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This story takes place in the same universe as my story What I need. Meeting Mathias By Morpheus I grinned rather foolishly as I went into the game shop to check out the latest things they got in. A quick look around though revealed that they didn't have anything new that caught my interest. Or more specifically, they didn't have anything new that I both wanted and could afford. That last one was the real damper. "Drat," I muttered, taking a quick look around the shop and finding a role-playing book that I'd had my eye on for awhile. After a moment of consideration I grabbed it. "Hey Gus," the guy behind the counter waved to me. "Hey Matt," I grinned back at him. We'd been friends for years and I'd been real excited when he got the job here at the shop. Unfortunately, all the discounts and such that I imagined him sneaking to me never quite managed to appear. "How's it going?" "Not bad," Matt told me, I nodded politely at that, feeling a bit jealous of Matt. He had a cool job working at a game shop and he had a pretty girlfriend. I had yet to have much luck with either department and didn't have much hope. That might be why I didn't put much effort into looking. "Are you gonna have that new Warcraft release on sale soon?" I asked him hopefully. My real hope was that he'd have one in the back that he could sneak me for free, or at least half off. After all, he was my friend. "I can't afford to get it new yet." "I know." Matt rolled his eyes, "Your parents don't give you enough allowance." "It's not easy," I told him with a pleading look. Matt just shook his head though, "You never change..." "Thanks," I grinned at him. "It's not a compliment," Matt told me with an exasperated tone. "C'mon man... You're nineteen years old and you still mooch off your parents. You've got to move out and get a job of your own." I winced at that, having heard something similar from my parents just the night before. "Some of us weren't lucky enough to get a good job like this in high school," I pointed out. Matt just laughed at that, "This is not a good job. Sure, it's great to hang around all day with this stuff, but it doesn't pay much. I have to find something else if I want to get a better apartment." "We could go into a new one together," I suggested. Matt shook his head again. "You don't have a job and couldn't pay rent. Besides, I already have a roommate and I need a better job to get an apartment without one." Then he told me, "Look man, I'm your friend... But you need to get off your ass and do something." "I'll try," I sighed, rolling my eyes. I normally liked to hang around and talk with Matt for a bit longer, but I didn't like the direction this conversation was going. After I paid for my book, I hurried out the door, eager to get back him and to my game. I had a new character I'd just started playing online and was hoping to get him up a few more levels today. Unfortunately, Matt's words continued to echo in my head. He just didn't understand. No one really did it seemed. I wanted to get a good job but it wasn't like they just handed them out. I couldn't afford to go to college and didn't want to waste my time working at McDonalds or something. It was all just pointless so I might as well just do what I liked. I was walking down the street to the bus stop when a man called out, "Excuse me Gus, may I have a minute of your time?" "What?" I blinked, surprised that he knew my name. The man who came up to me was average height, just a little taller than me and middle aged. His hair was mostly dark though sprinkled with gray and he had a pretty nice looking suit on, though I was no judge since I'd never worn one before in my life. He carried box in his hand which he set down beside him so he could face me with both hands. "Who are you?" I asked suspiciously, wondering who this guy was. "Please allow me to introduce myself," he said, holding out his hand for me to shake. "My name is Mathias and I am here to offer you a special opportunity." "I'm not interested," I told him, "I've got enough Bibles or whatever it is you're selling." Mathias chuckled, "I assure you it's nothing like that, though that is the first thing most people seem to assume. You wouldn't believe the number of times I have been mistaken for a salesman." "Then what are you?" I asked, still suspicious. Mathias gave me a serious look, "You are unemployed, overweight, and see few prospects for your future. You are not happy with your life and seek something more, something more fulfilling. I can help you get that something." "What?" I blinked in confusion, "How?" "A very powerful magic ritual," Mathias stated as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Did Matt put you up to this?" I demanded, annoyed that he'd think I was gullible just because I like role playing and fantasy stuff. "No one put me up to this," Mathias stated. "Let me demonstrate something." He held out his hand, revealing a strange symbol on his palm that was glowing purple. It looked a bit like something I'd seen in my role playing books or online role playing games, but nothing from real life. Then he pressed his palm against his other and the strange glowing symbol transferred over to it. "It is a magical mark," Mathias explained. "How I acquired it is a complicated story that I won't bore you with." "You made a deal with a demon," I gasped in shock, my mind racing as I remembered all the stories I'd ever read of the sort. "You're trying to get my soul too..." "I want no such thing," Mathias snapped in annoyance. "In your perspective, you might be better served calling me a cleric. This mark gives me the ability to perform a very powerful ritual that can improve the lives of those who attend. Your soul remains your own and there is no cost except that you will lose the life you are currently living exchange for one that better suits your needs and desires." I stared at Mathias for a moment, still feeling suspicious but getting more and more interested with every passing moment. It wouldn't hurt me to listen, especially since I knew better than to just offer my soul for something. "Okay," I told him reluctantly, "go ahead." Mathias nodded, "Thank you. The ritual takes twelve people, most of whom have lives or traits that others envy but who are not fulfilled by them and seek fulfillment elsewhere..." "Then why pick me?" I asked sarcastically, knowing that I didn't have much that anyone would envy. "I have a...gift," Mathias said carefully. "I can sense people who need something else from life, who seek something much more fulfilling. It draws me to the people who are suited for the ritual and for each other. It has drawn me to you this time." Then he smiled, "And just because you do not see the value of what you have does not mean others don't." I nodded at that, not sure what to say. "Okay." Mathias continued, "The ritual will switch the lives of these twelve around to best match each with their needs." I nodded at that, deciding to treat this like a role-playing game and get as much information as I could. "And what does this ritual need?" "Very good," Mathias smiled faintly, "Few think to ask that. It requires twelve participants other than myself. It requires being performed at midnight on the full moon...meaning tonight. And it requires absolute secrecy." "Absolute secrecy?" I asked suspiciously. "Yes," Mathias responded with a serious look. "Each participant must keep their identity a complete secret from the others. If your identity were to be known to any of the others, the magic would exclude you. And before you ask, I am the facilitator, not a participant. The rules do not apply the same to me. You must not tell anyone at all about this ritual or risk losing all benefit from it." "Okay," I promised, "I won't tell anyone..." "See that you don't," Mathias told me grimly. Then he gestured to the box by his feet. "There are items to help hide your identity in here. Wear them before you arrive tonight at the ritual and don't speak a word once you arrive." I stared at him for a moment, a little annoyed that he just assumed I would go ahead with the ritual. But as I thought about it, I realized that I didn't have anything to lose. I wasn't happy with the life I was living and wouldn't mind exchanging it for a new one. He must have known that already because I nodded, knowing that I was indeed going to go through the ritual. "Here is the address," Mathias said, handing me a piece of paper with an address written on it. "Be sure to arrive at least fifteen minutes early." After this, Mathias thanked me and walked away, leaving me standing there with the box. I stood there for a full minute, feeling a bit stunned by what had just happened. Then I grinned, realizing that this was what I'd always fantasized about...the day I saw real magic in action. I picked up the box and continued to the bus stop, deciding that this was definitely my lucky day. -------------------- I stood in front of the mirror, staring at myself in the costume Mathias had left in the box. It had consisted simply of a cheap purple robe with a hood and a cheap plastic Halloween mask. The mask was all white and looked like a blank and featureless face, reminding me of the one Michael Meyers wore in the Halloween movies. It had small holes in it for the nostrils, a slit for the mouth and two holes for the eyes, but those were the only real distinct features. "Boring," I complained, "and cheap. I've seen much better at the fantasy convention." That fact was a real disappointment since I would have thought that real magic would call for a bit more authenticity. But Mathias said that the costume would hide my identity and it would certainly do that. Just then, there was a loud knocking on my door and my mom's voice demanding, "Are you still up Gus? You know you shouldn't stay up to late..." "I was just going to bed," I called back, quickly rushing to block the door so she couldn't just open it and walk in. I didn't want my mom to see me in this outfit and not just because Mathias had warned me to keep everything a secret. She thought I was too caught up in my role-playing and stuff as it was and seeing me in something like this wouldn't help that. Once I was sure my mom had gone away, I took off the outfit Mathias gave me and put it back into the box. I looked over to a Dark Vader costume I'd made for the science fiction and fantasy convention a few years back and thought about going in that instead. Unfortunately, if anyone knew me it might give away my real identity and I couldn't have that. I had a difficult time waiting and being patient, especially since I was supposed to be in bed. I stayed silent in my room, not making any noise until it was time to go. I carefully crept out into the dark house, relieved that my parents were both in bed. It would make this a whole lot easier on me...unless of course I got caught. "I can't believe this," I muttered to myself bitterly, "I'm nineteen years old and sneaking out of the house like I was still in junior high." Of course, that's about what I normally felt like living with my parents. It didn't take me long to grab my dad's car keys from the counter where he left them then to sneak out the back door. I didn't feel bad taking his car without asking because he'd always told me I could borrow it whenever I wanted, as long as it was available when he needed it and I filled the gas up. Of course, I normally couldn't afford the gas so I rarely got to actually take the car out. Tonight though was a special occasion. Soon I was arriving at the address Mathias had given me. It was a large a large parking garage that was pretty much empty with only a few scattered cars. I drove past one person who was climbing out of their car with the robe and mask already on. I suddenly felt self-conscious and used my hand to block my face so they couldn't see me. Once I was past, I grabbed for my own mask and put it on. "Here I am," I said as I pulled into a parking spot without any other people nearby. Thanks to all the turns and sections in the parking garage, I had a bit of privacy while I climbed out of the car and put on my robe...at least as long as no one else drove past. "I guess I'm ready." The piece of paper Mathias had given me gave directions to a specific section of the parking garage so I made my way there. I soon noticed other people in robes heading in the same direction. It was a relief since I now knew I wasn't the only one dressed up in this goofy costume. When I arrived at my final destination, I looked around and gasped in surprise. The whole section had been coned off and was completely empty of cars though a hundred could probably fit there. There was a marble pillar sitting in the middle of the space, standing about five feet tall and glowing with a faint light that impressed me. The pillar was also right in the center of a circle drawn in chalk and surrounded by several dozen candles. Then I saw Mathias, standing back and watching everyone else arrive. He was wearing the same purple robes as me, but without the mask or even the hood. But then again, he had said he was a facilitator and not a participant so the normal rules didn't apply to him as well. "Everyone gather around the circle and hold hands," Mathias called out once twelve of us had arrived. "Remain there and I will do the rest." No one else spoke so I remained quiet too, remembering Mathias' warning not to talk once I arrived. Without a word we all found a place in the circle and took the hands of the people to our sides. I gulped, feeling a very strong grip on one of my hands and a very faint one on the other. Then I turned my attention to Mathias. Mathias stood in the center of the circle, right beside the glowing pillar. He began to recite something in a strange sing-song language that sounded as though it could come from the lips of elves...or sorcerers. As he spoke, the pillar began to glow brighter and I could feel a strange tingling in the air. The hairs on the back of my arms and neck all stood on end. I could feel a pressure building in the air as well, getting stronger and stronger. And though I couldn't say how I knew this, I could sort of sense everyone else in the circle at the same time, knowing that they were feeling the same things I was. "It is midnight of the full moon," Mathias called out ceremoniously, holding up his hand to show the glowing purple symbol on his palm. "I now invoke the magic." And with that, Mathias turned and placed his palm onto the glowing pillar. Suddenly all the pressure that had built up exploded into a blast of brilliant light, filling me with a strange and overwhelming dizziness. I gasped and staggered back for a moment, letting go of the hands I was holding. Everyone else was doing the same. And though I couldn't explain it, for a single instant it almost felt as though I was somehow connected to each and every other person in the circle, though that feeling vanished as quickly as it had come. I stood there for a moment, feeling wobbly and a bit...off. I couldn't describe what it was that was wrong, only that I still felt a bit out of it. I couldn't see anyone else's face so I didn't know if they felt it too, though I strongly suspected they did. Finally, I turned my attention back to Mathias, just as the glow was fading >from the pillar. He held up his hand and called out, "The ritual is complete and the effects of the magic will soon make themselves known to you. Now go and enjoy your new lives." I was a little confused since I'd been expecting something a little more >from this ritual, or at least something a little more obvious. However, I knew it had done something, even if I didn't know what yet. I could feel it. But Mathias said the magic would make itself known so I tried to be patient as I turned and walked away. While I was walking through the parking garage, I became more aware of this strangeness I was feeling. It felt as though I was in two places at once. There was me...and the other me. The other one felt a bit vague and distant but was getting stronger. If I thought about it, I could even see and feel myself walking through a different part of the parking garage. That second view slowly got stronger so that I didn't have to really think about it to be aware of what the other me was doing. It was strange being aware of two completely different things at once. I was walking towards my dads car. I was opening the door to an expensive looking Lexus. The first version was the real me but the second one was seeming stronger and more real with every passing moment. "This is weird," I gasped in amazement. The awareness of being in two places at once grew stronger and stronger, leaving me a little confused as to which was which. I was unlocking my dads car. I was throwing my mask into the passenger seat and reaching for a purse. I was taking off my own mask and robes. I was putting a cigarette between my lips and lighting it, taking a long drag and blowing the smoke back out. Both versions of reality felt equally real. After a minute, I looked into my rear view mirror but didn't see Gus looking back. It was the other me I was feeling, the one that kept getting stronger. It was a woman whom I'd never seen before, but who somehow seemed extremely familiar. A part of me even said, "This is my reflection." I became aware of the fact that this woman me was becoming more real and dominant while the Gus me was receding into the background. I was still aware of what Gus was doing, but it wasn't quite as obvious. I had to think about it a little more to feel Gus. I took another drag of my cigarette, feeling relaxed by the action. I...or least the Gus me never smoked but this seemed perfectly normal. I somehow knew that I'd been smoking for years. "What's happening to me?" I asked, not sure which of me had actually asked the question. Then I became aware that the Gus me was reaching into his wallet to look at his drivers license. It wasn't something that I was doing consciously and it actually felt more as though someone else were performing the actions. On the other hand, this female me was feeling more and more like the real 'me' with every passing moment. "I'm getting a new life," I whispered, this time definitely from my new body. I took another absent drag from my cigarette, thinking about Mathias had said about getting a new life. "I had no idea he meant it so literally." I should have felt horrified and angry at having my own body taken away >from me but I couldn't. After all, I felt as though I was in my own body. Gus felt more and more like someone else entirely. I could feel him vaguely in the back of my mind but even that was fading. At the same time, I was becoming more aware of my own self-identity. It was still a bit fuzzy though so I knew I had to get home to think about it. But when I thought 'home', the house Gus had lived in wasn't what immediately came to mind. I had somewhere much nicer to go. I drove my nice Lexus out of the parking garage a minute later, feeling somewhat mixed feelings about driving it. Gus had never driven anything this nice yet it felt very familiar, as though I'd been driving it for a long time. I even felt a possessiveness and knowledge that it was mind. A thought slipped through my mind that I'd owned this Lexus for about a year now. During the drive home, I felt the connection to 'Gus' slip away. I even let out a sigh of relief, thankful not to be tied to that boy anymore. Strangely, I no longer thought of myself as 'Gus' or as a boy. In fact, the idea of being either of those seemed distasteful somehow. When I reached my house, I parked in the garage and stepped out of my car. It was a large house, twice the size of the one I had lived in as Gus. But at the same time, I knew that I had the house completely to myself with the exception of my fish. They were expensive little beauties that I enjoyed looking at to relax. I stepped into my house with the complete confidence of ownership. Sure, I knew intellectually that I'd never been in this house before, but at the same time I knew that I'd lived here for three years. I remembered moving in and buying the perfect furnishings for it. It was MY house. "Perhaps I should examine my new life," I smiled faintly, feeling somewhat amused by this whole situation. It seemed silly to be examining my own life, the one that I'd always lived. Or at least it was the one I felt I'd always lived and I had the body and memories to go with it. I went straight to the large mirror that decorated one wall of my living room and stared at my reflection. Again, it was the same woman I'd never seen before except in the car mirror yet I knew without a doubt that this was 'me'. This was the same face I saw in the mirror every morning when I got ready for work. A name immediately came to mind. "Annette," I stated simply. After all, there was no need to get emotional about saying my own name. And I knew that it was my name. I was Annette. That was simply who I was. I remembered being Gus, but that didn't change the fact that I was definitely Annette. The woman in the mirror was so familiar to me that I didn't need to look in order to know nearly every detail. I was 5 foot 9 in bare feet, though I usually wore high heels for the extra height. I was 36 years old though tended to drop a year or two from that when telling others. I was a beautiful, sophisticated, and educated woman with a very successful career. My hair was dark brown and shoulder length while my stylish glasses added to the professional look I went for. It all felt perfectly normal and comfortable. "This is me," I stated the simple fact. It felt like me. It was me. I looked over my body, mentally cataloguing the list of small faults that always seemed to creep up. I knew that the Gus me wouldn't have noticed most of these faults, though I most definitely wasn't as young as I once was. I frowned slightly at the realization that I'd just become 17 years older in the space of an hour yet I didn't feel old. I felt...normal. Finally, I snapped, "I don't have time for this." I looked over to the clock and frowned. It was very late...or very early depending on your perspective and I had to get up early for work. A short time later, I had removed my makeup, gotten undressed and climbed into bed, enjoying the silk sheets. They felt so great against my skin. My only complaint was that I didn't have time enjoy a glass of wine before bed, but you can't have everything when you have responsibilities. -------------------- It was my first morning as Annette but it wasn't really a big deal. I got ready for work the same way I always did, or at least the same way the old Annette always did. I barely even thought about the fact that until last night I'd been a young man named Gus. It felt as though I'd always been Annette so it certainly wasn't important. But while I sat back putting on my makeup, I absently mused about how different this was for the Gus part of me. He never would have known how to do this. Then again, when I thought about it, I realized that I no longer remembered much about role-playing and the like. The whole thing just seemed kind of silly. It was kind of odd considering that as Gus it had been my favorite hobby. "But I am most definitely NOT Gus," I mused with a look into the mirror at my perfect makeup job. Once I was ready to leave, I lit myself a cigarette and took a long drag, absently telling myself that I would have to quite some day. The irony of the fact that I'd only started last night made me smile faintly, though not for long. I grabbed my purse and climbed into my Lexus, knowing that I could get there in fifteen minutes. It took me a little longer to get to work than I expected due to traffic, but I wasn't really thrown off my schedule. I parked in my personal parking space and just stood there for a moment, looking over the large building. My company only leased four of the floors, but as the regional director I was the one responsible for all those employees. I felt a surge of pride at that, in spite of the fact that it had been the previous Annette who earned the position. "My first day at the new job," I smiled faintly as I went inside, feeling as though I came here every day. Of course, I remembered coming here to work every day but I was a little excited in spite of that. I guess there was more of the old Gus left in me than I thought. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or bad thing though. I caught the elevator and made my way to my office, pausing to pick up some new mail from my secretary's desk. My secretary Gwen smiled nervously, wishing me a good morning, then hesitantly saying, "Candice called in awhile ago... She went into labor this morning so she won't be in." I paused for a moment, searching my memories and remembering that Candice was our human recourses manager. And as Gwen reminded me, she'd been very pregnant as of late. It looked like it was finally her time. "Did she say if she had a boy or girl?" I asked curiously. "She said she had a boy," Gwen told me with a grin. I nodded at that. "Let's get her a card to congratulate her." "That's a great idea," Gwen grinned broadly, looking at me a little surprised. "We can pass it around for everyone to sign," I told Gwen, then added, "And we can get her some flowers too." Then while I was thinking about it, I mused, "I suppose I'll have to take over all her job interviews for now." After this, I went into my office and sat down, turning to look out the window. It wasn't a great view, but it was a window office and the best one available in all four floors that I managed. I had a very nice desk and an office that everyone else in this building envied. Or at least everyone else that worked for me. "This is the life," I smiled, just savoring it for a minute. Before long though, I was deep in work, going over various reports and dealing with several employees. I had to have a talk with one young woman who nearly cost the company a large and valuable contract because of a mistake she made in an order. I had to discipline a man who came in over an hour late without a good excuse, and then I had to assign several large projects to the people I thought best able to handle them. "I know this one is running late," I said as I handed a folder to one of my top people, "But it needs to be done as soon as possible." I turned away from him and walked down the hall with a smile, wondering exactly why I was in such a good mood. I had several problem employees, three major contracts coming due, and I was having to cover for my missing human recourses person. There were problems everywhere and lots of stress, but I was actually enjoying myself. Then as I returned to my office, I saw Gwen talking with another woman. I was going to just walk past them until I heard them mention my name. "I don't know why," Gwen told the other woman, "but she's been so nice today. She's normally such a bitch too..." "I know what you mean," the other woman snickered. "When Annette was chewing Jan out for screwing up, she wasn't nearly as bad as normal. I mean, she didn't even yell or insult Jan at all, much less fire her like I expected." "And starting that thing for Candice," Gwen shook her head, "I've never seen her do something like that for one of us. I think I know what it is. I think she must be in love." I blinked at that, then stepped into view, pretending that I hadn't heard a word either of them had said. Gwen made a sudden burst of typing on her computer to cover up that she'd just been talking while the other woman hurried off. I nodded to Gwen and continued into my office, taking a seat behind my desk and thinking about what Gwen had just said. "She said I'm normally a bitch," I mused aloud. I was a little surprised at their talk about how I was behaving differently. After all, I was just doing my job the same way that the old Annette always had. But after a moment, I realized that I had been acting a little different. Normally I...or at least the old Annette had been tired and frustrated from all the stress and responsibility of her position. She took it out on all of the employees without much thought. "But I enjoyed myself," I thought aloud. Sure, I'd felt all the stress and pressure of my responsibilities, but I'd actually enjoyed them. Or at least I enjoyed all the respect and authority that came with my job. It all made me feel important and needed. I loved coming here and working, even when things were going wrong. It must have come through. "That's it," I gasped in sudden realization. "That's what Mathias meant..." Mathias had told me...had told the Gus me that he could give me a life that was more fulfilling. As Gus, I'd wanted authority and respect but never seemed to get any of either. I never thought it would really be possible for me to get those things, that they were out of my reach because of my weight and lack of money. Because of that, I'd never let myself hope and I'd never tried. "And now I have it," I whispered thoughtfully. "I have everything I ever wanted but never even knew I wanted. I actually feel fulfilled from doing this work..." I smiled at that, knowing the old Annette had never been happy doing the job but had been ambitious enough to keep pushing for more. "She pushed herself beyond her own limits to handle. That's probably why she went through the ritual..." I leaned back in my chair, feeling quite pleased now that I had a better understanding as to why the ritual had turned me into Annette. Of course, I'd already accepted myself as Annette but now I understood what this life had to offer me. It was quite a bit and I was definitely going to enjoy it. Just then, Gwen interrupted my thoughts by knocking on my door. "I'm really sorry," Gwen apologized, "But Lisa the receptionist just called. Someone just came in looking for a job interview and Candice normally takes care of this kind of thing..." "Okay," I told Gwen with a faint smile, "Send them in." "But he doesn't have an appointment," Gwen quickly told me. "I don't want to waste your time or anything so we can always tell him to come back later." "Go ahead and send him in," I told her. "I've got a few minutes to spare." Gwen nodded, looking a little surprised at that. "Okay..." And with that she hurried away. A minute later the job applicant came in, looking very young and inexperienced. He was just about 18 or 19 and noticeably overweight. I stared at him for a moment, thinking that he looked vaguely familiar. It took me a moment to realize why. This was GUS. This was my original body. "I'm sorry I didn't have get an appointment ahead of time," the new Gus said nervously, setting a piece of paper on my desk, "I brought my resume though..." I stared at Gus for a moment, thinking that the old Annette and I must have switched roles and she was looking for a tie to her old life. But when I looked Gus in the eyes, I was startled to see absolutely no signs of recognition. Whoever had been turned into Gus during the ritual, it hadn't been the former Annette. I guess that made sense though since Mathias said each person would find the life that best suited their needs and two people would rarely be a perfect match for each other. "I don't normally accept interviews without an appointment," I told him in a gentle tone. "Fortunately for you I have a little extra time available today." "Thank you ma'am," he told me, blushing uncomfortably. I reached for his resume, more curious than anything else. I knew that when I was Gus I didn't have any qualifications whatsoever, other than having graduated high school. The new Gus didn't either, but at least he was honest enough to put that down on his resume. It listed high school as his only experience. "This doesn't seem like much reason to hire you," I told him honestly. "I know," he admitted self-consciously, reminding me very much of what it had been like to be him. "But I'll work hard and do my best. I just want a chance to prove it." I stared at him for a moment, not sure what to do with this new Gus. It was so strange to be sitting across from my old self like this, especially in a position of authority. I had to admit that I rather enjoyed it, as odd as it was. "You don't have any employment history," I pointed out. "And you've been out of high school for a year. Why would you start working hard now?" The new Gus stared at me with a surprising look of determination in his eyes. "I had a...an epiphany last night. I'm young and relatively healthy, but I wasn't doing anything at all with my life. I want to change that. I want to take advantage of my chance to make something of myself with my own two hands." I continued to stare at Gus, amazed by the determination in both his eyes and voice. I don't think I'd ever been that determined when I was Gus. I didn't know who this person had been before, but he certainly wasn't the same Gus I was. He seemed to be a stronger Gus, just as I was a more relaxed Annette. I think that I approved of the change. "Very well," I said after a minute, earning a look of surprise from him. "We have a position available in supplies." I looked him straight in the eyes, "You'll only earn minimum wage at first, but if it works out for six months you'll get a dollar-an-hour raise and the chance to transfer to another department with advancement opportunities. Are you still interested?" "Oh yes," the new Gus grinned in delight. "Thank you very much... You won't be sorry." "I'm sure I wont," I told him. Once I had Gus all set up for his new job and ushered out of my office, I sat back in my chair and smiled. When I was Gus, I'd always thought that I had no opportunities for a real future so I took special delight in helping the new Gus with his. It was as though I was helping myself in a strange way, making me thinking that my new life truly was fulfilling in ways that I never would have guessed. "All thanks to that ritual," I thought aloud, deciding that meeting Mathias was the best thing to ever happen to me in either of my two lives. And after seeing the new Gus, I had a feeling that I wasn't the only one to think so. THE END