_____I stumbled to say, "I didn't realize this was owned. Habla any English?"
_____For a moment, she stood as if paused on translating my words. Her rib cage never expanded to breathe. In a solemn chant-type speech, she said, "Three by three by three, I will call on thee, Tasha Malone Fidelli."
_____Oh shit, it's alive. Pardon. She's alive and knows my name. "Excuse me. Have we met?"
_____"Daughter of the future. Savior of the past. Reach within your thoughts to judge the actions of all. What once was, has altered. What may be, is yours to resolve."
_____Okay. She's nuts, I figured, and beguiling. Her cunning lilt conveyed unearthly tenderness within a pungent volume. A strong soul. Mama could be her younger sister. Then again, stacked against my Italian Mama in a full rage? Well, the judgment on who would be the better terrorist would be close.
_____The woman moved as if floating, further captivating my focus. "From your heart, act for no one but your spiritual guide."
_____I twisted to leave. But, my feet felt glued in place.
_____"Shetuthra" She said. "Beware the messengers lest they appear in harmony to the calling winds. By my will, this be done."
_____"Sure, lady." I stared at her for a long time.
_____Her rules? Riddles. Okay. Lady Blue wants me to keep chaste. Boring but all right. What else? Three to the third is twenty-seven.
_____I asked, "Am I required to engage in twenty-seven tasks?"
_____Her left hand rose in a spectral gesture nodding with her chin. "Take heed, Tasha from New York."
    Her index finger pointed over my shoulder. Though lightening lashed, the thunderstorm reverberated with muted sounds. It was so cool!
_____"Throughout the ages," she continued. "The Olympic Powers have sought to balance the universe."
_____Mythology? Snooze. I glanced back and realized, she was probably just a hologram.
_____"Follow my counsel. And, I can empower you with guidance." She said stately.  NEXT

 DAMSEL IN THE ROUGH