Page 2 - TheGoldBug1957-58

The Gold Bug, Sept. 23, 1957 Drive The Crooked Road: Fiction He reached his hand into the darkness and fumbled for the light switch. forth. "I don't know nothin' about It clicked beneath his fingers and the florescent lights, startled as usual, how it's going to handle. I don't stuttered for a moment before flooding the room with their clear, cold light. know how tight the brakes are. I The man stepped into the room and closed the dOOTbehind him. don't know enough about this ear. It was a wide, oblong room filled with every imaginable instrument of Somethin" else, I don't know, is lay MEMBER ASSOCIATED COllEGIATE PRESS the mechanic's profession. Tools of all descriptions hung in vaguely abstract of those corners. I ought to know patterns along two walls. Along the them like the back of my hand, but Subscription Price $2.00 Per Annum side of the building" about halfway into the room as a small, bulky figure I don't. I'll probably be chewin' al, from the bottom of the wall a row of in immaculate white coveralls step- falfa after the fu-st lap! I'll tell you FLORENCE A. MEHL, Editor-in-Chief square windows during the day let ped into the room. what I do know. That car is going to RAYMOND,\VRIGHT, Business Manager the sunlight into the shop. A work- "Well, I saw the lights but didn't be fast. I only drove it twice, but I ~e....~~~~n~.l1!~~c_ ::-=-=.::~J~:~~~~~B;;~~~~ bench ran the length of the ro-om un- 'spect to see you here. You ought to know. You can't hitch a Chevy V8 to HichBrd PRime,· der the windows and every conceiv- be asleep." a skeleton without gettin' an awful S»Orts Editor .. Allen Spic@r able diagnostic device for the main- News_Feature Editors ..._Viold E. Fonner The young man merely nodded and lot of speed. What's botherin' me, is Patricia Schaeffer tenance of highly complex racing en- walked to the opposite end of the that maybe, just maybe it's my News Editor" .------ ~1I::tR?oh';;,kJ~~ gines was positioned upon it -. It was, shop to retrieve the ball from the re- skeleton that it's hitched to." to be sure, a garage and yet this ga- cesses of a hydraulic jack. The old man thought as the jumble rage differ-ed from the corner gas The elderly mechanic, well used to of words ricocheted around the room, To The Freshmen Hospitality Plus station is the modern maternity visit. ward the temperament the crooked road, took "So that's it. He's all tensed up over of young men who drive too fast from the midwife's differs this big league driving. I don't think Once again September has come to It is hard to be a college town. Set dOW11in the midst of this ster- the moroseness of the boy as a mat- he's afraid to die, but he's afraid of the Hill. It has brought its usual There are many disadvantages and ile atmosphere, like II Fate caught ter of fact and said nothing. He ap- having his driving look sloppy." assortment of humanity: battle-scar- perhaps few compensations. Westmin- in the midst of a flight, crouched a proached the ear and unfastened the "Well, son, if we hurry maybe we red professors, pseudo-cynical seniors, ster, on the whole, has weathered the compact, sturdy racing mach inc. The catch that held the covering over the can get in a practice run before the wizened juniors, vengeful sophomores storm well and succeeded in making black car, in the cold truthful light engine. As he busied himself working race. You'll do all right." and eager and hopeful freshmen. And the students feel at home. shone forth in somber beauty. Its about the engine compartment, the "Thanks a lot, Pop. Just what I so it goes from year to year. Perhaps one of the nicest things chromed wheels glittered and gave atmosphere in the room seemed to really need, one lousy practice lap," You have emerged shaken but vic- the town does can be credited to the the illusion of movement. change. No longer was there snap- was the boy's sarcastic reply. torious from a hectic week of testing, churches who sponsor a night of The young man knew why he was ping, crockling tension as there had They furiehed the l-oading in COJll- talking and mixing. The bulb of the entertainment for the incoming fresh- her-e. He was drawn here as the alco- been before between the young man para tive silence, broken only by a upperclassmen have arrived shaken men. There is dancing lind refresh- holic is drawn back again and again and the instrument of his fate. When direction or an occasional query. in anticipation of the things you have ments for all, plus an invitation to to the bar. The object of his attrao- the grizzled mechanic touched the After hitching the trailer to the white been through and the remembrance make the Westminster church your tion was the black car. To the young black beauty, it seemed he patted his truck, they closed the shop and slow- of things past. church away from home. man in his agitated condition, it child, and if not his child, then his ly pulled away with the old man drtv, The formal orientation is finished. All denominations are represented, seemed the personification of every- love, and if not his love, then his life. ing. The cycle begins: Dr. Ensor will thing evil, unknown and obscene; but For the old fell-ow had once been a speak at Convocation tomorrow. Rat so the student may attend the church viewed from another and an- driver, a good one, but the young The drivers, standing tense and of his choice. Rules will go into effect. Everyone The success of the ventures can other position it could personi- man with the tennis ball didn't know straight, waited across the course will settle down to the gr-ind. The best be shown by the amount of up- fication of everything that was beauti- that, and he didn't bother to inquire. from their now dormant cars. In the weeks will pass-slowly perhaps for perclassmen who attend the events on ful and fine. The coverall-clad young The 'Oldman spoke. "We just about quiet hush before the start, the you, but quickly for us seniors who basis. man moved on into the room. His got that gear in. Had a devil of a master mechanic spoke to the boy. find we are not so over-eager for a year-ly ot white made a striking con- time clear-ing- the last croesmember. "You didn't get a chance to make a All in all, it is a warm and sincere graduation as we thought we were. gesture of hospitality .. May we offer with the black of the tethered It's fixed now. You'll have good con- practice lap, I know, so maybe I Many exciting things are in store automobile as he walked toward the n-ot in the corners." ought to give you more details about for vou : sorority and fraternity rush an equally warm and sincere "Thank bench. He picked up a tennis ball that "Thanks." The young man turned how to drive this course. But I won't. you". weeks when you become inconspicuous was lying there and bounced it a few and threw the ball violently and You know how to drive this type of for the first time since you arrived; times on the floor. Rhythmically, he awkardly against the opposite wall. car, you've driven in this kind of your first college test with the an- Room Secrets began to squeeze it in his hands. It Rebounding from the wall, it return- race before. This is what I'll say to quish of anxiety preceding the return was clear to see that the young man ed toward the young man so savage- you and this is all I'll say to you. of papers; Homecoming, with its nos- By Ma1··iamw Shean; was nervous, but to determine the that he missed it. The sphere You think this car is bad, or maybe talgic alumni crowding the campus In many magazines you can sec type of nervousness was a more diffi- off the bench lind landed in even evil, well, it's not, Oh, it's fast, and complaining about the ridiculous- articles advising college students to cult task. It was not the high staccato the cockpit of the black car. In touch- but it's fast and good. It's not the ly young appearance of the present make their dormitory 1"00111 reflect nervousness of the "gushy" woman, ing the steering wheel of the car as car you're mad at; it is Yourself students. and tradition after tra- their personality and interests. To neither was it the anticipator-y condi- he reached for the ball, the young that you're trying to find. You're dition which you'll only being to ap- follow this advice would be dangerous tion of bride or bridegroom. It was man gave a slight, almost impercep- worried about making a mistake. preciate when you come close to leav- or, at least, embarrassing to all but anticipatory but in a different man- tible shudder. More like a tensing of You can't see that what you do today ing them. the most, innocuous of frcshmen ner, much like thfo..feelings of war- the muscles then anything else. The won't radically change the world. If Yes, September is here and another Of course, a common piece of fur- t-ier- before a battle. FOI" this old man saw, but gave no sign nor you win the r-ace, what is it. Som; collegiate year is under way. The old niture would be binoculars for those boy was to be n war-rior. In a said anything. fame for you and a yellow cup for traditions will be observed; the fa- lucky people with :J. view. And per- while, he ~l'ol1ldse~k to do battle with A technical question is always good the Rich Man's table. And if you miliar songs sung; the time-worn haps, as a complement to the spy- the physical forces of nature that as a rover up for insecurity. crash and die, what of it? The people complaints voiced. But behind it all glass, several girls and not a few boys tend to limit the amount of speed "Do you think I ought to take it will cheer the winner and the Rich will be something wonderful-an elu- would be equipped with a complete that a given body can produce in a over 5500 in 3d?", said the young Man will mourn his car." sive something hard to analyze or dissection kit for a neat, clcan analy- given situation. It was he who would man, his face adver-ted from the calm The whistle blew and with a sense isolate. It's a feeling that says "We sis of the situation. However. it is attempt to guide the finally unleashed gaze of the master mechanic. of having said nothing, the old man belong and we'l·e glad." astounding what some non-biology power of the sardonic machine that "Yes," the voice now come from the watched him sprint across the wide To you, the class of Hl61, we say, majOI'S can achieve with only a keen occupied the middle of the illuminated side of the car where the white clad roadway toward the dark car. "You now belong, too, and we're wit and a sharp tongue. figure was checking the tightness of A sound like tlmt of angry Gods glad." ~lay the association be a long Walls may be deaf but they are fllr He was not unqualified for the posi- the wheel fasteninzs, "It's safe cursing quarrelling jungle beasts re- and pleasant onc. from dumb; the things that decorate tion for which he had bcen chosen. enough to take it over 5800 or so, but vel·berated through the murmur of the reason them tell all they know. A lQver of As he stOO(]ther~, slowly and rhythm- there's no need to. That's geal, son." the afternoon. With screaming rub- we gnve you a fourth the herd natural formations may have as ically squeezing the tennis ball, he Having only asked the question to ber and into grinding metal, It was a broke the first turn. More Poetry many as four calendars-and not one reflected cars. on other days, other races, cover up his nervous slip, the young birthday party, a shivaree and the view of Mount Rainier. other But today would be just the need Collectors are an interesting lot. a little different. He remembered the man felt no conversation to rontinue it died. Battle of Gettysburg giftwrapped embl·yonic with Christmas and ]lapel·. The three suc· Gone Are The Some girls have collections of precious first race he had ever driven in, and He wandered around the room, glad ceeding tu,·ns made the boy's wrists most are Diamonds far by jewels. how he had tried so hard to lead that he was not alone with the sar- that Friends eome so attached to them that they pnck of clanging, snorting hugs into donic mechllnic lllon~ter, but vaguely ache as he held the black blur to its some young women be- popular and tor- And course. proper the then, his the fil·St turn and the Gone al·e Ihe fl·iellds who fillcll these just can bear to lose them. Others growling mount tha~ he had spun cheap uneasy in the other's presence. tuous twists were behind far, far into the through extent the old mechan- To a certain long, long road stretched prefer fraternity pins; real enthusi- bo'\1·d fence. Mot·e b~iling wire and ic knew the ~'"()ungman's feelings and the distance. He made the engine in and shouts aml asts have as many as f-our. more races and morc experience until he decided that work would be the the lithe car scream before he gave Many people select photography as he drove stocks and lllodif:eds and best method for changing the atti_ it respite by deftly chang·ing the Leavinu only 1)tel)!Ql'i6Sof each fa- a hobby. Bulletin boards might be midgets five nights a week up and tude of the young man's mind. For gear. "He kept his foot in the car· miliar face crowded with pictures of Big-Men. down and around and around the two hours, they worked together do_ buretor" all the way down the long Bw·slillg with smiles 01"jl1st starillg on·Cnmpus, each one signed "To my California coast. Ee'd been behind ing the many things that had to be stretch of black road. He traveled in in space. one and only". In a collection like the wheel of every type of automobile done before they rould depart for the fast and heady company into the that it isn't originality that counts he could get Jlis hands on and still course. There were tires and oil to looping S-turn and when they flashed Here on the hill I stand all alone but sincerity. he wanted to drive, drive, drive. But be gathered and a spare eng-ine to be past the kaleidoscope that was the lI'atchillg the sun, with my hair Even among young people there today would be just a little different. fitted on the hoist. The old mechanic stands only four cars preceded him. slightly blown are budding connoisseurs. It is very And then, there were memories of opened the huge, front dOOTSto the He passed the afternoon in a crazy By a breeze that can·ies a fnLgl"ance easy to identify such a person by the wild rides down the coast, just the morning. The light lea]lt into the game of Follow-the-Leader. In front of dew colorful additions of liqueur decan- two speeding ears, and the moon re- room and every tool and chromed bit of him, there were three, then there Of g1"USSal/d of trees all budding ters, some green, some brown, some flected from the placid water and of metal greeted and reflected it. The were two, and then there was one. Coke and some empty. the mountains on the side, and the figure unhooked coverall-clad bulky NatUl·ally, there al·e some people only thing that mattered was the race, the low trailer from the back of the His one pit stop, near the end of the as was race, and as sure as quick I sigh and I know that many have who have no hobbies and whose rooms and the one time when the lizhts that gleaming white pickup truck parked death. New tires, more gas, and gone. stood reflect nothing more than the light wel·e behind him vanished and he in front of low garage. He backed tIle In unision, they had pitted, he and A ltd shared in Ihis peace, so well f)·om a hundred-watt bulb on open came sCI·eaming into San Mateo all truck into the building under the his rival. They roared out together, tlndel·stood books. To these fOTtunate people alone with the big car. The tennis bali hoist and the boy let the SIJare heart the once glossy cars now covered with By these of us whose quest for knowl- there is nothing to say, but to all popped from his hand and skittery- of the mechanical organism down the grime of the trial. Down the edge othel·s it might be good to say, "Be- bounced across the clean swept floor. into the truck bed. They set about thrice-curved road, they flew as if Withstands the buffets of man and of ware your walls." 'Vhen the sun, whose r~ys were loading the many components of the joined together by an invisible weld. college. now visible over the low hills in the car, all essential and yet all indepen- The few remaining circuits were Ode To A Blank cast, had completed its circuit of the dent. Extra tires, spark plugs, tools, made by them with only the interval Fa?· we will stray fr0111-this scene sky, the whole world might lie a~ oil, battery chargers. At last, the of a few seconds to separate. They To duties alld toils now unseen. Page his feet, for the wherewith all to fame truck was ready. They wheeled the blasted in to the long straight-away B1d somcday we 1II11st all ,·eturn Rlld fortune sat stm as death in the low trailel· into shop and secured the with the boy looking down his rival's To a.llswer a. call we cannot SPUr-II. Oh sta?"k and ban·en whiteness center of the brightly lit room. After shiny, blac.k racer upon it. exhaust pipe. Hc knew the race That fills me wit.h despair, the race today, he would be a nation- "If only that rear hadn't given up, would be won in the next few seconds. JI1el!wries 1vill sweep us, as here we To see Y01~in such blankness al her'O or a corpse--that much he and we hadn't had to bring it all the He turned to the outside and tried to lneet, /s as to gaze on air. knew. way baek here to machine that cross- pass the red Ferrari. Even though Of love alld oj partil1g, success and The thoughts of the young man member." The old man spoke in a the roar of the wind drowned out the defeat. Pity the 1)00)· words w~written were jarred back to reality as the resigned tone. "You really didn't get growl of the engine, he knew the And we'll each pledgc our hwwledge That cry for e:t:lll·eSSiOn there. distinctive slam of a truck door an- to drive it much, did YQu? motor of the black car had reached To sc'/"ve anI" God and mankind and They fall in bea1·tbreak smitten, nounced that someone else with an "No, I didn't. I should have but I its peak of efficiency. ow· college. Decayed from lack of care. interest in the black car was ap- didn't." The words the boy had held "A Chevy V8 plus a skeleton equals -Claudia Payne -Claudia Payne proaching. A rush of cool air swept back for so long now bitterly burst Cont.l)a.9c 3, col. 4