Knight Rider 2008 Alternate Storyline – Episode 7 – Nightmares
Chapter 3
Carmen sighed heavily as she stepped out of the bathroom. She wore a faded blue robe and was toweling her hair dry. It had been a long, and weird, day. She was glad that it was over.
She walked down the hall into her room. It was a converted closet, with only enough room for her bed, and a dresser. She couldn't access the bottom drawer of her dresser because the bed was in the way. At least she wasn't crammed in with the boys though.
Speaking of the boys... Their room was right next door and the music they were blaring was making the thin walls vibrate. Carmen banged on the wall with the heel of her hand. “Lower that!” She yelled.
The music lowered to a dull roar, enough so she could hear a phone ringing somewhere in her room. “Crap.” She muttered. “Forgot to give Enri back his phone.” She picked up her coveralls from the floor and pulled out Enrique's phone.
But, it wasn't what was making the ringing noise. That's right... she had turned it off. Carmen frowned. “Then what...?”
She reached into another pocket of her coveralls and pulled out a sleek black phone. It was a pretty high-tech model, not the kind cell phone companies gave away for free when you sign up for their calling plans.
Carmen looked it over as it continued to ring. “What in the...” She flipped it open and put it to her ear. “Hello?”
“Good evening, Miss Delgado. I believe that my cell phone may have accidentally fallen into your pocket when we spoke earlier.”
Carmen rolled her eyes. She should have known. “Are you stalking me?” She asked heatedly.
“No, I gave up on that years ago, it never works.” David said pleasantly. “I would like to negotiate a time and place where I can retrieve my phone though.”
Carmen decided to cut to the chase. She wasn't one for dancing around a subject. “I'm not building that engine for you.” She said. “It's impossible anyway. An engine like that doesn't exist.”
“Yet.” David said. “It will once you build it.”
Carmen sat down on her bed and sighed. “Look, it would be nice. But I don't think I'm your mechanic. I had an idea, that's all. I mean, where would I begin?”
“Wherever you like.”
Carmen shook her head. “The propulsion system would never work. And how would I go about fueling it?” She thought for a moment. “Although... it would be rather small. I could probably fit another part under the hood, to process the fuel...” She stood up and began pacing. “No, the whole thing is too light, if you put this in a car, it would lose stability.”
“Weight is a problem.” David agreed. “The car we are building is too heavy.”
“What kind of car is it?” Carmen asked. She couldn't help herself. “I didn't know Knight Industries made cars. Don't you guys build tanks?”
“Occasionally. I'm afraid I can only divulge details of this project to those working on it.”
“It's weird.” Carmen said. “You going to all this effort, just because of a drawing I put online.”
“You've been under surveillance as well. From what I have seen, I believe you would be a valuable asset to my team.”
“You've been spying on me?” Carmen asked indignantly, springing to her feet.
“Yes.” David answered simply. “And honestly, I can't see why you tolerate that little garage. Your potential is being wasted there. You do twice the work of your brothers and uncles, and do it twice as efficiently. Where did you learn cars so well?”
Carmen blinked in surprise, her temper defused. “Well... I...” She sat back down on her bed. “I live above a garage.” She said weakly. “Cars are my life. Ever since I could toddle down the stairs and into the garage.”
“And building the 'Ultimate Car' doesn't interest you?” David said persuasively.
Carmen became suspicious. “You hardly seem like a nice guy.” She said. “There's something like el diablo about you. Your offer sounds good, but when you deal with the Devil, there is always a catch.”
“Very perceptive. There is indeed a catch. If you agree to build this engine for me, then for the next five years you will work for me. You will have to leave that little garage, go somewhere very far away. Live underground even.”
Carmen snorted. “No way. Building my engine sounds like a dream come true, but family is family. No way am I leaving. Now tell me how I can get your phone back to you.”
“My mistake, it's not my phone.” David said. “It's yours.” Then he hung up.
Carmen stared at the phone in her hand. She cupped it in both hands and ran through the menus. The phone book was filled with numbers. Numbers and addresses of every single person she knew. The picture album was filled with pictures of the garage, her Uncle's house, her old high school, and even that little diner she went to when she wanted to eat out.
An icy shiver ran down her spine. She closed the phone. “That man is el diablo...” She whispered. She collapsed on the bed and stared up at the ceiling.
********
Carmen slept badly that night. The next day she couldn't focus on her work. She forgot things, and misplaced others.
Enrique walked over to her. “Can I have my phone back?” He asked irritably.
She turned to him, startled. “Yeah, sure.” She pulled a phone out of her pocket. She started to hand it to him but realized it was the wrong one. She reached into her other pocket and returned his own phone to him.
He turned on his phone and checked his messages. “What's that?” He asked as Carmen pocketed the other phone.
“Nothing.” She said.
Enrique looked at her suspiciously. “Is that from the guy who was here yesterday?”
“Yeah, he forgot it.” Carmen said.
“A bad wind follows that man, Tia. What did he want?”
“He offered me a job.” Carmen said nonchalantly. Enrique's dark eyebrows shot up. Carmen smacked his arm irritably. “As a mechanic.”
Enrique grinned. “Ah, then he knows his mechanics. He wants the best.”
Carmen gave him an exasperated look. “Yeah, right.” She said.
“You know it's true, Tia. You've got a gift. Blood don't run through your veins. Motor oil does.”
“And I drink gasoline for breakfast.” Carmen rolled her eyes.
“Would explain that fiery temper.”
“Get back to work.” She shot at him. She walked over to a trash can. She pulled the phone out of her pocket and got ready to dump it.
“Carmen, Diego!” Their father hurried into the garage. Carmen looked up sharply. “Get your brothers, I just got a call from the hospital.” Antonio's face was grim.
Carmen felt her stomach drop into her boots. “ Mamá?” She asked, her large eyes were wide and fearful.
Antonio took her to the side. “She's attacked an orderly.” He kept his voice low.
Carmen shook her head. “ Mamá wouldn't do something like that.”
“She did.” Her father was deadly serious. “They're talking about moving her to a more secure ward...”
“They want to lock her up?” Carmen's voice climbed a few octaves.
Antonio shushed her with a gesture. “Get your brothers, and we'll go down and see her, all right?” Carmen nodded and hurried away.
********
Queens General Hospital, Queens, NYC
Hours later, Carmen stepped out of her mother's room. She closed the door behind her softly, her head bowed.
“She doesn't recognize you anymore, does she?”
Carmen jumped. She looked over at David, who was leaning against the wall next to the door, not two feet from her. “You really want to get hurt, don't you?” She stalked past him, continuing down the hall.
“She won't get better here.” David said. “All they do is medicate her, put her in a stupor so she's easier to deal with. They're not trying to find out what's causing it. They're not trying o help her.”
“I know that.” Carmen shot over her shoulder. She kept walking.
“I know of a place where she can get better.”
Carmen paused. Her hands clenched into fists. “You have ten seconds.” She said.
David seized his chance. “There is a private hospital upstate. One of the best. They have a comprehensive Psych Ward. Your mother would be treated with the utmost respect, and get the treatment she deserves. The waiting list is a mile long, but I can put her at the head of it.”
“And you want to put her there for five years while I work for you. Then what? Yank her back out when I leave?” Carmen's vision blurred.
David began walking over to her slowly. “Five years from you, and she is taken care of for life.”
“I'll be gone for five years though. Separated from my family. How do I know that this hospital is as good as you say?”
“My father is there.” David said quietly.
Carmen turned, looking back at him. “Your father?” She scrutinized his face, searching for some trace of deception.
“Yes.” The single word rang true. More so than anything else she had heard from him since she met him yesterday.
“And they'll really help Mamá?” Carmen asked, making sure.
David nodded. “You won't be completely cut off. You can exchange letters, emails. No phone conversations I'm afraid.”
“What about the rest of my family? They need me at the garage.”
“I'll make sure they are more than adequately compensated.” David assured her. “Do we have a deal?”
Carmen held out her hand. “Fine.”
David looked at her hand and grimaced. “I prefer these.” He said. He opened up his briefcase and pulled out a sheaf of papers. He handed them to her along with a silver pen.
Carmen looked the papers over. There were a lot of them. “Sign at all the dotted lines?” She guessed.
“If you would. I would like for us to leave as soon as possible. You're not the only person I need to hire.”
Carmen leaned the papers against the wall and put the pen to the paper. “Tia, wait.” Carmen turned her head. Enrique was standing at the end of the hallway. “You're just going to leave everyone?” He asked. “Were you even going to say good bye?”
Carmen scowled. “I was going to say good bye.” She lowered her eyes. “Maybe.”
“Tia...” Enrique walked over. He regarded David coldly.
“Look, it's a good deal. I get to do something I've only dreamed about, and Mamá gets the treatment she needs.”
“If you go off by yourself, then who will look after you?” Enrique asked. “At least think about this more.”
David looked at his watch. “This deal is only available for a brief period. My plane leaves in four hours.”
Enrique glared at David. “You've had you chance to speak already, so shut up.”
“Enri, I've already decided.” Carmen told him firmly. “I don't back down when I say I'm going to do something. You know that.”
“Then I'll go with you.” Enrique said.
Carmen looked dumbfounded. “What...?”
Enrique turned to David. “How about it? You're a business man. Two mechanics for the price of one.”
David considered it for a brief second. “Deal.” He handed Enrique a contract as well. “I'm afraid she has my only pen though.” He gestured to Carmen.
Carmen was giving Enrique a deadly look. “You're going to just leave all of them?” She asked.
Enrique shrugged. “Same as you.” He said.
“I don't mean our family.” She said. She reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his phone before he could stop her. She flipped it open, going to the phone book. “I'm talking about Erica, Cynthia, Destiny, Gina, Tanya-” Enrique tried to grab the phone from her but she dodged, her eyes still on the tiny screen. “Jocelyn, Sarah, Beth, and Lisa.” She arched a brow at him.
“They'll live.” Enrique said, snatching his phone back. He pocketed it quickly. He lowered his voice, bending down to her ear. “Look, how do you know this guy is legit?” He asked. “What if he's dangerous?”
“I dunno. He seems too High Class to be a lowlife.” Carmen answered.
“Lowlifes are in every class.” Enrique told her. “Let me come with you, make sure you're all right.” He smiled. “Besides, if it is legit, you think I'm gonna to let you build Supercar by yourself?”
“What's with everyone spying on me?” Carmen asked in exasperation. She sighed heavily. “Fine, you can come with.” She signed her name on the contract, then handed the pen to Enrique.
Once they were both signed, David placed them in his briefcase. He handed them both a new sheaf of papers. “Welcome to FLAG.” He smiled venomously.
********
“And, that's it.” Carmen said. “Here we are.”
Enrique crossed his arms over his chest. “I still find it so very 'odd' that the day after you say no to him, one of Abuela's nurses just happens to forget her medication that day, and so she attacks an orderly with his own pen.”
“It was a coincidence.” Carmen said.
“I still reserve judgment.” Enrique said darkly.
“How's you mom been since then?” Kat asked Carmen.
Carmen's eyes shone with inner light. “Better. So much better.” She said, then her expression turned worried. “She has to try so hard though. It's so difficult, and she's not young. Sometimes, I'm afraid she'll give up, she'll stop fighting to stay sane.” Carmen looked around Kat and spotted Pierce watching them. “If you start any cracks...” She began threateningly.
Pierce held up his hands. “I thought it was a very touching story.” He said defensively.
Carmen gave him a suspicious look, but didn't press him.
“What about you Pierce?” Kat asked. “How did David con you into joining FLAG?”
“Oh my story is not nearly as interesting, or as heart wrenching as Carmen's.” Pierce said matter-of-factly. He turned back to his monitors.
“Tell us anyway.” Kat said playfully. “We still have a while before KITT wakes up. I'm bored.”
Pierce sighed. “Because we all know my chief function is to alleviate boredom.”
“I'm never bored when you're here to make fun of.” Carmen offered. Pierce frown at her. She stuck her tongue out at him.
Pierce leaned back in his chair. “Oh fine... As long as you all promise not to laugh.”
Kat traced an X over her heart. “I swear.”
Pierce looked up at the ceiling, and folding his hands behind his head. “Let's see... I think it was just last year...”
