Chapter 1538
Private Charter
John and the girls were at a restaurant on Fisherman's Wharf. They each ate a bowl of clam chowder. The girls each tried a drink from the bar. They didn't overdo it. They'd learned to show a little moderation around the 'special girls' and especially 'Tony'. They knew he was the leader of the group, even if 'Barbara' was the real one behind it all. They knew now 'Barbara' was several different individuals.
The Metal girls looked busy, but none of them actually ate anything. They did try a taste of a few things. It was added to their database. They wanted to see what some people thought was 'good' and then try to determine why. It always seemed the more warnings which were set off in their HUD, indicated humans liked it better. It was all organic matter to them otherwise.
John wondered if he needed another espresso. He was still pretty pumped up from the one he was given earlier at the cable car terminus. It contained a 'little helper' for later on. He didn't know it was spiked. It already seemed to kick in now. Because Cammy and Leticia 'touched him' under the table, it only seemed to get things started sooner. It took a long time for things to slacken.
They visited the gift shop before they left. The girls were told they could pick out anything they wanted. They only picked a few small things out. They didn't want to take advantage of their gracious hosts.
Cammy handed the two waiters who'd served them a 'C note' each. She gave the manager a couple of them. They all seemed very appreciative and thanked the team. It was on top of what CamNet already took care of.
Mary noticed money was never a problem for the 'special girls'.
"Who actually pays for everything?" Mary asked.
Cammy wanted to answer her question as truthfully as possible.
"It's the people who've crossed our path and found out the hard way what justice is really like. They're the ones who foot the bill." Cammy said. "It includes the Syndicate and the Cartel."
John hoped none of them would mention any of the stock manipulation orchestrated by Cameron or CamNet.
Sheila wanted to add to Cammy's statement. Her involvement was of a more personal nature.
"It also includes anyone who runs drugs or sells female bodies to others." Sheila said. "Those are my kind of jobs. It doesn't matter if they're big or small. I make those people atone for their crimes."
The girls were able to picture it since they'd witnessed Sheila in action.
Laura didn't know everything the team did. She felt they were some kind of shadow justice force which operated outside of the law. They were obviously sanctioned by someone who was rich and powerful. Maybe it was the rouge computer system she'd read about. It was supposed to be a 'bad thing' though. There must be a good one out there too.
"I think you take out the trash no one else has the guts to do." Laura said. "You've probably saved thousands of girls from a life of misery."
Sheila and the team personally freed hundreds of girls from similar lifestyles over the years. It was probably thousands by now. The girls hooked on drugs tended to end back up in those places. They'd freed some girls three or four times. Their lives were usually short.
John really wanted the discussion to go elsewhere. He wasn't sure what the girls did when he'd been off with Camille. He didn't think he wanted to know either. It sounded like there may have been a little 'street justice'. He was much more pleased about what he'd been able to do. He didn't want anyone to spoil it. He was ready for a little more action back on the plane. He looked at the girls seated around the table.
"Everyone can freshen up and then we can roll." John said.
Leticia smiled at John and touched his cheek. She moved close to him.
"I'll have everything ready for you." Leticia whispered as she passed by.
Sheila, Hanna and Ally went with them to the restroom. They didn't go in.
Cammy and Camille were left with John.
"What are we going to do next?" John asked.
Cammy checked her phone.
"We're going to ride the historic streetcars along the waterfront and then down Market Street." Cammy said. "We'll have a private charter."
Camille nodded. She was still pleased she'd been with John for her actual 'first time'.
"It's nothing but the best for you." Camille said.
Cammy looked over at Camille. She still suspected Camille was with John.
"Or the second best in some cases." Cammy said.
Camille looked at Cammy. She frowned and turned her head away. She didn't want to look bad in front of John. She really hoped she didn't come off as a Bitch like Cammy did.
John didn't like the animosity. He excused himself and decided to use the restroom. He was pretty sure the girls would probably touch him in the streetcar. They'd already started under the table during their light meal.
In a few minutes, everyone was back. Cammy led the group outside and over to the streetcar tracks. There was a shrill whistle tone and a red and orange street car approached them.
John recognized the paint job right away.
"Hey, is the Pacific Electric streetcar again." John said. "I think it's a PCC type."
The sign over the front window said 'Charter'.
"It's our ride." Cammy said. "Its arrival was timed as I calculated."
The group got on. Mary and Laura wanted to sit in the front so they could see everything. Hanna and Ally stayed with them. Sheila led Leticia and John all the way to the back. The rear seat was the full width of the streetcar.
When Cammy passed the operator, she held out a stack of hundreds. It was five hundred dollars. He went to reach for it.
"This is for anything which happens in the back." Cammy said. "Do you understand? It never happened."
The operator never received such a large tip before. He'd look the other way for anything which happened for that amount of cash. It wasn't his streetcar. He just operated it.
"I see nothing. I hear nothing." The operator said. "The streetcar belongs to you."
Camille flashed another stack of bills. The operator's eyes widened further.
"You get this at the end of the line in addition to what's in your hand now." Camille said. "That's as long as there are no problems. We may ask for a stop or two along the way. They won't be of a very long duration."
The operator eyed the cash in his hand and the wad Camille held. It was a lot of cash. He'd drive the streetcar anywhere he could at this point. He needed to stay on the tracks and get juice from the overhead wire though. He wanted to do his part to make sure his passengers enjoyed the ride.
"I'll let you know when we're near the end of the line." The operator said. "When you want to stop along the way, let me know. It can only be for a short while."
He pulled closed a curtain divider. It was a temporary feature.
Cammy and Camille sat a few seats behind the girls.
The car hadn't even started to move yet when Sheila urged Leticia on. She told her what she wanted for 'Tony'.
Leticia didn't need any prompting. She'd been ready to pleasure 'Tony' since she'd first met him on the ship. She wanted Sheila to know what she was going to do.
"I'll get him to finish and I'll swallow." Leticia said.
Leticia turned her attention to John. She started to unbuckle John's pants.
"Let me take the swelling down for you." Leticia said. "Things are way too crowded inside your pants right now. You'll enjoy the ride better."
Sheila watched with anticipation. She leaned down near John's ear.
"If you don't do this now, and probably again later on, you won't last more than thirty seconds with her on the plane." Sheila said. "Cammy or I will do the second one for you. Maybe both of us will."
John didn't know what to say. He was caught up in the moment. It reminded him of a movie he'd seen one time called 'Knock, Knock'. He hoped for a better ending.
Leticia managed to get things freed from his clothing and started in on him. He couldn't believe it was really happening.
The streetcar needed to complete the turnaround at the end of the line, and then start on its way back.
The girls all took a glance back a time or two. In three minutes Leticia lifted her head and sat up. It hadn't taken her long at all. She wiped the back of her hand across her mouth. There was a big smile on her face. It was almost as big as John's smile.
"I hope to do it again with you on the plane while you work on me." Leticia said. "That's a pretty hefty piece you pack. I'm going to enjoy it elsewhere."
John was ready to go straight back to the plane now. He wanted to reciprocate fairly.
"I get to do the same to you first before we share." John said.
Leticia smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Sheila moved back and took Leticia up a few rows of seats. Cammy sat down next to John once everything was returned to where it belonged.
She really wanted to pay back Cameron the Bitch. She didn't like it because she was with Savannah. It was why she'd hooked John up with the girls from the ship. They weren't really strangers, even if they were. They were all 'clean'. It had been her only worry. It wasn't an issue.
'Let's see how Cameron likes that.' Cammy thought.
She planned to do everything herself after Leticia was with John on the plane. She would do what Leticia just did before the end of the trolley ride.
"The next one is on me." Cammy whispered in his ear. "It's been a long time – coming."
John swallowed hard.
"Let's join the girls in the front for now." Cammy said. "I'll point out the sites or places of interest along the way."
Camille, Leticia and Sheila passed by Cammy and him as they moved forward. Camille carried the same blanket they'd used in the SUV.
He looked back. He saw Leticia and Sheila were in a deep kiss. He was pretty sure they were both about to 'work' on Camille. They would know soon enough what she'd done earlier.
The streetcar completed the turn around at the end of the line. They needed to run the full length of the line from this point.
Everyone smiled at John, but no one commented. They enjoyed the ride and the tour. It was late so traffic was light. The girls asked to stop a few times and the operator did without question. They returned quickly each time.
The operator let Cammy know when they were five minutes out from the end of the line. She took John by the hand and led him to the back. Sheila, Leticia and Camille all moved up to the front.
Cammy did the same thing Leticia did at the start of the ride. It didn't take her long. She used some of her Terminator ability. She lifted her head. She smiled at John as she wiped off her mouth with the back of her hand.
"I've waited a long time to do that." Cammy said. "Now you owe me."
She was very pleased at what she'd just done. Cameron couldn't do a thing about it. She planned to go all the way next time on the jet. Her sheath would be full of John's 'little soldiers'. Well, at least most of them anyway.
Sheila took Cammy to the back and Leticia sat down next to John.
"I really appreciate everything you've done for me and the other girls, Tony." Leticia said with sincerity. "Is Tony your real name?"
John wanted to tell her what it really was, but was hesitant. He knew the girls all told them their real names.
"It's a name." John said. "I am who I am."
Leticia looked at him with her beautiful big eyes.
"You're going to have all of me soon." Leticia said. "I really want it too."
John was just about to tell her his name when the streetcar stopped.
"End of the line." The operator said.
They all got off and thanked the driver.
Cammy was the last one off. She held out the stack of hundreds. The operator went to take them. She still held them for a second.
"WE were never here." Cammy said. "The special charter party never showed up."
The operator nodded.
"I waited for them." The operator said. "But I ran empty."
Cammy smiled and released the stack of hundreds.
"Remember we were never here." Cammy said.
The operator wanted to show his appreciation in a clandestine manner.
"I'd thank you, but there is no one here to thank." The operator said.
Cammy winked and exited the PCC car.
Their SUVs were waiting for them around the corner. They were all in a hurry to get back aboard the jet, especially John, Leticia and Cammy. There was more yet to come.
Jesse headed for the lab. She felt some type of premonition about Young Jesse. She felt she was in danger. She wanted to find out exactly where she was at. She didn't want to make a big deal about anything. She opened the door and went inside.
"I've been waiting for you." Summer said.
Jesse looked around. Summer and her were the only ones there.
"You were?" Jesse asked.
Summer pointed at the seat next to her.
"Yes." Summer said. "I could feel your apprehension."
Jesse sat down.
"Is Jesse alright?" Jesse asked.
Summer wanted to keep it simple.
"She's currently flying the Blackhawk." Summer said. "Samantha is with her."
It didn't really tell Jesse much. The vagueness of Summer's answer clued her in to possible danger.
"Is she on a mission?" Jesse asked. "I should've gone with her."
Summer felt Young Jesse was covered for now. She didn't want Jesse to worry. There were other Terminators with her.
"Cam, Gail, Bob and Jim are with her as well." Summer said. "She's in good hands."
Jesse was surprised to hear Gail was with her. She knew Gail would protect Young Jesse as she would her. It was because they were the 'same' person.
"Gail's there too?" Jesse asked. "Fill me in."
Summer didn't know what Young Allison's call was going to be, even if she did know. She gave Jesse a run down of the mine operation.
Jessie understood what made her wake up earlier. It was the explosion at the mine.
"I thought I felt a jolt and short shaker." Jesse said. "I still should've been with her."
Jesse felt a lot of jolts and shakers when she was deep in a love making session.
"She was really only there for the extraction part of the operation." Summer said. "It was mostly over before she even left Van Nuys."
It still left more than a few questions unanswered.
"You said she went on her own?" Jesse asked. "She never left the helicopter?"
Summer knew the next part was the tricky part.
"She went on her own and Samantha decided to go with her." Summer said. "She's been inside the helicopter since it left Van Nuys. She's done most of the flying herself as the pilot."
Summer didn't elaborate on the 'cheese, mouse and cat' part of the flight. It was bound to cause a lot of apprehension for anyone. It was a bold move. It was well thought out and executed.
CamNet contacted Young Jesse privately and told her Jesse was worried about her and if she could release the information on what she'd done.
Young Jesse was surprised about the inquiry but said Jesse could see what she'd been up to. She wasn't sure she wanted Savannah to see it.
She knew Camille wanted to be with her on her first operation. She was occupied elsewhere. She understood Jesse's desire to be with her as well. It was her first combat mission, even if there hadn't been much combat on her part. She'd only been in the hot seat for a matter of seconds when she'd engaged the helicopter and lured it away from the main shaft at the mine head.
Jesse could tell there was more to the story.
"Then what happened?" Jesse asked.
Summer decided to let the drone footage CamNet offered up do the talking. There was a visual record of everything which happened on the surface. CamNet informed her Young Jesse was good with Jesse knowing what she'd done so far.
"Here is some drone footage from CamNet." Summer said.
They both watched the body cam footage from Young Jesse and Samantha, as well as drone images from several different drones.
The screen was divided into four parts of the action which took place simultaneously. There were two different drone images and the body cam images from Samantha and Young Jesse.
Jesse was a little stunned at what she saw. She liked how Young Jesse didn't hesitate to enter the battle. She'd taken decisive action to help get the team out of the main shaft before the explosion occurred.
"It was some heavy action for just flying." Jesse said. "She did all it on her own too."
Summer knew it to be true.
"She assessed the situation. She did what needed to be done, when it needed to be done." Summer said. "Her presence assisted the operation. It allowed the two additional Terminators to assist with the operation. It made everything less risky for those on the ground."
Jesse could see the helicopter turned around and was headed back towards the mine. It appeared as if Young Jesse was about to get another piece of the action.
"She's evidently not done either." Jesse said.
Young Allison directed CamNet to have the Blackhawk return to the vicinity of the target area.
"I want to make sure the drones watch what's hugging the ground as well as in the sky around there." Young Allison said.
Anna checked with CamNet.
"It's the top priority." Anna said. "John Henry is also in on it now as well."
Young Allison didn't have a problem with it.
There were a few changes made to her plan by Young Jesse.
Young Jesse received the message about the activity back at the mine location. She was made aware of the choices. She turned the Blackhawk around. They weren't very far away from the mine, or the area where the Iroquois split from them.
"I want to pick Al and Ed up myself." Young Jesse said. "They can always acquire a vehicle closer to the target location. This way they can be in the target area sooner."
Young Jesse approached the rendezvous point. She saw the UH-1 lift off from the LZ. It meant Al and Ed were on the ground already. She put on her night vision goggles as she neared the LZ. She wanted to land on her own in a dark landing zone. It wasn't an actual combat situation. She felt she wouldn't endanger the mission
"Stay with me, Samantha." Young Jesse said. "If I start to blow it, take control immediately. Don't ask, just do it."
Samantha didn't think Young Jesse would have a problem. Her flying was perfect.
"Roger." Samantha said.
Young Jesse set the Blackhawk down perfectly in the darkness. Bob opened the side door ten feet off of the ground. Al and Ed clambered on board as the helicopter went lower. Bob closed the door as soon as they were inside. Al gave Young Jesse a thumbs up. She looked around, looked up, and lifted the Blackhawk off without a problem.
She headed back into the area she'd left not too long ago.
John Henry didn't want her to approach too close too soon.
"I want you to loiter away from the area when you get near." John Henry said. "We should know more by then."
Young Jesse didn't know how things would play out. She doubted the helicopter itself would need to be an active participant.
"Keep me posted." Young Jesse said. "Give me a heading where you want me to go and if I need to let anyone off once we're near the area."
Summer thought things were going to get bigger before they got smaller. She wanted to work closer with John Henry and CamNet in the proper setting.
"Let's go to the Command Center." Summer said.
Jesse and Summer left the lab. They arrived in the Command Center soon afterwards.
Claire watched Allison and Vanna double team Sarah. She'd pleasured herself a few times as they did so.
It looked like they reached a point where everyone finished around the same time.
"I need to go back." Sarah said.
Vanna moved her knees away from Sarah's head. Allison sat up.
Claire decided to go back to Jesse's room. She didn't want to get caught spying. It was because Allison was there. She'd watched Allison plenty. Young Allison wasn't the only one to see what went on behind partially closed doors.
She peeked out the door and waited for Sarah to leave. When she saw her enter the hall in her robe, she stepped out of Jesse's room.
Sarah started to walk away and turned around.
"Is Jesse in there?" Sarah asked.
Claire looked back once.
"No." Claire said. "I dozed off and she was gone when I woke up. I was just going to look for her."
Sarah knew she'd been away too long. She still wanted a little more. No, she needed a little 'more'.
"Maybe we could wait for her inside for a little bit. I can't stay for very long." Sarah said.
It was what Claire wanted to hear, she all but pulled Sarah into the room. Their robes were off before the door stopped short of being close to closed.
They were both all over each other before they landed on the bed.
The mother-daughter thing was on Sarah's mind….
A few minutes apart was close enough, for now. It was easy for her to visualize what happened a few minutes ago with Vanna and Allison, happening with Claire and Allison. She was already halfway there when they got started.
Vanna and Allison looked at the almost closed door to their room.
"Did it really just happen?" Allison asked.
Vanna knew it did. It pained her a little to think of all the missed years they could have been doing the same thing. She felt she'd done her part. She'd made herself available to Sarah multiple times and indicated she was ready for more. It was Sarah who was hesitant. She knew Sarah wanted it, but she didn't take it. She wasn't going to push anyone either. She knew what it was like to be pushed and made to do something she didn't want to do
"Yes." Vanna said. "I wish we would have started it years ago. Sarah is dynamite in bed."
Allison was still thrilled by all of it.
"Yes she was." Allison said. "Yes she was."
The two girls showered and went back to bed. They were both tired out, and they were the ones who'd double teamed Sarah.
The historic streetcar ride was over. It was time to head back to the executive jet. The 727 awaited them.
Camille drove one SUV with Mary, Laura, Ally and Hanna. Cammy drove the other one with Sheila, Leticia and John.
Steve and Tom led in their SUV and Dan and Frank followed in the last SUV.
Leticia wanted 'Tony' to 'take her' in the back of the SUV as Cammy drove.
John wanted a better setting. He wanted to wait until they were back on the jet.
Sheila accommodated Leticia instead.
John and Cammy both looked back at times when Leticia made it rather vocally.
Mary and Laura whispered back and forth in the other SUV.
The Metal girls could hear everything they said. The conversation soon included them.
"Did you get lucky with John too, Camille?" Laura asked.
Camille looked at Ally and Hanna.
"A nice girl shouldn't kiss and tell." Camille said.
Ally didn't see it as a problem for Camille.
"In that case, spill it." Ally said.
Camille didn't want to say.
"Hey, I'm a nice girl." Camille said.
Mary laughed.
"It's what they all say." Mary said. "Are any of us anymore? I've been with more females and males than I have for the last four years combined all in a week's time."
The girls talked and joked on the ride back to the jet. They all planned out what they were going to do and with whom. Everybody wanted to do everybody else, and in various combinations.
The two vehicles which approached the location of the mine slowed as they neared the fence around the perimeter. A man got out and opened the gate and both cars drove in. They left the gate open.
The men exited the vehicles. There were seven of them. They looked around at everything. Little was left standing. Everything either collapsed or was gone.
"What exactly happened here?" The first Gray asked. "Look at this place."
"I really don't know yet." The second Gray said.
"Was this some kind of an attack?" The third Gray asked.
"We only received a message which indicated there was an accident inside the mine." The second Gray said.
"What kind of an accident does something like this?" The second Gray asked.
The fourth Gray looked around the area. He reached up and scratched the top of his head.
"What happened to the helicopters?" The fourth Gray asked.
The Grays spread out to look around.
"I think I found the helicopters." The first Gray said. "It looks like they had a midair collision and crashed."
The Grays all hurried over to look.
The second Gray looked carefully at the wreckage in the darkness.
"It might be only one of them." The second Gray said. "I only see one main rotor assembly."
"Where's the other one at then?" The third Gray asked.
"I really don't know." The second Gray said. "The way the ground is collapsed around here, I think there was a massive underground explosion."
"We'd better call this in." The third Gray said.
"My phone can't connect." The second Gray said.
"I tried earlier on my phone." Another Gray said. "It stopped working about five miles back. I thought it was just me.
All the Grays checked their phones. No one could get a signal.
"There's no longer any reception around here." The fourth Gray said. "The mine explosion and collapse must have knocked out some of the towers."
"They lost contact with both choppers at five miles out too." The second Gray said.
"Was it before or after the quake we felt?" The Third Gray asked.
"I really don't know." The second Gray said.
"Was this an attack?" The first Gray asked. "Where is everyone? I don't even see any bodies."
"There might be some in the wreckage of the copter." The First Gray said.
"What about the people on the ground up here?" The first Gray asked. "The buildings are down, or even partially buried, but there should be someone."
The Grays spread out to look at the parts of the buildings which still remained. The first and second Gray went to where the main shaft was at. Everything around it collapsed into it. The hoist and elevator were all gone or broken pieces of metal in the depression.
The men all returned back to the two vehicles. They were unable to determine what actually occurred or where anyone was at.
"Let's get out of here." The second Gray said. "This place gives me a bad feeling."
They got back into the two vehicles, drove out, locked the gate and drove back the way they'd come. If they couldn't get cell phone reception soon, they would need to drive back to the base and let them know what they found. More than likely it wouldn't go over well. It certainly didn't look like it went well for anyone at the mine location.
There were drones which watched it all. They were now in trailing mode, all from altitude. They planned to keep the communications cut and see where the two cars ended up at.
This event was far from over.
Maybe the 'main event' was yet to come.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Temporal Mission:
Past Timeline:
November 25 1963
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Young Allison was a little concerned at where the conversation might go. Her experience indicated most individuals knew a lot less about firearms than they thought. They certainly knew a lot less than Cameron. She felt she knew quite a bit herself. Cameron would still know more of the factual details.
The man looked at the M1 Carbine he held. He set it on the counter. He looked at the two pretty girls. He figured they were twins. They looked identical to him. He thought about her offer. He'd make $10.00 off the deal. He could always order another one for $17.50 and $2.50 postage.
"Your offer is a good one." The man said. "If I don't have a clip for it, I can only shoot one round at a time."
Young Allison could tell Cameron was irritated because the man continued to refer to a detachable box magazine as a 'clip', even after she'd explained the difference to him. It was like what she told him went in one ear and out the other.
"It's called a magazine." Cameron said. "It's not a clip."
The man looked a little agitated. He threw both of his hands in the air up over his head.
"Whatever…." The man said somewhat irritated.
The store manager asked to look at the M1 Carbine. He wanted to see who it was manufactured by.
The man nodded.
The manager picked it up and looked at it.
"This M1 Carbine was made by Rock-Ola." The manager said. "Take a look at it."
The man looked at the back of the receiver.
"Isn't Rock-Ola a jukebox company?" The man asked.
The clerk behind the counter returned back to where the manager was.
"It sure is." The clerk said. "I played one the other day. There are some great new tunes out now."
The man looked at the clerk.
"Music has been going downhill ever since Glenn Miller got shot down." The man said.
The manager nodded his head.
"I heard it was a 'night fighter' who got him." The manager said.
Cameron previously looked into the situation. The original assumption was the Germans shot him down. Another theory was an American 'night fighter' shot him down because the plane didn't carry a transponder. Further testing in modern times of the same type of engine, with the same type of carburetor, indicated the carburetor most likely iced up which resulted in the plane crashing into the English Channel. It was much the same thing which happened to Buddy Holly and the others. Carburetors were known for icing up in inclement conditions. Ice on the control surfaces didn't help any either. Without power or aerodynamic lift, the only direction a plane would go was down.
Young Allison could see Cameron was about to get involved in the discussion. She didn't think it was a good direction for them to go. She wanted to redirect the conversation back to where it was.
"There were a number of companies which built M1 Carbines during World War II." Young Allison said. "There were dozens of other companies which made parts for them as well."
The man looked at the name on the back of the receiver again.
"Who else made these things?" The man asked.
Cameron was aware of the major manufacturers.
"I can answer your question." Cameron said. "Other companies who built the weapon, or assembled them from parts, were Winchester, Inland, Underwood, National Postal Meter, Quality Hardware and Machine Company, IBM, Standard Products, Rock-Ola and Saginaw. A second Saginaw location was put into production when the Irwin Pederson company failed to meet the military standards."
The manager looked towards his office.
"Isn't Underwood a typewriter company?" The manager asked.
Cameron nodded.
"It is." Cameron said. "I take it you have an Underwood typewriter in your office."
The manager looked back towards his office again.
"I do." The manager said.
The man heard enough.
"I haven't even heard of most of those companies." The man said. "I like to have a Winchester. I know they make guns."
Cameron took out thirty dollars and laid it on the counter.
"My offer still stands." Cameron said as she took out another dollar. "I don't have a quarter so I'll give you another dollar for gas. That's if the fine gentlemen here don't have an objection to a private transaction."
The manager knew it wasn't standard procedure for individuals to sell firearms in his store. He couldn't help but see the way both of the girls would look at him and smile. How could he say no to a face like that? He still wanted the store to benefit.
"As long as you buy some ammunition for it here, I don't have a problem." The manager said.
Cameron smiled at him.
"We will." Cameron said.
The man set the M1 Carbine down on the counter. He picked up the cash.
"It's a deal." The man said. "I never even heard of half of those companies."
The clerk thought about something he read in a magazine.
"I hope one of them wasn't a toy company." The clerk said.
The man nodded and shook his head.
"I heard there's some new gun the Air Force looked at." The man said. "It's only .22 caliber. It sounds like a 'pop gun' to me."
The clerk came across similar information.
"They said it looks like a toy and feels like a BB gun." The clerk said.
The man looked a little more than disgusted.
"Ever since the new bunch took over in the White House, everything's been going downhill fast. Well, I guess it changed a few days ago." The man said.
The manager and the clerk both nodded.
"Everyone knows Dick Nixon won in 1960." The clerk said.
The manager nodded his head.
"I'm sure they'll get the election process straightened out so there's no more questions about stuffed ballot boxes in the future." The manager said. "The Communists are a tricky bunch."
The man looked at the money he held in his hand.
"One thing I can say is, it was some pretty good shooting." The man said. "The three shooters really had their timing down."
Cameron and Young Allison traded a quick glance.
The man picked up his towel and started for the door.
"Thank you for taking that thing off my hands." The man said to Cameron. "I can't believe it, a .22, what a pop gun round."
Cameron wanted to point out the .223 Remington round tested, later became 5.56 NATO. The 5.56 NATO cartridge operated at a higher chamber pressure than the .223 Remington round. The 5.56 NATO chamber on the barrel was also slightly longer than the .223 Remington chamber. It was safe to shoot .223 Remington in a firearm chambered for 5.56 NATO. It was less safe to shoot 5.56 NATO rounds in a weapon chambered only for .223 Remington. There was no need to bring the triple deuce Remington round into the conversation either. She felt Young Allison touch her back again and remained silent.
Young Allison wanted to move things along.
"We'll take both boxes of the 45 Colt ammunition." Young Allison said. "How many boxes of .30 Caliber Carbine ammunition do you have?"
The clerk looked behind the counter on the shelf.
"I see four of them." The clerk said.
The manager moved a couple of things behind the counter. He picked up a box of ammunition and looked at it for a moment.
"I found four more." The manager said. "These are military surplus. They're from 1947."
Cameron looked at Young Allison and smiled.
"We'll take all eight of them." Cameron said.
The manager looked very happy.
"You can do business in my store anytime." The manager said.
Cameron spotted a couple more boxes of ammunition for the 1911.
"I'll take those three boxes of .45 ACP too." Cameron said.
Young Allison collected a few more things in the store and brought them up to the counter as well.
Cameron made a quick calculation of the cost of everything. She took out two 'L' notes.
"I think this will cover everything." Cameron said. "You and your associate can split the change as a tip for your excellent service."
The manager and the clerk looked at each other. Nobody ever gave them a tip before. It would be a big one too. They both thanked Cameron and Young Allison.
The clerk completed the transaction and divided the remainder with the manager.
The clerk put all the ammunition into two boxes.
Cameron reached down to pick them up.
"It's kind of heavy." The clerk said.
The manager was very pleased with everything which occurred.
"We'll help you carry everything out to your car." The manager said. "You do have a car right?"
The clerk wrapped a couple of paper bags around the M1 Carbine and put some tape on to secure it.
"We have transportation." Cameron said. "Follow us."
Cameron took the M1 Carbine and some of the things Young Allison picked up.
The clerk and the manager each took a box loaded with ammunition.
Cameron led them out to the panel truck. She opened up the rear door.
They loaded everything in the back of the panel truck.
"Thank you for your assistance." Cameron said.
The manager and the clerk thanked Cameron again for their business and for the tip. They went back into the store.
"I can say some of what happened was very unexpected." Young Allison said.
Cameron closed up the rear doors.
"Sometimes machines need to look out for each other." Cameron said. "The man didn't deserve the firearm. I can convert it to an M2 Carbine rather easily. It will be fully automatic then."
Young Alison didn't think it was necessary.
"Let's just leave it how it is." Young Allison said. "We need to see if we can pick up a magazine for it."
Cameron looked past the Post Office on the east side of them.
"Go east through the alley and across the street." Cameron said. "There is an Army Navy Surplus store down a couple of buildings in the next block."
Young Allison could see it wasn't very far. 'Downtown' blocks were very short.
"Let's just walk there." Young Allison said.
Cameron took a careful look around the area in a full circle. She didn't see any vagrants or anyone loitering in the area.
"It looks clear." Cameron said. "Let's go."
The girls walked in back of the Post Office through the alley and paused at the street. There was no cross traffic. They quickly crossed over into the alley on the other side. They went past a small restaurant at the end of a row of other small shops. They walked down the alley past two stores and spotted the sign for the Army Navy Surplus store. They entered it and looked around.
Young Allison thought there were a lot of knives in the store.
"They have a lot of different stuff in here." Young Allison said. "Some of this stuff looks like it's left over from the Great War."
Cameron knew Young Allison referred to World War One.
The proprietor approached them.
"How can I help you ladies?" The proprietor asked.
Cameron wanted to get down to business.
"Do you have any magazines for an M1 Carbine?" Cameron asked.
The proprietor looked over towards a corner in the store.
"I think I do." The proprietor said. "I got a few of them a while back."
The proprietor led them over to an area which contains a lot of small parts for various firearms.
"I have four fifteen round clips and two thirty round clips. You can tape the two thirty rounders together and make a sixty round jungle clip." The proprietor said. "Is it a present for your father?"
Cameron frowned slightly. If she converted the M1 Carbine into an M2 Carbine, it would chew through ammunition a lot faster.
Young Allison could see Cameron was upset about the proprietor's terminology for the magazines. She decided to speak up.
"Yes they are." Young Allison said. "We'll take all six of the magazines. It will be a surprise for him to get them."
Cameron flashed the proprietor a smile.
Young Allison did as well.
The proprietor smiled. He liked the fact the girls wanted to surprise their father. He wished his kids would be a little more appreciative of him. They spent a lot of time listening to rock and roll. He thought his son could use a haircut while he was at it. If he caught him with any more codeine, he would give him a good beating as well. There's nothing a haircut and a good beating couldn't fix.
The proprietor rang the girls up and placed their items in a bag for them. He thanked them for their business. He watched them go out the door. He thought to have one girl look so beautiful was pretty amazing. To have two of them was even more amazing. He figured those girls were headed for Show Business. He sure hoped they watched their backs and stayed away from the casting couch. There were a lot of predators out there. He knew a big one was taken down a few days ago. It was no loss. Everybody gets what they deserve in the end.
The girls made their way back outside and across the street. They returned to the panel truck and checked everything. Nothing had been disturbed.
"You can drive." Cameron said.
Young Allison smiled and climbed behind the wheel. She fired up the panel truck and pulled into the alley.
"It looks like I can go west through the alley and come out on Topanga." Young Allison said.
There was one small street between them and Topanga Canyon Boulevard.
"Watch for cross traffic when we go over the street." Cameron said.
Young Allison crossed the street and continued through the alley. As she neared Topanga Canyon Boulevard she looked to the north.
"That's where Tommy's will be." Young Allison said. "Clown In The Box we'll be right next to it."
Cameron wondered if Young Allison was hungry.
"Do you want to get something to eat?" Cameron asked. "We can go back to Bob's or to the Bear Pit."
Young Allison wanted to drive around a little bit more before they stopped. She watched as Cameron loaded the magazines for the M1 Carbine.
"I'm good for now." Young Allison said. "You're not expecting any trouble are you?"
Cameron looked around where they were at.
"No." Cameron said. "Since we have everything, there's no reason not to have it ready. You never know."
Young Allison could see it was clear to make a right hand turn onto Topanga Canyon Boulevard. She did so. They headed north.
Private Charter
Does anyone have the desire
To become more than a paperback writer
Will the taste that's left behind
Be very sweet or more than bitter
It's never about what was done
It is all about their character
Everything that's ever happened
In the end will matter
It's time to grow a pair
Get up out of the filth gutter
Over one's own life
It is they who are the master
The hollow empty voices heard
Are little more than clutter
Separate what matters from what doesn't
Create a workable self filter
Look beyond this moment
To avoid future disaster
Take a bold step alone
Create a private charter
Nobody
