Notes from the Future: Audio Journal I

[The following is an excerpt from an audio journal of voice memos made some days after the quake]

Part I

[Sound: driving in car, wind, engine, Max occasionally sniffing at the recording device.]

Edward: June ... 23, it's, I think it's ... 1:47 pm, V and I are on our way. Weird how normal some things are. Safeway gas was closed, but the little Arco over near Pine was open and not crowded. Streets kind of quiet. Traffic was terrible on the freeway right after the quake, I was expecting to see more people now, refugees from Pleasanton. Must upset them to have to come to Livermore. I mentioned that to another guy at the gas station and he said tents are set up on the football fields at the High Schools, maybe at the college as well. 

Veronica: Look over there.

Edward: Oh my God ... holy shit. Well, there's no way we're just driving up North Livermore, the freeway has crumbled there. Let's see, turning around ... and ... Springtown, perhaps.

Veronica: Edith said the First Street overpass is closed.

Edward: Max, do you have to snot on my neck? Jesus. Okay, well, we're on Las Positas Road right now, we'll take a look at the ... the, um ... hey. Honey, do you smell that?

Veronica: Oh my God, do you think McDonald's is open?!

Edward: Calm down, I don't want product endorsement in my voice memo. 

Veronica: "I don't want product endorsement in my voice memo" -- what, are you going to put that on your blog somehow?

Edward: Maybe someday.

Veronica: You're the only person I know who would record driving around after an earthquake and put it on his blog. 

Edward: I'm also the only person you know who does a flawless James Mason.

Veronica: Do you know what I mean, though? You're the only person I know who thinks people will want to hear what you saw or smelled or -- oh. My God. Did you fart?

Edward: It was Max.

Veronica: Bullshit.

Edward: Here we are, stoplight at Las Positas Road and  ... looks like ... Edith was right, there's no going over the Freeway on First Street. Let's try Vasco.

Veronica: What if it's broken, too?

Edward: Greenville.

Veronica: And if that's broken?

Edward: We reevaluate our trip to Hayward.

Veronica: Max is such a good boy. He didn't fart. Did you, Max? Did you fart? Did you? Are you a stinky fart face like your da -- GAAAHHH, yuck, dog tongue in my mouth!

Edward: Vindicated. Thank you, Max.

Veronica: That wasn't vindication.

Edward: It is a scientific fact that when a dog puts his tongue in your mouth, he is telling you you're wrong.

Veronica: Why are you slowing down?

Edward: Do you see that car behind us?

Veronica: Yes.

Edward: It was behind us on Portola.

Veronica: No ...

Edward: I'm pretty sure.

Veronica: How can you know?

Edward: License plate.

Veronica: The boy with numbers problems can remember numbers he sees backwards in a mirror?

Edward: Consider the potential consequences if I'm right.

Veronica: What are you saying?

Edward: Consider the consequences.

Veronica: I am, but what are you saying?

Edward: I'm saying, fucking consider the fucking consequences! Consider them!

Veronica: You think you're the smartest man alive. 

Edward: Look at that.

Veronica: You think you know everything. "I'm Edward Hightower, I play chess. I play swords. I play Max ...

Edward: Bialystock. Look at --

Veronica: Bialystock! Yes. "I'm Edward Hightower, and I am soooo funny. I look at porn all day long --"

Edward: LOOK.

Veronica: What.
               Oh.

               My God. Where did it go?

Edward: It must have collapsed. Or something. It'll be years before they get that open again.

Veronica: Hey -- oh my God, we're -- we just drove over the freeway!

Edward: I was trying to point that out to you with the words, "look at that."

[Cloth rustling, faintly one hears Veronica say, "I'm hungry," then the sound shuts off.]