Scorpion Chronicles-Episode 9-The Witch in Time Saves Mine

A WITCH IN TIME SAVES MINE

[the ninth in The Scorpion Chronicles]

by Nat Faul <pruesdoux@charmedmail.com>

DISCLAIMER: (January 2001) This is not posted for any profit but to share creative ideas with other Charmed fans on this and other websites. The characters of Prue, Piper, and Phoebe Halliwell, Leo Wyatt, and Darryl Morris are property of Warner Brothers Television. Other characters were created by this author. Any similarities to real persons living or dead is purely coincidental. The lyrics to My Lover’s Box were written and performed by Garbage, released by Almo Sounds, Inc., 1995. The following account is fiction. Its sole purpose is to entertain. Being conceived during the second season of the Charmed series, this and the other stories are not congruent with the current season.

RATED G: safe for the whole family

On a forgotten part of a forgotten street, in a forgotten part of San Francisco, rows of empty buildings lie in varying degrees of decrepitude. Most of the sidewalks and streets lie in disrepair, while weeds push up from the growing cracks in the concrete. Every building has its share of broken windows and boarded up doors.

During the day, the homeless and drug gangs move in. Police patrol the street regularly. The only other traffic are of drivers who are lost. As night creeps in, the homeless leave and only the most foolhardy of gang members bother to hang around. Not even the police bother driving through. And any other traffic is extremely rare. The city doesn’t even bother replacing burnt out lamps here. The only other fools, to traverse this no-man’s land at night, are little boys trying to prove their manhood -- such as Gerry Farold.

In an alley, hidden from the moonlight, a group of boys quietly move towards the street. They range in age from eight to ten. Chad was the oldest, so he took the lead. Gerry followed then the rest. They came to a stop where the alley meets the sidewalk, staying in the shadows. Chad dragged Gerry up to the front.

"All right, shrimp. Here’s your chance. There’s the place. The boards on the front door are loose. Just pull open one of them and go on in. Once you’re inside, I’ll start timing. If you can stand it for a half-hour, you’re in the club. If you come out before a half-hour, you sit with the other babies at lunchtime. Start now."

He stepped out onto the sidewalk and balked. He was out in the open and the full moon shone on him like a searchlight. Chad gave him a push and he slowly ambled towards the huge hulking building straight ahead. Across its top, a giant dirty sign read "Portrero Cannery". Gerry picked up the pace, when he felt uncomfortable being out in the open in such a place. He soon reached the front door, covered with wooden boards. Pulling at one, it easily moved. He pulled it aside and looked in. Being pitch dark inside, he saw nothing. He looked back at the other boys across the street. Chad just stood there, looking so tough with his arms folded and his chin up. The others, behind him, were watching in wide-eyed anticipation. Gerry kept wondering how he agreed to this whole thing in the first place. He climbed through the boards very carefully, so as not to make a sound.

Once inside, he pulled his flashlight from his jacket pocket and switched it on. He trembled so much that the light kept ocilating whereever he aimed it. He saw the husks of towering machines. Metal stairs led upwards to high catwalks. The floor was spotted with oil puddles and strewn with machine pieces. In a little while, curiosity replaced fear. He looked around inside the machines and other the pieces on the floor. He even picked up an odd-shaped piece and put it in his pocket, as a souvenir of his brave venture.

Soon he started hearing sounds; distant, at first. It was the sound of feet shuffling and machines hissing. Gerry looked around in anticipation but saw nothing out of the ordinary. But as the sound grew louder, shapes started to appear. At first it was a white mist, then it began shaping it self into a mass of men moving out of the walls. Terror slammed Gerry like a sledgehammer and he began screaming. Suddenly there were lights, machines clanging and hissing, and men rushing around. One was shouting at him.

"Hey, kid! What are you doin’ here makin’ all that noise? Git outta here! Go on! Git!"

Gerry ran for the door. Instead of planks nailed over the doorway, he found a real door, for which he had to turn the knob and pull. He stepped out into a noisy, busy street. The area was well lit with rows of street lamps. Strange cars and trucks moved up and down the street. They were boxed-shaped and appeared awkward. And among them were carts, pulled by horses. People strolled along the sidewalk, wearing clothing Gerry had never seen before. He looked across the street, to where he had left his schoolmates waiting. There he saw a building he had never seen before, with all the windows lit up and men inside moving around. In fact, every building on the street was lit, clean, occupied, and in full operation. He began walking down the street, looking agape at this strange world around him. Looking back at the building, he had just left, he saw the clean, well-lit sign above, reading "Portrero Cannery."

When Derek came to the front door, Piper hardly recognized him.

"Mornin’, Piper."

"Derek? Is that you?"

"Yup. This is me. I’m just in one of my relaxin’ clothes."

He wasn’t in his usual khakis, cowboy boots, and Australian hat; but a Spice Girls T-shirt, black cargo pants, a Chicago Cubs baseball cap, rainbow socks, and open-toed sandals.

"Well, ... I’ll let Phoebe ... know your here."

She ran from the door giggling uncontrollably. Phoebe came to the door and looked him up and down. "Excuse me, sir. Have we met?"

"Oh, real funny, Doll Face. Now you gonna let me just stand out here all day?"

She laughed and led him inside. They sat on the sofa, trying to decide what to do that day.

"Sky diving?"

"No way!"

"Bungee jumping?"

"Forget it!"

"Scuba diving."

"Not today.... How about a motorcycle ride?"

"Been on my bike all week. I’d like to take a break from that."

"Got your car?"

"Yeah. The Bentley is in your driveway."

"How about a sporting event? What’s your favorite sport?"

"Women’s nude mud wrestling."

She slapped him across the shoulder. "You are bad!"

He grabbed her by the wrists and they struggled. "How ‘bout some wrasslin’ of our own, huh? Yew wanna wrassle, woman?"

He pushed her back on the couch and got on top of her. Phoebe squealed and laughed as they wildly grappled. "No fair tickling! Get off of me or I’ll kick your butt!"

"Yeah? You and whose army?"

"I don’t need an army to handle you!"

"Then what’s stopping you?"

Phoebe made a maneuver that flipped Derek off the sofa and onto the floor. She rolled over and fell on top of him. They continued tussling, knocking aside the coffee table and a lamp.

Prue came running out of the kitchen. "Children! Children! Break it up before you break something!"

They stopped. Phoebe looked up and squeaked in a childlike voice, "Yes, Mommy!"

Prue was in no mood for humor but didn’t want to lose it. She just calmly and firmly commanded, "Just ... take it outside."

She went back into the kitchen. Phoebe and Derek looked at each other.

"She’s right," he said. "Let’s go out somewhere."

"All right. Race you to the car!"

"Wait! There’s a lot of glass between here and the door. Let’s not risk them. We’ll start from the porch."

They both went together to the front door. Suddenly Derek jumped out ahead of her and began running. "Go!"

Phoebe ran after him. "No fair! No fair!"

In the kitchen, Prue watched them from the window. The car engine revved up and the tires spun on the driveway. Prue leaned out of the window and shouted, "Watch out for the ...!" She winced at the sound of screeching tires then started screaming, "Are you insane? Don’t you realize...?" The engine again roared and the tires squealed as the car peeled off. Prue slammed the window and roared between clenched teeth.

Piper, sitting at her tea, gave an understanding smile. "They’re just going through the silly stage of their relationship. Remember when you and Phoebe came home and found Leo and me running around like a couple of little kids?"

"They are not just being silly! They are being reckless! -- Dangerous! It was bad enough for her to get all battered up by that motorcycle ride! I’m afraid what they might do next!"

Down a few streets with little traffic, Derek ran the car at high speeds with the engine roaring loudly, as Phoebe leaned out the window, whooping and hollering. At a park, they ran along the grass and tumbled down, wrestling and rolling in each other’s arms. They fed duck and squirrels by a pond. They reclined under a shady tree, when they cuddled and kissed.

They spent all day in various parks. After dinner, they strolled along Ocean Beach, then danced the night away in one nightclub after another. Phoebe went to bed that night exhausted and happy.

Next day, after her classes, Phoebe went to the American Psychic Society. There was a special meeting of Research and Investigation. In a conference room, she took a seat at the table with Irene, Taylor, Jules, and Tasha.

Irene announced, "Next weekend, we have a very special hands-on investigation. We will be going to the most haunted district of San Francisco, to explore the ruins of a factory. It’s a spot that has generated the most reports of apparitions and even a few unsolved disappearances. Other members will also be going. You will all be given a flyer, giving the location, day, and time, plus a list of what to wear and what to bring."

She opened a notebook. "Now a little about the place we’ll be investigating. On this site was Corrado’s, an import warehouse, founded by Fabrizio Corrado in 1895. This burned down in 1918 then was taken over by a Portuguese family. In 1921, Jaco Vitorio built Portrero Cannery on the site. It shut down in 1929 along with the Stock Market Crash. During World War II, it started up again, canning fish for allied troops. By 1957, the sardine industry was in decline so it was converted to a warehouse. Since 1964, reports of apparitions and disappearances emerged. This made the property impossible to sell, so it was abandoned by 1975. The government took it over for its unpaid property taxes. This year, we asked permission to investigate the psychic reports on the property but we were refused. So last month, our financier, Derek McPhillips, paid the back taxes on the property and is now the legal owner. Now he is making the arrangements for our field trip."

Expressions of surprize and delight went around the room. Jules burst out, "Wow! The Big Guy’s come through for us again!"

Irene concluded, "This information is on our intranet for your review anytime. Before our investigation, we will have another meeting to go over details of protocol and conduct. All those involved will be here and there will be a question-and-answer session. Meanwhile, you are to do research on investigation procedures of haunted areas."

In their office, the four assistants sat at their computers.

Taylor asked, "Phoebe, what are we suppose to be looking up?"

"Anything on hauntings. Try ‘haunted’, ‘ghosts’, or ‘ghost hunters’."

"Ghost hunters!" Jules blurted. "That’s what I should be looking up! Great idea, Chief!"

Phoebe whirled around with a glare. "What did I tell you about calling me that?"

"Hoo boy! Here we go again."

"Yes! Here we go again! I keep telling you not to call me that!"

"I just thought you’d be use to it by now."

"Well, I’m not use to it by now! Nor will I ever be use to it!"

"All right! Sorry! It was just a force of habit!"

"Well, break that habit real soon, or I’ll force the habit of hitting you!"

Taylor protested, "Come on, Phoebe! It’s no big deal!"

"No big deal for you, because you’re not on the receiving end! I am and I don’t like it!"

The room then became quiet. Taylor and Jules were concerned over Phoebe’s attitude. Tasha was again perplexed as to what was going on. Phoebe knew she was causing discomfort in the group and felt ashamed. No one spoke for the rest of the afternoon.

In the banquet hall, Phoebe sat alone over a cup of coffee. She felt pressed from all sides by conflicting feelings. She looked up to see Taylor, Tasha, and Jules seating themselves across from her. She could see some concern in their eyes. It was an intervention.

Phoebe leaned her forehead onto her hands, hiding her eyes, and just looked down at her coffee. "I’m sorry I yelled. I’m sorry I got everybody down."

Tasha acted as spokesperson. "We’re not looking for apologies. We just want to know why. All we want to do is show you respect and look up to you. We just don’t understand why this upsets you."

Phoebe looked up and started to say something then stopped. This was something for which she felt strongly but never before thought of in terms of words. She had to collect her words carefully. Her friends eagerly awaited an answer and she believed they deserve one.

"I just don’t want you ... deserting your own creative thinking.... What I mean is ... I don’t want you thinking, ‘They don’t need my ideas. Phoebe will think of something.’ And you might have brilliant ideas -- diamonds in the rough -- but throw them all away."

"It’s not that way at all. We all speak up if we have an idea. It’s just that you’re older and experienced. We feel more confident hearing some confirmation from you."

"That’s what I mean. I don’t have all the answers. I don’t want you depending on me as knowing everything. I want you to depend on the group working together for the answers."

"We’re not depending on you for everything. We just want to look to you for encouragement and confidence."

"I’m here for you, to help and encourage. But we should all look to one another for that; not just me. I just don’t want any of you feeling less important than me."

"We don’t. We just think of you as special."

"I think of all of you as special. I just don’t feel it’s safe for you to hang everything on me. If something should happen to me, you’d be scattered and lost. I don’t want that."

Taylor reached across the table and clutched her hand. "Nothing is going to happen to you. We’ll face everything together and take care of each other."

Phoebe had to go home to face another battle. She had to tell her sisters about the APS project at the cannery and her intention to go.

Prue was demanding. "I don’t want you anywhere near that place! You know what happens when ghosts and witches mix! Remember what happened when you first went into the Morehead House? They can single you out from all the others. There’s no need for you to be there. You’re just taking an unnecessary risk."

Piper was pleading. "I don’t want to have to visit you in the hospital again. What you’ll be missing is so little compared to the suffering we go through everytime something happens to you. Please! You can just pass this one by."

Phoebe sat curled up on her bed, felling very depressed. It wasn’t her sisters’ objections. She’s faced that many times before. It was having to lie to her friends. They wanted to understand why she felt the way she did about something, but she did not tell them the truth. A knock came to the door. She ignored it. She was in no mood for any further arguments with her sisters. The door opened a bit and Derek peeked in.

"Are you decent?"

Phoebe suddenly perked up. "Am I ever?"

He came in, wrapped his arms around her, and they rolled around on the bed. She started feeling better being in his arms.

He asked her, "What’s gotten you down?"

"What do you mean?"

"I saw your face when I first looked in. I’ve never seen you so gloomy. What happened?"

"Oh, ... Just a hard day."

"Why? What went on?"

"It’s not worth talking about."

"Come on. I’m here for you in the bad times as well as the good. Tell me."

"Can I ask you something?"

"You can ask me anything."

"You have a lot of people who look up to you; rely on you."

"I do."

"Are you ever afraid of letting them down? I mean, are you ever afraid that their faith in you might be so high, that any slip-up would let them down?"

"No. A slip-up is a shortcoming; not a letdown. It’s like if you promise someone you’ll meet her at a certain place; at a certain time, but on the way, you get a flat tire. You’re not letting that person down, because you did what you could to be there. It’s just that unavoidable circumstances got in your way. And that wouldn’t be your fault."

"I’m thinking of something more serious."

"All right. Say a man is going to his own wedding. He gets a flat tire, or gets in a car crash, or the road he’s on gets washed out by a storm. He’s not letting anyone down, because he did what he could to get there. Only uncontrollable circumstances prevented him. But if he makes no effort to get there because he just doesn’t want to, then he lets everyone down. Because he made a promise then backed out on a simple whim. Letting someone down is a deliberate action or inaction. Why? Do you feel you let someone down?"

"No. I’m just afraid I might."

"You? Never! Your heart is too big to let you do that. You’re just confusing limitations with failure. As long as you put in whole-hearted effort into what is best for those you care about, you’ll never let them down; no matter what circumstances get in the way."

Phoebe felt better. She gave him a squeeze and kissed him.

He asked, "Like to go out tonight?"

"No. I’m too worn out."

"All right. We’ll just lie her a talk awhile."

"I’d like that."

On the day of the next meeting, Phoebe arrived at the larger conference room, where more people were gathering. A long table was set up in front as a panel. Derek sat in the center, pouring over papers. To his right, sat Vincent, Gail, and Gordon, muttering among themselves. To his left, sat Irene, Taylor, and Jules, looking out on the growing crowd. Irene and Taylor waved Phoebe over to join them. She didn’t expect to be part of a panel and felt uncertain over what would be expected of her. She wondered if she would have to give a speech or something and grew nervous as she took a seat next to Jules.

After awhile, she thought to ask. She leaned forward to whisper to Irene. "What are we doing up here?"

Jules leaned into her face. "We’re having a meeting."

Phoebe pushed his head aside. "I mean, Why are we up front?"

Irene explained, "Our department will be introduced to the rest of the group."

"Do we have to make a speech or say something?"

"Do you want to?"

"No!"

"You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, Dear."

She sat back with a sigh of relief. Jules gave her a peculiar look. "What’s your problem?"

"As usual, Motor Mouth, you are my problem."

With a wide, vicious grin, she wrapped her hands around his neck and shook him, to emulate strangling him. He and Taylor giggled.

After a few more minutes, Tasha joined them and the meeting began.

Vincent called the meeting to order and announced, "Tonight will be the final planning of our investigation of Portrero Cannery. We’ll be discussing procedures and conduct and our panel will take questions from the audience. By the end of the meeting, we’ll need to know how many are actually going. For those of you under 18, we’ll need your permission slips signed by your parents."

He gave the floor to Irene, who introduced her assistants then gave a discourse on procedures in psychic investigations. Gordon briefly outlined one’s legal rights and responsibilities on entering private property that may be hazardous. Then Gail lectured on proper behavior in a group, in public, and on someone’s private property. When Derek was given the floor, he made it quick.

"Just two brief announcements before our Q-and-A. First -- Research shows that apparitions, in the Portrero Cannery and its surroundings, have been witnessed by, at most, three people at a time. What this means is that the psychic radiation (which we all emit) of more than three people can mask the psychic residue of the environment and thus suppress any apparitions. So we’ll be sending you in there three at a time. Second -- We’ll be accompanied by the media. Joining us will be Harlan Hallstead."

In the middle of the audience, a man, with a sharp suit, perfect hair, and a Hollywood smile, stood up. He held out his arms as one receiving the admiration of his public. A few applauded.

Derek explained, "For those of you who do not watch public access television, Mr Hallstead is reporter and host for Frisco Fringes, a news program on out-of-the-ordinary people, places, and events in San Francisco and the surrounding area. Since our venture is certainly out of the ordinary, he feels his audience would be interested in our project. And we feel this will acquaint the community with our activities. He will be accompanied by his cameraman Riguez."

Nearby sat a man who seemed to be Hallstead’s total opposite. He was in jeans, plaid flannel, sunglasses, and a bandana around his head. He had a full black beard and long wavy hair. He remained seated and just gave a smile and a wave.

During the question-and-answer session, most questions went to Derek. Since he’s been the financial backer and worked in among them from the beginning, most members look up to him as "the Big Guy."

After the meeting was dismissed, Hallstead went straight to Irene. "I remember you."

"And I remember you too. You visited my coven and did an article on us for your TV show."

"Yes. It did generate a lot of interest."

"And you showed witches in a positive light, for which we are grateful. You remember Gail and Phoebe."

"Yes. They do look familiar."

"Tasha’s new to our coven. The wasn’t with us when you visited."

He nodded a greeting to Tasha. She returned his smile.

He further noted to Irene, "So you witches are now hunting ghosts."

"Well, it’s not something we normally do as a coven. But as members of the American Psychic Society, we’ll be doing this quite a bit."

As they conversed, Derek walked by, put his arm around Phoebe, and quietly led her away. They walked down the hall in each other’s arms. Derek planted kisses on one side of her face as she beamed widely. People, walking by, gave looks but said nothing. It was already going around that "the Big Guy" and "the Star Psychic" had become "an item."

On the evening of the expedition, Phoebe sneaked out of the house to avoid any further confrontations with her sisters. She waited at a corner of the block, where Derek picked her up.

As they reached the segment of the street, where Portero Cannery stands, Phoebe realized the scene of utter desolation. "My God! I can’t believe this is part of San Francisco! It looks so dead!"

Derek responded, "Yup. And we’re gonna liven it up."

When they reached the cannery, they found most of the volunteer investigators already there. Cars were lined up, parked across the street from the cannery. APS members were milling around on the sidewalk, mingling with one another.

In front of the cannery, a police car was parked. On seeing it, Phoebe and Derek worried that some legality might be barring the project. When they joined the others, someone got out of the police car and walked out towards them. It was Inspector Morris. Phoebe went out into the street and cheerfully greeted him. But Morris was not at all cheerful.

"I’ve just got to say I think you’re all crazy."

Phoebe laughed. "Oh come on, Darryl! The city inspectors say it’s structurally sound. So if we find no ghosts, no harm will have been done."

"What worries me is if you do find ghosts. I still remember what a ghost nearly did to you at the Morehead House. I can’t understand what you find so important that’s worth risking your life."

"I’m not risking my life. We did a lot of research before coming out here. We know what to do in all circumstances."

Suddenly, "Oooo!"s and "Ahhh!"s went up among the members standing on the sidewalk. Phoebe and Morris looked to them then across the street, to where they were looking in astonishment. On the sidewalk, in front of the Portrero, moved an outline of a figure. It appeared to be a man with a mustache, derby, and old styled clothes. The moonlight shone right through him so he cast no shadow. He moved along past the police car, past the cannery, then faded into nothing.

Morris looked back to Phoebe and shook his head. "I have a bad feeling about this."

Phoebe maintained her cheerfulness. "Don’t worry! I’ll be fine!"

"Just the same, I’ll stand by just in case."

"Not necessary!"

"Your sisters would never forgive me if anything happened to you."

"Nonsense! No one’s going to blame you for what I decided to do! Besides, nothing is going to happen to me."

"Whenever it comes to you and ghosts, something always happens and it’s never good."

"Not true! I’ve had several visits from my grandmother and that’s always a happy occasion."

Morris was running out of arguments but would not relent. "I’ll be waiting in the car."

She watched him go, shaking her head with a sad smile. Then Vincent announced, "All right! Everybody’s here! Let’s begin!"

Derek, Irene, Vincent, and Gordon stood in a huddle, discussing the arrangements. Irene held a clipboard and was showing them a list. Then Derek, Vincent, and Gordon crossed the street and entered the mysterious building.

The others went back to their cars to sit down, sat on the sidewalk, or continued milling around among themselves. Phoebe sat on the sidewalk, leaning back against a building. Taylor came over and joined her.

"So, what’s it like being Derek’s girlfriend?"

This was the first time Phoebe heard herself referred to as "Derek’s girlfriend." It had an odd but nice ring to it. She smiled sheepishly. "Well, it’s ... a lot of fun. We’re like a couple of goofy little kids running around. I’ve finally found someone as wild as I am; with whom I can go crazy without being embarrassed. I just feel so good whenever he’s around."

"That’s so wonderful.... Has he given you any expensive presents; like ... diamonds?"

"Emeralds."

"Really?!"

"An emerald necklace. Blue emeralds. Big sparkling, deep blue stones."

"Wow! I’d like to see that!"

"Sure. Drop by some time. I’ll show it to you."

There was a pause of silence for awhile, then Phoebe ventured, "Do you have a boyfriend?"

"Yes. His name is Don. He’s a computer programmer for an insurance company."

"Good career."

"I think so too."

"I’d like to meet him sometime."

"Really? Make it a double date?"

"Sure!"

After a little while longer, the three men who went in re-emerged. As they crossed the street, others stood, got out of their cars, and gravitated towards them. Seeing he had their attention, Derek made an announcement.

"All right, people! Listen up! What we have in there, I believe, is a time fissure; a weakness in the fabric of time. So we’re not seeing spirits of the dead, but living people in another time. Caution is needed in approaching this. So remember what you were told about no playing around. You can easily disturb the time barrier and that could be disastrous. So get in there, explore, observe, then get out."

Next, Irene, Doris, and Jules went in. Phoebe tried to rejoin Derek but he was pressed closely by many others trying to question him.

"Are you serious? Is there really such a thing as a time fissure?"

"Yes, there is. I’ve seen them before. And you will see it when you get in there."

"What did you mean by ‘disastrous’ in disturbing it?"

"If it opens any further, someone can pass through time, in either direction, and history can be changed. For example, you could bring over a war hero, before he has a chance to do his duty, so that the United States loses a war and is conquered by a foreign power, then you no longer have all the rights and freedoms you now take for granted. Or you could go back in time, inadvertently break up the marriage of your own parents or grandparents, so that you are never born."

"So isn’t it too dangerous to go in at all?"

"It could be, depending on your own conduct. You can protect yourself by common sense and your own training. It’s just like visiting the Grand Canyon. There’s a danger of falling in for someone very stupid. But for most of the people, who use common sense and obey the rules, there’s no problem. Even little children go right to the edge and look in. So as you heard, at our last meeting, no running around, no shouting, no horseplay. Just walk in and look around. When the apparition appears, just stand there and watch. When your time is up, just walk out. So if you keep yourselves focused and serious, you’ll have no problems."

Many others pressed forward with questions and Derek answered as many as he could, until the second group returned. Then the crowd converged on them with questions. Jules was only too glad to oblige them, basking in the attention. But Irene had to continue her duties as co-ordinator.

"Phoebe, you’re going in next."

Phoebe went to her with mounting excitement. She hadn’t realized, before coming here, what a momentous occasion this would be. She had encountered ghosts before, but never as a shared experience with so many.

Looking over he clipboard, Irene informed her, "You’ll be leading the TV reporter and cameraman."

Derek brought Hallstead and Riguez to her. "Now this is our star psychic; one of the most learned and experienced we have. You are to do everything she says. She knows what she’s talking about when it comes to the paranormal."

Phoebe felt embarrassed being praised aloud in front of everyone. But she liked hearing Derek go on about her. Anxious to get on with it, she led the two media men across the street and into the enigmatic edifice.

They shone their flashlights all around, sizing up their surroundings. They viewed the hulking machines, skeletal tracks of conveyer belts, the catwalks high off the floor, the machine pieces strewn about.

Then Phoebe stopped on a certain spot that brought a vision to her. She saw a small boy standing inside the cannery, screaming with terror then fading away. She knelt and began pressing her fingers to the floor around her, seeking a more complete vision.

Hallstead asked, "Find something?"

"Just picking up psychic impressions."

"Of what?"

"Someone was in here a few days ago; someone who wasn’t suppose to be here."

"You can see all that?"

Suddenly they noticed a sound. It sounded like footsteps echoing in the distance. They looked around but saw nothing new.

Hallstead asked, "You hear that?"

"Yes," said Phoebe. "It’s starting. Get ready."

Then the distant echoing of machine sounds joined the footsteps.

Hallstead started getting edgy. "Where is it coming from?"

"It’s coming from all around us, in another time."

As the sounds began to increase, a white mist could be seen, slowly moving around in the far area to the right of the entrance.

"What is it?"

"An apparition is manifesting."

Soon the mist formed outlines of men moving from the walls and across the floor.

Panic began arising in Hallstead. "My God! They’re coming straight for us!"

"They won’t harm you. Stand still and watch."

"Quick! We got to run for cover!"

"No! Don’t run!"

Hallstead and Riguez began to move away from the misty forms. Phoebe seized them and they struggled. Suddenly a dark mist enveloped them, which slowed down their movements. Hallstead began screaming.

Outside, everyone heard the commotion and ran to the building. Morris, Derek, and others came bursting in. Dozens of flashlights scanned the inside of the main area, but no one could be found. In frustration, Morris kicked away a board from the doorway. "Great! This is just great!"

Phoebe, Hallstead, and Riguez stood amidst lights, steam, and machines. The machines were shiny and new and operating. Conveyer belts were rolling, moving thousands of cans. Men were moving around, monitoring machines or packing canned fish into crates.

One called to them, "Hey! What’s your business here?"

It took awhile for Phoebe to find her voice and shout over the noise. "We’re filming! ... We’re a film crew!"

"Filming? Filming what?"

"American businesses!"

"You need permission to do that!"

"We realize that! Where might we find the person in charge?"

"I’ll show you! Follow me!"

As they followed, Hallstead asked her, "What are you doing?"

She flashed back angrily, "You’ve already screwed this up! Now let me do the talking!"

They stood in the supervisor’s office. The closed door kept out enough noise so that they didn’t have to shout. The supervisor was a short man with black wavy hair and a mustache. "Hello. What have we here?"

The young man, who had escorted them, had pale blue eyes, a light brown mustache, and a grey tweed cap. "These people just appeared out of nowhere, just like that kid last week."

The supervisor looked at Phoebe, Hallstead, and Riguez. "Is this true? You came out of nowhere?"

Phoebe answered, "We came in through the front door and walked through a cloud of steam. When the steam cleared away, it may have looked as if we had simply appeared out of nowhere."

The supervisor raised his eyebrows and nodded. But the young man went on. "And this guy was shouting or screaming something."

Phoebe offered, "The steam aggravated his sinuses. What you heard was him clearing out his sinuses."

"And look at the strange clothes they’re wearing."

"We just got back from Hollywood, which you know is a trendsetter in fashion."

The supervisor laughed. "All right, Thomas. I think I can handle them from here."

"Yes, sir." The young man left, still giving them suspicious looks.

Phoebe asked, "What’s this about a kid appearing out of nowhere last week?"

"Well, I wasn’t around when it happened, but I heard that he just appeared in the middle of the work area and ran out. The cops later picked him up and he told them he’s from the future."

"That would be an interesting story to cover. Where can I find him?"

"Dunno. The cops just took him away someplace."

"Oh."

"So, I’m Mr Nicolesi. What can I do fer ya?"

"I’m Phoebe White. My film crew is doing a series of newsreels called Industry in America, showing America at work. We’re interested in filming operations of businesses on this street, including yours."

"Well, I don’t have the authority to give permission for that. You’ll have to talk to the owner. And he’s...." The telephone rang. "Excuse me." He picked up a candlestick telephone, in which the speaker is held to the mouth in one hand and the receiver is held to the ear in the other hand. He turned his back on the others and muttered lowly, to keep the conversation private.

Phoebe nudged Hallstead and nodded towards a calendar on the wall. The year read 1921.

He whispered to her, "That’s impossible!"

"Remember what Derek said about disturbing the time fissure?"

Nicolesi soon finished his telephone conversation, hung up the phone, and continued with Phoebe. "As I was about to say, the owner is out of town, but we expect him back tomorrow. As soon as I can, I could have him call you. It there a place where you can be reached?"

"That won’t be necessary. We’ll be back tomorrow at this time. We’re awaiting answers from other businesses on this street as well."

Phoebe, Hallstead, and Riguez walked along the busy street outside the cannery. People strolled by in clothing of the time period. Cars and truck, which looked antique to them, filled the street, along with horse-drawn carts. Hallstead looked all around in absolute wonder. Riguez had his camcorder rolling, taking all of this in. Phoebe remained focused on a mission. Hallstead kept asking her questions all the way.

"So, this is it? We’re really in the year 1921?"

"We are."

"We actually traveled through time?"

"We did."

"Can we get back?"

"We can."

"Really? You know how?"

"I will."

"Are you sure about that?"

"I’m sure. I’ve done it before."

"What do you mean? You’ve traveled through time before?"

"Several times."

"Several times? You can do that? How?"

"I’m a witch. Remember?"

"You mean you witches can ... just like that ... can ...?"

"No, not just like that. We’re usually pulled through time ... by a high power, who sends us on missions, to keep history from being changed."

"A mission? What’s your mission here?"

"Remember I picked up psychic impressions when we first entered the cannery? They were of a boy who was there a week before us. Then those men said that a kid just appeared out of nowhere, claiming to be from the future."

"So this ‘high power’ wants you to find him and take him back with us?"

"I believe so."

"Then you don’t blame me for getting us here?"

"I do."

"Oh ... Uh ... Why did you tell that man your name is ‘Phoebe White’? I thought it was Halliwell."

"Phoebe White was my great-great-aunt who lived during this time. My mother named me after her."

"You think it would help passing yourself off as her?"

"I could keep me from interfering with history."

"By the way, where are we going?"

"Home."

"Home? How are you getting home from here?"

"Walk."

They sat in the shrubbery across the street from Halliwell Manor.

Hallstead asked, "So what are we waiting for now?"

"For the lights to go off upstairs."

"Why? Can’t you just walk in as your great-great-aunt?"

"Her cousins wouldn’t welcome me very well but the servants might."

"But what are you going in for?"

"For the information on getting us back to our own time."

"They have that?"

"I come from a long line of witches; a 400-year lineage to be precise. And the family has always had books on spells for all purposes."

"Spell? Is that how you’re getting us back? By witchcraft?"

"If you have a better idea, I’m listening."

After some time, the lights began going out in the house. But Phoebe waited a few more minutes for the house to settle down for the night. "I’ll make this as quick as I can. I’ll bring us some food too."

Hallstead offered, "I have money. You don’t need to do that."

"Money printed in the 1990s. Money was much different in this time. Remember? You try passing off what you have as money, you could get arrested for counterfeiting. And, right now, we can’t afford to get into any kind of trouble."

"Right."

Phoebe went alone to the manor. She walked up the driveway to the back door. Finding it unlocked, she went into the kitchen. She looked through the icebox, cabinets, drawers, boxes, and canisters, first to see what was available.

In one canister she found a roll of money. She took just a few dollar bills, remembering that one dollar went a long way back in this time. In a jar, she found loose change and took a small handful of that.

From one cabinet she pulled out a picnic basket. From a cupboard she took cans of fish and nuts. In the breadbox she found a baguette. She put all these into the basket then went to the icebox. She was looking over the fruits and cheeses when a voice came from behind.

"May I help you?" She jumped and whirled around. There stood a middle-aged man in a black suit of the time. On seeing her face, he was as surprized as she was. "Oh! Miss Phoebe! We were not expecting you back from your vacation this soon."

"Uh ... No ... Um ... I had a sudden change in plans. As you can see ... I hadn’t even time to dress properly ... nor have my hair or make-up done.... And I hadn’t eaten for some time and am terribly famished."

"Would you like me to prepare something for you?"

"Oh, would you be a dear? It must be to go. I need to consult a book in the house then dash."

"Shall I announce your arrival?"

"No, that wouldn’t be necessary. I shan’t be long so I would hate to see my cousins roused simply for this."

"Very well, Miss Phoebe."

Phoebe stealthily made her way upstairs to the attic. There she turned on the light and went to The Book of Shadows. After going over a few pages, she came to a disappointing realization and began muttering to herself.

"Oh no!... The spell is not here! It hasn’t been written yet!... Gramms wrote that spell in the 1970s! What do I do now?... Wait. Don’t panic. I can just write down these other time travel spells and compose my own from them. Sure. This can work."

In a few minutes, she copied a few spells into her notebook then closed the book.

"What are you doing here?"

Phoebe looked up to see Piper standing at the door in her housecoat. But this wasn’t her sister. This was Phoebe White’s cousin; her enemy. Phoebe now had to pull an act to fool a close relative.

"I was consulting The Book of Shadows. After all, it belongs to the entire family; not you alone."

"Why are you dressed like that?"

"How I dress is none of your business! I don’t tell you how to dress, now do I?"

She coldly walked out with her nose in the air. Back in the kitchen, the servant handed her a full picnic basket.

"Oh thank you so much! You are such an angel! I shall see the basket returned later."

"Very good, Miss Phoebe. Good night."

Outside, back down the driveway, she leaned on a wall for awhile. She was trembling, breathing heavily, and sweating. It was so close but she pulled it off. She hoped she wouldn’t have to do that again.

In a nearby park, Phoebe, Hallstead, and Riguez dined on smoked fish, cheese, bread, fruit, and a white wine. As she ate, Phoebe looked over the spells she copied and began composing one for her situation.

Hallstead asked her, "What’s your plan now?"

"First thing, we find out where that boy is being kept and get him out. Then we go back to Portrero Cannery, stand on the precise spot and at the approximate time we came here through time, I say the spell which opens the time fissure, and we go back to our time."

"You sure this will work?"

"I’m sure. I’ve been in similar situations before and always got out."

"Can everyone in your coven do this?"

"Well, ... We all have our specialties. Mine is creating and casting spells."

"I remember, when doing that article on your coven, you seemed to avoid me."

"I ... just didn’t think I deserved any special attention. Irene, Gail, and several others put so much more into the coven that I do. So your focus rightfully went to them."

"You also specialize in modesty."

"Well, I wasn’t being entirely selfless. I felt that once I got any publicity, people wouldn’t leave me alone. Everytime I walk down the street, I’d get people coming up to me saying, ‘I saw you on TV. You’re that witch. Could you make a spell for me? Could make a potion for me? Let’s see you do some magic.’ And I’d never get a moment of peace and privacy. You’re a celebrity. You know what I mean."

Hallstead smiled and nodded.

After awhile, she finished the spell to her satisfaction then finished off her portion of the meal. They saved some nuts and fruits for later. To make conversation, Phoebe began talking with Riguez.

"How did you get into this line of work?"

"I got interested in making movies in high school. So I went to a community college and took courses in cinema and photojournalism. Now I work in an office just to get by and I do this for the experience; something to put on my resume."

"My oldest sister is a photographer for 145 Magazine."

"Cool!"

"Are you looking for a job in making movies or news films?"

"Movies mainly. But there’s no demand for a cinematographer in the area."

"Well, keep at it. You’ll find something. That’s what my older sisters showed me. My oldest is a photographer and my older runs a nightclub. They worked hard at it and got it. And after we get out of this, I’m sure you’ll get a lot of help from the APS."

"If we do get out of this."

"We will. I promise it."

There was a pause of silence as each tried to think of more to say. Phoebe was curious about this taciturn man.

"Is ‘Riguez’ your first name, last name, or a nickname?"

"It’s part of my last name -- Rodriguez; Carlo Rodriguez. It’s such a common name in my neighborhood, I wanted something different and cool."

"I think Carlo sounds cool."

There was another awkward moment of silence, at which Hallstead asked her, "Why do you bother trying to talk with him?"

"I always find the quiet ones more interesting."

They laid out their jackets to sleep on the ground among the bushes. Phoebe and Riguez conversed late into the night.

Leo walked into the P3 and went to Piper, who was working behind the bar. She greeted him with a smile but appeared very serious.

"I’ve got to talk to you."

"About what?"

"About Phoebe."

Piper became anxious. "What about her? What happened? Is she all right?"

Leo nodded towards a place where they could talk privately. They went to a corner away from the crowd.

"As your whitelighter, I can keep track of all three of you at a distance. But a few minutes ago, I lost track of Phoebe."

"What do you mean you lost track of Phoebe?"

"I can’t sense her presence anywhere on earth on this plain. It’s as if she just dropped out of existence."

"I knew something like this would happen! I just knew it! Why doesn’t she ever listen to me?"

"What was she doing?"

"She went looking for ghosts with the American Psychic Society. Prue and I told her not to get involved with that but, as usual, she wouldn’t listen."

"Where are they doing this?"

"I don’t know. I didn’t ask and she didn’t tell me. Someone at the Psychic Society home would know."

"Right. I’ll go there right now."

"Please find her!"

He nodded and left. Piper sat down deeply troubled.

In the morning, when Phoebe got up, she saw Riguez still asleep but Hallstead gone. She put on her jacket and began walking around the parameter of the park, looking for him. When she heard some shouting going on a few blocks away, she ran towards the sound. She reached a corner where a few people gathered around Hallstead arguing with two policemen. She went up to the older one who was doing most of the talking.

"Officer, this man works for me. What has he done?"

"Well, Ma’am, he was just caught trying to buy a newspaper from this gentleman with phony money." He gestured towards the newspaper peddler next to him; a mustached man in brown tweed.

"I can explain that. He is part of my film crew and I believe he has mistaken our stage money for his real money."

"Stage money?"

Phoebe reached into Hallstead’s coat pocket and took out his wallet. She pulled out the bills and held them up to the policemen. "Aha! See? Stage money!" She put the money into her jacket pocket, then from another pocket, pulled out the money she took from Halliwell Manor, stuffed it into the wallet, and gave it back to Hallstead. She handed a nickel to the peddler. "There! No harm done. The newspaper is paid for and I’ll keep the stage money where this can never happen again."

"Well, ... I’m afraid it’s not as simple as that."

"Officer, would you waste the taxpayers’ money, to have this man held and tried, only for the jury to find that it was just an honest mistake and not a crime?"

As he thought about this, the younger policeman leaned towards him and muttered, "That’s Phoebe White; one of them high society dames from around here."

"Well, ... This depends on the seller ... if he’d like to press charges."

The peddler shook his head. "No, I don’t wanna press no charges. I got my money. As the lady says, no harm done."

So the policeman shook his nightstick at Hallstead and told him, "All right, mister! I’m overlooking this as a mistake this time! But if this ever happens again, there’ll be no more excuses! Understand?"

"Yes, sir! Uh ... Thank you, sir!"

Then Phoebe thought to ask, "Officer, perhaps you can help me with one more thing. A week ago, a little boy was picked up in the vicinity of Portrero Cannery, insisting he’s from the future. This might be an interesting human interest story for our newsreel. Would you know where I might find him?"

"Yeah. I heard about that too. He was taken to the insane asylum at Seacliff."

"Thank you, officer. You’re been so helpful ... and generous."

She took hold of Hallstead and dragged him away. When out of hearing range, he commented, "Wow! Cops haven’t changed much in 79 years."

"I told you about the money! Didn’t I? I told you we can’t afford to get into any trouble!"

"I know! I forgot! I’m sorry! I just had to have the morning paper! And it will give us something to take back with us."

"No! That stays here! We could change history by taking it out of its time!"

"What could one newspaper possibly change?"

"You can never tell! Remember the story of the man who went into the past and changed everything by stepping on a butterfly?"

"That’s just fiction...."

"With a lot of possibilities! So read it all you want, but when we go back to our time, you’re leaving that behind!"

As the two policemen watched them walk away, the younger one commented, "Wow! That’s one bossy lady!"

"Well ... yeah. That’s what happens when ya give ‘em the vote."

In a diner the three sat at a table to breakfast. Each had a plate piled with pancakes, sausages, and scrambled eggs, along with a cup of coffee. Hallstead stared at his plate in amazement.

"I still can’t believe this! All this for just 40 cents!"

Phoebe explained, "Well, in this time, a dollar is worth a dollar."

"I could have eaten like a king in this time."

"Not necessarily. Most working people were earning just a dollar a day. That’s where we get the saying ‘Another day, another dollar.’ Although, in this decade, some workers are getting paid as much as $2.50 a day. Meanwhile, at the Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford is paying his workers five dollars a day, which is pretty shocking for the time. Competitors accused him of unfair business practices, because many of their best workers were leaving them to work for him."

"Whoa! You are really an expert on this time period!"

"Not really. Just stuff I remember from high school."

"How much should I leave as a tip?"

"Fifteen cents would be generous."

"I’ll leave a quarter."

"Big spender."

After they finished off breakfast and read the newspaper over coffee refills, they left. Phoebe went to a corner and read the street signs.

Hallstead asked, "Where to now?"

"We head for that mental hospital. But first I have to get oriented. I’m not familiar with all of these buildings and houses, so I have to go by street names."

After walking two more blocks, reading street signs, Phoebe pretty much realized where she was and in which direction to go. She sat on a public bench and the others joined her.

"This is a trolley stop. We’ll take the streetcar to Seacliff. We’ll each need a nickel."

Hallstead went through the change, Phoebe had given him, and passed nickels around.

After waiting for awhile, a young man approached the bench. He wore the round flat hat, dark suit, and tie of the time. He beamed brightly; more than just being neighborly. He sat next to Phoebe.

"Phoebe White, isn’t it?"

"Yes."

"You don’t remember me."

"Hmmm, You do look familiar."

"It’s Charles ... from the Carringtons’ party last weekend."

"Oh, the Carringtons’ party! Of course! Now I remember. How are you, Charles?"

"Very well. Thank you. As I recall, you seemed bored at the party. Was it not to your liking?"

"Mmmm, It wasn’t that exciting."

"Really? What could be more exciting than two live jazz bands performing?"

"Well, ... The hostess being murdered or the house burning down...."

Charles burst out laughing. "Oh Phoebe! You are such a jewel!" She simply sat there regally with a sly smile. "I notice you’re not dressed in your usual today."

"I am too busy with many projects to find time for dressing properly and having my hair and make-up done." She put a hand over her face. "I know I’m a fright! Don’t look at me!"

"Not at all! Your natural beauty makes fancy dress, hairdo, and make-up completely obsolete."

She slapped one of his knees. "Oh, naughty boy! Now you flatter me!"

Again he laughed heartily. "No! Sincerely! I was drawn to you by your beauty when we first met. In fact, the Kirkhams are having a ball next week and I would love to escort you."

"Well, ... That depends on Anton."

"Anton? You mean the large ape in the silk suits?"

"Be careful! That ‘large ape’ can break you in two with little effort."

"I believe you. But is he really your sort of chap?"

"He has shown an interest in me. And I hear he is known for getting what he wants. Now that is my sort."

"I, also, am known for getting what I want."

"That remains to be seen."

"By the way, why are you waiting for a trolley? What has happened to your car?"

"Motor trouble. It will be in the garage for three days."

"Oh. Pity. Can I give you a lift?"

"Not necessary. Here come the trolley now."

"Well, if there’s anything else I can do for you...."

"There is." She handed him the picnic basket. "You can return this to my cousins the next time you go by Halliwell Manor."

"I would be delighted to."

"You’re such a dear."

"Will I see you again?"

"Yes, you will. Ta-ta!"

She boarded the streetcar, leaving the young man with a smile. She chose a seat in the back, away from the other passengers. Hallstead and Riguez joined her.

Hallstead commented, "You’re scary! You get in and out of this character so easily! How do you do it?"

Phoebe answered, "I use to be this character."

"What?!"

"Are you familiar with past life regression?"

"Well, ... yeah."

"In my past life, I was Phoebe White. I was wealthy, elegant, and very popular."

"I would have liked to have known you then."

"No, you wouldn’t. I was also very evil. I was heartless, greedy, and deadly. In three more years, I will be killed by my cousins, because I had plotted to murder them and take everything of theirs. So, in my present life, in our time, I am serving penance by helping out those in need around me. That’s why I really have to help this boy and get him back to our time."

The two men were dumbfounded by this revelation and sat silently for the rest of the ride.

At the asylum, they walked along the perimeter of the property, scouting the area. It was surrounded by high adobe walls and peaceful parks.

Hallstead asked, "Got a plan?"

Phoebe answered, "Somewhat. But it’s lame."

Riguez spoke up. "I’ve got an idea."

Hallstead scorned, "You’ve got an idea!"

Phoebe snapped, "Well, do you?"

"No, but ..."

"I have somewhat of an idea, which is least likely to work! So I could use some back-up here! Go ahead, Carlo. What’s your idea?"

In the lobby, Phoebe talked to a receptionist looking over the books.

"Gerry Farold. Is that him?"

"Yes. That’s him."

"And you are...?"

"Phoebe White; a friend of the family."

"Well, we must have the parents themselves come and take him home. And we must have the family physician to certify that he is receiving treatment for his condition."

"Oh.... Well, ... His parents are very busy...."

"When they have time for their son, they may come and take him home. We are not permitted to release him to anyone else."

"May I visit him?"

"We can permit that. I’ll have a nurse escort you."

She made a phone call for a nurse to come to the front desk. Soon a nurse was leading Phoebe through a maze of hallways and several locked doors with a ring of keys. She opened the door to Gerry’s room.

Phoebe stepped in but leaned back closely to the nurse and muttered lowly, "Could I be alone with him?"

"Regulations specify I accompany you in case the patient becomes a threat."

"A little boy with no history of violence is hardly a threat to me. It’s just that this is a very awkward situation for him and it would help if he’s alone with someone familiar."

"All right, but I’ll check back in ten minutes."

"Thank you so much."

She closed the door, then opened it a crack to see if the nurse had left. She had. In the white room, Gerry sat idly on a white bed. Phoebe recognized him from her vision at the cannery. He seemed curious about this strange woman sneaking around.

"All right, Gerry. You don’t know me. My name is Phoebe. I come from the future like you. Some friends of mine and I came through time by going into Portrero Cannery just like you did." He looked at her suspiciously. "I’m wearing blue jeans, matching denim jacket, and Nike shoes; something you don’t see anyone else in this time wearing. I like MTV, N’Sync, and hanging out at the mall."

This convinced him but all he could say was "Oh."

"I’m here to get you out. When I got close to that nurse to whisper to her, I picked her keys from her apron pocket. It will take her a lot less than 10 minutes to realize they are missing. So we’ve got to go now. Are you with me?"

"Yeah!"

At the end of the hallway, Phoebe tried one key after another on the door marked "EXIT", while Gerry kept on the lookout. When she got it open, they descended the stairwell to the bottom. She again went through a few keys until she got the outer door open.

It led out to a wide open lawn, where a few patients sat or strolled and workers pushed some around in wheelchairs. Phoebe left the keys behind and closed the door. She and Gerry casually strolled across the lawn, looking like a volunteer worker accompanying a patient for a walk on the grounds.

Phoebe led him to a portion of the wall and gave a whistle. Riguez came up to the top of the wall from the other side. Balancing himself by his hips on the top of the wall, he reached down to her. Quickly she held up Gerry by the waist and hoisted him up. Riguez took him by the hands and pulled him over the wall. On the other side, Hallstead helped boost Riguez up as well as kept on the lookout.

Phoebe looked around and noticed some people pointing at her and talking to each other. She had been spotted. Riguez came back up the wall and reached for her. She jumped up and caught his hands and he helped her climb over. They quickly moved to a nearby park and rested in a circle of trees. Riguez kept listening for sounds and peering through the underbrush.

Hallstead asked, "Are you sure this is the right kid?"

Phoebe said, "Ask him yourself."

All right, kid. Who’s the president of the United States?"

"Clinton."

"Who’s on top of the pop charts?"

"Britney Spears."

"Yep, he’s with us all right."

Phoebe instructed Hallstead, "You’re going to have to go find a thrift store and get a set of clothes for him. The hospital uniform will attract too much attention. And you’re the only one who wasn’t seen getting him out, so the police won’t be looking for you."

"What kind of clothes should I get?"

"Look at what everyone else is wearing and look for that or anything that comes close. He just needs pants and jacket; matching; dark colors."

"Should I go now?"

"Yes! The sooner the better! And they’re not looking for you."

"Okay.... Uh ... Where do I find a thrift store?"

"Try heading south towards Golden Gate Park. Ask people on the way. By the way you’re dressed, they’ll believe you’re from out of town."

"I know the routine. I’m from Hollywood."

"Right, but ... say as little as possible. And try not to get into any trouble. I won’t be able to get you out this time."

"Don’t worry. I don’t need to learn twice." He asked Gerry for his clothes size and left.

While waiting, Phoebe asked Gerry, "Why were you in Portrero Cannery in the first place?"

"Some guys said I had to, to join their club."

"What guys? What club?"

"Some big kids at school. They won’t let my hang out with them until I show how brave I am."

"Why do you want to hang out with the big kids?"

" ‘Cause everyone at school knows them and think they’re cool. And a lot of kids are afraid of them and will do what they want."

"Is that what you want to be? A bully?"

"Well, ... no ... but I just want to be noticed."

"Gerry, there are a lot of way to be noticed without having to join a gang."

Riguez joined in. "Dude, I can dig where you’re coming from. In my neighborhood, we got lotsa gangs. When I was a kid I too thought they were cool. Then I noticed them getting killed by cops, by drugs, and by each other. Soon it was no longer cool. It was stupid. What was all that for anyway? What good does all that do anyone? So I just stuck with what I like to do -- make movies. In school, other kids were coming up to me, wanting to be in my movies. So I was getting noticed plenty. Now I work for a TV show, so every week my name is on the TV and a lotta people notice that."

Phoebe added, "That’s it. Just do what you’re good at and right kind of people will notice you. You don’t need everybody to know you; just the right kind, who’ll make good friends."

Gerry asked, "Well, ... what were you doing in the Portrero place?"

"The owner let us in to study ghosts. We belong to a club which investigates ghosts, ESP, and other mysterious things."

"Wow! Can I join that club?"

"I don’t see why not. I can take you there to see it if your parents will let me."

"Okay!"

As they waited, Phoebe gave him some nuts and fruits they’ve been saving. It took some time for Hallstead to return. He handed Phoebe a package.

"They don’t have paper bags. They just wrap things up in paper and tie it up with string."

"Right. Something else you didn’t know."

She set it down on the ground and spread the clothing out on the unfolded paper to get a look at them.

Hallstead informed, "The whole thing only cost $1.30, including the shoes and suspenders."

"Perfect!" said Phoebe. "All right, Gerry. Change your pants and shoes and put on the jacket."

They left Gerry alone tin the thicket to give him his privacy while changing. They wrapped the hospital pants and shoes in the paper and abandoned them on a nearby bench.

They made their way back to Portrero Cannery in a roundabout way, to traverse areas with few people. After noon, Hallstead had to go buy lunch, while the others hid in an alley. They reached the street of the cannery, but it was still daylight, so they waited in a nearby waterfront park. Phoebe, Hallstead, and Riguez sat hidden under a shady tree, while Gerry stood on the rocky bank throwing stones into the water.

Hallstead asked Phoebe, "So what is the exact plan? What do each of us have to do?"

"We walk right in, stand on the very spot we arrived in this time, and I say the spell that will open the time fissure. Each of us is to stay together; not to move from our space until we’re back in our time."

"You’re sure saying this spell will do it?"

Phoebe realized they were relying on him. Again she felt unnerved that she might let them down. But she remembered, from Derek, that not trying at all would be letting them down. And she learned from previous experiences that she had to believe in her spells for them to work.

"It will work. I promise."

At nightfall they readied themselves. They walked along the street back to the cannery, keeping close together. On reaching that edifice, Phoebe paused at the front door, took a deep breath, opened the door, and led the others in. They followed her directly to one spot. She pulled out her notebook in which her spell was written.

Gerry tugged at her sleeve and pointed to another area. "It was over there! I remember!"

Someone had informed Nicolesi of their arrival and he came charging out of his office. "I just heard from the cops that the real Phoebe White just got back in town, complainin’ that someone’s impersonatin’ her! And they also want you for bustin’ that kid outta the nut house! Bring ‘em in, boys, while I call the cops!"

Phoebe stepped on the spot Gerry pointed out to her and received a vision of their arrival to this time. "He’s right! This is the space! Come on! And don’t be moved!"

They stood around Phoebe and they all held onto each other. Some workers seized them to drag them into the supervisor’s office. They resisted and a struggle ensued. Phoebe recited the spell.

Soon a dark mist surrounded them. They could still feel the hands pushing and pulling on them, but the figures around them were obscuring and the lights dimming. It looked like brown smoke all around them. And in front of them, a black rectangle, like a dark doorway, was coming straight at them. Hallstead again felt a sense of panic but, this time, managed to control himself and stick to Phoebe’s instructions. When the doorway hovered right in front of them, the pushing and pulling on them vanished and they staggered forward into the darkness.

They stood in the darkness, cold, and silence. The only light they could see was a moonlit sidewalk through a doorway. They ran for it. Out on the dreary street of ruins, they came face to face with the APS expedition.

Hallstead exclaimed, "I can’t believe this! You waited all this time for us?"

They gave him puzzled looks. Derek looked at his watch. "You’ve only been in there for eight minutes."

"Eight minutes? No way! We were over there for 24 hours!"

Phoebe patted his arm. "Wait. He’s right. You’re right. We just came back to ‘the time which we belong’."

"What?"

"Don’t try to understand time travel. You never will."

Questions burst forth from the group. "You went through the time fissure?" "You traveled through time?" "Where did you go?" "What was it like?" "Who’s the kid?"

Derek raised his arms to quiet the crowd.

Phoebe briefly explained, "We went to this cannery in the year 1921. We’ll be glad to tell you all about it later. This is Gerry, who also went there a week ago."

Riguez added, "I videotaped the whole thing. I’ve got about six two-hour cassettes on San Francisco in 1921."

Phoebe shook her head. "I doubt it. It was probably erased on our way back through time."

He flipped open the viewer of his camcorder and looked at it. "No! I still got it! It’s still here!" Many squeezed around him to take a look.

Derek announced, "All right, people! Listen up! It looks like the time fissure is more unstable than I thought. So, impending further investigation by experts only, this outing is postponed."

Many members groaned with disappointment.

Hallstead spoke up. "No! Wait! What happened was my fault. I got stupid and didn’t follow instructions. I’m sure if the others go in, they’d have no problem."

Phoebe put an arm around him and gave a congratulatory caress. His honesty and humility was a breakthrough.

Derek made a new announcement. "All right, people! I’ll let this project go on under your Investigation Co-ordinator -- Irene. Those who have already gone in are free to join us at headquarters, where we’ll be looking over these videos. I’ll see copies made so all members can see them."

Leo came rushing up to Phoebe. "Phoebe! Are you all right?"

"Leo! What are you doing here?"

"Piper ... got worried. She felt that something was happening to you."

"Well, go right back to Piper and tell her I’m fine. I have one thing to do and I’ll drop by the club and explain everything."

"All right."

Then Morris came up to her. "I know better than to ask for an explanation but I would like to know more about this kid."

"Check with your precinct. He would have reported missing a week ago. Report him found and we’ll take him home. We have to come up with a story his parents will believe."

"I’ll leave that to you. You’re more experienced. And ... I’m very glad to have you back."

"I told you everything would be fine."

Morris chuckled then walked away shaking his head.

After a last-minute consultation with Irene, Derek turned to Phoebe. "Are you coming with us?"

"I’ve got to take our new friend home. I’ll be riding with Darryl."

"Coming over to the Society later?"

"No. I’ve got to convince my worried sisters that I’m all right. But we’ll spend tomorrow night together."

"It’s a date. I’m so glad you came back. You’re really some kind of wonderful." They kissed.

Then Derek looked down at Gerry. "As for you, if you ever want to go in there again, let us know, so we can send an grown-up in with you."

"Okay! Thanks!"

Then Phoebe said to Derek, "You’re some kind of wonderful too."

On the following evening, the three sisters were sitting in their favorite corner at the P3, all dressed up for a night out. Phoebe kept on the lookout for Derek.

Piper complained, "You act like you don’t see him often enough."

"I don’t when he’s out of the country on business. So when he is in town, I like to make up for lost time."

Her sisters wanted more details on her recent adventure.

Piper asked, "So what story did you tell to Gerry’s parents?"

"I told them I found him in a room in the abandoned cannery, where he had accidentally locked himself in. He went in because some school bullies dared him. He had a pack of food, which he ate little by little and kept from starving."

"What about the change of clothes?"

"I told them I took him to my house first for a bath and a meal. His old clothes were so grimy and oily I threw them away. And only clean clothes in the house, that could fit him, I found in an attic trunk."

Prue asked, "Is this going to be on television?"

"Yes. Harlan and Carlo are putting together different segments of the videos for more then one show."

"Will they actually tell their viewers they really traveled through time?"

"They will. And after showing the videos, Harlan will conclude, ‘Truth or elaborate hoax? You be the judge’."

Piper remarked, "Oooo! Mysterious!"

Prue commented, "Controversy draws a lot of attention. Their popularity should go right through the roof."

As Phoebe kept looking out for Derek, a woman approached her. She had long blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and a fine blue dress. Phoebe wondered why she was smiling so brightly at her. She didn’t recognize her until she spoke.

"Hi, Phoebe! We made it!"

"Taylor? Is that you?"

"Yes. This is me."

"You are beautiful!"

"Thank you! You’re looking pretty classy yourself!"

"Where’s Don?"

"He’s ... on the other side of the crowded room, trying to get over here."

She pointed out a tall man with dark curly hair, stuck in the crowd. Phoebe stood up to see. He waved to them. Taylor waved back.

As he was on his way over, Phoebe decided to make a confession. "Taylor, I didn’t tell you the truth the other day, ... when you asked why I don’t like being considered your group leader."

"Really? What is it?"

"I’m afraid you and the other will put so much faith in me, that if I make one little mistake, it would let you down."

"No way! We know that no matter what, win or lose, you’ll do your best for us! And that’s all we can ask for."

"I know that now."

Soon Don reached their corner. "Wooo! What a place! It’s really packed!"

Taylor introduced them. "Don, this is Phoebe and her sisters Prue and Piper."

They all greeted him. Then he said to Phoebe, "So you’re ‘the Chief’."

Taylor reproved, "Don! I told you she doesn’t like that!"

Phoebe laughed. "That’s all right. It’s just something I have to get use to."

Don asked, "So what’s the plan?"

"The plan is you two hit the dance floor. When Derek gets here we’ll join you. Then after a few dances, we’ll sit down for drinks."

"Sounds good. Nice meeting you all!" Taylor and Don went back to the dance floor.

Phoebe sat back down with her sisters. "Wow! That’s the first time I’ve seen her without the blue jeans, baggy sweater or jacket, and the scarf over her head! Who knew there was a butterfly in those caterpillar clothes?"

"Some people you just can’t tell," said Prue. "Now, getting back to what we were talking about -- What would you have done if the spell didn’t work?"

"I thought of that. I would have appealed to your past selves and explained everything to them. I’m sure they would have helped."

"Not everything is so easy as that."

"I know that! Nothing’s easy...!"

"...But nothing’s impossible," came Derek’s voice from behind her.

Phoebe whipped around. There he stood, in a white shirt, black vest, black slacks, and his cowboy boots.

"Finally!"

"Sorry I’m late, Sugar Doll. I had to wait for an important phone call."

"Business again? Can’t you forget about business just for a little while?"

"I will! For the rest of the night! No more thoughts about business.... Except monkey business.... With you." Prue and Piper snickered. "So what are we doing?"

"We are going to the dance floor to meet Taylor’s boyfriend, then after two or three dances, we’re having drinks with them."

"That sounds...."

"...Like a plan."

"Exactly." They went out onto the dance floor.

"Uh-oh!" Piper uttered.

"What," Prue wondered.

"They’re at that stage of the relationship already."

"What stage?"

"Where they’re finishing each other’s sentences."

Prue thought about that. "Uh-oh!"

Phoebe and Derek rocked and twirled in a packed throng. Another night of fun was beginning.

****************************************

[Next episode: The Charmed Ones meet Buffy the Vampire Slayer]

Latin inscription at the beginning:

"There is no one so brave as the one who is not upset by a sudden turn of events."

-- Julius Caesar --

(100 - 44 BC)