"Aluara, I need to speak with you in private.", said Orchid/Jim. Aluara nodded and the two rabbits walked off into another room of the warehouse. Once Jim was sure he and Aluara was alone, he reached out to touch Aluara's chin. Aluara turned her head up and away slightly and said, "Don't do this Jim. There are things that are better left undone. You'll have to trust me on this."
"Look", said Jim in Orchids voice, "You have to understand my situation Aluara or, whoever you really are. I've been dragged into a completely sureal, dreamscape reality where no one is ever whom they seem to be and evereyone wants to fool someone into thinking they are someone else. I have had one really bizarre day. I keep thinking that any minute now, I'm gonna wake up in a padded cell with a head full of happy pills and a psychadelic headache."
Aluara, who wasn't Aluara, just shook her head as she looked at Jim/Orchid. "That isn't going to happen Jim."
"How do you know?", asked Jim with a touch of sarcasm.
"Because I've been thinking the same thing ever since I became involved here. This is my world Jim, this is the reality I face every day. And now, it's your reality too."
Jim was dumbfounded and couldn't adequately express his dismay. Even if he returned to his own world, his life would be changed forever by the experiences of just a few hours. The seemingly innocuous task of waking up in the morning has led Jim onto a path of discovery and delusion that he may never be able to correlate to his own self.
"Jim", said Aluara, "Orchid...If it's any consolation to you, Aluara knows I'm impersonating her. I'm helping her, but for now, I must remain disguised. You're very perceptive and you should be proud, but please don't tell your friends, at least not yet. It could put the real Aluara in danger."
Jim/Orchid sighed and nodded her head. "O.K. Aluara. I'll keep it a secret for now, but I really hope you are a friend."
Aluara smiled and said alright, here is what we need to do next...
Sat Dec 15 18:12:46 2001