Mirror World

Both Mr and Mrs Jordan had said they had met before in a previous life .
So before getting to know each other they had already known one another which made it easy for Mr Jordan when it came down to make a proposal of marriage to her .
She accepted of course o the condition that they first join two strange religious cults which they did for three years and this was followed by a two year period of hermitage in the Mountains near Tibet .
So after this five year spiritual cleansing they were wed by the edge of the roof of the world . In a cabin overlooking the world below they lived happily for a while . In the first year of their married life they spoke briefly to one another between transcendental meditation sessions .
Both strict vegetarians and both extremely environmentally friendly they loved working and experimenting with projects around their little garden .
They both enjoyed Tai Chi and there was always a thick smell of incense in the home .

After the second year of marriage they knew something was missing from their relationship and began to seek enlightenment . Like an itch they couldn’t scratch or a sneeze that wouldn’t come they could not fill the empty void in their lives .
One morning as the sun broke through a crack in the cabin wall an answer came to them . What was missing fro their married life was something called a child . After giving it some serious thought it was decided that things would have to change .

Twelve months after this joint decision they had moved to Paris and had a child on the way .

Maurice Jordan was born the first and only child of his devoted parents .
He grew up in a very affluent part of Paris . At twelve years of age Maurice was considered quite eccentric by all those who had come to know him .
Like his parents who were also considered a little too far left of the right side of life they were left alone . For most people the Jordan’s were way off beat and a little off the planet , while others regarded them as being maybe slightly too far advanced .
Because of this Maurice never mixed much with other kids his own age and in turn didn’t like to play sports or join in games with other kids at school .
His parents hoped one day Maurice would change but in their heart they knew it wasn’t going to happen .

At twelve years of age Maurice could speak three different languages .
His teachers often said how bright he was while the other kids in his class considered Maurice a little strange .
It was almost time for summer break–up and Maurice was looking forward to getting away from the drudgery of life at school .
Each year when the school summer holidays came his parents took him somewhere different . This year Maurice was going to spend four weeks in a very old French Chateau in the countryside .
Finally when school broke up Maurice packed his bags and double checked each item on his things to do holidays list .

When the morning came to leave Maurice waited until everything was packed in the car before he left his bedroom . Maurice was a loner who abandoned himself regularly into his room where he had every kind of board game , DVD movie , music CD , book , computer software program . In fact any instant entertainment package that was out there Maurice was sure to have it .

As his Father toothed the horn three times Maurice emerged from the house and took his seat in the family sedan . Now they were ready for the long drive to Chateau de Miroir .

The car sped off through Paris and made its way to the streets beyond the City . Before long the mountains were in view .
Maurice felt his Father’s heavy foot on the gas pedal as the Red Sports car shot between the gauntlets of green glades where trees almost reached out applauding the red arrow that thundered its way through the countryside .

Finally the car pulled up at two very large double gates outside the Chateau .
Mr Jordan punched some numbers on a hand held remote control and the gates opened .Once inside the grounds the made their way up a long driveway lined with statues and seats . At the end of the drive was a three tiered fountain beside the front door of the Chateau
The rain fell as Mr Jordan got out to open the front door of the Chateau .
Maurice took a look at the size of the place . There was statues of strange beings all over the building . There were more rooms than three people would ever need .

Maurice waited in the car until it was all unpacked before he made his way inside the Chateau .

“Wow “
Said Maurice as he walked into the large entrance hall .
His voice echoed back and his Mother said ,

“Maurice go and find a room . “
“Ok Ma-Ma “

He replied and up the staircase he climbed .

At the top of the staircase on the landing sat an old Grandfather clock .
Beside the landing were two corridors .
Maurice decided to take the East Corridor and headed down that direction .
In the corridor hung a huge oval mirror . In front the mirror was a small table with a vase of imitation flowers .
Along the corridor were some paintings hanging on the wall .
Maurice briefly scanned the images of still lakes in Alpine Valleys and thought how clear in the lake the artist had reflected the beautiful Snow covered Mountain Tops .

At the end of the corridor was a room with a heavy oak door .
On the door were carvings of strange flowers and creatures in flight .
Almost prehistoric in appearance .
Maurice went into this room and found it large and very suitable to his taste .
It was furnished with an old Georgian chest of drawers and matching bookcase with a generous supply of old hardback books in almost mint condition . There were clusters of small sparkling Chandeliers that had been suspended from the ceiling . He found a switch and clicked the lights on . There was a small knob on the switch that turned clockwise dimming or increasing the amount of light that spewed forth . Maurice was found of the warm half light and was entranced by the way it fell softly down on the red velvet wallpaper that lined the walls of the room .
A large mirror with some engravings at the bottom of it sat in an strong wooden frame that was highly polished in a French Shellac . The frame
had some floral carvings around it . Opposite the mirror stood a wooden four poster bed . Next to the bed was a window with a view overlooking the Alps .

Maurice breathed a deep sigh of satisfaction and sat down on the couch in the recess by the bookcase. Content with his surroundings Maurice began to daydream as he often did . Time passed very quickly and night had fallen .
It was already dark outside . Maurice got up to draw back the curtains over the window and it was then he heard his mother call him .

“Maurice , come downstairs . Dinner ready .“

“I’m coming Ma-Ma
Maurice replied .

As he left the room he noticed the paintings along the corridor looked different The tranquil scenes of still lakes seemed busy with fishermen and animals he hadn’t noticed before . There was no longer any reflection in the lake of snowy mountain tops .
“MM that’s strange “
He said and brushed it off as just being in strange surroundings .

When he arrived on the landing he noticed his reflection in the mirror was a long way off . He rubbed his eyes and looked again . As he looked back at his reflection he saw other people standing around him . They were dressed in old fashioned clothes and smiling at him .

“Hurry up or your dinner will be cold .“
His Mother shouted .

“Ok I’m coming “
He replied .

When he arrived in the dining room he saw his parents were dressed in these old fashioned clothes .

Maurice was getting a kind of weird feeling .
“What do you think ?”
His Father asked .

“About what ?”
Maurice replied .

“These old clothes . Your Mother and I found them in the wardrobe in our bedroom and decided to put them on for fun .”

“Oh right , I see . For a moment there I thought I had landed back in some distant place in time or something . The clothes are well phenomenal .“

“Oh Maurice look at what I’ve cooked for dinner .“

Mrs Jordan presented a large pig on a platter . Mr Jordan carved it up and placed a number of slices on each of their plates .

Maurice thought it was strange because his parents were both vegetarians .
He watched them both sit down eat and enjoy roast pork .
That night when they said goodnight at the top of the stairs on the landing . As his parents walked away to the other end of the Chateau he noticed again a reflection of himself in the mirror ,. There were also some other people there with him as well . Maurice called out to his parents but they never heard .
He walked along the corridor back to his bedroom . On both sides of the corridor the paintings had changed their appearance again . Now the still lakes were frozen over with ice and a bleak backdrop of bare trees were scattered here and there around the
Maurice walked back to his room and put on his pyjamas .
As he lay there in bed looking at the ceiling he heard the Grandfather clock on the landing begin to chime . He counted twelve and it kept going .
After twenty chimes he was intrigued and got out of bed to investigate .

He walked down the corridor to the Grandfather clock and when he got there it stopped chiming . He looked in the mirror and saw a man beside him in the reflection . The man spoke to him .

“Hello Maurice . My name is Tag . Don’t be afraid .I’m a guardian from the mirror world “

Maurice asked .

“What’s the mirror world ?”

Tag replied ,
“It’s a place occupied by the reflections of all who have been seen .”

“You mean there are people who live there ?”
Maurice asked .

“”That’s right . Your parents are here at the moment . Would you like to come and join them ?”
Tag said ,.

“I think you’re mistaken . My parents have just gone to bed .:”
Maurice said .

“Oh those two are actually mirror zone reflections of your real parents . They’re just filling in for them while they’re in the mirror world .”
Tag said .

“Well then I guess that’s the reason they were eating pork .“
Maurice said .

“Look Maurice its time to come if you want . Grab my hand “
Tag said and from the mirror he reached out his hand .

“Will I be able to return if I go ?”
\Maurice asked .

Maurice looked at his reflection in the mirror and saw his face turn into a skeleton form .

Tag said ,

“Quickly Maurice the time is now . If you don’t come you’ll never get another chance . The doorway is closing . Grab my hand “

Maurice reached out and took Tag’s hand . He immediately felt this strange feeling of liquidity in his body . Then he stepped into the mirror . Standing beside Tag now on the other side of the mirror world he looked into his reflection and saw a mirror image of himself .

He saw Tag place his hand on his shoulder and then he said ,
“Time does not pass here in the is world Maurice .”

He asked the guardian if he could see his parents .

“No , that cannot be possible .”

“Why?”
Maurice asked .
“Because if you met someone from your material world it would create an imbalance between the dimensions and the result would be a disaster . “
Said Tag .

“Tell me what are they doing here ?”
Maurice asked .

“Well that’s a good question .Their experience will be different to yours .
Each one will have their own reflection of life in this world .”
The guardian replied .

“So mine is unique then ?”
Maurice asked .

“Thats right . Lets begin the discovery now .“
The guardian replied .

“So Tag tell me . Does everything I do in the mirror world have some effect on on my mirror image in the material world ?\
Maurice asked .

“YES . But you can also be in control over that whuile you’re here . You will be able to see some future events and even foretell what may happen to you on the other side . You can transfer thoughts over to your mirror image . Everything is reflected back and when you return it will all happen . Be wise will you’re here Maurice .“

The guardian escorted Maurice along a path to bridge and on the other side he saw a still lake .

Maurice said ,

“There are paintings of this Lake hanging on the walls in the corridoprs of the Chateau .

Tag replied .
“Everything here has a mirror image .”
“So do you have a mirro image too ?”

“No . I am a guardian here . My life has no reflection in your world .”
Tag replied .

“Can I see if I get married and my children ?”
Maurice asked .

.Tag took a small hand mirror from his pocket and placed it before Maurice .
then he said .

“Yes . Look and see what you have asked .”
Maurice saw two empty cots .
”Wahts going on . I can’t see anything .

“Then you must change the reflection . Learn to love others and reach out for life . Life will come to you if you try and change .“

When Tag put the mirror away two small children ran along the path to meet Maurice . They had some toys in their hand .
Maurice looked at the children and started to laugh . Then something began to change within him . He felt a glow of acceptance that he had never felt before . Maurice and the two small children ran and chased each other for a while . Maurice had never has so much fun .
Many other people came to meet Maurice and he saw another world . It wasn’t make believe . It was real .

A young lady approached Maurice and reached out her hand .
She smiled and said ,

“You are invited to meet my family . Come .“

Maurice held her hand and she took him through a curtain and into a room where sunlight streamed down from above .
A group of people spoke to Maurice as if they knew him well .

“How do you know me ?
Maurice asked .

The young lady replied ,

“All you thoughts are reflected here . We can see what you are thinking Maurice . “

“Who are you ?”

“I am your future wife .“

Who are all these people .?”

“They are the people who we are responsible for . Our childrens childrens Maurice . It has been revealed . Now you are standing in a time to come Maurice .”

As Maurice stood there in the presence of this lady and all the other people he could feel a sensation of love and peace being transferred into his being .

The guardian reappeared and said

“Now Maurice , the next thing I want you to see is the material world you left .
Tag held the small hand mirror and Maurice saw the Chateau in flames .
His parents were unconscious on the floor and Maurice was trying to drag them from the fire .

“What are you showing me Tag ?”
Maurice asked in fear .

“This is a reflection of an event that may occur when you return from this world . You have been forewarned so you can prevent this happening ..

“How did this fire start ?”
Maurice asked .

The mirror reflected an image of a strange visitor coming to the front door of the Chateau . He was holding some hand made wooden toys .;and asking Mr Jordan to buy some of them . Mr Jordan refuses and told the caller to leave .
The toy maker continued to press Mr Jordan for a sale . Mr Jordan again said no and shut the door in the face of the caller . The toy maker persisted to knpock the front door of the chateau . Mr Jordan opened the door and an argument developed . The next image reflected the toymaker returning late in the evening . In his hand he had a can of petrol . He entered the Chateau through an open window and began to spread petrol around the rooms .
After striking a match and setting the place alight he escaped through the front door .

“Now you know and can prevent this from ever happening. “
Tag said .

“Is there anything else I can prevent ?”
Said Tag to the Guardian who again produced the hand held mirror . .

“Look and discover the reflection of what could be .“

Maurice saw in the mirror a lake and watched his wife dive into the still waters for a swim . She waved and seemed happy in the lake . Maurice sat with two children on a rug by the lakeside . Then the next moment Maurice noticed a motor boat speed across the surface of the lake . He could see the Skipper of the motor boat did not see his wife . He looked intoxicated and not in control of the speed boat . Maurice saw a tragedy before his eyes .

“Can I prevent this Tagh ?
He asked .

The guardian replied ,
“You have been forewarned. Now be wise and remember this event ”

Maurice heard the chiming of the Grandfather clock again and asked what was happening .\

The guardian informed him ,

This place now where we stand is the criss-cross . It is time for you to leave the mirror world Maurice . It is time to return into your world . In front of thema tall mirror appeared and Maurice was invited by his mirror image ion the other side to cross over . After saying goodbye to Tag he stepped into the mirror and exchanged places with his reflection .
Again he felt this strange liquidity and found he was back on the top of the stairs on the landing beside the grandfather clock .

Maurice went to bed and slept soundly . The next morning he was awoke by his parents who looked different . They seemed to be happier than he had ever saw them before .
All that day the three of them spent doing things together . Walking and talking . Playing games and having fun .
That holiday was the best time Maurice had ever experienced with his Mum and Dad . He knew something must have happened to them in the mirror world . Suddenly as they were playing a game of cards a knock came to the front door .
Mr Jordan went to answer it
.
In the background Maurice could hear a man asking his father about buying some of his hand made wooden toys and remember an image from the past ring alarm bells in his subconscious . Maurice rushed to the door and interrupted the conversation .
“Dad please buy me something . I love hand made wooden toys .“

“Do you really son .?”
Said Mr Jordan .

“I do . I really do . They’re like just so special Dad . They’ve been sweated over and suffered for , Can’t you see the craftsmanship Dad . Please buy me some . I’d really appreciate it .”
Said Maurice .

“Ok how much do you want for them ?”
Mr Jordan asked .

When the toymaker gave his price it made Mr Jordan wince a bit .

“Please Dad . I’ll work hard at amking it up to you .“
Maurice insisted .

“All right them son .”
He said .

Mr Jordan went inside the and got some cash .

Mayrice asked the toymaker .

“Do you sell many toys sir ?”

“Well to be honest , I’ve never sold any until now .”
Came the reply .

‘How long have you been making toys sir ?”
Asked Maurice .
Ever since my little girl got sick . She’s in hospital and needs special care and the money I get from this sale will help provide some of that . I can’t tell you how much it means to me . You buying my toys . Thank you so much .”

Mr Jordan returned with some cash and handed it to the toymaker .

That evening the wooden toys were placed in a box and kept in a safe place. Maurice told his parents he wanted to keep the toys in good order .

When it was time to leave the Chateau everyone remarked it had been the best holiday ever . Something had happened to the Jordan’s . They returned with a different attitude to life .

Maurice made some new friends at school and his parents invited people over at weekends for parties .

Time passed Maurice met his wife . They had two beautiful children and they were loved and protected by them both .

One year his wife entered a competition at a local supermarket . She coul;d hardly wait to tell Maurice about winning the first prize which was a holiday for four people at Daydream Lake .

When Maurice tore up the tickets up by mistake he had to make it up by providing another holiday . He booked a three week trip to fun land and the expensive accommodation called The Happy Resort .

The End

By Paul McCann