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  “We need you to tame the animals now!” An angry hologram killed the romance as Sydney gasped at the image. Charlie swore under his breath.

  “Duty calls, but I can be back later. Wait for me and don’t fall asleep,” he whispered and let himself out of the suite.

  Sydney sighed, stripped, and submerged herself into the swirling warm waters.

  Randall

  The escape liberated him and now he felt totally free, except for the guilt in leaving the snake lady. Randall stretched his aching body on the bed. His escape from Optimal two hours ago left him exhausted and he needed to catch his breath. He closed his eyes, but he was immediately awakened by his buzzing phone-- a voicemail.

  “Leave your apartment now. They are looking for you. Meet me in the St. Augustine’s Church parking lot on Sand Street,” Charlie’s hologram said.

  Randall shuddered, listening to the police sirens and voices outside. He put on his baseball cap and dark jacket, but then shifted to a mountain lion, taking off for St. Augustine’s Church. He found Charlie sitting in a blue truck in the far corner of the dimly-lit parking lot. Charlie jumped at the sight of Randall who quickly changed back to his human state.

  “Get in, we’re going for a drink; we need to talk,” said Charlie as he shut the passenger door of his truck.

  “Thought I’d never escape. Can’t believe what Arno and Dr. Neilson are doing to those people. Are you sure no one’s following us?” Randall asked.

  Charlie drove quickly out of the parking lot, looking in all directions. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a dirty black van heading in the opposite direction.

  OPTI NEW read the van’s license plate. Charlie recognized that the van belonged to a staff member at Optimal and decided to make a detour to a little-known bar in the next town.

  “I know this bar off the beaten path; we’ll be safe there,” said Charlie.

  The Iron Door contained just a row of well-worn bar stools around a dingy bar filled with a wide assortment of beers, wines, and liquors. It was pitch-black except for a twirling disco ball above the bar and night lights in the bathrooms. Every seat was filled and clients were playing dice, talking to the bartender or downing shots of tequila. The bartender nodded and poured Charlie his usual Scotch with a beer chaser.

  “I’ll have the same. I’m starving— let’s order some food. You could disappear in here,” said Randall. He checked the bar and noticed that most customers were men in professional attire.

  “You’ve got to be careful now that you’ve escaped. They’re going to track you down and when they do, we’ll all be in trouble. I had to sneak out of there, pretending I was looking for you. I can help you, but not the others; they are too far gone, too much experimentation,” said Charlie, his eye on the door.

  “It’s not right, they’re all suffering and left for dead in the basement. And poor Samantha… did they hurt her?”

  Charlie swallowed.

  “Yeah, unfortunately they tried to pry information from her. I intervened, but she admitted that you jumped from the basement window. Hungry for a rat. It was pitiful.”

  Randall shook his head.

  “That makes me more determined to do something before Samantha… well, we need to save her.”

  “Look, you need to stay under the radar. Dr. Arno ordered Johnson and his guys to go after you. I saw their van. Go to my place and hang out. But first let’s order something.”

  “Hey Saul, can we have a large pepperoni pizza with a couple of salads?”

  Charlie threw down a hundred-dollar bill, not wanting to use a credit card that might trace him to this bar.

  “Where’d you get that wad of cash? Big spender? Maybe you’d like to buy everyone here a drink on the house,” stammered a drunk two barstools down from them. Then the drunk planted himself next to Charlie and put out his hand. He chose to ignore the drunk so as not to create a scene. The drunk grabbed a twenty-dollar bill from his change and ordered a drink from the bartender.

  “Hey mister, I saw you steal that twenty from him. Now give it back,” said the bartender.

  Charlie continued to ignore the drunk, but nodded to the bartender to pour him a drink. The clinging of glasses, dice pounding on the bar, and continuous conversation almost drowned out the drunk’s persistent pestering.

  Except Randall’s keen sense of hearing picked up his continuous muttering. He clenched his teeth and held his breath, but the animal in him erupted. In a flash, a paw stretched across the bar, slapped the man’s hand as he emitted a low growl.

  “Hey man, watch it, did you forget to shave? Damn, I must have had too many beers. You’ve morphed into …. please don’t hurt me!” said the drunk. He tripped on his way out the door.

  Charlie turned in that split-second to catch a glimpse of Randall’s claws, sharp teeth, and furry face. He closed his eyes and shook his head as Randall quickly left the bar on the way toward the bathroom. He opened them to glance into the frightened eyes of the bartender.

  “We’ll pretend that didn’t happen. Hey man, it’s been a long day. Another Scotch on the rocks,” said Charlie.

  Randall glanced at the lion face in the mirror that was morphing back slowly. He held up his left hand and examined his paw with claws that were slowly contracting. But the anger persisted and he washed his face in the sink. His back arched and he felt the need to destroy something.

  “You don’t look so good. Hey, what’s that in your hand?” asked a voice behind him.

  His eyes narrowed; he bared his teeth and growled. The man screamed and ran out the bathroom. Randall retreated to a stall to wait out his metamorphism.

  “Lion, run!” screamed the man and bolted out the bar. The rest of the patrons stared, but continued to drink.

  Charlie pulled out his pocket knife and entered the dimly-lit bathroom.

  “Randall, are you alright? We need to go, keep moving before you get caught,” he said firmly, looking underneath the stalls and only seeing Randall’s boots.

  Randall left the stall, washed his hands, and ran his fingers through his hair. “Got everything under control, but the beast got out,” Randall said. He morphed back to his normal self again.

  They headed back to Charlie’s condo, not exchanging words. Charlie pulled up to a luxurious apartment complex, hidden by a high wall with 24-hour protection. He used his eye imprint at the guard shack and was waved in through the tall iron gates.

  “Good evening, Charles. Be careful, there’s a mountain lion on the loose in the area,” the guard said upon opening the gates.

  Randall lay on the back seat, covered with a blanket. Charlie nodded and sped quickly to his condo and entered his garage, the door slamming shut.

  “You can stay here with me, but don’t go wandering around the neighborhood,” Charlie said.

  A few hours later Randall looked out the window at a bright, hypnotic full moon. I wonder how Samantha is? She needs me, thought Randall.

  Jaz

  A waft of rosy perfume greeted Jaz as she opened the door of Matt’s apartment. Simulations of rose bouquets covered the wall monitors of the room from deep red, fiery coral, pure white, and sunny yellow. The rose sensation, the nearly-won success and sudden admiration overwhelmed her and she fell to the floor, laughing ecstatically. My life changed in an instant. I need more pills. I want this day to last forever, Jaz thought to herself.

  Matt kissed her hands, her mouth, her eyes and neck.

  “Your beauty babe is like a red, red rose,” he said, emulating the famous poem and grabbing her hand. He maneuvered her through the rose petals to the bedroom. Hours later, after making love and complimenting her beauty, she lay wide awake, staring at the crack in the ceiling. Her mind prevented her from sleeping, with reruns of the last several hours: her overnight fame, the crowds in the casino shouting her name, and her new boyfriend lying next to her. A glowing image from the past stood at the bottom of the bed near her feet.

  “Daddy, is that you? What do you want?”
Jaz whispered and strained to see what the ghostly vision was saying.

  “Follow your dreams. Reach for the stars. Stay focused,” said the ghost figure. As quickly as it appeared, it vanished like a puff of smoke. Jaz reached out for him to let him know that he inspired her, even from the afterlife.

  She wished that he could see her now and be so proud of anew modeling career, the fearlessness, determination, and ambition that he instilled in her. Jaz accomplished so much overnight and she felt guilty it took so long. Just maybe he’s looking down from heaven and watching my success.

  Jaz took in the shabby apartment with its cracked ceilings, worn carpet, and minimum furniture. Not for her and she vowed not to come back here. She deserved more. She was surprised that Matt was still a student and had just a part-time job. A boyfriend and being a model were her current goals, but she had accomplished those in a few days. Steven convinced her that she could be that next big star and she needed to prove that to herself. The year 2040 could be the year of Jaz— not the music, but the face that launched space travel. Her destiny flashed before her: traveling to the planets, representing the space travel industry, becoming not Cover Girl, but Eden Girl. Men, family, tradition, and security would come later.

  She sat upright, grabbed her clothes, and checked herself in the bathroom mirror. A flawless face and a tight body smiled back at her. Must be perfect, she downed a pill and left a note this time for Matt on his pillow. He slept soundly, with steady breathing and an angelic face.

  “Big day today, sorry to leave you. Call you later,” she wrote and kissed him lightly on the forehead. He never stirred.

  It was 7 a.m. and Steven had already left two text messages: “Your fans are calling, I scheduled you for a Star Ventures commercial. Be at the Meridian at 9 a.m. Hey, hope you’re up— got a call for an audition for the new Galaxy Tours movie. Scheduled you for noon. Those two are biggest requests, more in the pipeline. Please call ASAP— Steven.”

  Jaz kept Enrico’s number after the last time and within minutes he pulled up to Matt’s apartment. She jumped in, avoiding a drunk staggering toward her.

  “Get in, Jaz. I’ll take you back to freshen up. Don’t like this neighborhood at all, you shouldn’t be here alone,” Enrico said.

  “Thanks, Enrico, this dump gives me chills. I’ll just be a minute,” she said as they arrived at her place.

  She hurried inside, noting the apartment’s drab exterior, broken bottles, and cracked sidewalk. Maybe Enrico can help me find a new place, now that I received some cash last night. She showered and grabbed her makeup bag and a change of clothes, but she first checked herself in the mirror. Even without makeup she still looked amazing— her skin glowing and her hair shining a brilliant blonde sheen.

  Jaz basked in the glory of her fame from the night before, following the directions of the photographer perfectly, preening before the camera and performing her lines like an old pro. She surprised even herself as she stood on the top of the Meridian on the helipad, showing off the interior of the Space Venture, its plush satin upholstered seats, luxurious bar, dining area, and the amazing technology in the cockpit. The commercial ended with scenes from the moon and her dazzling beauty as the face of consumer space travel.

  “Fast, elegant, and affordable, Space Ventures offers the ultimate vacation for the adventurous traveler. Contact us today for your next trip,” Jaz said in her short glimmering shorts, with her brightest smile and her hair flowing in the slight breeze.

  Mark beamed and Steven patted her shoulder.

  “We just received over 1,000 responses on the G Net site and many of those have made reservations to make that trip to Eden. The commercials exceeded my forecasts—thanks to Jaz,” said Mark.

  “I knew from the moment I discovered her she would be a huge star. Now we’re getting more offers than I can keep up with. Jaz, get ready for that Galaxy Tours audition— we only have an hour,” Steven added.

  Jaz blushed from all the praise, grabbed her bag of clothes and make-up and stepped into the transporter. Alone with only the robot attendant, she viewed herself in the glass walls. Eyes bright, hair straight and soft, but my thighs still jiggle. Need to exercise, lose some weight, she thought, a frown crossing her face.

  The doors opened and she met Matt, waiting in the Space Ventures’ lobby.

  “What’s wrong, baby? I brought you something to eat. Enrico said he’s driving you to an audition. Can I come?”

  She hugged him tightly, glad to see a familiar face.

  “Just worried, not hungry now. Sure you can come, but I’ve got to get ready.”

  She headed for the lounge to change and gulped down a couple of green pills. Feeling energized, she glanced at her reflection— an aspiring model with a promising acting career. Her skin glowed and her slinky black dress hugged her slim figure.

  “Aren’t you Jaz, the girl who was in the Eden commercial? You’re even better in person. My mom just bought some tickets and I’m going,” said a skinny, freckle-faced teen with braces.

  Jaz grinned at her.

  “Yeah, that’s me. You’ll have a stellar time!” Am I becoming a role model? These kids are counting on me. Love to make them proud, Jaz thought.

  She gave her newest fan a little squeeze.

  As she sat in the studio lobby waiting for her audition, she noticed the same group of young women who interviewed for the Space Ventures position. “Hey, I guess you think you’re so special, now that you’re in those Space Ventures’ commercials. Doesn’t mean you’ll get this Galaxy Tours part,” sneered a tall redhead in black leather. Jaz’s stomach churned.

  Matt held her hand tightly and whispered in her ear, “Don’t sweat this— that part is yours. Here, drink some sparkling water before you go on.”

  Jaz held another green pill in her sweaty hand. She flipped through the pages of the script Steven had given her, focusing on the dramatic scenes. This is happening way too fast. Who am I fooling? I’m not an actress. Then she remembered her dad’s encouraging mantra to be herself and have confidence.

  “Next, Jaz Jensen,” said the casting director. She took the glass and popped the pill before walking onto the stage. The lights almost blinded her; then everything became clearer as she was handed a script to read. She entered a new world aboard the Enterprise as they hurled toward a new planet. Jaz played Capt. Forester’s spunky daughter who sneaks onto the ship.

  She read her last few lines, which seemed like an eternity, feeling the other girls watching but never letting her gaze fall from the director.

  “I did a bad thing, but I did it to save this crew and you. Please let me stay. I’ve proven myself and I’m telling you right now, I’m not going back to Earth.”

  Jaz stopped, letting her words sink in.

  Two minutes passed before the director said anything.

  “I’ve seen you somewhere before, but I know you’re relatively new. Can you read more for me? Juliet’s part.”

  He tossed her a book and she caught it gracefully.

  Jaz perused it and realized it was Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Having taken a class in her senior year and seeing one of his plays as a class project made her feel more comfortable. It was the scene where Juliet is told that Romeo is dead. She delivered her lines with raw emotion, pretending to know how to deal with her young lover’s death. After finishing her lines, she saw Steven give her a thumbs-up, but the casting crew sat solemnly.

  “Thank you,” Jaz said and left the stage.

  The other actresses glared at her as they waited patiently for their turns.

  “We’re done for today,” the casting director announced to the groans of those remaining.

  Steven and Matt were waiting for her in the lobby with smiles on their faces.

  “The director said he wanted to speak with you. Go talk to him in his office now. Good luck— I have a good feeling about this,” said Steven.

  Jaz bit her lip as she entered Todd Sanderson’s office. The girl in black leath
er sat in one of the empty chairs. She looked disdainfully at her, but a fake smile plastered her face.

  “Please sit down, Ms. Jones. It’s a difficult decision. You both were good. Since this is an extremely physical part, I need you to come for a second audition to see how you would deal with the natural terrain, like climbing, jumping from high boulders, and running from aliens,” Todd said and laughed. “Be back here in a week on location in Bronson Canyon and wear your hiking boots. Thanks, Jaz and Monique.”

  Jaz breathed deeply as she followed Monique to the front desk.

  “Better get in shape, sweetie. But then again, we know who’s going to nail this part,” Monique said.

  “Don’t worry, I can pull some strings. Let’s get some lunch,” Steven said.

  As they headed to Enrico’s van, Jaz waved goodbye and took off jogging.

  “Need to keep moving. Can’t let anyone get that part— it was meant for me,” Jaz said to her surprised supporters. Her legs wobbled, but her spirit felt renewed.

  Maggie

  Downing her third cup of coffee, Maggie focused on the important day ahead instead of driving her car. Seth’s message the night before clouded her thinking and she almost hit a pedestrian crossing the street. She apologized profusely and drove cautiously into Meridian’s parking lot, noting a dark SUV had been following her for the last twenty minutes. Its tinted windows prevented her from seeing the driver.

  How would MJ handle this crisis? What is my goal today? How can I get Wright on board with my concept? Must sign that contract today and publish that book before the holidays, Maggie thought. She failed to notice the man in dark jeans and dark glasses getting out of the SUV. Instead she spotted the handsome stranger she met the other day— Mark Thompson, President of Space Ventures— as she entered the Meridian’s main transporter. She had read about him in the news lately-- he was a key player in the space industry. Maggie secretly blushed and gazed at her reflection in the transporter doors, shocked by the willowy, silky-haired brunette with the impeccable bone-colored sheath staring back at her. Quite different from plain old Maggie.