Choice of the Gallant - Paradox Equation I by Sharon L Reddy

  ****

  "Gallant!"

  "Hello, Julie. You feel just as good as I remember."

  "Been a lot longer than a year for you, hasn't it?"

  "Yes. I had a great deal to learn. I brought you some presents. Let's go in. Your tulips need the rain. We don't."

  "Do they ever. It was dry again this winter. I'm afraid it's going to be a bad year for forest fires. You look wonderful, Gallant, but I don't think those jeans would fit you now."

  "I don't think they would either. I've planned our evening. Do you mind?"

  "Not at all."

  "Money is always a problem for me. I set up an account in your name a bit in the past. It's a trust. It matures today. Would you draw funds from it for this evening, please?"

  "Sure. How?"

  "Just call the bank. Here. This is the paperwork."

  "Uh, I don't think I'll ask how you just made that appear like that."

  "It's just math."

  "Math?"

  "A lot of math. I never seem to have enough pockets, so I made a few extra."

  "Yeah. OK. Right. Gallant, you set this up a hundred forty years ago!"

  "Yes. It seemed the most reasonable time to deposit a small amount of gold."

  "How much should I draw?"

  "Twenty thousand should be enough. Oops. Steady."

  "Twenty thousand?!"

  "You're quite right, fifty thousand. One shouldn't short oneself in Las Vegas."

  "Gallant, you're grinning at me. Just how much is in this account?"

  "I don't really know, but it should make you give serious thought as to how well you really like your job. Call the bank. I'd rather not use Alice to get there before they close."

  "Alice?"

  "You named her."

  "Alice in Wonderland!"

  "I thought you'd remember. Call the bank."