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180 Degrees From Here
180 Degrees From Here
180 Degrees From Here
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180 Degrees From Here

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Lewis and Larry travel to Planet to find another race, nurtured by Olympians, who are destined for the replacement of the Earth Inhabitants. The planet being exactly in the Earth orbit opposite the other side of
the sun. They must be rescued by Terri and Bobby.
LanguageEnglish
PublisherBookBaby
Release dateJun 6, 2017
ISBN9781543905298
180 Degrees From Here

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    180 Degrees From Here - Charles Sittner

    22

    Lewis Pearson was still in pretty good shape physically, standing about six foot tall. Work was always about looking up at the heavens for more life. A middle- aged scientist who did work for the government, when they called him to help figure something out. The Government provided a good income, as they were always looking for something to give them an edge.

    His wife, Mary Ann, helped him with his work. He called her ‘Murray’, because they used to watch Bill Murray, the actor, on TV or in a movie, and the nickname stuck.

    Today Lewis was relaxing, watching a little TV and trying to look through magazines that had just come in the mail. Then there were the phone calls. Salesmen, always trying to sell you something. It was kind of a boring day.

    Lewis and Mary Ann had kids, who didn’t live too close, but still kept in touch by phone. They had a nice house on a cul de sac. Houses in this section of town were a little older and all different from the neighbors. They were not all designed by the same contractor, as they had been built by different families.

    The town, the Pearsons lived close to, was just a typical small town. There was a barber, druggist, grocery stores, and service stations. Seemed as if there was a church on every corner, taverns and car lots on the others. There was a Masonic Lodge, of which Lewis had been a master mason for about 30 years.

    Mary Ann kept her girlish figure because diabetes was in her family, so she always feared getting it. She never got involved in town business or any causes. She was content to swim in their pool, call the kids or visit close friends. Her philosophy was ‘Never write anything you don’t want the whole world to read, because it’ll happen. And never say anything you don’t want the whole world to hear, cause it’ll happen.’ She was about five foot tall, blonde and blue eyed. She was very smart and had the right answer for just about everything. She never lied or told you only what you wanted to hear. She was always honest and such a pleasant person, the type of person one always enjoyed being around.

    Mary Ann had just returned home and walked into the kitchen when the phone rang and She answered it.

    It was Bobby Bauer, someone they had known it seemed like forever, married to Terri. He was about 45 years old and was about 5 foot 11 inches tall. She was about 4 yrs younger, and 5 foot 4 inches tall. They had no children, and were younger than Lewis and Mary Ann.

    Mary Ann, is Lewis home? said Bobby.

    I think so. Lewis are you here? Mary Ann called from the living room.

    Yeah, replied Lewis.

    It’s the phone, it’s Bobby, said Mary Ann.

    Okay, I’ll get it in here, said Lewis.

    Okay, I’ll hang up. Nice talking to you Bobby, said Mary Ann.

    To you too, Mary Ann, answered Bobby.

    What do you know, Bobby? Lewis asked.

    Hey Lewis, if you’re not too busy could you stop over at my work the first time you get a chance? I have something to show you, Bobby said.

    Sure Bobby, tomorrow be okay? Lewis replied.

    Yeah Lewis, but the sooner the better, got something very interesting to show you. I’ll see you then, Bobby said.

    Okay Bobby, bye, replied Lewis.

    Terri was watching the television, and heard Bobby talking to Lewis.

    Got a mystery, huh Babe? She said.

    Yeah, Bobby said , This Sputnik looking thing kind of did a slow crash in Illinois.

    Uh oh. said Terri. Papers get in on it?

    No, it landed in a lake on an Air force Base in Mascoutah, Ilinois, Bobby said, as he looked around the room for today’s paper.

    Mascoutah, how close is that to Sarah Ruth and Robert in Freeburg? I wonder if their business, Lake And Pond Aquatic Weed Control, contracts for pond maintenance on that base? said Terri.

    I’m not sure, said Bobby. Pretty ironic though, a Sputnik landing on government property though.

    Gee, lucky for us, Terri said in a voice that sounded kind of disgusted. I guess the Government is claiming ignorance about the whole thing?

    You know it, Bobby said quietly, We were lucky.

    Bobby and Terri did not share the same opinion of the Government.

    Well, now what? Terri said, as she tossed the paper towards him..

    You heard me talking to Lewis Pearson? Bobby said as he bent to get the paper which landed at his feet.

    Yeah, I did, said Terri, looking his way. .

    Well, that’s about all we know about it, Bobby said, glancing up at her from the paper. "Except it had some instructions that appear to be written in German.

    What if it’s an old Nazi space thing, you know they were trying everything, Terri said as she rolled her eyes, And it could have actually been in orbit this long.

    Could have, Bobby said with a chuckle.

    You know something I always thought of? Terri’s voice trailing off.

    What’s that? Bobby said, as he looked at her and laid the paper down on his lap.

    What if there is another Earth exactly opposite from us on the other side of the sun, at the same size and same speed? We would never know it was there, Terri said laughingly.

    Huh, never thought of that, Bobby said. I’ll mention that if we don’t come up with a solution for that thing’s origin.

    I’m sure the Government will come up with something, Terri mumbled.

    I’m going to turn in, Bobby said as he rose from his chair and turned down the hall, leading to the bedroom.

    OK, Terri said. I’m going to watch the end of this show first, goodnight Hun.

    Goodnight Sweetheart, Bobby said, as he walked down the hall.

    Over at the Pearsons!

    What was that all about, Lewis? Mary Ann mused.

    Well Honey, Bobby said he had something to show me and he seemed anxious, but you know how impatient he is? He even repeated himself, Lewis said laughingly.

    Yeah, but maybe it’s important, Mary Ann said, sounding concerned..

    I’ll run over early in the morning, Lewis replied.

    To his house? Mary Ann asked.

    No, over to where he works, Lewis replied.

    Ok, anything on TV, Mary Ann said, as she nodded toward the television..

    No, when we only had four channels there was always something to watch, but now we have 500 channels, and seems there is nothing to watch. If it wasn’t so early I would go to bed, but I’ll just surf or watch the history channel, pawn stars or a Turner’s classic movie or something, Lewis said wistfully.

    Ok, Hun. I’m going to take a bath and call one of the kids, Mary Ann said, as she turned to go toward the bathroom.

    OK, Murray, goodnight Honey, Lewis said , as he watched her go down the hall.

    Lewis got to bed about 10.00 PM, and Mary Ann was already asleep.

    ‘Wonder what Bobby is so excited about? Oh, well, I’ll find out tomorrow.’ thought Lewis, as he eased into bed, to keep from waking Mary Ann.

    The next morning Lewis woke up about 6.00 AM, went to the bathroom, and then could not fall back to sleep. So he got up, brushed his teeth, dressed and went downstairs to the kitchen. MaryAnn was still asleep, so he fixed coffee and looked for something to eat. ‘Toast will do, maybe with jelly on it. Could always eat some cereal,’ he thought, ‘naw, toast will do.’

    ‘Darn, isn’t there anything to read around here? Here’s Murray’s People Magazine. Might as well see what the beautiful people are doing, or getting into trouble. No wait, that’s the Enquirer, giving you all the dirt. Since we don’t have the Enquirer, I’ll see what the stars are doing,’ pondered Lewis.

    At that moment, Mary Ann walked into the kitchen.

    Hey Honey, what are you reading? You hungry? Mary Ann yawningly said.

    Morning, Murray, No, I had some toast, Lewis said, pointing at the toast in front of him.

    I’ll fix you something if you want it, Mary Ann said, leaning against a cabinet.

    No, I’ll think I’ll get ready to go into Bobby’s work. You got any plans today? Lewis said, looking up from the toast.

    Got a hair appointment, then will probably stop by and visit Terri, Mary Ann said, as she walked to the table and sat down across from Lewis.

    Ok then, I’ll see you later, Lewis said as he rose to leave.

    Oh, by the way the check engine light blinks on sometimes in my car, Mary Ann said nodding towards the garage..

    Oh yeah, sometimes the gas cap causes that, I’ll check it before leaving, and if it’s something else, I’ll come back and tell you, Lewis said, as he walked around the table to give her a bye kiss.

    Ok, thanks, Mary Ann replied as she opened the magazine Lewis left on the table.

    Ok, out the door to the garage and check the gas cap, yep not quite tight enough.

    ‘Boy, there were full service gas stations back when I was just starting to drive.

    Stations gave you Eagle stamps, wash cloths or dishes, washed the windows. checked your oil, water and tires, Reminds me of an old Rock N Roll song, they wanted your business then,’ thought Lewis. ‘Now you got 50 pumps, got to check everything yourself. How do they know who’s where at the pumps, and run a quick shop too, I remember 19.9 cents a gallon. However back then, you didn’t make as much money, I remember my first job, I mean after the 50 cent an hour job. Made $2.63 per hour at a factory, of course cigarettes were 25 cents a pack back then, and a new 1967 Pontiac Catalina two door hardtop with air conditioning, power steering, power brakes, power windows, automatic transmission and white wall tires was $3395.00. Back then, Pontiacs came with a V-8. It didn’t get any better than that. Well, better get on over to Bobby’s work. Government work always secret, what a crock. It makes you feel like if you don’t work for the Government, you are a second class citizen. Oh, well, guess I should get the paper and put it back inside before I leave. There is Larry Bets. I worked with Larry for years, he’s strange in a good way, and he has always had a good outlook on life and he is married to Carol, who always loved, and supported him in his endeavors. If Larry didn’t have her, he wouldn’t be here. Would have given up on life by now. She still works, she just likes to work. He’s, I think 58 and she’s 56. There’s a marriage made in heaven, just like mine. Well if my old truck will start, I’ll get on down the road.’

    Fired right up of course, as Lewis was a stickler on maintenance for his vehicles. Always keep good tires, a good battery and change oil and it’ll run forever, he always said, if you will just do the maintenance.

    As Lewis was driving through town, he saw Doc Robert Menard walking, as he has done for years, as doc says, ‘to keep circulation circulating.’ Honked and waved, Doc waved back. Lewis and Mary Ann had lived in this town many years. Working for the Government was the start, because when they first came here, he had met Larry at work, who told him of the house for sale, that was next door to him and Carol, so he and Mary Ann purchased the house and have lived there ever since.

    At the other end of town there was the on-ramp to the freeway. ‘ I love getting on the freeway,’ Lewis thought, ‘good ol Dwight Eisenhower, makes it a lot faster, of course he got the idea from Hitler when he saw the autobahn, but who cares as long as it’s here now. If France and Portugal hadn’t got so darn greedy for Germany’s coal and resources after World War One, Hitler would probably never have got in power, so thanks to France and Portugal for World War Two and this highway.’

    Driving the few miles to the Government facility Lewis thought of how lucky he and Mary Ann were to have raised their kids in a great town, and also having neighbors who were their best friends. Just a great friendly town, where everybody minded their own business, and you never heard any gossiping . Of course that was probably because so many people over the years were Government workers. You knew to mind your own business and keep your thoughts to yourself.

    ‘Well, there it is, big ol building with a tall security fence, a guard entrance and guards were everywhere and always packin. Guard, to let you into the parking lot, then cameras all around, and armed guards walking around. Bobby had okayed for me to enter, so that was simple. Now to find a parking place in the back forty and walk in. Surprised they don’t have a shuttle for us ole farts.’ thought Lewis, as he parked the truck, got out and walked toward the complex. He finally made it to the entrance to the building, and there stood Bobby waiting.

    Hey Lewis, these lots are big, huh? Bobby said, nodding in the direction of the parking lot Lewis just came from.

    Hey Bobby, you said it, Lewis agreed, giving a wheezing sound. How’s Terri?

    Great, Bobby said as he reached to shake Lewis’s hand..

    What you got to show me? You sounded mysterious’. Lewis said , as he returned the handshake.

    Well you’re going to like this because it is a mystery and I know how you are with mysteries, Bobby said laughingly.

    You surely know me alright. What you got? Lewis said.

    Well, let me give you the background first. Recently out of nowhere a Sputnik like satellite thingy showed up and started revolving around the earth at a speed so that it would not burn up coming into our atmosphere. It slowly started lowering though our atmosphere and when it got down, it landed like a light plane crash. We were able to retrieve what was left and have it all here. Bobby said as he pointed toward the building.

    How come I never heard of none of this, Bobby? Where did it end up crashing.

    In Mascoutah, Illinois on an air force base, and since it landed completely on government property, then we were able to keep all information of this ‘happening’ contained, Bobby said.

    Ok, Bobby, are we the only ones to know of this?

    No, other governments have been watching this descent, and have been buggin us; but we just ignore and deny, deny, deny. What are they gonna do? Our allies have really been raising hell, but we are stonewalling them for right now. We have been looking at this thing for a while, but we can’t put anything together that makes sense. It’s over here in the part of the complex where it’s more private, and I already know that you are aware this is strictly on the Q-T. Well there it is. Kind of banged up and scorched a little, but in pretty good shape for what she’s been though, almost intact as a matter of fact, said Bobby

    Darn, it does kind of resemble Sputnik. You sure the Russians don’t know anything about this? said Lewis

    No, we contacted our inside sources, and it didn’t come from them, said Bobby.

    Huh, well it looks like titanium, Lewis said, as he pecked it with his fingernail.

    Bobby said, as he pointed toward the access door, It’s a close match. Surprised the heck out of us too. Even the wiring looks somewhat like ours, and look at the instruction sticker on the inside of this plate. It is some kind of writing that looks like high tech German. And before you ask, the Germans are not connected either.

    Well, Bobby, it does looks like something that originated here, but if it didn’t come from here, then where in space did it come from, because we pretty well monitor everything. You know we are always looking for meteors that might hit us, Lewis said.

    I agree, but we hit a stone wall. Believe me, it did not come from here, because we would know, Bobby said as he waved his hands in a half arc.

    Well, I don’t know about that, because if there’s oil involved, our Government will lay with the devil or whoever they think they can use. Are you for sure the CIA is not the ‘DADDY’ of this, I wouldn’t trust that bunch of charlatans on anything, Lewis said.

    Well, Lewis, I’m almost positive, this did not originate here on Earth, Bobby said.

    Well, Bobby, when you say it, that is good enough for me. So now let’s try to figure out where it came from. This attempt at writing can be figured out, so it doesn’t seem too secret, said Lewis.

    Well, we figured out that it has a kind of radio transmitter and camera of sorts. I mean heck, it looks like a primitive space satellite like we used to build, back when you worked for us, Bobby said.

    I would like to bring Larry Bets into this, I believe he would be a lot of help. Lewis said .

    That’s okay with us. I was told to give you free rein. I’ll clear him, Bobby said looking directly at Lewis..

    Yeah, I saw him this morning when I left and he looks good, Lewis said.

    That’s fine, whatever you think, Lewis, said Bobby

    Well I’m going to head back home, and think about this, said Lewis

    Ok, Lewis, see you tomorrow, said Bobby.

    I’ll probably bring Larry with me tomorrow, said Lewis

    Ok, Lewis, said Bobby.

    Say, Bobby. I’m surprised you hadn’t brought Terri in on this, said Lewis

    I did and she’s thinking about it, said Bobby.

    Good, till tomorrow then, said Lewis.

    Lewis took the long way home, stayed off the American autobahn, and drove through the old section of town on the back roads to home. As he drove up the driveway of his house, he saw Mary Ann’s car parked in the garage.

    Mary Ann’s home, so I got somebody to talk to. I wonder if the check engine light went out in her car? Hey Honey, you home?

    Yeah, I’m out here on the patio talking to Carol.

    Hi Carol, How’s everything?

    Hi Lewis, everything’s fine.

    Where’s Lar?

    Over at the house.

    Ok, I’m going over to talk to him, Lewis said as he turned and walked toward Larry’s and Carol’s house.

    Just walk on in, he’s in the family room reading, Carol called to him.

    Lewis thought as he walked over, about how much he always liked their house, taste in decorating, and the way they maintained their yard. Larry always strived to make sure their house and garage was maintenance free.

    Hey, Larry? Lewis called through the patio door.

    Hey, Lewis, come on in, I’m in the family room loafing. What’s up?

    Saw Carol over at my house and she said I would find you reading. How would you like to go to work?

    I don’t know, awful nice, everyday being Saturday. What’s up? Larry said, as he stood to greet Lewis.

    You know Bobby and Terri? said Lewis

    Yeah, good people, said Larry.

    He called me to come over to the Government mausoleum today, said Lewis.

    That damn place, all that roof painted with camo paint, Larry said disgustingly.

    He showed me a Sputnik that crashed here in the United States, said Lewis.

    "That would be

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