-Saturday, Dan Foxworthy’s office.-

Jenny is on her back against the couch, giving these details of the dream.

Dan: So what happens next?

Jenny: I…wake up.  Back here in the present.

Dan: Hmmm.  And you say you have this dream…

Jenny: Over and over.  Every night.  It never changes…not in the slightest.  I walk out the door with all intentions of talking to Dana.  I’m almost certain that when I mention the waterfalls, it may have convinced her.  I cannot be completely sure, though because I always wake up before I can have the conversation with Dana.  The conversation that can save her life.

Dan: …I see.

Jenny slides off the couch, now on her feet.  She begins to pace around, the details of the dream or possible time warp still fresh in her mind.

Jenny: And that’s just it, Doc.  I don’t think it’s supposed to end there.  I think it’s supposed to end after I’ve talked with her.  And talk her into getting a mammogram much earlier than she would have otherwise.  Until I can get to that, nothing changes in the present.

Dan: Well…let’s suppose that you’re right.  You are looking to change the present by going to the past.  There are consequences to actions of that nature, Miss Schecter.  For example, let’s suppose…that I am able to go back in time.  Maybe a day, maybe a year.  Maybe a decade or more.  But by going back, something that happens can change things.  You talk about going back to save someone’s life.  Let’s say in this instance, I want to save a life, by preventing a robbery attempt.  By doing so, the would-be robber could just as easily kill me.  And then what happens?  By dying in the past, I can no longer be here in the present.  No family or home.  And certainly, no more business or clients.  No, I would be dead.  And you would be talking to someone else about your dreams at this moment.  Or perhaps, I could wind up killing the would-be robber myself.  Then I’d be in prison here in the present.

Jenny: Maybe.  But…I’m not trying to prevent a crime.  I’m just trying to save the life of someone I love.  A dear friend who should not have died so young.  If I have the chance to keep that from happening, I will, Doc.  But in order to do that…I have to be able to see this dream all the way through.

Jenny lays back down on the couch as the morning has long since passed deep into the afternoon.