ON
THE AIR
By Joni Parker
Good
afternoon, this is Mike Evans at iFantasy talk radio in Tucson, Arizona where
we love to talk about science fiction and fantasy. Thanks for joining me today.
We have a very special guest lined up for you, an iFantasy talk radio exclusive.
World-famous journalist, Olivia Richards, is expected to join us via satellite telephone.
As you may know, Olivia and her husband, John, were reported missing at sea
several years ago, but she’s made contact and will be here in a few minutes.
But first, we must hear from our sponsors at Cactus Thumb Nurseries. (run
commercial)
Mike:
Welcome back. We’ve just made contact with world-famous journalist, Olivia
Richards. Hello, Olivia, this is Mike Evans. Can you hear me? (static) Olivia,
are you there? (static)
Olivia:
Yes, I can hear you, but just barely, please speak up.
Mike:
I will. Thank you for joining me on iFantasy talk radio. I’m Mike Evans in
Tucson, Arizona. Let me begin by asking, how are you and where are you?
Olivia:
My husband and I are fine, but for the last few years, we’ve been stranded on
this island called Seaward Isle. In 2011, we rented a sailboat in southern
France and were sailing to Italy when we were caught in a ferocious storm. It
came out of nowhere. We hid in the cabin below deck for hours until our boat
crashed on the shores of this island. We survived the crash just fine, but we
haven’t been able to find a way off. We’ve met hundreds of people here just
like us. That’s how I met Takura. He’s a friend of yours, I understand. He talked
me into coming on this program because he was concerned people wouldn’t understand
his English.
Mike:
Yes, I’ve met him and I thought his English was fine. He went to Harvard for
his doctorate.
Olivia:
Yes, I know, but he feels very self-conscious.
Mike:
How is he?
Olivia:
He’s doing well. As you know, he’s a geologist and has gathered a group of Japanese
scientists to figure out our situation. Unfortunately, we don’t have enough
computers or the right equipment to do the job, but at least, he’s discovered that
we’re not on Earth and he’s discussed this problem with the Elves.
Mike:
Say what? You’re not on Earth? Did you say something about Elves? Are you
kidding? Say, have you met Legolas by any chance? (Laughs)
Olivia:
No, but yes, I’m serious. They’re real Elves. This island belongs to them and
even they can’t figure out how we got here.
Mike:
So where are you, if you’re not on Earth?
Olivia:
We believe that this island is at the end of a wormhole somewhere in space. We
don’t know how or where, but here we are. Takura believes the opening is
located about six hundred kilometers above the Earth’s surface somewhere near
the moon. We ask all astronomers to use their equipment to locate the opening
and ask NASA for a rescue mission. That seems to be our only hope.
Mike:
Attention all astronomers and scientists at NASA! Olivia needs your help. Contact
this station immediately if you can provide any assistance. (chuckles) How are
you able to talk to us?
Olivia:
My friend, Ebony Shorter, had a satellite telephone when she crashed on the
island. She was in a yacht race that went around the world, but she was caught
in a storm and ended up here. Takura and his friends repaired an old generator to
make electricity to recharge the phone. He’s also set up a computer network
with bits and pieces he’s found.
Mike:
What do you use for fuel?
Olivia:
The scientists use alcohol made of old potato skins and grain.
Mike:
You mean moonshine. Right. Anything else we can help you with today, Olivia?
Olivia:
No, just please get the word out. We’d really like to get home and see our
families. Thank you so much for your help. (static) Our connection is
fading…(static)...only a few (static)…Please help…(static)
Mike:
Apparently, we’ve just lost our connection to Olivia. Once again, let me
reiterate her desperate situation. She’s located on an island called Seaward
Isle, somewhere at the end of a wormhole and needs the help of astronomers and
NASA scientists to locate this opening and rescue them. Hey, maybe we can bring
the Shuttle program back to life. Well, that’s all the time we have for today.
Thank you for joining me on iFantasy talk radio and join me tomorrow for
another adventure into science fiction and fantasy. And don’t forget to send
your comments and ideas to our Facebook page. Many thanks to our sponsor, Cactus
Thumb Nurseries.
* * *
Mike leaned back in his chair and listened
to the program again. Then he pulled out his cell phone. This had to be a joke. But he shook his head when he recalled that his
old buddy, Takura, could never tell a joke. He was so serious. They’d met in
college nearly twenty years ago when they were freshmen at the University of
Arizona with majors in geology. Tak, as he wanted to be called, was a foreign
student from Japan and understood more English than he spoke. He also loved the
geological formations in the local area, but knew nothing about hiking in the
desert. Mike was an experienced hiker and took him under his wing.
They’d remained good friends, but lost
contact when Tak transferred to Harvard to finish his doctorate in geology and later
returned to join the faculty at the university. Mike speed-dialed the geology
department and it rang and rang. Finally, a young woman answered the phone.
“Geology Department, University of
Arizona. Bear down, Wildcats!”
“I’d like to speak to Professor
Takura, please.”
“I’m sorry, there’s no one here by
that name.”
“What? Where is he?” Mike furrowed
his brow.
“I’m sorry, sir, I don’t know.”
“Is Professor Lopez there?”
“Hold on.”
“Professor Lopez. Who’s calling?”
“Julio, this is Mike Evans.”
“Mike! What’s up, man?”
“Hey, I was trying to get in touch
with Tak, but I understand he’s not there anymore. Where’d he go?”
“Don’t know, man. A few years ago,
he went on a sabbatical and never came back. His parents told us the ship he
was on disappeared in a bad storm.”
“You mean it sank.”
“No, man. It vanished. No debris, no
oil slick, no survivors. Nothing.”
“Weird. I got an email from him at
the radio station last week asking for an interview so I agreed. He sent Olivia
Richards to speak to me. She’s a famous
journalist who went missing a few years ago. She was on a ship in a storm, too.
Anyway, she told me that they were stranded on an island called Seaward Isle,
somewhere in space at the end of a wormhole with Elves. I didn’t believe her.”
“Elves? Was she high?” Lopez paused.
“You don’t think it’s real, do you?”
“I don’t know, man. They were both
lost at sea.” Mike sighed, leaning back. “Thanks, man or should I say
Professor?” He laughed and disconnected the call. After a few moments, he
scrolled through his list of contacts and called one of them.
The
receptionist said, “You have reached the National Aeronautical and Space Administration.
How may I direct your call?”
“Doctor Rachel Goodwin, geology
division.”
“Hold on while I connect you.”
“Doctor Goodwin speaking.”
“Hey, Rachel. It’s me, Mike Evans
from Tucson.”
“Seriously? After all these years?”
“Hey, I come in peace. I apologize
for whatever I did.”
“You don’t remember?”
“Not exactly. Hey, have you been in
contact with Tak from college? The Japanese guy?”
“You mean the nice guy who asked me
for a date and you told him he was nuts?”
“Um, yeah, him. I think he’s in
trouble and needs help. Julio told me that he was on a ship that disappeared in
a storm, a few years ago, but he just emailed me for an interview on my radio
program. He sent a friend, Olivia Richards, the famous journalist. She was lost
at sea, too.”
“So you don’t have a regular job
yet?”
“Not fair. I want you to listen to
it, okay? Just listen and tell me what you think.”
“Okay.” She sighed.
Mike played the program. “Well, what
do you think?”
Silence.
“Rachel? Are you there?”
“Yes.
Is this a joke?”
“That’s
what I thought, too, but Tak couldn’t tell a joke if his life depended on it.”
She paused. “You’re right. Send me a
link to your program.”
“Thanks, Rachel.” Mike sighed deeply
when Rachel hung up. She hadn’t changed much and still resented that prank, but
he’d always found her attractive. Maybe he should try again, someday. Mike
shivered when the air conditioning kicked on; he’d been sweating heavily. He emailed
her the link and leaned back. What if
it’s real? Nah! Can’t be, can it?
