Yesterdays Heroes Once More. Part Eighty ... Destination Candlestick Park

 After making contact with the Impossibles, a group of Young Super Heroes, and having them agree to help him on his quest to battle The Grand Master, The Doctor and his team were now going to look into the Mystery at Candlestick Park.

The Mystery was, how could a Cowboy Outlaw from the Old West be alive and in modern day San Francisco ? The Doctor had his suspicions as indicated with the Flashing Light he had noticed on the Central Console back in his Tardis. This information about the Light he had decided to keep to himself for the moment.

They had left The Star Hotel, the temporary home of the Impossibles reuniting with their friend.... The Taxi Driver called Duke " Duck" Bill.

Duck was happy to see them again too, he ushered them into his cab. 

Now on to Candlestick Park which would be the venue for the Impossibles Rock Concert later that evening and the place that Johnny Ringo would try to steal the takings from the Box Office.

Duck turned the Key in the ignition, after a few bangs and a lot of sputtering the Taxi lurched forward.

" Sorry about that Folks, but old Bessie has seen better days" Duke said patting the Dash Board.

" Bessie ?, you call your Cab Bessie ?" asked the Doctor.

"Yes, I named her after my first Girl Friend, who now happens to be my Wife, and Dora's Mom" replied Duck.

" I like the name " said The Doctor.

"The problem is that Poor Old Bessie may look good on the outside and inside, but under the Hood is another story. The Sea Air and Temperatures plays Havoc with her Engine. I am forever having her in the Shop having bits and pieces replaced. She needs a new heart, however I cannot really afford that. So that is why I have a bet on the Ponies from time to time trying to win enough money to have her fixed permanently." Duck explained.

"So she needs a New Engine then" replied The Doctor.

"Yes, she does..... But with Dora wanting to go to University next year, and the amount of debt we have taken on so my older Son can finish his degree, and the Bills and Taxes on the House, that leaves little to fix Bessie." Duck explained further.

"You, have a Son also ?" said Phooey who was listening in on the conversation.

" Yes, his name is William , he plays Collage Football. He is really good and has been contacted by some professional Teams recently. He is 6 ft 5, as big as a Barn. Dora calls him Big Bill. When he comes home he eats us out of house and home. Sweet kid, gets his looks from his Mom. " Duck said with a smile pointing to a Photograph  that was placed next door to the Dashboard.

The Doctor reached forward and took the Photo. It showed a Young Man dressed in a Football Helmet.

" Fine looking Chap !" the Doctor exclaimed.... passing the Photograph over to the back seat so Phooey, Jack and Reggie could see it more clearly. 

"He was studying engineering, and is doing well, but because of the Sport he is falling a little bit behind in his studies.  I have offered to help pay for some private tutoring, but where that money will come from I do not know....... But if he gives up his Sport that could mean he will never become a professional player where he can earn big bucks. If that does not help, he would always have his engineering career to fall back on.  Its a hard choice." Said Duck shaking his head.

The Doctor and his team all felt sad for Duck and his family.

" The Boy should follow his Dream, fulfill his destiny " said Jack 

"Yes, you only have one life" said Phooey.... Hearing this the Doctor smiled.

" I agree  " said Duck, the decision is his, his Mother and I will support him which every way he wants to go.  We will find the Money some how "

The Taxi had stopped at some traffic lights, and whilst Duck waited to move off he said

"Doctor, you are an intelligent Man, see if you can pick me out a winner at one of the next race meetings ! " 

 Duck handed the Doctor his News Paper that he been reading previously.  

" I think there are at least three more races at Bay Meadows today" Duck said as the Traffic lights changed and the Taxi moved off once again.

The Doctor turned the pages of the Newspaper until he found the Horse Racing section.

 

Looking at his Pocket Watch the Doctor saw that it was just a few minutes before 5.00pm. From looking at the New Paper he could see that there was a Race at 5.00pm, 5.30pm & the final one at 6.15pm. It was too late to make any bets on the 5.00pm race, but hopefully time to bet on at least one or more of the two.

Looking down the list of Riders and Runners the Doctor noticed something. It was a name he had seen before, but where ?. Then he realized where he had seen that name before.  Covering himself with the Newspaper so that neither his friends or Duck could see him.... The Doctor reached into his inner jacket pocket. He took out the piece of paper which showed the  Front Page Head Line on the Copy of The City on The Bay News from the following day that Radley and Thaddeus had found when researching Johnny Ringo.  Down the bottom of the page was printed.

"Tim Travel Wins on Blue Box 500/1" Which meant that a  Jockey named Tim Travel won a race on a Horse called Blue Box that was a rank outsider at 500/1. So if the Doctor could convince Duck to put a $10 dollar bet on the horse to win, he would received back $5000 dollars which would help him hopefully buy a new engine for Bessie, and also help towards some of debts that the Bill family were running up.

Quickly folding the paper copy of tomorrows daily Newspaper and replacing it in his inside jacket pocket,  the Doctor announced that he had spotted a good bet...... but he got Duck to promise not to put too much money on the Horse.

At the next set of Traffic lights that the Taxi had to stop at, Duck glanced at the details on the page of his News Paper that was from today....

"500/1 "..... he scoffed, " That sounds more like a Mule than a Race Horse" he smirked. 

"I am sure I have heard good things about this horse" The Doctor fibbed.

"Okay Doctor, I will take your advice. I will place $10.00 dollars on Blue Box's nose to win." he chuckled. "5000 Bucks would help restore Bessie back to health, pay some bills and help my Kids, but as the race is coming up soon do mind if I pulled over and used a Call Box to telephone my Bookie ?" He asked.

" No we do not mind " said the Doctor. What would a 5 minute delay mean to them.... nothing The Doctor thought. 

Duck spotted a Pay Phone on the side of the Curb and pulled over. Taking the News Paper from the Doctor jumped out of the Taxi and hurried to the Phone Booth.

The Doctor and his crew watched as Duck made his phone call.

In just over a couple of minutes Duck was back in the Cab, and he was laughing with tears in his eyes. 

"Max my bookie thinks I am mad, but is always happy to take my bets and my money "  Duck said as he started up Bessie and pull away.

From the Street Signs The Doctor could see that they must be near to Candlestick Park.  It was now 5.20pm. They would arrive in good time to have a scout around to see if they could find any trace of Johnny Ringo and the source of the blinking light warning  he had noted on the console.

As Duck pulled into the Car Park, the Doctor felt a little guilty. He would never use future facts to help in any financial transaction usually.... But Duck and his Daughter had helped him on their mission, so they deserved a reward.  He had considered giving one of the items that he had shown the Pawn Broker from his Blue Hanky, but that could end up with Duck having to answer awkward questions of why he had them, and where they came from.  The Doctor pondered that could a win of $5000 dollars really hurt or destroy the time line...? The Doctor thought not. Any time the Doctor interacted with anyone in any Time Line, there was always a risk things could change in a way that he did not contemplate. 

The Taxi Cab stopped opposite one of the many doors that surrounded the Stadium. Duck knew that this door should be open at this time of day as this was where the Public could buy tickets for any show or Sporting event that was due to take place at Candlestick Park.

Next Time the Team enter the Stadium, and discover the truth behind Johnny Ringo's appearance in the 20th Century. 

Until then..... Enjoy !