Black Arts 101 Chapter 6
Date: 2/28/98
From: marcos1
London, England 1879
*************
The Doctor, and Julia walked down the dark alley. Julia was wearing the clothing of this period.
Her dress was long, dragging the ground, underneath she worn several layers of petticoats. She
wanted to look the part of the proper lady of this period. The Doctor wore a top hat, and a
smart looking suit. He looked quite the gentleman. Quite the dandy. Hopefully, no one would
notice his purple eyes.
"Are you sure that he is down here?" Julia asked, raising her eyebrows. "There doesn't seem to be
anyone down here, but streetwalkers, and other shady looking characters."
"He is here," replied The Doctor. "My darling wife, writing a book about parallel universes, is
never an easy task. You must be patient."
"I am being patient," Julia said softly. "Its just that these undergarments are scratching my
tussy."
They walked past several ladies of the night, who called out to them. "Do you want some
company love? We don't mind if you bring your lady along."
The Doctor paused in his steps. "We are seeking a special lady named Sally Rand. Do either of
you know where she is?" he said, smiling.
The older lady with dark hair, and tired looking eyes replied. "What do you want crazy Sally for?
She is a crazy one. Not in her right mind at all, luv. My friend, Jenny and me, can show you both
a good time."
"Sally Rand....crazy Sally," chanted the younger lady, with red hair, and brown eyes. "She is one
loony bird. Listen to Bessie....stay away from her."
"Jenny, and Bessie," The Doctor said smiling. "I appreciate your valuable advice regarding Sally
Rand. But its very important that we speak to her."
"She lives down the alley, behind a group of fallen over wooden fences," replied Bessie. "She
makes her home there, among the trash, and rats."
"Thank you so much, my dear ladies," The Doctor said, gently bowing, and tipping his hat. He
held Julia's hand and walked on.
"What are weird duck, he was!" Jenny said, as they walked away. "Do you see his purple eyes,
and long white hair?"
The Doctor and Julia walked on, until they reached a pile of wood, and turned over trash cans.
Rats ran thru the trash, and the smell was terrible.
"Sally...Sally Rand," The Doctor called out. "We would like to speak with you."
"Go away," came a reply from amidst the trash. "I don't feel like being company to anyone
today." The voice was the voice of a young woman, but sounded very tired, and shopworn. A
sound of coughing came from the trash. "I'm sick today. Please go away."
"But we want to hear of the future," The Doctor said, softly. "We want to hear of cars, and
planes, and of a marvelous invention called television. In fact, we want to hear everything about
you...Mr. Roger Collins."
A stirring came from the trash, and a very pretty young lady, with blond hair, and blue eyes,
emerged. Her face was dirty, all covered with black soot, tears welled up in her eyes. "So you
believe me! You believe my stories," she said coughing. She glanced over at Julia. "Julia, is that
you? How is this possible?"
"It is a phenomenon known as falling back," replied The Doctor. "Reincarnation sometimes sends
souls backward in time. For in the realm of souls, time is not really a barrier. It is merely a
different place."
Julia gently embraced Sally. Tears ran down Sally's face. "And so I'm not crazy. I was beginning
to think that I was. Those memories...they haunt my dreams," Sally said, coughing, spitting out
blood.
"Roger, you are very sick," Julia said, concerned. "Come with us to our hotel room. I have some
medicine, that should cure you. We can talk about old times. We are here researching a book,
about Cassandra Collins. But before we go...we will help you, my old friend."
"Thanks, luv," Sally said, leaning against her. "You know that I never really did believe that
researching a book story. You were in love with Barnabas." She glanced over at the Doctor. "I
don't mean to hurt your feelings. Talking about Julia's old beau."
"I'm well aware, of the 'Cousin from England', and those hot nights of passion at the Old House,"
The Doctor said smiling. "But Julia is my wife now."
To be continued--
Dark Shadows is a Dan Curtis Production