Zeitgeist: by Chance
Chapter 3: Beginning Vibrations
For the better part of an hour and a half, Josef Mueller and Kevin Reaves enjoyed the sights and sounds of Loonyland; or to be more precise, Fantasy Land. By Josef's request, Kevin cruised around staying in the medieval themed part of the amusement park always staying within a close proximity of the Dungeons and Dragons ride that had so captured Josef's attention. As Kevin slowly wheeled Josef to other nearby sights and attractions, Kevin couldn't help but notice how Josef would occasionally look back at the "DnD". As he would, Kevin would also look back; he had no idea what he was looking for, though he couldn't help but stare at the dragon's eyes for a time longer than he really needed to.
For a while, the conversation during this time had begun to steer to more benign subjects, though sometimes Josef still gave the impression he was talking about someone else's life and not his own. No talk of religious epiphanies or fantastic visions. Just the simple details of their lives. Kevin learned Josef had indeed built a very profitable company designing and perfecting products for commercial aircraft.
The old man talked about how he had to start from nothing after the end of the war, but was emboldened at the fact of helping rebuild a bright future for his war torn country. He spoke proudly of the love he had for his two sons, and one could sense the underlying disappointment in his voice as he talked of the divorce with their mother. "I had such a view of the future, that perhaps I didn't pay enough attention to the people close to me in the present," Josef said.
Kevin also told Josef about his details. He told Josef the humdrum existence of growing up in a relatively small town, his typical teenage awkwardness with girls, what subjects in school he was good and not so good in... all of this came dribbling out of him with relative ease. Perhaps the way Josef was so open and yet so detached about describing his own predicaments that Kevin felt more open to conversation. It helped that the conversational topics were somewhat normal.
It didn't last.
While watching a pair of jugglers dressed in medieval costumes tossing throwing pins at each other, Kevin mentioned how when he went to school, he was somewhat interested in a business degree. He even joked how Josef could give him some advice...
"After all, you seem to have done well in that department," Kevin boasted.
"Ah, well, I have been somewhat lucky..." Josef started to say, then stopped in mid sentence and looked down; his complexion seemed to drop as if a thought crossed his mind. "Actually, it was more than luck," Josef said more solemnly. "I did not... earn my success, Kevin."
"Really," Kevin said, somewhat distracted by the show put on by the jugglers. "Who else earned it then?"
"Lieutenant Stanley Baker of the United States Navy," Josef said.
Kevin turned from the jugglers back to Josef with a strange look on his face; the answer Josef told him giving him pause. "Who? Who is Stanley Baker?"
"He is a Navy flyer... quite skilled at it as a matter of fact, and... heheh! I should know!" Josef bellowed. He then left out one hefty laugh until he stopped and breathed in heavily from his nasal tube.
"Oh, really?" Kevin asked, his confusion unabated. "Is he a business partner or something?"
"Yes, and no... I guess you would call him a... a... silent partner," Josef said with a laugh. Again, Josef wheezed slightly as he tried to fight back a laugh. Meanwhile, Kevin continued to be perplexed as he looked down at the old man, wondering what he was saying that was so blasted funny.
"And... this guy helped you make your fortune?"
"Oh, yes."
"Sounds like a nice guy," Kevin said, turning back to the jugglers.
After a short pause, Josef lowered his eyes. "Never met him," Josef said in a soft, sad voice.
Kevin turned back to Josef. "Never met him? But you just said..."
"Do you think about the concept of time at all, Kevin?" Josef asked abruptly.
"I... I guess so. I don't know... what do you mean?" Kevin stuttered.
"About history... about how it ebbs and flows as it moves along..."
Kevin again felt that strange feeling in his stomach as he sensed Josef was about to talk about something weird again. "Well, I do pretty well in history at school," he said meekly.
"It is one thing to read it out of a book, Kevin. It is another to see it... to live it."
"Well, I'm sure it is."
"There was always one question that bothered me: 'If you could go back in time and kill Adolf Hitler, would you do it?'" Josef stated.
Kevin was so put back by this statement that he didn't respond. He thought he should say something, but the words didn't come.
"It has always bothered me because people assume that Hitler created the monster that Germany became. But the truth is, he only gave a voice to the monster that was already there. If it wasn't him, it very well could have well been someone else.."
Again, Kevin just stood in silence.
"And what then, Kevin? What if Germany produced a leader that wouldn't attack Russia? That would create the atomic bomb? Where would the world be then?" Josef asked intensely. Kevin, taken aback by Josef's energy, simply shrugged his shoulders.
"How fragile is a man's destiny, Kevin? Who can say what guides a person to make one decision over another? I have lived through so much... to know how little it takes to change a person's life. And that person can affect another, and so on... Do you understand where it could lead?"
Judging by the tone of his voice, Kevin reasoned that it sounded like Josef was crying out some sort of confession of some sort, but the teenager had no idea what crime he was confessing about.
"I... I have not tried to change history, Kevin. I told myself long ago it would be dangerous to do so. But I have taken advantage of history, here and there. I sometimes wonder if I should have done more, but I was afraid. Afraid of changing the world I saw in my head. But now, being here in this place, how can I not? When, if not now, now that my time is running out?"
Kevin, not sure what to say about this tangent in the conversation, just stared at his feet. What was Josef trying to explain? Regrets? Lost opportunities? Time travel? Kevin's mind tried to sort out what Josef was talking about, with little success.
"Did you hear what I just said? 'My time is running out?'" Josef asked with a laugh. "How ironic is that?"
Each time Kevin and Reggie saw each other, Reggie comically pointed to his mouth and flashed the most insincere smile he could muster. Kevin just laughed and shook his head as Reggie did so again as they moved near the ride.
"Is he a friend of yours?" Josef asked.
"Yeah. He's a friend of mine from school," answered Kevin as he gave a wave to his friend. Kevin had wheeled Josef next to the entrance of the Dungeons & Dragons ride, next to a guardrail separating onlookers from people standing in line. Kevin was looking at Reggie as he ushered people onto a platform build like the wall of a medieval castle, where they would wait until a coaster car came by to pick them up... usually six people at a time. Then, off they would go, into the mouth of the dragon.
Kevin again glanced at the large dragonhead. Again, for reasons Kevin couldn't explain, the visage of the dragon disturbed him. Kevin wondered to himself if Josef's quirks were somehow getting to him.
He looked down at Josef, who had asked Kevin to stop here, and was now surveying the scene. Kevin simply did not know what to think of the whole situation. He thought Josef was a nice enough man, but was somehow having some sort of delusion. Or perhaps being at this stage of his life, Josef was having flashbacks of some long forgotten memory. Whatever the reason, Kevin figured it wasn't his place to judge, but only to be there for the old man while he was a guest of Loonyland. Still, many minutes passed as they saw the line move quickly. Kevin made several subtle suggestions of where to go next, like the nearby stage, where some jugglers were set to perform, or over to the souvenir stands. Josef politely brushed Kevin off. Even Reggie looked over to Kevin, signaling as if to ask if there was a problem. Kevin simply shook his head, signaling everything was fine.
"It seems to be a very popular ride," Josef said.
"Yeah, that's no surprise. It's a new attraction," Kevin responded.
"It does present itself well with the surroundings, does it not?" Josef asked.
Kevin nodded. "Oh, definitely. It really does go with the theme of the park... Fantasy Land, I mean."
"Ah, perhaps it is the park that fits the theme of the ride, instead," Josef said as he turned to look at Kevin, giving the teenager an inquisitive look.
Kevin flashed a half grin. "That can't be right. The ride just opened today."
"I'll explain on the way. I believe I need to use the restroom," stated Josef as he slapped the arms of his wheelchair like a cowboy spurring a horse. "If you would be so kind, Kevin..."
"Oh, sure. No problem."
As Kevin started wheeling Josef toward the brick structure that housed the restrooms, Josef pointed toward the direction of Loony Lake.
"What do you see across the lake, Kevin?" Josef asked.
"Uh, why? Do you see something?" responded Kevin.
"That is Loonyland," Josef stated. He then spread his arms like he was presenting the area. "And so what is this?"
Kevin awkwardly, almost comically, turned his head right and left, trying to look for anything unusual. Finding none, Kevin shrugged and simply stated, "This is the Fantasy Land part of Loonyland."
Josef turned his head to look up at Kevin's face behind him and pointed a finger at him. "Exactly!" Josef said with gusto, he then turned back to stare straight ahead again, while he spoke. "One amusement park with two themes. A dreadful mistake."
"Welllll..." droned Kevin, revealing his instinct to stick up for his favorite hangout spot. "I think people might like some variety..."
"Nonsense," Josef interrupted, his hand gesturing as if to shoo away a fly. "When trying to sell you're product, whether it be jet engines, or amusement parks, or... or... foot long frankfurters, you always stay focused on one theme to sell your product. Otherwise, you just confuse the customer."
"I guess so."
"Believe me, Kevin. I know a good deal about such things. Of course, what I have just said could be said by any first-year business student. So, considering that, why would they build an entirely different theme park in this area, eh?"
"I... uh... don't" Kevin mumbled, his face showing his confusion.
"Perhaps there is some other force at work, ja? Some other invisible hand forming the area to look like this?" stated Josef, almost sounding satisfied with himself. "Yes, I can believe that."
"To look like what?" Kevin asked as he again turned his head from side to side looking for something out of the ordinary.
"Like a land of dragons, wizards... magic! A world trying to manifest an image of itself," Josef stated, as scanned the area, turning his head from side to side. "Ja, I can see it. This whole park is a sign... a beacon, or perhaps a warning... I am not sure. And it is all tied to that." Josef gestured to the Dungeons and Dragons ride behind them.
Instinctively, Kevin looked back at the ride. He saw Reggie ushering people up the ramp as the line moved briskly. Kevin then looked at the dragonhead for a moment. Again, the eyes lit up as a coaster car slid into its mouth. Again, to Kevin, the eyes looked so intense. Kevin could almost picture the eyelids flickering to life.
"Kevin? Are you alright?" Josef asked.
"Huh?" Kevin said vacantly. He shook his head as he finally caught himself daydreaming.
"We stopped moving. Is there something wrong?"
"Oh. Oh, no, Mr. Mueller," Kevin stammered, "I... I was just thinking about what you were saying."
"Really?" Josef said curiously. "And what do you think?"
A few moments ticked by as Kevin finally wheeled up to the structure that housed the restrooms. As he did, Josef motioned to Kevin to stop the chair and park it next to the door as he started to uncouple himself from his oxygen tube.
"I wouldn't be surprised if this place held some magic," Kevin said good-naturedly.
"Yes, I believe you do," Josef said softly. "I think I can take it from here."
With Kevin's help, Josef rose out of his wheelchair and proceeded to walk into the men's room alone, leaving Kevin outside leaning against a wall. He stuck his hands in his pockets and grumbled, trying to make sense of what Josef was talking about. Again, Kevin thought Josef was having wild thoughts because of his age and his condition. And yet... he seemed so direct, so sure about things. And what he talked about made some sort of weird sense to Kevin, even though he couldn't say why. "What is it he's not telling me?" Kevin asked himself quietly.
All of a sudden, Kevin noticed Reggie briskly walking towards him. They nodded at each other without saying a word as Reggie trotted past Kevin and into the men's room. After about a minute, Reggie strolled out and walked over to Kevin and leaned against the same wall.
"Now I can smile! Man, my back teeth were floating. I think I pierced the porcelain," Reggie said jokingly.
Kevin chuckled. "Yeah. I've been there. So, is everything going okay?"
"Yeah, I got Tommy covering for me for a couple minutes. I needed to stretch my legs a bit," answered Reggie.
"See? It's not as bad as you thought, is it?"
"Nah. Piece of cake. The younger kids can be really annoying, though. Man, were we that whiny when we were that little?" Reggie asked.
"Probably," Kevin answered with a smile.
"So, what's up with you? What's with you and the old man?" Reggie asked.
"His name's Josef Mueller. He's some VIP that Mr. Leonard wanted me to take around the park and show him a good time," Kevin said flatly.
"Really? I didn't know this place did that."
Kevin shook his head. "We don't. Mr. Mueller is... special."
"Oh. So, that was the important deal they called you to the office for, huh?" Reggie said in a slight sarcastic tone. "So, how is it going so far?"
"Fine, I guess. He's pretty nice, but he's... a little weird too," Kevin exclaimed.
"Whoa, really?" Reggie blurted. He then took a quick glance and Josef's wheelchair and all its extra equipment. "Man, look at the gear he has there."
"Oh, he needs it, too. He's had trouble breathing a few times already, and I've only been with him... what? A couple of hours or so?" Kevin leaned forward like he was telling Reggie a secret. "He even told me himself that he was dying. I mean, he just comes out and says it just like that!"
"Jeez. Why the hell is he hangin' out at a damn amusement park if he's so sick? And why is he hangin' around my ride?" Reggie asked.
"He said... he said..." stuttered Kevin as he tried to replay Josef's statements in his head. "I think he's having flashbacks or something. He's talking about some lost kids and one horned devils and rules for advertising and..."
"What?!" Reggie barked.
"Yeah... I'm serious. And it's like he's waiting for something... I don't know..." Kevin looked down at the ground and kicked the dirt.
"Damn, man. Sounds just like how my grandmother was before she died. She was in her own little world at the end," Reggie said, twirling his finger at his temple.
"No, that's not it," Kevin said firmly. "I mean, he's dying, but he's so upbeat. And he's talking all this weird stuff like he's senile, but the way he says it... it's like he's remembering things more clearly, instead." Kevin turned to see Reggie looking at him doubtingly. Seeing this, Kevin let out a heavy sigh. "I guess you just had to be there."
"Whatever, man. I better get back to my post. See ya later."
"Hey, Reggie!" Kevin yelled at his friend as he trotted away. "About the Dungeons and Dragons ride..."
"Yeah?" Reggie answered back. "What about it?"
"Have you noticed anything... weird about it?" Kevin asked loudly.
"Like what?"
Kevin shook his head in thought. "Like something out of the ordinary? Something that spooked you about it, but... you didn't know why?"
"What... in the world... are you talking about?" snapped a clueless Reggie.
For a few moments, Kevin just stood there, trying to put into words the disturbing inklings about the ride that he was feeling, but gave up when he saw an indifferent Reggie staring back at him. Dispirited, Kevin just cast his eyes down.
"Oh... never mind," Kevin said as he waved Reggie off. "Just forget I asked."
Reggie flashed an exasperated look. "Y'know Kevin," Reggie said, "you just hang around this park too much! You keep up like this, they'll make you the park mascot! Stick you right in that Loony suit." He turned to walk back to his post.
"Yeah, right. Hey, Reggie..." Kevin yelled. "You look like a dork."
Reggie and Kevin shared mocking grins as Reggie hustled back to the Dungeons and Dragons ride. For a few moments, as he stood there alone, Kevin wondered why he was feeling so... unsettled. He always had a natural affinity to the amusement park. Somehow, in a way he couldn't really explain, he responded to its rhythms. The rides, the midway games, the performers... For some reason, Kevin felt like he belonged in the fair-like surroundings of Loonyland. But, right now, those feelings seemed off kilter somehow. Kevin just shook his head, trying to get these weird thoughts out of his brain.
Just then, Josef walked out of the entryway to the men's room. Josef smiled at Kevin appreciatively as the teenager helped the old man sit back into his wheelchair.
"Much better," Josef said with a smile. "Usually, my feet are very swollen by this time, but today it doesn't seem so bad."
"Oh, that's good," Kevin said as he positioned himself behind the chair to push it. "Well, where to next?"
"Over there, please," Josef said pointing to a nearby drinking fountain. "I'm quite thirsty." Kevin slowly wheeled Josef over to the drinking fountain, and with a little help, Josef leaned out of his chair for a drink. When Josef was done, Kevin started a long sip from the fountain also.
"I heard you, you know," Josef said, almost accusingly, as he looked into Kevin's eyes. "When your friend was going back to work. I heard what you asked him."
Kevin stopped drinking and stood there looking at Josef, feeling like he had just been caught doing something wrong, though he wasn't sure why. His lips moved, but nothing came out.
"You know something, don't you? You know something about that ride," Josef said. Again, his voice was a bit more curt than usual.
"I... no... no, honest," Kevin sputtered. Kevin's mind raced. What could he say? He had no idea how to describe the strange feelings he was experiencing. He didn't know what was going on. More likely, he had a hunch Josef was holding something back, as well.
"In fact," Kevin said more forcefully, "I think you know more about that ride than I do, and you're not telling me. Maybe you can tell me why I'm getting these strange vibes."
"Ah, so I wasn't imagining things! You were feeling...." Suddenly, Josef 's eyes went wide and his mouth hung open. It seemed to Kevin that his face became even paler. A look of almost utter shock came across Josef's face, as he seemed to be glancing at something standing behind Kevin.
Kevin followed Josef's glance and turned around to see someone drinking from the fountain. It was a very fit, attractive black teenage girl with wavy hair, wearing black jeans and a light orange shirt. She was also sporting a red headband.
"Hey! Hi, Kevin!" the girl said with her voice plumb full of cheeriness.
"Oh," Kevin replied in recognition. "Hi Diana."
