The year is 1994. The Artist finds himself in a situation no one ever thought could happen. How does he get out of it, or perhaps more importantly, how did he get there in the first place?
The trailer, courtesy of @QueenofDisco ...https://youtu.b...
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August 23, 1994
**The Artist POV**
The look on Lani's face once the phone started ringing immediately told me there was trouble. "It's probably work," she says quietly, concern lacing her beautiful features.
I pulled her into a quick comforting embrace before grasping her hand and heading into the cabin toward the phone that hasn't stopped ringing since we got here a few minutes ago.
She grasps the receiver, bringing it to her ear as we both situate ourselves on the couch with our hands still clasped, my thumb gently stroking her knuckles.
I offer her hand a comforting squeeze as I hear a series of 'Yeses,' 'of courses,' 'oh nos,' 'okays,' and eventually, an 'I'll be there as soon as I can,' before she returns the phone to its cradle and turns to meet my eyes with a look of regret. Looks like our vacation is over...
"I'm sorry, but we have to go back. It's all hands on deck at work with victims from the accident," she says quietly, eyes downcast. Poor Lani...
"I understand, mama. It can't be easy being a nurse...always placing others needs before your own," I offer with a look of sorrow, bringing her into my arms for another hug. "Come on, let's start packing up."
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It didn't take us long to get everything together and into the car for the long drive home. Given the late hour, it'll probably be after midnight before we get back to Minneapolis.
Unfortunately with as short staffed as the hospital is at the moment, Lani won't have time to grab even a short nap once we get back. I decide to let her rest as much as she can while I drive us both home, but she doesn't sleep much.
She finds herself caught between regret with having to cut our vacation short, and nerves about what she might be walking into at work once we get home. It was one of the longest two and half hour drives I think either of us have ever been on, even if there was a part of us that didn't want it to end.
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**12:39 a.m.**
When I finally pulled into Lani's parking space, I glanced over to the passenger seat noticing that she was fast asleep. She looked so peaceful that I hated to wake her, but I knew I had no choice. Well here goes nothing...
I gently place my hand on her shoulder, and whisper softly in her ear, "I'm sorry mama, but it's time to get up. We're home."
She groggily comes to, rubs her eyes and takes in her surroundings. "Already?" she asks with regret, before letting out a huge yawn. "It seems like I just fell asleep."
"I know, Lani. Just relax there for a minute. I'll come over and help you out." I say softly, slowly making my way over to the passenger side of the car to open the door, cradling her and her hard won goldfish in my arms and heading toward her apartment. I wish she didn't have to go in to work...she looks just exhausted...
Just after we cross the threshold, I reluctantly lower her to the floor and she gently deposits Molly Jr. onto the couch, stopping to brush the back of her hand across my cheek gently as she leans in to give me a soft kiss before slowly pulling away. "Thank you for being so understanding," she whispers, turning away slowly and making her way toward the answering machine.
She presses the button on the machine and suddenly a computerized voice enters the apartment. "You have one new message," it drones blankly, and then a female voice I don't recognize enters the apartment. "Lan lan, it's me. Where are you?" the recording begins. I glance over at Lani, who has a surprised look on her face. Whoever this is, she obviously wasn't expecting to hear from her.
I meet her eyes with a look of confusion, to which she quietly mouths out, "Aloha." I nod in understanding as the message plays on. "I guess you're not home. I'm sorry I missed you...anyway, I was calling to let you know I'm coming to Minnesota to visit you on September 3rd, and I have a surprise for you when I get there," she continues, sounding excited. "My flight comes into Minneapolis at 9:29 p.m. on United Airlines flight UA902. I look forward to seeing you then," she finishes exuberantly before the line goes dead. I wonder what that's about...
My eyes meet Lani's to gauge her reaction to this latest news, and find she looks nervous, but also excited to see her friend. "I see this call made someone happy," I offer with a gentle smile.
"Yeah...even with everything that's happened between us, I have to admit I've missed her. Still, I can't help wondering what her surprise is," she returns softly, questions lacing her beautiful blue eyes.
Eventually she continues with reluctance, "Well, I guess I better go get ready for work." She slowly turns toward her room preparing to leave the apartment for who knows how long.
"Just relax for a moment, Lani," I start gently. "Come here, mama..." I offer with a shy smile, arms outstretched and ready to envelope her in another hug.
Accepting the invitation, she moves into arms which quickly embrace her, as I capture her lips in a gentle kiss. "Thank you for a great vacation, mama..." I murmur gently into her ear. "I'll see you soon." I wish you didn't have to go, Lani...
She meets my eyes with a sad smile, slowly cupping my cheek. "I'll be back as soon as I can, honey," she offers before breaking free of our embrace and rushing to get changed and out the door.
Just as she's grabbing her purse on her final mad dash out the door I catch her hand quickly and pull her to me for a quick goodbye kiss, and before I knew it she was gone.
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**About an hour later**
The apartment suddenly seems unnaturally quiet without Lani, but the events of the day have me restless and unable to sleep.
I find my mind running back to everything that happened at the cabin, and eventually landing on one memory I'd noted to look into when I got back home...those records we were listening to before we made love for the first time.
A wistful smile crosses my face as I briefly allow myself to relive that memory, but I eventually find myself returning to the question at hand. What was the name of that band again...?
I ponder that question for a few minutes before it finally comes to me as an excited grin crosses my face. Prince and the Revolution!
With that thought in mind, I make a mad dash to Lani's room and prepare to log onto her computer to look up a band that seemed strangely familiar somehow. Maybe I can finally get some answers...
As the computer does its thing and I prepare to log onto the internet, I feel a headache start to come on. Must be because I'm so overtired...
However as the screeching sound of the computer trying to access the internet drags on interminably, the pounding in my head starts getting worse and worse. What the hell?!
With the headache continuing to worsen I start to panic, but when I move to get up I find myself feeling dizzy and disoriented. What's happening to me?!
Knowing I'll never be able to make it to my room like this, I make my way toward Lani's bed, barely making it there before collapsing.
With the pain continuing to get worse than ever, I suddenly see a blinding flash of light behind my eyes brighter than I've ever seen before.
Eventually this clears, but not before I feel my head filling up with memories coming at me seemingly at warp speed. This must be what a near death experience feels like... is my last thought before I pass out cold.
**Author's Note: Well the moment everyone's been waiting for is finally here...he's getting his memory back. What happens next you ask? You'll just have to wait and see...;)**
