Remote Control Read Online Free PDF

the screen. He's a well-dressed man in his forties. He touches the security bars that separate him from a fortune, and turns a smile toward the viewing audience.
    Harry gives him a nod. "Show me the money!"
    "Welcome," the host says, "to Fort Knox, home of the United States Bullion Depository."
    * * *
    "The US stores a large amount of gold reserves here," the host says. "Currently there is close to 150 million ounces in this fortified vault. And today you are going to take a virtual trip inside."
    Harry stands still, transfixed by the realization that within minutes, he'd become the richest man alive. If he were a cartoon figure, we'd see dollar signs rolling up into his eyes. Ca-ching!
    "This vault is constructed of granite, steel and concrete," the host continues. "The blast-proof door alone weighs more than 20 tons. The high tech security system that is in place makes it impossible for anyone to get inside the vault."
    At that, Harry laughs. "We'll see about that, now won't we?"
    While the host launches into a boring history of Fort Knox, Harry rushes into the kitchen.
    "This oughta do it," he says, grabbing two garbage bags.
    He scurries back to the living room as fast as his rotund body allows. Wheezing, he gets there just in time to watch the vault door open, exposing thousands of gold mint bars stacked from floor to ceiling.
    "Oh…my…God."
    Nearly passing out, Harry grabs the back of the armchair for support.
    "Only some of the gold is visible," the host says. "One must go through separate cells to view the full amount of gold stored here."
    "I think what I see right now will do just fine." Harry reaches for the remote control.
    Commercial break.
    "Damn it!"
    He stands in front of the TV, two garbage bags in one hand and the remote in the other. Waiting.
    Another ad.
    This time for feminine products―just what Harry needs.
    "Oh, goody. A commercial for Always with wings." His eyes narrow. "Maybe Bea will buy some and fly away."
    The host finally returns. He flashes his too-perfect smile at the camera, making Harry cringe. He's seen enough episodes of Extreme Make-Over to know veneers when he sees them.
    "Now let's go see some gold," the man says.
    Harry nods. "Yes, let's."
    He knows that if he tries now, he'll be stuck outside a locked vault door. He needs a shot of the inside of the vault. That's when he'll make his move.
    The host steps into the vault and the camera crew follow him inside.
    Harry wastes no time. He switches channels, touches the TV, makes his wish, then switches back.
    Poof! Harry vanishes, leaving behind an empty house.
    Only it's not as empty as he thinks.
    * * *
    "Where'd you go, Harry?" Bea whispers from her hiding place.
    She rubs her eyes and stares in shock at the place where her husband had been standing mere seconds earlier. Harry had vanished before her eyes.
    "I must be dreaming," she says, stunned.
    She pinches herself. It hurts.
    This is no dream, Beatrice Fielding. Maybe you never should have come back.
    But she has.
    Sensing that something was going on with Harry, Bea had decided to forgo an evening of scrapbooking with her friends. She had crept into the house through the back door and stood around the corner near the front door, peeking out every now and then to watch Harry's every move.
    But what I saw is impossible.
    Nothing makes sense.
    Why did you get up early, Harry? What on earth were you doing watching TV when you said you had a big project?
    Bea frowns. "And how did you disappear like that?"
    She is tempted to search the living room for clues, but something makes her stay where she is.
    Fear.
    Bea is terrified of what she's seen, what she doesn't understand.
    "How can you do this…thing, disappear like that? It's not normal. You've changed, Harry."
    Peering around the corner again, she studies the spot by the TV. She thinks about Harry's laziness, his lies and his insulting treatment of her. She'd married him, 'for better or worse'.
    "This is definitely the 'worse'