Amanda Hardy, Your Past Life Calls

Chapter 7

In the elegance of Brian Dale's Fifth Avenue penthouse, Amanda presented her proposal for a stage production based on what Vi Mingledorff partially uncovered. Well, she did get the initial idea from her good friend Cassie and expert input from Carson Grant. All Amanda needed now was that all important financial backing from the extremely wealthy Brian and his music-loving associates.

She presented it all, and revealed all: Her troubling visions, the ever increasing tension and frustration with her fiancé, the past life regression therapy, and the music. Those gathered – well-heeled, highly educated and cultured – seemed impressed with Amanda's initial ideas. What an unusual show; the theme alone is intriguing enough. But would theatergoers actually pay to see a one-woman show, a musical adventure about a young woman who claims to have a past life as a dinosaur?

"Perhaps," ventured Mignon Pomarés, "this could be more effective as a film rather than the stage."
"Yes," said Brian, flashing Amanda a bright smile, "your ideas are remarkably fresh, and I love the pairing of the old masters' music with that of your own."
"Well," said Aimee Brady, "it certainly is an unusual theme...Past lives are, but what you suggest is so intriguing, if not unorthodox. I, myself, have gone through past life regression therapy, even found out I was a 12th Century cleric during the Crusades. But what you've experienced is far beyond all belief!"
"I agree," said Lonnie Pate, no fan of all this New Age thought, but openminded enough to accept the unorthodox. "A past life as a dinosaur is incredibly enchanting, and I feel your research has borne that out. Allow me to echo Mignon's suggestion that this could be done as a film. A one-woman presentation complete with all the state-of-the-art animation and special effects. However, this should not be marketed as a child's film. No! I can just imagine how your ideas could degenerate into a 'happy meal deal' if the usual Disneyish bunch get hold of this project!"

Brian Dale merely laughed in the face of the pro and con arguments for stage production versus feature film. To the man who feared a "Mickey Mouse" treatment of Amanda's proposed project, Brian reassured, "I'm sure we shan't allow Ms. Hardy's project to fall into their hands, Mr. Pate."

Turning to Amanda, he said, "Why this could transfer well onto film, I'm afraid the beauty of the music and story could be lost in a maze of special effects and computerized gimmickry. I say go ahead with a stage production; that way if the theater crowd goes for it then we can do a filmed adaptation later."

Thus went the course of Amanda's evening with Brian Dale and all his very rich, generous, high-minded associates. They spent several hours, going on into the wee hours of the morning, discussing what could be the biggest Broadway hit of the season. All that was needed now was to bring it all together, thus Amanda could at last put to rest those visions she found quite disturbing. However, now, her very unusual past life experience served as the key to a bright future – a future that would include Brian Dale, and the pair would become more than mere business partners.

******

The next morning, Kevin Williams sat in the coffee shop waiting for "Phase I" of his vendetta against Amanda and Brian. He still seethed that she could have the audacity to walk out on him after all these years, throw him over for the likes of Brian Dale. The man was a tiresome virtuous prig in college, and he is more of a pain now. No way would Kevin let him get away with "stealing" his girl, thus robbing Kevin of a lifetime of comfort and leisure. It was a given Kevin would never kowtow to the corporate mindset of Dale Industries, or any company. He knew hard work was never his forte, that there was always a successful woman off whom to sponge. Well, Amanda was that woman, and he had Toi on standby as the occasional fling when life with Amanda began to become unbearable.

Last night, while watching Toi revel in the club scene, Kevin devised ways to bring down Brian, but it had to be carefully planned, something that may eventually result in gross embarassment and a media frenzy. He imagined Brian standing before the press, denying any wrongdoing, but the damage would be done, and Brian would be forced to watch his company, the very business his father built up over the years, falter miserably.
All Kevin needed was to hook up with the right people to pull it off. Anyway, when Kevin called Alice this morning, suggesting a brief meeting over coffee and cinnamon buns, she had no idea what the man wanted. Perhaps it had something to do with Brian's interest in Amanda's upcoming Broadway musical. Perhaps Kevin wanted Alice to oversee the expenditures in that production. Whatever it was, Alice wanted no part; her schedule was already overextended, and any extra job, no matter how much it paid, wasn't worth more time spent away from her children.

So it was understandable for Alice to refuse whatever Kevin asked of her well before their early morning meeting. She never liked her schedule jumbled, what with getting her kids off to school and preparing for a full day's work. Alice was quite perturbed that Kevin Williams even called her at such an inopportune time – a few minutes shy of 6 A.M. – and that pushed her dearly what with signing a permission slip for her son's field trip and prepping her very fussy three-year old daughter for day care.

When she breezed through the door, Alice scanned the cafe, noting Kevin sitting at a secluded table in the back. He motioned to her.
"Mr. Williams," she began, completing the usual social expectations, "I'm really pressed for time this morning. I have yet to report to work, and I have to leave early this afternoon to take my daughter to the dentist..."
Kevin gallantly took her hand, indicated the basket of sweet cinnanom buns and carafe of hot French roast coffee. "Ms. Mowbray – Alice. May I call you Alice? And please call me Kevin. Now, please sit down as I know your time is valuable as is mine."

Alice sat down and looked Kevin up and down. Not exactly what she expected for the manager of one of the world's finest classical singers. During her silent assessment of the man, Alice could tell he was, physically, quite handsome and pleasant, but there was something in his eyes – a wild, unscrupulous streak that didn't set too well with her. Whatever he wanted, she would say "No thanks."

"Alice," said Kevin while passing a basket of rolls, "How long have you been with Dale Industries?"
"About 10 years," she replied, daintily breaking apart her roll then dunking a piece into her coffee cup. "The company is quite progressive in its care for working families. I took the job because of the day care and flexible scheduling."
"I see," said Kevin, not wanting to give away his quest too readily. "You are married..."
"Divorced. Two years come this April."
"And you have how many kids?"
"Three. Billy who's eight, Katie is five, and Jill just turned three. Why do you ask?"
"Oh, just curious. Must be bit much for you, a single mom juggling kids and a career..."
"Yes, but we manage. Bill and I split amiciably which is good for the kids. His mom still helps me out. How about that, my ex-mother-in-law on my side."
Alice laughed a bit then grew serious. "She's been wonderful, and she knew Bill and I were having problems. It really was his dad who opposed our marriage, and his meddling put so much strain on us...Err...Kevin, you don't want to hear about my past marital problems. So, why did you really ask me to meet with you?"

Kevin Williams chose his words carefully, not wanting to spoil the plan. This had to work perfectly, so there was no room for slipups. "Alice, there is a favor I need, and you must assure me the utmost confidence and discretion. I know you handle the corporate accounts, upper management expenditures, credit cards, all those executive perks. Hmm...How can I delicately put this..."

He waved to the server to refill the basket then said, "Your daughter Katie has some medical issues, and your son is still bitter about the divorce. Bill's father still makes trouble for you, and you really want to get back together with your ex. So, I'm willing to help you out in that capacity in exchange for a teeny favor..."

******

What time was it? Nearly nine, and Amanda found herself cozied in a sumptuous queen-sized bed complete with pink silk sheets, fluffy pillows, and matching brocade comforter. Not her bedroom but one of the guest rooms in Brian Dale's luxurious penthouse. She never intended to stay the night, but she was so entrenched with business that she lost all track of time. Long after the guests departed last night, she and Brian conversed on many topics. The upcoming theatrical production for one thing, then the conversation drifted to her troubles with Kevin. Brian divulged much about his college days, and Amanda faintly remembered seeing him on campus those many years ago. He told her of his brief friendship with Kevin, how he took the young scholarship student under his wing after both men pledged to the same fraternity. Imagine Amanda's shock when Brian revealed how Kevin nearly pulled off the perfect ruse only to be accused of plargarism and cheating, ultimately losing his scholarship and jeopardizing his academic future.

So that was why Kevin hung on to her, as a meal ticket. The man never wanted to work for a living; he was content to sponge off whoever would provide for him. No wonder he held her back. No wonder he lied to her about the Jane Eyre audition. Kevin carried a grudge against Brian Dale ever since college; it was Brian who discovered the stolen term paper thus reporting Kevin to the university. The rotten fool wanted revenge because he blamed Brian for the "lost" opporunities. Lost? Kevin was a loser and still is.

Amanda felt perhaps it was best to leave Kevin before embarking on what could be the career move of a lifetime. Now that she knew what kind of man her ex-fiancé was, she could focus more on her future, reach for the lasting stardom that eluded her for too long. Oh, she was extremely successful, as a classical artist, one of the top stars of her field, but she wanted more. She wanted to stretch, challenge, and channel her talents to heights yet discovered. Kevin was merely holding her back, thwarting every attempt to go beyond the concert hall. Amanda was quite talented and gifted with creativity. Only Kevin stood in her way, but now with the man a fading memory, Amanda determined to make her show a success. How fortunate for her to make herself known to a man of Brian Dale's caliber.

She wondered, as they conversed last night, if Brian felt anything for her, if this business meeting was more that just business. He had to be interested or else he wouldn't have insisted she stay the night. No, he didn't make any undue moves; he was a perfect gentleman and host. He was thoroughly intrigued with her tales of an incomprehensible past life. Amanda recalled Brian's eyes as she told him of her first visions and dreams, those unsettling images whenever the music played. She related that last recital, where she saw herself as a female maiasaurus tending her young. She told him of those initial sessions with Vi, ultimately unlocking the secrets of a very old soul which made its way from the distant Cretaceous to 21st Century America.

Thanks to God Brian was openminded enough to believe her trials and troubles, not only with coping with an unusual past life experience but the recent fallout with Kevin.

She lolled in bed, wondering if Brian would ever bother to look in on her. No, he probably took off for the office, allowing Amanda to sleep longer. There was already a tray of hot coffee, fruit, and croissants on the night stand. Feeling a bit hungry, Amanda stretched herself fully awake then got up and donned the silky robe left for her.
After pouring for herself a cup of coffee, Amanda switched on the radio to her favorite classical station. Not soothing music this morning, but a dark, disturbing, almost discordant composition wafted over the airwaves. Not the sort of thing one would listen to on a lazy morning. Amanda, in disgust, nearly turned the radio off, but something came over her.

It happened again, those visions, but this time what she saw was so frightening, so vividly unnerving...

In the verdant valley, near the lake, the mother maiasaurus mourns her dead young. A lone male is beside her, comforting her in her hour of grief. Several more animals approach, lending a buffer of protection against the evil outside. Within that company she felt safe but it would never bring back her children. A faint roar could be heard deep within the dense forest beyond the parameter of the meadow. She heard that roar before but this time it sounded different. In addition, there was another snarling sound, this one a bit timid and not as forceful.

She peered over the towering heads of her companions to see two spinosaurus standing at the edge of the forest, biding their time. One she knew already – the one who savagely slaughtered her young. The other was smaller, a female obviously, and she seemed not so willing to share her mate's bloodlust. The female tried to hang back but was urged on by her more ferocious mate. Why did she snarl and bark at her mate as if to say "I don't want to do this."?

The plant eaters still stood around the young mother as if shielding her from potential danger, and they were.
The spinosaurus pair immediately lunged at the peaceful scene, tearing their way through the green meadow, picking off any animals that dared stray. But the predators oddly passed up these animals in favor of one in particular.
The crowd closed ranks around her then howled in unison as if singing the greatest choruses yet to be written. A massive 100-voice dinosaurian choir was no match for these predators, and the female spinosaur began to retreat but her mate snapped and snarled, shaming her to do his biding...

Amanda awoke with a scream. Her body bathed with sweat, her breathing labored, she quickly exited the room, searching for the one man destined to be her protector. But he wasn't there. All the maid would say was that Mr. Dale had an important morning meeting but would return for lunch. Amanda could stay as long as she wished, and if she wanted to return to her apartment to gather personal belongings Enrique would accompany her. No way would Brian leave Amanda alone to face an irate Kevin Williams.

However, Brian's utmost attentiveness and generosity took a backseat for now. Amanda phoned Vi, requesting an emergency session. That last vision spooked Amanda so, and she had to get to the bottom of whatever it meant.

Why was the female predator so afraid of her mate? Why was she hestitant in attacking while her mate kept urging, even coercing, her onwards? Who were those other animals surrounding me? Are they friends, or truly foes in disguise?

To be continued...Go to Chapter 8

Copyright©2004 by P.R. Parker. All rights reserved.