Chapter 2
"When I get my own mansion," Neil huffed, "no stairs. Escalators and elevators all the way."
"I'm pretty sure that's a fire hazard," Eva said.
"Then I'll get a fire-proof mansion. They have those, right?"
Eva opened her mouth to respond but a deafening orchestral blast cut her off.
"Geez," Neil exclaimed. "Those speakers could probably wake the dead...oops," Neil ended sheepishly under his colleague glare.
"You're so tactless," Eva hissed.
"It's fine," Jessica assured. "Even...even if Robert could hear you, I doubt he would mind. He had an unusual sense of
humor. Robert wasn't a big fan of hearing aids so whenever he'd watch television, he'd crank the volume up." She chuckled. "Small wonder he was deaf."
"Thanks for the save back there, by the way," Eva added. "I don't know what I could have said."
Jessica sighed. "Honestly, I'm not sure what I should have said. The truth would have been best but could they handle it?" The caretaker sighed sighed. "It's the room at the end of the hall. The doctor's already there. I'm going to lower the volume. I'm sure you'd appreciate a quieter environment to work."
Jessica brushed past and made her way down the stairs. Neil gulped as he watched her descend. "What's the MPAA rating on The Matrix again?"
"R, I think."
"Thought so. I'm gonna be yelled at again, aren't I?"
"Probably," agreed Dr. Rosalene. "Don't know what you were thinking, showing a couple of kids who haven't even gone through puberty something like The Matrix."
"Well, let's set this stupid thing up then," Neil said, shifting the large suitcase in his arms. "She can't yell at me if I'm unconscious."
*****
Eva opened the door and stepped to the side, giving Neil room to enter. She took a look around the room.
In the corner were windows with sky blue curtains. Rain pelleted the glass, tapping away rhythmically. If the stars weren't hidden behind the dark clouds, Eva could have made out the edge of a forest.
Along the blue walls were more pictures of airplanes and flying vehicles, though paintings of birds were juxtaposed in between, continuing the theme Eva had noticed.
Two bed stands sat next to the large bed. Both had a small umbrella lamp. On the right one was an open, wore-out book. The headboard had little pictures carved in. At the sides of the frame, two spires extended to the ceiling. Hanging directly above the headboard was the painting of a white, wing Unicorn racing a fighter jet.
For a few seconds, Eva simply stared, gaping at the picture. Eventually, she lowered her gaze to her client.
Like a stubborn weed, white hair clung to the top of Robert's head, refusing to recede and die. Beneath a large plastic mask, Eva could make out bits of a beard, also white. His checks were hollowed but the faint lines of muscle could be seen along his jawline, even behind the mask. The rest of his body was hidden beneath layers of blankets.
Robert didn't look like a man who had collapsed some time earlier. He didn't look like he was dying. One could have mistaken him as sleeping if it weren't for the mask and the wires leading from beneath the sheets to a large monitor that displayed a green jagged line every so often and the for the woman wearing a lab coat that sat next to the machine.
The woman hadn't noticed the two as they entered the room. She was far too focused with her own work. When Neil all but dropped the case of vital equipment on the floor, she looked up.
"Oh, hello," she greeted, brushing a loose strand of grey hair out of her face. The rest had been tied back in a ponytail, most of which was also grey, peppered with brown. She extended her hand. "I'm Dr. Marianne Turner. You two must be from Freud Company."
Eva took the hand and shook it. "Sigmund Corp actual. I'm Eva Rosalene."
"And I'm...uh..." Neil sighed. "Neil Watts," he finished lamely. Dr Turner raised an eyebrow but paid no further attention to the cowering man under Eva's glare.
"Thanks for arriving so quickly," the physician said.
"Not a problem. That would be Robert, I presume?"
"Yes, that is Robert," Marianne answered with a sigh. "You know, not too many people make it to a hundred, even in with modern medicine, and he every bit of his century count. I'll risk sounding unprofessional here but if there's anyone who'd actually deserve a final request, it'd be Robert."
"You were close to him?" Eva wondered.
"I'd like to say so. A lot of folks in the city would like to say so. He was a weird fellow, but in a good way. Always doing some community service, helping on committees, that kind of person. A bit of a gambler but a darn good one."
"Do you know what his wish was?" Neil asked, crouched over as he set their machine up. "We, uh, left in a rush and kinda skimmed over that part."
"You told me you read that part!" exclaimed Eva.
"I lied. You should know me better than that."
Dr. Turner thought for a moment, tapping at her chin. She shook her head. "Sorry, can't say. I didn't know him that well. I know he had a bit of fascination with flying. Uh, are you sure a normal outlet will be alright?"
"Yeah, it'll be fine." Neil wiggled the cord into the electric outlet in the wall. The machine lit up and let out a hum. He tossed a white helmet wired to the machine and what appeared to be a digital wristwatch to Eva. He was wearing similar things on his head and wrist.
"Guess we'll just ask him when we see him. Ready?"
Eva nodded, tying her hair back as she placed the helmet on her head.
"Let's do this."
*****
Eva opened her eyes. Neil stood next to her, blinking. She rubbed her eyes, then turned her head and examined their surroundings.
Tall green trees stretched up to the grey skies. Neil groaned as he took off his glasses and wiped away the raindrops. His feet shuffled against the grassy ground.
"I hate the rain," he grumbled.
"At least the trees will provide some shelter. Come on, we need to find Robert. He can't be to far away..."
*****
It did not take long to find their client. The two stood behind the old man in silence, considering the best method of approach.
Robert wore a tattered grey hat and a grey overcoat. In the crook of his arm he held a blue umbrella. In his other hand was a cane that dug into the soil the tree he was staring at was buried in.
"Excuse me sir?" Eva said. She received no response.
"Are you sure interactivity and audio are active?"
Neil checked the device on his wrist. "Yep, all online."
Eva cleared her throat and tried again. "Excuse me, sir? We are from Sigmund Corp regarding your wish? Sir?"
"HEY, LISTEN!" Neil screamed.
"Neil..." Eva groaned, bringing her hand to her head. She paused as Robert turned. He looked surprised, as one would expect after being yelled at, then broke into a giant grin.
"Oh ho, visitors!" he boomed. "We don't get too many around here lately but I'm sure we can accommodate you two. Will you be staying for dinner? Or is it lunch now? Ah, it doesn't matter. We have some leftover cake. I can't eat that sort of food to often anymore but I'm sure you youngsters'll enjoy it!" He laughed, shaking his head. With his face directly before her, Eva could see that Robert had both a mustache and a beard, both well groomed.
"What did you kids say your names were?" he asked, still chuckling.
"My name is Ev-"
"What's that? You're gonna have to speak up miss."
"SHE SAID-"
"Neil, quit it." Eva turned to the device on her wrist and began to tap at the screen. "I'll just amplify our volume."
"You're no fun..." Neil grumbled.
Eva ignored him. "Can you hear me now?" she asked.
"Oh, yes, that's much better, the elderly man replied at a more acceptable volume.
"Good. My name is Eva Rosalene and-"
"Lorenzo Von Matterhorn," Neil interjected, sweeping into a bow. "At your service."
"-and you must be Robert."
"Why yes, I am. How did you..."
"We're from the Sigmund Corp wish fulfillment program," Eva continued.
Robert wrinkled his nose in concentration. His eyes lit up in understanding. "Oh yes, the one about dreams within dreams or something...hey, that's funny. I was thinking about giving you guys a call."
"We know," said Neil. "You see, we're...from the future!"
Eva smacked the back of her partner's head. "That's not true...well, not entirely. You see, the way we fulfill our clients' wishes is by manipulating their memories. By tweaking a few details of you memories, we can influence you in the past to fulfill your own dream. You'll remember things differently but hopefully, all these new memories will lead to one in which your wish comes true. And this..." Eva gestured around her. "...is how we accomplish that."
"What are you saying?" inquired Robert.
"This is only a memory, one that we've modified," Neil explained. "One that we threw ourselves in. We've never really met in person and probably won't so hi."
"This...is only a memory?"
"It'll take some time to get used to but don't worry," Eva assured. "You don't need to understand everything but we do need a little cooperation on your part."
"What do you need me to do?" Robert asked.
"Well, for us to fulfill a wish, we need a motivation," Eva said. "Something that will drive to complete your dream. Can you tell us what your wish is and why?"
"Well..." Robert shuffled uncomfortably. "My wish is to see my daughter again, just to see her one more time. I...well, I can't really explain."
"That's it?" Neil exclaimed. "That's all you want? To see your daughter one more time? Ow!"
"It's a silly wish, I guess..."
"No, it's not," said Eva, shooting a dirty look Neil as he rubbed the back of his head. "It's just a...a little underwhelming I guess. We haven't had something so simple in a while, that's all."
"My bad, really," Neil said. "I shouldn't be complaining about having less work. Heck, if you like, we can arrange this reunion in style." He gave Robert a wink. "How 'bout it? Wanna see her on the moon? How about as the President of the United States?"
"Before we arrange any of that," Eva interrupted, "we still need a motivation. Is there any reason why you can't see her now? An argument perhaps, or a death?"
"I..." Robert lowered his head. "I can't tell you."
"Robert," Eva began gently but with force. "I told you, we need your cooperation."
"I know, I know," Robert said. "It's just, I really can't...remember. There was an argument, I think...maybe..."
"Well, how about a name?" Neil asked. "If we have enough info on the girl, I'm sure we can figure something out."
"I...don't know."
"Uh, how about age? Appearance? Blood type? Birthday?"
"September seventeenth. That's all I know. I couldn't even tell you what year." Robert sighed. "I'm sorry. It's just...they say I was in an accident a long time again. The doctors said the smoke did something to my brain."
Neil groaned. "Oh great, another Wyles case," he grumbled softly.
"At least it won't be as difficult Johnny's wish," Eva whispered back. To Robert, she said, "It'll be fine. We've got experience in this sort of scenario."
"Oh, that's wonderful," the old man said with a sigh of relief. "Can...can you really let me see my daughter."
"We'll do our best but all we can do is give you a push," Eva explained. "The rest is up to you."
"Of...of course." Robert nodded with confidence. "Yeah, I'm ready. If you can really help me find my daughter I'll do anything..." He sighed and turned his head to the tree behind him.
"Sometimes I remember glimpses," he said. "Small things like a feather or a leaf...and this tree. I don't know why but there's something special about this tree." Robert shook his head. "Sorry about rambling on like that. I don't know, maybe it'll give you a clue."
"It's a clue alright," Neil said. "Our first memento."
"In order to jump further into the past, we need something that's of importance to you," Eva explained as she held the device on her wrist in front of her. "I guess this tree of yours will work."
The tree began to glow and the light grew in intensity. Soon, the world faded to white.