The Day the Cars Stopped Running

The Day the Cars Stopped Running

By

Gunnar Alutalu

Copyright © 2015 by Gunnar Alutalu

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

First Printing: 2015

ISBN 978-1-329-55823-6

2313 des Bouvreuils

Quebec, Quebec, Canada G1G 1Z9

www.lulu.com/spotlight/alutalu

About the Author

Gunnar Alutalu was born in 1933 in the small Baltic country of Estonia. Having become a refugee during the Second World War, he experienced first-hand the insecurities and deprivations that wartime conditions bring.

Nevertheless, he also had many agreeable and happy experiences and had the opportunity to travel, learn new languages and come to a greater appreciation of other cultures.

He landed as an immigrant to Canada in 1949.

He studied welding engineering and worked in this field.

He lives in Quebec City. 

                Dedicated to our well-wheeled generation

About the Book

A chance remark by his wife set the author’s imagination to work. It was a casual observation about cars stopping.

Yes, traffic had been interrupted city-wide due to road construction. Of course, the long line-ups of cars, buses and trucks would move again. Slowly. But they would move. But, what, if they did not? Ever? World wide? How would humanity be affected?

The author did not know, but he became curious. This book is a summary of his surprising findings…

Synopsis

Due to forces beyond human control, motorized traffic stops world-wide. Governments react by taking control of available resources, imposing temporary rationing, enacting new laws, providing incentives and encouragement to new commercial enterprises. The former fossil-fuelled economy needs to be replaced by the new, environmentally friendly one.

Citizens react by discovering new business opportunities and by finding new careers. Forced initially to revert to primitive transport methods of a century ago, they soon adapt to the new realities of a changed world, and throw their energies into building a new, modern and environmentally friendly civilization.

New talents are discovered; new alliances and friendships are forged. The economy starts moving again. Reports of successful new enterprises abound. Human inventiveness triumphs.

Young people meet under unusual circumstances, romance blooms, and together they face the challenging future and join their fellow humans in building a better world.

Pollution diminishes, people see the benefits of this, and lose any desire to return to the former gasoline age.

It is a story of hope, of discovery and adventure, interspersed with humorous incidents. 

Chapter One --- Introduction

It was Reports Day. The regularly scheduled conference of the Caretakers of the Universe was in session. Reports poured in from all parts of the universe, and were listened to carefully and respectfully. Based on these reports, decisions would have to be taken. Decisions, that would affect the well-being of life and creation trusted into their care. The Caretakers held a highly responsible position in the universal scheme of things. They exercised oversight over all the civilizations in the vastness of space. They were to let life proceed without interference, acting as observers, unknown and undetected by these organized societies.

Occasionally, certain civilizations acted unwisely, and were found to be in the process of destroying themselves. In such infrequent cases, authorization was granted to the Caretakers overseeing that particular section of the universe, to step in and take all appropriate measures to prevent life on such endangered planets from dying out. 

This day, Caretakers in charge of the planet Earth had a disturbing report to make to the Council. The Earth was a most beautiful planet, with abundant water, productive land, plants, animals, and a great capacity for food production. Humans had been assigned by The Supreme One to exercise loving and wise oversight of the planet’s animal and plant life. Disappointingly, however, mankind had shown no appreciation for their marvellous home. Unbelievably, they were destroying it!                    

Why they were doing this, was not their function to determine. Their work was to monitor the life-sustaining systems of the Earth. Careful measurements of pollutants in the atmosphere showed that a situation was rapidly approaching where the planet’s natural purification processes would be overwhelmed, and unless rectified immediately, a ‘‘point of no return’’ would be reached, and all life on Earth would eventually cease to exist.

They were requesting authorization from The Governing Council to interfere with human activity, in order to preserve life on the planet Earth.  

And how would you go about it, they were asked.

‘‘The greatest polluters are cars, trucks and buses. We would disable the sparking mechanisms that enable the cylinders in their motors to fire. We would not touch electricity as such. Only the gasoline and diesel driven engines would be affected. Over time, the air surrounding the Earth is bound to clean itself and all natural processes will return to normal. At the present time, global warming is causing droughts, fires and floods on an unprecedented scale. How should we act?’’

There really was no need for a long discussion.

Armed with authorization from the Council of Caretakers of the Universe, the spaceships started out for the distant planet Earth.

Chapter Two --- In New York City

Hayward Prince of New York City was frustrated and angry. Being a respected environmental scientist, and having attended the most recent conference on global warming, he was not only frustrated and angry, he was genuinely frightened.

Plant and animal species were becoming extinct faster than ever before. He had been profoundly disturbed by the recent reports on disappearing bees. Bees were the pollinators of the plants that mankind used for food. If bees became extinct, as they were rapidly becoming, all life would eventually cease to exist.

What was being done by the Governments? Reports were filed, and then set aside. Statistics were compiled. Computers were programmed. Occasionally, a news network, in an attempt to best their rival news channels, would air some of this information. ‘‘Shocking statistics’’ they would call it. Viewers would switch channels, hoping to be amused or entertained instead. What were they supposed to do about these ‘‘shocking statistics’’, anyway?

He could not ignore the proof that the earth was heading for ever greater catastrophic events, and the final outcome was something he was trying to avoid thinking about. Man had to act right now! Not next year, when this conference was scheduled to meet again, not tomorrow, but immediately! Even now, it might already be too late!

He saw no future for life on earth. Already, ice caps were melting at an ever-increasing rate of speed, much faster than it had been believed possible even a year ago. Sea levels were rising dramatically. Continents were being eroded by never-before-seen torrential downpours. Uncontrollable fires were breaking out world wide. Water was being polluted carelessly by industrial concerns, with little regard for the environment or the human population.

Many citizens were confused. Powerful industrial concerns had hired their own scientists, whose function was to challenge the veracity of the reports issued by the environmentalists. There was no scientific basis to show that global warming was taking place, they said. The earth was merely going through a natural cycle, they said. No need for alarm, they said. What the world needed was more industrial development, they said.   

Yes, warnings, even ‘‘dire’’ warnings, had been issued, but no serious and effective action had been taken. True, erudite and serious men had written books and prepared prize-winning documentaries, urging immediate action. Lip service had been given to the cause of environmental protection. Groups of educated young people had been formed, and the populace sensitized to the importance of preserving the purity of the earth.

But, was it already ‘‘too little, too late?’’ It was the ‘‘too late’’ part of the popular slogan that worried Professor Prince.                     

This, latest conference, had broken up in bitterness and hopelessness. Instead of progress, new enmities had developed between national groups. The United States had blamed China for abandoning the traditional bicycle and producing an over-abundance of cars. Their country was becoming one enormous traffic jam, with motors idling around the clock. China had to do something about this, as it had become the world’s biggest polluter.

The Chinese delegation had pointed out that efforts were being made by their Government to cut down on the number of vehicles authorized to take to the road. As an example, they had pointed out that of each fifty applications made for a car plate, only one was issued. And that was done fairly. A lottery was held.

They had then turned the tables on the US and accused them of promoting two-car families. They categorically refused to take any further steps in cutting back on carbon emissions unless the Americans acted responsibly and quit blaming the rest of the world for the problems that they themselves had created.

Even if a major agreement had been reached between the participating nations, Professor Prince knew, such a conference had no power to force the Governments to act on their recommendations. Environmental issues would be temporarily debated in national parliaments, and then other urgent matters would take precedence.

The world would continue its complacent course to certain disaster…

Chapter Three --- To Long Island

As the Professor and the other delegates exited the conference building on the Brooklyn Heights section of New York City, the babble of voices surrounding them died down. Astonishment overtook the delegates! They were stepping out into a strange world, a world so eerily, unnaturally silent. Where were the expected traffic noises, the impatient honking of motorists, the growls of the huge, unwieldy trucks and vans shifting gears as they pulled away from the traffic lights?

Instead, he noticed the cheery chirping of the busy sparrow, heard the ripening acorn fall to the sidewalk as a fastidious squirrel did housekeeping in the transplanted oak tree. From a distance came alarmed and questioning voices of humans.

By now, he should have heard the priority-claiming sirens of emergency vehicles, the masculine music of muscle car mufflers, the authoritative slamming of double-parked beer delivery truck’s heavy doors, the polite, excuse-me-please voices of the un-intrusive mopeds. All the usual and expected city sounds. Nothing!    

Some months previously, a respected environmentalist had proposed the establishment of a World Sabbath Day, during which all vehicular traffic would be stopped voluntarily. Such action would permit the air to clean up at least temporarily. He had been ridiculed as having attempted to make a joke. Not a practical joke. An impractical joke. Sadly, however, pollution was not a joking matter. Had some people seen the seriousness of the situation, and decided to act, at least here, in Brooklyn?

Someone approached him with the stunning news that this strange phenomenon was happening worldwide! Why? How? How long would it last? No one had any answers. Only questions.                        

He found himself walking over the Brooklyn Bridge, past the buildings that had once urged the reading of the Bible and The Watchtower. The religious organization that had owned these edifices had sold them and established self-supporting and environmentally friendly communities somewhere in the countryside. Curious, he thought…

He came to the realization that he was one of thousands streaming toward the City, seeking information and some sort of Government direction and protection.            Subways were said to be running. He would make his way home.           

He began to hurry, as he had no illusions about what was certain to happen soon, ---looting, riots, breakdown of law and order. He would rush to take the subway before conditions deteriorated. Once home, he would take practical steps to protect his family by making his home secure against possible lawless elements.

This day, at least, no significant carbon emissions would enter the atmosphere. Was this not what he had not been fighting for all these many years? Should he not rejoice over this unexpected development? But, considering the suddenness by which this new situation had come about, and the social upheaval that humanity was now facing, he was not so sure.

And yet, despite certain misgivings, he found himself hoping that this anomaly would continue for a long, long time. Humankind would readjust and reorganize. New priorities would be established. New laws, systems and infrastructures would come into being to meet the requirements of the new living conditions. He was hopeful.

No, this was not an attack on human society. Some benevolent power was acting in the best interests of not only the mankind, but also its animal and plant life. Would he ever come to understand who this friendly power might be? He did not know, nor particularly care. But, whoever it might be, his thoughts, goals and desires were in full harmony with whatever this power or powers were trying to accomplish. No, not trying. They were doing it! Mankind had been trying, although half-heartedly, and failed. This superior force was rescuing humankind from disaster and would succeed in doing so. He was certain of it.

For the present, though, the questions of who, what, why, for how long, and so on, would have to be shelved. The matter of immediate daily survival needed to take precedence. 

He was pleased to find a seat in the subway car. All cars were filling up with regular commuters as well as extra passengers like himself, anxious to get home. Home to security, home to sanity, home to rest and to get one’s bearings, home to discuss this new development with one’s mates and loved ones, to listen to rumours as well as official news and communications.

Here the iron-generated rhythmic clanging of the wagon wheels took on a higher pitch. They were emerging from the tunnel onto the elevated railway. Through the grime-covered solid windows he could see them. The stalled vehicles. Block after city block. The traffic lights were still operational. The greens were inviting the cars to advance, to come and take advantage of the brief period of hospitality before the yellows and the reds would take their scheduled turn. Alas, no vehicle yielded to the temptation to move, held out by the generous green signals. People were milling around, their small cellular phones pressed tightly to their ears out of habit. Gluing the phones to their ears used to be necessary to keep out the traffic noises, noises which now were so eerily absent.

In the subway car where he was sitting, most fellow passengers had their head-phones on, their video games lit, living in their private worlds, taking an interest in their surroundings only when their station was getting closer. The world may be coming to its end, but they could not be bothered. They had seen it all. They were New Yorkers.

Then his turn came to leave the train. Approaching an intersection, he stopped, waiting for the pedestrian light to turn green. But why? Why stop? Was he really expecting fast cross traffic to cut him down? New habits had to be learned; a completely new rhythm of life had to be got used to.

His was an upscale neighbourhood. The sweet smells of flowering shrubs hung heavy in the ever-freshening air, air not receiving its usual dose of exhaust fumes.

Finally home, he hugged his wife, who was full of questions. She had half expected that he would understand more about what was happening, he being an expert in environmental matters. However, all he could do was to speculate, like countless others. They would have to wait and see what the future held in store for them, for humanity, and for the earth. Both shared the hope that this unexpected situation would go on for a long time. They were thinking of the benefits this cutting-off of deadly carbon emissions was already bringing.

‘‘I am really glad that you made it home safely, dear! But with police patrol cars not operational, there are bound to be individuals who will take advantage of the chaotic situation,’’ his wife reminded him.

‘‘Undoubtedly. That is why it would be wise for us to procure a good supply of groceries. Let’s get on our bicycles and go and see what we can find!’’

Chapter Four --- In Montreal, Canada

Jacques Auger of Montreal, Canada, had been on his coffee-break when he first heard the news. An ashen-faced secretary had unceremoniously interrupted an important conversation he had been having with a couple of guys, his co-workers. They had been arguing about the desirable features of the latest cars, and had agreed to go and inspect the gadgets that one of them had been bragging about. Not, that they themselves would also buy a vehicle like that. But he was a pal of theirs and deserved to be humoured. They would do it after work. It would only take a minute. And they would keep their opinions and comments to themselves. As a matter of fact, they had inspected each other’s cars many times over the years, and sometimes even learned a thing or two. It would not be a waste of time…

He turned his attention to the excited secretary. Now, what was she repeating? He remembered that it was the same secretary who had brought the stunning news about the terrorist attack on the New York Twin Towers to the working staff. Now she had the same panic-stricken look about her, and she was stammering something about cars not running. So? He had her repeat her story yet once more. Cars not running? Trucks, neither? No buses, either. Where? Reportedly, all over the world!

Being an accomplished architectural engineer, Jacques had faced and solved complex problems before. But this situation was different. This one blind-sided him. Strange forces were at work. That much he understood. No previous record existed of such a phenomenon occurring, and, consequently, no mathematical formulae were available to explain, classify and solve this particular problem

‘‘I’ll buy you a cup of coffee, Celine, and then let’s sit down and think this one over,’’ he offered.  ‘‘What did the boss do, when he heard the news?’’

‘‘You know him. He said that if this was somebody’s idea of a practical joke, that particular someone had gone too far. Heads would roll. He sent an office-boy to try to start his Jaguar.’’ 

Already, people were returning with the information that none of the cars had started. Neither the cars, nor the vans, nor even the high-mileage, but still obscenely expensive Lamborghini that a draftsman had rented for the weekend to impress his new girlfriend with. 

‘‘Well, Celine, this one is beyond our responsibility. Figuring this thing out is not included in our job description. Let the ones responsible for starting this, finish it! We must not panic. Did you contact your husband? I will call my wife, and we will establish a practical plan of action.’’   

Julie, his wife, had been expecting his call, and seemed relatively calm under the circumstances. But then, Julie was like that, having two overactive, unpredictable and adventurous children, she had faced crises in the past. He explained that he would not be coming home right away, as he had plans that would take time to carry out. There would be no point in taking the subway from his place of work at Place Ville Marie back to his car that was parked on the huge lot on the South Shore, as the vehicle would not run anyway. He would buy a bicycle and use it to bring back some supplies to the family.

Further, he urged his wife to take the children with her and go to the grocery store right away. The children would help her to carry things back to the house. She should concentrate on salt, sugar, flour and rice. The basics. Then, she should hide these necessities carefully, in case of possible and in fact probable, roaming, hungry and lawless elements. 

*

He was thinking of his new house and how well it was situated, considering the unexpected developments. Right next to his home, good farmland stretched far into the distance, right up to the tree-line, so far away. He could not quite understand how a housing development was permitted on this good, productive farm land. Years ago, all this area of new streets had been zoned for agricultural use only, with no chance of housing developments ever being built on it, but, somehow, laws had been changed. Thousands were living in this new community now, relatively far from their jobs in Montreal. Of course, everyone had a car, and most often, two cars, so, distances were not a problem. No problem, up to now. How would the neighbours cope?

He knew what he was going to do… 

Next, he made his way through the confused crowds to the store that specialized in bicycles. He had often passed that store on Saint Catherine Street, never thinking that he would one day actually enter it. He began to hurry, hoping that the store would still have a bicycle of the type he was considering. He was fortunate. The stock was already considerably depleted. He purchased a sturdy cross-country model with a small trailer attached to it.

Then, he lined up at a big grocery store and loaded his trailer with staples.

His last stop was at the Atwater Market, where fresh farm produce was sold. There, in addition to a large bag of potatoes, he picked up an assortment of vegetable seeds and small plants. He was somewhat surprised to see the market still in operation, but, then he realized that business there had never been quite so good. Most people believed that motor vehicles would be running again soon, as soon as this strange problem was fixed.

Presently, vendors began to close shop and to make themselves comfortable for the night. They really had nowhere else to go. Their trucks were not running, but now these constituted their temporary homes.

Jacques sat down in the saddle of his bicycle. He needed time to think. This new situation presented unexpected challenges. He had always considered himself to be an optimist. But there are times when optimism only goes so far in true-life situations…Would there also arise unexpected opportunities? Today he could not think of any.

It had been a hectic day, and nightfall was not far away. He had to decide whether to face the long trip home in the congested foot-traffic on the Champlain Bridge, presently jammed with stalled cars, or find a secure place to pass the night right here, at the farmers` market.

One thing he knew, and that was, that he had to keep watch over his practical vehicle with its precious cargo.

His cellular phone rang. It was Julie, his wife. ‘‘I have just got home,’’ she said. ‘‘We have managed to do much of the shopping, as you suggested. By now, the stores must be pretty well empty, as there were line-ups when we left. There is no urgent need for you to rush home. Would you be able to find a place to stay for the night? There must be hotels around there…We have set up a neighbourhood patrol, a sort of a mutual defence group, with constant around-the-clock surveillance. My shift is from two in the morning till three. A retired provincial police officer is organizing things. Talk to you later!’’

He approached Pierre, a farmer from the Chambly area, and suggested that they talk to the others about forming a sort of a mutual defence group, similar to the one his wife Julie was talking about. The idea appealed to the majority. By nightfall, the market came to resemble a miniature fortress, with a line of overturned tables forming a wall in front of the trucks, with night patrols keeping an eye on things.

Pierre made a place for Jacques’ possessions in his spacious truck and also a place for him to sleep, atop a pile of empty farm produce sacks.  

Of course, the Government was doing this, Jacques thought. No, not the Canadian Government. The American! The Canadian Government had always meekly gone along with whatever the Americans had decided to do. For years, thoughtful and observant people had known from