I don't know, Hay Lin replied through bites of raisin bran. To me he just seems kinda sad.You know who Joint reminds me of? Grandma Lin asked her granddaughter. You after little Tsung died.Poor cat never did see that metro bus, Hay Lin answered.

After he died you saw him everywhere, Grandma Lin continued. This one time in particular though when we passed by the pet store at the mall, there was this little kitten in the window. Spot on match for Tsung.You're saying we're kittens in a window to him? Hay Lin asked incredulously.

Something like that, Grandma Lin responded.

0.0.0

Well I'm actually going to be off in Scotland for the next three months, the voice of Vance Michael Justin spoke through the TV. We begin shooting on The Greaser.' It's the story of Scottish motorcycle champ Keith MacFinn. Cornelia sighed.

But before that I'll be at the Heatherfied Classic Car Show, the actor's voice continued through the tube.

What the? Cornelia asked rhetorically as she jumped out of her seat. She stubbed her toe on her book bag awaiting its trip to school.

Ow Ow Ow, stupid Algebra, She muttered to herself.

VMJ, nice to see you again, the interviewer concluded.

Pleasure's all mine, the actor returned trying to veil his discontent at being referred to by his initials.

0.0.0

Irma sat around the table with her family eating breakfast. Today it was oatmeal and toast.

So what would you do if, Irma started slowly. The world were invaded by monsters from another dimension who merged their realm with ours, and made everything a miserable nightmare for everyone? She got the last part out so fast the words almost piled on top of each other.

her father started as he tried to answer. I would try and make things miserable for them. Why do you ask? You didn't fall asleep with the TV on again did you? Irma stuttered. There's that. I just was thinking about what I would do. Pretty much the same thing. She didn't mention the fact she'd probably do it in a pixie-like form with complete mastery over water.

Don't worry, her father tried to comfort her. I'm sure that won't happen. At least any time soon.Yes, any time soon, Irma repeated in a low voice. A year and a half soon?What was that honey? her father asked.

Oh nothing, Irma threw aside. Just thinking aloud.

0.0.0

Will waited for the seconds to tick by on the microwave. It was taking far too long in her opinion to heat up a breakfast burrito.

You know sweetie the watched microwave never goes off, her mother suggested.

Will replied. Maybe that way it'll heat the middle. She rolled her eyes and kept vigil on the rotating tortilla. Mom, you ever think about time travel?Like what would I do if I could go back in time? Yeah, her mother answered.

Just wondering, Will responded back. We're reading a story in English about a time traveler. It just got me thinking. What would you do?That depends, Will's mother returned. I'd like to see Egypt at the height of it's power. Visit ancient Greece. See the Colosseum. If I couldn't go back that far I'd probably invest in the stock market. Throw all the money I could into Microsoft. There'd also be some things I'd try to change, if that were possible.

I'm not sure what I'd do, Will replied. As she finished her sentence the microwave went ding signaling it was done with her burrito.

0.0.0

Joint sat up in the cave and looked out over the river. He saw a strange little figure on the bank.

Is that a pasling fishing? he asked himself. That's gotta be Blunk. Hunched over by the water with a hand in the water was the standard method used by paslings. The figure quickly raised his hand up out of the water. Two fish were stuck to his fingers. He ran around trying to shake them off. Joint got a chuckle out of this.

He actually caught something this time, an amused Taranee responded. She entered the cave carrying two large sacks labeled McCormack's Deli and Bakery. I bring food. I wasn't sure what you liked so I got everything on the menu.

Hey whatever you got is fine by me, Joint responded. The book written in Meridianeese lay open on his lap. Taranee set the bags in front of him. He removed a clear container marked: sausage muffin with egg'. Taranee picked out a blueberry danish. Joint motioned with his muffin before starting to consume it.

What are you reading?Taranee asked interestedly.

The history of this period, Joint replied. The words in this book have changed three times already.

Is that a good thing? Taranee asked as she peeled away an outer layer of pastry.

Things are getting slightly better, Joint responded. Still, the death of this Elyon Brown still happens in each revision of the future. She is some how the key.She's a nice girl, Taranee threw out. A bit on the flaky side though.Well I don't care if she sings on the shore and sinks ships for fun, Joint replied. She needs to live to see her next birthday.Are things really that bad in the future? Taranee asked in concern before sticking a piece of danish in her mouth.

Things can't be that bad without some measure of good, Joint responded. There are good times. There are moments of sheer abject horror. Way too many of the second, too few of the first. Don't you have school?I've got an hour before it starts, Taranee stated before finishing her danish. She looked around the bag before pulling out a bottle of orange juice. What are you going to do?I've got to see a man about a book.I'm telling you the merger of Lahave and Gregorro is going to push smaller booksellers such as myself out of business, Rick Hoffman griped as he stood behind the counter of his bookstore: Ye Olde Bookstore'.

It's a shame all these publishers coming together, his customer replied. He was a thirtyish looking man dressed in a black turtle neck and grey wool pants. It destroys the niche markets. These big boys aren't going to take a chance on something such as deconstructed expressionism.That's what I've been saying all along! Rick replied in agreement.

If I could, I'd... the customer broke off in a fit. I'd put cobras in the beds of all of their board members!Maybe someone will, Rick smiled evilly. The bell on the door rang. In came a man dressed in a black jacket and tan pants. His red hair was a mess not helped by the string that kept his eye patch on. He scanned the magazine rack before picking one out. As he made his way towards the register Rick excused himself to his other customer.

Well, it was good seeing you, the other customer stated. So Tuesday?'The History of the Iron Maiden' will be in then, Rick assured. With this be all?Not quite, Joint replied. Do you have anything like this? He produced the Meridian history book.

That's a rare item, the bookseller replied. I may have something like that in the back. Joint was led back to a shelf with Meridian texts. Rick pulled on one and in a flash the aisles got bigger. Follow me. Joint followed the book seller down rows of books till they came to a door. Beyond that door A figure sat in a darkened throne room.

Lord Cedric, what news do you bring? Is it of my sister? the figure on the throne asked hopefully.

She still eludes us Prince Phobos, the blonde figure replied. This human inquired about a Meridian book.Who are you? Phobos asked pointedly. Joint took two steps forward before bending on one knee.

My name is Joint sire, he replied. I come from the future.