A/N Sorry it has taken me so long to post another chapter! Hubby had pneumonia, my son had the flu, I had a milder combo of the two. Everyone is thankfully finally on the mend so hopefully I can get this story moving again. Thanks for your patience. Please review and let me know what you think!
A few weeks later Stella invited Maggie over to her house one Friday after work. Stella had said she had a surprise that Maggie just had to see to believe. As soon as Maggie arrived Stella grabbed her arm and pulled her into the dining room. There on the dining room table was a set of blue prints.
"What are those?" Maggie asked leaning over the plans to get a closer look, but still not quite comprehending what they were. "Are you planning on doing some remodeling?"
Stella laughed a nervous laugh. "Actually those plans are for our mid life crisis! They are blue prints to build our own time machine!"
Maggie blinked then blinked again. Stella couldn't be serious! That was the most ridiculous idea ever!
Ridiculous or not, Stella had gotten the idea after watching "One Man Shy" when both of them had wistfully sighed about what they would do if only they a time machine. Up one night when she couldn't sleep, Stella started Googling "time machines".
She had found quite a bit of information on the net. She had emailed a couple of guys at MIT who swore that they had successfully built a working model as part of their graduate thesis. Finally she decided "oh what the hell" and bought the blueprints, the assembly directions and the instruction manual from a guy named Carl Albee who she envisioned as a real life Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory.
Maggie was still gawking at the blueprints when Stella urged her to go look in the garage. I think we can have this thing built in just a couple of weekends" Stella said, pointing to the various tiles and panels and other odds and ends that looked like stuff from a NASA surplus store.
Still looking like a deer in the headlights, Maggie was shaking her head back and forth in disbelief. "And I thought you were nuts for suggesting we try surfing! You have gone totally bonkers this time!" Maggie said only half jokingly.
Stella put her arm around her friend as she said "You and I both know what effect watching The Monkees has had on us. I still have the hots for Davy and you have your new hots for Peter. What if we had a time machine to go back and try do something about satisfying those hots?"
Maggie took a deep breath and finally said "That's the craziest and I mean craziest idea you've ever had. We are talking way crazier than any caper Lucy and Ethel ever dreamed up. This might be up there with Thelma and Louise in just plain fucking crazy!"
She paused for a moment before she added sheepishly, "But of course it would be fun to try, wouldn't it?" Maggie wanted to shoot herself for caving in. Usually she was the voice of sanity between the two of them. But if this crazy idea actually could work…it was the chance of a lifetime. Damn it! How could she not be on board with it?
Stella led Maggie back in to the house and they started hashing out logistics for "Operation Monkee Time". Stella all ready had most of the materials except for the computer processor which they could order off the internet according to the Sheldonesque grad student at MIT. At this stage it was merely a case of some assembly required.
They started a "to do" list. They needed to thoroughly research the time period more thoroughly so they could fully immerse themselves in the culture and blend suggested they look up the Billboard Top 100 for 1966 and 1967 to get more familiar with the music than they all ready were. They also researched what other TV programs were popular at the time besides The Monkees.
They researched hairstyles, make up and fashion from that period as well. Neither thought they'd look good with funky frosted blue eye shadow and thick exaggerated eye liner like ballerina, Natasha Pavolova, in "Card Carrying Red Shoes".' Nor did they kid themselves into thinking they could pull off the nubile look of Vanessa Russell from the pilot.
"Monkee Mother" Millie Rudnick was actually closer to their own age, but they didn't want to come across as matronly like Millie. Their goal was to have sex with a Monkee, not kiss Monkee booboos like Millie. They needed to find a delicate balance to look their absolute best. They didn't want to come across as desperate cougars trying too hard or as cartoon versions of themselves playing dress up a la 1967. Alluring, approachable and totally irresistible was the look they were after.
They planned to work on the time machine on the next couple of Friday evenings and then go hit the vintage clothing shops on Saturdays. If they had energy to spare they planned to watch a few more episodes here and there in between building and shopping.
The following Saturday found a half built time machine in Stella's garage. The computer processor and mother board were on order and were scheduled to arrive the following week.
Maggie picked Stella up at 9am for a quick breakfast in one of the funky café's in the avante guard area of town known as the Point. This once quaint turn of the century neighborhood had become an enclave known for its edgy artistic anything goes attitude. The place had a vibe all its own and a cast of characters that made it ideal for people watching. You might see skinheads, Rastafarians, modern day and original hippies, or people who wanted to be Greasers or Betty Page.
After breakfast they hit "Avalon Vintage Clothiers". Finding cute vintage outfits was not difficult for Stella. Right off she found a cute cardigan big bold 1960s type flowers blue, purple, white and just a hint of orange with and white shell to match. A pair of blue capris and some white flats and she had her first outfit.
Maggie tried on several things, but her height was proving problematic to fit into any of the adorable vintage items. About to give up all hope, she finally found a red orange paisley cardigan in shades dark avocado, gold, black and rust. She found a shell which was the same red orange and had an empire waist. Just under the bust the stitching changed to a thicker vertical design.
Maggie tried the cardigan set on and was pleased with watch she saw. The colors were flattering with her hair and skin tone. The vertical stitching and empire waist favorably accented her chest and created a slimming waist line. "Ok, this is a keeper" Maggie said excitedly. Stella nodded her approval. "Maybe I can find a modern pair of black boot cut jeans to go with it", Maggie said as they made their purchases
Next up was the psychedelic thrift shop know as The Lime Tree. It had vintage, but also carried some new clothing as well including fetish wear they were to discover. Stella and Maggie had to laugh at some of the outlandish outfits on the mannequins. "They certainly have an outifit for every occasion" Maggie said while rolling her eyes. This startred an impromptu game of name the occasion for the outfit.
Maggie held up a gossamer black spider web number. Stella guessed, "What to wear to join a witch's coven?" It was something that would look good only on Stevie Nicks.
Stella held up an aqua blue mini dress with long flowing New Romantic sleeves and an asymmetric snap collar. "Don't laugh, but I think I actually wore that to see Duran Duran in 1984!" Maggie quipped. "Just needs a double wrap belt." Stella laughed despite being told not to. She just couldn't help it. She enjoyed Maggie's sense of humor. Sometimes she was just funny without really even trying.
Maggie held up what was clearly a bondage outfit. Stella studied it for a moment and said "I don't even know what part of the body that goes on. Is it a belt or top? But for a first date with the Marquis de Sade it would be perfect, wouldn't it?"
They joked about how the store seemed to carry more Halloween costumes than vintage clothing. Everyday was kind of Halloween down at the Point! Stella found an adorable Pucchi swirl type print sheath style dress in various shades of blue, white, yellow and green. Any shade of blue with Stella's blonde hair and blue green eyes was a winner on her. Again, Maggie saw lots of petite stuff which didn't have a prayer of fitting her. This put her in an ever increasing foul mood.
She was about to give up when she saw a hot pink, orange, yellow and lime green fabric peaking out from the dress rack. It was a swirling, but not quite paisley print flowing robe like Mrs. Roper used to wear on "Three's Company". She held it up and stretched the hem out width wise to examine it. There were several miles of fabric which was plenty to make into either a dress or capris pants or maybe both. The fabric was totally groovy so she decided to buy it. They made their purchases and headed back to Stella's.
"Well not a full weekend wardrobe, but it's a start" said Stella happily as they got in the car.
"Easy for you to say. Nothing like trying to find a size 12 tall in a sea of size 2 petites to really undermine your confidence. I felt like the Incredible Hulk trying on some of that stuff!" Maggie said sounding dejected.
Stella thoughtfully suggested "Why don't you look at some fabric stores or online to see if you could get some 1960s retro inspired material and have some custom stuff made? Maggie decided maybe that was perhaps the best route instead of trying to buy all vintage to wear,
Maggie did a lot of internet surfing and purchased several patterns and yards of fabric online which she took to a tailor. She was starting to feel better about having clothes that were going to fit and flatter.
Stella rounded out her wardrobe unexpectedly by raiding Maggie's pack rat mother's closet. Most of the stuff was too small to fit Maggie who got her height from her Dad. Maggie did find a simple sleeveless pastel light green fine gauge sweater. It matched the fabric of the caftan she purchased from the vintage store which she was having made into a pair of capris pants. Both were able to score some fabulous 1960s Lucite jewelry to complete their new outfits.
Maggie had been agonizing about what they were going to do for cash IF they arrived safely in 1967. She was ecstatic to find some vintage "in case of emergency" cash that her mother had squirreled away in the lining of an old purse they found. There was fifty dollars in fives, tens and twenties and all the bills were printed before 1967! Maggie took this as a good omen. She would feel even better if they could come up with more mad money as a safety net since their credit cards would certainly not work in the past.
On Sunday they worked all day on the time machine as the computer components had arrived earlier that week. As they assembled the beast which they had nicked named "Sheldon's Folly" they discussed what loose ends they needed to tie up to get ready to launch.
Maggie suggested "Why don't we try those herbal anti cellulite wraps, get an anti-aging facial and of course we must get hair cuts, manicures and pedicures."
"I am willing to try the anti cellulite wraps. My thighs need all the help they can get!" Stella replied.
It was decided they needed to buy some sexy new bras and panties to go with all their "new" clothes. "Bras are one vintage item I am willing not to have be the least authentic", Stella shuddered remembering her mother's foundation garments from when she was a kid, "Those things were more like concrete fortresses than bras! No wonder the hippie chicks burned theirs!"
They also solved the problem of vintage swimsuits which were extremely rare by shopping on line. Several companies offered retro inspired swim separates and some one piece styles.
Once all purchases were made they had a "dress rehearsal" two weeks later and signed off on each others hair, makeup and wardrobe. Willing to take a risk on wearing modern bras, they decided putting toiletries into travel containers might be best to avoid any chance of being caught with items not from the time period.
In their dress rehearsal garb, they took photographs of themselves to make proper identification. Using their current driver's licenses would do more harm than good should they have to show proof of id. Stella found images of California licenses from the 1960s on the internet. She created reasonable facsimile for each of them using Photoshop software and a cheap laminating machine she bought at Costco.
The need for more cash that didn't have large off set pictures of Washington, Lincoln, Jackson and Hamilton and modern watermarks was still an issue. Maggie and Stella only halfway joked about taking up counterfeiting. The B-52's song "Legal Tender" bounced through Maggie's brain, but was interrupted by an idea which suddenly popped in her head. Why had she not thought of it before?
Her ex-husband had been in search a hurry to drain their bank account when he ran off, the moron had forgotten to take his prized coin collection. She had received it as part of the divorce settlement. After the divorce, Maggie had received help from family, including Ted's, and friends to get back up on her feet. She had never really considered that the coins might be of any use or value until now so they had been on a shelf in the closet. Maggie shuddered. Oh dear! She was taking after her mother forgetting money in the closet. Some internet research revealed that some of the coins might be worth something even in 1967. They could try to pawn a few coins to get some cash. Pawning her ex's precious coin collection to finance her mid life crisis would be sweet revenge indeed!
As launch date approached, Stella's anxious nature started to surface. Stella could agonize and worry with the best of them. They reversed roles. Stella now felt the whole idea was just crazy and that they should abort the launch.
Maggie, who had been the skeptical one in the beginning, was actually really getting excited that they were actually going through with this crazy scheme! Launch date was scheduled for a week from Saturday. They discussed their plan of attack upon arrival.
They had looked at calendars and weather on the internet for Malibu and decided late April was a good time of year for their adventure. "It will be warm enough to enjoy the beach some, but not scorching like the summer would wreck hair and cause makeup to slide off like melted butter, said Maggie.
"Yes, it might be cool at night on the beach, but a Monkee and a beach blanket would take care of that problem!" replied Stella.
Maggie arrived at Stella's house on Saturday packed and ready to go. Stella was a nervous wreck as she tweaked a few bolts here and there on the time machine. Maggie reminded Stella to make sure she packed her anti anxiety medication and continued going through the checklist: 1) clothes 2) shoes 3) swimsuits 4) beach hats 5) medications/birth control 6) sunscreen 7) make up 8) hair styling products and equipment 9) Astroglide just in case (maybe items 1 and 9 should be reversed Maggie mused) 10) rare coins and vintage cash 11) California drivers licenses, etc.
The checklist was double and triple checked. They dressed and were ready for launch. They loaded their suitcases into "Sheldon's Folly". Stella programmed "Permar Golf Course, Rose Avenue, Santa Monica, California, April 21, 1967, 7:30 am PST using the directions for programming a destination per the instruction manual.
She made sure the "No radar detection" feature was employed as Carl at MIT had said that the time machine should be totally invisible and undetectable in airspace if that feature were enabled. Bracing themselves they took a deep breath and looked at each other. "Ready?" Stella asked. Maggie nodded, held up fingers crossed on both hands and Stella pushed the "Launch" button.