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Aboriginal Science Fiction 047-048 [1996-Spring] PDF

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UGG Fiver \ominee 96 / $5.95 U.S. & Canada Printed in the USA Editor, Charles C. Ryan Short Stories APsusbilsitsahnetr , EdAi tcorrasz:y alien Revisions. Page Laurel Lucas By Chuck Rothman; Art by Jael Janice M. Eisen JFMolaohrynyd FCKa.re rmeRslylka en AB y BDaadv iCda sWe. oHfi llt;h e AFrltu by Robert Pasternak Page Jennifer Boles WCElihklaalr ilaeTmno ev aShBw raunMssesononk es BTyhe ChSaalrulteen e Brusso; Art by David LeClerc Page Steven Patten Edward J. O’Connell Little Miss Trashcan Page DSoarnodtrhay HTuatyclhoirn son By Robert Reed; Art by Cortney Skinner Mike McComas Advertising Justification Page Pawn Press, Ltd By Jerry J. Davis; Art by Jon Foster Aboriginal Science Fiction (ISSN 0895-3198) Flisio tupenrudabarltyi isohonre,gd a nqiInuzcaa.rt, itoeanr ,l yno innb- pycr ooTnfhijetu nc2etndiduo cna Rtewinioatnihas ls Paanawcnned SByyr iTnexr ry McGarry; Art by Clyde Duensing IIPI age Press, Ltd., P.O. Box 355, Station H, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H8G 2L1, in March, June, September, and December for $21.50 a year. The Last Snicker Page Aatb or1i2g inEamle liSncei encSet ., FiWcotibounr n,h as MeAd ito0r1i8a0l 1. off(iAcelsl By Sally Kohonoski; Art by Carol Heyer mail should be directed to: Aboriginal SMcaisesncaec husFiectttiosn 0P1.O8.8 8-0B8o4x9 .) 244S9e,c ondW obuCrlans,s The Chocolate Chip Cookie Conspiracy Page Ptioosntaalg e maRialtiesn g paoifdf icaets . WoPbuOrSnT,M AMSAT,E Ra:n d aSdednid- By Richard K. Lyon; Art by Larry Blamire address changes to Aboriginal Science Fiction nP.oOr.m alB ox si2n4g4l9e, coWpoyb urpnr,ic e MAis $051.9858 8-(0p8l4u9s. $1T.h7e5 Prisoners of Time Page 4p ositsasugees-,h an$d3l9i ngf)or. 8S uabnsdc ri$p5t5i onfso r ar1e2:. $C2a1n.a5d0i afno r By Dan Lissman; Art by David LeClerc and foreign subscriptions are: $26 for 4 issues, $f4r8o m fotrh i8s ipssuubelsi caatnido n $6m8 ayf or n1o2t ibses uerse.p rMiantteedr iaolr Play the Wind Page Cuosepdy righitn ©a ny1 996 fobrym Abowriitghionuatl Spceiremnicses ioFinc.- By D. Lopes Heald; Art by Charles Lang tion and individually copyrighted by the authors and artists who have contributed to Poetry this Spring 1996 issue, Volume 8, Number 1, whole copy Numbers 47 & 48 published in Competitive Sex in Your Car Page February 1996. By Sarah Smith Aboriginal Science Fiction welcomes free-lance spuabnmiiesds iobnys a. sAelllf -asdudbrmeisssseido nsa nd musstta mpbee d acecnovme-- The Day Before Page tlhoep e evleanrgte ite niosu gnoht fdoere mtehed msautietraiballe' s byr etthuer n edii-n By Deborah Abshire Hobbs torial staff. Aboriginal Science Fiction publish- sest oroireisg inabl etswceieennc e 2f,ic5t0i0o n iann dt he 6,f5o0r0m ofw osrhdosr.t Last Rest Stop for Thirty Parsecs Page Pmiasysmieonn t noits a$c2c0o0 mpuapnoine d pubbyl ica atrieotnu.r n Aennyv elsoupbe- By Marianne J. Dyson and adequate return postage will not be rfoert uurnnseodl,i ciTtheed mpaunbulsischreirp tsa ssoru moetsh er nom atleiraibiallist.y Departments sWrretiqatumeeprse’tdss aegrneuv iedlaeoclpeic.no emsp Aabnoiareriedg inbaaylv aailS acsbielelenf c-ea dodnFrliecyst sieodni f CBoyv eCrl yIdlel usDturaetnisoin:n g AI IDI eadly Crash Page Page 70 wsheoluclodm esb e sleenttt erst o: tAob ortihge inaeldi toSrc.i encAlel Filcettitoenr,s Editor’s Notes Page Boomerangs, P.O, Box 2449, Woburn, Mass. By Charles C. Ryan 0th1e8 88p-r0o8p4er9t.y Aolfl Abloertitegrisn alt o Scthiee nceed itFoirc tiobne coamned Our Alien Publisher Page mfoarym bate trheep rdoidsuccreedt,i on in ofa nt hee dietdeidt,o rs.o r unedited FBry omA Cthrea zByo oAklsiheenl f Page AreDqVueEstR TIbSy INwGri tingR ATtEo S Advearret isianvga ilaDbilree ctoorn By Janice M. Eisen M5P1oa4nw-tn4r 8e3a-lP5r,e9 s7s0Q,)u ,e bLetocdr., , A bCoParOni.ag dianB,ao lx HS3F3G5 5a,t 2 LiS1tt,sa tai(dTodenrl e. ssH.1,- BBoyo kDsa rrell Schweitzer Page BOOK REVIEWS: Publishers who would like What If? — Science Page books to be reviewed should send one copy to By Robert A. Metzger SDtarrarfeflolr d, SPcAh we1i9t0z8e7r;, or 1t1o3: MaDreke pdLa.l eO lsonR,o ad1,0 Whose Millennium? Page Satinhodna ,w omPnu.eOt . coBpToyex r rea2ca4ec4,h9 , tFo:Wr oaAbmbuiornrnig,gh ianMma,Al S0Mc1Ai8e 8n8c-e00 1874F0i91c,,- ABbyo rDiagviinde s Brin Page aMnodn trPeaawl,n QPrueesbse,c , LtdC.a,n aPd.aO., BHo3x G 3525,L 1.S tation H, By Laurel Lucas Page 38 Classifieds Page AEsbsoerxi ginCaolu ntSyc ienNceew sFpiacpteiorns woaunldd vlairkieo utso tmheamn-k Boomerangs Page bers of SFWA (Science Fiction and Fantasy Warnidt earsss isotfa ncAem.e rica) for their encouragement Aboriginal Science Fiction, No. 47 & 48 EDITOR’S NOTES By Charles C. Ryan Better Late Than ... irst, let me thank you for your her demise, or that, at best: “she will keep up with. Now, we have to do Pitre and understanding, never leave the hospital.” things differently. and assure you that all pre- Instead of relying on volunteers to existing subscriptions will be hon- Miracle Momma assist in this work, we have to take on ored. But she again slowly recovered. My part-time paid staff again. That will As you may have surmised, there youngest sister has taken to calling her put a strain on the magazine’s cash have been some difficulties at the mag- “Miracle Momma,” with some justifica- flow, but we’ve devised a plan to take “azine, but it hasn’t been as simple and tion. (My mother is even more stubborn care of the added expense. straight-forward as you might have than I.) The simple fact is that I can no guessed. She is now once again at a rehabili- longer do, or supervise everything. We Aboriginal has been strapped for tation hospital, recovering very slowly. have negotiated a contract with a man- cash for the past four to five years (Please notice that I haven’t said any- agement organization (Pawn Press, because it unfortunately made a big thing about health insurance.) Ltd., P.O. Box 355, Station H, Mon push to the newsstands just when the For those of our subscribers who treal, Quebec, Canada, H8G 2L1) to recession was crashing into everyone’s may not know, I have a real-world full- help us run the magazine and reacti- spending habits. What has made the time job (even part-time editors of SF vate the direct-mail campaign — which last 20 months significantly different is magazines eat, purchase and wear is what made Aboriginal successful that I haven’t been as free to deal with clothing, and need an occasional roof (growth-wise) in the first place. The the ongoing operation of the magazine over their heads). The magazine is pro- fact that this issue is in your hands, as I have in the past. duced in my spare time (without pay). means that we have succeeded. On June 21, 1994, my mother suf- I have had no spare time since June It is our hope that Aboriginal can fered a major heart attack which put 21, 1994. now continue to grow, and that the her into a coma and caused stroke-like Some of you have written to ask why number and size of the magazine’s symptoms (from oxygen deprivation). you haven’t seen an issue, or about problems will diminish over time. In fact, for the first 24 hours or so, the some other matter, and may have Anyhow, we're back — nearly two hospital was treating her as a stroke become miffed by our very slow years late, but back, nonetheless. victim .,. until she had a second heart response (or apparent lack of concern), attack at the hospital. She was in a but I just haven’t had the time ... any From the time warp coma for more than 10 days. After time. : If you think we’re late with this three days, the physicians began say- I appreciate the patience most of issue, you haven’t heard anything yet. ing that the chances of her coming out you have shown and ask that you bear The first week of February 1995, I of the coma were “less than one per- with us a little bit longer as we get received a call from Cherry Weiner, a cent.” things back on track. . literary agent I know who lives in New She eventually emerged from the There is quite a bit more to do to Jersey. She had just received a copy of coma, much to the physicians’ surprise, keep the magazine running than just Aboriginal’s first issue in the mail and and regained some responsiveness, but reading the 800 to 1,000 manuscripts wanted to let me know. was on a ventilator (respirator), This which arrive in the mail each month. The reason this was so interesting is was complicated by the fact she had a There is constant database work which that the copy of the magazine was pre-existing asthma/emphysema condi- has to be done, including the entry of mailed (addressed to her husband tion. The doctors implied it might be a new subscriptions, renewals, changes Jack) in July 1986. long recovery. She recouperated of address, queries, problems, etc. Now, I know some of our subscribers enough to be transferred to a chronic- Then there is dealing with printers, who work for the U.S. Postal Service care facility, but it bungled a few the post office, distributors. Plus the get upset each time I mention mailing things, causing her to be rushed back regular office work, billing, typeset- mishaps, but even they will have to to the ICU at a different hospital. The ting, proofing — you get the idea. admit this is unusual. new hospital rectified the second hospi- Unlike a retail concern like a super- To the Post Awful’s credit, Cherry tal’s mistakes, my mother recovered market, a magazine doesn’t receive said the copy (unwrapped) arrived (8 somewhat and again we were thinking income unless it initiates a specific 1/2 years late) in near mint condition. of a rehabilitation hospital, but then on action, such as a mailing to get new Go figure. Friday of Labor Day weekend, 1994, subscribers, sending out renewal she came down with pneumonia, com- notices, billing wholesalers and distrib- Boomerang Awards plicated by septic shock. This caused utors, soliciting for advertising, attend- Because of the problems mentioned her blood pressure to drop drastically, ing conventions where single copies above, we never announced the shut down all major organs except her and subscriptions are sold, etc. Boomerang Awards for 1993. To learn heart, and left her in a much less ten- Up until my mother’s illness, it was who won, please see page 83. Q able position. The physicians predicted something we (barely) managed to Copyright © 1996 by Charles C. Ryan Editor’s Notes Aboriginal Science Fiction — Spring 1996 3 ee , —=e.sS =, 7 -t=e,se_—_—“.. _-_-___ Revisions By Chuck Rothman Art by Jael ayne read the sign once more just before you can only stay a few minutes, and you can only she pressed the doorbell: do it once.” Chris nodded. “Exactly. Five minutes is all you get. To keep you back six would take all the power Harrington Business Services the U.S. generates in a year. To make a second try Technical Writing would theoretically take twice that. And, of course, Computer Graphics the more memories you have to change — like any- Revisions thing in the history books — the more power you need. You see, Jayne, the universe never gives you Ree: The word had always seemed to something for nothing.” He became very serious. “I pounce out at her each day as she drove hope you understand. You will have no second by on her way to work. Today, she finally chance. None at all.” Once again, he leaned nearer steeled herself to act. The building seemed dark, to her. “Are you sure you want to do this?” but a small computer-printed sign in the window God, she had considered it for ages now. “Yes.” showed Saturday hours, and instructed her to ring. “What were*you planning to revise?” Jayne waited nervously. She was about to walk “I ...” She'stopped herself, uncomfortable with away when the door opened. telling this to a stranger. “I don’t think that’s any The man at the doorway was about six-feet tall, of your business.” with jet-black hair speckled with premature gray. “If you want the chance, you'll have to tell me.” He smiled at her, his warm brown eyes crinkling. He spoke with implacable confidence, as though he “Yes?” he asked. had had this conversation many times. “Hi. ’m Jayne Clayman. I hope I’m not bother- “Are you always this way with your customers?” ing you, but your sign said you’re open.” He shrugged. “Revisions are only a sideline for “Oh, I’m open,” the man said. He seemed to be me. I thought it might make me a few extra dollars looking her over. “I just don’t get much call for revi- in the slack times, but it turned out to be just a fad. sions these days. Come on in.” With only one choice, there’s no repeat business.” She followed him, and he led her into the wait- He smiled. “I'd toss the machine out if I didn’t still ing room: two modern couches facing each other owe money on it.” Quickly he became serious again. and a glass-topped table, copies of Time and He rose. “Come on. I'll set you up.” Newsweek neatly piled on it. “What? I thought you said you wanted to know “Sit down,” he said. “I’m Chris Harrington. I run why?” the place.” He smiled again; it made her feel a bit “I already know why. There are only two or calmer. “Would you like some coffee?” three reasons these days, and your reaction nar- “Nothing,” she,murmured. “And ... how did you rowed it down awfully quickly. You want what we know?” call an ‘instant divorce.” He gestured toward a “That you wanted a revision?” He shrugged. door. “This way.” “It’s the nature of the business. I have to hustle for She followed, subdued. most of my clients, and when someone comes of her The clutter inside the inner office was a con- own accord — especially on a Saturday — it’s usu- trast to the neatness of the waiting room. A com- ally for a revision.” He leaned toward her. “Are you puter sat on a wood-topped workstation with piles sure you know what you're doing, Jayne?” of paper scattered on all available’extra space like The familiarity made her frown, but she let it gargantuan snowflakes. On a desk on the other pass. It was better than “Mrs. Clayman” under the side of the room were random piles of bills, maga- circumstances, “I think so. You use it go to back zines, letters, and advertisements. and change your past.” In the far corner, next to a beat-up filing cabi- Chris shook his head. “Not exactly. You only net, was the reviser. It reminded Jayne of the auto- change your present. The past, after all, exists only matic photo booths of her youth, except that the in our memories. Any changes you make will give chair was made of molded plastic and had strands you a different present. But you won’t truly have of wire looping around it. A complicated set of con- lived through it.” trols covered one side of the machine. It sounded to Jayne like he was splitting hairs, but the only thing that mattered was that she’d step out of the reviser with a different life. “I heard Copyright © 1996 by Chuck Rothman 4 Aboriginal Science Fiction — Spring 1996 Revisions Rev isions Aboriginal Science Fiction — Spring 1996 Chris pushed several cardboard boxes aside. She nodded. “March 10, 1989. 8:30 a.m. And if “Sorry,” he murmured. “Wasn’t really expecting you ask me if I’m sure, I'll bite you. I’ve spent a lot company.” He looked up at her. “There’s just one of time agonizing about it.” thing I need to know. Are there any children?” Chris laughed. “I’d better set the controls cor- “Children?” Then she understood. If she were rectly, then. Or make sure you have your rabies successful, any children would have been snuffed shot.” He adjusted the dials for a moment, then out of existence. announced, “All set. You have five minutes. When The idea horrified her. “God, no. No children.” that’s over, you'll return to this exact moment.” He studied her a moment. “Why this?” he asked “With a new life.” gently. “Why not divorce?” “Maybe.” He returned to the controls. “All right. “I don’t hate Henry.” Talking about it was mak- Here goes.” He paused, then smiled. “Well, if you ing her feel better. “I just don’t want to put him do succeed with this, and you're free tonight, through that.” Or myself, she thought. It would be maybe we can get together.” an admission of failure, in the most public way pos- She found herself flattered by the proposition. sible. “We married much too young; it was a mis- “We'll see. Now, let’s get it over with.” take from the start. I know it, and I think he knows Chris nodded and pressed the keypad. it.” She laughed. “Or he would if he ever thought about it. Henry’s too self-centered to notice and too he felt no sense of transition. self-satisfied to think there could be a problem. But Se moment she was wired inside the it seems we spend more time bickering than talk- booth, the next she was rushing into ing. I don’t know the last time we had any fun English 101. together. Even sex ...” She stopped herself, then God, she felt so good. She had always kept her- shook her head. “No divorce. I just want to get out self in good shape, but now, fifteen pounds lighter and forget he was ever part of my life.” . and with sixteen years less wear and tear, she felt Chris shook his head. “You won’t forget. The old like she was dancing while she walked. memories will be fainter than the new ones, like The classroom was nearly filled. She spotted recalling a movie, but you'll still remember that Henry, almost missing him before she remembered you made a revision, and most of the reasons why.” he had a mustache back then. In a few moments, as She hadn’t heard about that part. “Will Henry Kilbourn passed out the tests, he would ask her out remember, too?” for the very first time. “If he’s not making the revision, probably not. She could not let that happen. But there may still be a few ghost memories of the She thought about sitting on the opposite side of previous life. They'll be buried, nearly forgotten, the room, but avoidance wouldn’t help. Henry but they might be brought to the surface, especial- would only try again, and her former self would ly if he runs into you or something that has been accept. No, she needed to make him never want to revised away.” approach her again. She wasn’t sure how to take that. “How likely is Jayne took her regular seat. Henry smiled at that?” her as she sat down. Chris shrugged. “I don’t know.” Talk to me, she thought. Well, she had gone this far. “Let’s get it over Almost as though he could hear her thoughts, with.” Henry spoke. “Test is going to be a killer today, He nodded. “OK. My fee is $500. Cash up front. isn’t it?” And you have to understand I guarantee nothing.” Jayne nodded. Please. Ask. Jayne nodded and counted out the bills from her “We're going to need a break after this one,” purse. Harry.said. “Want to go to the concert tonight? I’ve “All right, then,” Chris said. “We’re ready to got an extra ticket.” begin.” He paused for a moment. “Don’t think of me At last! as some kind of ogre,” he said. “I just needed to And despite her resolve, Jayne found herself make you realize what was at stake. I do sympa- hesitating. It wasn’t too late to change her mind. thize with you. If ['m scaring you, I mean to. Maybe there was a way to work things out. Things don’t always work out the way we want “Well?” them to, even in the past.” But she knew better. She had to go through “I won’t know until I try, will I?” Jayne asked. with it. “With you?” She pumped fifteen years of Chris smiled. “No, you won’t. Well, get in. The frustration into her voice. “Don’t be ridiculous.” sooner we get it over with, the better.” He looked perplexed, like a sad puppy. “I She found herself smiling back. He was an thought you might like it.” attractive man. She had grown used to not notic- She had always melted at that look; it was one ing. of the reasons she couldn’t bear a divorce. “Well,” The chair was uncomfortable and the electrode she said, “you thought wrong. I don’t like you and I paste smelled sour and felt unpleasantly sticky on wouldn’t let you take me across the street. Get the her arms and forehead. hell out of my life.” She turned away from him. “Do you have a date and time?” Chris asked. 6 ; ’ Aboriginal Science Fiction — Spring 1996 Revisions “All right,” she heard him whisper. “You’re not “On our wedding day.” His smile was the sweet- the only girl — est thing on Earth. The room faded away. She was back in the booth. She looked for Chris, “Ma-ma,” Billy said. and found herself smiling. “Now, about — He wasn’t there. “Here, Billy.” The little boy looked at his And the new memories of her life flooded in. mommy. “Take a step.” Uncertainly, the boy took a step forward, then series of boyfriends all through her col- another, then another ... ; lege years. Some were just friends, others : eemed like the real thing, at least for a “T don’t think the reviser will solve all our prob- night or two. But none were what she really want- lems, but it will help us broaden our base. We can’t ed. depend on GE for all our business.” She looked at the machine dubiously. It had he walked rapidly through the halls, already been a big jump for Chris to go out and glancing at the room numbers as she sped start his own company. “Is this just one of your by. It was late, and these damn state toys?” offices were built like mazes. She had been “Of course. But it’s bound to be successful. assigned to HESC, and barely understood what the Wouldn’t you want to go back and make a few initials stood for, let alone where anything was. changes?” She bumped into a black-haired man, nearly Jayne thought, then smiled at him. “No. Not knocking him over. one.” “Whoa,” he said in a Bott, yet gentle voice. Chris laughed. “Well, me neither, now that I “What’s the rush?” think of it.” He took her in his arms. “But then, “T’ve got to find room 230A. Could’ you help me?” we're both one in a million.” “First day on the job, is it?” Jayne smiled. She liked the warm way he L= afternoons at the lake were the best smiled, and the way his eyes seemed to twinkle. “Is times of all, Jayne thought as she it that obvious?” watched the sun slanting through the “No one who’s worked here before would rush trees. It had been the perfect day to end the vaca- anywhere. Come on. I'll show you.” tion; only a few small clouds marred the deep blue “You don’t have to go out of your way.” sky. “Tm not.” He smiled again. “It happens to be Chris leaned over her chair and kissed her. where I work, too. I’m Chris Harrington.” “Having a nice time?” “Always. And the rest seems to agree with you, “So,” Chris asked. “Would you like to go to a too.” movie or something tonight?” Chris nodded. “We haven’t had this much time “T’'d love to,” Jayne said. together since our honeymoon.” He nodded at the sun-browned - little boy playing on the beach. “T love you, too,” Jayne said. “Although I admit we had a bit more fun when it was just the two of us.” “IT now pronounce you ...” “We’ve had plenty of that here, too. I’m just glad you were willing to take some time off.” “Push,” said the nurse, and Jayne tried to com- “I’m glad you twisted my arm. But the business ply. The pain wracked her body as she concentrat- is pretty sound and now that Billy’s starting first ed on her breathing. grade and you want to go back to giving me a hand, “That’s right,” Chris said. He put a chip of ice in we might even be able to expand in a couple of her mouth and squeezed her hand as though years. About the only thing that didn’t pan out is regretting she was the one forced to go through the the reviser.” His eyes twinkled. “And you have the pain. “You’re almost there.” good graces not to say you told me so.” Jayne? Are you awake?” “T told you so.” She opened her eyes. Chris stood by the hospi- Chris shook his head. “I guess you don’t have tal bed. “Did you see him?” she asked hoarsely. good graces.” He ducked away from the paperback He nodded. “He’s beautiful.” she launched at him. “Takes after his daddy.” Her eyes filled with “Daddy?” Billy said, running up from the beach. tears. “Can we go for a sail?” “Honey? Are you all right?” Jayne looked at him. He was so much like his She nodded and smiled. “I just never knew I father: playful, always happy. Two people cast could be this happy.” from the same mold. “Oh, you have’ been. I’ve seen you glowing like “T don’t know, skipper,” Chris said. “It’s getting this before.” near supper.” He looked over at Jayne. “When?” Revisions Aboriginal Science Fiction — Spring 1996 ; Fé “Oh, go ahead, you two. You can start the bar- “It’s all right,” she said, holding her, wondering becue when you get back. I’m not that starved.” who was comforting whom. “There are others.” “Oh, boy,” Billy shouted, and ran down to the old sailboat tied to the dock next to the beach. “Sorry, Jayne. I would if I could, but I’ve already Chris kissed her. “See you later.” made my revision. Believe me, if I could, I’'d be glad She watched as they hoisted the sail and tO pushed off into the lake. Billy, looking like a jack- o’-lantern in his orange lifejacket, waved. “Sorry, Jayne ... “ She waved back, smiling, then lay back in the chaise to doze. - “Please, Paul. You were Chris’s friend ... “ Paul couldn’t look her in the eye. “I can’t do it, drop of cold water abruptly splattered Jayne.” | A= her face, waking her. It was followed “But s28 moment later by another. “Jayne, believe me, I liked Chris as much as Jayne sat up. anyone. But I only have this one chance.” The sky had darkened while she had napped, | Jayne would not let herself cry. “And you’re not the blue swallowed by furious gray clouds. She going to waste it.” glanced out over the lake, searching for the blue Paul reddened. “It’s not like that. Look, suppose and gold sail. It was about a half-mile away. something happened to Beth? Do you know how I A rumble in the distance made her jump. She would feel if I blew my only chance to go back and looked behind her to the east, to the heart of the save her?” He paused. “Oh, Jayne, I’m sorry. I did- approaching storm, and saw her fears materialize: n’t mean ... “ a bright flash of lightning. “Tt’s all right,” Jayne murmured. “It’s all right.” One one-thousand, she counted. Two one-thou- sand. Three “ he phone rang. Wearily, Jayne picked it The thunder crashed. up. “I saw your ad,” a rough-edged voice God, so close. said. She looked out again at the boat. It was heading “How much do want?” There was no point in for her, tacking against the heavy breeze. asking anything else. “Go the other way!” she shouted, waving at “Half a million.” Chris. “Don’t worry about me. Just get to shore!” The lowest so far, but it might as well have been Her words were swallowed by the quickening the highest. “That’s a lot of money. Look, I might be rain. Chris waved back at her, grinning. able to scrape together $100,000.” Another crash, and the rain became a curtain. “Tll think about it,” the voice said. “If I don’t get The wind died. Chris took out a paddle and a better offer, I’ll call.” began to fight his way toward shore. She could see The better offer would come. If you were rich, determination on his face. No fear. you’d pay a million to make a revision, All those Another crash, lightning and thunder barely who answered her ad already knew that. separated. The rain was making it more difficult to “Please,” Jayne said. “My husband and son are see. dead. I want them back.” Then, through the misty shadows, the boat “I’m willing. Get me the half million.” emerged. It was only thirty yards or so from shore. “I can’t.” She could see Chris paddling powerfully, Billy near “Then I guess you didn’t really love him all that tears, but hanging on bravely. much.” The phone went dead. “Mommy!” Billy cried. There was a thunderous crash and time seemed T's avalanche of years took its toll. Jayne to stop. Then Jayne began to scream. felt like gasping for breath as a half a life- time of new memories became part of her “Ashes to ashes ... “ in an instant. She felt like she had lived through it all, in just a few intense instants. The small, com- Jayne pounded on the reviser until her hands fortable life she had envisioned would have been were sore. “Why?” she screamed. “I never used you! enough to digest, but this explosion of feelings left Why won’t you let me go back?” her weak. She sank to the floor. “It’s not fair,” she sobbed The room seemed different, yet perfectly famil- like a disappointed child. “It’s just not fair.” iar. The computer sat neatly in its corner, the desk- top clear except for the term paper she had been Chris’s mother stepped out of the reviser. “I’m working on. She went through the drawers of the sorry, Jayne.” desk. Every object neatly filed inside was some- The words were unnecessary. Jayne knew. They thing she recognized. had picked the wrong five minutes. In the bottom drawer she found a picture frame She could see the sadness in her mother-in- lying face down. She picked it up, knowing what law’s face and knew they shared the same feelings. she’d find, but needing to look anyway. 8 Aboriginal Science Fiction — Spring 1996 Revisions Chris was smiling at her, years and, more weakly, the Billy beside him. memory of hearing it just this The image drove an ice morning. “Hello. Is this Henry pick into her heart. She Clayman?” dropped it and staggered “Yes.” The voice was wary. away from the desk into % “Who’s this?” the waiting room. “My name is Jayne Glancing out the window, #) Kernaghan.” She paused, she saw the sign outside: ## "% but the information brought no hint of recog- Harrington Business nition. “You probably Services: don’t remember me, I Word Processing guess. We went to Union Resumes together.” Revisions “What are you sell- ing?” She remembered { “What?” ordering the change. Chris | “I asked what you had been proud of the busi- were selling. Or are you ness. It wouldn’t do to asking for a contribu- abandon it. But she didn’t tion?” have his talents, so she had ' “Nothing.” She to change its nature. vaguely recalled he Jayne sighed and man- hated telephone aged to calm herself. She solicitors. She need- had a new life now, what ed to cut through his she wanted when she suspicions. “Are you came in here, a few min- sure you don’t remember utes on the clock, a new life- me? I think we had a class together.” time in her head. Her previous life was distant Nothing. “Professor Kilbourn.” Still and vague, and she was free of ... Henry? Yes, | nothing. “I sat beside you.” Henry. There was a_ pause. “Jayne And, she told herself, if she hadn’t wanted Kernaghan?” the revision, she’d never have met Chris. She 4 “Yes.” should treasure the happiness they had together. “Oh. I remember.” His tone was near- She couldn’t. She had the memories, but never ly neutral, but she had lived with him long lived through them. Everything she knew about enough to know he was masking his hostility. “I Chris she had discovered in the past half hour. remember quite well. You didn’t like me much She could only recall the high points — and the then.” — pain. None of the little things that make you feel “T behaved like a jerk to you. I know that. I good, those which aren’t important enough to wanted to apologize.” recall. “After all these years?” And there was one more thing: if she had taken She reddened. “Yes,” she said. “It’s bothered me Chris’s advice, had _ gotten a_ divorce, a long time and I wanted to make it up to you.” he would still be alive. She could have gone out Henry said nothing. She knew he wasn’t believ- with him, discovered him a few years later than ing a word. she had ... “All right,” she said. “There are other things I She tried to shake off the thought. There was no want to talk about.” way for her to change the past. There was no one to “What?” help her. How much should she tell him? It was impossi- She stopped. No, she realized. There might still ble to get a feel for things with just a voice on the be someone. Someone she never would have line. “I can’t really discuss it over the phone. How - thought about, who she never would have known about over drinks?” No answer, and she had the about until right this moment ... terrible fear she was blowing it. “Please,” she whis- Henry. pered, very softly. “You make it sound awfully mysterious.” he dialed the number that had once been “Well, it’s nothing illegal, I assure you.” S:« own from her memory of her first life. “Damn,” Henry said, and she could hear he was smiling. “You take all the fun out of it.” Henry answered it on the first ring. “Hello?” “How about the Parc V?” It had been one of their The sound of his voice triggered double memo- favorites. “Seven o’clock.” ries: something old, nearly forgotten after so many Revisions Aboriginal Science Fiction — Spring 1996 9 “Well ... “ wants a new traffic light, I have to figure out if they “Please, Henry. I need ...” Your help? No. “I just really need one.” need to see you. For five minutes.” Jayne nodded, pretending that the words were Another pause, then, “The Parc. At seven. For news to her. five minutes.” ‘Tve got a nice apartment on Dove Street. Plenty of room for me and Jill.” e was late. She sat at the bar, sipping a “Jill?” Hine sour, telling herself that he “My cat.” often arrived late, that the traffic on “Oh,” she said, hiding nae relief. “I’m surprised Wolf Road was always bad on a Saturday ... you're single. If you don’t mind me saying so, you’re Finally, she spotted him, stepping inside the too attractive a man to be on your own.” door, standing near the ferns as he surveyed the Henry grinned. “Don’t mind at all. I tried mar- drinkers. Again, the memories clashed, three riage. It didn’t take.” Henrys now: a moustachioed college student, fresh “Divorced?” in her mind from having turned him down only a He nodded. “There’s a lot of it going around.” He few hours before; a vaguely remembered boy who pointed at her left hand. “I don’t see any rings on was in a few of her classes; a husband she had seen your finger. You go through it, too?” only that morning. . “No,” Jayne said. “I’m a widow.” She shook her head to clear it. The conflicting The animation in his expression vanished. “Oh,” memories could be dangerous. She wondered how he said, very softly. “I’m sorry.” many ghost memories he might have. “Thank you,” Jayne said. Evidently none, by the way he was peering “Has it been long?” around the room, lost. “Seven months.” The pain she felt was as sharp She breathed a sigh of relief and waved at him. as ever but she fought to keep from showing it. “I “Henry? I’m here.” was moping, and I wanted to get out. I thought it He spotted her and threaded his way to her would help me forget. But all our old friends were table. “Sorry. I didn’t recognize you. Your hair’s dif- either married or reminded me too much of Chris.” ferent,” “So you called me.” She stood up. “I’m glad you’re here,” she said, She nodded. And she realized that, for a part of thinking he’d aged well — and also thinking he her, at least, her words were the absolute truth. It looked more haggard than he had this morning. had been seven months, and she missed Chris so “You made it seem awfully important.” much. “It is — to me at least.” She had made a vow Henry was silent for several minutes. “Look, I’m when she arrived: no mention of her request at sorry I was so hostile to you at first. I didn’t real- first. Maybe not at all. She needed time to feel him ize.” out, so she wouldn’t scare him away. “And I did She shrugged it away. “You couldn’t have.” want to apologize.” There was deep concern in his face. “Are you Henry shrugged. “It was ages ago.” managing all right?” “Maybe. But it still bothered me. I don’t know “Well enough. I’ve taken over his business.” She why I treated you like that.” She smiled at him. realized that this was an opening. “Maybe you've “Can I make it up to you? Treat you to dinner?” seen it: Harrington Business Services.” He frowned. “What’s this really about?” “On Central Avenue?” “Nothing. I just —” She nodded. “We — I doa lot of odd jobs. “People don’t just come out of the woodwork Consulting work.” She paused. “And revising.” after fifteen, sixteen years and start springing for Henry nodded. “I didn’t know there was any meals without an ulterior motive.” demand for that anymore.” He’s going to leave. Damn. God damn. I’ve “Some. Not very much.” She knew she could not ruined everything. delay. The conversation could take a different turn Henry leaned toward her. “What’s wrong?” at any moment. “Have you tried it?” “Wrong?” He paused and she tried to read his expression. “You looked like ... look, forgive me for being so She realized her heart was thumping. brusque. I couldn’t imagine this could mean so For a moment, he looked wary, then he smiled. much to you.” He slid into the seat. “I certainly “Trying to drum up business?” won’t mind being treated to a meal.” She forced herself to smile back. “Never hurts.” “Thank you,” Jayne murmured. “Well, you’ve chosen the wrong person.” He had gone. Her last chance ... (44 ell, there’s not much to tell,” Henry “It’s a waste of money, if you don’t mind me say- said as they waited for the chef's ing so. Too much of a gamble. I’ve never seen the salads to be served. “I graduated, point of them and you wouldn’t get me into one ... then went to work for the state. Department of are you crying?” Transportation. I do studies. Whenever someone “No,” Jayne said quickly, blinking. “Just some- thing in my eye.” 10 Aboriginal Science Fiction — Spring 1996 Revisions

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