WHAT IF YOU DISCOVERED NEW WORLDS?  WHAT IF YOU COULD FIND THESE WORLDS
WITHOUT LEAVING YOUR EARTH?  YOU'RE THE SAME PERSON AND IT'S THE SAME YEAR,
BUT EVERYTHING AROUND YOU IS DIFFERENT?  I FOUND A WAY TO TRAVEL TO PARALLEL
WORLDS!!!

   SLIDERS: ALTERNATE SPIN
   EPISODE 3-BEFORE YOU DIE
   (first part)

   "In the next life, may the spirits of the forest show you the right way
to live," the Iroquis chief said.
   "Yeah," Melissa said.  "Maybe the Spirits will teach Richard not to flirt
with the natives."
   "Will you shut up?" Richard said.
   "Who will be first?" the chief asked.
   Melissa and Richard pointed at each other.  "Him/her."
   "There's no need to argue," Randy said.  "I'll go."
   Professor Brown's eyes widened.  "Mr. Heim?"
   "I'll be fine," Randy said.
   "Randy, don't do it," Melissa pleaded.
   "Don't worry," Randy said as he hugged her.  "My life is in your hands."
   Richard walked over to Melissa as the Iroquis focused on Randy.
   "I think your friend just lost it," he whispered.
   "He knows what he's doing," Melissa whispered.  She showed Richard the
timer.
   "Oh."
   Randy layed his neck on the log.  The Iroquis lifted the ax.
   "It's time," Melissa said.  She aimed the timer near Randy.  The ground
dissolved into a whirlpool of blue light.  The Iroquis gasper in surprise at
this turn of events.
   Randy dashed for the wormhole.  He dived in like he was cannonballing a
pool.
   "Go, Brown!" Melissa yelled.
   Brown jumped into the wormhole.  Richard was right behind him.  The
Iroquis with the ax stood in his way.
   "Oh, man," Richard said.
   "Stop playing and come on," Melissa said as she neared the wormhole.
   The Iroquis swung the ax at Richard.  He missed.
   "That's easy for you to say," Richard said.
   Richard crawled under the Iroquis's legs and headed for Melissa.  He
stopped next to Melissa and looked at the Chief.
   "Your daughter's ugly anyway," Richard said.
   Then he pushed Melissa into the wormhole.  He followed after her.

   The wormhole opened on a new Earth.  Randy was the first one to fly out.
He moved quickly.  Professor Brown landed with a thuck.
   "I wish these landings were better," Professor Brown said.
   "I guess I'll have to work on that," Randy replied.  "Better move
before--"
   A whir sounded and Melissa came flying out of the wormhole.  She barely
missed landing on Professor Brown.  She grinned.
   Finally, Richard landed.  He fell on his butt.  The wormhole closed
behind him.
   "Well, that was fun," Richard commented.
   "No thanks to you," Melissa said.
   "I wasn't asking for you to comment."
   "Don't worry.  I volunteered.  Don't want to bruise your ego too much."
   As Richard and Melissa bickered, Professor Brown looked around.  They
seem to be in an alley.  Randy watched Richard and Melissa.
   At least, he's not hitting on her, he thought.
   "So do you think this could be our world, Mr. Heim?" Professor Brown
asked Randy.
   "I don't know, Professor," Randy answered.  "We can hope.  If not, we
have a week here."
   Randy started to head out of the alley.  Professor Brown looked over at
Richard and Melissa.
   "Are you coming?" Brown asked loudly.
   The buildings were a little ancient, but it was San Francisco.
   "At least, we know they're not barbarous," Richard commented.
   "I am going to find a paper," Brown announced.  "Come on, Mr. Hall."
   Richard shrugged his shoulders and followed Brown down the street.
Melissa sat down on a bench.
   "So do you think we're home?" Melissa asked.
   "I have no idea," Randy said.  "We could wait until Professor Brown and
Richard find a paper.  Otherwise, we can check my room on campus."
   "I wonder what Ben is doing," Melissa said.
   "Oh...he probably lost his key again and he's wondering where the hell I
am."
   Melissa giggled.  "Let's go see if the Prof found anything."
   Melissa stood up and started to walk with Randy down the street.  As they
passed one of the stores, a girl ran out and bumped into Melissa.
   "Hey!" Melissa yelled.
   The girl looked at Melissa and stuck out her tongue.  Melissa didn't
notice because another girl had run out of the store.  She frowned at the
first girl.
   "Lis, when I get my hands on you!" she said.
   Melissa's eyes widened.
   Lis laughed.  "Can't catch me, Sarah!  You're too slow!" She stuck out
her tongue again and ran down the street.  Sarah ran after her.
   "Crazy kids," Randy muttered.  "Do you--"
   Randy looked at Melissa.  Her body shook.
   "It can't be her," Melissa muttered.
   "What are you talking about?" Randy said.
   "Didn't you say we couldn't time travel?"
   "Yeah.  Why?"
   "Because that younger girl," Melissa said, "was me.  The older girl was
my sister Sarah."
   Randy's jaw dropped.  "You never told me you had a sister."
   "That's because Sarah's dead," Melissa said flatly.

   Professor Brown looked over at Melissa again.  She sat alone at a booth
in the restaurant they were in.  She looked out of the window for nothing.
Meanwhile the guys sat at the counter.
   "Well, someone has to talk to her," Brown said.  "I don't-do not know her
that well so it'll-it will have to be one of you two."
   "Well, Proper, it's nice to see you joining us contraction people,"
Richard commented.
   "I'll talk to her," Randy said.  "She is my best friend so she'll open up
to me."
   "I don't think so," Richard said.  "I'll do it."
   "Why should you?" Randy snapped.
   "Melissa was there for me with Nicole," Richard said.  "Not to mention
the fact we dated for six months."
   "Exactly.  Dated.  Past tense."
   Richard stood up.  "It figures.  A friend is in trouble and you'll
letting your jealousy get in the way." HE walked over to Melissa before
Randy said anything.
   "Mr. Heim, I think he has a point," Brown said.
   "I'm not jealous.  Melissa and I are just friends.  Ben--"
   Brown stood up.  "You know what I think?  You are using your roommate as
an excuse to cover up the feelings I have observed you having since we left
No Science World.  You should tell her before she does become interested in
someone or stop attacking Mr. Hall for doing what you refuse to do.  I am
going for a walk."
   Professor Brown stormed out of the restaurant.  Randy turned around in
his seat.  Richard sat with Melissa.  Her hand was touching his.  Randy
frowned at Professor Brown's idea.  He was just friends with Melissa.
   Nothing more.

   "Will you move your hand?" Melissa asked.
   "Not until you tell me what's going on," Richard said.
   "Fine," Melissa said.  She put her hand under the table.
   "Listen," Richard said.  "Not including Iroquis World, you've been there
for me.  I didn't want to tell anyone about Nicole, and you didn't push.
You waited.  I'm here for you, too, so talk to me when you're ready."
   Richard started to get up, but he stopped.  A hand covered his own.  He
looked at Melissa.
   "Richard, sit down," Melissa said.  "I'm sorry for attacking you
earlier."
   Richard sat back down.  He grinned.  "It's nothing I'm not used to."
   "Sarah was my older sister," Melissa said.  "We couldn't even get along
at times.  She hated me because I took her place as baby of the family.  I
hated her for being able to leave the house.  With Mom and Dad, we were a
family.
   "Then that day came," Melissa continued.  "Mom and Dad had been arguing
over something.  They weren't paying attention and--"
   "How about I get you something?" Richard suggested.
   "Thanks.  It's just seeing her again.  How is it even possible if we're
on the same time?"
   "I think I can explain that," Randy said as he walked over.  He sat next
to Melissa.  "All Earths have the same amount of time.  An hour here is the
same as an hour back home.  There are some Earths, though they go around the
sun like our Earth, spin on their axis quicker.  the result would be that it
seems like we've gone back in time even though it's 1999 here.  We haven't
though."
   "Was that confusing to you?" Richard asked Melissa.
   "It sounded like he said we travelled in time to me," Melissa said.
   "I think we should go over to the motel," Randy said.  "We're all pretty
tired.  We can explore the possibilities of...'time travel' tomorrow."
   "Okay," Richard agreed.
   "Yeah," Melissa added.
   Randy looked at Melissa with concern.  "Are you going to be okay?"
   "Yeah," Melissa answered.  "Don't worry about it."

   "We seem to have a problem," Professor Brown said the next morning to the
group in the motel room.  "We are here for a week and this is not our Earth.
  We cannot afford this room for a week unless...someone gets a job."
   "It's not going to be me," Richard said out right.
   Melissa folded her arms and glared at Richard.  He glared right back at
her.
   "You heard me," Richard said.  "How about you get a job?"
   "How about I give you a black eye?" Melissa countered as she balled up
her fist.
   "Bring it on.  I'll consider it a mark of love."
   Melissa growled and turned toward the window.  Richard looked at
Professor Brown and Randy.
   "How about you two get a job?" Richard challenged.
   Brown shook his head.  "I do not think I could find a job for someone of
my status.  It will have to be one of you two."
   Randy looked at Richard.  "It'll be him."
   Richard glared at Randy.  "Don't bet on it."
   Melissa turned away from the window and looked at the two guys.  "There's
just one way to settle this then."
   Randy and Richard looked at Melissa.  Brown corked an eyebrow.  Melissa
reached into her pocket and pulled out something.
   "Randy," Melissa said, "head or tails?"

   "I still wanted a two out of three kinda thing," Richard complained as he
wiped tables.
   Melissa grinned.  "Accept it...and wait until some jerk hit on you.  Then
you'll know how I felt waiting tables."
   "Ha. Ha."
   "I'll say."
   "So where's Egghead and Proper?"
   "Randy wanted to check out Cooper's.  On our Earth, it went out of
business, but here it's still open.  I guess Brown is with him."
   Richard looked over at the counter where the manager observed him.  "I
think you better run along before my boss glares even more."
   "When do you get off?" Melissa asked.
   "8 or 9.  It depends," Richard said.
   "I'll see you then," Melissa said.
   She left the restaurant again and headed down the street.  As she did,
Melissa passed the store where she saw her younger self and Sarah.
   She paused.  She remembered the day that Sarah chased her home and got
her in trouble.  In fact, it was a couple of days before Sarah--
   "Oh my God," Melissa muttered.  "Not again."
   She stormed down the street and reached the nearest phone booth.  She
hurried through the phone book.  Was it possible?
   Melissa grinned as she founded the phone number and address.  Her family
still lived in the same house here.
   She knew what she had to do.

   Randy missed it.  Before he'd gotten hooked on physics, he used to just
enjoy it.  Professor Brown just frowned with disapproval.
   "So let me see if I got this right," Brown started, "you used to play
guitar?"
   Randy stopped playing the guitar for a moment.  He smiled.  "I even had a
band.  It was back in ninth and tenth grade.  We broke up when I got
interested in physics."
   Brown observed some of the guitars that hanged nearby.  To think that one
of the smartest minds in the world might have never been discovered if he
had accepted just being in a band... "Your parents must have decided they
could not tolerate the noise."
   Randy looked down.  "I wouldn't know.  I never knew my parents."
   "Oh.  I am--"
   "It's okay, Professor," Randy said as he looked at him.  "I had good
adopted parents.  So my parents didn't want me...big deal."
   "Mr. Heim--"
   "I'm bored," Randy cut him off.  He put down the guitar he had and stood.
  "I used to hang out here at Cooper's all the time.  I'm going to miss the
place."
   Randy headed for the exit.  Professor Brown headed out with him.  Randy
stood on the curve.  He looked at Professor Brown.
   "Do you feel like walking?" Randy asked Brown.
   "Yes," Brown said.
   In minutes, the two of them were at the park.  The day was beautiful, and
several people seem to be taking advantage of it.  They passed a couple of
joggers.  Professor Brown watched them pass by, reminded of his ex-wife
Debra.
   "Who is she?" Randy asked.
   "What do you mean?" Brown asked as he looked at Randy.
   "You had that look.  That 'past love' look.  Richard has it from time to
time."
   "Oh."
   "Who is she?"
   "Actually...it is my ex-wife.  We used to come here together for lunch.
We would give each other time to complain about the day and then enjoy the
park.  In fact, we had a favorite bench and it should be--OH!"
   Professor Brown went white as a sheet.  The bench was right up the way
from them.  A woman sat on it now.  she was too busy reading a newspaper
with her legs crossed to notice them.  Her skin was a light brown.  She
looked relaxed in her peach business suit.
   "Debra," Brown whispered.
   "Professor--" Randy started.
   "No, we must get out of here before--"
   "Darnell!"
   Brown and Randy looked over at the bench to see Debra Brown jogging
toward them.  Randy turned to Brown.  He was sweating.
   "Darnell!" Debra said as she hugged him.  "Finally!  We haven't lunched
here in weeks.  I thought you would just ignore me again."
   "Debra," Brown said.
   Debra looked into Brown's eyes.  "Are you okay?  You're really sweating."
   "I am...I am fine, Debra," Brown said.
   "Uh oh, Darnell," Debra said.  "We're together.  No need for formal
speak.  Come on."
   Debra started to drag Professor Brown down the walk.  Randy could only
stand by helpless as they left.

   Melissa looked at the house from the safe distance.  It had not changed
much since...well it was the same house.  She looked up at the second floor
window where her room was at.  She had some good times there.
   The door opened.  A woman and a man came out of it and headed for their
car.  Melissa frowned.  That man was not her father.  The woman was her
mother though.  She knew the trademark black hair anywhere.  They got into
the car and drove away.
   Melissa headed down the street again.  It looked like a quiet day so far.
  She had to think of a way to get closer to her family without them
realizing who she was.
   There had to be a way.

   Randy played the guitar.  It felt good to play it again.  The years fell
away again and he was fourteen again.  The band was together again and he
was in charge.
   The doorknob turned and Professor Brown walked into the motel room.
Randy put the guitar down.
   "Professor!" Randy said.  "You made it back.  How--"
   "I managed to slip away," Brown answered.  "Hopefully, my double will pop
up.  Where did you get the guitar?"
   "I went back to Cooper's and convinced him I was a relative," Randy said.
  "Are you okay?"
   Brown's eyes looked sad.  "No, I'm...I mean-I am not.  Ethics dictate we
should not interfere in our doubles' lives, but...seeing Debra
again...reacting to her presence...I couldn't bear it.  I know how
Richard-Mr. Hall-must have felt with his Nicole."
   "You're nothing like Richard."
   Brown corked an eyebrow.  "Do you really believe that?"
   Before Randy could answer, Melissa entered.  She looked as upset as
Professor Brown.
   "Hey, you two," Melissa said.  then she went into the bathroom.  The door
locked behind her.
   "How about we go out tonight?" Randy suggested.  "It'll get your mind off
things."
   "My mind has been on Debra since the divorce so I doubt dinner is going
to help," Brown replied.
   "You'll be surprised," Randy said.
   The sound of the toilet flushing silenced them both.  A moment later,
Melissa emerged from the bathroom.  Randy saw that she looked better.
   "Melissa," Randy said, "we're going out for eats.  Interested?"
   "Thanks, but no thanks," Melissa replied.  "I think I'm going to stay in
tonight."
   "Oh," Randy said with a hint of disappointment.  "Well...have a great
time."
   Melissa smiled.  "Don't worry.  I have a TV."
   Professor Brown and Randy grabbed their jackets.  As Randy opened the
door for Brown, he looked back at Melissa.  She smiled and waved.  Randy
left with Brown.
   Melissa headed for the bathroom again.  She pulled the scissors and other
supplies out of her pockets.  She had finally thought of an idea.  It was
sure to work and her family would be none the wiser.
   She looked at herself in the mirror.  She pulled her long black hair to
one side of her face.  She loved it a lot.  People had even said that she
looked like some famous stars with it.
   Melissa picked up the scissors and started cutting.

   "She seem distant," Randy said.
   He and Professor Brown had bumped into Richard when they came.  He had
given them some of his tip money.  Now, the two of them ate like kings.
Richard would be off any minute.
   "I'm sure Melissa's fine," Brown said.
   Randy grinned.  "Can your grammar break down any more than it already
has?"
   Brown blushed.  "Debra has that effect on me."
   "How was your walk with her?" Randy asked.
   "We enjoyed each other's company," Brown answered.  "She was charming as
always.  That's-That was the problem though."
   Randy frowned.  "Excuse me?"
   "Let me explain," Brown said.  "By this time on our Earth, I was getting
more focused on my work and climbing the academic ladder.  I stopped going
to lunch with Debra, walking in the park with her.  I put in late hours."
   "Basically, you ignored her?"
   "Well...yes.  Eventually, she left me.  I couldn't-could not make it work
out and we divorced.  I've regretted what I did ever since."
   "I'm sorry, Professor."
   Brown shook his head.  "It's not your fault, Mr. Heim.  It is my own."
   "I just see the Darnell Brown here making the same mistake," Brown
continued.  "It is too much to bear.  It isn't my business."
   "That's bull," Randy said.  "He may not be you...yet he is you.  You got
to do something."
   "There you go again," Brown said.  "It is not simple for me to mess with
other people's parallel lives.  I am not you.  I worry about the
consequences."
   "And you think I don't?" Randy asked.  "I do worry, Professor.  I just
know that changing things are worth it."
   "I believe Anya and her society would think differently of what you did
there."
   "Sir, I'm not going to argue about what I did there.  Let's stick to the
here and now.  I think you should act.  Eventually, you're going to make a
choice:  either to leave things alone and let whatever happens happen OR
interfere and give Debra a chance.  I think you'll make the right choice."
   "Hey, mad scientists!" Richard said as he sat down.  "I'm off so what's
tonight's debate about?"
   "The Professor's love life," Randy answered.
   "You found yourself a chick?" Richard commented.  "Kewl."
   "Debra is a sophisticated woman," Brown said.  "Not a chick."
   "How about babe?"
   "It'll work."
   Randy frowned for a second.  First, Richard bonded with Melissa.  Now he
was bonding with Professor Brown.  It seem like a far cry from weeks ago
when they could not stand him.  Now he seem to be on the outs with them.
   "How's Melissa, Egghead?" Richard asked.
   A far cry...
   "Egghead!"
   Randy looked at Richard in surprise.  He grinned shyly.  "Sorry.  I zoned
out.  What did you say?"
   "One of these days we're going to be in trouble and you'll be in one of
your 'trances.'" Richard said.  "I say how's--"
   "Hey, Richard."
   Randy saw Richard grin slyly.  He also saw Professor Brown's eyes widen.
They looked like they would fall out any minute.  Randy looked at Melissa
and saw why Brown was surprised.
   Melissa walked over to the table.  The jacket, blue jeans, and red
t-shirt was Melissa.  Her long black hair was gone.  Now her hair was blonde
and short.  It wasn't even shoulder length.  It stopped at her ears.
   "Whoa," Randy mumbled.
   "Well, look at you," Richard said.  "Aren't you full of surprises?"
   Melissa pulled on some of her blonde hair behind an ear.  She smiled
shyly.  "So...you like it?"
   "Get a red dress that spotlight your--"
   Melissa's eyes narrowed at Richard threateningly.  Richard choked on his
words.
   "Never mind," Richard managed.
   "It is...different, Melissa," Brown said.  "It will just take some
getting used to."
   "I'll say," Randy mumbled.
   "What was that, Randy?" Melissa asked.
   "It's just...too sudden," Randy said.  "What's really going on?"
   "I wanted to try something new," Melissa said.  "Besides, it'll grow back
in a couple of weeks."
   "Well, I still think you look lovely," Brown commented.
   "Ditto," Richard added.
   "Thanks, you two," Melissa said.  She looked at Randy.  "Now if my BEST
friend would like it..."
   "That's right!" Randy said.  "I am your BEST FRIEND.  I've known you
longer than anybody.  Shut up, Richard." Richard stayed silent.  "You're not
one to suddenly decide to dye your hair.  Something's up."
   "Yeah, something's up," Melissa said.  "You're acting like a jerk.  I'm
outta here."
   Melissa stormed out of the restaurant.  Richard folded his arms over his
chest and looked at Randy.
   "You sure do know how to piss people off," Richard said.
   "It must be some of you rubbing off on me," Randy said flatly.

   Melissa looked over at the house again.  She was sure that her mother
would still be up.  Her mother always liked to keep busy until well into the
night.
   Her pulse quickened a little as she started to walk up the stairs.  The
suitcase was light.  She had went to a late open pawn shop and bought it.
Then she got her few belongings from the motel.
   She reached the door now.  Her heart was in her throat now.  Her hand
shook as she raised it to the doorbell.  Could she pull it off?
   The door bell rang once.  Melissa tapped her foot nervously.  A light
came on in the hall.  A shadow inside the house grew larger.  The door
opened.
   Veronica Wyatt looked at Melissa.  A little bit of confusion crossed her
face.  Melissa tensed up. Finally, Veronica smiled.
   "Bridget!  Is that you?" Veronica said.
   "Don't tell me you don't recognize your younger beautiful sister?"
Melissa said with a smile.

   TO BE CONTINUED.

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