In Your Shoes?

A Round Robin Story

Read what's happened so far, and then write one page about what happens next!

Premise: Eugene and Bernard wake up in each other's bodies, and have to spend a day in each other's shoes, learning that they have more things in common than they ever thought.

"Eugene, what in the world do you think you're doing?" Bernard Walton leaned against his squeegee and laughed hysterically.

"Mr. Walton, I must protest! I happen to be performing a duty that you perform quite regularly."

"What, scrubbing the windows with a tissue? Eugene, if you're going to clean windows this big, you've got to use a squeegee or a power sprayer - NOT a Q-tip™!"

"Hah, and hah." Eugene pushed his bottle-thick glasses up his nose and squinted at his handiwork. "Speaking of Windows, Mr. Walton, how are your computing skills coming along?"

"Oh, hardy-har-har, Eugene. Just because I can't figure out that darned program doesn't make me an idiot."

"Of course not." Bernard scowled at Eugene, who was having quite a hard time keeping from laughing.

"Cut it out, Eugene."

"Mr. Walton, I am simply stating that we are two diametrically opposite people. I'm sure, if we were in each other's places, we would completely understand what makes us behave and learn the way we do."

"Yeah, yeah, that's what they all say," muttered Bernard as he left. "The way that boy's mind works, I wouldn't be surprised if he found a way to do it." What misery that would be!

Back in the office, Eugene's mind was cranking full speed ahead. Oh, what a horror that would be!

What neither of them knew was that the horror was imminent.

"Ah, to sleep. To sleep, perchance to dream! Aye, there's the rub." Eugene pulled on his Dumbo pajamas and slipped into his bed.

"Oh, that bed looks so good. It's been a long day." Bernard was asleep before his head hit the pillow.

In each other's shoes…in each other's shoes…in each other's shoes…

Bernard woke with a start. In his dream - nightmare - he and Eugene had actually switched places. "Whew! I'm glad that was just a dream." He glanced over at the clock. "Seven. Oh, well, I'd better get up." He hopped out of bed - and stopped. "OH, NO!" For on his body was the tell-tale sign of terror - Dumbo pajamas.

Eugene woke with a groan. What a strange dream! He sat up and stretched, and then froze. Where am I? It was most definitely not his dorm room. Then he looked in the mirror - and nearly fainted. For in the mirror was a face he knew - that of Bernard Walton. "Wait a minute. What?" Eugene shuddered when he saw Bernard's mouth and heard Bernard's voice pronouncing the words. Suddenly, he realized what must have happened. He ran over to the phone and punched in his number.

"Hello?" answered his own voice.

"Mr. Walton?" Eugene-in-Bernard croaked.

So that's what my voice really sounds like, thought Bernard-in-Eugene. "Ah, Eugene?"

So that's what my voice really sounds like, thought Eugene-in-Bernard. "Yes, Mr. Walton?" answered Bernard's voice.

"We need to talk."

"No jesting!" replied Eugene-in-Bernard.

"Should we meet at Whit's End?"

"I'll see you in fifteen minutes!"

"Hi, Bernard." Connie wiped off a dusty table. "Need a cup of coffee?"

"Ah, no thank you, Miss Kendall." Eugene-in-Bernard gritted his teeth. Speak like the man, you moron!

Just then, Eugene marched into the room.

"Connie, could I get a cup of coffee?" Connie frowned.

"You never drink coffee, Eugene." Bernard-in-Eugene panicked.

"I'm trying something new!" he retorted.

"Okay," Connie replied cautiously. Man, they're weird today. She picked up the pot and poured him a cup. "Here you go, Eugene."

"Thank you, ah, Miss Kendall."

"Er, Eugene, could I talk to you upstairs for a moment?"

"Certainly, Mr. Walton. Why don't we use Mr. Whittaker's office?"

"All right." As soon as the two were safely in the office, the shouting started.

"WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON?"