Although I've written a number of books, I believe the opening chapter of the Dead Machine is so good, all I have to do is convince someone to read the first 3 pages and they'll be hooked.
The problem was getting them to read those 3 pages. I understand. Nobody knew if I was any good and time is valuable.
However...
In less than a year my blog has had 5400+ readers who return again and again. They e-mail me because leaving a comment requires numerous steps and verifications.
They tell me they love my blog posts and look forward to reading them. Well, if you like my posts you're going to love this. The first 3 pages of The Dead Machine. Go on, I dare ya.
Chapter One
“Virgil? Good heavens, Virgil, is that you? Is that
really you!?”
Virgil’s eyes widened and his heart leaped
at the sound of her voice. His hand trembled on the dials as he fine-tuned the
transmission.
When the hissing lessened he replied with unrestrained
excitement, “Yes, yes it is me! It’s Virgil!”
There was a moment’s hesitation, then she asked,
“How…how is this possible?”
He stared at the speaker, imagining her face, longing
to see it again. He paid no attention to the cold or to the steamy vapor escaping
his mouth as he breathed. Nor the drafts that bit into his fingers and snaked
up his pant leg. He even ignored the acrid smell permeating every inch of the
barn.
Nothing mattered, nothing but this moment, this
incredibly special moment.
Shaking with
excitement, Virgil leaned into the microphone. “Do you remember, just before
you were taken away, me telling you that no matter what, I would find you, and
that we’d be together again?”
Through the crackling static came a reply. “Yes, but
that… many years ago. And in th…situations people say things, knowing that…
comforting things… lessen the hardship, to lessen…pain. I never thought that …”
“That I’d actually find you?”
The static grew louder and panic gripped Virgil. He jumped
from his seat and scanned the computer screens, recalibrating and synchronizing
the feed.
“…have found me. Oh, Virgil, somehow you‘ve done the
impossible!”
“Nothing is impossible!” Virgil shot back. “They all
scoffed. They ridiculed and dismissed my work as a delusion, as fantasy. My
grants dried up, my investors backed out; even the military gave up. But I
never gave up! I made a solemn promise and today, that promise has been
kept.”
“Virgil, I don’t know what to say, I…”
Virgil interrupted as he scanned the computer screens.
“What are your surroundings? Describe them for me. Can you see the stars?”
The static increased. The reply broke up. All four
computer screens flashed Recalibrating…
“…The horizon in the morning…when I look out…the
lights are always on… when we gather as a group…”
The hissing overwhelmed the rest of the sentence.
Virgil’s hands flew over the controls.
Recalibrating…
“Mostly, we
have a…”
Recalibrating…
Some background noise seeped into the transmission,
then a stranger’s voice. “Virgil…? Lillian, did I just hear Virgil? Where…it
coming from?”
“Bert, this is…private conversation and…”
The man ignored her. “Virgil? Is that you? Where are
you? It’s me, Bert Langley. Remember me? I…science teacher…down…block? You used…newspaper
to my…when you…kid. And I… tip you a whole…”
“Get out…here, you bastard,” Lillian bellowed. “Virgil
doesn’t…about you! He wants…talk to me!”
Virgil heard a grunt, a huff and a shuffling of feet.
“Okay, he’s gone, and yes, we... several times a week…
socialize and talk about ….back home.”
Virgil felt a lump in his throat. “You still miss us?
Even after all this time?”
“Of course, Virgie! It’s knowing that your… care for us
is…keeps us together. You are… thoughts each and every day.”
Tears spilled down Virgil’s cheek. “You are in mine
each and every day too and…”
Virgil stopped when he heard Bert Langley’s voice
again. It grew louder as he moved into the transmission field. “Over there,
see? I told you! Lillian is…with the outside. What? No! She’s not sending
signals, she’s receiving them! See for… apparently…is possible…”
Lillian’s voice broke through in sharp hushed tones.
“They’re coming Virgil! Disconnect! I don’t want them to know what you’ve
accomplished. Get…to me in…few days!”
“Who’s coming? What are you talk…”
“Disconnect! Disconnect!” she shouted.
Virgil did.
He bowed his head and his hands fell into his lap as
the level indicators on the array of computer screens slowly dropped, then
flatlined.
A few moments
later, when the shock started wearing off, he said in a shaky voice, “I did it!
After eleven years of ridicule from those jealous miscreants, I did it! We
actually spoke.”
He wrapped his arms around himself, breathed deeply,
then shot his fist into the air. “And this,” he said, bursting with confidence,
“is just the beginning!”
Virgil rose from his chair at the control panel,
walked over to his desk, reached down and picked up the framed photo that accompanied
him everywhere he went. He gazed at the picture, smiled, kissed it and placed
it back on his desk.
The photo was of his mother, Lillian.
A woman dead for the past eleven years.
See? Didn't I tell you? You can download the rest of The Dead Machine to any electronic device for only $2.99 AND it comes with a 30 day money back guarantee (USA residents only). Click on this link
If for any reason you don't like it within 30 days of purchase, e-mail me with Amazon's or Barnes and Nobles Proof of Purchase and I'll send you your $2.99 back
