Disclaimer: All characters from Early Edition belong to those who created this magnificent ensemble.
The others are created by me and may only be used with my permission.
May my humble offering appease the cravings of those who hunger for more Early Edition?
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Chapter 3
Trying to kick his legs free of the blankets made Gary recognized he was back in bed. Was it a dream? He gave a quick look at the clock, 8:13. He hurried to the door and flung it open. No cat, No paper…again. . Not getting the paper left him with an empty feeling. He turned back to his room and glanced around. Now what? There was no doubt in his mind he was here for a reason. He just didn't have a clue yet to lead him to it
After searching his place, Gary headed down to the bar. Marissa sat at her desk going through a stack of folders leaning against her. "Marissa?" He ventured but she gave no hint of hearing him. She hadn't looked up when he had come into the office. He looked at her wistfully. There was so much he wanted to tell her and now he never could. He wondered if she knew how important her friendship had been to him. He watched her check the time. She seemed to be waiting for something. A loud rap came at the office door. Before Marissa could say 'come in' a young man about twenty-five bursts in.
"I'm sorry I'm late, Marissa. I stopped to get some more buns for the bar," the man explained.
"But the bakery delivered buns this morning," she frowned.
"Yea, and they never leave enough of the larger buns for the tenderloins and we run out every weekend," he countered.
"Oh," Marissa nodded. "Good thinking then. Have a seat, Jay."
Jay sat down nervously. "Marissa, this job of manager. I know you think I'm too young for it and I'm just the bartender…"
"I know you do more than just tend bar, Jay," she smiled and rose to put the folders she had back in the file cabinet.
"Marissa!" Gary gaped at her. He hurried over to look at her up and down. "Your…pregnant…how? Who?" At that moment he noticed the wedding band on her left hand. He grinned and wondered if Emmett was her husband. Then he frowned. How much time had past since his funeral?
"Your right about one thing Jay," Marissa felt for a file on top of the cabinet and eased back down into the seat with a sigh.
"Are you all right?" Jay looked worried.
"I'm fine as I can be at this point," she grumbled. "I'll be glad when the baby comes. As I was saying, I don't think you are right for managing McGinty's."
"It's my prison record, isn't it?" the man charged.
"No, if that was a problem you wouldn't be working here at all," Marissa said seriously. "Running McGinty's is a full time job. I need someone I can depend on when I'm not here. Someone who can make decisions without running to me for every little thing. When I'm home with the baby, I want to know I don't have to worry about what's going on here." She paused to rub the side of her swollen belly.
"You don't think I have enough experience," Jay slumped in his seat.
"You probably don't but I'm going to offer you this anyway," She pulled out some papers. "You've worked here for three years now. Robin has been here longer but she isn't interested in this because of her kids. It would be more work than what she wants. I might not be able to see but I have my spies telling me how people are doing and you come highly recommended." Marissa grinned like she was ready to burst.
"What? I got the manger's job?" The young man was confused.
"Nope. I'm offering you a partnership in McGinty's. Fifty/fifty," she handed a paper to him.
"I don't understand? I can't afford to buy half the bar," Jay frowned at the offer.
"You don't understand. I'm not selling it. I'm giving it to you," she said softly.
"Why would you give me half of McGinty's?" The skeptic in the man couldn't believe the offer.
"Well, if you own part of it, you'll be more likely to work your tail off and… because it was given to me. I wouldn't feel right selling it," she swallowed hard and shifted in her seat.
Jay looked at the paper in his hand, a document, giving him a legal claim on McGinty's. He couldn't believe it. Fearfully he glanced at Marissa. "What if I mess up?"
"You clean up your mess and move on just like the rest of us," Marissa stated. "Expect to make mistakes. But when you do slip-up, the sooner you fix it the better. It will cost a lot less in the long run," she rubbed her stomach again. "I'll be a phone call away but you really won't need my help. You know how things go here as well as anyone. Before I know it you'll be asking me to but out," she laughed and then took a deep breath rubbing her back. "The only thing I ask is PLEASE, no major changes without checking with me first."
"I don't know what to say. I never in a million years expected this," He had been staring at the paper again when he glanced back at the woman across from him he became alarmed. "Marissa? Are you all right?" He got up and touched her arm.
"Yea," she had a look of surprise on her face. "I think I just had a contraction," she rubbed her belly.
"OH! What should we do?" The man panicked.
"First, Jay," Marissa touched his chest to find his tie. She yanked on it to pull him closer. "Calm down!" she demanded.
"Right…calm down. Keep calm," Jay stared her belly.
"Second, is it a deal?" she let go and felt around on the desk.
"What?"
"The bar? Half of McGinty's?" Marissa had found the phone and dialed a number as she spoke.
"How can you think of that at a time like this!" He shouted. "Sorry! Didn't mean to yell."
"Because I need to know. Someone else is going to have to run the bar now for sure," She turned to the phone. "Emmett, I had a contraction." She said excitedly.
Gary saw her face light up as she listened to the reply. To see Marissa with a little one…he grinned with the thought.
"I don't know yet. I'm trying to get him to answer yes or no,"
"Yes! Of course I'll take half of McGinty's," Jay accepted exasperated. "Now, I'll get you a cab!" He raced out to the street.
"I'll meet you at the hospital," Marissa told her husband. "No, you don't need to stop for my suitcase. I brought a bag here, just in case. See you soon. I love you" she hung up the phone and sighed as she rubbed her back.
Jay ran back into the office. "The cab is waiting. Come on, hurry!"
Again, Marissa grabbed him by the tie. "Calm down."
"I'm calm," he lied.
"Could you get my bag over in the corner? Thanks," she released him and struggled to stand up. He gave her his arm and led her through the bar.
Gary followed them through the front doors. He couldn't wait to see Marissa's baby. But the moment he stepped from the bar the two people vanished into a cab. The cars on the street raced past him. People buzzed pass him on the sidewalk. Totally bewilder he moved to the curb. In the sky above him, day turned to night and night to day in less than a minute. What did it all mean? He wondered, as he felt somewhat hypnotized by the flashing day and night. Gary turned back to McGinty's. The urge to go back inside pulled on him but he resisted as long as he could. When he couldn't defy the pressure any longer Gary grudgingly went back inside.
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Slowly Gary realized he was in his own bed. He gave a sigh of relief. "What a night mare," he groaned as he turned over to look at the clock. He froze as his heart started pounding in his chest. The clock wasn't on the stand next to his bed. He stared at the place where it should have been, trying to wake up. A frown crossed his face as the amount of dust on the stand confused him.
"What the…?" He reached out and touched the gray powder leaving fingerprints. Sitting up in bed he scanned the room. Everything was covered in dust and cobwebs. He looked down to discover the bed he lay on had no sheets or blankets. He bolted off the mattress and realized he was fully dressed. The familiar sound of McGinty's front door opening seemed to echo up the stairs. Racing down the steps Gary found Marissa being let in by an older looking Jay.
"It's good to see you, Marissa. How was your trip from Springfield," Jay asked.
"You know me, not much on scenery," she smiled. "Thanks for coming in early. I don't really know how long this is going to take."
Take your time. I've got paper work to do in the office."
"Thanks Jay. Could you leave this open for Chuck?" Marissa asked. "He's supposed to come this year."
"Sure, no problem," Jay nodded then stopped because he knew she couldn't see it. "Do you need help getting up there?"
"Even after all these years, I could make it with my eyes closed," she smiled sadly.
Frozen in confusion, Gary took in the scene around him. The bar looked the same but something was different. The man answered the puzzle when he tapped a panel and flat screen TVs came to life on the walls. He gaped in awe long enough that Marissa had disappeared up to the loft. He backed away from the bar then turned and ran after her.
"Marissa, wait," he called as she entered his room. Gary followed her and tried to touch her shoulder. "Marissa?" He repeated then stared in disbelief as his hand went through her body. Fearfully he backed away from her. The sound of footsteps coming up the stairs made him turn toward the door.
"I'm in here, Chuck," Marissa called out.
"Where else would you be," Answered a man with two steaming cups. "Here's some coffee," Chuck put it in her hands and studied the woman for a moment. "So, Marissa, what now?" He looked around in disgust as he took a long sip of coffee.
"I said you didn't have to come," she shot back, annoyed by the tone in his voice.
"Hey, don't get mad. I just need to know what you want me to do. I mean Gary's been gone for twenty years," Chuck had to pause and swallow then added. "Life goes on."
A tear ran down Marissa's face. "You're not fooling me one moment."
"I never could," he gave in and hugged her, being careful of the coffee they held. "It's good to see you again."
"It's good to see you too," she squeezed his hand as he backed away. "Chuck, with Lois and Bernie both gone, if we don't remember to remember Gary, who will?"
It took Chuck a long moment to answer. "Yea, I know. I always thought those two would live forever but I guess without Gary…." He sighed then quickly changed the topic. "Man this place is a mess. What are we going to do with all this junk," Chuck looked around without touching the dirt.
"Leave it for others to deal with," Marissa confessed. "I can't bring myself to get rid of anything."
Chuck nodded as he spied something he recognized. Carefully he picked up dusty picture frame and wiped the grime from the front. It was a picture of him and Gary. After all these years, he still felt the loss. "Marissa? Do you ever wonder who's getting the paper now?"
"All the time. What are you looking at?" Marissa asked knowing it would bug Chuck that she knew.
"How did you know?" Chuck eyed her suspiciously then sighed. "It's a picture of me and Gary."
She heard him swallow hard. "Why hadn't you taken it with you before?"
"I don't' know," he wiped the rest of the dust off the frame and stared at the photo. It had been taken long before the paper had started coming to Gary. His friend was actually smiling and having a good time.
"Are you okay?" Marissa noted the long silence. She reached out and touched his arm.
"Yea. It's just weird. You know, when Gary was getting the paper I figured he'd live almost forever or to a ripe old age like Snow did before him." Chuck placed the picture back on the stand where it had been long ago. He glanced at Marissa because she hadn't said anything. There was a strange look of guilt on her face. "Marissa?"
"Chuck, I never told Lois or Bernie this, but that day he went out…I have always felt guilty that if I had plaid closer attention to where he was going that day…if I had…" She took a deep breath. "Maybe Gary would have been found sooner."
"Yea and if he never got the paper, he wouldn't have been there at all," Chuck covered her hand on his arm. "Gary made his choice about the paper long before he died. You know that."
"Do you think he knew?" She asked softly.
"You ask me that every time we talk," he snorted. "The answer is no."
"It bothers me," Marissa sighed. "Even after all these years and I don't know why."
"No Marissa. It wasn't in the paper," Gary finally was able to speak. "And it wasn't your fault. I didn't say where I was going on the lake. I quit trying because it wasn't in the paper and I thought someone would find me in time," he told her.
Marissa had moved away fingering things. Gary followed as he spoke to her. Then she turned back and walked through him.
"Oh God!" She gasped and clutched her heart.
Chuck took a hold of her shoulders. "What? Are you all right? You're not having a heart attack are you?"
"Tears streamed down Marissa's cheeks as she shook her head. "He's here! Gary's here, Chuck. I felt him."
Gary tried to touch his old friend but the man didn't seem to feel his presence. "So Gar, how's the afterlife?" Chuck asked the room.
Marissa jerked herself away from the skeptic. "Fine. Don't believe me," she snapped. Softly she added, "I miss you, Gary." Gary touched the tears on her cheek. Her hand flew up to her face.
Chuck looked on knowing something indeed had affected her but he was unwilling to admit it might be Gary. Instead he decided to disregard it. "Look, we better start going through this stuff," Chuck reminded her of the task at hand. "Jade took the kids shopping but she wants to visit relatives tonight. It's not often we get back here."
"Okay. Emmett said he'd come help later when he drops Gary and Bernie at his sister's place," Marissa told him.
"I can't believe you named one son Gary and one Bernie," Chuck snickered as he started in on the dusty stack of boxes. "There are books in this one."
"Mark it to go to St. Luke community center," Marissa had taken out her list. "They wanted books. At least I didn't name one Zeke."
Gary looked at his friends in disbelief. Marissa, a mother of two? Chuck a father? That was even more incredible.
Ezekiel is a perfectly good name," Chuck insisted. "A box of old CDs. Nobody is gong to want these things. I haven't seen a player in ten years."
"The dump?" Marissa seemed reluctant.
"I guess we could recycle them."
"That's better," she sighed.
"It's really hard for you to throw this junk out. Isn't it?" Chuck stared at her.
"I don't know why," Marissa's eyes filled with tears but she ignored them. "That's why I asked you to help. Emmett just lets me keep everything. I needed someone more…"
"Efficient?" Chuck filled in her word, puffing up with importance.
"I was thinking callous but maybe efficient does sound better," she teased.
"Callous? You think I'm callous?" He pretended to be offended. Only Gary could see the grief his friend suffered as Chuck went through the boxes of memories.
"When does Jay take full ownership of McGinty's?" Chuck asked sorting through another box.
"In two weeks. That's why I have to either get rid of this stuff or move it," she coughed as she uncovered a box. Braille on the top told her what it was. "I thought I had taken this home." She opened the lid and fingered the scrabble pieces. Marissa quickly closed it trying not to cry again. "Is there an empty box to put things I want to keep?"
"Yea, here." Chuck placed a sturdy box in her hand not commenting on her emotional state.
Before Gary knew it, he was watching his friends leave out McGinty's front door. And then they were gone. He roamed the bar for a short time, trying to understand why so much time had passed. Jay went to the office so Gary followed him and stood watching and wondering what he was suppose to do now. Wearily, he went up the stairs to his loft. Boxes piled near the door were all that was left of his things. He searched through the containers to find a clue as to what he was supposed to be doing here.
An eerie meow caused Gary to whirl. He wasn't sure where noise had come from. Holding his breath, he waited for another call from the creature who had ruled his life these last few years. The sound was very distant but this time he could tell it came from the back of McGinty's. He followed the cat's cry to the back door and hesitated for a moment. The sensation he felt when he left the bar before made him wonder if he should leave. But he wasn't finding any hints of his purpose inside of McGinty's. Having no choice he opened the door and step out into the alley. Another meow led him quickly to the front sidewalk. Gary gasped as he saw the cars and people moving backwards. Totally confused he watched the sky above cycled through day and night. Determined to find out what this was about, Gary hurried down the street dodging in and out of people moving past him at brisk pace.
At the L station Gary stopped. Even the trains were running backwards. The longer he stood and watched, the faster things seemed to go. He stared at the sky again as it changed from night to day at a rapid rate. He felt it meant something but what? Suddenly the urge to get back to the bar overwhelmed him. Hastily, he raced back to the bar and through the front doors.
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Trying to get comfortable, Gary rolled over and reached for his blankets. His hand touched the wood floor. Holding his breath and without opening his eyes he felt around him. He was on a very dusty floor. Not again! He sighed as he slowly opened his eyes and sat up. The dim light of the loft revealed dusty shelves and boxes. Very much like what was there when he acquired the bar. He stood and looked around then browsed through the shelves. He soon discovered nothing in the place belonged to him.
Not know what else to do, Gary cautiously headed down to the bar. The sight made him stop cold. The place was in the process of being gutted. Wiring and loose boards hung from the ceiling. Carefully, he ducked around a swinging rope of cables then stopped and stared back at it. Why was it swinging? He wondered as he looked in the direction of the sway. He stepped toward the back of the tavern, trying to see in the faint light.
A trace of dust hung in the air, as he got closer to a pile of rubble. Several timbers shuddered and then fell away as a hand push through the heap. Gary moved forward to help but found he wasn't able to move any of the debris. Which puzzled him more because he could open doors and pick up other things. All he could do here was watch and wait "Come on, keep trying," he urged involuntarily.
"I don't want to anymore," a hoarse voice answered.
"You can hear me?" Gary bent down trying to see the man.
"Just leave me alone," the voice pleaded.
"I can't do that. You have to keep trying," as he knelt closer, his foot struck something. He glanced down to find a newspaper at his feet. Automatically, he checked the date line. "December 1, 1945?" Gary stared in disbelief. Slowly he scanned the headlines. Nothing seemed wrong with the front page. He turned the page and continued searching for something…some reason that brought him here. On the next page, down at the bottom, an obituary made him drop to his knees as he read it.
"Lucius Snow passed away yesterday after rubble at
McGinty's Tavern fell upon him. Snow
has no known survivors and was preceded in death by wife Sarah and a son
Samuel. Snow worked as a typesetter for
the Chicago Phoenix. It is not known
why he was in the tavern as it is closed do to renovations at this time."
Gary turned his gaze back to the debris. "Come on!" He insisted as he stood up. "You can't give up!"
"I'm tired. I don't want to do it anymore. I can't," the man implored. More fragments rolled off the pile to reveal a bruised and battered young man. Their eyes met. Lucius didn't know the figure shimmering in the diffused light. "It should have been me that died, not her." Lucius moaned. "I don't want to know and I don't want to care."
Gary barely recognized this young version of a man he had only seen a few times in his thoughts and in pictures. Suddenly it dawned on Gary what Snow couldn't do any more. The paper. His mind went back to a similar day when he had felt the same way. When he didn't want to care anymore. The words said that day came rushing back to him. "The choice is yours. Its always has been. Time you realized that." Gary repeated.
"I should
have been able to save her…she was only a baby!" the man said angrily
"If you wanna go on, you have to accept the responsibility. And the
loss." He couldn't stop himself from
saying the same words he had heard that fateful day.
"Her name was Peggy and I let her die," Snow started crying.
"Count the living, not the dead, Lucius," Gary knew the power in that small phrase. "Count the living, Lucius." By Snow's expression Gary knew he was remembering the many lives he had saved. When the man's eyes focused again, a will to live had returned to them. He knew Snow could no longer see him. Gary stood by as the man struggled free of the rubble
On unsteady feet Snow limped through the bar and out the front door. Gary followed to find old cars speeding by this time. He gazed up at the sky changing from day to night each minute. He felt a strange peace as he watched the time go by. "Time! That's it!" He exclaimed. Time, itself, was flying by as the people and traffic dashed forward. Slowly he turned back to McGinty's and stared at the doors. Out the front doors I went forward in time…out the back…I went back in time. Could it be that simple? Gary had his doubts but what did he have to loose? He wondered how much time had passed as he opened the door and walked inside.