Talking Through Time

Part 3.

Chapter 3

  "Time travel?! That little....thing! That's impossible." Shouted Adam as he looked at it again. A gold watch had no method of even affecting time. It would only tell time.

  Arthur just stood there and smiled, knowingly. He knew the truth.

  "It can. And I think you'd like it." He said, as he looked Adam in the eye, "You are inventing a time machine after all. And I think this would be useful for you." He grabbed a packet of dried fruit from his pocket and began to eat.

  Adam still looked on, incredulous at what he was hearing. He folded his arms and took a defensive position, "Ok, how does it do what you say it does?" He questioned, with a sense of eagerness as to find out what the answer was.

  Arthur stopped eating and put the packet of dried fruit on the side. He closed the box and put it somewhere safe, for the time being. He then explained how it all worked.

  "You've heard of the Misenberg particles, haven't you?" He asked, waiting for a reply. He would not continue without the right answer.

  Adam nodded. Shaun Misenberg was a scientist at the Institute of science in the city nearby. He had recently discovered a certain kind of particle that could rip open the fabric of reality and send people into different universe. Adam had read about him in the newspaper about a week ago.

  Arthur continued, "Well this watch is covered in the stuff. I was given it by a friend a day or two ago. He worked at that institute and did some "Unofficial experiments" he told me. And he had this watch get covered in them particles and, he learned, that if you cover a watch, or some other piece of time telling equipment, it would facilitate time travel."

  It sounded amazing. And a little bit ridiculous. Even if it was possible, and it might be, how on earth would you know that the watch helped with time travel?

  Adam laughed. I was a hearty laugh. He laughed for a good ten seconds before he collected himself. He shook Arthur's hand, "Thank you for your time but, I'm sorry, it sounds so unbelievable. You might be trying to sell me any old watch and just telling me it's special! I'm sorry" He wasn't going to waste his time on this.

  Arthur understood and waved Adam out the door. But before he left, he shouted "I'll keep it safe for you. Just in case!"

  Adam eventually got to work. It was a dull day just like any other. Serving customers, talking to other employee's and generally doing what he had always done. A dull existence.

  It was lunch time and he and another employee, Tom, went to go get some food. Adam began telling Tom about what had happened earlier. About Arthur and the gold watch.

  "I don't quite believe it, to be honest with you." Spoke Tom, as he opened his bottle of water, "I mean, how would it have even got here? And why would that scientist give it to Arthur anyway?"

  Adam agreed. It sounded too unrealistic and preposterous. Almost like something you'd read in a newspaper.

  "But," Tom blurted, "What if it's real? Wouldn't you want to try and use it?" He mused upon the idea of it actually assisting with time travel. The idea was amusing to him. But then he said something Tom would think about for the rest of the day.

  "But, if it is real, shouldn't you buy it Adam?" He said, "You've invented a time machine, that doesn't work at the moment, and this is the first breakthrough you've had. Surely as a man of science you should entertain the possibility and just, I don't know, take the chance."

  Lunch time went by and Adam was thinking about that watch. If he took it, where would he even go? And what if it wasn't real? Many questions went through is head.

  After work he headed back to the shop. He walked in and nodded to Arthur. Arthur, understanding, got the box out and opened it once more. It was still shining and golden and clean. It almost had a green tint upon it, no doubt from the particles.

  "So, you here to buy it or just to look at it?" Arthur asked patiently. He waited for a reply.

  Adam put his hand into his pocket. But before he got his money out, he spoke.

  "If you could travel anywhere through time, where would you go?" He began, "And how would you know you were safe? Also, how would you protect yourself against, well, anything?" He stopped and pointed to the watch, "Basically, what I'm asking is, do you think it's worth it?"

  Smiling, Arthur gave a simple reply. One that would change Adam's life forever.

  "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I'd say it's worth it. And I'd protect myself anyway I saw fit. As long as I didn't mess with the timeline. But, I'd take a weapon and maybe some food. And of course there's one piece of advice any time traveller should always remember: Be prepared for anything"

  Adam silently gave his money over and took the box. He rushed home as fast as he could and took off his work clothes. He put on some blue denim jeans with a belt, a black t-shirt, a red jacket and some brown shoes. He grabbed a small knife and put it upon his belt buckle and put his brass knuckles in his pocket. He then worked upon the time machine all night and, in the morning, it was done.