A science fiction take on Fred’s dilemma

...This was new territory, and he was ready to finally give that face some character. And find his woman. But how?

Much to his astonishment, there she was. She gave him a big smile and stretched out her hand in welcome. “Hello Fred.” She said as she tightly held his hand in hers and smiled. “My name is Sarah and I am here to help you find your way.”

Fred could not believe his good fortune. Standing right in front of him was the woman of his dreams. “I have so many questions.” Fred began, “But first, how was I able to see you before my, um, passing?

Sarah smiled, “‘Let’s head over to the Darth Vader building on College Boulevard and get you registered. I’ll explain as we go through registration” As they turned towards the street, Fred was dumfounded at what he saw. There were hundreds of life-challenged souls conducting business as normal. Sarah led him to the stop for the Terrestrial Ecto Shuttle Service (TESS as they called it) that, based on string theory, moved the life- challenged across dimensions to destinations across the earth in a matter of moments. Faster than a blink of an eye they were standing in a long line in the basement of the Darth Vader building. “Fred you were able to see me because I was assigned to you. Sort of a guardian angel if you will.”

“Well, not to seem unappreciative, but you seem to have failed at that job.”

Ectoplasmic tears welled up in Sarah’s big brown eyes. “I am sorry. I am not allowed to prevent your death, but to make your transition an easier one. I have been watching you for such a long time. I have grown quite fond of you.”

“NEXT!” Fred and Sarah turned towards the sound of the clerk, waiting with a non-plussed look for them to move up to the desk. “Date entered and full name?” Fred looked at Sarah.

“October 16 and Fred Carlisle” said Sarah.

“Yes, I have it right here.” The clerk said while turning her monitor towards Fred. “You did quite well for yourself with your 401K and other savings. This should serve you well while you are here.” Fred once again turned towards Sarah and gave her an inquiring look.

“You CAN take it with you, Fred.”, Sarah laughed. “Think of your earthly savings like a bitcoin over here. And what about his 4C? Fred looked again at Sarah. She gave a laugh and said “ This is the contractual corporal circumvention clause. All of us are given a living person to help transition, just like I am for you.” She patted Fred lovingly on the arm.

“He has none.” Said the clerk.

“He has none?” Sarah said in disbelief.

“HE. HAS. NONE.” stated the clerk emphatically. “Come back in a few days and we will see if someone has been assigned.”

“He has to have one!!! cried Sarah. If he doesn’t have his assigned person by tomorrow, I will go residual!!”

“Sweetheart, that is not my problem.” The clerk replied, dryly. “You should have thought about that when you were making your presence known.”

“C’mon, Fred!” Sarah said as she grabbed Fred’s hand and they whisked out of the building.

“Wh-what was that about?” Fred asked.

“I couldn’t help myself. All of those years, Fred. I had to see if you loved me as I loved you.” Tears began to well up again in Sarah’s eyes. “ I don’t care if I do go residual!! It was worth it to see the way you looked at me!”

They got off the TESS at the Old Overland Park Clock Tower and made their way to the top. “Home sweet home.” Tess said. “I love it here. I can watch the people as they shop and go about their lives.” Fred learned that Sarah was from an old Olathe family that was buried in the Olathe Cemetery. That’s why he had seen here there. All of her family had crossed, but she told him that one could buy talk minutes and Skype with family on Sundays. Those caught in this in-between state had a certain amount of time to earn their “crossing” before they were relegated to being residual energy caught in a never-ending loop in time. Each time Sarah had shown herself to Fred, she had reduced the amount of time available before her crossing. “Fred, don’t worry. There really is nothing to helping a soul in their crossing. You will do fine on your own.”

Fred reached out and touched Sarah’s face. “Oh, we are not going to give up that easily. So, let me get this straight. I need to have a living person assigned to me and once that happens you will be free to cross?”

“Well, not exactly. That is part of it and would have allowed me extra time, but in order for me to cross, you would have had to do what is called ‘An extraordinary measure.” This is when you have done a selfless act for the person that has been assigned to you. As long as you continued to grow under my teaching, I would remain. Unfortunately, without a person under you, I will be forced to become a residual energy

“How do they force you to become a residual energy?” asked Fred.

“It’s like a bad Sci-fi movie. The clock strikes twelve and these guys in black suits show up and zap you with an ectoplasmic reticulator. It confines morphic resonance to a particular moment in time. If it has to happen to me then I want it to happen here with my beloved people and with you, Fred!”

“Well you are not going residual on my watch, little sister.” Fred said using his best John Wayne impersonation. Sarah giggled. “ Let’s head back over to the DV building.”

Sarah and Fred talked to the clerk and the clerk’s boss to no avail. They could not assign Fred a person until that knowledge was made available. They did send them off with a buzzer that would alert them the minute his person was assigned.

Dejected, Fred and Sarah walked the graveyard and then headed back to the Clock Tower.

“Sarah, I can’t lose you know. I just found you!” Sarah reached out and lovingly touched Fred’s face.

As the time ticked down Sarah and Fred sat nervously chit-chatting about their lives. The clock tower read 11:58 and still no buzzer alert. The two stared imploring at the buzzer.

11:59. No buzzer. “Fred, just know that I have always loved you.” With that Sarah gently kissed Fred’s lips.

12:00. Two men in dark suits enter the clock tower. One of them raises an ectoplasmic reticulator and points it at Sarah. He presses the button and at that moment Fred jumps in front of the beam. As he seemingly disappears into residual space and time he reaches out his hand to Sarah who unites with his energy and they disappear in a flash of light. The buzzer falls to the floor blinking.

“Sarah? Sarah?” Sarah opens her eyes and finds her grandmother leaning over her.

“Grandma?” Sarah asks in disbelief.

“Yes my dear! Welcome to the afterlife! We’ve waited so long for you to join us! And who is the handsome young man you’ve brought with you?”

Fred slowly opens his eyes and smiles…

This story was originally published October 27, 2015 at 1:46 PM with the headline "A science fiction take on Fred’s dilemma."