Young Man and the Sea

[Narrator]

As Andre stepped out of his most recent class, a wave of disorientation went over him. He was in a dimly-lit tunnel. Everything was wet and water flowed in little rivulets across the floor, but it flowed in intricate patterns and occasionally uphill, heading down the tunnel towards a glow.

[Andre Jacquard]

An expression of shock and worry crossed his face. "What... where...?"

"Not my reality, not my reality, not my reality, not my reality..." he repeated in a whisper, walking forward carefully.

[Narrator]

The tunnel opened up into a large room with columns. The floor of this room was covered in a thin layer of water. In the middle of the room, was a deep pool, towards which the water has flowing. A column of water grew out of the pool, supporting a metal platform. Sitting cross-legged on the platform was a blond woman. She might have once been pretty. She might even still be pretty if she cleaned up. As it was though, her face was smudged with dirt and her ragged clothes were a soggy mess.

[Andre Jacquard]

"Hello?" he asked meekly, instantly regretting the instinctual action.

[Narrator]

Mercifully, the scene began to melt away, resolving into the crossing of two hallways.

The girl remained, though. The girl, or someone who looked very much like her...

[Jennifer Tarasova]

Jennifer turned to look at the person who was so uncertainly greeting her. She pushed hair back behind one ear and adjusted her glasses. "Um, hello?"

[Andre Jacquard]

"You... you... can see me?" he asked fearfully.

[Jennifer Tarasova]

"Yes, I can see you," Jennifer said, uncertain if she should take a step closer or a step away.

[Andre Jacquard]

"Wait...this..." he said, visibly relaxing as he put a hand on the wall, "I'm still here."

[Jennifer Tarasova]

"Did you go somewhere?" Jennifer looked concerned.

[Andre Jacquard]

"Sometimes I see... other... worlds..." he said, speeding up, "And oh God you must think I'm nuts."

[Jennifer Tarasova]

"No more than anyone else around here," Jennifer said, taking a step closer. "You must not see many happy places."

[Andre Jacquard]

"It's not all bad... I just... for a moment I thought one of the 'others' answered me."

[Jennifer Tarasova]

"Oh," she said, still a little confused, but deciding to make the best of it. "My name's Jennifer. Haven't I seen you around the art rooms?"

[Andre Jacquard]

"You might have," he answered, grateful for the change of subject. "I'm Andre."

[Jennifer Tarasova]

"I thought so. You're the one doing the weaving, right?"

[Andre Jacquard]

"I try to branch out, but yes."

[Jennifer Tarasova]

"I was going to go get some tea. You want to come? We can talk art."

[Andre Jacquard]

"That... would be really good right now," he smiled.

[Jennifer Tarasova]

In a fit of friendliness, Jennifer offer him her arm. "Let's go get some tea then."

((Continued))