Storymania - Q by Don F Vaccarino

Q (5)
Don F Vaccarino

“I told her how your brilliant ideas shaped up the track team to insure victory this afternoon,” says Art.
“They better win then,” says Q.
“They have an excellent chance,” says Manferd. “Remember the prom this year includes dinner, so be here with your dates, dancing shoes and appetites at 6:00 sharp tomorrow,” Manferd continues.
“I forgot to tell you guys,” says Art. “You have dancing lessons tomorrow at my house after lunch,” he tells Q and Fergy.
“What will we use for music?” asks Fergy.
“Aunt Millie will play the piano for you,” Art answers.
The lunch time is over, and all go back to class.
The end of the school day seamed like it took forever. Everyone was anxious for the track meet to begin. Before heading out to the track, Manferd served up the last of the vitamin drinks. The Dover High school bus’s pulled in at 3:30. The meet is scheduled to start at 4:00. The boys are in the Bentley playing back the morning telephone calls. Art sends Fergy to get Manferd ten minutes before the start of the meet.
“I haven’t much time, what is it?” asks Manferd.
Art plays the recording for him. Ferris is betting on Dover to win the meet.
“Thank-you,” says Manferd.
During the team huddle, Manferd tells the team that Ferris is betting against them. That was more inspirational than any pep talk could ever have been. They lost the first race, a 100 meter dash. It was expected, their man holds the record for that event in all south England. Ferris had a grin from ear to ear.
That turned out to be the last grin of the afternoon for Ferris. The home team won the 220 meter, the 440 meter, and just did win the 400 meter relay. Ferris was furious.
Dover won the 100 meter hurdles, and that was their last spot of glory for the day. The last race was the 1000 meter cross country. Manferd was passing out cups of energy drink to the three runners. The other team had a small drink of something too. The out come of this race would be the determining factor of the meet. We only had to have one runner finish in the first three to win the meet. The boys wanted to rub it into Ferris’s face with a triple final victory. One of the judges had a taste of Q’s energy drink and called it lousy lemon aid. The race was begun.
Q and Fergy slipped back into the school. Ferris was still waiting for the end of the meet.
“We better remove all the wires from Ferris’s telephone before he figures out how we knew about the betting,” says Q.
Fergy and Q remove all the wires back to Fergy’s locker, then put the wire in Art’s car. They make it back to the track before the end of the race. The runners are returning to the site from around the corner. All the home team guy’s are way out in front! It is a complete sweep of the cross country run. Ferris sulked back into the school. He should have been elated. Sally winked across the field at Q. She could not see him blush from that distance, but Fergy and Art saw him.
Manferd joined the boys in the Bentley. Ferris had bet 100 pounds on Dover to win the meet. Manferd was congratulating Q on his brilliant strategy. The long distance runners had less fatigue at the end of the race because of the weight conditioning, vitamins and the cushioned sole inserts in their running shoes.
The boys were listening to the last recordings from the wire recorder. Most of the rest of the conversations were actually about school business. All except one to make an appointment with Miss Peal for Sunday night at 9:00 PM.
“Well it looks like we are on for tonight,” says Manferd.
“You better inform your father this auto has been modified to be very fast. He should be careful not to use too much accelerator,” says Art.
“I will be sure to let him know,” says Manferd.
The petrol tank on the Bearcat was still almost on full. Art had been using the Bentley more because of the Autophone. At 6:30 PM Art drove the Bearcat over to Manferd’s house. It was more of a mansion than house. The gate house was used by the stable hand and his wife. The small barn was used to keep their two automobiles, but in the stable they still kept several horses.
They kept the carriage in working order, but the horses were saddled and ridden around the estate for their exercise. The fields they used to plow are now orchards, and vineyards. Art parked as to block the door of the small barn. Q and Fergy were right behind him in the Bentley.
Manferd came out to greet them as they got out of the automobiles. Art left the keys in the Bearcat.
“The school board principals wife is the house having dinner with my parents,” says Manferd. “They are scheduled to go and pick up her husband at Miss Peabody’s house in a little while,” he continued.
“We should say hello to her before we leave,” says Q.
“That is a smashing idea,” says Manferd. “We are going to the ice cream parlor when we leave here. That is where my parents are going to take the board president and his wife after they pick him up,” he finishes.
“We will be there before they arrive,” says Art.
“We need air tight alibi’s,” says Q. “We don’t want any doubts as to where we are,” Q finishes.
“Well then,” says Manferd. “Lets pop inside and say good-buy, we want to be most of the way finished with our ice cream when they arrive.
After the boys say hello to everyone, Manferd kisses his mom good-bye, and says that we will see them at the ice cream parlor. The boys take the Bentley straight to the ice cream parlor. Q opens the door for the mayor as they arrive at the same time.
“Good evening Mayor,” the boys all say.
He replies as he seats his family at a booth. The boys take a booth in the back of the parlor and check out the menu.
“What luck,” says Art.
“With the mayor here, no one will doubt our whereabouts,” Q agrees. The boys wait till the mayor’s family order before they place theirs. Fergy looks at his watch.
“It’s precisely 7:45,” he announces.
The boys all look at each other with smiles on their faces.
In front of Miss Peabody’s house, Manferd’s parents and guest have just arrived. The school board president Miss Peabody, and Mr. Ferris are stepping out the front door. Mr. Ferris glances passed them to Miss Peal’s driveway.
“Isn’t that Art Bond’s Stuts Bearcat in Miss Peal’s driveway,” he comments.
Miss Peabody was about to make her rehearsed comment, when she saw the other Stuts Bearcat parked in front of her house. Mr. Ferris had his auto parked in Miss Peabody’s driveway. Mr. Ferris nudged her to get her to say her lines. She nudged him back and motioned for him to look in the street. Both she and Ferris kept quiet. The school board president’s wife stepped out of Art’s Bearcat to greet her husband.
“We have just had a lovely ride over here in Art Bond’s Stuts Bearcat,” she tells him. “It is such a nice evening, the evening air with the top down is fun,” she finishes.
“It appears there is another Stuts Bearcat in town,” says the board president, motioning to the one parked in Miss Peals’ driveway.
“Where is yours,” asks Manferd’s father of Ferris.
“I am parked in Miss Peabody’s driveway,” he replied as he pointed it out.
“Well have a nice evening,” says Manferd’s father.
They leave for the ice cream parlor.
In the ice cream parlor, the boys are half finished with their treats, when Manferd’s parents and guests arrive. After the are seated, Manferd’s father excuses himself to the men’s room. Manferd follows him. When they came back out, the dejected look on Manferd’s face was all the explanation the boys needed. After they finished eating, they said good-bye to everyone and left in the Bentley.
“What could have happened?” Q asks Manferd.
“Ferris was there and ‘his’ Bearcat was in Miss Peabody’s driveway,” Manferd replies.
“Well at least we are not in any trouble,” says Fergy.
“Oh yes we are,” says Art.
“How is that?” asks Manferd.
“Ferris will want blood,” answers Q.
“I see,” says Manferd.
The boys drove past Miss Peal’s and saw the other Stuts Bearcat in the driveway. There were no plates on the back of it. Art sunk around to the front of it to get the number off the front plate. There was none, it was a rental car from Dover. The boys park a block away and watch for the driver of that car.
About ten minutes later they see Ferris meet a man coming out of Miss Peal’s house. Ferris hands him something, then he leaves. Ferris goes back to his car and leaves. The boys surmise that Ferris had paid someone to rent the car and visit Miss Peal for the evening. They take Manferd home, they get there at the same time as Manferd’s parents. Manferd’s father greets them and hands Art his keys.
“Nice automobile,” he says. “How did it get all that pep,” he asks?
Art responds, “Fergy reworked the motor, and Q invented Powerup.” “What the devil is Powerup?” Manferd’s Father asks.
“You don’t want to know,” Fergy replies.
After giving Q an inquiring stare, Manferd’s father says good night and goes into his home. Art makes a call on his Autophone. Afterward he tells Fergy to take the Bentley to Fergy’s home and drop Q on the way.
“You can bring it back with you tomorrow when you fellows get your dancing lessons,” Art says as he roars off in the Bearcat.

Chapter Five

After his morning chores, Fergy drives the Bentley over to Q’s house. Q is just finishing getting cleaned up.
“Art said to come for lunch,” says Fergy. “Let’s go, I am hungry,” he continues.
Q pack’s up his wire recorder, then they head for Art’s house. As they pull in the driveway, they see Art helping Pam and Susan out of the Bearcat. “These are the two guy’s that are going to step all over your feet later,” he tells them.
Art introduces the girls to Aunt Millie.
“Well lunch will be in about ten minutes,” she announces. “You young folks can wait in the parlor,” she finishes.
Pam and Susan insist on helping in the kitchen. Aunt Millie gives in to their wishes.
“Is it all right to make a modification to your radio?” Q asks Art.
“Sure Q,” Art answers.
Q hooks a cable inside the floor model radio in the parlor.
“What is this going to do?” asks Fergy.
“I will demonstrate,” answers Q.
He connects the wire recorder to the cable, turns on the radio and the recorder. A moment later the recorder is playing back through the large radio speaker.
“Lunch is served,” Susan breaks their train of thought.
Aunt Millie has made her famous soup and fresh bread again.
“My favorite,” says Fergy.
Everyone enjoys the lunch.
“What types of dancing to you boys need to learn?” Pam asks.
“All of them,” answers Art. “As long as I have known them, neither has ever been dancing,” he finishes.
“I tried once at my cousins wedding,” says Fergy.
“That was three years ago,” says Q.
When lunch is over, the girls help Aunt Millie clean up.
“We will have more time to dance if we help you,” they say.
Q is placing the microphone for the wire recorder hanging down from the open lid of the grand Piano. Art plays a few notes, then Q plays it back. “Perfect,” says Q.
He rewinds the wire, and explains to Aunt Millie that he will record her playing. Then later he will play the songs back with the recorder and she can relax.
“How thoughtful of you Q,” she remarks.
The dance lessons begin. The girls teach Fergy and Q the waltz, fox-trot and cha cha. Those were the ones that Manferd told them the band would be playing at the prom. After playing the seven songs that the girls selected from Aunt Millie’s song books, Q rewound them to play them back. Aunt Millie was impressed with the recorder.
During the dance lessons for Q and Fergy, Art brushed up on his dancing with his Aunt. Aunt Millie wanted to know where she could get one of those recorders. Art told her that it would only cost her a couple of bowels of soup for Q.
“You made this thing?” asks Aunt Millie.
“Yes,” Q replies. “I will be happy to make you one, soup not required,” says Q.
“He won’t refuse it though,” adds Art.
“If Q doesn’t want it, I will take it,” says Fergy.
“In that case,” says Q. “You can help build it.”
“It will be my pleasure,” says Fergy.
Then Fergy asked Aunt Millie for the next waltz. She gladly accepted. Before the lessons broke up at 4:00 PM, Aunt Millie played a duet with herself on the piano.
“You all come back soon,” she told everyone as they left.
“We will,” was the reply.
Q and Fergy took the Bearcat home, while Art took the girls home in the Bentley.
“See you at 5:45,” says Art.
He was taking Pam, and Susan was going with Fergy. Q was to drop Fergy off at Art’s house at 5:30, then pick Sally up with the Bearcat. Pam and Susan were allowed to be out till 2:00 AM, but Sally had to be home at 1:00 AM. This way Q would be on his first date with an auto at his complete disposal. The least Art could do for his best friend. The date and ride for Fergy in the Bentley was the least he could do for his other best friend.
Art had to leave early for the prom. He had to drop off five batches of Aunt Millie’s cookies, and twelve loaves of fresh baked bread. The inside of the Bentley smelled like a bakery. Fergy was ready to start on them before they got to the school. Art had to guard them all the way into the auditorium. The tables were all decorated now. Each table had an old wine bottle with a candle in it. The dinner music duo were setting up. An accordion and mandolin to play dinner music. After dinner, a six piece band would take over for dance music. Manferd had thought of everything. This will be the most memorable prom in the schools history.
When Art and Fergy returned with their dates, Q and Sally had just sat down at their table. The tables are setup for four couples each. Manferd and his date, Karen, will join them. Another addition to the evenings festivities is the presents of Manferd’s parents as chaperones. The real reason they were there was to keep an eye on Ferris. After the Stuts Bearcat ploy failed, and the track meet win over Dover High, he would be after Q and Art for sure. Maybe even Manferd and Fergy too. They didn’t want to let him ruin the prom for anyone.
At 6:00 PM on the dot, the buffet was opened, and the dinner music began. The theme was Italian. The mandolin provided just the right atmosphere. Most of the auditorium lights were turned off, and the light from the candles became more pronounced. There were three tables full of food, and one with just deserts. Art and Susan were next in line for the buffet, when Ferris came up to him and asked him to move his Stuts Bearcat to the back lot.
“We don’t want that thing to leak all over the fresh resurfacing job,” he says.
Manferd’s Father was right behind Ferris.
“That auto was in my driveway for several hours yesterday, and it didn’t leak then. Let me borrow the keys Art, and I will move it for you,” says Manferd’s Father.
“Oh,” says Ferris. “If he’s had the leak fixed, it can stay in the main lot,” Ferris continues.
When Art gets back to the table he informs Q.
“Watch out for Ferris, he is out to get us tonight,” he says
“Good,” says Q. “I want to it to be a fair fight,” he says. “What was Ferris up to?” Q asks Art.
“He was trying to get me and Pam out of the buffet line to move the Bearcat. Remember he made it look like it was leaking the other day,” Art finishes. “Too bad no one is walking the parking lot. They might find that Ferris’s auto is leaking,” says Q.
“Yes,” says Fergy. “There might be a little antifreeze under the radiator,” he finishes.
Manferd over heard the exchange, and informed his father. “I think I will get a little fresh air,” says Manferd’s father.
“Care to join me,” he asks Ferris.
“Yes,” answers Ferris. “The smell of all that food is getting to me,” Ferris finishes.
Manferd’s father leads the stroll past Mr. Ferris’s Bearcat.
“You were right,” says Manferd’s father. “Art’s auto is leaking,” he finishes.
“That is my Auto,” says Ferris.
Ferris kneels to look under the front.
“Looks like antifreeze to me,” says Manferd’s father.
“I think your right,” Ferris agrees.
Manferd’s father starts to walk back to the school. Ferris begins to follow him.
“Aren’t you going to move it to the other lot?” says Manfered’s father. “Oh,” says Ferris. “Yes,” he answers.
Manferd’s father walks into the school while Ferris moves his auto to the back lot.
Manferd’s father passes the news of the leaky Stuts Bearcat to Art. As he was explaining to everyone at their table, Art had to laugh. Q looked at Fergy.
“Excuse me,” Fergy says a moment later.
He leaves the table for the wash rooms. A few minutes later he returns smiling.
“What are you up to?” Art asks Q and Fergy.
“If Ferris’s Bearcat leaked in the main parking lot, it should still be leaking in the back one too,” Q answers.
Art’s smile grew even wider.
“The night is still young yet,” Q adds. “It is kind of like a chess match, the best defense is a good offense,” Q finishes.

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