Ackmon's Chamber

Ackmon's Chamber

by

Brandon Shaw

Copyright © 2012

All Rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, events, or locales is coincidental.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 1

In the town of Fortsville, I work as a traveling salesman. It's relatively small town, and just about all the folks know each other. Oh yeah my name is Max, and today I'm giving a huge presentation to this company on our newest product being lunched latter on this week. Were starting to take orders now so that we can have all the necessary hardware installed, should my company get all the orders it's anticipating. I stay in an apartment. I'm hardly ever there, due to my work schedule. As I begin my day my cellular starts to ring. I check my caller ID, and I see it's Julie; a friend of mine from work.

Hey there yah up yet?; she says as if she didn't think I'd be up.

Yeah, of course. What's up?

Well, I wanted to be sure you'd be up, and at work on time; cos I'm running a little late.

Should be there in about an hour or so.

Your joking right!., Harold is gonna be pissed if someone isn't at the office to cover for me.

You know I'll be there silly. Your the one that answers all the phones at work. Kinda pick through the fresh leads coming in, and get me the better prospects for our new line of computer gadgets coming out.

Oh, your talking about that keyboard that surfs the net.

Yeah, that one. Harold is thinking were gonna do good with that one.

Lets hope so. I got to drop of my kid at school. Then I'll get my coffee on the way in. You want anything?

No not today, but thanks.

Coming in early isn't so bad. It's a tad annoying to have my cell phone ringing off the hook. I guess I'd better answer it though, my boss Harold is wanting to get ahold of me.

So, sir how is everything?; I reply.

It's ok. The reason I'm calling yah, is that that the new product line you were going to pitch this weekend has been canceled. The company decided not to make the darn thing.

Uhmm; ok. Now what?

Well they have something else. In other words, you'll be heading to Dallas tommorrow for the presentation. You made it to the office yet?

No, not officially. I'm kinda just pulling in.

Ok, I'll see you guys in a bit.

Today isn't all bad news. At least I have a new prospect to pitch in a few weeks. I go in, have a brief meeting, and go home to get some rest for the trip tommorrow. After the meeting Kenny hurls a few insults my direction as I make my way to the door. That guy kinda gets on my nerves. I try not to talk with him that much. Kenny's kinda a heavy set guy, really loud, into fitness, and being healthy. There's Paul, an older gentleman; who complains alot, but I get along with him the best. We have Terry, very organized, customer oriented, but don't know him to well cos he just started. I'm just about to head out the door and Kenny has his usual insults he hurls my way. I just flip him off as I my my exit to the parking lot. Harold buzzes me again, and he wants to have another meeting. I go back in, and sit in my office. I think I've sat in the office for several hours now. The boss as he is prone to do at times never shows up. So, a fairly uneventful day for me. I'm having one of those days when I get off from work, and I know I need to stop an eat something, but nothing really sounds good. I must have driven by every resturant on the way to my appartment. I end up stopping at MYV's. It's a little sports bar. A great place to go unwind for the day. The inside of the place is almost like a cruise ship enterance; well ok, not quite. The place did used to be a museum, before they converted it to a sports bar. There are three levels, filled with pool tables, and a stage for amitures wanting to sing along to their favorite artist. I have to relieve myself, but after I head up to the bar. I take my place at one of the tables, as I wait to put in my order. Maggie, the bar tender comes up after tending to her other customers.

Well Max, what will it be?

It all looks so good, but let me just get a beer and a dozen hot wings.

Hadn't seen you in a while, what you been up to?

Just working really, got to goto Dallas tommorrow evening.

I don't know how you do it. You seem like your always on the road; She responds as she moves away to put in my order.

Not much else happened. I get home and check out a football game that's playing. The Axes won this time. Their a semi-pro team that we watch here on Tv. I spend the rest of night packing a few items. I have a rather restless night and kept hearing scratching noices at the door. Every little thing seems to keep me up. Just about the time I was starting to relax, the alarm clock goes off. Of course to my delight, it's time to get ready for work. I drop by the office first, as I have to pick up my ticket for my flight. It's always kinda of exciting on these trips as I get to see tommorrows inventions today. I think that's why I continue in the line of work that I do. New gadgets and technology, have always fascinated me. When I got hired with this company a couple years ago, it was like a breath of fresh air. Just what I was looking for. It does suprise me though, that this large company decided to locate in this small community. Looks like I'll being going to Dallas, TX; haven't really ever spent time there. Upon my arrival a rental car is waiting for me at the airport. From here I'm off to Dynasty Hotel. I arrive at the hotel, and have the vallet park my vehicle. I just lay down in the room for awhile, and after order up some room service. Nothing real heavy, just some pasta, a salad, and a six pack I bought to drown away my sarrows. Not to long after dinner I doze off, and fall asleep. When I awake the next day, some buses have shown up to take all the sales rep's to a conference center downtown. Just looking around, I see hundreds of people all about. We take a short bus trip, and unload at the civic center. After everyone gets settled in, all eyes are gazing forward at the podeum. A speaker is set to talk momentatrily. An older man slighly balding on top, dressed in a really expensive suit stops to clear his throat before begining his presentation.

Good morning everyone, I'm Franz Redding; of course I am an engineer for ICS for the last 7 years. Today we want to show you our newest creation. The Scan-Lable21. Now it has the capabilities of a labling device. You can change the fonts, and it prints it on a clear tape. So lets say you have a document, but you forgot something. You type in what you forgot, print it out, paste it in the document like so. Now when you make a copy of this document, it looks like the original. Now it's not going to take the place of computers, but it does allow business people to have another tool. To help make immediate corrections, so that agreements between companies, or individuals can be a more polished presentation of what they wanted a document to say. I've seen companies put together whole documents with this device. Because along with being able to type in words, it also has a spell check. We are limited right now to one line at a time. We are working deligently for larger screens, but to make this device portable enough to be taken anywhere- some sacrfices had to be made. The cost will be around 99.00. A real bargin. I think this will be a great product. It should also be a big seller for all of you. I would like to thank you all for coming, and wish everyone the best sucess with the launching of this newest inovation being offered by ICS.

After the presentation I was off to grab a bite to eat. I feel like that device may do well. It's all gonna depend on that company who's marketing the labeler. Sometimes when I see new products, they never see the light of day. I'm shown a new product, and then no product is ever produced. I kinda feel like this engineer is just trying to get investors to back his idea. All I saw in the presentation was a computer simulation of what the labeler does. My hotel isn't to far away, so I decided to walk back to my hotel. At times it's a great way to see the sites in the different cities, I must travel to. After I pass a few blocks, there's an older man selling hotdogs out of his cart with an unbrella opened overhead.

What will it be pal?

Two dogs, ketchup, mustard, onions, relish, and a soda.

Pepsi or coke

It doesn't matter

Ok 2 dogs, and a Soda. It will be $5.00.

I pay the guy and move over to a nerby bench. It wasn't bad for the money. Afterwards I continued on to the hotel. I get back an fall asleep watching the news. I never remember much because as soon as my back hits the sofa, it was lights out for the rest of the afternoon. I even got up late the next morning. I really had to rush around to catch my flight. It's a good thing, I have an e-ticket. All I have to do now is put in my frequent flyer number, and print my boarding pass. This always saves me time. Just about the time my flight is called to board the plane, my cell phone starts it's frantic vibrations. It's kenny buzzing me.

So buddy, how'd it go?

Ok, I guess. Buddy?; I totally hate that guy.

Ok, this account could be huge.

Well, it might be. The literature I got after the presentation, is suggesting that they may cut out the word checker, and the adjustments for the fonts. I'm not sure if I want to go out an push another labling device.

Who would you give the account to if you don't take it?; he responds with deep anticipation.

Tell you what, I'm going to send you an email of all this stuff. After my flight of course, and if it's something that interest you, the accounts yours.

Really!, Oh cool. Ok, I want this one. Just get everything to me ASAP.

There's so many new gadgets that come out every year. I'm just not feeling this one. Be out chasing my tail on a product that I don't think will sell. I maybe wrong on this one. I get on the plane, and try an sleep all the way back home. There's quiet a bit of turbulance on the flight though. I have a time staying asleep for very long. My sister Peggy, will be waiting for me at the airport. She's been having car troubles, so she borrowed my car while I was out of town. It just a small practical car; a silver Chevy Aveo. Upon my arrival I am quickly greated by my happy go lucky sister Peggy, who is just dieing to tell me some good news.

Hey sis, what's up?

Uhmmm, well it's great to see you too. Ok, I was talking to one of my friends Hurley, and she just broke up with her ex...

Who?, hold up now; tell me your not trying to fix me up with one of your friends. The last time it was a complete disaster.

You've never even met Hurley. She is a whole lot of fun, really cute, and besides you haven't had you a gal since ol' what's her name?

Her name was Debra. An yeah, she really upset me with the way she left things. I dated her for a long time

That girl wasn't right for you. Max, Hurley, your gonna love.

Uhmmm... Ok, so tell me about this chick.

So, your considering seeing her?

Yeah maybe; I don't know

Well, Ok here's her number. You guys talk an see where it goes.

Peggy just drove home, and didn't say anything else the rest of the way home. Although she keeps looking at me as if to say, you gonna call her or what. I am working up to that- I must say. I always feel funny not knowing who Im talking to, or what they look like. I never try an judge anyone until I've had an oppertunity to get to know them. Having said that, I probably won't call her tonight. I need at least one day to unwind from my travels. Peggy drops me off at my appartment. My appartment is relatively peaceful this evening. I take a moment to lie on the couch. My cellular recieves a picture text from Hurley. Sad but true, I have already put her in my phone as a contact. I ignore it of course, as I'm really tired tonight and just want to rest. It's been a long week, and I still have to work again tommorrow. Just as I'm about to goto sleep, I recieve another text.

Did you get my pic I sent you?

Hang on a sec., I'm just now getting home, and hadn't had time to check my messeges till now; I answer.

Max how did your trip go?

Watched some guy give a speach about a new labeler.

Well I'm glad your back now sweetie xo.

Oh wow!!, I've just seen the pic you sent. Your pretty hot. What you doing?

Just sitting here at the house. You got a pic for me?

Now that you mention it, I am in the process of working one up for you. Now you want the PG or R rated version.

lol, your bad. I don't know suprise me.

Of course I sent the PG version, just flirting a bit makes everything a tad more exciting.

Well, that's not bad Max.

So, you like my pic?

Yeah, want to meet up at Morgan Cafe. We can have a opertunity to get to know each other better.

Very tempting, but I've had a long day. Just want to rest tonight.

Ok, call me tomorrow then.

Ok, good night.

You too.

Shortly after texting, half the night; I fall right to sleep. I didn't even take a moment to change. She seems nice. I just like to take my time to get to know someone a little bit before we go out. The next morning just as I'm getting ready, my sister calls me and leaves a messege on my answering machine. I wait to play it, cause I want to finish getting ready for work. Let me see what she wants;

Hey Max, Good morning. Just wanted to see how you made out with Hurley. Well talk with yah latter; love you.

She's always checking up on me. I think I'm gonna make her wait though before, I let her in on everything.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Later on that morning Peggy, just isn't wanting to wait and talk with Max, on how he's getting along with Hurley. She gives her friend a call.

Hey girl, what's up?

Oh, hey Peggy. Whatcha doing?

Just Chill'n today I'm off. Gonna do some shopping, and get some of my running around done. So did my brother call yah?

Sort of..

What do you mean sort of?

"He texted me.