Monastic wakes up in sick bay. Peering out through one barely opened eye she surveys the room and spies the Doctor. The lean bearded fellow has such a warm striking smile Monastic swears any woman would succumb to his wishes.
She tries to get up but suddenly, a knife-like pain runs straight through her head. Wincing a bit as she lays her head back down on the cool cot she thanks her lucky stars for the hang-over. The headache helps her to realize she is coming out of a drunken stupor – the pain is a pleasant reminder that she is the one in control and not The Other.
Monastic remembers the last time she was drunk and shudders at the thought. The last time she had a drink (it doesn’t take much for “her kind” to become intoxicated) she was taken over by “The Other” and all kinds of havoc occurred. As long as Monastic keeps control over her Inner-Evil Twin bad things don’t happen.
The hung-over Monastic remembers back to her childhood and the planet she came from. Her planet, Contra-Illion, sits in the middle of a small star cluster, 2 star systems and 4 light years away. On Contra-Illion, everyone is born with an Inner Twin and at some point (usually during puberty) a battle occurs. One twin must over-come the other and become the dominate one. Only one twin must reign, the only other alternative is to go stark raving mad.
Monastic was the winner of this battle at the young age of 10, but her Evil Twin is still very persistent and still wishes to be in charge. Most times, Monastic has been able to keep The Other in a sleeping state….except for when she partakes of alcohol. The numbing effect of alcohol does something to counteract her will and then The Other is able to dominate the body – but not this time, thank goodness.
Monastic, at age 20 chose her own name (of Monastic) to denounce The Other’s presence. She wishes she could be rid of her completely although secretly, the thought of being totally alone without the sleeping inner presence, somewhat troubles her mind to think about.
Presently, all is well even though the pain in her head is throbbing wildly. Monastic closes her eyes once again. Suddenly she has a Vision of a Cuban with his hair on fire…screaming & running madly down a dirt path. Also in the vision, there seems to be an Emperor named Gates, with glowing eyes among hordes of penguins. Monastic’s kind is known to be able to see things happening in other times and places, but this makes no sense at all. Shaking her head to dispel this vision, Monastic turns over and tries to sleep amid the muffled shouts and flapping sounds.