The Alternative

by Richard Dante

FOUR

  Kirk and Sharon were directed to seats near the center of the auditorium. They resembled armchairs and looked soft and inviting. The arms, however, where of an unusual metallic material, but when they had settled themselves, they found the arms soothingly warm to the touch and perfectly contoured for comfort. The remarkable seats produced a feeling of well being.

  Many in the audience were gawking around them. There was no sign of the antique splendor that had surrounded them in the lobby. In fact, now they were encircled by a curved wall that was completely curtained. The immense round room had a domed ceiling that appeared to be fabricated of a silver-white cellular material.

  The lights began to dim and the large audience quieted expectantly. Sharon hugged Kirk’s arm and snuggled closer to him. The curtain before them split open part way. the brief credits were shown on a curved, two dimensional screen, similar to that of conventional Cinema scope.

  Other than the title, THE Movie, and that of the production company, Parthenon Films, only a few production names were shown. There was no mention of a cast of characters or the actors to play them.

  The brief credits concluded and the screen and room faded to black. The audience heard the curtain open slowly with a soft swishing sound as it unveiled the screen that surrounded them. There was a moment of black silence.

  Then out of the darkness appeared a miraculous scene! The audience gasped! The three dimensional realism was so astonishing, had they not known better, they would have sworn they were seated in the midst of a splendid forest. The verdant wood was lush and green, with ferns growing everywhere. Birds sang in the trees, a sound few had heard lately. The afternoon sun sent slanting rays through the tall treas.

  A doe and fawn appeared to run down the right side aisle and pause to drink from a deep pool fed by a small waterfall. Then they trotted on into the trees.

  A soft breeze began to rustle through the woods, and in fact, through the auditorium itself. Hair was ruffled and it was cool, and refreshing.

  From overhead came the muffled sound of distant thunder. The late afternoon sun dimmed, and as they looked up, the assemblage could see heavy foliage overhead. Through the trees, clouds scurried across the darkening sky.

  A bright flash of lighting was followed by another clap of thunder; only louder this time. Within minutes there was the sensation of light drops of rain spattering their faces--only few droplets, as they were protected by the tree branches above them. The crowd once more murmured their approval.

  Although everyone in the audience was shielded by the leafy cover, they could see the rain was falling heavily around them. They became aware of the small roadway that wound through the greenery, just to the left of center screen. The rain had made the roadway wet and muddy.

  The scene continued to darken until it was the sort of twilight seen only in the forest. Up to the left, the headlamps of a car gleamed through the trees. The light cast long moving shadows and caused the falling raindrops to glitter.

  The car crept slowly into full view,and they saw it was one of the familiar, small solar powered vehicles. Abruptly there was a crackling searing sound from overhead, and through the leafy ceiling crashed a bolt of lightning! It flashed close above the heads of the audience and smashed with great force into a tall pine that grew alongside the road on the screen. The sound of thunder was deafening. Those in the front seats screamed as the tree burst into flames and appeared as thought it might fall forward into the third row seats of the auditorium

  The compact car stopped beside the burning tree. The rain had slackened somewhat, and yet the trees still dripped outside the protective shield. A man emerged from the driver’s side of the vehicle and went around to let his passenger out. A woman emerged, carefully avoiding the shallow puddles.

  It was quite dark now and the deep shadows made it difficult to see the faces of the pair until they stepped into the glow of the headlamps. As the light struck them, The movie-goers could see it was an attractive couple in evening clothes. The blond haired man had a pleasant, open face, and smiled reassuringly down at the pretty dark haired lady at his side.

  In the audience, Sharon’s breath caught in her throat. At her side Kirk let out an astonished: “Good God! How could they?!”

  Indeed it was incredible, for standing before the small car, lit by the glow of the headlamps and the dying flicker of the burning tree were--Kirk and Sharon Miller!

  The audience studied the pair in amazement. Two human beings stood there on the screen--living--breathing. So real and so tangible were they, that a few in the audience turned to stare in wonder at the scientist and his wife who sat in their midst, and at the same time stood in the dripping forest. From different places in the room came cries of astonishment as some recognized the couple on the screen.

  “Dr. Miller! That’s Dr. Miller!” the famous name buzzed around the room.

  The woman on the screen spoke. “Kirk, This rain is marvelous, though a bit inconvenient. Where are way anyway?”

  “I’m not sure,” replied the man looking around him. “But I don't’ believe this road is leading us anywhere. The rain’s stopped, anyway. “ He took the woman's’ hand. “Come on, I think I saw lights off this way. Perhaps we can ask for directions.”

  The on-screen Kirk turned off the car lights, took a large flashlight from the glove compartment and pocketed the keys. The pair started to make their way though the ferns and trees. The scene was now lit only by the glow from the flashlight and the tree fire which was about to smolder out.

  The audience began to move, or seemed to move through the woods to follow the retreating figures. It was strictly illusionary, yet the special effects had drawn everyone in, and they became part of the action. At first it was a strange sensation and some nervous laughter passed through he audience, but soon they accepted the new phenomena. In complete awe, Kirk and Sharon could only look at each other and their images on the screen.

  Sharon and Kirk’s screen counterparts had gone only a short way when lights from ahead began to dance on the wet foliage. As they moved loser, a magnificent mansion came into view. It was so large, in some countries it would have been called a palace.

  The splendid structure was erected in the French Renaissance style. In effect, it looked like a not-so-small version of Versailles. The gardens were equally spect- acular, artistically arranged and precisely trimmed. Brilliantly hued flowers blossomed everywhere. Tiny rain droplets shimmered on the petals and their perfume wafted out over the spectators. A full moon broke through the thinning clouds and shed its light on the festive scene below.

  Miraculous fountains danced and their waters glittered in the illumination that poured from the great house. The sound of music caressed their ears from the harmonious tones of a contemporary dance band. A host of people were laughing and talking on the broad terraces and at the windows.

  The young couple were visibly impressed as they approached the massive front entrance. Two smiling liveried footmen in powdered wigs swung open the tall doors. The pair stepped hesitantly into the brightly lit entry.

  By now the audience had entered into the story so completely, they were able to see everything through the on-screen Kirk’s eyes. Eyes that looked everywhere and were amazed at what they saw.

  As Kirk gazed around the crowded entry hall, a rather large, stately woman moved majestically toward them. She was gowned in a splendid costume that appeared to represent a Renaissance queen. As she extended her plump hand, the wrist and stubby well-manicured fingers dripped with glittering antique stones.

  “My dears,” she cried in a rich contralto. “You’re here at last. We’ve been waiting for you.”

  The regal creature lowered the domino mask she held on a wand and the astonished couple saw a smiling friendly face and noble brow under the elaborate wig. Her eyes twinkled as she took Sharon’s hand and led her and Kirk though the high vaulted hall. Then a small frow
n flickered across her cheerful features as she apologized.

  “I am sorry. We are completely out of costumes, but it’s almost time anyway.”

  Time for what? Kirk wondered as he and Sharon followed their hostess, surprised to see this was not only a costume ball, but the partygoers were obviously clad to represent famous historical figures, men and women from many periods and cultures. Each guest wore a domino mask similar to the one their hostess was holding.

  Next, they entered an enormous ballroom, it was filled with a huge throng of men and women. Their stunning costumes shimmered and dazzled the eye as they reflected the hundreds of lights which made up the massive, crystal chandeliers.

  Their hostess paused at the top of a short flight of steps that led down into the opulent room.

  “My friends. Your attention please!” she bellowed in a loud voice.

  The throng quieted and turned toward her, champagne glasses at half mast. the band stopped playing and those couples who were dancing, stopped and moved toward the grand dame.

  “Now my friends, it is time. They are here at last. So it’s time to unmask. “ She signaled the orchestra, who immediately struck up the old Broadway tune: Getting To Know You.

  “Please, Everyone, remove your masks so we can see you as you really are.”

  As the woman spoke a little dwarf character jumped forward, leaping and bounding and tuning cartwheels. He was dressed in a the guise of a court jester. He turned, did a back-flip and landed at the feet of a personage who could only represent the South’s rebel general, Robert E. Lee.

  As if shooting from the hip, the little man pointed a finger up at the gentleman.

  “All right, General Lee, off with your mask!” screamed the jester in a high, piping squeak. He laughed with glee as he bounded away.

  Carefully, the bogus Robert E. Lee removed his domino mask. For a moment, no one spoke, then from somewhere in the audience a voice gasped out,

  “John?” It was Mrs. Shipley who first recognized the man in the rebel uniform as her husband. Other voices echoed hers.

  “John Shipley!”

  “Why, It’s Senator Shipley!”

  There were some who laughed at the appropriateness of the costume, of one of histories most compassionate leaders.

  The jester pointed to an elegantly garbed gentleman from a much earlier era.

  “Cesare Borgia, remove your mask!”

  Now the toothy smile of Roger Bracken was revealed. The senator appeared embarrassed; as though he had just learned he was disguised as Machiavelli's ruthless prince.

  There were mixed reactions as the spectators saw the significance of Bracken’s costume. Could it b e that each raiment symbolized the character of the one who wore it?

  And so it went as the gleeful dwarf cavorted about the room commanding, “Take off your mask!” The audience in the theater’s reaction varied as each on screen character was unveiled, but when the glittering party surrounding them was completely exposed, each saw him or herself standing there.

  When at last everyone was accounted for, the southern general and his wife came forward to greet the on-screen Millers. The young couple looked oddly out of place in their modern evening clothes.

  “Sharon, dear! Kirkland, my boy,” the two historic figures said as they greeted them warmly.

  “Well, Kirk, have you seen the wonders you’ve performed? It’s a miracle. The rain, the beautiful gardens. The world is back like it was, and you and your rain machine are responsible.” The General laughed as he clapped Kirk on the back.

  The young physicist looked a little dazed. What was going on? He decided to go along with the Senator’s illusion because he was fond of the old man and his wife. As Kirk and the Shipleys talked about the miraculous return of the rain, Sharon excused herself.

  Kirk gave her a squeeze, then watched her move away from them. He looked beyond her and saw an elegant, black-clad Satan smiling in her direction. Where had he seen the man before? Yes, of course the man in theater lobby. A feeling of uneasiness went through him, but it passed when he was distracted by what the Senator was saying.

  “I think the next step will be to design a more efficient way to store the rainwater run-off. We’re losing too much through evaporation.

  Kirk looked away again in time to see Sharon dancing with the handsome stranger. Their bodies were pressed very close and Sharon was smiling up into the man’s face in a most disconcerting manner. Kirk followed them with his eyes for a few moments. They danced in the direction of the large French doors that led outside and disappeared into the night.

  “Excuse me Senator, Mrs. Shipley”, Kirk said, breaking into the Senator’s conversation.

  “We understand, my boy. Duty calls.”

  With some difficulty Kirk made his way though the crowd. As he passed close to Senator Bracken, the man was in deep conversation with a black undersecretary who was costumed as a southern slave. Bracken was saying,

  “Of course, I’ll be happy to help you Henry. The post is as good as yours.

  Bracken’s voice faded out of earshot as Kirk reached the French doors. This particular entry led onto one of the many terraces. He crossed quickly under the portico and ran down the steps into the garden. Directly ahead was a formal hedge maze. He avoided it and took a path to the right.

  Rounding a sharp bend, he came upon a clearing, brightly lit by the full moon. Across the open space in a corner shadowed by trees, he could make out two figures clasped in a tight embrace. He moved closer, keeping in the shadow of the well groomed hedge. The straps holding Sharon’s dress were pulled away and the man was caressing her breasts. Her head was thrown back; lips parted, eyes half closed slits and she looked like a cat being petted.

  Infuriated, Kirk leaped forward; pulling the man away from his wife. He struck him with all his might. A surprised gasp escaped the dark clad Satan. He looked in astonishment at Kirk. For a split second he hung there then doubled forward, falling so his head slammed against the low wall. There was the sound of bone cracking against stone, and the man slumped down to sprawl across the bricked path.

  In the ensuing silence there was only the sound of Kirk and Sharon’s labored breathing. Somewhere in the distance, a nightingale called to its mate, adding an incongruous note to the scene.

  Sharon clasped the top of dress close to her. With her mouth agape she looked first at Kirk and then at the inert body on the path. Finally she knelt to touch the man and let our a stifled sob before screaming,

  “He’s dead...He’s dead!”

  She drew erect and flung herself on Kirk, pummeling him with her fists. To protect himself, he pulled her close so she couldn’t strike out at him. Moments passed before she stopped her struggling and began to cry softly against his shoulder.

  Kirk glanced back over his shoulder at the sound of questioning voices coming along the path.

  “What’s happened?”

  “Where are you?”

  From around the corner of the hedge appeared some of the brightly clad guests led by their hostess.

  “Ah, there you are,” she commented amiably. “What seems to be the trouble?

  Sharon, becoming hysterical once more; pulled away from Kirk with great effort, sobbing out almost incoherently,

  “He’s dead...killed...and accident...” and she pointed to the body on the ground.

  As if taking in the situation at a glance, their hostess responded,

  “Oh...is that all? Don’t disturb yourselves. Do come back into the house. What we all need is a drink. My staff will clean up this mess.”.

  FIVE