Chapter Seven
Michael awoke to the sounds of loud, persistent pounding.
"Michael, wake up!" Cleon called, pounding steadily on the bedroom door to Michael's room.
Groggy from sleep, Michael lifted his head from his pillow and looked around the room. "I'm coming!" he called, as he forced himself to sit up.
How long have I been asleep? Michael asked himself, glancing at his watch. Michael blinked his eyes in an effort to focus on the small blue digital numbers on his watch. It read '5:30 p.m.'.
"Michael, it's Cleon!" called the voice from the other side of the door.
"Cleon?" Michael answered, beginning to emerge from his cocoon of slumber.
Michael slowly dragged himself off the bed and over to the bedroom door. Leaning on the door frame for support, he turned the knob and slowly opened the door.
Cleon excitedly pushed past Michael into the room waving a golden colored, plastic 'card'.
"You gotta see this, Michael!" he said elated. "You gotta see this!"
"See what?" Michael answered. He glanced at the card in Cleon's hand. Michael wondered what Cleon was talking about.
"I got a new car," Cleon began. "Actually, it's not my car, but they are letting me test drive it." Cleon paced in circles around the room, apparently too excited to stand still.
"You want to show me your new car?" Michael asked.
"Yes, you gotta see this car, it is the latest thing in technology! They don't even mass produce them yet!" Cleon said excitedly.
Michael laughed at the irony of the situation. He wants to show me a car that is the latest thing in technology, he thought.
"Okay Cleon, I'd like to see your car," said Michael.
Michael was interested in seeing Cleon's car, but felt uncomfortably sticky standing there in the same wrinkled clothes he had worn all day. Michael had literally stumbled into his room and collapsed onto the bed. He was desperate for a refreshing shower and change of clothes.
"I'm feeling kinda grungy though, can it wait long enough for me to grab a quick shower and change of clothes?" Michael asked.
"Oh sure! Michael," Cleon replied. "We can drive over to the barbecue in it tonight."
Michael nodded. "Sounds great, Cleon, I'll be ready in a flash," he promised.
Cleon waved the golden key card at Michael. "We'll be waiting!" he sang.
Ten minutes later, Michael sitting on his bed, showered, and dressed was ready to see Cleon's 'new' car. Strapping his communication link/watch onto his left wrist, Michael sighed. I better check in with Kitt, he thought. He pressed the button which activated the com-link and enabled the audio function.
"Kitt," Michael called. "Are you there 'ol buddy?" he asked.
Kitt's scanners flashed excitedly. "I'm here, Michael," he answered. "Where else would I be," he asked.
"Of course, Kitt," Michael answered. "Listen, 'ol buddy," Michael began.
Kitt sensed that Michael was about to say something he didn't want to hear.
"Cleon and I are going to a barbecue tonight," Michael continued. "He wants to show me his new car, so I'll be going with him. You can take the time to relax and enjoy the scenery, 'til I get back. Okay?"
"I understand Michael," Kitt said sadly. "You don't want to hurt Cleon's feelings by riding with me instead of with him. That's okay."
"You're very understanding, Kitt," commented Michael.
"Michael, would you do me a favor?" Kitt asked cautiously.
"Whatever you want, 'ol pal," Michael replied cheerfully.
"Please leave your com-link on," Kitt answered. "I don't feel comfortable being out of touch with you, Michael, especially if you are going to be somewhere else. Exactly where are you going tonight?"
"Okay Kitt, you got it!" Michael answered cheerfully. "The Getaway is having their grand-opening barbecue tonight. Jake and Dora say it is an event not to be missed: probably just some pie-eating and horse-shoe tossing. You know how these small towns are."
"Enjoy the pies and horse-shoes, Michael," said Kitt.
"No problem there, Kitt," laughed Michael.
Michael left his room and joined Cleon in the front room of the cabin.
Cleon smiled and led Michael outside to a shiny white car that appeared to be a vintage '1976 Spirit of America' Chevy Vega, complete with the red and blue decorative stripes and eagle banner.
Michael moved closer to the car to inspect the detailing and interior. Upon closer inspection, Michael discovered that the exterior parts were all the original, reconditioned pieces. Everything including the interior was a perfect specimen of the old Vegas produced in the mid 1970's. Michael was amazed to see the familiar bright red carpeting, white vinyl upholstery.
Everything on this car appeared to be as it was originally manufactured. What made this car the latest thing in technology?
Cleon opened the driver's side door and reached into the car. He pulled the lever that unlatched the hood. Carefully lifting the hood of the car and propping it open, he invited Michael to have a closer look.
Michael stepped closer and looked at the engine. What he saw was something even he had not seen before. Michael had seen many cars modified with engines adapted for alternative power sources, but this was unlike any of them. There were thick computer cables running everywhere connecting what looked like computer components to other computer components. There were several thick round cables attached to the inside of the car's hood, linking it to what Michael could only conclude was a battery of some type. From this angle, Michael realized that the hood itself was not an original reconditioned part, but in actuality some sort of solar panel designed to power the car.
"Does this car run on solar power?" Michael asked Cleon.
Cleon shrugged. "I don't know the details, but Kontec, the computer facility across the street, is adapting cars to run on a new power source. It operates off recharging units of 'black lights'," Cleon explained.
'Black lights'? Michael wondered. Didn't Kitt say something about a black light on this road? Michael tried to remember exactly what Kitt had said. "Michael, I am not joking. First, we stopped at a black light, you screamed and covered your eyes and then passed out in a near comatose deep sleep. In less than 10 minutes you emerged from that state to your current condition: awake and alert."
Michael didn't remember passing out. He thought Kitt was joking around with him. Passing out! Wouldn't he realize that he had passed out when he woke up? Michael wondered. Maybe not. He considered the seriousness of what this meant. If Kontec is experimenting with a black light, could it induce sleep and memory lapses?
"They give you any special instructions with this car? "Michael asked Cleon.
Cleon thought a moment. "They said to be sure to stay in town because the power supply will be cut off if the car is more than 15 miles out of range," he replied.
"You mean you have to stay within 15 miles of the black light?" Michael asked, wondering how many black lights would be necessary.
"It's not a problem for me because I pretty much stick to travel on this road. I rarely go anywhere except to see Jake and Dora, down the road. There is one black light half-way to Jake's station and another about half- way in the other direction to the Getaway. Ready to go?" Cleon asked.
"You sure this is safe?" Michael asked Cleon, not at all sure it was.
Cleon laughed. "Don't worry, Michael. This new car doesn't have the original engine problems the Vegas were known for."
Michael smiled weakly. He hadn't been referring to the old Vega problems, but the possibility of new ones. He nodded and began to walk around to the passenger side of the vehicle.
While Cleon replaced the hood back to its original position, Michael whispered into his com-link watch. "Kitt, I need ya buddy," he said quietly.
Kitt had been listening and understood Michael's concern about the effects of the black lights. Michael believes me, Kitt thought to himself. His scanners flashed with joy. He started his engine and slowly repositioned himself to a spot where he could follow the other vehicle.
Cleon joined Michael inside the shiny new Vega.
Michael adjusted the passenger seat to accommodate his long legs. He was not used to these smaller sized cars. He buckled his seat-belt and waited for Cleon to start the car.
Cleon inserted a gold plastic card key into a narrow slit on the steering column. The car immediately sprang to life. Michael was surprised; the engine's smooth purring sounds had a delightful calming effect.
"Just like a kitten," Cleon whispered.
The Vega pulled out onto the main road heading toward the Getaway. Kitt followed at a discreet distance.
Although it was nearly 6:00 p.m., the sun still shone brightly in the sky. Michael looked out the car windows observing the passing vegetation, or rather lack of it. Aside from a few scattered trees, rocks and boulders, it was fairly barren. In the distance, Michael could make out an extremely large facility consisting of several large-sized buildings.
Michael turned and looked for Kitt through the rear window and noticed that several other vehicles had fallen in line behind Kitt. He wondered how many other 'test' vehicles there were. Certainly, Cleon wasn't the only one.
"Cleon, are there many other test vehicles?" Michael asked, secretly speaking into his com-link to Kitt at the same time. He knew Kitt would know what to do.
"As far as I know, there are only a few of us who have them now. Kontec is encouraging everyone in this town to apply for a test car. You have to live here to get one though because these cars are specifically programmed to operate off the power of these particular black lights. These black lights are part of the experiment," explained Cleon.
"What happens if you go out of the range? You can't travel across the country in this car, right?" Michael asked.
"That's what keeps Jake in business," Cleon laughed. "You gotta keep your regular gasoline powered cars until they perfect the power generated through the black light and incorporate it into the car. The black lights currently use very high-voltage electric wires. The electric voltage necessary to run the black lights is much higher than the voltage in the traditional car battery. They must intensify the power of the black light to run on a lower voltage of electricity or find a way to provide the necessary higher voltage in a more portable form."
"You sound like an electrical engineer," commented Michael.
"We will be coming to a black light in a few moments," Cleon said pointing.
"It's just down the road, hanging on the post."
"It looks almost like a regular traffic light," Michael said leaning forward in his seat, hoping to get a better look."
"Yes, but it's not," Cleon said. "Kontec recycles much of their equipment. They collect discarded electrical, automotive and computer parts. Anything and everything, but bio-degradables is welcomed with open arms. Being located next to Willie's Car Dump is quite a great advantage to them. You might say that Willies Car Dump is a type of supply room for Kontec. It starts a chain reaction that benefits everyone."
"How's that?" Michael asked, interested in learning about the connection between Kontec, the cars and the town.
"The town benefits in two ways. The place residents go to discard their trash is the place that uses that same trash to advance technology. The advancements in technology are shared with the town and the world. It is a win-win situation for everyone," boasted Cleon proudly.
"That is, unless the new power source is harmful or dangerous," Michael stated, flatly.
"Dangerous?" Cleon asked, with surprise.
"Yes, this is experimental," Michael explained. "How do you know that the power generated by the black light and aimed at the car is safe?"
Cleon laughed. "Michael, there are no harmful rays generated by these black lights. The minimal UV rays generated by these black lights are way below any radiation levels generated by your typical television set. You are more likely to get hurt watching television than passing under one of these black lights."
Michael's skeptical look didn't convince Cleon that Michael believed him.
"Okay Michael, reach into the glove compartment," he ordered.
Michael obediently opened the glove compartment.
"There is a Polaroid Instant camera in there," Cleon continued. "Beside the camera is a box of undeveloped photos for that camera. Open the box and remove one. You can put the others back in the compartment."
Michael did as he was told. He held the undeveloped photograph in his hand, waiting.
Michael and Cleon remained quiet and still as the Vega passed directly under the black light. Nothing happened.
Michael looked down at the photo. It remained as it was before.
"Would you like me to take your picture?" Cleon joked.
Michael smiled and inserted the undeveloped photo in Cleon's Polaroid camera.
"Smile, Cleon," Michael warned.
With the press of a button the flash went off and Cleon's image was captured. Sixty seconds later, Michael held a perfect picture of Cleon sticking his tongue out.