Timeless

b.

7 March 2017

You wrote to me first? I want to know where you got my number from and who you are.

That wasn't necessarily how I usually typed in messages, but the stranger wrote with proper grammar, so I didn't want to seem uncivilised. I showed Josephine my reply, and I was slightly relieved to see that she nodded approvingly and gave me a thumbs up before we both turned our attention back to the front of the lecture hall. I didn't get a reply until the lecture was over, but just as we were pushing our way through the crowds out of the lecture theatre, I could feel my phone vibrating in my trouser pocket.

As soon as I got a chance I dragged Josephine to the side of the hallway. "I got another reply, I think," I told her and got out my phone. Indeed, there was another message from Mr Unknown.

"Ohhh this is so exciting," Josephine gushed, rubbing her hands together. "What does he say?"

"We still don't know it's a him," I reminded her before I opened the app.

I didn't write to you in any way, I don't know who you are. I don't even know what this thing on which I'm writing is.

"What the fuck...," I muttered, shaking my head a little. Without hesitation I showed Joesphine the reply I had gotten.

It was good to see she had a similar reaction. "What? This is so strange... Maybe it's like a psychology eperiment or something, to see how you react to something weird."

I shrugged and took my phone back. "I don't know... but now I want to know what the hell is going on. Hang on." I leaned against the wall before I typed my reply.

This 'thing' that you're typing on is a called a phone. Have you been living under a rock?

When that was done, I turned off the screen again. "Alright... let's see. I'll keep you updated about what's happening with this.." Strangely enough it didn't take long for a reply to come, and I was quick to get out my phone and check.

A phone? Really? It's a very strange phone then. What I call a phone definitely looks different. With a receiver and a dial plate or actual buttons.

"A dial plate? What the hell?" Josephine's voice was full of surprise.

"I know right?" I agreed with her, staring at the letters on the screen. "A dial plate... who has a phone with a dial plate nowadays?"

How old is your phone that you still have a dial plate?

I knew my reply wasn't exactly long but I was curious. Hoping that the next reply wouldn't take too long, I kept my phone in my hand before I followed Josephine along the hallway again. "Do you just want to go sit somewhere?"

"I have an appointment with a professor in fifteen minutes, so I can't, sorry. But I still want to hear about what Mr Unknown says," she told me firmly.

"Yes, yes, I'll tell you, I promise. Go on," I told her, shooing her off. When she was out of sight I decided to sit on one of the benches, hopefully I could enjoy some sunlight while I did my readings for the following day. It was tough to find an unoccupied bench, but when I finally did, I immediately sat down before someone else could claim it. Looking around, I plugged in my headphones and started my playlist. Just as I had placed my phone down again and reached for my tablet to read the books and essays I needed to finish, my phone vibrated. Quickly I put my tablet aside and reached for my phone again, trying to suppress my impatience.

My phone with the dial plate isn't that old yet, a couple of years maybe? Why?

Furrowing my eyebrows, I was quick to type my reply.

Because basically no one has dial plate phones anymore. I only know few people who have landline phones anymore. How old are you?

Everything that had happened would make a lot more sense if I was talking to some old guy. It wouldn't be what I was hoping for - certainly not what Josephine seemed to be hoping for - but it was a very likely option. I turned up my notification tone again, and it wasn't long before the Thriller laughter came from my phone. Maybe I wouldn't get any work done today after all.

I'm 24.. what do mean hardly anyone has landline phones anymore? How do they communicate then? Where do you live? You sound strange.

24? How was that possible?

I live in London, where do you live?

Hoping that maybe I would get some work done, I placed my phone aside again. But I only managed to read a couple of paragraphs before I could hear the familiar laughter again. I knew I should focus on my readings, but somehow I was a lot more curious about this unknown strangers.

I live in London too...

Now it didn't make sense anymore. How could a 24 year old Londoner have a dial plate phone, and most importantly never have heard of a mobile phone before?

Are you sure? You sound a bit like you live on another planet or something. I mean, who has never heard of a phone before?

This time I didn't bother putting my phone away. For good reason, because it didn't take very long for my phone to laugh again.

I have heard of a phone, but the normal kind of phone, not this weird kind of phone. Are you sure you don't live on another planet? I showed this to my friends, and none of them has ever seen something like this. And one of them has a degree in electronics, so ...

I shook my head a little and sighed. How was that even possible? This was a joke, I'd known it all along

Alright, if you're just messing with me then we might as well leave it be. I've seen through your joke, now really, who are you?

I didn't really expect another reply, so I turned off the screen and focussed on my readings again. I did need to make some progress at least so I wouldn't be completely unprepared for the next group session.