt, and I definitely do not want you hurt. We have a lifetime to live through and I want to keep the scar tissue to a minimum."

"Do you want me to do anything?"

"The only thing that I can think of is to invite Natalie over to your apartment on Tuesday night. That would be the best place for our talk."

"I can do that. Tuesday is one of our days."

"After Tuesday, it may be a day for all of us."

I walked Laura to her car after sorting what I was taking with me. After Laura drove off, I walked quickly to the bikes. One wheel was flat and the valve was gone. I guess Nick had not learned his lesson. Instead of going home, I pushed the bike and took some of the load to the nearest service station. I bought a package of valves and got the tire inflated. Then I started for home.

Dad was working in the barn or hiding more of the gold they had harvested today. I kissed Mom and said, "It is nice to have you home."

"It is nice to be doing my job here, but I am needed at the mine too. It is hard to do both."

"I know that, mom. There is no justice sometimes. All a son can do is to help all he can. Now, give me that knife and drink some of your tea while I take care of the potatoes."

One by one, the family came to the kitchen. Helen was first, though, and kissed me in front of mom. It was not a sisterly kiss, though. "I see you and Mom had a talk. Is there anything that I should be told?"

"Not really. Mom thinks that I should give Laura a bit of competition."

"That can give me a certain problem, even if I am still a boy." I heard Mom laugh and Helen turned red. "Women are usually very knowledgeable in these matters. I assume that we will have to give dad more time to come by this information slowly. So here is your kiss and it better keep you till I can recharge it."

She got her kiss and I watched Mom looking at us. I would like to know what she was thinking. It still seemed odd that a mother would allow this, even if her daughter was 16.

I walked to Mom and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks for trusting us. I will do nothing to hurt Helen. I have loved her since when I was just little and visiting. I just hope she loves me the same way I love her now. Maybe something can come of it. I don't think my feelings will change, but Helen has the option of finding somebody else if she wants to."

"You now seem older than Helen. I trusted you as a boy, and now I trust you as a young man. Go slow, and do not push. She is the only daughter I have."

I kissed her again and said, "Thanks again, mom."

I looked at Helen and her expression could almost be seen to glow. "I will talk to you later, wench. There are many things for us to discuss."

"Yes, Alex," she said; the same way Mom replied to Jozef.

After the meal, I finished the remainder of my homework and then got what I thought would be needed for the mine. To get the most out of our time, dad, grandpa and I would drive to the mine tonight and work till Sunday night. Sunday morning, I was told, we would have a small service.

Mom packed us some more food in case we found ourselves in danger of starvation and we were off. It was still light out when we got there.

Mom and grandma were going to try to catch up on their chores that they had let lapse for a week. Helen and Aron were staying home to do some of their own chores and rest. They would be going back to school on Monday.

Both Rolph and Lester were there to greet us. Both had rifles over their shoulders, and I was thinking we were repelling the Huns. Dad was just being cautious, and I commended him for it.

The camp had grown in a few ways. The tent was to one side, and there were many tarps all over the place protecting equipment. I guess all our tarps had gone into this endeavour, in addition to others that they had to buy.

The vertical drill had its own canopy that would keep out the strong sun and the occasional rain. The dark sky indicated that we might get some, but the radio had said that there was only a 30% chance.

Dad had decided to follow the blaster's handbook in reverse. My flags, as to the probable location of the large nuggets, were still in place. He had drilled and blasted almost all around the flagged-off area. He explained that now he could use smaller charges to just break apart the area under the flags a little at a time. Only as a last resort would he now blast further in.

The overburden was already removed, and dad used a sledge and wedges to break the rock away. I was not tall enough or strong enough to swing the hammer. When we had a good-sized step made, I did work, but I could not do it for long. Night did not bring relief, for dad just turned on the generator and used portable lights to continue.

Rolph and Lester were not seen. Rolph was out doing his patrols, while Lester was trying to get some sleep. He was even more worn out than dad, because he stayed here all the time and tried to give us our 50 dollars' worth.

It was midnight when we quit. I was tired and cramped. All I wanted was to crawl into bed, but I went to the river and washed first before heading back to camp. I crawled under a large tarp and just pulled a sheet over me and fell asleep right as my head hit the pillow.

The night had brought some rain, and with the dew it made most things wet or at least damp. After a quick breakfast our labour started again. Mosquitoes bit me. 'Deet' had not been invented, and the tents didn't have the fine screening to keep the critters out. My back arms and legs were still sore, and I hoped that some stretches would get the worst of the stiffness out.

Removing rock was easier in the daytime, and I had a whole new crop of pain when Guy Rousseau pulled up with a large hamper of food. Work stopped abruptly and we cleaned our hands and faces.

"No sense wasting soap on the rest, when we are just going to get dirty again," dad said.

We had hot fried chicken, fresh bread, steaming vegetables and even some cake. I could see that dad had gone all out in ordering food. This was the traditional way of feeding a work gang.

Guy smiled at us and took away the food containers used last time, to be cleaned and reused.

Helga came over with a gun strapped on her shoulder. There was a bit of light-hearted banter between dad, Rolph, and Lester. Grandpa and I were tired and didn't have the energy to spend on this talk. After the meal we had lots of river water and put the covered food in the shade. There was not much to go bad, and salmonella would not be a problem unless we tried to eat any remaining food, the following day, for breakfast.

We worked hard till five, when we again stopped to eat the remainder of the food. Lester had worked on the sluice, while we continued reducing the size of the outcrop. We did find a few nuggets, and I kept mine in my pocket till they would go into a mason jar back at camp.

Grandpa fell a few times and I always checked him. He would always refuse my help stating that he was just clumsy. "Grandpa, I love you. If you die, how do you think I will feel for the rest of my life?"

"I am fine, Alex. Now, let me up."

"No. You need to rest here for an hour. After that, you can work for a half-hour, then another half-hour off."

"I am not dead yet. I can do more than you."

"Yes, you can, and you have been doing so for a week longer. Either you rest, or you will go home. That is not an idle threat. I will not have your death on my conscience."

"I am fine. It was just a fall. Now, let me get back to work."

"Grandpa, if you go back to work, I am taking you off this site." I just stood my ground and dared him to try. Poles are stubborn people, and grandpa was definitely a Pole. After ten minutes he got up and tried to stare me down, then got angry and kicked a small branch.

He started to curse me out like a pro. He said many things that he would later regret, but I was not going to give in. He walked around me and toward the area we were working. He was cursing as he walked, and none of it was under his breath.

When he got close to the tools I said, "Dad, you are the mine manager. I am the health professional. If this man works, he will die. Rolph, his wife Helga and Lester all heard what I said. If you allow him to work, Mom and grandma will know that you were warned. I will blame myself for the rest of my life. Mom and grandma will blame you."

"Tata, Alex is right. Both of us think you are too tired to think right. You are my father-in-law, and I will feel forever damned if you die. I could use a rest, too. Let's all take a break."

"I won't have this boy telling me what to do. He isn't even of my blood.

Dad just left his tools and walked under a tree and sat down in the shade. I got a drink then took a container to grandpa to have some. He just shook his head and would not talk to me. Dad took some water and just looked at our mass of rock and thought of the best way to deal with it.

"Dad, I am sorry to put pressure on you. Grandpa would not listen to me, and he will die from the heat. I have been thinking about something that could help. The surplus store may have some pneumatic jackhammers. They are heavy, but they make drilling easier. Could you and grandpa bring one or two back? We loose a bit of time but we gain a rest and the work goes faster, too."

"That is a good idea. I almost don't want to get up now. Let's go, then." I extended my arm and dad used it to get up but actually pulled me right off my feet. He put me in a headlock and rubbed my head. "Let's get grandpa moving."

Grandpa was being stubborn and didn't want to go. Dad said, "Get up, old man. I am going to find a cold beer or two."

This was something new. Dad rarely spent cash when he could drink his own produce. He must have known what to say, for grandpa got up and started for the truck.

Just before we got there I said, "Dad, Grandpa, I was wrong about one of my ideas." They both looked at me and grandpa had a look that said that he knew so. "We don't need secrecy as much now as we did before. Why don't you take Lester and get him to buy enough wood to make some temporary buildings of plywood and tarpaper. Maybe they even have some plans for small buildings we can use. Just make sure you get screens for the doors and windows. I don't like feeding the mosquitoes. If you get some chainsaws, we can clear most of the area, so mosquitoes will not be bothering us in the daytime.

The three men left and I felt bad about my plans. In my old life things had worked quite smoothly. I had hired the best people and told them what I wanted. The jobs that needed more skull work I took on to keep me occupied. The fabrication of these portable buildings would just be handed to a framer, and he and his men would have the portable building up in short order. The fact that the construction of this type of building would be profitable had made me decide to build some now. In the mean time, the family had to live with tarps and mosquitoes. Though they were used to some of these conditions, I was shamed to have put them through this ordeal.

I started the front-end loader and worked hard to push the correct pedals to get to the present base of the outcrop. The pedals were made for adult legs with adult strength. I had to slide off the seat and ride standing up at an angle to get to the rock. I got some scooped up, but found it was better for me to just put the bucket down and throw the rock into it.

I made four trips with rocks I could push, throw or tip into the bucket. This I dumped onto a cleared area of rock to be broken up later with a sledge. A crusher would have done much better, but it was not a tool to be carried around. It was much too heavy and would usually only be found at a mill.

With chain; I managed to pull out many of the larger sections of fallen rock. Some sections of rock had larger nuggets of gold, and these were set aside for grandpa to clean.

Helga came over with some water. "You certainly are a driven youngster, Alex. Drink this; you look like you need it."

I took a drink and said, "Thanks, Helga. It is not easy to use equipment made for a grown man. They could have made this machine so much easier to use, if they had wanted to."

"How is that?"

"Instead of strong springs and mechanical linkages, they could have used more hydraulics. Then a small easy movement could move the loader anywhere I wanted."

"Why don't you invent it, then?"

"Too many more important things to invent first."

"You just invent away, Alex. Everything is fine with me. It is a man's job anyway."

That was another thing I had to change. Women and men had more or less set duties. Even washing a dish by a man was not done. Pushing Helga to carry the gun was fine, but to have her on patrol was another. Men were the predominant breadwinners now. Later, the percentage of working women would rise. This could be one of the reasons for children being harder to deal with in later years. A mother chained to a house and children could result in the loss of a great mind and talent. This same mother also had to give the needed structure to a child's upbringing.

Crime in the future was much higher than now. Some could be attributable to violent television shows or computer games, but some had to rest on the shoulders of parents unwilling to spend their time with their children and guide them. I had a chance here, in this time, to do something about this situation and for the life of me I did not know what to do.

When all the rock possible was removed, I went over to work the sluice that Lester used. I shovelled in some material, and the water flushed the small pieces down the trough. The wood rungs stopped the material and trapped it. Rocking the sluice dislodged the material, only to get trapped further down. Eventually, with the action of the flowing water and the rocking, the material was washed off the end. Any gold was trapped behind the rungs, because its density was too great to be washed far.

After every few shovelfuls, the areas behind the rungs were checked to see if the accumulation was high enough to warrant some cleaning. I got a few pounds before the men came back.

I could see Helga on a small hill, making sure that the right people had come. Dad and Lester took out a heavy jackhammer and took it to where we had been working. Grandpa tried to drag the long, rubber air hose. It was very long and caught on the irregular ground. Lester came to help, and they got one end to the compressor and the other to the jackhammer.

The compressor was noisy starting up. Once it settled down, the jackhammer started, and within thirty seconds Rolph was getting out of the tent. I shut off the water going to the sluice and walked over to the sleepy Rolph. It was about time that he usually got up anyway. I poured him a coffee, and then got some myself. I suggested that he move his sleeping quarters to the other side of the small hill still covered with trees. Tomorrow, he would not be able to sleep with all the noise made.

The back of the truck had one more jackhammer and two chainsaws. One was only 16 inch and fairly easy for me to handle. They were not new, but the chain on each was. Cutting oil went into one tank and two-stroke fuel into another. Dad had bought everything that was necessary.

There were no safety glasses, gloves or earplugs. These were available, but most people didn't think they needed them. I used the saw, though, and pulled out most of the smaller trees. The larger ones needed the bigger saw and more brawn than I had. The saw was abandoned, and I gathered up the brush and usable wood and carried them further from camp. Now the northern air force would have fewer bases to attack from.

Lester had gone back to the sluice and I went over to talk with him. "Hello, Lester. What did you guys decide to do about the temporary shelter?"

"Hi, Alex, your dad wanted to build some things from some books, but they were too fancy. I can build whatever he needs without the books. We ordered a lot of wood and some tools to be delivered on Monday."

"Monday... ! We have to live through another two nights of mosquitoes and maybe a few more till the building goes up."

After another excruciating day, we were allowed to sleep in till eight o'clock. We had a more leisurely breakfast, and then dad stood with us and had a small service. It was not like him to miss church, but he did not want to miss the gold either. He just said a few prayers and then we went to work again.

Both jackhammers started up, and I found the first aid kit and put some cotton batten in my ears. I would have used foam, but there was none to be found. Just after our noon meal the noise stopped. I stopped loading rock and ran up the now much shorter hill. Dad and Grandpa were sorting through the rocks and setting some prizes aside for later. They had got some nice pieces, but not the large nuggets I knew were there.

An hour later, I dragged some large shards of rock away from the base. When I placed them on the exposed bedrock, I saw a large surface of metal. I took the smallest hammer and worked on the rock till I had a large expanse showing. Much of it was still locked in the rock. I was tired and thought of how grandpa was probably still angry with me.

I walked to the front of the loader and called to the two on the hill. When they both stopped, I yelled "Grandpa," then looked at the engine of the loader. He left his hammer on the rock and came down. Thinking that it was a mechanical problem; he did not hurry.

"What is it, Alex?" He said, at least more civilly than this morning.

"I am tired, and I need your help. Will you come here?"

He walked around the side and immediately saw the gold and the hammer beside it. I didn't have to say a thing for he ran the few feet and bent down to caress the metal as if it was his first-born child. He didn't even look at me and soon he was using small strokes of the hammer to retain as much of the nugget as possible.

I gathered up the chain and just went back to get more of the large rock fragments. Dad had seen Grandpa and ran down to see what was found. They had changed jobs now, and both men were using sledges to break up the rock.

After I had brought all the pieces over, I went up the outcrop and worked a jackhammer myself. It took me only a minute to know that they were too big for me.

With nothing better to do, I relieved Lester and told him to go see dad and grandpa. "Thanks, Alex. What do they need me for?"

"I think you should see them and find out."

I could see the three men, now avidly working on the large rocks. Their swings were hard and sure, as they really got into breaking the granite apart. They reminded me of boys opening presents on Christmas morning.

We worked later than usual into the night, and dad was reluctant to drive me home. He knew that I could lose the school year, and his reasoning was more than just clouded by the gold. He just loaded the table with the gold nuggets we had found, plus two very large masses of gold that no doubt had been drooled over.

One was the size of a baby's head and massed out at around 200 troy ounces. The other was odd shaped, and I guess it weighed about three quarters of the other one. These two alone would work out to over twelve thousand dollars in American funds.

I just went to bed, while dad drove back to the mine. It was hard to get up and get ready, but I managed without being called. The table was set and the food ready. Two mason jars stood on the counter, but the two nuggets were still on the table.

People are odd. The mason jar held one imperial quart. It weighed almost fifty of the usual pounds, or over 700 troy ounces. One jar was full of dust, and the other had only a third of that amount in nuggets. Yet, the table held the two large nuggets that were only a fraction of what was in the jars.

I kissed Mom and wished her a good morning. Aron got a hug with the greeting. Grandma got the same as Mom, but Helen got a quick lover's kiss. Mom asked about all the gold we got in only one weekend. I explained as quickly as I could, but my mind was still muddled from the work and the loss of sleep.

Before heading off to school I said, "We need more help. Grandpa and dad are working themselves to death." I told about the new building going up, so that we would have a better place to live when at the mine.

I took a small jam jar and tipped the large jar of gold dust into it. I had taken a few pounds in gold dust, and I put a few small nuggets from the other jar. The smaller nuggets and flakes were left. Mom was wondering about the gold, but I just smiled widely and said, "I will be a little late today, mom."

All three of us walked to school, although I pushed my bike. Helen had an old bike that Aron used to learn, but it was too small for her. Aron never got his own bike, and my parents gave the one I had to me just before they died.

We stopped at a rural intersection with no houses around. We both gave Aron a hug before sending him off to his school. When we were alone Helen held my free hand. "I like us to be together like this," she said.

"I do too, Love. There is one problem that I am going to have to explain before we get to school."

"What is that?"

"You already know that I love Laura the same as I love you. This is a more serious type of feeling. You are in grade 11 and Laura is almost 20. I thought it a good idea to have a girlfriend who is in my grade, to keep people from thinking too much of Laura or you with me."

"Who is she?" Helen asked frostily.

"Rita Leone. And don't start that jealousy act when we have just started. This time next year I hope to have finished school. We will leave, and Rita will not be coming with us. I really like her, but not the same as you two. Don't hurt her, or I will be angry. We haven't even had our own talk yet, and I guess it will have to wait till tonight. Now, give me a sisterly kiss to hold me till tonight, wench."

Helen still looked angry, then decided to do as I asked, but gave me such a passionate kiss that I almost fell over.

"Let that hold you until tonight," she said.

Close to the school Rita came running to me. Her house was on the other side of the school and she must have come looking for me. She stopped and looked at Helen, then figured she was just an older sister.

"Hello, Alex," she said kind of sweetly. Her eyes were downcast and she was acting shy.

"Hello Rita. This is my foster sister Helen. Helen, this is Rita, one of the prettier girls in my class."

Helen didn't want to, but went through the introduction to not make a scene. I explained what my immediate goals were in school and just had enough time to warn her about some reporters; because I knew that they would show up, especially when the case was put on the docket.

I locked my bike up and we headed for classes.

During second period I heard, close to the building, a large truck running its motor fast to probably power the hydraulics. At the end of class I was able to see a large pile of wood sitting by the large bay that the auto class would sometimes use. A dozen men were looking at prints while another truck came onto the tarmac.

When lunch came, I made sure that our group was acting like ladies and gentlemen. Part way through, I excused myself and gave my apologies to the entire two tables. Rita was a little upset, but I knew she could function without me for a while. In a month she would not need me at all.

The construction site was very busy. Students were helping all over, and many more than the number that would be in the available classes. One individual smoking a cigar was pointing and giving orders, while still chewing on the end.

The framing was done quickly and it looked like the electricians were following not only Ontario code but also the extra procedures I wanted followed. This unit was sleeping quarters and needn't have plumbing, but I did have a washroom at one end of one half. The water lines were going to be put in last. They would be one piece, soft copper tubing, but this would be insulated and would actually run on the interior side of the wall to try to keep it from freezing in the harsh northern winter.

The floor and ceiling were ten inches, and were going to be filled with insulation.

Heat was electric, but I would buy a good wood stove for one end, with a double-wall metal plate to keep the wall from getting too hot, and tinsmiths were now making a double-walled, stainless chimney, so there was an alternate way to heat and even make some coffee. Fans, controlled by individual switches, would blow the heat around in winter and ventilate in the summer.

At this stage it was easy, and I was not needed. Later, I felt, when the tradesmen wanted to do things their way, would cause some problems.

There was less than ten minutes left in our lunch break, and I hurried to the nurse's station. I was lucky that Laura was alone and only reading a novel. She looked around and said, "Hello, Alex."

The side room was empty and I turned, closed the main door and locked it. "I have little time, sweetheart; into the other room, quick." Laura gave me a quick smile and did as she was ordered.

"Stand at the end of the exam table." She did so quickly.

"Give me your panties." She hesitated only a second or two, then did as she was ordered and handed me her white cotton panties with a big smile on her face.

"Pick up the hem of your dress, sit one the edge of the table and lie down."

Laura did this very quickly, and figuring what was going to happen, pulled her knees up to her chest. Other than saying hello, the first thing she said was, "Are you going to take me now?"

"I am saving that for a very important ceremony. You will have to be patient a while longer. I am going to do something that will help you think of me more."

I took out two large gold nuggets that I had rolled into spherical shapes about three eights of an inch in diameter. With its density known, each had to weigh an ounce and a quarter and an ounce and an eight in troy measure. The two were quite heavy for their size.

I bent over fast, fastened my lips to her clit and sucked, while I worked my finger into her virgin hole. It took only a few minutes before she came. This time, she was prepared and put her arm over her mouth to stifle the noise. When she started to come back to me, I slipped the first pellet into her opening. With a little nibble on her clit, I inserted the second pellet. Her panties were put on next, and I pushed up her legs to get them around her waist.

I pulled her up and kissed her lips. When she opened her eyes I said, "I put two pellets inside you. Keep them there all the time. It may be hard to hold them, but you have to do it. If you go to the bathroom, you may remove them, but when you are done, you need to put both of them back. Do you understand me, woman? This is a command from your master."

Her eyes glowed at the dominance act and she said, "Yes, master. I will do as you order. May I ask why you put the things in me?"

"No, but in a while you will find your own answer. When you meet Natalie, you may take the pellets out beforehand. I do not want you to drive with them in you, either, at least till you are used to them."

"Yes, master. May I kiss you?"

"I am just a sex object to you, but I guess I have to bow to the wishes of my slaves sometimes. You may kiss me."

Laura was on me very quickly, and she had to come up for air twice. My pants were getting painful when I pushed her away. "I will not be able to see you until after school tonight, but I think by then your kisses will be much hotter."

She just looked at me, wondering what I meant by that.

The bell had rung, but I managed to wash my face in the sink before unlocking the door and running to my locker.

The sixth period was geography. We had gone through half of it and I had most of my homework done. The phone rang and Mr. Armstrong answered it. With only a few "ahems," the call was over and he said, "Mr. Kramer, they want you in the office."

"Thank you, Mr. Armstrong. I am sorry to have bothered your class." Just before I left, I pursed my lips in a kiss for Rita. She smiled widely and got shy on me.

The office had four men in neat suits that almost said lawyer on them. They were presently talking to Principal Corfu. I came in the door and the Principal could not see me till I was close. "Good Day, Principal Corfu. I see the board's lawyers have arrived."

He looked at me then at the lawyers and said, "Yes, they have. You are very astute to have noticed."

"Thank you sir but their suits and briefcases gave them away. Will you introduce me?"

I shook hands with each of the men. It looked as if any of them would not be a pushover, and as a group, I would have difficulty. They wanted me in Mr. Corfu's office and I declined.

"The office is small, and I might want to put my feet up and relax. You gentlemen need a place for your notes and hopefully a place to sit. I am also limiting our talk to half an hour."

The one that introduced himself as Mr. Macmillian said, "That is not the way it will be, Mr. Kramer. We will tell you where, and how long, we will talk."

"It is good you said that in front of witnesses. As for your bad manners, I refuse to talk to you other than on the witness stand. Good day, gentlemen." I walked back to the class and I heard orders for me to stop, but none were from the Principal.

I was back in my seat for about three minutes when another call came to Mr. Armstrong's class. With a bit more "ahemmm," but louder, I was again asked to go to the office.

They were waiting for me this time, and I just stood and waited for their demands. Mr. Turner said, "We agree to talk for a half hour in a place of your choosing."

"Thank you, Mr. Turner. I feel, though, that our rapport will be strained if Mr. Macmillian joined us. If we can talk like gentlemen for that much time without his boorish attitude, I will be happy to talk with each of you."

They went into a huddle but failed to bend over as if they were playing football. There were a few angry sounds but when they broke for the "scrimmage", Mr. Turner said, "We agree, Mr. Kramer."

"Thank you, Mr. Turner. Now, I believe it is up to Mr. Corfu to find us a quiet room that will allow you to take notes while we both ask questions."

One classroom would be vacant now and for the next period as well. Before we got there, the bell rang and hundreds of students flooded the halls and avoided the tall men with immaculate suits and briefcases. I opened the door and ushered them in and then closed the door behind me. The men stood in a group, and I walked to the front of the room and got behind the teacher's chair and said, "Before we begin and the clock starts ticking, I wish to say that I have no hard feelings against any in your profession. I further have no hard feelings against the school board, Mr. Corfu, or Mr. Edwards. My only wish for those gentlemen is to change the way they treat aggression in this school district."

They began their questions slow enough and gave me time to finish. When they started to cut me off, I said, "We are doing well now, and none of you have been other than gentlemen. The time limit is now the closing bell for the last class. I only ask that you do not cut me off as if we are in a court of law."

I explained all the times I was harassed in school, and what I did about it. This amounted to nothing. I did mention that some teachers, at times, saw pushing and shoving by a group against an individual and did nothing.

At no time did a school official state our rights or explain that there may be some rules against bullies.

I did ask for the correct wording of what the school board policy was and said, "Who is the inept individual who formulated such a loose and ill-defined set of rules such as this?" Being a rhetorical question, I got no reply.

They asked me about the fight itself, and I explained how I walked to the back of the market and found many students waiting to see a fight and bloodshed. I described each of my moves but did not use any technical terms. When I mentioned how the last opponent was taken out I explained why I did it.

"Do you have any formal training as a fighter?"

"I wrestle with my eight-year-old foster brother and with my sixteen year old foster sister. Many times she beats me, because I am smaller and weaker than her. I attribute my success to seeing many other fights at my school and the way they were won or lost. Books, too, told me of various ways to handle a bully."

"You were never taught then?"

"How could I? I am 13. I live on a farm, where I have chores to do and school to go to. My parents would never pay for training; so a boy could fight. Furthermore, my father was never taught how to fight and has taught me nothing other than that I should stick up for myself."

"Now, I would like to glance at the school board policies to familiarize myself with them." When no reply came or no move to comply I said, "Thank you, gentlemen. I expect to see each of you in court soon."

Mr. Turner stopped me and then dug in his briefcase and I leafed through the thirty or so pages in three or four minutes. I handed it back then said, "On your page seven chapter six it states..."

For the next few minutes I threw their own rules back at them and asked for clarification. Many things were hinted at, but not enforced. There was not even a standard policy for dealing with such things. It was all up to the school itself to administer each case.

When the final bell rang I said, "I will rewrite some clauses I want changed. I guess I will have to go out and buy a typewriter unless I can convince the administration here to not dock my school time. After all, it is the board that I am dealing with."

Mr. Turner said, "You want us to accept the way you want the rules changed?"

"There may be some room to move, but the intent has to remain clear. If we come to a resolution, then the case may be dropped after I get paid a dollar in punitive damages plus legal fees."

Now the lawyers were indignant, but I said, "I am sorry, gentlemen, but our time is up. I must leave for a previous engagement."

Helen and Rita were waiting when I came out my usual door. "Hello, ladies. Just had a chat with a few of the board's lawyers. I think they are running scared."

Rita said, "Why are you suing the school? It never did anything to you."

"I am doing this so that their rules are changed. I want you to be safe in the school, as well as the next boy that graduates from grade eight this year. They do not want to pay the money, and the court may not let me have that much. But the threat can get their rules changed and that is what I want."

Helen had heard all this before and said, "You going home now?"

"I would love to walk home with you, but today I have a few things to do. I will be home in a few hours."

Helen didn't like this but said, "Ok I will put your food in the oven for later."

"Thanks."

The bicycle tire was flat again, and I walked it to the service station and put in one of the valves I bought yesterday. There were three jewellery stores in town, and I went to the first. I looked at their stock of jewellery and left soon after. They had assumed I was just looking, because they never came to ask what I wanted, thinking I was only a kid.

The second store was more upscale. The owner was not there, and the salespeople said that the owner hadn't made any jewellery in years.

The last shop was in a poorer section of town, but the merchandise looked more original and spontaneous than the other two.

An older man came out of the back when I came in. He was mostly bald with a white fringe. He had not let himself get fat, but was clearly past retirement age.

"Hello, young man. How may I help you?"

"Hello, sir. I wish to see your selection of crucifixes."

When they were brought out, I saw that they had a lot of old filigree that the more modern crosses didn't have. They were larger than usual and would require a heavier chain. Some of the other work was very good, and I said, "Sir, I find your work very exquisite in many ways. I assume that you made these?"

"Yes, I did. It takes quite a few hours to shape these pieces, and I enjoy every moment of it."

"Sir, my name is Alex Kramer. I would like three of the larger crosses and three of the smaller ones here. The larger three need a heavy, twenty-two inch chain. The three smaller will fit on our present necklaces. I would also like to commission you to make three torcs in 18 karat gold. These will be fairly massive, as the Gauls and Celts originally wore them."

"A torc? I have only seen a few pictures of them. Nobody I know has ever made any. Last I heard they were worn about 300 BC."

"Everything old is new again, is a good term. Now; for the medium of exchange."

"Exchange?"

"Sir, I staked a claim out of town and found some gold. I will show you." I opened my pack and took out the bottle that contained the gold. "Would you be so kind as to loan me a sheet of plastic so that I may display the gold dust we acquired yesterday?"

The man looked under his cabinet, and then had to go further down to return with a sheet. He laid it flat on his glass counter and I poured the contents out onto it. The old man picked up the individual nuggets and felt their weight and used his thumbnail to determine how ductile they were. His eyes widened, "This is gold."

"Yes, it is, just like your merchandise. I have enough to make it worth your while to trade your labour and your 18 karat gold work for my impure gold."

"Show me the pieces you want and the chain. We can start to deal then."

I selected the heavy chain and the two styles of crucifixes I wanted, all in 18 karat. At my urging he weighed the large necklace, the crucifix and a smaller crucifix. With a triple set in mind we dickered back and forth for an exchange rate. The man must have liked me, for he would charge three times the weight in my impure gold for the exquisite work that went into the jewellery.

The gold I brought more than covered the cost, but he'd still have to replicate some of the pieces.

I took out the diagram I made of the torc, and explained how it had to be strong, yet flexible. The torc looked like a short section of rope bent into the shape of the letter 'C'. The large terminus at each end would have an equally large hole within it.

"Mr. Kramer, you want me to make a gold collar of this size? This would not only be very heavy but expensive, too."

"Work with the design and see what you can come up with. The terminations at the front require the holes and the band would best be made of thin strands as a rope to allow it to flex. I require three necklaces, and they need not be exactly the same, but they must look to be of at least equal value.

"This is a very interesting project, Mr. Kramer. What are your terms for these articles?"

"Two and a half times the weight of 18 karat gold you use."

"Two and a half for a work of art..."

We almost spent more time arguing about the price than about how the actual construction was to be made.

I left the gold after it had been weighted and I got a receipt. The contract, though, was only verbal. The taxman would not take a bite out of this transaction.

Downtown was busy when I rode through it. The largest pharmacy was my goal. I asked the clerk to hand me one of the bags a doctor would usually carry at this time. She looked at me oddly, but did as I asked. All the bags were leather in the standard shape. In modern times, there were soft nylon bags with straps, handles, and zippers, so they were easier to carry. Some were even in gaudy colours. Doctors are a conservative group, and some would never think of changing.



-------

Chapter 9



My selection went into a cart, and then I went shopping for a stethoscope. The pharmacist came out from behind his counter and asked, "Could I help you, young man?"

"Thank you. I am looking a double diaphragm stethoscope for respiratory auscultation. Some units have three additional bells for cardiac auscultation on infants, children and adults. Do you happen to have any unit like that? Your display case makes it difficult for those of us who are vertically impaired or challenged."

The man looked through his selection and handed me two. I selected the one I thought superior, and put it into my basket.

"Do you carry sphygmomanometers?"

"Yes we do, they are behind the counter. Do you care to see them?"

"Yes, I am looking for a lightweight unit."

I was shown the common Aneroid-Tyco's blood pressure units, and it took only a moment to get the unit I thought best.

"Do you stock surgical instrument sets?"

"I am sorry, I don't. You will have to go to a supply house for that."

I picked out two clinical thermometers, some triangular bandages, alcohol, and tincture of iodine, gauze dressings, adhesive tape, hydrogen peroxide, ammonia inhalant ampoules, latex gloves, and standard adhesive bandages. I wanted the surgical set with all the basic instruments, all in a nice case.

"Do you have some silk and catgut sutures, or do I have to go to a supply house for that, too?"

"We do have some. Again, they are behind the counter."

I took three sizes of silk and one of catgut that were all in twelve packs. Nearby were some haemostats that would be in the surgery kit, and I took a straight and a curved model, in case it took a while to get the kit. From another shelf I took a prep razor.

"Tongue depressors?"

"I'll show you."

After I picked these out the man said, "Anything else?"

"A good pen flashlight, a Cramer splint, Taylor hammer, bandage scissors, aspirin, safety glasses, and earplugs."

The flashlight was not good, and I left it. The safety glasses looked poor compared to what I had known, but took a dozen pair, which happened to be all of his stock. The earplugs were mainly for swimmers instead of for noise. I took a dozen different varieties to check them out. The hammer and splint were not stocked.

The pharmacist took me to the counter and I think he was amazed that I could actually pay for everything I wanted. He said, "You look young to be a doctor."

"I will be the youngest doctor when I graduate. This is just a first aid kit."

The man just laughed and I took it to be that he was laughing at me. "My name is Alex Kramer. I would like you to remember this day and our conversation. Perhaps your levity will have changed sometime in the future."

When the money was paid, I made sure I got a receipt for income tax purposes. I took the loose paper out of the bag and filled it with my other purchases. The man took the paper and I nodded my head to him as I left the building.

There was a new Canadian Tire store nearby. I left my bag at courtesy and found a better selection of flashlights, but the batteries were all carbon zinc that could leak acid.

Doctor Smiles was next on my agenda.

I entered the waiting room, and Janice welcomed me warmly and looked at the bag. "Practising already?"

"Basically, just a trauma kit. I just need some instruments. Would you order me some; the pharmacy does not stock much in that line?"

"I certainly could. The salesman is due any day now."

I listed what I wanted in the kit and added some of the other things that would not be found in a pharmacy. A small light changed on the desk and Janice said, "Let's see the doc."

Doctor Smiles was happy to see me and looked through my bag to see my purchases. I could have bought better from his supply house, but this way I would have them now and not at some future date.

"You have started with some of the equipment, now you need to get at the books. Janice and I are leaving next week for Europe and the other doctors are shouldering our patients. I would like to loan you a key to the office, so you can get to the library."

"That would be great. I think that I will like to specialize in pediatrics instead of being a general practitioner."

"Good choice. The rewards are great, but so are the failures," he said sadly. We talked a bit longer and Janice gave me a key. I thanked each of them and left for home.

When I got home, Mom and grandma had left for the mine and Helen was there to greet me. She did so, more like a bride than a sister. She could feel my erection and pushed herself against me. She came up for air and kissed me again. She must have been thinking about this all day.

My own hands stole around her and massaged her ass. One hand went higher to rub her back and pull her close. She pulled back and said, "I missed you, Alex."

"That was a great way to greet me. You do that much more and we will have burnt food." She didn't understand right away, but got me seated at the table. As she served me the food her face changed as she finally caught on.

"You mean we..."

"We certainly would, but we have to have our talk first. This is a very complicated subject."

Aron was called down and ate with us. It seemed like a family again, but this time with a wife and a son. My wife had given me two children whom I loved. Somehow I felt that Helen would be different.

All three of us did the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen. We worked together on the kitchen table doing homework and helping each other with problems. We never told Aron the answers to questions, but the occasional hint helped or the problem would just be restated.

Aron went upstairs to read, and I decided it was time to have 'the talk'. I sat on the couch and called Helen. She came into the room drying her hands on a small towel. "You feel like having a talk with me now?"

She sat down primly, with the rag still clutched in her hands. Her eyes were fixed on mine and I could see the worry. The cause of the apprehension could be anything and I decided to just start.

"Did Mom talk to you about the visions I had?"

"She talked a bit. She said I would be sick if I did not watch out for infection."

"That is basically right, though you would get sick very fast. Many people die if this happens to them. You could be one of them. That is one of the reasons I am so interested in medicine. I would loose so much, if I lost you."

She saw my concern now and said, "I am ok now, Alex."

"You probably are, and I want to make sure you stay that way, too. Now, some of the other things I saw have to do with inventions. You already know about my seeing the location of the gold. Some inventions are simple toys, while others are much more complicated. They are so intricate that I cannot even describe them to you except in broad terms. Some deal in electronics that use the transistor that was invented not too long ago. They can be used to make machines that can do millions of simple things one right after the other and never make a mistake. Other things have to do with new vaccines and antibiotics."

"Is all that useful, I mean other than the medicine?"

"They will disrupt the entire planet."

She looked at me stunned. "How?"

"The transistors make simple controls for machines that allow one man to operate many machines and do everything very fast. That means that fewer men will be working. The other men who did that job need to look for a new job. This happens over and over again; to such an extent that very few people do not get affected."

"You don't have to tell anybody and then this won't happen."

"It will still happen, but it will just take a few years longer and others will have to come up with the answers. If I do it, then I can try to harness the power it gives me and make it easier on those who are disrupted by the inventions."

"Schools may be the most important tool. We can start to teach about the changes, and then I can sell the products we invent slowly. This should give some warning that we are moving in a particular direction and let people start to get out of the way."

"In October of 1957, the Soviets will launch a rocket that will send a package into space. It will orbit our planet for a while, and months later it will come crashing down. That starts a great contest for space. Small radios that are in space will carry your voice to any place on the planet with the right telephone, but it will have no wires."

"I will be the one to make these radios and then make the rockets to launch them."

"Some of my companies will be making the electronic components. We will use some for ourselves and some will be sold. A patent lets me keep my ideas protected for 17 years. People will still try to steal from me, but my companies will take all those to court. I think I will have hundreds of court cases going all the time."

"This is what I see relating to things. I see other things relating to me. When I get older, I will be different from most men. The attitude I have now will go on. I will be a very famous builder, inventor and industrialist. My own body, though, will help me do this. There is a male hormone in my body that affects how we think and act, as well as how we grow. I will get hair like dad, but more of it. I will grow between my legs, and then I'll want to use it all the time. This is where the trouble is."

"How, Alex?"

"I will fight very hard, almost like a cave man, when I do business. After the business is done, I will want women. One woman will not be enough. One woman would think I am a sex maniac, because of the gratification I need. With two or more women, they can share the burden and enjoy the attention. I will have a compulsion to control, which helps me in business, but will make some women uncomfortable. I see all this happening and I have not yet started to make the seed a man does in his body."

"You are smart, Alex, and I don't mind doing what you say. Mom does what dad says most of the time."

"I will be able to work within those bounds, but in coming years women will get much more power and take on many more jobs that only a man does now. This will allow a woman to look a man in the eye and not be subservient. I want this to happen to the world in general, but I would not be able to handle that in my family. I would try even harder to keep you like Mom is now."

"I can do that, Alex. Mom is happy and I would be happy too."

"That is easy to say now, when you do not have many people all around you giving subtle hints to change to the way they are. You do not know the amount of temptation they would put upon you. If you change a bit, you will want more, and soon you would leave. You would not want me telling you what to do."

Helen started to cry, "Alex, I can do that. Just give me a try. I will do everything you want."

"We can try. I do not demand that you act like a slave, just that you obey my orders if I give them, just like dad does. I have loved you a long time and would not hurt you for the world. If you trust me enough to hold your life in my palm, at least for a while, then we can try an experiment. This is an unfair test, because I know you will enjoy it, but it is a first step."

"I will do it, Alex."

"Good, go upstairs and have a bath. Then go to bed, and I will come to you."

"You... you want to..."

"No, not yet, but soon. This is where you get some fun. Now, go have your bath."

Helen only had time to blink a few times, and then she ran off to the bathroom.

I walked upstairs to my bedroom and saw Aron on his bed reading. "Hey, little brother, have a minute to talk to your big brother?"

"Yes, Alex. What is it?"

"I have to explain some things to you so you will not get upset later. First, I am your big brother for ever. Your sister, though, is not really my sister. She is an older girl who looks very nice and one day will have babies. Since she is not my sister, I want to make love to her."

"You want to do the things dad does to Mom?"

"Yes, that and even more. Dad is old-fashioned and does not do all he can. I want to do many things to your sister because I love her. When she gets older, she will have some of my babies. Soon now, I am going into your sister's room and sleeping there tonight. You will hear a lot of funny sounds. Helen may scream, but it will be because she is very happy, not hurt. Do you understand me so far?"

"Sorta... Why would she scream?"

"A man can get between her legs and suck on a small bump called a clit. It is the same as the end of your dick. You are still young, but soon you will find it is fun to play with the little man between your legs. One day something besides piss will come out. If your dick goes into a girl, and you go back and forth, then that substance will go into a girl. If the girl is old enough, and it is at the right time, she could get pregnant. I can give you a better talk later. Now I have to get ready, myself."

"Alex, can I watch?"

I thought about his request. I had to have him on my side, and I was not a prude. I also did not think it would be bad for the boy. "Open the door five minutes after I go into your sister's room, but only a bit. Do not come in this time, but you can watch."

The boy was excited now and said, "Oh, thanks, Alex. You are the bestest brother ever!"

Soon I heard feet running to Helen's room and I went to the only bath and washed as quickly as I could. When I was dry, I combed my hair. I wore just my pyjamas. I knocked on Helen's room and said, "May I come in?"

A "Yes" came to me, but it sounded very tentative.

I opened the door to see Helen in her own sleepwear, sitting in bed with the sheet and blanket pulled up to her neck. She routinely wore this garment around the house, but now she was shy. I closed the door, but not all the way.

I walked to the far side of the bed close to Helen before sitting at the side of her bed. "Today I wanted to start with just exploring each others bodies. In years to come I will know each square inch of you better than you do. There is no pain involved and there is nothing for you to fear."

"Now come over here and take my pyjama top off. Fold it neatly, and then put it on a chair." She came slowly and sat on the edge of the bed to do as I asked. When she had the second button undone I said, "Kiss my chest, my love." She did smile then, and did as I asked.

"Feel my chest and nipples, Helen. They are like what yours used to be like."

She started to feel my shoulders. Her fingertips trailed down, and that sent a shiver through me. Her mouth came closer and she kissed my chest, again unasked. When the top was off, she started to run her tongue over me and across my nipples.

"You are learning very quickly. You should always take your time to seduce your man. I may have worked hard, as you might have, and both of us will need this sort of thing." The kisses went all over, and then she went to my neck and jaw. I held her head gently and kissed her lips, as if they were the most delicate things imaginable.

"Take off my bottoms now, Sweetheart. Don't be afraid if a massive piece of flesh springs at you."

She did as I asked, and I stepped out of my bottoms and stood before her again. "Feel my penis. It is hard and soft at the same time. You have to watch out for the bag underneath. The two testes will one day make your children, if you wish." Her hand was too gentle, but I didn't comment.

"The head at the end has many nerve endings like the little button you have between your legs. There is a tube underneath that carries urine when I pee, or, one day, fluid with millions of cells in it to make a child. Give me a kiss on the head you hold."

Helen was almost hypnotized and just leaned forward and did as I asked. She did more than kiss, though, for one kiss led to another, and then she took it into her mouth.

In the doorway Aron was watching with his mouth forming a large 'O'.

My hands went to her head and I gently thrust into her and came back to let her know how to move. I didn't even try to hold back, and in a minute I had a dry orgasm shoot through my system and I held Helen's head tight to keep her in place.

I pulled her head off and looked down into her deep brown eyes and said, "That was beautiful my Love. Thank you for doing this for me. Now stand up; I want to take your nightie off."

I moved her as I wanted, slipped the clothing over her head and placed the garment on my pyjamas. I kissed her lips now, and used my tongue to gently work my way into her mouth. She resisted at first, but probably found the sensation not that unpleasant. When I moved to her ear lobe, I found eight-year-old Aron watching with his right hand in his pyjama bottoms.

Helen was groaning continuously, and her hands went up and down my back, because she didn't know what to do with them. She was rubbing me with her chest and her nipples almost scratched their way across my chest.

I held her shoulders and pushed myself away. "Sit on the very edge of the bed, my Love." She looked around dazed and did as I asked. She sat slowly, not knowing where she was in relation to the bed and I helped guide her. The bed sagged. Her eyes looked up to me with many emotions. Lust was probably the strongest, but there must have been uncertainty too. I held her wrists and said, "Lay back."

Helen swallowed, and slowly laid back on the bed with her arms held out in mine. Her breasts were still young and did not change shape much from her old position. "This time I am going to go quick. You are worried about the unknown for no reason. You are mine, and I will not hurt you. Now, pull up one leg and hold your knee to your chest."

She did this, but the knee would not come all the way. "Pick up your other knee now, and hold them to your shoulders."

The last leg came up and she was now completely exposed to my view. I looked down to the fine, brown hair on her mons, "You are beautiful everywhere."

I kneeled as if at mass, and ran my hands over her thighs. She shivered at my touch, but was now quiet. Leaning forward, I kissed the back of her thighs and her legs came together instinctively. I licked and sucked portions of flesh and her legs opened once more.

Her pink opening was shining with her lubrication. Her clit was still hiding, as if unsure whether to come out or not. All I saw was a darker red within the folds of skin. Her respiration was rapid and shallow, and I decided to end her waiting. It was difficult for me, though. There is only once that you get to see your mate this way: for the first time.

My face came down quickly and my lips made a large circle around her now captured clit. Helen's legs came closed very abruptly on the sides of my head. I felt her abdomen contract and her weight shift. My hands were holding tight, for I knew that this would happen.

I waited for her to relax, and in a minute she was laying back down and there was less pressure on my head. I was also able to breathe now. My tongue started to circle my prey very slowly. When I brought my tongue back into my mouth, I could taste Helen. She was as good as I had hoped she would be, for I had wondered about this for most of my adult life.

The smell was slightly different and must have been due to the soap she used. When I finally attacked, Helen's hands came down and locked in my long hair. I did not know whether she was going to keep me away from her clit or to keep me from leaving. As I continued to brush her clit with my tongue, she started to move her body in a rocking motion.

I had to twist my neck painfully against the pulling of my hair to get some breath. I saw her white abdomen strain and eventually relax as I eased up on my licking. I forced her legs further apart and moved lower to her opening. My tongue went around the small, virginal opening many times before the tip started its journey inside.

Her hands had never left my head, but had relaxed some. They now contracted again, and new pain shot through my scalp. I could now hear her gasps, though, as I kept her legs apart. My tongue extended as far as it could. Helen thrust her hips to meet me each time. Her voice gained volume, and she started to mumble my name again and again.

Her legs started to shake with uncontrolled emphasis. When the gyrations seemed to peak, I moved to her clit and sucked as hard as I could, and even though her legs covered my ears, I heard her scream and her body contracted violently. The spasms lasted a long time and then started to diminish, till even her hands released my hair. I continued to lick her, but stayed away from her clit and went progressively slower.

I looked up and took her legs and brought them back toward the floor. Then I crawled across her sweating body and kissed her lips. She responded slowly, and then more avidly, as she came back from that place she had gone. Her arms came around my head to keep me from leaving. When she came up for air she said, "Oh Alex, that was the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me. I felt as if I were going to die, then I could feel you still touching me, and I wanted you there for ever."

"You taste and smell so good; I want to go back for more. Do you want to try one more time?"

"Can we?"

"Anything for my woman." I got off of her and saw the doorway empty. I moved her body around, so she was comfortable and then crawled on top of her in a 69 position. "Take me in your mouth, Helen, but keep your teeth away from me when you get excited, or you will never be able to have any of my children."

Helen held me tight and had my small piece of flesh in her mouth, while I went back to the area I had left not long ago.

Much later I took her hand and walked her naked to the bathroom, sat her on the toilet and washed her face like a child, then did my own in the sink. "Pee, and we will go to bed. I am sleeping with you tonight."

The urine started to flow and Helen said, "Yes, Alex."

Part way through the night I saw Aron standing on my side of the bed. He must have been lonely, and I just moved closer to Helen and pulled back the sheet. He climbed into bed and was soon asleep.

The next morning I woke up early. I felt hot even in the cool morning air. Aron was on one side and Helen on the other. She was on her back, and I just bent over and started very slowly to suck her nipple, while my hand played with her mons.

At some time she came awake and started to respond to me. Her body started to shake, till the motion got very violent then she screamed at the top of her voice. Quieter exclamations followed and she eventually collapsed.

I took my finger from her and lay back. I was about to put it in my mouth when I felt Aron move. I turned to him and found him wide eyed and his hands in his bottoms again. I took my finger that had just been inside his sister, and I put it under his nose. His eyes opened wide then I rubbed it gently on his lips. His tongue came out and I cleaned most of the secretions off.

I turned back to Helen and watched her awake more fully. "Sweetheart, you better turn off your alarm and get up out of bed. We have school to go to, and some chores to do."

"Yes, Alex." She got up naked and reached out her hand to me then she saw her brother staring at her. She clutched the sheet to her and tried to hide.

I pulled the sheet aside and stood in front of her. "Helen, stop and think. You are my woman now, if that is what you want. This is my little brother behind me, who needs a big brother. You made enough noise last night to wake the neighbours. Aron knows everything, and I really don't like secrets like this inside the family."

Taking her head in two hands I kissed her lips. "Do you want me?"

"Oh yes, Alex, now more than ever."

"You are mine then. As my woman I want to show you to my brother." Her eyes opened wide and I moved to one side so Aron could see.

"Aron, this is my woman. She is also your sister. One day this here," as I touched her abdomen, "will have my children." I moved my hand to Helen's breast and said, "These will feed my children. But, Aron, you have to remember she is mine, you will have to get your own girlfriend, and it won't be Laura, either. She belongs to me, too."

Aron's eyes left his sisters body and said, "You have two?"

"I will have more than two, but I think only a few will be with me for the rest of our lives. Now, watch my woman's bum as we go for a bath." I turned Helen around and pulled her with me to the bathroom.

In the bathroom, Helen said, "Why did you do that?"

"We are in a small house and cannot hide all the time. Aron will know and keep quiet. Besides, I like to show people how beautiful my woman is. You are not going to go shy on me are you? You just said that you were mine."

"Ahh... it is just strange, that's all. You won't show me to others, will you?"

"Sure I will show you off. I may dress you in a blouse and you will not have a bra. People will see your breasts through the cloth. Your blouse could be large, too, and many buttons undone. When you bend over, men and women will look down your chest and see the breasts that belong to me now. I may not let you wear panties, and then make you bend over to pick things up. They will see your most private parts that all belong to me, too. What do you think of that?"

Helen was breathing deeply and I could see that she enjoyed the new idea. "You wouldn't do that to me?"

"You belong to me, woman, and I will show you off all the time. Men will see us and want you, but they can't have you. They will see your breasts and want to suck them as I did this morning. They will see you beautiful legs and want to see where they join. They will want to take you and give you children, but they can't. You are mine."

She was glassy eyed, and her mind must have been seeing the visions I told her of. I pushed her shoulders down, and she kneeled in front of me. I pushed my little member to her lips. She opened them and started to suck furiously on me. Her hands came up and held the cheeks of my ass, as if this were her last meal, ever. I didn't hold back, and in a few minutes felt the shivering pass through my body. She continued after the feeling passed, and I pulled away from her.

With her chin cupped in my hand I said, "You are definitely worth keeping. Now, run the bath and we will get in. You are going to be so juicy all day that everyone will smell you and get horny themselves."

On the way to school I talked to Aron. "Aron, what happens in our house has to remain only with us. You know more about girls now than anybody else in your school. If you start talking about sex, then they will wonder where you learned all this. You have to play dumb."

"I wouldn't tell anybody Alex."

When Aron left for his school, Helen said, "Did you really mean that about me having your children?"

"Yes, I did, Sweetheart. Laura will have some, too. I like family, and perhaps it will work better this time if there is company to keep each of you from getting lonely."

"This time?"

"Ah... I was going to marry a woman who gave me two children. I was too busy, and she got the idea that she should go out and have fun with other men. I didn't tell her everything she should do; I acted much like dad. She just started to chaff, when I said what had to be done that day. How she did it, or when, was not important, and some of the jobs could be done the next day. She would divorce me and leave. The children were grown up and stayed with me."

"You talk as if this happened."

"It is what could happen. It is not a real bad thing, just a loss when I would get old. Having a wife for all those years would mean that I invested a lot of love into our relationship and it was all gone."

We managed a parting kiss before Rita came to greet me. Helen, this time, looked at her differently now, as if the girl had no chance to get what she got. Helen left for her friends with a wiggle in her step now, and I wondered what subconscious signals she was giving out.

Rita brought me to her friends and we talked a while, especially about my domestication plan. The girls also asked me about their clothes and I gave my opinion, if I could think of a way to improve them. I talked about acne and other related problems and what could be done to combat the situation.

By the time the bell rang, I was telling them how to get individual boys to notice them. I promised to talk the next day about other problems they might have or possibly get into.

Just before lunch we had draughting and we all went outside to see the construction taking place. There were a lot of students and men working on the project. All the trades were represented, except automotive and machine shop, and those were working on the other project of mine. Mr. Clark talked to a few of the men, and we got a look at what was being done. In the class we had talked about architectural drawings, and now he could show the students how it was actually put together.

Plywood was being nailed to some of the external walls. Trusses had been manufactured the way I wanted, and the halves would eventually be joined to make the unit stronger.

Grade nines would not get too much to do out here, but the students who did make it this far, liked it here much better than in the school. I had to admit that I liked it better in the fresh air than in school, too.

The amount of nails being pounded into wood made conversations difficult, but most people had some comment about the construction. Even Nick and his friends were not fully opposed to the project, and made suggestions.

We were dismissed a few minutes early, and we went to lunch. Rita had moved the various students around; so that a particular girl had the boy she was talking about in front of her. The discussion today was sports. The girls asked questions of the boys who appeared thoughtful, as opposed to dumb. It appeared as if this was well orchestrated, and I would not want to be in any of the boys' shoes with this type of organized opposition.

Again, I excused myself and bent over and kissed Rita on the cheek. She accepted it as her due, but spoiled it by turning red.

Laura was treating a girl, and I just stayed in the hall and held my arm as if it was in pain. I could see Laura before she saw me. She was moving around on her seat like she had eaten a bushel of hot peppers. I was immediately sorry for the way I had acted with her. If the ben wah balls had made her feel that way, then she should have just removed them. She must have been very sensitive, because a woman did not usually act this way.

When the girl left, Laura got up to close the door. I got in just before it closed. "What were you going to do just before I came?"

"I... I was... those things do things to me. I looked at those things. There is more gold there than what I make in three weeks. Did you know what would happen? I am sore between my legs. I have to keep doing things to myself, and the gold falls out." She started to cry, she was so upset.

I picked up the front of her dress and put my hand inside her panties and said, "Squat, woman, and spit them out." Laura did so, and I got two very wet balls and a handful of juice. I had to use my other hand to pull her panties down, so I could get my hand out. The smell was all woman when I brought it to my nose. I licked a bit and said, "Hmmm, good. Try some."

Laura did, but it didn't seem to get her turned on. She had been this way too long now, I thought. Her pussy muscles had to hold up the gold that was twice as heavy as an equivalent size in steel.

I sucked the two pellets into my mouth before giving them back to her. "These are yours, Honey. You can still use them, but you will have to do so in moderation. I don't want you hurt, or to act as you did when your last patient was here."

"She probably thought I needed to pee. But the room was strong with my smell."

She pulled up her sopping panties and I said, "Take them off and wash them out. They may dry, but probably won't, but at least you won't be embarrassed by the smell."

"Thank you, Alex." As she took the panties off, I went to the small sink and rinsed out a cloth and got Laura to bend over and cleaned her as well as I could. When I was done, I said "I would have used my tongue, but you are already sore."

"I am, but I could take it from you."

"Thanks for the compliment, Laura. I started to initiate Helen last night. She has learned how to please me with her mouth, and I have done the same thing to her. Soon, I would like to have fun with all three of us."

"I like your family, Alex, and I like Helen especially." She stammered a bit, "I mean she is a girl, and girls usually get along better. I didn't mean it because..."

"Laura, quiet! I know what you mean, and I also hope that you like her the other way, too. I will not always be home, and you girls will have to find your own fun. I have the caveman type of response, though, and I do not want another man close to any of you, unless he is our son."

Laura lunged at me and hugged me tight. Apparently this is what she wanted, too, and needed to be told this way. The bell rang just then and I said, "I believe Natalie is coming over to your place tonight. I will be there at 7:30 sharp. Just have the door unlocked and both of you in the bedroom doing things that will make each of you happy."

"You want to see us doing things?"

"That, too, but she will be more receptive to my ideas. I am not going to force her to do anything, and I will not blackmail her. Perhaps she will want to share you, and maybe you can share me with her, too. I got to run now." I kissed her quickly and was off.

French followed English comp. At the end of the period I said, "I am sorry Mademoiselle Bouchard, but I will have to try to make it later. Is that alright?"

"Yes, Alex, that is alright..."

Before she could ask for another time, I said, "Thanks, got to go. See you later."

For electricity we were told to hurry, and if done in time we could go out and see how the construction was going. It seemed to work, because everybody pulled hard to get all of their work done. I looked carefully at the work being done, to find any problems before other units got made. An electrician said, "Am I doing it right," and laughed.

"You are doing it to both codes so far. I am just concerned with the insulation and the vapour barrier. We cannot afford leaks. It will let us in for a whole raft of future problems and the customers will not trust our products."

Mr. Smith came over and asked, "Any problems, Alex?"

"I don't think so. We seem to have good tradesmen, and the students are putting their best effort into this project. If this turns out as I suspect, we will start a new company devoted to making these structures, and later branch out into completely prefabricated homes. At the same time, we will get into aircraft aluminium and start building large, luxurious motor homes. Later, we will get a dish mounted on the roof for communications, and a family will have all the comforts of home."

Mr. Smith said, "What is this dish?"

"Just a specialized antenna, similar to the ones used for radar. I will launch satellites that ground stations will be able to talk to."

The electrician laughed at my statements. "You are going to launch something. Do you mean on a plane or a balloon?"

"Neither, actually. We can use JP5 jet fuel that is nothing other than purified kerosene. Red fuming nitric acid or liquid oxygen can be used as an oxidant. This vehicle is like a V2 rocket, but very many times larger. When it fires, it will travel five hundred miles up, and the velocity it attains will keep it in orbit around the Earth."

"The satellites that will be expelled are actually special radios that use transistor technology. Signals are beamed from Earth to a satellite overhead, and then the signals are aimed to other satellites in orbit around the Earth, or to a ground receiver. You will get television, radio, and of course phone from any place on the Earth's surface."

"Boy, you have some imagination."

"Remember this conversation in twenty years. You will get a chuckle out of it when you reach into your pocket and bring out a small device, push some numbers, and talk with people on the other side of the planet. By the way, I just designed the building you are now fabricating, and I'm paying the wages of all the tradesmen here."

Mr. Smith asked, "You can do all that stuff?"

"Not right away. I have to make ten to twenty million dollars in the next two years to start. That is the easy part. Then I have to start my electronics industry. Many companies are working on making simple transistors that are actually assembled by hand. I want to make large-scale integrated chips with literally millions of transistors on one chip. The chip will be only a little bigger than a book of matches."

"You can't do that, Alex."

"Care to bet? How about a hundred dollars that I don't make ten million in the next two years? My mining company is already worth quite a few millions, and I just started."

"A hundred dollars is a little too rich for my blood, Alex. That is almost a month's pay."

After history we were all free till tomorrow. I had seen Helen a few times in the hall and waved. Usually, I had Rita at my side and she got to wave too. Rita wanted me to talk to her longer, or go home with her for a home cooked meal.

"I can't, Rita. There are just not enough hours in a day to do what I need to do. Tonight, I'll start work on one of three projects that will make me millions of dollars. That money will be used to make factories to make more money. And before you comment on the money, it is necessary to change things that I see happening. If I succeed, people will be happier than if I just took the money and spent it on things that I wanted for myself."

Helen came out and waited for me. I kissed Rita and said, "I have to go, bye, Sweetie."

When we found the bike it was flat again. "Did Nick do this again?" Helen asked.

"Probably. He is trying to get back at me in little ways. At least they are not as rowdy in class now. I think they will just build up resentment, then do something much more active against me."

"You have to be careful. There is no telling what they might do."

We just walked home at a slow pace, because it was nice to be in each other's company. We talked about our day at school. Helen complained about how some of the boys got to go outside and work on the building when the girls had to stay in.

I said, "All last week you were at the mine picking thousands of dollars in gold, while the boys and girls were stuck inside the walls."

"I did have fun, but it was a lot of work, too. My back was sore, I got sunburn, and mosquitoes bit me. It is fun, as long as we only get a short time to do it."

"The buildings we are making will help. You will get beds to sleep in at night, and screens in the windows and doors. Dad is clearing out most of the trees and brush from around the mine. At least you were wearing practical clothes, then. Think what it would have been like with a dress."

"Alex, I did have a bit of a buzzing under my dress today. In fact it was most of today. Will... will you look later to see what the problem is?"

"Doctor Kramer will do a very thorough investigation and then administer the treatment. But there is an important job tonight. I will not be home, and I will only be able to see you at school tomorrow." Helen had been hugging my arm to her, but released me when she heard the latter part.

"Where are you going?"

"To Laura's. She has a problem like yours, but that is not the reason I am going. She has a friend who will be very upset about Laura's joining our family. It is a small price to pay to keep someone from being too upset."

"Upset? Is that all?"

"This person loves Laura, I think. It would be similar to what you would feel like, if I had to leave and not come back."

"Oh!"

Aron's school got out later, and we waited at our usual spot. If it was raining, or even threatening to, then we had a stone marker that we would move to tell that we had gone on ahead. We sat on the grass and just waited for Aron. Helen wanted to talk about what our future together would be like. I left out the money and social standing, and concentrated on family life and civic responsibilities.

"Why do we have to help those people?"

"If we help the rich, they will assist us in getting all the necessary things done. Helping the poor may just mean getting them a job or a better way of raising their children. The people who want the most children have to learn that their future would be improved with more education and less mouths to feed. Up to this time, families were large. All our relatives have at least eight children. It is a hold-over from our agrarian past," Helen looked at me funny, "farming past. We will be getting strong machines to do the work of many children. That will also mean more money to spend on the children they do have. This will also improve their standard of living. We will be a bit different, though."

I got the questioning look, as Helen cocked her head to one side. "You, my love will give me two children, and so will Laura. That gives you some freedom and a chance to do other things."

"I like the idea of having your babies, Alex. I felt that way since I was little and you were even littler," she said and giggled.

"With two mothers we have a baby sitter all the time. I don't mean that one woman has to stay home; I want both of you to get a good education, because you will all be working in the family business."

"What am I going to do?"

"You are in a business course in school now. Your four-year course means you graduate next year. I want you to work with me for a year to learn what you have to do. It will be hard at first, till you learn the ropes. This way you are starting the companies with me. Later, when we get on our feet, you can go to university, but by then they will have little to teach you."

Aron was coming now, and he started to run the last hundred yards.

Helen said, "I don't know if I could do much. My marks are fair, but not what you need."

"Well, now that you have an idea what is expected of you, you will work harder to get higher marks. Next year you will be very close to the top of your class, I think."

Aron came up and stood in front of us a little breathless. I reached out and hugged him. "Give your sister a hug, even though you are big, and tell us about your day at school."

As we walked up to our property, I saw men putting insulators on hydro poles for telephone wire. It looked like our days of being incommunicado were going to be over soon.

Helen made supper just like her mother would. We all helped with the women's work. I talked to Aron as we did this. "The majority of great chef's in the world are men. Women seem to be more practical, but men throw themselves very deeply into a task. When a man does this, he leaves out all other things like he were possessed. He sacrifices his family and friends to do this odd thing. Since he pours so much of himself into a project, he learns more about it than most. So you have women who are more socially adept and well rounded, and some men who are very good at something and need a woman to help them through life."

"Like you and Helen?"

I had to laugh at this, and then thought more and had to laugh again, because he was absolutely right about me.

"Yes, Aron, I see now that you are right. I need Helen to keep me on an even keel. A little brother of mine helps me, too, if he will think of business more. I think one day you could be the CEO of some of our companies. This job has a lot of stress, but you would be happy with the challenge."

"What's a CEO?"

I chuckled and told him the duties he would be getting into. He looked troubled till I gave him what he would be making in compensation.

Right after the meal I finished the last of my homework and started on the drawings for one of the three projects. Aron looked at what I was drawing. "This, little brother, is going to make me millions of dollars."

I had once seen a partially crushed Rubik's Cube. The interior was a piece of plastic with six legs, one in each cardinal point including up and down. All the eight corner pieces were similar, and the eight edge pieces were the same, too. The six centrepieces were attached to the centre section with a spring and a screw, and then covered with a plastic cap.

The images of each part's construction were still bright and clear in my mind, and I made many drawings of each individual part.

The table was scattered with my drawings until, after a glance at the clock, I gathered everything up and put them into my bag. Aron was studying at the table with us. "Aron, I am going out, and will not see you till you come home from school tomorrow. This is important to me." A moment later I kissed Helen and said, "Be back in a minute."

I put another valve into the tube of my bike then used the hand pump to get the balloon tire to inflate. After washing up in the house I gathered some clean clothes for tomorrow and put them into my pack. I ran my hand over my jaw and then smiled. I didn't have to shave because I didn't have a beard yet.

Helen got a kiss at the door and she returned it enthusiastically. "I will miss you," she said, "especially after last night."

"I'll miss you, too."

It was still early, and I did not rush to my rendezvous. I had no reason to arrive sweaty. In town the traffic was light and I spotted a florist's shop and turned around to see if it was open. When I pulled up outside, a woman was turning a sign from open to closed in the window. The door was unlocked though, so I stepped into the small shop. Before the woman could speak I asked, "Do I have time to get two boxes of roses?"

I purchased their entire stock of three dozen roses and split them into two boxes, then filled out the cards. They were tied across my carrier over the front wheel, and the time was 7:26. I made it to Laura's building on time, but was a bit late at getting to her door. I put my ear close but had to wait till my breathing slowed, before I could hear some faint sounds of passion in the room.

The door was still unlocked. After slipping in, I locked the door behind me. The sounds came from the bedroom. My pack went by the table and the flowers were laid beside the dirty dishes. At a peek in the bedroom, I saw Laura in a 69 with Natalie. Laura's head was at the foot of the bed, and she could see me when I came in. I took off my clothes quickly and slipped into the room naked.

My hand on Laura's back brought her head away from Natalie's mons and she looked at me. I smiled reassuringly to her. She knew I was coming, but now she was worried that I saw her actually doing this. I simply kissed her, then pulled back and licked Natalie's secretions from her face.

I got on my knees and moved between Natalie's bent legs. I started to eat her like I hoped Laura would. Soon Laura began to react more to her lover, for she didn't have to do any thinking other than enjoy her own pleasures.

Laura shook with her orgasm but stayed in place for more. Natalie shook a moment later, but could not get away. I was becoming stiff myself. Natalie was a beautiful woman, and if it weren't for Laura, would be the most beautiful woman I had seen in the Bay.

As Natalie built up to her second orgasm, I slipped my fingers into her opening very gently and could find no trace of a hymen. I moved in deeper and found her 'G' spot and massaged it while trying to keep contact with her clit. She came very forcefully and almost pushed Laura off of her.

I saw Laura being pushed so that Natalie could have a rest. I continued my massage and soon she saw the futility of it and gave in to the need for one more orgasm. In a few minutes Natalie began to move her hips more. I worried my wet finger into her bowels while pushing my tongue into her vagina. The secretions helped a lot, and soon I was thrusting in forcefully, and her legs came up to give me more room. My thumb entered her other opening and I went after her clit as much as possible.

Natalie screamed into Laura, and Laura had her own orgasm while watching me and feeling the frantic mouthing of her female lover. Laura groaned loudly and shivered in a rigid posture as the sensations ran up and down her body. Natalie collapsed and I had to get up and move an almost senseless woman and get her to lie down beside Natalie. They looked so beautiful together that my mind would retain the image till the day I died.

The bed was just wide enough that I could get on the other side of Natalie. I had to lie on my side and her face was turned to me. When she started to come around, I put one hand behind her neck and began to kiss her face. Before her eyes could open, I was showering her orbs with tiny caresses. Her arm came out and pulled me to her as she groaned at the thoughts of someone loving her as I was.

Her hand felt my head, then my hair, and then she immediately pushed me back and looked at me in horror. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to talk to you tonight. I said so earlier. We both love Laura and I wanted to talk to you about this."

She pushed me away and I fell onto the floor. She tried to get some sheet or comforter to hide her nakedness from me.

I came close enough to slap her face, but I didn't do it very hard. "Stop, Natalie, and listen to me!" I said in my sternest voice. She froze solid as she looked at me.

"Laura can have you as a friend. She has more than enough love for both of us."

"But... but..."

"But you have a lot of fears going through your pretty head. Lay them to rest. I am, for the most part, a gentleman. The only reason I came here tonight was to talk to you in such a way that you could not deny that you love Laura, too. Laura told me about you two a while ago, and I needed the time to set this up. Now, get up and come to the kitchen for some tea," I said as I extended her my hand.

She did as I told her, as if she were an automaton. I got Laura up and kissed her passionately, then took her hand, too, and led them both into the kitchen. Each was seated, and I put the kettle on and started to remove the dirty dishes. I put them in the sink after cleaning off any food residue into the garbage. I washed the table and all the time both naked women were watching me intently.

When I sat on the third and only other chair I said, "I love Laura. Before ten years are up, I want her to have some of my children. My foster sister Helen will have some as well. I believe I will need more than one woman to keep me satisfied. The business I will start will make more money that either of you could imagine. That money will be used to change the world from what it normally would become. I want Laura and Helen to help me do this."

Natalie finally got out, "What are you going to do with me?"

"Natalie, I think you are a very bright, responsive and intelligent woman. You are free to do anything you want, without fear of me. I just want an hour to talk to you to get you to understand that fact."

I talked of my plans for the next twenty years. Small things grew much larger and developed like I wanted them to. I told them of the Human race's leap into space, and our proposed trip to the moon, not as one country's effort, but as a UN effort.

"The UN was founded in 45 and will soon let in many small countries, after the major European powers divest themselves of their colonies. These African and Asian countries are going to make untold grief for themselves as they wrestle with old beliefs and the new idea of what their country should be like."

Natalie just stared at me, and when I paused she said, "How do you know this?"

"I see people differently than most. They are not all nice, by any means, but they can be guided, either by me, or by different governments, all with their own agendas. We are in the midst of a cold war, and the capitalist countries will use the small, weak ones as pawns against the socialist states. The same is true for the socialist states trying to gain supremacy over capitalism. In the end, communism will be but a shadow of what it is now."

"The United States will use the threat of encroaching communism to get tax dollars and power. This is beneficial, because technology will advance and their economy will grow. Russia will try to compete, by giving its own gifts to poor countries. This leaves its own peasants still with horses, while only a few are able to afford cars. Eventually, the Soviet Union will go bankrupt, and the cold war will be over."

"It is sad, in a way. Socialism is a good idea, but people will only want to take from it, instead of giving to the system. Capitalism is what will make the economy move, but it is hard to find capitalists who will look out for all the average people while they claw their way to more money and power. I plan on being top dog and look out for all those people who will get stepped on."

The teakettle started to whistle and I got up. "Honey, where do you keep the tea?"

I brought the tea to the table, and while it steeped I mentioned more of what I wanted to do and how I was going to accomplish it all. Laura had been rubbing her shoulder since she came to the table at my request. "How sore is your shoulder, Laura?"

"It is fine, Alex."

"You want to start our life together with some fibs? Now, give me the truth."

"It is only a dull ache, doctor. If you want, you can massage it."

I got up and extended my hand. Laura took it and stood. I turned the chair around and said, "Will you sit, please?"

She parted her legs wide and straddled the chair. I started massaging her shoulder and talked more of what I intended to do with my life and those of my family. My short erection poked Laura in the back once in awhile, but I ignored it as I worked the muscles to get the circulation going.

I was able to talk of what I wanted the school system to be like after I modified it. As people working within the school system, both girls asked questions. Laura spoke less and less, as she just groaned under my hands. When I stopped my manipulation, Laura's eyes were aflame with passion, even though I only worked on her shoulder.

"We have a guest, Laura. Drink your tea first. We also have to be polite and invite her to bed with us."

Laura had her tea and burnt her mouth a bit because she was too fast. I sipped mine and Natalie didn't even touch hers. Laura finally said, "Come on, Natalie! I think Alex and I want to show you some of our etchings in the other room."

"I can't Laura. It... it is not right."

I put my two cents in. "Natalie, I was the one who gave you your last few orgasms, not Laura. I sampled your charms and found you delicious. You may watch, if that is your choice, but I would like to invite you to our bed. You might look at it as an icebreaker. I hope it will be the first of many times when we can be together. I believe you will enjoy us."

I looked at Laura and said, "Laura, go to our room. Bring out all your old stockings, scarves and even clothing that you were planning on throwing out. Go now."

She scampered off like a shot.

"What are you going to do, Alex?" Natalie asked.

"I am going to be a dominant person when I grow up. This helps me in business. It also carries on into the bedroom. You must have noticed that Laura is on the submissive side. I want to explore her feelings and see what really makes her the way she is. I would never hurt her, but sometimes pain can be a very powerful aphrodisiac, as other things can, too. Will you help me find Laura's limits? She will love us all the more for it."

She thought for a second. "What do you want me to do?"

"You are a slave owner. Laura is one of your many pleasure slaves. She is a bad girl, because you caught her licking another girl without your permission. She has to be punished. Since she squirms around so much, we have to tie her to the bed first. Her struggles will make her very horny. We will have our way with her and she cannot resist us."

Natalie liked this; not only was she smiling, her nipples had got hard. I looked at them and said, "I see you like to play as much as I do." I stepped back and gestured to my small manhood.

When the bedroom was quiet, I rushed into the room and looked at Laura. I turned to the doorway and called, "Mistress, mistress, I have found her. She was hiding in here."

Natalie must have waited to get up courage, but she soon came into the room and closed the door forcefully. "Well, slave, I hear you have been playing with my other slaves without permission."

Laura looked at me, then at Natalie, then back at me without catching on.

"It is true mistress," I said. "I came to find out about a scream I heard and looked into your slut's room." Both girls seemed to be shocked by the term slut. "She had one of your prettier girls tied up to a bed and was fondling the girl's opening."

"Oh, she did, did she? Well, we have a punishment for her. Tie her to the bed, and do it firmly. I don't want her wiggling away."

"Yes, mistress. Right away, mistress."

The pile of clothing was woefully inadequate for this job. I raced into the kitchen and brought back the biggest knife I could find. The thin flannelette sheet was ripped from the bed, and I used the knife to cut it into strips about six inches wide. When I was done, I took one and tied it to one side of the headboard.

"Slut, lay on the bed! Your mistress demands it." Laura still didn't catch on, but did like she was told. Her wrist was tied firmly, but the tie did not bind or cut off circulation. The other arm followed. Three sections of sheet were tied together, and I worked them under the middle of the mattress and over Laura's abdomen.

One more piece was tied to the place where the hands were tied. I held both ends, jumped on the bed and grabbed one of Laura's legs. One piece of sheet was tied to her ankle, and then the other ankle was tied, too.

Laura's feet were over her head and spread far apart. She could have wiggled towards the headboard and got out, but she did not move in the least. I think she was too stunned still. "It is done, my mistress. What have you planned for your slut?"

"Ah... what do you suggest?"

"I have heard that another slave took her bottom quite a few times when she was young. Perhaps we can find something to make her regret doing that."

"Good idea. I have never seen that. Find something to impale her on."

"I have something here mistress. It is still small and will not lower her price if you wish to sell her later."

"Use it, and quickly. I want to see her punished."

I got close to Laura and whispered, "Any KY or Vaseline, my sweet?" She said nothing, but looked at her bedside table.

I searched quickly and found, not only the KY, but also some small dildos. They were my size, and since Laura was a virgin, she must have used these on her anus or on Natalie's vagina. I took a few and jumped back on the bed. Bending over I started to lick Laura with long strokes. I did not stop until I had done her anus, too. Laura's body stiffened, as if to take her body away from me.

I had to hold her more firmly, and I worked my tongue all over her ring. She groaned, and soon she tried to get even more contact. It took a minute, but I was able to get the tip of my tongue partially inside her. The taste was not that unpleasant, and I had done this many times before.

With a finger full or KY I slipped it into her bottom as I moved up and sucked on her clit. Her bottom was flexing back and forth, trying to get as much stimulation as possible from my finger. My other hand found the smallest dildo, and I squirted some KY on it without looking. One time, my finger came out and a slightly larger invader entered. She arched up and screamed, but by the way she stifled it, the cause was definitely not pain.

I looked at Natalie, and she was playing with her nipples and her clit and was in a world of her own. Laura, too, had her eyes closed in rapture. When I stopped her eyes immediately opened. I pointed at Natalie and she just looked but was not interested with her at all now.

I started up my hand again, and Laura just closed her eyes and went back to groaning. Looking at Natalie, I saw her shiver and shake in her own orgasm. When she finally opened her eyes, she saw me looking at her and she began to blush.

"Mistress, your slut will scream in pain soon, when she is impaled on my giant member. Would you find something to muffle the sounds, so your other slaves do not get upset?"



-------

Chapter 10



"Ah... I have something. Stop what you are doing and help me get over your ropes."

"Yes, my mistress." She held my shoulder and the headboard as she stepped onto the bed and over the top of Laura's head. I continued to hold her as she sat down. Laura reached up and was licking Natalie with the tip of her tongue.

"Continue with the torture."

"Certainly my mistress."

The dildo had been expelled and I just put the tube of KY to Laura's anus and squeezed a good amount inside her. The dildo went back to work, and I used some of the KY on myself.

"I am ready mistress."

"Proceed."

I positioned myself better, held one of Laura's thighs in one hand and my immature dick in the other. When the dildo came out, one of equal size went in. I could hear Laura groan with a live intruder, which, I think, had not happened since her brother died.

Holding Laura's other leg now I pumped rapidly into her bottom. Laura must have been waiting for me and just wailed loudly enough to bring the whole town to her door. Luckily Natalie sat on her just in time. The sensation must have been too much for Natalie as well, for she also succumbed to her feelings and collapsed onto Laura's body.

I continued to pump for a few minutes and shivered in my own release. When I opened my eyes, I saw Natalie looking up to me with her face just over Laura's mons. I reached down and pulled her face to my lips and kissed her as tenderly as I could. I was kissing her neck when she started to respond and shivered again.

Later that night I took Natalie, while Laura rode her tongue. When we were finally exhausted I cleaned, first Laura and then Natalie, by hand as if they were babies. Natalie was going to go home, but I convinced her to stay. The bed was too small, and I tucked my girls in and gave them a kiss before going into the other room and making my bed on the couch.

Laura's alarm clock got us up early and I made breakfast in the nude while the girls got ready. After a few tender moments Natalie left for work in her car. I said to Laura, as I handed her some money, "I want you to buy us the biggest bed that will fit in the room and come in the doors. I like to sleep with you, if possible, and to tell the truth, I would like to sleep with Natalie too. Buy bigger sheets to fit the mattress, and you'll need blankets, too. Buy good quality, because, eventually, we will be living together."

I got a good kiss for that, and Laura even had a tear in her eye. I wiped it away and gave her another kiss.

At school, the second half of the bunkhouse was starting to look good. The man that had been at the meeting when I described the buildings I wanted was nearby. He still had a cigar in his mouth and a coffee in his other. The cigar came out to help him emphasize a point to one of his men. I had never been introduced and walked up to him. "Hello, I remember you from the meeting. We were never introduced. My name is Alex Kramer."

"Hello, Alex. I'm Izzy Thompson."

I put out my hand and we shook. "Glad to meet you. What I wanted to ask was that the halves have to be transported to our mine. There is some prep work needed: the water supply put in, and the leaching pit made. I don't want the winter to freeze the pipes. The two sections of the building have to be connected, then someone must do the other things needed to complete this. Are you interested in doing this work?"

Before we could get too far, the school bell rang. "Figure out the man hours. We have a dozer and front end loader that can be used on site."

"I'll look into it."

I raced to class and just barely made it.

The only thing memorable was that Natalie avoided my eyes, but I noticed that her nipples were erect. She had a special smell that I detected, because I was looking for it.

After school I raced out and found Derrick in the schoolyard waiting for me. "Hello, Alex, you got a minute?"

"I would be foolish not to listen to my solicitor."

He smiled at that and said, "We have a court date, now. We have a problem, though. The court case will require you to attend at some time. You may find that the school board will say that you are not at school for that time. It will take only a few appearances before you cannot graduate, no matter what your marks are."

"We might argue that this is a conflict of interest."

"The school board will reply that it is a provincial ruling and they have no say in the matter."

"We drag in the provincial government, too?"

"Might work, but now we get some better opposition."

"Maybe we can get it stalled. I hear you lawyers have made that into an art form."

"We can try that, too. Next year you have a lot of time you can spend in court without jeopardizing grade 10."

"I also want more than costs and a dollar, along with the rule changes."

"What are you after now?"

"The option of writing the grade ten finals a month into school, then moving to grade eleven with the same option. I want to get all four years into one school year."

"I have never heard of that happening. Even skipping one year is odd, and you have done two already."

"The carrot and the stick may work. The mine site will be cleaned up and we can sell soon. The taxes paid can be mitigated if I give the money away to charity. A school is a good way of helping the local economy and the residents."

"Money usually works."

"What are the laws about me having my principal residence at the mine and the proceeds from the sale being sheltered?"

"There may be a clause about time spent in the home but I don't know for sure."

"I need a very good patent attorney with some experience in filing internationally. Do you have any suggestions? I have to start a new business to suck up the money from the sale of the mine, or the taxes will be too high."

"I will have to look into that, too." Helen came to us and held my arm. Derrick looked, but said nothing about that. "Hello, Helen. Nice to see you."

"Thank you, Mr. MacNeil. Nice to see you, too."

Just then Rita came over and held my other arm. I made introductions and Rita shook his hand like her mother would. Rita was beginning to become a very classy dame. We parted soon after, and I just walked the bike home with Helen. She asked, "Why do you bring the bike? When we are together, you never ride it."

"It is a status symbol for a male my age. Sometimes it is useful, when I have to pick up groceries after school. And now it gives the boys something to concentrate on, rather than me. When I get a bit more speed and muscle, I will do something about it."

At our spot to get Aron, Helen continued on instead. The family was coming home, and she wanted to have a meal made for them. Aron and I now had a chance to have a 'man to man talk' now about procreation that would make him the envy of his classmates.

This time we were ahead of the family, and we started to help Helen with the preparations. The telephone crew had brought wire to the house, but the wire was not strung inside yet.

We had been holding off dinner as long as possible, and the family had not arrived yet.

"Aron, will you watch the food?"

"Sure, Alex."

I put my arm around Helen and said, "There is a term called 'afternoon delight'. Come upstairs, and I will give you some." To Aron I said, "If you hear a car, call very loudly to us."

"Are you two going to do it again?"

Helen turned red and I replied, "Sure. Helen is my woman now, and we are interested in each other's bodies. Wait till you get older. Your tongue will hang out, and your pants will get tight in the front. Your mind gets some odd thoughts, and you think that your parents are stupid. Of course, when you get older still, you will see that they were smart all along."

Helen pulled my arm, and I just said, "Remember, call us loudly."

By the time we were at the top of the stairs Helen had half her clothes off. I even tripped in my haste. I made sure we had all the loose clothing before getting onto Helen's bed. My kisses didn't do much for her and she pushed me around so we were 69 again. We each had a few orgasms before Aron warned us. I just took Helen's hand and dragged her naked to the bath. I washed my face and told her to take a quick bath.

I was dressed and downstairs when the car pulled up. Aron and I walked outside to greet the family. With a few hugs and kisses we started to talk about how much we missed each other. Dad, though, looked back along our long drive and could see the new, black wire hanging below that of the hydro.

By the time we got into the house, Helen came running down the stairs and seemed to be very happy and exuberant. To my eyes she just looked like a woman in love.

While Mom had her bath, I talked to dad and my grandparents. "Our house is good, but we need more bathrooms. Showers would be nice, and they use less water. What do you think of the idea of building a bigger home that will be easier to heat and have some of the nice things that will make the home more comfortable."

Dad said, "I don't know about any of that. Everything works pretty good to me."

"Now, all of you would like to get clean, but you have to wait. If you had a small bath off your bedroom, you wouldn't scare anybody at night." Dad chuckled at that. "The basement could be made more waterproof, and we could use the downstairs as a real part of the house. Now it is just an area to collect things and grow mildew. My company needs office space. As it grows, I will need even more. I am getting a patent attorney soon. One of the companies will be handling an invention that should give us as much money as the mine will."

"What is this invention?"

"Only a toy puzzle. You turn it around, and the pieces get out of position. The fun is getting them back without putting more out of position. It should be worth three or four million in profits at a minimum. Another product will sell well, but has to be marketed. A person already has the patent, and I want to send someone to see if we can buy it. This is good for three or four million, too."

"Is this a puzzle, too?"

"No, just a disk that people throw around. Kids will just love it, and young adults, too. Another product is going to be a Helen doll."

"A what?" Came from Helen.

"I'll make a doll that looks like you. It is made of plastic, and the joints allow it to move a bit like a person. The trick is to make lots of different kinds of clothes and accessories for the doll. I will have to open a very large building with people sewing tiny doll clothes. They can make millions of outfits, and they would still not be enough. This should bring in 6 to 10 million, but the costs will be higher, too."

Dad said, "You talk of millions as if it is small change. A million dollars is a lot of money."

"A million is small change. In a few years we will be giving millions away to schools and hospitals. We even have to have a special company set up to give away money."

"You can't do that. We need that money."

"Dad, that is true: we need money to make more money. The government wants its share though. If we don't give the money away, then the government will just tax it away from us, anyway. Wouldn't you rather have the Lowca Medical Clinic than a very happy tax man?"

"Well, it does sound like a good name."

"On another subject, dad. Goldilocks is worth a lot of money. I explained how it is worth far more to collectors. We do not have the largest nugget ever found, but ours all come from the same area, in fact within a few yards of each other. The trick is to sell these to people who want to buy them. There are quite a few rich Canadians who could buy them, but there are many more rich Americans who would like them, too. I would love to tell everybody about our mine and about Goldilocks, but I think it has to remain a secret."

"You can't tell yet, Alex. We aren't ready."

"We would never be ready till the mine was played out, and I will have to make the information known, too, but so that nobody will know it is us who have the gold. We have to hire more people, too. Then you and the rest of our family can manage, instead of working yourselves to death."

"I like to work, Alex, and so does Tata."

"I know you do. But grandpa is getting older and needs to start a job that will let him use his mind more. We Poles may not be the smartest, but we are in it for the long run. I want you and grandpa to be around for a long time. One day, I want my children to sit on both of your laps and wet your pants. That can't happen if you died too soon."

Dad reached out and hugged me to him. This made me think of all the other times he did this and I felt no different. "What do I have to do, Alex?"

"Hire lots more help. I want all of us to go to the States to sell the gold, and that means leaving the mine. We need a vacation, and the mine can be shut down or people you trust will continue for us."

Dad thought for a moment and said he would think on it. "The gold is not coming as fast as it was, and it is harder to get."

"That I saw happening, and I mentioned it to you. You may just have to go through all the tailings with a finer screen, soon. You will still miss the majority of the gold. In six months, you will have to truck the tailings, one more time, to a refinery. There will be very little gold left, then."

After the next day's school I found a reporter from the local paper. He wanted to see me just after classes let out. Mr. Caversham, the reporter, said, "You want to take two million dollars from the school board and the local rate payers?"

"You are still under a misapprehension. I am threatening to take the money from them unless the school board makes some fundamental changes in the way it treats the disadvantaged."

"How are you disadvantaged? I hear you are one of the richest people around."

"So your paper only sees money as its only point of reference?" I waited for a reply and when it looked like I was going to get only more questions and no answer I picked up my pack.

The man put his hand on my pack and said, "Wait."

"Sir, remove your hand from me now." His hand came away and he continued with his barrage of questions, as if my words had no real impact on him. I got two feet from him and again his hand came out to grab my pack and restrain me. There were no adults around and only some students, and even they were quite far away. It would be an easy thing to cause him a lot of pain but then he would put in the paper that I was indeed the bully and hurt my cause.

"Let's talk in the school. It is too noisy out here."

He asked a few more questions but decided to follow instead. Once in the office I bypassed the secretaries and knocked on Mr. Corfu's door. I was happy to hear him bid me enter.

The Principal said, "Hello Alex. What can I do for you?"

"Hello sir, the litigation I instigated had to deal with the weaker members of our society needing protection. I feel that when they are on school property, it is up to the schools to see to the safety of those individuals."

"Yes, you said that before."

"Mr. Caversham is from the local newspaper. He is being very energetic in his quest for a story. He twice held my pack and in doing so held me immobile. I warned him off, but he did it again. I feared for my safety, and have got my assailant to follow me. I am asking you to protect me while on the grounds of this school."

Caversham said, "All I did was hold him for a second to get a reply to my question."

Mr. Corfu said, "I have been looking into things I thought clear one time, and I think you are in the wrong. I am not a lawyer, but I believe you have assaulted one of my students.'

"I only held his pack, for God's sake."

I said, "I am not one of your children, Mr. Caversham. I do not take kindly to that treatment. How would you feel if an adult did what you did to your children when they were alone on the school grounds?"

"I only held your pack."

"Twice. I asked you questions, and the last one I especially want to hear the answer to. Will you answer me now?"

"What, are you some lawyer? I am only trying to do my job and earn a living."

"How would you feel," I repeated, "if an adult did what you did, to your children when they were alone on the school grounds?"

"I don't need to answer any of your questions."

I turned to Mr. Corfu, "Would this adult male have to answer to the police and to the courts if you called to police now?"

Mr. Corfu looked like he was caught in a vice. "I think he might, to the judge. Do you want to press charges?"

"That depends. This man, in my opinion, has a very poor grasp of right and wrong, only in respects to how those attributes effect him. He refuses to say how he would feel if his children were molested."

"Alright," Caversham said, "I wouldn't like it if my children were held, even if it was an innocent touch."

"Thank you for that bit of honesty. Now, I do not want to answer any more of your questions. I want to go home to my family. You will print what I believe to be an article derogatory to my objectives. That is your right. If you attack me directly in your articles, I will have you charged with assault. I can take criticism, but if you lay it on so thick that it distorts the truth, I will fight you in the courts and in other newspapers."

I turned to Mr. Corfu and said, "Thank you for being here when I needed you. I was concerned with the prospects of defending myself on school property. Would it be possible to avoid this in the future by you being present during some of my interviews?"

"I am going to be fighting for my job in court against you."

"All the more reason to hear what I have to say. If I say something wrong, you are free to use it against me. I don't see you as an enemy but hopefully a friend that got caught up in, what I think, is a transition from the old way to what the future should be."

Helen was waiting for me by my bike. She was very relieved to see me. "What kept you?"

"A pushy reporter. If you are ever questioned, make sure there are lots of sympathetic witnesses around. One caught me alone and kept using his hand to hold me still till I answered his questions."

"Did he hurt you?"

"No, but he was not taking no for an answer. I might have fought and won, but I would probably have lost when you look at his size. Many adults figure it is their right to beat children. I don't mean a swat on the ass, either."

The tire was flat again, but I was walking anyway. We talked as we walked, then stopped at the intersection where Aron would come from. We just sat on the grass and looked at the open country around us. In the future this intersection boasted a filling station, a Burger King, a McDonald's and a Donut Diner. Those franchises had already begun, but I was not interested in pandering to a future overweight generation that included my own.

Aron came running to us and I asked the breathless boy, "What was your hurry, Aron?"

He didn't say, and I just pulled him into a hug. "I wanted to see you, too. I need my little brother." I got a hug in return and we walked home learning about Aron's day at school.

On the wall in the kitchen was our flat, black phone. It, of course, had a rotary dial, because push buttons had not been invented yet for it. The cord was four feet long and straight. The handset was heavy enough to be used as a club. You had to pull a chair close if you wanted to sit. At least, this way I could keep the parents off the phone for a while. Perhaps we would have to instigate a five or ten minute maximum for a conversation.

The womenfolk were just looking at the phone when we came in as if its presence was not really wanted. Dad and grandpa were back at the mine pandering to their gold fever.

I had a dial tone and looked for the phone book. It was pretty thin with very few advertisements. The entire area had a code name, then only five digits for any local call. "Mom, this is how you use this device. You never learned English well enough, and now you need to learn a bit. The people you want to call once in a while can be written in a small book along with their phone numbers. Now I am going to call our lawyer and see what has changed."

I dialled slowly to show Mom and grandma how to use the device. When Clarice came on, I introduced myself and asked her to record our number. It was conveniently typed on a small circle of cardboard and under a clear plastic in the middle of our dial.

Derrick came on and he told me the name and phone number of a good lawyer in Toronto. "Thanks, Derrick. I have another small detective job that you may have to farm out."

"What is that? Unfaithful wife?"

"No, just a person that I once met. I want to locate one Mr. Silva Cranz in Chicago. I believe he is an accountant and works for his father in a large company. I never heard the name, but it may even have his surname in it. I think if you looked through the social registry you could find him."

"Easy enough to do, Alex. Say hello to the family for me."

I got the number and said my goodbyes. Next I dialled a '0' and got the operator, who had to connect me long distance to Toronto. There was no direct dialling, and all long distance calls were expensive. The price of local calls was actually supported by long distance revenues.

A nice sounding woman picked up the phone when it rang. The law firm was one of those with six names in the title. Each of the partners had to have their little bit of glory.

"Hello, my name is Alex Kramer. Derrick MacNeil suggested I speak to Mr. Ciesla." The man was not in the firm name as a partner and must have been just on staff.

A man with a baritone voice answered when my call was transferred. I said in Polish, "Hello, are you able to speak your mother tongue?"

There was a moment of silence and the reply came, "Not as good as I should. It has been too many years."

"Hello then in English. My name is Alex Kramer. I asked Derrick MacNeil for a competent patent attorney. Would you take a moment and tell me a little of your qualifications." The man seemed to be taken back by my request. Probably he felt that all I had to do was look at his wall and see his diplomas. The trouble was that I could not see his wall, and there were a lot of people who passed tests and still were almost useless after many years learning on the job.

The man did have some experience, but I did not remember his name from my future. I would have to go by feel this time and see what he could do. My puzzle was described only in broad terms. I would send him a registered package with my drawings. I had made enough inventions that I could word the documents well enough for the lawyer to have little or no work to do.

I got his company address as well as his home. He seemed to be a bit eager to get my business. I liked this in a person and maybe we could do a lot more business together.

We had our meal, but it was not the same without dad and the irascible grandpa. I collected my drawings and checked if there were any features missing. The description took up a few pages, and I had redone the work a few times to insure that it was accurate. I knew that I would have to go to court quite a few times to protect my rights. This could be bypassed, if I didn't put the cube on the market until I had millions of the cubes made and able to fill the demand. If I didn't do that, an enterprising individual would do it for me.

At home I showed Aron the medical bag and explained what each thing was for. I checked his blood pressure at the kitchen table and got him to check mine. The simple procedure required the stethoscope and the point where the blood started to flow through the pressurized cuff. The kitchen clock had to do to find the heart rate. Grandma shook us off as just playing, but I persisted and ran some simple tests on her. Aron was happy to repeat the tests with similar results.

Mom was busy, but promised to let us use her as a patient after she completed the meal. I showed Aron how to put on a triangular bandage in a variety of forms for different forms of trauma. It was surprising what could be done with the simple piece of cloth.

That night I got Mom to take a walk with me. I am not really that much of a subtle person. I meet a challenge head on most times. Sometimes, after hurting my head enough times, I will go for the subtle approach. "Mom, you must have noticed that Helen is acting different."

"Yes, I did. I was wondering if it would ever happen," she said as we walked down a lane to one of our fields.

"I have loved all of you even before my parents passed away. My love has changed since I was brought into your family."

"How is that, Alex?"

"I think of Aron as my real brother that I never had, and sometimes even a son. He is bright, and I have no real reason to feel that way, but I do."

"It just means that you love him. That is one of the main things that holds a family together. Are you going to tell me about Helen? You started, but then changed what you were talking about."

"Helen is a delicate matter. I want to stay within our family, but I want Helen to be my mate. Normally, I would have talked to her, if my parents had lived and she was not already dating. She may have seen me as a boy pretending to be a man. If she looked deep enough, she will see a man in a boy's body."

"I think she always saw you differently. She might not have waited, though. A boy can change his mind at any time, and a girl cannot just wait on hope."

"That is what I thought, too. I have committed myself to her. I told her that when we are old enough I want her to have my children."

"I had hoped for that to happen. What is your problem?"

"When I am older, I will be very good in business. I will be much more dominant than dad. I have started to follow those ideas already."

"What do you mean?"

"I am dominant in making business decisions and dominant with a woman. Helen will do as I ask. I have not entered puberty yet, but I have the feelings starting now. I want to enjoy my body now, and enjoy Helen's too."

"Did you... ?"

"I have kissed her, Mom, but I have done this all over her body. I cannot make her pregnant, but soon the possibility will come. I want children, even though I am young. I also know that I have to wait so that Helen and I can grow first. I want to travel and see the world before being tied down by children, even if I know it is inevitable."

"I do not want a grandchild too soon, Alex, but I do want them. Are you telling me this because of your father?"

"That is the main reason. I do not like to lie, and I do not like to sneak around. What I am saying is that I want to live with Helen as husband and wife. Our religion frowns on this. The neighbours would call it a scandal and dad would get angry and kick me out when I need the family the most."

"Yes, you are right about your father... and your grandfather too. They are men and can't help the way they think. Your father is not stupid, though. He will see the way Helen looks at you and know that something serious is happening. At first he will worry about ruining Helen's life by having a baby too soon. He would also think of his standing in the community and fear the scandal. I do not know what to say to you."

"What will grandma think?"

"She already suspects that the two of you have been doing things. She fears that you can produce seed soon, and Helen's life will change irrevocably."

"Should I talk to her, or will you?"

"I will talk to her tonight."

"Then Helen and I will be frustrated tonight."

Mom laughed very hard at this and had to hold my shoulder for stability.

Before leaving for school, I told the family that I had to send off a package and would be late coming home. It was raining, and we all got our rain suits on. People in my other life had gotten spoiled in the later years and managed to stay dry most of the time and were afraid of a little water.

Aron, Helen and I had our boots on, and large waterproof hats to keep the majority of the water off of us. Aron still walked through the puddles, and I got Helen to do it with me too. It was fun to be a kid sometimes.

Rita was there, waiting for me with an umbrella similar to Helen's. I saw that she must have felt more for me than I figured, since she was braving the weather. Helen got a kiss that made Rita look closely. She forgot all about it when I gave her a much better one where she was bent over backwards.

She got up breathlessly and said, "Why?"

"For simply being you, and coming out into the storm to greet me. Now, let's get inside and changed." After detouring to the area for the bikes we went inside. I helped the girls off with their coats and shook them out and handed them back. Helen got to me first and did the same thing.

I had not seen anyone working on my projects. They had plastic over them, though, and that would keep out most of the rain. Some hammering was faintly heard from the automotive section.

We left for our lockers, and afterwards I took Rita with me to check on what was happening. Izzy was working on making a wall section on the floor, instead of doing it vertically. The floor was marked with where the studs were to go, and the overall outline was there, too.

I made introductions with Izzy and Rita then asked Izzy if he had time to figure the quote out.

"Yes I did, I figure that it should only cost 800 dollars."

"800 dollars... ! I am not asking that you put up a new building on the site, just move these two halves, and connect them to a water line and a leach pit. You only have labour costs for this job."

"All this costs money - sonny." He laughed at the rhyme.

I bent down and looked at his feet then past his shoulders. He looked at me funny. I said in a loud expressive voice with my hands moving in gestures, "You have no parrot and no wooden leg but you are one of the biggest pirates I have ever come across. You want to take advantage of a kid. If I could, I would talk to your mother about you, that is if you haven't sold her into slavery. You and a shark have a lot in common."

Izzy was getting red. "I gave you a good price."

"Yes, a good price for you. 200 would have been more accurate."

"200! I have a family to feed and men to pay. I am not in this for charity."

"And you think I am a philanthropic organization? What about all my children going hungry at home? If they are lucky enough to get a meal it would only be plain porridge because their father was too dim-witted to fight off a land pirate with a heart as black as hell."

Izzy could see that I was not that angry and started to make pretensions of poverty and people consistently misunderstanding him. He fought back vocally, and almost cried for his own starving children. He described some in detail, and painted a picture of them being rake thin.

He would make a good living in an Arab bazaar.

I countered with him being overweight and eating all his children's food. Two young men behind me laughed loudly. When I turned I could see the family resemblance in their faces, and both had copies of Izzy's body.

In a few minutes the haggling got to 350, and although both of us cried at our loss, we shook hands.

Immediately after my hand left his I said, "I need a crew to go out tomorrow morning to prepare the site. You can do some preliminary work, and we can dicker on the price after you see what you are dealing with."

"You want to rob me again? I was going to feed the orphans and do good works that morning so I would be in grace for church on Sunday."

"You will be in grace I assure you. A higher authority will also be watching your accounting."

He belly laughed and slapped me on the back. It was not hard and I only staggered a few feet.

Rita didn't say much as we left the area. In the hall, though, she said, "Alex, how could you do that? Didn't you hear about his children?"

I had to stop and laugh myself. I held Rita then kissed her. "Rita, the two big guys doing the framing were his sons. Did they look like starving little babies?" Rita tried to remember who was present. "We both got a fair price. He would want more and I would want less. Nobody will starve, and we both enjoyed the theatrics and the dickering."

Right after second period I had a chance to drop in on Laura. When I was sure nobody could hear I said, "Hello, my love."

Laura looked around, too, and said with a blush, "I love it when you say that."

"Fifth period is my lunch today. Is Natalie's the same?"

"Yes, it is."

"Do you have those little balls still?" She just nodded to me without saying a word.

"Are you keeping them warm and moist?" I just got a single nod.

"Ten minutes before the end of the period, try to get Natalie in here with her panties off. She is going to get some, too, but don't tell her why she is doing this." She nodded her head. I took her chin and kissed her with love and as much caring as I could convey in the short time allotted us.

At lunch we found some adult strangers at a nearby table, without food before them. I happened to see them before Rita, and I got to the table and told her to be acting even more of a lady.

When I pulled out her chair, Rita sat with an expansive gesture that she must have seen somewhere. I winked at the other people at out table and hoped that they caught on. Rita talked with an effervescent voice that had all of us listening intently. She was able to keep it up through most of the meal, with the rest only contributing a few remarks as the monologue continued.

I could see that her mother must have been in the aristocracy for Rita to pick up the gestures and the forms of speech, even if they were not all in English. Italian words now fit in our English as easily as the French variety did.

The time had come for me to leave, and I made my apologies to the table. Rita acted exactly like a countess and bid me return, if possible. A small glance at the adults showed me that they were taking all this information in.

I walked the quiet halls to the nurse's station. In my pocket I felt other two small gold spheres and contemplated their next home. Puberty must have been coming faster than I thought, for I found myself fidgeting with uncomfortable pants.

As I turned into the office, I saw Laura and Natalie standing about a foot apart and conversing merrily. They both smiled at my approach.

Natalie said, "I just heard that it was you who wanted me here. What is up?"

I touched my erection for a second and replied, "Will the two of you ladies step into the other room please?"

Natalie questioned me with a look but Laura took her hand and urged her to go. I kicked out the stop on the door, and when it closed, I locked it. Laura had positioned Natalie at the foot of the exam table and the woman just looked at us, wondering what was going to happen.

"Laura, my love, did you manage to get the garment I requested?"

"Not yet. Natalie was delayed."

"Well we better get to it, or we will be late." To Natalie I said, "Bend over and pick up the hem of your dress and hold it as high as possible."

"What!"

"Natalie, do you think I would hurt you in any way?"

The woman thought, and slowly did like I asked. Her dress was long, and it came up to her eyes. "Hold it there, Natalie. Laura, will you remove the garment I wanted?"

Natalie flinched as Laura slowly worked the white cotton panties off the beautiful woman. When they rested at her ankles, Natalie started to lower her dress.

"Stay that way, Natalie. We are not done yet."

Laura and I guided her back till her butt touched the exam table. We both got her to sit on the very edge. "Natalie, keep the hem up and we are going to lay you down for a short time."

"Why?"

"Woman, I am going to have to spank you if you continue with these questions. Do you hear me?"

"Yes," came out with a quiver.

"Yes, Master," I corrected.

"Ah... Yes, Master."

Laura and I grabbed her behind the knee and laid her on the table. Her knees came further to her breasts. Laura removed the panties from around Natalie's ankles.

"Stay as we position you."

"Yes, Master," came in a low quivering voice.

Laura and I got at the end of the table and looked at Natalie's open mons. "Beautiful, isn't she?"

"She does have some charm. Do you think we should keep her, or have her sold at the market?" Laura said. She was really getting into the acting now.

"Do you think we can get much for her, mistress?"

"There are a lot of younger ones who look like they would be very responsive."

"I like this slave, mistress. She has a lot of good miles left on her still."

Laura almost broke out in a laugh but managed to suppress it. "That is true. Perhaps we can breed her. There must be a lot of men who would pay a dime for a go at her."

"A whole dime my mistress? Perhaps three times for two dimes."

"That sounds like a fair price. You can take her by the hair and bring her out to the carpenters. By the time the next lunch period is over, we can have made a dollar." We could not see Natalie for she held the dress over her but her breathing was rapid and her abdomen contracted more regularly in time with her breathing. Her opening was leaking a few droplets from her Bartholin's gland. She was obviously aroused.

"Should I check to see how many men she has been with today, mistress?"

"Do so," she commanded.

Like I did with Laura, I pounced on her dark-coloured button and sucked it into my mouth. Her exclamations were loud, till muffled by Laura's hand. My fingers stole into her opening and massaged her 'G' spot while I furiously sucked on her little button. She must have been very excited, for she came violently, but all she vocalized was grunts and even one little fart.

When she started to relax I put one, then the other of the small gold pellets into her opening. After a final kiss I moved to Natalie's face and kissed her lips. Laura moved back to where I just had been and sucked Natalie to one more orgasm.

We had Natalie sitting up with her panties on a few minutes before the bell. She did not look like she knew where she was. Laura ran some water and brought back a basin and cleaned Natalie's face as good as her mother would have. Laura and I had just enough time to clean each other before the bell rang.

As luck would have it, my next class was French. I assisted Natalie down the hall till she got her legs working right.

"What did you do to me?"

"We made love to you."

"The other thing... ?"

"You have a few ounces of gold inside your pretty vagina. Keep your muscles working and they will stay in place. Don't take them out unless you are driving or going to the bathroom. You will remember this lunch period for a long time."

"I think you are right."

Some of our own class caught up to us and I said, "Mademoiselle Bouchard stumbled and almost fell." I let them believe that she was shaken by the possible fall.

The class got off to a slow start, but by the end of the period Natalie was doing ok, except for the involuntary twitches she was making, as she tried to keep the small, heavy balls from falling from her opening to the floor.

After school, this time I got not only the five people from the table in the cafeteria, but another in a suit that screamed the word police. Rita happened to be with me, and I asked her to tell Helen to continue on alone, because I would be a while answering questions.

The policeman's suit was cheap and wrinkled. His hat looked like he used it to swat flies. He must have gained a considerable amount of weight, because his pants were both stretched and wrinkled at the same time. He obviously would not have fit into a modern police force, because he spat pieces of tobacco onto the floor and looked out of place here in a school, where he had to conform to other attitudes.

Mr. Corfu said to me privately, "One gentleman is from the police. He wants to talk to you about the fight, I believe. The others are here to interview you about a story."

"Thank you, sir. Will you sit in on each interview?"

"With the police too... ?"

"If you will; It makes me more comfortable, and you get to know what is going on."

Mr. Tremblay didn't want the Principal present, but I demanded it. He must have seen the futility and gave in. He asked his questions and wrote his answers in a small book. He was sarcastic and, rude but that was probably the way he was to everybody. If Mr. Corfu were not present he probably would have been much more obnoxious.

The questions centred on Mark, the older brother of Nick, and his actions at that time. Nick was not mentioned much at all.

When he left ten minutes later, the reporters came in. The Toronto Star, the Ottawa Herald, the Montréal Gazette and two from the CBC came into the room. They introduced themselves and their affiliations. I in turn introduced Mr. Corfu, and the reasons for his presence. The last was mentioned in confidence. If their papers broke that confidence they would make an enemy for life, I said.

The fight was described again in more detail, with my own feelings being expressed. These same words would have to come out at the trial, if and when it happened. I then went into the harassment at school and how a warped code of honour made young boys, including me, say nothing about the matter.

I went into the way I saw the school's responsibilities. When the reporters wanted to question Mr. Corfu I said, "If Mr. Corfu is forced to respond, his job may be in jeopardy. Mr. Edwards is the superintendent, and had more than enough to say about the matter. You may even get an opposing view in this matter, making your story a bit more interesting for your readers or listeners.

The Toronto reporter asked, "We hear that you are very rich now."

"Yes. So?"

"Well... your family could send someone to protect you."

I did laugh then and even Mr. Corfu smiled. "I just found the mine. I am an orphan. My foster family is working hard to raise a good group of kids. I do chores and work hard. I have little time for anything off the farm. Each one of you probably has more money than my family had."

"I just happened to stumble across some gold, and decided to stake a claim. As for being rich, you will see that I am still riding my old bike that now has a flat tire. My clothes are good and mainly home made. I usually bring a lunch, because I rarely have any money. My father cuts my hair. I have to share my bedroom with my foster brother. And my shoe is getting a hole in it and will soon be in need of a new sole."

"The majority of the things I have bought are for the mine. Soon we may get enough money to get a new set of tires for my dad's twelve-year-old truck. In answer to your question: I am, indeed, rich. There are many people who love me, and I love them. Money, when it comes, will only be used to put my family into business."

The next question was about the cafeteria and I replied, "Boys and girls in the lower grades are socially inept. They know little of how their body works, or how their society works. I am showing them, by example, how to be polite to each other, and to think of more things than movie or sports personalities. Our talks have started to centre on our municipal government. If Rita Leone had her way, she would run in the next mayoral race and straighten the council out. I believe she is only 15 now, and this makes her too young to run."

There were more questions, but most were simple, involving my family or my after-school interests. I don't think they believed my replies.

By the time I got out of school, the rain had stopped but the day was still overcast. The streets were swept clean by the storm, but there was less rubbish thrown about by insensitive people feeding on cholesterol-laden fast foods.

My raincoat was mainly dry, so it went into the pack with my package that had to be mailed to the patent attorney. My boots were lashed across the back of the pack and I went out to the bike. I didn't even look at the tire, but walked to the service station one more time. I had a few blocks to think of what I might have done better. If I acted like I did in 2004, then I would have looked too odd by today's standards as well as my apparent age.

The large garage door was open, and I used the kick stand to stand the bike up. Again, I purchased some valves and some valve caps to insert the valve with. The mechanic was nice and filled the tire and checked the pressure. I shook hands with him, even though his hands had just been wiped with an oily rag. Cleanliness was not a true indication of character.

I got on the bike and started off when I saw a boy run from a house across the street. His hand went through the screen when he ran into the door to open it. He ran around the veranda as if unable to think. I stopped and looked. It was Mike, one of Nick's friends and one of my classmates.

Mike ran down the steps and fell because he ran too fast. I knew that there was trouble now. I looked quickly both ways and pushed my bike across the street and dropped the bike in his driveway and ran to the boy.

His pupils were dilated, his respiration was rapid and his heart rate was the same way because I could see the rapid movement of the skin over his carotid artery. He had a bleeding nose now and his hands were lacerated, probably from the fall.

"Mike," I called, only to hear a sudden wailing inside the house. Only a woman in terror could give such a cry. Mike was hurt but not that bad. I turned him into the recovery position and raced up the stairs and into the house.

From upstairs I heard a woman's pleading. Before I knew it, I was at the head of the steps, and I could see in a bedroom a woman cradling her infant. She was leaning over the body as if to protect it from harm. I just rushed in and said in my sternest 13-year-old voice, "What is wrong?"

"My son... my son..."

I yelled, "What is wrong?"

"He... he can't... breathe."

I bent down immediately and opened the unresponsive child's mouth. I ran my finger around and then gingerly down the throat. I felt a solid obstruction with the tip of my finger, but did not push it down further.

"Do you have any long-nosed pliers?"

The woman only howled and shook her head no. I couldn't wrestle the child from a distraught woman so I said, "If you want the child to live, give him to me now."

The woman only cried, so I grabbed her hair and made her look at me. "Give me the child, so I can save him."

It seemed to sink in, and she suddenly thrust the child at me. I put him over my leg, with his head hanging low, and thumped his back to see if the obstruction would leave. After six times, I felt that the obstruction had moved only a little, if any. I tried two more times, and I was not getting anywhere. Only a small amount of air was making it past the obstruction.

The child went to my shoulder and I ran out of the room and down the stairs. Mike was getting up slowly and I ran around him and towards the service station. A car was coming, so to save time I ran along the street to get right across from the business.

I ran into the bay and found the same mechanic. "Long-nosed pliers now or the boy dies."

The man fumbled in his box and brought me a short pair. They would not work. "An offset pair-large and long if possible."

The man ran to his tools again and threw tools out, till he got what he needed and brought me another pair. This was bent at 45 degrees. The child went on the floor, and I said, "Hold his head still."

The man did as I asked, and I was using the pliers in the throat. I was deathly afraid of pushing the obstruction down further, for the child was turning cyanotic.

I had to raise the neck and use the pliers carefully. I was not worried about a little bleeding and pushed in hard enough to get to where it was needed. I felt every vibration through the tool, and squeezed five times before it closed on something. I pulled back carefully, trying to wiggle it free rather than yank it out.

A blood-and-saliva-drenched piece of plastic came out, and I turned the boy over and tapped his back one more time then put him back on the floor. I felt his carotid and thankfully found a rapid pulse. I put my mouth over the child's mouth and nose and was just about to start artificial respiration, when the child's mother came charging in and dragged me off her child by my hair.

My arms came up and knocked hers away from me. I slapped her in the face and pushed her away. I turned to the frightened mechanic, "Keep the crazy woman away, or the child dies."

Bless his soul, for he jumped right in and held the screaming woman as she raked her nails over whatever she could get at. Finally the man got her hands behind her back. I was back to the mouth-to-mouth method, using small puffs of my breath. I could look up and see the woman thrash in an attempt to save her child. I watched the small rib cage raise and lower easily, while my fingers monitored the pulse from the neck.

Mike came charging in, and he stopped to look at the two battles. Before he could make a decision which to fight, I stopped momentarily and said, "Fight me, and your brother or sister dies. Keep your mother away while I work." I didn't even look up now, but went back to the step-by-step process to keep the child alive. The cyanosis was not lessening, and the child had not yet started to breathe on his or her own.

A police car came up moments later with the sirens screaming. Two policemen came in and ran to see what was happening. Between breaths I voiced a few words at a time. "If you stop me, the child will probably die." The police stopped to think, which was very good this time. Between puffs of air I waited for an exhalation, but none was forthcoming.

"Hypoxia," I got out.

"Respiratory paralysis,"

"Rapid shallow pulse,"

"Open back door of car,"

"Hospital,"

"Understood?"

One of the police officers said, "Got it, but wait a minute... John, open the back door of the cruiser, and wait to close it for me. Then get in fast."

"Ok, you're on, son."

One more breath and I picked up the child and ran to the back of the cruiser and continued to ventilate the lungs. The door was slammed, and in a few seconds the car screamed off with its tires and its siren. The woman, thankfully, had stopped her fighting.

The other policeman looked back and said, "How are you doing?"

"Good... for a while."

I could hear the radio being used and the hospital warned. We got to the emergency, and the attendants whisked the child from me and onto a gurney. I got out to make sure everything was being done that could be, but in the ward I was like an uninvited guest to an angry beehive. I was pushed out of the way a few times, and some adults told me to leave. Ten minutes later I heard a nurse say that the boy had started to breathe on his own.

I felt so relieved now. After my internship, I rarely ran into true emergencies. My few years in practice found some close calls, but most people had the good sense to book ahead, when they were going into life-threatening situations.

I walked for two blocks, till I found a phone and called a cab. When I got back to the garage, I found it closed. My bike was across the street, the back wheel crushed; probably a car tire. It was one of the few surviving gifts my real parents had given me.

My mind was over sixty-six years old, but I felt the tears come to my eyes, just the same, and my nose started to water. I picked up the bike and tried to put the weight on the front wheel. It was just too awkward to take this way, and I'd have to just move the bike to the side of the house and to retrieve it later.

I walked to the post office and was just able to get my parcel sent off before it closed. I used a public phone again and called home. After ten rings a timid voice said, "Yes."

"Hello, Mom. I ran into a problem and will be home in a while."

"Are you alright? Your voice sounds wrong."

"I am ok. I just laid my bike down and somebody ran over it. My bike... it's gone," I sobbed. I was angry with myself; a grown man crying about a simple bike. But it was mine, and my parents gave it to me just before... they died. I pulled myself together and said, "I will be home in a few minutes, mom."

"Ok, we will be waiting, Alex."

A cab came at another phone call and dropped me off at the house. I paid the fare and gave a tip, because we picked up the bike along the way.

Dad looked at the bike and seemed to be angry. I was supposed to hurry, because he was going to take me to the mine again to work the weekend.

"What happened, Alex?" He said with a clipped harsh voice.

"I stopped to help somebody that I know. I put the bike down in his driveway. He was lying on his walk. He was bleeding from the forehead and hands and was in a bit of shock, I think. Later a car must have come onto the property and crushed my bike."

He was less gruff now, and put his arm around my shoulder. "Come. Your mother has kept your meal warm."

I put up with a stronger contingent of mosquitoes that night in the humid air. My dreams had come back. They were of me trying to save so many people who needed me, but I was just unable to help all of them. At least this time one infant managed to survive in my dreams.

Before starting at the mining, I looked around for a suitable place to put the first building. The one I slept in last night was fine, except it was not good enough to keep the insects out. The citronella candles didn't work well in these conditions.

Morning had brought clear skies and some wind to dry the land. There were puddles everywhere, and some were deep. The silt in the bottom was a quagmire, if stepped into. All the vegetation had been cleared or killed by the heavy equipment. The vehicles had to be kept out of the worst of it, or they would get stuck too.

An area a bit further from the mine, on our other claim, showed some promise. It was behind a hill and trees that would reduce noise. It was only a few acres in size, and beside it was a low area that eventually led to the river. This would have been a good choice; too, for this way there would be natural drainage to take the effluent to a tile bed. The area itself was, surprisingly, not silt but sand.

I pounded sharpened branches into the ground and tied strips of cloth to the tops. All that would be needed was to have a few trees cut to get the truck in and the 'dozer to clean up the stumps.

With the details in mind I went back to help with the mining. The work was no less arduous than last week.

An hour and a half later Izzy came with a half dozen men. Rolph Manz had been warned along with the rest of our crew. Grandpa, thankfully, took a break to check out the strangers. After introductions, I showed where I wanted the bunkhouse to go, as well as where to put the other buildings that I would make. The road was not laid out, and neither were the water and sewer lines. That was much more work than what I could do in one morning.

Izzy delegated his sons to put in some stakes at the extreme ends of the road, to give him an idea of what was going to happen. Others got to work removing trees. Most just got the blade of the dozer to remove them, but some got a chain from a bit higher up to drag the growth out by the roots.

After only a few hours, Izzy sent some of his men back with our rented flat bed truck. In three hours it was back and the first section put into place. Three hours after that, the final half was put into place and the two sections were nailed together. Before they left, the shingles were on, and all the windows and doors had good screens.

Izzy got a check for his labours, and a small lump of gold for a tip that he could share, or not, with his crew. I said, "I think you found that piece of gold beside the road. I can't legally give this as payment. Tax men are kind of funny that way."

"I understand perfectly, and thanks."

Everybody was over at the end, when an above ground pipe brought water to the bathroom and a temporary drainage line took the effluent away. Lester Lenz admired the workmanship and saw how tight-fitting all the windows were.

"So, this is what you were making. It looks strong and well built. What about it is so special that you were talking about?"

"These units can be mass produced, like an automobile plant. This will make them cheap to manufacture, and, unlike a car, they can have some minor differences and fit even better than a car does now."

"A framer can fudge a bit, and still build a fair home. If he ignores a stud; if it is an eighth of an inch too short, it would not make that much of a difference. There are really very few standards today.

"If I set my own, then when people come looking for a quality home, they will come to people following what I demand."

That night we brought over our bedding, and after getting rid of all the mosquitoes from inside the building, we had our first night in relative comfort without being bit. Grandpa still farted quite a bit, but the breeze coming in the window allowed us to survive.

Bunks would have to be built and real mattresses purchased. A few small, 12-volt lights gave us enough illumination to do what was needed in the dark. The 120-volt lighting was installed, but not yet hooked up to the generator. This would allow us to do some things as a family, besides sleep, eat, and work.

The winds that night had by morning made the ground dryer, but the puddles were still dangerous. Grandpa got the job of scraping the ground to fill them in and to make a ditch to carry the water away. He grumbled a bit, because he wanted at the gold, but finding nuggets and recovering dust from the sluice was beginning to grow old.

Dad and I used the vertical drill and blasted more of the outcrop away. We were now below the level ground, and needed either a pump or a channel dug to the river to take away the water. I estimated that the last horde of gold would be uncovered in two weeks. This was all in a very densely packed area and was mostly flakes and small nuggets. Our present estimate was that we had recovered 386 troy pounds of gold in small nuggets and 197 pounds in nuggets larger than one ounce, and of course the Goldilocks group was an additional 620 pounds. The site still had over 21,156 pounds and would make the site still very valuable, after we got the easy profits.

Dad drove me home by 10 and he unloaded what gold we had since his last shipment. After we put it away, he left for the mine. I had a quick bath and went to sleep right away.

Monday morning was overcast again. We brought our raincoats and packs just in case. Mom gave us a kiss that was different, and I just wondered what she was thinking. Dad would be coming later to pick her and grandma up to go back and work the site. Mom had told me that a half dozen people were going to be asked to assist us soon.

We talked on the way to school, and I told Helen and Aron about the bunkhouse and the absence of mosquitoes. We stopped for a minute, and I drew a diagram of the site and where the buildings would get set up. Helen and Aron liked to give their ideas, as if they were playing with dollhouses, and to tell the truth, it was fun for me, too.

Rita greeted us at school. This time, there was no bike to lock up, though. All three of us visited Izzy and found him already at work building more sections. This particular one was going to be another bunkhouse for Rolph Manz and his wife Helga. Lester Lenz had been sleeping with our family.

The way the building was being assembled, I knew that it would only be a day before this one was ready to be delivered.

In homeroom I looked for Mike to see how his brother was doing, but he was not at school.

During draughting I talked to Mr. Clark and told him of the improvements the building made. "I do have a suggestion that may or may not be feasible."

"What is that?"

"The business classes are keeping the books for us. How about a teacher taking a class to a furniture store to buy beds, mattresses and chairs? Another class can go to purchase linen and curtains. It can be a learning experience, if the teacher shows the class how to use a measuring tape for the windows."

"That sounds like a good idea to me. I don't know how well the other teachers would receive it, though. We could get the girls to make the curtains and that could save some of the cost."

"I want to show a profit and to find a true representation of how much it really costs to make these buildings. If the teachers could give me a price of what a commercial product would cost, then they can substitute all they want with things they can manufacture. Maybe even the woodworking class can make the bed frames."

French was just before lunch, and Natalie moved around the room as if she were on ball bearings. She was walking a lot more now, and I thought I knew the reason. The perpetual smile on her face was actually the clincher. The boys in the room could sense something different and watched her avidly, but didn't realize the reason.



-------

Chapter 11



After class I dawdled and waited for everyone to leave. Natalie caressed me with her hand and said that she really loved her gift.

"I am glad you like it. But you have to know that you are bringing attention to yourself. The boys in the room are eating you up with their eyes, and I have not been able to get much other work done, either. You are a very distracting influence."

"I think I can be much more than simply distracting."

"I know you can."

During lunch the reporter from the Toronto Star was actually still around. He asked me for a few minutes. My meal was finished anyway, and I excused myself and sat at an empty table with him. He said that he just wanted to get a little more background on the story and how I felt about some of the other ways that a school treated the students. I just finished when the bell rang and we shook hands and went our own ways.

After school there were no distractions. Rita came over and got her kiss. She was acting more like a lady now, but still showed her youth at the same time. To me it looked like a great compromise. She would still fit in with her friends and lead them into adulthood.

Helen was down, though, and it wasn't till we were away from the school that she said, "I am getting my period soon, and I was hoping to be with you tonight."

I stopped and gave her a kiss that showed my deep feelings for her. "You will be with me no matter what. Your period will only limit some of things we will do."

At the intersection, while waiting for Aron, we started on our kissing. There was no real place to hide, and we just sat on the grass. I used my fingers to tease her nipples and play with her clit. When a car went by, we just acted innocent till they couldn't see us even in their mirror. Aron was the only one walking up the road this time, and Helen managed to have an orgasm just before he got to us.

He looked at his flushed sister and asked, "You doing that stuff again?"

"Of course we were," I said as Helen blushed. "It is good for the heart to get the exercise and good for the soul to know that you have made someone you love feel so good. You will understand better when you get a bit older."

At home I made some coffee and started to make supper. Helen went upstairs and later came down after having a bath. "I don't quite have my period yet, Alex," she said in a coy voice.

I moved some food off the hot parts of the stove and we ran upstairs. In the background we heard, "Not again!"

When we came down later, we found Aron doing the cooking. I went up behind him and gave him a hug. "Thank you, little brother. You are doing a great job."

He said, "I have to. You two are always doing it, and I want to eat." The smile on his face let me know that he was not really angry.

I made a few phone calls to get pricing on various articles I could use for my building projects. The cast iron wood stove had not been installed yet, although the double-walled, stainless steel chimney had. The flooring could be linoleum, but I liked tiles, if they were not slippery.

Helen played 'Susie Homemaker', and I was glad of the attention. It was easy to see that even Aron got lots of attention and enjoyed the benefits of a happy family.

The phone, unaccustomedly, rang. This would be the first call I had got. For a split second I looked for the call display, and then just picked up the receiver. "Hello," I said cheerfully.

"Hi, Alex. I got your party in Chicago." I recorded the particulars and thanked Derrick for his help.

"No problem. I was able to sweet-talk a long distance operator."

I thought for a few minutes after hanging up how I was going to pursue this matter. Mr. Silva Cranz was a respected accountant with a penchant for the thin wire frame glasses that marked many of his trade. He was presently climbing the Chicago social ladder. He was well thought of and fairly brilliant in his field.

I met him in 1973 after he took the reigns of his families manufacturing business. We had some mutual business and continued to see one another. He liked old cars, planes, and women, the same as I did. On a few occasions we even traded among ourselves. We met many times at auctions, and both of us even donated cars so the proceeds could go to one worthy cause or another.

As time went on, I found many shady types in his inner circle of friends. It didn't take me long to see he was involved with the mob. I was no saint myself, but I tried to keep clean. I had even employed some of those shady types when the same types were sicced on me. Sometimes they found information that was not available otherwise. Screwing the taxman was a favourite hobby of most businessmen, and I was no exception here, either.

Mr. Silva Cranz was similar to me in many ways, with one exception. He craved excitement, and had been the person to introduce me to skydiving and many other dangerous sports. Since we were both not over the hill yet, we enjoyed many of these pursuits. One, though, he never mentioned.

On the night of April 22, 1949, a bank in Chicago was robbed. This was done with finesse and care. Nobody was even threatened, for the crime happened at night. Four other robberies happened in the next five years. Every one was the same. The last time they were found, and a guard was beaten with fists but not shot or knifed. His body was duct taped and put safely to one side. His capturers even used a water bottle to give him a drink and insured that he was as comfortable as possible.

After the robbery and the thieves safely away, one even called the police to inform them of the guard's location.

In every one of the robberies, gold seemed to be the main commodity taken. Other things of opportunity were not left behind, though. The robbers were not found until 1989, when the wife of the leader found herself at odds with her husband and told the police. I had watched this from start to the conviction a year and a half later.

Mr. Silva Cranz was 64 when convicted of the thefts. Some of his gang had died in the intervening years, and he alone went to jail for fifteen years. He never lived to see the outside again.

His wife got a divorce and his empire came crashing down about him. He had pleaded with me to take it over, and my lawyers told me that I might not be able to keep it. I did purchase some things that could be considered safe. One was the large motor home that I used at the original mine site.

I now had a lot of gold to sell and needed a way of disposing of it. It came out at the trial that Silva had sold, to some rich foreign and un-named buyers, all the gold and other things that he had stolen. Perhaps his connections could be used to help me dispose of my much more legitimate gold.

I dialled the number and a familiar, young woman's voice answered. I knew the voice very well and remembered how much I liked Silva's wife. "Hello, is this Millie?"

"Yes, it is. I don't recognize your voice."

"You wouldn't, Millie, because we have never met, yet, but I hope to, soon. I actually phoned to talk to your husband on a business matter. Is he available?"

"No, he went out already. May I take a message?"

"If you would, please, but would you write it down on a piece of paper?" I knew how forgetful she was, and if this wasn't recorded, the message might never get to its intended destination.

"Hold on, please."

In a moment she was back, and I gave her my name and address. I doubt if her family knew anybody this far north. I added, "I have recently been in the Toronto papers for taking a school board to court. It mentions that I found a gold deposit. That is the reason for this call. I want to sell some very large gold nuggets, and I hoped your husband could facilitate this for me. Please tell him that I went prospecting April 22 in 49 and June 15 in 50, but wasn't as lucky some were."

"Why do you want me to say that?" Millie asked.

"It is important to me, Millie. Your husband is under no obligation. Please tell him that very emphatically. I just want him to call me back after 4:30, any weekday. It would be preferable if the call was before ten."

"I will tell Silva."

"Thank you, Millie. I hope to meet you in a few months."

Millie was a very vivacious woman. By the time I met her, though, she was one of the few who had contracted poliomyelitis after the vaccine had been around for years. She had not been permanently paralysed, but it had effected how she was able to get around. Silva told me wistfully how much Millie loved to dance. She still managed to take me a few times onto the dance floor. Three years after my meeting Silva she passed away from, what I considered, complications arising from her condition.

Salk's vaccine was not even made public till March of 1953, almost two years from now. Millie's problem, though, still bothered me. Perhaps I could get the vaccine first and save many more people. In the US alone, three thousand children died and sixty thousand were paralysed annually. Worldwide, the number was even worse per capita, because of diet and hygiene. Sometimes death would be preferable to living a life trapped within an unresponsive body. Millie would not suffer as she did, if I could get her to take some of the vaccine when it came out.

That night I finished lots of my small writing projects. There were other games and puzzles out there that could make me a lot of money. Some I hoped to buy the rights to and reap the profits. It was not assured that just because a game worked in my time that it would work sooner now. The original people would have been able to spent more time on it, and perhaps do something that I was not familiar with. I might turn a prospective silk purse into an expensive sow's ear.

Helen and I spent the night snuggled up, and soon Aron came in wanting a place, too. He crawled in on my other side and we slept together till the morning.

School the next day was the same till a few minutes after the opening announcements. Mike was back with a small bandage on his head. His picture was in the local paper and in the Toronto paper as well. The article had to do with his younger brother's problems. I didn't get to read the article, though, but I heard that it talked of a resourceful young man who saved the young boy and disappeared. A search for the rescuer was fruitless and no name could be found. Apparently, nobody had asked Mike.

The class sort of just stared at me when Mike began to explain. I felt out of place. In the back of my mind I heard Mike talking about me running with his brother to the police car to get to the hospital.

Everybody seemed to start asking me questions at once. It started like an avalanche, with only one voice till it encompassed the entire room. Mr. Ross used his size and voice to get the rest to remain quiet.

"Is this true, Alex?"

"I haven't read the articles. I had no idea that it was even in the papers. There seems to be too much of a fuss made, and it was no big job to pull the plastic out. The only thing that helped was the proximity of some useful equipment. Speaking of tools, the mechanic helped just as much by holding the child still, and later by protecting me when the child's mother came to some wrong conclusions. The police did a great job; they let me continue the artificial respiration and got us to the hospital in time. Mike helped, too, or the woman would have come completely undone. There were five of us without even counting the people at the hospital."

Nobody talked for a minute and this was getting eerie. Rita spoke up and asked, "Why didn't you tell me Friday or this morning?"

"What is there to tell? I might have saved a youngster's life, but it is nothing to brag about. A doctor would save many lives per shift in an emergency ward. He gets his pay and the satisfaction of knowing that he did a good job. At other times he cries himself to sleep, or gets drunk, thinking of the young lives that somehow slipped through his fingers. He never makes it into the papers."

"But they're doctors."

"What is the difference, Rita? We are all human. I may have more knowledge than the usual person walking the street, and I was just in the right place at the right time to use it."

The class was getting nowhere. I didn't usually listen much, but then again Mr. Ross was not teaching me anything new. Mr. Ross was soon on the inter-school phone and in a minute he said, "Alex, I think you better go see Mr. Corfu."

"Alright, sir." I picked up my notebooks, and when I left I turned and said, "I am sorry for disrupting your class, sir."

I walked the deserted halls to the office. After pulling the door open I saw the same thing here. Mrs. Cranston and the two young secretaries just stared at me like I was a freak. Mr. Corfu came out and quickly hustled me into his office.

"Tell me what happened, Alex."

Since he was an adult, I gave him the unedited version. I told him about what I really saw and, more importantly, felt. I was surprised to see that it took ten minutes to get all of this out.

"Alex, this story hit the large newspapers all over the country. The CBC had got the story in time for the 9 o'clock news. I think it was the two reporters who were here to see you. They played it as a mysterious boy who simply vanished after rescuing the child. Ever since there have been updates of the search mentioned on the noon, 6 and 11 o'clock news. I am very proud of you, Alex. The entire school is proud of you."

"Thank you, sir, but all I did was to pull a small piece of plastic out of an infant's throat and to breathe into his lungs till the doctors could take over."

"You are much too modest. You handled your other opposition well, and this should not be a problem."

"I am not shy now, sir. I seriously think there is too much fuss made about this. The boy's family would be happy that I did this small task, but it is of no concern to anybody else."

"No matter what you think, this incident will not just blow over. I think the best way to face it is head on. You should tell the school what happened, or each and everyone will be asking you the same questions and you will have to say the same thing 300 times."

"Perhaps you are right, sir. If I do talk at an assembly I would like a favour from you."

"What is it, Alex?"

"I want Helen, my foster sister in the front row. Someone also has to drive her to my foster brother's school and bring him here. He will be nervous with all the strangers, and I would like Mademoiselle Bouchard and Miss Vachon to be with him. He has met them before, and this will give him some comfort. Rita Leone is my girlfriend, and I would like her with my sister and brother."

"All that is easy. Mrs. Cranston can take Helen to get your brother."

Mrs. Cranston was called in. She was to find out what class Helen was in, and then ask her teacher to send her to the office.

A few minutes later Helen came running into the office. She saw me and started to run again but stopped in time. "I thought you were hurt or in trouble."

"In trouble this time, but good trouble."

"Good trouble?"

"Yes. Friday after school I helped a young boy with breathing problems. Somehow or other, it made it into the newspapers and it got blown out of proportion. Mr. Corfu suggested that we have an assembly to tell everybody at once and not 300 times. I want you up front. I also want Rita and Aron. Aron is too shy, and I wanted him to be with Mademoiselle Bouchard and our school nurse. He has met them and will not be as intimidated. Mrs. Cranston was going to drive you to Aron's school to pick him up."

Helen got out an, "Oh," and remained quiet. Mr. Corfu did not see the wink I gave Helen.

The Principal said, "It looks like this is going to disrupt most of the day. If you keep quiet about this, I will phone your teacher and get him to talk to his class. Perhaps period three or four could be for the assembly. Alex, will you be quiet too?"

"Me quiet? If it was up to me, none of you would have heard of it."

I went back to class, and Mr. Ross was still on the phone when I got in. After a few "Yes, sirs," he turned to the class and told them to keep quiet. So far, only we knew that there was going to be a surprise assembly, and if word leaked out too soon, somebody would have hundreds of hours of work to do, or fail math. I don't think he meant it, but somebody would sure be in for a time of grief.

The next class was with Mr. Armstrong and his rote teaching of geography. Four times during class he had to get people to pay attention to him, instead of looking in my direction. He couldn't see that I was disrupting the class and wondered what was up.

I expected the announcement of the assembly at any moment, but instead I found myself in electricity with Mr. Smith. Here, at least, was a good chance to have the boys from the other classes learn from ours.

This was a double and at the end of the first period the call had not yet come. It was half way through the third period and close to lunch when the speakers came alive and asked everybody to go to the auditorium for a surprise announcement.

Mr. Smith dismissed us and we all trooped off. I hurried myself and made it into the front seats on the left side facing the stage. Laura and Natalie came up at a quick pace, with a questioning look on their faces.

Natalie asked, "What's up, Alex? We were told to go to the front with you."

"Before all else I say, I tell you that I lied to the Principal. I said that my foster brother knows both of you. He would only be comfortable in a group of strangers if you were both here with him. My sister and brother will be arriving soon. Rita is coming, too; to keep up the charade, but she actually deserves to be here."

Laura asked, "But why are we here?"

I looked around and nobody was real close. "Because I want you two with me through both good times and bad." I left out till death do us part. "This just happens to be one of the good times."

Helen didn't worry about running and did just that. Aron just ran behind her so he wouldn't get lost. Aron ran to me and hugged me as high as he could get. I bent down and said in a whisper. "I got two girlfriends for you to have for today. Remember, they are mine. Pretend that you've known the new one all your life. Will you do that for your big brother?"

"Yea, I need a girlfriend, and you are giving me two. Where are they?"

I introduced him to Natalie and reintroduced him to Laura. "Now, hold their hands; they need someone to hold on to."

"I can do that, Alex."

Cooking class was at the other end of the school, and Rita was late. She ran up and asked, "I was told to go to see you, Alex. What's wrong?"

"I want family and friends together at a time like this. A girl who tried to domesticate the boys with me deserves to be at my side. Besides, we slept together."

Rita turned red and the girls around us listened very attentively. "We did not. We were in different rooms!"

"So?"

"Alex, I am going to get you for that. Everybody here will think that we did things."

"We did." I paused for a moment then said, "We ate at your family's table and talked of decorating your family restaurant."

The people were all getting seated and things got silent all of a sudden. Laura and Natalie sat with Aron attached to their hands. Helen and Rita sat on each side of me and I noticed that the entire front row of seats were vacant. From the main aisle, three of the reporters whom I'd met on Friday were present, along with Mr. Caversham. I had not read his article yet to know how he treated me. Now could be a good time to pay back his good will or his attack.

I turned to Rita. "Did you read in the local paper where it used my name?"

"Ah, yes I did."

"Was it honestly written, or did the reporter seem to have a grudge against me?"

"It wasn't nice, but it was that man's opinion."

"That man in the back is the man that wrote it."

"Oh, I hate him already."

Mike came running up to me and said, "Mr. Corfu wanted me to sit up here with you guys."

"Well, grab a seat. The one beside Miss Vachon is a very good choice, if I were you."

His eyes bugged out a bit and he was very circumspect about sitting beside the most beautiful woman in the school. Laura looked at me and patted the seat beside her to get Mike to sit. He was just in time, for the reporters started taking seats right next to him.

The bell rang for lunch but nobody left or went to other classes. Mr. Corfu came on stage and picked up a microphone that provided a surge of sound as feedback went through the system.

"Hello students, faculty and guests." He went on to talk about the newspaper articles and the radio news reports then he dropped his bomb. "Michael Stoner was hurt at the same time as his little brother. He did not know of the quest for the name of the unknown boy that saved his young brother. Early this morning he read the articles brought it into class for him to see. He knew the person very well, and told the rest of us. This heroic person is none other than our own Alex Kramer."

Rita started to clap first and then the rest of the audience did to. After a few seconds I had to get up and made a small bow of thanks. Rita's eyes were glowing, as if I were her husband who had done some miraculous feat just for her pleasure.

Mr. Corfu went on for another minute, and then called me up to the stage. I squeezed Helen and Rita's hands and got up. I gave a small smile to all my girls, Aron, and even Mike.

Speeches were an easy thing for me after doing many each year, in front of notables in most cases. "Thank you for the applause. It is nice to see that I have so many friends who wish me well. I cannot just accept these good wishes without talking about a few others. First is Mike Stoner. He helped by running for assistance. He had the misfortune to stumble in his quest, and he was knocked unconscious. He later stepped in to assist the child's mother and me."

"The second is the mechanic who provided the tools to remove the blockage from the infant's small throat. He also assisted me in holding the child in a position so I could extract the small piece of plastic, and then he risked his life to protect me from a distraught and frantic mother who did not understand what we were doing. He suffered many abrasions, lacerations and other types of trauma to keep me safe. He suffered this pain while trying not to hurt the frantic woman while she fought him."

"The child was suffering from respiratory paralysis. Two members of our police force assisted in this situation. They appraised the situation very quickly and then professionally facilitated getting the child and me to the hospital in time. I only did my part, and the four others are the ones who should get the real applause.

Rita started again and I did as well to show how I felt about the people who helped. I would gladly have stepped down now, but a reporter stood up and said, "Where did you learn to be a doctor?"

I looked at him till he flinched, even if I had to make a scene. "I learned first aid. Do you write your articles with the same inaccuracy you ask your questions?"

"Sorry."

"First aid is not something that is mandatory in schools. Perhaps that is due to the fact that we have as good a nursing staff as we do here with Miss Vachon." I paused a while to get the plug in. "Work sites and other places of business, such as a farm, can be very dangerous. I happen to live on a working farm with my foster family. Helen Lowca, her brother Aron, and their family took me in when my parents died. To keep my new family safe I learned many things from medical books, including what to do in an emergency."

Another reporter stood up and asked, "What happened to you after going to the hospital?"

"I am not large and imposing. Adults pushed me around till I found a corner to hide in and not get crushed. After I heard that the child had started to breathe on his own, I simply called a cab and left."

Another reporter got up and asked, "Are you going to become a doctor now?"

"Probably, but I want to be an engineer, inventor and even a politician before I will try my hand at medicine. We don't have a good heart lung machine yet. Our defibrillators are large and can't be taken to a patient to get their heart going again. There are many diseases that have no cures, yet."

"So you are going to cure the world?" he said sarcastically.

"The same way you are going to get a Pulitzer for your innuendo, or have you given up hope of ever attaining that goal, sir. I am young, and I have not lost my zeal as some adults have done."

The Le Devoir correspondent from the French language newspaper in Montréal asked, "What can you suggest that your fellow students might do to get ahead, as you have done?"

I replied in Québécois, "Students all over have to have their rights spelled out to them. Then they will know how to act. It is not quite what you asked, but it is what I would recommend all students do." I repeated the same thing in English and saw the reporters writing now. Perhaps I had given them a small thing so they could blow it up to unimaginable proportions and use it to show that I wanted to fight the school system.

"I notice that you reporters snapped up that last statement. You had best not misquote me. I did not infer that there are major problems with our school system, or our school board. There are only some small changes that will bring the board and the students into a safer environment."

Another asked, "What about your court case?"

"I am speaking on school property. Mr. Corfu our Principal introduced me. Our taxes go to pay for all the teachers and students here. This is no time to talk about other matters, even if I did wander into those murky waters with my last reply."

The Le Devoir correspondent asked, "What do your fellow students think of you?"

"I could ask your friends what they think of you, and then ask you the same question. The answers would not be the same, I am afraid. Ask them yourself. I warn you: if you talk to Rita Leone you may get an earful of what you didn't want to hear."

"Who is she? Your girlfriend?"

"I guess she is, but she is also my wild animal trainer. Talk to her about that subject. Count your fingers after, though." Rita turned red and hung her head and must have turned redder after the second comment.

The questions came now with little substance till I said, "Gentlemen, my newfound friendship with the other students will have disappeared unless they are allowed to eat. I, too, am getting hungry, and I invite each of you gentlemen of the press and radio to partake in the delicious cuisine served at our world famous cafeteria."

Mr. Corfu looked at his watch and said his thanks for the reporters coming and again to me for what I had done for the community and one family in particular. "The remainder of this period, and the next, are the official lunch periods for all students."

He got a rousing cheer, and the students started to file out. Those in our group stayed, and the reporters came in like barracuda. "What are your plans after you finish school?"

"Let's talk as we eat. If I have to put up with your questions, you will have to put up with our food. No eat; no talk. By the way, this young lady is Rita. Her parents own Mario's, the best restaurant around." I went through the other ones present and made sure the reporter from Le Devoir got a chance to talk to Natalie. Aron was like a stallion defending his mares and tried to get in between the reporters and the two beautiful women. Polish boys are sometimes very much like Polish men.

The line up for food was very long and then we had to go outside to eat. We watched the buildings being put up. I introduced my guests to Izzy and just let him take care of them for a moment as I gulped some of my food.

Natalie and Laura sat on a plank supported by a stack of prefab wall units. Aron wiggled in between them and ate his meal. Helen sat beside Laura and Rita on the other side of me. Mike felt left out, but stayed on the other side of Rita.

I explained to all of them exactly what happened on Friday night. I encouraged Mike to fill in most of the information I didn't know about. Rita again acted like her mother and encouraged Mike to continue.

We got our pictures taken, and I insisted that everyone should be in all the pictures if I was in it. Helen and Aron had a few pictures taken, and Laura with Natalie had a lot. They insisted that their boyfriend join them, and Aron was there like a shot. The reporters wanted pictures of Mike's brother and mother taken with me. I suggested that we meet at Mario's for a meal and some photos later tonight.

Laura looked at her watch then told Natalie. Natalie excused both of them and they left for their duties. They flirted a bit with poor Aron before they left, and he looked like his ego would explode.

The reporters left well before lunch ended. We had to carry their plates and trays back into the cafeteria. Perhaps they thought that their mothers would soon be here to pick up after them.

Helen said, "I have to get back to class. Should I get a ride to take Aron back to his school?"

"Let's see if little brother and big brother can both go to this school today." Aron smiled widely. There would be lots of stories for him to tell his friends tomorrow.

I asked Rita, "Phone your parents right away and ask them to put on a very fancy meal for at least twenty people. Some will be important, so spare no expense. Tell your dad this will be a way to launch his new ideas."

I walked past the office and stopped in to see Mr. Corfu. I invited him to the restaurant later and asked him to see if he could contact the two policemen and the mechanic to see if they could make it. He sadly said that he had prior commitments, but would try to contact the others.

Our next class was English Lit. It seemed that everybody wanted to congratulate me on what I thought of as a simple procedure. I had saved many children from choking during my internship, and a few after, and it gave me satisfaction to know that I saved a life, but I didn't want this notoriety now. Some time in the future, I knew, this sort of thing would be useful to my business ventures, or even in politics. Now it just disrupted my life.

Aron and I got to the class first, and I asked if Aron could audit the class. Miss Miles smiled and said, "As long as he doesn't disrupt the class."

Aron looked the young woman up and down, and then looked at me, "Can she be my own girlfriend?"

I looked at the teacher as if viewing art and said, "You are making a good choice, I think. You are going to have to speak English a lot better than you do now, and read far more books. Nothing gets you closer to an English teacher's heart than when you can whisper Shakespeare's sonnets into her ear over a candlelight dinner at a good restaurant."

The bell rang, and soon the students were sitting down. Aron said, "Will you give me some money for the restaurant, Alex?"

All through this conversation Miss Miles just listened to herself being talked about as if she were not present. "Look at the expression in her eyes, Aron. That is called danger. You better ask her out after class."

"Ok, Alex."

Aron sat at an empty desk and I got somebody to move, so I could sit beside him. He was the correct size for his age, but he was still small for the desk. He sat with his back straight and he was very attentive. The class looked at me quite a bit and seemed to look at Aron, too. He was quite a handsome lad, and he would have no problem getting friends. When he grew up, he would still be handsome. I remember him fighting off some women at the parties our companies hosted.

Miss Miles looked at us consistently. I wondered what thoughts were going around in her pretty head when a boy as young as Aron wanted her. Perhaps I was leading Aron astray with my quest for more mature women. It certainly would change him from what he would one day become otherwise.

We were the last to leave the class, and we walked up front. "Thank you, Miss Miles, for allowing Aron to stay with me."

"You are welcome, Alex." She looked at Aron and said, "I am glad to have such an attentive boy in my class."

"I like you, too. If Alex gives me some money can we go out? I will learn some of that stuff he said I needed."

Miss Miles smiled and squatted down. "I am a bit too old for you, Honey. You should look for some girls more your age."

"You'll do fine."

She said, "You two better get going before you are late for your next class."

As we left I said, "We Poles are not known for being subtle. But we are known for having good taste." She just stared at us as we went out the door.

The halls were almost empty and we raced to Science. Our teacher said nothing when we got in a little late, or about the extra student. We sat at the black lab benches for two people. Aron looked at the small sink, the stopcocks for gas and then around the room at all the glassware and reagents. In a few moments Aron pulled my sleeve and when I brought my ear to him he whispered, "This place smells funny." I just nodded my head.

Throughout the class Aron listened to the teacher and looked inquisitively around the class. The zoology samples caught his attention the most. He seemed to love the animal skeletons the most, for he looked at them the longest.

We all walked to the last class of the day. It, luckily, was French. My classmates talked to me during our walk, and I made sure that Aron was involved. At least some of the girls took the hint and were nice to him.

When we got to class, Aron ran to Natalie and hugged her. I knew that all the males in class would have loved to be in his place. She talked to him for a moment and kissed him on the forehead, then told him to take a seat. Aron seemed to have taken my request to pretend that Natalie was an old family friend very seriously. I could also see him taking this game to the hilt.

Throughout the class Aron stared at Natalie, and she flirted back by smiling at him, then at me.

When the class ended and we were dismissed, I walked quickly to Natalie and said to her, but I meant it for the class, "My parents wanted to know how you were doing. They wanted to invite you over for dinner again."

Natalie just stared at me then decided to play my game. "Yes, they are nice people."

"My parents are at the mine now, and I would like some Italian food. I just thought that if we can get a ride with you, we can all go to meet Rita's parents and eat there."

Rita was close by as usual and squealed a bit and got much closer. "Oh yes, come over and meet my parents. They would love to meet you."

Natalie said, "I am sorry, I have some things to do tonight."

I stepped forward and put my hand on her arm. "I want to invite Nurse Vachon, too. Other than Helen and me, poor Aron knows nobody else. I want to invite the Stoners, and I know the reporters will be there, too. This way, we are in a public place and I have some adults to protect me."

"Protect you! I saw the way you treated those reporters. It looked like you were going to get them to do some acrobatics as you made them jump through hoops. Where did you learn to do that?"

"Elementary, my dear Watson. The audience was sympathetic to me, and if they stepped out of line, I would sic public opinion on them. One newspaper would love to print how another had been shot down for inappropriate remarks to a boy of my age."

Aron stepped close again and held both of Natalie's hands, "Please come. I want to see this restaurant and learn sommets."

"Sonnets, Aron."

"Oh, sonnets."

"Ok, I will come if Nurse Vachon does, too. Your parents know that you two need to be kept under a watchful eye."

Aron rushed and plastered himself against the sitting teacher. I heard some girls say, "Ahhh," and I was sure all the boys would have paid good money to trade places with the wily Aron.

Laura agreed to come after changing out of her uniform. We rode in two vehicles, because both Natalie and Laura came in their own cars. Mike came too, because he was going to be dropped off at his house to talk to his mother and bring his family to Mario's later. I stayed with Rita in Natalie's car, to run interference if Rita started to ask questions that could prove embarrassing later, about Natalie and my parents' friendship.

Natalie took us to her apartment. It was the upper floor of a house and an older couple owned and occupied the lower floor. Natalie let slip that both were a bit deaf, which made her lodgings even better.

Natalie went into her nicely furnished bedroom, and I looked through the house. Rita whispered that I was to sit with her and not snoop. There was two more bedrooms, or ones that could be. There was no private entrance, but when I stuck my head out the back, I could see that one could easily be made.

North Bay had evolved as the years passed, and this house was in the middle of a new commercial area. Housing was now fairly cheap, and it looked like this house would serve some of my needs.

I called through the door, "Mademoiselle Bouchard, what do you think of your apartment?"

"It's good. Why do you ask?"

"I need to open an office and start looking for some good, light industrial land, or find a good building. It would be good for this city, if it were here and not Toronto. I will have to stay here for at least one more year."

"What are you going to make?"

"Toys and puzzles for a start." I looked at Rita and gave her an evil smile. "Do you want me to help you in there, Mademoiselle Bouchard?"

"You just stay out there, Alex. Your body might be young, but your mind is older than mine, I think."

"Spoil sport."

"I heard that."

Rita's face went from shocked to having a smile on it.

Soon we were out in front of Laura's place. To keep my secret I asked, "Which apartment is Miss Vachon's?"

"The very top one."

I raced up the stairs alone and knocked gently on the door. Aron answered it. Aron was alone, and the bedroom door closed. I asked, "What's happening?"

"Oh, girls; they went in there a while ago and they take forever. Are all girls that way?"

"I am afraid most are. A polite husband or boyfriend does not say anything about being late, unless it is very important. Then, when the girl comes out, he has to say how beautiful she looks. It is complicated in some ways, because women are hard to understand. You have to analyse their goals and compare them to what yours are."

"That is harder than learning English."

"Little brother, I always tried to get you to do well in school. That is even more important now. If you are going to be a CEO like we talked about, you need to know many things and know them well. English and French to talk to customers, board members, clients, unions, lawyers, accountants and, especially, politicians. If you don't speak correctly, you will loose business, and that can be millions of dollars."

"Millions?"

"Maybe billions."

"What's a billion?"

"Lots of money, little brother, and it all hinges on how well you speak to others."

During a lull in traffic outside I heard a groan from the bedroom. Aron started to talk, but I just pulled him to me and he just relaxed as I listened. The sound came again, but it didn't seem to be of pain, and still not quite like one given off when enjoying sex. It seemed a bit like a sensual massage that released the tensions of the muscles and not the inner workings of the id.

Four or five minutes later, the door opened and Helen came out. She looked at me and blushed almost immediately. Laura came right behind her, and had to move Helen out of the way to get by. When she saw me, she just gave me a small smile.

"We gonna go now?" Asked Aron.

"Little brother, remember what I said? Be patient, and give my ladies a chance."

"Is Laura a girlfriend, too?"

"She sure is, and maybe Natalie, but I am not sure yet if she wants to share."

"Aw, you got three, and I might only have one."

I had to smile and told the ladies about Miss Miles and Aron's requests.

Helen was fairly quick to tell me that she had cramps, and Laura showed her how to relieve some of the symptoms. As we walked down the stairs, she told me in a quiet voice, "It felt funny at first, but then I just thought of you and the pain started to go. Later I couldn't stop thinking of you, and I think I did something bad."

"Helen, you know that I love you. I am telling you now that you did nothing wrong. If you can lose the pain and gain a bit of comfort, then that is what family is for."

I got back in the car with Rita and remembered the reason for keeping her with me. I didn't know what words had transpired.

The trip to Mario's was not long, and we took two parking spaces in the back. Giovanni welcomed us into the restaurant as if we were visiting royalty. I seated each of my guests personally, and talked about the various types of Italian food.

Maria came out of the kitchen dressed as I suggested she should a week ago. She came to our table, and I introduced each of my guests including her daughter. Aron and Helen got a more thorough examination.

"Rita phoned us and said that you were coming. She says that you are the hero who saved that boy. I knew that there was something special about you when you first came here."

"Thank you for the compliment, but I am not a hero. I may be one of five life savers, though." I paused to let her understand the distinction. "I also see something special about you and your family. Did Rita mention that we should be getting some important guests?"

"Yes, she did. She said some would be the family of the child that you saved."

"I hope they'll come. I also expect a few reporters. If they come, the politicians will crawl out of the woodwork and join them to get their name and, hopefully, a photo in the paper. You may have a busy night."

"Thank you, Alex, but why did you want them here?"

"The family that should come will have too many things to do to host a gathering like what I expect. Here you can do this service for me. You get exposure just like the politicians. The child's family gets a break, and gets to meet my family in neutral territory. Your family gets to meet some of mine, and I get to talk to your family and renew friendships."

"All that with just one meal?"

Giovanni brought out some antipasto. Since the restaurant did not seem too busy for a Tuesday night I said, "Maria, will you sit with us, if you are not too busy? I really need a hostess. You daughter will have to help in the same capacity."

She agreed and sat with us. She nibbled just a bit while she started to talk with the rest of my guests. I could see the similarities with Rita's method immediately.

Natalie took only a few minutes to feel at home, like Laura had a week before. I talked to Helen and Aron, and got Rita to make her own opinions known. Giovanni brought over glasses, and after looking at Maria and then at me, poured some wine into the glasses. Polish children, like those of Italian descent, learned to sip wine from a young age, however this didn't lead to unbridled drinking at a later age.

Three men came in as a group, looked around and came over. I excused myself and greeted them. The mechanic and the two officers looked much different in suits. They looked to be out of place and I tried to reassure each of them.

I introduced each of them after learning their names and got them to sit with us.

Mario finally had time to come out, and I stood and introduced him to each of my guests. He must have been taking lessons from his wife, for he acted very suave and aristocratic. He turned to me and said in his Italian dialect, "I hear that you have done a very fine thing. I would like to congratulate you. There are few real heroes around now."

I replied in my Italian, "I saved a boy's life. That makes me feel good inside. I did not risk my own life, or those of my loved ones, to make me a real hero."

The other lifesavers were introduced and Mario mentioned how glad he was to have had the chance to meet them. He then smiled and stated to me, "I have put together the best meal I could in the time given."

"I would place myself in your hands. Helen and Aron like the things I like. Your daughter you should know. My other two guests have not been asked yet." Switching to French I asked Natalie and Laura, "Most beautiful ladies. Mario is going to prepare something nice for us to eat. I have never asked if you have certain allergies, or foods that you would rather not eat."

Natalie said, "I can eat most things. My parents even served tripe, but I didn't like it too much."

Laura replied the same way, "I like everything. It is also nice to try something new."

"Thank you, Miladies. I will inform the chef that we are all within his capable hands."

The two policemen had no problems with any food, nor did the mechanic.

Switching back to Italian I said, "We will gladly accept any delicious food you send from your kitchen. I would like to wait a bit for our other guests, though. There will be some reporters coming, and if your meal is memorable, then perhaps people travelling through our city will stop and eat here."

"I can do that. The meal, I think, will be the same anyway. I called in all my help and the meal should be a success."

When Mario left, Natalie wanted to know about my Italian. I, of course, lied. With Helen and Aron at the table I had to watch out that I did it so that they, too, would believe it. Maria and Rita had some information and I had to thread a course through this subterfuge so I would not get caught.

Aron must have been hungry and started to eat more antipasto. "Aron, Rita has a young brother. He is only four. Would you go with Rita to meet him? This way you get a break from sitting here too long. The meal will be big, and I am going to have to roll you out the door to get you home."

"I don't eat that much, Alex."

"Tell me that when we leave, Aron." I turned to Rita, "Will you introduce Antonio to Aron? You can hurry back after."

"Sure, Alex."

When she and Aron left through the kitchen, I said to Maria, "My experiment is doing very well. I believe that Rita is a younger version of you. She shows charm, wit, empathy, and will make a gracious hostess. I think you and Mario did a wonderful job of raising your child."

"Thank you, Alex. Mario will be happy when he hears that. You seem to speak from great age, as if talking about a favourite granddaughter."

"Sometimes I feel like I am beyond my years. Friday I cried when my bicycle was run over. Do you care to make an observation about that?"

"No, I guess you are just a mixture of boy and man."

"That is partially true, because I am still a boy in one important matter." Laura, Natalie, and Helen all coughed at the same time and looked around at the others, but no one else took notice.

I got the mechanic to start talking about his part in the rescue. After a bit more wine he loosened up a bit more. The police gave their own accounts, and said that they were doubtful about me, but decided to let me continue, since I had been doing the rescue so far, and I sounded competent.

The front door opened then, and I could hear a few voices coming in. I looked around and found nine people coming in. Some I had met today at the assembly, and some I had not seen before. They rushed for our table upon seeing me. I said to the table, "Excuse me for a moment, please," and got up.

They just got to the table and I could see that they were going to barrage me with new questions that they had saved up from earlier. In my old life I was big, even imposing, and could just use my gaze and get some underlings to toe the line. I tried the same thing here, but crossed my arms over my chest to give some body language that said I was unassailable. More came from behind and the restaurant was quiet. Giovanni made it to my side.

I said in a frosty voice, "Thank you for coming, gentlemen. The Stoners have not yet arrived. We have not been formally introduced, yet. Please, give your name and affiliation and I will introduce you to my family and friends." I tipped my hand to the first brash one from this morning.

It took quite a while to do all the introductions formally. The gentlemen of the press were given a table that now joined ours and they sat with the other rescuers. The mayor and two aldermen had come, along with Mr. Edwards, the superintendent of the school board.

Just as they all got seated, the Stoners arrived. Mrs. Stoner looked much better than I had seen her last. She ran to me, pulled me to her tightly, and cried on my shoulder. She seemed to be doing a mantra with her sobs of joy and her repeated exclamations of thanks. I could see over her shoulder a thin individual who came in well dressed and carrying his infant child in his arms. Mike was just behind him.

I turned the mother around and tried to get her to calm down. I sat her in my chair and then handed her a glass. She gulped it and then her eyes bulged. She swallowed quickly and then, when she could breathe, she said, "Thank you."

"Have some more. This lady here is Maria. She is a very good friend and my hostess." To Maria I said, "Will you introduce Mrs. Stoner to the rest while I meet her family?"

With the introductions going on, I walked to Mr. Stoner and put out my hand. He shifted his child that was turning around to see what was happening. Mr. Stoner managed to get his hand out and shook mine with a determined effort, "I can't begin to thank you for what you have done. If it wasn't for you, my baby would be dead." He started to sniffle and might have broken down completely.

"Thank you, sir. Are you going to introduce me to your son?"

The man looked confused, looked at Mike, and then it dawned on him, "Oh, this is John Jr. Say high to the young man who saved your life." John had his own ideas, and he turned to his father and hid his face.

"Hello, John. I am glad you are out of the hospital. Do you want to meet my family?" I got a headshake to the negative, but that was expected.

To the father I said, "Please come and meet my family and friends." Introductions were made. Mrs. Stoner claimed her child, and then Mr. Stoner was able to shake hands with everybody. When he was done, I introduced him to the reporters and politicians. Mike was the only one left and I shook his hand. He looked amazed that another person his age would do this.

I made sure the Stoners were introduced to the other rescuers and found that they had already met.

I moved a few of my guests around as a new table was added. In Italian I said to Rita, but I intended it for Maria, "Please remove the wine glasses from in front of the youngsters. I still held Rita and brought her to sit between two politicians. With words in Italian again I said, "Go get them, tiger. They are easy meat."

Giovanni came over with more wine and glasses to get the ball rolling. I tapped an empty glass in front of a formerly empty place and when quiet reigned I stood and said, "Mario Leone, the owner of this fine restaurant has agreed to give us a meal, I believe, from his homeland. If there is anybody here that has some special dietary concerns, please voice them." Nobody spoke up, or even hid their eyes. "Thank you, one and all, for joining me today for this special meal."

I called Giovanni over and asked if he had some high chairs for the youngsters and the presence of three boys upstairs. He looked at me funny and left. There seemed to be a lot of people who looked at me and thought that my thinking was off.

Libra came down with Francesco in her arms. Aron and Antonio came last and I seated all of them after some more introductions. Antipasto came out again, and more wine for the people who had not had any yet.

Conversation was, happily, not directly on me, but not far away, either. Soon, large serving bowls came out with a minestrone soup. My subconscious must have arranged it, because I got the children beside me. Antonio was to my right and just a bit further was Aron. To my left were Francesco, then John Jr. and his mother. I put a napkin on the two closer boys, and I knew that it was a lost cause, because they would get soiled, no matter what I did.

I ladled out to the three boys who happened to be close to me. John Jr. was going to be well served by his now very protective mother. I did not give a lot to either of the boys.

Before anybody started eating, I stood up and waited for silence and said, "Lord, thank you for the food you have put... Thank you for sparing little John so that he could grow to be a credit to your name. And thank you for bringing all of us together in harmony and peace." I then went through the standard prayer in liturgical Latin very quickly, because not everybody was RC here. I just sat and heard a few 'amen' from different places at the table.

I had one spoonful of soup and Aron was already done. He had his bowl in his hand, an inch off the table, and was about to ask for more. I simply shook my head a bit and he put his bowl back down. The poor boy looked like he was going to starve.

Antonio was doing all right by himself. I took Francesco's spoon and fed him some of the smaller portions of vegetables after cutting them with the spoon. In between, I got some soup into my own stomach. The soup was very good. Over the years I had enjoyed this type of soup many times, and Mario certainly had a flare for doing it.

Giovanni came out with his wife Nicoletta pushing a cart with large trays on it. Penne pasta with small meatballs and small sausages were in the sauce. I shared my plate with the two boys and Aron, too. I thought the boy would cry that he was getting fed so little.

The Leone boys were covered with sauce, but seemed to enjoy the act of eating as much as they liked the taste. Aron's plate was so clean I thought he had licked it.

Fillet came out next, after the dirty plates were removed. Small baby potatoes and some green string beans graced the plate. Small bits of basil and a bit or parsley were seen on the broiled potatoes. A small dish with a salad accompanied it.

Again, one plate served all of us. I cut off a large piece with some potatoes and vegetables and gave it to Aron. The rest got fed from my plate. The steak was large and it would feed all of us. I even got to eat some and all the salad.

Maria stood and got everybody's attention. She made a small speech about the police, the mechanic and, of course, me. They all took this as an excuse to drink more. This happened a few more times throughout the meal.

When the plates were taken away, my guests commented on how good the meal was. I had time to tell Maria to make sure that Mario heard the comments. Helen looked happy with her meal, as did Laura and Natalie. They were quite a way down the table and were talking with the guests around them. Rita's voice carried well and I could hear her give shit to the alderman for some of the dumb things they had passed.

The man said in his defence, "There is another alderman, and the mayor is here, too."

"The mayor only votes when there is a tie. I will get to your partner soon enough." Others in her vicinity were chuckling. She looked down the table at me and we smiled at each other.

When the steak dishes had been taken away, another set of trays came in. It looked like partridge because of the size. They weren't quite the right shape for quail. This time Antonio and Francesco's plates had been prepared expressly for them. Aron got his own plate, too. The portion was smaller, but made to look very appetizing. Around the edge was a mixture of peas and mushroom that were probably cooked together.

I got a smaller bird, and I was able to eat all of this plate while helping Francesco only a little. Again, there were comments about how good the meal was.

When this course was done, a small dish of orange sherbet came out. My boys dove right in. Aron almost licked his bowl and looked for more.

When this was cleaned up, a large cart of steaming, whole lobster followed. Some had been cut in half to allow some to just nibble. The boys got a plate of this already prepared: some scallops, and something that looked to be king crab. Small slices of orange and some black beans, which most North Americans had not learned about, graced the side.

The Leone boys dove in. Francesco didn't mind getting around me because I was slow, and ate with his hands. Aron wasn't sure about this food and only nibbled. He was like me, and soon his plate was empty and he was groaning. The Leone boys worked valiantly, but had to give up the contest and just played with their food.

Many more groans were heard, even before this course had arrived. More had come after, because the guests could not resist the temptation. I used the tools and broke the tail and ate a small portion of crab after breaking the shell and using the long, thin fork to extract the flesh.

When this left, we got some small bowls of lemon water. This time I got it first and washed my hands in it, and then used the cloth napkin that came with it. I cleaned the faces of the two Leone boys, and Aron seemed to be doing well on his own. Helen, and I think most, had to see what I was doing to find the reason for the warm water. In a way this was better than the use of alcohol-soaked towelettes used for convenience in later years.

I thought Giovanni looked at me with more respect, because I could do this correctly or possibly even for knowing what to do with the slightly acidic water.

Fresh fruit came out next on large platters. These were put on the table, and small clean plates put in front of each guest. This was for helping yourself. I got my boys to eat a few grapes and some watermelon. There were many different varieties of fruit to pick from.

Aron loved watermelon, but could not even eat all of the piece he took.

Giovanni asked around the table what the guests would like to drink. Wine had flowed very freely, and now he asked if we wanted café latte, tea, or cappuccino. Since he asked me first, I opted for the Italian coffee. Some others, the more adventurous ones I thought, did too.

The boys just got some more sherbet, but this time the flavour was lemon. Apparently, they found enough room for this in their left leg.

We were served our coffee or tea. I sipped my small cup and found it just the way I liked it. A small amount of cocoa was sprinkled on the foam to make it appealing and to contrast with the sweetness of the drink.

We had more time to talk now. I called Mario out from the kitchen, and he was publicly praised for the excellence of his plate. I hammed it up a bit, and went through some of the more subtle things he had done to make the meal very memorable. My small speech took a few minutes, and when I was done the guests and I clapped our hands in applause.

Mario bowed to us and said how much of a pleasure it was to have served us.

The mayor had to get some of his words in, and he, too, had to compliment Mario and then me for the meal.

Mario brought out his cooks and the people serving and introduced them. It was almost like the closing of a stage performance. Mario turned and ran back into the kitchen abruptly. The rest of the staff bowed and left.

I had not had much time to look, but I saw that the restaurant was full. Maria had said that this was the slowest night of the week. We talked more, and the youngsters were getting sleepy from the amount of food they had eaten.

Libra took Francesco and Antonio away. John Jr. was asleep in his mother's arms, and we continued to talk. I was asked a lot more about my upbringing and goals. This time, the questions were not barbed, but they did present a lot of danger, nevertheless.

I told the table of some of my plans for the city. I mentioned that Toronto would have to get some of the work, but all that I could do in the Bay would be done here. The coming gold rush would hardly be noticeable, yet.

Aron was nodding off, and I asked Maria, "Would it be alright if Aron slept over? It is a school night, and he can afford to miss another day."

"Sure he can. You can pick him up after school."

"Thank you, Maria. I think this will be his first time sleeping over in somebody else's house."

More penetrating questions came now, as people smelt a possibility of getting into a ground-floor financial situation. I did mention some of the skilled help I needed, along with the type of machinery that would have to be manufactured or altered for my needs.

Maria talked to Aron and took him upstairs. The sleepy boy dutifully followed. Five minutes later Maria was back.

A few moments later Mario himself came out with a large tray, followed by Giovanni. There was a wide assortment of puff pastries filled with cream. The shapes resembled swans, ducks in flight, wolves, crowns, and various-sized spheres. Some of the filling had a chocolate tinge, and hard chocolate was swirled over some of his creations.

I heard groans now. I had to sympathize with them. They looked delicious, and there was no way I would leave without eating at least some. More coffee came, and this time it was mostly cappuccino.



-------

Chapter 12



Much later the party started to break up. Pictures were taken of all the rescuers and John Jr. in my arms. I refused to have any picture taken of me without the police and, by now, our favourite mechanic.

Helen asked about Aron, and I told her. She didn't seem to worry about him, for he was in good hands. I kissed faces the Italian way, or shook hands with everybody present. Mario came back out of the kitchen and I shook his hand, too. The reporters raved about his cooking and said they would try to get some plugs in about his restaurant, and send some of the specialty reporters here to sample his food and report their findings in the paper.

Laura, Natalie, Helen and I were the last to leave. All of us were sleepy and still very full. I rode with Natalie, while Helen rode with Laura.

I sat close and said, "I want to sleep with you tonight."

"I would like that, but I am so full you would burst me like a balloon."

"I am the same way. I just want to sleep with you beside me. Can we do that?"

"How can I resist you?"

"That is what I like, a compliant woman."

"I am not compliant!"

"You are my woman, and you will do as I say."

She thought for a moment. "Am I?"

I looked into her eyes and said, "I want you to be mine. You will have to share, but I hope that there will be enough for you. I am not asking for tonight, or this year, but for our lifetimes. Is that too big of a commitment for you?"

"I don't know. We hardly know each other. I have many secrets that you may not want to know about, or you might maybe even be frightened off."

"Let's start now by getting to know each other better. When I finish school, I will ask you again."

"I like that. It gives me a few years to understand you. I think you are the most complex person I have ever met. Your personality seems to reach out and hold me firmly, yet so softly."

I didn't tell here that I wanted to graduate in one year and pass all four grades. "I think I want to test out Laura's new bed. It is big enough for all of us."

"Your sister goes to our school, Alex," she said apprehensively.

"I have not used the word wife before to any of you, partly, because you all deserve it, but our laws do not allow it. I want you three for my wives. You will bear my children and help me change the world. It has to start somewhere, and tonight is a good time."

When we stopped at Laura's, she was taken back by the fact that we parked in the back beside her car. I simply said, "I hope you don't mind, but we would like to stay the night."

She thought for a while and replied, "It is ok with me."

To Helen I said, "I want us to sleep here tonight."

She took less time and said simply, "Yes, Alex."

When we got upstairs, Laura showed Helen the washroom. When she was done, the other two went in and came out quite quickly. I took only a few minutes, and the three girls were waiting expectantly. Each one had a nightie on, with panties and bra underneath.

I took them to the bedroom, removed Laura's nightie, kissed her passionately and put her to bed. I did the same to Helen and put her beside Laura. I took off all my clothes, then Natalie's nightie, and got into bed. Natalie shut off the light, and we managed to get to sleep in the new, king-sized bed.

Part way through the night Helen woke me up. She was in pain and couldn't get to sleep. "Sit up, sweetheart." She did without comment. I moved toward the centre line, but close to the head of the bed. I coaxed Helen to lean against my chest.

My hands caressed her abdomen slowly and worked the area over her ovaries. I worked from her waist to her mons and back up again. She had given a gasp at first touch, but this turned to moans of enjoyment after a few minutes. In another moment she had her nails into my arms, as she shook in an orgasm shooting through her body.

She took my hand in hers and kissed the palm. "That was so nice, Alex."

"You are welcome, my love. Do you need one more time?"

"If you are not too tired? I love your hands on me."

I started one more time. When Helen was getting excited, I got Laura, now awake, to caress one of Helen's legs and Natalie to do the other. The girls seemed to know just what to do, for Helen orgasmed and seemed to stay at that level till she collapsed in utter bliss.

When Helen started to snore, Laura said, "I have a sore tummy, too."

I threw a leg over Helen toward Laura and then got out of bed. Going to the foot of the bed, I crawled up to Laura and got her to hold her thighs as I started kissing her mons and licking her clit. She was very excited and orgasmed quickly. I didn't allow her to rest but brought her one more time to that place she loved.

I worked back down, then move over to Natalie and got her panties off and did the same thing. Her orgasms were loud enough to wake the others. After crawling back to my place, I managed to sleep the rest of the night.

The morning brought me out of a delightful dream. I looked down through squinted eyes to see. The three girls had pulled the sheet back and were staring at my immature erection. One after the other would take a small lick to see my reaction to the individual touches. I heard quiet giggles, and whispered suggestions passed back and forth.

My legs were spread, and I had to think that the girls got me this way. Natalie leaned over and licked my hairless scrotum, then got back to see my body's reaction. Laura licked my abdomen, while her hair gently caressed my throbbing penis. In a moment, Helen bent down and licked the inside of one thigh, and again her stray hairs tickled me.

They kept this up a few times more till I said, "I am going to try to live with you ladies for the rest of my life. The way you are treating me, I will burn out much too fast."

Natalie said, "Can't take three little girls, Mr. Kramer? I thought you wanted all three of us."

"I do, but I had a rough night. I dreamed that I made three beautiful women happy. I thought that they would be glad of being with me."

The girls washed and dressed, and contrary to what I told Aron, I got them to hurry. We got to a restaurant early enough to have a good breakfast.

Over our breakfast I asked Natalie, "Would you like to have Laura living with you in your apartment." Before she could answer I asked Laura, "Would you consider moving in with Natalie? There are many benefits. Now only one rent needs be paid. I imagine you can split the savings between both of you. Natalie tells me that both of the old couple downstairs are partially deaf. Since they are old, they even may agree to sell the house to a young and upcoming entrepreneur."

The girls looked at each other as if the idea was new to them. Nobody commented, so I continued, "I am not pushing either of you. I am just telling you that this section of the city is due for major redevelopment. Though the economy is not very good now, it will improve, and the value of the land will increase over time. Soon there will be a lot of people here looking for gold and needing a temporary place to stay. As I said last night, I am going to set up shop to manufacture games, puzzles and, I think, a doll, too."

Helen asked, "Why a doll? They are for kids. And kids don't have lots of money."

"Their parents do, and there is usually an upsurge in the population after a war. Television will be used as a babysitter, and that will cause problems far into our future."

Natalie asked, "How do you know that?"

"It is basic human nature. People take the easy way all the time. If there is a children's show playing, the children will watch it and not bother the parents. This brings health problems from watching instead of doing. The shows will come, because the first one will make a lot of money for the developers, the TV station, and the network. More will see the way to quick money and will jump on the bandwagon. Greed has a way of doing that and is part of the human condition. All I want to do is to make sure that the shows give some educational value, and perhaps I can restrict the garbage that is surely going on the air."

We separated in the school parking lot, and I walked with Helen to the door. "What do you think of Natalie? I know that you like Laura."

Helen blushed and hung her head. "I meant that she is a nice person. You are still too conservative in your outlook about many things, including sex."

She looked at me inquisitively, "Did you ever do anything with a boy?"

"I never did. I wanted to a few times, till I found that girls are where my energies would be better focussed. Men see girls having fun a lot differently than girls do, or how they see other males doing the same thing. Girls get to hug and kiss each other, and men see nothing wrong. Many nationalities have the same gender kissing each other. Nothing is wrong in that action."

"I feel odd about letting a girl touch me like that."

"You probably had those thoughts all along, just as I did. It is natural. I want this to continue, if all three of you can continue."

We stopped outside the door and I said, "I will be trying to change the world. Sometimes that means I have to manufacture something. Other times, I have to sell an idea to a group or even an individual, and still other distractions until I will simply be late coming home. That means I have lonely wives. If they are friends and can relieve the stress on occasion, then I will be happy that they are not trying to destroy our family."

"Wives, Alex?"

"I talked to Natalie last night. There is no better term. I want to be the father of all of your children. I will look out for you and the children. But unlike traditional families, there will be more than one wife, and the wives will also have very important duties."

"Like running one of your companies?", she said with a very big smile.

"That is just part of it. There will be groups of companies. The money I will make will rival many large countries. The power our family will have, you cannot even imagine, yet."

Her expression changed to awe, "Like a Prime Minister?"

"Yes, just like that, but even more so. We don't have to worry about voters, but possibly the share holders may do the same thing. At least they will not be as sheep-like as the voters are. They look out for their best interests, instead of what a politician gave them recently."

Many people shook hands even before class started. Mr. Ross at least introduced a new concept that required the students to pay attention to him rather than the reluctant celebrity in the class.

Mr. Lockhart in History congratulated me on saving little John, and then, thankfully, went on with the class.

Miss Forester in English Comp did the same, and then gave us a surprise test to show that she was not going soft.

Typing was the last class before lunch, and I was up to 35 words a minute. It took a bit of concentration to hit the keys harder than a computer keyboard. I would love to introduce the IBM golf ball typewriter, but that took a lot of work and time, which could be better spent working on electronics.

Rita was in fine form at lunch. She told some funny anecdotes about her talks with the mayor, two aldermen and Mr. Caversham, the publisher of our local paper. The students cracked up when Rita asked if I agreed. I simply said, "Yes, dear." Something their parents must have said many times.

Mr. Creighton in machine shop gave his own congratulations. When the class was all busy, I asked him, "Sir, I am setting up a manufacturing facility to make a puzzle and another for a game. I need some plastic extrusion machines. They can be found in Toronto, or I can get them from the States. I need skilled people to make the intricate dies, competent maintenance personnel, good machine operators and then some people to assemble the product. All this will be in this city, and possibly the majority of the people will come from here, too. Do you know of any people who could do this work for me?"

"That is a good question. I hope you can afford this, as well as your bus project. There is a lot of unemployment, and most of the better people have gone south for a job. I don't even know if they are working or not. I will look into it tonight."

"Thank you, sir. I want to go looking for the machines, but I cannot leave school because of all the time I have already lost."

"You have finished your projects for the year, and your marks are the highest I have ever given. Go in my office and look at some of the catalogues. I don't have many, but you can at least get the phone numbers of the companies."

"May I make local calls?"

"I don't see why not."

"Have you and Mr. Sotola located any busses that might be suitable for my needs?"

"There is one in Montréal, but somebody has to go and check it out."

"You both can go and look. I will pay the travel costs. Mr. Sotola already has your fee and the cheque for the deposit."

"I think we can do that. Why do you want a bus that large?"

"Luxury, and a bit of common sense. I will sell it anyway. It is my test bed for the things you are working on, and then I get to sell the completed unit. If you two do well, we will start manufacturing them. Look on this as a test of your manufacturing capabilities. The industry will be worth hundreds of millions."

The man just looked bug eyed at me.

I went into the back room and looked through some of the catalogues. I saw that all the machinery was really antique from what I had known before. They would still do the job, though. The types of machines I wanted were not even listed in the catalogues.

I made phone calls to local suppliers, and I tried to talk to the people in charge. None were able to put together the fact that my name as a potential machine buyer was the same as the boy in the newspapers.

Two owners of businesses were asked to meet me at the high school at 2:15. "It is important that you are on time," I mentioned to both. They were to see Mr. Creighton, and he would lead them to me.

The electricity class was not too much of a challenge. I talked to Mr. Smith the same way I had approached Mr. Creighton. He knew that there was nothing he could teach me in grade-nine electricity, and I was given a free hand to work on my projects. They would help me get ahead, but would also help the local economy that had gone into a slump after the war. The Korean War had not happened yet, and thus the expected boom it brought about had not come, either

Mr. Smith had a phone, too, and I used it to call in some written quotes for some equipment for the prefab homes. I was allowed to spend the remainder of the class outside talking to Izzy.

He told me about a troop of females that had gone through his buildings like shit through a goose. I said, "They were going to make the buildings a home. Curtains, beds, and linen will be put in. I just phoned about some ceramic flooring. I want you to look at it and pick what will be durable and slip resistant."

"Not too many people use tiles."

"Ah, not now they don't, but they will."

Science and Geography were next, but I didn't see too much chance of dodging those classes with the teachers involved.

The bell at the end of the day rang, and I gathered my notes and started to leave the school. I caught Mr. Summers coming out of a classroom, and he seemed to be seriously pissed. "You got me into a lot of trouble with your lies, Kramer."

I stopped to look at him. He didn't really look that rational, but then again, nobody is completely sane. It is like being perfect. It is not within a human's ability. "What do you mean, sir? I said nothing that was not the truth."

"You lied about everything. I was trying to guide you. Discipline is what this school needs. Discipline is what you need, too. I don't know how you took the credit for saving that kid's life, but I know you did."

"I never took credit. I only did some. The police and the mechanic did some, as did Mike Stoner."

"But you got all the credit and I am not forgetting how you got everybody to follow what you were doing. Even your building is disrupting the school. What little money you were supposed to give, is nothing compared to the harm you have inflicted."

"I am sorry you feel that way. Perhaps you should voice your concerns to the school board."

"Bah!" His hand went up again and I just stood my ground. There were no witnesses this time. He lowered his hand and said, "You are not worth it." He turned around and went to his office.

I found Natalie in Laura's office. Nobody was around. The girls smiled mischievously at me, but I had to burst their bubble. "Sorry, my ladies. Summers is going off the deep end. I laid a good portion of the blame in his lap, and the board must have seen him as an albatross. He met me in the hall and accused me of lying to the board."

Natalie said, "Watch out for him, Alex. He will hurt you if he can. He has done it to others."

This made me think of the cries I heard in a room close to the office. Perhaps even now the unbalanced Summers was finding an outlet for his aggression. "Helen and I need a ride to Mario's to get Aron, then a ride home. I am going to the office; someone may need a hand."

I left quickly and even ran no matter what the rules said. There were two rooms close to the door and I leaned against each and listened to each. The further one had some rhythmic poundings. Natalie caught up to me and I put my finger to my mouth. She came closer and put her ear to the door with me. We heard more thrashing, then a male voice grunting a few times, then a curse and a slap. From behind the door we heard, "You stupid bitch."

More slaps followed and then I heard a feminine cry. Natalie was about to break in but I stopped her. She was very angry, and just barely followed my lead. I physically pulled her outside the main door while we looked in.

"Why did you stop me? There were two of us. We could have got him fired." Natalie was really worked up, and I knew she would probably physically attack Summers if he were present.

"Stop, Natalie, and think. Summers has the poor girl cowed. I think he is having sex with both of them. Haven't you seen how frightened they always seem to be?"

"Yes, they are scared."

"This is also a legal matter. A man can do many things to a woman and get away with it. The judges and lawmakers are men. You have lots of scars, and I have not even asked you about them, but I think they centre on an abusive man."

She looked down like a submissive woman now. "Natalie, look at me. I am not like that, and I will never be like that. I want to stop Summers now, and we need irrefutable proof. Even the two of us would mean that the board would discipline you for unfounded accusations. I am still a minor in the eyes of the law, and my testimony means little. The girl will be forced to perjure herself and the other girl, too. We need to do this right, so Summers is nailed tight."

"How are we going to do that?"

"We..."

Natalie went back into the school and into the office to see which of the girls was the one abused. There obviously was another door, for nobody came out of the one I watched. After twenty minutes Natalie came to me and said, "I found her."

I said nothing but ran to the parking lot. Helen and Laura were talking beside Laura's car. "Laura, you and Helen, go to your office now. A secretary was just sexually abused by Summers. Natalie is going to try to get her to leave under a pretext. We are trying to build a case, and we need witnesses, and more importantly, cooperation from the victim."

I ran back to the school and through the main doors. Far ahead I saw Natalie with her arm around the shoulders of one of the secretaries. The figure was slumped over and she looked even smaller that she normally was. My footsteps slowed and I allowed the women to get to the nurse's station first.

When I arrived, Natalie and the secretary were in the small examination room. I could hear crying and Natalie's voice on occasion saying that things would be all right. I thought it best to let them have a few moments of peace before I came in. I was still a male, even if I was young.

A moment later Laura and Helen came running up to the station. Helen said, "Summers just left. He was still mad."

"Laura, Natalie has the girl in the exam room. Start to do a standard assault and rape form."

"A what!"

Shit, that hadn't been worked out yet. "Do you have a camera nearby?"

"No."

"I didn't see if the secretary was Valerie or Linda. Ask her, if she wants immediate medical assistance? Does she require a safe place to stay for the night? Ask her, if she wants to contact a friend, a family member, or a professional counsellor?"

"She will still be confused, disoriented, and emotionally upset, even though I think this has happened before. The most important thing you can do is to listen to what she is able to share. Do not try to evaluate her statements, or make value judgments about what she is saying. I would prefer that she made a charge out against Summers, but don't pressure her to do so."

"Examine the girl, if you can. Check for lacerations. Record where it is and other criteria like size, shape, direction and severity. Do the same thing about bruising. I would like her to go to the hospital to recover vaginal specimens to test for semen, acid phosphates, and a blood group determination."

"It would be good to get some blood tests of her to identify drug and alcohol levels."

"Alex, why does she need that test? We know her, and she would not be like that."

"What would Summers' lawyer have a jury believe? They would say she was a drunken prostitute who did this all the time, and even attacked Summers with her body."

"Nobody would believe that!"

"Laura, I love you, but you are naive. Politicians and the military have been getting a country or a world to believe what is presented to them since we decided caves were a great place to live. Now, go into the room and I will wait outside the door. I doubt if a male would be welcome. Ask me any questions you need, and I will reply. We need to be prepared for any defence Summers can mount, because he will try his best to wiggle out of this."

"Now get in there. Remember that she has to make the decisions, not us."

Laura looked at me funny and then knocked lightly on the door and entered.

Helen asked, "Did you see this thing before Alex?"

I held her hands and said, "I have visions in my mind of this happening many times and me having to help the women and, sometimes, males involved."

Helen and I whispered to each other, and in half an hour Laura called us in. It was Valerie. She was standing beside the other two.

Laura said, "Valerie does not want to press charges, or even go to the hospital."

"Hi Valerie," I said quietly with as caring a voice as I could muster. "It is not nice to be talking under this circumstances. I am glad to see that at least you look a little better. I plan on getting Summers, though, and I could use some advice from you. You won't have to do anything, just talk to us. Do you think you can do that?"

"You're only... I think you are too young."

"Valerie, I can think clearer than most people, and I know what has to be done. The age I look is not the same as the way I think. Now, do you want to go through this again with Linda, or do you want to stop this with only a few words."

At Linda's name she almost broke down. "Does Linda suffer more than you?"

"We get the same. She has even a harder time dealing with it. I don't know what I am going to do."

"I do. Tell us how all this started."

Her voice started out very hesitantly and built up to a very emotional call for help. Summers had got the two of them a job right out of grade 12. The two girls were only a few years older than Helen. Summers was quite charming at first, and Valerie was taken in by his charm. Kisses in the supply room got common. Soon Valerie found that Linda, too, was kissed. On occasion, Summers would make a game of it, and take both into the room at the same time.

After two months he managed to get them to display their breasts while he kissed them. His hands and lips made them feel good.

One time he convinced them to kiss each other while topless. Linda was quite submissive, and she was easy to convince, but Valerie finally did this to show that she loved him.

Three days later Summers wanted more clothes removed. Linda was asked first, and did as she was told, even though she didn't want to, she said later.

Summers used his fingers to make Linda feel good. When Valerie resisted this Summers took out some photographs. They were taken in the supply room without them knowing. It showed the two girls kissing, and Linda naked. Valerie was told that the authorities would believe that Valerie would be naked, too, if they saw the photos. The board would think that the girls had been making love to each other.

Valerie had given in and was photographed anyway. Soon he used his penis and took each of the girls. Four months into their new jobs, they were having vaginal and anal intercourse. If the girls wanted to say something, then they would be fired by the board and shown to their families as lesbians.

We left soon after. The office was locked and Valerie's purse was inside the room. She had her own apartment, but I did not want her to be alone tonight.

"Valerie, I want you to stay with Laura tonight. You don't have your keys, anyway. She will assist you any way she can. Tomorrow, you are going to call in sick. I don't want you hurt any more."

I turned to Laura, "Get some pyjamas on the way home, and stock up on some food. The two of you can talk tonight, if you are able and learn all the small points about how Summers operates. I will talk to you tomorrow at my lunch," I said as I handed her some money. "Buy a good douche, and maybe Valerie would like a long, hot bubble bath."

"Yes, Alex."

The two left, and Natalie drove us to Mario's. Natalie said, "That was a very hard thing for me to witness. I hate Summers now even more than I did before. Can you get him arrested?"

"Not without a lot of evidence. The courts side with the men, because the judges are men. That is something I am going to have to change."

I was not going to breach Valerie's and Linda's privacy, but this act was necessary.

We were late getting Aron, but nobody seemed to be bothered by the delay. I put enough money in an envelope to pay for yesterday's meal and handed it to Maria when we were alone. She would probably refuse the money. I started telling her about the reason we were late. She soon forgot about the money and listened intently to what I said.

Mario was called, and he learned the same things as his wife. He was a very angry man now, and wanted to go after Summers and break him in two. I said, "I have a better way. The two of you were told, because I want you as witnesses. I want to get Summers, and I need people to see him caught in the act."

Supper at home was a more sombre affair and Aron didn't know why. I worked hard on my own business and found it hard to concentrate. Helen wanted me in bed sooner than usual, and needed to be held. I rubbed her abdomen for half an hour and gave her relief from her cramps and a few satisfying orgasms. Before going to sleep, she swallowed me and I had my own pleasure. Aron again came into the room half way through the night and got in on the other side of me.

We got to school earlier than usual and went to Laura's station. We had to wait a while for her to come. She was still upset by last afternoon's happenings. We both got a synopsis of last night's conversation with Valerie. Laura seemed to feel better for getting the information off her chest. I gave her a passionate kiss, and then gave an equal one to Helen. Both girls smiled at this and even held hands in sisterhood. Sometimes it was very easy to please a woman, and at other times it was impossible.

While Helen went off to her friends I went to electricity and Mr. Smith. He was in his room sipping a cup of coffee. "Hello, Mr. Smith. How are you this morning?"

"Good, Alex, and you?"

"Physically fine, but mentally in a lot of turmoil."

"How so?"

"This is one of those times when you do not want to know. To help me and many other people, I would like to borrow a small audio amplifier, some tools and some wire."

"What for, Alex?"

"Please do not ask. I am doing nothing illegal or immoral, but some people will be seriously pissed. If you know nothing about it, then you cannot be punished."

"Me, punished?"

"The equipment, please?"

"Well, I can leave some equipment out on the back table. If it disappears and at a later date finds its way back, then, I guess, I will not really know that it ever went anywhere."

"Thank you, sir. I have to go. I have some more skulduggery to perform."

Mrs. Cranston had just stepped out of the office and both the Principal and the Vice Principal's doors were closed. Linda was alone in the corner.

When I came in she looked up, then around for Mrs. Cranston, and then figured that she had to help me.

She was pretty, but dressed much like Laura did. I could see now that it was an attempt to not let Summers notice her as much. She just graduated last year, and had not even completed one year of experience in the work place when she ran afoul of Summers.

"Can I help you?"

"Hello, Linda. You certainly can help me, and help yourself too." She looked at me wondering what I meant. "Valerie will not be in today. She was raped again by Summers, and is trying to recover. Now I want to talk to you. If Mrs. Cranston comes in, leave and go to the nursing station, saying you need to see the nurse for a minute. Do you understand so far?"

"Valerie was hurt?"

"No more than you are when it happens to you." Mrs. Cranston opened the door and came in. "Tell Mrs. Cranston now!" I said in a low but demanding voice. Linda gulped a bit and nodded her head.

"Mrs. Cranston, I have to go to the nurse's station for a minute."

"Is there anything wrong, dear?"

"Ah... nothing too bad, I think, but the nurse may help."

"Take your time, Linda."

We both left, but I went in another direction. We met further along and I said, "You did fine, Linda. I am proud of you."

Her face did brighten, but she said nothing. We had to wait a minute for a grade 12 male to finish his imaginary story to Laura. "Linda, Laura knows all about this, but I have a plan to free you and Valerie of Summers. I want both of you safe. Trust Laura. I have to try to get out of class, and I will be back. Will you go in and see her?"

"Yes... your name is Alex, isn't it?"

"It sure is, sweetheart. Now, I have to go."

Mr. Ross was sitting at his desk and there were even a few early arrivals in the class. I walked up to him and he started first. "Good morning Alex. You look a bit off this morning. Anything wrong?"

"Yes there is, sir." I bent close and said, "There are some serious problems that I have to fix. I need to be marked present, or I will not pass this year. There is something that is imperative that I do. Will you mark me present?"

He thought for a minute, "Well I see you now, and that makes you present."

"Thank you, sir. In a few days you will know what it is about, but don't let on to anybody. It has to remain a secret."

"Ok, Alex."

When I got back to Laura's station, the door was closed and a hand written sign said, 'Nurse in," then the next line saying, "Busy with patient. Please wait."

I knocked, and then said to the door, "It's Alex."

Laura opened the door part way and I came in. Laura closed and locked the door behind me. Laura held Linda in her other arm, and when the door was secured, she used both arms to hold the crying woman.

I had seen this before and knew the emotions were very intense. The opening exercises started, and Laura just held Linda to her and whispered inanities to her. I pulled out an extra chair and got both to sit down. After ten minutes Linda had cried herself out, but continued to sob. It was difficult for her to grasp the situation that others were now on her side and knew exactly what was going on. The fact that their dark secret was now being shown the light of day, would also cause her to become upset.

Almost at the end of the period I asked, "Linda, we know that Summers has the only key to that particular supply room. Will he loan it to you?"

"No... He guards it always."

"What is in that room that is not in any other?"

"Uhmm... the 8 mm projector and the screen for it."

"Anything else?"

"Ahhh... just the office Christmas decorations, a spare mimeograph and our own office supplies."

"And Summers has to open the room personally all the time? Do you think the maintenance department would have a duplicate key?"

"He has to open it. I think he bought the lock himself. He even reaches into the room every time before opening the door all the way."

Now, that was interesting. Not only did he have the only key, but also there must be some type of alarm or a way for him to know that the room was entered in his absence. "Ok, sweetie, I think you have helped me enough. I would like to send you off to safety, but that may not be possible. Valerie said that Summers' schedule usually made today safe because of a meeting. Do you think you will be pursued by Summers today?"

"No, but nothing usually stops him. If we are on our periods, he has us use our mouths or our bums. He even..."

"It is ok, Linda. You don't have to talk now. But I would love to help you after Summers is gone."

"Do you think you can do that?"

"I will do that for you, Valerie and all the other people that Summers will continue to hurt or threaten. You have my word."

Laura gave Linda a kiss, and then sent her on her way. When she was partway down the hall I said. "I believe Linda likes girls. One of those girls is you. I see it as inevitable, after what she has gone through."

"I kinda got that feeling, too. Are you thinking of getting another woman? Valerie said that Linda is very submissive and will do exactly what she is told."

"That is an erotic thought. Her ego is probably shattered at the moment. I would feel bad till the day I died if I took advantage of her."

"What if she needed someone who would simply take care of her for a while and nurse her back to health? She would need a male to show her how good it can get. This would kinda balance the scales against what Summers took."

"I will think about it, love, now I got to go. I can't skip history and some other subjects, and that is the one I am having next."

Lunch period I cut short. Rita wanted me there, but I told her it was important and she let it drop. I met with Laura and Natalie for only a few minutes because this period was not their lunch. The family would be coming home today, and I knew that there might be trouble because I wouldn't be there.

During the afternoon I met the two machine supply companies. They were very hesitant when they saw my size and apparent age. Mr. Creighton backed me up. My newfound notoriety did not help when it came to buying expensive machinery.

I asked extensive questions about their machines and about what was currently available in the plastic extrusion end. I showed them a sample of one of the pieces of a Rubik's Cube. The two men argued among themselves and with me on a few points, but they were not that interested. I think they were angry about the fact that both had to compete with each other at the same time and the profits would not necessarily be that high.

"Gentlemen, you might be under a misapprehension about the machines. I want literally millions of units made. If I cannot produce the units fast enough, offshore competitors will ship in knock-offs and undercut me. I need to make thirty million units before I can even begin to market them. That way there will be no shortages."

"Thirty million," one man said. "How many are you going to make?"

"At least three times that many worldwide. More machines have to be made for other articles. Canada cannot get all the jobs because of protective measures by other countries. Duties and other taxes will be prohibitive."

"How many machines are we talking about?" The other man asked.

"Only a dozen to start. If I run into problems, then I can write off or sell the old machines and get a newer version."

"Those machines cost thousands each!"

"They will make me quite a few millions for my first project, and then quite a few million more for each of the other projects, too. I would prefer making the best choice in machines first. Last night I wrote long hand the criteria I need for the machines. You gentlemen can take this and get it copied and compete against each other, or assist each other. But your quality and price better be competitive, or you will get none of my business, ever."

The two men looked at the sheets of paper and so did Mr. Creighton. The teacher said, "Where did you learn this sort of terminology. I have been in this business for a long time and I can barely understand some of it?"

"I am sorry to say this, but you have been a teacher too long. These gentlemen are dealing with new technology all the time and can understand the terms, I believe. If the three of you talk about this simple project, then three heads should make the concept much clearer."

English was next, and I hadn't found a good way to circumvent this class yet, so I had to attend. Then it was electricity, and I hurried there. The back table had the parts I ordered, and I found that I needed more. Mr. Smith came in and I asked, "Sir, I need an electric drill, a long carbide bit, extension cord and more small hand tools."

"I can get the tools, Alex, and put them on the back table."

"Sir, it would be better to have a key to this shop. Would you be willing to trust it with being in my care."

"What are... ? Ok, but you can't say I gave it to you."

"I understand, sir, and this is for the good of the school and all the people these walls protect."

"I hope you are right, for I am risking my job and retirement if this is found out."

"Sir, I am setting up many companies. Your retirement funds are assured, one way or another."

With Mr. Smith's key in hand I left to find Helen. She was waiting in the usual spot and I said, "Honey, I am staying here until dark, but if it is an easy job, I will get home sooner. Summers is busy, and the two girls are safe. Just bring a change of clothes, towel, and a lunch tomorrow, if I have to work late. Tell Mom and dad that this is very important. If possible, I would like you to say that you do not know where I will be tonight, but it is important."

"What are you going to do?"

"Set a trap to catch a rat."

"I can help you."

"You probably could, but Mom and dad need to be told, and most of the work is specialized. The grunt work is not that much of the job."

"I still want to help."

"I would like you here, but it is better with you at home. I am going to miss you."

I went back into school and talked to Laura and Natalie for a few moments. They, too, wanted to stay and help, but they had other things to do. Linda brought Valerie's purse, and Laura drove off with the girl to meet her friend.

The electric shop provided sanctuary till the cleaning staff left for the night. I raced through the now utterly quiet halls with a toolbox in my hands. The main office doors were not locked very well, and I came to the door for the room Summers used for his rapes. The lock was again simple but sturdy, enough to keep most people out. Credit cards had not been invented yet, but I found a simple substitute.

The lock was not a deadbolt and surrendered after only a few minutes. There was light coming in the windows, but I used a mirror and a flashlight to search where Summers hands would conveniently go. I found a simple spy trick used since long ago. A light-coloured hair was stretched from the door to the frame and secured with transparent tape. Someone coming in would not notice the extra resistance and break the single strand or pull it out. The tape came off one side and I looked for more tricks, but found none.

Once inside, I used the flashlight to investigate the light switch and found no tampering. The room had an outside window painted black and it had a heavy mesh outside to keep out vandals or thieves. This helped make the room hot and uncomfortable.

With the light on, I searched the room. The security measures told me that there was something here worth protecting. School equipment was just put in almost haphazardly. It took only a few minutes to find three Brownie box cameras focussed on one particular area. A string moved an arrangement of small, wooden fingers that would push three buttons in unison. The cameras were covered in dust, so it looked like they had not been used for a while. My mirror and flashlight showed that the film was at eight, so there was even unexposed film in the cameras.

The placement of the cameras and a comfortable chair told me where he sat sometimes. There were two carts in the room. One had an 8 mm projector on it, while the other completely empty. This was just before the chair, and looked to be a possible prop for raping a woman over. I felt the edges and found them fairly sharp. This would hurt the woman, and her feet would be off the floor. The idea of the cart was not bad, but the pain the woman must have undergone, so Summers could get his jollies, made me cringe.

The cameras made me rethink my previous plan. I had considered only an audio event, but the cameras made another possibility. The problem was that I would get three pictures from different angles at the same moment or I did the pictures manually. This also meant that I could advance the film and take more photos. I would have to be in the room to do all this, though, and this represented a danger to me as well. Summers was fairly big and a fully-grown male. He was also unstable. If I got caught, it would be easy for him to beat me senseless.

I dismantled the wooden fingers for the cameras, and then advanced the film one position. A picture was taken of the room with me hidden. The noise of the shutter was loud and would normally be heard in the room. I spotted a small fan with wide mesh over the metal blades. Children could get their fingers hurt in this, but in the 50's there was little call for safety. The fan, though, had a bent wire. I bent it more and turned on the fan. I had to test it out by bending the wire till it just touched one of the revolving blades. The small tick-tick heard would just be enough to hide the camera's noise, but not be loud enough to make Summers get annoyed at the noise enough to straighten out the heavy wire.

After a good look at the room to memorize the placement of the various articles, I pushed a few out of the room. The electric drill made two half-inch holes through the wall and outside the school. This took a long time, especially through the masonry. An extension cord end was removed and the cord pushed through one hole till it went outside.

It was only eight o'clock, and I could see people walking close to the school and some students playing ball. I used a wooden wedge to hold one of the side doors of the school open, while I went outside with a large spool of wire. I found the end of the extension cord, and then the other hole I had drilled. I passed an end of the coiled wire through the hole and back into the supply room. With a screwdriver I attached the female end onto the extension cord. The spool itself went behind some dense shrubbery.

Back inside the room I attached the wire to a speaker. The speaker was hidden behind some boxes, but had a space between them, so sound would reach the device. I cleaned up all the dust and dirt I made, and hid the wire as best I could. The extension cord was plugged into an outlet behind some boxes and would not be noticed. The back of the room had a lot of boxes of student records. I took quite a few boxes out of the room and made myself a place to hide. This action necessitated me opening the other supply room to find a suitable place to store the records. The current boxes were placed over the records to hide them.

I got into the maintenance room and found a large, wall-mounted rack of keys. They were marked with the location they would be used for. A coil of rope accompanied me as I found the padlocked door leading to the roof. The end of the rope was tied off and the other end lowered to the spool of wire.

Retracing my steps I tied the rope to the spool and later pulled it up and onto the roof. I walked across the fairly flat roof and lowered the spool down the other side. This was very close to where my buildings were getting put together. It looked like a few were even ready to go.

The key was put back, and I brought the amp outside to where the spool was first hidden. The wire from the speaker went into the low impedance input, and the long end connected to the amp output.

I did not connect power to the amp yet, for fear of damaging it if I shorted the wires. I closed the outside doors and ran through the school to another set closer to the construction site and propped the doors open there. The wire on the spool was unrolled till it got to the building site. I hid the spool behind a large bin, and hooked up a large speaker to the wire. All this was to keep somebody from disturbing my setup.

All I needed now was a test. It took longer to get into the music room, but I did get an old-fashioned metronome. Back in the supply room I tested it and placed it as close to the speaker as I thought it should go. I needed the sound to approximate what Summers would use when he was here. Outside again, I plugged the amp in and turned it to a low setting. I was well pleased with myself, because the sound from the metronome was easily heard and I had to make no further changes.

I went back to the amp and disguised it as well as I could, and then went back to he supply room. I practised getting in and out of the hiding spot a few times after putting everything back in place. Last, I practised getting into the room itself. When I got as quick as I thought I could, I put the strand of hair back in place and locked the room. Leaving the school I checked the doors I had used. I made it home at a little after ten.

I expected to have to put up with a lot of aggravation because my parents didn't know where I was. Instead, I was welcomed with wide-open arms by the entire family. Newspaper clippings from many different newspapers lay all over the table. After hugs and kisses I, too, looked at the newspaper photos. The two policemen and the mechanic were shown but in all of them my face appeared. One had Helen and Aron with me. The local paper was more generous and had a picture of the party at Mario's and even had a plug because of the good food.

Dad congratulated me and handed me a drink. "You act like a man, you should drink like a man." He at least cut the drink for me, so it only came close to killing me. Grandpa patted me on the back and said how proud he was of his grandson. He conveniently forgot, this time, the fact that most times he disowned me as an adopted member of the family.

Helen, and especially Aron, were very proud of me, and I got even more special hugs from them. Some of the photos had come from Aron's teacher as had Helen's. Mom got real mushy later and made me sit in her lap. I think this was the time that she finally saw that I was starting to become a man. Grandma only pulled me tightly to her, and she was the only adult beside mom whom I was taller.

I begged for a break. The family was all in the living room and I had a chance to phone Laura. She was a little out of breath at answering the phone. After I greeted her, I asked, "Are you and Linda very good friends now?"

She paused for a moment then I think she decided to be honest, "Yes, we are. Did I do something wrong?"

"No, Honey, you didn't, as long as she was not pushed. You have to be very careful with her. Because of the things that happened to her, she has to feel that she is in control."

"She did come to me, Alex."

"Good, how is Valerie doing?"

"She wanted to go back to her apartment, but when Linda came she changed her mind. Apparently they were very good friends from before. They were forced into it and later it was for mutual support."

"That is good to hear. I have done everything I said I wanted to do. Linda, I think, is too delicate for this operation. Valerie is the stronger one. I would like both to go to work tomorrow. A bit before school ends, I want Linda to go home or to your place. Valerie has to be forced into the room, and then has to put up a fight. If she gives in just a bit, then this will look set up. I am going to stay in the room with her to protect her."

"You can't do that, Alex. Summers is a dangerous man. Both girls tell me that he is getting very unstable. He rants and raves all the time, and anybody coming to him for discipline is being strapped no matter what they do."

Laura needed to know my determination was set; now more than ever. "I am not letting Valerie down. I am going to be in that room. All I may need is for her to distract people so I can slip into the room."

"That room is locked all the time."

"And how did I get into the room tonight?"

"Ok, I will tell them. You better be careful."

"I will, love."

My next call was to Natalie. I told her the same things that I told Laura. She had a job of her own. She now knew where the speaker was and would listen to my words. When I knew that Summers was coming into the room, she would get Izzy and his two sons to listen to the speakers. Other adults were welcome to listen, too, because the more witnesses the better. "At the right time, I want all of you to run to the supply room and break into it to rescue Valerie."

"What if Summers doesn't give her a choice?"

"I am going to be there, too. If Valerie needs some help, she will get it."

A frightened sound came to her voice, "Alex, no! That is much too dangerous. Summers hates you."

I needed her to do as I asked and tried to calm her. Then I said, "Well, I can stand up to him longer than Valerie. This way, if need be, Izzy can be more than just a witness."

"Oh, I don't like this."

"I know what I am doing, Honey. Besides, the risk is worth it."

In one more phone call I simply asked Maria to go to the construction site and stick close to Natalie. She sounded very determined to be there.

Mothers are known for having supersensitive hearing. One asked me, as she came into the kitchen and took a seat, "Two people you call 'Honey'?"

"Not at all, Mom."

"I heard you make calls, and you used that term twice."

"You are right," she looked at me as if she caught me in a lie. "There are many women I call 'Honey'. Your daughter is one; Rita is called that, and even Rita's older sister Libra, too. There was a girl in the doctor's office that got the same name, too. Some also get Sweetie, but only my favourite gets to be called 'Mom'," I said as I bent over and gave her a kiss. She looked at me the way mothers did, and I added, "I am never going to hurt Helen, she is in my dreams and in my heart."

She gave me a kiss back and said in a whisper, "Go tell her that."

I kissed her again and said, "I will."

It was late, but I had a chance to talk to Helen, and I told her what I had done and what the remainder of the plan would be tomorrow. She was my backup if things got squirrelly.

The next day appeared normal. I gave back the key to Mr. Smith and said, "I would like if you'd stay at school for an hour or so, sir. I may need you."

"What is this about, Alex?"

"It is still a secret. It should be over by four thirty or five. It is not that much of a problem, but you would be seriously pissed off if you missed it."

"Alex... your language. I am a teacher."

"And you are my friend, too, I hope. Find a reason to be close to the office, but don't lurk, and don't tell anybody else. You teachers are the biggest group of busybodies I have ever met."

His ears coloured just a bit and said, "That is not true."

I just stared at him and he decided to give in, but he didn't deny it later. When the final bell for school rang, it seemed that every teacher in the school was in the surrounding rooms talking about students or some such.

Linda was hustled out of the office with her purse. Valerie was very nervous, and in the short time I watched her she dropped things twice. When Helen distracted Mrs. Cranston, Valerie took me down the small hallway to the door that held so much fear for her.

"Valerie, we have not had much time to talk. I am going to be hiding in that room. I have even hollowed out a place to be comfortable. I will protect you, even if I have to stand up to Summers myself. You have to be strong for me, for Linda, and for everybody that Summers hurt or will hurt in the future. It is a lot of responsibility, but you only have to be strong for a short time. Do what Summers says as an employer, but when he does something that he is not supposed to do, voice your concerns. Others will hear your words, and this will get Summers."

"I will try."

"May I get a kiss from my lady fair?" She thought for a moment, and then gave me the first smile I'd ever seen on her face, and she pecked at my cheek. "Thank you, Milady." I turned and brought out a piece of plastic and in just thirty seconds had opened the door and unstuck the tape at one end of the hair.

"Just got in," I said to the room, thinking that my team had heard my words. "If my voice is too quiet adjust the amplifier. I am going into hiding mode now." I turned on the fan and then wound each of the cameras. From my vantage point I could take pictures and wind to the next shot, as long as I didn't stand to aim.

I was nervous just sitting in the small, dark area and felt that I had to pee. I had waited like this at other times, and it was always the same. Sometimes, though, I would be waiting in my office to lower the boom but that was not the same.

The waiting was the worst. I jumped at the noises of people coming down the hall. It was getting late and I was thinking that this was a mistake for the tenth time when I heard arguing in the hallway that seemed to be getting louder. I called out just loud enough for Natalie to hear, "It looks like the show is on."

I heard the key in the lock and a hand that moved to touch the hair. The door then was just pushed open and the light turned on.

"Get in here, slut. I haven't got all day."

"I resent you or any other man calling me that."

"You are a slut. You always have been, and you always will be. Your only place on this Earth is to service men and have our children. Speaking of children when was your last period?"

"That is none of your business. Now let go of my arm. You are hurting me."

"What has got into you? You haven't put up a fight since I took those pictures of you. Do you want me to show them to the world or are you going to bend over and let me fuck you?"

I heard a long pause and I was worried that Valerie would give in. "Leave me alone. I don't like this job enough to put up with the way you act. In the last week I think you have gone crazy with the way you have been acting."

"Get over here," I heard Summers grunt as he exerted himself.

"No I am not doing that with you. Now leave me alone."

"No I won't. Now bend over."

"I am going to tell the school board and the Principal."

"They are men. Even if you did they would do nothing to me. They know that a woman's place is under a man."

"No," I heard Valerie grunt and then I heard some cloth rip. "Leave me alone." I heard a slap and I stood up slowly to see them struggling. My finger pushed some of the camera buttons then wound some of the film.

Valerie was able to reach his face and scratch him as hard as she could. "You bitch. I will get you for that."

I was taking pictures as fast as I could, Valerie might have seen me but thankfully she never drew Summers' attention my way. His hand came out and I took a picture of it almost at Valerie's face and one more picture as she was thrown backwards from the force of the strike.

I could take this no more and raced in and pushed the large man over. He turned when he heard the noise behind him but it didn't help. When he fell down he hit his head against the mimeograph stand and I just reached down to his feet. He had tried to make himself ready and that was where his pants and underwear were. There was just enough time to put his belt through his buckle and pull it up.

To Valerie I screamed, "Run Valerie."

The girl got up unsteadily, while Summers tried hard to kick me or to get up. "Let me up, Kramer. You have had it now. You are going to be one sorry boy. I am going to beat you to within an inch of your life."

I said nothing and watched Valerie scramble for the door. Her dress was ripped very badly, and her bra hung from one arm. She did leave the door open, though, and I just tried to drag Summers out. In reality, I had a tiger by the tail and I dared not let it go.

"I am going to kill you now. You lied about me then you did this. Your parents are going to just get a box to plant."

I didn't have any extra energy to waste on talk, and I just dragged him down the terrazzo floor. Luckily, the skin on his ass gripped a bit, and I always had tension on his legs. I was thrown about all the time, and he soon found that he had to use both legs in unison. One time, I followed his feet close in, and he was able to push me violently away. I was not able to hold the belt this time and stumbled backwards into a wall where the hallway bent.

Summers got up and quickly got his pants on. He advanced on me, as he did up his buckle. "You are going to die now."

I managed to stand, and he just tried to kick me. I moved but not far enough and his shoe grazed my hip. I spun around and he just grabbed me with one large hand and brought his other fist back. Just before the fist landed, I was able to free a foot and kicked my hardest.

I woke up in a bed, and I quickly looked around. I was in the hospital again. I felt a dull pain all over my body, but mostly in my face and chest. Laura, Valerie, Natalie, Linda, Helen and Rita were a few feet from the foot of the bed looking at me. They were dressed properly and their hair was done up, but they looked like they too had been through a battle.

Laura now sported a bruise on her left cheekbone. Valerie had a black eye, and I knew that she was not punched by Summers before she fled. Natalie had an adhesive bandage on her forehead and something more under the hair by her temple. Linda, who had left unscathed, now had a partial sling on her left arm. Helen had gauze bandages on each of her hands and more adhesive on her face. Rita was the only one that didn't have any visible damage, but I figured, because they were together that she must have warranted a place in that group.

Now I noticed that there were people I knew and had not noticed till now all around the room. My family was to my right. Mom and grandma were standing, with grandpa and dad behind them. Aron was right in the front. I turned my head to the other side and felt a pain but nothing severe. The Leone family was here, and even the youngest children. The majority of the room was behind them, and I could see that I was in a large room probably used as a ward. Some of my teachers, and even Mr. Corfu were here. Izzy and his two sons, now dressed in good clothes, stood proudly.

My gaze returned to Valerie and I looked at her black eye, but she was smiling. I said to her, "Are you ok, Valerie?" It hurt to talk through damaged lips, and the sound came out odd.

"Fine... thanks to you Alex. All of us are fine. Summers is in the hospital, too. He is in a much worse shape than you."

I felt no intravenous needles, so I pushed my hands and feet and sat up a bit. Pain shot through my body, but it was not unbearable. Mom put her hands on my shoulder and said, "Just rest, Alex."

"Someone can crank up my head and chest, Mom."

Laura moved forward and did the honours, and my bed bent at my hips. When I was sitting up much more I said, "Where did my plan go wrong? You all look to have suffered for me."

A lot of people started to talk but Natalie came through the strongest, if not the loudest. "The caretakers locked the doors at the usual time. Summers was only a bit late making his move. We couldn't get back in right away. We figure Summers was nervous about all the teachers hanging around the office. When Mrs. Cranston and Mr. Corfu left, Summers locked those doors, too. When Valerie finally made it out, only then some of us could get in. The teachers hanging around didn't even hear the fight or, surprisingly, see Valerie flee. Izzy and his two sons had to hit the office door a few times before it gave way. The rest of us got in, and we saw Summers pounding you with his fists, and we just stopped him."

Now, this brought a smile to my lips, even if it did hurt. "When you said we, I assume it was the six of you who I see now?"

"Well, basically. There was a lot more right behind, but they couldn't get very far into the hallway. Summers went right off his rocker. He was punching us like he was in a bar fight. Some of us got hit a bit, but Rita managed to jump in and grabbed Summers' leg. We all rushed him then, and he fell. When he was down, we wanted to make sure he stayed that way. Izzy came in and had to protect him, I think."

"Well, I have never seen a more beautiful troop of commandoes before. Thank you all for coming to my rescue."



-------

Chapter 13


Alekzander Kramarz rested comfortably in his hospital bed. His body and especially his face, did not bother him quite as much as it did yesterday. His teeth and jaw did hurt though but after checking with his tongue he knew that none of the former were missing or broken. Other places on his body were affected. He had, at one time, gained a medical doctor's degree and could basically diagnose his own problems. It looked like Mr Summers, the Vice Principal of his school, had kicked him when he was unconscious.

The events leading to the beating had all started less than two months ago in March. Alex had found that his sixty-six-year-old mind and memories were flung back in time to his own thirteen-year old body. Alex did not understand the process, even though he had a degree in physics. Alex had kept up with the field through the pursuits of his many companies. Some were on the cutting edge of chip manufacturing, a leading aerospace manufacturer, and some others were in drug manufacturing through many DNA based products.

He had come back as an invalid but was rapidly gaining full control over his body. His foster family was very supportive of him. Roch Lowca, his foster mother, treated Alex as her real son; Jozef was the foster father that most children would love to have -- except when the man drank. That was when he got abusive, and most family members would suddenly find unfinished chores to do on their family farm. He had worked at a local mine for years, and this was enough to put a roof over the family's heads and food on the table.

Edward Corinz also found shelter under the same roof with his wife Trina. They were the father and mother of Roch. They assisted in the running of the farm. Roch had two children of her own. Aron was eight, the baby of the family and seemed to look up to Alex, not only as an older brother but a father figure, too. Helen was a beautiful sixteen year old who had always loved Alex but recently found that Alex loved her very much, himself.

In Alex's previous life he had found a small gold deposit. Though there was well over five tons of gold, the deposit was really not that big. The very odd thing about this gold was that instead of being in the form of microscopic fragments of the precious metal it was in dust, flakes and, most unusually, in nuggets. The nuggets were actually very large and four were world class in size. With gold selling at 35 US - or 32 Canadian - dollars an ounce, the mine was not worth as much as it would be after gold was abandoned as the peg against the American Dollar in 1973.

Helen Lowca was not the only girl to fall for Alex. Laura, a young school nurse, was in her first year of practice after completing the usual one year course to be a nurse. She was, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman around. When she was quite young, she had a love affair with her older brother. The boy had died at about the age Alex presently was. She accepted Alex readily, even though her brother had died seven years previously.

Natalie was also in her first year but in education. She had some problems of her own, and though she was Laura's lover, she decided to be Alex's too. There just was something about Alex that made her accept all his decisions.

An Italian classmate, Rita Leone, became his girlfriend but as yet their relationship was strictly platonic.

Linda and Valerie were two secretaries in the high school that Alex attended. They, like the other good looking women, were harassed by Mr Summers. Unlike the others, they were forced into unwanted sex with the man. They had been severely traumatised in Alex's previous life, to the extent that one contemplated suicide. Alex found a way to bring the man's actions to the attention of the authorities that would normally look the other way at this time of the century. In doing so, Alex was severely beaten but the girls who loved him, stepped in and not only protected him but beat Summers so much that he too was in the hospital and in a much worse shape.

-------

I fidgeted on the hard hospital bed. My parents and other well wishers had left half an hour ago after congratulating me on my getting Mr Summers exposed, or having consoled me on the pain I had gone through to do this.

Helen was holding my hand and had watched while Laura had pulled the sheet down and my gown up. She now had her beautiful lips wrapped around my erection. I shivered for the second time in a dry orgasm. Only a few minutes earlier Helen had done the same thing and then quickly covered me.

"Oh, thank you Laura. I think the two of you will probably keep me in the hospital instead of letting me recover."

Laura licked the saliva off her lips in a seductive manner. "You are safer here than you were in school."

"Not from you two, I am not. You better put me back in place, the doctor will be coming back soon." Laura bent over and kissed the head of my still partially erect cock then folded the cloth back into place. Both girls giggled because the tent could still easily be seen.

The door opened a bit and Natalie whispered through the opening. "You better hurry. The doc is coming back now." Both girls looked worried, and placed some cut flowers over my erection. I needn't have worried for the small bulge in the middle of the bed quickly subsided.

The good doctor came into the otherwise empty wardroom with Natalie right behind him. She was talking to him gaily and probably trying to give us more time to straighten ourselves out, if we needed it.

The doctor looked at me and smiled. "You look a bit better than what I saw when you came in. Your colour is much improved." I had to think that the only colour I got was when I had a full body blush from almost being caught flagrante delicto.

"I didn't know who treated me," I said in a mumble. It was the best I could do with a damaged mouth. "At the time I was taking a nap. Thank you, Doctor."

"You are entirely welcome, young man. Now, let me see your face." His hands were cool but very gentle. "Hmm, not too bad, considering."

"That was what I was thinking. What is the chance of my getting discharged?"

"I can check tomorrow but I don't think till at least Monday or Tuesday. I have seen much worse patients recently."

"Doctor Smiles, I have to get a pardon. I can't miss any more school or I have to repeat the year. I will be a good boy and not get into any fights for at least a week."

"Well, I will see what we can do but you better stay in bed. My other patients better be good, too," he said while looking at the three girls. "They may not have been hurt as much as you but there was damage nonetheless."

"I will watch them very carefully Doctor."

When the doctor left, Natalie bent over and gave me a kiss and my swollen lips didn't feel any pain at all. She said to Helen and Laura, "Will you watch the hall while I thank Alex for helping us?"

Both girls just smiled and quickly left. Natalie got a mischievous look in her eyes and took the flowers away and then pulled the sheet away. "Were those girls abusing you, my baby?"

"Oh yes, they were," I said in a child's voice. "They did funny things to me on my pee-pee."

Natalie bent down and sucked my flaccid member into her mouth for a moment and pulled back. "Did they do that?"

"Yes they did. Kissing it made it feel better. It needs to go home though." Natalie seemed to think for a while then reached up under her dress and took off her panties and hid them in her purse. She took off her shoes and climbed very carefully onto the bed. I used my hands to keep her dress spread and soon I felt her pubic hairs brushing the head of my cock.

I reached underneath her to hold myself and move the head across her opening. She was very wet. It took a few tries but soon it was in and she started to move to get me deeper.

She closed her eyes and I reached up with one hand to fondle her breast while the other played with her clit. She moved in slow, languorous moves enjoying the feel of something inside her. I shifted hands to keep the cramps away, and Natalie just stayed at that plateau, enjoying herself immensely.

The door opened quietly and I did not even hear it. Soon Laura's hands were on Natalie manipulating one of her nipples while I did the other. Laura's other hand stole down and pushed my hand out of the way and worked much faster and soon Natalie was getting very vocal and came very hard. Laura had to hold her to make sure she didn't fall from the bed.

We laid Natalie on the bed and Laura cleaned her up, and then worked on me till I had my own orgasm. In a moment Laura got up breathlessly and said, "You two are lucky that I am here to take care of you."

"I do feel lucky, Laura. I love you."

She straightened herself and kissed me as carefully as Natalie had. "I always want to hear that."

Natalie came to herself, and I pulled her to me and gave her a kiss, too. "I love you too, Natalie. I can't think of our family without the two of you and Helen."

Speaking of Helen: she rushed into the room. "Get Alex decent; we have more company!"

A moment later Linda, then Valerie came into the room. They gave a paper sack to Natalie and said, "We brought a snack."

Linda's nose started to twitch when she got close. She looked at the three girls. I was sure she was trying to trace the scent to the owner. They didn't know for sure how much we showed affection but now they were suspecting a lot more than only an hour ago.

"Hello Linda," I looked at the other and continued, "Hi Valerie."

Linda came close and after a second bent over and kissed me tenderly. I saw her twitch her nose again. Valerie had dark eyes and after seeing what Linda did, she too bent over and kissed me. "I never thanked you for what you did for me. I never expected you to really jump in and save me."

"I am sorry I didn't jump in sooner but I had to gather as much evidence as possible. If I were to do it over, I would use a baseball bat to even up the odds."

"You did well enough without it."

"It was you girls who saved me," I replied. "Summers really hated me, and I think I might have been hurt much worse or perhaps not be able to ever see you again."

She kissed me hard then, and though it hurt my lips, it was not a real problem.

Later, two policemen in suits appeared. I spent an hour and a half with them explaining what had happened. They were not that polite but I think that this was their natural condition. In coming years the police would get training in minority relations and even in good manners. This would be hard for some, and the only way would be to have the new breed take over as the older retired.

-------

Monday

I made it to school during third period after a very strenuous weekend in my hospital bed. In fact I took a cab directly from the hospital to the school. Valerie, Linda and Mrs Cranston welcomed me back in the office. The girls didn't seem to worry about propriety and kissed me on the lips. Even Mrs Cranston gave me a hug and told me that she was glad that Summers was gone.

Mr Corfu was summoned, and he too welcomed me back. "Are you sure you should be here, Alex?"

I mumbled, "I am not that bad and I have to be here to pass my year."

"I'll see what I can do about that. Now, go see Miss Vachon. I am very proud of her and Miss Bouchard, the two girls here and the other students. They should get some recognition from the board for doing what had to be done."

"I am very proud of them too. Without them I would probably be in the hospital for months, or worse." With no real questioning I assumed that he knew the truth about what had happened and didn't need my words. I didn't berate him, although he must have had some idea of what was going on but had done nothing about it.

I said goodbye to the people in the office and walked to Laura's room. She greeted me much more lustily. She closed and locked the door, took down my pants and started to suck me into her mouth. This had happened all weekend and I didn't want to disappoint her, so I let her continue. Soon I had a shiver going up my back and I held Laura's head for stability. When I recovered enough, I pulled Laura up and held her to me and kissed her lips.

"Come into the back room, my love," I said."

"I can't Alex. It is my time now."

"Do you get cramps?"

"Not usually but I might now. You got to go to lunch, anyway. It is about time."

"Will you eat with me?"

"I would but you have Rita at your table and I don't want to have your other girlfriend upset. Natalie, Linda and Valerie are eating with me anyway. I won't be lonely."

Laura made out a form for class and I left for lunch five minutes early. I walked the line picking up food, and the staff talked to me as I went. They all did their best to thank me by filling my plate to the fullest by the time I got to the cashier.

I didn't even make it to the table before the students descended on me. The girls took my tray, and helped me to the table and even to my seat as if I was an invalid. I had to admit that I was not the best looking male around with my black eyes and broken lips. Bruises covered other parts of my face, and some of my hair was shaved to put sutures in.

I thanked the girls, and some simply stayed as if I needed help in feeding myself. "Thank you all. It is a very nice thing of you to help me. I am not in too much pain now. If you do not hurry, you will be late to eat, yourselves." The girls did leave, and the last two caressed my face with their soft hands. This too was new for they would normally never show affection in public this way.

I soon heard high-pitched exclamations and the girls in my class ran to the table. Rita got there first and kissed me with her entire body. When she pulled away I think she felt that she was being poked. I kissed her back and whispered, "See what you did now."

Her hand innocently went down, and then pulled hastily away. "I did?"

"Yes, you did, Honey. Now the girls are going to see me this way and know you did it to me." She gave me another small kiss and pulled away. She had turned red. She looked down at me, and then quickly away again. Of course all the other girls did too, and some just opened their mouths.

I said to her and the others, "Go get your food, Honey, and come back soon."

Rita was the last to leave and she stumbled once as she continued to look back at my oddly fitting pants.

The students wanted to hear what had happened. Many rumours had been circulating, and when I heard a sample, I found that they did centre around the truth. I gave my own version but it was sanitised for many reasons. If the girls were shocked about a boy's simple erection, they would be even more upset to hear of rape and coercion.

When we were leaving, the girls took my tray and still treated me like an invalid. At my locker, Rita insisted on carrying my notes. Geography, and History got more animation from the teachers. Phys Ed had Rita almost wanting to carry my things into the boy's locker room.

Mr Richardson shook my hand, and this time I think he saw something in me. I think he just saw that I had done a macho thing that he approved of. I went into the weight room and worked hard at getting my body into shape. I hurt in many places and went for shower sooner than usual and just luxuriated in the hot water.

When I came out, first one boy, and then the rest, stared at me. There was bruising all over my body, and it looked far worse than it felt.

After school I went to say goodbye to Laura, and found the other three with Helen in the now empty office, apparently waiting. I kissed my girls, and then looked at Linda and Valerie. "May I kiss you, too? I will understand if you are still upset about males."

Valerie just jumped in and kissed me very hard. Her body rubbed against me and soon I was poking her too. Instead of pulling away, she rubbed that portion of me that was trying to stick into her. When she pulled back she said, "I am not afraid of you." She thought for a second, "or maybe I should be."

"I would never hurt you, Valerie."

She kissed me one more time and said, "I know that."

When she pulled back, Linda just dove on me like a predator. Was this the meek and submissive girl I heard about? She too used her belly to rub my erection and then she pulled me harder to her, as if showing that she was in charge. When she pulled away, a look of horror went over her face. I stuck out my tongue and tasted a bit of blood.

I held Linda and said, "It is only a small cut. It doesn't hurt, and I would rather have your kiss than any discomfort that it might have caused. Now, give me another kiss and tell me you are alright."

She came to me slowly; I got a tender kiss and she said, "I... I am ok, Alex."

I kissed her next and tried to show all the compassion I could into that one kiss. After backing up a few steps I said, "I have to get something from the storage room. May I go there and get it?"

Laura said, "It's still locked."

"Just show me the room, and I will get what I need." She walked back with me and I quickly opened the door. She opened her mouth in amazement. "Just a trick I learned once."

I went into the now tidy room and advanced the film in each camera till the end of the film was being drawn into the canister. I repeated this for the other two cameras.

With the film in my pack, and us back in the office proper, I said, "I have to get home now. I am expecting an important phone call."

Helen said, "Aron answered the phone when you were in the hospital. A worried man tried to get hold of you."

Rita met me outside. She, Helen and I walked around the school to see Izzy. It looked like another bunkhouse had been completed along with the other being worked on. The one I had hoped to have installed on the weekend. We needed both soon. Not only did Rolph Manz, and his wife Helga, need a place to live but also the new hires that Helen told me had recently started. Izzy, when talked to, agreed to deliver the two buildings tomorrow and the students and teachers would continue with the framework of another.

I said goodbye to Rita and the many other girls who seemed to find their way close to us. I walked home with Helen and felt mainly at peace. She insisted on carrying my gym bag though and would have taken my pack but I refused.

Aron ran to us later and told of all the exciting things that had happened to him today. He even insinuated that he might be collecting his own girlfriends when so many people came up to him to ask questions. Not bad, I figured, for an eight year old in grade two. But then again, he was Polish.

Mom and grandma greeted us and even had some cookies ready for an afternoon treat. This did not happen often, and the thick, hot oatmeal cookies went down very easily. A few minutes later, when the clock was exactly at 4:30, the phone rang. I shooed everybody away and answered it. "Hello."

"Hello, is Alex Kramer there please?"

"You are speaking to him, Mr Cranz. How are you doing today?"

"I am very upset. Why did you say those things on the phone to my wife? What do you know? Who told you?"

"Relax Silva. Let me explain. Is that all right?"

"Go ahead," he said but still noticeably upset.

"First, are you on a company phone?"

"Yes."

"Please go to a public phone and call me again. Relax too. I had to say what I did for a few reasons, and you will find the simple answers when you call back. Is that ok?"

"Yes. Ten minutes, Alex."

Mom wanted to know about the call and I just said the man would call back in a moment. I had another cookie and some milk and in five minutes the phone rang again.

After a new greeting I said, "Phones are never safe Silva, especially in your office building. Please remember that. Operators all down the line can also be listening in. The reason I called was because I found some large gold nuggets that I would like to auction off. I have some inside information that you have sold... eh, nuggets, before. The information I have will remain with me. Nobody else will know. Actually, nobody other than your group knows anything. If you hang up now that will be the end of it.

"I just want to get you to perform a service for me for a commission. You must have read the newspapers and know where I live. Is it possible you and your lovely wife could take some time off in the next few weeks to see me? I have some other startling information that you will find interesting but not threatening in the least."

Silva was quiet for a bit and said, "I can be there next weekend. Why do you want my wife?"

"Has she had the supra-cervical hysterectomy yet?"

"How do you... ?"

I interrupted, "Has she?"

"No."

"Good, then don't, till you hear what I have to say. Perhaps there is a way for the two of you to have children."

"How did you know?"

I ignored his question and said, "Have a chat with her doctor to learn about the uterine fibroids in detail. That way, when you come here you will know more about what I am going to say. Again, you are under no obligation to come. I will say nothing to anybody. Come next weekend if you wish. I would just like to see Millie and you in a congenial environment. I am not an enemy but a friend that you just don't know about yet. I am sorry to have distressed you so much but it was necessary to get your attention."

Silva wanted to talk more and get a clearer understanding but I continued to tell him that he had to come to find out.

That night I did as Doctor Smiles prescribed and did only some of the work I needed to do. Some of the chores were left over for family. Dad and I both agreed that kids had to work for their keep. It builds character, muscles and some self-esteem.

I helped Helen with her studies, and even asked her questions that she had to guess at. She questioned me about it and I stated that this was what happened in business. She had to learn new ideas and many procedures. I also helped Aron with his studying, and I started his training as a junior CEO.

After an hour I started making sketches of the joints for my 'Helen Doll'. I was a fair draughtsman but I was not an artist. As a lark I began to make another face similar to Aron's that would be my equivalent of Ken. Soon I had to get some pine and start carving to make some prototypes. I remembered the way they looked; it was just that I couldn't carve the way grandpa could.

-------

Tuesday

I was stiff the next morning and did a few stretches. The weather seemed to be holding well, and I wondered how well Izzy would be doing. Dad had asked me a few times when the next units would be ready. He felt exposed much of the time because of strangers chipping away at rock in the vicinity of our claim.

Helen wanted to carry my clean gym clothes again and I let her, rather than argue. More girls met us with Rita, and I wondered where all this would end. Helen, this time, stayed to see what was happening.

Rita said, "Nobody went to the dance when you got hurt, and we were wondering if you can help us set up another."

"Rita, you are the equivalent of my social hostess here. Set up another dance. The gym is a good place; just find a time when it is free and ask for the use of it. I will help trying to get enough chaperones to make the school board happy. Get your dad to supply some pizza and I will pay.

"Plan another party at the end of school to give away all the things I told the builders, teachers, and students that I was going to. This will be for a lot of people. Talk to your mother about what you may need and about the problems you are going to run into. Make a fairly simple meal but still good. Have it catered by your father. This way the kitchen staff here will see what real food tastes like. Perhaps your mother or father can come to the school and run the kitchen here for this occasion. I will try to clear this idea with Mr Corfu. Get the home economics classes to help in all aspects. The teachers will help too but ask your parents first."

"I will do that, Alex."

"Good. That way you learn to run a small operation. Is your father selling pizza now?"

"Yes he is. He is also quite surprised. He thinks you English are all crazy."

I laughed a bit. Italian immigrants called all English speaking Canadians 'English' even if they were of Polish derivation. Of course the people that spoke French were naturally French even if their families had been here in Canada for hundreds of years.

There was enough time for Helen to walk with me to my locker so she could dispose of my gym bag, and then go to Laura to give her a good morning kiss. I was pleased to see Helen do the same thing.

Math at least had me working on making a book about computer logic. This way when I made the machines, hopefully somebody besides me could program them. I dreaded having to make a word processor, database or a spreadsheet. The internet protocols would soon be started and I wanted to make sure they were done much better than they had been done before. Nobody had foreseen how much it would grow.

The day went by quickly till the last shop. Mr Creighton in machine shop said, "Hello, Alex," he said from the front of the room, "I am glad you are here with us. Your bus has arrived; Mr Sotola had it put in a compound. It is too big to just have around at the school. Besides it has too many sharp edges and somebody will get hurt. Can you find a warehouse or large garage for it? It is sixty five feet long."

"Sixty five feet!" I mumbled incredulously around damaged lips.

"You asked for a big bus. You got one. This one has already been customised somewhat. We can start more from scratch and it will cost you a lot less."

The class started and it took a while before Mr Creighton had a moment to talk to me privately. I was worried about the purchase. I had to trust people to get things done. That meant that they had to make their own decisions. They usually had more expertise in those fields than I did.

I had actually written them a blank cheque in a way. Though there was only the down payment which would cover four cheap but brand new cars. I still had to complete the project. Sometimes that cost was astronomical.

Mr Creighton said, "A bus firm bought two new German buses. They are the most modern I have ever seen. Luxury is one of the words you used and this vehicle has it. It had been operating for only a month when there was a fire that burnt much of the upper portion of the vehicle. Being made of aluminum, the metal in the upper body disappeared. It normally cost thirty thousand from Germany. If it were made here it would cost fifty. Now you only paid seven."

He showed me photos of the new and undamaged sister buses. Then a group of pictures of a burnt hulk. I leafed through them and could see that he had not been mistaken. It was every inch of sixty five feet. Part way back from the centre was an accordion covering that was seen between some passenger trains and subway cars in my time. Not the entire roof was gone but a good half was and the remainder severely damaged. The seats, though, were even more luxurious than those in modern business jets. All would be smoke damaged. The windshield, the window above it and the glass at the very back were the only ones that looked still functional.

"Does the engine work?"

"It sure does. There are two diesels. The front one moves the bus and one further back runs the air conditioning. Now that is frivolous. All a person has to do is to roll down the windows and they get cooled off. I doubt if that will ever catch on considering the high cost of fuel. The transmission and everything below the level of the floor is good. When the fire started, there was lots of water put on the floor and the metal has not even warped. You just have to build new walls and a roof. You were going to remove the windows anyway."

The front of the bus had a large 'K' and I had never really been familiar with this particular brand. "What is the name of the manufacture?"

"The bus is Kassbohrer Super Golden Eagle. The back section is actually a lounge, if you can believe that. The vehicle was written off and we got it for a steal. We also got a trip around the block in the one still working. The articulated portion has some fancy linkage that makes the back portion look and feel as if there were a driver in it following the first sections. It puts me in mind of those long fire trucks that actually have a driver in the back, too. The ride was so comfortable that I wanted to sit in those chairs and just go to sleep."

I was still not sure about this. It was very luxurious and did fit all the criteria I had mentioned. The price was great, even if the repair work would cost more than the cost of the bus and that would not count the furnishings that had to go in it.

At the end of the class Mr Creighton and I went to see Mr Sotola in auto. He was clearing off his desk quickly and seemed to be in a hurry.

"Hello, Alex, how are you?" He said as he looked at the bruising, sutures and cuts on my face.

"I look worse than I feel. Are we interrupting you?"

"I want to get to the bus. Why don't you come with us? I fell in love with that beauty and I can see some of the possibilities you mentioned before. By the time it is done you will have a difficult time prying it from my hands."

The three of us went to Mr Creighton's car. On the way to the parking area, I asked Helen if she would wait for twenty minutes but I said goodbye to Rita. The two male teachers were shocked to see me give her a simple kiss.

The bus was only a short distance away in a fenced-in compound with the school buses. It was extremely long and covered with canvas tarps. We pulled a few tarps forward or back but left them on the burnt frame. Many of the ribs were simply not there and the walls with them. A two by four frame supported the canvas in the centre. The glass at both ends was not cracked with the heat, which was surprising. The seats were very luxurious but stunk of smoke. The junction of the two sections actually harboured a small galley. The more I looked, the more I found myself loving this 'land yacht' too.

"I think you did a fine job in finding this. Do we have the room to work on this and the other construction?"

Mr Sotola looked a bit shy and said, "I don't think so."

"Is there a large enough shop around to take this job on?"

"Probably two, or three, maybe but it can stay under the tarps we rented and worked on outside."

"Buy metric tools. The bus will have nothing but. The school will get all of them, so buy quality, too. We don't have a body shop but perhaps your advanced students can work on this with the school's permission and some body men." I opened my pack and brought out the chequebook. I wrote in an amount and handed the check to Mr Sotola and said, "Keep a very good account of all the money and how it was spent. I have a hundred budding bookkeepers that are going to go over each of your documents. The tax man is going to try to wring as much as possible from this too so you have to be careful."

Looking around the area I said, "Is there any vacant warehousing?" Nobody knew, so we covered the bus back up and drove around. There were some signs but not everything was sold that way. We got back to the school a little late but Helen was still smiling and talking to her friends that for some reason were still at school.

After signalling Helen we walked back into the school discussing the bus in detail and the sequence of events needed to get it completed. From Mr Sotola's phone I called Derrick. "Do we own anything near the school that's large enough to admit a bus?"

Derrick gave me two addresses and I wrote them on a piece of paper. "Will you look for more property near the school? The housing can be used short term but later we can build a tech school nearby."

I handed the paper to Mr Sotola. Both men looked very incredulous and they heard almost none of the conversation. "The bank and I own these two properties and Mr MacNeil is looking for more. You can have either of these for the short term. See about the hiring necessary. We may have to advertise further afield for tradesmen. Make sure the men know it is short term but may go further if we can find work for them. Any questions?"

"How much can we spend?" Mr Sotola asked.

"The bus will take eight to ten thousand to get back into just a shell. I don't know all the costs yet for the appliances. I would like to keep some of the original chairs but need them reupholstered. Tools should cost four thousand and that will include a welding machine for aluminum. Are you capable of overseeing the students at both locations?"

"I am not sure," he said. "The senior students would be like apprentices and can work with the body men. If the bus is close by then I can drive back and forth between classes."

"Work on the scheduling and I will see what I can do to get this legalised with the school board."

Walking home with Helen brought the inevitable questions. "What were you doing, Alex, that took so long?"

"I bought a large bus that was damaged in a fire. It is going to be repaired so it can do two things. I designed a machine that makes the engine more powerful and efficient. The bus itself will be the first one to be converted to a home on wheels. It would be called a 'motorhome' or a 'land yacht'. I haven't picked out a good name for the vehicle or the company. The units will be expensive but there will also be people rich enough to afford the price."

Helen asked, "Why do you want to do those things and not the other things that you mentioned before?"

"Well basically it is money. They will start bringing in money and this is a way to occupy my time till I can get out of school. After school is over only family and business interests will occupy my time. Next week a man and his wife will be coming and perhaps by the end of summer our land yacht will be done so we can use it for a vacation."

Aron came to us later and I told him about the bus but didn't go into details. I wanted this to be a surprise for both of them.

Home had Mom and grandma when they would usually be at the mine. I figured that they were there to look after me. Even though it cramped my activities, it was still nice to have them at home.

That night I made many drawings for different aspects of the bus but left out the dimensions because I didn't have them yet. The approximations were good for now anyway.

New ribs for the bus had to be made and cross bracing welded to them. I didn't even know if high frequency welding was used now for aluminum but something must have been done for the original coach to be built. Modern motor homes had as many as four pullouts and I wondered what I could do with that idea. The bus would actually be very loaded with fresh water tanks and one for kitchen and another for bathroom waste. Fuel too was not light. Modern conveniences had not all made it into this environment. Stove and gas fridge did but sadly the washer and dryer did not. The bus was already about sixty-five feet long and towing a vehicle behind might make it very unwieldy.

This job lasted three hours and I had to start one more. I had not begun a pharmaceutical company yet to defeat poliomyelitis. I would have to start acquiring a building, equipment and personnel. All of this was expensive and I did not have enough money yet to do all that was necessary. The best that I could do was to separate the nuggets from the flakes and dust. I could use this dross as collateral for a loan. The gold nuggets could be sold but then taxes would have to be paid. This way I could hold off on doing that and build up a good credit rating at the same time. I couldn't borrow on the mine property without an expensive survey being done and I already knew what it would say.

I did make a new list of things necessary and wished that I could just hand it to an assistant, like I did before, to get all this done.

The phone rang and Helen jumped. She was beside me at the kitchen table. I explained again how she was supposed to answer the phone and soon she said, "Yes he is. Please hold on a moment."

When the pleasantries were over I said, "What can I do for you?"

"I need the forms signed by you and your legal representative and someone that can stand in for you because you are a minor."

"Derrick MacNeil is both at the moment. Will you mail the documents or send a courier?"

"Those are very expensive, Mr Kramer. Perhaps I can come north to visit and get the documents."

"That is a good idea. I have two jobs that you might want to take on. One is a new patent application but it has not been completed quite yet. The other entails a search to be made. A device has been patented in the United States that I would like to purchase. Are you interested in a trip to California as my representative?"

"Is that where the person is?"

"I believe so. It was patented in the last three or four years."

"What is it?"

"I have not paid you any money yet. You are working on Derrick MacNeil's word and mine. I think it best to get a retainer to make this legal, and me safe."

He laughed and said, "You are a very savvy person Mr Kramer. Wire me the money tomorrow and I will send a telegram that I accepted the money making you my client. A letter will follow in the post."

"That sounds workable. Three more mechanical patents will follow when I have the design nailed down. They concern improvements to diesel engines."

"You are certainly busy Mr Kramer."

"I may have to hire you full time soon. When my companies get on their feet would you consider a career move?"

"I will have to think on that and talk to you when I see you."

When I sat down after the call Helen said, "Did you offer that man a job?"

"Tentatively yes but we have to get a lot of things ironed out first. A corporate attorney is not the same as the other types."

"I never knew there were different kinds."

"There are many. Like being a doctor, there is so much to know that it is better to specialise. You do one group of things and do it much better than a person trying to do everything."

Before going to bed that night I went into the barn and with a lantern went into our hidden area. I used a can and a sieve and a colander to separate the gold into the portions that could be sold later for extra money and for gold that had to be sold here and which would have to be taxed.

This took almost two hours and I figured that we must have a ton and a quarter of gold. This was all done by volume. Goldilocks was roughly 620 troy pounds. There was five hundred and fifty troy pounds of other nuggets. This total didn't even represent a cubic foot yet. The remainder was in flakes and dust that could be disposed of. There must have been about 1500 pounds that we usually used and was only a bit over a cubic foot. All together, there was only about two cubic feet of gold.

-------

Wednesday

When I left for school the next day I had a further ten pounds of gold dust in my pack.

At lunch period I was able to talk to Derrick on the phone and asked for a lift after school. The man was not stupid and agreed readily.

After school Derrick was ready, and Helen and I got into the car with him. I handed him a small heavy jar. "Will you try to sell this through somebody else? We are leaving a paper trail much too wide."

"I can do that. I have a list of properties I have managed to secure and ones that I am trying to acquire. I am trying to be low key so the prices don't go up."

"That's good. I also need a large area to build my pharmaceutical company and my other plants."

"What?" He said with a loud voice.

"I want an area in town to start this business. In a few years I want to move it out of town but not far. It needs good drainage, and I need it to be very secure as time goes by. Another area for storage is needed and this can be high-level rock. All I need is lots of concrete and good roof and walls. This area will be the new factories when we lease the ones in North Bay."

"Alex, you want to get rid of the land we just bought?"

"No, I will retain this because the price will go up. There are many uses we can put the land to later that are more in line with an urban centre. I want to put all my companies in one area where it's easier to control the access. This will be a limited access community. That way there is only one security detail to look out for most of our interests. There will be companies and even governments trying to find out even a fraction of the things I am doing. Picture a phone that needs no wires and the size of a small box of cigarettes. Or a machine that can do things in one second that a hundred mathematicians would take years to accomplish. Both are not only possible but will come in the next forty to fifty years."

"Is that what this gold is for?"

"That, and to assist with the other purchases. I am going to have to get started on some vaccines."

"What are the diseases you are going to go after? After meeting you I don't doubt much of what you say."

"Polio first. Need it soon."

"Why?"

"Too much waste and from the newspapers I learned that nobody is trying hard enough to get a cure. Lives all over the world are wasted or cut short. It will also make a good first product to launch the company.

"Now I need to send Mr Ciesla some money and pick up an electric typewriter to make up the revised rules for the school board. They will see that Summers is going to bring them down. The court case will show to the world that our school board is not protecting its own employees or the students. I want you to represent the two secretaries in any confrontation with the police and Summers' lawyer."

Helen was dropped off so she could get Aron while I went into a stationary store to pick out their best machine and a goodly amount of paper. I went over to the area that provided blank ledgers and found two that suited my needs. Derrick even assisted me in carrying the machine back to his car. Since we were by ourselves I said, "I talked to Mr Ciesla about more patents. I offered him a job but the deal is tentative. I need his expertise, and I need you too. Before too long I am afraid I will need many lawyers.

"Patents will be challenged many times and I need a good defence team. I also need an offensive team to take on others, too. The drug company will be worth at least a hundred million dollars soon and with that kind of money many people will be out to get a piece of the action. I need some very active legal people to fight for my interests."

We stopped and I wired the money to the lawyer with a short note to stipulate what it was for, and a request for the bill so I could pay the balance.

We pulled up just as Helen and Aron were going into the house. Derrick came in to pay his respects and had a tea. I put the ribbon into the machine, plugged it in and loaded a single piece of paper. This was nothing like a printer. The typing was slow at first but soon I was up to 35 words a minute. Ten minutes later I was faster still and I estimated the speed at 45.

An hour later all the points I wanted changed were on paper and Derrick took them to read over. He leafed through the sheets and said, "These look good: concise and not too much legalese. I can get Clarice to make some more copies and I can deliver them tomorrow. I can't see the court case lasting more than a week or two."

"I think they will wait to a few days before the trial. They want to see how good of a defence we have. I want to be very aggressive from the start. This will have to set the way we fight from now on. You should be happy Mr MacNeil, for you will be very busy for a long time."

Mom cooked and everybody sat down to eat. Derrick seemed to like the food and got around a lot of it. It wasn't till late that he left. Mom was very happy to have him, for he complimented her cooking many times. A good Polish woman knew what was necessary for a man or a family.

Later we did schoolwork and after her work was done I gave Helen many scenarios on what to do and not to do, as a company president. Aron listened avidly and I gave him simpler problems. He had not the necessary knowledge to make good decisions but he certainly tried.

An hour before bed I played the guitar for a while doing Beatles music. The family sat in the living room and listened. Mom and grandma did some knitting and darning. Aron played his guitar too. For a youngster he was actually good. Helen sang the lyrics from a paper I wrote. Helen went up for her, now, daily bath after kissing each of us.

-------

Thursday

It had rained during the night but had cleared up early. I took my raincoat and boots tied to my back but I did not wear them. Aron left with two hugs and then Helen and I walked to school. "Alex... my period is over."

"I figured it would be. Mom and grandma know how I feel about you and it may be a good idea to not get caught in the act."

Helen looked worried. "How do they know?"

"They simply saw you looking like a young bride or a woman in love. Before Mom gave me a lecture I told her that I loved you. I even said how I kissed you all over."

"You didn't Alex!"

"I am not going to lie to mom, at least not about that. She now knows that we do things but will be happy if we don't have any children too soon."

Helen said, "I don't know what to think. I would feel funny now if Mom knew what we were doing."

"When we are older we will live in our own large house and the rest will live with us in their wing. I don't think it will be long after that when we find Mom having to watch the babies while we work."

Helen stopped dead at that thought and pulled me compulsively to her. She kissed me so hard it hurt but I didn't seem to mind.

Like other days, I went in to see my ladies and stopped to see Linda and Valerie too. They seemed to be much happier and I could see that they had begun to heal. I told them that Mr MacNeil would be there to assist them in anything they needed. The women in the school slowly started to change. Laura now wore her hair much more stylishly and her uniform now let me see her figure. She got a wolf whistle the first time I saw her that day.

"Hello my lady. It looks like there will be many more medical calls and I will just have to wait in line. You realise the students will push the conservative boundaries so far that the older generation will be upset. Perhaps I should start to sing some songs that they will dislike, too. I can shake my hips and show my chest. The old biddies will be mad at both of us."

"Well, I did dress this way for my boyfriend. Do you like it?"

"You were the most beautiful woman in North Bay. Now I think you are the best in Ontario. Maybe I can get a beauty pageant going."

"A what?"

"A contest where the most beautiful women show their bodies to the judges and the world. They have been staged since men wanted to look at beautiful women. You also dress up in a fancy dress and show the world what you can do. It may be singing, playing a musical instrument or perhaps recite original poetry. The winner gets a crown and attends all the important functions for a year. At the end of that time she crowns the next queen."

"Do you really think I would win?"

"In my book you already have. Now I have a question for you. I believe that I will be going on a vacation sometime in the summer. It will probably be in the latter portion. Would you be willing to go with us at that time? Natalie will be asked too."

"I would love to Alex. But my car is not that good."

"I bought a partially destroyed bus. I am starting restoration very soon. We will go in luxury. I don't know yet if I want my family to go, too. That may put a damper on our activities but I may have a way around that."

"What would your family say? I am an unattached woman."

"By that time dad will have seen that I want Helen. He will just have to accept that we will not have a conventional family. He can hardly object because you saved my life. He may choose to see it as Helen taking some of her friends with us as we go on vacation."

"You said that you are inviting Natalie too?"

"I will today. I want my own family with me when I go. One day the bus may be full of kids and this would be a good way to let them see the world."

Laura just reached over and hugged me to her then kissed me very gently. "Lots of kids Alex?"

"I don't want you to be a baby machine. Two are enough. Helen and maybe Natalie will be the same. Six children will stretch my abilities to be a father but three mothers will perhaps make up for some of it."

Machine shop was not till forth period. Mr Creighton was very excited by the project and then I handed him my drawings of the various parts and even a sample pullout on the vehicle. Even with its great length it needed extra room inside when parked.

"Mr. Sotola will like these ideas. We ran around talking to a few people that could help us on this project. He wants to start it right away."

I said, "Did the two of you pick a good place to do the work?"

"Yes we did. I was surprised about all the empty buildings. It looks like the heyday of the war couldn't continue. One business was even folding as we searched the neighbourhood. A realtor came out and put one more for sale sign on the fence."

"The bus will be a motor home soon and I would like it ready by the middle of summer."

"That is much too soon. Do you realise the work that has to be done?"

"I can imagine most of it. You need somebody to bend and weld the aluminum frame. Old skin has to be stripped and new put on, then the wiring and plumbing before the wood panelling. I would like you to install the turbocharger you made, if you want to. Now I have to design a smaller one for the diesel that powers the air conditioner. I want the same motor to run a generator, too. The added power should handle the load quite well."

"It might be even better to pull both engines out of the bus and work on them on a bench. You can take out the transmission too, if you want. Work underneath may be easier when you run the ductwork from the turbo to the air intake."

"Alex there is still too much work to do in the allotted time. We need lots more people."

"Work can be done on two shifts, six or seven days a week. With enough people spread at different times they shouldn't get in each other's way. You can take a good rib out and send it to a jobbing shop and they can return the finished product. I will give a bonus to the workers and we now have to figure a wage scale for you two. How does double your school pay sound? Just keep track of your hours."

Both men had their mouths open. Teachers were only paid a fair wage and now with their bring-home being tripled they would find many things changing for them. "If the senior boys are worth it, give them apprentice pay. I think I will talk to the business teachers to get some girls to come by and take care of this chore for you." I figured that I could hire a temporary bookkeeper to take care of all three jobs. Mr Clark did his own when looking after Izzy and his crew. Mr Creighton and Mr Sotola would be working on the bus reconstruction and Derrick would be taking care of his own bookkeeping.

Lunch was getting formal in many ways. The girls were dressed nicer but not more expensively. It just seemed that their clothes were better matched and all of them sat upright in their seats. It reminded me of fine ladies at a banquette with their very rich husbands. Some women were very rich in their own right with their current escort sitting up straight too.

One girl even took my tray for me as if I were a pampered darling. I just accepted the place of a kept man and took my seat. Rita started the conversation of course and soon the same topic was bandied about among individuals. The girls laughed pleasantly and some could be seen touching a boy's arm to make her point. Maria must have pulled out all stops and taught her daughter many of the finer points.

I was quite sure that everybody was reading the local newspaper and perhaps the Toronto ones as well to make sure they were up on current events.

During a lull in conversation I asked Rita, "I have noticed that the ladies at our table seem to be even more attractively dressed than usual. How did this come about all of a sudden?"

Her eyes got large and then she said resignedly, "We had a sleep over at my house. My mom talked about proper manners and dress for young ladies. Some of the things she had never bothered to teach me before. She taught us a few other tricks too."

I said, "She must have done a very good job on the fashions. Money was not spent because I have seen this clothing before. It appears to be more of a better way to wear what is available. That makes me feel even better. I do not like someone without fine clothing being ostracised for not being dressed like the rest. If you noticed, my Mom made this shirt and I still like it even if I can buy one from a store.

"The gestures that you ladies use are the same as what would be found at Buckingham Palace. That is good for you to know but don't let yourselves be guided by those mannerisms all the time. They do give a good general idea. The tricks your mother talked about; I do not want to venture into. I see you girls as a pride of young lionesses sharpening your claws before the hunt. Is that the case?"

A few girls looked as if they were caught and some nodded their heads. I smiled widely and said, "I have no faith in your prey's ability in eluding your attack."

Some smiles came back and the young males looked around as if lost, wondering what all this talk was about. I left them to their fate.

I had just enough time to visit Mr Corfu's office. The two girls and now Mrs Cranston came over to chat while I waited. Here it was only a touch of the hand but it was like a kiss with Valerie and especially Laura.

I gave the Principal a quick rundown in point form of the problems in getting the bus rebuilt. We did have some problems with scheduling that could not be easily overcome. Luckily, insurance and other legalities were not as strenuously pursued as in later years when none of this would be possible.

A school bus to shuttle students back and forth was the best we could do. I would have to pay for this, of course but it would only be for a month and then school would be over. Mr Corfu was going to talk to the business teachers to see if they would be interested in using their talents and students in this new business. The money I offered would make the choices very simple. This wasn't quite the way it would have to be phrased because the teachers were not allowed to moonlight but I was sure that nobody really saw what was happening.

I had overstayed the bell by a few minutes and Mr Corfu gave me a pass for History.

French was next class and I got a hug which I knew the boys would be jealous of. During class I wrote a letter to Natalie with my proposition for a holiday together if the bus could be completed, or to fly with us to whatever destination would be best. Again I used point form for each of the arguments that she could make and then by own rebuttal.

I only had a few minutes to give her the note at the end of the class as Rita stood waiting for me. Natalie gave me a hug and sent me off without reading the letter. Rita was looking at me oddly at the door and I was sure her 'Y' genes were kicking in trying to figure out what the relationship was between the beautiful French teacher and me.

A small scheduling change gave us a double geography class that allowed me to do all my homework.

After school I said goodbye to all the girls. Helen would have to walk home while I went to Doctor Smiles' office. Natalie gave me a lift, as it was more to the way she was going.

Laura was taking Linda and Valerie with her and I asked Natalie, "What have you and Laura thought about my idea to move in together? Her apartment must be crowded now."

She looked at me trying to see if I was saying something else. "It's crowded. Usually it is the four of us. Linda still stays with her parents a few days every week. This is just a way for her to talk. She still has nightmares and her period is late and she is worried. Valerie is the same and they are deathly afraid that they are carrying Summers' child."

"In their situation it is not usual that their menstruation gets altered. A victim is often confused, disoriented and emotionally upset. You and Laura are doing well in giving them some support. I have heard of women getting suicidal; having pain, nausea and vomiting; and having either heavy or missed periods. They have trouble sleeping and their minds show them pictures of what has happened to them. They either stop eating or go on binges. Fear is strong within them and they can't cope with everyday life. Some drink or have an aversion for sex. Thankfully that last part is not the case."

Natalie looked away from me but she still kept one eye on the road. In a minute she said, "Laura would like to move in with me. She is a little unsure because somebody came by and was talking to the old couple downstairs about selling their home. The old couple don't have much money coming in and they are afraid to sell because they would not have a place here to stay. They have one grown child but she might not be able to take them in."

"What do you know about the person trying to buy the property?"

"All I know is that he is a lawyer."

I invited Natalie up with me and we went in to see Janice. There was a roomful of adult patients when I said, "Hello Mrs Smiles," in my nicest voice through my puffy lips. "I would like to take a look at some of your medical books if I may?"

Janice smiled at me and did her own diagnosis of my face. "I should have come along and had my own look at you. You are quite the hero now. First you save a child's life and then protect a girl from that man. I heard he got a good beating."

"I didn't see any of that. I managed to get one kick in and then everything went black. Natalie here and some of my other friends jumped in to save me. I owe my life to them. They are the real heroes."

Janice looked at my companion for a moment then said, "That may be but I heard you were dragging that man around by his trousers and he couldn't get to you while you were doing that."

"He did squeak a bit as I dragged him across the floor. Might have two shiny tracks on the floor for weeks now. My six commandoes made all his wounds, I think. They all make very beautiful soldiers, don't you think?"

Janice looked at Natalie and said, "You are doing very well for yourself Alex."

"It's easy if you are Polish."

We went into the library and I looked through my first choice. Some of these were much older versions of the ones I had read in later years. "What are you looking for?" Natalie said.

"Uterine fibroids, for a start. Look in the index and write the page numbers down." I took a sheet of paper from my pack and ripped into small strips. "Find the page and put a bookmark in."

I was an hour of searching and reading. Natalie helped a lot. I knew about the problem from before and could even bring up the pertinent text in my mind. That did not mean that I knew everything about the condition.

Just when I was about done the doctor came into the room. "Hello Alex and you too Natalie. Looking for dirty pictures?"

"Gray's Anatomy has better ones, I think. I was concerned with an alternative to a supra-cervical hysterectomy. I think that if a catheter is inserted through a small incision at the top of the leg and another into the femoral artery and then the other end into the uterine artery. Tiny particles of plastic or gelatine sponge could then injected into the artery. The particles flow to the fibroids, blocking the arteries that supply them with blood. When the blood flow is cut off, the tumours would begin to shrink and break down. Eventually they should be reabsorbed by the body.

"At present the patient experiences severe and debilitating bouts of pain. She is still in her childbearing years and this uterine arterial embolism should not end her childbearing as a hysterectomy would."

The doctor looked at me then ran his hand over his chin in thought. "I've never heard of this procedure. So you want to restrict the blood flow to such an extent that the fibroids are removed. Have you tried chemotherapy?"

"I am not her physician and just sought to give the couple a possible way out of their dilemma. I believe they tried chemo and were about to take the irrevocable step that would positively end her childbearing."

"Where did you learn of this procedure Alex?"

"Doctor Smiles, our school library is woefully inadequate for this and your own books are the only ones that present this possibility."

"What about infection with your procedure?"

"Antibiotics."

"What problems do you see?"

"Moderate to severe pain and cramping after the procedure. Any damage to the uterus could lead to the very hysterectomy I am trying so hard to avoid."

Doctor Smiles looked at Natalie and asked me, "Is the patient nearby?"

"Natalie is not the patient doctor. I can't see her having any problem bearing many healthy and beautiful children." Natalie turned red at this. "The patient may be in town this weekend. Would you care to give another opinion once you have had a chance to evaluate my procedure?"

"Janice and I are leaving next Wednesday. I may have a chance this weekend if the patient wants this old man's opinion."

"I would take this as a favour, sir."

We went out the front and Janice said, "Your equipment will be delivered by the weekend. Since it is a small order the salesman will bring it himself. He wants to hear more about you. Do you need anything else?"

"I need so much that I do not have enough money to buy it. I want to start a pharmaceutical business."

Janice gave me an open-mouth look then quickly closed it. "I think you will do very well, Alex."

"I hope so too, Janice."

When we left the office, Natalie said, "What were you talking about to the doctor?"

"I know a woman who spends most of her life in great discomfort. Soon she would want her uterus removed to take the excruciating pain away. As you know, the procedure is irreversible and she would never be able to have children."

"Doctor Smiles never heard of what you wanted to do. Why was that?"

"He is a very knowledgeable man who runs into every conceivable problem. Specialists learn much more but there is too much information for a general practitioner to absorb. This idea though is from my own mind. We could make some clinical studies to see how well it works. I think it should work on most women but I don't have a licence to practice yet."

"Now what were you talking to Mrs. Smiles about?"

"Oh, I just want to cure polio and I want to have it done before I graduate next year."

Natalie gave me the same look as Janice had done only moments before.

Natalie drove me home and I got a very loving kiss before I stepped out of the car. I said in my sincerest voice, "I love you Natalie and I want you with me." She looked to be getting upset. "Still, I will wait for your reply until I graduate from grade 13."

"Alex, I do love you. I don't have any logical reason for it but I am staying away from the final commitment till I know that you won't just tire of me."

"Will you give me the answer the day I graduate from high school? I want you, Helen and Laura in my life till the day I die and our children drooling or puking on my shoulder."

I got one more kiss and she drove off with a tear in her eye.

The house was empty when I called out to find who was home. Helen and Aron were probably doing chores. Mom and grandma must be doing the same thing, or were at the mine. I called Derrick but he wasn't there at the moment. Clarice assured me that he would call as soon as he returned. A telegram had arrived though and it was sitting in the centre of the table. Mr Ciesla had phrased the text so that there was no doubt that he was working on my behalf after getting the retainer. Under the envelope was a note stating that mom and grandma were assisting at the mine.

I made notes to myself about all the things I had to do even before I started accepting any of the different strains of the poliomyelitis virus. The process after that point was easy if I had all the equipment. Or would be till I had to tell the world that the virus could be beaten. The vaccine had passed very quickly, except one supplier had not done all of its work correctly and some students had contracted the disease. When the cause was found all batches of the vaccine were labelled with lot numbers that allowed any sample to be traced back to where it came from. All other drugs then processed food got the same treatment in later years.

Deals had to be hammered out with other drug companies to manufacture the vaccine because we would soon be starting a major outbreak of the disease. I could still see the children with limbs wasting away or even in iron lungs. It was not only the children's lives that would be ruined but also the fact that whole families would fall under the effects of the disease.

I started the meal and in half an hour Aron came in and a few minutes later Helen did too. Each got a hug or kiss and I sent them off to wash.

We discussed our day at school while we ate. It made me feel good to be sitting here with a wife and a child even if they were not fully my own.

When we were all cleaning up the phone rang. Aron was sent to answer this time. He had to get on a chair to reach the instrument. He said, "Hello, Lowca residence." I heard a few 'hmm' then he said loudly, "Alex, for you." Well, he was learning anyway.

Derrick was calling and I eventually got to the reason I had called earlier. I mentioned Natalie's address, "Did you manage to purchase that home?"

"Not yet. They are still thinking it over. I offered them a fair price and the woman seemed to be happy at the offer. She mentioned her child in Hamilton and the possibility of moving in with her family. The husband I believe is going to try to hold out for more money. What did you want me to do?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to see if the home was ours yet. It would be nice to see what we can do for an apartment complex geared to senior citizens. And another geared for those that need care. I will have to talk to some bureaucrats to see what plans, if any, are geared to helping the old."

"That is a good idea. I never heard of the term 'senior citizen' before; it has a kinder ring to it."

"If there is enough government participation we can think of starting some complexes like those. Good money can be made but I think it is better to run them as a service. On another topic, do you know of a good tax lawyer and an equally good accountant?"

"I wondered when you were going to ask for them. You have been doing fine so far but I see a lot of problems ahead with all the forms that have to be filled out and documents filed. In my honest opinion we don't have very good ones here in the city. You will have to go to Toronto or one of the larger urban centres to get those people. I don't think they would want to leave, though."

We discussed the corporation we formed and the necessary paperwork that had to be done. I had not done very much yet because I could remember all the transactions. That would not help when the taxman came. When I hung up I called Helen and Aron.

"Today we do what Helen does in school," I said to both. I took out the two ledgers and began to fill one in the way I wanted. because the top margin was the same for each sheet, only the larger sheet in the back needed to be filled in with the correct headings. All the sheets in front of them were trimmed at the top. A [person could look down and see the heading at the top of each column without having to do the entire leger.

I explained to each of them what I was doing. To Helen it was simple and to Aron it was all new. The other book got the same treatment but I was not keeping double books. Aron's was titled for his use only with a sentence about educational purposes. The line of credit and the cheques that I had written so far were entered. The counterfoil for each cheque was listed with its number. On a sheet of paper I listed my expenses including those for the medical equipment and restaurant receipts. When it was all listed Helen put them neatly into the ledger. Aron saw what was happening and Helen explained in her own words what everything was and why each thing was done. Aron copied his own entries from my sheet.

It didn't take long before I found the need to invent whiteout. It may have even been invented but I didn't have access to it yet.

Helen was given the job of keeping books till it got too busy or complicated. She liked the idea of getting paid too. Aron was given a job as assistant bookkeeper with half the pay. This he really liked because we usually got little or no money for school. Allowances were not given but usually money was found if a need arose.

Homework was done next, though I had little to do. Listing of supplies and equipment had to be made too. My drug company had to have many special-purpose machines that simply had to be handmade. There were large centrifuges capable of holding a hundred vials. Other machines had to gently rock large flasks of material so it would not settle. There were culture rooms where the temperature had to be regulated very carefully. The bottling rooms needed special care.

Even with prices being seemingly low I would have to pay a lot of money to get the machinery I needed. Another problem would be the expensive field trials. My memory told me that it was in excess of five million dollars. This would put a definite strain on my resources. The mine may give me that amount but I would have no funds left for other expansion. The amount spent in North Bay for property was minuscule in comparison. My drug house would have to start small but not be termed kitchen chemistry by large companies. This field had a lot of big players and they would do many things to squash an upstart company that threatened their funding.

I pulled away from my plans and saw Helen darning socks just like her mother while the radio was turned low to keep it from bothering me. Aron was in a comfortable chair reading a children's book.

When I stood in front of Helen she looked up to me with sparkling eyes. She was well aware of our privacy tonight. Instead of just responding to our emotions I said, "Will you dance with me?"

Helen put down her work while I found some suitable music on the radio. I returned to her and extended my hand. She took it and came into my arms. After a small kiss she melted against me and we started dancing. The song was short-lived and the next was much more energetic. We moved across the floor till I touched the small coffee table; after that we stayed away from it.

Helen was laughing at the end of the dance. I let her go and moved the table to give us more room. The next dance was fast again and I danced more energetically again. As we turned around I saw Aron's face and he had a large smile as he shared out joy. When the song was over I sat Helen and danced with Aron. He enjoyed the fast pace and when that song ended, I sat out and Helen took over. Our dancing lasted for another twenty minutes before the program changed. I was about to pick up the guitar when the phone rang.

I answered it and found Silva on the line. I said, "Hello Silva, how are you doing?"

"How did you... oh forget it. Hello Alex. I would like to come up this weekend. I can get half a day off on Friday and fly to Toronto. Will you make reservations for us at one of your better hotels?"

"I can do one better. You can stay with us. We only have a farmhouse and not that mansion you live in but it will suffice. You help with the chores and I will feed you breakfast at six in the morning. You collect your own eggs, though. Dad made some good sausage. I will make home fries and pancakes."

"Ah... that sounds nice but I don't want to impose."

"You will not be imposing at all. If you stay for a few days, it will be fun for all of us. If you bring your fishing rod I will show you some good places. But I will call the Clarkson if that is your wish."

"I would feel more comfortable at a hotel. Besides Millie has her problems sometimes and a hotel staff can handle them better than a private family."

"As you wish. I have talked to a local doctor about Millie's condition. I also mentioned a procedure for alleviating the problem. I would like to have her see this physician."

"Millie has seen many doctors about this problem. None have given her any hope. What kind of specialist is this doctor?"

"He is a GP. I am the one who suggested this method."

There was a long pause on the line and then Silva said, "You sound very young and the reports in the newspapers say you are only thirteen. How can this be?"

"There are many reasons. I am fairly intelligent, with a photographic memory and a burning need to learn. Those are for a start. You will have to come to find out the rest."

"We will be there."

I used the phone book and reserved a room for Silva at the Clarkson, our best hotel. They were reluctant to take the reservation because of my young voice. When I gave my name they said, "Yes sir," and completed the form.

I sat down again and Helen just looked at me wondering what the conversation was all about. Aron got up and brought me the guitar so he could hear some music. My first time through university exposed me to Chuck Berry. I had mimicked his style and knew all his works. This had been a good way to get the ladies interested in me. Most already were, for being a med student meant that I might one day be a rich and respectable doctor. Tonight I played "Maybellene" to Helen and Aron. They laughed at my mannerisms and I remembered that Elvis Presley had not yet made a record and even the song I just sang would not come out for six more years. In fact he was still in high school like me.

It was getting late so I sang one more of Elvis' songs, "Love Me Tender". Helen got up after the song and kissed me tenderly because she knew that the song was for her.

After a quick bath we all went to bed. This time I was sleeping with Helen and I made love to her body till she screamed. I saw Aron at the door a few times but I said nothing because I had left the door open a bit for him.

After one more orgasm Helen and I got into a 69 position and she nursed on me as I did to her. We both shook almost together and she yelled around my member still in her mouth.



-------

Chapter 14


Friday

Aron woke me in the night and then the three of us went back to sleep.

I woke up energetic, even if I had less than the usual amount of sleep. By the time Aron and Helen got down, their breakfast was on the table. Helen gave me a kiss for my efforts and Aron, not wanting to be outdone, hugged me. I guess it wasn't a bad trade for the time and effort.

Just after Aron left us, Helen said, "Some of the girls have been asking me stuff. For the last while it was about you now it is about ah... you know... stuff."

"What kind of stuff?"

"Well... stuff a man and a woman can do. They heard that you talked about that kind of stuff but you didn't say much. The ones you talked to knew that you knew a lot more."

After a pause I said, "Did the girls you were talking to happen to have younger sisters in grade nine?"

"Yes some do, come to think of it."

"They are big girls now but I think they still know next to nothing. You have learned a bit recently but not as much as you should know. There are no books on the subject. They don't even go into it as they should in medical school." I thought for a moment then said, "I could make my own book but I couldn't get it printed."

An idea came to me, "I can tell you all about the subject and you could tell the girls. You are shy now and this would help you overcome that. You have to understand my body as much as I have to understand yours. The truth is, you really have to understand your own body or you will get into trouble."

"How Alex?" She thought for a second then said, "oh." She continued, "I don't think I can do it, at least not the first time. Would you talk to them?"

"I will have to think about that. My problem is that our society is very conservative and perhaps completely composed of prudes. It is just a phase our society is going through. In 20 years the pendulum will have swung and all the girls and boys will be having sex all the time. The girls of today will be cringing when they think that their daughters will be running around with the minimum of clothes and engaging in sex at any opportunity.

"Now close you mouth Helen we are getting close to school." She did close her mouth and stared at me a bit longer.

"They would do that?"

"Yes they would because a pill will be made that will keep a girl from getting pregnant. With the risk now of only disease the girls and boys will enjoy sex very much. They will kiss in public and not like we do but almost mate standing up."

"Will you show me?"

A smile came to my face and I looked around. There were too many cars and open windows. "Let's wait till we get to school. Remember you asked me."

"Ok," was her only reply.

Her pace picked up and I guess mine did too. Rita was waiting with some of her friends. I greeted each of them by name and hoped that each one thought that she had some of my time. "Rita, I am going to the nurse's station with Helen. I will see you girls in class." Rita came forward and gave me a small kiss to send me on my way.

On the way inside Helen said, "How can you let her do that?"

"Helen my love. She is a nice girl the same as you are. If people are looking at Rita and me then they are not looking at you and me."

"Oh."

We bypassed the front office and went directly to Laura's. I stepped inside and kicked the door shut. I kissed Laura soundly. When she pulled back a bit breathlessly I said, "Good morning Laura, my love. I came here to perform a test."

Laura looked around a bit then got her bearings. "What test?"

"I want you to rate how well I do and how much Helen responds."

She didn't understand. I took my pack off and set Helen's things on Laura's desk. I took Helen and pushed her towards the closed door. I kissed her in a demanding way as I pushed against her body. I let her breathe and then continued with more. I pulled my chest away far enough to bring my hands to her chest and softly caress her breasts and lightly touch her nipples.

This continued long enough that I had to let Helen breathe a few more times. Helen was starting to moan in my mouth when I switched and started to suck on her neck but not hard enough for a bruise. My hand stole down and I picked up her skirt and soon my fingers were on her mons.

My other hand started to pinch her nipple as I stroked a finger into her virgin opening. Her hands were already around me but now they pulled me tightly to her while I tried to continue my labours. I switched to the other side of her neck and in a moment she started to shake and I quickly placed my mouth over hers. Her scream was muffled but not as loud as usual. Her arms pulled me painfully to her and her pelvis rocked forward rapidly as if I was going to give her what she instinctively wanted.

When her hips stopped moving, I had to hold her against the door to keep her from falling. My hand in her vulva helped to hold her up but I pulled my finger out to protect her hymen. She just stroked a few times against me and remained still.

Laura raced over and between the two of us we got Helen to lie down on the bed in the examination room. In a moment she came to herself and looked around quickly. "How did I get here?"

"We carried you here. Serves you right for staying awake last night. Now stay still Sweetie while I clean you up." In a moment I had a warm, damp cloth and I said, "Push your bum up." When she did so I pulled her skirt up and her panties down and then off.

"What are you doing Alex?"

"Cleaning one of the women that I plan on keeping for the rest of my life." I picked up her legs and parted her knees. The warm cloth cleaned her up and I used my finger to trace her slit.

Helen shivered at my touch; then she saw me put the finger into my mouth. I said simply, "Hmmm tasty." Before she could move I did it again and turned to Laura. The finger was right in front of her face. Laura looked at Helen and then at me. She moved forward and sucked my finger into her mouth."

"You are right Alex. She is tasty."

I picked up the panties and put them back on Helen. She looked at Laura and got none the wiser. I started to help her up and Laura assisted. "We have to hurry. I have to greet some other ladies even if they are not mine."

Laura mentioned, "What about the results of the test. I think you should test me to get an unbiased result."

I looked at the wall and assessed the time and how horny Laura appeared to be. "Take off your panties and stand at the end of the exam table against the wall."

She hurriedly took them off and handed them to Helen. She was ready and in position in a moment. I worked differently with Laura. I was very insistent and reached for her charms like I owned them. "You are mine," I said. "I own your body and your soul."

I then attacked her neck and gave it little nibbles and a small amount of pain. Her mons and breast were being fondled and even caressed. Before moving to the other side of her neck I said, "Soon I will plant my seed in you and watch your belly grow."

It took only a few moments and Laura started to orgasm. I pushed her hard against the wall and muffled her scream with my bruised mouth. My finger worked faster and she started to push me away with her hips as she tried to take my finger.

When she finally quieted I picked up the hem of her skirt and levered her onto the bed. After sliding her up a bit more I just held her face in my hands and kissed her tenderly.

When her eyes opened I said, "I love you Laura.

"Oh I love you too." She reached out and pulled my face to hers but gave me a very tender kiss.

As with Helen, I picked up her knees and spread them wide. She looked at me like a woman does when her gynaecologist or obstetrician is performing an examination. She felt my finger trace a slow line from her perineum to her clit. Laura let out a groan as I did this. Then I looked her in the eye as I sucked the digit into my mouth. "Hmmm quite tasty."

I did this one more time and called, "Helen come here please." She came as if in a trance I put my finger close and she took it into her mouth as if she was an automaton. She sucked my finger to get all the taste off. "Is it good?"

Her head went up and down till I pulled my finger out.

"Tell Laura, Honey. One day she will want to get another taste of you."

She did look at Laura then lowered her eyes and said in a low voice, "It tasted good."

Laura started to get up and I helped her to her feet. She came to Helen quickly and kissed her as she kissed me. Helen's arms came around the slightly older woman and they just continued their kiss. Helen started to respond and thrust her belly at Laura and ground it into her. Laura, too, became inflamed and pushed her pelvis against Helen.

The bell rang and both women continued to hold each other as if nothing else mattered. Laura finally pushed Helen back and simply said, "Later if our man wants us."

Helen looked at her and understanding came to her. She looked at me and smiled. They broke apart and I moved in and took Laura's panties from Helen's hands and gave the cloth back to its owner. "We have to go or we will be late."

Again I was almost late for class and I think Helen was even more so because she was walking in a daze.

Natalie taught third period French. She was dressing more provocatively than before but still was within the bounds of propriety. She seemed to have lots of extra energy and I knew it was because the little energiser bunny had put two special batteries into her.

After school I made sure I got to the office to talk to Linda and Valerie and mentioned how sorry I was to not make it in the morning. Rita was by my side and she saw and heard everything. I think she was sympathetic enough to see that I was not trying to pick the two girls up.

When I did make it outside I found Mike holding a familiar bike. It looked brand new but I looked close and saw that it was my own bike. The handgrips and carrier had many distinguishing marks. It had new tires and a new back wheel. I looked and saw that the small bends in the supports for the back wheel had been repaired and then the entire bike painted.

"Mike, you shouldn't have. I would have got to the bike eventually and got it fixed."

"It was my dad's idea. We took it to his body shop and sanded the entire frame. He took the frame apart and fixed the bends with a steel shaft down the hollow tubes. Everything was repainted like it was when new. Your mother said how this bike was special for you."

I hugged Mike to me and didn't worry about what other males would think. "Thanks Mike. The bike does mean a lot to me. It is one of the few things that my birth parents gave me." Mike saw my tears and hugged me to him too.

Rita came up to him when we pulled away and held his shoulders and kissed him too. He just stood stunned. Rita said, "That is my thanks for doing such a nice thing." Sally was one of her friends. She happened to like Mike and was close by. Rita turned to her and said, "Do you think Mike deserves a reward Sally?"

The two people looked stunned again and another girl pushed Sally closer to Mike. She took the last two steps and kissed the boy then stepped back quickly. Both were flushed with embarrassment but they also sported a small smile.

I waved to Helen and she approached our group. I had the bike now and soon I rode in a circle. It was as good as new now and felt a bit different from what it had before. When I came back to Mike I said, "Thank your father. He did a very good job. I didn't even know you had the bike."

"Your Mom gave it to my dad and she promised not to say anything till it was done."

"Women are sneaky but usually have good intentions. Do you want to go over and check out the trailers?"

We walked around the school with Helen and Rita admiring the new looking bike.

The trailers were going quite well. The one now under work would be the cafeteria. At present it looked the same as the bunkhouses. The only difference was the counter with a sink and an extra opening for the passageway to the next building. A fridge and a small wood stove along with tables and chairs were to be added. This would be a room to sit in and talk and be sociable.

The last building contracted was to be the kitchen. It would be a dramatic departure from what was currently used. This would have all the modern conveniences. I planned on a freezer, a long counter with many sinks for dishes and food preparations and a commercial propane stove. In a way it would look like Mario's kitchen and serve the same purpose. Grandma and mom would bitch a lot about not understanding the stove and complain if anything got burnt.

I was hoping to use these two women to assist me in getting dad to build a modern, new home at the farm. I am sure that when they got used to the modern conveniences they would not want to go back. When microwaves, dishwashers and laundry aids came along they too would be incorporated.

The crowd watching the construction had shrunk from what it used to be. There were a few teachers, though. "Helen," I said, "is your Home Ec teacher one of those looking at the construction?"

Helen looked around and said, "Yes, Mrs Murray is there."

"Let's go talk to her."

When I approached, of course fifteen others did too. Helen introduced us and we shook hands. Other teachers that I had not met and whom Helen knew, were introduced similarly. Looking back at Mrs Murray I said, "I have an idea for a class project if you wish to take it on."

"What is that, Alex?"

"The last building is going to be a kitchen. In many respects it will be similar to what you would find in a restaurant. I need commercial grade equipment to be purchased. Would you be my representative and show your class how to buy kitchen equipment? You can give an explanation of quality and price and I think you should. Too many new families get off on the wrong foot and go deep in debt to finance a house and do it incorrectly. As an incentive I will give your department all the savings you can accumulate when you purchase the articles. It will simply be the difference between the price offered and the price you are able to get it for."

"Young man! That will be thousands of dollars."

"I am well aware of the cost."

"You are putting yourself in jeopardy. I could buy from the most expensive establishment and pocket the extra money."

"A person has to have trust. You would not cheat me for many reasons. You are teaching young women about economics and negotiating a price is a good lesson. They would be modelling themselves after your example and you would no more cheat me than steal money from the collection plate at church."

"Are you sure about this?"

"Yes I am. Now this young lady here is Rita Leone. She is very familiar with restaurant kitchens. Perhaps you can have a word with her about what is needed."

Rita's eyes bulged out at being put on the spot. Mrs Murray said, "I know Miss Leone. Thank you Alex, the exercise should be fun. Rita, may I have a moment of your time?"

Rita looked trapped but left to talk to her teacher. I said to Helen, "I want to go check on the bus. Now that I have the bike I can be quick. I can meet up with you and Aron before you get home. There is a call coming from Mr Silva Cranz and his wife Millie. They are going to be visiting for a day or so."

"I never heard of them."

I pulled Helen away to get a little privacy. "I saw them in my visions. They could help sell the gold for a higher price than we would get from the government."

"Oh," was her only response.

I gave my goodbyes and more thanks to Mike and set off for the building the bus was in. It took less than five minutes to get to the door. It was a poor building made of wood but had a high door suitable for holding the bus. The vehicle was stretched out full length. A wide area on both sides was now full of parts stripped from the vehicle. The aluminum skin had fresh paint marks that appeared to be made just before it was removed. I figured this was to for matching up later.

Mr Creighton and Mr Sotola were present. There were at least a dozen students working under the direction of eight or more strangers. The men were doing the majority of the work but the boys were not slouches. Boys eighteen or so seemed to be a bit more mature than the average boy in later years because of the responsibilities put on them. Many boys this age would be married and have a family growing.

The front section and the back that had survived the fire were stripped bare and placed to one side. The seats had all been removed and placed against the far wall. Even the dash and steering wheel had been removed.

There was a fair bit of noise reverberating through the building but there were no sparks from grinding the aluminum. A good rib had been removed and next to it was a pile of freshly made copies. A brake was nearby to bend the needed articles and in a corner stood a new-looking welding machine. A large stand was nearby with a roll of sheet aluminum and a shear wide enough to cut it.

Mr Creighton had his back turned to me while working in a hole in the floor of the bus. Instead of pulling the engine and transmission they had simply made an easy way to access the motor.

It seemed that there was a considerable amount of work done since the bus arrived on Tuesday.

Mr Creighton stood up straighter and stretched his back and then noticed me in the doorway. His hand came up and he gestured for me to come close.

"Hello Alex, we have mounted the turbocharger in line with the exhaust for better flow. Take a look to see what you think."

The unit I specified in my drawing was only four inches long and twelve inches in diameter. It was mounted in a housing roughly one inch more in circumference than the unit itself. The exhaust pipe just continued on through a muffler, tailpipe and eventually out to the atmosphere.

On one side sat a large duct that would bring clean air into the unit through a large filter. The compressed air travelled through a copper radiator. At this time these were common. It was not till later that aluminum and other materials came into use. The heat exchanger would cool this compressed, clean air. The cooler air was denser, so more air would get into the cylinder than when using hot air at the same pressure. A new invention, I called a dumping valve, would vent excess air to the atmosphere when not needed.

Mr Creighton said, "I have been asking a few questions and see that this unit is much smaller than what is used on a large engine. You came up with quite a few new ideas. That bearing cooler is a good idea. The fluid is cooler than what engine oil would be and the bearings should last a lot longer."

"It looks like you did a great job of mounting this. I hope the accumulation of road debris, dust and contamination doesn't interfere with efficient operation." I looked at him with a smile now and said, "When are we going to test it?"

"It needs the heat-exchanger, the radiator and a little twelve volt pump. Won't be before tomorrow."

"Too bad we can't run the bus on a country road to see what she will do with and without the unit. I could imagine an OPP cruiser seeing a converted, articulated bus fly by at 140 miles an hour being hard to understand."

"Oh it won't go that fast. The gearing takes into account the weight of the bus with all its body and the passengers. It would make a semi fly if we could mount it on."

"We can try them later. We keep a log of all the problems along with the fuel purchased and we can get an idea of how good this machine can be. Maybe we can get Trailways to buy our units to fit on their buses."

I was introduced to the other trades working on the bus. Most had no papers but they seemed to be good workers nonetheless. Some of my drawings were on a vertical board and someone must have redrawn them on larger sheets of paper. Dirty fingerprints were all over them but that was the price to pay. I even dirtied many of my prints while going over details.

We discussed work schedules and it was easy to see that the men did not complain about an afternoon shift. Apparently, having a job working afternoons was much better than having no job at all.

I went over the bus frame and found that it was not damaged in the fire, not even the floor. We talked about possible ways of completing the job but I stuck with some nicely finished wood that would require cabinetmakers, not only for the walls and floors but also for the wardrobes and vanities. I was trying to avoid pull-down beds but it would just be too hard to do.

The back section of the bus was actually a lounge to sit in, sip a drink, put your feet up and admire the view. This would also have to be a bedroom. The thoughts of having Laura, Natalie and Helen with me on the trip made me want to have it private, too. Perhaps I could give the front and larger portion of the bus to the family for their use. The galley would be shared and occupy the articulated area. The fridge would provide a cold beer but I was still to taste any in this life.

I enjoyed the ride home on the bike. On impulse I drove by Mike's house and stopped in for a visit. The bike was safely put on the porch. When I knocked on the Stoners' door the woman of the house came out. Once she saw me she opened the door and held me to her. "It is so nice to see you, Alex. Won't you come in for a cool drink?"

"I would love one thank you, Mrs. Stoner."

"Oh call me Florence, Alex."

"Ok Florence. How is John Jr doing?"

"Just fine, let me get him." I followed a bit and saw that he was sitting in a playpen with large openings. These had been banned because of accidents, even though they were fairly infrequent. I had no substitute in mind, so I forced myself to remain mute.

When the child came close I held out my arms and he thought for a moment and then came to me. "Hello Junior. It is nice to see you happy and safe."

The child just looked at my features but didn't even make any of the usual noises. Florence called Mike down and he came to meet me. Before he could say anything I said, "I came to thank your mother in person. I know you father works late but I have other commitments tonight and can't thank him myself."

We sat at the kitchen table for a few minutes talking about school and how much Florence liked the meal I catered for them. I suggested in turn that her family patronise Mario's and even request some of his pizza. This brought more questions but I fielded them by saying that they had to taste it to find out what it was like.

I left after some ice tea and made it home later than I said I was going to be. We ate a nice meal that Helen prepared and at eight the phone rang. I knew who it was and answered it. Silva was directed to the Clarkson Hotel, the one I picked for him. A few words were mentioned about Millie having cramps from the ride and wanting to rest. We arranged to meet at a restaurant for breakfast in the morning.

That night I made love to Helen's body many times. When she was recovering the last time I asked, "When we have a family of our own, you are going to have to share me." It was said like a question and Helen nodded her head. "You are going to have to share yourself. Laura wants me but she also wants you and I think you like her as well. Our family will be a bit odd but there will be much love within it. Soon I would like to go to bed with all of us again. It is an experience that you will never forget."

"But she is a girl, Alex."

"She will be my wife as you will be. I want this to happen because it will strengthen our family."

Helen seemed to be thinking and then said, "I will try my best. I do like her."

"That is a good way to start, my wife. Now move down here I have something for you to play with."

-------

Saturday

The next morning was Saturday. I woke Aron and Helen at our usual time. Helen grumbled a bit and wanted to pull me back to bed. They were on both sides of me and I just began to tickle till Aron fell out of bed, then I attacked Helen. She only got a small amount and gave up. She walked like a naked princess to the bathroom and the two of us watched her go. I said to Aron, "Your sister certainly is a great woman. I hope your future girlfriends or wife is at least as intelligent and as nice as Helen is."

"I have been looking at the ones in my class. Some look nice but are not very nice to the boys."

"A woman's beauty is not always how she looks like on the outside, little brother. It is sometimes deep within her and shines out when she walks into the room."

"There is one like that Alex. What should I do?"

"You have a problem Aron. Boys your age hang around with other boys. Girls do the same with girls. They don't do any of the stuff Helen and I do, not even kiss. If you like her just say so but she may just laugh at you, or tell her friends. Don't get mad because she is just a little girl that has not grown up yet. Just go slow and she will get the idea. Soon you will be walking her home and maybe going on a double date with me."

"Me?"

"Sure. Now, get your good clothes out. I am taking you to a restaurant for breakfast." Aron got wide-eyed and raced out. It was very infrequently that we ever ate at other than our own home. He was back in his own room and I could hear the drawers opening and closing.

I called into the bathroom, "I am going to call a taxi. We are going to a restaurant for breakfast. I want my family with me."

The toilet flushed in a moment and the sink was started. I entered the bath and left the door open. I peed into the toilet and caught Helen looking at me. I just adjusted the aim but made sure it all went into the bowl. Aron came next and took over from me and then we flushed.

The taxi pulled up an hour and a half later and took us to the restaurant on Centre Street, just around the corner from the hotel at which Silva and Millie were staying.

I asked for a booth in the back and I chose one that would give us the most privacy. Fifteen minutes later Aron was fidgeting and Helen had read the menu many times. Silva came to the restaurant alone. His face was unmistakable, though many years younger than what I had ever seen it before. He looked around the restaurant and I waved to him. I could see him looking closely, look at the rest of the people in the room and then he walked to us.

I stood up when he came and shook his hand, "Glad to meet you Silva. This young man here is my foster brother Aron. This beautiful young lady is my wife Helen."

Helen's mouth just opened and stayed there. I moved closer and used a finger to close it. Looking back at Silva I said, "Helen is my foster sister and my wife to all intents and purposes. This is the first time I have acknowledged this to a stranger."

Silva put out his hand and said, "I am glad to meet you, Helen. Alex has done a similar thing to me and I haven't got over it yet." He shook Aron's hand and said, "You have an odd brother Aron. I am glad to meet all of you, though."

I said, "Is Millie in much pain?"

"How did you know?"

"You are a punctual man and there must have been a reason for you to not come at the time agreed. Millie's problem seems to be the logical reason."

"We are not on the phone now. Will you tell me how you know all this?"

"Sure, let's order breakfast and I will begin my monologue."

The waitress came over and he ordered quickly. Helen and Aron had long since picked what they wanted. When the waitress left I said, "I was in an abandoned garnet mine a few months ago with Helen. Lightning struck the metal tower above the mine and the bolt travelled through the ground rod and shocked Helen and me inside the mine."

"I woke up paralysed in the hospital later. It took quite a while to regain the use of my body. I suffered burns and had some minor abrasions on my head. The thing different was that in my head I now had visions that were not there before I went into the mine. I saw an image of some gold nuggets. With Helen I went to that place I had seen in my mind and simply used a hammer and some simple tools to bring home over nine pounds of gold in two nuggets.

"I have many other visions in my head. One is of a future you, talking on a telephone in your office. Your father has passed on and you have taken the reins of his company. Somebody hears your conversation over a telephone, we are led to believe but it could be a simple microphone planted in your office. Your discussion will be about the four times you and some young friends got into trouble when younger. The person hearing you will tell the police and an investigation will start.

"In the years following that you will have to do many things and eventually you will go to jail. A few years after that your health will fail and you'll die."

Silva was stunned. The food came and was put in front of us. I told Helen and Aron to eat while it was warm. Silva came out of his trance and said, "I was not involved four times."

"Eat your meal, please." He looked almost in shock to see his meal before him. I ate, too, so he would have some time to recover. When we were done I sat back and sipped a second cup of coffee.

"Silva, you would have done two more. I can tell you when and where but it is not necessary at the moment. I have visions of Millie too. They are also tragic in their own way."

"What is it?"

"Millie has uterine fibroids and will have a hysterectomy. This will end your chance for a family you always wanted. In 1957 Millie contracts Polio even though the vaccine has been out for a few years. It is not fatal but she does loose partial use of her legs. She dies a year and a half before you are charged with any crime."

"Does Millie die because of the polio?"

"It cannot be proved but I think it had a part to play."

"Is there a polio cure, or will there be?"

"No, only a vaccine that will protect children and the few adults that could contract the disease."

"Will she get the disease if we do things different?"

"I don't believe so. Helen," I said as I took her hand in mine, "had an infection that would be fatal. This will not happen exactly as it would have. Millie may miss the disease in 1957, or contract it today right here or back home a year later. Things have changed but many things will remain the same."

Silva looked at me pleadingly, "What can you do for my wife?"

"I know how to stop the pain and remove the fibroids in a simple procedure. It would take an hour and a half in a hospital. I can also make both kinds of polio vaccines."

"What!" He roared in the restaurant. People looked at us and I just remained quiet till people got back to their meals.

"There is an injected vaccine with all three kinds of dead polio viruses. There is another that uses a very mild strain of living but weak, viruses that come from China. Both have their benefits and in the future they will actually use both and North America and Europe will be free of wild virus. The live vaccine itself will infect some people but that is a minor number. We are in an epidemic now and that will last for a few years till the vaccine was discovered in 1953. I can make the vaccine in a month with enough financial and logistical help. That is where the sale of our gold nuggets comes in. I need up to ten million dollars. I only have about 800 pounds of nuggets now. Their value is only one third of a million. Their value to a collector could be as much as six times that."

He did some math and said a bit incredulously, "You have two million dollars in gold."

"Not really, most is in small nuggets but I have four nuggets that total 620 pounds. There is other gold but the dust and flakes are going to be sold to the Canadian government. They know nothing of the nuggets. Can you arrange to have an auction in August?"

"I don't know, Alex. Let me think."

We sat for quite a while and the waitress came and took the plates away. I paid the bill and kept the receipt. Governments of every nation had taken big hunks out of my empire when I thought that they shouldn't. Saving receipts was like a simple way of getting back before I was strong enough to fight effectively.

Silva said, "Let's go for a walk. Alex, can we talk alone?"

"They are my family and won't say anything."

We walked toward Lake Nipissing and when there was nobody around Silva continued. "I know some unsavoury people. The two times I did something, they bought all the gold I had. Most was in ingots and coins but some was in nuggets. They certainly have the money but I do not know if they want an auction or to pay the premium price the nuggets demand."

I gave Silva the approximate weights because we really had little that could weigh them with accuracy. Their volume was estimated and this did not help much because everything was a guess.

"Can you get this gold across the border?"

"The volume is small enough that I can do it easily."

"Alex, I want to be honest. I do not know if I can do this the way it needs to be done."

"Silva, you did what you did because you were bored. You craved excitement. You climbed high mountains, scuba dived, raced fast cars and parachuted as a team member."

"Parachuted?"

"Yes, parachuting will become a hobby and teams will form to see what they can do differently. Sometimes large planes are hired and many parachutists jump out the back to form patterns in the air before opening their chutes. Something went out of your life after Millie got sick and you didn't seem to care too much any more. If you look at this as a challenge you can make this happen."

"What else did I do?"

"You were rich because of the chemical company you inherited. It grew during the Vietnam War. You collected old cars." I looked around and saw another old Cadillac and said, "That one there, fully restored with original parts, would be worth $150,000 dollars easy. Money, though, is not as valuable as it is now. A new car today cost two years' pay for an average man. At the turn of the next century they will cost $35,000 and be half of a year's pay for a middle class worker."

"You said the Vietnam War. Where the hell is that?"

"South East Asia, just like Korea. Your country will send men and machines into the jungle for many reasons but in the end you will loose. The war was to bleed the communists. It also served to stimulate your economy, make new weapons and train soldiers for future wars. Many people in business and the military like the war simply for the last two reasons. The war now with Korea will only end when your next president secretly threatens to use nuclear weapons. It will carry on for another year and a half with the country splitting in half."

"Korea will be two countries?"

"Yep and the conflict will pull the United States and the world out of the recession we are in now."

"What else can you tell me?"

"There is more but it is not complete. The things I see are fixed. They only encompass certain fields and events. I do know about this medical procedure but I don't know how well it will work on Millie. I may be able to see the future in some areas but we are changing it now."

"Tell me more about this procedure?"

I explained about it in detail, listing what had to be done and why. I even finished with the simple procedures to close the incisions. All the complications were added along with a vague idea of the current chances of bearing a child. I did add, "This procedure is known in the future but doctors are a very conservative group. Some may accept this and even do it for you but others will not want to touch it because it is new. If you say a male of thirteen told it to you, then it would not be accepted."

"Ya, I can see that. I can try it though. Will you write down the necessary steps so that I can go over it with our doctors?"

"I will. What are we going to tell Millie now?"

"She has to know about the procedure. She will also have to know where it came from. She is my wife and has a say in this."

I could see a lot of me in Silva's attitude. He was the boss in his family and Millie the loyal and submissive wife. This was fine as long as he was always right or Millie had the chance to think of alternatives and permitted to voice them.

When we got to the Clarkson Hotel, I said, "I think Millie has to know a bit about my visions without going into the number of them."

Silva let us into the room. Millie also looked like her older self; she had a bit more weight but not much. Her smile, though, was the same as I remembered it to be. She looked to be in pain and it was easy to see that she had long practice at hiding it. Silva introduced us and I could see the questioning look in her face about finding young people as the purpose of her visit.

Helen, Aron and I were offered seats. Silva told her that he knew some people that may want to purchase some gold that I had found. He continued with a fair explanation of the medical procedure I mentioned. The bomb was dropped when he said that I had two ideas for polio vaccine in my head.

Millie asked, "You look like a boy, Alex, even if you sound older. I can't see any way anybody could know this without being a researcher."

"I was hit by lightning recently and I soon found that I had strange visions in my head. One was for the location of my gold deposit. The gold was where I saw it. I knew things about Silva and you. When I phoned you, it was as if I knew you. Silva agrees that my visions of him were correct. I saw you having troubles and having to go for an operation. Later I saw you get polio but made a recovery or nearly so. You both have to agree that I know about your problem."

"Well... yes you know about me somehow. If Silva says you know about him, then that may be true, too. I will take your word about the gold, especially since it was in the newspaper. That doesn't mean that the idea you have for my problem is correct."

"True but now you have the option of talking to many of your experts to see if they agree with me. This procedure means that you may be able to have children. It should alleviate your pain. In the worse case you would have to undergo the same hysterectomy you were going to have before. My way is much less intrusive and less risky as well."

The discussion went on for an hour and I could see that Millie was upset and so were Helen and Aron. It was very understandable why the woman would not understand this bizarre situation. If I were presented the same problem from another perspective, I too would be doubtful.

We parted soon with Silva promising to meet us later tonight for a meal at the same restaurant. I said, "Try Mario's instead. I know the family and they are serving a new dish that I told them about. You would like it."

We found ourselves on the streets now with little to do. I had one idea and walked with Helen and Aron for seven blocks till we came to a small bike shop. I steered my companions abruptly into the shop. There were long lines of bikes. Most of the bikes were Canadian or British in origin. There were no ten-speed Japanese or Italian models and would not be for many years.

I said to Aron, "I think my little brother needs a bike. Let's pick one for you." The boy really grinned now and he reminded me for more than a moment about my own son that would now never be given the chance to exist.

The boy ran through the shop looking first at the bright colours and even streamers and reflectors that were attached to the bikes. The Raleigh's had a small leather pouch behind the seat for some small tools and a three-speed Sturmey Archer hub. A cable going into the centre of the back wheel and changing the ratios as desired accomplished this.

The owner just saw three kids and ignored us as Aron and even Helen looked for bikes that he might like. Helen and Aron showed me many bikes and Aron could not make up his mind as to which he liked best. Some had balloon tires while others were thinner, the idea being that these were for racing. I somehow could not see the Tour de France using these bikes, especially in the mountainous regions.

Aron looked at the bright red CCM and the jet black Raleigh and picked the British bike. "I like this one, Alex."

The owner finally came over and only when he figured that he might have a sale did he actively try to assist us. One was in the back and still not assembled. I added a battery-powered headlight, reflectors, horn, kickstand and a rear carrier. These were mandatory in my time but the police never bothered. There were no helmets of any kind, though.

The owner tabulated the total and I started to dicker with him. It was fun, I think, for both of us. In the end I got a good pad lock, cable, a better seat for his original price. We completed the sale with the shake of his hand for the guarantee, which was good enough for me. A half hour later Aron sat on his new bike and his smile made the whole transaction worthwhile.

"Thanks, Alex, you are the best brother a guy ever had."

"That is because you are the best little brother I ever had."

His new bike fit him perfectly. He looked to be on top of the world and rode on the sidewalk. I had to make him walk the vehicle because of the foot traffic.

Helen and I walked hand in hand over the train tracks and down to the lake. We enjoyed a cool breeze of Lake Nipissing. In the distance we saw a sign for a tour boat of the lake and surrounding area. We passed by the notice and saw that the next excursion was at one o'clock and would be back by five.

A concession stand provided some ice cream cones as we continued. Aron tried to eat and ride but soon found it too difficult. I held one of the handgrips and he held the other. He was finished first and a good portion was being worn. I had the foresight to get napkins and cleaned him up. I held the dirty paper in my hand till a trash container presented itself. It was amazing how much fast food places had destroyed my world. Then there was usually paper and other debris all over but now the area was clean as if some group had come by recently and cleaned the property.

The rest of the morning was just for fun. We walked and talked, seeing some of the city. I described China town in Toronto and many other large cities. I had to use my oldest recollections, for the China town in the future sold computers and other high tech equipment. The restaurants and grocery stores featured prominently.

As a contrast I talked of modern Poland but kept the remarks to what it probably was now.

Our walk brought us by Laura's home. "Helen, can I get another friend or possibly friends to walk with us?"

She looked at the building and smiled, "Yes, I like her."

"She may not be alone but it will still be fun."

"That is fine."

They stayed downstairs and I ran up two sets of steps. I knocked on the door and waited. I had to knock again then again. Finally I heard, "Who is it?"

"Alex, I'm alone."

The door opened quickly. Laura was dressed in a housecoat and pulled me in and kissed me hard forgetting my sore face. "What do I owe that kind of greeting to?" I sniffed the air and smelt a woman in heat, or possibly women.

"Oh nothing. I am just glad to see you."

"How many guests have you in your apartment besides me?"

Laura stopped and squirmed a bit then reluctantly said, "Three."

"No wonder you are all worked up. I would be too." I moved closer and undid her belt and opened her garment. She was naked underneath and her nipples were hard. "Just the way I like you, ready for action."

I turned away from her and said out loud. "Girls, get cleaned up and dressed. We are going out to eat, then onto a lake cruise if you bring a jacket. Hurry up, Helen and Aron are downstairs waiting for all of you."

Noise was heard as people fumbled around. "Get dressed, Honey. Part of your family is waiting downstairs for you. She smiled when I asked if you could go with us."

Laura smiled too but just stayed there. I took off her garment and she readily complied, still thinking of Helen. A swat on the bum made her move and then she ran giggling into the only bath. "I am going downstairs to wait. We need transportation, too."

Helen and Aron walked to me when I emerged. "What took you so long?"

"I wasn't long, Honey. Laura had Natalie, Linda and Valerie up there with her. They were having fun."

Helen's face altered as she thought on my words. I remained quiet till she said, "They... they..."

"Yes. I think Linda and Valerie still need some support. They can't get it from a man, yet. They feel much safer with another woman. In time they may recover but it does not always happen. Women, I have found, are sometimes the stronger gender but at others very much the weaker."

"How do you see that Alex?"

"Summers picked on one or more of you and he got his way. I was being hurt and you and others jumped in and beat him severely. Doesn't that support my statement?"

Helen only held my hand and didn't answer as she searched within her mind for the answer. Only a moment more and four young women burst out of the front door and dived on us. We were all kissed multiple times and I could see poor Aron bearing up admirably. His arms, though, went around the girls as I would have done if I were his size. It must have been for stability, though.

Natalie came to me last and said, "Where are we going?"

"Mario's if you want but Rita may be there, or to another restaurant if you wish. We eat quickly and try to make it to the tour boat before it leaves." I saw that each of the girls had a jacket. Laura had extra two sweaters in her hands. I guess I would have to cuddle with the girls to keep warm. I couldn't very well have Helen and Aron get cold.

"Oh, we can get Rita. She helped us and deserves to be here."

Aron's new bike was locked in the basement even if theft was rare. We took Laura's and Natalie's cars to Mario's. Aron rode with Linda, Valerie and Natalie. I didn't think his male presence would bother them especially, since he was only eight and a few months.

The lunchtime crowd on a Saturday should not have been that great but we had to wait for a seat. Giovanni was apologetic about not having a place for us.

I said in Italian, "How about the one in the kitchen?"

His face did brighten then said, "That one is empty." We made a long procession through the restaurant and through the new 'in' door. The kitchen had changed even more from what it had been the last time I was there. Fresh paint smelled along with a tinge of pine lumber.

Mario came over to the small, cramped table and talked to us, "I used to have Saturday at noon for a rest period. Now I have to work all the time, even with more people to help."

I replied, "Pizza is probably your main dish sold now. You need to start more restaurants that sell just that dish. Cover North Bay then head for all other cities as quick as you can. Use Maria's picture as a logo. You should make a snappy name like "Pizza Hut" and sell franchises. You have to expand into the United States soon, or loose billions of dollars."

"Do you mean million?"

"No I don't, Mario. Do this and you will be rich beyond your wildest dreams. Buy into Coca Cola or Pepsi and get one to sell you their product very cheap if you only sell theirs. Remember to get a liquor licence and sell beer and wine, too."

"What's a billion?"

"Only a thousand million."

"Alex, you could do this and make the money yourself."

"It would be a lot of work. I will make so much doing other things, that you will still be poor even with all your money." Mario laughed so loud that the rest of the kitchen staff looked at him.

We were served first and got homemade wine with our meal. The newcomers to this food ate more than usual and complained good-naturedly among themselves.



-------

Chapter 15


When the meal was finished I went over to Mario and said, "I am going onto a boat tour of the lake. Is it possible to take Rita, Libra and Antonio with us?"

"They were going to work but it is ok. I can call in some other help for today."

"They may not want to come but I wanted to ask you first. I am coming back here tonight with some new friends for a meal. They're from Chicago but I think you can show them that we have better food."

"Chicago has many Calabrians like me but I took the time and learned to cook well. They just chase sheep and eat fish. Your meal will be good, Alex."

I knocked on the door upstairs and found Maria at the door. She greeted me with a kiss on each cheek and asked how I was.

"Fine mostly. Sore but I exercise a bit and the stiffness goes. I came here to take you away with me but I may have to settle for Rita, Libra and Antonio for today."

"Why do you want them?" Antonio raced to me after hearing his name mentioned. "I am going on a tour boat ride of the lake and want to take some friends."

Maria said, "I will ask them."

"I want to go mommy. Can I? I never go anywhere."

Maria wagged a finger at the boy and said simply, "Wait." Italian mothers come across as stern but were really all mush inside. Antonio had probably already found out that if he asked enough he would get what he wanted. I heard talk from the other room and two girls came running out.

Rita said, "Hi Alex, What were you asking mom?"

"I am going on a tour of Lake Nipissing. I would like you, your sister and younger brother to go with us. It's a four-hour trip. It should be lots of fun."

"I'd love to go."

She turned around to look at Libra and the girl said, "I would like to go too. Dad wants us to work this afternoon, though." Both girls' faces fell at the thought of missing this chance to see something different.

I looked at them then smiled, "Your dad said you could go." Rita and Libra jumped a bit then hugged each other.

Rita moved close and kissed me on the lips and said, "Oh thank you, Alex." She remembered where she was and backed up quickly. She looked at her mother to see how she was reacting and found her only happy to see us.

I said to Maria, "Will you run away with us for a few hours. Mario could get more help."

"It might be nice but I am an older woman and that would make this time less enjoyable for all of you." I argued but she said that she had to watch Francesco anyway.

The girls and Antonio ran for the bathroom and then for some jackets. When we got downstairs everybody was ready. Natalie even had a large basket in case we found the urge to nibble.

The cars were fuller for the last part of the trip. We hurried because it was almost the cut off time and the ship would soon depart. We pulled up into empty parking spaces and I ran for the ship. I was the first to the platform leading to the ship. I asked the captain, "Do you offer family or group discounts? We have children too."

The man looked back at all of us and said, "All of these with you?"

"Aye captain. M' crew of scallywags be off ta seek treasure," I said with one eye closed and one leg pulled up as if I had a wooden leg. "Thar be any Spanish merchantmen about?"

"We scuttled the last of them. I am afraid they are a bit shy about coming into these waters now." He counted the adults and looked at Aron and Antonio and gave me his total.

"Not all the pirates have left these waters. A few seem to be sacking the city." I paid his request anyway and we all went on. By the time I had everybody settled, I looked around for the safety equipment. There was a small notice and I saw that the craft had much less safety equipment than what was required even in the 60s.

The day was warm but the water cooled us considerably. When we got a mile away from the dock, the captain began his lecture on the various points of interest.

We talked about the nice homes on the shore and some even nicer on the islands. The smell of fish and water was stronger now as the diesel pushed us further along the shore. The girls broke up into groups and I kept an eye on Aron and Antonio. There was no chop and nobody appeared to be getting motion sick.

After an hour the boys got restless and Natalie dug into the food to give the boys something to do. An hour later they were restless and rather than give them food, I said, "Let's see if we can see from the bridge."

We walked forward and I knocked on the door. The captain answered it himself. "What would you boys like?"

"Permission to view the bridge and a chance for me to explain the instruments to my first mate and bo's'n, square riggers being our regular mode of transport."

The captain thought a moment then said, "Come in but don't touch anything. You have to be quiet too when I talk to my guests."

The boys entered and I closed the door behind me. The bridge had very few instruments: the throttle for the engine, the wheel, a compass, a clock, a chair and an old radio. Some gauges indicated oil pressure, temperature, fuel and a few more to indicate wind speed and direction.

I took the gauges in order and explained their function. I had to pick up Antonio for this so he could see. The compass I explained in detail and said a map was necessary unless the pilot or navigator knew the waters.

The captain said, "You did a fair job of explaining. Would your helmsman want to take the wheel?"

"That would be nice. Will you hold Antonio so he can see where we are going?"

The man picked up the four-year-old and Antonio held the small metal wheel. He did make a small move to one side and we could feel the ship adjust to the new heading. In a few moments Aron got a turn and could just barely see out the glass in front of him.

When we left I thanked the Captain for his indulgence. The captain had a smile and said, "Anytime."

Antonio ran back to find his sisters and tell them his experiences. When we go to the stern I found something wrong.

Natalie and Laura were sitting next to Libra. Helen stood just to one side. Helen called me over with her hand. "Alex, Libra has cramps like me."

Libra hung her head as if she was just informed she had vermin on her scalp. Laura said, "It looks like spasmodic dysmenorrhoea. There are two more hours till we get back and she is in pain. I can ask the captain for some aspirin but that will not help much.

Laura added, "You should do the same thing to her as you do for me."

I looked at my three girls and said, "You know what will happen."

Rita came to me with a pained look too. "If you can do anything for us, then do it. We are usually both at the same time." She hung her head as if she said she had done something bad.

This took a bit more thought. It was possible that I could give them some relief from their cramps and stop short of giving them an orgasm. Once I started, I did not know if I could stop without pulling away by force. The women would be embarrassed at what would happen or be angry with me through some feminine reasoning.

I knelt down in front of Libra. "I think I can get rid of your cramps in a few minutes with a massage treatment. Usually other feelings start to come to you. They are all natural and I will continue unless you want me to stop. Your sister and the other girls will be here to watch over you while this happens. Now, do you want me to massage you?"

"Will it really help, Alex?"

I said with a very serious face, "You will feel better when I am done. You will feel embarrassed a bit, too but that is natural."

"Why would I be embarrassed?"

"I have to massage the area over your ovaries. This is very close to your mons. You can only have your panties on your waist. I won't be able to see anything but I will touch your abdomen."

Helen said, "He did it for me and it really worked. He even did it again because it was so relaxing after."

Laura put her hand to her face to stop a smile. She too relaxed but only after a shattering orgasm.

Libra asked, "Are people going to see me?"

"We will use one of the blankets and all your friends will stand around you to keep anybody from seeing anything. There is hardly anybody out here on the deck anyway."

"Ok, but go easy. It hurts."

There was a padded bench in a more or less secluded area. Laura got a blanket and put it over Libra who was sitting at the very end of the bench. Her back was to me and the remainder of the bench was behind me.

Laura reached up under the blanket and opened Libra's skirt. I held the girl to me and heard her inhale as the garment parted. She was now partially naked under the blanket.

My arms went around her and moved lightly down her abdomen. She reacted to the touch over her ovaries but I thought it was from pain.

"Are you ok, Sweetie?"

"I am ok."

I moved more and after ten or so strokes I started to apply a bit more pressure. In five minutes she was starting to respond, not only to my massage but also to the erotic effects of my hands. A few more minutes and the swelling was down and Libra was pushing my hands lower with her own.

Everybody was looking away except Rita, who was staring with an open mouth. She was reacting to the sight of her sister getting very aroused.

Her hands pushed me lower and I could feel the wiry hair above her mons and Libra only exhaled when I took my hands back up her front. A few more times and her nails dug into my arms waiting for the final release but it didn't come yet.

I whispered, "Do you want me to continue, Sweetie. I may have to put my hand over your mouth."

She nodded her head and said, "Yes, yes hurry. I am so close."

"I will do this for you, Sweetie because I care for you." My fingers went a bit lower and I pulled back on the skin more and more. Libra's breathing was getting erratic and shallow.

I knew I couldn't move my hand in time when it came and Libra wouldn't let me. I called Laura who was standing with her back to us. "Laura, get ready to kiss Libra. Do it to muffle the sound as best you can." Libra, I asked, "Can Laura do this? You may cause too much noise otherwise." I only got a nod and I continued. At no time did I go into her crevice, I only came close. Her breathing got even more erratic and her contortions threw off the blanket. Her legs spread as far as they could go and then rose off the floor in spasm.

Laura was quick and held Libra's head and kissed her. Libra screamed and straightened out causing me to move backwards. I moved back up and continued to rub when I could for she was moving back and forth as if she were rowing a boat. Laura tried to leave now but was held by Libra instead.

Her peak did plateau and it was over a minute later that she started to recover. Helen saw the girl relax and bent to put he blanket back into place.

Libra finally let go of Laura and just melted into my arms. She looked asleep till she said in a weak voice. "I think you cured me Alex. Will you do it again to be sure?"

"Your sister wants to relieve her own pain now, Sweetie."

"Ok, I guess if I have to go. I need my skirt though first." Laura looked around and then picked up the blanket part way and got Libra to pick up her bum and attached the skirt. When the blanket came away Libra only had to straighten her clothes and hair. Helen helped her, as did Valerie.

Libra came over to me as I sat on the bench and used her two hands to hold me tight as she kissed me very tenderly. "I see why all the girls do what you want. You don't push and you're honest. They're all very lucky." She kissed me again and stood up to hold onto Laura.

Rita quickly got in the position her sister was just in. She worked frantically under the blanket then sat back so she could be comfortable. "Will you do me now Alex? I still have my pain too."

"Certainly, Sweetheart."

"Don't stop and don't ask questions. I am ready."

"Ready for everything?"

"Especially everything."

I reached for Rita's abdomen and felt nothing but skin. I reached up and felt that her blouse was open and her chest bare. I only touched the breasts but not the nipples. Moving lower I found that she had pushed her panties lower, too. Her pubic hairs were still thinly spaced and fine.

I moved my hands without the preliminary moves that Libra had. In only five strokes her hands were urging me lower. I said, "Not yet. That takes a special occasion where we can do it right. Now just relax."

"Just hurry Alex. I have been waiting all my life for this."

Rita's legs were as far apart as she could make them. Her breathing went from fast to sporadic, as if holding off the inevitable. Her own hands came up and pinched her nipples as she squirmed and tried to get my fingers closer to where she wanted by moving her body instead of my arms.

The girls were still providing a shield even if it was not needed at the moment. Aron and Antonio were at the far side of the ship with Aron's hand pointing off to the horizon. Helen was holding Libra and trying to get her to look away but the girl would have none of it. She wanted to see her younger sister.

Rita groaned and squirmed more and more. I knew that she would be a screamer and maybe a big one. "Helen, come here." Helen immediately abandoned Libra and came close. "Rita will be making a lot of noise, I think. Hold her head with two hands very firmly and kiss her to muffle the sound. People from all over the ship will hear her otherwise."

"Yes Alex."

I worked my hands more vigorously and soon a tempo started where Rita came close then retreated. Her body moved with more energy and soon Helen had to hold her tight and muffle the scream that I heard as very loud. The girls nearby started to cough and make noise and I hoped that this would be enough,

The blanket slipped off and now the girls could see Rita's chest and panties partway down her legs. This time Libra bent down to protect her sister's modesty but the blanket was kicked off again.

When Rita quieted, Helen just held her head to her chest as a mother would. Rita made small sounds still and seemed to be in a world of her own.

I said to Libra, "Get under the blanket and dress your sister, please."

The girl did as I asked and worked for a longer time than it took for Rita to remove the garments. When Libra came out I pushed Rita up and Helen put the bra back in place and did up the blouse. I pulled Rita up into a more comfortable position and just held her to me, while my arms came out and held her outside the blanket.

Rita eventually came around. She looked around her as if just awakening and then squirmed to kiss me. At the last second she went slowly to keep from hurting me. "Oh Alex. I love you. Take me, I am yours."

Libra heard and gasped. Others would too if they heard. The fifties were such conservative times. "We will talk later, Sweetheart. Let's just enjoy the rest of the cruise."

The girls all settled down and we used the remaining portion of the trip to make short work of some of the snacks and drink. When we docked I gave my thanks to the captain and we went to the cars. Libra and Rita held my hands and made me sit between them on the way home.

I gave Rita a kiss on the lips and then I surprised Maria by doing the same to Libra. Antonio got a hug and a kiss on the cheek. I said, "We had a good time. Antonio got to pilot the ship."

Maria said, "Everybody seems very happy. Perhaps I should have gone after all." Rita and Libra's faces fell at that.

"I think you would have enjoyed the trip."

On the way back to Laura's home, with only Aron riding with us, Laura asked, "Are you adding to your number of girlfriends?"

"I have two and maybe three women that I want to spend my life with. That is enough for me. Rita and her sister needed some help and I gave it. It was fun and it was transitory. Rita wants lots more but I want her to marry a man that will take care of her the way she deserves. By the way, how come Helen and the others are in Natalie's car?"

"Girl talk I think. Linda and Valerie were shocked at what you did and where you did it. Later they felt uncomfortable but it was not from disapproval. They... they wanted some relief of their own."

"Did they get any?"

"We aren't as adventurous or as audacious as you."

"Do men still frighten them?"

"Valerie is less so but, they are definitely not afraid of you -- or maybe they are but not the same way."

"That is good to hear. It means they are recovering. Did you hear about Summers' court date?"

"They put it off till July. They want him to recover first. We were a little angry at him for what he was doing to you and for what he put us through."

"Did your lawyer or the police talk to you about Nick's brother, Mark?"

I said, "Mr. MacNeil says a summons is on its way. The trial will be in ten days. I am trying to put off the trial a bit because I only have three days' grace between my graduating or not graduating this year."

"You never told me that before."

"I was off sick just after I started this year and then again with the lightning. To graduate, a minimum number of days are required for me to be in school. Even a court appearance may mean that I have to do grade nine over again."

"Do you think the school board will use that against you?"

"I don't know for sure but I think there is a good chance."

When we stopped the girls all wanted to kiss me goodbye. Shakespeare's words from Romeo and Juliet, 'Goodnight, goodnight! Parting is such sweet sorrow' were never more true.

Laura took Aron's new bike and the rest of us home. Aron was sure to get his own kiss before taking off with his bike. He reminded me of another book 'Roots', where the words were "free, free at last'.

Helen talked Laura into staying for a while. I had a bath and a change of clothes and then I was back downstairs to see the two girls sipping tea at the kitchen table. I came up between them and gave both a kiss on the cheek.

Laura asked, "What was that for?"

"Earlier today I told a man I met that Helen was my wife. I would say the same thing about you to him. I want both of you as my wives. This is the first time that I have acknowledged this to both of you."

Laura turned red but only a little and then she hung her head. Helen turned red but smiled. Picking up Laura's chin I continued, "This way you know how I feel about Helen and she knows how I feel about you. We are going to have a fun if turbulent life together. Our family will be in the news many times and even books will be written about us."

"Books? Why would someone do that?"

"You know about my visions. I plan on following through on many of them. I am going to find the vaccines for polio first."

The girls hung their heads so I knew that they had already talked about that. "Soon I will begin testing rocket engines and maybe I can beat the Russians into space."

"Space, how are you going to do that?"

"I think that in about six years or so the Russians will launch a very small satellite. It orbits the Earth for a few months and then burns up on re-entry. I want to do more and sooner. Rocket engine designs are in my mind as well as lightweight alloys. The electronics is there, too but that is another industry to develop first. I don't think I can do it even with the added clout as the discoverer of both polio vaccines.

"I think I will have to wait for the hysteria that the satellites produces to propel one of my aerospace industries into the forefront of the field. From there I can do my own thing to make this next frontier less of a threat than it should be."

Laura asked, "Why do you want to do that? There is nothing out there?"

"Laura, the entire universe is out there and we only have this planet. Drugs and certain chemicals can be processed in space to get much purer and less expensive products. The path of human development is to the stars as much as it is within us. There are other things to consider, too. The English controlled the oceans and thus their colonies. That undid the Germans in the war because they did not have a sizable navy. Air power is now coming into vogue. Countries will have long-range aircraft and missiles. This will keep many countries in place because of fear of large scale bombing or missile attacks.

"Space will be no different unless we make it that way. We need to have space open to all countries. This can be accomplished through the United Nations, especially if it is not completely run by just a few strong countries. Reality has to come in, though, for some countries will have to lead. I just want it to be a group of countries that at least will do something for the small countries that need aid."

Laura helped me on the next step of my work by driving me to the hotel Silva and Millie were staying at. Before I got out of the car she said, "I am glad that you want me. I will do whatever I can to help you."

I gave her a small kiss and said, "That makes me feel good inside. That also means that you are going to be stretched far beyond what you think you can do. Now go home and give my love to the girls. I will see you on Monday."

The clock showed that I was a bit early, so I sat in a comfortable chair and read the newspaper. The size of the newsprint and the typeface had changed over the years but the news never seemed to change much. Men still wanted to kill, while blue and white-collar men thought robbing was fine. Politicians were still being caught but it was actually the stupid ones, for the majority were too smart to let that happen.

In my past I had argued with many men about who had to most corrupt politicians. Canadians usually got the short end of the stick simply because our country was not as populous and the people didn't brag about how bad their leaders were. The Americans, British and French seemed to have the standing locked in. Only the Russians could beat us but that information was hard to find till after the USSR fell.

At the exact time mentioned, I knocked on Silva's door. When it opened Silva smiled and said, "Come in Alex. I see that you too are very punctual."

"I try to be. There are a lot of games played; either in meeting a superior or an inferior. There are times when people of equal standing try to do a little one-upmanship. That is not the way I will act, unless there is no other way around it." I greeted Millie, "It is nice to see that you feel better."

"How do you know that? Another of your visions?" She said.

"Your face is not pained and you are smiling more. You are also standing when you feel better. When in pain you seem to be sitting or laying down."

"I don't know how you know so much about me."

"If I had a choice I would still want to know you. I find you an interesting person." She smiled and turned red and this was from a very cosmopolitan woman that was used to having people flatter her.

Silva said, "I wanted to talk a moment before we go. Is that all right?"

"Sure." Silva pointed to a comfortable seat and then sat beside Millie on the couch.

"I want to know what you need to develop your vaccines."

"The first vaccine is with the dead or inactive viruses. There are three basic strains of polio virus that I have to acquire. There is trouble making a large enough stock of them to experiment with. They can only live inside a living host. There will be trouble in the future with the virus that comes from various kinds of monkeys. We can avoid this with a special formula I have. It allows each of the viruses to grow in an otherwise inert group of compounds.

"Once I have a large enough volume of the cultures I need centrifuges, autoclaves and mixing units. The group of viruses then needs be stabilised with more chemicals. When the culture is now inactive, it has to be bottled.

"The second vaccine needs someone to go to China to gather blood samples for a less belligerent variety of the virus. This one is weakened a bit and administered on a sugar cube or syrup. Both vaccines, as I mentioned before, are needed for good protection."

"As with all medicines, there will be a few unlucky individuals that will contract the virus from the samples administered. Most will recover, as most do at this moment. Some, though, will die or be paralysed." I lowered my head but this was actually a fact of life and could not be circumvented. "There is no way I can manufacture all the vaccines necessary. Drug companies all over the world have to produce these vaccines. Soon Europe and North America will be free of the disease but the rest of the world will not want the medicine or cannot afford it."

"Will a chemical company's lab be suitable for the first batch?"

"It will, if it is big enough; if I have complete governance over this area; and if I have access to the machinery and equipment that I need."

"My dad has a few large labs. They are in different locations. Would you make the vaccine with us?"

"I have seen some of your labs in my mind."

This shocked both Silva and Millie. "How... of course."

"I think the one outside Chicago in Woodridge would be the best. It has better security and is more isolated. I can make the vaccine with your company but there are many things still to discuss."

"Yes there is," Silva said. "We would like to get into drugs but haven't up to this time. I may be able to start a drug company and buy the equipment you need. I may also be able to get a sample of the three types of viruses."

"That would be good. I would only have to co-ordinate the effort. A staff of chemists and biologists will be needed, who all need to have had polio before. I haven't had the disease yet. Have you Silva?"

"Yes I have."

"Well, as I mentioned earlier, the cost will be around six to ten million dollars to bring this to market. The first part may be considerably less with our lower overhead and an existing infrastructure. The other part will be the full five million dollars. It will finance the field trials. Since other vaccines have come up before, the governments are going to be a bit sceptical, especially when I am so young and without a degree in medicine.

"My gold will give me a million if the auction is a success. Your father is a fair man but he is a businessman. You would have a higher position if he were not as strict with your training. I will not let him have more than ten percent of this new subsidiary. We will split the field trial costs over a period of time but he has to shoulder the majority for the next two years."

"Will you put the money from your gold into this venture?"

"Half to start with but that will be hidden. The books will show your father putting up everything. I will own 90 percent of the company we will have to start and your father can buy his share with the equipment, men and all other costs."

"I can talk to him tonight."

"Silva, don't use the phone. Wait till you have him in private. Too many ears could be on a phone line."

We made it to Mario's and the proprietor came out to greet us when we had been seated. I made the introductions and Mario said, "I am happy to meet Alex's friends. He has mentioned you have a sizable Italian community from Calabria. I want to show you that Mario's restaurant is much superior in food to any Italian restaurant you have ever been in."

Silva smiled and said, "That is a pretty tall order. How are you going to do that?"

"I am going to start with one of our simplest meals and present you with our Anglicised version. Are you familiar with pizza?"

"Yes, we have tried it a few times."

"Would you allow me to serve you various types that come only from my kitchen?"

Millie and Silva smiled and so did I. "Of course you may."

Mario bowed and left for his bastion. Silva said, "That is quite a character you have here Alex. Is he usually this way?"

"Not really. He is as hard headed as some Polish people I know, though. You may find the meal much different than you think. Mario wants to set up franchises to sell his pizza all over the world. There is a good chance that he will be much richer than what even your father is now. It will take him twenty to thirty years but if he has the drive it will happen."

"Selling his pizza?"

"Yes, just various kinds of pizza, soft drinks and possibly beer and wine. It will be in the market perception that he will do well if he starts now. He will spend a good amount of money on television coverage to get product identification and then the process should snowball into a very prosperous empire."

"Are you going to be his partner?"

"Without exaggerating, a billion dollars in fifty years is not going to be a significant portion of my worth."

The two people looked at me seeing if I was pulling their legs but I just stared at them seriously. Giovanni came out with a cart and then went back again for a large tray. A single glass pedestal was placed on the table and a small pizza sat on a ceramic plate with a silver covering. A portion was served to each of us and I picked mine up with my hands instead of using the fork and knives provided.

Silva and Millie saw me and did the same thing. Maria came out next with three glasses and a bottle of wine. She poured a glass for each of us and said, "I hope you enjoy this. Mario was dreaming up new configurations all afternoon. I am afraid you three are going to be his guinea pigs."

I introduced Maria and offered her a seat.

"I can sit for a moment but you know what a tyrant the owner of this restaurant is."

"Yes he is, all the more reason to run off with me."

"How will we live? I hear you only have a few million dollars."

"I will make more for you."

"He will just track me down. He still wants me to pose for the top of your pizza box."

"Ahh... now that is a worthy place for you: on top of a pedestal. Will you have your clothes off and make that husband of yours more money than the Rockefellers?"

"It might be fun. The Colosseum can be the backdrop," she said.

"I can see the gladiators now fighting for your favours."

The conversation went on with both of us getting more and more outrageous. Silva and Millie had stopped eating and just stared at us with their mouths open.

Maria said, "I better get back to the kitchen so he will not whip me as much." She got up and excused herself then wiggled her way into the kitchen.

Millie said, "Who was that?"

"When I introduced her I said her husband owned the restaurant."

"Were you going to run away with her?"

I could only smile and Millie brightened and finally saw that she had been taken in. "Oh you. I will get even."

In my previous life I had kept a score and she was still ahead of me by a few already. "You my lady, will get back at me far more than I would ever do to you."

Giovanni came back to us every few minutes with more of Mario's creations to sample.

Millie and Silva made appreciative comments about each of the pieces and the individual toppings. They didn't like the spicy ones but then again they were too English in character and palate.

When my guests were too full to continue, they sipped their wine and I told them more of what the future would bring but limited it to trends and fads. Our mutual fascination with old vehicles was expressed very much. Mine was well developed while Silva's was just starting.

"Alex, there is some family friends that I know of that are serving in Germany and Japan. They have fairly high ranks in the military and might be able to help us acquire some of the planes you were talking about."

"The Messerschmitt Me 262 and Me 163 I would like, if any could be found. Some spare Junkers Jumo 004 engines would come in handy. A half dozen would be great, then I'd have some spare parts. The Zero was a very innovative plane and they will be very rare in fifty years, at least the ones that are flyable."

"You want to start an air war, Alex?"

"Those are just old planes; the ones of the future make any of these look like Sopwith Camels. They would be nice to pilot, providing some old soldiers don't take it into their minds to shoot down an old enemy. Now, some German autos, like Horch or Maybach, would really be a nice way to start a collection."

It turns out that Silva had only just started to be a collector. After the meal both he and Millie were both taken with the idea. Mario came out and he was invited to sit with us. Millie was very animated in what she liked. Her hands were flying around. I though Mario would understand just with the gestures.

Mario seemed to be very proud of his creations and took well his few mistakes. He now had a list of ingredients that branched out a bit from the one I gave him before but they were just minor variations like spicy sausage or a sweet cured ham.

Giovanni brought me paper and pen and I got back on track with the polio vaccine. I made a list of the first round of equipment that was needed. The building I had in mind would need special areas for different tasks and these were laid out. The chemicals and media I would need to grow the virus were listed along with many more varieties. If Silva's father did not agree to the partnership then he would not have the formula to work with.

A further list was added with the three types of virus listed and the different criteria about each of the varieties. Green monkeys were not susceptible to some of the diseases that could be passed on in later years.

Finally I said, "Because of the laws, I have to make a drug company in your country as a subsidiary of mine here. It would be useful for you to be my representative there. You would prefer to have five percent for you and your father get the other five percent. He can hardly refuse because you are his only heir. For this venture my contribution to the research has to be hidden behind a thick and unscaleable wall of secrecy. It might be very advisable for your father to do some improvements to his office building because I am going to lease some of that area for my company. This address will get the brunt of the publicity."

"Dad might like that. He always was a showman."

"I think your dad may have more than his fill of this. Reporters will surround your house and every one of your staff will come under scrutiny. This is a great danger to our venture. I have to remain anonymous till the tests are over and the vaccine is certified for use. He will end up having to talk before congress, I think. Already, the radio shows and television want me to appear on them. They think that I am already newsworthy without hearing of my vaccine."

Silva and Millie drove me home in their rented car. They were so excited that I doubted that they could get to sleep that night. I found this managerial procedure very relaxing. Usually I told one of my managers what I needed and it happened. Soon after we had a new product or and improvement in an old one. It would be so good to find more people like Silva. The world would be so much better.

With that thought I slipped into bed between Helen and Aron. I snuggled to Helen's side and Aron moved into mine.

-------

Sunday

Sunday meant that we slept in a half hour. After having breakfast we got dressed again in our Sunday clothes and walked to church. The skies were dark, so we took our rain gear with us. As I figured, someone would be a Good Samaritan at least on Sunday.

Mr. Granger stopped and said, "Would you like a ride to church?"

I thanked the man and we all got into the car with his wife. The services were better attended than usual. I figured this was because of the threat of rain would keep them from outside activities.

Before the sermon I looked around and waved to my friends and people I should acknowledge. This was the time to make the congregation feel like a community. The Leones and a few others were not here yet.

Half way through the sermon the clouds opened wide. Father Cayer had to wait till some of the loud thunder abated before continuing. The rain came down in torrents but the services continued. Soon I was able to see some of the church members move to one side or another. Soon even more people got up and moved to other pews. Wet patches were seen in the ceiling but did not grow too large. The priest saw an opportunity here, I think and extended his talk because nobody wanted to go out into the heavy downpour.

When the basket was passed, he asked all of us to dig a bit deeper because the building needed a new roof.

The storm thankfully passed its crest and was slowing down to a steady shower. Mr Granger stood with his wife and said, "Would you like a ride home?"

"I would like that but I would like to have a word with Father Cayer for a moment, if you don't mind."

We were at the end of the line and I stepped up to our priest and said, "Hello Father Cayer. It seemed as if our Lord decided to emphasise your sermon."

"Hello Alex, it does seem that way."

"Have you looked into the costs associated with getting the roof repaired?"

"No but they are usually high."

"How much money is in the budget presently for the roof, if I may ask?"

The man looked at me questioningly and said, "After today about two hundred dollars I would think."

"Will you entrust me to get a new roof put on?"

"Alex, you are much too young for that kind of undertaking."

"Old enough to make quite a few companies that should bring jobs and prosperity into town. I think handling two hundred dollars and all else is not that much of a risk. A roof is not like opening a mine or a new type of building construction. It looks to be a simple matter to me."

"The job is too much for someone of your age." Father Cayer looked a little put out but then he looked at the adults who agreed with me. "I will think on it, my son."

"Thank you Father. I think you should hurry though. More water coming through the roof will weaken the plaster and damage the wood. I can see where the water has run in and down the walls before. Soon you will have to replace the walls along with the roof."

"Everything comes in time, my son."

"We can swap platitudes all day but the fact is the roof needs to be fixed before the water damage becomes so acute that more of the church is damaged."

After putting on our raincoats, we ran to Mr Granger's car. When we were sitting down and even before the engine started Mr Granger asked, "How are you going to get the roof done?"

"One way is to go around town and get local merchants to donate some of their merchandise. We start up a large raffle that runs for a month or so. Even before the draw is held the money is used to purchase the roofing materials. Our roof is not very high, so we can have a variation of the old Mennonite barn raising. The ladies can make meals and we can start a fair on church property. People can come by to help and sample all the different foods. I would personally judge any pie baking contests."

"Boy, that sounds interesting. I could go for that pie tasting, too," he said but got an elbow for his words.

His wife said, "You are already too fat."

"There is a field near the church that is large enough to support an arcade and perhaps we can start an annual tradition that benefits one or more of the local charities. If I talk to the city council, perhaps they can give their blessings and maybe even some assistance. We will need barricades, sanitation facilities, electrical power, water and security."

"You are thinking big, young man. Would this ever get a chance of starting?"

"It would, if the first time happens to be for our roof. We might even be able to put copper up instead of asphalt shingles. Would the two of you help me get it started? I just hope you are not going to take the same position as Father Cayer."

He looked a bit trapped but still said, "What would I have to do?"

"I would like both of you to talk to the rest of the men and women about starting this carnival fund-raiser. Be sure to include Father Cayer in the first of the public discussions but do this after you have found out how much support you will have, first. This cannot happen without some dedicated help. I can explain my ideas at parish meetings. Others will have to carry the ball, though."

"I think we can do that. Too bad this wasn't already decided because we could have talked about it here."

That afternoon the rest of the family made it back home. Helen and I had prepared a good meal, different from what we usually had.

Mom was happy and grandpa was... less nasty and less tired too. There was some animated talk going on about the mine. Izzy had installed the third unit and was presently working on the kitchen module. Lester Lenz had made a bathhouse, complete with showers and hot water. It worked well as long as the wood-fired boiler was lit up well ahead of time. A solar-heated tank painted black would do even better but that would come in a few weeks.

Dad sat at the table and asked, "Where did that new bike come from?"

Aron quickly said, "Alex bought it for me. Isn't it great? It has three speeds and it is fast. I can race with it. It has lights and everything."

Dad looked at me and said, "How much did it cost?"

"It was a gift from me to my favourite brother. The other bike was too small and it's a girl's bike anyway." Dad didn't say anything but went back to his meal. He did continue later with, "How much is all those beds and frilly stuff costing?"

"They are all a gift for my favourite family. Your good bedding was here at the house and not very useful to you, there. I saw no reason for you to rough it, when you can have at least some comforts."

Again he said nothing. I said, "Grandma, how did you like your new bed?"

"It is nice, Alex but I am used to the one with a dip in the middle now. The old one was like this and I had to get used to it then, too. The other things are nice. That man Izzy said a kitchen would be next. That I understand better and I would like to get back to cooking."

"You are going to have to get used to the new stove, too, Grandma. It will be burning propane, not wood. The fire will stay on for days if it is needed and you won't have to bring wood in to cook with. The new refrigerator will be large because of the amount of people that have to be fed."

"The old way was good enough, Alex." Others joined in her sentiments.

"The less time you spend preparing meals means the more time you have to bring in gold. The more comfortable you sleep, the better rested you will be to work. The cleaner and healthier you are, the more likely it is that you won't loose time from work with sickness. The easier I make it for each of you, the more chance you will have enjoying the rest of your lives together."

More arguments came but I thought it was just a reaction to making things easy. After all, they were strong adults that could do anything they chose to do. They sounded like kids, especially when I remembered that I was twelve years older than even Grandpa was.



-------

Chapter 16


Monday

Monday morning Helen, Aron and I rode our bikes. It was fun this way, too. We stopped to give Aron a hug and warned him to lock his bike. At school, Helen locked her bike to mine and mine was locked to a post.

Rita was waiting and gave me a hug and a surreptitious kiss, then after a moment gave Helen a hug too. "I am happy to see you. We couldn't make it to church yesterday. Dad is mad at our car. He didn't want to fix it during the rain." She paused for a moment the added, "Mom and dad found a new house close by. They want to move in soon."

"That's great. Did you pick out your bedroom?"

"It is not as good as what I have now," she said sorrowfully.

"You don't have to move out of where you are right away. Alterations, repairs and painting can be done before you move in. Maybe you can get new curtains if you get your mother to buy the material."

Rita stopped to see the room in her mind and a small smile came to her face. "I can see some other things to do, too. Maybe we can really fix up the place before we move in. I hate the smell of paint."

I went to the office to say hello to Linda and Valerie but found them missing. Laura's door was closed and I could hear crying behind it. I just leaned against the wall and waited. Other young men came by but when they saw the door closed they left. This looked to be good advice and I went too.

With a few minutes to spare I went to see Mr Creighton. We shook hands, which was something none of the other students would think of doing.

"Alex, those two salesmen came to an agreement and will work together. How good their pricing is, is yet to be determined. I can make some long distance calls to find out how good they really are."

"Yes do that. I will pay for the calls. I believe this was for six machines. Make sure all the motors are easily accessible. Hydro is still changing all the 25 Hertz motors to 60 Hertz as the power becomes available."

"Hertz? Don't you mean cycles per second? I heard that all the motors are being changed over."

"Sorry, it is a new way of doing things. Most everything will be changed in electricity to reflect the pioneers. It is like Ohms, Coulombs, Henrys and Faradays."

"I remember hearing about those in specifications."

"If the quotes are in line, ask them to order the half dozen to start. I can write a cheque when you give me the total."

"That may be up to $20,000 Alex."

"You can't make money without spending money. I need to get a contract to make the various tooling necessary. If we get that thrown in with the overall price, it will be more effectively captured." I looked at the clock and added, "I have to run, Sir."

"Ok, run along. I will check into this in my next spare time."

The only good thing with the morning classes was draughting. The modules had long since been drawn with variations for the different functions. I had even made a room for showers and another exclusively for sinks, toilets and urinals. As a variation, the floor and walls were altered and an undercarriage used so the trailer could be towed on its own wheels. This would be much cheaper to transport.

Transportation was another factor that I would have to consider. Silva was going to be going home after one more chance to talk tonight. An effective method of carrying the gold over the border had to be found. You would think that any country would welcome the gold, especially if many other countries were sending in their US dollars for the gold all ready. Bureaucracy and some foolish regulations made this sort of thing much more difficult than it really had to be.

I did brighten up when I considered the truck being useful for the upcoming moving of the Leone family. The appliances had to be trucked to the mine site and installed. The truck would be a useful addition to our vehicles. Stake trucks with a canvas tarp were the most common and one more use for the truck came to mind.

I cut my lunch short so I could see Laura. When I went to her station I found her very upset. "What is wrong, Laura?"

"Ahh... Oh maybe you can help. Linda is very upset. She seemed to recover when Summers was put in the hospital. The police upset her a bit more but she seemed to recover nicely, especially when she went on the trip together. Her period hasn't come yet and I think Rita and Libra reminded her of that fact. She is worried that she is pregnant by Summers."

"She just has to go to a doctor and take a simple test."

"You don't understand Alex. She is afraid of doctors."

"Is she afraid of me?"

"I don't think so."

"Well I can take a blood sample and drop it off at Doctor Smiles office. The only thing wrong is that he will be off for a few weeks on vacation and won't be able to give us the lab report. Too bad we can't have a simple chorionic gonadotropin test and we would know almost immediately."

"A what test?"

"A test that shows the amount of chorionic gonadotropin in the blood. This hormone stimulates the corpus luteum, preventing it from dying in early pregnancy. Even a haemagglutination test would find what we need. I think I will just have to make a home pregnancy test. It would be another good product to sell. Too bad I don't have it yet."

"Sometimes you worry me Alex. You are a young man and then you seem to know more than any doctor I ever met. I don't know what we are going to do with Linda, though. I'm afraid for her."

"Do you think she may do something drastic?"

"I'm not sure. I did warn Valerie to watch out for her. Valerie is upset too and much of it is her own worry of being pregnant."

"Shit, I am going to have to talk to Mr Corfu now."

"You can't do that. The girls confided in me."

"You just said that Valerie had to watch Linda because you were worried about her. I am just as worried and I have to do something about it. You do not have the same doctor patient status under the law."

I ran to the office and the few people that saw me must have wondered what was happening. Just shy of the doors I slowed down and entered the front of the office. Laura and Valerie were not present.

Mrs Cranston got up with a worried look. I must not have taken the expression off my face in time.

"Hello Alex. What can I do for you?"

"Two things Mrs Cranston. Where are Laura and Valerie?"

"They are taking a break. They are having a tea in our small lounge. Do you want me to get them for you?"

"Not right now, thanks. Would you see if Mr Corfu will see me? It is very important. Then go to your lounge and see if Linda and even Valerie are all right. Please don't let on that you are worried or doing this at someone else's request. I am worried about their mental stability."

"Oh my. Is this serious?"

"Possibly very serious. Now please get Mr Corfu." Mrs Cranston just opened the Principal's door and talked for a few seconds then waved me in.

Mr Corfu had a worried look on his face and a napkin in his shirt collar. He took the latter out and said, "What is wrong Alex?"

I closed the door and got close to him. "Summers' legacy may turn out to be more than just physical and mental troubles. Linda and Valerie are late with their periods and are worried that they may be carrying his children. At a time like this their periods can be extra heavy or just not have one. It might also be that they have a good reason to worry."

The man stood up. "What else is there Alex? I can tell there is something."

"From hearsay evidence I think Linda may be contemplating taking some very drastic measures."

"Abortion?"

"No, possibly suicide. Linda is much more distraught than I figured."

"What am I going to do?" He said more to himself than me. He looked up to me with a very worried face and said, "You have any ideas?"

"The girls and especially Linda, need to be watched. They need to have structure too so they have to continue working. Keeping them busy is best but they may not be very productive. This means that you may have to get an extra secretary or even two for the final month of school. They need to be either motherly for Linda or a young girl with a head on her shoulders to watch out for Valerie. These secretaries should be counsellors, if the board hires any."

"You may get some static from the office. Tell them that I believe that they are responsible for watching out for not only the students but also the employees. If they can't take that hint they are seriously in trouble."

"How do you know this?"

"I talked to the school nurse. She is not a psychiatrist or even a psychologist but she can see a possible danger and asked Valerie to watch out for Linda. Rape makes people contemplate many odd things and the thoughts of their life being altered by an unwanted child may just push them over the edge."

Mr Corfu said, "I better go out and check myself."

"Yes you should but it may be advisable to have your words carefully picked out ahead of time. I don't think it advisable to let them know you are going to put them on suicide watch."

The man looked at me oddly. He had probably never heard the term before. "Ok, I want to go. Are you coming with me?"

"Yes, I am."

We walked down the hall to the small lounge. The room was full of cigarette smoke and I knew that Linda didn't smoke before. She now sat with one between her fingers. It was easy to see that both girls had been crying. Not only were their faces streaked but their hair and clothing was unkempt as if they didn't care any more. Even Mrs Cranston was there and she was as bad as the other two. I was sure that if a bottle had been present, it would have been empty by now.

There were lots of things I wanted to say but the fact was that I just couldn't mention them now and not in front of these two others. The two girls didn't even seem to notice yet that we were there. I bent down and took the cigarette from the startled girl's fingers and stubbed it out in the ashtray on the table.

"Hello ladies. Mrs Cranston, would you take Linda into the washroom and help her clean up a bit. Linda, Valerie and I will be going out soon and I want her to look her best."

Mrs Cranston and then everybody else, just stared again. "Yes, we are going out for some fresh air and won't be back today. Valerie, we will need to talk very seriously on this matter. Mr Corfu, I hope Linda and Valerie will not be docked any pay."

"Ah... no. There is no problem with that. Are you going to be all right, Alex? Linda, will you be all right with this young man?"

For the first time that any of the girls spoke, she said, "I am safe with Alex."

The bell just rang and I ignored it. "Linda is going to have a rest after a little walk."

Mrs Cranston took Linda by the arm and directed her to the small staff washroom. Linda looked back at me as if she were leaving me forever. When they were behind a closed door I continued, "I will phone about any developments. We actually have many things to do."

Mr Corfu asked, "What are those?"

"A trip to the doctors for a test..."

Valerie interrupted, "She is afraid of doctors."

I smiled at her and said, "I will see what I can do about curing that too. You are going to have to be strong to help prop up our friend. You should go get cleaned up too. We are going to see Miss Vachon, then we will be on our way."

Valerie looked at me uncertainly. Finally she looked down at her cigarette and put it out in the ashtray. A moment later she was on her way to the same washroom as Linda.

Mr Corfu said, "I didn't know what to say to them when I got into the room. It is easy to see that they were all very upset. I think Miss Vachon made an accurate assessment. Linda looked to be on the very edge. I hope you know what you are doing. I would have called in some professionals."

"We are going there too. Police departments are not very responsive to the needs of a rape victim. There should be some female officers on a special team and a group or counsellors on call to ease some of the troubles. The girls just need someone to show them what to do and as you know I am that kind of person."

Mr Corfu looked sceptical. I took the next few moments to lay out all the things that should be done after a crisis like this happened, including the rape kit that had not even been invented yet. The simple form was not even made that would guide the investigator through all the pitfalls to get at as much of the truth as possible.

At the end I said, "It is not just the schools that have to respond to a victim's needs but the police, the medical profession and even society in general. Too often not enough weight is given this situation."

Mr Corfu said, "I never looked at it very deeply before. There seems to be a fair amount of logic behind your arguments. It appears to be our perception of the way a woman is viewed in our society." It was my turn to smile. Perhaps it was not going to be that hard to change some people's views as to what was right or wrong.

"You are very correct sir. Women will soon be gaining more rights and privileges and I think the pendulum will swing the other way for a while. Men will feel that they are the injured parties. Eventually things will even out but I have no idea when."

The door opened then and Valerie then Linda came out. It looked like both Valerie and Mrs Cranston had worked on Linda. The frightened look in her eye told me that it was all a sham and she could collapse at any moment.

Each of the girls got a kiss, even Mrs Cranston. The halls were now clear and we had an easy time going to Laura's office. I held their hands and at the open classroom doors I felt them squeeze me as if they were frightened what of who could jump out at them.

Laura jumped up as soon as we got into the room and Linda broke down immediately and started to cry. Valerie was not far behind her in this outpouring of emotion. Soon Laura was doing the same thing. I was there to hug each of them and give what support I could. Even though the sentiments were contagious I had to appear strong for the rest.

When the sobbing slowed down. Laura asked, "How come you are here now Alex? Your classes have started."

"I am taking these two ladies for a walk and then for some business. I never really skipped school before but this will be my first time."

"You can't miss any school Alex. You will not graduate."

"I have a small amount of leeway and perhaps Mr Corfu will fudge the records so I will not get penalised. Would you be able to come with us?" I left unsaid that she would be able to give her support in many ways. I couldn't see the girls leaning on me as much as they would on Laura.

She thought for a minute and the pregnant pause was a pun I didn't want to verbally use. "I have some time coming. If you need me, I will go with you." The other girls hugged her to them as if she were their mother in some way. "I just have to clear it with Mr Corfu." She made a quick phone call and nodded her head to what was said on the other end of the line as if he could see her.

She was soon grabbing her purse and looking around to see if anything was left undone. I wrote a small note to Helen and took two adhesive bandages from a bottle of them.

Laura got on the other side of Linda and held her hand too. We must have been an odd sight walking down the hall all hand in hand. It felt good to me, too, for they were some of the prettiest girls in the school.

I went to the bikes and wrapped the message around the crossbar and taped it to place with the two bandages. Helen would now know not to wait for me.

When we were all seated in the car Laura asked, "Where are we going?"

"Your apartment first, so you can change and we can clean up my girls. Then we are going downtown to shop for some clothing."

"Yes, Alex."

Laura gave me the look but did drive where I wanted. Once in her apartment I went to the closet and found it much fuller than it was before. I picked out the dresses I wanted and laid them on the bed.

Laura smiled and stepped out of her dress and took off her white stockings. She said, "Which one do you want me to wear Alex?"

I said, "The red dress. You will look hot. It shows your breasts and I feel even prouder to be showing you off to the rest of the population."

She smiled and got behind Valerie and started to undo Valerie's dress without even dressing herself first. The girl did not even understand what was happening to her until the dress was at her ankles and then she put her hands to her body to keep my eyes from seeing too much.

I walked close and took each of her hands in mine. "You have nothing to hide from me. Now stand up proud like Laura. You are with me now and I will be strong enough for both of us." She did come to her senses and stood straight. While keeping her arms straight up I inspected her body. The bra was what was commonly available and so were the cotton panties. Maybe it would be fun to get even these things changed.

"You are pretty, too. I would be happy to be seen in the company of such beautiful women. Now turn around; I want to see your bum." Valerie made a quick indrawn breath but then did as I asked. My hand on her bum only made her flinch a bit then she even wiggled a bit for me.

"Hmmm nice." When Valerie completed her turn I pulled her face to me and gave her a gentle kiss. "I want you to wear the red and white dress I left out. The belt will draw attention to your bum and I like that. Leave the top two buttons undone, Sweetie."

"Ah... ok."

"Say 'yes. Alex' the way Laura does, Sweetie."

"Yes, Alex," she said with a small chuckle and the first smile I saw on her today.

"Laura, Valerie's shoulders look tense. Will you massage them to get her to relax before she dresses?"

"Yes, Alex," I heard with another chuckle. Laura got behind Valerie and caressed more than she was massaging and this was exactly what I was looking for.

Linda just stood with her mouth open watching what was happening. I walked close to her and bent down a bit to hold each of her hands in mine. I looked into her surprised eyes and said, "Linda, I am a boy in body and I will not hurt you. Do you believe me?"

"I guess," she said after a moment.

"Say 'yes, Alex', Honey. Now I have to explain something to you." I waited and soon she replied the way I wanted and I smiled at her.

"Most people need to feel that they are in charge, especially now. You are not managing well enough at the moment and you are having problems. You need somebody who is strong to look out for you till you recover. Now, do you think I am smart enough to take care of a pretty girl till she can get back on her feet?"

Again I just waited till she said, "You are smart, Alex."

Before she could say more and spoil it I asked, "Do you think that you need some assistance till you can carry on with your life?"

Again I got the pause but I waited. This forced her to talk and she said, "I have problems now. You are right."

"Good, then I will be you mommy for the next few months. Do you agree?" I got a better smile and then she gave a small nod. "If you mean it baby, say 'yes, Alex'."

There was another pause because actually putting this into words was much more difficult than giving a nod that could be construed as almost anything. The wait was long but I finally heard a weak, "Yes, Alex."

"Thank you baby for putting yourself in my hands. I will not hurt you but I may spank your bum if you are a bad girl." This got a surprised expression. I continued, "Let's go to the bathroom. Laura has to work deeper on Valerie's shoulders and will need the bed for a while."

I didn't give anyone time enough to think and walked backwards into the bathroom pulling Linda after me. I put the toilet seat down then sat her. I bent over and took off her shoes as if she were incapable of doing this herself. I pulled her up and started to undo the buttons on her blouse. Her hands came up to stop me.

"You are my baby, now behave. I will not hurt you." Her hands went reluctantly down and I continued to unbutton her. She became docile after the garment came off and was placed on the sink. The skirt came next and Linda just stood stunned at what was happening to her.

I pulled back the shower curtains and started the water till it was warm. Linda watched the water flow into the tub as I undid her bra and she mechanically helped me. The stockings came next and then she came alive as I got her panties halfway down her legs.

"What are you doing?" She asked in a worried voice.

"I love the smell of my baby but I hate the smell of cigarette smoke. I am going to give you a shampoo and then wash your back. If you want, you can wash my hair, too. When we go out, you will have a nice smell about you. Now, lift your right leg." She did this and then the other and she was naked before me. Rather than gawk I just took off my own clothes and put them on the sink beside Linda's.

When I was as naked as she was, she looked at my waist and found me still dormant. This seemed to make her feel better. I helped her into the shower and made sure all the towels and soap were ready.

After pulling plastic curtain closed I directed her under the spray and got her wet. I pushed her down as Summers must have but this time she was looking away from me. The shampoo went into my hands and I started to massage it into her long hair. The only thing she did was to put her arms out to steady herself.

I washed her hair a second time and dug my fingers more forcefully into her scalp and I heard her groan in contentment. When she stood up to get her hair rinsed, I continued with some conditioner. Looking at the bottle I knew that the product could be vastly improved. When she stood up the last time, I started to wash her back but used my hands, not the cloth that was available.

When her back and arms were done I simply stooped down and did her long legs. When I got to their juncture I simply said, "Put a foot on the edge of the tub. I have to clean the other parts too."

She did this quite quickly and I cleaned her professionally but again with only my hands and some soap. The creases in her mons and even her anus were not missed. She flinched a bit but not very much. I did notice that she moved back just a bit when I was doing the latter job.

With her foot back down, I turned her around and started to do her neck and chest. Her nipples stood up but I did not linger on them. I wanted to let her start trusting me to take care of her without seducing her at the same time. I still remembered my talk with Laura about Linda. She was very fragile at the moment and I did not want to take advantage of her at this time. If and when, she recovered, then it would be a different thing.

I did linger at her navel and she giggled at this. Her underarms were similarly ticklish but I did manage to wash her. I used the cloth with care on her face to keep soap from getting in her eyes.

When she was done, I rinsed her all over again and this meant that her leg had to go back on the tub. This time I was in front of her and her other leg had been moved.

I shut off the water again and handed her the shampoo. "You are squeaky clean, the way I want you, baby. Now you do mommy please."

Her hands followed mine as if she had memorised all my movements, even to the times I had to raise my leg to the side of the tub. To be fair I wiggled as if I was as ticklish as she was.

When we got out of the tub I began to use the towel to dry her hair and then her body. She returned the favour with just as much love as I had put into it. I straightened out the bath and opened the door. Linda was shocked that somebody was going to see her naked this time, even though I knew she had made love to the others many times before.

The clothes went on a vinyl-covered chair and the two damp towels got hung up to dry. I took one more towel and walked to the now-closed bedroom door. I could hear groans and entreaties and just waited a few feet away. Linda heard the sounds also and she turned red.

When the orgasm came I waited a bit longer to let it subside before I knocked lightly on the door. "I need the bedroom to dress my baby. She is cold out here," I said while looking at Linda's erect nipples.

There was a commotion and soon Laura came to the door. She was both naked and flushed. Her hair was a mess and the room smelt of women in heat. A look at the bed showed Valerie the same way but she was hiding under the sheet and blanket on an otherwise hot day.

I said, "You two go have a quick shower. And no more funny business till tonight, we have to hurry."

Laura said, "Oh you are cruel, Alex. We were just getting to the good part." She walked to the side of the bed, yanked the coverings down and pulled the naked woman with her to the washroom.

As they left the room Valerie looked back at me with a look of wonder.

I put the dry towel on the vanity chair and turned it around. I put out my hand and Linda reluctantly came to me. I manoeuvred her body so she sat with her legs spread by the back of the chair. I started with a brush to get the tangles out and then used the hair dryer to complete the job. I put her hair into a ponytail, which was the current fad.

Linda was quiet throughout the work. She only groaned while resting her head on the back of the chair. I could see in the mirror that her eyes were closed and she had a small smile on her lips.

Her eyes flashed open when I said, "Stand up baby." She did as I requested and I sat her on the edge of the bed and then made her lay back. I used the brush on her bush and did it in a seductive way. She was about to call me to her when I stopped and picked out a pair of Laura's panties and slipped them on my little girl.

I dressed her as I wished and when I found two simple barrettes I placed them in her hair. With her now fully dressed, apart from nylons and shoes, I said, "You look very beautiful, Baby. It is a pleasure to take care of you. You don't have colic, no teething problems and best of all: you can change your own diapers."

Linda simply had enough now and hugged my naked form to her and started to cry. The sounds were different now and I thought that this cry would be good for her.

The other two came in wearing their towels for modesty. They could see Linda crying on me and I ran my hands up and down her back. I got her to sit on the bed and I said, "I have others to take care of, too, my sweet little baby."

I went over to the two, took Valerie's hand and led her to the chair that Linda just left. She put up only a token resistance when I took her towel from her and I got her to sit as Linda had. Soon I had her hair straightened out and was beginning to dry it. Laura was making comments about how they should keep me naked in this room to do this service for them all the time.

When Valerie was done with, I got her to sit on the bed and I did her pubic bush and dressed her the same as Linda. The only thing different was the hairstyle and the choice of clothes.

Laura was in the chair waiting when I turned around. The brush was in her hand and it was over her shoulder offering it to me. Her hair got more strokes because of its length but all too soon her hair was done. She hurried to the bed and lay back to get her pubic hair done, too. I gave her a few strokes before throwing her legs over my shoulders and starting to suck her clit wildly. There was enough lubrication from her, so that I could wiggle a finger into her anus. Within four minutes she was beginning to crest.

I moved my hand frantically to Linda. She got the idea and bent over to kiss Laura. That was all it took, for Laura shook very hard and squeezed Linda frantically. When she calmed down I got up and started dressing her quickly. When she came fully around she was almost ready to go out.

I disappeared back to the bathroom to get cleaned up, then put on my clothes when I came out. The girls did not seem to have moved. They were talking a mile a minute, though. Or, I should say, Laura was and the rest were avidly listening. I thought that most of this subject would have been covered last Sunday after they left our boat tour.

"Come on, my girls. It is time to go. I want to get some shopping in, too."

Laura drove us to Doctor Smiles' office and I sat all the girls down and had to stand myself. Linda was very frightened and held onto Valerie as if her life depended on it. I told Janice, "We just need some simple blood work."

She looked piercingly at me, then at the three young women and then back at me again before saying, "All of you, come into one of the Doc's exam rooms."

When we were in the more private areas Janice continued, "What is this about?"

"Linda and Valerie have not had their periods yet. It may be from the effects they had to go through or possibly worse. Linda is frightened of doctors for some reason but we still need to get proof one way or another."

Janice thought for a moment and said, "I can draw the sample, if that will help."

We both looked at Linda but she shook her head and even hid it against Valerie. This really needed to be done and I went to her and said, "Linda, listen to me." When she looked, I continued, "You need to do this. May I do it?"

I got a stunned look and I jumped on the indecision. I turned to Janice and asked for what I wanted. Linda was seated very quickly and I cleaned off her arm and tied the real rubber hose around her arm. I took the first sample as Laura distracted Linda with some talk. I changed the vials two more times and took more samples. When the needle was removed I put a cotton ball on her arm and bent her arm to put pressure on the small incision to allow it to clot.

I filled out the three forms and put down what I wanted tested for.

Valerie got the same treatment and I filled out the forms similarly. Even Laura got two vials drawn but this time I didn't have to fill one out for a pregnancy assessment.

"When can these get back?"

Janice looked at the last two requests and saw that they were similar. "Five days I am afraid. We will be gone by then."

"You gave me the key. If am allowed read the reports, I can tell the girls."

"I don't see that as a problem, Alex. I do wonder, though, how proficiently you took the samples. Even that old Doc of mine doesn't do it any better."

"I just care for the girls as much as Doctor Smiles cares for his patients." I did a bit more to explain where I found out how to do this but I would not have had any experience to do this.

Janice more or less gave up for now and then said, "Your supplies came in. Do you want them now?"

"Thanks Janice."

We stepped out into the aisle and met the doc probably wondering what happened to his next patient. I smiled and shook his hand. The girls did too, even Linda now that he was not going to do anything to her. Janice told him what I had done and even showed him the samples. He looked at the writing and said, "These look to be filled out correctly too. One day we are going to have a long talk, Alex."

"I would like that but I would like to put it off till after I get back to school."

"That suits me fine, young man. Did this old woman tell you that your supplies arrived?"

"Yes she did, sir. We were just going to get them. The woman I mentioned previously will be taking the information to her own physicians to see how valid the procedure might be."

"Well, good luck, Alex. Maybe they will name the procedure after you."

"I am afraid I will have to hide my light for a long time to come, Doctor Smiles. My life would be miserable if people found out."

"Alex, one procedure is not that much to be proud of. It is still nice but that will not make you famous."

"You are right but this summer there will be something else and that will cause complications."

I didn't say anything further. Perhaps Janice would remember our talk of polio but she must think that to be just a bit of bravado from a young man. I picked up my things and paid for them along with the cost of the tests I wanted.

On the way to the department store, Laura asked, "What were the tests for?"

"Just to keep my girls safe." I wanted the matter dropped and Laura was smart enough to do this.

Steadman's was the largest department store in North Bay. By the mid seventies its 8000 square feet of floor area was not enough to make it profitable. It had an upper floor but that was devoted to storage and was too hard to manage. The floor was all hardwood but it had buckled badly and it was like walking across wooden waves going from one place to another.

Laura parked on Fraser and we only had a short walk down Main Street to the department store.

I steered them to the dress section and I picked out the clothes I thought they would look good in. They had their own ideas but they were still a little more risqué than what was normally worn. I liked my girls to appear daring but to make it look like they were trying to keep me interested and not to pick up others.

They tried on many outfits and I was obliged to see how well they fit. On occasion, I would run my hands over their bodies when the saleswoman was not looking. They each got a new outfit and then we walked to the lingerie section.

Here, too, I had to give my assessments but I put my foot down and made them take some sexy under garments and some utility ones for work. The ones that looked nice were usually thin-strapped and did not do as good a job at supporting. They were all young still but it was better to get this support when young, or they would look like some of those women who had teats to their waist by the time they were forty.

The panties, though, were fair and I had some ideas about the 'French' versions, which were from that sexually more adventurous country in Europe.

This building reminded me of Wal-Mart in my time. It sure wasn't the size but the number of people per square foot. Wal-Mart also made a lot of money after expanding to many countries. This, too, would be a good idea to start.

Time was running out. School was just ending and I still had an appointment with Silva and Millie to make. Shoes were next and I tried to find some sexy apparel for them. The selection was not what it would be in Toronto or New York and in the 50s any small impropriety was looked down on but, strangely, rape was still not quite seen that way.

The girls did hurry and came to the hotel with me. Silva and Millie looked a few times at the bevy of beauties I had with me. After we decided to eat at the hotel, I phoned Natalie and asked her to join us. When she agreed, I asked her to phone ahead and pick up Helen and Aron. They would only have been at home for half an hour or so.

Millie made a bit of a distraction and I used that to mention to Silva who was and who wasn't, privy to my visions. I simply told that I had to be with the girls at the moment without going into specifics.

When we were together Silva mentioned that he had talked to his father but that he had only talked in general terms, himself. The gold had not been mentioned but the cash it would bring had.

As expected, his father did want to get a piece of a drug company or start one himself. He had promised to look out for some suitable people to man the labs.

We all sat in the hotel dining room when I saw Derrick shaking hands with a well-dressed man after coming out of his office. I waved Derrick over and he smiled widely and came. He said, "Funny meeting you here. Sign these papers and make out some cheques for me."

I introduced him around the table. Then looked at the documents and saw that he had certainly got favourable terms. The price was good and the family even got to keep the second mortgage at a cheap rate. The profit history showed a downhill trend but a new management and an influx of people would certainly make more money for me than it cost to carry the building. I signed the papers and then made out a cheque for only two thousand dollars as a down payment. The other papers were for different properties and one was the building Natalie lived in. It seemed that Derrick had a knack for negotiating.

"Derrick, I would like you to stay for a few moments and have a bite to eat with us. We are discussing the drug company."

The new subsidiary in Illinois got mentioned prominently and I stressed the need to get some local legal talent to start the proceedings there. He was to assume that Silva's father would be willing to host the enterprise, both monetarily and physically. Derrick said he would look for a suitable person through his contacts.

Natalie, Helen and Aron arrived and I waved them over to sit with us. Aron had a big smile for the girls and they had a good one for him too. We sat around the table for an hour eating and discussing some of the ways I could get screwed again. Silva put in his own thoughts on the matter and in a touching way told me to watch out for his father's business practices.

When the time came to pay the bill, Derrick wanted to do it. When I asked why, when I would have to pay for it anyway, he said, "This hotel is not quite yours yet. My bill can be written off easier, if I had to check out the facilities with the new owner."

I agreed and Aron asked what this was all about. Derrick replied, "Your brother is buying this building. The cheque he just gave me is for the down payment. If the population grows as we think it will, then this hotel will be a good asset. I wish I had seen this before meeting your brother because I would have liked to get my hands on it."

Aron turned to me, "Did you buy this place?"

"The bank and I own it -- or at least will when the papers are signed." I looked at Derrick and said, "I need to start a management company to assist me in running all these properties."

Helen didn't know what to say and the other girls were just as bad.

Silva asked, "Why are you buying, Alex?"

"The city is growing. I have much more clout as a property owner and an employer. Some things have to get changed and this is the usual way it is done. A coalition of poor people can get some action but landowners get listened to even more."

Live music from the far room caught my attention and a way of having some private chats occurred to me. "There seems to be some music in the far room. Would the ladies like to adjourn to it for a while?" The smiles I got didn't really need a verbal reply. Derrick paid the bill and got a receipt.

The dancing floor was empty and only a few tables were occupied. I asked Millie to dance and suggested that the gentlemen get moving, too. Millie was a little shocked at my being so forward but she did agree.

On the floor I said, "You look better today, Millie."

"It comes and goes. At least I have hope now that there is a chance for me."

"More than a chance, Millie. There are new fertility drugs coming that will assist men and women to have children."

"I haven't heard of those yet Alex."

"They are in my head still. There are many ideas just bursting to get out. Some are tranquillisers that should make me many millions of dollars. Another is a birth control pill taken orally. Margaret Sanger and Katherine McCormick are going to push for this to be developed. It will cost about five million dollars but I know all the shortcuts and the solutions to the problems they will have for the next fifty years. In the future there is a pill that allows only one menstrual period a year. That means no cramps or mood swings or at least twelve fewer of them."

"That is fantastic. Some women I know are worried about having too many kids while others are like me and want to start. Are these pills safe?"

"Very safe. They even protect from a few kinds of cancer and even alleviate moderate forms of acne. This pill will revolutionize the way the world is. There will be some opposition to getting the pill introduced, though."

"Why would anyone want to do that?"

"My church will only support the rhythm method as a contraceptive. Some governments see a large population as power. The trouble from this is that in a hundred years there will be eleven and a half trillion people on this planet."

Millie was shocked and stopped dancing for a moment then started again. "How can we feed all those?"

"Feeding can be done but not if they all want a nice house, a car, electricity and natural gas. Think of just the amount of copper that would be needed to supply power and phone lines to all those people."

"I can't imagine that," she said. "It probably means a war. That is the usual way for one country to get the treasures of another country."

"Yes, that will happen. Iraq will invade because it was provoked into it and then the United States will come in and push them back. The Iraqis are backward and this will help some of their people gain a freedom that only the rich enjoyed. The main reason for the intervention, though, was to secure the oil fields so that the bounty would continue flowing. It is simply the way humans are and I doubt if we can ever change at least for more than a generation."

"You make it sound acceptable Alex."

"I have to accept it. Too many people see some ideals and strive for them without taking human nature into the equation. Look at Communism. It is a great way to live but the system will never survive for long because people will just take as much as they can and contribute as little as possible."

"Not all are like that."

"True but most are."

When the dance ended I went back to our seats and found that Aron had not done his duty. "Aron, you are supposed to be a gentleman. These young ladies like to dance." He hung his head but I could still see a small smile forming.

Linda was next and I found she was not nearly as good a dancer as Millie. This was a slow dance and she held me to her but not as tight as I wished. Derrick, Silva and even Aron were now dancing on the floor with new partners.

"Linda, am I still the person that will guide you for a while?" I could feel her nod and I continued, "Please use words. That way it is more of a binding commitment than a nod."

"Yes, Alex. I feel good being here with you. And I have felt better than I have for quite a while."

"That is very good to hear. I have resources that you have no idea of. For the next while, you will do nothing that is important unless you talk to me or to Laura. No matter what happens, I have a solution to your problem. Do you understand what I am saying?"

"I do. I don't know how come you are so smart but I will do as you and Laura say."

"Good, then here is what I want you to do tonight..."

"You want me to what?"

"You heard me baby. Do it tonight if you can and tell her it is from me too."

"I can't do that. That is..."

I held Linda's face in my hands. "You are my girl and I want you to do this for me. Will you try?"

She hung her head in shame and was very red. "I will try." She got a kiss for her effort and we continued to dance. She still thought that I didn't know about their girl/girl activities.

The next dance was more energetic and some of the ladies had even got up and were dancing together. I snagged Natalie before Aron could get her but he good-naturedly went for another.

During our dance I told her what I had done today and why. She liked the idea of our shopping and I promised her the same thing if I got to check the proper fit of the garments. She moved close for a second and felt me with her hand. Then said, "I could use all the help I can get."

I got to dance with all the ladies at least once. Since Silva was leaving tomorrow we broke up early. Laura and Natalie made sure everybody made it home, while Derrick and the Cranz stayed to complete our talk in their room.

More notes were made and I stated my objectives so that there would be no misunderstanding later. We discussed and listed other products we could make and their probable cost and profit. Contraceptives, including RU 486 -- also known as Mifepristone, the day-after pill -- were mentioned. Prozac was brought up next, along with Viagra and Ritalin. A home pregnancy kit had to be factored in. Zyban was one of the drugs I really wanted because it would cut down on the amount of people dying form cancer associated with smoking. Some drugs had other uses and once they cleared what would eventually become the Food and Drug Administration, they would get a new name and an actual extension in their patents.

Silva had mentioned that his father was bald and I added Minoxidil to the list of drugs for him. I warned again that these and other compounds would be licensed to the American subsidiary and Silva's father would have to pay for the privilege of using them.

Derrick drove me to the school and I picked up my bike. I was surprised to see that nothing had been done to it. We put it into his car and he drove me home. I was late as usual when discussing business. I felt good about this venture and hoped I had gathered enough allies to offset all the opposition I would get.

Most countries in the world were and are, very conservative. They cling tenaciously to their religious beliefs and point a ridiculing finger at others with only slightly different customs. At times it reminded me of one group of monkeys attacking another group because they had a tail. The introduction of birth control methods got people thrown into jail for just printing pamphlets. And this was less than fifteen years ago. When the actual means came out, there would be a fundamentalist uprising that had to be countered.

Some good feminists would make great allies but later they would change their objectives and ridicule what happened the previous decade. They were a good foil to use against the male-dominated legal system. If the process could be controlled, then the correct laws might be put into place.

After getting out of the car I asked, "I would like to take a look at the Clarkson tomorrow. I assume that they have accepted the offer and the cheque was the final commitment on my part."

"Yes it was. The papers will be signed tomorrow morning. There is a clause that the management continues for one month, minimum but the owner wants to leave after one week. I am sending over two accountants tomorrow to get an up-to-the-minute accounting of the assets. Money and other things usually go missing at the time of a change in ownership."

"That was a good idea with the accountants. What time is convenient?"

"The wife would like me home for the meal. How about six thirty or seven? It will probably be the latter though."

"That sounds fine."

In moments, I was snuggled up to Helen, holding her to me as my hand came over and held her young breast. Aron just stayed close knowing that I was there for him.



-------

Chapter 17


Tuesday

The next morning we left a bit early to get to school. I went to our rural mailbox and put the contents into my pack. I did notice a few letters for me and one was postmarked Toronto from Mr Ciesla, my patent attorney.

At school I talked to Rita about my absence but I didn't go into any detail. She had done her own work and organized some dancing lessons and a dance. "I don't know where we can have the dance, though. The gym is ok for practising but it is not very romantic as our dance floor. Besides, it is too small."

Helen smiled widely at this and I understood her reasoning. I said, "Talk to Helen about what you would like. She may know of a suitable place."

I got away from the two and found Mr Corfu's door open and the girls not in yet. I knocked on his door and he took his feet off his desk and said, "Come in, Alex. Tell me how it went."

"Hello, sir. The two girls are calmed down now. I sent some blood samples for testing and the results should be in within a week. Linda is letting others watch over her till she gets back on her feet."

"That is good to hear. Is she still in danger?"

"She may slip at any time but with some understanding and compassion she should get over this."

"Ahh... Alex. I got a call late last night that you were seen dancing in the Clarkson with some of the school employees. I am not making any snap decisions; it is just that you were seen there."

"I thought the establishment was reputable. Is there something wrong with the way it is run, or its guests?"

"No, it is the best hotel in the city. It is just that you were seen with a great many ladies."

"Well Miss Vachon and Bouchard are family friends. Valerie and Linda were there for reasons you already know. My sister and brother were also there. One of my lawyers, Derrick MacNeil, was accompanying us along with the heir to a large chemical industry in the United States and his wife. It might also be good to mention to the busybody that I just purchased the hotel along with some other properties. As a property owner it would be good to see what I have spent my money on."

"The Clarkson? You own the Clarkson?"

"The bank and I do."

"I will tell the man and his wife at the next opportunity."

Voices were heard in the office and I excused myself to investigate. I am sure that Mr Corfu was happy to get me out of the office and the embarrassing situation he was presently in.

Linda and Valerie had come in. They wore their new clothes and this must have cheered them up for it did me. When they saw me, they immediately ran to me. I slid sideways and away from prying eyes. Linda kissed me very thoroughly and even pushed her body against me to see if I liked her.

"Oh Alex," she whispered, "I missed you."

"I missed you, too. Now, let me kiss Valerie, too." She made a fake pout and backed up for Valerie to get a turn. Valerie came in quickly and actually picked me up off my feet even though I was almost her size.

"I missed you last night. We had a long talk about you and we were told a great many new things. Would you look after me like you do Linda?"

"That may be possible," I said non-committally while looking around to see who might be listening. I was quite sure that Mr Corfu was listening as intently as he possibly could. With my hands I pantomimed someone listening and Valerie nodded her head. "I think that everything will turn out fine for both of you. You won't need me other than as a friend and that you already have.

"Now, I have to check on the last building. Izzy has to put up with the Home Ec class but I think he likes it."

Valerie said, "We have been out to see the things you are building. They are nice. I wonder if you can make a house with them."

"That is one of my plans. We make the homes in sections and truck them to the site and assemble them. I hope you two are not busy this summer because I need a lot of help managing what I started up or bought."

The girls smiled, so I guess they were receptive to the idea.

Laura was my next goal and she had the look of a well-fucked woman. When I came in she got up and closed the door and then raped my mouth. "What did you tell Linda to do?"

"I just told her that you like someone in your bum. Did one of my babies abuse one of my other babies?"

"She sure did. She almost wore herself out doing the rest of us. She seems to like her new toy. She reminds me of my little brother when he got a toy gun."

"Now I want you to be like a big sister and let her play. I like you coming to school looking like you are well fucked."

"I am not."

"You do so look that way. Ask the others, if you think I am mistaken. Now give your husband a kiss. I have to go."

She stopped and stared at me as if I had hit her hard. Her mouth started to move then stopped then tried again. Finally she got out very weakly, "What did you say?"

"If Helen and you are my wives, that makes me your husband. Do you like the sound of that?"

She kissed me with more feeling that she had ever before and I had to assume that she did agree.

Izzy was actually pretty far along with his construction. One half was completely done and the other section just needed the ceramic floor put down. The Home Ec class would still get him to put up curtains and other small things but that would be after the two halves had been attached at the site.

After our greetings I asked, "Who did the cabinet work?"

"My younger son Morris. Do you like it?"

I walked closer and saw that it was fair but there were a few small imperfections. There were no criteria listed about the quality that had to go into the unit. Considering that it was going to a mining site it was exceptionally done. "I am working on a bus. The insides are being put back together. I want floors, walls and ceiling done in a veneer. Still, the quality must be higher, even though this work is good."

Izzy thought for a moment. "He is usually a meticulous craftsman and I have to hurry him up most times. I think he would be able to do a very good job for you."

"Well, I have a job for one son; now I need to find jobs for the rest of you. Would you consider working for me full time? I need to stretch your abilities but I think you can handle the pressure. I am not going to pay union wages but I will keep you employed when the company is slow. Your sons come under the same agreement if, you want it."

"What are your terms?" He asked seriously.

It took five minutes but at the end he shook my hand and smiled as if winning a lottery.

The bell rang and I went to class thinking of all the things I needed him to do. I figured his family would be busy for many years.

During math I read the letter from Mr Ciesla. I received the document committing him to my employ. A short note asked if he could come for a visit and find out more about me. He was coming up regardless to do some fishing. I knew that if given the chance, he would do little or no fishing except for information.

Since he was coming no matter what, I thought I might as well make use of the situation. I made a list of the various novelties that could now be sold for a goodly amount of money. The thoughts of robbing an inventor of his work didn't sit well but the man or woman would just have to find something new to invent because they would find the niche already filled.

During the rest of the day I filled out sheet after sheet of data on what had to be done to produce the first polio vaccine. I went into as much detail as possible and during draughting made diagrams of the rooms and especially the equipment needed. A rocking platform was needed to slowly agitate the solution. With enough help and equipment I could have the vaccine ready for a field trial this year.

During machine shop I called Janice and asked, "Will you phone and write Connaught Labs in Toronto a letter?"

"What would you like me to ask them?" she asked.

"They have a solution for growing different cultures. The one I am interested in is called 'medium 199'. I already have the formula but I want to leave a paper trail for some investigators to follow."

"Why do you want that Alex?"

"The work on polio will be received very quietly at first then go off like a bomb. I want to spread all the kudos around I can. This makes many inventors helping towards one goal instead of one young man or perhaps even a boy. As it is, I am going to hide my contributions as much as possible."

"It can't be that bad Alex. If you have already found a vaccine it is important to give it to the world. Nobody is going to hurt you for it."

"You are mistaken Janice. They will try their best to discredit me and what I made. One day it may come out but it has to be put off as long as possible. Please use the name 'CanTech Pharmaceuticals' a few times to let them remember the link."

"Ok, dictate what you want me to say."

I dictated two messages over the phone. One would go in the mail and the other for Janice's phone call. As a further link I would ask for the same information from Chicago under my North Wind Pharmaceuticals.

There was nothing I could do with the vaccine now without being on the site and talking to Silva's dad and their lawyers. The only thing left was the plastic extrusion machines I wanted.

I asked Mr Creighton about the estimates for the machines. "Well Alex it looks like they are going to play fair with you. The machines are going to cost thirty thousand, not the twenty I thought. The time and materials for tooling looks like at least seven thousand dollars. They can get four machines shipped in within a week and the next two in a matter of one week more. Are you ready for them?"

"I don't have all that amount of money just yet. If the two gentlemen will order the machines for we I will give them a cheque for two thousand dollars and the rest upon arrival. If you know the specifications for the dies then I would like them started now."

I reached into my pack and handed him the drawings I had made. Most were on 'B' sized paper and covered many sheets to show all the detail I wished to have. Some had very exacting tolerances that had to be met or the plastic would not be ejected from the mould. The finish had to be good because any scratches in the metal would get transferred into the plastic itself.

Mr Creighton looked through the many sheets and said, "This is not going to be easy to make. Do you want me to offer more money for them to spend more time on it?"

"Offer them an extra hundred dollars if it is done when the first machine comes in."

"I will tell the machinists that when I phone them later today. On another vein, the bus is coming along fine. The frame is up and the metal skin is on. I am afraid it is a little more decorative than it originally was but not much. We found the heaviest ply tires we could and installed them. Those I have, are not paid for yet. I am afraid we, too, are out of money. I paid everybody for the work they had done and I only have a hundred and fifty seven dollars left."

I said, "It looks like I must go to the bank and get them to give me more money."

The teacher asked, "Why not simply sell some of the gold? You will have to eventually."

"For a variety of reasons. Some revolve around taxes, while others are to establish a good credit rating. I will be dealing in the billions of dollars some day and it is handy to get a few hundred million for an occasional good deal."

Mr Creighton had a good case of apoplexy. He said, "I hope you were joking."

"Not in the least. There are numerous ways to make big money. You just have to think of what is happening around you and then predict accurately what will happen next. If you have the money to start, you can take advantage of many great deals."

"You have a prediction for me?"

"Yes I have. Go to Mario's restaurant and order his pizza. There are many varieties. Get a relative to open a franchised outlet in any large metropolitan area. The relative works for you and you make lots of money if he is honest and hardworking. As soon as the bank knows that you are a good risk, borrow as much money as you can to open more restaurants in other cities. There are some criteria you will have to put up with. For instance, all pizzas have to be made exactly the same and each restaurant has to look the same or similar. A customer eating at a Pizza Hut in Vancouver will enjoy the same meal in your establishment."

"How much will this cost?"

"You are getting in on the ground floor. The franchise will be very cheap but the building has to be made very well. Mario and his family will make many millions of dollars and there is no reason you can't help him and make your own fortune."

"Just for selling his pizza?"

"There is a lot more to it than that. You get assistance in setting up and best of all: I can give you some good locations to start. For the next five years you will almost work yourself to death but then you can retire with millions in the bank."

"What about what you are doing with the bus?"

"That can make you some money, too, when you make more units but it will not have the risk or the financial rewards the other venture will."

"What about these toys you are making?"

"Now that will make more money. I need a man to run a plant making the first toy then more simple ones. They will be popular for a few years but the dolls will be the ones to really bring in money in the long haul. You interested in giving it a try?"

"I understand machines a lot more than food. Maybe I can swing a deal with my two sisters. They like to cook and talk. They should make great restauranteurs."

"Well, let's start now with these machines."

My fascination with the Wal-Mart idea had not languished either but I'd have to find some dedicated people who I could trust this idea to. This would have to expand very quickly and not be a place for learn-as-you-go.

The last class of the day was French. I found a bouncing Natalie again and the boys watched her a lot more than they used to. Even some of the girls must have seen something they liked. At the end of class I stayed a moment and asked, "I need a ride from my house to the bank in your car. I want Laura to help me in her car too. Will you be able to help me?"

"What about Linda?"

"She will be safe. The two of them will come shopping with us later."

"Ok, I'll help."

"Good, then ask Laura to follow you to the house. I need you both."

After school I passed the office and found Linda and Valerie in much better moods than what they had yesterday but it was still not their old selves.

I said to Linda, "Hello, sweetheart."

She looked around quickly and hung her head and said, "Hello Alex."

"I found that you two were good girls, so mommy is going to be nice to both of you." Her eyes brightened up at that. "Meet me at Laura's home in one hour." I looked directly at Valerie and whispered, "You, young lady will get a pair of scissors in the office here. You will then go into the washroom and cut the narrow strip of material out of your panties. If I look at you in your new dress I will still see the outline of your panties but people will be able to check how wet you are."

Both girls were listening very intently and were actually twitching too. Their breathing increased and their nipples stood out a bit in their heavy bras.

I looked at Valerie more closely and said, "Linda, you better cut them for her. I don't want any damage to one of my girls."

Linda said in a weak voice, "Yes, Alex."

I just looked at Valerie till she said, "Yes, Alex. I will do it."

Rita waited for me outside. She and Helen were talking with their heads close together. When I got close Rita turned to me and said, "Did you really buy the Clarkson?"

"That and a few more properties. Why?"

"Well... it is expensive and I now hear it has a great dance floor."

"Talking to people who were there last night dancing when they should have been doing homework, I see."

Helen lowered her head and blushed. It wasn't fair of me because I had invited her to join us and dance later. I moved close and picked up Helen's chin and gave her a kiss. "Sorry, it was me who asked you to stay." She lifted her face and smiled.

I turned to Rita, who suddenly looked sad. I lifted her chin and gave her a similar kiss. "I am sorry for putting both of you through one of my jokes." She did perk up and looked around. Her friends were waiting and were now talking together about what they saw. Rita would probably strut home tonight.

My bike was still in good shape and I wondered again why Nick was leaving it alone. I talked with Helen on the ride to pick up Aron. She was all for the shopping trip and liked it even better with the girls.

When we sat on the grass at the side of the road I said, "I told Valerie to cut the gusset out of her panties. When she meets us later she will be very wet."

"Why did you do that Alex?"

"Helen," I said in a quiet but stern voice. "After the next car goes by, reach under your dress and give me your panties." She looked at me to see if I were joking, thought for only a few seconds and then looked around. In seconds she handed me her panties and her face was red with embarrassment.

"Stand between me and the sun." Helen did as I asked and only hesitated a bit.

"Turn around slowly and keep your legs a few inches apart." This time she did this simple task much quicker. Her dress was of thick material and I could not see through it, even when I was still on the ground and the sun would be just under her crotch.

There was nobody around when I said, "Come close to me and then raise the front hem of your dress as high as it will go."

"Alex!"

"You are my wife. Do it."

She was breathing very rapidly now and she came within a few inches of my nose before pulling up her dress. I could easily see and now smell her. She squirmed and then squirmed again. I simply blew gently across the pubes at her lips. She shivered then pulled back. The hem did not come down, though.

"Back up a step and kneel in front of me with your legs far apart." With eyes large as saucers and almost glowing she did as I asked. "Now tell me, my wife, why I had Valerie remove the crotch out of her panties."

"Ah... so she would feel like me."

"How do you feel now?"

"I feel... I feel like I should jump on you and make you give me a baby." Just as she said it she hung her head.

"Look at me Helen."

She did and I said, "At the moment I want to jump on you and eat you for hours, then sink my cock into you and pump millions of sperm cells into your fertile womb."

She had a shocked expression and her hand stole to her pelvis almost of its own accord and then came away.

"Helen put your hand under your skirt and make yourself orgasm for me."

Her mouth opened and closed as if to argue but her hand was already at work. In a few seconds her eyes closed and small groans of contentment slipped from her lips. Cars were coming now and I opened my notebook and pretended to read as I watched Helen. Some boys went by on their bikes but didn't give us a second look. Just before Aron rode up on his bike, Helen bent over in orgasm and her fingers worked as fast as they could.

Aron pulled up and stopped. I waved to him and then waited a moment. When Helen recovered, I took her wet hand and licked the fingers clean. She just looked into my eyes as I did this and then shivered again when I licked her damp palm.

Helen turned around in fright when Aron said, "You guys doing it again?"

I licked her fingers one more time and said, "Yes, Aron, we were. Your sister does things to me that make me want to do a lot more."

I took her panties in my hand and sniffed the gusset and said, "This smells like my woman and it makes me hungry." They got a small lick as Helen watched me then I put them in my pocket.

"Get on your bike, Sweetheart. We have to get home soon."

Helen rode in quiet as she squirmed on the seat, either trying to find a comfortable place or more likely trying to find the most stimulating motion.

When we got home the bikes went away and Helen said, "Come upstairs with me."

"Sorry, I have work to do. Both of you change out of your school clothes," I looked at Helen and said, "and no panties for you."

They both went into the house, while I went to the barn. With the rope falls I took out all one-quart mason jars that contained gold dust and flakes. An imperial quart would weigh almost fifty of the usual pounds, not the troy pounds. There was just twenty-four jars of them plus one only half full. I was tired from getting these out of the pit, for they weighted in at over half a ton. Two nicely sized nuggets caught my eye and I opened the jar and fished them out. They were roughly the same size that Natalie and Laura loved.

I got out of the pit myself and put the cover back in place. The buckboard that we hardly ever used was strong enough to support the weight and I decided to put the jars into the back.

I picked all the jars up one more time. There was a lot more room, so I got up and put them into some wooden butter boxes and other wooden boxes that dad brought back that had contained dynamite or the primers. One extra box containing rags was dumped and I put it into the wagon too. There was enough time to hook up one of the horses and lead the wagon out of the barn and away from the house. When I turned the buggy around the tracks now came from the field behind the house.

It was not that I didn't trust Laura or Natalie but because I'd given my word that I would not lead anybody to our hiding spot. Five minutes later two cars arrived. Helen heard them and both she and Aron came out to greet our guests. After hugs and kisses were passed around and Aron got more than his fair share, I might add, I said, "If we hurry, we can make it to the bank. I want to bring some gold and we need both cars."

Laura asked, "How much are you bringing?"

"About six hundred pounds in each car." She just stared at me then and when I looked at Natalie she was the same. Helen was just a bit shocked. To get them going I said, "Natalie, open your trunk."

After I asked her two more times, the flustered woman finally began to function. When the trunk was open, I led the horse by hand in a circle and backed the wagon up to the car trunk. I set the brake and walked to the back of the wagon.

"Helen, put this box in the trunk." When that was done I took one imperial quart of my special preserves out of a box and put it at the end of the wagon. The girls just looked at the gold instead of doing something about it. "Girls, take the jar and put it into the box. Don't drop it. It weighs almost fifty pounds."

Helen started first and managed to get the jar in by herself. In a few more minutes the jars were all lined up at the end of the buckboard and I had the empty boxes. I jumped down and told Aron, "Hold the horse's bridle. I don't want her to move."

"Ok, Alex," he said as he scampered around.

I ran to the house and yelled back, "Make the load even," before getting inside.

I remembered Mr Jackson's phone number from the dial on his phone. My finger went in the holes and turned the dial and let the spring take it back to its original position. In a way the dial was a lot more fun than a touch-tone phone except when you were waiting to connect to the Internet provider. Then the quick tones were nicer.

Mr Jackson picked up the phone on the forth ring. He greeted me and I said, "Hello, Mr Jackson. This is Alex Kramer."

"Hello, Alex, How are you today?"

"Fine thanks. I hope you are doing as good. Would it be possible for you to stay open just a few minutes longer today? I have to make a deposit and I may be at most five minutes late."

"Well, seeing as it is you, I will ask the girls to stay over."

"Thank you sir. I have to hurry now or the five minutes will be longer."

I heard a chuckle and then, "Bye, Alex."

Outside, the load was almost all stowed. I helped with the rest and said, "Aron lead the horse into the barn and get her into her stall. Bring the loose rags on the floor when you come back, please."

"Ok, Alex."

The wagon started, stopped and then the boy climbed into the wagon and strained to release the brake. He then got out and led the horse again by hand.

I walked over to Natalie's car and opened the door on the side away from the barn. "Helen, will you come here, please?"

When she came over, the other two came with her. "Pick up the hem of your dress all the way."

She looked frightened for a moment and then looked at the other two girls. "Now?"

"Yes dear."

She swallowed and pulled the hem up as high as it would go. I reached behind her and picked up the back hem and said, "Sit on the seat."

She did as I asked and her eyes conveyed a small amount of moral pain but this had to happen some time. "Lay down, Sweetheart. This is important."

She wiggled a bit and lay back on the seat. She tried hard to keep her legs together and on the ground. I picked up her leg and put it on the seat. She tried hard to keep it on the ground but then relented. The other leg came up easier. "Natalie, hold her leg so she doesn't get tired."

I squatted down and put my hands on her thighs. I brought my face close to her. She was very wet from before at this didn't seem to have lessened any. Her clit stood prominently and I just sucked it into my mouth. Helen's body thrashed at this and Natalie shifted her body to hold her better.

It took only a few moments for Helen to forget everything around her except the sensations coming from her mons. She groaned, sighed, moaned and even whimpered. My index finger went into her and she made louder utterances. When the finger went back and forth, she started to make louder calls and I knew she was close. I redoubled my efforts and Helen screamed in the car and I was sure the neighbours could hear us miles away. As she was slowly settling, I slowed my sucking and slipped the two pieces of metal into her opening.

Helen's legs were put together and then on the ground. Taking her hands I pulled her into a standing position. While still holding her to me I pulled Natalie close and kissed her. "Thank you for the help."

Natalie came back and licked my face instead of kissing me and said, "Mmmm anytime."

In an unsteady voice Helen asked, "Why did you do that?"

"Because you are my wife and because I had to welcome you to our group the same way as my other wife and Natalie were. Do you feel anything inside you?"

"Yes, what is it?"

"Two gold nuggets."

"Why?"

"Laura or Natalie will tell you." Since Helen was steady now I raced to the barn and helped Aron with his jobs. He was not very tall but could manage this with some difficulty.

When the horse was back in her stall Aron asked, "Was that Helen again?"

"Yea, she gets carried away sometimes, when she gets excited."

"I got to get some girlfriends, too. I like talking to the guys and hanging around with them but the girls are starting to look good. They don't want to talk to us, though."

"That is just the way girls are -- or boys for that matter. Sometimes they want to stay together and at other times they want to mix. Now we have to hurry."

I grabbed the rags while Aron closed the door. The rags went around the bottles of gold to keep them from breaking. "Aron, get in Natalie's car please. We have some business to do. Helen in Laura's."

Laura led our procession and we only went slowly when driving over the rough sections. "Helen, have you found out about the little balls?"

"They told me that they would make me feel good."

"Have you noticed how Natalie is bouncing around the room when she teaches French?"

"Yea... you mean? Is it true?"

"She is a very horny girl, just like my two. Laura, tell Helen how it effects you."

Laura started slow but got much faster as she explained how she got her little golden orbs. She continued with her day-to-day chores in her small room and then in a quiet voice mentioned how she had to relieve the stress. "That is when the balls are the best, when the orgasm seems to last for half an hour."

"Wow!" was Helen's only reply.

I said, "You have a more difficult time. They are wearing underwear and you aren't. If you strain too hard, like when you pick up the heavy jars, the little pellets might get spit out. You have to be aware of them all the time. It will keep you happy and make your muscles work, in turn making you tighter."

Laura was directed to her home and both Valerie and Linda were waving to us as we approached. It made me feel good to see the two girls so cheerful.

Natalie pulled up behind us. "Valerie, get in here with us and Linda, ride with Natalie." They just looked at me for a second and complied. I was in the front with Laura and Helen was now in the back seat with Valerie. "Laura, now to the TD bank."

We started off and after we got a block I said, "Helen, pick up the hem of your dress and show Valerie."

Helen looked at me and she was about to object but then did it. I said to Valerie, "Helen is pretty there, too. Now pick up your skirt and show Helen." The girl paused for a moment longer then pulled her skirt up. Helen kept her hem in the air and looked at how the panties had been cut away.

"Helen, pick up the front of Valerie's panties and see how pretty she is." It took only a moment. Helen had to look at Valerie for permission and Valerie gave a small smile. This was enough and Helen's hand came out and gently picked up the flap.

I said, "Put your finger down her front to see if she is wet."

With one more check of Valerie, Helen did as I asked.

"Is she wet?" Helen moved her hand a bit and Valerie closed her eyes in pleasure.

"Yes she is Alex."

"Valerie, check Helen to see how wet she is."

Helen didn't take her finger out as Valerie slipped her own finger between Helen's legs. The girls moved and then spread their legs, the car lurched to one side and I just moved the rear view mirror to one side. "Watch the road or we will get in an accident."

"Spoilsport."

In the back seat the girls had moved into a better position again. Their dresses were now down but busy hands were underneath. Valerie, of her own volition, moved her head close to Helen and kissed her passionately. Helen responded and thrust her breasts forward.

Laura said loudly, "We are going to park now, girls. Save that for later when you have more time."

The girls pulled apart and looked at me staring at them. Both blushed and only slowly separated. I said, "We have work to do. Get out on the curb side. Helen, keep your muscles flexed."

The bank was empty except for Mr Jackson and two girls. One was Cheryl, whom I had met before. The manager said, "What can I do for you, Alex?"

"Well you can come outside again and see how good you are as a stevedore again."

"You mean..."

"Yes."

Cheryl came with us and I opened the trunk. I picked up each of the heavy jars and handed them to each of the girls. Cheryl held the door for us and the twelve jars were carried into the bank. We found that there were some spectators but they would soon leave after the trunk finally closed.

Mr Jackson was sweating again but this time it was not from the effort. "Alex, there must be a quarter million dollars here in gold."

"Not really sir." He looked at me questioning my judgement. "The other car has the same amount in it. I am just waiting for the spectators to leave."

His eyes did bug out at that. Cheryl said, "The last group has left."

Valerie said, "Was that gold Alex?"

"Yes it was and now you have to help carry some more in." We went outside again with Cheryl keeping the door open. Natalie opened the trunk and soon the procession started again. Mr Jackson got his first and was quick to get back for more. When the last jar left the trunk, Natalie slammed it closed and followed us into the bank.

I had a chuckle at Linda and Valerie struggling to support the heavy jars. When we stopped to see what I had brought, we saw all twenty-four jars with their lids on.

"What do you think of my preserves Mr Jackson?"

"Huh..."

I had to repeat myself and he said, "I don't believe this. There is half a million dollars here."

"I get about five hundred and forty thousand going by volume alone." I looked at the vault and saw that it was closed. "Are you going to pop the lid so this can go into our safety deposit box?"

Mr Jackson looked at the closed vault then at the gold then back again. It seemed like he didn't want to be far from the metal. Reluctantly he went to the vault and turned the combination and labouriously opened the large door. He found his matching key and put it in a keyhole. I handed him my key and he opened the large box.

It was empty because the bank held the last shipment of gold in its coffers as collateral. The gold came in and soon we had to get another box to put the remainder of the mason jars in. I signed a form and got one additional key.

"What are you going to do with all that gold Alex?" The manager said.

"I want an extension to our line of credit. Tomorrow, you can talk to the man at the head office about getting the limit raised to 600,000 dollars. It would be best to keep the games to a minimum and find the best rate immediately. As much as I like this bank and branch I will still go to your competitors."

Jackson said, "It may be best for you to be here. I am a minor employee and my urging counts for little. Your threats work best on Mr Jenkins when he is there to hear them."

"Thank you for your honesty Mr Jackson. If I were to get a list of phone numbers, I could talk to the president of the bank himself. That will save all of us a lot of time."

Jackson turned white. "You wouldn't do that would you?"

"Why not? You just ask Jenkins if I may talk to him. Once I have the phone, it is out of your hands."

He thought for a moment the replied, "That may work but then again my mentioning that you would want to talk to the president may get him to see reason much sooner."

"Thank you very much Mr Jackson. We will try it your way first."

We made out goodbyes and I got into the back seat of Natalie's car with a stunned Linda and a complacent Aron sat in the front. "Let's go to Steadman's. I have to purchase some clothes."

The car started and I could see Laura following behind us. I bent over and whispered in Linda's ear. "Baby, did your underwear get altered, too?"

Linda came out of her stupor and looked at me. I waited for her answer and she just picked up her skirt and showed me that she, too, had found an additional way to keep cool.

"That's good baby. I don't want you to get too sweaty." I put my arm around her and the skirt went back into place.

We got a new set of clothes for Aron. It was easy to do with five girls to help him. He seemed to be losing his shyness very quickly this time and he even allowed them to take him into the change rooms to assist him.

Dresses were found for Helen and Natalie. We didn't leave before more lingerie was picked out and I got some dry goods.

I asked the sales people about the owners of the store. Apparently, the man owning it was fairly old and was looking for retirement. His children were not into retailing. The urge to start a major retailing chain was still with me.

Shoes all came from a different store down the street that had a better selection. The girls were all very careful to keep their hems as low as possible when the man fit the shoes to their feet.

We walked back to the cars and the girls were all giggling at being so naughty. The parcels went into the cars and we drove off to the Clarkson Hotel.

It was fifteen to seven and Derrick was not to be seen. I walked to the front desk and said, "Hello, do you happen to know if there are any messages for Alex Kramer?"

The man looked at his registry book and said, "Is he a guest?"

"I am Alex Kramer. I just wondered if Derrick MacNeil left any messages for me.

"I am sorry sir but there are none that I know of."

"Thank you."

We walked as a group around the hotel checking what was to be seen. I looked for water marks or holes in the plaster and even threadbare carpets. For the most part it was quite good. It was not perfect, though and that was what kept the maintenance people busy. There were eight floors and we took the elevator up to the top. This was the first time for Aron and Helen and I had the boy tell the elevator operator what floor we wanted.

Automation would make this man's job superfluous but it was nice to have this small piece of class. After we descended again, the old elevator operator said to me quietly, "You kids are not supposed to be just riding the elevators. The management doesn't like it."

I read his tag and said, "Thank you Tom. I will keep that in mind for future reference."

We continued our fact-finding mission in the dining room and I got the girls and Aron a seat and ordered a meal. Before it even came, the man at the desk came in looking worried and he talked to the maître d'. They then looked around before our table was spotted out. The man raced over.

"Hello sir. I didn't know who you were. Mr MacNeil asked that you come to the office to sign a few papers and meet the old owner."

"Thank you. Your name please?"

"James, sir."

"Thank you James." I looked around the table and said, "Eat your meal and I will get back as soon as possible. Maybe we can go on the executive tour this time."

Aron asked, "We going to see what the rooms are like?"

"That would be a good idea, Aron."

James led me to an unmarked door, knocked quietly and waited. He heard a voice and entered with me right behind him. The white-haired man I had seen with Derrick last night was present along with a man about the same age who definitely looked like an attorney.

Derrick came to his feet and said, "Hello, Alex, I would like to introduce Mr Jason Stife and his solicitor Mr Markham."

I shook hands with each and stared at them the way they stared at me. They said nothing other than the usual greeting. I said, "Is there something wrong gentlemen. I hope I have not grown any new appendages."

Mr. Stife said, "We agreed to sell to a corporation, not to a boy."

"Well, it seems that I own the corporation and all the legal angles are handled by my parents or Mr MacNeil. I think the corporation is capable of handling one small hotel and some other minor properties. As you already know, it is just a matter of finding the right people with the right attitude."

"That is what I am worried about. My money is still tied up in a mortgage I now find in jeopardy. How can you afford the payments? What happens when the people working for you now loose their faith in your ability to pay them?"

I just smiled at him and he got angrier and found more reasons to object to my having this business. He could not get out of it anyway because he had already signed the papers. He was still a pussycat compared to some people I had to deal with over the years. With some I had to do a lot of financial wrangling to get them to sell to me in the first place and it galled them to be forced to take my money when it was offered.

When he started to wind down I said, "I deposited half a million in the bank just as it closed. As for not being able to pay you, that is like the ramblings of an old man that sees his business slip from his fingers. You signed a contract that I read and that is the long and the short of it. You are committed to assist me for a week after the closing at the end of the month and if you do not live up to that contract I will sue you into bankruptcy. You don't have to like me but you have to back up your word.

"I will admit that you do know how to run a hotel. This is the best in the city and very well maintained. It is still old-fashioned and very much behind the times. You could do just a few things and there would be people coming here from Toronto to just take advantage of this property."

The man was still angry but he asked nicely, "How? You are only a boy at best."

"You have no indoor swimming pool, spa or exercise room. Some rooms could even benefit from a hot tub. I have not even seen the rooms but I believe few, if any, have television. Even the simple addition of a small fridge would make your rooms memorable."

Mr. Stife's mouth opened and closed and then did it again. "How dare you call my hotel old fashioned. I just finished spending a lot of money on this building. It has all the latest conveniences. The staff is polite and loyal. I regret selling you this business already."

I talked in a quieter voice now. "Sir, you are like the biggest frog in a small pond. Once you try the waters in a larger pond, you will find that you are not as powerful as you thought." I paused for emphasis then said, "You have made your hotel the best locally but not the best on a world stage. My corporations will be the very best and the world will sit up and notice us.

"Some things I see that you have done are also the way I will do things. Your employees are loyal because you are fair with them. Here, too, things could have been improved."

The man sounded a little defeated when he asked, "How?"

"There has to be a mechanism for an employee to move up. You only have a small business and that is not usually possible. Some of your employees have the necessary skills but the others have no way of learning them. Most, I am afraid, would not want to do so. The schools do not supply most of this information. It is only gained through a lifetime of hard work and attention to detail. You, Sir, have taught your employees but you have stinted on this process because of your other commitments. I would retrain and cross-train those wishing this education at my own expense. I see a growth factor in owning hotels. New ones would be much different in construction and in marketing. People all around the world will hear and see pictures of my businesses and come flocking to them to see what the noise is all about."

"So you are saying that I just need trained employees, your frivolous additions and some advertising to grow?"

"There is more to it than that Mr Stife. There is a need for financial backing. This is best gained through a large corporation that also lets your employees transfer to other business without some of the usual losses. My other companies will put plugs in for the rest as a method of having free advertising. For instance, my building companies stay here when needed and the prospective customers too. Executives from various drug companies will come here to do business with me. Importers will come here to facilitate purchasing my toys. A large building next door, which would serve for business seminars and company meetings, would not only bring much-needed money to the North but also to our city. My two newest companies will make the city really grow."

The men digested what I said and Derrick asked, "Ah... what newest companies. I thought you were stopping for a while."

"No, I never mentioned them yet. While dancing on Mr Stife's dance floor with his live entertainment, I thought of all the entertainers I could get to come up here. There is a lot of young Canadian and American talent I can find and then develop."

I thought of Elvis Presley for one. He was presently only sixteen and in school. He played at home and was basically a complete unknown. Roy Orbison's first record was in 1956. I didn't know that much about music or promoting but I knew I could at least do a fair job, or find someone that could.

"So the first business would be to make records and promote entertainers. The second would be to build a large movie studio. With some distribution problems overcome with our own movie theatres, we can break into the lucrative American market as well as Europe and here. I have many ideas that should make at least fifty million dollars each."

Now the men just stared at me again. I pulled out the last chair and sat on it, while waiting for their reaction.

Mr. Markham had not spoken till now and asked, "A movie doesn't gross fifty million dollars ever."

"I am sorry but you are wrong Mr Markham. 'Gone With The Wind' made four times that much. Disney made close to 50 million with the animations 'Fantasia', 'Snow White, the Seven Dwarfs', 'Pinocchio' and 'Bambi'. There is a very good chance that some biblical or historical films will bring in the figure I mentioned for my companies. Wouldn't it be great to make a real submarine to sail Lake Nipissing and film some of H.G. Wells' stories.

"The Europeans and Americans do not have a monopoly on making money. Canadians are like my Polish ancestors and are too unassuming to even try hard to get rich."

Mr. Markham said, "You sure have impressive dreams for one so young."

"Sir I am just bucking the trend. I have the money and assistance now to grasp the future. With a vision you can do almost anything. Look at you, gentlemen, if you had not found a vision and striven for it, you would not be where you are now."

Mr. Markham seemed to be siding with me, if only a little. Mr Stife looked less opposed to me and soon he might even be a supporter. The three men did come out and joined us at the table with the family. The animosity of the office was not present now and the meal went well.

Later, we made the tour with a master set of keys and the concierge showing us the various types of accommodation. I pointed out how each type could be improved with some accessories. Some rooms were small and if a wall were removed between two, then they would make a suite that would bring more money than two single units. I asked the girls what they thought and I even encouraged them to give their own opinions.

The penthouse, though, did look palatial and was the best place to stay when anyone with enough money came to North Bay to stay for a while. Best of all, there were four penthouse units. Here I only suggested some household appliances to make the unit a little more like a home. These units usually had the very rich who wanted everything done for them.

From the rooftop I pointed out to Derrick which properties I wanted next. I even explained what the buildings or vacant property would be used for. All of them were situated around the hotel and would form a large complex once the building was completed.

I also told him of Mr Ciesla's arrival. Derrick in turn told me when I had to be in court for Nick's brother Mark. Through Derrick's resources I found out much of the young man's past and accomplishments.

The family left for home soon after. I explained to my girls what the material in the trunk was for and how it was to be sewn. The girls got very red faces as I described what would happen in different poses.

Derrick stayed for another hour and left. I looked over the hotel books and was introduced to the people working this shift. As I figured, most were unsure about how to treat a thirteen-year-old employer. Many departments were not present because of the hour. I asked enough pertinent questions that they must have known that I was not going to be fooled very easily.

I found in the course of my investigations that Jason Stife was not only a shrewd businessman but also a good employer to his people. He had his own health benefits plan and out of his own pocket he continued to pay people if they were unable to work through sickness and accident. He also had a sick and suffering wife. He figured he should spend her last remaining days with her.



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Chapter 18


Wednesday

The next day at school Helen and I went into the office to check on Linda and Valerie. Valerie took us into the back room. Mrs Cranston gave us a funny look but continued with her typing.

Once the staff room door was closed, both girls turned away from us, then pulled up their dresses. They each had on a new, red pair of panties. Valerie made a noise and both girls spread their feet and bent over. The crotches of their underwear opened and they just stayed in position.

"Hmmm," I said, as I moved closer and felt Valerie's bum through the material. "Helen, check my baby Linda to see if she wet, while I check baby Valerie." In seconds my finger was following the crack presented to me and soon my finger was not only touching her clit but another was plumbing her depths.

Helen saw what I was doing and her own hand started to move back and forth. It was good that a couch was in front of them, for they had to put out their hands to support themselves. The noise of the typewriter stopped and I said, "Stand up girls."

They did and turned around to face us with smiles on their faces. I turned to the door and opened it like it was before. "I think the restaurant was good but the menu can use a bit more work. I was thinking of having Mario come down and teach them how to make authentic Italian food." When saying that I used a hand to point to my closed eye.

Linda caught on first and said, "I think the pizza would be a welcome addition to the menu."

I heard some shuffling and soon more typing. "You girls are going to cause me problems all day now. You did a very good job. Momma is proud of each of you." In a low voice I said, "We will have to make a bra soon with a large hole for your nipples to stick out." The girls turned red even though a minute ago we were moving our fingers back and forth in their vaginas.

On the way out of the room I caught Helen smelling her finger. In front of all the girls I took it into my mouth and cleaned it off, then did the same for my own. In the main office I asked Mrs Cranston if I could make a local call. Looking in the phonebook first I dialled a number.

"Hello, Stoner's Auto Body."

"Hello, is Mr Stoner there please?"

John came on the phone and I thanked him for repairing the bike. "It is not necessary, Alex. I was the one to damage your bike in the first place."

"Well, you did a very good job of repairing it. It is now better looking than it was before."

"That is great to hear but you didn't call me for just that."

"You are right. I am looking to purchase a stake truck, about four to eight tons, that is dependable and reasonably priced. I also require all the racks that go around it."

"Let me check on that. There have been a few but I don't know their condition or cost."

"Thanks John. It is going to come in handy for a lot of things."

The girls just looked at me with the Alex-type stare. Helen and I walked to the nurse's station. One boy was waiting outside and I could see him taking a good inventory of Helen. I didn't know if she saw it or not but women are sneaky and she had probably already sized him up earlier in the year.

In a few moments another boy came out with an ear-to-ear smile and walked right past us as if we didn't exist. The other boy walked in with his own smile. The five minutes were long but then the boy came out with the same grin as the one before him had.

When we came in Laura's face beamed. "Good morning guys. I figured you would be here this morning."

Helen innocently asked, "Why?"

"To see these..." She pulled up her dress and bent over like Linda and Valerie.

This time Helen moved in and used her hand to feel the panty-clad bum. She then ran her finger up Laura's opening and was inside in a matter of seconds. Laura only groaned and pushed back. I walked back and leaned against the door and watched my girls in play. I could hear two sets of heavy breathing interspersed with groans and pleads to continue with her work.

In a few minutes Laura was calling on her maker and fell forward on her desk. Helen slowed down and again sniffed her fingers and gave it a small lick. She sampled it as if she were a connoisseur of fine wine.

Laura got up in time to see Helen put her entire finger into her mouth and lick Laura's spend off. Laura just attacked Helen and kissed her like she kissed me. Soon they were groaning and rubbing against each other. I hated to interrupt but the clock on the wall would not lie.

"My wives, we have to go." They pulled apart and I turned the sink on to get some warm water. I washed Helen's face and then Laura's. "Talk later, Sweety. Got to go."

The bell just rang and we ran to class.

French was my second class. As usual, Natalie was bouncing around the class. Towards the end she sat at her desk after giving us a moment to do some of the work she assigned us. She coughed to catch my attention and I saw her sucking the two gold balls. When each was cleaned, her hand went under the desk and she closed her eyes as she wiggled a bit. A moment later the hand returned empty and she made a display of sucking her fingers.

One of the boys in class groaned at the sight. I was sure he must have had a tent under his own desk.

After class Rita waited for me at the door and I gave Natalie a very quick rundown of what had happened this morning so far. Natalie's only words were, "Laura was lucky."

On the way to the next class Rita held me close to her. She still remembered the boat trip and, I guess, would like a little more of the same even if her cramps had left.

In the course of the day I got the extrusion machines ordered along with a few tons of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene and nylon. Other plastics could be substituted, like polypropylene, high impact polystyrene or high-density polyethylene. If everything worked right, I could get three finished moulds a minute from the machines. The bottleneck would be in the manual labour that would be needed to assemble the units.

Mr Creighton gave me a rundown when he had time. We talked in the back room. "The engine seems to work great. It would be nice to take it for a spin but there are no licence plates. We also figured that you would want to be there when we did it."

"You are right. That bus may look great to you but it will look simply beautiful after one of Izzy's boys puts in the veneer. What I have to do, is to get some measurements for the appliances I want, the wiring and plumbing put in and then the anchoring points for the furniture."

"Ah... would you allow me and the wife to borrow this machine."

"I want to go for a trip first to test out all the parts. You can have it later, just remember to put clean sheets on that back bed."

The teacher turned red at being caught. "I wasn't..."

"Mr Creighton, that is one purpose of that piece of furniture and it is a great way to strengthen your marriage. You should invite Mr Sotola and his wife. I never asked but the kids could go, too. There should still be lots of privacy. You did put in those hydraulic jacks to level the motor home haven't you?"

"Yes, they are in. With them in place the bus won't wobble much."

"That was the idea I had when it was suggested." This time I got another stare. He was probably trying to re-evaluate my age, or the present maturity of my body.

In draughting I congratulated Mr Clark. "The prefab buildings should be done by now and I am going to alter my deal a little bit."

The teacher looked at me seriously, probably thinking I was going to screw the people who had helped me so much.

"The final unit will be trucked out today. I will see if I can get the local newspaper to put out a story with some pictures. A list will be tabulated with all the people involved and the pay they received. The bookkeeping class will do this. All pay will be given out at another location, though; not at school."

"Why is that Alex? The auditorium is large enough."

"Did you know that I bought the Clarkson?"

The man's eyes got very big meaning that he had not heard. This really surprised me, since I knew that way teachers gossiped. "The hotel?"

"Yes the hotel. The dance floor is not as nice as the auditorium. I will arrange to have a meal made for everybody involved and we do have good seating in the restaurant but the size will still not be enough."

"I think everybody can live with that kind of change."

We went to the back room and I dialled the hotel. After giving my name I was immediately connected to the chef that usually took the responsibility for the bookings. I had not met this man yet but he apparently knew me. The next free day was tomorrow, so I put it off till the next, which happened to be the Friday after next. Just two weeks shy of the end of the school.

"My social secretary will have to contact you about the menu. Her parents own Mario's and she has her own ideas. Please listen to them very carefully. The girl knows what she is talking about."

The chef said, "I heard that the restaurant of theirs is getting very popular."

"Yes it is. He is going into franchising and the company should make at least a billion dollars by the turn of the century."

"A billion!"

"Yes, at least a thousand million dollars."

"Shit, oh sorry sir."

"No problem, I use the term myself on occasion."

I turned to Mr Clark and said, "You know the date now. There is not room for everybody who helped and not enough room for all their families and friends, even if I can manage it in the hotel. Perhaps we can have a park to feed the families and make it a picnic. Sort of a pot luck plus the two restaurants to feed basically the entire school and their families."

English was the last class and at the end I was able to give Rita the altered plans. "Did you talk to your mother about the old plans?"

Rita was very excited about being given such responsibilities, "She gave practical menu ideas. The potluck idea might save us because we simply cannot make enough pizza and keep it fit to eat. The best we can do is cook some and send them off right away."

"Well, the first thing to do is to approach the parks and recreation department and get a permit. If it is not fast enough, or someone gives you a problem, do what you think best -- but no blood. Chairs are not really necessary but tables will be. We have to get some of the mothers involved in this, or they will not have time to help much."

"I can do that through the PTA and my Home Ec class. What about drinks?"

"I will see what the chef has. You should tie in better with him, too. Your mother may help, if you get any problems. I don't want to find the chef being the main ingredient in some sausage."

"Euuuu!"

"Rita, people forget all the time. Make notes and tell the people what and when they have to do things. Get some of your girls to help. You can give directions and they write the orders out. Look at this as a small practice round for the big party for the church fund raiser when it happens."

Rita said, "Dad got some phone calls and mom said she would help. She even went with dad to a big meeting."

"That is good. Maybe you will have less to do next time but watch what your mother does and listen to her suggestions. Get your teachers to help because it is a school function. See Mr Corfu and dig in the spurs if he gives you a problem."

Rita's eyes lit up at the thought. "That might be fun but he was always nice to me."

Back in the office I phoned the Stoner's shop and got John right away. "I found a four ton truck that should do the trick. I even drove out to see it for you. The engine sounds good. It needs new tires and probably brakes. The racks are still usable. The man wants 800 dollars."

"In your opinion, is it worth that?"

"No, more like six or six fifty."

"How much to get tires and a full brake job?"

"Well that depends if I need new drums or not. Could be two fifty to three hundred dollars. That is still a lot of money."

"Would you purchase the truck for me and do the repairs? I can drop off a cheque for a thousand dollars and you can take whatever moneys you need for labour, materials and a profit. I will need more vehicles later and if you do not take a profit you will not be around later to help me."

I heard a laugh at the other end of the line, "Yes, I can do that. Come on down and we can talk about your truck first so you know what you are getting yourself into."

Before leaving the office I had a brief chat with Valerie and Linda and suggested that they spend their night making another pair of panties but cut low. I drew a line on my own body to show how the panties would look. "Make one pair like you did today and one for later, when you have to be very proper ladies."

Mrs Cranston just came back into the room to hear both girls in unison say, "Yes, Alex."

I met Rita outside again, talking to Helen. It was nice to see that they were getting to be friends. They stopped their talk as soon as they saw me and just waited for me to get close.

Helen said, "Rita was telling me that you gave her a very important job. I don't know if I could do it."

"I think Rita can handle it very well, especially if her mother helps her. Perhaps you can make some signs to post around the school to tell of the event. Since most of the school is currently involved with the projects, I think we can have all the school attend. That means their families too. So make the arrangements for a small gathering of only fifteen hundred people."

Rita's eyes bugged out. "Fifteen hundred people! There is no way we can feed all those."

I just smiled at her and put one arm around her shoulder. "Teach the chefs at the hotel to make pizza and whatever else you want. Ask your dad to hire more restaurants if he needs to. You may only need to line up some drivers to do the deliveries."

"But fifteen hundred? That is too much."

"Honey, armies are fed and entertained and they have quite a bit more than fifteen hundred people. Remember, the mothers are going to bring a box lunch. How much room will each mother need to spread out what she brings? Then multiply that by three hundred and fifty or so. You can even get the city to donate some sawhorses or barricades with plywood on top. Think of it as training for the really big things that you might have to organize in the future."

Rita still had the bug eyes and an open mouth. I would get Helen later to talk or help out. If there were problems, I would just have to hire people to do what was needed. And on the subject: I had to go to the bank. "Helen, I have to find out what rate the bank is giving. You will have to get Aron by yourself. I am also going out to John Stoner's shop to have a talk and maybe put some money down on a truck."

Helen gave me a questioning look but simply said, "Yes, Alex."

I gave both girls a good kiss and left on my bike.

The day was warm and I was sweating quite a bit by the time I got to the bank. I stopped a few doors down and walked the bike on the sidewalk. There was an air vent in front of the bank and I just locked the bike to the grate. It still felt comfortable to lock the bike even though hardly anything ever got stolen.

I walked a few more feet and for some reason noticed a nervous man sitting in an idling, black Ford just in front of the door. I just turned into the doorway and went up the first of two steps when someone ran through the open doorway and into me. I saw the mask and the two cloth bags.

My brain went into overdrive. As I mentioned before, my mind worked much better than it did in my past, or future, lives. My hand went out and I punched upward at the person's throat. I just pulled back enough to keep from crushing his trachea. Almost as if in slow motion another person came out running, right behind the first.

This one had a gun in one hand and a bag of money in the other. One of my hands pushed his gun hand up and then he got the same treatment as the first. His eyes bulged out when my fist hit him hard in the throat.

Both men were falling together. As the gun came down to my level I kept it pointing vertically and started to take it out of the man's hand. I didn't get it away until the man had completed his fall. A look inside the bank showed that there were no others with masks. Behind me the car engine revved. Looking around I saw the man with his eyes large as the gun came to bear on him. His hand pushed the gearshift up and I stepped over the two men and crossed the six feet to the open window of the car.

I heard my voice say very slowly, "Turn the engine off, now."

The man just looked at me in fright but he did not move nor did the car. It must have taken a few moments but the car engine slowed down. "Hand me the keys." I said in a more normal voice and my left hand came out to get them. It took a moment again but the man did grip the key and the engine came to a halt. He looked to be trying to find a way out of his dilemma. "This gun better not go off in the car. If the bullet does not make a hole in you the sound will deafen you. Give me the key and don't try to run."

The man swallowed then handed me a single key. "Get out of the car but come this way." The man did not move. "If I get nervous, my finger twitches and you accidentally die. Come out now."

The man moved toward me and I gave him room to get out of the vehicle. When the door opened I was behind it instead of in the open. "Now get on your knees and walk to your friends. You move fast and something bad might happen to you." The man did as I said and knelt beside his companions. Just then the alarm went off and the man and I jumped at the sound.

Someone must have gotten enough nerve to push the button finally. I said again, "You should lace your fingers together behind your head. The police are going to be coming in the next half hour or so and we may get shot. The hands came up slowly and the hands did as I asked.

The men beside him were making some odd sounds as they tried to come to grips with the pain in their throats.

I turned the gun to the side and looked at it. I said to the man, "Did you know that this safety on the left side of the slide was off? I wonder if you have nine rounds or only the eight your magazine is supposed to carry. Hitler liked this gun and as you probably know most, if not all, of his officers got this P38 to replace the P08." I popped out the magazine and then put it back quickly when the man moved.

"Just checking if you cleaned the gun recently. I can shoot much faster than you can get up." I popped out the magazine again and then pulled back the slide. There was at least no shell in the chamber. I put the magazine back in and held it pointing to the ground.

"What is your name?"

The man did not answer. "When the police get here, you will be taken away and your name will be found out. Either tell me now, or I will read it in the paper later.

"Sammy Stein."

Mr Jackson finally stuck his head around the corner of the doorway and I said, "Hello Mr Jackson. Did you get a good rate for me?"

He just looked down to the two men crawling around in pain and the one kneeling with his hands behind his head. The pistol in my hand caught his eye and stayed there even if it was aimed to the concrete.

"Wha..."

"It was mostly reflex. They ran into me and I just struck out. Sammy, here, decided that he wants to get out of the robbery business. By the way, what rate did you get for me?"

"Ah... a... I was able to get three and a half. It is better than the previous rate."

"It is but maybe you should go back and turn off the alarm and then phone him again. Otherwise I will walk in there and talk to him myself."

"But... but." He said then turned quickly and ran back into the bank.

"Well Sammy, I had some business with the bank and they were going to give me a problem with the interest rate. I can see why it would be fun to rob them but it is still not a good idea. Not only is it dangerous to you but to others. Insurance rates go up and the cost of borrowing is carried on to the people that need the money to get ahead."

People were starting to gather around now and I put the gun behind my back and leaned against the stone wall. In the distance I could hear the siren and knew the police were getting here quicker than usual. It might sound unfair but when guns were involved the police were just a bit slower. John Junior was different and they had come very quickly.

I said to the spectators, "The police will order you all back and this will make you look like sheep ordered back. If you step back now in an orderly manner, you will look like a well-behaved group of concerned citizens." Some moved back but others just stayed rooted to the ground.

"Sammy do you or your partners have any more guns?"

In a moment I heard, "We only had one gun."

"That is a good thing. I am going to do you a favour. You will know what it is later." He just looked at me not understanding my meaning.

From behind my back I popped the clip again and placed it in my pocket. With my thumb I started to push out the shells. Oddly I found only two shells in it. Without anybody seeing I put the clip back into place.

The police screeched to a halt in the road and they approached with guns drawn. I had to smile, for the two policemen were the two who helped me with John Jr's breathing. A few of the spectators were pushed out to the way quite unceremoniously. The police looked around for more threats and by then Mr Jackson was back at the doorway. He had two guns pointed at him and then away. I thought he would have a heart attack right then.

He managed to say, "Ah... it... it was only those three."

The police pointed their guns away and saw me. They gave me the look and one said, "You better get away from here, Alex. These are dangerous people."

"Ok but I have their gun. May I give it to you now?"

"You what?" The first one yelled.

"They bumped into me and I drove my fist into their throats. I took the gun before someone could get hurt and convinced Sammy here to surrender."

"Where is the gun?"

"Behind my back. Waving it around could get me shot."

He shook his head and said, "Give it to me."

I took to gun out by the barrel and flicked the safety and popped the clip one more time. "Look," I said in an incredulous voice, "There's no bullets in the gun."

The gun was taken from me gingerly, then the clip. Sammy looked stunned and I patted my pocket to bring his attention to it. He just looked up to me in a stunned look but said nothing.

One of the tellers raced through some of her co-workers and told Mr Jackson something. He turned to me and said, "Ah, Alex, the president of our bank wants to talk to you."

"Thanks, that is a good idea, getting the top dog because I still think I am paying too high a rate." While Sammy was cuffed, I bent over and looked at the throats of each of the men and felt their pulse. One was unconscious and had difficulty in breathing.

"Both of these men have to go to the hospital. One may need an operation so he can breathe properly. If you throw him in a jail cell, he may be dead by morning. Now I have to go in to fight another one who is thinking I am robbing his bank."

They let me go and as I climbed the stone steps the tellers got as far away as possible. Cheryl did, too and I stopped a moment and said, "Why are you afraid? I am not rabid and I rarely attack pretty girls."

Another girl was holding the receiver in her hand as if it would bite her. She looked at me and seemed to think the same thing. "Thanks for holding the phone for me. What is your name?"

"Joan."

"Thanks Joan. You better run to the front and see what is happening outside."

I got the receiver and she said, "Thanks."

Putting the receiver to my ear I said, "Hello, Alex Kramer here. How can I help you?"

"Well, I didn't expect that kind of a greeting but you have already helped me. Mr Jackson says that you are a very surprising young man. My name is Martin Siddeley, by the way."

"I am very glad to meet you. I had a talk with Mr Jackson and he turned white when I said I may have to talk to you about this loan."

"Sometimes employees are that way, young man."

"You should have what is called, 'an open door policy'. It is distracting and wastes some time. It gives the employees a chance to talk to you as a sympathetic employer instead of an unapproachable head of a company."

"That is and interesting idea. You are full of new ideas. First, you find a substantial amount of gold, start some businesses in your area and save a child's life. Now you stop some robbers and save our money."

"Thank you, sir but I wanted to talk to you about the usurious rates that your bank is charging my fledgling corporation. Three and a half percent is going to make you and your shareholders rich. I plan on borrowing millions soon and I need to find a suitable financial institution that is not going to demand a pound of flesh along with a reasonable return on investment."

"Three and a half is a very good rate, young man," he said indignantly. "Only our best customers get that. You should be very happy to have been given such a reasonable figure."

"Reasonable? I bought a hotel here that is, in my opinion, worth more than I paid for it. Your own people evaluated it. You have not only the building as collateral but also my generous down payment. Then you want to drive a knife into the heart of a person that is trying to revitalize this city and Ontario. Dickens must have been writing about your ancestors when he did his social commentary."

There was a pause on the other end and I heard, "I resent that remark. We at out bank try hard to further the economy of our province and our country."

"Sir, I am a Canadian, though of Polish descent. You too, I assume, are Canadian. As such, you and our countrymen are conservative to a fault. A suitable expletive would be sedate, while the rest of the world would be termed dynamic. The Americans and even the stodgy British, are more adventuresome than us and they each gained an empire. As a race, we want our return on investment in a short time and then feel glee as we continue to rake in profits year after year. We are not satisfied with a small gain that will over the years return much more in terms of a greater economy and less agony on the part of the people unfortunate enough to require venture capital to expand."

"Mr. Kramer our financial institution has taken a risk and in doing so needs a profit for doing so."

"How much risk is there when you have one hundred percent of your loan covered in gold? I will tell you, absolutely none. Canadian banks throw up so much red tape that is probably better to go south of the border to secure a loan."

"That is not usually done, Mr Kramer. There is red tape there, too."

"I am talking about the start of the biggest corporation there will be for hundreds of years. I require money to expand and to work into markets that I see are growing. Do you know what the world will be like with vaccines that will save the lives of many children and young adults? You will not find out because there is not enough venture capital out there, except in the United States. Do they have to lead the way most of the time? Will you wait for your grandchildren to be stricken by a disease that could have been brought under control if more attention had been paid to it?"

"Young man you may be right about us being conservative but being timid makes for less mistakes. This has to balance out for those who are reckless and would go where angels fear to tread. If you are starting a drug company, you need more than a grade nine education in science to make new compounds. It takes millions of dollars to bring a new drug to market."

I replied, "You may be right but I have the premier biological researcher for the entire world working for my company. In the coming months you will see what a poor, under-funded company will do without any backing from a penny-pinching government and a miserly business community bent on looking down at their toes instead of forward."

"You have a product that will come to market soon young man?" He said with a substantial amount of sarcasm in his voice.

"Sir, the medical community is like any other business. They do not like any new people coming in and stealing their thunder. Many important finds have been buried under paperwork because they are not flashy enough or sometimes not expensive enough to have a good profit made by a drug company. This factor comes up particularly strong with me and my company. I have made an important discovery and because of my age it will be discounted. I need to hide behind others till I am old enough and have the number and the kind of degrees the other researchers demand. This means that millions of people suffer and some die because I cannot get my discoveries to market.

"If you tell me in confidence I will not tell any others about what you found," he said with another chuckle.

"On your word to tell nobody till I personally give you permission."

"Absolutely."

"I have made two polio vaccines, an antidepressant, a partial cure for a man's impotence, a way of removing the craving for nicotine and a hair growth formula. There is more but we are not that far along as to warrant mentioning them."

"Polio?"

"You will find that out in September or October, unless you leak the information out. I doubt if there will be any place on earth where you would miss the news about it."

"A cure?"

"I am sorry but only a preventative cure. The ones now affected are beyond our help."

"Do you really have a cure?"

"What I say would not be believed unless there was proof. The proof, as I said, will come later this summer."

"What would you like from us Mr Kramer?"

"A fixed three percent interest that will rise only when the prime moves; and only by that change. The line of credit extended to twenty million, with your bank being my only link. I know that this much is beyond the scope of only one bank at the moment. Further, I want an accounting team on call to find out information for me that they will share with your bank. This will give your institution a chance to reap the benefits as we both grow.

"Further, I want what clout I can get from your institution in purchasing properties. This goes beyond what you would do to ensure that the property is of sufficient value to cover the loan. This will be very beneficial, when you learn that in the next ten years there will be billions of dollars spent by the Americans. It will be used to beat or surpass the Russians, when one side launches a small satellite into space and the other is caught flat-footed on the ground."

"How do you know this will happen? It sounds like idle speculation."

"Is it idle speculation that both sides in the cold war are preparing for a major confrontation? Missile technology, like the V1 and V2, has been going into much more powerful missiles. They will become very common and very powerful with nuclear weapons. Though you don't know it yet, there is work going on converting an atomic fission bomb into one that fuses hydrogen making the explosion rated in the millions of tons of TNT.

"Missiles, for all their speed, are slow and can be intercepted if radar gives a warning. Soon there will have to be a ring of radar stations that will give us early warning of a missile or bomber attack. Russia and China are our neighbours to the north. Where do you suppose those radar stations would be placed?

"The space aspect comes when it is found out that a bomb placed in orbit has a very short distance to fall to reach its target. This will make both sides very anxious to be the first into space -- and to stay in the first place. Television and radar in a manmade satellite could see a missile being launched and warn the country of an imminent attack. Run those ideas by your board and some experts. You will see that my idle speculations are far from being idle."

We talked for only ten more minutes before I had to go and answer questions. The door had to be closed so that I could hear properly. My closing remarks were, "Take a working vacation north. Your bank and I own a nice hotel and we can talk about what the future may bring."

Mr. Tremblay and another detective looked very anxious themselves to get in but it looked like Mr Jackson was defending his bank while I talked to his boss.

The questioning was only a half hour because the incident was so short itself. They did ask me how I knew about guns. "They're simple tools that have to work on logical principles. See one gun and you have seen them all."

Mr. Tremblay said, "Don't give me that shit. Where did you learn that?"

"If anybody is bright enough to fix a car, then he should be bright enough to fix a different one. Do you see anything wrong with my logic?"

I got no answer so I said, "I have given you gentlemen enough of my time." I walked out and they still said nothing. I stopped over where Mr Jackson's was currently talking and said my goodbyes.

I got to the Stoner's shop late and found John sitting at his desk doing paperwork. He looked up and smiled when I knocked on his already open door.

"Sorry I am late. I was almost held up," I said with a smile at my own pun.

"That's ok, I had work to do anyway. Do you want to see the truck?"

"Sure but I don't want to take you from your family."

"They are used to me getting home late." He got to his feet and we left the building. He turned around at the door and used only a simple lock to secure the building for the night.

The bike went into the back of his pickup and we were off. He said, "I heard a lot of sirens. Was there an accident?"

Since he was in the body repair business I figured that this was important to him. "There was a small accident at the bank an hour ago. That is why I was late. I bumped into two people robbing the bank and disabled them. I took the only gun from one and captured the guy in the getaway car."

John looked at me a few times then back to the road. In a moment he said, "You are serious aren't you?"

"Yep, then I had to put up with twice as long to answer questions from the police."

"Anybody hurt?"

"Only two bandits."

"How did you do it?"

"Being quick and punching their larynx with my fist. The second one with the gun fell over the first. It was over in less than a minute or so."

"Do you know who they are?"

"One is Sammy Stein and I didn't have time to be formally introduced to the other two. Sammy seems to be a nice guy. Too bad he took that wrong turn in life."

The radio was turned on and five minutes later the Toronto news came on. North Bay was mentioned again and my name bandied about. None of the robbers were identified and luckily there were no verbal interviews. I knew I would be pestered again for television and radio interviews.

We got to the truck about ten minutes later. An old farmer came out and we talked about his vehicle. I started the engine and even drove it around the yard. The back right seemed to be odd. The brakes worked fine when I stopped. The other two men were not ready and looked frightened at me. When I parked again I mentioned the corner.

John got underneath and then checked the suspension at the other corners. John gave his list of things that were wrong and the probable cost of fixing the problems. The brakes were left as a question.

I came in at four hundred and would not bulge. The truck was not worth more. It just needed too much work to get it safely on the road. We left with the truck still owned by the farmer. I said, "I saw a new truck behind the barn. I think he tried to pass off the old one on us because the dealer didn't want his old one."

"The brakes were still unknown. I am pretty sure that they were not worth much." He paused for a mile or so then said, "Will you stop for a bite to eat?"

I didn't really want to stay but he had gone out of his way to help me and was late for getting home himself. At least, with me there to tell of my newest adventure the scales would get evened out a bit. "Maybe a little. Helen will have something to eat when I get home and you know how women are if you don't do the right things at the right time."

Florence and Mike were happy to see me. We washed up and sat down. I had to keep Florence from filling my plate. Part way through the meal John asked, "Will you tell the family about what made your day interesting?"

"We looked at a flatbed but the owner just wanted too much for it."

"The other one, Alex."

"Oh yea. I was walking into the bank and two bank robbers came running out. I punched the first in the throat and the second one ran into the first. He got the same treatment and I got a gun away from him. I turned around and stopped the man trying to leave with the getaway car. Later we saw the truck I was talking about. I think it has a broken rear spring. The farmer was another robber but he got away."

Mike just stared with his mouth open and Florence stopped with the fork part way to her mouth.

"This meat is really good Mrs. Stoner. My Mom cooks hers too much."

John looked at his wristwatch and turned on the radio. Music played for a while and Florence said, "Was that the truth, Alex?"

"Yes, the truck was not worth what the farmer wanted."

"No, no, the robbery."

"Sure. I may not say all the truth all the time but I try very hard not to lie." Something suddenly clicked in my mind. "Mike, do you know why my tires are not flat anymore?"

"Ah... I had a talk with the guys and they decided not to touch it."

He looked guilty still and it wasn't from his past actions with my bike. "Were you standing up to them and protecting my bike?"

"Sorta."

"Thanks Mike. It is nice to have friends like you."

Over some homemade fresh cherry pie, the news came on. When the international news was over, it eventually got to the bank incident. It had no more details than the last time.

Mike rode with me in his dad's truck to my house. I had to tell him all my moves and how I thought as things happened. As a sixty-six year old man it was fun but even more so in a thirteen year-old body. I rationalized it by saying to myself that a boy of my age would brag the same way.

The farmhouse was under siege when we got there. Laura and Natalie's cars were there, as well as three others.

"Maybe you two should come in and protect me. It looks like something serious."

John took me seriously and stopped the truck. I took the bike out and put it beside the house. I was able to get into the house with my two guests without anybody noticing. Rita saw me first, screamed "Alex!" and ran to me. She ended up kissing me passionately, then stopped and meekly pulled back. She looked at both her parents. I was sure she was worried about her father.

The others quickly gathered around and either hugged me, or kissed me, or both. It was hard to tell who were there. I climbed on a chair to be tall enough to see. Helen was right in front with her arm around Aron. All of Rita's family was there, including her sister Libra and her two small brothers. My girls had brought over Linda and Valerie with them. Derrick MacNeil was there with a woman I assumed was his wife. Even Mr Granger and his wife were present.

"Thank you for coming. I would like to introduce John and Mike Stoner who kindly drove me home after taking me far out of his way to look for a vehicle for me. Derrick, I see has brought his daughter but he has never mentioned her to me before."

"She is my youngest. Her name is Helen, like your sister."

"Nice to meet you, Helen. I see Mr and Mrs. Granger are here, too. Thank you for coming."

Aron spoke up first and said, "Tell us about it, Alex."

I explained the story all over again. This time there was a bit more theatrics and my feelings were explained but I did not go into it as I did with Mike. I did get them into the sitting room, even though most still did not have any seats.

They explained in turn, how each had learned of the robbery and my part. Helen had taken the phone off the hook long ago and it was still hanging by its cord.

The girls all gave me shit for risking my life, even if it was unavoidable after I collided with the first man. Aron just said it was the right thing to do and probably would have used the word 'cool' but the term would not come out for a few years and then the beatniks would do it.

John explained how I sprung the news on him and then how I had done it again to his wife.

Mr. Granger said, with a small lie I believe, "We were coming over to tell you about this fair you want to start. Father Cayer has given his blessing, especially when he saw how much the congregation was behind you."

I steered the conversation to this area now and away from me. "Rita has started the process of a school party to pay back in part for all the help I was given on my projects. I think she and her mother Maria will have something to say about the organisation."

The two looked at each other and Maria started to give her ideas and those that came up in committee. The Grangers added their own to make some areas clearer. The problem that both mentioned was their inability to elect a leader to get the others motivated.

I asked everyone in the room, "Do you want me to get the ball rolling?" Looking around I saw that most nodded their heads and few assented verbally.

I asked Derrick, "What have you found out about the farm just across the road from the church?"

"You own it now. There was only one hundred and thirty acres. The area looked good, so on my own initiative I bought the five hundred and forty that adjoin it. Most of it is bare rock. The price was very cheap."

"Good, we have the fairgrounds. We need to scour the area and to rent some portable latrines." I got the idea that these were not usually known about. "We need a carpenter to start making a great many outhouses. I expect at least a hundred thousand people but there may be more. We need the infrastructure first to make this work."

"What latrines?" came from John.

"Did you know about this fair before it was mentioned tonight?"

"Yes I did and I am not even RC."

"Well, the city is getting its first, of what I hope to be an annual, fair. It will be to raise funds for worthy projects. This year it is our church. Later we will have a meeting to discuss our needs and a committee will choose what the next year's project will be. It will be towards common good and all faiths will benefit. You are welcome to participate this year to see how it is done and you can help next year's beneficiaries."

"I will help if I can. What else are you planning on?"

"I will take care of advertising but I may have to cut back because we will not have everything ready. I was hoping to have it the first week in July but it may have to be later. If we can keep up the effort, the fair may last for days. Sausage making, we were told, is starting in earnest. We need games of chance. What would any Catholic fund-raiser be without a bingo game? I may be too late to get any travelling arcades but I will see what I can find.

"Mario, if it is not too much of a problem, will you look at the two farms with Derrick and find out where we can park cars. There may well be thousands of vehicles coming and I do not want to drag them out of the mud if it rains. We need all the things an army needs for this enterprise. Pick the best place to have the fair grounds, too. If I were you, I would hire and train more employees very soon.

"Derrick, will you have a talk with the city hall and get all the necessary permits? They will be very important, considering we are going to disrupt the entire city. It seems I am going to try to co-opt all the city services too.

"Mr. and Mrs. Granger, would the two of you check on all the people who would want stalls? Some businesses in the city may want to display their wares at the fairgrounds. Bakeries, jewellers and clothiers would find a profit, I think. Mr Stoner may show some before-and-after cars and maybe even sell some if they are done well." I saw the man think about this.

"Mario, have you decided whether to make a pizzeria in North Bay or not?"

"Yes, I have. The equipment has already been ordered."

"Consider putting up a token franchise at the fairgrounds. Prepare and cook the pizza there and you may sell some franchises for other cities. A booth showing you throwing a pizza in the air will stick in people's minds."

"That sounds like a good idea."

"You can even put it up at the party for all the people who helped me, if it arrives in time. It will help your daughter's logistics tremendously." I turned to Laura. "Laura, will you run the first aid shelter? You will need lots of help and you will have to start training them. The lost and found for children will be your responsibility, too. A simple place to rest and relax would be great for some."

"Yes, Alex."

"Valerie, will you ensure that there are places specifically made for changing the babies and small children? I want special care taken to support families with small children. Izzy is now an employee and his firm can help make whatever structures you need. A babysitting service can be set up and some girls can make some money from that. If money is a problem, come to see me. No child will leave without proof that the person taking the child is the guardian. Libra Leone would be an asset, if she will assist you."

I got two people saying, "Yes, Alex."

"Rita, if your mother is going to do most of this, then I want you to go around with a notepad and write down exactly what each person is going to do. Take your girls with you for training. Make a copy of each sheet you give out and write their name and date on it. They will not be able to say they didn't know something. Talk to your mother if someone, in your opinion, is taking on too much. You are now going to have to be an executive secretary."

"Yes, Alex."

"Helen Lowca, I want you to take on a big job. Since you will be handling a lot of money for me one day, I want you to keep books of all expenses. Enlist not only your class but also your teachers to help. I will give you money and you have to give it out to all the groups that need it. Get a full reason for why it has to be used and the amounts. The taxman will look very carefully at what you write. Please talk to the teachers tomorrow about what will be needed."

"Yes, Alex."

"Linda, since you are so good with needle and thread," she blushed so red I thought she would faint. "I want a special vest, armband or hat made up, so all volunteers can readily be seen by the visitors and help can be easily found for the tourists. July or August are hot, so make it light but easily recognized."

"Yes, Alex."

"Natalie, I want you to work for a week with the others to see what would and could go wrong. Once the threat assessment is made, I want you to run a few hour-long classes to let the volunteers know what to expect and what to do in any particular emergency. Inclement weather is possible and I want preparations made to move some exhibits inside. The ones that could cause a fire, though, have to remain in their own tents. The owners of the small stalls will have to fend for themselves, I am afraid."

"Yes, Alex."

"Aron, I want you to get into trouble."

"Me?"

"Yes, you. Show everybody how a boy can sneak into their stalls and cause damage by just being curious. Security has to be very high on my list. Maybe we can see if you can organize some boys to be messengers within the fairgrounds and perhaps do many small but important errands. When the time comes, I want some boys to accompany each of the security officers on their rounds. You can learn a lot about life that way."

"Yes, Alex.

"Mike, if you want to help, I have a paying job for you."

"Sure."

"Do you have a driver's licence?"

"Got it two months ago."

"You will have all the menial but important jobs. I want you to learn to drive the truck your dad is trying to find for me but you and some of our friends will be picking up garbage, transporting equipment all through the fairgrounds and last but not least, be ready as part of our firefighters. You must tie in with our own firemen because some of them will have to be hired. You guys will do the heavy work. You won't be riding the truck all day but using it for the work you need to do. Is that all right with you?"

"Yes, Alex. That sounds great."

"Helen MacNeil, would you want to do something to help your community, too?"

"It sounds like fun but I am doing most of your books now."

"Well, if you can spare the time, I want you to make me a city."

Her eyebrows knitted but I continued before she could ask, "I want a place for tourists to set up their tents or trailers. You will need to tie in with the health and other departments. I want roads, electricity, water, sewers and especially a police force. I found today that it is not as safe in this city as I thought. Get our chief of police to give you some assistance. If the site is chosen well, then there may be loam for people to set their tents on but rock for their cars and trailers."

"That sounds very interesting and a lot of responsibility."

"It is but you are also doing my books, which is an even tougher job." responsibility."

"Yes, it is. I will do it, Alex."

"I would like fireworks, as well as controlled fires, if the weather permits. It can be like a boy scout jamboree but for the whole family. Here we could have some good local bands with and without vocal accompaniment. Between the music we can have stories, plays and skits. We need many more responsible people."

The names were given and we discussed how good they would be with the chores that would be assigned them. Rita was already busy writing down names and trying to keep up but it would be just too hard for her with the pace we were going.

The guests never left till late but at least we had started the basic work.



-------

Chapter 19


Thursday

The next day brought a light drizzle. We started extra early for school but pedalled slowly and talked as we rode the bikes. In a way I was not surprised to see Rita now with three girls who stayed close to her and not ten feet away. We talked where it was dry: inside the school. I went through an abbreviated monologue of the events yesterday but still gave some of my feelings. We got down to business as soon as possible and Rita took out a notebook right away and so did the other girls.

She read off what she had written the day before and again what she had done from memory at her own house. I changed some things to make it easier to understand. The other girls were given dictation about some of the finer points but I was not going to micromanage this or even come close. That was the benefit of getting some good employees or, in this case, volunteers.

We all went to the office. We talked to Linda about some of her ideas for identification. I thought of having a red pair of crotchless panties but decided not to mention that idea, especially with all the young girls present. I did say, "Talk among the girls and get their ideas. Make what you think best. It just has to be cool and easily visible. Helen will give you the money when you have decided."

Valerie was directed to meet with Izzy and discuss what she would need. She was still very unsure of how to deal with a hundred thousand people and what babies and toddlers were among them. I used pen and paper to make an advertisement to be posted in the school, asking for girls to baby-sit on a rotating basis and the pay they would get. Valerie got this and then she and the girls made six more copies by hand for posting on the doors. She was shocked to see only her name at the bottom as the one to contact.

Rita's girls put down the information in their notes, too. We all trooped to Laura and I got a hug, which was acceptable in this case as a hero. The idea about attendants trained in first aid intrigued her. We made more signs for paid volunteers. I expected to make enough money to pay the workers and more for the church roof. My costs though would be much larger and it would take years to completely write off. Since this was charitable it would be paid partially by my taxes.

My entourage continued to draughting and I found Mr Clark drinking coffee and reading his newspaper. The girls looked around because they had never been in this classroom before. Mr Clark congratulated me on the bank incident. Again I gave him the story and got into what I wanted him to do. He had now finished the project with Izzy and the prefab homes.

"Sir, would you take on a new task?"

"What is it?"

"Get the students school-wide to suggest games and activities that could make money for the fair. There should be a hundred thousand visitors to the fair and we need to find many ways of getting them to spend their money."

"A hundred thousand?" He said with considerable surprise. "That is almost three times the size of our city."

"All the more reason to plan big just in case. Helen Lowca here will be my bookkeeper and Rita will try to do her own organizing to make sure everything is considered. She will second guess you and make you think. If you wish, you can pay some of the better students to make drawings of the booths. You can give marks, too. After school the same students can build the structures with Izzy for pay. Your students will be very highly trained by the time they graduate."

"You can say that again."

Mr Corfu came into the classroom. I hardly ever saw him outside the confines of his office. He said, "Hello, girls. Hello, Alex. I see you found your way back into the news. I want to give my congratulations on keeping our city safe but you took a fantastic risk in doing that stunt."

"When the first man ran into me I really had no alternative."

"I don't know about that but I will take your word. Would you be a guest speaker at an impromptu assembly again?"

"I can do that but if it is has to be for one complete period, then I can get some dialogue started about the fair we are having, and the opportunity this presents to the students and our city."

"That sounds fair."

"Thank you, sir. Would you be interested in helping to plan this fair with us?"

"Well, I don't know," he said uncertainly.

"This is a community effort that may boost employment in the city, broaden our tax base and increase the number of residents and students. This is good for the city and the school board. Other teachers are helping with bookkeeping, design and construction and maybe I can get our cafeteria to do something inspiring with the food but that may not be humanly possible." He smiled but didn't say anything.

Mr Corfu left and during the announcements we were all told to go to the auditorium for another special announcement. This was similar to the last time but I did not have to put up with strangers. I explained again what had happened and hammed it up only a bit to stay in character, or at least that is what I told myself.

I went on to talk about the upcoming party I was hosting for the people who had helped. Others were encouraged to assist in the arrangements since everybody was going to be invited.

I then went on to talk about the fair and what I thought it could do for our community. I pointed out the benefits to the residence and especially how the people in this room could make some money. The rewards for entrepreneurial skills were stressed. If conditions worked out, then perhaps this could be a summer-long activity for many summers to come.

Many different stalls could offer a wide range of articles, like the farmers' market that happened once a week. The number of people coming, though, was neither understood nor believed. None of them knew of my two aces in the hole.

I mentioned the need for paid workers, the jobs to be done and the people to see. The older girls took this in stride but Helen, Rita and Mike were a little flustered to hear that they were the leaders of certain sections.

With a careful monitoring of the clock I was able to talk the whole period and just give Mr Corfu time enough the make his closing remarks. This time the clapping I thought was more for the coming prosperity than an appreciation for stopping some thieves.

After school the reporters descended. The ones from CBC were the same as before and so were two others including our own paper but the rest had changed. I greeted them by name and asked about their families before they could start talking about me. This threw them off stride and I kept it up as long as I could.

When I discussed the reason for going to the bank I said it had to do with getting some money from the Toronto Dominion bank and Mr Jackson in particular. I hinted at a secret project with him but did not elaborate. These plugs would not hurt me and may make the bank more favourable to some of my needs. The reason for the money was to fund the fair that was to be held in July. I gave as many plugs as I could for products and services. Mario's got a special point because his food was the current craze of the city.

I got one question that was foolish, when the man said, "What does it feel like to be a hero?" I ignored the man and he asked it again.

I asked him, "Speaking hypothetically now, how would you feel if I asked you if you were still on speaking terms with your homosexual lover?"

The conversation all around stopped dead. "How can you say that?"

"I didn't; I prefaced it by saying it was hypothetical. Now, answer the question so that it allows you to avoid ridicule by your friends and co-workers."

"I can't."

"Well, choose the questions you are asking me so I am not forced to say something that is not true. Now, do you have a proper question?"

"How does your family feel about this?"

"Aron is eight and thinks it is great. The rest either do or would think I was foolish for doing such a stunt."

Another man came close and asked, "What are you going to do next after finding gold, saving a child, trying to reform the school system and single-handedly stopping a bank robbery?"

"Your question is as foolish as the last gentleman's, especially after you were warned. Next time your paper sends a reporter up, they better send someone with more insight and possibly intelligence. I am leaving now and perhaps you can interview the robbers next."

The man that asked the last question said, "We can't. Two of them are still in the hospital; one is undergoing an operation and the other one is close to needing it, too. The third man won't talk about it."

I left through the ring of spectators and went back to the school. I used the phone in the office and called the bank and Mr Jackson. I said, "I just had a talk with the reporters and I slipped in that you and I are working on a secret project for the fair. Keep up the pretence, if you would."

"I don't know any secret," he almost cried.

"Ah, then you can keep it very well, can't you?"

"I guess I can in that case. Mr Jenkins has been trying to get you last night and then again this morning but nobody is answering your phone."

"Do you know what he wanted?"

"I am too far down the totem pole to be given that kind of information."

"That may change. By the way, I talked quite a bit about your bank and you, so be suitably humble to the depositors."

"What did you do?"

"I said that I was coming over there to see you when the robbery took place, to discuss a secret project for the fair."

"Oh."

All through the day people congratulated me and even the older students stood taller when I walked by. The girls gave me a second or third look too and this made me stand up too.

After school, I talked to Izzy, who was presently putting one half of the kitchen on his truck for completion tomorrow morning.

He slapped me on the back and congratulated me. "I wish I could have seen that. It must have been interesting."

"Scary too, I think but at the time I just knew that it had to be done." To change the subject I asked, "When can Morris start on the bus?"

"We are done after tomorrow morning. You were going to keep us employed, remember?"

"I sure did and now you will have lots of work. You and your men are invited to the party I promised when we started this project. We also have to prepare for the fair that is coming this summer."

"I heard about that. It is all over town but the only name mentioned is yours."

"There are a lot more people involved. I want everybody in the town to help, if I can. We need you to build booths. One will have our bus. Morris will have his name on the interior, along with the other tradesmen. We may even build more of these buildings here to show the world how well they are constructed. This time it will be built lighter and on two axles so it can be moved."

"That sounds interesting. I mean the show. You already told me about the wheels. Which unit or units are you going to put on display?"

"The kitchen is the most interesting but costs the most money. I can't see me selling the unit during the show."

"Alex, m'boy, you have lots of construction to make in the next few years. We can use it. Hell, you can hire my wife and she can cook here for all of us."

"Hmmm, a package deal I suppose. You want me to hire your dog, too?"

"Now that's a good idea! We can have site security. 'Ripper' will not even have to be fed much if we get enough unwelcome visitors."

Helen and I waved to the people who saw us off and we hurried to the intersection to meet Aron. He was not there and the marker rock was where it was supposed to be, so we peddled to his school. Aron was the centre of attention with many of his admirers being girls. Helen and I just stopped at the edge of the property and watched from a distance.

Helen and I talked for a while and just looked at the group interaction. Aron finally got on his new bike and drove off. He was almost on us before he noticed. We just got on our own bikes and followed him.

I said while we rode, "Well, Aron, it looks like there were a lot of girls over there talking to you. Are there any there whom you like?"

"A few, I guess but they are too young. I think I have to get a few girls like those you have. My teacher wanted to know why I wanted to learn 'sommets' but I didn't tell her."

"You may have your sights too high. Maybe you can find a smart girl in grade three or four."

"I looked but they are not pretty like your girlfriends."

"Pretty is inside, too. Also, people change, as they grow older. Most but not all, get their best looks in their twenties or even thirties."

Helen started to make supper after we got home and Aron answered any phone calls. I was in the barn doing chores and Aron could truthfully say that I was not in the house. I expected some important calls, so Aron could safely filter them for me. The horse was put out in the corral while I cleaned her stall. I shovelled the manure into a wheelbarrow, took the load out and dumped it on the pile. A second load was shovelled and I put down new straw.

Aron came in and said, "There is a guy from the bank who wants to talk to you."

"Tell him that I will be able to talk in a moment, Aron."

The last load was dumped and I put the wheelbarrow away. Before leaving the barn I took off my boots and put the shoes back on.

"Hello, Alex Kramer here."

"Hello, Alex, this is Martin Siddeley. I spoke with you for a few moments yesterday afternoon."

"I do remember you and our conversation Mr Siddeley. How are you doing?"

"Quite fine Alex. Please call me Martin. I heard you were out working in the barn cleaning a stall."

"Yes I was. I was getting in practice for some board meetings."

The laughter started and then I heard the phone hit the floor at the other end. In a moment the laughter slowed a bit and Martin managed to say, "I am sorry, Alex. It is just that I can see your analogy so well."

"I might point out that a horse only digests a small portion of the food it is given, not unlike some irate investors or even some management types that were promoted over their ability."

The laughing gradually quieted and he said, "That is very true. Those conservative Canadian banks can get very exciting at times. One of those times was today."

"Really, what happened?"

"Well, I happened to take your side, sort of a devil's advocate and brought up the points you mentioned. I found many indignant vice presidents, accountants and lawyers for that matter. For a moment I could manage to see clearly from your viewpoint. I wondered how we might have done, if we had been a bit more adventurous like your British or Americans."

"If I may question you Martin, how many of them opened their mouths as if to catch flies and then pounded the table exactly one time?"

"If I didn't know better I would think that you have a spy in out board room. That happened three times and with three different people."

"Were these corpulent, with large jowls that seemed to quiver in rage at the thoughts of a young man talking to them with no regard to their standing within the bank or the community?"

"Now I am sure you have a spy. You were right, for all three were that way."

"If I were their doctor, I would staple their stomachs and put them to work as tellers again. There is a lot to be said for humility and a light wallet."

"Yes there is, Alex. What did you mean by stapling their stomachs?"

Here I made a mistake, for this procedure was not even thought of for another twenty some years. "I had an idea of using stainless steel staples to pinch off most of the stomach volume of an obese person. They will make them feel full much sooner and not have the capacity to gorge themselves. The procedure has not even been thought of to my recollection but I see no reason why it should not work."

"Very interesting Alex. Does this have anything to do with the medical knowledge you must have acquired when you were working on your vaccine?"

"I picked up quite a bit of knowledge. I have access to a fair-sized medical library and my photographic memory allows me to process an amazing amount of data."

"You didn't mention your new knowledge gained through your research."

"Martin, it is not just my research. With some very knowledgeable people involved, a great amount of information can be uncovered. Sometimes it is just a matter of taking two dissimilar pieces of information and putting them together."

"What can you tell me about your research without jeopardising your security?"

"I will tell you something that is worth a few Nobel Prizes in Medicine."

"What are they?"

"The basic building block of life is DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid. I think we have found the molecular structure and how it influences heredity and governs almost every aspect of our lives. This is already known but the actual structure has not been found yet. Our company found that ribonucleic acid acts as a messenger to formulate proteins in our bodies and in most every living creature above the level of a virus. The second discovery is the ability of poliomyelitis viruses to grow in cultures of various types of tissue. I think my company will over the years gain quite a bit of public attention."

"I am not familiar with the medical field but with your permission I would ask a few questions of people that are in the know."

"That is permissible but mention very firmly that it is my company that is doing this research. The proof of the DNA and RNA are a year or two off but the polio virus cultures will be self evident in a few months."

"Do you have any more rabbits to pull out of your hat? You aren't going to the moon are you?" The last he said with much jocularity.

"Space will have to wait, I think. I will need the backing of the American military. Eight to twelve years should do it. I want to start a habitat five hundred miles above the earth to experiment with the manufacturing of purer drugs and some that cannot be made under the conditions of gravity." I heard no reply for a half minute. "Talk to some physicists about this idle thought."

"Oh, I will Alex. Anyway, the board, at my insistence, has agreed to give you the three percent rate but only for five million dollars. I had to go out on a limb for you and I seriously hope that you are able to back up even a fraction of the things you mentioned."

"Thank you Martin. You are not going out as far as you might think. What about the team of accountants I want?"

"They were proposed as a way of keeping tabs on you, so this may work well."

"That is fine. I would rather that they only report to you and me but I know who their boss is and respect that. I have one more thing to ask."

"What is that?"

"We have a fair coming up in July. I believe we will have about a hundred thousand people come to see us. I want your bank to present a major appearance and I do not mean a free blotter to each person who asks for one. I want multi-coloured brochures of your banking services. A table to sign up new depositors and even take loan information. Behind your table will be all the gold you now hold as surety and an additional half-ton that I may be able to get before the fair begins. You and your bank will provide security at all times and this should reassure the fair goers of the strength of the bank. A ton of gold is more than enough incentive to bring people to your institution and to the fair. I would also like your guards to be in overall charge of security and direct any police officers we have patrolling other areas."

Again there was no reply but I waited this time. "I don't know if I can swing that. It has some good points but it is very risky. We don't want people to see that we are too adventurous or perhaps too foolish."

"A large vault brought by truck to the site can provide security at night. You would need some very large cranes to pick it up and put it on or off a truck. That is something a robber would not be able to do. Around-the-clock security is understood, as well as large lights focusing on the vault, which of course will carry the name and logo of your bank. Air-raid lights could be swung back and forth. People will see it for many miles around.

"I will have one or more of my prefab buildings made to house the guards when they sleep. My other building with a kitchen will allow your guards to eat and this is demonstrated to the visitors at the fair."

"So my guards are going to be your storefront manikins?"

"Martin, there are going to be many expositions all over the world, where new innovations are put on display. Yes, your men would show my house of the future but they would benefit from it as well. I believe, in fifty or so years, your bank would have grown to an asset level of 180 billion dollars or so. The CIBC, BMO and BNS will each have a hundred billion more. I just think your bank is too conservative to grow like your competition. With my help, though, all the banks will grow but yours will grow the most.

"You are protected by Canadian laws which make all of the banks lazy and inefficient. You think only of our country and not of the world. You and our government, need to get past this protectionism and get out into the world. Every country is protecting its workers and inefficient industries with duties and other forms of taxes. These have to gradually diminish, so only the efficient companies grow. Every country has its strengths and weaknesses and the strengths can be used to propel a country onto the world market."

"Alex, we bankers would never follow that line. There is no need to do business outside our country."

"In that you are wrong, for other countries will start this process and soon you will be forced to play their game. At that time you will be underdogs and have to fight for even the crumbs. Our own government will let foreign banks in and trust companies will be elevated to banking status. Even insurance companies will get in the act. You and the other banks can't stop it; you can only slow it down with your conservative views. It is better to have a shake-up now and forge your own path out into the world."

"Alex, you talk of vaccines and now of world monetary policy. I wish I knew what data you drew this information from."

"Form a 'think tank'. That is a group of thinkers with a wide variety of expertise. They can run with some ideas and you can see where they go. You may be very surprised with what they tell you. If you take this idea, allow me to use this resource with you. Put them to work on the question of what weapons will be developed because of the cold war and call me back with what they find out."

"I will do that. The board of directors may want to see what the future might bring, themselves. I am sending Mr Jenkins out with a contract. If you don't agree with something, we may be in trouble because it was hard to get this past the board."

"One day there will be a few companies that will have the job of delivering packages and mail the very next day or possibly overnight if a premium is paid. I would like to start one of these companies soon. Trade and communications are growing heavier each day."

"Now that is an interesting idea. How much have you progressed on this matter?

"Not very far, I am afraid. I think the company needs special trucks and planes. Colour, an eye-catching logo and uniforms will help. It is very important that it spreads all across North America very quickly. The post office will bitch but they are too inefficient. The government would not allow me to buy the organization to fix it."

"I will come up instead of Jenkins. Maybe I can bring an expert or two to see what you are proposing."

"I could use a partner in this shipping venture but this might be construed as a conflict of interest, if you were that person. Perhaps you would be interested in running this business with me giving some free advice. If you think that you can swing enough capital, then you may be able to make this work. Those two experts are going to be employees of your company or remain quiet of our conversations. I don't want the information to get out to the world at large before I am ready."

"You will have to tell me more. Why is it that you are giving me this idea and not doing it yourself?"

"The company is necessary to make businesses more efficient. Simply availing myself of its service will help mine. The company will be quite profitable but I have more than enough other companies, products and services to consume my capital."

Helen had come over and touched my shoulder while I was on the phone and I just held her hand on my shoulder as I finished the call. Martin was now even more interested in meeting me.

When I hung up she asked, "Your meal is ready Alex. Who was that?"

"The President of the Bank of Toronto. I wish I could get as good a rapport with the Bank of Commerce and the Bank of Nova Scotia. I have a line of credit now worth five million. It is not what I wanted but all that I expected."

Helen said in a very excited voice, "You are disappointed because you only got five million dollars. What is wrong Alex?"

"I just have too many things to do and not enough skilled help to assist me. Perhaps Martin's people will be a start but that is only a small beginning. After the vaccines I want to make transistorised devices too. After the computer is made I want to get into space. While doing all this, I have to makes sure that the development is also encouraging people to learn new trades. I don't like welfare and I don't like hurting people but I am going to have to bring some pain, or I will never get the world moving in the right direction."

After the meal I gave Helen a kiss and asked Aron to help even though he thought it a girl's job. I went back to the barn and continued the chores that I thought had to be done and had not been done by Mr Skryba and his son, Elek.

Later, with pencil and paper, I started to draw the machinery to grow a single crystal of silicon. These boules would be purer than anything now conceived but still not good enough. The polysilicon, or polycrystalline silicon, would have to go through an RF heater the same as the amorphous variety would. The heater seemed to collect the impurities in the melt as it travelled along the rod. Multiple passes filtered out more of the impurities. This achievement had not been found until almost the end of the century.

The boules were ground to a circular cross section and then cut into very thin wafers with a fine wire carrying diamond dust. These had to be cleaned chemically and polished to a high degree. Lasers would inscribe the lot and serial numbers onto each wafer but they had not been invented yet, either.

It was all old technology to me and it could be improved more but I had no means of backing up this improved technology with data. The transistors available now had a wide range of attributes because they were not made exactly the same and people had to actually mount the leads by hand on every transistor made. I wanted to start with good transistors and Large Scale Integrated circuits. A range of charge-coupled devices had to be manufactured, not only for fax machines but for scanners and cameras.

Before going to bed I was able to make the basic layouts for what I wanted but I had to use far more of poor or inefficient parts because the specialized equipment had just not been made, yet. A further complication with some projects was that Bell had a complete monopoly on the phone system. This was done because of the high cost of setting up and maintaining the system. It would be unfair not to let them get a piece of the action but as the laws now stood, I could not even make a direct connection to the phone lines. A modem and a fax would be useless to me.

In my time the American government forced them to allow this type of connection as a way of communicating in a timely way. A further possibility was the use of the lines used by the railways. They owned the right of way and presently they were used to wire money and send telegrams. It might be possible to play one industry against another to get what I wanted.

One company that made a rubber pad that gripped the telephone handset allowing the user to tilt their head and trap the handset against the shoulder was considered an infringement of Bell's patent. Bell went to court and I believe even appealed but eventually the case was thrown out because it was not actually connected to the lines.

I made slow love to Helen and then we curled up and went to sleep but not before Aron came to our bed again.



-------

Chapter 20


Friday

Friday was overcast and we put our raincoats in our packs. Aron was happy to hurry off to his group of admirers and I was happy for him.

The last half of the new kitchen was gone now and the site looked forlorn. Rita and her girls were at hand and we all went to see her Home Ec teacher Mrs. Murray. The teacher was not in but Rita said she would track her down. I wanted to get the appliances that had not been built in and now they would have to be delivered to the mine site. All they would require, would be levelling and plugging in the electric cord except for the propane appliances.

Helen and I went alone to the office to see Linda and Valerie. They were still in good mood. The spectre of Summers had not passed yet and might not for years. Mrs Cranston came over to us when we were talking. I turned and greeted her. She said, "Hello, Alex. I see that Linda and Valerie have jobs. Do you have any for an old woman like me?"

"Mrs Cranston, you are not old. You only age when you think you are old. I do have a job, though. I have always seen all those photographs around your desk. Did you take those pictures?"

She broke into a smile and said, "Yes I did. It is a fun hobby but my albums now are full of just my husband, some animals and some flowers."

"Well, how about you being my official photographer? I pay for all film and processing. Just tell the people developing not to cut the negatives into groups of three. I want lots of casual pictures but I also want some in which the people pose. I want to make up tags that each of us will wear. It has one's picture and name on it. I have to find some clear plastic to stick to it, so it cannot be changed easily."

"What is that for?"

"If I have the tag around my neck and you see that the picture and my face are the same, then you would believe that the name is mine. It will also allow some people to move through high security areas."

"What high security area? We're not in the military."

"If you went to a bank and withdrew Valerie's money you may not be apprehended unless they caught up with you. If you had a photograph with your name on it, the bank would know that you are not Valerie. A driver's licence can be the same way. The fair will have great many people coming to it and not all will be honest. There will be pickpockets, confidence men and even robbers. The police can let through the ones that have the identification but keep everybody else out, including the crooks."

"Why would the police want to keep anybody out?"

"I will tell you three first. I am trying to get over a ton of gold brought onto the grounds. People will come from all over to see that much metal. Is it interesting enough for you to go to a fair, even if you live in Toronto?"

"Yes, it would. I think that much metal is just beautiful."

"Others think the same and they will be coming here to see it. We have at most two months to get ready. That means making preserves, clothing, toys, quilts, preserved meats, novelty plaques and much more. If you rent a booth, you can make a lot of money. The church collects a portion of the rent and the city benefits by feeding and giving the tourists a place to sleep. We can make it like Niagara Falls but not as expensive."

"You don't have to convince me. I see why you have to have security now. I'll take your pictures for you."

"Thanks Mrs Cranston. I need two, though, so the security has a copy to see if the cards are real."

"That's easy."

We left to find Laura and each of us got a very deep kiss that told of her need to be with us. She told us what she had accomplished so far.

"I think you did quite well. Putting on dressings and bandages is a good start. Maybe we can make up an official medical kit that everyone who passes your exam will get. You might be able to take them through the hospital later to show them what it is like to be a nurse. I personally find nurses to be smart, sexy and very attractive."

Laura said, "As long as I am the only nurse you get, then that may be ok. I already have to share a lot."

"Speaking of sharing, are you going to move in with Natalie? There is room for all four."

"We did have a talk and if Natalie had a big bed we would be over at her house all the time instead of mine. I have a lease, though and three more months for it to run."

"I'll talk to your landlord if you give me the name and phone number."

Laura took a sheet of paper and wrote the name of a man and his wife along with the phone number.

I had five minutes, so I picked up the phone and dialled the number. For the next three minutes I explained who I was and the benefits of having their house changed for two months so they could accommodate some tourists during the fair. For two more minutes I explained what they had to do to make it work well and finally my cost for the help. Just before the bell rang Laura was given the phone and told how she was let out of her lease and could go at the end of the month, which was in two days.

We got a hurried kiss from a happy woman and we ran to class.

Third period found me in draughting. Mr Clark gave his ideas about what he wanted and what the students might get for making some good designs. The idea of assembling their own creations made quite a few happy. Even Nick and his friends were starting to fit into the class better.

Mike openly slipped me a sheet of paper listing his concerns. I made a more explicit wording of what I expected him to do. I added the numbers of employees he could get and the pay schedule. He didn't like the paperwork or the time keeping but that was part of his job now.

I made a quick drawing of a building made completely of plywood and either two by fours or two by sixes. It was a cook shack to prepare and dispense one particular cooked commodity. It had a wide shelf around the perimeter and under a wide roof to serve the army of fair goers.

My next drawing was of a large bag made of heavy canvas with a canvas wall around it. Clear plastic panels made up the majority of the area. A long canvas tube led to a strong blower to inflate the bag. Both were handed to Mr Clark. The room was now informal and some boys looked at what was drawn.

"The building is easy to understand but what is this thing?"

"A blower inflates the bladder. Children without shoes climb on it and jump around. It would be much more fun than jumping on their bed and best of all their mothers would pay to let them do it."

He said, "I can't see this being any fun."

"That is because you are too old to remember what you were like as a kid. I doubt that you were as reserved as you are now. I bet your mother walloped your butt many times."

He smiled but said nothing about it. "How are we going to make this?"

"There is a business in town that makes canvas awnings. Talk to the teachers in Home Ec and see what they think of the seams. They may even assist in the detailed drawings. I will pay for the first one but the boys in this class can purchase it from me at cost, if they are going to run the amusement during the fair."

At lunch Rita told me that the proper appliances had been found and purchased. They only had to be picked up and, of course, paid for.

I thanked her and turned to Mike. "Will you phone your dad after you finish eating. If he has a truck we can ride over and get it. You can take some of your 'men' and take the appliances out to the mine. Make sure you phone your parents first. It will be about two hours to drive out, unload the equipment and drive back."

Mike had a smile big enough to break his face. "Sure." He turned to five of the boys at the combined table and gave his own orders if the truck was available.

He came back a few minutes later with a long face and said, "Dad didn't get one yet."

"Cheer up. He may be going looking tomorrow and you can go with him. Your crew can clear the employment and working times first, so it is not going to come as a shock. Parents get nasty sometimes when they get things sprung on them."

During a lull in machine shop Mr Creighton pulled me aside. "The machines are coming in tomorrow. I have been after them for a time. The dies are not made yet but they promised they will be by the time the machines are set up."

"That is still good enough to get the hundred dollars. The TD bank has Okayed the line of credit but I haven't signed anything yet. I may have to get an interim loan to cover the machines."

"Alex, if they phone the bank, they may give you the machines for a week. They have some time to pay themselves and can afford to wait a bit."

"Maybe you should phone them first. If this is going to cause trouble, I can pay in gold if I must."

"I'll talk to them," he said and walked off to his office in the back of the class. In a moment he gave me the thumbs up signal through his doorway and continued to talk.

After school I went to Laura first. When it was safe I said, "Did you tell Natalie about the lease?"

I got a big smile and she said, "She can't wait."

"You want to get moved tomorrow?"

"I can't do that. I have to pack and get boxes and do a million things."

"Tomorrow I am coming over and we are going to pack and move you. I will see about a truck."

"We can't, it is too much work."

"There will be lots of us. Just get some boxes tonight and pack all your toys and things you don't want others to see. I am coming by tomorrow morning."

I got another big smile and she said, "Ok. I'll see what I can get done."

Helen and I tried to get home because Mom would be coming soon. Even Helen was happy at the event. Rita came over and I cleared up a few problems and then gave her twenty dollars. This was a week's pay for a man. I said, "Helen will record that this money was given to you. Pay your girls for their help and for any supplies you needed to get. Keep receipts of anything you get in the future. It may not be much but it is a way to teach you how to handle money."

She held the bill up with two hands and her eyes were sparkling at getting so much money. I gave her a kiss and started off. I heard my name yelled and we stopped. Mike ran over and said, "I phoned again. The man you saw before, now he wants to accept your deal if you will go there personally. Can we go, Alex? I want the truck. Can we go?"

I thought for a moment then said, "Is your dad free to go with us?"

"Yes, he has the truck warmed up, he said."

"Helen, I will be less than an hour."

She gave me a sad smile and said, "Ok but watch out for traffic."

Mike and I raced to his dad's business. As promised, the truck was ready. All three of us got in and we drove off. Mike was very excited and asked questions about what the machine looked like. Even a harsh dose of the truth didn't seem to dampen his feelings.

On the way I asked John, "I was going to help somebody move tomorrow. I could rent a truck but I can rent yours too and you make the money."

"How long you planning on using it?"

"Till three but we may be done earlier."

"You can have it. Just bring it back without dings and with a full tank of gas."

"You got a deal."

When we pulled up in the farmer's front yard he, his wife, their three grown children and their dog came out to greet us. The business was completed quickly and I paid the extra coin the man wanted. When asked, I told them of the incident at the bank and how I came there right after. The people seemed to be very pleased to meet me and shook my hand many times.

Even the dog got into the act and stood on his hind legs and tried to kiss me. I took his paw instead and shook it while saying how glad I was to meet him.

The old owner told us everything that was wrong with the truck and there was very little that we did not know.

When I shook their hands one more time I said to John and Mike. "What do you think of John driving the stake truck home and Mike driving the pickup?"

Mike was glum now and I continued, "Your dad can see if there is more wrong. He has more experience in driving. When he has checked the brakes and replaced the tires, it will be safer for you to drive. The spring and the lights need to be tended to. I am sure that if your father trusts you to drive the large truck you better get some training first. I have to get insurance through my company, too. You have to be signed on as an employee or it won't be valid. Just drive the pickup and let your dad fix the truck first."

"Yea, you're right. I just wanted the truck. I know it's yours but I will be the main driver." He looked at me seriously, "Am I?"

"You will be the main driver but it is not to go to school or drive around town. It is for company business, Mike but you also have to practice to get a feel for it. You should help your dad fix the machine, too. We have some appliances to pick up and deliver to the mine. Monday or later sounds early enough to me."

"Ok," he said but he tried to give me the impression that he was being hard done by.

Mike drove the old pickup in a responsible manner while following his dad to the shop. When we stopped, I wrote another cheque for one thousand dollars to be used on parts but informed John, "The bank phoned me and said I got a much higher line of credit. I have not signed the papers because the man is coming down in person. The cheque may bounce and I do not want my credit rating damaged. If you have the money, buy what is needed to make the truck as safe as possible for your son and my friend."

"I can do that Alex. You want a paint job too?"

"Let's use it for a while and maybe we can get an idea of what would look nice. I just don't want painted flames on the fenders. The truck is not for racing or it will have to get a new driver."

"I understand you completely and agree."

Mike and I chatted as he drove me home with my bike in the back. When I got out, I shook his hand and he just looked at me as if wondering why boys would do such an odd thing.

The family was waiting for me inside and both dad and grandpa descended first and patted me on the back and congratulated me on what I had done at the bank. Dad held my shoulders and said, "That was a very brave thing to do but very foolish, too. Saving babies is fine but capturing robbers should be left for the police."

"I couldn't help it at first. The first robber just ran into me when he left the bank. It was almost a reflex action to stop him. I knew the punch would give him a lot of pain and stop his part in the robbery. The second man ran into the first and it was easy to do the same thing to him. If I were you or grandpa I could just have picked them up and thrown them to the ground and then sit on them till the police came."

The two men smiled at the flattery and grandpa said, "Did the bank give you a reward?"

"Yes they did. I took the gold flakes and dust to the bank to get a larger line of credit. I talked to the bank president on the phone and he will give five million dollars as a line of credit. We will only have to pay three percent."

Grandpa smiled and said to everybody, "That's my boy."

Dad said, "You have to pay that money back don't you?"

"Yes I do. As I said, I will just borrow more money and use that to pay the interest. Before the end of the year we will see how much gold I should sell to keep the taxes where they should be. I bought some property too, dad. There are two farms across from the church that are good for nothing basically but are now mine."

Grandpa said, "Why did you buy such worthless property. All it is good for is hunting and picking blueberries?"

"That property is valuable but people just don't see it. The church needs a roof and I want to have a fair to make enough money to do the work. The land is large enough to park the cars and hold the fair. I have a favour to ask you and grandpa, dad."

"What is that Alex?"

"The fair needs things to sell. Clothes, toys, candy and food are needed. I want some of your sausage and hot sauce. You and grandpa can make a fortune. Everybody likes those things. If Mom and grandma made the buns, we would make another fortune."

Grandpa's chest puffed out and he stood a bit straighter. "We do make good sausage." He looked at dad and said, "It was the Corinz family that showed you how to make your sausage into great food."

"Tata, you use too much salt. The Lowca family at least use some other spices."

"Ha, your sausage tastes like it is made for sissies. The Corinz family knows how to make real sausage and I am going to make all my grandson can use."

"Their mouths will all pucker up. Maybe I should make beer and sell it. They will buy a lot more of my drink than your sausage."

"Won't..."

"Grandpa," I interrupted. I am going to advertise all over and there will be three to five times the number of people coming to the fair than there will be in the city of North Bay."

Grandpa had his mouth open just a bit as he thought about this. "How do you know this? Is it another of your visions?"

"No it isn't. I want the bank to take the gold they are holding as collateral and bring it to the fair with an army of guards. People will come for many miles around to see all that gold. If we get enough flakes and dust, we can add to the pile and make over a ton of gold. There is something magical about having a million dollars in gold to see."

Grandpa said, "I would like to see that myself. Do you really think that so many people will come?"

"Yes they will. There will be so many people coming that I am renting out land for them to put up their tents or their trailers. Houses and apartments are going to be in a lot of demand. Aunt Eva should come down with her family and I can thank her for coming down when I was hurt. Her family can stay in this house. If some people stay at the mine most of the time, they can come down to the fair when their turn comes. I bought some houses and three hotels in the city. They will all make lots of money during the fair."

"You bought hotels! Why did you do that? You don't know how to run one of those businesses and we don't either. There are a lot of places to put your money that will bring you a profit."

"North Bay will grow a lot now. Part of it is because of our mine. Another part is because of the businesses I am starting. I can give a person a job and pay him reasonably well. People in other cities will come here to get a job, too. The city will grow because other businesses come here to sell their products to me or to the people I employ. As for running the hotel, it is like you now. You run the mine and the others do most of the work. I just have to find people that will run the business and one day the building will be worth a lot of money and I will have spent only a little for it.

"Next week I have to stay at the hotel to be trained by the old owner before he leaves. It takes much longer than a week but I think I can make it through all right with the help of the staff. It would be best if Aron and Helen stayed with me there instead of here. Mr Skryba is just going to have to do a bit more. If you are not blasting much, you should take the horse out to the mine and exercise her there. It is more fun, I think, to ride a trail instead of a farm road."

Mom and grandma had waited their turn and came in and hugged me with a vengeance. It was almost as if they would punish me for doing something stupid. "Alex, you were very foolish. Tell me you won't do such a thing again"

Since the chances of stopping another bank robbery was very slim, I said, "I promise. I won't stop anybody robbing a bank in the future. Would any of you like to go to the hotels tomorrow to see what they are like? One is especially nice and you would like it."

"You go ahead, Alex. I have too much to do."

That night we enjoyed more homegrown music. I wrote some lyrics and Helen sang them to my playing. I liked ballads and they made many in my youth. Now they would get presented to everybody but for the first time once again.

Dad played too but complained of his work-hardened fingers not responding like he needed. Mom and grandma sang their songs, too and that made the occasion very special.

The family went to bed and I had to stay up to do more paperwork on the electronics industry that had to get started soon. It may look simple to an untrained eye but there are a lot of intricate machines and procedures that took years to invent and develop. I was happy to know most of them because I worked on the floor of my plants. With enough companies I would be able to use many of my engineers to tackle problems and other businesses. They not only helped, they quested for more. I gave them challenges and then tried to beat them. They didn't pull punches and didn't let me win on the links either.

-------

Saturday

Helen, Aron and I got up at the usual time and had breakfast with the family. After we finished, dad said he had some chores to do and I said, "I want to help Laura move to her new apartment. It would be good for Helen and Aron to come and help, if that is ok with you?"

He looked at the eager faces and said, "When are you guys getting home?"

"We are having a noon meal after at the hotel; say, around five."

"Ok, be home at five and your mother will have the food warm."

"Thanks dad." He got two hugs and the same sentiments from his children.

Upstairs I said, "Bring a change of clothes. You guys are going to get dirty and sweaty."

We pedaled like mad to Laura's and the two went up to help, while I continued on to John's.

Fifteen minutes later he was at Laura's and she came down and drove John back to work. He explained that it would not cost that much to fix the spring because he had a used heavy duty set that would fit. I suggested that Laura go by the liquor store and the grocery to pick up some extra cardboard boxes.

I found the girls and Aron happily working on getting everything ready. They had gone out after school yesterday and found many of their own cardboard boxes. I took a pen and marked each box as to what was in it, or where it had to go. The boxes started going downstairs and Aron was going to watch them till Laura came to load them into the truck.

Aron came running up for more boxes and with some empties in his hand. More trips were made and more boxes came up. Helen and Aron didn't, though and I figured they were helping to unload.

Linda and Valerie were giggling and pushing against me as much as they could. They were trying to see what they could get me to do, I thought.

"My baby girls. You look so hot and tired. Maybe you should take off your skirts." They looked at each other, smiled and did as I asked. They, of course, had on their special underwear. I felt both and saw how tight their bums really were. "Take off your tops too. I like seeing my babies." The smile now was a little more tentative but they did like I wanted. They now only had panties and bra on. They took their time at bending over to check different boxes, so they would show me what they were really offering.

I made a show of straightening out my own underwear and they both giggled at their effect on me. This was a good first step, for they knew that I was trustworthy, perhaps the only trustworthy man around.

We did get a bit more packed and then there was a knock at the door. I called out, "Yes?"

"It's me, Alex. I am alone."

The girls exhaled and Helen came in and closed the door behind her. She looked at the nearly naked girls and said with a smile, "Damn."

"What is wrong?"

"Laura said you would have the girls looking like this, or maybe dressed even cooler. I said that you wouldn't. I lost the bet."

I didn't ask what the wager was but I did say, "My baby girls were getting overheated. What is a momma like me supposed to do? Will you take them in the bedroom and see if they dirtied their diapers?"

I got a startled look from all three and then Linda smiled. Helen saw this and said, "I guess they are my babies too, then. Ok girls, into the bedroom; I have to check if you are wet."

I called out, "There is a big thermometer on the table beside the bed. I am going to take a few boxes down. I'll close the door, so they can go for a nap if they get sleepy."

Helen looked at me a bit funny then said, "Ok, I can do that. I think it will be fun."

Laura and Aron were waiting in the truck. I walked up and said, "I think you won. Let's get some more boxes; the rest are busy. Helen is trying something that is new to her. Laura raised an eyebrow and smiled.

We brought up more empties and loaded the truck by ourselves. The bedroom door remained closed and we heard many salacious sounds from the other side.

This time Aron and I went to Natalie's and help unload the truck. Aron watched me getting some very deep kisses now that there were fewer girls around. Aron moved from foot to foot as if he needed to pee till the girls gave him a nice kiss, too. When the girls pulled back, the boy had an ear-to-ear smile and his eyes were closed in bliss.

We unpacked a few things and hung them up in the closet. The dressers and other furniture had not been moved yet. We basically did as much as we could without going back to the apartment.

When all we could do was done, Laura, Aron and I went back. I rapped alone at the door and heard a giggle and then I was invited in. I had to stop at the doorway. All three girls had on the crotchless panties and nothing else. "Now, that is a cool way to be. I would join you but then we would never get done."

Helen sure had taken her time because few boxes had been filled. I took the dresser drawers out and carried them down to the street. Laura came up to assist me. She stopped when we entered and just looked at the girls. We carried the empty dresser down two flights of stairs and put it in the truck. Aron put the drawers in while we went up for more.

The other girls eventually put on a blouse and a skirt but now they had no panties. I knew this because I looked under their skirts to the delightful giggles of each of them.

Eight more trips got everything. The fridge and stove came with the lodging. We spent an hour and a half cleaning the old apartment with Natalie and even Aron helped though he thought it was woman's work.

The landlord was invited in and he was happy with the condition it was in. We got some kind remarks and then we left.

Natalie's took less work to straighten out. While I was putting things away in the bathroom, I noticed that there was no noise coming from the rest of the apartment. The girls all stood around the newly made bed and just looked at it. Now Helen was one of the girls. I said, "I need a shower. Would somebody wash my back? I will do theirs."

I had five volunteers and even Aron said he would help. Knowing that it would be more fun with the girls, I got Natalie to do the honours. The water was running for only a minute when I was inside her with my small prong. She grunted and groaned and slipped back and forth on the bottom of the tub. With the water off I continued with my fingers on her clit and my lips on one of her nipples.

She groaned very loudly a moment later and shook. Her arms were around me holding me as if I would leave her. When she settled down, she smiled devilishly and flipped me end for end. I had another low-calory lunch.

After the second time I did her hair and body and then she did mine. When we got out of the bathtub, everybody, including Aron, was there. I took my time drying her and she did the same to me.

I said, "Helen, I think you should clean Laura as part of your bet." Both girls turned a bright scarlet but took off all their clothes in front of us. Aron looked from one naked body to another and didn't know what to do. Eight years made him smart enough to know about sex but even less of the feelings than I did.

I said to the last three, "Aron needs to be cleaned. Can my baby girls do that for me?" The girls nodded enthusiastically and Aron didn't seem to understand what was in store for him.

Helen and Laura scrambled into the tub and the water started to fall. In less than a minute I heard a soft moan and knew that everything was fine.

Natalie walked naked to the bedroom and I followed. With the door closed I took up where I left off. Twenty minutes later there was a knock at the door and both clean girls came into the room.

While I used one of Laura's toys on Natalie, Laura got between Helen's legs and worked to bring my wife to orgasm. I was able to nibble on Laura, while Natalie nibbled on Helen. I didn't know yet how much Helen would like returning the favour.

We were just cuddling when the door was flung open and Aron came running in. In the background I heard Valerie tell Aron not to but of course it was too late. The naked boy looked at all four of us lying naked in bed and just climbed in between Laura and me. Linda and Valerie came in naked, too and just watched us. Aron said, "Alex I got really cleaned. It was fun. It was even more fun than when others used to help me." He got close to my ear and whispered, "They cleaned my bum, too and it made me stick up."

"Well, don't think that Helen or I will do such a good job. You may have to come over here to get cleaned when you get dirty."

"Gee, can I, Alex?"

For lunch we went to the hotel and found the service to be fantastic. After we finished, Aron made his first phone call and talked to his mother, telling her how much we worked. I heard grandma's name mentioned and after five minutes Helen was called to the phone. She stayed there even longer than Aron.

While we were waiting I saw Jason Stife pushing a woman in a wheel chair. I excused myself and rushed to him as he came to the elevator.

He stopped and had a few words with the woman and I came up to him. "Hello Mr Stife. I just came over to enjoy a superb meal and thought I would give my thanks to you and then the chef. The two of you work well together."

"Hello Mr Kramer. I see you are into saving other people's money."

"Thank you sir. It was mostly a reflex action at the start and I just had to carry through or I would get hurt. Will you introduce me to this lovely lady?"

"Oh, I am sorry. This is my darling wife of thirty years, Margarete. Margarete, this is the young man who purchased our hotel and did so many brave or heroic things lately."

Margarete's voice was rich and very cultured. She put out her hand and I held hers in both of mine. She said, "I am glad to meet you. I read about you in many different newspapers and heard a lot about you on the news."

I replied, "They all have their own slant on things, I am afraid. I am just as guilty, I guess, for I try to phrase my words so I can get some exposure to my ideas."

"Will you come up to our apartment? I don't like talking here in the lobby."

"I would love to. I have brought some of my family and friends. It was a moving day for most of them."

"Bring them up and introduce them to us. I enjoy meeting young people."

I could see already the way Jason and Margarete seemed to fit together. She, even in a wheel chair, seemed to be the driving force in the family. "If you will excuse me, I will get them."

"Certainly Alex."

Everybody was waiting at the cleaned off table. I asked Helen about the check and she said, "The waiter refused to give it. Said you were the new owner."

I put a tip on the table and said, "We are going to meet Mr Jason Stife and his wife Margarete. She is in a wheelchair. Don't stare at her but do not treat her any differently than you would anyone else. Most people who are that way want to feel that they can get along by their own means."

We made introductions at the elevator and Jason made the call. We all fit in the elevator but just. In the close confines two people groped me and the action came from two directions. None of the girls looked at me or let on who the guilty parties were.

We got out at the penthouse and I saw that the Stifes lived in one of the four large suites that made up the rooftop habitations. We had seen one but two more had been empty. The other was little different from the others, apart from mementoes and things a family collects over the years. In their suite Margarete got out of her chair and stood up. I was beside her, as her husband was but we did not offer to help. All we did was hold the chair from moving.

Margarete used her hands and as gracefully as possible sat on the expensively brocade couch. When she got comfortable she said, "Tell me why you purchased this building?"

"I will, if you will tell me why you are selling?"

She thought for a moment and said, "Ok. As you can see I can't get around very well. My hips are shot and Jason thought that some warm weather would let me enjoy my life better. He can't really run the hotel from Arizona."

I said, "Before I get into my reasons, may I ask you if you would stay here if you had no problems with your hip joints?"

"Oh, I would. I don't even know if the warm, dry air would help my joints or not."

"I bought this hotel and others because I want this city to grow. I have started many small companies and even a pharmaceutical company that will be very famous in a few months. As they grow, they will attract more companies and trained individuals. If I own the houses, residences, land and of course the businesses, I will make a good part of the profit. I see a boom to the city, while nobody did before. The ones that do know, I am afraid, have been corrupted by me."

"A pharmaceutical company Alex. What does it make?"

"We are working on two vaccines, an antidepressant, a stimulant for the males of out species, a hair growth formula, prosthetic joints and soon I think we may have the first functioning birth control drug. The latter though I would like you both to keep to yourselves for now. Much of our society is not ready to accept this product yet."

"That is amazing Alex, usually a drug company has only one product at a time being worked on."

"I am sorry but I disagree with you. They always have experiments on the go and they are always trying to find a use for the chemicals they find. To the public they may appear to be very organized but in reality they are like a colony of bees or ants doing what is necessary with only a few directions from the ruler of the colony."

"You said you are working on prosthetic joints. I have talked to many doctors and they are not encouraged by what is available."

"We have hip, shoulder, knee and elbow joints that should relieve almost all the pain in movement. If I may use you as an example, I would say that you can be up and walking in three months. In one month you would already be better than you are now. The reason that you have not heard much about us is that we have not completed the tests yet. I am one hundred percent certain that one day millions of our joints will free many people of pain and being locked in a chair or a bed."

Jason said, "Tell me about your invention."

"First of all it is secret. Till the preliminary work is done they cannot be mentioned. My patent attorney, Mr Ciesla, is coming this week and I will be giving him the diagrams and the legal description. I can say that a strong aluminum alloy, if formed the correct way, will fit into the femur and pelvic girdle and support a ceramic sphere the same size as what your joint should be. It is necessary to make exacting measurements and use many x-rays to make the joint work best but there will actually be very little changes in the joint itself. It would be something like ordering a pair of oxfords in your size and width."

"Could we talk to one of your researchers or one of your doctors?"

"You already talked to one of the researchers. I think you can talk to Doctor Smiles when he gets back from his vacation."

Margarete said, "He is our doctor, too and he never mentioned your device."

"We were coming out soon and he is an ethical person. I am sure you would have been on one of his lists of people to approach to try out our product."

"How is the operation performed?"

I took quite a while and explained in detail what was to happen as if she were to perform the operation herself. I didn't substitute the anaesthetic that was commonly used today. Medical terminology was used extensively, even if they didn't understand the majority of it. She looked kind of squeamish but not overly so.

"Alex, you sound like you have done this before."

"Let me say that I have assisted a few times and done my own on a canine volunteer that needed the work done." I did not lie but I had done this in the future. "I could probably do it but I would risk going to jail. There is the problem of me not having a medical licence. Perhaps when the good doctor gets back, I can talk him into moving you up the list if he thinks you are a suitable subject. If you wish, I will assist. A single joint only takes two and a half hours. Your ability to join in our tests will also hinge on some personal data and photographs being made for medical purposes. We are, after all, trying to get this product to the market."

I could see Margarete nod her head while Jason just stared at me. Looking around I saw that everybody else was too.

Jason started to talk, stopped and then started again as if he wanted to say something but found it unpalatable. Finally he said, "My cousin has a dog with a bad left hip. In some ways it is the same condition as Margarete's. Would you do the same operation on this dog? I mean, it would make me much more eager to find out more and Margarete needs some help but I don't want to endanger her." He got his out stammering and I was sure he was upset in asking.

"Well, I will make a deal with you. The dog's owner will have to sign a waiver; I will make a hip joint and put it in with, or without, a vet's help. You, though, will have to pay off the costs by working for me for three months after the operation is completed. You get ten thousand per annum, you keep your home here but you take over the running of all my hotels and apartment buildings. When and if, Margarete has her operation, we can talk of making this a more permanent job, like, say, an additional year."

Jason just thought but Margarete said, "Take it Jason. It means we can still live here and I may also be able to walk again. Think of it, we may be able to dance again."

"I don't know Margarete. Alex is still a boy or a young man. I don't see how any of this could be true."

"Sir, you can find out the truth with little cost to you. Secure the dog and give me some x-rays as soon as possible. I will request others after I see what they are like. This particular operation may not be possible to do because of certain complications but there are other dogs that could benefit from this procedure. Doctor Smiles may work with me if he gets back in time. Another doctor may be acceptable, if he and I do not clash. The vet or vets may view my work. It may be the type of operation they can perform if the animal owners wish to put out the money that it will cost."

"Where would you want to do this operation?"

"I would prefer the hospital but for many reasons this may not be possible. The vet may have a good enough facility but I can always bring or purchase my own equipment." I looked at the man pointedly. "This coming week was to be dedicated to learning about being a hotelier. If you will continue to operate the hotel till this test is finished, then the week of training can commence. We need a suitable dog, x-rays and other inspections made and, of course, have the operating facilities secured."

"How long do you think this will take?"

"It all depends on you. It may be as early as next week but it may be two or three more. I am not putting any roadblocks up. My only concern is to assess the size of the dog then manufacture the particular joint that is required. This should take three to four days but I may be able to expedite this."

Margarete got us off the subject by saying, "What was it that you and the girls told Jason about improving the hotel?"

I smiled at her and began to tell her of my list.

We rode to Natalie's home now, while I was fielding questions from everyone except Laura, Helen and Aron. They were, of course, riding in the back of the pickup.

"Alex, can you really operate and make that hip?"

"The joint is easy. The mathematics is a bit tough but the task may have to be done very tediously by machine then finished by hand. This takes a good machinist and an equally good machine. I will see what is available. This industry will make a lot of money, too but I need a machinist that has a lot of entrepreneurial blood in his body to manage this for me."

Natalie persisted, "Did you really operate?"

"Yes, I did. The patient even licked my face a few times in payment for getting his hip to stop giving him pain."

"We never heard of this."

"You were not meant to. This was research that had to be done in secret or somebody else would make a patent. My patent attorney Mr Ciesla is really coming and will take the drawings and text to get the idea registered."

More questions persisted but I had to skirt the truth a bit and it was hard to justify when I was so young and had to go to school, too.

We returned to Natalie's apartment. She still did not know that the house now belonged to me. The previous owners were now living downstairs as tenants till they moved in another month or so. The daughter in Hamilton was happy to take her parents in, especially when I offered her some financial assistance to pave the way. The parents would never hear of this.

At four thirty we headed home and the four girls were there to wave us off. We all got kissed out of sight and Aron had a smile bright enough to see us home in the dark. I thought that Aron was taking the attention that Linda and Valerie directed at me. I had refused to return it the way they were thinking.

We were home in time and we told the family about what we had done. Aron had been warned, just in case but he said nothing about his bath or the artificial hip. That did not stop him from saying how much work he had done.

Mom said, "The phone is ringing off the hook. There are so many people that want to phone you and tell you how they feel. You must have great many friends. CBC phoned again and tried to get you to talk on a different show. I told them no for you."

"Thanks mom. Most are just well wishers that want something to be exciting in their lives, too. I would bet that most of the people who called happen to be people I don't know very well."

"That may be true but Mr Ciesla called. He sounded a little miffed that you weren't home. Who is he?"

"He is the person that takes my ideas and puts them in a large book. That way I can use my ideas for a few years and others can't use them without my permission. It is like the mine. It is registered to us and nobody else can come on that piece of land and take the gold."

"They better not. Your father and grandfather would shoot them."

"Did Mr Ciesla say where he was, or leave a phone number?"

"Yes, he did. He made me get a paper and pencil to make sure I remembered."

"It was a good idea, Mom. I should have put a pad and a pencil close by."

I dialled the number and it was the Excelsior's switchboard. It happened to be one of the other hotels I owned but had not made it there yet to take over. Mr MacNeil and his wife Helen were looking after it for a while till I was able to do so. I really hoped that Mr Stife would be able to take over this load for me.

Mr Ciesla came on the line in a moment. "Hello, Alex. I was hoping you would be around for a meeting."

"I thought you came up here to go fishing?"

"Ah... I wanted to do both if I could."

"Perhaps you could come over to the house after we get back from church tomorrow. We can have a chat then, if you want. I think it would be good for you to relocate up here, at least temporarily. There are many more patents I need to have filed."

"Where do you get them all? A man is lucky to get one in his life."

"Some people have had sixty or more. I will have that in a few years. Did you bring your family?"

"No, not this time. School is still running."

"That, I am very aware of, since I have to do the same thing." I told him the location of our church and the time when it got out usually. "Tomorrow we may be running a bit late, though."

"Why is that?"

"We have a fair to get started and it will be a community effort so the congregation will want to know what is happening. Our church is in need of a new roof, some painting and possibly some minor repairs."

"I will see you at church then."

"Good." I told him where we usually sat and he said he would try to get there in time to get a seat.

Dad did catch me later drawing hip joints. He said, "What is that for?"

"This is an artificial hip. A man has a dog with some problems. I think this type of device will help the animal."

"Better to shoot the dog if it is that bad."

"Most times you would be right. But we can learn from doing this and the ideas can be carried on to humans."

"Humans can't have those things. They would never work."

"Most people will think like you. If you saw the dog run a month or so after the operation you might change your mind."



-------

Chapter 21


Sunday

I woke up at the same time a usual and had to push Aron's arm and foot off me to get up. No matter how hot the night, he still wanted to be close. There was noise in the kitchen, so I knew that others were up too. I hurried to get cleaned and dressed to let the rest of the family use the bathroom.

Mom was making breakfast and dad was bringing more wood in for the stove. I greeted both with a hug and mom got a kiss on the cheek.

After a cup of coffee I said, "You are going to have to take most of the perishable food with you when you leave. Tomorrow, or the day after, I am going to have the appliances delivered. The delivery person or I, will give a demonstration of how they work. I'll do a bit of shopping for you, too."

"Those buildings are very nice, Alex. They are easy to clean and the eating area is so large. We don't need it that big."

"All the rooms are the same size, that is what makes them quick to build. I would rather have others do the heavy work at the mine and that means more people might have to be hired. That also means that you have to have room for more people to eat. There is even an old saying about the more room you have the more things you will find to go into it."

She just nodded and said, "Give me your plate." She took it and threw four pancakes on it from the griddle.

When we arrived at church, many more people greeted us and they made a point of talking to me. I was sure that most of it was because of our increased affluence but some must have been because of the fair or the bank incident. Mr Granger seemed to be waiting and I knew he wanted to talk later. I waved to the entire Leone family when I passed them.

When we got to the pews I found a strange man of thirty-five or so. He was a little overweight and had thinning hair already. I walked up to him and stuck out my hand. "Dr. Livingstone, I presume." He looked at me and I continued, "I am not Henry Stanley but Alex Kramer, Mr Ciesla."

He stood and shook my hand. "I thought you would be eight feet tall, muscles of iron."

"I am getting stronger all the time. Let me introduce you to my family."

Only Helen could shake hands because of the pews and the rest nodded.

At the end of the service Father Cayer said, "There has been quite a bit of interest in our fair and I would like to get a young man up here to tell us what has been happening so far." He looked at me and said, "Will you come up here, Alex?"

I just got up and moved as well as I could around my family. I smiled at the congregation and they looked much more like friends than shareholders. although in this case they were the latter, too.

I greeted them in a loud voice to reach the back of the church. The purpose of the fair was listed but this time I mentioned the community as well. It had grown a bit since my earlier inception and I wanted to make sure the congregation felt that it was theirs but not for every year. The money that would come into the community was mentioned and I paused to get their reaction. It was a large sum to be sure.

I told about the individual stalls and how they could make money with us. This time the church would get a new roof from the organization that would run the fair and collect the rents from the various people making money. This might be a sticky point so I said, "This year our church will get a new roof, some minor repairs to the walls and a complete repainting. The money will come from the fund that is set up. Sadly, the church cannot get it all. The stalls have to be made, electricity paid for, police and firemen have to be on call and all the attendants have to be paid."

"Next year, another organization will benefit and that is why there are so many others helping us now. Part is to make a profit and another to learn how to do better next year. There is minor hockey to be helped, as well as other sporting groups for the younger members of our community."

I listed many of the ways to make money and the probable gross receipts for each. Much of this was guesswork but it had to be told to get the rest to work now. We did not have a year to plan like the next fairs would have.

The talk from the front of the church took fifteen minutes. It took another hour to get free. Everybody seemed to have an idea and wanted to run it by me. Rita, even on Sunday, was busy writing down ideas.

Mr. Ciesla followed us home and now the family got a chance to meet him properly. Mom put on some fresh coffee and got out a snack. I found out he wanted us to call him Tom.

He said, "You really knew how to get those people inspired. Most people your age would be petrified being up there."

"That doesn't affect me much. One person once said to pretend that everybody was naked and it would make you less worried about your own problems."

He had a wide smile as he thought about this and said, "I guess that would work. By the way, you wanted me to move here?"

"Yes I did." I got out the drawings of the prosthetic and said, "This is the first. More will have to follow for other types of joints. We may as well get into artificial limbs. For this, though, I really have to get started on my electronics plant. I need some electrical and mechanical engineers to get this moving. Any ideas?"

He didn't look up but continued with the legal descriptions and the drawings. "I can't get over this yet. You wanted a game patented and now you are into medical equipment. What is next?"

"You are behind the times. I have a new turbocharger and a heat exchanger. Now we are into some vaccines and drugs. Soon I want to start an oral contraceptive but you have lots of work to do. Do you want to continue to work for the group you are now with, or exclusively for me? You will be employed full time and to be frank, you will be quite busy."

"What would you have me do?"

"Patents will be coming along very regularly. Mr MacNeil and his wife are very busy at present. You could take some of their load. Most of it would involve you acting as my representative. The hotel you are staying at and two more are now mine. I have a few warehouses, closed factories, commercial properties, apartment buildings and even some residential properties. More need to be purchased before the prices go up. Vacant land just outside the city has been purchased for the technological park I want. My electronics and medical companies will be the first tenants. It has to remain very secure and has some special requirements that are impossible to meet in an existing building."

"Soon I will be selling the local rights to some vaccines and these plants need to be checked so that they are living up to their commitments. So, as you can see, there is more than enough work, although it will not always be in an office."

"Alex, where did you get all the money for this? I mean this will cost millions. Do you know how much a million dollars can buy?"

"I will have a five million dollar line of credit from the TD bank. The businesses I bought are a drain but some can support themselves. The ones supplying living quarters will make a nice profit in the next few years."

"If I am not mistaken the machines are already producing the parts for the first patent. How..."

The phone rang again and mom answered it politely. "Ok Mr Siddeley. I will get him." Mom turned to me, "Alex, the bank again."

I excused myself and took the phone. "Hello Martin, how are you doing? It is nice of you to call." I listened for a while and asked a few questions of my own. I made some requests for some information he could get for me and then hung up.

When I sat back down Tom asked, "Was that any relation to Martin Siddeley, the president of the Bank of Toronto?"

"That was the man himself. He is coming down for a visit like you. Now, how is the filing for the patent going?"

"Ah... it is filed but you must know that it is not finalised so that people can object if they think you are taking their ideas."

"I am aware of that, Tom. Would you like to hear my offer for your services?"

"Shoot."

I listed his yearly salary and the ways he could make more money. He would now be an employee and not have his own practice. I asked about his family and offered him a fixed amount of money for moving expenses. When I was done I loaded him down with the details of what I wanted him to do. Some of this was overlap with others and I explained this point to him. He was also invited to talk to Derrick and his wife to see what was really involved.

"That sounds like a fair offer. How long do I have to think about it?"

"How about this idea? I give you six thousand dollars and you fly out to California. I pay for the flight and you negotiate with the man who has the patent I want to have purchased. Your pay is what you can save of that figure."

"Lawyers don't work that way Alex."

I just laughed at the remark and said, "You are living a sheltered life, for this is done all the time, it is just not mentioned. It looks like you could make quite a few thousands if you approach this right. Far more than your commission from where you work. Once that is secured, you can make your decision. I will still pay you a thousand dollars if the cost is more. In September, Bell Telephone Laboratories will be hosting a symposium on its transistor in Manhattan. They are going to offer the rights for 25 thousand dollars. I want you to get there sooner and see if you can save us some money. There should be some patents made by us before that visit."

"What do you want with the transistor? It is hardly even mentioned and I am in the business of finding such things out."

"Vacuum tubes, for the most part, will become obsolete in the next few years. Radios will benefit first, then televisions and phones. The list is very long but in the end it means that we will make lots and lots of money."

"If you say so. I'd bet on the tubes though."

"Are you going to accept the California trip?"

"I will go one way or another. I did find the man. I can't see the patent costing that much money; after all, it is just a simple piece of plastic."

"But that simple piece of plastic is fun to play with. Adults and children will want it like they now want the hula-hoop. You can see that the hula-hoop is making money?"

"I see that. There were some children playing with the hoop on the way into town and even here, today."

Dad and grandpa drove out to the mine with us and they proudly showed Tom what the property was like. Dad even took one small nugget and gave it to Tom as a souvenir, while grandpa frowned on this.

We showed the various buildings and I gave a small spiel about how they were constructed. The interiors looked very comfortable but were a tad untidy. The kitchen was explained, adding that the appliances would be delivered in a few days.

When we got back to the house, Tom went off to see what North Bay was really like because it would be his new home if he accepted the job I offered him. He was staying around for the week and would tie in with Derrick. Wednesday we would have a meeting with both of them about what I wanted next.

-------

Monday

Monday started like any other day but I had to go and see Mr Corfu first. "Sir," I said, "today I have to go to court."

"I don't like the courts too much but it is better than anarchy. Do you want a pass?"

"Yes sir. I am worried about losing my standing in grade nine if I am absent too much more."

"I will see what I can do but I don't want to loose my job either."

The courthouse was just ten minutes from school and I made it with lots of time to spare. Both Derrick and Tom were present and I sat with them.

Nick, his father and a woman, probably the mother, sat together.

Mark Lasslo's case was third. The charges were read and Mark, now dressed in a suit, sat down with his lawyer. To my surprise the charges were not contested, only a reason given for the attack. I had been led to believe that the defence would try to justify their position.

Mark explained how he thought his brother was severely beaten even with just two blows to his body. He came at me crazed with anger at this happening. This was a farce, for he had stopped to listen to me before he attacked. In my opinion it was a case of pure and simple vengeance.

The magistrate thought the same and Mark was fined twenty-five dollars and ordered to keep the peace for a year.

When we left the courtroom, it looked like Nick and Mark were going to say something but they just snarled instead. They were not in any mood to be talked to, so I just ignored them. I gave my own goodbyes to the two men and hurried back to school. I made it back to the office and reported in. I was just in time to go for lunch but at least I would not be docked for much time.

During the meal I mentioned once what sentence the court had passed. Mike didn't even consider the court case and happily said, "The truck is almost fixed. Dad ordered brake shoes and two new drums. The rims will be sent out this morning to get new rubber."

I nodded my head and said, "Has your crew talked to their parents about this job? You need to pick up some equipment from two places and deliver it to the mine. I want to send along some fresh food, too."

"I checked and everyone has done so. Four of us can go. Some parents are not sure about being given a job by you."

Mike was being very diplomatic and I this was not usually like him. "That will be enough, I think. Just make sure that you lash everything so it does not tip and you have to keep the refrigerator vertical all the time."

Rita added, "There are curtains and other things that should have been added to the last unit but were forgotten."

Mike was asked to meet me at the grocery store to get the food after picking up the other supplies.

After French, Natalie told me how relieved she was about the court case.

I said, "This was the easy one. It's the school board, who are going to put up a fight."

After school I left Helen. She had to go home with Aron and pack our clothes so we would have what we needed at the hotel. This she saw as a real adventure and was fairly bubbling with excitement.

In the store I ran into four girls I was very familiar with. Natalie said, "We heard that you were moving and we decided to give you a hand."

Since Helen was collecting all I had to move, I knew quite well what they wanted to help me with. "I thank you, ladies. That is very considerate of you. Would it be presumptuous of me to invite you to sleep over, considering how tired you would be?"

Laura asked, "Are you going to take one of the penthouse units?"

"Well, I might have to, if there were a lot of guests. Do you ladies want to go home instead and get some clothes ready?"

Linda was fairly overflowing with excitement and said, "We already did." she looked at the rest then hung her head at telling the secret.

"That is alright, Baby. I was going to invite you all, anyway." I turned to Laura and held her hand, "The night I was putting off for so long could come tonight, if you feel like it?"

"Oh Alex," she said as she reached out and hugged me to her. When she stopped a bit, she only did that so she could kiss me.

"Remember what I said about the man and his wife a while ago? The freezers are close by."

She laughed aloud, looked around and then told the rest of the joke I told her. Linda laughed loud enough to draw attention before she put her hand over her mouth. "He didn't!"

Laura said, "He did and I laughed even harder."

We made quite a sight as we walked the store and bought a few things that the family would need. Nothing would be going home, for we would not be there until the next weekend. Natalie and Laura would now go and get Helen and Aron, so I would not need to get a cab.

While waiting for Mike to show up, I phoned the Clarkson and had them move some beds to one of the penthouses to accommodate some extra guests.

Half an hour later Mike showed up driving very carefully. His crew were all in the back enjoying the cool air. The boxes went in the back and they got the list of what to pick up from which business. They also got a detailed map of how to get to the mine. The boys tied down the boxes and off they went.

On the way to my new home, even if it was temporary, I stopped at the bank. Mr Jackson came right out and shook my hand. A few people came around and listened to our conversation. Mr Jackson was polite and ushered me into his office. "Now, what can I do for you, Alex?"

"I talked to Mr Siddeley on the phone recently and he mentioned about the line of credit being raised. I need some money now and the papers have not been signed."

"How much do you need? I can make a quick loan with the amount of gold you brought in."

"Half again over your limit and that is just for some machinery. I would like to get the entire amount laid out now."

"How did Mr Siddeley say the limit was to be raised to?"

"Only a quarter of what I wanted. I only got five million."

Mr Jackson's eyes bulged out and he mouthed the words twice before he was able to verbally whisper the amount. "He set the limit at five million dollars?"

"He sure did. Remember what I said a while ago?"

"Yes I do. I hope the bank did not squeal when you stuck it to them."

"They took it like gentlemen. That does not mean that I do not need some of the money now."

"I can loan you twenty thousand dollars at a time and as many times as you have gold to cover, Alex. You get our old rate and at least a half million more on your account. When the other papers for the five..." he stumbled with the figure, "... five million dollars comes through, I can just move everything over to the new account."

"That sounds good, Mr Jackson. I just want to be covered in the interim."

I had one more stop to make and this was on the other side of the city. I hurried this time because the time was now right. The goldsmith was in the back and came out as the bell over the door rang.

"Hello, Mr Kramer. It is so nice to see you again. You have become quite famous with saving a child's life and now protecting a bank's money. Let me congratulate you and all you have done for our community."

"Thank you, sir. The child was just a matter of first aid and the bank was the result of being run into by one of the thieves."

"I think it is much more than that. What can I do for you today? Your torques are not ready yet but the crucifixes and necklaces are done."

"Today I want to extend our old agreement to give me a few more crucifixes for the men and some for the ladies. The old agreement included a large necklace."

"How many more multiples of the groupings do you wish?"

"At least nine but I may need more, so how about a dozen. Today I wish to have some simple gold bands."

"Would you like to see our selection?"

There were quite a few rings and I picked out a heavy, thick and very simplistic design. "Do you have a dozen of these type here?"

"A dozen Mr Kramer? That is a lot of gold."

"Yes, a dozen will do for now. The price will have to include fitting unless you can substitute a ring of the proper size."

"That is usually included. What size would you like?"

I listed the ones I wanted and hoped to use the shotgun effect and just buy enough for them to fit. Each was put into its own box and then into a small cardboard box.

"How are we paying today Mr Kramer?"

"Is our old rate still good? Your rings are very beautiful but not needing anywhere near as much work as your necklaces."

"Very good." He took a similar ring and weighted it on his scale then after multiplying it by twelve he gave the weight in gold then the amount he wanted in payment.

"Can you take that amount from the gold I left here previously?"

He chuckled and nodded.

With that final task completed, I pedaled the bike off to the Clarkson. I saw some reserved parking spots and thought for a second of using one for the bike but with a smile I went to the back of the hotel and locked the bike with a few others that the employees used.

I came in the back door and went through the delivery area and the kitchen. On the way through I said hi to the few that I had met before.

James was at the desk when I came in and he said, "Good day, sir. Your family and guests are already in your suite." He handed me a key. "This is yours, sir."

"Thank you, James. Will you have a large bottle of champagne sent up for my guests? Please ensure that there is enough glassware."

James would do well in the hotel for he didn't even bat an eye and said, "Yes, sir."

Tom stood at attention when I go on the elevator. "Good day, sir."

He closed the door then the gate and moved the handle to the uppermost position. "And a good day to you, Tom.

When the elevator and Tom left, I just stood in the short hall. The Clarkson was a fairly large hotel especially for a city of this size and the four penthouse suites were very large themselves. Thinking of the girls inside the rooms I could see how a magazine became known as 'Penthouse'. I wondered if it was worth my while to start the publication early and even take Hugh Hefner's place with my own mansion.

Now that thought stopped me in my tracks mentally, although I had not taken a step. Playboy magazine had done a great amount of work toward the same goals as I was after. There were places in the world with strong theocratic rulers. They did not allow birth control devices and would strongly oppose the pill, which I wanted to introduce. At the moment all of North America was that way, along with parts of Europe.

Some of the worst holdouts in the 21st century were the fundamentalist countries in the Middle East and more holdouts were actually found in one of the most progressive countries, for some parts of the US still banned such devices. It didn't matter if you were a fundamentalist Moslem or a Christian, they still wanted to keep their hold on the uneducated people of the world.

With education being the key, I thought I should give Mr Hefner a hand in the next few years when he started his magazine. His editorials and interviews would help prepare the world for what I wanted to come about.

The key in my hand had 'P3' on it and I went to the right door still thinking deeply about the future of our society. I put the key in the lock, then knocked and also said, "It's me."

I opened the door and closed it behind me. Helen came first and hugged me to her. "Alex, this is so much different when it is ours. I love it here. There is so much freedom."

I gave her a kiss and said, "As a family we are free but tied at the same time." Aron was next and I hugged him one handed and looked at the others in the room. Laura got up from the couch and came to me after giving the others a chance to greet me first. I released Aron and held Laura to me, too but I did not release Helen.

"Helen, I would like to do what we have wanted for a long time. Laura has been waiting too. Is today a good time for you?"

With sparkling eyes she moved her arms to my neck and pulled my face tightly too her. The kiss was painful on my lips still not fully healed from Summers' attack but I didn't care. When Helen pulled back, Laura did the same thing, even if she did have to push Helen a bit.

Both girls tried to pull me to the very large bedroom but I said, "Let's wait a moment." To everybody in the room I said, "I want to publicly say something to everybody here."

I put my pack on the table nearby and opened it to see my small box. I greeted each of the other girls with a tender kiss and when I was done I said, "Helen and Laura have saved for me a gift that usually gets given on a wedding night. I want you all to know that I want these two women to stay with me for the rest of my life." I turned to Helen and said, "Helen Lowca, will you stay with me, sharing my good times and my bad. Will you bear me two children to help us forge a new future."

"Oh, Alex," she said as she wrapped her hands around me. "I always will."

I turned to Laura and said, "Laura Vachon, will you stay with me, sharing my good times and my bad. Will you bear me two children to help us forge a new future."

"Yes, Alex, I want you for my husband."

I went to my pack and took out the box and opened it. I put all dozen smaller boxes on the table and opened them. I took Helen's left hand and put a ring on her finger and then gave her a kiss. "I can't give you my name even though I want to but I can give you this." She kissed me fiercely and I even tasted a bit of my own blood.

Laura got the next ring and I put it on her left hand and ring finger. It fit well the first time. I said the same words to her and got the same response.

With the girls on each side of me I said, "Natalie you wanted to wait before committing yourself but I can give you a promise ring that will show how much I think of you. Natalie's feet brought her close, even though she looked stunned. I slipped the ring on her finger like I had with my wives. She kissed me and started to cry so hard that I had to hold her up. This spread like a very contagious disease and soon all of them were crying, including Aron.

I sat her on the couch and knelt in front of her. "This means that you will be mine till you make up your mind when I graduate from high school."

"Yes, Alex. I am yours at least till then."

"Well, I have to give out some family rings now."

I got up and kissed her on the way and then walked to the table. "Linda baby, come here to momma."

Linda came over and I slipped the ring on the finger of the right hand. "This is something like a friendship ring but it also tells that you are in my family. There is no commitment that goes with it, other than to support the rest of the family in what we do."

"Oh, it is so nice, Alex. I would love to wear your ring always."

"Let's give one to Valerie, too." Linda wiped the tears from her eyes and nodded her head.

"Valerie baby, come to momma, please." The girl came over and I slipped a ring on, changed it for another and then another, until one felt right. "This is just to let you know that you are part of my family now. It only symbolises how we should support each other. There is no compulsion to do anything, except to be a loving person."

She sniffled a bit and wiped some tears from her own eyes. "I will, Alex. I feel so much stronger now than I think I have ever felt before."

I used my hand and beckoned Aron over too. "Aron, I've got a ring here for you. This is for being part of my family and the best brother a guy could ever have." I put the ring on his index finger and luckily it fit well right away.

I pulled him to me and kissed the top of his head. When he pulled back he said, "You are the best brother, Alex."

A knock came to the door and I backed up a bit and walked to it. A porter in a red uniform and a pillbox cap greeted us. Before him was a cart with an ice bucket and a large bottle of champagne. He stood straight as if before a commanding officer and would have saluted, I thought.

"Your champagne sir."

I looked at his uniform and saw no name. "That was impeccable timing. What is your name, please?"

"Lance, sir."

"Thank you, Lance."

I reached into my pocket to bring out a tip and he said, "No, sir. That is all right. It is a pleasure to just serve."

"Thank you, Lance. Have a nice day."

I closed the door and saw the girls all wiping their eyes or using a handkerchief on their noses. I took the wire off the bottle and slowly worked off the cork. It was not a good idea to loose the carbonation.

I filled each glass and handed them out to everybody. "This toast is to our family. May it get stronger as we age and may we be wise enough to use the ideas that come to us."

There was a fireplace but I just sipped the wine and put the glass down on the stand. In a moment I found that nobody here had tasted champagne before and actually this would be the first time it passed the lips of my new body.

"Would you ladies and gentleman like to join us for our wedding feast and then for our connubial bed?"

The girls knew about the meal and Aron asked the question, "What's canabbile?"

"The connubial bed is the place a man takes his mate and practices making babies for the first time."

"Oh, you mean... You are gonna do it that way now? Like the way you said mom and dad do it?"

"Yes, that way Aron. Just like the way horses do it too. It is even a legal structure to ensure that a marriage really happened."

Helen said, "The meal can wait. I want you now."

Laura pulled me to the bedroom and said, "I never wanted anything more. Come with us."

"Let's have a shower first but we should drink the champagne before it goes flat."

The girls got together to congratulate, or to console I thought but they did hold onto each other at this important time. I kept their glasses full, as they talked about how each felt. Natalie looked sad at missing out and both Linda and Valerie tried to act happy, I thought, for the other two.

It was not hard to empty the large bottle and Linda seemed to be tipsy because she did most of the drinking. She started to take off her clothes and had to sit to accomplish this. When she saw us looking at her she said in a slurred voice, "I need a shower, too."

When she was completely naked, she looked around a little unsteadily and said, "Come on, you guys."

I started to take off my clothes, too and folded them before placing them on the table with my pack. We would have clean clothes because everybody brought suitcases of their own garments.

Aron looked around and started much later than the rest but hurried much faster. I was wondering if he thought he would get another of those special baths, again.

With an arm around my wives I got them into the bath. It was clean and new but it was far from what I conceived as modern. When the water was warm, I helped each of them into the tub and cleaned them from outside. There just wasn't enough room for the three of us. The girls hung onto each other for stability and I cleaned all the important parts.

Helen surprised me by kissing Laura very strongly while I cleaned her mons. With my other hand doing Laura, the kiss got even hotter. I found it very fascinating to clean their chests and abdomens as they pushed close to each other. The underarms, neck, back, arms and legs soon followed. Their hair only got a little wet.

I was able to get them both out of the tub and the other girls came in to claim them. Linda and Valerie hustled both out of the room for a more thorough drying I thought.

Natalie took my hand and pulled me to the tub. "I will wash you, my hero."

I followed her guidance. I was thoroughly cleaned along with my hair. She got on her knees before me to make sure some areas got a better treatment. My orgasm was satisfying, if dry and I had held Natalie's head at the end and had vigorously thrust repeatedly into her mouth.

When I picked her up and kissed her, she simply said, "Hurry up, your wives want you."

"I want you for one of my wives."

She cried a bit and in a weak voice said, "I want that, too but I am not ready yet."

I helped her out of the tub and dried her and eventually myself off. We walked together to the large bedroom and found that the small side tables between the king sized beds had been removed and the two beds pushed together.

Linda and Valerie were between my wives' legs. Their bums were in the air as they licked Laura and Helen. Laura held onto Valerie's head to make sure she stayed, while Helen thrashed about with her arms as the sensations ran through her body.

Aron was naked like the rest of us and he just watched wide-eyed at the two pairs before him. His little, eight-year-old pecker was sticking out.

When Aron saw that I had returned he got on the other side of me and said, "Do you see what they are doing? That is what you and Helen do. I didn't know that girls can do that to other girls."

I bent down in front of him so we were looking eye to eye. "Girls can kiss each other and nobody says anything. Maybe that is a better way of doing things. Others can never know of this, though. People of this time see this as wrong but I see it as a way of showing love. I want them to do this, Aron. I am not going to be home all the time and the girls will get lonely. If they have fun together then only we will know.

"Another thing I have to tell you is that a woman can have that good feeling many times a day and a grown man has to rest in between. Since I have two wives and maybe one day Natalie will be my wife too, it will be difficult to make all of them happy like they need to be. This all boils down to the girls making each other happy and helping me out."

"Can I try that Alex. It looks like fun. You only said I can't have my sister."

"Now you can't have Laura or Natalie. Maybe you can talk nice to Linda and Valerie and they can show you what you have to do."

"Yea... that sounds great. Can I have them for my girlfriends? I need some."

"I am sorry but they are my girls too but you can have fun with us if we are here. You really should find some girls your age. You will be happier for it later. My girls are more my age in their minds. None of my wives or future wives are anything but intelligent, caring and of course beautiful."

We watched the girls enjoy themselves. Natalie went to one of the other side tables and picked up some toys to show me, then some KY gel. When she had that in her hand I beckoned her to me. I put some on my own rod and cleaned my hand on a damp towel.

Helen succumbed first and she reacted strangely. Her abdomen went into spasm. Her hands grasped Linda and almost pushed the girl into her opening. Her neck and face were flushed. He neck seemed to be made of cords.

Laura was on the same bed and she too started her orgasm. Her hand grabbed a pillow and she screamed into it as her pelvis moved back and forth trying to get all the sensations she could get.

I pulled a flushed and tired Linda to me and licked her face and kissed her. Her arms came around me and pulled me tightly to her. She pushed her pelvis into me trying to get some stimulation herself. I bent over and picked her up and walked around the other bed and placed her on it.

Aron was right behind me and I pulled him close to the beautiful woman that was breathing rapidly form the feelings she had. This, I thought was the best time for her.

"Linda, Aron wants to learn how to please a woman. Will you show him what to do?"

She was so worked up that she simply grabbed the boy and pulled him on top of her and she kissed him demandingly. Aron was moving his hips up and down already in an instinctive way.

I crawled up the bed between Helen's legs and kissed her now like Aron was doing. She grabbed me to her much like Linda had and she kissed me harder still.

I got my head back a bit and whispered, "Do you still want to do it? There may be some pain and some blood. Your hymen is still mostly in place."

"I want you now, Alex Kramer. Make me a woman, your woman."

I got back on my knees and saw Aron between Linda's legs and using his tongue. The others were just looking at me. "Natalie, come around and suck one of Helen's nipples. Be ready to kiss her if she starts to yell."

I turned to Laura. "Take her other nipple. First I want you to put me into our wife."

Laura looked at me very seriously wondering how I meant this to be.

Looking at Valerie I said, "I want you to keep Laura interested for when her turn comes."

The girls got into position and soon Helen closed her eyes in bliss. I held her knees to me and I let the third eye direct me to where I had to go.

The KY lubricated her opening and I felt Laura's hand grab hold of me. This felt odd. In my old life I had entertained a few ladies at the same time and they always had lots left over to help me get where I had to go. I had to make do with what I had now in any case and slowly pushed forward.

Helen groaned at the feeling and moved her body to try to capture me. When the head was in I moved back and forth slowly till I felt her obstruction. She felt me too and gave a different kind of call. I moved back and forth over a dozen times and when I felt the time right I pushed forcefully in.

Helen's eyes opened wide and she looked at me in wonder. She held the two women to her breasts and said, "It only hurt a bit Alex."

"I have wanted to be here for so long that I am getting emotional," I said as I wiped my own eyes. "I love you, Helen Lowca."

"I love you too, Alex. But give me your name when we are together like this."

"Yes Mrs. Kramer," I said as I started to move back and forth in my wife. It took a very short time, especially with Natalie playing with Helen's clit, to get her to have her first orgasm. Natalie had to assist again and kissed Helen to keep the sound down. It took quite a while and Helen collapsed and I slowly withdrew.

"Laura, come and clean me, then Helen."

She was busy watching us and I think she didn't even feel Valerie sucking on her charms.

Natalie said, "Let me clean Helen." She changed position and started licking and sucking on Helen while Laura moved over and took me into her mouth. There was not much blood but this was a better way than displaying a stained sheet like it was done in some countries.

After a few sucks I pushed Laura onto her back and then kissed Valerie for her labours. "Work on her breast, baby."

I got off the bed and got more KY on me then climbed back into position. "Helen, hold me so I can enter our wife."

She smiled at my comment and got ready. Aron and Linda were cuddled together watching us. Natalie was, too and she was not shy about joining in, I saw. I moved up and down Laura's slot and then said, "Are you ready, Mrs. Kramer?"

"Oh, yes Mr Kramer. Make me a woman, too."

Laura was even easier than Helen. With the other girls helping it was only a matter of minutes before she came hard. This time Helen kissed her to keep her screams quiet.

Natalie claimed Laura's opening while Helen sucked me clean. In a moment Helen was on top of Laura kissing her the way she needed to be kissed. This was what I hoped for. They would be mates of each other as well.

Natalie looked sad but when she saw me looking at her she put on a good show with a wide smile.

"Natalie, you have one virginity you can give me."

"I can't, Alex. It was taken a while ago by a piece of plastic."

"You haven't had a man in there before, so I will be your first."

She now smiled very wide and said, "I would like that."

I said, "Valerie, will you help me with Natalie, too? I am going to be working right above you, sort of speaking."

She smiled too and said, "I did that before when that wild Linda did all of us. It was fun."

I put Valerie where I wanted her and then put Natalie over her and they started right away. I took the soiled towel and some KY. A finger slipped slowly into Natalie and I heard her groan. Linda was still watching awestruck.

"Wild Linda baby, will you see what you can do for my other baby?"

She was cuddling with Aron and just kissed him and got what she wanted. In a moment Valerie was being penetrated as I slipped more fingers into Natalie. Eventually I was ready and I pulled my fingers out and my cock went in.

Both girls under me groaned in lust and I saw Linda work very fast on Valerie. Natalie took over five minutes and when she came, so did Valerie. I came myself for the first time on the bed.

In a moment I pulled out and separated the girls so they could breathe. I went around the bed and held Linda very softly and kissed her ears, mouth and throat. "Thank you baby. You did that very well. Momma is proud of you."

Linda said, "That was so lovely, Alex. Will you do me like you did your wives? I don't know why but you never frighten me and I want to see what it is like with somebody inside me that cares for me."

"Sure baby. Momma will do her best." I hurried to the washroom and cleaned up the equipment and hurried back.

Instead of just slipping in, I worked the already excited woman up more and more until she pulled me into position. I slipped in easily as I expected but found her still fairly tight even though I was small. I shifted positions many times and tried my best to caress her clit and her 'G' spot.

Valerie came to my assistance and played with Linda's clit as she sucked her nipple. Aron was watching this from only a few inches away recording everything for future reference.

Moments later Linda started a mantra saying my name over and over. When she got louder I began to worry but Natalie came around the bed and when the release came, the sound was smothered with a kiss.

I got no rest, for Valerie said, "Ah Alex... Momma. I have an itch there, too; will you fix it for me?"

"That is what mommas are for."

Valerie took just as long but didn't say the mantra, just the old one that I'd heard so many times before: "Oh god. Oh god. Oh God." Then finally, "Oh gooood," she screamed, before it was cut off.

Helen and Laura were a bit sore but wanted me one more time. Natalie wanted me in her vagina and then so did Linda and Valerie. Throughout this Aron just watched wide-eyed.

It was now fifteen to eight and I said with a commanding voice, "We have to get moving. Valerie and Linda, run a bath and clean Aron. Be quick, we still have to have our wedding feast."

I looked at Natalie and Laura. "Did you bring hair dryers?" I got nods so I said, "Dry their hair when they come out. The first person fixes their hair and helps the rest. Now hop to it."

The first three scampered off and I just sat with the rest. I looked around at them and said in general, "How does married life suit you?"

Helen looked at her ring and said, "It suits me just fine."

Natalie asked, "How does it suit you Alex? You have what you call two wives but the rest of us are really no different. You have five wives now."

Laura added, "Rita and her sister Libra would join if they were asked. I see the way they watch you and it is almost scary. I am surprised their father doesn't do something about it."

I heard the water running and I whispered, "Linda and Valerie need some help but I think they will move on in a year or so if I wean them a bit. I don't want them to leave but to find a man for each of them. I know that I will not let just any man near them. Rita and Libra are in the same boat. I may teach them what to do to make their eventual marriages work. I may want some different women as I grow older but they will never stay long. I have right here the women I want, who will bear my children and help me run my empire."

In a few minutes a naked and very wet boy ran from the bathroom. Laura dried him and Natalie did his hair at the same time. Helen got his clothes and when the first two released him he was dressed in a matter of a minute.

Linda came out next and then Valerie. While they were getting arranged, I had my own shower and I was just in time for the treatment. Helen went into the shower and soon I was dressed and waiting to dry and clothe my girls.

It was half past nine when we got downstairs and we ordered a quick meal because the chefs had left and some cooks were the only ones left. We were done and back upstairs again. I put Aron to bed. He didn't want to go but his eyes kept closing.

The rest of us sat out on the balcony looking out over the small northern city below us. I said to nobody in particular. "The Americans will want a base here and they will dig deep into the rock to protect it from nuclear weapons. This will have to happen in a few years."

Linda asked, "Are they going to drop atomic bombs on us?"

"No baby, this is only a cold war stunt and I can't see any bombs drop or missiles fly that will ever blow up. Our children will be safe, at least from those types of bombs. The other wars I see starting will not involve us much."

We sat in darkness but some light came from the street. Linda was in my line of sight and she suddenly held her abdomen and looked down. I heard a sniffle and got up from my seat and pulled Linda to me. She sat on my lap, even though she was bigger than me.

"Tell me how you feel, baby?"

"I don't want this baby inside me."

"The results won't be in for a few days. There is a very good chance that you are just upset by the man and your period changed. Even being happy with us can change your period."

"It was always so regular before. I just know that I am pregnant with that monster's child."

"Shhhh, don't say that. You don't know for sure. Am I not here to look after you, baby?"

"Mmmm... yes."

"Then we do this my way. In most things you do the thinking but I do it all when it comes to the things that are bothering you. I have all of them to deal with. Is that clear?"

She paused for a moment and said with a smile I could hardly see, "Yes, momma."

"Good, Sweetie." I looked at Valerie and said, "Is that clear with you, too, Valerie?"

"I will trust you... momma."



-------

Chapter 22


Tuesday

I woke up still tired next morning. Helen and Laura slept on each side of me and they had kept me up much of the night. When one woke up horny, the other woke up, too. With all the activity in the bed, the others had to have their turn, too.

Natalie was sleeping in the crease between the beds but closer to us. She and the rest must have been awoken many times. Aron was on the far side of the combined beds with his arms around Linda like he usually had them around me.

All my lovelies were in the bed and if I didn't have to hurry I would sample them all again. I tried to get out of bed but instead woke up Helen.

"Hmmm, good morning Alex. It feels great to be Mrs. Kramer even if I can't admit to it. I can't wait for our children."

"They will come in time but you have lots to learn first and we have many things to do before our lives irrevocably change with children."

"Yea, I know but it is just nice to think of it for a while."

"Me too. Now get up. We have to get going."

Helen did get up first and also got to the toilet first. My recollection and then my former resolve re-emerged and I knew I would have to have more than one bathroom per family. A large communal shower would be another improvement.

The other beds in the apartment were messed up and the two king-sized beds were again separated.

Just before we left the suite Laura, Helen and even Natalie had to take their rings off and move them to their right hands. This made all of us a bit upset but it was necessary. Even a blind man could see that I loved each and every one of my family.

We had a nice breakfast downstairs and even ordered a lunch for each of us in individual paper bags.

A bellhop came into the dining room, then to our table. He put a silver tray down and on it sat a slip of paper. The boy bowed and left us. It was a note from Silva. He had tried to reach me at home and failed. He was coming to North Bay tomorrow with his father. I could well imagine what the talk would be about. A problem might arise because Martin was coming the same day and so was the meeting with my lawyers. On the way out I stooped at the desk and reserved the other two penthouse suites for my guests. I assumed that engineers would be attending and tried to reserve the entire floor below the penthouses. Only one guest was there and would remain so till the weekend.

We went in two cars and Helen and I said bye to the girls while sitting. Aron was driven to his school by Natalie, which he seemed to like a lot.

During the first three periods I just worked on more drawings or the list of things to get for some of my businesses. Half way through Geography, I saw Mr Armstrong drink his water and he now nibbled a sandwich while still teaching. What made me really take notice was when he had to get close to the chalkboard to see. On the back of his hand were two sores that had been there for at least a month.

This could be a number of problems but because his coat seemed to be much looser, I had my idea. I made a list on a separate sheet of paper and just observed till the end of class.

When the bell rang, I told Rita to go ahead as I wanted a moment with Mr Armstrong. The man did hear and wondered what was up.

"What did you want Mr Kramer?"

"I have been reading a number of medical books. In my opinion you may have a problem and I was just going to suggest that you go and see your doctor."

"What would you know? Are you a doctor now? Last I saw you were one of my grade nine students."

"Does it take a doctor to see that a person has a broken arm or a cut forehead? This is obvious to me. I would just like you to enjoy your retirement."

"You are only a lucky boy and know next to nothing about the adult world."

"Then answer me this: do you have blurred vision and increased fatigue?"

"I need new glasses and I am getting older."

"I see that your jacket is loose on you and you are now eating and drinking in class. I also see the same two sores on the back of your hands that were there a month ago. Young people heal fast but even at your age the sores would have healed by now."

I handed him the paper, which listed:



increased thirst

increased hunger

fatigue

increased urination, especially at night

weight loss

blurred vision

sores that do not heal




Nothing else was put down and I gave no diagnosis to get some doctors mad at me.

He looked at it and then had to try to focus in to read the short list. "What do you think it is?"

"If I give even my opinion, then some doctor gets huffy and will demand to see my licence. If these symptoms are true, just give them to the doctor and he can make his own diagnosis. Add your own problems to the list and scratch out ones that don't apply. He would have to be pretty careless to miss what I think it is."

As I left the room, I saw the man looking again at the note and trying to make some sense of it.

During lunch I tried to get our group more interested in the fair. At the moment they wanted to enjoy it as patrons but I wanted them to be vendors.

Mike was very proud of his crew and of course of himself, after making the delivery. They got a small tour of the mine site and even got to use the sluice and saw the gold dust being collected. The truck was now stored at Mike's house and the boys were going over to clean it up after school. They had some vague plans of painting the racks and the wooden bed.

Mike said, "Your dad and another guy hooked up the stove and had it running before we left. Your mom didn't like it. I showed them how to start it. The model is not like ours, but it is close enough."

"Thanks Mike."

During Phys Ed Mr Richardson came in while I was working out. "Well Kramer it looks like you are developing a bit. You aren't as bony as you were after your accident. You do seem to have a determination to get in shape."

I stopped the exercise and said, "The determination is there all right but I just have so many things that command my time. The fair is simple but takes a lot of time. The businesses only function because I have some good people looking out for my interests. People would live longer and be healthier if they just got off their asses and did a half hour of exercise a day."

I looked at the man now with an idea, "What if I started a league? You guys like football or hockey but you really have to be in shape for soccer. There is less need for expensive equipment that parents have to pay for."

"Nobody likes soccer Kramer. This isn't Europe or South America."

"I am well aware of that but I have no time for this now. I just know that people are going to get fatter and lazier as time goes on. I am just trying to find a way around this trend."

Mr. Richardson said, "That is why we have Phys Ed in the first place. And the only games are at the end of school for our track and field or in sporting events throughout the year. You have a way of getting more people to participate?"

"Not yet but I am working on it."

During shop I was able to talk to a ceramic company and order some material including some zirconia glaze. Mr Creighton had to help next.

"Mr Creighton, I need to start another industry and I need your help again."

"What is it this time Alex? Are you going to build some atomic weapons?"

"I want to save some lives, not take them. Besides, it wouldn't look good on my list of lifetime accomplishments and that sort of thing."

"What would you like me to do?"

"Figure out a cost and see how you can get the figures down for future models. This one is going to be patented, all you have to do is build it the way the print says."

"What is the thing you want built?"

"An artificial hip."

He looked at me very formidably. "You're serious?"

"Do I usually joke about money, business, or people's lives?"

"Ok then, where is it?

I pulled out the diagram and said, "This is for a dog. In a week or so I will show some people how to do the replacement, then I will begin making human models. For those units I will only assist, since I have no valid licence."

Again I got the formidable look. "You going to operate on the dog yourself?"

"It is no big deal if you have the equipment and some unsophisticated help that will do what they are told. I do expect a vet to assist and a few doctors too."

"What other miracles have you got?"

"Quite a few, which you may find out in time. I have a drug company and prosthetics is a good sideline. When the electronics industry takes off, I will have ultra miniature hearing aids and both hands and arms for children that need them. Mine will actually move the way the mind wants."

We talked a bit more and I explained what was going to happen and basically gave him a rundown on what the patent was covering. "You also have to make a special spherical reamer that will remove bone to form a bed for the ball. If the base is rough, the bone will grow into the crevices. Epoxy can be used too. Each can have some pins for strength. The ball for the dog's hip has to be sized for the animal and at the present I do not even know if it is one hip or both I will be replacing. These diagrams just allow you to gather some material for a half dozen joints, which I will need in the next few weeks. For a while we will have to make all custom models. Later we can cast or forge the metal and have a supply like a shoe store does."

"How many of these do you expect to sell in a year?"

"Like everything, it will start off small and grow. I should get two or three thousand units a year after they are accepted. The hands, feet, complete arms and legs are going to be expensive but I am going to try to keep the cost down. The things I am going to have to develop will make them far beyond what a machinist could do. Here we need electronic, mechanical and metallurgical engineers by the dozens."

"I'll work with the hip first. Later, we can talk."

"Sure. Do you think Mr Froom in grade nine science would give me an extra credit?"

Mr Creighton laughed and slapped me on the back. "You mean there is a class you are not getting a hundred percent in?"

I got close to him and talked low. "You have seen that I know how to machine and all the things a grade nine has to know to pass this year. You give me some freedom to pursue some studies that further research in metallurgy, metal fabrication and all the other things your class teaches. Mr Froom is, shall we say, very conservative. I want him onboard for next year because it is important."

"What is happening next year? More of the same as this year?"

"That is for sure but confidentially I want to force the board to change its rules. As a punishment for its intransigence, I want to get a chance of taking the exams for all the subjects for all grades. Next year, I want to graduate."

"I have never even heard of that. I remember how some people skipped a year."

"That doesn't give me the total number of credits I want. I don't even know if I should get my medical or engineering degree now. I am much too busy doing things for which I would have gone to school to learn how to do. As the owner of the company I can't very well be kicked out for not having some paper on the wall, or a roll of sheepskin."

"Alex, the only advice I can give is: get all the education you can get. It won't help you find a job but it might help you find a workaround for one of your problems.

"Anyway, Alex, the machines are running and are capable of making the parts you want. We had to do a bit of tinkering but it looks fine. I brought some of the pieces. Want to see them?"

From a box he brought out the full casting with all the runners. I had insisted on a device that would shear this off when it was actually pushed from the mould. The pieces looked good and I put some adjacent pieces together and they had a good fit. They slid with only a bit of friction that would multiply when the unit was all put together.

Only the central hub was missing, as well as springs, washers and rivets.

Mr Creighton smiled and brought out two completed units. One had the colours still in order and the other was hopelessly jumbled. "I can't see too many people buying this game. I tried till late last night and all I got was frustrated. I put screws in instead and even took it all apart and reassembled it four times. I suppose you can just whizz through this," he said as he handed it to me.

I studied the faces for a minute or two and the moves that were necessary came to me. In my previous life I had played with this but was never any good. I moved the parts back and forth and found they moved easily. I decided to try the puzzle and I surprised even myself but putting it back in its original state in thirty two seconds after twenty-six moves.

Mr Creighton just gave me the look with the mouth open. "I guess you can." In a moment he came to himself and looked at me. "We have the two salesmen for a week but we need all the trades and people to assemble the parts. We have compressed air but no riveters. In fact we don't have the rivets yet."

"Are the ads in the paper?"

"Yes but our paper only comes out three times a week. Some people may be reading the ads now. My wife is handling the calls but I think you should talk to them about what you want."

"You are wrong, Mr Creighton. This is your company to run. You will get compensated accordingly. I do have a thought, though."

"What is that?"

"Women do tedious work much better than men. Women are also going to enter the workforce more and more. I will look into making the hours such that the women may have time to get to work after getting their children off to school. We set up a early childhood education program that will take care of the children that are too young for school. I believe that if a child is stimulated early enough, they will grow up to be much more productive.

"This opens another problem about the cost of this enterprise. It will be substantially higher than other businesses. We can give fair wages and the women will not need a babysitter now. What do you think about going into the baby-tending business as well?"

"Shit! Sorry, Alex. Kids that young are a pain in the posterior. I can't see running a business very well with crying brats all over the place."

"Well, talk to some other people but watch out for the liberals or we will be swamped by everything they want done. They will be like the socialist party and think I can just divert more profit to this and to every other endeavour they think of. My social consciousness is already strong enough and maybe I need a good talking into as well."

Typing was the last class today, due to some teachers' needing to be someplace else. The reasons given were not that, of course but we were expected to swallow the white lies and smile.

My fingers were doing better now and I was up to sixty five words a minute on the mechanical but I would have got a fifty percent increase with the brand new antique electric typewriter at home. It always took a bit to change typing modes and by the time a small test started I was ready.

The people around me just ignored the speed I was now able to do. It was also important to strike at about the same intensity to make the text look nice. Maybe it would not be long before 'keyboarding' became what the class would be called.

After school, Natalie was going to take Linda and Valerie to clean out their refrigerator of perishables because I wanted them with me for the rest of the week, if possible. Later, they were going to get Aron and bring him to the hotel.

Laura, Helen and I had some errands to run. With the bike at the hotel I was dependant on them or a taxi. The first stop was Doctor Smiles' office. I picked up the mail and put it neatly on a table but looked through it for the lab results for Linda, Valerie and, of course, Laura.

Strangely, only Laura's had arrived and I looked at the contents. Laura, as I surmised was healthy. If last night didn't give me proof, the paper now in my hand did.

Steadman's was my next goal and I found some casual clothes for me. I knew what a good suit was worth and I also knew that I would not find one in the city. It helped in negotiations but I was still growing and an expensive suit seemed such a waste at the moment. Some black shoes, belt and some good shirts were all I got.

The girls were admiring the dresses as we passed them and I said, "We are going to Chicago later this summer. We can pick out some nice clothes then." I got two very happy and beautiful girls scream and mug me right in the store. Many of the patrons and staff looked around at us wondering what was happening. I thought it much easier to calm the girls down than to try for the explanation.

We went back to the hotel and the girls took my clothes upstairs. I phoned Mr Stife but I got his wife Margarete instead, "Hello Mrs. Stife. This is Alex Kramer. How are you feeling today?"

"Fine Alex. Did you want to talk to my husband?"

"I would like to but it is also very nice to talk to you."

"Why thank you Mr Kramer. It is kind of you to say so."

"I have brought my team of ruffians back to the hotel and we are currently in the third suite. If you and your husband are not too busy tonight, I would like to hear of any new developments."

"Come right up, Mr Kramer. Bring your team with you if you will."

I went upstairs and changed before giving marching orders to the troops. We all went down the short hallway but this time we had notebooks, pencils and pens with us.

After a short greeting I said to Mr Stife, "I mentioned recently a proposition concerning your continued overseeing of this establishment and perhaps other properties that I have purchased. I would like to impose on some of your generosity and ask you to explain some of the intricacies of running this particular hotel." Jason looked a bit upset, probably thinking that I had changed my mind.

"Sir my family has only a limited knowledge in business practices. They get a bare minimum in high school and a bit more from me. I am asking you to teach them sound business practices, as well as how to deal with your staff. You have a different approach, especially when you are seen like a father to the staff, while I look like the boy I am."

This seemed to mollify him a bit. "I can do that, I guess. Which individuals are you suggesting I assist?"

"Helen is going to be my Chief Financial Officer for as much as she can handle it. Aron is only eight but in a few years he will be in university and when he comes out, I want him to be the CEO for this area of North America."

"You want me to teach an eight year old how to run this hotel?"

"No, sir. I want you to teach Helen and Natalie how to do that. They will in turn quiz Aron and perhaps you will too. By the time he leaves for university, he would have been a bellhop and a pearl diver, then a cook and a concierge in his later years. I have no place for nepotism but I want to give all my family a try to see how well they can perform."

The three people in question just stood with their mouths open.

Jason smiled at that, after he had a chance to think. "We haven't had any children and perhaps I was too quick in judging Aron. He seems to be a smart lad. Helen and Natalie, I think, will be suitable but the facts are that much work is done in the morning while you are all at school."

"I am aware of that, sir; deliveries and other scheduling cannot be altered just for us. A synopsis may be made about each of your suppliers and perhaps a word or two about what to look for, so the hotel continues to be financially sound."

Margarete said, "This sounds like a lot of fun. If you allow me to help, I can use my mind, if not my legs, to explain some of the problems I see."

"Thank you Mrs. Stife. That is very generous of you."

"Call me Margarete. If we are going to work together it is better that way."

Looking at the former owner I said, "Is that alright with you, sir?"

"Yes it is. Call me Jason but I think it is better to only use the familiar when we are in private. The employees need somebody to look up to and Mr Stife is better than Jason."

In a moment I found that Jason had contacted his brother, the dog owner and found that the man had actually spent money at the vet to care for the family dog. This one was a collie and looked a lot like 'Lassie' that would be on television in a few years. The dog was trained and a special pet of the brother's family. As the picture got passed around I heard more about the animal and knew that I had to be extra careful.

Mr. Stife handed me a brief medical report and osteoarthritis was suspected. Three x-rays were next and I looked at them by the window. I could see the hypertrophic changes in the bone and cartilage of the left hip and a progressive wearing down of apposing joint surfaces with consequent distortion of joint position.

"The dog does look to have degenerative arthritis. Did you have the vet's name and number? I need to get some more data and a better idea of the size of joint I need. The rough measurements were already given to our fabricating team."

Jason gave me the name and number of the vet and I looked at the phone and said, "May I?"

"The calls go through the switchboard and you are paying for all of them."

I got to Doctor Slotski soon enough and he came on line with the sound of barking dogs in the background. When I mentioned my name he said, "Ah, I have been waiting for your call." This was all done with a Russian accent.

"Sir, could you give me some information about the dog in question?"

"Sure, what would you like?"

I asked quite a few questions including the thickness of the pelvic girdle at the joint, the probable diameter of the ball if it had not been worn and a myriad of other questions. I talked about the muscle groups and found he had some medical book specific on dogs and this type in particular. These he would loan me.

I next asked, "Are your facilities adequate for an operation of this type?"

"I believe so but you might want to check yourself. My assistant is now here and I am free to answer your questions in person."

He asked me, "There are other hip prosthetics but they do not work for long. What is so much better about yours?"

"The others need lubrication and fail. We have experimented with Teflon or polyethylene. They will not stand up and this will reduce the need for revision."

We both had time for an inspection now and Dr. Slotski gave me directions, then I hung the phone up.

"Doctor Slotski has invited me down to see his place. I would like to inspect his medical facilities to see that everything we need is present as soon as possible. Would you ladies and gentlemen like to come with me?"

Everybody seemed eager for a small trip but Margarete said, "You go ahead."

"Margarete, you will have to savour your days of discomfort to remember what they were like. In fact, it would be nice to make something like a diary with your day-to-day troubles and how they changed after your operation. Now, young lady, if you start earlier still, you can talk of your life, the progression of your disease and later how the pain left. Add a bit of colour by talking about that big man who swept you off your feet and you will have a novel that may even make it to the bookstores. Would you sign a copy for me?"

"Oh, Alex. I will go then and maybe I will even write a book. Maybe a steamy romance about a man from Ottawa."

"Don't you put any lies in your book about me, woman," came from her husband.

It didn't take long to get to the clinic. The Stifes took their own car. A bear of a man and a thinner woman with Slavic features came out to greet us. The man shook hands with Jason and held the wheel chair only while Margarete slid into it. He came over to us and looked very lecherously at the girls, then to me, "You must be Doctor Kramer. I am glad to meet you."

"I am not a doctor yet but one day it may happen." I introduced the family and he kissed each woman's hand. If I'd had the age and size, I might have tried that myself but being a thirteen-year-old limited this form of introduction. The woman was introduced as Natasha and she was his assistant. I wondered how much she really assisted him but who was I to talk with the number of girls I had.

We were led into the clinic and Margarete found it hard to negotiate it with the chair. Thinking back to 2004, still not all places had easy access for people stuck in such machines and by then it was the law.

The operating room was small and the amount of light was limited. Laura took notes of things I found deficient. I was shown the range of surgical tools and could see many that were for use on larger animals. I asked for his saws, chisels, hammers and various sizes and types of pliers but used the medical name for each. I checked the condition of each tool. It would be a poor time to see that a chisel or a saw was not sharp during an operation.

Anaesthetic was mentioned next. "We have ether, along with a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide. It seems to work well for me." Chloroform was still used, too but it was dangerous for many reasons and its use was stopped in 1974 for good reasons. The products I could bring about were much better but even they were not perfect.

"There is a wide range of anaesthetics that will be coming out soon. The good point is that they will not cause an explosion as the ether might. I have to use an electric motor to form the cavity for the joint."

We discussed what drug had to be administered to allow the induction of an endotracheal tube to be placed in the trachea.

I asked, "Are you going to have a pcv/azo/dex test done on the day of the surgery?"

The vet looked at me and said, "We can, if you wish. Do you have somebody who can assist? My assistant has no knowledge of this."

"Laura, my assistant, will be able to do those tests by that time."

Laura looked very unsure but she did keep her mouth shut. It was too bad we didn't have an electrocardiogram. The machine, like many other things, had not been invented yet or was very rare.

I showed the list to Doctor Slotski and after a brief glance he said, "Some of these I have elsewhere. They make this room a bit too crowded."

Last I looked for scrubs and found none my size. It might be fun to get Linda to make some for me.

When the doctor went back in to answer a phone call, Laura asked, "What is the pcv/azo/dex test you were talking about?"

"They tell if there is enough red blood cells to carry oxygen during the anaesthesia. We have to find whether all the organs are functioning properly, such as the pancreas, the liver, kidneys, the bladder and the gallbladder; or if not, are they going to be problematic during the operation. Next we have to find if the electrolytes are at a normal level."

"You want me to do that?"

"I will give you a stripped down course and it will be a cinch."

When the doctor came back, I said, "Will you assist?"

"So it is true, it is you who wants to perform this procedure yourself. I thought that you were just getting things ready."

"Yes I do. Is there a time that is convenient for this procedure?"

"Natasha is running the clinic this weekend because I must be at a family gathering. One or two weeks later would be perfect, I think."

"That should be good for me, too. Most purebreds are prone to defects. I saw no x-rays of the other hip."

"That one is bad but not as bad as the left. Is that a problem?"

"I should do a double replacement but that takes a considerable bit longer. I am not fully recovered from being hit by lightning. Would you change places with me on the second replacement? Animal surgery this entailed is not usually performed."

"I would consider that an honour, Mr Kramer. I hope my own strength will assist you."

Polish is not that different from Russian and over the years I had picked up much more than a smattering of the language. I said in his language, "That would make my Polish heart proud. I like the idea of sharing the good and the bad and in this case we may be offsetting some prejudices that are growing with the cold war."

"Thank you Doctor Kramer. It is nice to see a meeting of the minds like this," he said in Russian.

"I sincerely hope so too."

I turned to our hosts and said, "We will replace both hips. This means more stress on the dog but the dog will be up and moving sooner. The operation is slated for two or three weekends from now. I will have to see the dog, too. By that time Doctor Smiles may be back and he may look on as well."

I dictated information to Laura and she wrote it in her pad. "Will you assist us during the operation too? It is a good way to start in as an officer in our drug company."

"Alex, I know next to nothing about being a scrub nurse."

"Then I would like you to learn. You will be able to see the difficulties and incorporate the solutions into your work for the company. Aron is going to have to start out at the bottom and in this you are even a few steps above that."

"I will try Alex."

Doctor Slotski said to Margarete, "This boy is young and after I see him operate I believe I would entrust my life to him. This is odd because he doesn't even have a medical degree. I believe he will go far in the time allotted him."

She said, "I am glad to hear that. Now, if only the hip replacement will work, I will be one happy woman."

I was happy to hear this and wanted the operation to go as smoothly as possible. On the way back to the hotel I rode with the Stifes. Of course they asked me more questions and I knew that even after the dog recovered there would be more questions.

I was happy to remember some classes of anaesthetic this conversation brought up. Some were Halothane, Enflurane, Isoflurane, Sevoflurane and Desflurane, which were easy to manufacture. The first had been banned in most operations but had an amazing track record. Like all drugs, there was a chance of adverse reactions and this one killed people. The fact that they killed very few and worked very well didn't matter. If I could find a screening process, then, perhaps, these anaesthetics would find much more success.

Very soon I would have to invent Propofol because it was a very good product. It was injectable and worked very fast. My ethics did not war with me too much, even if it might cut into the profits of the inhalant type anaesthetics.

Margarete found out that we had not eaten yet. When we arrived, she got into her chair and we went into the hotel. Here she needed help because of the doors and the sills. Soon we were in the dining room to eat together.

I suggested to both adults, "There are many people in need of crutches, canes or wheelchairs. I think a law needs to be passed to make all public places accessible to them. A simple ramp would help and a button could actuate an electric motor that would open a heavy door. We don't need the device here with the doorman but the other hotels do not have the same level of service."

Jason said, "That is a good idea."

"Well, since you are still running the place, you need to get it built."

Margarete just laughed at Jason's expression.

We were waiting for the food to arrive and Jason started talking to Helen and Natalie about running the hotel and Margarete was doing the same with Aron. The boy took only a while to get used to the woman and I think his proximity to the others recently helped him.

I was pleased to see that some of the girls were taking notes. Even I had to do this in school, for I didn't have the ability to remember sounds like I could books.

After the meal ended we went upstairs. On the way I said, "Tomorrow, the President of the Toronto Dominion Bank will be here as my guest, as well as some others. He should have a large contingent of engineers with him."

"Are they on a junket that I didn't hear of?"

"No, actually all of them are here to see me. The President of ChemCorp and his son will also be here for the same reason but not for the same business. I need many more people to assist me and I am running out of them in this city. I will end up raiding universities next."

Jason asked, "Raiding?"

"Sending recruiters to a university to take all the best students in a particular field. For instance, I might try to acquire mathematicians as programmers for the computers I will be making."

The elevator stopped and I continued, "Computers are very large, slow and expensive now. I am going to change this and I need people to provide instructions that allow a machine to do simple tasks."

"What could they do for us?"

"A person can type in names and locations and all the bills from all over the hotel can go directly to that account. If the person putting in the instructions remembers all the important things to record, then an untrained person can manage all your books. Words, pictures and especially mathematics can be manipulated. A computer is very stupid but very fast at doing simple things. A mathematical problem that would take a roomful of mathematicians a century to answer could be done in minutes with one of these machines."

"The slide rule can give three or possibly four places of accuracy. If the computer is programmed in one way, it will give any level of accuracy you want. What is also good, is that if it is connected to a machine like a typewriter it should print you data on paper and it will look much better than a typist and many times faster."

"That sounds impressive. You are going to build such a machine?"

"Yes but it will take a few years and quite a few million dollars, I am afraid. The fancier something is, the more it costs to develop. I have no qualms that I can do what I think is possible; it is just that it takes a lot of work to find the best way of doing things."

It was apparent that the machine was not understood but I think the cost of bringing this to market very surely was.

We had a fairly quiet night. Aron learned to please Linda then Valerie while I took the other three. At the end, Aron was allowed to mount Valerie and he kept up his thrusts till he was tired. He could get no orgasm but he did like the sensations coming to his mind. After I showed him how to do the job better, he asked, "How come they act funny with you and not me?"

"You need to be a bit bigger first and then you have to think more about how the girl feels and try to do what she likes. It is not something you can learn in a day and to tell the truth, it takes years to be good at it." I tickled his ribs and added, "It is fun to practice, though. Now, go have your bath. School is tomorrow."

Linda and Valerie took him to the bath and soon he came running out for the others to take care of him.

Valerie came out next but Linda stayed in the bath. After a little more loving with my girls I got concerned and went in. Linda was just sitting in the water now and shivering. I turned on the warm water and proceeded to wash her. She said nothing and really didn't react much to the feelings that I must have caused in her body. I got her to stand and dried her well.

"Linda, I do not know why you get this way. You said you would trust me. Everything will turn out right. I will make it that way for you."

"I don't know Alex. I get so moody some times. I still think I am pregnant and this is what is causing it. I don't want this child," the last was said as she broke down and cried. The girls came to the room and Natalie and Helen took the distraught woman to bed.



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Chapter 23


Wednesday

I woke up the next morning in sweat. It was not from a dream but the fact that I had both Helen and Laura holding me tight to them. Besides the heat, the position would have been quite comfortable.

The bathroom was my goal and I got there first this time and was out soon. The long procession started and I saw the Linda had not recovered as much as I hoped; even Valerie seemed to be suffering more than usual.

Over our breakfast I saw that the others had seen the problem themselves. I managed to give some instructions to Helen and then rode in the car with Linda.

In the course of the day I had to disperse funds to meet payroll. Mr Creighton had found some help and hired them. Izzy was being inundated with work and I asked him to hire more help. This effectively made him a manager but I didn't tell him for fear of making him nervous.

Mr. Sotola had ordered the appliances I wanted. Now that the exterior of the bus was finished, we could start on where to place the equipment. I wanted the plumbing to go right into the walls and the spaces to be filled with a new foam that had just reached the market but was really old hat by my time. The bus looked like it would be done well ahead of schedule and I would have to gladly pay the premium that I had promised.

Most of my lunch was spent with Linda and Valerie. They were still working but Mr Corfu didn't seem to mind. Linda kept up a smile but I could see that she still had her doubts. A few moments later Laura came to the office to check on the situation herself.

I asked Linda about making scrubs now. Laura would need some and it might be handy having some spares. There were no patterns for this clothing and perhaps the work necessary to figure out the problem would keep her mind off her other problems.

Some last minute tidying-up required that I phone the hotel and leave some messages for my guests. James was at the desk and I asked him to phone me when any of them arrived. Valerie and Linda were given as the names of the people that he could ask for.

During French, I was able to tell Natalie that Linda was still holding up. I would have liked to say that it might have been because she was in a group like ours that could afford to give her the support she needed.

The deal I had made with the school had been completed, except for my paying what I had agreed to and this was the reason for Rita's party. At that time I hoped to have all debts paid. Mr Smith, though, had nothing to do at the moment and I could foresee a job he might be able to do.

Right after the last bell I hurried to the electricity class. "Hello, Mr Smith."

"Hello, Alex. If you will excuse me being abrupt: what brings you here?"

"I like the social amenities but I like the time saved too. I do have another proposition for you."

"What is it?"

"I have to build a technological park." A frown came to his face so I explained. "That is a place where a group of companies can all work like a large subdivision. Mine, though, will all have companies I have an interest in. Tonight some people are coming over. Some are very wealthy and some are in various engineering fields. You might feel out of place but those men or boys still need a guiding hand on practical aspects of getting a job done. I have found that some engineers do not even know which end of a hammer to hold. All their experience comes out of books."

"I will come if you want me to, Alex. When is the meeting?"

"That has not been determined yet. Anyway, it will be at the Clarkson and you will see history in the making, I hope."

"How can I refuse after a statement like that."

I got his phone number and all he had to do was get ready and wait for the call.

Rita was with the other girls at the cars. Natalie and Laura were dressing better now that the threat of Summers was gone. This did bring about some of the grade thirteen boys that just happened to be by the car to talk to the girls. I didn't have all of the prettiest girls but I did have a high proportion of them.

My steps took me around two of the biggest students. These were the ones that usually needed some kind words or some help from Laura. She now smiled more and I think the boys attributed it to their charm and wit.

Rita gave me a rundown on what was happening with her planning. She was actually doing a good job with just her mother's help. I gave her a kiss and said, "I have some business to take care of. There are two business meetings and members from either of them may give us some support for the fair."

"How is this going to help us?"

"The people at the meetings have a lot of influence and can make things happen. One is a bank president and I want him to do something for the fair and for his bank at the same time. I need the city and province to put a large electrical substation close to where the fairgrounds will be. It will help me later, when I need the power for my own needs."

Laura and Natalie saw that I was done and they said their goodbyes to the young men and drove off. Laura went off with Helen to get Aron and probably talk. Laura had the key to Doctor Smiles' office and would put the mail away and check for our reports. I sat in the back seat with Linda and Valerie.

Linda leaned against me and then so did Valerie. Their hands came to my legs and I caressed each of theirs till we got to the hotel. After checking with James we found that nobody had contacted him, yet. We went upstairs to change and I spent my time just holding Linda on the couch.

Ten minutes later a call came and I talked to Martin. He was at the local airport and wanted to know where to go. I asked first, "What did you fly here in?"

"The bank has a leased DC3. You were talking about cargo planes recently and this is a beautiful machine."

"Not bad but small. We will have to see about making something big to make the trips more economical but for now a small plane like that is ok."

"Ok? This is a large plane."

"I will talk to you when you get here. Now, how many did you bring? You would have used a smaller plane, I think, if it was only you."

"I brought eighteen young men. Sixteen of them are the engineers you wanted to interview."

"That is great. Just tell the taxi drivers to come to the Clarkson. I have reserved a room for you and a floor for your people."

I got a short pause and then he said, "We should be there soon."

Twenty minutes later a group of young men came in and set their luggage down. I had all the bellhops at hand. A large man of fifty-five or so came in. The expensive suit told me who he was. He had a full head of dark hair with some white appearing at the sides. He looked quite distinguished.

More people came in and I walked to Martin. I put out my hand and said, "Hello Martin. It is nice to meet you in the flesh."

He was very quick and held out his own hand and said, "Your pictures in the papers don't do you justice. I thought you would be over six feet tall and have the body of a football player."

"I will get that way one day." I called one of the bellhops over and had him take Martin's bags for him and put them in his room.

I was introduced to everybody. None at least seemed to look down their nose at a mere kid. We didn't have any sticky paper to write names on but I was able to remember faces and names. They were all invited up to my suite to get sorted out.

The elevator had to make quite a few trips and I was able to thank Martin for all the effort and expense he went into to help me out. "The President and his son of ChemCorp out of Chicago will be coming too. You might sit in on this meeting as well. The company I am starting in the US will make the vaccine and provide the American field trials. I haven't spoken directly to Connaught yet but I want them to do the Canadian version."

Martin asked, "What about Europe?"

"They will come to me after the announcement is made, first to have a talk to see how I did it and later to get some contracts. You and I will have some problems with our government soon."

"We always have problems. Which ones are you referring to?"

"I will get taxed by both the American and the Canadian government for the full amount. We need to get the governments to agree on a way of sharing the tax, or we will loose a lot of money."

"How will I loose money Alex?"

"Well, you'll see before the night is out what you have to have to supply the delivery service to the American portion of the continent. Soon you will need to have transatlantic flights for your companies in Europe."

"I don't have that kind of money."

"That is why you are going to be like me and go borrow in the United States to finance much of your expansion. As I said before, they are much more receptive to new ideas than us stodgy Canadians."

When we came into the suite, the girls got to their feet. Linda wiped her eyes and I introduced the girls as family. In a few minutes I had to do the introductions all over again. I could see the young men zeroing in on the beautiful women.

The group was sorted into pairs for roommates. James had come up with us, wrote the names on a pad and had the bellhops take the luggage to their rooms.

After a few more minutes James sent up some snacks and drinks for the guests, while I started the meeting.

"Gentlemen, I want to start an electronics company. Mine will be different for many reasons. I plan on making different versions of the transistor that was invented at Bell Labs recently. I need people to help me make the company the premier supplier of these devices in the world. We will lead the world from the time we start and it will not end. In ten years our products will be in space, in all telephones and even in the average home."

They weren't too shy about asking questions. Quality control was stressed. Just like tube manufacture, the characteristics could not be so widely different that the circuit was not efficient. I described smaller and smaller radio receivers, then what could be done to change over the phone systems of the world to digital from the current analogue standard.

Some of the problems I knew about but wanted the engineers to work on them to see what they would come up with. It seemed that our school system, like any other, was sorrowfully behind the times. The transistor had been invented over three years ago and the universities had not done any of their own research on this. The students coming out could make tubes, resistors, coils and capacitors. Everything they needed to know, I found, I had to teach them.

Laura, Helen and Aron came in next and again they were introduced. The girls accepted the looks now and seemed just a bit more grown up about the hungry looks they were getting. Laura waved some papers to show that some information had come in.

Just when the men were getting settled the phone rang and Natalie answered it. She interrupted my talk and after I excused myself I answered.

Silva was on the phone and I found he too had flown in. I directed him to the hotel and said the concierge would look after all the luggage. I opened the reports by the phone and I saw what I had dreaded. Valerie was not pregnant but Linda definitely was. It was hard to think very clearly now but I did phone Mr Smith and asked him to come over to the Clarkson and go to penthouse number three. He sounded more than a bit flustered by the address.

When I returned I told who would be coming to the room at large. It took a while but I did get back to what I expected the engineers to do for me and what I would do in return.

One engineer asked, "What can a transistor do that a tube can't?"

I went into some detail but not much because the variations of the transistors had not been made yet, in fact there was only one kind made. This did not stop me from speculating on what I thought would be made in the near future. They didn't believe the idea about a television that was only a few inches thick or a CCD chip that would power a fax machine, a scanner, or fit into a camera and make film obsolete.

Eventually, there was a knock on the door and Helen opened it. Silva came in with Millie and her father-in-law, Joseph. After shaking hands I introduced the people to the ones that had come first. Before I was finished Mr Smith showed up and he was introduced too.

I started now on the upcoming fair and the need for lots of electrical power. The land outside the city was said to be the fair grounds but also the new technological park I wanted. This was a simple way of killing two birds with one stone.

I talked about the electronics company, 'Intel'. That particular name had no real significance attached to it, yet but it soon would. The need for electricity and gas was pushed, so I could produce the necessary pure silicon that I needed. The processes were not talked about because I didn't know these people. Photo masking and precision x-ray machines would have to be made, for now they were not built that way. The refining of the polysilicon through the RF heating method was a simple process but it had a lot of minor problems to clear up to make it work efficiently.

Silicon, the way I wanted it, meant specific dimensions as well. Here I didn't go into too much detail because they had no use for it and if any decided to leave, they would take my knowledge with them.

We all went downstairs for supper. Even before sitting down I saw Derrick and Tom come in and go toward the elevator. I caught them first and they followed me to the dining room. They sat with Martin and Joseph and I asked the waiter to ask if Jason and Margarete would join us. My family stayed with me but at the other tables. It was a way of sharing me with this entire group.

We ordered and a few minutes later Jason arrived pushing Margarete. The men all stood as I introduced the couple and invited them to sit with us.

Jason asked, "Is this about the medical company?"

"I am afraid it is both yes and no." I turned to the other guests at our table and explained how I was getting into prosthetics and especially artificial joints.

After the meal we adjourned back to my suite to continue our discussion.

Joseph said for the first time, "I am surprised you are not getting into artificial hearts. My own heart has been giving me trouble for years. At the moment I have to take this," he said as he handed me a bottle of pills.

I said, "Mr. Cranz, this digitalis is a good example. It is a very strong poison but in small amounts it is useful for myocardial contraction. If you will try hard to remain with us for a few years, I will have some artificial valves and a much smaller pacemaker. I want to work on drugs to control the body's rejection methods so we can use human hearts. They should extend your life at least ten more years."

Everybody around the table stared at me. I put the bottle on the table in front of Joseph and went into the way the body defended itself against invaders. I then went further into the realms that had not been discovered yet but not too far. This time I mentioned the problems with current heart/lung machines and how they damaged the red blood cells. "This is a necessary machine for open heart surgery and even multiple bypass for those suffering from heart diseases."

Joseph asked, "Who is going to make these machines?"

"You and I will, if you want a smaller portion of a much larger pie. There is work on new anaesthetics that we have to get into. Your chemical company can make them very easily. We could make some for the next hip replacement but this time we will stick with one new procedure at a time."

Margarete said, "We talked to Alex about my getting a new hip and I hope this operation on my brother-in-law's dog with be a success."

Martin said, "It sounded like you were going to do the operation, Alex."

"I am. Mr Slotski, the vet and I hope Mr Smiles will assist. I had plans to have this recorded but the operating room is too small for the filming. It might be fun to do it at the theatre at the University of Toronto. Do you have any pull there, Martin?"

"Well," he seemed to stammer, "I do know some people but I have never asked them for anything like this. Usually it is for a way to relieve some of my aches and pains."

"It is not that important this time but soon we will be doing the procedure on some volunteers and that is a good time for television and film to be used. I would love to go live with the operation and we could make Margarete an instant movie star."

"No thank you Alex. I don't want my body on display to the whole world."

"If that is your wish but I can tell you with a very clear conscience that you have nothing that should be hidden. Your husband is a very lucky man." Margarete turned red and looked down. Even my own girls turned red but Jason sat straighter and even had a small smile.

While we ate our meal, I got Martin to talk about his DC3 and then asked Silva how he got here. He went into his small plane and good-naturedly put down the DC3 because of its size and fuel consumption. The war had started, with both men arguing the relative merits of each of their planes.

Aron laughed at the antics and I think that helped the men to be even more outrageous. The girls started playing the game and took sides. Even Margarete entered the fray and made her preferences known.

After ten minutes Aron asked, "When are we getting a plane?"

"Our guests talk of comfort, speed, manoeuvrability, altitude, safety and power. Silva, I think you can do better. Make an aluminum frame and cover it with Dacron. Buy two large chainsaws and mount them on the frame with propellers. You get into a harness and you are suspended underneath."

"How do you pilot a machine like that? It sounds like a kite."

"It is a kite. There is a fixed horizontal bar that you push and pull on that will cause your centre of gravity to shift. That is all that is needed to fly this vehicle. If we had enough wind like there is in some places, we could simply dispense with the motors completely."

"Will that really work?"

"I don't see why not. It is dangerous though. The planes will crash all the time but advances will be made to make them work right."

Millie said, "It is too bad but you won't be trying that Silva."

Silva started to retort but I interrupted, "Millie is right. It is too dangerous. I think I should offer a reward to anybody for a 100 percent muscle-powered flight across Lake Ontario, say, from St Catharine's to Toronto. They would have to take off and land by themselves."

Martin said, "You can't do that. Muscle-powered flight might go for a few hundred yards but no further."

"Care to put some of your bank's money on that? You won't have to pay out for twenty years or so but it will happen, just as it will by crossing the English Channel. If you get it passed now, then you will be retired when the effort will begin in earnest."

"Never mind retired, I will be safely dead. Twenty years, you say?"

"Yes, unless I get into it and then it would be in three of four years. I won't be able to fly this machine but I think I can produce it."

"So now you are trying to take more money from our bank. How much are you trying for this time?"

"How much is the publicity value to your bank? Start with fifty thousand dollars and then raise it every two years by a few thousand and use it for publicity. Eventually, somebody will win it but even then your bank gets favourable publicity all around the world."

Martin countered, "That is all fine and good but we don't need publicity outside Canada."

"That is where you are mistaken. I mentioned about a possible agreement between the American and the Canadian government over income tax. I was not talking just about me. Your bank can go south of the border but you are worried about the large American banks coming north. This will happen but I can't see them making it too big here. The profits you make will be taxed by two governments and this should get the banks behind me in asking for reform."

Joseph asked, "Is there a law coming out?"

"No, it hasn't been proposed but it will soon. This affects you, too. I want each country to have their own way of producing drugs but the prosthetics could be all made in one country for the economies of scale. Later we can work on mechanical arms and legs that react like our own."

Joseph replied, "The military have been looking at things like that for a while. You should look into getting them to finance your work."

"They will give me billions for space vehicles. I can probably get them to finance much of my work but they like to have many strings attached. Then there is the secrecy involved. When I make a good artificial hand, I don't want some politician or soldier say I can't patent or manufacture it because one electronic component can be used in a artificial satellite."

Later, I broke the engineers up into groups and gave them some problems to solve. They had just graduated, so they were used to tests of this type. This time, though, they had to work together with different types of engineers to find the answer.

They all left for their own rooms to work on the problems and I was now relatively alone. I said to Joseph, "Mr. Cranz, I am sorry for having our meeting rolled in with another and then using it for a test for new employees."

"That is ok, Alex. By the way, call me Joseph."

"Thank you, Joseph. We have some time to discuss our venture. The only one not knowing about the vaccine is Mr Smith." I said to the electronics teacher, "I found two vaccines for polio and have to go to the States to start manufacturing there. Canada will make its own supply after being told how to do it. Mr Cranz owns a large chemical company and if we reach a deal, we will use his company as a base for this venture. We are now talking about exclusive American rights to the discoveries I have made. This is very confidential information and I would not be telling you unless I thought you could keep a secret."

He said in a very grave voice, "I won't tell anyone outside this room."

Turning back to Joseph I said, "Mr. Ciesla will be patenting these discoveries," I said as I handed him the patent information. We will do more research here but the manufacturing can go to your company if you want it."

"How much will it cost me?"

"We can make a contract that guarantees a certain level of return. You can share in the development cost for a tax break. The larger company, though, means the two five-percent shares will be reduced somewhat. I have five new anaesthetics that need to go through field trials. They are worth many millions of dollars, too. The last are some oral contraceptives. They are safe and should bring in many hundreds of millions of dollars a year."

The shaken man asked, "What percentage are you offering me now?"

"You get two percent and your son gets two percent. Your exposure is about seven million dollars for the first vaccine. You should be getting twice that every year thereafter. The other vaccine should cost about the same and it will also be used. There are benefits to be gained from each variety and a child needs four treatments to be sure of adequate protection.

"The contraceptives will cost a bit less but the profit per year will be four to ten times as much and escalate rapidly. This is because it will take a while for people to accept this product.

"All rights for everything I make stay with me. As I mentioned, you only get rights for the sale of the drugs within the continental Unite States and its possessions. You pay for the testing and the development costs but mostly you have to take the heat from the entire world. The company that you would own a part of will take the majority of the credit for the discovery. I cannot have them come to me as the person that invented this on my own. If that happens, our drug supply business will flounder and millions of children will die or be paralysed.

"The anaesthetics will only cost three to four million each and will bring at least eight million per year after they are accepted."

Joseph said, "With all the money you stand to make, why are you being so foolish with trying to get into space?"

"I cannot mimic zero gravity conditions on earth. In orbit, I think, we could fabricate some drugs that we cannot make on the surface of the planet. There are other reasons but they have to do with the future of our race. Humans will have to go to the moon, Mars and eventually to the stars. If it is done well, there will be less waste and the benefits will accrue quicker."

Aron was put to bed and we left for Joseph's suite. The three of them looked around and found their luggage on the floor by the dressers. Martin and Mr Smith came with us to continue our discussion.

I ordered an urn of coffee and some paper to make notes. Tom Ciesla went over the patent application that I had shown Joseph.

We now discussed Martin's business and I said, "I know about two wheeler dealers living south of the border who could assist you in getting the courier service going." I left the details in Martin's hands and he decided to go with the idea and tell them of the way he saw the business.

The profits were mentioned and the amount of equipment and personnel were staggering. If they started off with a bang, then the imitators would fall by the wayside and the company would grow even faster.

Joseph asked, "Why aren't you going to own this company?"

"The company needs to be started. I can't run everything, anyway. This way Martin has a way of making lots of money and there is no conflict of interest with the loan I got."

"A loan?" came from Joseph.

"Only five million. Probably enough to get the vaccine approved but not enough for the rest. I have been playing with retailing, too and I want to open three types of businesses. One sells common everyday items at a low overhead. Another is a grocery store that has a small overlap into drugs, clothes, toys and seasonal furnishings. The last is like our Canadian Tire but also sells wood products and lumber. These have to be franchised and should bring a tidy profit each year."

Talk went on for three more hours and Millie started to yawn. I tried to wrap up the meeting and explained how I would be unavailable till almost four tomorrow.

Just as I stood to leave there was a rapid knock at the door. Joseph answered it and I found it was Laura. She said, "Excuse me for bothering your meeting but I need Alex right away."

I could see that something was wrong. "Sorry to rush but good night ladies and gentlemen."

In the hallway I said, "What is wrong?"

"Linda is really sick. You have to come."

Linda was on the bed but in a nighty for some reason. The lights were bright and I checked her pupils, respiration and heartbeat. "What happened?"

Laura said, "She was acting funny all evening. She was very nice when she said goodnight, as if she was doing it for the last time. Well, when she left the bedroom I followed her. She had a bottle of pills."

"What pills?"

"The ones you left on the table. Well, I yelled and ran at her. She fumbled with the bottle and got some of the pills into her mouth. I wrestled with her and some pills came out. She must have swallowed some. She acted fine for a while and then she started to get sleepy. That is when I got you."

"Natalie, call the desk and see if they have any ipecac syrup. They use it to induce emesis."

"What?"

"Vomiting." See if they have any activated charcoal."

I said to Helen, "Get a glass of water, quick."

"Laura, let's take her to the bathroom."

Linda sat on the toilet and I said, "Drink the water, Honey."

"I don't feel good but it's ok."

"Drink the water now!" I yelled at her.

I held the glass and she did too and drank what she could. When it was empty, I put more in so she would have twelve ounces all in all. When that was done, she just looked at me oddly and I said, "Open your mouth, Honey."

When she did, I held her head and put my two fingers into her mouth. She started to choke and cough then started to disgorge the water she just drank. I pulled her to the bathtub when I did this. "Put the plug in the drain."

There was not enough water and I said, "Open your mouth again Honey."

"I don't want to."

"Open your mouth!" I yelled at her.

My fingers again did the work and Linda heaved her stomach contents one more time.

"Damp cloth."

One was put in my hand and I washed her face.

"More water."

I held her head gently and brought the water to her lips. "Wash out your mouth, Honey."

She did this quickly.

"Drink the water, Honey."

She drank the glass and then one more, but the second was difficult.

Natalie came running into the room and I opened the bottle she brought and poured two full tablespoons down Linda's throat. She sputtered for a moment and then quieted. Very soon her eyes opened wide and she bent over the tub and vomited one more time. This happened till she got the dry heaves.

Linda drank more water and then threw up again. I looked into the mess on the bottom of the tub and used my fingers to search for pills or fragments.

"Helen, Valerie, go look where Linda was and see how many pills you can find. Look very carefully."

I washed Linda's mouth again and then took a clean, dry towel and cleaned out any residue I could see. Linda tried weakly to get away but she couldn't.

Some activated charcoal was found. Luckily, it was in pill form, or Linda would not drink it readily in a glass of water, not even with a straw.

While holding the woman I thought back to when I saw the pill bottle. For some inexplicable reason I simply knew that there were thirteen pills in the bottle. An older person needs less digitalis than a younger person. The toxic level is very close to the prescribed levels, though and it takes only three or four tablets to cause death.

Natalie went out to look, too and I just thought more. It looked like a tablet and a half on the bottom of the tub. More could be there in particle form, or dissolved in the vomit.

I pulled the plug and washed the vomit down the drain then took Linda's dirty nighty off. "Helen, come here."

She raced in very concerned. She, like Valerie and Natalie, were still naked. "Get into the tub and hold Linda."

When the water was warm I directed both girls. I helped support Linda, while Helen used her hands to wash the young woman. In a moment Laura was helping, too. Linda was taken out of the tub and we both dried her.

"Take her to bed."

I got a clean towel and laid it close to where she might vomit again. When she was sitting, I took three pills and some water and got her to swallow them. It was difficult but she did what I wanted. She was then laid down on her side. I looked at her naked form and all I could see was a frightened child who needed all the love she could get.

I felt her pulse at her neck and it was slow and shallow as I expected. I could not tell if there was any ventricular tachycardia, since I had no stethoscope.

Looking around I saw Aron still sound asleep. The girls got cleaned up and I did, too. I then crawled into bed behind Linda. I didn't sleep but continued to monitor her condition. The girls had found six pills and then three more in the seat of a chair. This made four pills missing. If one and a half were in the bottom of the tub, then two and a half and possibly less were in Linda's system.

This was not quite a lethal dose. I went through my mind for why I did not go to the hospital. The only thing I could think of was that Linda could die while we waited and the doctor did some thinking of whether we were right or not. There was a specific antidote called digoxin-immune FAB or Digibind. The problem was it was not invented yet. The only thing the hospital could do, would be to perform a gastric lavage and I had removed just as much as they could and did it sooner.

The next twenty-four hours would be the most important, for if Linda survived that time, her prognosis was very good for surviving.

The foetus, though, was problematical because the drug passed the placental membrane and could already have caused irreparable harm.

In an hour I woke Linda up and got her to take three more charcoal pills and allowed her to go back to sleep. I did this twice more before I felt even a bit confident.

An hour after the last pills I took Linda to the bathroom and let her pee. I cleaned her up and she went back to bed. When she got in she said, "I am so sorry, Alex. I know you are looking out for me but I read the letter and found out that I have some of that monster in me."

I felt angry with her but I had to see things from her point, too. It was hard to trust someone the way I wanted her to trust me. I was to the entire world just a young man, or possibly even seen as a boy. Under these conditions I could see how she could fail. "It is ok. Just go to sleep and we will talk in the morning."



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Chapter 24


Thursday

Morning came and I got out of bed to use the bathroom. I was sleepy but I had spent my year as an intern and also through many all-night negotiations. I could survive this but I might not have all my faculties. I put my clothes on and ordered some coffee. In a moment a sleepy young man delivered a large flask of coffee and left without wanting a tip.

An hour and a half later the clock rang and Aron got up. I shut the alarm off while Aron got ready for school.

Natalie and soon the rest got up but they did not look like they had slept much last night. Linda was the only one that was still asleep.

Laura asked, "How is she?"

I waved to the other room and said, "It looks good so far. I don't think she got enough in her to do serious damage. We have to seriously watch out for her now. She may, at any time, decide there is easier ways of ending her life. Jumping would be good but so might a slow knife or a razor. Clean up the bathroom and then take anything sharp out of all the luggage. I can store it in a box downstairs."

"Let's have some breakfast in shifts and we can watch her till she is over the dangerous period."

Natalie said, "I thought you said she would be all right."

"I believe so and in twenty-four hours I will be much more confident of my prognosis. Natalie, will you drive Aron to school when you go?"

Natalie said, "Laura, Helen and Valerie can watch Linda. You have to get your hours in. I could stay, too but three are enough."

We ate in two shifts and the last one brought up food for Linda.

Natalie dropped off Aron and we continued to the school. She asked, "What are we going to say about their absences?"

"I will handle it."

"I don't see why Linda didn't trust you. I do."

"Enough to live with me the rest of our life?"

"I am ready but I am giving you a chance to pull out."

We made phone calls every hour to see if anything had changed. Linda had got up and ate her meal after being encouraged. Linda had not got dressed and tried to make up for her actions by making the rest happy. This had worked for a while and then the other girls had used what resources to bring Linda off. They were only able to do it once and after that Linda seemed to be immune to this activity.

When I heard this I told them to be even more watchful.

I worked hard that day and it was mostly to forget about my problems. For the amount of effort I didn't seem to get much done, though.

After school Natalie drove me to the hotel and we both looked in on the family. Linda was still naked and came to me, knelt down and tried to open my fly. I picked her up and sat her down on a chair.

"Linda, I can remove the foetus. You will no longer be pregnant. Is that what you want?"

"Oh yes, Alex. I want that most of all."

I looked at Laura. "Are you up to assisting? I can do it myself but it is nicer if you were present."

Laura thought for a few seconds and said, "If it will help Linda, then I will help."

I left word with Helen to tell the guests that I would be delayed. We went to Doctor Smiles' office and I looked to find what I needed. Actually, it was a small vacuum pump and a bottle of ether. Linda took off her clothes and lay down on the table with her feet fit into the stirrups. After she was strapped down I administered the anaesthetic and left the job to Laura with a few instructions. I heard Laura's voice as she counted off before adding another drop to the mask.

The job was over in less than five minutes and I cleaned up all the equipment and put it back where it was found. Linda woke naturally ten minutes later and weakly said, "Is it done?"

I was very proud of Laura and Linda. They did as I asked without a question. I couldn't see many other women who would trust me to do what I had just done.

I held her head and said, "You are no longer pregnant." She started to cry now but I knew it was tears of joy. Laura dressed Linda and she now had a pad in her panties to catch any bleeding but I knew there would be little. On the way back to the hotel she was very upbeat and we both tried to mimic her mood but I was not really feeling that way.

At this time, abortion was very much frowned on. Over the years I had become a realist and saw that a lot of suffering would be reduced if the foetus were removed early. When I thought of the sanctity of human life, I remembered how congested China and the Middle East were and how the world would be when it reached eleven and a half billion individuals. It was so much easier to use condoms or the pill when they came out but people, especially the ones with little education, didn't seem to care as much about life.

I put Linda into the care of the others and I went out to start finding out how much some virgin engineers really knew about electronics, metallurgy and mechanics.

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Friday and Saturday

I hired thirteen out of the sixteen engineers. They would leave in another day with Martin. They would have to find their way back and bring with them some of the equipment I needed. If they ran off with the cash now, it would be much better than having them do it later after they had learned even more.

Martin said he would send up more prospective engineers as he found them. If I were more prepared, I could have taken in medical personnel, too, as well as almost all the other degrees the school passed out.

Mr Jackson and his wife were very happy to come over and witness the signing of the papers for the loan. His hand shook as he put his own signature on the papers.

Derrick wrote up some contracts for the new employees. We broke from the traditional way and made them in simple English. They were more binding in their wording and I did not want any misapprehension. Eleven days later they would show up with their belongings and some equipment to grow and to process large silicon crystals.

Martin left with a good idea of how to start his business. He would have to hire somebody to take care of the day-to-day work while he stayed at his own job. Joseph and Silva liked the idea, too and knew that the company would grow faster if it had partners. So, this is how Purolator would start this time around.

My prospects for starting Wal-Mart, Home Depot and Zehr's had to be put on the back burner. Most would have to open in the Unite States because Canada was very under populated and most stores would be very uneconomical.

Joseph was given a simple contract but it went into three pages. Many business contracts were much longer. In this case it was just an interim agreement, so he would get compensated if I did not follow through on my end.

I gave Millie permission to talk to Margarete about the operation I proposed. They somehow bolstered each other's courage because Millie had found a doctor who was very intrigued by my idea. The operation was scheduled for a week from now. Millie was both relieved and apprehensive but that was normal.

Everybody seemed to be interested in the operation on the dog. Part of it was that MGM had made some movies that were wildly popular. The television series had not even been contemplated yet for 'Lassie' and my operation might even assist, if it became known. Our patient was coincidentally called 'Lass' and there was no way the papers were going to miss it. The fact that the dog was older than even the movies would show that we were not trying to steal their limelight or copyright.

All this did not happen on one day but carried over to Friday and Saturday. Negotiations sometimes took months and had to wind their way through intermediaries of every stripe.

We had lunch at Mario's and I tried my best to assist his business career. It was good that Martin's title was not fully expressed. Martin and Joseph seemed to be very impressed. I asked Martin, "Do you have a cafeteria in your main bank?"

"Yes, we do, because we eat there. It is usually very good."

"Mario wants to begin franchising his ideas and Chicago and Toronto are two good choices." Mario and his family were seated with us. Mario and Maria just listened, open-mouthed. "You are getting a manager to run your delivery service. Could you recommend some good candidates to assist Mario?"

"Come to think of it, there are quite a few."

"I think a hungry one as the manager and a few even hungrier under him, who will make sure he does his job."

"You are starting office politics before there is an office?"

"No, it's just inevitable."

Late Saturday afternoon I went to the airport with my guests and saw everyone off. Martin volunteered to send up some aircraft aluminum for my hip. The A.V. Roe Aircraft Company was in Malton, just outside Toronto at the time. Soon it would begin the construction of the Avro Arrow, only to have it dashed when the first planes came off the line. It was the most advanced plane of its time and the pride of our country. In the meantime, the company was making the CF-100 and that used the same metal I required.

The girls came too. Linda, though suffering a small amount of discomfort, was being the opposite of her old morose self. They seemed to like the way the young men looked at them. I wasn't worried because I was usually a good judge of character and the girls liked me a lot more than the men.

We went back to the hotel and cleaned up our mess. I thanked what staff I found about their exemplary service. This was done in front of Jason, if possible and this made the words even more important to the employees.

Margarete and Jason now were more than just behind me, they made sure everyone knew that I could walk on water, if I so chose.

When the girls were dropped off at their home I got some heart felt hugs from them all and especially from Linda. She said in a whisper, "If the baby were yours, I would cherish him always." She then hung her head.

I picked her head up and said, "Our child certainly would be something, wouldn't he?"

She smiled widely and hugged me again.

On the way back to the farm and family I had a serious talk, again, with Aron to make sure he said nothing about certain matters. He was free to talk about other things to the family. Business matters he had to remain quiet about as well.

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Sunday

Church was the same in regard to the fair and after the services I had an impromptu board meeting. When I asked for reports, I began with people who were surer of themselves. By the time it was over, even the shy ones were putting their voice into what should happen and why.

Back home we found that some of the congregation was with us. This was not bad because our family was naturally gregarious. Mom started to bring out snacks and soon she was starting a large meal. She was used to this now and only objected to the fact that she didn't have the large pots that were used at the mine.

Rita's family was one that had come with us. Maria helped mom. Mom would have refused the assistance but Maria started to tell her about what happened at the restaurant. When mom heard this she said, "Martin, oh he is not a manager. He is the president of that Toronto bank." Maria quickly whispered in her husband's ear.

Rita continued to take notes as if she were taking minutes at a meeting. I found that Izzy had been kept busy and he had ordered some large truckloads of plywood and lumber to fabricate more structures. They were even being set up at the fairgrounds on a temporary basis.

Mario drew a map as if this were a military campaign. The rough layout of the properties was given with the public roads and the one that we still had to construct. It needed to be covered in stone that had to be trucked in. He seemed to be worried about the cost of the load but I assured him that you couldn't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.

The area for parking was large but I wanted it larger still. I told them that boys would have to be hired to direct traffic. Lights with markers would have to be put up because many people would not be leaving until late. This he understood and nodded his head. I had many times gone to large attractions and seen how they had been forced to adapt.

I said to Rita, "Make a note to talk to city council and the utility commission. There are quite a few things I have to discuss with them. Try to find the names of the engineers and their phone numbers. I can talk to them before or after the meeting."

"Yes, Alex."

Dad looked like he wanted to question me but I think he had given up on trying to follow my moves. The mine filled his world now and he was happy. Having Roch and her parents, close by and helping must have made it even enjoyable.

Aron was pleased to say that he was being trained to be a CEO, even if he was still unsure about what it really meant. Helen had to say that she was also learning, about the hotel and other things and she found it interesting. The trouble was that they were close to me all the time and not learning as much as they could.

People left for their own families. Rita and Libra wanted to stay when their family left. Dad said he would drive them home later tonight. Another family had stayed too and the two sons played with Aron.

Helen had been talking to the girls and said, "We wanted to go for a walk; Alex, do you want to come with us?"

I could almost see the wheels turning in her head and I said, "Ok, I just want to change first."

When I came downstairs, Helen had a small bag. She explained that they had a snack.

The day was quite warm and we walked down the road leading to the back of the property. The girls talked among themselves and tried to get me involved. It was a sleepy type of afternoon and I just enjoyed the company and the exercise.

The talk again centred on the fair and then on the party at the end of the school year, for the people who helped me make the things I needed. Before I noticed it, we had stopped on a grassy bank by the stream. Two tightly rolled blankets came out and were spread on the grass. No food or drink was visible. Helen sat and patted the place beside her. I sat down beside her and eventually lay down with my arm over my eyes.

The girls continued to talk and it was nice to just listen to the sound of their voices instead of their words. I felt Helen push me. "Well?"

"Well what?"

"Rita and Libra have cramps again from the walk and want you to fix it."

"Hmmm, I see you girls have been talking." I looked at Rita for a few seconds then to Libra. "We can progress to the next step but it is up to the both of you to follow if you want." I looked at Helen and said, "Helen, Honey, take off all your clothes and enjoy the sun on your skin."

She started right away and said, "Yes, Alex," with a large smile.

I started to take off my own clothes and made a neat pile of them where my head was. When Helen was completely nude, I got behind her and started to rub her abdomen, as if she had cramps. She leaned back onto my chest and just murmured her contentment.

The other two stared and Rita began to furiously remove her own clothes. When Libra followed, I used one hand to caress Helen's breast. As Helen got close, the girls started to play with their own nipples. When Helen started to orgasm, I turned her mouth to me and kissed her as she screamed my name.

When Helen calmed enough, I saw the other girls with their own eyes closed, as they must be running the scene through their mind. I kissed Helen and then got up. Rita and Libra watched a certain part of my anatomy point the way I was walking.

Choosing Libra first, I began doing the same thing to her. She responded even more quickly and my fingers slipped onto her mons and caressed her small bump. She squirmed and squirmed but I continued. I slipped a finger into her opening and I found that she had no hymen. In a moment I continued, till I found her 'G' spot but I had to abandon the act of giving her a therapeutic massage and lay her down. I kissed and suckled her breast with my mouth while my hand kept the other teat happy. My other hand worked on her clit and her vagina.

Libra was working up to a good orgasm when I pulled my mouth off her nipple and said, "Helen, kiss her now." I went back to suckling and in a few seconds Libra thrashed and arched her back till her pelvis was far higher than her head. My hand stayed with her and her hands held Helen's head to her lips.

The feelings were so intense that Libra simply collapsed. The girls looked at her still body and I said, "She fainted. She will be back in a moment."

Helen and I held her till she recovered. She opened her eyes and looked back and forth between us. It took a second but I knew, just like I had known about the bottle of Digitalis, that Libra was looking forward to kissing each of us and with equal fervour. We settled it by both of us kissing her.

I pulled away and Helen wrapped her arm around Libra as if taking possession of the girl for me. Turning around I found Rita with her fingers on her mons. She stopped moving as I watched. My hand went out and I smelled her fingers before popping them into my mouth, one at a time. She just watched me do this, as if she could not believe it.

"Lie down, Rita."

She reacted like a robot, with her arms at her sides and her legs tightly together. "I am going to make you happy, I hope."

I moved close and did the same thing I had done to her sister but this time found an intact hymen. Her breasts were small but she was just as responsive as her sister. Soon her hips began to thrust to my fingers and she called her maker many times before going into a full spasm. Her arms held mine and her finger nails dug painfully into my arms. My pinching and nibbling her nipples seemed to send her even higher.

I cuddled with her while she recovered. Across the blanket I could see Libra and Helen in a 69 position and Libra was not an unwilling participant.

Before Rita could object, I slid down and over her leg. Her legs came up and I simply said to her, "Hold them wide."

She didn't seem to understand but soon I was licking her lower lips and her legs came onto my back as she started to go into a vocal mantra that only she could understand. In only five minutes her claw-like hands were digging into my scalp and I vaguely heard her call my name with her legs tight on my ears.

It was difficult to breathe and I had to withstand more pain to get the occasional breath but eventually her hands released my hair.

When I was able to look up, I saw that Rita was still not all here. Her breathing was still rapid but it was slowing down. Helen and Libra had moved but were still locked together. Perhaps it was a good idea to teach Rita a few things.

Lying head-to-feet to her, I coaxed her body onto mine and again I went back to sampling her mons. Her face was in my groin but soon she came to and found where she was. It took a few minutes before I could feel a tentative licking before she started to work on me. My neck, shoulders and tongue were tired when she finally had her orgasm and she had to spit me out, before lying down to rest, herself.

This time she climbed off me and turned around to kiss my lips. "Oh Alex. I didn't know that a boy would do that to a girl. I thought that only girls..." She stopped dead because she knew that she had already said too much.

I held her face in my hands and after kissing her I said, "Look beside you." She did and saw her sister and Helen holding each other like we were. "I can only see you and your sister doing that. If it is true, then it is fine with me. Helen will have my children one day."

"What?" she said, more from shock than anything else.

"Helen is not a blood relative and she will bear my children. I said before that you would have to find others after I left."

"I didn't know. I... I hoped. After you... Oh I don't know"

I rolled over so I was on top and. Rita locked her legs around me instinctively. "Now," I said, "Do you and Libra help each other?"

Rita looked down, which was hard from where she was. In a moment I said, "Answer me!"

"Sometimes," came after a while.

"Anybody else?"

I got a very quick no, so I figured that was the truth. "Thank you for being honest. I am not angry. You know now that Helen and I do things, too."

We talked more and I explained my feelings better and soon the other two not only listened but expressed how they felt, too. Helen discussed her future idyllic life but did not mention anybody but us.

She saw me moving on the blanket and said, "Did you have an orgasm?"

"Not yet. I was hoping I could have one with you."

She laid on her back with her knees up and said, "Come and get it. I am yours."

I got up and licked and sucked a bit but Helen pulled me into position. Soon I was thrusting into her and her legs were wrapped around me. The other two came close to watch and I asked Helen, "You want to taste someone new?"

Helen's eyes immediately went to Rita and she said, "Yes!"

I looked at Rita and ordered, "Sit on Helen now, Honey. She wants to taste you."

Rita was hesitant and Libra stood and pulled her to her feet. Like an automaton she followed her older sister's guiding hands. Once in position, she sank lower and lower, till Helen grasped her thighs and pulled her into position. Rita's eyes grew large and her mouth opened wide. After a moment more of thrusting I pulled Rita to me and continued to work on Helen to get us both off. Helen was occupied and it took fifteen minutes of very pleasant effort before Helen started to groan and then she yelled into Rita. The girl had, for the last few minutes, hung on by sheer willpower.

I kissed Rita and pinched her nipples, which she thrust at me. Her own orgasm was as violent as Helen's was beneath me. I had two orgasms but they had not been as complete as usual and I had continued.

When I backed up I pushed Rita's head down and soon she was pleasing Helen like she was being pleased.

I got unsteadily to my feet and found Libra with one hand on her mons and the other pinching her nipples. With little effort I got her to lie down and after picking up her legs I pushed into her opening. After only a few moments she came hard and I did, too.

I stayed firm and just waited a moment to rest. I looked down into Libra's face and saw a very pretty and passionate woman. "You want to swap ends?"

It took a moment for her to understand but she readily assisted. This time I was on top and Libra tasted as good as her sister. Soon she was just holding my hips as I made short thrusts into her mouth. We both seemed to come at the same time.

With difficulty I stayed where I was and at the first chance lay on my side, so as not to crush Libra. I was now sated and tired. It took a moment but I was able to turn around and kiss Libra. I told her, "Mmmm! That was nice."

Libra just pulled me to her and I heard her sniffle a bit but women sometimes got very emotional at times like this. There was no other noise and I saw Rita and Helen just holding each other as if asleep.

I was comfortable where I was and made sure Libra was as close as possible. A fly buzzing around Libra's face brought her fully back to us. I said, "Get up, Honey. I am going to wash my baby."

She did as I asked and soon she was standing on a rock in the shallow stream. Even though the water was warm, it was cooler than the air. Libra shivered but spread her legs further apart to get cleaned. After I finished with her, I pulled Rita to her feet and did the same thing. She just complained about the cold water but stood the indignity while I completed my task. Helen groaned because of the temperature difference but soon started to thrust her hips forward to meet me.

"None of that now, woman. We have guests and we have to get home. We could have walked the farm twice."

"One day, Alex, I am going to get you alone and teach you something about women."

"Hmmm, that sounds interesting."

I sat in the water and cleaned my equipment; then did my face, for I had the secretions of three lovely ladies on my lips.

We sat together for a minute but the girls' eyes always went to my plumbing, like a compass needle to a magnetic pole. "You girls go down to the stream and wash your faces before we go back. I like the smell of women in heat but it is a giveaway as to what we have been doing."

Helen smiled and went first. She bent at the hips and faced away from me with her legs wide. This showed me her opening. The other two got the same idea and tried to do the same thing. I was starting to grow again at seeing this sight. Helen whispered and the girls turned around to see my erection and laughed.

When they came back, Helen spread her legs and so did the other two. They were learning from a very seductive woman. "Are you girls happy at what you did to little Alex here?" I gestured to my erection.

Rita said, "Serves you right for looking."

Helen had not brought anything to eat of drink but I could survive. This did give us more time to talk but it was only to say how pleased I was to make our friendship closer. Rita asked about Helen and me as a couple and I told her how and when it happened.

Rita was shy but overcame this to tell me about listening to her sister masturbate every night and get her horny. Libra hotly denied this but had to take it back when Rita mentioned that it was many times a day. Libra had her own story about how she fell in love with her hairbrush and how it took her virginity. Almost under her breath she said, "You were my first."

Rita did not know about this and simply sat wide-eyed.

Libra continued telling how after the boat ride she had felt different stirrings in her and how that was when she had seduced her sister for the first time. She justified it by saying, "You weren't around and I had to do something."

This sounded like a good time, so I gave them my birds-and-the-bees talk but I was very graphic and explicit. I talked about boys; what they wanted and what might happen. I also talked about girls and some of the games they played. In the end they had a much better understanding of how sneaky the human race really was. I didn't want to perform any more abortions, especially when the pills had not been made yet.

We came back to the house joking around and sounding like children. Mom simply asked, "Have fun?"

I said, "I think we did but it is hard to understand women at times."

"You seem to do a very good job."

"I am inspired, mom. If I am not, I get beat. There are three of them."

We ate with the other family and Aron tried to work on Libra and Rita but they were just polite to him.

Dad drove them home and I came for the ride. On the way back to our house dad said, "The girls don't take their eyes off you, Alex. Why is that?"

"That is simple. They are young and impressionable. They love me and they know that I love them. Mom must have looked at you the same way. I am willing to bet that Mom was not the only one, either, to find you interesting."

Dad didn't say anything else.

-------

Monday

Rita was very possessive when we arrived at school Monday morning. I had to talk to her but she got between us and held Helen too. I gave her a quick kiss and said, "Good girl. You're smart and diplomatic."

Linda was happy at school and Mr Corfu pulled me aside and asked, "Why is she that way?"

"I took a heavy burden off her shoulders and you see how she is compensating for the way she felt before. In a while she will settle down and be less bubbly but still a happy woman."

Mr Corfu shook my hand and just nodded his head before he walked back into his office.

Helen and I went to see Laura. When she was free, we both gave her a kiss and I told her about her conniving fellow wife and what she had done to poor little me on Sunday.

Laura looked at Helen, as if angry, "I will teach you about little cunts, Mrs. Kramer. Our husband is too weak to be taking on such chores. Do you want it to fall off before it gives us what we need?"

Helen came close and hugged Laura like her mother and said, "They were in pain Mrs Kramer. I talked to them and they were going to seduce him by themselves. I had to protect Alex so he wouldn't get hurt."

Laura kissed her, "You did right then. Boys need to be handled carefully or they get so hurt."

They only pulled apart when we heard shoes on the terrazzo flooring. We were off to one side and safe and the girls just giggled.

During school I worked on how to make the ceramic sphere for the hip joint but couldn't remember reading much. The school library had very little help as well. There was one small hobby shop I eventually found that was not even listed in the phone book as such. They did agree to meet me to see what I wanted to make and then fire it.

Rita said after school, "Here is a list of city engineers and their phone numbers. There is a council meeting tonight and the secretary has your name on the list of things to discuss. The last three people on the list are the board of the utilities commission. I have taken the liberty of asking them to attend the council meeting tonight."

I held Rita's hands and said, "You have done a very fine job. As my secretary, I think it would be a good idea if you attend, if at all possible. If you bring your girls, then they will learn about the council."

Rita looked at the girls and they all nodded their heads or smiled. Rita said, "We will try to be there. Are we going to be compensated for our long hours of drudgery?"

"I don't see why not. Ice cream downtown and a special assignment that may be a lot of fun."

"Sounds good but I want more."

I kissed her hard and when I pulled back I said, "You are an evil woman, taking advantage of a young male like me."

This week we were back home but I wanted to make a more permanent home in the city. It would be hard to juggle this if mom and dad were home. If they were away, then we could live where we wanted.

Helen biked to meet Aron while I took a sample of the ceramic material and the hard glaze with me to the hobby shop.

The address turned out to be a home and I knocked on the door. Mrs Howard came to the door and let me in. "You must be that young man I read so much about in the newspaper?"

"I guess I am, Mrs Howard."

"You just call me Agnes, dear."

"Thank you, Agnes. I have to be Alex, then."

"Ok, Alex, we can do that. Now, tell me more about your school project."

I pulled out some simple drawings because I did not know if she had ever seen a print before. The sphere was drawn with a small flat area around the hole that had threads cast into it.

She looked at the picture and put her glasses on then looked again. I handed her a bolt and said, "This thread has to be cast into the sphere to hold it in place. It has to be strong with no air holes. After it is made, it has to be glazed with zirconia. The finish has to be perfectly spherical. In my opinion it might be better to make a lot each time and then throw out the ones that don't measure up. In the end we will get the best of the best."

"What are these for, Alex?"

"Let's sit down. We can have a drink and I can answer your question."

I sat at the kitchen table and both of us had an ice tea in front of us. I sipped mine and said, "Thanks, Agnes. There is a collie that looks like the movie dog Lassie but has the name Lass. She has a very bad case of arthritis. The joints are wearing out and the dog is in constant pain. There are some children that don't want to see the dog destroyed, even though that is the usual and humane thing to do."

"I have worked on a design to make her two new hips. They will be made of metal and ceramic spheres that imitate the hip joints. When the joints are completed, I will work with some other people and put the new hips in. This will be in two weeks. If we are lucky, Lass will be walking around a few weeks after the operation and running like she did as a puppy in a month more."

Agnes looked at me and said nothing as she assessed my words. She was around sixty but she did not need to have her mind checked for she seemed to have all her faculties. "I have never heard of a hip like this. Why can't you go to the manufacture and get your own?"

"Well, Agnes, I have started many companies to make money and for other reasons. One is for running the fair that most people have heard about. That business was started as a charitable organization that will make sure all the worthwhile charities in this city get some benefits over the years.

"Another of my companies will be making drugs for hospitals and doctors. One of the companies will be making prosthetics, better wheelchairs, different slings than what doctors now use. I want to make a good walker so a person recovering from an operation can walk around much safer. I'm also going to make some artificial hips. No other company is making these the right way and millions of people around the world are suffering needlessly because nobody thought of it nor wants to make them."

"How old are you, Alex?"

"If I answer your question, then you have to answer, too. Not many people of your apparent age have the mental faculties you have. Not many people seem to be able to move around like you do, either."

"Ok, then. How big do you want the balls to be?"

I gave her the range of measurements and then gave her four larger sizes, too.

"That is a big dog, Alex."

"Don't let the woman hear you say that. She will drive her wheelchair over you."

"A human?" She said incredulously.

"There will be a lot of people who will need to see and feel the hip to understand it. Some will be for that purpose. Some arthritic dogs will get the hip replacement and medical people will assess how well they work. Soon one of the larger sizes you are making will go into a human. After the human trials and perhaps a few million dollars, the hips will be sold. In a few years I will have made my money back."

"Let me see those pictures again, Alex."

They were spread out on the table and we talked about various ways of casting what was needed. An hour later she wanted to give me a snack but I refused.

We had a small break and phoned Doctor Slotski and asked when the next set of x-rays for Lass would be taken. I would have to wait for three more days at least, then more for the processing.

Another phone call alerted Rita so we would make it to the meeting at seven and I would make it there under my own power. I suggested she pick up the others on the way and use a cab at my expense if she had to.

A half-hour later Agnes said, "Leave it with me. Phone tomorrow and maybe I will have something to show you."

"I will do that, Agnes. Please have a hammer ready because I have to give a crude test to see how strong they are. If they are good, I will have to test even more to see the limits more scientifically."

"Alex, I don't usually test my pottery with a hammer but in this case it may be for the best. Do you have more of these two materials?"

I gave her what I had and some cash for her efforts and the electricity she would need to make the first firing. She wanted to refuse the money now and I had to explain why it had to be paid for.

There was enough time and I hurried home. I ate, took a bath and then a taxi to the city hall. Helen wanted me home but she knew I had to do things. Besides, she had to study for the final exams coming up soon.

Rita and three of the girls were waiting outside the building. One girl was not allowed to accompany us at night and without a chaperone.

We sat in the gallery while the minutes were read. New business was taken up and my petition was heard first. Rita nodded her head to the mayor and the few aldermen she knew. I am sure they would remember her for quite a while after she raked them over the coals last time.

I started by thanking the people for hearing me but I didn't stay long on this because it would bore them after a while. I made the proposal for a tech park. Zoning requirements were nowhere as strict as they would be in later years. I wanted their endorsement for a major substation. When the site would be full, I was sure we would need twenty to thirty megawatts. At the moment I doubted if the entire city needed that much.

The drug company and the electronic firms were listed as the first major companies I wanted on the land. There was a veiled hint that if there was no zoning change I would go to Toronto. I stressed the need for future expansion. Natural gas would be needed, too but the pipelines had not come to the north yet. In fact they had not come east from the prairies at all. Propane was the best I could do till it came. Water and sewers could be a well and a septic system but I wanted to hook up to the city services as soon as possible. Police and fire would be handled by the city till I had our own units in place.

This brought a few chuckles, thinking that two businesses would need that sort of protection.

They directed the utility commission to put power out to the land for the fair. At least now we could start building and have three small transformers to barely meet our requirements. The zoning changes would have to be posted but there were few neighbours and none who should see harm in this venture.

We left just before eight and, as promised, I took the girls out for ice cream and soda. After finishing her ice cream Rita said, "What were you promising for us?"

I took out a sheet of paper and started writing. When I was done, I handed it to the girls and said, "Here are the words to a song I have made. You will have to get some instrumental accompaniment. You also have to practice very hard. I will assess how well you do. If you do a good job, then we can take you to Toronto to cut a record. The records will be sent to local radio stations. You see: I want to get into multimedia eventually. That means I will get radio and television stations along with newspapers and magazine publishers. This is just a first step."

"You want us to sing?"

"You all have beautiful voices. That is not enough to make a good record but it is a start. Now tell me about any good musicians whom you know."

I got a lot of excited girls giving me names. "Rita, take a note." She quickly got her note pad and pen out. "Rita and her girls make six posters tonight or tomorrow and post them at the school. State that an audition to play will take place for a band or individual musicians. Possible exposure on a record can be expected. See Rita Leone for details. Tell them they will get paid depending on how well they perform. They will have to trust me."

"I can't do that," Rita said, "I don't know that much about music."

"Talk to the music teacher and I will write the music tomorrow. The piece gets practised a bit and I will listen to some tryouts next week. The winner gets to accompany you girls."

The girls were really excited about it all. I called a cab and Rita went to one girl's house to begin work on her project. At home I met one more very inspired woman.



-------

Chapter 25


Tuesday

At two o'clock the next day I phoned Mrs Howard. She was excited because of the work she had done. I loaded the two bags on my bike and right after school I went right over and checked on her collection. The spheres were far from uniform but I did test them with a hammer. Most were quite strong. The steel bolt was put into some and then I used various methods to test the strength of the threads. Most had distorted and were unusable but some seemed strong enough for our needs.

This was not a bad thing, for we had learned a few important points. We needed a mould and something that could form the threads, be extractable later and not burn. A graphite rod came to mind but it would leave some graphite that would not allow the ball to be securely bolted later. This would be like applying glue to an oily surface. The same would be true of any carbon-based product as it burnt.

A light bulb caught my eye and I looked at the stove and chuckled because it was for wood. "We can use a small light bulb, use it as a master. Make a mould from its form and put the ceramic material in that and leave it in the mould when it is fired."

"Ohh, that sounds interesting. Can you find one of those large marbles that boys like to play with?"

I yelled, "Right back," as I left the house excitedly.

Two blocks down I found some boys playing marbles. They were doing it the old way with a ring but that was fine. Pulling up I said, "Hi, guys. I need a large marble. I will pay for it." I was shown a few but none were what I wanted. A nearby school got my attention and I asked three groups of boys with similar luck. One small boy in the back came forward and offered me a large ball from a bearing. He let me look at it and I saw no real wear and it was about the right size. "I'll give you fifty cents for this."

"Fifty cents! Yea, I'll take that."

The kid got two quarters, which was the equivalent of an hour's wages for a man.

Mrs Howard was glad to see the bearing and immediately began to work on it. I left her to her work and took some of the undamaged spheres. The phone book was close and I phoned a few places before I found the taps I needed to suit the type of bolt I had.

Eight blocks away I put some money on the counter and used a tap to see how it worked in the hard ceramic material. It did cut. An adjustable wrench helped and I took the tap out to see how damaged the ceramic was. I had three people looking at me. "Do you have a good magnifying glass?" The curious stock keeper brought a small glass to me. It looked like the threads in the sphere were damaged.

"Do you have any aluminum bolts?" I got no for an answer. "Anybody cut some threads in aluminum stock?" The man at the counter said, "The machinist in the back does engine work and brake drums. Ask him."

I put the wrench back and bought a few taps and some grade eight bolts to test the ceramic.

Going through the stockroom and into the back workshop I talked to an old man who sounded very crotchety. "What do you want, kid?"

"I am making an artificial hip. I need some pieces of threaded aluminum rod about three inches long."

"Cain't make no hip, sonny. I know. Mine's been shot for years."

"Some similar old farts said that a certain contraption couldn't fly or that a horseless carriage was only a passing fad. Now, are you going to help, or go down in history as a grouchy old man who ignored my request?"

He paused for a moment to think and eyed me very speculatively. "What size thread you want?" he said as he got off of his chair with some difficulty.

I gave him my specs. It would be stronger to form the threads than to cut them but I had to stick with what I had. He hobbled to the front and came back with some round stock and then put a die on the end with the other end in the vice. In twenty minutes I had a yard of thread. The old man measured and cut the lengths off and stacked them. I took a nut and got the damaged threads at the ends straightened out and started a new pile.

The old man finished and started cleaning the threads himself. While I was working I asked, "I need a spherical reamer or file about an inch in diameter and one a bit bigger."

"What's it fer?"

"When I operate, I have to cut a hollow area in the pelvic bone. Then I have to use the rasp, file or reamer to cut a spherical depression in the bone. The cup for this ceramic ball gets attached to that area. It is attached by epoxy or it is rough and the bone grows into the crevices. I cut off the top section of the leg bone and insert a metal framework into the femur. This holds the ball I made. In two weeks the patient can walk around. In a month they can almost walk without a cane. In six weeks they can walk painlessly but still have to take it slow. Mine will outlast all the other types previously manufactured."

"Y'll not ketch me under your knife."

"This one is for a dog. Later ones are for humans. Now, what about the tools I need?"

He had two used rotary rasps in his cupboards but they were too small. "Your supplier got any bigger?"

We looked through a catalogue and found the parts but they were all too small. The old man yelled to the front and another catalogue came back. Again it was fruitless.

"Could you make one?"

"Could but it would be too soft."

"Make some. They are for bone not steel. How much do you want for two?"

"Sonny, I can't work for free. I gotta eat."

"My name is Alex Kramer. You heard of me?"

"You that kid that stopped those robbers?"

"Yep. I am working on saving people now. You make two and I will pay." I took out twenty dollars and laid it on the table under a bolt. "That can get you started. It has to fit into a half-inch drill."

The old man looked at me and said, "Come back tomorrow."

"How much for the aluminum rod and the labour?"

"We will settle up then."

I took the shafts and on the way out bought two wrenches that fit the bag of nuts I bought too.

I was back at Mrs Howard's house soon after and put the material down in her workroom. She took some of the clay and formed it around the threaded rods and pushed it into a mould she had made. I helped her for a few more hours but she would have to fire more moulds than we were using now to take the clay.

Mrs Howard hustled me out of the house with a few cookies and told me to see her again tomorrow.

On the way home I passed a butcher shop and stepped in. The butcher was a large man who had to look over the corner to see me after the customers before me had been served.

"What would you like?"

"I need some sheep and pig pelvises for medical research. I will pay for them."

He looked at me and saw only a boy. "What's a kid like you doing with the bones?"

I went into a detailed account of all the things I had to do to get to Lass' pelvis, then how I'd have to make a hemispherical cavity. I used all the medical terms and didn't miss a single muscle, vein or artery in my monologue.

I then added, "Well, are you going to sell me some bones?"

The man just walked to the back and brought out a hind and I stopped him. "I need to see the portion so I get the hip joint."

He allowed me behind the counter, I pointed out my needs and said, "I need this and it can be in halves this time. The flesh is not important to me. The dog getting the hip is a long-haired collie of at least seven years."

The man cut the meat away and then used a cleaver to break the large bone. He showed me the bone and wrapped it up. Bones were usually free in the 50s and even 70s, too but soon things were squeezed tight and even those had to get sold but they still were not much. This was much like chicken wings. They were usually given away to needy families. It was only after they were baked or deep-fried with hot sauce that they commanded a premium price.

"Here you go, kid," the butcher said as he handed me the package.

"Tomorrow I have to come back to this area to test out the tools we need. May I leave this here now? If more become available, I will purchase them tomorrow."

The man looked at me closely, "You that kid that saved the baby?"

"I had the help of a mechanic, two police officers and the child's older brother. The doctors at the hospital did the final work."

"Come by tomorrow and I will put aside all the hips that are about the size you want."

"I will need human-sized later sir."

He just looked and this time it was for at least thirty seconds. I waved and left with my thanks.

At home I was able to get hold of Mr Creighton. He was still active in making the Rubik's cube. "Sir, can you farm out the job for the hip? I can give you some better drawings tomorrow."

"There must be a few people you haven't got working for you in this city. I will call them tonight and see."

"Don't try to get the old fart who works behind the auto parts shop. I already got him."

He paused for a moment and asked the address. Then wanted me to describe the man. "That old goat would sour milk but he can work wonders if his arthritis isn't acting up."

"I figured that. I don't have much in my bag of tricks to help him."

"He smokes too much anyway."

"That bothers me. I know instinctively that smoking is bad for you. The tobacco companies deny this and at the same time work on selectively breeding tobacco so that it will have more of the drugs a human craves. Other people know this and some who are not addicted themselves do nothing to bring this to the attention of the world."

"Young Alex, apathy is one of our more enduring traits. We need someone to fight for us but then we will ignore the results. Better to let the fools die and be done with it."

"You may be right for a while but I think I am going to have to take them on soon enough."

"Good luck because you will certainly need it."

-------

Wednesday

The next morning I saw some preliminary signs posted for musicians. The doors were now a community awareness area, where people came to find out what was happening. Rita and her girls were with me to see what I thought of the layout.

The students looking at the poster talked to Rita about the project and I waved my hand and left her to her job.

The girls in the office were still happy. When none of the students were looking Linda kissed me on the cheek. "Thanks, Alex. I feel so much better."

"I said you could count on me and I did what was necessary."

During some of the classes Rita told me of many people who wanted to come to audition. I suggested her that she make an acquaintance of the music teacher and see if the person could be of any help. I handed her some hand-written music scores with the words and the preferred instrumentation. I suggested that her girls make a copy of the work, so the musicians could work on it in their own time.

I smiled as she started making her own copy when the teacher was not looking.

Science today took on a slightly new meaning. Mr Froom went into his lesson and asked a few questions of the class. As usual, he avoided me unless he had to have the answer. My answers at times were somewhat truer than his simplistic requests and this made him avoid me like the plague.

When there was a few minutes left in the class and the students were writing furiously down what was on the blackboard, I put up my hand. This was unusual and instead of asking my question out loud, I walked to his desk.

"Sir, I have a project that you may find interesting."

"What is it?"

A fairly detailed print was put in front of him showing the hip joint and more sheets showing more detail. One showed a cup that would support the ball and a rough surface on the other side. The words were in large print, stating what the article was but the man still had to ask.

I put my finger on the title and said, "For this implant I need a certain type of mineral, called hydroxyapatite, to cover the metal surface of the artificial hip implant. The mineral is really the exact same as bone crystal. This will encourage the body, not only to accept the mineral but to grow onto it for strength."

"Who is going to get this? You aren't a doctor."

"I am not a doctor but many discoveries made in history have not been made by doctors. As to who gets this, well, a dog is going to get a double hip replacement in a few weeks. Eventually, humans will get the hip."

"Artificial hips are not good, they wear out too quick. I don't know what you are trying to pull, Kramer but the ideas have all been tried before. I don't have time for this foolishness." His voice was high and loud. All the students were looking at us.

"I would like to mention that a few months ago you talked about the people that ridiculed Galileo. At the time you said how they didn't have open minds to scientific advances." The bell now rang. I picked up the papers into a neat pile but left them on his desk. "Thank you for your time, sir."

Rita was on me in the hall and the other students were close. I said loud enough for everybody to hear. "Arthritis is the cause of joint dysfunction and I am just making some attempts at finding an aid to those people. In a way, it is like a wheelchair or a cane but the pain will be gone."

Mr. Armstrong just glared at me for a moment in Geography. I guess he, too, was a little miffed at something asked of him other than what had been said thousands of times to other classes. This was nothing new, for many people just refused to think and would rather coast through life.

After a few phone calls I was back at the same butcher shop again. The butcher was much more cordial this time and brought out two wrapped packages.

I thanked him for the material and asked how much. He said, "Nothing, just let me know if it works."

"I may do more than that, sir. Thank you again."

When I got to the parts shop, I went to the rear of the building. The old man was working on an engine block when I stepped in through the large back door.

When the man saw me he said, "I had this ready this morning. You should have been here then."

"I would have liked to but if I miss any more school I can't pass the year, no matter what my marks are."

The man thought for a while and then stated, "The parts are on the bench."

There were two parts and one was in a half-inch drill. A piece of wood in a vice told me that the tool worked at least on that medium. There was a long extension cord attached to the drill. It reached the small patch of grass close to the door where my bike was. I took a package of bone out of the carrier and opened part of the wrap to expose the bone. While stepping on the pelvis with one foot I brought the drill close and tried to begin the cavity.

This was a problem for it wanted to wander. The old man was watching me. "Can I borrow one of your small rotary rasps?"

He just went to his tools and brought back both of the rotary burrs. This seemed to work fairly well and then I tried the larger tool again in the hole I had made. The tool worked this time and made the cavity the way I wanted. In the future there had been tools made to do this job but now the tools were small and not suited to do the job quickly and accurately.

This went on for many tests. The grooves in the spherical file built up fast making constant cleaning necessary. A body file might be better but that would be harder to fabricate. Its grooves were open and the cut material would get discharged as new material entered.

The old man wanted his turn and he made a few attempts at being a surgeon too. I said after his second attempt, "Doctor, it seems that the file needs to be cleaned out a lot."

"Yea it does. Ya gotta switch tools, or get an apprentice to clean it for ya. Maybe the ridges can spiral out and clean themselves like a twist drill."

"That sounds great. You going to make one for me?"

"Maybe, if'n I got the time. I'm kinda busy here."

"I talked to Mr Creighton yesterday. He said you were one of the best."

"You did, did you? Well you're probably right. I will try again."

Mrs Howard was happy to see me. The ceramic pieces were still warm but not overly so. Some of the aluminum had actually melted and I was not sure I could get the studs out. Others that had sat with the aluminum downwards had the metal melt and run out. With a pair of pliers I was able to get the metal twisted out of some. The ceramic threads were better this time but not as good as I wanted.

I tried one of the taps I bought yesterday and this cleaned out some of the metal still in the ceramic but it still damaged the thread. A laser could cut the contour I wanted, even inside the sphere but the laser had not been invented yet.

It would be best to use a machine to make the spheres the same way ball bearings were made. Here, a heavy machine with two plates spun around with rough spheres between them. Over time they were squeezed more and eventually the balls came out fairly spherical. Another machine of the same kind took these balls, this time with abrasive powder was added to get more accuracy. After the balls were hardened and coated with chrome, they went into a similar machine again with even finer abrasive powder.

This could be done to the ceramic spheres but they were many times harder than the ball bearings. I would have to grind a flat on the surface and find a way to drill and tap a hole. If I tried that with the balls we already had, they would not be round because of the flat spot.

None of this was insurmountable; it was just a matter of time and effort. The time was running out and the effort was just an old grouchy man, an old woman and me.

-------

Thursday and Friday

The next two days were not very productive. We made small headway but not enough to write home about. I didn't like the idea but I just might have to cement the bolt into the ceramic and leave it at that.

The other projects were working. Mr Creighton had hired many of the students to assemble the cubes and they were being stored at the factory. At present there were very few completed and none had any coloured decals on the surfaces.

Izzy was complaining about all the work he had to do in making just the booths for the fair. The units with wheels had not even been started yet.

The fair grounds were laid out with strings and small flags along with some booths. Helen MacNeil had done her own work and hired a dozer to move the soil where she wanted it. Crushed rock and culverts were put down, so cars could navigate the area. Word got to me through her husband that the electricity would be provided by a large transformer on a flatbed during the fair itself but now we had to rely on smaller units to just get going.

The local newspaper started to go daily, listing all the things being done and by whom. People liked seeing their name in the paper so the copies sold. Even advertising had increased for some of the businesses taking advantage of our event.

The family came home for the weekend but I was still busy with the ceramic. The library in town was not of much use. I talked long distance to some people about how to make the balls very accurate but they were of little use because I was breaking new ground, or I should say trying to find out something I had no previous experience in.

Church didn't help much, especially when even more people came over to the house to talk about the fair or to just socialise. Mom had got help beforehand and had stocked up on some food and she dragooned Helen into helping her. I assisted, too, by getting Rita and two of her friends to help as well. Aron couldn't find a safe place, so he also had to help. Because I was answering questions all the time, I at least avoided most of the other kind of drudgery.

Derrick and his wife came over, too. He asked me about Tom Ciesla and his project and I said that I knew nothing, yet. His wife made me proud when she organized a few farmers to bring their machinery over and make the remainder of her camping area flat. A large part of the fairgrounds itself was still to be done.

-------

Monday

At third period Monday I was very surprised when Mr Armstrong asked me to step outside his class with him after he gave the students an assignment.

"Alex, what did you suspect my condition was?"

"Did you get a diagnosis yet?"

"Yes, I did on Friday."

"I think you have the second type of diabetes. Is that what your doctor said?"

"Yes he did and I want to know how you knew."

"Reading medical texts. Finding both the visible manifestations and the symptoms of a great many common maladies. I am also talking to people who can give me the same type of information."

After he digested my words he said, "You did a very good job. There are not many people who could have done that."

"Might I ask what you were prescribed?"

The regimen was adequate for this time and I could not make anything better without scrapping other plans. "Might I suggest that you take a half hour walk every day to get in shape. The diet has to be followed and the exercise has to be constant. You should have many more fruitful years ahead of you."

"The doctor didn't mention exercise much. It was just in passing."

"Exercise is good for everybody and especially you. Please take my advice and start walking more but don't overdo it. You may end up with an aneurysm instead."

"Thanks, Alex. I will work on it."

"Then I will harp like an old lady if you don't follow up on it."

"You do that."

At seventh period I got another shock. Mr Froom was nice to me and he too asked me to talk in the hall. He apologised for his earlier remark and asked what I would like him to do.

I said, "Bones are a crystalline structure. An uncommon mineral by the name of hydroxyapatite will assist the bone structure to attach to the metal cap I drew. I only have to attach some of the crystals first. In a week I have to have the joint completed. I can do it without the hydroxyapatite but it will not be as strong."

The teacher said, "I was hoping that would be the request because I can get some. It can be here by Thursday if I call now."

"Call now, please. If it comes in time, I may be able to perform a double replacement for a collie's hips. I may not be ready but if I am, you will be invited to view the procedure."

"What? You are going to operate on a living dog?"

"Doing it on a cadaver is less stressful on the patient but it is little different. Do you want to come to that one too?"

The man thought for over a minute and I could only guess at what was going through his mind. "Will there be a veterinarian present?"

"Yes and perhaps a few doctors, too."

This made him look at me again but he said, "Yes, I would like to see you work."

As I was leaving the school, Linda walked to me with a cardboard box. It was addressed to me, in care of the school. It was from A.V. Roe Aircraft Co.

I opened it and found some thick pieces of aircraft aluminum. Martin had come through and at least part of the experiment would be ready. I kissed Linda in the hall in front of quite a few students and ran to machine shop.

I gave the metal to Mr Creighton. He had the prints for a few days now and he had gone over them with me in class.

I said, "The x-rays were due in on Friday. We can take a look and I may have to make some small changes."

"That is good. If there is a rush on it we can have the two pairs of parts made by tomorrow morning."

"No, that is not necessary. Mr Froom is going to try to supply some mineral called hydroxyapatite for the finish. The caps must have that material on them to make them work their best. It will work without but somebody may have to go back in, in ten to fifteen years, to do some repair work.

Laura drove me to the vet and we looked at the newer views of the joints. After that we went over the procedure to follow. This was no different from when I had done the job once before on a dog. Doctor Slotski listened patiently and said, "That is what I would do too. I may have done some in a different order but basically the same.

Next we discussed ventilation of the operating room. "There may or may not be someone here to film the procedure. Doctor Smiles is not back yet but I want him to be here. There may also be some people here, who have assisted me in making the hips. This makes for a very crowded theatre."

"Alex, I have a barn I use, too. It is for the large farm animals. It has more than enough room and that is where the extra lighting was going to come from."

"Is it here on this property?"

"I will show you."

Laura walked out with me holding my hand. Doctor Slotski saw this and only raised an eyebrow. I knew now that he was married and not to Natasha. I was quite sure he was trying to please two women.

The barn was large and fairly well lit. The walls were painted white and looked much like an operating room in a major hospital. The equipment, though, including an overhead hoist, was for large animals. The table was large enough to handle a horse or even a large bull.

"This will work well. Can the lights be brought from the house to here?"

"I will bring those over and the anaesthetic machine, too. The one here is too large. Alex," he paused the said, "would you like to have a practice run? A large dog has died of kidney failure and it is here to use if you want."

"Thanks Doctor Slotski, that is a great idea. I was actually going to buy a hind and practice on it. I have been working on sheep and swine all week."

"Tomorrow?"

I had to think. The ceramic spheres were not done yet but they were close. I could use the ones we had and sterilize them for use in Lass. I didn't need the hydroxyapatite in this particular instance. "I would love to. Will Natasha prep the carcass?"

"It will be done."

I phoned Mr Creighton from the clinic and gave the altered dimensions. I invited him and the person making the metal parts to see how they would be used on a dead dog.

"I would normally forego the pleasure of seeing a dead animal cut up. This time, though, I want to see what you have to go through."

"That is good. A businessman needs a strong stomach some times. Mr Froom may or may not come as well."

Laura drove me to Mrs Howard's home and I introduced the women. I told Mrs Howard about the trial run. "The operation on Lass will be historic in a way and it would be good for you to be there. The operation tomorrow is simple and you will understand what will be happening on the weekend."

"Are the balls ready in your opinion?"

"The ones we have today are more than adequate for the job expected of them. The ones for human application need more work. We just have to make the machine to do it."

Laura drove me to the butcher shop and I introduced Laura. The butcher was very interested in me now. "We are making a practice run tomorrow on a carcass at the vet's. The operation on Lass is scheduled for Saturday. I am inviting you to come both times. Though I doubt your getting squeamish, you will at least have a chance to comment. Saturday, you will not."

"I'll get somebody to cover for me."

"Good."

The old man at the machine shop was reluctant to tell me his real first name but it was really Cecil, Cecil Sundrich. When I offered him the same thing he said, "Why would I want to waste my time seeing you save a dead dog?"

"On Saturday we may have some cameras and they can take pictures of your ugly face and plaster it all over the Toronto papers to frighten the children. Tomorrow, you can see what it is like and your tender stomach might not heave. I know how delicate you are, Cecil."

"Don't call me Cecil, I told you. If I come, it will be because I need to see that you use the tools well."

"You want to help me drill the dog's hip?"

"No, no, you do that. I will give you instructions."

-------

Tuesday

After school there was a large group going with me to the vet's. Rita and two of her girls had to go, to record the event properly. My own group wanted to go, too. Natalie would go and get Aron. Linda wanted to see us in our new scrubs she made. They were superior in many ways to what was currently available. They were even dyed the same green at my insistence. Laura, in my opinion had looked very good but I had kept my hands to myself most of the time.

Mr. Froom had made the phone call and he accepted the invitation when I said his mineral was not needed yet. Mr Armstrong found a reason to go, as did Mr Corfu and even Mrs Cranston. Four seniors wanted to go, too, after stopping me when the rumour got around. They had thoughts of getting into medicine or possibly becoming vets.

Mr Creighton had given me the metal portion of the hips early. Apparently a rush had been put on. I torqued down the bolt that had epoxy glue covering its threads. He couldn't seem to be able to put the prosthetic down. His hands seemed to be moving it back and forth the way he must have envisioned the dog moving.

The army all arrived at the startled vet's office. I said to Doctor Slotski, "It will be many times worse on Saturday."

"How could it?" He said with large eyes and very bushy eyebrows.

"You will see."

Doctor Slotski was as fascinated with the hips as Mr Creighton was. I introduced Mrs Howard, then the butcher. He had to say, "John Brummer." Cecil came in later, in his Sunday best and the vet thanked him for making such good tooling.

I soon found out that Linda had made scrubs for the entire family and even offered a large pair to the vet and his assistant. They got into the game and put them on.

The carcass was of a German Shepard. The hips and legs were shaved so it was easy to start. I mentioned that more had to be shaved on Lass to keep her clean. Rita, I saw, dutifully wrote this down. I explained what I was doing verbally as I did it. I didn't have to worry about the dog but I was still as careful as if it was still living.

Natasha monitored the anaesthetic as if it were functional. Laura handed tools to me like a pro. Doctor Slotski held clamps and basically was an extra set of hands.

When I came to removing the crown of the hip, I heard a few people gag. This gave me room to drill now. A cloth was used to catch all the bone fragments and I used the drill.

"Cecil, it looks like your tool works."

I heard a gagging sound and a weak voiced saying, "I told ya!"

There were a lot of veins to be bypassed, which I did. The metal cup was finally fitted and I had to use the tool a bit more to get to fit just right. The spur went into the leg bone itself and I had to use the saw again to trim just a bit more off to have it fit properly.

The muscles were put back into place and Laura handed me the gut sutures to put everything where it should be. Finally the wound was closed and I made tiny sutures as if the appearance really mattered.

When the first hip was done, Doctor Slotski said, "That was a fine piece of work you did there."

"Thank you, doctor. Will you do the other side?"

The operation continued but nobody left. When we were finally, done it was getting dark. I took off my mask and gloves and said, "The operation appears to be a success. You are all invited to Mario's now as my guests."

Laura and Natasha cleaned the tools and I recovered the hips that I had spent so long in putting into place. After that I cleaned up. Laura and I put our gowns in a bag and the bag into the trunk. We invaded Mario's ten minutes later. Rita did the honours and warned her parents.

That night we slept over at Natalie's to celebrate. I got very little sleep that night. Linda was the one who seemed to need me in her the most, as if I were going to make her pregnant. She did relent finally because she too was tired.

-------

Wednesday

School the next day was both hectic and exasperating. Everybody seemed to think it was a fine joke to call me 'doc' or 'Doctor Kramer'. The night before, the teachers had patted me on the back and congratulated me.

Mr. Caversham showed up after school. "Forget the interview today. Saturday, I am going to do the same thing with a live dog. There may be some media present but I am not sure. I would suggest that you go and interview the family of the dog. Take many pictures and express to the readers what Lass' current condition is. Leave me out of this. Play it as a human interest only."

"Thanks, Alex. That is a great idea."

"I suggest you get a photographer for Saturday. Talk to Doctor Slotski and see from where you can do the best shooting. The operation will take a bit longer this time but not a lot, so plan to remain stationary. Write your story now and leave room for new insights. You will be the first with the news."

"You sound like this is an Earth shattering event."

"It will be, when some humans get my new hips that will not wear out, Mr Caversham."

-------

Thursday

Mr. Froom came through with his container of hydroxyapatite. Mike's dad had a sandblasting machine for his auto repair business. I took the hips and covered the ball with rubber cement and some rubber sheeting that would be difficult to remove. He took the two hips and laid a fine coating on of the mineral I had provided. The mineral was gathered up because I did not know where I would get any more.

A phone call came and John handed the phone to me. I heard Rita's excited voice say, "He's back."

I took the two hips and wrapped them in cloth and raced over to Doctor Smiles' home.

They looked exhausted but happy when I greeted them. "The vacation was great," he said. "We did things that we were only dreaming of doing before. How are you doing?"

We all sat down and I said, "I am a little tired. I purchased a lot of property in the city. There is going to be a mammoth fair in a month and a half. I am planning an end-of-school party to pay the people for all the help they have given me. I am a step closer to making the Polio vaccine with a deal with an American chemical firm. Yesterday I completed two artificial hips and put them into the carcass of a dog. Saturday, it is going to be a circus. I would like you and Janice to come to the vet's when I put in a pair of hips to a living dog."

I opened the cloth and took out one and then the other hip and placed it on the coffee table. "I have to peel off the rubber but not the special coating on the metal." I started to work and the doc got his tools and assisted me. It took over half an hour and then the man moved the hip about like the others had done.

"This is amazing Alex. Tell me how you came up with the idea."

It took quite a bit of time as I told both of them about the work I had done. When I was done I said, "I fibbed to someone and I would like you to back me up if it does not stretch your ethics too far."

"What is it?"

I told about Mr Jason Stife's wife, Margarete. Then I told him about her arthritic hips. "I said that you assisted me in fabricating these hips. You did that by loaning me your library. I inferred, but did not quite say, that you helped much more."

"Why did you do such a thing? I had nothing to do with this device."

"If a boy invents this, then it is a toy. If a doctor works on it with me, it is a worthy invention. If the hip gains acceptance, then many people will benefit."

"Alex, you don't even know if it works."

"Come with me Saturday. Look at Lass and give your own assessment. Do further assessments in coming weeks and then tell me that I don't know." The doctor looked at me but said nothing. "If the hip works, then I think Margarete will volunteer to be the next recipient. You will have to operate then and you may need assistance from other doctors."

"I am a GP, Alex, not a surgeon."

"Maybe we can find a cadaver to try it on in Toronto. You want to go back for a refresher?"

-------

Friday

I got a call at school and Linda excitedly delivered it. "There are a lot of newspaper people at the hotels. There are film crews, too. Is this going to be on TV?"

"Elementary, my dear Watson. Make sure the girls get a perm but they still have to wear the hats. The gowns have to be clean and more have to be made ready for Doctor Smiles and Janice."

"I made lots. Who else are coming?"

"We will find out tonight."

The newspapers were waiting for me after school but thankfully with no film crew. Everything was planned and I said, "I will give an interview at the Clarkson in one hour." Some tried to ask questions. "Are you one of the foolish little pigs or one of the smart ones?" I still had very little use for reporters and let it show.

It seemed to work and I went back into the school. From the doorway I saw them disperse.

Mr. Stife and Margarete had been warned. The ballroom was set up with chairs and a snack. There was no booze like there were at some gatherings like this.

Rita and her girls disappeared. My girls worked like a well-rehearsed team and left, too. Mr Creighton had come through with another joint and I had inserted another ball.

Natalie brought me clean clothes and told me that my family had arrived and were going to the hotel. They would get there about the same time I did.

Mr Creighton actually drove me to the hotel and parked in the reserved area. I went in the front and found a few reporters and some curious residents. They started to ask questions again and I simply told them to enter the hotel to find out what they wanted.

A podium had been set up with a platform behind it so I could see and be seen. A microphone was in front, along with a few of the hotel staff if I needed anything.

Some started to question me but my look must have worked for they went quiet. I stood on the platform and began, "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Earlier this year I started a small drug company, with a portion of the company devoted to prosthetics. Yesterday, we did our first public demonstration of our new hip joint. Tomorrow, you will see two artificial hips implanted in a beautiful collie by the name of Lass. She is seven years old and had her name before any movies of similarly named dogs."

I got a few chuckles at this.

"Our company has been working not only for the hip joint but also for the shoulder, the elbow and the knee. The patents have already been applied for and with luck and a few willing souls we will be able to market these devices."

The family was coming in the back and just stopped and blocked the wide doorway till Natalie pushed them to take seats. Soon Mrs Howard and Cecil came in and were seated. Teachers now arrived but more had been here previously.

I continued with the aims of our company and even mentioned our American subsidiary. It got just a mention of work on curing some diseases.

Doctor Smiles had made it. He was sitting on the other side of the room with Janice at his side. I used his name when I talked about how the hip was developed. I stretched the truth again by saying how much I had used the good doctor's library and listened to his words of wisdom. Janice's name was used as well. I made sure to mention all ways she had used to correct me, even if it had been done when I was a lot younger.

The people who helped recently were mentioned but not by name. I wasn't sure if they were up to a barrage of questions. I gave some press releases and I wondered if I was again the first person to do this. Verbally I used some mathematics to talk about the balls' construction but I kept it short. They would not understand what I was talking about.

The reporters were warned about foolishness or ill thought-out questions. The questioning now began in earnest. The time frame and some other considerations were answered with, "That is privileged company information."

I alluded to a list of possible humans who might benefit from our hip but didn't go further. This brought the questioning around to where I wanted and went on with a bit more advertising for my companies.

When the questions seemed to flag, I brought on Doctor Smiles. He did try to smile as his name was said but it looked fake. He answered his questions fairly easily but soon started to use the phrase that I had used earlier. It was not time, yet, to coin the term, "No comment."

Janice had her time in the ring and her anger came out. It was good that she had to put up with so many irate people over the years. She talked of me but mostly as a child, trying to make me be seen as more of a kid next door. She went through my past and stressed the education I had and how well I seemed to excel. Before she took her seat she said, "A large packet came in from Connaught Labs. I think it is the information you wanted."

Mr Creighton came up and talked about the work done on the aluminum but did not claim the actual work for himself. He mentioned any perceived problems with the work to make sure the hip appeared complicated. He opened his briefcase and took out the joint and explained many of the benefits. Here he was photographed many times. He looked like a deer caught in headlights now and they had to let him relax before starting off again.

With a sigh I saw Doctor Slotski come in with two women and take a seat. I saw that both of them held hands. This was common but I sensed a bit more to it.

I sent word to Mrs Howard and to Doctor Slotski to see if they would say a few words. She looked at me and gave a very emphatic shake of her head. The doctor though thought a while the nodded.

Mr Creighton was stuck a few times and used the earlier term to tell the news people to back off. He was asked about other products. He looked at me and I nodded my head. Mention was made of the other major joints even if they had not been on the list I gave. The reporters jumped on this and Mr Creighton had to backtrack and say that they were not completed yet.

I stepped in to rescue Mr Creighton and called up Doctor Slotski. The Russian seemed to like this situation and waded in like the bear his country had for a symbol. The man was smart and thankfully said that we had discussed the operation between the two of us to get it nailed down. The operation itself was said to be half his and half mine. It was phrased as if I was an apprentice who was working beside the journeyman and ready to fledge.

At Mario's, after the operation, I had asked the doctor to invite the reporters to his facilities for the next operation. He did so now, giving the date and location. He also gave the location of Lass. This had me worried but he said that the owners were ready for the questions.

Grandpa was called up and he refused till there were enough people to encourage him to go. He wasn't familiar with the microphone but eventually got into the swing of things and answered questions. At the moment I was his grandson again, at least till the next time he was angry with me.

Dad, mom and grandma came up together and they were all asked questions. Grandpa now put on airs and it looked like he really enjoyed himself.

Mr Corfu was sacrificed next but soon recovered to say some nice things. He did temper them with some that he considered problems.

Soon after that I introduced the people to the food sitting at the side of the room. Hot food came in now and the reporters could see that the meeting had officially ended.

We ate buffet style and the food was good. I wandered around and talked to different groups of people and just tried to get them to relax. Grandpa was now talking half English and half Polish and explaining himself better, he thought. Grandma was trying to get him to shut up but was unlucky so far.

Mom and dad had a few reporters coming by for a chat but they were not being pressed.

The girls, however, seemed to be a big hit and they stayed together for safety. Even Linda now had a smile, knowing that nothing was going to happen to her. Aron was with this group and trying to maintain his place as the stallion to this small herd of mares.



-------

Chapter 26


Saturday

Saturday morning looked a bit ominous. There was a possibility of rain in the air. The hotel dining room was fairly crowded, as many of the people from last night had shown up to go to the vet's with us. Mom and dad, along with the rest of my extended family, ate together. Dad was still asking some questions about the hip joint and I used my hand to indicate that we would talk later when it was more private.

We left around ten with some instructions to the hotel staff to supply coffee and a light lunch at the vet's, then get ready for us to come back around five thirty. Like yesterday, I had a bill made that reflected the expense that my company had to pay for this show.

When we got to the clinic, we found Doctor Smiles, Janice and two other doctors. I recognized them because they now practised medicine in this area. I had talked to them during and after my stint at the university. When Laura and I walked close, Doctor Smiles introduced us. It didn't take long for them to begin to talk about the hip. I didn't hold back with my terminology now and they started asking me questions which even another doctor might have had difficulty in answering. Laura just looked back and forth and I think she was quite lost in our terms.

Doctor Slotski came over, too and he got into our conversation. He, of course, was more accepted even if he was just a lowly vet. I was just a smart kid that knew something of what I was doing.

The reporters and camera crews came and began to set up. I pointed out some good positions because I knew where we were going to stand. Some resented this till I explained my reasoning. They could see that they were actually getting prime locations.

Ten minutes later I had my first chance to see Lass. She was led from a car and two adults and two children got out. The discrepancies in age led me to believe that the children aged eight and possibly nine were actually grandchildren. The reporters got there first and I had to let them talk for a while. The children were upset but handling it well.

I walked up and stooped to pet Lass. I spoke to her and got a lick in return. After giving her a hug I got up. My eyes were still not seeing right because of all the photos taken.

Doctor Slotski came over and introduced the family and he patted Lass' head as he did this. The doctors came right behind him and they were given the leash for a moment. While we talked, the doctors examined the dog. It was easy to see her difficulty in walking.

Derrick had made up a release form that I went over a few times. The family had signed it a few days ago. This gave us not only a release if something happened but rights to have Lass displayed at the fairgrounds later. This would show off some of my inventions and turn the fair into an exposition.

The film crews were encouraged to film Lass before the operation to show the world what she was really like. The dog had to suffer to walk around but it was for a good cause and was not done for long.

In half an hour Lass was put under anaesthetic and her back portion shaved. The camera crew were allowed back in when the dog was sleeping. Laura, Natasha and Janice worked well together.

The doctors now had been told that if they wanted to get close, they had to wear scrubs like the three nurses. They didn't like it but did don the garments. They asked me about the procedure in exacting detail and made suggestions because some like it simply done their way even if it made no difference.

The operating room was full now and some were even overhead on ladders and a hastily erected platform. I began again by verbally reciting what I was doing. This was a diplomatic way of telling the doctors, so they could do this job themselves some day. It went well till I had to use the saw and I heard the reporters and others puking in the background. I mentioned this in Latin to the doctors and I got a chuckle at the expense of the plebeians.

Eventually the damaged hip joint was removed and the portions put in alcohol for study. The noise of the drill brought more puking and I heard Cecil saying that the newcomers just couldn't take it.

The sterilised hip was brought over and carefully put into place. When this major step was done I asked. "Doctor Smiles, would you like to close?"

"Yes young man, I would."

I backed up and the doctor took my place. He was getting all kinds of advice from the other doctors but he just ignored it like I had done and sewed Lass up.

I looked around and found that there was a lot more room now. The room smelt of stomach acid and this and the sights might have contributed to the exodus. The operation would be long, anyway and perhaps repetitious to some.

Doctor Slotski started the second leg and he got the same unwanted help. He was diplomatic but I could see that he didn't like being told, either, especially from somebody who could only practice on a single species.

Doctor Smiles said, "Why don't you take a break and then come back and relieve some of us?"

"Thanks, Doctor Smiles. I will."

I left the operating theatre and was pounced on by the reporters who couldn't stomach the theatre itself. The dog owners were there, too and I talked to them about how the operation was going. They seemed to look better after the talk. Aron was there with them in his scrubs and in this case I think it was boredom that drove him from the room. He had made friends with the two children.

There was a long table and I got some coffee and a snack. Laura and Janice were there, too because the doctors would do the nurses' duties so they could better see what was happening and had evicted them.

I talked to others, including my family and friends and in fifteen minutes went back in after cleaning up again and wearing a new clean gown Linda put on me.

None of the doctors wanted relief and I think the film crew did rotate.

There was cheering outside when Lass was finally done. The doctors were going to throw their scrubs in a hamper but I said, "Please keep them. Though you have to get them cleaned, they are different and you can think of them as a small memento of your work here today."

They did keep them and folded them up so that the blood and bone fragments were on the inside.

There were a lot of photographers now and I got the doctors to pose. I tried to get out of the shots and I succeeded a few times.

The doctors started to snack and I said, "We have a meal at the hotel prepared. Will you join us? I am sure the members of the press, television and radio would like to ask a question or two."

The night was long and I had to stay. Natasha and Laura were the only ones missing, for they stayed with Lass to tell us of any complications. For the dog to get sick now or even die would set the usefulness of the hip back for a decade.

The questions went on and now the doctors took centre stage. After I made my points the questioning was directed to the medical professionals. Mom and dad seemed to be very proud of me. Even the girls had a proprietary air about them.

Mr Caversham would be the only one to have a special for Sunday but I doubted if the other papers were worried.

That night I went back to the clinic with Doctor Slotski and his wife. This way I could relieve Laura.

The two girls were awake when I came in but there were two cots nearby that looked used. Doctor Slotski and I checked on Lass and then he went to bed. I called Laura and curled up to her when Natasha turned off the light.

I got up a few times but Lass seemed to be fine. Once I saw Natasha and we talked a bit. Mostly she wanted to talk about my girls and especially Laura. "Do you usually curl up together to sleep?"

"Natasha, I think I will want to sleep curled up to her for the rest of my life. I just happen to be a bit young now but when I am older I will ask her to bear my children."

She said wistfully, "You two are very lucky."

"I know I am."

-------

Sunday

Natasha had coffee waiting when I woke up. My arms were around Laura and she had pushed her body back to get as much contact as possible. I was leaning over her sleeping body and getting a good look when Natasha came in with a tray of coffee and some toast. I didn't move and Natasha set the tray down.

She said, "She is a very beautiful woman."

"That she is." I saw Laura's eyes open and I believed she was just pretending to sleep. "Do you think our kids will look handsome like me, or just beautiful like she is?"

Laura answered herself, "Depends on whether they are beautiful boy babies like you or not. Now let me up, I have to pee."

I looked at Natasha and said, "See what I have to put up with? I try a bit of romance and she puts me off. Soon she will be having headaches or simply say 'not tonight dear, I just got my hair done' or some other comment."

"You poor boy. The woman needs relief and you only think of yourself."

"Already you draw sides along the lines of gender and a male simply has no chance." I moved and Laura got up then gave me a quick kiss.

Laura said, "And don't you forget it."

Doctor Slotski came in half an hour later and found us up. He did his diagnosis to the now-awake dog. He got a lick for his troubles and Doctor Slotski gave it another shot of painkillers.

He said, "Lass looks good, considering what she went through. Are you quite sure the body will not reject any of these foreign objects?"

"There will be no problem. If you two can carry on, then there is time for us to go to church."

With so many people who were going to be at the house, my girls would not make that much more. Laura phoned ahead to wake everybody up and get dressed. We hurried and made it to the church. We filled the entire area up with my girls.

On the way Laura told me about all the questions she had to fend about me from ladies of every age and even men. The women I could take and I hoped the men's interest was simple curiosity. Natasha had been the most blatant in her interest from the women and some reporters were particularly anxious to learn all they could.

Rita and Libra looked at me from beside their parents and had a worried look. I was sure they wanted another go at me again by the stream and hoped that this week would be it.

The service was interesting, mainly because the girls wore the thinnest material they had. This was almost scandalous by that day's standards but blasé by what would come later. I wouldn't mind getting the hemline raised, too but I fear there would be a corresponding increase in our population. I whispered this assessment to Helen but she could not seem to understand what I was talking about.

After the services Father Cayer started to talk about a person in his congregation who... It was a good chance it was me. A few minutes of additional talk and I was called up.

I thanked Father Cayer for his kind words and gave a four-paragraph statement about what some others and I had accomplished. This was dropped and I started to ask about the fair. The congregation got over the shock and some members stood to give their report.

Again, most people went to our house but this time took some food with them for an impromptu potluck dinner. It appeared that the community was moving in on us. Seven young men found themselves at our house looking to help, they said but their eyes never left the ladies. I still had my own troubles, for mothers were constantly taking their daughters around and hoping that Mom would order me to escort the young ladies.

I did find out something special about my girls. The boys were broken up into small groups and the girls got the boys to volunteer to assist cleaning up the fairgrounds and even the campgrounds. I heard Natalie say that they would come by to see the boys late tomorrow afternoon. The poor boys, the youngest being about sixteen, were no match for a woman and especially not for mine.

Rita, Libra and now three others stayed close to me. It looked like the Leone girls did not like the competition but acted nice. Laura told me, when we had a bit of privacy, that the two girls had started their periods again and suffered from the cramps. This might be true but at the moment I thought that they just needed a good sensual massage.

Maria came by and talked to her daughters and I could see that she was in pain too. Rita and Libra had their periods in sync. This was an instinctive thing that went back millions of years. I just wondered if it went now to the other member of the family.

I got Rita's ear and whispered, "Does you mother's menses coincide with yours?"

She looked at me a bit shocked at being asked this personal information but then she said, "Yes it does. Usually one of us has bad cramps and sometimes two. Are you going to relieve some of our pain, Doctor Kramer?"

"I would like to but I don't see how." I saw Maria talk about something, then flinch with the pain and hold her husband's shoulder. I ate more from my plate and talked to the people around me and in a few minutes the pain returned.

The plate was put down and I said, "Stay here, unless I call both of you." Both girls got a large grin and nodded their heads.

Walking over to Maria I saw that the conversation had momentarily ended. I held her elbow and said, "Will you come with me for a moment, Maria?"

I led the woman outside and away from the house. "Maria, I have seen you are in pain."

"It is a woman thing and it comes and goes."

"I know a lot about woman things and I think I can help you without drugs or pain."

"I have been waiting for that for years. Where were you when I was a young girl?"

"Do you want some help now? I have given the same treatment to your daughters and they have claimed that it helped them a lot."

"I would love the help. What do you want me to do?"

"First of all it is a special therapeutic massage on the lower abdomen that allows the muscles around the ovaries a chance to relax. It takes five to ten minutes and the girls say it is enjoyable."

"You have rubbed my daughters on their ovaries. I can see that it would be enjoyable." She was getting upset now and figured I was pursuing all women.

"It is meant as a way to soothe pain and discomfort. I suggest we get Mario and take him upstairs. I can show him what to do and then he can do it. If he refuses, I can do it under his eyes. I am still a boy, Maria and though I do get some strange feelings I have not started to be a man yet. I am not going to take advantage of a lady of any age."

"What do you do?"

"I sit on a soft chair, or a couch. You sit in front of me but you have to lean back against my chest. My arms go around your chest and rub your lower abdomen with my hands. Soon you relax enough for the pain to start to leave. If you stay a bit longer, the pain will stay away longer."

"Is that all?"

"That is all I do. You may feel funny after and Mario can help you through that period. This can happen during the three or four days of the worst pain per month and you will feel like a new woman."

Maria did not say whether she wanted to try this or not. In the house she walked up to her husband and pulled him up and into the kitchen. He was talking to Derrick and I assumed it was finances.

"Alex has noticed some of my pain. He says he has a way to make the pain go away. Will you come with us so he can do this? Alex says it is good for you to learn."

"Can't our daughters go with you this time? I was talking about setting up more restaurants."

Maria got angry, I could see but she did say, "Fine, have it your way."

I found Helen and said, "Will you get Rita and Libra and bring them to your bedroom. I want to help Maria with her cramps."

She just smiled and wiggled her way through all the people, trying to find Maria's daughters. I pointed out the way and Maria climbed the steps ahead of me. Her bum was very shapely, especially since she had been working out to pose for the top of the pizza box.

The linen closet was close and I took a handful of coloured hand towels. I put them on the dresser and looked around for a suitable chair. There was only a wooden one and that was not large enough. We heard racing up the steps and the three girls ran breathless into the room. Helen closed the door behind her and I know her hands were fiddling with the key she never used.

"Girls, Maria has cramps like all of you do. She was in pain downstairs and I wanted to see if I could give her some temporary relief."

Helen piped up, "Alex started helping me a few months ago and I don't know how I survived before without him."

"He can try this on me," Maria said.

I said, "There is no chair big enough in here, so we will have to sit on the bed." I took off my shoes and climbed into the centre of the bed with my back against the headboard. When I was comfortable I said, "Take off your shoes and loosen your belt. You have to crawl onto the bed and sit in front of me."

She gave me the mother's eye and then did as I asked. Before she sat down I was able to work her dress up a foot but she still felt safe with the girls around. I couldn't see her thighs well because I was behind her. "What do you want me to do now?"

"Cross your arms tight across your chest to give me room." When she did so, I slid my hands down her sides and found that she was too big for me to reach her ovaries. When I did this before, it was when I was a man with long, strong arms. I did what I could and soon Maria was just leaning back feeling contented.

"Maria, you are bigger than my sister or your daughters. I have to move to massage you correctly."

She said in a contented groan, "Ok but it was beginning to be nice."

"The feeling will come back."

I slid out from behind her and coaxed her to slide down the bed so her head would not hit the headboard. This brought up her dress a bit more. I moved her legs apart and climbed between them and ran my hands up her hips a few times. In a moment she started to relax again and my hands came closer together and over her ovaries. They were hard and I knew that she must be in substantial pain.

When the lumps began to soften, I pushed a bit harder and this was when she started to respond. In a moment she was groaning in want. Helen gave me a towel when I asked and I had Maria raise her bum off the bed. I pulled up the remainder of her dress and had her sit on the folded towel. It was easy to see her thatch of dark hair through the thin material of her panties.

I pushed again but ensured that the skin of her mons was pulled ever so slightly too. Maria's dress rose higher and I could see a few inches of skin above her waistband. Her hands were going all over the place as she groaned, then they seemed to settle on her nipples and she pinched them hard through her bra.

The groans got so loud that Helen went to the side of the bed and held Maria's face to her chest. I continued my strokes but didn't progress too fast. This was enjoyable for her and there was no reason to hurry.

Soon the heels of my hands landed just above her pad and mons. I pushed from there. Helen had to hold even more tightly as the woman thrashed about. My hands spread out now and went up the entire front of her abdomen and I had the most contact possible. I wanted to go higher and pinch and suckle on her large breasts but I stuck with the pretext of helping relieve her dysmenorrhoea.

The moment came and Maria wanted her legs up for entry but that stopped my hands. The legs came down then up again. When I got kicked once, Rita and Libra jumped in and held the legs down and apart. This only inflamed Maria and she struggled and her body rose into the air as her orgasm overcame her.

When Maria finally came down, I continued to stroke her but did so slowly. In a moment I pulled her dress over her panties and softly caressed her on the outside. Libra had her eyes closed and her hand was under her dress playing with her clit.

Rita just had her mouth open in surprise. Perhaps she had just found out that her parents were sexual animals, too and hadn't stopped just because of a marriage ring.

Helen turned around and I saw her breathing hard from excitement. Her arm came up and she wiped her lips. She must have used her mouth at the end to quiet the woman. Maria's hair was all over her face. Helen looked at her and then started to brush the hair back into place.

It took quite a while but finally Maria stirred and then immediately sat up. She looked around to each of us, then said, "Did I?"

"It is a side effect of the treatment. Libra has pain, too."

I continued, "Libra, get a towel, Honey and come to me." She came but like a robot. I undid her belt and picked her hem up high to show not only her panties but also a large amount of skin. "Lay down, Honey, beside your mother."

Libra did this without comment. "Pick your bum up." When she did, I put a folded towel under her and said, "Down now, Honey."

I worked on the daughter much the same as the mother and soon Helen had to go over and hold Libra until she had to kiss her with her entire mouth. Maria looked on with a surprised expression but said nothing. Soon her daughter relaxed and I could see Maria's busy fingers under her own dress.

There was no room on the bed so Rita gave me a towel and she lay on the floor. This time she took her dress completely off. I worked slower this time and I could see in my peripheral vision that Maria was still working on her own clit. When Rita finally came, Maria did too.

When Rita finally relaxed, I sat beside her and pulled her form into my lap and comforted her. When she saw me, she put her arm languidly around my neck and pulled me in for a torrid kiss.

Helen brought over Rita's dress and helped to get it on the girl. We both dressed her like she was a baby.

With three fairly satisfied women and one unsatisfied woman looking at me I said, "Helen, bring me a towel, please."

She did as I asked but said, "I have my special ones on."

"That's a good girl. Now, lay down for me."

Helen picked up her skirt and sat down, then lay on the floor. Her bum went up and I put a towel under her. The only difference was that her underwear opened and it was easy to see not only her inner lips but also her proud clit.

I did for Helen the same as for the other three. When she got close, she started calling my name. From the bed, Rita did the same with a dazed look on her face. I had to quickly move to Helen's side, one hand continuing to rub her abdomen and my mouth descending onto hers. She squeezed me tight while her pelvis tried in vain to get me to enter her.

Her thrusts had made my finger enter her vulva and I held it there till she calmed down. When she opened her eyes, I said, "I love you."

She hugged me tightly and I moved my finger on her clit and she responded with a small jump and kissed me even harder. When we parted this time, I pulled my finger out of her and sucked it into my mouth. I heard groans from the bed at this and I saw Rita and her mother working furiously on their clits.

I looked away and when the room was quiet I helped Helen to her feet and kissed her. Rita lay across the foot of the bed with her panties showing; the other two had their dress covering their underwear. Maria had her hand inside her panties, though.

I wiped Maria's hand with Helen's towel, then did the others, too. When I was done, all of the ladies were looking at me like cats.

"Helen, do you have any more of those panties?"

"Two more and one dirty pair."

"Give me the one that is more daring and might fit Maria." She gave me the pair and I folded them up. "When your menses is over, I want you to wear this for your husband. Make half a dozen more for yourself and get your daughters to do the same. I may want to see them once in a while."

"You want to see my daughters'?"

"Yes, I do. In three or four months I want you to shave all your pubic hair off, too. Let your husband see that also. Later, I want you to tell me exactly what happened. You will remember everything he did and then tell me every one of his moves. Will you do that for me?"

"Yes, Alex."

"Good, now tell me if you have any discomfort."

"It's all gone!"

"Now, tell me what you think of the procedure."

"It's... it's... it works great for me. It looks like it worked very well for my daughters, too. But you might..."

"Maria, your daughters will not come home with a big belly unless it is somebody else's doing. Let your daughters be free and I will watch out for them."

She looked at Helen. "Your sister?"

"Helen is not even my foster sister. I was not adopted. Her last name is Lowca, while mine is Kramer. She will one day bear my children. I have always loved Helen and I always will. Your daughters I love, too but not nearly strongly enough for a life-long commitment."

"You won't hurt them?"

"I would never do that. They will learn a few things from me and that will carry over to their married lives. If they wish it, they will be close to me always."

Libra was the quiet one and said, "Oh mom. I love Alex. I want to be with him forever."

Rita said with some tears, "He said he will be leaving for university. I want to wait for him."

Maria said, "You hold all three of us in your hands. Don't make me hate you."

"You will get very marriageable, quality women in a few years. I will watch out for them even more than you do. If they wish to leave, they can still work in one of the companies I have. They are free to find husbands but the husbands better pass my standards and that is going to be high."

The girls went downstairs happy and free of cramps, at least for a few hours. They promised to work on each other to relieve the symptoms.

Mario was still deep in his conversation and his hands moved back and forth in gestures as if this would make him more easily understood.

When Mario saw me he called me over. "Alex, how can I be expected to understand all this? I can hardly understand English."

"You don't have to understand English to get ahead in business but to communicate to the people here you will. Martin is sending some people over and maybe we can get started."

Turning to Derrick I said, "Are you going to take Mario on as your next billionaire client?"

Both sets of eyes opened wide. "I will, even if I have to hire some help."

I turned to Mario. "May I talk for you now?"

"Sí"

"Good, here is the contract I think should be written for the new people." I used the standard contract of the twenty-first century and made it as clear as possible. There were very few loopholes but I made sure it was fair too. I didn't want Mario to be robbed now or at a later date, when the temptation would be even higher.

Laura came through the group that didn't seem to be getting any smaller as the day progressed. She put her beautiful hand on my shoulder a bit possessively and said, "Excuse me gentlemen. Some of the ladies would like some information from Alex."

She turned to me and said, "There is a sick dog with a limp, a colicky child or two and an older woman that complains of pains..." she got close to me and whispered, "in her bosom."

"I better nip this in the bud. I will get hit on for information all the time." Linda took me over to the first person with the dog and I had a chat with her. I was blunt but not undiplomatically. I was not a veterinarian and not even a doctor but a researcher who tried to find new methods and ideas. The colicky child was present and I said, "I am not qualified to diagnose your child. I do know that children get this way all the time and if they are given fruit and juice more often, then the problems will happen less often."

The woman with the problem was next but I could not brush her off. The woman was in need and I had to do something. She followed me outside with Laura. When we were far enough from the house I asked, "I am not a doctor and do not want people coming to me when they should get good treatment from their own physician. There are some things that I am a bit familiar with, though. Are there lumps in your breast and do you experience pain?"

I got a verbal reply in Polish with a bit of English thrown in. It did seem to be a problem. She was reluctant to tell me her menstruation schedule but when she said that she was two weeks late it started to ring bells.

I asked about lumps that moved and got a negative. The lumps, though, had been a recent event. People ate much too much salt and I told her to cut back even if the food didn't seem to taste the same and to take the saltshaker off the table. Cysts were usually benign and grew when there was extra salt. I told the woman that eighty to ninety percent of lumps were not cancerous.

To conclude our talk I said, "If the lumps persist through you menstrual cycle, you have to see your doctor and see what he has to say."

"I don't like a man... I mean... they are my breasts."

"The alternative is much worse. I am afraid, though, that one man did get close."

"What do you mean?"

"Your period is late," I simply said.

The woman stopped and her mouth opened as if she had not considered this. As I let the woman consider her fate, I said to Laura, "We can get the local nursing organization to begin some checks for women who would rather have a safe environment for these types of exams."

"I'll see what I can do tomorrow but I can't see it happening. The doctors like to protect their domain."

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Monday

It was nice to find that the family was going to take an extra day off. There were so many people around that they felt it prudent to stay and talk more. Dad was very proud of me. I would now be related to grandpa for at least a week or so, perhaps even longer.

Derrick came over and we discussed the school board case and he said, "You have to show up Tuesday. I made a deal with the magistrate that you get in and out without losing too many of your last few hours."

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Tuesday

The quick visit to the court room turned out to be four hours even with the lunch break. Derrick protested strenuously about this. Our opposition claimed it was their right. The magistrate could not even order them to stop counting my time for it was a provincial statute and beyond their apparent control. Though the magistrate saw the injustice he had to let it continue.

After school Mr. Caversham was invited over to Derrick's office. I explained the problem to him, and then Derrick called the Toronto Star and managed to get hold of one of the reporters who had come up here twice to write a story. Derrick spoke slowly about important points, and I was sure that the conversation was being transcribed. It took close to half an hour to get all the information across and to explain our position so as to not jeopardise our case. Mr. Caversham was taking further notes, and I wondered which article would be more scathing.

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Wednesday and Thursday

Wednesday and today had upped my hours away from school to such a point that I had only one hour left. Mr. Macmillian, the lawyer that I effectively kicked out of the first meeting with school board lawyers came up to me and said, "Well Alex, it seems that you have a decision to make. If you continue the case into the afternoon you will not be able to pass grade nine this year. Do you want to drop the case now? We can talk about some of your requests for change but of course they will not be forced upon us."

"I don't like the way you were doing this but I will be damned if I will let you win in a case like this. If I have to, I will take any penalty I acquire and get it adjudicated. As for your tactics, I will tell my friends, neighbours and any of your potential clients about this. It may be a legal manoeuvre but they will not see it that way, especially when it is used against a person not yet fourteen."

"You go ahead, young Alex. I think I can afford to loose some clients."

I was upset at the end of the day. The court case had put me over the limit and now I was out for blood. The feelings, however, had to be put on the back burner, as the engineers I hired came into town.

They came in a convoy. There was nobody to take care of them, so I just had them go to a smaller hotel till we could see what to do to help. I felt bad, because I had not thought ahead to find out enough to check on dependants and their requirements. Most were young and I hoped, without a family.

Rita and Helen got their names again and all the pertinent data. Most had little except the clothes on their backs, a suitcase each, and their books.

Helen said, "There are thirteen men. Only one is married but three said that they have fiancées."

"How did you find that out?"

"You guys will tell lots of things to a girl. Don't forget Mata Hari was a woman."

The trucks bringing some of the crucibles and other equipment were directed to where we I wanted our chip manufacturing to start. Mrs Cranston was called in her capacity as official photographer and sent to take a few rolls of pictures after school was out. It was a given that these pictures would be studied by many thousands of electronics students in the years to come.

Power was already in place and I thought by the end of the night the first stage of the silicon would be ready. This would be fine to show basic principles but it had to be much purer for me to make precision components. The second stage, though, was easy enough to do, not just thought of till nearly the end of the century.

The lab itself was mainly tables and a poor selection of reagents. The lighting was good, though, and I tried to make it as cool as possible during the summer heat. Test equipment had been purchased in Toronto and filled a truck by itself. It included more than just spare parts and electronic parts like coils, capacitors, switches and resistors. It carried the doping material I would be using to turn simple silicon into something even Bell Labs couldn't imagine.

The engineers themselves set things up to suit them. The young men were a curious mix. They listened to me when I told them what they were looking for and how they would find it. They also saw me as a boy who should have nothing much to offer to just-graduated engineers. However, they were happy to do as I asked and hopefully would be listed among the inventors' team when, and if anything panned out.

They at least had some step-by-step instructions typed out on how the make the first chip with multiple functions. They believed that I had done something at a small lab and only needed confirmation from them along with the rudiments of the manufacturing processes. The Bell Lab had been using germanium but I had to convince them that silicon was the way to go, at least for now. I explained, as if to children, that germanium could not take the heat but was good for high frequencies. To them high frequencies was anything over five thousand cycles per second. The term 'Hertz' was not commonly used and I would have to slip it in gradually.

I only wished some people would find a used ball bearing machine to make the ceramic balls I needed for the prosthetics. That job had gone to Derrick, who had phoned in the ad in some major newspapers from Montréal and Toronto.

Derrick did cheer me up a bit by telling me that Tom had secured the rights to the Frisbee or, as I was going to call it, 'Grandpa's Hat'.

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Friday

Friday was not a good day for me. It was not that anything went wrong, it was just that my time here now might be better spent with my businesses. My spirits did rise when Mr Corfu accidentally opened the Toronto Star to a section that lambasted the Minister of Education and suggested that the Attorney General revoke the licences to practice of the lawyers representing the North Bay Board of Education.

The editorial went on to say how I was just trying to make the schools safe for all students. It went on to say how I had sacrificed my entire year to further this worthwhile cause. The article listed the things I had done and was currently doing. The fact that the board had now done irreparable damage to me was plainly stated. I did have a chuckle when they said that perhaps the world would have to wait one more year before I was able to make even more startling discoveries. I was listed with the likes of Albert Einstein.

The famous physicist was still alive and it would be an honour to meet the man. I knew from some of his quotes and books written about him that he sometimes regretted his part in bringing nuclear power to the human race. It might be nice to tell him that no bombs or missiles had detonated and released nuclear fallout by at least 2004. No matter how rosy the future looked, I didn't know how long this would persist. I was changing history, too and this might not be the case in our new future.

I had to go to court again. The board lawyers, I think, would rather make sure I was well over in hours to prevent me from passing. The next thing they would do, was be to keep me from writing the exams.

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Saturday and Sunday

I told the family that I was staying at my 'Fish 'n' Chips Works' for the weekend to get the project off to a start. The name of the building was written on a board and placed over the front door by some of the engineers. They liked it better than the name of the parent corporation. Intel was such a simplistic name and meant nothing to them.

We did grow quite a few large, impure crystals in the two large crucibles we had. I was going to start simple because I didn't have the laser or one of the crude electron microscopes of the time. The planar process was first used in 1959 but I would use it now. It used an optical lithographic technique to diffuse the base into the collector and then diffuse the emitter into the base. Next I had to invent or, rather, pretend to invent, a technique for growing an insulating layer of silicon dioxide over the transistor. I would be leaving small areas over the base and emitter exposed and diffusing thin layers of aluminum into these areas to create wires.

These wires would be a great development because transistors were all made by hand as ours would be to start. The distinction would be that I could plug our small units in a metal container or put an epoxy coating over them and make true transistors that would vary little between batches or more importantly, over time.

By Sunday night we had surpassed what had cost hundreds of thousands of man-hours and even cast a few very crude transistors into epoxy blobs. We built simple circuits and I showed, to the now little boys, some of the marvels they would be involved in. The amplification was easy to demonstrate. It was not a matter of two or three but of fifty and this was unheard of. The engineers were dumbstruck when I said I had got more doing this by myself.

Before, they took my word for this with a large grain of salt. Now I think I had real, true-blue believers. If I said I could walk on water they would have accepted it as the truth. At least now, if I asked them to build me something, they would believe it not only possible but also it would be a device that I had already fabricated in my secret workshop.

They had been reading my notes and thought that everything I had done had just been patented but that was not the case. I had to work within the constraints of my system and the patent ideas would have to be tried by others. I went into the unknown when I did say that even these very small transistors were much more massive than they should be. I held up my fingers and showed them a small gap. "In a few years we will pack over a million transistors on a small square this size. It will have resistors, diodes and capacitors built right in. You will use a typewriter-like device to enter data and I will show you what real mathematics is."



-------

Chapter 27


Monday

I was up to almost three in the morning with the engineers. The atmosphere at 'Fish 'n' Chips Works' was contagious, to say the least. I had clean clothes and got up after a few hours' sleep and went to grade nine classes once more.

There was one more chuckle before I got to court. We had a surprise electronics quiz that dealt with current through a series of resistors.

Before the court started Derrick said, "Look at the faces of the lawyers."

"They don't look so sure of themselves today."

"Well, I made a few phone calls to your friends and they made a few more. I am afraid our opponents either had a sleepless night, or they took their phones off the hook."

"I guess that could do it."

"Oh, there is more. The lawyers do mostly what they are told, so the calls went to the city councillors and the school board."

The courtroom started to fill up much more than the few that occasionally came to see the case. Soon there was only standing room in the back. I went up to the people whom I knew or didn't know and thanked them for coming to see some justice done. Before the magistrate came out I warned them, "The wheels of justice were not very fast."

The magistrate had to settle the courtroom a few times when it looked like the board lawyers were being unfair to me or my cause. The last time it was loud enough that they were warned of expulsion. Mr Caversham, I saw, was very busy writing down what he saw and heard. He even gave me a big smile to show his support.

I guess for spite, I had to stay the entire day through all the things lawyers do to spend enough time to milk their clients for the most money. I went back to school a bit exhausted and stopped in on my girls. Natalie said, "You have to go to see Mr Ross. He has a test for you to do."

There were people around, so I just squeezed her hand and said, "Thanks."

Mr Ross did have a test and it took me only a few minutes to complete it. When I handed it in he looked at his watch, took a breath and said, "Thanks, Alex. If all my students were this smart I would be out of a job."

"Not at all. There are still lots to learn. I have not seen any data yet, so what I am going to say cannot be proven."

"Go ahead."

"If we made a graph of what was discovered each year since records started, I believe you would see a logarithmic progression. Recently, you might find out that it takes five short years to double all of man's previous knowledge. This is not going to stop. In a few years, man's knowledge will double in just a few months. This is where a teacher that is on top of current knowledge can really make a difference. This happens mostly in colleges and universities but there are many benefits to even a high school."

"Math doesn't change much, Alex."

"You are right about the subject but not necessarily in how it is taught. Anything new found in math is too difficult for high school students to understand. Every facet of the school and education will change and not just Science and Electronics. They can be improved with recent developments."

"What is new now?"

"A new transistor was made today that far supercedes any attempt by any lab before. It will change everybody's lives and the only way to deal with this juggernaut is to ride the crest of the wave it will produce."

"I haven't heard anything about this. Tell me more."

"It happened this morning, around one thirty I think."

Mr Ross thought for a second and smiled, "Another of your inventions?"

"Of course. It will affect your job, though. This is the first step in making a computer that others have started. Mine, however, won't need a roomful of expensive equipment and a horrendous amount of electricity. Mine could be powered by the sun and be many times more powerful. And what's more, it can be held in the palm of your hand."

"That is simply too amazing to really comprehend. Your imagination has a way of coming true. You wouldn't be talking to me if you didn't have some plan. What is it?"

"The transistors will be put together to form logic circuits. At first, they will be mounted on small phenol boards. I have some engineers but I want a representative from education to help when it comes online."

"Online?"

"A term for being powered up and then presented to the public. I want our school board to be in the forefront of technological change. To do this I need personnel that will not only embrace the change but help to get it firmly started. You will go into the history books, Mr Ross, if you are that person."

"It looks like you already found your place in the books."

"Hardly. That was only a footnote at best. If I hurry I can be the first person into space, then the first to set foot on the moon."

Helen came with me to Fish 'n' Chips and I showed her the transistors. To her they were black globs of epoxy with some small wires. We were both hustled off to another table where I looked through a microscope. I traced out the circuit and said, "Good work; I was hoping you guys would carry on. Who made this one?"

A tall thin electrical engineer behind the man I was speaking to was pulled forward. "I did, sir," he stammered.

His name was Josh Appleton, so I said, "The circuit has never been named, yet, so I think it should be called the Appleton Pair. More of these can be cascaded and it may be we can get everyone's name here on the circuits." I got a few smiles and even some nods of agreement.

We rode our bikes toward home and we found Aron waiting for us. He just smiled and pulled in behind us. When we got home I had to have a shower and when I came down a snack was waiting to tide me over till supper.

I chatted with Helen and Aron about their school. They were quiet about mine because I had simply spent too many hours away from school to pass. This didn't stop me asking Aron questions in general and ones I thought he would get on the tests and ones that he had not got right before.

Helen answered her questions while stirring some soup. She asked me in turn, about the party at the end of school.

"I have all the permits. The food is catered. Mario is going to set up a portable pizzeria with Izzy. Rita has some posters printed to notify everybody. Derrick has made up some bursary forms and I have to just get the cash or checks to pay the school and students. The other students have been paid on a weekly basis. Did I forget anything?"

"You should have one of those kitchen units on display for those who have not seen them. I heard you called them the kitchen of the future."

"We need one more thing for the kitchen of the future."

"What is that?"

"There is a microwave oven out now that is very expensive. It is six feet tall, needs a water supply to cool the tube and uses a fantastic amount of power."

"Are you going to make a better one?"

"Sure but there is basically only the tube to change and two simple parts to make."

That night I drew up the plans for the metal-jacketed tube. I could still use cutting edge technology of 2004 because of the satellites I put up. There was a bit of a problem getting them tuned to the right wavelength and keeping them there in temperatures close to absolute zero. This tube would actually be very simple and not cost the taxpayers of any country a penny.

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Tuesday

It was raining when we went to school the next day and it well suited my mood. Aron went his way with a parting wave and Helen pedalled fast and through the puddles to the Fish 'n' Chips. The engineers were at work and I found out that they never quit. Some would go off to sleep for a while and then get up wondering what they had missed. There was something wrong with these people but I couldn't fault them because I was an engineer, too.

When we pulled in, the work stopped and most came close to see what I was going to say. In a moment the sleeping ones got up too rubbing their eyes.

"Good morning gentlemen. Since it appears that you don't want to go to your rooms, may I suggest that you phone Mario's or the hotel and get them to deliver breakfast on a regular basis. Go buy a large refrigerator and a hot plate, then go to a restaurant supply and buy a coffee urn. Send the bills to Helen MacNeil.

"Now, for why I came here." I brought out a sheaf of papers and had to push through the group to get to a table to display them. "This is the circuit for a much smaller, cheaper and more efficient microwave oven. The basic circuit is simple but we are going to develop two devices for it to function. First we need a very heavy high voltage diode that is capable of voltage doubling with a capacitor to get 5000 volts. The notes say how to make this. The second device is going to give you troubles but it is basically a transistor that will act as a switch. This switch will continue to conduct even when the polarity changes. I was going to call it a triac for its three parts. You can decide among yourselves who will get the final name."

"The Klystron is now used but I want a Magnetron system for microwave production. It is very different and here are its properties. See if you can make one for me. We only have 25-cycle power here, so buy a portable generator that will give 60. They are rare, so you might have to look far and wide and end up buying one from the United States. Don't even look in New York State, because they are running 25 cycles like us.

"Now, the tube has a lot of minor changes and it is not patented yet. Keep this a secret like the rest. Now for the dangers. Microwaves are non-ionizing energy but they will still cook you. If any of you play the fool, I will fire your ass out the door no matter how good you are. You heard me talk about safety and I am not kidding. The voltage is high enough to kill, too.

"Now to another heating source. Ontario Hydro is converting almost everything to sixty hertz. Find a few small commercial radio transmitters that we can still use with twenty five hertz. We will not be converting this part of the province for a few years yet. Ten kilowatts should be enough. I am going to use it to melt the silicon billets that we are making. This should remove almost all the minor impurities.

They had stopped asking how I knew things and it seemed that they accepted me as someone like their professor. This was reinforced when I had to teach them new equations the day before to mathematically explain what was just happening now.

They didn't read the text but pointed out some enlarged drawings and I had to explain what I wanted.

Helen called me and I saw that she was excluded from the group. These were engineers and some even needed to be told when to bathe. It was getting late and I closed the raincoat and we pedalled off to school.

There was no time to go around and say good morning and I went right to class. Today was special, for the finals were upon us. It looked like the teachers and possibly Mr Corfu, were helping, for I could finish my History test and I had time to do the Geography and English comp, all before I had to go to court.

During lunch Mr Corfu sat in the mostly dry park with Derrick and me while watching me complete Electricity, English Lit, Draughting, Science and Machine Shop while eating. French and Math would be waiting for me when the court was let out. This was very quick and I was glad in a way that it happened this way. Perhaps next year I could do it the same way and save me a lot of time.

Mr Macmillian seemed to have a gloat at what he had done but in truth now there was nothing further he could do.

Bookmark October 30, 2005

Derrick drove me to school and I thanked him for all his help. One part was finished in my life and even if I had to repeat it, this year was almost over.

Math and French didn't take long, even if there were a few essay questions about how a certain process worked. I thanked Mr Corfu for his help and he said, "You are very welcome Alex. The board may give me some words but they can't stop me from giving you the tests." I felt really close to the man and since he was close I hugged him. He had shown a lot of compassion and at some risk to his job.

School was officially over for me. The rest of the week was devoted to tests. It felt good that nobody even asked me to keep the tests secret to make the exams fair. For good or bad, it felt good to get away from school.

On impulse I went to see the motor home. It was now open and smelled of glue. The paneling was all in and done very well. Cabinets had been installed and all had a special catch to keep them closed when the home was moving along the road. The engine and air conditioner were in place but there was no furniture, not even the driver's chair.

The vehicle seemed to be alive in some fashion and this made me happy. With a wave I left the men to their jobs and went home.

On the way I thought again of what was ahead of me. Oil was going to make me fabulously rich. Games would make millions but that was only pocket change. Medicine would make billions but electronics would make me many more billions. Electronics led to weapons systems that could make me a goodly amount of change. Retailing would only give me ten to fifteen billion a year in the old inflated money. Most of the other businesses would be run at a very low margin so that they could simply be afforded by most of humanity.

I stayed home just long enough to eat, shower and dress. With thirteen men working hard, it was imperative that I work with them. Some of the reason was to bond with a research team that would have to carry on when I was working elsewhere. Part of this, I had to admit, was working with a group of inquisitive and young minds even if they appeared older than me.

I could now work full time or until I had to work on another project. Things did look better.

-------

Wednesday Thursday and Friday

Heavy-duty diodes were our goal and by Wednesday we had made some success but the units kept burning out under a fraction of the voltage and current I wanted to subject them to. I found some paper used for a tablecloth and wrote with a black marker. This was good in a way because I had a written record of what I had said. It could be unrolled later and checked. This reminded me of scrolls used by Greeks and Romans but we used ours sideways, usually.

Food was shipped in and the group changed a bit from time to time. I had a few hours' sleep and was awoken. Our diode now worked, or at least it did for over a minute. There was a metal heat sink that had to be enlarged because the purity of materials was still poor. This in turn made for more resistance and thus more of a voltage drop. Some had shorted out and some had even burst into flame. The heat in many cases had cracked the underlying material.

The men all congratulated each other and since it was four in the morning I told them all to get some sleep. The project looked interesting, too but luckily common sense prevailed and I went to sleep too.

Friday, around eight PM, Laura and Natalie came in to check on me. Natalie was blunt and said, "You guys stink. What have you been doing?"

I looked up at the beautiful ladies and didn't know just what to say. We had worked till we had to sleep and then got up after getting the minimum necessary. I looked around and saw food in various stages of decomposition on the workbenches and the men looked like shit. They all needed a shave and I felt my own chin self-consciously.

Natalie was tapping her foot on the cement floor and then had to move it, for there was some food under her shoe. "You guys are all pigs." She looked at Laura and said, "Call Mike Stoner and see if he will drive these... boys to their hotel to get cleaned. We may have to burn their clothes."

The men left to use the single washroom to clean up and I didn't even try to get close to give the girls a hug or a kiss. "We did get some interesting things done," I said. "The boys and I were working hard to make your life easy."

"Not if women have to clean up after you. Speaking of cleaning up: is there a fire hose around here?"

I ignored her comment and picked up a cardboard box and started throwing old food into it. We probably would have died if there had not been a refrigerator delivered as a result from a single phone call. I found a broom and started to clean up the things on the floor. There were a lot of fried diodes and transistors. The triacs were an elusive quality. The boys were amazed when one finally worked but it soon burnt out. This wouldn't happen in a good lab because they would try to discover as much information as they could before it finally gave up its existence. I knew they would work hard to make these poor specimens function to the best they could.

We worked right up till Mike honked his horn outside. We grew a few more crystals and turned off the heat to the machines and let them cool for the first time in days.

I locked up the place and Natalie would not allow me into her car so I had to ride with the rest of the cattle in the back of the open stake truck. It looked like a bunch of farm labourers coming back from picking fruit. I used an empty room at the hotel. It was not as nice as the Clarkson but that was to be understood. The water was hot, though and the towels clean. This was enough for now.

Natalie herded me into her car and the three of us went to her apartment. Helen and the rest were there and turned up their noses at my condition. The 'Works' was hot and the clothes must stink from my sweat. I had to take another bath with Linda, which I accepted with as much decorum as I could portray. When I got out, the girls were all naked and the bed was turned down.

Laura said, "You have duties. You wanted me for your wife and we have had to do without for too long."

I took a still-damp Linda to bed first, because she had just worked hard to get me clean and hard. At eleven I had a short rest, then, with a bit of food and drink, I did it all again.

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Saturday

I woke up alone Saturday and looked at the clock. I was surprised because it was ten thirty and the party would be starting soon. I had a bad headache and stumbled to the bathroom. On the way I found my good clothes on a chair. The drying process had just begun when I heard the door open and a lot of female voices speaking from the other room.

The girls saw me and unceremoniously started to dress me as if I was a child. I was a little upset at this but let the girls have their fun. This changed when certain parts of my anatomy were kissed just before my pants were pulled up.

My hair was combed and they even put some Brylcreem in it, because they thought it looked good that way. I had to look in the mirror and would live with the results even if it wasn't me. Even Elvis had his hair done similar, I thought as I went out onto the street with the girls.

We went in two cars to the park and I found it packed. I think the entire city was there for this event. People whom I'd never seen before shook my hand. Mothers introduced me to their daughters and old men supporting themselves on canes patted me on the back.

We circulated like a pack till we picked up Rita and her girls; then we circulated even more. I felt like a head of state with his bodyguards hovering around to make sure I remained safe. That reminded me that Kevlar had not been invented yet and I smiled at the prospects even though I knew next to nothing about this.

Rita dragged the group over to a large temporary structure. The wind was just right now and I could smell the hot, fresh pizza and I was instantly hungry. Rita shamelessly pushed her way through the throng and into the large area with the staff. Not all the girls could fit.

Rita said, "Look at what daddy and Izzy did. Isn't it great?"

The shelter must have been sixty feet square and had four large ovens. Large wood tables had all the fixings and there was even two large power mixers making new dough. There must have been twenty people working there and they did nothing but cut pizza up and serve it on a paper plate with a paper napkin.

I could hear the children being told to put the plate in the garbage after. More comments were made for more slices but the rule seemed to be one piece per customer, at least till they came back again.

"The operation looks very professional," I told Rita. "Did you have a hand in the planning of this?" Her eyes sparkled so I knew I had said the right thing. I was given a piece of pizza and it was stolen after only one bite. This was ok, because it was stolen from Helen after one bite, too.

I complimented Mario and he hugged his daughter and he said how it was all her doing. Rita was glowing like one of the overheated parts we had been working on. He intercepted a tray of pizza. Soon all my girls had their own piece and I had the chance to eat one myself.

Josh Appleton was at the head of one line and from the sauce on his chin I saw that he had been here before. Behind and beside him were the rest of the engineers. When he saw us he waved but the noise was a bit too loud to hear adequately.

Laura whispered, "I invited them. You kept them caged all that time."

I whispered back, "You did very well Mrs Kramer." Laura just melted against my side and I held her hand and steadied her body.

Derrick found me a half-hour later and said loudly, "They are ready for you to do the presentations."

I just nodded and followed him to a makeshift platform. When I climbed up the steps some girls from my school clapped their hands and called, "Alex."

The microphone was now live and I started to talk but just inanities so that people would have a chance to stop and listen if they wanted to. Traffic around Mario's did not lessen but I did start into the reason for this party.

From memory I called teachers and students to come forward. The stage was small so they had to come up in turn so I could thank each for what they had done. It was an odd feeling to give some papers to a teacher or even Mr Corfu when in grade thirteen they would be doing the reverse to me.

Mr Corfu also took the awards and compensation for both his school and the school board. I didn't think they would actually come down and accept my money after what they had done at court.

Flashes came from a few places and when I looked out over the large crowd, more greeted me. Mr Corfu looked a bit startled and I whispered, "Smile."

More people came up at my request and more pictures were taken. Some of them I had to thank because Rita or others said I should. Many things were done for me that I had no knowledge of who exactly did what. I was a veteran of such situations and it was actually an easy thing to do.

The printers had come through and I gave the fancy paperwork to each as befitted what they had done. They had already been paid, except for a few. These got a special award and a cheque but only if they would spend it as I wanted. It was much more money than the others got and it hopefully would encourage them to continue in the trades.

Izzy and his sons Morris and Chuck were given recognition for all they had done for me up to today. I got them all on the platform and got between them. The four of us hardly fit and I was by far the smallest person there. The photographers took a few photos before they left. His crew was similarly greeted.

All of a sudden the list was complete. A milestone had been passed. There were many things that were simple but which I could turn into moneymaking ventures if I used the abilities of the people around me. The modular trailers were well started and they would only require sporadic guidance. Dad and the other adults had started to come around with their drinking and smoking problems and even took over the mine that started all of this.

The motor home industry was started, too, along with some equipment that could be sold to the automotive and truck companies. Even though the electronic and medical industries were important, I saw the way the city responded. This is what caused me the most pride. The school was first but the city would soon follow.

A quiet crowd before me told me that my reminiscing had been noticed. Like television I now put in the obligatory commercials. There was nothing that I wanted to sell now other than myself so I pushed Mario's restaurant and then the pizzeria. I stirred the crowd up till they cheered his efforts even if I was paying for it all.

Before I could leave the platform the newspaper people started to ask questions about my lost year. I spent five minutes explaining how I felt devastated by the year stolen from my life. I knew my marks were high and I asked them, "How would you feel if your marks were all in the 90s and the teachers thought I should pass but the school board and the province is doing all this because I want to make schools safe for students and staff alike."

They had heard this before so I said it in different ways. Derrick was very quick and handed out leaflets. When I saw them, I found them to be some of the sections I wanted changed. The old wording was there and then my wording and even an explanation for what the altered text would do for the students.

Natalie came forward and put her hand on my shoulder. "I am one of Alex's teachers. I am also a family friend. I have never had a student who deserved more to pass than this boy here. I am saying this even though it may mean my job. Most, if not all, of his other teachers feel that way too but this puts us in conflict with our employer. I will stand by him in this and later I may have to look for other employment, for my career as a teacher would be lost."

The reporters were actually very quiet. One reporter said, "You are actually staking you career on this young man?"

"He gave up his school year for his beliefs. He told me that the lawyers came to him just before the cut off date and asked him if he wanted to drop the suit. I believe he used a bad word and said he would not. What does that have to tell you about him? Now print that in your paper and see what your readers think of this. I read the papers you just got and none of the clauses sounds difficult for an organization to accept."

Laura came up next and gave her job description, affiliation with our family and also her employer. She said, "I would not lose my career as a nurse but I may lose my job, for I think Alex should not have to wait one more year in school when he should so obviously pass."

The girls posed together and I was asked to stand between them. The picture would alone be very good because the girls were so beautiful.

More people seemed to come out of the woodwork and in a matter of minutes the entire park seemed to turn into a rally for my cause and me in particular. It looked like the reporters were nervous with all the yelling and screaming around but did take many more pictures and write furiously in their notebooks. Some people came up and gave the reporters a piece of their minds.

I hurriedly got back up on the platform and tried to cool the people down. It took ten minutes because people would not listen to me. I sent my girls out to talk reason to small groups and try to spread the word but I saw that they had very little luck. The reporters had not shrunk back but had actually thrived in this environment. They reminded me of a pack of sharks that smelt blood. I was just glad that they didn't think it was mine.

When the people calmed down a bit I asked Rita about her song.

"You don't expect us to sing now? We have had no time to practice and the musicians are, to be honest, bad. Each one can play well enough but they cannot play together."

This was going to put the record company back a bit but Rita and the others could still go to Toronto to cut a record with a professional band.

Around three thirty I found grandpa and then the rest of the family looking over the festivities. It had slowed down a bit when everybody was full but would soon pick up again if everything stayed open.

After a chat with a very tired Mario and his family I found that they had undone themselves in productivity."

"Mario, you have to learn to make as many shortcuts as possible to make it easy. You can't cut quality, though. All your franchises are going to have a similar thing happen to them when they open. And that is even when the customers all have to pay. Dough might be laid out by an earlier shift. The toppings can all be bought but you have to watch your suppliers. If they send you food that is not the best, the customers will blame you, not the suppliers."

"I know that," he said in his dialect. "That happens from time to time and there is little I can do about it."

"There is something that can be done but it will take years. It involves a factory, farm, or even a business following strict standards. I am going to have to start this myself."

He asked, "What use is it?"

An analogy was used instead, "I will need parts to come to me exactly as I ask. If they are too far different then I cannot use the part and part of my factory has to shut down till the right parts come. My suppliers will not see the benefit of this and will fight it. Once they see that if they follow the rules they will get better parts all the time and less complaints from their customers."

They didn't seem to understand. "Take an automobile plant. If a supplier sells them water pumps that have one hole drilled in the wrong place then either the plant tries to slot the hole if they can or send the shipment back. If they send them back then they cannot complete any engines till good pumps come."

"Other parts can be slightly off and when they go into the engine they will cause additional wear and a great cost to the car company."

"How is that going to effect you Alex? You aren't making cars."

"If I make a hip that is off by even a small amount then the patient is in pain because it wears out. When I make drugs the supplies that I get may be slightly contaminated making the batch bad, or worse, poisonous, to the people that depend on them. My electronics plant is the same. If the silicon and other materials are not exactly what I want, then I do not know how to compensate and the products I make are either bad or their specifications are not what I want."

"My parts, too, have to go through this procedure. A customer gets one of my parts and knows exactly what it is like and it will react like the next one and the one after. The same goes for your pizzas. A customer going to Toronto wants a Mario's pizza, not one that just tells the name on the box."

The girls and I helped Izzy and his boys to move the equipment. Mike was called in and he moved most of the equipment to one of my warehouses. I didn't even know of this but it cost me nothing. The building was now dismantled and it too was taken to the same building in six sections.

The park was fairly clean. In later years the population was a lot more messy. I gave Helen and Rita money and they got some young boys to pick up everything they could and put it in the garbage. We were finished by the time it was starting to get dark and I could see only beat-down grass to show that we had been here.

To be fair and to be with my other family, I went to the farm to sleep. Grandpa said that the party we had was the biggest he had seen.

"In a month, Grandpa, you will have to change your ideas, for this was like a simple birthday party. There will be that many people just lined up to eat. That is why you are going to make a fortune with your sausage. The buns you want will have to come from Toronto because none of the bakeries here are large enough to supply you and the rest of the people. Did you buy the hot peppers and sauerkraut yet? You will need a ton of onions. You are going to have to hire people. If they are young you have to hire more because they will want to see the fair too."

"This is bigger than I thought. I ordered two pigs and I wanted the sausage made the day before."

"Grandpa, I have been saying this all the time but nobody understands. You won't be able to cope with the demand. Why don't you hire some other farmers to make the sausage for you? Their wives can supply the sauerkraut but it is too late to make enough. If you want, maybe we can talk Helen into going to Toronto to buy what you need and have the bread shipped here the day before you need it."

"Me?" came from Helen and we all looked at her.

Dad spoke, "That sounds good. Maybe you can go with some of Alex's other friends. Toronto is a big place but there is a lot to see."

"I like that, dad. Helen can go with Aron and my friends. They can do some shopping for us and do some for themselves."

Grandpa said, "I need some crusty buns. Ones that won't break up. How many should I get Alex?"

"Get only twelve thousand for the first day. If sales get better you will know how much to order for the next day."

"Twelve thousand Alex. I can't sell all that. I can't even cook that many."

"Well, go to a welder's shop and get them to make some very big barbecues. If you get them all about six feet long you can use them for church functions and even here at the house. We seem to be getting a lot of company on Sundays. Try to see what you can do in a week as a practice. When the fair rolls around, you will be an old hand at it."

A knock came from the door and dad got it. We heard him say, "Please come in Mr Ciesla."

I got up and saw Tom come smiling into the house with a briefcase in his hand. He greeted the family and was greeted in turn. Mom had him sit at the table and poured him some tea. No coffee had been made yet.

He talked about his trip to California. He mentioned about the large roadways being constructed and all the traffic on the roads that he had to use. I didn't dream of telling him how small his troubles were compared to what it would one day be like even after all the roads were built.

He opened his case and slid across a copy of the patent and a bill of sale for it. Tom had got the rights for a little over four thousand dollars and had pocketed close to two thousand dollars.

"Well Mr Ciesla," I said, "Are you on board, or working for your old company?"

"I just came from there yesterday. My notice was handed in and I have to clear up a few loose ends before I move up here. My wife and kids aren't too pleased but I think it is healthier here."

"Do you have time to be a corporate lawyer at the same time? I am afraid there is a small backlog of work awaiting you."

"The hip joint?"

"There are actually about a dozen patents related to that. More will be coming when people start to receive them. I think I will be going to New Jersey this summer with more devices than I originally intended. I have what I think to be seventy six patents on transistors, diodes and things you have never heard of. That is as of today. In a few weeks there will be many more. After I sell the rights to some of the patents to Bell Labs, you can process the others we made. There are fifty-two more in the processes alone."

The man used his fingers and said, "That is almost a hundred and thirty patents, Alex. People get only a few in their entire lifetime."

"Some people get a great many. It depends if they are new to a field and do their work quickly. I am such a person. There is one patent, though, that you have to process right away."

We had made the junction transistor and it would be used with variations till I found myself back in this time. William Shockley invented the transistor and he then invented this variant. We had less than a month till it would be patented, so we had to hurry to beat him to the punch. With this patent in my hand we could deal much easier with Bell for what I had in mind.

Bell was a very strong monopoly that I would not be able to cajole to do things my way. My equipment had to be hooked to the phone lines and as of now that was illegal.

The family drifted off while I worked at the table putting some last minute touches to the patents. When the ball bearing machine was purchased we would get a new level of accuracy. This of course had to await the arrival of the machine and the testing.

-------

Sunday

Tom slept over and went to church with us the next day. He was pleased to see my ladies dressed nicely and waiting for us. I greeted many of the people I had seen yesterday fighting for me and thanked them for their thoughts and actions.

After the now customary meeting of the fair committee we adjourned to our farm. Again, there was potluck but Mom had made sure she supplied more than her share.

Rita and Libra were always close and they tried to get me outside. Helen smiled and assisted them in their efforts. On the other side of the barn all three ladies bent over and pulled up their skirts. Each was wearing the crotchless underwear.

I got close and caressed the panty-covered bums, then ran my finger up one crease at a time. In a moment I had them stand so I could see their front. It was a most beautiful sight, especially with Helen there.

A crunch of gravel brought the skirts back into place and Laura came around the corner. "Visitors."

I looked at Rita. "Did you get a tour of the fair site? The diagram is not good enough. What is the status of the three large tents?"

"Ah..."

From around the corner came three of the neighbour women. Usually they had their young children with them but now those were strangely missing.

"Good day ladies. Did you come out to find what more you can do to help us?"

"Ah... no. we were just having a walk," one said.

"Then have a pleasant time." I turned back to Rita and continued. "Was there any water trucks that we can use?"

"There is a good well," Rita said. "We had it tested and it is not going to run dry. It is even at a higher elevation than where a house used to be. There will be no contamination."

"Libra, how is the babysitting service doing?"

"There are lots of problems. There is the fact that we are going to need great many diapers to change babies. There are going to be a lot of dirty diapers, too. Some children will be sick or colicky and we should have some professional nursing help."

"Thanks Libra. I will see about getting some more medical help."

The women left but I continued with my ideas and questions as we walked back into the house. Laura kept me at the rear and then took my hand and sniffed my fingers. "You playing stinky finger?"

"Sure. Wait till I get to you, Mrs Kramer."

-------

Monday

I got up early Monday morning and packed some clothes and toiletries for another stint in Fish 'n' Chips. The family knew that I was making history again but it was beginning to be old hat.

I started up the kilns and did some more cleaning up before the boys got here. Around eight the first came and within a half-hour the rest were there. With the long roll of paper I put down what we had accomplished and what we were going to work on today. Not everybody there was an electrical engineer and some were to continue making the Magnetron. I guess it might piss some in the other group off if one of those others did this but my boys seemed to be pulling together as a team.

At nine sharp I let the boys have some coffee while I phoned a uniform supply company. In half an hour the boys were dressed in many different uniforms and even had a spare pair. I had picked out a new variety that I wanted just for us. It was cut to look a bit like a uniform and even would have brass buttons. Nametags were to be sewn in.

At ten thirty we were back to work. By Wednesday we had a working model that fulfilled our requirements. It needed a larger heat sink and was not as efficient as it would be in the future but it did work.

By Wednesday night we had a transformer wound for 2800 volts with a small secondary to supply three volts for the tube filament. With the diode and capacitor we were getting the 5000 volts I wanted.

The magnetron was done, or really the first version was. When we hooked the circuit up with a lot of shielding it seemed to work because of the arcing. The voltage was dropped till the arcing only occurred a few times a minute. When this stopped the voltage was raised again till the arcing started once more. The tube had to be baked in and this was the only way I knew of doing this.

We had no idea what wavelength we were getting but I wanted 2450 MHz and this was not quite five inches. This was not what some people thought of as the wave length of a water molecule. It was actually a very bad match. The idea was to make such a poor choice so the microwaves could penetrate the food and cook it from the inside out. It also made it difficult for them to escape the metal cabinet that would enclose it.

I left the tests to some of the boys and we started with the SCR or silicon controlled rectifier. It was similar to the triac so work begun on this. It was basically a two-transistor switch that was just used as fully on or fully off. Its amplification properties were far from linear. You could also look at it as a four-layer diode.

The doors were open to keep us cool. Laura, Natalie and Helen walked in. The boys at least noticed them and soon work stopped. Natalie waved her hand and the boys waved back.

When they got close Laura said, "You won part of your battle Alex."

"They gave in?"

"No, the Minister of Education saw your marks or perhaps I should say thousands of people called to tell the minister how peeved they were at him about letting this continue. You got your year back."

I grinned widely and kissed the woman the way she needed and then did the same to Natalie. I did her the fancy way and held her horizontal so she had to hold onto me to keep from falling. Helen started to run but I got her the same way.

"Thank you, Natalie and Laura, for putting your jobs on the line. I am sure that was the deciding point."

"It might have been," Natalie said, "but the Minister said that he would talk to the Attorney General if we got fired.

"It must be nice to have friends in high places."

Natalie said, "He wants to see you to give his apologies in public. I think he wants to make sure you are shaking his hand or something, so the photo can go into the paper. He might not get reelected. There was even talk about you in the Queen's Park. I heard the opposition took up your changes to cause the minister some embarrassment. I heard the television people want to interview you even more now."

I said, "I'll give him a ring but I want him to stew for a while. Politics in our country needs a bit of stirring up. Do you and the girls want to go to Toronto? There is more that I have to pick up."

I did get a big smile from them and they all started to say yes together. With school out I had much more freedom and at least now I felt good that my time had not been wasted. The school board would now get a very serious going over for trying to screw me.

The boys smiled as I left with the girls. They had by now a very thick book of electronic components to make and the rough designs for each. Hydro would even sell us some of their scrap transmitters as long as they didn't have to replace them later.

We went out to eat after I was clean enough. They actually sniffed me. I remembered my promise to Rita and her girls about a record. She was very excited on the phone but said, "We did find some musicians. They are grade twelve and thirteen now. They play the music fairly well but we still can't sing as well as we should."

"Is your music teacher helping?"

"School is out, Alex."

"Yes it is and maybe the teacher needs some summer employment. I will pay for your lessons."

"I will ask but I think we are still not good enough."



-------

Chapter 28


Thursday

Early in the morning we left in two cars. Rita and Libra were not invited. This was mainly because we would be staying one or two nights. Mario was a fairly permissive father for this part of the century but that did not make him stupid.

Natalie drove one car with Helen, Linda and me, while Laura drove Valerie and Aron. I sat in the back seat with Helen and I was molested even before we left the city limits. I held her head as she lay on her side and started to give artificial respiration to little Alex, who was far from needing the stimulation to stay erect.

In a few more minutes she had my pants off and she was trying to get me inside her. It was too difficult, so she lay on the seat and I got between her legs. She had three orgasms before getting to Barrie.

Linda climbed in the back and Helen reluctantly climbed into the front. I kept Linda amused for the next hour. Poor Natalie was playing with her clit and bemoaning her fate. Linda and Helen had no licence to drive but both knew the rudiments. Even Mom drove but she had no licence, either.

The 400 highway had not been built and in fact hardly any highway in Canada. The Queen Elizabeth Way from Fort Erie to Toronto was just being built. This meant that we drove through every small town on the way to Toronto. The QEW was stop and go too, for there were no expensive overpasses made yet. There were a few rest stops along the way, so I asked Natalie to pass Laura in the lead and then pull into one of the shaded places to rest.

When we pulled in Laura followed. There were no other cars or people, so I pulled an unsuspecting Natalie into the back seat and worked on her for a while.

Aron was behind me when I finished and he said, "How come all the girls are like that? Valerie wanted to teach me something and I had to lick her again."

"Did you want to do it?"

"Yes..."

"Was it fun?"

"Yes... but I wanted to see where we are going too. Where I was I couldn't see at all."

"Well, you ride with Natalie now and I will take your place and Valerie can teach me."

"Well, I liked it too, you know."

"Then maybe Linda will teach you things."

We left in a few minutes with Laura, Valerie and me in the lead. Laura was lucky, for Valerie could drive and she, too, enjoyed her time in the back seat.

I was glad to get to Toronto for it gave me a chance to rest. The trip had taken five hours and we found a restaurant to eat first. We stayed away from Young Street like the plague, because I remembered that they were putting the subway in and had the entire street torn up.

Soon we were shopping for clothes. The girls wanted to find clothes for Aron and me first and then look for themselves. I in turn made sure that they got the clothes I wanted them to have along with their own choices.

I had made the call yesterday to the minister and tomorrow I was going to meet him to get the apology. I was also going to see what I could wring out of him to make the school system change.

Toronto was not nearly as big as it was in 2004 and many parts were still farmland that would one day have skyscrapers. If I had the credit, I would mortgage the land and just keep it till a developer wanted to pay me what I wanted for it. I could also see gigantic malls with my Wal-Marts, Zehr's, Home Depot and even perhaps a Starbucks at the ends. Maybe we could even have Mario's Pizza Hut in to feed the customers.

We did make it downtown and we ate supper there. As a treat we ate at a small Chinese restaurant. I couldn't order very well in the language but I did know a few phrases, which I used. None of the girls had been to a place like this. Grocery stores had chickens hung on hooks and in the back you could find the delicacies that they did not let the 'English' see.

We found a good hotel with adjoining rooms. The desk clerk again wanted to give me problems. Being thirteen made things even worse. When I raised my voice and said I was going to go elsewhere the owner came out of the back. He was polite and I told him my request.

He asked, "Are you that boy from North Bay?"

"I am but that must make you an old man from Toronto."

"I'm..." he thought then said, "I'm sorry, young man. We have some nice rooms for you."

The rooms were not bad but they didn't measure up to the Clarkson.

We had breakfast early in the morning to get the most in. We visited other areas of the city. The CN tower was not there but I could see where it one day would be. The waterfront was not a pretty sight but that too would improve in time.

Around nine thirty I started making phone calls to various businesses. The first were to some bakeries to get some quotes for some buns and for having them delivered to North Bay. They could hear my voice and I usually had to go further up the company chain of command to get my requests met. I was prepared for the delivery charges and picked one bakery to see later to get a contract signed.

While the girls shopped I rode the public transportation to the first electronics company. The manager looked disappointed to be greeting a boy but was polite. When he learned that I knew what I was talking about he started to cheer up. I bought some extra equipment and it would be delivered in the next week.

Another bus took me to Queen's Park, the seat of the Ontario government. Part of the University of Toronto and their research facility called Connaught Labs was close, too. I would love to go in but that was out of the question right now. The girls had arrived earlier and were just walking around like the tourists they were.

The minister finally came out. He was a half-hour late but I too showed some restraint and remained polite. He must have waited for the reporters to arrive and he did apologise and wanted to shake my hand. I did not put my hand out but said, "Your apology as a the Minister of Education is accepted but I am very angry at your ministry. You, first of all, let the various school boards do as they want when you need a firm hand to get all the boards the same."

He said in his defence, "Each board has their own problems and needs, so they need room to make a course that best suits them."

"That is right. They are usually poor school boards that have very little provincial tax dollars to give the same level of education as a private school would give or one in a large urban centre. Tell me, Mister Minister, where do your children go to school?"

"My children go to a public school in Hamilton. The school board does get more money but there are higher costs, too."

"That is true but the scales are still not anywhere near being balanced. We need more resources put at the disposal of smaller and less affluent school boards or you will lose many future leaders of industry."

"Like you, Alex," he said.

"I am an exception and most people would find this. There are many others who are not being encouraged to do their best because the boards are under funded. How can new products be developed, when we have under-trained teachers and text books that don't keep up with current trends." The minister was getting embarrassed. I said, "I will make a deal with you."

"What is that?" He asked.

"We shake hands so you get a picture that keeps you from being lynched and I get a half-hour to tell you in private what we can do about fixing things."

"We?"

"You certainly can't do it alone."

We shook hands and the man did take us to a place to talk. He had shook hands with the girls and Aron to ensure that he was seen to be friendly with everybody. When we all had seats I started to tell him how I saw Ontario in the next few years.

North America was currently going through a polio epidemic. When I said that a cure was coming very soon he really sat up. He said incredulously, "Somebody has a cure?"

"We are very close. By September there will be an announcement. My company will be doing its part. For political and monetary reasons the announcement will come from Chicago."

The man sat back and thought and finally he said, "You got me, Alex. I almost believed you there. I don't like what you did," he said angrily.

"Keep your temper in check sir. Call me a liar after September, not now. There is too much at stake. Didn't my company just invent a new artificial hip joint?"

He pulled himself together. "There is a lot of difference between a hip that may not turn out to be better than others that have been made and a cure for polio that very many highly skilled people are looking for."

"Then you will have to discount the new group of anaesthetics we invented. After all, there was only a very few highly skilled people involved in their creation."

"I never heard about them."

That was easy for him to say, for their fabrication was still in my mind and nothing had been done to make them yet. "The chemicals were made in crude conditions and now I have to build an entirely new building in what I want to be my technological park. The Americans give millions of dollars of taxpayers' money for research. I have asked for nothing till now. I want Hydro to supply me with the power I need. I also want tax dollars flowing to the North Bay school board to make a school that meets the demands of industry. Science and Technology has to be stressed in the lower grades or the students are not ready to do what I require them to do."

He said, "You should train them if you want them."

"Maybe I should move my operations to the United States. Canada is well known for ignoring the obvious and letting other countries buy our ideas."

"That is not true."

"What country did Bell invent the phone in and then what country was he forced to immigrate to?"

The light came on and he knew he was trapped. Bell had come to Canada and invented many things including the telephone here. His laboratory is in Nova Scotia. Recently he had been making hydrofoils with American assistance in the form of money and material. For the telephone he had to go to the United States because Canadians were more near-sighted than most. There were more examples and I gave all of them to him. It was always a pet peeve of mine and he was the first of this century to get it.

I had really overstayed my time and the shaken minister showed me out. He even invited us to his home.

"Thank you sir but I did want to get moving. In a month, though, there will be a fair in my city. I believe it would be quite fascinating for you and your family."

We didn't go home, though. When we left I was given a great many pieces of peoples minds about how I picked on a man that just apologized to me.

"He wouldn't have apologized if he wasn't forced to. He just did what he had to do and I made sure he remembers our conversation when he next goes for his budget. I want trained people and I want some to come from the north."

I was able to see two more businesses before they closed. We got rooms downtown and went to see a musical, then had a good dinner later. The girls saw why I wanted them to have nice clothes, now.

We stayed till noon on Saturday and then headed back. I was tired but the girls were 'frisky', so I got little rest.

We just had time and I made it to the bakery I had talked to and signed a contract for the products I wanted delivered to Grandpa. I warned them that more orders might come in with some people finally coming to the conclusion that they would not be able to cope.

The next three weeks were busy and enjoyable. The new equipment had come in and we were making many different kinds of transistors. Even though I knew the correct procedures, the lack or pure materials and the necessity of making new tools stymied us. The laser was started on but this time they didn't know what I was making. We found and converted some small RF transmitters by throwing out all the circuits devoted to modulation. The stripped-down units would be more than enough to do what we needed.

More and more of my time had to be devoted to the fair. Both Helens were very busy with the bookkeeping. They not only had to keep track of every penny spent but had to do payroll and other tasks. Derrick's wife had to hire more help on a temporary basis. Helen was taken under the older woman's wing and shown some of the more arcane facts of bookkeeping.

People going to Toronto for supplies took the information for my ads and the money to pay for them. This would absorb a lot of profit but was necessary. Not all were paid for, though. Lass was shown walking with a small limp but seemed to be in much less pain than before. She was to appear each day at the fair so people could see her.

I had my own trip planned.

John Stoner had purchased another truck for me, just after the first one. This one had four-ton capacity as well and was in good shape for an old vehicle. At the same time I had Derrick do some searching for me.

From an Illinois warehouse he bought for me fifty war-surplus Indian Motorcycles and an equal number of Harleys. These were brand new. They were disassembled and packed in heavy wood boxes surrounded by grease by the manufacturer for the war effort. He had negotiated and we got them for less than twenty dollars each. Twenty dollars, though, was a week's wages. The entire lot was sent to a warehouse in Buffalo, New York.

One afternoon I sat across from John Stoner. "John, I need a secret compartment in the second truck." I trusted him enough to not insult his intelligence. "The Canadian and American governments don't like gold just shipped around. I need a way to get some into the United States without being found, then removed without outside help."

He thought for a moment then said, "Tell me how big it has to be."

"It has to be strong to carry gold along a rough road, the weight may be up to a ton. The volume has to be around four cubic feet and a minimum height of eight inches."

"Alex, you usually come with your own ideas. Tell me about them."

The plans were put in front of him. He looked it over and simply said, "When do you want it?"

Four days before the fair began, dad, Helen and I took a trip to Buffalo. It was a seven-hour trip and very bothersome. Dad knew of our load and was worried about every bump for fear of losing the precious cargo. He hadn't even started to worry about getting past customs.

Even before we started dad was angry. Helen was dressed in what he thought of as provocative clothing. It was a bit daring for the time but still enough to distract a man's eye without bringing down many thoughts of impropriety.

"Why won't those crazy Americans take our gold?"

" Dad, they have laws that say they can only own gold if it is in coins or nuggets. They have more laws that say we can't just ship gold around any way we like. That is also why we will get so much more for the Goldilocks Group."

Our goal was the suspension bridge in Queenstown. In later years it would be taken down and a new one put up further upriver.

Dad took a sip from his bottle just before we got there and this seemed to help. We waited in line for two minutes and dad had to have another nip then we were at the barrier. He was very relieved to just pay a toll. I said nothing till he found that he had to go through the inspection at the other side.

Dad gave out his papers after he said who he was and who we were. Then the McCarthyism came out and we were asked if we were ever members of the Communist Party or any other subversive group. Dad said that he was mostly a farmer and wondered if that was against the rules, too. The man didn't quite think so for he let us through.

It was forty minutes to Buffalo but we took over an hour. On a side road we pulled off for a bit to eat from our lunch we packed. When everything was clear, I went into a box of equipment and took out four lengths of threaded rod. These went through the wooden bed and into a frame around the hidden shipment. With nuts now attached to the rods the bolts to a fake gas tank were removed. The nuts on the wooden bed were backed off and the heavy tank was lowered to the ground. A nearby tree supported the heavy gas tank with a chain fall while dad backed the truck under it and it went into an empty, weathered, wooden box. Two chains and two chain binders held the load securely to the truck bed.

Dad was very happy and wanted to take a drink to celebrate but both Helen and I got him to wait.

At one trucking firm we stopped and a lift truck took our load after signing some papers. It would now be on its way to Chicago and await our arrival in a week. Dad was very worried about the box and I had to get him out before he drew too much attention to it. It would be safe simply because of its anonymity.

Another firm had part of our shipment of motorcycles. It was easy coming through with ten of the heavy bikes. We had to pay the duty and taxes at the border. Dad said, "Why did you want these things anyway?"

"I see that in the future they will be worth fifty times what they are now."

"A thousand dollars?"

"Well, the money is not worth as much in the future but the average man has to work for a year to pay for one of those crates in the back and that doesn't count the taxes he has to pay on his income or on the bike we sell."

"Damn government. They always want money then just spend it foolishly."

"That never changes, dad."

When we got home late that night, we left the truck in the barn and just slept.

Martin came through with my request. His men came to town and provided security for us. The local police were miffed but did cooperate. The bank then put a photograph in the Toronto paper with some gold bricks. They said this would be on display with other gold to show how closely the bank was working with this area.

Dad and the rest of the family did come up with another half ton of gold dust and flakes. This went into the vaults. Mr Jackson was still speechless when the money came in. This time we had heavy canvas sacks which to me sounded much more sensible.

The city started to fill early. Good clean rooms were available and I made sure that nobody got gouged. Everybody offering a 'bed and breakfast' had to display their prices out front. The warehouses were used for all kinds of storage. One was set aside for emergency housing. The camping grounds were featured in the newspapers and many people came with this in mind.

We had scoured much of southern Ontario to get enough large tents. Laura set up a mini hospital and we even had a few doctors and nurses come to assist us.

Natalie and Libra had a very large area with lots of toys to watch the infants. Many of the high school girls not employed elsewhere were there to help. Natalie had worked hard to perfect what each person had to know. Some of it was to direct people to where they could get help. She even came up with the idea of large maps painted on plywood showing the various booths, first aid, security, washrooms, lost and found and the babysitting services.

The students making the cube were given different duties when I found we needed everybody we could find.

Aron was very happy when he worked with our security. He did help a bit but mostly I saw that the detachment liked to have him and some of his friends around.

There were one hundred and six booths of various kinds. My inflatable canvas bag was a hit with everybody. The smaller children had to be given their own times, or they would never have gotten on. This was even before the fair opened.

Rita was just about coming undone. She tried to be everywhere and do her singing too. She was irritable and short with people but she still did what had to be done. Part of the reason was that her period had come around again.

Her father was wearing a smile now even though he was working much harder than usual. I figured it had something to do with his wife's new set of unmentionables.

He had learned from his last venture a month ago and had hired many more people and made three more large booths to sell his wares. Friends and relatives from all over were coming to help him. A large, brightly painted sign saying 'Pizza Hut' was above each pizzeria. Alongside it was a picture of Maria's upper body offering a slice of pizza. The picture was well done and it only showed her ample bosom to entice people. A stack of white cardboard boxes with the same picture on it was for whole pizzas.

Mike started out very happy with his truck-driving job but he began to grow weary and reluctantly he had to let others drive while he slept. The other truck was put into use doing last minute deliveries.

Grandpa had taken my advice and made custom barbecues for cooking his sausage. Aunt Eva had come south with her family to enjoy the fair and get well-paying jobs. They lived at our house and I moved into the apartment with Natalie and the girls. Helen and Aron of course came with me.

When the fair opened, grandpa's sausage cast voluminous clouds of smoke that joined overhead to make it look like the stall was on fire. The smoke drifted through the fair grounds and the first visitors had to see what was causing the delicious smell.

Grandpa and grandma seemed to have a much happier time doing this than even being at the mine.

Dad had gone around and picked up all the old things he could find that others would throw out. He bought them cheap, or got them free. They were all cleaned up and he had a lot of fun selling everything he had at exorbitant prices. It seemed that everybody had to have an authentic souvenir of the occasion or of the north itself.

People had carved wood, baked clay products and even painted pictures for souvenirs. None had really believed me but had taken my word and done what they could.

Martin came down and stayed at the Clarkson. A large truck came up the day before with a ton of his bank's gold and over a ton of mine in a large vault. This was accompanied with cars and trucks festooned with armed guards. Police with lights flashing had actually escorted the procession north so that everybody could see that his bank was doing something interesting.

At the fairgrounds there was a wide barrier and people could come and look openmouthed at the exposed metal. Guards with rifles were all over. Some patrolled the grounds and they even had pistols, which many police forces still did not use. In all this the guards did not seem to be visible except probably to people intent on finding a way to help lighten the bank's load going home.

Colour brochures were given out and many accounts were started. A small pin was given to commemorate the event and many wore them proudly on their clothing.

John Stoner had set up his repair business at the fair to show people how he worked. His best men worked on restoring a car to sell. He had many pictures of his sons blown up and some of me holding John Junior. He had newspaper clippings under glass to show everybody. He hadn't asked me about this but I couldn't really stop him.

The boys from the Works were enjoying themselves. A few words in the right ears found great many unmarried daughters around to escort them. The supply this time exceeded the demand and the boys had two or even three girls taking them around.

When I went through the city I was amazed how empty it was. There was almost full employment at the fair and many businesses had simply closed their doors.

Martin stood with me when the Minister of Education and his family showed up at the fairgrounds.

"You were right, Alex," he said. "This fair is simply amazing. I had a look at Lass and my kids bought photographs. She looks much better. The hair has to grow in but that only takes time."

"She will be tired out after the fair and will need a rest but she will be running in a month."

He whispered, "Is that other thing still going to happen?"

"Got confirmation last week that everything is waiting for us."

"Ah... is your company going to go public?"

"I have done a bit of research and I found that I want nothing to do with stockholders. Partners I can handle but at the moment I have enough funds to make this work for me without any extra funds." He seemed a bit disappointed.

At night large poles cast bright light down on the grounds. A large bonfire was lit and a stage was set up with amateur musicians playing their songs. Rita did get up with her friends and sang a few common songs. This, I told her, would help her get over some stage fright later. After that the children of the area had a choral session, then the audience was encouraged to sing too. Many songs were westerns in style, for cowboys were the current heroes.

People did not leave until midnight and then the gold was secured in the large vault and more guards came to do night duty.

Izzy had made the kitchen and a barracks for the guards. These, though, were on wheels and still secured together with an accordion joint.

Many viewed my motor home and it showed that fact with the amount of dirt tracked in. I, too, had pictures of before and after. A large plaque told of everybody who had worked to make the bus what it now was.

The various businesses just put standard plywood shutters we provided over their belongings and left. They would be returning at ten the next morning with more supplies and a better understanding of what was ahead of them.

The girls slept in the motor home with me. Even though we had jacks to level the structure we remained celibate. There were just too many people around and they could just listen to the noise we made. The girls loved the air conditioning the vehicle had. They were familiar with the various pieces of equipment but wanted the bed most. It was a very exciting and tiring day.

The next morning I found Laura and Helen draped tightly to me. The air conditioning was still running and they were clinging to me for warmth. It would be great to just stay here for a few hours but I knew that there were too many things to do before I could rest.

When I got up I shut the air conditioner off and started the coffee. I had a shower in the small shower cubicle. I got up in time to see a naked Linda going to the toilet. She had love bites on her neck and abdomen that had not gone away since the girls had given them to her a few days ago.

She just said 'hi' and sat to pee. In a way I was happy. Linda was able to do this as if we were an old married couple. I noticed that her fear of men had lessoned too but still not left. I put my finger under her chin and gave her a little kiss.

"Good morning to you to, love. I have the coffee almost ready."

The girls were soon all up and dressed. We had even had a nice breakfast cooked on the small propane stove. There was a knock on the door and I opened it. Silva Cranz was there with and wife Millie and his father Joseph.

I invited them in and they looked to be very amazed at the construction. In a moment Joseph stopped his inspection. "Oh! Sorry, Alex. This home on wheels you have here is just amazing."

"It is nice to see you. I didn't know you were even coming. Let me give you a tour." I showed him all the various beds but he did not see the sections that joined beds on each side of the motorhome to make a larger bed. The features were shown in detail, especially those that most people would miss by just looking. Looking was great, too, for the woodwork was just amazing and the recessed lighting I made set it all off to its best.

"Here," I showed with two hands, "is where our new microwave oven is going."

"I heard about those things. Aren't they dangerous?"

"Not if you put in enough simple interlocks and safety devices to keep people out. The ones they have now are very large, heavy and power hungry. Ours will have none of those problems. Soon, every home will have one."

Joseph said, "And make you a very wealthy person."

"It will help. I got word that you are ready for me."

"Yes, we are. Samples of the virus will arrive within a day of your asking for them."

"That should be about two weeks after I get the medium ready, I am afraid. It takes that long to grow the cells. Do you have the number of people I asked for?"

"I actually have more. Many people want to help and if we are going to go into production, too, then it makes sense to have as much of the personnel on hand at the start as possible."

"What are you doing about security? Remember, my name is just as the owner of the company."

"I can't be certain but I picked very carefully. They are already my employees for the most part and know how to keep their mouths shut."

"Joseph, I wish I could make you understand what kind of pressure you are going to be under. I said before that they would not leave you alone. You will have microphones in your toilet listening for anything that will be of interest."

"Silva, Millie and my lawyers have gone over this as well. They don't think it will be as bad as you think but you have been right so far. I am going to be cautious."

Millie and Silva sat down and had a coffee. Soon Joseph and I sat, too, to discuss our venture some more. I think the main reason for coming was to make sure I was ready for my part in the venture. It wasn't much later that we heard the fair opening up again to the vendors. We went outside so I could show him around before it got too crowded to walk well.

In half an hour he said, "You certainly thought of everything. They should have you taking care of a battalion. At least you would go off to war ready for battle."

"Thank you Joseph. Speaking of war I have another place for you to throw your loose change at."

"I don't have any loose change Alex. My company will be in debt soon."

"Then I will get a few million dollars from your government over the next few years and we can do some research on polymers. I am very sure we can make a fibre much stronger than steel for its weight. When it gets woven into cloth then multiple layers will stop even rifle bullets."

"That sounds like a good product. There have been a lot of deaths in Korea and it would be nice to limit the number."

"That war will not end for at least two more years. We would never be able to get many to market soon enough to do much good. Since you guys have a war every once in a while we can have it ready for the next one."

Joseph was a typical American. He loved his country and would defend it with his life. Defending it against logic was another thing and he knew that I knew my history. If he knew the future it would prove even more true.

"Tell me more about this fibre, Alex."

The day started to cloud over but that didn't stop the people from coming to see what the fair had to offer. There were more children dropped off so the parents could enjoy themselves with their older children. We had a few problems but they were ironed out with a police officer at the doorway all the time. I didn't think any child was going to be kidnapped, I just wanted to set a precedent about how this business should be handled.

Everybody availing themselves of this service filled out a form with many little check boxes so we knew what to do in an emergency. Usually the child's middle name went on the sheet. If anybody wanted the child that had his or her name on a tag they simply had to know the password. One father got two of his children's names mixed up and the police came over very quickly.

The singing and the instrumental music were better the second night and everybody went home happy.

The third day was difficult. Many had little sleep. They had to make or prepare more food or other commodities. Then they had to truck it in before the crowds came. My two trucks made a lot of money and I split it with Mike and his crew.

Tourists were starting to go to the city now that the bloom was off the fair and the merchants there started to make money again.

Joseph and his family went home after trying to get more information about Kevlar from me. I was not an organic chemist but I did know quite a few things that the normal person would not. I knew that we had to develop a particular chemical that would cause chains to polymerize. This was great for a lot of things but I wanted the Kevlar for the sheath of the fibre optics cables I wanted to make.

Even in 2004 the field in this had not really matured. We were using the cables but there were great strides each year in various aspects. I wanted to make a modulator for the same fibre optics. This took a laser beam and split it up. One part represented ons and the other offs. The trick, though, was to get it to do this over a billion times a second. Eventually I could get it to twenty times that but it would take years just to get to the one billion mark.

The event lasted for six days. I think everybody was very glad when it was over. Most stalls had been sold out on the second day and there was a mad scramble for more things to sell. Some businesses in town that had not taken advantage of the situation now moved quickly into the vacant stalls with what they had to sell.

There was a massive job of cleaning up. It being Sunday kept most from working but not all. I offered more money for Sunday pay and the garbage at least did not spread too far to make its collection even more costly.

Sunday, in fact, had less than the usual amount of people at the church. Most were still home trying to catch up on lost sleep. There was cheering in the church when I said we had enough money to repair the church roof.

We had an executive meeting after church and I found that I had spent fifty two thousand dollars. This was when a house cost five or six thousand dollars. The improvements to the camping grounds ate up a lot of money but I would get the money back in other years.

The large tents had to go back as well as other equipment. All the buildings were mine as well as some specialized equipment. The inflatable bag had not been sold. I never thought it would but I wanted to give the boys a chance to be entrepreneurs. The device had raised ten times the price I paid for it and this I was going to make sure they knew about.

I did have a large septic system now, as well as running water even if it was from my own well.

The church was going to get seven thousand five hundred dollars for the roof. Father Cayer didn't quite say it but thought he should get the gross amount that was quite a bit higher. There still were people to be paid salaries to and money to collect for rentals of the stalls and the electricity they used.

Martin came out a winner too. His bank had a lot of publicity and he had signed up many new clients. Other branches had seen a similar upsurge but I would not find that out for a while. Nobody had seriously tried for the gold but our jails were full of petty criminals that migrated to any large gathering of people.

The city had done well too. I paid for the services I got and I am sure the police for one learned a bit about handling this and the like situations.

Individual merchants made the most. Grandpa made over a year's pay in profits and felt much happier than when he did the same thing at the mine in a few hours. This was his money and he had done it with his own hands and mind. Grandma corrected him many times that he was not the only one to do the work.

John Stoner had sold his cars for a good profit and had promises that he would get more cars for him to fix up. His son Mike wanted to go into trucking now and forget school. I dressed him down behind the barn but I think people in the house heard me clearly enough.

My girls were paid too for what they had done for me and this made them very happy. Rita was amazed how much she and her girls got for their share.

Later, after all the bills came in I would find that I had lost just under six thousand dollars. I had the assets to more than break even next year and I had the option of just writing it all off as publicity for my corporations.

Monday and Tuesday were devoted to clearing up loose ends. There were a lot of them, from getting a quote for the roof the way I wanted it, to making sure that everybody who had money coming to them got paid. Even Aron and his friends got paid for assisting the police. They had even assisted in apprehending some of the crooks. The adults made the mistake of ignoring kids that could run to the authorities, if anything they saw that was wrong.

Natalie, Laura and Valerie went to get a special licence to drive the family vehicle. I believe they were given a break when I went with them when they wrote the test and then did a drive around town.

Dad gave me a hard time about going. It was not so much going to a distant city in a neighbouring country as to be doing so without his help. He was not too sure of women drivers, especially since Mom had still not even tried for her own licence.

He was mollified a bit when I wanted Helen and Aron with me. I didn't know what he thought about me taking Laura, Natalie, Valerie and Linda with me. I did say we needed a change of drivers and Valerie and Linda still needed someone to watch out for them. The three drivers did that, even if one of them was still feeling the effects of her time with Summers.

Tom phoned me that he had put in the Canadian patents and was doing the same thing internationally. One, I was sure, would be very well scrutinized by all those concerned. It had many details in the patent that Shockley would not have even known about. The boys at Fish 'n' Chips had their own work cut out for them. Each one had their own set of orders that might vary from the others. I would be gone for at least two months and probably more, so there was a good chance some people from Bell Labs might pay us a visit.

We could readily prove that we made the transistor and many more but I did not want to tip my hand yet to all of what I could do or how I did it.

With little fanfare I started my exploration company with Derrick MacNeil's choices in people. We were on a budget so this meant only four men and a few thousand dollars. I took out a map of Newfoundland to start and pointed to the area around Voisey's Bay and the immense deposit of nickel ore.

Major oil fields had been found in only a few places and I knew where many more locations were. Even in the Middle East and the Gulf of Mexico, there were many fields still to be discovered. The United Arab Emirates were still six sheikdoms that I had to still convince to give me exclusive rights for fifty years. There was the area off Newfoundland itself, called the Hibernia field. This we would not be able to even find, unless I came up with a much better drilling platform than what was commonly used now. Alberta had the Athabasca tar sands and this would give me a very valuable resource when oil prices climbed high enough to warrant the added expense of extraction.

The North Sea and the Norwegian Sea fields had not been found and all I needed was enough capital and some time to get there before everybody else. I would have to leave the two fields in China and the two in Russia because I could not as yet hope to gain anything from finding them.

All of this would take time but had to find some small deposits of minerals to sell to other companies for the needed cash.

Before I left I had to give my thanks again to Aunt Eve. Though she didn't help me this time she did help Grandpa. I took out the gold necklaces with the crucifixes and gave them, to not only her but also her husband and their two grown children. Mom and Grandma cried when I put them over their heads. The male members got smaller ones that would go on their existing chains.

Before the family I put similar necklaces on all my girls and handed Aron the male variety. To make it a family I put one on my own chain to make us a group.



-------

Chapter 29


With the tanks full of water and the engine warmed up we left just before noon on Wednesday the third of July 1951.

We drove through many of the small towns. Many times we had to make right hand turns with the very long vehicle. The designers had thought of this and its second part actually went straight after the front turned, before it turned, itself. This was not a computerized invention, just a mechanical way of driving a long vehicle. It was possible to even have more sections follow us and they, too, would make close to the same turn.

This time we crossed at Fort Erie and into Buffalo. We could have gone over at Windsor to Detroit but the American highways were better than ours in this area.

The bus was very new to everybody, so of course we were pulled over for the secondary inspection. We had to get out and anybody and everybody went through the vehicle looking at how it was built and what the machine was capable of doing.

They weren't looking for anything in particular but some stayed to question us. Laura was asked a few times if she was a Communist. The ones doing the asking were prepared to take the beautiful woman into custody at any excuse. This was harassment, though and I was about to take the matter higher up when we were allowed to leave.

It was now seven o'clock and I decided it was better to get a bit further along. We pulled into a truck stop just over the Pennsylvania border and filled our fuel tanks. We parked as far back as we could and lowered the jacks and levelled the motor home.

The beds had been made for hours and Aron had already gone to sleep. I found it was my job to relieve all the tensions of the girls that had driven. Their copilot Linda claimed to be in need, too.

We stopped in Cleveland and the girls did a bit of shopping. The city was a great manufacturing centre but had withered a bit after the war with the loss of work. We pulled in to Woodridge, which was a ways outside Chicago, about seven that night.

There was a gate that was manned but since I had phoned ahead we got in. I had not wanted to keep the people from their families so I said I would talk to them in the morning.

We had a fairly quiet night. We listened to radio and some even read books. Contrary to popular belief I didn't make love all the time. Even the girls would get tired of it but not for long. The suspension on the motor home was great and I had spent most of my time writing up things that needed to be done, including procedures to do many things associated with the vaccine.

As a break I worked on the solid-state equipment and drew a few circuits that had not been made yet. There were actually very few, for tube circuits did many things that a transistor could do and sometimes better but the cost was in reliability and power consumption.

The next morning I was in my suit and the girls were all dressed nicely in casual clothes. There was a staff cafeteria and we went in. Our first problem was that we didn't have identity cards so we could get billed.

I told the women at the cash, "Just add up all the totals and give it to me. I will pay it in cash or you can wait till I get my card and then you can put it on my bill. Everybody here will be on my bill in the future."

"I can't do that. There are rules."

"Madam, just trust me for a few hours. I won't run off."

We sat at two tables pulled together, which seemed to be another no-no. In half an hour the head of this complex, Mr Cohen, came in and shook my hand. I introduced the family as my assistants. Mr Cohen gave me a sharp look but kept his mouth closed when he saw Aron. Before we left the room the cashier had me on the list, which seemed to be a relief to her.

We were led to large and very empty rooms. The walls had even been recently painted. This was good, because it would be well photographed. I was shown the machines that I wanted for agitating the flasks. Using a piece of chalk I laid out where the machines should go.

This went on for an hour and I said, "I need a large company car, or we will need to rent one. Do you have any suggestions?"

There were some company cars assigned to our area and even a station wagon. Laura left with an assistant and the rest of my family to go shopping or whatever they wanted.

More people came in and I gave them jobs to do to get this project started. We were well into the work when Joseph and Silva showed up. The three of us went into an office and Joseph said, "It didn't take you long to get started."

"I am usually quick if I know how to proceed. There were some papers that we were all to sign. The sooner we get this done, the sooner I can do the next part."

Silva opened a briefcase and took out a lot of forms. After looking at them I found them to be what I had said but put into American legalese. They must have gone over them well for everything was perfect. They didn't try to wiggle out of anything but made sure that my contribution was well documented. Mr Cohen came in and we signed the papers and they were witnessed.

The papers said that my drug company was now leasing this facility. More papers showed that Joseph and Silva would split four percent total now. They would also get the production methods of four new anaesthetics. If they didn't get approval, then their percentage would climb to ten for the vaccine.

The Kevlar was a separate deal and it was basically easy to produce this commodity. Turning it into fibre and then into material was a different matter. I knew it would make its way into tires and power transmission belts very soon after it came out.

The final papers were for the girls to become employees of this new company. That would mean that they had to get work permits. We would all have to sign papers to attest that we were never members of a Communist Party or to try to take over this country. The administration was using the Communist paranoia to get what they wanted. As in any witch-hunt, many innocent people were hurt. I imagine some genuine Communists fled the country too but I knew for a fact that the Russian spies were not going to be found.

My part was also the gold that was still waiting at the trucking firm. Joseph wasn't worried, because everything he spent money on stayed on his property.

Joseph invited us to his house. His wife had died six years ago and the house was mostly empty. "Thank you, Joseph. This time I want to stay in the motor home. It is close and I am here if anything happens. The girls will be shopping and sightseeing for the most part. This way I am not seen at your house too much and you have less to talk to nosey neighbours about."

"That is true, Alex. Perhaps after this is done?"

"I would enjoy that. The motor home is nice but only for temporary quarters."

With the papers signed I started to write the mixing instructions for Medium 199 that the Connaught labs had invented. Salk had got the recipe and used it when he originally made his vaccine. It was his main stumbling block. Nobody had found a way of breeding the virus outside of living tissue. The few living cells we used were nourished and lived in the mixture of nutrients and vitamins.

Soon we had the mixture made and large, flat bottles filled with it. I had specified that four bottles should fit on each machine. When I was sure that the family was absent, African Green monkeys were brought in. They were humanely euthanized and their kidneys harvested. The kidney was cut into tiny slivers and then one went into each bottle. After this was done the bottles were secured and the machine gently agitated them.

I didn't like killing innocent animals. They had to be used even to the twenty first century for many reasons. I just thought of the children who would not die or become cripples now. I stayed all afternoon doing this work, which I would rather have given to others. They, at least, could see that I was not above doing the nastiest jobs.

Labels were stuck to each flask and they were entered in a large book. Green monkeys had not been used in the other time but Rhesus monkeys were available. The Sabin vaccine had used a live virus and later, with aids killing many people, it was pointed out that the second kind of polio vaccine could have been the problem even if it wasn't. This time no chances would be taken, even if the second vaccine would be a year away.

This job was basically all done. The medium would let the kidney cells multiply. This could also be done with skin and other organs. I could have used other organs, too, including human but this was more in keeping with the time. This process could spread quickly to other types of growth. A burn victim might now live, if we could culture his or her skin and then grow enough to cover the body before scar tissue formed.

In another room we started again installing equipment but no mix was made or any monkeys killed. In two weeks, when the kidney cells had multiplied enough, the three viruses would be put in the flasks. Two additional weeks would be required for the virus to consume all of its host cells. By then, new cell cultures would have been established and grown for two weeks and some of the virus culture would be added into those to multiply the virus to even greater proportions.

Some at that time could be preserved with Thimerosal. A small amount of preservative goes in the vaccine: 2-phenoxyethanol (0.5%) and formaldehyde (0.02%). Calf serum also has to be used but now there is little worry of "Mad Cow Disease".

With the lab basically set up I had time to meet everybody I would be working with. This was the friendly chat time. Later, I was going to stress safety and get anybody doing something stupid moved elsewhere. Some of the people were chemists and I worked well with them to start making friends before we started on the anaesthetics.

Joseph, or perhaps Silva, had prepped them and they did not scoff too much. They would ask questions about their specialties and I was usually able to answer them. On occasion, my answer was wrong in their opinions. Processes did change when a new and better idea came along. My ideas were just ahead of what they were currently at. Most did not openly say that I was wrong. They just made up their minds that I was a fraud in many ways but not necessarily in all of them.

When one did call me to task, I said, "I suggest you make an experiment to see how wrong I am. I see that many others think the same as you. If I am correct in some of my views, then I may be right in others."

I went on the offensive now and asked them questions. They were pertinent to the other project. Most were phrased so I got their opinion rather than hard facts, for if they came up wrong in front of their colleagues then I would make an enemy.

As with my boys, I explained some details where chemistry and medicine met. With more paper I described receptors and how drugs or antigens seemed to be a key to match the body's lock. I also explained how foreign viruses attacked the body through this same method. Sometimes it was just a matter of having all the locks filled first, so the disease simply had no place to attach itself.

After my explanations I would ask how they thought some of the products in their lab would work in certain areas. I would refresh their memories at times and even asked for the little wooden blocks they had that represented atoms with wooden dowels for valence electrons.

Late in the afternoon I got into DNA and RNA and gave the structure of the first. As with everything else I coached my words by saying 'I believe it works this way'.

I got into research on how individual genes controlled certain features or how groups of them did the same thing. I went on to the fact that proteins perform most life functions and even make up the majority of cellular structures. When genes are altered so that the encoded proteins are unable to carry out their normal functions, genetic disorders can result. I left epigenesis out of this for the moment, because I had already stretched their credibility too much. I then tried to show the group how proteins were actually formed using the DNA model and the previous discussion on receptors.

The questions now were really in depth and I, in all honesty, could not answer them even if I wanted to.

I mentioned hemophilia A and B, muscular dystrophy, sickle-cell disease and cystic fibrosis. "All of these diseases I believe are caused by a defect at a single gene locus. The inheritance is recessive, so both the maternal and paternal copies of the gene must be defective. This is just my belief. My company is not very large and is seriously under funded. This is the first of the products our company wants to bring to market. With this money we can look much further into many areas."

I was asked again, "How do you know all this?"

"Research and insight, the same as you. I have the benefit of looking at things from a different perspective and without as much preconceived ideas as the rest of you have. An independent approach to things can sometimes find an easier approach to some goals."

They didn't seem to be completely believe this, so I considered doing something similar to what I did with the boys. "I also have equipment that you do not have here. I have various kinds of devices for seeing much smaller than you can. I have not patented them yet. Perhaps in the next few months I can build a few. We are currently working with coherent light. That is light that is propagated in step with the rest of the photons. It has the property of not spreading out like regular light. This is in its infancy but in a year or so, after more research is done, we can see about this facility getting a unit."

"Is Canadian medicine and physics that advanced?" one asked.

"It is very good considering the small amount of funding we are getting. The United States is overall in the lead. Canada will make its contributions as time goes on but we have a less robust economy and a fraction of the people you have."

That night I phoned Tom and told him what was happening. "You can run the paperwork on the anaesthetics now. Do it the way I wanted. I can see a problem if it isn't."

I started my nightly ritual of phoning Fish 'n' Chips to see what was happening. Some of the stuff we were doing was from three to seven years more advanced than anybody else. Most was well beyond that. The Magnetron system was working now. They had even put a second unit in that could be started independently of the first. This would blow the fifteen amp fuses now used in the usual house circuits.

They were given some direction to build a new type of electron microscope. I doubted if they would get to it, for they were having a lot of fun making new solid-state parts from my handbook.

Coffee was being left out to cool so it could be heated. I could just see the boys doing this. They were grown up and had graduated from university but they were still boys at heart and in a way I thought of them like I did of Aron.

I suggested, "Try an egg but clean the oven after. Hot dogs are good. Baked potatoes can be good. Puncture them and the wrap them in foil after they come out to cook naturally in latent heat."

Derrick also got a call. Things were still hopping after the fair and would take a while to settle down. He did find some leads to a ball bearing machine. Mr Creighton was too busy with the cube and I asked if Derrick could send Mr Sotola down to see if the ball bearing machine was economically salvageable.

I even phoned the mine and got Mom on the line. She was a little worried till I said everything was all right. In a few minutes she said the call costs too much and I should go have some sleep.

"I will, Mom. I love you. Give my love to the family."

The next day I just gave the polio lab a look. The kidney cells were growing well in a sampling of the flasks. The girls did not like the lab because of the smell and the caged animals they knew would die to give us their kidneys. Aron wanted one of the monkeys and even though he was a farm boy I said no. Monkeys looked too human. I remembered my own hard time coming to terms with animals dying so we could live. Instead, they went shopping for things I wanted them to have. The motor home was always home, especially when hooked up to water sewers and hydro.

I went into the section of the plant reserved for making the anaesthetic, to see if everybody was following my instructions. Silva came in later and told me that the gold auction was ready. A simple phone call directed a small delivery truck to bring the heavy box to his father's estate.

That afternoon we made a long ramp to get the heavy box to the floor and the truck left. Laughing I gave the hammer to Joseph and told him to open it. The metal tank had special strips that, when pulled out, let the tank separate into two parts.

When the top came off, the men just stared at the contents. Wooden partitions with leather inserts protected the large nuggets. I had to pull their arms to help me get the gold out. The three of us wrestled the gold into position on a worktable and we quickly went back for more. The last were canvas sacks of nuggets.

A scale had been brought but it was not quite enough to measure Poppa Bear at around two hundred and thirty Troy pounds.

Momma Bear was a hundred and eighty three pounds and I just rounded it off at a hundred and eighty. Baby was a little under a hundred and twenty but got that figure anyway. Little Goldilocks was a pitiful ninety-one pounds and it got ninety for easy terms.

"Well, gentlemen, we have roughly six hundred and twenty pounds and a further hundred and eighty pounds of smaller nuggets. The only thing now to say is 'let the auction begin'."

Joseph was now party to the auction. He also didn't like the names that his son told him were to attend the gathering. It wasn't even going to be held at his estate but at the current home of the largest mafia chieftain in the area. Sonny Forte was into a lot of different moneymaking ventures and most of them were even legit. Some were not and apparently there were a few bodies attributed to him and a few more that were never found.

He had his hand in gambling, trucking, loan sharking and was very active during the war dealing in what some people just had to have. At the moment he was trying to appear to be just a successful businessman and this was what kept Silva alive and even let him keep his money.

I did not like the mob and in my previous life they had tried to part me from my property. Sometimes I was able to use simple exposure and at others I had to take the law into my own hands. The mob still owned police and the courts and the bodies just never got found. I did not usually hire people to do this but I did it myself. Again I had to do the lowest tasks, like ridding the body politic of vermin.

Silva went out with me to get a good suit at his tailor. We went to downtown Chicago and entered one of the newer buildings. There was lots of glass and I even remembered going there a few times in later years. It still had its charm but had looked a bit more subdued with its more gaudy neighbours. Now it was sparkling and new.

Gaston was a fairly young man now, perhaps thirty. I knew him years later while he still plied his trade to the elite of the city. I was introduced and he politely asked what I would like. I told him exactly what I wanted, from the type of material and weight, the cut, how I wanted it to fit, to the type and size of the lapels. I added a considerable amount more. "Make the seams so that as I grow I will not have to discard the suit simply because it will not fit me."

The man had at one time complained about some customers having no idea what they wanted in a suit. These took up a considerable amount of time. Now, all that was left was the measurements and the selection of the colour of the cloth.

When we were done I shook his hand and said, "Later this year, I think at the end of November, the play 'Gigi' will go on Broadway. Audrey Hepburn is a very promising young actress. You should see it, if possible. You may even get her autograph before she becomes famous."

"Sir, how did you know? I try to hide... I try to keep my obsession hidden."

"Gaston, everybody likes to see famous people. You see more than your share. I will see if I can pick up a few for you in my travels."

"Thank you sir but don't tell anybody."

"If you wish but I think the secret was out long ago and nobody has decided not to come to you, have they?

"No," he said after a moment.

I pointed to a bare wall. "Put your framed pictures there. Keep them in the order that you got them, or people will be angry that they are not on the top. Start a special book for the famous people and get them to put in some comment. They can read the book first to give them ideas. The famous people will soon be coming here to be seen."

He didn't know what to say but eventually said, "Thank you, sir."

I told Silva to take me to a gun shop next. He didn't seem to want to do this but took me to the one he frequented. Silva was greeted by name and the owner came over to shake his hand. He shook my hand, too but I appeared to be a non-customer and got little attention.

"George, my friend Alex wants to see your guns. Let him see whatever he wants. He has more than enough money to buy anything he fancies."

I was now smiled at, or at least my money was. I asked for some guns by name and some were famous but not available. George took me into the back where he had an indoor range and he loaded some substitutes he had. I looked for earmuffs and safety glasses but saw none.

"Your customers might like to make use of some ear protection and some safety glasses. I have had my face hurt once."

"I am sorry sir. There is usually no call for them." He did go to a drawer and pull out what I wanted. The muffs fit fairly and the glasses were wire framed so I could bend them to fit my small head.

I took the smallest gun and shot three shells before abandoning it for the second. This one got the same treatment. The third was better and I used all six shells in the clip.

"The Beretta was the best. I am sure they have another model coming out. It has a better balance, easier pull and a faster fire."

"There is one new type coming in tomorrow. I bought six to see how well they will sell."

"One is mine now," I said. "I suggest you buy more. They will be a favourite and you will sell all you can get your hands on."

"You can't..."

Silva said, "I want the gun. Better make it two and give me a four boxes of shells."

Before anybody moved I said, "Show me your selection of holsters."

There was still time to work that day and I saw that everything was going according to schedule.

The next day I went with Millie, Aron and my girls to shop for some gowns. I did not want all of them to go to the auction but I did want Helen and Laura to go. This meant that the others had to have dresses, too.

Millie said, "My operation has been rescheduled again. It is for next week this time. The doctor is more anxious this time. I feel like a bug under a microscope."

"Doctors are like that sometimes. He will want to have three or four more doctors with him. Then he will show off his newfound expertise to the others."

"You invented this Alex. I will tell them."

"Let him have his day. I find many things all the time. This may make him look more for new ideas and many other women can be helped by what he finds."

We went into some stores and the girls tried on dresses. Millie was the more sophisticated and she basically suggested what to buy. The girls were measured and the dresses fitted. I was enticed into the change rooms many times to see just how good the garment was. For some reason, the bodice or the panties were checked most.

While the dresses were being altered we went for accessories. This took quite a while, because Millie was letting them see what would match with their dresses. Shoes were later and this took as long as the dresses. We had all three salespeople and the manager waiting on us.

Aron and I got a pair of shoes and this took us ten minutes. We had lunch, then dinner before we got home. It was a tiring day but I went to work for an hour to make sure everything was on track.

I made my phone calls and I found that some people from Bell Labs had made phone calls to the Works. I was sure much more was done than that. I was positive that many people were phoned and questions asked about my companies and me. Bell had been told that I would visit them in September. The engineers seemed to be getting a profound feeling of one-upmanship at Bell's expense.

Derrick hadn't heard of any challenge to our patent but that would only happen after a lot more work had been done. At present, the transistor only had potential and no products were made with the components.

The three types of virus had arrived on schedule and a portion went into each of the flasks. The kidney cells were quite healthy but in a week I saw a marked change. In two more the virus would have grown the way I promised. Nobody else had been able to get the virus to multiply and that was the problem about making the vaccine all along.

The auction was a week before the virus could be killed and vaccine could be decanted for testing.

I was having second thoughts about the auction all the time, which wasn't usually like me. Millie would be staying with Aron and the girls, while I escorted Helen and Laura. Both had gone to a hairdresser and even a manicurist to get ready. The auction was not a place where ladies went but these two were my molls. I just made sure they spoke correctly and didn't chew gum.

The auction started at five. I had even seen a flyer that was hand done, listing all the gold pieces by weight and even name. Joseph had liked Helen's term Goldilocks and named some of the larger nuggets and even put them into sets. Most were laid out on a wood tray with a black velvet liner.

Joseph had come earlier with a half dozen armed men to display the large amount of gold. There was simply no room for all of it on a table, so most was put into a room with no window and one guard.

Security was fairly strict and Silva had to identify himself and then vouch for us. All of our names were on a clipboard.

We got out of the car and a valet took the car away. We were again questioned at the door. The insides of the house were very expensive. It was also a bit gaudy but somebody else, I thought, had to have done most of the work.

Mr Forte met us and shook my hand and kissed the girls' hands. He was an older man of fifty and I could see his Italian heritage very clearly. His voice was well modulated and he came across as a cultured person.

We were escorted to a very large room and I could see a long table with three guards behind it. Joseph was busy talking to three gentlemen, while at a bar sat two young ladies. They were about the same ages as Helen or Laura. They were beautiful but not up to my girls. Their clothes were a bit gaudier, as if a man had picked them out.

I took Laura over to the gold. This was the first time she had seen it. Helen had described the pieces but that was hard to visualize. Laura was going to reach out to touch one, when a guard took a quick step forward. Laura pulled her hand back as if burnt.

"Wait till Joseph is free. Then you get a chance to feel some of the pieces."

"I think I'll wait."

I saw for the first time that her ring was on the left hand. I looked at Helen and saw her ring had changed hands too. Helen just smiled at me.

We looked back along the trays. I saw signs on the trays with the weight and a name if applicable. More people came and soon Joseph was able to come and see us. I was a bit amazed when women other than beautiful young ladies showed up. These, I figured must be wives, even if they appeared to be trophy wives. I directed him over to the table and we let Laura pick up Goldilocks or at least try to. The sign said 1096.36 troy ounces. She grunted and groaned and managed to get it just a bit off the table before it banged back into its special cradle.

"Boy that is heavy." She turned to Helen and asked, "How did you pick it up?"

"I am a farm girl, don't forget."

Sonny called to everybody and then talked about the auction and how everything was for cash or through him for the same thing. If someone needed a loan, he would provide it at no charge for up to ten days. "This is a lot better than my usual rates," he added. The crowd laughed at the veiled comment.

He started on now about the proceeds of the auction going to finance medical research. Joseph reluctantly stood beside him and carried on, "We are currently working on a few projects. One is a way of fighting some diseases currently running rampant in our country and the whole world." He looked at me and said, "The money slated for research will all go to finding a cure for infantile paralysis." Not everybody used the word polio at this time.

An auctioneer came in and started the bidding by placing the minimum price as the actual price of the metal.

The bidding was quiet and even orderly. The free booze did make for a few laughs but it was accepted. I saw some of the women hanging onto their escorts sometimes, as they especially wanted one nugget or a group.

Over the course of an hour and a half the gold was all auctioned off except for the largest pieces. This should have netted me 70,000 US dollars but I totalled about 223,000 for a good profit.

We hurried to the bar when a break was called but we still had to wait our turn. The drunks were still monopolizing the place but I was able to get three glasses of soda.

The girls were thirsty and drank theirs quickly. Sonny Forte took this time to come over. "Hello, Mr Kramer. It is nice to finally meet you. Silva and his father Joseph speak glowingly of you. They also tell me that you are behind this new venture into medicine."

"Hello, Mr Forte. It is nice to meet you to. I wanted to meet you ever since I came into your beautiful home. I also want to thank you for allowing us to have the auction here."

"You are welcome, Mr Kramer but I get a commission from the entire amount sold. Tell me about your work."

"Though I am young, I own a drug company in Canada. I have come here to solicit some help from American companies. Silva and his father have decided to help me in my goals."

"Infantile paralysis is going to be a difficult challenge. My own nephew now lives in one of those iron lungs. I heard that many organizations are trying to find a cure. None of them can help him."

"Please come with me." I led him out on the large stone terrace and I continued, "Currently we are very close to a cure for infantile paralysis. I am afraid the damage done to your nephew is not reversible." I paused to see that he really cared for his family. "There are many other labs doing the same thing as you mentioned. I just happen to be much more interested in security than most. Whether you know it or not, the competition for information is great. So great sometimes that spying is not unheard of. I can bypass much of that if the competition knows next to nothing about us."

"Why have you told me then?" He said with a chuckle.

"I will tell you something in confidence that you cannot mention to anybody. If you agree, there may be less children like your nephew who need a that machine."

I heard a crashing sound inside and voices raised in anger. One was familiar. I stepped around our host and raced across the terrace and entered the room. Looking around I saw a man holding Laura by the neck with his large hand. She was on her toes to support some of her weight.

There were many men around the two. As I got close I saw a man holding Helen so she could not help. I changed course and came in between the men and behind the man holding Laura. One man tried to grab me but I slipped under his grip and got beside the man. Laura was very close to him so I pushed her body away with my left arm and drove my elbow into the man's scrotum.

The man doubled over and Laura was standing on her own feet. As the man fell to the floor Laura backed a few feet away and felt people right behind her.

The man groaned on the floor holding his genitals. Nobody else in the room made a sound. I heard Laura's heavy breathing behind me. Sonny pushed through the ring but stayed at the ring leaving a clear area around the man on the floor and me.

The man started to curse in Italian. His slurred speech told me that he was drunk. Two men stepped in and helped the large man to his feet. When he gained his feet he shook off his helpers and took a step to me and reached under his coat.

I reached under my left arm and brought out the Beretta pistol and managed to get it pointed at his head before he could get his gun fully out of his coat. I heard gasps from all around as the guns appeared.

The man may be drunk but he did stop. That did not mean that his friends or perhaps bodyguards didn't bring out their guns and point them at me.

Before they could get off their demands I said in Italian, "You are not much of man if you fight with women. Did you get where you are now by extorting old women and children? Where is your honour? Did it leave your family when you came to these shores?"

Sonny stepped in but not too far. "Put your guns away," he said in Italian. "Carmen, you are drunk. Tomorrow you will regret this. Put away your guns now. This is my house."

I put my gun back into the holster under my arm and looked at Sonny. "I will abide by your rules and shelter under your protection," I said in an old formula.

He looked at me for a moment then turned a bit to glare at the others. In a few seconds more guns controlled by his men came out and the barrels were placed against the heads of the ones with guns still drawn.

Carmen still had his hand on his partially drawn gun and thought for a long moment before putting his gun back and withdrawing his empty hand. "What are you going to do about this Sonny? The boy attacked me."

"Why did the boy attack you, Carmen?"

"This slut," he pointed at Laura, "slapped me. I have my own honour to protect."

"Why did she slap you?"

"For nothing."

I turned to Laura, "Why did you slap this man?"

"He was fondling Helen and she was so frightened that she could hardly move. She told him to stop but he just laughed and went even further."

Sonny looked at Carmen and said, "Is that true?"

"She is only a slut Sonny."

I stepped in and said in English, "Look at her left hand!" Helen picked her hand and showed everybody.

Sonny now was very disgusted and said, "Carmen, leave now and take your men with you. I will deal with this tomorrow. You are very lucky that my sister married you. Now get out!"

The man left and his two men followed. Sonny turned to me and said, "I am sorry your woman was attacked while under my roof and protection. What can I do to make it up to you?"

"You are a man of honour and that was what I was going to ask you about before my wife was attacked. Let's go back outside and I will try to continue our conversation in private."

"After you, Mr Kramer."

Back on the terrace he said very apologetically. "I am very sorry for this happening. The only thing I can say in Carmen's defence is that he was drunk."

I said in Italian that I figured Sonny could understand. "I accept your apology Mr Forte. Carmen cannot hide behind the drunken defence too long. People accept that a man will get drunk and make mistakes. The mistakes are seen as just the effects of the alcohol. If a man drinks, he has to live with all the responsibilities as if he had not touched a drop. An alcoholic that drives a car and kills children should go to jail more for his crime."

"That is the way the courts are, Mr Kramer. Old time justice is best in this case. Will you tell me how you speak an Italian dialect so well?"

"I have had some business deals with your countrymen and it is good practice to learn the language of the people you are dealing with. This is much like the way you had to learn English. I also had to learn the customs and mores of a country when learning the language. To not do so would make the language even harder to understand and speak.

"My problem affects the entire world. I have made great strides in getting the vaccine made. I am not yet fourteen. The world will look at me and say that a boy cannot make a vaccine and will not even allow me to test it. Joseph and Silva have agreed to help me produce the vaccine. Doctors, reporters, lawmakers, scientists and drug companies will be all over my company to find out all they can about who made this discovery. If they know it is I, then thousands of people will die and maybe a million will be paralysed. I need my name hidden well but I need my company name mentioned many times."

"What can I do? I am just a businessman."

"A large corporation has a security force that takes care of espionage, theft, talkative employees and even perimeter security. I happen to know that some of your businesses have some experience relating to the law. I need men and women loyal to their employer who will protect my property and me. I am sorry to say that your name cannot be linked to them. Can you help me?"

He thought for a moment and then called in the house and one of his men came out. He asked about the whereabouts of certain individuals and then about the honesty of some fringe members. Men with a criminal record were dropped, as well as ones that were well known but had not been arrested yet. The man looked at me but still told his boss what he wanted to know.

Sonny said, "Have those men meet me here tomorrow at three." He looked at me and I nodded. When the lieutenant left, Sonny said, "Are you close to a breakthrough?"

"In two weeks or less the world will be focussing on this city, Mr Forte." He looked at me very seriously now.

When we went back in, the auction had got back to normal. I went immediately to Helen and Laura and they seemed to have got over the worst of their fright. Mrs Forte and some of the other women were surrounding the girls as if they were now going to do the protecting.

The girls hugged me and both said they were better but they were still shaken. I took their hands and led them over to the table. Strong men were lifting the gold nuggets or trying to, to test their weight. With only four pieces left, the guards had little to watch.

The pause before resuming the auction allowed me to make an announcement. Sonny introduced me and I began, "The gold here tonight all came from one mine and these nuggets were found within yards of each other like a family waiting to be found. I would like the nuggets to stay together but the gold is so valuable that this may not happen. These nuggets are very rare. All of them are going to be famous all by themselves. The person owning any of them will be a very lucky man."

"Now to help the lucky bidders. As you know, you all pay too much taxes." I got a good chuckle at that. "I will give receipts for the price you pay for the gold minus its metal value. This will be seen by the taxman as a donation to my company to help free the world of polio. The more you bid, the more you can save. Perhaps you would like to phone your accountants and talk about this but Joseph Cranz says that it is perfectly acceptable the way we have set up the company."

I stepped down and Joseph was swamped by questions. Silva, as an accountant, fielded just as many. It a few minutes I saw some happy men come out of the huddle and talk to Sonny. Five minutes later the bidding started for Poppa Bear. The fourteen inch high piece of gold was an odd shape but was close to four inches wide by four thick. The weight turned out to be a fraction over 2801 Troy ounces and the bidding started at 90,000 dollars. With the added incentive of their Uncle Sam helping them the price climbed to 635,000. It paused there. Sonny was consulted and the price rose a bit more and then the gavel fell.



-------

Chapter 30


At the end of the auction the total for the bear family was 1,744,900 dollars. There was a lot of clapping at this figure. Sonny got to the front of the room and thanked everybody for coming. He went on to say, "I have decided to take my commission for the sale and donate it to the quest for a cure for infantile paralysis."

He was applauded too and I got up quickly and thanked everybody there for their help. I thanked Sonny, too and said he was an upstanding member of his community and I was glad to know him.

It looked like the party was going to go on for a while. I mingled but the girls stayed with me. They didn't feel as safe as they had been at the start of the night.

Sonny had over a million dollars on call. He asked, "Would you like to take that much now? I was very surprised with the amount of money spent for the nuggets, even though it was a good cause. Those large nuggets would make it into the record book and I regret not bidding on them myself."

"We have very few nuggets left I am afraid. None of them even come close to the larger group. As for the money, I think that I will trust you with that sum. Tomorrow, I would like to get half in cash and the balance can be put into an account for our project. I am afraid the testing of our vaccine will be over five million dollars itself."

"That is very trusting of you, Mr Kramer. I doubt that anyone else would have done such a thing even for a much lesser amount. I feel humbled by your actions."

"I think it is well placed in this instance." We shook hands and then so did Silva and Joseph. The girls thanked Mrs Forte and her husband for the interesting night and the help in furthering the vaccine.

On the way home Laura said, "Where did you get that gun? I was so frightened that you would get shot."

"I bought the gun through Silva. When I leave, it will stay at his house. I had to buy the gun in a way."

Laura looked at me quizzically. "The people at the auction were not all criminals but many had guns. They also had tie clasps, cufflinks, expensive watches and of course some weapons. I just dressed accordingly."

When the girls walked into the motor home, I stayed a moment to talk to Joseph. He said angrily, "You said you want to hire Forte's men. Why? We have our own security."

"Joseph, you have some guards to protect your property. You had a chemical facility before and now it is very valuable as a source of information and drugs. I have to start a security force and I would like to do it from scratch. These men that I will talk to, will be the grunts that will follow orders. Sonny will at least give me good men. I need good men from you now. I need soldiers that are smart and resourceful without too much spit and polish."

He didn't speak for a moment. "There may be a few. When do you want them?"

"Early tomorrow. They can go with me to Sonny's place to assess the troops he is going to present and we can get the money at the same time. As per our agreement, you get the donations that go into the bank for your share."

"That was much more than I thought."

"You are still going to be severely taxed to come up with the five million. If necessary, I can try to get a bank in Toronto to loan it to your company."

"I wouldn't have entered into this agreement without a way of getting the money. But thanks for the offer."

At ten the next morning, I found a dozen men in a room waiting for me. Joseph had promised them a day's pay to come and listen. They were quite confused when I came in. They probably expected Joseph.

"Hello, gentlemen. My name is Alex Kramer. I happen to own a few businesses, including a drug company here in Chicago. This facility, by the way, is leased from Joseph Cranz. He and his son are partners in this particular venture."

"The reason I wanted you here was to find a few men that would start a new company for me. Your military background would assist you in rules of conduct and a good basis for starting a security company along the lines of Pinkerton's. I am looking to fill all types of positions in this company."

The men were now quite surprised and looked at each other. Pinkerton's was a very large company that encompassed security and was actually a small, private police force.

"Before we go too far, the company will never get beyond a few thousand men and women. The main objective of this company is to protect my property."

One man asked tentatively, "What do you have to protect that needs your own police force?"

"The most important thing there is: knowledge. I have made many inventions. My laboratories are working on electronics and medicine now but will also include defence contracting. Here, at this facility, we are working on a cure for infantile paralysis. We are very close. Other laboratories are working hard to find the same vaccine. Our ideas have to remain within our group even after any possible announcement is made. I believe we are very close to having this an accomplished fact."

I went into detail about what I expected but left some important data out. This I would have to find out in personal interviews. They started right after. The men all went down to the cafeteria now, to eat what they wanted at my expense. The first man was asked the first of many questions. I asked about his former military superiors getting information if they said it was a matter of national security.

There was hemming and hawing before he answered. He didn't question the superior as to why the information on a vaccine was of national security and I crossed the man off my list.

The rest were questioned individually as well and only three of the men answered correctly. I wanted them to think of their employer first. I didn't want them to be good robot soldiers who would give confidential information to anybody in a uniform and waving their country's flag. Here is where I needed someone to follow all laws but only ones that came from a court. Too many people cloaked themselves in what they called justice and then used it for their own gain.

With only the three successful applicants I went into why they were selected and why the others weren't. There was a simple contract written in equally simple English. It stated exactly when they could give out information. It also gave penalties, including me taking any and all persons to court to get compensation. In my case the compensation would be very high.

I said of our present circumstances, "I believe we are very close to a vaccine for polio. If we are the first to make this known, there will be hundreds of people at the gate and many officials wanting admittance when this happens. A governor or a congressman has no more rights than you or me. He gets in only if he is invited. Mr Joseph Cranz will be the one handling the public relations."

"The reason for all this work is because I am so young. We may make the first vaccine but it will be for nothing if the medical community and the establishment think that I am not capable of doing this. Hard facts have a way of not being regarded, when it comes to politicians." I got a few nodded heads so they might sympathize with my cause.

A little before three, the men, named Lacroix, Newman and Fraser, drove in one of the company cars to Mr Forte's home. I introduced my new employees and in turn we were taken to the same room that the auction was held in.

The selection went much quicker this time. These men, for the most part, had been soldiers, too but didn't mind thumbing their noses at authority trying to get information.

I was able to get nine men out of fourteen. They all would show up tomorrow morning to begin orientation. Mr Forte told the men that he would be very disappointed if any of the men failed in their duties. He also made sure even the three men I brought received the same message.

After many thanks he handed me individual cheques for the amount stipulated to go into our company's account. The back of the car got two medium-sized suitcases that I didn't bother to count. If I was going to trust the man, then I was not going to insult him.

The cash and the cheques went into the safe at work. There were enough people around this vault to prevent anybody from being able to break in. I was still relying on any crooks not being aware of the location of the money.

At ten minutes after seven the next morning I had the men tour the business with some of Joseph's people. When asked for a way to break into our facility, Mr Forte's people seemed to have more ideas. All twelve men were put under the existing security till they learned enough about what they should do.

The growth of infected kidney cells had almost reached its peak. In five more days they would be ready for testing. It was also time to make some phone calls.

I was put through to Martin almost right away. After exchanging pleasantries he said, "What would you like, Alex?"

I gave him a list of names and asked, "These men all work at Connaught. Would you see what you could do to get them to Chicago as quickly as possible. We begin testing in five days and I would like them here before that. They will give another layer of security for me and they have well known names. Their findings will be respected."

"What do you want me to tell them?"

"That there is a possible vaccine that involves some of their work. If they come down, they will get credit for what they have done. They are all scientists and will be flapping their arms to get here if there is no plane. Would you offer them a few thousand each in my name? Their arms would be sore when they got here otherwise."

The next day Millie went to a private clinic and had the procedure done to shrink the fibroids. The operation took two hours because it was the first of its kind. Silva and I sat in the waiting room and read. When we were allowed in, Millie was awake and not feeling too bad. Nothing much had changed, except her fibroids would now start to shrink from the blood being cut off or reduced. The next day she came home under the care of a nursing team.

Three days after the phone call I had a six-man team at the gate. Our new security went out and picked them up at the airport. They had been given good rooms at a hotel but I doubted if they would see them much.

I soon found out that these Canadians were living up to our standards of being obstinate, aloof and class conscious. This last quality I think was a hold over from our country's English heritage. Over the decades this would be suppressed and swing the other way. The staff had to just put up with the three worse ones and the others were readily accepted.

They examined the facilities, which were similar to theirs. I had patented the agitators, though. The new batches of healthy cells were growing in another room. The cells were minutely examined. They asked many questions which I got the staff to answer so I could stay in the background. They liked the way we made documents about each flask so if there were problems we could trace it back to the origin.

They were amazed at the infected cells. They soon saw the entire solution before them. With this amount of virus a vaccine was simple to make. I was called in many times to answer questions but I tried my best to make it appear to be a team effort.

The virus was killed and the preservatives were added. A control group of monkeys were given the vaccine and we began to wait. Here, again, meticulous records were kept. The men had stood by their word and not told anything out of the ordinary about our work.

I knew what to expect in the coming week but it was still nerve wracking. The monkeys got a slight fever and then recovered. A sampling of their organs showed that the virus had not taken hold and was almost absent from the group we sampled.

I made some daytime calls now. Janice got the first call and I said, "The monkeys have just been given the vaccine a week ago. All of the ones given the vaccine have fought off the disease. One in the control group is dead and six others very sick."

She didn't know what to say. I said, "Their immune system responded to the virus and they only had a slight fever. They have lived over five days and show little effect from the virus. Our first hurdle has been passed. We will announce it very soon. Please remember that it is the company and not me doing this."

"I understand, Alex. I am so happy that you have found this."

The girls were bored even with their shopping and sightseeing. With the storm coming soon I didn't want them harassed. I gave them some cash and sent them home as the best way to deal with this. They didn't want to leave but did so, anyway. As it was, they just might miss the Labour Day madness. Three had jobs that they had to go back to.

Connaught got the second call. When I reached the head of the research department, he already knew my name and the fact that I had shanghaied some of his best people. I could hear the excitement in his voice when he spoke. I said officially, "This is Alex Kramer. My company, in conjunction with Connaught Labs, has completed the first test for our poliomyelitis vaccine. It appears that our vaccine confers protection."

"It works?"

"Yes it does. I want to make the announcement here and in Toronto at the same time."

"That is fine. Give me the details."

I talked slow and he must have been very busy writing. When I had done this part, I handed the phone to the first of the researchers who had come here. Eventually, all six had their say and they confirmed my observations.

The next morning at nine o'clock Joseph Cranz called the major wire services and the local papers. Sonny Forte had been asked to attend and now stood in the back of the room with his wife Rose. The reporters took seats and had some coffee from an urn.

Joseph came out and made his announcement. Some coffee fell and the room was deathly quiet. He repeated himself then went on to introduce the researchers from Connaught. The men gave their credentials and seemed to be inordinately proud of them. They each gave their version of the test and procedures. The day before, I had set in motion the process for thirteen separate patents associated with the process.

After these men came the team that worked here in Chicago spoke. They were just as proud, even though they didn't have the medical degrees, just the chemical.

Monkeys in cages were brought out and the reporters told of the almost lethal doses of virus that each had been given and still survived. A press package had been prepared with all the data they would need. My own name would come out soon, anyway, so it was listed among the technicians.

It was hard to get rid of the reporters until Joseph said that the same announcement was going on in Toronto. There was a mad rush for phones.

A half-hour later the newspapers had photographers at the gate clamouring to get in. Joseph was really putting on the show as he took a few through the various labs. I stayed out of the photographs while standing with the Fortes.

Rose spoke in Italian, "Why aren't you there getting your picture taken? You seem to be such a dynamic person, you must have a lot to do with this."

"You wouldn't believe shy but let's say that a boy would not be believed while a man might."

I made a few of my own calls home to tell the family what had happened. School had already started two days ago, so I called Mr Corfu and gave him my apology and said that tonight he would know why.

"What do you mean, Alex?"

"You will see it on the news here and there, coming out of Chicago."

"Ok. I hope you are not in trouble."

"No, just working on extra credits for a science project."

I now had to ride into the plant with Joseph and Silva. There were many more than a thousand people around the property. Many were parents with children in their arms or in wheelchairs looking for a cure that did not exist for them. This brought tears to my eyes but there was nothing I could do for them.

Six days after our announcement we gave samples to a dozen labs and sent some north of the border to test. The latter went with the six visiting scientists. Only one lab in Britain wanted to participate and that was because it was one of the ones I asked.

With this project working well I started to work more on the different anaesthetics. These were easy to produce but the dispensing was poor. The liquid vaporised and took heat with it. Soon the liquid got colder making the amount of vaporisation far from being a straight line on a graph. The machine did work but I worked at making it less cumbersome and more reliable.

Sixteen more patents went on this machine and then the first drug, halothane, was submitted for tests.

It had a good track record but caused some patients to suffer from liver damage. It was a very minor proportion of the people it was supposed to help. Like all drugs, some were susceptible to it. Penicillin killed many people but it was still used.

I kept close ties with home and found everybody doing fine. The newspapers listed my name many times but always as the president of the company. The vaccine was shown to be a company effort and the employees were not listed.

The Works was settling in and I was told the men were now seen taking out some of the local ladies. It would be good for them to settle down there.

The Connaught Labs were making their own vaccine now for the test. This was the best way for them to have complete control. They well knew my worry, which bordered on paranoia, about the virus being safely dead and not like what had happened in my past.

Towards the middle of September a shipment came with various kinds of products from Fish 'n' Chips. This was the latest batch of things the boys made from my instructions. It took three days to write up the eighty-three patents that covered many different facets of their manufacture. I used a local patent attorney to assist me. He was not as amendable as Tom, until I threatened to take my business elsewhere. We processed this patent in the United States and Tom got the package so he could process the patents for every place else.

By the 27th of September it looked like Silva and his father could manage on their own for a while. Millie was up and around. Her pains had diminished considerably. Some days she was completely free of discomfort.

When I was leaving, the two men shook my hands and Millie kissed me. I said in a stage whisper, "Now they will all know."

She slapped my shoulder and said with a smile, "Silva will have to learn to share, then." She held her husband close and they both smiled at me.

A cab took me to the airport and I took a flight to New York. Lots of things were happening there.

-------

Bell Labs was very anxious to see me. They had just gone through a major sales effort to get companies interested in purchasing rights to their patent at 25,000 a pop. Since I had one of the patents I do not know how successful they were or what price they expected. George Fitzsimmons came from his office when security called to tell that I was here. He was the nominal head of the entire laboratory in Murray Hill, New Jersey.

In his opulent office he said, "Please have a seat, Mr Kramer. Would you like some refreshment?"

"No thank you, Mr Fitzsimmons."

"What can I do for you?"

"Your company wanted to see me, I believe."

"Well, yes we do. We were wondering how well your research was parallelling ours."

"In all honesty, Mr Fitzsimmons, we are far ahead of you in every feature of transistor technology."

This seemed to startle him. "Mr Shockley was quite put out when he was told that his junction transistor had been patented a few days before ours could be. And you say you have progressed since then?"

"I am afraid it is old hat now in any case. The principles are good but his device, I believe, is very inferior to ours. We are working like you do, with parallel teams and projects."

"How so Mr Kramer?"

I reached in my jacket and took out a few sheets of paper. I used what would one day be standard symbols for different features of electrical components. The first sheet had what each of the Greek or Russian characters meant.

Fitzsimmons was an engineer and could see what the symbols meant soon enough. "Mr Kramer your amplification factor and low frequencies is amazing. This transistor is able to take almost a thousand milliamps. These are certainly far beyond what ours can do.

"Here is a high voltage diode we made recently." I handed him the next sheet and his eyebrows went way up.

"This sheet here shows a switching transistor good for very high currents and good for the range of frequencies you need up to five kilohertz, or as you would say 5,000 cycles per second. This he almost ripped from my hand but apologized right after.

He looked up at the rest of the sheets and said, "What else do you have?"

"An Appleton Pair; that is two transistors on a single crystal with a combined alpha of over one hundred." He took the sheet more carefully this time and read it. I went through the other six one at a time and handed him the sheets.

When he finished those, he went back and checked other sheets to compare them. When he looked up he said, "What was your purpose in coming here today?"

"I want to make money and I think the best way is to propose a partnership of sorts with your parent company. I can farm out some of my devices to your facility here and you can develop them further with me."

"We do our own research here, Mr Kramer and we are famous for it."

"You certainly do and that is why I want your lab to work with me. You are a little slow but I can bring you up to speed soon enough."

"Up to speed! That is preposterous. We are the leaders in electronic research."

"Not any more. My company is much further ahead. You already admitted this."

He paused for a moment and settled down. "May I call in some of our engineers to view your papers?"

I took out a small box and laid it on the table. There were exactly two dozen of our latest projects. These, though, were in neat epoxy, epoxy and metal or simply metal canisters. "You see before you twenty-four discrete components. Let's go test them in your lab, so the famous William Shockley doesn't get angry and call me a liar."

"I would like that very much, too."

"At the end of my visit I hope there will not be any unpleasantness with my taking these back through security?

"Did you log them in?"

"Not only that but your security has photographs."

"Very wise Mr Kramer. Let me show you to our labs."

The one floor was very busy, as were other floors no doubt. The machines were old to me and very large. Experiments were going on in each room we passed. Men moved purposely up and down the halls. Most gave me a second look, wondering why a boy was here in a man's domain.

When we entered a room, usually I introduced myself after seeing the man's face. Each one of the men was famous, or at least they were to an electrical engineer. Fitzsimmons usually just watched and then told the person to be at an important meeting in twenty minutes.

As our trip continued the time frame decreased. William Shockley was last and when he heard my name he was instantly angry but kept his temper. He didn't like the summons but did agree to come. I doubt it he could have been kept out now, anyway.

At the meeting, Fitzsimmons got right to business and started to talk about the sheets I brought and the characteristics of my transistors.

William Shockley blurted out, "Those aren't possible. Nobody can have been that far ahead of us."

I smiled at Fitzsimmons and let him continue. When he was done he said, "William, since you don't believe this, perhaps you will do some testing?" I got up and put the box on a workbench. The parts were not marked very well because of their size and our crude equipment. A picture was under the devices with the leads marked.

Shockley looked at the one he picked up and at the diagram below. "This has to be a lie."

A small breadboard circuit was made up and the data recorded. Different currents were induced and the result again tabulated. When ten measurements were done he changed loads and tried again. The rest of the room just watched over his shoulder.

Fitzsimmons asked, "What are your preliminary findings, William?"

"I am not done yet," he said bluntly with barely controlled anger.

"Well then perhaps the other gentlemen in the room will test the remaining devices while we wait." Eager scientists got up and took devices from the box and looked at the diagram and back at the device in their fingers. If lucky, they got the sheet of paper that went with each type.

Fitzsimmons asked, "How did you get the devices so small?"

"The trick is listed in our patents but is a bit obscure. The silicon has to be very pure to start with. That is your first problem to correct. We use a mask that is reminiscent of developing a photograph. Then it is a matter of using small precise tools. In six months I will be using light to cut the silicon making grooves. This should allow a width of three microns but it should take a while to get there."

"Light!" He said incredulously. "To cut?"

"Not only that but to carry communications in a secure way, to measure very accurately like how an interferometer works. It will also revolutionize the telephone industry." I didn't tell him that I would be using an x-ray laser to get even better results.

Shockley had been listening, as had the others. He burst out, "You can't do that. It's not possible."

Fitzsimmons stood up for me. "What did you find out about Mr Kramer's device, William?"

"There is a trick here. I don't know what it is."

"Well, find the trick William. As a scientist, is it not proper form to come to conclusions only after a rigorous study?" Shockley just turned back to his work with no apology. He was a very brilliant man but, as sometimes is the case, was unstable. He was known for his overwhelming ego, paranoid tendencies and his racial bias.

Fitzsimmons saw the lump in my other pocket. "Do you by chance have one of those devices to cut silicon in your pocket?"

"No but I have something that will be a common household article."

"What is it?"

"That will cost you. I want two transformers, a large capacitor, a small fan, a metal box and two of the devices from my box and of course some wire and small components."

"I think we can supply most of what you want, Mr Kramer."

Another sheet was in my pocket and I handed it over. It had a short list of what I wanted. Since the rest were busy, we left to gather parts and Fitzsimmons tried to wheedle the information out of me. "I suppose you peek into Christmas presents early, too, Mr Fitzsimmons." He was quiet after that, at least about this project.

We went into a small room and Fitzsimmons took a technician from his job and told him to get everything I wanted. The young man took the list and ran off to stores. It was almost eleven when I looked at the clock on the wall and said aloud, "We are going to have to hurry on this."

The metal box came back and it would make as good a Faraday cage as the next. A second, smaller box was inside it. The other parts lay inside the box as well. I put the two boxes on the bench side by side and marked out a rectangle on the inside of the larger box. "Drill out the corners so the two holes line up."

I said to Fitzsimmons, "We need a few square feet of sheet metal and some snips." He ran off to get what I asked for.

The two transformers and the fan were connected to a common cord for power. I went back to the room with the researchers and found the high voltage diode and triac that had not been touched yet. These went back to the other workshop and these got attached to an insulating board.

Fitzsimmons had some thin metal, which I cut and bent with the edge of the table into a crude wave guide and support for the magnetron. This was going to be a microwave oven.

At twenty to twelve I asked, "I need a few more things Mr Fitzsimmons."

"What are they?"

"A clean plate, your lunch and some cold coffee."

"What?"

"First you want to peek at your present, then you want to question Santa. You are going to go into my book of naughty people soon."

He hurried off and came back with what I wanted in a paper bag and a ceramic mug. The sandwich went onto the plate by itself and I put the cover on the large box and on the smaller one. I looked at the clock and counted down. At twelve I plugged the circuit in and I was very happy that I did not embarrass myself by blowing a fuse. The magnetron had been cooked, so it didn't arc or make unwelcome noises. At forty-five seconds past noon I pulled the plug.

"Mr Fitzsimmons, will you recover your sandwich please?"

The man opened the lid and was amazed at the water vapour. He picked up the sandwich and looked at me with the plate in his hand. "What now?"

"Take a bite but it may be hot."

The man did and found it very hot. He used his fingers to take a smaller portion and chewed it. "Is this a microwave oven, Mr Kramer?"

"A crude one but it works. As you can see, it has few parts, needs no water-cooling, works on wall current and can be sold to a busy family. Our own models are much stronger with more tubes and their own power supplies."

He said, "This is much better than the other type on the market. They cost a fortune and stand higher than I do."

"Care to warm your coffee?"

I took the men out for lunch, even though they usually brown-bagged it, or ate in the cafeteria. Shockley didn't want to come but the rest did.

Around the table I talked of the first maser. This was done as if I had already completed this work. "It is a simple device with gaseous ammonia at its heart. It gives up its burst of microwave energy in a coherent form and then has to be pumped back up to do the same thing again. We can make one this afternoon if anybody here is interested in helping. Though it hasn't been patented yet, I don't want Bell Labs to take the credit for my labour."

Mr Fitzsimmons said, "If you show us how it is made, we will get it patented in your name for you."

"Fair enough. I think the name maser may be the best for this unit." I explained in detail of the acronym. Though they were all scientists I used the analogy of soldiers in step. I went further into the mathematics using napkins to explain some of the properties I had found over the years. In this time only a few men could follow my reasoning. I believed most at the table could. Fitzsimmons asked for more napkins when the meal came and stuffed the others in his pocket.

By five o'clock that night we had the maser running with all sorts of test equipment around it. Nobody wanted to leave. I stayed, too, so that I could answer questions. They knew what the microwaves could do if in coherent form and this alone would save Bell phone tons of money.

I asked Fitzsimmons, "Does your offer of patents in my name extend to a few more projects? Your men are very good but are lagging behind our lab."

"Whatever you want, Mr Kramer."

"Well, you guys are tied to the military. Why don't you give somebody a call? Stay away from the low echelon generals. They want lots but have no say in how we get the money."

"I will do that right away."

I started taking more glass tube and forming neon sign electrodes into them. Two techs came over and I gave them jobs. There were thirteen yards of two-inch tube and some short sections at the end with ball joint connections. These would be cut off and ground at the Brewster angle and a clear glass plate attached. When the energy got high enough it would break through the reflective properties and an infrared beam would emerge.

This was going to be a carbon dioxide laser with trace elements added along with a bit of water. I had made them in school and achieved twenty two percent efficiency and about eighty watts per metre. I should be able to get close to 950 watts of energy, which would amaze any military man who wanted to imagine a ray weapon.

Fitzsimmons came back and saw me in the hallway and said, "What are we making now?"

"A toy for soldiers. Instant orgasm for that kind of breed."

"What is it, Mr Kramer."

"Well, you will be told by the Pentagon to work with me at my terms, so you may as well call me Alex. This is like the maser we just made but puts out infrared instead. It is capable of continuous operation and can put out close to a kilowatt. Do you want me to continue with this project? If you do, then you will be tied to me for a while. You will be doing this for me and I will supply the transistor technology." Fitzsimmons was a bit stunned. I said, "Call your bosses and tell them what is happening. Let them decide."

He took off like a rabbit while I went back into the room and fused more electrodes into a glass tube. I walked to the window on the third floor and saw a hill in the distance. I would guess and say it was from ten to twelve miles away.

I asked Shockley, "What can you tell me about that hill?" I pointed down the hallway.

"Part of a farm, I think. Why do you want to know?"

"I am going to make a coherent beam of infra red leave here and travel to that hill. It will be about two inches in diameter leaving and no bigger than two and a half when it hits that hill."

"Impossible."

"Work with me and make it possible then. You are creative enough to invent the transistor, then you can help me make my laser."

"Laser?"

I told him what it meant but included both ultraviolet and infrared in the group. "When I make one of these babies on a chip of silicon we will revolutionize the phone system. Think of the bandwidth I would have with a visible light beam."

"You need a conductor or towers."

"I have a good idea for each."

"What are they?"

"I have to make a deal with your company. It is like Canadian banks in many ways. It is so big it doesn't think it needs to change. Our banks have almost a monopoly and so does your company. That is not good for competition or making innovative changes. The lab here is the exception. There is more brain power here than any place on Earth, I think."

"What do you want me to do?"

Fitzsimmons caught us working on the glass tube. The researchers were working on making a stand for the long tube. They were running around like the techs. I said to him, "Find a good vacuum pump and at least a hundred watt ham transmitter. We have to cook the electrodes. We can use my magnetron but it is easier the other way and safer."

"Ok."

Various power supplies were made ready. I needed at least five kilowatts but more was always nice to have. I stood at the end of the laser and checked the pointers along its length till it pointed out the window. A string gave us a straight line and we shimmed up the back end so the front was aimed at the hill. When the glass joints were put on and clamped we started the vacuum pump. We got the gases ready and when the desired vacuum was reached we used the ham radio to make the electrodes glow red.

When each was done I bled in water, hydrogen, nitrogen, helium and mostly carbon dioxide. Two techs took a portable radio and left in a pickup truck to the hill but stayed out of our line of fire.

When the desired partial pressure was reached, the gases were shut off and power put to the pairs of electrodes just like a neon sign. The ends of the laser were nudged into position till a sheet of paper in front of one end suddenly had a hole in it.

There was wild cheering that shook the floor and made the laser move slightly. When it was dark out the laser was fired continuously. A spot on the hill started to smoke. We used the radio and the techs came close and saw the spot themselves. The plywood was placed perpendicularly to our beam. In ten minutes we turned on the various power supplies again and they saw the plywood smoke and start to burn. There was so much shoulder slapping that the beam went all over the plywood and even left it at times.

I said, "Well gentlemen, that calls for a celebration. Let's leave our mess and go out to celebrate. I am buying. You are one of the two best teams I have ever worked with."

Fitzsimmons asked, "Two?"

"I have some young engineers that do wonders, too. They are as inspired as you people but have a lot more to learn."

We did lock up and the security had to stay out of our floor for fear of breaking something. We went to the best restaurant in town and they did not go easy on my cheque book but they deserved every cent.

I got to my hotel after one and was up by seven. After a quick breakfast I was back at the lab. Visitors had escorts and I was told to just go up, by orders of Fitzsimmons. He met me coming from a room with the smell of coffee.

"Good morning Mr Kramer. Alex," he corrected himself. "Would you like some coffee?"

"I'd love some. Any more word from your management?"

"They are waiting for the military. They were very angry with me early this morning about my phone calls but changed their tune when I told them about your latest marvel. Do you have any more to show us?"

"A few but not all deal with telephones, though some may be worked into the amalgam. Some are required for artificial satellites I want to launch in a few years. If your company cooperates, you can get a piece of it."

"That has been hypothesized many times," he said. Are you going to allow phone calls through satellites?"

"Those, plus radio and a few hundred television stations. There are a lot I have planned but we do not have an agreement signed yet. The two inventions and one more today represent a gentlemen's agreement only."

"I don't think my company will try to go behind your back, Alex."

"They are out for money and prestige. People will do a lot more for a lot less."

That morning I had the technicians make a device employing a mixture of helium and neon gas much like the carbon dioxide laser in the hall. It would deliver its principal output of only fifteen milliwatts and at 1.153 microns. The minimum line width was ten kHz and beam spread less than one minute of arc. They now had a visible light laser that they could experiment with. It made a handy demonstration unit for lay people and the military.

This was a small experiment and was tucked in one room to await some tests. I had to design some safety goggles now or, for sure, somebody would get cataracts or go blind.

General Bower came in with two aids and a secretary. He was dressed up in his uniform and was rightly proud of it. In later years I had the misfortune to run into the man just before he retired. He was not only one of Senator McCarthy's followers but in my opinion a mediocre soldier and a very poor leader.

Without even making the motions of being polite he said, "What is this about a weapon using light?"

Fitzsimmons looked stricken and led the man and his entourage into his office. The general had a very sour face when he glanced at me.

I went back with William Shockley and started to teach him about transistors and the vast amount of mathematics behind the devices. I didn't go too far, for I had no experimental data to base an equation on. These men were very intelligent and I was not going to fool them very much without a firm foundation to work from.

I said, "Here is another thing I have to patent but you can get it now. It is very important to get the silicon ultra pure as I mentioned previously. The doping compounds have to be very pure themselves." I showed him with words and figures the various methods that had been developed to do the job the most efficiently. The RF method was a shock in a way and he could instantly see the possibilities.

"Your germanium transistors will do good for low power and low noise at high frequencies. Let's make some new types of transistors. I saw light from a fissure in some transistor material once. Maybe we can make a light emitting diode."

William and I grinned a half-hour later. We had a diode under a microscope and it gave off some light. "This patent goes in both our names. I don't care if it was Bell's equipment or time. It will be ours."

"Bell doesn't act that way, Alex. They get all the rights."

"Not this time. I will put through the patent myself if I have to and list you as co-inventor. Bell won't contest it because they have so much more to gain."

Fitzsimmons finally came to us and he looked very upset. This was usually the case when a scientist had to take up the jobs of management. Sometimes the trade-offs were not high enough. "The general wants to talk to you."

"Thanks, I will try to make it short and sweet."

I walked over to the office and found the door open. The general sat at the desk and said, "Sit, boy."

This made me quite angry, "I am not one of your flunkies. You want to talk to me, 'Bud', come out in the other room with witnesses. I don't want you using your Commie tactics on me."

I opened the door and left. I went back to William to work and one of the general's aids came out and said, "You have to come back. It's the law."

"Tell the general to stick his lies up his ass. If he wants to talk to me, soon it will be through my lawyer and possibly at his court martial."

When the horrified aid left William said, "You can't do that Alex. He is very powerful."

"Yes I can. He is the one going out on a limb. If he aggravates me too much, I will try to saw that limb off."

The general came out and marched over to me. William retreated but not far. "Where did you learn to do this stuff?"

"It was handed down for many generations from my Polish ancestors. I think the country is on the other side of what you call the 'Iron Curtain'."

"No more of your back talk, boy, or I will have you thrown in the stockade. We can make you talk."

"Now you threaten me with torture. Very military of you. You are an arrogant, overbearing asshole. First, I am thirteen and not of draft age. I am Canadian, here to help your country. And thirdly, I am not an ignorant person. Do what you want and I will see you spend some time in Leavenworth yourself, as a guest. Now get out of my face."

The man turned red and it looked like he was going to hit me. When his hand came back I just stood straight like a soldier and waited for it to land. Bower changed his mind and simply turned and left. Fitzsimmons ran after him to see what he could salvage.



-------

Chapter 31


William again warned me about the general and so did many of the other researchers. There were dire warnings of what he was capable of doing. When Fitzsimmons came back he was hanging his head.

"You did it now, Alex. All you had to do was put up with a bit of his bullshit and we would have got through this. He wants nothing to do with your projects."

I said, "Don't feel bad for me. Will you get the patents filed as soon as possible?"

"This usually takes a while but I will see what I can do."

I continued to work at the lab. A delegation of phone company executives came to me, to see what I had made with their own eyes. They offered me a job at the lab and I did not even get angry. This was expected and I turned them down flat. I did go through some of my ideas of how I could assist their company tremendously. The maser was the main thing now but was of no use to them. It was intermittent in nature and I had not made a continuous beam that they required.

They asked me point blank what I had to do with the recent news of a polio vaccine.

"I made it with help from a lot of people."

One person said, "We put some people on reading the news articles. It seems the Connaught group only came when the testing was to be done."

"They also made the medium that was the key. I just put two and two together. They made a way to grow the virus without a living body, only living cells. Viruses have been killed the way I did for a long time."

"So you were the guiding hand that make the vaccine?"

"If I say yes, then everybody thinks that it is a class project and disregard it. If a scientist, with papers to prove it, claims responsibility for the discovery the world sits up and notices. The second method is the only way to save children's lives."

I left the subject and started on my computer ideas. The size and power were mentioned. Talk was cheap in this case and they would have to see some concrete results before they would spend lots of their money in developing this industry. The vacuum tube was something the Univac used and it broke down all the time. They brought me back to this point all the time, thinking the transistors would have similar problems.

They started to circle an idea and I asked, "Tell me what Bower was doing."

One man said, "He wanted us to get you out of here. I think he wants to deport you. His mutterings are that you have no legal guardian. I would not trust him in his present condition."

"I wouldn't trust him in his usual condition. I do have a way of getting him off your back and mine. I was told he is a pain in the neck even before I came."

"What do you want?"

"I want to talk to his boss for two or three minutes. Get President Truman to give me a call. I believe my discoveries are good enough for a few Nobel Prizes. Use that information quickly, or I will be forced to leave your country."

They all looked stunned at my request. I said, "It is not that hard. Just pick up the phone and talk to someone further up your chain of command. If necessary, get me an invitation to a party the President will be at. This is the start of a multibillion-dollar relationship. I have been carrying your company for a while. Now it is your turn to show some effort."

Two days later I got an invitation by a special courier at the security station because I was not using the hotel for many reasons. He was waiting for a reply as I read the message. Mr and Mrs Carlson would like me to come to a party. The card was gilt edged and I assumed the President would be there for it was just outside the capital.

It was short notice and in one day but I said, "I'll be there. Ask your employers to have some milk and cookies put out for me too."

He smiled at this and said, "Yes Sir, I most certainly will."

I had previously assumed that the meeting would use this avenue. It was more or less public and, because of my celebrity status among the people in the know, I would get to meet the people who could help me and vice versa. I went back upstairs and continued with my classes. The scientists had all gone back to school and there were a few stenographers in the back of the room making notes. The blackboard was photographed a few times when new data was put on it.

We were putting together a few books. Bell got their own data and agreed to coordinate the books getting published. This would be the first major way of educating people of what they would have to do to stay afloat in the coming years. With some serious arm-twisting I got some geared down as low as grade nine.

During a coffee break I phoned a good local tailor. A few days before he had to come to the Lab to measure me because I was not sure if I would not be snatched up off the streets. There was a strange car half a block away that might be the military, immigration, common spies, or possibly even a group of truant officers out for my destruction.

"It will be ready tomorrow afternoon, Mr Kramer."

"Thanks, Albert but the invitation is for tomorrow and just outside Washington. Your commander-in-chief will be talking to me. If I don't have a suit, I am sure President Truman will be interested in the reasons why. Have my suit ready and I will get you a note signed by him. If I twist his arm it may mention your name in his own handwriting."

"The suit will be ready in a few hours, Mr Kramer."

"Thanks, Albert. Do you have the luggage I asked for?"

"Everything will be ready."

I gave my regrets to my students here at the lab. They would have to carry on alone for a few days. They got a few projects like the ones the boys at the Works got. This should keep them busy and out of trouble.

Food came from the cafeteria on the main floor to sustain us and especially me. I had a cot set up and this was my new domicile. My clothes even had to go out to be cleaned. This time, when a delivery truck left, it had an extra occupant.

I was let off at the tailor's back door. Within moments I was in the new suit. This time the tailor was even pickier about what he did. He was already sweating and I didn't think all of it was from the weather.

He put a few more pins in the cuffs and said, "Are you going to really see President Truman?"

"He accepted the invitation to the party. I will have to talk to him, if I am going to get a recommendation from him. Sometimes, people want the go to a party but last minute problems keep them away. It has happened to me many times."

With a few more pins he said, "Let me sew them Mr Kramer."

In two hours I was sitting on a DC3 climbing to gain altitude for the flight to Washington.

I thought back to all the times in my sixty-six years when I had done similar things. The list seemed endless and the people mainly boring but I did get to meet some interesting people. Now, I guess, I would start a game with myself trying to see whom I knew from my previous life.

In two and a half hours later I was signing into another hotel in Bethesda. The concierge was hesitant about giving a room to a thirteen year old. At least, in two days on October tenth I would be fourteen. The manager, again, had to come out and I was given a room. I would have to find a way around this, one day. Perhaps keep an adult nearby to hold my hand or something. The thought was intriguing, because it could be Helen, Laura or Natalie.

The hotel room did offer me a chance to nap for an hour. I knew there was not much time I could spend at the Labs so I burnt the candle at both ends. I was not even ashamed of making others act in a similar fashion. At least I rotated them, so they could get some sleep and a bit of home life.

By seven, I was ready and called downstairs for a taxi. By the time I got to the address, the party had been going on for almost an hour. There were guards at the gate who checked the invitation and, I think, turned their noses up at arriving in less than a limo.

The house was a large stone building of two stories with a turret like structure at one end. It looked like it could support a small observatory. The lot was about three acres or so but it was hard to see in the dark.

A doorman let me in without checking the invitation. He must have assumed I was safe because the gate crew already passed me. I said, "Hello, I am Alex Kramer."

"Very good, sir."

The noise was coming from down the hall and in a large room directly ahead of me. A servant came out of the room and saw me, then retreated. In a moment a good looking matronly woman in a long gown and wearing a fortune in diamonds came out. Behind her came a distinguished gentleman of sixty with gray hair and a very straight posture. There seemed to be about ten years between them in age and I had to assume he married her for her beauty.

The woman said in a vibrant voice, "Hello, you must be the famous Alex Kramer. My name is Angela."

She moved aside for her husband and he stuck out his hand and he said, "Hello, my name is Michael."

I shook the man's hand and said, "I am glad to meet you." I turned to the side a bit and took the woman's hand and, in a bit of old world customs, bent over and kissed it. "I am very glad to meet you too." The woman's eyes widened. I was positive this was done to her before, for it was very common at the turn of the century, even to the end of world war one. Since then it was the German and the English who mainly kept the custom alive.

Angela said in a sweet voice, "You certainly are a polite gentleman, Mr Kramer."

"Thank you. Please call me Alex. Both sets of parents drummed the basics into me. I have learned that it is basically good to follow that set of protocols unless it looks counter productive."

I was led into the large room but didn't find it crowded. There were perhaps twenty people in all and none who looked like they belonged to the Secret Service. I was introduced to a group of four and they explained a bit of their backgrounds because they knew I knew none of them.

Michael asked to start me talking, "I hear you doing great things for us at Bell."

"I am trying, Michael. I am not doing this just for your benefit. I am only doing this in a partnership arrangement. There are many things that I have worked on that need some tweaking to make them work better. If everything works out the way I envision, Bell will be getting a lot of new business and take it to places it hasn't even imagined."

Angela waited a few seconds and then took the bait. "What way is that?"

"Bell uses thousands of tons of copper on wires for calls. I can make the capacity jump many times on the same wires. It is also susceptible to an attack with atomic weapons. I have not been involved with the weapons production or privy to its effects but I believe it must free a tremendous amount of electrons and make a gigantic magnetic field. This would fry metallic lines. I have a transmission method that can take that kind of abuse and still work."

Three people said, "How?"

"I have just started working on it in my own labs at the moment. I do not want to talk about it before I get a patent on it for protection. I also want to make small radios that will fit comfortably in a shirt pocket or a purse and interface with the telephone lines. You are then free to talk to anybody, no matter where you are, or where they are."

This proved very interesting to them and we talked about this for quite a while. Some figured that Bell could do this on their own if necessary. Large hand-held radios had been used in WW II. They had even experimented with radio telephones in one city.

"They certainly can but they need something I call a microprocessor to function properly. In one year I will have a computer many times more powerful than a Univac. In a few more, it will fit within a simple watch."

They could not understand this. The men started to scoff and one started to leave. Perhaps he was a bit disgusted at what he thought was bull shit.

Michael said quickly, "How can you do this?"

"The devices I just patented use light and microwaves in a special way. I can focus them down so small that I can make grooves only one twelve-thousandths the width of a human hair. Those same devices can be used to cut precision parts of metal with hardly any heat distortion. I will need this technology to get into space before the Russians beat us."

One man said, "The Russians can't do that. They have lots of missiles but they can't get into space."

"You are right they can't, yet. Soon they will, though. Your politicians and military want to make the Russians like supermen but they are working under much less favourable conditions than we are. They are a nation of farmers with a few intellectuals. They will, though, focus those people they do have into weapons production and a quest for space soon."

The man that I thought was going to leave asked in an angry voice, "Why?"

"So they can put bombs three hundred miles over out heads. If a war comes, a radio signal goes out and the bombs are driven the short distance to Earth. You can't shot them down very well. Another way is to just launch them into orbit so high that our missiles can't reach them. Radio activity would spread over the entire country, even if the blasts were very high."

Now the people looked stricken at the thought of this happening. Their own government had played up the Russians so much to get more tax dollars that the public believed most of the propaganda. Besides driving the population paranoid, it did make it easy to make money pandering to this belief. This is just what I was going to do.

When the gasps were heard, more people came over to hear what was being spoken "It is not that bad. I have my laser. It is not that strong but it may be able to shoot down a missile in orbit from the earth. It does travel at the speed of light and can cut things."

Michael said, "The military should have that, Alex. If it can do what you said. I heard from Mr Fitzsimmons that you burnt through a board at almost twelve miles with just light."

"That was only a toy that took an afternoon to build. We made it from spare parts lying around and lots of very good help. It was all the effort that Bell Labs gave me that made the test possible."

"That was a toy? It could burn through a board at twelve miles. And works at the speed of light?" One man said incredulously.

"Basically, it was a toy. It was just thrown together. If I had a good base like I have at my lab, it would be much more stable but that is hard to do. I need a place that does not shake. A person walking across the floor makes the beam waver at that distance. At three to five hundred miles it would be even more difficult."

One person in the back wiggled forward and asked, "Are you any relation to the person mentioned that just claims to have found a cure for polio?"

"That was me I am afraid, along with a lot of very talented people. I just took two different pieces of data and put them together."

I heard gasps around. Angela said, "Did you invent the cure?"

"I didn't, Angela. A Toronto lab invented a nutrient that allows the virus to grow. We have known for years how to kill a virus in a bottle. The dead virus makes the human body fight it as if it were alive. Our own antibodies then know how to fight the virus, if it comes for real. If somebody has the virus, it is of no use. If the person is paralysed, I cannot help them. It is just a way to prevent people from dying or becoming crippled."

"But you did it, Alex. Nobody else did."

"You are mistaken, Angela. First I had to have somebody who believed in me. In this case it was Joseph and Silva Cranz. I am fairly wealthy but I haven't got the money it takes for all the tests needed. How many people would think that a thirteen-year-old boy could do this? From what I have done, you should have come to the conclusion that I am fairly intelligent. One of the things I know is that if the medical profession or even lawmakers get their teeth into this, then the vaccine will never be accepted.

"People as individuals are intelligent. As a group, they are not very intelligent at all. All it takes is a single reporter to get his biassed information out. Somebody else will make the assumption that I have nothing worthwhile to offer and soon the rest will parrot that. The tests can come back great but the medical community will not accept them. We are going through an epidemic of polio now and untold numbers of children and young people will die or be forced to live in an iron lung for the rest of their lives because of one reporter's faulty reasoning."

Angela said, "That is not true. People are better than that?"

Michael held her arm and said, "He is right Angie. We work like a mob most of the time and this is one situation where, if it is not handled right, we will have untold suffering for the children."

A servant came over and whispered in Michael's ear. Michael looked up and said, "Our guest of honour is here."

The ring of people broke up and both Michael and Angela left to greet their newest guest. In a moment two very alert young men came into the room and looked it over. A subtle hand signal was given and then the President came in flanked by three other secret service types.

Nobody approached but our hosts brought the man around to each of the various groups. This time there was only one group and this one was still with me.

One man that was thinking about the bombs in orbit wanted to know more about huis country's state of readiness. I said, "Your countrymen are spending more time turning over rocks to find the very few people who embrace the Communist ideal. There are agents here but you are not looking for them, you are on a witch-hunt with political agendas. Doesn't it seem odd that the Democrats are being singled out in this purge? If you stand up for your country or asked others to do so, then you are branded a Communist sympathiser. If you do nothing and you are seen as a threat, you are still branded a Communist. Maybe you should stop acting like a flock of chickens headed for slaughter and do something about it."

"Like what?" the man asked. "Some of my friends were questioned and if you don't answer you are investigated yourself. You have to give names."

"The hypothetical reporter I mentioned earlier is not only the one who can damage me but has damaged your entire country. An old saying is that you get the government you deserve and it looks to me that you have no other leadership now but that of a mob."

The crowd parted behind me and I heard a voice say, "What is this about no leadership?"

I turned around and put out my hand. "Hello Mr President. I was just talking about American politics. It appears that it is running away like a wagon downhill without guidance. People on and off the wagon are getting run over and the wagon itself is in danger of crashing. It is too bad, in a way, that you are just an administrator of a very large bureaucracy that has simply dropped the steering mechanism."

"Are you saying I am not doing my job?"

"Your job, in my eyes, is to play the same role as the King of England. You do have some important duties but most of it is ceremonial in many ways. Your veto powers at least give you some teeth, no matter how short they are. Congress as a group is supposed to do the running of the country. They have let some irresponsible members take the bit into their teeth. They now run the country, not you. If you fight them, as others have done, then they simply say you are a Communist or sympathise with them. This sounds like mob thinking to me.

"You are now looking for a way of stopping this wagon, or at least steering it so it hurts the least amount of people but you have very little help doing anything. You are a victim of your own propaganda and this will not end until the Russians are defeated by your monetary policies. It is just too bad that at that time you will be running out of oil and have to take on the growing number of Arabic people who will use religion to fight you."

The man said, "You must be Alex Kramer. I have heard quite a bit about you. You single-handedly storm Bell Labs and take it over to the way you want. What are you going to do for an encore?"

"I will make Bell phone very profitable. I made a weapon to shoot down enemy missiles that works at the speed of light but your General Bower didn't like it. I now have it patented internationally. To hammer home my previous rant: you have allowed a person with little or no skill to govern something that he is incapable of doing. We have lab rats that could do a better job.

"After I get those two things working, I want to build my satellites and launch them into space. Everybody gets a small device that fits in the palm of your hand. You can talk to anybody you want. A different satellite has a telescope and can monitor a battlefield from five hundred miles up. With television you can see a commie take a dump behind a bush. A general makes a phone call and a soldier nearby can get close and capture the enemy.

"Since I am on satellites, another group of them will orbit the earth in a pattern. Any soldier or missile will know where he or it is, within ten feet. No soldier is ever lost if he has Global Positioning System that conveniently fits into his hand.

"Along with some nifty weapons I want to try to make, I can produce some polymerized plastic armour that will stop a rifle bullet but not weigh a lot."

"Is that all?" he joked. "We will get there eventually."

"Oh, there is much more. Like now I would like to make a small drone with some of my miniature devices to fly above North Korean positions. You would know almost to the foot where the drone is and direct artillery with it.

"The next President, I am afraid will be a Republican and probably a soldier. He will get that position because of McCarthy being allowed free reign to character assassinate all opposition.

"The new president will try harder, with more men, material and money, to defeat the enemy but he can't go too far for fear of getting China and Russia angry at him. You will not get out of Korea without the threat of nuclear weapons, I am afraid. Russia has the bomb, no matter what they say. The Chinese will soon be the same way. Britain and France will have a bomb in a year. Israel will say they do not believe in those kinds of weapons but in ten years will have their own bombs against a growing Arab threat."

The President said, "You don't think much of my chances in the next election?"

"They say you are too soft. This may be too much of an obstacle to overcome for you and your party. In a year or so, McCarthy will take on the military and gut it, I am afraid. He will use your country's paranoia sickness to further his own ends. The disease will be so bad that the Communist would actually have a much easier time to defeat you if they chose to try.

"It sounds pretty bleak but our own version of the Inquisition will eat itself. McCarthy will take one bite too many and then be simply ignored. I can see him getting censured by congress. All it really takes is that the piranha running stories in the newspapers ignore the man."

President Truman said with a fair amount of admiration, "You don't mince words but you say basically what others have said before. Too bad I don't have a suitable way to start. It is too big to take a bite out of it."

"Can I have a word in private?"

"I don't see why not."

People started to leave right away but I took his arm and said, "Come on Grandpa. I want to show you the stars."

He waved his guard detail back and we went out on the terrace. He asked, "What is it, Alex?"

"I know how to slap your enemies down but I do not know if you have the balls to follow through on this."

He looked angry now. "How dare you say that? I am the President of the United States of America. I can..."

"Yea, yea, you can do lots but you were a human before you became a politician. Now, do you want to hear me out or not?"

"What is it?" he said in an angry voice.

"Your praetorian guard may not all be for your political aspirations. The FBI cannot help you, because they like McCarthy. The two work well together. Find some trustworthy people. McCarthy is a homosexual. You just get him photographed having sex with another man. Do it a few times. He will not take this to court, because you will show the pictures to the court as evidence. He will marry a woman very soon after and probably adopt a child to make the world think he is really a heterosexual."

"J. Edgar likes to go to parties dressed as a woman. If you don't know this, then people are afraid to talk. The agents he takes with him are all young and good looking. If you are afraid to pursue the second, you can certainly do the first.

"Then you have to take the lead in ferreting out Communists. The Russians like McCarthy, because you are focussed far away from their real activities. You can insinuate that all the reporters who print McCarthy's words are homosexuals. This may just be too ironical. Fighting fire with fire."

"How sure are you of this information? As far as I know you have never met the man."

"Did you hear about my drug company in Chicago discovering a vaccine for polio?"

"I hadn't looked into it. I just got reports and what I read in the papers."

"I read lots. I see a lot of relationships that others do not see as readily. The vaccine was just a matter of taking two separate pieces of information and putting them together intelligently. If you didn't know, I have a photographic memory, which helps me process a lot of data when it looks like I am dozing. All of you were in the papers recently and the information I gave you is my opinion. It has worked for polio, I believe. I have better transistors than anybody else and I took some facts in physics and made things nobody else has been able to accomplish. With a track record like that, I think you can go a bit out on a limb to see if my assumptions are correct."

"What do you get out of this, Mr Kramer?"

"I want a panel of experts to go over Bell Labs' proposals, not an inept general. I am going to start my own Aerospace company here soon. I help your country to get a strong military and a very strong economy and I get a lot of money to develop your weapons. The things I learn along the way allow both of us to get into space. You guys get to come with me and one day we reach the stars."

The man said, "The panel is a good idea but I can't simply move a general as well placed as Bower from his position."

"General Bower is a homosexual, sir. The military, for many reasons, doesn't like that. He seemed to be very attached to one, or both, of his aides. Make sure that you don't allow him to slip out; make sure that the aide doesn't take the fall alone. The General is a favourite of McCarthy. I am not saying they are bed partners but they do have a similar mind set. And I need something more."

He said sarcastically, "What is that? My job?"

"Too young, too Polish and too Canadian for that. I need a letter to get me a room in a hotel without fighting the desk clerk each and every time. I need another letter to my tailor saying you like my suit. And when you go to Chicago one day you have to see my other tailor and sign his guest book and get your picture taken for his wall."

"Is that it?"

"Use your letterhead. I don't have any paper."

He slapped me on the back and said, "You drive a hard bargain, Alex."

"You haven't seen my bill for launching satellites yet."

President Truman was much more upbeat when we went back in. He even had his hand on my shoulder as if guiding his son. He said to me in front of the others, "Don't talk more of weapons. We may have to use some of them and it looks bad if you outshine our scientists."

"Poles have a different way of looking at things. Can I talk about how the phone company and I are going to spread American and some Canadian, ideas throughout the world? Like Radio Free Earth."

"This I have to hear. So, Bell is going to be one of our front line troops?"

"They will and we will all make money from it. The Russians will eat up everything we send but we will have to understand them a bit for this to work."

"Go ahead, Alex. Tell us."

"I make transistors. I also am able to put many components on one piece of crystal. A large enough crystal and my coding will make a machine that we will soon find we cannot live without. I was talking earlier in the evening about the Univac being a simple machine that will get replaced with a simple watch in a few years. I want to make a larger machine that everyone can afford. You do your taxes on it. You do your homework. You plot trends and not even have to be a university statistician. You just use the computer and the hard work is already done in pre-made programs."

"That sounds interesting but how does it defeat Communism?"

"Because of the threat of war, the military will want ways to communicate even with some of the phone lines and even cities are destroyed. The military and government can still communicate around these areas. Before the military screw this up, I can do it right so they can send pictures, receive printed text and even have video meetings. All we need is access to the phone lines."

"That doesn't sound like an offensive weapon to me."

"With everybody using the phone lines to type information to each other. Everybody with a computer can show pictures of their dog or themselves, read about history when hooked up to a library, or play recorded music. The Russians get our computers. We can't stop this from happening, nor should we. The Russians will see how we live and that is very dispiriting. No matter what the people spilling propaganda about say, the truth is that the majority of Russians are very poor, uneducated farmers. They would sooner have everybody simply leave them alone to their farms.

"Bell and some of my companies have to make computers. I'll design the phone system that allows a plug to go into the wall to connect the computer to the world. In the process, western culture is spread throughout the world but the American people have to see how the other countries live, too. You are much too insular. This is a way for everybody to learn."

"How much is this going to cost? We can't just finance your ideas."

"Bell has just had its first direct dialling from coast to coast. They need to go fully digital with my computers. This upgrade can be partially financed by the military. Bell gets a phone system that they never even dreamed could be done. The military gets something much more secure. This should cost a few hundred million. Part of this is because I set up microwave towers across the continent. Long distance has to be made cheaper and soon everybody will use it. The profits just start rolling in. This also means more taxes are paid.

"The dozen major computers that make up the backbone of my computer communication system, will cost a few million each. We only get into big money if I have to launch satellites. I can carry many television stations' programming all at the same time from a single satellite. Instead of raining down bombs on the Russians, we'll rain down television shows. The farmers will not own a television but the rich Russians and their children will see our shows. It is the rich Russian who makes the decisions and later the rich Russian's children."

After the President left, Michael took me into his private study and said, "You were speaking for Bell there a lot. I didn't see your name even as a shareholder," he said angrily.

"That will change soon. I want a major chunk of your company. I don't see why you are upset, though. You have lots to gain. Computers alone will be a hundred-billion-dollar industry. The phone system I want you to build will save you billions. The Internet, that is what I call the way the computers talk together, will make you billions too. I will make the first computer parts soon and when a unit is done, you can have some engineers go over it. Get some people from Univac, if you want.

"If my projects are not worth the effort, then I will go at it with somebody else. Radio can be used as well as the telephone. It will cost more but it will be much more portable."

We argued for an hour. This time we did it in written words so the information could be recorded. It also made a sort of document where we knew each other stood.

Michael Carlson was a major shareholder himself and owned almost five percent. He was not a convert to my way of thinking, though but he did listen more. As a businessman he could see the way the wind was blowing and where he could make a lot of money by investing. He wanted a part of my companies but I convinced him that it was better not to go into this just yet.

He did say that he would try to get me permission to hook my equipment to his company's lines to make tests. I thanked him for this concession and we went back to the party. Angela gave her husband shit for bugging out on them.

After coming out of seclusion, Michael apologised to his guests and said, "Changing the world sometimes takes longer than an hour."

At eleven o'clock the next morning I was back in New Jersey. I had got enough sleep this time, because I managed to get a flight that was partially empty. Just before noon I made a call on the loading dock of Bell Labs. The security officer chuckled and let me in. He said, "The truant officer still looking for you?"

"Maybe him, or somebody worse."

George Fitzsimmons was in his office when I got there. He said, "How did it go, Alex?"

"I did my part about drumming up business for Bell. My advice to you is to get ready to buy some shares of Bell. I think they will drop in the short-term if your company wants to follow my ideas. It will cost a hell of a lot of money with little return for a while. When it does pay off, it will do so spectacularly."

"Maybe I should sell now and buy later."

"That may work but don't do it until a few months before the announcement. Others will be getting rid of their shares, too and you won't get much."

"Did you manage to have a word with President Truman?"

"More than a few, I am afraid." I smiled and said, "He accused me of trying to get his job. The fact that I was both Polish and Canadian gave him some peace. We may be getting a panel of experts to deal with in the future. That is, if he can pry Bower away."

During the course of the day I found that William was working hard to get some very pure silicon. He shook my hand when I walked into his lab. He showed me what he had done. "It looks fine to me. I didn't mention something before to you guys. I had a long chat with Michael Carlson. It would be better to get some hardware built to show that we can do what is needed. I need to make some computers made tout suite."

"What secret were you keeping?"

"Before you do any cutting, I have to tell you that to get the detail we need we have to do this in a clean room. This means a pair of plastic coveralls that cover the head, too. The feet need some special slippers. Dust is gigantic in size compared to the cuts we have to make. We need special filters that clean the cool air and filter it to an unimaginable degree. Electrostatic precipitators are not nearly good enough but they will be useful in keeping most of the particulate matter from being lodged in the filter material. I have not had the money to do this yet. My low-tech tests have worked but they were done with crude instruments."

"Where are you going to do this? It sounds like this old building is just not suitable."

"It isn't. You would have come up with the same ideas soon anyway. This building is good for many things but this project needs a new home."

That night I phoned home. I had not done so for a few days. The phone in Natalie's apartment rang ten times before I hung up. I phoned the farmhouse and got the same result. On impulse, I had the operator connect me with Mario's restaurant. Giovanni's wife Nicoletta picked up the phone. I greeted her in Italian and asked to speak to Rita. She called quite loudly and for some reason I detected a bit of distress.

When Rita came on the phone she immediately said, "Oh Alex, Miss Bouchard is very sick. She is in the hospital now and everybody is there with her."

Now I was really worried. "What is wrong with her?"

"The doctors aren't sure. She came in very sick two days ago. They put her in a special room right away. Doctor Smiles went to see her, I was told."

This was frightening. "Does your mother know anything?"

"She didn't tell me anything special but she may be hiding it from me."

"Do you have the hospital number?"

Rita gave it to me and I said, "I'll phone the hospital now."

Rita started to cry and I felt tears coming to my eyes, too but I had no rational reason for this to happen. "Bye, Alex. We need you here."

With a final word I got the operator back on the line and made a call to the hospital. The switchboard operator transferred the call to a nursing station. I gave my name and asked about Natalie.

"She is very sick. Her doctor says it is poliomyelitis but he is not positive. Doctor Smiles said that when you call, to hurry home."

"Tell him I am on my way."

Instead of a 'bye' I got a 'God speed' and I took that as an omen.

More calls went out. Doctor Smiles or Janice did not answer, even though they should be home by now. Another group of calls went out trying to find transportation. The commercial flights were not direct to Toronto till tomorrow night. A sympathetic operator tried to get me to Ottawa and then a flight back to Toronto. A flight to Buffalo was as good as I could get.

I packed my bag with everything I thought I would need. Since I was staying at the lab, I just made a quick note to George Fitzsimmons. With a quick look out on the street I saw the same car one more time. This was no time to get caught.

I phoned down to security and said, "This is Alex Kramer. I have to go home right away. The car is still stationed down the street. Can somebody get me out of the building and take me to the airport. It is an emergency."

I heard, "We will do it right away. Go to the loading dock, please."

"Thanks."

I looked around one more time and ran thru everything I knew about polio when it struck an adult. There was nothing I could do but I had to be there. On the way out I grabbed my copies of the four books we were making and put them into my suitcase.

I shook hands with the same guard who helped me escape the other times. I had to lie down in his car and he drove slowly out onto the quiet street. I think we drove by the car but I was not sure because my mind was on Natalie.

Twenty-five minutes later we pulled up to the front doors of the air terminal and I shook the man's hand again. He deserved to know what was happening and I explained a little about the situation but not how much Natalie really meant to me.

I bought my ticket right away and sat and waited. I found I couldn't sit and I couldn't just pace so I did both for five minutes at a time. The terminal was large but nearly empty now. The only people around were some groups of what appeared to be married couples. There were a few families but thankfully the children were sleeping against their parents.

A baby in a young mother's arms brought tears to my eyes. She reminded me of Natalie and what I wanted our life to be like. There was nothing I could do, so my emotions took over and I put my face in my hands and quietly wept.



-------

Chapter 32


It must have been fifteen minutes later when a woman about my mother's age came over and put her hand on my shoulder. When I looked up with tear-filled eyes she just smiled a bit and said, "Is there anything I can do, young man?"

I used my handkerchief on my eyes and then blew my nose. "Thanks. I don't really think so. A family member is very sick and I just want to get home."

In later years, people were not usually kind like this in large urban centres but this woman sat beside me and said, "My name is Abigail Southam. You can call me Abby. Where are you going?"

"Buffalo, then North Bay."

"I am going to Buffalo, too. I don't remember hearing of a town nearby with the other name."

"It is in Ontario. I didn't want to wait for a direct flight."

"Oh, that place. It has been in the news a lot recently, hasn't it?"

"Yes, I guess it has." She was trying to cheer me up but I couldn't think right, to speak as I should.

"I hear that town is small. Did you ever meet that young man who is so..." She took a closer look at me, then reached out her hand and turned my head. "You... you are that man, ah... boy."

"Guilty, I am afraid. Please don't make a scene. I don't want people to see me this way."

She just stared at me but soon she said, "I won't tell anybody."

A pretty girl came over and stayed a few feet away. When Abby turned the girl said, "Are you coming back soon, Mom? Jeff is crying again."

"I will be there in a moment." The girl turned and walked back to where she came from. Abby said, "I have to go... Alex. My boy is a little sick."

I thought of Natalie and on impulse I said, "Take me to him."

She looked oddly but I was very used to that. I got up and carried my only piece of luggage. It was small enough that I could use it as a carry on. We walked about a hundred feet and I saw the luggage piled by the girl and a young boy about eighteen months old.

I put my luggage down and walked in front of the child. "What is wrong with him?"

"He hasn't been eating for a day or so. He has diarrhea."

"Has he been taking fluids?"

"He takes some milk and juice but not as much as usual."

"May I have a look myself?"

"Go ahead. Maybe you can help."

I knelt down and said, "Hi Jeff. My name is Alex. Your Mom and sister think you are sick." The boy just shook his head. I felt his forehead as I had no thermometer. He was running a temperature. His pupils contracted properly when I picked up his eyelids.

"Jeff, can you growl like a lion?"

He just shook his head and didn't try. I put my hands up and felt the glands on his throat. They were quite firm. I looked at his mother and said, "Has he been talking less?"

"Come to think of it he has. He doesn't speak much anyway but he does hum."

I stuck my tongue out at Jeff with my own mouth wide. He couldn't help it and mimicked me. It was still too dark.

"You don't by chance have a flashlight, do you?"

The woman quickly opened her large purse and gave me a cheap flashlight. She said by way of explanation, "It comes in handy sometimes."

I opened my own mouth again and shined the light in. Jeff opened his mouth and I pointed the flashlight in his throat. I saw that the tonsils were infected. The flashlight was moved around a bit and then I handed it to the child.

I turned my head and said, "He is young but he has inflamed tonsils. He needs some antibiotics and he should be ok in a few days. Do you have a doctor in Buffalo?"

"Yes, we do. Ah, thanks, Alex. Is there anything we can do till then?"

"If Jeff were older, he could gargle with salt water but he is too young. You might get him to drink some soda."

The girl asked, "Are you a doctor? You look very young."

I said, "No," but at the same time her mother gave the opposite answer.

"I don't have a licence. I just dabble in a few things here and there but nothing much."

The mother blurted out, "But you made the polio vaccine."

"That was a communal effort, as it said. Too much gets credited to me when it shouldn't."

I reached in my pocket and gave the girl a handful of change. "Go find your brother some soda and buy some more for you and your mother." The girl just looked at me, then at the coins and left.

"She was probably bored from having to sit all the time with her brother. Do you want a break too?"

"No, that's ok."

In ten minutes the girl came back with some soda and even handed me one. It was in paper cups and not even cans. When Abby finished her drink she said, "I will be back in a minute."

The mother went to the washroom and the girl said, "Are you that guy who is in the papers all the time?"

"Once in a while, I guess. Trouble has a way of finding me."

"You fixed that dog and then you made that vaccine. It was in all the papers. It was on the radio too. I saw you on television outside a large building with lots of grass."

"That was where we made the vaccine in Chicago. A lot of very talented people worked on it."

"Were you making more vaccine here? I think we need it. My friend's sister got polio and died."

"The vaccine has to get tested before it can be made for distribution. The tests cost a lot of money and takes a year or more, sometimes, unless they think it is an emergency."

The family flew with me to Buffalo. The girl, Sally, had slipped me her name, address and phone number on a slip of paper. When I had a moment, I told Sally, "I have a girl who will be my wife someday. You can still be my friend, though."

She must have been counting on something else, so I took a sheet of paper and wrote a small note to her, then signed my name and dated it. She at least could tell her friends that she met me.

A taxi took me back to Ontario. They were a bit hesitant about a boy but my name seemed to help. When the taxi turned back, I called another. An hour and a half later I was at the Toronto airport looking for a private plane I could charter.

In an hour I was winging it north. I said little to the pilot and he said less to me, which suited me fine. Even before we touched down, I asked the pilot to ask the tower to get me a taxi.

After landing I paid my bill with very little talk except my thanks. A taxi rushed me to the hospital at four o'clock in the morning.

I rushed in the front door and found nobody at reception. Emergency looked at me and decided to help. In moments I was racing through the quiet corridors of the building to my goal. Turning a corner I found doctor Smiles and Janice leaning against the wall.

They turned their eyes to me and slowly stood without support. The time taken showed that they were very tired.

When I got close, I put my suitcase down and the doctor said, "We have done all we can do. She is in God's hands now, Alex."

"What is wrong?" He told me everything he knew about the case. Then he went into what he and Janice had done to help. I had tears in my eyes for now I knew for sure. I held them both for a moment and whispered my thanks then pushed the door to the room open.

Laura was sitting in a chair on one side of the bed and Helen on the other side. Valerie and Linda sat close together and next to Helen. Rita and Aron were cuddled up together on another bed and sound asleep. Mom was on the other side of this bed.

When I walked in, Laura saw me and with a tear-streaked face ran unsteadily to me. "Alex," was the only thing she said as she hugged me to her and started to cry again. My own eyes watered even more. I felt other hands touching me and heard more sniffles.

Here I was, a doctor, at least in a previous life. A person who had made many drugs to help people and I could do nothing to help. The people seemed to rotate in and out of a hug. Mom whispered how sorry she was. Helen said, "We tried everything we could, Alex."

"I know you did," I was able to choke out.

Rita hugged me hard, as if her hold would keep us all together.

Aron came close and hugged my chest. "Do something, Alex." I cried even harder now, because there simply was nothing I could do.

When everybody had finished telling me with words or gestures how the felt, I slipped over to the bed and looked at Natalie. She had all sorts of equipment plugged into her but I knew that most was completely useless at stopping the dreaded disease.

Her beautiful face was drawn and thin, as if her life force was not that strong within her. Someone had brushed her hair and even applied a bit of makeup. Her long thin arms which had once held me so safe in a loving embrace, now looked weak and helpless, like I felt.

I just stared at the woman I wanted with me, as I grew old and feeble. I remembered her from my previous life and from this one. The unmistakable conclusion was that she had not died at this time in the previous life. If I had not come back, she would still be alive.

I closed my eyes and more water fell down my cheek. In a moment I felt a hand twitch and looked to see Natalie's droopy eyes on me. She tried to smile but it failed. She then licked her lips and tried to talk. Moving closer I heard, "I... waited... for you. I would... have said... yes later."

Her eyes closed again and I quickly looked at the monitor. The heartbeat was still present. She had gone back to sleep. Though I waited four more hours she still did not regain consciousness. It was as if she had saved some precious energy somehow, just for me.

Doctor Smiles and Janice came in to look at their patient. They looked as bad as the rest of us. The doctor said, "All of you out. She is my patient. Go wash up and get something to eat. If she awakes I will send someone to the cafeteria." Nobody moved till he said, "Get out now," in a firm voice I had not heard before.

We seemed to hold each other like a giant bug that was incapable of moving otherwise. Helen and Laura started to cry as if abandoning the person they loved so much. This started the rest. Mom was the strong one and she took the girls into the washroom a few at a time and cleaned them up.

Mom even took Aron and me in later, as if we were children and incapable of doing this ourselves. In a way she was right. We formed our bug again and headed for the cafeteria. We sat in a group of tables off to one side and could see the bright sun streaming in the windows.

We caught up on what had happened as if I had not heard it before on the telephone conversations. Natalie's sickness was being avoided at all cost. There was a commotion at one of the cafeteria doors and I saw two reporters being pushed out by some security that I never knew the hospital had.

The family got me to talk, mainly, I thought, to get away from our present plight. I mentioned more of what I was doing in New Jersey. They were more interested when I told them I had a conversation with President Truman in Bethesda.

I only told them the nice things, like getting some concessions for my two tailors. When I talked of how the polio tests were going, the cloud came back into our lives.

Laura told me all the details about Natalie now that I asked. From the first inception, through the headaches, sore muscles and weakness till where we were now. I was surprised that so many people had come up to my two families and gave their sympathy as if they knew that Natalie was one of our group.

I encouraged the family to eat something to keep up their strength. It was difficult to follow my own words.

We stayed around the clock on what we hoped wasn't a death vigil but on Sunday morning at ten thirty Natalie left us. She had awoken that morning with more energy than usual and it was only to say her final goodbyes to each of us.

Church was our refuge and many had prayed for us but she died anyway while holding my hand. I was just not strong enough to hold her to us.

In an hour she was taken from us and we just stayed in the room to morn. More family and friends came and gave their condolences. I was able to get the group into cars and we went to Mario's. There was much more crying but the family did eat a few things.

Late in the afternoon we parted. Rita stayed, while mom was taken home with Aron. I went to Natalie's apartment to give what comfort I could and get what help I could receive in turn.

The next morning we woke up all huddled on the bed. Strength looked to be given from one to another. When Helen started to cry again I whispered, "When you cry, the others do too. We have things to do and we have to save our mourning for a bit later."

We all had a shower and a change of clothes. I had been wearing suits for the last few months and I was a bit surprised to find my old clothes a bit tight.

Again, we went to Mario's for a meal. The room was fairly full. The boys from the Works were there and said how sorry they were for our loss. The mayor and a few of the aldermen were there as well. Mr Creighton and the others who were working for me as a sideline, came too, for they knew how I must feel. When everybody had said their pieces, I went to a quiet area and arranged for the funeral.

We talked more about how Natalie was and what she had given to our group. Throughout this I had held Helen and Laura to me when I needed them. I remembered very vividly how I had felt when Helen had died before. My mind tried to rationalize many things. Some were the benefits I had brought against the changes in history I had caused. Some people would now stay alive, while others had to die in their place.

The funeral was on Thursday, which was an inordinately long time. Rita and Laura had got some phone calls from people who wanted to attend but couldn't make it.

The Minister of State had come as a representative from Louis St. Laurent. The Prime Minister was too busy to come himself. President Truman sent his counterpart from the White House. The Premier of Ontario, Leslie M. Frost, had come in person, even though, I had never met him in either life. The Ministers of Health, Mines and of Education had come, too.

Martin and his wife, along with Joseph, Silva and Millie attended. William Shockley and George Fitzsimmons came with their wives.

Natalie's father had shown up but he didn't seem too broken up by the loss of his daughter. Natalie had told us things but never gone into details and now the secrets would be kept hidden forever.

The weather cooperated and the service was held outside the church mainly because of the size of the crowd. It looked like the entire school had showed up. I gave the eulogy and tried to be a bit upbeat but it was difficult. I would talk of things that could be shared only: the fun time in class and a part of the fun time out of school.

The burial was on the church grounds and in our family plot. Natalie's left hand bore the gold ring, so in a way she was my wife, regardless.

The wake was held at the Clarkson. It was difficult to get everybody in but the fire marshal didn't come to bother us.

When the wake was winding down the politicians descended. This was expected, for their thoughts of their country came first. They gave their formula pieces and asked, if they could talk in private. They meant it to be just with them but I just took them to a meeting room and had a talk with the group.

I had to grieve but now was not the time. If I pushed myself now, I could submerge my feelings or at least turn them into anger. This was not the way to proceed but it was the only way I had now to deal with what had happened.

I invited Messrs. Creighton, Martin, the Cranz and the group from Bell Labs with their wives. This was not what the politicians wanted but I started the talk anyway. They wanted to know where I was heading and how. They especially wanted their own country or region to reap the benefits of my knowledge. Some wanted to know just what our province could gain. This would be good, for it would give me a way to get both to behave. I told them flat out, that I was not going to take any shit from the Canadian Government. I could easily move south of the border and if the American's didn't cooperate, the British would gain a new immigrant.

I talked of the tax reform and how I didn't want to be taxed twice. Half each was fine but not the full amount each time.

On the subject of defence I said, "We need much more of a joint military. The Americans don't like a strong military force so close to their borders. I think in coming years the Canadian Government will be compelled to abandon their military, so when we need it the force will be gone. If we cooperate now, this will not happen. We can consider it a part of NATO if you wish."

"The most likely attack route from the Communist states will be over the pole. This means that we need radar stations far to the north for an early warning. We need communications much more than ever before. Some of it is of a military nature but some will be domestic. I propose a string of microwave towers across Canada and into the north. It is much easier than digging a trench into solid rock. In a year I will have a device that shoots out the microwaves in a solid beam.

"For Canada and the United States to grow we need to drop trade barriers. We both loose some inefficient industries, while strong ones can penetrate the other market. World trading blocks I see as an inevitable fact of life. If we do not act now, we will be on the outside looking in.

"Japan will form a group of Asian countries. All of Europe will form one country in all but name. That leaves Central and South America for our block. Africa is too poor to be wanted but the Middle East will be a flash point for war. Perhaps if we work together to form a world trade organisation and not GATT, we can soften the blow to the poorest countries."

I picked up three of the four books from the table. "Here is the next grade nine electronics book. It will be published across North America. The senior book is next." I held the other book up, even though all of them were in manuscript form. "The last book is for university. Young Canadians will have to learn to spell colour without the 'u' and the older Americans are going to have to spell with a 'u'. Things are going to be coming very fast. We have to be prepared by teaching what we need."

The American Secretary of State said, "The American people will not be bullied. We are not British subjects anymore."

"Fine, speak for your country and the puny population of Canada will swallow you up technologically. I am speaking for me and I am going to push education down the throats of every person in this country. We will have home computers that make the Univac less than a simple toy. We will have a library with every book ever written at the finger tips of each person with a computer. Conservative and moribund Canada will get into space first. Our soldiers will now have to protect those people south of the border for I have thought of many weapons to do this. And only a highly-trained soldier can use them."

The man sat a bit chastised and I continued. "My goal is to bring understanding to everybody. That includes the Russians, the Chinese and the other large cultural groups on our tiny blue marble. It is much harder to fight your neighbour if he is the exact same as you."

The Canadian Minister of State looked a bit indignant at me speaking for the country.

I got William to stand and he at my urging talked about what we had done at the Lab without going into too much detail. The infrared laser was very interesting even if I knew it was close to useless as an offensive weapon. It would be good against satellites one day, because they had precise orbits.

George talked more of what we were mentioning in our gab sessions about communications. He also added that his company was not fully behind anything we said here today. He did say that he hoped this would soon change.

Joseph was shocked to be called up to talk about the vaccine and the trials. He stressed the quality concerns we had put in place to make sure there was no mistakes that would make it to a living person. Natalie's recent death was brought forcefully back to me when on this subject.

Silva was called up and mentioned the anaesthetics and their own kinds of tests.

I called the Minister of Health up and he cautiously gave his report as if to his colleagues. The tests had gone much faster in Canada because of the apparent feeling of threat from the disease that had recently killed so many. We were all happy to hear of no problems to date.

Two gruelling hours later we called an end to the meeting. Everybody here was asked to keep the meeting from the press. My forms of punishments were not listed but they saw the resolve on my face. When they looked at me they must have believed. Bell was going to make a few more copies the hard way for the ministers to check.

At my request they would stay for more meetings, because I had lots to talk about concerning money. The American Secretary of State was a very busy man and I promised to be as quick as possible. He got one of the three penthouse suites but had to bunk out with the Canadian Minister of State. Mr Frost got the next and the last three had to share. All the bills were on me while they were my guests.

Lasers were now in many government archives so there was no way the information could be called back as a secret. The last section of the three books gave several bits of information on this subject.

On the way out I saw Jason Stife and Margarete. I asked Mr Creighton, "Did you get the ball bearing machine repaired?"

"It is waiting for you. We made the extra sets of ceramic plates that you wanted. As far as I am concerned, it is ready to make the joints."

"Thank you. It is going to take a while to get over our loss and the best way I can think of is a lot of work."

"When I lost my daughter, it was the same way. I doubt if I could have held my sanity in check without the help."

The two of us walked over to Margarete. She gave a tentative smile as we approached. She again said how sorry she was. She had met Natalie and liked her from the start.

I asked, "How is Lass doing?"

"I went over to see her a few weeks ago and she was running around like a pup. As far as Jason and I are concerned I can get my hips any day if you are ready."

"I will talk to Doctor Smiles. There are a lot of doctors to interview. I am not letting you have anything but the best."

"That is very reassuring to hear. Are you going to be there?"

"If you wish."

"I do."

"Then I will be leading the cheering section."

I rounded up George and William and took them over to the Works. They saw the sign over the door saying 'Fish 'n' Chips Works' and I had to explain about it.

The engineers were back at work. They were a very dedicated bunch of men, even if I thought of them as boys most of the time. I introduced George and William. In a moment they were all closely comparing work.

In a moment William came excitedly to me and said, "Your people are talking of a Charge Coupled Device. It is amazing. You talked about it before but I thought you were talking through your hat. It actually works."

"William, I did say that I wanted to make solid state cameras, copiers and facsimile machines. This last article will revolutionize any office. It can even serve as a crude printer till I get the other types working."

"Tell me more about it?"

We all went into the other room and I began another class. "The boys here used four masks to make the simple chip. You better not get too cocky because we are aiming for a chip that is 4,096 cells on a side. This will require you to make small lenses of only four microns across over each cell and this will require more than forty masks I predict.

"Before I go further, I want to say the magnetron you people made certainly inspired Bell tremendously. We made our own gas lasers and a crude light emitting diode. Josh, tell us how is our laser research doing here."

Josh came forward like I wanted him to. He was getting over his shyness, which was a good thing. "We made our own LEDs and followed your notes. We have our own laser but it has a very small power rating in the neighbourhood or less than one watt. It is in the ultraviolet range and we are trying to get it into longer wavelengths. We have had some success but they usually burn out quickly. We are having problems with repeatability too. The next unit is not even close to the one before or the one after. We have gone far enough, though, to farm this out to another team."

"Thanks Josh. The ultraviolet laser is what we need for our chips. The time will come when we will have to focus much smaller to get the density we need. So your work is well appreciated. You may be right about the need for more help. I think we should put our minds together and hire whom we think is best. William, will you and George try to come up with some names of potential recruits. This has gone beyond national boundaries now.

"Back to CCDs. This should be of special interest to the military of both countries. It won't be long, before the Russians, the Chinese or other companies want to find out what we are doing. I think the chips would work well in smart bombs. One plane shines a laser on a target and one bomb falls from another. It has a small rocket motor and/or aerodynamic fins. It homes in on the target with little or no collateral damage.

"I think when we get a more advanced computer we can have it installed in a small missile that is able to cruise low to the ground so it sees where it is going. It strikes perhaps only one building with a nuclear or conventional payload. The American government is spending a lot of money on making their bombs smaller and more destructive. One should fit into this missile.

"We need security without constricting you. So I have to draw up a group of buildings and get them built. We need a clean room for our chip manufacturing area. The way things are going, we will need them in both countries.

"As a stop gap method we are going to have to bring in a large vault and place our notes and sensitive documents into it. It may interest you that I think that dog-eared binder I gave you would be worth many millions of dollars." This was wrong for it would be worth billions but I didn't want to frighten them too much.

"I want a bit of overlap now but not much because it costs too much. Lasers, I think, should go south. The sooner they are developed, the sooner we can start making denser chips.

"Up here I want you to start making some of the read only memory and the random access memory. This will help make the other units more efficient. I did some thinking and I want to write a paper on the construction and capabilities of our microprocessor.

"I want future production to be in this city if the various governments can come to a sort of deal. Research will be done in both countries. When we start to have a trade imbalance, some of the production will go south. I detest people whining for their share of the pie."

Mathematics now went on the board behind me but instead of semiconductor parameters it was stats on how to best use our resources. The biggest cash cow would be the American military. They had provided me with most of my fortune. The government, too, had given funds to develop many things that were not military in nature. Canada had cut back on much of its military budget when the Americans got worried. I believed that the Avro Arrow was a waste of money. It would also seen as a threat to the American's complete dominance of defence industry.

The cash cow, though, would have to be milked soon, for I only had so much money to work with. The mine would still supply gold for a while. The bank had loaned money on the premise of more gold arriving and my abilities to sell my products.

The microwave could be sold but I didn't have the thousands of high voltage diodes or the triacs. The games were not very far into production, for the workers were back in school. Some mothers had been hired but as I foresaw, there was difficulty with them because of their other children.

The buildings I needed would cost a fortune. The foundations would have to be blasted from solid rock and all the services would have to be supplied the same way. To top it off, concrete could not be allowed to freeze till it was completely set. It was October already and it would be freezing soon.

This made me stop my thinking. For my birthday present, I found one of the women I wanted to spend my life with dying and she was now gone. Tears came to my eyes and a noise alerted me that I was not alone. I was still in front of my class and I had been guilty of wool gathering and then overcome with my loss.

I wiped my eyes and then blew my nose. "Sorry gentlemen. I am trying to hide from my pain in work but at times the memory comes back." I pulled myself together then said, "I need lots of money to continue the way I have been going. I would like to make some salable devices. The fax machine is one. Our problem with this is that we cannot link our machines to the telephone lines. Michael Carlson said we could do so for test purposes. The microwave oven is restricted by the two semiconductors needed."

I asked my mechanical engineers, "How is the print head coming?"

One man stood up and said, "It is progressing fine. We have some working models but they are time consuming to make by hand. There is the life expectancy to look at too. We may need some special guides but the head gets very hot."

"Try to make up some with your guides. I will give President Truman one of the units and to our Prime Minister. I want all your names inscribed in the bottom of the units. We can't go too far with this, because Bell is still analogue in nature. Take a phone apart and put it in the case, so it will still make calls but also intercept the fax signals. I will give you a protocol to use, so we don't get screwed up later."

The meeting broke up and the men gravitated to this project. It was a good way of getting their complete cooperation when their names went on the units. The fact that it went to some heads of state didn't hurt any, either.

I didn't think that the politicians were that drunk yet, so I left the engineers and physicists to their toys. I had seriously thought of getting William to run this lab here but I knew he was unstable along with his brilliance. The man was likable after getting past his bluff exterior. Perhaps this time the military report that started all his bias vocalizations would not make it to him.

The Secretary of State Morton Simon was President Truman's representative. Considering this man's position I had been given a high honour. He let me into his suite quickly, "It is good of you to come so soon, Mr Kramer."

"The name is Alex and it was good of you to stay for a chat. Did the President have any words for me?"

Mr Carver, the Canadian Secretary got up too and I shook both of their hands.

Simons said, "He of course sends his condolences. He did say it was very ironic that you seem to have found a vaccine for polio only to have a person you love fall to the same disease."

"I have been beating myself up with a lot of 'what-ifs'. If Natalie had gotten the vaccine as a test subject, she would have been alive today. If I had been here all along, I might have seen the symptoms and given the vaccine sooner. I think it may have been at least partially effective."

"We all have those doubts, Alex. It is part of being human." He paused then said, "Is there anything you would like me to pass on?"

"Yes, there is. I am going to be busy converting Bell into a very strong company that will be used in the defence of both our countries. I also need specialized equipment and facilities."

"They can be supplied at just a few words, Alex. Many corporations would love to have you assist them."

Carver said, "I think Canada can supply the sheltered environment."

"I am sorry but I am after much bigger fish. I want my own facilities. They have to be very special to make the high-quality chips we need. A speck of dust is gigantic compared to the small wires I will be fabricating. I have no intention of my company being Canadian, for it will be a truly multinational. This means that I have to see what benefits I can bring to our two countries first. Canada will get some research and development along with production. The United States will get other research and their own development.

"I am very rich in many ways but I do not have the infrastructure or investment capital to do all of this at the same time. I refuse to go to the market place even for bonds. This leaves me in the unenviable position of having to prostitute myself to two governments for handouts and military contracts."

Simons said, "All of us have to work for a living. Working for the government can be very rewarding."

"That it can but I never have to deal with the boss. One general wants a bomb. Another wants it to go where it is aimed not where it is dropped. I think I can do this for a start. I will call it a smart bomb. It would be used where the enemy is close to your troops, or you might want to take out an enemy position in a populated city without killing thousands of innocents. I think the newspapers would love to rake the military over the coals for that."

"How does it work?"

"I invented a device that shines out a beam of light. Instead of spreading it marches in step with all its companions in a tight formation. The device I will make will weigh less than fifty pounds. A pilot or a gunner points the light at a target. If the light is in the infrared, then the enemy cannot see it.

A bomber drops a single bomb close to the target and because it has a small rocket motor and/or some steerable wings it can be directed toward the reflected light. As long as the light remains roughly in one place, the bomb will go to its target. If the bomb has one of my computers, it will remember its target even if the light disappears."

"How much will it cost, Alex?"

"If I am the prime contractor, then, say, ten thousand each with a minimum order of one thousand bombs. I need a building set up on my property to make the parts for the computer and the guidance system. Then I need the equipment to make the devices. In a few months I need a spotter plane to carry the laser and a transport plane to drop test bombs." After a pause I said, "I think I am going to screw the two militaries for a lot less than any other contractor would."

"You are selling us completed bombs?"

"As prime contractor I will but the explosives and case will be contracted out to companies in the United States to keep everything fair."

"I have no idea how much a bomb costs, or whether this is a good deal or not. I will convey your message, though."

"Thanks. I believe it will then be up to the President to pass the idea along to sympathetic ears if he feels so inclined."

I next knocked on the door of the leader of our province, Mr Frost. When he opened it, he had a drink in his hand. I asked, "Do you have the time for our chat that you wanted?"

"How did you know that?"

"We never met before and you came to the funeral. You would be a nice person for giving your condolence but you are also a busy man. So you had to use the situation for another purpose."

"It does seem clear, I guess. I keep thinking of you as a boy and not a very bright young man with a lot of knowledge. I suppose you don't need to know that a large file has been started on you?"

"I would be surprised if it weren't. The Americans probably have one even bigger and so do the Russians. Soon they will come to me and try to see how I feel about their cause. Then they will try to buy me with unlimited funds to play with my toys. That will not work, so in a year they will try to force me to do their bidding. The same is true for other countries; it just won't be done by Canada and the United States because I will cooperate."

"Your argument sounds very reasonable. What are your plans for setting up your companies here in Ontario?"

"I would like to do that but I am also trying to do some good for everybody, not just one group. There are lots of things that I have to or want to make here. I need some very special buildings put up outside town. They will cost a lot of money. You get me some grants and some forgivable loans and I will start building within a week. The payback point should be in as little as five years."

I talked to him longer than I had with the two Secretaries. Canadians held onto a dollar very tightly when compared to the Americans. This saved them from losses but in the end they lost out because they refused to take as much of a gamble.

In the end all he could say was, "I will see what I can pry out of our coffers. I tend to believe everything you said because of the other guest you have. One in particular wouldn't be here unless he was after the same thing."

I said nothing and this helped the man figure that he was right, for he certainly was.

-------

That night I went back to the apartment. It was late but the girls welcomed me to bed. I was still very upset by our loss, especially when my nose told me that she was still here with us. It started slow but I found myself becoming less than sane. I had climbed on Helen and thrust repeatedly into her. She was far from objecting. When she got a bit sore after her last orgasm I moved to Laura. She came many times but I was crying as I thrust into her.

When the time came, I asked Linda if she wanted me. "Oh yes, Alex."

I pounded into her, too, till we were both sore but I continued. I was like a crazed man and I just took Valerie the same way till we both collapsed. By then I was out of tears and just collapsed on the bed.

In the morning I was very sore and the girls comforted me as all good women would. I cried a bit more even at this, wondering all the time whether it was my hormones making me this way. As an adult I could control myself much better. The loss though was very great.

Through the tears I had to explain how I had to deal with our loss. Helen already knew much about me but I believe she still thought that I just had visions of a future life. "Work is what I need. It takes my mind away from the here and now, to what it might be. I hope you forgive me for last night."

I got many protests but I think it is built into all of us to act this way when we suffer a loss of this magnitude. I kissed them tenderly, for not only their kindness but also for their understanding.

I said to all of them, "I need to begin making the hip joint for Margarete Stife today. Then I have to have a chat with the Minister of Education if he hasn't left. I will be at the hotel till noon, I think."

I was wondering how the girls were going to function. It was Friday and more importantly, a school day. They would be better off together for mutual support. More importantly, they had to have something to occupy their minds like I was trying to do. Nothing came to mind, so I encouraged them to go to work. There was only today to get through before the weekend.

Laura said, "Natalie said she wanted you to have her car and everything she owned. You would know best what to do with them."

I started to choke up and said, "Thanks for telling me." I went into the bathroom and just sat on the toilet and started to cry like a kid.

Laura knocked and walked right in. After kneeling she just wrapped her arms around me. "She is not really gone Alex. She is in our hearts forever."

When I was able to function, Laura drove me over to the hotel to get the other business out of the way. Taking my own advice, I dove into the work to keep me occupied.

The Premier was with his fellow ministers and surrounded by waiters bent on their every wish. The Secretaries of State for both countries were talking animatedly to their table companions. When I approached they stopped their conversation and Mr Frost said, "Good morning, Alex. Will you have a seat with us? The breakfast is very good."

"Thank you very much. I think I will." Turning to one of the waiters I said, "Coffee, the crepes and blueberry preserves please, Marty."

When I sat Mr Simons said, "We have to get back today. I know my desk is piling up with unfinished work."

"I will be sorry to see you go. When the city gets straightened around a bit, I hope to have you back here as my guest. I plan on giving your cities a run for their money to see which is more beautiful."

"I would like to come, Alex. What, if I may ask, are you going to ask our other table companions? You talked to the Premier and us last night."

"You found me out, I guess. I find that when you find a talented person all you have to do is point in the direction you want and give them some incentive to go there. Today I want to finish high school. I think the Minister or Education would agree that I would pass grade thirteen science, math, electronics, business and the rest. All I have to do is prove it with some tests."

I got some comments from the minister in question how this was not possible. I just smiled and when he was done listed various portions of the education act that pertained to home schooling. I went on ad infinitum till he held up his hands in surrender.

"Ok, ok, I agree you should be able to take the tests. Are you going to take university tests, too?" He joked.

"That brings up another point. I am going to make an improved version of the artificial hip. The operation I want performed at the University of Toronto, in their theatre. I believe Martin Siddeley has been having some difficulty. I want to be on the floor giving comments, if necessary but I will leave the actual mechanics to others. Think of it as extra credits for machine shop if you wish."

This brought a lot of laughter especially from Mr Frost. His chair rocked dangerously till he quieted down. I continued, "This would also come under the Health ministry. It is a chance to show that Canadians are not so conservative as our American brothers. I am not going to touch any of the instruments so the doctors have nothing to complain about."

The minister in question said, "I will see if I can twist a few arms for you. When is the time you wanted to do this?"

"A month would be good for me but I have to line up some surgeons who will perform the operation. I would like Doctor Smiles with me, too."

"I can do some asking, too. Will you leave that in my hands?"

"Providing I have veto powers. I know what doctors are like, as you must know also."

He turned his head a bit and looked at me with a calculating glance. "Yes, yes, I do Alex. I am surprised that you do."

"You forget that I had to work closely with them to develop the vaccine. I cannot see them much different from some engineers."



-------

Chapter 33


I stayed till the politicians left. They didn't need me but it made them feel better and a lot of good will could come from it. Mrs Howard was my next goal and I phoned her first. She congratulated me on what I had done then consoled me for what had happened.

"I didn't think a young man like you could manage to do all the things they say you are able to do."

"Mrs Howard, it is just a matter of getting people like you to help me. I have my ideas and you carry them through. What would Lass be like without your help or Cecil or even John the butcher? You all helped me a lot."

"I just did what I was able to do. That was all."

I said, "That was all I ever asked you to do. But now I have something more to ask you."

"What is it, Alex?"

"Just make more spheres. If I am lucky, I can get Cecil to help. After firing the spheres they go into a machine to make them much rounder than before. Then you put the glazed zirconia on and put them through the machine again. They should get very round and very hard then."

"I would like to try that."

I also phoned Cecil Sundrich, the old machinist and his gruff personality shone true to form, till I got into the making of perfect spheres with a machine. He had been consulted on making the hard plates for the machine in the first place and was probably hoping for this call but would never admit it. I also figured that the old rascal seemed to be sweet on Mrs Howard. This is where the idea that opposites attracted could be proven.

It would be good to just make notes from my memory of things that I could use now but I needed to be with people. Young people were the best. The trip to Fish 'n' Chips was not that far. Before long I was into setting up more projects so we could do much better than just four masks. This led me to better machines and that, in turn, required better control.

George and William stayed for a few more days and went home with heads full of new ideas. Things settled down to what they were in the summer, except there was frost on the ground and even snow. The boys wanted a laser and I ordered the parts. They liked the power of the carbon dioxide and it would be useful for cutting. I had visions of cutting the metal for the artificial hip with it but the time was too short.

Cecil and Agnes made very good ceramic spheres. With no control for the laser, we just used a diamond wheel to grind off a flat and carbide drills to make a hole. An aluminum insert was cemented in, which was as good as I thought we could get.

The Minister of Education phoned over a week later to say that he had the tests. The next Tuesday he wanted to come down personally and give them to me. The testing was in the high school once more.

Mr Corfu shook my hand and wished me luck. There were a room full of witnesses and the principal said quietly, "I can kick a few out if they bother you, Alex."

"I work well under pressure, sir. They might be useful if I need a pencil sharpened or something." He chuckled. At the hour stipulated, I was handed the first test. It was mathematics. I was through it in ten minutes and wanted the next. It was not the one I had in grade thirteen before, a much harder one but not too much so.

The Minister said, "You have two hours Alex. You can check it over."

"I did. There are two punctuation errors in the test you gave me."

No test took longer than fifteen minutes. I had requested business courses, too, even though they were not at the grade thirteen level. I listed in the test things the government should do to fix some of their loopholes.

We ate in the school cafeteria. The minister and the educators were invited over to our old table. Rita still reigned supreme here. She, too, was true to form and congratulated the Minister for some improvements he tried to do and berated him in the next breath for not doing others.

He said in his defence, "I have heard a lot about you Miss Leone. Perhaps you should run for a political office some day and see how difficult it is to get anything done. If I am still in office in four years, you are very welcome to work for me and see what you can do."

"Thank you very much. Alex suggested that I get a degree in politics and then run for a seat in the federal elections. Alex believes most politicians to be tight fisted except with their own pet projects. We both agree that they have no real goal to advance our country. My own research seems to find this to be true most of the time. I will be desperately needed to balance out the old men and their equally old ideas."

The man laughed and so did the others around the table. "I wish you all the luck in the world. The sad fact is that you will be seen as too young and your gender will not let you fit into their midst."

"Alex said that, too; that is why he thinks a new political party is needed, one with young people and young-thinking people. We will be working on both Conservative and Liberal parties to get candidates we feel would benefit out cause."

"Now, that is a good idea. Would you help me get reelected?"

"Not without a serious talk about your goals. There are some essential changes needed to deal with automation and the training of people to fill the new openings. There should be a significant increase in adult education."

The Minister and his friends were now quiet. I doubt if they had actually thought of automation. It had not progressed very far yet.

He said, "If I can get you out of classes this afternoon, will you discuss this with me further?"

"I think that would be beneficial to both of us."

The tests went through the afternoon, where I took all they brought. Half an hour after the last test the Minister said, "The men with me have marked your tests and you got a remarkable 99.5 percent Alex."

"If you marked that answer about Vikings wrong, you better think again. You are getting your data from an author that was mistaken. Leave that test alone and when you go back to Toronto, check this list of books I have written out for you."

The stricken man looked at the list and said, "The textbooks are wrong?" An older man came over with a test in his hand to see what was written.

"Don't take my word for it. Check the other texts. You will find that my mark will change minutely but reach one hundred."

The older man took the list and left the room quickly.

The minister said, "That does not change the fact that you have completed the grade thirteen exams. The minister of Health says that he told you that he has arranged the operating theatre as you requested. Perhaps we can have a graduating ceremony there at that time."

"I'll make a deal with you. You get the medical professors to give me some exams, too and I will accept the graduation certificate from you and a certificate that I passed certain courses at the university. I won't be a doctor but I won't be seen as a layman. I plan on getting the operation filmed, so you will make it on the news with me. Puts you in the voter's eye and seen as very progressive. If I remember, your party is really called the Progressive Conservatives. A bit of an oxymoron, I think at times."

"That only might be possible. There is a lot of talk in medical circles I hear about your not really knowing much. Those were the ones who didn't want to see what you can accomplish."

"There will always be those people. That is what makes us human. The hip joints have been made along with a surprise. As a medical company we will be branching out into the States soon. The world will be our oyster in many ways."

The large party stayed at the hotel and around five the old man came back to the minister. In a moment the Minister came to me. "You were right, Alex. There were some recent findings and now it is believed that the Vikings were the correct answer. That means that you got a perfect one hundred percent. I don't think that has been done before. The tests, though, were not standard. Teams of experts made them and that is why we feel bad. It is not nice to have your faults shown."

Laura, Helen, Linda and Valerie were with me. Aron had biked over and was presently sitting beside me. He said, "So Alex doesn't have to go to school again. "Can I do the tests too?"

The minister and I tried to keep straight faces but it was impossible. Aron looked at us seriously and I said, "You have to study more. A CEO's job is not an easy task."

The minister looked at me questioningly and I said, "Aron will control a group of companies some day. He is very bright, dedicated and will make a great officer." Aron smiled. "If he goes to school and learns all he can." Aron frowned and hung his head.

Three days later two cars full of doctors showed up. They had called only the previous day. All of them were surgeons and some had even been my teachers when I went to medical school. I put them up at the hotel and after a nice meal I started my interview. Four joints had been selected. They were rejects and marked thus. They examined the joints and they asked me questions first.

I went into the method that would be used and asked if they could think of something better. I was not outnumbered here, for the surgeons all had their pet ideas and fought amongst themselves as much as they did with me.

In my previous life I was a GP and only did surgery when I had to or for minor procedures. I was actually learning something here speaking to these men. An hour later Doctor Smiles showed up and I introduced him to my guests. The questions never really ended and doctor Smiles, I think, felt out of his depth for he was a general practitioner too.

I said aloud, "Doctor, you worked many years dealing with a multitude of problems while this group is very specialized. Let them deal with your day-to-day work and they will call uncle soon enough."

He replied, "I don't get to charge like them, either."

Doctor Smiles started to ask pertinent, questions because he knew Margarete quite well. Late that night we decided who would do the actual operation. The next group would stand as relief, for the operation was long. Another group would talk to the students as they watched from the gallery above and the last group would talk to the reporters, for I had worked it so there would be lots of them.

They left the next morning with two sets of good hips and two sets of ones for students. Margarete and Jason had their chance to meet with the doctors in a pleasant and relaxed environment. I think Margarete was quite pleased with the attention.

I made what the doctors thought of as an unusual request, "Will you please ask Dr. John A. Hopps to attend the operation as a spectator and to see me after?"

Jason, in a quiet moment, said, "You spared no expense to get the best, I see. Eight doctors, Doctor Smiles and you look to be making a very powerful team."

"Thanks Jason but I am going to be there because I think I must. Those doctors are much better surgeons than I think I would ever be. To be honest, their fees are minimal. They are hams, just like any other human and want to be in front of the camera, in the paper, radio and, especially, the television. I am afraid you and Margarete will be celebrities, too."

"What!"

"We are doing an operation that is not really that new. It is just that our hip is the best ever made. I was in the news recently and they will want to see what I can do. They have already been around and wanted to have me on some television talk shows but I am not ready yet."

"What are you waiting for?"

"A while ago I got my grade thirteen. It took one day. I think I may be able to get them to try to trip me up with written questions. I will demand that they be the tests the medical students take. With the results I will be able to prove that I have more than just a minimal amount of ability."

"I wish you luck, Alex. If anybody deserves to be a doctor, it is you."

On November, the third we travelled south in our motor home. Laura drove the first part of the trip. Margarete was quite taken with the luxury and ride. Doctor Smiles and Janice rode with us, as did my girls and Aron. Mom I had to almost drag with us but she did come. I figured she would make a good companion for Margarete.

We now had a microwave oven in the place I always wanted it to be. Jason, I soon found, liked his coffee hot and was seen using the oven at any excuse.

"It is not that good for the hotel. If we make some efficiency suites like I mentioned before, one could be installed. This may cut down from restaurant profits but may bring many new people to the hotel. Do you want one for your apartment?"

"I would like that very much. You will have to teach me how to use it better."

"There is a cookbook already being made."

Doctor Smiles was looking on and said, "You got one for me, too?"

"I sure do. In fact all the people that have been spending much of their time helping me will get one. If you look underneath, you will see the boys' signatures on the unit. We are sending a few off to some politicians, so they can see how they like them."

Doctor Smiles said with a grin, "Not a bribe?"

"A politician taking a bribe? Never."

Margarete was tired and laid on the bed and the motion soon put her to sleep. I said to Jason, "You should change and climb in with her. You will not get much sleep in the near future."

He took my advice and I closed the connecting door. Valerie took the wheel after an hour and drove most of the way. Laura took over when we got close to Toronto.

When we got to the surgical building of the university, I knew we would piss a great many people off. We were directed to park out front. All the parking metres had canvas bags over them from the police. We took up great many spaces. It was six in the afternoon and there was a light dusting of snow. When we disembarked, there were many photos taken by quickly-arriving reporters. They did not rush us but seemed to have got the word to be polite.

Margarete was pushed in her own wheelchair. She seemed excited and in a good mood. She answered all their questions even though she was getting cold.

Margarete went for a few more x-rays and would be prepped in the morning. That gave the reporters a chance to start asking questions of us. As we had talked about earlier, Doctor Smiles did most of the talking. Mom was flustered, especially when she saw films being made of our talk. Helen and Aron were interviewed and gave their own speech. I had cheated and asked him questions that the reporters would ask and he was able to parrot the answers with flair.

Laura just said that she was the nurse and bus driver. Valerie said, "I am assistant bus driver first class."

Linda didn't expect to be asked anything and said, "I just make the uniforms."

That night we went off to eat with only Jason staying behind. He was lucky and even had his own bed beside his wife.

We had Japanese and it was more authentic than what North Americans ate. There was less meat and more vegetables. Mom was proud of me when I was able to order some of the dishes in Japanese and I don't think she gave it much thought after. Everybody ate but a few found that some dishes would not be their favourite food. Japan was important to me and I was trying to improve my grasp of this difficult language.

It was getting dark and we went back to the motor home. In ten minutes the interior had warmed up nicely. The exhaust gasses, before leaving the stainless steel pipe, warmed air coming into the living quarters much like the old Volkswagen did. Ours, though, would not rust and leak. The propane furnace was enough to keep us warm through the night without the engine's assistance.

The next morning was more hectic. The television crews had arrived and I had to keep them back till Margarete was under anaesthetic, which wasn't for another half-hour at least. Martin was there and shook my hand. There were pictures taken at the same time, so I knew this part was planned. Beside him were the Minister of Education and the one of Health. This was played up well for the newspapers and, to be truthful, for my company.

I met for the first time more people whom I knew in my past life. Some were greeted much more warmly but even the ones I knew to be nasty were treated politely.

I scrubbed up, as did Laura. We wore our own gowns, which were not the whites the other doctors and nurses wore. Doctor Smiles was a little self-conscious because he had the same colours we wore. The lights were turned on and we were ready.

Margarete was wheeled in already unconscious. The anaesthetist still used chloroform but it was safe if handled correctly.

The operation was much longer in my mind but was actually slightly shorter than Lass. It was just that here a human life was at risk. For a moment I was able to see one of the sterilized hips being picked up before it disappeared behind many backs. I didn't get to do anything while Laura was kept busy enough to not get bored.

The second shift came in and watched us close before starting on the other hip. The first team could have done this entire job but this way we would all get some practice. I stayed the entire time but so did the first team. It was not all about the cameras now but about seeing a successful completion of the job we had put so much effort into.

Four and a half hours later Margarete was wheeled out of the room and we took off out masks. I felt a bit left out, because I was the only one with a clean gown. Even Doctor Smiles had done some work and was now grinning ear to ear at me.

When the bright lights went out, I saw the entire gallery packed with faces even at this time. I did not see the particular face I was looking for, though.

After we cleaning up we went out into the corridor. Laura was wearing the dress I wanted her to wear and it was slightly revealing for the fifties. The fact that she was a very beautiful woman seemed to attract more of the reporters than the doctors got. It kept them from seeing me, too, at least for a while. Besides, Laura liked to dress up like this even if she said differently.

Aron came up and said, "You didn't do anything."

I whispered back, I was only going to step in for an emergency, if they didn't know what to do."

"Oh."

We all went into a large room that I had been in many times before in my previous life. Laura said, "I need to go to the bathroom, Alex."

None of the bathrooms were for women so I took her hand and walked to a close one. There were two young men inside at the sinks and the stalls were empty.

"Hello gentlemen, a lady needs to use the facilities and there is none available for her. Will you be so kind as to give her a few minutes?"

They just looked at me then out in the hall at Laura. In a few seconds they were out and Laura walked in. She was very embarrassed at this but I said, "There are cracks in the stalls. I think I will sell tickets so the men can come in and peak."

"You wouldn't... would you?"

"I would like to peek, too. Now hurry up, the reporters want to look at your breasts some more."

When I heard the toilet flush, I asked a student, "Do you have change for a two?"

As Laura came out, she saw the young man paying me the money. She had a stricken face as she watched. When we walked a few yards away I said, "He didn't have enough money for the ticket."

The doctors who were supposed to be doing the radio and television commentary were clashing with the ones who did the actual operation. From all points of view it looked like Margarete was doing fine. Jason, though, looked flustered but held up well enough.

He thanked the doctors for all their efforts. He mentioned not only the ones who had done the surgery but also the ones who commented to the reporters and to the television crew. "Margarete will certainly be embarrassed to see her form on the operating table for everybody to see but it is in the furtherance of medical knowledge."

Jason continued, "I especially wanted to thank Doctor Smiles, his wife Janice, Laura Vachon and even more the man who set this all up. Alex not only invented the hip but he worked hard with others to make hers as perfect as possible. He watched out for my wife in many ways, always making sure she was comfortable physically as well as mentally. I really don't know what I would do without this young man in our lives."

He started to clap and soon everybody was doing it. I couldn't retreat, especially since the cameras were panning around in search of me. Laura squeezed my hand and moved to one side. The others beside me moved to one side to give everybody a chance to see me.

This was not the way I wanted this to happen. I thought a dinner and a small speech would be good enough. Jason gestured to his microphone and a hand pushed me forward. After one step I had to continue.

I jumped up onto the low platform and lowered the mike to a position I liked. "I was hoping your cameras would not decline this much." There were quite a few chuckles and I started one of my better speeches. I thanked all the doctors again then the behind-the-scenes people like Agnes and Cecil. I thanked Mr Creighton for arranging the transportation of the machinery. I went on to thank the two Ministers by name and then continued with the TD bank and Martin Siddeley, the president, for trusting me so much.

I went on about Canadians being too stodgy but these individuals were of a much superior stripe. "They listened, not only with their ears but also with their hearts and helped Margarete and many other people with joint problems. I think the two who have to be thanked in a special way are Jason here and his wife Margarete for trusting me with her life." This time I clapped and now it was Jason's turn to turn red.

I called the Minister of Health over to the microphone and said, "If you kneel down, you don't have to make any adjustments."

Everybody laughed and he turned red then started to laugh himself. "I'll get you for that, Mr Kramer."

"You are over fourteen and can't do it any more."

The Minister recovered from the latest jab and started to thank people too. He mentioned the dean of the school and the dean of surgery then a few more people who had to give their ok for the operation to happen.

When he was running out of steam he said, "Mr Kramer has asked to get some of the exams that our med students get. Well, I want to tell him that very many others want to see how well you do, too. Right after this meeting there are quite a few people who want to give you some written and verbal tests."

This, I knew, would mostly be the people trying to shoot me down. The verbal part I did not like, for there was just their word against mine for the correct answer.

"I like the written test but I think it is better to let the cameras see how the Canadian medical community functions. They have to be sure that any applicant is worthy to go on but also fair in that they ask questions that can be answered. I challenge this school to do the verbal testing on film and in public. A large group of doctors can act as impartial witnesses. After that I will do any written tests."

The Minister looked like he was pole axed but quickly shrugged his shoulders and looked at the dean. The man was forced to come up to the stage. "I don't like this, especially in front of a television audience. If Mr Kramer wishes to make a fool of himself in front of cameras, then he can be our guest."

We went into the next room, which was very large. There was a panel of six grim men staring at us. They looked much like a hung jury out for blood but who suddenly were presented with new evidence that possibly might exonerate the accused. The dean got there first and took them into a huddle for a minute. When they came out, they looked like they had been forced to suck on lemons.

The cameras were set up quickly, one on me and one on the panel. They didn't like the crowd and they didn't like the lights but one asked in a saccharine voice, "Are you ready to begin this very informal test that will give us only an indication of what you know?"

"I am not trying for the legal profession but I will try."

The questions at first were easy, dealing with muscle groups. These I answered very quickly. There was only so much time a person watching television would want to hear me. The questions soon escalated to very difficult. Things were getting boring for the group with me and the answers I gave got longer and longer.

They eventually got into genetics and asked about the way certain features were passed from parents to child.

"Sirs, I will give you the answer you think is right then I will give you the real answer." They looked a bit stunned but I gave the 1950's textbook answer as it was actually written in the book for the page was right before me in my mind.

I turned to the cameras and said, "This now is my own opinion. I think in a few months I will have enough proof to verify my findings." I went on and gave the structure of DNA and RNA. I went on to give a synopsis I had prepared that gave enough information to make it understood but was not a book in length.

I got up and went behind the panel and used the blackboard to explain to the world what it looked like. As a further piece of information I gave information about what a virus was really like and how it multiplied. This lent itself to the poliovirus very well and now I told how it attacked a human.

The panel was a bit pissed, as I would be too. They asked questions and I answered them from my long years of study in the pharmaceutical industry. Many times I said how current thinking was incorrect and gave my own synopsis. We got into a very animated debate where technical terms were so thick that few people outside of the industry would understand. Twice I even helped the disturbed antagonists by giving them terms they were fishing for.

The fight would have gone on for days but I said, "Let's cut to the quick. What do you think of my understanding of medicine? Say it now, before the cameras." I left unsaid that it would be much different in private.

"You would make a fair pre-med student Mr Kramer."

I burst out laughing and then so did the rest of the people, even the cameramen. The panel looked around as if they did not understand what the hilarity was about.

I said in parting, "I think my discovery of the structure and functionality of both DNA and RNA would get me a Nobel Prize. Not bad for an average pre-med student, I think."

Turning to the camera I said, "I want to thank the school for letting me have the first of the human tests for my joint done here. I want to thank the forward-looking individuals who wanted me to take the tests. I also want to thank the backward-looking individuals for trying to put me down in front of a camera."

There was a burst of questions from all around, which I stayed to answer as long as necessary. Soon DNA began to predominate and I said, "The best way is to publish this data, so it can be refuted or confirmed by the people working in this field. The sorry fact is that since I have no degree I will never be allowed to publish anything in a learned paper. Even though I have worked on the polio virus and my team may have found a vaccine, I cannot even publish that information."

Soon I tried to find refuge in the motor home with some of my family. There were still angry voices outside and they were not really aimed at me. I felt bad about what I had done. Though the panel was out to screw me, it was my fault for asking about this foolish test in the first place. The men's reputations would be tarnished and so would my budding friendship with the Minister of Health. None of them would trust me again after this.

There was a knock at the door and Laura went to answer it. She spoke for a few seconds and invited a man in. I knew him instantly for a few appearances on television. This was Dr. John A. Hopps. He worked for the National Research Council as a researcher. He was a bit on the heavy side but carried it well.

I stood up and said, "Hello, Doctor Hopps. Thank you for coming. Will you have a seat?"

"I am glad to be here, Mr Kramer. I see that you made quite a stir in the halls. I believe they are airing some of the story now."

I turned around and opened a sliding door to reveal a television. I turned it on but kept the sound down. It took quite a while for the tubes to warm up before the picture came on. CBC was on channel six. I had Laura turn a crank in the roof till the signal come in the best.

I heard the announcer talking about the meeting and then I saw some of the early clips. It wasn't long after that when they went to canned images and just talked about what was said, for they were not able to transmit to the station yet. An American doctor, here to visit relatives, would be commenting on the questions, an announcer said.

"In my opinion, the young man certainly did a fine job. I would have a difficult time saying things as fast as he did, one after the other. I think if he were in the United States, any school would snap him up very quickly. I think they would put him directly into research and not have to go through being a medical doctor first."

I turned the sound down and said, "I think I pushed this too far and much too fast."

Hopps said, "Nonsense, it is good to see them shaken up a bit. When I went through my training, I dreamed of doing just what you have done. Now, what was it you wanted from me?"

"I didn't want anything, Doctor Hopps." I got up and took a box out from storage and put it on the table to one side. On top of it was a large envelope. "Take a look at the paperwork if you will."

He twisted off the red string and took out quite a few sheets of paper. The first was a mechanical drawing of a small flat object. After reading the notes on the drawing he eagerly said, "Is there one in the box?"

"Go ahead and open it."

He pulled the tape off and saw twelve small cardboard boxes. He gingerly took one out and put it on the table and on top of the drawing. When the lid came off, he removed some packing and he saw a shiny disk. He took it into his hand and turned it over. There were some thin wires coming from the unit.

"You made it this small?"

"To coin a new term, you have cutting edge technology in your hand. You made the original unit and I just made a few improvements."

After looking at the device a bit more it went back into the box and this was set aside. The next print was a schematic. He traced through the circuit. I had conveniently put the symbols on the side of the drawing and what they meant. A listing of the components' characteristics was there as well. He spent ten minutes looking at the print trying to understand all the details.

I had typed out a letter to explain everything and when he found it he read it quickly. The next sheet was a patent application. The last sheet, though, was a contract.

He incredulously said, "You are giving this to us?"

"Not quite, doctor. The National Research Council can sell the rights to this unit but only this unit. These will get much smaller, maybe about the size of three stacked fifty-cent pieces. Those I will sell myself. This is just my way of saying thanks for making the original unit."

"But this unit does much more than mine ever could and it is so small."

"That is a relative word. I think it is large, cumbersome and power hungry. This pacemaker incorporates an implantable defibrillator, along with your device for atrial fibrillation. It is capable of treating both fast and slow rhythms in the same patient. If you look on the patent application, you will see all the names of the engineers that made this possible. Your name is there too."

"But... but, I didn't make this."

"You did the basic ground work. Pacemakers in the future will be able memorize a person's heartbeat and even the pattern. I am quite sure that it will eventually work on some patients with severe symptoms from atrial arrhythmias and even some with congestive heart failure. My companies will make them but there is too many things on our plate already. Sell this unit till a better one comes around."

"You are giving this to us? I see no bill or cost."

"It is free to you and your company. I will want to recover some of the cost of development through my taxes though."

There was another knock at the door and Laura who was watching the television got up to answer it. She let the Minister of Health in. He walked to me with a pissed off look on his face. He looked at my guest and said, "Hello, Doctor Hopps. What brings you here?" He ignored me and hoped, I guess, to show part of his displeasure that way.

"Mr Kramer has just given us implantable pacemakers that will free a patient to a normal life or a much more normal life. Take a look at this drawing. It has many more features than I ever imagined. And Mr Kramer says the unit is cumbersome."

While the Minister looked at the drawing Dr Hopps took out the unit he was checking previously. "See, it is so small and you only have to change the batteries once a year. The drawings show it going completely under the skin."

The Minister looked at the unit, then at me, then back at the unit. "This is amazing. Perhaps I can see now why you had no patience with some old men."

I added, "They were lying in wait for me and you were a party to it. They wanted to find out what I knew and then say it was wrong even if it wasn't. Men are good in small groups and like a mob, the doctors as a whole are guilty of many things."

"You may be right. I was only a party to this because it was the only way I could get them to give you the tests you wanted."

"Well, let's stay friends. You were compelled to lead me into the room and I was compelled to defend myself."

"Good enough," he said as he reached over and offered me his hand. After we shook he said, "How much are these units going to cost?"

"I am only going to write off the research and development. They are given free of charge to the NRC, along with the plans to build as many more as they wish. Hearing aids will be next and they will be very small."

The two men left and in an hour the rest of our group returned. The television was on and I had the people sit down and see the very first 'I Love Lucy' episode ever aired.

The Mertzes had their wedding anniversary and a choice had to be made of where to celebrate the occasion. One group wanted the fights and another a nightclub. It was interesting to see it on the small black and white television, especially when this was the start of their long career.

Before more news came on, I turned the television off and got everybody involved in a board game. When we turned in, I felt much better. Part of it was simply being with other people and interacting with them. The TV could never do this and I think it was one of the downfalls of our civilization.

The next morning we saw Margarete but she was still under the influence of the painkillers. Jason was staying by her side. There was a multitude of doctors coming through and all of them wanted to find out about the hip joint. There was an elevated temperature but that was normal after all major surgeries. Doctor Smiles was her physician but he didn't have any standing in this teaching hospital. The doctors who placed the hips within her body were her doctors now.

We were going to stay for three more days and would not be spending it all in the university. I did want to visit Connaught Labs and did so a little after the noon hour. The director gave me a tour as soon as I arrived. The machines were the same as I had made, because I had seen pictures of the lab when going to school. They were now making more vaccine. Last time it was almost two years before the vaccine got approval but that time also had the mistake that infected some children. This time if there were no mistakes the time might be considerably less and possibly the cost too.

I nodded when I saw their labels, for they, too, were doing as I suggested and made this into individual lots. They were also very concerned that the vaccine be proved successful. The fact of their getting much more recognition was a godsend in terms of future funding and personnel.

The director led me over to a large group of people. Some I knew from Chicago and others I had never met. After I was offered a coffee, the director asked, "Tell us about what you found out about DNA and RNA."

"Take me to a chalk board then and we can give it a try. It is a very deep subject that I am only scratching at. I plan on using E. Coli to grow molecules that I need. I think in a few years I will be able to make synthetic insulin. A whole field is opening up and may not be fully known even in a hundred years."

I explained the structure again and drew some diagrams. With some descriptions of RNA, I skipped thirty years of research and explained how proteins were made. Then I went into many inherited diseases and explained how both parents had to have the same defect for it to be transferred to the child. Hemophilia and other maladies that could fit in this scenario were mentioned.

All the time I told them that this was my opinion. I lied a bit by explaining experiments I had done in the earlier life that were both easy to do and would provide exacting information to support my words. This was done in minute detail, so they could repeat the experiments and corroborate my findings. It would be hard for the scientific community to brush me off with impunity if I had well-respected laboratories saying they found the same things I had mentioned.

"If this lab works on diligently finding my assertions true or false, I will collaborate with you to make this synthetic insulin. This is not really a bribe. If you find me mistaken, you will get the same consideration."

I went on to explain much more about viruses and what would be good avenues to fight them. It was getting late when I finished. Nobody left this seminar and we even ordered in food. The various technicians had to do most of the duties and some of the important personnel had to leave from time to time.

When I got back to where the motor home was parked, I saw a much larger crowd then usual. There were many parents pushing young and even grown children, all wrapped in blankets. The group rushed me and started to forcefully explain why they were here. This time some were cripples from reasons other than polio and they wanted me to tell them how they could walk or even stand again. It looked like they saw me as a modern day messiah coming into their midst.

I found most had lost hope in the medical profession. I believe in most cases there was nothing that could be done anyway. My joints might help some older people only with severe arthritic problems. This was something that had to be decided after assessing the individual and their needs.

"I am not a doctor yet. I know many things from my own experiments. I cannot treat or prescribe anything for you. The only hope I can give you is to phone Doctor Smiles' office next week when he gets back and tell them what your problem is. If, after consulting with your doctor, we may find room in our group of volunteers to try some of our new prosthetics. I have to warn you, though that not many qualify, for a wide range of reasons."

When I unlocked the door I found a note on the table. Everybody had gone out to eat. They had spent the day shopping, for I found lots of paper shopping bags bulging with their purchases. With some peace and quiet I started writing more pages in some of the books I needed to get published. The generator had to be started to supply power for the typewriter for I had not made a good inverter, yet. Current models wasted slightly more that half of their power.



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Chapter 34


Two hours later the sound of a key in the lock told me that the family was back. Some work had been accomplished but more was spent on thinking of Natalie. It was a difficult time to keep my focus.

The next day I spent shopping for the various businesses. Most of my activity was for the Works. Even though Bell was working on the lasers, I ordered some glass tubing, vacuum pump and another fair sized ham transmitter for RF energy. It was still much cheaper than making our own. My name now got faster service and, I think, a better price. I was not shy about buying used; as long as I could send it back if defective.

When I got back to the motor home, I wanted nothing better than a warm shower. Dr Hopps was there, though, talking with Doctor Smiles and Janice. After our greetings he said, "The school wants to see how you implant the pacemakers you made. I think it is a test of some sort. They are supplying a cadaver, if you wish to try."

Doctor smiles said, "You have never worked on a body before, Alex. Are you sure you want to try?"

"If I am going to learn, it has to be done. I am not squeamish. If it proves too much for me, then maybe you can continue."

"I can certainly do that but I think the school is trying to frighten you off or prove that you can't do what is necessary."

"There always has to be a first time."

"I will do it but we have to make some leads. Tell me what you are using." I got a short description. One was similar to what was used in the future: one wire with a single conductor had an open helix at the end, much like a screw for removing a cork from a bottle. This was inserted into a vein and threaded towards the heart. At the appropriate point it was twisted into the muscle to lock it in place.

The other method had four fins that pop out and embed themselves into the muscle of either the atrium or ventricle. This was similar to the tool used to pick up hard to get at objects. After six months they will not come out without surgery.

"I can use these but I can see some minor improvements. I want to make the leads more flexible. A clear coating over a stainless steel mesh will not only look good but doctors will buy it," I said with a smile.

Though I was tired, I walked with the two doctors to where the test was going to take place. It was cold but many people were still around to see if I could pull off a miracle for them.

I looked at the crude pacemaker I had made and then at the various leads that were supplied. I was able to attach them fairly easily. I looked around at the equipment and found the x-ray fluoroscope machine that I would need.

What I was concerned with was that I would get a good exposure to the x-ray source and my testicles would suffer the most. There was more shielding than there was before but it was still inferior to what I knew was a more stringent standard of my day.

The lead-impregnated fabric used in a dentist's chair was not used yet and I had to look around for a suitable barrier. There were some doctors around and none of them had been on the last panel. I explained my problem and asked for some metal to protect me. They made a phone call and a sheet of mild steel came in. It was not good but it certainly was better than the shielding in the machine. I gave the standards for x-ray exposure that were in effect in 2004. The doctors were incredulous of my requests and thought I was just being a child.

When I was ready, the cadaver was wheeled in. I had my own gown on, complete with a hat and a mask, as if this were an operation. The latex gloves were not tight but were the same size as I used on Lass.

When I pulled the sheet off the upper torso, I fell back in shock. The doctors were stunned. Doctor Smiles was, too but for the same reason as me.

He said, "I should have checked first. Do you want another, Alex?"

I got control of myself and said, "Place a cloth over the head. As long as I can't see, it will be possible."

The doctors asked what was wrong and Doctor Smiles explained how the corpse looked a lot like a woman I loved and who had passed away only recently. An extra lab coat was wrapped around the head and Doctor Smiles said that I could start.

One from the original panel came into the room with another right behind. The first said, "Hello Mr Kramer. Since you made quite a bit of assertions recently, perhaps you can tell me what you know of this body. When that is done you can continue with your procedure."

Even though I did not think so I said, "I will do that. Who picked this particular body?"

"I believe Doctor Hopps did."

I looked at the doctor in question and he nodded his head. "I am sorry Alex. I knew you experienced a recent loss but didn't tie it to this," he coughed to pause in consternation, "body."

"It bothers me but I will continue. Will someone transcribe to fill out the autopsy report?"

Hopps replied, "I would be glad to."

I did a visual examination. There was no way of determining the time of death. The woman was described as accurately as possible. I had only done three autopsies after leaving medical school but this was nothing new. It was not an enjoyable task either. I would have preferred this to be an old man, though.

I found contusions in many places on her body. Many were on her neck and arms. The body had lumps on the bones of the arms and possibly the ribs. I had to peal back the cloth and found a large trauma area that could be the cause of death. Before turning the body over, I asked for ten sample bags and with a scalpel scraped the material from under the fingernails making sure to label each bag where the material came from.

I steeled myself and slowly removed the lab coat. The woman was young, just a bit older than Natalie. I was glad that she had blond hair and had different facial characteristics. I examined the mouth and face. There were some recent contusions that were indicative of a fight. The inside of the lips were damaged and I noted all this for the report.

The trauma to the skull intrigued me and I used the scalpel to bring the portions of skin now in the skull to the surface. There was some gray material on one section but I did not touch it. Before saying anything more, I looked for traces of powder burns but found none. The method used was a sticky material mounted on paper or plastic that would remove any loose debris and would show any burnt powder. A microscopic examination later would show burns, if the shooter was close.

I now mentioned the bullet wound and the obvious method used to hide the trauma. The first man from the panel said, "That is where you are wrong, Mr Kramer. She died of a fall. You will never make a doctor even though you seem to put on a good act. You are much too theatrical for your own good."

I asked bluntly, "Are you an administrator or a doctor, sir?"

He was very indignant. "I was a doctor before you were born, young man. I was in the first war and served my country. I saved many men, too. I..."

I cut him off. "If you are a doctor, put some gloves on and examine this body and tell me if there is or is not some lead smears around the wound."

The man was angry again but did roll up his sleeves and donned a pair of gloves. Then he looked close and checked it three times. "That could be anything from a fall Mr Kramer. I think it impossible that it could be a bullet wound. This woman was the daughter of a very respected family in our community."

"Well, if you agree that she has some foreign substance around the wound, then let me continue with this examination. I don't appreciate your innuendo and comments till this is done." He snarled at me but did back up so I could finish.

When I was done I said, "This body had to be donated to the school for it to get here. I am telling you now that this woman was murdered." I got a lot of yelling now at my diagnosis. Most were that I was everything imaginable except a human being.

Doctor Smiles turned to the vocal group and said, "Young Alex is right. I can see that the woman lost her life to a bullet to the skull. The massive trauma was indubitably the cause of death. The head was then struck onto a solid object to make it look like a fall had done this. If we examine the brain, then we will know for sure."

I looked at Hopps. He swallowed and said, "I also agree with Mr Kramer. This woman was murdered."

Some doctors were almost frothing at the mouth and were taken out by their colleagues. I wheeled over the fluoroscope. This time we examined the skull from many angles and wrote down what each of us saw, for now we needed some witnesses. Some areas were pointed out and examined more fully. There were fragments of lead in the skull that had not had the energy to escape.

I asked, "What do we do now? There may be portions of the attacker's tissue under the cuticles. If we leave the body and the evidence, then it will not be admissible because the defence may say that somebody had substituted it. It doesn't look like that doctor is going to give us any help. I don't even know if the police already know if this woman was murdered. I feel that they would have at least collected the evidence before this.

In the end we convinced a doctor to call the police. They did come an hour later and we presented our findings. I stayed back again, so the police would be able to get the reports from two reputable doctors.

Before the police had come I suggested that the coroner come here so the evidence of the wound never leave our sight till it was taken into custody. When the doctor did come, all he had to do was view the streaks of lead around the wound and then take a look in the fluoroscope.

"Who found this first?" He said.

Doctor Hopps said, "Young Mr Kramer invented a pacemaker and he was going to show us what new features he found."

The coroner said, "He was doing an autopsy? He is only a kid."

Hopps backed me up, "Yes, a kid who made a better pacemaker, probably cured polio and perhaps found the structure of DNA, which we have been looking for, for a long time."

Doctor Smiles added, "He invented the new artificial hip that shows much more promise than the other ones we had. What does he have to do, get a Nobel Prize?"

The coroner conceded defeat and asked me what I found and how I had done it. He did ask to start all over again.

Dr Hopps started it off with my gift to the Council, then the request to show how the device was to be placed. This was to be a test, too, for I was asked to find out what I could about the body.

The objections and actions of some members of the administration were mentioned. This went into the coroner's report along with the ten bags of evidence. The police also thanked us. I think it was mainly for lining up the evidence so much. At least the university allowed me to take a hot shower even if I had to put my old clothes back on.

The next morning we visited Margarete once more and found her in pain but thinking more clearly. She thanked us all for what we had done for her. We left the two in the hospital as planned. Margarete would come home in an ambulance in five more days.

On the way out of the hospital reporters surrounded us once more. The questions now centred on the murdered woman. The girls looked at me wondering what this was all about. Mom said, "Tell me Alex. What happened?"

"I made a new and improved pacemaker. Some of the patent rights were given to the National Research Council who hold the old and original patent. Doctor Hobbs actually invented the first machine. He asked me to show him how this unit should be inserted in the human body. The school wanted to see what I knew of medicine, again and allowed me to do this simple procedure on the body of a recently deceased woman."

I paused for a moment still seeing her and the face of Natalie. In a moment I continued, "Sorry, I was thinking of Natalie. As part of the school curricula, I was asked to find out what information I could about the body. They assumed the death to be from an unfortunate accident. We had a fluoroscope for use in feeding the leads into the cardiac muscle. This we used after finding traces of lead around the trauma on the skull.

"The school quickly called the police and the coroner. They reviewed our findings and took the body away for further examination."

More questions came quickly. I answered them to the best of my ability. Eventually, when they could not think of anything good to ask, I said, "Most of you gentlemen have interviewed me before. I do not like your being rude and I do not like to be asked childish questions. If you can't think of something serious to say, keep your mouths closed so someone else can ask.

"Now I am going into my home away from home and have a coffee. You may ask Doctor Smiles here or Doctor Hopps for more details for they were working hand in hand with me."

The questions now centred on Doctor Smiles and I excused myself. In a moment we were all in except the good doctor and his wife. I felt like the person in the old Russian fable about running from hungry wolves and throwing one of their number from the sleigh to appease their pursuers and hopefully slow them down.

There was almost a full pot of cold coffee. I put a cup in the microwave and in a moment the mechanical timer rang. The door opened at that time and the good doctor came in followed by Janice and then by four of the reporters.

Doctor Smiles said, "It is nicer to talk in here than out there and there are fewer of them."

This was alright with me, so I took their coats and hung them up. I asked, "I have some coffee I can reheat, if anybody wants some."

I got some favourable comments and passed the cup in the microwave to one then got out the milk and sugar. More coffee was poured into cups and I turned the microwave on for one minute. When each cup was done I handed them out while they looked around at my home.

One of the men said, "What is that you are putting the coffee into?"

"My company made some high voltage and high current electric components much like how a transistor is made. Then we made a new magnetron that produces intense microwaves. This is what heated the water molecules in the cup and made the warm coffee hot."

"I heard of those. Aren't they supposed to be big?"

"Others make big ones that need water cooling and lots of electricity. Mine will go on every counter of every house in North America and Europe. Russia too, if they have the money."

"Don't you get cooked too?"

"I am very careful about exposure to any radiation. These units are very safe. You have my word on it."

"Show me how it works, if you would."

I did as he asked and he said, "Is that all?"

In a moment I was taking things from the fridge and cooking them for our guests. Only when they were well fed did they continue with asking Doctor Smiles about last night. In my opinion, the doctor was a bit too biassed in regards to my ability.

Over fresh coffee they talked a bit more with me and then with my family. The reporters looked at me from time to time to gauge if they were getting into the frivolous territory.

Just when the reporters were about to leave, the Minister of Health knocked on the door and Helen invited him in. Now the reporters started to ask him questions but were at least polite. They got from him that he had come to tell me of the way my examination of the night before was viewed by the school.

"In the school's opinion you did a marvellous job. It was very professional and above reproach."

"Does that mean that I get to go to pre-med if I want?"

"You are probably well past pre-med. You haven't done any written tests yet, though. They would admit you after they find what level you would be at."

"Why not skip the written work and have another verbal test? This time, we get a room full of mostly impartial teachers to ask me questions. I can get secretly graded by a hundred teachers at once."

"You are really pushing, Alex. Doctors are very conservative, especially with a patient's life at stake. I doubt if they would go for that."

"Give it a try. If I fail, I fail. If they are polite, I will be polite. They want answers from the book and I will give those answers back but I may know, or suspect, a different and better way."

The Minister and the reporters rode with us to test the motor home till we got to the outskirts of Toronto. We waited till they got a ride back in a taxi and then continued on our way back home.

We were a bit later than usual getting to North Bay because of the snow. Laura seemed to be the best at driving through this condition, as she was the best in congested traffic.

The Works got its new shipment of equipment in a few days. It was just set up, when I got a new group of boys. Half were from Toronto but some were from the States or other provinces. Beds were set up like barracks, the way the original people liked. It was near work and they could be called at any time to help. Things were just moving too fast for any of them to consider that they were living in poor conditions.

Izzy had made partitions and we had a full-time staff just to make food and do laundry.

I kept all thirty-seven of them. Derrick had prepared more contracts and the wording was explained in detail. Again, I did not want them coming to me later and saying they did not understand.

After the first few minutes of an impromptu tour I doubted if I could have evicted them, anyway. My group had worked hard to make the small laser pointer I wanted and now each of the original group sported one in his pocket. In typical nerd fashion, it was right beside their pens of various colours.

The newspaper came from Toronto with a big write-up. The husband of the dead woman had admitted the crime after the police told him that I was the one going after him. The article was fairly well written and honest the way I liked but the lie about me being after the killer still rankled me. The papers could say they hated me but they better also say that it was the paper's opinion or a reporter's.

The test at a future date was mentioned and the paper urged me to take it. Since they knew about the verbal preference and the chance of having many people marking me, they knew it would be fairer. I really wasn't too interested in taking it just yet, anyway. There was just too much to do in other fields.

Margarete had come home and was making great strides at walking. As predicted, she was much more sore than she was before but she also had expectations of the pain slowly diminishing, now. She also tested out our new walkers, which were much better than a simple cane.

The school board had given up the battle for their code of conduct and accepted everything I had written in the original text. When elections came, I would make sure that there were some people, who would do a better job, running against them. The board lawyers I would never hire. They were not blacklisted, just that I would never want to do anything with them again.

Margaret Sanger, a radically thinking nurse and Katherine McCormick, the heiress to the International Harvester fortune. She gave a considerable amount of money to get a birth control drug developed for all women. Though the money could be used, I really wanted their support. Making the 'Pill' would be easy. Getting it approved and accepted would be harder.

The drug laws at this time were lax and that was why I wanted to get as many drugs out as possible, before the process got too time consuming and expensive.

The 'Pill', though, would be illegal, even for married women in North America and perhaps all over the world. Women were seen as chattels in many ways. They could not even regulate their own bodies. The church would see sixteen children as sixteen new converts and not see the suffering that the parents had to go through to raise them. They also did not see that fewer children could be raised with more attention and resources put at their disposal. I guess sixteen poor, illiterate farmers who died young were better than two college educated people who would lead the country or the world.

A year earlier, the two women commissioned the work to be done, for nobody believed the pill to be a salable item. Gregory Pincus took the job with Doctor M. C. Chang and Doctor John Rock. This year, Carl Djerassi found progestin in yams.

Progesterone would eventually be the result. Enovid-10 was the first trade name. It was a combination of many drugs but mainly it was estrogen and progesterone, at ten times the amount needed.

What I needed both Margaret Sanger and Katherine McCormick for, was to fight for the pill's acceptance. This would be a much harder fight. She had given ten million dollars eventually and now this money could be better spent on advertising.

This time I was able to sit in a comfortable chair and just dial one number I had got through the people at Bell.

After the first hello to the party I wanted, I said, "Hello. My name is Alex Kramer. Do you have a few moments to talk to me about a new contraceptive drug I have found?"

"Certainly. Are you that boy in the papers?"

"Yes, that one. Does that make any difference in my findings?"

"No, it is just that you are so full of new things. I don't know what you are going to do next. Did you really complete this task?"

"With six months and a bit of help I can have the pill ready for tests. I already have done the basic research."

When I paused she said, "That is very good to hear. Why is it that you are personally telling me this?"

"First of all, I want no money from you. I know you are financing another study. In a few days I can present my findings to that group. I plan on marketing my product. Your money could be much better spent promoting contraceptives regardless of who makes them. The men running this world will not want this product to reach its intended targets."

"You want me to help you market your product? I see that this contraceptive is what I have long wanted but why should I help you?"

"First of all, I am not that rich. I can get the drug past the trials but it will languish there forever unless someone champions this cause. You can spend your money on the other research and then have to champion that cause too. This way, at least you have more money to spend on advertising and the message will get out much sooner. It is the lawmakers who have to be convinced, not the women who need my product."

"How do I know you have this product?"

"I will send out a copy of my patent application. It will have much of the information in it. If you instruct the researchers to investigate, you will find them confirming my findings."

She said, "If this comes to pass, how do think I should carry on?"

"I think you were in this for the long haul. If the research eventually cost you most of your inheritance, you would use it. I suggest you buy shares in newspapers and instruct them to do as you wish. That is the usual way a government or a large business swings public opinion. This gives you the benefit of retaining the majority of your money and you would be able to purchase more shares of different publications.

"Women are not even empowered to have a say over their own body now. You might look on this as another suffragette cause that will enfranchise the women of the world."

We talked quite a bit longer and I found the woman both witty and intelligent. I would love to meet her in person. At the end she was very happy to agree to do what she could once my findings were confirmed.

In four days I sent another package to Tom Ciesla. After it was safely registered he was going to send a few copies to Katherine McCormick.

Integrated circuits had run into a few roadblocks but most were due to our poor machinery. We were trying to cram more transistors on a chip and this required finer masks. When we went for multilayer, the masks just slipped. A micron was one millionth of a metre and it was still too much for the mask to slip.

I found more personnel to work on the mechanical aspects alone. I also used another resource I had been promised.

I phoned Martin. "Hello, Alex! What new things did you invent today?"

"Still working on some old ideas. I do have some work for your think tank and the accountants you promised me."

"What is it?"

"We are doing research into larger configurations of chips. A microprocessor will be the result. It will be many times more powerful than anything the Univac Corporation can make. Ours will hide in the palm of your hand. I want the groups you offered me to look into Univac. It will go bankrupt soon after my processor goes on the market. I might be able to purchase it but their machinery is useless to me. Their buildings and people may be their only asset."

"I certainly see that happening. I am glad our bank doesn't own any stock in that corporation. Is there anything else?"

"There is a medium-sized company called International Business Machines. It makes typewriters, adding machines and other devices for the office. They may be useful as a way of marketing and even in manufacturing the larger computers I want. See what you can about the company. I may want to buy it."

"I can do that, too."

By the end of November we had some chips. Our scrap rate was nearly ninety four percent and this was unacceptable. This did leave six percent that worked. By the middle of December, we not only had some good LEDs but we also had finished a three-inch crystal composed of groups of very tiny light emitting diodes. It looked like the characters that were displayed on an old dot matrix printer. The small processor did all the calculations but passed the data on to another chip, which processed the information and put it on the display.

We would have liquid crystal displays but while they are relatively simple, they still took much longer to get the bugs out. Our first model was at least a few months away and then it would still not be as good as it would have to be. This field alone was very time consuming and the only reason it could work as fast as I wanted, was because I'd had to make modifications for my companies in that other time.

We now had a hand calculator that was capable of seventeen digits, a decimal and a negative sign. It did the basic four functions and a square root. There was only memory for the last digit displayed.

Tom Ciesla had confirmed that he had sent off the packet to Katherine McCormick. When he heard about our next device a few months later, he came up personally. When he first saw it work, he wanted one right away. It was the size of a hardcover novel but that didn't matter. It ate batteries at a prodigious rate, because we were not getting our silicon and dopants pure enough. A small 120-volt adapter was made to plug into the back. This got around the problem of twenty-five or sixty Hertz lines.

With his one unit in his briefcase, he ran off with the diagrams to file the forty-three patents that were required. There were so many new ideas used that this was necessary.

I contacted two Canadian publishers to print one of the textbooks at my cost. Four in the United States got the other two books to print as well. I would have to see how well they were accepted at some selected schools before I made any more.

We used Martin's fledging courier service extensively now. He got one of the calculators as an early Christmas present from us. He was also happy to ship some things to the President for us. The microwave went and with it went a booklet containing a long list of instructions, some of Mom, Grandma, Helen and the other girl's recipes and their comments. The machine had all the boys' signatures, also by the new ones. Dad sent a bottle each, of homemade sliwowica and spirituse. I put a note onto it to not let the Canadian authorities catch him drinking it, because there was no excise tax paid on it. I also sent him a calculator with a book of instructions.

Aron made four Christmas cards by hand. All of us signed two of the cards, while his class at school signed the other two. He was happy to announce that his brother knew the President and the Prime Minister.

Similar gifts were to be sent to Louis St. Laurent. To be diplomatic, he had the calculator with the first serial number, while the President had the microwave with the first number. The politicians who had shown a favourable attitude towards my businesses got the same calculator.

Bell Labs got a dozen, plus one for William and another for George. We spent a lot of money burning up the phone lines and got a dedicated line put in directly to the lab. They knew about the shipment and were eagerly awaiting it. At present they could get three or possibly four places of accuracy with a slip stick, or either eight or twelve with tables and logarithms.

William promised to walk over to the Univac company and casually bring out his machine. He would then do a calculation that required all the digits displayed. His would outdo theirs many times, both in speed and in accuracy. This of course, he said, would bankrupt the company, for they could not compete with us.

Aron loved his machine but there was little he could do with it. Being nine years old, he was only in grade five because he skipped one year like me.

The empty buildings that I owned were put to use in manufacturing different articles. I sent the newer group of engineers there, after they had worked for a while with the first group. The first group knew where the majority of the new ideas were conceived and didn't want to go elsewhere.

I convinced the boys to take rooms off campus, so to speak. I even supplied the rooms, so they could have some privacy. The men then talked to their girlfriends and I could see me attending a lot of weddings soon. The local girls liked the idea, too and some men didn't have far to go to see a girl. Soon I would have to hire more educated women to even out the population ratio.

To keep Linda and Valerie out of trouble, or perhaps to do the opposite, I asked them to help me at the works and other locations to handle the filing of papers. This had to be after their regular job with the school board. This put them in contact with the boys. I thought it was time for the girls to fledge and in this case I knew they would be safe.

Christmas was a lot more fun this time around. I was even more busy with parties and visiting. The labs and manufacturing concerns were shut down for a full week. I used catalogues to buy things in wholesale lots as gifts. Teams of people had to be hired for a short time just to wrap presents.

The various churches were canvassed and I let them deal with distribution and wrapping. For the first time, 'Aron's Cube' and 'Grandpa's Hat' were brought out to the public. I could have sold all this in the weeks preceding Christmas but I didn't want it widely dispersed until I was ready.

I had bought a small company in the United States and they were busy manufacturing the same toys as here. I'd not had time to work on the Helen doll yet but I would have to do so soon.

Just before Christmas Eve I got a present, too. Laura and Helen were in bed with me. While we were checking out each other's plumbing, Laura drew my attention to a black hair sprouting from my groin.

I worked even harder that night, because soon I would not be able to do this without protection.

The mine, for the most part was shut down. We didn't use chemicals or even have a real mill. We simply used water to assist us in separating the gold from the dross. The water now was a distinctly hard commodity.

Dad had slowly come to the realization that Helen was with me all the time as was Laura. This led him to the truth. For a while he was angry with me, then proud and then angry again. Mom talked to him but it didn't help much. He wanted me to marry Helen as soon as possible, because he feared an out-of-wedlock child.

Helen stood up to her father and said that I was still too young. She did say that we were already a family in all but name. Grandpa was angry, too and for the same reasons and I was disowned once more in his books. In the end Helen and Laura fled the house with me.

We weren't home Christmas Eve because of the various parties. Linda and Valerie had started to respond to the boys and were home less and less. My presents to my wives were the two torcs. They were dressed up in their finest clothes and I took off their necklaces and placed the heavy clasps on their necks. After I got a gold ring and a short chain through the end parts, I said, "You are all mine." I pulled each forwards and kissed them. There is some atavistic instinct about controlling women that made them and me quite horny. Though it may have looked like I was playing the part of a slave master, I was not that way. The girls knew this and we could afford to indulge our fantasies.

Just before we left, I took the short leashes off and put them beside the bed. Tonight I would see about getting them in a harem outfit.

One more torc had been made and I didn't quite cry when I held it for the woman who would never get to see it now.

We drove to Rita's new home. They had done a lot of renovations, not only to the house but also to the restaurant. Mario now had six franchises and the new manager and his helpers had many more prospects. Martin had made sure that he got favourable rates. Rita and Libra had been weaned and now pursued some of the younger engineers. I had warned the men that I wanted only the best for the girls. This cut down on the girls' prospects but ensured that they only got young men that were serious.

Margarete was doing better now. She said in passing, "Oh the White House and the Prime Minister phoned but you were out. I didn't talk to the men but I talked to their secretaries."

"Thanks, Margarete. I am going to have to get radio phones put in here."

I used the hotel phone and returned the calls and talked to each of the men. They loved everything, including the booze. The Prime Minister was in the worse spot because the Department of Revenue would be down on him for drinking dad's product. I think, though, that after a few glasses he wouldn't worry much anymore.

Our fiscal year ended on December thirty-first. With all the things I had donated, there was very little tax to pay. The bookkeeping had evolved to a full time staff, a tax attorney and two accountants.

Things were coming along, when on January fifteenth of 1952 I got word through Martin that the government was going to give me some money to put more jobs here in the north. Within moments I made a phone call that got a construction company started. I knew this was going to happen and all the details had been worked out except the time.

For the next month we heard faint blasting, as all the basements for all the buildings were made at one time. Even the trenches for all the utilities I wanted were dug. It would be much more costly to blast after buildings had been erected.

I was welcomed back at the house now and part of it was undoubtedly the fact that some heads of government had phoned them looking for me. Both men personally thanked dad for his gift and I heard they had talked a while about the correct technique to make the level in the bottle fall.

Joseph had kept in touch and said the vaccine was still doing well with no unexpected problems. The same was true in Canada. The anaesthetics and the dispensing machine were finding widespread favour among the doctors testing the machine and the chemical.

Word had not made it back yet about the 'Pill'. It would take a while to get a full battery of tests done anyway.

Chips were manufactured to tighter tolerances by the end of March. We had ordered special machines and made a lot of our own fixtures. We now had an LCD panel but nothing to really drive it. The boys had fun using variations of the calculator to show a short history of their calculations.

Bell was still not fully behind me. They were waiting for the microprocessor chip I had promised. Their patience was fairly good now after they saw the calculator chip we had made. Manufacturing the parts in large lots was still our major bottleneck. We had orders for millions of dollars in transistors and ICs. All of our production was going to Bell or our own projects. To open up production to others would also mean that we had to give them many of our hard-won secrets.

By the end of June we had our first large-scale microprocessor. It had thirty-two bit addressing and data. This was a very difficult job to complete. It was also one of the ones I had to work out almost completely by myself. We had programmed ICs in my previous life to do many things but a large processor was orders of magnitude more difficult. I spent many a sleepless night working on the steps necessary a bit at a time. The girls were feeling that I was ignoring them but this simply had to be done to proceed.

I put in sixty-four megabytes of RAM and four megabytes of ROM. The computer only worked at eight MHz because of our limitations. There was no disk operating system, yet and everything was held in NAND RAM till it was needed again. This time there would be no corners cut, so that the next system would be backward compatible with ours.

The operating system was very rudimentary. We had a trackball using one of our lasers. There was only a monochrome screen. Colour was available but it was going to be hard enough to get everything to work the way I wanted. I/O was through a simple TCP/IP scheme but we had many more addresses to choose from. Things were getting tight in the twenty-first century even with Mac addressing thrown in.

The code to understand the processor had to be made as well and here I got the boys to help but it was mostly me, for they could not follow the reasoning very often. They did learn enough to work with various areas of the processor and learn how they functioned. I had kept notes and secretaries kept a written record of what I said so it could be put into book form later.

With an LCD screen it was like the first portable computers. It was heavy and not too portable but it did work.

The nerds had gone gaga over the unit and there was not one moment when the first unit was idle. There was no need to lock it up, for it was never out of someone's eye. After the first week I found production picked up significantly. Everybody wanted to see what they could do and needed one of their own to do it.

The computer company name I picked was, of course, Apple. If I kept a tight enough hand on with protocols, I could allow parts to be made for future models without getting into the same trouble IBM did with its multitudes of video, audio, I/O and various other peripherals. IBM at this time had simple mechanical adding machines, mechanical and electrical typewriters and little else. Martin's reports said that their share price would fall significantly after we showed the world that we had much better machines.

I had told Martin of my visions of offering them my products to manufacture for a large portion of stock. They had grown so well in my previous life, because they had embraced the computer and worked hard to develop it. There was also the fact that many investors jumped on the bandwagon and bought shares that would help it grow. The thoughts of owning IBM did not completely subside, though, as the day progressed. They had not started their meteoritic raise because they had just got their feet wet on tube computers.

School was out now and Helen and Laura were much more free time to assist me. Helen went under Derrick's wife's wing to continue her education in accounting. She had been doing so for a long time but now it was full time. Helen might not even go to university, because there would be nothing there for her to learn.

We were suffering growing pains. We hired many more people and all the available buildings had been taken over. The complex outside town was now openly called Silicon Ridge for various reasons. There were thousands of workers employed to put up the various buildings. Our trailers were used extensively, along with the improvements we used for the fair. The completion dates were not good, for it would be at least November before we could move any of our labs to the new quarters. This was only possible because we would concentrate on one particular building.

While this was all going on, the fair was in its last-stage planning. This year there would be even more people coming, for it was even more of an exposition of our products. Bell labs would be a major contributor, showing what they had done in their facilities.

I told them that if they hooked up mirrors to very small servomotors, they could aim the laser. With either a laser that would run intermittently or one laser for each character they could put on a show. This got them excited but they were not able to get this done in time. I had been working on a hologram but it, too, was not ready yet.

Mr and Mrs Carlson came to North Bay for a visit and to see how we were doing. They were of course very amazed at what we had accomplished. They had been getting updates from both labs but to see was to believe. The boys had made some games for the computer but I think twelve-year-olds in my time could have done better.

When Michael Carlson was put in front of the computer and typed some text, he was amazed to see characters coming back to him. George, in New Jersey, was using a similar unit to strike up a cyber-chat.

We had a working fax machine now and it could plug into the computer to form a dot matrix printer, or it could send data over the wires. George sent his picture over the wires and I drew a mustache and beard on it and sent it back to him. His comments came in through his fingertips. Michael was thrilled to be at this place now.

This demonstration had been carefully orchestrated. Our dedicated line had to be worked on to make sure there was no interference. The system speed had to be downgraded because of the line limitations.

We had a list of what the system could be used for. This particular tabulation was aimed at business customers. Newspapers already had a wire service but it was very slow, cumbersome and the detail was very poor. The military was right up there with issuing written orders. Heavy-duty encryption was now on demand with a computer, though it was of a low order.

"We can have literally millions of these machines hooked to the phone system. They can transfer information from one machine to another. They will make a new media. Newspapers and magazines, then radio and television, will be what I want to call the Internet. Since all the phones in the world are basically on a net, then information can go from any place in the world to another. A war correspondent can take pictures and in less than a second everybody, who wishes to view what is happening, can see them.

I showed how banks of these machines could save the company lots of money as I originally promised. They could switch calls much faster and reroute if there was a problem or an overloaded section of line. I repeated for them my experiment showing that taking a tenth of a second of voice and then expanding it to the entire second it would sound remarkably like an analogue signal. Basically, they could grow ten times and not need new wiring. The fact that this would not work with the heavy traffic on the Internet was not mentioned.

The list of uses went on and on, with even George and now William Shockley adding his part. They showed various aspects of a computer's abilities and how it potentially touched on every portion of our economies.

Michael had to be pried from the machine but he did leave. "How do I get one of those wonderful machines, Alex?"

"I am sorry but it will be a few years. Bell comes first and that means in all of North America. We have to go digital now. If we do it right, we will have the capacity for television signals, too."



-------

Chapter 35


The next week I had many of the board of directors there to see what we had wrought. Some were in New Jersey to talk to the people there. They all had photographs and documents that they wanted to get sent over the wires.

More wiring was dedicated to our job and we had a regular Internet café in the making. I was even serving ice cappuccino while the wealthy men and a few women talked to the people on the other end of the line. These people were put up at my expense. When they left, I was very sure that my contract would get accepted even if they were going to quibble a bit.

The next week we had the military from both countries coming to see our product. The services the computer and the communications net could provide were altered to fit the military mind. They liked the idea of a ground-hugging missile and the advanced avionics I could provide for the various jet aircraft.

Some, belatedly, wanted to have all this classified but it was in the patent offices of many countries already. They did love 'Space Invaders' and a few other simple games but you could not get them to admit it. Documents were passed between here and Ottawa and between here and Washington for these tests. There was just as much saliva flowing as with the others who had come the week before. I was sure of some follow-up work and some contracts. Teletype was available but graphics were not possible. Our encryption was mentioned but I was sure that they did not understand the finer points of what I offered.

The week before the fair we had various companies there to see what we had and how they could incorporate our equipment into their products. They came up with so many ideas that I had to straighten them out at what the machine could do. They thought like the writers of the old mad-robot movies that were supposedly done with vacuum tube computers.

When those had left, I scheduled a news conference and I showed the press what we could do, with a special bent toward their profession. Word processing was mentioned with spell checkers and automatic formatting. Our word processor was on the same level as WordPad and the spellchecker was not ready yet.

Mathematics was stressed and compared to our calculator. Since we could print on the fax we had a clear record of all that was done. As with the other groups, I put in one of the formulas for finding 'PI'. The machine chugged away and in four minutes spit out a long continuous page of paper with PI to only sixty five thousand places of accuracy. I was sure they would try to check it out but I doubted if they would be done before the end of the century if doing it by hand.

They sent and received data from Bell Labs. A form was sent with signatures on it and it was returned with some checkmarks in the appropriate places. They could see the obvious advantages to businesses already. The fact that good quality photographs could be sent from a portable device hooked to a phone line from any place on earth made them sit up and pay attention.

The fair came around and this time it was more organized or the vendors knew what to really expect. Dad and grandpa made a killing on their food. Mom had left the mine in the care of others and was there to help, too.

Aron, Helen and Laura had a stall to sell the two games and they made a similar killing. By the way the cubes were selling, I knew that this time the cube might outsell the original. They had help in this venture. The people who manufactured the games for me were here selling so they could see just how well their efforts were valued.

Lass made another showing and the owners had her doing tricks but she was now jumping on her hind legs. Everybody could see that she was just like any other dog that was free of arthritis. Her pictures sold well, especially those of her during the operation.

The gold and the motor home had stayed home this time. The only things really new this year were our exhibits. Besides the microwave ovens and radios, we had our calculators securely mounted under heavy plastic. People could come up and find out answers to their mathematical questions. The computer, fax machine and the two combined did draw a lot of people. They had read about it in the newspaper and had come to see what they were like first hand. The only thing that would have really got them going, was a digital-to-analogue card that would talk to them in a mechanical voice.

There were, no doubt, foreign powers here, too. They would be here to find out about our inventions. With spies all over the place, I was sure that they already knew quite a bit about what I was doing.

There were at least three attempts to steal the calculators and one more for the computer and fax. I let the police handle it but I was sure some company or government put the men up to it.

Katherine McCormick got back to me the last day of the fair. She was very excited. "Mr Kramer, the formula you made works exceedingly well. I want to start full-scale tests. Are you agreeable?"

"That sounds good to me but I think in this situation, like with the vaccine, we should start with an American company. It will manufacture the pills and conduct the tests independent of Canada and the rest of the world."

"That is fine with me but why don't you just supply the contraceptive and we can test that?"

"If the substance is made in the United States, then there is less of a problem getting it approved. There is a lot of complications with cross border drug shipments, especially when your customs agents might take it into their minds that they do not want the substance in their country to corrupt young women. This could ruin a test that may have worked otherwise. If the drug is made in the United States, then I have a ready-made supplier when the drug passes."

"You are certain it will pass?"

"Of course I am. This is a fairly simple substance. I am currently working on more advanced varieties but they may take decades before they can come to market."

"What varieties are you talking about?"

I listed all the modern contraceptives of my time and what was in the works when I had come back. If they ever came about, they would not go on the market for at least ten more years.

"That is fascinating. I had no idea medical science had progressed that far."

I chuckled a bit and said, "It has not. It is what I think will work. I have to work very hard on a number of topics to see my way clear to even start to experiment. To change the topic a bit: do you believe the researchers would be interested in a lucrative job in manufacturing the oral contraceptive for my company?"

"I can ask, if you wish. Now that I see the light at the end of the tunnel, I want to race to it."

With the closing of the fair I was free for a short period of time. This I wanted to use to contact a publisher. Typists had made more copies of many more manuals I wanted printed, along with books on simple programming. The second book was aimed at the primary grades, because it would be best to catch the children young for this kind of thing. If I could ensure the security of the machines I would put a few in Aron's school.

Similar books would be printed in the United States and if we could come up with a swap deal, we would not have to pay any duties.

-------

Instead, I got a call to go see some military types to discuss weapons.

I was invited to visit the famous building in Arlington County, Virginia, just outside Washington. I had been at the Pentagon so many times I had lost count. I was dressed to suit the occasion but it was still hot. I was given a visitor's tag after a phone call and escorted to General Locatelli's office. I waited while the secretary fiddled with a damaged typewriter. In only five minutes I was summoned into the office. I had never met this man before, so did not know what to expect. He offered me a seat and some water. I accepted both in the warm office.

The general took care of his body. He was close to six feet tall and weighed around two hundred pounds. His uniform was blue and the ribbons said that he had seen action in the war and not from riding a desk. He looked to be close to fifty years old and I thought him a bit young for his job and position.

"Hello, Mr Kramer. From the report I got about you I would think you were able to bend steel in your bare hands. I am glad you are normal-looking."

"Thank you, General. My Superman cape is currently out being cleaned, so you see the real me. What may I do to serve your country and perhaps the NATO?"

"You have made many brash statements in the last few months, or at least that is how some see it. The list of things you claim is so long that we don't really know where to start. Why don't you begin with what you think can be most easily accomplished."

"I can do some of that, General but I have not had time to do enough research to patent the ideas. I would find it extremely rude if you happened to tell others and the gossip got to a manufacturer who would patent my idea. I could talk about different weapons and when you see one you like we just go further into that, with your word that it doesn't leave this room. You realize that your word here is balanced against many millions of dollars that I could possibly make."

"Well, my word was never valued at quite so much but I freely give it."

"Ok, we start simple that should make me a few million in pocket change." The general smiled at this and I continued. "Would you call a guard in here with his side arm? I want no shells, just the gun itself."

I got a smile and he used the phone and a guard came in. He removed the shells from his weapon and turned it over to General Locatelli. The general handed the gun to me. "May we have a moment in private to do some secret weapons research?"

The guard left but was not happy to leave his weapon. I checked to see if there was a shell in the chamber then said, "You have to help here, General." I handed him the weapon. "Hold the weapon in front of you so I can work on it."

The general got up from behind his desk and held the gun pointed toward a concrete wall. I took out my laser pointer and then took some scotch tape from a handy dispenser. The laser was placed under the barrel of the gun and I secured it with only the tape this time.

"General you have heard of my lasers? Well, I made a small one that emits visible light. Laser light goes straight and does not spread much. There is a laser under your gun. Don't point it at your eyes, or at anybody else's eyes either."

"Ok," he said, "What do you want me to do?"

"Pretend you are in a dark and dangerous environment. You cannot see very well. There are many hostiles about." I turned the laser on and stood back. A small, red beam shot out and hit the wall. As the gun moved, so did the dot.

I said, "We can make a small frame under a new gun and mount the laser in it, so it does not fall off. It will be sighted in, so the dot is where the bullet goes."

The general moved around the room moving the gun here and there visualizing what I asked him to see. In a moment he said, "How far will the beam go?"

"To the end of the universe. With a good lens mounted on the end, you should see the dot to a hundred yards on a dark night. As you can see it is visible in daylight. The fact that the beam is where the bullet will go will terrify many people. A soldier is under a lot of stress and the dot gives him an added advantage of hitting just what he is aiming for"

"I can see that already. Our special forces can use a weapon like this." The general handed the gun back and I turned the laser off. "That is a handy toy that a soldier can use. What else do you have?"

"Let's return the weapon before the soldier outside the door gets too upset."

When the soldier put his weapon back in order, he checked it for damage. I had used some Kleenex to remove any traces of glue. When the door closed I said, "I have had some ideas about polymerising some light-weight molecules. Six months ago I sent my research over to Joseph Cranz. We worked hard but mostly I talked over the phone lines with their chief chemist. We developed a lightweight fibre, which, when woven into a tight material, will be strong enough to stop small-arms fire."

"Go ahead with that, Mr Kramer. I am very interested in this product."

"Call me Alex. I can talk to Joseph Cranz and get some of these vests delivered. Everything I found has become my property and even the process got a patent applied to it."

I continued, "The material, for its weight, is many times stronger than steel but will of course be bulkier because of its low density. It is woven into coarse thread and woven into a heavy fabric. There are multiple layers used. For savings in weight, it is in the form of a vest. Other garments could be made but all must be in multiple layers. Bruising will be unavoidable and if the bullet strikes over a bone, there may be breakage. It is not perfect."

We discussed the properties but I was not in the least bit vague. I had read once about this material but had not made it before. Its manufacture had been some of the only real research I had seen done. I had, of course, worn a vest myself many times. Cutthroat business deals did not always see the use of a knife.

When we had been a few hours at talking about these two products and discussing only lightly the other statements, the General said, "We would like to know a lot more about what you think you can do for our missile defence. Do you think the laser you made will shoot down the Russian missiles?"

"Not from the ground to orbit, we can't. The energy we would need has to be a small atomic bomb. The energy from the blast works on the rods to focus intense beams of energy at a distant target. It will have to be stationed in space. When a missile comes within a thousand miles it will aim at it and then destroy the enemy missile before it can reach the ground."

The General said, "How is it aimed?"

"Signals from an onboard radar are interpreted on the ground, or you could use one of my computers to do it when suitably authorized."

"You can build one of these things?"

"Sure but I have to tell you that I never used it very many times on earth."

The general laughed and said, "I figured that. I am sure we would have noticed."

"General, you said, 'begin with what you think can be most easily accomplished'. I did do that and went on. I think I can get us into space a lot sooner than the Russians. I want civilian satellites that will send out radio, television and telephone calls."

"I can give for you a small, handheld device that lets you know within ten feet where you are, anywhere on the earth. I hear your soldiers getting lost in battle or on reconnaissance is a problem. If used with a missile, my Global Positioning System will take it to wherever you want, including a buried missile silo.

"My telephone will give a soldier in the field the capability to call his home, here to the Pentagon, or to his unit commander.

"With a very good telescope in one of my other satellites, I can send back pictures of a Russian missile site and even read the numbers off a Russian licence plate. All those require artificial satellites placed in orbit by me."

"Alex, those things you have mentioned before and they are unbelievable. They have been postulated but nobody can do them, yet. How are you going to do better than thousands of scientists and engineers?"

I explained, in principle, how each device would work and added a lot of encryption for the phones. Unlike CNN, I would allow more bandwidth with more phones, so good colour pictures could be sent from a camera through multiple telephone connections.

"What if the Russians or the Chinese start to jam your satellites?"

"I think your wars will all be small ones. Your government is not really too pissed off at the Russians, you just want an excuse to keep a good military and get paid. If jamming occurred, you just send a missile to the jamming device. Failing that, I would make a maser uplink. This, like the radio, goes directly to the satellite but it cannot be intercepted."

Locatelli sat in his chair and closed his eyes with his fingers touching almost like in prayer. "To be honest Mr Kramer, I don't know enough about what you are now talking about. Will you talk to a group of experts about what you mentioned and others?"

"That is acceptable but I want to limit the discussion to one thing at a time. I want people capable of making decisions, too. Getting a roomful of engineers saying they love my ideas does not get me contracts. I expect to become very wealthy by serving the military of your nation. Your word that you gave me restricts what you can say to this group. If you are enthusiastic, you may mention my small laser. The laser is patented but not for the use I showed you. To explain my other ideas I need to experiment more and then protect my ideas by laws. I want to educate the world but not at the expense of people stealing my ideas."

"I see your problem, Mr Kramer. What can you suggest that would get around this conundrum?"

"I can see an easy way. I talk to a few people like you. They sign a secrecy agreement with me. They will get a clause that if I am doing something contrary to the interests of your country, the contract will be void. If those people think I am not full of shit, they will pay for a lab of my choice, where I want it but it will be in the United States. The government will pay the entire range of bills and give me money to pay for a hundred or so researchers. They will retain ownership of the land and equipment. I get free and clear protection for my ideas. They get the use of my inventions along with me."

The General said, "That means a lot of trust on both sides. I can see lawmakers and other important men asking for details of the men you might get. I can't see the men remaining secret."

"Let's see that we get to the first step. I have a few friends who may keep any future employees on the right side of their contract."

The meeting was to be in two days, so I took the chance and phoned the Secretary of State. It was hard to get through but he called back in an hour and a half. After a few pleasantries, I said that I was in town pandering my wares to the military and would like to talk to President Truman, if he had a moment. Twenty minutes later I was talking to another voice I knew.

"Hello, Sir, I am close by trying to prostitute my knowledge to the military for a few shekels. I have a sample of a new teaching aid here. If you can give me ten minutes, I think I can get you to do something for your government and for me that will be mutually beneficial."

"I am always intrigued by you, Alex. Stay by the phone and I will get my secretary to phone you back with a time."

"That sounds good. If I have to work for you, do I get to call you 'boss'?"

"Not in front of others, Alex."

That night at nine thirty I was invited to see the President and his family. They were now living across from the White House while it was being renovated. This building was called the Blair House and would serve for a few more months. The Secret Service agent was dismissed. While we had our talk, I was introduced to Elizabeth, better known as Bess.

Harry Truman said, "Bess wanted to see you and I had to do what she says or there will be no peace. It is a shame that our daughter Margaret is not home tonight."

I shook the woman's hand and said, "I am very glad to meet you, too. It must be hard to put up with the boss sometimes."

In a very nice voice she said quietly, "It is but women have to work with what we have. Oh and thank you for the recipes. Your device scandalized the chef here, as did it being used by non-chefs. The hand-made recipe book was right there, too. I sent your mother and the other ladies a card of thanks."

"They got the card and put it up on the wall. By the way, you sound a lot like both my mothers. Of course they had an advantage over you. They were Polish but they had to put up with Polish men, not necessarily an easy job. Now let's talk to the boss before he gets any ideas about us."

She giggled a bit and I smiled. The President said, "I still think you are after my job. I am glad you are Polish or Canadian and can't get it."

"Me too. I don't think your job is a bed of roses. It has many perks but it is drudgery all the time. As I mentioned before, it is like the King of England: having to do all the ceremonial things and only a bit of what really counts. You, at least, have some real power."

"You would be surprised to see how limited I really am. I can declare war but I can't carry on without congress. I can veto bills but they can work around me in a few ways. I think at times I am more like King George than you might think."

I replied, "That is why I don't want your job. I want to be fabulously rich and do what I can, with as few obstructionists as possible. Speaking of getting rich, I wanted to inform you of two things. I have to meet some military people and some scientists. If I convince them that I know what I am talking about, I want the government to finance me in my experiments. This is along the same lines as Bell Labs. My way, though, means I get all the patents and the government gets the use of my mind."

"That sounds like a great opportunity to you, if you can handle it. I wish I could do what you can do."

I said, "I hope it is an opportunity, too. I may not know the military or a government very well but I do know a considerable amount about people. The people I hire will have to keep their mouth shut when the brass or some congressman asks about the nitty gritty of what I am doing. I just cannot have divided loyalties, meaning that some person passes on confidential information that will damage me in the market place."

"If you are asking me to talk to your employees, that I would do for you. I am afraid that there are many congressmen in this town that are much more frightening than I am."

"I would appreciate the offer anyway. As the boss, you can visit, too but you have to watch what you say to others."

"What secrets could I give away?"

"Let me show you." I took out the small laser and said, "I just invented the laser as you know. The boys at Fish 'n' Chips made this for me. It is a small, battery-powered laser that emits red light. I think I already sold the idea to your army. I have to see what I can get for it."

I handed it to the man and he gingerly took it. "Is it a weapon Alex?"

"Not unless you shine it into someone's eyes. Aim it away from you and slide the button up like a flashlight." The man did and a red dot appeared on the wall. He moved it around and then into the furthest corner and the spot did not get appreciably bigger.

"This is a great toy Alex. What did the military types want with it?"

"If you make a gun with this mounted securely under it so it is not moved it can be sighted in. Now a soldier only has to see the dot to know where to shoot. As I said on the telephone, it can be used for teaching. A teacher or professor uses a stick with a rubber end to point out things on the board. Now he can stay out of the way and still point to what he wants."

The President thought of this and said, "That is ingenious. Using one of the newest inventions to make an old one work better."

"My mother sends another."

"What is that?"

"When making lemon pie, instead of cooking the lemon paste in a double boiler, it can be done in the microwave. It doesn't burn or stick."

Bess said, "I like that idea. That is what new inventions should be for: to help people."

I said, "I have one more invention that is not too public, yet. This is a delicate subject and I just hope you will hear me out before saying anything."

When I got a nod from each I said, "A child has to be brought into this world and be both loved and cared for. We are no longer illiterate farmers who need more farm workers. We are, for the most part, factory workers, businessmen, clerks and others. It is a sad truth that the more children a family has, the less time the parents can devote to each of the children. It is also true that limited funds mean that some necessities are not met. There simply is not enough money to buy them. Sometimes that commodity is food and clothing. I have also heard of families thrown out into the street."

The President and Bess nodded their heads.

"There are millions of women around the world who have a recurring problem. As women they enjoy the attention of their husbands but they also must bear the risk of an unwanted pregnancy. Many women, even today, do not know how the rhythm method works. Most have to try to find a way to feed, clothe and shelter one more child. The fact that the child is unwanted brings out a parent's resentment too."

"There are many uneducated young people who will embark on what they think is fun and find out later that they are parents. The boy usually finds employment far away and the girl is forced, not only to bear the ridicule of having a child without a father but also to actually support the child, too. Not that many men will marry a girl, if she already has another man's child."

"The child can be put up for adoption but that rips a mother's heart out. I have found a way to break the cycle of poor parents having uneducated children who will have uneducated children of their own."

I paused for a while and eventually Bess asked, "How?"

"I have found a safe and reasonably cheap pill, which, if taken once a day, will trick the body of a woman to think that she is pregnant and not allow a new egg to become attached to her uterus. It is not a pill that can keep a family together but it is one that can keep the demands on a family low enough, so that divorce and abandonment can be lessened."

I paused again to hear what they thought. It took a few moments. There was a knock on the door and the attendant told them of their next meeting. The President said, "This is very important. Please tell the French Ambassador if he will wait a few minutes."

The silence continued and the man said, "I don't know what to think about this. I see your arguments and they appear to be truthful but I am sorry to say humans are not rational creatures. I am afraid you will be attacked on many fronts for what you have made. As a man I cannot even help you too much. The voters, I am afraid, are of a fundamentalist character and react by instinct instead of their minds."

"I was afraid you would say that. I do have an alternative."

"What is that, Alex?"

I turned to Beth and said, "What do you think of my new invention?"

"I am not sure. I wanted more children but only had one myself. It is hard for me to stand in another person's shoes."

"As first lady I think you have considerable influence but you have not used it. There are two ladies I would like you to meet, actually four, when I count my mother and grandmother. The first two will tell you about what a very poor and illiterate woman has to put up with."

I looked at the President. "The women's names are Margaret Sanger and Katherine McCormick. The latter is going to work hard to get the pills accepted after they are passed. She is a rich woman with a mission. I believe she is buying newspapers to make sure her message gets out. If you quietly endorse our cause and Bess does some work to help, you will loose some votes but last I heard, women have gained the right to vote, too. As time goes on, the women voters will be more and more of a voice in politics. If you do it right, you can gain much of that power now, while only losing some to the most conservative elements."

I handed him the paper with the addresses and phone numbers. "This is a turning point in history, Mr President. It is not in the hands of the electorate or in the hands of Congress. It is in your own two hands and those of your wife."

The President was not really himself, yet but I said my goodbyes and walked out.

The meeting with a group of generals and engineers began in a large Pentagon briefing room. Hours earlier, I had delivered to the building some of my products. The local patent attorney and Tom had been kept busy once more. I could now talk of things that were deliverable.

Locatelli was with me and he had said that there were only going to be eleven men coming to the meeting. Before the meeting began, I circulated and talked to all of them. I did my best to file away their names and specialities to be used later. There were a lot of different specialists listed: physicists who worked with rocket motors and others who worked on everything, from guidance to the skin and the nose cone of the missile. The generals would appreciate what I brought them today.

This kind of grouping I had dealt with many times before and it felt just like old times. The only thing wrong was that I knew little about the people involved and they had not learned to respect my word yet.

When everybody was sitting, General Locatelli introduced me and told the group what we were going to be dealing with today.

When I got to the front, I thanked everybody for coming and apologised for the restrictions on our talk. If we stayed and talked about everything, we would not get home till very late.

To appease the engineers and physicists, I talked about my smart bomb. I held a laser over the desk and pointed it down. The men were now very interested in this gadget. "One plane flying high and using a much more powerful laser points it down at a specific target. A bomber flying very high and out of antiaircraft fire range drops one bomb. The bomb is only a little different from what you currently use. It does have a small rocket and just some steering surfaces that can guide the bomb to the light reflected from the target."

The questions started soon after and I explained them as simply as possible. I had never made a smart bomb but the mechanics of it were very simple. I wasn't too perturbed about giving this bomb, because they would bomb targets anyway. At least, this way the number of innocents hurt would be significantly lower.

I had the ideas of night vision glasses and infrared goggles but now was not the time to give them out. Even the various versions of the M16 could be sold but Korea did not have the same topology as Vietnam had. They would be accepted but might languish in storage for thirteen years till Vietnam started. I liked selling these easy-to-make weapons but that did not mean that I could not try to stop Vietnam from happening. Possibly stopping this war abruptly would keep the second war from coming about.

Sending in some Vietnamese raised in America to lead their country would easily do this. The CIA had much more than one assassination team and this could be used to make room for the newcomers. It had been done at many other times, so it would not be new to them. All this took time, though and I was afraid that I was already many years too late to stop it. A corrupt south would take many years to straighten out so the people could defend themselves. If the south were not swamped in corruption, they would fight harder to defend what they believed in. I had been to South East Asia. The rot was more of a fact of life to them and would be very hard to extinguish. Hell, even Canada and the US had more corrupt politicians than anything else.

With the talk of the smart bomb curtailed, I had General Locatelli lead us downstairs to an indoor range. The range officer brought over a large trunk. I took out a life-sized manikin that was soft like the kind used to teach artificial respiration.

"This, gentlemen is our target today." I reached inside the box again and took out a black vest. The men rushed over and felt the material and tried to judge its weight. Some put it on but it would not fit all of them. The manikin was dressed and put thirty feet downrange. I handed out goggles and earmuffs, then with a smile to Locatelli said, "Body shots only, please."

The general smiled and took one of the guns from the range officer after signing for it. In this case I wanted them to use their own weapons. Six shots later the manikin was reeled back. If it had not been hung the way we did, the bullets would have caused it to fall.

We inspected the vest and could see where the bullets had hit but when it was unzipped we found no holes through the multiple layers of material.

Seeing was believing and they were now very interested. Nobody wanted to try for a live test and to be truthful I didn't want to either. That afternoon I got a preliminary order for a hundred vests at five hundred dollars each. It was not a lot of money but it was much more in 1952. It was a first step, though.

With the contract agreed to, I took the men back downstairs and opened another container. I took out an automatic similar to what they had been using but this appeared to have another barrel beneath the first.

When a target was moved out to fifty yards, Locatelli again took up the gun. He wasn't that good of a shot but did fairly well with the laser that shone on the target. The other generals used the gun, too and I could easily see that I had made another good sale. When my ammunition was gone, more was ordered and the weapon got considerably warmer before I got it back.

I had Locatelli put on the vest now and then pulled out a holster that went over his shoulder and on his chest like a commando. "Picture the General with black face paint and black clothing. He comes at a target an night with a smaller weapon with my laser sight and a silencer. Frag and smoke grenades are at his chest and a good knife on his hip. Quite an awesome sight don't you think?"

I sold three hundred handguns and a similar number of holsters just like the one the general now wore. They wanted to see what I could do about retrofitting more of their weapons to take the laser sights.

Before I left I gave each of the people a laser pointer. In my day they sold for a dollar or two at the dollar stores but here they were cherished like I was giving them a brick of gold.

Though the sales were small, they represented a start. At least four times today I had mentioned the need for my own people to develop better weapons. I made it very clear that I was only going to do this with my own company. They saw that I could deliver things that they could use and now they had to see if they wanted my smart bombs enough to pay the coin I really wanted.

That night three large corporations made propositions to me to work for them, or to work through them for more contracts. I was polite but firm. The fact that I was not talking to very highly placed individuals told me that they were not worried yet.

I now called home religiously every night. Ever since Natalie left us, I made sure of this. Though the guilt was not as strong as it had been with Helen, I was still angry with myself for not doing what I could have, even if I was a great distance away.

Nothing startling had happened but we were making steady progress. I figured that the phones were tapped by any number of groups, so I said little that could get me in trouble.

Since I was close to Manhattan, I phoned Katherine McCormick and asked if I could drop by. She was very excited and gave me directions to her home.

After getting the contracts signed with the government, I flew out the next day. That night I hustled into a very large and tastefully decorated home. Katherine was very happy to see me, much like a schoolgirl. Behind her stood another woman who I assumed was Margaret Sanger. She looked different from the pictures I had seen of her. There were almost a dozen men present, too and I found myself in a dinner party.

Though I was not dressed for it, I was unconcerned. I had not been warned but I guess I should have guessed. We had a good meal where only small talk was passed, somewhat like wind: it meant as much but didn't smell.

After the meal we sat in another room. Over some drinks I talked about the contraceptives and my plans, for the men who made the products for the test were in the room with us. I went into details of why each of the two drugs worked but some of the things I mentioned were slightly new to the researchers. Soon we were into genetics and both DNA and RNA. I spoke for only a few minutes and said, "The two ladies in the room must be interested in genetics too but we are speaking a different dialect from what they know. Let's talk about what you think is the best way to proceed with our advertising."

Margaret Sanger now spoke more and explained how she felt. She was very pleased when she got a call from the First Lady herself. The way she was talking, it sounded like she found a long-lost friend, or maybe in this case an ally.

It took five minutes for the woman to wind down and then Katherine McCormick spoke of how Bess phoned her out of the blue. From Bess's comments she knew that I was the one to put her up to it. This seemed to put more steam into the boilers, for Katherine spoke of a renewed effort to make women aware of their rights.

When she paused, I suggested, "If you can find some competent people, why don't you start some women's magazines. This will not be for cooking or making dresses but to deal with what really affects women. Interesting articles, as well as a critique of fashions and trends, will get the younger readers, too. Everybody likes gossip but men usually hide this. Put in who is seeing who and add photographs as proof."

Katherine said, "That is a great idea. We can start with a large story about you. If you give an interview, we will get, I think the first one you have made. Will you do it?"

"This requires a bit of thought. To make the story interesting, there needs to be some intrigue. I am not going to lie. If and when, the magazine gets started, I will try to furnish some interesting material."

Later that night I was invited to stay. Since I had not arranged a hotel room yet, I accepted. I found the men present to be mostly from the research group that Katherine had funded. She must have broached the subject, for they were now interested in getting in on the ground floor of this new drug company I wanted to start.

It didn't take more than an hour to hammer out the details. I would purchase the assets that Katherine had provided and then supply some working capital to get the company going in this new direction. After this was done, I started talking about what was happening in the twenty first century, without giving the real time frame. I said, "We are going to keep the research department fully functional and pursuing these goals."

When September rolled around, I asked Laura to leave her profession and to work much closer with the drug and the prosthetics companies. She was not sure of herself but she was making many of the decisions for those branches already.

I wanted Helen to get a better education but it looked like she was getting a much better one with her namesake mentor. I simply hired some teachers to work with both of them to fill in the many areas not covered in accounting. Martin was very good in finding older, retired people who had too much good knowledge to throw away by fishing or watching the ever more popular television.

Rita cut a few records and some were played for a while on some radio stations but they didn't last long. I found that a promoter had to spend a lot of time talking to various disk jockeys. From old news I knew that a lot of money changed hands, too and was eventually found out. Rita's friends didn't have the drive to succeed, so the group stopped singing professionally and just sang for pleasure.



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Chapter 36


Just before my fifteenth birthday, Valerie moved out with a lot of crying. She had found an engineer who worked for me and they wanted to live together for a while before thinking seriously of marriage. I had talked to both and could see that this might work. All my girls were on the birth control pill, even if the medication had not passed testing, yet. The girls were just listed as test subjects and I would keep track of their progress.

They needed it, because I started to have a watery discharge that did much more to my nervous system than what the old dry orgasm could ever do.

Linda was still fragile but it became apparent that it was her natural state. I would not get her out of the house until I found a man suitable enough to handle the responsibilities. Linda would depend on him for most things and for some men that is what they were looking for in a woman.

My birthday this time was very well attended. The President sent me a photograph of my two tailors and himself. He was wearing a dark shirt and an equally dark vest that I had sent him. I had sent the tailors to fit him personally with our product. Two Puerto Ricans, who didn't like his ideas concerning their country, had made an attempt on his life a few years ago. He liked the added layer of security our product gave him.

When the White House renovation was completed the first time around, the President had led the procession back into the building to show his guests around. This time Bess did this and the people she took with her on this historic occasion, were her supporters in getting the contraceptive accepted by the public. Margaret Sanger and Katherine McCormick were in the forefront in many of the newspapers. The ones that Katherine owned had many stories of why she was there and not watching the televised event like many other conservative Washington socialites.

The Pill had been passed in the United States and was almost there in Canada. Both were almost accepted when the polio vaccine was finally passed.

As a birthday present I got some very large orders for Kevlar vests and, of course, for holsters and pistols. A large American bank had talked to Martin and with other contracts in hand I had bought slightly under fifty percent of the Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation. The process went surprisingly quick, considering the cost. The manufacturer was more in debt than what was commonly known.

At the moment I was after their ArmaLite Division that manufactured handguns. That portion was as much to get, considering that the war and the contracts were drying up. The Korean War was still going strong but they were mainly using surplus World War II equipment. I already owned three percent and this was unknown to the company. I now had a controlling interest.

They started the work on the M16, or what was called the AR-15. The company had actually made the rifle in the first place and it was an easy process to fabricate. I had played with the rifle a few times and knew how to assemble and disassemble it. It was even enough of a novelty that I had studied the gas-operated magazine-fed rifle. The rifle I had once studied was actually made by the British firm of Sterling Armament Company and called the Sterling-Armalite AR-18. It had been carefully re-engineered to make it simple and could be made in less developed countries. The AK 47 was the same way. Ours would actually be this product to start with. It would mean less in sales but it would mean that the rifle would be very readily accepted by the military.

This was not presented to the military but I knew that soon it would be needed. The ammunition was the .223 shell, which was the same as the NATO standard SS 109 type (M855) ammunition. This we used in a new line of rifles used to kill varmints. It was very popular in the States. All shell-making machines were ordered with interchangeable parts, so that we would be able to use all the machines when the time came. I was so sure of the rifle's acceptance that I had great many ammo cans made and then filled with our rounds.

The aircraft division were given preliminary drawings for the AH-64A Apache helicopter. This craft would take years to develop and they had to wait on engines and computers yet to even give a fraction of its capabilities. Helicopters were now only thought of as vehicles for evacuating wounded and moving generals from place to place. It was not until part way into the original-era Vietnam War when a general used the machine to get troops to and from a problem area quickly.

Two of the 1700 horsepower turbines could be used in the Black Hawk. I wanted a tank but I had seen the British Challenger 2 made by Vickers and there was no way I would go with an American version after looking at all the pros and cons. The same company would still make its Rolls-Royce Perkins Condor engine but it would have my modifications. I did not know a great many but the few I did would make this a much superior engine. This piece of equipment would have to come from Britain and West Germany.

The electronic controls were non-existent for the helicopters. Some of the simpler ones were started on with two separate research teams. I could come up with some nice weapons for all of them: Hellfire and Sidewinder missiles, the Hydra missile launcher and M-230A1 30-mm automatic cannon. This last was a chain gun design, powered by an electric motor. The pilot or gunner could use all of the weapons, provided the computer augmentation was in place. The venerable Huey was not even invented yet but I was making rocket launchers and other weapons for this, much simpler, weapon. If I were given enough time, all of this would be available.

The weapons systems would have to be farmed out and I wanted the missiles to go to Canada and the chain gun and controls to American firms.

I remember the stir 'Puff the Magic Dragon' made, so Gatling gun, rocket launcher and 105 mm howitzer installations was started. The Gatling gun, though, would have to be started from scratch and a lot of work would have to go into proving that an old DC-3 could handle these pieces of equipment.

Automatic shotguns had been popular in the dense foliage that was sometimes found in South East Asia. This I made but added some HEAT rounds to the mix. They might not work at close range but would make a good concussion round.

As a treat I had the electronic boys make me some light antitank weapons. The M72 was a great weapon and very light at just over five pounds. The rocket originally was sixty-six millimetres across and had two thirds of a pound of octol explosive. This was in as shaped charge with a piezoelectrically fired primer. A small probe went forward and when it hit a target it would push back and detonate the explosive just before the target. My improvements in thrust and explosive power would make it a much more formidable weapon when the new version was finally made.

The old weapon would not kill many tanks unless it hit perpendicular to a surface but it was a great weapon that was used widely for taking out fortified positions. At the moment, though, it was just a group of drawings in my mind.

Bell had finally come around and I negotiated hard and got a graduated ten percent of the company. This was based on performance and as each stage was completed I would get more shares. When and if, I sold my rights to the future satellite phone system, I would get an even higher percentage. I told everybody involved to buy shares now while they were cheap, because they would certainly climb after a small fall. I would have more shares than anybody else by far. Not only our computers but my solid-state lasers and now my fibre optics were employed.

After some tests by the military, they undertook the replacement of much of the wire. It would be unaffected by EMP, while copper was. The hydrogen bomb had not been detonated yet, so this effect was not known. They were going on my say-so and the scientists whom they talked to agreed.

I made some money on put shares from IBM and Univac when I introduced a few computers for the modern office. Television time was arranged for that and I didn't even have to pay for it. It showed Laura portraying a harried secretary. She was typing a document on a typewriter and then she had to change some of it. She started crying but then she went over to the computer and swiftly typed it again, changed the text some more, before finally printing it to a new dot matrix printer.

While the paper copy went into a fax machine for transmission to Toronto, another copy went into her records. The file in her computer was also sent off to another computer at Bell Labs. The fax was then used to make multiple copies of a document. The file itself was copied into a small, portable, non-volatile NAND RAM chip of only sixty-four megabytes. Our hard disk drive was not working yet but we made some promises and progress. If Microsoft could do this, then so could we.

While Laura the secretary was waiting for the sheets to be printed in the commercial, she used the microwave to heat some tea.

When the files had been sent out electronically, Laura started a program much like Internet chat. So far, it was only text but that was good enough for all the viewers. She got confirmation and clarification of some aspects of her present task.

Aron came in later and asked if he could use the machine for schoolwork. Laura looked at her watch and gave her permission. He popped in his own NAND RAM chip and fired up a story he was working on. This he edited and then printed for his teacher to read and to mark. Laura found a mistake and Aron simply re-edited the document and printed a new copy.

Josh Appleton came in. He was still nervous about this filming but he did bring up some mathematical formulas and told Laura what they were for. In two minutes and after a warmed up coffee he had the data that would have taken years to find normally with humans alone. He gave his thanks to Laura for doing the work of hundreds in just a few seconds.

Finally, mom came in and brought her cookbook loaded in a RAM strip. She simply selected the ingredients she had on hand and then went through the list of recipes she could make. A final selection of how many people would be eating and the quantities changed on the screen before printing.

In the last scene Aron and a friend came into the dark room and turned on the computer. In a moment they were playing a video game. This was educational and showed mathematical questions flashed on the screen and a now-functional digital-to-analogue sound card telling the boys how well they had done. When it said that it was ten o'clock and they should be in bed the boys reluctantly saved their status and left the room.

The show touched on a lot of different facets of the computer but hardly did more than scratch the surface.

As predicted, IBM stock started to slip and Univac took a major plunge. IBM had previously taken it into their heads to start on vacuum tube computers. They were slow, energy-consuming models and they took a real beating when companies found our machines to be many times more powerful.

As the film clip played in more and more cities, the stock fell even more. More shows were produced with different variations in equipment and I had to laugh because I still didn't even have to pay for this news. The viewing audience stared raptly at the devices. Bell had to put in some commercials, so the stations would make some money.

The final straw in one commercial was when Laura found that her IBM typewriter failed. She picked up the machine and threw it onto the floor and then did all the work on our computer with much more speed and with the ability to alter the document before printing. IBM and Univac shares fell even more. I was getting frantic calls from both companies to see what I could do to save them.

There were less than two thousand of our computers in existence. Bell and my companies had all but a hundred that were used in some government offices. Each and every one was hooked up to an LCD screen and ran on portable batteries supplemented with wall current.

Computers and various other electronic parts took up more and more floor area. We had no shortage of credit but I did have a shortage of skilled help. Things would soon change but that did not relieve us from growing pains.

So far, Bell had only allowed us and the government, to attach the devices to their lines. To make sure they expanded, I convinced the military to use our devices for communications. When there were enough computers for them to reach the average citizen, Bell would be the only provider and get a good fee for doing so. Good old avarice would allow me and the public, access to their wiring. In the other time Bell was just told to do so when the government wanted people to use their modems but that was after a considerable amount of pressure.

The Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed the previous year. This limited a President to two terms but it was not signed into law. I knew that Adlai Stevenson had run against Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower in my old time line. The vote was very one sided and Eisenhower won handily.

Adlai Stevenson had got very few Electoral College votes, too and that was a first indication that he was in trouble. I had done my own looking at candidates and could see little that would run against the popular war hero. I knew a lot of people now and I even pushed Adlai Stevenson's cause.

A belated birthday present came in November. It seemed that Congressman McCarthy was caught flagrante delicto, so to speak, on many different photographs. Apparently, investigators had followed him and made a pictorial exposé of his various love affaires. One happened to be General Bower.

He was not threatened with a court case this time but the facts were left for the people to decide. McCarthy was censured this time for a different reason and he used a pistol to end his life. I can't think of too many people who had actually liked the man and would mourn.

The Democrats seemed to have been posed for this event and attacked the Republicans at every opportunity. It turned out that there were quite a few closet homosexuals in the party, or at least many were caught. The ones to fear the same thing in the Democratic Party kept a very low profile while the hunt was on.

On the legal front, we were having a bit of trouble. Companies wanted our electronic products and when they were refused because of lack of supply, we were taken to court and charged with being a monopoly. This was done on both sides of the border and I found our legal staff growing even quicker than our businesses. I had known of this event from the first and made sure I was not selling even to my own companies. Bell and my companies were doing research all the time and it just so happened that we made products from the parts.

The Aron's Cube and Grandpa's hat went full tilt to bring in more cash. I did not want to run my companies on credit alone. They were an instant success. The cubes had six different faces of world leaders. I made sure the President was on one face, as well as his image being on the plastic disk. A new line of flexible dolls came out with Helen and Laura models. The two moulds were carefully made and there was a hint of the mons and Laura had larger breasts. Both girls loved the dolls till they changed clothes on them and found that they were a bit more sexually explicit than any other dolls made.

As an incentive for the sale of the cube, I started a competition to see who could solve the cube the fastest. Our calculator and some money were the basic prizes but a computer would go to the overall winner. Four separate competitions were run. Canada, the United States, Britain and I made sure Japan was included.

I found Doctor Sabin and convinced him to join my drug company. I sent him off to China immediately to find the weak polio viruses needed in the live vaccine. He and twenty-three others got special visas from the Chinese government and left on their quest.

Early in the new year I flew with Laura, Helen and even Aron on a long series of business trips that would take us around the world. Things were getting tense at home. People were patting our backs but some were real nut cases and would use a knife instead of their palm. Some of our security detail had to come with us to run interference, for the other countries would be the same.

Britain was our first stop and we stayed in London while I checked on the drug company that I had a thirty percent share in. Most of the negotiations had been done over the phone and the final papers would be signed after I investigated the books. The price was paid with some cash and the licence to make the polio vaccine. The anaesthetics and the contraceptives, when they passed, would net me twenty percent more of the company in lieu of payments. I had even owned this company in my previous life. We signed a few contracts that dealt with the manufacture of the 'Pill'.

Through my name and many favours asked, I was able to take my family to meet King George VI. He had a laid back personality and was well liked by his people. His family came out to meet mine. I was a novelty for what I had done but now it was obvious that Laura and Helen were my wives. This put me in the group with all the bad apples. Many people simply refused to deal with me.

Before we left the palace I was allowed to take a few photographs with all of us. These I would save, for I knew that in a short time the monarch would be dead.

Hawker Aircraft started the modern Harrier but the company changed ownership to become Hawker Siddeley, then it was swallowed up by British Aerospace when the government nationalized the failing aircraft industry under one organisation. The list of changes the British made to the aircraft was very long. The Americans got some of the original planes and loved the capabilities the craft and knew what it should be capable of.

The Marines saw the most benefit from the craft. They had made some of their own improvements but said they would like to have a 'Made in U.S.A.' tag on the craft. McDonnell Douglas got to build the plane under contract but the first ones were actually all made in Britain and shipped over. I had flown in them a few times, even the advanced versions. Many times it was a general needing some points with me and some airtime, that got me into the gunner's chair.

I could see the plane inside and out through many of its revisions and figured I could work up some good drawings to get the project started off with a bang. Other than the money, I knew that the engine we needed had to be a lot more powerful than what was now available in this size. The compressor also had to rotate the opposite direction to keep the gyroscopic effect from taking over when it was trying to take off or land vertically.

Through my half interest in Fairchild, I arranged a meeting that would be beneficial to both companies. Sidney Camm was the chief engineer at Hawker and had just been knighted for his effort in saving Britain during the last war. Sir Sidney would be the first person I had to convince of the usefulness of the design and the possible customers for our product. Well, him and the board of directors. The man was responsible for the Hurricane, the Typhoon and the Tempest. The Hurricane was the plane to shoot down more enemies than any other aircraft.

Instead of staying in London, we went southwest to Kingston-on-Thames in Surrey, where the Hawker Aircraft Limited had set up shop. The thought of making the Harrier five years before it was first thought of and then taking five more years off the development with my plans thrilled me.

We took over a small inn and the girls were overjoyed with the old furnishings and the quaint building itself. The security men were not too displeased either. Our first sweep found no microphones or irate people but nobody knew where we would be staying, yet.

Sir Sidney greeted me in the main reception room of the company offices, with Sir Rowe, one of the larger shareholders of the company. These men were certainly more cordial but they also happened to know what I had done with my companies. I was quite sure they did not see before them a young man but a proven engineer with a good track record.

Sir Rowe said, "Your company said you had an exciting offer for us. I don't know if we can help you too much, for we have a lot on our own plates."

I smiled because they all said something similar even if it were not true. "That is too bad. I think this plane would be as famous as the Hurricane and bring much more prosperity to both of our companies. The design I mentioned will be capable of vertical takeoff and landing. It would basically have the properties of a helicopter but not break the sound barrier except on a dive."

Sir Rowe said, "That sounds very interesting, Mr Kramer. I don't see too many governments wanting this plane. We are currently working on making an aircraft capable of supersonic flight, to be used as a fighter to fill a role in protecting NATO and our own country."

I had a little smile, for as I mentioned, the Harrier would go supersonic but only in a dive. No other plane, as yet, had broken the sound barrier and certainly no fighter. This was all pie-in-the-sky.

"The effort you are making in designing your plane may be necessary," I said, "but there is a need for my plane, too. The Americans will love its capabilities. In a war, airfields will be bombed, making runways useless. Here VTOL will still do the job it is built to do. Small ships could have a small metal deck that will support my plane and it could do many of the jobs a helicopter would do."

"I am sorry, Mr Kramer but I believe that only supersonic aircraft will be needed in the immediate future." He looked at me when I did not reply immediately then said, "Why did you come to us, when there are so many American firms willing to do this job?"

"Part of it is because of Sir Sidney's abilities and part of it is to help forge a truly multinational company. Americans and every other country want to have homegrown technology and jobs. With enough companies making parts, everybody has a piece of the pie and their governments will not be averse to purchasing any of our products." It was also true that in ten years aircraft companies would be in trouble in Europe. I could buy them up cheaply and it was good to see which ones were worth the money.

Sir Sidney said, "Could we see your plans before we turn them down out of hand?"

"You may but before I show them, let me remind you that I plan on making this an equal partnership. We need to get some government help in developing this plane but the remainder will have to be entirely from your company. When all is said and done, I will share in half of the profits. If any of my companies make this craft you will get the same half."

Both men blew up a bit at this and they were prepared to throw me out. "I can prove that my knowledge is of value. Kindly tell me off the top of your head how you would go about making such a plane and I will tell you what we have done in later testing."

Sir Sidney quickly told me his ideas about a plane with four blowers driven off the turbine to get the plane aloft and another engine used for lateral thrust. I shot down most of the ideas quickly but for some they would have to take my word for a few moments. Soon I had my briefcase opened and some prints laid out on the large draughting table. I explained many of the details, especially the engine. "The Rolls Royce's Bristol plant could make the engine with enough guidance. I have many plans to make it one of the most powerful engines. The vectored thrust will only be one of its benefits. I have some ways that should get it up to at least 19,000 pounds of thrust."

Both men said, "Impossible," at the same time.

"Not impossible at all. If Rolls can't make the engine the way I ask, then perhaps they can make two smaller engines to make up for their shortcomings. Both sets of plans are here with me. The mechanics of this plane are simple. It is the electronic devices I call avionics that are going to make or break any plane soon. If nothing is made in Britain, then there is no reason to have it assembled here, either. With improved versions of this craft I know we will make at least a thousand and I will gamble my profit on that."

Sir Rowe said, "If a thousand are not sold, then what will you do, Mr Kramer? We are not in this business just for the joy of dealing with the military and the governments."

"I will take my profit but it will be banked till the first thousand planes are sold. Then I will get it all or I may make a deal then for some different planes to be built."

Sir Rowe said, "Will that include the craft you make in other places, too?"

"Yes it will. I will take out the costs involved and the profit will go to your company till the thousandth plane has been built."

"You are taking quite a chance here, Mr Kramer. You can be damaged very severely here and in many ways."

"I have worked hard to make these drawings and worked harder to think of what should work. Other than the sweat of my brow and my ideas, there is no cost outlay for me. All patents, though, that are mine will be in my name and ones that you make will be in both of ours."

"Let's see those prints again, Mr Kramer."

For two days we talked about the plane at the Surrey plant. The first night I did not even get back to the inn. Engineers came in and constructively criticised what I had done. I educated them in turn with what would work and what would not. This time we would use magnesium in the engine but only for tests. This plane would actually be a Sea Harrier. It would have the ability to fight salt-laden air. The wings would fold, too, for easy storage.

The second day the Rolls representatives showed up and I went through what was required of them. They were the same way and thought 'impossible' but did not say it because the others were so upbeat now.

Sir Sidney wanted a long list of what the craft was supposed to accomplish. Some planes, even ones in development when I was shuffled into this time, had military people still fighting about what they wanted. Not everybody could be accommodated.

Sir Rowe and his lawyers made up a contract. I went over it and made changes as I saw fit. I was very sure of the plane's ability to be sold but I did not want to be screwed in my philanthropic gesture of taking no profits till enough were made. I knew that if the Hawker did not sell enough, then I would do so from my own plants.

We went back to London with Sir Rowe and his family. Usually this ended up at some party or other hosted by one of the Hawker shareholders. The girls did not know many of the people but then again they were not raised in this environment. Their schooling in high finance, though, was giving them more information every day. We usually went over who was who and had a dialogue to find who was really important and who were just nice. I had to be briefed myself, for people died all the time and in my previous life I had not been where I was now, until much later. The social principles, though, had never changed since before we found caves to be a good place to live.

For the next week I talked to the military in London. They asked many questions and I was happy to see that most loved the idea of what the Harrier could do. The Ministry wanted a lot more conditions and I simply said, "I made my deal with Hawker, not the government. If you want to put a Tiger Tank into the craft, talk to Sir Sidney Camm about how far it will fly."

If I came up with a perfect plane, if one were possible, then some of these men would soon want to add or change some of the features. Most just wanted to make a plane that would suit their particular concept of what the plane should be able to do.

This time I had to mainly deal with singletons or small groups. After this was done, I had to deal with the Royal Navy. I would be happy to get out of this Harrier business and let Hawker deal with their own military.

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Germany

Through both Silva and Joseph's help I had located many of their relatives and friends who were stationed in Germany. I had located some valuable military surplus equipment and bought it sight unseen.

For quite a few months I had used the phone extensively to see what I could do to help their war-torn economy and myself. The Canadian and the American embassies were used to make sure they were apprised of what I wanted to do and to get their active assistance. Through two development agencies I had secured enough loans to make an offer for some very shaky German companies.

After landing we took a hotel room. The girls were off with some of the security detail to shop and sightsee. I took only two security people to the various meetings I had to make. In all, I had to visit three different businesses. I toured the facilities and viewed their books, with their accountants close by to give me some guidance. They had been briefed and although there were a few irregularities, the books were for the most part good.

The owners were nervous at a young man purchasing what they had taken years to develop and I would be the same if I were in their shoes. I had seen their photographs and had run many security checks on them. Some were my own checks, while others were from the standpoint of West German Intelligence and the American military.

Usually, it only took an hour more to finalise the transaction. A certified cheque was enough from my side. The previous owners and their staff would stay on and now work for me. The owners and the old company would also join our profit sharing plans. It was based on how well a particular company performed, as well as my business at large. The fractions they would get were very small but this now involved some very large corporations and it was growing every year. I was sure they would do their best for me.

At the end of that day I owned three more companies. The first was, of course, the pharmaceutical company. Another was a chemical complex that was nearly bombed out but would get money soon to rebuild under some government grants. The last was a large company that made munitions and tanks. They had even built some of the famous Tiger tanks that had plagued the allies so much.

In a secure location I discussed, with Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH that I now owned, the 120 mm cannon I wanted. The previous owner was incredulous when I said that the tank I wanted to build would need 1200 horsepower to move and this was still not enough.

I brought out some very important papers that would be worth an awful lot of money and blood. It involved the construction of multi-part composite armour. This was completely unknown to present day tank manufacturing. After a long explanation we discussed how I wanted the project to develop. They would make the armour in various shapes and test it with their own projectiles. This had to be done with only the most trusted people in the know and in a secure location. When East Germany finally joined the West in reunification, everybody saw how many East German spies there really were.

The armaments would help finance the space projects, as well as build many of the components that the United States or even NATO would never see till they were completed. I would not quite hide this research and development. If I was asked, I would give the governments a bit of the information they wanted. Otherwise, it would be just a surprise to the world.

Each of the three companies knew that they had to work with the two others to prop one another up if necessary. The chemical and pharmaceutical they could see but armaments were foreign to them.

I explained to Rheinmetall that the chemical firm would be making new and improved explosives. It would also assist in some of the ceramic armour segments that had to be fabricated.

The chemical firm was going to work with the CL-20, to make a much more energetic rocket fuel that would even push a man into orbit. This would also help the munitions firm to make better explosives and warheads. The man just held the sheets of paper looking at the formulas and the graphs of what the chemicals should perform up to.

This man in another meeting said incredulously, "This is impossible. Most of these molecules do not even exist."

"You will find details to make what you need yourself. I have worked hard on this deal and on what the company will now be able to do when exposed to world markets."

The pharmaceutical portion was working on some of my new drugs. Lipitor and the new drug, torcetrapib would both lower cholesterol and decrease or reverse arteriosclerosis. Prozac would keep everybody from worrying about their problems. These drugs were thirty-five to fifty years ahead of what was now available and more. Objections came from the old owner of the drug company because he could not see and understand what I was trying to explain to him. He did agree to work with me at this.

If I couldn't make twenty five billion dollars a year on these drugs, I would be very amazed. This was, of course, in 2004 dollars. That translated to only three billion now but the value would be the same.

There would be a great need for communications and this would be best addressed by the use of a computer. In under a week some people from Bell would be visiting the three companies and installing the best we had to give, along with all the security measures I could think of.

When we left West Germany, I had a good feeling that things were going to work out just fine. The men seemed dedicated to be part of a larger whole and being trusted with secrets that could make them a lot of money if sold to the East.

One of our next stops was in Vietnam, where I entered into a partnership with a small company. At this time it was rocked by its own war and the French were still in power but just barely hanging on. A week earlier, when we were in France, I had talked to a few influential people about beefing up their forces in the country. I had not achieved many results. Diplomats can be so stupid at times. When confronted with their imbecility, they would find a way to avoid the blame.



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Chapter 37


It took three weeks to get to Japan, for I had business meetings in many other countries too. In Tokyo, like in Europe, I found the war damage still very visible. There were still raggedly dressed people wandering around but the economy was starting to recover.

I had conversed over the phone with three drug companies and one seemed to be the best choice. When I and some accountants were able to see the books firsthand, I made them an offer in cash and a licence to make the vaccine. It took them a considerable amount of time to come to an agreement but here I owned half the company, too.

The Pill was offered and trials would begin soon but I knew it would not be accepted. The doctors would rather perform expensive abortions than allow the drug to be used. Margaret Sanger would come over and try to change their minds but women were second-class citizens no matter what the new laws said. With the dealings I would make her, I hoped, to put pressure on the medical profession and get their opinions changed.

With one and a half million dollars I bought thirty-seven acres of prime land with devastated buildings on the individual parcels in Tokyo. I knew how much it would one day be worth. With a few million more I could build on the land to make an inroad to a very restrictive Japanese market.

While all this was going on, three young Japanese ladies took Helen, Laura and Aron around. I had talked to Silva and his father about this need and they had talked to their contacts and friends here in Japan. One was able to find some help that I would need. With me busy much of the time, I would like the family to be shown around and perhaps pick up not only some the language but also a much more rounded education. I had continued my own studies of the language for I knew the country was important to me.

One of the ladies, Seiko, was taking care of her younger sister because her immediate family had been killed in the bombing and disease at the end of the war. The younger sister, Mineko, was eleven now and just a bit older than Aron. I put the two together to let them learn from each other. I was quite sure they would not be bored.

The last woman, Yasuko, was still just a bit older than Laura, like Seiko was and would provide company for another of my wives. Their job was to show the country and much more than just teach the customs and the language. With the investments I was going to make in Japan, I had to have somebody here to look after the family interests. All of the Japanese women knew a small amount of English. By the time we were ready to go home, I was sure they would know English much better.

I searched out and found the Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation, or what was called Tōkyō Tsūshin Kōgyō. It had been growing since 1946 and made voltmeters, electrically heated cushions, consumer tape recorders, resonator sound generators and similar devices. Ibuka Masaru and Morita Akio owned the company along with the Mitsui Sumitomo Bank.

In a few years, after a good string of transistor products, it would change its name to penetrate the European and North American markets. Sony seemed to fit the image in my head.

I was introduced to both men. The men, I knew, were still fairly young. Akio was thirty and Masaru not much older. The two men were polite to me and I think they only saw me because of my notoriety. They had a licence to build the first transistor but not the variety that I made. This was a serious setback to them and the rest of the world.

The war had not been over for long and hard feelings took a long time to cool. These two men I had to handle carefully. Either I helped them and myself, or I simply had to find another electronics company and bring them to prominence, like Sony would one day become.

In my previous life I had expended a lot of effort to learn the language. The words and inflection were very hard and the written language even harder. I had been adding to that knowledge with this sort of meeting in mind. My vocabulary was good but even with my memory it was difficult to get the intonation and grammar to even a mediocre level. This trip through Europe and the East had required me to do a lot more studying.

Being polite and having a goodly amount of patience was necessary in any dealings with the Japanese. That was one of the failings on the American investors for they were not used to the time taken to reach a deal. The Japanese and the rest of the world saw the Americans as boors for they rushed at everything they did. They did not take the time to learn much about the people they were dealing with.

Sony's first radio was not going to be produced for another four years and a pocket version would be a year after that. It might be even longer, for they were severely restricted in the technology available to them. The two products in question were presented to the two men and put on a table in front of them.

Mr Morita turned on the smaller unit carefully as if it would break easily. When the clear sound came out he said, "This is amazing, Mr Kramer. We had heard that you were making these products but had not seen any yet."

The other unit was plugged into the wall and then the unit was tested. It had more transistors and sported an FM band. I had patented the ferrite bar antenna only recently and from the very start all my inventions were patented in Japan through an intermediary.

"This, too, is amazing. It has even better sound than tube models I have heard. Why is it that you have brought these two radios to us?"

"Self interest is my first reason. The second is a need to help the people of Japan rebuild after the war. Your country has many great assets, one of which is the people that works very hard to pull the country out of the rubble of war."

Mr Morita said, "That is very gratifying to hear. I can see by your age that you had nothing to do with bringing such destruction on our heads. Though the Canadians opposed us with the British." This was an insult, though it was minor.

"My grasp of your language is very crude and possibly inaccurate. It seems that you still hurt too much from the effects of the recent war to discuss business with a foreigner. I will just leave these two gifts here and I can search for further assistance among your countrymen." I still sat. This was an indication that the conversation might still be salvaged.

Mr Morita listened to my words and must have weighed his hate against possible gains. "I am sorry, Mr Kramer. It is true that we still hurt. All of us have lost loved ones to your country and others. Please accept my apology."

It was my turn to weigh his words then I said, "I will accept your apology and give my own apology for mentioning your words that may not have even been intended."

The man nodded then said, "You are not like the Americans I have met. Only few ever even try to learn our language and customs."

"The effort was small compared to what your country means to me. I see your country soon as one of the top eight of the world in power and prestige. I would like to be one of the people building this country with both of you."

Though the Japanese like to be laid back they still must do business. I brought out two binders of paper written in the Japanese language. I gave one to Ibuka Masaru who had not spoken to me yet. I assumed that he would rather not talk to a foreigner. This group of documents had been labouriously done. They listed what I had to offer and what the product would bring to the company.

Ibuka Masaru could not hold his curiosity in any longer. "What is it you want for our assistance?"

"Before I answer that, I would like to point out that every article needed to produce these products are now being produced in our laboratories. A laboratory, though, is not able to meet the demands of my industry or, I think, yours. I will offer licences for all the products needed. I will also give you the services of six young Canadian engineers. They are currently working with me to develop new products. The radios you see before you should bring twenty million American dollars to the manufacturer. For my help with the first product I want only ten percent of your company. Everything in the papers before you has prints made and the product functional."

The two men sat up straight but said nothing for a few minutes. When it did come it was Ibuka Masaru who said, "Our company is not for sale, Mr Kramer."

"I am sorry to hear that, Mr Ibuka. If you took the entire line of products and my assistance, it would only give me fifty percent. The figures I gave to you are my honest estimate of their value. This is many thousands of times more in value than what your company now is. Owning half of a company worth many billions of American dollars is not really something to be sneered at."

Morita Akio said, "I am sorry, Mr Kramer, for being so abrupt. Perhaps it would be better to assess your offer further before rejecting it so quickly. We have our own engineers to go over what you have brought us. It is quite possible that what you have said could be justified. Would you give us a few days to go over your basic offer?"

"That is suitable. I also thank you for being so quick in giving me some of your valuable time."

I walked out of the building wondering how far the men would go. Their hate was very near the surface and it looked like they would bite off the hand that would be feeding them. There were many more up-and-coming Japanese companies with dynamic leadership that would love to get what I offered. It looked like I would have to get a small portion of a great many companies instead of a large portion of just one.

More were to be visited, for the two men would not get all my products but ones they could handle. Perhaps I could get one of those other groups to take the name Sony and lead the world in electronics. There were certainly enough famous Japanese companies to pick through. The trouble was finding the appropriate companies, for at present they had different names from what they would have later.

The other appointments were not until tomorrow, so I spent the rest of the day taking pictures like a regular tourist. I had been to Japan almost thirty times, with many more being just stopovers. The city, though, was not as I saw it now. A sudden smile came to me as I pictured future Japanese tourists doing the same thing when they visited other countries as wealthy visitors.

I didn't have to be back at the hotel for the girls were being taken by their guides on a trip and would not be back until tomorrow night. One girl and her sister had lived nearby, in a matter of speaking and this was a way of showing the family what Japanese rural life was like.

That night I went out to see what the city was like after dark. I ate in a small Japanese restaurant where there were only small tables and no seating at all. I ate little but found myself sampling different dishes from different eateries.

I stepped into a few nightclubs but was usually restricted by a bouncer. I found the usual things: men smoking in a dark room while women circulated looking for somebody to pay for their time. There was no karaoke or even strippers but this was the fifties and I didn't know the current city very well.

I was a bit lonely by now and was almost back to my hotel when I abruptly met an answer to my wish.

A young and very pretty Japanese woman came running out of an alley and collided with me. We were both knocked to the ground and the woman, without saying anything, just got up and continued to run. All she gave me was one look as she ran away. Her face, though, told me that she was in a great deal of trouble. Not only was there blood but I saw bruising, too.

From the alley I heard more running steps and got ready one more time. I didn't want anybody just chasing a woman, for I had seen the abject fear in her features.

I backed up a bit and judging from how quick the steps were, knew about where and when the person would be. Like with the girl, I walked forward but this time I was ready. A thin Japanese man of about twenty-five came around the corner at a run and I moved my hands to protect myself. Like the robbers at the bank the man ran into my fist and I didn't have to strike him at all. My knee did come up and the man ran his groin into me.

A short length of bamboo fell from his hand as he groaned and fell to the concrete. There were four or five witnesses and I had tried to make it look as much like an accident as possible, even if it was the second on in just seconds. I bent over the man and asked if he was all right. It was a foolish question but I needed to play the part. In a moment others came to the altercation and I explained how the accident occurred. In another moment I had backed out of the group and walked back the way I had just come from.

I didn't know why I followed the running woman. It may be because she was pretty but I could usually find pretty women even at my age. The woman, though, was in trouble and the need to protect was a strong instinct.

About six alleys down, I heard some heavy breathing and walked down the narrow corridor till I found the young woman hiding behind some garbage cans. As soon as she saw me she got up to run again but slipped and fell. When I got to her she screamed but very weakly, for she was out of breath.

When she moved into a single beam of light from the street, I saw that her face was bruised more than I noticed before. She was about to cry out again and I could feel her muscles tense in preparation to fight.

"I am not the one chasing you. The man is on the sidewalk now, in pain. He can't catch you now."

The woman looked like she didn't really understand what I was saying. "Stand up. I will get you out of here." I had to actually help her up now but she didn't want to leave the safety of the alley. As the occasional person walked by the opening the woman tensed.

"Do you have a safe place to go?" I said this three times before the woman even looked at me. When she seemed to see me for the first time I repeated my question. She didn't answer but just looked at me.

"Do you want to come with me? I will get you cleaned up. Nobody will hurt you." The girl still did not answer, so I took this as an affirmative answer. I waited five minutes to let the girl get her breath and then only gently held her one wrist. I was happy to see she was meekly following me.

At the mouth of the alley she stopped and I cautiously looked around the corner. Maybe a hundred feet away was the man I kneed. He was walking unsteadily with the bamboo still in his hand. I smiled at the girl and led her back the way she had come. We went almost all the way to the back but could not find an unlocked door or another way out. There were more garbage cans and I quietly put the girl between some and covered her with loose paper that was drifting in the alley. It was not clean or dry. The girl at least did understand and stayed where I put her.

I climbed some ironwork protecting a window and just waited in the deep shadows. It was hard to do what I was doing and hoped the man if he came down the alley would not expect the girl to do this. In the end it was all for nothing. The man staggered into the alley and went only a bit past where the girl had been the first time before leaving to check other places.

In five minutes I said, "He has left a few minutes ago. You are safe," before jumping down. I pulled the papers off and found the girl actually sleeping.

When I woke her up she was very startled. When she had calmed down I took off my light jacket and put it around her shoulders. I had felt her dress and knew that it was ripped. We made it to the alley one more time and there was no sign of the pursuer. When a taxi came by I stopped it. I showed some American money then went back to the alley and pulled out the girl. In the light I saw that she was hurt even more than I first thought. With both of us in the vehicle the driver took us to my hotel.

I took the girl to the front door and the doorman was not going to even open the door for us. He looked at me as I stared at him. He knew who I was, then thought better of his intransigence and opened the door.

The concierge was the same way till I demanded, "Where are your first aid supplies?"

"You can't..."

"Do you want me to buy this hotel and then fire you?"

The man looked stunned then said, "Over there." He reached under the counter and took out a key. He led the way and soon he opened the door to a small first aid station just off the lobby.

I did a much more thorough check of the girl. She was dirty and had streaks of blood on her face and some lacerations on her arms. Her dress was ordinary so she was not exactly poor.

There was a sink and I cleaned her up the best I could. The desk clerk was standing open mouthed as if administering first aid was an unheard of event.

"Take us to the sauna."

"It is for guests only."

"Do you want me to get very angry and get you fired? I don't think there are many jobs as good as yours. Now, take us, or I will make sure you never work in any hotel again."

"Yes, Sir. Right this way."

In a few minutes we were in front of the sauna. "Get the housekeeper to take this woman's clothes to clean and repair them. Put the charges on my bill. Now go."

As the man hurried off, the girl barely followed his exit. I took the girl's hand and got her to sit down. The Japanese do not have the nudity taboo we have, so it was not too hard to get her naked. My own clothes followed suit and I led her into the room. My clothes went into a locker while the girl's remained on the bench to be taken away.

I put a towel for each of us to sit on in the small, dark room and another for her to hide behind. She allowed me to look at her arms, then at her legs. It looked like the woman had been systematically beaten. I wondered why this was. Japanese women were for the most part very subservient to a man and the man would get anything they wanted.

For fifteen minutes I talked to the girl but she was still too distraught to answer. When it was time, I took the girl from the sauna and got her into a shower. The hotel was fairly modern and catered to the rich but most rooms did not even have their own washrooms, yet. This was mainly due to whether the customer wanted western or oriental decor. I had chosen the traditional Japanese styling.

I washed her with care and the woman didn't seem to mind what I did. I found some long robes and I wrapped the woman in one and wore another myself before retrieving my clothes. The woman's dress was gone.

That night I ordered some food from room service and after she ate with me, she fell asleep. I could see that she was not used to a man sitting with her while she ate. Women here ate after the males did. There was very little I could do, so I went to bed in another room but left the sliding door open between.

The next morning I found the woman trying to sneak out but she might have been looking for the washroom. I startled her but managed to take her to relieve herself. She eventually came out of the room and saw that I was waiting for her. She meekly followed me back to my room.

We sat down and this meant that she was on her knees on the floor while resting on her legs the traditional way. I sat on the floor more comfortably and said, "My name is Kramer Alex," in the way the Japanese used names. "You ran into me last night and I saw how frightened you were. When the man chasing you came around the corner I ran into him and hurt him. That is why he took so long to follow." The woman had not even looked at me but kept her face looking down.

"Your dress was ripped. A housekeeper is washing and repairing it for you now. I do not know when it will be done but I have some women's clothes that may fit you. Would you wear some western fashions till your clothes are ready?" I remained quiet and it took a full minute for her to nod her head.

"Please, get up and I will see what fits." The girls had not taken all their clothes on the short trip. Helen was this girl's height but Helen's breasts and frame were much larger. Even Laura had larger breasts but she was also a taller woman. The girl ended up in some of my clothes and some of the girls'.

I took out my brush set and politely ordered the woman to kneel on a pad on the floor. I did her hair the way I did my wives'. I even hummed a few songs to put the woman at ease, for I could see that she was still very tense.

"My mother brushed my hair too when I was small. When she and my father died I had to do this for myself. My new family loves me but I still liked it when I got brushed." I paused for a few more strokes and then said, "I like to be called Alex. What is your name?"

The women tensed as if this were a deep secret. "My... my name is Akuro."

When nothing more was added I said, "Hello Akuro. I am glad to meet you. I am getting hungry. Would you like to eat with me?"

She looked frightened so I added, "I will have a breakfast delivered."

In twenty minutes the food was delivered and we ate together. She still must have felt odd eating with me. During the time we waited, I told her a bit about myself and especially my family. She now knew how much I loved both Helen and Laura and how I looked on Aron as more of a son than a foster brother. I brought out my wallet and showed her pictures of the family.

In return she gave me some short sentences about herself but most were still kept very hidden. Because of this I did not pry, even to ask her family name. The incidents of last night were still too fresh for me to snoop.

I learned that her family was all dead. She had been married young and then widowed soon after. She started to talk about many things when I urged her to but she would usually get upset. I could build my own story about her from the severity of her responses.

I said, "My family has some tutors with them but there is always too much for all of them to do. Would you consider taking employment with my family till we leave Japan?"

Her face did brighten a bit and then she said, "Yes Master. I will do whatever I must to serve your family."

This must have been something said in olden times for it was difficult to follow. The terms I had not encountered yet. I sat up straight and accepted her services in the best words I could summon.

"Akuro, you know that I came to your country to try to make some money and get your countrymen to begin to make money, too. I have some appointments that I have to attend to do this." She looked at me very frightened but I continued, "My family will be coming back around mealtime tonight and I would like you to begin your services to my family then. You are free to do as you wish as soon as your dress arrives. You will still be my employee but this will be one of your days off. If you decide to stay in the room, I will have a meal delivered and your dress will come as soon as it is finished. Will you be here when I return?"

Akuro paused and it took a while but she said in a very traditional way again that she would be here when my family got back, for her employment demanded this.

We both stood and I nodded my head the way an employer would to a favoured employee. On the way out, I asked at the desk about the status of the dress and stated that I had a new employee staying with us. I arranged for the dress to be sent up as soon as possible and for a meal to arrive at the appropriate time. I left a note for Laura or Helen about whom they would find in our rooms. I compared Akuro to Linda when I made the three-paragraph note.

Hayakawa Electric Industry Company was my next goal. The president and founder Tokuji Hayakawa met me soon after arrival. The man was still very strong and vigorous at fifty-seven. He had kept the industry running during the war years and made a good profit. His company was now growing but all in the direction of old technology. Tubes were for the most part soon going to be obsolete in all but a few rare instances. Our magnetron was one.

Tokuji Hayakawa talked to me with three other men. One was a translator that might be needed to get some of the finer points made clear. We sat in a large room with an impressive desk and chairs. I had two binders again for this company and brought them out of a small leather case.

Although the talk went on for an hour, I basically said the same thing as before. I would trade my patent rights and trade secrets for shares in their company. The amount I wanted would be based on what they wanted from the binders I offered. Their hate for westerners was either subdued or well hidden. They did get my Magnetron, triac and the diode. An engineer quickly took them to investigate.

They could not see the microwave oven as that much of a valuable product to manufacture. This I countered with a sliding scale where they gave me shares based on how many ovens they sold. This would prove that they would be able to make a considerable amount of money or at least not lose much.

They liked many of the products in the binders and I reached in my case one more time and took out a calculator. This was the new model with LCD instead of the light emitting diodes.

"This product will be manufactured and sold all over the world. The display and the processing unit is the most advanced and as heavily protected by patent rights as I can get. Not only do I need to get more chips made but I need to get discrete components made too. I have millions of dollars in contracts waiting to be filled but cannot even sign the papers, because I cannot meet the demand."

After a pause I continued, "I am going to talk to more manufacturing concerns in your country to offer them similar deals. It is my hope that each company takes a portion of the patents and sells their products, not only to the world but to each other."

Tokuji Hayakawa said, "We already have such an organization. To join another would bring in a great many conflicts."

I said, "I think a bank is just one of your group. Look at my offer and then talk to your group. In this case you will all be making electronic components and in a way competitors. If you become more organized, you can work out what markets you will each pursue. One can take radios, while another takes televisions. Computers and calculators will be separate entities, I hope. The fax machine and a digital camera can spawn an entirely new industry. I believe money will not be wasted as much but you still need competition to develop this market the way it needs.

"My liquid crystal display will be many times cheaper, smaller and lighter than a cathode ray tube. This will allow you to get into colour television that is much more advanced than any you are now thinking of making. Think of a unit that is perhaps five feet across in screen area. It can be used for displaying televised programming but it can be used to display data from one of my computers. You do not even have to continue with cathode ray technology, for most tubes, with the exception of the magnetron and a few others, will not be used much longer."

Tokuji Hayakawa asked, "How did you arrive at these figures? They look to be very optimistic."

"Sir, they are not optimistic in the least. They are in fact on the low side. As more products are put on the market, the world will start to demand even more. It does not show in my presentation but I want to build some artificial satellites to assist in television transmission, radio and telephone. This is very costly but will reach many more people. Bell Telephone will be selling new products and services here that have to do with this last medium. They could be part of your group, if you wish it. In a few years I wish to be the first man to put my foot into the dust on the moon."

The old man stopped and thought about my words for almost a minute, then said, "This is much too important to be decided quickly. Will you allow us time to work on what you have to say?"

"Take what time you need. I will also be talking with more companies in the next few weeks. They are, of course your competitors but perhaps, if a deal could be reached, they would soon be allies instead."

When I walked out of the building I looked up at the small, plain sign and pictured in my mind what it would one day be. Sharp made some very good products and was very innovative. Then again, so was Sony.

The next appointment was with what would be Hitachi. The deal with similar words was given. I was quite sure I would run out of binders and gifts before I was done. Toshiba would be seen tomorrow, even though it was called Tokyo Shibaura Denki. The Toshiba name would soon be just a nickname that would eventually be made legal twenty some years from now.

I made it back to the hotel later than expected. I found from the desk clerk that my family and employees had returned almost two hours earlier.

I was very tired dealing with some outwardly polite but equally intransigent people. When I opened the door, Yasuko saw me first and ran to stand before me with her head down. Seiko and her younger sister Mineko were right behind in the same pose. This was only a facet of their culture where a male was far above a mere female. Helen came running to me. I held her for a kiss and I said, "I missed you. Did you have fun?"

"I missed you, too. It didn't take long for you to get another woman." She said it with a smile so I knew she was mostly joking.

"They run to me, my wife." I turned to the three girls and said in Japanese, "I don't require anything now, thank you."

Aron came out of the other room with Laura and Akuro. Akuro was dressed much better now and I think some of the other girls had loaned her their clothes. Aron hugged me and Laura waited then moved in to kiss me.

"I wish you were with us, Alex. It was a bit strange but it was fun."

I got everyone to sit in a circle and I started asking questions about their trip. The bullet train was not invented yet, so they had to use the conventional and time-consuming mode of transport. They saw much of the countryside and took many pictures. Aron was amazed at the use of water buffalo instead of horses for cultivation.

"You should watch out for how you think on this. In this part of the world, the animals work best. Even in years to come, animals are better than tractors in some situations. Don't fall into thinking that our ideas are best. The conditions here are much different from those on a prairie or a large farm that is for the most part fairly dry." I repeated the answer in Japanese so everybody could understand.

The Japanese girls were encouraged to talk. They wanted to use as few words as possible, thinking that their being verbose might offend me. They did like the freedom to travel and I think they liked the respect they got while travelling with my family. It seemed that their names and pictures were recognized by most of the officials, since our photographs were in the papers so much. The choices in food were much wider, too, because I found out that my girls wanted to experiment.

I mentioned many types of food, even ones that were poisonous if not prepared by a special chef. They girls were not sure of this or of the different kinds of kelp and other seafood. Laura was all for trying shark when I said how much I liked it.

"This talk of food reminds me that we have not gone out to eat. Let me get cleaned up and we can go out." It took a while but we did go out. We had to split up in different taxis but the rain that fell more often than not, was at least light tonight.

I ordered many different dishes so that the family could try the different foods. Aron was used to the chopsticks, now but still had occasional difficulty. The Japanese girls were still amazed that they were allowed to eat with us.

I took a long piece of thin squid and put it into Aron's mouth to see how he liked it. He was used to lots worse and said it was ok. Mineko was surprised when she was treated the same. She, on the other hand, thought the food was great. The new girls even traded a bit of food but only with each other.

Most of the group was sleepy from the effects of their trip and we went back to the hotel to talk a bit more and sleep. In our room, once again, I wrote on a sheet of paper all the points of interest. There was no way they could see it all in just a few days but I encouraged them to keep a diary and take lots of pictures.

That night I made love to Helen and Laura but, strangely, Aron did not come into the room afterwards. He did not always do so and he was growing up and didn't need this type of closeness as much anymore.

When I got up early for the long train ride to Osaka, I found him in thin pajamas and close to Mineko. She was older than he was but not as tall. In a flash of inspiration I saw him finally finding a girlfriend, even if he was still a young boy. On the other side of him was the girl's older sister Seiko. Akuro seemed to be sleeping peacefully on her pallet, while Yasuko was on the other side of Mineko doing the same.

I looked again at the girls and saw that Silva's friends had chosen beauty as well as intelligence when they gave us the names of these girls. Akuro was beautiful, too if you could see beneath the bruising and the fear she was just now overcoming.

When I was ready to leave, Akuro had arisen and apologised for not being awake to assist me.

"Akuro, I have dressed myself for many years. It is nice to get some help from time to time when I am in a hurry." I handed her a goodly sum of money and said, "Give this to Helen to give out to all of you. Tell Yasuko my words, so she can translate. I want all of you to buy what you need."

"Thank you master," she said with tears in her eyes.

I reached forward and used my thumbs to remove them from her face. "You are entirely welcome. Buy a nice dress so you look like a part of my family, Akuro. Have some fun and think of this as a holiday. I will leave a message with the desk clerk downstairs if I am delayed in getting home tonight." She bowed very low as I left and I wondered how attached she was becoming to us already.

I had breakfast in the restaurant, then took my briefcase and promotional goods in a large suitcase and left for the train. The next company to see was Matsushita and its head office was in Osaka. It was the largest electronics company in Japan and I was saving this one for last. It also used the Panasonic, National, Nais, Quasar and Technics names with different articles. It also owned a controlling interest in JVC.

I got to Osaka just a bit before noon and decided that I should rent a hotel room, for I didn't favour another long train trip tonight. I made it to the correct building fifteen minutes early. By the time I was passed from person to person, I made it to see the president of the company at just the right time.

The meeting had six additional members of his staff and they politely listened to what I had to offer. A few in the back of the room pointed at some of the products I had to offer.

This time, before they started to give some excuses I brought out the leather case with the computer in it. I even supplied a Japanese-style extension cord and asked one of the engineers to plug it in for me. The LCD was placed where the president and I could see it. It was not the best design, yet and he had to get behind me to see properly.

When the computer booted up, which took only thirty seconds, because my operating system was not as impressive or as bloated as Windows, a colour graphic of the Matsushita logo and a digitized monochrome picture of the president, Konosuke Matsushita came on the screen. The characters in Kanji were on the screen but they were graphics because I had not made the Kana keyboard yet.

I used the trackball to choose one of the words and immediately the computer started a history of the company but again it was a graphic in Kanji. I clicked on another icon and a voice came from the small speaker in Japanese translation from President Truman telling Konosuke Matsushita that he was very glad that there was a possibility of much better trade relations between Japan and North America now. At the end of the message the President said, "Alex Kramer tells me that you might like to talk to me through this machine when he has a meeting with you. I invite you to call me so we can talk through this medium."

Konosuke Matsushita was stunned. "Was that your President?"

"Canadians have a Prime Minister. President Truman did wish to help me in this experiment, though. The voice was stored as numbers in the transistors, not on magnetic tape. Would you like me to connect you now? The only problem is that I have not had time to make a Kana phonetic keyboard. The text will have to be in English till you make the keyboard I want."

The Japanese people had a difficult time because they did not want to loose their old way of writing. The new Kana method would be the only way for them get into computers in this century. Hiragana was used on a keyboard and Katakana could be used, too, with a special shift hey. This at one time was the way a male wrote and was now used for imported words.

"Go right ahead." He now said in English, "I know some English but not much."

I stood up and took some insulated wire from the case and went to the nearest telephone and opened the bottom. I hooked up my wiring to the phone circuit in parallel and showed and engineer what I was doing. I had a president and five vice presidents looking over my shoulder. The computer was set to deal with my RS 232 circuit and I handed the phone to the president and said, "Please get the operator to hook you up to America and inform her that there will be some odd noise and no speech but to continue with the call."

The man just did as he was asked and demanded that the operator repeated his words and then passed the message down the line. He had no wish of being cut off by a human operator thinking there was a problem on the line.

When the special phone number rang at the White House, a computer picked it up and started making the connection. I hung up the phone and text came on the screen. It was a standard welcome to the White House and a query as to how I wanted my call forwarded. A graphic came up showing the White House and then the Presidential Seal.

The timing for this meeting was critical, for I could not expect people to just wait by the computer for my call. I typed in a password and in a moment I saw on the screen, "Hello," being slowly typed out.

I replied, "Hello, Boss. Mr Konosuke Matsushita, the President of Matsushita Electric Industrial Company, would like to have a word with you."

"Put him on, Alex," slowly appeared on my screen.

I got Mr Matsushita to sit and he typed very slowly, "Who am I talking to?"

"Harry S. Truman, 33rd president of the United States," came the reply. "If you phone on another line now, you will be told that I am presently talking to you. I suggest you do so. It would bother me if I were in your shoes."

Mr Matsushita looked at me and I explained the idiom and then said, "I suggest you call now and find out. If you wish, you can call your embassy and ask them to phone. I want you to be sure that you know whom you are talking to and that this machine is doing one of its many capabilities."

Mr Matsushita gave some quick orders and a vice president ran off as if on fire. The conversation continued for a few minutes. The typing got a bit faster but not much. Soon I was sitting and taking dictation while the rest looked over my shoulder.

We talked from the weather to the probability of Stevenson getting elected. President Truman was not just doing all this for fun. I had worked hard to keep his party in power and this was a cheap way to pay me back. In a moment the excited vice president came back and said that their ambassador confirmed that the White House said they were talking to Mr Matsushita on a matter of trade.

Mr Truman soon begged off because of a heavy workload and said his goodbyes. With a parting comment to me he ended the transmission.

Mr Matsushita said, "What did he mean by that last remark Mr Kramer?"

"President Truman is a head of state but not of my country. Since I am doing many government contracts, I call him 'Boss'. He doesn't like that in public. He will give me trouble when I get back but I already had a way to deflect the anger. He is a very good man but he just wants to protect the office he upholds." I was sure the Japanese would sympathise with the President for he and they would be of like mind about face and protocol.

Mr Matsushita nodded his head. "You have not told us what you would like of us."

"The binders you received were also given to smaller companies before I came here. It was my hope that I would trade my patents and ideas for shares in each of your country's companies based on how many of the articles you each want to make. This is only the tip of the iceberg. I have many more things in development that need to be pursued. Some, only a company of your size can accomplish."

"Like what, Mr Kramer?"

"The computer before you needs a hard drive. That is a small device that can store almost all the books in the Library of Congress. With a few keystrokes you can search all of them for a particular word or phrase. I have a disc much smaller than the 45 RPM records that will store an entire encyclopaedia, including the pictures, samples of music that play and the verbal speeches of some important people.

"There are many more things I am working on for the computer but I want to begin making a powerful computer that will go into space and orbit the earth. You pick up a radio phone and simply talk to anybody on the planet with the same phone or to a person that uses the Bell system with wires.

"Along with the computer, I want you to manufacture small telephones that use small buttons to press instead of a rotary dial. It will be much more convenient and quicker. If I can transform Bell to a digital network, I can try to do the same for Japan, too. This will mean a great deal of equipment I have to have made here. My plans mean that your company will get very big and very rich in the next fifty years. The figures I see in my head would make this company the biggest consumer electronic company in the world."

"Tell me the figures you see, Mr Kramer. My vice presidents and I will pay close attention."

With a great many sheets of paper and the computer to assist in the calculations, I showed the men how their company could grow with me. I went into each area and showed them what it would cost to develop the field they would be entering and then to begin the production of parts.

We took a break for lunch and that afternoon many more people came to hear what I had to say. I encouraged questions from the floor as I went along. Sometimes, I had to use one of the interpreters to make sure I understood exactly what was being asked.

Suppertime came and we got refreshments. Even during breaks I was answering questions. They got a bit more information out of me than I had intended this early in the negotiations. They learned that a very high amount of data could be put on a plastic disk. There was so much that entire movies could be put on with various sound tracts.

They learned that I wanted to get into movies and then run movie theatres and eventually sell or rent the same movies through my satellites or actual retail stores.

Before leaving the plant I phoned the family in Tokyo and found them happy and encouraged me to continue with my plans.

That night I was invited out with a group of the boys and we went to one of the more respectable nightclubs. The women were very beautiful and this only made the fact that my girls were hours away more poignant. I was encouraged even at my age to drink the sake from small porcelain cups. I drank some and my Polish ancestry came through but I was not as drunk as some others, even if they were larger in body mass. The only way to stave off most of the alcohol was to claim I was a growing boy and ate food that would allow the alcohol to be dealt with later.

Konosuke Matsushita must have had a hollow leg and I even asked him if that were the case.

"Age and my body's ability to tolerate the alcohol are my secrets."

I didn't think it much of a secret after taking his first person out to get him drunk then milk them for what they knew. I used one of my own secrets and went into the washroom and when in private, I stuck my fingers into my throat and spewed what alcohol was loose in my stomach and the alcohol-soaked food.

The conversations were about sex and extramarital affairs while business was kept a secret. This was the opposite of what North Americans did.

After three hours I was one of the few able to stand unaided. The four trips to the washroom certainly helped. With a promise of more discussions in the morning at nine we separated for a few hours' rest.

I didn't remember much after my head hit the pillow till I was awoken by the telephone. After the wake-up call I had a shower and a change of clothes and I was partially ready for the day. I paid my bill and checked out taking my luggage with me.

After leaving the taxi, I had the company hold my luggage till I was ready to leave.

This time, I was led to a very large room, possibly the largest in the complex. The computer was hooked up to another phone and stood on a table ready for me to turn it on. A slate blackboard stood behind me, making me think I was in school again.

I bowed to the audience and explained who I was and asked them in advance to forgive me for my poor ability in their language. I went over the points I had made the day before and then went on, to new areas I wanted a partner like Matsushita to go into.

A few times I apologized for my inability to let everybody see what I was doing. "One of the things you can do, is to make a large projection device that will display what a digital camera will capture, or to display what a computer screen would have on its surface. In this case, I only want the projection to be thirty feet wide of so. It will make further meetings much more informative to each of us."

When I stepped back for the audience to see I used my small laser to point to the areas I was emphasizing. Mathematics was kept to a minimum. Some was used for stats, profits and engineering. At ten thirty I said, "I am tired and thirsty. Let's take a twenty minute break and meet back here."

Mr Matsushita got up with his vice presidents again and we talked more about what I was referring too. We walked over to a table and I got a few snacks and a drink while I continued. The devices were explained in greater detail. "I cannot divulge too much, for my companies are currently working on these projects. Even physicists will not understand some of the things we are doing. I do not understand myself but I do see what is happening and what a device is capable of doing. Some will lend themselves to microwave communication and others for high speed switching.

"A simple thing we could do is to make a basic connector to fit in the wall to receive the telephone wires. If the entire planet uses this same device with the same electrical characteristics, we can all communicate through a computer and my Internet."

Mr Matsushita said, "What is in this proposal that will benefit my company and my country?"

"You will help make millions of computers every year. Your company will learn to make very advanced components and products. This will bring in a fantastic amount of revenue. Your people learn about the world through the Internet. This also means that Japan provides its share of content. I am sorry to say but your culture will take a body blow, because it will embrace many western ideals. This can be countered by Japanese culture displayed on the net. Music, poetry, fiction, history and something that will make lots of money."

"What is that Mr Kramer?"

"I will have to talk later about that. It will bring in much money and promote Japanese culture to the world." I, of course, was thinking of James Clavell's novel 'Shōgun' which was one of the most popular miniseries ever made. I had loved the book and even memorized the pages so there was little problem in making a script to make the movie. The fact that I had no television system or a movie set was of little consequence.



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Chapter 38


The show went on till noon when I called a break. This time there were many more questions and I asked the people to write them down and ask later. Mr Matsushita invited me to eat with him in private. I knew this was very important.

A servant brought us food as we sat on a mat at opposite ends of a low table. Mr Matsushita had old time customs and I did exactly as a guest must do to make this ritual have more meaning. A beautifully dressed woman came in and started the famous tea ceremony. This took a very long time for each of the woman's moves was choreographed.

Much later, after the woman left he asked me some questions and I made sure I asked one of mine for each of his. When he refused to answer one I was free to do the same as if I had not heard him.

He got less and less from me till he said, "How do you propose to promote Japanese culture to the world?"

I said, "Power is in the hands of people who run newspapers, radio, books, television and my Internet. Another powerful medium that will influence every person on earth will be entertainment. Music will easily transcend language. Movies, though, can be subtitled but it will be good to have both English and Japanese spoken. I am speaking of this because I have a fairly detailed novel in my head that deals with Japan and the long era of the shōgun. For this to sell to the English-speaking world it needs an English speaking character who has to educate and be educated by his hosts in this country. If audiences behave as I think they will, they will see inside the Japanese mind, possibly for the first time."

Mr Matsushita said, after thinking a bit, "That is a good idea. Our goods are maligned in the west. Perhaps they will see them differently after watching your movie."

"I am sorry to say that you are mistaken. Your country's goods are very poor in quality and I am here to show you how to make them the best in the world."

"How can this miracle come about, Mr Kramer?"

"You might know of a man called William Edwards Deming. He was here a few years ago and was widely accepted by the business community. What he said about quality control is essential for your country's well-being. What I have to offer is only some minor improvements to what he said. With my computers to keep track of the data, you will know what went wrong and then find a cure for the problems, one at a time."

Mr Matsushita said, "I thought his ideas were rather radical."

I countered, "You must believe the same thing of me and here I am having a meal with you."

After two more hours of my presentation I talked in smaller groups to the upper management. I presented what I had to offer again and what I wanted for it. They were upset with me wanting so much but also knew that I potentially had a great deal to offer.

The deal, if one came about, would not be decided in the next few weeks. So, instead of going on another drinking binge, I rode in a car with Mr Matsushita to the railway station. "Before long, the roadbed for the trains will have to be upgraded and high speed rail begun. There is much to be done to get Japan up to where it belongs."

I left Mr Matsushita the books I made with Bell and the computer to practice on. There were few secrets, for everything would be in the patents that they would have already studied to see if they could manage a way around. My way would cost them money but they would have no court fights and they would also gain my active cooperation on this and future products.

I was back at the hotel just a bit after I would have phoned. The family rushed me at the door with hugs and kisses. Aron pulled Mineko with him and both hugged me. The girl was quite shy and must have been put up to this, for a girl would not touch a male, especially one who was not of her family. Being not even Japanese made this even more odd.

There was little to eat on the train, so everybody went out to eat with me, even if they had already done so.

I talked to everybody at our table but got down to business when I asked Aron, "What did you talk to Mineko about that made her act not like the usual Japanese lady?"

"Ah, nothing Alex. I was just saying that we act differently. I looked at what you said before that was good in Japanese customs. I just showed her what was good in ours."

"What were the things you think are good in ours?"

"Well... I like to touch. Mom hugs me and so do you and Helen. I like that. When others hug me it is good, too but just a bit different."

"Different how?"

"Ah, you know."

"Yes, I do, little brother. We will talk later when you won't be as embarrassed."

Mineko was a bright child and I said, "What did you like about our customs, Mineko?"

She looked to be caught, like a deer in the lights. "Ah... I feel that I am in a family again." She put her hand over her mouth and looked down as if she had said something wrong.

"There is no reason to be shy, Mineko. We all need family to be strong. You have your sister and she has you. That makes the two of you stronger than if you were alone."

That night Laura whispered to me, "The new girl Akuro told us a lot more about her past. Her father was executed right after the war and their property seized. She is well educated but had a life I would not want to have an animal go through. A man bought her and wanted her to be a prostitute. She didn't want this and ran. She was beaten many times and the last time she was afraid she would be killed."

"Who sold her?"

"A man she thought would look out for her."

I said, "That makes me and my gender look bad. I am surprised she followed me that night."

"She said that she had given up by that time." Laura paused then said, "What are we going to do? The man is well known as a criminal and will find her again. Can she go with us back to Canada? I have some money that you paid me."

Helen was listening and said, "I like her, too. I would like her to go with us, too."

This talk made me feel the same way. I liked the girl and I instinctively knew she was in a lot of trouble, even without the man chasing her with a piece of bamboo. Japan would be very important to me and my company's future. I would be coming back many times.

I said to the girls, "Get all the information you can about her and write it down on a sheet of paper. With that as a start, we can begin to get her passport." I couldn't say any more, for the girls jumped on me.

A few moments later I heard through the paper walls, "You guys doing it again? How are we going to sleep?"

We stayed up for a few hours and then settled down to sleep. Helen was still holding onto me and whispered even lower than Laura did, "Seiko seems to like girls as much as guys. Laura and I were having fun and she came to the door and called last night. It was late and everybody else was asleep. She was naked, Alex and very excited. She stared at my body then at Laura's when she came over. We sort of invited her in and she slept with us."

She could not see my smile, so I asked, "How much sleeping did you get done?"

"Ah... not much I think."

I said, "That's ok, I just don't want anybody pushed to do anything they do not want to do."

"Oh, she was very willing. She showed us some tricks we did not even know of."

"Just don't hurt her, sweetheart."

"We won't," came from Laura on the other side of me.

The next morning Seiko was very shy around me. She was sure that she was talked about and was worried what would happen to her or to her sister. When I was able to get her alone I said, "Seiko, my wives like you. I will not get angry with you for anything that happened. You may continue if you wish; or stop. I will not have you forced to do anything."

"You... mean I can stay?"

I smiled and said, "Yes, you may. You are only under obligation to do what you were hired to do and that you have done well. My wives and Aron now speak your language much better."

She jumped to me with arms outstretched then stopped dead with fear on her face.

I said, "My family all touch as you can see. It is permitted to hug me too. I like it when pretty girls do that."

She smiled now and then hugged me tightly then quickly backed up to see my reaction. I liked the feeling, so I moved close to her and hugged her to me for a much longer time but it was not nearly as tight. I even heard some sniffling before we parted. One more mystery here to solve, about a girl who cried at being hugged.

We stayed in Japan for two more weeks. I saw many more businesses unrelated to electronics and medicine. Steel, railways, petrochemical complexes, power companies and shipbuilding were all visited. I told them what my computers could do for them but didn't ask for shares in the companies yet. I was able to negotiate a good series of contracts, though, for petroleum and some refined products. This would be a good match for my energy businesses. Japan was woefully short in raw materials

Shipbuilding would get the profits I made from selling oil, for I wanted them to begin building the floating platforms used for oil exploration. None had been made, yet, for it was usually a ship that had been converted for this job.

I contacted the railways and gave them some drawings I had, of what they would one day have. Everything I knew about the trains was listed and I tried to get them interested in the aviation diesels as a power source. The shinkansen, or bullet train, I wanted built and not just for me but to show the world what could be done. It polluted much less than automobiles and used much less fuel than aircraft.

I did know of a good vein of anthracite in British Columbia that would be very valuable. There were many oil fields still not discovered up till now and I could not reveal them without giving away my secret. All I could do was to explore myself and then sell the oil, natural gas or coal.

Oil would be the next avenue to bolster. This was now making me much richer than all the electronics and other inventions I had made. I had seen many maps of oil properties and where the large fields were. My own companies were drilling and transporting the oil to markets but I had not put much emphasis on this endeavour yet. This would have to change, because soon others would discover the fields. The discoveries would be like shooting fish in a barrel, as long as I could afford the gun and bullets.

When it came time to leave, I not only had Akuro but Seiko and her sister Mineko, too. Aron seemed to have fallen in love with the girl and the reverse also was evident. The last woman, Yasuko, came too, because I would feel very guilty leaving her while taking the others.

The last day was spent finding souvenirs and gifts for our friends and family. During all this time I was in touch with the original companies to which I had talked. Apparently, one company was seen as getting all that I had to give, so the others bid for what services I could provide. I did sign some preliminary contracts but they were more like statements of understanding before the real contracts could be worked out. It might work against me but I wanted Mr Matsushita to do the coordinating here in Japan for me.

Back in North America, I began again campaigning for Stevenson. The Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower was not in first place this time, for he had almost the same number of electoral votes as Stevenson. The Democrats were pushing all they could to show that the Republicans were nearly all homosexual. To me it looked like a very even race. The first time Eisenhower had won handily, helped by McCarthy's propaganda and Nixon's machinations.

I talked to President Truman about what I had just seen in Vietnam. When I spread out my maps, I explained about the fact that the Communists would oust the French soon. The Americans might try to do what they had done in the last two wars and wait for either Britain, or now France, to fight their battle and get weak before jumping in. This time I was worried that the US would go in almost alone like last time and not only suffer a lot of casualties but seriously weaken their economy too.

The Ho Chi Minh Trail was pointed out but it was not called that, yet. I said, "The first troops to go in should be lumbermen. Buy the logs along the Truong Son Trail. You might even get the Communists to do the work for money. With bare land, there is much more chance of interdiction. The trouble is that the area is so large that it will be very difficult to police. I am afraid this is the area that will loose you the war when it comes."

The President said, "Can't we bomb it, or drop incendiaries?"

"Too wet to burn and only atomic bombs would do the job. You are too close to China and Russia for them to allow that."

"You always have a new idea. What is yours now?"

"I don't have a magic weapon but I do have stuff that will make your military smile. If you do not help the French they will fail and you will be forced to try for the worst part alone. I am sorry to say that I will have to say it again that you will probably fail to win a war for the first time in your history. You cannot get too close to the north, or you will have China actively attacking you. The South Vietnamese government is corrupt and you will not be able to get them to cooperate. The soldiers are inefficient at best and cannot serve in the front. This means NATO troops will die and most of those will be American. If you wait much longer, the Communists will be able to threaten you in return when they have more weapons."

With only a minor, or a shared war, there would be much more money to be spent on space. My memory also told me that Eisenhower had warned the country, too, about the problems they would face in Vietnam. This time, the Democrats jumped on this theme first and warned of the Communist presence in Vietnam going on, very close to the action in Korea.

I spent more time working for the Democrats than I did for my businesses. By the time my next birthday rolled around, IBM was half mine. My own products were seen as much better and the IBM stock price had drastically fallen. The company had not gone far into computers, because it could not get the rights to my patents or the expertise my employees had. They did now and I sent some of my best people over to get their own lab working on my projects. I thought IBM should make business computers and military equipment that I needed.

We were presently living in one of the penthouses at the Clarkson. The old house was used to put up some of the many people coming to the city to work. The memories of Natalie were still strong and I almost could smell her perfume every time I went to the apartment. I never wanted to forget her but I didn't want to be constantly going down memory lane. Grief carried this far was too much to bear.

Yasuko, Akuro, Seiko and Mineko lived with us in the large apartment. The girls were told that I was not going to restrict their activities, so they could date whomever they chose to. I just asked that they didn't disturb us too much.

Akuro was recovering from her ordeal in Tokyo and was now teaching the boys at the Works the Japanese language and customs. Yasuko was doing the same and her limited grasp of English helped both of them. The education the men got would assist me when some of the men were given postings in Tokyo or Osaka. I was quite sure the girls would find a mate soon with all the horny young males around them.

Seiko stayed with us but her sister was over at my parent's home more often than not. Dad had got over the stigma of my having two women out of wedlock. Aron had a tougher time but he was still young and mom convinced dad that things would not be the same.

Mineko was not far from Aron when he was home. When he wasn't, she was helping mom and grandma in doing their chores like a good daughter she really was. I could easily see how all those around her could love her.

The Japanese companies had started to come around. This time, they had to come and see me. I put them up at the hotel and showed them my old factories. The new buildings were just taking shape. Putting more men on the job would not get the job done sooner.

Some contracts were signed but the companies I was working with needed to work together. Each would reinforce the other in products and services.

Konosuke Matsushita's representative had been the last to sign the papers. Sony and Casio had not signed on. I could shift the burden on to other companies but that would require new shares to be transferred to me. Sony and Casio would either fade away or remain small, while I had a proportionately larger share. This was not what I wanted, though. Sony had dynamic leadership, even if they were blind at the moment. There was an important role for each to play.

I talked to Konosuke Matsushita on the phone about my problem. He was happy to take up the extra duties but I explained how there was so much money to be made that nobody should be wanting more than they could handle. He did say he would have a serious talk with the men in question and to their backers if necessary.

I had recently patented glass fibre cable that would be used with my semiconductor lasers. This product was going to be manufactured in the US because of the enormous amount that would be needed. This product would seriously cut into my aerospace efforts, though. It was also sent to Japan to give them much better communications ability. They would, of course, find some improvements but this was to be expected.

If I placed satellites in geosynchronous orbits and used them for telephone, people would get pissed off at the quarter-second delay. This was because the microwave would go far out into the orbit, then to another satellite before being beamed back to a receiving station.

Fibre optics was a much shorter route and the time taken for the signal was not as noticeable. As predicted, the military assisted with this medium. They did not know positively, yet, about EMP for it was not really confirmed until the first hydrogen bomb was detonated at Bikini Atoll and streetlights in Hawaii were blown out and damage done in Australia. When I said it would happen, they had learned to take my word for it but the test, I knew, would still have to happen.

Not only was the military of a few governments now thinking that I could work magic but so did the world press. This meant that I got cooperation when I asked and I also got the best people. Even though I was not showing a profit I had no problems getting financing. The top echelons at IBM had jumped at my offer of assistance knowing that I could save their company from bankruptcy and propel them into the upper echelons of commerce.

This was very necessary, for this was one of the major components I needed. Gaining rights to all the new oil I could was the second. Lastly, the communication satellites would need to be launched to facilitate my eventual trip to the moon.

On the retailing front I began four businesses. Wal-Mart was now 'The PX'. Twenty stores were planned in the United States and four in Canada. All of them were very large for my old time and simply gigantic at this time. Malls were just starting to be built and I used a great deal of clout with the money I was able to borrow and again built very large.

Zehrs was next, then Home Depot and Starbucks. Apart from the last, all were built very large. Starbucks would just be very numerous.

I had received many awards for my work. Learned journals had no problem printing anything I had to say. I was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Medicine and in Physics. Through channels I said how I wanted William Shockley to get half the prize if we did win. History, to me, was now fluid. I had changed so much that many things now would not come true while other things would.

Laura and Helen gave me one more birthday present. When I came into the apartment, I found my wives just waiting to pounce. Looking around I found that the kids were not there and this meant that they were at mom's. Linda was not there, either and I figured she would be at her parents, as she liked to stay a few days a week.

Helen said, "Hello, Alex. We have found a birthday present for you."

There was very little I wanted that the girls did not give me in plenty. "And what would that be?"

"Ah... we... Laura and I know that Seiko is very worried. She loves us but now wants to try a man but only one particular man."

I had not touched Seiko other than to hold her and give her a kiss the way I did everybody else. Some times I came home and she was naked with my wives and I just worked around her. The first time she was very worried and I just directed her to suck Helen's breast. As this happened more and more, she had overcome her fear. She even became very interested in the mechanics of the act. Most of the time she could not study long, for one wife, or the other, would place their face on her mons and start to lick the beautiful oriental woman.

"Are you sure she is not pushed into this?"

"She is the one who suggested this to us."

Laura said, "She has been hinting about this, even back in Tokyo. She knows that you never hurt and you are always considerate to us. I think, if she could, she would bear your children."

This shook me. I knew that Seiko liked me and even looked up to me but I did not know how deep her feelings flowed. Thinking back to all the little things, I could now see that she was working toward this goal. The time spent with the family was very short. I would come home late and most times be gone early in the morning. Many times I would not even be at home for days.

The thought that Seiko should be left alone occurred to me. This way she would not make such a strong tie to me and could one day find a family of her own. This, I immediately dropped, for I knew that she filled a spot in our family that I did not even know needed filling.

"Tell me about her likes and dislikes. How long has she been on the pill?"

Laura hung her head and said, "Since before leaving Japan. We shared till we got home. We knew even then that she would be ours."

That declaration made up my mind. "Where is she?"

Helen said, "She is waiting for you in the bedroom. She is probably all sweaty now, worrying about what we are talking about. She is deathly afraid that you will throw her out now."

I said to both girls, "Tell Seiko I will be in shortly. I want a shower first."

I did hurry with my shower. Part of it I justified by thinking Seiko would be even more nervous the longer she waited but I had to admit that I, too, was nervous. Seiko was special in many ways. I had gone out of my way to make sure she got the attention she needed as well as what comforts I could provide. This, mostly, was her place in the family.

When I walked into the bedroom, I expected her to be in bed wearing nothing but the sheets. Instead, she was wearing a Japanese dress usually worn by a bride. I slowed but I luckily did not stop. Seiko had her hair done up like Madam Butterfly but she used little of the white pancake makeup. Her countenance did not fall this time, for she stared at me all the time I approached.

From the looks I was given by the three women I knew that the dress was symbolic too. Seiko was a bride and if I took he she would be mine always.

She and the other two had gone to an awful lot of trouble to do this. Her two handmaidens were kneeling on the floor behind her now. They were both smiling at me very widely. I gave a small smile and she did one to. I could see the way she held herself tightly that she was very nervous still.

I said in Japanese, "You are a very beautiful and desirous woman. Are you sure you want me?"

She started to talk but her voice was wrong and she had to restart. "I am only a woman and not even one of your race but I want you to be my first and only man."

I knew from the girls that Seiko had somehow remained a virgin. They told me of the many times she had just managed to escape through luck or determination. "What is it that you want of me?"

She was a little more flustered now and finally got out. "I... I want to belong to you." She stopped and gulped. "You are a man with a great appetite. The women you hold close to you are very happy. I think your children will be very great."

I replied after a moment when it looked like she was not going to continue. "Do you think your children will have a special place in the new world?"

Seiko's eyes got very wide and she just looked to the floor without answering. I didn't need to hear the words, for I already knew.

I said to my wives, "Prepare Seiko for our bed. I want her more than just ready." Helen and Laura just looked at me then at each other then finally stood and started to remove Seiko's clothing. There were many layers and each piece was folded carefully and placed on a large dresser. When the girls got down to her long underclothing they waited and I used my finger to indicate that they continue. This time Seiko stood proud for only a few seconds as she looked at me then got on her knees in front of me.

I heard her sniffling that she was not worthy but did it almost under her breath.

"Stand up Seiko." When she got to her feet she still had her head down. "Look at me Seiko," I ordered. When she did I said as kindly as I could but still stayed in character of an influential Japanese man. "In your country a man is very powerful. Here, it is not quite the same. I want you to act like the woman I saw, who is very happy at giving and getting pleasure. I do not want a servant. Now come and kiss me like you really mean it."

She ran the few steps and pulled me tightly into her arms and kissed me perhaps harder than she had ever kissed someone before. She did not stop but only moved as she rubbed her body against me and kissed me again then again. My own arms went around her and kept her close as if I never wanted her to leave.

Her hands soon went to my belt and undid the knot to my robe. One of her hands held me, while the other snaked within my robe to find me very erect. She caressed me for a moment, then got down to her knees and sucked me into her mouth. She did it too quickly and choked a bit but did not stop.

I let her continue her work and soon I felt that feeling overcoming me one more time. It started in my toes and ran up my spine to my head and then, after pausing, to my groin. I closed my eyes in pleasure as I pumped my seed into her eager mouth. She kept sucking as if she were a baby bird needing all the protein it could get.

When I looked down, Helen and Laura were on each side of her, urging Seiko on. The woman did smile widely and went back to sucking any more she might find in me. I used two hands to gently remove her head and then I bent down and kissed her lips. She kept her smile but bowed her head again waiting my pleasure.

Laura whispered in her ear and Seiko nodded her head and slowly stood. She reached over and removed my robe and then placed it, after folding, on her clothes.

When she took the few steps back she took one of my hands in her hand and gently tugged me after her. She manoeuvred me so I had to sit on the bed and then she had me lie down. When my head hit the pillow she bent over and gave me a kiss like I had done to my wives many times. When my hands came up she scooted away instead and then ran around the bed taking short mincing steps that the Japanese seemed to prefer.

She climbed onto the bed and then just lay on her back and waited. I just stayed as I was put and hid my own smile. She had done this all by herself and I liked the idea of her continuing.

Helen walked over to Seiko and she now whispered in her ear. Seiko's face went through great many changes and then she said in Japanese that she understood.

She turned over and looked at me staying still. Her eyes travelled down my body and stopped for a minute half way. With a little swallow, she said in a meek voice, "Master, will you move a bit closer please?"

I gave my own smile, for I could not hold it in and did as she asked. She knee-walked across the bed and straddled my upper legs. I looked down and saw the sparse but dark hair covering her opening. I had always wanted to explore it but had never tried, thinking that she was not ready for that.

Laura stopped us. "You two are not wet yet." She looked at Helen and said, "Get Seiko moist." The girls moved to where they wanted and Laura claimed the protruding flesh in front of Seiko. Helen went to the bedside table and took out some KY and put a bit on her fingers. Helen urged Seiko to stand higher on her knees. When this happened, Helen's fingers went to the juncture of Seiko's legs and started to caress the little bump before her fingers entered her opening.

Seiko's eyes closed and her arms held Helen for support. Her lips moved and mumbled some words in Japanese that I could not catch. I had to close my own eyes, for I could feel Laura's lips caressing my proud flesh and her long hair covering my abdomen and upper thighs. My hands did not hold her, for they firmly grasped the sheet I was laying on.

The sensations lasted a few minutes but stopped when Seiko walked forward on her knees, supported by both Laura and Helen. The girls did some last minute adjusting and Seiko was told to sit while Laura held me in position.

Seiko moved up and down in small strokes hitting her hymen after the first three. Her eyes were wide open as if this was a wonder to her. She had been having sex with my wives for quite a while but perhaps something bigger than two fingers would be new.

Helen was giving encouraging words and I was happy to see that half of them were in Japanese. Seiko's expression changed and then she abruptly sat down hard on me. I could feel the end of my cock meet the obstruction and start to deform painfully till the pain suddenly left and Seiko was now sitting on my legs. Her eyes were watering and I knew that she had a very strong hymen.

My hands came up and I used my thumbs to wipe away the tears from her eyes. When her eyes opened, she tried to smile but I knew it was faked. I could hear Laura and Helen giving her encouragement and saying the pain would soon leave. In a moment most of the pain was gone and I saw a beautiful Oriental woman sitting on me with her small breasts and her still white-painted face that was now tear streaked.

Laura was the one who got Seiko to start moving and after a dozen short strokes she didn't need to help any more. Seiko moved further and further as her strokes lengthened. She did this all in a very slow motion. Japanese mumbles came from her lips saying, "I am doing it. I am doing it," over and over.

My hands caressed her breasts and I played with her small hard nipples. Laura's hand started, too and she reached between us and played with Seiko's clit while Seiko moved up and down.

The girls liked this, for it was a way for all of us to be in on an orgasm at the same time.

Seiko stopped suddenly at the top of her stroke. Her eyes grew very wide and even her mouth was open in surprise. I could feel nothing but Seiko soon pushed back down and her strokes got faster and faster. Her face changed and it looked like her eyes had lost focus. She was talking louder and louder in Japanese but the speech was difficult to understand.

Finally a high-pitched wail came from her and her vagina clamped up on me. This was too much for me and I came with her. I thrust up as hard as I could, pushing her up each time. After five times and a few smaller spurts Seiko lay down on my chest.

Her breathing was rapid but from the way she was lying, I didn't think she was even conscious. I didn't look but just wrapped my arms around her.

When I opened my eyes, I saw Helen wiping her fingers on some tissue and knew exactly where they had been. I was surprised Seiko had lasted as long as she did.

Helen saw me looking and said, "She is very sensitive in her bum. She likes having us use the toys on her there."

Laura was just smiling as she looked at Seiko draped over my body. She finally said, "I think you made her a very happy woman, Alex."

I thought for a minute and replied, "I think she will make us all happy."

When Seiko awoke, she smiled at me through streaked makeup. She reached down and saw the makeup on me and cleaned it off with her finger and began to look worried.

I quickly said, "Let's go for a shower."

Seiko got up and immediately stooped when Laura took some tissue and used it to plug the leak between Seiko's legs. Helen held the woman and led her off to our washroom. Laura helped me up, too and I followed just a few yards behind.

The penthouse had been altered and now the washroom was much bigger and now had a large shower. Many of the other features that I had originally suggested had been added. The water started just as I got to the door. I walked close to Seiko and held her to me.

"Thank you for giving me your gift. You know, of course, that you are now my woman?" She smiled widely and hugged me to her, for this is what she had wanted all the time.

We moved into the shower and Helen told Seiko to squat. After the paper plug was removed I put her under the warm water and cleaned her body. Her hair must have taken many hours to place the way it had been and I tried to keep it from getting too wet. I did use a cloth and cleaned her face. I only got a small wince when I cleaned half way down.

Helen and Laura were now in, too and they worked hard to clean each of us. Helen even got on her knees later and made sure the job had been done right.

When we went back to bed we switched partners and around two in the morning Seiko lay curled up next to me, sound asleep.

The next morning she was up and full of energy. She was a bit sore and I could see a difference in her already, a difference that I was happy to see. I liked being the master of my home but I did not want the women to be servants.

We went down for a later-than-usual breakfast and Margarete walked over to greet us. She had abandoned her walker and canes long ago and was now walking normally. She smiled as she looked at all four of us and said, "I see that Seiko is a very happy woman this morning. She seems to be glowing. Congratulations to all of you."

I looked at Seiko and watched as she figured out the words spoken. Then she looked very surprised indeed. I said, "She is glowing. Maybe one day you will see her really glow. The three girls here may give off enough light to illuminate this room."

Margarete looked wistful and said, "I would like to see that soon but I guess you have too many things to do before that."

The girls didn't seem to understand till I said, "Are you volunteering to be a grandmother now? My children will not be sweet smelling and agreeable. The ones being full-blood Polish will be even harder to deal with."

The girls now knew what we were talking about and all of their mouths were open wide in surprise.

Margarete looked at each of them, started to laugh and quickly hid her mouth behind her hand. "You are an evil man, Alex Kramer. Look what you have done to your family. They won't recover for hours."

"It serves them right. I don't recover for hours, either. Will you join us for a coffee while we have breakfast?"

"I would like that."

Before we finished our breakfast, two reporters came into the hotel with two photographers behind them. As soon as they saw me, they came over to the table. The two were very polite, for the word had got out that I would not cooperate and sometimes even threw them out into the streets, if they were too objectionable.

I knew all four and invited them by name to sit with us. I was always pestered, for one reason or another. Usually, I could give them something to print that would benefit me, or what I was trying to do.

The questions didn't seem to be on any particular subject. It went from the coming American Presidential elections to the double nomination for the Nobel Prize. A good portion, though, had to do with the controversy about the contraceptive we made. The opposition I feared had come up but I just hoped that with the allies I had, the drug would get into more hands quicker than it would have normally. This did put me in mind of Hugh Hefner and his magazine that had not even been published yet.

Later that day I called Derrick to find out the particulars about Hugh Hefner. I knew that with a bit of persuading the entrepreneur would make a great ally.

My own group from Fish 'n' Chips had stepped out of their usual roles a few months ago. I remembered the old adage that said a change was as good as a vacation. The old Armalite M-72 LAW had been drawn on the board with all the specifications I could remember. The piezoelectric properties of quartz were discussed and I drew a lightweight bar that could strike the crystal and produce a small, high-voltage spark. The spark from this would set off an impact-sensor-detonated, shaped charge around some copper strips to destroy a tank's thick armour.

The rocket engine with solid fuel and fins were shown. I had explained how the fins were aimed forward but would spread out behind after leaving their throwaway paper launcher.

At the end I stood as a young man in front of the obviously older group of men and said, "Now who wants to play with rocketry instead of doing a man's work in electronics?"

The room held hundreds of people and they looked around at each other. A few hands went up and then I could not see anybody who did not have their hands up. "Just as I figured. Well, I want the heads of departments to give me a list of their best people. Limit it to just ten percent. I will pick from them myself. The losers get to think about a gimbaled rocket engine I want to make using liquid oxygen and kerosene. I want to get into orbit soon and you guys are going to have to get me there. You will find what I want done at the back of the room."

Electronics had suffered for a while but we did quite well in other areas. Those ones who did not suit the mechanics side went back to electronics and the mechanical engineers tried very valiantly to shine. They had been in the shadow of the electrical engineers and physicists too long.

In two days we had our first tests. Most everybody took the time off to see how well the rocket I drew would actually fly. In another week we had something that would actually work. I used heavy-wall pipe for my launcher and it only blew the pipe up a few times. In another week we had it down pat. Dummy warheads were used till it looked like we had a product that matched the original version very closely.

Joseph and Silva had been asked to have an explosive manufactured just after 1987. It was the same CL-20 being worked on in Germany. The CL came from the research site China Lake that was a fairly secret research base dealing with all kinds of weapons. It was much superior to TNT, RDX and HAL. If it were pure enough, it would not release lead or aluminium compounds into the air. It also did not have the large clouds of black smoke and a large thermal signature associated with all other solid fuel rockets.

The same basic ingredient could be used as the explosive and the detonation was many times stronger than what was now available. A military plane came in and delivered half a ton of material for our labs to use. Among that was a hundred pounds of cyclotrimethylene-trinitramine, or as the world would say, 'C-4'. I had patented this product, too.

In Vietnam it had been used for demolitions and they even burnt it to heat a meal. This was the plastic explosive that you could shoot a bullet into without it detonating.

I had warned Joseph to make these products in a lab out of the way and only to make small batches of each compound. Seeing that he was still around I assumed he had done so. I now had many more patents on a whole line of military explosives.

The electrical engineers had all gone back to the Works, while eight men got to work more on the rocket. The new fuel we were now using was close to the best that was made at the time I came back but it was not in my field of study. I knew that tungsten carbide was sometimes used, instead of copper, for the shaped charge. This, though, was in the warhead department, which I had not started in Canada, yet. The German companies were able to give us some assistance.

When I considered it safe enough, I let Aron fire quite a few rounds in practice but none had any explosive. I had to admit that he was one happy boy to be doing this. I was happy myself to note that nobody was hurt by the rocket's exhaust. The engineers were always trying to tweak a bit more out of each experiment. Aron had a very difficult problem though. He now loved the rockets and working with the engineers but he also liked being with Mineko.

To give him peace I sent them both out to learn as much as they could for a few hours and then they had to do other work for the remainder of the time.



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Chapter 39


When the election results in November were known, President Truman and the President-elect Adlai Stevenson patted me on the back. Eisenhower was an older man of 61 and a real hero. His running mate was 'Tricky Dick' Nixon. He had an illegal slush fund but this was already known. I knew enough from what came out at Watergate to supply the Democrats with enough dirty secrets to let the voters know whom they might be electing as a Vice President. The Republicans' other 'hatchet man' was Dewey. McCarthy was one as well but he was conveniently dead.

In the first election there was a lot of talk about Stevenson being divorced and not a family man. With recent allegations against McCarthy, the family was not mentioned.

I remembered from some advertising that Adlai Stevenson had usurped a half-hour of prime time television to tell the voters what he wanted to do. This never happened but he did like Eisenhower and used twenty and thirty second segments instead. 'I Love Lucy' was very important to the nation and was not to be trifled with.

Women were for the first time actively courted in the election. Eleanor Roosevelt was only one of Stevenson's supporters. When Stevenson gave his word that he would assist in getting my contraceptive available to many more women, Margaret Sanger and Katherine McCormick started to campaign for him in earnest. Katherine McCormick's newspapers talked to women directly and not through male reporters. This and McCarthy's sexual preferences, is what I think won the race.

There were a lot of parties that I was invited to and I tried to go to the more influential ones. It was very evident that everybody knew I was a Democratic supporter. I did say before witnesses that I was fighting for a cause and not for any political party.

Four weeks after the vote, American troops were in Vietnam and American goods and war materiel were sold cheaply to the French. Eisenhower was sent over to see what he could do as a good soldier and a national hero. This dramatically raised the troops' spirits.

Hugh Hefner was now publishing his magazine through a small firm. The Picture of Marilyn Monroe was what sold the initial release. We had talked a few times over the phone and my donation of twenty thousand dollars could have made me a partner but I didn't want that. He did follow my advice and had many features that he would later find to be what the public wanted.

He had a forum on birth control and had some influential people contribute their opinions. Off-colour jokes and penthouse letters made me laugh at the theft of the idea from what would be Penthouse Magazine. Important and outspoken women told how they though women were unfairly treated. Segregation and racial intolerance were very common and the magazine was one of the ways it could be exposed and allowed to die before all the riots occurred in later years. All this was to educate a new generation of young males who would one day vote the way they should.

I personally ordered ten thousand of the original first issue and had them shipped to the men fighting for us.

In six months the British, the Australians and the Canadians were fighting in Vietnam as well as in Korea. Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation, through their ArmaLite Division, sold twenty-five thousand newly made and vastly improved LAW M-72s. I had the production stepped up dramatically, because I knew the five-pound launcher would find a lot of use in the two wars. After only two months the orders really started to come in. We had to even import the explosive and rocket fuel from my company in West Germany.

The M16 had not become standard issue but some groups were using it as a test. Our stockpile of rifles, ammunition and rockets would soon be seriously depleted and I was considering getting other manufacturers to assist.

Many of the wartime weapons that were used in Vietnam were conceived on my drawing board. We did not have the high tech necessary for some things but we did have many of the simpler articles.

I was very productive and very highly valued in the military. I soon had 'Puff the Magic Dragon' but the song had not come out yet. I wrote that, too and both made it to the front lines at the same time. The AC-47 was the military equivalent of the DC-3. I knew how effective the plane was and used as many of the old planes as I could get my hands on.

I could not use .50 caliber machine guns because of the way the floor was constructed but I could use smaller NATO rounds in a smaller barrel.

I went for the big bang and started the development of many fuel/air bombs but the only one that got used was the one with diethyl ether. Another cluster bomb with thousands of small bomblets with antipersonnel or with armour piercing rounds, took out many tanks and trucks that could not accurately be hit otherwise. The bomblets had a good proportion that did not work and killed innocents years after a battle. My bomblets were designed to degrade after six months in normal wet conditions. These certainly were the conditions in South East Asia.

The smart bomb was developed and I sold three lots to NATO. France bought the most and I gave them a deal on some considerations at a later date.

During this time I was awarded the Nobel Prize in medicine and shared one in Physics with William. I had planned on these awards for years and when the time came I pushed even harder for the world I wanted. The intellectuals heard me but I had to use other means for the man or the woman on the street to understand what I wanted.

Bell was still working on the lasers and I got the company to work on improved night vision equipment. Night vision was already in use even during the latter portion of WW2. It relied on a power-hungry infrared emitter to illuminate the target. The Soviets were already making a device to find the emitter and shoot the soldier using it.

I did not take the role of a REMF and went to the front many times to watch the tests of our equipment or innovations. I had been hit twice but they were mostly grazes. All were from shrapnel and not bullets, although many of the latter had come close.

My helicopters had not only made an appearance but were assisting in getting the war shortened. The Black Hawk and Apache were not ready yet but the Huey was. Before the funding ran out, I started working on a second generation of Huey using two large sets of blades.

At the negotiation table, it was now our turn to put things off. The Communists had always thought that given more time they could wring more concessions from us. This was a dramatic turn around and left the opposing diplomats a bit flustered.

The French did not get caught at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu. The American military came in and destroyed almost all of the Viet Minh forces arrayed against the French. Puff crews were the major factor in making the battle change the way it did. In my previous life, this was the turning point where the French left Vietnam for good; most only got to be buried.

France had been encouraged to send in many more troops to the area in previous months. After the battle they mopped up what once would have been their victors.

Since I was in a good bargaining position with my weapons manufacturing, I negotiated with the United States and did a lot of negotiating as the main NATO representative. I tried not only for an armistice but tried to get a peaceful separation of the country. There was a lot of resentment about this, because we were now doing so well. The way some were talking, they could just keep going and take China, too. Cooler heads did prevail.

By the end of 1954 both wars came to and end and a truce was called. There was no threat of using atomic weapons this time, although the Communists knew they could be used and they were not ready, yet, for an all-out nuclear war.

The sheer number of casualties ended it for the Communists. We allowed a North Vietnam to be formed above the 20th parallel not the 17th as it was before. This would give much better logistics if and when, the Communists headed south at a later date. The mountainous region of what was the Ho Chi Minh trail in the northern area would funnel any insurgents into some easy killing fields. The new country, in itself, also gave a buffer area for China, which was why the war was first fought.

The trail had not seen that much use because of our efforts. France soon found uses for all the lumber taken off the land and helped finance farmers to turn the cleared acreage into flat farmland. Good roads were built and eventually sensors would be put all along it to find Communist activity.

There were a lot of mysterious deaths of politicians in the south. A much more representative government was set up and graft was punishable by death. I figured that as long as this was the case, the south would stay free and the people themselves would not want the Communists to come like they had the first time.

Japan and South Korea had gained a great amount of financial clout with the help of the United States. I pushed for the same thing in South Vietnam.

Sabin came back and we made the live vaccine three months after his return. His name as well as the rest of the multinational team was on the list of people working on this project. The news was not as exciting as for the first, mainly because I had already told it would happen at approximately this time. The public was learning to trust my word. I knew that I would need this in the future, not only to bring about what I wanted but simply to stay alive.

A year and a half after the peace accord I was called back to Oslo and gained a third award for my furtherance of the peace process. Quite an accomplishment, considering how much money I made selling weapons to the NATO forces. I had rationalised that by killing so many enemies so quickly, the sheer casualty figures would keep any aggressor from crossing out paths. Our own casualties had been much lighter. Only some of the decrease was from Kevlar vests and helmets, because the numbers that were produced were low.

My extended family went with me for a second time and now it seemed like old hat to dad and grandpa. He complained of the seats and then the food and finally his sore butt. I was again his true grandson because I heard him tell so to one of the stewardesses. I was quite sure he told the rest, too. He didn't know that this was a special charter flight I had arranged.

My own people had gone over the plane inch by inch. Everybody onboard was either an employee, or an influential person who was sympathetic to what I wanted to do. The Communists had not come to get me to see their way of thinking but that did not mean that they would not go to the final step and try to get me removed. Back in 'The Bay', many people who didn't appear on my list of employees were there for security reasons. This included the group I hired to protect the first production facility for my vaccine. Security had grown but did not rival Pinkerton because they only guarded things I had an interest in. This would change, for the men were actually the first members of my military.

There were a lot of people, during and after the war, who were shot down by their allies to remove them from the game board. I had not necessarily made too many enemies but I did have a lot of people that would rather see me dead so they could advance.

At every opportunity, NATO jets parallelled our flight. This was unknown to everybody but the flight crew, security and myself.

In the last year I had gone through a growth spurt and gained much of my adult size. I could not grow a decent beard or mustache yet, so I had to remain clean-shaven. The girls liked how certain parts of me grew, too.

My love life had been fairly tame. Seiko had assumed the post of number three wife and I didn't dispute it. With no legal contract, any of the women could leave if and when, they wished. They were all rich women, because I took what money they would have received working for me and put it into the businesses that showed the most chance of expanding.

Valerie had already married, had one child she called Alex and was expecting another. Linda had stayed with us for quite a while, till I finally found a man that would treat her the way she needed. In two months I would be at their wedding.

Yasuko and Akuro were now taking charge of one of my newest companies. They had close to a hundred and forty employees who were teaching various languages to my employees. Both had turned into career women and only dated the men they liked. I wanted them to succeed but I wanted them to be happy, too.

In between, I found some girls to keep me company in Vietnam and Korea. The wives knew about it and even talked to the girls on the phone. They all knew that they would not be coming with me when I left.

I was bored on the long trip to Oslo and I enticed one wife at a time into the small washroom. I didn't know if the mile high club had been invented yet and considered my wives and I being the charter members. This had actually happened last year, though, when we made our first flight to Oslo. I was going to make sure Hugh Hefner heard about the idea. He was already promoting my record company and the artists I had under contract. Elvis had not even graduated from high school but he got a contract after joining a local talent show.

He was now in Toronto or Memphis putting out some of the songs I provided him. Many other artists had come to sign up with me. Remembering about my inability to be where I was needed, I hired the best publicists and promoters I could. Sam Phillips was one of the men I was able to hire. It took a bit of money and my promise to develop the industry more to get him on board. Television, radio and even the movies did not impress the man but music videos did. In my company there would not be any shenanigans. If an artist was promised something, he would get it.

This time around, I was going to take the Japanese business model as my own. Artists were not given million-dollar contracts but then again I did not give that kind of money to me. A president of a company got twenty to twenty-five times the wages of the man on the floor.

If everybody accepted this, then musicians, sports figures and actors would not get multimillion-dollar contracts and the spectators would be able to afford to go and see the people they loved. The high cost of Hockey and Baseball tickets in Toronto still burned me from my previous life.

The only ones to make more money were the shareholders and my wives, who were shareholders. The companies, though, made a fantastic amount of money and used much of the funds to plough back into production and R&D. My dividends went in there too, for I knew that they could only grow.

As we landed, we heard one of Roy Orbison's songs that I had written for him. I sometimes sang it to my wives as I played the guitar at night. 'Oh, Pretty Woman' never failed in getting them more than just becoming sentimental before taking me to bed.

We took up three floors of a local hotel. The family went off to shop or to do some sightseeing. I brushed up on my speech and talked to my security people. In an hour I was talking to the same people I had spoken to last year and we discussed what arrangements had been changed. I left the arrangements with my people and had a short nap, because I knew the girls would be hyper and not able to sleep later.

The presentation was the next day and I was worn out. I was right about the girls and they made sure I was not able to sleep, either. More people could not sleep but for other reasons. Aron was in the next suite playing some Beatles music with dad. When the song ended, Aron sang 'La Bamba' with a Spanish accent. Richard Valenzuela or better known as Ritchie Valens was only a child, not much older than Aron was now. The song would not go public till I found a good Latino singer to be the first to break into Rock 'n' Roll.

When the time came for the presentation, everybody walked down a long line of sensors as if they were at a very modern airport. Six people were pulled aside just before they got to the door and asked about their guns. Five turned out to be security, while the local police took one away.

I may not have been his target and perhaps the man just liked carrying a gun. He happened to be Romanian and his consulate was quick to try to get him released.

The meal and the presentation was lower key than previously and I was able to enjoy it more. Even with a large room of very important people, I found the looks in my family's eyes to be what I needed to continue.

After the actual presentation I shook hands with many distinguished people. Some had come to me with ideas from others who had asked for favours or paid for the service. It reminded me of being in Mexico and all the vendors coming up with different things to sell. At least the people here were very polite.

My acceptance speech was next and I had come prepared. I spoke for almost half an hour on ways to keep people off one another's throats. I listed all the various reasons for fighting in the first place and did not leave out our basic instinct to fight and prove ourselves.

Like last year, I talked about oil, clean water and many different minerals being in short supply, no matter what governments wanted to say to the opposite point of view. "The day will come, when all our economies come crashing down when the price of fuel goes too high. Nobody can afford an automobile, if the price of copper is so high that wiring is too costly to put in. Unrestricted development and unmonitored industries are now poisoning our waters. What are future generations going to do to get water that is not polluted with industrial wastes or chemicals from farm runoff?"

I accused everyone sitting before me of being lax in what they did to stop or curtail all the despoliation and waste about us.

The reporters and photographers, though, were not as nice after the award ceremony. Film was shot as I was asked pertinent, then foolish questions. Outside, I found that many more photographers were around and very aggressive. Security had a difficult time making a corridor for us to travel. In a moment our limousines pulled up and we started to get in. When the three were full, we left for the official reception. Here, too, there were photographers. Seiko got angry with one and used some karate she had been teaching the girls on the persistent photographer. He suddenly fell to the concrete and nobody quite knew how it had happened, or almost nobody knew.

Grandma was close by and I saw her think before she put her foot down. This time it was beside the man. She had a Polish temper and I knew she would have liked to walk over his face.

There were quite a few people there even before we arrived. I shook hands with them and then they shook hands with my family. Before even ten minutes had passed more guests came to congratulate me. The Norwegian government, which had a hand in the selection of the Nobel Prize, came over and introduced their wives and even their children.

I was happy to try out my language skills with some representatives of other countries. They spoke slowly once they heard my accent in most cases but I could get along with most languages in Europe now.

When the Russian ambassador came over, I was pleased to talk to him in his own language. It was a Slavic language and if you knew Polish, the others are fairly easy to pick up. With him was a young woman of phenomenal beauty. She seemed to be Helen's age or perhaps a bit younger. Her eyes were green and her hair was platinum blond and went far down her back. Her dress was not something that somebody in her collective would wear. It was very expensive and exposed as much flesh as she could get away with.

The ambassador said, "Congratulations on your well deserved award. I believe you saved many lives by seeing what both parties needed and by working toward that goal." He looked at his companion and said, "Let me introduce Sonia. She is a relative of mine and has come to Oslo to learn about how their government works."

He turned to the girl and said in English, "Sonia, this is Alex Kramer. I believe he is the only man to ever win the prestigious Nobel prize three times."

The girl stepped forward easily and put out her hand to be shaken. I clasped hers and she said, "I am very honoured to meet you, Mr Kramer. Your speech was very inspiring and I wish the Capitalists took it to heart. I had no idea when I came to this city that I would ever meet somebody as important and as handsome as you. It is so lonely here in Oslo with all the older people doing everything."

I knew that Lake Karachai was constructed in the late 1950s, inside the grounds of the Mayak Chemical Combine, Russia's main nuclear reprocessing plant. It was formerly a major nuclear weapons production site. Its purpose was to hold liquid nuclear wastes previously dumped in the River Techa. Even coming close to the lake was dangerous for a human. It endangered all of the arctic. Russia was as guilty as the west in doing things environmentally wrong but I could not mention this. One reason was that they had not done much so far.

Helen was beside me and Laura next to her. They both bristled at the smooth and melodious way the young woman spoke. I said, "I am happy to meet you, too. I am forced to return the compliment for you are indeed very beautiful. I doubt that you would be lonely at any time. I think the blind would be attracted to you by just hearing your voice. Do you sing?"

The wives seemed to be getting ready for war. The ambassador started talking to Laura who was the most pissed, while Sonia said, "How did you know? I have been singing since I was a child. I have been looking at joining our state opera company but I was not quite able to sing everything they asked. Uncle Viktor thought I should come here to find out how other countries sing."

"Is Uncle Viktor your current escort?"

She distracted the man as he was trying to talk more to Laura and she smiled as she clutched his arm. "Yes, this is my Uncle Vitya. He comes to hear me sing sometimes and he got me a ticket to come here." I remembered that Vitya was the name, much like Willy, that was given to a person with the name William.

Seiko came out from the other side of me and stood close to the girl as if protecting me. I said, "This lovely lady is Seiko. She is now part of my family."

Seiko had learned English fairly well and she said hello. When their hands met, I was worried that somebody might get hurt but they touched hands politely. Helen got in front of me and said, "You were going to show me some of the artwork that you said was in the other room."

I just smiled at her and whispered, "I have to stay here to greet the people."

The Russian and the beautiful woman moved on and I talked to many more people. The girls quieted down after they saw their competition leave. A man protects his wife, or in my case wives. Women are the same way and will peck another woman, to death if possible, if she is seen as a threat.

By the time the night was over, my throat was sore. Grandpa and grandma took Aron and Mineko to our hotel to rest. Some of our security went and stayed with them.

There was music and a dance and of course the girls took me onto the floor. I was happy to be using another set of muscles for I was getting tired of talking. Everything was fine till Sonia cut in which was not usually done at this time.

She danced close and I wondered if the orchestra was paid to perform this slow piece at this time. She used her body to great advantage and I could feel her hard muscles under her beautiful skin. She must have been an athlete for she felt and moved like a cat on the prowl.

Sonia did nothing overt but did make it known that she enjoyed my company. At the end of the piece Viktor came back with an angry Laura and we exchanged partners one more time.

Sonia apologised to Laura, "I am sorry Mrs Kramer for taking your man but I had to get at least one dance with him before he left. You are so lucky."

Laura was not mollified much but remained civil to the woman. "He has to be watched constantly like any man, I guess."

When the next song started I whispered into Laura's ear, "Did you notice she called you Mrs Kramer, my love?"

"I certainly did. She is after you Alex. What are you going to do?"

"She is probably NKVD, KGB, GPU or MVD or even the East German Stasi." I then had to explain what each of the acronyms meant, although she did know the first two.

"She is a spy?" Laura said as she almost stumbled.

I held her up and continued dancing, "Of course. Her body is like Seiko's or yours, now. Beautiful and deadly would be a good description. You must know by now that I am attracted to intelligent and beautiful women."

Laura put her head on my shoulder and said, "I'll still scratch her eyes out if she comes close."

"She will Laura but she is the one we are supposed to watch. More will be coming who will not look like spies and they are the ones who will be dangerous."

We stayed two days and went to a luncheon and a small party later. We did not see Sonia but I figured this was part of the plan. Church was very different than what the family was used to but all went well. Seiko, Mineko and others were not RC or even Christians but that was not necessary to go to church. Religion was a good idea and had served humanity for thousands of years and I was not going to be a person to push what I believed down another's throat. Family should stay together, though and some just had to put up with it.

Early Monday morning the plane left for home. Helen, Laura, Seiko and I were not on it. Three of the best security people I had stayed with us for the next leg of our own business trip.

We arranged a ride in a military DC-3 to Frankfurt. As we passed over the city, it was easy to see how bombed out it still was. The Allies had bombed the city almost to rubble. I had worked for quite a while with the AC-47, so I almost felt at home. When we touched down, General Abbott himself came out to greet us. We got the treatment with red carpet and a band. I smiled at the way this was done and the girls really liked it.

Though I had not really fought, I did fly in some of the AC-47s when they went on a mission. Our guns were not what they were in the Vietnam War of my previous time but we did the best we could with what we had or could develop. In fact, many of the inventions were made on, or next to, the battlefield. Nobody disputed my help when I worked to repair human bodies. One soldier had asked me, after I was finished with him, "Is there anything you don't do?"

With a hand on his shoulder I said, "I try not to do what is expected."

General Abbott was one of the men I worked closely with. I found the man very proficient when a fire was kindled behind his eyes. I think they sent him to Asia to get rid of him but he seemed to blossom when he and I worked together. He even went beyond his rank and duties a few times and I had to back him up before he would get into trouble.

He even pulled rank a few times and flew with me. He was shot once as he operated a Gatling gun but he just laughed it off when I bandaged him between passes. It usually didn't take too many passes to get the enemy to run.

We used the plane the same way it was done in Nam. Most flights were at night with flares dropped to illuminate the enemy. Propaganda was dropped, too and the enemy had good reason to fear this type of plane. There was something eerie to see every fifth round a tracer fired on the enemy. It was easy to show that the AC-47 was, indeed, a transmuted dragon.

I was happy to see a star on the collar that was not there before. "I see the military is trying to load you up again with metal."

"They have been doing that. I seem to have been getting a lot of salad to wear on my chest too. It is good to see you again, Alex. Are these the young ladies I talked to on the phone a few times?"

"They certainly are." I introduced the girls to the general and he in turn introduced us to his guests. There were three older men and some younger ones behind who looked like aides or security. I talked to the West Germans and found that all of them were involved with the military for their government and NATO. Their country would not officially join NATO until May of 55. I talked to them in their language and they didn't bat an eye to the change in language. When the girls did the same, the men did smile. It was hard not to do this to such beautiful women.

We were escorted off the tarmac in two limos and led to a luxurious hotel I had been at many times in my previous life. At the desk I looked at the young man of twenty-two or so and said, "Hello Zakhary, I heard about you and your hotel in Vietnam. Quite an accomplishment, I think."

Zakhary was more than flustered. We had been talking about a person that nothing seemed to bother and one of the engineers mentioned this hotel, then another did the same and mentioned the unflappable Zakhary. I had known the man too but much later in life. He was a friend but didn't know it yet. It was always hard to crack his polished exterior. This time around I would start one up on him.

Behind me I heard one of the Germans laugh then just chuckle. There was no doubt that many people knew Zakhary. One of the things they did not know, was that he worked for the East Germans or would one day soon.

We got the Presidential suite and right away the security detail went around the room putting putty and small tags at all the microphones we found. After we finished, I went around myself to count and check one more time. I could find no additional ones.

"That is three dollars and fifty cents each, boys." I held out my hand and the three security men reached into their pants and handed me the money and grumbled good-naturedly. We had a bet as to how many we would find and any more than that figure would get me paid, while any less would allow the men to get my money.

I didn't know how many were placed by the Stasi or western intelligence but I really didn't care. I asked the men, "Double or nothing for your room?" There were no takers but we did find more than their original estimate.

I made my phone calls knowing full well that this was the next best thing to a party line.

That night we travelled through the quiet and dark streets to the opera. We had very good seats while we listened to Wagner and his Flying Dutchman. I always liked his stirring music but not everybody did. Gioacchino Rossini said, "Wagner has lovely moments but awful quarters of an hour."

In the seats beside us were some of the partners I had in West Germany. Here, too, I had done things similar to what I had done in Japan. They ranged from pharmaceuticals to armaments to chemicals. Germany, like Japan, would grow an awful lot and I planned on being in there to help it grow and then reap the benefits. I noticed that one couple brought their daughter who was just about eighteen. She was pretty. Most people still saw me as not married, although I was held tighter than any written contract.

After the performance, we went through the line of photographers one more time and got into the limos. Just as the girls were going to talk I pulled out my miniature bug detector and said, "How many?"

I had no takers, so I just handed the device to the girls and they had a game of it and found three. A fourth in the area of the trunk probably told someone where we were. The device was safely put away by the time we arrived at the hotel. We made a quick change and were on our way to the restaurant in just half an hour.

Our guests had arrived earlier and they led us into the cellar of the Rathaus; this house was called the town hall and the cellar was called the Rathskeller. You had to be invited to sit here and we were. Our hosts didn't usually call this their drinking hole but it was a nice place to talk, sing, eat and drink. The Germans are very polite people and you just had to get to know them a bit to find out.

It was a good thing for the girls were already getting friendly with some young men. The males came over and took them onto the small dance floor. It seemed that the statement about what is good for the goose is good for the gander was true and I just watched. Security was not too happy but I could see nothing wrong.

After the third dance the men brought the girls back and left quickly. I asked what caused this to happen but the girls all professed ignorance. The head of the detail whispered afterwards that the young men were put off by the heavy security the girls brought with them. The scowls alone would keep most people away.

We ate at long, crowded tables called Stammtisch, arm in arm with almost strangers. Nobody seemed to mind our presence or the closeness. I discussed some things that could be said in public but I was not even sure what could be said in private. There just were so many spies around that you couldn't tell them apart without a card.

The Pill had been approved for general use but only for married women. The Germans were strong RCs or Lutherans, which to my mind were similar but would get into an argument for saying so. Wars had been fought to prove that they were different.

I wanted to ask about our projects at a deeper level and knew that this just could not be done here and now. This was just a place to let our hair down and enjoy ourselves. I knew the girls would remember this for a long time.

We did do some dancing and I got a few moments with Michelle, the daughter of the armaments manufacturer. She was a nice girl but could not compare to mine. I had asked her about her name and I found out that it was her grandmother's name. To be fair, I danced with the other men's wives as well as with my own.

The night got a bit rowdier and singing really started. Here it was the men who liked to belt out a song. Some were sung with everybody linking arms and swaying side to side. I sang with them if I knew the songs and I even encouraged my guests to do so too. The beer seemed to help. I didn't know if they were going to give me a problem but I had some of either Helen's or Laura's beer and it slid down very well.

An hour into the singing the room seemed to take a few minutes to rest. Helen was a little drunk and said, "Alex, get up there and sing one of your songs. I like hearing some English too."

There were some young couples nearby and said in English, "Yes, go up and sing. We will help you if you fail."

Another said, "Sing some of those American songs. Do you know any?"

Laura put her arm over my shoulder in a proprietary fashion and said, "Alex writes the songs and plays them. He can do anything."

My own guests spoke up and asked me to get up and give us some American songs. This was enough and soon the entire room was calling me to get up. I doubt if anybody other than my family and guests knew who I was. It didn't matter, though. My guitar playing was fair for an amateur and I had even used the piano recently when I was altering a few songs to fit the fifties better.

When I got up I wandered over to the small band. There was the accordion, which I could use as well as the guitar. The guitar was not an instrument usually found here, they were usually into brass. A piano was on the back wall but not where I would want it to be.

I talked to the band members; I slipped them some American money and they were willing to help me. The room watched but did not quiet down. The piano was turned sideways and this way I could play and see the audience. The seat was put in front of it and I said thanks but I would not need it.

The piano was not that badly out of tune and I started my first piece with a sort of bang. Jerry Lee Lewis had a song titled 'Great Balls Of Fire' which even my wives had never heard before.

They just looked at me for a moment and then clapped hard to show their appreciation. I bowed and then took the guitar after I got the musician's permission and played Jim Croce's "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown'.

That really got them clapping. I talked to the musicians now and asked them to play along if they could. To the audience I said, "Help me keep the beat with your hands please," as I started Johnny Rivers' song 'Memphis'.

They were getting into the song very well and they could not even hear me in the back of the room.

To get back to a quiet song, I said in German, "This is a ballad, which happens to be my favourite type of song." With a few words to the band I started to play 'Yesterday When I Was Young'. I just bowed then started playing Rick Nelson with his 'Hello Mary Lou'. At this point I called Laura to come up and she just looked at me in shock. She did come but she looked worried.

"This is one of the most important people in my life. I would like all of you to meet Laura Vachon. This song could be about her but thankfully it isn't." I proceeded to sing Ritchie Valens' song 'Tell Laura I Love Her'.

She had not heard this or any of the other songs before and she just hugged me to her and sniffled and then kissed me. Before she left she said, "I love you, Alex." The crowd had waited and then clapped enthusiastically again.

"The next song is for the beautiful Japanese lady at our table. It talks of the problems a young man sometimes has." I sang one of Roy Orbison's tunes that he made famous, 'Crying'.

To include Helen I said, "Another young lady dressed in red at my table reminds me of another song." I played another of Orbison's songs, 'The Lady in Red'.

Again there was thunderous applause and Helen was almost as red as her dress. When I tried to leave they asked me for more and I relented. I sang a Beatles song, 'Michelle'. I had not warned anybody, so the girl could stay hidden. I saw her parents and then the rest looking at her as she stared at me. Surprisingly, I found my wives smiling, so I knew there would be no problem.

When I finished the song I bowed to the audience and then turned to bow to the band. I was clapped on the shoulder as I went back to my table. Most of the people were actually standing as they clapped their hands.

Young and old ladies were really giving me the eye as I came to sit down. Even before I could sit, beer started to come that we had not ordered and could not drink. I thanked the audience and said, "They will have to pour me out of here tonight. There is more beer than any of us could drink."

I sipped one beer and passed the rest to the others, especially the men. They congratulated me on my singing, even if they could not understand all of it. Michelle was almost in tears and had to reach across the table and hold my hand. This was all she could do at present. If we were alone, I knew she would have me in her in less than a minute. There is something odd about a musician being able to get a girl this way, while an engineer was basically still a nerd.

The crowd started singing more songs and our waitress came over and asked in my ear, "Is your name Alex Kramer, sir?"

"Yes, it is. Why do you ask?"

The woman just stood up and dropped her empty tray. I looked up to her and then she looked at the bar and frantically waved her hand and bobbed her head. I guess not too many people had seen my picture but most listened to the radio.

I reached over and picked up the tray but the woman ran to the bar and almost knocked over a patron in her haste. She told the bartender and the word spread from there. In less than a minute the musicians had stopped because nobody was singing and everybody was looking at me.

It looked like we would get no peace tonight and I said, "I think we should call it a night, ladies and gentlemen."

Laura looked around and said, "I think so too, Alex."

We all stood up and walked between the rows of tables to the main aisle. I put enough money on the table to cover our tab many times over. I was the last to leave and I turned in the quiet room and said, "I am sorry for disturbing your evening, ladies and gentlemen. Goodnight."

On the street I asked to have a meeting the next morning after I said our goodbyes. One man gave the name of a quiet place and we all agreed. Michelle wanted for all her heart to go with us but her mother pulled her gently to her.

The limos pulled up quickly and we got back in the hotel. Seiko said, "Why did you sing that I would leave you? I would never do that, Alex. I love you."

I pulled her into my lap and said, "I know you wouldn't. I just didn't know a song that would fit you at the time. I will get working on it right away." She nodded her head in agreement and smiled.

That night my wives made sure that I knew just how much they loved me. Helen even sniffled at the song and asked me to sing it for her again. This made Laura and Seiko to want the same and then they cried a bit, too. Then they had to find a way to get over their grief. I went to the meeting the next morning with very little sleep.



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Chapter 40


With the computer, helped somewhat by good encryption, we had kept close contacts. The three companies tried hard to mesh in with the others in which I had an interest in Germany, as well as with the others in my corporation.

We met at a spa a few hundred miles from Berlin and after checking for bugs we started ours talks. They were well aware of the Harrier project and the three had worked with this project. Rheinmetall had even supplied the 20 mm cannons for the craft.

The Challenger had been made but only two. It was underpowered at only 1,200 horsepower. The 120 mm cannon seemed to be working well, along with the munitions I drew up to be made. NATO had put in orders for fantastic amounts of our products but they did not know of our tank yet. When they did, I expected to be made even richer.

France now wanted not only more of our war material but my contraceptives. Part of my price for assisting them in Vietnam was for them to assist me equally. Equally would mean that they still owed me a lot.

Each of the three managers got the new and smaller and more sensitive receiver for detecting bugs. They had already been given a rundown on what new developments we had found. New computer programs were now being shipped to the various companies and I explained how they would help each of their jobs. With my new algorithms, no government or group would be able to find out what was transferred for years to come. Our efforts to educate the world had worked but now we had to work to stay ahead of the competition.

On the way back to our vehicles I saw two men. One changed course on seeing us but the other was more proficient and took out a paper as if to read something. Security was close by but they could not restrict people from going on vacation. I pointed out the two individuals and I figured future private conversations in this location would now be impossible. Parabolic mikes had been around for quite a while and tube-driven amplifiers worked just as well.

This was no different than in the twenty-first century. There, people wanted to know what I was doing but used more sophisticated means of gathering the data. I was also an old hand at not letting the information be found.

In two days we were in France, where I looked in on some of my acquisitions. Most was land in the centre of Paris that would go up in value as the economy rose. All I had to do was to have a business built that would pay the taxes on it. Retailing household electronics sounded like the best way to go. I accomplished this by building the first 'The PX' in the country. Starbucks was here, too but the French still liked coffee their way.

The drug company outside Paris was half mine and they were doing a better time of getting the Pill accepted because of the government assistance. The laws in most other countries had not been as liberal as France. My efforts through my links to Japan were helping there, too.

The girls didn't enjoy London as much as they did Paris. Then again, the English are not the same as the French. It was not that one country was better but sometimes it was the difference in the customs of each country that made the difference. France would be far snootier in the future, while the British were that way now.

The three girls and six security people went out to Surrey to see the latest version of the Harrier. Hawker had run into problems and the only project that had the possibility of making money was the Harrier. I had stepped in and now owned fifty-one percent of the company. Now, Hawker Siddeley would never come about.

The girls loved to see the actual plane rise on its downward-facing thrust and slowly change to a forward or even a rearward direction. The movie 'True Lies' with Schwarzenegger came to mind because of the view before me.

This plane inspired a lot of interest in the marines. There were an even dozen of this variety there, along with the air force and the navy. I was very happy I had ensured that the plane could be more densely packed in a hangar, because the wings could fold. The compressor and fan were all metals that could take the salt-laden air much better than the magnesium that was usually used.

This model was actually our fifth generation. There was no armament in this unit but the avionics came from IBM and testing was taking place with some units from Bell. If most of the soldiers present were pilots, then they would be drooling over both the airframe and the electronics. Nobody in the world was even close to us.

The 'Made in U.S.A.' tag was not on the craft, yet and to tell the truth, I would rather its production stayed here in Britain. It would cost more to produce the plane from two assembly lines when one could do the job quite adequately.

To compensate for the loss of revenue and the fact that no Americans were employed in this endeavour, I wanted to sell Britain some of my aircraft that would be made at Fairchild. We made a much better Huey than was made the first time around; it was fitted out for attack and troop transport, not just for evacuation of the wounded. Its power, offensive capabilities, payload and avionics were much better than in the old unit used in Vietnam during my first time. We were having difficulty even keeping up to domestic consumption. We did have the option of expanding but I was trying to get the various military organizations to pay for this. The new Huey II was much more capable and had a great deal in the way of defensive countermeasures.

Sidney Camm walked over to me and said, "It makes my heart glad to see this plane fly. I had thought that your plans the first day were only rough and it took me six months to see that you had done a fantastic amount of work on the design already."

"Thanks, Sir Sidney. Things would have gone much faster if you had used a club when you talked to Rolls Royce about making the engines. You must have spent half your time working on this design and half the time fighting their engineers."

"That was certainly true. I took your advice and not only did our ministry threaten to go elsewhere to get engines but the American military threatened to take their business elsewhere if there was not some improvements soon. That clause where they have to produce or pay sure came in handy. Now things are moving along quite well and there are a few obstinate engineers looking for work."

"Theodore Roosevelt talked about speaking softly and carrying a big stick. I just made sure you had the stick to use."

I had suggested to the Royal Navy to alter the end of their flight deck to 12 degrees. To some, it was like I was asking to sacrifice their first-born child but the ministry prevailed. Harriers were now taking off much easier and safer, too, for the pilot had an extra few seconds in case something was going wrong. Our short take-off distance was just one of the things the Royal Navy loved.

Instead of staying in London we remained in Kingston-on-Thames to look into more of what was happening to Hawker Aircraft. Sir Rowe was still there and was happy to always have a running total to when the one thousand figure would be reached. There were just over six hundred and twenty to go and he was happy to keep track. Now that I owned half of the company, I had to give up that requirement up but it was still a joke between us.

The girls were now old hands at the party scene and knew most of the other guests. They were very sure of themselves and it showed in how they acted and even laughed.

Sir Sidney and Sir Rowe pulled me aside and the latter asked, "What is this helicopter you are trying to sell the ministry? Is it going to cut into Harrier sales? I think we may have lost some sales already."

I smiled and said truthfully, "It may have but the Harrier cannot do everything. You can't throw a cargo net under it to carry a dozen infantry. The helicopter is slower and more manoeuvrable but the Harrier has much better payload. I am telling you that my equipment will compliment each other, the way my companies do." I pulled the men's ears close and whispered, "I even have a replacement for the Harrier. This one is supersonic and radar will not be able to see it."

Sir Sidney just backed up with his mouth open. I could almost see the gears working in his head. He came very close and asked, "Tell me about it."

I whispered, "It is still STOVL; it generates vertical thrust through the use of the thrust-vectoring exhaust nozzle. The lift engine alone generates 18,000 lbs of thrust, compared to the 17,000 pounds we have now from our Pegasus engine. This method has the additional benefit of lowering environmental effects during primarily landing, where the thermal effects on, for example a carrier deck, are greatly reduced."

"This time we are using your old idea and have a second engine for thrust. This one will be over 27,000 pounds of force alone."

The excited man said, "Altitude and speed?"

"Only 50,000 feet at one point nine. It will be a Multi-Role Fighter and will bring in even more money than the Harrier. Even though I see the Harrier getting the new engine to provide 21,500 lbs of thrust, it will not compete with this machine. We have lots of work to do on this design and it will not come out till the Harrier is too much of a target even with new avionics. I will still get my thousand planes and at least half again more."

Sir Sidney licked his lips then said, "Who is going to be working on it?"

"Who is my best engineer, Sir Sidney?"

The man smiled widely, patted me on the back and then said, "Let's get back to the party."

The parties and meetings did not end and it was another two weeks before we were able to leave. During this time, I pulled rank and flew one of the newest Harriers. This was the second time in this life with me at the controls and I have to say that it was a lot of fun. The wives all had a chance and flew in the gunner's chair in front of me for a short flight. They were very excited when we got back and if they kept it up, I would get worn out tonight.

I took up the security detail one at a time in the same position and they came back just as exited. It was things like this that made a job fun for me and for them. I would like to think, if the roles were reversed, that I would get a ride, too.

The girls and I flew to Scotland and then home from there on a commercial flight. It was nice to be thinking of all the other jobs waiting at home. Helen and Laura had been doing work over the phone but they had learned to delegate the way I did.

In the next two years IBM made much more of the hardware used in the war craft I was manufacturing. Japan had come online and had been making sophisticated home computers. I didn't licence anyone to make processors and these all came from Silicon Ridge. The polysilicon boules, though, were grown and cut in Japan. Microwave ovens and fax machines were a hit. Many of the parts were farmed out but they were still only assembled in the plants in Japan.

We got our version of the Internet and used it extensively to communicate between various branches. The American government had taken to our computers and after some arm-twisting, so did the Canadians. Businesses, though, just loved our equipment. IBM had recovered all of its lost sheen and gained a lot more.

I was happy to say that we never had punched cards or paper tape to encode data or to store it. If the secretaries of the world knew what they missed, I would be thanked doubly.

This brought in the concept of trained people for help. When other tube-based computer companies went bankrupt, I hired their people if they were of any use. Most, I was sorry to say, weren't. Our books went across the continent and every child had a chance to learn about logic circuits if their school board bought the materials.

Some schools got computers but only after half of the teachers agreed to take a course in how to run them. Schools in my old life had far too many teachers who had no wish to learn any of this newfangled equipment.

Night school classes in computers were a very popular class in most of the world lucky enough to have a computer.

I started an Internet search engine, complete with ads for my products and services. E-store was my version of Ebay but it took a while to get going. I started my own version of Pay Pal, with the Toronto Dominion Bank taking care of the minor details. Credit cards were discouraged but debit cards were encouraged as much as possible. This, in turn, made me a lot more money. Martin Siddeley and his Purolator was the preferred shipper of most of the goods. He had found a partner in Joseph Silva and both were now much richer than they ever thought to be at one time.

Others introduced credit cards after the debit card came out. I fought this as much as I could, because of the amount of debt people would go into. The electronic card readers and the net made the difference, I think, because I charged much more for a credit transaction through my equipment. The Toronto Bank handling this for me was now, by far, the largest bank in Canada in the amount of loans and money at hand. This arrangement was protected with the many patents I had for every step of the transactions.

My oil company produced subsidiaries that prospered in many countries around the world. People compared me to a magician in my ability to sniff out oil. When I could, I brought up existing properties from other oil companies to keep the price stable.

Another popular pastime was to have companies try to sue me, or my companies. I had talked at congressional hearings many times in my life and I think in this life I would be there a lot more.

I took a page from J. Edgar Hoover and found out all I could about the congressmen asking questions and then, with the newspapers and the television recording, asked them which of my competitors had put them up to what they were doing. This helped in the short term, till the companies got stalking goats to do the same job.

I ran my corporations with this sort of interference in mind from the very start and I had less to deal with than another might have had. To make sure I rubbed salt into the wound, I mentioned that I was working hard to make sure that the 'Free World' was protected from Communism. Hampering me was the same as helping the Russians.

Many plans were made for when the Russians would launch their satellite ahead of anybody else. I had gained some shares in various newspapers and even made friends with the editors. When the time came, they would have a stream of information to print that would get back at the companies that were now impeding me.

My own aerospace company had been doing a lot of testing and I was happy to say we were ahead of everybody else. The rockets built by others were not suitable for placing a satellite in high orbit. They were much too small and, to me, had an unacceptable failure rate. Japan and Canada were testing a great many engines of various sizes and fuels. Canada did this more in line with short-range missiles.

Much of the conditions in space were familiar to me and I just had to make materials that were suited for getting there and then remaining operational when in position.

I owned a Japanese atoll. This was used as a final testing facility if there were no aircraft or ships nearby. When 1957 rolled around, we were in preparation for the Russian launch. Last time the first Sputnik was launched October the forth but they had been getting a lot of information from even my facilities. I figured it would be better to preempt them in late May instead. I was still worried that I would be late, even at that date.

There were literally thousands of workers getting everything ready for our first shot at putting a package in orbit. There were, without prevarication, thousands of man-years spent in making my satellites and the rockets. Everybody there had signed a document to make sure they kept the information quiet.

On May 25, 1957 our first launch was to take place. A hundred thousand feet of film was taken before the launch. It included most of the people there at that time, as well as footage of the launch site. The people gave their names and a bit about themselves. This was not an American effort but a full twenty-five percent happened to be that nationality. The rest were Japanese, German, Canadian, English and French in order of their numbers.

People were tense for the week preceding the launch. Everything was gone over many times. Our equipment was the best there was but it was not as good as what NASA had even in the seventies. We had to make up for our crude instrumentation with intelligence and foresight.

The first launch was at ten twenty in the morning. The atoll was much too small to allow the people to remain on the island if something went wrong. There were fortified positions but not for the number of people we had. A small island three miles away was as close as I would allow. That was still too close.

The people bitched at me and I just smiled as we shuttled them off. I was with them, too and this seemed to mollify them a bit. When the rocket went off, the noise was so loud that they had their hands over their ears. The rocket went up to approximately fifty-five thousand feet and then the gimbaled motors shifted slightly and the rocket continued its trip across the Pacific.

Everybody, who was not already deafened, heard the wild cheering. I must add that I was doing it just as much as the others. I think Aron peed himself; he was so excited. The girls just hugged me and jumped up and down. I had told them about this day for years and now it was finally here. I radioed one of our ships and they said how they had seen the launch from ninety-seven miles down range. The first stage had separated and they were on the way to recover the shell to be used later.

We did not have enough powerful radar stations to know how well the rocket was doing. We had to rely on information sent back from the rocket itself.

Much further down range, the second stage booster was sighted. Only coded messages were sent but this was not hard with the computer. Four small observatories with my people gave their progress reports. Even through their typing it was discernable that they were excited too. Others were listening for any odd reports or sightings but none had come in so far.

The satellite orbited the Earth four times and was slowly coaxed into its proper orbit. Most of this was by guess, for we had little information to go by.

That night most of the people did some serious drinking, especially when our small, hand-held radio transmitted to the satellite and it then rebroadcasted the signal back to Tokyo, almost five hundred miles away.

In the next ten days we launched four more satellites and even used the shell from the first rocket in the fastest turnaround I had ever seen. The sixth satellite was not as lucky and went up to almost seven miles before exploding.

That day the people were down as much as they had been up with the first launch. Although a replacement vehicle had been brought in for just such a case, the next successful launch did not fully overcome the loss.

In the coming months we launched twenty-seven more satellites to add to the six already working for us. On September third, the Russians launched their Sputnik. I knew that they had, for I saw the launch and recorded it from three of our own spy vehicles hundreds of miles over their heads.

The newspapers, though, had well-written stories delivered to them as soon as I knew that the Russian vehicle was in orbit. Other newsmen were called and told to run the stories they had been given. This was before anybody else even knew of the launch. The only way the articles got printed was because my name was used to verify the data.

I was very happy, for there was no leak that I could detect from any of our people. Washington, London, Bonn and even Ottawa were giving out all kinds of signals. This was when the politicians read the information in a local newspaper a mere hour after the launch was admitted. This was not to tell about our launches but to show the Russians that their efforts were being noted and even congratulated.

As predicted, the west was more than just shocked at what had happened to them. Nobody was even looking for artificial satellites till after the Russians announced their triumph. In coming days more articles went to the newspapers but nobody could find out anything about the ten additional satellites they found. The experts were sure they were natural.

My own companies had used the new phone system for months and transmitted the data through a much more secure medium. Fax messages and digitized images went all over the world without anybody other than those from our group knowing.

I was called to Washington soon enough. When I was asked in front of a roomful of other company representatives what I could do to regain the lead, I gave the list I had been giving them for years.

"If you want the lead back, you have to make one agency responsible for all launches and not the Army or the Air Force." I went on and mentioned all the things I found wrong with NASA in my previous life. As expected, I was not quite ignored but I was not taken seriously either.

Since the Russians had launched earlier, the Sputnik would enter the atmosphere a month early, too. The Americans had started their Explorer a month earlier, too. The day before the Sputnik was due to fall to the earth, I was in the White House with the recently re-elected President Stevenson.

He was with the Secretary of Defence and the Joint Chiefs of Staff as I had asked. There were enough favours owing, even to his second election that the men would be there as I asked. It was only seven PM but that made it seven AM in Russia.

President Adlai Stevenson asked, "What is it that you wanted to talk to us about, Alex?"

I wheeled in a computer, the largest LCD screen made to date and a new dot matrix printer that was much more accurate than the fax we had been making so far. "If you, gentlemen, will pull the drapes, I want to show you a picture." The men did as I asked and I turned on the computer and used my codes to connect through our phone system to one of my satellites over Moscow. I zoomed in as best I could with our good German lenses on the Red Square and the Kremlin.

"Is there anybody here wanting to venture a guess to where this picture has been taken?"

The men crowded close and it was the Secretary of Defence who said, "It looks like Moscow from right overhead."

I reached into my shirt pocket and gave the man a cigar even though I knew he did not smoke. He said, "What is so special about that photograph Alex?"

"I will tell you in one moment." I moved the focus of the camera a bit and had it settle over the American Embassy, especially, on their snow-covered front grass.

I turned to the President and said, "Will you do a favour for me to clear this up, Mr President?"

"What is it you want?"

"Get somebody to telephone your embassy in Moscow and tell two men to walk to the front gate but walk in an odd pattern."

When I said no more he asked, "Is that all?"

"Please phone, or let somebody else do it. The Russians will tap the call and understand at the same time you do, if it is not in the best code you have."

President Stevenson wrote out his order and called in a person to transmit the orders to the embassy. When he looked at the screen he said, "There are people walking on the street in front of the embassy. It is as if you are taking slow motion. Where did you get this film, Alex?"

"First of all, it is not a film. Are you after the second cigar?"

"You mean this is what is happening now?"

"Certainly. There is no point in showing you home movies. Let's watch to see what happens." Now the men avidly stared at the screen. It was easy to see people but not much else, for there were not many frames per minute. Cars or trucks would go by as a blur.

There was a lot of talk till we saw two men march out of the embassy and walk awkwardly toward the Russians on guard on the other side of the gate. We had a good picture of the tops of their heads while they stopped to chat and then walked quickly back into the Embassy.

"If the Marines had looked up for a moment and if I had better lenses, you might have been able to recognize them but that development will take years, yet."

I changed the feed now, so I was using the photographs I made of the Sputnik launch. "Anybody want to guess what this recording is of?"

We saw Baikonur and in a moment the rocket on the pad flared to life and slowly arose. We had a difficult time keeping it in focus but I had made sure I had all three of my spy satellites over the area. We saw first stage separation, then second before it disappeared. The Secretary of Defence said worriedly, "Was that a launch?"

"Yes but this is a video taken September third. The Sputnik you just saw being launched is now going through the atmosphere and slowing down. It will fall today."

I switched back to live coverage and said, as I handed a track ball to the President, "Take a peek at what the Russians are doing. Here is a list of the codes that control the satellite's optics."

With the list in hand and the trackball, they went back to the Kremlin but took a long time getting there because they didn't know the way. I had to hand them a road map of the city, so they could see how to get there. There were a few harsh words when one general went the wrong way. They stopped at one intersection and looked at a motor vehicle accident before continuing.

We pulled back so they could see more of the city then zoomed in again on the Kremlin.

In a few minutes the President asked, "Who knows about this system?"

"A thousand technicians who helped to build the satellites and more who helped me launch them. Our first launch was from a Japanese atoll on May twenty fifth of this year. I have miles of film of the event, with my employees each telling of what they had to do with the launches."

"Launches? How many did you have?"

"Thirty three successful ones and three failures. I still think it was a good record."

"All of those satellites are looking down?"

"No, remember I said that I wanted a satellite phone system? Well, I have thirty units already in orbit. The remaining three are for sale to your military. If you do not want them, I will just destroy them which I can do from this computer now."

The President and the Secretary of Defence both put out their hands to stop me, as if I were about to do it right now.

We stayed up till midnight. They knew one satellite had been over Moscow but had continued its orbit and now the men were looking at different areas. The ones over Baikonur and East Germany had drifted, too and new areas could be seen.

The computer kept good track of where each satellite should be and gave its path on a large map of the earth.

The printer had a good resolution but it was not up to the clarity I needed to print like a photograph. Our CCD array was not up to the task we put it to, so we had to substitute most of its speed to improve the clarity and detail.

Before the meeting, I had the printer before the men print three manuals, listing what the eye-in-the-sky was capable of. All of them were in use.

The President had missed many of his appointments and I think so did the other gentlemen. More people were called in and soon the oval office was a hub of activity.

During a quiet moment I said to President Stevenson. "I can move your newest toy to another room so you can get some rest."

"No, no, I haven't had this much fun in a long time. The soldiers remind me of a group of boys playing with an electric train set," he said with an earnest look. "I have just enough willpower to sit back and watch them play. I wish you had brought two more computers, so they could play with each of the satellites at the same time."

"Well, I did save a Christmas present for you."

He just smiled and I reached into my pocket and handed him a large phone, about six inches long and a pound in weight. There was a small LCD screen and many buttons on the front. I had a small list of people using my system but the majority were employees. Some business leaders and one admiral were listed.

"Here is a list of people with their phone numbers. I did plan one joke. Admiral Peterson is now in the South China Sea on patrol. I know, because I peeked. He has a phone, too but he does not know its capabilities. Since he is, in my opinion, a good soldier and a relative of yours, you might want to phone him up."

"I like that idea. You say that he doesn't know the range or capabilities of this phone system?"

"That's right. He thinks it is a much smaller version of a hand-held unit used in Korea. Be sure to ask where he is?"

I pointed out the features and the buttons to press. The phone number was, of course, very long because it would cover the entire earth one day and I wanted every person to have their own personal number.

He asked, "Can we move a satellite over his ship?"

"We can but it would take a while. Also, the amount of fuel to move would diminish its limited supply. Once it is gone, somebody will have to go up there and fill them back up."

I got a very penetrating look and he said, "Ok."

The phone rang almost a dozen times before it was picked up. When it was, Admiral Paterson was a bit perturbed at the interruption.

"Hello," came out in a surly manner.

"Is that the way you greet your family, George? Your mother would have tanned your backside. Uncle Phil would do the same thing to make sure the lesson was heard and understood."

"Is this Adlai? Your voice sounds a little off."

"Yes, it is George. Alex's phones are good but they are not as clear as what Ma Bell gives us."

"Where are you Adlai? I don't see any ships or planes close by."

"Still in DC. Where are you?"

"That is privileged information, even though Mr Kramer said the Russians could not break his code. How can a small device like this transmit all the way back to DC? It is strictly line of sight."

The President smiled and said, "It transits straight up. I am told a device far overhead of you intercepts the signal and retransmits the signal to another unit then it eventually is sent to my machine here in Washington. Our friend Alex has been far busier that we have ever suspected. He has proof that he has over thirty satellites in orbit before the Russians put up the Sputnik."

There was a long pause, then, "I am glad to hear that. Why didn't he say something about it?"

The President had asked me the same question and said, "He wanted the West to want to get into what he calls 'the space race' with him doing the leading with our money. He also said he didn't want to piss on the Russian's parade."

"Well, I would have pissed on it if given the chance."

They talked of family matters for a while, before I was asked how to turn the radio off.

He said, "This is a handy gadget Alex."

"More than handy. If I mount a small television camera on a soldier's helmet, he can go into battle with his superiors looking through the camera. A much more comprehensive assessment can be made of what is before the man. The soldier can be in touch with his superiors at all times and even phone his family like you did and wish his wife a happy birthday, or find out what she is having for supper that night. Communications make for a much more successful operation. An operator monitoring a satellite can even zero in on the field from above and warn of an ambush, or guide artillery or missiles to troop concentrations. This means more of our soldiers come home and each one is much more effective than ever before."

"This would have come in handy in the last war. It would have saved thousands of lives. It would be great to see every troop movement as it is done."

"It will save many thousands of lives in wars to come."

"Yes, that is true. How much are you going to charge us to hook up to your system?"

The President winced when I told him the cost, so I justified it by what it was offering. Only the majority of the price was in money, for I needed cooperation above all else.

The system was set up with the military in mind, so that encryption and other security features were built right in. It would be very difficult for anybody to find out what, exactly, was being transmitted.

He did complain, "Why do you want to involve the Soviets or the Europeans? You can raise all the money locally."

In a few days I was in the Bay. I had made it in time for Christmas Eve and our midnight Mass. The church had two extensions put on it and it was still small. Family and friends were all around me and I felt renewed now like nothing else could do. Aron was sitting with Mineko like usual and holding her hand, as usual, too. They were not inseparable but they didn't seem to function well if they were apart for long. They both had jobs at the Clarkson on some days and special tutors on others.

Valerie and Linda were there with their own families. They were sitting with their children on a row of pews right behind ours. I was Uncle Alex now to four of their children. They all seemed happy and well fed. Valerie looked like she was putting on weight but I was sure she was pregnant, instead.

Yasuko and Akuro were off again; making sure the training business was doing as best as it could. They weren't together, either. Yasuko was in Hawaii, while Akuro was in India. My companies had been growing very fast and I wanted good communications no matter what language they spoke originally.

Yasuko was setting up some businesses to train some energetic people to work over the phone system to answer problems about various articles I made.

The smaller businesses in North Bay, run by the teachers and friends, had grown so large that managers had to be hired and branch plants started. Germany was now supplying many of the articulated busses we used for motor homes and many more for public transportation.

Public transportation was used a lot more extensively now than it was in the other time. Part of it was the high price in fuel but part was also the low prices charged for tickets. The longer distance routes all had very comfortable chairs and some activities to keep children busy. They even had special lanes that I had built only for busses. Bus drivers were treated like pilots and it was actually a status job.

Bicycles too had special lanes and many people were encouraged to use them. Races, bicycling tours and other uses for pedal powered vehicles were encouraged in many ways. The best parking spots were usually reserved for them. Sidecars and trailers held children or groceries.

Getting a driver's licence was a difficult chore and it was easy now to catch someone that didn't have a valid licence. Keeping a licence was difficult to for this task was treated much like a pilot's licence.

At my side sat my wives and family. Mom and Dad seemed to be happier now. The mine had been more or less scraped clean and the soil taken for processing to remove the last of the gold. This meant that they could go back to what they had done before and now do it for fun.

Zyban had been made and many people were testing the patch while they tried to quit smoking. Grandma and Grandpa looked younger after having quit and moderated their drinking. Dad and mom had restricted their own smoking but now were able to quit completely.

They had jobs to do and found the work stimulating and interesting but not really that stressful. They were part of my PR team that watched out for ways to keep many of the reactionary elements off my back. Some of those happened to be old people seeing their old ways of living changed irrevocably into something that frightened them.

They usually went to the opening of new 'The PX' stores or the grocery and Home Depot. This let them be seen and they linked the stores to my family name.

The city itself had almost become a company town. As predicted, it was altered over the years and many of the city streets were now boulevards. Some of them were now cobbled and used for pedestrians only. The giant malls and large stores had been kept away to let the city retain its charm.

Mario had a hundred and twenty some restaurants spread across North America. A dozen more were in Europe, including one in Rome. It turned out that many Italians began to like his pizzas more and more. Rita was going steady with Mike and I could see that they would get married in a few years. Mike was fearless in business but around Rita he had learned to watch what he said and did.

Libra had married another of my engineers and was going back to school herself, to make something of herself besides a housewife.

Silicon Ridge had grown very large and even went beyond my original acreage and now had almost two thousand acres of former Crown Land. The buildings, though, were still clustered in groups, with most of my research done in a very secure environment.

Young and very bright people from all over the world came here to work with the best of the best. A compound nearby allowed them to set up shop and work with us on certain projects, or just to be in the 'in place'. Products sold much better if Silicon Ridge was part of the address on the label.

The Dew Line was authorized and digging began for the base buried just out of town. In a few years there would be 26 nuclear-tipped missiles ready to fly northward. Perhaps this time they would be our missiles and not Bomarcs.

Nobody had asked me about using certain types or radar waves to reflect off the lower layers of the atmosphere to see over the horizon. Since I wanted development of the north, I had said nothing.

Canada had wanted to make a fighter to protect our north. This had been where the need for the Avro Arrow had originally come from. This time around, the A.V. Roe Aircraft Company in Malton was mine and was producing missiles instead of aircraft. The exceptional group of engineers was joined by other nationalities to make the best product we possibly could.

A lab and machine shop worked hard to test out most of the theories that the computer passed. Computers were used extensively but good software was not available yet. The users were not very proficient with the system but they were learning every day. I explained to the government and military how cheap the missiles were and how we could make much more money selling our equipment to the States and NATO. Buying the aircraft we wanted from south of the border was a win/win situation for both countries.

I had moved into wearable computers that were becoming popular when I left my old time. Repairmen or soldiers could use the computer to call up stored data. A tinted eyepiece that covered one eye could display data that was needed or the wearer could focus to where he was working and see through the display like the HUD that I used on my aircraft. This device looked like what Piccard wore when the Borg assimilated him. The screenwriters had actually used an existing device at that time.

Our missiles, though, put a crimp in the Bomarc missiles future sales. This was the equipment that had originally doomed the Arrow. The engineers who would have been dispossessed by the new weapon, would not suddenly have to scramble for new jobs.

Helen had never gone to university to become an accountant but she had done everything required of her otherwise. Since she was working for my companies, there was no need for her to ever get the piece of sheep's skin. In any case, I felt she was learning more by being with me.

Seiko was teaching martial arts. At this time in the century, people had not yet become infatuated with what they could do in this mode of living. The Japanese mystique was being kindled now with a line of fitness salons. At present, there were only two, with one opening in Barrie next month. Most of the women wanted to get physically fit the way Seiko was and I did what I could to endorse her effort. Katherine McCormick's 'Fem' magazine did many articles on Seiko and her past. She was shown in many pictures that some men at this time thought to be racy. This did open some women's eyes to what they could do. My hint to start 'PlayGirl' magazine fell on deaf ears, even though 'PlayBoy' was doing well.

Many of the original engineers had moved up the corporate ladder and now worked all around the globe. They spent half a day teaching, for there was basically nobody else who could do this. We even had researchers offering their services for the chance to learn more. We were on the cutting edge in so many fields that we had little difficulty getting help if and when, we asked.



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Chapter 41


Two weeks after I left Washington, President Stevenson had a news conference and showed films of our launches on the 'secret Japanese atoll'. Since I had a thousand witnesses, I did not mind some going to testify. The Americans in our group were very proud to say that we had launched a full six months before the Russians.

Proof was given by the fact that Bell had offered the new phones and connection to our satellite system a bare month after the first unit was launched. They had displayed the system but had not shown the full capabilities, yet. Close to a thousand units had been leased and one was to the Russian Ambassador to the United States.

I let the public believe at that time that the receiving station might be on earth and connected to our new fibre optics network. This was true in a way, because in the event of a satellite malfunction, the fibre optics would take the load. It would do a better job in any case but I needed the satellites in orbit for the military and for my television broadcasting.

Right after Aron went back to school, I went to IBM to see what they had been doing for me. I had made up a fair layout of what I wanted in advanced avionics. There were four hundred and fifty seven engineers at Fish 'n' Chips, Bell and IBM working with me on various segments. Our range finder worked great but I knew of the problems with fog and smoke, so microwaves were used, too. We made the first practical maser for a war craft. Radar was used for many functions other than just distinguishing targets or threats far ahead. The controls allowed the machine to paint a picture of an entire sphere surrounding the craft when used with a similar tail unit.

Power consumption went up very steeply and much more powerful generators had to be used. These had to be driven off a very powerful turbine. Fairchild happened to make what I needed. The engine was now capable of 12,000 pounds of thrust, which was not that high but it was a much smaller unit and much more efficient than any other being manufactured. I was still aiming for 17,000 pounds, which was the engine used in the most modern helicopters.

Fairchild had made my new version of the Huey and was developing the frame and engine for the Black Hawk and the Apache. There were only three made of each and the government or military had not been seen them, yet. IBM had made controls to the belly-mounted, twin chain gun, which in turn was manufactured in West Germany. Even now, with the underpowered engine, it looked nothing but deadly.

It carried Canadian rockets similar to an old version of the Hellfire I Air-to-Ground Missile System. They only carried eight so far, because I did not see too many tanks to take out at one time.

The M299 guided missile launcher was developed specifically for our Hellfire missile. It provided the electronic and mechanical interface between the missile and the helicopter.

The Hydra-70 rockets were the same, in two pods of nineteen each. Seven more of these rockets sat in a special pod that could swing front to back to take out an attacker from that direction.

Sensors were being worked on around the clock. I needed them to adequately tell the computer the heading of the craft carrying the device and to plot what an opposing craft would be doing. Everything had to be taken into account, including wind direction and strength, even the recent history of gusts.

All this would go into the Harrier, the Challenger tank, the Black Hawk, the new Huey II and, of course, the Apache. If I had not been in on the development of these sensors the first time, I knew it would take forty years to get where we were now.

With strong enough radar and computing power, we could make an AWAC for sale. When this aircraft was tied in with our radio/telephone system and satellite reconnaissance, then momma could direct a battle from 40,000 feet or just relay data. I had orders for two dozen and they would make me a very good profit. The contracts, though, required airframes and these I had to buy. We didn't make any large aircraft, yet.

The missiles were the next thing needed and Canada was working hard to make, not only the Hellfire and the Hydra but also a whole range of other short-range missiles. The Canadian army, along with the American, took many of the missiles to Manitoba and test fired them for us.

There was no shortage of development capital, even from the notoriously stingy Canadian government. The price of this was that some of the countries would send military engineers who would be present for consultation. Depending on how good the person was, I got his orders changed and had him working hand in hand with various teams. The uneducated or inept could sit it out.

Even with all this going on, I still used some connections to get the Soviet Union and other nations to consider some joint efforts that would benefit all of us.

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Castro and Cuba were a problem for me. Many people in the US supported him, when he portrayed himself as a person trying to depose the vicious dictator Fulgencio Batista. Some in the US government and the very prominent mob supported the dictator. Many companies doing things they would not dare do in the United States did, too. Right after Fidel Castro overthrew the government, the United States recognized him as the rightful leader. They didn't do this to somebody they did not like.

The problems came when large corporations and the mob pushed Castro and the United States into an untenable position. Castro had a true revolutionary's zeal but was not necessarily a Communist, although he did have many socialist leanings. The two were not the same, no matter what the governments wanted us to believe.

First of all, Batista was the typical right-wing tyrant. This was the kind that was famous throughout South and Central America. He had many very right-wing friends in high places. These were the food corporations, which owned three quarters of the arable land and used the people as slaves. His friends in low places were very prominent, too. They owned the casinos, bars, hotels and brothels throughout the island. His other friends were the dictator's cronies who were in it to get rich at the expense of anyone weaker than themselves.

Castro had thrown the mob from the island and had their assets seized. Anybody else with a shred of decency would have done the same thing. This seizure made the mob justifiably angry and they turned to their good friends, the CIA. The CIA had used the mob for assassinations so that they could say they had no part in them. At this time in the century, the mob was very powerful and many actors, singers and other people in the media worked openly with the criminals.

While Ted Kennedy was going after the mob and leading mafia figures, the FBI under Hoover denied that there even was a mafia. Later, though, I met people with much more background information. What they told me, was not gossip or conspiracy theories. Marilyn Monroe would be killed, because she wanted too much from the Kennedy brothers and mob figures. You might say her suicide by sedatives being placed in her colon was greatly assisted.

Only a fool thinks that Oswald was the only person gunning for the President that day. With hidden microphones it was revealed that the mob had everything to do with it, abetted by some government agencies. The same government agencies were in charge of the investigation.

When Castro refused to be killed by the mob, his antagonists turned to sanctions through the government, in hopes of getting another revolution and perhaps a return to their lucrative gambling and prostitution businesses on the island.

A large refinery refused to process the cheaper Venezuelan crude and it was nationalized only because it was necessary in producing the products the country needed. Many other things were done to Castro's regime and to Cuba that forced him, eventually, to turn to the Soviet Union. His strategic position made the Russians very interested in having a presence so close to the American mainland.

After the Bay of Pigs fiasco, it was easy to see the writing on the wall. The Russians sent twenty-four atomic bombs to the island to keep Castro safe. This really upped the stakes in this already high-stakes game. The bombs were never mentioned till the next century but the American government sure knew they were there. They knew he might kill his entire island but he would do the same to any invading troops. The United States did not like the thought of the radioactive clouds settling on their real estate. They were also quite pissed off at being stymied in their efforts to eradicate Communism so close to their shores.

I believe if the US had left Castro alone, or offered some help for humanitarian reasons, then the country would be more like Canada. Canada, at this time, was swinging to Liberalism and the left to see what benefits the system would bring. We even had our own Communist Party of Canada that was allowed to function and eventually died out. It occupied much of the Mounties' time to see if they were plotting to take over our country.

After the bombs came to Cuba, Nikita Khrushchev sent his missiles. The Cubans were probably told that the devices were for protection but Russian officers would control them. That was too much to take in this gigantic game of chess. Since the Russians were forced to back down, an uneasy truce was reached and an expensive blockade was put in place to punish the Cubans into getting rid of Castro. The bombs, of course, were still there, waiting for his successor to play with.

My problem was that I knew what was going to happen and could not explain how I knew. This time around, the United States was much stronger and the Russians might not back down as they had the first time. That was my reoccurring fear. If I made the west very strong, then Russia was going to see its own doom that much quicker and possibly attack. They were very twitchy already and had stepped up their attempts to solicit friends in Central America rather than in Africa like they once did.

Aid was going to many countries in Central America and I was worried that one would take the bribes and allow the Soviet Union a base to work from.

I didn't have that much time, because Castro came to power the first of January 1959. That was just four months off and I had already changed many of the factors that brought him to power and the Soviets to Castro. I didn't know about commercial fleet movements in the other time but I knew that many more ships had called in on Cuba and other small countries on the gulf.

I had formulated plans long ago, with what resources I had. It looked like the one that involved me and my assets the most, was the only one viable. All I had was forty-six men in Cuba with a dozen of those in Havana. I was working on getting a special contract with Batista himself. The men working for me were trying to find out what I needed to know. When I found too many indications of Soviet involvement, I had to see if I could find a way to keep the Russians out. The bad part was that the powerful countries of the world did not want a weak ruler. They needed someone they could deal with and who would be in power next year and the year after. Castro could still be that man, or the one supporting a strong leader.

A partial solution to me was to start a rumour that would stop this chain of events. If Castro died, then the mob would continue to suck blood from the lives of the people in Cuba and provide a place to avoid American laws. This was not foolproof, for others could take up where he left off. Cuba had many revolutionary groups actively fighting Batista all the time.

If Castro were allowed to take power, then there had to be a way to keep him and his leftist tendencies, from shifting more to the left and assisting the Russians. This would also mean that I would have to make sure the mob would not go after Castro, or if they did, they would not get their friends in the CIA to help them in swaying the public opinion and getting sanctions established.

IBM welcomed me with open arms, considering that I now owned 56 percent of the company. I was taken on a tour of the new facilities. We were working on very high-end computers that they were justly famous for in my other life. They made servers and above, to serve the industry and military. We even had our own super computer project that was as good as any that had been made fifteen years later in my old existence.

The military section had made some improvements on the threat analysis equipment we had worked out at Silicon Ridge and Bell Labs. There was a bit of give and take but the system was better than what we had originally laid out. The targeting radar was basically unchanged and I think it would only find some improvements after being tested in combat.

The maser, too, was mostly unchanged. The real work would come when it had to be fitted into small, oddly-shaped crevices in a plane's fuselage. There, other component could and would, affect its properties and it, in turn, would affect other equipment. A mock-up of the areas in question was already in place, as were the units made to fit the available space. Twice we had to change the unit's position because of vibration, heat, or interference.

The electronic countermeasures suite was not doing as good. Our circuit was sound, so I went looking for possible interference. After half an hour I saw it. Two chokes sat on different plates but a metal bracket brought the magnetic field from one coil of wire to the other. "Change that bracket to aluminum."

The engineer who was in charge looked chagrined and I just patted him on the back. "It happens to me all the time, too."

Later in the afternoon we went out to kill some worms. I was only a fair golfer but I was never too interested in the game. Like parties at night it was just an excuse to get together and talk about business. In my case, I talked politics and about Castro.

I usually relied on others to pass the word but time was running short and I spoke up strongly against what the revolutionary might bring down on all our heads.

Our foursome was composed of another large shareholder of IBM stock, a banker and a railroad executive. "How can the military," I said as if it were easy to see, "be so blind as to what Castro will be forced to do? Batista deserves a bullet many times over but not at the expense of what the new leader will put us through."

I listed what would happen and included Castro's final victory date as the end of the year. I went on to tell them what would happen to the casinos and the mobs reaction. When even assassination attempts failed, then the man would be forced to turn to a strong protector. The smuggling of atomic weapons onto their shores to forestall any American attempt to take the island and then the same thing again with the missiles, would come. Then there would be none of the expanse of Canada to stop the flight of atomic death.

I won the game, I think, because the men were now worried about the vision I had just shown them. At the party that night I did the same thing and the hostess was angry with me for turning a happy party into one of gloom.

"Would you rather I don't let you know what will happen? Would you rather a low-ranking Communist comes into this home and throws you into the street to make room for the poor?" I had to play this game carefully, for I had much too many ifs that led to my conclusions.

"No, no I don't want that."

"That is what will happen if you are still alive after the missiles come in to Florida and allow the Communists to make a bridgehead. There is not much to stop them going north. Any of your weapons would just kill more of your country along with an invader. In my opinion, it is much easier to deal with this now, while it is still a matter of a few thousand men with rifles and explosives."

The party was very gloomy and even the host was powerless to get the mood lifted. Two old soldiers were right behind me and helped my cause but I think they were just reliving their past through the possible future.

In the next four days I sabotaged two more parties. At the end of the week my appointment to see the President was more than just due.

"What are you doing, Alex? I heard how you are stirring up the population to take out this Castro of yours. Experts in the field tell me that he has no chance of winning. I heard all your old concerns and they are not as extreme as you think."

"We both play chess. I can see exactly what is probably going to happen. One of your sources of information is the CIA and I know that they are already using the mob to do some of their dirty work. If you do not know this, then you would not be the first President to be lied to.

"Are you willing to let the revolution succeed, then push the new ruler into asking Russia for help, because your country keeps trying to kill him? Soon, I figure, your country will try to use Batista's supporters to retake the small country so close to your shores. Did I not tell you that Nikita Khrushchev was going to be the next Russian leader? Did I not say, just a month ago, that Iraq's monarchy was going to be overthrown by Arab nationalists? I warned King Faisal about my concerns and where is he now? He and his family are dead. I said that you had to move some troops to Lebanon but in this case you didn't do it till it became obvious to even your blind advisors."

He said in his defence, "We just can't go into every nation and police them. The people are tired of war."

I retorted, "Are they tired of being dead or herded by a commissar as he teaches them the glories of Communism? There are many Americans and their companies in Cuba. Protect them like you did Lebanon and give Batista a taste of American military tactics by showing him how to deal with some insurgents who may go Communist. Either do it now and do it right, or we will all be dead in a few years or our survivors will be trying to learn Russian."

"I can't go on just your say-so, Alex. My experts say that Castro will never succeed."

"Batista needs to be shot. You can offer him some of your CIA types who already like assassinations and give them a lot of hardware. Make it look like they are selling him equipment. If you don't get troops there to brace him like you did for the French in Indo China, he will fail." I hated to do this, for Batista had to go, not be protected but perhaps I could do something more with a greater breathing space.

The man stopped to think and before he could speak I said in a low voice, "So far I have been right or much more so than your other eyes and ears. This is the time I am right, too. If you can't take the island because of Russian bombs, then what are you going to do when Russian missiles are less than a hundred miles from your shores? North Vietnam and North Korea are a buffer to China and Cuba is much closer to us. You have precedence here to back you up. China can't object too much, because they got the same thing."

The next day I went into a room filled with CIA types and the military. I could see the President did not like to be in a bind. He would like us to fight it out and the winner must be the way his country should go. This had to be handled very carefully, because these men worked on facts and I had very little to prove my point. Their mob connection was mentioned and this, I knew, coloured all my words. They, too, could see, although they did not want to admit it. I explained in brief what I thought would happen and then I went into detail.

"How can you back up your statements? You said you have men in Cuba looking for you and some have infiltrated a few of Castro's and other terrorist camps."

"There are some watching Batista, too. I know some from each group are either dead or can't communicate. They have our phone system and cameras and would be able to communicate if they were able. The last transmission came in from a man in one of Batista's own terror brigades. He said that they are following Castro and trying to intimidate all his supporters. Castro is not fighting that much, because it is easier to just call on a few people here and there to do the work for him. There are also many groups that are actively opposing the dictator besides Castro.

The chairman said, "You can't expect us to go on just on what that one man says. This is a delicate situation and we just can't send troops in. Batista doesn't even think his position is untenable, yet."

"You guys and the mob are sending him weapons. Many end up in the revolutionaries' hands because the soldiers defect with their weapons." I said angrily. I put up with the nay-sayers till noon and then held up my hand. The question being asked of me just stopped at the abrupt act. I mumbled some words, then reached into my pocket and brought out my phone and a small battery amplifier and connected them; a small throat mike and an ear bud were still connected.

When I spoke to the man at the other end of my connection he excitedly said, "Boss, they attacked one of the hamlets." His voice came through almost in a cry. "The peons were taken away to be interrogated and the ones that didn't say they believed Batista was the best for the island quick enough had their throats slit. The women were not even asked before they were raped. All Batista's men had to go on, was that they thought Castro was through here recently."

I heard some commotion here in the room then the man continued, "The people here are black or mulatto and there is no justice for them at all. Some of the men put up a fight and were killed during or after the militia came to the town. The wounded had their throats cut. A girl, who looks like she is ten, is now being raped. The boy no older than my son was bludgeoned with a rifle butt. He stopped breathing," the man started to cry for what he had seen. In the background now we could hear some women scream and then a gunshot.

"I have to get back or they will know something is going on."

I whispered, "If you die, then I have no way of getting the US to go in there. Stay alive and in character, for the lives of a lot more than you just saw dying."

From out of the speaker we heard, "I will but all I want to do is kill these bastards."

"May God go with you," I mumbled as I cut the connection.

I looked up to the stunned men and said, "Send a plane over the hamlet from a station in Florida and see what you can from the air. I doubt they are going to hide the bodies."

They asked me more questions while some people left to check out what I had asked. I explained about the ear bud and the small, hidden throat mike connected to the phone.

The meeting was over in mid afternoon and at six thirty I got the call I was waiting for. My computer had been turned on for hours and I saw the images of the destruction of the hamlet. The gory scenes lasted for ten minutes and it played mostly on the bodies of the many children and women. The sheer number must have meant that the militia was trying to tell all the revolutionaries and their supporters a very grim reminder. The militia this time believed that Castro had gained aid from the hamlet before heading for Matanzas to take one more provincial capital from Batista's grip.

I called a number in Havana and in a moment I got a code sequence and gave my own. Our lines were encrypted but there was no telling who would be answering. Castro's advance, if that was who it was, was confirmed and I hoped this time Batista would take some troops that were protecting him and use them to take out his enemy. This was hard to do but the only way I could find at present, to keep the Communist-controlled bombs away from the island. This would be much better than just wiping out a defenceless hamlet. This kind of information had been given many times before but usually it was ignored or just a few soldiers sent.

Six months ago I had flown into Havana, ostensibly to set up some businesses. I had met with Batista and many of his mob friends. I even stayed a week with him at one of his many villas. I showed him some films of our military equipment and even sold him a few of our rifles. The mob and CIA were already giving old guns away but I had superior equipment. All of this, I hoped, would just be for bait.

I had brought out a contract stating that I was supplying fully equipped mercenaries for a price. Batista had a 20,000-man army and a farmer's militia but he signed the contract on a sizable retainer. He was paying in land and resources. I doubted he would renege on the contract and it was far more likely that he would throw some people off of their own land to give it to me.

Recently he had activated the first part of the contract and called a small contingent of my forces in. I had supplied only forty-six men plus an additional sixty to start but I believed they were the deadliest group in the world. All the men were far better than Batista thought. I made sure they had their own compounds and armouries and they used Batista's money and clout to reinforce key positions.

I had access to all the information about all the retired soldiers from many countries and I went out and actively recruited them. West Germany, the United States, Britain and Canada supplied the bulk of the troops.

Thousands of electronic, sun-powered beacons worked with maps we made from satellite images. With the original three in American hands, I had to launch more for me. These were far heavier and much more powerful than any of the other three already in orbit. I could only get four into orbit in the time necessary and they would have to cover Cuba in passing and that would leave some time in between with no coverage.

The films of the massacre at the hamlet got me some sympathy and nothing else. This happened in war and especially when the head of state sanctioned it, they said in private.

I had a list of large foreign holdings in Cuba and I tried to get the companies owning them to do something. I believe that additional guards would be hired and possibly some important people brought home for a few months till the revolution was over. They were all firm backers of Batista. He had made many changes in the laws to give untold powers to large companies.

My backup plan was the only thing I could think of to save the island. It had been in the making for three years off and on. It was not even aimed at Castro but it was to take what action I knew needed done when governments would not listen. What I saw in my new spy satellites made the decision very easy to work out.

On October the ninth, just one day before my twentieth birthday, I was told the call I had been waiting for had come in. Batista had lost another provincial capital and was very worried. I knew from my own sources that his own army was not very anxious to take on the rebels. After the conversation, I gave my orders in preparation to let just the managers run much of my operations, pending the outcome of my work.

Two ships left their mooring in Texas and followed a leisurely course to Havana harbour. A cargo ship and an old destroyer without its guns and turrets headed south from South Carolina. In a day I had things wrapped up well enough and left my managers to take care of things.

I took a Pan Am flight to sunny Cuba. There were not many people taking the flight and the majority I saw looked strained. A dozen men in the back did not look that way and appeared to be just anxious. Other men in the back hassled the stewardess on the short flight. It was easy to see from their clothing and from their Italian language that they were men sent by the mob to replace some men sent home.

Customs was short and some very physically fit people hustled off the twelve men. The gangsters didn't even have to go through customs. I registered at the best local hotel and phoned the Presidential palace. The president was currently unavailable but I could see him tomorrow morning at ten thirty for ten minutes. This suited me fine.

Taking my own phone out I called my local representative. General Weever was much more eager to see me and sent over a car.

Two young men met me in a jeep. The one in the back had a M16 in his arms, while the driver had one in a case close at hand. I exchanged first names with Jack and Floyd. They just smiled when I said, "Alex."

In twenty minutes I was talking to General Weever. The man was almost sixty and acted like a man half his age. After sitting I was offered some ice tea in his Georgia accent.

When we got down to business he said, "We have problems, Mr Kramer."

"Tell me about them."

"When Matanzas fell, so did Pinar del Rio and Camaguey in the last few days. I sent those reports in. The odd thing about it was that there was artillery and mortars used. I can't see any of the revolutionaries, or even Batista's henchmen doing this."

He paused a moment to let me think, then went on. "The shelling was not from tanks, which is what I originally thought. Batista has bought fifty-three old tanks over the years and I think half of that number was in the last two years. He lost all but the four guarding the palace. We suspect that his army just gave up and are now working for the opposition. Somehow or other, the last four tanks he got were German Tiger tanks. I fought those and I know they are very hard to take out. Batista only uses his most loyal men for them. Two of those are now gone. I don't think there is anything that either side has on the island that could take out those tanks."

"Two of our men in the field report seeing some equipment that may have been a weapon, hidden on some odd-looking trucks. I think this party is going to get hot very soon. I have sent a team to each of the provincial capitals. They should get to the first in a few hours."

"What else has happened?"

"Two ships pulled into harbour recently. Last night one started to unload. We were able to get fairly close and we know now that the crews are speaking Russian. Their cargo is unknown but I suspect it is something to aid some revolutionaries or to supply their own forces."

"What about the other ship?"

"That ship has stayed in the centre of the harbour claiming engine trouble. We think they have some Russian infantry ready to come ashore when the time is right. We haven't seen enough faces to make that a positive identification."

I asked very seriously, "Did you detect any radioactivity?"

"Thank God, not yet. We have people in every major port and most of the minor ones. There has been some suspicious activity but nothing that is nuclear. It seems you may have been wrong. The Russians are stepping in now, not later. This does seem out of character, though, for them. They usually get invited first, then take over."

"You may be right. I have been trying to get the American government to do something and perhaps Khrushchev wants to hedge his bets."

We went over a detailed map of the island. The beacons were marked long ago. A grease pencil showed the movements of many of Castro's and other revolutionary groups. Some had to be spotted from orbit and this was like trying to find a needle in the haystack. We had much better resolution and speed but this required us to focus on one area at a time. There was very little chance of finding a small, armed party. Farm labourers travelled the same way and we sometimes thought them to be enemy forces.

A few of the other tanks had been sighted and plotted on the map. More were at the sides of the roads, disabled. It took many skilled men to even keep one tank running.

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In downtown Calgary stood a large office building festooned with the most modern antennas. It was one of the many companies in the large, worldwide conglomerate. There was nothing exceptional, until someone wanted to use the elevator or stairs to get beyond the ground floor. It was very high-security, increasing as the floors rose. On the sixth floor, hundreds of men and women processed data coming from the satellite systems in the form of words, pictures or typed data.

The seventh to tenth floors had large frames with lasers, controlled by one of the three most sophisticated computers on the planet. Depending on the floor and location, virtually every part of Cuba could be seen in hologram form. Most was dated data that would have to be refreshed when the next satellite went over. Trucks could be seen, if someone wanted to get a closer view.

Men and women wore throat mikes and small headphones fed verbal information into their right ear. They sipped coffee, discussed the troop movements and used laser pointers to highlight their assumptions of troop movements. Soon much more data would be coming in and they were just part of the team to coordinate all activity on the island.

The tenth floor was similar to the floors just below. Their holograms were similar, controlled by the remaining two super computers on the planet. This would be the overall command post for the entire operation.

The military look was present with the company uniforms provided. All of them were comfortable and innovations were actually worked into the material. A thin wire provided an antenna for certain frequencies. As utility uniforms, they did not change colour as some could. The back of the uniform provided a name, the same as the front. All were made of thin Kevlar. The cloth would not stop a bullet like the other clothing but would slow a bullet down considerably. The colours indicated rank and responsibility to everybody familiar with the system.

They saw the ships in Havana harbour too but could not find out much information this way. It was the six ships almost two thousand miles away that were causing some commotion. The six ships were running a parallel course but remained far enough away from each other to not even be seen. Two of the ships had come from Russian ports but now sported flags of convenience. This was not like the Russians at all. None appeared to be warships but they were odd looking, as if not quite finished.

General Ford had retired from the Canadian army a year and a half before and found himself in uniform right away. The pay was better and the chance to better the world and himself had vastly increased. He picked up his phone and touched a series of buttons. In a moment he heard a young voice say, "Hello."

General Ford did not greet his employer but gave a code sequence punched in with the phone buttons. Seconds later a small light went on when a matching signal came in. "Hello, Mr Kramer. We followed your orders and found a loose convoy of six ships just passing Barbados. They are moving at a military speed but look to be freighters. We cannot see very well but they may be some new Soviet amphibious tank carriers. The ships in Havana harbour have not been traced through name or description, yet. We feel that your fourth most-likely plan is the one they are using."

"Thank you, General Ford. Are there any delays with our own shipping?"

"They are plodding on as ordered and should be in Havana six hours before the others arrive."

"Not much time, I think. General Weever thinks the Russians have jumped the gun, too and I am not sure if Batista is still alive."

"I hope he is, for our sakes."

I sighed and said, "Me too."

That night in the hotel lobby I could see beautiful Cuban women laughing while holding the arms of some men obviously on vacation. Cuba was the place to go for gambling, drugs and whores. Everything looked to be in order, like the owners wanted. I knew that soon things would dramatically change.

I was propositioned three times by some women or pimps and when there were no takers, a young man came to me. All this seemed to be running like a well-oiled machine, one that would soon find the proverbial monkey wrench thrown into the drive train.

When I went to the Presidential Palace the next day, I had left explicit orders for I did not even know if I could get back out if Batista was dead. I was actually surprised when the man shook my hand. I was offered a cigar and brandy but I accepted some strong Cuban coffee instead.

The President said, "I am sorry I could not meet you yesterday. I had some problems in Pinar del Rio and had to look into it."

"I understand, Mister President. I was looking into it myself. Did you find out any more about Camaguey? My own men were able to evade the patrols and get into the city. The government and army buildings seemed to have taken some shelling. It looked like a 105 mm howitzer to me. As far as I know, you do not have any in your armoury."

The man looked down in shame, "We do have six but all are accounted for, as well as their munitions."

Everybody kept some secrets and I said, "Any idea who is behind this?"

The man looked at me and unconsciously wrung his hands. "The terrorists were not Cuban and did not stay long. They even took their dead. Raul Martinez' people seemed to be now running the city and Miguel Sanchez the countryside. I do not know how he or both of them have done this. A relief column was sent but it was ambushed and destroyed almost to a man. A similar situation happened on the way to Pinar del Rio. What do you make of this, Mr Kramer?"

"It is possible somebody else has hired mercenaries. It is also possible that a country is aligning with one of the rebel forces to bring about their own kind of government. There seems to be a lot more opposition than I originally bargained for, Mister President."

"We signed a contract and I plan on you living up to it Mr Kramer."

"That was a tentative contract. There has been none agreed to that actually allows my troops to fight for the Cuban government. This is a very important part of international law. If the troops were Chinese and I killed some in your name, I would be called murderer unless I have the papers to prove I was fighting for you."

The dictator said, "I have the other contract you left us. Let me call my Minister of the Interior, Señor Herrero and the Minister of Finance, Señor Delgado, to witness this."

"As you wish Mr President."

When the people arrived, Batista said, "We have studied your contract in detail. Why have you included the clauses about taking over the army if the government falls and continue the fight? I do not see this happening. You also are making a claim on my personal property if you do not get paid. You are the richest person I have ever met."

"I want security that I am going to get paid. You know from my equipment list that it will cost a great deal of money to keep my forces moving. A tank wears out very quickly, as do aircraft. I have to be reimbursed for my losses. If you do not wish to pay this cost as was stipulated in the first contract, then we can terminate this now. I can go home and you can deal with the forces that took two more of your provincial capitals. You run this country as you see fit. I'm just making sure that I get my pay for services rendered. You would want much the same if our positions were reversed. Do you wish to nullify the old contract?"

"No, no. My government will pay what they are legally obligated to do."

I took this to mean that he was going to pass a law saying that I did not have to get all the pay I was entitled to. The contract was soon signed and I even got one of Batista's generals to put his John Henry on the dotted line. This time the name was Alvarez, though. I had been waiting for this all along. I could now fight as I saw fit and do it legally. I didn't shake hands because I was playing the part of a man who was wronged but would live up to his commitments. The President, though, sent four officers with me to make sure I was reminded of my obligations.



-------

Chapter 42


Back at our headquarters I introduced my unwelcome guests. The men were presented with the business end of some M16s. Soon, they were walking around with their own guard and the shells from their revolvers in their pants pocket.

General Weever was able to take care of most details, while the guards made sure I stayed in the city. The guards had to rotate, though. This let Batista know that they were still alive and that I was still in Havana. At midnight the four newcomers were astonished when a large helicopter landed in the centre of our complex and a moment later another one did the same. Each of the machines were painted black and had the Cuban flag painted on both sides, as well as some small lettering in Spanish stating that we were working for the government.

From our barracks twenty men quickly came out. They had black uniforms that were my best effort at keeping them dry, cool and yet not be a large infrared source. Their faces were blackened and they wore kevlar helmets, vests and even the shoes had kevlar in the soles. Some wore digital cameras to let everyone see what they saw. All of them had the earphone and the boom mike to communicate. Even their suits were wired. It was easy to find out their respiration, heart rate and even blood pressure from the various sensors on their body.

In their arms they carried our latest weapon. It was a two-part rifle with the lower barrel firing 5.56 mm kinetic rounds, while the upper barrel fired 20 mm HEAT rounds. Above the upper barrel was a six-power low-light scope, a laser rangefinder and a video camera that fed its information up to the satellite and back to Calgary as well as to the soldier holding the weapon.

General Weever gave a short talk and the men split up and boarded the two machines. In only moments the machines were gone and it was even difficult to hear the noise of their departure.

One man excitedly said in Spanish, "I have never seen helicopters like those before. I have never seen weapons like those, either. Where are they going?"

"The first will take on the people who used the heavy guns to take Pinar del Rio and the other copter is going to take on the ones who attacked Camaguey."

"There were only ten fighters in each helicopter, Mr Kramer."

"That is more than enough. Soldiers, from now on, are going to have to be smart, extensively trained and, of course, have the best possible equipment. They will destroy the enemy as a fighting force, no matter who they are."

"With only ten men?" He asked incredulously.

"Those men are invisible in the night but can see in the dark themselves. Our enemy stands no chance at all."

Another enemy stood no chance. One of the ways around the Communist expropriation of property was to destroy the property first. Not many governments would take the time with quibbling over rubble.

At one o'clock in the morning explosions shook the city. Guests ran out to the street, only to find twenty hand-printed leaflets written in Spanish and bad English saying that in one hour the casinos would all be destroyed. The "Free Cuba" rebels were a band of men who had been active since we arrived and this was one of their biggest operations. I had to smile, for now I was a revolutionary.

I could not see the bedlam because of my unwelcome guests but by two oh five the buildings started to come down. We used dynamite. Men posing as contractors or guests had planted it a month ago. It was actually inside the walls, ceilings and ducts of the buildings.

My own hotel had not been targeted tonight, because it was not a casino but it would be destroyed tomorrow, along with the large mob-owned bars and whorehouses.

The soldiers with me heard the noise in the distance but were used to such activity at night.

My ear bud fed me info and I made a few suggestions of my own. I could only get away at odd moments to see the feed from Calgary showing what was important from where the action was. When five o'clock rolled around, one of the Black Hawks came back and dropped off only three men. They were happy and looked carefree.

The Cuban officers came up to ask questions as they accompanied me. My men looked at me and I nodded. One of the men said, "We captured two dozen trucks, six howitzers, a 155 millimetre field gun and even four tanks. We killed about ten men and captured eighty-six more. We had no losses and the only casualty was Private Fuller. He tripped over a root and cut his lip."

One of the Cubans said, "That is fantastic. I do not see how twenty men could do this."

"Oh, that was just us. The other team did even better." The man looked at me and then headed off to get cleaned up and to get some sleep. The helicopter lifted off before the sunrise.

This all seemed to be adding up better than expected, for I was allowed to keep all captured enemy equipment as my own property.

We went inside and the printer had finished printing out fifty-six pictures of what we had done tonight. I was careful to make sure that none of the uniforms were seen. It was indeed the Communists but this time I was dealing with East Germans. Their khaki was nondescript but that was what made their uniform theirs. Apparently, they got a request they could not refuse. Each one of the captured men had fought in the last war and knew what to expect.

The East German army was all filled with volunteers and if you didn't volunteer when asked, you were told to join. The job, though, was better than most of the other jobs available to a potential recruit. They had attacked a provincial capital and handed it over to some revolutionaries. This was an act of war. They wore no uniforms and this meant that I could shoot them as spies. They had been careful when fighting, though and had limited most of their targets to Batista's supporters and the army. As soldiers went, they were really not that bad or unethical.

I had not signed the Geneva Convention, nor had the country I represented, so a drug I called thiopentide could be used. It was one of the drugs in my first life that we had made but only for the military. It was derived from thiopentone but was many times more efficient. The Germans were frightened enough; so that little urging had been needed to get what we wanted. If necessary, I was prepared to use an old Vietnam trick, where the person was held upside down at a thousand feet by his feet. It usually worked but sometimes the prisoner slipped.

The four Cuban officers were sent off with the papers and they didn't even wait for their replacements.

Before getting some sleep I looked in on the status of our teams. The East Germans were going to be kept in a fenced-in enclosure. This was in a secure base in the rugged Pico Turquino Mountains. Most of their interrogation had already been done from Calgary, with the locals only asking the questions. Their dead had been buried off the trail from where they fell. The way the things were going, it would be a day before they would even be able to make it to the camp with their captured equipment.

The prisoners were incredulous when our team demanded that they drive their own trucks. Being unarmed and in a slow truck was good enough to get them where we wanted. The threat of the Black Hawk was more than enough to keep them in line, after a demonstration of what one 30-mm M230 Chain Gun with 1,200 rounds could do. This was usually issued to the Apache but I was the one making the ships anyway.

There was not too much information available but it looked like the Soviet Union was just using these men as a way of distancing themselves from the fight if it went bad.

There was a goodly amount of equipment seized. The tanks, however, were American, from the Second World War. Many had been damaged and abandoned in battle during the war and it looked like the Russians would rather send these repaired units instead of their own. If the tanks were captured, it would look like American interference in Cuban affairs.

Tanks were very hard to keep in running order. Even in my own life it cost more to maintain a modern tank than it did a fighter plane. One was measured in kilometres, while the other was measured in hours flown.

After a few hours' sleep, I found my luggage in the next room. A team had paid my bill and recovered my property. This was nothing new, for everybody else was leaving the hotels in droves.

General Weever had a meal with me and we were both tired but happy. It was great when a team was sent out and they had done everything asked of them and returned successfully and with no casualties.

He told me about all the changes in the city since the activities of last night. Apparently, all the planes were booked solid and many people were just staying at the airport waiting to go home. I was told the mob owned some of the smaller planes and these seemed to have some extra cargo that would become active after reaching a thousand feet. I did not like the mob and was still angry at them for trying to move in on my companies in both lifetimes. The trouble they would cause the fledgling Cuba only gave me more incentive. One man fleeing was named Jack Ruby. He was more than just a small-time drug dealer but now I knew that he would not be around later to kill anybody.

Usually, when the mob had demanded things of me, I got the conversation on tape and exposed the information to the press. If things got serious, then I was not a good little choirboy who would do nothing about it. I had bodies to hide, too but only after a lot of provocation.

Most people saw life as black and white. In truth, humans are a nasty lot. To prove my point, all a person had to do was to think of recent events. There is the mob, some unscrupulous businessmen, some government agencies of any country and the usual psychopath who walks the streets where every one of us lives. We are brought up to believe that laws are the answer but in truth very few people follow all those rules and obligations.

To also be honest, a group of people running a country had to be nasty and do what was necessary to make it work. A group of kind grandmothers would lead us all into ruin in just a year if they were allowed to gain control.

Our ships would be getting into the harbour a bit before dawn tomorrow morning. These were my main forces to handle what I knew now was going to be a very tense situation. The unloading of the first of the Russian ships was about half done and a lot of activity was going on in three warehouses where their cargo was being taken. The area was now off limits to all but a few Cubans. The exception happened to be the Minister of Defence, two generals and two other ministers high in Batista's circle of friends. I could now guess what was happening and it looked very bad for Batista.

A coup d'etat was the only thing I could see. This would mean that the Russians were even more worried about the social and military changes I had made since I came to this time. I did not give Batista long to live, even with the ring of guards he kept around him all the time. The new rulers would sign some new agreements and ask officially for help, which, coincidentally, was either in the harbour, or on its way. All quite legal, if it was looked at on the world stage.

It looked like the mob was running scared. It was my intention that very few made it off the island alive. This would cut down on the opposition later and give the American taxpayers a break for a change.

At the end of the day I had one more thing to add to my list of firsts. Two men dressed in expensive suits and speaking Spanish got on a plane with the last of the mob. Five minutes after the craft left the tarmac one of my men placed his gun against the pilot's neck and said, "Take me to Cuba," this time it was to the Pinar del Rio airport. No radio message or intercom was sent and the mob was amazed to find themselves still in Cuba.

When an engine problem was mentioned and they were told of another plane being readied, the men and their girlfriends left. Heavily armed Cubans met the men in the terminal, where they were relieved of their weapons. It was comical for me to hear afterwards about the men demanding their rights, after they had spent a lifetime of denying it of others.

While the men were processed, the luggage was searched and much of the money dug out of the rubble of the casinos was recovered. After it was counted, I found that we had almost six million, which was a lot of money for now but not a lot when it came to rebuilding.

When the gangsters had been separated from the innocent, the men were led towards a bus but on the way a machine gun opened fire in front of a wall and twenty-seven men suddenly died. The gunmen and the guards were all locals that we had found and who had quite a few scores to settle with the mob and this was the best way, in my mind, to settle it. When the original two hijackers left, the restored town had to take care of the remaining mess. I hoped that everybody believed that some educated Cubans had been cleaning their own house. In many cases this was the case, for Batista had made many enemies in the many years he was in power.

What I had ordered done was actually legal. The papers signed by Batista in a time of martial law allowed me to perform summary justice to those accused of crimes under Cuban law: rape, murder and worst of all, large monetary movements without government approval. This particular statute had been instigated years ago to keep money in the country, instead of fleeing with the rich enemies of Batista.

At five o'clock the first of the planned explosions shook the hotel I had stayed at. Within minutes, it and a dozen more throughout the city started to crumble much like the World Trade Centre but this time the height was not nearly as great. Brothels and bars throughout the city were destroyed, even though people finding the explosives we had planted had saved a few.

One of our soldiers sent to observe the Presidential Palace reported lots of gunfire within the walls. Soldiers ran out and were shot in the back by others. It took over an hour before the shooting eventually stopped.

Within minutes, three Soviet cars and two troop trucks formed a convoy and started to leave the warehouse they had been in. General Weever and I looked at each other and prepared for the next development.

The two Black Hawks came back to the compound to pick up men. We waited just long enough to see which route the Russians would take. Orders came from Calgary and one machine settled to the ground and then moved on. Bystanders just gawked at the deadly machines and the troops had to get them off the street as quick as possible.

Cars were commandeered and the drivers sent packing. In four minutes the first of the Russian vehicles came by our first position. After the trucks passed, the escape route was blocked. When the lead car got to the front, it found two vehicles blocking its path. The horn was used but the blockage remained.

I had the hood up of one vehicle and my back to the approaching man. When he got close, he said in very poor Spanish, "Move car!"

I turned to the man and said in fluent Russian, "I can't do that comrade. You are all under arrest."

The man looked quickly around and saw that the street was now deserted. He replied, now in his own language, "We are here to see your president. We have diplomatic immunity from any arrest." He thought for a moment and then said, "You are not Cuban. Why are you trying to give us orders?" Half of the time he was looking at the glass lens on the video camera hanging from my neck or at the boom mike in front of my mouth.

I looked at his uniform a little closer and said, "Sergeant, there has been martial law in Cuba for months. I am enforcing that by order, with the full backing of the Cuban government."

The man did not know what to say so I said, "Take me to your leader," and had a small smile from the quote.

I approached the first automobile with the sergeant at my side. It was easy now for the occupants to see I was wearing a uniform with the Cuban flag on both of my shoulders. An older man of fifty-five or so stepped out of the car and said, "What is wrong sergeant?"

"This young man wants to put us all under arrest."

Both men smiled and the leader said in broken Spanish, "Do you know who I am?"

I replied in Russian, "I do not recognize you but I assume you to be a Russian general sent here to take over the island with the help of some people who have attempted, or have succeeded in a coup d'etat. You have no papers signed by a legitimate Cuban government, while I do. You are now going to be taken to the airport and I am going to send you home as quick as I can."

"One young man armed with an odd pistol is not likely to get us to do as you wish."

"Sir, if you will look at the windows around you and your convoy, you will find many weapons pointing at your troops. We have four machine guns and two mobile 30 mm chain guns. Most of the men have 20 mm high explosive rounds that will riddle anything you have here. You are a soldier with probably much experience. You are outgunned and outmanoeuvred. I do not want the deaths of any of your men but I am capable of taking all of them if necessary."

The man did look around and then yelled to his men, "Ambush," then tried to draw his automatic pistol from his holster.

A single silenced round went through his head and he fell before even drawing his weapon. The men in the car were speechless and they started to draw their own weapons. I had not done this, because each man was already covered by our own troops.

I said loudly, "Do not draw your guns. I want you to leave the island walking like men, not in a box."

The next in line, I guess, thought otherwise and four small noises were heard and the occupants of the car were dead. I turned to the sergeant and said, "I do not want to kill your men. May I take your pistol now?"

The man had fought in WW2, I think and was smarter than what he did next. He lunged for me with his hands but I had grown considerably in the last few years and had kept up with not only my exercises but continued with my martial arts training. The man went down as I sidestepped then slashed his neck. It was not an incapacitating blow and he came at me again but this time knew enough to be careful.

A small taser came to my hand and the two small darts flew to him. I had to move very quickly, or his thrashing body would have collided with mine and I, too, would have been shocked.

As I stood up, the other two cars opened their doors and men came out. I called out quickly, "Lower your weapons. You are under arrest."

This did not happen and only three loud shots rang out, while many small puffs were heard.

The two trucks erupted with men as the canvas was thrown back. I called out in German now, "You are all under arrest. No harm will come to you. I want you all just to be sent home."

The men had got out of the trucks and spread out but not far. They were looking for possible enemies but saw none. I did not want to see these men die for no reason. They had not shot at anybody yet, so I yelled out to them. "I am coming out now. Anybody who even points a gun at me dies." I just hoped they were seasoned troops and could think a bit when in a tight situation like this.

I talked on my radio to the men around me and they were ready. Some just called me stupid even though I was their employer. Perhaps they were right. General Weever seemed to be the most vocal. With my pistol in my holster I stood up and then walked over the bodies in the street toward the back where the trucks were.

I passed some men with rifles in their hands but they ignored me mainly because I had no gun in my own hands. "The Russians think you are stupid. I am afraid most of the Russians and your officers are now dead." I paused to let them think on this. "I want you off this island. That is all I want. Now, I want you to leave your rifles on the ground and form ranks. The sooner you are processed, the sooner you will be out of my hair."

I could hear approaching sirens and then the ominous sound of one of the Black Hawks approaching from a side street. It rose up and came to the intersection and turned, barely missing the sides with its 53 feet 8 inch main rotor. The East Germans tensed when the saw the 'copter appear and then relaxed a bit as it left.

I called out, "The Cuban army is coming. You will get much better treatment from me than they will give you. Think of how much better your brothers were when they were lucky enough to surrender to the Americans or the British."

Nobody moved but in a few seconds the 30 mm chain gun fired and then stopped. The sound was easily heard and understood by all. Guns started to fall and then more did. The first soldier stood up and walked to a clear section with his hands on his head. It took a minute but more followed. When half had surrendered, I knew I might have trouble with the rest.

I walked purposefully to the group of men and called out in my best sergeant voice. "Hands down, line up for inspection. " They just looked at me and then did as I asked. Two trucks like this would carry at least fifty men. I got a count in my ear bud when the ones to leave were tallied.

We were short seventeen men and whoever may be in the trucks still.

I called out in German loud enough for anybody inside the trucks to hear me, "We have a device that reads heat. There are three men in the last truck and two in the front. More are hiding in and around the other vehicles. Get out here now and bring your guns by the barrel. The Cuban army will just kill you as invaders. I would not risk my own life to do this if I did not think all of you were worth saving. Now, get out!"

The men did get out and their guns were placed on the ground in the pile. Before they could join us I said, "Strip the canvas from the truck. It is too hot to hide in." I turned to more of the men before me and ordered them to do the same.

When the canvas was pulled to the front and lashed down, we could see many cases in the back. I yelled for the drivers of the trucks to come forward. Four men came, so I guessed there was a spare. "Are there any more guns in the cabs of the trucks?"

One man looked around, then back at me. "Some."

"Go get them and put them in the pile. When you are done, get into the truck and get ready to reverse to the next intersection and then turn around. We have a short drive."

The man started to salute and then thought better of it. He did get some guns and placed them on a pile before going to the next truck. After he dropped off the guns, he returned to the rearmost truck.

A few of our own men were now coming out from concealment but were not waving their weapons around as if nervous.

"Ok, twenty five men into the truck now. One of my men will drive a civilian car to lead you out of here. Don't loose the car, for it is your only life line." The men looked around and then double-timed to the waiting vehicle. It held more than twenty-five for everybody wanted to get on.

I gave some orders and the blockading cars were moved and the truck backed carefully the way it had come.

I called out one more time. "There are twelve of you left and one unconscious sergeant at the front. Lay your guns down now and get in the truck and follow the other truck. You will be given no more chances."

One man, then another, got up and went to the truck. I was happy to see all twelve nervous men in the back of the truck. I walked to the back and said to the young men, "You have nothing to worry about, now. One of you has to drive and I need two of you to pick up the sergeant. Who can drive this truck?"

I got a show of hands and I picked the smallest person. "You are the driver." I pointed to two more and said, "Come with me and get your sleeping sergeant."

The rest of our men came out from concealment but did not point any of their weapons at the now unarmed men. Four went to the lead vehicles and started to search for intelligence on the bodies or in the vehicles.

Word from the first Black Hawk was that the army had decided to stop for a while and talk. I could hear the amplified voice of one of our men demanding that the Cuban troops stop. Calgary said that Cuban army units were trying to circle around and now that this situation was stabilized, went to head off the other contingent.

My two assistants stayed very close to me like some ducklings to their mother. They looked at the carnage as we passed and could see that everybody had been killed with one shot to the head. The sight of their opposition searching for information must have been discomforting. The men had the body armour, headsets with boom mikes and our Borg monocle. The offensive weapons looked truly awesome and I could only guess at what was going through their minds. They picked the heavy sergeant up and carried him back to their truck. I took the sergeant's sidearm.

The bodies of the men were thrown into the back seats of the cars and two of our men got in to drive and ride shotgun. In a few moments we had turned around and threw all the weapons into the trunks. When we got back to our compound, the remainder of the unit was just waiting for the second Black Hawk to pick them up. We drove in the large doorway and pulled to one side. Our new guests got out at our sergeant's order and more or less lined up. Six of the men in our squad spoke fluent German. Four of them were recruited only a few years ago from West Germany.

The East Germans were broken up into six groups and their orientation begun. We didn't have that many men to run a secure stockade but we could let them know what they were up against. When they went home, they would tell their friends till their government told them to keep the secret.

Our own men were very blasé about their equipment and I had to laugh, for they had not been that way when they had seen it the first time.

General Weever and I discussed what information we had found. Some pieces had much more value. We had the officers' names and I was able to tell who were Russian and who were German, although the names would have crossed the border hundreds of years ago.

We did find documents where Moscow confirmed that they would protect the island from all comers if they were allowed to have a large base like the Americans now had. They would have just as much rights to the land as the Americans had for the Guantanamo base.

The men were led into a room and issued new uniforms after a shower. The material was as good as ours but was orange in colour. Their property was taken and sorted as to military or personal. The latter was handed back and the remainder put into pouches with their names on it.

The remainder of the documents recovered from the dead were viewed here, then put under a high-resolution camera and the images sent to Calgary. Fingerprints and photographs were sent, too, along with even the serial numbers on the vehicles. The bodies were then put into black body bags for delivery to the city morgue. We tried to keep the body count down to not overwhelm the Havana facilities.

Ten minutes after we arrived, a squad of soldiers came to the compound wanting some answers. I invited the officer and his sergeant inside. They stared wide-eyed at the now dormant helicopters and even more so at the men in combat garb patrolling our compound.

I showed the men my documents signed by Batista and others and from the way they looked I knew that Batista was no more. I let them know that I was protecting their country against all comers. I mentioned rogue elements of the military and police as possible opposition and what I would do to them. I had to stop the explanation when a warning came from Calgary. The warehouses were sending out more teams.

"I can't talk now. We have three more foreign teams to stop." The bodies had been placed in the empty truck and I said to the officer, "Take the truck to the morgue. We have to leave."

The officer was arrogant, "We do not have to follow your orders."

I unceremoniously pulled him to one side and whispered, "Take the truck or I will give you a ride in one these helicopters when we leave. I will drop you from a thousand feet. I have the authority to do so and I will use it." The man gulped and ordered his noncom to drive the truck out the gate.

Weapons pods were wheeled out and attached to the wing stubs. The truck left the gate as the turbines started up.

We had no place for the captured East Germans, so two of the West Germans stayed to watch them as they took over the barracks till other quarters became available.

I flipped my own monocle on and got a computer-enhanced view of the area. Three groups were making a three-pronged move toward the Presidential Palace. General Weever took command of the two Black Hawks and had just enough time to drop off his men and then present the machines to the approaching column.

I raced with the remainder of our detachment in the three Russian staff cars to the closest group. There were only seven of us and this confrontation would not be in the jungle but in an urban environment.

We pulled up far in front of the column of approaching vehicles. I stood with a hand held high like a cop to get them to stop. I think they did so more because of the parked vehicles behind us than anything else. Our men had spread out and the citizenry took to their heals at the sight of such deadly-looking guns.

Just as I was ready to start discussing their surrender I found that fighting had broken out at one of the other groups. One of the Black Hawks had been shot at and their 30 mm gun had fired only a few rounds. After a pause of only five seconds, a full-fledged battle had broken out.

When the report would be broadcast over radio, the group here would fight too. I rushed to the lead car and looked at the probable leader. "Hello General. There has been some fighting with your other two units. I want your surrender and then I am sending you back to Russia on the soonest plane possible. If you fight, you will die. It is as simple as that."

The man smiled at me and said in Russian, "You speak our language very well. As for surrendering to one young man, I just see you while I have thirty men."

"I have less men General but I have three machine guns and everyone of my men have automatic weapons that are the most modern made. You really are outgunned."

The radio crackled and then the person beside the driver picked it up and I heard that the other two columns were taking heavy fire from very powerful helicopters. They were pleading for assistance. The men before me were starting to go for their weapons when I used my command voice, "Stop!" I had just a second. "The reason I have the three cars behind me is because I talked to your friends earlier. They went for their guns and snipers took them out. I have no wish to kill or even harm your soldiers. Please consider your men before you come to any decision."

There was a radio in the truck following the car too and the soldiers started to pour out of the back and took up defensive positions.

When the troops moved forward, the officers in the car pulled their own guns. I ducked and started to work back behind some cover. I heard the muffled reports of subsonic rounds striking flesh. The Communists started to fire, too and this brought a few more of our rounds. I knew that for every round we fired at this range a man would die.

I yelled in German, "You are surrounded by a superior force. Your officers are dead. Leave your guns on the ground and do not move or you will be shot."

I saw in my monocle a grenade go through the air. One of our men actually shot it from the air. Immediately, the 20 mm HEAT rounds blew up the man throwing the grenade and everything in his vicinity.

We could see from the satellite that some infantry were trying to flank us. Even with the half-second delay, it was easy to prepare for the attack and have our weapons in position. The fighting lasted for fifteen minutes. Anybody who changed positions was shot if possible.

I yelled out again, "There are eleven of you still alive. Put your hands over your heads and stand slowly."

One man did, then another. One of their own soldiers shot one of the men who was surrendering. Before the man fell, five HEAT rounds destroyed the killer's position.

"There are just nine left now. If there are any officers left who think more of their party than of their men, I will have your legs shot off and you can bleed to death very slowly. Now stand up or die, all of you." The officers were all Communist Party members in the East German army. They either gave lip service to the party, or actively supported it. The common soldier may, or may not, belong to the party.

The Germans did raise their hands and stood. When asked to turn around, our thermal imagery detected what could be pistols under the shirts of two men. Our men moved in quickly on these two and roughly knocked them down to remove the weapons. The East Germans were awestruck with the large weapons and the odd equipment on our heads.

A medic went around but the last man hit was going to die.

I called up the situation at the other two locations and found it deadlocked. Most of the Communists were dead but the helicopters were not made for an urban environment. They had little room to manoeuvre.

Grenades had been used and then rifle-propelled grenades had come out. After one close call the Black Hawks left. The Hydra had come into play now and the street was torn to shreds by the small missile.

Our men there went out and pulled back stunned or wounded enemy. Some could only be handcuffed to a stationary object while the operation continued.

At the end word went out to hurry, because the other ship in the harbour was going to make port in minutes. One group of men now just rushed in and took hits but the kevlar armour let them continue. In five minutes there were no more active combatants. By that time, four of us were at the scene and helped take the prisoners into custody. The Black Hawks came back and picked up their loads of men and raced to the port.

I pulled rank and I was one of the men going. General Weever would have to deal with our mess.

By the time we got there, the stairs were lowered and armed men were running down already. We opened up with the chain gun but did not aim to strike anybody. Our megaphone told the men to get back on the ship and leave Cuba.

This was not what they wanted to do and we started to take hits. We were basically unarmoured and just took a sweep with the chain gun and the machine gun at the open door. A Hydra round took out the stairs and at least they would now have to rappel down the side.

We settled down behind a building and the helicopter rose high enough to fire the 30 mm and not take any appreciable fire. The satellite told us of where the troops were. The estimate was at least ninety combatants.

We did not try for prisoners now and just shot the men as we found them. They, of course, shot back. The kevlar took a beating but even that was rare for we used our guns to our advantage. The television camera was movable and all that was needed was to put the rifle around a corner and look in the screen from safety.

Each rifle had only six HEAT rounds and we usually had only two dozen more shells. In ten minutes we heard some loud explosions and we looked into our monocle to find the reason. The Black Hawks were back and had used the Hellfire to knock out some Surface to Air Missiles stations on the ships before the Russian weapons could be launched.

More rounds were used and the machine guns brought onto the deck were now useless. We started to take casualties now. One man was killed outright and another was shot in the leg. Others had small wounds on exposed areas.

The injured and the dead were medevacked and we picked up some replacement ammunition. Night was approaching and this was very good for us but there was still too much daylight to help the opposition.

General Weever brought reinforcements while we worked on the now fifty or so men opposing us.

My LAW was employed now and we made large openings in the buildings to get behind the enemy. Much of the time we were fighting in the warehouses and there we turned off all the lights. The LAWs also made quite a few holes in the side of the ship. It was nowhere near what a tank's armour was. The holes were usually around the portholes or the hatch on the side for taking on supplies.

One of our Black Hawks sustained some engine damage and limped home on one engine but only after expending all of its ordinance.

We took more casualties but the East Germans were taking many times more. Just after midnight we took out the last of the men who had made it ashore. We were down to just seven men now. General Weever was trying to contain the other ship and the three warehouses. His job was much harder and he only had eleven men. He also had to face the Cuban military who came to the rescue of their new friends.

Our last Black Hawk had been shot down with a shoulder-fired rocket from the ship. We had just been restocked with ammunition and the Black Hawk had taken away three of our wounded when hit. One I had spent almost an hour on to stabilize. The copter had gone up in a ball of flame and there was no possibility of survivors. We fired a dozen rounds in the general area and hoped that we got the bastard.

Hours earlier we had taken out the bollards holding the ship to the shore. Presently the ship was twenty feet out and drifting further as the tide took it.

I stopped our men from putting some large holes at, or below, the water line. This was not for being humanitarian but I knew the ship would damage the harbour. We might need what was in the ship to support the Cuban army when they could be convinced to help, not hinder.

The ship could use its engines but we had done a good job on its steering gear and props.

General Weever was coming under more and more pressure. All I could do was leave three men with most of our ammunition to make sure the ship did not try to tie up again. It did have small boats that could tow the ship very slowly to where they wanted to go. I doubted if they would use this method, considering it was suicide to do so.

We left but not to General Weever's position. We commandeered a car and drove to our compound before letting the petrified driver leave.

The two men we found were walking wounded who had taken the place of the troops placed here to guard the East Germans. All we could do was to lock the Germans in. There were no windows and if any stuck their noses out of a locked room they would not get a chance to do it again.

We loaded up one of the German trucks with ammunition and two chain guns. We even took the six mortars and a hundred shells. Some were Willie Pete but I did not care at this point. Food, drink and more of our night outfits were brought to work in this environment. If the army wanted to take us on, then I would take out the officers first.

One case had a fifty-caliber sniper rifle with the best starlight scope we could make. It was single shot, firing our new ball ammo. The best thing was that it had an effective range of over a mile.

Instead of rushing through the army we relied on satellite data to pinpoint where all the communication was coming from. There was considerable cloud cover and very little light hit the ground. With our lights off we were able to navigate with our own goggles.

A half mile from the battle we steered into a small alley to park the truck. Three of us left the vehicle and worked quickly toward the general's compound. We had silenced pistols with flash suppressors. The general was not that stupid and had some sentries out but they did not hinder our approach much.

A large building had the Minister of the Defence, Señor Jimenez and the Minister of Justice, Señor Alonso pointing out where they thought they should try next. There was a map on the wall with the positions of various units, which I transmitted to Calgary. The army, I found, was petrified of the dark and took hundreds of deaths from people they could not even see.

On my order, we got as close as we could then shot everybody. The two ministers just got kneecapped. Shots were returned but none of us were hurt. The two men were carried to the truck after a tourniquet was applied above their injuries. One man took rear guard to take out anybody trying to follow us.

Using satellite data and the map, I saw we were able to drive to General Weever's position. Three of us had walked ahead of the truck and took out any sentries foolish enough to show themselves. We were greeted with open arms and celebrated by using the mortars on some of the enemy positions that we could not get otherwise.

General Weever took our new guests to our medic to work on to keep them alive. As a sedative, I gave them the thiopentide injections and asked them many questions suggested by Calgary.

Things were mainly quiet after that, so we advanced to take advantage of our night sight. When morning came, we would be on much more even terms.

Our sniper and his spotter fired almost every minute and I was sure each bullet counted. The mortar coughed on occasion when the satellite found any sizable concentrations of the enemy.

The ship that had unloaded much of its stores had a sizeable crew. This is where the four squads had originated. It looked much like the other ship that now drifted in the bay.

The Cubans were not idle. Patrol boats came at us from the bay but could not get closer than what our sniper allowed. General Ford, though, was telling me that a sizable force had been pulled from other areas and was coming by rail and truck. By morning we would be seriously outnumbered.

Two attacks did materialise. I assumed the Cuban officers felt that they were going to be killed anyway and this would remove us at no extra loss of life. They were wrong but we took casualties from enemy mortars.

The second intrusion was much stronger. General Weever had our positions moved and we could only stop the Cuban advance with our white phosphorous rounds. As predicted, a good section of the wooden warehousing started to burn. We were lucky that the fire burnt towards the city and not us.

At three o'clock six tanks came from behind the fire and advanced on our positions. Two of them were the Tiger tanks from the palace. The LAWs came into play at close range and six hulks burnt on the road and cooked off their ammo.

Howitzers appeared on the far side of the harbour. They were well out of our range but we were still well within theirs. The truck we used to transport ammunition was hit but I had nothing on it at the time. Our sniper and spotter had moved all the time and many of their old positions were hit by 105s.

We were running out of breathing room when the howitzer batteries suddenly blew up. Our ears were ringing from the explosions but I could hear the unmistakable whine of the Harriers.

We were all very tired but managed to talk to the arriving pilots, gunners or to Calgary to find out what was happening. I found four Harriers and soon fourteen Apaches taking out any and all opposition that was on the far shore and then make a swing around to hit the enemy from the rear. A hundred miles away, a half dozen Black Hawks flew with reinforcements to our positions.

Two Apaches now worked with us to take out everything they could. They were now lit from the fires burning and were taking small arms fire. The copter was made for this and could take up to fifty caliber in every place. The engine and blades could take the abuse and the cockpit had bulletproof glass. Through its heat sensors, they knew where a person was and a 30 mm shell usually found its mark. They worked the enemy till the Black Hawks were able to land.

I stayed awake for a few hours, then just found a place to rest with others and just crashed. I had only three hours of sleep in the last two days.



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Chapter 43


When I woke up around noon, I found the air clear of smoke and people going about their jobs and repairing what was damaged. The Cuban workers had come back but stayed far from us. For this to happen I assumed that our forces had started to bring some order to this area of the city. The fire was out and best of all, my two ships were in the harbour.

I called Calgary to get an update and found my wives very pissed off at me. They must have been looking through the satellite feed, because they talked about how I looked. I just looked into the sky and blew them a kiss. They went on about the stupid things I had done. After five minutes of being angry, they said they loved me and let me get on with the operation.

The six-ship Russian fleet had separated for their own objectives. Three were rushing to the northern shore. They must have heard about the fighting and planned to put an end to it.

One of the three Communist ships had arrived off Ceinfuegos; this was one of Cuba's southern ports. Another was off the sleepy town of Batabano and the last one made me think very hard about history. The last of the three had put into Buena Ventura on Bay of Pigs. The latter two craft, I saw from recorded data, had sent out a patrol each, to secure the small towns; then the ship would beach itself on the white sand and disgorge its load of war material and men. The disguise they used hid this purpose very well.

The Russian ships looked to displace about 5,000 tons. They were fairly large but not what would be common in later years. The satellite gave an estimate of 500 feet and a beam of 60. This would mean that they could carry a total of two thousand men, including crew. The cargo could be anything but I figured it would mainly be trucks and a few tanks, for they did not expect much opposition.

All this data would be stored and there was no way the Soviets would be able to deny that this was anything but an invasion. I asked and found that there was no group of Cuban revolutionaries waiting to greet or assist the Soviets.

The port of Ceinfuegos was not an overt invasion but the ship was soon being unloaded into a large warehouse. I assumed the same thing would happen there as had here in Havana. The two isolated towns would not be able to send out word, so they thought the secret would be effectively kept.

The United States was concerned about the fighting but thought all the fuss was about the revolutionaries fighting some of Batista's troops. There was no word yet that Batista was even dead.

The majority of Americans in Cuba had left. The debate in the United States now was, whether to send a force here to protect the small numbers remaining and their property.

I knew that one of the American-controlled satellites was overhead, because we could intercept everything they saw but this information had not been given to them.

There had been thirty-three men in Havana alone when the hostilities started. Seven were now dead and fourteen were in serious shape. The remainder were able to move but only a dozen were unscathed. I happened to be one of those and considering my present state, I thought of the book 'The Dirty Dozen' and considered writing the story with that name but make it autobiographical. The balance of our troops previously on the island were still with the groups they had been assigned to monitor.

I went around to see the men and they did more to cheer me up than I did for them. It took an hour and a half but I made it back to the compound. This time it was very different. The place was severely shot up. There had been six remotely controlled chain guns on the perimeter and two more on the roof. Most had been hit and some were completely gone. I was very surprised to see men in orange uniforms carrying their old weapons and patrolling, along with our own men.

When I got out of the car they stood at attention and saluted me. I looked at two of them and they seemed to smile a bit but that takes a lot for a German. I returned the salute and said, "I see that you must have joined a mercenary outfit."

One said in a loud voice, "Yes, we have, Sir!"

"I'll order some new uniforms, then."

"General Weever has already had us measured and has them on order, Sir."

"Good, you guys would make poor night fighters in those uniforms."

I had to quickly talk to Calgary and found the Generals Ford and Weever had decided to give the East Germans a chance. The generals had heard enough of the monitored conversations they had to come to a good opinion of them. The Cuban army would probably have overrun the base even with the remotely controlled weapons. Then it would have been debatable what would have happened to the Germans. With the way the Cuban army acted, I was glad the East Germans did help, for they would probably have been dead otherwise. This was working up to a three-way fight with each group taking on the other two.

Speaking of the Cuban army, I had to get a handle on them now before they did more damage. The three Communist ships sailing to the northern shore would probably put in at Havana. We had to begin ferrying enough supplies to take on the troops at the other three landings and fight a battle here as well.

Our cargo ship was being unloaded and the first to come ashore after the helicopters were the Challenger tanks. Our tank was not 70 tons like the future American main battle tank but only 63. The engines were not as powerful as I wanted them, either. I had the weapons underpowered, because I could only push technology so far with people learning as they went. I had really stretched the capacity of the thousand horsepower aviation diesel but if I could get a reliable supply of good fuel it could go to 1,200 horsepower. The copters had the fuel-hungry turbines.

All of them were very thirsty and I knew that a diesel engine for the tank was a much better option. It had a maximum road speed of 35 mi/h and a range of 150 miles cross country and 280 miles on the road. The lighter weight, though, made the tank fast; not as fast as the old Abrams but we did not have the years to tinker with it to make it even better. I was very surprised at what we had done in just five years.

Our second ship, the old destroyer was heavily modified with missile batteries, an elevator for a plane and a short deck to launch a fully loaded Harrier. The end was raised at 12 degrees and small rockets were used in place of the steam catapult. The ship could not carry many aircraft but it could manage six Harrier, two Apaches and two of the large Huey IIs. At the stern, there was even a small ship supported by cables to get into shallow waters.

I used the local telephone to call Señor Herrero, the Minister of the Interior. He was still alive. This made him lucky, or a very cautious person because he was a close associate of Batista.

"Hello Señor Herrero. This is Alex Kramer. Do you have a moment to talk with me?"

The man was silent for a moment, thinking hard, no doubt. "Yes I do, Mr Kramer. What is it that you would like?"

"Will you tell me if your President is still alive? I can't see the Russians coming to Cuba without being invited."

He thought just a few seconds and said, "He has died, Mr Kramer. It seems the people seeking to find a new president have disappeared as well. Do you happen to know where they may be?"

"I certainly do. They are in custody for breaking Cuban laws. I was going to execute them but I was going to let you do it, if you want."

"That is very good, Mr Kramer. Please keep them safe till things get sorted out here."

"I will be happy to do that. I have something that I would like you to do, if you would."

"What is that, Mr Kramer?"

"Batista had a goodly amount of cash and assets that may now be mine. His death brought a part of the contract into force that may absolve Cuba of some of the large cost of the work I am doing. I want the courts to seize all the bank accounts and prevent the movement of all of the former president's property."

"The President was married with children, Mr Kramer."

"I will see they are well cared for. You must have read many things about me and know that I keep my word."

"Yes you do, Mr Kramer. I will get the courts to act immediately."

"Tell me about the present state of the government. My contract stipulates that I control the Army if and when, the government is in such a state as it is now. They are not that good as a fighting force but they will stand up to the Russians well enough when they arrive here in six hours."

"What?" He yelled on the phone.

"The Russians tried to take the country from the Cuban people. I stopped them for now but there was a six-ship flotilla coming. Three may be induced to leave. I have a lot of equipment on hand that could be of use, if the army knows enough about them to make use of it."

"What is that?"

"The warehouses and ships are full of tanks, trucks, cars, guns and other weapons. The two ships still have supplies we may need. They also have a great many bodies and wounded personnel. They can still put up a fight, if they are not approached right."

"Are you going to do that, Mr Kramer?"

"Yes I am. I need a list of major officers and a way of reaching them soon. Please avoid General Serrano, for he is one of the group dedicated to Batista's overthrow but was specifically ordered to not show his colours."

"Oh." After a pause I he said, "I will work on this right away. I will send runners to the remainder of the forces who were attacking you recently."

"Please tell them that I am not too upset with them for their attempt. If they remain loyal to Cuba, then they will not be punished."

The minister said, "Cuba? Not you Mr Kramer."

"For Cuba, Señor Herrero. When this is done in a year, I will only be coming back here on simple business or for pleasure. The Cuban people will be led by Cubans but I may have to knock some sense into some of you first."

I paused a second as if adding a remark of no great importance, "Oh, the Russians have landed two contingents of men and tanks at two isolated villages on your southern shore. Currently the ships are offloading: artillery, tanks and a goodly number of troops. Each ship has about 1,500 infantry and the ships crew is about 500, too. That makes a total of 4,000 enemy landing on your shores already. The only thing slowing them down now is the tide." I heard a gasp from the other end of the line. "Another ship thinks the secret of the landings are safe and is unloading military cargo similar to what they unloaded here in Havana. The Port of Ceinfuegos will be the first of their four-prong attack."

"Are you sure of this information, Mr Kramer?"

"I have actual photographs of it, as well as live coverage by television. My people are actively monitoring the three areas."

There was a long pause then, "What are we going to do?"

"I think you have to help me get the army firmly behind me now, or you will have to give up all your riches for a life of egalitarianism. That is, if you are not shot for being part of the old order. Stalin had a way of getting rid of all those people."

The man said in panic, "I will begin right away."

The two ships in the bay were almost derelict. There were no radio masts and when somebody wanted to put some wire up, a sniper told them different. The shell, usually, only came close. The drifting ship was well within range. This was not necessary, for I was sure that the Soviets knew what was happening from people in Havana in their employ.

Two tugs pulled the ship into dock, while the Apaches kept anybody with guns away from the lines. General Weever worked on getting the ships to surrender, while I worked with the Cuban Army.

Six officers came to see me and two happened to be sporting fresh wounds. Instead of haranguing them, I stated the political environment of their small island. They were even led to see Jimenez and Alonso in bed after being operated on. I had actually done most of this work but it would be wasted, I was sure, for a firing squad was waiting for them.

I showed them the papers signed by their former president and the clauses stipulating I was now in charge till a government was formed. They were typical Spanish men and very proud. Instead of threatening right away I showed them the tanks and the three types of helicopters, including the much larger Huey IIs, which were more suitable for carrying troops.

This design was much larger than what had been built before and it even sported two separate rotors for the lift that was needed. Here, again, it had the turbine for the needed power.

I showed them the weapons they had faced last night and told them the number of people who had stood them and the Communists off, when three of my newly-arrived 'men' walked by in full gear. The lone woman with them stopped when asked and saluted. After asking her and the two men to help me explain their gear, she posed in a much more macho style. I explained how we were all in constant communication with our home base. I explained how they worked, mentioning the video, audio and textual information sent to us and sent to our home base for analysis.

The Cubans were stunned even more by the personnel because a sizable portion of our forces was female. Only a few were in combat positions and half of those were helicopter pilots or gunners.

The Cubans seemed to have great difficulty getting over the fact that the majority of their losses were to the new group, the new group that had women at the controls.

When I continued with the explanation and told them we could see in the dark and read any map projected onto our monocle they started to get an idea of what we were capable of. They were not even close, for I did not tie in the satellite coverage or the beacons that would be our substitute for a GPS on the island. We could simply see a target and artillery could home in on it if close enough. A missile or a fighter could do likewise. They did, however, see how much they were overmatched in fighting.

The best was saved for last and the men walked into our temporary headquarters and found a projection machine displaying live coverage of one of the landings. At my verbal request the camera zoomed in and I was able to show the uniforms and the name on the ship. We switched to the other location and similar information was displayed.

The computer now showed a colour map of Cuba with its original six provinces. Roads and even paths were added, then the probable direction of each of the invading armies.

We talked a few minutes about the timetable and I mentioned our assumption that they would offload the ship in Ceinfuegos before making any advances.

"It is possible they will try to make it look like a police action here in Havana when they come to help their people in the two ships. They may want an extra day to start offloading their own tanks and troops."

I promoted the highest-ranking man present and told him to go to one of the warehouses we had taken, for weapons superior to what was usually issued to the Cuban military. This, I guess, was the quickest way to a soldier's heart and they went off to do as I commanded. In a few hours they would have to defend the city from three Soviet ships and the island from three other groups of invaders.

The wounded from the two derelicts were coming ashore and were put up in a temporary field hospital. We used as many of their people as possible to help. Some doctors in Calgary used a medic's hands to work on some of the cases. The hearties aboard the ship were questioned one at a time and segregated after they answered our questions.

The rest were transported to a large, flat area out of town that would have to keep them till the fighting was over.

The wheelhouses of the ships had been one of our first targets and this meant that there were few officers present. This was not bad when they were Communists but the men needed structure from some of their own.

Our vessels were being unloaded as quickly as possible and then dispatched. Cuba had very little in the way of major defences and it should be assumed that with a successful coup the Communists would be in charge of the city. Now would be the time to distribute the nuclear bombs, before the Americans knew what was happening. In a way it was a brilliant manoeuvre that would keep the island from being liberated by the very strong army from the north.

I had to see what I could do about the three approaching ships and I didn't want all our forces here in this city if we had a nuclear incident. The Soviets thought that they had surprise on their side but I hoped that they would not be ready. I was gambling on hitting all the targets at one time. This meant that the three ships to the south had to be allowed to continue unloading, while we waited for the northern three.

This operation hinged on us getting some very important supplies off our own ships so they would be ready when the visitors came. There was no way this could be done but we worked frantically anyway. Not all were tanks and helicopters; there were also munitions and spare parts. One ship mainly had a cargo of the fuel we needed. Finding and securing good fuel in Cuba was not likely, considering our needs for purity.

At the bottom of number three hold was what we needed and this cargo was covered with all sorts of equipment from medical supplies to tents. In desperation I called the Cuban army in and used them as stevedores. Just thirty minutes from when the ships would be at the mouth of the bay, we reached the crates we needed. They were quickly taken out of their boxes and placed in their special-purpose receptacles. The missile was already encased in a disposable launcher that hid it from casual sight. We were limited because of their weight and this meant that only one torpedo could be fitted to each helicopter.

These were the ones invented by the Russians that were actually missiles that could fly through the water at 500 kilometres per hour. This was accomplished by it having a flat nose that formed a highly compressed sphere of air immediately in front of the moving missile. It took a while to gain enough speed to get into this mode of travel but it made up for it later.

These models had a prosthetic on the front that would allow it to be seen but would fall off in seconds after hitting the water. The range was over 12 miles and the explosive charge was a hundred pounds of high explosive. A portion blew up before striking the hull and this shaped charge made a large hole for the rest of the missile to enter and blow up within the vessel itself.

There was not enough time to get everything set. Three small ships of the Cuban Coast Guard went out with some of our men to slow down the ships' approach. There was no way we could actually get them to stay out without an overt threat.

We were greatly surprised when one ship had actually peeled off and their radio messages said it was going to Matanzas for a fifth point of attack.

The third coast guard ship did come along side to ask questions but in reality our sensors were hard at work looking for the unimaginable on each ship.

One of the other ships wanting access to Havana was the one holding Hell in its bowels. We found four distinct areas of radiation that were all fairly centrally located.

The captain of the Swedish-flagged Soviet freighter sounded to me much more like a Russian general than a Swedish sailor. We were able to stall them a half-hour, which was long enough to get the helicopters ready.

With the coastguard vessel out of the way the Prince Olaf headed into port. In an area just a hundred feet deep four helicopters approached, two at the bow and two at the stern. At four miles and well within Cuban territorial waters they released their burdens. The missiles had acquired their target and after igniting underwater quickly sped to where they were aimed. Three minutes and twelve seconds later the ship seemed to leap from the water and then fall back. Another torpedo was aimed at each of the other two ships at approximately the same time and within seconds of the first explosion the other two had explosions in their engine rooms.

I watched all this from inside our war room. The projection TV was showing us as much detail a possible and it was twelve feet high. We had our own small version of what was available in Calgary and used it in conjunction with home base to fight.

At the same time the Prince Olaf was sinking, a flight of Apaches hugging the earth struck a long line of parked tanks from Buena Ventura on Bay of Pigs. At the same time, a flight of Harriers flew in from the ocean and released their weapons, too. There was no overlap, for the computers had made sure of not only the course but also the individual targets. We had a full compliment of sixteen Hellfire missiles and almost invariably they took out a tank. Flight after flight pounced on the tanks and the SAM sites now operational around the stranded ship.

Harriers, after releasing their ordinance looked for any airborne enemies and attacked anything that might endanger our operation.

The advance had not gone far, because it had to be timed with the other Soviet movements. The area around the Bay of Pigs was mostly swamp. The Harriers dropped many cluster bombs to make sure the enemy was contained.

For good measure, the large propellers that were completely out of the water were targeted and now there would be no retreat.

To the northwest at Batabano, just across the island from Havana, a similar operation was taking place. Here, five SAMs were fired and I found that our countermeasures were far more advanced than the offensive capabilities of the Russian missiles.

The area here was not as flat and the Apaches had to fly into valleys to take out the tanks as they followed the roads that wove through the hills. Our satellite was able to pinpoint their positions and even the direction their guns were facing. The Hellfires were released and the helicopter dropped back behind the hills.

Infantry were throwing what they could at the Apaches but nothing seemed to work. The Apaches were far enough away that an RPG was of no use and the SAM sites were knocked out whenever they used radar.

Far to the west in Ceinfuegos, six of the large Huey IIs brought in infantry, while the Harriers dropped smart bombs with pinpoint accuracy onto the large warehouse and the stern of the ship still unloading. The dock beside the ship was targeted, not only to get some large cases being moved but also to hopefully keep the ship form releasing more material of war.

The local militia and any army units had only been warned a few minutes before the raid. There was no way we could trust anybody not in our units. In Ceinfuegos the Cubans might have been able to help but in Buena Ventura and in Batabano, they would not be of much assistance till they were organized.

In Havana harbour I was glad to see no mushroom cloud. I was only seven miles away and if one of the bombs had gone off, I would not have had time to see the cloud anyway.

Radio communications had been sent but we had our own way of blocking this from each enemy unit and the world. The two stranded ships were ordered to stop communications and drop anchor. It took a Hellfire round to each of the radio rooms to get this message across adequately.

Ships of all kinds and our helicopters went out to look for survivors. My wives had not been told of the atomic weapons and they were still angry with me for attacking the ships. Legal experts said I was in the clear when I fought for Cuba. The girls had their own feelings on the matter. The presence of the atomic weapons was to be kept a secret, if at all possible. I didn't want this confrontation escalating.

I watched with General Weever, as our forces continued to attack enemy units on the southern shore. The majority of the fighting was thirty miles north of the town. We were trying to deny the Soviets a foothold in a nearby town. If they got within this area, we would have to fight house to house, which would make the fighting much more dangerous for us.

Advance units of our tank force engaged the enemy in the hills. They had the same sensor suite as the helicopters. Their 120 mm guns were much more than a match for the opposition. We were able to hit five out of six targets, while going forty kilometres per hour on rough ground. No other tank could even hope to do this.

The battles lasted throughout the night and into the next day. Our losses were minuscule compared to what we were meting out. Two tanks had been damaged by very large land mines. The enemy did not live long enough to enjoy the fact.

Being lured into making some unwise choices got two helicopters shot down. Again, there was quick retribution. Our Hueys picked up the damaged units to keep them from enemy hands. Three Black Hawks were shot down because they had no real armour. We had only 730 soldiers on the island. A full third were women and some of those even served as 'copter and Harrier pilots. I found, when one of the women was shot down, the retribution was much quicker and thorough. None were killed but one did suffer some broken bones.

We suffered twenty-nine confirmed deaths in the recent action and from the original incursion. A little more than twice that number had taken wounds or otherwise incapacitated. This was remarkably light, considering what had been accomplished. If women had been in more combat roles, I knew that they would have formed a higher proportion of the dead. Even if this were to happen, I was glad that there were some women to help me cross this wide mental chasm that people of this time had.

From Havana harbour, we fished many bodies and a few survivors from the Prince Olaf. One, in particular, looked very beautiful, even when wet. Sonia Morozov still had her platinum blond hair and green eyes. When I looked on her in a hospital bed she was hooked up to intravenous and looked less beautiful with the bandages on her face, chest and legs. She was too fragile for questioning but I was dying to find out her story.

The next day there was no shortage of Soviet spy planes. They even flew low over the island. There were very many over Havana and American forces had to chase them away.

I had calls from most of the militaries of the free world. The calls had to be put off, because I was so busy. Some, like the Americans, British and even the Canadians flew down to see for themselves what had happened and to find out why.

Our divers worked day and night on the Prince Olaf and on the third day brought up the first of the nuclear weapons. We just managed to get the last of the four units on land before a Russian flotilla steamed into the harbour. There was an aircraft carrier and an even dozen escorts. Surrounding them was a much larger fleet of American warships.

None of this activity was mentioned to my guests for fear of them taking the bombs from me. The Russians would say nothing hoping to recover the bombs later. I had my own plans and they would now include a threat to the Russians if they tried anything more in Cuba or to me personally.

I had personal protection. Helen, Laura and Seiko now came to keep me out of trouble. They brought fifty-three more technicians to work on the damaged equipment. The first night after they arrived, I was too exhausted to do anything but kiss them. It did feel good to have them near.

The family all basically knew what was happening and they sent their kind wishes. The newspapers had gone wild again printing stories. All this had happened, because we had released carefully worded accounts of what we hoped to happen, then in the last week the information had been slanted a bit to give the Soviets less information. Mom and dad had gone on television to talk about this latest action. They had done the work well. The Soviets were shown in a bad light. The struggle between Communism and Capitalism was explained and what drove it. Dad didn't go very deep into the matter, because our own system had some very murky parts that the viewers would not like to be reminded of.

The girls worked right along with the others providing communications, like they had done in Calgary. The female contingent of our armed forces seemed to gather around my wives. The generals, being male, did not yet have the insight needed, to work well with a mixed-gender force.

General Weever drafted Seiko for the duration to work as his liaison. Seiko was still meek and mild at heart, even if she could beat almost any man. I thought it a good choice and now the girls got some easy to talk to representation, while the general got some education.

Sonia Morozov was improving but was still confined to the infirmary. Some of the girls in our unit visited the hospital and this invariably cheered up the men and two women. Irene Stint was the woman shot down and she was now recovering from a broken leg and an arm.

It wasn't long before I found my wives there, too. Usually they were just sitting and gossiping.

The camp outside Havana was unofficially called 'Kamp Kramer'. I didn't like the name but I didn't want to come across as a tyrant, either. We worked hard to make it as livable as possible. The POWs were given tents and some tools to build a barracks. I also gave them more than enough materials to build a church. The Communists had gone to a lot of work to get their atheistic teachings across. I thought that I should just do the opposite.

The Russian ambassador was trying everything he knew to get his country's ships back. He wanted the cargo and even volunteered to raise the Prince Olaf, even after we found out it was the Petrov. I didn't want to release the ships or the prisoners and that meant that Cuba did not either. After the original Bay of Pigs fiasco, the survivors had been ransomed back for humanitarian supplies. Here I was going to do something a bit different and a bit the same.

We had a total of 4,893 prisoners. Half of these were hurt but recovering. This also left a big job of burying the dead. This meant 6,459 individual graves, with one area getting only body parts. A mass grave was more practical but individual graves were more in tune with my religion. Some of the explosions were so fierce that on occasion nothing could be found at all. With the help of the lists of names and the prisoners' memories, we were at least able to put named markers on the ground over each of the graves, even if empty.

We had a mass service, which was attended by the Russians, Americans, Cubans and, of course, the prisoners. Church services were run in Roman Catholic and Lutheran traditions, even though the East Germans were supposed to be atheists now.

In a novel approach to prisoners of war, I released the damaged or destroyed equipment to the mostly East Germans at the camp. This allowed them to repair some of the equipment, keep busy and earn a living. They were paid better than what they got in East Germany and much more than a Cuban would get. This was done on a per piece basis and if they were not productive, they got little pay. This was one of the problems with the other East Germans, when they were finally reintegrated into Germany in my time.

The Russian officers were segregated, as well as the brainwashed East Germans. This gave everybody else a chance to remember what capitalism was really like. Sweat, hard work, innovative thinking and dedication to the job were what I was teaching and the carrot was pay and what the money could buy. The Russian foot soldiers were soon transferred to join the East Germans.

In a week, we had our first USO show for them. The girls were Cuban but some of our men who spoke German put on some acts. I gave Elvis and Roy Orbison some songs in Spanish and German to sing. Newspapers under plastic were posted all over the camp and anybody wishing could read what the world had to say about the aborted invasion. I worked hard and was able to get some papers from Russia and East Germany posted as well. Tass, being the official voice of the Soviets, had an entirely different slant on things. This was reflected in the papers made available.

By the second week, we had some of the Cuban Army working with the equipment, to learn how it worked. I had to pay them, too but it was all for a good cause. The number of guards watching the camps dropped, as they took on duties of teaching. The East Germans were given much more say over their own affairs. I hoped to have them think they were in my army and I gave them unescorted leave if they deserved it. The American government graciously helped me in this. They sold me shiploads of American merchandise without the usual taxes. This was the same way the American service men were able to purchase cheap goods overseas and at home. I had the people waiting but ships take a long time to fill and empty again, to say nothing about travel time.

The Americans countered the Russian's fleet and kept the majority on their ships. Russia claimed that they had been sending aid to an island that was in desperate need of it. The corruption was listed as the way all Capitalist governments functioned. Some concerned citizens had banded together called on Mother Russia to provide succour. They had been attacked by one of the richest Capitalists for no reason but to protect his property. It seemed like the thought they were trying to get across was that I was going to take over Cuba for my own needs.

The American military wanted to take over now but the Cuban government didn't want them, either. The request was formed in the strongest possible terms but it was dealt with as diplomatically as possible. Even though they were quiet for a while, I knew they would continue to see what they could do to change our minds.

The American soldiers did get much more shore leave and came to our bases to see what we had won the battles with. I showed them samples of the hundred thousand man-hours captured on our television cameras. Most of the time it was projected 12 feet tall on a wall, so they could get a good view. This would show a Hellfire being launched and the helicopter taking cover. Sometimes it was the Challenger that showed dramatic footage as it propelled itself at full speed and hit over 80 percent of its targets.

Later, an edited version would show what our satellite saw in relation to each incident. The satellite would show the actual flight of the missile and how it impacted on target, if it managed to do so. At the moment I wanted to keep the fact that we had spy satellites from everybody, especially when they were much better than our first generation.

My newly recruited mercenaries dealt fairly well with their army's defeat. Some couldn't but we kept them with their units and let them deal with this problem. The same was true of the Cuban military but most came over to my side after I said I would be leaving after setting up a responsible government.

Some mob representatives came back and found destroyed buildings. They wanted compensation from the Cuban government for their losses. This time, they would have to go through the courts and the courts could see that the old order was dying and work responsibly now. I took a page from the French in Indochina and had corruption and all facets of the old mob order being severely punished. Prostitution was left alone as long as it was individual girls. Pimps I despised and they soon found they had to hide.

A government cannot last if it is imposed from without. A civilization cannot develop a just society without education and some guidance by the more visionary members of their society. It seemed to be a catch-22 situation but I hoped there was a bit of middle ground that could be exploited to make this work.

Independence day was December 10 and 1958 it had special significance. I sent people to look for Castro and the other revolutionaries. The burning of American-owned cane fields and other acts of vandalism had come to a halt as the people looked around and hoped for a change for the better. I hoped to be able to do this.

An interim government had been formed and laws were passed to give everybody on the island equal rights, especially the women and the blacks. Minimum wages were set, with heavy fines for anybody not following the rules. The wage was not high but it was higher than some people now got. The large foreign companies cried hard and went through the usual route of bribery to get the law changed. Two ministers and a dozen bureaucrats were executed very soon after and the reasons why given in the newspapers. The people seemed to enjoy this form of entertainment, even if it was only seen in print.

The rich were now taxed more but I didn't want to cut off the flow of funds. I hoped that the island would have tax laws that were as fair as those in North America but without much of the loopholes and bullshit that they had accumulated over the years. Corporations now had to pay their share but the rate was not that high.

The people looked for more executions after the latest laws but for some odd reason we only got harassed through the legal channels, which was acceptable. I was seen to be oppressing the people along with the other rich. I took it with a strong voice and a pointing finger. I did my best to not look like the former leader of this country.

The Soviet military were encouraged to leave but the embassy was upgraded considerably in the meantime. The United States even escorted the ships part of the way to make sure they didn't get lost. The embassy personnel did have some problems, for they were always underfoot. I had a long list of rich Soviet citizens vacationing in Cuba now and I couldn't do much about it.

Sonia, too, started to respond much more to her treatments. My wives helped her at first and then got her a cane. I personally operated on her with the help of Calgary if I needed it, which I didn't. Laura and even Helen, assisted. There were good doctors but none who were good enough for this kind of work.

When she was mobile between operations, she was able to see many of the things we could do with our technology. This was either already known, or would be very soon. Her finding out first would make her feel better, my wives told me.

Laura told me one night, "Sonia had been talking to us in private about her life in the Soviet Union. She told us she works for the KGB but is not an operative. She is used as someone who will entice men to tell her things. She says she was forced to do this since right after graduating from school. When she refused, they used her sick father as a bargaining chip, saying he would not get the treatments he needed to stay alive. Her younger brother was taken away and she never hears from him now, except through a few censored letters."

I held Laura's hands and looked into her eyes, "What is it you want me to do?"

"We know you have this drug that makes a person to tell the truth. When we hinted about this, Sonia said she wanted to have her loyalty tested, to show that she hates what her country is now like."

"I can do that, Laura and it may even be as you say but if she was working for the KGB, this means that they still have a hold over her. You know things that the Soviets would gladly kill for. They would do many times worse to their own people, if it meant that they would learn some of what you know."

"You were asking about what to do with the people who attacked the island. The communists want their ships and equipment back. Maybe you can make a deal to get Sonia's family transferred, either here or to our home, so they will be safe. The Soviets would have no hold over her then."

"I am sorry, Laura but they would always have a hold over her. With her immediate family gone, the Soviets would look for other family members or perhaps even the town of village where she was born would be threatened, if she did not give a small token of her knowledge. After that, she would be blackmailed into doing whatever they want her to do. Perhaps they even have many photographs of her and the people she would have helped blackmail. Those could be used to get her compliance."

"She was not like that. She had a fiancé till he died and she only dated the men she was supposed to meet."

"I find that very hard to believe. I think she would be forced to do whatever they wanted."

"Use your drug and find out for sure."



-------

Chapter 44


A small American supply ship came into port and was unloaded faster than anybody could ever remember. The stevedores were East German and our own men. In two hours the goods started to appear on the shelves we set up and it was taken out as fast as it was placed. It didn't matter what we placed on the shelves; it was gone soon. I wisely placed the alcohol last and restricted it to a bottle or a case of twelve beers per person.

The East Germans could now see what their efforts would bring and worked harder on their per piece basis. The Soviet officers and the East Germans still clinging hard to their old ideas were allowed to buy what they wanted as well. They enjoyed their purchases but griped about not being given the same privileges as the much larger group. The men working hard were given prizes of going to some of the small towns to shop or just sightsee. There were a limited number of single girls and they were very much in demand.

I told the officers, "Your country will want you back and they will have to deal with me to do that. I have my own ideas about what you are worth. If you run off and find your way into the Soviet Embassy, then I have nothing to trade. I still think that you are so fixated with your political ideology that you may do some rash things. I want nobody hurt and that includes your group. Till I find that you have changed your understanding of how socialism and capitalism work, you will be restricted to this base."

I came to a decision about Sonia after talking to her in her room.

"Hello, Alex," Sonia said nervously as she started to wring her hands and then quickly stopped.

"Hi, Sonia, it is nice that you are getting around better. When I talked to you two days ago you were using the cane for more support."

"The legs are healing and so is my arm. Both are a bit sore on occasion but I hope to get over it soon."

I reached up to her face and gently turned her jaw to one side to see the small scar. I had worked on this injury myself three times and although I was not a cosmetic surgeon, I was better than most of the doctors available. I was able to get some help in Calgary and they assisted me in making the scar as small as possible.

Sonia closed her eyes like a cat when I touched her and I said, "The scar on your jaw is healing well. In a few years you will not be able to notice it without really looking."

"Do you think people will notice me, Alex?"

She was fishing for compliments but I didn't mind in the least. I enjoyed talking to her, for she was intelligent and very witty. I smiled and said, "People will give you a second look even when you are old and gray. I know I would."

She smiled like a little girl and then looked to the floor. "I think we had better get on with this. I am so nervous that I have to pee all the time."

"You don't have to do this Sonia."

"I want you to trust me, Alex. I need you to do this."

I held her hand and said, "Let's go, sweetie."

She walked with me to the infirmary and had to take my hand after a few steps. She had not been like this before but I could see her reasoning. She lay down in a hospital bed and I administered the truth drug. This was done alone, with no electronic witnesses.

I grilled her ruthlessly for almost two hours, which was the maximum for the drug. The things I said and the way they were delivered, required me to act much differently from usual. I had to be hard, callous and offensive when I did not have those feelings for this woman.

I looked into what she knew that would be of benefit to me regarding Cuba and found that she had no idea that there were any nuclear devices on the ship she was sailing. As far as she knew, the Soviets just wanted to help Miguel Sanchez and his group of revolutionaries to take over the island government. This intrigued me, because all the revolutionary groups were socialist, if not Communist and I did not know why Sanchez was singled out for help.

Apart from finding out about her past, I found her motivations for what she had done. I tried to trip her up many ways but she hung onto her beliefs while under the influence of the drug. Her country she saw as a monster, when it should have been a loving entity. Instead of nurturing, it was making her do things that she abhorred. The fact that they knew this and continued, made her hate them even more.

The handler she had was the worse. She thought herself very lucky that he was homosexual and left her alone. She had been beaten where it did not show on a few occasions, because she refused to do what was asked of her. This showed that she had backbone and would stand up for what she believed in. He had been on the ship when it went down but his body had not been found yet.

Her brother was fifteen, about the same age as Aron. From his infrequent letters she found he was embracing the Communist ideals in the special school he was in. This sounded to me like a place to launder the minds of those young and malleable.

I looked into her love life. This was not to be intrusive but to see what handles the Soviets may still have over her. She had her boyfriend but also a series of girlfriends. Most had been friends but the remainder had been lovers. Thinking on this matter I wondered if the boyfriend was camouflage and the girls her real objective.

She had not been anything but a friend to my girls but she wanted to be much closer. She had been part of a large and vibrant family till Stalin thought them a bit too vibrant and had most of them executed. She must see my family the same way, especially when her family had so many sisters.

This idea changed a moment later when she reluctantly mentioned that she found me to be her ideal mate. This appeared to be much more than just infatuation. I dug further and found that her boyfriend had looked much like I did when I first met her. I sought to find if the Soviets had planted this idea into her mind. They would be much too crude with their present methods and I would be able to see it with the help of my drug.

Sonia knew a great deal about me and my family. Part of it was what information she had been fed but a good portion was here own curiosity and being able to read between the lines.

She had actually been sent to Cuba to find me. The Soviets had heard of my predictions over a year ago and this had been what had triggered them to take a much harder look at Cuba and the problems here. They had not expected me to lead a mercenary army but to work with Batista in bolstering his army to find and destroy all the different groups of insurgents.

Even to the Soviets, it was easy to see how intrigued Sonia was with me. They simply used this to their advantage.

She woke up groggy an hour later and she saw me sitting beside the bed talking on my cell phone about some problems in one of my plants. She gave me a weak smile and I got off the phone and said, "Did you have a nice nap?"

"Ah, I think so. Are you done?"

"Yes, I am. The drug causes short term memory loss which is useful most of the time." I did not mention that the drug was very efficient and with the proper application a person would tell their deepest and darkest secrets. I had watched the drug's use very carefully, because it would be a very powerful tool in any government's quest for ultimate power. This drug I had made myself and I wanted to keep the secret as long as possible.

"Do you believe me now about what I said?"

"I do, Sonia. That still leaves many problems. Your family, for one and the fact that you were used by the Soviets, while I make sophisticated weapons. I can only try to work to resolve these issues but I think both will be very difficult."

She reached her hand over and held mine resting on the bed. "I know you will try very hard and that will be enough."

Oddly enough, I knew she was right, for I would do my damnedest to make sure she was free.

Our forces were still patrolling the island looking for revolutionaries. They were not shooting, though but dropping leaflets to have the leaders send a representative to a meeting. This meeting would try to bring all the opposition together and get them to cooperate to form a new government.

Messages were finally sent to me and a date was mentioned on radio so all could attend.

On February the first the meeting took place. The main revolutionaries sent representatives, while the smaller groups had to show up personally or not be represented. The new government was there, too. Some were Batista's men, while others had been the opposition that had fled to the United States when threatened by Batista. I had used my own discretion and appointed people where they could do the most good.

Before we sat down to talk, I took the revolutionaries to look at the ring of men and weapons I had put in place to protect them. This was also a threat that I would not treat treachery lightly. They were amazed at the number of German-speaking recruits I had who were learning our high tech secrets. When asked about this, I replied that I gave my old enemies a chance to work with me to build a new world. I was quite sure that they thought it was just bullshit but I was speaking the truth.

When we actually sat down to talk, I had to mention the framework we had to work within. A Communist government was impossible but one embracing many socialist ideals was acceptable to me personally. I gave a five-minute lecture on how Communism was going to die and how Capitalism needed a hand now and again to keep its greed in check.

Old grievances were mentioned and the text was written into the minutes of the meeting. The first day did not get very far. I could now see how the members of parliament back home looked like they were sleeping all the time with their eyes open. It seemed to be an acquired knack, gained after many years of practice.

In the next few days the present government objected very strenuously to the demands placed on them. I let the discussion continue and tried to act more as a referee than the de facto leader of a country.

The revolutionaries howled in anger at the ministers, as they wanted to protect their own little fiefdoms. Again I only mediated.

The only thing to mar the meetings was some sabotage near Camaguey, where the oil fields were. This was traced back to five young men. They all died, even when the last two wanted to give up. I could not afford a court case now distracting the negotiations, or the men at the meeting suddenly wanting to protect their brothers in the struggle for world Communism.

At the end of the week we made up a list of what was accomplished or currently being worked on. I asked each representative if the sheet was true and if so, to sign it. They reluctantly did this after it was explained that they did not have to agree to anything but the articles written.

I went on the radio to talk about our meeting. With me I brought two of the leaders of the smaller groups and three of the representatives of the larger groups. I acted like this were a debate and let the present government refute the revolutionaries' claims. The revolutionaries were not very articulate but made up for it with their sincerity. The government did not look too good when fighting on the defensive. The men Batista chased out of the country were not that innocent, either.

At the end of our program I invited all the leaders of the revolution to attend our next meeting. I gave my word that nobody would be harmed or coerced. I even said they could bring their weapons to the camp where the meetings were held but had to turn them in, so their weapons did not do the talking if they were at a loss for words.

On Saturday night I turned the tables and had the government demand answers why many acts of vandalism, mayhem and murder had taken place. Here I had to enforce the rules like I did the day before but more stringently. The revolutionaries had not been prepared to be on the receiving end.

We broke for church on Sunday but many of the representatives had gone back to talk to their leaders or to simply think things over. The ministers went back to governing but I was sure they were shaking in their boots again at the changes that had to happen.

After a week the talks resumed but now the leaders of the large revolutionary groups came. Castro was not the leader of the strongest group but he was the most articulate and educated.

The meeting was now in a much larger room and I had this event filmed. There were very few televisions in Cuba and this would go into the national archives as a very important event.

We went through all the grievances again and who should pay for what. This worked for both the government and the insurgents. A few times I had to call a recess, because I thought they would crawl over the table at each other.

Hate was very deep here, for the government had done things and the injured parties had to turn guerrilla to get their own point across. The government had called in the military and the tit for tat had escalated to a no—holds—barred conflict.

After two more days we were all exhausted. Again I used the radio and allowed each person an allotted amount of time to say their piece. I only had to give one warning but that was not heard on the radio.

The newspapers were used the same way, with me paying the bill. Not many Cubans could read but those who could, would get a column of text from each delegate expressing their views. Usually this was transcribed and edited as many times as the speaker wanted. Nobody put words into their mouths but they didn't want to be thought of as uneducated by the masses. This way I could get them trained in fields outside of marksmanship, demolition and the burning of cane fields.

The Russian ambassador had come to see me many times and it wasn't till this round of meetings came about that he asked, "What do you intend to do with the weapons you took from the Petrov?"

"If they are any good they will be dispersed to the Cuban military."

"You know what I mean Mr Kramer."

"Tell me exactly what you mean Mr Ambassador."

"The four nuclear weapons."

"Oh, those weapons. Well, I worked on two of them to improve their yield and made them much more unlikely to detonate accidentally. The other two have just been repaired but still have the original Cyrillic writing on them."

His country and the United States had failed to notice how fast our torpedoes had travelled. Part of it was because we showed them other things and didn't push the information about the torpedo at all.

"They do get your country's interest. I do not like nuclear blackmail but I am afraid that is what is going to happen. The United States, Britain and France will make the Soviet Union and China develop their own bombs and technology. You will not be able to focus on the needs of your people and they will become discontented. India, West Pakistan, North Korea and Israel I fear will get the technology and make the bombs. The first two will play you against the west to get aid and for protection. North Korea is ruled by a man I consider crazy. They will get the bomb at the expense of their people. Israel will make the bomb simply to protect itself from its very numerous Arab neighbours."

I continued by saying, "I am willing to discuss some trading for one of the bombs."

"What do you want for it? You are already one of the richest people in the world, I believe."

"I do not want money. I try to let each company work on its own, if possible. This is just such a case. Russia has not been very anxious to get the troublesome East Germans back. I propose that you throw your borders open to the East Germans and allow them to immigrate here or to Canada. You, of course, will provide transportation and some means of keeping them alive and productive. This means that you supply some industry to the Cubans and they make some commodity that can be sold to the world."

"Our people will not want to leave. They have everything they need and are happy."

"Mr Ambassador, you are not talking to a school child. I know that there is hunger and very few of the necessities of life. I also know that you are trying hard to do what is right but cannot make it work as fast as the west. If the west were not pushing you so fast, you would last as a civilisation much longer but the sad fact is that your people are not driven to succeed. They will come flocking to this island if the opportunity is given."

"That is not true. We have a great many Nobel Laureates. Our mathematicians and scientists are leading the world in many areas. We are trying to build a utopia but we only get people trying to destroy what we make."

I calmly replied, "That is all very true. You are authoritarian enough to put a gifted person into the right environment to succeed. You also tell a person what they are going to be doing for the rest of their lives. This does not work for long. If you protect a worker and his job, he will produce less and less. The quality will drop and sometimes the product will become unusable. Some companies in the west are even worse, when they use cheap labour like slaves. There are many inequities as the economies of the world reintegrate. When we switch over to a world economy, then trade will be a blessing and a curse as it is with every new idea."

The Ambassador said, "I do not believe your assumptions, Mr Kramer. Communism is what the human race is destined for."

"Let us agree to disagree then." I went to a drawer and brought out a sheaf of papers. "Here is what I want. One bomb is the price but it is not mentioned in the papers. Please convey this to your leaders."

The papers not only had my demands for machinery and people but to begin in earnest the production of some space based projects. The binder could get me branded a traitor, because it had some very high-tech secrets on the rockets I wanted made. This information could readily be used to make faster long distance weapons, too.

Discussions with the rebel leaders and the government produced some good results. There would be a vote on July fourth to form a new government. There would be no voting shenanigans, because all eligible voters would be photographed and fingerprinted to be able to cast their vote at the polls. The identity cards now would be intrusive of me but it was a way to make this election work. It was really little different than a picture on a driver's licence. I thought of every which way to cheat and then worked backwards to prevent it. Most of the Cubans were illiterate and this made a much more difficult time of conveying information to the public. I hoped, over time we could use the data to make a health registry similar to what Canada had in the future. Now I had to find a way to use the data without it becoming a tool of the state to oppress people.

The Japanese companies came to the rescue and first brought thousands of transistor radios powered by solar cells and rechargeable batteries. These were dispersed to every hamlet or larger congregation of people. The Roman Catholic Church was encouraged to assist, so that everybody would get a chance to vote and know what was at stake. In weeks and months ahead, I wanted televisions used to inform the people and to educate them as well. Music and dancing were well understood and this now would be shown. I guess I would be starting another movie and song industry here, starting with some talent shows.

Helen and Laura came to me with an offer. One of the companies that they ran made dolls. It was experiencing an unheard-of demand. They needed more of the dolls and just bought more machines. They wanted to make some of the dolls here and get the countryside to make the clothes for them.

Helen said, "Why don't we make the dolls here and ship them in parts to the United States? They can then assemble them and put them in our packaging."

"I will look into it. It would be advantageous to get Cuba placed in a most favoured category, so the articles are not taxed as hard."

Laura added, "We were thinking of adding some colours to the plastic to make the dolls resemble the girls in the countries that will be purchasing them. We are already making the Japanese dolls look like their girls. They just love the Seiko doll and we can't keep them on the shelves either."

I had not heard of the Seiko doll but I could not manage everything even if I wanted to. It was the girls' company to run and this was the way to learn. The rest was a good idea and said so. "Those are good ideas. I would like to get the girls to learn many things their parents don't even know. Can you think of a way to do this?"

A light seemed to go on behind Helen's eyes and after a moment she said, "You made those chips that play music or say words. Last Christmas, we used them in cards we sent to our friends. If you can find a way to make a lot of small messages instead of a single long one, we could just mix up your ideas with some sayings the girls would use."

This was a great idea and I just stood there thinking of ways to get context sensitive information to the girls. Not only could this go into all the Helen, Laura and now, the Seiko dolls but they could be used to teach girls all over the world about cleanliness, attitude and explain the right to say no.

If I made thin contacts like those used for a keyboard, then squeezing a body part could get a message about that portion. A magnet could do the same thing. Different messages could come from each of the three dolls and they would be called 'Teacher Helen' or the name of the two other girls. The chip used also had more NAND RAM than what was needed to power simple Christmas ornaments that played a long series of carols.

I must have walked out of the room for I found myself being given a cup of coffee while working at my desk. Under my hands were quite a few sheets of paper with drawings and notes on them. I kissed Seiko's hand and said, "Thanks Honey. We were talking about the dolls and making them talk."

"Oh, I heard all about it. Laura said you just got that look in your eyes and just left. Is it going to be good?"

I showed her the papers, then some of my innovations. "The dolls may be expensive to make and I have to find a way making them reliable and tactually pleasing."

She bent over and gave me a kiss and said, "You keep at it for another hour and then it is time to bed for you."

I kissed her back and said in a high-pitched voice, "Yes mommy."

By the time the hour was up, I had decided to bring some of the boys south for a working vacation. North Bay had a sudden late winter snowstorm that deposited a foot of snow on the ground.

Many would not want to come, for I had drawn up diagrams for the construction of what were modern skidoos, which I retained as the name. Bombardier at one time made the old units that were enclosed, while I wanted the modern, open construction. I sold the idea to Bombardier for only five percent of their company and gave them an inside tract in manufacturing the machines with some new motorcycle engines made in Japan. The clothing and helmets I suggested as a way to make further profits.

When I went to bed, I counted heads and found four not the three I had expected. One of the two in the middle had very light blond hair and green eyes. She looked very frightened and the girls were smiling trying to show that they went along with the idea.

I had wanted Helen to take the position of head wife but she was not up to this task. Laura, though, was and she loved her fellow wives and watched over them like a mother hen sometimes. If something changed in the family, it was a good guess to find that Laura had either thought of it or okayed its inception. Tonight, I asked, "Tell me about this, Laura."

"Ah, we... I know that Sonia really likes you. She has been without a man for over a year. She likes us, too." Sonia lowered her gaze in shame now. "You said before that you would want the occasional girl when you are on the road. Well, we know that you like her, too and think she can be your girl when you are here in Cuba."

I looked at the women in question and said, "Do you want me, Sonia?"

She looked up very eagerly, her face red from blushing, "Oh yes I do, Alex. I never wanted anything in my life more."

I turned to Helen and asked her permission, then asked Seiko. Both of the girls liked Sonia and wanted her to be happy and they didn't mind sharing a bit more.

I smiled at Sonia and said, "We can give this a try to see how it works."

The girls squealed and Helen, who was on the outside, got out of bed and kissed me. She pushed her naked body against my robe and ran her hand inside to find me more than ready.

When her mouth was close to my ear she said, "Sonia does not know how large you are. Please go slow and we will distract her."

I looked on the bed and found Laura sucking on one of Sonia's nipples while playing on another with her fingers. Seiko's bum was pointing at me, as she sampled the taste of this Russian woman. Helen undid the knot at my waist and licked and sucked down my chest.

I had grown significantly since I was fourteen. I was six feet four inches tall. My weight was two hundred and fifty pounds. Just like my younger days, I liked to stay fit and I had found in my old life that my size made a difference in negotiations. This was even more important now, with the dangers I was facing. The wives had enjoyed me more for the things I could do, after I grew. They loved being picked up and carried. They loved to sit on me and run their hands through the hair on my chest as I fit tightly within them. In fact, Seiko had to be primed for a while before I could even enter her.

Seiko now seemed to be returning the favour by lubricating Sonia. Helen was on her knees sucking me into her mouth, with both her hands wrapped around me. I remembered when we were much younger that she had a much easier time of it.

In a moment Helen pulled off with a grin and whispered, "Go get her, Alex. She needs to be loved."

I picked her up easily and kissed her slobbery lips. "I will, my love."

The bed moved as I walked on my knees behind Seiko. I fingered her lower opening and found her well lubricated like usual. I moved right behind Seiko and used my right hand to guide the head within her. I heard her groan in pleasure at the feeling this gave her. She was very excited and this was only one of the things I loved about her.

In only four or five minutes she cried out but Sonia kept her in place with her hands. When Seiko had enough, I simply bent over the petite Japanese woman and picked her up with me still firmly inside her. This, too, was one of the things my women loved. I put her down on top of Helen and I saw the two women begin feasting on each other.

I took Seiko's place and tasted Sonia for the first time. She reacted strongly and wrapped her legs around my head. I pried her knees apart, more on principle than to give me air and took what I wanted.

She groaned and whimpered and when I looked up she was kissing Laura with the same passion a drowning person would grasp a rescuer. When I moved up, in a moment Laura was released and I was pulled up with hysterical strength. I resisted as best I could. Laura took a breath of air then worked down the bed to assist.

This reminded me of a vet assisting the mating of a prize bull or stallion, where a person sometimes had to handle the penis to ensure it went in right.

Sonia soon found herself moving around to assist my passage and couldn't understand the reason for the difficulty. She might have been under a bit of pain but didn't show it except that her ardour had lessened.

My movements were slow and methodical and she seemed to feel relieved when she found my pubic bone meeting hers.

She said, in Russian, even though I had hardly heard her use the language except in her drugged sleep, "Oh, Alex. I did not know you were so large. I should have guessed from your shoulders and the size of your hands."

While moving only slowly I said, "I have big feet, too. You should hear Helen complain when they touch her in the wintertime."

"I will never complain about your feet. Please go a little slower. I love the feeling but I have not stretched enough yet."

"Yes, my love." She smiled at this and closed her eyes, as I went even slower.

The next morning went very slowly. I had got an hours' sleep but I had four very contented girls sleeping together in our bed. I had to get up, for there was still much work to do and also an early morning appointment. I did not know what to think of Sonia. She was very beautiful and I knew she loved each of us but the Americans would see her as either a KGB agent or a person that may be swayed by her old masters. The Soviets would try everything they could to get her to do as they said, if they thought she had a hold over me.

I made some speeches to be broadcast, to explain about what the citizens had to look for as educated voters. The revolutionaries were listed as inexperienced but very dedicated to making the country great. Some of the old politicians had been ruled by Batista and his clique but did know more about how to make a country work. Rhodesia had not collapsed yet but I remember what it was like when it did. The old order was cast out and then the population had nobody who knew how to run the government, the farms, or the industry.

The doll manufacturing was thought of and I was going to try to make it work here. Matsushita made the small chips in Japan. I talked to the head of one of the divisions that I used last time, to explain what I wanted to accomplish. I faxed all the papers I had made the night before. It was now up to their research department to make the chip and a way of accessing the different sections of it.

When the girls got up, I was smothered in good morning kisses, which were intended to get me back to bed. It almost worked but the persons I had been waiting for had arrived. The girls liked the idea of building a factory here and got on their usual supplier to buy some new plastic extrusion machines. It looked like Sonia wanted in on the business aspects of this company, too.

I spent the rest of the morning working with the military, trying to get it efficient and less prone to work on its own or to start receiving graft. For the latter, I had to raise the wages and now I had to find a way to pay for all this. The economy was not ready to support all of my changes through fiscal income.

A page was stolen from the American book. The Army would be the source of my trained individuals for industry. This meant that I had to train them first but I also had to train them in duties not all related to the military. Officers could be the managers, while the electricians, mechanics, plumbers, welders and other trades could easily move into civilian life. My best bet was to downsize the military. This also meant that I had to give the retiring soldiers a way to support themselves and their families, away from the military.

I would have to get some loans set up at low interest rates, which would allow these men to start their own businesses. If this did not make capitalists out of them, then I didn't know what would.

I was afraid of one new problem on the horizon at home. Pierre Eliot Trudeau was a well-loved man who eventually became Prime Minister of Canada. He was a Liberal who did many things in attempts to pull Canada together, when the people in Québec agitated for change.

The English, or the English-acting Canadians, owned much of Canada, including Québec. A Quebecker faced a glass ceiling, much like women in regard to moving up in an organization. I had fought this with my own companies and I was very vocal about this prejudicial action. This resentment that was felt caused the Front de Libération du Québec, or FLQ, to be formed. Trudeau was a way of letting the people of Québec know that they were represented. In the process, his small 'L' liberal thinking almost bankrupted the country.

There was a very fine line between social help that assisted when needed and a safety net that was looked on as a lifelong commitment to people who thought it too difficult to find and keep a job. Workfare was a dirty word to everybody on welfare but welfare was not a great drain on the economy yet. It was just a matter of getting it integrated soon.

A video call was placed to the new Fish 'n' Chips. The building was three quarters of a million square feet on four levels. The basement was for some of our laser experiments that we were doing in conjunction with some of the other companies I was working with. Some of the original thirteen men were in this building and one in particular kept nagging me for a change-of-pace job for a while.

Josh Appleton looked to be filling out. We gave each other an update on what we were doing, along with some personal data. He had married and even had two children. His wife ran one of the many nurseries in the city and in this way had been able to stay with her children. The many social programs I initiated had to be countered with some well thought-out rules.

I had received quite a few government grants and even some running capital to keep the institutions open. Many people were employed and part of the cost had to be born on the shoulders of the parents.

"Josh, the reason I called was to ask if you and your family, would like to spend your vacation time in Cuba."

"Sure we would. When can we leave?"

I laughed at his haste and said, "Finish up what you have to and delegate the rest. I was thinking of asking a few others if they wanted to come here, too. This is on your time now but you get to see a Cuba that the other tourists never will."

I asked five other managers if they wanted to take their vacation here along with Josh. Some of our military arm were coming, too. There was little need for the old level of surveillance we had when the hostilities were happening.

In the next two weeks Sonia found more and more reasons to come to our home, till Laura set up a bedroom for her. This fooled nobody and I just had to work harder to handle four ladies. The girls were happy, because I was too drained usually to even look close at the Cuban beauties who found their way to meet me.

Batista's family had left for the United States. Batista had three and half million dollars in cash, along with a million and a half dollars in property. When I had found what I hoped was all of his assets, I allowed his family to have the largest home in the United States and they got an annual allowance from the money in the American banks. They wanted much more but their allowance was the equivalent to a million dollars a year in 2004 dollars.

We were now living in Batista's old home and the Presidential Palace was used for office space. Eventually, it would be used for the president but I didn't want to be seen as a person who coveted that job.

The mob wanted to rebuild their properties but they found that, since the laws had changed so much, it would not be as profitable. Gambling was open to everybody and this time it was regulated by the state. As competition we ran our own lotteries that would serve to finance many worthy projects.

Brothels had been outlawed but the individual girls had to have regular visits to the doctor. This would be like what was going to happen in northern Europe and it was the best compromise. There was as little chance of stopping prostitution as the Americans had in stopping drinking during prohibition. At least, this way the amount of rapes and other sexual crimes would be lower.

Hotels, however, would have to be rebuilt, because we needed tourists to come and spend their money. In the mean time, I bought some ships destined to go under the hammer. They would be turned into floating homes and moored around the island. I hoped to get enough people to rent them for their stay on the island. I bought two British submarines under the similar conditions but these would be fitted for short cruises of the reefs that abounded around Cuba. They would only go as deep as a periscope would take them and have extensive use of pressure treated glass. I could see a crew of beautiful women using a thin hose to breathe with, as they cleaned the outside of the glass.

I would have sent one to North Bay but it was impossible to get it up the French River with its many rapids, shallow areas and the sharp narrow turns.

When the plane landed, I welcomed our people to the island. I put them up at some of the homes I now owned. They were free to do anything they wanted but I knew they would talk to each other. Soon they would see how lucky we were in Canada or the United States and they would look for ways to improve things. This did not take long and in a few days they came to me with some proposals. The ideas ranged from rural electrification to ways of bringing employment to the island.

We joked about and around with the various plans and found that a few were proposed or inspired by the family members. They thought I was made of money and could do anything I wanted. Most were engineers and knew little of economics when it came to working with such a backwards country.

The East Germans who passed our security restrictions were given new clothes like the rest of us. I usually sent them off unescorted to do some jobs for me, armed with some trucks or machinery they had repaired and some of our satellite phones. Roadwork of many kinds was the usual job and they worked well with the Cubans, even if the weather was much warmer than what they were used to. Bridges were built, along with schools, public buildings and the spread of necessary utilities.

Twelve percent of the East Germans were allowed to leave for work and I had hardly any disappear on me. Some got drunk and turned up later, while some even went to the Russian Embassy. Two of these actually came back out, rather than go back under the old regime.

The East Germans on the island had been kept appeased of what I was trying to do for them. Immigration was one of the options and I told them I was trying to get their families to be allowed to leave. They were all held hostage but I had their word, which, oddly enough, was more than enough to a German. Those not wanting a new life here could opt for their old life. The ones that could not keep their word were not wanted, anyway.

Mail was sent uncensored and went directly to the Russian Embassy. It was even delivered by different people to prove that I didn't snoop. Mail coming back was not the same way and I heard many complaints that a political officer could not now intercept.

The two freighters were repaired but this meant that the landing craft carriers were cannibalized to do so. This required that the two ships had to be towed around the island and their engines transferred to the freighters. Not all of the engines were damaged and some were now used as diesel powered generators to assist the local electrification project.

When the freighters were finished, I wanted to use them for their intended purpose. The Soviet Union had not made too much noise about the ships but I am sure that they would say something if I took them to another country's port. There they would try to have the ships and possibly the cargos impounded.

It wasn't until the middle of April before the Soviets replied to my demands. It was a long letter. They would allow some people to leave and I would have to give up all the ships and the four bombs. I more or less knew this would be their approach and I handed the ambassador my new offer, which required even more of the Soviet Union and East Germany. I threatened to show the bombs to the public and expose their country to ridicule, not only as a bully but as one who would use the bombs to kill farmers and peasants, which they were supposed to protect.

Seven days later I got what I had asked for concerning the immigration and the Soviets printed the information as if they were allowing the exodus on companionate grounds. The products they were going to donate were shown as aid for the Cuban people from their friendly Communists brothers. This didn't matter and it might help get more favourable terms for Cuba, for other trade with the west. I was personally given all of the seized property that the Soviets had used in the invasion. This would include the bombs. It was just my way of ensuring that I did not get caught up in some of the legal red tape, because I knew that it would happen soon enough. At present, only very few countries had these weapons and a private citizen was never supposed to have them.

A poll had been taken right after the announcement. Of the original 4,893 prisoners, seven had run off, thirty-nine had died of one reason or another and one hundred and twenty-seven had elected to leave. The last group was mainly the officers and the men who thought that Communism was the only way to live.



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Chapter 45


Phones were scarce in East Germany and in Cuba, too, so letters were sent to all people eligible to emigrate. Times and dates were to be set later, stating where and when, voice communications could be made. Part of the agreement allowed a group of communication trucks free access to the families of the East Germans. They would get a chance to see and talk on the satellite phone to the new Cuban immigrants.

Those wanting to leave had to stay till all the others arrived. I knew that if I let them go, they would say how bad it was here and get the other prospective immigrants to try to stay under Communism.

Two of the people asked to immigrate were Sonia's dad and brother. In this case, it was not a voluntary arrangement. From what Sonia said, the boy would have to be forcibly sent here by the government that brainwashed him.

An unexpected benefit was that this relieved some pressure on East Berlin and East Germany itself. The Berlin Wall was not constructed yet and even though many left the east by stealth, there was less friction. I had written some books about what I thought was happening. They sold fairly well. Some discussed the future of Communism and what it did for the world. Here I had to be careful, for what would really happen now would not be the same as what I knew from history.

The book was not sold in the USSR for obvious reasons but I knew many copies were brought in and studied by those who knew of the books' existence.

The people of Cuba were of mixed feelings about the matter of East German immigrants. The new people didn't speak Spanish and had actually been an invading army. I tempered this idea with another one that would show what the newcomers could bring to the island. That was one of the reasons that the East Germans had gone out and worked so hard with their Cuban neighbours.

The matter of collaboration in the space venture was readily accepted and the Russians even asked for more drawings and technical data. This could be a critical juncture in time and I simply gave truthful answers to what they asked. I even added more data that they had not thought or hoped to get. If we were going to have a willing partner, the Russians needed to know that I was going to be fair with them.

I gave the Ambassador a large number of satellite phones, so that communications could be possible. This actually made me laugh because the Soviets would not be able to monitor the calls without someone being close, or having a live microphone nearby.

On the last of April, I asked Helen to stop taking her birth control pills. There was a time of rejoicing after the shock. It made all the girls very horny. This time there was nothing I had to do the next morning and just enjoyed myself till my strength gave out at three in the morning.

Morning came very early and I had to get back to my duties as a husband and potential father. Noon was the time we had to quit and we enjoyed a large meal to restore our strengths.

We had not stayed in Cuba all this time but the majority of our work could be done with the satellite phone and a video camera.

Our Harrier was very famous when films of its action were shown all over the world, including the Soviet Union. When a person thought high tech, they thought of our plane. After the battle for Cuba, though, it gained even more notoriety.

The Black Hawk and the Huey had gained even more fame for what they were able to accomplish. However, the real overall winner was the Apache. I had even used those names and the American army took possession of some and kept the same nomenclature. The weapons systems, airframe and engines had to be contracted out because of the very high demand.

The Challenger, too, had gained a fanatical following and it looked like all the tanks facing Russia would eventually be changed to our product. All these products were expensive to run, so I made simulators to train the operators at a fraction of the cost of a real vehicle. All the work going into this would be used for games in the near future but I wanted to keep the killing out of that equation. Space invaders were my principal opponents, apart from the elements.

A new Presidential election was coming up and Vice President John Sparkman wanted to move up the ladder to the top when President Stevenson had to step down. I had used a lot of money to look into the problems that would arise if John Kennedy were elected. He was a charismatic figure with a lot of money behind him. His flaws and the strength of the mob were too well known to me and I did my best to make sure he was not even nominated for the party's choice as a presidential candidate.

Sparkman was from Alabama. As such, he had the feelings of his state when he was a senator. I had talked to him and his party at length many times, to warn them of the race riots that were sure to erupt without some safety valves. He had listened well, although I could see that he had his own innate biases but worked to overcome them. He had done everything within his power to help all the minorities and I had commended him to his party many times. The integration laws had been easily passed and some in the minorities had been promoted to responsible positions. I made sure his party and area of government was given all the credit due to them.

The race issue had come up but it was not nearly as bad as my first time. The Vice President had actually walked with the black protestors and he had a special affinity for them now. Some of the rednecks called him a 'nigger lover'. This lost him some votes in the south but gained him many of the black votes. Overall, it was a net loss but it was good to see him as a conciliatory person.

I didn't know who would be running against him in the race for president. There were many candidates but I knew it would not be 'Tricky Dick'. He was still in politics but after the things that had come out about him, he had almost slipped into obscurity.

The mob was still powerful but the administration did its best to boot out any person consorting with them. Laws were passed that made it easier to prosecute the mob and some people in the Attorney General's office did so. My own people, many times, were the ones feeding information to the AG so that prosecutions would be possible. This got me shot at three times and it was the security I had and the kevlar vest that saved me.

A special team found some of the local underworld bosses and I talked to them privately with the benefit of thiopentide. I not only found the guilty people but I found a large mass of evidence that could be used to blackmail each of the people I talked to. In six months I had found a way to talk to many of the bosses.

A messenger dropped off an envelope to the boss of bosses, Sam Giancana. When the man phoned me a day later, I stated, "When I die, the file you see before you and whatever additional evidence I have gained, will be sent to the Attorney-General's office." The file named those who had ordered the assassination attempts and even those who had pulled the triggers. I would now let Giancana clean up his house before I did it for him. I did not trust this man at all. He killed seemingly for fun and this was the usual way he disposed of anybody in his way.

The Kennedys had used him and then tried to not fulfill their obligations. I had a difficult time when so many people had come under mob influence and tried to get the man nominated for President. My own security was stepped up, because I was now one of the men restricting Giancana's options.

The mob holdings in Cuba could be used as hotels or anything they wanted, as long as it was legal. We seemed to come to an agreement but I knew he and his kind, would continue to try to find a way of doing what they wanted without interference.

My oil companies continued to grow faster than anything else. I was the sole owner of the Athabaska Tar Sands project. This was the largest deposit of petroleum in the world but it was very costly to extract the oil from the rock. Petrosar, my wholly owned company, did just enough during the warm months to keep the claims alive. The oil sands had burnt the fuel it had gathered to extract more from the sand but wasted most of this. We would produce millions of tons of carbon dioxide to get what crude we could extract. I wanted to use a reactor to do this and at least the energy derived would be used in a bus or a home.

Petrosar also developed the first oil platforms and had them manufactured in Japan. With my knowledge of where to look, I was very successful and found many people willing to lend me money. Some of the platforms were in the Gulf of Mexico, the North Sea, Indonesia, the Norwegian Sea, Hibernia, off Newfoundland and many other smaller areas like Libya and Tunisia. Major oil fields of the Arabian-Iranian basin region had not all been found after the Second World War, so I was able to get in and stake my own claims. Venezuela and Prudhoe Bay in the North Slope region of Alaska had my drilling rigs but I did not go all out in producing oil.

The North Apoi oil fields in Nigeria were sold to help finance other ventures, as was the West Pembina field in Alberta and much of the huge Venezuelan finds. The last would be nationalized if I could not prevent it but I wanted to be on the safe side. Cuba had been a very costly venture to keep the world safe. I was still not sure if the confrontation in this time would have ended up the same way.

The Ninian field and the Britannia in the United Kingdom North Sea, the North Scott Reef offshore Australia, Angola, Louisiana, Wyoming and two fields in Sumatra were being now developed. The Port Arguello field offshore of Southern California was being done very safely, as were my other wells, for I didn't want any spills to bring destruction and restrictive laws when good company policies would do the same. The state of California was very progressive and I wanted them to be on my side.

There was so much in China and Russia, especially the huge Tengiz field in Kazakhstan, Siberia and the Barents Sea. I could form a partnership with that country's government but at the moment I didn't trust them too much. This might have severe repercussions with the west, if they thought I was helping the Communists with more than a space project.

There were many regions in the Soviet sphere of influence that I could exploit or claim but, I couldn't do so without explaining how I knew. The Soviets, through spies, had found out that I could look down from an orbiting satellite but I did not know if they had found out to what detail yet.

I now owned two shipbuilding companies in Japan that turned out the drilling rigs I wanted. This was accomplished by actually gaining a slightly larger portion of the electronic companies and they, in turn, had a piece of the shipbuilding action.

The reason for my low pumping volume was to keep the price of petroleum up and to restrict the use of private cars as much as possible. My bullet train was already at work in Japan and Canada. Again, one of my companies was making the machines. This was a major commitment but there was enough local money in Japan to keep the work going without my constant monitoring. Canada, though, was so large that it would be very difficult to make this proposition work.

The United States had the necessary materials and the need but the aircraft industry worked hard to counter my efforts. I, in turn, did as much as I could by getting the price of oil raised, even if it was by taxation. This brought down the ire of every other oil producer and users.

Gasoline in Europe had always been expensive and this made small cars very popular. The same thing was happening in North America. I didn't have any concrete figures but I think the economy was less driven by the automobile than it was previously. With the leverage I had in the major car companies in Japan and North America I made sure that the cars were as light a possible and they would not rust out, because I demanded galvanized metal and plastics be used.

This innovation was fought hard in North America, because they wanted to sell more new cars. It took only three years for the Japanese imports to garner a major portion of the market. I was not shy about putting the blame on the heads of the board members of the seven major car manufacturers. North America balked at the minivan, too but after two years of production in Japan, they eventually saw the light.

Stock prices in the North American manufacturers suffered considerably. I bought some shares when it was low enough. There were a lot of rich people very angry with me for what I had done. Stock went up in a year after galvanized steel was introduced but the anger never left. Sam Giancana got in touch with me one day through a safe intermediary. He told me of a group of Texan millionaires who had put out a contract on me.

I thanked the man and returned the favour. On the satellite phone I said, "You should sell off your holdings in the United States and move out very quickly, for your health. Look for places with no extradition agreement with the United States. I think you have just a bit over a month."

The man gave me credit and left within a week and sold later.

My own team of investigators found one of the millionaires and that was enough to find out all I needed to know. I used the same method that I used on Sam Giancana with great results. For good measure, I expanded a bus manufacturing company to make even more competition for the car companies.

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We were all back in Cuba on the first of June. The election would occur in a little over a month. The campaigning, though, had started right after the election was proposed over six months ago.

Things had radically changed since I first came to the island. The Army was only 7,000 soldiers now, a third of what it used to be. Three hundred and sixty of them were former East German soldiers. Their families had come over in record numbers that made the Soviets look very bad. The actual numbers were never mentioned to their faces but everybody knew it.

The necessary trade was done with little fanfare. A small crane lowered a wooden crate onto the deck of an equally small fishing boat. A day later it would come up to a Russian freighter and head back home.

Sonia's father never came. We were given a copy of his death certificate and from Sonia's own memories I thought it was probably true. Her brother Yuri was a different matter. He got off the Aeroflot plane in Havana and hated everybody and everything he saw. For a fifteen year-old this was nothing new. I put him with two young Cubans to learn Spanish.

Sonia was very apologetic about her brother but I said, "Boys that age are like that sometimes. Let him learn to communicate, then I will test him on his social conscience. He will come around.

Helen was now three months pregnant. She glowed with the life within her. Laura had been off the pill for a month and we were trying to get her into a similar condition. Seiko was always quiet but I could all the time see in her eyes the expectation of when she could throw her pills away, too. I was still not sure of Sonia but the bookies had given her more than an even chance of getting pregnant by me soon, too.

The whole family was with me in Cuba, even though it was the hottest months. Mom and dad and the entire family were very happy with us. Aron was fifteen and his hand was always holding Mineko's. I was fairly certain that he would want her for his wife soon. I even started preliminary plans because of the problems I foresaw.

I was disturbed at the airport, for there were a lot of children. They were mostly young girls with Helen, Laura, Seiko and now Sonia dolls. Many had voices much like ours saying the various things I thought were needed. What made me apprehensive was that some girls now had an Alex doll that looked and sounded very much like me. I had not okayed the last two dolls but I had only started the company and had let the girls run it the way they wished, along with their other duties for me.

Grandpa just laughed when it was shown to him till I said, "They are going to make a cantankerous doll of you, too."

"They wouldn't dare," he said as he glared at the girls. They just giggled like schoolgirls and smiled at him.

In the next few days I found Aron and Yuri talking. They were roughly the same age and Aron could speak Russian with some difficulty. He had resented Mineko at first but Yuri had no way of excluding her. She did make Yuri feel a bit better when she spoke to him in his own language, even if it was worse than Aron's.

I went back on the air to talk to the Cuban people. Even the hamlets now had television. It was fed from the satellites above. I explained that the various candidates would be given free time to explain their positions. I also explained about more debates where certain points were attacked or defended. This, I promised, would be fun for the audience but hell for the participants. The audience had been told many times to not go with who looked nicer, or who spoke better, or the worst: one who promised more. They had to see behind the words.

A large contingent of foreign observers came to the island a week before the election at my invitation. They would ensure, along with the army, that nothing happened to the ballot boxes before the votes were counted. So far, there had been very little political violence and I wanted to keep it that way.

The Soviet Union was well represented, as was the west. One man pulled me aside a few days before he had to go to his assigned position with a Briton.

"Mr Kramer, I am here to ask you about the shipment you made to us not long ago. It was much different from what we had sent you."

I had to laugh because I took the bombs off their ship and they were hardly given to me. "I remember it well. Were the instructions and spare parts not understood?"

"Oh, the manual and parts were well understood. We just wanted to know why we had been given this particular unit."

"The unit in question, or a similar one, could have fallen into unfriendly hands or even one controlled by a rogue element of your country. I want to protect my world along with other like-minded people. A terrorist could take a bomb and try to detonate it. My electronic device only allows part of the explosives to go off and ruin the bomb. It is very complex but that was the intention. There are no tricks. I just want to keep the accidents down and possibly thwart some terrorists."

"You seem to know a great deal about these types of secrets, Mr Kramer. Are you now making similar devices for the West?"

"Not yet. Theirs will be similar but not the same. You are free to make any change you like to the mechanism but I will not mention what I have given your people unless forced."

"That is very understandable. My country sent me to gather more information about our common project."

I knew this was coming. "I think it best to talk in the United Nations with all the countries affected. All that is required is that your country is ready to fulfill its obligations. The meeting will basically be a fait accompli and the west cannot exclude you from future dialogue."

The voting took all day. We now had a gigantic database of every adult Cuban. When a voter came up, his name was stricken from the sheet and his face and fingerprints compared to what was on file. Some had tried to vote twice but were picked up by the local police. There were no threats that I heard of and with the amount of publicity the vote had, everybody would come to have their choice counted. We had a surprisingly high turnout, which made me feel good that I had got the message across. Fraud, as in ballot boxes being stuffed, was negated by the ballots being printed in Japan and given out only just before the vote.

The former East Germans got their vote because of their special circumstance. Both sides tried to woo their vote but I had no idea how they had cast them.

I had gained a Cuban citizenship along with my Canadian one. The newspapers printed photographs of me many times as I filled out the small 'x' after many, many names.

That night there was partying everywhere, except for our foreign guests as they independently tabulated the ballots with an impartial group of officials. This was an exacting task, for security had to be very thorough to let all parties know that no cheating would happen. It still took two days to count all of the choices. There was no disclosure by area, of who had won or was ahead which spoiled much of the excitement.

The new president was Emilio Garcia. He was one of the many people who had to flee the island when Batista came to power. Fidel Castro was now the new Attorney General with far reaching powers. He was a lawyer to begin with and this had helped him get the job. I did not state too many of my own preferences in public but he was one of the ones I thought should get this post.

The new government included some of the more capable people from Batista's regime. There were no death squads and the bad ones had already been prosecuted or fled. It was not good to have anger like I had seen vented on the innocent or even a guilty party's family.

The newspapers from all over the world told of the most honest vote in history and commended me for this effort. The Soviets could not complain too much, for they had their say in how it should be run. The outcome looked to be more of the centre. The socialists had their positions but so did the business community. Now, if the president and his men could make fair legislation that hurt nobody and helped the majority, then I would be happy.

We could now leave the island but it was such a beautiful place to live. The army was still mine and General Weever now commanded all of the Cuban forces to bring them up to what a real military should be. A year after the next election, the Cuban government would get their military back. The army had a way of following a strong leader and trampling democracy. There were quite a few socialist governments elected by the majority of the people only to be deposed of by the military. I wanted no Cubans or other governments to think that they could sway the military to get their agenda furthered.

The bill for my mercenary efforts was much too high for the new government to pay. This was a way of keeping tabs on the government, though and I just made some easy payment plans. It appeared that my own companies in Cuba were being taxed quite well and it might turn out that I would be just paying myself.

The girls' 'Helen Doll' company was doing very well and was exporting the Spanish-speaking dolls to all of Central and South America. I was fairly certain that other languages and skin colourations would come out later.

Another industry doing well was entertainment. Music was a hot item, as well as the movies we made. I was not limiting myself to strictly English language films. I had small-to-medium sized film companies in most of western Europe. There were two partnership deals with Russia and East Germany that had a very rocky path. I tried to sell entertaining and informative works, while they only wanted to put out Communist propaganda. To date, I had ordered destroyed all our efforts, rather than bow to pressure. We did stay on, though and tried again. Eventually I hoped to make some films suitable for sale in the East, as well as in the West, from the rich Russian and German cultures.

I was able to get Boris Leonidovich Pasternak to immigrate and bought the rights to 'Doctor Zhivago' later. The film was done in English and Russian. The latter had to be done outside of the Soviet Union. The Russian version was done on a less grand scale and it was beamed from the satellites into the Soviet territories. Our Russian and East German companies were expelled for a year, even if they had no direct connection to the production.

Sonia played Tonia in both the English and the Russian versions. Laura played Nurse Lara, which pleased me immensely. I had very little to do with the movie industry, because it would eat up my time. Like the other companies, I just found the best producers and directors and let them do their job.

'West Side Story' was done with Elvis but it took a considerable amount of effort to get him to dance well enough.

'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest' had one demented old man in the back and this was grandpa. I thought he did his part well and he was proud of it but kept mentioning that it was all an act.

'Lawrence of Arabia' was made in Saudi Arabia and some of the king's relatives were in the film as extras or as some of the leaders whom Lawrence had to deal with. The time frame was changed to the second war. The Germans, though, were real and I was able to add much more actual WW 2 equipment for realism. WW 1 equipment was getting hard to find. This was one of the movie sets that I showed up at for political, as well as social, reasons.

I missed 'The Bridge on the River Kwai', 'Some Like It Hot' and 'Psycho' but had to let some of the other studios make some money, too. Marilyn Monroe was a nice, if odd, woman. I hoped that in this life she would not be killed by the mob and have such a disastrous relationship with the Kennedys.

The publishing companies I owned fully or partially produced many of our school texts. The stories that I dictated to a machine for later transcription went to the mass market. This time I was able to expand on some parts and correct many problems that readers had seen when the book was published in my other life.

Other authors were also published and I retained the electronic and bought the movie, rights if they were good enough. I would just love to get into some of the Science Fiction productions like 'Star Wars', 'E.T.' and '2001: A Space Odyssey'. I only wrote the novels, which were immensely popular but the computing infrastructure was not yet ready to do an adequate job with the special effects. I needed the last title made into film but I wanted to use much more visual effects than what the first version had used. The ending, though, had to be explained better and this was easier since I was the one writing the book and the script.

'The Godfather' was done with much more realism, because I didn't want people to side with the main characters. The story was subtly rewritten in my mind to talk about a young man who was more or less forced into the mob against his will, because of family ties.

The German studio produced 'Schindler's List' in both English and German by the same actors. The English version lost too much in translation, so it was subtitled in many places but not all. It was still an English version.

'Gandhi' was done in India for many reasons and it was only one of our major films there. Japan had a similar situation with 'Shōgun'. It was done in many major languages and found worldwide acceptance. I couldn't wait to do 'Godzilla' and a remake of 'King Kong'. This time, the props would look much more realistic.

'Dr. Strangelove' was done in Britain, as was the original and on location with our Russian unit. It showed how close we could come to an all-out nuclear war without adequate safeguards. I had the Russian scenes shot in the actual rooms in and around Red Square. This movie went far over budget, because I wanted more realism. In the end I hoped that all the viewers would see us as one large family separated by some unimportant superstitions, political beliefs and language.

'Roots' was done fairly cheaply, since I did not have too many famous actors demanding exorbitant sums for their efforts. This happened to be one of the early films and in my mind it was a way of allowing the white person see what the black had to put up with through all his or her life.

I made movies about lovers fighting right wing dictators and left wing despots. There was flack from all sides but my films still sold. The methods I used to get the movie to the audience varied. The usual movie theatre was first. Many commentaries and low budget films went through the satellites to our home units. CRTs had almost all died off and our LCDs were the main way of viewing by the family. It served other purposes, because it could be used with the satellite phone to display digital data and with the computer to link the user to a growing mountain of data on the Internet. All this and it was still 1959.

Our phone service was growing faster than Bell land lines. They were getting a good profit from everything associated with the computer and the satellite system and didn't worry.

Fax machines, digital cameras and computers were in every office. Video conferencing was a big thing that gave the participants more time for productive work. This cut back on driving and expensive flights.

IBM was in the forefront in mainframes and military computing. In fact, we had no competition and we worked so hard that we would not get any for decades to come.

Military hardware made us close to a billion, even in this time when a dollar was worth almost eight times more than when I left the old time.

In all this I paid little tax. I didn't cheat in the least, because I knew that at some time in the future all my expenses would be questioned. At present, all donations were taken off dollar for dollar and I invested heavily into education. Some was in elementary schools after the teachers all took courses. The same was true in high schools and universities. Half measures were not permitted and recalcitrant teachers were all grouped in their own schools. It would be seen that they had to put out more effort now, or be branded as unproductive.

The governments paid me to do much of this and they even ensured that business executives and the myriad of people below them got a solid training, too. Being a teacher was actually much more of what I wanted to be. This way I was not getting the joy of working with students, except when I had to work with some educators. They were not young and open to new ideas the way children were.

The Internet was not fully military, since I had let the rest of the world gain access through the satellites and the growing web of fibre-optic cable. Bell had really balked at quality cable going to each home, for it cost them an immense amount of money. This improved infrastructure, though, permitted the fairly wide bandwidth to handle television and computer traffic.

Petroleum was used more and more for various plastic articles. I patented the Polyethylene Teraphthalate plastic bottle. It soon began to replace glass bottles. The recycling of the plastic soon followed and I did everything in my power to ensure that this happened. Various regulatory bodies were cajoled to put a much higher deposit on glass and plastic bottles.

When garbage dumps were small but growing I was showing municipalities how to make money from their garbage. Some of this required laws that would seemingly work against me. My plastic composting containers were the start of what I hoped would be a kinder, gentler world.

The snowmobile was a great success and I demanded that a certain type of helmet be used. Motorcycles got the same thing and it was law throughout North America but had to be passed by individual states and provinces. Movies with a northern theme showed the actors wearing all the safety equipment. Children seeing this, I think, would emulate them.

Gas was taxed much more and I sold busses. Special lanes and regulations helped a bus to move very quickly between destinations. I worked to change existing traffic laws. I wanted heavy fines and jail for drunk driving and any other major offence. Even getting a licence had increased in difficulty and any applicant had to jump through a great many hoops. They had to gain a lot of training as if he or she were going to pilot a plane.

Seatbelts were compulsory, as well as many other safety concerns. Again, the auto companies balked at the cost, even if they knew it would be passed on to the consumer.

Nuclear power was cited and I made sure the real truth came out. I still remember the lies I heard on radio and television stating how our life would be simplified by the use of a small pellet of uranium. I made sure the hidden costs were known beforehand. Two power generation stations were halted in development, when I looked into the costs. The consortium building each was to sign a contract to keep the price at only twice what they had quoted. They had not done so and their projects were stopped.

California, Iceland, British Columbia and even Alberta got a geothermal power plant that took up some of the slack for the power we would one day need.

Our solar cells were only 18 percent efficient but I knew that a single crystal could go at least up to thirty percent one day. Dual crystals would reach forty. Wind and tidal energy were showcased in hopes of getting enough institutions to build these projects. Tax incentives had to be formulated to assist these ventures.

I made a lot of money producing bicycles. Money went into international races and soon everybody with the inclination was looking to be physically fit and maybe one day win one of those prestigious awards. Here, too, actors, musicians and my own people helped point the way. There were incentives, for not everybody wanted to do this.

Sporting events of many kinds were sponsored to get the average citizen involved. Cigarette manufacturers did the same thing and I tried unsuccessfully to get them to be banned.

Oil came to be a very serious proposition. I had not had many dealings with it before, other than to buy shares. With the amount of money involved, governments and other groups wanted a larger portion of the pie. I had encouraged it at first but governments wanted to load the willing mule till it broke its back. Most governments would rather tax me than go after their citizens. In some cases the citizens had no money and I worked with the governments to get the people educated. Many poor countries, especially in Africa, had a starving population while their leaders wanted tanks, planes and guns to play with and me to pay for it.

I soon had to keep small rapid-response teams close to many of my interests. They worked with local governments and with the people most likely to cause problems. I sold very little weapons to Africa and I made sure that nobody else took advantage of this. Nobody really wanted Africa and its problems and I didn't want to see needless deaths.

On December third Helen presented me with a baby boy. I called him Edward after grandpa. Grandpa had survived longer this time and at 62 was happy to hold his great grandchild. Grandma was having some health problems but I had the best people in the world looking after them. None of my family smoked and they only drank in moderation.

I was able to fulfill the promise made eight years ago that they would be alive to hold this child, if they worked with me to do so. My son looked perfect in every way and I think it was easy to see a father's pride in my features.

Laura was now three months pregnant and glowed as much as Helen did.

Seiko was now going off her pills and was very happy to bear her child. She liked our lovemaking in many ways but her bum was special to both of us. I knew that soon I would not get this and had to put my seed where it belonged.

Sonia had fit in well with our family. I knew she loved me and my wives. I had to do some very serious thinking and then consulted the others before asking her to be my fourth wife.

Yuri was learning his Spanish and then his English. Aron was his best friend and Mineko was too, in a way. I kept an eye on them but did not really spy. Aron treated Mineko as his wife and this seemed to work well. Seiko made sure her sister judiciously took her pill each day. The circle of friends they now had ensured that Yuri had many girls coming around to see him.

He had taken to me as a big brother and he listened when I told him about the birds and the bees the way it should be said. One of my drug companies was testing a male contraceptive but it was not passed yet. In its stead I gave him an assortment of condoms. He blushed and I just hugged him to me and said, "That is what a family is for, Yuri."

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Japan was now launching rockets, not only for companies I had an interest in but also for others. Britain and France used our rockets to launch their own packages into orbit. Cuba was also going to get this, after the facilities had been assembled. It took a surprising amount of concrete and steel to do what was necessary.

The United States military really liked my ideas about Global positioning, especially after I showed them how it worked with the invasion of Cuba. Although the beacons were all land based, it worked and if we linked to satellites, we would know where everyone was at all times.

These satellites were over four thousand pounds each and I needed two dozen in orbit, plus a few spares. A master ground station had to be made and then some slave stations placed all over the globe.

Cape Canaveral was used here because of the sheer size required. I tried to do everything as cheaply as possible but the cost was skyrocketing, to mention the pun. I introduced carbon fibre and used it to take some of the strain off the fuel tanks and other critical components to reduce weight. This was all within budget, though. I worked very hard to make an honest offer. I was not going to supply expensive hammers and toilets that would tarnish my companies' names, or my own.

No human had gone into orbit yet. The Americans and Russians had sent animals, insects and plants, though. The rockets we were now using could send a man into a short orbit but I had my own plans and ensured that the GPS job was done first.

In the old time Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human being to travel into space. This would be only a year off. Things were different now. The Russians had been given some of my technology and I think the west had some of the Russian, too. They were being pushed very hard but also they were dispirited, because I took all their firsts from them. Intelligence showed that they could meet their old deadline of April 12, 1961; now especially with the information I gave them.

My companies in Japan, Canada and the United States were working on bigger engines and life support. Being privy to all that had happened in the future history made much of this job easier. By this time I had more engineers working for me than any other company or country in the world, or at least on some projects I had.

NASA had been formed and I was offered the head job but I refused. There was just too much to do in other fields to restrict myself that way. I contracted out very openly for parts I wanted made. The Russians were offered a contract to make the hatches needed back in 1957 and more contracts came after. They knew that they had to use the same design for our now peaceful pursuits. A year ago they were not sure about anybody or anything and wanted to go at it alone. The people were definitely not stupid and some came around to at least some form of cooperation. A shake-up had occurred in the Soviet Union and they made an abrupt turn and extended their hand with an olive branch.

As usual, some generals from both sides, foaming at the mouth, wanted nothing to be given to the other side. Thankfully, they did not know about my safety devices on atomic bombs that I had given away along with the schematics and manuals. Only the highest levels knew of how wide the cooperation would soon be.

I had a list of expensive-to-make alloys used in spacecrafts and I used the metal shamelessly to make some of the articles that really needed it. I was rich enough to afford this and even if I couldn't get a government to pick up the tab, I could write off the expense.

The name Apollo was up for grabs and I took it before somebody else did. Instead of using it for a mission, I used it for our boosters. I had designed the most powerful rocket to date and needed to test it out. The first launch using our new Apollo proved to be a gigantic failure.

Cape Canaveral was doing the launching, seeing as they were paying the bills. The heavy capsule used as the payload was to go into orbit for eventual docking. It was lost when the control failed and the machine had to be destroyed at the altitude of 86 miles. This represented a loss of thirty-two million dollars and untold hours of work for a great many people.

Thirty-seven days later, the second launching worked to bring a similar capsule into orbit. Two months later, still another launch brought a different package to orbit. The two units were joined by remote control and employed a least-fuel course. It used the gravitational attraction of the earth, the sun and the moon to take this leisurely task.

The probe ended up three months later orbiting the moon and sending back data from both the front and the back sides. From the second capsule a smaller probe descended to the lunar surface to analyse the rock and to prove that the material was not all dust and thus able to support a spacecraft. All the data was masered back to earth through the orbiting unit.



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Chapter 46


The entire earth seemed to be watching these pictures, because they were shown live. First I had to get many commentators educated on what they were going to say without sounding like fools when future generations looked at the records. For the most part, I just wanted to minimize confusion and give the people the straight dope.

This was the first spacecraft to leave earth and land on another body and the first to photograph the backside of the moon, never seen before.

The world was ecstatic with joy at this achievement. I used this to talk of all the international cooperation I had got to pull this feat off. Some people wanted to keep the cold war as warm as possible, while I wanted to keep the people of the world alive.

I spoke in different languages and the various recordings were sent through satellite to the countries behind the iron curtain. I knew that all the hype about war and a need for defence had raised people's anxieties. From my research after the broadcast it was obvious that most of the earth felt better when we all worked together for a common goal.

Another double launch with our Apollo units brought two large capsules into orbit. Over worldwide television we linked these two craft. Massive sails unfurled. They would provide electrical power for the craft, with a safety margin for portions being destroyed by debris and micrometeorites.

Many of my favours had been used up but I thought it was in a good cause. The West and the East had agreed previously to the cooperative projects like our moon probe. Hopefully, if this worked, the money and effort I put into this project would be worthwhile. Newspapers now talked of new cooperative efforts being planned. Old die-hard communist haters were again frothing at the mouth but my name seemed to help. It was explained that this was a safer way of continuing the cold war by bleeding them of money that otherwise could go to armies.

After the successful mating everybody was slapping each other on the back. I listed all the companies and countries that had a hand in building this. Even enemies didn't seem to mind much when the other side extolled their accomplishments while depreciating what others had done. These were basically put up with just my money. This was going to be a marriage of convenience between the government and the private sector.

I wanted to get the common person more involved in this than just watching from the distance. Remotely controlled cameras were steered into position from a dozen points on earth. Each happened to be at an elementary or high school. Every country with some stake in this new experiment was allowed to try their hand. When the trucks carrying the telemetry gear were in transit, the scientists were able to monitor insects, small animals and seeds growing in weightless conditions from their labs.

The United States launched one of their own capsules and the world saw how this new facet was integrated to the dual units already in orbit. From my original two it was fascinating to have some external cameras see the slowly moving mass of aluminum alloy, with a large American flag, dock. I hoped this symbolic mating would mean that the others would pull as hard as I was doing.

In following weeks, the Russian contribution came, then the British and the French. The latter two made their own units but paid me, or the United States, to launch them. I had been very shocked to find three years ago that Canada wanted to contribute. Its capsule was the largest, mainly because I had installed many extra tools on it; especially the long arm for the bay that would be used to service spacecraft. Canadian schools now went wild, cheering on our Union Jack, because our maple leaf flag had not been even thought of, yet.

I had cajoled Japan and West Germany to make their contribution, along with three others that were cooperative efforts of many smaller countries.

From children to adults, everybody from many countries were now very proud to see their nations' flags and symbols as they were added to a whole much greater than its parts. I tried to make it affordable to even the smallest countries but many still refused. Money was still available to purchase weapons to take on an equally poor neighbour, though.

Some in the West were angry at accepting the Russian contributions as well as those of their old Axis enemies. Some of it was cold war paranoia along with the wish to bleed Russia till it finally capitulated. Another part was that they saw their old enemies up to the same level of prosperity that they were, even if it was a sham.

In a way I was really bleeding Russia, too, for they were not making much money from this endeavour but it cost them a lot. I thought it a much better way to eventually bring the East back into the fold. They would come in with their heads held high and with the respect of the rest of the world.

There were only seventeen GPS satellites in orbit but now the military and everybody else could use our hand units. When the remainder were launched, then more areas would be covered.

Many companies sold GPS ground units but the parts all came from plants I had a share in.

The old colonies, like Vietnam, were growing restless and they were agitating for independence. It seemed to be just a movement, because it was good to get assistance from a large mother country in time of need. Like children, though, many needed to fledge. Some countries must have been monitoring Vietnam, for they did not jump on the independence bandwagon like they had before. Most of the colonies of the major nations, in that other time, had gained independence at this time.

France was watching Vietnam very closely and at the moment Vietnam was prospering under its preferred trade status and the lack of major corruption. It seemed that even some French nationals had met a gristly end and the Vietnamese found that nobody was above the law. The French, though, had to be pushed into this action, because the people involved had some influence with the French government.

France exploded its first atomic bomb and joined the atomic club, as I had predicted. The U-2s that had been shot down in the previous time had now been avoided. The spy satellites and my twisting of military ears as to the capabilities of some of the Russian missiles prevented the loss. My warning was not completely unheeded and the missile in question had missed the plane because it was at its maximum altitude.

Nikita Khrushchev was still pissed off, especially since his country was cooperating with the US and other countries on this project. The falsehoods and outright deceit still propagated by western and Soviet powers had always made me laugh, even up to the time I had been sent back to this time. Every country claimed that their planes were outside the other's territory when attacked. The truth was that a small-scale open war was always happening, with planes shot down and ships sunk or captured. Many times, commercial planes were used as pawns in this international game of prestige.

All that the average citizen ever heard was that some soldiers died or some bad country hurt another country. Usually, this was while they were going into a quiet field to pick wildflowers for their mothers. The hypocrisy was just too much to talk about. Then again, voters regularly reelected the very thieves and liars who had been in the news only a while before. When a plane full of vacationers was shot down it made the killer's country look bad but it also tested the boundaries that a country was ready to defend.

Russia was still cooperating, though, especially with me. The late April launch of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin did not take place. They were busily doing some work on construction for the multinational habitat high above the earth. This was part of the deal, so that they would give the other countries a chance to participate.

Laura gave me a daughter and six months later Seiko did the same. Sonia was eight months pregnant and arguing with me about my latest exploit.

"You can't do this, Alex. It is much too dangerous. Even if you don't think of your family, think of all the people that are depending on you."

I tried to hold the woman but she was having none of this. I said, "This is what I was aiming for the last decade."

"You have been the first in so many things. Why must you do this? Send somebody else. There are more than enough volunteers."

"I know that, love. The trip has some element of risk but it is being very strenuously tested. I don't want to take a chance with my own life. My purpose, as I said many times before, is to lead and to keep a major war from breaking out. My way will make many countries cooperate for the first time since the Second World War. If I do not go, they will not follow. If they do not follow, then the human race will have an even less chance of survival."

My other wives sided with Sonia in this but I stuck to my guns. It was hard to fight them when three were carrying my children in their arms and one in her womb.

In May I worked between my wife's legs and brought my fourth child into the world. My newest son had a very good set of lungs. Joseph even looked a bit like his maternal grandfather. It was nice to have four adults who were not afraid to baby-sit and help the mothers out.

On June 20 1961 I was strapped down in my seat on top of the largest rocket yet built. The fabrication had taken years and much of it was done on my say-so alone. I didn't want to wait decades till the math, experimental flights and conditions could be proven. Earlier launches with unmanned loads indicated that it was fairly safe. I hoped it so safe that I did not even wear a heavy, cumbersome spacesuit. I was dressed in casual-looking clothes that happened to be the uniform used by my company. Nobody knew it but I had stolen shamelessly from the future Star Trek series for uniform ideas.

We did not have the height, weight or thrust of the one in my old time but we had enough to do this a piece at a time: send three separate modules into orbit and combine them into the spaceship to fly to he moon. We were just shy of three hundred feet high and only weighed in a four and a half million pounds.

Part of the improvements was accomplished by lightweight alloy and carbon fibre matrix around otherwise weak tanks. Its size, though, was just a brute force method to get this much mass into orbit. The hydraulics used the kerosene fuel itself to reduce weight. Hatches were made as large as possible to facilitate movement with our large suits.

The leaders of many countries wanted me to send another in my place. I was truthful in what I said to my wives but I also wanted to get into space. I had never done so before and this was really breaking new ground. I just hoped my ego did not weigh me down or lead to my death.

The Service Module was 5.3 metres in diameter, 7.9 metres long and containing the propulsion system for mid-course corrections, retrofire to achieve lunar orbit and thrust to return from lunar orbit into Earth trajectory. It was also our main transmitter for communicating with earth. This time, there would be many colour cameras giving the viewers scenes that even my old time had never seen. Its weight in my case was the heaviest of the three at 42,000 pounds. If I was going to go some place, I wanted to go in style and comfort.

It was the heavy Service Module that I was attempting to ride to orbit with. My idea was to be the first man into orbit and used the need to be a backup to the computer to justify this.

The Command Module was the spacecraft's control centre and housed the crew of possibly five astronauts. It was conical in shape, 4.9 metres high and 5.3 metres in diameter and weighed more than 17,000 pounds. This was much larger than the Apollo missions in weight and size. It would be launched independently and arrive with astronauts and more supplies.

The landing module was 6.9 metres high and 5.3 metres in diameter and weighed in at 45,000 pounds. This included our lunar excursion vehicle. It would arrive on a third launch vehicle and bring with it supplies for the international habitat. The weight was much greater than the first because we had many more experiments to run and planned to stay long enough to carry them out.

The world was now watching me with one eye, while the other was watching the other two rockets that would launch in as little as one day. My family was near the launch site reserved for guests.

Yuri bitched a bit about being so far away from the launch pad the same as Aron had previously. I just smiled when I told him to wait. Mom and dad were very proud and had known about this for years. Grandma and grandpa were the same but seemed to be more conservative and wanted to know why anybody needed to go into space.

The day before I was hustled off and went through some tests I thought appropriate. I had kissed my wives and children one more time. I just hoped it would not be the last.

The launch was hard and stressful. For a while, I had four and a half gravities on me and then it went to one more before cutting back. There were many cameras on me and many times more information was transmitted to our control than had happened in my time. When the rocket went through an area of the atmosphere that didn't allow transmission, the data was stored for later transmission.

Long minutes later I saw the blackness of night through the porthole. It was like being in a high altitude spy plane. This time though, I knew I had just started the voyage.

After a very brief moment of weightlessness I was propelled back into my seat by more acceleration. My mind was not able to keep too much track of my sensations for I was following the programmed course waiting to take over if needed. I just hoped that it wasn't.

The third stage fired for just a few minutes and shut off exactly as it was supposed to do. I now had to coast till it was time to fire the rockets one more time to straighten my orbit out.

The messages started to pour in and I knew that the television cameras must have been feeding the monitors on earth, again. I acknowledged the messages and gave my own opinion on my status. It was not likely at this point that I would quit even if I had a broken leg.

Heads of state called me to give their own congratulations. This must have been a problem, for I was given the calls one after the other and everybody was polite. It was a sure bet that the leaders voice was heard in his home country along with his picture superimposed on one corner of the screen. Politicians could usually score points, no matter what was happening.

The family came on after we made the course manoeuvre to stabilise the orbit. I held the firing button in my left hand ready to engage if it did not come in time. Again, the rocket and the computer performed faultlessly and shut off.

Dad talked first and after half of the small speech in English he lapsed into Polish, which I replied to in the same language, then told the people in English what had been said. A prompter would translate the words into other languages anyway.

Mom, then Grandpa then Grandma came on and said a few words. Before the wives came on, Aron, Mineko and Yuri talked to me individually. This time, for the foreign listeners, I spoke in Russian or Japanese. Part of this had been rehearsed and in a way I tried to bind East and West just a bit more.

The wives finally used the mic and joked a bit and said they loved me. The whole world knew that they were my wives but the term had never been used. 'Mates' was the term I preferred and what was most used. Various religious groups were always angry with me, especially when I started to have children.

Ingrid Bergman's illegitimate child had angered many in 1950 but my four children in 1961 were even more controversial. Nobody, except a deluded one, would think that I would not watch out for my family. They had seen how I worked hard to bring about some social changes and strengthened the family as much as I could.

I didn't get to finish talking before the retrofire started and I lined up the sights and did what I could while still talking. As the two large masses came closer a small probe with some Styrofoam on the end touched first. A spark was not seen but I knew that all ships had shared the surplus electrons. Finally the ships clanged and then again as they locked. I said to Helen, "There, it looks like I am docked." Even though everybody could see better than me because of the multitude of cameras, I said, "It is so beautiful here. The stars are bright, just like your eyes but they do not even twinkle like yours do." Helen said nothing with the entire world looking on. I continued, "I can see deep shadows and bright surfaces with no in-between."

I had an evil thought and called openly to Fidel Castro who had not talked to me yet. "Hello, Fidel, are you there?"

He came on quickly enough and said, "I am here, Alex. Are you looking for that bottle of rum I promised you?"

"No, no, Fidel, I want your legal opinion."

"What is it you would like?"

"What would the nationality of my next children be, if my mates came up here with me and stayed for a bit over nine months?"

I heard gasps from the other lines and Fidel said, after he stopped chuckling, "I will have to work on that. You are now part of an international space station with the flags of many nations. At a guess I think they would have to have the nationality of all those nations. Quite a passport they would have to have, unless the United Nations starts issuing their own. I suppose that Hugh Hefner will want to interview you again to find out the mechanics."

"Quite possible but I will draw the line in this case. People will have to come up here to find out for themselves."

This more than anything else shocked the world. Many children still were not given any information about procreation. Some of my books had covered the subject but were only geared for certain ages. The Moslems felt it was ok to have four wives but I had not officially married mine. They were also very strict and kept the dark secret of sex away from their young as strongly as the Christians did.

This would stir up some major controversy on earth but they would still listen to me because I relayed information that nobody had known about or seen before.

When everything was in safe mode, I checked the conditions on the other side of the double hatch. I was not running off my batteries, for the solar panels on the station were supplying more than enough power. I broke open the hatch after bleeding a small amount of air between the station and the Service Module hatches. From independent sensors I knew what I was going to find on the other side.

I opened a small valve and equalized the pressure and soon I climbed into the central hub of the station. The first two portions had been first launched almost a year ago. The air was good, with the scent of living things and a comfortable amount of humidity. There had been no space walks to admit fungus but a small experiment that took samples like a sea anemone did something similar. The digestion, though, showed that some things were now growing from a sterile environment. Some fundamentalists thought this was just a mistake and discounted it out of hand. Others concurred with me that fungus might be in every gravity well.

I checked the fuel cell I was very proud of. It was even better than what I had used in our satellites launched in 2004. This is what was actually going to power our experiments in welding components in zero g and a vacuum. The vacuum had been tried on earth and now we wanted to use it to construct a future home for humanity.

One large experiment should have stunk but had been kept sealed. Mice had been put into a secured area and allowed to multiply without hindrance. Food was grown in the large bottle and more was introduced from time to time. The mouse population grew so large that they ate all the food and then reverted to cannibalism. This experiment had been done on earth but this way a billion people might see what had happened and draw parallels to humanity's growth.

One lone mouse lived on sprouts that had not all been eaten by his now dead brethren. I would be very surprised if this one were able to make it through the difficult times facing it. In a way I was proud of it for being such a survivor. When this one died, there would be no progeny to continue. China, in my old life, passed a law limiting one child to a family. India had no such backbone to pass a similar law. In this life I wanted the laws passed but I might already have done things that would make the population crisis come much sooner.

Mineko talked to me about the experiment now and I gave the world what I had said to her many times. She was in charge of this and she not only kept good notes but also made her own observations. Her explanation was three minutes long and I worried if the people actually picked up on these important facts.

Children in different countries monitored other experiments. They had been allowed to do various things of their choosing to find more facts. Irrespective of time zones I asked, "Hello, Jenny Simons. What can you tell me about your group's experiment?"

Connections were made on earth and a child of nine came on. I had talked to each of the groups, which had been selected earlier and they were all waiting to talk to the world.

"Hello, Mr Kramer. We..." her voice firmed up, "we found that plants in a micro gravity environment didn't know where to put roots or the stalk. We found leaves on both parts."

She had been prepared but was now worried again. I had to ask leading questions till I got the information out of her. I was sure she was quite happy to leave the conversation to the next group I called. Sixteen experiments in all had been run and even the failed ones had to be discussed. All languages were translated and fed into the feed for each country, so people could read even if they did not understand the sounds.

When I was done, I gave my thanks to all of the children and went to the next hatch. Air was bled in again and I walked to the next section of the station. Here I talked to high school age children to find out what they had deduced. This took longer but I tried to make it interesting, for I knew that untold millions of children were losing sleep while watching this class in science.

There were cameras everywhere I went and a person on earth just had to choose which ones to monitor and even have only one on a screen at a time. This was a true interactive environment and there was nobody passively being fed pap from and announcer. I opened the British, then the American contribution to the space station and rehashed old news and explained what each was for. This went on for the West German, Canadian, Japanese and Soviet areas. Three large capsules had various contributions from smaller countries and these I praised especially when they had been so generous compared to their economies.

There was real work to do now and I started working on failed components. Some could be repaired from parts. This task was promptly started. Others units had to be swapped from spares I had brought for this purpose. I made a note to have these replaced when my guests would finally arrive.

The American section held five suits. My suit, like the others, had my name on one breast; while on the other breast was the logo for the United Nations. I put the suit on without help, which was the way I had insisted it be made. It stood to reason that if something went wrong, the suit would do little to help me. I had thought of making money when these were designed and I had put in all the important things as well as all the little tricks that I remembered. The secret had been leaked somehow and some were soon going to watch a movie that had to do with this adventure.

From the Soviet section I took some tools and some silicon monocrystal solar cells and put them into a pouch. Each of the tools were attached by a lanyard, for I knew how easy it was to loose some parts. The array had sustained some damage and a remotely controlled camera had showed everyone on earth what had happened soon after this section was launched.

I stepped into the airlock on this unit with my belongings while listening to all the comments coming from earth. If I followed all the directions I would never be able to get anything done. The cameras mounted on all suits allowed everybody to see exactly what I saw, in living colour even if nothing was alive. Air was pumped out partially then the remainder just bled off. My suit started to stiffen. When the gauges read zero, a light told me that I could safely open the hatch. When I did I was greeted with an even more beautiful sight.

Sunlight glittered off the various hulls, except from the flags painted on each. Large arrays of solar cells gave way more power than we presently needed. Holding a rung I connected up the umbilical cord to one of the fittings on the hull. When the tests proved satisfactory I just braced myself and made a very small jump.

From my headphones I could hear my wives gasp along with a good portion of the population. I had thought about this manoeuvre ahead of time and my feet hit where I aimed and as I moved forward, my hand grasped the metal pole holding the array. I took the shock slowly with my arm muscle and stood erect once more. The only reason I was able to do this was because I pushed my feet toward the hull.

I had been talking casually all through this and with the hand that clutched the mast I slowly climbed about fourteen feet. With my feet wrapped around two struts I removed the damaged section. This was very difficult with the thick gloves on. Everything was done slowly. I would rather be known as slow and alive than possibly fast and dead. The sight of tools or supplies drifting off into space was not on my wish list, either.

The simple job took two hours and I came back inside exhausted. The scientists and engineers had not seen the benefits of the circulatory system of water in the suit but I could now show them how much it had been needed. I had not actually frozen but part of me had got very hot.

The rest of this period was spent doing household chores and talking informally to some people at random from those awake. I had done this on numerous radio and television shows and took the good with the bad, along with the inane and insane. The latter got the point of my tongue, when they started to harangue me of doing things that clashed with their customs or beliefs.

When I became too tired, I just turned on an electric fan and hung myself on a wall and tried to go to sleep. At least, this time I made sure the cameras were not allowed to look at me. It was embarrassing to think of all the people still looking seeing me snoring, or at least with my mouth open.

Aron gave me the wake-up call after five hours of sleep. I wished everybody a good morning and was wished one as well. There was a long list of things to do and only one of me to do them. This would last for only twelve more hours, for then I would have some people over for a house warming party.

The Soviets were launching their own version of the Apollo, which could lift even more. They were coming with the command module and four of the crew. A day later, Cuba would be launching one of my boosters with the Lunar module on it. All told, in the next week we would be getting ten new faces. This would be short-lived, for a few days after the last one arrived, five of us would leave for a trip to the moon.

I had to take time from my work to watch the images of the launch preparations from earth-side cameras. Strangely, I was just as excited with this as I was my own launch. I had enough time to talk to each of them just before the liftoff.

Three hours and thirty-seven minutes later the large ship docked as well as I had done. I was inside watching monitors. The hatches were all closed, in case they did something wrong and rammed instead. Moments later I heard a knock at the hatch and I said in Russian, "Come in, the door is open."

The door swung open and the first man came through and only a little green around the gills.

I shook hands with Major Sergei Lischinsky. "Glad you could make it, Major."

He had to start twice but got out, "I am glad to be here, Mr Kramer."

The next to come through the hatch was a black woman. She was an American flyer I had hunted for through my contacts. She was known to take no shit from anyone and could back it up with her fists. She had many firsts to her name and I had given her a hand a few times to garner more. To break the segregation mould, I had to find ways for blacks and women to get ahead. Sally Sackman was just such a woman to help me.

I reached forward to give her a hand and she looked at me a second before accepting the assistance. "Thanks, Alex. I haven't got my feet yet."

"You won't get them till you are on something more massive."

Jeremy Myers was the third through the hatch and represented what I thought would be the best Britain had to offer. He was a man of thirty-seven but I thought his training and good humour would be of benefit to our group.

Marcel Grateau was the last and looked the greenest. Jeremy gave him a hand but tried to keep it hidden. He knew that since nobody had been in space before I'd have to weed out any who would not fit in on our next portion of our adventure. Some of those present might not be fit to go on the important mission.

After wishing them the best, I moved them to the largest free area and got them to talk to the people on earth. At first they were to stay as a group and afterwards they could talk to family and friends.

Everything worked smoothly. When the random calls started coming in, the four broke up and answered the questions individually. Sally's fourth call brought a warning to me from earth.

A man had said, "What is a nigger like you doing up there? Ar' you going to wash the clothes and make the beds."

I was about to cut in myself but Sally just smiled and raised her hand. "I listened to your voice and figured you are from the hills of Tennessee or maybe Mississippi."

"What is that to you?"

"I am not finished. You asked a question. Do you want it answered?"

"Yea, nigger."

"You never made it into high school and probably plow a poor field from behind a mule. You have a saint for a wife and at least eight kids. Well, I have one daughter and I am widowed. I went to university and have three different degrees. I can fly a fighter or a commercial plane. I am smart enough to keep in shape and get hired on for this excursion. I know what the hind end of a mule looks like and decided that it was not something to see for the rest of my life. You seem to like the view because you are still there while I am hundreds of miles over your head. As for what I am going to do here, well I am going to fly close to a hundred thousand pounds of mass to the moon with the lives of four white men in my hands. You will only have some cracked reigns to hold and some dirty boots that smell of manure. Now tell me if this nigger did good for herself?"

The phone just clicked and all of us laughed for the conversations had stopped while we listened to what was said.

All too soon we started working and the public relations had to stop for the most part. We went out in pairs to test how well we could do in the suits. They had done the same on earth but here things were much different.

After another sleep we moved the Command module to dock behind the Service module. We were all busy when warned of the next launch and we got back inside and talked to the newest prospective members of our very exclusive club. The Lunar Module came up with the first four members of the habitat crew. They were introduced, even though everyone on earth knew them by heart now.

We stowed the extra supplies and soon attached at the other end of the module to the Command Module. Only the small hatch at the end of the Service Module attached this completed unit to the station.

In four more days the other six had arrived. The first of these visits came from the Cape and brought a Japanese electrical engineer, another was a Canadian doctor and the third was a Portuguese physicist. The next rocket came from Russia and carried a Chinese female engineer and Indian biologist and lastly a West German pilot. Everybody had more than one speciality and I had met them many times.

The Americans and the Russians had contributed the most resources to this project and only had one representative each. The other major contributors had their own people. Surprisingly, there was little fighting when I brought the Chinese and Indian representatives. Behind the scenes I had mentioned to the others my reasoning for doing so. We could convince a friend that we could talk to, much better than a stranger that we had no conversations with.

Everybody spoke English and Russian, so I knew there would be no problems with communications. I ran them all through some tests and felt very lucky that all of them seemed to have passed.

We ran exhaustive tests on the equipment going to the moon, on all three units individually and then on the composite. Nothing was seriously wrong but I kept remembering Apollo 13 and the problems it had. Our agitators would not have anything to burn and explode in the oxygen-rich environment.

Everybody had a chance for a space walk and innumerable photos were taken of individuals working on high tech equipment with a cloud-covered earth or a pitch-black sky with small bright diamonds in the background.

Shots made inside the capsules showed people hanging tools in mid air while repairing some part was a joke, for rules had to be followed about loose articles. Velcro was used and we got it free, because we mentioned its name.

Again I talked to the family and found that some could not sleep well and were worried. The younger ones were still gung-ho but in Mineko it seemed a bit false.

When the time came for our flight we simply disconnected and with small reaction motors got far enough away to use some heavier blasts from the manoeuvring engines. At thirty miles everything looked good and Sally ignited two solid-fuel engines that threw us back in our seats at two gravities. Everything was done professionally, even her southern 'Yee Haw' yell that hurt our ears. The speed climbed and our orbit grew and grew. At the right time she switched to an orbit of the sun and increased one more time. In five hours we were on our way, travelling faster than anybody had ever gone before.

Life was not boring. With our maser we kept in touch with everybody. Experiments were now carried on, relating to all the things I had told them about years ago. Our signal not only went to earth but another maser was directed to where the habitat was supposed to be. Our pictures would come through much clearer than what had been done that other time.

There was no chance to relax but just before sleeping each ship night I looked at the photographs of my family and especially of my children. I just hoped that they would be able to grow up without a nuclear war.

As the moon grew before us, the earth dwindled. A quarter million miles sounds small when we see the moon at night but it was a long four days in getting there. The crew were too tired to get upset at anything and no matter how well we did, there was always an engineer or a scientist asking us to do one more set of readings.

I cut the workload down a day before we would go into orbit. At least we were able to get some extra rest. I was not only the captain but I also had the duties as the official doctor, even if the University of Toronto still didn't recognize me. It was hard for them to bitch, for they would have to come here to do so. Our increased mass and our more powerful engines got us to the moon a few hours sooner than the original four days taken by the old Apollo 11 crew.

The moon even looked better than what I had seen in the pictures of it at a time so many years ago. Thinking of the famous photos, I took many shots through the portholes or from the special cameras mounted on the hull. The digital cameras were not as good as the film, so we continued to use both. I had visions of a beautiful coffee table book laced with our colour photographs. It was only a year and a half ago that I had invented the colour film process. The earth was photographed many times with a portion of the moon in the foreground.

We circled the moon many times taking pictures but most used different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum to see. Small packages were sent to the surface. Those would analyse what they found and transmitted the data to us when we called for it. A satellite placed in orbit from the first dark side flight would retrieve the data and transmit it back to earth as it collected it.

The time finally came to make our descent. In this case we were not going to leave anyone on the ship, as we all took seats in the lander. This I had decided long ago. Our landing zone was the same as Apollo 11, on the Sea of Tranquillity.

Sally had her hands on the overrides as we descended with the computer. It must have been disappointing, for this time we actually had a flat spot to land on. No intervention was necessary. We waited for the craft to settle, because it was still possible that one of the landing pads would sink into the dust. When our radar checked the regolith beneath us, it came back as solid.

On this landing everybody had their suits on before we started our descent. As captain and the one who put a high proportion of his funds into this project, I took the honour of being first. It took a while to bleed the air from our cabin and then tell my muscles what to do in a shade of gravity that I had not felt for almost ten days.

The ladder felt odd but it was still easy to go down. I took my time. Falling was dangerous and would make me look the fool, even if others thought I was a fool already. I did not use the quote, "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." I did use something similar that had taken quite a while to get phrased properly. My other improvements were to use the languages of many other peoples, even if I only memorized the sounds.

My camera came out and I took a few shots of my first boot mark on the fine lunar soil. This was for posterity, for the exhaust at takeoff would obliterate it but the others coming down the ladder would obliterate it sooner.

I had to walk with a special waddle to get anywhere and I told the ones in the ship and at home what was happening. Major Sergei Lischinsky had the honour of being next. He spoke his words in Russian, then switched to some other languages he was familiar with.

Marcel Grateau, then Jeremy Myers came down the ladder. Sally Sackman had been our pilot and had to come last. I don't think she was pissed about that, because the world had been following her every movement. She was still the first woman on the moon.

The first thing we did was to go over the lander to check for problems. The Major was in charge of all the activities on the surface of the moon and took his job very seriously. The inspection took half an hour. When we found nothing unexpected, we began lowering the Rover to the surface.

This rover was much different than the first. It was larger and had much more equipment. It had large batteries and an equally large solar array. The dish would receive data from orbit and transmit its findings back.

Marcel Grateau and Jeremy Myers got the job of test pilots and drove the rover slowly to place the seismic recorders at a distance from our location. They were the first to use it, for it was far too flimsy to use on earth.

The rest of us walked a distance away and started to pick up rocks. I had aluminum rods made that allowed the rocks to be picked up without bending too much. This was the same problem that plagued the first landing the other time.

I was the one to set up the video equipment. I made sure the cameras never were directed to the sun. One Apollo landing unfortunately had a camera burnt out by the sun and deprived the earth of the visual data we all loved.

Control sent messages about the quality of the images and I did a bit of adjusting. The camera was focussed over the Smyth's Sea and we could see many sharp-rimmed ray craters that we had missed.

Soon we were all inundated with requests to talk. I took some calls, as did the rest of the group. Our bandwidth was wide enough to take all this and all the data we sent back as well.

Control was handling the messages like a good secretary and I answered some questions as I continued to work collecting rocks.

When the politicians were done, I talked to the family. They were more than just pleased. Aron and Yuri were jumping around so much they had fallen and broken a lamp. I talked a moment or two with each of them as I worked. Being the boss was great, because I could talk like this while the rest had to work under the direction of Control back on earth.

Friends came next. I promised them souvenirs but they would all have to be reproductions of the photos I took. Moon rocks would be a scarce commodity and a black market would arise from what we brought back. What the rocks would prove was how the moon was formed.



-------

Chapter 47


Eventually, with enough mathematics and a super computer, it would be proved that a large celestial body once struck the earth. The iron core of the intruder, being heavy, sank into our core and the granite mantle had been flung off. Being hot, they formed back into spheres again and the granite section stayed within our gravity well.

We traded places and jobs and each of us had a chance to ride the rover. We had pictures of Sally planting the Stars and Stripes in the shallow soil. Hindsight was great and I had brought a device to attach the flags to the solid rock with a special 22 cartridge. This procedure was dangerous, for a small fragment of rock could puncture our suits easily. The construction of the device was as well thought out as possible. The astronaut stood on a plate and the small explosion caused him or her to be bounced upward.

The other members did their own countries' flags the same way and then we continued with the other countries that had contributed funds, or other assistance to our projects.

A laser reflector was planted away from our landing site and where other experiments were conducted. Instead of staying just four hours, we planned on being here about a day. We drilled deep into the rock for samples and to find the temperature gradient. If you got down four or five yards, then the temperature would be the same as home. This would protect any future inhabitants from much of the radiation, too.

Some of us took a sleeping pill and hooked ourselves up to the oxygen supply from the lander for a nap. Like well-trained mice, we were awoken later and put back to work. The machinery would all stay on the moon and as much of it as possible had been automated. This all had to be taken away from our landing area, because when we left, the exhaust would set up a terrific wind storm that would destroy anything close.

Jeremy Myers walked down a shallow crater and after taking some samples Marcel Grateau had to help him out with a rope. This was planned in advance to test some of our theories.

Major Lischinsky and Sally went the furthest in the rover to place sensors. We all heard the two making jokes about being taken for a moonlight ride. Sergei played right along and said that Sally was the most beautiful woman on the planet. Sally readily agreed with his observation.

When it was time to go, the rover drove away controlled from earth. We took a few more photos and just saved some film for the launch. We were all tired and I, for one, would have loved to enter a dome set up for humanity and just go to sleep at the first human outpost. Sadly, there would be no permanent structures.

The lander was as light as we could make it and we had more than enough fuel to make it to orbit from this airless orb.

Launch was brutal to save fuel. Seven minutes later we were able to cut back, then wait till it was time to fire the engines again to put us in the orbit we wanted. I don't know if I got the photo of the flags blowing in the exhaust or not but I was sure that this would be the only time they would ever extend again.

Sally had to do some manual work to line up with the Command Module. We bumped once and had to try again and finally made it. Sergei slapped her on the shoulder and said, "Good work."

Sally actually said, "Thanks," in a meek voice. She must have been very nervous at this manoeuvre.

When we were back in the Command Module and had recovered all our horde of rocks, the lander was jettisoned. Sally used the last of its fuel to place it in a higher and more stable orbit. I felt bad about letting it just fall back to the moon. Perhaps this could be looked on as our way station for future visits and possibly used again if we brought more fuel.

The trip back to earth was anticlimactic but we did not have that much time to think of it for we had lots of duties to perform. The helmets were hung up but we stayed in the suits till our home warmed up a bit.

From a small alcove I extracted five small plastic bags of vodka. I put my finger to my mouth to keep everyone from saying anything then handed out the clear liquid.

"May friends always work together as well as we have!"

I got replies in different languages and the contents were squeezed into thirsty mouths. The drink was strong and Sally choked a bit, then just reached out her mouth to catch a small globule that she had let escape.

The main engines of the Service Module cut in on time and we were again thrown back into our seats. We circled the moon gaining speed. This did not last long and soon we were back at work.

Four tiring days later we came back to Earth orbit. I had done many tests to see if moon bugs had attacked us but I could not prove that there was no life on the moon yet. We would have to go into quarantine with our rocks till the time was passed. The same thing was required when the other time people had come back from the moon.

Before entering atmosphere we said hello to those still on the space station. Things had been progressing well and they had even received another shipment from earth. They congratulated us first on our arrival.

The Service Module was now jettisoned and again Sally steered it into an orbit for later use. Our suits and anything else not necessary, went with it. If recovered, it could be of use later. The stripped-down Command Module entered earth's atmosphere and started to heat up. The trip back had been cool but now we were sweating.

Communications stopped as the ionized gases around us made any transfer of data impossible. We watched the airspeed and the altimeter very closely. The drogue chute came out and we felt a shock through our module. Our craft slowed further, till we were well into the green. Another drogue came out to pull the three main chutes out and we dangled after the large shock that ran through all of us.

We splashed down in the Pacific at 11 am local time. The small flotation ring was deployed and we bobbed up and down in the ocean. Sally was embarrassed because of her understandable motion sickness.

Our transponder worked through the GPS and transmitted our position. The closest ship happened to be Russian and we soon found one of their copters dropping frogmen around us.

Soon the hatch was opened. We were welcomed home in Russian and five isolation suits were thrown in. We didn't even get to see the man. Sergei was given the honour of replying to the unseen frogman. After putting on the suits we were hoisted out, one at a time and into the giant Hind Mi-8 HIP. I was last and I saw the large container of Moon rocks hoisted into the helicopter ahead of me. When my turn came, I looked down to see the hatch being closed to keep water out and moon bugs in.

The crew helping us all wore masks, even though we were in sealed suits. When we were safely in place, they retreated to a sectioned-off area, leaving us effectively sealed.

We landed on an aircraft carrier and I was very happy to see soldiers from many different countries standing shoulder-to-shoulder and waving. It was a good welcome and it made all the work I had done seem worthwhile. The helicopter had landed on the elevator and it slowly lowered to an area of the large hangar below.

Before us was one of my large motor homes. It was tied down with strong chains to keep it from moving and it was almost too large for the elevator. Four places around our future home carried the name 'Kramer Motor Homes'. The section at the back had a very large window covering the entire area. Inside, we could see comfortable chairs.

With the message that all was safe, we helped each other pull out the large container of moon rocks and drag it onto a wheeled platform. We pushed the platform over to a large enclosure and sealed it inside with the trolley. It was then that we had to form a five-person animal and make it to our shiny habitat. It was difficult to get used to the gravity, because our muscles had lost some of their tone. We had no time for the exercises necessary to allow us to function on earth.

Other countries had their own ships waiting for us but it was the luck of the draw as to which ship and country we would be picked up by. Many of them had similar motor homes in them. We each took a berth and Sally had one that had a bit more privacy. After the last few weeks we were not too shy around each other. I, for one, talked more on the phone to world leaders, then begged off and simply had a shower and went to sleep. The rest seemed to be similarly inclined.

I awoke to the smell of hot military food. It was bland but that was in the original planning. After another shower I got dressed in new, Russian military fatigues. I looked in the mirror and thought the clothing fitted quite well. We had a slight negative pressure in the motor home and all the air went through a very special filter designed to keep any contagion from infecting the rest of humanity.

The food had come through a small airlock like our clothing. Our old company uniforms were sealed in a bag and incinerated. There was nothing to fear but there were too many frightened people who would be more reassured if we took a three-week vacation.

A knock at the door woke me and I reached over to turn on the large LCD screen. I saw that one was Russian and the other British by their uniforms. The inquisition began and I had to work on my four guests and myself. I had to explain every ache and pain. I was questioned from a long list, then encouraged to do some exercises, which they monitored and wrote their findings down on a clipboard. This was all known ahead of time and I just grinned and bore the abuse.

I drew my own blood, put the specimens in a rack and placed them in the refrigerator. Soon I had the others lined up and was putting their samples in the same rack. Now we didn't have to worry about a bedpan, for all of the toilet wastes went directly into a tank that was checked for miniature aliens. We were an experiment by ourselves and all of us were subject to a long list of tests.

I was tired by the time the next bland meal was served. In exchange, the samples of blood, sputum and smears were given. Things did improve after the meal, when we began to get more video calls from our family. From our position I knew we were at least forty hours away from Hawaii.

The R&R did not last for long and I had to run more tests. I hated them as much as the rest of the crew but there was nothing I could do about it. We did have some free time but it was used up talking to some of the millions who wanted to talk to us. This I had foreseen, too and had mounted a large LCD screen in front of an exercise machine.

A day and a half later we looked at the screens showing the outside world. We were now in Pearl Harbor and just six miles from Honolulu. All around the ship were lines of pleasure craft, all full of people waving their arms or flags and, one woman, her blouse. She did have a one-piece swimsuit on but the men all looked anyway.

I could see the Russians and the other nationalities on the ship waving back. This is what I was hoping to do but I didn't know how long it would last, for humans could turn anything to shit.

An hour and a half later we had docked and a team of men undid the chains holding our home stationary. One man looked at our position and told us to start the engine. I did it this time and drove where I was directed. When I got the signal, I turned off the engine and locked the brakes. The team rode the elevator beside us to the upper deck. We found the crew waving to us. Sergei and I were in the front seats and the others were in the rear by the very large window.

Before we left, I picked up a microphone and thanked every man onboard for assisting us in this endeavour. The speech had been prepared long ago but I looked through the window at individuals and gave what, I hoped, would be a show of real appreciation. On our heads we wore Russian caps with a small logo of the ship that we now rode.

The captain, then the representatives of four more countries, in turn, gave a speech. We must have had a tight schedule for the speeches were short and sweet.

Sergei thanked his own countrymen, then the representatives. Marcel, Jeremy and Sally gave words to show their own appreciation.

We drove onto a large platform and again our conveyance was chained tightly down. In a moment a very large crane picked up the platform and us on it. We were guided down to the dock and again we had to give a short speech.

We drove through town with much more than just a police escort. The streets were lined very deep with people waving the American flags and some had the United Nations flag. Sally was in the back and she used the microphone to thank her countrymen for the reception as we drove at a very slow pace.

We pulled onto an airfield and just followed the vehicles in front of us. Now we had soldiers and what looked like their dependants waving at us. A man took over and used hand signals to get us into a particular position. When I shut off the motor, thousands of people rushed to the sides to see in. The back of the motor home was facing a large platform and people were just starting to get onto it. The background had a large flag, not of the United States but the United Nations. To the sides we saw flagpoles with flags of almost every country known.

We stood at the back of the bus at attention as the American national anthem played, followed by the special music signifying that the President was going to make an appearance. President Sparkman walked onto the platform and greeted everybody and us in particular.

The speech went on for twenty minutes. Nikita Khrushchev came next and spoke at length about cooperation while wiping his head of perspiration. We were heard through our own PA system but it was purposely kept low. It seemed that there were quite a few dignitaries, although we could not quite see onto the stage because of the angle and our low elevation.

President Charles De Gaulle came forward with all his medals on his chest and talked about the French contribution. Chancellor Konrad Adenauer represented West Germany and Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, Britain. All of them had similar speeches but, oddly, everybody enthusiastically clapped when they were done.

When this presentation was over, the dignitaries walked down the steps and came to stand before us. A platform had been placed so that people could talk to us face to face.

This was a much more informal situation and I caught sight of some of my family further back.

This was just like chitchat but we were a lot more comfortable with the air condition running. We answered many questions, mainly about small details that may not have been understood by the majority of the world seeing the live action.

Soon the family was given a chance to come forward. They were not all mine but the relatives of the people standing beside me. I had seen all the faces before and it was like old home week in a way. After half an hour I found reporters working closer to the front and figured that we would only be able to talk later.

Three hours later we were parked in an open-sided building designed to keep the sun off us and our visitors. Chairs were set around the front, back and sides because of the large expanse of glass I'd had installed. I talked out one side of the rear glass, sharing the area with Sergei. My family was many times larger but didn't seem to swamp the Lischinsky family. My dad and grandpa were talking to the others in Russian sprinkled with many Polish words.

The families stayed on for the three weeks and one day I saw Sally's little girl carrying an armful of dolls. On closer examination I found that they were all five of us. Sally replica was there twice: in our astronaut suit and in a chic dress.

I looked immediately at my wives and found each of them smiling at me like Cheshire Cats. Aron opened a very large box and pulled out the Command Module done in miniature but probably well able to hold the five dolls comfortably.

As official physician, I took more blood samples and other body fluids and I also performed regular examinations. We were a bit stir crazy from being coped up but it was not that bad, because usually our families were there every day.

I was quite busy running my empire from one of the computers or the videophone that was always nearby. We had found a major oil field in the Middle East. The contracts were still in effect for our military wares but I doubted if too much more would be sold.

Computers and peripherals were continuing their meteoric raise. This was reflected in the sales from Japan and from IBM. Everything related to the transistor, especially ones with our logo on them, did wonderfully.

The movie had finally come out a week earlier. '2001: A Space Odyssey' was breaking the box office in receipts and was doing so in every country. It even promised to surpass 'Ben Hur' that a competitor had done just a year ago in English-speaking countries.

The book had been changed quite a bit to include scenes from the moon but those had been done six months before our trip. A small scene showed the flags bolted to the rock around our landing site and only really differed in the placement and size of the craters. The preamble, before the discovery of the monolith, showed the population to be of many races working together for the common good. Their uniforms were our company uniforms and those, again, were copies of what were seen on the second Star Trek series.

The movie portrayed private ownership in some things. Those were listed, as were some social things that were once done by families. The moon was not a good place to have land owned privately, because of the need to protect it all and the inability of a private individual to just set up a dome. It was not socialism but it was not capitalism, either. I just hoped that I did not offend everybody with the way I presented a possible future society.

Hal the computer now had to have a different name. The next letters of the alphabet after each of the letters in the name 'Hal' are i, b and m. Since I now owned a large portion of the company, I could not afford this nomenclature.

This film had to be shot many times so that viewers could hear it in their own languages. Some of the main characters were changed to reflect the different nationalities.

On the set, the gravity caused by centrifugal force was done the same way as in the original movie. I had a large wheel made with the cables coming through the hollow axis. With the camera bolted to the floor and the actor running at just the right speed it looked like he was running up the wall.

It helped that the construction in space now was going to build something very similar. It had occurred to me that I might get the engineers in space to do some acting to help pay for the enormous costs of putting and keeping them there.

The conflict at the end of the story was with hard-line minority elements in the East and the West seizing power and launching missiles at each other. I explained how the countries had been getting along peacefully for years before this happened.

It was one of these rogue elements that reprogrammed Hal to make it act the way it did, something like 'Lost in Space'. I wouldn't want the viewers to think that my computers would go nuts by themselves.

The wives, I found, had taken most of their money and built more toy manufacturing plants to make everything they wanted. Everything that could be copied, had been and the results sold at an exorbitant profit. When I dug further, I found that they, too, were country specific and the pricing was just enough to bankrupt a family no matter how much money they had, if they allowed their children to have even a fair selection of the toys available.

For the twenty-second day, there was a large reception planned for our emerging from our protective cocoon. I tried hard to put it off for a few hours. The wives and I drove off to the hotel they had been staying at, with Grandma doing some babysitting.

The car ride was agony, for I could smell my wives very clearly. They, wisely, dressed demurely and acted very proper. When we got through the line of reporters and well-wishers into our room, they took off their clothes very quickly. I was even quicker and ripped my shirt and pants.

Helen cheated and just pulled her panties off and her dress up and lay down on the bed. She just had time to put some KY around her opening before I was entering her.

"Oh, I have been waiting for this forever," she said to me.

I replied, "The longest five weeks in my life."

After only three minutes I had to release my seed and did so very vigorously. Helen screamed her own pleasure when she felt me pump into her womb.

Laura dragged me off after only a minute of rest and said, "I need you, husband."

She quickly lay down on the next bed and pulled her heels to her butt. I needed no encouragement and changed beds quickly, with only a kiss for Helen. I took more time slipping into Laura. She felt so tight.

"Hard, Alex. I want it hard."

I felt the same way and pounded into her the way she liked it. I came close many times but managed to hold off by the barest of margins. When I looked at the other bed, I saw Seiko eating my wife while Sonia was sitting on Helen's face. The sight inspired me to thrust even harder.

All too soon I was at the point of no return. I pumped even harder into Laura and released my seed. She, too, screamed in pleasure and it was my own mouth that muffled the sound.

We held each other tightly for a moment till she relaxed a bit. She looked at the other bed and smiled. "Do your duty, Alex. They need you as much as you need us."

I pulled out and Laura's eyes closed in pleasure at the sensation. I looked down and saw that I was still hard and I still had a great determination to continue. I moved back to the other bed and got behind Seiko.

I moved my moist cock up and down Seiko's very wet opening and worked my way inside in just a few strokes. Soon she had to abandon Helen, for I was pushing her forward too much to safely please my other wife.

Seiko was always easy to please and orgasmed after ten minutes. I laid her down on top of Helen's abdomen and looked at Sonia.

She had her hand under her belly, fingering her opening. Helen had stopped and was just watching what I was doing to Seiko.

After we were done and I carefully got off the bed, it was only a few steps to get beside Sonia. I helped her safely off the bed and found that Laura had moved. I placed Sonia on the now empty bed and started to sample what Helen had just tasted.

"No, Alex. I have waited too long. I am ready now." I was careful, for this would be the first time for her after giving me her child.

I gave a final lick and tasted nothing but Sonia on my lips. I moved up on the bed and she used her hands to slip me inside. I went very slowly, being mindful of the woman beneath me. Sonia usually took some work but now she came after only five minutes. I rested till she recovered and continued my stroking.

When we came to the party later, I had four very beautiful women hanging onto me. Any lighting was unnecessary for each of them seemed to glow with an internal light. Passing a sheet of glass I looked at my own features and saw the equivalent of a just-married bridegroom looking back at me.

During the party Sally came up to me and said, "I saw four very contented ladies with you tonight."

"I saw one very contented man in the mirror too."

The dinner was similar to many more to take place in the coming months. Each had their charm and each had some ladies who wanted me to see the décor of their bedrooms. This was no different from before but now it was more pronounced. Though many were very witty and good looking, I saw four even more attractive women around me and had little reason to stray.

The world looked a bit different after our flight. We soon broke up and continued to do a lot of PR for our project. This took a weight off my shoulders. Family was taking a larger portion of my time, which I was happy to say. Business had grown of course but that was what good managers were for.

The family now formed a united front to protect our world from humanity in general. DDT was very commonly used and I had tried my best to stop its use. It was very useful and the only way it was stopped before, was when it was seen to be losing its effectiveness. I commissioned many studies and the findings had been presented to the world.

Some governments were working at the behest of the chemical companies and Laura or mom would organize a protest now and again. Many times it was only at election time when the question of pesticide or fertilizer use arose. It took a few times for the various levels of government to see that we were very serious about this problem. The voters were becoming very green conscious, like what California had been in my time.

Recycling got a boost the same way and by simply limiting the number of garbage bags collected meant that more blue boxes had to be filled. Roadside dumping was a crime that was investigated and serious fines and jail time were given out.

The government sponsored many 'Sun' days. Some were devoted to solar powered cars, while others were related to homes and appliances powered by either the sun or renewable resources. Wind farms sprouted up in many places but had to be encouraged, for the payback time was seen to be fifteen years. It was twenty years but I had the prices of electricity raised to promote conservatism.

I was hated all the more for this. The opposition said I was making money off this by selling all the windmill parts and photovoltaic cells but they never mentioned all the losses I had by not selling my oil products.

The United Nations promoted a green earth. The industrialised nations didn't want this, because it would curtail much of their economies. The Kyoto Accord was started forty years sooner. It had a very difficult time passing but it was still up to the individual countries to sign on or not.

My ever-growing collection of engineers worked on many ways to reduce greenhouse gases after I explained about them and proved that they even existed. Some plants were able to use scrubbers to reduce ash, while I worked in northern Ontario on some of the emissions made that poisoned the land for hundreds of miles around. The use of a larger stack only meant that areas further from the site would get poisoned.

Nuclear power had to come about but this time it was done much more rationally. That did not mean that all the reactors were built better. The four Chernobyl-type reactors used graphite and ordinary water. The acronym RBMK stands for heterogeneous water-graphite channel-type reactor in Russian. The purpose was, not only to produce power but also to produce plutonium. Because of its necessarily tall configuration, it was very difficult to put a containment building around it. When a fire broke out, the hot graphite burned fiercely and the uranium oxide was expelled into the atmosphere along with many other radioactive compounds. The Three Mile Island incident was with a different kind of reactor and the containment building held.

The military was always dropping atomic weapons. Sometimes it was from plane crashes or from subs sinking. A dropped bomb usually exploded but did not do this in a way to produce a critical mass. This, however, meant that there were many small holes blown in the earth with radioactive material spewed all around. Considering the number of miles travelled, they did not do too badly but the fact remained that bombs were lost. The seabed was littered with unexploded warheads and the now-radioactive residue spread on the oceans when a nuclear powered ship cleaned its reactor. Even decommissioned reactors were dropped to the sea bottom.

Private industries refurbishing fuel or nuclear power plants were notorious for safety violations. They had many accidents every year but most, luckily, did not get expelled to the outer world. The aboveground atomic tests were worse, simply because they were planned.

Simply put, we were killing our one and only planet, the one our children and further descendants would one day inherit. Whether it was from pesticides, fertilizers, industrial waste or nuclear incidents, we were losing valuable resources and killing what we should be nurturing.

Detergent contained phosphate that was all flushed into our waterways. In some cases, there was not even the simplest of treatment but the raw effluent was discharged. Motor oil was flushed down storm sewers, while Love Canal and others grew each day as chemical companies fed them. PCBs were still used along with carbon tetrachloride.

I couldn't start pointing fingers unless my own house was in order. I made doubly sure and paid large amounts of money to clean up companies that were dumping even before I bought them. The ones I owned shares in meant that I had to fight long and hard to convince the other shareholders of what was really needed.

My German companies were easy to do, like most in Europe, because I owned most outright. The petroleum refineries I owned were mostly purchased along with other assets. These, though, usually meant that I had to build completely new systems. This, of course, could not be done overnight.

To start as soon as possible, government agencies were brought in and appraised of my concerns and what I planned to do about it. Usually there was wonderment on their part, for they thought that nothing was wrong in the first place. They did sign off on the work I wanted to do and I started with a determination to get it done within the next three years. It took a long time to build new structures and a refinery took even longer than most.

I manufactured some paraquat and diquat, then patented them. Immediately after, they were mentioned in learned papers as good herbicides and very effective carcinogens. Three reputable laboratories were given the substances and they readily concurred with my findings. Now nobody could use it, because I would sue them into bankruptcy.

At about the same time I began a study of people with asbestosis and silicosis. Many industries stalled in their efforts to find the cause of these diseases. Governments, compensation boards and insurance companies refused to see the problem and thus didn't have to pay out any money. Similarly, mercury, arsenic, cadmium and lead were studied and the findings would be made public and not hidden under a pile of reports that said nothing.

Tetraethyl lead was used as an antiknock compound and it contaminated the air of every city and even the land and water. Samples were taken from many urban environments and then the compounds were administered to rats and other laboratory animals. Fuel also contained large amounts of sulfur that helped produce the acid rain of later years.

The findings were reported in many journals. The petroleum and auto industry was appraised of our findings and I told them of the need for lower compression engines that ran on higher octane numbered fuel. Of course, this would cost money and none of them wanted to spend a cent unless they had to.

Playboy, long a supporter, interviewed me for the nineteenth time. I explained in simple terms how we were being poisoned and in print dared anybody to take me to court to prove my wrong. With all the money at stake, I was certainly taken to court.

Remembering the O.J. Simpson trial, I made sure that it had lots of news coverage. The judge was not sympathetic to my case but I had put up with similar occurrences before. My legal team by now was second to none. My family were interviewed on various television shows and usually one of my wives would hold her child in her lap or to her chest when talking about lead paint, tetraethyl lead or even lead fumes from soldering.

The opposition tried all kinds of delaying tactics and these were reported in the press for the legal manoeuvres they were. Publicly, I said to the auto companies that I was going to make an engine that would poison less people. I was outvoted in North America but found a sympathetic ear in Japan. They got my full cooperation by getting the catalytic converter, the fuel injection, exhaust-gas recirculation systems, manifold reactors, unitized ignition elements and stratified charge combustion engines.

My refineries were starting to produce higher-octane fuel without lead. All of them had expensive alterations that removed most of the sulfur from the fuel. The autos came to North America next year, minus the catalytic converter, for they would still be fuelled, on occasion, with leaded gas that would destroy the converter. There was a media blitz about how good the cars were and the customers repaid the Japanese for trusting me.

The computers in the automobiles failed on occasion and I backed them to the hilt. The engines did run far better while burning less fuel. The EGR was very small and cheap to make and cut down dramatically in airborne hydrocarbons.

Many of the musicians and actors who worked for me, as well as other famous people, were seen driving the Japanese imports. My family, almost by itself, gave the green movement a large boost.

California turned out to be my biggest supporter, when it legislated laws that gave strict guidelines for what could be driven and sold in their state.

The automakers now really howled and took the state to court and lost miserably. They couldn't complain that the requirements could not be met, for I had Japanese autos that already far surpassed the requirements.

My wives were interviewed in 'Fem' magazine and talked about California being a very healthy place to live if they didn't mind the occasional shake. They were usually shown with our children.

When the damning health reports came in, petitions were sent to the President and Congress. Even though there was no upcoming election, it now became an issue. When it looked like the law-making bodies were going to put out some of their own environmental laws, the automakers and refineries dropped their case.

North of the border, similar laws were being enacted after the American example. Canadians were still conservative but a little bit less so, now.

Love Canal and all similar toxic sites were my next target. The Hooker Chemicals and Plastics Corporation had been the major contributor to the dumpsite and had even filled it in. I knew that in later years the city of Niagara Falls, N.Y. would build homes on the land. Soon toxic compounds, like polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins and pesticides would ooze into the basements of the homes built there.

The polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs had to be proved to be carcinogenic and the dioxins proved to be some of the most potent poisons known. They were like asbestos, in that vested interests wanted to keep any adverse information from the public.

In June of 1963, while travelling in a two-car convoy to a meeting involving Love Canal we were attacked. I was shot in the left shoulder and chest. Both cars were lightly armoured and military weapons were used in the attack. Four of my security people were killed in the ambush and two more hurt. It was the kevlar vest I wore, the strong briefcase and the effort made by my security detail that saved me. George Lacroix, who had been with me since Chicago, threw himself over me and he took the rounds that would have struck my head. I was not able to thank him, for he was one of those who died. The driver in our vehicle was the other. Although two were killed in the other car and others wounded, the attackers were fought off.

Security was very tight around me in the private hospital. The wives abandoned their duties as executives and became just frantic wives and mothers. The high velocity shells fragmented the bones in my shoulder. When I did regain consciousness, the four men were already buried. The wives, I found later, had turned very nasty and drove our remaining people to find the perpetrators.

Six days after the shooting I awoke to find grandma and grandpa in my room. I mumbled a bit and grandma got up. I was able to croak out, "Water," and she put a straw to my lips.

In the next half hour they told me what had happened and what was being done to find the killers. I did not hear anything more, because I went back to sleep once again.

The newspapers, television, radio and the Internet were awash of conspiracy theories surrounding the shooting. This was not a random act, for the hooded men were well trained and well armed. The location was well chosen and the bullets were special so they could penetrate the vests we wore. The fact that mine had pockets with ceramic plates was the only reason I was now alive.

John Ferguson, my head of security, came in one time when I was conscious and gave me a rundown on what was being done. My wives had pushed them and even Seiko had threatened security with her hands unless they found something. Sonia happened to be right behind him at the time and had told him how she would do even worse.

There were hundreds of calls and cards for me. I had to make a few calls of my own to the families of the ones who had died. The ones wounded were recovering and one was on his feet already, working to find out who had killed his friends.

Television cameras and reporters were allowed into the room after being passed by the security. They told the viewers and me what had happened and got down to brass tacks about why I thought I had been attacked.

"I have attacked the source of income of very many people in the last few years. The best I can guess is that one or more people have hired a professional team to keep me from making it less profitable to make a living." I went on listing how I was trying to save our race, while others were putting money far above the lives of our children.

A much more robust security detail took me home to the Bay. This time I stayed at Silicon Ridge that had a much-improved security force. The arm was giving me pain most of the time and I could see two more operations involving bone grafts to get me back to a semblance of normality.

Indictments had come down against Hooker now but all related to their dumping practices. It would be many millions of dollars and quite a few years till the canal could be cleaned up. The court case, I knew, would drag on as long as possible.

There were four investigations going as to who may have had a hand in the assassination attempt. None of them were getting too far. From the facts we were able to gather, it looked like a dozen men had attacked the eight of us. They were in three or possibly four vehicles. It was our ability to use our own heavier weapons that drove the attackers off.

Six of the attackers were left dead at the scene and there was blood that could have come from at least three others. The two vehicles left later turned out to be stolen from Boston and New York City.

Five of the bodies had been traced and turned out to be former military personnel. So far, the only common thread was that they were hard cases who didn't like authority. They ranged in age from forty to twenty-six. Their weapons were reported stolen from many different military armouries. Clothing was military but may have been surplus.

The rounds they used, though, were special and made to defeat our Kevlar. I knew about Teflon tips even before I made the material but it was never mentioned to anybody. Someone had come up with this in their own way.

I was able to walk with a sling now and spent much of my time playing one-handed with the children. Diapers could be changed this way but it was very difficult. Usually mom or grandma would help. Work did suffer but I usually used the phone to get managers to handle the common problems.



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Chapter 48


Four months after the ambush, nothing much of anything important had been found. I had the operations but I still had to wear the sling for another three months. This did not stop me from getting Helen pregnant again. All the rest were very happy for her, for this meant that their turn would be coming soon.

Sonny Forte gave me an unexpected call. He had been one of the people to send his sympathy for the men killed. Other than Lacroix, one of the men he had recommended to me had been killed as well. I had thanked him for finding me nothing but the best men and I did my utmost for the dead men's families.

He said to me over our satellite phone, "Alex, I have talked to Joe's family and see that you have done very well by them. I cannot think of any other employer who would have done the same thing."

"He died saving my life, Sonny. I have my own honour to think of too."

Sonny said in a pensive voice, "Honour is what I am thinking of now. I have some information that may help you but it also may not."

"What is it Sonny?"

"The man I'm talking about cannot be hurt but I think that if you question him you may find out some of the answers you were looking for."

"Who is it? I have ways of getting information without hurting the person I am questioning."

"That is very good. My brother-in-law, Carmen, was drinking with me recently. He boasted that he knew much more than anybody else. He was quite drunk and I decided to not ask him any more after he slept it off."

In a week I was in Chicago. Carmen was sleeping in a chair in Sonny's home. Sonny and only one of my security were with me. Carmen had been given a sedative and now I handed an antidote to Richard to administer. Richard Fraser had been hired the same day as Lacroix and they had been good friends.

Before Carmen awoke he was given the thiopentide. I took the disposable syringe and put it into a protected package. I never let this product out of my sight, or even the traces that could be reverse engineered.

It took only a minute to get Carmen to start talking. An associate in Philadelphia told him how he had been asked to do the hit on me. A week later the man was told that the job was much too difficult and the CIA was going to take over. The offer had come from Howard Meechum, a businessman with many links to the mob.

The questioning continued but nothing more was found relating to the attempt on my life. I didn't ask Carmen about anything else, or about his dealings with Sonny. I didn't want Sonny to hear something that would make him want to have to do something about his brother-in-law.

We left Carmen where he was and when the effects were starting to wear off we left. We had thanked Sonny and warned him that the information he had found out could get him killed very easily.

Meechum fell asleep after touching something sticky under the door handle of his car in an underground parking lot. We were there for two hours and found out a considerable amount about the man in front of us. We were in a panel truck parked nearby and beneath the building where Meechum worked. Voice recordings were made of all his various dealings with the dirty side of the CIA and the mob.

He was a treasure trove of information about a great many different odd things that had happened. He did know about the attempt on my life and listed who had put him up to it and whom he had contacted. Who actually did the job was unknown.

Meechum's fingers were cleaned as was his car and he was put back in. Rather than destroy this resource, he was given a drug which simulated a heart attack and would leave him unconscious for hours. When he awoke or was found, his doctors would tell him that he had minor myocardial infarction.

We stayed in the area for nearly a month. More people had come in to assist and eventually I had a quiet chat with Felix Backwater about the people involved in the attempt on my life. He was resistant but not up to what our drug could demand. Again I used a recording and found out many spurious facts. He had been the one to organize the hit and gave me the names and locations of the remaining men. Three more had died in or after the attack. All of them actually had jobs in the CIA; this would have been found, except that the records had been tampered with.

He told me that many influential people had banded together and got a section of the large government organization to protect them and their money. They claimed I was attacking good businesses in order to promote my own. The list ran to twenty-three people, with comments that many more supported them.

The amount of information was so great that I could not get it all at one time. I did find some good blackmail information when we discovered a goodly amount of money in foreign accounts and I even got his passwords. He did keep accessible records, because he felt that one day he would have to fight for his job the way J. Edgar Hoover did in keeping his position as the head of the FBI.

He had enough dirt on others whom he worked with in his organization that it looked like they could be convinced to do as I wished if I wanted this to happen. Apparently, there were a great many bodies buried and a lot of money made for doing it.

Backwater was left and we cleaned up as good as possible. From a hidden safe, though, we took most of his incriminating evidence and left to find the other places that he had mentioned to us. He would know something was wrong the next time he checked the contents of his safe but hopefully would not know when or how the contents disappeared.

Three of the twenty-three had been watched before because of Meechum's talk with us. We happened to get them, with some mob figures, at a meeting. This time they were simply gassed. The questioning took a long time, since I decided to talk to the five mob figures, too. Incriminating evidence was gathered on anything possible. Teams now went out and took what was needed. Some were able to go to banks and remove articles from safety deposit boxes after a chat with the manager.

After the men recovered, I talked to each when they were not under the influence of the drug. Evidence was presented to them in many forms and two had the gall to ask for their lawyer. All this was done in private, because some of the information dealt with how one or another of them tried to stab another in the back on a few occasions.

This matter was not resolved for years and in the meantime five of the twenty-three people died. They were unwilling to think rationally about the situation I had them all in. Some of their own number wanted to save their own bacon and did the deeds to keep me from exposing all of them. The black operations group and their handlers at the CIA ended up giving me a very large amount of information on what was done and what was even contracted out to the mob.

With this business partially completed, I again went after various toxic dumps that made such large headlines in my previous life. Fourteen months of my life were really wasted with the attempt on my life and the search for who was behind it. Many lives had ended, because I was not able to do what was needed soon enough.

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The Presidential elections were only a year away and just before Christmas a Superfund was established to clean up the most toxic sights. Legislation had been passed to put more money into the international space station too. It had grown considerably in my absence but it had not been out of sight of the common school child. Experiments of all kinds were performed and credit given to the people who thought of them. Nobody had been back to the moon yet but a new and very ambitious venture was planned for 65.

The De Soto Company was having serious difficulties and declared bankruptcy. I had thoughts of stepping in and either saving it, or purchasing the assets. Everything was old and worn out and even though I liked the styling of the car I had to let it slide past me. Chrysler would probably still get into trouble because of bad management. All North American car manufacturers still did not respond to the market very well. I was not sure what I wanted to do but perhaps I could buy major portions of the company and get them to build what I wanted. In the meantime, I had to just wait.

On the topic of nuclear weapons I was happy to get a test ban treaty signed a full year earlier than it had happened last time. I assisted with some reactor design with the full knowledge of the western powers. I reasoned that with enough bombs to kill everybody on earth a few times over, it was now time to work at protecting ourselves from accidents.

A plane had once crash-landed and then ploughed into a Bomarc missile. The explosives had gone off but had only spread nuclear material over a hundred-yard area. I got the military to move the missiles to a less dangerous spots before the accident happened.

The designs I had given to the Russians had been altered and given to the US. It was superior to their own and I made the cost of changing over as cheap as I could.

Russia never exported its light water graphite reactors for a good reason. When they were run at low power, they were susceptible to small hot spots. This caused the water to boil. The water was itself a moderator and steam had very little of this ability. The hot spot got much hotter and boiled more water. This was called the positive void coefficient and could lead to a run-away reaction. This would end up with the reactor putting out 100 times the maximum power and blowing off the top of the reactor with steam.

The hot reactor now exposed would allow the hot graphite to burn. With the water now gone with the explosion, there was nothing to slow down the reaction. The meltdown would make clouds of radioactive smoke and dust that would spread around the world in enough time.

The only good thing about this was that at this time Russia and the world didn't have very many reactors and the Chernobyl type numbered only four. Chernobyl's first reactor had not been built till 1971. Reactors cost a lot of money to build and took a great deal of time. The fact that safety equipment could accounted for a quarter of the cost made some people want to scrimp.

There was no way I could get the existing units replaced but I could suggest all the safety measures thought of after the Chernobyl disaster. This brought on the cry of no money to do this costly undertaking. The American government was not going to help, for they figured that Russia had much more money than it let on. The idea still was to bleed the country till it went to its knees.

The pros and cons of this attitude were obvious. The Soviets had less care for safety than the West. Because of the secrecy around anything nuclear, they did not find out about western improvements in design. At one time this could have been justified but there was now a moratorium on nuclear testing, at least in the air. Some small slips were detected in underground testing. Seismic apparatus around the world detected these.

The amount of involvement I had to have was so great that I had to do this openly. Basically, I had to give Russia help in producing and retrofitting reactors in construction with an eye to safety. At present, the West was still very anti communist and wanted them to sink, if possible. They did not realize how much radioactivity could spread from disasters on the other side of the earth. The United States did not want to see this, because they had been doing a great many open-air tests and always played down the detrimental effects.

As usual, I had to go to the people and this was done on talk shows. The television audiences were told of the safety problems in western reactors. There was no freedom of information act yet and I could not call witnesses to accidents that had occurred.

I did have aggressive news reporting and many places around nuclear power plants of private or military sites were checked. The findings were shown only once, because the government and military would stop us. It was very far reaching and lawyers at the end of the show mentioned how freedom of speech would be curtailed so no further information might be dispensed.

Star Trek the movie had come out and immediately thereafter, one-hour serials were presented. The money and props made them look like 'The next generation' and the themes were similar to both. Two segments dealt with finding low-tech civilizations and what happened with their reactors. This type of reactor was frowned on and I had them display a tokamak installation for fusing two different isotopes of hydrogen.

In my old life we had found Helium III in the rocks brought back from the moon. This material had been discussed as a way of making fusion reactor but was only espoused by some of the people that were accused of being insane or worse green. This was a hidden ace up my sleeve for it would take a team of men to go to the moon to refine this material. It came from the sun and would not make it through our atmosphere to the earth's surface.

One kilo of helium III burned with two thirds of a kilo of deuterium gives us about nineteen megawatt-years of energy output. A reactor built for this reaction would be inherently safe. The worst-case failure scenario would not result in any civilian fatalities or significant exposures to radiation.

The reaction was simple because Helium III wanted one more neutron to make it even and took the loosely held one from deuterium. I could do this now for there was some of the material produced when atomic material was maintained and from natural gas wells.

I remembered reading that there was a million tonnes on the moon. It was deposited by the solar winds and held by the regolith. All you had to do was heat the soil to six hundred degrees Celsius. Going to nine hundred degrees would drive out the oxygen so the helium would be a free byproduct.

In 2004 the United States used even more energy and it could be met by twenty five tonnes of helium III. This was just one shuttle load of the material. The cost of the hydrocarbon fuel burnt was around seventy five billion of those inflated dollars. This worked out to three billion dollars a tonne.

The worldwide demand would be about one hundred tonnes to come to a figure of three hundred billion dollars. If the estimates were right about the supply, it would last for ten thousand years but humans would start using it faster and faster.

All of this meant that fusion had to be considered as an alternative. What was learned with the tokamak could easily be transferred over to the helium reaction.

The Russian character on television explained how the word tokamak came from TOroidalnaya KAmera ee MAgnitnaya Katushka or 'toroidal chamber with magnetic field'. The device was being just started in Russia now and only one small experiment had been built. I hoped that this would start a new race for electrical power technology that would replace the cold war now still in place. This race would lead to the moon and then the stars.

The story line said that the starship was now using antimatter power to operate and how early tokamak technology had lead into this. I slipped in some hints about Helium III but didn't give this outright. Graphics had been supplied and they were the best that I could remember. Billions of dollars had been spent on the tokamak but no reactor could produce more power than it.

The two stories did bring the governments of many countries down on me. The Russians had not even coined the words or the idea yet. The Americans swallowed their own propaganda and figured that the Russians were far ahead of them. They then wondered how I had come by this information. I told them that it was actually my research into two basic types of magnetic and one type of inertial confinement ideas I had. They wanted my notes on the matter and I directed them to the net, where they had been for three days.

This got some of the old die-hards very pissed off, for they wanted to gain every advantage possible.

After a few private words to the Soviets I found myself invited to a large multinational discussion. This was where a group of various engineers and politicians from western countries discussed the future of electrical generation.

This was held in the Soviet Union. This was mainly my idea, to show the world what the Soviets had done so far in tokamak technology and then show them the state of the Soviet reactors.

The tokamak was discussed in as much detail as possible. The Soviets knew that short of a miracle there would be no possibility of producing usable energy from this device. They didn't know about the Helium and I didn't want to inform them yet. Normally all of the world's oil reserves had to be in danger of depletion before the necessary money would be found. The helium rabbit I would pull out only when the time was right.

Both sides were very shocked when I used the computer and a very functional projector to show that I knew more about the subject than they considered possible. Here my background in physics was severely tested and I could only surmise on some features. I did let them know about magnesium boride that I found to be super conductive at 16 degrees Celsius. This would be very useful in making the magnetic fields for the reactors. I apologised afterwards, because I had not even published my findings yet.

My own film crews took their own shots, so that other nations were shown what was happening and not what their own governments wanted to present. When the state of the Soviet reactors was eventually unveiled, I found many worried engineers.

Soviet construction plans were brought out and I was not shy about pointing out what I saw wrong. The Soviet engineers were hesitant to contribute at first but their politicians soon gave them the go-ahead. Training was found to be very poor and the control side was very minimal, mostly due to the fact that they had little or no computers.

The seminar went on longer than expected. Nikita Khrushchev came over when he arrived in Moscow. I had met the man a few times at parties put on by the Russian Embassy and their legation to the United Nations. The man had been in control long enough to find that he was quite restricted in his powers. He, like other politicians, had to watch their step or some upstart would take over their job. Leonid Brezhnev would next year, if I had not interfered in the events of this time.

He and his experts were apprised of my opinion at gaining western money along with western technology for an upgrade to their nuclear plants. His own experts were not that adamant of all the Soviet plants being as unsafe as I conveyed. Here, there was a difference in the meaning of the word unsafe. Life was not rated as high here as it was in North America. In China, it was seen as perfectly acceptable if any project took up to five percent of the workers.

"Mr Kramer," he said, "who am I to believe?"

"Nobody is lying to you. The Soviet Union is very large and if a few reactors suffer meltdown then only a small portion of your land and people are affected. I want no meltdowns, no deaths now, or problems for future generations."

"I will take your word for this now but our reactors have very little problems."

"That may be true and it takes more than one problem to cause a catastrophe but they do occur. With a military your size and a growing economy, this sort of thing has to happen. Now it would be my turn to disbelieve if you said that nothing has happened."

He looked at the men he had brought and then said, "There have been some problems."

At the end of the seminar the Premier did ask for assistance and this, of course, had to be put off for more discussion.

Back in North Bay I didn't wait passively. Entertainment was very important to my cause. My next set of films dealt with people doing what was right. I had signed up the Beatles in 1960 and used them in some of the British movies we made. When they started to become popular, they were encouraged to tour North America. Ed Sullivan got them first one more time, as he had Elvis, Roy Orbison and many other artists that were contracted to my company.

Films were made where it took cooperation to head off a disaster and the boogieman was always some fanatic who had no concept of what was right for his country. 'The Godfather, Part II', was done in the United States, as was 'West Side Story'. The music was remembered but I had to find talented people to work with what I could recall. Both of these were altered to show at least some cooperation.

'M.A.S.H' was done on location in South Korea and revolved around all the nationalities that fought. Much of the dialogue was in English but some was done in the local dialect for authenticity. I did my best to play the war as the enemy and not any particular race.

'The Sound of Music' was done in both Germanys, with a part of the singing done in German, English and one song even in Italian. Mario, Maria, Libra and Rita Leone had minor parts in the movie and had to go on location to do them.

'My Fair Lady' was done in the United Kingdom. There was even a small part for Sir Camm, even though I had to force him into it. To be truthful, he didn't fight too hard. 'Love Story' was done in Italy and the music was a mixture of Italian and English. The music was not the same but just as good. 'The Raiders of the Lost Ark' was done in Russia, Brazil and The United States. 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' was done in France and Switzerland but again I had the film shot in different languages.

I didn't have any anti heroes, except perhaps what could be said for the Godfather one and two. Physical conflict, too, was kept to a minimal amount. I remembered all the violence on TV when I was growing up and saw its effect on the children of the world. This could be substantiated by seeing the various films from around the world and then seeing how violent the youth were after a few years of watching them. Westerns were popular and these, too, had to be toned down. The viewers even got a dose of reality when I showed how we had treated the aborigines.

The West finally gave permission for some technology to be transferred to the Soviet Union. This, I believe, was directly from my own media that convinced the people to convince their politicians.

I was given permission to help the Soviets on my own and I made sure this was said very publicly. It even went on television to make sure that there would be no memory lapse.

The trip to the Soviet Union was started with a lot of fanfare. Sonia had her Canadian papers and I saw no problem with the Soviets in this regard. The other wives and all the children stayed behind, because we would not be long. Things were just too busy with various industries to just leave them.

Negotiations had already started on our videophones and I had a fairly comprehensive list of what the Soviets would now like done. Engineers from all over the world were poised to descend and perform their jobs when I got everything signed. This, of course, would still take time.

The agreement, though, was far from finalized. My payment for doing billions of dollars' worth of work had not been worked out. Retrofitting existing reactors would be costly enough but I also had to work on reactors already being built. I would have good people helping me but the workers actually doing the work would be communists who had been in the system for all of their lives and did not have our work ethic.

The people themselves had to change and to do this they had to be educated. Television had reached only a few Soviets. Most Soviets lived as farmers or even nomads still and had little use for modern conveniences because they simply didn't know of their existence.

In the sedimentary basin leading up to Siberia, there were a number of super large oil and natural gas fields. In five or more years they would be discovered and used to assist the Soviet economy.

My own fields in the Norwegian and the North Sea were bringing gas and oil to Western Europe. If I developed the Russian fields, then gas could be sold to Eastern Europe and even to the communist countries under the Soviet banner.

The project needed lots of capital and more than I wanted to do on my own. Pipelines, refineries and drilling rigs all had to be set up and a great number of people trained in the specialized labour necessary.

The Duma was the only way of getting this sort of law passed. The trouble was that there were just as many diehard communists in the Soviet Union as there were diehard anti communists in the West.

Nikita Khrushchev was more of a hardliner and would soon be deposed. Leonid Brezhnev was chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet and one of the men protecting Khrushchev's position. In doing so, he was promoted to Khrushchev's assistant as second secretary of the Central Committee. He was now the heir apparent for the leader of the Communist Party.

I had talks with both men on a few occasions, talking about where the supplies and money for men and materials would come from. Some talks, though, were private and we discussed policy, manpower and materials but nothing was really that sensitive, for I knew that the rooms were bugged. The people I talked to knew this as well and it was not necessarily their people doing the spying.

My chance came when Leonid Brezhnev invited Sonia and me to his dacha on the Caspian Sea. Before the contracts were even close to completion, we travelled by plane to the cottage on the seashore.

Sonia was very happy being home, in a way but this was a side of the Soviet Union she had never seen. The dacha was one of them, for it certainly was not my idea of a simple cottage.

The first night I took Sonia to bed in our wing and made tender love to her. She was now on the pill full time, because she had presented me with one more son. Her turn for her next child had not come yet. Without coincidence our son's name was Leonid Ilyich Kramer. All my children were named after people on their mother's sides. Leonid happened to be a grandfather and Ilyich was a famous uncle. The two names happened to be Brezhnev's first two names, too.

We were hunting the next day, with his security forces all around us. I passed a note to the man with my finger to my lips. It asked if I could run an electronic device over both of us so we could have a quiet talk.

He smiled, reached into his pocket and took out a small radio. He told whoever was listening that he was turning the radio off and he was not to be disturbed. My own device came out and I ran it over him from crown to feet and then his rifle. A very small transmitter was hidden in the stock of the gun and his face turned very red with anger.

I did myself and found a similar bug in mine. We just put the guns on a tree and walked further away. This area, too, was searched and I purposely didn't sit on a comfortable log nearby.

"What is it you wanted to talk to me about, Alex?"

"The future of the world and the position of the Soviet Union in it."

"Tell me more. This is one of my favourite things to think on."

"You already know, without my telling you, why the United States didn't go to war with you after Hitler was defeated. The western economy is many times stronger than yours. Your people, for the most part, are uneducated and most cannot drive an automobile, yet, or even call someone on a telephone. In the end, the Soviet Union will collapse and Russia will work hard to keep it together. It will fragment and then the West will be very afraid, because you will not even know how many nuclear weapons you have. They could be sold to terrorists, or used by men in your country to take over parts of the country by war or threat of war."

"That is quite a story, Alex. How do you expect me to believe this?"

"First of all, the republics that form the Soviet Union have to be constantly held in check. You have rebels and terrorists in every state. This necessitates a large and expensive army that has to be supported by the state. That money could go to educate the people. Isn't this true?"

"Well, it is but we are forced to by the West supporting many of the radical elements in our society."

"Ok, so far. Do you have plans of greatly enlarging your military and continuing to work in space either with us or alone?"

"Yes, I do. Russia has to take its rightful place in the world."

"Here is where I come in." I paused to give him time to shift gears, "I can look at many things and put together some ideas that escape most people. Would you believe this to be true?"

"You have done a great many things that I could not see anybody else doing."

"Good. I see you suddenly joining forces with those working to unseat Khrushchev. This will happen in the next few months if not weeks." The man looked very alarmed and I continued, "Do not answer, for I already know it to be true."

"How did you find out?"

"You have no leaks in your security. I have deduced this from many pieces of data. The CIA has a large file on most Soviet people of importance and they gave me hints without even knowing what they were giving me. I didn't inform them of my thoughts, though."

"Thank you, Alex."

"The reason I have not named my price for the projects I have been working on is because I wanted to talk to the person who will stay the leader of this country for many years to come."

"What is your price, Alex?" His tone of voice made it sound like he expected blackmail.

"It has nothing to do with this secret. Russia is a great country that can get very much greater if a few things are done."

The man looked pissed now, so I said, "You will probably deal with external politics and beef up your military to a great extent. The problem comes when the Soviet agriculture, consumer goods industries and health care services will decline to feed all the funds to the military or to the space program we are both involved in."

"Go on."

"I can give you billions of dollars in exports that will make your country rich enough to protect the man in the streets. There will be enough money to repair all the reactors as well."

"How do we get these billions of dollars?"

"I am the richest man on the planet. I got that way partially by knowing where to look for oil and natural gas. Your country is very rich and all I have to do is to point on a map."

Leonid looked at me very pensively, "And?"

"I just see bad times ahead after all the work you have done in your life. I want to prevent that."

"What bad times? Russia will be supreme in the world. In a hundred years capitalists like you will be a thing of the past."

I simply said, "I can prove that you are wrong. Can you prove that you will be right?"

We argued for an hour and a half. Leonid's security people came by but stayed out of earshot. He had already seen my books on the fall of the Soviet Union and knew all my points by heart. That, I think, was one of the reasons I was so much accepted. It was partially my wealth but they could read that I was not a rapacious person and that I basically wanted to help people. The dossier on my life must be long now and everybody knew that I was trying to do what was right, not what would make me richer. When it looked like Leonid wanted to think I said, "Let's walk a bit."

Leonid nodded his head and we just continued but the rifles remained where they were. We followed some game trails and he pointed out some tracks but we had no rifles. We walked part way into a clearing and he said, "We..."

I put my finger up and searched the area around us for a microphone and said, "Let's talk toward the bushes. Telescopes help people read lips and parabolic microphones work from a great distance."

"Alex, you must realize what our country has gone through since we embraced socialism. Many millions have died to protect our country and many millions more to ensure that opposition was crushed. It was felt that if we killed some, then the survivors would all fall into line. Now you want me to make all the sacrifices we made for nothing?"

"Not for nothing. Your country is made up of too many different groups that are far too uneducated to see the benefit of working together. Now they do this out of fear of the army. When your association loses power, they will all rebel. Better, I think, to educate the people more and let them see reasons to hold the union together rather than to rip it apart."

"You want us to ignore western threats to our borders? They fly their planes over our land and photograph what we are doing. Even your satellites have been doing that for a long time."

I did look a bit chagrined and said, "That is true. It will not stop either. You are being tested to see what new things you will do, to justify their own military buildup."

"Alex, you are the one benefiting most from that buildup. Your weapons are far advanced and we cannot keep up."

I said, "Our tanks and planes are good. You don't have to match us item for item. A man with a rocket can take out a tank or a plane and it costs far less. You have the largest army around and you should work to achieve quality, not quantity. The cost is less and you are not seen as being aggressive."

"We know that. It was even pointed out to us when you talked to our ambassador years ago. It is very hard to convince some people when they have fought their entire lives to preserve our way of life."

"I want to preserve the good things you have made and I want to make sure you are not seen as a dangerous radical." I left unsaid what happens to dangerous people. "I have a way of doing all I think should be done without costing your country very much."

He looked at me and said, "Go on."

"The oil and natural gas in Russia will be sold to your eastern friends and to Eastern Europe. Your country helps by assisting me in shipping this to markets. The profit goes to repair your reactors, a part goes to the area that has the oil and more goes to the countries the pipeline goes through. The remainder goes to your government. The money, though, should be spent on our computers that will be powered by the sun and communicate through our phone system. The Soviet Socialist Republics get a dozen television channels that allow your people to educate the masses. I can assist if you want but I want you to do this, as long as you can keep hardliners from gaining control of this system."

"What profit will you make, Alex?"

"I will take only five percent over the cost of doing this. I wouldn't take any but I have to consider repairs and upgrades to the system. The satellite has to be paid for because I have partners but it will be at a minimum price."

"You said we get televisions into every home and we are allowed to make the programs?"

"The televisions have to be produced. You have to start on programming them very soon. We have to begin drilling and laying pipe as soon as possible and it is October now. This will be what we need to pay for everything. I can work now and begin retrofitting the reactors."

We talked for another hour and Leonid finally said, "I need to bring others into our talk to assess your proposal."

"That is very understandable."

When we walked back to the tree we picked up our guns and just talked of the area we were walking through. From the look on Leonid's face I was sure he was going to get to the bottom of why the guns had microphones and his security did not find them.

Sonia had the phone to her ear when I came back and after a few words she hung up and ran to me. She wrapped her arms around me then kissed me passionately. "Did you boys have your talk?"

Leonid looked pointedly at her and I said, "We did. I think we are going to start a 'I Love Sonia' television show."

Five days later there was a major shake up in the Kremlin and a day later Leonid looked to be coming out on top. I worked on designing more equipment that would make the reactors much safer. Some had already been proposed, so the Soviets would be able to assess the benefits.

I was given access to three men but soon worked it so I was dealing with the engineers directly, with the three men running interference or fighting bureaucracy. Most of the men were very upset by the change of government and were worried for their jobs.

I got many phone calls from the West requesting some on-the-spot intelligence. Usually I said that I knew very little, except that Brezhnev may have gained the position of Secretary of the Central Committee. Soviet news was not good. It was easier to find something out from the western sources working in the east.

The altered drawings were sent off to get the parts fabricated. The drawings of the reactors of the same type but under construction came to me. These I just looked at, as the Russian engineers tried to put my ideas onto paper.

Leonid Brezhnev talked to me a few times by phone and visas were provided for my own engineers to arrive. They would be paired with the Russians and political commissars were to be kept away from us.

I had a week to settle the engineers in before Sonia and I left. When the political fallout cleared, we would be back to finalise our deal, if one was possible.

Orders were placed for a great many computer systems along the lines of what I wanted the Soviets to get. We were already selling millions to the world and new plants had to be built to keep up with the demand. Microsoft was 100 percent mine and it produced a much better operating system now. Even this was not the best but it did work much better than what I had made so quickly before.

The work was much easier, because I owned the company making the processors and had a firm hand on all the equipment that would plug into the computer. Standards and protocols were made and rigidly stuck to, so improvements could come along and still work. There were many ways the systems, where I came from, had led to blind alleys that had to have workarounds found. From the first, I planned on having the computer made so that it had very few restrictions.

Our third generation processor had come out but its speed required much better chip sets. The old computers were taken in by another of my companies and refurbished so that they could go to the poorest areas. This was the best recycling plan I could come up with.

Software companies sprang up and I even assisted them. Mainly this was to get them all to know the peculiarities of the machine we made but also to use the chipsets to their full advantage. Competition was fine but I just made sure that the game manufacturers stayed away from the blood-and-guts method of attracting customers. The same was done in movies and television shows that were broadcast. It was not really a censorship issue but anybody violating this unwritten code was put out of business as quickly as possible. I didn't even have too many objections from the public when this happened.

Drilling equipment was readied during the winter, as were the ships to take the cargo. Petrosar gave me some of their best men who had at least some fluency in Russian. At present, they were all over the world drilling new wells that the world saw as a fantastic 95 percent success rate. Many times I was accused of witchcraft or worse but since there were no shareholders, there was very little for anybody to complain about except sour grapes.

In February of 1965, I flew to Moscow and had the first face-to-face since Leonid took power. However, we had used the phone many times. Part of the reason was that I sent him a dozen of my best bug detectors. It just made the job of finding a safe place to talk about our business without spies much easier.

Leonid dismissed his people and stood to shake my hand. "It is good of you to come, Alex."

As I shook his hand I said, "This is the first time I can shake your hand after last October. I hope your position is secure."

"Much more secure than my predecessor. Will you have some tea?"

"I would love some."

We talked while the Secretary boiled some water and prepared to make some very strong sweet tea that the Russians loved. He said over his shoulder, "Has there been any problems from your side?"

"The western governments know only that I have to find some money to continue. They know that I cannot do all of what is necessary on my own resources without endangering my own finances. The average person knew very little about business deals between the two hemispheres, before I started informing them in an informal way that there is a considerable amount of cooperation already."

"Our people know very little of the business deals that we had to make. Perhaps it is a good thing for us to slip into our educational programs." He paused a moment and I guess was waiting to get this question off his chest. "Tell me, Alex, how we are going to pay for this work?"

"I have been putting the locations of the fields off for a reason, Leonid. There is a great need for discussion first. I need your steel mills to make good pipe for me and not war ships for you. The infrastructure has to go into place to ship oil and Liquefied Natural Gas to your markets and beyond. Russia has been doing a fair job but my companies can do a great job. We have better equipment and technology, which we have been sharing with you but your country has been hesitant to even begin using it."

"Our people are very conservative in many ways. They may see your ideas as an improvement but also see the way they have been doing their work as acceptable and just carry on. It is a shame, because we have done our own studies and we could save a lot of time and effort if your ideas were really accepted."

I said, "At present, your pipelines are doing a fair job of supplying your needs but now I need to ship to Belarus, Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia. This means all of the states along the way and then have enough left for Italy, West and East Germany as well as Austria. Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria are now adequately fed from your terminal at Novorossiisk. The Novorossiisk Commercial Sea Port Company needs to get a good talking to. They are expensive and offer very poor service. This is going to make the shipment of oil and gas very expensive for you."

Leonid sipped his hot tea in a tall glass cup and said, "I already know about that type of thing. It is getting very common everywhere. I may have to give the army another job. When we do, the West will say we are being autocratic and if we don't then we are branded as inefficient or exploitive. If I clean up the port, why can't you use that instead of putting in an expensive pipeline?"

"A pipeline is expensive to put in but cheap to run and very safe. I don't want problems with tankers spewing crude oil on other people's beaches. I need a very good road to carry the pipe sections and all the machinery we need. If we do this right, we will do the same thing as what is being done in the United States and make very wide, high-speed roads. The opposition will criticise the price and the fact that an enemy might use it to invade your country. On the other hand, the road will bring tourists and commerce and bridges can be blown up and the roads mined."

"You have told us before of the need for this road. Even if it is not used for a way to attack us, it will cost a great deal to build."

"It can be a toll road for a period of years till it is paid for. There is enough bitumen to use on this instead of concrete. The cost of this project is not that important when considering the alternatives to repairing the reactors and not letting your country expand as a commercial centre instead of a military one."



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Chapter 49


It still took two weeks to hammer out the contract so that I would be at least minimally protected. Even if Leonid was speaking in good faith, he could be forced to do something else or he could get a severe case of lead poisoning and I would not have any recourse with his successor.

The road network would parallel the pipelines and I traced it to the Lower Siberian Basin and to the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea. It went north then west to link up with the countries I listed.

The Siberian basin had eight super giant fields and a multitude of ones that would only be a bit less important. The development of oil and natural gas from what would soon be the Tengiz, Temir and Kasashyganak fields was on its way. They were much more than just icing on the cake. The fields were much closer to markets and the return would come correspondingly quicker.

The Tengiz oil field is one of the largest in the world. It contains 24 billion barrels of high quality oil and six to nine billion barrels of recoverable oil. It is deep, having a target depth of 4,500 metres. It also contains significant gas reserves of 18,000 billion cubic metres.

To start all this off, Leonid made a sharp change in policy. It sounded trivial but in reality it was a very significant move. Every family was entitled to a hundred square metres of land to raise crops to sell that did not have to be taxed. This was as close as a communist nation could come to letting a private individual own land. Through bureaucracy and poor planning, the lost wheat harvest in the early 70s might now be negated, because a family would be able to feed itself.

Three of our ships, preceded by a Soviet ice breaker, made their way through the Barents Sea around the island of Novaya Zemlya, that was the scene of many Soviet nuclear tests and then through the Kara Sea to Siberia. The pace was as quick as possible, because the work was much more hazardous and costly during the cold Russian winter above the Arctic Circle.

Quite a bit to the south were other Soviet oil and gas wells but the pipelines they fed were not adequate for the job I foresaw.

More of my oil exploration crews arrived over land but this time they went to Kazakhstan. I stayed in the Soviet Union for four months, with only an occasional jaunt to see family and conduct business. Sonia was worried that I would find a new Russian mistress and usually stayed with me to make sure I didn't. The other wives were more than just a little put out and vowed to stay with me in her place when I returned.

The field at Tengiz was plotted out with roughly six working wells. It was much bigger but this small test would do all that was needed. Russia was able to go to the market place and borrow money to develop the field. I would be paid for what I had done so far. I still needed the money to continue my efforts on reworking the seventeen reactors.

Conditions were not good in Siberia when the muskeg partially thawed and the insects came out to feast. My own men were working to drill the holes but they were teaching Russian drillers what we were doing differently. I saw by videophone how happy this group was when we struck oil in each of our eight holes. Soon, Russian crews would be sent here to drill their own wells and then test for flow.

The pipeline was already in progress, for we needed three hundred thousand twelve-metre lengths of very large two-metre pipe. Everybody thought me a fool for going so large when the full potential of the field was not known. Since it was, again, my money being risked, at least for a while I did what I wanted. There would be a considerable savings in cost if the larger pipe were to be used. They knew that I wanted eight such pipes in the future and this seemed to be a great waste to them.

One plant would convert the gas, liquefied under pressure, to a form that would be liquid at standard pressure. One of the large pipes would carry the volume of four regular one-metre pipes and be more than adequate for the task. The oil would go out at a rate of a million barrels per day but this would only happen when the field was more developed and more pipe was laid. The two-thousand-mile pipeline would get a dozen large pumping stations. They would increase the pressure enough to even pump the petroleum over the 9,000-feet-high mountain passes that sometimes reached -40. The ground though would keep it warmer at only -5 degrees Celsius.

The line would need a total of 430 block valve stations, weighting fifty tons each. This would isolate the pipe sections if there ever was a break. The pump and block valve stations would also provide power for the cathodic protection system, which would be used to prevent corrosion along the line. The sections would also be coated with a three-layer system of fusion-bonded epoxy adhesive and polythene. This was something that only I was using and I figured that the pipes would last considerably longer than what was used elsewhere.

The pipeline would also have a new invention that would ride the interior of a pipe and stop at all the welded joints to perform an x-ray inspection of every weld at least three times. The welding was for the most part going to be automated, anyway and the operators had to be well trained. The two metre diameter allowed most people to stand up inside.

The parts for the refineries were built all over the world and shipped to the Soviet Union. This was the quickest way to get this mammoth project going, for this phase took the most time and money.

The natural gas was purified to remove sulphur, inert gases and especially Helium. This last gas was purified again to extract all the helium III I could get. My contract said I got all of this as well as the other inert gasses. The United States was stockpiling helium but they were getting only my already purified product. I kept my own reserves of this and it was not kept in sandstone but in metal containers. At a future price of a billion dollars a tonne it was prudent to save all I could get now.

The West was pissed off at me for many reasons. They would gladly purchase the Russian products but the producers were angry at the expected drop in prices. They didn't want to have radioactive fallout from a reactor that was unsafe and they didn't want the Soviets helped. All this was over a difference in ideology and it also was a way of keeping the western military from being mothballed when it was no longer needed.

To be truthful, the West did not really know about all the millions of Soviet citizens that had to die because they did not believe in the system, or did not want to do what was required of them. Many of the countries that made up the Soviet Union, were as backward as they were a thousand years before. With no education, there was no way they could ever understand the forces that could be brought against them. Only long after the fact did the West learn about Stalin. Then the west used this information to justify what they had been doing all along.

I wanted the Soviets to be seen as less of a threat and I had done much. The Berlin Wall had never been constructed. Our space race was muted because it was now a partially cooperative effort. Wheat purchases did occur but not as much as what would be the case if everyone did not have their personal garden. Leonid was even shown working in his own garden to show that he was taking advantage of the new rulings.

'Ivan the Terrible' was now on television. He was an expatriate Russian chef that I had found who could make a good actor if given the chance. I gave him the chance and he was a flamboyant chef that most of the world knew from his show. Many famous celebrities came onto the show and did their own little display of domesticity.

Ivan usually sampled the food that others made and gave his own comments and they were scathing if not up to his standards. It was not like the old 'Springer' show but sometimes it was close. The celebrities soon found a way of emulating him and judged his food. The audiences usually howled at the antics of both. His Russian accent sometimes lapsed into actual Russian and, surprisingly, some people started to learn some of his quaint pidgin Russian phrases.

Part of the deal I made with Russia gave me the use of a great many workers. Another part was that the political commissars stayed away from them and my other projects. For the most part this worked. I could not own property but I did have a warrant saying that I was entitled to all help possible. The signatures at the bottom were Leonid's and some of the others on the Central Committee.

I paid for all my purchases within one month and did so in western currency. I could not pay the Soviet workers but they got many perks that they would not get elsewhere. Bonuses for productivity and innovation were some of the things I gave. These went as high as self-contained computer systems and clothes or luxury goods.

In December of 1967, I had a private meeting with the Secretary. "Hello, Leonid, how was your trip to Beijing?"

"Not bad. The Chinese have their own version of what Communism should be and it is different from ours."

"If I remember right, Communism in the Soviet Union is not quite the same as it was two years ago."

"You are right, Alex and I think it is mostly your doing. I don't know why I ever let you in to do this work for us."

"If you didn't, friend, you would have to live with the prospect of killing your country with a faulty reactor. The West does not see you as the Great Satan, like your country once was and I think your country has seen many of the benefits of capitalism."

"I don't know what I am going to do with those people after you are gone. Stalin would have them shot."

I countered, "He may have done so but only after they stopped producing, for we both know that they are very productive. Speaking of productive, I want to have you look at something."

On a large table I had spread out some prints and some colour pictures of two pieces of mining equipment. Leonid looked at both pictures and said, "The 'loader' you have here is ugly, for some reason and the truck looks odd too."

"The ugly truck can carry 360 tons and go forty kilometres an hour. The loader weights 1,000 tons and can fill the truck with just three passes because of the size of its bucket."

"That is unbelievable. Why are you showing me these pictures?"

"I want the Soviet Union to make these and export them to the world. You get to test them in the many open-pit mines your country has and the seven new ones you do not know about."

"What new ones?"

"The ones in Kazakhstan that I am going to trade to you."

"Tell me about this, Alex."

Another map came out and I used a pencil to mark in the copper fields and other heavy metals that I knew about. My men had even done some drilling with small rigs to find the extent of the fields. Again, I surprised him by mentioning the value of the field and comparing it to the cost of extracting and refining the metal.

"What do you want for this Alex?"

"I want two things. The area around the Aral Sea is used for irrigating the cotton fields in Kazakstan and many fields to the south. I want the crops changed and the area turned into a park for the Soviet citizens to enjoy. The way things are going, the lake will shrink in coming years. It will kill the fishing and then the irrigated land around it will be lost. If we don't do anything about it now, it will be lost for generations to come. We may already be late."

"That is it?" He asked incredulously. "You just want the water to be used less."

"Yes, basically that is it for my first condition. A lot of families will have to find alternative employment but the mines will be close. The problem is that they are farmers and now they will have to operate million-dollar pieces of equipment. Only a few would be able to do this."

Leonid looked exasperated and said, "And the other condition?"

"I want to have your country build a much better train system. I want it even better than what the Japanese now use. Trains are cheaper to make and run than aircraft. That is one of the failings that both Marx and Lenin had. If there are no effective ways of getting goods moved, your system will suffer."

"I thought you wanted Communism to suffer, Alex."

"I want you to allow more capitalism in your country. I don't want anybody to suffer. The few that move ahead will pull the rest of the country with them. Socialism I can live with in moderation but it is man's natural greed that will move us all forward. The train system can be studied and you can get my ideas on altering the Japanese system to fit the Soviet conditions."

He said, "You will have to talk to our engineers. I suppose the money from the minerals is a way of paying for his?"

"It sure does, with lots of profit left over for your people."

We talked for another ten minutes, talking about the cost of producing a truck or loader. This was done enthusiastically when he found out how much he could sell them for. The cost of the train and improved track was very high but the figures I gave him for the value of the minerals more than compensated for the cost.

The ore deposits I gave away would soon be found by the Soviets, anyway and I just got some mileage that would benefit everyone of us out of my information. The brackish lake would shrink from 25,500 square miles to just a third in the next thirty years. It was a necessary part of the local ecosystem and it was being raped till it would die by the turn of the century. Public transportation would benefit the world, not just the Soviet Union.

The trucks and the loaders would show a Soviet presence in the world and make the area look less foreign. It would bring in valuable export dollars for the country to evolve.

The request to move all the people from around the lake was not an easy thing to achieve. The people would resist the move and needed to be compensated and the Soviets did not like doing this.

The train, though, would start a new race that would get the West to copy the Soviets in train technology. This was a much better race to enter into, because it would directly benefit more people than the space shots.

Before Leonid left, I presented him with more of my ideas that would help his country. Wages were quite low and I wanted to use the Soviets the way the Indians were used to answer telephones when people called for help. Already the employees in the West were being swamped and this would only grow, as more and more people needed assistance in getting certain things done on their computer.

On the way home I stopped off at Prague to talk to Alexander Dubcek, the leader of Czechoslovakia. The two countries of Czech and Slovakia were one country that would only split much later and basically on good terms. We had talked many times before and he was one of the more liberal Communists. He called his plans 'Socialism with human face'.

Even though the Soviet Union had liberalized some, it would still react if someone went too fast and too far. The reactionaries would step in and I would loose ground that I had gained in the last three years. It would be very bad for my own plans if these reactionaries emerged from their bottle, for it would be very difficult to get them back in.

Warsaw Pact tanks would come in as they had to Hungary and stop the movement dead in its tracts. "Prague Spring" was a very trying time and I had no wish to lose all my gains.

"Alexander, you have to work harder to slow down this liberalization. I told you before what would happen and you have not done enough."

"My good friend, you are mistaken. I have done as much as I could. It is out of my hands now and I cannot legislate how the country feels."

"I know that but you can talk to the people as I have and try more to control their exuberance. Russia is now very worried about your country and Brezhnev will have no choice but to send troops in. The West will not even put up too much of a fuss, for they see a humane and democratic socialist country as more to be dreaded than one that is ruled by fear and oppression. Your countrymen are throwing away all my gains and their own too. Moderation is all I am talking about and if you don't try harder your country will suffer much more than you think. Hungary was just a few years ago and you know what happened then."

He paused and looked at his hand. "Yes, I know, Alex."

"Straighten the situation out now and be hated by your countrymen or watch them being killed by the Soviets. The choices are not good but history will know what personal sacrifices you made."

The reforms he had instituted were what was giving us problems. Two years ago I had seen this happening and tried to get it slowed down but it looked like it wasn't enough. I had an alternate plan that was only half, bad but I knew that I was playing much more than just the devil's advocate.

On another topic, I had done a lot of thinking about the upcoming six-day war. There was a lot of politics involved there and I was at odds with myself to let it continue or not. The Arab states were goaded into some military exercises as a show of force. Israel had used the pretext to say that they were being attacked. Their forces had been primed for a long time and attacked the Arabs and occupied the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula and Golan Heights.

The Arabs had been doing their best to get the Israelis out of what they considered their land and were using terrorist activities to do so. They would bomb peaceful homes and even schools but it was the Israelis that were constantly taking more land from the backward Arabs. I could see a great similarity to how the American Indian had been treated.

If it were up to me I would give them clubs and let them fight each other to the end. There would not be any loser around then to fight. In the end I just ignored what was going to happen and got all of my people out of the area. When the war did happen, it was a four-day war, because the Israelis had used or altered their own forces to try to emulate what I had done in Cuba.

President Charles de Gaulle in the other time had come to Québec and inflamed the French Canadian population by saying "Viva Québec Libra." This was in response to how the French-speaking portion of the province was discriminated against by the English-speaking company owners. My efforts in stopping segregation of the blacks were working. My companies and the ones I had some influence in, had put forward similar efforts. There was still discrimination but not as much as I remembered.

The old French President and I stood by the railing but this time he only said that the population could do more if they demanded it. This was still stirring up the population but it was fairly said. Before the man flew home, I found that he had been put up to the comment by some of the Québécois leaders.

I spent Christmas with the family and friends. The circle of people to see and even send cards too was getting very large. We didn't want to slight old friends just because they were not as rich or influential as the newer ones.

I now had eight of my own children around me and they liked to have stories read to them or played with. This was no chore at all and I tried to get home as much as possible. We used the videophone extensively when I had to be away. With the various homes in the United States, Europe, Japan and the Soviet Union, I wanted to bring them with me when I travelled.

Aron and Mineko wanted to get married and were old enough to do so. He was now 25 and had completed some of his university education. The service was planned for April and my wives and his mother were all excited about the planning.

Aron ran an assortment of companies with his sister and the remainder of my wives. The jobs shifted on occasion and this allowed everybody to work on their weaknesses. At present, Aron was working on getting existing roadbeds upgraded to handle the engines and railway cars we made. On his own he started a study to see about manufacturing subway cars, as this seemed to be a possible way of expanding. He would one day manage all non-military companies in Canada but he had to take the load a bit at a time.

Mineko had worked very hard to complete her own education. Hers complimented Aron's, so they would be able to function as a well-versed team. He was working on the Canadian version of the high-speed train. Canadian Pacific was privately owned, while the government owned Canadian National. Both were now hardly subsidized from the public purse, because of the increased numbers of riders and cargo. It looked like my pushing for public transportation was having a beneficial effect. The bus companies were getting quite large, for we not only made the buses but ran them like Greyhound. Some of the long routes had the very long bus, made like the motor home we first made.

The televised Christmas specials covered many Christian countries. A discussion of the pros and cons of the various customs was subtly done so that the viewers would be more educated about the small differences and the great many similarities each country had. This had a positive effect for North America but the poorer countries just looked in wonder at all that we gave each other.

Another special was done from orbit where the giant wheel had been constructed. A twin ring that would double the capacity was half done. Although the enterprise lost a lot of money, it was starting to pay part of its passage by renting space for many of the companies wanting to experiment in low or zero gravity environment.

The large central hub could spin in the opposite direction and this would allow ships to enter and leave the habitat without having to match a corkscrew course.

Sally Sackman was nominally in charge of the installation and she worked well with most of the regulars. She had no troubles telling politicians of any country what she was and was not, going to do.

Major Sergei Lischinsky had now risen to Captain and was her second in command. Both the United States and the Soviet Union were happy with the security of the station. There would be no bombs or missiles coming from that multinational habitat.

An important drug was actually found that could be made much more simply in orbit. It had not even been found on earth, because the conditions for its formation had not been met. After its discovery, the scientists found that it could be fabricated on earth but needed seventeen different steps. It was still much cheaper to make it in orbit.

Weapons sales had slackened significantly since the number of tanks massed in the east of Europe had been cut in half and it was not done to strengthen the border between China and Russia, for they were still on speaking terms if not real friends.

Many more of the drugs I knew how to make had been brought to market. Every one of them made lots of money and I was careful with the pricing for I didn't want some legislation forcing me to sell for less. I had been very vocal about Canada's health insurance plans that were administered by each of the provinces. It was a departure to the left but the same thing was happening in the United States. The only difference was that the American plan was similar to what we had in our old life but all patients in the United States had to pay a small, set fee, which had not been the case before. This, I hoped, would keep the costs down.

The cost of oil products was up where it should be. There was profit in oil but most of profit actually went for taxes at various levels of governments. The 'Chunnel' was proposed because of all the subways we had made in North America. Our large boring machinery was even used in other parts of the world. Canada had an extensive subway line in most large cities. The three levels of government usually paid the cost but we did have some loans.

With all the expertise I had gathered in the Soviet Union, I put in some applications for building my own nuclear power stations. One design, though, was to burn Plutonium and other weapons-grade material. This had to be built in the United States where they could keep an eye on each gram. At the moment, the military and government were laughing at me for even spending my time making this design, when they were still busy making weapons if at a slower pace than before.

Trudeau had nearly won the leadership of the Liberal Party in Canada when Pearson, our current Prime Minister, didn't want to run in the next election. With my behind-the-scenes help, Robert Henry Winters won on the fourth ballot, defeating Trudeau and John Turner. I was not usually welcome in Liberal circles but did have some small influence and used all of it to stop what I knew would come. I would not be able to convince Trudeau the same way I had Castro.

Robert Stanfield was the leader of the Conservative party and, like the liberals, had become a new leader in the last year. My money and expertise went to the man and he won on the second ballot for leadership at party headquarters.

The election, though, had the man campaigning much more and this time he was shown catching a football and throwing it like a young man. In the other time, a photo of him fumbling had hurt his chances. The man was entitled to have the term 'Right Honourable' attached to his name. He was one of the few who gave politics a good name. An army of my men worked on presenting him to the voters but he did not have Trudeau to face in the election. Most countries at this time wanted to experiment with socialism and this is what was going to hurt us. The last time Trudeau had talked to Castro after he had become the leader of Cuba. I think it was a way of comparing notes.

Preparations for Aron and Mineko's upcoming marriage were not slowing down but had changed paths a few times. I wasn't enough of a fool to stick my nose in this but that did not stop the rest of the family. So far, it looked like my wives plus both Yasuko and Akuro would be bridesmaids. This allowed Aron to have six groomsmen to stand by him.

Aron, on his own, picked out his best man and that was me. For the five groomsmen he chose his best other friend, Yuri and the usual crowd he hung around with.

I asked Secretary Leonid Brezhnev, President John Sparkman and Czechoslovakian President Alexander Dubcek to come and have a talk. The new Prime Minister of Japan, Eisaku Sato, Chancellor Kurt Georg Kiesinger of West Germany and Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson I asked to assist the first three, for I still feared what still might happen. Others I invited as simply guests.

Pearson was a Liberal but still the leader of our country so he had been invited. I made sure that Robert Stanfield got an invitation as well. Perhaps we could cure some of Canada's internal problems, too. Elections were being held in Canada and the United States and this meeting could help Sparkman and Stanfield, for Pearson was not going to run.

The week just before the marriage was very stressful for everybody but Aron. He knew what his duties were and just worked at his job and let others do theirs. This was the way I worked usually but I had to work with many heads of state, or their security who constantly changed plans.

The ceremony was to be held in North Bay. No church was even close to what was required. There was a beautiful area close to Lake Nipissing that had a small Shinto temple with a very large field and a beautifully carved arch overlooking the lake. Cherry trees did not do too well here but I planted many with an eye to this day many years ago. Our northern climate retarded their blooming and it looked like they had picked the best time, because they would be in bloom. Many Japanese had come to this area to work with me and I had encouraged this construction. It was not hard to see that this marriage would probably happen, even as little as six weeks after they had met.

Seiko, Yasuko, Akuro and Mineko used the temple when their schedule permitted and I was diplomatic enough the go with them. The Shinto religion was basically about nature and in a way this fit me very well.

Television coverage of the ceremony was a must and I made sure the Shinto religion was discussed very well. Although it did have a high amount of ancestor reverence, it also had a large amount of being one with nature. Aron's past as well as Mineko's was touched on, as well as all their time together. It was getting to be more like a fairytale prince marrying and equally elusive princess.

Security came early and went over the plans with my people. Others came early, too, to get a place to stay. The tent city went up one more time but I had reserved most of the available rooms for important people.

Izzy was still working for me and his company had now been making prefabricated homes for years. When the news came of the wedding, he went into high gear and made an entire subdivision of temporary homes made up of his prefabricated parts.

It started to get hectic for me only a day before my having to greet so many heads of state. Some had to come very far and they landed at the local airport. Robert Stanfield was fairly bewildered about the guests he met and he happened to be in the last weeks of the election campaign. When I got some pictures of him shaking hands with world leaders, the prints went off to the national newspapers.

The girls had a thousand things to do but rounded up the wives of the various leaders and took them off. I found out later that all of them liked working on preparations for a wedding.

We tried to relax but that was a difficult thing to do. Leonid knew the Czechoslovakian President would be here and I gave the two men time to talk in private. Alexander Dubcek had done more to control his people but I did not know if it was enough. Leonid Brezhnev could send his troops in at any time and nobody could see how the exuberance of the Czechoslovakian people could be reigned in. If it were not, then it would grow like a forest fire and imperil the entire Soviet Union. Brezhnev would then have to send in troops to every one of the satellite countries.

The situation was well known to the rest of us and we sat in a private room discussing the situation. If socialism was like what Czechoslovakia was now forming, then most countries would now just let it live and prosper if possible. I believe it would still fail over time but it would go out like a lamb and most of us would be sorry to see it go.

John Sparkman said, as the rest of us seated ourselves in comfortable chairs, "Are they going to talk about their problems or fight?"

"I hope, talk. We all have a lot to lose, if they cannot come to some sort of agreement."

The president looked at me seriously. "Why? They're Communists and will just weaken each other. My people say it will just hasten the collapse you are always talking about."

"It won't this time. This will be an excuse for the hawks to come back out and have their say. If they are kept in check, there can be an orderly collapse. Perhaps the Soviets will not have to fall as far before they start rising. I don't want a lot of small countries seizing atomic weapons and threatening the peace of the rest of the world."

"That won't happen. Russia has a large, well-led army."

I looked at the man and said, "You are starting to believe your own propaganda. The soldiers are even more of farm boys than you had during the Second World War. They have some new equipment but the majority of it is still old just like yours. They are not paid well and most just want to go back to their farms. They have to have political officers to keep the soldiers in line. When the Soviet Union falls apart, there will be nothing holding the army. Individual generals will set up fiefdoms, as people have done through history."

The girls were showing our guests around. Mineko was found with mom and grandma and the flock of hens descended on the poor girl. They clucked in Japanese, Russian and English. Most of the ladies knew more than one language, anyway.

Mineko's gown was examined minutely and given the ok, especially by the oriental faction. Questions were quickly asked about the ceremony itself. The description went into detail and took a long time. Improvements were suggested but this was expected, for just about everyone wanted a hand in this.

Victoria Brezhnev, the wife of Leonid Brezhnev, thanked mom and grandma for the microwave oven sent to her along with a cookbook written in Russian. The three seemed to fit well together as they looked on the others as they fiddled over the minor details.

Later in the day, Alexander Dubcek came out of the room with Brezhnev and looked very shaken. I think Leonid talked to him much more forcefully than I had ever done and hammered home the importance of moderation.

The wedding progressed as the wives had planned but the skies darkened. It was not a Shinto wedding nor was it a Christian but a mixture of both. There were two priests doing the joining, one Shinto and the other Roman Catholic. The bride, I was happy to see was as beautiful as any woman I had ever met. Aron, I could see, thought that she was simply the most beautiful.

Commentators talked to the television audiences while the extravaganza went on. They did stay out of our way and were very polite.

When the ceremony was nearing completion the sky brightened and the sun shone down on the couple. This seemed to be a good sign to everybody. When the priests gave their nods the happy couple turned and walked down the aisle and climbed on the first of some horse drawn carriages to be taken back home. The bridal party boarded the ones just behind.

The good weather continued and the party started right after. The world leaders had to rough it and get their own meals at the tables. We sat around talking about the happy couple and of course problems that bothered each of their countries.

Later, dancing started and I saw Aron and Mineko lead into this activity. Mineko had her long train wrapped on her arm and it looked that to the couple the rest of us were not even there. The next dance was family, where I pranced around the floor with Mineko. After that I had wives demanding their turn.

That night I danced with most of the wives of the leaders while my wives danced with the men.

At one of the free moments Leonid said, "Alexander, I see something odd happening. I just got word that Czechoslovakia seems to be having some riots all over the country. They are not peaceful and many businesses and homes have been destroyed. The army was called out and there have been some deaths. Some important politicians have died and a university has been set ablaze. The Czechs and the Slovaks are fighting each other trying to gain independent states."

I said, "Do you think you should leave them to their own self determination or go in? I fear that they will forget their differences if your army goes on the march."

"I think we will just watch to see that the rioting does not endanger any of the other republics. It does seem odd that this happened when their president happened to be out of the country. It even looks to be well planned, for security had not got a whiff of this till it was full blown on the streets. Television and radio also happens to be very well informed of what is happening. It started with some army bases being attacked and a great many vehicles being put out of commission. Important government buildings have been destroyed."

Alexander Dubcek came over to us and worriedly said, "I am sorry but I must cut this visit short. There seems to be some problems at home."

I walked him and his security to his cars and wondered anew at Dubcek. In coming days I saw that he didn't negotiate his usual way and just antagonized the two factions. The army had come out and ineptly crushed the rebellion and this only served to make a few martyrs for each of the causes. 'Prague Spring' was now a Prague of discord. The proposed concerts had been cancelled and many of the leaders of both factions were in jail.

Warsaw Pact troops pulled back from the borders when it looked like Czechoslovakia was getting its house in order. A little over a thousand people had lost their lives and a great amount of damage had been done to property but I could see that it was be a lot less than if the troops at the border had come in to bring Czechoslovakians back to communism.

Robert Stanfield easily became our next Prime Minister. John Sparkman did the same in the United States. Both proposed a lessening of hostilities with the communist countries. Surplus grain was shipped to many of the smaller countries and to Russia. The West didn't want Russia to be seen as good when it took the grain given it and gave it in turn to those who needed it.

Oil and natural gas was carried to markets in Eastern Europe and crossed the boarder into Italy, West and East Germany, as well as Austria. My companies in West Germany made many of the more intricate devices needed for the Soviet reactors to pay for the oil products.

The multilane highway brought to the market processed copper and other goods that sold well as profitable commodities. Russian mining trucks seemed to be a hit in the West and companies started to make knockoffs. Labour in Russia was cheap and our quality controls made a difference and we sold very many to the large open-pit mines.

The population around the Aral Sea had been moved to the mining centres and they found well-paying jobs. Cotton cultivation went down each year and imports of the material filled the gap.

The Soviet Union shifted some gears, even though the western powers were building war craft. They ignored the threat and built high-speed trains. The West didn't know what to think of this. When criticism from western taxpayers came about this sort of spending, it was quickly pointed out that it was a way of just keeping the populous employed.

Papers other than mine said that the money could be well spent on our own railways to make them more profitable and responsive. The aircraft manufactures in North America fought back but figures were shown to prove the trains were much more economical. Canada got its own rail link and usually the American public came north just to ride east or west.

The American steel industry was in trouble and steel rails just happened to be an item that was subsidized by the government. This pushed the business community to pressure the government for an expansion of the rail industry.

The space race and Vietnam were now not drawing fantastic sums from the treasury. The economy was robust but in need of some tweaks here and there to keep it from failing or boiling over. The building of the new railroads fit the bill as long as the effort did not get too large. I knew that when it ended we would still have a great many people suddenly unemployed.

Roadways were improved and in many cases bridges were built over rail lines. This was a suitable way of spending tax dollars and provide jobs.

North Bay prospered more than the other cities but it was still kept in check, too. We had an efficient monorail that made the one in Disneyland look feeble. Ours made money and was extremely popular. The city became what I wanted other cities to be like. There were many parks and it was laid out for people, not vehicles.

My grandparents left us within a year of each other. They had lived long enough to see Aron and Mineko's twin daughters, which was more than I had hoped for. Dad had to get some growths removed but they were caught in the early stages.

Mom held my hand one day and reminded me of all that I had told her when I had first come back. She had taken me on faith and seen that it was later justified. We laughed a bit at all the things I had to do to get to where we now were.

She squeezed my hand and said, "Now we have to see what my grandchildren can accomplish. It will certainly have to be something to top their parents."


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The End
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Posted:  2004-03-31
Last Modified: 2005-12-08 / 10:45:45 am
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