**April strides forward and cups her hands around her mouth to amplify her voice**
APRIL: (shouting) Greetings, is anyone there? Show yourselves! We wish to speak with you!
**There is no reply, and Aurora looks back at the spaceship**
AURORA: There’s probably nobody here, so we should go back to the…
**A distant voice interrupts her**
VOICE: Ahh, welcome travelers. Forgive my momentary nonattendance, for I was meditating. Do you come seeking peace and enlightenment?
SHEEN: (shouting) Sure, why not? That and some egg rolls would be nice!
AURORA: Sheen!
VOICE: (with a soft laugh) Certainly, certainly. Please, come inside the gates my children.
**The front gate swings open, and a squat, pudgy monk dressed all in brown steps into the doorway. He removes his hood and gives a low bow as the travelers walk in**
CHEN-YU: I am Chen-Yu, the new leader of the brotherhood here at Shangri Llama. You’ll be able to meet with the other monks shortly, but since you arrived during our daily meditation hour, they must finish before they can receive visitors. I’m sure you understand.
SHEEN: (jumping out) Cool! This place hasn’t changed a bit! Well, except maybe for that really fancy building way over there…
**Chen-Yu stares at him for a moment, his eyes wide. When he speaks, his voice is quick with excitement**
CHEN-YU: (gasping) Could it be…the chosen one? Is it really you, all mighty? Quickly, put your foot behind your head!
**Sheen grimaces, then shoves his foot behind his head**
CHEN-YU: By all that is sacred, it is you! You’ve returned to us! You look a bit younger than I would have expected after all these years, but…oh! I must tell the others!
**He pulls out a pair of finger cymbals from his pocket and bashes them together**
CHEN-YU: (shouting) Attention everyone! Come out! Come see! The chosen one has returned to us! The prophecies have at long last been fulfilled!
LIBBY: (raising an eyebrow) I thought they were meditatin’…
CHEN-YU: Nonsense! Who needs meditation at a time like this? Everyone, come quickly!
**One by one, the monks begin excitedly filing out of the largest temple, and a throng of female monks follows them from an adjoining building. They cry out and mutter excitedly as Chen-Yu throws himself at Sheen’s feet**
CHEN-YU: Oh great one! After ten long years you have finally returned to take your rightful place. We were beginning to worry that you would not come back, but please accept our humble apologies for doubting you!
AURORA: (rolling her eyes) Oh brother…here we go…
**A woman monk with pretty hazel eyes steps forward, a plum blossom fastened on the corner of her brown hood**
MEI: Greetings chosen one, allow me to express the honor I feel at meeting you and your companions. I am Xiu Mei, but please, call me Mei for short.
MEI: (turning to Chen-Yu) Should we not bring them to more comfortable accommodations? Perhaps the great house would be a suitable location? After all, I believe there is someone there who has been eagerly awaiting his return!
**She stifles a little giggle, and Chen-Yu frowns, wrinkling his bald brow**
CHEN-YU: But what about the age difference? Our plans can hardly be implemented now!
MEI: Yes, it does pose an interesting dilemma. But I don’t think we should worry about it! After all, my sister married a man who was 15 years her elder!
**She giggles again, and Chen-Yu adjusts the rope belt that rests atop his ample paunch**
CHEN-YU: It does not work in reverse. Besides, isn’t that why you joined the monks, sister Xiu Mei? To escape an arranged marriage to an older man?
**At this, Mei falls silent, and Jimmy and the others look around in confusion**
JIMMY: What are you talking about? Can you please enlighten us? From where I come from, it’s considered rude to leave your guests standing around clueless while you have cryptic discussions!
CINDY: What the heck do you keep talking about, and since when do you have so many female monks?
LIBBY: Not that we’ve got any problem with that…it’s ‘bout time if ya ask me.
**Mei is about to answer when Aurora steps in front of Libby**
AURORA: We didn’t come here to socialize or to talk about monk gender ratios. We have some important questions for you.
APRIL: Firstly, how did you survive the onslaught a decade ago? The nanobots deleted everyone on this planet, so how is it that you managed to escape?
AURORA: How many people do you have living here?
APRIL: Yes, and how does your civilization continue to exist even after years of isolation?
JIMMY: Do you know what’s been going on in the galaxy these past ten years? Are you aware of the war currently being waged?
CINDY: Can you think of any ways to help us?
SHEEN: And where the heck are my eggrolls?!!
CHEN-YU: Peace, my friends. All your questions will be answered shortly, but in the meantime, have patience. Shall we sit and enjoy a fresh cup of tea together?
**Aurora grabs him by the collar and pulls him close to her face**
AURORA: Patience isn’t a word I’m familiar with, tubby. We need to know the answers NOW, and then we need to leave. We can’t put the war on hold while you indulge yourself in idealistic prattling!
CHEN-YU: (shaking his head) You have much to learn, my young friend. You are full of anger and vengeance, and you will never be happy until you learn softness.
AURORA: (staring him down) Softness? Ugh! What do you know, old man? Have you flown a starship? Have you fought in a war? Have you seen what I’ve seen?
CHEN-YU: (with a sigh) Very well. Go on, show me what your grand travels have taught you. Go ahead, my child, attempt to strike me. I can see that you want to.
**Her green eyes grow cold, and with a cry she swings at him. Almost instantaneously, Chen-Yu blocks her punch. In a surprising show of acrobatics, she rolls backward, turns, and kicks, but he anticipates her movement and catches her leg. He pushes her off balance and she falls backward onto the hard cobblestone walkway**
CHEN-YU: You fight with much fire, my pupil. Your talent is notable, but you have anger in your heart, and a true master does not fight with emotion, but with focus and resolve. You must not rely on your feelings when you fight. They will betray you.
**Aurora crosses her arms and looks away, and Chen-Yu shakes his head**
CHEN-YU: Well, I suppose it is no use to argue over the matter. However, I believe that I am not the best person to answer all of your questions. Mei will take you to the main house, and there you will discover what you need to know.
**He bows and motions for Mei to walk past. She returns the bow, then smiles at the guests and gestures for them to follow her**
CARL: Wow, they sure like to bow, don’t they?
SHEEN: I’ll say. Maybe it’s the national sport…
**The other women quickly fall in behind them, and they proceed towards an elaborate, brightly painted pagoda at the far end of the courtyard. Chinese lanterns hang from the corners of the roof, and bamboo wind chimes hum a soft melody in the breeze**
LIBBY: (looking up at the house) I don’t remember this buildin’…when did you add it? Sure is beautiful. If I could have my pick of any home in the whole world, I’d pick one like this…
MEI: How funny that you should say that!
LIBBY: (puzzled) Why’s it funny?
**Several of the women let out a tittering laugh as they walk down the white stone walkway that leads to the elaborate porch. The visitors drink in the beauty all around them to the soft melody of the wind chimes. Libby stops to examine a white butterfly drinking nectar from the chrysanthemum bushes that line the walkway. She picks a flower and breathes in its fragrance**
LIBBY: Mmm! I love this place!
SHEEN: (hooking his arm through hers) And I love you…
LIBBY: (smiling) Aw, Sheen…
CINDY: Jeez, Libby. Try to keep the drooling to a minimum.
**As they near the porch, they can hear the sound of rapid footsteps from within. The double doors burst open and a young woman darts through. She catches herself on the cedar railing, the sun radiant upon her. She is swathed in layers of delicate, silken veils that glitter in the sunlight. Her braided black hair swings forward with her movement, and a ruby bindi gleams from between her brown eyes. Libby looks up and, with a gasp, drops the flower in her hand. There, less than ten feet in front of her, glittering like a golden idol, stands her future self**
FUTURE LIBBY: (Panting) Mei-girl, what’s goin’ on? What’s all the commotion?
JIMMY: Oh wow…it can’t be…
SHEEN: Dude, check her OUT! Sweet mother of Ultralord! Libby, your future self’s a mega-babe!
**He rushes forward and gets down on one knee**
SHEEN: Let’s get married right now, whaddya say?
LIBBY: Sheen, stop proposin’ and get your womanizin’ butt back here!
FUTURE LIBBY: (stumbling backward) S…Sheen? Is it really you? How’d you…? Why’re you so…?
**She looks around at each of the kids, her mouth agape. A moment later she catches Aurora’s eye, and the two women freeze. Aurora’s long blonde hair catches in the wind and blows in a wild arc around her face. High in her scented palace, Future Libby slumps forward against the balustrade, eyes strained with disbelief. The women stand frozen, as if trapped in time: Libby swathed in silk, leaning against the entrance to her golden temple, and Aurora, standing straight, cold, and gleaming in her metallic blue spacesuit**
FUTURE LIBBY: C…C…Cindy?
**Future Libby takes two cautious steps forward, then plunges ahead at a full run**
FUTURE LIBBY: CINDY!
**She rushes ahead, diamond tears streaming from her eyes. She dives at Aurora and envelops her in a crushing hug. Aurora stands like a soldier, stiff and emotionless, except for her trembling mouth. Libby pulls back and smiles, still holding both Aurora’s hands in hers**
FUTURE LIBBY: (looking up at Aurora) I thought you were dead! You have no idea how glad I am to see you! Cind? What’s wrong?
**The kids swing to look at Aurora, who looks like she is about to be sick to her stomach. Her legs give out beneath her and she slumps into a half-crouching position, a dazed expression gracing her face. She begins to speak in a strained, almost mechanical voice**
AURORA: Libby…Libby.
FUTURE LIBBY: Ya?
AURORA: You’ve…how long have you been here?
FUTURE LIBBY: Ten years. How long have YOU not been in Retroville? How’d you get out?
**Libby turns her sparkle-eyed gaze toward the kids and April**
FUTURE LIBBY: (nodding at April) How’d…whatsername get here? And who’re these little versions of us runnin’ around? They’re kinda creepy…
**She takes one look at Carl and cringes**
FUTURE LIBBY: And what is up with THAT? Since when did Carl go goth? That’s just wrong.
CARL: Oww, you don’t like it?
FUTURE LIBBY: Well, I suppose black is kinda slimmin’…
**She turns her attention back to Aurora, who has now regained composure. Aurora straightens and stares down at her slightly shorter friend**
AURORA: My name’s Aurora now…don’t call me Cindy.
FUTURE LIBBY: Oh…OK…
AURORA: (hesitantly) But…but I can still call you Libby, right?
FUTURE LIBBY: Well of course! It’s my name, isn’t it? ‘Sides, you can call me whatever you want…I’m just happy to hear your voice again.
**The two women stare at each other, seemingly bedazzled by each other’s presence**
JIMMY: (clearing his throat) Not to interrupt your best friends moment, but shouldn’t we be getting a move on? The sooner we explain everything, the sooner we get our questions answered, and the sooner we can get back to business.
AURORA: (dazed) Oh…yeah. Of course. Go ahead…
FUTURE LIBBY: Ya, please. Who the heck are you kids?
JIMMY: It’s kind of a long story, but I’ll try to explain as briefly as possible. The five of us come from an alternate universe, but were transported here during a teleportation accident several days ago. We met Aurora and April after arriving, and we’ve teamed up with them to try to win the war currently being waged against my future self, who has become a dictator in case you weren’t aware.
FUTURE LIBBY: (rubbing her forehead) He’s still at it, huh? I thought maybe that Megalomanium stuff would wear off. That’s really too bad. Still, it’s nice to know. I’ve had no idea what’s been goin’ on, since we don’t exactly get a “galactic enquirer”. We have no outside news comin’ in…I think the monks are trying to bore me to death.
**She plants her hands on her hips and throws her younger self a look**
FUTURE LIBBY: Do ya have any idea what it’s like to live with a bunch of monks for ten years? They don’t even have decent music…I thought my head would explode from all the chantin’ the first year I was here. But I think I’ve made myself useful since then…
**Future Libby suddenly becomes aware of the women monks who stand nearby, and she wrinkles her brow at them**
FUTURE LIBBY: Hey girls, what’d I say to you ‘bout wearing those frocks when you’re around me?
WOMEN MONKS: We’re sorry, your grace!
**The women peel off their brown robes, revealing exquisite, vibrantly colorful dresses beneath them. They sparkle with jewelry and exhibit a designer’s eye in fashion accessorizing**
MEI: (looking around cautiously) We don’t want the brothers seeing us this way! They might be offended!
FUTURE LIBBY: Nah, they just don’t wanna admit that you’re prettier than they are.
**The women giggle, and Future Libby gestures at the clothing, proudly displaying her handiwork**
FUTURE LIBBY: Pretty jive, huh? While the monks sat around meditatin’ all the time, I learned to make clothes, shoes, and even jewelry. I redecorated a bit too, if you wanna look around.
**She spreads her arms to indicate the grounds around them. Cindy crosses her arms and peers up at the older woman**
CINDY: Not that this isn’t fascinating, but I’d like a few things explained. Like how you got here for starters, and why everyone seems to treat you like a queen. What’d you do to make yourself so popular?
FUTURE LIBBY: Oh, it isn’t really me. It’s just ‘cause of that prophecy stuff the monks are always rantin’ about.
CARL: Prophecy?
FUTURE LIBBY: (brushing off the question) Ya…you guys know most of it. You know, about “the chosen one”. Hey, I’m kind of curious about some things too. Cindy, girl, how’d you get out of Retroville? Where’ve you been the past ten years?
AURORA: I promise I’ll explain everything to you in detail soon, but first I want to know your side of the story. Tell us how you got here…what happened to you beforehand…what it’s been like for you here…everything. Please. I really need to know. You don’t know how long I’ve wondered what happened to you.
**There is a moment of silence as the two women hold each other’s gaze**
FUTURE LIBBY: OK girl, if that’s what you want! Anything you want. You are the guest, after all. After you…
**She opens the door and gives a graceful Asian bow. Cindy raises an eyebrow at her as they walk through**
CINDY: Since when do YOU bow?
FUTURE LIBBY: (laughing) Oh, I’m doin’ it again. Sorry…after livin’ here for so long, I think some of their habits washed off on me. I never thought I’d become a tea-drinkin’ meditating monk-ette, but then again I never expected to see a mini-me runnin’ around either. Life’s funny like that.
**They enter into a spacious, brightly lit room. Light streams in through the sheer white curtains as they flutter in the soft breeze. The room smells of light incense and fresh rain mingled with the scent of chrysanthemums**
FUTURE LIBBY: You want some tea? I was just about to have some myself.
**Libby leads them to a low-lying table covered in a crimson tablecloth. A porcelain teakettle steams in the center, surrounded by various skillfully prepared food dishes. Future Libby sets out eight tiny cups and bowls at each spot on the table. She kneels down on the white cushion at the foot of the table, then motions for everyone to join her. Aurora takes a seat at the opposite end of the table; April, Sheen and Carl sit on the left side, and Libby, Cindy, and Jimmy on the right**
SHEEN: We’re eating on the floor! How awesome is this?
**Future Libby covers a little smile, then passes the teapot around. They all help themselves, except for April, who wrinkles her nose at the brown liquid before passing it on**
FUTURE LIBBY: (setting the teapot back in the center) Would anybody like some rice? I got stir-fried vegetables too…
AURORA: Sure, fine, whatever. Just pass it all out and we’ll take what we want. And Libby…there’s no need for the manners. We’re on a bit of a deadline.
FUTURE LIBBY: Sorry…I guess I’m just used to eatin’ with the monks. We have all the time in the world ‘round here.
**She folds a cloth napkin in her lap, then looks up at Aurora**
FUTURE LIBBY: OK, I guess you want me to answer your questions now, right? What do you wanna know?
SHEEN: (leaning forward) I’ll tell you what I want to know. How do you get your eyes to shine like that? The flecks of light in them look like little diamonds…you are the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen!
ALL: (annoyed) Sheen!
**Future Libby leans over and smiles, her braided hair spilling forward, her golden earrings jingling**
FUTURE LIBBY: I’m so happy to hear you say that. You don’t know how much I’ve missed your nerdy little comments.
**They all stare at Future Libby in disbelief as she takes a sip from her teacup**
SHEEN: In that case, let’s get married straight away? What do you say?
FUTURE LIBBY: (stifling a laugh) Sorry, I’m already promised.
LIBBY: Say what? You’re “promised”? As in…betrothed? To who?
CARL: To “whom”…
SHEEN: Ahhh! Quiet Carl! My woman’s about to marry some other guy! How can you worry about grammar at a time like this?
LIBBY: She’s not your woman! She’s ten years older than you, for cryin’ out loud!
CINDY: Will you two chill out? Jeez. Think about it for a minute. How can she be marrying someone else? Besides the monks, there aren’t any people left!
FUTURE LIBBY: (enjoying their confusion) Well, there are at least three men I can think of…
JIMMY: That’s right…alternate Sheen, Carl, and I are all still out there somewhere.
**He raises an eyebrow at her**
JIMMY: Are you implying that you plan to marry Sheen’s future self?
CINDY: (turning to Future Libby) What? Are you out of your mind? You actually plan to marry that guy? Look at him!
**She gestures at Sheen, who has shoved a pair of chopsticks up his nose and is now doing his best to imitate a walrus**
AURORA: (disgusted) How can you plan to do anything with him if he’s not here? I’ve been all over the galaxy and I haven’t seen heads or tails of him. I think he’s gone, Libby.
FUTURE LIBBY: (looking down) That’s what I’m afraid of too. He’s supposed to come back, but…well, maybe I better start over. I think I’ve done a better job of confusin’ you than anythin’ else. After I explain everythin’, I think you’ll understand a bit better.
SHEEN: I look forward to listening to your angelic voice, my sweet!
LIBBY: (to Cindy) I dunno whether to be insulted or flattered when he flirts with her…
CINDY: (turning up her nose) Just ignore him, Libs. He doesn’t deserve you anyway.
FUTURE LIBBY: I guess I better go back to the beginning, huh?
**She pauses, and looks at the kids**
FUTURE LIBBY: Do they know what happened with the Megalomanium and all?
**Aurora nods**
FUTURE LIBBY: In that case, I’ll
start a little after the beginning…I’ll start with the last time
I ever saw Retroville.
