Chapter 2: Receiving a Letter From an Old Friend

When Johnny rolled outside, he saw that it was night out. Stephanie and Newton had brought the “NOVA” truck in which Newton and Stephanie had moved to Montana in. They had painted over the NOVA writing, and the whole truck was blue and red. “You brought truck?” Johnny asked. “Yeah, how else were we supposed to get you home? We can’t get you home in the other car, can we?” Newton said. “Yeah, I could just throw out the seats in that one too…” Johnny said mischievously, “Or I could fit in the trunk…” “Five, it was hard enough getting here without a seat to sit in when I was driving. My legs are quite stiff.” Newton said. “Ooh! Then can I drive?” “Sure, but you have to watch out, for the mailboxes this time. Last time our other neighbors got pretty mad when they found out that their mailboxes were broken in half.” Stephanie said with a little laugh. “Cool! Okay!” Johnny got into the car, and turned it on. “Wait for us!” Newton said as he climbed in from the rear entrance. Johnny pressed the pedal with his tool arm, and they were on their way home.

When the threesome got home, Stephanie went to go check the mail while Johnny and Newton went to go watch TV. When Stephanie came back in, she was carrying a letter. “Hey, Number Five! Come read this letter! It’s from Ben!” Stephanie said, walking into the living room. “Name is Johnny, Steph.” Johnny said, a little annoyed with her still calling him “Number” Five. “Right, Johnny, sorry.” Stephanie said handing the letter to him. Johnny took the letter from Stephanie, and read it.

Dear Stephanie and Newton,

I am not believing that Number Five survived that big blast you told me about. That is impossible! But anyway, I am just wanting to let you know that I am making Number Five toys, and having decided on my location. I’m going to be selling the toys in New York, and I am hoping I will be making new friends. And you are saying that Number Five is being alive?? A mind of his own, eh? And you have been telling me he built another one of himself within two minutes time?? But it took Newton and I to build one in a few months! Maybe it was being a year! Well, I guess you are right if he is knowing how to drive. Well, I wish you luck, and I am hoping Number Five will not be getting into trouble. I am still not believing he is alive, but if I am being able to see him soon, I might just believe it. Well, I better be going now. I need to be making more toys for tomorrow, because I am going on the streets to sell. I will be writing you later, okay? Love, Ben Jahvri

Johnny stared at the letter for a minute. “It’s Johnny Five!!” Johnny said to Stephanie again. “Well, how would Ben know? Besides, you can correct him when you see him, okay?” Stephanie said with a mischievous smile, “Well, at least I know how to annoy you now.” “Do not even think, ponder, consider it. I will not stand for it!” Johnny said playfully, in his usual happy-go-lucky voice. Stephanie and Newton laughed, as Stephanie took the letter and put it away. “Anyway, Five, what was it that you and the little girl were getting into?” Newton asked.

“Oh, we just figured out a couple of passwords. Nothing too serious.” Johnny said as he went to go get one of his books.

A while later, when Johnny had finished reading a few old newspaper clippings, the phone rang. I wonder who that could be? Johnny thought to himself, as he picked up the phone. “Hello?” Johnny said into the telephone. “Hi, this is Holly. Is Johnny there?” A girl’s voice came through. “Yeah, I guess he is. There’s no other Johnny around, is there?” Johnny said in the same playful voice. “So, what’s down in the basement?” “That’s the thing. My dad…” She paused, then sounded afraid, “My dad just got home! Look, I have to go, don’t call me back, I’ll call you back later, kay? Night! Johnny heard the click of a phone hanging up, then silence. He, too, hung up the phone he was holding. I wonder what that was all about? What could be so bad about what’s in the basement that she’d have to call me?? Johnny pondered this as he went to go get another newspaper.

At 6 in the morning, Johnny decided to start breakfast. It became his job since he never slept. Besides, he enjoyed it. “Hmm… What should we make for breakfast today?” Johnny looked around the kitchen, “What if I made omelet? Hmm… Sounds good to me!” Johnny went to the refrigerator, and as he grabbed the eggs, as well as some chives, Stephanie’s voice rang in his head. “Remember Number Five, you have to crack the eggs before you start to cook them, unless you’re going to boil them.” Johnny thought this over. He took a frying pan, turned the stove on, placed it on the stove, and placed the eggs and chives on the counter next to it. “Crack eggs first!” Johnny said to himself. He picked up one of the eggs and cracked it on the counter, then poured the fluid in the pan. He threw the eggshell away, and did the same with the other eggs. Then he looked at the chives.

“I guess I could cut them up…” Johnny’s tool arm popped out, and a small, sharp object came out. Johnny swiftly cut the chives, and threw them into the pan as well, as he took a spatula and flipped the eggs. After the eggs were well done and cooked, Johnny took two plates, and divided the omelet into two servings, one serving for each plate. He set the plates on the table, and put out two forks and two knives for the two humans. “Mmm… Stephanie will like this better than the pancakes!” Johnny said. Johnny heard a yawn come from behind him, and turned around to see Newton. “What’s cooking?” Newton said, as he sat down at the table, looking at the omelet. “Onion Omelet!” Johnny exclaimed. “Well, let’s see how your new invention tastes.” Newton said. He picked up his knife and fork, and cut off a piece of the omelet. As soon as he put it in his mouth, Stephanie walked in.

“Newton I wouldn’t eat that if I were you…” She said quickly, but Newton had already put the piece in his mouth. “Actually, Steph, this isn’t half bad…” Newton said after he had swallowed the first bite.

Stephanie sat down next to him, and took a bite herself. “Mmm… You’re right. Number Five, you’ve been learning!” Stephanie said. “Yes! Picking up input!” Johnny said proudly, obviously too proud to care what Stephanie called him. “Hey, Five, would you get the paper?” Newton said, taking another bite. “Be glad to!” Johnny rolled out of the kitchen, and out the door.

Five rolled down the driveway, and picked up the paper at the end of it. He looked on, and saw a truck approach. The window was open, and a middle-aged man popped his head out of it, looking at Johnny in a suspicious way. Johnny gave him a bemused look. “And you’re Johnny, right?” The man said, gazing at Johnny. “Nope! I’m Number Five! I’m alive!” Johnny said, in is usual hyper voice. “My daughter Holly’s told me about you. She says you’re quite the playful robot, eh?” The man replied. “Robot? Where?” Johnny said, looking left then right down the road. “Playful, but stupid.” The man said under his breath. “Stupid? Foolish! Gullible! Naïve! Am not all of those! Maybe naïve, yes, but not stupid.” Johnny said, starting to read the paper he was holding. He was done before the man could speak again. “Well, you know what, I want to tell you something about your ‘friends’ Stephanie and Newton. Why don’t you get in the back of the pickup truck, and I’ll drive you to my home.” The man said, gesturing to the back. “No. Stephanie said not to go in anyone else’s car or truck!” Johnny said, turning around toward the house. “Okay, but its really interesting information…” The man said as he drove away. “Information… Input!” Johnny said looking down the road the direction the man went. Johnny shrugged it off and went into the house.

“Johnny, I was meaning to ask you this earlier this morning, but who was that man in the truck that stopped you?” Stephanie asked. It was later in the afternoon. “Holly’s father, dad, papa.” Johnny replied, reading a magazine clipping as he did so.

Stephanie looked a little shocked, and went into the kitchen to talk to Newton. Johnny noticed this, and when he finished the magazine, he rolled toward the kitchen, deciding to eavesdrop. “…He’ll be in danger!” Johnny heard Stephanie whisper worriedly. “Yeah, but what are we going to do about it? You know that Number Five is crazy for input, what’re we going to do to stop him? That guy is a maniac, and if we don’t keep Number Five away from him, he’s as good as…” Newton stopped suddenly as Johnny cut him off. “Name’s Johnny, Crosby.” Five said as he entered the kitchen, “What were you talking about? Maniac? Insane person? Madman?” “Nothing, we… uh, we’re talking about a few months ago. You know, when Skroeder was around. He was a manic.” Newton stumbled on his words as he spoke. “Okie Dokie, Stephanie and Newton. Time for read now.” Johnny said dubiously.

It was late at night. Johnny was up, reading anything he could find. He looked at the clock. 3:23 am. It was still too early to cook breakfast. “Time goes too slow. I need to have fun to have time go fast…” Johnny looked around. Nothing much to keep him entertained. Suddenly, the phone rang. He sighed, “Nothing but solicitors would call this early in the morning.” Johnny picked up the phone. “Yes? May I ask who’s calling?” “Johnny?” Came Holly’s voice, “Look, you have to stay away from my dad.” “Why?” “You just do. He’s not the nicest guy around, and he likes machines… Obsessed with them! He takes them apart to…” And the line was cut off.