ALL IN THE HEAD 1

DEXTER'S HOUSE

Ralph never knew quite why he went into the Plaza hotel on that bright summer afternoon. He had passed by the place so many times without ever going inside and each time he did pass it right by, his intrigue grew. The building almost seemed to call out to him. It was as if he was always meant to go inside and become a part of something, something big, bigger than him, bigger than his pet rabbit, bigger than his Ford Focus, and perhaps bigger than space and time itself.

All through his time in school, which by now was more than just a few years prior, Ralph had never been the brightest spark. It was due to one of his teachers that he made it through at all. French teacher as well as his class tutor for two years, Mrs. Dunne always came down hard on Ralph and it was because of this that Ralph ended up with the half decent results that he managed to acquire.

Despite living alone, being single and having no children of his own, Ralph very much is and has been a family man. He enjoys and loves each and every moment he has to spend with family members and adores learning of the family history. He may have come to the Plaza by himself though today he is not and will be in no way alone.

From the moment he entered the hotel, Ralph felt that things weren't quite right. He had been instantly hit by a chill. He didn't know where this chill came from or why he may feel it but feel it, he certainly did. It too seemed to come from the entrance behind him more so than anywhere else.

'How are you sir?' Ralph greets an elder gent dressed in a tuxedo who passes on front of him.

'Good evening young man' says the man in reply while raising his top hat, 'the fire is burning strong in the lounge, you must be freezing being so under dressed for this cold weather we are having.'

'Cold weather?'

Complete confusion seriously hits Ralph just as strongly or possibly even more so than the chill he felt a moment or so ago had. It wasn't just what the old man said, it was also the surroundings that created confusion. A candle lit chandelier hanging from the lobby ceiling. The lights on the walls are oil lamps. A nearby grandfather clock tells the time at twenty minutes to twelve ... to twelve and not past twelve ... and a large banner behind the reception desk reads 'Happy New Year'.

All this when indeed the reality he has come in from is that of a bright summer afternoon, this is as if he has stepped into something, something odd, something not as it should be or perhaps something exactly what it should be.

Before Ralph could make any queries, he was sure he could see Mrs. Dunne walk right into the lounge that the elder gent had spoken of. It has indeed been some time since Ralph finished school; in fact, it has been ten years since Ralph had cause to be within the walls that educated him and, in this moment, his former tutor looks just the very same as Ralph had remembered her to be. She hasn't aged a day.

Ralph followed on into the lounge. Sure enough, the large fireplace was sporting a strong fire. Table candles provided a low level of light. A black grand piano rests on a small stage to one end of the lounge. At the bar Mrs. Dunne sits alone.

'Hello Mrs. Dunne, it is good to see you', it wasn't really but growing up Ralph had always been taught to be polite.

'Do I know you, kind sir?'

'It is Ralph, Ralph Taylor; you were my tutor ten years ago.'

'Ten years ago? I believe you have me mistaken.'

Before Ralph could dispute that, a man walks into the room grabbing his attention. This man moves towards the piano and sits at it before speaking. 'Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I hope I find you all well on this New Year's Eve'.