three riders appeared, outlined against a crimson sky…
they told me to get into the back seat of the car and i did.
there was nobody in the front seat, no driver, and there was not going to be. i had never been in such a vehicle before.
william the conqueror got in after me.
i shuffled over to the right against the window.
then al capone got in on the other side of william, so the back seat was pretty well filled with the three of us.
so you’re the great william the conqueror, huh, al sneered, but william just grunted.
the car started up.
i kept my eyes out the window, and was amazed at the precision of the car’s movement, especially at the way it stayed exactly two inches from the curbs, even when going around corners.
i expressed myself as impressed, but william was contemptuous of my enthusiasm.
you really think it’s great, huh? he asked in his deep voice.
we reached our destination, and the three of us got out on to the sidewalk.
the car compacted itself into a more or less human looking robot - it had two arms and two legs - and it led us into the building.
there was a guard seated at a little desk just inside the door.
there was a display screen on the front of the robot and the guard looked at it,
the guard looked at me.
so you’re jesse james, huh? the guard asked me. the great jesse james?
i did not bother to answer.
