The Gravity of Anti-Gravity (34 page)

“What day is tomorrow Stella, I’ve lost track.”

“Tomorrow is Tuesday Bill. We are meeting here at eleven.”

“I remember the time, I just forgot the day.” With that I got dressed and left.

On the way home I put the top down on the Mustang and let the wind blow across my face and through my hair. I was hoping it would help me clear my mind. Then reality struck hard. In a little over an hour, I told two fabulous women; women that most men would kill for, that I loved them. And I did; I loved them both!

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The next morning I got up feeling refreshed, and went into the kitchen. Jerry, who had spent the night on the couch, was there with Joanna, Pops and Grandma.

“Bill, I’m fixing scrambled eggs for everybody, would you like some too?” Grandma asked.

“Sure Grandma” I answered.

“I’ve been thinking. Let’s have a little party thanking the heroes of the rescue teams here next Saturday night? We can invite all the local guys who participated in the rescue including Vaughn and Alvarez and their wives. It would be fun. Jerry, what’s your situation? Are you going back to the Army soon?”

“No, I was reassigned to your security detail. Agent Vaughn called me last night and he cleared it with my C.O. And considering what’s happened, he’s tripling the security details on you, Brenda and Stella and Rolf; even though I seriously doubt if Rolf needs any protection at all.”

“I couldn’t agree with you more Jerry,” I said. “Rolf is one very special dude.”

I showered and put on a tie, the only sport coat I owned and left for my meeting with the infamous Forest Buckholder. When I arrived at Stella’s apartment, a large limousine with four men milling around it was already there. I went to the apartment and knocked. Rolf answered and had me sit on the only seat remaining in the small living room. Buckholder had brought three of his assistants and after introductions were exchanged, he rose to speak.

“I am here to make a proposal that hopefully will go down in history as the beginning of a new world; a world where people are free to use their boundless imaginations to create new innovations for the betterment of mankind. I know that sounds somewhat esoteric, but we have all just seen how woefully ill equipped government is to manage innovation at any level. Protecting the freedoms of people to live, love, make their own choices, take chances and mold their own existence is all that is required from any government.”

“Give people the opportunity and get out of the way, should be the objective of all governments.” Buckholder continued. “Most bureaucrats would be shocked to realize that they are no better or smarter than the general population. Why should they be allowed to tell us how to run our lives?”

“I am not advocating we do away with government. They do provide laws, national defense and other elements that are required for a structured society. But unfortunately they don’t know when to stop. Special interests have changed the national agenda to enhance their own narrow perspectives. This has resulted in politicians creating laws that work counter to the common good.”

“However, as we have seen with our two geniuses here, the government’s competence in managing matters of an industrial nature like the anti-gravity device is beyond inadequate. Had the government not been involved, no one would have known about Bill’s device until it came to market. He would have been revered as a creator comparable to, let’s say, Einstein rather than an object that governments feel they must possess.”

Stella and I got up and clapped. But I was wondering if Buckholder was for real or just another corporate blowhard.

“Our proposal for you Bill and Stella,” Buckholder continued, “is to create a research facility in any location you choose. We will fully staff and fund that location with the best support people available. We have several locations already in place around the country where you could start, but it is your call on where you want to work. We could even set you up in Hawaii if you desire. We will offer an excellent salary and of course a percentage of the proceeds when the device is eventually marketed. The patents will be jointly owned and it will be a collective decision on where and how this technology proceeds. I have taken the initiative to create a basic proposal. Keep in mind it’s just the first draft and can be altered or accepted as is. I will leave it here for your perusal and if you want your attorney to review the document, please feel free.”

With that, we all exchanged departing pleasantries and Buckholder and his entourage left.

“Man, this guy is good,” I commented as I flipped though the proposal. “Buckholder has boiled everything down to less than five pages; a miracle in this age of the verbose, obtuse and litigious. This looks good to me just the way it is. Since the government fell on their butts, sold us down the river and damned near got us killed, I vote we give Buckholder and his consortium a chance!”

“Rolf and I will look it over, Bill and I’ll call you.” Stella said. “I do believe we need to do something soon or we run the risk of more attacks.”

“Hey, I’ve scheduled a ‘thank you’ party Saturday night,” I announced. “Rolf, you will be the ‘Man of Honor’ if there is such a term. Come over about six. We’ll drink some beer and barbeque hamburgers. I’ll get as many of the team members that are still in town to come too. It will be fun.”

“We’ll be there Bill. See you then if I don’t see you before,” Stella said as I was walking out the door.

The next two days I spent with Brenda. JPL had continued to pay me while I was in China so I had the unique experience of having plenty of money and a nice car to drive. I took Brenda shopping, to the movies, to dinner and anywhere else she wanted to go. It was two of the best days of my young life but I couldn’t help thinking of Stella. I tried to focus completely on Brenda but I couldn’t get the vision of Stella’s naked body out of my head. I told myself that is was just the sex that drew me to Stella but after all we had been through in the last several weeks, I decided that I really did love her too. I joked to myself that since Brenda was Mormon, maybe she’d be OK with me having two wives.

Then my phone rang jogging me out of my daydream. It was Stella.

“Hello,” I said. I would have been cleverer but Brenda was sitting next to me in the car.

“Bill,” Stella said, “Rolf and I have gone over Buckholder’s proposal with our attorney. We’d like to meet here tomorrow evening and go over it. And there are a couple more issues Rolf wants to discuss too. I’ll fix dinner and I promise it won’t be Chinese.”

“Very funny,” I said. “I’ll be there at seven.”

The next day was Friday and except for my evening meeting with Rolf and Stella, I had a free day. I slept in until ten, grabbed a quick shower and as I was getting dressed, Felix Alvarez called.

“Hello, Agent Alvarez, what can I do for you?”

“Bill, we’ve just received reports from our sources inside China that their government is furious at the United States for snatching you back right under their noses.” Alvarez elaborated. “Supposedly they have called the President demanding that you be returned to them. So far the President is standing his ground and keeps reminding them that because they didn’t come through with their payment they, the Chinese, were the ones who negated the deal and forced us to take you back.”

“The Chinese are hinting that they will be willing to make the first payment up front and I believe The President is considering their offer. Most of his advisors are recommending that he refuse any deal with the Chinese because of their lies and treachery in the recent past. But with his weakness in the polls, I don’t know what to expect.”

“Bill, are you aware that the kidnapping of your sister was orchestrated by the Chinese Government? They covered their tracks well but now we have irrefutable proof.”

“Oh my God” I wailed. “Just great; what’s next, are the Chinese coming after me again?

“Bill, that’s the scuttlebutt on the street,” Felix added. “I suggest you and Stella leave town ASAP in case and before the Chinese organize another attack. You should take Joanna, your grand parents and Brenda along too. I’ve got Agent Vaughn working on a place to relocate you until the dust settles a little.”

“Felix, let’s postpone our departure until Sunday. Remember you and Agent Vaughn are invited to our victory party tomorrow night and I want to be here for that. I know Vaughn has already increased security once, but maybe another bump until Sunday is called for.”

“I agree Bill. I’ll call Vaughn and you give Jerry a heads up so that he knows what’s happening. See you tomorrow night.”

Just as I hung up from Alvarez my phone rang again. It was from an unlisted number. So much for my free day, I thought.

“Hello, Bill Burton here,” I answered.

“Is this William Burton the Third?” was the response.

“Just like I said, Bill Burton here,” I said with as much sarcasm as I could muster.

“Hold on please, the President of the
United States is on the line.”

Just great! He’s probably going to send me a one way ticket to Junk Stink,
China on Springboard Airlines, I thought as I waited for him to come on the line.

“Bill, this is the President. I wanted to call and say that I’m sorry that we got off on the wrong foot at our last meeting,” he said in his eternally cheerful tone. “I am flying to the West Coast next week and I’d like to meet with you on Wednesday.”

“I am impressed you made this call personally Mr. President, but if you consider mandating my kidnap and imprisonment in a foreign country ‘getting off on the wrong foot’, I shudder to imagine what you consider a serious issue.”

“By next Wednesday, sir,” I continued, “My family and I will be in hiding somewhere attempting to avoid a probable kidnapping attempt by the Chinese. They’ve tried at least once and I’m pretty sure they will try again.”

“Not true Bill. The Chinese are telling me they want to negotiate a trade deal so that they have some access to your technology when it’s perfected. They have guaranteed me that they will not do anything on U.S. soil or orchestrate any more kidnapping incidents.”

“So you are telling me that this so called ‘trade deal’ is non-human; only the technology when we have it?” I asked.

“Non-human, of course,” he answered. “You know like trading in goods and services; commerce.”

“And you believed them sir! With all due respect, how many chances are going to give them to lie to you?” I asked.

“Bill, I have been given absolute assurances from the top people in their government. The President said. “When you get settled, I will send for you. We will address all your concerns then. I hope you hold no animosity toward me. I am just trying to do what’s best for the American people. See you soon.”

As I sat there contemplating the two calls I’d just received, I wondered who would call next; Santa Claus or maybe the Man in the Moon. Then right on schedule the phone rang. It was Jerry.

“Hello, Burton’s Bargain Basement and Brothel. How may I help you,” I answered.

“I’d like to order one hot redhead with gigantic knockers and a twenty two inch waist; and I’ll take that order to go please,” was Jerry’s response.

“We have three who fit that description sir.” I answered.

“I guess then I’ll just have to take all three. Have them wrapped and ready. I’ll be there in ten minutes.” Jerry continued. “Rough day is it Bill? I just got word that we will be increasing your security detail. You must be expecting some kind of all out war with this many agents on the job.”

“Jerry, on Sunday, even though most of the participants don’t know it yet, we are going on a trip to who knows where, to be protected by who knows which people, from who knows what enemy, for who knows how long.”

“Buck up young man. Remember it can only get better or worse,” Jerry joked. “I’ve got to get working on the addition to your security, so if I don’t see you before, I’ll see you tomorrow night.” Jerry hung up and right on cue the phone rang again. It was another unlisted number.

“Bill’s Buffalo Burritos, may I take your order please,” I answered.

“Is this Bill Burton?” the confused caller asked.

“Yes it is. Who’s calling please?” I asked.

“Bill, this is Forest Buckholder. I was wondering if you have made any decision yet on my proposal.”

“Mr. Buckholder, it’s nice to hear from you. I apologize for the stupid way I just answered but it’s been a weird morning.” I added. “Stella, Rolf and I are meeting this evening to discuss everything. If it were up to me alone, I’d be on board but Stella and I have become kind of a team so I need to get her input before I make a final decision.” I confessed.

“My consortium prefers you both,” Buckholder said, “but if for some reason, it’s you alone that is fine because you are the actual inventor. And Bill, I am getting reports that an entity, possibly a Chinese front group will attempt to seize you and return you to
China so be careful. If they get you again, you are never coming back. The Chinese don’t make the same mistake twice.”

“That’s interesting,” I said, “I just got a call from the President and he told me that in his discussions with the Chinese, he was assured that they were not planning any operations on
U.S. soil.”