First Gridlock Part 1

Ernest Teucher discovered the next great challenge of the industrial age while traveling at precisely zero miles per hour.

He sat behind the polished wooden steering wheel of his personal Model One in the middle of King's Avenue.

The two-cylinder engine beneath the hood idled with steady, rhythmic precision: put-put-put-put-put.

A gap opened. Ernest eased the clutch in and moved forward six feet.

He stopped.

He waited forty seconds, shifted forward another four feet, and stopped again.

Ernest leaned slightly over the door and looked down the long, cobblestone avenue.

Ahead of him sat a black Model One.

In front of that was an ornate two-horse brougham carriage.