The Odd Trio

Chapter  1

The Awakening

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In one corner of the large, darkened room an aura started to form. It was a man, appearing to be about thirty-three years of age. He was a couple of inches over 6 feet tall with reddish-brown shoulder-length hair held into a ponytail fastened by a green ribbon. His clothing was of a different era. This man wore a white silk cravat around his neck. A pale grey waistcoat extended to the upper part of his thigh and opened in an inverted ‘v’ beneath his stomach. Over the waistcoat rode a knee-length coat of green. His breeches extended to just below the knees, from which white silk stockings extended down into his black buckled shoes. He displayed bewilderment on a face that had almost always exhibited confidence and control. He wasn't sure where he was, or what was happening.

After a moment, another figure began approaching him from the opposite corner of the room. Light from the early break of dawn seeped around the shades on the windows to allow him to discern a balding, short, stout man a bit older. This man was dressed in a similar, but more elegant style. His coat was the same black as his hair and the black ribbon that tied his almost shoulder-length hair. Questionable recognition dawned on both men almost simultaneously.

The taller one spoke first. John, is that truly you?

Yes, and no man that looks like you do and recognizes me could be other than you, Thomas Jefferson. Although both of these gentlemen were used to knowing what to do in any situation, momentarily they just gaped at each other in confusion, with questions whirling around in their respective heads. Finally, John spoke, Do you have any concept of what is happening or where we are, Mr. Jefferson?

With a shake of his head and a befuddled grin, Mr. Jefferson replied, Mr. Adams you were always much more intimate with your Supreme Being than I. If you are befuddled, what hope is there for me to understand this moment? Something, or someone, has either made a mistake, has a peculiar sense of humor, or has a plan beyond my feeble comprehension.

Mr. Adams asked, While there is much to ponder in our meeting here; wherever here is; I must ask you, what day did you die on?.

July Fourth, 1826. was Mr. Jefferson's reply. And you. Sir?

Likewise, Thomas. Fourth of July 1826. I truly thought of you and queried as to your state upon my own deathbed. Quite a coincidence that two such cohorts, friends, then foes, then friends again, were to die on the exact same day, and that day being such a significant one to us both. It being the day our country celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of our nation.

And to be brought together at this time, Jefferson added. May I inquire as to your lovely Abigail?

Thomas, your query as to Abigail, has just brought to my attention that, while I feel I have experienced an afterlife, and I'm sure I must have been with Abigail, my recollection of that afterlife seems to have been erased. May I ask of your Martha and any recollection you may have of an afterlife?

Mr. Jefferson was just about to reply that he seemed to have a similar memory lapse of an afterlife when a sudden thud caused them to turn. They spotted a third gentleman coming from the recesses of the darkened room. This gentleman was a septuagenarian with long, straggly white hair emanating from a bald dome and wearing round wire-rimmed glasses. He was wearing similar colonial clothing. As his approach grew near, Adams and Jefferson quickly recognized him and reflected cordial smiles toward him. He did the same toward them. Good day, Messieurs Adams, and Jefferson. I hope my bumping into the chair did not startle you. May I say it is most enjoyable seeing both of you gentlemen, but may I ask, what is your conjecture as to this, this..., shall I say...meeting?

Both Adams and Jefferson began to reply, but Adams deferred to Jefferson, who stated, It is indeed a pleasure to see you Dr. Franklin, but we are as confused by this occurrence as you.

Adams added, Mr. Franklin, you seem to have your usual convivial countenance, but you seem younger and spryer than when we last saw you.

Franklin replied, Then must I say that each of us appears of an age we experienced during the early days of the Revolution. However, while I have just been here for a short moment, I seem to be in better health than even then. I, so far, do not seem to be encountering any symptoms of that blasted gout. Too bad there is not some comely lady in attendance I could whirl about the room.

Adams, Even death does not appear to have precluded your proclivity to the fairer sex, if not out and out debauchery.

You say it as if debauchery was something to be avoided, John.

Oh, my God, Franklin. If we were not so aware of your splendid accomplishments in numerous fields, we would certainly think of you as possessing a one-track mind.

Franklin replied with a sly wink of his eye, My good man, to the contrary, I have a four-track mind. That being young women, middle-aged women, old women, and science. Oops, make that five tracts; the welfare of men and the freedom of a just government being added. While they had been together for only a few moments, they felt comfortable due to their close associations two centuries before. It was as if no time had passed since they had been with each other.

Adams asked, Unless others are to also appear, why are the three of us gathered together here? Why the three of us?

Franklin replied, Could it be our collaboration on the Declaration of Independence?

Adams stated, Mr. Franklin your hypothesis may be the answer. While Jefferson and I were presidents, Benjamin, you were not.

Franklin with a twinkle in his eye, I most likely would have been, if death had not interjected itself. However, let me congratulate the two of you. As you may well recall, I died but a year after Washington began his reign. I could not have picked better than you two to succeed him. Is there anybody else, I would have known, who became president before your demises?

Jefferson answered, Yes after Mr. Washington served two terms, John followed him and then I followed John.

Adams quickly interjected, Jefferson defeated me in a very bitter and contentious election after my first term.

Jefferson continued, James Madison and James Monroe followed me and then John’s son Quincy, became president just before John and I died and that is all we know.

Jefferson, Franklin and I were inventors, but as far as I know, you were not, John.

Franklin, John and I were completely opposed to slavery, but you were not Thomas.

Jefferson, You mention a sorely tender spot. I was, but not as opposed as I should have been.

Franklin, Sorry, Thomas, I should not have brought that up.

Jefferson, No offense taken. My attitude on that matter was, in fact, far too ambiguous.

Diplomatically changing the subject, Adams stated, The three of us were ambassadors to France during our war of independence. We were also quite instrumental in our pursuit of getting the Declaration of Independence adopted.

Franklin said, Maybe we could shed some light on this meeting if we could come across a candle.

Jefferson, While you look for a candle, I am going to the window as it appears that dawn is about to break.

At this moment, a fourth man approached. He was dressed differently. He was in a brown suit and tie. Atop his short-cropped, salt-and-pepper hair was a brown fedora. He sported a broad grin below his wire-rimmed glasses. Hello, Gentlemen. I heard some of your discussion and I must say it is quite an honor to be in such prestigious company.

By that can we assume you know us, stated Adams, but you have us at a disadvantage in that I do not believe we know you. Adams glanced quickly at Franklin and Jefferson to ascertain that he spoke for the three of them and continued, By your attire, I assume you are not from our era and, unless I am thoroughly mistaken, you are not from an era proceeding us.

While I am not a historian per se, I have seen enough pictures of the three of you in history books to be pretty certain who you are. Let me introduce myself. I am Harry S Truman.

Franklin asked, Are you a persona of some significance, Mr. Truman, or have we somehow just intruded into your domain?

Truman replied, My significance does not match that of the three of you. In modern U.S. history books, there are pages devoted to you three and one or two hundred pages later a paragraph or two concerning me. However, I was president of the United States near the end of the Second World War. Truman went on to say, Many would say I was president only by a fluke of history."

Jefferson stated, Most things that have happened in history have happened through some fluke, as you called it.

Franklin chimed in. May I say we are honored to make your acquaintance and hope you may be able to shed some light on what is going on here.

Truman replied, I am more mystified than you. I feel my being here with you must be a mistake. You three have much in common. In particular, the Declaration of Independence as Mr. Franklin surmised. I am an outsider by more than a hundred years. Am I really supposed to be with you gentlemen? I have a hard time thinking so.

Adams stated and asked, Question. When were you president?

I was honored to be President from 1945 through 1953, was Truman's reply.

Oh, my.... God, exclaimed Adams, Then it must be now close to two hundred years after the three of us were alive." A crescendo of questions began to flow from the three colonial gentlemen toward Truman.

You mentioned a world war. Was the whole world involved?

What type of government does the country now have?

Has the United States grown in power and influence?

Is there still slavery?

How many states are there?

What have been the greatest innovations or inventions since we lived?

Did my son have a successful term as president?

Truman tried to answer the questions as quickly as they were fired at him, Practically the whole world, all the powerful nations. When I died, we still had basically the same democratic republic as you set up utilizing the same Constitution. The United States was the most powerful country with the Soviet Union a close second when I died. Great Britain was in the second tier of nations. Slavery ended with the Civil War in the 1860s. Fifty States when I died. The most consequential invention may be the atomic bomb, John Quincy is considered to have had a successful presidency.

Then the questions and answers halted. As Mr. Truman's appearance had so preoccupied their attention, they had failed to notice the dawn’s early light filtering in through the window shades had made their surroundings barely discernible. Jefferson was the first to notice. Gentlemen, do you recognize this room now?

With more light, they turned to observe around the room, Dr. Franklin asked, How many contentious days and nights did we spend in this very room?

Independence Hall, Jefferson stated. The others nodded in agreement solemnly.

Harry Truman offered, Yes this is Independence Hall. I only visited it one time, but it was restored and along with the Liberty Bell were made the centerpieces of a historic area that draws visitors from throughout the nation and from around the world. Pointing in a direction over Franklin’s shoulder he added, Over in that direction is the restored Carpenter’s Hall. Turning his direction of pointing approximately 120 degrees he added, The Todd House, Dolly Todd Madison’s early home, is a short walk in that direction. You three in your dress will blend right in with the scene. There will be employees dressed in colonial attire around this area.

Franklin inquired, The Liberty Bell?

Truman answered, The bell that was in the steeple of this edifice at the time of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Later, perhaps after the demise of each of you, it became a renowned historical artifact known as the Liberty Bell. In my time it was housed just east of this building.

For a few moments, they slowly surveyed the room, absorbing the nostalgia. When they turned back to face each other, they quickly noticed the absence of Mr. Truman. He was nowhere in the room. He had not said goodbye and had not had time enough to leave the room. Mr. Truman had just disappeared as mysteriously as he and each of them had appeared. Was he right when he guessed he might not have been meant to be here with us? Franklin mused. Or had he shown up to whet our appetites as to the history that came after our tenures on earth?

My appetite for that knowledge needed no sharpening, Jefferson stated as he started to saunter toward the windows to look out.

Adams stated, I liked and admired the diminutive Mr. Truman. He had a sparkle and substance. He also was very intellectual.

Jefferson, said, Dear Mr. Adams, you referred to Mr. Truman as being diminutive, but he was more than an inch taller than you.

Adams responded, I was paying the gentleman a compliment as it is common knowledge that shorter men are more intelligent than taller men.

Jefferson, who was six foot two, stated, Mr. Adams, I must argue with you on your last point.

Adams, Mr. Jefferson it is your right to argue the point, but do not expect to win the argument as you will be up against a shorter man.

Franklin interrupted the bantering between the two gentlemen, There are so many more questions I would have wished to ask Mr. Truman.

Adams queried, I wonder if his attire is still in style now or if his attire would be as out of date as ours? I would like to try wearing a similar brown suit.

Adams continued, I wonder if we are susceptible to being swept away just as quickly? and Adams queried, Are we to expect others to appear? To which Franklin and Jefferson just shrugged in concurrent wonderment.

Jefferson had moved to one of the windows and had only been at the window briefly when he summoned the others to join him. There were few people out as yet, but he had spotted an automobile in the distant street. He announced, You just missed it. It was a machine that traveled without a horse or mule to propel it. Before long, another one came into view. The three of them looked in bewilderment at it and at each other.

Franklin said, I surmise we are on Earth and in Philadelphia and in at least the last half of the 20th century if Mr. Truman was president in the 1950s and has since died. I am sure, therefore, there will be many things that will astonish us. I'm anxious to go and explore this new world that awaits us outside.

Adams countered, Benjamin, Thomas, I suggest we wait here a little while longer to ascertain if anyone else will appear. I also wonder if, since this is where we have been placed, this may be where we are supposed to be for whatever purpose. For all we know, our stay in this century may promptly end if we leave this room. We may be swept away as swiftly as our Mr. Truman was. The other two nodded in consent and it was agreed they would stay inside Independence Hall for another twenty to thirty minutes. However, Franklin and Jefferson were anxious to go out into Philadelphia and the world new to them.

Jefferson while wandering around the room noticed a light switch by the door. He did not know what it was, but his curiosity compelled him to flick it. As the chandelier immediately lit, it caught the attention of all three men. Jefferson then flicked it off and, after a moment, flicked it back on to make sure the switch was what caused the lights to go on and off. He announced, Notice, none of the candles on the tables have been lit. They must be just for the aesthetics.

Franklin, Electricity! They must have learned how to harness my electricity.

Jefferson sarcastically, Your electricity, Benjamin?

Franklin, I may have been presumptuous to imply ownership of electricity, but as one of the very few in our era to show much interest or experiment with electricity, I do feel an intimacy with it. Can you think of anything else that would give light to that chandelier instantaneously with the altering of that small lever on the wall? I also wonder if it may be electricity that propelled those machines along the road. Although steam power could be the force propelling them. To which he got no response.

Chapter  2

(Police, A Hungarian, And Nebraskans)

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When, after approximately twenty minutes and they found nothing else that was startling, they decided to head out into this new world. Jefferson and Franklin were antsy to discover the world outside Independence Hall. Adams acquiesced and they set off to walk out into Philadelphia. Unfortunately, when Franklin opened the door, an alarm was set off. When the siren blared, Franklin shouted emphatically, RUN! And close the door behind you, as he took off in a southwesterly direction towards Carpenters Hall and some other buildings to hide behind. Jefferson pushed Adams out the door, closed the door behind him, and shot off in the direction Franklin was going.

Quickly Adams fell behind Jefferson and Franklin. Jefferson hollered back over his shoulder as he ran, Run harder, John! Run harder.

Adams, gasping for breath, feebly tried to reply, I’m running hard, Thomas, but my short legs don’t allow me to progress as fast as you.

Jefferson had just joined Franklin at a place where they were out of view from the door of Independence Hall when a shout rang out, Halt where you are. Adams halted. He was distraught that he had been spotted, but also a bit relieved that he could stop running.

A police officer (actually a security guard, but to Adams, he appeared to be a policeman) approached Adams. Franklin and Jefferson looked at each other with the same grin of reluctance which said they would not let Adams take the fall by himself. Franklin winked at Jefferson and they simultaneously left their place of concealment and began towards Adams and the officer. By the time they reached them a second officer had also arrived. One officer asked why they were there. Adams stated they were from out of town and had just arrived the previous day to work in this historic area in colonial costume. One officer asked what they were doing at this site so early in the morning. Franklin was the one who answered, We ate breakfast early and thought we might just show up early and exhibit how conscientious we were about the employment. Since there was a light on we started to open the door and a loud noise began to blare and we thought we had caused it.

The policeman asked how they came to obtain these jobs. Jefferson, putting an arm around Adams’ shoulder, answered, I and this gentleman are teachers and free in the summer, and indicating Franklin said, and this gentleman is retired. We each saw advertisements and thought it would be a very interesting endeavor to occupy our time.

One policeman asked for their identification, but Jefferson, thinking quickly, replied they left their purses back at the hotel because of their costumes’ limitations.

The other policeman said nothing was harmed and they saw nothing that they felt was criminal. However, he wanted to take down their names and home addresses as well as the hotel at which they were staying. Franklin, also thinking quickly and figuring Broad Street might still be a center of Philadelphia’s business district stated, I can’t be sure of the hotel’s name, but it is near the corner of Broad and Walnut. Jefferson and Adams also said they could not remember the hotel's name. The policeman looked at them as if he were dealing with three fairly dense individuals. They each made up fictitious names and home addresses. Adams chose the address of 1234 Main Street, in Nashua, New Hampshire to go with his New England accent. Jefferson, due to his accent, picked a southern locale and gave the address of 976 Oak Street in Charleston, South Carolina. Franklin picked 213 Front Street in Annapolis, Maryland.

The policeman said, Okay, you three gentlemen may go, but I would suggest that you go sit down with a cup of coffee and wait till at least eight before you come back. There is a Starbucks at Ninth and South Street. He pointed south and continued, Just go down Sixth Street in that direction and turn to the right on South Street and walk a couple of blocks up and you will find it near the corner of Ninth and South streets. However, I prefer Passero’s. It is just a couple of blocks up on Chestnut in the Franklin building. It is not as yuppie. and pointed in that direction.

Franklin thanked the officer for his understanding, patience, and help. They began walking towards Sixth Street. When they were out of hearing distance from the officers, Jefferson asked jocularly, Benjamin, will you be able to remember the name of the building where the coffee shop is located, if John and I forget it?

Franklin, with a smug smile, replied, As I recall, it was named after a most astute and intelligent individual They each laughed.

Adams stated, I’m not familiar with either the terms okay or Starbucks. However, we do now know people can see us. That can be a good thing and it may also have its ramifications. We are going to have to learn how to fit in with people and without them knowing the truth about our existence and being scared to death by......by us ‘ghosts’.

As they walked, they gawked at all the surroundings and the few automobiles traveling on the streets. One of the first things to startle them was the skyline rising not far from them to the northwest. The area where they had come from to the southeast was the historical area, and thus most of the buildings in that vicinity were of an architecture consistent with their colonial era. However, in the distance ahead of them the architecture and size of the buildings astounded them. Jefferson remarked, I must find out about the advancements in building methods and materials that allow them to build up so high and thin. In our day to build so high, the lower walls would have had to be an enormous number of feet thick to support the upper reaches.

Adams mused, The people must be hardy to walk to the upper stories.

Franklin answered, I’m sure they don’t walk to those higher floors. They must have some sort of lift to carry people up.

Jefferson broke in, While on the topic of exertion, I wish to apologize, John, for sounding gruff when I urged you to run harder back there.

Adams replied, No offense taken, Thomas, I know your urging was just in hopes of mitigating our situation. The one I was upset with was old Benjamin outrunning us both. I liked him better when he was afflicted with gout.

Franklin piped up, I have to admit, I surprised myself with my speed and endurance in our getaway attempt.

I do thank you two for not leaving me to take the blame by myself, John added.

Franklin replied, Thomas and I did not even discuss it. We sensed that we are in this together and that three minds are better than one, especially if the one is from Massachusetts.

There were very few people on the streets as it was still quite early on this summer morning. However, as they walked towards the coffee shop, they soon encountered a man in a suit walking along the sidewalk. Franklin greeted him and asked if he could take a quick glance at the headlines of the newspaper the man was carrying tucked under his arm. The man handed the paper to Franklin and said, Sure, if you will be quick at it. I'm on my way to work and wish to be there early.

While Franklin gave the front page a cursory once over, the gentleman asked Adams and Jefferson if they were in a pageant or if there was some historical performance today. Adams answered in the affirmative, and so as not to raise questions he was not prepared to answer, said they had arrived earlier than necessary and were just looking around as they were from out of town.

Adams then inquired, How many people would you guess live in Philadelphia?

The gentleman answered, My guess would be a couple of million, maybe four million.

Adams went on, Then do you suspect that it is larger than New York City and Boston?

Oh, my, no. New York must be over eight million. Los Angeles also would dwarf Philadelphia and Boston, the man said with a look that gave away his bewilderment at Adams’ seeming lack of knowledge. Meanwhile, the mention of Los Angeles brought new questions into the minds of Adams and Jefferson.

Jefferson quickly added, We are from Georgia and have never been to the Northeast before.

By this time Franklin was done scanning the front page and handed it back to the gentleman and thanked him. The gentleman bid them good morning and began to continue on his way. He had walked just a couple of steps when Jefferson asked, What kind of work do you do?

Over his shoulder, as he continued away, he replied, I am a custodian at the Welfare Office.

Soon as the gentleman was out of hearing range, Franklin informed the other two, Gentlemen, we reside in July of the year 2023. Seeing the date was the primary reason I asked to see his newspaper. Two hundred years of innovation since our time is awaiting our inspection. The thought of this awed all three. Two headlines caught my brief attention. One was about the United States having fought in Iraq, wherever that is. The other was about gay and lesbian marriages. I am not sure what the ‘gay’ label refers to, but lesbianism must now be spoken about publicly. My guess is that ‘gay’ is a label for a group of people.

Adams exclaimed, Amazing! I would say this encounter gave us more questions than the few answers we obtained. Where is Iraq? What takes place at a welfare office? If New York by itself possesses a population larger than that of all the colonies combined in our time, how large is the total population of our country now? And what about Los Angeles? I think we ought to find a library. As I recall, Dr. Franklin, you were instrumental in establishing the library here.

Franklin replied, The library at the time of my departure from life had been near Independence Hall, but I didn't notice it when we were back there.

Franklin went on, We are now sure we are visible. And we need to be less conspicuous to today’s populace. We are going to have to learn how to fit in with people. We stick out like turkeys among a flock of pigeons. We may consider finding a shop where we may acquire modern clothing that is more fashionable in concert with these times. We are quite conspicuous as is.

Jefferson said, I suspect neither a library nor an establishment for acquiring clothing would be open for at least an hour or two.

Franklin said, "Then, for now, let us continue to the place the officer recommended. I have not had anything to quench