A girl in her 20s enters my fortune-telling parlor.
I motion her toward my old wooden table…
And tell her to sit down in the blue chair.
And look deep into her eyes.
April
So, Olivia, is there anything specific you wanted to discuss today?
Olivia
Nope! Just do your thing.
Olivia
My friends say you’re the most accurate fortune teller around.
Olivia
So, just tell me as much as possible about my life.
Olivia
I know you specialize in deaths…
Olivia
It won’t be for a while, right?
Until I see words floating above Olivia’s head:
This young girl has only six years left to live!
And then I see how it happens.
And I realize: maybe I can prevent this.
Olivia
Is something wrong?
April
Six years from now…
April
I’m seeing you on a boat.
April
You’re with your whole family.
Olivia
My family and I go on a boat trip every year!
April
You’re not wearing a life jacket.
April
I see you falling into the water…
April
And never coming back up.
Olivia
It’s true I never wear a life jacket.
Olivia
And I’m not a very good swimmer.
A tear rolls down her cheek.
Olivia
So…I’m going to drown?
April
You don’t have to drown.
April
You have it in your power to change your fate.
Olivia gets up and grasps my hands.
Olivia
Thank you! Thank you!
Olivia
I really believe you’ve saved my life.
Olivia gets up gets up and leaves my parlor.
I take a deep breath and lean back in my chair.
My work takes so much out of me.
A loud knock interrupts my rest.
An older woman is standing on the other side.
April
I don’t have any more appointments today.
The woman enters the room.
Woman
Wow, you’re awfully young to be a fortune teller!
April
So? What’s your point?
The woman sits in the blue chair and makes herself comfortable.
Woman
You’re right, I don’t have an appointment.
Woman
But I just had to meet you!
Woman
My name is Lucia and I’m just like you.
April
You’re a fortune teller?
Lucia
Well, yes, but not just any fortune teller.
Lucia
I’m special like you.
I look above her head to read her fortune.
She still has 30 years left.
That’s a lot for someone her age.
April
I thought I was the only one.
April
How do I know you’re not lying?
Lucia
Well, I saw that girl leaving your office.
Lucia
She only has 6 years left.
Lucia
It really is a tragedy for someone that young.
April
Wait, so you can see my lifespan right now?
Lucia
And I assume you can see mine.
April
Yes, I can see everyone’s…
Lucia
Would you like to know yours?
April
No, I don’t want to have to pay to talk to another fortune teller.
Lucia
Don’t worry, I’ll do it for free!
Lucia
You remind me of myself when I was your age.
Lucia
Plus, I think you should be warned.
She leans forward and takes my hands.
Lucia
April, your death is coming very soon.
Lucia
But you can avoid it by staying away from busy streets.
I tell people about their deaths all day.
But I wasn’t prepared to hear about my own.
April
Am I going to get hit by a car?!
Lucia
Sweetie, please calm down.
Lucia
You’re supposed to get hit by a car tonight.
Lucia
But just stay away from the roads and you’ll be fine, okay?
She gets out of her chair and gives me a hug.
Lucia
My office is just a few minutes away from here.
Lucia
If you ever need anything, please stop by.
I watch as she exits the building without another word.
Is what she just told me really true?
It’s time for me to get home.
I gather my belongings and exit the office.
I am about to head to my car when I stop myself.
I look around for another way home.
My gaze falls on a path through the woods behind the building.
The cold air brushes against my face.
My shoes crunch against the fresh snow.
But at least there’s not a car in sight.
But the ground suddenly falls beneath me.
I find myself falling into a large hole.
Pain surges through my whole body as I hit the ground.
I look up at the top of the hole.
The sides are too steep to climb.
April
Someone help me! I’m trapped!
At first, there’s silence.
But then I hear footsteps in the snow.
Lucia
April, is that you?
Lucia approaches the hole and looks down.
April
I’m so glad to see you!
April
Can you please help me?
For a second, she’s silent.
Lucia
Today is your death day, remember?
April
But you said I was going to get hit by a car!
Lucia
I don’t know if that’s true or not.
Lucia
I don’t actually have that magical gift like you.
April
Then how did you know Olivia’s death date?
Lucia
I just eavesdropped on your conversation, that’s all.
Lucia
I do work as a fortune teller, though.
Lucia
In fact, I was the best fortune teller for years!
Lucia
Until you came along…
April
What are you saying?
Lucia
I’m saying you ruined my business!
Lucia
Suddenly, everyone wants to see the fortune teller who’s always right!
Lucia
No one ever wants to see me anymore.
Lucia
So, if I want to get my business running again…
Lucia
I have to get rid of you!
She reaches for something outside of the hole…
And returns with a shovel!
She scoops up a large pile of dirt and snow and holds it over the hole.
April
I believed you, so you must be good at your job.
Lucia
Yeah, but nothing I told you was true.
Lucia
I just used my fake powers to manipulate you.
Lucia
I have no use for you.
April
Let me change my fate!
But before I can say another word…
Lucia starts filling up the hole until I struggle to breathe.
If only I could have predicted my own death.
