C.C.W. "Another Lifetime"

[Al Truest]

Another Lifetime

Chapter One,

It is another great day for business. Dust and noise permeate the air outside Calahan's Pub. Construction worker's will be plenty thirsty after a hard week underground. Building the nation's first subway system is a monumental task. The year is 1897. James Calahan has just returned from an afternoon baseball game with business associate William McIntosh. The 'Beaneaters' won in extra innings. More good news for James. His pub will be filled with cheering Bostonians tonight. 'What do you say, Bill?' James, now in his office, addresses his spirits supplier. He continues, "looks like a hellava night coming up" Bill pulls a deep draw from his fat cuban cigar and replies, "For you!, you greedy bastard" he cajoles, "How much more 'you gonna cut my liquor for the weekend?" as he exhales thick pungent smoke. He laughes and gives James a burly one-armed hug. They continue to knock back one shot of whiskey after another.

A tapping on the door interupts their bravado. "There is someone here to see you Mr. Calahan, sir".......

[Sven Golly]

"Who is it?" James asks. "uh...it's a Mr Morris Box, sir" replies Brady the new bar-keep, "I told him you were busy, but he insists on seeing you." "Come In" James growls. "Good evening, Sir, my name is Morris Box" "I am only recently gainfully employed" the young lad explains, "but, I would very much like to offer my services on a part time basis in exchange for line of credit at the bar." "I don't run tabs for strangers boy" James says as he glares at the young man. "but, I'd work very hard for you sir." "and I wouldn't expect credit until I'd proven myself." Bill interupts, "What is it that you do, son?" "I am an apprentice with Dukes and Chambers." Morris obliges. "so you're a bean counter., eh?" Bill quips. "I suppose you could say that, sir" The lad replies respectfully.

"I'll tell you what" Bill says "My friends and I do some friendly wagering now and then" "I might let you give me a hand with some bookkeeping, if you know how to keep your nose clean" "Yes, sir" Morris replies. Bill grabs the boy at the shoulders and shakes him. "Now you listen to me" "You go out there and drink all you want on my account." "But come tommorrow night I'll expect to see you at six pm at the Fairgrounds gym." Morris says "Yes sir, I'll be there!" Bill stares grimly at the boy and tightens his grip, and says "You'll be there if you know what's good for you" and lets him go. Bill turns his back abruptly and laughs out load. James grins and shakes his head. "Brady, give the boy anything he wants" James instructs. "And close the door and don't bother me again"

Morris did not realize what he had just gotten himself into.......

[Neo Stella]

"Why is it everythin' in my life ends up fallin' apart?"
As usual, Ruth Jarvis was searching for answers at the bottom of a bottle. She believed she was one of life's losers, always finding opportunities to prove the world was always against her. "Hey darlin' you gotta pitch a few 'afor ya start hittin' the target."

Young Ruby Baker, despite her lack of success to date, was a born optimist. A crying shame her enforced profession lacked the scope her aspirations demanded. She would find a way, or so she believed.
"Well, when you've missed as many times as me Rube you kinda' lose interest in the ball." Draining the contents of her glass she shouted, "Bar tender, I'll have another, infact leave the bottle."

[~ Rocket's Tail ~]

Glancing up, Ruby gestured to the bartender: "And a gin for me." Ruth looked at her sharply.
"I thought you's supposed to be workin' tonight. S'what you said, ain't it?"
"Ruth, honey, I don't work for no-one but myself. There's only me and Andrew I gotta support, and tonight, I'm callin' the shots." Andrew, Ruby's only son, was left at home in bed. At the mere age of four, he had little conception of his mother's sources of income.
"You already got what you want," Ruth sighed.
"An' what's that?"
Ruth again sighed: "Your daytime job." Ruby laughed.
"What? A dancer in some dirty old cat house? You know that's only for the extra money. 'Cause I gotta. My work here is where the real money comes from." Staring at her now nearly re-emptied glass, Ruth took in a deep breath. Her own dreams of stage fame had as yet gone unrealised, though she never had the courage to admit to them. Instead, she simply wasted her life on drinking in city bars, finding work where and when she could.

By now, the bar was getting full. The smoke from the cigarettes of fifty thirsty workmen hanging in the air; the sounds of rowdy cheers and clanking glasses ricocheting about the busy room...

[Sven Golly]

James and Bill emerge from the office. They seem to enjoy making their appearance to a packed house. " Dammit' Jim you attract some fine looking women here!" Bill blurts out for everyone to hear. Ruth and Ruby smile, each raising their glass and giving glassy-eyed winks. Bill walks right past the pair mumbling "Ruth and Ruby, Ruth 'n Ruby" tipping his derby with the end of his cane.

James parks himself between the two ladies to shmooze his good customers, while Bill spots a fair-skin newcomer at the end of the bar. He confidently makes his way to her side. "I don't believe I know you yet" Bill asserts to the young woman in shining red tresses. She seems quite shy, but beams nonetheless. Bill calmly retrives a match from his brocade vest. The crisp spark is brought to his hand-cupped stogey. As he puffs the glowing cigar he asks "Can you speak?" A short pause is followed by her single "yes" "Well do you have a name then" He grins and preens around to her other side announcing that he will not relent. "My name is Sheryl"..."Sheryl Hart"........

[Al Truest]

Before the words form on Sheryl's lips, the two are pushed to the side by a bit of commotion. This seems to be another opportunity squandered , as Bill observes two city officials enter the back room. He abruptly rushes to James' office.

Alone, and quite befuddled, Sheryl takes notice of the afternoon slipping away.....

[Sto]

The sky outside fades into a melancholy shade of peach, and Sheryl transfixes her gaze onto the office door. She knows no-one in the pub, nor does anyone know her, and she wonders why she has remained here all afternoon. The words play over and over in her mind: "I don't believe I know you yet", "Can you speak?". There had been a gruff warmth in the man's voice which had left her yearning for more, desperate to discover what his name was. Did he talk to her because he liked the look of her? Or was he just being friendly to an unknown face? She resolved not to leave the pub until she knew. If only she could pick up the courage to knock on that office door.

[Neo Stella]

Meanwhile, yet another atypical patron enters the pub. It was Ronald Kohl the famed eccentric scientist whom reportedly helped engineer the new subway design. He was to meet Vice Mayer Scobey in Calahan's office at 9:00 pm. He arrived early though to take the edge off his nerves. This seemed like a rough crowd, but he knew the importance of Calahan's bar in an unfolding event, the likes of which have never been imagined,

The coal oil lantern provided just enough light for Kohl to prepare for his meeting. As he can now afford imported beer, he enjoys a dark brew from his Motherland, Germany. He scribbles his notes with excited anticipation. A vision was finally coming to fruition. His calculations had shown that access to the ongoing government project was ready to be finalized.

Kohl new that this day was coming. All the preliminary construction was now complete. Calahan and McIntosh had been kept in the dark about what was transpiring here. The clandestine project was so revolutionary that even if informed, they would not believe it. Vice Mayor Scobey and other private sector investors had procurred ingress rights from Calahan and his group of thugs. They were to provide security and secrecy. In return Calahan and McIntosh would have run of the vice trades in all of Boston.

Kohl was a benovolent man. A vision he had had since he was a small boy was now within reach. All that remained was the final connection. The necessary materials to run the tests had been put into place. The most important excavation of all though was maybe only days away. The site contains the richest treasure man has ever known.

Being an idealist Kohl had always seen the good each of his inventions could bring the people of this world. Unfortunately, human nature being what it is, in the hands of self serving individuals his ideas could empower certain men to employ new forms of slavery.

Not this time. Once he had proved this new means of communication could work, it would liberate us all.

Kohl continues to feverously work on his calculations. He is interupted by a curiouis visitor. "What do you want?" Kohl asks nervously. "I thought I was the only one that could read or write in this place" the young Morris Box replies, having made his way to the table from his barstool. "Yes, yes" Kohl acknowledges impatiently. "please, leave me to my work" Kohl scowls.

Morris, embarrassed and humiliated, makes his way back to his whiskey....

[madscientist]

After a solid three hours of Brady filling his glass almost as soon as it had been emptied the world according to Morris was a much warmer and fuzzier place. All the large, angry looking men that were in the bar when he had arrived looking for Mr. Calahan did not look to big any more. Oh, and the ladies, such pretty ladies, if only he could get his mouth to work, he remembered words but his mouth did not seem to remember how to use them. Never mind,stand up and walk over, hey how could they resist? With that Morris stood up, or at least would have done if firstly his legs hadn't given way and secondly the equations invented by a Mr. Newton some 300 years previous hadn't conspired to pull his body to the dusty, stained floor immediately after his legs disappeared.

Brady didn't even look round, he may have been new to Calahans but years of tending bars had taught him much. How to add up for one, when to reach under the bar for the baseball bat and, the hard learned skill that he now employed, the sound of someone passing out after way too much fire water. Brady turned and motioned to a dim corner and two large men who, any other bystander, would have sworn that they were not there a second ago, energed from the back ground. Like Moses at the Red sea, the croud seemed to part in front of the two, bouncer was too friendly a term, door men was more accurate as they were roughly the size of a door. They lifted Morris from the floor and started off towards the door. With another gesture Brady indicated that the limp form should be taken round back. the two men nodded and headded for the office.

[Al Truest]

" Dammit boy, how you gonna work for me if you can't hold your liquor?" Bill barks.... "Put him on the Davenport" Calahan informs his men. "And go look for that weasel Scobey" "He's supposed to be here soon"

Morris passes out. Bill has several irons in the fire but,
all that he can think about is the lovely Sheryl that he'd met earlier in the evening. He peaks out to check on her. Ball players and Boxers have gathered 'round her. People are now dancing to the newly installed player piano. One brash boxer approaches Sheryl and flips a five dollar gold piece "Head's we're dancin" he proclaims. Bill must look on in dismay as the two twirl about the dance floor. His ongoing business with two city councilmen in James's office that took him away earlier, has much to do with his financial and professional well being.

The aldermen object to Morris being present. "He'll have to leave before we carry on" says one of the city official. "Shut-up" Bill says sarcastically, "He works for me" "What will we do when the Vice-Mayor shows up?" the other adds. They just give him that look. That look that says, don't say another word.

As the men wait for Scobey. The Vice Mayor is wrapping the final details with a steering committee on the subway project. The Green-Line is just a cover however for the real purpose of the project called "Another Lifetime" Or simply "AW" in cryptic references.

This select committee, upon completion of testing. Must procure the remaining investment and commitment from city and business officials from all of New England. These few men were witness to a demonstration by the scientist Ronald Kohl that was described in detail on the top-secret paper work that they were now addressing.....

[Sven Golly]

Chapter Two

...."Time travel"..... "It still sounds preposterous" Scobey says in a incredulous lapse of incongruity. "But we were all there". He resumes with renewed faith.

"Well let's continue" he says. "All the documents and diagrams that we've been going over for the last two hours still make little sense to all of us." "These last few years have taken their toll" "The secrecy and the risk should be very rewarding, though, for all that have taken this gamble" The Vice-Mayor re-assures, "To guarantee your alligiance and continued support, I've asked Kohl to summarize his findings on this last page" 'It reads" -

'On July forth 1894, on the frigate ship Bostonia. the signed parties below we're witness to the following demonstration. A polished alloy pocket watch in mint condition was lowered to the floor of Boston Harbor in the presence of a full moon at the co-ordinates provided in the attachted documents. The watch was retrieved after a passing of five minutes, verified by the said parties. Upon inspection, the watch had corrided to a state that would be consistent with aging of more than ten years. This demonstration was repeated on two subsequent evenings under full moons' Entagled debris also verified a leap in time had transpired.

The site that makes this jump in time possible is unique to this geographical location. The magnetic and polar forces that exist at this spot would make it possible to construct a craft that may move foward and back in time from this point foward. The energy created may only be accomplished with the aid of a full moon. The plans and details in the attached documents will work as the model for this project,

The below do sign and swear that this endeavor be kept confidential to the press and to state officials. Our official position will be that the Green-Line will be the first sub terrainian public transportation system in the United States of America.

"Mayor Jenkins bought it, why wouldn't everone else? " Scobey brags. "but as you know the state legislature approved the funding." "However," he continues, "there are costs that can not be a part of the reported accounting". "We're soon going to need the mathimatical expertise of a trusted party other than Kohl." "Besides, we shouldn't put all our eggs in one basket" Scobey adds.

"After a successful demonstration, we must use this document to solicit only the neccessary funds to complete this alliance" Scobey instructs "No more persons than are neccessary will ever be allowed to profit from our vision".

"If Mayor Jenkins were to discover our plans, we'd be sunk" The Vice-Mayor asserts, "But if things go as planned, we won't have to ever worry about our political or financial futures again".

"Alright gentlemen". Scobey demands "Sign the document." "I'm meeting Kohl at Calahan's to work out the logistics".......

[Al Truest]

Kohl's anxiety has subsided. He dare not reveal how his discovery came about. Credibillty has been paramount in his continuing support. To share that much of his research was based on intuitive waves through dreams, would surely not be appreciated by his skeptical supporters. So he will continue to play a shell game with his backers.

The theories and findings of James Clerk Maxwell give him the framework to implement and design the project to this point. It is Maxwell's research that gives Kohl the opening to pitch his invention. However the location of the portal was purely through pre-cognitive reception. What remaining anxiety Kohl harbors depends on what is found at the final excavation. His dreams have yet to fail him. Just one more piece of the puzzle remains.....

[Neo Stella]

Scobey arrives at Calahan's rear entrance via the cobblestone alley. It is just after 9:00 p.m. He is immediately ushered to the office where all but Kohl await. "Gentlemen" the Vice-Mayor greets the room with the grace of a politician. "I see that Kohl is not here yet." he continues. "I'm not sure I know what he looks like." James explains, "Hell, I figured he'd just come on back" "Point him out" Bill blurts out "I'll have him escorted back" adding with authority.

While awaiting, Scobey notices Morris box passed out on the sofa. "Who's the drunk?" he asks. "and does no one give a shit about discretion?" "Relax" Bill smirks "I'm training the boy" "Besides he's good with numbers" Scobey raises an eyebrow. Perhaps he can be a back-up for Kohl he thinks to himself. "Well wake him up" "I may want him to verify some numbers for this project at some point" Scobey says schemingly.

" Dr Kohl" Scobey says as he shakes his hand. "I want you to meet a few gentlemen who's facilities we'll be needing for access to the new subway." Introductions are made with curt skeptism by all but Morris. Everyone knows a different story about the purpose of the meeting and of the project itself. Scobey is calling the shots for now though. Calahan and McIntosh believe that goods will be smuggled through this subway route. Kohl has been told that Bill and James were to provide security. He's been warned not to reveal the purpose of the endeavor.

"So Doctor, show us where the connection needs to be made for the maintainence route." Scobey prompts. "According to the blueprint, a passage door in the wine cellar will need to be constructed" "From there, there is less than twenty five yards of excavation left to connect to the existing tunnell." Kohl explains.

"Men" Scobey reminds sternly "Security and secrecy is of the utmost" "We've got that covered" James adds "We've been over and over this" "hell you guys can start any time after the bar closes"

The group hammer out the remaining details. Morris and Kohl seem to hit it off as the other men share whisky and cigars.

Chapter Three

Kohl opened his eyes, was this another of his dreams? Or was he truly awake? It was becoming difficult to differentiate. One thing was for sure, dream or not there was a distinct feeling he was approaching his goal.

He got up from his bed and looked out of the window. There on the other side of the street appeared a dark shadow. Was it a man or a phantom? This must be another dream. It had an ethereal quality about it that definitely wasn't there during his waking hours. Ok, time to collect more information. The being across the street obviously had a message for him. He decided to descend the stairs and greet this character in the dark.

When he arrived, peering into the gloom, he received the shock of his life. The face staring back at him was none other than...........................................................

[Sven Golly]

Wilhelm Reich! How can this be. The source of his inspirations. But a visitor from the future! He cannot believe his eyes. "It's really happening to you" Kohl says aloud to himself.

This day was forseen in dreams. Reich was to return in the year of his birth to the spot where the first official time travelling event will occur 3 days hence. Reich had appeared vividly in Kohl's dreams for years. Kohl recognizes him and shudders at the realization. The orgonic energy feeding Kohl's libido is the fuel and impetus for the revelations that have been streaming to him in gradual steps leading up to this final phase.

"Kohl, I presume" Reich states calmly as he extends a hand of congratulations. "I've been so worried that I'd go quite mad, if the dreams just stopped" Kohl says with tears in his eyes. "I guess they will now though" now quivering in disbelief "I suppose" says Reich. "But I've been working with you for the past three months in the year 1947" "Your grasp of the electro-magnetic energy theories of Maxwell, are as much a part of this equation as the orgone energy required to complete the task" "The fact of the matter is, that the project has already been completed." Reich says with assurance. Kohl says, "So it's true - you've returned from the future as you promised you would" "I never fully understood how you were going to accomplish this feat though" Kohl continues with confusion. I arrived two hours ago in the pod that you will refurbish tommorrow and launch again in three days" before Kohl can respond, Reich holds up his hand and continues - "Suspend you belief system for a moment." "The pod arrived in the pocket of rock that is the center of a polar anaomoly." "I've walked here from the newly completed tunnell" Today was the first day that this feat was possible." "In three days, however, your first trip must be to visit me in 1947" Kohl's head is spinning. Is this DejaVu, he thinks, or has he begun to re-live history for the first time. Orgonic energy surges through is body at the realiztion of the power that has been unleashed.......

[madscientist]

The young Mr Box, still slightly drunk and with the onset of a tornado of a hangover, had no idea of what these, what was the word, noteworthy, gentlemen were talking about. a subway station under a bar, well why not, be good for business, but it would get very busy at times.

He tries to recollect the bits and pieces of details from the prior evenings events. Mainly he wonders how he was allowed to spend the night in the office. Surely they would have thrown him in the alley most any other occasion. What were all these men still doing here? And where was Kohl? he thinks.

Although his earlier life had made it very hard to trust people, what else could they be talking about. Morris caught a glimpse of himself in a mirror on the far wall of this average sized room through the thickening smoke from Scobeys rather large cigar. My god, who smokes at ten in the morning?

Noticing a pitcher and glass on a small table by the window he made his way across the room, drawing the odd distrustful glance from the rest of the company. He poured himself a glass of water, downed it in one then poured another. He placed the glass on the table and moved to open the window. It was stiff, but not too hard for one having to look after himself for the last 10 years. Strangely the window opend almost silently. He grabbed the glass of water and stuck his head outside. What was that, a movement, the noise of someone trying to be very quiet, a shadow slightly darker than the rest of the back alley. He doused his head with the water from the glass and withdrew back to the room. Everyone watched, some smiling the knowing smile of a night spent in the bottom of a glass, others disapproving, as Morris, perturbed, made his way to James while his wet hair dripped and soaked the shoulders of his jacket.
"Mr. Callahan"
Through a laugh James replied "What is it lad?"
"Mr. Callahan, theres someone outside..." continued on new thread (go to "Another Lifetime Continued".........