After everyone had been seated again, Lisa looked at them quietly.
"I know this has been very strange."
"Yes," said Rhett, one eyebrow raised, "And it keeps getting stranger."
Lisa smiled at Rhett, nodding a little. Suddenly, they all felt a vibration go through the shack.
"We are here.", Lisa stated. "I am going to open the door, but don't worry. We are in a safe place. It's really very nice here.", she cooed the last part in a slightly self-conscious, talk your kid into eating broccoli, tone of voice.
That statement did not stop Melanie and Scarlett from looking concerned as Lisa crossed the floor and flung open the shack door. All four of the group from Atlanta let out an involuntary gasp.
Instead of a black void, there was bright sunlight. They could smell the ocean and see breakers on a beach in easy walking distance. It was quiet outside except for the occasional cry of a seagull, gentle breaking of the surf, and the wind blowing through a thick stand of palm trees and jungle vegetation.
Scarlett stood up without a word, walked determinedly to the door, and with a slight pause, stepped outside.
She saw a tropical beach, which curved gently away to distant mountains. It was hot, as warm as Atlanta in July. The breeze gently caressed her body, and brought a scent of exotic flowers, which she could see growing against a strange looking building at the end of a sand path.
She turned to Lisa and frowned. She hadn't the remotest idea what was going on, but she would be damned if she showed this odd woman any fear. Maybe Rhett had gone off the deep end, and subjected them to some sort of strange hypnosis, just like the kind she had seen in her favorite theater in Atlanta a few years ago.
But if this was some sort of game, then she would play along as long as she had to until it all made sense. Then she would make Rhett pay for putting her through this bizarre episode in their lives. After all, hadn't they been through enough in the past few months? She'd move back to Tara, and then he could go to the Devil.
The others had come outside as well. They looked around, blinking.
Lisa was already up the path, moving toward the building. "Come on.", she gestured eagerly, "I have so much to show you!"
"I just can't wait to see." Scarlett said in her most accommodating voice.
In the building, they were sitting in hard chairs made of the plastic material which seemed to make up so much of Lisa's world. The tabletop was made of plastic as well. It seemed like every little object, and quite a bit of Lisa's subtle mannerisms and speech, were disturbingly different in both large and small ways to the four visitors.
The inside of the building was different than the architecture they were used to. The ceiling formed a peak 20 feet over their heads instead of going straight across. Everything had a very uniform, manufactured, cold feel compared to the hand carved wood and stone they were used to.
The chairs were spartan, made of shiny smooth material and with simple metal tubes as legs. The room was lit with absolutely still and steady bright lights. The only thing Rhett had seen like it was a theater limelight, but these lights put out no heat.
From the doorknobs to what may have been a kitchen, it was hard to tell since it was visible past an archway instead of discreetly out of view as was proper in a large house, there were few familiar objects.
"This is our training area for time travelers", Lisa beamed at them, hands clasped tight in front of her. "I know you've been through a lot today, and it's almost time for you to rest back at home, so I'll try to explain some things you need to know before we all settle in for the night.
"It looks like the sun just came up." stated Rhett, standing and peering through the window blind. "I'm guessing," he paused, then bravely continued, "We're on the other side of the world from Atlanta."
"Right as usual, Captain Butler", Lisa stated. "We are in the South Pacific. Our nearest neighbor is Pitcairn Island, which is about as remote as you can be from 19th century Western culture."
"So we haven't traveled through time yet?" Ashley asked, his arm around a very quiet Melanie.
"No", Lisa replied. "I have to teach all of you how to adapt to the future. There are many facts to be aware of before we go on our mission. We will be staying here for the next few weeks until I've had a chance to help you understand how to get along in our journeys."
"Also" she paused, then quickly went on, "You need to understand the shock of knowing the future can be considerable at times. I have a wand to cure most physical ills, but those of us who frequently travel across time know it can be very stressful, especially to those who are unaccustomed to it."
"You can even become very ill from the strain, so this instruction will help you adjust more easily. However, if any of you experience physical symptoms such as constant dizziness and nausea, or anything else outside of how you normally feel, please tell me so I can help you."
Lisa paused, assessing the audience. Rhett was riveted, Ashley had a slightly worried look on his face. Scarlett looked bored and a bit annoyed, Melanie was quite pale.
"Melanie, please let me help you." Lisa walked to a cabinet on the wall with a red cross and returned with a pink piece of candy. "This will fix you right up. Chew, then swallow. It's a very mild sedative".
Melanie gave Lisa a questioning look but put the pill in her mouth and did as instructed. The rest gave Lisa a questioning look, and she gave each a pink pill.
Returning to the front of the room, she gestured around the modern classroom.
Rhett had been simultaneously fascinated and terrified at the day's events. The pill kicked in, and suddenly he felt giddy, yet calm, like a small child seeing a rainbow for the first time.
He glanced at Scarlett. She had a strange little smile on her lips. Melanie looked much better, Ashley stared at nothing, lids half shut.
"So", she continued cheerily, "I want to show you why the future is a much better place in some ways. Ladies, let's take care of first things first. Let me show you how to use a modern bathroom."
Melanie could not believe she slept a full day, but all of them had. Lisa had shown them the marvels of advanced plumbing before they went to sleep. It was strange to think of water instantly whisking away waste and dirt instead of using a chamber pot, and daily showers, like standing in your own personal rainstorm, instead of bathing in a kitchen once a week.
She had only seen an indoor toilet once before in a magazine. It had been quite embarrassing as she haltingly explained the functions to Ashley, but he was entranced at the whole arrangement.
She guessed Scarlett had not had the same problem with Captain Butler. Scarlett seemed to be adjusting as well or better than any of them. As always, she was an example of strength.
They all had a few changes of their own clothing in the closets. Closets, not wardrobes. So many odd things to comprehend, like how on earth some of their clothes from home had made it here without them packing a thing.
Melanie took a step toward the door, then sat abruptly on the bed as her world started spinning. She took a deep breath and sighed. She was used to feeling ill, but somehow this was different.
It felt as though something deep inside of her was spinning and would not stop. The bed was made of plastic foam, not stuffed with cotton or goose down. The closet was not a wardrobe. There was a toilet that worked like a strange little fountain, not a chamber pot a maid would take. Also, didn't Miss Lisa say there was so much more to learn?
Melanie sighed, then put her head in her hands. Ashley walked in the bedroom, beaming, but stopped when he saw her.
"What's wrong, dearest?", He cupped her hands in his, looking anxiously at her face.
"Nothing dear, just a slight headache." Melanie smiled up at him, squinting slightly with pain.