The Julian Sands Page Contest Entries

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The 1998
Julian Sands Page
Contest Winners

Well, someone had to "really win", even if we all win in getting to see these great creative works inspired by Julian Sands (They're all on this page, so please enjoy them). I'm not going to comment on the specifics of why I picked (or didn't pick) a given entry, since they were all so fabulous (Give yourselves a hand!), but I had to pick one to get the prize. Our winner is David!

"Here's my entry for the contest. It's a short story called "The Angel with the Black Heart." It was "inspired" (if that's the word) by different aspects of Julian's persona, mainly from Siesta (a much-neglected favourite of mine) but with elements of Boxing Helena, Naked Lunch and the two Warlock movies."

THE ANGEL WITH THE BLACK HEART

Her friends said she was crazy, living in a house made entirely of glass. But Mrs. Moss had not given her a funny look when she asked to rent her old greenhouse. A three times-married, middle-class matron of 67, Mrs. Moss had seen the strangest and most aberrant sides of human behaviour. "You know, dear, nothing can ever shock me again. Not after good old Number Three...." Her voice always trailed off at that point, and Dora never learned who Number Three was or what he had done. The two women shared the rambling, overgrown garden at the back of Mrs. Moss's fake Tudor house. But they remained essentially strangers.

Friends had warned Dora that those glass walls would leave her exposed to the eyes of prowlers, Peeping Toms, burglars and all kinds of unsavoury passers-by. "What passers-by?" she countered. That usually shut them up. Her only neighbours on her right were a cluster of weary-looking apple trees at the bottom of Dr. Grenell's garden. On the left was a jungle of unmown grass, which flourished under the benign neglect of Mrs. Moss. "I must say, dear, I admire your courage. Like camping in the middle of the Amazon. I suppose I should hire a regular gardener." Nothing came of that idea, and Dora herself cleared the path that led from her door, past the bulk of the house, to Mrs. Moss's front gate.

Once inside her greenhouse, she did not feel in the least exposed. A wall of tropical orchids, burning in near-fluorescent shades of vermilion and mauve, snaked its way up the walls that guarded her bed. A short step from the door, a white oleander tree shaded the nook where she and Patrick took their morning and evening meal. Patrick spent much of his day dozing under that same tree, even though the cat-flap in the door allowed him to claim the whole garden as his kingdom. Some days, he left the house only to chase the ginger tom-cat who would come and sit, insolently, on Dr. Grenell's crumbling stone wall.

Of course, they had warned her, the heat in a greenhouse would be fatal to books or CDs or any type of electrical equipment. So far, disaster had failed to strike. Dora knew what was vulnerable, and kept it carefully cooled and shaded. On that particular night, she lay in her bower of orchids, her roof welcoming the scatter of stars - diamonds tossed onto black velvet - and watched, for the tenth time, Fellini's 'Juliet of the Sprits.' She had reached the bit about the woman in the tree house. The rainbow-coloured window, and the giant slide. That bizarre and beautiful hermaphrodite. It was then she saw the face at the window.

In fact, it was Patrick who saw him first. One minute, the cat was a dozing ball of brown and tan fluff, a sleeping cloud at the foot of her Indian bedspread. The next, he stood rigidly alert, his hair fanning out around him as if by a sudden electric shock. His placid blue eyes blazed like angry sapphires. From deep in his belly came that bloodcurdling whine that was normally reserved for dogs and Dr. Grenell's ginger tom cat. "What is it?" Patrick paid no attention to her question. He went on staring and whining, locked in some life-and-death struggle with an implacable foe. Dora raised her eyes slowly to the window, and gazed out into the night.

It was a pale face, with that near-ghostly glow of very fine marble. A face made of sharp angles, a large aquiline nose, cheekbones so high and sharp she felt they could cut if she were not very careful. The hair was a luxuriant blonde, almost pure white. It seemed woven from the same silk as the man's flawless white suit, which hugged and softened the angles of his slender frame. Dora stared out at the figure - motionless for perhaps a minute, perhaps an hour. Only then did she dare look at the eyes. They were staring back at her. A deep blue, with the smoky depths that are rarely seen outside eyes of the darkest black. She could feel those eyes in every part of her body, probing her, exploring secret places. There was a physical intimacy in the eyes. The thick pane of glass, the whining of the cat, the veil of her flimsy nightdress. In those eyes, none of them seemed to exist.

Dora forced herself to look away. She knew that the man's eyes would not flinch. "OK, Patrick!" If she told the cat there was nothing to worry about, perhaps she could convince herself. The door was locked, the man had made no move to break the glass. In one swift grab, she could pick up her portable phone, call the police or Mrs. Moss. One thing she knew. If the man were not challenged in some way, he could stand there and stare all night. "What do you want?" Of course he could not hear her through the glass. Still, if she moved her mouth emphatically, he would get the message. She moved closer to the glass wall, twisting her mouth like some circus mime. "What do you want?!"

The man did not move. She might have been an image on film, moving from medium-shot to extreme close-up. Those piercing eyes watched her with the same rapt attention. If he wanted to stare, Dora thought, two could play that game. She raised her eyes defiantly, and gazed firmly at the man's thin, delicate face. No sooner had their eyes met than her own rush of aggression felt stupid, somehow beside the point. There was danger in that face, she saw, but also an overpowering gentleness. The face had something wistful in it. A melancholy, a hint of something lost.

Before she could tell herself not to be stupid, Dora had run to the door and thrust it open. Her skin prickled in the chilly night air. "Look, I have a phone and I'm quite ready to call the police. Are you going to stand there all night?" She was in no way prepared for what came next. The man turned slowly towards her, like a dancer in slow motion, or perhaps a mechanical doll on a very low battery. The face did not change its expression. The eyes stared at her with that same blend of hunger and innocence she had seen through the glass. His voice, when it came, did not belong to his body. It might have grown from the night, the murmur of dark flowers, the sigh of wind in Dr. Grenell's apple trees. "I should like that. Yes. That is, if you don't mind."

"Well, I do mind." Dora could not explain her sudden twinge of guilt, why she felt she was committing an act of cruelty. She forced her voice into a milder tone. "I really want you to leave." The man seemed to take her words in, stir them gently in his mind for a few moments. When he answered, his voice was deep and gentle. Once again, the disembodied echo of the night. "Do you?"

The question hung suspended in the dark air between them. Neither, it seemed, would touch it. Each was waiting for the other to take it up, to show what could best be done with it. The man moved away from the lighted glass wall. As he did so, Dora could see that his white suit glowed with a faint light of its own. A cream-coloured silk scarf, knotted rakishly at his throat, shone with a brighter sheen than the rest. Glistening around his neck, and on each of his earlobes, were small and perfectly formed pearls. Dora looked skyward, thinking it must be a trick of the moon. Then she saw there was no moon. She had made up her mind to scream when the man reached into his breast pocket, and fished about behind a folded handkerchief the colour of fresh snow.

"This is not as beautiful as your flowers, Dora." It was hours later that Dora wondered how the man knew her name. "But please take it. It will have to do." His long, tapering fingers held a white blossom of a kind she had never seen. A shape between a rose and a gardenia, its petals were longer, more supple. This flower, too, seemed to glow with its own unearthly light. As she took it in her hands, she could feel a warm glow around her fingers. Slowly, she raised the flower to her nose. It had no scent. "A poor gift, I'm afraid." The man's face spread in a faintly crooked smile. "Perhaps now, I may come in?"

Later, Dora could not remember how they moved from the garden into the greenhouse. The television was off. They sat facing each other in Mrs. Moss's two old wicker chairs, under the sleeping oleander. Patrick had retreated beneath the bed, where she saw only his sharp blue eyes and heard only his low, angry whine. The scentless flower stood in a glass she had found somewhere, on the small round table between Dora and the man. She did not know how long they had sat like this, whether or not they had talked, or even if the man had told her his name. His eyes watched her with the same unwavering interest. It was his voice that broke the silence. "I am tired now. Perhaps you can help me."

Dora watched as her hands strayed towards the man's pale throat. She had a flash or fear. Perhaps she meant to strangle him, commit a murder and then plead self-defence. Still, her hands went on moving, and came to rest finally on his scarf. Without quite knowing how, she undid the knot at his throat. Pulling the scarf towards her, she could hear a faint hiss of silk as it drew across the man's smooth alabaster skin. For a moment, she held the length of silk in both hands. Her fingers glowed, as they had at the touch of the flower. What lured her eye away was a brighter light, shining between the two delicate bones at the base of the man's throat.

The blue eyes continued to watch her. The smile grew warmer, broader and more crooked. She realised that the man was naked under his white silk jacket. The chain of pearls traced a tiny halo of light around his neck. Hanging from the chain was a figure. "Come closer. You may see." Slowly, as if she were moving underwater, Dora stretched across the table and took the tiny figure in her hands. A slender long-haired man, naked, with powerful swan-like wings jutting from his back. Carved from what looked like a single diamond, the his limbs shone with a radiance that made her blink. It was a few seconds before she noticed what was wrong. The figure was upside down. His streaming, translucent hair pointed down towards the earth.

"Fallen." The man's voice dropped a single word into the pool of silence around them. Dora looked up to meet his eyes. Absurdly, she was distracted by the glimmer of the two pearls at his ears. Suddenly, the man had risen from his seat. She had not noticed until then how tall he was. His body looked frail and undernourished, but had the wiry strength of a reed. It would bend in the wildest windstorm, she felt. But it would never break. His back was to her now. The white silk jacket slipped from his shoulders, slid down to expose his slender back and arms. It caught on the back of his wicker chair, and hung there like a ghost flag, still gleaming with a pale light. His shoulder blades seemed to stick out at right angles from his back. Each of them was edged with a delicate growth of white feathers.

Dora felt a desperate impulse to rise from her chair. But she had lost control of her limbs. As if her whole body had ceased to exist, apart from her stifled breath and wildly beating heart. From under the bed, Patrick let out a long and savage howl. The man had turned to face her. His twisted smile was still on his face, but his eyes were shot through with an overpowering pain. She saw that his sculpted white cheeks were bathed in tears. Her eyes followed his hand to where it pointed, to the centre of his narrow chest. Pulsating just beneath the white, translucent surface - like a drowned corpse imprisoned under ice - was a knot of black light, the size of an infant's head. Beating slowly, regularly, the black shape gave off a faint pumping sound. With each one of these beats, a flash of blinding darkness swept over the glass room.

She could feel the eyes still on her. "Now you know." Nodding silently, Dora rose from her chair. Her body was working again, but it seemed independent of her will, her mind, her wavering sense of who or where she was. Trembling, she ran her finger along the man's naked arm. His skin felt like the keys of a piano in a cold room. She leaned her head against his chest, to shut out the waves of darkness. His fingers rose, and silently caressed her hair. Slowly, her hands felt their way upwards, over the sharp ridges of his shoulder blades. The swan's down felt fresh and hardly grown. Tiny feathers, like the growth on a newly hatched bird. She felt his trousers slide down his legs. His sex was already inside as he lifted her and carried her to the bed.

Beneath them, Patrick's whine had sunk to a low growl. Later, she could have sworn - although it was still night - that the orchids around her bed had burst into flower and enveloped them in a dizzying perfume like rotten honey. The man explored her body with his hands, his tongue, his cock until her skin seemed no longer to exist. As her hands pressed against his back, she could feel the wings sprouting, feathers growing straight and long. On her cheeks, she felt the breeze of flapping wings. She was not surprised when they rose above the bed, a single flying creature, until strands of his blonde hair mingled with the lianas that twined their way over the glass roof. Nor was she entirely shocked, at the moment they both reached orgasm, to feel a sudden sharp wrenching at her heart....

Dora still lives in the greenhouse at the bottom of Mrs. Moss's garden. On the table, she keeps a single white flower in a glass. Not even her landlady's new gardener can identify it, and horticultural experts have asked to investigate this new hybrid. So far, Dora has refused all such requests. She spends most of the day sitting at her round table with Patrick in her lap. From time to time, she fingers a glass pendant that hangs around her neck. She has worn it ever since that morning when Mrs. Moss found her wandering in the garden in her nightdress. For days after, Dora did nothing but cry. According to Mrs. Moss, the pendant is a winged man, his head pointed downwards. "No," says Dora. "Not a man. A woman." Mrs. Moss does not bother to argue the point. After all, she is three times married and nothing can shock her.

I'm so glad that we had such great entries from our site visitors! I have thorougly enjoyed each and every one (and will continue to do so), and I want to thank everyone who put together an entry for sharing with the rest of us. They each earned a spot on this site, and I'm pleased to present them for everyone's enjoyment:

from Kate

Kate took the names of the projects that Julian has done from the Internet Movie Database, and, quite cleverly, used them to make an amusing little story. She notes that one film she chose not to use was The Killing Fields, in honor of that film's serious topic (quite understandable...).

One evening while sitting on the porch of their home on Grand Isle, Mario and the Magician reminisced about the first time they fell in love. Mario had been suffering from the Oxford Blues after years of researching a cure for Arachnophobia, so he decided that America would be the perfect place to relax. The magician, tired of performing during endless Tennessee Nights, also needed a vacation. Fate brought them together on a whirlwind train trip, and as soon as their eyes met across the cramped car, the Vibes between them were irresistible. An Impromptu affair began their Romance on the Orient Express, so by the time they reached Nevada, they were Crazy in Love and married immediately.

They spent their honeymoon in A Room With a View, and after Leaving Las Vegas, they decided to travel the world. It had been a Long Time Since they had visited the Continent, so during the Winter, they traveled to Spain. In the middle of a Siesta, they were frantically awakened by an old friend the Tomorrow Man, a private detective. He had been hired by Mr. Browning who was the wealthy owner of an animal reserve, and they needed help in rescuing a rare Indian elephant which had been abducted by a mad Doctor and the Devils.

They waited until After Darkness before performing the Great Elephant Escape, but during the rescue, one of the devils was fatally wounded. Unfortunately, the mad doctor had powerful connections and accused the rescuers of committing Murder by Moonlight. A Witch Hunt ensued, forcing Mario and his wife out of the country. They ended up hiding in a Harem where every day was a Naked Lunch and there were constantly Privates on Parade. The Warlock was a servant at the harem, and he assured them that Wherever You Are, The Sun Also Rises. He helped them to escape through the Basements.

By then the country had heard the Browning Version of the night the devil was killed, and the mad doctor had been exposed as The Wicked one, The names of the young couple and their friend were cleared. Still, Mario said he would Never Ever rescue another elephant, and he and his wife left for France.

In Paris, they stayed at a Gothic hotel which was a haven for Husbands and Lovers. After having a One Night Stand with Night Sun, they experienced the Death and Loss of Sexual Innocence which nearly ended their marriage. However, by a strange Turn of the Screw, their relationship was saved. They met the Phantom of the Opera who told them a disturbing Tale of a Vampire. He said that the miserable immortal, after Boxing Helena, the only woman he ever loved, felt as if his Autumn Heart had broken. Upon hearing this, the lovers finally realized that there could be Sunshine Even by Night, and knew that they would never part. It was then that the Warlock returned with the prophecy of the Armageddon. However they knew he had delusions In Excess and were not concerned. So at the End of Summer they returned home where they lived in a Circle of Passion with fond memories of their first romance.

from Amelia

Amelia took that lovely Maxey portrait of Julian and made some really intriguing visual art.

from Sandy

Sandy put this together racing against the entry deadline, and on top of that, was ill and facing surgery in a few days. She deserves a round of applause for being dedicated enough to even make an attempt, but she also managed to come up with a really clever piece - one which I think many of us can really identify with.

WHAT WOULD I SAY?

Peak afternoon traffic time in Texas in July is when I do my best daydreaming. I know I should pay attention to the pickup truck in front of me that hasn't moved in 5 minutes..but the crisp air conditioned breeze, soft sounds of my favorite Cure cd and barely discernable engine hum of my van lure me into a comfortable flight of fantasy-what-ifs....

What would I say if I actually met Julian Sands? I try out some possibilities.

"Gosh, Mr. Sands, I'm your *biggest* fan!"

Not only has that been said countless times by less creative people than me, but I have a problem with calling a man a little younger than me, "Mr.". And then there's that "biggest" problem. I *am* a low-wide woman... evident for all but the most profoundly blind, so why insult his powers of observation?

I try the Texas gal tact...

"Howdy, Julian! Boy, I really like your movies! That performance you gave in "Room With A View", you know the scene where you told Lucy to get over her cheap self and admit that ya'll had something special...well hell, Julian, your performance would have brought a tear to a glass eye!"

Ok, more honest, and certainly to the point, but not something I would imagine a subdued, cultured English gentleman to understand or find complimentary. (I wonder if he's ever been to Texas?)

Maybe I could fake knowledge about organic rose gardening.

"Excuse me, but could you please share with me which homepathic aphid discourager you prefer on your tea roses?"

That would probably lead to an immediate revealing of my obtuse ignorance of gardening and roses...

Maybe he's a dog person! I'd talk his ear off about Ridgebacks. No he probably has cats.

The motion of the pickup truck in front of me curtails my musings and I catch a floating line from the Cure, "...seems reality destroys our dreams..." Maybe if I ever find myself face to face with Julian, I should keep my comments short and honest.

"I deeply appreciate your talent and work. You make my soul smile. Thank you for that."

Of course, I will be in L.A. in the fall, and just in case I run into him, perhaps I should think about becoming a close, personal friend with that treadmill abandonded in the spare bedroom....Hope springs eternal!

from Natalie

Natalie's working hard to maintain her claim of being Julian's biggest fan. She'd already written this story when I was still just considering starting a site contest. Her story should serve as a food for thought for anyone who's thinking a little too hard about stealing Julian away from his wife.... ;) I also see a little inspiration from Husbands and Lovers....

Behind Closed Doors

"They're not real," Kylie said, examining the ring on her friend's finger.

"Yes, they are.

Mira turned away from her so-called friend, Kylie and walked towards the kitchen. She started making herself a sandwich with the leftover chicken she had eaten the night before with her fiancee'.

"Want one?" Mira asked Kylie.

"No thanks."

Mira was spreading some mayonnaise on rye when her fair haired friend asked,

"Have you guys set a date yet?"

"Yeah," Mira grinned.

"And?"

"It's on June 24."

"Why June 24? Is it supposed to mean something?" Kylie wanted to know.

"It's private." Mira's grin had now grown wider.

Kylie felt sorry for her friend. Julian was a schmuck in Kylie's opinion. I wish Mira could see what an imbecile Julian really is. But she's so happy. I've never seen her this happy. Ahh, but she's so naive.

Julian's shiny, silky blonde hair fell shortly past his ears. It was the color of the sun. Mira loved his hair, especially when he tucked it behind his ears. Mira thought Julian was the most beautiful man she had ever landed her eyes on. It's no wonder he's known internationally for his luscious looks. Julian's starred in two of America's biggest hit movies, "Love & War," and "The Great Journey." Mira felt she was the luckiest person to have won his heart. Mira and Julian met when she was Pierce's Personal Assistant. Pierce's movie, "The Great Journey" had boomed and grossed over 5 billion worldwide. But that was 6 years ago. Mira was now a well-known director of photography.

Julian stared at Mira's cascading dark hair, thinking to himself just how happy he was to be with her. Mira shifted from under Julian's arm and faced Julian, looking into his deep gray eyes. Man, she's so beautiful.

It was as if the time had stopped when their eyes met.

"Whatcha wanna do tonight sweet cakes?" Julian's deep voice captured Mira.

"Why don't we go out to dinner? It's been awhile."

"Yeah, you know why." Julian stroked Mira's hair with one hand.

"I sure do. All these crazy girls out there who love you to death." Mira smiled, flashing her perfect teeth.

"None of them are as beautiful and intelligent as you, and most definitely none of them I'd ever love as much as I love you, Baby..."

Mira brought her face closer to Julian and their lips met and enveloped into a deep and passionate kiss.

It was a busy day on the set of Julian's new movie, "Escape." They were shooting at the studio in Los Angeles. Julian and Mira shared a condo in Santa Monica. Julian was sitting in his chair talking on his cell phone with Mira while a make-up artist worked her miracles on him, making him look 25 rather than 30.

"Hello, beautiful," Julian did not feel at all uncomfortable talking to her on the phone with someone else around, capable of eavesdropping. He was smarter than that. He wouldn't discuss private matters in public or on the phone.

"Really? You already found some China? You're unbelievable." "Jules!" the director called for him. "Pumpkin, gotta go, Paul's callin' for me. I love you, angel."

After 2 seconds, Julian clicked shut his cell phone and got up from his chair, the make-up artist followed after him. The fact that he was now walking did not stop her from applying make-up on him.

5 YEARS LATER

Julian was at a small grocery in his common disguise: New York Yankees baseball cap. He could be easily overlooked as JULIAN with his hair all hidden. He was holding a basket of tonight's dinner. Julian wanted to surprise Mira with a home-cooked meal because she had been extremely busy with a movie, the first one she's ever worked this long on. It was not until he got to the aisle that he noticed someone familiar. She was standing in front of him.

"Kylie? Is that you?"

The woman's head did not turn. Julian was stubborn to believe that she wasn't Kylie. The woman looked just too much like her. She had the same blonde hair, except it was shorter. The same slender shoulders and small waist and long legs.

Julian touched the woman's shoulder gently and said, "Kylie, it's been so long!"

The woman turned and faced him. He was a man with strong features, a good build, and a soothing voice that had an accent. British.

Who is this man? Why is he calling me Kylie?
"Yes?" the young woman said, puzzled.

"It's me, Jules," Julian patted his chest with both hands, "When did you move back?"

The woman looked at his face. There was something very, very familiar about him. 0h my goodness, is it my imagination or is this JULIAN SANDS?
"Julian?"

"I was beginning to think you'd forgotten me!" Julian said, and smiled. He reached out and hugged the woman. Julian Sands! It's really him and he's hugging me! I don't care if he thinks I'm this Kylie person, I don't care as long as I'm in his arms!

"Paper or plastic?" the young teenage boy asked the woman.

"Paper," the woman said, and paid the cashier with a check.

"I'll help you with your bags. And if you're not busy tonight, do you think you could come over for dinner?"

"I'd love to!" I don't believe this! This is too good to be true!

Julian paid and took his one bag of food and one of the woman's. They walked to her car, Julian following her.

"Why didn't you call? Let us know you were back?" Julian asked eagerly.

"I've been really busy. You know." I don't know how to answer his questions. I hope he doesn't ask too many. He obviously hasn't seen Kylie in a while. And just who is Kylie, anyway?

"Mira is going to be so thrilled to see you." Julian said, thinking about how she'd be a perfect surprise to go along with the dinner. So thrilled.

When they got to her car, she popped open the trunk and settled down her bags.

"New car?" Julian looked at the car. It was a Honda CRV.

"Ha, yeah. I got it last year." That is the truth. I can only pray he hasn't seen her in over a year.

"It's much better than your last one. What did you do? Get rid of your old job?"

"Yeah, in fact, I did," I want to lie as little as possible. "I'm a district lawyer."

"What! So that's where you went all these years! Law school! Man, that's unbelievable!"

"Thanks," the woman said, laughing. Her face turned into an uneasy expression almost suddenly.

"Kylie, what's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing." Jeez, how stupid can 1 be? l told him my real job. WIiat if he finds out my name? Well, he hasn't seen her in years, he said.

"You sure?"

She nodded.

"OK. Well, why don't you come over around 7. Mira should be home then."

I don't know where he lives! What do I do? And... who's Mira?
"Do you still live at the same place?" the woman asked, hoping he'll ask if he should give her directions because she's been gone so long.

"Actually, no. Thanks for reminding me. We moved to a new house. Let me write down the directions." Julian tore off a piece of the brown bag and took out a pen that was in his pocket and scribbled down the directions. "And... here's our number. Just in case.

I can't believe this is happening!
"I'll see you at 7," the young woman hopped in her car. "You bet I will," Julian smiled and closed the door.

Taylor DuBois walked in circles in her $3,000-a-month apartment in Pacific Palisades. What if Mira knows I'm not Kylie? I'll try to cover it up as much as possible, no matter how many questions and private jokes she throws at me. I need to change.

Taylor looked in her closet full of suits, blazers, and blouses. I'm not wearing a suit. I always wear a suit. She pulled out a summer dress. It was rayon, navy blue, and sleeveless. It went up to her neck and down to her ankles. It was after all, a sunny day. Taylor decided to take a shower and freshen up.

Mira was exhausted. She couldn't wait to get home to her Julian. I just want to lie down in my bed and have Julian feed me ice cream. She had to finish Tommy Arrow's opening angle first. All she wanted was to get home. She was tired.

Julian put the Chicken Gordon Bleu in the oven, one of Mira's favorites. Julian decided to clean up the house a little, so Mira would be happier with all he's done. He started by vacuuming the house and fluffing the pillows on the couches and finished the bed.

Taylor was now driving her red car down Sunset, towards Santa Monica. In minutes, she was talking to Julian on the speaker at the gate. And seconds later, she was parking her car in front of a beautiful gigantic modern house with a breathtaking view of the beach. Taylor glanced at her Anne Klein II gold watch, it said 6:57. Right on time.
Whose car is that? Mira could see the car from outside the gate. She pressed the automatic gate control opener and slowly drove up the driveway and around the circle centered by a mermaid fountain. Mira stood in awe, her mouth agape, when she saw Taylor in the kitchen with Julian.

"Kylie!" Mira exclaimed, opening her arms wide and wrapping it around the stranger.

"I've missed you, Mira," Taylor said, gently embracing Mira.

"What a surprise! It's not even my birthday or anything. Julian, were you behind this?"

"I ran into her at The Market earlier today and invited her over for dinner. I was as surprised to see her as you are.

"Boy, oh boy," Mira said, shaking her head, as if she was talking to herself, "When did you get back? Do you live here? Are you on vacation? Why didn't you call?"

"Which question first?" Taylor smiled.

"Damn, let's just sit down and you tell me everything. Starting with where you went and why I haven't heard from you in so long," Mira smiled and sat down on the oblong white couch. Taylor told Mira all about law school, relieved that Kylie was gone for exactly 5 years, the exact same period she was in law school. Mira told Taylor all about the beautiful wedding that took place 3 years ago.

"I tried to find you," Mira told Taylor.

"I'm sorry. But I saw the pictures in People's spread."

While Taylor and Mira chatted away, Julian handed both girls some drinks. "Thank you, honey," Mira took the glass from Julian.

"Thanks," Taylor said.

"Your favorite," Julian said, his arms sliding behind him, "Strawberry-Pineapple Margarita."

"Oh yes," Taylor smiled. Golly gee. I'd better catch up.

Mira rinsed her toothbrush in the bathroom.

"How did Kylie seem to you?" Mira glanced over at Julian who was lying on the bed reading one of Anne Rice's books.

"Fine." Julian looked up from his book.

"Yeah?"

"She seems good."

"But there's something. I don't know."

"Did you set up another time to see each other?" Julian asked.

"Yeah, actually, we're having lunch tomorrow. Good thing it's Saturday tomorrow." Mira walked out of the bathroom and into the bedroom and hopped on the bed. "You know, she asked quite a bit about you."

"Hmm." Julian closed the book shut and put it on his nightstand. "Can we stop talking about Kylie now?" Julian leaned over and kissed Mira.

Mira glided down on her back, giggling.

Crusing down Rodeo drive to meet Taylor at the cafe, Mira spotted her standing in front of the cafe, smoking a cigarette. Kylie didn't smoke.

"I didn't know you smoked."

"I don't," Taylor responded stupidly.

"Then what's this?" Mira realized it was a stupid conversation they were having, "Please forgive me. I don't mean to butt in. No pun intended."

"Don't sweat it. It's just a bad habit I picked up in law school."

The two young ladies dined outside the Bistro cafe where they were whistled at quite too frequently by different men who walked past them.

"You and Julian looked so happy at dinner last night," Taylor spoke with false sincerity.

"Yes, we are. We've been together a very long time now.

"How many years now? I've lost count." Taylor wanted to know everything she should know so Mira wouldn't suspect a thing.

"Eight. Remember how we met? It was definitely fate." "It had to be," Slut. Looks like I have to do some researching on my own. "Kylie, what made you have a change of heart for Julian?"

"What do you mean?" I need to know what she's talking about.

"You know what I mean. Don't deny it. We both know you don't like Julian."

"Oh, you guys were both something really pleasant to see together in a long time. I guess I now realize he's truly good for you."

"Thank you. You don't know how much this means to me."

After lunch, they went their separate ways, and Mira drove to meet Julian at their favorite park. Julian wasn't there yet, so Mira waited at their bench. Mira looked at the ducks swimming in the pond and smiled to herself when one of the ducks ducked himself underwater.

Julian saw Mira sitting at the bench and was overwhelmed with love emotions. They've been married 5 years, together 3, and he still acts/feels like an adolescent. Julian quietly walked up to her from behind and slowly leaned down and kissed her neck.

"Oh!" Mira cried out and looked around and smiled when her eyes found Julian.

"You set me on fire every time I set my eyes on you."

Mira turned her head away shyly, holding back giggles. Julian sat down next to her and put his arm tightly around her.

"How did it go with Kylie, my sweet patootie?"

"Fine. But I missed you," Mira smiled.

"I missed you, too baby."

"Yeah, well, and good news, baby, she doesn't loathe you anymore.

"Oh wonderful."

"Listen, darling, I was thinking, in about two weeks, when we're both on our break, why don't we go on a vacation?"

"Yeah? I'm listening" Julian's eyes lit up.

"How's Monte Carlo sound?" Mira's eyes shone back into his.

"Baby, you're full of great ideas. Let's do it!"

Julian and Mira wrapped things up at work and were almost set to go on their vacation. They were lounging outside in their vast backyard, drinking iced tea when the phone rang. Julian set the book he was reading down and picked up the cell phone on the table besides him.

"Hello?"

"Hi. I just thought I'd give you a call," the honey-like voice on the other end belonged to Taylor.

"Hello, Kylie. Mira's right over there."

"Oh, that's okay. We can chat a little, can't we?"

"Uh, yes. Sure. How have you been?"

"Busy. I hardly have any free time with work. I have two new clients. Two clients at the same time! Can you imagine?"

"That must be difficult. Mira and I are on our break now. We don't have another movie for a while. I'm keeping my eye out for a good script. We're heading out to Monte Carlo in a couple days."

"Oh wow. How long are you going to stay there?"

"5 days. Maybe longer, if we change our minds."

"Do you know which hotel?"

"Mmm. I'm not too sure. Mira made all the reservations. Want me to put her on?"

Taylor rolled her eyes. No, you don't have to put that little goody-goody two shoes on. You can just tell me yourself.

Mira was lying on the sun bed. She crossed her legs and adjusted her posh Calvin Klein shades, and tightened the straps of her black crotchet bikini.

"Mira," Julian called out for her and handed her the cell phone.

"Hello," Mira's impossibly sweet voice carried across.

"Julian tells me you're both going on vacation soon."

"Yes. I can hardly wait. It's been ages since Jules and I went on a vacation. We've been so wrapped up with work lately."

"Monte Carlo is a beautiful place. It's absolutely perfect. It looks untouched."

"You've been there before? I've never been." "Yes. With Jean-Paul. Two years ago."

"Ex?" He's obviously somebody from law school.

"Yes. It was our three-year anniversary. I caught him in bed with another woman. A beautiful dark-skinned woman."

"Oh my goodness. I'm terribly sorry. Was he foreign?" Is she sure it was only once he had an affair?

"Yes." This girl's impossible.

"Figures."

"Yeah, well, listen, you have a wonderful time in Monte Carlo. Don't forget to send me a postcard." Man, what does Julian Sands see in this credulous, gullible person? She doesn't seem to have any senses of her own.

Taylor walked back and forth on her patio, smoking a cigarette. How long am I going to keep doing this? What should I do? They're not going to think I'm Kylie forever. They'll find out who I am eventually. Wiat do I do? what's the point of this, anyway. I need a reason. A reason.

"I'm exhausted," Mira complained.

"I know, we're almost there," Julian smoothed Mira's hair. They were in a taxi on their way to their hotel in Monte Carlo.

Mira rested her head on Julian's shoulder and Julian put his arm around her.

Looking out the window and at the blue sky, Mira said, "I hope Kylie remembered to give Rory her pill." Rory was their 6-month Yorkshire Terrier.

"I'm sure Rory is in good hands. And our house, too."

"It's not our house I'm worried about. Zuelika's always taken good care of our house. It's Rory. He's so young.

"Let's make a deal, Mira," Julian looked down at her, "Let's not discuss anything from home - work, Kylie, Zuelika, whatever. Let's focus on us. You and me."

Mira smiled at the idea. "Deal."

Taylor lost her second case. She was angry with herself. I'm not working to my fullest. I'm a lawyer. A lawyer, dammit. I'm supposed to be good.

No, no. I need to get out of here. Taylor grabbed her purse and walked outside the building to her car.

Taylor drove home. Taylor took off her blazer and threw it on the couch. I need to know what to do about Kylie. Yes! I know. Track her down.

Taylor picked up the phone in the kitchen and sat down on a stool. She dialed Bronson's number.

"Yeah?" Bronson sounded occupied.

"Am I interrupting something?"

"Taylor!" Bronson was delighted to hear from her, "No, of course not. How are you?"

"Great. Listen, I need you to do me a favor."

"Anything. Name it."

"I need you to find out who Kylie Travis is. I have a photo." Taylor had managed to snag one of her letters and pictures from Mira's room. Bronson Simoneau was a private detective who was also Taylor's good friend.

"Let's grab something to eat and you bring the picture."

"Meet me at Rockette 6 in an hour.

"So, who is Kylie?" Bronson quickly looked at the menu but put it down quickly because he always ordered the same thing.

"See for yourself." Taylor reached for her purse and handed him the photo.

"Unbelievable! She looks exactly like you!"

"Except I'm not left-handed."

Bronson looked at the picture again. Kylie was holding a glass of water with her left hand. "Sure, this chick looks just like you, but who is she?"

Should I tell him? No. Not yet, at least. "She's one of my clients and she strikes me as mysterious. I don't think she tells me everything. And she's supposed to."

"I see."

"Ready to order?" the waiter asked, and Bronson looked up and nodded his head.

Mira couldn't decide between her strappy long lavender dress and her classic black cocktail dress.

"Julian, which one?" Mira held up both dresses.

"Baby, you know the black one's my favorite."

Mira smiled. "You look fabulous." Julian really did look dashing in his Armani suit. Any woman would drool after him.

"Zip me up?" Mira asked, after she pulled her black dress on. "Do I have to?"

"Come in," Taylor called out, after she heard two knocks at her office door. Bronson waltzed in with a big yellow envelope and dropped the envelope on her desk. Taylor eagerly took the envelope and pulled out the papers that were in it. They were copies of newspaper articles.

Young Woman Dies in Automobile Crash. They were dated December 1995. 5 years ago.

"Okay, out with it."

Busted. He knows she's not a "mysterious client." Taylor told him another lie so good Taylor could have believed it herself. He bought it and she left. And for some reason, Taylor had a gut instinct telling her she should've told him the truth.

It was almost too easy for Taylor to have her first name changed to Kylie, being a lawyer herself. But she kept her last name, DuBois, from her ex-husband, Jean-Paul. If Mira wondered, Taylor would just tell her Jean-Paul was more than just an "ex." It was all too easy. Now all Taylor had to do was find out more about Kylie. And Mira.

Taylor drove to Mira's house. Rory jumped at her after she opened the door. "Down, boy. Get down." Stupid dog. I'd better feed him just so he doesn't die. She walked into the kitchen and made Rory some food then went upstairs, into Mira's office. She sat down at her desk and looked around, admiring her office. The framed picture of Julian and Mira at the corner of the desk caught her eye. Taylor's eyes narrowed and she reached for the picture, looked at it, and replaced Mira with her through her eyes. Soon, it'll be me in his arms, not Mira. Taylor set the picture back and started rummaging through the drawers. Nothing relevant. Taylor looked around the office again. File chests, two armchairs, book shelves. Taylor got up and walked to the file chest and tried to open the first drawer. Dammit, it's locked. Taylor looked under the desk and saw a key taped to the bottom of a drawer. Naive, naive, naive Mira. Inside the first drawer was some bills, paperwork related to work, and a portfolio.

Taylor closed the first drawer and opened the second. More bills and a shoebox. She pulled the shoebox out and opened the lid. There were pictures of Mira with many different girlfriends. One of her and Kylie caught her eye. They look really close. This one looks like they're in London.

"What are you doing?" a woman's voice called out from the door.

Startled, Mira dropped the shoebox and all the pictures were now scattered on the floor. "I was just looking at these old pictures of me and Mira." Why can't the stupid maid mind her own business?

"Mira doesn't like anybody in her office, and besides the file chest can't be opened without a key."

"Let me clean this up. I was just looking for a picture of us, I wanted to surprise Mira with a picture of us in a new frame I just brought for her."

"No, let me do it. It's my job. You may leave. Rory's been fed and he's sleeping now."

"I'll see you tomorrow," Taylor stood up, still holding the picture of her and Mira in London and left.

"Man, I'm beat!" Julian blurted.

Mira flopped her bags by the front door inside. Rory was raring, jumping at her. His tail was wagging like crazy. Mira picked Rory up and hugged him, kissed his face all over.

"Zuelika?" Ju han shouted.

"That's strange. Zuelika's not around."

"Maybe she ran to The Market to pick up a few things for us." Mira shrugged her arms. Julian carried the bags upstairs.

The doorbell rang. Mira answered it, it was a police officer in a cheap suit.

"Mira Brinkman Sands?"

"Yes? Is something wrong?"

"Does a Zuelika Johnson live here?"

"Yes, in the guest house."

"I'm sorry. We found her on 37th and J street. She's been in a car accident. They couldn't save her."

Julian was already standing next to Mira before the police officer could finish his sentence.

"Oh no!" Mira covered her mouth and turned to Julian and dug her head in his chest.

"I'm sorry," the police officer said, "we'll be back with questions."

"Thank you," Julian closed the door behind the officer.

"I can't believe this," Mira said, shaking her head.

Taylor decided not to call them immediately after they got home, she figured they were tired.

Mira went out to run some errands, pick up some milk and some more food for Rory. Julian had received two screenplays and brought them outside to read them. He loved being outside where he could see his garden.

I think I'll drive over to Kylie's and tell her thank you for taking care of Rory. Mira opened her glove compartment. She had put Kylie's address in there the other day.

"Oh, hi! What a nice surprise!" Kylie didn't expect Mira to come over so soon after their arrival.

"I should've called. I hope you're not busy right now."

"Oh, no, no. Come on in."

They drank iced tea and talked about Mira's vacation in Monte Carlo. Then Mira told Kylie about Zuelika.

"Oh my God! That's terrible!"

"Yeah, I know. She worked for us for nearly two years.

"I'm very sorry," nobody would've guessed Taylor really didn't
care. Not one bit.

"Kylie, I want to thank you for taking care of Rory. Zuelika could have easily taken care of her, but I thought maybe you'd like to."

"I did, and it was my pleasure.

Mira jiggled her key in the door and opened it.

"Jules?" Mira called out. No answer. He must be outside in his garden. Mira walked outside and there he was.

"Hi baby."

"Oh, Shane called. He wants to talk to you about a new movie. You'd better call him back."

"Thanks." Mira walked back into the house and into her office. She sat down at her desk and opened her planner and dialed Shane's number.

After about 45 minutes, Shane and Mira came to the conclusion that they would be working on a new movie in Barcelona. She would be the director of photography, of course. Mira had to call Regancy. She was in her office for another hour.

Julian and Mira were having dinner and Mira knew she had to tell Julian she would be leaving for Barcelona to work and wasn't sure how long she'd stay - 2 or 3 months, maybe. Julian was excited for her. Mira usually filmed movies in the country.

"I'll come and visit one weekend," Julian said as he took her hand and kissed the palm.

"I'll miss you so much."

"So will I."

Taylor drove Mira to the airport. Julian was having auditions that day for "Wuthering Heights." Julian was auditioning for the role of Heathcliff, of course.

"I will miss you. I'm sorry I have to leave, just when we found each other again."

"Oh, don't worry about it," Taylor smiled, "It will be a wonderful experience for you. I'm jealous!"

Mira smiled at Kylie. I feel bad about leaving her - again. We hardly had much time together. When I return, I'll make it up to her.

"Flight 207 to Barcelona. All aboard," the woman on the announcer called out.

"That's my flight," Mira said and looked at Taylor.

"Well, give me a hug!" Kylie said and hugged Mira.

I'm going to miss her. And Julian. But I hate to do this. I'm going to get more opportunities in other places and I have to get used to this.

Taylor watched as Mira walked down the terminal corridor.

Julian got the role of Heathcliff. Everything about him was perfect for it, even his hair. They were going to start filming next month because the director still had to find the right producers and costume designers.

The phone rang and Julian answered, "Hello?"

"Julian. This is Kylie."

"Oh, hello. Thank you for driving Mira to the airport. How can I make it up to you?"

"Hm. You could take me to dinner tonight," This is the perfrct opportunity.

"Tonight?"

"You're not busy, are you?"

"No. I'll pick you up at 8."

"Great. See you then."

Taylor looked extraordinary. She was wearing a very low cut, strappy beige dress. Her hair was sleek and her make-up was almost too well done. Her full lips were covered with a luscious shade of pale pink and the dress hung eloquently on her.

Julian was mesmerized, "Man, you look fabulous."

"Thank you," Taylor's smile was beautiful.

He offered her his arm and she took it. Quite gentlemanly, Julian opened the passenger door for Taylor and she stepped in. Julian managed to steal a glance of the cleavage Taylor had quite so elegantly created.

He drove them to Spago. Taylor was intoxicated, she had never dined there, not even for someone else's party.

After their food arrived, Taylor decided to bring up Mira, at least, to be polite. "Are you going to visit Mira while she's in Barcelona?"

"I'd like to, one weekend." It was hard not to let Taylor's breathtaking beauty captivate him. Taylor knew he was enamored with her and was more than happy with it. He's so easy to seduce. Is he really that weak?

"Are you going to be in a new movie? Mira said something about Wuthering Heights?"

"Yes. We will start filming it next month. I will be playing the role of Heathcliff."

"That's always been one of my favorite books. The way Emily Bronte described their love was so deep and emotional. I just don't understand one thing - why Emily never really put Catherine and Heathcliff together."

"Yes. Their love was inseparable, yet they went on to be with different people."

"I hate books with sad endings. I guess I don't live in reality. I always liked Fairy Tales better," Taylor licked her lips.

"Nothing wrong with that." Julian was drawn to her lips, "We're allowed to dream."

Glancing at Julian, Taylor took a sip of her wine. "Yes, we are. And we're allowed to make them come true."

"If you can."

An uncomfortable silence came up, and Julian decided to break it. "You really do look great tonight, Kylie."

"Thank you. So do you. It's not very often I get to dress up like this and I like it when I have the chance to."

"I can imagine. Why did you give up modeling again?"

"I didn't like the business very much," Kylie did some modeling? Interesting, "They really treated the models like objects."

"And you had to go and prove them wrong by becoming a lawyer," Julian smiled.

"It wasn't about proving anybody wrong. It was just something I wanted to do for myself. I love the courtroom. I love the law."

Julian nodded his head, listening. "Would you ever go back to modeling if you got an incredible job offer?"

"I'm not sure. But I don't think so. I'm happy with the way things in my life are now. I like the challenge in my job."

"I understand that. I wouldn't be satisfied if my job wasn't challenging like it is."

It wasn't until after an hour they decided to order dessert.

"What would life be like without dessert?" Taylor wondered.

"Not good," Julian laughed.

"Of course not, I can't even count the times I've had ice-cream cravings, and of course, chocolate cravings. Those are the worst."

"I wasn't talking about that kind of dessert."

"Oh," He's flirting with me! Taylor smiled, "Yes, I agree, I can't imagine life without that kind of dessert."

Taylor played with her food a little. Making swirls with the chocolate fudge on the plate. Julian's eyes slowly shifted from her face to her neckline, then her cleavage. Taylor's eyes turned up and met his, and Julian let out a small gasp, as if he were embarrassed that she saw him looking at her in that way.

"Uh, how's your dessert?" Julian asked, embarrassingly.

"It's good. But I'm hungry for more," Taylor shot him one of her most sexy looks. Julian was flabbergasted. He loved Mira, with all his heart and soul, but she was far from being in his mind. Taylor was what was in his mind now. And he had a longing feeling for her.

The valet handed Julian the keys to his silver Lamborghini Vector. He and Taylor had not said very much after their somewhat intimate conversation. Julian was driving his car towards Pacific Palisades. Taylor stared at the dark ocean from the cliff.

Julian was walking Taylor to her door when she asked him if he wanted to come in.
"Um, sure," Julian responded reluctantly. He followed her in her dark apartment then suddenly, Taylor came to a halt and Julian bumped into her. He could feel her fingers running up his pants to his chest. Now her hand was grasped around the back of his neck. They were kissing furiously and stumbling towards her bedroom. Taylor closed the door shut behind her with her foot.

The next morning, Julian was lying on the bed. He was staring at Taylor. She was sleeping. She wasn't even that good. Dammit. Taylor's eyes opened, as if she could feel Julian staring at her.

"Good morning," Taylor purred.

The bedroom door swung open. Startled to death, Taylor grabbed for her sheets. There Mira was, standing there.

"Have you done it yet, sweetie?" Mira looked at Julian.

A state of confusion ran over Taylor. What the hell is going on?

"Of course, we have, right, Taylor?" Julian looked at Taylor and smiled.

"What's going on? I thought Mira was in Barcelona." Taylor's breathing had become difficult.

"Oh, poor, poor, poor baby. You must feel so scared. So confused," Mira had the coldest look in her eyes like you've never seen before. She was walking slowly towards Taylor. Taylor had a feeling where she just wanted to sink right through the floor. I want out of here.

"You thought we were stupid, didn't you?" Julian sneered.

"You thought you could've fooled us, huh?" Mira was now standing in front of Taylor.

"W-w-wh-wh-what's going on?" Taylor stammered, "I don't understand."

"Oh, Taylor. You'd never understand. You don't know how marriages work, do you?"

"Julian?" Taylor's frightened eyes turned to Julian, hoping for some comfort, some help.

"Mira and I don't have a great relationship in bed, so I sleep with other women. Then we kill them."

"Why? But why?" Taylor's eyes widened.

"I loathe these women. I can't stand the idea of them being alive."

"Oh my God. Kylie," Taylor gasped and covered her mouth.

"Why do you think she hated him so much," Mira said.

"We didn't kill her right away. I let her be my mistress. She was perfect, because she was Mira's friend."

"You people are sick," Taylor wanted out of there. Now. She tried getting up from the bed.

"Nuh-uh-uh. Not so fast," Julian shook one finger.

"No! No!" Taylor cried out.

"Yes. Come here, don't be such a baby," Mira tugged at her arm. Taylor grabbed it away from her, angrily and in fear.

"No! Stop it!" Taylor screamed. Julian grabbed hold of her arms and tied them from behind. Mira shoved Rory's play ball in her mouth.

"Bitch, you got to pay the price," Mira pulled at Taylor. "Come on, we're going for a ride."

"It'll be the ride of your life. Enjoy it while it lasts," Julian said and laughed; Julian and Mira kissed, Julian still holding on to Taylor's hands from behind. Taylor turned her head away in disgust.

Julian threw Taylor in the back seat of Mira's black Ferrari. Her muffled shouts were annoying the hell out of Julian. "Stop trying to scream. It's no use. Just sit back and relax."

"And," Mira turned and looked at Taylor, "Don't scowl. You don't want to ruin that little pretty face of yours.

Taylor had tears in her eyes. She turned and looked out the window.

"Taylor, come here," Mira pulled Taylor's arm and licked her cheek. "Oh, Julian, I'm so sorry. You could have done better than her."

"I know. Oh well," Julian shrugged his arm and started the car.

They drove to an isolated cliff. Mira got out of the car, "Get out, bitch."

"You've got to understand," Julian got out of the car and shut the door shut. "We don't get enough pleasure in bed together, so we do this. I get pleasure from sleeping with other women, and Mira gets the pleasure of killing them out of anger."

Mira walked towards Taylor and took the ball out of her mouth.

"You people are sick!" Taylor shouted at the top of her lungs and tried to run.

"We're not stupid, remember. Stay exactly where you are."

Tears were running down her eyes. "Why me? Why are you doing this to me?"

"Because you look like Kylie," Mira shrugged.

"Like that is my fault!" Taylor screamed.

"Life is not fair," Julian smiled.

"Don't do this to me. I'm a good person."

"You know the saying, 'Good people always die,'" Mira said.

Julian walked up to her and gave her a big kiss, "Say good-bye." He pushed her and she went flying off the cliff. Her screams echoed the whole canyon.

Julian pulled Mira up against her and planted a kiss on her lips. They engaged in a deep and passionate kiss that lasted a long time. Mira looked down the cliff at Taylor's body washing up the shore.

"Who's next?"

Once again, thanks to everyone who submitted an entry in the contest. I plan on continuing the tradition in the future (though the type of contest may change) so that participating in the site can be a little more exciting for everyone. I've provided e-mail links to all of our entrants, so if you particularly enjoyed their entry or you just want to tell them you appreciated their efforts, you can write and let them know. They've earned the praise!
If you found yourself inspired by these works, certainly feel free to submit any Julian-related items to me for publication on the site. And if you're looking for more inspiration and haven't already explored every nook and cranny of the site, check out some of my own Julian-inspired poetry.