: Present Day New Orleans.
Erica L is sitting alone in her backyard in Old Metairie. Beneath a tree that wasn’t there yesterday. Near a deck that also wasn’t there. Or the two cars in the driveway. Or the second story on the house. In fact, she barely recognizes any of Shirmaine Street.
Oh. And there’s also the 6 year old boy her parents told her is her little brother.
The only thing that is familiar is her faithful companion Rex. The big black chow mix is still the same, still her Wonder Dog. But, he is confused, too. Last night, he literally slept on top of her, concerned that if he woke up again she would be gone. So, for now they sit and think.
“Okay,” she says, playing absently with the only two twigs in the disturbingly manicured yard. “Let’s go over what we know. We know that crazy Hammar guy has that weird silver ball that made all that stuff happen. Had to have, no other explanation. He jumped-ZAP-everything has changed.”
Rex licks her face affectionately, nuzzling into her. She wraps her arms around his neck, saying, “Except us, Rex. We’re still the same. This is like the episode of Doctor Who. The world has changed around us. Hasn’t it?” Rex looks back at her with his big brown trusting eyes. “Yeah. That’s it. So. Now what?”
Her mother comes out from the kitchen door. At least, she looks like her mother. This version dresses very differently. Starched white blouse, beige tailored skirt, and--wow. High heels. Fancy ones. Her mom likes floral prints and sensible shoes. It’s a lot to take in.
“Erica!” New Mom lowers her sunglasses at her. “Watch Brian--I don’t care what you’re doing, he’s your brother! I have to run into the city and pick up your father at the law firm.” She begins rummaging through what looks like an expensive purse. “When Nadine gets here, tell her to please clean out the guest bedroom, the Driscolls are coming this weekend. And, we’re having dinner at the Lydia T. tonight, so pull something out of the freezer.”
She finally pulls a set of car keys out of her purse and starts down the driveway towards a large beige SUV, punching holes in the pavement as she goes. “I have to go! Don’t forget to tell Nadine--Oh!”
She instantly turns and marches back towards her.
“And for the love of God, will you please wash that animal? The whole house smells like old corn chips!” She turns and stomps her way to the SUV, gets in, backs out wildly, then peels off with a little scream of tires on blacktop.
Alone again, Erica turns to Rex and sees his ears drooped, eyes wide and pleading. He heard one word in all of that. “Wash”. Also, he would like some corn chips. She puts her arm around him, and looks around. There’s not a lot here she knows. But she knows that they are somewhere else. Somewhere they shouldn’t be. The only question is,
“How do we fix this?” she asks.
“Fix what?”
Erica jumps up and Rex yaps in surprise. It’s Brian. He’s standing behind them, sun to his back. Rex starts walking nervous figure eights around Erica. Brian is about a foot shorter than her, with a shock of brown hair the same color as hers. He looks a little like her grandfather. He runs his hand under his nose, and asks,
“Who are you?”...This is My New Orleans.
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