A dark night. The clouds sprinkle the landscape with mist. You tighten your coat as you duck into an alley, hoping to avoid getting soaked to the bone. You peer up between the buildings as the rain picks up. City lights illuminate the clouds, like the rolling waves of the ocean. And here you are at the bottom, gasping for air.

A light flickers to the side. A cigarette. You catch the face of a young woman sitting in a darkened doorway as she inhales, the embers coming to life then fading away. She exhales slowly into the night air. Her eyes shine with the lights of distant vehicles as she looks towards you.

“You want one?” she asks.

“No. Those will kill you, you know.” you respond, sliding down the wall into a squat.

She takes another drag. “I bet.”

“Tough day at work?” you ask, changing the subject.

“Hmm. Audition.”

“You get the gig?”

Silence. “Of course not. They want kids, not talent. I think it’s time I give it up.” she bites back the bitterness. “What about you old man? Why aren’t you home with a lovely wife?”

You chuckle softly. “She left me.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” you can hear the honesty in her voice.

“I’ve been looking for her, but it’s been hard.” You fight it back. “I doubt I’ll even know what to say to her.”

You both fall silent. Two miserable souls lost in the night, worlds apart.

She breaks the silence.

“So what was she like?”

You pause, looking out at the street.

“She was a star. She had a burning passion that was infectious and would do whatever it takes to achieve her dreams.”

“Sounds great.” She lights up another cigarette. “Wish I had that kind of motivation.”

You take a deep breath and continue. “At the same time, she would take every failure to heart. She kept it hidden from her friends, her family. From me. Until one day…”

A can tips over, causing you to jump. You shake your head, getting to your feet. The young woman’s eyes follow your movements as you turn to face the street.

“So it doesn’t get any easier, does it?” she asks. “Life, that is.”

You steel yourself, then look over your shoulder. “No. No, it doesn’t. But we get stronger. And there’s always someone out there to help us, we just have to reach out.”

“Even me?” she asks with a smirk, snuffing out the cigarette in a puddle.

You straighten your hat and respond.

“Someone out there loves you very much. I’m sure of it.”

She watches as you walk out into the rain.

As you leave the alleyway, a young blonde catches up to you.

“You know this could change everything, right? She might never meet you. You’ll be doing this for someone who’ll look at you like a complete stranger.”

“I don’t care, as long as it doesn’t turn out… as long as she can be happy.”

“I’m not even sure if that’s how this works, I’ve had tons of things go crazy different. Not to mention you-know-who doesn’t like playing these kinds of games. I’m going to have to deal with her IF this works how you want it to...”

You stop and turn to her. “What would you do, Amelia?”

She looks away, biting her lip. “When have I ever followed the fucking rules?”

“Thank you for doing this.” You grab her in a hug.

“Ugh, get off me.” She pushes you back. “Save it for future me, she’s your friend, I don’t even know you.”

She pulls out a pocket watch, turns to you and gives a final “Good luck.”