Differences

"When did you notice it - the change in behavior?" they asked him. "Last summer," he replied. "Francesca appeared on the corner across from the cafe and we waved her over. She was dressed in some kind of Regency costume and we gave her a hard time about taking her eccentricities to the extreme." "Did she get angry about that? Attempt to leave?" they pressed. "Uh ... no, of course not," he answered. "Francesca IS odd - WOULD do something like that. And she was talking and laughing, having a good time; the only thing that confused me was that she was clearly mimicking people at the tables around us (words and gestures both). It was obvious to me and only to me, because we've been friends since grade school." "Did you ask about it?" came a voice from the back. "Indirectly," he said. "I caught her eye and asked if she was okay. She nodded and replied with, "Assurément!" which made the little hairs on the back of my neck stand up." "Why?" came the voice again. "Well, Francesca hates crap like that as a rule - that poncy throw-a-foreign-word-into-your-schtick egomania ... and she docks extra points for French." "What happened next?" they probed. "She got up and excused herself to use the ladies' room and, when she returned, she was wearing a different outfit and she was suddenly more lively and talkative," he reflected. "Everybody teased her about the clothing quick change and she rolled with it, but I think I knew then (was putting out that energy), and she avoided me in conversation." "You knew then? Knew what exactly - would you clarify?" was the next question. "Doppelgänger, clone, android replicant, time traveler ... two Francescas came to the cafe that day," he spoke slowly. "Two distinctly different ones."