Solo
written by
The owner of The Independent Self ProclaimedChannel
on youtube
©2016
The year was 2005 and the national space league
(NSL) was preparing for the launch of its
latest single manned shuttle (SOLO).
The program had started four years earlier
after Deep Space automated robots, had proved
that intelligent life existed beyond this
solar system.
This venture was the Fourteenth mission to
date , none of them being an entire success.
The count down had started at twenty days
and was now down to six days, four hours fifty-nine
minutes and two seconds.
Designated the first female commander of this
program was a woman named Mari Avi.
And she had done several days and nights of
rigorous training and tests.
And was completing the final test.
This test was easy compared to the others;
it consisted of placing shapes in a ball under
five g's.
"Ok, that's it," said a voice over the intercom.
Mari was finally free to go, not only on the
shuttle but also to start her 5 days of liberty
before she left earth.
She ran
out of the testing area, down the hall to
the front entrance
and across the field to the front gate.
As she approached, the guard glanced up and
saw her and opened the gate.
"So how does it feel to be a commander of
your own destiny?"
Asked Stolley her longtime confidant and the
guard on duty.
" Stolley you just wouldn't tell me would
you?
Its like
you said exactly."
answered Mari.
"It's GREAT!"
"I told you that I couldn't explain the overwhelming
feeling it's just too much to describe," explained
Stolley.
" So what will you be doing on these six days
before launch?
"
" Well I was planning to spend one with a
very close friend, but no offers have arisen,
" hinted Mari.
"Dang it, and I have this stupid guard duty
these next two days.
Just my luck," answered Stolley deeply disappointed.
" Well then, I guess I'll have to come over
during your off time and wake you up at least
once."
grinned Mari.
"But the
rest of the time I'm gonna live life to the
fullest that I can
"I will be off at ten thirty in the morning
if you wanna stop by," offers Stolley.
"Ok, see you then," Mari answers.
"BYE!"
She runs to the other side of the street to
hail a cab as it starts to pass.
As she enters the musty back seat of the outdated
cab she waved a final farewell to her friend
Stolley.
It was a 15 mile ride to her home in Homesteads
Park the newest addition to the surrounding
community of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
During which time Mari reminisced over the
past couple of months and wondered what lies
ahead ofher, what kind of adventure was this
voyage going to uncover?
Suddenly the cab hits a pothole and jolted
Mari back into
reality.
"Enough of that," Mari blurted out.
"Ahhhh, I'm sorry miss," replied the cabdriver.
"These roads around here are just so unpredictable."
"Oh it's ok," Mari apologetically responds.
"I wasn't directing it toward you I was just
thinking out loud."
"Aren't you the miss on the front of the Daily
Sun?" asked the cabdriver.
"Yes, I am," answered Mari.
"The one headed into space for 7 years."
"Boy," replies the cabbie in astonishment,
"you are one gutsy lady.
I couldn't handle all that time alone, not
to mention the fear of the unknown."
The tone of the cabby's concern sent chills
through out Mari's body.
But only for a second as she tapped on her
head, as if to be knocking out those sort
of ideas.
Finally arriving at her destination the cabbie
asks for the fare, "That'll be 32 Dollars
Miss."
"Oh yeah."
replies Mari as she reaches into her pocketbook
and pulls out a 50-dollar bill.
"Keep the change, and thanks for the ride."
Reaching to hand the driver the money, she
notices the hack license picture of the man
she only saw the back of for the entire trip.
"Wow, thanks," the cabbie remarks.
"You've found your greatest fan from now on"
Mari laughs, and as she exits the cab she
states, "OK,
I'll hold you to that."
The cabbie turns and grins at Mari.
He says, "I really
do wish you the best."
he reaches out his hand to shake hers.
"Thank you very much," Mari replies and shakes
his hand
with a remarkably strong grip.
As she exits the cab she looks around at the
building in
which she had called home for such a short
time.
She purchased the property with the money
she had worked so long and hard for, but now
she won't see it for seven years.
Remembering each and every day as she scanned
her two-story Shaker-style house, she finally
realized that she was wasting precious time.
She snapped herself out of the spell, which
she cast unto herself.
She skipped up to the door like an eager child
going for ice cream.
She straight-arms the door
and runs into the very spacious combination
living room, dining room and kitchen.
Scattered throughout her living space are
several dozen bouquets.
Taking time to grab a couple of the cards,
she sinks down into a very pillowy sofa to
read them.
The first says:
To: the most wonderful daughter
From: your most wonderful dad
Good luck!!!!!!!
I'm very proud of you, Love ya !!!!!!!
Tears came over Mari, as this was the first
time her father had ever stated that he was
proud of her accomplishments.
She curls up like a newborn and cries herself
to sleep.
4:45 A.M. Tuesday June 15 2005
The next morning, she is awoke by the sound
of the coffee maker percolating in the kitchen
area of the house.
Rubbing the blurriness from her eyes and struggling
to find
out the time from a clock on the nearby wall,
she sees that it is close to 5 am.
And sunrise would be in ten minutes that was
her favorite part of each day.
It brought back the warm memories of her adolescence
when the orange glow of the sun, would awaken
her each day as it shined into her childhood
room.
And knowing that her mom was making pancakes
and eggs for breakfast just by the aroma in
the air.
So in the family tradition of breakfast Mari
rushed over to the kitchen and started to
prepare the pancakes and eggs she longed for
with the sunrise.
Keeping track of the time, she hurries over
to the balcony, a plate of pancakes and eggs
in one hand and syrup and a glass of orange
juice in the other.
Sitting down at the patio table she grins
thinking to herself.
"Aaahh two minutes to spare!"
She sits back and enjoys this great family
tradition as the new day breaks.
An hour passes like a flash as she peers down
at her watch she decides that was enough.
She walked inside to get ready for her leave.
8 A.M. Tuesday June 15 2005
Mari opens the front door to her home and
starts out on her day.
Pulling up to the front of her house in a
brand new Zapper that is a turnover on the
late muscle cars style.
But now running primarily on wind power.
Was Mari's mechanic of ten years
Chip relaxed behind the fur-covered steering
wheel.
"Here she is Mari," Chip stated in his proud
overbearing voice.
"
I told you she'd be done in time for you.
I updated the solar cells, re-grooved the
wheel generators and upgraded the fan blades
to a lighter turn stock.
She runs like a dream!!!"
Mari's eyes lit up as though she knew what
he had said.
She never really let on that she couldn't
even put air in the tires much less knowing
what the latest mechanics lingo meant.
Yet she had learned to trust Chip after all
these years he had never left her stranded
or ripped her off.
Mari thanked Chip and offered him a ride back
to his garage
"Nah.
I have already arranged for Buster, my new
helper, to pick me up," Chip replied.
"So you just go on and do what you have planned.
Besides, you don't have all that much time
Mari agrees and decides she will go.
She jumps into the car and burns rubber leaving
Chip in a black plume of smelly rubber smoke.
Driving down the road listening to the radio
playing
full blast.
As the wind blew through her silky long blonde
hair, she has totally forgotten about the
upcoming event in her life.
She decides that she will head to her favorite
spot away from home, Captiva Island, which
is quite a drive.
Even so, three hours are worth every minute
because the island had just the right amount
of relaxing
festivities.
The drive itself was fairly uneventful with
the exception of one hitchhiker.
Even the roads were deserted with nothing
but the occasional gator that escaped from
the Everglades, and miles upon miles of white
sandy beaches
unraveled before her hazel eyes.
10:40 A.M. Tuesday June 15 2005
Finally, she arrives in Fort Meyers, which
is the mainland jump to the island over a
long continuous bridge.
As she drives, she notices the thousands of
locals hurriedly scattered around in their
everyday routines.
As Mari reaches the island, it's 11:00 am
and a great time to do a little shopping in
the local shops, but she decides that first
off she had better check into a local hotel
before the weekend tourists show up in their
caravan of busses.
She ventures to the west side of the island
in search of a quaint and serene resort one
that would place her out of the view of the
common tourist.
She pulls up to a very cozy yet quite elegant
three story resort called the Maddison Manor
Resort.
As she pulled up to the drive, the valet was
there awaiting the arrival of the guests.
"Hello, Miss week or nightly stay if I may
ask?" asks the valet in the customary polite
manner that people of this establishment had
come to expect from their employees."
"I believe that three nights will suffice,"
answered Mari trying to sound as though she
had just graduated from the most distinguished
finishing school in England.
She walks inside to the front desk and is
greeted by a very high class snooty clerk.
"May I help you Miss?" he asks in a highly
arrogant voice.
"Yes, I would like a room for three nights,
one with a view of the ocean," replies Mari.
"What is the name?" he asks as he look down
at the hotel register.
"Do you have a reservation?" he persists.
"Well as a matter of fact, I don't.
Will I need one?"
Mari asks puzzled as she noticed the parking
lot to be barren with the exception of three
or four cars.
"As a matter of fact, miss, the only way to
get an ocean view room is by reservation."
answers the clerk obviously beginning to become
perturbed by Mari's persistence.
"But we do have one room available without
the view.
Will that be acceptable?"
More than a little disappointed Mari answers,"
OK ..."
"Will that be cash or credit card?
He asks acting as though she wasn't worthy
of credit.
Remembering that the (NSL) had given her a
limited Express card, she presented it to
the clerk.
The clerk shook his head in disbelief and
scanned the card through the fancy credit-checker
machine.
He went completely white in reaction to what
came back on the screen; he looks up and says,
"I'm so sorry Miss Avi.
We do have a room with an ocean view, and
anything else that you may desire just ask.
If we don't have it, we will get it for you
at your convenience."
The clerk stumbles for the phone and presses
on the intercom, "Bellboy!
Front desk, please.... now!"
Completely befuddled by the clerk, Mari stares
at him like a lost puppy.
Getting agitated that the bell boy still had
not arrived, he once more picks up the phone
and calls for him repeating what he had said
before verbatim.
As soon as he says the word "now," the bellboy
arrives.
"Marty please take Miss Avi to the penthouse
and leave her a pass to the hotel yacht.
Astonished by the clerk's reaction to Mari
and knowing that the yacht was exclusively
for use by the wealthiest, the Bellboy asks,
"The yacht!?!"
The clerk, with an icy glare, replies to the
bellboy in an adamant voice, "Yes."
The bellboy escorts Mari and her luggage to
the elevator.
Once they are inside, the door closes, and
the bellboy presses a button on a huge panel
marked "PTH."
Then, he slides a card through a scanner,
which is immediately followed by the motion
of the elevator rising.
Mari is still in shock over the whole ordeal
with the clerk.
Distracted, she didn't realize that the elevator
opened directly into the penthouse until she
exited and asked the
bell boy, "Which way?"
The bellboy laughs aloud accidentally and
replies to the
question, "This is it, Madam.
Would you care for me to place your luggage
in the bedroom suite?"
Looking around the penthouse, she sees the
most elegant furnishings that see could ever
remember seeing throughout her lifetime.
Knowing that she must appear comical to the
bellboy, she decides to let it go and put
on a presentation for the bellboy that would
leave him perplexed.
"Yes please, maybe?" she says.
Finally realizing that Mari was just kidding,
the bellboy shares a laugh with her.
"Yes, please place my things in the bedroom;
and if you will, please draw the curtains
open.
I wish to gaze upon this most beautiful local
fauna," she requests.
Knowing this time, she was only partially
joking, he did as she asked.
Upon completing her requests, he returns to
her with his arm extended.
Nestled in the palm of his hand is the room
key and yacht pass.
He asked, "May I be of any further assistance?"
"Just one thing.
If there's no door, why do I need a key card?"
Mari asks puzzled.
"Well, Miss, when you enter the elevator,
the only way
to access the penthouse is by scanning the
card.
Thus, the reason for the card," he answers
trying not to burst out laughing.
Feeling completely embarrassed and knowing
that the bellboy would probably run to his
peers with a new blonde joke.
(The one about the rich blonde that didn't
know what a key was for).
She tried to play it off as a witticism.
Somehow, the bellboy saw through her guise
but didn't let her know.
"Ok, Miss," he begins, "I will take my leave
now.
If you should need anything, please don't
hesitate to call.
The phone is connected directly to the stereo
system, so all you do is say: 'Call desk'
and you will hear the ring.
When someone answers, talk normally.
To answer the phone, just say: 'Answer phone'
and so on.
If you should need more directions for anything,
an info disk lays next to the computer.
Just insert it, and the rest being done automatically
through voice inter-action.
Enjoy your stay ."
With that being said, the bell boy proceeds
to the
elevator.
His hand hovers near the elevator button,
then he
turns toward Mari with an expectant look on
his face.
"Oh, yes," she says as she reaches into her
compact hand bag.
A few bills grease his palm.
"Thank you," he says, disappearing behind
the closing elevator doors.
Thinking to herself.
"Finally!!!"
Mari looks aroundthe room in amazement, realizing
this was the first out of the many dozen times
that she had been down to Captiva Island.
Never before has she stayed in such a high-class
establishment.
"And in a penthouse!" she yells, her voice
vibrating off the walls and making an echo
like a yodeler atop the Swiss Alps.
Her only wish is that she could decide what
to do first.
She feels like she's in Las Vegas and had
won millions from a casino.
The hotel brass was treating her like a high
roller with the fancy rooms and with all the
free perks that go with.
It's the whole nine yards, and savoring every
minute.
As she notices the decor and the outside view,
she starts dancing around the room.
Outside her window, she notices a boat pull
someone in a rainbow-colored parasail out
of the turquoise-colored water and up into
the cloudless blue skies.
The long, white sandy beach stretches in both
directions with only one dock to obscure the
apparent advantages of the natural surroundings.
She walks out onto the terrace and watches
as the parasailer rises and descends.
The laughter that she hears cements the image
of a frantic roller coaster ride in her mind.
Returning through the penthouse doors, she
sees the info disk, which the bellboy had
mentioned.
She places the disk into the computer.
There's a few beeps then a voice of a woman
is heard though the entire penthouse:
"Welcome to the Maddison Manor Resort.
I am Vera.
I am your automated host.
If there is anything at all that you may desire,
please announce it at any time day or night."
The manner of the machine reminds her about
the training
she had undergone for the mission like how
to interface with the shuttle's mainframe,
how to perform daily functions, and how to
complete maintenance checks.
"Why not just get used to it Mari?" she says
aloud.
"This is your life for the next few years."
"Pardon?
I do not comprehend.
Please redefine."
blurts out the computer.
"Oh, nothing.
I would just like a glass of iced tea."
Mari answers.
"Would Earl Grey herbal passion be sufficient?"
asks the computer.
"Yes, that will be fine," answers Mari.
"Milk or sugar?" asks the computer.
"No, thank you," she says.
Remembering her training, she cuts to the
chase and adds, "Shaved ice, Vera," before
the computer has a chance to ask her about
the several different ways her ice can be
served.
A very low mechanical wheezing noise emanates
from the wall, then a small plat formed robot
appears through a small opening.
Atop of the robot is a serving tray with the
tea, as ordered.
Mari thinks to herself, "I've heard of dumb-waiters
before but this is no 'dumb' waiter."
She laughs out loud.
12:45 P.M.
Tuesday June 15 2005
Mari enters the elevator in search of something
to do.
She presses the button to return to the lobby.
As the doors reopen, she has a chance to visually
soak in the main lobby.
She sees a marble fireplace surrounded by
expensive furnishing.
On the mantel over the fireplace,hangs a painting,
which she's fairly certain is a
Van Gough original.
She also notices an enormous windowed wall
with two huge sliding glass doors that lead
to a pool area, and she scampers over to peek
at the occupants to see if the pool might
warrant a visit.
Not seeing one soul in the pool, she decides
against.
Suddenly, a strange feeling comes over her.
Mari felt as though she's completely paralyzed.
Things around her continue flowing in their
normal fashion, but Mari remains frozen in
place.
Unsure of how to remedy this helpless situation
unlike any other she had never experienced
before, she slips into a panic.
Her throat constricts, and she's unable to
scream.
All she can do is to stare straight ahead
like watching TV.
Several minutes pass.
Then as abruptly as it happens, it subsides.
Sample copy only NOT for RESALE
NO PART OF THIS Audio MAY BE ALTERED, REPRODUCED
OR SOLD IN ANY WAY WITHOUT WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION
FROM THE AUTHOR.
Solo
written by
The owner of The Independent Self ProclaimedChannel
on youtube
©2016
