So, Lizzie Borden is Vital to the Timeline is a short story I wrote to try to get into an anthology.
Review – Lizzie Borden is Vital to the Timeline
Yes, it’s really about that Lizzie Borden, from Fall River, Massachusetts.
I wrote this story during third quarter 2024.
Background
The Lizzie Borden House and Riverdale Avenue Books teamed up to create an anthology all about Lizzie. One of the suggested genres was time travel. So, I took that and ran with it.
Plot
When temporal criminal Franklin Milhouse goes back to the 1890s to try to save the Bordens from their daughter’s axe, it’s not to help them out. Rather, it’s to get Lizzie’s father to slay Joseph Kennedy, the father of JFK. And by doing so, propelling Milhouse’s ancestor, Richard Nixon, to the White House in 1960 rather than 1968.
But this is going to mess up so much of the timeline that time traveler Julia Rosen has to go back and undo it all. For bad news for the elder Bordens is good news for the timeline.
Characters
The future characters are time traveler Julia Rosen, her boss Sylvia Kowalsky, and Chief Engineer Kevin. Plus temporal criminal Franklin Milhouse. Future robotic AI characters are Grant and Betsy.
The characters from the past are Lizzie Borden, Andrew Borden, Emma Borden, and Abby Borden. These were all very real people.
Memorable Quotes {Julia’s Cover Story is She’s a Maid Named Julia Doherty}
A younger woman, her hair coming undone, looked in on the kitchen. “Are you the new maid?”
“Yes,” I said, elbows deep in suds.
“Of course she is. You’re such an ignorant girl, Lizzie,” said Mrs. Borden. “And you! Those dishes had better sparkle when you’re through with them. Don’t be taking all day, either. Oh, and, Doherty, a broken plate means you’re fired.”
“I understand.” Yeah, it’s official. I hate her.
“Could you also clean the front steps, please?” Lizzie asked me. “The pigeons made a bit of a mess.”
“You’ll do that on your own time,” said Mrs. Borden.
“Which one of us will?” I asked.
“Doesn’t matter to me. But while you’re paid by me, you’re working for me.”
I turned to Lizzie. “Sorry, but you’re on your own.”
“Ah, well, it was just a thought.”
“See, that’s your problem,” scolded Mrs. Borden. “Always trying to think when you haven’t got half a brain in your head. Such a stupid girl, don’t you think, Doherty?”
Well, this is awkward. “I, er, well, you don’t pay me to provide my opinions, ma’am.”
Mrs. Borden raised a hand as if to strike me, but then laughed. “See, Lizzie? You pay attention and you’ll get things right from time to time. Oh, and Doherty, you missed a spot.”
“I’ll go over that part again carefully. Thank you for your instruction.” And kiss my future ass.
Rating for Lizzie Borden is Vital to the Timeline
The story has a K rating. Even though Borden probably really was a murderer, there’s nothing really about it on screen.
Takeaways for Lizzie Borden is Vital to the Timeline
I think it’s okay. I was under a time crunch, and that probably shows. Also, while rereading, I discovered an inconsistency. Oh, well.
Short Stories and Novellas
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Short Stories
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