The ARSA Continuous Story Feb 2003 Part 1 Louder
Marcia was feeling worn down. Her 39 year old body was catching up to her quickly. Even though she tried remain fit her body was losing its definition. She was beginning to dread looking in the mirrow each morning.
Dull, lifeless brown hair threatening to turn gray and wrinkles that seemed to mulitply overnight would greet her.
She knew she needed to work harder on a workout routine and watch her diet but it seemed to get harder every time she tried to do just that.
She knew she was going to have to push herself harder than ever. She didn't want to end up looking like her mother!
Marcia did her morning power-walk and pushed herself harder and harder. She had already went farther than she had in years. She was out of breath and she could feel her joints aching. She'd pushed it too far and still had to get back home yet!
Looking ahead, she saw a small shop that she'd never noticed before. Needing a break, she ducked in and grabbed her knees while trying to catch her breath.
The air conditioning felt good. She wiped her brow and glanced around the room.
"Howdy do, mam!" a cheerful man said as heard the door buzzer when she entered. "What can I do ya for?"
"Oh..." she puffed "I'm just catching my breath. Trying to keep in shape and I kind of over-done things this morning"
"Welllllllllll I think I've got just the thing for you!" he told her.
Marcia realized this man must be a salesman thru and thru. Way more cheerful than he needs to be and ready to pounce even though she was obviously not in a buying mood.
"I'm afraid I'm not interested in anything this morning. Sorry to get your hopes up. I just needed to catch my breath and cool off. I didn't even know your shop was here" she said as she looked around "Ummm just what is it you sell here?"
"Dreams! I sell dreams!" he said as his arms flung out in emphasis.
"Oh... I see..." Marcia replied pretending to understand.
"Mam, pardon me for saying, but your's appears to be a simple one. Your killing yourself trying to get into shape. How could that be enjoyable?" he asked.
"Obviously it's not, but at my age I do what I can"
"I see... "he replied shaking his head. "I think what you want is right inside here!"
The man pointed to a doorway covered by a curtain.
"Oh... Seriously... I'm not looking to buy anything...." she said but was cut off.
"Buy? Who said anything about 'buying'? We can talk about that later. Why don't you just step inside see what awaits!" he told her
Marcia shrugged. What could it hurt she figured?
"Now that's the spirit! I could tell when I saw you what your dream was. It's right in here" he said as he pulled the curtain back revealing a wooden door. "Guaranteed to put a spring back in your step... or skip.... or crawl..."
"And just what is it?" she asked curiously as she entered the darkened room "I could certainly use a little spring in my step"
The man did not follow her.
"Ummmm it's kind of dark in here...." she said as she felt a chill. "What is it I am looking for in here?"
"Your dream! To be young again!" the man said as he closed the door behind her "It's already started.... about a year a minute! Aren't you thrilled?"
Marcia had figured the man for a harmless salesman but now he seemed more like a lunatic. She turned for the door but it was locked. "HEY!!! Let me out!" she yelled as she banged on the door.
"Not before I make your dream come true" the man answered.
"Oh come on. I don't have time for this!" she said and noticed something strange. Her voice sounded different. Not a lot...maybe clearer.... maybe higher.... Maybe it was the acoustics of the room she wondered?
She looked at her watch. It had been 15 minutes. It was hard to see in the dim light but while looking at her watch she noticed her hand. It looked wrong somehoe. Did her hand look different? Younger? That's crazy.
"Listen... long enough... you're starting to scare me.... Let me out or I'll scream!" Marcia said threatenly and heard the door unlock.
"I didn't mean to scare you" the man said.
To be continued