It was the strangest feeling. After saying their goodbyes, Randall Pendleton was sure that was the last he'd see of Clara Harrison, his long time friend ever since high school. For many times he tried to propose to her only to not find the courage to do it each time. Perhaps they weren't meant for each other? In any case, Randall as was usual in the lasts days of June locked up shop and drove to a cabin by the Porter's Lake. As soon as he arrived, he couldn’t help but notice something was off. The cabin was there, sure. As were the auxiliary buildings around it. But contrary to the time of the year, everything seemed so still. No animal noises coming from the forest, no sounds of the wind coming from the lake. Puzzled, Randall decided to take a little walk after placing his provisions inside.
After arriving at the pier, Randall immediately spotted something unusual: a chair of sorts set upon tracks sort of resembling the ones used by roller coasters going further across the lake. Puzzled, Randall saw no other option but to sit upon this chait which, as if on a cue, began slowly trakking forward on the tracks. It was surprisingly stable to Randall’s relief who constantly worried being thrown overboard and sink into the abyss. After a ride that seemed to last quite a while, Randall noticed what appeared to be an old-timey theater stage complete with a curtain. He himself stopped at a nearby rock with a small table on it, complete with amenities that included a sandwich, a teapot and a cup to drink the tea with.
The curtain then rose to reveal a man clothed in dapper clothes which included a suit and a top hat. Behind him were room ’sets’ Randall immediately recognized as being modeled after the living room and kitchen of his childhood home.
- Greetings, Randall Pendleton. The man said. You may be wondering what’s happening at this very hour. I summoned you for a specific purpose, one designed to save you from ruin.
- What ruin?
- The ruin that might or might not happen in your future. Which depends entirely on you and your actions. I’m simply here to nudge you towards a more favourable outcome.
Randall wondered about the man’s words. Did ruin really await him in future? Nonetheless, his interest was piqued and decided to ask for more details.
- And what exactly is this ruin you’re speaking of? What is it exactly that you want? Randall asked.
- Glad that you asked. But instead of telling you outright, how about I show it to you instead?
The man stepped aside so that the rooms were completely in view. Then, as if on a cue, more people entered the stage. Randall recognized precicely none of them though they did seem faintly familiar. They were two males and one female. Randall saw these people arguing for a bit, one of them moving to the kitchen to make a sandwich, eating it and then returning, the argument continuing on for a bit and then, as one of the males was the only person present, making a cup of tea and putting something to the brew, after which everyone vanished.
- Well, what did you make out of my little show? Do you see now just how serious the situation truly is?
- I don’t know, man. I hardly recognized anybody you showed for starters. But if I’m supposed to learn something from me, I assume what that second male added to the tea is something I’m supposed to prevent?
- Touché! For that female you saw is one of your coworkers destined to marry you. I know, it’s totally unbelievable, right? But it’s straight up important that the marriage must come come to fruition.
The man must’ve loved saying those words since he did a little dance. Just what is the business with that guy, Randall wondered.
- In any case, I suggest that the next time you go to work, you will at least attempt to get close to the woman, Melissa Vreeke, and make her get interested in you. And when that fateful day comes, you will be present and make an attempt to prevent that poisoning at all costs.
- Oh really, and then what, Mr. Destiny Weaver, or whatever? I have my own life, don’t you get it? My choices. And if you think even for a moment that I would agree to hitch up with a woman I barely know, you’d be dead wrong!
- But you can feel it, don’t you? You’ve gone through many, many women in your life, including Clara just recently. Which is fine since destiny says it has to be Melissa or else. Nobody likes ruin after all so I suggest that you start building up the courage to ask her out.
- Hah, you wish. If there’s anybody supposedly bringing me ’ruin’, it probably would have to be you. Now, how about you bring me back to the cabin and let me have my vacation in peace?
- Ah, but of course. But never forget my words or else you’re going to regret it!
The man then snapped his fingers and Randall found himself lying on the floor of the cabin. Groggily raising to his feet, he wondered for the rest of the day if what he saw was truly a dream or something else. Surely there can’t be ’ruin’ awaiting him in the future, right? Feeling thirsty, he put the tea kettle on and then sat down to watch some TV, wondering what the news have in store for today.
