SUNGLASSES AND ROCKETS Part 1 : New Moon

A SUMMER NIGHT

At five past ten, Darwin came by my house. Right before leaving, I gave one more look at the telephone in the hall. It had not ring since my conversation with my friend. I had to face up to it: Vanessa had left forever.

Oh, how I missed her!

Very much in contrast to my own, Darwin's mood was the best ever. I cannot deny that my companion had reasons for putting such a good face on things: we were soon going to get to know the United States Naval Observatory, and we were going as distinguished visitors. Although I have to admit that the visit didn't mean much to me: the only sight I wanted to see was my lovely Venezuelan girl.

We got to Dr. Masterton's house at about 10:20 p.m. We were about to ring the bell, when the doctor opened the door with a push and came rushing out.

"Let's go!" he exclaimed, "Let's go! The Moon is waiting!"

We followed him at a jog over to his Cadillac. He opened the doors and threw a plastic bag full of meat in the back seat. A bag with meat in it? Were we going to have a barbecue at the observatory? It was possible. We were with an eccentric.

"Get in!" he said as he got to the car.

We got in, and we took off without further ado. After a few minutes of driving, Darwin started the conversation.

"I would think the Naval Observatory would have to be spectacular."

After a few minutes, the doctor asked:

"Did someone say something?"

It was obviously one of those times when the doctor was absorbed in who-knows-what.

"I would think the Naval Observatory would have to be incredible," Darwin repeated.

"Oh!" Moses Masterton exclaimed. "It's marvelous! Its refractor telescopes work perfectly; the Naval Observatory is precisely where information is collected for the Nautical Almanac Office. Its ephemeris is a reference for sailors and astronomers around the world. And as if that weren't enough, the Naval Observatory is in charge of determining the time for the whole country. It's an impressive place. Fantastic!"

It didn't sound bad.

"Are we on New Hampshire Avenue?" the doctor asked, changing the subject. "You're not going to believe me, but I still get lost."

"It's New Hampshire Avenue," I confirmed immediately.

"To be more precise, we're just getting to 25th Street," my friend added confidently.

The doctor took a wild turn to the right. I automatically stretched out my arm and held on to the glove compartment.

"Pardon me," our driver excused himself, "but I almost went past it."

He stopped the car just in front of GeorgeWashingtonUniversity. He parked without delay. It looked like the doctor was lost.

"I think we're in front of George WashingtonUniversity..." my friend observed.

"Sort of..." the doctor replied, opening his door. "Let's go! Let's go!"

We got out of the Cadillac. The doctor was already running hurriedly to the entrance.

"Darwin!" he shouted. "Don't forget the bag of meat!"

How confusing! I ran after the doctor.

"Doctor! Doctor!" I yelled. "Weren't we supposed to go to the Naval Observatory?"

He stopped and turned.

"The Naval Observatory?" he asked in surprise. "No."

He resumed his quick march towards the campus entrance. There was nothing else for it but to follow him. Darwin would soon catch up with us. He was carrying the bag in both hands.

"Doctor," he said agitated, "I thought we were going to the Naval Observatory..."

"Well thought," the doctor said without stopping.

"But, Dr. Masterton," Darwin protested to the right of him. "GW doesn't have an observatory..."

I had not realized it until then. Darwin was right: there was no observatory in that university. However, Moses Masterton did not respond. He merely checked his watch.

"We are entering a restricted area..."

We were heading for one of the buildings. The soft light streaming through its arches made you appreciate the beautiful Victorian architecture. The faint light of the lanterns, which were placed all along a path that ran alongside a perfectly manicured, lush green lawn, gave the night an undeniably romantic atmosphere.

Uh-oh! I still hadn't forgotten Vanessa.

I suddenly let myself be carried away by the night's spell. The conversation between Darwin and the doctor faded away, I could hardly hear their voices, which came to me as if from very far away. I looked up at the sky, which was bright with dotted stars. I noticed that I was sighing. I looked around me: in the distance you could make out the shadowy silhouettes of leafy trees. I contemplated the peaceful forest and imagined myself walking hand-in-hand with the lovely, beautiful latina. We were walking under the light of the stars. Another sigh.

I suddenly saw a group of fireflies playing among the trees. No way! It was a completely idyllic scene! The lively swarm of fireflies looked like it was getting closer. You could even hear the sound of footsteps on the ground. You could hear barking.

The fireflies were eyes, and they belonged to a pack of dogs!