Gift From The Gods

So, here Nick was, still traveling the roads, but now just a glorified passenger.

But, really, it had turned into a dream job for the last few years. Little did he know that everything was about to change.

Nick Atcough (pronounced atco) had worked for Cross Country Transport for fifteen years, the last five in vehicle security, a fancy way of saying he rode shotgun on a self-driving truck.

The job paid the bills and it wasn’t hard. He sat in what used to be called the driver-seat, but since driver had become a thing of the past, this was now where security would sometimes sit.

The dashboard area in front of Nick contained an array of screens, several of which were the various vantage points from where he could observe the goings-on around the truck. The truck also had a built-in crow’s nest from which he could operate if needed. Nick had only been in the nest twice since his job change five years earlier, and one of those times was to entertain a lady friend and to subsequently learn the rules about friends in the crows-nest: unsurprisingly, not allowed.

The truck was about the same size as its ancestors but resembled something quite different. For one thing, it had no windows, but screens that masqueraded as windows and unless you knew better, you would think it had the normal compliment of windows, even a rear window. But what you had was a digital blending of several connected camera takes of the outside on each screen. And, with the rear screen, it gave you the illusion that you were not inside a long truck but a much smaller vehicle.

To maximize profit, most of the outer surface was a patchwork of delivery modules represented by faint outlines. From afar, the truck looked like a long, sleek, black rectangular box but closeup you could see the outlines of each module. Each of these containers were serviced by drones which could swoop in and perform their drop-offs or pick-ups at almost any time during the trip. Nick remembered being amazed the first time he’d witnessed a drone in action. Now, he barely noticed the cloud of drones that he’d see hanging over every truck stop and service center.

###

They were still two hours from Morty’s.

He pulled out his acoustic from an overhead compartment and fell back in his chair.

“Becky, please open the tuner.” Nick always used the tuner mostly because his ear wasn’t that great. However, he could tune visually fast enough, and he did so. “Any requests?”

“Yeah. Play Long Ago and Far Away,” responded Becky.

“Oh, there you go.” That joke was maybe funny fifty times ago but it had worn thin. The software had around nine or ten responses that rotated in when the right question was more-or-less asked. He figured he must have heard them all since he hadn’t heard a new one in what seemed like forever. He started strumming something he’d been playing for awhile, something he’d made up long ago. It didn’t have any lyrics… that he remembered, although he realized Becky had that song recorded every time he’d played it in the truck.

Nick knew he’d probably regret asking the question but he did anyway, “So, Becky, this song I’m currently playing. Have I played it before? Does it have lyrics?” He knew he’d played it a few times with impromptu created lyrics so he figured he’d get a few returns.

“There are seven times you’ve played this song with vocals. Would you like these replayed? I can offer audio and video if you’d like.”

Seven times. He’d expected maybe once or twice but he was surprised it was that many. So, he braced himself and said, “Yeah, sure, what the heck.” Nick knew that this could be embarrassing as he wasn’t exactly Eric Clapton. “Let’s go with both audio and video.”

The performances, such as they were, played one after another and lasted maybe twelve minutes in total. They were all pretty bad except one, the one with this woman named Kathy he’d had that brief affair with a few years back. It seemed she had written lyrics after Nick had apparently played her the song. Anyway, she sang this beautiful little song to his guitar and Nick got chills. It was like a real song. He played it over again, and then again, and it still seemed amazing. Nick figured this is what real musicians must feel like all the time. Not only was she good, but she made him seem good too. He had remembered Kathy being very friendly and sexy and everything he wanted in a woman six months after his divorce. Unfortunately, their affair had only lasted the length of a round trip and even though their brief relationship seemed to go well, he was unable to contact her through any normal means, so he finally gave up. He checked his contact list and found her address and then he attached their duet to an email and hit send. He didn’t add a message. Let it be a nameless blast from the past, he thought. Hopefully she’ll get it.

###

Nick awoke in his own bed in Palms, not sure of the time. His blackout curtains were shut and his white noise was on. He grabbed his phone. It was still early. 1 text message from Kathy, that fling from long ago. He hesitated slightly before clicking on the message.

It read, Hello! Long time no see. And who was that talented duo?

Nick quickly wrote, I know, they’re great, aren’t they? (No kidding) How have you been?

Within moments she responded, I’m fine, and I’m single. How about yourself? Still working for Beckman?

She was putting it out there, it seemed to Nick. So, he put it right back. I too am single and still working for Beckman. I got a five day job starting tomorrow, wanna come?

She responded, When do we leave? :-)

This was the Kathy that Nick remembered.

Five PM. We have to be at Pico station (near Western). I can pick you up and get you there if you’d like.

No, that’s OK, I’ll get myself there. I’m a big girl. :-)

Nick figured she’d manage, but he was a bit curious as to where she lived. Why he cared he wasn’t quite sure. He remembered her being very secretive about her “actual real life”, as she put it. Maybe she’d be more open this time round. Nick realized that she could be the Princess of Siam at this point, and he didn’t really care. He remembered this sexy, intelligent, and beautiful woman and he’d be perfectly happy to have that again. Another week with the Kathy he remembered seemed like a gift from the gods. And, who was he to look a gift from the gods in the mouth.

Nick spotted Kathy as Becky pulled up next to the stop on Pico and he briefly hit the horn and popped open the door. She looked up and waved. She looked much as Nick remembered: about five six, slender with short brown hair. She was dressed in a light colored sun dress cinched at the waist and on her face she wore a mischievous smile. Climbing into the cab, she leaned over and gave Nick a quick hug. She had two small suitcases with her.

“Look at you,”

“You too… just as I remember,” said Nick.

“Well, I hope that’s a good thing,”

“It is indeed a good thing,”

She leaned over and gave him a passionate kiss.

“Ummm… put those here.” Nick opened up a cabinet under the sofa unit. “I freed up some space which is kinda hard to do…” Nick nodded back to the living area“…as you can see.”

“Just like I left it. Don’t worry, it doesn’t bother me one bit.” Kathy smiled. “It’s our romantic little getaway; that’s the way I look at it.” Kathy put her hand on Nick’s arm.

“It sure is,” he said.

The Beckman5000 or Becky had been heading north up the 405 for the last few hours. She was due to refuel at Morty’s in an hour. One of the screens maintained the current and yet ever-changing schedule. Nick figured he’d get off at the next stop, mainly because Morty’s had a chicken-fried steak special on Tuesdays which Nick had been craving ever since the last time he’d passed this way.

The 405 was crowded, but no more so than normal. The right lane was reserved for people-driven vehicles and it was jammed and, as usual, appeared to be standing still. Nick realized that this was an illusion and they were likely going 50-55 mph. It only seemed that they were standing still because the speed that driverless vehicles were often traveling was typically around 80-85 mph. There was no speed limit for driverless vehicles.

Becky had exited the 405 and dropped Nick and Kathy at Morty’s entrance. Nick continued to be surprised at how much business Morty's still did. He figured one day they would likely become a relic much like his license. Being popular with the locals helped keep them going, he figured. And, it wasn’t like he was the only food-eating human traveling the 405.

They found a booth and waved at Jill who’d been working there forever. She was blonde and slender and maybe somewhere in her forties.

“Hey Jill, can we get some menus?”

Within seconds, they had their menus. Nick ordered his chicken-fried steak and Kathy ordered soft-boiled eggs with toast, hash browns on the side.

Jill, without looking up, turned and stuck the order on the ring. Nick could see at least two cooks in the kitchen through the pass-through window. There were several tickets hanging off the ring.

“Excuse me,” he said to Kathy. Nick checked his phone and noticed Becky was about halfway through the refuel already. He clicked on his daughter’s number and typed in a text. I’m at Morty’s, just checkin’ in. How’s my girl? She was at college and he had to give her space. He remembered what it was like when the first time mom and dad weren’t in your face every five minutes and it felt amazing. He didn’t want to deprive her of that, if only he could stop himself from texting her.

Jill brought them their coffees.

“So, you come here a lot?” asked Kathy.

Nick looked at his phone again. Becky appeared about two thirds done. The refueling process was represented by a green grow bar. “Sorry, yes, I do. Probably once a month.”

“And the truck refuels while you eat?”

“It does, usually done before I’m done.”

“I’ve heard of some companies not using security…”

“Umm, me too. The whole reason to have security isn’t a technical thing.”

“True. At least, that’s what I hear,” said Kathy.

Nick looked at his phone. Becky was finished and most likely already parked and waiting for his call. Nick and Kathy were finishing up.

After handing Jill some cash, Nick clicked the fetch button on his phone.

Usually, Becky was just pulling up as he walked out the front door. But, not today. Normally, he wouldn’t worry and he wasn’t particularly worried today. He figured she was just a touch behind. At least a minute or so went by and still no Becky. Nick thought that maybe she was getting some air in her tires or maybe she needed an oil change. However, that didn’t make much sense as all that would show up on the screen and the screen showed nothing.

As Nick and Kathy stood by the curb, Nick started counting his options. First, I’ll call security and ask them what I should do. They’ll find her, it can’t be that hard.

“What are you so nervous about?” asked Kathy.

About the time he’d given up, Becky appeared off in the distance heading in for the pick-up as if everything was completely normal. Nick let out a significant sigh and laughed a bit. Man, she’s a little late one time and you lose your shit. Pull yourself together.

“You were worried about Becky?” Nick barely paid attention to Kathy.

“Usually she’s right on time, even early,” Nick said as he opened the door. “Damn, you are a sight for sore eyes,” Nick said as he climbed into the truck. Becky didn’t respond, not that Nick expected her to.

Kathy stood there, watching, with her arms crossed.

There was nothing on the scheduler to indicate what caused the delay. She probably just got blocked by another truck either parking or backing out and that caused the delay, thought Nick. That was probably it. However, this tiny little five minute delay was bugging the heck out of Nick…“Umm, Becky, why was there a delay of five minutes in picking us up at Morty’s?”

“I’m sorry, Nick, I do not understand your question. Please rephrase,” said the female and slightly mechanical voice.

Kathy started to tap her foot.

Nick thought for a few seconds, then said slowly and carefully, “When I clicked the pick-up button, it took you about six minutes to come and get me. Usually, it only takes about 60-90 seconds. What was the added delay?”

After a second, maybe two, Becky said, “According to my records, we had an un-scheduled off-world pick-up and those usually take a few minutes. Looks like bad timing if you ask me.” That last line Becky had used numerous times. Nick assumed it was supposed to be light-hearted.

“I’m sorry, an un-scheduled what? Did I hear you right?”

“I don’t know what you heard, but what I said is that we had an un-scheduled off-world pick up.”

“OK… I see. What exactly does that mean?”

Kathy waved her arm.

“I’m sorry but according to your contract, you are not permitted to know the content of the cargo.”

“OK, so this unscheduled off-world pick-up… by off-world, that’s some sort of company name or procedure, I’m assuming?”

Becky didn’t respond.

“Hellooo?” Kathy attempted to interrupt.

Becky then responded, “I’m sorry but according to your contract, you are not permitted to know the content of the cargo.”

“OK, can I speak?” asked Kathy.

Had to be some sort of glitch, Nick thought. Off-world pick-up, please. It occurred to Nick that “off-world” might be some drone service he hadn’t heard of. All kinds of auxiliary services happened when Becky was fueling and at other times that Nick knew nothing about. However, it appeared that he wasn’t getting any more information from Becky, and he knew he shouldn’t ask too many questions about the cargo, otherwise the company might get suspicious. Nick would be in Los Angeles soon enough. He could wait.

“You are freaking out for no reason. Are you listening?” Kathy laughed.

“Listen, this is a business thing. I’ll be done in a few minutes.”

“Well, OK, since it’s a business thing. I guess you don’t need to know that Off-World Pickup is the name of a drone service and you’re getting carried away for nothing. But, what does little ole Kathy know?” Nick stared at her, finally hearing her. “Ya know, I have a life outside of your truck, you know that, right?”

“Never really thought about it.”

“I can tell.” Kathy shook her head. “One day, maybe I’ll tell you all about it.”