Remi and Mr. Smith Visit the 1930s

 

(An excerpt from A Time Traveler's Companion)

The next day, we made our way to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, a stunning architectural marvel situated on Wilshire Boulevard. My previous visit had been during a high school field trip, so the memories came flooding back as I stepped inside. It looks a little different than what I remember. Curiosity got the better of me, and I turned to Mr. Smith, and asked, “Why are we here?” With a glimmer of excitement in his eyes, he responded, “There’s something here that I must acquire.” As we wandered through the museum, we immersed ourselves in the captivating displays of artifacts, vibrant paintings, and exquisite antique jewelry, each piece telling its own unique story. I stumbled upon this gorgeous brooch that was crafted from gold, featuring a brilliant sapphire right in the middle, about the size of a quarter, and encircled by a ring of sparkling diamonds. The design resembled a beautiful flower, and I was completely captivated by its sheer elegance. Mr. Smith, noticing the admiration in my gaze, turned to me and said, “Remi, I promise that one day I’ll gift you a gorgeous pendant.” My heart skipped a beat, and a gentle smile spread across my face. 

“Tonight, when this place has closed, we’re going to come back,” he whispered.  A wave of confusion washed over me as I studied his expression, but it quickly dawned on me that he was plotting to snatch the brooch. 

My heart raced, and I felt my eyes grow wide with alarm as I scanned the room, anxiety creeping in. As we inched back toward the wall, I couldn't help but scan the crowd with a mix of anxiety and curiosity. They seemed completely absorbed in the stunning artifacts displayed in the shiny glass cases, completely unaware of my unease. He stayed totally cool, radiating a chill confidence that suggested nothing could throw him off balance.

 "So, what's our plan for stealing that?" I whispered, a bit sheepishly, feeling a flush of embarrassment creeping in. Mr. Smith leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss on my forehead, smiling as he said, “You’re absolutely adorable.” He then locked eyes with me, his expression serious yet warm, and he continued, “I’ll explain everything once we’re back in our room.” 

He lightly traced his finger along the surface of his ring before taking my hand, guiding me into another room that was completely empty, save for the artwork adorning the walls. There, the monolith loomed, seamlessly merging with its surroundings, almost camouflaged among the exhibits. Anyone who happened to catch sight of it would likely assume it was just another piece of the collection, blending effortlessly into the curated space. My breath caught in my throat as I exclaimed, “Oh my god, what if someone sees us?” My voice trembled with anxiety. He simply shook his head, reassuring me as we stepped into the monolith, which then vanished, transporting us back to our hotel room. A wave of nerves washed over me as I contemplated the heist ahead. 

“Remi, my love, don’t fret; I’ll guide you through my methods,” he promised, and while I nodded in response, a lingering sense of uncertainty still gnawed at me. "Mr. Smith, why do you need to steal it?" It was a valid question, yet somewhat simplistic. He let out a derisive laugh, responding, "Butterfly, a client from the year 2203 has commissioned me for it. They intend to purchase it from me, and since I possess the ability to traverse time, I often explore various periods to acquire specific artifacts. I ensure to substitute the brooch with a replica generated by the AI within the monolith, so the original items remain undetected as missing," he explained with an air of nonchalance. "Well, I guess. It is the 1930s, a time when high-tech devices for verifying authenticity simply don't exist," I remarked. He chuckled and shook his head, adding, "No need to fret about that; the AI is the pinnacle of high-tech innovation you could ask for," he joked, giving me a playful wink. It was clear that he was no stranger to ventures like this one; perhaps Melanie had already caught wind of his unusual pursuits. With a resigned sigh, I nodded in agreement. Later in the evening we stepped into the monolith, we dressed in the black fitted bodysuits and the monolith appeared inside the museum after closing. There is a security guard that walks the hallways but with the help of the AI, Mr. Smith can pinpoint his location. 

As we stepped out of the monolith, I was so nervous that I trembled. I have never stolen anything before, let alone something of value from a museum. Mr. Smith and I spoke through the intercom in our helmets, and I asked him, “What now?”

“We will head to where the brooch is, just follow me,” he responded and took my hand. With the scanner in his hand, he detected two more heat signatures other than us. I was completely silent, but my heart was racing. I had a feeling Mr. Smith caught on; he looked my way and gave me a smile and said, “Don’t worry, Butterfly.” When we came to the targeted item, we cautiously approached it.

 Through the intercom, Mr. Smith communicated with the AI. “Can you discreetly knock out the alarm systems?” In seconds he was able to lift the glass container where the brooch is encased. He grabbed the brooch and replaced it with a replica. I looked around nervously, my heart racing.

 Carefully, he placed the glass display case in position, and we headed back to the monolith. A guard unexpectedly walked into the room and caught sight of us just before we could get into the monolith. “Hey, stop!” he yelled, pointing his gun our way. We slowly turned to confront him; my hands raised in surrender as I felt a wave of defeat wash over me while glancing at Mr. Smith. He had already stashed the brooch in a purple velvet pouch and tucked it into his side pocket. Without missing a beat, Mr. Smith pulled out a smoke bomb from another pouch on his belt and hurled it at the guard. A bright flash lit up the scene, and smoke swirled everywhere, but then the guard shot me in the leg, knocking me to the ground. My frantic scream drew the attention of another guard, who hurried over to check things out. 

Meanwhile, the first guard lay on the ground, confused and trapped in the dense smoke, leaving him unable to move for a moment. With no other option available, Mr. Smith drew his weapon and fired at the second guard as he attempted to intervene. He then assisted me to my feet and swiftly carried me into the monolith, which vanished from sight just as the guard was regaining his senses. "I was shot,” I said, feeling faintish. Mr. Smith took me to the infirmary. 

After I had comfortably settled onto the bed, the AI initiated its thorough examination, promptly tackling the complications with my leg. Unusual medical instruments descended from the ceiling, expertly working to repair the damage. Blood seeped from the wound where the bullet had breached my suit, which, while designed for environmental protection, lacked any real armor capabilities. Miraculously, the AI managed to heal my leg completely, leaving no trace of scars behind. 

"Mr. Smith, could I join you in meeting the client?" I asked with enthusiasm. He merely shook his head, a flicker of worry crossing his face, "It's too risky, my dear; maybe another time." He placed a soft kiss on my lips, and within moments, I regained my ability to walk. 

Together, we headed toward the main room. "Mr. Smith, what was the point of wearing the suits if they offered no protection against weapons?" He gazed at me with a playful sparkle in his eyes, a hint of mischief dancing across his features.

 “That suit really looks good on your body,” he laughed, his voice light and teasing. I couldn't help but roll my eyes, a smile creeping onto my face as I shook my head in mock disapproval. After Mr. Smith dropped me off, I called Leila that evening to share the day’s escapades.

Chapter 1 Excerpt

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