UFC - #128 - Deja Vu

Remember that poll about modern day inventions? Well, here is the story that I needed it for. Before we get to the story, though, let me take care of a little business 1st...

To read the challenge this was based on and other submissions, please CLICK HERE!!

Also, the below is mainly fiction, spice in with a little bit of truth (mainly of my job from the past.) Hope you enjoy! :o)

Déjà Vu - Lady Harley

March 19, 1986

Turning in my seat to watch as my younger self enthusiastically greeted customers at our local Bob Evans’ restaurant, I smiled at how silly them floor length skirts looked on us hostesses.

Thinking back to when I was hired on, I remembered how excited I was because I was going to get to wear the long skirt. Not sure what it was, I just know I felt special.

Rotating my chair back as not to draw attention to myself, I pat my pocket for about the 8th time to make sure the letter I had to deliver was still there. "One more cup of decaf, then you can complete your mission", I thought.

The reflection staring at me in the mirrored salad cabinet showed an elderly woman that bared a striking resemblance to my Grandma Gert. I figured that likeness would be the easiest way to approach my younger self and to complete the task at hand.

I didn't have to worry about what I was going to say; because I had already did it in the letter I was carrying.

Thinking back to what seemed like the day before, but was less than two hours earlier... I was seated in the same chair I was in now, except then it was March 19, 2009. I was there just to give myself a change of scenery while I was writing my novel. As I was preparing my first cup of decaf a woman dressed in an unusual suit sat down beside me. I glanced at her and gave an acknowledging smile.

Little did I know that this lady was here to talk to little ol' me. She turned in her seat and placed her hand on my arm. "Don't be alarmed, I just have a message for you."

"Ok" I hesitated.

"Answer me this, why are you using pen & paper to write you novel."

I stared at her. How did she know what I was writing? I've told no one what I was doing. My husband doesn't even know yet, because he is at work. I wouldn't tell him until he gets home.

"Uh." Was all I could mutter.

"I know what you're thinking. You're trying to figure out how I knew what you were writing." She said in a hushed tone.

"Yeah, how did you know that?"

"Believe it or not, you sent me to deliver a message, from the year 2034."

Again, I stared.

"Ok, think about it. Look at my clothes. You've not seen anything like this before, have you?"

"I just thought you were some runway model to gain publicity for some new crazy outfit."

She then pulled a book out of her briefcase and showed me the back cover. On it had a picture that looked like me, but older and with more white hair than brown. Underneath the photo was a synopsis of my life. Before I could read all about my past, rather my future, she quickly put it back in her carry all.

Before I could ask, she said: "You cannot read the summary, for the information may change my history, and your future."

I was just floored that I actually seem to have a published book.

"Alright, say I believe you're from the future, why are you here?"

"We need you to go back to 1986 to deliver a message to..." She paused as a waitress walked by.

Before she could continue, I interjected; "If you were able to travel back in time, why don't you just go? I know of no technology of time travel."

"I was only allowed to travel back 25 or less years. Because I'm only 26."

"So, why didn't my future self come back?"

"I can't go into those details. Just know that you trust me completely in the future." Just then her watch beeped at her, glancing at it, she groaned. "I don't have much time before I'm pulled back to my time. And I have to get to a place where no one will see me disappear. So, please no more interruptions. Ok?"

"Alright, why 1986 and who needs what message."

"You will have 1 hour to go back to deliver a letter to your younger self." She must have known my next question of how would I find myself in such a short time. "If you'll think back, you were working at this very restaurant back then."

I nodded and she continued, again as if reading my mind. "Before you return to 1986, you need to write the letter to convince yourself not to give up on novel writing. In this letter, you need to explain that the Internet will be there to help you succeed with your gift.

This has to be in your own handwriting. So, don't bother going home to type or print it out. Besides you don't have that kind of time. You will be leaving soon."

Again I nodded. Continuing on she said, "You have to word it in a way that you do not give away how the Internet works or anything else that will jeopardize your time-line of life. Meaning you can't mention who wins the Super Bowl this year or anything like that."

A waitress stops by to ask me if I needed anymore decaf, and if my friend needed anything. We both shook our heads.

"I must warn you, that when you return you cannot tell anyone else who you are, and why you are there. Besides no one will believe you. This is why you have to compose a letter. Also, you will not appear to anyone as you currently look. It would cause too much confusion.

Furthermore, your letter must be of encouragement. You must convey that your talent for writing must not be ignored, no matter what anyone tells you."

At this point I'm a bit puzzled. I'm trying to remember if I had ever been discouraged about what seems to come naturally to me.

"So, exactly how am I supposed to travel back in time?"

The young girl hands me a watch and explains, "Once I have returned to my time this will beep once. That means you have exactly one hour until you will be transported back. Then it will be twice when you have 1 minute before. I cannot stress it enough; you need to be in a location where no one will see you disappear. I suggest you stay in or near this building as not to delay you when you arrive back to 1986. Do you understand now?"

"I believe so, first beep, one hour. Two beeps, one minute. Need letter of encouragement. Can't tell anyone who I am. Does that about sum it up?"

This time she is the one to nod. "I must go now. I need to leave before it seems as if I disappear."

"What about the bathroom?"

"I would, but you see... no, I can't tell you that. You could do that, but I cannot."

Did she just about tell me this building wouldn't be here in 2034. Oh well, that's none of my concern. I was more worried about what I was going to say in this letter.

I looked down at my coffee and back up to ask her another question, but she was already heading out the door. I tried to follow, she had already disappeared by the time I was able to get outside.

I stood there for a couple minutes to see if I saw her drive off, then I looked on either side of the building. With no one was around I wondered if I was imaging things. Then the watched beeped. It only took me about thirty seconds to realize I was not dreaming.

I strolled back to the counter where my coat and notebook was still laying. I picked up my pen and started to put my thoughts down.

After about 20 minutes I started to review what I wrote. I crossed it out and flipped the page to start again.

This time I composed a few lines and crossed them out. Once again I started to try to write something that would convince my younger self that I was not some freak and something believable that I'm from the future.

I shook my head, and thought, "This is never going to work."

Finally, I came up with a few sentences that I felt would not give any details away, but contained encouragement and was convincing enough. As I was about to proof read it, the watch beeped twice.

"Oh crud!" I mumbled.

I hurried to pick up my notebook and jacket. Tossed a note on the counter by my cup of decaf with a scribble of "BRB". Thinking that it may take longer, I quickly tossed a few bills beside the note, and then headed to the ladies room.

Just as I closed the restroom door, I saw a pink light and my ears popped. "What in the world?" For a moment I forgot I must have time traveled. But then a cold rush came over me as a little girl opened the door. She looked a little confused and I wonder how close was she to the door when that pink light flashed.

Shaking my head I just headed back to the counter. As I walked by several people I could tell that I actually did travel back to 1986. Then I bumped into my younger self. Wow, I had not really changed much, except no white or gray hair and a lot thinner.

The younger me looked at me as if she saw a ghost, but quickly apologized and asked if I was all right. I nodded and excused myself. I walked back to the counter and took the same seat I was just at, but in 2009.

It was then I realized why my younger version was a bit startled. I looked a lot like my Grandma Gert who had passed when I was in 8th grade, only 3 years prior for my 1986 self.

A waitress stopped by and asked if I had been helped yet. I started to say yes, but then I remembered, to her, I had just arrived. Then I realized, I know this girl, I used to work with her. "Not yet, Deanna. I'll just have a cup of decaf, please."

"Coming right up." As she stepped over to the coffee machine she asked, "How did you know my name?"

I mentally slapped my forehead, but quickly came up with an answer. "It's on your name tag."

"Oh, I'm just not used to folks paying attention." She places the cup down. "Please let me know if you need anything else."

"Thank you." I smiled.

As she walked away I breathed a sigh of relief.

I then turned to watch myself flit around like a little schoolgirl. Then I realized, back then I was just a schoolgirl! I was in the 11th grade, yet being a hostess at Bob Evan's was my second job.

I kept trying to think of a way to approach myself to deliver this letter. I must have been staring into space a long time when my younger self waved a hand in front of me. "Are you sure you're ok? I didn't think we bumped heads."

I laughed and said, "I was just day dreaming."

"Can I get you a refill?"

I looked at the watch the future girl gave me and said, "Oh no! I'm going to be late!"

"Well come up to the register, I'll get you cashed out."

Without thinking I followed myself up. Thankfully I still had a couple dollars in my pocket.

"That will be 89 cents."

"Wow, that's cheap!"

"Did you have more than a cup of coffee?"

"Oh no. It's just where I come from it's almost $2."

"Where did you come from, the future?" my younger self said sarcastically.

I about had a heart attack. Did I just ruin this? I thought.

Quick on my feet, I replied, "No, not really, just New York."

"Oh, that explains it." She said as I handed her a dollar bill with the letter under it.

"What's this?"

"Just a little note of encouragement. Please wait to read it until you're alone."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. Have a good day."

Just then my watched beeped twice. "Well, I guess since I'm going to be late, I best use the restroom before I leave."

"Well, you know where it's at." My younger version giggled.

Again, as soon as I got the door shut, the light turned pink and my ears popped again. This time I was a tad bit woozy, so I leaned against the door for a moment to catch my balance.

"Did you see that light, Mommy? It was a pretty pink!" The little girl voice startled me.

There must have been a mom and daughter in the one stall when I was transported back.

As the mother tried to argue with her daughter that she must have been seeing things, I quietly made my escape and found my way back to that now familiar seat.

My note and money was still lying there next to a hot cup of decaf.

"Hmm." I whispered to myself, "I must have not been gone too long."

As if she heard me a waitress popped by and said, "Is the bathroom busy?"

I nodded. "May I have a to go cup for this. I need to be on my way." I asked, when actually I just wanted to get home to process what just happened.

At the register I felt that déjà vu feeling. I shook it off thinking it had to be just because of the time travel. When I reached into my pocket to pull out the dollars I picked up when returned to 2009, is when I felt the letter.

My first thought was, it was all a dream. But then I pulled it out and realized it was faded and tattered.

The cashier saw it & said, "Wow, that must be some special note or something."

"If only you knew." Was all I could think of.

When I reached my truck, I locked the doors and pulled the letter out to read it to see if it was what I thought. Soon as I started to read it, I remembered exactly my thoughts when I first read it 23 years ago.

I smiled as I did in 1986 at the words of encouragement and how it all made sense now.

"No matter what anyone tells you, you will succeed. In several years, you have the ability to share your talent for writing with anyone in the world, quicker than you can bat your eyelashes. It is a gift you will come to realize that you inherited from your Grandma Gert. Keep smiling! Yours truly... Me!"