Wallace 1 James Wallace Mrs. Stine English 9C 14 May 2012 He walked on the track.

Suddenly, a hand muffled Montags mouth. Two other hands quickly grabbed his hands and bound them together with rough twine. A blindfold, which Montag thought to be a bandana, was placed over his eyes. Montag squinted, trying to see through the fibers of the cloth. It was no use. Its alright, a voice said behind Montag, we will untie you. We must get you to safety. Mhm. Montag tried his best to nod, but his neck was being held too tightly. Is it really him? another voice spoke. Hush, yet another voice spoke, not here. When we get to our camp we will talk. Onward! A familiar voice exclaimed. Montags leg was nudged from behind. He began to walk. While he walked, Montag tried to pick up his feet as high as possible to avoid tripping over small hills and railroad ties. The hand over Montags mouth was removed. Why have you blindfolded me? asked Montag, whispering. We mustnt show you the location of our camp. Dont worry; we arent your enemy. We read as well. More time passed. Montag repeated his rhythmical steps, trying not to break pace. Heel, toe. Lift. Heel, toe. Lift. Over and over, step after step. Mile after mile after mile. After what

Wallace 2 Montag guessed was about an hour, he felt the terrain change. Instead of feeling dry grass and burs, he felt nothing. His feet began making sharp stepping sounds, rather than that of stepping on dry leaves in autumn. He then realized he was stepping on pavement. He heard a noise, one that he hadnt heard before. It is an engine, thought Montag. No, it cant be. It isnt the sound of any engine Ive ever heard. We are going to remove your blindfold now, a voice broke the silence. The sight you will see may be a shock to you, but please, try to remain calm. Alright? Alright. The blindfold fell to the ground. Montag could not believe what was before his eyes; it was an exact replica of his old house. Except there was one major difference, what was it? Perhaps a different color had been painted on the walls? Different grass? No, thought Montag. It was a mirror image of his house. A beautiful, healthy woman walked out of the front door. Guy, dear! Dinner is nearly ready! I have been waiting all day to share something with you! said the strange woman. Who- who are you? stuttered Montag, who was taken aghast over what stood before him. Not quite yet, Mildred, we havent given our friend Montag the talk yet. Montag looked to his right. The voice had come from a tall, slender man. The man was handsome; thick, bushy eyebrows, and jet black hair that was neatly parted to one side. The man stood about six foot three, and looked muscular. How do you know who I am? asked Montag. I dearly apologize, said the man, Where are my manners? My name is Ralph. Ralph Pent. I apologize for frightening you, and then not introducing myself! Oh, the thought. To your

Wallace 3 left is Drew Whitetail, and to my right is Harold Snuffagus. May we go inside? It would be easier to explain this to you while sitting in your parlor chairs. My parlor chairs? The only things in my parlor are television walls. And why do you ask me to sit in the house? It isnt mine, said Montag, it does look like mine, though. From my old city. My dearest apologies. Yes, it is your house. But rather than being exactly the way you remember it, we have changed some things inside to make you feel more comfortable here. There is no television. We have arranged the inside of the house to fit your perfect house, said Harold. But- how do you know what I would want in a house? said Montag Come, said Ralph, I will tell you. They walked towards the front door. As they climbed onto the porch, Mildred took Montags hand as they entered the house. He was astonished; all of the TV walls had vanished and were replaced with bookshelves. Bookshelves. How are there books? Montag asked. They are illegal! Arent they? Drew smiled. Not here, he said, here they are the base of society. Montag replied, How does that work? And how do you have my wife, Mildred? Is this even Mildred? Relax, Montag, said Ralph, one question at a time. I will first answer what is probably the main question you have. This society is a mirror of where you came from. You are used to people being antisocial, and not thinking. Correct? Correct.

Wallace 4 Well, here, everyone is your friend. You will walk down the street, and people you dont even know will pipe up and say to you, Hello, Sir! How do you do?. From where you came from, people would tilt their heads down and avoid contact. Sort of like how I said hello to you, Montag, said Mildred. Precisely. Now, you probably wonder how we knew what you liked and how we knew your whereabouts? continued Ralph. Yes, that puzzles me, replied Montag. One of our undercover agents, Stephan, placed a transmitter in your ear. He then tapped into your inner subconscious. This created for us a detailed picture of what you desire, replied Ralph. Wait, interjected Montag, I dont know anyone by the name of Stephan! That is because you know him as Faber, answered Harold. Mildred stood up. May I get anyone anything? she asked. Ralph and Montag spoke up. A cup of tea, both said simultaneously. What kind would you like? quizzed Mildred. I believe I speak for both Montag and myself when I say that wed both like a green tea, said Ralph. He then added, Thank you, Mildred. Now, an answer to your inquiry on Mildred. This is Mildred, yes. However, this is the Mildred from our world. The one you used to know is still in your old city. How can there be two of a single world? asked Montag. You see, Ralph began, a long time ago there was a war. It was against two countries; The United States of America, and the Soviet Union. The United States won this war, and the Soviet Union was crushed. After the war, the Soviets had to rebuild their society. The United

Wallace 5 States cloned one of their cities and donated it to the struggling nation. You are in the United States original city. I think I understand, said Montag, so there used to be a Montag in this world? What happened to him? Drew replied, He was put in prison for antisocial behaviors. So This Montag was like the people in my old, cloned city? And I, from the Soviet society, am like the people here? Precisely, said Ralph. But, began Montag, What about the war? Is my country in a war with yours? Ralph said, Yes. You see, a few weeks ago, we learned that the Soviets had used our gift to them to rebuild communism. We couldnt allow this, so we declared war on them. Good luck to your side, said Montag, I hate my old country. If you wish, interrupted Harold, I can show you the demise of your country. I fly a jet fighter for the military. I am flying to destroy the city. You may join me if you wish! Sounds delightful, began Montag, but is it safe? I dont want to die now that I have found my perfect society. It comes with some risk, responded Harold, but I promise you will return safely to your beautiful wife Mildred, and this society. Well, what are we waiting for? cried Montag, Let us get on it! As you wish, said Harold. The two men left the house. They proceeded to the end of the street, and boarded a subway system. Montag thought to himself, Hmm these people are different, as people

Wallace 6 greeted him to the train car. On the ride, Montag noticed an absence of something. He did not hear the familiar cries of Denhams Dentrifice as the train clattered down its tracks. Hello! said a stranger next to him. How do you do? replied Montag. I am very well. Just on my way to pick up a new book from the store. What are your plans? Harold nudged Montags arm. I am- just going to visit some relatives, replied Montag. Where do they live? They live near the next stop. The train slowed, stopped. The brakes hissed and groaned. Oh. Well, it was certainly nice talking to you! said the man. Farewell! Farewell! shouted Montag, as he and Harold dismounted the train. Here we are, said Harold, Selfridge Air National Guard Base. This is where our plane will be departing from. The duo walked onto the airfield through a large chain-link fence. As the two walked past rows and rows of jet-fighters, Montag now realized how big this war was. He understood the main goal of the war. He felt fortunate for being banished from the oppressed city. We have reached our plane. Climb into the backseat, Montag, said Harold. Montag climbed up into the cockpit of the plane. He let Harold buckle his seatbelt, as he didnt want to take any chance of being thrown from the cockpit of the aircraft. Harold? I have a question. Shoot.

Wallace 7 Did the government of this nation make me like free thinking and reading? What Im trying to ask is how the government got me to think the way you do, and how it got me to rebel. I will tell you after we take off, Montag. Harold switched on the engine switches. The jet engines of the fighter roared to life. Montag thought, They arent as loud on the inside as they are on the outside. Harold opened the throttle to the maximum. Montag was indented into his seat as the bomber accelerated at speeds Montag didnt know were possible. The nose lifted; the plane was in the air. It climbed above the surface of the Earth, into the great blue sky. Now, began Harold, We have watched you through the eyes of our mechanical hound. It was American made; disguised as a Soviet design. Since the hound focused on those who were free thinking, it lead us straight to citizens decent enough to live in the United States. Sadly, most of those people were murdered. A select few made it, though. Montag was speechless. After a few minutes of silence, Montag whispered, Thank you. A voice came over the radio. It said, Harold, you ready, the city is within 250 miles and closing, weapons-free. You are cleared to bomb, over. Harold said, Since we are carrying an atom bomb, this run wont take a long time. One flyover and were done. 150 miles. Montag saw an image of neighbors, watching their TVs. 100 miles. Montag saw Mildreds seashells. 50 miles. Cars racing down highways, up and down streets. 0 miles. Mildred peering out of her hotel window. Press that red button, Montag, said Harold. Goodbye, old home, as he pressed the button.