2025-05-21 SHOULD BE FUN for Izzy Duffy—Izzy Duffy hung up the phone with her agent and continued on her way to the gate. To Izzy, “no means no” in any situation.
A year of non-stop modeling and sports promotion events had brought Izzy to the brink of exhaustion. A second trip—a week earlier—to the ER for dehydration had been her tipping point.
She had told her agent that she was ill, that nothing at all had “stayed in” since the promotional event at the seafood sports bar. Her agent waved the contract at her and sent her to the outdoor boat show all the same.
While waiting on the Uber to take her from the hospital to her hotel, she called her agent and cancelled everything for the next two weeks.
“Deal with it. Fire me,” Izzy had said. “I don’t care.”
From the bed in her hotel room, she scrolled IG, finding a story @ailana.geven had shared about an event arranged by @little_emporer93 starting Sunday. It looked fun. It looked like a vacation with structure.
#littleempressball2025
It had been since summer of 2024 that Izzy last saw Ailana. She called her up and arranged to visit her in NYC on her way to Paris.
Izzy set her eyes on the gate information. She had a destination in mind and a nice event waiting for her.
Whether her job would be waiting for her when it was over, she didn’t know. And didn’t care.
2025-05-22 GOOD MORNING by Ailana Geven—I have no excuse to be saying good morning from the bathroom. Yes, I was out late giving snack bags to people that are homeless, but… I also have nothing to do until lunch.
I should delete this picture, get dressed and start over, but… really, I’m feeling sort of lazy—taking the easy path. Whatever…
We gave away 50 bags of snacks last night. It wasn’t hard. We hit a few popular camps where people without homes take shelter. We could have given away 100 without even trying hard.
We’ll go back. Emma said she’d see that the church where she volunteers in their homeless ministry continued as time and resources allowed.
So… there’s that…
Yesterday, I also got a phone call from an old friend. Izzy Duffy.
I haven’t seen her since last summer when we did some sports modeling together. We go back to when I first started my modeling career for A-cup swimwear and fashions in 2016. She was a C / D cup model for some of the same shoots. We worked together on and off for a few years, then kept in touch.
My move into digital content creation took us separate ways. We’re going to catch up over lunch!
I’ll check in, for sure, so…
See you then!
2025-05-22 CATCHING UP OVER LUNCH by Ailana Geven—We’re waiting on the pasta to come, but we’re in no hurry. We’ve got a lot to talk about!
Izzy is on her way to Paris to be part of a modeling event:
The Emperor @little_emporer93 is proud to announce the inaugural Empress of the Ball the week of May 25-May 31. There will be daily competitions for the models interested. The prizes include a Royal title and being crowned Empress of the Ball on Saturday.
She has to be there by Sunday, so we have some time to catch up. It’s been great so far! Here’s a little recap…
We sat down and she started things up. “I’ve been reading all of your posts since January. You’ve been really busy.”
“I have.”
“You’re doing good things. Things you can be proud of.”
I felt myself blushing. So I asked her some questions to change the subject. She said she finished her Masters in psychology last December. I asked how she fit that into her schedule.
“You know the routine,” she replied. “Rush rush, wait wait, go to the hotel for the night. Repeat three times, then on to the next town.”
The topic turned to the homeless crisis, and I’ll share some info I learned in my goodnight post.
“Where are you staying,” I asked.
“I have a zillion travel points. I got a room in a sorta nice hotel.”
Then it happened… Before we finished our pasta, a plan was hatched.
Girls’ day at the indoor pool (rain forecast)—Tomorrow!
Addison Magee was there when I called Emma. She took the ball and ran!
So, that’s the plan for Friday midday. You don’t want to miss this one, so set an alarm!
Okay… I’ll check in tonight and tell you what I learned.
2025-05-22 A BIG APPLE BITE for Izzy Duffy—Izzy Duffy had been to New York many times. Working.
She decided she would take a day and do Tourist things. After lunch with Ailana Geven, they went back to the apartments where Ailana was staying and visited some of the others who were there.
Overhearing her plans to do some sightseeing, a handsome British man, Paul Cham spoke up. “Now, to ask me, a lady out and about in the Big Apple would do to have someone keeping her company.”
“It’s daytime…”
Paul smiled. “No expectations. Just someone to give any ruffians a pause and a set of ears to hear your thoughts. I’ve not seen much of the city myself. I’d consider it a favor if you let me tag along.”
Izzy thought his personality lived up to his name. She decided to accept his offer.
“Two conditions…”
“Ah, she wants to drive a bargain. Go on then…”
“I pay for everything. It’s the 21st Century you know…”
Paul looked down and laughed. “So, I’ve been told. Alright then, and your second condition?”
“You take the pictures and I get to wear your fedora for some of them!”
2025-05-23 GOOD MORNING by Ailana Geven—Bikini is on. Cover-up is on. We’re heading to Izzy’s hotel for a girls’ morning at the indoor pool.
I want to break into what I hope will be a day of fun to acknowledge how grateful I am for all the amazing, supportive comments about the work going on here. It is super refreshing to hear from you guys who see how needed this work—any work—is!
Back to today, the plan is to start off at Izzy’s hotel for some splashing and laughing. It should be a nice time for everyone.
Izzy heads to Paris this afternoon to get there a day early for the Emperor’s @little_emporer93 inaugural Empress of the Ball week, May 25-May 31. There will be daily competitions for the models interested. The prizes include a Royal title and being crowned Empress of the Ball on Saturday.
This afternoon? Well, there’s an idea afloat, but I’ll spare you the details until it comes to be a reality.
So… hope to see you at the pool!
2025-05-23 Pool Time by Ailana Geven—We made it. Addison said we should all pose for pictures before we get soaked, so…
Next after me is Emma Knox and Hannah Madison. You probably recognize them.
But next is Melissa Gaines, the women Emma met who sort of tipped the domino that led to Stop-Gap Housing. Emma insisted she take the day off. She protested, but eventually gave in.
A bit of story…
Living in a car, you can’t keep everything. She parted with all her bathing suits. Emma would not let that keep her from being part of the day—She got one of her own, and insisted Melissa could have it.
Emma opted for something she got in a $5.00 grab bag from the thrift story (which Addison said was an epic find and wished it was her cup=size!)
Being a single parent of a 3rd grader is taxing and complicates things. Kent and Paul Charm assured her Elijah wouldn’t miss her in the least. They are taking care of school and everything else!
Okay… after Melissa is Shay Ryder,
then her roommate, Liza McDuffy.
Next, Tia Thomas,
then, Anika Rao,
Rebecca Flint,
Addison Magee,
and finally Izzy Duffy.
So, that’s the full roster! Hope you enjoy this little departure from the purpose I’m in NYC. But, I’ll get back to doing what I came her to do later tonight.
See you then!
2025-05-23 CROSSING OVER for Izzy Duffy—Izzy Duffy had scheduled a few days in NYC to catch up with @ailana.geven, an old friend. She had no idea she’d make so many new ones!
Notably, Paul Charm, an old soul with a love of fedoras surpassed only by his love for people. Paul was from Great Britain—London to be exact. When he learned Izzy would be going to Paris for the event arranged by @little_emperor93 starting Sunday, he invited himself to chaperon her on the trip, provided they could Chunnel over and have a day or two in London on the way back.
At the event, the inaugural Empress of the Ball the week of May 25-May 31. There will be daily competitions for the models. The prizes include a Royal title and being crowned Empress of the Ball on Saturday.
Izzy agreed Paul could chaperon her only on the condition she got to have a fedora, too. Paul agreed.
After a morning with all of the Brooklyn girls and Ailana at the hotel pool, Izzy got packed and waited to be picked up. Right on time, Paul showed up.
In a black Tahoe driven by Tia Thomas’s boyfriend Eric Marsten.
“Shay insisted,” Paul explained. “Far the better arrangement than a Lyft.”
In her short time in Brooklyn, Izzy had learned that there was a close-knit friendship shared among a rather large and diverse group. She’d met all of the girls by the end of the pool party and most of the guys before that at the apartments where Ailana was staying.
“I can’t disagree,” Izzy replied.
As they settled into the back of the Tahoe, Paul reached into the front seat. “Here you go, as promised.”
He handed her a fedora with a smile.
2025-05-24 UP LATE for Izzy Duffy—Izzy Duffy found herself in Paris. With a man, Paul Charm, she had met only a few days before.
She was there for the event arranged by @little_emperor93 starting Sunday, the inaugural Empress of the Ball the week of May 25-May 31.
Paul Charm was there because he wanted to visit his home city, London, after it was over and because he thought Izzy would benefit from having a chaperon.
She wasn’t sure about that. She didn’t think she needed a chaperon—hadn’t had one for all her years as a sports and swimsuit model.
But, he was good company, and he was paying his own way, and a lot of hers. He had taken a room on a different floor of the hotel for, as he said, the sake of propriety. Izzy wasn’t sure how different floors was more “proper” than simply different rooms, but she didn’t push for an explanation.
He had, on the flight, surprised her with his knowledge of the homeless program Ailana Geven’s (@ailana.geven) friends were working one.
“Now, any good program needs just the right people,” he had said.
It was Paul’s opinion that Izzy should talk to Shay Ryder about being the person who would meet the families and help them into—and possibly more importantly—out of Stop-Gap Homes.
“Afterall,” Paul had said, “you have that masters degree in psychology. You can put it to good use. Naturally, you can pose in swimwear any time you like, to boot!”
It was her consideration of Paul’s idea that had kept her up so late.
2025-05-25 PALACE TOUR for Izzy Duffy—The first official day of Little Emperor’s event in Paris included a tour of Versailles Palace. As a sports and swimsuit model, though she’d been to Paris, she had never toured the palace.
The events of the week seemed promising, and Izzy thought they would be fun. She was looking forward to them.
But her mind was also digging into the downtime.
She had been a professional model since the age of 17, nine years earlier, and had been full time for the last four, after graduating from college. Sometimes, one modeling job would start before the previous one had ended.
Downtime…
A week in Paris seemed like just the thing she needed to recover from the last five years. And to formulate some thoughts about the next five.
2025-05-26 PARIS SHOPPING—Monday, at the Empress of the Ball event was dedicated to touring Paris and…
…shopping.
Izzy felt herself smacked hard in the face by the realization that…
…for years, she’d worn whatever the art director, sponsor, or event coordinator told her to wear. This time, she wore what she wanted, bought what she wanted, and revelled in the independence she was feeling, the freedom from the demands of her agent and others.
2025-05-27 VISIT TO BORDEAUX for Izzy Duffy—Tuesday’s events at the Empress of the Ball event included exploring Bordeaux and Champagne.
Izzy opted for Bordeaux. Paul Cham escorted her and together, they set out.
The conversation was pleasant and cordial. Always a gentleman, Izzy felt like he was beyond polite in the good, old-school sort of way. When she was with him, she sometimes felt like she was the heroine in an old black and white movie, and Paul was the hero.
The day in Bordeaux passed quickly, but there were more events planned for the days to come.
2025-05-28 THE CATACOMBS for Izzy Duffy—The Empress of the Ball event scheduled tours of the Paris Catacombs for Wednesday. Izzy felt like she was the prize winner for the day when Paul Charm warmed up and started telling her what he knew:
“Ah—the Catacombs… never set foot in them myself, mind you. But they were famous even before the war—that would be WWII.
“Underground ossuaries, stacked wall to wall with the bones of six million Parisians. Morbid curiosity for some. Artistic fascination for others.
“Now, during the occupation of Paris back in the war…”
Izzy interjected, “World War II?”
“Right-o. They served a rather different purpose. The Resistance used them—partly for moving people, sometimes for hiding arms. Narrow passages, no light, maps that go back centuries. Easy to get lost if you didn’t know the turnings.”
“I can imagine.”
Paul continued, “The Germans weren’t oblivious, of course. They installed a bunker of their own beneath the Lycée Montaigne. Classic move, really—try to control what you don’t understand.
“There was talk—among the airmen and the SOE—about whole networks running beneath the city. Stories floated through the ranks, especially from those who’d bailed out and worked with the French underground. I met a chap once who swore he was hidden in a tunnel for three days after his crash—wasn’t sure if it was part of the Catacombs or just a sewer. Either way, he came out smelling rather the worse for wear.”
“Met a man?”
“That’s a bit of a story in itself,” Paul said, smiling faintly. “Fascinating, though, what history chooses to bury.”
And so went Izzy’s tour of the Catacombs.
2025-05-29 FANCY HAT DAY for Izzy Duffy—When Izzy saw the event for Wednesday at the Empress of the Ball event was the Fancy Hat Fashion Show, she had absolutely no doubt what her plan would be.
When Paul saw it, he was stunned. “My, my, now…”
That was about all he could utter.
2025-05-30 FESTIVAL for Izzy Duffy—Friday’s Empress of the Ball event was a festival (among other things). Izzy Duffy and Paul Charm shared the day together there.
As the week had progressed, two things had emerged; partly from the very act of cancelling her modeling assignments, partly from all of the conversations with Paul.
First of all, Izzy had decided she needed a change of pace. Modeling since she was 17 had been a great experience. But at 26, her mind was moving into a different space. She’d battled her way through a masters degree in psychology, and was thinking maybe it was time to shift gears into that field, modeling part-time. If at all.
Secondly, she had decided that Paul Charm was the personification of his name. He was, in every respect, charming. At 45, he was too young to be her father and probably too old to be a romantic interest, but…
He was quite a fun person to spend time with, and seemed like the kind of man she’d enjoy getting to know over time.
Yet, there was something mysterious about him. Little hints would slip out, from time to time, and Izzy couldn’t quite figure it out.
Asked directly what he was hiding, he said, “Now, let’s put that on hold until we get to London… whatta say?”
So, Izzy agreed.
The event was set to end on Saturday, then they’d make their way to London after that. Izzy figured her curiosity could wait a few days to be satisfied.
2025-05-30 LANDED IN IT for Paul (born 1910)—When Izzy Duffy turned the camera on Paul Charm, he smiled. On the outside, he figured he looked plenty happy, but inside…
Things in his head had gone somewhat pear-shaped.
When Paul met Izzy Duffy, a young model with a master degree in psychology who seemed burned out by the rigors of her job, he felt a little concern. She seemed very interested in the work the other Time Travelers were doing on a project called Stop-Gap Housing, and Paul had an idea… He thought she’d be a good fit for the case manager position—someone to work with the people in program to help them move on to permanent places of their own.
Learning that she was going to Paris for a week-long festival, his 1945 self took over. A young woman couldn’t make such a trip without an escort. Plus, he hadn’t seen his home, London, since the end of WW II (which was just about a year before, for him, having skipped from 1945 to 2024).
Paul’s smile was forced for Izzy’s picture due to a phone call he received earlier in the day.
“I was hesitant to call you” It was Rebecca Flint, another Time Traveler born in 1922 who shifted to 2024 in 1952.
“I’m happy you did.”
For a moment, they marvelled over how easy a phone call from NYC to Paris was, compared to half a century before. “But, that’s not why I called. I’m… upset with you.”
Paul was shocked. “I… am sorry for whatever I did.”
“Paul, you ran off with Izzy and gave me hardly a moment’s notice!”
“Ran off?” Paul went on to explain his reasoning and to repeat his surprise she was upset.
“Mr. Charm,” Rebecca replied, “looking at everything we’ve been through together these past few months… all we’ve done together… I’d rather assumed we were keeping company.”
“Keeping company?”
“I suppose I just took it for granted we were going out together.”
“Yes, well…” Paul had been jolted. “Rebecca… Honestly, I didn’t think you’d ever give me the time of day… Keeping company? I’d consider myself beyond lucky!”
“Paul Charm, we have a lot to talk about when you get back.”
2025-05-31 THE EMPRESS’ BALL for Izzy Duffy—At last the big event of Empress of the Ball the week had come. It was the night of the ball.
Izzy had dodged invitations from a few men she’d meet over the week, opting to stick with Paul Charm. She didn’t ask him what he was wearing, but she had a pretty good idea it would be black on black.
She dressed to compliment that.
Her hunch turned out to be right. Paul bowed politely and smiled.
“Breathtaking, my lady…”
“Thank you,” she replied.
Entering the ballroom, they were far from unnoticed.
2025-06-06 SO THAT'S IT for Paul (born 1910)—Paul Charm sat at the table of a London cafe with Izzy Duffy. It was their last day there before they would return to NYC.
Paul had spent most of two weeks trying to persuade Izzy to become part of a new project that the Time Travelers had found themselves immersed within deeply. It was called Stop-Gap Housing, an initiative to provide temporary homes for working people who were without a home.
She had been easily persuaded; Her 9-year career as a sports and swimsuit model had left her burnt out.
The passing of days together, however, seemed to have revealed to Izzy that not everything with Paul was as clear as it seemed.
“You seemed rather… out of place in your own city.”
Paul was. He had left London—what seemed to him as—a half-year before. But it had been in March, 1945, when he moved to Chicago. Then, in Nov. 1945, he started time-traveling—officially Translocating—eventually ending up in 2025 and in Brooklyn with the rest of the Time Travelers.
London had changed. A lot.
“I understand why you say that…” Paul smiled.
“Do you want to tell me… anything?”
Paul sipped his coffee. “It’s complicated. Very. And it will sound fantastical.”
“Try me.”
Paul dove in. He explained about the Time Travelers, that Emma and Merritt had shifted to 2025, swapping places with duplicates who themselves shifted to other timelines—other Instants. He explained that Hannah, Kent, Devon, Shay, Jacob, Addison, Will and Tom existed in their normal Instant, but that they had duplicates in others.
“They have copies of themselves living in 1881 and 1985. And… their memories are linked up…”
“You’re right about this sounding fantastical.”
“As far as I can tell,” Paul added, “the point now is to do good for others. Pay it forward… Random acts of kindness…”
Izzy smiled, shaking her head. “So, Stop-Gap Housing is part of the plan?”
“Maybe not the plan, but… definitely part of the purpose.”
Izzy laughed. “And, Mr. Charm, you’ve dragged me into it!”
Paul nodded. “So I have.”
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