I decided to have my dinner at a fine Italian restaurant in Beverly Hills. I had been in another version of this restaurant about five months ago. The layout was the same, and some of the waiters even looked familiar. People definitely were noticing me, on account that I look identical to a famous TV star.
A waiter brought me a menu, which looked the same as the last time I was in a version of this restaurant. I decided to order the veal parmigiana.
Some garlic breadsticks and a Caesar salad were served in the begining. The breadsticks had a marinara dipping sauce. I spent the next few minutes eating the breadsticks and salad before the dinner entree came.
It was veal parmigiana, served with spaghetti. The veal was covered in mozzarella cheese. and it was certainly cooked well. It cost about twenty dollars, all paid from my duplicate's Discover card. There was so much of it, I could not finish it all! But I do like eating well. After all, it is not very often I could take the place of a wealthy duplicate. I just hoped I did not get into any trouble.
Of course, in nearly two years of sliding, trouble was something I was very familiar with.
After paying my bill, I got up to get into the Mercedes and drive home. As I left, I saw many bright flashes and heard many clicks. It appeared that photographers had gathered to take my picture. I guess they wanted to sell these to the tabloids. Well anyway, I got into the Mercedes and drove to the house where I was staying, which was only a few blocks from the Italian restaurant.
When I got to the house on Hillcrest Drive, I turned on the TV. There was a football game on, as NFL teams were playing in order to get into the Super Bowl at the last weekend of January. I decided to read some of my counterpart's mail. Most of it was junk mail, trying to convince me to buy stuff such as vacuum cleaners or stereo systems or a day at a spa. Some were private letters from friends, and I decided to leave them alone. They certainly were not meant for me.
I did read one piece of mail that was interesting. I opened a letter, and it was a confirmation to attend the MTV Movie Awards tomorrow in Long Beach.
I went up to the study and turned on the Power Macintosh G4. Within minutes, I did a Google search on the MTV Movie Awards using the Netscape program. it turned out that my counterpart from this world had won awards from the MTV Movie Awards twice, and even appeared on the show. and he was being invited to present an award for this year.
I could go in his stead. After all, I look identical to him, and most of the people there would think I am their Colin Mallory.
I spent the rest of the night watching the football game and drinking beer, and then I went to sleep.
"I hope we don't have a repeat of what happened yesterday," said Angus Rickman. "You did shape up."
"Well, I'll do better this time," I said.
I was back on the set of Hollywood detectives. This scene is supposed to be filmed in the office where the detectives supposedly work. The set had some desks and mock office equipment. I noticed a wanted poster posted on a bulletin board. In this scene, I was to speak to Lieutenant Rooney about the case. The lieutenant is played by the veteran actor Sonny Bono.
"I hope you're feeling better, Colin," said Sonny Bono.
'Well, okay Sonny," I said. "I'll do my best."
"Okay, let's rehearse!" shouted Rickman. "A marker! B marker! And action!"
"Well, at least you're getting better," said Christina Applegate as we ate lunch together. "What was wrong with you yesterday?"
"I was going through a lot," I said.
"Well, maybe you should take to your woman," said Vivica A. Fox.
"Well, tonight I'll be going to the MTV Movie Awards," I said.
"That's great!" said Damon Wayans. "My brother Keenen will be also on that show too. He's gonna present the award for best actor."
"If I remember, you presented an award for Best Actor at the 1994 awards," said Luke Perry.
"So I've read," I said. "You know, this acting thing really isn't so hard. I mean, I should have taken acting."
"What do you mean by that?" asked Sonny Bono.
I just remembered I was discussing my life and not the life of the man whom I was replacing. "Well, I never took college acting classes. Maybe I could have learned something."
"Well, that Oscar you got proved how talented you can be," said Luke Perry.
And so it happened. I went to the MTV Movie Awards which was currently held at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach. I rented a limousine and I wore a tuxedo which fit me perfectly. I got out of the Lincoln limousine, and photographers took pictures of me.
I noticed that security was tight. I had heard something about a princess attending the event. I was, of course, checked by security people wearing suits.
I looked around and saw more limousines and various celebrities stepped out. I recognized some of them due to the fact I was familar with their counterparts in other worlds, and there were some that I did not recognize at all. The celebrities all smiled at the cameras. The men were wearing suits or tuxedoes, while the women wore a wide variety of dresses.
And then there was one person whom I recognized. I had been sliding with one of his counterparts for over a year!
He was Rembrandt Brown, and he was apparently still a popular celebrity on this Earth. I noticed him smile as photographers took pictures and TV news crews tried to get a glimpse of the star. Rembrant was dressed in a black tux with a red bowtie.
I went to the convention center's reception room. It was huge! there were tables serving all kinds of appetizers. A bar served alcoholic beverages.
"Mr. Mallory," someone said to me. "So tell me how you feel about presenting one of the awards."
"Well, it's cool," I said. "I like doing it."
Then the reporter decided to interview some pretty blond-haired lady. I looked around. I noticed people like Calista Flockhart and Bruce Willis and Heath Ledger.
After a few minutes, it was time for the awards ceremony to start.
Rembrandt Brown opened the awards ceremony along with some musical artist named Jewel. The program identified Rembrandt as the host.
"Hello, my name is Rembrandt Brown," he said.
"And my name is Jewel," she said.
"And we are proud to introduce the 2000 MTV Movie Awards," they said in unison.
I sat and my seat and clapped along with the rest of the audience. This awards show is to last three hours, and variousd celebrities would present awards for various categories. The winner would then make a speech. As I read in the program, best actor, actress, director, and movie will be shown last. I noted that a fellow named Keenen Ivory Wayans will present the award for Best Actor; he must be Damon Wayans's brother.
Of course, in between there were musical performance from various musical artists, some of whom I had heard of. I heard Snoop Doggy Dogg perform; he mentioned that he grew up in Long Beach.
And then it was my turn to present an award. As always, a man and a woman would present the award together. In my case, an actress named Andrea Parker would present the award along with me. She was dressed in a black satin dress which matched her dark hair.
"Now," said Rembrandt Brown, "presenting the next award is Colin Mallory, the star of Hollywood Detectives, and Andrea Parker, the star of JAG."
Andrea Parker and I both went up to the podium, smiling as photographers took our pictures.
"Hello, I am Colin Mallory," I said.
"And I am Andrea Parker," she said.
"And we are here to present the award for Best Chase Scene," we said.
Rembrandt Brown went over the nominees for Best Chase Scene. There were eleven total.
I had the envelope in my pocket. "And the winner is," I said, opening the envelope and taking out the slip of paper which identified the movie that won this award.
"Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace," said Andrea Parker.
More pictures were taken, and the guy who produced that movie came on stage. His name was identified as George Lucas. He made a speech of how proud he was to have designed that chase scene. He also hoped that his movie would win the award for Best Movie.
After that, I took my seat and the awards show went into commercial break.
The awards show lasted for about another hour after I presented the Best Chase Scene Award. Rembrandt Brown gave us a musical performance. I noted Keenen Ivory Wayans presenting the Best Actor award to Heath Ledger for his role in the movie White Rose.
Then the awards ceremony was over. We all clapped. Photographers snapped more pictures.
There was, of course, a post-awards party. It was held at the Hyatt Regency near the Convention Center. I decided to go so I could check out the scene, I could not have known the directions on which it would take me.
The post-awards party was held in one of the ballrooms at the Hyatt Regency. I noted all the extra-security; I guessed that no one wanted a repeat of the 1996 Academy Awards bombing. I saw a whole bunch of celebrities there. Various appetizers were being served. Music was being played.
"Hello," said a bald Negro man. I recognized him as Kennen Ivory Wayans. "I watch your show every week."
"I'm glad you appreciate the show," I said. "The cast and crew put in a lot of effort."
"You must know that I'm Damon's brother," he said. "I just got word that I'll be cast as a guest star in an episode later this season, so we'll be working together."
"That depends," I said.
I decided to get myself a Budweiser beer. After I sipped my beer, I saw a whole bunch of people enter the ballroom. I recognized one of them.
"Maggie," I said, approaching her. "What are you doing here? I'm so glad I..."
"Halt!" she said. I looked at her and noticed she was wearing a uniform, with the emblem of the U.S. Secret Service on the shoulder. I realized that she was the Maggie Beckett native to this world.
"Excuse me," I said. "I mistook you for someone else."
"I recognize you," a female voice said. "You're on that TV show Hollywood Detectives."
Her figure was obsucred by these Secret Service agents. Then I got a look at her. She was tall, with auburn hair flowing to her waist. She had a smile that revealed that her teeth were cleaned every month. She was wearing a pink dress and a tiara on her head.
"Well, I was on that show just today," I said.
"Do you not recognize her?" asked Maggie. "You are speaking to Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Sophia."
Princess? That explained all these Secret Service agents.
I kneeled down before the woman. "Your Highness, I am Colin Mallory," I said.
"Get up," the princess replied. "I am Crown Princess Sophia, first in line for the throne of the United States of America. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Same to you, your Highness."
"I'd like to join you, with your permission of course."
"Is that safe, my lady?" asked Maggie.
"It's okay," I said. "I don't mind the company."
"So, Colin, tell me a bit about yourself."
So I did. It took me a few minutes to do so.
"Well, you've led an interesting life," she said. "What led you into acting?"
"Well, I just found an opportunity, and I took it. I'm getting the hang of it."
"I heard you won an Oscar. How did it make you feel?"
"Well, I guess I'd have felt proud of myself, you know."
"You know, you're an interesting person. Why don't I get you a drink?"
"Okay. How can I refuse a princess?"
So she got me a drink; it was vodka mixed with cranberry juice. And it certainly tasted good. "Thank you," I said. "It was very sweet of you."
"Well, I am taking a little vacation."
"What is it like being a princess, aside from waiting to be crowned queen?"
"For most of the week, I travel. I would often visit places in country and abroad. Two weeks ago I visited my cousins in the British royal family; it was nice to see William and Harry, they have grown so much. It can be very tiring sometimes; I do appreciate the vacations. Just think when I become queen; I'd also be chief executive and chief ambassador and commander-in-chief of the armed forces."
"Well, at least you won't live a boring life. Kind of how my life is now."
"You're a fun person, Colin. Shall we dance?"
So that is what we did. We danced to this song by Whitney Houston. I had learned a few lessons in dancing over the past two years or so. I remember Maggie-the one I slid with, not the Secret Service Agent-giving me lessons. After a few minutes, we stopped.
You're an awesome dancer, Colin," said the princess. " Let me tell you what. I'm going to invite you to my hospitality suite in the hotel."
"I would be honored, your Highness."
I figured it was a good time to talk to the others in the after-party. I decided to munch on some crackers. I noted the princess talking to the other guests. She seemed confident. I noticed a strength in her eyes.
"Hello, Mr. Mallory," a deep male voice said to me.
I turned and looked at an older man in a tuxedo. "Yes, is there anything?"
"I'm Jack Nicholson, actor and producer," he said. "I presented you with your Academy Award for Best Actor back in 1993."
"So you say," I said.
"I'm going to produce this movie. I would like to know if you are interested in the starring role."
"Well, I'll consider it, Mr. Nicholson. You can send the script to my agent."
"So, will you be willing to do it?"
"I can't make any promises." Which was true, since I did not want to put my duplicate into any trouble.
I decided to go to Princess Sophia's hospitality suite. It was on one of the top floors of the Hyatt Regency. I was, of course, searched by the Secret Service before being allowed to enter.
The place was huge. There was a living room in front, and I could see the door that led to the bedroom and the bathroom. There were coffee tables and sofas. I noted the mood was more quiet here that at the ballroom. A wet bar served various alcoholic beverages.
"Your Highness," I said, greeting the princess. "I'm glad to be here."
"Call me Sophia," she said. "This is a private function."
"Okay, Sophia," I said.
"Have a seat on the couch."
So we sat on the couch together. "Tell me more about yourself," she said.
"You want to know the truth?" I asked.
"Yes."
So I told her the truth. I told her I was from a parallel universe, and I was subsituting for this world's Colin Mallory.
"That is an interesting tale you told," she said. "It would make a good TV series. So how did you manage to replace your counterpart?"
"I looked for my brother's counterpart, and he worked at Slider Research Labs in San Francisco. They experiment with wormholes to parallel Earths. He introduced me to his brother, and we decided that I will take his place temporarily. You can take a trip to San Francisco and visit the lab for yourself."
Sophia sipped her drink. "Well, tell me more about your world. Is there a United States of America there?"
"Yes," I replied. "Its form of government is different than here. It is ruled by a republic. Voters elect their leaders. Pat Buchanan was President of the United States when I left."
"A republic," said Princess Sophia. "Just like the one in Greece."
"There are trillions of possibilities. Spo, tell me more about yourself."
"Well, I was born in the Bethseda Naval Hospital in Maryland. I lived in Richmond Palace for the first ten years of my life. I moved to Castle America when my father was crowned king in 1982."
"I thought he was crowned in 1985," I said. "Oh, that must have been a different King Leonard."
"Let's toast to parallel universes."
and we did. We started talking more about ourselves and what we saw and heard and felt. I could feel a connection with her. I felt as if I could discuss anything with her.
Finally, the party in the suite died down, and most of the guests left. Princess Sophia was clearly ready to retire.
"Will you come inside with me?" she asked. "I'd like to talk."
"Okay," I said.
So we went inside and we talked some more. We watched the television together. We were there for at least an hour.
"Well, I should be going now," I said, standing in front of Sophia. I decided to kiss her good night.
Then she decided to kiss me back. Passions were being aroused in my very being. I wanted her.
The next minute, we were in bed.
A waiter brought me a menu, which looked the same as the last time I was in a version of this restaurant. I decided to order the veal parmigiana.
Some garlic breadsticks and a Caesar salad were served in the begining. The breadsticks had a marinara dipping sauce. I spent the next few minutes eating the breadsticks and salad before the dinner entree came.
It was veal parmigiana, served with spaghetti. The veal was covered in mozzarella cheese. and it was certainly cooked well. It cost about twenty dollars, all paid from my duplicate's Discover card. There was so much of it, I could not finish it all! But I do like eating well. After all, it is not very often I could take the place of a wealthy duplicate. I just hoped I did not get into any trouble.
Of course, in nearly two years of sliding, trouble was something I was very familiar with.
After paying my bill, I got up to get into the Mercedes and drive home. As I left, I saw many bright flashes and heard many clicks. It appeared that photographers had gathered to take my picture. I guess they wanted to sell these to the tabloids. Well anyway, I got into the Mercedes and drove to the house where I was staying, which was only a few blocks from the Italian restaurant.
When I got to the house on Hillcrest Drive, I turned on the TV. There was a football game on, as NFL teams were playing in order to get into the Super Bowl at the last weekend of January. I decided to read some of my counterpart's mail. Most of it was junk mail, trying to convince me to buy stuff such as vacuum cleaners or stereo systems or a day at a spa. Some were private letters from friends, and I decided to leave them alone. They certainly were not meant for me.
I did read one piece of mail that was interesting. I opened a letter, and it was a confirmation to attend the MTV Movie Awards tomorrow in Long Beach.
I went up to the study and turned on the Power Macintosh G4. Within minutes, I did a Google search on the MTV Movie Awards using the Netscape program. it turned out that my counterpart from this world had won awards from the MTV Movie Awards twice, and even appeared on the show. and he was being invited to present an award for this year.
I could go in his stead. After all, I look identical to him, and most of the people there would think I am their Colin Mallory.
I spent the rest of the night watching the football game and drinking beer, and then I went to sleep.
"I hope we don't have a repeat of what happened yesterday," said Angus Rickman. "You did shape up."
"Well, I'll do better this time," I said.
I was back on the set of Hollywood detectives. This scene is supposed to be filmed in the office where the detectives supposedly work. The set had some desks and mock office equipment. I noticed a wanted poster posted on a bulletin board. In this scene, I was to speak to Lieutenant Rooney about the case. The lieutenant is played by the veteran actor Sonny Bono.
"I hope you're feeling better, Colin," said Sonny Bono.
'Well, okay Sonny," I said. "I'll do my best."
"Okay, let's rehearse!" shouted Rickman. "A marker! B marker! And action!"
"Well, at least you're getting better," said Christina Applegate as we ate lunch together. "What was wrong with you yesterday?"
"I was going through a lot," I said.
"Well, maybe you should take to your woman," said Vivica A. Fox.
"Well, tonight I'll be going to the MTV Movie Awards," I said.
"That's great!" said Damon Wayans. "My brother Keenen will be also on that show too. He's gonna present the award for best actor."
"If I remember, you presented an award for Best Actor at the 1994 awards," said Luke Perry.
"So I've read," I said. "You know, this acting thing really isn't so hard. I mean, I should have taken acting."
"What do you mean by that?" asked Sonny Bono.
I just remembered I was discussing my life and not the life of the man whom I was replacing. "Well, I never took college acting classes. Maybe I could have learned something."
"Well, that Oscar you got proved how talented you can be," said Luke Perry.
And so it happened. I went to the MTV Movie Awards which was currently held at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach. I rented a limousine and I wore a tuxedo which fit me perfectly. I got out of the Lincoln limousine, and photographers took pictures of me.
I noticed that security was tight. I had heard something about a princess attending the event. I was, of course, checked by security people wearing suits.
I looked around and saw more limousines and various celebrities stepped out. I recognized some of them due to the fact I was familar with their counterparts in other worlds, and there were some that I did not recognize at all. The celebrities all smiled at the cameras. The men were wearing suits or tuxedoes, while the women wore a wide variety of dresses.
And then there was one person whom I recognized. I had been sliding with one of his counterparts for over a year!
He was Rembrandt Brown, and he was apparently still a popular celebrity on this Earth. I noticed him smile as photographers took pictures and TV news crews tried to get a glimpse of the star. Rembrant was dressed in a black tux with a red bowtie.
I went to the convention center's reception room. It was huge! there were tables serving all kinds of appetizers. A bar served alcoholic beverages.
"Mr. Mallory," someone said to me. "So tell me how you feel about presenting one of the awards."
"Well, it's cool," I said. "I like doing it."
Then the reporter decided to interview some pretty blond-haired lady. I looked around. I noticed people like Calista Flockhart and Bruce Willis and Heath Ledger.
After a few minutes, it was time for the awards ceremony to start.
Rembrandt Brown opened the awards ceremony along with some musical artist named Jewel. The program identified Rembrandt as the host.
"Hello, my name is Rembrandt Brown," he said.
"And my name is Jewel," she said.
"And we are proud to introduce the 2000 MTV Movie Awards," they said in unison.
I sat and my seat and clapped along with the rest of the audience. This awards show is to last three hours, and variousd celebrities would present awards for various categories. The winner would then make a speech. As I read in the program, best actor, actress, director, and movie will be shown last. I noted that a fellow named Keenen Ivory Wayans will present the award for Best Actor; he must be Damon Wayans's brother.
Of course, in between there were musical performance from various musical artists, some of whom I had heard of. I heard Snoop Doggy Dogg perform; he mentioned that he grew up in Long Beach.
And then it was my turn to present an award. As always, a man and a woman would present the award together. In my case, an actress named Andrea Parker would present the award along with me. She was dressed in a black satin dress which matched her dark hair.
"Now," said Rembrandt Brown, "presenting the next award is Colin Mallory, the star of Hollywood Detectives, and Andrea Parker, the star of JAG."
Andrea Parker and I both went up to the podium, smiling as photographers took our pictures.
"Hello, I am Colin Mallory," I said.
"And I am Andrea Parker," she said.
"And we are here to present the award for Best Chase Scene," we said.
Rembrandt Brown went over the nominees for Best Chase Scene. There were eleven total.
I had the envelope in my pocket. "And the winner is," I said, opening the envelope and taking out the slip of paper which identified the movie that won this award.
"Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace," said Andrea Parker.
More pictures were taken, and the guy who produced that movie came on stage. His name was identified as George Lucas. He made a speech of how proud he was to have designed that chase scene. He also hoped that his movie would win the award for Best Movie.
After that, I took my seat and the awards show went into commercial break.
The awards show lasted for about another hour after I presented the Best Chase Scene Award. Rembrandt Brown gave us a musical performance. I noted Keenen Ivory Wayans presenting the Best Actor award to Heath Ledger for his role in the movie White Rose.
Then the awards ceremony was over. We all clapped. Photographers snapped more pictures.
There was, of course, a post-awards party. It was held at the Hyatt Regency near the Convention Center. I decided to go so I could check out the scene, I could not have known the directions on which it would take me.
The post-awards party was held in one of the ballrooms at the Hyatt Regency. I noted all the extra-security; I guessed that no one wanted a repeat of the 1996 Academy Awards bombing. I saw a whole bunch of celebrities there. Various appetizers were being served. Music was being played.
"Hello," said a bald Negro man. I recognized him as Kennen Ivory Wayans. "I watch your show every week."
"I'm glad you appreciate the show," I said. "The cast and crew put in a lot of effort."
"You must know that I'm Damon's brother," he said. "I just got word that I'll be cast as a guest star in an episode later this season, so we'll be working together."
"That depends," I said.
I decided to get myself a Budweiser beer. After I sipped my beer, I saw a whole bunch of people enter the ballroom. I recognized one of them.
"Maggie," I said, approaching her. "What are you doing here? I'm so glad I..."
"Halt!" she said. I looked at her and noticed she was wearing a uniform, with the emblem of the U.S. Secret Service on the shoulder. I realized that she was the Maggie Beckett native to this world.
"Excuse me," I said. "I mistook you for someone else."
"I recognize you," a female voice said. "You're on that TV show Hollywood Detectives."
Her figure was obsucred by these Secret Service agents. Then I got a look at her. She was tall, with auburn hair flowing to her waist. She had a smile that revealed that her teeth were cleaned every month. She was wearing a pink dress and a tiara on her head.
"Well, I was on that show just today," I said.
"Do you not recognize her?" asked Maggie. "You are speaking to Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Sophia."
Princess? That explained all these Secret Service agents.
I kneeled down before the woman. "Your Highness, I am Colin Mallory," I said.
"Get up," the princess replied. "I am Crown Princess Sophia, first in line for the throne of the United States of America. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Same to you, your Highness."
"I'd like to join you, with your permission of course."
"Is that safe, my lady?" asked Maggie.
"It's okay," I said. "I don't mind the company."
"So, Colin, tell me a bit about yourself."
So I did. It took me a few minutes to do so.
"Well, you've led an interesting life," she said. "What led you into acting?"
"Well, I just found an opportunity, and I took it. I'm getting the hang of it."
"I heard you won an Oscar. How did it make you feel?"
"Well, I guess I'd have felt proud of myself, you know."
"You know, you're an interesting person. Why don't I get you a drink?"
"Okay. How can I refuse a princess?"
So she got me a drink; it was vodka mixed with cranberry juice. And it certainly tasted good. "Thank you," I said. "It was very sweet of you."
"Well, I am taking a little vacation."
"What is it like being a princess, aside from waiting to be crowned queen?"
"For most of the week, I travel. I would often visit places in country and abroad. Two weeks ago I visited my cousins in the British royal family; it was nice to see William and Harry, they have grown so much. It can be very tiring sometimes; I do appreciate the vacations. Just think when I become queen; I'd also be chief executive and chief ambassador and commander-in-chief of the armed forces."
"Well, at least you won't live a boring life. Kind of how my life is now."
"You're a fun person, Colin. Shall we dance?"
So that is what we did. We danced to this song by Whitney Houston. I had learned a few lessons in dancing over the past two years or so. I remember Maggie-the one I slid with, not the Secret Service Agent-giving me lessons. After a few minutes, we stopped.
You're an awesome dancer, Colin," said the princess. " Let me tell you what. I'm going to invite you to my hospitality suite in the hotel."
"I would be honored, your Highness."
I figured it was a good time to talk to the others in the after-party. I decided to munch on some crackers. I noted the princess talking to the other guests. She seemed confident. I noticed a strength in her eyes.
"Hello, Mr. Mallory," a deep male voice said to me.
I turned and looked at an older man in a tuxedo. "Yes, is there anything?"
"I'm Jack Nicholson, actor and producer," he said. "I presented you with your Academy Award for Best Actor back in 1993."
"So you say," I said.
"I'm going to produce this movie. I would like to know if you are interested in the starring role."
"Well, I'll consider it, Mr. Nicholson. You can send the script to my agent."
"So, will you be willing to do it?"
"I can't make any promises." Which was true, since I did not want to put my duplicate into any trouble.
I decided to go to Princess Sophia's hospitality suite. It was on one of the top floors of the Hyatt Regency. I was, of course, searched by the Secret Service before being allowed to enter.
The place was huge. There was a living room in front, and I could see the door that led to the bedroom and the bathroom. There were coffee tables and sofas. I noted the mood was more quiet here that at the ballroom. A wet bar served various alcoholic beverages.
"Your Highness," I said, greeting the princess. "I'm glad to be here."
"Call me Sophia," she said. "This is a private function."
"Okay, Sophia," I said.
"Have a seat on the couch."
So we sat on the couch together. "Tell me more about yourself," she said.
"You want to know the truth?" I asked.
"Yes."
So I told her the truth. I told her I was from a parallel universe, and I was subsituting for this world's Colin Mallory.
"That is an interesting tale you told," she said. "It would make a good TV series. So how did you manage to replace your counterpart?"
"I looked for my brother's counterpart, and he worked at Slider Research Labs in San Francisco. They experiment with wormholes to parallel Earths. He introduced me to his brother, and we decided that I will take his place temporarily. You can take a trip to San Francisco and visit the lab for yourself."
Sophia sipped her drink. "Well, tell me more about your world. Is there a United States of America there?"
"Yes," I replied. "Its form of government is different than here. It is ruled by a republic. Voters elect their leaders. Pat Buchanan was President of the United States when I left."
"A republic," said Princess Sophia. "Just like the one in Greece."
"There are trillions of possibilities. Spo, tell me more about yourself."
"Well, I was born in the Bethseda Naval Hospital in Maryland. I lived in Richmond Palace for the first ten years of my life. I moved to Castle America when my father was crowned king in 1982."
"I thought he was crowned in 1985," I said. "Oh, that must have been a different King Leonard."
"Let's toast to parallel universes."
and we did. We started talking more about ourselves and what we saw and heard and felt. I could feel a connection with her. I felt as if I could discuss anything with her.
Finally, the party in the suite died down, and most of the guests left. Princess Sophia was clearly ready to retire.
"Will you come inside with me?" she asked. "I'd like to talk."
"Okay," I said.
So we went inside and we talked some more. We watched the television together. We were there for at least an hour.
"Well, I should be going now," I said, standing in front of Sophia. I decided to kiss her good night.
Then she decided to kiss me back. Passions were being aroused in my very being. I wanted her.
The next minute, we were in bed.