LIFE'S A BEACH
& MARILYN WHO??

BACK FROM JOLLY OLDE YOU KNOW WHERE........by Coralynn

"Time to pack up and get ready to head back to the airport," William says as he looks at his watch, then around at the others.
"Already? I have just begun to have fun!" Eleanor laughs, "That fiasco at the foxhunt yesterday really got my juices up!"
"Yeah," Bethia chimes in, "Henry falling facefirst from his horse was a sight to behold!" she and Eleanor go into gales of laughter.
William frowns, "I didn't think it was particularly funny. He put that poor horse at risk!" with that, William begins to see the humor of it and can't help joining in the fun.
"Do you think they'll ever invite us back again?" Bethia asks William, seriously.
"Between the Queen having to whop Luke across the face and Henry's disgraceful behaviour at the foxhunt, yelling "Tally Ho!" at the top of his lungs and splattering, I somehow doubt it."
"By the way," Henry asks, "Where is Luke?" trying to divert attention away from his boorish behaviour at the foxhunt.
"I haven't seen him in several hours!" William is beginning to be concerned, "Have any of the rest of you?"
"Let me run up to his room and see if he's there!" Eleanor volunteers.

She comes back rapidly from this errand with a puzzled expression.
"His clothes are still there, but he isn't."
William again glances at his watch, "He'd better show up in the next hour or we risk missing our plane! Where do you think he went? What did he enjoy the most this week that he might have gone to again?"
"Madame Toussaud's Wax Works!" Eleanor and Bethia exclaim simultaneoulsy.
"Why there?"
"Oh William, surely you remember how taken he was with the wax likeness of Marilyn Montrose."
"That's Monroe, Bethia, not Montrose!" Eleanor corrects her, "but you're right! Remember how he asked you to please go back to 1961 and fetch her into the 21st century for him?"
"Surely you don't think he was serious about that!" William scoffs.
"If he went bonkers over that poor silly Grace Wheeler, he would be totally mesmerized by Marilyn whats-her-name!" Bethia states.
William rubs his chin and nods, "You have a point, Beth. He might be at the wax works. Will you and Eleanor quickly get over there and bring him back? Time is getting short."

Bethia and Eleanor take off on a trot, and are quite exhausted by the time they reach the wax works museum.
They pay their entry fee and begin looking around for the Marilyn exhibit.
"Where was she?" Bethia is beginning to panic, "In that room?"
They walk as fast as possible from room to room and finally locate the Marilyn Monroe statue.
Sure enough, Luke is gazing raptureously at it, murmuring softly.
"Ahhhhhh my sweet lady, you are going to be rescued," and such over and over.
Eleanor yanks on his arm, "Come with us, Luke, or we'll miss our plane!"
His glazed-over eyes begin to focus on the two women, but he doesn't move.
"NOW!!!" Eleanor yells at him.
The people working at the museum hear the yelling and locate Eleanor. They scowl at her. She scowls back.
"Please, madame, sotto voce!" one of them implores her.
"Oh can it!!" she says loudly and starts yanking at Luke. Bethia takes his other side and yanks as well.
He makes a few stumbling steps forward with each yank.
As they finally get him outside the museum, Eleanor finds it necessary to get him out of his trance, and smacks him across the face.
"Hate to do that Luke, especially on those fresh sores you got from the sequins on the Queen's purse the other day, but you have to come NOW so we can catch our plane home!"
"My home is with Marilyn," he muses dreamily.
"That's a statue, Luke, do you understand the word, statue?"
"But she lived and breathed and I love her as much as I love Grace!"
"Ahhhhh, you men are a fickle bunch!" Eleanor chides as she and Bethia continue to pull him bodily down the sidewalk.
"Will William go back and get her?"
"SURE!!" Eleanor says, hoping that will get Luke to walk on his own two feet without being forced.
"Absolutely!" Bethia agrees, "He can't wait to go back to 1961; he told me so himself!"
That perks Luke up, and he then begins to walk rapidly with them.
"How wonderful......I will see my heavenly Marilyn......she will be alive and she will marry me and have children with me and we will grow old together."
"Not that old," Bethia tells him, "Don't you remember how William said that if you aren't living in your original timeframe you never age?"
"So much the better! She will be blindingly beautiful eternally!" Luke is really getting off on this idea.

They finally get Luke back to where the others are gathered in the lobby of the hotel.
When William sees Luke, he yells, "Get your clothes packed immediately. We have a limo coming to collect us in 20 minutes! Hurry man, hurry!"
Bethia and Eleanor go with Luke so that he doesn't fall back into one of his trances over Marilyn. They help him toss everything into his large suitcase and trundle it down to the lobby.
The limo arrives just as they reach the others and soon the entire gang is off to the airport.
Luke smiles at William, "I hear you've decided to go back to 1961 and fetch my beautiful Marilyn for me!"
William frowns at Eleanor, "OH??!"
"We told him you agreed to go get Marilyn, William, otherwise he would still be standing at Madame Toussaud's wax works with about the same mobility as the statues!" Bethia tries to make a good case for the lie.
William lets out an audible breath; sits and ponders; then says in a defeated voice, "So be it, then!"


They reach the airport and go through security.
Just after they are seated in the plane, Luke begins questioning the others about Marilyn's life.
"Was she ever married?" he queries.
Eleanor, the walking encyclopedia, answers, "Three times. The first man wasn't all that important, but the second one, Joe DiMaggio, and the third one, the playwright, Arthur Miller, were well known and respected."
"BINGO!" they all hear William exclaim loudly.
"No, William, she was never married to a guy named Bingo!" Eleanor corrects him.
"No no, I don't mean that......I mean now I remember the name under which I put the coin in the safety deposit vault."
"You put it under the name Bingo, William, but why?"
William is exasperated, "No, of course I didn't register it under the name Bingo; I registered it under the name Joe DiMaggio!"
"Why?"
"Why not??"
Eleanor thinks about it, "Why not indeed? Now you know how to get at the coin, it'll be a lot easier to help Luke."
then she adds, "You can also get rid of Daniel, too!!" that cheers her.
"Not if he decides not to cooperate. He knows about making a circle of hands, because that's the way they brought him here from 1650 Southold. Do you think he'd be foolish enough to ever let us get him into that configuration again? Think about it!"
Bethia grimmaces, "You're right. Blast!!"
Eleanor adds, "We can't dope him up and make him cooperate?"
William sits up straighter in righteous indignation, "I rather think that goes against our ethics!"
"We did it to Vinnie Paponetti!" Bethia reminds him.
"Had no choice there," William explains, "No one else had the courage to accompany me back to Court. You remember? You said the place gave you a headache. Eleanor didn't want to go, because she was fearful that Henry2 would slam her back into capitivity. Rosamond was just chicken, the list goes on. This thing with Daniel is a different matter. He came to the 21st Century willingly, and I have a problem sending him into another timeframe using deceit."
"Ohhhh jeeez, William," Eleanor exhales loudly, "Under the circumstances, you could make an exception, surely. Do you enjoy having him around? I for one am digusted with his behaviour. He makes Rosamond's life a living hell!"
"Since when do you stick up for Rosamond?" William asks.
"You know full well that Rose and I buried our long-simmering grudges since she got back from Court the last time we went. You know, when she found out what a lout Henry truly was. Do I have to give you a blow-by-blow of that whole scenario?"
"No, no, please don't," William shakes his head, "True. You are Beth and Rose are as tight as any friends I have ever seen, so yes, you would naturally want to spare Rose the hassle of having Daniel around."
"Hassle is a mild tern for what that guy dishes out!" Bethia is adament.
"Still," William continues objecting to zapping Daniel away, "He's too clever to be duped into a circle."
Jerry has been listening to this conversation and breaks in with, "I would love to go with you if you decide to go back to 1961 to retrieve Marilyn Monroe. Time travel fascinates me."
"You would be a good stable addition to our time traveling," Eleanor is getting enthusiastic, "You would love it!! I can't go, but I hope William takes you."
"Jerry, you would be perfect, and the word 'stable' is exactly why we need you with us. You'll maintain your mental equilibrium, which is more than I can say for most of the people I know." He gives Luke a sideward glance.
"I get to go!!" Luke says with passion, "You know I have to go with you! Once Marilyn sees me she will be smitten with love and will agree to go anywhere with me, anywhere!!" Luke is getting all worked up about the prospect of having MM deeply in love with him.
Bethia and Eleanor exclange glances and try very hard not to laugh. They cover their mouths with their hands and lose the battle. As they begin to chuckle, William looks at them sternly and demands,
"There will be no jokes here, ladies, do you mind? This will be a serious venture!"
The two women reach for their bottles of water. They barely take two swallows before they begin to giggle again.
Luke misunderstands, which is par for him, and adds, "It does my heart good to see how joyful you are at the prospect of having a new friend!!"
Eleanor and Bethia both stop giggling and send each other mental telepathy, "Where are we going to PUT this new person, and will she indeed be our friend?!"

Eleanor turns to William and asks, "How big is this addition you're having added to the house?"
"I'm adding four more rooms," he answers proudly, "we can use them for a variety of things. Could be bedrooms, which would be good for you gals. You don't have to share one room anymore. And, as fate would have it, we now have a room for our newest 'family member'......was that good timing or what?"

"Very good, William," Eleanor has to give him credit, "I have another thought, too: I only have 3 more days of my leave of absence from my sportscasting job, so it would have to be done quickly, but I think I should accompany you guys to 1961. Three men might be intimidating for the poor woman. I can help out there."
"You have a good point, Eleanor!"
Jerry brightens at this news, "It'll be ever so much more fun with you along, El!!"
"Then that settles it!" both Eleanor and William say simultaneously.

*****************************************************************

Rosamond's got the Rhythm...Method, that is!.............by Terri

Sunlight streamed through the window. The fire had gone out a long time ago.
The two of them had fallen asleep on the pillows on the floor, covered by an afghan. John's arms were around her.
Rosamond sat up. "John? John! Wake up!"
"Hmmmmm?" John said drowsily.
"What about the taping today? Marty will pitch a fit!"
John mumbled, "I called Marty on the cellphone last night when you were in the shower. Taping is cancelled on account of the storm."
Rosamond snuggled up close to him. "Hadn't we better head back home? The rest of them get back today."
John looked at his watch. "Yes, I'd suppose we'd better." He pulled Rosamond into his arms. "In a little while. I am enjoying the break from everything and everyone."
"Do these storms come up alot on Long Island?"
"Well, yes, honey, don't you remember that big one a few days ago? You would have been in the worst of it on Montauk. Weren't you afraid by yourself?"
"N--no, there were other people around."
John flipped on the Weather Channel.
"The streets are flooded but should be receding by noon. Stay tuned to the Weather Channel for further details."
Rosamond slipped out of the afghan and slipped on her robe. "I saw a washer and dryer. I'll throw our clothes in them to clean them up."
She gathered the clothes and padded out to the laundry room. A wave of nausea came over her. Darn that coleslaw! I should know better than to eat that stuff at a restaurant. I don't know how they keep their mayonnaise.
She headed for the bathroom and almost got sick. It passed.
She came out. John had the coffee maker going. "You OK?"
"Yes, just a little lightheaded. I guess I didn't eat much last night and my blood sugar must be low."
John handed her a cup of coffee and smiled. "This is the way it should be, darling.
A scene of domestic bliss!"
Rosamond smiled a little uncertainly. "Hadn't we better take things slower before you start knitting little things?"
John said, "We should have gotten married a long time ago, Rose. We could have avoided alot of trouble."
"Including 100,000.00 in charge account bills?"
"I wonder if the room addition that William is having put on will be ready by the time they get home. It looked like they were wrapping it up. Since it's at the other end of the house it didn't interfere with our side. I guess Daniel is going to lose his 'bunkie'.
I was thinking, Rose, that maybe you could move in with me?"
"Do you honestly think William is going to permit that? He's such a stickler for protocol. He'd flip out if he knew about this."
John sighed, "I guess you are right. We don't have to stay there, you know."
"I-I'm not quite ready to 'leave the nest' yet, John."
John made breakfast and Rosamond just picked at her food.
"You'll never get your blood sugar up that way, hon."
"I never was a breakfast person, John."

Rosamond and John cleaned up the kitchen, Rosamond got the clothes out of the dryer and John wrote a nice check to Jameson Osgood to cover any food they had eaten. Plus a little extra. By noon the Weather Channel reported the roads were cleared for travel. Branches littered the driveway but everything looked drivable.
They got in the car and drove towards NYC and on to Chappaqua.
After an hour, they pulled into the drive. Daniel's Jeep was there.
Rose and John came in and Daniel was sitting there at the breakfast table, eating his beloved Corn Flakes.
He looked up and said derisively, "Well, look what the cat dragged in. You don't look any worse for wear, John."
Rosamond walked right past him and up the stairs.
"What happened to you two? Spend the night at the Happy Hour Motel on Route 7?"
John checked the messages on the answering machine. "FYI, we went to dinner on the Sound and a storm whipped up. We had to stay at a friend's house last night."
"Un,huh." Daniel said unconvincingly.

In her room, Rosamond slipped off her heels. She threw her suitcase on the floor and stretched across the bed. She turned on her cell phone and was about to check her voice mail when it rang.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Sugah, it's me. I'm at the airport and about to take off to come back. Miss me?"

Rosamond's world just came crashing down and Austin became a reality once more.


"Hey, Sweetheart, did you have a nice flight home?"
"Yes, it was very smooth."
"So did you get a good night's sleep? All cold and lonely without me?"
"Y-yes, I slept very well. Actually, I went out to a restaurant on Long Island with a couple of friends. One of them had a beach house and we were stuck there because of the storm."
"I'm glad you weren't all by yourself. I got the horses all ready for transport, they should be there in about three days. I should be back by about 7 PM tonight, I have a 4 PM flight. Meet me tonight at the Dew Drop?"
"S-sure, Billy Bob."
"Honey, why so formal? Are you allright?"
Rosamond sat there rubbing her temples. "Yes, just a little tired from Austin and then going out last night. I should have stayed home."
And HOW I should have stayed home, she thought.
"I love you, darling. I can't wait to see you."
"I-I love you too, sweetheart. I'll see you tonight."
Click.
Rosamond lay on her bed. Remember how I said to myself I'd find a way to mess it up? Looks like it didn't take too long to do just that.

A half hour later, there was a clamor and noise downstairs. Rosamond got out of bed. Thank goodness Eleanor and Bethia are home! Finally I'll have someone to talk to!
She got up suddenly and was light-headed. After a minute the feeling passed and she went downstairs to her friends.



Rosamond bounded down the steps. Eleanor and Bethia were standing there showing John and Daniel pictures of themselves with the Queen.
"We even got it on video where she swats Luke with the purse..."
"You should have seen Henry on the foxhunt, he hit a branch, bounced up in the air and ended up backwards, just like on a cartoon...."
William was surveying the contents of the refridgerator. "Didn't anyone go to the store while we were gone?"
Rosamond said, "Well, I just got back so I didn't eat here."
Daniel said, "Rose probably ate alot of lobster and seafood. What else would you eat when you spend four days at the beach? Hey, I've got my cornflakes, I'm happy."
John said, "I'll go to the store, just make me out a list."
William turns, "What did you eat?"
John said, "Oh, crabcakes and caviar, wine and coleslaw...."
Rosamond turned away and sat down.
Eleanor came over to her and said quietly, "I guess we three should go upstairs and have a talk pretty soon." She shook her head, "Oh, Rose, Rose...what have you done now?"
Rosamond bit her lip. "It's worse than when I talked to you a few days ago."
Bethia said, "Give us a few minutes to get the guys occupied."
She looked in the cupboards. "Why don't you go pick up some Ragu spaghetti sauce, some Parmesan, and then go to that nice Italian bakery and pick up some fresh bread. Then please go to that liquor store and pick up a nice bottle of Chardonnay. Better make that four bottles. Never hurts to have it on hand."
Bethia wrote her list down.
"William, anything you want to add?"
William got his jacket. "I'll go with you, John. There may be some more stuff I want to get. I think we may have another roomie here."
Daniel's ears perked up. "Male or female?"
Luke said, "Female and it's hands off for you."
Daniel smiled wickedly at Rosamond. "Well, that's OK. I've got my own agenda. Some things you need to chew up until there isn't anything left and they come begging for mercy."
Henry grabbed Luke's arm. "Come on, we are way behind in our rehearsals. While I was in England, I went to the music store and picked up some of my sonnets. I tell you, Luke, it will totally blow you away. Let's see how this sounds...set this to your 5th Symphony, 'HEY-BABE-I-LOVE-YOU...." Their excited voices drifted down the hall.
William said, "Dinner is at seven sharp. Don't be late."
William and John left. Jerry said, "Wait, I'll go with you."
Eleanor said, "Jerry, you do know you are invited to dinner, don't you?"
Jerry smiled, "I was hoping for that!"
Daniel stretched out. "Hey, girls, wanna play Monopoly with me?"
"NO!" They all three said in unison.
"Quelle domage! Well, I'm off to the pool."
Eleanor looked after him. "There goes the poster boy for cad."
Bethia, Rosamond and Eleanor went upstairs to Rosamond's room. Bethia sat on the floor, Eleanor sat in the wicker chair and Rosamond flopped on the bed.
"OK, Rose, spill the beans. We know you were in Austin with Mr. Billy Bob Montgomery. And that you did a stupid thing."
Bethia and Eleanor looked at Rose expectantly.
Rosamond reached for an antacid. "Upset stomach ever since I got back. Must be nerves. Not surprising, though."
Bethia said, "Start at the beginning."
Rosamond started in. "Well, I was so tired of Daniel's torture and William's abuse of me because of ruining his show, which I didn't, and l felt bad because of the tabloid stories. And because I thought things were spinning out of control with John. So I packed my suitcase. I fully intended to go to Montauk and just get away from it all, go somewhere I could be by myself. But on the spur of the moment, I found myself at LaGuardia and buying a ticket to Austin Texas."
Bethia sat there with her mouth open. Eleanor prodded Rosamond onward. "What eve possessed you to go there?"
Rosamond continued. "Well, Billy Bob Montgomery invited me to go with him. I spent the previous day at his ranch. Oh, you girls should see it! Beautiful. He has a horse and its name is Merovin."
"MEROVIN? Isn't that the name of Henry's stallion?"
"Yes, weird, isn't it? Before I knew it I was knocking on his door at the Marriott in Austin. I had to tell the desk clerk I was his wife and I got the room number. I had to stay in his suite because the hotel thought I was his wife. Boy, was HE surprised when I showed up! We went to a horse auction, a few museums, a jazz club...well, I already told you this."
Bethia said, "So you did something stupid by following him to Austin. I don't find that so stupid."
Rosamond looked down. Eleanor looked at Bethia. Bethia said quietly, "Oh."



"I never intended for it to get this far. One night he told me he was falling in love with me. I was so scared, I told him not to. But the next morning--by the way, he had a two-bedroom suite--I tried to make him breakfast and burned it. He was so sweet. We spent the day and night, just seeing the sites. When we got back to the room, he champagne already sent up and he told me he loved me. I'm sorry, girls, but I just melted. Time literally stood still for me and it was as if Henry and England, John and Daniel neve existed. I felt so free..and so totally loved, honestly and truly for me alone. Well, I don't have to tell you...." Rosamond sighed.
Eleanor said, "One question, Ro'---hat on or off?"
Bethia smiled expectantly.
Rosamond smiled in reverie. "Hat off, boots under the bed!"

Rosamond said, "Honest, I was all set to chuck this whole scene with John and Daniel and go with an honest man who treated me right. With every little move, I was going to show those two I was over them. Then John asked me out to this little seafood restaurant on Long Island. Marty recommended it. He said he wanted to discuss the scripts. I was so willing to get away from Daniel. So I agreed. To make a long story short, that storm came up with a fury. We had no idea, guess we should have looked at the Weather Channel. We didn't even realize the traffic was exceptionally light. We walked on the beach and...talked. Well, it's awful hard to concentrate on John when the moon is full. Darn, it's hard enough to concentrate on him when there's NO moon! He wanted to start over again. By this time, the wind started whipping up and the owner of the restaurant we ate at, a Mr. Jameson Osgood, was taking his tables in. We had no place to stay because the roads were closed. Jameson offered us his beach house. We ended up staying there and the electricity went out. We built a fire, we talked alot, we danced...."
Eleanor looked at her seriously. "And you didn't have to wonder if he would take HIS hat off..."
Bethia chimed in with, "And where his boots would land..."
Rosamond sighed. "No. Because I knew where the night would end."
With that she burst out crying. "What do I do? Billy Bob loves me so totally and honestly and John, well, John and I are so close it's like we are two halves of a whole."

Rosamond sobbed on her bed. "I don't like being this way, girls. How did I ever get like this? A man just looks at me and I melt. You'd think I would be so turned off after Henry."
Eleanor patted her on the back. "Oh, come on Rosamond. It can't be so bad. So you like men. My advice? Don't do anything. It's not like highschool. You are not going steady. If you want to be with one, so be it. If you want to see the other, why not? And I suppose even if you wanted Daniel...."
Bethia was shocked. "ELEANOR! That would make Rosamond a...!"
Eleanor shot her a look that said, And your point is....?
Rosamond got up, covered her mouth and ran into the bathroom.
"What's wrong with Rosamond?" Bethia said.
Eleanor looked suspiciously after her. "I don't know, but something is. Maybe a touch of the flu."
Rosamond came out.
"Are you OK?" Bethia said.
"Yes, this week was just too much."
"Un, huh." Eleanor thought.


Rosamond laid down on the bed. Eleanor said to Bethia, "Come on. We'd better go start dinner. Spaghetti tomorrow night. Let's make Chinese for tonight. By the way, Rose, I'm going timetraveling. Bethia will stay here and babysit Daniel so you don't have to run off again for a while."
Rosamond sat up. "Who are you picking up?"
Eleanor sighed. "Well, when we were in England, we lost Luke. We found him in the Madame Tussaud's wax museum. Gazing besottedly at Marilyn Monroe, the actress. Rashly I promised him we would go back and pick her up. So tomorrow morning, William, Jerry, Luke, and I are going to pick up Marilyn Monroe and beam her back with us. We won't be gone long, shouldn't take more than a couple of hours."
"Well, have a nice 'flight'! Ugh! Chinese! Hope I can keep it down!"
"Me, too," Eleanor said quietly.

Eleanor and Bethia went down the stairs. Bethia said, "I sure hope I don't get Rosamond's flu."
Eleanor frowned. "I don't think there is a chance of that, Bethia. Let's run down to the store and get the Chinese food stuff. I want to do a little shopping."
"But William got spaghetti!"
"Well, we are changing our plans! Do me a favor, make it look like Chinese was your idea. Otherwise if it came from me, William would veto the idea. Marilyn must like Italian after being married to DiMaggio."
The two of them went downstairs. Daniel was sitting at the table.
"Hey, is Rose avoiding me?"
"No, she's just a little tired from the weekend. Do us all a favor and leave her alone. You've probably done enough damage."
Bethia turned to William as he was putting the spaghetti ingredients away. "William, we decided that a nice spaghetti dinner would be a nice welcome dinner for Marilyn.
El and I are going to get ingredients for Chinese for tonight."
William frowned, "But dont' we have enough stuff here for Chinese?"
Bethia turned to El with a questioning look. Eleanor quicky supplied the answer. "We DO NOT have candied ginger which is essential for what I want. And it has to be FRESH peapods, not that canned stuff. We'll be back in a while."
Eleanor grabbed Bethia's hand and dragged her off towards the car.
"Eleanor, you don't cook Chinese! What's the big deal?"
Eleanor stared out the window of the car. "I need to pick up something at the store. But you have to keep your mouth shut about it."
Bethia became alarmed. "What is it?"
Eleanor said, "I'll explain it to you when we get to the store."

Bethia and Eleanor put the peapods and the candied ginger in their cart, also an odd assortment of other ingredients to exotic to pronounce. Then Eleanor steered the cart down the drug aisle. She picked up an EPT pregnancy kit.
Bethia's eyes grew round. "ELEANOR! Are you and Jerry....?"
Eleanor pinched her. "Heavens, Bethia, are you really that naive?"
Bethia said, "OW! Whatever is that for?"
"Tell you in the car. Come on!"
They checked out and put their bags in the car. Bethia sat quietly. "I think I get it, Eleanor. You want to see if your cat Sukie is pregnant by that bit orange tomcat that has been hanging around. What do you do, stick it in her litter box?"
Eleanor stared at her incredulously. "Bethia, I think you have been hanging around Grace too much. I never knew you were that daft. It's for Rosamond."
"Rosamond doesn't have a cat!"
Eleanor said, "I am about two seconds away from slapping you upside the head like I do Daniel! Do I have to spell it out?"
Bethia gave another quiet. "Oh."
Eleanor grimaced. "She's been light-headed and sick to her stomach and nauseous. I just want to be sure it IS the flu and not the nine-month flu."
Bethia said, "Do you think Billy Bob will do the right thing? Will he be our brother-in-law?"
Eleanor looked askance at Bethia. " Didn't your mother teach you ANYTHING, Bethia? Do the math! She just left Billy Bob!"
Bethia's eyes grew round. "You mean she and John may be having a baby?"
"If she is, we will be lucky if it is John's. Let me put it this way...if there is a chance it is a wonderful guy's baby or a scoundrel's baby, knowing Rosamond's luck, what are the chances?"
Bethia slunk down in the seat and covered her mouth. "Poor Rose!"
As they pulled into the driveway, Eleanor said, "Promise me you won't say a word to anyone, not even Rosamond. The test has to be done first thing in the morning. Don't worry her and for goodness sake's not a word to Daniel or John! We will find out if it is true. It could just be the flu."
Bethia said. "Do the math, huh, Eleanor? When did you all get back from England?"
"About a month ago."
Bethia said, "Could this be a 13th century bastard?"
Eleanor groaned. "Heaven help us all!"



Bethia and Eleanor unload the car. Bethia whispers, "Here-take this bag up to your bedroom. I'll distract the others. Somehow we need to talk to Rosamond tonight."
Eleanor discreetly takes the bag and runs up the stairs.
She is down directly and she and Bethia start chopping and stir-frying. William leans back on the counter with a Heineken beer.
"Mmmmm! That smells delicious! What is it?"
Eleanor looks up. "Darned if I know!"
Dinner was cooked fairly quickly. Luke and Henry came over from the castle, Jerry grabbed the chair next to Eleanor. Everyone was seated but Rosamond.
"Where's Rosamond?" Jerry asked.
Daniel jumped up before anyone could answer. "I'll get her!" Before anyone could stop him he was bounding up the stairs. He knocked gently on her door. "Hey, Sugah, you're missing dinner."
"Go away, Daniel."
Daniel pushed the door open. "Hey, come on, you're late for dinner."
"What do you care?"
"Rosamond, I know you don't like me...."
"Like you? Try HATE!"
Daniel said sincerely, "Well, you haven't eaten much today. I was just concerned."
Rosamond swung her feet down off the bed and sat up. "Since when did you care? Very well, I'm coming."
Daniel held out his hand. "Allow a gentleman to help you up."
She swatted his hand away. "Let me know when he gets here."
Rosamond followed Daniel downstairs. The only seat available was between Daniel and John---again.
Eleanor was dishing up some fried rice. Bethia looked over to Eleanor and then to Rosamond. Rose just filled up a glass with soda water.
"Not much for me tonight."
William looked over at her. "On a diet, Rosamond?"
Rosamond sat down. John was trying hard to act casual around her so William wouldn't suspect anything. But he couldn't help sneaking looks at her.
Daniel narrowed his eyes at John and put his hand on the back of Rose's chair. John kept knocking it off, Daniel kept putting it back.
William exploded. "Would you two stop behaving like kindergarteners?"
"He started it!"
"No, he did!"
"How old are you two, anyways?"
"Thirty" they both said in unison.
"Then act it!"


Billy Bob pulled into the Dew Drop Inn. It was 7:00 PM. He walked in and sat down at the bar. Bobby Joe came over.
"Well, you look very refreshed and relaxed! How was Austin?"
Billy Bob pushed his Stetson back. "Great! I got three stallions and seven mares. They should be here by Monday morning, found a guy with a large trailer that will take all of them. He's coming up to pick up some Morgans over at the Triple D and so the price was discounted because he was coming here anyways."
Bobby Joe smiled. "Now, let me ask you again....how was Austin?!"
Billy Bob smiled behind his beer bottle. "I could tell you alot but it's not in a gentleman's code."
Bobby Joe leaned over the counter. "So Tequila Sunrise is cheating on her husband?"
Billy Bob smiled broadly. "Long story but she isn't married. So she isn't cheating.
BJ, that was the best week I ever spent in Austin. Or anywhere for that matter. I am so totally in love with that woman."
Bobby Joe frowned. "I think there is trouble brewing. Daniel was in here while you were gone. He spent a weekend with her once, and I don't think they were shopping in a fabric store, if you get my drift. He was in a foul mood."
Billy Bob said, "Well, I'll just have to keep my eye on him and make sure he stays way away from her. According to her, he was nothing to her."

Dinner went along smoothly after that. Eleanor and Bethia kept looking at Rose. She got up to go upstairs. "I'm going to bed early. I had a long weekend."
Daniel yelled out, "Dream and stay tan, honey!"
John kicked him under the table.
"OW! Are you trying to cripple me?"
Daniel pushed his chair in. "Well, I've got to work at the Dew Drop Inn tonight. Billy Bob Montgomery is back. So I guess I'll have to just play the guitar and fiddle. He lets me do a few songs."
Daniel got up and went upstairs. Rose's door was shut. He went to knock and thought twice about it. Naw, I'll give her a break tonight! He went to his room, changed his clothes and picked up his guitar, going out the balcony stairs. He jumped in his Jeep and headed towards the Dew Drop.

Rosamond took a hot shower and dressed in a turquoise sundress. She slipped high heeled sandals on her feet. Her stomach felt better. Soda water did the trick! She slipped out the balcony and down the steps. Pretty soon she was parking her car at the Dew Drop Inn. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw Billy Bob's pickup truck. Daniel's Jeep was out back so she didn't see it.
She walked into the bar and her eyes adjusted to the light. Billy Bob smiled.
"Honey! I really missed you!" He put his arms around her and kissed her and then led her to a seat at the bar.
Rosamond looked up and Daniel was on stage.
"What's he doing up there?"
"Oh, he said he had a song he was working on so I told him to go ahead while I took a small break. He's really quite good!"
Daniel stood there with a lingering look on his face and sang directly to Rosamond. But only she noticed it and understood just what he meant.
Daniel sang,
"This old bar stool's feeling higher since I started sinking lower
The minute that she waltzed right through that door
Not long ago I held her, like a fool I went and left her
Now she's with somebody new on the floor.

She's got the rhythm, and I got the blues
She's showing me how much I had to lose
With her every little move she's telling me I'm over you
She's got the rhythm and I got the blues

The music's getting louder and my heart keeps beating faster
And she spells out regret in perfect time.
Well, I thought I wanted freedom but that ball and chain I need
Sometimes when you lose you lose the prize


Eleanor and Bethia had finished loading up the dishwasher. Luke, Henry, William, John and Jerry were setting up the table for a game of Five Card Stud.
Bethia said, "Oh, the beer and cigar smoke is going to be all over the house!"
Eleanor said, "Come upstairs with me. We need to have a heart-to-heart with Rosamond. I certainly don't want to do this myself!'
Bethia knocked on Rose's door. No answer. "She must be sleeping."
Eleanor was a bit insistant. "Well, we need to see her first thing in the morning. We have GOT to put this to rest!"
Eleanor opened the door cautiously. Rosamond's bed was not slept in. Eleanor groaned. "Well, this is just great!"
Bethia pulled back the covers.
"Bethia, I swear you are getting ditzier! Do you actually think she flattened herself out and slipped in the covers like a steamroller pressed her out? Get real!"
"Well, where can she be?"
"Use your noodle. Billy Bob Montgomery is back in town. Where else WOULD she be? She slipped over to the Dew Drop Inn!"
"Uh, oh, and Daniel went to work there tonight." Bethia giggled. "Wouldn't you like to be a fly on the wall when that hits the fan?"
Eleanor grabbed a piece of paper and wrote on it--
Rosamond--I don't care what time you come in or what shape you are in. It is
VERY URGENT that I see you and I mean TONIGHT! Your entire future depends
on it!
Eleanor
She puckered up Rosamond's pillow and fastened it to the pillow with a hair clippie.
"If anything, it will get her curiosity up!" Bethia said with satisfaction.
Eleanor said, "Just hope the test results are negative." She sighed. "Sure would make life a whole lot easier around here--and maybe teach her a lesson in carelessness!"
The walked down the hall. "I swear, if this is negative the first thing I am going to do is march that girl to an ob-gyn. It's like having a fifteen year old in the house....."
Their whispered voices faded down the hall.


Daniel finished singing and held his gaze in Rosamond's eyes. He gave her a little smile and a wave. Billy Bob was busy talking to Bobby Joe and didn't notice.
"Gonna take a break now, folks," and put his guitar down. He jumped down off the stage and walked over to Billy Bob. He clapped him on the back.
"Hey, glad you're back, Billy Bob. You look real rested. Must have been a helluva trip for you!"
Billy Bob smiled. "Sure was!" He put his arm around Rosamond possessively.
Daniel smiled wickedly. "Yeah, Rosamond looks real rested, too. She said she went to the beach. Which one was it, honey?"
Rosamond ignored him.
The night progressed with Daniel and Billy Bob singing sets on stage. Rosamond did a few songs with Billy Bob.
About 1:00 AM things were wrapping up. Billy Bob grabbed Rosamond's hand and walked outside with her. Daniel was wrapping up his guitar cord and putting his guitar in its case. Billy Bob walked Rosamond over to her car.
He pulled her close to him. "Stay with me tonight, honey. Leave your car here and we can pick it up in the morning...or the afternoon....or the next day..." He tilted her chin towards him and kissed her.
"I-I can't, Sweetie. Not tonight. I'm still tired from the trip."
Billy Bob looked disappointed. But he opened the door for her and she got it. "OK, I understand. Just get a good night's sleep and I will talk to you tomorrow."
She drove off towards Chappaqua.
Daniel was leaving. Billy Bob walked over towards him. "I think we need to talk a minute, Daniel."
Daniel looked up at him, expectantly. "Yeah, I suppose this conversation is way overdue."
Billy Bob scuffed the gravel with his boot. "I heard from Rosamond that you and she had a....thing going on. However brief. She said it was nothing, and I want to get something straight between us. I like you, Daniel. You are a real straight shooter.
You are a fantastic guitar player and they are hard to come by. But understand this. Rosamond is with me now. Only me. She flew down to Austin to be with me. I love her. You can stay on as my guitar player, even do a few numbers. But if you put the move on Rosamond, I will beat the crap out of you."
"Are you threatening me, Billy Bob?"
"No, just a friendly warning. OK?" Billy Bob held out his hand.
Daniel shook it. "I consider myself warned."
With that he turned and got in his Jeep.




Rosamond sneaked into the kitchen and opened up a Pepsi. It seemed to settle her stomach. She tried to sneak up the stairs quietly but ran into Daniel who had just come in through the service door. They collided.
Rosamond had Pepsi splashed all over her and popcorn went flying. Daniel grabbed her arms.
"Whoops! Oh, Rosamond, I am so sorry! Are you OK?"
Rosamond bent down to pick up the popcorn kernels. "Why don't you watch where you are going, Daniel?"
Daniel stooped down to help her. They collide heads. "OUCH!"
Rosamond sat on the floor and started to tear up.
"Hey, honey, why are you crying?"
"I'm just so tired. I think I have a touch of the flu."
"Are you sure that's it?"
"Well, of course, what else would it be?"
"A guilty conscience?"
"Whatever for?"
"I talked with Billy Bob. I know you went to Austin." Daniel held up his hand. "Tut, tut, sweetheart, Billy Bob unwittingly confirmed it. He also threatened to 'beat the crap out of me' if I didn't leave you alone. Now, we can't have that, can we?"
"Well, so what if I was in Austin? What business is it of yours?"
"None, really, but I think it would be of interest to Billy Bob if he knew you spent Friday night with John. Jeez, Rosamond, Billy Bob's bed wasn't even cold!"
Rosamond turned on him in a fury. "Nothing went on! We stayed at a friend's house because we got caught in the storm. I'll deny it all, including the overnight stay and then you will be out of a job! I'll see to that! Or get the crap beaten out of you. Or both if I'm lucky!"
Daniel raised his eyebrows. "Why, Miss Rosamond, are you threatening me, too? Because if you are, I just may have to show my brother this!"
Daniel pulled the luggage tag out of his jeans pocket.
"Give that here!"
Daniel held it back. "Your secret is safe with me...for now. Just make sure I don't lose my job or get beat up. Or both. Consider it insurance."
Rosamond took the popcorn and flung it in Daniel's face. "Clean it up yourself, you pig!"
Daniel laughed and said, "One of these nights, Rosamond. We'll find out, pretty mama, what turns on your lights..."
She ran up the stairs and slammed her bedroom door.
Rosamond stepped out of her clothes and tried to slide into her bed. What is this stuck to my pillow? She flipped on the light, took the hair clippie out and read Eleanor's note. What the heck...? Aw, hell, as Daniel would say.
Rosamond slipped her robe on and looked both ways down the hall. No sign of Daniel.
She knocked on Eleanor's door. The light was still on. "Come in!"
Rose came in, Eleanor was sitting on the bed and she and Bethia were giving each other pedicures.
"Aren't you two up fairly late? Well, what is so earth-shattering?"
"Rose, where were you tonight?"
"At the Dew Drop with Billy Bob. Why?"
"We were just surprised you came home, in light of everything..."
"I'm tired, and I want to go to bed. So what do you want?" Rosamond said impatiently.
Eleanor said, "Sit down." Rose sat. Bethia cleared her throat and looked concerned.
"Will one of you tell me what is going on?"
Eleanor brought out a pregnancy kit.
"What's this for?" Rose said. She turned to Eleanor. "YOU?! And Jerry?...."
"NO, you ninny!"
Rose turned to Bethia. "Surely not YOU, Bethia!"
Bethia exclaimed, "Surely not!"
Eleanor said, "Rosamond, it's for you."
"Me? ME? Whyever for? Are you out of what is left of your mind, Eleanor? And Bethia..I can't believe you's support her in this hare-brained notion!"
Eleanor said calmly. "Rosamond, you have been light-headed, nauseous and even threw up a few times. You are exceptionally tired. And you aren't on the Pill! No one else around here has the flu. You got sick at the sight of caviar, John said. You didn't eat Chinese last night and that's your favorite. What else can it be?"
Rosamond said, "NO! NO WAY! I haven't been with Billy Bob long enough! Just take that notion and .."
Bethia looked at Eleanor. "Rose, we don't think it could possibly be Billy Bob's."
Rosamond turned white. "Oh, no! NO! NO WAY! I'm not with child so forget about taking that silly test!" She knocked the package out of Eleanor's hand and slammed the door behind her.
Bethia looked at Eleanor with worried eyes. "NOW what do we do?"
Eleanor said, "Give her time. I have to timetravel tomorrow and I will be busy with Marilyn so just keep an eye on her. Denial ain't just a river in Egypt you know."
And with that, they continued on their pedicure.
Rosamond went back to her room and turned out the light. How stupid could Eleanor and Bethia be? She slipped under the covers and grabbed another Maalox.


Rosamond slept in that morning. It was Saturday and there was no taping. It was almost noon when she got up. She sat up and felt nauseous. Damn flu!
She eased out of bed and into the shower. She let the hot water run over her.
How dumb can El and Bethia be? And how stupid do they think I am?
She got dressed and went downstairs. Bethia was in the other room working a crossword puzzle. She looked up but decided to let Eleanor handle this problem.
"Where is everyone, Bethia?"
"Well, the four of them went to pick up Marilyn Monroe in the year 1961. Daniel went to the music store, said they were having a sale on Les Peter and Stratocaster guitars."
"Les Paul, not Peter"
"Oh. And John took his car to the dealership for some repairwork. Said he would be gone for awhile. Henry is in his castle writing words to all of Luke's symphonies and is setting them to jazz fusion, like Steely Dan."
Bethia bit her lip. "Rosamond, did you give any thought to what El and I talked to you about last night?"
"Yes, I did. And to shut you up and not have to listen to it anymore, I will take your stupid old pregnancy test."
Bethia sighed with relief. "Oh, good! It says you are supposed to take it first thing in the morning, I guess the HCG hormone is more concentrated then."
Rosamond made a face. "And after this we never ever speak of something so stupid again!"

The rest of the day passed uneventfully. Rosamond decided to clean out her closet.
While she was knee deep in clothes and shoes, Billy Bob called.
"Hey, Sugah, did you sleep well?"
"Well, I guess I was all too keyed up to go right to sleep. I-I guess I have alot on my mind."
"Something wrong, honey?"
"N-no, I have a cousin coming in from California today. I haven't seen her in a while."
Billy Bob sounded disappointed. "I was going to ask you to dinner tonight. Can't you come?"
Rosamond was fighting nauseousness. "Oh, sweetheart, I would love to. But I have to stay here. How about a raincheck?"
Billy Bob was quiet. "Rose, are you trying to avoid me?"
"Heavens no! Why would you say that?"
"Well, you turned me down for last night, and now tonight...."
"Darling, I am just really tired. Don't forget, I have a heavy work schedule next week. Taping was cancelled Friday and we have to work doubly hard."
Billy Bob brightened. "OK, I understand. I'll call you tomorrow if I don't talk to you tonight. I love you."
"I love you too."
Rosamond thought, WHEN that stupid test turns out negative, I should just blow this popsicle stand, dump both John and Daniel and straighten out my life!
But in between the nauseousness, she knew she could never leave.


**************************************************


La-La Land Here We Come!!!.........by Coralynn

William has briefed everyone on what they are to do when they get to Hollywood, and the moment for the time-traveling has arrived.
Jerry is beaming at Eleanor, "This is going to be a blast!" he exudes.
"I think you'll enjoy it, Jerry," she comments, "You remember 1961, though, don't you? You're the only person in the group who actually does. This will be quite an experience, visiting the fairly recent past. You may be able to fill us in on what was going on that year, too."
"True," he agrees, "I remember the summer of 1962, hearing that Marilyn Monroe had died of an overdose of sleeping pills plus booze. Theories differ on whether it was an accident or on purpose or whether she may have been murdered. I don't think it would be wise to fill her in on all this yet, though. She'll have plenty to deal with as it is."
"You people ready to go or are you two going to keep yammering?" William is impatient.
Eleanor and Jerry chuckle and fall quiet.

The group of 4 join hands and soon the air is turning colors and spinning. Jerry is amazed.
When they drop hands they are standing smack in the middle of Hollywood Boulevard.
Quickly they run to the nearest sidewalk.
"Almost got us killed, William!" Luke complains.
William ignores that and pulls from his pocket the address of the movie studio at which Marilyn is making her "last" movie. The one which was never released because she died when it was only half finished.
"OK, it's Sept 1961, remember that, everyone. She is just beginning to make this movie. I think she has just filmed one scene. We're going to have to be very persuasive to get her to come with us under the circumstances. Now, do you all know what you're supposed to do and who you're supposed to BE?"
Luke looks down forlornly, "I don't want to be the Director of the Picture, though, William. Can't I pass myself off as the composer of the music?"
"This is just tempoary, Luke. No matter what you claim to be, it's going to be a lie, so just roll with it here, will you? None of that intense stuff, now, ya hear?"

They soon arrive at the studio.
William has fake credentials and after the guard at the front gate looks them over thoroughly, waves them through.
Challenge one successfully met. On to the next one, waiting to meet Marilyn.
"She may be in the comissary lunchroom OR in her trailor," William tells them, "It's about noon, so let's find the trailor first."
The biggest, fanciest one may be it, so they approach the lavish trailor and knock gently on the door.
The blondest woman any of them had ever seen slowly opens the door a crack and sticks out her head with an inquisitive look on her face.
"Do I know you?" she asks.
"We're from a new Studio, Great American Films, and would like to offer you a part in "Macbeth", William lies.
Her eyes grow big and round, "Macbeth?? Nobody ever thinks I can be in any movie that serious. Come in, come in!"
They enter her trailor which is large and opulent.
Marilyn sees Eleanor, and addresses her next question directly to her, "Are you appearing in the movie, too? You're quite striking. Would you be playing Lady Macbeth?"
"No," Eleanor tells her, "YOU would be playing Lady Macbeth. I am simply the costume designer."
"That must be a fun job!" Marilyn says with glee, "You get to make up all those beautiful clothes! Does Lady Macbeth get to wear great looking clothes?"
"The greatest!" Eleanor tells her what she thinks Marilyn wants to hear.

Marilyn sees Jerry and sidles over to him. "You look like Paul Newman, ARE you Paul Newman? How I would love to be in a picture with YOU if you are!"
"No, my name is Jerry and I'm the assistant Producer. William here is the Producer, and Luke is the Director."
Luke has been staring at Marilyn from the moment she stuck her head out the door, and is still gazing at her, transfixed.
"Does your Director ever speak??" Marilyn inquires, as the man is struck dumb at the sight of her.
William nudges Luke and whispers, "Speak!!"
"I am the Director, and I......I......" Luke stammers.
"Oh well," Marilyn flounces, "I have that effect on some people. I'm sure he's a perfectly wonderful Director!"
Luke smiles, but still can't get words out.
"I wish I didn't have to finish THIS movie first, though," she complains, "It's another silly sex romp. This time they make me swim nude in a pool. Ooooooo, I don't wanna do that!"
Eleanor thinks to herself, "Well, just spend some time around Rose and you may change your tune."

William gets his 'sincere' look and takes Marilyn's hands, "You are too great an actress to have to disrobe for a movie role, my dear. If you accompany us to our Studio I know we can get you out of your contract for this movie."
Marilyn shakes her head and looks dubious, "You don't know how fierce these studios can BE about things like that!"
Then she adds, "Hey, it's lunchtime. We can go to a great restaurant I just found and talk about it more!"
They all follow her to her 'great restaurant' and sit waiting for the waitress.
"Before we eat, though, before we even order, we should pray over the food," Marilyn announces, "So that we are protected against food poisoning! Come on, let's take hands around the table and ask a blessing!"
The four time travelers cannot believe their good fortune. It may be a little early for this step, but it is so perfect that no one is surprised when they see William slip the coin into his left palm.
Marilyn begins to pray over the food; the air turns color and swirls, which all but knocks the approaching waitress on her backside.
"Holy Mother of God!" the poor woman declares and clutches the side of the table, upending it.
The air clears and the five people are.......gone.


The swirling air has made Marilyn close her eyes, and when she opens them again, she looks around her in confusion.
"What just happened??"
This is the part everyone has been dreading. How do you explain to someone that less than a year later she would have died had they not gotten her out of her timeframe?
Marilyn looks imploringly at Eleanor. "All I did was bless the food; why am I now standing in someone's back yard? I didn't pray that hard!"
Eleanor puts an arm around Marilyn's shoulder, "This is time travel. We brought you 41 years into the future."
"The future? That's wild!!" Marilyn is impressed, but still somewhat alarmed. "Why, though?"
"Come in the house with us and I'll try to explain," Eleanor tells her as they all walk toward the back door.

Rosamond is home, as are Bethiah, John and Daniel. They look up and see the new arrival and smile at her, "Welcome!" they say cheerfully.
"Thank you, I guess," Marilyn sits at the kitchen table, "Who are you all?"
"You've already met me, and William and Luke and Jerry, and the others are Bethiah, Rosamond, John and Daniel."
"This is a big family!!" Marilyn exclaims, "Are you all brothers and sisters?"
"No. We're all friends, though," Bethia comes over to where Marilyn is sitting and takes the adjoining seat.
"We're all friends with the exception of Daniel over there. Stay away from him; he's trouble."
"But he looks just like the other man, what's your name, John?"
"Twins!" John explains, "I'm the good twin, Daniel is the bad one."
"Fine, but why am I 41 years into the future?" Marilyn still hasn't had that explained.

"Let me take Marilyn to my room where we'll be able to talk privately," Eleanor suggests.
They go up to Eleanor's room, where Marilyn sits on the bed, looking at Eleanor expectantly.
"We brought you to 2002 because in Aug of 1962 you would have died of barbituates, Marilyn. I'm sure it was an accidental overdose, but it killed you regardless."
"But if I'm dead, how come I'm still alive?"
"Alternate realities. I know this is a difficult concept, but that's the explanation. I was supposed to have died in 1204, and there must be a body in the crypt, but I'm not there."
"1204?? WOW. Why did you jump ahead so many years?"
"I was in some danger also, Marilyn, though not as much as you find yourself in in 1962, but enough for me to want to time travel. William, you know William, who said he was a movie Producer? He knows how to time travel."
"IS he a producer, though?"
"No, actually, he isn't. Sorry he had to lie like that, but we wanted to rescue you."
"You picked me out to rescue? Why me?"
"I saw some of your movies," Eleanor lies,as no way is she going to tell the woman that Luke has the hots for her, "And thought it was unfair that as talented and beautiful a woman as yourself should die at the age of 36."
"OH? Which movies did you see?"
"The Seven Year Itch and Some Like it Hot. You were amazing in both of them."
"I was good, wasn't I?" then Marilyn frowns, "But no one would let me play really heavy drama the way I wanted to. They thought all I knew how to do was wiggle my fanny. It was horrible. Do you think they'll let me be in serious movies now?"
"Time will tell, but for now just rest, get used to your new surroundings and if William has it planned right, your very own bedroom should be ready to move into."
"You built me a bedroom?"
"William did."
Marilyn's eyes tear up, "No one ever showed me that kind of consideration. How can I ever thank him?"
"Just a simple thank you will suffice. He doesn't need a lot of thanking. He goes around doing considerate things all the time."
She doesn't go on to say that William has house rules and thinks he's some kind of father figure. Let Marilyn find that out for herself.


Marilyn sits quietly, digesting this new information.
"So it's now 2002? I should be 76 years old, but I'm not! This is rather incredible."
"And guess what?" Eleanor leans over closer.
"What??"
"Because you are not in your original timeframe you will never age past this very day!"
Marilyn's mouth flies open, "Hot damn!!" she says in glee.
"Hot damn indeed, girlfriend!!"
"Is everyone here a time traveler?"
"Everyone but Jerry. He was born in this timeframe."
"He's handsome!! Is he your boyfriend, Eleanor?"
"Yes," she answers, which is a slight exaggeration, but she doesn't want Marilyn to go after Jerry not only because it would devastate Luke, but she also wouldn't appreciate it.
"He's a hunk!!" Marilyn exudes, "Do they still say 'hunk'?"
"As a matter of fact, they do!" Eleanor laughs.
"Well, then, Eleanor, you have yourself one hunky boyfriend. I hope I can find one as good in 2002. Those men back 41 years ago exploited me. I was a fool to let them. But I won't be foolish anymore, no sir!"
"That's the spirit!!" Eleanor is beginning to like this woman.
"What about Luke? He has a rather soulful face?"
"Oh yes, Luke is full of soul. He writes music, too. You'll like him a lot!" Eleanor is hoping against hope.
"John and Daniel are also handsome," Marilyn states, "Are they going with anyone?"
Eleanor pauses, then, in the interest of keeping Marilyn focused on Luke, answers, "John and Rosamond are a couple. Daniel is no good, you don't want him."
"How can I tell the difference, though?"
"Daniel has a big scar on his chest."
"What if he has his shirt on?"
"To make it simple, Marilyn, both men are off limits. OK?"
"OK."
"Are the other women in the house as nice as you?"
"Bethia and Rosamond are extremely nice, Marilyn, in fact, Rosamond has been told she looks like you."
"How great! Let's go back out in the other room so I can look at her again."
They walk out of the bedroom back into the kitchen, where Bethia is stirring a huge pot of spaghetti sauce.
Marilyn walks over to Bethia, and comments, "How divine! I love spaghetti! You must be a great cook!"
Bethia smiles at her and admits, "The sauce comes in big jars, but I do add a few extra spices, and it does smell good, doesn't it?"
"Divine!!"
Rosamond joins them.
"Now I get to see who everyone says I look like!" she begins, "I can see a little resemblance!"
"Ohhh, I think it's our figures," Marilyn tells her, "We both are built like brick shithouses, but your face is much prettier than mine."
"Brick what?"
Marilyn laughs, "Back in the 1950s they used to say a woman with an hourglass figure was built like a brick shithouse. I never could figure out why!"
"That's a hoot!" Rosamond is warming up to the newly arrived house-mate, especially since Marilyn told her that she thought Rose was prettier than she was.

Marilyn looks around the living room.
"You guys still have television, oh good!!" she is getting excited.
"But what are all those boxes near it?"
"One is a VCR player," Bethia explains, "You can get a movie on video tape and stick it in that box and it plays on your TV set."
"Do MY movies play in that box?"
"They do! People never forgot you. People still have fan clubs for you."
"After all these years??" Marilyn is incredulous. "Why?"
"Must be they loved you a lot." Bethia tells her.
Marilyn tears up again, then a realization overcomes her, "Then they will recognize me if I go out in public! Is that good or bad?"
Jerry gets into the conversation, "They'll meet you and tell you that you're a dead-ringer for Marilyn Monroe. You'll just say 'thank you' and smile."
"That'll work?!"
"Hope so, Marilyn. We could always get you a dark brown wig and buy the largest pair of sunglasses on the market and put you in shapeless old-lady clothes if that would make you feel more secure."
Marilyn shudders visibily, "Ohhhh noooooo, I would rather be recognized than go around looking like a frump. Do they still say 'frump'?"
"I think so," Jerry laughs, "But for now let us simply enjoy this marvelous meal Beth has prepared. I did up a salad and we can defrost a cheesecake for dessert!"
"I'm FAMISHED!" Marilyn kicks off her heels and with great gusto, sits at the table, smiling.
William is thinking, "Thank goodness ONE of the people kidnapped out of her own timeframe is happy about it!"
Luke is still staring at her, speechless.


Everyone eats heartily, which keeps conversation to a minimum, but when the cheesecake is placed on the table, they sit back and relax.
"That was the best meal I've ever had!" Marilyn exclaims.
William then gets into the conversation. "Marilyn, we have a new bedroom for you, which, fortunately has been furnished, and Bethia did some research on your clothing size and has had many outfits delivered here to the house. They've arrived, haven't they, Beth?"
"Yes!" Beth is happy to announce, "They're still in cartons, though. After dinner let's you and me go unpack them and hang them in your closet."
"You people thought of everything!" Marilyn is amazed. "What if I hadn't come with you, though, what if you hadn't been able to find me? What would you have done then?"
William answers, "We would have stayed in Hollywood until we did find you....we were prepared to search for days if it came to that."
"But why ME?!"
As Marilyn glances around the table at everyone she can't help but notice the look on Luke's face, and asks him, "Are you alright? You have a glazed look in your eyes. Was the time travel hard on you?"
Luke clears his throat to speak, but nothing comes out.
"You poor man, you must be tense, here, let me give you a backrub!" she goes over and stands behind his chair and proceeds to rub his neck and shoulders. Luke is still speechless, and he tries not to writhe in pleasure too much. Must'nt let her know what a powerful effect she has on him. That might scare her off.
"There!" she says as she returns to her chair, "All fixed!!"

The cheesecake is soon devoured. Marilyn volunteers to clean up the dishes, but is told not to, but to go to her room and unpack her new clothes.
Bethia and Marilyn proceed to the new bedroom.
"This is a nice, cozy room!" she looks around at it, then flings open the door to the walk-in closet.
"I could live in this closet, it's so big!" she goes in and proceeds to dance around in it.
Bethia is opening the cartons sent by the store and this soon becomes more interesting than the size of the closet.
They pull out one outfit after the other. Bethia has forgotten nothing. Shoes, bags, hosiery, dresses, skirts, blouses, jeans, casual tops, gowns, bathing suit....the list goes on.
Marilyn holds a light turquoise gown up in front of her and admires it in the full length mirror.
"How did you know these were good colors for me? You're a genius, Bethia!!"
"I did some research. Actually, Eleanor helped me do it on the computer before we left to find you."
"What's a computer? I think I saw one once at the studio. It took up an entire floor of a building! Do you have access to something like that?"
"Wait till you see!" Bethia tells her, "They now have them so small the whole thing fits on a desk or counter in your own home."
"And on that thing you found out what clothes I like to wear?"
"Yep! We went through hundreds of pictures of you to see what looked the best on you. It was fun!"
"This bathing suit is a knockout!" Marilyn holds up the white one-piece suit, "And I get to be all covered up! I never liked bikinis. Do you like them, Beth?"
"I prefer one piece suits myself," Bethia admits, "Easier. You don't have to hold in your stomach as hard, either!"
Marilyn goes into peals of laughter, "You are so funny, Beth. Maybe we can go swimming somewhere together soon."
"We have a pool in the back yard."
"You people have everything!" Marilyn is becoming happier by the moment.

"Bethia, Eleanor said everyone but Jerry is a time traveler. What time did you come from?"
"1640 Southold, Long Island. But Eleanor and Rose and William come from way back in the 11th and 12th Centuries in England."
"Eleanor said she would have died in 1204, and probably did, but now she's here, which is confusing, but I'll go along with it. After all, look at ME. But you, Bethia, did you live with those Puritans or Pilgrims or whoever they were?"
"Puritans," Bethia informs her, "They were a difficult group to live among because anything vaguely resembling fun was considered sinful."
Marilyn makes a distastful face, "How horrible. I would have lasted maybe an hour with people like that, maybe less! Eleanor and Rose and William lived a powerful long time ago. Were they peasants? They don't seem to act like peasants, but I heard that way back then most people were."
"No, they were Kings and Queens, at least William and Eleanor were. Rose was King Henry2's mistress."
"They brought a Madam with them?"
"No, she was his mistress, she didn't run a brothel. She plays a prostitute on a TV show, though."
"She's on TV? Is it a soap opera? I remember soap operas. I used to love to watch them between shoots of my scenes. But just when I'd get really into a story, someone would call for me to appear on the set, so I was never able to follow the plot from day to day. Talk about frustrating!"
"Rose is on a soap opera. You and I can watch it together starting tomorrow. You'll love it."
"I have to get a job, though, Bethia, I can't live off your generosity," Marilyn sits on the bed and looks concerned.
"Sure you can!" Beth jumps in quickly, "I won a huge lottery and have kajillions of dollars. You can get a job, but there's no hurry. Take a while to just be on Vacation and learn more about 2002."
"This is incredible! I feel like I've died and gone to Heaven!" Marilyn exclaims, then puts her hand over her mouth and giggles.

Rosamond knocks at the bedroom door, "Hey, you two, come on out and see a movie with us. We're going to watch "The Seven Year Itch!"
Both women jump up and run back into the living room as the first credits begin to appear on the TV set.


Everyone watches the movie together. There is "oohhhhhhing" and "ahhhhhhing" over the best parts, with several people telling MM "That scene was great!" and so forth.
After the movie ends, Luke stands up reluctantly and puts on his light overcoat.
"Going somewhere?" MM asks him.
He nods in the direction of the Castle. She goes to the window and looks out. "Look at that!! A Castle! That's incredible! Do you live there?"
Luke nods yes, but still can't speak.
William explains, "Henry8 built that monstrosity and asked Luke to move in with him. They have a jazz combo, those 2 and Bill, who was once President."
"I don't recall a President named Bill...." MM is confused, "I remember one named Jack......oooooo......let's not even think about him!"
"You'll meet him at some time, as well as Henry8", William says.
"Is that the Henry the Eighth who sent some of his wives to the chopping block?" MM is shocked.
Eleanor links arms with her and says, "One and the same! Don't worry, you don't have to deal with him. If you don't marry him, that is...."
Both women laugh.
"It's not likely!" MM's eyes grow big.
Luke takes his leave, glancing back at the house the whole time he is walking over to the Castle.
"Luke seems sad," MM comments, "Should we cheer him up? Can I help?"
"Just be friendly," Eleanor suggests, "And let him play music for you. He really IS good!"
"I love musicians," MM muses, "I married a ballplayer and a playwright, but never a musician.....maybe that was the problem."
"I'M a musician," Daniel approaches her, "I sing at the Dew Drop Inn!" He puts his arm around her possessively.
She whirls suddenly and slams a blow right into his jaw. He gasps and steps back, his hands flying to the injured area.
"Do it again, buddy, and you'll get this!" she then punches him in the eye.
His hands fly to that area.
He retreats to the other side of the room.
"What is her problem?!" he asks no one in particular.
Eleanor walks up and gets right in his face, "She knows a letch when she sees one and you, buster, are IT. She may be soft, but she's strong, got it??"
Daniel is still stricken and replies in a soft voice, "got it."
"GOOD!" All four women say at once and march out of the room.

When the women are inside MM's new room, she asks, "That was the bad twin I punched, wasn't it? I hope it wasn't John by mistake."
"John wouldn't behave like that," Rosamond tells her, "It was Daniel for sure."
Bethia asks Eleanor, "Do you think tomorrow is soon enough for me to move my stuff into my new bedroom?"
"No rush, Bethie. Actually, I'll kind of miss you."
"Maybe the four of us can have pajama parties!" MM says, her eyes shining.
"What are those?" Bethia asks.
"Wellllll, gals get together in their pajamas and sit around doing each other's hair, they make s'mores and eat so many they feel sick, then they gossip about their boyfriends, and they put each other's bras in the freezer! It's a blast!"
"We'll definitely have to try that, then," Eleanor laughs and goes toward the door.
Rosemond and Bethia start out as well.
"Nighty night, Marilyn! If you need anything, anything at all, just come to one of our rooms, OK?"
"OK, thanks, ladies. What a day, huh? Whew!" and with that she falls back on her bed and falls instantly asleep.



Rosamond: Postive or Negative??.........by Terri


Rosamond woke up at 7:00 AM sharp. May as well get this over with and shut the two of them up. Honestly, it's like being with Lucy and Ethel sometimes!
She sat on the edge of the bed and immediately fell back. Whoa, this flu is really getting me down! She sat up again and threw a sweatshirt and tights on.
Silently she padded down the hall and knocked quietly on Eleanor's door.
Eleanor opened the door.
"Well, I didn't think you'd show!"
"Well, I did and let's get this over with. I fully expect an apology from you and Bethia. "Then I'll go get her."
Eleanor slipped down the hall and knocked on Bethia's door. Bethia was waiting for her in her quilted robe. "Thank goodness! I have been up since 6:00 AM waiting for you to come get me!" She closed her door and followed Eleanor.
Eleanor passed John and Daniel's door and put her finger to her lips. "Not a word or a noise!"
Rosamond sat at the edge of the bed. "I am doing this just to show how stupid you two have become! I think you have been watching too many commercials."
Then Rosamond started mocking the EPT commercial. In a falsetto voice, she said,
"Oh, I can't concentrate! Could I be pregnant?" She changed back to her regular voice. "If that was the cause 50% of all men in the U.S. would be preggers! Besides, I never got sick with Will. That was a breeze!"
Eleanor unwrapped the stick and gave Rosamond a cup.
"What the heck is THIS for?"
Eleanor explained the procedure.
Rosamond sighed and went into the bathroom. She came out a minute later.
Eleanor said, "We have to wait five minutes. If it is clear, YOU are in the clear. If there is a double line, we got trouble right here in River City!"
"Huh?"
"Never mind, just an expression."
They all sat and looked at the clock.
When the timer went off, they all jumped.
Rose stood up. "I'll show you that the two of you are wrong!"
She went into the bathroom.
Eleanor knocked on the door after a minute. "Rose? Come out or I break the door down.
Rosamond came out white as a sheet. She leaned her head against the door frame.
She held out the stick.
Double lined.
"Heaven help me, I am pregnant!"
There was a pause and then a sob broke from Rosamond.
Bethia rushed over to her and threw her arms around Rose.
"Oh, honey--don't worry. We'll think of something."
Eleanor was more practical. She led Rosamond to a chair and thrust a calendar at her.
"Rose, when did you last have a period?"
Rosamond wiped her face with her sleeve. "Right around here, the first week of August. I never had been that regular."
Tears ran down Rosamond's face. Eleanor pointed to the calendar. "That was the week before we went to England. You were with...Daniel....here. And John.....here. I know because that was the day that William lost his roses. I had to reorder them from England right away."
Rosamond shook her head. "No, it's Billy Bob's baby, It HAS to be!"
Eleanor gave her a withering look. "Didn't you mother tell you anything, Rose? When did you start getting sick?"
"When I was in Austin."
"So there is a slim possibility it is Henry's baby."
It was hard to tell if Rosamond was green or white. She whispered, "Oh, please, don't let it be his..."
Bethia sighed. "Looks like it is either Daniel or John's baby, Rosamond."
Rosamond sunk to the floor in a dead faint.

Outside the door there was a shadow. The person stood in the doorway with his ear pressed against the door. Daniel had heard every word.

Eleanor and Bethia helped Rosamnd to the bed. She stretched out and cried into Eleanor's pillow.
"What am I going to DO?"
Eleanor and Bethia looked at each other and shrugged.
"What do you WANT to do, Rose?"
She sat up. "Please, please, PLEASE! Not a word to anyone. Especially not to Daniel or John. Daniel would never do the right thing and John would do it out of a sense of duty. I can't live like that."
Eleanor, ever the practical one, said, "First thing we do is find an OB for you. But Rose, you can't hide this pregnancy forever. Some decisions are to be made. Do you have a clue as to which twin is the father?"
This started a whole crying jag again. "I spent time with both of them within three days. There is a chance it is either one of them. Now, the way things go for me, what are the chances? Most likely it is Daniel's baby."
Daniel stood outside the door and almost dropped his gymbag. A baby? A father? ME? I slipped one past the goalie? He was a little frightened....and a little proud.


"Did you hear a noise?" Eleanor said.
She opened up her door and glanced down the hallway. Nothing.
"Just thought I heard something."
Bethia said, "Rose, do you want to stay in here for a while?"
Rose said, "I don't know what I want. I have the most wonderful guy in the world in love with me. He intends to marry me. I also have a man who is probably the closest I have ever been to a man. He says we should have gotten married a long time ago. Then there is Henry the lecher from the 13th Century. Heaven help me if he is the father. It would probably be a child of..a child of...."
She dissolved into fresh tears. "But probably not. Most likely it is Daniel's baby. Oh, what am I going to do?" she wailed.
"You are going to dry those tears and go down to breakfast and act as though nothing is wrong. If that is what you want. Or you can stand up in front of everyone and declare you have a little package for Daniel! Or John!"
Rosamond stood up and straightened her spine. "Not a word to anyone. I wonder if I can keep this nausea a secret for a few weeks. After all, I am probably only a few weeks pregnant..."
"Rose, what do you intend to do?"
Rosamond put her hand on the doorknob. "Keeping my options open."
She closed the door and headed back to her room.


Daniel stepped out of his room after hearing Rosamond's door shut.
Well, I'll be! He thought. Wonder what old Billy Bob would think if he knew his Tequila Rose was standing behind a baby. And not his--but mine! Then he smiled widely. Never mind what Billy Bob would say, what would JOHN say? Looks like I have finally settled past scores with him. I'd say we were even!
It was Sunday morning and it was one of William's rules that everyone meet together for breakfast.
William had made Eggs Benedict and Canadian bacon with a side of grits and hash browns.
Eleanor and Bethia were in the kitchen by the coffeemaker whispering. When Daniel approached they hushed up.
Daniel filled his coffee cup and sat down. "Where's Rosamond?"
Eleanor looked at Bethia. "She'll be down."
"That's some powerful flu she has. Any idea when she'll get over it?"
Bethia said under her breath to Eleanor, "April"
Daniel said, "What?"
"Nothing. I said 'DayQuil'. That will help her flu."
John came down. "Where's our new houseguest?"
William scraped the eggs out of the pan. "She's had a busy time. It takes a few days to adjust to timetravel. Kind of like jetlag. So we are letting her sleep in this morning.
Luke and Henry had some things to do this morning so I told them to go ahead. They said they would get breakfast in town."
Rosamond came down, looking like death warmed over but with her chin up and head held high.
Daniel rushed over to pull the chair out for her. John glared at him.
"Here, Rose. Go ahead and sit down!"
Rosamond looked at him suspiciously. "Thank you."
John glared at Daniel as he took the only available seat next to Rosamond.
William looked over at Daniel's face. "Whatever happened to your eye and your jaw? You've been brawling?"
John raised his hands, "Hey, don't look at me! Not that I wouldn't like to.."
Daniel said sheepishly, "I was getting something out of the top closet and a bowling ball rolled out and hit me square in the face."
The three women looked at each other and tried to keep from smiling.
Daniel got up. "More milk, Rosamond? Can I get you anything while I am up?"
John stood, too, and walked over to the refrigerator where Daniel had opened the door.
"Just what are you trying to pull with this 'nice guy' routine?"
Daniel looked surprised. "Why? What is so surprising?"
"This concern for Rosamond. You could care less. You used her and then spit her out." John slapped Daniel upside the head.
Daniel glared at him. "Dare to take it outside, Brother dear?"
"Love to, you a----." John hissed.
William looked up from his breakfast. "Trouble, you two?"
Daniel yelled over his shoulder, "Nothing I can't handle, Billy!"
William got red in the face because the one thing he couldn't stand was to be called 'Bill' let alone 'Billy'.
The two brothers walked out the door, shoving each other all the way.
When they turned the corner out of sight of the breakfast room, Daniel took a swing at John. John ducked and ran headlong into Daniel's stomach. Daniel pushed him and John fell on his back and Daniel jumped to do a full-Nelson on him but John rolled out of the way. John and Daniel punched their way across the lawn and when they got near the pool edge, John gave a final shove to Daniel. But Daniel had grabbed John's collar and dragged him into the pool with him.
They continued to push each other under the water.
"Damn you, leave her alone!..."
"Like hell, I will, you don't have exclusive rights anymore....!'
William ran out, squawking and flapping his arms like a chicken. He waved his napkin in their faces. "STOP! STOP! I say!"
Eleanor threw down her napkin and looked out the window. "I see the bullies are on the playground at recess. I say we let them kill each other and then one problem would be solved!"
Bethia jumped up. "Rose! The fathers of your baby are going to kill each other!"
Rosamond sat there nibbling on her toast. "That's nice."


William leaned over to separate the twins and lost his balance and fell in. He sputtered but to no avail. The Gwinnett boys continued to pummel each other.
Eleanor sighed and got up calmly from the table. She loaded her stungun into her waistband and marched out like she was heading for the OK Corral.
She calmly said, "If you three don't get out of there now, I am going to give you all the shock of your lives!" They ignored her so Eleanor put the gun in the pool water and zapped it.
"YOW!"
It broke up the fight immediately. "OK, all three of you get out!"
William struggled up the pool ladder. John and Daniel continued to shove each other to be the first to get out.
Eleanor shook her head. "I expected more maturity out of the two of you. Look what you did to poor William!"
William sat there with a glazed look on his face. He was totally vegged out.
John pushed Daniel one last time and this time Daniel slapped John upside the head.
John looked carefully at William. He sighed. "Better get the orange juice and lots of Allman Brothers!" Daniel wipes the water from his face. "Allman Brothers, nothing! The man needs beer and Metallica!"

Meanwhile, Rosamond was hanging her head over the sink. Bethia was patting her on the back.
Rosamond turned to Bethia. "I am only 22. My life is over." She moaned.
Bethia led her back to the table. "Why don't you lay your cards on the table, Rose?
John wil do the right thing by you."
Rosamond shook her head. "If he ever knew for sure about Billy Bob and Austin, he'd walk out of my life forever."
"Maybe not. I think he loves you enough to realize what has happened to you. He was with you every step of the way in England. He accepts little Will and thinks of him as almost his son!"
Bethia bit her lip. "Can a DNA test be done on a baby?"
"I don't know. But hush up! Here they come!"
Daniel and John were dripping wet. Daniel had a bloody nose and John was sporting a matching black eye. His shirt collar was ripped and both of them were squishing in their shoes. Eleanor was leading William to a chair.
"What happened to HIM?"
"Something shocked him."
Rosamond panicked, "You didn't tell him, did you? Please say you didn't...."
John looked at Rosamond. "Tell William what?"
Daniel turned away.
Eleanor said, "Tell William that Rosamond never liked his grits and that if he made them once more she was going to do donuts on his rosebed. You know how sensitive William is about his cooking. No, Rose, he just tried to break up a fight between Romulus and Remus here."
Daniel grinned, "Which one of us were you rooting for, Sugah?"
"William. After all, we could use the eggs!"
With that, she threw her breakfast in the trash. She threw her napkin down and went upstairs to make a phone call.
"Hello?"
"Hey, stud! It's me."
"Sweetheart, I was just getting ready to call you!"
"I have the day free, Billy Bob. Let's do something."
Billy Bob said, "I know a wonderful little seafood restaurant on Long Island Sound. Owned by a cousin off mine."
"Sounds great! Listen, William is in a foul mood. How about I drive up to your place and we go from there."
"Sounds terrific."
"Billy Bob?"
"Yes, Tequila Sunrise?"
"I-I don't have to go straight home."
Billy Bob smiled. "Do I put champagne on ice?"
"Sounds wonderful, I will be there in about 45 minutes.
Billy Bob hung up the phone. I'm sure Jameson will like her!


************************************************************


MM and Her Pals..........by Coralynn

Morning comes quiety, with gentle sunlight shining through the maple tree leaves.
Marilyn opens her eyes and tries to orient herself, "where am I?" she wonders, then a minute later realizes where she is.
She looks at the bed-stand clock and is surprised to see it's already 10 am.
Leaping out of bed, throwing on the beautiful robe Bethia furnished her, she goes into her bathroom, splashes water on her face and brushes her teeth.
"Well, well," she tells herself, "Your first full day in 2002. Up and at 'em!
Her room is on the first floor, and she peeks her head out the bedroom door to see who may be there.
Looks pretty quiet. A big change from last night.
She hears someone in the kitchen, though, so she carefully enters the room, hoping it isn't Daniel. It isn't, it's an older woman, who seems to be cleaning.
"HI!" she greets the woman cheerfully, "I'm Marilyn, who are you?"
"Why, I'm Celeste, dear, I clean and babysit for the family. Rose has a 4-yr old son, little Will. He'll be back from camp any day now. I knew you were coming, so I fixed your favorite breakfast."
"You knew I was coming?" MM is surprised.
"I tend to be very psychic," Celeste says matter-of-factly, "And I saw you arrive in my mind."
"Then you know all about me," MM says as she sits at the table and starts in on the scrambled eggs. "Yummy. You made them just the way I like them!"

Bethia hears voices and strides into the kitchen.
"Sleep well?" she asks MM.
"Like a log!! I can't believe I slept so late! Is everyone else gone to their jobs?"
"I think so," Bethia says as she pours herself a cup of coffee and joins MM at the table.
"But you don't have to work because you won a huge lottery?"
"I don't have to, actually, but I'm designing a line of women's clothing because I've always wanted to and now that I don't have to go to a regular job, I can devote more time to designing. I need a manufacturer, though. But that'll come!"
"I'd love to see your designs!" MM is enthusiastic. "Can you sew a sample copy of some of them?"
"I have a couple already sewn, and you know, they'd look sensational on you! I have to go into Manhattan today; wanna come along?"
"I sure do! I love that city. Should I wear a black wig or something? You know, so people don't recognize me?"
"I was thinking about that, Marilyn, and don't think you need to disguise yourself. The rumors that you never died at all mean that if you showed up today, you'd be 76 years old. No way do you look 76. We can pass you off as a Marilyn-look-alike."
"Are there other Marilyn look-alikes?"
"Oh yes, some people make a living being your look-alike."
MM wrinkles up her nose, "That sounds pretty silly to me!"
"It's a silly world!" Bethia laughs, "Let's just wear pants and jackets today. No big dressing up."
"PANTS?" Marilyn is scandalized, "Just pants with no slacks over them??"
"Slacks?" Bethia is confused.
Celeste comes to their rescue, "What we call pants today used to be called slacks, and what we call panties now used to be called pants before."
"Yeah?!" both women say, then shake their heads, and go into their rooms to get dressed.

Bethia has a car pick them up and take them into the City. MM looks out the windows all the way in, making appreciative comments about the countryside.
Soon the two women are walking down one of the busy streets.
"What are we in Manhattan for?" MM asks.
"I thought you might want to pick out one outfit yourself. One that appeals especially to you. I picked out the others, you know. I want you to have what you want."
"How perfectly wonderful you are, Beth. OH this is going to be fun!" she fairly dances down the sidewalk in her glee.

On one of the street corners, a TV crew is interviewing someone about a recent controversy, getting the opinion of "the man on the street."
The reporter is concentrating on what this one lady is expressing, when suddenly he spots Bethia and Marilyn.
He motions for the cameraman to pan over to them.
"If I didn't know better, I would swear that was Marilyn Monroe coming down the sidewalk in our direction. Miss! Miss! Please, can I have a word with you?"
"Sure."
"You are a dead-ringer for Marilyn Monroe, do you know that?"
"Yes."
"What's your name?"
"Sally Reynolds."
"Where do you live?"
"With her."
"Where is that?"
"Out in the country, now we have shopping to do, so goodbye."
Bethia and MM walk briskly onward.
Bethia turns to MM and says "You handled that incredibly well!!"
"I had to learn how to get by people like that......when was that......just yesterday when it was 1961. I still know how."
"I am impressed!" Bethia takes her arm, "I think I'm going to learn a lot from you!"
"Stick around, honey, the show is just getting started!" MM laughs as they enter the first clothing store.

Sales-ladies, even the ones assisting other customers, stop and gape when they see Marilyn.
One of them rushes over.
"Can I help you?"
"I need an autumn suit in a pale tweed. Nothing too loud, no dark or harsh colors, just a nice gentle tweed."
It's obvious that the saleslady recognizes not just MM's face, but her voice as well. She stares in wonder.
In a soft voice, Marilyn adds, "please."
This brings the saleslady to her senses and she goes off to find some suits that fit that description.
Marilyn sits in a comfortable chair and kicks off her heels. "If I could, I'd go barefoot every minute of my life," she sighs.
The saleslady returns and says she has put 6 outfits in a dressing room for Marilyn, then adds,
"Has anyone ever told you that you look like......."
"I know, Marilyn Monroe," MM says in an exasperated tone. Bethia has trouble stopping herself from laughing.
They both go into the dressing room.
Then Bethia laughs and says, "You really know how to handle yourself, girl!"
"Well, you know what they say, if you want to get to Carnegie Hall, practice, practice, practice!" MM laughs along

They leave with two beautiful suits for Marilyn and two for Bethia, who has succumbed to the great tailoring and flattering colors.
She pulls out her cellphone and dials up her driver, tells him where to pick them up, then slips it back into her purse.
"That phone has no chord!!" MM is shocked, "Does it really work??"
"It works, Marilyn, but please don't ask me to explain just how!"

They are soon riding back out of the City toward Westchester County.
"A morning well spent, aye, pal?"
"Oh indeed," MM replies, "Very well spent. When we get home can you show me how computers work? You knew how to work that magic phone, so I thought you might be able to show me how those small computers you have now work." "Eleanor is the expert, but I think I can show you some of the basics," Bethia answers.
"Eleanor was a Queen?" MM just remembers how she was told something like that the night before.
"Are you ready for this?" Bethia turns so she's facing MM on the seat, "She is Eleanor of Aquitaine!"
"Get OUT!" MM yells gleefully, "I learned about her in history class."
"There's this movie, 'The Lion in Winter' which was probably made after your so-called demise, and if you watch that you'll get a good idea of who Eleanor was and IS."
"She's a powerful lady," MM adds, "I can tell that already. How about William? King William? Who's that?"
"I am not making this up, Marilyn, but he is.....are you braced for this.....William the Conqueror!"
Marilyn's mouth drops open, "NO!!"
"Yes!"
"Holy shit!"
Unholy shit!"
They collapse into laughter.


When they arrive home and go inside, William is busy pawing around in the refrigerator.
"No sweet rolls!" he complains, looking accusingly at the women.
"William," Bethia says in as nice a tone as she can, "This is 2002. In this day and age MEN are capable of driving themselves to the grocery store to buy food. You have a car......"
He slams the refrigerator door shut impatiently and scowls.
Marilyn aproaches him and, in her best imitation of the dumb-blond roles she played in her movies, breathily says, "What's the matter, honey, got up on the wrong side of the bed?"
He keeps the scowl, then relaxes and laughs,
"I have never seen anyone adjust so well to a new timeframe. You're amazing. Why did you even believe us when we told you that we had to yank you out of 1961?"
"Well, some people you just know you can trust," she explains, "But.....Bethia is going to show me how to work the computer, and I can find out about it on there, can't I??"
"Yes!" Bethia is energized, "There are a ton of websites about you and your life and your movies!"
The women go into the small computer room Eleanor has set up. It's very organized and inviting.
"This room looks like Eleanor," MM comments, "Efficient."
"Yep, El is nothing if not efficient! And a super friend to boot! Speaking of 'boot,' we have to boot up the computer.
Bethia turns it on and they wait for it to come alive.
She goes online and brings up the Google search engine.
MM sits watching this with avid interest.
Bethia types in "Marilyn Monroe" and sure enough, pages and pages of listings appear.
"I should think people would have forgotten me after 40 years!" Marilyn exclaims, "I made some good movies, but come on!!"
"Many people were shocked and saddened when you died," Bethia explains, "Look, see this? Here are the words to a song Elton John wrote about you."
The words to "Candle in the Wind" appear.
MM reads them and tears up. "This is heartwarming and I hardly know what to say...."
"There's more!" Bethia then opens one website after the other. On some there are tributes, lists of her movies, biographies, all manner of things pertaining to her.
"LOOK!" MM sits up even straighter, "They tell where I'm buried! That is so strange!!"
"What did Eleanor call it, alternate realities?" Bethia says, not totally sure what that is, but knowing that it IS.
MM gives her a shoulder hug, "I am so glad to be in this reality! The other one had nothing left to offer me. It was getting to be agony!"
She tears up again.
To cheer her, Bethia suggests they take a brisk walk.
Marilyn likes the idea, and soon they're striding down the road toward the Grand Union.
"Think we should buy William his sweet rolls?" Bethia suggests with a devilish grin.
"Nawwwww, let him be a big grownup boy and get his own!" Marilyn chuckles.

They enter the store and gather up some fresh fruit.
Making their way to the checkout lines, MM spots the New York Times and exclaims. "Beth! There's a picture of US on the front page!"
Bethia looks closely at the paper MM is holding. Sure enough, there's a picture of the two of them with the caption, "Marilyn Monroe clone walks among us!"
"What's a clone?" MM asks.
But Bethia is too busy reading the short article to answer.
"Listen to this......a woman claiming her name is Sally Reynolds, was spotted walking in Manhattan with an unidentified woman.....unidentified, thanks a lot!!.....who, as you can see in this photo, is identical to the blonde sex goddess, Marilyn Monroe, who comitted suicide in 1962."
"I DID NOT!" Marilyn breaks in.
"Never mind, Marilyn, these newspapers say all kinds of stupid things. Well, it looks like we'd better start passing you off as Sally, yes?"
"I'll have to remember to respond to it, though....." Marilyn muses, "I finally got used to answering to Marilyn, after all those years of being Norma Jean, so I think I can carry it off!"
Bethia puts the fruit on the checkout counter along with the newspaper.
The checkout lady looks at the newspaper; looks at Bethia and Marilyn and stops dead in her tracks.
"You......." she stares at Marilyn.......
"I know, I know, I look like Marilyn Monroe! Do you know how many people tell me that? It's a curse, I'll tell ya that!"
The checkout lady drops her eyes and rings up the sale.


As Bethia and Marilyn again approach the house, music is pouring out of the Castle next door.
"Didn't I hear that Luke and a few other guys had a jazz combo?" Marilyn asks.
"Yes...that's them practicing now," Bethia confirms.
"Would you mind awfully if I went over there to listen?"
"Alone? With those four men over there, do you think that's wise?"
MM laughs, "Hey, you saw how I handled Daniel. How much worse can these guys be?"
"Point well taken," Bethia has to admit. "OK, then, just walk back when you get tired of listening to the music or to Henry8 go on and on or Bill....."
"I will," MM pats Bethia's shoulder and proceeds over toward the Castle.
Bethia shakes her head and hopes for the best as she goes back into the house.

The guys are jamming like mad when Marilyn approaches the Castle, slips in the partially open front door, and follows the sound to the room where the music is originating.
When they see her, they all put down their instruments and stand speechless.
Jerry, who has joined them on percussion, hails her, "Hi Marilyn! Join us!"
The other three men gape at him.
"I know him," MM tells them, "And I know Luke, too. Hi guys!! Can I listen in?"
Henry8 slowly approaches her and narrows his eyes. "Who are you?"
"I'm calling myself Sally Reynolds now, but before that I was named Marilyn, and before that I was Norma Jean." she answers.
Bill almost drops his saxophone on the floor.
"NO! You can't be......."
"Oh yeah, whatever I can't be, as you say, I probably AM!" she laughs.
Jerry fills her in, "Bill knows about the time travel, as does Henry8, so you can feel free here."
"She IS?" Bill is rubbing his neck.
"We need a vocalist," Jerry tells her, "And that hot new singer, Josh Groban, won't even answer our phone calls. Want to give it a whirl?"
"Sure, that would be elegant!" she exudes.
"You really ARE?!" Bill continues to be floored by this.
"Yes, you silly," she goes up to him and tweaks the side of his face, "What timeframe are you from?"
"THIS one!" Bill answers, "and I grew up watching your movies. You were a goddess!"
"Still am!" she throws over her shoulder as she picks up a stack of music and rifles through it, looking for a song she might want to sing.
They decide to perform "Anyplace I Hang My Hat is Home"....a very jazzed up version. MM is able to keep right up with the instruments.

The song ends and the four men clap enthusiastically.
Luke, of course, hasn't said one single word. She walks over to where he's standing and asks him, "Are you feeling better today, Luke? You looked peaked yesterday."
"Yeah...." he gets that much out but no more.
Jerry takes over, "Luke is an incredible piano player!"
"Can you play anything classical?" MM asks Luke, "Nobody knows this, but I love classical music. I must have worn out all the grooves on my record of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata!"
Luke about swallows his tongue when she says that, and, walking over to the large piano, begins to play just that.
She stretches out like a cat on the couch and closes her eyes in rapture.
Jerry winks at Bill, and Bill winks back, though he's not just sure what he's winking about.

On to next part of Story

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