Sidney Bekon was driving his brand new 1957 Thunderbird along Steven's Creek Road in San Jose, California. It was hard for him to adapt to this time period from the year of 2002, but he was getting used to it. Mostly orchards and farm land, an occasional business would pop up on the small two lane road in the unincorperated area. He was on his way to the Valley Fair Shopping Center, a new trend in shopping in the fifties, with department stores, five and dime and restaurants that were usually found in a downtown district.

As he approached his destination, the glitter of a giant Ferris Wheel could be seen as it hovered over the walls of a Macy's department store. Bekon turned the radio dial in search for a decent station to his liking. Scanning through Rock'n Roll, news to Perry Colmo, the frustrated nerd turned it off. This strange era had little to offer.

Bekon pulled into the shopping center's half empty large parking lot. During the weekends, the sound of children could be heard as they enjoyed the carnival rides from Macy's rooftop. But all was quiet this weekday.

Entering Macy's Department store, several bells chimed to summon personnel to their stations. The few shoppers that were there were mostly fashionable women in long dresses. Several well dressed sales clerks milled about.

Bekon got into an elevator and pushed the top button labeled "Macy's Sky Rides". After the elevator traveled one floor up, the door opened to an outdoor roof deck. As he exited out, a tower with colorful tiles was visible off to the left behind a building wall. To the right, the forty-foot Ferris Wheel sat as it seemed to reach out to the sky. Other rides included a Merry-go-round, miniature train, etc.

Tables with colorful umbrellas lined the edge from the elevator exit to Macy's Sky Terrace Cafe, located on the other end.

Maneuvering his way around the carnivals rides, Bekon walked toward a small building on the opposite end of the deck. Inside was a maintenance garage. Vincent Montgony, now in his twenties, wore a green uniform while working on a motor for one of the rides. He noticed Beckon's presents and looked up.

"Parks closed today, sir", Montgony said.

"Oh I didn't come here to ride the chu chu, Vince", Bekon replied elusively, "I came here to make you a rich man."

"What are you talking about, you little freak?" Montgony lashed back, "How did you know my name?"

"Relax", Bekon replied, "I just need your help, and you will benefit greatly."

A few minutes later, the two were sitting outside the cafe under an umbrella.

"I understand you like to play the horses", Bekon said.

"I do a little dabblin' now and then...."

"I also understand that you're deep in debt", Bekon interrupted.

"Did the boys send you over?"

Bekon pulled an envelope from his pocket and handed it to Montgony. Opening the envelope, there was a piece of paper with a horses name on it.

"I know this horse. It's the worst one on the track", Montgony laughed, "What kind of fool do you take me for?"

"And you are going to bet everything you have on it", Bekon replied.

"Are you crazy, dad?", Montgony replied as he pulled a pack of Lucky Strikes from his shirt sleeve.

Bekon giggled slightly and pulled out a business card. He took it and lit a cigarette.

"You will bet on this horse, Vincent. Then, after you sober up tomorrow after celebrating your winnings, you will come to my office and we shall talk some serious business."

Montgony becomes drunk with money

The following day, Sidney Bekon was sitting in his office on the top floor of the Bank of America building in Downtown San Jose with his laptop computer. A knock came at the door. When he opened it, Vince Montgony was in a 3-piece suit with two young ladies stood at his sides. They were both decked out with mink coats and lots of jewelry.

"Hey, Bek, ol' buddy. Meet Ginger and Candy."

"Tell them to take a walk Vice", Bekon replied in a serious tone.

"What is that, man?" Montgony asked referring to the laptop. "Some sort of 'space typewriter'?"

The two girls giggled.

"You ask too many questions, Vincent", Bekon replied as he closed the lid of the machine. "Say good-bye to your friends."

"Go buy yourselves some lollipops, girls", Montgony said, handing both of them a fifty dollar bill.

"Thank you Vince", they both said as they kissed him on the cheek.

When the girls left, Bekon continued, "You have several relatives in high places with the government."

"I've always been the black sheep in the family", Montgony answered in despair.

"One of your brothers works in the San Francisco City Hall. The other works at NORAD."

"How did you know that?", Montgony asked.

"I just do." Bekon said. He than pulled out a box and handed it to him. "You will tell your brother with the city hall to put this in a safety deposit box at the City Hall. There will be instructions not to open it until March 2002."

Montgony looked at the box and noticed a digital timer, a foreign looking contraption of that era.

"More space stuff. What the hell is this", Montgony questioned, "Where are you from anyway."

"The box is made of granite," Bekon replied, "There is a timer that will keep it shut until 2002.

"Two thousand and two?" Montgony spit out. "That's almost 50 years away!"

"After I get a notarizes receipt that the goods were placed in the box", Bekon continued, "you will fly down to Los Vegas, check into the Sands and wait for my call."

"There's a Joe Louis fight goin' down this weekend over there.", Montgony replied.

"And you are going to place a bet that is going to make you rich, Vice. Very, very rich!"

Bekon started to giggle and broke out into an uncontrollable laugh.

NEXT: PART IV CINDY BREAKS THE CODE