RESTORATION (a science fiction novel) (RESTORATION (the science fiction trilogy)) by Todd Utley Page A

it is, would you like to see it?”  He said in a very deep voice.
      With a quick maneuver he gathered the entire car cover into his arms so that it didn’t touch the floor.  There in the glow of the blue-ish LED security light sat a 1960’s vintage corvette.  It was painted in a metallic blue that was so deep you could just about dive into it and go for a swim.
    For just a fleeting moment Dodge lost sight of his mission.
         “Man you’re doing well!  I’m going to come back another time to drool on that car, but right now I have a software problem that I believe only you can solve, will you help me?” 
    “Dodge, Dodge, Dodge, of course, follow me,” he said in a reassuring tone.  They went up the stairs to what John previously described as his well-equipped man cave.  Dodge was really expecting the coolest TV ever and maybe a pool table and some insanely expensive gaming console and of course a nice sound system and full bar, but instead what he saw, shocked him. 
    From the beginning of the room to the end it looked like a computer museum.  He had the oldest computers all the way up to the newest fastest and most up to date models.   He even had some stuff that wasn’t on the market yet that he was testing for another company as a moonlighting thing. “Very impressive.” 
    Dodge didn’t have much time so he explained the whole thing to John as quickly as possible and handed over the microdrive.
    “If anyone can figure this damn thing out, it’s you bro, you were by far the best programmer we ever had, and they should’ve paid that salary gap to keep you!” 
    “No worries my friend, I’ll look into this, but it’s probably nothing.  I see strange things like this all the time.  It’s probably your poorly developed plan for the flux capacitor.  It’s loaded into every Lifecorder ever produced and I shall be the man to decode it and release your gift to the world!  Time travel will finally be possible! 
    They both busted out laughing.  “Man John, you always made us all laugh in the lab, we sure miss you there at the old coal mine.”
    “Yeah, well, I miss it too but I had to move on.  Hey you’d better get home to that hot wife of yours before she dumps you for someone that’ll pay her more attention.  I’ll meet you tomorrow at the club right after work, don’t worry Pal, I’m sure it’s nothing.  Come on I’ll walk you out so you don’t get lost in my humble abode.” 
    “You just gotta keep rubbing it in huh?” 
    John couldn’t resist ribbing him a bit more on the way out.
    “Hey ya know we have some executive positions opening up, how about you come into RockTight for an interview and you can work for me!” 
    Dodge smiled and shook his head.
    “No thanks I’m pretty content.”
    Of course John was unaware of the hundred million dollar bonus Dodge had coming in just a few short years.  Providing he still had a job after he got to the bottom of this mess.
     
    Chapter 5       Dodge forgot just how hungry he was, until he was leaving when he noticed someone at John’s must have made a late night snack, it smelled like roast beef and it made him remember the burger joints he zinged past on the way there.  On the way home he wheeled into the first one he came to and ordered up a double with cheese, fries, and a coke.  Man it sure tasted good, but he ate it so fast that it was not as satisfying as it should have been. 

He tossed the bag and empty drink into the trash on the way out of the lot; he didn’t want any evidence around that might hang him later.  He made it back home by 9:15 and remembered he was supposed to make it back for chicken by 6:00, he got nervous and really hoped that Linsey hadn’t called his Father.  He went in through the garage into the kitchen where Linsey and Bobby were sitting at the table looking over some brochures.
         “Well, there he is, I was just about to call you.”