Slipping Into The Future

Chapter 9

Lin considers all of the life events that have led him to this moment. He wonders if it all started in summer camp when he was a kid. He didn't want to be stranded in the woods in some stupid summer camp, so he faked a spinal injury to go home. He remembers this as his best acting performance of his life. Now he's here with Alexander Fucking Hamilton throwing a box of rainbow Oreos at his head after seeing a play about himself — all the while with Anthony and Jon in the room to witness this. They're all staring at him expectantly and he has no idea how to get himself out of this situation. He's completely fucked.

"This is why I didn't want to tell you about the play," Lin begins carefully. "I didn't want you to see what happens in your future."

"And what of the events that have already occurred?" Hamilton replies with a scowl. "The order of events was absolutely atrocious, not to mention the completely falsified information you've added — and for what, exactly? For entertainment?"

"I mean — generally, yeah," Lin replies with a sheepish shrug.

Hamilton pinches the bridge of his nose. "Do you think me a fool, good sir?"

"What?" Lin gawks at Hamilton. "No!"

"Then why make a mockery upon my name, sir?" Hamilton seethes, his body beginning to tremble with rage.

"Hey, Hamilton — calm down." Lin waves defensively and speaks in a soothing voice. "You don't need to call me sir, remember? Just—"

"Do not tell me to 'calm down'! I will not calm down!" Hamilton yells. "You — you tell this story of my son dying in a duel after I published writings about a supposed affair!? How dare you slander my good name!"

Lin blinks rapidly and his heartbeat picks up speed. "Woah, Hamilton. Listen, I didn't just make that up — it isn't false. It's history—"

"You had falsified multiple accounts of my life in your play ." Hamilton folds his arms over his chest. "You claim I met Laurens before I met Washington? And then you claim that I secretly fell for my dearest Betsey's sister — who was already wed before I met her, I might add!"

"Marriage doesn't stop attraction to others, Hamilton," Lin says in a slow, challenging tone; his anger is beginning to boil.

Hamilton's jaw clenches. "You bite your tongue, sir!"

Lin practically seethes in rage. "Fuck you."

Hamilton takes a deliberate step closer. "If you do not retract such false information from your play immediately, I am sure to convince you to do so after we go outside with two pistols and—"

"No, no — fuck! I'm sorry that was completely uncalled for!" Lin interjects quickly, waving his hands defensively. "Hamilton, please. Listen to me," Lin mumbles dejectedly. "Yes, some events were... altered — but I assure you that the Reynolds Pamphlet and your son's death are entirely true."

Hamilton blinks rapidly as tears form in his eyes. "I refuse to believe that I am the cause of my son's demise, sir..." He replies softly, casting his gaze to the floor and rubbing his tears away with the palm of his hand. "I — who I am — and my abrasive ways...I knew it would be my undoing...but my son? I cannot bear it..."

"I'm sorry, " Lin replies earnestly. His gaze flickers behind Hamilton. " This is why he wasn't supposed to watch the fucking play, Anthony!"

Anthony blinks in surprise and lifts his hands defensively. "Hey, don't pin this shit on me!" Anthony says, completely bewildered with his brows shooting high. "I didn't give him the goddamned ticket!"