Chapter 3: The Fourth Morning
Led by Chandler, Emma checked out the apartment. It was small and cozy, a studio with no extra rooms—perfect for one person.
"Thank you, Chandler. I think this is perfect," Emma said, looking around appreciatively.
"You're welcome. I'm glad you're joining the building." Chandler extended his hand, and Emma shook it.
"Thank you, I'm really happy too. And I sincerely wish you and Monica the best—you guys are definitely going to have a happy marriage." Emma said this without thinking, completely forgetting where they were in the timeline.
"What?" Chandler quickly pulled his hand back, looking guilty.
"I'm not—I'm not with Mo—Monica, anything... No... No..." Chandler shook his head, though a hint of sweetness flashed in his eyes even as he looked nervous.
Emma suddenly realized her mistake.
"Oh my God, I forgot—you two haven't gone public yet! Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. I'm totally Team Mondler! I'm rooting for you, buddy." Emma patted Chandler on the shoulder and walked out. She was going shopping with Rachel.
Chandler stood frozen, looking surprised and bewildered.
"What is wrong with this girl!"
Rachel was incredibly thoughtful, even calling Joey to help carry everything. Once they got Emma settled in, she started decorating her little place. Although it was humble now, things would get better. Emma had read plenty of fanfiction and watched shows about people ending up in TV universes, but she never thought it would actually happen to her. Compared to her original world—the endless eight a.m. classes, the soul-crushing academic system, parents who only cared about her getting married and having kids, and the cutthroat office politics... this place was heaven!
Now Emma needed a job. She'd majored in Communications, which should help, but she knew exactly where to find her first job. Without overthinking it, she headed straight for Central Perk where the gang always hung out, and immediately spotted the busy blonde behind the counter—Gunther.
She walked straight over and took a deep breath.
"Hi there, handsome~"
Gunther looked up, saw an attractive young woman, and paused what he was doing.
"Can I get you something to drink?" he asked.
"I don't want a drink. I was wondering—are you hiring waiters?" Emma asked hopefully, tilting her head.
"I could take you on, but... I have to interview you first..." Gunther replied cautiously.
Emma thought fast.
"I just moved here. I know Monica, and her roommate—oh, Rachel Green. She's gorgeous. Is she your girlfriend?" Emma asked innocently.
Gunther froze, then said quickly, "You're hired. You can start now. Also, Rachel is my wife."
Emma smiled, knowing full well he was lying.
Soon Gunther led Emma to the back. She put on an apron, and after some basic training, she'd grasped the essentials. Gunther looked at her with unusual admiration.
"You know what? You're one of the few normal waitresses we've hired," Gunther said.
"Really? What about Rachel?" Emma asked deliberately, watching Gunther get flustered.
"She... is a goddess."
Emma smiled, nodded, and started her first shift.
The gang didn't come in for coffee that day, but that was fine—they'd show up eventually.
That evening, Emma finished work and headed home. Serving coffee wasn't easy, but Emma had picked up tricks from watching the show: whenever she encountered a rude customer, she'd just sneeze on their muffin.
Emma flopped onto her bed.
"Oh my God, no cell phone~ just a landline and an answering machine."
Emma walked over to the answering machine and examined it. She recorded a custom greeting for herself.
"Welcome to the Twilight Zone. Please leave a message after the beep!"
Satisfied, Emma walked to the window.
From here, she could clearly see into Joey's apartment across the way. He was heading back toward his bedroom. The moment he opened the door, Emma quickly ducked down. Joey didn't notice her—he just grabbed Hugsy the Penguin and walked back out.
Emma had a mischievous idea. After Joey settled on the couch, she cupped her hands around her mouth and deliberately lowered her voice: "Joey Tribbiani~ Joey Tribbiani~"
Joey was watching TV when he heard the eerie voice. His eyes widened immediately, and he hugged Hugsy tightly.
"Who's there? What do you want~" Joey asked fearfully.
"I am the Phantom, and I love people who hug stuffed penguins~"
Joey immediately threw Hugsy onto the couch.
"I'm not hugging the penguin~" Joey looked around nervously.
"I know you're a Tribbiani. Tribbianis~ taste the best~" Emma was getting way too into this.
Joey looked around frantically, then cried out, "Chandler~" He ran into Chandler's room and huddled there. Chandler, who'd been about to head over to Monica's, looked slightly exasperated.
"What's wrong, Joey?"
"There's a phantom~" Joey replied, voice trembling.
"Did you hit your head again?" Chandler had no idea what Joey was talking about.
"It's real!" Joey insisted desperately.
"Joey~" Emma continued her haunting call.
"She's calling me!" Joey dove under Chandler's blanket.
"I don't hear anything," Chandler said helplessly.
Joey crawled out cautiously.
"It IS real, I'll prove it to you." Joey grabbed Chandler's arm and slowly crept back to the living room.
"Joey~ I'm coming for you~" Emma called out dramatically.
"Chandler, she's coming for me!" Joey practically climbed onto Chandler.
Chandler suddenly realized what was happening.
"Joey, it's okay—it's Emma."
"How could it be Emma? Emma lives across from my bedroom, I know where she lives!"
Chandler led Joey, who was clinging to him like velcro, back toward the window.
"Joey~ Joey Tribbiani~ You smell..." Emma was so caught up in her performance that she only just realized they'd figured her out.
"Very... delicious," Emma finished awkwardly.
Joey said indignantly, "You are so mean!"
Emma blinked innocently, then quickly flopped onto her bed, pretending nothing had happened.
The next morning, Joey was woken by sunlight streaming through his window. He walked over and saw Emma still asleep. A mischievous grin spread across his face. He took a deep breath and began singing loudly in his exaggerated opera voice: "Morning's here! The morning's here!"
Emma jolted awake and stumbled to her window with an angry expression.
"Sunshine, day-dream! Walking in the sunshine!" Joey was really getting into it now. Emma immediately raised both hands and gave him double "unagi" attack hands that Ross had invented. Finally, she slammed her window shut and went back to bed.