Voyagers!: Finding Bliss

Chapter 1

I probably don't have to tell you what a lonely life a Voyager leads. You've heard my rants before – no union, no paid vacations, Chinese food one minute, Greek food the next…. We meet swarms of people nearly every day, but their images tend to merge like a gigantic blur and all we have are distant memories.

Being a Voyager takes sacrifice, and it's not always easy, especially in the love department. I'm not talking about earth shattering, heart stopping, pulse pounding romantic love…though Voyagers often in that area too…ahem…

I'm talking about having the freedom to hold a lover's hand, talk over coffee, and take long walks by the shore. To have a peaceful moment just to stare into their eyes and whisper sweet nothings in their ears – without adjusting the omni and flying off to another time zone…while trying to forget they'd ever existed.

You know part of my story and can a bunch of the women I've met and befriended on my voyages with Jeffrey Jones. You cried with me when I sacrificed the love of a lifetime for a telephone and green light. You pitied me when I left a perfectly decent woman like Jackie Knox behind in tears and regret. No one felt more pain those times than I did.

However, there's one woman who'd been on my mind a lot these days.

We never got romantic, or even expressed attraction, well, at least she didn't. Did I? The circumstances weren't right at the time. It was a red zone anyway. Everything totally changed afterward. I humbly note that I have certain undeniable charms and manners that speak volumes to a woman. Sometimes it's just a passing glance. I'm always the Romeo according to Jeffrey. Countless friends and fellow Voyagers have told me that it's all in my eyes and the way I "gaze" and offer up smiles.

Is it really so simple? Am I that transparent?

I bet you're wracking your brains wondering just who captured my heart this time. In case you didn't know, Jeff and I have been partners for four years now. He just enrolled in Voyager school and I'm…well, I got needs, okay? I'm lonely. I'm bored without Jeff and I just can't stop thinking about that fiery, hearty, goodness…

Chili con queso.

Gave ya a clue, didn't I?

Headquarters gave me a mini-sabbatical since Jeffrey started classes, so I'm eagerly off to Hollywood, 1929. With my omni set at the precise time and place, (Yeah, I got an upgrade, but it's still my brass one.)

I land just in time to see my past self and 12 year-old Jeffrey chowing down on a carton of chili. I duck behind a lighted vanity a few feet away. Man, that kid and his hair have gotten big since then, now…err…you get it, right? It's time travel. It doesn't always make sense. Me? Four years hasn't done any damage. I'm buffer and my hair's a little longer. As the old cliche for men goes, I'm aging like fine wine.

My younger self sets the omni. I remember my words clearly, and the regret as I spoke them.

"Ah, nothing stays the same, everything changes."

Jeffrey, by the way, didn't share the rest of the chili. I was pretty bummed and made sure he knew it for a long time. I'm glad I'm wearing the same old pirate clothes, and I can still fit them perfectly. Besides, In Hollywood, nobody pays any attention to an extra. Jeffrey had long since traded in that red and white rugby and brown jeans. He hangs them in his closet at Headquarters for posterity. He told I should do the same. Begged me is more like it.

Okay, the coast is clear, they've omnied out and my target just finished delivering lunch. I'm sure she's ready for her break now. Let me check the old pouch– Perfect! I brought some Voyager compensation money in 1920's currency. Brown Derby, here I come!

"Miss Bliss! Miss Bliss!"

She turns and her large, winsome eyes light up with that adorable thousand-watt smile. I remember those dimples like it was yesterday. I adore the auburn curls poking out from under her red scarf. I don't know why, but when I'm around her she makes me giddy inside. I love how her eyes crinkle joyfully. You can't help but return her smile – it's contagious. I suddenly feel like a shy boy that wants to ask out the prettiest girl in class. Who am I kidding? I felt like that in Voyager school around Susan too.

"Can I help you? Was the chili okay? Did your friend like it too?" She asked bubbly.

"Oh, the chili was perfect! Actually my friend had to leave and he took the rest with him, so I didn't get to enjoy it."

She looks genuinely sad for me. "I'm sorry. I'm fresh out and about to leave for the day. Maybe if I see you on set tomorrow? I'll make a fresh pot just for you."

So earnest. I love it!

I wring my hands together and sway side to side. I got the jitters.

Snap out of it, Bogg! Ask her before she leaves! (Sometimes I hear Jeffrey's voice in my head even when he's not around.)

"Umm, Miss Bliss, Veronica, I know we just met and all, but I was wondering if…if…"

"If?"

"If uhh, I can take you to lunch. Is the Brown Derby okay?"

Her blue-gray eyes widen and she clutches her rosy cheek. "Brown Derby? Are you kidding me?"

"No. Why would I?"

"But that place costs an arm and a leg! I couldn't ask you to…"

I raise my hand to silence her. Her New York "lithp" gets more pronounced when she's excited. It's very cute.

"You're not asking me to, I'm asking you."

"Before I go out with you, do you mind telling me your name?"

"Oh, sure, heh heh. I'm Phineas Bogg."

"Phineas Bogg. Where have I heard that one before?"

"Probably Jules Verne, my uh, my parents loved his books."

Veronica laughs gaily. "Of course! Phineas Bogg, Phileas Fogg! Around the world in eighty days! That's one of my favorite stories."

She holds out her hand. I grip it with my two hands and bob up and down gently, that's the woman handshake, ya know?

"Okay, Phineas, I guess it's a date."

"Wonderful!"

I bow, then ease my arm out like a cavalier and she blushes like a cherry. She daintily slips her arm through mine but looks at her clothes disappointed.

"Aww, gee, I'm still in my catering uniform. I can't walk into the Brown Derby like this. I'll have to change; I have some clothes in my locker. Oh, and you're still dressed as a pirate. They'll definitely thumb their noses at us."

Of course I never think this far ahead. I have the perfect idea. "You get changed, Veronica, we'll meet right back here."

"Okay, I won't be long!" She smiles and runs off quickly.

I remember where I put those clothes I wore from the last time. The blue shirt and black slacks looked pretty darn good on me, and surprise, surprise, it was a perfect fit then too. With everyone out to lunch it's easy for me to slip in and out of the costume department, this time I bring my pirate clothes with me and my omni is hidden in my pocket for now.

I'm not taking any chances. Jeffrey isn't here to cut a deal with the Little Rascals, or was it Terrible tots? Ehh, whatever those little minions were called. I'm back at the spot immediately. Five minutes pass, ten…okay, I know that women usually take longer than men, but she looked perfect. Ten's my limit. I doubt she stood me up. Veronica's not like that. I have a bad feeling in my gut.

I walk the direction she'd taken and the back door leads me outside to a deserted part of the studio lot. I'm glad it's not extremely hot, because the sun's beaming. I hear her voice a few feet away. She'd changed into the outfit I first saw her in – a sailor-style blouse, white cardigan, and matching pleated skirt with cream-colored Mary Jane shoes. She has a pretty pearl cameo around her neck.

Every muscle in my body tenses. Sam Winthrop, the studio security guard, is talking to her, but it looks more like harassment to me. Veronica's not happy and she seems frightened.

Sam's in love with her, but I don't care where your sympathies lie, he's two lights short of an omni. It's always the quiet ones skulking in the background, isn't it? In the old time zone he'd tried to kill Franklin Roosevelt by rigging a stage light to crash on him. He planted a dynamite bomb on a sound-stage that nearly blew me to bits, then had me arrested for trespassing! Poor Veronica used the last of her savings to bail me out of jail. On top of that, he scared countless people on the set with his anonymous, threatening letters. The man's violently obsessed and it looks like this is one thing that hasn't changed. He puts the Phantom of the Opera to shame.

"Sam, I don't understand why you're upset, it's just a date. Phineas is very charming and polite. I want to go. I haven't had a date in months."

Sam's dark eyes narrow. "Sure, that's what they all are until they get what they want. I saw him with you. He's no different. I won't have you going around town with some low-rent Valentino!"

Veronica gasps. "Sam! You have no right to talk about him, you don't even know him. And I don't like you spying on me. You know what I think? I think you're jealous. Yeah, that's it! You're always jealous of other guys even looking at me and I don't like it."

"Oh really? I'll tell you what I don't like."

Sam grabs her arm and forces her close. I've seen and heard enough. This guy is about to be introduced to my licensed weapons. I run up and shove him away…hard.

"Hey, you, get your dirty mitts off her!" I'm shouting, but I don't care, my temper goes through the roof when it comes to the mistreatment of women.

Sam pushes my arm away and backs up. "Are you the jerk she's going out with?"

"Stop it, Sam! He's not a jerk."

"Shut your yap, Veronica. This is between me and him. I'll deal with you later!"

That does it for me. I rush into him and grab his collar, then heave him against the building. He's afraid of me, I can tell, but this is love and war here. I give him a harsh ultimatum.

"I don't think you get it, pal. Veronica is with me, and if I find out that you've hurt her in any way I'll…"

Veronica pulls me back and keeps her soothing hand on my bicep. "No, Phineas, I don't want any trouble. I understand why Sam's doing this. He's…"

"Let me guess, when you came to Hollywood he helped you, gave you money, and was a loving shoulder to cry on. The uniform still has tear-stains, am I right?"

Veronica stares at me amazed. "Exactly. How did you know?"

"I've seen this all before. I'll make the plot thicker. Sam here convinced you not to go into acting and to do what you really love, cooking and catering. That way you wouldn't forget him if you became famous and he wouldn't have to share you with anyone else."

Veronica steps away from both of us and Sam loosens my grip on his uniform and dusts it off. "You don't know a damn thing, buster!"

"We're just friends, Sam. I thought you knew that." Veronica says pitiably.

"No, Veronica, I can't believe that. You and I were close. I mean, we are close, but who am I kidding?"

"Nobody." I interject. "You know Veronica would never go for a guy like you, at least you felt that way about yourself, so now you play the big, over-protective brother routine with her."

I make sure to stand between Veronica and Sam. "Right now you're way out of line, sad sack." I crack my knuckles for effect.

Sam heaves a large sigh. He removes his security cap and tosses it hand to hand. "I didn't mean to hurt you, Veronica. You're right. I'm insanely jealous that guys like him get all the breaks."

Little does he know. Voyagers don't know what breaks are. Veronica's fears fear disappears and she approaches Sam and cups his cheek. I won't let my guard down.

"Oh, Sam, you're a very sweet man, and I can't thank you enough for everything you did for me, but…"

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. You're with him now."

"Sam, we're not together…yet." I say, unsure of myself. Veronica gazes at me with a coy smile and a flicker of hope in her eyes. I can't let her down. "But we're working on it. I think it'd be best for everyone if you'd let bygones be bygones and left Veronica alone." I say with authority.

"Sam, you'll always be my dear friend, you know that." Veronica offers. She is far too kind to this bum.

Sam looks so forlorn, but something in him is about to break. The writing was always on the wall for his sanity in any time-zone. I don't react fast enough. Sam grabs Veronica tight and pulls the handcuffs off his belt. He slaps one on him and the other on her wrist and backs away.

"Oww! Sam! What are you doing? Phineas, stop him!" Veronica pleads and tries to pull her hand out of the cuffs. Sam yanks hard on her arm and she screeches.

"Sam! Don't do that! Let her go! You don't hurt the people you love!" I attempt to ambush him, but he pulls out his club and waves it at me, then swings it over Veronica's head.

"Sam, NO!"

I have to hold back. Veronica ducks frightened. "Put that away, Sam!" She cries. "I'm sorry! I'll do whatever you want! Don't hurt Phineas!"

"Don't hurt Phineas! Don't hurt Phineas?" He bellows. His face contorts in an ugly rage.

Veronica cowers. "Please, just relax, Sam. We'll talk about this! All of us!"

"Sam, listen to her!" I hold my hands out and I'm ready to jump him, but I don't see a chance without breaking Veronica's arm in the process.

"Please, Sam, I'll do anything you ask, don't hurt anybody!"

It kills me to hear Veronica give in to this psychopath. The melodrama is just beginning.

"It's way too late for that, Veronica. I gave you all the chances in the world!"

Here it comes everybody.

"If I can't have you, no one can!"

Sam turns tail and runs with Veronica into an adjacent studio. I look on momentarily stunned. What in the world just happened here?

Get a grip, Bogg!

All of Jeffrey's euphemisms pound me whenever I do something out of character, like stand still when a damsel is in distress.

Sam has gone off the deep end and I have to save her at all costs. I do a fast omni check, and of course, the light turns red just as I open it. Nothing's ever easy in a Voyager's life. This was all my fault for coming here. Maybe. Doesn't matter. I race like the wind after them.