Wednesday, June 13th, 2012

Julia came by to see how I was doing the next morning but didn't stay long.

"How are you feeling today, William?" asked Julia.

"Much better, thank you," I said, propped up in my hospital bed. "Though I am feeling foolish still."

"Yeah, that was a pretty bizarro thing for you to do." I stared at her blankly. "It was very odd that you knocked yourself out like that."

"Oh, yes, I don't know what I was thinking."

She glanced at me furtively for a moment. "Do you remember what you were saying last night? About where you come from?"

I looked away and said, "It would be best that we forget that ever happened. Something else I'm feeling foolish about."

Julia laughed a little. "That was some crazy stuff you were rambling on about. I'm not really into the whole sci-fi thing myself."

"Sci-fi?" I thought about that for a moment. "As in science fiction?"

She laughed longer this time and then stared at me curiously. "Time travel sure would explain a lot though. It's too bad you don't have a time machine, then I might have actually believed you!"

I smiled at that. "Yes, if only that were the case." Then I'd be able to get back home.

The same doctor from the previous night came in then. "Good morning," he glanced at a chart, "William." He pulled out the tiny day light in a box again and shone it in my eyes. "So William, I'm a bit concerned about your mental state. Someone informed a nurse of your conversation last night and I read the report a few minutes ago." I looked at Julia and she shrugged her shoulders. "Let's see here, you claimed to be from the year 1899 and that someone named George knocked you out and you ended up here. Do you deny saying these things?"

"No, sir, I do not." Julia sighed slightly then.

"I'm afraid you might have sustained some brain damage," said the doctor. "We'll need to do further testing to be certain. I wouldn't worry about anything just yet."

Before I could say or do anything else the doctor flashed me a smile that did nothing to instill a sense of courage in me, left the room and was quickly out of sight.

"Thank you for not informing anyone of our conversation last night."

"Don't mention it, William. I might be a snitch for my job but I have principles the rest of the time. So who do you think ratted you out?"

I looked around at all the other patients present and said, "I believe the old woman across from us is the culprit."

Julia smirked at that. "And how did you come to that conclusion so quickly?"

"She was the only one who didn't complain when I was pacing yesterday even though I could tell that it was bothering her. No doubt she was saving her revenge for a more potent form. Also, her hearing is far better than one might think for someone her age."

"I'll take your word for it," she said smiling. "Well, I really have to get going now but I'll stop by after work."

"I look forward to our next meeting," I said also smiling.

She nodded and left.

About a half an hour later, they brought me to something called an MRI machine. What a wondrous device!

"And how will this device be able to see inside my head? Are you going to use X-rays?"

The technician gave me an unamused look and said, "MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. Does that sound like it has anything to do with X-rays, genius?"

"No, sir, it does not but surely the principles are similar."

"Yeah Einstein, way to point out the obvious."

Einstein? Who or what is that?

Rather than argue with the unpleasant man I lay down on the white board and the technician pressed a button which then caused the whole thing to move into the narrow cavity. It was an unsettling experience for me but I bore it without complaint, even when the loud noise started up. It didn't hurt me so I assumed that was a normal sound.

Within ten minutes the ordeal was over and a nurse took me back to my room and served me some breakfast. It was the most dreadful thing I had ever tasted! Even worse than Miss Kitchen's cooking! I quickly gave up trying to eat it, the taste making my stomach turn.

Many hours later the doctor came back. "Well," he looked at a chart, "William, your brain seems to be fine. I guess you just got a little carried away last night." His demeanour changed then and he said, "There is however another concern."

"Yes?" Now what?

"We've been having some problems with your paperwork. Certain things aren't checking out. Due to the nature of your trauma, it's understandable that you might have gotten mixed up. Nurse Joy is going to help you go through it again to make sure we didn't overlook something before...well, it's best not to discuss such unpleasant things yet. Anyways, she'll be by shortly and hopefully we'll be able to sort this out."

The doctor flashed me another smile and was out the door.

Oh no!, I thought. It was imperative that I got out of there right now before I was detained indefinitely. If the authorities were ever made aware that my name and everything else about me didn't check out, they would surely want to determine who I really was. They probably would consider me to be a confidence trickster or some other sort of criminal that required an alias. The last thing I wanted to do was break the law but if I was captured I would never be able to figure out a way to get back home.

I went into the washroom and quickly got changed into the only clothing that I owned. It wasn't long before there was knocking at the door and a woman speaking.

"Mr. Murdoch, it's Nurse Joy. How long do you think you're going to be?"

"A very long time," I said loudly. "The food here didn't agree with me."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Well, I'll come back in a little while to see how you're doing."

"Sounds fine."

I listened closely by the door and heard footsteps walking away. I counted them out and knew she hadn't left the room. I waited like that for several minutes before the familiar click clack sound of her shoes became a distant sound. I slowly opened the door and didn't see anyone, then I stealthily crept up to the room's entrance and scouted out the area. When I saw it was all clear, I hurried down the hallway, past the admittance desk and then entered a side staircase. Other people came by that way before I reached the ground floor but they paid me no notice. Finally I reached my destination and I was free, for the time being. However, now the question was where I should go next. Only one place came to mind and it was probably the worst place for me to go right now. But go I did.

It took many hours to get back to the precinct. At first I simply walked as I didn't own a vehicle like Julia and everyone else seemed to. And even if I had access to one, I wouldn't have known what to do. Eventually I spotted a streetcar. It was different looking than what was present in 1899 but still used an electrified track the same way. I ran over to it and got on.

"Good afternoon, sir," I said, "you have a lovely vehicle."

The conductor grunted at me so I just walked past him and towards the back.

"Hey buddy!" he yelled. "You gonna pay or what?"

I searched my pockets as I headed back to the irate man. I already knew that I wouldn't find anything but tried vainly anyways. When I came up empty handed the conductor continued to yell at me and other passengers joined in until I gave up and got off. Why is everyone so angry here?

I started walking again and came across a vehicle with the word taxi on it. I saw some people get in and then heard them give the driver directions. There were other taxi's around but I didn't bother trying to use this service as I was fairly certain it would also require payment. In the end I had to walk the entire way back. I got lost several times and found it very difficult to get directions from the people passing by. It was hard to believe that even though there were many times more people than I was accustomed to, I had never felt quite so lonely in my entire life. However, there were a few good souls amongst the crowd who didn't appear to be in such a rush and who were willing to help me out.

A few times I came across police officers and made sure to make myself scarce. I had no idea how soon after my break out the cops would be looking for me or if indeed they would at all. But considering the modern cameras they had all over the hospital, they would likely have access to a picture of me. So if they were looking for me, it was best not to take any unnecessary risks. I wondered why anyone would choose the life of a criminal, it was not desirable in the least. I was constantly stressed out and had an almost overwhelming urge to turn myself in.

By the time I made it back to the precinct, I was very hungry as the last thing I had eaten were some donuts the previous day. I hoped to find more of them as they were the most delicious thing I had ever eaten. But unfortunately there were none to be found. There was however a large rectangular box that I later discovered was called a vending machine. Once again, a payment was necessary to access the food within. In my frustration I shook the machine, hoping to dislodge something from the metal trappings.

"Whoa, whoa!" exclaimed George. "What do ya think you're doing buddy? This thing's been broke more times than I can count cause of manhandling like that!" He reached into his pocket and fished out a small golden object. "Here," he said tossing it to me, "if you're so damn desperate for some freaking snickers then by all means, it's on me!"

I examined the shiny coin to find what appeared to be a loon on one side and an old woman on the other. I must have stared at it for too long because George lost his patience with me again.

"What are you doing? Did you knock your brains loose like Wile E. Coyote?" I simply stared at him for I didn't know how to respond. "Oh for Christ's sake!" he shouted, grabbing the coin from my fingers and inserting it into a little slot on the machine. George quickly punched some buttons and one of the food items fell down. I hunched over to pick up something called a Mars bar. What a strange name! Why would they name their food after a planet?

I quickly opened it and took a bite. I was wrong about the donuts. This was even more wonderful tasting! I must have smiled oddly then for George laughed at me, muttered something that sounded like 'freak of nature' and then left. I devoured the whole bar and then found myself very thirsty. Luckily I had previously noted a drinking apparatus of some sort in the lobby of the building. I accessed the elevator and headed back down to the ground floor. When the doors opened, I came face to face with Julia.

"William!" she said taken aback, "what are you doing here?"

"The doctor said I was fine," I said as I stepped out.

"Yeah but how did you get here? You didn't have any money on you."

"I walked."

Her eyes widened at that. "But that must have taken forever! Why didn't you call me? I would have picked you up!"

"I did not know your number."

"Oh, right," she said looking sheepish. "Well just give me your phone and I'll give it to you right now."

"I don't own a phone."

Julia rolled her eyes at that. "Why am I not surprised? I'm really starting to wonder if your story might have been true after all." I looked at her expectantly and she started laughing again. "I'm just joking man!" She quieted down and then touched my forehead. "At least that's gone down a bit. How do you feel?"

In truth it was still painful but somehow when she touched it, it didn't hurt as badly. I was thrilled by her touch but tried not to show it. However she seemed to notice anyways.

"Hey, I'm off in like half an hour, what do you say to getting a cold one with me and then later going to see West Side Story?"

"That sounds delightful," I said smiling broadly.

"Great!" she said returning the gesture.

We headed back up to the fifth floor, my thirst completely forgotten as it had been replaced by another sensation, one that I do not feel appropriate to talk about even here.

On the way up she said, "So I put out some feelers for your wallet but so far we haven't managed to track down any recent credit card charges under your name." She looked at me closely then, "The strange thing was that we couldn't find any record of any charges ever being made." I opened my mouth to speak but she smiled and said, "Let me guess, you don't use credit cards either."

"I admit to being mystified by them."

Julia laughed again as we reached our destination.

A cold one turned out to be beer. I have never been fond of alcohol, especially such a disgusting tasting type but didn't mind indulging when in Julia's presence. What I did mind was the noise emanating from some unknown source. Calling it music would be far too generous in my opinion. It was very brash and unpleasant and I can't fathom why anyone would want to listen to such racket. But that was all the proprietor seemed to want to play. I did my best to converse with Julia but found it to be extremely difficult. She must have sensed my discomfort.

"Oh man, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed. "I'm such a dumbass sometimes! Of course you wouldn't like this place! See I come here all the time and I didn't even think twice about it. Let's go someplace more your speed, shall we?"

"Yes, please."

She paid for our beers and then we left.

"Why do you like such a dreadful place, Julia?"

"Well, it's a great place to meet guys."

"Oh," I said taking in her meaning. I was dismayed to think about how many men she had been with but endeavoured not to judge her too harshly, for this behaviour seemed to be disturbingly typical of this time and place. I observed plenty of shocking behaviour on my walk back from the hospital. Some of which involved members of the same sex! The values that I hold so dear do not seem to apply here. If I'm going to be stuck here, I will have to learn to get used to it.

We went to a nice, relatively quiet place that Julia called a family restaurant. And she was quite right for there were many children present in the vicinity. Several of them were hunched over little rectangular devices that made strange noises every time they pushed a button. I thought it was rather disrespectful of them to be ignoring their parents like that but if they didn't mind, who was I to question it?

We ordered some food and drink and then got to talking about ourselves.

"So Julia, how long have you been a detective?"

"Uh, about ten years I'd say. What about you?"

"About the same for me as well."

"I've been meaning to ask you this, William, but where did you transfer from?"

I wasn't sure how to respond but I did the best I could. "I previously was stationed in New Brunswick, in a little town outside of Moncton."

"Is that the same place your Jesuit Priests come from?"

"Yes, indeed it is."

"And your family? Are they still out there as well?"

"No, my father is out West in British Colombia and my mother died many years ago."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that."

"Thank you, Julia. And your family, are they well?"

"My mother died long ago and my dad is dating another blonde bimbo and they're vacationing in Fiji right now. My sister is in New York city and she's just recently made it big time as a lead journalist for the New York Times."

"I'm sorry for your loss as well but I'm glad to hear that your father and Ruby are doing well."

Julia looked at me incredulously and I realized my mistake. "How did you know her name?" she asked slowly, suspiciously.

"You mentioned it yesterday, don't you remember?"

"No, I don't," she replied getting more suspicious. "You're not like some crazy virtual stalker who facebooked me in order to pretend to have the same interests as me, are you?"

There were so many things about that question that I didn't understand so I played it safe.

"No, of course not Julia!" I said apologetically. "The only people I stalk are criminals."

Then she laughed and said, "I believe it! Knowing you, I bet you don't even know how to use a computer!"

I forced a laugh as best I could for I didn't know what she was talking about and it seemed to be an appropriate thing to do. Luckily our drinks came so she didn't have time to notice that my laugh was not sincere. The wine she had ordered for us was much better than the beer and soon as I feeling more comfortable in this place than I had ever been. It certainly didn't help matters that I was consuming this on an empty stomach. By the time the food came I was positively merry and I cannot recall now what was said in the interim.

An hour later we went to go see this West Side Story. I must admit that it wasn't what I had been expecting. It was nothing like Romeo and Juliet. Whether it was the wine or something else, I found myself quite captivated by the performances and didn't even mind when the two star crossed lovers got rather inappropriate with one another. I was also pleasantly surprised half way through that Julia was holding my hand. I don't know when she started to but it didn't matter, it was wonderful all the same.

"Did you like it William," she asked me after the show.

"Yes, I was surprised by how much I did."

"I had a great time tonight."

"Yes, as did I."

We stared at one another for awhile.

"You know, it's late, how 'bout I give you a ride home."

I didn't respond and I dreaded what I would say next. Understandably she mistook my silence.

"Hey don't get me wrong man! I'm not gonna try anything with you if that's what you're afraid of! I just think you've done more than your fair share of walking today."

I wasn't sure how to avoid telling her that I had made up my address when filling out the paper work at the hospital and that I in fact had no place to call my own. So I acted impulsively, I grabbed her and kissed her. At first she was surprised but then she responded actively and I found myself quite enjoying the experience. It was both very similar and very different to how my Julia would have kissed me. This Julia was doing things with her tongue that I had never experienced before and it seemed to only enhance the pleasure of the situation.

Eventually she broke away and breathed, "So I guess we're going to my place."

At her place things got a little out of hand.

We were horizontal on the couch and she whispered, "I'll be right back, I'm just gonna go get something."

"What?"

She just smiled and disappeared into the washroom. She came back with a little silver packet.

"What is that?" I asked.

She laughed and said, "The way things are headed, we're gonna need this soon."

I understood her meaning then and sat up. I had just gotten a terrible sense of Deja Vu. Many years ago I had been in a similar situation with my Julia and this made me realize that I had almost made a terrible mistake. If I had let this continue would it be like I had replaced my Julia with this version? And if I ever make it back home, would I be able to look at her the same way?

"What's wrong?" she said, smile faltering. "Too much too soon?"

"Yes, something like that."

"Yeah, sorry about that, I tend to get carried away."

We remained like that awkwardly for several moments until I broke the silence.

"So what is this contraption?" I asked pointing to a large rectangular glass picture frame.

Julia looked where I was pointing and laughed again. "Oh William, you're so funny!" She picked up a smaller rectangular device, pointed it at the frame and all of a sudden it lit up! What appeared to be a baseball game was playing across the screen.

"Oh my!" I exclaimed. "This is wonderful!"

"You're a Blue Jays fan, I take it?" she said laughing.

"Oh, yes," I said wondering why she was talking about birds.

"Do you wanna watch the game then?"

"Okay, that sounds nice."

She sat back down beside me and we watched the game for a bit. Before I knew it, it was morning and I awoke to find Julia's head propped against my shoulder.