Rolph pressed a button on the counter and a cup with a liquid in it rose up on a platform even to the counter. “Care for a drink?” Rolph asked me, with a smile. “What is it?” I said. “Coffee,” he said. “Okay, I’ll try it,” I said, smiling. The drink tasted like normal coffee. “Hmm,” I said. “Pretty good.”
…
Johnny seemed bored. “Well, I’m goin’ fishin’. Anyone want to come?” “I’ve gotta get back to my chores,” said Wayne, with a shrug. “Have a nice day, Wayne and Johnny,” I said. Both of them walked out the side door. “Whatcha say, we take this thing for a spin?” I said, smiling.
…
“Billah doesn’t prefer to be referred to as a thing,” Rolph said. “Billah, take us for a ride around the forest.” The walls took on a warm pink tone, and then we lifted up into the air. “I can’t figure out what makes her go,” I said. Rolph smiled, then said, “it’s air displacement, like a jet engine.” “No noise, though,” I said. “Correct,” Rolph said. “It’s a little more advanced. No propellers. Just a vacuum.” “But a vacuum makes noise,” I said. “Yes. It uses the physics of a black hole,” said Rolph. “We haven’t totally figured them out yet,” I said. “Indeed,” said Rolph.
…
Stumbling along the sidewalk 