Love, Virtually - Episode 9
by Jonathan Rosen
Jessica?
FaerieQueen is not online.
Hi Jessica. I’ve left you several messages, but I see you haven’t been back on.
FaerieQueen is not online.
I know you’re not online, but I’m writing just in case you come here and see all of my messages. Actually, I’m praying that you come here. I just want to say I’m sorry if I upset you.
FaerieQueen is not online.
I just really wanted to get a chance to know you better. I’ve been thinking about you nonstop. I know you don’t like to hear it, but I do think the game brought us together for a reason.
FaerieQueen is not online.
I’m not giving up. As long as this portal is open, I’m going to try, because I remembered something. I was playing the game too at that time. And if you don’t want to try me then, I’m going to. And if what I do works, then that proves we belong together.
FaerieQueen is not online.
Half an hour later
Brandon?
Brandon, I can see you got the message, please answer.
Who is this?
I don’t have a lot of time, but I’m going to do the best I can.
You don’t have a lot of time for what?
Brandon, you’re not going to believe this, but I’m you.
What do you mean?
Please just listen to me. I’m you from the future.
Okay, who is this?
Is this Eddie?
Pete?
Seriously, I’m not in the mood for games, who is this?
I told you who this is. I’m you. I know you don’t believe me. I know because I wouldn’t believe me either. But wait! Don’t disconnect! Let me finish! Just give me five minutes, okay?
You’re crazy. I’ll humor you for five minutes until I can figure out who you really are. Make it good. Go.
This isn’t a joke. This isn’t one of your friends. It’s you.
Okay, that still doesn’t explain anything.
Here we go. Don’t get embarrassed. You wet the bed until you were 12. You never told your friends that, but that’s why you never went to sleepovers. Wait, there’s more.
You had a crush on Jenny Cutler all through high school. You never told anyone about it. Not even your closest friends. Unfortunately, you never told Jenny either, and always regretted it.
Who are you? How do you know all that?
You know who I am.
You just separated from your wife. She was cheating on you. You haven’t told anyone. Even to this day you haven’t because you’re embarrassed by it.
You could’ve gotten that from her.
Here’s what I couldn’t have gotten from her. Inside, you were relieved. You never felt you were right for each other. When she left, you were hurt, but you felt free.
I don’t know how you know all this. This isn’t possible.
It’s a glitch in the game. A time rift.
A glitch is like an extra life or something. It doesn’t let you talk to someone from the future.
I think it happened on purpose. I think it was this magical thing that happened, to let me meet a girl.
So, what you’re telling me is, in the future I go nuts.
Very funny, but I’m telling you the truth. For once in your life, you need to take a leap of faith. Trust me.
I don’t know. This all sounds so crazy.
I know it does. But, there’s this girl. She’s amazing. We really hit it off.
So? Go ask her out. And btw, if it’s true what you’re saying, it kind of sucks that I still don’t have anyone two years in the future. I don’t know what you did, but it obviously wasn’t working.
I’ve changed since your time. I’m not as closed off and bitter as you are then. But, I can’t ask her out. In my time she’s married. In yours, she’s not yet.
We need to catch her before she gets married. And I can’t do that, but you can.
How’d you meet her then?
Through this glitch in the game. It’s for real, and I’m talking to you through it right now.
This is nuts. Whatever. What do you want me to do about it?
I need you to go to her.
Wait, you want me to go to someone who I never met? There’s no way.
Brandon, please. Leap of faith, remember? When you were a kid, you believed in signs. You still do. This is your sign.
Since Lisa left you, you’ve wanted to get away. To escape, but you’re too paralyzed with indecision to go anywhere. You don’t want anyone to think you aren’t okay.
How do you know all this?
You know how. I’m you. Please trust me.
You do realize, that you’re basically setting yourself up on a blind date. Is she cute?
She’s beautiful.
I hate blind dates. They never turn out well.
You already hit it off with her. Well, at least I did. And, if you can’t take your own word on somebody, then who can you trust?
I’m getting a bad feeling about this.
Trust me. I’m telling you, this is the girl. She’s special.
Fine, whatever. I guess I can contact her. You have a number?
I do. I looked it up, but I’m not sure it’s hers in your time. It is in the future, so I’m hoping she’s kept the same number.
Fine, I’ll call her. Guess it doesn’t hurt. What do you want me to say?
Yes, definitely try her, but that’s not enough. You have to go to her.
What? Are you out of your mind?
Time is critical. Show her you mean it. You need to go to her.
Is this a trap?
A trap for what?
I don’t know. This all sounds so shady.
No trap. This is a good thing. But, you have to go to her.
Fine, whatever. I have no idea why I’m listening to any of this, but I’m officially intrigued. Where is she?
NY.
WHAT?? You want me to spend money to go to NY for a girl I never met and ask her to go out with me?
Yes. I know it sounds crazy, but yes.
This is insane.
I know. But, I’m begging you. My life and our happiness is in your hands.
Wow, I’m melodramatic when I’m older. What’s her name?
Her name is Jessica Harris. She’s on Facebook standing by Rockefeller Center. You can look her up. You can even try to contact her, but if she doesn’t respond, I need you to go to her ASAP.
I’ll think about it.
Please.
I said I’ll think about it. I’ll look her up first.
Okay, but it can’t be too long. I told you, time is critical.
Why is it so critical?
Well, there is one other element of this story that I should probably tell you about her.
App