I’ve been neglecting you. I promised Stream readers a series on “Planet Hillary,” the world where just a few votes went the other way, and Mrs. Clinton became our president. It’s inspired by the Starz show (also on Amazon Prime) Counterpart. That show pictures a second timeline emerging in 1987, and two worlds living in parallel, with very different histories. On rare occasions, people from Earth One visit Earth Two, and vice versa.

In my series, Earth One saw Mike Pence succeed Donald Trump after Trump’s second term. On Earth Two, Sen. Kamala Harris followed Hillary Clinton’s second term.

In Part One, a Texas family from Earth One (where Trump won) arrives in New York City on Earth Two (where Clinton clinched it). The Bakers from Euless include JASON, 43, SUSAN, 37, BETHANY, 14, MATTHEW, 11, and JOHN, 7. Their tour guide representing Earth Two is EVE PAYNE-WHITNEY, 39. It’s 2026.

In Part Two, they visit what remains of the Central Park Zoo. Upset by the sight of naked, growling New Yorkers in cages who identify as “trans”  lions and tigers, the Bakers return to their hotel for a good night’s sleep. The next morning, a Sunday, they wake up early for church.

EXT. MANHATTAN – DAY

The lime green HOVERCRAFT pulls up in front of what’s still on our earth called St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It jumps up and down a bit, before finally splatting on the ground in a pool of brownish liquid. Eve gets out first, leaping nimbly to the sidewalk without getting her feet wet. She stands, arms folded, as Jason steps out, soaking his feet.

JASON
Dang it. Honey wait—

He gets to the curb, shaking off his feet, then reaches to help Susan, Matthew, John, then Bethany onto the sidewalk, dry-footed.

SUSAN
I guess you don’t have sewer workers in this timeline. …

EVE
Many things are different here, Mr. Baker. But for your information, Mayor Sharpton has promised a new initiative to drain the streets. As soon as he’s resolved his coalition government.

JASON
Coalition? You mean the Democrats don’t run New York City outright? Now that sounds like science fiction.

EVE
Oh, that’s right. I guess in your world there’s still just one Democratic Party. Interesting. …

She taps a few notes into the keyboard under the skin on her left wrist.

JASON
So what about here? I’d have thought they were the big Kahuna now, after ten years.

EVE
Well, with the Trump debacle the Republican party disappeared as a national contender. That meant that in most places — even, after a few more years of welcoming immigrants, Mr. Baker, TEXAS — the Democratic primary virtually replaced general elections. Not all of our constituencies were happy with that, and the party … diversified. Now it’s a coalition of independent, cooperating parties which represent different communities.

MATTHEW
We’re kind of early for Mass. I guess we can tour the place. …

BETHANY
Yeah, I want to see if church is less boring here.

JOHN
(sardonically)
I’m sure it is.

JASON
So what party does President Harris belong to?

EVE
She is cross-endorsed by the Intersectional Democrats, but also the Partido Nacional Revolucionario. …

JASON
(whispering to Susan)
They run Mexico.

EVE
… the Working Families Party, and the Homeless Party. Six or seven others, but those are the largest. …

SUSAN
I’m not sure I want to hear any more. Let’s go to church. I’d invite you to join us, but …

JASON
Is it your cup of tea, ma’am?

EVE
I won’t stay for the service, but I’d be happy to tour with you. The political situation with Christians has calmed down immeasurably in the past few years.

JASON
Oh, did it get ugly? Do tell.

MATTHEW
Dad, what’s that flag?

They look up, and flying next to the American flag is the gay RAINBOW FLAG, where the Vatican flag should be.

JASON
That son, is proof that we’re on another planet.

EVE
Well, after Doe v. Dade. …

SUSAN
A court decision?

EVE
Yes. Chief Justice Allred found that homophobic organizations didn’t deserve a tax exemption. There were protests and prayer vigils and such, yadda yadda. … But nine out of ten churches found a way to comply. In this case, the Patriotic Catholic Church —

SUSAN
The what?

EVE
The bishops here, all but two of them. They simply cut their ties to Rome. That awful man. …

JASON
Pope Leo XIV?

EVE
Oh you have him too? That angry African gentleman. Most of us call him “Mr. Sarah.” There was no reasoning with him. After the American bishops paved the way, most of the churches in the Developed World went their own way. Even Italy. That’s why he’s moved his operation to that replica St. Peter’s they built in Ivory Coast.

SUSAN
What?

EVE
Now the Vatican is what it always should have been: A small museum, and a center for housing refugees.

JASON
So St. Patrick’s is now a “Patriotic Church”?

EVE
Oh that’s right. You used to call it that, didn’t you? Archbishop James Martin renamed it for St. Brigid, but most people just call it “Brigid’s.” That’s the name of the native Celtic goddess which the missionaries appropriated —

JASON
We’re not going in. I’m not setting foot in it.

Matthew looks disappointed, Bethany rolls her eyes, John smiles fiercely. Susan nods, slowly.

SUSAN
No, we’re not.

EVE
As you like. You’ll miss out on the latest art installation. The Homeless Party donated a scrap-metal statue of St. Dorothy Day. It’s really imposing, stands behind … the high altar, that’s what you call it, am I correct?

JASON
Can you take us to the nearest un-Patriotic Catholic church?

EVE
Oh, we don’t have those in Manhattan. As for-profit businesses, they don’t often turn a profit, so they can’t afford the rent. I think there might be one on Staten Island. …

She tugs the gold ring hanging from her septum, and a few lights flicker on her forehead. She pauses for a moment.

EVE
Yes, there’s a St. John Paul II Roman Catholic Church and Paintball Park. But their services are already finished. I’m afraid you’re out of luck. Are you sure you don’t want to go into Brigid’s? Dr. Richards is famous for her homilies.

SUSAN
Doctor?

EVE
Well, you can’t very well call the Rector of the cathedral “Father Cecile Richards,” now can you? She likes to use her academic title. Got it right here at Fordham. Aren’t you at least curious …?

JASON
Ma’am, let me say this with all due respect. We’d prefer to go back and feed the “tranimals” at the zoo.