The Time Travelers' Club: Chapter 44 -- Yeah, right!

Wednesday morning, after being sick only two days, Sam's life returned to normal.  He was back in school.

Sam and Emily sat in the nurse's office in the school administration area. Ms. Harvey signed a note and handed it to Sam.  All three got up.

"He looks well enough to me," said Ms. Harvey, the school nurse.  "I'll give him the good-to-go.  Hope this exam isn't an inconvenience.  If a student's been off sick, the principle likes to make sure they're well enough to come back. Keeps other kids from getting sick."

Emily gave Sam a hug and kiss. "See you tonight, honey."  Emily went to work.  Sam headed to his first class -- grammar with Mr. Laghari.  His last class of the day -- history -- was also with Mr. Laghari.

"Welcome back," said Mr. Laghari as Sam handed him the nurse's note.  Everyone looked up at him.  "I hear you had the flu really bad.  I have moved your history report to last on Thursday."

"Yes, sir," said Sam. "Thank you for letting me do my report last."

Sam walked to his seat, right behind Bon.  At some point, she would ask about the dare.  Sam was glad to have one friend in the class.  Everyone else left him alone.  They had their cliques and he had his with its only member - himself.

The day dragged on.  His mind was elsewhere, still wandering the back streets of London and his new involvement with The Time Savers Club, exploding orbs, and this Doctor Herkeimer.

After school, Sam got the chance to talk with Bon on their way to the library.

"Did you keep the dare?" asked Bon. "What happened?"

"Yes, I did," replied Sam. "She taught me how to do a time travel incantation and we went back to London in 1888.  I saw the real Jack the Ripper.  I know the true identity of Jack the Ripper."

Bon stared blankly at him at first, then started to laugh hysterically. "Please! You did not. That flu must have made you real sick. No, seriously what happened?  Did you guys sit in a closet and look at a bunch of old books full of pictures?"

Sam laughed along with her.  Mrs. Steers was right.  No one would ever believe him. In order to escape ridicule and any further questions, Sam lied to her.

"Yeah, that's what really happened." And that was that.

Bon talked about school and how Carrie Laketon in the back of the room made faces at her during her presentation on Queen Victoria. Bon headed on home while Sam went in the library to wait on his Mom.  

That evening was quiet.

Thursday morning arrived.  The alarm clock went off at exactly 7:00 a.m.  It was cold and windy outside.  Sam could feel a slight draft coming from some unseen crack.  Sam got out of bed and went through his usual routine until it was time to leave.

"Are you ready for your presentation?" said Emily. "And how about your math test?   Feeling confident?"

"I guess.  I think I'll do fine.   I did extra work on math to get ready for it.  I want to try to get an A."

Emily looked at him.  "Good for you."

The rest of the way, they walked in silence.

At school, during the last class, Sam got up in front of his classmates to give his presentation.  For some unknown reason, he was very confident when it came to public speaking. The uncaring faces didn't bother him.  Bon smiled and waved as if trying to give him an extra hurrah. Sam took a deep breath and began to read his presentation notes.

"Jack the Ripper was London's most notorious serial killer.  He mutilated six women."   Sam skated around the descriptions of their deaths although he very much wanted to show photographs of the victims.  From there, he went into more details about the unusual sights, odd sounds, and awful smells he had experienced during his trip without letting on that he had actually been there. He talked about the array of suspects, the exhaustive police search, and the scant amount of real evidence that would lead to the killer's identity.

With one final deep breathe, Sam wrapped up.  "In conclusion, the police never discovered the real Jack the Ripper.  They had several suspects, including a member of the Queen's family."

He stopped and thought to himself as he scanned the bored faces of his classmates.

Ha!  If only you all knew what I know. Sam had located an old photograph of the real killer on-line, because that is where he saw the face of the real Ripper first.  The library books weren't as photograph-filled as some of the websites he had read.

Sam wrapped up his presentation with a spoken "The End."

"Good job, Sam.  You gave a very good report."  Mr. Laghari sent Sam to his seat. "Thank you all for fantastic presentations.  We are now leaving Great Britain.  Next week, we will start a new topic. We will be exploring Ancient Egypt."

With that, the bell rang, signaling the end of the school day and the week.  Tomorrow was Friday, but it was Parent-Teacher conferences, which meant no school.  Sam was fine with that.  His mind wandered and he wasn't paying that much attention in class. Mr. Laghari stopped Sam as he meandered towards the door.

"Sam, I hope you are feeling better.  You seem like you are a hundred miles away."

Sam stood moved.  "I guess I'm still tired from being sick.  Maybe next week, I'll be back to normal."

Mr. Laghari nodded.  "Sure maybe this three-day weekend will be good for you."

Sam nodded and left.

Outside, Sam strolled slowly home, not even waiting for Bon.  He was lost in his thoughts.

Never normal again.  Have I ever been normal?  I time-traveled.  I went back to London and saw things that nobody else has seen...  Or even care about... He chuckled to himself, thinking about his classmates.  None of whom he liked.  Stupid jerks.  Losers.  They'd call me a loser.

Without hesitation, Sam stopped and shouted out loud.  "Losers!" He walked on and returned back to his thoughts.

Dad was right.  I need to move on.  I can hardly wait to go again.  Maybe Mrs. Steers will teach me soon.  And I could go alone and get away from this place.

Sam picked up his pace.  Mrs. Steers had opened a whole new door of endless destinations.   Even more, he felt restless and his thoughts raced.

I could leave this time and never come back. I could just travel from one time to another. Until I get lost in time.  Never come back.

Sam shook his head, chasing away the thoughts.

No. Mom needs me.  But if I'm gone only a few minutes from here...  and I could spend days... no weeks... or even better months away... I'm ready for new adventures.  Since Ancient Egypt is next, maybe a trip to the building of the pyramids would be good.

As usual, Sam had perked himself up and snapped out of his mood.

The Time Travelers' Club: Chapter 43 -- Feeling Better

"I deeply appreciate you watching Sam," said Emily.

"Think nothing of it," said Mrs. Steers.  "Sam is such a nice boy. I hope that it's not anything serious."

"No.  The doctor said the flu is going around."  Emily put on her coat, grabbing her bag, and headed out the door.

Mrs. Steers looked in at Sam.  She could only see the top of his head under the blankets, so she went back into her part of the house, accidentally bumping into the door.  It banged against the wall.  She stopped to listen in case she had woken him.  Hearing nothing, she left.

Sam opened his eyes.  The clock read 9:34 a.m.  He had woken twice in the night, only to fall asleep soon after.   His fever had broken and his pajamas and sheets were soaked again with sweat.

"Mom?   Are you out there?"  Silence. Sam threw off the blankets. Although it was warm in the apartment, the air still sent a chill over him. Sam crept out into the living room.  He noticed the door in the laundry room was open.

Sam grabbed clean clothes and headed to the bathroom.  After twenty minutes of standing under warm water, he dried, dressed, and heard his stomach rumble.  After stuffing his wet clothes in the hamper, Sam opened the bathroom door.

"Sam, are you okay?"  Sam jumped.  Mrs. Steers was sitting on the sofa, knitting.

"I'm fine.  Where's my mom?"  Sam went to the kitchen and grabbed some crackers.

"She went to work for a little while."  Mrs. Steers looked up from her knitting. "Goodness, you look tired."

"Yea, I am."  Sam sunk into a nearby chair and closed his eyes.  He dozed for a few moments, listening to the clicking of knitting needles.

"Are you awake?" said Mrs. Steers, not missing a stitch.

Sam opened his eyes.

"Now you've experienced your first, and hopefully only case, of time-traveling sickness."

"What?  Really?" said Sam.

"After the first trip, I was sick for three days, but now I never get sick. You'll get used to it."

Sam looked at her uninterested. "Sorry, I'd be more excited, but I'm so tired."

"I understand. Why don't you go back to bed and rest a little?  I think in a few hours you'll feel better."

Sam trudged back to his newly made-up bed.

"I put on clean sheets," said Mrs Steers.  Your others were soaked.  A good sweat will do you good. Gets rid of all the toxins."

Sam thanked her and crawled into bed.  As she closed his bedroom curtains, she spotted someone outside coming up the sidewalk. It was Rose.

"Sam, I'll be back in a while.  I'll leave the laundry room door open."

Sam rolled over on his side and shut his eyes.

Mrs. Steers hurried down the stairs. Rose was just coming in.

"Did you master that locating incantation?" asked Mrs. Steers.  "I would truly be amazed."

Rose slipped off her coat and hung it on the coat rack. "I wish. That would make me a champion. Nobody's mastered that one. Well... maybe a couple a long time ago.  I met with Trenda and Xavier. Trenda said they are willing to help. We also had a guest. Bruno showed up. We took care of him."

"What did he want?" said Mrs. Steers, putting the tea kettle on to boil, then retrieved two mugs.

"Nothing. He was spying. Without a doubt, the Doctor wants to know what we're up to. I guess he thinks turnabout is fair play."

"Did we learn anything from Bruno?" Mrs. Steers got a chilled apple pie from the refrigerator and sliced two pieces.

"No. The doctor seems to have something up his sleeve other than his arm, but what his plans are... Who knows." Rose shrugged her shoulders while grabbing two plates and forks.

The tea kettle began to whistle. Mrs. Steers turned off the stove and poured the boiling water into the a teapot.

"We'll find out eventually," said Mrs. Steers.

Meanwhile upstairs, Sam tossed and turned, so he got back up and stretched. Now, he felt a little better.

Shuffling towards the kitchen, he passed the laundry room and saw the open door. The dimly-lit hallway seemed to call to him, beckoning him to explore. Sam couldn't resist.

Sneaking into the upstairs hallway, he immediately felt the temperature change.  The floral-patterned wallpaper was dark like the hallway wallpaper downstairs. Closed doors had cracks of light at the bottom. He turned a couple of doorknobs.  Both locked. Portraits and paintings of historical scenes hung on the walls. Narrow tables sat underneath them stacked with dusty old books, rustic curios, and letters and papers tied up with old ribbons.

After passing two doors on each side of the hallway, he came to the top of the stairs. He could hear voices coming from somewhere downstairs. Then he noticed they echoed up through a grate in the wall across from the stairway. Sam could hear Mrs. Steers talking to Rose. Kneeling down, he pressed his right ear against the warm metal grate.

Downstairs in the kitchen, Mrs. Steers was talking. "Trenda probably doesn't know anything either, does he?"

"No," said Rose, blowing on her tea before a quick sip. "He had no ideas to offer.  I think he's waiting on you."

Mrs. Steers sighed. "So far, we have so little information about what he is actually thinking. We know he has tried on several occasions to shift time, but the big question is why? There has to be a reason.  First of all, Dr. Herkeimer has control issues.  He doesn't think about the consequences of his actions. He has no idea how this shifting of time will change everything. Why would a person not think about their actions and their consequences?"

For a few moments, Rose and Mrs. Steers contemplated in silence as they finished their apple pie.

"Guilt? Maybe he feels guilty about something in his past?" Rose got up and put her plate in the sink. "We need to investigate that possibility more. Keep researching, Lottie."

Upstairs with his ear still against the grate, Sam thought to himself.  Dr. Herkeimer.  Mrs. Steers told me about him, but she didn't say too much.  I wonder...

Further down the hall, someone or something broke the line of light at the bottom of a door.  He could hear rustling and something that sounded like drawers opening and closing then a closet door inside a room.

Sam's eyes widen. He could get caught. Getting up, he tiptoed as fast as he could back to the laundry room and shut the door. Now, he pressed his ear against the door. All was quiet. He cracked the door just enough to see. 

A door creaked open and someone in a dark cloak stepped out of the room and went downstairs.

Opening the laundry room door all the way, Sam heard their apartment door open. His Mom was home and saw him.

"Well, it looks like you're feeling better. Why is that door open? And where's Mrs. Steers?"

"She went downstairs through here. I just got up and was about to call for her."

Not more than a few seconds later, Mrs. Steers appeared at the top of the stairs.

"Oh, you're up.  And you're home," said Mrs. Steers. "I had to go downstairs to check on something. Don't be upset. I left this door wide open. I think I may leave it unlocked from now on."

Emily put her tote filled with books on the kitchen table, hung up her coat, and gave Sam a big hug.  "You don't have to do that. We don't want to invade your privacy."

Mrs. Steers shook her head.  "It's not a problem. It will be better. That way, if you want Sam, you can call first and then come this way to help yourself to books in my library."

Emily started to argue, but was cut off.

"I'd rather have Sam come through here when you're gone or when he needs books rather than go outside in this cold nasty weather."

Mrs. Steers winked at him.  Emily hesitated, then let it go.  Mrs. Steers had given Sam the opportunity to explore her personal treasure trove.  He was excited.

The Time Travelers' Club: Chapter 42 -- Trying to Run

Clouds moved across the moon.  Sam raced down the foggy alley towards the only source of light -- a lamppost with a flickering gas flame.   Illuminating only a small area, Sam could make out the red brick walls and the muddy stone sidewalk underfoot.  Grabbing the cold metal lamppost, he peered into pitch blackness behind and in front of him.  Wiping away sweat from his forehead, Sam listened for footsteps.

Without warning, a cobalt orb flew towards him striking the lamppost just above his head.  Kwack!  The orb shattered into shooting flares.  Sam fell to the ground rolling away, but still felt its hot cinders as they fell on his bare arms.

"I’m coming to get you Sammy!"  A deep ominous voice echoed and hissed from nowhere yet everywhere.  Wide-eyed, Sam jumped up running into the darkness with his hands out in front of him feeling for anything.

"You can runnnnn… but you won’t get farrrrr…"  The sinister voice boomed again.  "Tryyy to run Sammy boy… I’m gonna get youuu…  Hehe hehe hehe... Gonna get you... Gonna get youuuuu..."

Sam ran as fast as he could despite the fact he couldn’t see in the dark.   He had to get away from his unseen assailant.  Just as he slowed a little, with his hands out in front, feeling for something, a bright cobalt blue orb flew past him on the left.  Another one whizzed by him on the right barely missing his hand, disappearing into the darkness. Then one sailed close to his left arm.  The last one smashed into a wall sending sparks everywhere.

For a brief moment, Sam could see the brick walls on both sides and above.  He was in a covered passageway.  Coming to a dead stop, Sam circled in place trying to feel something.  

There’s got to be a door or a window… Wait…  I feel something… a wall… bricks… rough bricks...

He felt his way along the brick wall until he felt something soft and woolly.   In the darkness, rough hands grabbed Sam's wrists.  Sam screamed.

"Now, I’ve got you, Sammmmy boy…" hissed the voice echoing in a multitude of directions in the darkness.  Foul breath filled Sam's nostrils, making him nauseous.  Clinching his eyes shut and trying not to be sick, Sam struggled, trying to release himself from the strong hands of his unseen captor.

"Let me go!" yelled Sam. "Let me go!"

"You’re not getting away from me thissss time…  I’m gonna break youuuu…"

"Stop it! Stop it! Let me go!"  Struggling, Sam cried out into the darkness. "Help me! Someone… Help me!"  Tears rolling down his cheeks, he felt helpless.  From behind him, a boney hand reached around and covered his mouth while another wrapped around his stomach like a boa constrictor.

"Quiet… We mustn’t wake anyone…"  The voice whispered.  "We mustn't...  We mustn't... Besides it's too late for you..."

In the pitch black, Sam frantically struggled to free himself, but the strong hands held tight to his wrists.   Finally, the hand covering his mouth disappeared, only to be replaced with a foul tasting cloth being shoved into it.   He could feel a rope being wrapped around his wrists.  So tight the rope cut into this skin.  He could feel searing pain as it was tightened.

With a brisk push from behind, Sam fell to the ground, hitting the hard brick street with a thud.  Lying on the ground, an unseen foot rolled him on his back.  He looked up. He could see what looked like stars in clear sky.  Moonlight came from somewhere behind a rooftop.

Wait…  I thought I was in a tunnel...  I see moonlight… I can see moonlight.  Is that the sky?   No… No... it’s the ceiling fan…  Sam focused as he lay on the area rug on the floor next to his bed.  It’s just a nightmare…

The streetlamp’s light in front of the Steers' house shone on the ceiling fan in his room.   Moving slowly, Sam tried to sit up.  He had fallen onto the rug.  His tee-shirt was wrapped up around his mouth.   His blankets helped break the fall, but he had gotten his hands wrapped up in them.  His bed sheet was twisted and wrapped around him.   Sweat rolled down his forehead.  He was soaked with sweat again.

"Just a nightmare…" moaned Sam.

"Sam?"  Grandma Henry slowly pushed open the door.  Looking at him on the floor, she helped untangle him.  "You must have had some nightmare.  And your Mom must be dead to the world.  I don't think she stirred.  I heard something thud. Must have been you hitting the floor."

After freeing him from the knotted mess, he changed into clean pajamas, while Grandma Henry put on clean bedding. Sam crawled back under the covers.  The clock’s red numbers glowed 3:15 a.m.   Within a few moments, he fell asleep and Grandma Henry snuggled back under her covers on the living room sofa.

The next morning, barely awake, Sam dragged himself from bed.  The clock glowed 7:04 a.m.  It was a cloudy Sunday morning.  Snow flew past his window.

Sitting on the side of the bed, he cleared the nightmare from his head, only to have them replaced by the mysterious meeting with his deceased Dad in the alley.   He mulled the spiritual visit and contemplated what he had seen and heard.  His Dad's advice about enjoying life's adventures repeated in his mind.

Sam cried a little, trying to wrap his mind around the experience.  He wondered why Mrs. Steers didn't want to know.  Or at least why she didn't want him to talk about it.  That's what he really wanted to do -- talk about it.  He wanted more answers from her. More information about time-travel and the whole club.

"Good morning, Sam," said Grandma Henry, slowly pushing his door open.  "Feeling better?"

Sam barely nodded, ready to fall back into bed.

"Why don't you go back to sleep?"  She kissed him on the cheek, helped him back into bed, and pulled the door shut behind her.

Sam slept for most of the day, waking for short periods of time.  Emily eventually went to work while Grandma Henry stayed with him.

The Time Travelers' Club: Chapter 41 -- A Special Assignment

Dr. Herkeimer and Fulop Farkas went to the basement of the Doctor's mansion.

They entered a well-equipped laboratory with a long table with beakers, test tubes in stands, and a couple of Bunsen burners.  There were bottles with unrecognizable substances and liquids in them.

"I want you to work on these."  Dr. Herkeimer handed Fulop several sheets of paper. "I have copied them from the book. They are potions. This is my old research lab. You can use it. You will have to get the ingredients.  Here is some money."

The Doctor handed Fulop an envelope with cash in it.  "Let me know if you need more. There's a thousand dollars there.  Enough to get started."

Shuffling the sheets of paper, Fulop read over the first one and turned it over.  "Is this it? Where's the rest of the potion?"

Dr. Herkeimer brushed off his question.  "You are to make them so we can use them."

Fulop read over the next few pages.  Scratching his head, he turned to asked the Doctor the same question.  The Doctor was leaving the room.  As he shut the door behind him, he said.  "Let me know when the first batch is finished and ready to use."

After the Doctor left, Fulop read over each, then walked around the laboratory.

"Life saving potion."  Fulop read aloud the top paper.  "First, you will need some blood...   Oh that's just great...  What kind of blood... Fresh? Dried? Human?"   

As he continued to read, he became more confused about the recipe and exactly what he needed.

"Mix it with a straw from a witch's broomstick...  Now where am I..."  

A mouse ran across the table.  Fulop shook his head and walked around the laboratory, picking up various bottles and jars, trying to decipher what was written on the labels.

When he picked up a book of herbal medicines, a small photograph fell out onto the table.  Fulop picked it up.  

It was of three children -- two boys and a girl.  On the back was a handwritten note.  "Taken at the cottage.  Summer."   He tucked the photograph back in the book and continued to look around.

"There is no way that these can be made.  Especially not here.   I'm going to need more money."  Fulop crumpled the envelope.  "A lot more.  And cleaning supplies.  This place is filthy.  Nobody's used it in years."  

He ran his hand over the dust-covered worktable in front of him.

"Insane.  The Doctor is very insane."

The Time Travelers' Club: Chapter 40 -- Sick Days

"Hi, this is Emily Henry, Sam’s Mom.  I am keeping him home today.  He's sick.  Maybe the flu."

It was Monday morning.  Emily sat on the corner of Sam’s bed, talking to the school’s secretary.  Covered with a heavy blanket and with a thermometer stuck in his mouth, Sam could only hear murmured responses.

"Really.  Several other cases of the flu. It must be going around."   Emily listened for a moment.  "Yes, Bon could do that.  Ok. Thanks. Bye." Emily turned to Sam.  "Sounds like there are several other students with the flu.   Bon is bringing your homework, so you don’t get behind."

Sam tried to smile, but he couldn’t get enthused about homework right now.  He felt hot and sweaty from the fever, ached all over, and longed to sleep.

Emily went to the living room.  He could hear his mom on her cell phone talking to the doctor’s office.

"Yes, about 100.3…." She paused.  "Today at 10:30. Yes, we can make it."  Then there was silence.

"Hi, Judy. It’s Emily. Sam’s sick…"  Emily paused.  "Oh dear…  It really must be going around..."  She paused again.  "I plan on being in by 2 and work until closing.  I’m going to ask Mrs. Steers if she can watch him for a few hours."

Emily went into her bedroom.  Sam could hear her talking to someone else, then she came back into his bedroom.  "How do you feel?"

Sam barely opened his eyes and, in a low moan, said.  "I may die soon…  It’s so hot in here... I'm soaked."

Emily chuckled over his dramatics.  "I think you’ll live.  Grandma's taking us to the doctor’s office."   She looked at Sam, who had dozed off.

About an hour later, Grandma Henry arrived.  Lois Henry was in her early sixties but looked young for her age.  She loved being a mother-in-law and a Grandma, since she had no daughters, just two sons, and only one grandchild.

Emily hugged her.   "Thanks for coming. Dad not with you?"

"He's gone to his fishing club meeting.  How’s Sam doing?" asked Grandma Henry, shedding her coat and throwing it on the couch.

"I haven’t checked in a while.  I let him sleep while I got ready."  Grandma Henry peeked into Sam’s room.

Between the two of them, they managed to get Sam, all wrapped up in his blanket, into the car and off to the doctor’s office, arriving on time.

 Fortunately, they waited only about fifteen minutes, before seeing Doctor Joe.  Sam thought he looked very distinguished with his salt and pepper goatee.  Doctor Joe examined Sam citing "the flu bug going around" and prescribed a couple of days of bed rest, flu medicine, and good old-fashioned chicken soup.

"See how he feels in a couple of days," advised Dr. Joe.  "I think he will be able to go back to school by Wednesday or Thursday.  It’s a short-lived bug."

Sam didn't care how short or long it lived.  He only wanted to sleep.

Back home, Sam changed back into his pajamas and crawled back into bed.

"I'll be back in a little while to spend the night with you just like I did with your Dad,” said Grandma Henry. “Maybe if you're up to it, I can tell you some stories about him when he was your age. Would you like that?"  Sam smiled.  Grandma Henry kissed his forehead and left just as Mrs. Steers came in through the laundry room entrance.

Emily introduced them. Grandma Henry said she would be back by about seven that evening.

Since Emily wanted to miss as little work as possible, Mrs. Steers volunteered to watch Sam without being asked.

"Thanks for sitting with Sam.  I think he'll sleep for most of the afternoon."  Emily put on her coat.  "Oh, and Bon Wilkinson will be coming by with Sam's homework later."

"Don't worry, I'll be waiting for her.  I can do some reading and check in on him from time to time."  Mrs. Steers followed Emily to the door and watched her go down the stairs.

"I'll be home by 6," she yelled from the bottom of the stairs.  "And my mother-in-law promised Sam she would spend the night as well."

"Okay. Bye," said Mrs. Steers.

Mrs. Steers went to Sam's room.  He had woken up.

In a low groggy voice, Sam said.  "I think I caught something in London.  I may die soon."

"No, probably not.  I can tell you what you have.  Time-travel sickness.  It's like a combination of the flu and jet-lag."  She explained that he had spent too much time on his first trip and that was the reason he was sick. It had happened to both Albert and her.  "You'll be fine by tomorrow, then we can talk.”

Sam tried to keep his eyes open but nodded off.

Mrs. Steers set up a workspace at the kitchen table.  She organized her large piles of paper and several yellow notepads on the kitchen table.

"Lottie, there's a lot of research to do," she said to herself.  "Then you have to prepare your results and present them."

Several hours passed, Mrs. Steers was focusing on an oversize booklet when someone knocked on the apartment door.  It was Bon with Sam’s homework.

"Hi. I hope I'm not bothering you."

"No.  I knew you were coming.  Sam is sleeping.  Is that Sam's homework?"  Bon handed her a large manila envelope.

"Yes, we just have a couple of short assignments.  He chose a good time to be sick, if he doesn't want to get behind."

"Very good," said Mrs. Steers, holding the packet of homework.  "Thank you for dropping this off."

Bon said goodbye and left.  Laying the homework on Emily's desk, Mrs. Steers went back to reading her notes.

"Hmmm... I wonder if this is the same one?"  She mumbled, examining a photograph in the booklet she had been reading.  "If they had two children, then maybe one of them could be the one I'm looking for."

She made a note on her notepad.  Look for a similar Henry in New York City.

Around the Block: Episode 6 -- The Piano Player

There's a new arrival in town.  His name is Louis J,  a musician, piano player, and singer of sad songs, busty ballads, and lustful lyrics.  His well-known signature outfit is a sailor hat and jacket, just like his well-known hero, The Captain, the piano player in a well-known 1970s duo who were well-known for keeping it together. Louis J is moving into a studio on the third floor of the Brickston Building where he will teach and write music to tone-deaf matriarchs in need of a good tuning.

With his piano arriving, the mover now has to wait on his crew to arrive to take it up the stairs.  Louis J tells the mover that he is excited about his first gig and is sure to be a hit at the local monthly music festival, locally called Brickstock.  He has a new hit entitled Slipping over You, about a heart broken disco dancer who has lost his ability to disco.

While waiting for the crew, Louis J decides to play for anyone listening.  His first song he ever wrote, You Load 16 Bricks, a tribute to Cole Porter and Huey Lewis, draws the attention of everyone on the street, including Petula, a doberman pinscher, and his owner, Dr. Elliott M. Cass.  Petula who is known for his rudeness, begins to sway at the musical interlude. Dr. Cass, on the other hand, becomes teary-eyed because the song reminds him of his late wife, Dr. Mrs. Cass. She's not dead, just late for their lunch date.

Finally, Louis J's manager and partner in musical mayhem, Peter Paul, shows up in his signature costume -- a llama suit which he has named Mary. Peter Paul distributes flyers about their classes and performances and tells people about Louis J's tragic story of having no musical talent until one day he was hit by a falling brick. A brick which literally appeared from nowhere while Louis J was standing in the middle of a corn field.  After that mysterious brick's appearance, Louis J has had perfect pitch and been able to play the piano.  The crowd continues to grow and Louis J is a hit!

Meanwhile down the street, Arthur P. Hallis, is passing out bananas to the members of The Banana Peelers Club in anticipation of their upcoming gathering.  Professor Ignatius Quizzes is very impressed by the size and weight of the banana he has been given and can hardly wait to peel it.

The Time Travelers' Club: Chapter 39 -- The Doctor Again

Dr. Herkeimer glared at his minions.  They now numbered seven. Only mourned by Vincent, Quince had been buried a few days ago.

Their mission, as dictated by the Doctor, was to take control of time and change history.

"I have summoned you all here today for a reason,” said the Doctor.  “I want a complete copy of the book.  I must have a complete copy."  He paced back and forth in front of the fireplace.

His incomplete copy of the Namvelt's book on time travel was one of the known seven to exist, however, certain pages had been removed or torn out years before he acquired it as a medical student.  At the time, he had had no knowledge of its true power.  Only the Doctor used the book, keeping it locked away.  He taught each member of his group the incantations he thought they could master well.  Now, many years later, his desire to master its incantations consumed him.  The ultimate prize for him was to change history, but his true reason for the quest remained his secret, known only to him.

"I want you to follow the boy," said Dr. Herkeimer.  "He must be very important to them. What is it that they call themselves?"

"They call themselves The Time Travelers’ Club," said Dreda, more interested in her travel magazine.

Dreda Caligar had flopped on the sofa and put her feet up in the coffee table. She made it clear that she had lived in many exotic places.  Her parents were travelers.  She was fluent in several languages, including ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs.   Her education was common sense.

"What the hell does that mean, darrrling?"  Rolling his "r", Tinean sat on the opposite end of the sofa, but leaned towards Dreda, grinning at her.  Short for 'Argentinean', no one knew his real name.  He had mastered only the time-travel incantation. His real abilities were in precision marksmanship in hand-held weapons such as whips, swords, and daggers, despite his glass eye which looked like a clear marble.  He reached out to touch her leg.

"Get away, you slime dog," said Dreda, rebuffing his gesture of over-friendliness.  "Your breath stinks.  And besides, I never kiss a man who can't even tell me his real name."

Tinean leaned back the other way.

"To answer your question, it means people knew who we were." Dreda was smug and proud.  "We didn't call ourselves The Vagabonds."

Dr. Herkeimer shook his head.  "Such a feeble name.  The Time Travelers’ Club.  You would think they could come up with a more sophisticated name."

Vincent glanced around at the others.  He still grimaced at the idea of this group and their mission.  He wished he could get away from them.

Vincent Waldhead stood furthest away since he feared the Doctor was still angry with him over the death of poor Quince.  With a flair for dramatics, Vincent had advanced degrees and once taught ancient history in several well-known universities.  He had also worked as an actor in his younger days.  He was the most recent recruit to the Doctor's group.

"This boy…  What is his name?"  The Doctor stopped pacing.

"Sam.  Sam Henry," said Dreda lazily still browsing her magazine.  "He's eleven years old.  Surely he knows nothing."

Dr. Herkeimer turned red-faced.   Gritting his teeth and flexing his jaw, he corrected her.  "You do not decide what this Sam Henry knows.  I know he is the key to getting the books.  You don’t tell me what is important.  I will tell you what is important.”

Dreda glanced up from her reading long enough to give a look that said "so-what."

"I want to know everything about this Sam Henry," said the Doctor.  "Where he goes!  What he does!   Everything and anything.  He will slip up and when he does, I want to be ready.   I know they have three copies of the book now.  That means that three copies may still be in existence."

Dr. Herkeimer speculated to himself. "They may have been lost since their printing.  It is assumed that the original Russian text and the papyrus scroll Namvelt used to translate the text from have long been destroyed. Bruno, what did you find out?"  He glared at him.

Bruno, sprawled in a chair in the back of the room, gave no answer and just stared down at the floor.

"I see," said Dr. Herkeimer.

Growing up the weakest in an orphanage, Bruno grew to be the strongest and, when standing, towered over everyone else. While on his travels in Japan, the Doctor had found Bruno working as a fisherman on a Japanese trawler. With his athletic build, he had enough strength to easily lift a person and toss them several feet.  Much to the Doctor's delight, Bruno had mastered the incantation of deflecting orbs.

"If there are copies left of the Russian version.  I can translate it." Fulop Farkas, a Hungarian, leaned his chair back against the wall, balancing it perfectly on its back legs.  He was the most mysterious as far as his personal history, with even Dr. Herkeimer not knowing much about him. Farkas claimed to be a scientist and pledged his allegiance on some days to a former world superpower, and on other days, to the Doctor.

Dr. Herkeimer laughed, applauding Farkas.  "You see. One member understands and will do what it takes.  I have a very special job for you."

Dreda glanced over at a small-framed Chinese man in a pure white linen suit standing near a draped window.  He glared back at her.  She rolled her eyes and sighed.

Fan Kong Tu had supposedly fled China into Siberia in Russia.  Eventually, he traveled to Alaska using fake passports and various name changes.  He had a dark history and rarely spoke to anyone except the Doctor, and never while others were within ear shot.

Dr. Herkeimer gave orders.  "Vincent and Dreda.  You are to start in New London.  Follow the boy without getting too close.  I want to learn as much as we can.  Steers obviously has a great deal of confidence in him.  The rest of you will be given assignments.  Please see me individually."

With that, Dr. Herkeimer dismissed them.  "Remember... You will make the world a better place..."  His voice was sweet and comforting, yet they knew below his soft words was a hard man.

In the corner, Dr. Herkeimer sat down in his high-back chair that towered almost eight feet up.  At the top in the center of its crest was a carved scowling demonic face.  Its eyes were two white pearls with painted black pupils, that appeared to stare at anyone who stood in front of it.  It was the only piece in the room that didn't match the rest of the furnishings. He stretched his fingers out as he rubbed the wooden arms back and forth.  

Staring into the fire, he mumbled to himself over and over.  "I must have a complete copy. I must have a complete copy. I must have a complete copy."

The Time Traveler's Club: Chapter 38 -- Tackling Bruno

At six-foot and with a bulky build, Bruno had a great deal of "street smarts" as well as being the toughest and strongest of Dr. Herkeimer's minions.  Bruno stuck out in a crowd and looked odd hiding on the other side of a Volkswagen.

"Looks like we have company," said Trenda, rubbing his chin.

"Is he trying to spy on us?" said Rose.  "I'm puzzled why Bruno cast the incantation?  I'm surprised he knew it. Why not wait until we leave then cast it?"

"Who knows. I think we can handle him," said Trenda, standing up to get a better look.

Xavier got up, straightened his jacket and hat, and sipped the last of his chai.  "How about a little fun with our boy Bruno?"

Trenda grinned.  "I'm in."

"Out of my way."  Rose squeezed her way between them, feisty and ready to rumble.

Outside, Bruno somehow managed to hide behind an old pick-up truck on the other side of the street.  When the trio came out, they acted nonchalant, pretending to be chatting.  The people on the street had slowed to a complete standstill, barely moving to the naked eye.

"He's hiding somewhere," said Rose.  "He probably thinks we didn't spot him.  Part one of the plan.  Let's pretend to walk away like we didn't notice him. Let's go over to the park"

Bruno now peeked around the van's bumper and watched them stroll to the corner then cross towards the square.

"And the next step?" asked Xavier.

"I don't plan that far ahead," said Rose. Annoyed, Xavier glanced at Trenda who just shrugged his shoulders.

Bruno ducked behind cars parked along the street, watching them stop to chat. It wasn't long before he was close enough to hear their conversation.

"My thoughts are we should ditch the boy," said Rose, winking.  "He's no good to us."

"I agree," said Xavier, looking again at Trenda.  "Why should we let him have all the fun?"   Xavier and William glanced over at Rose, then at each other.

Xavier mouthed.  "I don't know.  Just play along."  Trenda signaled with his eyes towards Bruno's hiding place.

Smirking, she strutted in Bruno's direction.  "I think that is a perfectly grand idea.   The boy knows nothing, so why should we involve him."

Continuing up the sidewalk, they noticed that the slow incantation began to wear off, just in time for Xavier and Trenda to encounter an unsuspecting kid who almost ran into them.

"Sorry old chap," said Xavier.  The kid smiled, caught off guard by their sudden appearance.

Rose spied Bruno's blurry reflection in a window.

"We have company over there.  He's hiding behind the parked cars across the street.  I can see his reflection in that window."

Playing it cool, Trenda and Xavier turned to look.

"I think it's time to slow things down," said Xavier.  "Shall I or would you like to do the honors?"

"Don't mind if I do," said Trenda.  With that, he spoke that slow incantation and once again everyone around them crept again to a snail's pace.

Bruno saw everything slow down and stood up from behind a yellow convertible.

They knew the fight would be tough since Bruno could deflect their orbs.  In recent history, no one had mastered that incantation.  Bruno was the only one.  However, he had one weakness.  He feared being ganged up on -- something he experienced a lot when he was a kid in the orphanage.  Mrs. Steers discovered this by pure coincidence. Bruno had been extremely weak and frail as a child.

Walking out into the middle of stand-still traffic, Rose graciously greeted him.  "Welcome.  Are you sight-seeing?  Enjoying the city?  Or perhaps you have been listening in on our conversation?"

"I had no idea you were here," said Bruno.

"Nice try, Bruno," said Rose.  "I noticed that you seem to be playing a game of hide and seek.  Or were you checking tires?"

Bruno grinned, knowing he had been caught, and took a swing at her. She instantly ducked and Bruno almost hit Xavier instead.

Xavier leaned back, missing the huge fist by inches. "Excuse me. It’s bad manners to strike a woman."

"I don't have none," Bruno chuckled. 

Before Xavier could finish, Rose had kicked Bruno in the shin.

Bruno bent over, grabbed his now-aching shin, and fell back against a nearby car.  "Why do you always go for my shins?"

Rose ran back out into the street and leaned against a passing car.  Using it for leverage, she leapt from the car’s fender into the air and kicked Bruno in his side.

Trenda threw the first orb, a yellow one about the size and shape of a lemon. It sailed towards Bruno's legs. He quickly separated his legs for the orb to sail between them and hit the pavement right below him.  Bruno leapt sideways to avoid the sparks.

Xavier watched, not moving. "Nice jump.  Ever try out for the ballet?"

"Yea," said Bruno.  "I did once."

"Really," said Xavier, surprised.

"Wouldn't take me.  Too tall.  Made all the ballerinas look short."

Xavier laughed at the thought of seeing a six-foot towering brute of man gracefully pirouette across a stage.  

Rose, on the other hand, was ready to fight and hurling another orb at him.  It barely missed him.  Bruno was caught off guard and grunted at her.  Rose simply grimed and cocked an eyebrow.  Trenda hurled another orb but missed Bruno and crashed into a wooden park bench, sending flares out in all directions.

Rose sprinted with Bruno chugging right behind her. She dashed between trees until she reached the center grassy area of the park. She turned to face Bruno as he barreled towards her.

Taking a stance like a baseball pitcher, Rose began hurling orbs from both hands.  Bruno skidded to a stop, bouncing back and forth as orbs bounced on both sides of him.  Rose laughed at him.

Trenda and Xavier hid behind nearby trees.  For an instance, Xavier thought Rose had gone mad.   Her red orbs flew all over.  Some striking trees, some metal lamp posts, and one even exploded in the water fountain causing water to splash up like bombs going off in old war movies.  Amazingly, her aim was so fine-tuned that she never hit anyone, including Bruno.

Bruno frantically surveyed the scene then stood up.  By this point, Rose had slowed to only one orb every five seconds, still aiming at non-human objects.   Bruno started walking towards her.  Rose aimed her orbs directly at his broad chest. The orbs burst into flames in front of him.

Trenda and Xavier marveled at his ability to use the deflecting incantation so well.  However, the spell had one weakness.  It could only deflect orbs in the front, leaving his rear vulnerable.

Trenda finally tugged at Xavier's coat sleeve.  "Hey.  Don't you think we'd better help her?  Judging by the looks of it, our pal there has mastered that incantation very well and he's not slowing.   Lucky for us to be on his back side."

Xavier grinned.  "Shall we dance cheek to cheek?  To quote an old song."

Trenda and Xavier came out from their hiding place, each forming orbs the size of apricots, and aimed for each of Bruno's back cheeks.

With his eye on his target, Trenda said.  "I think this will be the right size to sting.  What do you think?"

"I agree," said Xavier.  "One for the money..."

"Two for the show..." followed Trenda.

"Three to get ready..."

"And four to go."  Their orbs struck their targets dead-on.

Bruno jumped and yelped as his pants began to smoke.   Losing his concentration on the Deflecting incantation, the pain from the flames now blazing on his behind, sent him jumping into a fountain.

"Good work, boys," said Rose, pointing at Bruno.  "Looks like you caught a big one."

The three met at the fountain.  Now was their chance to pump Bruno for information about Dr. Herkeimer's plans.

Splashing about in the fountain, Bruno’s arms flailed above his head.  Finally, he sat up.  By now, they surrounded him and stood ready for an orb attack.

"Give up?" asked Rose.

Bruno ran his hand over his wet, flushed face, wiping the dripping water from his eyes. "Never!"

"Well, aren't you being quite contrary," said Xavier.  "It wasn't really a choice."

"Ha. I can zap outta here at any moment," said Bruno. Around them, people began to pick up speed.  Time returned to normal, but the foursome paid no attention. No one was close enough to them to care.

"We know you can't zip away," said Trenda. "One of your buddies will have to come get you.  Who dropped you off?  Your friend, the Doctor?"

Bruno glanced at Rose and smirked.  "Your friend."

Rose knew immediately who he was talking about.  Dreda. "She wouldn't dare show up here. Besides, we only want to talk to you."

"What is your foolish master trying to change?" said Rose.  "Why does he want a complete copy of the book?"

Bruno shrugged his shoulders.  "I donna know. Only he knows."

Rose formed a tiny orb and rolled it between her fingers.  "Want to give me a better answer?"

Bruno watched the rolling orb.  "Honest.  The Doc doesn't let us look at the book.  He only tells us what to do.  Saying "You all make the world a better place by helpin' me."  I don't know what his plans are.  Honest."

Rose believed him, not surprised by the insane secrecy of the Doctor.

"I say we let this fight end in a draw," said Trenda.

Although Bruno had no manners, he did have respect for the rules of the fight.   Never kill any innocent bystanders.  Never transition during the fight.  And always respect any deaths.  And Bruno appreciated the draw.

As they backed away, Bruno crawled out of the fountain, soaked to the skin.

"Have a good day," said Rose sarcastically.  Xavier and Trenda took her by the arms and led her away.

"You just don't give up, do you?” said Xavier.

Rose rolled her eyes.

"How about some lunch?" said Trenda.

"If you're buying, I'm with you," said Xavier.  They left Bruno to dry out, not noticing they were being watched as they left.

Rose yelled back to Bruno.  "Thanks for the fun."

Not caring, Bruno wrung out as best he could.

"I see that didn't go well?"  Vincent appeared out from the other side of the fountain.  "Did you find out anything?"

"No. I told you it wouldn't work."

Vincent stood prim and proper, watching Bruno wiggling back and forth trying to dry off.  

"Obviously my only concern is that we accomplished our mission for the day which was to spy on them. Maybe get some information.  And obviously that didn’t go well.  Let's get out of here.

Vincent put his hand on Bruno's arm, and they were gone.