"Never heard of it," Tower said.
"No," Eddie agreed, "I don't think it even exists yet. But it will, soon, and it's going to be huge. Computers, okay? Computers for everybody, or at least that was the plan. Will be the plan. The guy in charge is Bill Gates. Always Bill, never William. "
It occurred to him briefly that since this world was different from the one in which he and Jake had grown up - the world of Claudia y Inez Bachman instead of Beryl Evans - that maybe the big computer genius herewouldn't be Gates; could be someone named Chin Ho Fuk, for all Eddie knew. But he also knew that wasn't likely. This world was very close to his: same cars, same brand names (Coke and Pepsi rather than Nozz-A-La), same people on the currency. He thought he could count on Bill Gates (not to mention Steve Jobs-a-rino) showing up when he was supposed to.
In one way, he didn't even care. Calvin Tower was in many respects a total shithead. On the other hand, Tower had stood up to Andolini and Balazar for as long as he had to. He'd held onto the vacant lot. And now Roland had the bill of sale in his pocket. They owed Tower a fair return for what he'd sold them. It had nothing to do with how much or how little they liked the guy, which was probably a good thing for old Cal.
"This Microsoft stuff," Eddie said, "you can pick it up for fifteen dollars a share in 1982. By 1987 - which is when I sort of went on permanent vacation - those shares will be worth thirty-five apiece. That's a hundred per cent gain. A little more. "
"Says you," Tower said, and finally succeeded in pulling his hand free.
"If he says so," Roland said, "it's the truth. "
"Say thanks," Eddie said. It occurred to him that he was suggesting that Tower take a fairly big leap based on a ston
e junkie's observations, but he thought that in this case he could do that.
"Come on," Roland said, and made that twirling gesture with his fingers. "If we're going to see the writer, let's go. "
Eddie slid behind the wheel of Cullum's car, suddenly sure that he would never see either Tower or Aaron Deepneau again. With the exception of Pere Callahan, none of them would. The partings had begun.
"Do well," he said to them. "May ya do well. "
"And you," Deepneau said.
"Yes," Tower said, and for once he didn't sound a bit grudging. "Good luck to you both. Long days and happy nights, or whatever it is. "
There was just room to turn around without backing, and Eddie was glad - he wasn't quite ready for reverse, at least not yet.
As Eddie drove back toward the Rocket Road, Roland looked over his shoulder and waved. This was highly unusual behavior for him, and the knowledge must have shown on Eddie's face.
"It's the end-game now," Roland said. "All I've worked for and waited for all the long years. The end is coming. I feel it. Don't you?"
Eddie nodded. It was like that point in a piece of music when all the instruments begin rushing toward some inevitable crashing climax.
"Susannah?" Roland asked.
"Still alive. "
"Mia?"
"Still in control. "
"The baby?"
"Still coming. "
"And Jake? Father Callahan?"
Eddie stopped at the road, looked both ways, then made his turn.
"No," he said. "From them I haven't heard. What about you?"
Roland shook his own head. From Jake, somewhere in the future with just an ex-Catholic priest and a billy-bumbler for protection, there was only silence. Roland hoped the boy was all right.
For the time being, he could do no more.
STAVE: Commala-me-mine
You have to walk the line.
When you finally get the thing you need
It makes you feel so fine.
RESPONSE: Commala-come-nine!
It makes ya feel fine!
But if you'd have the thing you need
You have to walk the line.