The Time Traveler's Club: Chapter 37 -- A West Coast Meeting

Xavier Graff was enjoying his favorite view of San Francisco, looking at its skyline from the coast.   The sunny vibrant city gave him strength and a satisfying feeling of freedom.   Here, his outfit of a bright yellow sport coat, dark brown pants with matching newsboy cap, and yellow patent leather shoes meant that he had no reason to hide or even be stared at.  It was the city where he could be himself and he loved it.

Looking down at the choppy dark waters of San Francisco Bay, he thought for a moment about life and himself.

What a day.  What a life!  Who else could live this life? All thanks to one book.  Imagine that.   One book could change a man's life.  Some have Shakespeare.  Some have Dante.  I learned incantations.  One of which is for time travel.

A hard wind blew with a smell of salty water, but he didn't notice.   Squawking seagulls broke his concentration, then he looked down and wondered if anyone had spotted him from below.   Sitting on top of one of the red-painted towers of the Golden Gate Bridge, he doubted anyone would or could see him.  He felt lucky.  He jumped up and shouted.

"Ha!  How many other people can say they've sat on the tip-top of the Golden Gate Bridge and ponder life?"

Xavier laughed, then flipped open his gold pocket watch to check the time.

"Time's up.  She'll be cursing my name if I'm late again to a meeting."

Today, he would be meeting Rose and William Trenda, the head of the West Coast Chapter of The Time Savers Club, at Bertie's Coffee Shop on a corner near Washington Square in San Francisco.  Since he was obviously not going to slide down the tower and stroll along the bridge, he opted for the Migration Incantation.

"Tollite me huic secreto locus Washington Square." In a split second, he stood in alley between two buildings.

"I just love that incantation.   I wish I could figure out how it knows where exactly to put you.  It's like a magical GPS system.   It must be a subconscious thing."  He rubbed his clean-shaven chin, straightened his jacket and cap, and strolled out onto the sidewalk.

It was shortly after nine on a quite Sunday morning.   For once, he was early for a meeting.

At Bertie's, morning coffee drinkers formed their line to the barista to order.   Xavier ordered his usual -- tall non-fat no-water chai, then secured a secluded corner table and waited for his drink.  He watched the last few customers in their suits and skirts mill about waiting impatiently.   Others sat leisurely, reading the morning paper, sipping drinks or snacking on thick slices of coffee cake or fresh fruit, or enjoying lively conversations.

After several customers raced off with their hot drinks in hand, the young barista cried out.  "Gotta a tall non-fat no-water chai for Xavier."  Getting up to retrieve his drink, someone from behind pushed him back down into his seat.

"Don't worry, I'll get it," said Rose, plopping her bag into the chair next to him then wove her way through the crowd to order.  "I need to order and I don't want you to lose that table."

"Thanks, love," said Xavier.

Watching her, Xavier saw her turn to look at the front door then pointing in his direction.  Towering above the crowd like a skinny redwood, William Trenda nodded, gave his order to Rose, then joined Xavier.  Trenda was the head of the largest group of the Time Travelers Club with a total of ten after the addition of two new members.

"Red, my old friend." Xavier was talking to Trenda, who was known for his bright auburn hair.  "Long time no see, dear. You're looking trim as always."  

"It's good to see you again," said Trenda.  "You're looking well. Any news of your Uncle Griff?"

"He was rescued last night," said Xavier, breathing a sigh of relief.

"Good to hear.  Did he have any useful information?"

"Apparently, Dr. H. called a meeting his numb brains. There's speculation among the council that there'll be some sort of retaliation over Quince's death, but personally I doubt it.  The Doctor has an 'easy come, easy go' attitude towards his group... As long as they're dead when they choose to leave the group."

Xavier's mind flashed back to the night when Quince had gotten caught in the middle of a duel with Vincent.   Quince had taken an orb to both sides of his head.   Xavier had run back into the park to catch his breath and organize his thoughts before zipping over to Whitechapel to warn Rose and Mrs. Steers to get Sam back home.

Rose arrived with their three drinks and three different muffins.

"Ahhh," said Rose as she sat down.  "It feels good to sit. I've been on the run all morning. William, good to see you.  What's your thoughts on this current situation? Lottie told me she had contacted you to see if the West Coast chapter could help in the developments."

"Not a problem.  You've got us to rely on," said Trenda.  "Keep in mind that you’re not working alone.  The Council will want a full report as well.

The five-member International Council of The Time Savers Club oversaw all the chapters.   A world-wide network of members consisted of those who had mastered most of the incantations from Namvelt's book.   Some had the abilities to make powerful orbs, while others could zip through time in a matter of milliseconds.  As far as anyone knew, only a few in the known history of the club had ever mastered the entire book of incantations and spells.

"So, Lottie is certain about this boy, Sam?" said William.  "The International Council wants to know more about her findings.   I heard she is about to be hounded about it."

"She swears it is him," said Rose.  "I have helped her with some of her research.  I feel confident as well.   She is writing up her research.  She is planning on one last trip to fill in any gaps and find further information."

"Very good," said Trenda.  "The Council will want a full presentation.   They want to avoid unfortunate accidents.   That wouldn't be good for public relations.  The Council will want to be involved as well.  The boy will need to be kept safe."

Xavier sipped his drink.  "Let's hope that their membership hasn't grown.  It's unfortunate he has persuaded the ones he has."

Sitting her cup down, Rose glanced at Xavier.

"Don't worry," said Xavier, patting her hand.   "All will be fine."

Trenda patted her other hand.   "This isn't the first we've lost to a brain-washer.  We've saved numerous others before this from others who had tried to use the incantations for personal power."

Rose smiled at them.  Trenda continued to assure her.

"Cheer up.  Enough about that for now.  By the way, we have two new members," said Trenda.  "Their names are Lewis and Darren Scott.  They are twin brothers who were introduced to the chapter by their father."

While William talked, Xavier happened to notice that one customer moved his coffee mug very slowly up to his mouth and almost to a complete stand still just before sipping.

"Hmmm, take a gander at the customers," said Xavier, scoping the crowd. "Someone has cast the Slow Incantation on them."

"This can only mean one thing," said Trenda, standing up.  "We have company."

Through the window, he spotted Bruno peeking around red Volkswagen in front of the coffee house.