A PREQUEL TO "IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE" On Christmas Eve 1700, Bristol clockmaker Clarence suffers the indignity of an accidental drowning in the River Avon. In the Spirit World, given the option of guardian-angel-in-training (GAIT) or a cushy cloud overlooking the English Channel, he selects the former. But after two underwhelming missions, he leaves GAIT and ventures with his partner Sharah to the coast of Marseille. Shar introduces him to the Vulkhans, a renegade band of angels led by the charismatic leader, Phosphorus (aka "The Shining One"). Phos encourages Clarence to pursue his passion and provides the facility and resources to create the world's finest clocks. In time, the master horologist learns his new clocks--marketed under the Vulkhan's brand LUCIFER LUX--are integral to their nefarious plans. Clarence escapes and returns to the Spirit World. His first assignment back at GAIT is to assist Bedford Falls' suicidal resident George Bailey on Christmas Eve 1945. Movie fans will recognize the angel as Clarence Odbody: Angel-Second Class from the beloved holiday classic "It's A Wonderful Life." A-S2: A Clockmaker's Journey is the third long-form fiction by R. A. Cabral. He is the author of "The Pitch," a fantasy, and "The Miracle of the Christmas Wish Holder," a holiday fantasy.