30 Stories in 30 Days #11 – “From Out of Town”

From Out of Town

 

“We have arrived at your destination.”

“Thanks,” Amy said as she passed her hand over the reader, which deducted her fare from her Ident chip.

“You are welcomed,” the automated cab replied.

Amy stepped out and glanced around at the grey office buildings.  Without thinking, her hands clutched at her stomach.  When she realized she was doing it, she forced her arms to her sides, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath.  After a moment, she let it out and opened her eyes.  Calmer – slightly – she went in the nearest entrance.

The lobby was what one would expect – gleaming tiles, abstract art, a securitybot – but what was unexpected was the human security guard.  The matronly woman sized Amy up then asked, “May I help you?”

“Um, I’m looking for Dimensional Adventures.”

“Fourth floor.”

“Thanks.”

The guard only nodded in reply and watched as Amy stepped into the elevator.  When the doors opened, Amy saw a sign with “Dimensional Adventures” with an arrow to the right, and “Doctor Laura Condell, DMD” with an arrow to the left.  Amy turned to the right, took another calming deep breath, then opened the door to Dimensional Adventures.

A receptionist looked up when Amy entered and smiled.  “Good afternoon.”

“Good afternoon,” Amy replied.

“Do you have an appointment?”

“Yes.  Uh, Amy Foster.”

The receptionist checked her computer, then turned back and said, “If you’ll have a seat, Doctor Reed will be with you in a few moments.”

“Thanks.” Amy sat in an upholstered chair between a potted fern and a table with old magazines.  She looked over the magazines, but settled on studying the beige carpet for several minutes.

“Miss Foster.”

Amy looked up to see a short woman with a wide smile holding out her hand.

“I’m Doctor Reed.”

“Oh.” Amy stood and shook her hand.  “Amy Foster.”

“Why don’t you come back to my office.” Doctor Reed indicated a hallway and led Amy down it to a tidy little office.  The wall behind Doctor Reed’s desk was a vidscreen showing waves pounding a sandy beach.  The other walls held framed diplomas and pictures of cats.

Once the two were settled in, Doctor Reed asked, “Miss Foster, may I call you Amy?”

“Um, yes.”

Doctor Reed smiled.  “Amy, what can we here at Dimensional Adventures do for you?”

“Uh.”

After several seconds when Amy didn’t continue, Doctor Reed said, “It’s really simple.  There are an infinite number of alternate dimensions.  You pick the one you want to go to, we fire up the radion accelerator and pop you into that dimension for anywhere from an hour to a month.  Some of the popular dimensions range from worlds where Queen Boudica succeeded in driving out the Romans to where Hillary Clinton wasn’t elected President to, there is even a world almost indistinguishable from that created by J. K. Rowling.  So, where would you like to go?”

Amy leaned forward in her chair.  “I hear there are dimension with,” she swallowed, then whispered, “men.”

“Ah, you’re looking for one of our ‘special’ adventures.” Doctor Reed smiled held up a hand and smiled.  “Don’t worry, you’re not even the first one today.”

Doctor Reed turned on her computer.  “Since you’re not one of our regulars, I take it this would be your first time around men?”

Blushing, Amy only looked to the floor.

“I would suggest you stay away from dimensions populated mostly or entirely with men.  They can be … rather intense.  We have scouted out numerous 50/50 worlds and there are several where the men would find a shy, nervous girl like you rather cute.”