Chapter 15 -- "The Séance Is Just About Over"

The Inventory of Edmund Grey's Estate Sale comprised 142 typed pages. Single-spaced.

"You had a lot of stuff, Edmund," Stuart observed, scanning the copy he had been given by an extremely co-operative Maria. "What makes you think the time machine is the Pulitzer Prize?"

"It makes so much sense," Brooke answered for Edmund. "We never really knew what he won it for. It was simply always there for as long as I knew him."

"I don't know why I didn't realize this before," Edmund agreed. "It makes so much sense."

"You put that idea in their heads, didn't you Zartz?" Zetz asked, just to make sure.

The popcorn kernel nodded. "How else would it ever get there? Those two couldn't come with an idea if the future of the universe depended on it. And it does."

"What did Edmund win the Pulitzer Prize for?" Zift had to ask.

Zartz sighed. "Nothing. There is no Pulitzer Prize. This is a Soap Opera. None of it is real."

"But the time machine is real," Zift amended.

"Oh, yes," Zartz agreed. "The time machine is real."

"Well, I think we should go over the Inventory anyway, just in case," Lily opined prudently.

"Alright," Brooke said, "but it's a waste of time. It's the Pulitzer Prize. It makes so much sense."

"Why do you two keep saying that?" Lily asked.

"Saying what?" Edmund asked.

"You keep saying it makes so much sense. Why are you using those exact words over and over?"

"Because those are the key words I put in their minds when I planted the Pulitzer Prize is really the time machine idea," Zartz laughed. "They won't know what she's talking about."

"Lily, I don't know what you're talking about," Brooke told her. "But I'm willing to go through the Inventory just in case. We mustn't miss anything."

Edmund wondered how he could ever have let Brooke out of his life as he watched her turning pages, meticulously going over the sum and substance of all his worldly goods. She was beyond beautiful, beyond brilliant, and she was in love with him. What had made him throw all of that away?

"Does anybody want coffee?" Maria asked them as she unsuccessfully stifled a yawn. "It's gonna be a long night."

"It's already been a long night," Lily corrected her. "It's almost dawn."

And, in truth, light was beginning to flicker through the drawn curtains. The storm appeared to be over.

"I'm up to the "T"s," Marian reported. "Maria, Edmund owned 17 trench coats?"

"Black trench coats," Maria added. "He owned 17 black trench coats."

"Let's hear it for Mr. Imagination!" Zetz exclaimed, although he couldn't be heard except by his fellow Galioscians.

"Dad, why did you own 17 black trench coats?" Sam asked him.

Edmund shrugged. "It made so much sense."

Brooke flipped another page. "I don't see anything here that could possibly be a time machine. Do you, Edmund?"

He shook his head. "Nah. I think we have to go with the Pulitzer Prize. It makes so much –"

"There you go again!" Lily cried out. "You keep saying those words! Why?"

"Look, Lily, I'm not exactly used to coming up with my own dialogue," Edmund replied. "I'm doing the best that I can!"

"Well, for a spirit, Edmund, in my opinion you are going above and beyond. You've forgiven Maria. you've probably found the time machine…"

"I haven't forgiven Maria," Edmund made clear.

"That was the deal," Maria said steadily. "I'd get you the Inventory list, if you'd forgive me so the kids and I can move on with our lives!"

"It makes so much sense," Brooke said.

"There you go again!" Lily cried out.

"But I agreed to that before I realized the Pulitzer Prize is probably the time machine. It makes so much sense."

Lily looked around the table to see if anybody else had noticed the repetition. No one had.

"Edmund, a deal is a deal," Maria countered.

"Like love, honor and cherish till death do us part?" Edmund asked archly. "Forsaking all others?"

"He's got you there, Mom," Maddie said.

A growling noise came from the back of Maria's throat.

"In sickness and in health," Edmund continued, enjoying himself too much.

"What sickness?" Maria demanded, enraged. "You were faking the paralysis, you bastard!"

"She has a point there," Stuart said. "And, Edmund, even before you promised to forgive her in exchange for the Inventory list, you were going to give her a second chance. Remember?"

Edmund remembered. "Okay. Okay. You're forgiven. Call up Mrs. Tilwiliger and tell her you can move on with your life."

"You are SO no good," Maria told him meaningfully.

"What does he mean, Mom?" Sam and Maddie asked in unison. "Why would Mrs. Tiwiliger care?"

"Aren't they all adorable?" Zift asked.

"You were never any good," Maria continued. "You never loved me."

Brooke couldn't let that go by. "Oh, Maria! You're wrong! Edmund adored you! You're the reason he kept leaving me! I could never take your place! And believe me, I tried!"

"This is good," Zetz said. "We should've brought popcorn."

Zartz laughed. "We ARE popcorn!"

"Dad, why don't we go into the Main Ballroom and take a look around?" Sam suggested. "That's where your Pulitzer Prize is."

"You're selling my Pulitzer?" Edmund asked Maria, sounding heartbroken at the thought.

"Yes, she is," Lily answered, "there it is under 'P'. Page 75."

"How could you sell my Pulitzer?"

Maria smiled. "It makes so much sense."

Can Edmund ever forgive Maria? Will it matter if all material reality goes BOOM? What are the Galioscians planning? Lots of chapters, lots of surprises still to come! Please read on! Your Review is welcome!