Lizzie quickly scooped up her laptop and hopped onto her bed, so Jason couldn't see the screen, "It's nothing! You shouldn't be in here!"
"Well I had no intention to come in here, but obviously something weird is going on. What's going on with Eric?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Yes you do! I saw that look on your face. He was acting just like your mom for some reason."
"Yeah, ok. That's weird. I have no idea why, though!"
Lizzie was getting nervous. She couldn't let Jason find out about the program too. Sure, she wanted to fix her brother, but that would be way easier if this lout would just leave her alone. A new message appeared on her screen.
PROXIMITY SENSOR ACTIVATED. NEW TARGET ACQUIRED
An avatar identical to Jason's popped into the window. The same menus and dialog boxes from before were now active.
"Eric said he had some new program to show me. What have you got there?" He gestured to her computer, a look of suspicion in his eyes.
"Nothing! It's homework. None of your business!"
"Well, which is it, little missy? Let me see?"
"No way!"
Jason reached for the laptop and grabbed at the screen. Lizzie tightened her grip and pulled back on the bottom half. In doing so, her fingers mashed several buttons.
"Give it back!"
"Just tell me what's going on!"
The laptop beeped loudly again, and both released their grip, sending it tumbling to the soft carpet. It didn't break, but several messages appeared on screen.
**OPTION UNAVAILABLE
RETRYING PREVIOUS ACTION
APPLYING TO CURRENT TARGET**
Lizzie looked up at Jason, who now had the same blank expression her brother had minutes ago. Oh no! Had she wiped his mind too? Great. This thing was already more trouble than it was worth. Another message appeared:
**WARNING: TWO PROFILES IN CLOSE PROXIMITY
ENABLING REALITY BUFFERS**
After a few seconds, his eyes flicked back into focus and he straightened up, shaking his head.
"Oh, Lizzie, sweetie. What did I come up here for?"
Sweetie? Uh oh. Jason looked down at his t-shirt and jeans.
"What in the world? When did I put on this getup? Excuse me honey, I need to go change. Oh, and would you be a dear and take out the trash? I'm not sure where your brother is."
"But... but..."
"No buts young lady! Strange... I just had the oddest sense of deja vu..."
Lizzie just stared.
"Oh well, I'll be back in a minute!" He left her room and started walking towards her parents' room. Wait, he couldn't go in there! Her brother was already in there, probably getting dressed in their mother's clothes. She dashed into the hall, but Jason's hand was already on the doorknob.
