QUANTUM MAN
Episode #2
© 1-10-2000 by NM
The ranch of Dr. Anna Lewis
After three days of healing sleep, Zev Stal has finally awakened. Gently rolling onto his side he slowly sits up, gingerly twisting his upper body first left and then right. The softly ticking clock upon the table beside his bed says that the time is twelve P.M., Thursday afternoon. The last day which he can remember was three days ago. On that Monday he had fought the Vole, eventually throwing the creature into some sort of an atmospheric vortex where it had disappeared, presumably forever. “Three days. That long, QI,” he quietly asks.
“Correct, my host," comes QI's mechanical reply. "Your chips needed the time to repair the damage sustained by your body.”
“Is everything all right now,” Zev apprehensively asks.
“Repairs are approximately ninety five percent complete. Within several hours your body should be at one hundred percent efficiency. May I suggest a very hot shower to aid in the aleviation of your stiffness. My internal clock has the local time as two minutes past twelve noon. Judging from your glucose levels I believe that a rather large meal is called for. When the inevitable questions concerning your absence during the recent hostilities surface, I would suggest the; “I got lost,” scenario. Is that agreeable?”
“Yeah,” Zev replied as he rubbed both of his hands slowly over his face and through his hair ..... “That’s fine, QI,” he quietly says. “I do have one question though.”
“Proceed.”
“If my chips have already repaired the damage which I sustained during the fight with the Vole, why did I need these three days of rest?”
“Zev,” QI begins, his voice oozing with no small amount of exasperation. “I’ll assume that you were day dreaming about Sel during the lecture at the Academy concerning your chips. The repairs carried out by your chips during the fight with the Vole might be called battlefield repairs. They were effective, were they not?”
“Yeah. They worked just fine. After they finished their repairs I felt great.”
“The repairs to which you refer were only temporary, Zev. They were meant to do just what they did. They enabled you to continue the fight, and to eventually defeat the Vole. Those type of repairs last four perhaps five days. After that time, even with your chips help, the repairs would begin to degrade.”
“Ok, I gotchya. The repairs are in two phases, temporary and permanent.”
“Exactly. The temporary phase gets you through the fight. The permanent phase.....”
“The permanent repair phase is the three days of sleep I just went through. After that phase the repairs won’t come apart on me, correct?”
“You got it, Zev.”
“You learn something new every day, QI.”
“Should have learned this, something new, back in school, Zev.” Snicker. Snicker. Snicker.
*Fifteen minutes later.*
“That shower did feel good, buddy,” Zev reports as he dries, dresses and quickly follows his nose and ears toward the kitchen.....
“Well, the stranger returns. Glad you could finally make an appearance, Zev. Where ya been these past few days,” asks the smiling ranch foreman.
“I just made it back last night, Mr. Hole. I thought I'd go exploring and ended up lost,” Zev replies sheepishly. “And believe me, I was really happy when I spotted the ranch,” Zev says with a weak smile. “I Couldn’t see very well when I got in last night but it looks as if there’d been some damage. What happened?” ...........
Zev slowly ate as he listened intently to Jackson Hole recount what had happened between Quantum Man and the Neon City Slasher. “You’re kidding me. That thing was out here,” Zev quietly exclaimed.
“Sure the hell was.”
“Is everyone OK?”
“A local delivery man was killed,” Jackson quietly says. “But thanks to that young fella everyone else made it through ok. There was some structural damage, but nothin we can’t eventually fix or have fixed.”
“I’m glad to hear that. How about the man’s family?”
“As far as we can tell he had none. Doc Lewis is gonna pay for his funeral. I think someone said he liked to fish in his spare time so we’ll most likely lay him to rest out by the far end of the lake.”
Zev smiles softly with a small nod. “That’s nice, Mr. Hole. Where’s Dr. Lewis?”
“She’s down by the lake being interviewed by KNON for the nightly news. Said she was gonna tell em Quantum Man had beaten the killer and they wouldn’t have to be afraid anymore.”
“I’m Glad to hear that it's all over and that none of your friends were hurt. Let me finish and I’ll get out there and give you a hand.”
“Sounds good, Zev. You can give us a hand cleaning up the mess from the shed. And then we got some heavy logs that need movin a couple of miles distant in one of our pastures.”
“I’ll be glad to help, Mr. Hole,” Zev says with a smile and nod.
The roar of the jeep engine and crunch of gravel signal the return of Dr. Lewis from her interview. “Zev,"Anna happily exclaims. "I’m glad to see that you’re finally up and about again.”
“Hiya Doc," Zev answers with a smile and small wave. "I just woke-up about an hour ago. Mr. Hole’s been filling me in on what’s been going on around here these past few days.” With a small, intense, please follow along stare across the table Zev continues. “I was out looking around and somehow managed to get lost. I just found my way back here last night.”
Anna nods ever so slightly. “I’m glad that you made it back safely. The forest can be a dangerous place if you don’t know what you’re doing.”
“I promise that I'll be a little more careful in the future. Mr. Hole said that you had an interview with a local television station concerning recent events here.”
“Yes I did," Anna says with a nod. "Quantum Man asked me to do it. I just hope it puts the people's minds to rest.
“It is not your fault if they do not. All that you can do is to try and convey to the people that they are now safe within their city.”
“About ready, Zev?”
“I am, Mr. Hole.”
“Zev will be out shortly, Jackson. I need to see him for a few minutes first.”
“Rite-0, Doc Lewis. You know where we’ll be young feller.”
"I do, Mr. Hole."
“If you’re finished I’d like to see you in my study, Zev.”
“I am all done here, Doc. My stomach couldn't hold another ounce,” Zev says with a quiet laugh.
Anna glares at the three empty plates upon the table. “Hmm," she muses. "I guess you did have a bit of an appetite this morning.”
Pushing himself away from the table Zev follows his friend into her study; a small, windowless room, paneled and floored with pine from the ranch. Three of the walls are completely covered with bookshelves filled with the latest medical texts, reports, and patient folders.
A large desk, an early present from her Father, sits just to the left as you enter the door. It too is made completely of pine from the ranch. The latest, most powerful PC available shares the left side of the desk with a picture of her Father. Zev does not ask why her Mother's picture is absent. Perhaps one day his friend will share why it was absent.
“Ok Zev, I’d like you to remove your shirt please. I want to take a look at that bruising.”
“Doc, I’m fine; really," he protests. "QI said that I’m about ninety five percent healed and Should be OK in a few more hours.”
Anna nods studiously. “I appreciate what your QI has told you; but I’d like to see for myself, if you don’t mind.”
Zev quickly slips his shirt off ... Dr. Lewis stares in disbelief as she turns her friend completely around. Three days earlier his upper body had been nothing but one, incredibly bad, bruise. She was certain, except for the worst of cases, that she had never seen a body bruised as extensively and deeply as his had been. But now.....there was absolutely no discoloration whatsoever.
Anna slowly shakes her head in disbelief. “I can’t understand this, Zev. It's quite extraordinary really. You look absolutely normal. It's as if nothing happened to you.” She slowly shook her head once again.
Zev smiles slightly. “Doc, three days ago I felt as bad as I looked, believe me. But you’ve gotta remember that I’m not from your world. And remember that my body is full of chips that do excellent, reconstructive work.
While I slept these last three days, they were able to repair just about all of the damage that I had suffered. Give me a few more hours and I’ll be one hundred percent again.”
“That’s remarkable," Anna says with a smile and disbelieving shake of her head. "In all of my years in the medical profession I’ve never seen anything quite like this.”
With a small nod Zev signals his agreement. "It absolutely is. But I am still going to need all of
the help which you can give ..... I believe that you’re right, QI.”
“What?”
“QI just scanned your computer, Doc.”
“Oh really? Well, what’s his opinion," she asks with a confident smile. "Does he like it?”
With loosly clinched teeth Zev tilts his head slightly to the side in a gentle, I'm sorry jesture. “I hate to tell you this, but QI thinks it’s kind of primitive.”
“You’re kidding me,” gasps the astonished Doctor.
Zev gingerly shakes his head. “I'm afraid not, Doc," he says in a painful sort of way. "Take a look at your temporary storage, that's pitiful. And that machine's hard drive is mechanical. That's just lost data waiting to happen. And its storage;" Zev slowly shakes his head in an, ya gotta be kidding me manner. "There's just not that much there, Doc. I'm sorry," Zev gives Anna a friendly smile. "It's unreliable, with a short lifespan and limited storage. And look at the frequency of its processor." Another disappointed shake of the head. "I’m sorry Doc, but I’ve got to agree with, QI. You have a slow, limited machine here. You guys don’t have any sort of crystal or gel memory yet, do you?”
“Ah," stammers Anna. "I've never heard of it.”
“Wellll, don’t let it worry you. Everything in its own time." A friendly, consoling pat to the shoulder. "If you’re finished, I need to get outside and help Mr. Hole get things cleaned up.”
“The exercise won’t cause you any problems,” Anna cautiously asks.
“No," Zev replies with a slow, shake of his head. "That Won’t bother me. By dinner tonight I should be completely healed.”
“All right then. If your sure; I’ll see you then.”
After slipping easily from the exam table Zev leaves Dr. Lewis -- joining Jackson Hole and some of the other ranch hands outside. By the time he arrives, most of the damage, with the exception of the rubble from the partially demolished shed,had been cleared. Zev eyes the steel reinforced concrete laying in a heap where the rear of the shed used to be.
"Mr. Hole. If you would please have Mr. Jefferson back the truck over here I should be able to get these chuncks loaded for you.”
“Ya sure, Zev? That crap's gonna weigh a lot, son.”
“I know," Zev nods. "It shouldn’t be a problem.”
“All right, Zev. William!," barks the older man. "Back it up over here,” calls Jackson with a wave of his hand.
“Will do Jackson!,” calls the black man through the side window. William Jefferson puts the large dump truck into reverse and eases it across the ranch compound, gently bring it to a stop by the pile of rubble.
“All repairs are now complete, Zev. Your body is at one hundred percent.”
“Thanks, QI.”
“Wait a minute and I'll get ya some help, Zev!”
“No, that's ok, Mr. Jefferson. I can get it just fine myself. Thanks.”
Whuu ... boom. whuu ... boom. Chunk after massive chunk of rebar spiked cement flies through the air .. crashing/skidding to rest within the bed of the dump truck. Five minutes later Zev brushes the dust from his unmarked hands.
“Is there aAnything else, Mr. Hole?,” he asks with a smile.
“Ahhh," stammers the older man. "Nothing I can think of, Zev. Ah, I’d say you’ve most likely done plenty for now.
Why don't Take the rest of the day off.”
“Yes sir," replies Zev with another smile. "Thanks.” The young man turns and heads back toward the ranch house as Jackson Hole eases over to his friend in the truck.
“Ah. Ya ever seen anything like that before, William?”
The slack jawed blackman slowly shakes his head. “Never, Jackson."
“Me neither," replies the foreman with a thoughtful rub of his chin. "First all those stumps .. and now this. Don’t seem humanly possible, do it?”
“We both saw it, Jackson. As far as humanly possible; .. I dunno." Puzzled shake of the head. "You know," Jefferson thoughtfully continues, "the guy’s sure big enough; and he wasn’t around here when that thing was fighting Quantum Man.”
Both men look at each other, shake their heads and laugh. “Nawh, couldn’t be.”
“Go ahead, William, get rid of this stuff,” Jackson says with a pat on the truck's door.
“Back in a while, Jackson.”
After a quick shower Zev plops down on his bed. “Feeling a little tired, Zev?”
“A little, QI. But I didn’t do that much out there,” Zev quietly protests.
“I would agree with that. But What you must realize, my young host, is that even though your body’s damage
has been completely repaired, it shall be two, perhaps three days before you no longer feel the effects of your fight with the Vole. I urge patience. You suffered a severe beating. Give yourself some time. A few days from now, and you’ll feel like your old self again.”
“If you say so, buddy,” Zev quietly replies as he dozes off.
Knock. Knock. Knock... Knock. Knock.
The infernal knocking at his bedroom door refused to stop .. the noise drilling its way into the peacefull solitude of his sleep. He refuses to open his eyes in response to it..... at least at first. The knocking continued ... its perpetrator exceedingly determined.
“Zev! Come on, wake-up! The news is just starting and I want you to see my interview.”
As he slowly forces his eyes open he recognizes the voice to be that of his friend. He slowly rolls over and sits up. “All right Doc, I hear you," comes his drowsey reply. "I'll be out in a minute.”
“Ok," comes the slightly distant sounding voice from the other side of the door. "I have the DVR paused, but hurry anyway. It's my small screen debut..”
Zev slowly opened the door with a sleepy smile upon his face. “All right, Doc. Let’s go hear what you had to say.”
As they entered the den the image of two nicely dressed anchor persons were frozen upon the television screen. Click. “Good evening everyone. I’m John Rast.....and I’m Melissa Est.”
“Tonight is day five since the last Slasher victim was reported, Melissa.”
“That’s right, John," says the woman on the screen with a practiced nod. "In this exclusive interview, I may just be able to shed some light as to just why the Slasher has seemingly disappeared from the face of the Earth. I received a call from a Dr. Anna Lewis yesterday. She said she could shed some light upon just what had happened to the creature which had killed so many these past few years here in the city.” ..... With the slightests of flickers the interview began.
“I’m here talking with the good doctor at her ranch; approximately fifty miles North of Neon City.”
“You look a little different, Doc. Kinda nervous.”
“Extremely so. I’ve never been on camera before.”
“Dr. Lewis, when you called this reporter you said that you had some very important information concerning the recent string of murders within Neon City.”
“Ah.....yes I did, Ms. Est. I know what I’m about to tell you might be difficult for both you and your viewers to accept, but I can assure you it’s the truth.
I was asked to pass this information along to the people of Neon City by a young man calling himself, Quantum Man. I believe this man to be the same person who was reported to have managed to rescue a woman not too long ago from the Slasher.”
Est nods. “If memory serves I believe that her name was Joyce Hermski, Doctor Lewis.”
“The name sounds familiar," Anna says with a nod. "Anyway, I had given everyone at the ranch a short day. We were all just outside the house having some BBQ when we saw the thing. It was horrible," Anna reports with a disbelieving shake of her head and a shiver. "I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Can you describe what you saw for our viewers?”
“Well ..... you must realize that we were all terrified," Anna relates as beads of memory driven perspiration dot her forehead. "The creature was huge. Perhaps nine to twelve feet tall with a massive, heavily clawed reptilian-like body. And its teeth," Anna slowly shakes her head, "it's teeth were wicked. I can only imagine what the people must have thought just before that thing killed them..... Their fear must have been overwhelming," she quietly says.
“Do you have any idea Where it came from?”
Anna slowly shook her head. “Not this world," she says, her voice filled with certainty. "When we first saw the thing, it was up high in that large pine over there .. just watching us..... just watching us.” The picture momentarily blurs as the camera panned to show the huge tree Dr. Lewis was pointing to.
“Anyway, my foreman, Jackson Hole, told me to go inside and get my rifles; which I did. It wasn't long afterwards that the thing jumped down and we started firing.”
“And after it landed, did it attack you?”
“No, it didn’t," Anna said with a slow, shake of her head. "It just seemed to want us to fire at it.”
“And you weren't able to hurt it?” Est asks, her voice filled with disbelief.
Once again Dr. Lewis shakes her head. “No. The rifles had no effect upon it. I suspect that it was just
using the noise to draw Quantum Man here.”
“And why would it have wanted him here?”
“I believe that the thing saw him as a threat and wanted to kill him.”
“And he eventually showed up?”
“Thankfully, yes. If it hadn’t been for him," Anna shakes her head slowly. "I believe that the thing would have killed us all. Anyway, after he arrived, he and the Vole; ah, that's what the creature's species is called; had a brutal fight.
For a time we actually believed that the Vole had killed him. The creature was so strong it was actually able to
throw him from here out into the forest. We tried to delay it as best we could; to give Quantum Man some time to recover, because as far as I could ascertain he was very close to death.”
“But you said this.. Quantum Man rescued you.”
“That’s correct; he did." Anna nods. "But something happened out in the forest. Something which should have been medically impossible. Somehow the young man was able to recover. The next thing that we knew, the badly beaten Vole came flying back into the compound here. I suspect at that point it was close to its death. And then an apparently healthy Quantum Man flew in over the trees and joined us here ... But that's not the strangest thing which happened. You see that spot over there?" The camera panned right.. The cameraman gave a thumbs up. He had the area in frame.. “We see it, Dr. Lewis.”
“After the thing somehow managed to struggle back to its feet they seemed to talk a short time. And this is the really strange part. After Quantum Man grabbed its chest he seemed to be looking into thin air; for some reason." Anna gave an, I have no idea shake of her head. "And then he just threw it," she pointed at the spot, "and it just disappeared into thin air. Really. You can ask anyone around here."
"It just disappeard," Est asks, the disbelief evident in her voice.
"Absolutely," replied Anna with a confident nod. "It was after that that he asked me to tell the people of Neon City that they wouldn’t have to be afraid anymore. He said that the creature that had killed so many would no longer be a threat to this world."
“Thank you, Doctor Lewis. Well, there you have it, John. Another report surfaces about lives being saved by someone
calling himself, Quantum Man. According to the good Doctor, the people of Neon are now safe.”
Click. The TV goes black. “Like it or not Zev, you’re news... big time.”
“Maybe, but I’m not here for that, Doc. What I am here for is to help the people of this world as much as possible.”
“That’s fine," says Anna with an understanding nod. "But you had better be prepared for what you just saw, because the more you do, the more of this you’re going to see and hear. Tune it out. Don't let it go to your head. Just concentrate on what your here for... Something which may be easier said than done, I'm afraid."
"I believe that to be sound advice, Doc."
*************************
The planet Zyphon, Vashdon’s Headquarters
“My Vole’s defeat at the hands of the Earth’s Quantum Man was a shock to me, Ardoron.”
“To me as well, my Lord Vashdon. But I fail to understand how something like that could have happened. Perhaps we have underestimated this particular, Quantum Man.”
“No doubt. He appears to be more powerful than I had anticipated. I therefore no longer believe
that Valenski and his organization, although formidable, shall be sufficient to deal with him.”
“You no longer believe that the Morphing bands shall give Valenski the edge he needs to defeat this Quantum Man?”
“I do not," Vashdon says with cold certainty. "They shall cause him problems yes; but kill him, no. It is for that reason that I wish you to prepare a small, reconnaissance ship in the two meter class. It’s destination; Neon City. Upon arrival it shall engage its stealth mode and begin scanning the population of the city for latent genetic fragments called nanosomes.....”
“Please excuse the interruption, my Lord," says Ardoron quietly, "but I find that I am not familiar with this type of genetic material.”
“This I do not doubt. For they are neither well known nor understood even on the more advanced worlds. And On a world such as the Earth, with its primitive science, they are at present completely unknown. I believe that it shall be another two to three hundred of their years before they even begin to suspect they exist.
The fragments which we shall be seeking are a rarity in any gene pool. But those beings which do possess them have the potential for greatness within themselves.”
“I assume when you say greatness, you mean in ways which shall benefit us?”
“Absolutely. Our compound, Sigma Nine, shall cause these nanosomes to multiply and override the person's normal genetic make-up. And once that occurs, even I cannot predict the mutational effects which shall occur within these individuals. Of one thing I am certain, however. When these individuals begin to change, the life expectancy of the Earth’s Quantum Man shall have been shortened considerably.”
“Excellent idea, my Lord," gushes Vashdon's "loyal" servant. "And the distribution method?”
“I believe the cities’ water supply shall be an excellent choice for a vehicle. Given the vagaries of the winds, I consider an atmospheric dispersion to be too unpredictable. On the other hand; given the fact that everyone drinks water daily, an aquatic delivery system should be a much more reliable method.”
“But what of the people who do not carry the nanosome?”
The hooded figure slowly shook his head. “Sigma Nine shall have no effect upon them. When I arrive, I do not need a planet of dead people. I shall need many there to serve me, to keep things running smoothly. It is not in my best interests to kill the people there .....Now, when can my recon ship be made ready?”
“Within the day, Sir.”
“Very well, Ardoron. See to it.”
“Yes, Lord Vashdon.”
************************
The ranch of Dr. Anna Lewis
“Are you planning a foray into the city this evening, Zev?”
“No, not yet, Doc," replies Zev with the shake of his head. "Although I'm feeling much better, QI believes that it would be prudent for me to wait two or three more days. He believes that by then I should be completely over my fight with the Vole.”
“Then you're planning to rest here at the house for the next few days?”
“No, I can work around the ranch ... that work is easy. Besides, getting out and helping Mr. Hole will do me good.”
“All right then. I’m sure that he’ll be glad to have you. I believe that they’re stringing some fence along
the North forest line tomorrow.”
“I’ll be there.”
***********************
Saturday morning along the North forest line
“That wire don’t bother him at all, do it Jackson?”
“Don't look like it, Freeman," replies the foreman with a thoughtful rub of his chin. "He handles the stuff like cotton rope. And take a look at how he plows through that brush.”
“Like it ain’t even there. Don’tchya think that's kinda strange?”
“Sure do, Freeman," matter of factly says the older man with a nod. "Now don't git me wrong, I’m not complaining, mind ya. His help has turned a two day job into a short half a day .. And thanks to that young feller I should be able to see the game this afternoon. I’m gonna have to talk with Dr. Lewis though. Something about Zev just ain’t right. I mean; he looks normal enough; but he’s just different.”
“I’ll second that, Jackson. He's got more muscles than the law allows.”
“He sure do, Freeman.”
Forty five minutes later.
“All right guys, pack it in! We’re through for the day! It’s game time,” happily announces Anna's foreman. The five men quickly jump into the ranches SUV and head back to the main compound.
“That was an excellent job, Zev. You made their work this day much easier.”
“No problem, QI. There wasn’t any reason for em to stay out here this afternoon. You heard Mr. Hole, he wanted to get back and see his sports team play. Besides, that little bit of exercise felt good.”
“I believe that you should simply refer to it, as Mr. Hole’s team. Or simply use the name of the team, Zev.”
“How so?”
“I believe his favorite team is called the Atlanta Braves. Hence, the proper phraseology would be, Mr. Hole wants to get back to see the Braves play. Or you could say he wants to get back to watch Atlanta play. Something on that order. You were a bit too formal.”
“I understand, buddy. Keep your eye on me.”
“Will do.”
Thirty minutes later the SUV crunches to a stop just outside of the "under repair" main house. Like a distrubed ant hill, everyone spills out and quickly heads off toward their cabins, something which Dr. Lewis' Dad had started years ago. Instead of a single bunkhouse, each hand at the ranch was assigned their own cabin. The idea had proved to be a hit; for everyone who had ever worked at the ranch throughout the years had loved the idea. For a small monthly payment to cover utilities, everyone had their own house.
While Zev headed to his room for a shower and a change of clothing Jackson Hole headed straight for Dr. Lewis’ study.
Minutes later.
“Come on in, Jackson," Anna says with a wave. "I was just finishing up a couple of charts before I headed back to Neon. How can I help you?”
“It’s about, Zev, Doc.”
“Is something wrong,” Anna cautiously asks as her chair slowly swivels to face her foreman.
“Naw, nothins wrong; and that’s the problem. He’s almost too good to be true, Doc. Take this morning for instance. When we were stringin wire; I ain't never seen nuthin like it. He handled the stuff without gloves and didn't git a mark on him. And he pushed through some pretty heavy stuff out there like it was nothin. Hell, I don’t think he even needed us. He just about single handily strung the whole fence.”
“It’s all done,” Anna asks, the disbelief within her voice apparent.
“Yep. Sure is,” Jackson replies with a nod.
“But you said that it would probably take a couple of days at least.”
“Should have. I dunno, Doc," the older man said with a slow shake his head. "Zev's a nice enough young fella. But there’s just somethin odd about him." Jackson slowly shook his head in a puzzled sort of way. "It’s almost like he ain’t human. First it was them stumps. Then the shed. And now this. I like him Doc, but he’s startin’ to make me kind of jittery.”
“Jittery huh?” The startled older man wheels about to face the young man at the door.
“We didn’t know you were there, Zev. Come in and close the door please,” says Anna as she motions her friend into the smallish room.“How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough, Doc," Zev says as he gently bounces himself off of the door frame. "In retrospect," he continues, a thoughtful expression upon his face, "I guess my actions have seemed a bit strange. I suppose that I could have
made a better effort to blend in; you know, showed a bit more restraint when I've been working around the ranch."
“Maybe so, Zev; but at least you have your heart in the right place. You were just trying to do the best job you could to help out.”
“I guess I’m missin something here,” says Jackson with a puzzled shake of his head.
Dr. Lewis and Zev exchange questioning glances. “What do you think, Zev,” asks Anna with a slight tilt of her head.
“I now believe that it may have been a little unrealistic to think that I could only tell you, Doc. If Mr. Hole
would be willing to keep what he hears in this room to himself, he could probably be a big help to me around here. You know; helping me to fit in better; to seem a bit more human."
“If that’s what you want, Zev. I can vouch for, Jackson. I’d trust him with my life.”
“That sounds like a pretty good endorsement to me. Mr. Hole, we’re going to trust that what you hear in this room stays just between us. Agreed?”
“Sure, Zev.” Jackson lowers his voice -- nodding toward Dr. Lewis. “Thanks Doc.”
Over the course of the next twenty minutes, Dr. Lewis tells Jackson Hole Zev’s entire story.
Anna smiles. "You can close your mouth now, Jackson." Snicker. Snicker.
The grizzled ranch foreman looks first at Zev and then back at Dr. Lewis. “Ya gotta be kiddin’ me!”
“No, we’re quite serious, Jackson,” Anna replies matter of factly.
“Zev was the guy in the suit,” Jackson quietly exclaims.
Dr. Lewis nodded. “He sure was.”
“You're sh... ah, I don’t believe it. You’re the one that beat that thing?”
Zev nods slightly. “That was me.”
“Now, ain’t that something! I always thought there had to be life out there. Now I’m
standing right next to an alien. Uh, no offense, Zev.”
“None taken,” Zev replies with a smile.
“I don’t understand what you want me to do though."
“I would like you to help me fit in around here. I want to work here, but not really standout.”
The older man opens his mouth and tilts his head back slightly. “Ah.....I see. You want me to kind of keep an eye on you and make sure ya don’t over do it.”
“That’s correct. I’ll also need your help to explain to everyone why I’m not around sometimes.”
“Yeah." Thoughtful nod "OK, I can do that, Zev. How often ya gonna be gone?”
Shrug. “That's something that I just don’t know, Mr. Hole. Circumstances will have to dictate how long and often I’ll be away.”
“Don't worry, son." Determined nod. "You can count on me, Zev.”
“Something told me that I could, Mr. Hole. Now.....don’t you have a ball game to watch?”
“Well; ah, yeah. I guess I do.”
“Do you mind showing me the finer points of .. baseball?”
“You want to watch the game with me?”
“Sure. The more that I know about your world the better I shall fit in.”
“Sounds good to me, Zev. You’re in for a real treat. Can’t beat a good baseball game,” Jackson says with a
smile, nod and gentle slap on the back.
“I’ll see you both next Wednesday when I get back from the city.”
“Right, Doc. Be careful and I’ll see you then.”
The end of Episode #2
I hope that you stop by again for the next exciting episode of Quantum Man
