Chapter 3 Do You Have A Plan

- It is not possible that you have not managed to get a better car. Are we going to do it? - Stewart's astonishment was justifiable. Jack's car was from the beginning of the century, it was hit in several places and it was a surprise to still walk.

- Nobody's selling cars, Stew. I made offers that I thought were crazy on cars a little newer than mine. Everyone who still has a car is afraid of having to flee in a moment of catastrophe. You know that for many years, cars have not been produced, and now you can't even find used stores anymore. Maybe closer to the center of the country, crossing the barriers, we will be able to buy another one. - Jack explained himself.

"I hope I don't get tetanus from all that rust," Carol quipped.

- Stop complaining! My car is super conserved and it's a warrior. It's just been a while since I've been with him. And you can't even imagine how difficult it was to find gas. But it called and it worked really well. Glad I had taken the battery out and left it safe. Those antiquity preservation tutorials are always worth it," Jack said proudly.

- A gas-powered car. It won't blow us up, right? Carol continued with what seemed like ironic remarks.

- You don't know anything. In the past, good, safe and resistant cars were made. These newer cars were all disposable. That's why you almost don't see the intermediate vintages, from 15 years ago, of electric and flying cars. They turned everything into scrap metal. - Jack was still in the nostalgic mood.

- That's a myth. These cars were destroyed so that there was still purchase of the latest productions, before the end of the car industry - Stewart contradicted Jack.

- In any case, it's Big Phil who's taking us.

- My goodness, he named the car. No way will you get rid of him. You know we can't get into Nebraska in that old tin, don't you? - Carol was scared.

- I know, Carol, I know! No need to talk like that - Jack got all sentimental.

- Let's go, go. Stewart, you follow! I'm not going to keep a bunch of suitcases in one of me, just because "Big Phil's" trunk is tiny - Carol has already given orders.

- But you were the one who brought the most bags! And a bus would be more suitable, like this.

- Guys, I have a lot of money, we'll have to buy new clothes! Why so much suitcase? I'm only carrying one backpack - Jack was shocked to see all those bags.

- Two of those suitcases are weapons and survival gear. We can't go around unprotected. Or do you think that just in your trickery speech, we'll get something? - Carol justified herself.

- Okay, but you have three other suitcases. - Stewart endorsed it.

- Look, instead of complaining, you don't get it right there, get organized, everything fits and you're still comfortable - she said angrily.

All ready, they left.

- Did you even ride in flying cars, when they still existed around here? - Stewart asked the first question of the trip. Both replied in the negative.

Silence followed for a while, until Jack decided to put on music.

- What is it? - Carol asked.

- One classic. My grandfather loved it. It's travel music for me. It's a British band was a kind of alternative rock. Yes they called it rock. But I find the melody so pleasurable. Do you believe they started playing in 1996? - Jack explained and they were both surprised.

"I can't believe you're listening to something from the last century," Carol exclaimed as if it were a crime.

- The most famous ones I put are from the beginning of the century. They even had video, look over there. Jack tossed the holographic image to the passenger side of the windshield.

- What a strange concept, is he doing a scene in reverse? - Stewart asked.

-This is pure art! - Jack was ecstatic.

- Lie, his mate died? Were they without feeling? Had he been wandering all this time, in shock? - Carol was in tears. - Music can't be something like that. Oh my!

- Man, I'm in a mess of feelings and another song has already started, are we going like this during these hours of travel? - Stewart asked.

- It will be one of the most amazing experiences of your life. - Jack was beaming.

It was amazing how slow the car movement was. What still existed in terms of transport was collective, but very rare and the use of bicycles was enormous. Still, given the size of the population, the flow was not high.

Most people worked from home and stayed fixed in their neighborhoods, going out for short perimeters and for a few moments of the day. Almost always, just for the publicity recommendation of the sun bath.

- Traveling really is an incomparable experience. Seeing things go by quickly through the window, the feeling of moving from one place to another, the mood, the look, it's very interesting. -Stewart had never left the city where he was born.

"Really, Stew, it's something unique," Jack agreed. - And I make everything more special, right?

They continued to surprise themselves with songs and videos, doing analysis, until they reached the first barrier.

- Good afternoon! - The policeman greeted the group from outside the car. - Let's do a recon on the car, okay?

Instantly, a light went through the entire vehicle and an image appeared on a screen the officer was carrying.

- Are you armed? Oh yes, they were also from the security force! Appeared here. But it appears that they are no longer in the service of Big M. What is the reason for the ticket? - He inquired.

- Sorry, officer. I'll have to ask you to check your top secret authorization system - Jack spoke leaving everyone, including Stewart and Carol stunned.

The man called another policeman who seemed to be higher in the hierarchy, because of the clothes, which were different from what they were used to. He did what was sure to be optical recon to access secure data and verified authorization.

- Sorry I'm late, Mr. Jack! I hope you succeed in your mission - He said goodbye to the smiling driver who slowly passed by in his wonderful noisy car.

- What did you do? - Carol asked very curious.

- I had friends in the company's technology sector. I asked them to include the secret mission data. We'll be able to get past the first two barricades that way. I just made a small contribution to their fund," Jack explained.

- What if they find out? - Stewart, the most concerned of them, asked.

- If something goes wrong, they'll let me know. But they are very good at what they do - Jack reassured them.

- And the other 3 barricades? - Carol wanted to know.

- I already have plans for two and the last one is still under construction - Jack seemed less confident in this line.

"Under construction looks a lot like: I have no idea," was Carol's observation.

They passed the second stop without further ado, despite a slight extra awkwardness, this time, in relation to Jack's car.

Continuity would now depend on changing the car and, in a short time, the solution, in this new location, was already presented to them.