44
Saturday, September 23, 2006
365 Walnut Drive
A colony of pawn pieces sat silently next to a field of black and red-checkered squares while an army of other pieces was pushed strategically from one point to another. Ken Slaterbaugh was meditating on his next move while Maisie sat staring at the board, her curly hair dangling in front of her eyes. She was pondering where best to place her next piece so that Ken would be captured within the next three to four moves. Finally, she decided on moving her bishop into position so that Ken’s Queen had only one way to move in order to block the check that had been placed on his King. Having done that, Maisie quickly wrapped up the game with a resounding “Check mate!”
“You’re too smart for your own good,” Ken said tousling Maisie’s hair across the table.
The aromatic scent of freshly baked bread, garlic-tainted potatoes, seasoned salmon and green salad covered by a layer of vinaigrette filled the Atwater’s home. Karen was standing just outside the back door with the lid on the barbecue grill open, a cloud of blue, seasoned smoke drifting into the evening sky. The sun was still bright as dinner was being prepared. In the family room, behind Maisie and Ken, the grandfather clock chimed 5:00 p.m. Looking over Maisie’s head, Ken could see Karen through the window as she busied herself in dinner preparations. Today marked Ken’s seventh visit to Karen and Maisie’s house since her release from the hospital. He had been coming by a couple of weekend’s a month to visit and check up on Maisie and her mom. They truly enjoyed having him come by. It was almost like having Papa around again. Ken enjoyed coming by too. For him, it was like having his own family. Maisie teased him a lot. On the other hand, he was able to give her a bad time and at the same time he could be a good example for her to follow. On various occasions, Ken was able to share a few words of wisdom with Maisie and he was able to help around the house when needed. It was also a way to relax after a day a work. Besides, he loved Karen’s cooking.
“Wanna play another game?” Maisie asked in her girly voice.
“I think we better get ready to eat. It looks like your mom is just about done. In fact, I’m going to see if she needs some help.”
“Okay. I’ll come with you.” Maisie dropped off her chair and tagged along behind Ken.
“So Miss Chef. How’s the salmon coming?”
“Excellent, of course. You dare to ask?”
“I always check on the status of what I’m going to be eating. Besides, it gives me an excuse to come chat with you.”
Karen smiled at him as he sprinkled more seasoning on the fish. Delicious smells wafted up from the barbecue causing Ken’s mouth to water.
“So, who won?” Karen asked, looking at Ken and then Maisie.
“I did.”
“Again?” Karen asked looking at Maisie. Then turning toward Ken she said, “Did you let her win?”
Taken aback, Ken stammered, “No. Of course not. She’s just too good for her own britches.”
Maisie chimed in. “I just practice a lot. If you practiced more, you get better too.”
Karen and Ken laughed at Maisie’s confidence and sense of humor. She didn’t seem to fear anything even though she was only a kid.
“Have you set the table yet Maisie?”
“No.”
“Would you please do that? This is almost done.” Karen looked at Maisie with the mom look indicating movement was necessary immediately.
“Okay. I’ll go now.” Giving a sheepish grin and looking at her mom and Ken, Maisie turned and disappeared into the house.
Ken looked at Karen as she put the finishing touches on the dinner. “So, how’s she been?”
“Very good. No headaches, no nightmares, it’s been wonderful.”
“Have you had to use any of the Fiorinal I prescribed?”
“We only used it a couple of times. That was a couple of months ago. Since then, she hasn’t had to take any.”
“Do you think the counseling is helping?”
“Definitely. We’ve had five sessions now. We have a couple more to go. Maisie really enjoys visiting with Claudette. They’re like two kids when they get together. Maisie has really opened up to her. She’s gotten a lot off of her mind and I think it’s helped me too.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I don’t like to use a lot of medicine unless it’s absolutely necessary. I’ve always been a firm believer in other forms of treatment when possible. Besides, she’s so young. She doesn’t need to be on medication.”
“I agree. And although at first I just wanted something for the pain for her, I’m glad you recommended Claudette. She really has been a god-send.”
“Table’s set,” Maisie said bopping out onto the back porch.
“Thanks dear. Can you put the salad and bread on the table? We’re ready to eat.”
“Okay mom.”
Maisie disappeared back into the house, her curls bouncing the whole time as she skipped into the kitchen to set things on the table.
“She’s quite a little girl, or should I say adult?”
“Both,” Karen agreed. “Some days she acts like a kid all day. Other days she’s like an adult and no matter what I do or say, she will reason and fight with me about everything.”
Ken smiled. “Do you need some help carrying anything in?”
“You could take the salmon. That would be great. I’ll gather up the other stuff here.”
Ken held out the platter while Karen pulled the steaming, seasoned fish off the grill. The pink meat decorated with rings of onions, mottled with seasonings and oozing with lemon juice and water made Ken’s mouth water. Carrying it to the table, Ken set it down while Karen put the seasonings and other utensils away.
“Okay, let’s eat,” Karen said.
All three sat down and pulled their chairs up to the table. Ken dished up the salmon while Karen and Maisie passed the salad and bread around. Everyone filled their plates and then enjoyed the fruits of Karen’s labors.
“Excellent job on the salmon,” Ken said between mouthfuls.
“Thanks mom. The fish is great. So are the bread and butter.”
Karen smiled at Maisie who attempted to smile back with a full mouth. Everyone ate with minimal conversation until their stomachs began to fill. Then more conversation filled the room.
Ken looked at Maisie. “So, how’s school going?”
“Fine. I’m in fourth grade now.”
“That’s what I thought. Do you like it?”
“Well, it’s okay. Some of the stuff we’re learning is pretty simple. A baby could do some of it. Other stuff is a little harder, but not much.”
Ken smiled glancing at Karen who just rolled her eyes.
“What’s the harder stuff you’re doing?”
“Oh, things like not being able to talk a lot. Having to concentrate on our work instead of discussing it and orally presenting it. Not being able to visit with my friends during class. Stuff like that.”
“Well,” Ken said swallowing a mouthful of salad, “Isn’t that normal? I mean, you’re not supposed to be talking or playing around when it’s learning time. So, why would you say it’s hard?”
“Papa, look at me. Do I look like someone who is quiet? Do I look like I should keep my mouth shut all the time? I don’t think so. How do you learn without talking?”
“Well, God did give you two ears and only one mouth didn’t he?”
“Yes. But…”
Ken interrupted Maisie. “No buts. Two ears mean more listening. That’s another way of learning, in fact, probably the most important way. Talking has its’ place, and so does listening.”
“I know, but talking is more fun.”
“Sure it is. But you have to learn to balance that with listening and actually do your work. It may be hard, but it is necessary.”
Karen looked at Ken with a smile on her face.
“What?” Ken asked, feeling her stare.
“This conversation sounds just like the kind we had when my dad was here. Always giving Maisie or me some lesson in life, something to think about. It’s just so neat. I miss my dad, but having you around fills that void. I’m glad you can drop by to visit.”
Ken blushed a little. “I’m glad to be able to come by. I enjoy the company, especially since there’s no one at home when I get there anyway. To tell you the truth, I look forward to coming over here. It’s the highlight of my day.”
Maisie smiled. “It’s cuz I’m here huh?”
Karen and Ken laughed. Ken said, “Probably Miss Shirley. Probably.”
“So, what’s in the bag?” Maisie asked Ken.
“The bag?”
“Ya, the one you brought and set on the couch.”
“Oh, that bag. It’s a little something I’m going to show you and your mom after dinner.”
“Is it a movie?”
“Yes.”
“Of what?”
“You’ll see.”
“Hurry mom. We have to clean up quickly.” Maisie grabbed her plate and silverware and hurried it to the sink and dishwasher. After scurrying around for another 15 minutes, everyone was ready to retire to the family room next door.
“Okay, can I open it?”
“Sure, go ahead.”
Maisie opened the bag and removed an old, worn pDVR.
“Hey, this looks like the one on TV. But how come this portable Digital Video Recorder looks so old?”
“Good question Maisie. I’ll explain. Let’s hook it up first.”
Using the inputs on the front of Karen’s VCR, Ken attached the two audio and one video cable. He then plugged the pDVR power cord into the outlet. Turning on the TV and VCR, Maisie made sure the TV was on channel three. Cartoons were on, so Maisie used the remote to change the input to the front AV jacks. A blue screen appeared indicating another input source was ready to be used.
“Okay, let me explain something first before we watch this. I received this in a package on the day that you were so sick. I was so busy that day that I didn’t have time to look at it until late that afternoon. After I did, I realized that I may have been able to prevent your sickness and the sicknesses of my other patients if I’d opened it sooner.”
“You could have kept me from getting sick with a pDVR?” Maisie asked, a strange look on her face.
“Yes. I could have. As you watch the opening few minutes, you’ll see why. I don’t expect you to believe this, but hopefully it will begin to make sense.”
Karen piped in. “You’ve got me curious and confused now.”
“Me too,” Maisie said.
“Okay, let’s start this.”
Pushing the play button on the pDVR, an image of Spike and another woman appeared on the screen. Karen and Maisie sat watching as Spike began to speak.
Doctor Slaterbaugh. You should be receiving this recording on June 5, 2006. If for some reason you don’t, then by the time you receive this it I’ll be dead, yet alive.
Karen gave Ken a funny look. Maisie looked very confused. You could tell that she thought this was going to be home movies of Ken or something. Nevertheless, she sat quietly while Spike continued to talk.
As hard as it may be to believe this, I was taken back in time to the year 1792 by Slick. Unknown to anyone else, he has been working on some new drug which will cause anyone to whom it is given to hallucinate to the point of death. Your patients’, Benita, Hank and Maisie are at risk. I am too. Today, June 6, Slick will inject his drug into Hank and later Maisie. He already gave a small dose to Benita last week. He is testing this drug to be used against terrorist or enemies of the United States. If not stopped, his drug will kill Benita tomorrow morning. Hank will also be injected and end up in a coma. I don’t know if he’ll die or not. Later, a little girl named Maisie will arrive and she too will be injected, but not to the point of death. Later, however, they may die according to what Slick has told me.
Be aware that tomorrow you will send me down to the morgue to retrieve the cannula used on Benita to have it tested for tryptamines, hallucinogenic compounds found in Psilocybin mushrooms. This is the component of Slick’s drug that is doing all the damage. When combined with his other ingredients, his new cocktail will be lethal. By not sending me to the morgue, you will be sparing me from being taken back in time. Although you may show me this video, I too will have no knowledge of its contents since I will not have gone back in time yet.
If, for some reason, you did not get this on the fifth, then hopefully you will on the sixth before I’m taken away. Should you get it later, then, as you already know, I’m gone. Slick will have blamed the deaths on me using the reasoning that I’m gone so obviously I must have run away after having done these dastardly deeds. In reality, Slick is the terrorist.
I know you may think this to be a hoax, especially if I’m still there when you receive this package. To help you understand that this is real, I am going to spend the next several hours recording as much as I can from this time to help you believe me. The woman you saw a few moments ago is Ailsa. She lives in a castle here in Penzance England. The lab is under her castle and is where Slick, known to Ailsa as Mack, has been working for the last several months. He has been traveling through time to collect his ingredients in a time machine he designed and which he calls his Bubble Chamber. If you want to stop this horror, stop Slick!
Ken reached over and stopped the pDVR. Silence filled the room. Karen’s face showed astonishment and bewilderment. Maisie wasn’t sure what to believe.
“So, is this something you made up like a scary movie or something?” Maisie asked.
“No,” Ken said. “I’m afraid not. It’s real.”
“Time travel isn’t possible,” Karen suddenly blurted out as if her outburst would eliminate the reality of what she was seeing. “This must be a hoax or something. It just isn’t possible.”
“That’s what I thought,” Ken said. “However, take a look at this.” Ken handed Karen a laminated newspaper that was obviously decades old. The frozen face of Spike and Ailsa were pasted to the TV screen as the pDVR sat in the Pause mode.
Karen began to scan the paper. “This is tomorrow’s newspaper.”
“Yes,” Ken said.
“So. The grocery stores always have the Sunday paper out Saturday night. I don’t get why this is a big deal.”
“Look at the paper. See how old and yellowed it is? That’s why I had it laminated so it wouldn’t keep falling apart.”
“Yes. So. How do I know this isn’t all part of an elaborate joke?”
“Karen,” Ken said in his kind, grandfatherly voice. “Why would I play around with an issue involving you and Maisie and make it into a joke. What happened a few months ago in the hospital wasn’t funny. I still don’t think it is. What I’m showing you here is real. This video explains part of Maisie’s problems we encountered at the hospital. I wanted you to understand what happened.”
“So why didn’t you show me this before?” Karen said, a note of consternation in her voice.
“Two reasons. First, I didn’t feel it was the right time. I wanted you and Maisie to have had several sessions with Claudette first so that mentally and physically you were both in good shape. Secondly, the date on today’s paper. Did you notice the headline?”
“Yes, I noticed. It’s horrible.”
“Exactly. Now, you and I know that we can’t predict the future. However, if what this article says is true, then this accident will occur tonight. That’s why it will run in tomorrow’s morning edition. If that’s the case, then what we’re reading hasn’t happened yet which means someone traveled through time, retrieved a copy of this paper and now it’s ended up here.”
“So how did you get it?”
“It was wrapped in the box that contained the pDVR. There were actually two papers. One was dated the day I received the box, which I thought was strange given its’ age and appearance. The other is this one you’re holding.”
Karen looked again at the paper in her hands. The sunshine from outside glinted off the shiny laminate as Karen moved it.
Ken spoke up again. “According to the article, this accident occurred around 6:35 p.m. Mountain time.” Ken glanced at his watch. “It’s now 5:40 here. That means that within the next half an hour or so, the news will probably come on with some breaking news headlines about this accident.” Spike and Ailsa’s faces disappeared from the TV as the screen turned blue again. “I say to confirm this, we watch the news and see if what this article says happens. If it does, then it will solidify my apprehensions as well as prove to you and Maisie that this is not my concoction.”
Karen was still bewildered. “Okay. Turn on the news. Let’s see if this really happens. In a way, I hope it does to explain Maisie’s sickness when she was in the hospital. In another way, I hope it’s wrong because I don’t want to think that people now have the ability to travel through time wreaking havoc in the past, present or the future and manipulating and damaging people’s lives.”
“I feel the same way.”
Maisie picked up the remote. “I’ll change the input back to the TV. What station do you want?”
“Tune it to ABC. They’ll have the story shortly after it breaks according to the article,” Ken said.
Maisie tuned the TV to ABC. The local news was on. A story about some robbery was under discussion. Ken, Karen and Maisie sat glued to the set, waiting. A few minutes later, the live feed went dead as the screen was covered by a pre-computerized image with the words Breaking News! emblazoned on it. Then, the face of Ian Rudgers, ABC’s news anchor, appeared on the screen.
We’ve just received news of a massive explosion in the mountains of Colorado on a military base. According to the information we have at this time, a newly developed nuclear device was being tested when it detonated unexpectedly. According to our sources, this device is designed to destroy a specific, small target with firepower equivalent to several atomic bombs. Instead of the usual nuclear fallout and destruction expected by a conventional nuclear weapon, this weapon concentrates all of it’s firepower in one location. The base on which it was being constructed has been obliterated. Hundreds of people are dead or missing. Sources tell us that this base had several underground tunnels that literally turned into tunnels of terror as fire raced through them at hundreds of miles per hour allowing no time for anyone to escape.
We go now to our correspondent in Colorado for the latest pictures and information on this horrible accident.
For the next several minutes, Ken, Karen and Maisie sat staring in silence as picture after picture via satellite, airplane and helicopter showed the devastation. Smoke, fire and debris were scattered over a several hundred-foot radius. Cameras filming closer to the destruction captured the horror and loss on the faces of the few survivors. Further information on the accident revealed that one of the advantages of this new weapon was the lack of radiation. Although radiation was inevitable in any atomic or nuclear explosion, scientists had discovered how to control and limit its’ effects. Of course, much of the information was being provided by the spokesperson for the military, so what wasn’t being said played a big factor in what was being seen on the TV screen.
By 6:00 p.m., the only news on TV was the accident in Colorado. Ken muted the TV and looked at Karen and Maisie. They looked back at him, shock and anger entwined in their faces. Ken even sat in stunned silence as the enormity and reality of what the newspaper said would happen hit home. Although he’d accepted what had happened with Spike and Slick, this affirmation via the news media in two forms simply solidified his worst nightmares. Now he had no doubt where Spike was and wished he knew where Slick had gone. For all he knew, he might return some day or worse yet, he might be manipulating and damaging the space/time continuum. Then again, maybe he was dead. Ken really didn’t know.
“I guess that confirms it,” Karen said.
“I don’t like this,” Maisie said, pushing aside the locks of curly hair hanging in her eyes. “This scares me.”
Ken reached over and snuggled Maisie up under his arm. “I’m sure you are scared. But there’s nothing to be afraid of. This accident will be cleaned up and taken care of.”
“It’s not the accident that I’m afraid of.”
“Then what?” Ken asked.
“It’s what that man said on the pDVR. Something about Slick coming to kill me and those other people.”
“But that was back in June. You didn’t die, and you’ve been doing great.”
“So did they catch the guy?”
“No.”
“So what if he comes back? Will he try to find me and finish what he started?”
“I don’t think so.”
“How can you be so sure?” Karen asked.
“Well, for one, if he’d wanted to come back, he would have done so already. Think about it. He’s in a time machine. That means he can travel wherever and whenever he wants. He could have gone anywhere in time for years and come back to the exact time he left the hospital. But he didn’t. That tells me that he’s either not interested in you or he’s dead.”
“So what was he trying to do?”
Ken knew this question was coming. He didn’t know how they’d react to the situation that had occurred three months ago and he didn’t know if they’d be upset for him not telling them then what was going on. He would attempt to explain it as simply and concisely as possible without getting into many details.
“Well, to make things simple, and from what I’ve ascertained from Spike’s comments on the pDVR and from the situation on June 6 this year, Slick was basically trying out a new drug on you Maisie and two other patients, Benita and Hank. The drug was intended to cause extreme hallucinations and nightmares to the point of driving the recipient crazy. The ultimate end was that they would literally be scared to death. I was baffled for much of that day as I tried to figure out what was happening to my patients and why they were having so many nightmares and seizures. Eventually, I was able to figure out that a substance known as tryptamines were the primary ingredient causing these nightmares and hallucinations. That’s when I had any item, be it needles, IV’s or the like stopped. It appeared that that was the main means of entry that Slick was using to inject this substance, this cocktail, into the bodies of my patients. Unfortunately, I didn’t figure this out soon enough to save Benita and Hank. Fortunately for you Maisie, Slick must have been scared off when the final most lethal injection was to be given. Remember your doll I took and cleaned?”
Maisie and Karen nodded in agreement.
“Well, I had the substance on it tested. Turns out it was the drug containing tryptamines. The small hole in the neck was where the injection was given. Slick must have been going to inject you when he was startled and missed your neck hitting the doll instead. After that, I never saw him again.”
“So no one knows where he is?” Karen asked incredulously.
“No. They don’t.”
“Well, are they still looking?”
“Not right now. The case has been set aside and left open because of a lack of evidence and because all the leads they had to follow up on were dead ends.”
“So that’s it? He gets away Scott free?” Karen’s obvious anger and frustration were showing through her already tense face.
“Unfortunately, yes. But, if my hunch is right, I think something happened to him and he’s dead. According to Spike on the pDVR, just before he left, they got into a fight and Spike indicates that when he hit Slick with a metal bar, part of the unit that Slick used for time travel cracked and broke. If that’s the case, even if Slick isn’t dead, he’s at least stuck somewhere else in time.”
“I hope he’s stuck in hell,” Karen said. “To think that he was trying to kill my baby, that I can’t take!”
“I understand. But we can be glad that Maisie is okay and doing great!”
“I am mom. Don’t worry. He didn’t get me and I’m still here to bug you.”
Karen laughed as she poked Maisie in the stomach, a tear forming at the corner of her eye.
“I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Karen said hugging Maisie who’d come back over to sit by her. Looking back at Ken, Karen asked about the other patients.
“Well, Benita was brought in comatose and never did regain consciousness. I believe something else was wrong when she arrived, and Slick’s injections just added to her complications. Eventually she just died. I’ll never know what she saw or heard. It was all contained inside her own mind.
As for Hank, he was a huge guy. Reminded me of a motorcycle gang member, but still nice once you got past the rough exterior. He had hit his head and was brought in to be checked for any internal brain damage. I wanted to keep him overnight because I was seeing some external evidences that he might have some slight brain damage. Somewhere along the line, Slick and his little cocktail helped push Hank’s life over the edge of insanity landing him in a pit of death. Once the process was started, there was no turning it back. And once Hank began to have nightmares, he never woke up again.”
“So what made Maisie’s survival different other than that she didn’t get that last dose?”
“That was probably the biggest saving grace, her not getting that dose. But along with it was Maisie’s ability to fight off her nightmares using lucid dreaming. If it hadn’t been for your ability to mentally fight what you were seeing, I don’t know if you would have been able to regain consciousness.”
“Some of my dreams were pretty scary. In fact, they were all about things I’m really afraid of. I’m glad I didn’t have to face the last dream. It probably would have been really scary.”
Maisie’s face hinted at fear, although she did a good job at hiding what was there. Karen stroked her hair and forehead and kissed the top of her head.
“I’m glad you’re okay,” Karen said looking at Maisie.
“Me too,” Maisie said back between grins.
Karen looked at Ken.
“So, is there anything else?”
“No. That pretty much sums it up. There are other details, but you got the basic story. If you’re interested, we can run the rest of the pDVR and you can see what else Spike has to say. He filmed a lot of the country and life in 1792, the year he’s stuck in.”
“Where? Here?” Maisie asked.
“No, Penzance, England.”
“England! Wow! What was Slick doing in England?”
“Well, if you want to watch the rest, he’ll explain a lot of that.”
“Okay. Let’s see how far we get before I wear out. Anybody want some popcorn?” Maisie asked.
“I’ll take some,” Ken said.
“Just a little for me,” Karen said.
Maisie ran off to the kitchen to microwave two bags of popcorn.
“Drinks anyone?” Maisie yelled from the kitchen.
“I’ll take a Coke,” Ken said.
“Get me a Diet Sprite,” Karen yelled back.
“Okay, coming right up.”
“So, are you doing okay after all of this?” Karen asked.
“Yes. I am now. Before I had a hard time with it all. But after a few weeks, things started to get better.”
“How did the hospital take it all?”
“Well, they were surprised and suspicious. I didn’t tell anyone else about the time travel part. I figured that would be too far fetched and they’d think I was the crazy one. Then I’d end up in prison for the murders. All I told them was that someone had laced the IV’s and syringes with tryptamines and that Slick was the most obvious suspect. They also suspect Spike since he too disappeared, but I couldn’t say anything about his whereabouts. I just went along with the police knowing that they wouldn’t find either one of them.”
“How did your immediate colleagues take it all?”
“Well,” Ken said, stroking his mustache and thinking, “they were surprised and saddened by the loss of two patients so quickly. They were amazed at the ability of someone being able to so easily taint the various products. Now, security has been beefed up and more cameras installed. Everyone is a lot more careful and alert.”
The smell of freshly buttered popcorn wafted in from the kitchen, the faint sound of the kernels popping inside the microwave.
“How did that grumpy nurse that worked for you take it?”
“She didn’t say a lot. In fact, she just retired last month. Everyone was eager and ready to throw her a retirement party.”
Karen laughed. “I can imagine. She wasn’t the friendliest person I’ve ever met.”
“No one thought she was very friendly. And no one was sad to see her go.”
“The popcorn is served.” Maisie’s carried in three bowls of popcorn on a tray as if she were a waitress. Serving Ken and Karen, she returned to the kitchen and retrieved the pop. Setting the Coke and Diet Sprite in the appropriate places, Maisie jumped onto the couch and announced, “Let’s start the movie.”
Karen and Ken laughed at Maisie’s resiliency and ability to deal with situations. She was quite a little girl.
“Okay Miss Shirley. Start the show.”
Reaching over to the pDVR, Maisie pressed play. Changing the input on the VCR with the remote, Maisie adjusted the volume as Spike and Ailsa appeared on screen again. Ken, Karen and Maisie all sat back listening as Spike and Ailsa began the narration and tour of life in Penzance, Cornwall, England, 1792.
