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I wanted Jack to drive, and Wireman
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I wanted Jack to drive, and Wireman to sit in the
back seatWhen Wireman asked why, I said I had my
reasons, and I thought they'd become apparent in
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short order"And if I'm wrong about that," I
added, "no one will be any more delighted than
me
Jack backed onto the road and turned southMore
out of curiosity than anything else, I punched on
the radio and was rewarded with Billy Ray Cyrus,
bellowing about his achy breaky heartJack
groaned and reached for it, probably meaning to
find The BoneBefore he could, Billy Ray was
swallowed in a burst of deafening static
"Jesus, turn it off!" Wireman yelped
But first I turned it downReducing the volume
made no differenceIf anything, the static grew
louderI could feel it rattling the fillings of
my teeth, and I punched the OFF button before my
eardrums could start bleeding
"What was that?" Jack asked
"Call it bad environment, why don't you," I said
"A little something left over from those Army Air
Corps tests sixty years ago
"Very funny," Wireman said
Jack was looking at the radio"I want to try it
again
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"Be my guest," I told him, and placed my hand over
my left ear
Jack pushed the power buttonThe static that came
roaring out of the Mercedes's four speakers this
time seemed as loud as a jet fighter's engine
Even with my palm over one ear, it ripped through
my headI thought I heard Wireman yell, but I
wasn't sure
Jack pushed the power button again and the hellish
blizzard of noise cut out"I think we should skip
the tunes," he sai |