It’s a Small Uber World After All
Chapter Fifteen
Trish Kocialski
Dean turned and looked in the direction indicated by Josie and gave a low
whistle. “Well I’ll be,” she uttered in a low tone, “there’s a Katie
look-a-like too?”
“More ‘n one,” Josie drawled. “Seems like the whole place is crawling with folk that looks like us.”
Dean swiveled back to look at her double. “What do you mean? More than this Karla and me?”
“So it seems.” Josie just stuck her hands into her pockets and smiled as the two blondes came up.
Katie split away from Rebecca and put her arm around Dean’s waist. “Hey,” she began, “look what I found.” She indicated Rebecca with her chin. “Guess I got a twin too.”
Dean nodded and looked over at their mirror images. “Excuse us for a minute,” she muttered and pulled Katie aside and whispered. “Something is just not right here. This Josie person said there’re more people around here that are dead ringers for us... and them.”
“Yeah, that’s what Rebecca told me. She knows of at least two others... a Karla and Olivia... and those two have met others too. Weird, huh?”
“I’ll say. But what’s it all about? Why carbon copies of us? And what’s this BardCon thing about?” Dean looked over Katie’s shoulder and watched as Josie and Rebecca sat on a bench in the shade eating the ice cream cones Rebecca brought with her. “And how come they’re eating ice cream and we’re not?” The sentence came out before she could censor it.
“Ahhh, I see where you’re going. You’re just upset you don’t have any ice cream.” Kate poked Dean in the ribs and chuckled lightly.
“Nooo,” Dean hissed getting serious again. “No, not just that,” she looked down at her lover and was captivated by the twinkle in the emerald eyes. “Seriously, Katie. Our world is a little screwy right now and my neck hairs are starting to twitch. Ever since 9/11... we’ve been having these recurring dreams....” Dean thought about the dreams she and Katie had been experiencing more frequently and she shuddered. “Our dreams....”
“You think our dreams have something to do with all this?” Katie asked, now with a more serious tone of voice.
“I don’t know... but, I think we should do a little investigating. Let’s go and see what we can find out from these two.” Katie shrugged and nodded.
************
Walking over to the bench where the two doubles sat, Dean worked at putting together a game plan. She wanted to find out more about these two and what all these doubles were doing in Orlando. Not one to beat around the bush, she jumped right in.
“Josie,” she began, “what can you tell me about this Karla and....”
“Olivia?” Rebecca offered.
Dean was somewhat surprised at the blonde’s jumping in, but then, if she was anything like her Katie, she should have expected it. So she turned and faced Rebecca. “Yes,” Dean acknowledged. “What do you know about them?”
************
Two hours later, they were sitting in the restaurant at the Living Seas and Rebecca and Josie just finished their tale of how they came to be in this time and how they had met Karla and Olivia. They didn’t leave out a thing. Dean and Katie had listened intently, asking questions at times and trying to trip up the two women sitting across from them with every bit of interrogation skill that they possessed. Josie and Rebecca never flinched and never slipped up in their tale no matter how many different ways Dean and Katie asked the questions. Figuring to trip them up, Dean asked if she and Katie could see the pistols that Josie had brought from the past with her. Being an avid gun collector, Dean knew she would be able to tell if they were telling the truth by examining the pistols. Josie had told her they were a matched set presented to her by William F. Cody in 1879 and even rattled off the patent number on the barrels. Dean figured she had finally caught them in a lie, because she had those exact pistols in her collection back in Occoquan, Virginia and knew every nick and mar on each one.
“Sure thing,” Josie chuckled. She was enjoying the retelling of the tale by Rebecca and was glad to be able to have something to offer as proof. “We’re staying at one of these fancy hotels on this property. C’mon, we’ll catch one of those trains that run on one rail.”
************
After paying for the food, the four women got up and headed to the monorail. They got off at the Grand Floridian. Josie, Rebecca, Karla and Olivia had decided to move up to the Grand Floridian after they sold a one dollar gold piece to a coin collector for $3,000. Dean and Katie were impressed with the hotel as they walked through the grand lobby while following their leaders to their room. Once there, Josie sauntered over to the safe and turned the tumbler expertly. Pulling open the safe door, she reached in and pulled out the holsters containing the two Colt pistols and handed them over to Dean.
“There ya go. Nicest pieces I ever owned…great balance and they shoot real straight! Bill gave ‘em to me the day his autobiography came out. He was so proud of that damn book. I told him if I hadn’t known him, I’da figured the whole thing to be a bunch of lies! We laughed a good one over that!”
Dean accepted the holsters and took them over to the table by the window. She set them down gently and removed the guns one at a time and inspected them from barrel to hammer and down the ivory grips. She could hardly believe the pristine shape the two guns were in. In fact, they looked almost brand new.
“These look to be in excellent shape. How long have you had them?”
Josie rubbed her chin and thought for a bit. “Oh, couple a years now, I guess. I clean ‘em up every night whether I’ve used ‘em or not. Keep your guns in shape and they’ll never let you down when you need ‘em.”
Dean nodded in appreciation of that fact and then returned to her inspection of the weapons thinking they were pretty darn good copies, but they were missing a couple of dents hers had. The patent numbers however, were exact and the engraving on the barrels was faithful right down to the slight imperfections just below the sights. There was only one true test…the inscriptions on the reverse of the ivory grips.
“Do you mind if I take the grips off?” Dean asked as she reached into her pocket and pulled out her Swiss Army knife and extracted the screwdriver.
“Nope, go right ahead. You’ll find what you’re looking for there.”
Katie looked at the smiling Josie, then at the stunned look on Dean’s face and walked over to her lover to watch her dismantle the handles. Dean carefully put the tools tip into the slot and unscrewed the handle from the pistol. Josie knew exactly what she was looking for and stood by the table, grinning brightly as Dean flipped over the ivory grip and read the inscription.
“To my good friend, JH. Thanks, WFC”
“Damn,” Dean muttered as she replaced the grip. Then she picked up the second gun and removed the ivory grip from it. This inscription read:
“All my love to RC. Yours truly, WFC”
Completely stunned, Dean looked up at a beaming Josie and asked, “You never told me your last name.”
“Hunter. Josie Hunter. And RC is Rebecca Cameron…my Rebecca,” she said as she pulled the blonde to her, wrapping her arms tightly around the woman.
“This is just… incredible,” Dean murmured as she looked at Katie. “They’re exactly like the ones in my collection…only newer.” As she replaced the second grip, the screwdriver slipped and scored the pearl grip slightly. Dean stopped and looked at the damage she caused, and then realized that the pistol in her collection had the exact same damage in the exact same spot…damage that she had created. She didn’t know how but was she was finally convinced. “I can’t explain it, but,” she looked up at Katie, “they’re telling the truth!”
************
The four women sat in the room for another hour as Dean quizzed Josie and Rebecca on their life in their time. They also tried to get more information on the BardCon but found the two women didn’t know very much about it... only that it was going to be happening this weekend in this hotel. Just about the time they were getting ready to leave, the cell phone Josie had began to chirp. She fumbled with it as she tried to figure out how to get it to work. Katie reached over and pushed the correct button and Josie put the instrument to her ear as she had been instructed. After a few uh huh’s and several yups, she hit the button to end the call.
“That was Karla. We’re gonna meet them for dinner in a bit. We’re goin’ to a thing called the ‘Hoop de do,’ she drawled. “You and Katie are welcome to join us if you like.”
Dean looked at Katie and grinned remembering the plans they had made for a quiet dinner in their room and a soak in the double hot tub for dessert. She certainly didn’t want to trade that intimate plan for dinner that would include a floorshow surrounded by a bunch of vacationers. “I think we’ll pass. We’ve kinda got other plans already,” Dean said as Katie flushed just a bit.
Catching the slight tint of Katie’s skin, Rebecca smiled knowingly. “Well then, ya’ll have a nice evening then. Maybe we’ll see you again…or at that BardCon thing.”
Katie nodded and stood as Dean did the same. “Yes, maybe we will run into you again.” They turned and left the room and went in search of information on BardCon.
************
When they got back down to the lobby, they went in search of the convention sales office. The clerk at the front desk directed them to the office in question but cautioned them that it would be closed now since it was after 6:00 PM. A bit disappointed, they turned to leave, then Katie turned back and asked if the clerk knew anything about an upcoming event called BardCon.
“Yeah, I do!” she said excitedly. “In fact, I’m going to be there.”
“Working this weekend?” Katie surmised.
“No, as a participant. I went last year too. It was a blast!”
Encouraged, Katie asked what the event was all about. The clerk enthusiastically told the two women all about it. In fact, they probably got more information than they really needed, but wanted to be polite and not cut off the eager young woman’s description. They were surprised to hear the clerk’s description of the two main characters of the TV show and how much they looked like the actors.
“I really thought you might be them!” the clerk giggled. “But, then, I’ve seen a few Lucy and Renee look-a-likes the past few days.” She cocked her head at the thought. “It’s really strange....” she said as she looked them over once more. The clerk was about to ask them a question when a guest came up to the counter to check out, allowing Dean and Katie to the opportunity to gratefully slip away.
************
“Whoa,” Katie hooted as they quickly walked away. “That’s one heavy duty fan there! Did you catch the strange earrings?” Dean nodded absently as she put two and two together and came up with a zillion look-a-likes.
“You mean the ones that looked like chakrams?” Dean nodded, “Yes, I did.”
“What-rams?” Katie shot back wonder what language Dean was speaking.
“Those earrings were in a miniature form of an ancient chakram. It’s a weapon that was used in India by the Sikhs. Many of them were destroyed after the Sikh wars, but several were kept by English officers or given to Queen Victoria as gifts from the East India Company. Some of them have very beautiful engraving on them.”
“Dean,” Katie began with a shake of her head, “you really amaze me sometimes with that wealth of knowledge you have stored up in your head.” Dean just shrugged as they stepped out into the warm and humid May evening to catch a cab back to their hotel. Evidently there had been quite a downpour while they were up in Josie and Rebecca’s room. Huge rain puddles were everywhere.
************
The ride to their hotel took about a half hour by the time they maneuvered through the evening traffic. They were staying in one of the new villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. They had booked a two bedroom villa for the week. Tracy and Colleen were coming in the next day from New York to spend a relaxing time with their friends and they were going to pick them up at the airport in the morning.
“Oh, hon,” Katie cooed as she flipped through the information book in their villa. “I wonder if it’s too late to book an in-room massage before dinner?”
“Mmm, sounds like a good idea. Why don’t you give the desk a call and see what’s available.”
Katie picked up the phone and called the number listed for massages. She was disappointed to find out that they were finished for the evening, but was able to book in two massage therapists for 9:00 AM in the morning. That would still give them plenty of time to meet Tracy and Colleen at noon.
“Well, love,” Katie said with a twinkle in her emerald eyes, “I guess I could give you a massage.”
“Sweetheart, your massages never get finished... well, not in a technical sense that is,” Dean replied with a snort of laughter.
“You mean, you’d rather I didn’t massage... everything?” Katie asked wickedly as she came up behind Dean and began an intimate massage of certain body parts.
“Uh, mmm... well, now that you mention it.” Dean turned and captured Katie’s lips with hers. “I really do prefer your massage technique to a therapist’s. How about we start with a nice soak in that big whirlpool tub?” Katie nodded eagerly and the two women walked hand-in-hand into the master bedroom.
************
Two hours later, there was a knock on their door. Dean emerged from the bedroom wrapping a terry robe around her naked body. “Just a minute,” she called as she tied the belt.
Dinner arrived at the prescribed time and the waiter rolled the cart into the room setting their order out on the dining table and finished the arrangement with a single white rose in a vase in the center of the table.
Katie entered the room and smiled at Dean knowingly. “Nice touch.”
“Call me sentimental,” Dean quipped as Katie lifted the rose to smell.
“You are such a romantic,” the blonde rejoined as she replaced the rose and put her arms around Dean. She stood on her tiptoes and placed a soft kiss on Dean’s lips. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Dean whispered back and returned the kiss. “I suppose we should eat before our food gets cold.”
Their dinner consisted of salad, New England clam chowder, Lobster, rice pilaf, asparagus, hot rolls with honey butter, and New York cheesecake. By the time they finished the meal, the long day and various activities took their toll. At midnight they were both sound asleep, wrapped in each other’s arms.
************
The morning began with a three mile run on the area jogging path, showers, and a light breakfast of oatmeal, juice and coffee. At nine, the massage therapists arrived with their portable tables and worked their magic on the two women for the next hour. By ten thirty, they were showered once more and ready to head out to the airport to pick up Tracy and Colleen. The morning was overcast and the rain puddles had enlarged from another overnight downpour.
Katie sat in the passenger seat of the rental car and looked out at the gloomy weather. “I sure hope the weather clears up by this afternoon. Tracy and Colleen are really looking forward to the Disney experience.”
“Yeah, I can’t believe they’ve never been here.”
“Oh, and I suppose, you’re an old hand at the Disney experience?” Katie quipped knowing full well that this too was Dean’s first trip to Disney.
“Okay, you got me. I’m just surprised that Tracy has never been here. Whenever she went on leave, she was always off to amusement parks. That woman loves roller coasters of all shapes and sizes!”
“Well, she’ll get her fill here and the park hopper passes will insure she gets to see ‘em all!”
************
They pulled into the short term parking and found a convenient spot near the baggage claim area where they were to meet Tracy and Col. The heat and humidity was rising and they were glad to get into the air conditioned building. Just as they stepped inside, another cloud burst let loose, drowning the area once more in a deluge of rain.
“Wow! That was close!” Katie gulped as a loud crack of thunder boomed overhead. Sure hope this doesn’t affect their arrival time.
Dean looked out the broad windows and saw a lightening of the sky to the west. “Looks like it’s going to clear,” she said pointing at the spot of blue that was beginning to grow. She checked her watch and then looked up at the arrival board. “It should be clear by the time their plane lands.”
Fifteen minutes later the arrival monitor listed the Delta flight as ‘arrived’ and they began watching the crowds coming down from the gates. Soon they saw their friends grinning and waving at them. Colleen was dressed in conservative shorts and a polo shirt, but Tracy was wearing her loud shirt covered in pink and purple flamingos and a rainbow baseball cap.
“Geez, Trace... we’re you worried we wouldn’t recognize you?” Katie chuckled as she gave the woman a hug.
Colleen just shook her head in dismay. “You know, I tried to get her to tone it down a bit, but....”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah... I happen to like this shirt... and it’s very comfortable too,” she added with a snap of her head.
They picked up their bags from the carousel and headed for the car. By now, the rain clouds had quickly moved to the east and the sun was shining brightly... and the heat and humidity was increasing with the dampness left on the ground. Steam was rising from the roadway as the sun tried valiantly to dry up the pools left by the down pour.
“Looks like we brought the sunshine with us,” Tracy commented as they stepped across the road to the parking area. “God... I love hot weather!”
“I thought you said it was cold and raining in New York?” Katie countered as they reached the car and tossed the bags in the trunk.
“It was... but we were thinking positively,” Colleen chuckled as they got into the back seat.
Everyone buckled up and soon they were on their way back to Disney. They chatted along the way, catching up since their last get together. When they got to the hotel, they pulled into the valet slot, unloaded and headed up to the room. Ten minutes later, they were back down in the lobby, ready to head off to Epcot. They were standing at the curb, deciding on the best way to get to Epcot, when a duo on a motorcycle came roaring up to the curb. Unfortunately, the foursome standing at the curb was the recipient of a huge spray of rainwater as the motorcycle came to a stop before them.
“Damn!” Tracy cussed as she looked down at her soaked shirt and saw the other three women just as wet from the dousing. When she looked up, Dean was already snarling and Katie was reaching for Dean’s arm to contain her.
The driver kicked the foot rest down and waited as the passenger got off the back of the 2003 Harley Heritage Softail Classic bike.
Taking off her helmet, the passenger shook out her long blonde hair and looked at the wet foursome standing on the curb. Tracy, Colleen and Katie were dumbfounded as they watched Katie’s twin look back at them. “Um, sorry about that,” she said softly as the driver dismounted and stood next to her unstrapping her helmet. The blonde slid her backpack off and a large white cat’s head popped out. “Now how did you get in there?” she said as she pulled the cat out of the backpack.
Dean had moved directly over, her focus on confronting the driver as she pulled off her helmet and missed the exchange between the blonde and her friends standing silently on the curb. She snarled and started to speak but found herself speechless as she looked at her mirror image, albeit with chestnut hair and wild copper colored eyes looking back at her.
“Yesss?” the cyclist drawled with an attitude, then stopped and took note of the striking resemblance to her of the woman before her. “Huh, guess I’m in the right place,” she said with a grin. “My name’s Randi and this is my partner, Ginnie.” She held out her hand to Dean, “and you are?”
To be continued in Chapter 16 ....