Strangely, this machine doesn't seem to have any visible connection for an energy source, at least not on the surface. It's completely embedded in the wall. Perhaps there are wires within the basent walls, but nothing is visible on the outside.
There are four digit input boxes on the display, two in front and two at the back, with a nuric keyboard below. Sothing seems off; after all, this portal was used as early as the 1970s. Jack Chambers traveled to the Dark Tower World through here. After so many years, why is it still displaying content? What's its energy source?
Jimmy: "Is this it?"
Roland nodded: "Input the world number, and you can directly teleport to the Dark Tower World."
Jimmy: "What if I input other numbers?"
Roland: "I don't know. I haven't tried many."
Jimmy looked at Roland: "So, are you leaving now?"
Roland was silent for a mont, "Yes, once I buy so things, I can leave. Jimmy, are you really not going with ? Just need to confirm."
Jimmy smiled wryly: "You know, Nia is pregnant..."
Roland nodded, turned towards the stairs, and Jimmy looked around. There wasn't anything that could be used as a cover. It looked like he'd have to make a cabinet or sothing to block it later. He followed Roland out.
In the living room, Jimmy voiced his own question, "Roland, that door, what's its energy source? Why has that display been on for so long?"
Roland: "I don't know. It was like this the last ti I ca over. I'm completely unfamiliar with these devices and don't dare to tamper with them. You shouldn't either; don't take it apart or ss with it. This is the only working portal I know here."
Jimmy: "Then can you return from your world through this portal?"
Roland: "Theoretically, yes, but I haven't tried. Many tis, the return location seems to be random."
Jimmy: "FK, what should I do? The reason I rented this place and renovated it was so we could live here. What if sothing cos out of the portal?"
Roland shook his head: "It shouldn't happen. Nothing has gone wrong here for so many years. It should be safe. I think your biggest worry should be about soone entering this basent and being teleported, especially Nia. Make sure she and others don't co here."
Jimmy: "Hmm, I'll figure a way to put sothing in front for a barrier. This is just too troubleso."
Jimmy got up, took two beers from the fridge, and handed one to Roland. "If there's really potential danger here, I'm considering going back with Nia to live sowhere else. Maybe leave this place vacant for a year or two to see."
Roland drank his beer without speaking, pondering Jimmy's words. He's just a Gunman, unfamiliar with magic or other mystical powers. This portal, involving travel between two worlds, seed like an inscrutable mystery to him. He could only use it without understanding fully.
There are still a few doors in the Dark Tower World, but he can't guarantee they connect with this one. Otherwise, each trip wouldn't result in different locations. He inputs the number for Earth, intending to locate this portal. Perhaps there's a specific number that can be used, but he's not certain.
Before, he considered the best way for Jimmy to follow him to the Dark Tower World was to have a stable passage for return. That would help Jimmy decide to go with him. Without a confird return path, giving up everything would be impossible for Jimmy.
After so ti and finishing a bottle of beer, Roland finally spoke: "I understand your concern. Give so ti; I'll try finding other doors to test it."
Jimmy nodded: "I can protect myself, but Nia and the others can't. I can't let them be in danger. Sending her back to the old house isn't ideal either; I'll think of sothing. If worst cos to worst, I'll take so ti off and stay ho to keep an eye on the door."
Roland nodded: "So be it, I'll go back and prepare."
Jimmy saw Roland off then began planning the use of the basent. As ntioned earlier, he didn't know what the portal looked like or how it functioned. When they nailed the wooden board to the basent walls, the display of the console was in an enclosed state. The wall at the portal location seed similar to others, so although Jimmy asked, Roland didn't provide an answer at the ti.
Now it's been completely dismantled, and that console with a display panel was fully exposed, more noticeable than before. To cover it, Jimmy at least needed to build a fra fixed on the wall outside, or use a movable rack to block it, making it more convenient for future use.
Jimmy had so DIY skills, but doing these tasks needed to be discreet to avoid Nia noticing, so it wouldn't be quick.
Nia still had to work. Although she often skipped work and took days off, she hadn't beco a full-ti homaker. So work is important for a person's mood adjustnt, long-term staying ho sotis isn't a good thing.
Roland's preparations were swift. Previously, he ca through a rift. His horse and belongings were left behind in that now-deserted village. Now returning through the portal to the Dark Tower World would undoubtedly require carrying more personal effects. Since the location of the portal isn't fixed, landing in a desolate place without necessities could lead to a dire situation.
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