As ink blots are interpreted differently by each viewer, so are the text blots from The RawShock Tales

 (#4) The Red Corvette

by

John P. Cater

Copyright 2006

I am writing this story to check my sanity. They say that if you suspect you’re slipping off, to write it down on paper and then read it. If you don’t understand what you’ve just written, then seek professional help. Here goes . . .

I awoke this morning at 8:00 a.m. and rushed to the window. There he was! The man in the red Corvette—pulling into his parking space as he had done for years before in front of the stark windowless building. I moved closer to my window to scrutinize his every action. He opened the car door, stepped out and reached back in the car for his briefcase. He then stood with the briefcase in his left hand, and closed the door and adjusted his tie with his right hand. He spent thirteen seconds walking to the front double-glass doors and then keyed in a combination on the door’s cypher lock. The door opened immediately and he entered.

I stood patiently watching for the next ten minutes. Nothing happened. I was afraid it would happen again. I looked at the clock. It read 8:10 as it should. Nothing like yesterday.

Yesterday morning I awoke at 7:55 a.m. and passed by the same window of my small flat as I always do. The man in the red Corvette was pulling into his parking space. I paid little notice to his arrival then looked at the clock. It read 8:00 a.m. He was on time, as usual. The aroma of freshly-brewed coffee drew me to the kitchen where I poured a cup and returned to my bedroom to change clothes.

A few minutes later I passed by the window again. The man in the red Corvette was pulling into his parking space. I looked at the clock and it read 8:00 a.m. I then noticed in my faint reflection from the window that I was still wearing my night clothes. I walked into the kitchen, poured a cup of coffee and returned to the bedroom to change clothes.

As I walked from the bedroom, I paused by the window. I blinked when I saw it again: The man in the red Corvette was pulling into his parking space. I glanced at the clock and it read 8:00 a.m. I rubbed my eyes as I watched him walk to the front door.

My mind was churning. Was I crazy? What was happening to me? I poured myself a cup of coffee from the still-full pot and returned to the bedroom to change out of my night clothes. I’m going mad, I thought. I changed clothes and returned to the window. The Corvette was there! The man was nowhere in sight. The clock read 8:05.

I quickly walked from my flat down to the street, crossed it and stepped past the red Corvette, running my hand along its sleek fiberglass body . I continued onward to the darkened double-glass doors. I stared momentarily at the cypher lock and then looked around for some other entry device. To the right of the entry alcove I found a buzzer button. I pushed it and waited for something to happen. When the raspy buzzer sounded I jumped even though I was expecting it.

The door opened easily as I grasped the chrome handle, revealing a futuristic lobby fashioned from chrome, glass and black marble. Directly in front of me was a massive marble reception

desk with FAST LANE RESEARCH in large gleaming letters overhead. Under the large letters was the tag line: CHANGING THE FUTURE WITH FAST LANE TECHNOLOGY.

I walked to the desk and quietly asked the receptionist if I could speak with the man in the red Corvette. She smiled and replied, “Oh, you mean, Dr. Lane our President and CEO. No, I’m sorry, he’s in beta product testing all week.” She continued smiling while seeming to be studying me. “Is there something I can do to help you?”

I hesitated, gathering my bewildered thoughts, “Well, I just experienced an extreme case of multiple déjà vu’s a few minutes ago as he entered the building. He...he entered the building three times in a row without leaving. I saw it! I think I’m going crazy.”

She looked at me, more seriously now, and replied, “I’m sorry, ma’am, but it’s a very classified military project dealing with explosion reversal. I can’t tell you any more.” She nodded to the door as if inviting me to leave.

“Thank you, anyway.” Reluctantly I turned and left the building. Just before the door closed behind me, I heard her say into the intercom, “Dr. Lane! It works!”

It’s now 8:20 a.m. And I’m still watching the red Corvette. Nothing has changed. I’ll stand here and watch it until 1:00 p.m. That’s when I have to meet my shrink for my weekly appointment. I know I can’t be late or he’ll make me do it again. Hmm ...Corvette’s still there.