Perfect

Science Project

I was even more confused now than ever before. I just sat there thinking. Before long another car pulled up behind the police car. A white car, well it looked like a van, but it was smaller. I joked with myself and wanted to call it a mini-van.

A man got out and approached me. He was dressed rather nicely. He looked to be about my age.

"Hello Mister Segmond", he said with a smile.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Professor Ootrub. I'm here to help you...um...adjust."

 "Adjust?"

"Yes. I mean a lot has happened in the last 58 years as you can see."

"Really? In 58 years this is what we have to show for it? Gawd-awful ugly cars, rude bus drivers, and dangerous machinery in the store over there?... and two dollars for a cup of coffee? Really?"

"That is why I am here. Would you come with me to the lab?"

"Lab? What the hell do I look like? A science project?"

"Don't let that word scare you. We just want to find out what happened. Don't you want to knwo as well?"

"You know what? I don't really care any more. I just want to go home.  42 Renne Street in South Hampton. South Hampton, small and quiet. Population 3,400."

"Yeah. Here is the thing. There is no more Renne Street, and there is no more South Hampton.

"What is this?"

"Renne Street was torn down to make way for a shopping center 26 years ago, and South Hampton was integrated with North Hampton and Forest Hill about six years after you went missing. This is now the city of Forest Hill, population 750,000."

"Your house was expropriated. The money was given to your wife and son."

"Yeah. Where are they?"

"Well, unfortunately, your wife died three years ago, and your son..."

"Well?"

"Look. You have no home. Please join me at the lab, so we can get things straightened out for you. Then we will find you a new home."

"Where is my son Jason?"

"Please, come. You must be tired and confused. You can rest at the lab and we will talk more later."

I reluctantly went with Mr. Ootrub to the lab. There was really nothing else I could do at the time. I still wanted to know where my son was, and why they were not telling me.

We drove for a bit out of the city. I'd say for about 45 minutes, until we reached a really nice 5-storey building that was a bit away from the road and kind of in the middle of nowhere.

A sign at the entrance read, 'University of  Forest Hill -- Faculty of Psychology and Human Behaviour Studies.' 

I began to think how this place was going to help me. My problem was not psychological, nor was it definately not behavior.

 After leading me through a nice lobby, he took me up an elevator to the fifth floor.

The door opened and we stepped out. Professor Ootrub spoke for the first time since we left the shopping center. "This is where our long-term subject stay."

"Subjects? That's what i am now? A subject?"

We walked to room 510. "Welcome home", the Professor said calmly, and then opened the door.

It was a nice room. It had a recliner, sofa, a couple of small tables. In fronbt of the sofa was one of those moving-picture things on the wall. Behind the sofa was something that looked like a small kitchen. A large steel thing that looked like a refridgerator, and steel sink, and avrious appliances on the counter that I didn't recognize. There was an indetation in the wall the fit a bed, nightstand, and dresser. To the right of that was a door that lead to a bathroom.  there was a thermostat on the wall. It was set to 23 degrees.

I looked at the thermostat and then back at the Professor. "23 degrees? That's kind of cold, isn't it?"

"It's Celcius."

"Cell-what?"

"It is in Degrees Celcius."

"Okay, whatever. I'm too tired to care right now."

"Is everything to your liking?", the Professor asked kindly.

"It isn't my house, but I guess it will do."

"Good. Get some rest and we will start in the morning. Good night."

"Thank you, Professor."

The Professor gently closed the door, and I headed straight for the bed. Who knew that being away for 58 years would make you so tired? I hit the bed and was asleep within seconds.