A Collinwood Carol--Chapter 4
From: Julianka
Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2001 00:28:47

"Come along my dear." Carl inveigled Elizabeth.

She found herself taking his hand. He had her don her robe and slippers. He lead her to the  window and taking her arm firmly they walked right through it! They were skimming over trees high in the air. No, the sensation of movement was false, it was more like the earth was turning beneath them while they hung suspensed above. Elizabeth felt neither wind or cold, but she shivered in fear.

The trip seemed to take forever and at the same time be over before she could grasp what was happening. The earth stopped spinning and they came gently down.

"We're at the Cannery!" She stated in shock. "Why is it all lit up? Why are there all these cars in the parking lot?
We aren't running a midnight shift!"

"Let's go see." Carl proposed with a twinkle in his eye.

The doors opened before them without being pushed. There was music coming from the employee's cafeteria. Following the sound Elizabeth entered and stood stunned.

The large room was decorated for Christmas. A tree brightly lit with colored lights, glass balls and tinsel with a golden star took place of pride  beside two long tables over flowing with food. Turkey, ham, roast beef, salads, cheeses, bread, rolls, cakes, pies, cookies, chips, dip and at the end of one table a large punch bowl.

People of all ages laughed, chatted, danced to the music of a small band and. were eating. Children were gathering close to the tree and Elizabeth saw a red suited Santa passing out gifts to them.

"ROGER! Roger did this! How dare he!" She stamped her foot.

"You there!" Elizabeth was trying to get someone's-anyone's attention.

"Hush. Stop a minute and think." Carl said sympathically. "They can't see us or heard us. Look around you. Do you see anyone you know?"

Puzzled Elizabeth scanned the room. Brushing through the crowd she found the answer to his question.

There was a beautiful blond lady standing beside a slightly older gentleman. "Mother! Father!" Her father stooped to pick up a little girl in a red velvet party dress. The little girl had wide blue eyes and dark brown hair, who skipped to him, calling out happily. "Look what Santa gave me!" She had a baby doll held tightly in her arms.  And the realization finally came home to Elizabeth that she was witnessing her own past!

Dark Shadows is a Dan Curtis Production.