Wheeler the Love Truck: Part 3

  The policeman approached Cupid, declaring loudly while flashing his badge, “I’m Officer Slaw, and I’m afraid sir we’ve had a few complaints about you.”

  “He was propositioning people,” the old lady who had brought the cop over complained, “This degenerate was asking everyone to touch his ‘Love Truck’. In all my year’s I’ve never heard such filth in a public space.”

  “Filth?” Cupid staggered onto his back foot in shock. “My love truck is perfectly clean. If you’d care to take a closer look for yourself.” he suggested.

  “PERVERT!” The elderly lady screeched as she started wildly striking Cupid with her handbag.

  “OW OUCH, please if you just give my Love Truck a chance...” Cupid begged, holding his arms out to protect himself from the old crone’s raging blows. Meanwhile the gathered crowd were enjoying the show, busting into fits of collective laughter.

  As Wheeler watched on helplessly, he heard a mournful cry of “My poor Cupi...” emitting from Venus, along with a crunching noise, over his radio.

  “Let me guess Abeona... Popcorn?” He sighed wearily.

  “Yep, Special Valentine’s Day strawberry flavour.” She confirmed between mouthfuls.

  Back outside, Slaw pinched the bridge of his nose, “Alright people, nothing to see here.” He addressed the crowd before turning to the old lady, “Madame, if you don’t calm down, I’ll be forced to arrest you for assault.”

  “Alright, alright, I’m leaving.” The old lady muttered, ceasing her attack. “Typical, some sicko is asking people to touch his love truck, and all the authorities want to do is threaten an old lady. I’ve had enough, I’m heading home.” With that final barb and a shake of her head, she wandered off away from the festival.

  “Officer, I don’t understand what the big deal is.” Cupid protested. “Look my love truck is right over here.” he gently escorted Officer Slaw closer to Wheeler and pointed to him.

  “It’s an actual truck?” Officer Slaw gasped.

  “Of course, what else would it be?” asked Cupid, his eyebrows furrowed in bafflement.

  The policeman took off his hat and scratched the back of his head, “That changes things sir.” He admitted. “Now if I can just see your permit.”

  “My what?” Cupid asked, his expression slack-jawed as his vacant eyes signalled that he had no clue what Slaw was referring to.

  “Every exhibit and attraction at Love-Fest MUST have a permit.” Slaw explained clearly, “So where is yours?”

  “Oh mine... it’s... it’s...” Cupid instantly began sweating bullets as his eyes darted around suspiciously. It’s in my Love Truck of course... I’ll just go get...”

  Cupid ran towards Wheeler, flung open his door and dove inside Wheeler’s cabin. “FLOOR IT, GO GO GO!” Cupid urged Wheeler desperately at the top of his voice.

  Without hesitation, Wheeler took off, getting out of there at top speed, leaving behind one very confused Officer Slaw, who had been unable to react in the seconds it took for Cupid and Wheeler to perform their getaway.

  “That was weird.” Slaw thought, scratching his head, “Oh well, since they’ve been moved on, it’s not my problem anymore,” he shrugged before returning to his post at the “Kiss a Cop” stall.

  “I don’t get what the big problem was,” Cupid said as he straightened himself onto Wheeler’s drivers seat as Wheeler continued moving. “The song was pulling in big crowds.”

  “Yeah, for all the wrong reasons,” Abeona scoffed over the radio. “My Love Truck will make you squeal? Really?”

  Venus then chipped in to the conversation, “I have to admit sweetie, maybe your song was a little inappropriate.”

  “INAPPROPRIATE HOW? YOU JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND ME OR MY MUSIC!” Cupid sulked dramatically, folding his arms over his chest.

  Wheeler, listening to the argument breaking out between the various deities, decided to try and be the voice of reason. “I think Cupid had the right idea about getting people to touch me to transfer the L.O.V.E energy,” he admitted, trying to find a bright side. “We just need to adjust our presentation a bit.”

  “Thanks Wheeler,” Cupid unfolded his arms and gave an appreciative smile, patting Wheeler’s dashboard. “I’m glad SOMEONE here believes in me.”

  “That’s not fair,” Venus pouted, “I’ve always believed in you, my baby boy.”

  “That’s why you tried to replace me with a truck,” Cupid shot back bitterly.

  Venus’s voice broke slightly at the accusation, “I told you, he’s here to help you, not replace you,” she insisted.

  Abeona’s normally energetic tone also faltered, “Venus...” she uttered softly, “are you...?”

  “I’m fine.” Venus insisted, despite sounding anything but.

  A mournful look played over Cupid’s eyes as he listened to his mother’s heartbreak. “I’m sorry. I’m just fed up with always being such a disappointment.”

  This only intensified Venus’s sobbing. “Darling you are not a disappointment, I could never be disappointed in you.”

  Cupid wiped tears from his own eyes, “You should be. You’re only in this mess because my arrows can’t get the job done anymore.”

  “That’s not your fault sweetie.” His mother reassured him, “People just need a little more L.O.V.E than they used to is all. Maybe we can redesign your arrows to carry and transfer more energy?”

  “You think we could?” asked Cupid hopefully.

  “It’ll take time, weeks maybe months, but I’m sure we can work out something.” Venus giggled.

  “Well as sweet as all this mother-son bonding is, right now we have hours not weeks, so can we focus on the here and now please?” Abeona interrupted.

  “Right, sorry.” Cupid and Venus apologised in unison.

  With the pair of Love Gods back on board, Abeona took charge. “Right, Wheeler, find another spot for us to set up on the other side of Love Fest.” She commanded.

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  “Aye, Aye, ma’am”, Wheeler responded as he headed back towards Love-Fest once more.

  Abeona tapped away frantically on her tablet. “Wheeler, I’m going to activate your Chameleon Change ability so you look more the part of a Love Truck.” She chimed.

  A shiver ran across Wheeler’s metal body as his normal grey colour, gave way to bright pink. His headlights gained accents giving them a heart motif with peach tinted beams. His tyres turned a hot, passionate shade of red, with red heart hubcaps.

  “I didn’t know you could do that,” Cupid gasped in amazement as Wheeler transformed around him, the truck’s interior also adopting a red and pink colour scheme with various heart themed accessories.

  With his fancy new, Valentine’s themed makeover acting as a perfect disguise, Wheeler searched for an appropriate place within Love Fest, while the three gods strategized a pitch to get as many people to make physical contact with Wheeler as possible. Within a few minutes, he found a nice clear space, a good distance away from the site of their first failed attempt.

  “What if I screw it up again?” Cupid asked nervously as he prepared to disembark from Wheeler and begin his performance.

  “You won’t darling, I know you’ll smash it this time for sure,” cheered Venus.

  “Just... don’t sing again,” Abeona added candidly.

  Taking a deep breath, Cupid emerged from Wheeler and started playing to the crowd.

  “Ladies, Gentlemen and others, allow me to introduce the Love Truck of Destiny.” Cupid announced. “This here truck, which I am pointing to so there is NO misconception of my intention,” he emphasised, while pointing emphatically at Wheeler, before continuing his patter.

  “This truck is known for bringing together lovers. Whether you are still struggling to find your true love, or wish to strengthen the bonds you share with your significant other, just one touch will make your hearts desire come true.”

  “As if,” sneered a male onlooker. “How much does it cost to?” asked one male onlooker.

  “There is no fee, it’s completely free!” Cupid assured him, a melodic cadence creeping into his speech once more. Why don’t you step right up and try your luck? Come on and touch...”

  “CUPID WE AGREED NO MORE SINGING.” Wheeler chastised. While Wheeler was inaudible to regular humans, Cupid got the message loud and clear.

  Cupid quickly corrected himself, delivering clear verbal instructions without the aid of song. “Sir, just touch the bumper right there and you’ll feel the LOVE, I guarantee.”

  Rolling his eyes, the man swaggered up to the so called ‘Love Truck’, placing his hand on Wheeler’s bumper.

  “I don’t feel any differ...” he started to complain, before a light sensation spread over him as he was filled with L.O.V.E, just as if he were a balloon being pumped full of helium. His worries and anxieties floated away on the breeze, into the sky shimmering with the dazzling light of a new dawn.

  The light enveloping his vision slowly coalesced into a cosy glowing spotlight, which settled on the face of a somewhat familiar, mousey brown haired woman in the crowd. Even as the light faded, to him she shone radiantly as her eyes widened in recognition.

  “Greg, OMG it’s been so long!” she gasped.

  “Julie?” Greg laughed in disbelief. “What are you doing here?”

  “Not entirely sure myself,” She replied, with a sigh. “My friends insisted I came here, the ditched me.”

  “Do you... want to grab a drink and catch up?” asked Greg hopefully.

  Julie flashed a small smile, followed by a nod in confirmation. “Yeah, I’d like that.”

  With that, the pair took each other’s hand and headed off together.

  “Looks like our first satisfied couple.” Cupid whispered to Wheeler, barely able to contain the excitement in his voice.

  As Greg and Julie departed, the demonstration they had unwittingly provided caused a excited chatter to break out amongst the gathering crowd. Within minutes men, women and others, singles and couples alike, were all queuing up to touch the “Love Truck of Destiny”. Everyone who made contact with Wheeler’s bumper received a healthy dose of L.O.V.E from Wheeler.

  Throughout the day, more couples formed and existing relationships had their spark reignited by being exposed to the divine L.O.V.E flowing though Wheeler. As a result, word of the ‘Love Truck of Destiny’ spread like wildfire, causing even more people to join the line, which was now in the hundreds.

  By the time night fell and Love Fest ended, Wheeler and Cupid had lost track of how many couples had been given a booster shot full of Love Overflowing Venus Energy.

  Fortunately Venus had been keeping a careful record of their achievement.

  “This is incredible.” Venus gushed with glee over Wheeler’s radio, “I’ve gone from my worst love forcast in years, to record breaking numbers. Thank you so much, Wheeler, for your help, and you too Abbie.”

  Over his radio, Wheeler could hear Abeona struggling for air. “I’m glad your... ha... happy.” Abeona panted, “but please... let go of meeeee.”

  “Oh sorry, Abbie,” Venus giggled, releasing the other goddess, who she had been holding in an overenthusiastic embrace.

  “I have seen hell and its FLESHY!” Abeona gasped dramatically as she backed up from Venus to get some breathing room.

  “I gotta admit, we couldn’t have pulled this off without you guys.” Cupid confessed gruffly. Looking at him, Wheeler could swear he looked different to when they had started. Cupid’s stubble had vanished, replaced by rosy cheeks. His formally balding head now had a fine layer of hair starting to sprout atop it. He also looked less tired and depressed despite having put in a full days work. “Anyway I best be off.”

  Stretching his feathered wings in the moonlight, Cupid took to the skies after saying his goodbyes. Leaving Wheeler behind.

  “I better get going to, I’ve got a lot of paperwork to file after today,” Venus pouted solemnly.

  “I’ll get my shredder” chimed Abeona.

  Venus gave a mischievous chuckle, “I don’t think your sister would approve of that. Unfortunately I’m going to have to fill in in properly,” she insisted, before changing the topic, “I’ll send you that present I promised you for helping out later this week ok? I just need some time to sort it out.”

  “You don’t have to do that.” Abeona responded.

  “Nonsense Abbie darling, it’s the least I can do after all the help Wheeler and you have given me. Anyway, until we meet again, ciao for now,” and with that, Venus was gone.

  “Well Wheeler the Love Truck, it’s just you and me again as always.” Abeona said. “Let’s get you back to normal, we have to get ready for tomorrow night.

  Puzzled Wheeler asked the chaotic goddess, “Why? What are we doing tomorrow night?”

  “The same thing we do every night Wheeler,” Abeona replied. “try to send people to another world!”

  Epilogue:

  A few days later, Adiona was at her desk, still working diligently on her ever multiplying mountains of paperwork. According to Venus, the “Love Truck” plan had worked well.

  The satisfied smile on Adiona’s face as she worked wasn’t just because she’d helped her friend, but also that she’d managed to waste some of her sister’s time that would have otherwise been spent on that ridiculous ‘Project Isekai’ idea of hers.

  The less time her sister had to spend on Project Isekai, the lower chances of the project hitting its targets, and the less damage it could potentially do before Adiona could get permission from Janus, the manager of the reincarnation division, to shut it down.

  As Adiona worked, a figure came crashing at top speed into her office, spilling the piles of papers she was filing all over her office. “What the...?” she cried out in shock, seeing her carefully organised stacks scattered.

  “HI SIS!” A familiar voice rang out enthusiastically. Looking up, Adiona saw the face of her sister Abeona beaming back at her. Of course, Adiona should have known. Wherever her sister went, chaos was often not far behind.

  “Abeona,” sighed Adiona, hiding her frustration and trying to remain professional as she started doing what she always did, cleaning up Abeona’s mess. “You don’t normally come and see me, what do I owe the... PLEASURE?” she glowered though a mask of barely constrained contempt.

  “I just got that gift Venus promised me!” Abeona was holding up a golden envelope in her hand, with a broken, yet chillingly familiar seal. Adiona immediately froze upon seeing it. Her sister’s glee and enthusiasm gave Adiona a very bad feeling about what it might contain.

  “That’s... Janus’s seal...” Adiona responded in shocked disbelief.

  “YEP!” Abeona cheered triumphantly. “Venus talked to him as a thank you for helping her on Valentine’s Day, and she got Project Isekai a six month extension! Isn’t that great!”

  Adiona felt the ground beneath her feet drop out from underneath her, as she stared blankly into the abyss of a cold and cruel universe spinning before her vacant eyes. “Six... more... months...” she uttered in quiet despair.

  “Yes! I can’t believe she did that. It’s in-cred-ible,” Abeona sang in an upbeat chorus. “To think, if it wasn’t for you, this extension may have never happened,” she giggled.

  “Don’t rub it in,” Adiona snapped.

  “Rub what in?” Abeona asked with a wink, giving a performance of obliviousness. “Anyway, I better go thank her.”

  As quickly as she arrived, Abeona darted out of her sister’s office, sending another shelf of organised documents toppling to the floor as she left.

  Now that she was alone, Adiona was incandescent with fury, gritting her teeth and breathing heavily as she focused herself on sorting out the mess her sister had left behind.

  “Next time I see Venus,” she grumbled darkly, to herself, “I’ll have to THANK her properly.”

  The End