Richard Stephenson - Collapse

Max rolled down his window and motioned for the team leader to come over. Deputy Collins quickly ran over to his boss.

“Yes, sir, Chief?”

“Make sure you keep a running total of how many vouchers you’re cashing in. Ten gallons per voucher and not a drop more. At the entrance to the gate you need to have some sort of sign stating how many vouchers you can honor. Update the tally every ten vouchers. When it gets down to fifty, walk the line and count off fifty cars. Anyone after that will have to go somewhere else. Any questions?”

“Consider it done, boss.”

“Outstanding, carry on.”

Max rolled up his window and exited the garage. He drove to each gas station to check on the status of the operation. Once he was satisfied that things were running on schedule, he decided to take a tour of the neighborhoods just as Elizabeth had done.

What they saw gave Max a little hope. More than half the homes in the neighborhood were being prepared for possible wind and rain damage. Sandbags could be seen at front doors, plywood nailed to windows. People could be seen packing up their cars and trailers.

“This is actually looking good. People are listening,” Elizabeth said as she looked out the window.

“So far, so good. They just have to make it to the other side of Houston. We can’t really worry about that; it’s out of our hands. We just have to get them out of town.”

“What do you want to do now, Boss?”

“How often are they checking in with you?”

“The free gas? Every hour.”

“Let’s make it every thirty minutes.”

“Will do.” Elizabeth grabbed her radio and gave the instruction.

“Boss, can we stop by my house?”

Max turned and looked at her. “Why?”

“Relax. I’m not going to change into my mini-skirt and heels. Just need to get my cat.”

“Shit. Yeah, I need to get my cat, too.”

“What? I didn’t know you had a cat!”

“Yep.”

“Wouldn’t peg you as a cat person.”

“You really think I’m a dog person?”

“Good point.”

Arriving at Elizabeth’s house, the two walked in, and the desk sergeant tossed her duty belt on the couch.

“Make yourself at home, Chief. I just need a minute or two. Damn cat hides when she takes a nap. She could be anywhere.”

“OK, no rush. We could sit here and do nothing or go back to the station and do the same.”

Elizabeth answered from the kitchen. “Yeah, not much else to do but sit and wait. We’ve done everything we can do, everything is on schedule. You want something to drink? Got soda, water, or… stuff we can’t drink on duty. Soda or water?”

“Soda is fine.”

Elizabeth brought him a can of soda and proceeded to go room to room looking for her cat. She managed to find Callie sleeping in the bed frame. She had clawed away the corner of the cover to the box spring and loved to climb up in there and disappear. Elizabeth scooped her up into the pet carrier and grabbed a bag of cat food.

“Ready to go?”

“Yep.”

They loaded up the SUV and drove a few miles to Max’s house. Elizabeth knew where he lived but had never been inside. She doubted many people had ever been invited in. Max was a grumpy bastard and was good at pushing people away. They pulled up in the driveway and Max got out. Elizabeth hesitated.

“What are you doing? You coming?”

“Uh, sure. I guess. Didn’t think you liked company.”

“You think I’d make you wait in the car? Be serious! C’mon.”

Elizabeth got out of the car and followed Maxwell into his house. She had to ask herself what she was so nervous about. It wasn’t like she expected a Barbie Doll museum or trophy room of women’s heads to be on the other side of the door. She was nervous because Max was actually inviting her into his home. It was like he was sharing something with her that he shared with no one else.

“Make yourself at home; my cat’s the same as yours. No idea where he hides when he sleeps.”

“What’s his name?”

“Herbie.”

“Cute name.”

Elizabeth sat on the couch, wondering what kind of computer setup he had going. It was always amazing to watch him on the computer in his office. He was lightening fast, multiple windows opening and closing at once. His hands directed the screen like a maestro conducting a symphony.

“Hey, Boss, mind if get online?”

“Sure, just raise both of your hands in a stop motion and say ‘Computer.’”

“Thanks.”

“Sure.”

Elizabeth didn’t know if she should be seated or standing to turn on the computer. She felt silly asking, so she just stood up and raised both her hands.

“Computer.”

The wall on the other side of the room sprang to life. A sixteen by nine foot screen powered up. The resolution and crispness were breathtaking. It was as if the wall faded away and you could walk inside the screen. With the naked eye you could discern no pixels or screen refresh. It made the office computer look like an antique.

“Thought you needed online?” Max walked back into the room carrying his black and white cat.

“Uh, yeah. I was just freaking out over this screen.”

“Yeah, I’ve been building it for like ten years. I just keep upgrading it. I always keep the graphics card top of the line. Watch this.”

Max raised both his hands and in a space of a few seconds his hands zipped around like he was using sign language. The screen dropped down to the floor and a doorway appeared. There appeared to be another room beyond the doorway, fully furnished and just waiting for its occupants.

“Wow!” Elizabeth’s eyes were huge.

“Yeah, I’ve tricked quite a few people into trying to walk into that room. It’s hilarious when they hit the wall. What did you need to check?”

“Oh, yeah. I just wanted to vid-con with my parents and see if they’re okay. Voice interface or do I have to learn your computer sign-language?”

“Voice interface is fine.” Max smiled.

“Computer, open a vid-con with Reed47AT.”

Two windows opened. One was a small window that showed Elizabeth and Max sitting on the couch. The other window with a flashing circle contained the word “Connecting” underneath it. After about thirty seconds, the flashing circle was replaced with the words: “Unable to connect, would you like to leave a message?”

“Close window.” Elizabeth said.

“Everything alright, Elizabeth? Are they evacuating?”

“No, they’re in North Texas. I was just checking to see if they’d heard from my uncle and his family; they were heading up to stay with them.”

“I’m sure everything is fine. Still plenty of time.”

“Yeah, I’ll just check back.”

“Elizabeth, I wanted to thank you for all your help. I couldn’t have done all this without you.”

“Not a problem, Boss. I gotta say I’m glad you stepped up and really took charge. You’ve surprised everyone. I don’t think anyone knew you had it in you.”

“Well, I may be a disgruntled, lazy bastard, but I can handle my own when the situation calls for it.”

“What made you so disgruntled? You are the smartest person I’ve ever known. You could have, uh…”

“Done something more with my life? It’s okay, you can say it.”

“Well, I thought it would be rude.”

“You? I’ve never known you to hold back from the truth, no matter how hard it hits.”

“Fair enough then, answer the question.”

“Well, life has had a way of kicking me in the balls anytime I try to stand up, so I figured I would just stay down. A life without ambition is actually quite peaceful. I’ve enjoyed it ever since without regret.”

“Your injury have anything to do with it?”