Alterworld Book 1-Ruby's Choice

The Choice

Scott taps me on the shoulder gestures for me to follow him.  He escorts me to Joey's limo during the second song of the encore.  He seems calmer than before as we walk through the back gates of the venue.  We stop in front of a purple, stretch limo.  Scott faces me and takes both my hands.

"Marilyn, I'm sorry about earlier.  You were right, I was acting like a diva and being childish.  Joey and I had a disagreement just before you got here that put me in a mood.  I tried to fake it.  Once I heard Joey ask you to dinner, I knew my plans with Terry were lost I was just so angry.  It wasn't your fault and I was wrong to take it out on you.  Can you find it in your trusting heart to forgive me?"  He pleaded.
"Yes, of course, I forgive you.  C'mon, we've been like family since we were five."  I said.
"Aww.  Kiss, kiss?  Hug, hug?"  He asked.
We kissed each other's cheeks, embraced and bumped our opposite hips together.  I laughed and he belted an operatic, "Ahhh."
A woman with Queen Elizabeth's stature, thick strawberry curls and a round face walks toward us.  She is dressed in a purple suit and rainbow necktie.
"Marilyn, meet Rhiana, Joey's driver."  Scott said.
She may have been a bit taller, but I knew it was Rayna.  She opened the passenger door and pinched me as I maneuvered myself into the vehicle.
As I look around, I notice a familiar symbol on everything from the seats to the glassware.  When I feel the limo moving, the glass dividing rider from driver descends slowly making a low humming sound.
"You know, Marilyn, this was Prince's limo until he sold it for a bigger one."  Rhiana/Rayna said.
"I knew I recognized that symbol.  By the way, what are you doing here?  I'm still on day one.  And, why did Scott call you Rhiana and not R..."
"Don't say it."  She shouted.
"Okay.  You don't have to yell."  I said.
"If you say my true name, I become my true self."  She instructed.
"Oh, so if I say your real name right now, you will be too short to drive."  I teased.
"Enough with the jokes."  She snapped.
"Sorry."  I said.
"You ran off before I could tell the most important rule.  You take off this time, I'm not responsible if you're head gets busted open.  Now, listen up.  Should anyone fall in love with you before the end of your twenty-two days, you must make a choice."  She warned.
"Choice?  What kind of choice?"  I asked.
"You must decide between the one who loves you in the Nineties and the life you left."  She explained.
"So if Joey - which will never happen - falls in love with me I can stay here?"  I asked.
"Yes, but choose wisely because your decision is final.  There is no amount of white magic that will reverse your situation."  She said.
"When does the time for a decision end?"  I asked.
"You must summon me on the day love is declared by saying my true name before the Eleventh stroke of the Faeriestown clock tower.  When I arrive, give me your decision on a piece of paper and I will take it to the Faerie Master.  He will grant your choice and you will wake up in the time period you wished for."  She said.
"What happens with the life I left should I choose to stay here?"  I asked.
"It will no longer exist."  She sighed.
"Wait.  If I choose to stay, I get a clean slate and life starts over?"  I asked.
"Boy, aren't you a smart cookie."  She cackled.
"Can I ask for information about my former life to help make my decision?"  I asked.
"Only once.  It must be specific."  She said.
"I already know what information I need."  I said.
"Your request is specific enough."  She said.
"How do you know?"  I asked.
"I read your mind.  However, I cannot give the information if you do not request it."  She said.
"I'm fairy certain I already know the answer to my own question."  I confessed.
"Don't you mean fairly certain?"  She corrected.
"No.  I'm talking to a fairy and saw it as an opportunity to lighten the mood."  I said.
"You a comedian now, Miss Hussy?"  She charged.
"Hey."  I snapped.
"Just trying to make light of the situation."  She snorted.
"I get it.  You didn't appreciate my funny.  Sorry."  I said.
"Not as sorry as you'd be if I..."
"How about you keep driving or I say your true name."  I threatened.
The glass hummed again as it retracted upward inside its housing.