Paradox Alley by John Dechancie

Author:John Dechancie
Language: vie
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Lori and I had come down into L.A. by way of Sunset Boulevard, which had taken us through Brentwood, Westwood, Beverly Hills, and into West Hollywood. It had been a nice drive, traffic on the moderate side, and I had reached a point where I felt comfortable operating Dave’s Volkswagen. It was a good, economical little car. I know, because I had filled it up before we left. Gasoline was ridiculously cheap as it was. I couldn’t see the price staying that low for any length of time.

“Okay,” I said. “I’m going to let you off around Vine Street. Do you remember the address in Culver City?”

“Yeah,” Lori said. She was nervous and a little scared. “Dave’s sister is expecting you at ten.”

“Ten, right. But I don’t know where Culver City is.”

“If everything goes well, Carl—Carl Two, the double—should take you there. He knows where Culver City is.”

We had asked Dave if he knew anyone who could put Lori up for a few days. We couldn’t have Carl Two bringing her to Dave’s place. Carl One said that Debbie lived in Culver City, and it turned out, Dave had a sister who lived there. Dave phoned her with the story of a social worker friend of his who ran a shelter for runaways, and of a girl who needed a place to stay because of overcrowding. Debbie Smith—nice kid, basically, just needs a little special attention. Dave’s sister said fine, send her over.

Lori was chewing her lip anxiously. “What’s the matter?” I asked.

“What if…?” She shivered. “Oh, Jake, this is so scary. What if I can’t get Carl to pick me up? What happens then?”

“Good question,” I said, “and I’d be lying if I said I knew. I don’t know what happens if you foul up a paradox. I don’t know that a paradox can be fouled up. But I don’t think you’re going to have any trouble. Those jeans of yours look sprayed on.”

“They shrank in that silly clothes dryer of Dave’s.”

“All to the good, I say. Just walk around looking as pretty as you are.”

She frowned and flicked a hand through her hair. “I think I look horrible as a brunette. What an awful color that dye turned out to be.”

“Darla did her best. Okay, what street is this?”

“Bonita.”

I turned left, went two blocks, and turned right onto Hollywood Boulevard. I cruised for a few blocks, then pulled over.

“This is it,” Lori said.

I looked around. “I don’t see him, but our Carl said that this is one of his hunting grounds.” There were plenty of kids out, riding in cars, shouting at one another, standing on street corners, and generally misspending their collective youth.

Lori got out, closed the door, and poked her head in the window, her eyes wide with apprehension. “Jake? What if there really is a Debbie?”

I smiled. “Don’t stay out too late, Debbie.”

A little of the anxiety left her face, and she smiled thinly. “Wish me luck,” she said.

I watched her walk away. Those jeans really were a second skin.

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