The Healthy Mechanic. Tim Scapillato
to maintain perfect vertical balance. And GPS technology would enable the robot to maneuver through crowded environments with laser-like precision. In the past, Max had worked on a variety of different projects involving all three of these technologies. Seeing the Segway inspired him to envision a robot that took advantage of all of these technologies to produce a device that could conceivably be used as a transportation vehicle and function as a personal assistant for disabled people.
Max had been a pioneer in the use of positional navigation technology to monitor the exact location of runners throughout an entire run by embedding a GPS chip into the soles of running shoes. Using the technology that he had developed, it was possible to measure, within a fraction of an inch, the exact distance someone had run. Furthermore, it was possible to measure the distance of a race course to a degree of exactness never previously achieved. Perhaps the biggest advantage, though, was that coaches were able to monitor every aspect of every run undertaken by their athletes, all from the comfort of their own home, and with equipment no more complicated or expensive than that required to watch satellite television. Max’s invention had made all of this possible several years before the advent of the wrist-watch GPS units that were now popular in the running community.
In order to continue to develop and refine the prototype robot, Ben and Max needed a significant amount of financing. Max was the ‘idea guy’, but Ben’s skill was in finding interested parties and convincing them to part with their money to turn the theories into reality. Ben had met this particular group several times before, and was close to closing a deal. He needed to get to work early and prepare his final pitch.
As he started out the door, Julia stopped him. “Don’t forget your bus pass, Ben. You won’t get far without it.”
“No thanks, honey. I haven’t taken the bus for over a week. I’ve been walking all the way there and back.”
“Ben,” she said, sounding surprised. “That’s about thirty blocks. Each way. How long does it take? I mean, it’s good that you’re exercising. I’m glad.”
“It takes me about an hour each way. So far I feel great, and it’s nice not to have squeeze into a crowded bus. I actually arrive at work feeling more refreshed than if I had taken the bus. I told you I was serious about changing my lifestyle. This is only the first step.”
“Well, Ben, I have to say, I’m impressed. Does this have anything to do with your friend in Wakefield?”
“Partly, I guess. I mean, the day I walked out of Dr. Jordan’s office a couple of weeks ago, I had already decided that I needed to do something in a big way. It was just chance that I bumped into Parsnips, or that he found me, but the events that have unfolded since then seem to have reinforced my decision. Don’t worry; I’m still going for my follow-up examination later this week.”
“Just don’t overdo it, OK, Ben? I’m concerned about you. I’m glad you’re doing something positive, but don’t jump into it too quickly. We both know how you like to do everything at a hundred and ten percent effort.”
“What other way is there?” joked Ben. “Don’t worry. I’m getting good advice from both sides of the health care fence. I’ll decide which side to come down on soon, though.”
* * *
When Ben stopped in front of Max’s house on the way to Wakefield the following Saturday morning, he heard a slight squeak coming from his brakes. Since he stopped driving or taking the bus to work, he only drove his car on weekends, so hadn’t noticed this problem. Old Webster had made another correct call. Later during the drive on Highway 5, Ben applied the brakes just to test the result. As Daniel had predicted, the steering wheel shimmied in his hands. Remarkable, thought Ben. I wish I’d met a mechanic like him years ago. I could have saved a fortune in car repair bills.
“He was right again, wasn’t he, Ben?” asked Max. “About the brakes, I mean.”
“One hundred percent, Max. He’s the best mechanic I’ve ever met. I wish he’d let me pay him directly for his work, though, instead of giving it to some charity. It doesn’t seem right—I mean, he doesn’t even charge me for the parts.”
“Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, Ben. How many times have you silently cursed when you received a bill for repairs to your car?”
“Every time, Max. Every single time.”
* * *
When they arrived at the Webster’s, Daniel and Vic were walking across the yard. The vice-principal talked while Daniel listened. At the edge of the driveway, they stopped and greeted Ben and Max.
“You made sure to arrive on time today, did you, Vic?” asked Max.
“No sense setting a bad example. I wouldn’t want to keep Dayton waitin’”.
“You might as well bring the car right in, Ben. Have you noticed the shimmy yet?” asked Daniel.
“Exactly as you predicted, Daniel. You’re good.”
As he got out of the car he noticed another new addition to the shop. A mobile hung from the ceiling, spinning lazily in the breeze through the open door. That’s unusual, he thought—it was the first mobile he’d ever seen that was made from arrowheads. Was that there last time, he wondered? There must be some significance to all these adornments, but he had no idea what it was. In the orderly, uncluttered world of the Websters, everything seemed to be strategically placed. It was unlikely that these tiles, crystals, mobiles and beads were simply added to the décor at random.
“Good morning, Ben.”
The voice surprised him. Elizabeth had characteristically glided into the room. He had no idea how long she had been there. She may have been standing there when he drove in.
“Would you like a glass of water with chlorophyll?” she offered.
“Never had that before. I’d love to try it. Thank you.” He looked out at Max, Vic and Daniel in the driveway.
“Ben, do you enjoy exercising?” she asked.
Ben was startled at the question. How did these people always seem to know what he was thinking, with whom he was talking, and what was going to go wrong with his car?
“I love it. I’m just walking right now, but I plan to do more once I reach a better level of conditioning. How did you know that, Elizabeth?” Ben asked.
“It’s written all over your face, Ben. I mean that literally. I can see the change in your face. You are getting more fresh air. More blood is flowing to your face and extremities. I can see the effects of increased circulation. You only look as good—or as bad—as you feel. If you feel healthy, it shows. I can see it in you, Ben. There’s an improvement in your health already. Keep it up.”
“Keeping the refreshments to yourselves?” asked Vic as he entered the garage. He still had a large presence, Ben observed. He could never enter a room unnoticed in the way that Elizabeth could.
“Vic,” said Daniel. “Once you have your drink, why don’t you briefly review what we discussed last week?”
“You did say there would be a test, Vic,” reminded Max. “I guess you didn’t think it would be you that would be taking it, huh? I hope you studied.”
“Very funny, Max. Luckily, I don’t have to study this stuff. I live it every day of my new life.”
“Well said, Vic,” Elizabeth added quietly.
Vic sat on the couch against the far wall. He looked up at the mobile for an instant, and then began.
“Well, we learned that the seed of health possesses an innate intelligence that controls the formation of your body and enables it to maintain itself in a constant state of good health. This process constitutes the miracle of life.”
Looking over at Max, he added, “And the Canadiens winning the cup constitutes the miracle on ice.”