UTOPIA

The One

It was the early 1700s, a lavish royal party. Long tables overflow with food. Nobles drink, laugh, and gossip. Henrietta Godolphin (late 20s, regal but restless) smiles politely at guests while secretly watching the clock on the mantel.

"Darling, are you alright? You have hardly talked tonight," smiles Francis.

Henrietta leans towards him,

"Yes, I guess my stomach just isn't feeling well. I may retire to my suite. (she whispers) My courses have started."

Francis's face scrunches up in dismay.

"Yes. Please retire now. "

Henrietta doesn't hide her slight grin as she gets up and excuses herself to some others. now the real work begins. She runs down the long hallway to her suite. Busts through the door where her best friend awaits her.

"Oh thank God. I told the servants you will be mostly lying in the next week because of your courses. I instructed them to leave you alone unless called. I will bring food to your room from time to time. You are good to go, but hurry, you are late." explained Dawn.

Dawn gets a hidden key from a piece of the wall that slides out of place. She scurries to the big trunk in the room. Dawn opens the trunk. Inside are strange clothing, sleek, modern fabrics, completely foreign to the 1700s. Henrietta pulls out a black dress. The label reads: DOLCE & GABBANA.

Dawn helps Henrietta put on the dress,

"You are meeting him at 7:30pm at The Ivy, remember?"

"Yes, I remember." Henrietta retorts.

Henrietta grabs a small handbag from the trunk. Then reaches deeper into the trunk and pulls out a jewelry box. Opens it and grabs the necklace with a ruby pendant. With fumbling hands Henrietta says,

"Help me."

She motions to Dawn to help with the necklace. They get the necklace on and turn and look at each other.

"This could be it. The one. I feel it." smiles Dawn.

"I'm running out of time; he'd better be it. Otherwise, they will start blaming me for no heir." Henrietta says.

"Oh, I almost forgot," Dawn said.

Dawn hands Henrietta a small velvet bag.

"There are some jewels you can fetch for a price. Make sure your financial auditor gets them." she explained.

Henrietta laughs at Dawn's word choice.

"My financial Advisor."

Dawn just smiles at her. The clock strikes another hour in the room.

"Okay... go. Do it." Dawns says with alarm.

Henrietta calmly walks over to the fireplace. She places her hand on the edge of the mantel. With her other hand she rubs the ruby pendant and closes her eyes. The next second she is gone. Vanished from the room. Dawn tidies up. Looks around at the room.

"Please let this one work," Dawn says quietly.

It's late evening time in the alley behind The Ivy in the present day, 2025.

POP

Henrietta appears suddenly between two overflowing dumpsters. She steadies herself against the brick wall, slightly dizzy. Cars rush past the nearby street. Music pulses from a bar down the block. Henrietta takes a breath and checks the ruby pendant. Still glowing. Faintly.

"Right on time," she smiles

She pulls a sleek smartphone from her purse and taps the screen. The lock screen lights up.