MacKenna March was window shopping, thinking about her next science fiction novel she wanted to write. She stopped in front of Horatio's Hamlet staring at the shop's
mechanical, fortune-telling gypsy. Walking in front of it, the gypsy's voice was activated. "Madam Zola tell your fortune McKenna March."
Curious, she put in a quarter, and the gypsy spit out a key tied to the fortune. Mac unfolded the paper and read, "Feed the ducks at the park. Find the gate to set you free
but first an astrolabe in Horatio's Hamlet will show your way. Use them both in this philosophy."
Hurrying into the store, she said to the clerk, "I'm here to buy an astrolabe."
"One just came in today. It's $15."
"Sold." Paying cash, she jogged to the park. Mac sat on a park bench by the pond, next to two lovebirds and examined the astrolabe. Leaning over its fence McKenna
said, "Whaddya think you two? I don't see any gate." Astonished, she watched the two swans turn, making a beeline around the bend.Following them, she stopped short. "Oh my God, it's the gate!" Whipping out her fortune, she inserted the key. The gate swung open revealing an old man in robe, pointy hat, white hair and beard.
"Welcome Miss March. I see you came with an astrolabe."
"Holy Mother of God! Okay Gandalf, I'll play. What are you, some kind of this game's gatekeeper?"
"Something like. I am a twelve-pointed star."
"No way! You're messing with me."
"Would you like to see what I am?"
"You betcha your white beard I would."
"Stand back McKenna," and with that the old man blinked into a star so brilliant she had to shield her eyes. It twinkled for a short while before reappearing in his
Gandalf form. "I am a Celestial, Multi-Dimensional Star."
"Of course you are," playing along. "How'd you do that anyway?"
"I could give you the celestial mathematics, but they're not You're probably wondering what you can do with your astrolabe?"
"Good guess Gandalf."
"It is a special, ancient mariner's navigational tool." Taking it from her hand, he said, "It is a Celestial, Multi-Dimensional, Multi-Universe Astrolabe, but you can call
it what ever you want."
"How about R2-D2? How's this thing supposed to work?"
" On the back of your Celestial Astrolabe is a rotating bar that identifies the location and altitude of dimensions and universes. Press it twice."
She did so and at once felt herself spiraling through the stars before returning ."Man, that was one radical ride!"
It's up to you now. Just think where you want to go or what you would like to
explore. Your astrolabe will take you."
"Why me Gandalf?"
"Would you believe, I want to be in your next book?" Winking, he disappeared.
Sitting on the bench, holding it in her hands, she pressed the bar and said, "Okay R2-D2, let's go for a spin!"
On-line Read Around
We are continuing our ongoing writing challenge as we all stay at home because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Here are the rules:
~ Connie White, President, KAC District 5
We are continuing our ongoing writing challenge as we all stay at home because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Here are the rules:
- 500-word limit, any genre.
- E-mail your entry as an attachment to Connie Rae White ([email protected]).
- I will post the entries to this District 5 News and Events page for the read around.
- If readers wish to comment, please do so below the entry. (This posting is new to me, so let me know if you have problems.)
- Please keep comments kind. Sometimes one might have to "step on toes," but remember that we are all feeling stressed in the current situation.
~ Connie White, President, KAC District 5