West

By beer number seven, the bar had grown loud, the televisions were blaring a college football game, and Carter and I were plotting how to change history.

The drunker we got, the more sense it made.

"So would you go?" he asked some time later above the noise of the evening crowd. "Like a two week vacation to the Wild West."

"Yes," I said with no hesitation. "All you have to do is figure out how to time travel."

"I can do that."

"I believe you. You're one of those geniuses aren't you?"

He grinned. "Yes, I am."

"I so knew it!" My words were slurred, and so were his. I couldn't remember the last time I'd had this much fun at a bar.

"You go back in time. I'll stay here so I can help you find the right people. We can text each other," he said.

We stared at each other for a moment before we both began laughing at the amazing yet ridiculous idea.

"But wait, Carter!" I exclaimed suddenly. "I can't speak Choctaw ... Choctawan. Whatever. How do I convince him to wear jeans?"

"Oh I can fix that," Carter said. "I created a brain chip … I mean … micro chip for your brain and it'll let you understand and speak every language known to man. It translates everything into … American English and then everything you say is translated into the language of … whoever you're talking to."

"Seriously?" I gave him an astonished look. "I could've used that for French class."

He laughed. "You want to … to use billion-dollar technology to cheat on a French exam?" For some reason, that tickled him, and he laughed until he was crying.

I ordered us another round of beers.

Wiping tears away, he drew a deep breath.

The loud crowd was growing out of focus. After all the parties I attended in college, I knew where I was on the drunk chart: driving - no, stairs - only if necessary, another round - the last.

"I have another one that is like an internet. In your brain," Carter continued. "It has all of history on it and my research."

"Another what?" I asked, easily lost while drinking.

"Microchip. For your brain. Because there's no internet in the past."

"Oh, that's brilliant, Carter!"

He smiled. "I am brilliant."

"Do I need shots?" I asked him. "Because they had diseases back then."

"I didn't think of that." He appeared thoughtful. "That explains a few things."

We both giggled, even though I was beyond comprehending why.

"I can get you innoc … ulations." He hiccupped then leaned forward. "Do you wanna know a secret, J… Josie?" He asked drunkenly.