A Crossed Reality. Gerald Pruett

before questioning, “Me, an imposter? You two can check my DNA and run my fingerprints. I’m Alex. Now if you two will excuse me, I’m going to my room, change my clothes and then I’m going to go to Little Bucks Bar and Grill to apply for a job.”

      “You’re going to apply for a job at where Stephen Keith works?” Trudy asked.

      “Nice try,” Alex quickly said. “But I’m not falling for your memory test this time.”

      “Alex, Trudy wasn’t testing you this time,” Miles said. “Stephen is a cook there.”

      “So far, you’re zero for three,” Trudy said. “So is Miles right or am I right? Are you having memory problems?”

      Alex stared at Trudy as if she was scared to even say anything else. After a long pause she sighed before she finally said, “I swear that I don’t have any memory problems, and I’m not an imposter… exactly.”

      “What do you mean by ‘exactly’?” Miles asked.

      “You or Trudy won’t believe me, so it would be a waste of time to even say anything,” Alex told him.

      “Let us be the judge of what we’ll believe,” Trudy said.

      “Okay,” Alex said. “Have either of you ever heard of the multiple realities theory?”

      “Of course, but what does that have to do with anything?” Miles asked.

      “A friend of mine, Randy Miller, was obsessed with proving that theory, and yesterday he did; except there was one flaw in his thinking.”

      “What was his flaw?” Miles asked.

      “He thought that a wormhole would open up after he activated a remote that he designed, and whoever wanted to visit an alternate reality would jump in, but apparently it doesn’t work that way.”

      “How does it work then?” Miles asked.

      Alex cringed before saying, “I am Alex, but I’m not the Alex from this reality.” Trudy and Miles gave Alex a concerned look as Alex continued to say, “After Randy activated his remote to create a wormhole, I and the Alex of this reality switched bodies. Miles; Doug and the four who were with me earlier had also switched bodies, and they are friends of mine from my reality.”

      “You can’t be serious,” Trudy said.

      “I told you that you wouldn’t believe me, but I’m telling you the truth,” Alex said. “When Alex of this reality passed out yesterday that was when we switched bodies. I don’t have certain memories because in my reality my life took a totally different path.”

      Trudy gave Alex a skeptical look as Miles said, “Trudy, I’m not sure why, but I believe her. So, Alex, which one of those two men is Randy?”

      “Neither. We don’t know for sure where Randy is, but we do have a clue that he is in Mexico City, Mexico. And to correct this cross reality mix up, finding Randy is our only hope.”

      “Why do you believe he’s in Mexico?” Miles asked.

      “Three years ago in my reality Randy was told that his long lost dad was there and I talked him out of going there to look for him,” Alex said. “The Alex from this reality never met Randy, so I believe no one was around to talk him out of going.”

      “Why did you go to St. Louis last night?” Miles asked.

      “Randy is also from St. Louis. I went to his house and talked to his mom. His mom was the one who gave me the clue that Randy is in Mexico.”

      “Alex, can I talk to you in private for a second?” Trudy asked.

      “Let’s go to my bedroom,” Alex said. “You can help me pick out an outfit.”

      “Okay,” Trudy said.

      Alex stepped into her room followed by Trudy. Once the door was shut behind Trudy, Alex asked, “So what do you want to talk to me about?”

      “I’m still partially skeptical of you being from an alternate reality…”

      “Trudy, that’s actually understandable. I would be skeptical too if I was in your shoes.”

      “Speaking of shoes that you are in; yesterday after you came to you practically went hysterical. You were actually shocked to be a woman.”

      “Yeah,” Alex nervously said while fidgeting. “I was really hoping that you would have forgotten that part.”

      “So in the other reality, were you a guy?”

      “I was. In my reality my name is Alexander. Just put green eyes and red hair on Doug and that would be pretty close to what I had looked like.”

      “Interesting.”

      “Trudy, I’m no good about picking out women’s clothes to go look for a job, so I was wondering if you can help me.”

      “Don’t you need to go to Mexico and look for Randy?”

      “My friends and I don’t have any money to get to Mexico and the only way to get money is for us to get jobs. Besides, Randy could be on his way here to find us. The time that it will take for us to collect the money will actually give Randy the chance to get here.”

      “Okay, I understand your reasoning for wanting a job, but the Alex from this reality and Stephen once dated.”

      “I actually knew that part from reading the diaries.”

      “And you still want to apply for a job there?”

      “That’s the only place I know that’s hiring. Besides, I know who Stephen is, so I think I can handle it.”

      “Okay; well let’s see what clothes you have.” Just as Alex and Trudy began browsing through the clothes, Trudy said, “Alex, you actually do look good without any makeup, but while applying for a job, you may want to put some on. I can help you.”

      “I actually have someone who is going to help me with that, but thanks for the offer.”

      “You’re welcome. Oh and in case you don’t know you do have a class in two hours.”

      “I actually did know, but thanks for reminding me.”

      “No problem.”

      Alex and Trudy looked at a few dresses before Alex agreed to wear a blue one.

      After Alex put on the dress, she saw Trudy holding up a pair of high-heeled shoes that matched the dress. Alex looked at Trudy as if she had lost her mind before saying, “I hope you don’t plan on me wearing those.”