A Necklace From The Past Pt. 1

I ran toward my room as fast as the wind. I was hysterical and I couldn't stop crying. He broke up with me, I don't know why. I threw myself onto my light pink covered bed. I wished I was anyplace but where I was. A different world, maybe. 1

The next day, I went to this shop that sold ankhs, ancient Egyptian ceremonial items, and stuff like that. I go there everyday to see if I want something. Today, I found a beautiful coral necklace sitting next to a copy of The book of the Dead. The price tag read $102.00. That was way out of my budget. Besides, I was searching for a curse book to put a curse on Michael, my ex-boyfriend. But, there was something mysterious about that necklace, something alluring. When I first saw it, I felt as if I was drawn to it. Fortunately, everything, that isn't books, has a history behind it. So, I walked toward the desk, and asked Mr. Wilkinson about its past. He said that he had no idea where it had come from, or even why it was in the store. That made my curiosity worsen. I just had to know about that necklace. I decided to save up for it, and buy it. Then, I had $56.98.               Luckily, the next week, I would get my report card. And I worked very hard these past nine weeks. My mom said that if I got any A's, I would get $10. That day finally came, and as it turned out, I got three A's!!! 2

A snowstorm came, and we got two feet of snow. School was canceled, so I shoveled driveways for more money. At the end of the day, my total profit was $23.00. I had reached my mark!!! 3

After buying the necklace, I put it on. It was beautiful. The next day, I went to school, and I received many compliments. During class, I could hardly pay attention to what Miss O'Hara was saying, because I was playing with my necklace the entire time. Luckily, I didn't get into any trouble! 4

That night, I fell asleep with the necklace on. Little did I know; my adventure would soon begin. 5

I dreamt about a woman wearing my necklace. She must have been famous, because the press surrounded her. She was very pretty, and young; she couldn't have been more than 25. Many people were yelling for her to turn this way, and that, but I couldn't make out her name that they were shouting. It was blurred, because of everyone yelling it at once. Judging by her outfit, it was the forties. She had shoulder length curly, dark brown hair, and blue eyes. Her skin was very pale, and she was fairly short. A man was with her, his name I caught, Laurence. They didn't say his last name. Even if they did, I wouldn't recognize it, because I know no Laurence's. From there, they made their way to a car and drove off. The next thing I saw was Laurence, and that woman in a bedroom. 6

"Another day in the business, Viv, "Laurence said jokingly. 7

"Yes, but it does get tiring," she said, "Are you going straight to bed?"8

"Probably. I'm really exhausted."9

"As am I."10

The dream ended there. The next thing I remember was waking up next to a man who I had no idea who it was. The room was completely dark, so I couldn't see anything. I carefully got up, and found my way through the darkness, and to a bathroom. After a while of searching for a light switch, I turned on the light. I was standing next to a mirror when I saw myself in the mirror. 11

"Ahhhhhh!", I screamed. 12

Then everything went black. 13

I woke up groggily, and put my hand to my forehead. 14

"Goodness!" I said to myself.15

Suddenly, I noticed that guy I saw in my dream. And then I remembered what I saw in the mirror before I fainted. I was that woman….I was Vivien. 16

This is too much for a sixteen-year-old, I thought. Laurence picked me up, and carried me to the bed. 17

"Vivien? Vivien? Are you alright?"18

"No, not at all," I said, "I have no idea where I am, what I'm doing, or who you are."19

"You don't?"20

"No, so why don't you clue me in, and in the meantime, do you have any diet Pepsi Twist?"21

"What," he asked, looking very puzzled.22

"Pepsi Twi…..," I trailed off. 23

"Oh god, what year is this?," I questioned.24

"It's 1939."25

I fainted again, but this time, he caught me, and kissed me.26

"Ewww! What are you doing, you perv! I don't even know you!"27

"I'm sorry, I didn't know husband and wife couldn't kiss."28

"I'm not your wife, and I don't want to kiss a total stranger."29

"Ok. Let's start over. My name isn't Vivien, it's Tasha. Tasha Thompson. And I was born April 23, 1986 in Columbus, Ohio. Now, who is Vivien? And where am I?"30

"Tasha is it? Well Tasha, Vivien Leigh would be my wife, and you are in Atlanta, Georgia." He said, sounding as if this was a big joke. 31

"Ok. Why am I here?"32

"Because of your, I mean her grand première of her latest movie Gone with the Wind."33

Gone with the Wind? I've heard of that movie, I had to watch it in R/LA. I slept half way through it. It had Clark Gable and Vivien…..oh my god Vivien Leigh!, I thought to myself. 34

"Oh! Now I remember!" I lied.35

I grabbed him, and kissed him. For the time being, I had to pretend to be Vivien Leigh. If I did anything wrong, that could mess up time. After a while, I began to enjoy this kiss. It had been at least a minute by now! 36

The next morning, I opened my eyes, and heard the shower running. I was so warm under the covers; I decided to just stay where I was. But while I was trying to get back to sleep, I couldn't help thinking about last night. There were parts of it that were blurry. I was sure that sleeping with the necklace on must have opened up a portal to the past. That would explain why the storekeeper knew nothing about the necklace. That day, while Larry was out, I decided to watch Gone with the Wind, just to see how she portrayed one of her characters. 37

I watched the movie, and it was much better than I anticipated. The heroines' name was Scarlett O'Hara, and the hero's' name was Rhett Butler. As I watched the movie, I hoped that Vivien Leigh had little in common with Scarlett, because she was a real bitch. She had Rhett wanting her the entire time, and yet she was running after that ugly mama's boy Ashley. In my opinion, no girl in her right mind would want to marry someone like that!! 38

Anyway, I had an idea to show Larry when he came home. I would have gone to work too, but he insisted that I stay home and get some rest. Me get rest? Ha! That's a laugh. When I had a collision with another skater on the rink, and had to go to the emergency room, I still was dancing mindlessly around the house to my Shakira CD. 39

Meanwhile…….40

Vivien woke up with a start to Tasha's alarm clock.41

"What is that dreadful noise?," She said quietly.42

It was 6:13 in the morning, so Vivien went back to sleep. Ten minutes later, a woman walked in the room. 43

"Sweetie, you have to wake up, or your going to miss your bus and be late for school."44

"School? I'm twenty-seven years old!" Vivien yelled in shock.45

"Good one, now you have to take your shower. By the way, if you want to look twenty-seven, you better start drinking your milk during breakfast."46

Vivien laughed a little, but her smile quickly faded when she realized that she had no idea where she was. The woman must be this girl's mother, she thought. After getting extensive searching for the bathroom, she finally found it. She undressed, and glanced in the mirror before she stepped in to the shower. 47

"Aaaaaaaaaah!," She shrieked. 48

Suddenly a little boy, not more than eleven years old, ran into the bathroom. 49

"Tasha, it seems that everyone but you knew you looked like a constipated cow," he teased.50

"How dare you come in here when I'm not fully clothed, and insult me as if I'm inferior to you."51

"Ooooow! Look at me, I'm shaking!" he replied sarcastically, and then pretended to shake, and ran away.52

Vivien walked in the shower, and was about to grab what looked like shampoo, when she saw a small plastic bottle with purple goop in it. She gasped, and just continued to wet her hair, and just use shampoo. I'll just go without conditioner today, she thought to herself.53

She ran to Tasha's mother, to ask her a question.54

"Mother, ummm, who happened to buy the purple substance in the shower?," 55

"Well, I'm not sure, but I'm going to guess it was you."56

"Me!?"57

"Yes. If you want, I could buy you some other kind, Tasha."58

"That would be lovely, thank-you, mother." Vivien said, just before walking out of the room.59

"Lovely? Mother?" she thought out loud as Vivien walked out the door. 60

Vivien walked back into the room she woke up in, and opened the closet doors. Well, what am I going to wear today? she blissfully thought to herself. But, when she noticed what kind of clothes Tasha wore, she felt as if she were going to faint. She pulled out a baby blue tank top that said "Delicious" in pink bubble letters across the neckline. Then, she picked out a pair of low cut, sparkle Levi jeans. This isn't anything like what I would wear, sleep in maybe, but not wear in public! Vivien thought. But then she remembered she wasn't herself, she was that girl in the picture, Tasha. She stood in the center of Tasha's room, and looked around. The first thing that caught her eye, was her computer. Vivien went over and found a button that read power, and pressed it, not knowing what to expect. But nothing happened, so she reluctantly got dressed in Tasha's reveling clothes.61

On the school bus, she sat in a seat by herself, until the last stop in the neighborhood. A girl sat down beside her, and gave a loud "ugh!" sound.62

"Good lord, Tasha!"63

"What?! Is it my ensemble? I knew this was to reveling!"64

"No, you just put on makeup today that doesn't include glitter. You never do that! Is something wrong?"65

"Not to my knowledge, I just don't know what year it is." The girl laughed so hard, she almost fell off the seat.66

"You don't know what year it is? Come on, I know you are just depressed about Michael," she said a little loud, "but he's just an asshole, and you shouldn't let him get to ya." 67

"Mmmmmmm" 68

"You seem different today, are you sure there isn't something else?"69

"Yes, I'm sure."70

Meanwhile……71

Larry came home, and told me that we would be leaving Atlanta in two days.  72

"Well, where will we go afterwards?" I asked, truly not having a single clue as to where Vivien lived. 73

"Home. Where else would we go?" he questioned with a sly, beckoning smile.74

"I don't know….. "75

I walked towards the bed, and remembered that even though I was a virgin, Vivien might not be. And even if she is, there's only one way to find out.76

"I see you're yourself again."77

"I'd certainly hope so, " I said, slowly pushing myself onto the bed, still smiling provocatively. 78

He walked to the bed and pressed his soft lips against mine. It was a familiar feeling. I could remember how he had done it before. 79

I closed my eyes and imagined it was my ex-boyfriend. 80

His hands crept up my thighs, and up my black skirt; slow and steady. I felt hot and dizzy, both at the same time. I kissed him harder, as his hand climbed up my waist. The feeling I had was unlike anything I had ever experienced, and I wanted more. I wasn't in control anymore, all reactions to his touch happened by instinct. I felt beads of sweat form on my forehead. He unbuttoned my shirt, and I clasped his hand and leaded it up passed my stomach and to my breasts, where I wanted him grasp them firmly, and never let go. 81

Suddenly, I felt a pang of guilt. I opened my eyes, and it wasn't Michael. It was Larry. And I wasn't Vivien, I was Tasha. But no matter what my conscience was telling me to do, I ignored it. 82

I vigorously ripped his shirt off, and it went tumbling to the ground. My skirt found its way on the floor, along with my shirt, and his pants. I felt faint, as if I could pass out any second, but I persisted. 83

I'll never know how much I wanted it to be Michael. I thought that if I kept telling myself that it was him; he would turn into Michael. But he didn't. My thoughts weren't evident on my face; I kept them well hidden in the back of my mind. As much as the pleasure was building, I couldn't help thinking that what I was doing was wrong. My conscience had won. 84

"Larry…..Larry! Please stop…I can't, I just can't. Not tonight. Not now. I'm sorry, I can't explain." I pleaded. I ran to the bathroom, where I began to cry. 85

The fact that I wanted Michael upset me, but the fact that I was about to have sex for the first time with a total stranger upset me more. I couldn't pretend anymore, but how would I tell Larry? Or anyone else? 86

Suddenly, Larry knocked on the door.87

"Are you alright, Vivien?" he asked with sincere care.88

"No. I just need to be alone right now. I…I…I…just go away, please."89

The door must have been unlocked, because he came inside the bathroom with a white robe on. 90

"You've had a breakdown like this before, and you need someone, whether you think you do or not."91

"Before….?"92

"Yes. Wait. What all do you remember or know about yourself."93

"Truthfully?"94

"Yes."95

"Well, I know my name is Vivien Leigh. I know that I'm in Georgia right now. I also know that you are Laurence…. Uh…Laurence…ummm.."96

"That's all you know?!"97

"Basically."98

"I think you have amnesia," he said sternly," First of all, your real name is Vivian Mary Hartley; you were born November 5, 1913, in Darjeeling, India."99

I nodded. 100

"I am Laurence Olivier, and your husband,” he continued. "You have been married before to, humm, oh yes, Leigh Holman. You had a child with him named Suzanne, but you divorced him to marry me. And I divorced Jill Esmond to be with you. "101

"Oh. I think that's enough for tonight. I'm so tired right now. I don' t think I can stay awake a moment longer," I said pretending once again to act like Vivien. I placed my hand on my forehead in an over-dramatic manner. 102

I think he thought I was acting like Scarlett, because he picked me up, just as Rhett did in the "stairs scene". He carried me to the bed, and laid me down very gently.103

"Thank-you, Larry. I'm so happy you understand."104

"Think nothing of it. I'm just relieved that you're alright," he added," I think I'll sleep on the couch tonight. You need to get a good night's sleep." 105

He kissed me lightly on the lips, and said goodnight.106

"Goodnight, Viv."107

"Goodnight."108

Meanwhile…..109

Vivien arrived at school with the girl by her side. She couldn't make any sense of this mess. So, she decided to simply say as little as possible. She still felt uneasy about what she was wearing, but it only took one look at the rest of the tenth grade, and she felt much better. Suddenly, a boy came walking near her, and took her hand. He led her to a corner of the school where no one could see them. 110

"Tasha, I'm sorry for breaking up with you. It's just one of my friends said that you were playing me. "111

"Playing? Ah…., "she said confused, but before she could get another word in, he interrupted her.112

"Yea, I know it sounds stupid, I mean who else would want to go out with you."113

"Excuse me?" she exclaimed, starting to get cross.114

"Now, seriously, come on. I know that. You know that. The whole school knows that."115

Vivien had never been told anything that harsh, and she had totally forgotten that she was Tasha. 116

"I'll have you know that I can go out with anyone I feel necessary, and you never can tell if I was playing you or not, you gluttonous pig," and with that she slapped him across his face. 117

He walked out, and the girl walked in.118

"Tasha, you have never resisted him like that before!"119

"He was insulting me, and it wasn't that unbelievable, was it?"120

The girl just laughed, and suggested that they should go to homebase. 121

In homebase, the teacher was taking attendance. 122

"Myra?"123

"Here."124

"Leif?"125

"Here."126

"Mystica?"127

"Here."128

"Citrine?"129

"Present!"130

Giggles rumbled through the classroom.131

"Ah, Tasha and Scarlett, you're here."132

"Yea."133

"Yes."134

She continued down the list of students. Vivien whispered to Scarlett.135

"Where do I sit?!"136

"Last seat, fist row."137

"Thank-you. Oh! By the way, I love your name."138

Scarlett gave Vivien a weird look, and they both sat down. 139

After homebase, Vivien handed Scarlett a letter, it read in very sloppy handwriting:140

Dear Scarlett,141

First of all, how did you receive your name?142

Next, I was wondering if you could come over to my house today.143

Sincerely,144

Tasha145

"It feels as if I'm writing a letter to myself," she said quietly to herself. This made her smile slightly. 146

At lunch, Vivien followed Scarlett to her table filled with other girls. They acted so different from one another, and they were all so loud.147

"Oh my god! Is it true, Tasha?"148

"Is what true?"149

"That you slapped him!?" one of the girls practically yelled.150

"Well, yes. But I don't see why it's such a big deal. Why is it?"151

"He's only the hottest guy at this school."152

"And the biggest bastard…” Vivien said under her breath.153

"Huh? What did you say?"154

"Nothing. I was just wondering about our Chemistry homework. What was it? I've forgotten," she lied.155

There were murmurs of "I don't know " throughout the entire table.156

On the bus ride home Scarlett said that she got her name because her mom loved Gone with the Wind.157

"Oh really! That's a great movie, don't you think?"158

"I've never seen it."159

"You've never seen it? You have to!"160

"I guess we could, I mean my mom has it somewhere. But isn't it like really long?"161

"Only four hours."162

"Tasha, you normally don't like movies like this. You've been acting really strange lately. Are you sure everything's alright a home?"163

"Positive. I'm fine." Vivien said surely. 164

They arrived at Tasha's house, threw their backpacks down, and ran into the living room. 165

"Mother? May I go to Scarlett's house for a few hours?"166

"Maybe. What are you going to do there?"167

"Watch Gone with the Wind!"168

"Right. Tasha I need to talk to you before you go."169

"Okay."170

Tasha's mom walked into a room with Vivien.171

"Tasha, you said you hated Gone with the Wind when you watched it at school. You've been calling me mother, and saying words like "lovely". What's going on?"172

"Nothing. I said I hated it?"173

"Yea. You said you hated it, and that it was so boring you fell asleep."174

"I did?"175

"Yes."176

"I don't know quite how to explain."177

"Well, you don't have to, as long as you tell me if anything is wrong."178

"No, there is nothing wrong. Why do people keep asking me that?"179

"I don't know. But as long as nothings wrong, then you can go."180

"Thank-you, mother…I mean mom," she said and gave her mom a quick kiss on her cheek. 181

"No problem, Tash."182

Meanwhile…….183

The next morning, Tasha awakened to the smell of breakfast. 184

She snuggled under her covers, and thought about her actual home. She wasn't homesick anymore! 185

I got up, put a nightgown on, and ran downstairs, Larry was cooking eggs; I came up to him, and gave him a long, passionate kiss.186

"I'm feeling so much better!" I exclaimed. 187

"I'm happy to hear that."188

I kissed him again, but he didn't return it. I was disappointed. Why wasn't he as happy as I was? I might be getting over Michael. Then he pulled away.189

"Why did you stop?"190

"Because I'm not sure if you're completely well yet, Vivien."191

I hated when he called me that. It was just another painful reminder that this was her perfect life, and not mine. After he had turned me down, I felt embarrassed and uneasy. I pulled out a chair form the table beside me, and sat down. 192

"Look, I know you're upset that I won't do what you want to do when you want to do it, but you have to understand that since you are a manic depressant, your feelings are constantly changing. And I can't keep up with you. But I married you because I love you, and I want to take care you," He said as he slipped his arm around my waist. 193

"I understand," I said, when actually I didn't. Vivien was a manic depressant?194

I went to the library, to learn about "Manic Depression". I checked out three books, and I decided to watch Gone with the Wind again, just for some more ideas. 195

I learned that their personality can change in a matter of minutes, and that would explain my mood swings. I mean, normally I can keep my feelings inside, but I just couldn't from the moment I switched bodies with Vivien. I needed to control these urges to change moods so quickly. I wanted to give Larry a break. When I leave, he will have to depend on himself once again. Maybe if I can control myself, it wouldn't so hard on him. It was a fabulous plan, and I would put it into action the next time I'm with Larry. 196

As I watched Gone with the Wind for the second time, I noticed something that I hadn't noticed before; Scarlett's necklace….I was a coral necklace!!!! It looked exactly like the one I had! How can that be? Now understood why I became Vivien Leigh, if she played Scarlett, then she wore the necklace. Throughout the movie the necklace reappeared and disappeared. When she was wearing the same green and white dress. Why was it not in every scene with that dress? I wanted to know, but it would seem somewhat strange to just barge into the office of whoever directed the film. I didn't even know who that was. 197

In the next week, Larry would only kiss me, in fear that I might have another break down. So, while he was being considerate of my emotionally impaired vulnerabilities, I continued to learn about Manic Depression, Gone with the Wind, and Vivien Leigh. 198

It turns out that the director was Victor Fleming, and for some strange reason, he wasn't very nice to me. But what he told me was, that some scenes when we needed the necklace, we couldn't find it, so we had to make due. It was believable, but since I was in this unusual situation, I let my imagination run away with me. 199

There were some times in the day, when I would think about Larry, and what we almost did. I continued to control my emotional outbreaks, and I believe he took notice. 200

I returned home from the library, and I opened the door. When I did, I was overcome with delight. The entire house seemed to be lit by candles. Larry was sitting at the dinner table in a formal suit. I wasn't at all dressed for the occasion. I walked past him, trying not to notice the romantic atmosphere. After I was out of sight, I decided to raid Vivien's clothes. I needed to find the sexiest, low-cut dress she owned. It only took me a minute at most to find the most stunningly, beautiful ballroom gown. It's top was tank-top style, and it flowed down past my feet, so I had to hold it up with one hand. The back went to the end of my back, and where it ended was where the train started, it was made from see-trough material, so it wasn't too out of the ordinary-looking. A pair of black satin gloves was my matching clothing item, and my diamond necklace accented the entire ensemble. 201

"I hope this isn't too much."202

"No, of course not. It's just right. You look absolutely beautiful."203

He had made dinner, and played Gershwin, while we were eating. The night was so perfect, and I still had no idea what the occasion was. 204

"Larry, I can't stand the suspense any longer! Please tell me why you did all this."205

"There are several reasons. Which one would you like?"206

"All of them of course," I politely giggled. 207

"I should think it would be quite obvious," he smiled. Then he got up, and walked toward bedroom.208

I didn't know what to think. I had come this far, and he thought I was ready. I'm not Vivien, so I wouldn't know, but he lives with her, so he would have to know. I kept reassuring myself, and mumbling on and on that I could go through with this. How would it go? What should I do? What would he do? What if something goes wrong? What would be his reaction? Mine? All these unanswered questions circulated through my mind, and drove me crazy. I was anxious, happy and worried all at the same time. I don't know how I mustered up the courage to slowly get up out of the chair, and follow him. 209

As I entered the room, Larry was sitting on the bed with his head down. I closed the door behind me, and stepped over to the bed by Larry.210

"Could you unzip my dress, it's beyond my reach." I cooed, as he unzipped my dress. As the dress fell to my ankles, I lowered my head, and kissed him. He kissed me back, and lifted his arms around my shoulders, and pulled me on the bed right beside him. My heart started to pound, and I couldn't control my body's trembling. 211

"It's ok, I won't let anything happen to you," he whispered in my ear. That's when I knew it was all right. All my questions, worries, and concerns disappeared.212

He placed his hand on my cheek, and felt his way down my face and down my neck. 213

Meanwhile…..214

When they reached Scarlett's house, Scarlett said to hold on, and she ran upstairs to grab the movie. 215

Throughout the entire movie, Vivien had a smile on her face.216

“I don’t see what’s so great about this movie, Tasha.”217

“How can you not? It’s an superb motion picture!”218

“You’re really scaring me. I’ve never heard you talk like this before, and I really don’t like it. It’s like you aren’t you. Are you sure there isn’t something wrong?”219

“Oh! Don’t be silly, I’m fine.”220

“Ok. But you know you can always talk to me.”221

“Yes, yes. I know. Well….”222

“Yes…?” Scarlett questioned curiously.223

“If I tell you, you must promise not to think I’ve gone mad.”224

“Ofcourse!”225

“Well…umm..” Vivien nervously said, “ I’m not Tasha. But if I told you who I really was, you truly would think I’ve gone mad!”226

“No! Just keep going. I want to know everything.” She confirmed.227

“I am Vivien Leigh.”228

“OH MY GOD!!! You’re….you….Scar…Scarlett..O’hara?”229

“Yes.”230

Scarlett stood up, as to leave, but as soon as she got to her feet, she fainted. 231

“Oh! Scarlett!”232

Vivien quickly ran towards the sink, and grabbed a paper towel, drenched it with water, and ran back to the living room. She gently laid the soaked towel on Scarlett’s forehead. After fifteen worrisome minutes, Scarlett regained consciousness. 233

“I had the worst dream….”234

“It must have been somewhat short, you had only fainted, but, fifteen minutes ago.”235

“Oh. God. It wasn’t a dream. You’re still talking like that. You’re still Vivien Leigh?”236

“Yes.”237

“What are you doing in Tasha’s body?”238

“I haven’t the faintest idea,” she continued, “But I believe it has something to do with the necklace. I always thought it quite peculiar, because it was always disappearing before a scene in which I’d need it.”239

“You mean a scene in Gone with the Wind?”240

“Yes. Do you remember the dress at the BBQ? Well, in some scenes I wore a coral necklace. When I wasn’t wearing it, that was when we couldn’t find it”241

“Oh.”242

“I’d suggest that we get off the floor before your mother comes in here, and asks what we are doing.”243

Vivien picked Scarlett up, and walked her to the couch.244

“So, how old are you…ah…Vivien?”245

“Twenty-seven”246

“I hope you haven’t been telling people that. They’d crack up laughing”247

“I discovered what I looked like earlier.  I was in utter shock. Tasha didn’t look anything like me.”248

“In Gone with the Wind, is that what you looked like when you weren’t shooting the movie?”249

“Yes. Except my hair. I normally keep it down.”250

“I don’t want Tasha hearing this, but I bet it was a big surprise when you found out you were Tasha. You’re much prettier than she is.”251

“Thank-you, but I don’t appreciate compliments very much. The reason being, is that once, I was dining with my husband, Laurence Olivier, and a man came up to him and said: “Larry, you’re the best actor in the world.” Then he turned to me and said: “Vivien, you’re the prettiest actress in the world.” 252

“So? What’s wrong with that?”253

“Oh, really! I’ve always wanted to be a great actress, and no one has ever told me I was. I don’t enjoy being told I’m beautiful. It’s never what I want to hear. And it’s not important. I think it’s very shallow.”254

“Wow, that’s deep.”255

“That man didn’t seem to think so.”256

“You shouldn’t worry about what other people think of you, it’s what you think that counts. You have to know that. I mean…..the critics? Don’t the ever criticize your work?”257

“Oh, all the time, but I always had Larry there to convince me otherwise.”258

“Oh. Larry? Who’s that?”259

“Why, he’s my husband!” Vivien declared.260

Meanwhile……..261

The next morning, I slept exceptionally late. I woke up on Larry’s chest. I slowly opened my eyes, and lifted my arms carefully off of him. I slid my feet out from under the covers, ever so gently so I wouldn’t disturb him. But, as I was about to climb out of bed, I felt hands grasp my waist. Larry lured me back down and kissed me tenderly, as he placed his hand in my hair, and twirled it around his finger. 262

“Larry, I need coffee. I’m going back to work today.”263

“If you must. I’ll be down in a few.”264

“All right, and I’ll be waiting,” I said sensually.265

Just before I left, I noticed a smile creep across his face.266

As I walked down the stairs, I thought about last night, and remembered the passion of it all. He had been so gentle and loving. Everything felt natural; for once I thought I belonged. 267

I was enjoying my cup of amaretto coffee, when I heard his footsteps coming down the staircase. He walked into the den, where I was carefully sipping my coffee, and approached the marble table. I tried not to look up at him, but I was curious as to what he was doing, or if I could understand what he was thinking. But, my uncontrollable curiosity overcame me, and my eyes met his. I would have given anything to know what he was thinking. His expression was undeterminable. I wasn’t even quite sure what mine was. I could only hope that what I was wondering wasn’t consolable. I wanted him to wonder what I was thinking. He stood beside me in complete silence, with not even the slightest sign of emotion. The silence was increasing my anxiousness, and made me shiver a bit. That’s when he finally broke the silence.268

“Are you cold?” The question shocked me. Why was that what he was asking? Why not something else? Maybe about last night. I continued to slip my steaming coffee; leaving his question unanswered. 269

“ I see,” he said dryly. Just as he turned to leave, I spoke.270

“No, I’m not cold. I just felt a draft,” I replied in an unintentionally cold tone.271

“Oh.” This time, he turned and I didn’t say or do anything. I had a sudden urge to run after him, but I resisted. 272

A COUPLE HOURS LATER…273

I had gone to work that day, and come back home exhausted. Being an actress was hard work! It had been my first audition for a movie called Waterloo Bridge. I was to play a woman named Myra Lester; the movie was extremely sad. In the beginning, Myra is a ballerina, and Roy Cronin is a soldier. It takes place during WW1, and he is about to go back to war. They meet each other in a bomb shelter. He disregards his first priority to go see her in the ballet recital “Swan Lake”. She sees him in the crowd, and they plan to have dinner together. They meet again, and he asks to marry her. They were going to get married the next day, but he is called off to war, from his current leave. Myra, having lost her job, turns to prostitution for money, with her friend Kitty. She sees his name on the casualty list in the paper, and assumes he’s dead. He, later, comes back, and again says he wants to marry her. In the end, she kills herself, because she can’t bring herself to tell him what she had done. 274

Anyway, I had auditioned, and, in my opinion, did well. They will tell me who received the part tomorrow. I couldn’t wait!275

Meanwhile…….276

“Your husband? You mean you’re actually married?” she asked shrilly.277

“Yes. Not long, but nonetheless, I am married,” Vivien replied certainly. 278

“Tash..ah.. I mean…Vivien..Do you think that if you are here, that, maybe, Tasha is there?”279

“I suppose. Where else would she be? But if that is the case, I wonder what Larry is thinking,” she giggled nervously.280

“This is an incredibly personal question, but seriously important.”281

“Yes….”she trailed off.282

“Do you and Larry…..often?”283

“Often?” she asked looking puzzled, and arched her eyebrow,” Oh! Often, yes…very.”284

Vivien blushed.285

“Well, you see, Tash is a virgin, and….ah..this is making me really uneasy…”286

“I can tell. It’s not a common topic of conversation, is it?”287

“No.”288

They both laughed quietly.289

They decided to turn Gone with the Wind off. Even Vivien didn’t seem to be in the mood, after discussing the situation. 290

Vivien decided that it would be best to go back to Tasha’s house, and think about a possible solution. She stumbled upon a book that had “Keep Out or DIE!!” written in large black letters on the front. Opening it, she learned all about what Tasha was like, how she reacted to situations, and about the people in her life. Tasha’s diary was very intriguing to Vivien, as she continued to read the entire thing. Vivien, herself, had a diary, but she hoped that if Tasha was really in her body, that she wouldn’t read it. It was very personal, and even though she was reading her diary, she couldn’t tell anyone about it when, or if she returned to the past. Tasha could tell anyone, and who knows what could happen to that information. 291

In the diary it read:292

I nearly fell asleep in American History. I was having this incredible dream, where Mike and I were having sex. But it’s hard to describe in words, exactly how I felt. I guess I can understand having this dream, because Mike wants me to get over my “vow of abstinence”, and have sex with him. But I was always afraid of the during and after effects. Like, my friends told me that it hurts the first time. I can withstand a certain amount of pain, but then again, I don’t know JUST how much pain my friend means, when she says that it hurts the first time. Next, I sure as hell don’t want to get pregnant, or an STD, ect. 293

Tasha294

She read Tasha’s diary for hours, and still didn’t get through the entire thing. She remembered when she was Tasha’s age, she certainly wasn’t thinking about sex, let alone actually writing about it! Her mother seemed to find EVERYTHING. 295

Nearly forgetting about Scarlett, Vivien closed the diary, and placed it back where she found it. 296

“I’ve read that diary so many time,” Scarlett said, moving from the floor to leaning on the bed.297

“Have you? I most certainly wouldn’t let anyone read my diary.”298

“That’s believable. So….ummm…your how old?”299

“I’m twenty-seven,” she replied coolly.300

“And you’re a world famous actress?”301

“Well, I wouldn’t say ‘world famous’, but in England and the United States, yes”302

“That’s amazing. Have you kissed any cute guys?”303

Vivien hesitated.304

“Yes,” she quietly laughed as she glanced down at the ground.305

“WHO!!!??” The surprise in Scarlett’s tone startled Vivien and she jumped a little.306

“Do you know who Robert Taylor is?”307

“Nope, do you think we could rent the movie when you kissed?”308

“Rent?” she questioned.309

“Yeah, like go out to Blockbuster, and rent it.”310

“Blockbuster?”311

“Oh. I keep forgetting you’re from the 1940’s….ummm..Well, Blockbuster is a place where you borrow movies that have come out of theaters.”312

“Oh! What a marvelous idea!”313

“Ahh..yeah,” Scarlett laughed to herself.314

They left Scarlett’s house, and went to Tasha’s.315

Meanwhile…….316

I was looking through some things, and stumbled upon a plain black covered book. As I read through it, I discovered it, and was very relieved. It was her diary! Now, I could observe a situation, and do just what Vivien would do. I read it for hours, and then went to the end, and wrote: 317

I got the part! Yes! Oh! I’m so happy!   Am to play Myra Lester in Waterloo Bridge! 318

Larry is still mad at me. I don’t know what I’m going to do about him. It wasn’t long before we met up. During dinner, I urned to break the ice, but I wanted him to do it. Many things ran through my mind, and the main one was, what would Vivien do? 319

!~*Tasha*~!320

For the time being, I would use her diary as mine. It was an interesting idea; after all, I was Vivien Leigh. 321

The next day, I went to a ‘New Age’ store to try shine some light on the fix I was in. Never in my life, had I ever thought a portal to the past, or future could ever exist. 322

When there, I found several book regarding time travel. The one most interesting was a book called Travel beyond the Limits. It said that if one is to discover an item from the past, wear or hold it, and then remain completely calm, and concentrate on it very hard, they will travel to the origins of the item.323

I bought the coral necklace from the old bookstore, and it seemed to be misplaced. The manager didn’t know anything about it. I wore it everywhere, and I must’ve fallen asleep in it. Then, I had that dream with the woman who later became known to me as Vivien Leigh. Therefore, I slept in it, was completely calm because I was sleeping. And I concentrated on it, because my dream was about her. 324

At first I thought, why didn’t it take me to the 1860’s, because it was technically Scarlett’s necklace. But then I thought about another section from the book. It stated that one couldn’t travel into a dimension in which the origin of the owner lives, if they did not exist. Gone with the Wind was a purely fictional story, so, Scarlett a fictional character. 325

I then decided to talk to Larry that night, and try again to explain to him, that I was really Tasha. 326

*   *   *327

During dinner, I was abnormally nervous, but Larry didn’t seem to notice. This was a good thing, because I still hadn’t determined how to tell him. I was happy when he finally said something.328

“ So, how was work today?”329

“ It was fine,” I replied with no emotion.330

“Just fine?”331

“Yes. What do you expect it to be?” I started to get upset.332

“Nothing. Nevermind,” Larry responded coolly. 333

I waited a while, and decided to just say it. Then, I retreated. What would he say? What would he do? I found myself again questioning the potential consequences of my potential actions. Just say it! I scolded myself.334

“Larry… I have something to tell you. Now. This isn’t easy to say --- I don’t want you to overreact.”335

“Well, let’s have it. Out with it,” he said as he fell back comfortably into his seat, and threw his arm across the top edge of the wooden chair. 336

“I have been trying to tell you this, but I just know you’ll think I’ve gone insane.” After I spoke, Larry just stared at me carelessly. I wish there was some way I could have told him through my thoughts. It was incredibly hard to explain through words. I tried again:337

“Larry, I’m not Vivien. I am Tasha,” I blurted.338

“Oh, come on. Not again, Vivien.”339

“Please don’t call me that. I hate that name! I hate being here! Why can’t you accept that I’m not Vivien?” I cried out.340

“Alright. Fine. I don’t like fighting you. I’m going to bed. And, I hope you feel better in the morning.” As he started off, I ran after him. 341

“No! I won’t feel better in the morning! Please hear me out!” I exclaimed nearly in tears of exhastion. Larry kept walking. He didn’t say a word. “Larry!”342

By the time I was out of breath, and crying, Larry and I were in the bedroom. He was taking his shoes off, and unbuttoning his shirt. 343

“Please listen to me!”344

Silence.345

“ I am not Vivien Leigh. I am Tasha Thompson. I can prove it. I know almost nothing about Vivien Leigh. Ask me something only she would know. Anything,” I begged, still teary-eyed.346

“What is this a game? I’m tired. And by the looks of it, you are too,” he replied with understanding.347

“No, it’s not a game.”348

Silence.349

“Please! I need to prove it to you. So then, maybe you could help me go home. I miss my mom, dad, and my little brother.”350

“Alright. What is Vivien’s birthday?”351

“Sometime in 1913.”352

“What was her first movie?”353

“I have no idea.”354

“ What was the name of her mother?”355

“I don’t know”356

“For now, I somewhat believe you. I just don’t know what to think.”357

“That satisfies me a little.”358

“Good. Then, I suggest that we go to bed.”359

“Ok,” I breathed heavily, and sighed. I was half relieved, but I wasn’t looking forward to explaining the rest.360

Meanwhile………361

After endless begging from Scarlett, her mother took them to Blockbuster. 362

“Thanks, mommy dearest!”363

“Scarlett, you know I don’t like being called that. Which reminds me, what movie are you renting that is so important to you both?”364

“Waterloo Bridge,” they replied in unison.365

“Waterloo Bridge? I’ve never heard of it. It must be one of those new teenage chick flicks that I don’t like, eh?”366

“Most certainly not!” Vivien flared.” I mean, it isn’t very new. It came out in 1940.”367

“1940?! Good lord! No wonder I haven’t seen it! Maybe I will watch it with you. But, why would you girls be interested in a 1940 movie? Scarlett, you said you didn’t like films that were in black and white. I’m sure this Waterloo Bridge will be.”368

“We don’t care,” Scarlett laughed.369

“Ok. You might be disappointed, though.”370

Vivien tried acting like Tasha for a short second,”Whatever!”371

It had felt weird saying ‘whatever’, but she had taken a guess, and they all laughed. 372

When they arrived at Blockbuster, Vivien stepped out of the car, and just stared at the poster-covered glass walls of the store. She had never seen anything like it in her life. 373

“Tasha….hello? Tasha? Earth to Tasha, come in please!” Scarlett yelled jokingly. Scarlett’s mother seemed to have her eyes glued on Vivien, and her every movement. 374

They walked in the store, and immediately went to the cash register. A man named Clark was reading a skateboarding magazine, and seemed to be immensely preoccupied with it. 375

“Excuse me. I’m looking..I,” Scarlett trailed off, because Clark didn’t seem to be listening. “EXCUSE ME!” she yelled.376

“Oh..ah..yeah….How may I help you?” He stuttered. 377

“I’m looking for a movie called Waterloo Bridge. I believe it’s drama. Could you help me find it?” 378

“Yeah. No problem.”379

They all walked toward the drama section, and dawdled behind Clark, as he rummaged through the videos. 380

“Ah ha! Here it is. 1940, Waterloo Bridge. Is this what you’re looking for?” he questioned.381

“Yes, quite,” Vivien hurried. 382

“Ok. Mom, was there any movie in particular that you wanted to rent before we leave?”383

“Nope. Let’s check out, and go home.”384

After paying to rent the movies, they jumped inside the car, and Scarlett suggested that they turn on the radio. Finally, Vivien thought, something I’ve heard of.385

Scarlett’s mother turned a tiny black knob that triggered loud and obnoxious music.386

“What is this?” Vivien demanded.387

“Marilyn Manson! How could you not know! You just bought his latest CD last month!”388

“Oh.”389

The ride home was filled with music of the same sort, and Vivien suffered through it all, as she tried to pretend to like it.390

When they reached Scarlett’s house, Scarlett raced Vivien to the front door. Reluctantly, she agreed. Scarlett won, and her mom just shook her head.391

As they entered the house, Scarlett’s mom said that she needed to go to the bathroom. They could hardly wait to watch it. 392

“I go get popcorn!” Scarlett shouted exuberantly. 393

“Alright,” replied Vivien.394

They sat on the couch, and Scarlett’s mother popped in the tape. It began, and the credits came up. 395

“So, Tasha, how did you get into old movies?” Her mother said out of the blue.396

Vivien was quite startled by this question, and took a while to search for an answer. 397

“I…I…Well, I recently saw Gone with the Wind for the first time, and I loved it!” She hoped the answer was believable. 398

“Really? You’re mom told me you hated it, and that you fell asleep…”399

“Oh. That,” she flashed a quick smile, and searched for something else to say,” I misjudged it.” 400

“Oh,” Scarlett’s mother replied short and simple, much to Vivien’s relief. 401

They watched Waterloo Bridge, and at the end the only one who was crying, was Scarlett’s mom. 402

This is quite a compliment, thought Vivien. 403

Scarlett smiled at Vivien, and Vivien just looked at her mother. She was still crying. 404

“Maybe, we shouldn’t have rented that movie,” said Vivien.405

Meanwhile……….406

I had a dream that night. I scared me, and I woke up in a heavy sweat. I was still Vivien, but I was much, much older. Maybe in my late fifties, or so. 407

I stepped out of bed, and fell on the floor. I couldn’t breathe, and eventually stopped breathing. It was horrible. I felt like I was suffocating. Then the dream was over. 408

The next morning, I felt a little bit better, but not much. Larry opened the door, and asked how I slept. 409

“Just peachy. Now, do you have any more questions?”410

“Plenty.”411

“Aighty. Shoot.”412

“Tell me about you.”413

“That’s simple. I was born in Columbus, Ohio on April 23rd, 1986. My parents are Debbe and Edwin Thompson. My real name is Anastasia Eleana Thompson, and I have a little brother named Tristan Llewellyn. I have long light brown hair, blue-green eyes, and I weigh 125 pounds. I am about five foot four inches. Anything else?”414

“Interesting. This is just so hard to believe. What did you think when you first got here?”415

I laughed for a couple seconds. “To be perfectly frank, I didn’t know where I was, and I was fucking scared out of my wits! Oh! I’m not supposed to cuss.”416

“I don’t mind. I do all the time, and so does Vivien.”417

“Oh, that’s great! Anywho, I was afraid, because I was in bed with someone that I didn’t know,” I paused as he laughed.” Why, what did you think when I ran to the bathroom?”418

“I didn’t know what to think, actually.”419

He sat down in the chair beside my bed, and shook his head. 420

“It must’ve taken you a while to get used to this,” he implied. 421

“More than you could ever believe, bucko.”422

“Bucko? I’m not going to ask. So, how are you going to get back?”423

“Like I have a freaking idea! Not to get mad, or anything, but do you think that I’d still be here if I knew?”424

“Point made. Well, we need to find a way to get you back, that’s all,” he said simply. 425

“That’s all?! You have to be fucking kidding me! Oh! There I go again.”426

At this point he started laughing again. 427

“How do you think it happened?”428

“I think I have an idea.”429

Meanwhile………..430

“Oh…It’s alright…,” Scarlett’s mother said, as she carefully wiped the tears from her eyes. 431

“I can’t say it got to me that much when I first saw it the first time,” Vivien added. 432

Again, Scarlett just smiled.433

The only thing, Vivien thought, is that I hadn’t seen it, until now.434

After watching Waterloo Bridge, Scarlett asked her mother, if Vivien could spend the night. Appeasingly, she said ‘yes’. 435

“We’ll have to go back to your house to grab some of your stuff to stay over,” Scarlett pointed out.436

“Yes. Could you help me choose what to bring. I haven’t actually spent the night with anyone, in a while.”437

“Sure thing, Tash…I mean Viv,” She smiled faintly. 438

“It’s alright. You probably, should call me Tasha, because we’d have a quite a bit of explaining to do if you accidentally slipped one day.”439

“True, true.”440

They traveled the block between Scarlett’s house and Tasha’s. They didn’t talk very much on the way, but once they reached Tasha’s house, Vivien had countless questions about the objects in Tasha’s room. 441