Chapter 4
An Empty Feeling
Fort Wayne, Indiana
garden was just about picked through. Autumn passed and winter was closing in, and there wasnt much stuff left in the ground but frigging potatoes and carrots. Not that I dont like potatoes and carrots, but thats just all that was left. Some guy named Danny was carefully hoeing around in the dirt looking for the potatoes and carrots I was talking about. He had a job of course; he wasnt just a farmer guy. He worked at the bank too. But it was his day off. He was about to quit potato hunting when all of a sudden something came shooting out of the air down to the ground like a shooting star. He'd been out there all morning and hadnt heard about the alien robot invasion, this was quite a treat. After the smoke cleared and the dust settled he saw what had landed in his garden. It was a capsule, similar to the ones that had been landing all day in the big US cities. But this one was much smaller. It was just 15 feet or so in diameter and had little dumb wings on the sides.
The
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Danny watched the thing with moderate interest until it began to crack open down a seam. The two halves eventually disengaged and fell to either side. And now Danny could see what had been in the peculiar vehicle. It was a robot. On a motorbike. The robot looked badass and menacing. And his motorbike was shiny and space-agey. Hello, Danny said politely. Beep. Derek, the robot said, all business. Hello, Danny said again, not understanding what the robot was getting at. Is your name Derek? he asked, thinking it was a stupid name for a robot. Beep. I seek the one called Derek. Oh. Danny said understanding now, youre looking for a guy named Derek. That was much more reasonable. The robots name had to be something cool, like zR3000 or something - not that Derek isnt a cool name, because it is. Its a really cool name. Just probably not for a robot. zR3000 rolled closer to Danny on his motorbike. I seek the one named Derek! Beep! he said slightly more agitated. Sorry, said Danny, I dont know any Dereks. But there are three Erics at the bank where I work. What is: bank? the robot asked. 29
Its closed now, Danny said, not really answering the robots question. Beep. What time does BANK open? 8:30, but the drive through window opens at eight, Danny said obviously. zR3000 turned to leave without even thanking Danny for the information. What a jerk, Danny thought to himself as the motorbike rolled off There wasnt like a prophecy or anything that I know of. It was just that the robots knew most everything and maybe they could see the future. All I know at this point is that this special motorbike robot was looking for someone named Derek. * * *
Damn it, Derek said quietly and dramatically. What is it? asked Jason. He had come up to sit by Derek in the passengers seat. There was a sleeping bag and some other odds and ends in the back, but no seat. The original bench was missing. The previous owner had put it in his basement to smoke weed on. The others had found a little makeshift comfort. Albert was leaning against the rear door playing solitaire on his palm pilot, the girls were sitting close. 30
Delilah had curled up and her head was on Veronicas lap and Veronica was patting her hair. Were almost out of gas, Derek said quietly. Damn it, Jason agreed. Somehow Albert heard them. What do you mean, were out of gas? Why didnt you fill it up? asked Albert, looking up from his palm pilot. When would I have done that? Derek demanded, wishing again that the rear door would suddenly open up and Albert would tumble out and they wouldnt have to listen to his horseshit anymore. This morning, Albert said - like it was obvious. I forgot Derek wasnt sure that he had made the right choice taking on this bunch of assholes. The two chicks were hot and the one guy looked like the kind asshole who could fight if he had to, but the nerdy guy was about to get punched in the throat. Look, theres something I need to tell you. Its important, and it affects all of us, said Derek. The gang looked up, waiting to hear what this message was going to be. Theres a hole in the gas tank. Oh Jesus! Albert spit out, were all gonna die. Its in the top so I can only fill it up a little more than half way, even then, the sloshing around when you drive is enough to spill a little out. Why are we in this goddamn 30 year old van?! Albert was completely thankless. This goddamned van saved your stupid life, asshole! If it wasnt for me and my van, youd be robot chow! Or worse! Hes right, Delilah said firmly. She sat up and looked at Albert as if to make him shut the fuck up. Albert looked at her angrily. Why was she taking this losers side? It made no sense. Why would anyone 31
drive around a beat up old van with a gas leak, why not get a Hybrid like any sensible person would? Albert didnt apologize, but he did shut up. Im sorry about Albert, Delilah said to the boys in the front. Albert really was being a dick. Albert! Jason laughed. Yeah, and whats youre name?! Albert asked bitchily. Jason, he returned. Albert could hear in Jasons voice the fact that Jason could totally kick his ass. Jason. Yeah. Thats good. Well probably need a Jason. Derek added. Veronica, Veronica said calmly, raising her hand. Im Delilah, said Delilah. Everyone turned to the driver of the van, and waited for him to take his turn. He slowly turned and looked over his shoulder, directly into Delilahs eyes. Derek.
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