2021...

Natalie had just gotten into genealogy. She loved finding out things about her family history that she didn't know before. One day she was on a popular genealogy website when she discovered that one of her ancestesses was married to the royal magician of England, and assisted him in his acts. Not only that, her name also happened to be Natalie, and to top it off, she found a painting of her early 17th century ancestress, and the resemblance to herself was uncanny. She even had the strawberry blonde hair and the mole above her upper lip like she did.

"Wow! What are the odds?" Natalie said to herself.

It was getting late, so Natalie decided to turn off the computer and go to bed. While she slept she dreamed about early 17th century England...

Early 1600s....

William the Magnificent did every trick he could to entertain the king. He knew that if he failed, it would most likely mean execution. William had several assistants helping him, but none more beautiful than the lovely Natalie.

Every magician was required to let the king choose the last trick that was performed, and he was known to choose a trick that was impossible to perform. Every magician that came before him had failed, and so far the king looked unimpressed with this show.

Finally the moment came.

"Thou hast seen the wonders that were performed before thee today, but now we have come to the portion of the show where his majesty chooses the final trick." William said to the audience.

The king stood up, pointed to Natalie, and said, "OFF WITH HER HEAD!"

Natalie's eyes widened and she grabbed her neck and gulped. She was not expecting that. William on the other hand didn't seem very worried.

"Very well, your majesty. The fair maiden, Natalie shall be beheaded before you all today." William said.

A chopping block, and a large axe were brought out. Natalie knelt before the block, and her hands were tied behind her back. Natalie placed her head on the block, and William moved her hair to uncover her neck. William raised the axe and brought it down, slicing through Natalie's slender neck, and severing her head from her body. Natalie's body went limp, and her head rolled to the floor. The audience gasped thinking that William had failed and killed Natalie. What a cruel thing for the king to do!

An assistant brought out a silver platter, and William placed Natalie's severed head on it. He waved his hand in front of her face, and Natalie blinked several times and came back to life.

The audience gasped and applauded.

The assistant carried the platter with Natalie's head to the king, and handed it to him. The shocked king inspected her head to make sure it was real.

"Hast thou never met a living severed head before?" Natalie asked.

"Uhhh..." Was all the king could manage to say.

He handed the platter with Natalie's head back to the assistant. Unlike his former wives, Natalie had survived her beheading.

The assistant carried Natalie's head backstage, and William took a bow.

"WELL DONE!" The king said, "WELL DONE!"

2021...

Natalie woke up with a jolt. She felt her neck to make sure her head was still there (it was).

"What a dream." She said.

The end