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Kathy's Kapers Original Stories by Kathy Thompson Stories For All Ages
"13" (Romance/Mystery) The Utopian Tour is a vacation package Dave wants to enjoy. He is taken to Paradise Valley and falls in love with Sandy. Then he is accused of murdering her x-boy friend. If they don't find the real killer, Dave will die.
"13"
The large newspaper office was busy. Everyone was getting ready to go home for the weekend. But Dave was busy pecking on his keyboard. His concentration was hard, because he was rushing to finish his story.
Dave didn’t notice his small daily calendar read: April 13, 2007.
In his mid twenties, Dave was muscular and looked like a jock. His tough mannerisms tried to make up for the boyish good looks. His bright brown eyes were close together and piercing.
Dave was always feeling his chest, still feeling the pain from a fire he had been in. His breathing was usually hard and deliberate, because the fire and smoke damaged his lungs.
"Ah shit!" He hit the keyboard and typed in a hurry.
"Hey Dave, it's quitting time. I thought you were going on vacation." Mary was near him looking over his shoulder.
"I am. I am, Mary." He waved her away. "Ten whole days." He kept typing on his computer.
"Where you going?" She inquired.
"Haven't decided yet. Got to finish this." Making a mistake, he hit his fists on the desk.
"It's the operator. Not the computer." Giggling, Mary was over his shoulder. "Hey. The Carter arrest. That was messy. Glad I didn’t get that.”
The ringing phone startled Dave. "Damn it. Probably won’t have the police beat." Mary shrugged and left. He snapped up the phone. "Yes. Mr. Egan?" He straightened up. "Yes. Now?" He closed his eyes. "All right. I'll be right there." Hanging up, he pursed his lips.
He walked around some desks through the office to the editor's private office.
Behind his desk, Mr. Egan was puffing on a pipe, he was a husky man in his fifties. His stern looked was hard on Dave.
"Dave. You almost finished with that Carter article?"
"Yes, sir."
Mr. Egan leaned back in his chair studying Dave. "You almost got yourself shot." Dave gulped remembering the scene. "I'm thinking of taking you off the police beat."
"Mr. Egan, I got story." Dave pursed his lips.
"You sure did." He was nodding. "You got to the scene of the crime. But you didn't stay back when Sergeant Perkins told you. Instead you followed him." Dave was tensing worried. "And destroyed six crates of oranges, when he pushed you out of the way." Dave wanted to say something but didn't. "Then the robbers tripped over them, when they tried to run. Blood and oranges covered Park and Harbor Streets. I want that story in two minutes."
"Yes, Sir." Dave bit his lip and backed toward the door. "My vacation?" Dave wondered if he still had his job?
"You need it. I'll make my decision when you come back." Dave turned to the door. "The oranges did slow them down. So the police could catch them."
Dave reached for the door. "You can be an ace reporter, Dave. You’re too impatient. And you need to learn the difference between being too nosey and inquisitive." Dave walked out.
Dave felt relieved he had two weeks to himself with no plans. The next day he was jogging in the park. It made him feel relaxed and relieved his frustrations. He didn't know what he wanted to do for the next two weeks; be lazy or go camping and fishing. He just wanted to be alone for a change. He had a few friends and a couple girl friends, but nothing serious. He still wasn't sure what he wanted to do with his life.
It was a crazy world that didn't make much sense. There was no point in depending on much. It kept changing for Dave. The world never sat still.
Dave was wearing a loose t-shirt and shorts, as he ran a steady pace through the park. He didn't notice Tara running up behind him. She looked young in her mid forties. She was agile and athletic, with a light complexion. Her deep sparkling eyes were alluring and piercing. There was peace on her face and a half smile. She was right behind Dave and started to pass him. Instead, she kept pace with him. They were running side by side, until Dave picked up the pace. Tara kept up with him. He started running faster, but she stayed with him. They were racing and Tara stayed with him. Her endurance was strong with very little effort. Tara was smiling and not puffing. Dave was getting tired and breathing hard. He tried to hide it. Then Tara slowed down. Dave slowed and they walked together.
"You're not even puffing." Dave studied her.
"Lots of practice." Her smile was crooked. Dave thought she was nice looking. "I'm Tara. I've seen you here a couple times. What's your name?"
"Dave. Dave Hunter."
"What do you do for a living?"
"I'm a reporter for the Chronicle. But---" He sighed wondering about his future. "On vacation now." He perked up as they walked through the park.
"Oh. People like you are my clients. I run a tour guide service." Tara walked over to her car. Dave noticed the small station wagon with a magnetic advertisement. "TAKE THE ULTIMATE VACATION - TAKE THE UTOPIAN TOUR - Tara's Tours 671-2121."
"Where you going on vacation?" She inquired watching Dave studying the sign.
"What is that?" He pointed at the sign.
"The best vacation you ever had." She grinned. "But I'm sure you already have plans."
"Utopian Tour?" He scratched his thick hair and pursed his lips. "What’s that?"
"A tour of Utopia in Paradise Valley." Tara was nodding as Dave was cocking his head at the sign.
He didn't believe her. "No such place." Dave looked at Tara was who nodding. "Where?"
"I can show you." He was shaking his head. From the glove compartment, Tara gave him her business card. "If you're ever interested. Utopia will be there." She was ready to pull out.
"Where is it?" It piqued his interest.
directions are complicated. I can show you."
"How much?"
"How long have you got?"
"Ten days."
"A hundred dollars. Complete package." It sounded like a deal to Dave. "Meet me at the airport tomorrow. Seven a.m. We'll take a helicopter." Tara drove off.
Scratching his head, Dave wondered what he got himself into. She had gotten his curiosity aroused, and he was thinking of a possible story to bring back.
The following morning Dave found himself in a helicopter lifting off the ground. Tara was in the back with him. The pilot was navigating them straight up. The chopper door had a sign on it: "TARA TOURS".
They lifted higher and higher. Dave liked flying and seeing San Francisco from above.
"You'll see." Tara and the pilot looked at each other and nodded. Something was going on between them.
It was almost too high for a chopper. They were flying North up into the clouds. The Earth disappeared below in the clouds. Everything was in a haze. Dave lost his sense of direction and was looking all over.
Then slowly they descended back down into the clouds and back to Earth. Looking around Dave noticed pastures, farms, valleys, and lakes dotting the area. Nothing looked familiar. Dave was looking all around. They flew down towards a city in the distance.
A train was at the edge of the city. It pulled out and continued across the landscape. Large domes were scattered outside and away from the city by a lake. The city was very clean and well organized with planned residential, business, and recreation areas. It looked like the 1940s and 1950s. Houses with yards and white picket fences. The streets were narrow allowing for walking, bikes, and horses. No cars were in sight. Everything was well planned down to the last tree, bush, and flower.
People were walking, biking, and on horseback. Biting his lip, Dave was puzzled. He pulled out some chewing gum and chomped on it. Intently he watched the people below. They appeared normal, but nothing was familiar.
"Where are we?"
"Paradise Valley." Smiling, Tara watched him.
The chopper sat down on top of a ten-story building. None of the buildings were more than ten stories high. Tara took Dave on a tour of the city. Everyone knew Tara and said "Hi,"
or waved at her.
"Where are we?" Dave was confused and the questions were buzzing in his head.
They were in the business district of the small city. There was some conservative advertising for the local businesses. Dave was in awe as they walked around. They crossed the street and Tara lead him into the Education Store.
It was a large store with service counters and the walls were covered with packaged education. Catalogs were lying on the counters.
"Education is a private industry. Every city has it's own store."
People were working behind the counters. Dave was looking around amazed. A seventeen year old girl came in up to the counter.
"Wait a minute. The state controls the schools." Dave scratched his head.
"What's a state?" The pudgy young girl wrinkled her nose at Dave. "What's school?" A clerk came over to wait on the girl.
"I want to be a journalist."
Dave watched the girl take out a credit card. Nodding the clerk went to the wall and pulled out a package of records, CDs, tapes, and manuals for her and placed them on the counter.
"I'm a reporter for the Chronicle." Dave remarked. "The San Francisco newspaper."
"We don't have newspapers." Tara told him.
"What?" He turned to Tara.
"We don't waste our trees for that." Tara informed him. "Communications is well covered with television, radio and satellites. Would you like to investigate television reporting?"
"I like to write. Sports and stories." Dave added.
The clerk processed the girl's card, and gave her the package. Tara and Dave followed her out.
Next door, they went into the Health office, which was labeled above the door. They were going in when Sandy came out. She wasn't looking and bumped into Dave. She dropped some CDs. In her mid-twenties, Sandy was small, cute, and perky. They both bent over to pick up the discs and butted heads.
"Excuse me." Sandy looked into Dave's eyes.
"My fault." He looked at her picking up the discs.
Tara watched them smile at each other. The attraction was there.
"I'm late." Sandy rushed off.
Dave was watching her, as Tara lead him down the block to the Communications Store. It was a large store with a varied display of televisions, radios, media players, computers, phones, pamphlets, and catalogs. A television was on the counter. Tara picked up a small camera and started filming Dave. He saw himself on the monitor on the counter.
"All our television programs are syndicated." Tara was filming him. "You can have your own show. Interview celebrities. Worldwide. Or radio show." Then Tara spotted a calendar on the counter and shoved it off the other side. She turned Dave around. She put the camera down.
"I like to write stories, to. Fiction."
"That comes under the recreation corporation." Then she steered him outside and down the street.
It was a beautiful spring day. Many people were coming out of the Food Store with carts of food. They were walking. A furniture store was nearby. The transit depot was right behind them. They walked down the street to the Transportation Store.
Inside were bicycles and tricycles. Pictures of planes, trains, bikes, helicopters were on the walls. Catalogs were on the service counter. There was even a rental area. Clerks were busy with customers. Dave looked around in awe.
"It should seat eight people." A customer requested.
"Yes. You can pick up the small Sharpton jet at the airport, 5,000 credits."
"Fine." The man gave him a credit card.
Tara steered Dave upstairs to Scheduling. It was a large computerized room that was sectioned off. All types of transportation were available; air, train, freight, bus, rescue. Dave thought he was dreaming.
"Wait a minute. Cars. There's no cars. Where----"
"Very inefficient method of transportation." Tara interrupted him. "No need for them here."
On the wall was a large world map. The land masses looked similar, but somehow different.
"Where am I?" Dave exclaimed loudly. Everyone turned to look at him, then went back to his or her work.
"Paradise Valley." Tara was calm.
"Who are you?" Dave was cautious.
"Tara."
"Are you in charge here? Something's going on here. Something's wrong."
"No. Yes. What is this place? Are you in charge?"
"I want to see someone in charge." Dave followed her downstairs and outside.
"You can talk to the council of the Communications or Recreation Corporation."
"The mayor. Police." He followed her down the street.
"We have neither."
"I don't understand. What is going on here? Tara?”
"We have Security. This way."
The city looked new. It was very clean and each block was well planned. Dave's mind was buzzing with questions. It was getting very weird. They walked a block to the office labeled Security. Tara opened the door for him.
"We have no government, as you know it. Just corporations providing leadership and management. We have no states, nations, no boundaries."
"Where in the hell am I?" He demanded getting upset.
"Paradise Valley. I can take you back if you wish."
With his hands on his hips, he was staring at her. A big man brushed passed them with a young man in handcuffs. The man had a wide belt around his waist.
The large office was divided into sections with a large long service counter in front of it. The man yanked the cuffed man over to the Investigations counter. He pulled out his investigator's badge.
"I'm I.V. 764. I'm charging this man with stealing private property."
"It's mine. My wife gave it to me." He insisted.
A small woman came in and shoved Dave aside. She rushed over to the Protection Counter.
"I need a bodyguard, right now. I'm being followed." A clerk stepped over to her.
Other sections in the room were labeled; weapons, fire, defense, offense, confinement. Dave was chewing his gum hard as he looked around. "Utopia huh?"
Tara shrugged. "Yes. Human imperfection has not been mastered. Yet." She walked out and Dave followed her.
Outside they continued down the street into the residential block. First they stopped at a Bakery and got some fresh bread and honey. Wildlife and children were abundant. Children were playing in the parks. Tara and Dave walked to a park. It was getting warmer out. The sun was high and clouds dotted the sky. Dave couldn't help but notice the peace and harmony. Church bells were heard, and Tara pointed out the church through some trees.
"The church is Unitarian. Where would you like to stay? A hotel, apartment, condo of your own?"
"How much?" Dave turned to her finishing his huge bun with honey on it.
"Part of the package."
It was a strange society that was becoming intriguing. He wasn't afraid, but impatient of not getting any answers. Tara made him feel comfortable and at ease. There was something about her that fascinated him.
Dave found himself in the Housing Office. It was like a typical real estate office. It had a world map on the wall and a city map. Tara quickly moved in front of the calendar and turned it over face down on the desk. Everyone was hiding something that they didn't want Dave to know.
"Everyone lives near their work," The older lady told him as she pointed out the housing on the city map.
Dave noticed a duplex near the ball field and lake that was near a forest on the edge of the city and pointed it out. Everything was well labeled.
"Is that one available?" Dave looked at the lady.
"Let me check." She pushed a few buttons on the computer in the desk. "Yes. And it’s furnished."
Dave began to wonder if he was still on Earth. He was thinking of writing a story about it. Nodding, he got up and started out.
"Enjoy your stay." The woman called to him.
If he could get away from Tara, and talk to some of the people it might help. Where would the adventure take him? Across the street, Tara pointed out the Education Center.
"You mean school." Dave wondered.
"Education Center." She was shaking her head.
It was a two-story building with a playground nearby. Tara turned around and pointed to the sports center. Some people came out of the Sports Center.
Sandy came out dressed in leotards and sweatshirt. She had been working out, and she was sweating. Dave noticed her sharp figure. He liked what he saw. About to step forward, he noticed Eddie Jensen, thirty years old, come around the building to Sandy. Slight of build, Eddie was sly, slick, and dominant in his moves. Sandy and Eddie started arguing. Then Eddie grabbed her shaking her.
Sandy was becoming upset. "How much did you lose this time?" Sandy knew he was a compulsive gambler.
"I'll win it back. Who was that guy I saw you with Tuesday night?"
"A client." Her head and eyes were down. She knew he could
get emotional and physical. She was trying to shield herself. "He wants to lose 20 pounds. Just leave me alone, Eddie." She was fighting him.
"It's me and you kiddo. Don't forget that." The 30 year old lost his temper quickly and poked Sandy in the breast.
"Leave her alone." Dave approached them.
"Who are you?" Eddie was quick to turn on him.
“A friend. The lady asked you to leave.”
Their dark eyes were hard on each other. Stepping back Tara watched to see what would happen.
“She’s my lady.” Eddie’s long nose wrinkled and his dark brown eyes furrowed closer together in anger.
“You don’t own me, Eddie.” Sandy was getting upset and tensed pouting.
“We love each other.” Eddie was sure and turned on Sandy.
Cocking his head, Dave was waiting for her to say something. When she didn’t, Dave’s shoulders went down in disappointment.
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