Newsgroups: alt.ql.creative From: wgarmil@world.std.com (Wayne S Garmil) Subject: Paradox: part 1 Message-Id: Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1993 21:16:18 GMT PARADOX ------- Part 1 ------ September 28, 1991 ------------------ "Al! You better get find me quick! We're in real trouble this time!", Sam shouts to the empty air. A passing mororist, seeing the damaged car and thinking Sam's hurt, calls for help on his car phone, then pulls over to the side of the road to see if he can help in the meanwhile. Besides, the branch is still blocking the road, so he can't go anywhere until it's moved. "Hey, buddy! You hurt over there?", the motorist shouts from the other side of the road as he gets out of his car. Sam looks over quickly, smiles and says, "No, I'm fine. Just shaken up a little. Do you know what road this is? I need to know for the accident repot I'll obviously have to fill out now." Crossing the street, the motorist tells Sam the road's name, and the date once Sam asks for it. Sam doesn't bother to ask for the year; he knows better by now. He can wait until Al arrives to find that out. Both Sam and the motorist servey the damage to Sam's car. The left front tire is ruined, and the side panel has heavy damage. Other than that, the car is undamaged. "I've called the police on my car phone. They should be here in a few minutes. You sure you're not hurt?", the motorist asks. "Thanks, but I'm fine. Really. Didn't even hit my head when I crashed. Good thing I was using my seat belt.", Sam replies. {Come on, Al. I'm going to need some information real fast!}, Sam thinks to himself. However, when the police show up five minutes later, Al still hasn't arrived. After getting the details about the accident from Sam (which he fortuneately knew since he was there for it), the police give Sam a ride to the local police station so he can call someone for a ride. Unfortunately, Sam has no idea who to call. It is then that Al finally arrives. "Sam, why aren't you at the point you leaped to? Do you know how much trouble I had finding you when you weren't there? We've got to talk. Now!", Al says as he appears in a corner near one of the many doors in the police station. Giving Al a quick stern look, Sam asks one of the police officers were the Men's room is. As luck would have it, Al appearred right in front of it. Quickly, Sam makes his way to it, and Sam enters, with Al right behind him (as always, preferring to enter through an open door than having to walk through a closed one), so they can talk in private. "Al, do you realize who's life I've leaped into?" "Sam, do your realize who's life you've leaped into", both Al and Sam say simutaniuously. Rolling up his left sleeve, Sam shows Al the bracelet, saying, "If this is what I think it is, we're in big trouble. Al, please tell me this isn't a time control bracelet." "Sorry, Sam, but that's what it appears to be. You've leaped into WildCard's life. But why do you have one of his bracelet?", Al asks, dreading the answer. "I have both of them. Apparently, when the quantuum effect grabbed him, it left me not only with a copy of his clothes but it also left his bracelets behind. We both know these things can't be copied; I tried enough times, so I must be wearing the orginals. How's he taking it?" "Lousy, but what would you expect?", Al replies. "We've just grabbed the only other known time traveller out of his own personal past and substituted you in his place. How would you react if you were him?" "I'd probably be pretty mad. Any idea yet why I'm here?", Sam asks. "Not yet. At least, WildCard is working with us, and considerring how confusing his personal history is, the help's needed. Ziggy has found at least two conflicting histories for this guy, maybe even three. I tell you Sam, some of the other people you've leaped into have really given us some problems, but never like this. WildCard is right now in the control room talking to Ziggy, trying to help as best he can. Let me tell you, it's a welcome relief to not have someone scared and fighting us for a change." "Fine. Now, could you please ask him who I should call, and what "their phone number is? And ask him what he thinks I should do next. For once, I can get advise right from the person I've leaped into and I don't want to waste this either. WildCard's life it too critical for me to risk messing it up." "I agree, Sam. One mistake, and it may mess up the discoveries leading to your leaping. Sam, don't mess up, or else you'll cancel out your leap and trap yourself in the past. And if that happens, WildCard will be trapped in the future, and you know what that will mean." "Yeah.", Sam says as he shudders. Sam watches Al as he opens up the portal back to the imaging chamber, steps through, and disappears back into 1999. -- _ __ _ __ Remember: The WildCard always stacks ' ) / // / / ) / the deck in his favor. Anyone care / / / o // __/ / __. __ __/ for a game of strip poker? My deal. (_(_/ <_