Time Travel For Sale

By Dan Arthur Busby

Time Travel For Sale is a sequel to Lost in Time: Trapped In A Prehistoric World

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookTrail Publishing
• Release date: Feb 27, 2022
• ISBN: 9781637677018

Book preview

Copyright © 2022 Dan Arthur Busby

Paperback: 978-1-63767-700-1

eBook: 978-1-63767-701-8

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022900901

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

This is a work of fiction.

Ordering Information:

BookTrail Agency

8838 Sleepy Hollow Rd.

Kansas City, MO 64114

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

About the Author

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

52

53

54

55

56

57

58

59

60

61

62

About the Author

My dream has always been to write a book that carries you through an experience that thrills your soul with adventure and excitement. Every time you crack the book you enter a new world of fascination that has to be dealt with properly or there will be consequences. The characters can’t afford to fail, as they will have only one chance to get it right. No one believes they have invented time travel until they step into the craft with you on a journey. Then they are believers, just as you were from the beginning.

1

Jimmy sat with his ankle over a knee at a kitchen table in Tom’s home. He was tinkering with a battery-operated dinosaur, while Tom spoke to him.

I just had a conversation with mayor Upton today. He said we are the largest source of revenue for the city. He appealed to me not to stop prehistoric tours.

Jimmy shook his head. These trips are just too dangerous for such large crowds to be going at one time.

Jimmy, that’s where the money is. This is why we have the city’s support. How many accidents have we had before this most recent event?

Jimmy glanced at Tom. Are you counting the very first trip we made? We all nearly bought it several times.

Tom became frustrated. We just can’t throw it all away, Jimmy. Look at the millions of dollars we have made so far. And no one’s been killed yet! I’d say that’s a great record.

Jimmy turned off power to the dinosaur and looked at Tom. There’s only one way I’ll consent to continuing this, and that’s to build a smaller ship with a time machine installed. It will need wheels and weapons, and a way to fasten to the fuselage of the jet fighter. That way if the big plane breaks down, we’ll still have a smaller aircraft to transport everyone back.

Tom stood gripping the back of a chair. I see nothing wrong with that. In fact, I think it’s very wise to have that kind of insurance.

Jimmy pressed his lips together and flipped at the tail of the toy dinosaur, sending it spinning across the table. 

I’ll get on it right away. He hated compromises but didn’t see any way out of this one. Standing and heading for the door, he said farewell over his shoulder. See you tomorrow, Tom.

Tom and Jimmy both had gotten so wealthy that they had their own mansions within walking distance of each other. Even Soto was well-to-do. They had all gotten rich on what they called Prehistoric Tours. But the tours seemed to be getting more and more dangerous.

The most recent tour had nearly cost them their aircraft along with everyone in it. It was highlighted by engine trouble, which resulted in an attack by three T-Rexes. They only escaped because of some fancy shooting by Jimmy.

Jimmy dedicated his time to the new project, and with the help of welders and aircraft manufacturers, finished a smaller ship. It carried five passengers at a time and attached smoothly to the top of the fuselage of the larger plane. He also personally oversaw the checking of every wire in both planes for stability.

Finally, Jimmy stood with hands on hips admiring his finished product. He imagined how it would feel going on prehistoric tours and having a backup aircraft/time machine for peace of mind.

So that’s where you’ve been all this time. Turning his head, he saw an attractive young woman with black hair to her shoulders, standing in the doorway. Her name was Jana, chief coordinator, and liaison for the mayor. She had never spoken anything civil to or about Jimmy. He opened his mouth to reply, but it was too late. Do you know how much money you have cost the city in the past two months? That’s right. One million dollars. And I get profit from tours too! I hope you’re done playing around and are going to get back to work. She then turned on her high heels and stomped off.

Jimmy shook his head. A good day was one in which he didn’t run into Jana.

2

Later that day he got a call from the mayor. "Jimmy!

It’s Fred Upton! I’m checking to see when you’ll be scheduling Prehistoric Tours again. It’s been a long time! You know we’re losing a lot of money!"

Jimmy tried to stay civil. Look, Mr. Upton, we nearly had a tragic loss of life when our aircraft broke down recently. I have been working on safety precautions, which I think are more important than money. Don’t worry, we are about to start up again. But do you know what it’s like to be stalked by three T-Rexes at one time? Not a lot of fun. Sorry, gotta go!

Just then Tom walked into the shop. Jimmy was still wrapping up odds and ends on the project. Jimmy, I wanted to say that I’m sorry for losing perspective. Money ahead of safety is never Ok.

Jimmy nodded. I do know that’s how you really feel. No problem. He put his wrench down and stepped away from the plane. But I wish there was a way you could keep Jana and Upton out of my hair.

Tom snorted. I can’t even keep them out of my own hair. He put a hand on Jimmy’s shoulder. Come on. Let’s go get something to eat.

The next morning Jimmy got a phone call again. Hello, Jimmy! It’s Fred Upton again. Say, I didn’t get a chance to tell you, but there’s a new club called the prehistoric gaming club. Hunters from all over the world are going to come out to go on prehistoric safaris. You know…they want to bag the big one. They will be needing a guide, Jimmy. Do appreciate your participation. Thanks, old boy! I knew I could count on you! Oh, gotta go!

Jimmy stared at the receiver with gaping mouth. Are you kidding? He spoke out loud. He immediately called back and was sent to voice mail. Ok, here’s the bottom line. No, not under any circumstances will I ever participate in hunting dinosaurs for sport! That is stupid and is pure suicide!

Later he brought this up to Tom. Man, what’s going on? Why does the mayor think he controls our business?

Jimmy, look, I just found out about this myself. There are some buried clauses in our contract with the city that actually bind us to certain business ventures with them. Tom shook his head. I don’t know what I can do about this. I am going to have a chat with my lawyer.

Jimmy looked at Tom. It better be a serious chat.

He turned to leave but hesitated. You know what it’s like out there. It’s hard enough trying to stay away from them! Can you imagine following them on purpose to shoot them? They are also pack hunters! He turned to leave again but stopped. And they hold grudges.

The day for the next tour came, so Jimmy, Tom, and Soto sat around the table at the aviation hangar kitchen.

Ok, Tom began, holding a paper out to read. Looks like we have ten People coming. At $5,000 apiece, that gives us $50,000.

Plus, the mayor’s cut. Jimmy sounded cynical.

Oh no. Tom replied. The mayor and Jana get their profit from booking, fees, and taxes.

Well, they sure know how to hold a big stick over our heads. Jimmy continued his assault on the mayor.

What? They didn’t tell me about this.

Soto squirmed in his seat. What is it? Jimmy implored.

There are two men who are signed up for a hunting expedition. Tom shook his head. Come on, mayor, get it together! Jimmy grabbed the paper and found the report. His brow wrinkled, as he wadded it up and threw it across the room.

Jimmy. Tom sounded serious. Those hunting expeditions are an extra $10,000 apiece. If there are two going it’s $20,000 extra.

You know, at this point I don’t care about the money. It’s a matter of safety! We’re going on a hunting expedition and a tour at the same time? How does that work?

Tom shook his head. We’ll figure out how to make it work. That’s all we can do.

I take it your lawyer didn’t have any solutions for us.

Tom shook his head. None that involves any profit for us.

Soto jumped in with a suggestion. It seems like we have a situation where we just need to handle it the smoothest way possible. We should have a serious talk with the hunters about what they should do.

Jimmy agreed. Sounds like a wise approach, Soto. Ok I will try to work things out with these hunters and see if I can talk some common sense into them.

3

Just before 10am the group of tourists began showing up. In general, they were rich folks, but not troublemakers. Just people who were curious about time travel, and what it was like in prehistoric times. The two hunters showed up and brought the guest total to 9.

Jimmy approached the hunters. Hello, my name is Jimmy Brooks Dantley. Just call me Jimmy. Can I have a look at your guns?

The two men opened their gun cases for Jimmy, who immediately knew what they were. "Me and a buddy survived for the better part of a year with these in prehistoric times. You can make them work, but I’ll tell you they aren’t powerful enough.