Author's note: Katherine Skiffe was my own creation.

The next afternoon, Josha sat in a cafe, drinking coffee. He thought of what
he had said to Ivy the night before. As he pondered this, he heard familiar
voices at the next table.

"So, Freddy, how are you?" Francesca asked.

Frederick was sitting across from her. "I think Ivy could be the one."

"Glad to see you've found happiness. Only one problem. You're dead and she's
living. Have you been keeping your status a secret?"

"That's what I want to tell you tell you about. ACME's inventor sort of told
her."

Francesca nearly spilled her tea. "What?"

Frederick shrugged. "She didn't care." He sighed. "If only I were still
alive..."

"But that wasn't your fault. You were in the wrong place in the wrong time."
Francesca said in a soothing voice.

"But I didn't do anything to die for! I didn't do anything!"

"I know." Francesca agreed. "But things have a way of working out anyway.
Have you ever heard of Katherine Skiffe?"

"Who was she?"

"Female aviator of the eighties. Well, her career hit the skids, so she
decided to do stunt piloting. But all Katherine wanted was to be remembered.
One day, her plane went into a stall. She used an ejection seat and a
parachute to get to the ground safely. But she stumbled while walking away
and lands face-first in the ground."

"Is there any reason you're telling me this story?"

"Like I said, things have a way of working out anyway."

"Tell me again how it worked for Katherine, last seen with her nose in the
dirt?"

"All she wanted was to be remembered. Will you ever forget that story?"

"No, can't say I will. But she lived, didn't she?"

"Yes"

"But I didn't! I've lost almost everything!"

"Frederick, your new girlfriend could very well be the key to your happiness.
But bear in mind..."

"Fran, your logic is irrefutable, even though its foundation isn't sound."

"Fred, please. Don't attempt to spirit her away. You'll end up more depressed
than ever."

Josha forgot his coffee and stared at the ghostly pair in disbelief. He
didn't stay to hear more. He ran out of the shop and signaled Zack on his
communicator. "It's an  emergency!"

To be Continued......