Date: Fri, 04 Jun 1993 17:36:17 -0400 (EDT) From: Brian Willard Subject: Revelations 4 - May The Best Man Observe To: alt-ql-creative@cisco.com Message-Id: <01GYZLS2U3CI9GVBL3@UNCA.EDU> Organization: University of North Carolina at Asheville May The Best Man Observe Revelations 4 by Brian C. Willard April 7, 1985 ------------- Sam looked around. He was in a large church, and it was full. He was standing at the base of the altar, facing a beautiful woman in a white gown. "Come on Sam. They're waiting," the bride whispered. Sam lifted the veil, eyes closed, and proceeded. He could somehow feel her warmth even before he was touching her. They kissed, and it was the most wonderful kiss Sam had ever experienced in his entire life. But there was something about it. As they finished after a sweet eternity, Sam pulled back and looked at her again. This time he caught her eyes, and he remembered. Star-crossed lovers. "Donna? Oh...wow!" He took her by the arm and led her down the aisle and out of the church. Once outside he noticed that he was again in Elk Ridge, Indiana, at the First Methodist Church of Elk Ridge. The mass of people followed them through the doors and around beside the church, where the reception was being prepared. Sam ran across many people he hadn't seen in a long time, and he was glad to be back. "Hello lover boy," the observer said from behind him, "You lucky dog. If I could go back and experience my wedding again..." "Which one?" Sam interrupted. Donna gave him a funny look. Al looked insulted. "I'm going to go talk to some people. I'll back soon," she told Sam. "What did you mean 'which one'?" the observer asked. "Which of your five weddings?" Sam said with a smile which quickly disappeared when he saw that his friend was not laughing. "I've only been married once, thank you very much. Is this your idea of funny. Beth would not find it amusing." "Beth...I thought she remarried when you were MIA in Vietnam," Sam said, not knowing what was going on. "Oh, I suppose she would've if Trudy hadn't been living there. I guess having my sister in the house kind of kept her faith up. Why am I telling you all of this, you know it." "Swiss cheese," Sam replied flatly, "I'm hungry. Come on Al, let's see if we can find you." Sam and the observer strolled over to the refreshment table. Al really is still married, Sam thought as he noticed that his friend was paying more attention to the assortment of foods than to the women at the party. Sam looked around for his mother and sister, knowing that they had to be around somewhere. He wished his dad had been around to see this. "Hey there, little brother," a deep voice said from behind him. Sam felt two large hands cover his eyes. "Tom!" Sam said, and turned around to see his brother, "God it's great to see you again!" he said, giving him a hug. "Yeah, I told the boss to screw off and that I'd rather go to my little brother's wedding anyday. Sorry Kathleen couldn't make it, she had some business to attend to with her parents." "Oh, yeah. I know how that goes," added Sam, "How is mom doing?" "You've probably talked to them more recently than I have. There they are. Why don't you go surprise them?" Sam looked over to where his brother was pointing out and nearly fainted. There was his father, alive and well. In 1985! "Dad," he muttered, then ran to see him, "Dad! Dad, you're alive!" John Beckett stood in amazement as his son grasped him, "Of course I'm alive, son. That's because I did what my father told me to do," he said jokingly, yet deep down he knew he was serious, about the promise he had made. John hadn't smoked since that day, except once at a party. And that nearly made him sick. How had his father known so much about lung cancer? The doctors didn't even know what caused it back then. "Son, I think it would be wise to go talk to Katie. Your sister's husband was not able to attend." "Chuck? Oh that..." "Who?" Sam's mother asked, "I've never heard anybody call Paul that name before. But he's such a nice guy. One of the best veterinarians around." "She's over there," said the observer, "Talking to...heh, me and Beth! I was your best man, you know! Too bad you weren't old enough to be mine." "Who else is she talking with?" Sam asked inquiring about the two others standing in the group of five. "Oh, that's Trudy and her friend Jimmy. In fact there even talking about marriage, but that's in the year 2000. Right here it's only 1985." "Is my dad still alive? I mean, in the future." "Oh, yeah. He's in a nursing home though. He's losing the strength in his legs. Your mom still gets him home every weekend though." "This is great, Al. But...why am I here?" "You're gonna love this one Sam! You're here...according to Ziggy...to do absolutely nothing!" "What the..." "Let me explain. Swiss cheese, magnified. Apparently the Sam that's in the year 2000 picked up the best of both of your brains. Ziggy projects that he...you...have an IQ of around 390. In the future. Right now, you probably couldn't even remember the main point about your time travel theory." "What theory?" "You see what I mean. Anyway, the Sam in the year 2000 is figuring out a way to get you home. Oh, it's hilarious Sam! We thought you were smart before, but geez," Al commented. The handlink began to chirp loudly. "I think they're about ready to retrieve you. Ziggy's giveing this one an 85% chance of success. See ya soon buddy, I'm goin' back to the future!" Donna came running up to Sam. "Sam, I've got somebody I really want you to meet come say hello to..." Sam felt a strange tingling sensation, as if somebody were trying to yank him out of his body. It lasted only a second, and then he lept as usual. Only it wasn't. Everything became dead quiet, and all around there was bright light. Sam slowly opened his eyes and saw that there really was nothing to see. He appeared to be in an infinitesmal white room with only a floor. A calm, soothing voice came out of the silence without warning. "Welcome, Samuel Beckett." Sam nearly fell backwards. "Where am I?" he asked, looking around for the source of the voice, "And who are you?" "Neither of those questions is important, nor would even you understand the answers. I am who I am, Sam...sorry for the rhyme...and you are where you are. I say no more." "Am I dead?" the physicist asked. "No, Sam, you're not dead." "Then why am I here?" "So I could thank you. Letting you fix your own life is the least I could have done, considering how much of a help you've been." "Well, it was enough. Everything's wonderful! Thank you!" Last part to come soon... "Revelations - The Final Chapter" ----------------------------------------------------------------- Brian Willard | "Revenge is mine, thus sayeth the hologram!" UNC-Asheville | Sam Beckett - "The Leap Back" -----------------------------------------------------------------