“What the f……?”, the Hawaii GM said as he read the news coming out of the Seattle Storm organization.
“Assie, what is GIANT STEP?”, asked Walker.
‘She’ responded almost immediately, “It is a space-time warping device developed by a company owned by ‘Westy’ Westmoreland. It is expected to save untold sums of money and lives by eliminating waste in time, lives, and pollution of the environment.”
“How does it work?”, was his next question.
“Simply, you step into a wormhole and come out instantly in your destination.”, she answered. Then she said, “Rich Kerr is in the waiting room.”
“Send him in.”, he ordered.
Kerr opened the door slowly as if afraid of what was on the other side.
“It’s ok, Rich. It ain’t a trick.”, Walker said with a chuckle.
“I’ll never get used to these systems.”, Kerr stated as he shook his head.
“I hate this stuff too, but it saves time and doesn’t work at cross purposes.”, Walker said. He continued, “What can I do for you, Rich?”
He started, “Well. How can I put it? I’ve received messages from the team with concerns with what they’re reading in the news.”
“About?”, prodded Walker.
“Seattle, mostly. Things like where is the Bikini Atoll. Stuff like that.”, said Kerr.
He went on, “Mostly they’re asking about the machine.”
“Ah.”, said Walker, “What’re they asking?”
“If this saves them travel time, will they get more per diem?”
“Will curfew be eliminated?”
“Does the Bikini Atoll require the chicks to wear bikinis?”
“Does luggage get lost on the way in the machine?”
“Do they search our stuff?”
“Will my schmeckel fall off when I go through?”
Walker shook his head and chuckled then said, “No, yes, no, yes, no. Not in that order.”
Kerr gave a smirk at that. “Thanks, Jim. But um, I’m curious too.”
Walker asked. “About which part?”
“Our junk falling off.”, stated Kerr.
“I’m not sure yet.”, said Walker.
