A Tale Of Two Perfect Strangers (II)

Friday, 8th October

Here's the link to the previous article, just in case you didn't get around to reading it before.

https://read.cash/@The.Ada/a-tale-of-two-perfect-strangers-i-0113d586

Now, the story continues...

~~~~~

In one of Ferry Compartments, Georgia and Abigail are just finishing lunch. Georgia has been drinking and her eyes are bright and feverish. An almost empty wine bottle sits near a couple of detective novels covered with gaudily illustrated coats. Georgia has an unlighted cigarette in her mouth. Abigail's lighter is on the table. Georgia snaps it a couple of times, as though fascinated, lights her cigarette and puts the lighter on the table again.

Georgia- Sure, I went to college. Four of them precisely. Every time they kicked me out Mommy dearest throws me back in. (Bitterly) She finally gave up. She thinks I'm awfully useless. A nuisance, not worth anything. (Wistfully) You my friend, Abigail?

Abigail- Sure I'm your friend, Georgia.

Georgia- (A little woozy) No, you're not. Nobody thinks I'm anything special. Only my father did but he's dead now. (Empties the bottle into his glass) My mother hates me.

Abigail smiles this off as nonsense

Abigail- You must be imagining things.

Georgia- (Hitting the bottom of the bottle for the last drop) And I hate her. She thinks I should take the bus every morning to a 9 to 5 job that would probably be the death of me and maybe work my way up to manager of a mini mart or something. Her... with all her money!

Abigail- (Amused by Georgia) Well, what would you want to do?

Georgia- You mean before or after I kill her?

Abigail- (Chuckling) Before, of course.

Georgia- (Leaning forward eagerly) I want to do everything. I got a theory that you're supposed to do everything before you die. Have you ever driven a car, blindfolded at 150 miles per hour?

Abigail- Not at all. Not ever.

Georgia- I did, and let me tell you, it's utterly liberating and in a fleeting moment, you feel free. I have gone Cliff diving before and I'm making reservations to go bungee jumping too.

Abigail- (Amused and curious) What exactly is it you're trying to prove and to whom?

Gerogia- I'm not like you, Abigail. You're lucky. You're smart, you're the rising star in your career and you're even married to a rich guy.

Abigail- (Quickly) Yes I'm ambitious but my marriage with Gregory has nothing to do with anything. Marrying him is the biggest regret of my life and I really don't care if he's rich. That marriage is draining the life out of me.

Georgia- Take it easy, girl. I'm your friend, remember? I'd do anything for you.

Abigail- Sure, Georgia, sure... We'll be docking soon. I better get my things.

Georgia- You said his name is Gregory, right?... your husband.

Abigail- Yes, why?

Georgia- That's it. Gregory Evan Jameson. Plays around a lot, I suppose?

Abigail- Let's not talk about this anymore.

Georgia- (Almost hopefully) Maybe he'll make trouble for you.

Abigail- How do you figure?

Georgia- Do you have enough on him to your divorce no matter what? Because he's quite influential and he doesn't strike me as the kind of guy who would give up easily without a fight. He wouldn't let you go. You are stuck.

Abigail feeling somewhat devastated

Abigail- Let's change the subject, Georgia, can't we?

Georgia- Okay, Abigail. Want me to tell you one of my ideas for murdering my mother?

Abigail- (Indicating the detective novels) You've been reading too many of these, eh?

Georgia- (Going right on) You want to hear about the busted light socket in her bathroom od the carbon monoxide in the garage?

Abigail- No. Color me old-fashioned but I thought murder was against the law.

Georgia- But not against the law of nature. My theory is that everybody is a potential murderer. Didn't you ever want to kill somebody? Perhaps your useless husband?

Abigail- You can't go around killing people because you think they're useless

Georgia- Oh, what's a life or two? Some people are better off dead, Abby. Take your husband and my mother for instance. It reminds me of a wonderful idea I had once. I lie awake at night thinking about it. Now, let's say you want to get rid of your husband.

Abigail- Why?

Georgia- Let's say he refuses to sign the divorce papers. (Raises a finger and stops Abigail's protest) let's say. You'd be afraid to kill him because you'd get caught. And what would trip you up? Motive. Now, here's the plan.

Abigail- I'm afraid I haven't the time to listen

Georgia- (Ignoring the remark) It's so simple. A couple of ladies meet accidentally like you and me. No connection between them at all. Never seen each other before. Each of them has somebody she'd like to get rid of, but she can't murder the person because she'll get caught. So they swap murders.

Abigail- Swap murders?

Georgia- Each lady does the other lady's murder. Then there's nothing to connect them. The one who had the motive isn't there. Each lady murders a total stranger. Like you do my murder and I do yours.

Abigail- (With relief) We're arriving at the port

Georgia- For example, your husband, my mother criss cross.

Abigail- (Sharply) What?!

Gerogia- (With a smile) We are on the same page, eh? Aren't we, Abby?

Abigail- Sure we are. This is just wishful thinking. Thanks for lunch Georgia.

Georgia- (Beaming) I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Georgia opens her arms for a hug. Abigail is in a hurry but she embraces Georgia.

Abigail- Nice to meet you, Georgia.

Georgia- (Detaining her at the door) I'm thinking my theory is okay, Abby? You like it?

Abigail- Yeah, for a theory, it is. Goodbye Georgia.

Georgia- Goodbye, Abigail.

THE END!

A/N: How unusual the encounter. What odd conversation. Is that what people talk about when they meet each for the first time in a ferry?? Anyway, there's just this one thing that's nagging at me, Do you think Georgia is going to go through with this theory of hers? I ask this because the way she talked about it seemed as though she reveled in it. Oh well, we'll never know. Toodles!