More Misgivings........
Doyle didn't call. Instead, I met Ms. Givings at the Menlo Park Mall yesterday. She picked the entrance beside where the movie theater is. No "Hello", "Happy Holidays", "Happy New Year", or "How are you?", just a curt "Walk with me." as she hustled by. At least she slowed it down as she rounded the corner towards Macy's. After all, the only people at the mall at this time of day are the "Mall Walkers" - those senior citizens/recuperating people who need to be walking(and those physical fitness freaks who don't have jobs). If we kept moving at her initial pace, we'd stick out like sore thumbs.
"Where's Doyle?" I asked, to try to kick things off.
"He's got the flu, or something. They pulled me in off my vacation to babysit you."
"What do you mean, babysit? I thought you monitored me by the implant."
"You gotta know you're under constant watch. Besides the monitoring, the People Upstairs want a constant watch on you now. They're concerned that you haven't had an Event in a few weeks."
"Look, they were the ones, at least Doyle said they were, who said things would slow up with the cold weather. No one's out and about, and very few by themselves. Also, it's the holiday season. The only people you see are in crowds."
"I know that, but the People Upstairs play the tune we all dance to. Anyway, they wanted someone to speak to you, in case you were having second thoughts or something."
"Not me. You and Doyle scared those out of me the last time we met. I'll finish this, or at least get as close as I can to the target number. By the way, what happens if I don't get the twelve? I know I've got 8 done, and a little less then 2 months for the other 4, but what happens if I don't bring them all in?"
"I'm not sure. No one's ever said anything about it. I do know that they originally didn't think you'd come anywhere near the target. As you got closer, they began to rethink the project, and then they got concerned that you were getting sloppy or too personal with numbers 5 and 6. Right now, I have no idea what they intend to do."
"OK. So, you're just here to make sure I don't have a bout of seasonal remorse? That I'm not depressed, or suicidal? Is that it?"
"Partly. And I can tell by your tone of voice that you're not. The People Upstairs will be glad to hear that. But also, I'm reiterating the fact that I'm Doyle's backup and you'll have me to deal with periodically when he's not available."
"well, if that's all, consider it done. Now if you don't mind, I'd like to stop and get something to eat. These early morning meetings throw my meal schedule out of whack."
"Just one more thing. The People Upstairs want to know what you plan to do once this project is over."
"What? Are you kidding? I haven't planned that far ahead. I try not to think about this whole situation at all. I take it day by day, do what I have to, and move on. As long as you have this monitor in me, I don't see that I have too much of a choice. Maybe that's what I want, to have the monitor taken out. Tell them that."
"I will. Is there anything else?"
"Do you think they will? Take out the implant, I mean?"
"I don't know." She stopped walking, and for the first time today, looked my straight in the face. "They may, and they may not. I don't know them. I've seen them by good guys, and I've seen them do some rotten things all in the name of National Security. I couldn't even guess what they'd do."
She paused, and looked around not really noticing anything, just gathering her thoughts.
"Look, I don't know you. I don't want to know you. I think Doyle has made this project a personal one for him. That's his mistake. I won't do that. But I will give you some advise. Do what they want you to. No more, no less. You try you best, and they won't think your slacking so they won't try to take it out on you. Whatever happens after that is their doing. That's all I can offer you."
She pause again, as if waiting for me to reply, but I couldn't think of anything to say.
"I'll tell them that you still working towards the final goal, and that the slow down was as they predicted - weather related. Beyond that, I won't tell them anything about this conversation. Hopefully, Doyle will be feeling better the next time they want to talk to you."
She turned and left. Suddenly that appetite I'd had wasn't as pressing as it had been.
I now had more to worry about.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
8 Days a Week.....
This time of year, you can't count on the weather. Some days are cold, some days are colder, and for some inexplicable reason some days are much, much warmer. Last Wednesday was one of those much warmer days.
It had rained very heavily the night before but the morning dawned bright and warm. (I'm assuming it dawned that way since it was bright and warm when I got up several hours later.) Listening to the radio, it was already in the upper 60's, but would get progressively cooler during the afternoon. I decided it would be a good day for a walk.
Lately, I've put on a few pounds. To me, it's noticeable but others seem to think I was too thin to start with. I blame it having the car, and being inherently lazy. Anyway, I decided to walk up to Perkins for breakfast, stop at ShopRite for some stuff, maybe hit the library, and go home. I should be out most of the morning.
The walk takes me up Rahway, along Freeman, and out onto Amboy (which becomes St. George at some arbitrary point). I was enjoying it. The air was warm, the sun was out, and everything just seemed to be brighter. Coming out on to Amboy, I crossed to the other side and walked up passed A & P and ShopRite. Just passed ShopRite there's a new bank and the recently reconfigured turn off from Routes 1 & 9 North. This turn off wraps around the store and parking lot for Animals & Things, which sits in sort of a bowl because of the way the turn off was built.
As I passed the bank, I saw a huge amount of pigeons in the parking lot for Animals & Things. A HUGE AMOUNT OF PIGEONS! It was like an army of flying , diseased rats, and they were all facing in the same direction, Animals & Things. It looked like they had planned an attack and were waiting for the word to start.
I stopped, not wanting to move too quickly forward, in case I set them off. Just then, I saw someone come out of the back of the store. He was carrying a large box. A shudder went through the pigeons, but they stayed where they were. He walked right into the middle of them, and began to spread around what I presumed to be bird seed or something, which he took from the box. He was feeding this army of scavengers!!! This wouldn't do.
With great power comes great responsibility. I circled back, and around the bank, coming up on the parking lot from the far side. The man paid not attention to me (nor did the pigeons) and continued to throw around the food. I took the Flasher out. Closer. Closer. No one paid me any attention, and the way the turn off came around, we couldn't be seen from either the highway of Amboy/St. George.
Point, press, flash. I turned around quickly, and without running, moved as fast as I could towards the bank. I circled around, and approached the lot from the street side again. The pigeons continued to eat around the man, many of them in the box which had fallen on to the ground with him.
"Enjoy it while you can." I thought, "Since it's the last meal you'll get around here."
I was in a good mood as I continued my walk, although I figured on coming back on the other side of the street. I didn't care if I got a confirm on this one (although I did) because I felt I'd done the world a favor.
This time of year, you can't count on the weather. Some days are cold, some days are colder, and for some inexplicable reason some days are much, much warmer. Last Wednesday was one of those much warmer days.
It had rained very heavily the night before but the morning dawned bright and warm. (I'm assuming it dawned that way since it was bright and warm when I got up several hours later.) Listening to the radio, it was already in the upper 60's, but would get progressively cooler during the afternoon. I decided it would be a good day for a walk.
Lately, I've put on a few pounds. To me, it's noticeable but others seem to think I was too thin to start with. I blame it having the car, and being inherently lazy. Anyway, I decided to walk up to Perkins for breakfast, stop at ShopRite for some stuff, maybe hit the library, and go home. I should be out most of the morning.
The walk takes me up Rahway, along Freeman, and out onto Amboy (which becomes St. George at some arbitrary point). I was enjoying it. The air was warm, the sun was out, and everything just seemed to be brighter. Coming out on to Amboy, I crossed to the other side and walked up passed A & P and ShopRite. Just passed ShopRite there's a new bank and the recently reconfigured turn off from Routes 1 & 9 North. This turn off wraps around the store and parking lot for Animals & Things, which sits in sort of a bowl because of the way the turn off was built.
As I passed the bank, I saw a huge amount of pigeons in the parking lot for Animals & Things. A HUGE AMOUNT OF PIGEONS! It was like an army of flying , diseased rats, and they were all facing in the same direction, Animals & Things. It looked like they had planned an attack and were waiting for the word to start.
I stopped, not wanting to move too quickly forward, in case I set them off. Just then, I saw someone come out of the back of the store. He was carrying a large box. A shudder went through the pigeons, but they stayed where they were. He walked right into the middle of them, and began to spread around what I presumed to be bird seed or something, which he took from the box. He was feeding this army of scavengers!!! This wouldn't do.
With great power comes great responsibility. I circled back, and around the bank, coming up on the parking lot from the far side. The man paid not attention to me (nor did the pigeons) and continued to throw around the food. I took the Flasher out. Closer. Closer. No one paid me any attention, and the way the turn off came around, we couldn't be seen from either the highway of Amboy/St. George.
Point, press, flash. I turned around quickly, and without running, moved as fast as I could towards the bank. I circled around, and approached the lot from the street side again. The pigeons continued to eat around the man, many of them in the box which had fallen on to the ground with him.
"Enjoy it while you can." I thought, "Since it's the last meal you'll get around here."
I was in a good mood as I continued my walk, although I figured on coming back on the other side of the street. I didn't care if I got a confirm on this one (although I did) because I felt I'd done the world a favor.
Giving Thanks.....
Usually, my not having ready access to a computer annoys me, and slows down the postings to this blog. In this instance, it gave me time to figure out how I wanted to say something. Even with the extra time, I couldn't so I'll just go ahead with what I want to say.
Thanksgiving Day is always the last Thursday in November. That should be no surprise to anyone. This year it was preceded by 3 days that have a big impact on me. The Tuesday was the first anniversary of my transplant. A big day for me and my immediate family. A quiet celebration to remember what happened and to be thankful for what didn't.
This means that Monday was the first anniversary of the death of my donor, Jimmy. I can't imagine how his family feels, or what they went through making the decision to donate the organs of their only son. I called them. They said it was getting better, but the tone of voice they used didn't sound that way.
Wednesday would've been my donor's 27th birthday. Another blow to the family.
For me, these 3 days will be linked forever to my future. I guess with every good thing that happens to you, you have to be prepared to carry some sadness.
Usually, my not having ready access to a computer annoys me, and slows down the postings to this blog. In this instance, it gave me time to figure out how I wanted to say something. Even with the extra time, I couldn't so I'll just go ahead with what I want to say.
Thanksgiving Day is always the last Thursday in November. That should be no surprise to anyone. This year it was preceded by 3 days that have a big impact on me. The Tuesday was the first anniversary of my transplant. A big day for me and my immediate family. A quiet celebration to remember what happened and to be thankful for what didn't.
This means that Monday was the first anniversary of the death of my donor, Jimmy. I can't imagine how his family feels, or what they went through making the decision to donate the organs of their only son. I called them. They said it was getting better, but the tone of voice they used didn't sound that way.
Wednesday would've been my donor's 27th birthday. Another blow to the family.
For me, these 3 days will be linked forever to my future. I guess with every good thing that happens to you, you have to be prepared to carry some sadness.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
This Old Man He Played 7.........
This last weekend was great. Spent a lot of time with my daughter. She picked me up early Saturday morning and we drove to D. C. for the American Heart Association Heart Walk on the Mall. We were together for about 12 hours, 8 in the car, 1 at a late lunch, and 3 doing the walk. It was a little tiring, but we covered 4 miles, and her sponsors got their money's worth. Sunday, we hooked up after the football game for an early supper so I could give her something I'd picked up that morning. (I'm guessing 3 o'clock is the demarcation point for late lunch/early supper.) The weather was overcast both days, but somewhat warmish, which was actually the best to hope for doing the walk. Kinda like what you'd want doing a marathon, I guess.
Monday was a beautiful, Fall day. Sunny, unseasonably warm. I drove around a lot, doing a library run. (I've found that a lot of libraries sell books that are donated, usually because they already have a copy or two. This is because they have a finite amount of space. As a rule, they price them at 50 cents for paperbacks and 41 to $3 bucks for hardcovers. I usually stick with the paperbacks. Must have about 100 at home that I haven't got to yet.)
Decided to drive to Avenel, and drop off something at a friends house that I'd picked up that morning. I turned off St. George Avenue by the Dunkin Donuts and figured on going straight up to Remsen. At the corned of Prospect, I saw an old person raking leaves. I say person because I couldn't make out the gender. The baggy clothes and fly-away white hair could've been anybody. I noticed that there was no one around. I continued to Remsen and turned left onto Butler, parking just off the corner. This is a quiet neighborhood, with very little activity on a weekday, mostly workers busy doing their business elsewhere.
I walked down Butler, and turned up Prospect. It's a pretty steep hill from there. I took out the Flasher. I stayed on the right-hand side of the street, since the person I saw would be on the left. I kept looking around, but I saw no foot or vehicular traffic. As I got to the corner, I saw the person still raking. His/her back was to me, but that doesn't really matter. They must've been in their late 80's or 90's from the impression I got. I crossed the street. No one around. Point, push, Flash, and they toppled gently into a pile of leaves as I rounded the corner.
I walked up the block, down Remsen, got in my car, and continued to my friends house to drop off the item. I was driving down Amboy Avenue 15 minutes later when I got the confirmation. 7 inside 3 months. I was slightly ahead of schedule.
This last weekend was great. Spent a lot of time with my daughter. She picked me up early Saturday morning and we drove to D. C. for the American Heart Association Heart Walk on the Mall. We were together for about 12 hours, 8 in the car, 1 at a late lunch, and 3 doing the walk. It was a little tiring, but we covered 4 miles, and her sponsors got their money's worth. Sunday, we hooked up after the football game for an early supper so I could give her something I'd picked up that morning. (I'm guessing 3 o'clock is the demarcation point for late lunch/early supper.) The weather was overcast both days, but somewhat warmish, which was actually the best to hope for doing the walk. Kinda like what you'd want doing a marathon, I guess.
Monday was a beautiful, Fall day. Sunny, unseasonably warm. I drove around a lot, doing a library run. (I've found that a lot of libraries sell books that are donated, usually because they already have a copy or two. This is because they have a finite amount of space. As a rule, they price them at 50 cents for paperbacks and 41 to $3 bucks for hardcovers. I usually stick with the paperbacks. Must have about 100 at home that I haven't got to yet.)
Decided to drive to Avenel, and drop off something at a friends house that I'd picked up that morning. I turned off St. George Avenue by the Dunkin Donuts and figured on going straight up to Remsen. At the corned of Prospect, I saw an old person raking leaves. I say person because I couldn't make out the gender. The baggy clothes and fly-away white hair could've been anybody. I noticed that there was no one around. I continued to Remsen and turned left onto Butler, parking just off the corner. This is a quiet neighborhood, with very little activity on a weekday, mostly workers busy doing their business elsewhere.
I walked down Butler, and turned up Prospect. It's a pretty steep hill from there. I took out the Flasher. I stayed on the right-hand side of the street, since the person I saw would be on the left. I kept looking around, but I saw no foot or vehicular traffic. As I got to the corner, I saw the person still raking. His/her back was to me, but that doesn't really matter. They must've been in their late 80's or 90's from the impression I got. I crossed the street. No one around. Point, push, Flash, and they toppled gently into a pile of leaves as I rounded the corner.
I walked up the block, down Remsen, got in my car, and continued to my friends house to drop off the item. I was driving down Amboy Avenue 15 minutes later when I got the confirmation. 7 inside 3 months. I was slightly ahead of schedule.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Misgivings......
Doyle called last Saturday, wanting to meet. It had been almost a week since Event 6, but I really don't have any choice in these matters. We met Sunday at Alvin Williams Park in Sewarren, which overlooks the Arthur Kill.
As I walked down from the parking lot to the water front, I saw he was sitting on a bench with someone else - a woman. He was watching for me, and rose as I got close.
"Denny, thanks for coming. This is Fran Givings. She's an agent like me." She held out her hand, and I shook it.
"What's this about? I thought this was supposed to be low key, just the 2 of us?"
"It is, only the People Upstairs changed the rules a little. Fran will be my backup. If you hear from her, you gotta do what you'd do if you heard from me. Got it?"
"OK. But why? Are they sending you somewhere else?"
"No, nothing like that." He started to walk, and we trailed along with him. So far, Miss Givings hadn't said a word. "The People Upstairs are starting to take this seriously. not that they hadn't before but they weren't optimistic that you'd get the 12 in 6 months. Now that you've done 6 in 3, they starting to pay more attention, and everything has to now be by the book. That's where Fran comes in."
"I'm still not following."
"It's easy. You see, every operation usually requires that the agent running it have a backup. That way, in case something happens to him - or her, sorry Givings - the backup can step in without missing a beat. Of course, this means that I have to keep Fran here in the loop on everything, but you don't have to do anything. If she steps in it's because I'm unavailable, for whatever reason. But, she shouldn't have to since this is all random after all, and you make the choices. I only call if there's something you need to know. OK?"
"All right, yeah, I guess it makes sense. So what you're saying is I got 6 more to do, 3 months to do it in, and Agent Givings may call sometime but probably not."
"Right. That's it." Givings nudged him in the ribs, but tried to hide it from me. She didn't do such a good job. "Oh Yeah, there is one more thing."
"There always is. What is it?"
"Again, it's the People Upstairs. They're happy with the end results, but not so much with the last 2 Events. The thinking is that they were too out in the open, too public. They want to make sure that you understand that they'll keep their end of the bargain, bailing you out if you get caught. But, they want you to keep it low key. They're afraid you're getting too cocky, and maybe a little too careless. Don't forget what's at stake here."
"I don't, believe me. I know it's a 'me or them' situation."
"Good. Then that's all we need to hear." Turning to Givings, he said,"You can wait for me in the car now, Fran. If he says anything meaningful, I'll let you know." She said nothing - still - and turned toward the parking lot and the kind of car you'd expect government workers to be driving in. "OK. She's gone now. What were you thinking with that last one?"
"What?"
"That last one, number 6. I understand the thinking behind number 5, she was an available target and the situation just happened -even though the People Upstairs are still a little uncomfortable with it - but I don't get 6."
We walked along quietly for a while. He didn't push, and I was sunk in thought. Finally, I explained it. How it happened and why. He was still quiet for a while, and we passed a marker that indicated it was 8 tenths of a mile if you followed the outside trail around the entire park. I wondered how far we'd come.
"OK. I think I get it, and you gotta stop thinking like that right now. You are not some caped-crusading vigilante taking out the scum of the earth. We don't normally do any background checks on the people involved in these Events, but we could. What if we found that this guy was just some poor,dumb schmuck who was drinking a cup of coffee while his family was in the Children's Room enjoying reading time? Maybe he slipped out for a cigarette. You can't create back stories for them. They can't exist in your mind, they can't be real. Otherwise, you make yourself crazy, and I do mean crazy. You get me?"
I shrugged, because I didn't know what to say. We walked some more, and stopped back at the bench where he'd been sitting earlier with Givings. I stared at the Outerbridge for a while, I don't know how long. Doyle just stood there, saying nothing.
"I get it, I guess. I just thought that I was making something right out of this. That there was a purpose, a valid reason for it."
"There isn't. You know it, I know it, and the People Upstairs know it." He stopped, as if he wanted to say more, then took a deep breathe, exhaled, and continued. "Look, there's something you should know. The People Upstairs almost pulled the plug on you. They like the project now, but they're unsure of you. I convinced them otherwise, in the only language they really understand. It wouldn't be cost effective to stop you now. You have the implant. They'd have to take an agent out of the field, who's already got the implant, but then they're using a traceable asset should something go wrong, or they'd have to create someone, which has a whole bunch of other problems. For better or worse, they understand they're stuck with you. But, and it's a big But, they can pull the plug at any time. You need to keep that in mind. I don't know what they'd do to you if they decide to go that route, but you know too much to let them be comfortable with you just walking away. Be careful, is all I'm saying."
" I got it. I never thought about it like that, but I see where you're coming from. Let me ask you something. If they decide to get rid of me, would you do it?"
"I work for them. It's my job. And even if I refused, they have agents like Givings to do whatever they want. I'd like to think I'd be a little more discrete, and at least act on your behalf."
We didn't say anything else. There was nothing left to say. We'd go back to how it was before, but I'd be a little more cautious now. After all, there was Miss Givings.
Doyle called last Saturday, wanting to meet. It had been almost a week since Event 6, but I really don't have any choice in these matters. We met Sunday at Alvin Williams Park in Sewarren, which overlooks the Arthur Kill.
As I walked down from the parking lot to the water front, I saw he was sitting on a bench with someone else - a woman. He was watching for me, and rose as I got close.
"Denny, thanks for coming. This is Fran Givings. She's an agent like me." She held out her hand, and I shook it.
"What's this about? I thought this was supposed to be low key, just the 2 of us?"
"It is, only the People Upstairs changed the rules a little. Fran will be my backup. If you hear from her, you gotta do what you'd do if you heard from me. Got it?"
"OK. But why? Are they sending you somewhere else?"
"No, nothing like that." He started to walk, and we trailed along with him. So far, Miss Givings hadn't said a word. "The People Upstairs are starting to take this seriously. not that they hadn't before but they weren't optimistic that you'd get the 12 in 6 months. Now that you've done 6 in 3, they starting to pay more attention, and everything has to now be by the book. That's where Fran comes in."
"I'm still not following."
"It's easy. You see, every operation usually requires that the agent running it have a backup. That way, in case something happens to him - or her, sorry Givings - the backup can step in without missing a beat. Of course, this means that I have to keep Fran here in the loop on everything, but you don't have to do anything. If she steps in it's because I'm unavailable, for whatever reason. But, she shouldn't have to since this is all random after all, and you make the choices. I only call if there's something you need to know. OK?"
"All right, yeah, I guess it makes sense. So what you're saying is I got 6 more to do, 3 months to do it in, and Agent Givings may call sometime but probably not."
"Right. That's it." Givings nudged him in the ribs, but tried to hide it from me. She didn't do such a good job. "Oh Yeah, there is one more thing."
"There always is. What is it?"
"Again, it's the People Upstairs. They're happy with the end results, but not so much with the last 2 Events. The thinking is that they were too out in the open, too public. They want to make sure that you understand that they'll keep their end of the bargain, bailing you out if you get caught. But, they want you to keep it low key. They're afraid you're getting too cocky, and maybe a little too careless. Don't forget what's at stake here."
"I don't, believe me. I know it's a 'me or them' situation."
"Good. Then that's all we need to hear." Turning to Givings, he said,"You can wait for me in the car now, Fran. If he says anything meaningful, I'll let you know." She said nothing - still - and turned toward the parking lot and the kind of car you'd expect government workers to be driving in. "OK. She's gone now. What were you thinking with that last one?"
"What?"
"That last one, number 6. I understand the thinking behind number 5, she was an available target and the situation just happened -even though the People Upstairs are still a little uncomfortable with it - but I don't get 6."
We walked along quietly for a while. He didn't push, and I was sunk in thought. Finally, I explained it. How it happened and why. He was still quiet for a while, and we passed a marker that indicated it was 8 tenths of a mile if you followed the outside trail around the entire park. I wondered how far we'd come.
"OK. I think I get it, and you gotta stop thinking like that right now. You are not some caped-crusading vigilante taking out the scum of the earth. We don't normally do any background checks on the people involved in these Events, but we could. What if we found that this guy was just some poor,dumb schmuck who was drinking a cup of coffee while his family was in the Children's Room enjoying reading time? Maybe he slipped out for a cigarette. You can't create back stories for them. They can't exist in your mind, they can't be real. Otherwise, you make yourself crazy, and I do mean crazy. You get me?"
I shrugged, because I didn't know what to say. We walked some more, and stopped back at the bench where he'd been sitting earlier with Givings. I stared at the Outerbridge for a while, I don't know how long. Doyle just stood there, saying nothing.
"I get it, I guess. I just thought that I was making something right out of this. That there was a purpose, a valid reason for it."
"There isn't. You know it, I know it, and the People Upstairs know it." He stopped, as if he wanted to say more, then took a deep breathe, exhaled, and continued. "Look, there's something you should know. The People Upstairs almost pulled the plug on you. They like the project now, but they're unsure of you. I convinced them otherwise, in the only language they really understand. It wouldn't be cost effective to stop you now. You have the implant. They'd have to take an agent out of the field, who's already got the implant, but then they're using a traceable asset should something go wrong, or they'd have to create someone, which has a whole bunch of other problems. For better or worse, they understand they're stuck with you. But, and it's a big But, they can pull the plug at any time. You need to keep that in mind. I don't know what they'd do to you if they decide to go that route, but you know too much to let them be comfortable with you just walking away. Be careful, is all I'm saying."
" I got it. I never thought about it like that, but I see where you're coming from. Let me ask you something. If they decide to get rid of me, would you do it?"
"I work for them. It's my job. And even if I refused, they have agents like Givings to do whatever they want. I'd like to think I'd be a little more discrete, and at least act on your behalf."
We didn't say anything else. There was nothing left to say. We'd go back to how it was before, but I'd be a little more cautious now. After all, there was Miss Givings.
Monday, November 2, 2009
6 of One............
This weekend would've been the perfect autumn weekend, except it was too overcast. Sunshine would've made it the kind you see in movies. We had 2 World Series games, local NFL football action, and Halloween. Who could ask for more, other then to be outside, walking around and enjoying the colors. Anyway,...
Saturday, I went to the Main Library. I have this form that I use to keep track of my Vitals. (I got it at the hospital when I was released, and I write down my weight, temperature, and blood pressure every morning. I used to also list my blood sugar, but I don't have to anymore since the steroids wore off.) I was down to my last two, so it was time to make some copies. Hence, the library.
Things were working out well, the machine worked, and the library had put out the Books For Sale table that had been missing since the construction started on the new light fixtures. The only thing still missing is that they don't have Internet connections, because the work involves their electrical works. I made about 20 copies, browsed and bought 3 paperbacks (usually 50 cents apiece, and hardcovers run from $1 to $3 bucks). I was feeling pretty good as I headed out to my car. (I used to walk up, but I've gotten lazy. I've got the extra weight to prove it.)
Next to the library is the local High School, and their playing fields are behind both facilities, where the parking lots are. In between is the Borough Health Building. This was Saturday, so there was a team in the field, and at a quick glance it appeared to be girls. Probably soccer or field hockey. There were no cars near the Health building, so I guess it was closed.
I got in my car, and accidentally hit the rear view mirror with the books I'd brought. While adjusting it, I noticed that there was a man standing behind the Health building, and watching the practice while drinking coffee. I watched a while, and there were definitely others watching, but they were all along the sidelines of the field, much closer then this guy. Why would anyone watch a group of girls in short uniforms running around a field, especially from a location that would not be easy to see from the field? I didn't like it.
I looked around. As I said, it looked like the Health building was closed, and since it was Saturday, the library was only marginally busy so the lot wasn't too crowded. There was no one walking by, and no cars moving that I could see. I lowered the windows, and took out the Flasher. In order to leave the lot, you have to drive around in a circular pattern that would pass by the Health building. I followed it around, slowed when I got to where I wanted to be, and without a second look, pointed, pressed, flashed, and drove on. I saw the man drop in my rear view mirror. No one yelled, no one stopped me, and I saw no one moving around. I left the lot, and headed for ShopRight to do some shopping. I know these are supposed to be random, but I felt good about this one. Maybe I can use this to take out potential menaces. then again, maybe not.
My phone went off as I waited on line to pay for the food I'd bought. Confirmed number 6, as long as number 5 stays uncontested. Half way. I wonder what happens after that?
This weekend would've been the perfect autumn weekend, except it was too overcast. Sunshine would've made it the kind you see in movies. We had 2 World Series games, local NFL football action, and Halloween. Who could ask for more, other then to be outside, walking around and enjoying the colors. Anyway,...
Saturday, I went to the Main Library. I have this form that I use to keep track of my Vitals. (I got it at the hospital when I was released, and I write down my weight, temperature, and blood pressure every morning. I used to also list my blood sugar, but I don't have to anymore since the steroids wore off.) I was down to my last two, so it was time to make some copies. Hence, the library.
Things were working out well, the machine worked, and the library had put out the Books For Sale table that had been missing since the construction started on the new light fixtures. The only thing still missing is that they don't have Internet connections, because the work involves their electrical works. I made about 20 copies, browsed and bought 3 paperbacks (usually 50 cents apiece, and hardcovers run from $1 to $3 bucks). I was feeling pretty good as I headed out to my car. (I used to walk up, but I've gotten lazy. I've got the extra weight to prove it.)
Next to the library is the local High School, and their playing fields are behind both facilities, where the parking lots are. In between is the Borough Health Building. This was Saturday, so there was a team in the field, and at a quick glance it appeared to be girls. Probably soccer or field hockey. There were no cars near the Health building, so I guess it was closed.
I got in my car, and accidentally hit the rear view mirror with the books I'd brought. While adjusting it, I noticed that there was a man standing behind the Health building, and watching the practice while drinking coffee. I watched a while, and there were definitely others watching, but they were all along the sidelines of the field, much closer then this guy. Why would anyone watch a group of girls in short uniforms running around a field, especially from a location that would not be easy to see from the field? I didn't like it.
I looked around. As I said, it looked like the Health building was closed, and since it was Saturday, the library was only marginally busy so the lot wasn't too crowded. There was no one walking by, and no cars moving that I could see. I lowered the windows, and took out the Flasher. In order to leave the lot, you have to drive around in a circular pattern that would pass by the Health building. I followed it around, slowed when I got to where I wanted to be, and without a second look, pointed, pressed, flashed, and drove on. I saw the man drop in my rear view mirror. No one yelled, no one stopped me, and I saw no one moving around. I left the lot, and headed for ShopRight to do some shopping. I know these are supposed to be random, but I felt good about this one. Maybe I can use this to take out potential menaces. then again, maybe not.
My phone went off as I waited on line to pay for the food I'd bought. Confirmed number 6, as long as number 5 stays uncontested. Half way. I wonder what happens after that?
Friday, October 23, 2009
5 Will Get You...........
I had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday, between 2 and 3. I know I have a car, but traffic in and out of New Brunswick is a disaster, and parking is worse. There's always the hospital's garage, but that's usually jammed. I prefer to take the bus. It leaves from Woodbridge Center every hour on the hour, and comes up from New Brunswick every hour on the hour. No muss, no fuss, and it only costs $2.25. I think I actually save money.
What I do is drive to Woodbridge Center, and park there. Since I hate to be late, and I'm always afraid something will cause a bus to be cancelled, I always get there early. Tuesday, I got there around 10:15 for the 11 o'clock bus. I parked behind the strip where the buses pull in, and where the 3 shelters are. (There are 3 buses that actually stop here. The 810 goes straight to New Brunswick, so I get on the first stop and get off the last, and it takes about an hour. The 815 also goes to New Brunswick, but it meanders through Perth Amboy, South River, and a few other small cities, takes an hour and a half, and costs $3.35. The 62 goes to Newark, and since I have no desire to go there, that's all I know about it.)
Since I was early, I decided to walk around a little in the mall. As I passed the shelters, I noticed that there was an older woman waiting in the middle one. I don't think they're set up for the specific buses so I didn't know where she was going, nor did I care. I wandered through the mall, then exited through Sears to wait at the shelters. As I walked over, I noticed that the woman was still there. She sat still, with her head down, as if thinking on something.
I looked around. No cars moving in or out, no people walking. I kept closing the distance. Kept checking around, as carefully as I could. My timing must've been great. The mall had been open for a while, and it was too early for the lunch crowd so things seem to have settled down. As I got nearer, I took out the Flasher. Since I was going to the hospital, I had my shoulder bag with me, to carry down my paper work, and a few things to occupy my time when I'm there (you always have to wait). I came up to her, resting the Flasher on the top of the bag. Point, press, Flash, and no discernible change to her position. I moved past and sat in the last shelter on the strip.
For the next 15 minutes, I watched the other 2 buses stop, and unload passengers, then load up and leave. No one paid the woman any mind. A couple of younger women even sat in the same shelter as the older woman and didn't react at all, as far as I could see. They just continued to talk to each other until the 810 showed up. I got on right after the 2 women, and as we pulled away, I saw the that the old woman was still there. She wasn't going to be going anywhere any time soon.
By the time I got home, I had heard from Doyle three times. The Event had been put under review since they weren't sure that the women hadn't been dead before I used the Flasher. They ultimately decided to confirm it, and I'm almost to the half-way mark. The doctor's visit went well, also.
I had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday, between 2 and 3. I know I have a car, but traffic in and out of New Brunswick is a disaster, and parking is worse. There's always the hospital's garage, but that's usually jammed. I prefer to take the bus. It leaves from Woodbridge Center every hour on the hour, and comes up from New Brunswick every hour on the hour. No muss, no fuss, and it only costs $2.25. I think I actually save money.
What I do is drive to Woodbridge Center, and park there. Since I hate to be late, and I'm always afraid something will cause a bus to be cancelled, I always get there early. Tuesday, I got there around 10:15 for the 11 o'clock bus. I parked behind the strip where the buses pull in, and where the 3 shelters are. (There are 3 buses that actually stop here. The 810 goes straight to New Brunswick, so I get on the first stop and get off the last, and it takes about an hour. The 815 also goes to New Brunswick, but it meanders through Perth Amboy, South River, and a few other small cities, takes an hour and a half, and costs $3.35. The 62 goes to Newark, and since I have no desire to go there, that's all I know about it.)
Since I was early, I decided to walk around a little in the mall. As I passed the shelters, I noticed that there was an older woman waiting in the middle one. I don't think they're set up for the specific buses so I didn't know where she was going, nor did I care. I wandered through the mall, then exited through Sears to wait at the shelters. As I walked over, I noticed that the woman was still there. She sat still, with her head down, as if thinking on something.
I looked around. No cars moving in or out, no people walking. I kept closing the distance. Kept checking around, as carefully as I could. My timing must've been great. The mall had been open for a while, and it was too early for the lunch crowd so things seem to have settled down. As I got nearer, I took out the Flasher. Since I was going to the hospital, I had my shoulder bag with me, to carry down my paper work, and a few things to occupy my time when I'm there (you always have to wait). I came up to her, resting the Flasher on the top of the bag. Point, press, Flash, and no discernible change to her position. I moved past and sat in the last shelter on the strip.
For the next 15 minutes, I watched the other 2 buses stop, and unload passengers, then load up and leave. No one paid the woman any mind. A couple of younger women even sat in the same shelter as the older woman and didn't react at all, as far as I could see. They just continued to talk to each other until the 810 showed up. I got on right after the 2 women, and as we pulled away, I saw the that the old woman was still there. She wasn't going to be going anywhere any time soon.
By the time I got home, I had heard from Doyle three times. The Event had been put under review since they weren't sure that the women hadn't been dead before I used the Flasher. They ultimately decided to confirm it, and I'm almost to the half-way mark. The doctor's visit went well, also.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Random Thoughts...
Doyle says I'm on track. The whole 12 Events in 6 Months thing. So far I've done 4 in 2 months, so I guess he's right. He's also right that I'm gonna have to rethink how I've been doing things. This last weekend was lousy, weather wise, and even though I was out, no one else was. At least, no one else was out mowing, or walking, or soaking up the sun alone in their yard. Winter's coming on, and good weather is going to be at a premium, so I'm gonna have to pick up the pace or change my ways. Thank God I now have the car. It makes getting around so much easier, and widens my target area.
Anyway, this weekend was a washout, no pun intended. I had the time to catch up on my reading, and do some soul searching. You know, why am I here, why am I doing this? Stuff like that. It didn't take long, because basically I don't waste my time on that kinda thinking. Maybe it's because of the transplant - I understand they cut the nerves when they took out the old heart so I'm not supposed to feel anything in there - or maybe it's upbringing, nature versus nurture stuff. I don't know, and I don't much care to ponder on it. I'm of the Popeye school of philosophy - "I yam what I yam and that's all that I yam". That pretty much says it. Take me as I am, warts, Events, and all. I do what I do to make sure no one does it to me or mine. No questions, no regrets.
A couple of things I did think about ......
I was out driving on Thursday along Routes 1 and 9 and I saw a pickup truck with a sign that said "One room painted free with every job" and I thought "What if you only wanted one room painted?"
I was coming up from Monmouth County on Route 35 on Monday when I saw a billboard. It was an accident scene with a smashed up car, emergency vehicles, flashing lights and the caption "We Can Help". Then I saw that the advertisers was a law firm and I wondered who it was they would be helping. The person who caused the accident, maybe the uninsured driver? It was like the latest version of ambulance chasing. Also, it's placed at a point in the road where it passed below another road, then turns sharply right. Just the place to distract someone and cause an accident. Trolling for clients?
Anyway, just some random thoughts. Got a doctor's appointment this afternoon. Time to start preparing for whatever I'll need to do on my 1 year anniversary.
Doyle says I'm on track. The whole 12 Events in 6 Months thing. So far I've done 4 in 2 months, so I guess he's right. He's also right that I'm gonna have to rethink how I've been doing things. This last weekend was lousy, weather wise, and even though I was out, no one else was. At least, no one else was out mowing, or walking, or soaking up the sun alone in their yard. Winter's coming on, and good weather is going to be at a premium, so I'm gonna have to pick up the pace or change my ways. Thank God I now have the car. It makes getting around so much easier, and widens my target area.
Anyway, this weekend was a washout, no pun intended. I had the time to catch up on my reading, and do some soul searching. You know, why am I here, why am I doing this? Stuff like that. It didn't take long, because basically I don't waste my time on that kinda thinking. Maybe it's because of the transplant - I understand they cut the nerves when they took out the old heart so I'm not supposed to feel anything in there - or maybe it's upbringing, nature versus nurture stuff. I don't know, and I don't much care to ponder on it. I'm of the Popeye school of philosophy - "I yam what I yam and that's all that I yam". That pretty much says it. Take me as I am, warts, Events, and all. I do what I do to make sure no one does it to me or mine. No questions, no regrets.
A couple of things I did think about ......
I was out driving on Thursday along Routes 1 and 9 and I saw a pickup truck with a sign that said "One room painted free with every job" and I thought "What if you only wanted one room painted?"
I was coming up from Monmouth County on Route 35 on Monday when I saw a billboard. It was an accident scene with a smashed up car, emergency vehicles, flashing lights and the caption "We Can Help". Then I saw that the advertisers was a law firm and I wondered who it was they would be helping. The person who caused the accident, maybe the uninsured driver? It was like the latest version of ambulance chasing. Also, it's placed at a point in the road where it passed below another road, then turns sharply right. Just the place to distract someone and cause an accident. Trolling for clients?
Anyway, just some random thoughts. Got a doctor's appointment this afternoon. Time to start preparing for whatever I'll need to do on my 1 year anniversary.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Thanks 4 the Memories....
Yesterday was beautiful. It may be that I now have more time to "stop and smell the roses" or it may be that having come close to dying, I appreciate life more, but yesterday was beautiful. I was up in Avenel, and decided to walk around a little.
Autumn in New York is supposed to be terrific, but give me New Jersey any time besides, I don't have to pay that humongous toll. Here it's a bunch of small towns that make up one large municipality, and each town has its own charm. Walking up and down the streets, breathing that fresh, crisp air, is a great experience, and good cardio. My doctors would be proud.
I'd ambled up and down Remsen and Prospect, and was on Demorest. I figured to stroll on down to St. George, then up to McDonald's for breakfast. The colors were just beginning to show, and the trees were starting to look real nice. That's when I saw her.
She was an old woman, out in front of her house. Looked like she was planting or weeding along her walkway. Indian, Pakistani, or some such. I took the Flasher from my pocket, and started checking out the area. I didn't see anyone else, and there were no cars coming or going. I constantly watched as I got closed. Definitely weeding. Looks like she'd planted some mums, and was cleaning up around them. Down on her knees, working away. I came up to her, checked the area. Nothing and no one. Point, push, flash. She folded over and lay on the lawn, as I went by. A few minutes later, I'd turned the corner towards McDonald's. I figured I'd get the confirm on number 4 as I was eating. Should I get the Big Breakfast?
Yesterday was beautiful. It may be that I now have more time to "stop and smell the roses" or it may be that having come close to dying, I appreciate life more, but yesterday was beautiful. I was up in Avenel, and decided to walk around a little.
Autumn in New York is supposed to be terrific, but give me New Jersey any time besides, I don't have to pay that humongous toll. Here it's a bunch of small towns that make up one large municipality, and each town has its own charm. Walking up and down the streets, breathing that fresh, crisp air, is a great experience, and good cardio. My doctors would be proud.
I'd ambled up and down Remsen and Prospect, and was on Demorest. I figured to stroll on down to St. George, then up to McDonald's for breakfast. The colors were just beginning to show, and the trees were starting to look real nice. That's when I saw her.
She was an old woman, out in front of her house. Looked like she was planting or weeding along her walkway. Indian, Pakistani, or some such. I took the Flasher from my pocket, and started checking out the area. I didn't see anyone else, and there were no cars coming or going. I constantly watched as I got closed. Definitely weeding. Looks like she'd planted some mums, and was cleaning up around them. Down on her knees, working away. I came up to her, checked the area. Nothing and no one. Point, push, flash. She folded over and lay on the lawn, as I went by. A few minutes later, I'd turned the corner towards McDonald's. I figured I'd get the confirm on number 4 as I was eating. Should I get the Big Breakfast?
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
The More Things Change.......
Doyle called the day after the third Event, and wanted to meet. We agreed (actually he said and I agreed) to the lower level at Woodbridge Center, outside of Sears at 8:30 AM the next day, which would be Sunday the 20th. The stores in the mall don't open until 11 on Sundays so we'd have a certain degree of privacy.
When he showed up, he said to follow him and we started walking. I guess we were supposed to look like a couple of regular mall walkers, although the suit he was wearing was a little out of character for the purpose.
"Well, you managed to get 3 Events in the first month. Now you only need 9 more before the test period is up. Looks like you might make it."
"Gee, Thanks!" I couldn't tell if sarcasm works on him, but I try to keep my hand in."Did you ask to see me to tell me that, or is there something else?"
"Have you given any thought to how the next 5 months will work?"
"I though you said that there should be no thought, no planning, that it should all be random."
"Yeah, I know, I did, and it should. What I meant was what are you gonna do when the weather turns bad? The next 5 months will take you into February, you know."
"I hadn't thought about it. If it snows or we get some really harsh weather, not only will I not be able to walk around as well, but no one else will either."
"Right. But we've thought about it, and we have a solution."
And that's how I wound up with a car courtesy of the government. Before you start griping about your tax dollars, let me explain:
Doyle couldn't just give me a car, because it wouldn't fit with my current lifestyle. People might talk. Instead he came up with a more novel approach to the situation.
He arranged to have a friend of a friend remember that I was currently without a car. With the seasons changing and given that the transplant had only been 10 months ago, they decided that the car she was going to donate to charity should go to me. So for the princely sum of $1.00 I became the proud owner of a 1990 silver, 4-door, Chrysler New Yorker with 114,000 miles on it. (I actually left $2.00 for it, but the title said $1.00 and I wasn't going to argue about it.)
I questioned Doyle about this. After all, I thought, my walking around all the time was what made me the ideal candidate for this project. He told me this would allow me to move a little further outside my comfort zone, and maybe try going out in the evenings as well. Also, again, he mentioned how the weather might create some problems. I really didn't care what his reasons were. I was now mobile. Or almost. I still needed insurance, and there was a trip to Motor Vehicles that couldn't be avoided.
Monday, I searched on-line for insurance carriers, and settled on one of the national chains because they were reasonable (read cheap), they would debit my checking account automatically, and they have a cute mascot. Onward to the MVD.
I mentioned before that I have a daughter, right? Well, her boyfriend "volunteered" to drive me to the MVD and then to get the car. He was to pick me up around 12:30 and I said I'd spring for lunch when we were done. Neither of us thought we'd be done that early, but the offer of a free meal was out there. You may find this hard to believe, because we did, but I registered the car, got the new title and plates, drove to where the car was, changed the plates, and were sitting in a Denny's ready to order by 1:30!!! You go MVD!!
Now I'm mobile with 3 down and 9 to go and 5 months to do it in. Will the weather really cause me a problem? I can't worry about it now. I've got 3 more weeks in this month. I'm going to try to stay on 2 Events a month, at least. I really hope to be done sooner, but only time will tell.
Doyle called the day after the third Event, and wanted to meet. We agreed (actually he said and I agreed) to the lower level at Woodbridge Center, outside of Sears at 8:30 AM the next day, which would be Sunday the 20th. The stores in the mall don't open until 11 on Sundays so we'd have a certain degree of privacy.
When he showed up, he said to follow him and we started walking. I guess we were supposed to look like a couple of regular mall walkers, although the suit he was wearing was a little out of character for the purpose.
"Well, you managed to get 3 Events in the first month. Now you only need 9 more before the test period is up. Looks like you might make it."
"Gee, Thanks!" I couldn't tell if sarcasm works on him, but I try to keep my hand in."Did you ask to see me to tell me that, or is there something else?"
"Have you given any thought to how the next 5 months will work?"
"I though you said that there should be no thought, no planning, that it should all be random."
"Yeah, I know, I did, and it should. What I meant was what are you gonna do when the weather turns bad? The next 5 months will take you into February, you know."
"I hadn't thought about it. If it snows or we get some really harsh weather, not only will I not be able to walk around as well, but no one else will either."
"Right. But we've thought about it, and we have a solution."
And that's how I wound up with a car courtesy of the government. Before you start griping about your tax dollars, let me explain:
Doyle couldn't just give me a car, because it wouldn't fit with my current lifestyle. People might talk. Instead he came up with a more novel approach to the situation.
He arranged to have a friend of a friend remember that I was currently without a car. With the seasons changing and given that the transplant had only been 10 months ago, they decided that the car she was going to donate to charity should go to me. So for the princely sum of $1.00 I became the proud owner of a 1990 silver, 4-door, Chrysler New Yorker with 114,000 miles on it. (I actually left $2.00 for it, but the title said $1.00 and I wasn't going to argue about it.)
I questioned Doyle about this. After all, I thought, my walking around all the time was what made me the ideal candidate for this project. He told me this would allow me to move a little further outside my comfort zone, and maybe try going out in the evenings as well. Also, again, he mentioned how the weather might create some problems. I really didn't care what his reasons were. I was now mobile. Or almost. I still needed insurance, and there was a trip to Motor Vehicles that couldn't be avoided.
Monday, I searched on-line for insurance carriers, and settled on one of the national chains because they were reasonable (read cheap), they would debit my checking account automatically, and they have a cute mascot. Onward to the MVD.
I mentioned before that I have a daughter, right? Well, her boyfriend "volunteered" to drive me to the MVD and then to get the car. He was to pick me up around 12:30 and I said I'd spring for lunch when we were done. Neither of us thought we'd be done that early, but the offer of a free meal was out there. You may find this hard to believe, because we did, but I registered the car, got the new title and plates, drove to where the car was, changed the plates, and were sitting in a Denny's ready to order by 1:30!!! You go MVD!!
Now I'm mobile with 3 down and 9 to go and 5 months to do it in. Will the weather really cause me a problem? I can't worry about it now. I've got 3 more weeks in this month. I'm going to try to stay on 2 Events a month, at least. I really hope to be done sooner, but only time will tell.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Brought to You by the Number Three.....
Yesterday started off cloudy, but it started to burn off around noon. Looked to be a nice day for a walk, so I grabbed my CD Player and some CDs - Harry Chapin, Jimmy Buffett (I like to hear the words) - and headed up to Shoprite to pick up some food for the weekend.
On my way back along Freeman Street, I noticed a Post Office truck parked about a block and a half ahead of me. I did a quick scan of my surroundings - no people about, no cars coming or going. I took the Flasher from my back pocket and held it down by my side. I came up closer to the truck....closer....closer. Then I realized I could hear voices - or more accurately, one voice, the driver's. She (and, yes, the Postman was a girl) was talking on a cell phone while paging through a catalog or magazine. I now had proof that Postmen do read our mail. Damn! I couldn't take a chance on the Postman, because I didn't want to raise any suspicion in whomever she was speaking to. If the line suddenly went dead (no pun intended) then the other party may raise an alarm when they can't reconnect. I'm not supposed to attract any attention.
With the Flasher still in my hand, I passed by the truck. She didn't even look in my direction. Damn civil servants. I kept walking, and was going to put the Flasher back in my pocket when I became conscious of the sound of a lawn mower just ahead. A couple of feet brought my into sight of a middle-aged man energetically pushing a mower back and forth over his back yard. Another quick scan. Still no one. Point, push, Flash, and as he fell to the side and the mower continued to move away from him, I passed on by toward the corner. I looked at my watch as I put the Flasher away. I'd be home in time to see "Cold Case" on TNT.
Yesterday started off cloudy, but it started to burn off around noon. Looked to be a nice day for a walk, so I grabbed my CD Player and some CDs - Harry Chapin, Jimmy Buffett (I like to hear the words) - and headed up to Shoprite to pick up some food for the weekend.
On my way back along Freeman Street, I noticed a Post Office truck parked about a block and a half ahead of me. I did a quick scan of my surroundings - no people about, no cars coming or going. I took the Flasher from my back pocket and held it down by my side. I came up closer to the truck....closer....closer. Then I realized I could hear voices - or more accurately, one voice, the driver's. She (and, yes, the Postman was a girl) was talking on a cell phone while paging through a catalog or magazine. I now had proof that Postmen do read our mail. Damn! I couldn't take a chance on the Postman, because I didn't want to raise any suspicion in whomever she was speaking to. If the line suddenly went dead (no pun intended) then the other party may raise an alarm when they can't reconnect. I'm not supposed to attract any attention.
With the Flasher still in my hand, I passed by the truck. She didn't even look in my direction. Damn civil servants. I kept walking, and was going to put the Flasher back in my pocket when I became conscious of the sound of a lawn mower just ahead. A couple of feet brought my into sight of a middle-aged man energetically pushing a mower back and forth over his back yard. Another quick scan. Still no one. Point, push, Flash, and as he fell to the side and the mower continued to move away from him, I passed on by toward the corner. I looked at my watch as I put the Flasher away. I'd be home in time to see "Cold Case" on TNT.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
IT AIN'T EASY......
Staying up in Avenel for the weekend, and I noticed that there hasn't been an entry to this blog in almost a week. There's an answer for that - this Event creating is not as easy as you might think.
Went out early, as I do most mornings, but it's overcast with rain threatening. Not a day to expect a lot of people to be walking around. I drop off my cable payment, and go to McDonald's for breakfast. sitting there, I watch a mother (grandmother?) come in with a Down's syndrome "child". He looks to be close to 20, but is occupied with a ball and paddle type of thing. I think that this is what she has to do - take care of this "child" - whether she complains about it or not. Events are what I have to do, now, whether I like it or not. We all have to do things we don't like.
I've spent the last week trying to create another Event, but they can't be planned for. There were a couple of possibles, but I recognized one old guy as someone who has breakfast in a Dunkin Donuts I frequent and in another, she had a dog with her. No one said anything about animals.
I'm afraid of being caught. I know that I had two within the first week, but I realize that there were things that could've gone wrong and I just didn't consider them. Now, when I'm out there, I start to notice all the cars passing by and the nearness of houses and/or apartment windows or store fronts.
Then again, Doyle did say they'd pull me out if I did get caught so maybe I should just not worry too much and go about my daily routines and wait for the opportunity to present itself.
If I want to continue this second life, what else can I do?
Staying up in Avenel for the weekend, and I noticed that there hasn't been an entry to this blog in almost a week. There's an answer for that - this Event creating is not as easy as you might think.
Went out early, as I do most mornings, but it's overcast with rain threatening. Not a day to expect a lot of people to be walking around. I drop off my cable payment, and go to McDonald's for breakfast. sitting there, I watch a mother (grandmother?) come in with a Down's syndrome "child". He looks to be close to 20, but is occupied with a ball and paddle type of thing. I think that this is what she has to do - take care of this "child" - whether she complains about it or not. Events are what I have to do, now, whether I like it or not. We all have to do things we don't like.
I've spent the last week trying to create another Event, but they can't be planned for. There were a couple of possibles, but I recognized one old guy as someone who has breakfast in a Dunkin Donuts I frequent and in another, she had a dog with her. No one said anything about animals.
I'm afraid of being caught. I know that I had two within the first week, but I realize that there were things that could've gone wrong and I just didn't consider them. Now, when I'm out there, I start to notice all the cars passing by and the nearness of houses and/or apartment windows or store fronts.
Then again, Doyle did say they'd pull me out if I did get caught so maybe I should just not worry too much and go about my daily routines and wait for the opportunity to present itself.
If I want to continue this second life, what else can I do?
Sunday, September 6, 2009
SECONDS
SECONDS, PART 1
Let me take a SECOND or two to explain something. These posts, so far, have been entered close to when the topic they deal with happened. That's not the case for now. You see, I got into an argument with the phone company over some problem with the line - they said I'd have to pay for them to come out since I didn't take some kind of insurance or something - and I told them to cancel my service. Felt good until I realized that I had dial-up. The cable company said they can't hook me up because my operating system is too old. So until I can upgrade, or get a new computer (looking into laptops/notebooks right now) I must rely on the kindness of strangers or the library, whichever I can get access through. What this means is that future posts will take place when I can access, not when they happen, but I'll try to remember to date them so that the time line remains constant.
SECONDS, PART 2
September 2, 2009 . . . Doyle called yesterday. He wanted to know if I had any SECOND thoughts.
"How're you doing? You OK?"
"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"
"You know, because of yesterday . . what you did . . the Event."
"I knew that's what you meant, but I wanted to see how'd you phrase it. Actually, I'm not bad. I thought a lot about it, after I got home, but I'm OK with it. I guess I'm still in the mind-set I got while in the hospital."
"What's that mean? I'm not following?"
"When you're in there, waiting for a transplant, maybe just a heart transplant maybe others, I don't know but you get to thinking about things differently. They wake you up at all hours, checking your vitals and drawing blood, but you know they want to make sure you're still alive - even though they've got a monitor hooked up to you. You can't move too far because of the monitor on your chest and the tubes and such in your arms so when they leave, you lie there in the dark and you start to think and the only thing you think about is if you're gonna live or not. You got a choice, you can let these thoughts make you nuts, or you can compartmentalize. You put them away, lock them up, and think of something else. I got good at that, and I seem to be able to still do it. I did what I had to do to keep up my end, and I locked it away. When I thought about it later, it didn't bother me so much. "
"OK. If that's how you want to treat this, that's fine. As long as you can continue, the People Upstairs will continue to monitor. I got a couple of reminders, but if you have any questions, we can address those first."
"How were you able to "confirm" the Event so quickly?"
"You know we can track you through the implant. Well, the Flasher gives off a signal when it's trigerred that gets picked up by the same equipment that tracks you. When they're registered together, we mobilize whoever we have locally, and check things out. It's as simple as that. Anything else?"
"No."
"OK. Reminder Number 1, the Flasher only works once a day, so keep that in mind. Two, don't target anyone you know. The further removed you are, the less likely that you'll be suspected. Three, try not to target minorities. We've already got people doing that. All you have to do is make them random, and spread them out. Got it?"
"Yeah. I got it. Any other words of wisdom?"
"No. We'll be in touch."
He hung up.
Another early morning. I decided to head on over towards Menlo Park. To do this, I'd either have to walk to, or catch the bus at Main Street and Amboy Avenue to, Woodbridge Center. From there, it's a short bus ride to Menlo. I'd probably have breakfast at IHOP, and browse through Barnes and Noble. Not a bad way to spend a day.
From my apartment, I go to Green Street, then cut through the train station parking lot, go around the tennis/basketball courts out onto School Street, and through the Reo parking lot to Main and Amboy. Once I got to School Street, I noticed that there was a cab parked just off the corner where I was going to turn. As I passed, I noticed that the driver was in there, apparently reading something.
I looked around . . no one was out and there were no cars coming or going. I drew out the Flasher.
At the corner, I turned slowly, checking my surroundings again. Still no one but me, and the cabbie. I pointed, pushed the button, and turned as the flash of light erupted. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his head hit the steering wheel. I walked around the corner and up to Main. The bus showed up 10 minutes later, 5 minutes after the confirmation. My SECOND.
It was an hour or so later that I realized that the Flasher blast must've gone through the windshield without shattering it, and that I was damn lucky that the driver's head didn't hit the horn or it would've attracted a lot of attention that I didn't really need.
I didn't get anything at Barnes and Noble but I did enjoy my breakfast.
SECONDS, PART 1
Let me take a SECOND or two to explain something. These posts, so far, have been entered close to when the topic they deal with happened. That's not the case for now. You see, I got into an argument with the phone company over some problem with the line - they said I'd have to pay for them to come out since I didn't take some kind of insurance or something - and I told them to cancel my service. Felt good until I realized that I had dial-up. The cable company said they can't hook me up because my operating system is too old. So until I can upgrade, or get a new computer (looking into laptops/notebooks right now) I must rely on the kindness of strangers or the library, whichever I can get access through. What this means is that future posts will take place when I can access, not when they happen, but I'll try to remember to date them so that the time line remains constant.
SECONDS, PART 2
September 2, 2009 . . . Doyle called yesterday. He wanted to know if I had any SECOND thoughts.
"How're you doing? You OK?"
"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"
"You know, because of yesterday . . what you did . . the Event."
"I knew that's what you meant, but I wanted to see how'd you phrase it. Actually, I'm not bad. I thought a lot about it, after I got home, but I'm OK with it. I guess I'm still in the mind-set I got while in the hospital."
"What's that mean? I'm not following?"
"When you're in there, waiting for a transplant, maybe just a heart transplant maybe others, I don't know but you get to thinking about things differently. They wake you up at all hours, checking your vitals and drawing blood, but you know they want to make sure you're still alive - even though they've got a monitor hooked up to you. You can't move too far because of the monitor on your chest and the tubes and such in your arms so when they leave, you lie there in the dark and you start to think and the only thing you think about is if you're gonna live or not. You got a choice, you can let these thoughts make you nuts, or you can compartmentalize. You put them away, lock them up, and think of something else. I got good at that, and I seem to be able to still do it. I did what I had to do to keep up my end, and I locked it away. When I thought about it later, it didn't bother me so much. "
"OK. If that's how you want to treat this, that's fine. As long as you can continue, the People Upstairs will continue to monitor. I got a couple of reminders, but if you have any questions, we can address those first."
"How were you able to "confirm" the Event so quickly?"
"You know we can track you through the implant. Well, the Flasher gives off a signal when it's trigerred that gets picked up by the same equipment that tracks you. When they're registered together, we mobilize whoever we have locally, and check things out. It's as simple as that. Anything else?"
"No."
"OK. Reminder Number 1, the Flasher only works once a day, so keep that in mind. Two, don't target anyone you know. The further removed you are, the less likely that you'll be suspected. Three, try not to target minorities. We've already got people doing that. All you have to do is make them random, and spread them out. Got it?"
"Yeah. I got it. Any other words of wisdom?"
"No. We'll be in touch."
He hung up.
SECONDS, PART 3
September 3, 2009Another early morning. I decided to head on over towards Menlo Park. To do this, I'd either have to walk to, or catch the bus at Main Street and Amboy Avenue to, Woodbridge Center. From there, it's a short bus ride to Menlo. I'd probably have breakfast at IHOP, and browse through Barnes and Noble. Not a bad way to spend a day.
From my apartment, I go to Green Street, then cut through the train station parking lot, go around the tennis/basketball courts out onto School Street, and through the Reo parking lot to Main and Amboy. Once I got to School Street, I noticed that there was a cab parked just off the corner where I was going to turn. As I passed, I noticed that the driver was in there, apparently reading something.
I looked around . . no one was out and there were no cars coming or going. I drew out the Flasher.
At the corner, I turned slowly, checking my surroundings again. Still no one but me, and the cabbie. I pointed, pushed the button, and turned as the flash of light erupted. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his head hit the steering wheel. I walked around the corner and up to Main. The bus showed up 10 minutes later, 5 minutes after the confirmation. My SECOND.
It was an hour or so later that I realized that the Flasher blast must've gone through the windshield without shattering it, and that I was damn lucky that the driver's head didn't hit the horn or it would've attracted a lot of attention that I didn't really need.
I didn't get anything at Barnes and Noble but I did enjoy my breakfast.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
You Gotta Start Somewhere......
I'm in the habit of carrying the Flasher with me. It's not so big that I can't stick it in my back pocket, and it's hard enough that I can sit on it, if I have to. Today's plan was to walk up to Perkins for breakfast, do some food shopping at Shoprite, and stop at the library to see if there's anything new.
I turned off Rahway onto Freeman Street, and headed for the train tracks - Freeman Street dropping underneath them to allow passage. As I approached, I saw a jogger coming towards me. A male, dark skinned, maybe Indian or Pakistani - they're a lot of them around here. I pulled the Flasher as I got nearer, but even though it was early I was conscious that there were cars passing by. The flash might attract them.
I passed him.
As I came up to the spot where the sidewalk dropped below the tracks, I saw another jogger rapidly approaching. Female, looked to be older then me. I looked around. The previous jogger was gone, possibly having turned the corner. As I passed her, I realized there were no cars within sight.
I pointed, pressed, and there was a bright flash. No sound. As I replaced the Flasher, I saw the woman drop to the side of the walkway, into a grassy area. I kept walking, and followed Freeman Street around towards Amboy Avenue and Perkins.
My cell phone chimed. I had a text message from "James". It read "Confirmed. 11 more to go."
I put the phone away and continued on my way. What else could I do.
There's nothing more to say.
I'm in the habit of carrying the Flasher with me. It's not so big that I can't stick it in my back pocket, and it's hard enough that I can sit on it, if I have to. Today's plan was to walk up to Perkins for breakfast, do some food shopping at Shoprite, and stop at the library to see if there's anything new.
I turned off Rahway onto Freeman Street, and headed for the train tracks - Freeman Street dropping underneath them to allow passage. As I approached, I saw a jogger coming towards me. A male, dark skinned, maybe Indian or Pakistani - they're a lot of them around here. I pulled the Flasher as I got nearer, but even though it was early I was conscious that there were cars passing by. The flash might attract them.
I passed him.
As I came up to the spot where the sidewalk dropped below the tracks, I saw another jogger rapidly approaching. Female, looked to be older then me. I looked around. The previous jogger was gone, possibly having turned the corner. As I passed her, I realized there were no cars within sight.
I pointed, pressed, and there was a bright flash. No sound. As I replaced the Flasher, I saw the woman drop to the side of the walkway, into a grassy area. I kept walking, and followed Freeman Street around towards Amboy Avenue and Perkins.
My cell phone chimed. I had a text message from "James". It read "Confirmed. 11 more to go."
I put the phone away and continued on my way. What else could I do.
There's nothing more to say.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
PREPARATION IS EVERYTHING
Doyle called yesterday and I agreed to meet him this morning at the Woodbridge Mall - the lower level in front of Sears at 9:30. There's some benches there. He showed up with a box and some coffee from Dunkin Donuts.
"Want a donut?"
"No thanks."
"OK. I'll get right to it." He put his stuff down, and pulled out an envelope from his inside, coat pocket. "You'll need to sign these, first."
"What are they?"
"The paperwork I had to get done . . you know, to set up the account and get you on the records as a consultant."
"A consultant? What the hell is that?"
"A formality. I had to list you as something, even though you're part-time, and this looks better then Random Killer."
"OK . . OK. " I took them, and looked them over quickly. There was no reason not to sign them. I did, and handed them back. He put them back into his pocket.
"Now what?"
Do you have any questions before we begin?"
"Would you have made this offer to anyone who got Jimmy's heart?"
"Well, that would've depended on how the recipient recovered and their physical abilities afterwards but, probably yes. Having the tracker already in place also makes a difference."
"What tracker?"
"Oh, I guess I forgot that. There's a tracker embedded in the heart already and we won't have to go to any elaborate lengths to keep tabs on you."
"What are you talking about? When did this happen?"
"It's a bio-electric implant that can only be read by specific equipment which, obviously your hospital didn't have. It was implanted in Jimmy when he joined DHS, and we thought it would stop when he died. Apparently, when they did what they did to keep the organs viable, they had the heart in a state that kept the implant in stasis. Once it was transplanted into you, and beating on its own, the signal started up again. It won't hurt you, and it lets us know where you are at all times. Trust me, it's a good thing."
"All right, look, I'm not crazy about this whole thing in the first place. Let's get on with it. What else do you want me to know right now."
"You need to know how to use this." He took a cylindrical object, about the size of a wrapper of nickles, from his side pocket and showed it to me.
"What is it?"
"It's called a Flasher, although I think there's a more accurate, scientific name for it. It emits an electro-magnetic pulse guaranteed up to 50 feet."
"And that's good for . . . ?"
"Creating Random Events. You point it at you Event Target, push the button, and it releases a pulse that stops all biological functions within whatever it comes in contact with. Instantly. Here's how you hold it." He extended his pointer and middle finger, and folded in the other two. The cylinder had a small fin on one side that lay within the space between the two extended fingers, and a slightly raised button on the opposite side. "You hold the Flasher like this so it lies along the line of the extended fingers. You fold your thumb down over the back of the cylinder, and it should rest across the raised button. All you have to do is point at you target, and press the button with the side of your thumb. That releases the pulse. There's no noise, just a brief, intense flash of light, hence the name Flasher. It can be used in either hand. This is just a test version, and is actually just a laser pointer, but go ahead and try it."
I took the Flasher from him, and held it in my left hand. It was surprisingly light and easy to use. I pointed it at him and squeezed. A red light appeared on his chest.
"See? Easy." He held out his hand.
I gave it back to him.
"Now, I have a real Flasher here for you, but there's a few things you need to know. One, you can't use it on anyone from DHS. Those implants not only serve as tracking mechanisms but will diffuse a Flasher blast so it becomes ineffective. Two, this Flasher is a Level 1 which means you get one shot, then it needs to be recharged for about 20 hours, so figure a day. Three, you're on your own. We won't specify any targets. These are all to be Random Events of your choosing. Be careful so you don't cluster them. You don't want anyone to get suspicious. Spread them out. Area wise and time wise. The only thing we ask is that you create at least twelve events within the next six months. That's the time frame approved by the People Upstairs. Then they'll reevaluate the program. Whatever they decide, I'll let you know. If they decide to terminate the program, I'll make sure that that doesn't include you. Also, if by some fluke, someone figures this out and comes after you, we will protect you. We'll start throwing around the Patriot Act, and put you somewhere safe. Now, I gotta be somewhere, so if you have any other questions they'll have to wait till I can arrange to meet with you again. I'd start working on your Random Events soon cause the clock started ticking when we spoke last week."
With that, he was gone, leaving me with a Flasher, a deadline, a whole lot of doubt, and a huge headache. I find that I'm looking at people differently now.
Doyle called yesterday and I agreed to meet him this morning at the Woodbridge Mall - the lower level in front of Sears at 9:30. There's some benches there. He showed up with a box and some coffee from Dunkin Donuts.
"Want a donut?"
"No thanks."
"OK. I'll get right to it." He put his stuff down, and pulled out an envelope from his inside, coat pocket. "You'll need to sign these, first."
"What are they?"
"The paperwork I had to get done . . you know, to set up the account and get you on the records as a consultant."
"A consultant? What the hell is that?"
"A formality. I had to list you as something, even though you're part-time, and this looks better then Random Killer."
"OK . . OK. " I took them, and looked them over quickly. There was no reason not to sign them. I did, and handed them back. He put them back into his pocket.
"Now what?"
Do you have any questions before we begin?"
"Would you have made this offer to anyone who got Jimmy's heart?"
"Well, that would've depended on how the recipient recovered and their physical abilities afterwards but, probably yes. Having the tracker already in place also makes a difference."
"What tracker?"
"Oh, I guess I forgot that. There's a tracker embedded in the heart already and we won't have to go to any elaborate lengths to keep tabs on you."
"What are you talking about? When did this happen?"
"It's a bio-electric implant that can only be read by specific equipment which, obviously your hospital didn't have. It was implanted in Jimmy when he joined DHS, and we thought it would stop when he died. Apparently, when they did what they did to keep the organs viable, they had the heart in a state that kept the implant in stasis. Once it was transplanted into you, and beating on its own, the signal started up again. It won't hurt you, and it lets us know where you are at all times. Trust me, it's a good thing."
"All right, look, I'm not crazy about this whole thing in the first place. Let's get on with it. What else do you want me to know right now."
"You need to know how to use this." He took a cylindrical object, about the size of a wrapper of nickles, from his side pocket and showed it to me.
"What is it?"
"It's called a Flasher, although I think there's a more accurate, scientific name for it. It emits an electro-magnetic pulse guaranteed up to 50 feet."
"And that's good for . . . ?"
"Creating Random Events. You point it at you Event Target, push the button, and it releases a pulse that stops all biological functions within whatever it comes in contact with. Instantly. Here's how you hold it." He extended his pointer and middle finger, and folded in the other two. The cylinder had a small fin on one side that lay within the space between the two extended fingers, and a slightly raised button on the opposite side. "You hold the Flasher like this so it lies along the line of the extended fingers. You fold your thumb down over the back of the cylinder, and it should rest across the raised button. All you have to do is point at you target, and press the button with the side of your thumb. That releases the pulse. There's no noise, just a brief, intense flash of light, hence the name Flasher. It can be used in either hand. This is just a test version, and is actually just a laser pointer, but go ahead and try it."
I took the Flasher from him, and held it in my left hand. It was surprisingly light and easy to use. I pointed it at him and squeezed. A red light appeared on his chest.
"See? Easy." He held out his hand.
I gave it back to him.
"Now, I have a real Flasher here for you, but there's a few things you need to know. One, you can't use it on anyone from DHS. Those implants not only serve as tracking mechanisms but will diffuse a Flasher blast so it becomes ineffective. Two, this Flasher is a Level 1 which means you get one shot, then it needs to be recharged for about 20 hours, so figure a day. Three, you're on your own. We won't specify any targets. These are all to be Random Events of your choosing. Be careful so you don't cluster them. You don't want anyone to get suspicious. Spread them out. Area wise and time wise. The only thing we ask is that you create at least twelve events within the next six months. That's the time frame approved by the People Upstairs. Then they'll reevaluate the program. Whatever they decide, I'll let you know. If they decide to terminate the program, I'll make sure that that doesn't include you. Also, if by some fluke, someone figures this out and comes after you, we will protect you. We'll start throwing around the Patriot Act, and put you somewhere safe. Now, I gotta be somewhere, so if you have any other questions they'll have to wait till I can arrange to meet with you again. I'd start working on your Random Events soon cause the clock started ticking when we spoke last week."
With that, he was gone, leaving me with a Flasher, a deadline, a whole lot of doubt, and a huge headache. I find that I'm looking at people differently now.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
ARC 1
IN THE BEGINNING . . . If you're going to plagiarize you might as well steal from someone who won't sue you and take something catchy!!
Before I do begin I have to tell you that this is all ----
BASED ON A TRUE STORY
As a transplant recipient, I have to go back periodically for a biopsy and/or blood work. The biopsy makes sure there are no signs of rejection, and the blood work monitors my med levels and other organ functions. The last time I was there, after the biopsy, I went to my doctor's office as usual. A tall man was there already, but I thought nothing of it. When I came out, he approached me.
"Glad to see you're doing OK Mr. O'Neill."
"Do I know you?"
"No, but I knew your donor and I'd like to talk to you if you have some time."
"Well, I've got a bus to catch, but . . . OK, lets, uh, lets talk."
We went to the cafeteria. He got a blueberry muffin and coffee and I had a danish and apple juice. We found a table a little removed from the other eaters.
"So, you knew my donor?"
"Yeah. He worked for me." With that he opened a wallet that he'd taken from an inside jacket pocket. Shiny badge and an ID card from Homeland Security. His picture, and the last name of Doyle.
"OK. Agent Doyle is it?"
"Just Doyle. OK if I call you Denny? It makes the conversation easier."
"Yeah sure. Whatever. How does this affect me? Did my donor die while on duty?"
"No. Nothing like that. Jimmy was shot in a random act. Wrong place at the wrong time sorta thing."
"Jimmy? His name was Jimmy?"
"Yeah. But let me back up a little. Do you know what Homeland Security does?"
"Well, I guess you're supposed to make sure nothing like 9/11 ever happens again."
"Right. You might say we're tasked to protect our resources as well, right?"
"OK."
"And these resources would include our food supplies and power sources. right?"
"Yeah."
"Good. So you'd agree that Homeland Security has the responsibility to protect our food and power supplies from being depleted or used by unwanted sources, right?"
"Yeah. But where's this going?"
"I'm getting to it. You see, Jimmy made a proposal about 6 or 8 months before he died. It addressed these points, but I wasn't too sure so I asked him to put it in writing. He did but I just filed it away. After he died, I remembered it. I took it out, sent it upstairs, and they've just OK'd a pilot program."
"OK. I'm happy for you and Jimmy, but what has this to do with me? I have a bus to catch."
"C'mon. I'll drive you home and fill you in on the way."
We went down to the garage, making small talk. It never occurred to me to offer him directions or give him my address. He does work for the government after all. When we pulled out of the garage, he started.
"Remember how I asked you about protecting our food and power supplies? Well, Jimmy's proposal addressed that. It specified a particular threat - illegal aliens. They are not contributing to our society and yet draining our resources."
I started to protest, but he interrupted.
"Hold on. Let me finish. I'm not going into any specifics, but the People Upstairs liked it and it was implemented on a trial basis a couple of months ago. They now want to look at an offshoot of the proposal. This is where you come in." He paused, unsure of how to continue.
"Go on . . how do I fit in?"
"Well, Jimmy's proposal also had a minor addition that we might potentially want to remove other non-productive types for using our resources. Read in here the elderly and/or disabled..."
"Wait a minute, I'm on disability...are you saying I'm to be removed?"
"No, no, no... that wouldn't be fair. We don't want to target a specific sub-type of the overall population. We want it to be random. Like Jimmy's death. That's where you come in. I liked Jimmy because he had heart, and now you have it. Jimmy's heart that is. Someone will be given the means to remove people, randomly, from the population. I'd like it to be you."
"You want me to remove people? You mean kill them?"
"Well, KILL is such a harsh word, but, . . yes . . kill them. This reduces the demand on our resources."
"You gotta be kidding me! What if I refuse? I could go to the cops, the press?"
"First of all, you wouldn't be believed. Secondly, we'd just wave around the Patriot Act and everything would disappear. And thirdly, someone's gonna do it. We wanted random eliminations, but we could always "suggest" a target or two. You do have family, don't you? A daughter?"
"You wouldn't!"
"Me? No, of course not. But I wouldn't be in charge then. I told them I'd only do this if you were the random element. It's like I'd still be working with Jimmy."
"I . .I. . I gotta think about this." I was stalling. I knew what he said was right. No one would believe me, they could hush it up easily, and my family was being threatened. He knew that I knew.
"If I say yes, what happens? You put me on the payroll or something?"
"Nope. Fraid not. You're on disability, after all. That's part of the beauty of this. We'll setup an account and for every lets call them random events - will deposit $1,000. You'll have access to it, of course. And we'll see that it goes to your heirs after you're gone."
"I don't have a car, so I'm limited to where I can travel."
"Again. Part of the plan. You can more accurately control the event. I can't really be more detailed until I know you're committed. What'dya say?"
"Maybe I outta be committed, but I don't see as I have much of a choice. I'm in."
We pulled up in front of my apartment.
"It goes without saying that you can't say anything to anybody. I have some paperwork to clear up, and some preliminary work to do. I'll be in touch in a day or two. When your phone rings, and the name on the screen is James, it's me. Pick it up."
With that, I got out of the car, and he drove away. I didn't think to look at the license plate. What the hell did I just do?
Before I do begin I have to tell you that this is all ----
BASED ON A TRUE STORY
As a transplant recipient, I have to go back periodically for a biopsy and/or blood work. The biopsy makes sure there are no signs of rejection, and the blood work monitors my med levels and other organ functions. The last time I was there, after the biopsy, I went to my doctor's office as usual. A tall man was there already, but I thought nothing of it. When I came out, he approached me.
"Glad to see you're doing OK Mr. O'Neill."
"Do I know you?"
"No, but I knew your donor and I'd like to talk to you if you have some time."
"Well, I've got a bus to catch, but . . . OK, lets, uh, lets talk."
We went to the cafeteria. He got a blueberry muffin and coffee and I had a danish and apple juice. We found a table a little removed from the other eaters.
"So, you knew my donor?"
"Yeah. He worked for me." With that he opened a wallet that he'd taken from an inside jacket pocket. Shiny badge and an ID card from Homeland Security. His picture, and the last name of Doyle.
"OK. Agent Doyle is it?"
"Just Doyle. OK if I call you Denny? It makes the conversation easier."
"Yeah sure. Whatever. How does this affect me? Did my donor die while on duty?"
"No. Nothing like that. Jimmy was shot in a random act. Wrong place at the wrong time sorta thing."
"Jimmy? His name was Jimmy?"
"Yeah. But let me back up a little. Do you know what Homeland Security does?"
"Well, I guess you're supposed to make sure nothing like 9/11 ever happens again."
"Right. You might say we're tasked to protect our resources as well, right?"
"OK."
"And these resources would include our food supplies and power sources. right?"
"Yeah."
"Good. So you'd agree that Homeland Security has the responsibility to protect our food and power supplies from being depleted or used by unwanted sources, right?"
"Yeah. But where's this going?"
"I'm getting to it. You see, Jimmy made a proposal about 6 or 8 months before he died. It addressed these points, but I wasn't too sure so I asked him to put it in writing. He did but I just filed it away. After he died, I remembered it. I took it out, sent it upstairs, and they've just OK'd a pilot program."
"OK. I'm happy for you and Jimmy, but what has this to do with me? I have a bus to catch."
"C'mon. I'll drive you home and fill you in on the way."
We went down to the garage, making small talk. It never occurred to me to offer him directions or give him my address. He does work for the government after all. When we pulled out of the garage, he started.
"Remember how I asked you about protecting our food and power supplies? Well, Jimmy's proposal addressed that. It specified a particular threat - illegal aliens. They are not contributing to our society and yet draining our resources."
I started to protest, but he interrupted.
"Hold on. Let me finish. I'm not going into any specifics, but the People Upstairs liked it and it was implemented on a trial basis a couple of months ago. They now want to look at an offshoot of the proposal. This is where you come in." He paused, unsure of how to continue.
"Go on . . how do I fit in?"
"Well, Jimmy's proposal also had a minor addition that we might potentially want to remove other non-productive types for using our resources. Read in here the elderly and/or disabled..."
"Wait a minute, I'm on disability...are you saying I'm to be removed?"
"No, no, no... that wouldn't be fair. We don't want to target a specific sub-type of the overall population. We want it to be random. Like Jimmy's death. That's where you come in. I liked Jimmy because he had heart, and now you have it. Jimmy's heart that is. Someone will be given the means to remove people, randomly, from the population. I'd like it to be you."
"You want me to remove people? You mean kill them?"
"Well, KILL is such a harsh word, but, . . yes . . kill them. This reduces the demand on our resources."
"You gotta be kidding me! What if I refuse? I could go to the cops, the press?"
"First of all, you wouldn't be believed. Secondly, we'd just wave around the Patriot Act and everything would disappear. And thirdly, someone's gonna do it. We wanted random eliminations, but we could always "suggest" a target or two. You do have family, don't you? A daughter?"
"You wouldn't!"
"Me? No, of course not. But I wouldn't be in charge then. I told them I'd only do this if you were the random element. It's like I'd still be working with Jimmy."
"I . .I. . I gotta think about this." I was stalling. I knew what he said was right. No one would believe me, they could hush it up easily, and my family was being threatened. He knew that I knew.
"If I say yes, what happens? You put me on the payroll or something?"
"Nope. Fraid not. You're on disability, after all. That's part of the beauty of this. We'll setup an account and for every lets call them random events - will deposit $1,000. You'll have access to it, of course. And we'll see that it goes to your heirs after you're gone."
"I don't have a car, so I'm limited to where I can travel."
"Again. Part of the plan. You can more accurately control the event. I can't really be more detailed until I know you're committed. What'dya say?"
"Maybe I outta be committed, but I don't see as I have much of a choice. I'm in."
We pulled up in front of my apartment.
"It goes without saying that you can't say anything to anybody. I have some paperwork to clear up, and some preliminary work to do. I'll be in touch in a day or two. When your phone rings, and the name on the screen is James, it's me. Pick it up."
With that, I got out of the car, and he drove away. I didn't think to look at the license plate. What the hell did I just do?
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Youth in Asia
Whatever you may read here - from today on - is fictitious. This is why I'm not using my real name. However, anyone reading this knows who I am. My circumstances up till today are real, it's just the stuff I make up going forward - which may or may not include any one I know - that is not real. Get it?
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