Tuck Squared: Through the doors.  By Willard E. Wisp
Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2003 02:53:37

Characters created by Ellen Hayes and Rachel Greenham, from a short story
by Rachel Greenham.


Val and Valerie walked into the building, holding hands.  As they were
walking toward Sheila's office, the receptionist stopped them.

"I'm sorry, ladies, but I can't let you go to see the doctor without an
appointment.  Please take a seat."

Val and Valerie looked at each other for a moment, then Val spoke up.
"I'm her regular Saturday 10 AM appointment, she's expecting me.  Please
check the book, the name is 'Tucker'."  Val looked closer at her.  "Are
you new here?"

The receptionist pulled out a large appointment book from the desk near
her.  "Oh, no, I'm just temping here, but I want to be careful.  I've
worked for psychiatrists before, and I know that they keep various drugs
that would fetch a high price on the street.  No one gets past me unless
they have an appointment.  Ah, here we are, 'Tucker.'  And what would the
first name be, miss?"

Val blushed for a minute, and said in a small voice, "That should be
'Eugene,' ma'am."

"Well, that's what's written here, so it looks like you're the one.  And
who would you be, young lady?" she asked, looking at Valerie.

"Um, I'm her sister, here for moral support?" Valerie said.

"Well, there's no denying you two are related.  All right, wait there a
moment, I'll let the doctor know you're here."  She picked up the phone
and punched one of the buttons.  "Yes, Doctor, your 10 o'clock is here.
All right, I'll send her up."  She hung up the phone and said, "Go ahead,
I'm sure you know the way."

"Thank you, ma'am," Val and Valerie said, in unison.  The receptionist
smiled, shook her head, and said, "Two peas in a pod!"

As they entered the empty waiting room, Valerie stopped suddenly.  Val
looked at her questioningly.  "What's wrong?" she asked.

Valerie stood, frowning slightly.  "I know we talked about how neat it
would be to see Sheila's face when we both walked into the office, but
now I'm thinking that might not be such a good idea.  She is the person
who's most likely the common factor, the common element that we both
experienced before my, um, 'arrival' here.  She's also one of the few
in our circle who doesn't know I'm here. I think it might be better if
only one of us goes in first, then we see what happens when she brings
the other in."

Val thought for a second, then said, "Okay, who goes first?"

Valerie said, "You know, we should flip for it!"

"Are you serious?" Val cried.

"Sure!  Think about it, we're in a state of quantum uncertainty, and
Sheila is our 'Schroedinger's Cat.'  We could set up the equation,
right here, and have the outcome determined by a random element, like
a coin toss."

A pause.  "Oooookay, I think I see that," said Val.  "I guess it's
easier than using a cup of really hot tea!"

She pulled a coin out of her pocket, and gave it to Valerie.  "Be my
guest, 'Quantum Queen!'" she said, grinning.  Valerie laughed, and
without hesitating, tossed the coin into the air.

When the coin landed, they looked at the result, smiled at each other
and one headed toward the door.

Val/Valerie knocked, while Valerie/Val waited just out of eyeshot.

"Come in," Sheila said, through the door.

Val opened/Valerie opened the door and walked in.  Sheila was at her
desk, looked up and said,

"Hello, Eugene!  My, you look very nice.  What made you decide to
dress so special today?"/ "My God, Valerie, where have you been?
We've been searching everywhere for you!  What happened to you?"

Val turned back for a moment/Valerie turned back for a moment, looking
around the empty waiting room.

Turning back, Val smiled and said,/Turning back, Valerie smiled and said,

"It's a long story!"

The End.