Ground Zero Part 41

"h.e.l.lo," he said.

Jack looked for a sign of recognition-after all they'd been on the same plane for almost six hours-but she simply nodded and gave him a polite smile. Well, why should she remember him? Except for one trip to the restroom, he'd stayed in his seat the whole time.

Looked like Goren hadn't been able to arrange coverage for tonight, but that hadn't stopped him from spending time with his daughter. Good for him.

Goren pulled a couple of sheets from his desktop and handed one to Jack.

"Take a look."

Vintage Theatre UFO Festival

MONDAY.

Earth vs. the Flying Saucers Devil Girl from Mars

TUESDAY.

Close Encounters Plan 9 from Outer s.p.a.ce

WEDNESDAY.

This Island Earth Invasion of the Saucer Men

THURSDAY.

The Thing from Another World Invaders from Mars

"Cool," Jack said. "Except for Thursday, you've paired a goody with a turkey."

"One man's turkey is another man's steak." He handed Jack another sheet. "If you'd have liked that, you'll love next week's festival-five days."

Vintage Theatre INVASION Festival

SUNDAY.

Robot Monster Killers from s.p.a.ce

MONDAY.

Invasion of the Body s.n.a.t.c.hers It Conquered the World

TUESDAY.

Night of the Blood Beast The Brain from Planet Arous

WEDNESDAY.

I Married a Monster from Outer s.p.a.ce Teenagers from Outer s.p.a.ce

THURSDAY.

Invisible Invaders The Cape Canaveral Monsters

"Wow. I'm so there. And in chronological order too."

Goren was staring at him. "You seem to know your stuff."

"Who picks these?"

"I do."

Jack folded his hands in supplication. "Can I be you when I grow up?"

"I don't think this theater will last till then. But let's see if you can figure this: These ten films have something else in common besides invasion from s.p.a.ce. Know what it is?"

Jack hadn't a clue, but he needed to keep impressing Goren.

"Well, you've got a couple of Agars and a couple of Cormans ..."

"Good, very good, but that's not it. They were all filmed in part in and around the Bronson Caves."

"I've heard of them. They're nearby, aren't they?"

"About five miles as the crow flies."

"Ever been there?"

He smiled. "Lots of times."

"Could you show me sometime?"

The smile faded and shutters seemed to drop behind his eyes. "I don't think so. I have a day job."

"We can do it on your day off. I'm willing to pay for your time."

He took a step back into the office. "No, I don't think so."

"A hundred bucks for what-a couple of hours."

Goren shook his head.

"Then give me a pen."

Goren complied with obvious reluctance. On the back of the UFO festival list Jack wrote "John Tyleski-Bronson Caves" and his Tracfone number.

"You change your mind, call me, okay?"

"You're missing the movie," Goren said and closed the door.

Jack knew the guy had to be wary, but he'd come on like a total film geek, and wanting a Bronson tour was in character. What had he done, what had he said to shut the guy down?

10.

Jack sat through the end of High Noon of High Noon and revisited Fort Zinderneuf and the Geste brothers in and revisited Fort Zinderneuf and the Geste brothers in Beau Geste Beau Geste. He was too restless to enjoy them, but felt he had to stay. Any suspicions Goren had about him would be confirmed if he'd walked out after their conversation. So he hung on.

But he sat in a back row where he could get up every so often and squint through the crack between the doors for a peek at the manager's office. Goren had opened the door again and Jack could see a bit of the desk. He was banking on him not trusting the teenagers to close up and staying to do that himself.

As the closing credits began to roll after Beau Geste's Beau Geste's bittersweet final scene, Jack took his time exiting with the thirty or so other patrons. As he pa.s.sed the manager's office he tapped on the door and stuck his head in. Both Goren and his daughter jumped at the sight of him. bittersweet final scene, Jack took his time exiting with the thirty or so other patrons. As he pa.s.sed the manager's office he tapped on the door and stuck his head in. Both Goren and his daughter jumped at the sight of him.