"So...the sleeper awakens."
He sat up. He heard humming beneath the smooth black floor. He stared forward. There was no bars on the door, but there was humming. He knew where he was: a Kromagg cell.
He looked to his left. She stared at him. She sat on a bench connected to the wall. She leaned forward as she studied him with green eyes. A smirk crossed her face as red hair fell over her ear.
"I'm Paige," she said, "your new best friend."
"Are you ready yet?"
Randy Heim put his pencil down at the desk. He turned to look at the door. Professor Darnell Brown stood in the door. He was used to the Professor being in tailored suits, not the T-shirt and shorts he had on. Randy was also not used to the hat on Brown's head that looked like a grizzly cap.
Brown frowned. "Mr. Heim?"
Randy managed a smile. "Uh...yeah. Just...trying to jog my memory."
"While you are at it," Brown said, "have you already forgotten where you are?"
Randy shook his head. "I can't for all the heat. World of the two suns."
"Good," Brown said. "Do not forget your ice hat."
Randy reached over the desk. He put on his ice hat and cursed Conrad Bennish, Jr. for inventing it.
Randy fell out of the vortex. He immediately hit a wall.
"Randy!"
Randy turned around. He was in an elevator. Brown stared at him with concern. It was a look that was matched by the two s with them. One pair of eyes belonged to Paige Kendall who had her red hair in a tanktop and shorts. The other pair of eyes belonged to Melissa Clark who had on a black tanktop and shorts.
Melissa reached out for Randy. He quickly threw up his hands.
"I'm okay," Randy said quickly. "I just wasn't expecting to slide into an elevator."
"Definitely a first," Brown commented.
"That's not saying much," Paige said.
Melissa frowned. "Did you speak?"
The elevator beeped. Suddenly, the elevator doors opened. Randy stepped out of the elevator. He recognized the lobby of the Dominion Hotel. His eyes fell on the counter. They widened in shock. The clerk wasn't Gomez Calhoun. It was RuPaul.
"God, everyone came out for the convention!"
Randy turned to look at the elevator next to theirs. Two tanned guys stepped out. They were dressed in matching Hawaiian shirts and shorts. They grinned at Brown.
"Hey, Senator!" one of the guys exclaimed. "Nice tatas!"
"George!" the other guy shrieked.
"Well, they are!" George protested.
The guy dragged George away. Randy stared after them. Then he noticed the lobby. It was full of different pairs of guys.
"Oh," Randy muttered.
"There you are!"
Randy turned back to the elevator George and his...friend came out of. There was a guy standing there. He was dressed in a black tanktop and black jean shorts. He smiled at Randy, making him think of the double Randy knew. Just like the double, this guy had cropped jet-black hair and a goatee. He walked toward Randy. Just like his double, Ethan's brown eyes were full of warmth.
"Ethan..." Randy started.
Ethan grabbed Randy in his arms and kissed him.
Three years ago, my friends and I found a way to travel between worlds-
To slide to...
Worlds where you're the same person-
It's the same year...
But everything else is different-
Our Earth...
Has been overrun by the Kromaggs?-
Can we get home?...
Do we want to?
And now-
The worlds await...
SLIDERS: ALTERNATE SPIN-SEASON 4
EPISODE 6: WANTED
Melissa Clark stared at Randy and Ethan. Her stomach felt like someone o a roller coaster ride. She knew it was a case of mistaken double, but...
"Well, it looks like we're on 'Gay OK' World," Paige commented.
"And where I am an important person," Professor Brown added.
"Do you think you two could keep it down?" Melissa hissed.
"Well, how touche," Paige said. "Jealous?"
Melissa ignored Paige. Her eyes were on Randy and Ethan. Randy pulled away from him, a look of bewilderment etched on his face. Meanwhile Ethan grinned at him.
"I knew you couldn't stay away from me," Ethan said jokingly. "Okay...seriously...what's up?"
"I...uh..." Randy started.
"He's here to see us," Melissa said. "We're old friends from high school and we were passing through."
Randy stared at Melissa. He looked at her in shock.
"Yeah," Paige joined in. "Always good to see the Randster."
Ethan frowned at Randy. "Randster?"
"Uh...long story," Randy said quickly. "Look. I have to go. Talk later?"
"Sure," Ethan said, putting a hand on Randy's shoulder. "Maybe then you can explain the Randster story." He looked at Melissa. "And how you know the Senator."
Ethan walked off without another word. Melissa looked away from him to find Randy staring at her. His eyes looked hard as stone. It was like he thought she was an experiment.
"Well, it's obvious it's probably all booked here," Paige said. "Motel?"
"I agree," Brown said. "How about we attain a motel before my public ask about autograph?"
"You wish."
"Miss Kendall."
"You were very quick with a cover story," Randy finally said.
"You have to be sometimes," Melissa commented.
"Especially where you were at when we found you," Paige added.
"I see eyeprints," Brown announced.
"We're out," Paige said.
Paige and Professor Brown headed for the Dominion's front doors. Randy continued to stare at Melissa.
"What?" Melissa asked.
"It's just...I'm not used to you being that good at a cover story," Randy said.
"Things happen," Melissa said. "However...it's good to be back to where we were." Melissa approached Randy. She touched his right cheek. "Back where we belong."
She leaned in closer. Randy abruptly moved away. Before Melissa knew it, Randy was also heading toward the Dominion's front doors.
Melissa frowned. Last week, Randy had kissed her. He said he felt safe with her. Now..he was pulling away.
What was going on?
"Ha!"
He made it into the underbrush behind Paige. He knew better. They were suppose to be with the other Kromagg prisoners gathering supplies. They managed to slip away. Well...Paige managed to. He...went along.
"Ha!" Paige exclaimed. "Told you I could beat you."
"We shouldn't even be doing this," he said. "If they find out--"
"Sh!" Paige whispered, putting a finger to his lips. "They won't. Trust me." She stared away from him. A field of wildflowers laid before them. "I just...I just wanted to enjoy the scene."
He looked at her. At the moment, Paige looked like a kid given a new toy. When they were in their cell, Paige acted more harsh. This was a side of her he had never seen.
He looked down at her arm. She had a black band on it.
"What's that?" he asked, reaching for it.
Paige grabbed his arm. Her grip was unusually tight. He stared at her. Her green eyes revealed shock, but something else was beneath it. Paige shot up from the underbrush.
"Time to get back," Paige said.
Paige dotted away from him. His eyes followed her until she was almost gone. Then he shot up.
The knock on the bathroom door shocked Randy out of his memory. He sat on the toilet writing in his journal. He walked to the door and opened it.
Melissa stared back at him. She had her black hair up in a ponytail. She looked like she had gotten done with a workout. However her eyes were full of concern.
"You okay in here?" Melissa asked.
"Uh...yeah," Randy muttered.
"Are you sure?" Melissa continued. "You're been in here for an hour."
"Yeah, I'm sure," Randy said as he sat back on the toilet. "I was writing in the journal and lost track of time."
Melissa leaned in the door. A trace of a smile crossed her face. She crossed her arms over her chest.
"Trances and journals," Melissa said. "Nice to know you haven't changed completely."
Randy looked up at Melissa. He must have looked bad because Melissa's smile left her face. It was now a frown.
"But have you?" Randy asked.
"I'm the one you love," Melissa said. "That has not changed."
"Are you?"
Melissa's face became a glare.
"The Foundation tricked me," Randy said. "I was so focused on saving you. I thought I did...but it was your old double the mailopath." He looked at her. "I thought she was you. I got close to her. Now..."
"Now you don't know whether you want to be with me?" Melissa asked. "Then why did you kiss me?"
"I...it felt safe," Randy said.
"Familiar, you mean?"
Randy stood up. "Don't put words in my mouth."
"That's what you're saying," Melissa shot back.
Randy made it to her. He reached out to hold her. Melissa slapped his hands away.
"Don't touch me," Melissa said.
"Melissa--" Randy started.
"Randy, you don't have to explain," Melissa said coldly. "I get it."
Melissa stormed out of the bathroom. Randy was right behind her. He grabbed her arm, but she ed it away. She turned to face Randy, her eyes full of fury.
"You don't have to follow me," Melissa snapped.
"I don't want you to get angry," Randy said.
"Too late," Melissa shot back.
"Right now...I'm just sorting through my memories," Randy said. "Some of my feelings don't even feel like my own. I need to figure out what's real and what's not."
"And right now..you can't deal with me," Melissa said.
Randy looked down at his feet. "I'm sorry."
There was no answer. Randy looked up. Melissa had her hand on the doorknob to the motel door. She paused. She turned to look at him.
"You know...all I could think about was seeing you again," Melissa said. "When I thought...when you were dead...it was like my heart stopped." Her eyes narrowed again. "Now...all I feel like is the double. Thanks."
Melissa opened the door. She slammed it behind her. Randy looked after her. He wondered where she was heading and if someone would be on the receiving end of that rage.
"I'm sorry, but it has to be said. Gays have the best fashion sense. Wouldn't you agree?"
Brown stared up at Paige. She was ahead of him on the motel stairs. She was dressed in a red no-sleeved dress with a choker. Her red hair was still in a ponytail. She had also bought a black leather jacket. Of course, Brown had to come along since it was apparent his double was of some importance. As a result, he managed to get Paige's jacket on a shocking discount. At the moment he did not feel important.
"I would agree more with you," Brown said, "if you were helping more with these bags."
"But, Prof," Paige said. "You know you need the exercise. You being old and all."
Brown felt his forehead wrinkle up. "Old? I will have you know--"
"Yeah, Prof. Whatever."
The two of them made it up the stairs. Brown was about to talk to Paige about her rudeness when he saw it. Melissa storming down the landing. She quickly heading down the stairs opposite them.
"Looks like someone's in a mood," Paige said.
"You seem quite happy with that," Brown commented.
"Maybe I am," Paige said, walking toward their motel door.
"Or...more likely, you are upset that Randall was really her Randy...her love...meaning you are out," Brown said.
Paige paused at the door to their motel room. She turned to look at Brown. Her eyes had the hint of a challenge to them.
"Maybe you underestimate me," Paige suggested.
"You might have a point," Brown said. "Eric Price mentioned that you gave off an unknown highly-spiked energy signature. Why is that, Miss Kendall?"
"Well...Mr. Profit Man also mentioned your Jean Grey abilities," Paige shot back. "And let's not forget how you got those powers."
Brown found a grin cross his face. Paige responded with a smirk.
"I knew someone who was much better at this little game than you," Brown said. "So I suggest you back down."
Paige corked an eyebrow. "Or?"
"I think everyone trust me a lot more than you," Brown said, approaching Paige. "We trusted Miss Rye even more than you. She hinted at you...the fact you still do not have your memory back yet while we do." Brown leaned a hand on the door, his arm next to Paige's face. "You disposed of Miss Rye by digging like a little gnat. If I do a little digging...what do you think I will find?"
Paige's eyes narrowed. "Don't test me."
"Then back off Miss Clark and Mr. Heim," Brown said coldly, "or you might find yourself left on a world...and coordinates have a way of vanishing around us."
"Jerk," Paige said, hurrying with the door knob. She stormed into the motel room.
Brown grinned. He knew he still had it in him.
The motel door two doors down opened. Brown started to enter his room, but paused. A figure came out of the other door. It was him. His double.
"Honey, wait," a voice said inside.
"I can't," Brown's double said. "People will--"
A woman came out of the motel room. Brown felt his jaw drop. He recognized the black woman as Dru, a woman he and the others ran into on various worlds. She was usually very street-smart and quite attractive. At the moment, she grabbed the fedora on his double's head and pushed her body into his trenchcoat. She kissed him. His double melted into her, allowing the kiss. Then he backed away.
"Dru, I can't kiss you out here," the double said. "Someone could see..."
"I don't care," Dru said. "Kiss me."
They kissed again. Brown frowned. Then he went into the motel room.
His double obviously did not want to be seen. Brown fought the anger growing in him. That could only mean he was cheating on someone...probably the double of his ex-wife Debra.
Brown felt his hands ball into fist. If he was, he was going to be in a world of trouble.
"I think it was while he was posing for me," Ethan said as he sat on the barstool. "I was on deadline for my art project. I needed someone to pose for me with no clothes on. I couldn't believe he did it for me. I knew then. It was love."
Melissa sat next to Ethan on a barstool. She had come to the Dominion. She had nowhere else to go. There was a bar. By coincidence, Ethan was having a few drinks. Three hours later, they were talking like they had known each other forever. It felt kinda nice to relate to someone again. Kat...was gone. This was probably the closest to a lady friend she would get.
"How about you?" Ethan asked beside her.
"Huh?" Melissa said.
"Have you ever been in love?" Ethan asked. "Or had that moment when you...just knew?"
Melissa stood up tall on her barstool. Then she leaned back on the counter.
"Well...I knew when I might have been interested," Melissa said. "We were joking around. Then we were on the floor. I was under them. We kissed...and I just knew."
Ethan smiled. "That must be one lucky gal. What's her name?"
Melissa stared at Ethan. He stared at her with intense interest. For a moment, she thought about saying it was Randy. Something about his intense stare told her otherwise.
"Bridget," Melissa replied.
Ethan sighed in relief. She frowned.
"What?" Melissa demanded.
Ethan looked at her. He managed a smile. "It's just...for a moment...oh, never mind. So...is Bridget the red-haired lady with you?"
"Oh...no!" Melissa exclaimed. "Bridget..died."
"Oh," Ethan said. "I'm so sorry."
"Yeah...I'm just getting used to it." Melissa stood up. "You know...maybe I should go. I don't want my friends to worry about me."
"Okay," Ethan said. "It was nice talking to you."
"You, too," Melissa said.
Melissa headed for the Dominion. It was nice to be able to talk to someone.
Melissa frowned. While it was nice to Ethan, the look he gave her haunted her. It was like he was digging for information. If so...what was it?
Brown stood outside the doors to Senator Brown's office building. It had been easy to find. It was easier to get to as well. Now his mind was conflicted over going in. This was not his world so who knew how things worked.
Brown did not care. He reached out with his mind and grabbed the doors. He shoved them open, storming into the room. He was still not used to having these new powers, but they definitely helped in making an entrance.
Several heads at desks turned to look at him. A few had looks of confusion, but they vanished quickly. Their looks became smiles.
"Hello, Governor," one man said.
"Hey, Governor," another man added.
"Now, now. He is not Governor yet."
Brown looked to his left. He had to fight the gasp screaming to escape his mouth. William Franks walked toward him with a folder. They were rivals on Earth Prime and enemies everywhere else. Franks managed a smile.
"Hello, Darnell," Franks said. "Nina just gave me the new reports." He held up the folder. "You are a bullet in the polls. McKeever does not know what hit him."
Franks patted Brown on the back. Brown tired not to shiver. A Franks who was encouraging was an alien concept to him. Usually Franks was bragging about how he was better than Brown because he was an Englishman.
"I...I will be in my office," Brown said.
"Good idea," Franks said. "Do not forget your meeting tonight. The world will be watching."
Brown headed down the hall. He saw the stairwell and took it. The last thing he needed was to see other workers. He was sure he could find his office.
He stood with his arms crossed. His eyes studied the ceiling of the Kromagg cell. Paige still was not back. He was worried that they were doing something to her. Then he wondered if they would do something to him.
A sizzle sounded from the cell door. He had time to cover his eyes as light shot through the room, causing the cell door to vanished. When he opened his eyes, Paige was there.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
Paige smiled. "I am even better. I found what you were looking for."
He felt his eyes widen. He was hoping that an alternate way of escape would present itself. Thanks to Paige, he now had a way.
Professor Darnell Brown.
"Having fun?"
Randy looked up from the bed he sat on, his journal in his lap. He felt his jaw drop. Paige stood in the bathroom door. She wore only a towel. Her body was still wet. Her red hair looked even darker as it fell to one side.
"Uh..." Randy managed. He could not find the words looking at her so he looked down. "Uh...just...remembering."
"Yeah," Paige said, "I see." She approached Randy. "So what did you get?"
"I remember...dying," Randy said matter-of-factly
.
"Flash of light or pitch black?"
"Dark," Randy answered, keeping his eyes on his journal and ignoring the face added weight was on the bed now. "Then...Rebecca Pryce and Melissa's double brought me back. They wanted to use me. My home..."
A hand touched his hand. Randy felt two things. Part of him felt like jumping off the bed since this woman was not Melissa. The other part was used to this woman so felt no need to move.
"We will find your home, Randall."
Randy looked up at Paige. She stared back at him with concern.
"My name isn't Randall," Randy said.
Paige looked down. "Sorry. It's just I'm used to you by that name." She stared at Randy. "You do remember me, right?"
"Yes," Randy said.
Paige smiled. "Then that time is still part of you." She leaned closer. "And so am I."
Her lips touched his. Again, his mind thought it was weird to kiss anyone else, but Melissa. However, a stronger part of him felt kissing Paige was right.
"Oh."
Randy looked at the sound of the voice. Paige looked as well.
Melissa stood in the door. Randy barely noticed the lesbian couple behind her. Her eyes were wide like an owl clock. Then her face went from shock toward a look of rage.
She slammed the door, leaving the two of them alone.
Brown could not find the words. The picture stood on his double's desk, making the fact crystal clear. It was still too much for him to handle.
His double was gay.
There was no Debra here. Instead, his double stood in a picture with some well-dressed black man. His double held the man from the back, his arms around his waist. The scene behind them looked like the campus. It brought to mind another time when Brown had taken that picture with Debra. It was unbelievable.
Brown heard it. It sounded like something twisting. He looked over at the door. He had locked it earlier. Now someone was trying to unlock it.
Brown looked around the room. He saw no fire escape outside the window. There was no tables to hid under. His eyes fell on the closet.
He opened the closet door and jumped in as his eyes saw the office door open. He slowly closed the door enough so he could look out.
His double came into view. He walked behind his desk. His eyes stared at his visitor.
"I am glad you came," Brown's double said.
"Someone has to make sure you do not lose focus, Darnell."
The visitor came into view. Brown almost fell out of the closet. It was Debra...well...a double of his ex-wife. Her hair was in a bun. She wore a brown business suit. Her eyes stared at Brown's double with icy detachment.
"African Americans finally have a positive representative in you," Debra said. "A voice for all the black homosexuals who fell like a minority among the white homosexuals. You will make a good governor."
Her eyes lit up. "So why were you at the Motel 12 last night?"
Paige came out of the bathroom. Her hands paused on her ponytail. Randy was still in the same position as before. He laid on the bed, his eyes staring at the ceiling as if he saw someone there.
"Come on, Randy," Paige said. "It's not your fault."
Randy did not move.
"You gave her no promises," Paige continued.
"Did you know I searched for here?" Randy asked.
Paige put her arms over her chest. "And found a double instead. You're still adjusting to that...as well as dying. She has to understand...she's second best."
Randy glared at Paige. "Not helping."
Paige grinned. "You moved. Help comes in funny ways."
"You know...you're quirky," Randy commented.
"Well," Paige said, heading for the drawer which had a mirror. "That's what friends are for."
"That's what friends are for," he said.
Paige frowned at him as she sat on the bunch. She put her arms over her chest.
"Yeah, I do all the cloak and dagger," Paige said. "Meanwhile, you're all talk."
He looked at her. "All talk? I bed to differ While you were tracking down our dear friend Darnell Brown, I was creating a means to leave this place."
"Any luck?" Paige challenged.
He walked toward the cell door. As he approached it, he put the disk out of his pocket. Then he shoved it into the center of the electrical door. Lightning shot from the desk, crossing over the door. Then the disk fell to the floor, outside the cell. He walked through the door. He stared back at a shocked Paige. A smile crept over his face.
"What do you think?" he asked. "Now where is Darnell again?"
A knock on the door dragged Randy out of his memories. He sighed in frustration. Every time he thought about his past when he thought he was Randall, he was interrupted.
The knock came again. This time it was harder as well as louder. Randy got off the bed and made it to the door. He opened it.
A short balding man stood at the door. Randy recognized the short man in the plaid shirt as Mr. Hensley, the manager of this motel. Behind him was two officers.
Randy frowned. "Is there a problem, Mr. Hensley?"
Mr. Hensley's face remained blank. "A few customers were concerned and brought something to my attention."
"Really?" Randy managed, staring the officers down. Their faces were as blank as Mr. Hensley despite the yellow suits they had on.
"You checked in with friends, correct?" Mr. Hensley asked.
"Yes, he did."
Randy looked behind him. Paige had come out of the bathroom. She had her red hair still in a ponytail Now she wore black leather pants, red top, and a blue suede jacket. Randy felt his jaw go slack. He quickly turned back to Mr. Hensley and the officers. Their blank stares were now accusing glares.
"And were you two kissing earlier?" Mr. Hensley asked, throwing his question at Paige.
"Well...actually we were," Paige replied.
Mr. Hensley shook his head. His face looked like he had just found a hair in his soup. He turned to look at the officers. Then he looked at Randy.
"I run a nice establishment, Mr. Heim," Mr. Hensley said. "No offense to you and your...lifestyle, but--"
"My lifestyle?" Randy managed.
"The truth is," Mr. Hensley continued, "is that people talk. And talk...can get this place shut down.
"
"When is kissing a crime?" Paige demanded.
"Since...1972,' Mr. Hensley answered. "We do not allow heterosexuals here. You...and your dirty ways. It would be a crime if I did not report you. Officers."
Before Randy could even react, the police officers were on him. Hands grabbed his arms tightly. Randy stared at Mr. Hensley. Mr. Hensley stared back with a blank stare.
"This is a mistake!" Randy yelled.
"Not your original statement," Mr. Hensley said. "Maybe you should have followed God's way."
An arm moved past Randy's left, barely missing his face. It was a fist, and it knocked the officer in his jaw. He fell into the other officer. Randy looked to his left. Paige glared at Mr. Hensley.
"Get bent," Paige said.
Paige's right leg shot out. It got Mr. Hensley in the stomach. His head leaned forward. Paige punched him in the jaw.
Randy frowned. She moved like some ninja assassin. He remembered finding this weird, but...
Paige's right leg connected to the Humagg's stomach. He groaned as he leaned forward. Paige groaned and hit him in the jaw hard.
He watched Paige aiming the laser.
"You have experience with this kind of situation I see," he observed.
Paige stared at him. She reached up to her forehead to push back a stray red hair. He noticed that there was a black band on her waist. She grinned at him.
"Where I come from," Paige said, "it pays to be prepared...especially against Kromaggs." She moved down the dark hall. "Come on. Your friend should be right around..."
"Randy!"
Randy blinked. He was back in the motel. Paige stood over the other officer. He was as unconscious as the first officer. She frowned at him.
"I'm okay," Randy said. "Flashback." He walked toward the motel room door. "We better find the others."
"This seat taken?"
Melissa turned to look at the visitor at the Dominion bar. It was a tall black man dressed in a nice seat. Melissa turned back to her half-full beer mug.
"Be my guest," Melissa muttered.
Melissa felt the air shift. She grabbed her mug and drank. It seem to be the only way she could get the image of Randy and Paige out of her head. All this time she thought she had found the perfect man. She guessed Randy was like the rest of...
"Are you going to be okay?"
Melissa looked at the black man beside her. She glared.
"I'm fine, okay?" Melissa snapped.
"You don't look fine," the black man said.
"It's none of your business."
"Maybe I'm trying to be a friend."
"You don't even know me," Melissa snapped.
"Fine," the black man said. Then he held out a hand. "Diggs."
Melissa felt the glare leave her face. She was surprised. She finally shook her head. She shot out her hand.
"Melissa," Melissa said as she shook Diggs's hand. "Nice to meet you."
"You, too," Diggs said. "So...bad breakup?"
Melissa looked at her beer mug.
"Yeah," Melissa said. "Well...kinda. Well...still sorting it out."
Diggs grinned. "I'm sure you will. He probably doesn't know the good thing he has. His loss."
Melissa felt a grin creep onto her face.
"Well...thanks," Melissa said. "I just...I don't know where we are now. I thought I knew, but...we're just worlds apart now."
Diggs leaned on the bar. He stared forward.
"If you two are in love, I think it will work itself out," Diggs said. "Love has a way of doing that."
"Looks like love treats you right," Melissa said.
Diggs leaned back from the bar with a smile on his face.
"Three years," Diggs said with pride. "Trust me. It wasn't easy."
Melissa smiled. It was nice to have someone to talk to. It gave her more to think about.
Suddenly, the stool Diggs was on came from under him. Diggs fell to the floor. Melissa kneeled down next to Diggs.
"Are you okay?" Melissa asked.
"Yeah," Diggs said.
"So you are coming to the wedding?"
Melissa looked up and away from Diggs. Ethan stood over them. He pushed the stool over to the bar counter.
"So you are coming to the wedding?" Ethan asked again.
"Uh...I don't know," Melissa replied. "Do you think you could help me with--"
Ethan sat on the barstool that Diggs was sitting on. He frowned at her.
"Why not?" Ethan asked, oblivious to Diggs on the floor.
"Uh...Ethan," Melissa said. "I think you should wait a moment and help me out."
Ethan looked down at Diggs. His face became a dark glare.
"Why?" Ethan asked.
Diggs managed to stand. "Look, Melissa. I'm okay. Nothing to worry about."
"Exactly," Ethan said. "He's so good that I bet he doesn't mind leaving."
Ethan's eyes were on Diggs. Melissa noticed that Diggs was shaking. He let out a nervous chuckle.
"You bet right," Diggs said. "I think I'm going to mosey on--"
Melissa put a hand on Diggs's shoulder.
"No," Melissa said. "Am I missing something?"
"No, honey," Diggs said. "Just...status quo in San Fran."
Diggs left the bar. Melissa stared after him, her mind full of several questions. She looked at Ethan. He sat at the bar with a grin on his face. He shrugged his shoulders.
"Don't know what came over him," Ethan said.
Melissa's eyes narrowed on Ethan. "I do. You."
Ethan's grin left his face. "Drop it, Melissa. He's not worth it."
"Worth it? Why?" Melissa challenged. "Because he's black?"
"Well...you said it," Ethan said. "Now about the wedding--"
"Yes," Melissa said. "I won't be going."
Melissa stormed out of the bar. If how Ethan treated Diggs was the norm for blacks, she had to find Professor Brown.
Brown stormed down the street. He had to make it to the motel. He had heard an earful at his double's office. He thought it was best if he got the others out of this.
Hands grabbed Brown. Before he knew it, he was in the alley. His back hit the brick wall with a thud.
He stared at his attackers. It was three men in normal dress. Two of them had his arms. Another one stood in front of him. He had a bat in hand. His face was wrinkled in hatred.
"Hello, Senator," the man said.
"Hello, young man," Brown said. "How have I winded up in this alley?"
The man smirked. "Cute." He swung the bat at Brown's head. It hit Brown, causing him to fall to the ground. "I hate cute."
Brown looked up. All three men stood over him.
"For a second," the man with the bat said, "I actually thought a blackie for Governor. Not so bad." he glared at Brown. "Then I found out your secret. Not only are you black, but a straight?" He raised the bat over his head. "You're dead."
Before Brown could move, the man swung the bat down. It shot at his head.
Randy entered the Dominion. The lobby was empty. However, the bar was full of people.
"I still don't see why Melissa would come here," Paige said, entering behind Randy. "She doesn't know anyone."
Randy looked at Paige. He frowned.
"She knows this place," Randy said. "We usually stay here so it's like home. She might be around."
"She was."
Randy turned around in time to have Ethan grab him in a hug. He managed to move away from Ethan's arms. He did not bother to look at Paige. His eyes were on Ethan.
"Where is she, Ethan?" Randy asked.
"Wow, Randy," Ethan said with an edge in his voice Randy was used to. "Really tense here."
"Wow, Ethan," Randy replied. "Really edgy. Jealous?"
Ethan frowned. "Is there something going on with you two?"
"Good question," Paige commented.
Randy turned to look at Paige. Paige grinned and shrugged her shoulders. He turned to look at Ethan.
"We...are friends," Randy said. "Always were."
Ethan put his arms over his chest. "Good. I would hate to hear my fiance went through an experimental phase."
"However...I would," Paige commented.
Randy put his hand on Ethan's shoulder. Ethan's brown eyes softened. He released his arms. Randy managed a smile.
"I was just worried," Randy explained. "Please...where is she?"
Melissa stormed down the street. She stared across it. There was various couples walking, lost in their idle chit-chat. Unlike her world, this world was mostly same-sex couples.
Melissa frowned. As she thought about Diggs's treatment at Ethan's hands, she shook her head. The more they encountered nice worlds, the more one of them discovered a dark underbelly to it. Why could they not slide to a fun world any more?
A commotion reached Melissa's ears. It was coming from the alley in front of her. She ran for it. Her eyes widened as she saw a man about to hit Professor Brown with a bat. He swung the bat.
The bat flew into the face of a man to the right of the man with the bat. The man looked shocked. Meanwhile Brown held up a hand. The man's other henchman flew into a brick wall. The man with the bat stared at Brown. Fear crept on his face.
"I know who sent you," Brown said. "Tell the Ms...Senator Brown will be more focused. Another attempt like this...will have grave consequences."
The man with the bat ran out of the alley. He barely acknowledge Melissa. She did not care. She ran for Brown.
"You okay?" Melissa asked.
"Great, Miss Clark," Brown replied. "It is good to have a subspecies of humans alter your body so you now have vast telekinetic abilities that allow you to defend yourself against heterophobes."
"Heterophobes?" Melissa managed. "I take it you heard something?"
"The world seems to be a world of homosexuals," Brown explained. "My double appears to have used that information to set himself up as a powerful senator. That way he can help the African American homosexual population...who seem to be a second class here."
"I've seen," Melissa said. "And pity anyone who helps you."
"They help my double fine," Brown replied. "He is about to be governor and have a say on that. However...he is secretly heterosexual. If anyone finds out--"
"Death and dismemberment?" Melissa suggested.
"Let us not be crude, Miss Clark."
"Sorry," Melissa said. "Bad day." She looked at the unconscious men on the ground. "What now?"
Brown stared at the men as well. He shook his head.
"My ex-wife is my advisor here," Brown said. "She thinks I should continue this masquerade...so much so that she staged this."
"How do you know?" Melissa asked.
"I...was investigating my double," Brown explained. "She made an interesting call while my double was in the restroom. I find that she has a definite point."
Melissa shook her head. "I understand it's for the greater good, but...he has a right to his own life."
Brown frowned. "Even if death is the result?"
"Better to live your own life than to not live at all," Melissa said. "Especially when someone wants you back."
Brown frowned. "Where is Mr. Heim and Miss Kendall?"
Melissa turned away. She headed out of the alley. A moment later, Brown was beside her.
"Miss Clark?" Brown managed.
"You know...we really have to break you of that habit of calling me Miss," Melissa said.
"Are you all right?"
Melissa paused on the street. She looked up at the sky. Her mouth released a long sigh.
"They...were fine when I left them at the motel," Melissa said.
"And they were--"
"Kissing!" Melissa snapped. "I finally get him back, Professor. And he's kissing her?"
"You know he is quite mixed up at the moment," Brown said. "That will pass. Then...you two will come together like you always do."
"In order to come back, there has to be something there," Melissa said. "He's gone...and so am I."
"Miss Clark!" Brown exclaimed.
"Don't you have a press conference?" Melissa countered.
"'And the press conference is about to begin. What the Senator will say remains to be seen. This is...'"
Randy phased out the television above the Dominion bar. He was just not into it. He turned to look at Paige. She was playing darts. After talking to Ethan, he had decided they should wait since police might be looking for them.
'We...are friends.'
The words came back to haunt Randy now. He had said them to Ethan so he would back off. However...maybe the words were more true than he thought.
Paige put another dart in the center of the dart board. Randy smiled. He really enjoyed her. She had his back, and he trusted her to have it. But Melissa...
Randy looked at the entrance to the bar. Melissa stood in the door. She stared at him. Her eyes were full of sadness.
"'I am glad to have gotten this far...'" Darnell Brown's voice said on the television.
A tear fell down Melissa's cheek. She wiped it away.
"'...however, it is time to take that next step...getting to the truth,'" Darnell's voice continued. "'With that in mind I have to admit that I have been sleeping with my lover...and a woman...Dru Elise for the past two years.'"
"What?"
Randy turned to look at the guy sitting next to him. He looked at other bar patrons. Their looks were full of shock and confusion.
"Did he just...?" one asked.
"Yeah," another answered.
"Outed himself," another added.
"That hetero," a patron hissed.
Randy looked at the bar entrance. A figure appeared behind Melissa. Randy shot up. He grabbed Paige as Brown came into view. He turned to look at the bar patrons. They saw Brown in the entrance. Their looks of shock became glares.
Brown held both of his hands out. They were aimed at the roof door. He held it in place with his power regardless of the heavy pounding.
"How much longer?" Melissa asked.
She got no answer. Melissa looked away from Brown to look at Randy. He stared at Brown. However his look was the look of someone under a spell.
"Randy?" Paige managed. She walked up to him. "Randy?"
Melissa frowned. She hated seeing Paige so close to Randy, but she was right. Now was not the time for Randy to go into one of his trances.
What was he thinking?
He placed the microchip on Professor Darnell Brown. Brown's eyes snapped open, electric wires running across his sockets. They narrowed on him and Paige.
"He's awake," Paige muttered.
"And thanks to that chip...under my control," he said, staring at Brown.
There was heavy banging from the metal double doors. He turned in time to see a red laser shoot through the door. It sliced through part of the door.
"Okay, Randall, what now?" Paige asked.
"Now," he answered staring back at Darnell, "the agent will get us to a new world. Darnell...the Kromaggs have altered you...all so they could get to your homeworld. They expected more of a fight from my duplicate so I know you have more abilities than you have revealed. You have a will separate from them. Take us to my world. Now."
He heard the whirring. He turned in time to see a vortex open. Without hesitation, he jumped into it.
But something went wrong. There was pain...fire... Then he remembered being awaken on Paranoia World with no memory of who he was...with Paige at his side...trusting her.
"Randy?"
Melissa watched Randy blink. He looked at Paige. She held up the timer.
"It's time to go," Paige said, "and I don't fell like fighting RuPaul."
Brown fell out of the vortex. It closed behind him.
"Hola! Te hable espanol?"
Brown stared about him. He and the others had slide into a town square. It was a town square full of mules, small automobiles, and a lot of Mexican people.
"Oh, great," Brown muttered.
"Don't worry," Melissa replied, walking up beside Brown. "I know Spanish."
Brown turned around to look at Randy. He was busy holding Paige, checking to see if she was okay. Brown looked at Melissa. She glared at the scene and stormed away.
"Miss Clark--" Brown started.
Another whir sounded out. Brown turned in time to see a blue vortex form near Randy and Paige. Lighting shot from it, tearing apart Randy and Paige. They fell to the dirt ground.
"Heim!" Brown yelled.
A figure appeared from the vortex.
The figure fired a rifle into the vortex before it closed. Brown watched the figure fall to the dirt ground near Randy and Paige. Brown approached the figure, his eyes widening as recognition hit his mind.
"Maggie Beckett?" Brown muttered.
Maggie was dirty and bloody on the ground. She managed to look at Brown. Her lips opened to speak.
"Kromaggs..." Maggie started. Then she passed out.
THE-END
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