This Time of Night

by Jon F. Merz

  "Given the choices, I choose possibility one. I believe there's an afterlife."

  The old man cleared his throat. "All right."

  "All right?"

  "Yep. That'll do."

  Kennedy frowned. "That's it? Was I right?"

  "Can't tell you," said the old man. "But wait and see. Good night."

  "Wait-" But even as the old man swept his way around the corner, Kennedy felt the canvas stiffen round his face, locking his features in place again.

  What had the old man meant? When would he see?

  Something drifted past his eyes. Wisps of white and gray.

  Smoke.

  Fire.

  Kennedy's mind raced. A fire in the Smithsonian. The painting would be destroyed. He'd die. But, if he was already dead...

  The smoke grew thicker. Kennedy watched the yellow and red flames lick their way up past columns and grab other paintings in the gallery. Colors ran in streams down the walls as the fire absorbed the entire room.

  It was getting warm.

  The canvas loosened then, but not in the he way it had when Kennedy had spoken to the old man. His vision began to blur. Colors ran like tears cascading down his textured face. His sight faded. It vanished.

  Blackness swallowed him whole.

  ***

  Dawn came as it always did: in a burst of electrical current leaping into the cathode ray tubes housed within the small plastic cube. Darkness vanished in a series of pops and snaps.

  It was different here.

  Kennedy loomed inside cyberspace, in a virtual museum established by a giant software monopoly. They'd had the foresight to buy the rights to works like Kennedy's painting. And when the fire destroyed the physical painting housed at the Smithsonian, Kennedy's consciousness moved to this new home on the Internet.

  His observations of time travel were now much further reaching than before. Visitors came in the form of mouse clicks, emails, and hyper text links.

  And the old man even paid him a visit one day.

  Kennedy frowned as he became aware of the surfer. "You said it was time to move on."

  The old man peered through the monitor. "It was. You're here."

  "This is no better than before. Now I'm trapped in this thing they call a computer."

  "You'd rather be back hanging on a wall?"

  Kennedy ignored the question. "You said I'd learn the ultimate perspective. Well?"

  The old man grinned. "What is it that any time traveler would most want to witness in their travels?"

  Kennedy frowned. "Progress, I suppose."

  "Exactly," said the old man. "And would you consider your present home better than the one you had previously?"

  "Yes."

  The old man nodded. "You've accepted the perspective that all life and death deals with progress. No ends, no beginnings, only constant change. But change in one direction. Time moves forever forward. And it drags with it every molecule that has ever existed." He smiled. "That includes dead presidents."

  "So, I stay here forever?"

  The old man shrugged. "At least until they invent something more advanced than a computer. Who knows, maybe some day you'll even make it out here again. With the rest of us. It's something to hope for, right? The progression of hope?"

  "I suppose so," said Kennedy. "But how come you're not here with me?"

  "Alternate planes of existence, John. I could explain it to you, but it would take a long time."

  "But I've got plenty of time-!"

  "So you do." The old man smiled once more. Then he aimed his pointer at a new link and clicked John F. Kennedy back into the furthest reaches of cyberspace.

  A Different Kind of Cupid

  I scored big (what I considered big at the time) with this story. Steve Algieri at “Eternity On-Line” grabbed it ‘as soon as I read it,’ and designed an entire “Dark Valentine’s Day” issue around this story. It was a big thrill to hear someone think so much of a story I’d written.

  Jeff Whitaker looked down at the melting ice cubes in his highball glass for the fifth time in as many minutes. He dragged his thumb and forefinger along the outside of the glass, catching some condensation between his digits and rubbed them together languidly until the moisture evaporated.

  "Helluva way to spend a Friday night," he said.

  "So do something about it."

  Jeff whirled around and saw the man at his elbow. "Sorry?"

  "I said you should do something about it." The man held out his hand. "My name's Gustav."

  Jeff pulled back. "I think you may have misunderstood me, buddy. I'm not like that."

  "Like what?"

  Jeff lowered his voice. "You know...gay."

  Gustav laughed. "Well, I certainly didn't mean to imply that you were, young man. I simply thought some friendly advice might be in order." He gestured to his still outstretched hand and this time Jeff took it.

  "Sorry. I'm Jeff."

  Gustav shrugged and took a sip of his drink. "No matter. Nowadays everything is so readily confused anyway. Rather tragic actually."

  Jeff nodded and sipped his vodka tonic again. "Yeah."

  "You're quite lonely aren't you?"

  "Maybe."

  Gustav chuckled. "No maybes about it, young man. You are alone as one can be. The proverbial owner of a lonely heart."

  "Thanks." Jeff frowned. "So what's your point, anyway? You do have one, don't you? Some profound advice? A reason for examining my situation so closely?"

  Gustav cocked an eyebrow. "You're upset. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to give you the impression of a bug under a microscope."

  Jeff waved him off. "Forget it. You're right, I suppose."

  Gustav took another sip of his drink. "My point, Jeff, is that you shouldn't be in this situation. Loneliness is a disease, after all. As real a disease as any virus or bacterium that creeps through your immune system destroying your defenses and leaving you wide-open to further plague and infection. So, too, does loneliness permeate your soul and pry your strength away until you'd settle for pretty much anything. Imagine that, Jeff, imagine settling for a woman so hideous just to be with someone else. Just so you'd never have to be truly alone. Is that so worse than dying a horrendous death brought about by germs and pestilence?"

  Jeff downed the rest of his vodka tonic. "Guess not."

  Gustav also drained his drink and gestured to the bartender for two replacements. "And so, if you've been in reasonably decent spirits all your life, led a rather fit existence, as I believe you have, Jeff, why on earth succumb to this disease now?"

  Jeff spread his arms. "Christ, take a look around. Hardly anyone here. No women to speak of."

  Gustav's eyes narrowed. "Mmm, I had noticed, yes. Made me wonder why you're here even."

  "Hell, this town isn't exactly renown for its pick-up joints."

  Gustav hefted his fresh drink. "Please, Jeff, spare me that mentality. You aren't looking for a pick-up joint, as you call them. The women wandering those places have little sense of self-worth. They're merely out for a night on the town, a few hours of trying to con themselves out of the bleak misery of their own insecurities." He settled his drink on the counter and looked at Jeff. "No, if easy prey was what you were looking for, you'd be at any number of biker bars between here and Jenningsville." He glanced around the bar and then back at Jeff. "But you, you want something more, don't you?"

  Jeff nodded. "Yeah. I guess I do."

  "And what you want is that emotion of real love. You crave that pulse-pounding, throbbing insatiable urge to be near a beautiful woman. The eye-fluttering awe and sense of unknowing fear that happens when you glance at her. And when she comes walking toward you, that magical touch, caress and scent of sexual hunt." He smiled. "Life's one true treasure, wouldn't you say?"

  ""One true treasure'," Jeff grinned. "Nice way of putting it."

  "Well, really, it's not so much to ask, is it?" Gustav took another sip. "After all, you've worked hard thus far, done the things young men
are supposed to do to make their lives something of worth. Money's good, isn't it, at your job? Why shouldn't you have love after all of your efforts?"

  "Don't know," said Jeff finishing his drink again. He motioned the bartender again.

  Gustav sighed. "Owner of a lonely heart."

  "Good song," said Jeff.

  "Was it?" asked Gustav. "I never knew that."

  "The band was called Yes. They broke up, I think."

  "Sweet irony," said Gustav. He slammed his empty glass down on the bar with a resounding thud. Jeff jumped.

  "What-?"

  Gustav stopped him. "Come, we have much to do and damned little time to do it in."

  Jeff gestured to the bar. "I just ordered another round."

  "You've had enough for now," said Gustav. "And I don't want you dying of a lonely heart. Not if I can help it."

  "Too late for me," said Jeff. "Valentine's Day was last week."

  Gustav frowned. "Bah, Valentine's Day is merely an excuse for the unromantic to pretend they love someone. It's an empty vessel of disdain. For the true romantic, there's always enough time to show real affection. They don't need some commercialized holiday to pretend they're some modern-day Casanova."

  "All right," said Jeff, "lemme just paid the bill."

  A twenty dollar bill floated on to the bar. Gustav smiled. "Is that enough? I can never keep up with the prices charged in these small towns."

  "You're buying?" asked Jeff. "That's damned kind of you."

  Gustav shrugged. "Well, allow me my simple pleasures, would you? Come on."

  "Where are we going?"

  Gustav looked over his shoulder as he threaded his way through the bar. "I thought that was obvious."

  "Not yet," said Jeff.

  "Then it will be," said Gustav. "Do you have a car?"

  "Yeah," said Jeff. "Around back."

  "Then let's go," said Gustav. "We've no time to waste."

  ***

  "What the hell are we doing here?"

  Gustav wiped a line across the fogged windshield. "Finding you someone special, of course. Isn't that what we discussed back at bar?"

  "Well, yeah, but this is a graveyard."

  Gustav sighed. "Jeffrey, one cannot be picky about the location of love. It happens where it happens, even in an unlikely place like this. Now, really, be still and wait a moment. I'm sure you'll see the wisdom of my choice."

  Jeff settled himself back against the seat and studied Gustav's features. He was older than Jeff, perhaps by almost thirty years. The charcoal suit he wore seemed to flex and weave hypnotic patterns in the subdued lighting of the blossoming night air. And while he may have been older than Jeff, Gustav's features were still razor sharp and his eyes searched the prevailing stillness like lasers eagerly looking for a target to acquire.

  "She'll be here soon," he said then.

  "Who?"

  "Maria."

  Jeff smiled. "Nice name."

  Gustav faced him. "You like it? That's good."

  "Always been one of my favorites," said Jeff.

  "Funny, I thought you might say that," said Gustav. "Now, she's rather shy. And decidedly pensive about things, but really a top sort gal. I'm sure you'll get along marvelously. It'll just take her some time to grow used to you is all."

  "She works here?" asked Jeff.

  Gustav nodded. "Mmm, something like that."

  Jeff smiled. "What's she look like?"

  Gustav sat up. "See for yourself. There she is."

  Jeff looked out through the windshield and saw a woman walking among the tombstones. In her hands she carried flowers and seemed sad. But in her sadness, was an indescribable amount of beauty. Her hair flowed unbound down past her shoulders, a silky raven quality that matched the upswept cheekbones and piercing intent of her dark eyes. Her lips were pressed slightly forward in a pouty expression that only magnified the innocence of her features.

  Jack smiled. "My God, she's beautiful."

  "Isn't she, though?"

  "And she doesn't have a boyfriend?" asked Jeff. "I find that hard to believe."

  "As did I," said Gustav. "But she has none. No suitors of any kind. I believe she is a true find."

  "How's her personality?" asked Jeff. "She's not some whiny bitch, is she?"

  Gustav chuckled. "My goodness, no. Honestly, Jeff, she's a real catch. You should move quickly, though. I don't know how long a girl like her could stay alone. You'd better make your move."

  Jeff nodded. "What about you?"

  Gustav shrugged. "If it's all the same to you, I'll stay here and watch. Like I said, she's rather shy. Both of us at once might startle her and ruin your chances. I'll catch up with you later."

  Jeff opened the door. "Thanks, Gustav. I appreciate this."

  Gustav only smiled. "Quite all right. Now, go."

  Jeff got out of the car and for a moment could not see Maria. But then as he was growing scared she might have left, he saw her walking again, through the vague fog that seemed to be growing among the tombstones. She glanced once over her shoulder and Jeff caught his breath. She was even more beautiful than when she hadn't been looking at him. He quickened his step and closed the distance between them to ten feet. She turned once more and this time saw him.

  Jeff reached out. "Please, don't go. I'm sorry if I scared you."

  "Who are you?" Her voice was soft. So soft, Jeff wasn't even sure if he'd heard her at all.

  "I'm Jeff. You're Maria, right?"

  She smiled then. "You know me?"

  Jeff nodded. "Well, yeah. See, my buddy Gustav said you'd be here and that well, you know, maybe we could maybe get together. He said we'd be good for each other."

  "Gustav." She turned her head at an angle as if digesting the name. Then she smiled so luminously that Jeff again caught his breath. "Oh, Gustav. Yes, I know him. He's a very kind man."

  Jeff felt his heart ache. "My God, you're beautiful."

  Maria demurred. "Really?'

  Jeff felt his blood racing from his head, filling other extremities, and thought he might faint. "Yes. And you seem so kind and wonderful."

  "But you only just met me, Jeff."

  Jeff nodded. "Yeah, I know, but it's like I know you already. You seem so incredible to me. So much more than all these other women I've seen before. How come I've never seen you in town before this?"

  Maria shrugged. "I don't get out all that much. And to be honest, going into town doesn't interest me all that much."

  "Yeah, me neither," said Jeff. He rocked from leg to leg. "Listen, I know this may seem a bit premature, but would you consider having dinner with me? I mean, you seem so great, I don't think I could bear leaving you without asking you out on a date."

  She moved closer to him then. "Actually, dinner doesn't interest me that much."

  Jeff felt his heart sink. "It doesn't?"

  Maria shook her head. "No. But kissing you does."

  Jeff felt her lips close over his and then felt the close press of her body into his. He felt even more light-headed and drooped slightly in her arms, but she held him up with surprising strength. When she drew her lips back, he gasped for a breath.

  "-My God..."

  She smiled. "Did you like that?"

  "Yes."

  "Would you like more?"

  Jeff nodded. "Yes."

  Maria turned. "Then come with me."

  "Really?"

  She smiled. "Really." Her hand floated out toward Jeff.

  He grasped it and felt the reassurance of her warmth. "All right."

  "Getting on all right, are you?"

  Jeff turned at that moment and saw Gustav standing in the increasing moonlight. "Hey, yeah...she's magnificent. I don't know how to thank you."

  "None necessary," said Gustav. He turned to Maria. "How are you tonight, my dear?"

  Maria smiled. "Wonderful. He's certainly a fine young man."

  "Maybe a bit of a drinker, but overall, yes, he's a fine chap. And he's agreed to go off with you
, has he?"

  Jeff nodded. "Yeah. I have. How could I not? She's great."

  Maria smiled again. "A wonderful choice Gustav. I can't thank you enough."

  Gustav smiled. "No you kids stop that. I love to see people happy. Jeff, I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see Maria here so enthralled with you. My, it's been years I've been out and about trying to find her a soul mate. And at last she's taken a liking to someone. It's a big relief I tell you."

  Jeff grinned. "How long have you been looking?"

  Gustav frowned. "Goodness, what's it been, Maria-almost one hundred years?"

  She nodded. "Yes. But you kept your word, Gustav. It's so nice of you."

  Jeff chuckled. "A hundred years, huh? That's pretty funny."

  Gustav raised his eyebrows. "Oh, dear, you hadn't told him yet, had you?"

  Maria frowned. "I was going to."

  Gustav sighed. "Maria-"

  "Gustav, I didn't want him running away before he agreed to come with me. The last one got away, remember?"

  Gustav nodded. "All right, all right, you've made your point. Well, the cat's out of the bloody bag now, so go on and inform our dear boy here."

  Maria smiled at Jeff. "Do you still want to go with me?"

  Jeff nodded. "Sure, why not?"

  Gustav sighed. "You aren't making this easy, Maria. Jeff, look down at your feet, please."

  Jeff glanced down at the grass. "Yeah, so what?"

  "The grave marker, Jeff. Read it."

  Jeff looked up slightly and read the headstone.

  Maria Henson

  born May 23, 1898

  died September 19, 1919

  In Loving Memory

  "Jesus..."

  Maria tugged on his hand. "Jeff, please."

  Jeff looked at her. "You're...you're-"

  "Dead, yes," said Gustav. "Of course, that doesn't make her any less of a person, you know."

  Jeff tugged on his hand. "But she's dead."

  Maria began crying. "Jeff, please don't."

  Gustav placed a hand on Jeff's shoulder. "Do you remember what we talked about? The loneliness of life? The blessing of true love? What would you pay to have someone who loved you forever, like no other woman ever could? Would you sacrifice something dear to you? Would you give it all up to have that effervescent emotion of eternal love and happiness. Isn't that worth the corporal vessel you have now? What if I told you this was your one chance to have the love you dream about always? Would you accept her then? Would you forsake this existence for one beyond all others? Would you, Jeff?"