#panicinneedlepark

1973 

There was a black Charger that pulled up next to me. Al got out of it, a weary look on his face. “Hey,” he smiled at me. 

“Thank you for coming to get me...” I whispered, trying not to cry. I had been in hysterics since I read the letter. I had torn through my apartment, had been crying nonstop on the way here. 

“It’s no problem,” Al said softly, taking my bag. He opened my car door and I got in, putting on my seat belt. “What did the letter say, Kelly?” 

“I can’t tell you...” He fell silent after that and began to drive. “I... If I tell you what the letter says, you can’t call me crazy...” 

“I won’t.” I sighed heavily, trying to decide if I could really tell him what was going on. 

“My name is Jacklyn for starters... Not Kelly. The FBI gave me that name.” 

“Wait what?” 

“I work for the FBI... I... I was supposed to be helping them get Nixon reelected, but I... I can’t do that.” Al looked at me for a second, returning his attention to the road afterwards. 

“Why are they trying to get Nixon reelected? He’s a shitty president.” 

“It’s more complicated than that...” I sighed heavily, resting my forehead against the window. “I traveled from the future... Through a time travel machine.” Al laughed slightly, but stopped once he saw the look on my face. 

“Are you really a time traveler?” 

“What will make you believe me?” He thought for a moment, his eyebrows were knitted tightly together. 

“Tell me who the next president is.” 

“You’re kidding?” 

“Okay... Well, I don’t know. Tell me something about my future, I guess?” He scoffed at me slightly. 

“Dog Day Afternoon isn’t a movie made in the 30′s. It’s a movie you star in... It’s release date is in ‘75. But I don’t know when-” 

“Wait... My agent mentioned auditions for that movie the other day. I was wondering why... HOLY SHIT! You’re really from the future...” We had pulled into his home. 

“I can’t believe that you actually believe me... Other agents who’ve told people... They’re put in mental asylums.” 

“You mentioned Dog Day Afternoon on our coffee date,” I rolled my eyes at the word date. “And my agent... He mentioned auditions afterwards. I thought it was a weird coincidence... It’s fucking not!” I smiled at him sadly. “What are the FBI going to do?” 

“I don’t really know, Al. I just feel like there’s... not much we can do,” I said quietly. He put his arm around me, pulling me close to him. “I’m sorry you’re going to get roped into this...” 

“It’s okay,” he promised. I laid my head on his shoulder, sighing. He smelled like expensive cologne, making me smirk. “I guess I should reintroduce myself to you, Ms. Jacklyn. I am Al Pacino.” 

I sat up right and smiled broadly at him. “Well, Al, I’m Jacklyn Phelps.” I shook his hand, making us both laugh. 

“Let’s go inside. Are you hungry? I can fix you something to eat,” Al offered. He led me inside his home. It was a large home that sat on the outskirts of LA. 

“Can I get a cup of tea?” I asked. 

“Of course, Jacklyn.” 

“Jackie is fine,” I smiled at him. 

“Well, Jackie, tell me about yourself. The real you.” I smiled at him, seeing a smirk grow on his face. 

“Well... I’m from the year 2035...” 

“That’s so far away,” Al said, shocked. “What’s it like?” 

“Well... A lot less racist... Women have more rights. But we still have a government trying to undermine the people apparently.” 

“Why... Why did they want Nixon reelected?” 

“What the FBI in my time told me was that ever since Nixon’s Watergate scandal, the people have distrusted the government and it was my job the restore the faith in the people... Which translates into getting Nixon elected.” 

“Aren’t there investigations?” 

“Do you want me to spoil the ending?” I asked, sipping my tea. “Also thank you for the tea,” I smiled at him. 

“I really want to know what happens with Nixon,” Al whispered to me. I gave him a coy smile, nodding. 

“He resigns from office at the end of this year. There’s a trial going on. But before they announce he’s removed from office, Nixon resigns. And the next president pardons him for his crimes.” Al’s mouth fell open as I told him. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t the cutest thing ever. His hair was a disheveled mess, he was genuinely surprised. 

“You’re telling me that Nixon is going to pussy out?” 

“Yeah... He tries to beat them to the punch line.” Al began questioning me about everything from women’s rights to how cars were made. He asked me what type of food we ate. 

“We have the same food, but it’s just grown differently. We have tons of updates on the laws. Gay marriage is legalized. It’s almost wonderful. America is a bit more a shit show...” I said. 

“What do you mean?” 

“Well, when I grew up, which was in the early 10′s and 20′s, it was just garbled culture and battle against the DNC and the GOP. Politics in my time are awful. Our presidents keep fucking us up... And I just don’t understand what is happening with us...” 

“What do you mean?” He asked, taking my hand. 

“We have so much information and technology, but people are still awful. There was a pandemic in 2020... It was a mess. Our country elected this shitty president who just completely crippled our economy.” 

“We’re going to have a crippled economy?” Al asked, getting upset. 

“Not for another 50 years,” I sighed. Al was quiet, letting us finish our tea. Then we sat in the living room. We were still silent. I just laid my head on his shoulder and we watched the TV. 

~

A/N: 

Hey I am sorry this is shorter than normal. But I wanted to update but I also don’t have the motivation to devolope the story more than this at the moment. Quarantine and school and work are all kicking my assssssssss. Anyway thinking about Al Pacino being the zaddy he jus makes me go “woooo child”