CHAPTER THREE: GEORGE

Shortly before sunset, three very special young women are gathered in that fateful alley between Tenth and Eleventh. They are seated on some rusty metal stairs that lead to the emergency exit of one of the building situated next to the alley. For the last hour they have been sipping coffee and getting better acquainted.

JAYE: "It may have been a good idea to get here early, but much longer and my ass will freeze."

TRU: "What did you expect for this time of year? Besides, isn't it worth it if we can save that blonde girl's life?"

JAYE: "I suppose, but is that what we are meant to do? Normally, wouldn't the girl have died and then asked you for help personally?"

TRU: "Yes, but nothing about this case has been normal. This is all unchartered waters for me. Like, trying to identify the killer when neither of you saw his face."

JOAN: "Who knew this alley had so much foot traffic? Dozens of people have passed us in the last hour."

TRU: "There are lots of shops on Tenth and a parking garage on Eleventh. This alley is a well-used shortcut."

JAYE: "And here's something different. Now that the sun is setting, those two security lights have snapped on, but I remember this alley being pitch dark."

JOAN: "The killer must have broken them and then stayed hidden until his victim showed up. But will he do that if he sees us waiting here?"

TRU: "I don't know. Once you start to alter events, your previous circumstances can change radically. Any small detail can make a huge difference. For instance, I didn't get a flat tire today, unlike the first two times."

JOAN: "Oh crap, I didn't mention it before because it didn't seem to connect to to this event. That first day, God gave me a secondary assignment. I went to the university and flattened a tire on a red Saab. On the rewind day, God said I could just lay low and forget about everything."

JAYE: "That's when I took over. I also flattened a tire on a red Saab. Was that your car, Tru?"

TRU: "Yes, didn't you notice it in the motel parking lot?"

JOAN: "No, we took my rental car here. But if we hadn't flattened your tire, how would that have affected your schedule?"

TRU: "I would have made it to work on time. In fact, I probably would have been sent to pick up the body of the shooting victim…"

JOAN: "Oh God, we blew it. It wasn't the blonde girl we were suppose to save, it was you!"

JAYE: "Of course! You were the one we were suppose to keep out of this alley, Tru."

TRU: "Because the killer lingers in the crowd of on-lookers, and when I show up to collect the body… he shoots me too?"

JAYE: "And if he failed the first time, the blonde girl would ask for help…"

TRU: "And I would eventually be back in this alley on the rewind day, and would get killed anyways."

JOAN: "We've got to get you out of here!"

But before the three women can move, from beneath the stairs comes a blonde girl of 18. She has been hiding, listening to their every word. The girl blocks their path and briefly consults a post-it note in her hand.

"Are you T. Davies? This is your third appointment with me."

JAYE: "It's her again. Who are you?"

JOAN: "Or maybe we should ask, what are you?"

GEORGE: "My name is Georgia L. Lass, known to my friends as George, and I'm a Grim Reaper."

TRU: "I recognize that name. A few years ago, some space junk from a decaying Russian satellite smashed into a plaza downtown. There was a huge explosion, several people were injured, and an 18 year old girl was killed."

GEORGE: "Yeah, that's me: Toilet Seat Girl. Talk about an undignified death. Anyways, ever since then I've been a Grim Reaper, which I'm not suppose to tell people, but after hearing you three talk, I figure you're an exception. So Tru, you're the reason my supervisor is unaware that he keeps handing me the same post-it day after day?"

TRU: "Yes, my day rewinds when the dead ask me for help."

GEORGE: "Huh, freaky. My experience with the dead is that they stay dead. No second chances. I certainly never got one."

JAYE: "What do you mean? You're walking around as alive as anyone."

GEORGE: "Technically, I'm one ot the undead,and I have a job to do."

George steps forward and tries to touch Tru, but the wax lion, which Jaye has left on the railing, speaks up…

LION: "Don't let her touch Tru!"

Instantly, Jaye and Joan step between Tru and the Reaper. Displaying their sparking stun guns, they force George to step back.

JOAN: "We won't let you kill her."

GEORGE: "I don't kill anyone. All a Reaper does is extract the soul of a person who is about to die. That way a person doesn't have to experience the pain and trauma of their deaths. By the way, did the rest of you notice that this wax lion talked?"

JAYE: "Sometimes you can't shut him up."

JOAN: "You will have to pass on this reaping. God wants Tru to live."

GEORGE: "If that's right, why is her death rescheduled each day for this time and place? Face it, it's fate."

TRU: "Maybe she's right. I've always assumed I can do what I do as a part of the grand scheme of fate. I help those whose time has not yet come to get a second chance. Maybe this is my moment of destiny."

JOAN: "I don't believe that. God sent Jaye and me all the way across the country to counter balance whatever is causing this event. This isn't your time, Tru."

JAYE: "Then we should get out of here before one of us gets killed and we have to endure another rewind. George, will you let us pass?"

GEORGE (shrugging): "I don't have to take your soul now. I can extract it after your death, if you prefer. But Tru, how many times must we relive this day before you accept your fate?"

Joan and Jaye drag a reluctant Tru away, but they only manage a few feet before Joan comes to a halt. Entering the alley is an angry young man who is muttering to himself. Joan immediately recognizes her old classmate, the psycho gun nut, Steve Ramsey.

TBC/PLEASE REVIEW