Dr. Rose sat in Dr. Wilson's office. Dr. Wilson sat at his desk, silently stirring his tea. He then looked up and addressed Dr. Rose.



"Dr. Rose....Alice still hasn't regained full consciousness, I'm worried about this." said Dr. Wilson.

Dr. Rose looked out the window. "It's still quite early" she explained "give her another day."

"But she shouldn't be like this" complained the doctor "Can't we do anything?"

"Well..." grinned Dr. Rose "We can always give her another treatment."

Dr. Wilson sighed. "Don't you think one was enough?"

"Oh no! Most patients need more than one."

"Well...do you think it will help?"

"Yes, I'm quite sure. We should start this right away."



~*~



Alice walked down the path to the caterpillar's mushroom. She had remembered when they had fooled her into thinking he was The Oracle. The truth was, he made no sense at all. This was no Oracle.

She found him perched upon a mushroom, with his hookah next to him as usual. She sat

on a toadstool next to him and waited for him to acknowledge her. Mad or not, it was impolite to speak when not spoken to.

"Hello Alice" He said slowly. "I see you've come back."

"Yes Caterpillar, I've come to see you."

"Really?" the caterpillar asked, as if he did not know.

"Yes, why have I come here? Cheshire Cat says Wonderland is in danger of disappearing but, I'm afraid I don't understand."

The caterpillar sucked in from his hookah and leaned in towards Alice.

"Alice, do you know were wonderland is?" he asked.

"Well, I've never really thought about it before."

Again the caterpillar inhaled deeply.

"Wonderland exists only in your mind Alice. It's only your imagination, not a real place."

"But it seems so real" Alice said.

"A child's imagination is a wonderful thing" the caterpillar said "But you're in danger of losing what is most precious to you and us."

"What do you mean?" asked Alice.

Caterpillar leaned forward.

"You are almost twenty, nearly an adult. Your doctors in the asylum want you to live a normal life and leave the asylum....but you understand what happens to adults Alice?"

Alice couldn't say that she did.

"They lose their imagination!" the caterpillar explained. "If you go out into the real world Alice, your imagination will diminish and Wonderland will be lost forever."

The last few words echoed in Alice's head. The caterpillar leaned forward again, this time blowing purple smoke into her face. Alice felt her eyes grow heavy and began to grow very sleepy. The last words she heard came from the caterpillar.

"The choice is yours alone Alice. Do try to make the right one."



~*~



Nurse D ran down the hall to the Doctors office. "He'll be so happy" she thought and ran into the room.

"Dr. Wilson" she called, breathing heavily from her run. "Alice is awake."

"Thank goodness." said the doctor as he put his coat on and followed Nurse D to Alice's room.