This is episode thirty-three of the novel, From Here To 1137 AD. If you would like to purchase From Here To 1137 AD, it is available on Amazon in Kindle format or paperback.
The Big Race
Balsa and gliricidia trees surrounded Tom. Their pleasant green leaves wrestled in waves from breezes coming from the northeast. He walked out from the grove of trees onto a dirt path winding through the park. He hurried in the direction of the bank. He smiled at a young couple as they walked by, looking queerly at him.
‘I should have worn something for summer,’ Tom thought to Brain.
‘My apologies,’ Brain said, ‘I should have prepared you.’
‘I’m already starting to sweat,’ Tom thought.
‘The MAS has a cooling feature,’ Brain said. ‘All you have to do is say, MAS and the temperature.’
‘That’s okay,” Tom thought, ‘I don’t want to get soft.’
‘Okay, then,” Brain said, ‘you’ll remain at the ambient temperature.’
‘Can you give me a report on Edgar?’
‘He just entered the bank,’ Brain said, ‘Pedro is approaching the cab.’
Tom started to jog.
‘Apparently, things went well for Pedro,’ Brain said. ‘The cab just drove away.’
Tom reached the edge of the park. He jogged two blocks and stopped across the street from the bank.
‘Pedro is sitting on a bench. He is wearing a yellow shirt,’ Brain said. ‘Do you see him?’
‘Yes.’
‘He has a motorcycle parked three blocks away,’ Brain said.
‘What direction?’
‘East.’
Tom walked across the street and to the street heading east of the bank. He wanted to remain unknown to Edgar. He moved to a position where he could no longer see the front of the bank.
Moments later, Pedro streaked east, down a street full of pedestrians, vehicles, and shops. He ran in the direction of his motorcycle.
Tom dashed after Pedro at his top speed. Tom quickly realized that on his own speed, he could never catch Pedro. And Pedro ran confidently that his pursuer would never catch up with him.
‘Brain, is Edgar okay?’ He asked as he ran.
Brain responded, “Pedro pulled the knife and threatened Edgar. He handed over a bag. Edgar complied. He’s okay.”
Relieved, Tom ran harder after Pedro, who was far ahead.
‘MAS, make me run faster.’
Tom’s pace became faster with no effort.
“Stop!!!” Tom yelled.
Pedro glanced over his shoulder. Instinctively, he knew Tom was running faster. He caught sight of his motorcycle leaning against a building a block away. He ran harder and harder.
Tom caught up to Pedro. He gripped his shoulder and spun him to the ground.
“Now you are going to pay,” Pedro said and pulled out his knife.
Before Pedro could develop another thought, in a blur, Tom grabbed hold of Pedro’s hand, gripping the knife. Tom squeezed until the knife dropped to the ground.
Pedro jerked and tried to break the grip around his wrist. It was as if he were handcuffed to a fire hydrant.
“You can have the money,” Pedro said fearfully, handing the bag to Tom.
“Here’s what you are going to do,” Tom said. “You are going to go back to the bank. The man you took this from will probably be inside reporting to the police what happened. I know as well as you know that the police are very slow. That gives you time to return the money to the man and get away. I know your name. I know where you live. I know where you work. I know everything about you. If the money is not returned, I’ll come after you.”
“Please,” Pedro said, “my hand is numb, no feeling.”
Tom slowly released his grip. Pedro rubbed the circulation back into his hand.
“Start walking,” Tom said.
They hurried toward the bank.
“Who are you?” Pedro asked.
“I’m a fast man.”
“What should I say to the man I took the money from?” Pedro said.
“You’ve been a liar all your life,” Tom said, “You’ll come up with something.”
“Do you think he’d believe that Jesus spoke to me?” Pedro asked.
“You could try it,” Tom said.
“I know all the fast runners in San Jose and all of Costa Rica,” Pedro said. “Why have I not heard of you or seen you?”
Tom did not answer.
“You are very strong,” Pedro said.
Tom remained quiet.
“I am an athlete, you know,” Pedro said.
“I know that. I know all about you.”
“I used to box,” Pedro said.
“I’m aware.”
“I know about strength,” Pedro said. “I know what a man’s strength is. Your strength is not a man’s strength. And the speed that you grabbed my wrist: I’ve never seen anything that fast.”
“You should get out more,” Tom said, and added to change the subject, “Tell me what you are going to do when we get to the bank.”
“I will step into the bank,” Pedro said. “I will toss the money back and say it was all a mistake and run away.”
“That’s the best you can come up with?” Tom asked.
“They have guards,” Pedro said. “I could get shot.”
“Here’s what you do,” Tom said. “You bring up a good point. I don’t want to see you get hurt. Especially when a possibility existed that I could have stopped this from happening. Get out of here. Go get your motorcycle and try to live a good life. I know the odds against that are slim. I’ll see to it that the money is returned.”
“How do I know that you’re not the thief?” Pedro said. “And you’re just faster than me.”
Tom grimaced. “I guess you’re going to have to trust me on this, or I can force you back to the bank where you will be recognized, captured, or shot.”
Pedro stared ahead. He took a small breath.
“Pedro, go before I have to hurt you,” Tom said.
Pedro looked around, almost sensing this entire episode might be a practical joke. “I’ll go.”
“Smart choice,” Tom said.
Pedro hurried away.
Tom walked back to the bank.
A police car stopped in front of the bank.
Tom approached one of the policemen. “Excuse me, sir, I found this in a flower bed around the corner. There’s a lot of money inside.”
The policeman looked puzzled and took the bag from Tom.
“It’s the bank’s pouch,” Tom said. “The money must belong to them.”
“Did you see who put it in the flower bed?” The policeman asked.
“I think a man in a yellow shirt did it,” Tom said. “I think it was yellow. Maybe it was more gold. I’m not good at colors.”
“That matches a description of a man who stole a customer’s money. Come inside with me,” the policeman said. “There may be a reward.”
“That’s okay,” Tom said. “I’m late for a doctor’s appointment. I have to hurry. I’m glad to help.”
The policeman walked into the bank with the pouch in hand. Tom returned to the park. He found the grove of trees where he had been transported. He gave the command to transport him back to the pod. And he was gone.
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