Misplaced Beyond the Red Rickshaw by J. E. Turnbo

Author:J. E. Turnbo
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Time Travel, Action Adventure, Fiction, Humerous
Publisher: J.E. Turnbo
Published: 2021-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

AUSTIN, TEXAS

March 15th, 2007, 4:27 p.m.

It had been a long time since Billy thought about his fateful meeting with the man who gave him this Red Rickshaw. Talking to Sammy reminded him of the day when he spotted an elderly Japanese man pedaling his way on this very cab. Leading up to that fateful meeting, Billy contemplated the what’s next for his life. Which included getting on a bus to California to live as a homeless beach bum. When that idea floundered, he combed through a mental list of friends he raced with, and considered hitting one of them up for a place to stay. However, that too meant he’d have to leave Austin.

Down on his luck, the tiny man pulled up next to him and slowed to a stop. The frail Asian sat high on his seat for several seconds staring at Billy as if studying him. Then, in a fit of what Billy reasoned as recognition, he waved Billy over.

“No thanks,” Billy said. “I’m not lookin’ for a ride.”

“No ride. You. Come,” the man said, waving feverishly now.

He’d sat crouched on the low step for more than an hour. Grunting, Billy remembered standing as his legs rebelled against the impulsive movement. His joints popped as shortened muscles refused to stretch, forcing him to stand like his body could only move certain parts at a time – in no specific order. Life of a runner, he thought. “What do you want?” he wanted to say, but opted for the more polite, “Can I help you?”

As the two stood a foot apart, the Japanese man climbed down. When his small frame landed on the concrete, the entire contraption sprung upwards slightly and let out a subtle squeak. Billy looked back, half expecting to see some intricate hydraulic suspension system. But it was still a bike of all things. A second later, his eyes traveled the length of the cab. Stenciled across the side in giant white faded letters were the words... Red Rickshaw. His gaze stopped at the crease where the door met the cab’s body. There, near the handle, the top corner of the R on Rickshaw peeled back and flapped like it motioned him over. “I give you,” he said pointing at Billy. The man’s eagerness came across as panicked.

Billy remembered looking at him as if the words didn’t register. “What do you mean?”

“I want to give you,” he said pointing again. “I’m tired. I’m old. You... young... vibrant,” he continued lifting a fist in the air. “You take over,” he finished. These last three words came across as an order. And then to add an explanation point to his command, he then stepped away from the cab.

Under different circumstances, Billy would kindly decline and walk away before anything crazy happened. (As if this wasn’t crazy enough.) But he needed something. And that something just fell in his lap.

Over the course of the next half hour, the elderly Japanese man showed him the cab inside and out. As the two started their own ways, Billy asked his name.

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