THE STORY

( � J.Hodgkin )



"The time is now." That's what they say isn't it? "Strike while the iron is hot." "Seize the moment." Whatever the expression of your choice, you get the picture. I should act now! Except,......... I can't.

I haven't been here for 40 years ( alive that is ) and I am not even here now. Not properly anyway.

What am I? Who can say. Ghost ? Spirit ? Avenging Angel ? ( I kinda like that last one even though it contradicts itself somewhat ) .

Who am I ? That I DO know . Christian is the name I go by.

Why am I here ? That too I know.

I have witnessed the scene before. Many times in fact. So many times now that I have worked out every solution to the problem that there could possibly be. I know the best time to do it, the best method, I even know the outcome of my actions. All of them. I just CAN NOT do it.

So many people's lives hinge on this moment in time in the present and in the future. The outcome of this event will change the world. Unless....... I stop it.

Unless I " Do The Deed." If not ? History / the future will change.

I can stop it happening. I CAN....... Except, I can't. I haven't been here for 40 years ( alive that is ) and I am not even here now. Not properly anyway.

Why can't I do it ? I have no idea. No really, I DON'T! I haven't been given the information I need to enable me to complete my task. I have to Learn that. EARN it. Work for it. I have to discover the REAL reason why this particular point in time must be altered.

I know what happens if I DON'T change it. You wouldn't WANT to know. Trust me, you wouldn't.

If I were to tell you, you would ask me to "Do The Deed " now. No, you would BEG me to, bribe me to, threaten to KILL me if I didn't do it ( good luck with that last one!! ) for the sake of the world. For the good of all mankind. For the continued existence of every man, woman, child and animal on the planet from this moment forward to the end of eternity and beyond for all time and space ( and beyond even THAT if you believe that to be possible, but trust me when I tell you... IT IS!) But I can't .

Not yet. I haven't Learned it. Earned it. The reason, that is. The REAL reason that this particular point in time must be altered. But I will........

It's Eleven thirty-six in the late evening. Thursday. Soon to be Friday. It happens the same time every time it happens. Well, who would have guessed it? It hasn't actually happened yet but it will do if I don't stop it. I know. I've seen it happen. Seen the consequences of it's happening.

I've told you this before. You know it. So you know by now that Thursday HAS to change so Friday can start a different way.

A change for the better ? Not for me to say. It certainly WILL be much better for many, much worse for many more. Whether or not the "worse" is bad or catastrophic for the others, it won't make a difference to me. I know. I have seen it. No, I am not a prophet or a visionary and I don't forecast the future. I don't need to. I 've BEEN there. Seen it, done it, got the t-shirt AND left it behind (you shouldn't bring things across from past or future to the present. It's not the "done" thing, it causes all sorts of problems. I know. I've done THAT too and REALLY wished I hadn't!! ) That's one of the reasons I am here. Oh, cool!........I just found that out!! The rest will come, I know it.

Like I said- the name's Christian.

Am I one ? Christian that is. I WAS christened so I suppose I must be. Not that I follow it to the law or even believe in it that much. Hey, what can I say ?

Are Buddhists wrong? Does Vishnu really exist? What about the American Indian gods? Are they real??? I think well actually I KNOW that there are many gods, each one as real as the next. It's up to the individual to choose which one to follow.

Me ? I'm borderline. I can be good like "the nicest man you have ever met,"

"Will do anything for anyone." or I can be BAD. You don't want to see me when I'm bad. Believe it.

I hide it well. So well in fact that it's like being two different people. I can switch between each persona as easy as changing my clothes............

Sorry, got distracted there. An Angel just passed by. Amazingly beautiful beings, angels. A little too GOOD though if you get my meaning, not the right personality? Mentality? You know what I mean? Not right for the job that needs to be done. No, it needs someone with just the right amount of "bad" to complete the task in question. Have I got it ? What do you think, it's MY story isn't it ?? You'll have to wait and see what the outcome is, won't you ? Just sit back and listen. Stop interrupting. Not that I don't already know it.

I COULD tell you now. Cut the story real short, "put you out of your misery" and "give you the answers that you seek."

But I'm not going to. Just the right amount of "bad," see. I've got it.

Could I kill? If needs be. I have certainly SAVED life before. Stopped a death with my actions. Could I have withheld my actions and let the death occur ?

Again, yes but the occasion must FEEL right for me to step in or step away.

It has to feel right or you shouldn't do it. However good or bad the situation, if it FEELS right, do it. Of course that doesn't mean that the outcome is what it seems it should be, but at least you know that the ACTION was correct.

For you it's like slow motion, you can see what is about to happen but your reactions seem to be too slow. It's as if your mind wants to see the outcome and THEN change it if you think it's necessary to do so. That doesn't happen though does it? You always get that, "What I SHOULD have done was..." No. No good. Not now. Too late!

For me it's different. I can see what is about to happen and even what DOES happen. I have plenty of time to see all the actions I can take and the outcome of each one. The result? "I'M choosing!" Just a little saying I have heard before. Basically if I can save a life and it FEELS right, I save it.

If it doesn't feel right, I let the death happen. Now don't look at me like that, Lots of deaths are SUPPOSED to happen you know. Oh yeah, many "Unfortunate," "Untimely" and "Senseless" deaths are meant to happen and have even been planned for quite some time too. It is one of my abilities to "just know" if it SHOULD happen or not, Doesn't ALWAYS work but most of the time it can.

No, I am not Death. Seen him though, and his female counterpart. WHAT? You didn't know that there was a Lady Death??

Are you kidding me??!? Of course there is! Don't forget that in many other religions the form of Death is not always male. He can't change gender you know, he's not THAT good. Sorry, that BAD.

Anyway, that is one of the reasons that I am here to "Do the Deed." So now you know.

Well, that and the newly discovered fact that I have done something wrong that I really SHOULDN'T have. Now........ what was that ?



Getting cold now. No, I can't actually FEEL the cold but I know that it is getting that way. I can sense the temperature shifting. Also don't forget I have been here before.............. several times.

Look. On the rooftop here. White feathers. You will always find white feathers where angels have been. No, they are NOT bird feathers. Angels have been here before and witnessed this event.

No, NOT pigeons, It's ANGELS I tell you! I've just SEEN one, REMEMBER ??!!) but none of them were the right one to sort it out. I told you, you need just the right amount of "bad" to complete this task. I've got it.

Now... if only the rest of it would come to me to enable me to continue.

I can't make myself known to either of them, especially not what I can do or what I know. That would influence them both and upset everything in the timeline from that moment on! Don't forget, I know these things!

I have to step in......Act.......Disappear. Except, I can't.

I haven't been given the information I need to enable me to complete my task.

I haven't Learned it. Earned it. The reason, that is. The REAL reason that this particular point in time must be altered. But I will........

It's time again. It happens like this. I cannot control it. The scene plays out before me and I have no idea when it will happen or where I will be when it does. One time it wasn't exactly convenient for me. It sometimes isn't.

I do other things you know, not JUST this.

This is the most important thing I do, apparently.

I do see other things, watch other scenes. That's what I am, a Seer. No, I can't foretell the future

unless I go there first and cheat, but I CAN observe.

Sometimes I get to act. Sometimes I Have to. Weather I WANT to or not. I DON'T get to choose. It's what I do, what I am, and sometimes it's not much fun. Not much fun at all. I don't suppose It's meant to be. Not for me. Not for what I have done.

What HAVE I done? That remains to be seen. I KNOW I have done something and I know it was something bad. Real bad. But I don't know what it was. I also know that when they want me to know, they will tell me. Not yet though. I haven't Learned it. Haven't earned it.

"IT'S TOO LATE. THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO."

"Wha?? Where did you come from? You shouldn't BE here! The simple fact that you ARE can upset the delicate balance of the universe!!"

"THE UNIVERSE IS CHANGING. RULES ARE CHANGING. NORMAL RULES DON'T APPLY ANYMORE. LET'S GO."

"Wait, what do you mean there is nothing I can do?"

"THE TIME FRAME HAS FLUCTUATED. THINGS ARE NOT THE SAME AT THIS TIME. NOT LIKE THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN BEFORE."

"What am I supposed to do then? I HAVE to carry out my task. It's MY responsibility!"

"NO IT'S NOT. THERE ARE TOO MANY VARIABLES INVOLVED.

THE FUTURE YOU HAVE SEEN WILL NOT PRESENT ITSELF."

" Any ideas on how I can sort this out? It's my responsibility."

"YOU SAID. JUST ONE. GO BACK AND START AGAIN."

"What! You are kidding aren't you?"

"NO."

"But going back, it's not.. I mean it's going to take me...Years to get back to this exact point in time!"

"YES ABOUT THIRTY-NINE YEARS"

"No!"

"AND EIGHT MONTHS."

"But,"

"THREE WEEKS."

"No.. I,"

"FOUR DAYS."

"It's not.."

"SIX HOURS."

"I can't, I "

"TEN MINUTES."

"It's just not going to happen!"

"AND FORTY-SEVEN SECONDS. TO BE PRECISE."

"Why? I mean I've got to.."

"FORTY-SIX SECONDS."

"Okay, Okay. Let's go then!"

"FORTY-FIVE SECONDS."

"AND STOP COUNTING!!"

So here we are. Here I am. Back again. Back to the beginning. Well, MY beginning. About three months after I started my purpose.

"See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil" you've all heard that haven't you? Of course. The worst part is the one thing they DIDN'T tell you. The one thing that they didn't mention.

"DO no evil." No, they never mention THAT do they? No, because they CAN do the deed if nobody says that. Unless someone can stop them. Someone like me.

I know, you are all confused now aren't you? I suppose I had better explain. Or try to anyhow. You see, I haven't been here for 40 years ( alive that is ) and I am not even here now. Not properly anyway. We've discussed this before. You already know. Thing is, I have had to come back thirty-nine of those years, or thereabouts, into the past to start again. I must get back to the point I just left, from THIS point.

About three months after I started my purpose is a good place to start. Not for ME. I hate it! Sometimes retracing your path is good. Fun.

You get to relive the best bits. But paths like this particular path, yes there are many paths I have taken so far, I Hate. My reasons are my own. Let's just say that some things are best left alone. Buried. Deposited deep within the earth and left to rot so much that even the worms on their best days, all dressed up in their best suits and all wearing badges saying "This is my best day," can't get them.

SOME things are not allowed to stay that way. SOME things must be unearthed. Re-lived. Dealt with. SOME things I hate. This is one.

So here we are. Here I am. Back again. Back to the beginning. Well, MY beginning. About three months after I started my purpose, to do it all again!

I suppose the only good part about all this is that I don't have to RELIVE it all again. Before, I had only "been back" for about three months and I had to learn everything about the position I now hold,

You know, A Seer? We've talked about this before, you should remember. I knew nothing about my role, my past and especially not about my future.

I have been learning for about forty years and have luckily retained everything I HAVE learned. I just haven't been told everything I need to know yet. I haven't earned the right to know. Not yet, but I will.

Yes, I know, I know, you are confused again. You seem to get confused quite a lot don't you? Never mind. I know I said I have been dead for forty years and I also know I said I have travelled forward and backwards in time. We've talked about this before but you must have realised by now, that means I have been here for much longer than forty years.

Well...technically I have but time is not linear like you believe it to be. It is not travelling along one straight track. Time runs alongside itself. Sometimes it tries to "get on board" another track and not always successfully. Several versions of a timeline run at the same time as each other. Each one leads Some WHEN else, not some WHERE else.

It slows at different points. Speeds up at different points. It doesn't always match up. That is one of the reasons I am here. It's what I do.

Obviously in my "job." I can hop across to the correct point and perform my duty, whatever it may be, "at anytime" as they say. That is why I CAN and HAVE seen how an event pans out or how an action affects a situation. I am always busy!

Unfortunately, there are so many different Somewhens, that there is always a chance that the wrong one has or will be, adjusted.

Now, just you wait a minute. I am not the ONLY one doing this job, you know. It's not JUST me that changes things. It's not always my fault. Nothing to do with me. Not this time. At least ....I don't THINK it is.

There was that time when..............No. That was sorted out.

It could have been when................No. That was NOT my fault! I DO know that for certain. Although... I WAS there at the same time...

No. Nothing to do with me. Not this time. At least ....I don't THINK it is.

Now, in life, yes. It definitely WOULD have been my fault then! Everything apparently was. I even wanted a t-shirt with the slogan,

"If It's Not My Fault, I'm Not Interested!" written on it in two inch high neon letters. Glow in the dark. I WOULD have worn that! Happily. With great pride. It definitely Would have been my fault then, when I was alive. But no, not this time. Definitely not my fault this time.

At least ....................I don't THINK it is.

Right. I suppose I had better look into this and try and see what or when has gone wrong. Not sure how I am supposed to do that though. Whatever happened is somewhere/anywhere throughout almost forty years of time. It's also along one of several timelines. Not only do I have to find out WHERE it occurred, but also what it was that happened in the first place. That is going to take some time. Mind you, time is all I HAVE got at the moment. Problem is, if I don't find the occurrence IN time, other things will happen. Good things. Bad things. Who knows? Either way, situations will occur that otherwise would not have. Situations that will also need adjusting. That will affect other outcomes. THAT, I don't need.

"Too much paperwork" as the saying goes. I know. You are thinking "I thought this is what he does for a living?" sorry definitely NOT for a living. The living part ended forty years ago. You know this.

Well, usually I am given the timeline, date and place so I know where I am headed. You can get pretty lost otherwise. It makes the job a lot harder. No. This journey I am going to need help with. I won't be able to do this one alone. I am going to need another "body" with me on this one. Question is though, who? The others are not all up to my standard or DOWN to it, depending on what the situation calls for. Remember? Just the right amount of "bad." So who to choose? It will probably come down to who is available. Like I said, I'm not the only one doing this job and, like me, all the others will be busy too. Who knows where/when they are anyway? Even finding the person to help will be a problem.

I suppose my first step must be "The List."

I know. It doesn't sound very technical or important, but that's what we call it. What is it? It's a list. No, that's not the proper name for it, not what it's really called, but that's what WE call it.

"The List." It's a roll call of names. It's everyone who is doing this job. It's how we all know who we all are. I'm on it. So is everyone else. I am number Eleven thousand, six hundred and sixty-two. If you're interested. I can see that you are. As you can see, I am not the first one to do this job out of all the people in the world that have died.

Just because they HAVE died, it doesn't mean that they all want to do this job. Certainly not. It's not the only thing to do here you know. Plus you need the right qualifications, just the right amount of "bad" see.

I told you about that a long time ago.

Right. Now that's sorted out, let's have a look and see what is what. Let's see who's available for the job.

Hmmm? HE is in America during the late sixties so he's no good. She is in nineteen hundreds Russia, so that's no good either. Oh. He isn't too far off time wise, only a couple of years away but the South of China is a little too far. Ahh...Perfect.

HE will do. One hundred and fifty-five years in the past but only Eighty miles away! Yes. He will do nicely.

I know. Now you're thinking "I thought he could travel anywhere or any when? Why is South of China too far?" Well, it's like this. If you want to travel long distance but a short timeline, it's actually harder than close distance and far off timeline. They say time is relative. Well for us, it is. It's the relative you never want to call round. The one you avoid in the street and you hope, forgets all about you round about Christmas time. You know, the one who calls out of the blue just when your lottery winnings are announced. It's THAT one. Truth is, the nearer you are location wise, the easier it is. Even if it is many years in the past, if you are on the same continent, it is easier than travelling to a place just one year ago, a hundred, thousand miles away. It just is. That's how it rolls. You've heard this before "Location, Location, Location." WHERE you are must be sorted before WHEN you are can happen. So here's what happens, I have to travel to the exact location or there about, depending on lakes, buildings and the like, and THEN travel through time.

It doesn't matter how close or how far away the location is. No point arguing. "Them's the rules." Well, one of them anyway. How do I get to the location? It varies. I may ride with another person who is heading in that direction you would call it possession. I don't like that word. The person is still in control, I am just a passenger travelling WITH them, or I may travel with an animal or bird, the same way as with a person but in this case, I HAVE to take control or I would get lost. Trust me. That's happened before. I travelled four miles once with a rabbit and I let him "Drive". I ended up twenty feet underground in a burrow! NOT a nice place to be. Done THAT before.

Yes I have just "Walked " I suppose you could say although my feet never actually touched the ground but it was just so slow. Travelling WITH someone is the way to go, especially in a fast vehicle. I miss those. You need to concentrate at speed though or you can get "left behind." You need to form some kind of tether. Some kind of bond with your travelling companion to ensure a safe trip. I say "safe" but that is not the right word. I never worry about "safe." I never need to. I haven't been here for 40 years

( alive that is ) and I am not even here now. Not properly anyway. Why would I bother about "Safe?"

Old news now. Try and keep up.

"Complete." That's the word. To ensure a COMPLETE trip. I need to get all the way to the location somehow. It doesn't matter WHEN I get there. "When" comes next. Now don't get me wrong, "When" isn't easy, far from it. Just because I get the location right, doesn't mean the "When" will be fun. I may be standing in a field of flowers in the present time but when "When" happens, it could have been a bog or even a lake. I have had that happen before too. Even though I don't breathe, it was still quite disturbing to find myself at the bottom of a lake when before, it didn't exist. It is even worse if "When" is in the far future or on another timeline. You just don't know WHAT to expect when you get there. Finding yourself under ten feet of solid concrete is just as disconcerting as finding yourself under water. Believe you me. Even if dryer.

No, I don't get wet either just in case you were wondering. What do you mean? Of COURSE you were wondering. You don't know that much about me. If I have my way and I usually do, you never will. What? Did you think this was going to be full of character descriptions and detailed locations? Well, you were wrong. Dead wrong. If that was your thing, you wouldn't have got this far with me and you certainly wouldn't still be here now. But you are. Admit it. You just want to know what's going on, don't you? "What it's all about." We will have to find that one out together because trust me, I have no idea at all. None.

So let's get this underway. I need to find a way to get eighty miles West, one hundred and fifty-five years into the past and find the only person who can help me start to sort out this messed up time fluctuation. Easy. For me anyway. Not for you. You couldn't do it. You are not qualified. Haven't got what it takes. Trust me, I know. If you could do it, you wouldn't be reading The Story. You would be out here doing this instead of me. You would be in the thick of it, travelling through timelines and righting wrongs. But no. Not you. You couldn't do it. You are not qualified. Haven't got what it takes. Trust me, I know.

Is it easy for me? Well, you would think so. I have been doing this job for forty years so I should be good at it by now. Truth is? I'm probably not. Who knows? Once "The deed is done," the rest pans out and is either ok or needs more adjustments. No-one comments on performance. Why would they? It's NOT like in a regular job. If you have done badly, you are hauled over the coals. No-one comments if you exceed in your work. It's like that. If it works, it works. If not, a bit of fine tuning, a bit of adjusting and THEN it will work. Trouble is, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it doesn't matter what you do, no one else will play ball. Sometimes you have to sort out the mess that follows. Sometimes it's not possible. "Not going to happen" or rather IS going to happen whatever and there is nothing you can do about it so Nehhhh!

Sometimes it just sits there doing its own thing, defiantly thumbing its nose at you. Nothing you can do. Hopefully this is NOT one of those times. Those times require drastic measures and that isn't always good. In fact that's a lie. It's NEVER good.

So, eighty miles west shouldn't take long. I just need to leave here and "jump on board" the nearest person who is heading in my direction. That should be no problem but going one hundred and fifty-five years into the past? That's going to take a lot of energy. It would be best if I could find a stress free person to travel with. Not likely around here.

Let's get started, hope it's nice weather. What am I saying? Why would I care about that?

No, it won't make any difference to me. It doesn't matter if it's snowing or sunny. Well, obviously it does to you, you're picky and feeble. You won't go out if the weather isn't good in case you get a bit cold or a bit damp. You might catch a cold. You prefer to stay indoors and read books. You couldn't do it. You are not qualified. Haven't got what it takes. Trust me, I know.

I don't care. I'm not going to argue with you.

Look, come on let's just go. And keep up!

I've been up here for hours now. No sign of my ride. Yes I know I could just "possess" the nearest person but I don't like to do that. It's better for all concerned if I tag along without being noticed too much. My host should feel as though they are daydreaming but still going about their business. That's how I like to do it. You get so much more that way. Idle thoughts and feelings filter through and I get to remember what those things meant to me. Get to relive some lost emotion. Best not to "feel" in this line of work you see. No emotions means no remorse means no reluctance to carry out the deed in hand. It's no good when you suddenly remember that "last time you did this, a person died horribly." Makes you think twice whether you should be doing it this time. No, if you don't have a conscience to worry about, you get on a lot better. Nasty thing a conscience, always butting in at the wrong time, when you don't want it around. When you just KNOW it's going to spoil what you are about to do. No, best to be without one for this type of work.

You don't need emotion to do this job. Not allowed any. Feelings can affect decisions and change what you were sent to do. Feelings can ruin everything. It's "Best not to have any" to quote the rules. "You don't need emotion to do this job." So you're not allowed any. I know that is true. I couldn't do this job if I had any but that doesn't mean I don't still like to FEEL them now and again.

Ahh. Look down there. That looks like a nice businessman going my way. How do I know? I can read his mind and find out his destination. Just did. I know I said I preferred a stress free ride but I've been waiting too long and no-one else fits the bill. Yes, he will do nicely. Here goes. Look out! It's a long way down. Ground floor, "Business express" here I come.

I am not going to explain what just happened. You would be scared to think it could happen to you at any time. You would be prepared for the sensation and try to resist me. That's why I never tell anyone what happens. If I want to "Ride" with you in the future, you would know what was happening and try to stop me. We don't want that to happen, do we? Well, obviously YOU do but I don't care about that. Just the right amount of "bad," see.

I WILL tell you this. It's always the same. That sudden rush of feeling. Someone else's thoughts. Someone else's memories. Someone else's emotions. It's always the same. At the same time, it's always alien. Always completely different. No-one has the exact same mixture of thoughts, memories and emotions at the exact same time as anyone else. How could they? Mind you, how would they ever know if they had? No, it's always the same. Completely different.

Take this one for example.

"Mr. Businessman." No, that's not his real name but I do know what his real name is. You don't need to know. It's not important for you to know, NO, it's not! It doesn't matter what you say, I'm not going to tell you anyway. He's "Mr. Businessman," leave it at that. Why do you even care anyway? He won't be in the story long enough. He's not important enough. He MAY be in the normal world. He may be very big in banking or a corporate boss. It doesn't matter. Not to you and certainly not to me. He's just a vessel to me. A convenient way to travel from "A" to "B." I take no interest in him other than that. It's better for us both that way. He doesn't get any unusual after effects and I don't take anything with me that's not mine when I leave. Too much baggage now, I certainly don't need any more.

It has happened to others I have known. They have ended up leaving a host who then started remembering things that they hadn't even known before. Sometimes it has left them feeling strange. They get unusual thoughts and start to think they are going insane. They seek therapy. You get a lot of that happening. You have probably heard. It's been on the news.

It's far worse for us though. Worse for the passengers who rode with them. Some of them go around afterwards thinking they have got to leave soon to pick up the kids from school or that they have forgotten to put out the cat. Stuff like that. One female I knew was convinced she had left the iron on. Imagine that. She left her current task from seventy-two years in the past, failed to correct the event she had gone to do, just to come back and unplug the iron. What on earth was she going to do with an iron? She hadn't GOT an iron. She hadn't even got a house to put an iron in. She'd been DEAD for twelve years! Think that's funny? Twenty-six people died because she had come back to unplug that iron. Let's just say she hasn't done it again. Yet.

Other people's feelings can do great damage. It can get you that way. It hasn't got me. Never will. I am not invasive in that way when I "Ride" I'm using borrowed human senses to watch others and pick up things, yes. That, I do. Observing others, listening to conversations, picking faults with other people, yes. Their emotions, feelings and ideas are not directly connected to me so I don't "Take them on." I can pick and choose what I want and keep them as my own without being imprinted upon involuntarily by others.

Take him over there for instance. No, not him, HIM! The one with the stupid haircut. No, the other one. His hair is just shaved. The one with red spiky hair. Looks like a cockerel. THAT'S the one, finally. He is crowing to his friends as if he rules the roost. His body language says different though. His body language says "Loser." Just the way he is crouching tells me that he will be doing that for a living in the future. Begging on the streets for any spare cash he can use for his own recreational purposes. I can tell you he will be visiting us very soon for employment. I can assure you they will be looking very carefully at his C.V and hoping that the next applicant will be better. He will no doubt get a chance to prove himself but he probably still won't be up to the standard then. Not all of them are. Still, he will be useful for something. Like I said before, just because they HAVE died, it doesn't mean that they all want to do this job or even GET to do it if they DO want to.. Certainly not. It's not the only thing to do here you know. Plus you need the right qualifications. Just the right amount of "bad," see.

Hang on. Just give me a few minutes, "Mr. Businessman" is boarding the train. I need to keep silent so he doesn't get distracted and end up on the wrong one??

Ok, I'm back. As I said, you mustn't distract your host with stray thoughts at key moments in their journey or else they become confused and end up going the wrong way. Can't be doing that. Very frustrating that is. Number four on the

"Things NOT to do" list. What's number one?

"Don't get them killed." Major set back that is. Too much "paperwork" with that one. Lots of explaining to do and many questions asked. Some of which will not be pleasant. Trust me. I know. It's happened before. No, there is only one way out of that situation and that is if they were supposed to go out at that point in time anyway and you had just picked a "Dud." A "Dead end" as we call them. It's ok then. It's allowed. You will look a bit of a fool at "Head office" but in those cases, it's allowed.

Rule four on MY personal list is "Try to avoid as much paperwork as possible!" It is NOT fun.

Now, when I say "Paperwork" I don't mean ACTUAL paperwork. We don't write anything down. Our paperwork is stored as we go along, in our minds. When we finish a "Job" we simply go to the

"Hall of records" and sit in "The Comfy chair" We also hate all shouts of... "Oh, no. Not the Comfy chair!" so be warned.

It unfortunately is NOT.

Not for most us at any rate.

And why is that? I hear you ask. Well, as I have said before, I like to keep some memories or thoughts that I have " Received" from some jobs, to myself. You can't do that with "The Comfy chair." It "downloads" all the thoughts you have had from that particular job, all the relevant knowledge, everything pertaining to the job you were given, so THEY can see what was changed and what effect it had. It then places them in the main depository. Every change, every adjustment is recorded so the history, present or future can be monitored from the point it was adjusted, to ensure it turns out how it is supposed to. During the process, it removes the information from your brain as ethereal as it may be but your mind still lives there so you are not clouded with the knowledge on any further jobs. That is why I have no memory of the event I am supposed to have adjusted in the past. THAT was one of the one's they took. That's also why I keep getting tiny bits of information back. I must have managed to hold onto them but what I did was so bad, the information has been filed in my brain where I can't access it yet. But I will?.

What they do is "necessary" but it isn't nice. Not pleasant. Not for me anyway. You KNOW why.

It's kind of like wiping a hard disk when you have finished with it. Me? I like to keep those files I really SHOULDN'T. You have to find a way to do that. It's not easy. You really have to block them out when you sit in "The Comfy chair" and if you get it right, you get to keep them. Has to be a secret though or THEY will try and get them back.

Why is it called "The Comfy chair?" Not because it IS. Because it's NOT. Not when you are sitting there trying to hang onto those thoughts you really want to keep. No, because we have all forgotten the name of it. The REAL name. "The Information Collector and Collating Device."

Well, it's probably not called that but it's as good a name for it as any. It's accurate. That's what it does. It collects and collates information. Just not the bits I want to keep. They're mine. It's a secret so keep it like that. What? Who are YOU going to tell? You don't even know who THEY are. You won't find out yet anyway. If at all. Depends if I decide to reveal it. Maybe I will. Maybe I won't. Up to now, I won't. You haven't Learned it. Earned it. We'll see later on if you do or not. I doubt it. You haven't got what it takes. Trust me, I know.

Anyway. I need to find out what it was that I did or didn't do. There's only one way to do that. Go looking. That's why I need the help. Too big a job for one person. Too much work. At least I now know why my past isn't available to me, the memory was wiped. Never existed in the first place. Time is a funny thing. Even events that are guaranteed to happen can easily be stopped. Accidents can be avoided by simple actions if only you know about them beforehand. If you knew that you would be run over by a car on Friday, knew it for certain, wouldn't you stay in and go out Saturday instead? Oh, I forgot, YOU wouldn't I meant in general. NORMAL people would stay in. That way, you would have avoided Death just by staying at home. Simple eh? Again NOT for you. YOU would go out just to prove me wrong and then end up here, proving me right. Not that I would want you here. You'd just get in the way. You are not qualified. Haven't got what it takes. Trust me, I know.

They say only two things are certain, Death and Taxes. I have managed to achieve the first one thereby successfully avoiding the second. Lucky me. Actually, it's probably the best thing all round. Button It! I certainly don't earn any money now so I couldn't pay the Taxes anyway. I really WOULD be stuck then. You know what THEY'RE like.

We don't get many tax men here. Just thought I would share that with you. It's too good for them. I wonder where they DO go?

So, now you've learnt all that, where were we? Ahh yes. "Mr. Businessman."

Well, we're sitting on the train. No, obviously not ON the train, don't be stupid. It would be too slippery not to mention too windy. Never mind the fact that we would not have managed to get up here in the first place. Not without being spotted anyhow. Those train guards are known for their tenacity in catching fare dodgers. They don't give up until you are apprehended, restrained and expected to answer that one question you have no honest and sensible answer for:-

"Can I see you ticket please sir?" So don't be stupid. You are just prolonging the story anyway. No really, you are. Your insistence to keep interrupting is delaying the story.

Yes, even if you keep doing it in your mind, I can still hear you. I can read minds can't I? Re - mem--ber--?

We are still travelling West towards my destination. Where am I going? That doesn't really matter. How can it matter to you? Even when I get there, I won't be there long enough for it to matter. I'll be off one hundred and fifty-five years into the past. WHEN am I going, now that's a question. WHEN is the only thing that matters. Where you are is never the same anyway. WHEN you are changes your surroundings even if it's only in a subtle way. WHEN is never the same as WHERE is, now. Even a year ago changes WHERE'S appearance. Depending on what WHERE is, it can also change it's surroundings. A foundation? Ruins? A Field? WHERE is completely at the mercy of time.

Time is well aware of this fact. Time knows it. Uses it to it's own advantage. It always will. Here is a little known fact for you. Time NEVER loses. Yes it can run out for you but where has it run off to? Did you ever think of that? Time is everywhere for everyone. Everyone needs time and time knows it. It is loved, hated measured and ignored but it NEVER loses. Someone ALWAYS needs more of it. It is always needed if not always wanted. Time KNOWS this. That's why it gives us so much trouble. That's why it deserts you when you most need it and always drags it's heels when you don't want it around. That's the reason it escapes just as you are having the most fun you have ever had. That's why you hate it. You MUST have it back though, or those happy moments won't return. You know this to be true. So does time. Time knows this. Time knows it is the boss. Time owns everything. Runs everything. It's the universe's Mob Boss. Time is "Mr. Big." It demands your respect. You had better show time that you respect it too or you will find out something else. Time owns YOU. It's not a GOOD boss. Not always. Time can come up with many gifts for you. Many opportunities. Even if you don't respect time, it will STILL reward you it's nothing if not fair. It will present you with a nice pair of perfectly fitted concrete boots and happily give you a lift to the dockside to enable you to try them out.

Time will carefully but with considerable encouragement, help you into the wonderful cool waters of life, watching as you sink into it's depths with a "Special" smile on it's face which you know is just for you.

You had better believe it. How many occasions have you said "I can't help, I just haven't got the time" or "Time flies when you're having fun?"

It does more than that. Time hasn't only got just one speed but it's also an expert in trickery. It can easily fool you into believing otherwise. That's why it's so clever. That's why it's boss. When you are bored, time always drags. It does it on purpose. It makes you suffer. Prolongs the monotony. Time enjoys it. It likes to watch. Time wears big boots. It makes you feel it's heavy tread. Each thudding footfall. It measures you. It makes you count each and every second. Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick, Aarrghhhhhhhh!

It knows how to punish you. It does it quite well, too. Time knows how to do it to the greatest effect. It patiently waits right up until the point when you are enjoying yourself. Waits until you have forgotten all about it. Until it has all but gone from your thoughts. Right to the point when you least expect it, then??..Boom!! It hits you hard on the back of the head. Mugs you with a sudden and startling revelation. It's time to go. The party's over.

"Would you just look at the time? It CAN'T be finished already!" Sorry. It is.

Time isn't sorry though. No way. Not a chance. And time laughs at your misfortune too. It's there in the early hours of the morning, dancing with wild abandon at your bedside, tingling with glee and anticipation, just waiting for that wonderful, special moment when????..

"RRRRRRRRIIIIIINNNNGGGGGG!!!!!"

"Time to get up! Come on!! Don't you DARE touch that snooze button! I'm WARNING you. You'll be sorry. We'll do this all again in a few minutes but I'll make you pay for it. I will make sure you have less of me and make you late. I don't care. You may think you are delaying it, but wasting me won't help you. I'll make you sorry. It doesn't matter what you do, you're STILL getting up whether you like it or not. We can do it the easy way or the hard way. It's your choice. What's it going to be? I'm waiting. Unlike you, I DO have all day."

That's what time is like. It's nasty. Never on your side, always against you. Always ready to attack. Time's like that.

$*^%*NG Time!! That's why it's so clever. That's why it's boss. Time owns you too. And it knows it. It demands respect. You had better show it that respect too.

Yes it HAS got it's good side, but it comes with a price. Like I said, It demands respect. You had better show it that respect too. THEN it will show you it's "Jekyll" side. THEN it will offer you opportunities. Give you what you need at the moment and help you along in your life. It will make sure that the important meeting you are going to is delayed by just a few minutes. Time will delay the secretary by making her lose track of it so she will turn up with the documents five minutes late. You will make it just before the meeting starts and not appear tardy to the big bosses in attendance. Time will help you get away with it. For a price.

The office celebratory get together held because you got the contract, may be reaching a special point for you and "The secretary who time forgot," but something is lurking in the background.

Something that HASN'T forgotten. Something waiting to claim it's price. You owe it and time want's it. Time is not the debtor's friend. It want's it's payback.

It patiently waits right up until the point when you are enjoying yourself. Waits until you have forgotten all about it. Until it has all but gone from your thoughts. Right to the point when you least expect it, then??..Boom!! It hits you hard on the back of the head. Mugs you with a sudden and startling revelation. It's time to go. The party's over.

"Time's a great healer." You've heard this too. Again, yes it is. For a price. Medical treatment of any kind comes with a price tag. Time knows this. That's why it's so clever. That's why it's boss. That's what time is like. It's nasty. You'll get the healing you need NOW, but time will get it's payment from you. Maybe next week, maybe next year but it WILL get what it's owed. And you won't like it. Not one bit. Time doesn't care. That's what time is like. It's nasty.

Now, you're thinking "But he travels forwards and backwards THROUGH time. Time doesn't own HIM." Well you're wrong. Dead wrong. Of course it does. Think about it.

I haven't been here for 40 years ( alive that is ) and I am not even here now. Not properly anyway. That says it all. I ran out of time. It ended for me. Except, it didn't.

Time has extended itself for me. I work for IT now. My whole business is time. Time is all I HAVE got. I "Gave up" my time to come here and now it takes all the time I HAVE got to do it's dirty work for it. I am a part of time now. It owns me. Time knows this. It doesn't care. That's what time is like. It's nasty.

Just when I lost all of my time, it gave me more. Loads more. More time than I will ever need. It couldn't give me it when I was alive though. No, You don't need it. You've had enough of it.

NOW it gives it to me though. Now when I DON'T need it. Why is time so generous NOW?

Because it has it's own reasons. It want's me to be in it's debt. I am. Not willingly though. No, I didn't ask for it. It just handed it over. "Here you are. Have some more time."

It wouldn't let me give it back either. "Oh no, my good fellow, YOU have it. I have plenty more."

Problem is, I have to use all the time it gave me to work for IT! What do I get out of it? Eternal life, you say? No. Eternal work! All I do, all I can EVER do, is work for time. Don't smirk. Don't be clever. You're not. You'll see. Time owns YOU too. You don't think so? It's got you now. You are wasting it right this second reading this. Before you know it you'll be several pages further on and suddenly realise that you have lost half an hour. You could have been doing something else but no. You wasted time instead. Can't blame me for that. It's your own decision. Your choice. Except, It's not. You've just realised something. Time owns YOU too. Remember, It WILL get you back now. You've wasted it and it will not forget. You OWE time. Time knows this. It knows you owe and is now planning the best time to get you back. You KNOW when that is though, don't you? The VERY next time you are having fun! It makes you feel like

"fun" isn't worth it, doesn't it? It's GOING to get you. There's no doubt about it. You know this. Time knows this too. Time doesn't care though. That's what time is like. It's nasty.

I can tell by the scenery that we are nearing our stop. Maybe another ten minutes at most. See? Time has sneakily got itself involved again.

We should soon be arriving at the station. I have still got to get myself to the exact location though. I can "feel" that "Mr. Businessman" is not going my way when we get off the train.

I'm going to need another "Taxi" to complete my journey. Time excuse the pun to leave "Mr. Businessman" and find another "willing host." Let us see what we have got in the way of

"Transport". Huh. Nothing on this carriage, better try the next. Time is running out. No, really. It is. I just saw it heading out of the door at great speed. You won't catch up to it now, don't try.

Ok, "Mr. Bookworm" is going close to my destination but still half a mile out.

Young "Master Skateboard" is also going close, but I feel he will be distracted and go off on a tangent. He is too hungry to focus. I don't want to end up in a fast food place full of noise and disturbance. Yes, I am sure YOU do, "Burger Scoffer." you live for them but you are supposed to be staying with me and continuing The Story. Can't you wait until later? Oh, go on then if you must, but mark this page. And DON'T be long?????. Time waster.

Oh, you're back are you? Nice burger? Chips as well? No wonder you sit about reading all day, you can't be bothered to move what with stuffing junk food in your face all the time. Get outside once in a while. Take some exercise. No, fetching burger and chips does NOT count as exercise.

No, it does NOT. Not unless you ran all the way there and all the way back. I KNOW you didn't do that. I am not arguing with you. Just read. And wipe your chin. Messy chops.

Aha?Here we go. "Miss Student" is going straight past my location. If I "Ride" with her, I will be there in less than half an hour.

"Miss Student" it is then. Here we go. The female persuasion awaits. This will be quite a different experience to "Mr. Businessman," I can just feel it in my bones. Well, I WOULD be feeling it in my bones if I had any. Bones that is. Not feelings. I have already told you about that. It's a secret. Don't you forget it.

You've dropped a chip on the carpet. And got ketchup on your shirt. Sort yourself out. So messy and lazy.

Now here is a lesson for you. "Riding" with women is much different than with men. Women's minds are usually so busy with stuff, stuff men never think about, that I should be able to travel all but unnoticed. Take "Miss Student" for instance, she has three classes today that she really enjoys. One of them is purely because of "Mr. Teacher" but that is her own business. I don't pry. Her mind is so active with all of her studies and the thoughts of "Mr. Teacher," that she won't notice me at all. She certainly won't notice anything when she gets into French except for a certain person. No, she will be perfect.

You may be asking yourself "Why does he call them "Mr. Bookworm" or "Miss Student?" Well, I'll tell you. As soon as you start to "Ride" with a person, You discover their name, job and favourite pastime. I keep it to those three simple subjects so I don't get involved with their problems or worries. You don't need THOSE living with you. Job or pastime is what I use. I don't like to use their actual names. Again, too personal, but job? Simple. If their job isn't exciting enough, then I choose pastime. Sometimes, pastime is a little bit TOO exciting, If you know what I mean. Sometimes it's just too rude. Sometimes, just too disgusting.

I've got some stories there I could tell you, but that would be for another time. Don't need the distraction now. It was bad enough at the time. Let's just say that if you could lock someone up for their thoughts, I know quite a few people who would fit the bill. Not only would you want to lock them up, but throw away the key, weld the door shut and set fire to the whole prison, putting the ashes on the next available space shuttle and sending it on a one way trip to the next galaxy with strict instructions when it got there to continue to beyond infinity. Yes. Some people ARE that sick. You probably know one. You probably don't. I can guarantee that one is not far away. He sits next to you on the bus. She queues behind you at the supermarket. One day they may be on the news. The "clever" ones may not. But they will still be there. Close to you AND you'll never know until they reveal themselves. And I don't mean flash at you. Unless it's the flash of a knife blade.

So as you can see, calling the person "Mr. Businessman" is much preferable to calling him after his pastime. Especially if he is on the UNPLEASANT pastime list. Apart from the fact that the name you would call them would be far too long, it would almost certainly contain some expletives.

No, "Mr. Businessman," "Miss Student" or even "Mr. Chess master" is the way to go. It's safer that way for them and for me.

Shouldn't I be reporting these individuals? No. Why? Well firstly who would I report them too? Their maker certainly knows what's going on with them. We don't have any police up here. No, I heard what you thought. "Spectre Morse!" Not funny. Secondly, Why not? Because each and every one of them have their own paths to follow. Good or bad, it doesn't matter to me. Don't forget, you cannot be locked up for your thoughts. No-one will even know about them unless you tell them yourself. Or I do. Yep. You better HAD behave then, hadn't you? I can pick up all your thoughts, I'm just trying to block them to continue our journey. I won't FORGET them though! Not a chance.

When it's time, when it's necessary, either me or one of the others will adjust things. You can count on that. If the situation calls for it, we'll adjust THEM. As you can see, it's not good. It's not pleasant. So I make it pleasant. "Nice names, no pains" I say. That's it.

The train station is just up ahead and we're up and ready to leave. As the train stops,

"Mr. Postman" is polite enough to let us get closest to the door so we can get off first. Good. That's another advantage of riding with women. Men let you through first. Not that it matters, I suppose. Time is all I HAVE got.

Okay, let's go. Doors opening and?out of the train, onto the platform, trip on the step, annnddddddd........

Help me pick up the scattered books, please. Classic. Thanks for that. Not my fault by the way. Turns out "Miss Student" is very clumsy. I did NOT know that. Never mind. Too late now. I just have to hope we can get to the location before she falls down a manhole or something. Nothing I can do now but wait.

Well, I'm here. I have disembarked "Miss Student" and am now at my destination. Not too bad a trip. Not if you don't count the being splashed by a passing car, Puddle attack, Tripping over the dog lead. Puppy attack and the candyfloss incident. Least said about THAT one, the better.

Anyway, now the easy bit. I just have to travel one hundred and fifty-five years into the past whilst standing still. On this statue. In this fountain. In the middle of this park.

I suppose it's a good job that no-one can see me now.

It's strange though, quite a lot of people

"Know" I'm here. They can sense me. I get that a lot. THEY don't know why, but they just seem to notice my energy. Not for long though. Never for long.

Ok. I suppose you are wondering what happens now? Well, it's simple. I just focus my mind, let it guide me and take me to my destination through time. Don't forget, I know where and WHEN I am going, so my mind is "programmed" to take me there. I call it my "Psychic Sat-Nav," except for the fact that it doesn't take me two hundred feet further away from my destination than the actual location! It also doesn't keep telling me, in that annoying repetitive voice, to "turn right" every few minutes, send me to a dead end, or inform me that I should take the next left turn which I can clearly see will take me into a corn field. No, it's highly accurate.

Your mind is a powerful thing. Don't forget you only use, what is it? Seventeen percent? Of your brain. Well, here's a newsflash for you. When you get to THIS place, you're allowed to use more of it. No, I don't know how MUCH more, but definitely more. You can access that extra bit to help you do some very special things. Yes, like time travel. YOU can't though. You haven't been trained. Don't forget, I have been doing this for forty years. YOU wouldn't be able to do it even then. No, you wouldn't. Look I haven't got time to argue now, I'm starting my time jump.

It's more like time phase really, it's quite steady. Where you are fades out and WHEN you are fades in to take it's place. Nothing you can do but wait until the shift has completed. You just have to keep still and be patient.

Right, be quiet now, I need to concentrate. I can't do this if there are too many distractions. I need to have a calm mind, an empty mind. I HEARD that. I can read minds too, not that there is much in yours. I'll thank you to keep your comments to yourself.

Ok. Hold on. Everything is going hazy and fading out. The statue, the fountain go first. After all, they were only just recent additions. The park is fading too. It was obviously man made, but what was it built over? We shall soon see. Everything seems like it's covered in a dense fog.

Outlines of trees in the distance fade in and an old dusty road is appearing underfoot. That's good. It's nice to be on solid ground for a change. I know it doesn't matter to me physically, but psychologically, it does. It helps. So where am I? Well, it's dark and the road goes off into distant trees. Don't want to be going that way then. What's at the other end of the road? Looks like a Victorian town. Let's see, what do we know about this? Hmmm, eighteen hundred and fifty-eight, Victorian times. The wonderful "British Empire". THAT won't last. What else?

Hanging is still a capital punishment I see. Don't have to worry about THAT. Not this time around.

What do I mean? I HAVE had past lives you know. Quite a few of them in fact. I have attended quite a few hangings as a special guest. Well, I suppose you COULD say as a "main attraction." Centre stage. Those ropes really chafe I can tell you. At least it's not for long. They don't keep you hanging around. Oh sorry, they DO actually. But only until you're dead. Then they cut you down and??. We'll leave it there for now. Painful memories just doesn't begin to describe it.

So, where is HE then, my helper? As I said, others do this job so that's probably what he is doing now. How can I find him? I will use some of my extra unlocked brain power ( yes, not so clever NOW, are you? ) to make a "Close Encounter" Mind lock. It's a special way to find another

" Seer." It searches out their similar brain pattern and "Leads you to" them. It links your mind with theirs and enables either of you to track the other. It is only useful for close proximity, short range, but it's a marvellous thing. Saves you no end of time when trying to find someone. I haven't got all night. Important things to do.

Hang on. Ahh, that's it. I've GOT him. I'll just head into this lovely Victorian town and pay him a visit. I know. I told you I would arrive at the EXACT location, but he's not just going to be standing around waiting for me, is he? He wouldn't know where I would materialise and apart from that, he doesn't even know I'm coming. You can't just phone ahead, or behind, it will be a surprise for him, I can tell you. Surprise might not be the right word. Shock. Probably shock. That seems about right.

Look at this wonderful Victorian town at night time. No, I'm NOT going to describe it to you. You KNOW what a Victorian town looks like. You read books. You've seen pictures. It's like that. Only dirtier. And smellier. Actually, you wouldn't WANT to know what it's really like. Not close up anyhow. What? You WOULD? Go and buy a history book then. You should find one in the same shop you bought The Story. What are you waiting for? Go on then if you're getting one. See you later. Bring me back something nice.

Not takeaway food! I CAN'T eat that, can I? Why do you never stop eating junk food? Euggghhh. Never mind. Stand over there and stuff your face. I'll continue the story.

I am picking up his thoughts now, he is close, just around this next corner. Can't see him though. Oh, he is hiding behind some crates and staring into a lighted window in the house opposite. What IS he doing? Let's find out.

"I didn't realise you were taking on the 'peeping Tom' jobs now."

"WHA? WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? I THOUGHT YOU WERE STUCK IN SEVENTEEN HUNDRED AND ELEVEN?"

"No, that was all a bit of a misunderstanding. I wasn't stuck, just had to stay a bit longer than I expected, that's all."

"YES THERE WAS QUITE A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON THERE THAT NEEDED SORTING OUT SO I HEAR."

"You're not kidding."

"I SENSED SOMETHING TEN MINUTES AGO. WAS THAT YOU?"

"Yes, that was me unless there are any more of us here at this present time."

"NOT LIKELY."

" So what are you doing here?"

"DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT. I'VE GOT THIS ONE. IT'S MINE!"

"Ok, don't get in a flap. I don't want it. Who is it anyway?"

"WHO IS IT? IT'S ONLY CHARLES DARWIN, THAT'S WHO!"

"Oh, him. The Monkey-man."

"DON'T CALL HIM THAT! WITHOUT HIM, EVOLUTION WOULD NOT BE VIEWED THE SAME."

"All right, don't pop your cork. What's he going to do?"

"OH, NOTHING YET, BUT NEXT YEAR HE'S GOING TO PUBLISH A BOOK CALLED THE ORIGIN OF THE SPECIES AND THAT'S GOING TO UPSET A FEW PEOPLE."

"Why?"

"BECAUSE FOR THE LAST THIRTY YEARS, EVERYONE HAS LEARNT OTHER IDEAS THAN HIS AND HIS BOOK WILL BLOW THE OTHER THEORIES OUT OF THE WATER. THEIR IDEAS OF EVOLUTION PREVIOUSLY TO IT'S PUBLICATION WILL BE FOUND TO BE FALSE!"

"What are you doing here then? Are you going to stop him?"

"NO, OF COURSE NOT."

"What then?"

"TO STOP SOMEONE ELSE FROM STOPPING HIM FOR GOOD."

"What do you mean? Someone's going to KILL him?"

"YES I MEAN NO. NOT NOW I'M HERE THEY'RE NOT. IF SOMEONE STOPS HIM FROM PUBLISHING THAT BOOK, HIS THEORIES OF EVOLUTION WILL NEVER BE KNOWN."

"AND IN THE FUTURE THAT LACK OF KNOWLEDGE WILL PREVENT US FROM FINDING THE SOLUTION TO A VERY BIG SITUATION. VERY BAD EVENT THAT WILL RESULT IN THE DEATHS OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE!"

"What event is that, then?"

"YOU KNOW I CAN'T TELL YOU THAT. YOU KNOW THE RULES."

"Yes, I know. Future events must NOT be discussed in the past under any circumstances. The wrong people could be listening and take advantage. I know."

"DON'T ASK ME THEN."

"Ok, I won't. So what are we doing hiding behind these crates?"

"IN ABOUT FIVE MINUTES TIME, A MAN IS GOING TO COME DOWN THIS STREET WITH THE INTENTION OF PUTTING AN END TO MR. DARWIN. IT'S MY JOB TO STOP HIM."

"Are you going for a termination?"

"KILL HIM? LORD NO. THERE'S NO NEED FOR THAT."

"What then? Are you going to talk him out of it?"

"IN A WAY. LOOK. HERE HE COMES NOW. WATCH THIS AND I'LL SHOW YOU."

As the man approaches, I notice that he doesn't look much like a killer. I know, not all of them do. Sometimes it's the one's that look nothing like a killer that actually are. In fact they are so good at

"Not looking like a killer," that no-one suspects them. Then it's too late. They've proved you wrong and disappeared into the night.

"Who do you think it was then constable?"

"Don't know sergeant. I didn't spot anyone who looked like a killer." No, you didn't. But you'll soon find one that DOES and arrest him instead, won't you? That's how they get away with it. They simply "Don't look like one."

This one not only DOESN'T look like one, but he definitely ISN'T one. Not a very good one anyway. And certainly not a willing one. There is just something about him that says,

"I just don't WANT the job. Let Lenny do it. He'd be much better at it than me. Remember that politician last week? THAT was one of Lenny's. A very professional job that was. He never leaves any mess behind, doesn't Lenny. Very tidy bloke. Ask his dear old mum. Alright. Ok. If I must, but don't expect me to enjoy it. It's not really my style."

That's good. That makes a difference. It won't be hard to stop him.

"LOOK, HE'S ABOUT TO KNOCK ON THE DOOR. BE QUIET A MINUTE, I NEED TO CONCENTRATE."

The man starts to hesitate and pulls his outstretched hand back from the door. It looks as if he has simply changed his mind. He turns around and walks off down the foggy street into the distance.

" What did you do to him then?"

"DID YOU LIKE THAT? I JUST REMOVED ALL NEFARIOUS THOUGHTS FROM HIS HEAD AND REPLACED THEM WITH JUST ONE OVERRIDING ONE."

"What was that then?"

"I SIMPLY SUGGESTED THAT HE GO TO THE PUBLIC HOUSE."

"Won't he come back?"

"NOT TONIGHT HE WON'T AND MR. DARWIN'S GOING AWAY IN THE MORNING FOR TWO WEEKS. BY THE TIME HE RETURNS, THAT NICE MAN WILL HAVE REALISED THAT HE HAS NO LONGER ANY DESIRE TO VISIT MR DARWIN."

"Won't someone else have a go at killing him?"

"PROBABLY, IT'S QUITE A BIG THING THAT HE'S GOING TO DO, NO DOUBT SOMEONE WILL HAVE ANOTHER ATTEMPT. THAT WON'T BE MY PROBLEM THOUGH WILL IT?

IF NECESSARY THEY WILL SEND ONE OF US ALONG AGAIN. YOU KNOW HOW IT WORKS."

"Yeah, I know how it works. You can end up cleaning up someone else's mess time and time again. Should've just killed the man."

"NOW NOW, DON'T BE LIKE THAT. ANYWAY, WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU?"

"Now THERE'S 's a question."

"IT CERTAINLY IS. WHAT'S THE ANSWER?"

"I've got a little problem I need your help with."

"DOESN'T SOUND LIKE IT'S A LITTLE PROBLEM, SOUNDS LIKE A BIG PROBLEM IF YOU NEED ME TO HELP."

"You're right, it is quite a puzzle."

"WHAT SORT OF A PUZZLE? A 'FEW WORDS MISSING FROM A CROSSWORD,' PUZZLE OR A 'SPOT THE SPELLING MISTAKE ' IN THE DICTIONARY ' PUZZLE?"

"Worse. More like a 'Discover the continent, search the country, look for the region, locate the field, find the haystack, THEN look for the needle. Then when you have FOUND the needle, go back to the beginning and start sewing,' puzzle."

"WHEW. THAT BIG HUH?"

"Bigger."

"SO WHAT DO YOU NEED ME TO DO?"

"Help me look."

"GOT ANYWHERE TO START?"

"Yep. The beginning."

" I SUPPOSE THAT'S AS GOOD AS ANY. LET'S DO IT."

"Did I stress just how big a problem this is?"

"YES I THINK I'VE GOT IT.."

"Are you sure? You seem awfully keen to help."

"YES I'M SURE. IT'S MY JOB ANYWAY. WHAT ELSE AM I GOING TO DO?"

"It is a BIG job though."

"YES, I CAN TELL."

"Very big."

"OK, I GET THE PICTURE."

"I would understand if you wanted to change your mind."

"NO, IT'S NO TROUBLE REALLY."

"You're sure?"

"YES."

"Positive?"

"YES!"

"There would be no hard feelings if you decided against it, you know."

" NO, IT'S FINE."

"So, you're absolutely, one hundred percent?."

"YES!!"

"Because if?."

"LET'S JUST GO!!"

"Thanks, I won't forget th??"

"THAT'S ENOUGH! LET'S JUST GO."

"OK, but?"

"KEEP QUIET!!"

I won't bore you with the details. Trip's the same most times anyway. Sometimes you need more energy. It takes it out of you a bit. Sometimes you end up in a place that's not so nice. I've told you about that.

Like I said before, IT'S big job. I sent him off to check out another timeline. He knows what to look for. What's that? you ask. Let me explain.

Whenever a timeline is altered, there is always residual energy. YOU wouldn't notice it. YOU wouldn't be able to recognise it if you stood next to it in a queue at the post office. ( I'll give you a clue, it's NOT the one with all the Internet shopping parcels to post ). If it was taking part in an identity parade with a cat, a dog and a bowl of pasta, you wouldn't be able to pick it out. Even if it was jumping up and down, waving a sign saying,

" Look at me! I'm residual energy!!," smacked you sharply on the nose, and ran off singing "Run, run, chase after me, I'm Residual Energy!" you STILL wouldn't recognise it. You're not qualified. Haven't got what it takes. Trust me, I know. Apart from that, you're dumb. You must be because you are still reading The Story. Can't deny that, can you? I know why you're still reading though. You are finding stuff out about yourself. What your tolerance level is for one. How dumb you are, being number two.

I must admit though, I am starting to like you. Only starting to and only a little bit, but that may change. It certainly will if you don't keep up.

No, only WE can see residual energy. Only those who are especially trained for the job. To us, it glows. We see that glow at the exact point that time was adjusted. We know it's there. We can then tap into that energy, " See" what the situation was. It's kind of like an energy recorder. We just

" Press play" and watch the scene. Any one of us can do this. The one who adjusted the event always leaves his or her energy signature behind. That's how we know who changed the event in the first place, it has his or her energy all over it. Before you ask, each of us has their own distinctive energy signature. You know fingerprints? We don't have them anymore.

No tangible fingers, see. Energy signatures are the thing for us now.

He will be looking for my energy signature and when he finds the exact point "Watch" what occurred and let me know. Yes, he will lead me to it unless I find it first and I will do the rest.

He knows my signature and I know his. We can find each other if necessary though it may take time. Still, time is all I HAVE got.

I know him. I've worked with him before, a long time ago. Huh. That's funny, it still IS a long time ago!

Where are we now, anyway? Where is he? More like WHEN is he. At the moment, he is back-tracking from "Now" to "Then."

I am starting at "Then" and going forward to "Now".

Confused again aren't you? Course you are. I'm getting used to that now, YOU being confused. It's part of your "charm." Not a very GOOD part but a part nevertheless. I'll try to explain it better. You COULD try taking more notice of what you are reading, THAT would help.

"Now" is the point we started at forty years in the future. "Then" is now where I am at my beginning, forty years ago. Got it? No?For goodness sake, listen.

"Now" is the future, "Then" is the past.

"Then" is the starting point for me and

"Now" is the finishing point. HE on the other hand, is starting at "Now" the future, and making his way to "Then" the PAST but along a different timeline. Ok? Oh, don't worry about it. You just keep on reading and it will all become clear. Or not. It doesn't matter to me anyway, You've already bought the book and read all this way. I don't think you are going to give up yet are you? Or you could prove me wrong. I don't care. Really, I don't.

Somewhere between " Then" and " Now" is the point I need to locate and re-adjust. I know. It sounds simple doesn't it? but the fact remains that between "Then" and

"Now" is forty years.

Forty years with lots of adjusted moments done by me AND along several timelines. This is going to take some time. You had better pull up a chair, put your feet up and wait. Have a well earned rest. Take some time out and relax from the heady content of The Story.

I'm JOKING. No, seriously, get up. I'm not messing about. Get up and follow me. YOU wanted to come on this journey. YOU bought The Story. YOU had the choice to put it back but obviously you couldn't because everyone was looking at you and you felt guilty, but that's another story isn't it? Back at the start, remember? When you read the back of it? Well, you DIDN'T put it back, did you? You wanted to come on this journey even though I warned you it wouldn't be very special.

You WANTED to come. So you can damn well get up and get moving! If I'd have known you were going to be this difficult, I would have convinced the shop assistant to refuse to sell you The Story in the first place. Don't think I couldn't have done that either. I COULD. Don't test me. Now come on and shift yourself. We need to make a start. COME ON!!

Where do we go from here? Well, let's see. What year was it when I first arrived? Oh, yes. I remember now. It was Nineteen seventy-three.

What was the first thing that happened to me when I got here, forty years ago?

Hmm?..That's it!

I was waiting in a queue for long enough before I got to see "Someone in authority." No change there, then. Everyone seemed calm and in no hurry to be seen except for that older man. And me of course. I was in a hurry for my own reasons. What were they? Let's just say I had had enough of the world as it was and I was actually quite pleased to have "Passed." It meant I could finally call closing time on the life I had lived and move on to the next great adventure or whatever but I wanted it NOW.

That older man though, he didn't seem too happy at all. I remember sneaking closer to listen and managed to hear some of his conversation, which was very abrupt, with his "chosen" agent.

I won't bore you with the details but basically, he had been spending "Quality" time with a younger lady which he felt had come to an untimely end, due to his passing. He was being very argumentative and doing his level best to "Get sent back," but his "Person in authority" was having none of it. His "time was up" and that was to be that. No if's, no but's.

The man tried his last ditch effort and changed tack, speaking more politely, he explained that he only wanted a few more minutes back there. His authoritative adjudicator looked at him thoughtfully and then gave HIS parting shot. If the older man would be finished his business in a few minutes, it wouldn't be worth him going back for in the first place. Not for him and DEFINITELY not for the lady in question. Dejected, he trudged off to his signed area, mumbling all the way there.

And before you say anything, he WOULDN'T have been able to go back and sort it out anyway. He wouldn't be given THAT job. He couldn't do it. Not qualified. He would just have to forget about it and get on with his assigned position, whatever that was.

Me? I didn't WANT to go back. I've been back too many times now. Once more wouldn't make a difference to me. No. I was quite happy to be here, but I was also VERY impatient. Very eager to start my new role whatever it may be.

"Seer".....Sounds a good title for a job, doesn't it? It sounds like a very responsible position. A very worthy role. Well, no. Just like all job titles, it's only there to entice you into taking the position in the first place. Uh, yes, "Ablutions Inspector" SOUNDS nice, but the actual job position is for a "washroom checker" in other words a janitor. Many a person has been tricked into a job position by the simple use of a fancy name. YOU would be anyway. That's just the sort of thing you WOULD fall for. Trust me, I know.

"Paranormal Entity Investigative Agent" .... Ghost Hunter or "Purveyor Of Intoxicating Beverages".... Beer Seller To name just a few. See? It's easy to be fooled. YOU know that though already, don't you? Or perhaps you don't. You ARE dumb aren't you, remember? You probably don't. That would explain it.

No. "Seer".... That's what I got. Better than some. Not as good as most but an interesting position nonetheless.

Oh sure, there are a lot of other jobs much more glamorous than mine. "Executive Host Guardian" for one. That is someone who guides and protects a chosen host on the other side. Sort of a special "Guardian Angel" position. Now THAT'S a good job. You only have one person to watch over and guide. Long hours though. Well, twenty-four hours actually. Every day. Every SINGLE day. No days off. No holiday. What do you care anyway? To do that job you need certain qualifications. The main one being, you must be dead. You see? Dead. What would you need holidays for? You would be on permanent holiday, from life, anyway. Perhaps it's not so good.

It would be ok for you though because you are so lazy. You are always on holiday.

No, on second thoughts It's NOT for you. You couldn't do it. You are not qualified. Haven't got what it takes. Trust me, I know.

I've just remembered something else about it. The "Night Shift." You may think that the night time watch would be easier than the days what with the host being stationary and all. They should be safe while they are asleep shouldn't they? Wrong. They're not and it's worse. Night time is worse. That's when the OTHERS are strongest. That's when THEY can cause the most harm. Negativity is very active in silence. It's easier to infiltrate the host. No, you must be more alert at night time. You must keep THEM at bay. Keep your sleeping host safe. That may be a manageable job when they are in bed, but what about when they decide to go sleepwalking? It's best not mention about that. It suddenly becomes much harder to do your job then, you have to guide them AND guard them at the same time. Yes, I know that's the job in daylight hours anyway, but night time is DIFFERENT. Try keeping them safe and protected when they are on the move and in the dark. It's not easy, I can tell you. No, you can keep that job.

How about being an "Animal Guardian?" No. Not that. THAT job is just TOO active. Too busy.

Imagine trying to keep an animal, say a mouse, safe. NOT easy. Think. Always in the wrong place, dodging cats, hiding from humans, avoiding cunning traps and all in all just being a bit TOO curious all day long. No. Best left to someone else to take that job. Maybe some nice animal lover. That would make them think twice. No. Let someone else do it. I certainly don't want THAT job.

What do you mean there's no such thing as an "Animal Guardian Angel"?

Of COURSE there is.

Do you think you are more important than an animal? ANY animal? Why? Can you fly? Can you swim to the bottom of the ocean? No. You can't. What use ARE you then? Oh, sure, you can think. You can create, but look WHAT you think, look at WHAT you create. Guns. Weapons. Violence. War.

I used to think that War was one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. That only HE could cause it. Wage it. Win it or lose it. But no. He has helpers. He has warmongers. He has man. He has fools. He has YOU.

No animal seeks war. They couldn't find him if they tried. Yes, an animal will fight to protect it's family. Fight to defend it's home. Fight tooth and claw for it's VERY survival. But NEVER will any animal seek war. That is the reason that NO human is more important than ANY animal. Only one simple reason keeps man BELOW animals and always will until man learns. Only one simple statement is true about man. It's only three words long but it says it all. Explains it all.

" They seek war."

There are other things too, they seek. War is the main one but they DO seek other things.

They seek destruction. They seek power. They seek Death. And Death they will find. Above all things, that is certain. Death they will find. And they will deserve his cold embrace. He will welcome them. They will deserve the oblivion of the mind, the losing of themselves to him. They deserve to be taken to his obsidian realm and never more see the sun. They deserve all of this and more besides, just for one simple reason. Just for the sake of three small words.

"They?Seek?War."

I will stick with the job of "Seer." It is better than some jobs. Not as good as most but an interesting position nonetheless. Yes, I will stick with "Seer."

So, I have my job title and I know what I am supposed to do. Remember? I retained all the things I learned so I KNOW all this.

What I need to know is my first port of call, where I should go looking first. WHEN I changed things. WHEN I "got it wrong."

Now I am here at the beginning, my beginning anyway, about three months after I started my purpose, I suppose it would be easy to do it in order.

What year did I first attend? What was my very first job? Let's see??that would be nineteen seventy-five. That was the first year I was sent to adjust. Two years after my "arrival" here. That shouldn't be too hard but how far away was it? Seven miles as I remember. This one will be easy. Time to go then and find me a host to take me seven miles away. I have an idea already. Let's go.

From down here, I can see what I need. This time I will chose an animal host. I take control, a quick journey and the first jump will be done. Simple. Which animal though? I need something fast, something small and something not hampered by terrain. That settles it then. Up in that tree is a swift. If THAT'S not fast, I will be complaining in no uncertain terms, to the one in charge of giving out names. If something is named it should live up to it's title. A sloth certainly does. Trust me, I know. Mind you, where does that leave the Bluebottle?? Best not think about it.

It has to be swift or it wouldn't be CALLED swift, would it? It would be called "Slowcoach" or "Nice looking but not very quick at all really. I shouldn't bother with it. No really I'm not joking. Oh, please yourself then but don't say I didn't warn you. Cause I did."

But it's called a swift, so that's the one for me. I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt. Here we go then, "Up, Up, and away!"

Well, that wasn't TOO bad, a few moments of confusion as I had to move the bird's thoughts over to make room for me, but otherwise easy. Birds don't have many thoughts, they are simple creatures. I don't mean simple like YOU, no. They just don't have many thoughts is all I meant.

Only think about simple things like "food" "nest" "danger" stuff like that. Sort of abbreviated but nonetheless just as important and meaningful to them as your thoughts are to you, not THOSE sort of thoughts. I don't mean THOSE sort of thoughts. THEY could only belong to YOU and I am sure you don't want me to write them down here, do you? And before you ask, Yes I COULD.

Nothing as complicated though. Now, let's see if she, yes it is female but remember, I'LL be driving, lives up to her name.

Whoooffffff!!!!!!!!! Yes. She DOES! What speed this little bird can achieve! What distance she can travel in a short time! Ok, enough of the wonder. I need to keep control and head off North for seven miles. At THIS speed I should be there very shortly.

What's that down there? No. I am NOT going to look. I feel as though I want to dive down and grab a tasty worm that I can see wriggling from here. I WON'T be going though.

That happens sometimes. Your catch your host when they are hungry and you end up getting food before you can complete your task. I can't afford for that to happen at the moment. Apart from the fact that I can't abide worms. No, of course I don't actually EAT them myself, but I get the taste of them when a host bird has eaten one not long before I enter. It's not a nice taste. Trust me, it's not. Plus they can be tricky little things to extract from the ground. I just haven't got the inclination to bother with that now. You can do what you like when I've gone.

And so can YOU.

In case you hadn't realised, animals travel where they will. Yes they respect another animal's boundaries but otherwise, they go where ever they choose. They have no thoughts of distance. How can I find out how far I have travelled then? Well, luckily for me, my first stop is close to a large mansion house.

I know where the sun is so I can tell where North is. All I need to do is keep flying in that direction until I see the mansion house. See? Simple.

You would think so but my host is getting tired and I KNOW she is hungry. It wouldn't be right for me to continue under these circumstances. I have no desire to cause her harm.

I think I can see the mansion house about a mile away so it would be a good time to land and leave my host. I can "Walk" the rest of the way.

My host starts to "get herself back" as we land and I am almost "out" when she suddenly remembers how hungry she is and grabs a passing centipede. I hadn't QUITE severed the connection.

Eerrggghhhh!!! That is horrible! They taste worse than worms!! How could she EAT that?!?

Phtuiii! That is NOT nice at all. I won't forget THAT taste in a hurry.

I must try and sever the connection only when we are not around food in future. I couldn't when we were landing because the sudden confusion of her being in control again, would have caused us to "crash."

I must remember to land on a rocky area or somewhere that disgusting food is not immediately available, that would be any food where YOU are concerned then, wouldn't it? and not a distraction. Still, never mind. She is safe and stuffing her beak. Now, I've got to walk over there. About a mile away. See you later???..

Bleuugghhhh! Those centipedes really DO linger.

I know, you are wondering how I can TASTE them in the first place, aren't you?

I haven't been here for 40 years ( alive that is ) and I am not even here now. Not properly anyway. But that is not the point. When I inhabit a host, not only do I hear their thoughts and feel their feelings but I also "have the memory" of their taste, especially if they have just eaten.

That's very nice when they have just had a roast beef dinner. Not a problem at all then. I get to remember what it tasted like. Not so nice when it is food I used to hate though. But tasting what ANIMALS have just eaten? That's NOT nice. Not nice at all. It really is disgusting what they consume. Tastes you have never experienced before nor would you ever want to unless that is, you signed up to a television program to spend time in the jungle. Is that even still on? How sad would you be then? Obviously it goes without saying that YOU would sign up to it. You ARE sad like that. YOU would think it was a marvellous idea, people voting for you to eat mealworms, grubs and parts of animals that usually are not mentioned. YOU would love it. That's because you ARE dumb. We established that fact a while ago.

The REAL truth is no one NORMAL would enjoy those tastes. Obviously animals do. They don't EAT roast dinners. In fact, they are not even welcome in restaurants, not that they actually care. They would probably say that roast dinners were horrible. They would of course be wrong. Dead wrong. Nevertheless, it doesn't change the fact, centipedes linger on the taste buds. They are definitely NOT nice. Not nice at all. Trust me, they're NOT.

I've managed to reach the mansion house. It took me a while to "walk" here, but I managed. Let's see what's next. Walk through the wall into the grounds. Yes, THROUGH the wall, why not?

Just because I can. There ARE some perks to this job. Not many, but some. Travelling unhindered by solid objects is one. We won't go into the others just yet. Maybe not even at all, I'll see how I feel. See how you behave. At the moment you don't deserve to know. Trust me, you don't.

It's late afternoon now and there are not many people around. Not that anyone can see me anyhow. Even if they can "feel" my energy, they won't think it unusual. I am at a mansion. Mansions ALWAYS have spirits around. One more won't be noticed. I'll fit right in.

Can I see other spirits? Course I can. Well, most of them. Some of them vibrate at different frequencies to others. Some vibrate slowly and get in the way. Some vibrate so fast, I don't notice them until I have walked THROUGH them. Can't be helped sometimes. Can they see ME? Again, some can, some can't. They know I am not like them, though. Not trapped like them. Whether by their choice or another's, they ARE trapped. They know I am only passing through to do my job. They don't get involved. Why should they? Some WANT to stay, some want to LEAVE, but none of them are qualified to do my job. We are not on "speaking terms" as it were. That doesn't mean we CAN'T though. If it's necessary. If the task calls for it. We CAN communicate then. I like it that way. Not having to answer questions about the past, future etc all the time. They respect me. I respect them or I PRETEND to anyway, they are not up to my standard after all. You know, like YOU'RE not.

No. Mostly they ignore me. I get the job done and leave, they go back to their usual routine.

So, what's the plan? Well, I need to make a short jump into the future. Two years to be exact, to the year nineteen seventy-five. There should be a music concert close by at that time. It was my first job. Now, what was it I had to do? What DID I do? And did I do it correctly? I guess we'll find out shortly.

I think I will stand over there just where that open section is. I don't want to end up inside a wall or something. Not that it matters. It won't affect me. I won't feel it. We've talked about this. No, I just like to see where I am on arrival. It helps me to plan my move. Ok, here goes??

Well, nothing much has changed here, quite a bit of rubbish littered about. Lots of people engaged in?... well, let's NOT say. They are in the shadows so let's pretend we haven't seen them, shall we? Various people are lingering about but none of them can see me. Not in the normal fashion anyhow. They may sense me but by the emotional weirdness I am picking up, they probably class me as part of their "Trip." Yes, it seems as though there are many drug fuelled "Journeys" taking place here tonight. Don't forget, time changes. It is late evening now. Oh, did I mention the music? There is a very famous band playing here right now. There are lots of

"Pink" emotions around. It's a very pleasurable experience. If I sent you a postcard from here, it would simply read

"Wish You Were Here." Ahh, nineteen seventy-five. What a year. The dark side of the moon is no longer in view. Doesn't mean my task is still not important though. Now, what did I do at this time? I need to find the time window and take a peek.

I can sense it just around this corner. Where the band is playing. Right in the middle of the stage.

Luckily no one will see me in any way they will remember so let's go.

Hah! Look at me onstage with?..oh, I forgot. No one can see me. At least I know I've done it.

Right, just in front of the drum kit, I can see the window. Let's look inside and replay the event.

I see. This is now showing me earlier on during the sound check. Ok. So, what happened? Ahh yes, I remember, the guitarist was standing in the wings, about to come onstage. This is, sorry WAS the part where the lighting fixture came loose, fell from the rigging and landed on the guitarist, splitting open his head, causing the band to postpone the concert for two days while he was treated in hospital and pronounced fit enough to perform. This can't be allowed to happen. Not for the guitarist's sake, no, he will be fine. There is something far more important at stake here. If the concert doesn't go ahead TONIGHT, a certain young couple will not meet, fall in love and "cement" their relationship thereby creating, later on of course, their son. If HE isn't born, someone ELSE will eventually become chairman of a certain company and by his inadequacy, bankrupt the firm, causing untold financial problems in the future which will lead to several construction companies being liquidated. Needless to say this would NOT have been the case if the young man waiting to be born, was in charge. Major concerns all round then.

I think this was one of my simplest jobs. It was definitely one of my simplest solutions. What did I do? I made a young lady stagehand, who was standing behind the guitarist, become suddenly "aware" of me. I am not proud of what I did so I won't regale you of the event. Suffice to say she was so "affected" by my sudden "presence" that she ran onto the stage, pushing the guitarist out of the way in the process. Neither the startled axe-man nor the frightened stagehand, was hurt in the incident. In all the commotion and EMOTION, no one noticed that the light had fallen. This ensured that no mention of the event was recorded at the time.

Just in case you were wondering. The band were able to make Money and proceed to get themselves Comfortably Numb. I guess that one went quite well then. This was NOT the problem event. I suppose I had better make my way to the next one. Just wait until they finish this number, though. I seem to remember it was one of my favourites. What was it about? Ahh yes, some rebellious school children. I seem to remember hammers were involved in some way????..

What do you MEAN it wasn't very exciting? I TOLD you it wouldn't be before you even bought The Story. Didn't you read the back cover? YOU know you did. You were warned. I TOLD you. I was very honest about the whole thing. NOW you expect miracles? Well, you WON'T get them.

Only one person does miracles around here and HE'S not on duty today.



Wow! Those memories are a real rush. That's why I try to hang onto them so much. Especially the early ones. They're the best. I bet you still have memories about nineteen seventy-five, don't you? Alright, you may have been in your thirties at the time, but you still remember right?

What? It's not my fault you are so old.

Ok. So we're going to head off again now. I am picking up that we need to head further West until we reach the coast, then head over the water until we reach the

"Emerald Isle." That's right. We're off to Ireland.

How do I "pick up" what direction I need to go? I told you. Only WE can feel the vibration of the event window. It draws us towards it.

When we reach the exact location, we can get the co-ordinates for past or future from the window itself. That way, we know WHEN to go. I need to get myself from here to Ireland without too much fuss. That should be easy but we'll see. My best bet is to get myself a "ride" to the airport. That may be tricky from this location. Obviously there are quite a few hosts around but it's unlikely that any of them are suddenly going to make the decision to go to Ireland, are they?

"Oh, isn't this place wonderful Timothy?"

"Yes Rosella, it is. There IS something else I fancy doing though."

"What's that then Timothy?"

"I would like to go on a nice trip to Ireland. I've heard it's a wonderful place to visit."

"Do you know Timothy, I think I would like to go there too. From what I've heard, it certainly sounds lovely."

"Yes it is. There are lots of things to do and you are surrounded by beautiful scenery."

THAT obviously ISN'T going to be described in this book like you have already learned.

"That settles it then Timothy, let us go there immediately while our suitcases are still packed."

"Yes let's. Mrs. Monroe won't mind looking after 'Crumbles' for another week. I'll just phone her now."

Frankly I can't see that happening, can you? Surely not? Look, I KNOW you are dumb, we've established that, but no one is just going to suddenly decide to do that, are they? No, they are NOT.

Forget about it now, let me just make a few "inquiries" and then we should go. I'm just going to "hover around" and see what occurs.

Well, what do you know! "Mr. Angler" over there is actually thinking of going somewhere where there is nice scenery so he can do some fishing. He is actually heading down to the travel agent later on today to check out what's on offer. I think I had best tag along. No, it DOESN'T mean you are right. You just made a lucky guess is all. Don't go on about it. Look, It WAS just a lucky guess. There's no way you could have known. None at all. I'm not going to argue with you about it, we need to move. Come on if you're coming. That is unless you already KNOW what's going to happen next. Well? Do you? No?

READ THE STORY THEN!!!!

Right, I am now travelling along with "Mr. Angler" and I am presently surprised at his thoughts. He is a deep thinker which is probably why he likes the peacefulness of fishing. That's where he gets his cleverest ideas, although he IS considering using worms as bait. If he knew how they tasted, he wouldn't be so keen. Anyway, he is presently on his way to the travel agent to book himself a nice, quiet fishing holiday.

The travel agent is just up here and we're going in. He's having a look around at the posters on the wall. He is thinking about Germany. That's not good. Not good at all. You need to be quiet now because I have to be a bit naughty and "influence" his decision a bit. I can tell you now, I am NOT happy about this. Not happy at all. I enjoy riding with hosts but I don't believe in controlling their thoughts. Did enough of that in life and it didn't turn out well. Trust me, it didn't. I really don't like changing someone's way of thinking. It's not right. Not ethical. You simply just shouldn't do it. Unfortunately for me, I have no choice. I must go to Ireland soon and "Mr. Angler" is my best bet. I suppose I shouldn't worry about it too much though, He DOES want to go fishing and Ireland IS very beautiful. He certainly won't be disappointed with HIS decision. It just doesn't FEEL right to me. I really don't like changing someone's way of thinking. It's not right. Not ethical. You simply just shouldn't do it. Unfortunately for me, I have no choice.

I am not discussing the circumstances. No need to get into details, it's not very interesting. Let's just say "somehow" he's arrived at the decision and chosen Ireland.

He is now in the process of booking his trip. Button it. Leave it at that. I've TOLD you.

It's too late now anyway, it's booked. Like it or not, we're going in two day's time.

Fast forward to:- "Two Day's Time"

I can do THAT too you know.

See? I told you. "Two Day's Time."

Just like that. I WON'T tell you how. Just accept it. It's done. Shush.

Phshhh!

We ARE two days in the future! Don't look at me like that, we're going on holiday!

What do you mean, you don't like fishing? Neither do I if truth be told, I HATE it. It's high on the list of things that I DO hate. It's right up there with "Parties" and large "Social Gatherings"... they are at the top.

I REALLY hate them. I am definitely NOT a people person. YOU know about that sort of thing don't you? YOU are quite sad and lonely. Yes you ARE or you would not have bought The Story but you DID. So you ARE. So THERE. That's why this job suits me so well. I don't have to DEAL with that sort of thing any more. Anyway, you are missing the point. Don't be so dumb. It's not OUR holiday, is it? It's just for "Mr. Angler." We're just going along for the ride. What's that you say? You STILL don't want to go? This is IRELAND we're talking about. The Emerald Isle? Island of great beauty and "Land of the Leprechauns."

Don't laugh. They TOO are real. I wouldn't mock if I were you. Fine. Have it your way joker, but when we get there, my advice to you is to keep you big mouth shut. That is unless you want it to be magically sewn shut by our little friends. That will happen. Trust me. And you can forget all about a pot of gold. There will be none of that for you, I can assure you of that. No, you'll be lucky to keep what's in your pockets if you play up the Leprechauns. You will probably find that they are suddenly full of jam instead of money. Don't pretend you haven't Got money. I KNOW you have. You wasted enough of it on The Story, didn't you? See? Case closed. Anyway, we're going and that's the end of it.

We are about to get on the ferry. I hope you don't get seasick. Actually I don't care if you do. In fact it would be quite funny to watch. What's that? You DO get seasick? Oh, that's sad. We're going anyway. Come on.

Hey! Where are you going? Look, if you want to leave now, that's your decision but I AM going. You're NOT coming? Fine then. You'll miss out. It won't do you any good skipping pages either, you'll just miss stuff. YES you will. I'll add stuff on purpose so you DO miss it. Just the right amount of bad, see. You'll end up turning back eventually just to see what you HAVE missed. You won't be able to help yourself. Trust me, you won't.

Well, if you are going to be like THAT, there is only one thing for it. I will just have to skip to the next part myself. Will THAT suit you? It will? Fine then. Your choice. Don't blame me for what you missed. What do you mean, you haven't missed anything? How can you be so sure? You've had your eyes closed for the last ten minutes so how would you know? What do you mean, you didn't? Oh, please. Get over yourself and let's get on with The Story.

Never met anyone like THIS before, what a dummy.

You still here? Let's go then. Close your eyes. What? Look, don't cause a problem, just close your eyes and we'll get going. WHY not? You had them closed tight enough a few minutes ago. What do you mean, you didn't? Oh, please. Get over yourself and let's get on with the story.

Close your eyes????..

Oh, look. What's that? Oh, we are on dry land! Sissy. Well look at YOU. I mean REALLY. All that fuss about sea travel. It's only The Story, how dumb can you be? Oh, I forgot, it's YOU we're talking about. Mute point then.

Anyway, we are now in Ireland. Remember what I said about "The Little People?" Keep it buttoned just to be on the safe side, eh? If not, I'll make sure they hear all about your sea trip. Don't like THAT idea? Thought not. Keep it zipped then.

Right, "Mr. Angler" is heading toward his accommodation for a well earned rest. Ok? Satisfied? Good. He has hired a car and we will be there in half an hour. He is tired from his journey so we will be resting soon. When I say WE, I of course mean HE. You WON'T 't be resting. Haven't got time for that. We've got something to do, remember? I don't need to rest at all so I don't care about anything else. Not now. I COULD do with an energy boost though so as soon as we arrive, I'll leave "Mr. Angler" to his lovely holiday, well chosen I thought too, and find some other transport to my location. Where IS that you ask? About six miles north of his position or at least it WILL be when we arrive. Just relax for thirty minutes. Don't get TOO comfortable though. I need you to be alert. Look out for the "Little People."

Heh??Heh......

Wake up. You need to get yourself sorted out now. I have left "Mr. Angler" behind with his sleepy thoughts of "the one that DIDN'T get away" and I am now searching for my next ride. Yes. I can hear him coming now. There he is. Perfect. I hope you like the underground at night. You don't mind? That's good then. I personally used to get very claustrophobic. It doesn't affect me now obviously, because I can just float out of any situation that I am uncomfortable with. It's not a problem for me now. Well, not much IS. Except YOU of course. You're one BIG problem for me.

That's settled then, let's go. Oh, there is just one more thing I should ask. You're not afraid of the dark are you? Oh sorry, of course you won't own up to that one, will you? Too bad. It doesn't matter anyway, our host is ready and waiting on that pile of dirt. Come on, we don't want to keep "Mr. Mole" waiting, do we?

"Going Underground, hm,hm,hm,hm, hmmmmm, hm,hm,hm,hm, hmmmmm, Going Underground."

Sniff, sniff. I think my destination is just above where we are now. Let's tunnel our way up and have a look, shall we?

My, these claws are useful, aren't they? Certainly would come in handy in a fight if you had them as a human, anyway. I wonder if anyone has thought of that yet? It would certainly make a good superhero character.

I can smell cool, fresh air so we must be about out. Am I in the right place though?

I sense that I am so it's time to leave "Mr. Mole" behind and carry on our journey. Thanks Digger!

It's no good complaining to me that we took a long time getting here, if you hadn't been so terrified of the dark, "Mr. Mole" wouldn't have been shaking so much. Mind you, I suppose I SHOULD thank you. With all your shaking and causing such a disturbance, "Mr. Mole" totally forgot about all of those worms we passed. I certainly don't want to be tasting THEM again.

Note how I said SHOULD thank you. Obviously I'm NOT going to. It's the principal of the thing.

Anyway, what's my next move? I need to move forward four years into the future to the year nineteen hundred and seventy-nine. A short jump then. Hold on tight. Close your eyes, we've been there before haven't we, just do it, it's going to be a bumpy ride!

Oh, don't be a baby, I'm joking.

Look, we're already here. Now, let's take a peep through the portal, shall we?

Ahh yes, I see. Oh, I'm sorry, would YOU like to have a look? What's that you say? You can't see anything? That's a shame. Could that be because your eyes are still trying to adjust from our subterranean journey with "Mr. Mole"? Could it? No. Have you forgotten, dummy? Only I can see it. Only WE who are trained to recognise and see, can see it.

YOU wouldn't notice it. YOU wouldn't be able to recognise it if you stood next to it in a queue at the post office. I'll give you a clue, it's STILL not the one with all the Internet shopping parcels to post but they ARE still in the queue. If it was taking part in an identity parade with a cat, a dog and a bowl of pasta, you still wouldn't be able to pick it out. Even if it was jumping up and down, waving a sign saying, " Look at me! I'm residual energy!!" smacked you sharply on the nose, and ran off singing,

"Run, run, chase after me, I'm Residual Energy!" you STILL wouldn't recognise it. You're not qualified. Haven't got what it takes. Trust me, I know. Apart from that, you're dumb. You must be because you are still reading The Story. You want proof? This is the SECOND time you've read THIS bit.

No, you'll just have to leave it all to me.

Now, what was going on in nineteen seventy-nine? Don't know? Well, I'll tell you. Are you ready? Are you sitting comfortably? Do I CARE if you are or not? No. I don't. I'm just taking you along for the ride. I didn't say it would be comfortable. You'll have to make your own arrangements where comfort is concerned. I don't care whether you are comfortable or not. Why should I? I don't need comfort, not any more. Why should you? You WANTED to come. You bought The Story, remember? I told you not too but you didn't listen did you? No. That's your fault then isn't it? You had a chance and you blew it. So you need to make your own arrangements where comfort is concerned. I don't care.

Oh, you don't LIKE that? Well, why don't you just put The Story down and walk away then?

Go on. You can't, can you? Not now you've started it. You have to carry on. You've no choice.

You're dumb. You must be because you are still reading The Story.

Let's carry on then shall we?

Ok? Right. Listen. In nineteen seventy-nine, in the wonderful country of Ireland, I had a very important event to adjust. No, not on a world shattering level. Not even on a country shattering level but it was very important to SOMEONE at least. It would mean a lot for them and I made sure that it was carried out. What did I do? What was the wondrous thing that needed adjusting? I don't know if I SHOULD tell you. If it's not important enough for you, you may decide not to bother reading anymore. That would be your loss. Your part in this would be over. Finished. I'd have to carry on without you and yes, I could. Trust me.

Easily. Do you want to know? Keep quiet then. This is actually quite serious. Extremely serious actually. Someone HAD to die. They HAD to.

Could I have saved them? No. Not in this case.

You see someone was going to be killed. Murdered. I had to ensure that it DID happen. The person who needed to die was quite nasty. A very bad soul indeed. For at least one person to have any life at all, this bad person needed to cease to exist. I had to make sure that this happened. I HAD to. Why? Because the person who was going to do the deed wasn't the sort of person who normally would. They needed a push. A big one.

They needed to be "forced" if you like. Someone needed to "make them" do it, "egg them on".

Massive encouragement was necessary. No-one else would do it but them. No-one else COULD do it but them. They had the chance. The ONLY chance. The situation was right. Perfect. They would NOT be caught. They COULD not be caught. They did not even deserve to be caught. It had to be done. It HAD to.

I know, "Thou shalt not kill." I know all that and more. MUCH more. So do you. I've told you what I can do. What I've done. Well, not EVERYTHING. I'm not telling you EVERYTHING. You don't deserve to know. You're not clever enough to understand it all. No you're NOT. Look, I DID tell you to keep quiet didn't I? Well then, shush!

Phshhh! The major fact is, if this bad person continued to live, many more would die. It had to end. It HAD to. It needed to stop. They needed to be killed. The other person needed to do it. They HAD to. I had to make them do the deed. I HAD to. It was my task to make sure they got the job done. Had to make sure they DID do it.

I HAD to. So I did. Just the right amount of "bad" see.

I suppose you want all the details now, don't you?

Not much to tell actually. The bad one had a lot of people tied up. Kidnapped. Their lives were his for the taking, unless money was paid but he actually didn't care whether he GOT paid or not! He actually DIDN'T. That's what he was like. He loved it. He enjoyed it. Lived for it. Existed simply to feel such power he held over others. That's all he ever needed in his life. Control over others.

That's what he lived for. I had to make sure he DIED for it. I HAD to. Well, I had to get someone ELSE to do it, at least. And I've found the person for the job. I'm looking at them right now.

No, not YOU stupid. I told you, shush.

Phshhh! Listen.

He thought that all his captives were secure. That none of them were loose. Well, they WERE. Except for one of them. One woman.

She managed to get herself free and found herself with two hard choices. Run away and leave the others to die or take someone else's life. Strangely enough, not much of a choice actually. He would have killed her given the chance and he DEFINITELY would have killed the others if she had escaped. She knew this. She knew what she should do but how could she do it? Did she have the nerve? The courage? The ability to take another person's life? If she did not, they would ALL die. She knew this. I just had to make sure she did it. I HAD to. She would not be caught. None of the others would give her away. Not one.

Who got loose first? Who DID kill him? No-one would know. No-one would say. No-one would be caught. NO-ONE.

It wasn't as hard as she thought, when it happened. She had the rusty knife in her hand. Luckily for her, she had been tied up and left in the corner near an old cupboard. It was behind this that she spotted the knife on the floor. He couldn't have known about it. He wouldn't have left it there if he had but she spotted it. This was "meant to be." Was meant to have happened. Well, if courage was enough, it was but it wasn't.

I had to make sure it WAS. I HAD to.

With the usual struggling and stretching motions you have seen on many a television program, she eventually succeeded in obtaining the knife. It took a long while to cut through the ropes but it did do its penultimate job.

She had to think fast. He would be back soon. She had to move quickly. No-one else spotted her because she sat alone.

Suddenly, an idea came to her. That's how it happens. The idea comes from nowhere but it needs to be carried out NOW. The idea comes but if it's not acted on quickly, it goes and you are left with the same issues you had before it arrived.

That's where I came in. I was there to make sure the idea stayed long enough for it to come into fruition in her mind.

She sharpened the knife as best she could, on a stone. Not razor sharp you understand, no. That would not be possible. Besides, another idea "came to her." The idea that arrived suggested that it would be better if some of the rust remained on the blade. I stayed just to make sure it did happen, just the right amount of "bad" see...I did tell you. Look, shush.

Phshhh! Here he comes... he's BACK!

No-one had moved. Some couldn't. She pretended not to have moved. Unfortunately there was another problem now. He was angry for some reason. This put her off the task. The idea started to head off into the wild blue yonder. It had had enough. So had I. I couldn't let that lovely idea run off now. I COULDN'T.

I could not let that happen. So I stopped it in its tracks. I grabbed it by the ear and spun it back around and threatened it with much more if it didn't behave and complete it's mission. It was not happy and soon found its way back inside her head. See? Just the right amount of "bad."

She slowly and nervously stood up just out of his sight. He started to come in her direction. As he came nearer, she started to tremble with fear.

The idea must have thought better of it as it made a sudden dash for the door. Nope. Not happening. Not while I'm on duty, it's not. Don't even THINK about it. I tripped it up as it was passing by me, grabbed it by the scruff of it's neck, slapped it with the flat of my hand, see, just the right amount of "bad" and told it in no uncertain terms that it wasn't going ANYWHERE but back inside her head!

Just as I pushed the idea back into her head, he lifted HIS head and noticed her there. He lunged at her. She held out the knife with both hands.

The rest is over.

You've seen this enough to know the outcome. He died. She slowly but surely freed the others and together they all survived. It happened as it SHOULD have. It would NOT have happened though, if I was not present. Not unless I was there and intervened. If not for me she would have been dead. They all would. No doubt about that. They WOULD. No mistake. Like I said, everyone was so confused, bewildered and relieved, that no-one got the blame for his death. No-one. So far, no-one ever has. They never will. Never.

Now THAT one was a success. A big one. Nothing I did wrong there. Nope, No Siree Bob.

Well, better head back then and see what's next.

You coming?

Hey!! Wake up you muppet!!

I said, let's head back, are you coming, OK?

Right , let's go then. Come on! Why are you so sloooowwwww?

No, don't tell me. It won't make any difference to me. No it WON'T!

Look, just move it OK? You think I've got all day? Oh. Yeah. Actually, I have. Cool.

C'mon.

Now that's all sorted I suppose I should check out my next port of call. Let me see, where and when WAS that? Well, the year was Nineteen eighty three but WHERE was it? Oh no. I remember now. THAT was the tricky one. It was not only in Switzerland but it also crossed over into another time line! It's not good when it does that, I can tell you. It can be very dangerous. Why? WHY? Because in another timeline, I could still be alive! It won't do for me to meet my physical self, won't do at all. My other self will "sense" me. He will KNOW I'm there. No, I must be very careful with this one or else something very bad could go wrong and it would. Trust me. It would.

Still, I won't have to worry about that yet. I've a long way to go. Well, a few hours anyway. For starters I've got to find a "ride" to the nearest airport.

Hang on, there seems to be a cyclist heading in my direction. Let's see where he is headed. Hmmmmm. He looks to be going quite close to the airport and travelling quite fast too. Yes. I will ride with him. Got to time it right though, he's moving at quite a pace.

He's just about in range, just need to "lock on" and............... JUMP! That's it. I'm in! Hang on to your hats, this one IS going to be a be a very bumpy ride.

You have to admire him though. Give him his due, no wandering thoughts here, just pure concentration on reaching his destination as fast as possible. He appears to be attempting to better the last time it took him to complete this journey. By the way we are moving, I'd say he will do it too. Very determined. Not like YOU. No, you would not. There is no way you would have his intense concentration. You would be thinking about burgers right about now. Yes you would. You definitely would lose. You would fail. Trust me. I know. You would have given up long ago and gone to stuff your face. You know it. I know it. Let's not pretend. I'm surprised you've lasted THIS long. Still, let's not go into that now. Let's just enjoy the ride. "Mr. Cyclist" is in control, so let's sit back and relax.......

Phew! What a rush THAT was. High speed all the way. We've almost reached the airport but "Mr. Cyclist" actually lives about a mile away from it so I'll have to travel the rest of the way without him.

What about you? Do you think you can keep up? Doubtful I know but give it a go hey? Don't argue, it's not worth it. I told you before, keep up!

As I leave "Mr. Cyclist", I am happy to inform you that he has knocked one minute and forty-six seconds off his last time. I know that it doesn't seem like much of an achievement by your special standards but it means a lot to him. It won't matter to YOU though, will it? We both know there is no chance of you even getting ON a bicycle is there? Well, not unless the burger shop moves and you have to travel further, THEN you might. Otherwise? No. You won't.

So, I just left "Mr. Cyclist," had a go at "The Reader " about their lack of exercise, now I need to travel one mile to the airport, "ride" on another host to board the plane to Switzerland for bit of a dangerous task, if I meet my physical self that is....yikes! Hopefully not! Lets go a different timeline in the year nineteen eighty-three, then.

The change I did needed to be quite serious. A self sacrifice of one person for the safety of others.

"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."

Anyway, must press on.

I am presently walking/floating to the airport. It's not quite a mile so it's not as bad as I thought. Shouldn't take me too long to get there, even though with no traction or gravity, I can still move.

It's actually quite good fun just disturbing everyone now and again by brushing past their auras. You've felt that before I'm sure. Someone or something is "there" but you can't see it. Something there but you didn't know what. Sometimes it's me. Most times it's not but you HAVE felt it, haven't you? No? Well I didn't think that YOU would have. You're not that intelligent after all, are you? No, you're not! Don't keep arguing with me. You won't like the outcome, I can promise you that. Try me.

When you feel that breath of air from the other dimension. It's always cold though, isn't it? Haven't you noticed? It's not colder though, it's our vibrational level that you feel. As we mingle with your "live" level, it somehow gives the sensation of coldness. That's why people always associate it with "ghosts." It's "spooky" and "sends a chill down your spine."

I think it's just what happens when the two planes come in contact with each other. Nothing to do with "spookiness" at all. It's NOT. I've just told you about it. It's just an effect that happens when the two planes collide. Nothing to worry about. Nothing to worry about at all. Well, unless it IS something nasty, then it really WOULD be something to worry about and very cold. You definitely WOULD know then.

Different kind of coldness that is. It's VERY "spooky." Icy blast of coldness that can only mean one of two things. One, something not very nice HAS arrived or two, Death himself, or Herself, WHAT ? You didn't know there was a Lady Death?? Are you kidding me??!? Of course there is! Don't forget that in many other religions the form of Death is not always male. He can't change gender you know he's not THAT good. Anyway, I've already told you this. Don't you remember? Of course not. You're not clever enough.

We know this.

Now, here's the rub. If it is the first one, it's purpose may be to cause the second one to appear.

If its the second one? Well, let's just say if it IS the second one, there is no reason to worry about the first one. None at all. No point in arguing. Let's leave it there. Shush.

Phshhh!

So, I'm almost at the airport and I need a host to travel with to get to Switzerland. What have we got then? WHO have we got then? The next flight seems to be in twenty minutes but there are not that many passengers going there.

"Miss Secretary " is going to a hotel when we arrive so that's not the way I want to go.

"Mr. Doctor " is going to a convention so he's out too. Ahh... he looks promising. "Ski-boy."

He is off up the mountain when he arrives. Just what I need, I think. Yes. He is actually heading to a point which is only half a mile from where I need to be. How lucky is that? "Ski-boy" it is then.

Here goes........

Right. Let's get settled in then, he seems OK. Not stressed at all but he IS excited. That's OK. Excited is a good energy. Stressed is NOT. He is looking forward to his first downhill ski in REAL snow so much, that he is having all of his luggage sent straight to his hotel, just so he can get straight up the mountain and ski down as soon as possible.

What do you think of that, then?

That's dedication for you. He wants to do this and has been learning to ski for the past few months on dry "ski" slopes. You know, the places with the plastic snow. It's something he has been looking forward to doing for the last two years and now is finally going to do it. Good for him. Wouldn't work for you though, would it? No. Definitely not. Not where YOU'RE concerned anyway.

I'll leave him with his thoughts and let him get on with boarding the plane, finding his seat and such.

We'll see you in about twenty minutes time.

I'm back. Me and "Ski-boy" are sitting in a window seat waiting for take off. It's My favourite part of flying, take off. I can never get enough of it. Just feeling the power as you suddenly find yourself heading up a steep incline and can actually feel the power of the engines as you scream diagonally upwards into the sky. It's a wonderful feeling.

It all seems to go downhill from that point. All a bit of an anti-climax. You just tootle along for what seems like hours until you hit some turbulence and scare yourself out of your wits! Then it's just falling gradually until you land on solid ground...the scariest part. No. The best bit is always the take off for me.

I know I can travel back and forward in time but it never feels as good as "take off." There's no power surge. No feeling of G-force. Not with the way I travel. No, there's no feeling like it anywhere else. Never will be. Not until we get to be passengers on a space shuttle anyway. Looking forward to that one.

So. Here we are. Sitting on the plane, waiting for take off. Annnddddd......... here we go!!

OK, I won't go through all of that again. Let's accept that we HAVE taken off and are on the way.

Bearing in mind what else I said, I'm skipping the journey too. I don't care. Its boring. Look. I'm not bothered. Really, I'm not. I'm cutting to the chase so that's the end of it.

Oh. Look. We've landed. See? I've just cut out the whole boring journey and just left you with the arrival. I didn't even bother with the whole landing bit either. I told you. The BEST bit is always the take off. Nothing else matters. The rest is boring. Anyway, its done now so accept it. We're here. Deal with it.

"Ski-boy" is now anxious to get going so I guess WE had better get going.

We've just disembarked, gone through customs and are now entering a taxi. Hey, don't blame me. I'm just along for the ride. It's not MY fault he's so eager. It's like I said before, it doesn't matter about the host. They won't be in the story in a few minutes time anyway. Why are you even bothered what he does?

Stupid AND judgemental. Wow!



The journey ends at the taxi rank near the foot of the mountain. We are almost there! It doesn't matter. He will be doing what he likes in just a few minutes time anyway and we will be gone. Just be patient. Shush...

Phshhh!..

"Ski-boy" is now riding on a chair lift up the snowy mountain...look at that wonderful view.

No descriptions for you. It's a mountain. There's snow on it. What more do you need to know?

You don't care anyway. All you care about are burgers. Oh, and fries. Well, you WON'T get them up a snowy mountain will you? WILL you? Right. Well go and look then, I'll just wait here. Go on. I've got all day. Actually, yes I have. Go then!

Back again? Any luck? No? Never mind. All you need to know is that we are heading up the mountain, quite high above the ground. It's no good. You'll start getting scared up here. It's very high up. Are you shaking in your boots? No, you're worse than that. Look, don't worry and stop crying. We're nearly at the top so keep quiet while we dismount or it will go very wrong. Trust me, it will.

"Ski-boy" is happily heading off now to his "Launch point." We won't be seeing him again unless of course he doesn't make it. Then we might. I'm sure we can find a use for him jobwise.

Anyway I still need to get half a mile away from here, so seeing as no-one is going in my direction, it looks like I'm "walking" again. It pays to be fit in this job. You really ARE dumb aren't you?

I haven't been here for 40 years ( alive that is ) and I am not even here now. Not properly anyway.

Why would I need to be fit? Really. Not only are you a dummy but you are one of those people who NEEDS a dummy too. A sucker. A big baby.

I'll get back to insulting you in a little while. Got to get a move on now. See you soon... Sucker.

Now I have arrived at the correct point at last. I just need to travel four years into the future now to the year nineteen eighty-three.

Hold on tight. Oh, never mind. You should be used to this by now. See you in a few moments.....

Now, what did I need to remember about this one?

Ahhh yes... This one was very, VERY important. This one is different. This one is not even IN my usual timeline. It's a crossover point! Very tricky, this one. Very tricky indeed. If this goes wrong, serious consequences will arise so keep your fingers crossed.

I can "see" the window up ahead, hidden in a bunch of trees. Not that it NEEDS to be hidden. Only "we" can see it. I've told you that before.

~ Dumb, Dumb, Dumb, Dummmmmb~

What can I say? You are just SO easy to annoy. Anyway, let's have a look and see what's going on inside the "window" and we'll take it from there.

As you can see, oh, sorry, you can't can you? Don't worry, I will lead you through it as usual. Too dumb to forget how dumb you actually ARE.

Inside this window is a different location to where we are at present. Not just a different WHEN but a different WHERE. That can only happen when another timeline is involved. It's not a surprise. It's expected. Let's step through and investigate.

OK. We're in a dark tunnel deep underground. Why? Well, let's see... If I remember correctly, there had been an earthquake here. The party of twenty-five people had been trapped underground for several hours with no means of escape. Yes. Here's where I came in. I knew a way out you see. I knew there were actually two ways out. They hadn't got a chance with one of them though. One of them involved a steep vertical climb and at least six of them were not fit enough to make it. The other way out had its risks too. A bigger choice to make. A harder decision to take but a greater chance of escape. That's the one they were heading for. Like I said long ago..... "I'M choosing." What happened then? Well, be quiet and ill tell you. Shush.

Phshhh...My first step was to "take over" one of the people and direct them to the escape route.

Now, as I've said before, I don't like to do that.

I don't like to take complete charge of a person if it isn't right but this case was different. There were many lives at stake. That made a difference. I accept it then. So I did. I "took over" one of the men. There were eleven women and fourteen men in case you were interested. Yes you were. You HAD to be. I didn't tell you how many of each there were so you must have been curious. Don't deny it. You were. Liar.

Anyway, I "took over" one of the men, I won't explain why I picked a man, that would not be fair and some people would not like the answer. You're not knowing so don't go on about it.

So this man wandered off to where I "told" him to go and on arrival, called the others to his location to see what he had found. I had led him to an ancient shaft which still had the remains of an ancient wooden "lift."

It didn't look like it would hold anyone or even work at all, to be honest but I knew it WOULD work. I knew it was their only way out. I also knew that there was a problem. Not with the mechanism itself, no. That was fine.

The problem was, it was hand operated. It needed someone to turn the lift's crank handle. It HAD to be done this way to raise the lift. It was the ONLY way. SOMEONE would have to operate it. Someone HAD to stay behind. Someone would NOT escape. There was no other way around it. Someone MUST sacrifice their own life to save the others. Oh, and one more thing. That someone must volunteer to do it. That was the bit that worried me at the time. I could not, WOULD not "take over" anyone and make them volunteer. Not a chance. I just wouldn't do it. My role was to make the person who DID volunteer, carry out the deed. I had to make them go through with it. Strengthen their resolve. I knew the one that was the strongest to complete the task but they still had to make their own choice. The will was there or they wouldn't have volunteered to do it but I needed to ensure they DID do it, understanding that they would not survive and accepting their fate. I had to stand with them and watch while they gave their life for others. That is a noble act for someone to do. You could never do anything like that. No, you would be the first one out. You wouldn't risk your life for anyone or anything.

Oh, hang on. Yes you WOULD. If burgers were involved? You would then, yes. Trust me, I know. Stop lying.

It was the most noble thing anyone could have done, giving their own life to save other people made a real hero in the hearts of all.

Saved others. Other people they didn't even know. That's extra "Brownie points," that is. For friends and family, yes. That's expected. For strangers?

Well, let's just say that giving your life to save strangers gets you double points and more. It takes someone special for that. VERY special. Someone who has that "special something."

It's just a shame that the person who has that special something is the only person who always dies. Mind you, if the one with the special something DIDN'T die, who would get to do jobs like me? Certainly not you. You COULDN'T do it. Not qualified. Haven't got what it takes. Trust me, you haven't. Don't even think about it. No chance you could or even would. So shush.

Phshhh!

So here's what happened.

Everyone gets to the shaft and they all start arguing as soon as they get there. Who's going first? Will it hold? Will it even work?

"I'm going first, I'm more important than you."

"I have four children back home."

"I'm just married."

All that rubbish. You've heard it all before. All against each other until someone takes charge and starts giving orders. Not me. I wasn't involved at this point. I showed them the way out, they had to do the rest now.

To cut a long story short, they came to the decision that the lift MAY be safe, if only five people use it at once and the others left behind, took turns in cranking the handle. It wasn't a hard job. The ancient pulley system was set out in such a way that a child could have turned the crank and in those times, it probably WAS the case.

THAT would allow adults to do other work.

So, five were chosen at random and gradually sent upwards to the surface.

The shouts that were filtering down from the surface clearly stated that they were safe and the lift was sent back down for the next five willing subjects. This worked fine up until there were only five of them left, two women and three men. That's when the problem arose. They couldn't ALL go. SOMEONE had to stay.

"Not me."

"Oh no, I HAVE to go."

"I'm claustrophobic."

"You never mentioned that before!"

"No, she didn't."

"I'm certain I did."

"You did NOT!"

"What are you doing underground in the first place then?"

"I'm under duress."

"You'll be under SOMETHING if you don't get out of my way!"

"SHUT UP!"

"We all WILL be under something if nobody operates the crank!"

And then it happened. Someone stepped forward.

Someone volunteered.

Now, I'd have put good money on one of them to do it. I sensed that the person was in the last ten survivors but even I was shocked. I had betted on the wrong person. Not on the wrong gender, no. On the wrong person. It was the OTHER one. The OTHER woman. Yes, it WAS a woman. None of the men would have done it. Not one of them. Everyone was hoping that a woman would be left behind so THEY all could get to safety. They were all correct but they must all have felt deeply ashamed at the same time and I'm hoping they will forever. That's all they DO deserve.

She stepped forward and, after a knowing hug from the other woman who tried to protest but was silenced by the brave woman, she ushered the other four into the lift.

Now, you're thinking "surely the people on the surface could pull the other five people up ?" but no. They couldn't. The lift only had the mechanism working below ground. The upper mechanism had been destroyed. No way out. NONE.

She stepped up to the crank and resolutely turned the handle, watching the other four slowly heading up the shaft and resigned to her fate.

Unfortunately, that's when things started to change.

Thoughts slowly started to creep into her head.

"If I stop winding this handle, they will come back down and we will have to choose ANOTHER person to be left behind instead of me."

"What about if I pretend to faint? I'm guaranteed to get out. They can't leave me here unconscious, can they? They still need someone to crank the handle!"

"Should I just let go?"

Annnnnndd.... that's where I step in. I HAD to stop the thoughts from invading her mind. I HAD to make her go through with it. I HAD to. It wasn't my proudest moment I can tell you but I had no choice. I HAD to step in, so I did.

I put the one thing in her head, I remembered at the time, that I KNEW would get the desired response.

I KNEW it would strengthen her resolve. I KNEW it. It was a quote that I had heard from long ago but I KNEW it would work.

It did. It gave her the courage and understanding that was needed to complete the task. It would work for all mankind if only they listened. Here it is.

"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." Think about it. SHE did.

The remaining four people reached safety and the lift returned from above. At speed. In pieces. Lots of pieces. Very dangerous pieces. Murderous pieces. For her anyway.

She will always be remembered for her bravery, courage and sacrifice. She will always be remembered also by the ones shamed by their selfishness. They know who they are.

Although, they won't even remember her name.

The outcome? Twenty four survivors and one brilliant worker. Yep. You guessed it. She works for us now. Good position she has got now, too.

Very rewarding. What is it? Let's just say that when a certain twenty four people pass over and show up, they may find themselves in a very sticky predicament! Funny, I have no idea what her name was though....

So that went quite well, for someone anyway.

That one definitely went the right way.

What's next then? Well, wait a few minutes...I need to get back to the original timeline..........

OK. I'm back. We now need to make our way to the next location then. Where is that? Not sure yet. I DO know that it's in the year nineteen eighty-eight though so that's five years into the future but WHERE do we need to go?

Where ever it is, it needs to be got to soon, it's starting to snow.

I KNOW it won't affect me but it will affect other people. Other things. Things like my transport for instance.

Oh, it doesn't bother you. How could it? You're just sitting in your warm dry house. YOU don't care. No you don't. Stop lying...again.

You would care if it snowed a lot where you are and you couldn't get to the takeaway for your burger. You WOULD care then. "Timmy Tummy" would be very unhappy if that happened, wouldn't he? Always thinking about your stomach aren't you? Never mind me. Never mind that I am stuck in the snow and may not get to where I need to be because of it. Oh no, never mind about me. I'm not important. I'm not on the top of your list of worries. No, "Timmy Tummy" is number one isn't he? HE comes first. Well remember this, he'll come LAST when it snows, trust me. There's more important stuff. He can jolly well get to the back of the line and wait his turn like the others.

Come on, we haven't got time to waste. We'll, obviously I have, time is all I HAVE got. You, on the other hand, haven't got time to waste. I know you are a slow reader but you will eventually want to get to the end of The Story, won't you? You know you will. I know you will. You've started so you'll finish. That's just the way it is and you know it. I know it too. I know you too well. You haven't proved me wrong yet and I don't think you're going to. Trust me. I know.

Like I said, it's snowing and I could get held up due to a host being stuck in the snow. So let's go.

I need to get East from here and quite a distance too. I must get to Russia. But how? The sea's not an option because of YOU, wuss! We've been in an aeroplane once already and will soon have to use one again. But not yet. Not THIS time. That leaves us only one option. A train. Problem is, the trains running from here to there are mostly freight trains. No room for passengers then. So how do we do this? Again, only one option. I must use an animal host.

Not a problem, you say? Well actually, it IS. A BIG problem. Whatever animal I chose will be transported from Switzerland to Russia without any choice in the matter and with no way back home! It won't even know where it's from or where it has ended up so how could it return?

That's not really fair to the animal so I have another major decision on my hands. It doesn't seem major issue for you but using people or animals can still affect them sometimes and is not always a good thing to do. I won't be giving up though. Just give me a few minutes. Let me have a scout around and see what I can find. Meet me back here in ten minutes. What am I talking about? You're not going anywhere are you? You've got nothing else to do except wait for me, so do keep quiet. Shush.

Phshhh!

I'm back. Oh, you're still here then? Didn't wander off looking for food like I thought you would. Well done you.

I must say you can be very well behaved when necessary. Oh, unless you were very lazy and didn't bother moving. That's probably what actually happened isn't it? Anyway, I have solved the issue. I've found a host that won't have a problem with relocation. Just over there by that barn. Come on, let's go and see him. Don't look so keen.

There he is in that dark corner. His name?

"Fluffytail" At least I THINK that's his name. He's Swiss. It probably looses something in translation but after all, I don't suppose it matters. He IS only a cat.

If we're going to do this, let's go now before it gets too complicated.

Right Pussy Galore, here we come!

That wasn't too bad. I can see why he lives here. He's on his own. There are no other cats in this immediate area, unsurprisingly and he IS very lonely.

He is a bit on the scrawny side though. There could be a real danger for me here if he spots food. Vermin are DEFINITELY off my list of foods to eat! Apart from the taste, they carry all kinds of diseases. I've got to keep total control for this trip.

Come on, a freight train will be leaving in a few minutes and we need to be on it. I've got to concentrate now to run alongside the train and jump up onto it while it's moving along. It's slow but so am I.

We are alongside the train now but I can't jump up and move forward at the same time, it's too dangerous and "Fluffytail" isn't that fit to make it.

Wait. Up ahead. A small out-building with stuff stacked at the side, kind of like steps. If I can't jump UP to the train, I'm pretty sure I can jump down as it passes. Hang on. It's going to be close.

ME - OWW! That hurt my, sorry HIS, feet. I managed to get up the side and onto the roof then dived off it to land on the train but it was a big jump. We only just made it and almost missed!

We're Alone now but still not safe yet. It's very cold on top of a moving train in Switzerland you know. I explained the problems about this long ago. You already know. What? Weren't you even listening to me? That's about right then. The Dummy is still at large!

Right, we need to get INSIDE the train, it's going to be a loooooong trip. "Fluffytail" is a little unsteady on his feet too. Not surprising really given the condition he's currently in.

I can see that two carriages up, there is a lower carriage, beyond that, another like this one but I can just make out an opening in it.

Cat's eyes really are pretty cool, aren't they?

Let's go and find out. Carefully though, "Fluffytail's" balance is not good.

Jump over from this one to the next. It's another big jump but not as far as we've already done.

Hup! Not too much of a problem but as we walk along to the next carriage, the train is picking up speed. We need to move. NOW!

Eeeep!! That was close! Just as we jumped, we passed under a water tower! Didn't see THAT coming. Only just made that. I can feel "Fluffytail's" heart beating faster.

Better get this done quickly before it causes him any lasting harm. We need to jump down now to land on that lower carriage. It's got logs on it so grip should be good, even for a feline in "Fluffytail's" condition. Here we go.....

Hyah! Whoop!! Hold on there "Fluffytail" we've made it so far, just need to climb up to that open shutter on the carriage and we'll be safely inside.

Skritch, skritch, skritch, skritch, skritch! Phew. You really should do something about those claws Mr, before you end up with NO lives.

From what I can make out, he's on his seventh one now. Best be extra careful, I don't want to make his life anymore difficult for him than it already is. Poor thing. Anyway, its going to be several hours before we get there so I think the best thing to do now is sleep. I definitely don't need to but he does so be quiet. Shush.

Phshhh!

Hey! What do you think you are doing? I didn't tell YOU to sleep!! What do you think you are playing at?

We've got a job to do. WAKE UP!!

I said you were lazy, didn't I?

That's better. Now, come on. We're here.

We need to leave the train and get to the destination. It's about two miles away but we can't travel by cat though, "Fluffytail's " just about had it. He needs food, water and, unlike YOU, more rest. I can't just dump him anywhere though. That wouldn't be fair. Here, hold him a minute while I do a quick recon and see what the options are. Oh, don't be stupid , well, more stupid than you already are anyway, he's only a cat. He's not going to eat you. Look at the facts:- number one, he's half starved. Number two, he's tired. Number three, he's thirsty. Number four, and this is the big one, he's called "Fluffytail" not "Fluffytail the cutter" or "Fluffytail the merciless." Just "Fluffytail." Now shut up, wait here and hold him while I get back. Oh, and tickle him under the chin. He likes that. Go on then. Do it. I'll see you in a few minutes.

OK. I've found the perfect place for him, hold on. That's it, I'm back in the cat. No, don't stop tickling under the chin. It's nice. Spoilsport.

Right, just get off the train and wait over there for me. I'll be back in a minute. I know it's cold. I told you that. Just wait there and exercise to keep warm. Oh. I'm sorry. I forgot. You CAN'T, can you?

It's against "your religion ," just stand there and shiver then. I'll be back in a minute.. Byeeee.

Hello "Mr. Snowman," how are you? I can see you are still cold. That's not my fault though, is it?

I told you what to do to keep warm but you never listen, do you? Anyway, I have taken "Fluffytail" to a small farmhouse and left him curled up asleep on the porch. In about fifteen minutes time, a little girl will be returning home and I just KNOW that she will take him inside and feed him. He'll be safe there and hopefully have a wonderful two lives. I KNOW he will. Better off than he would have been with you. He wouldn't even get those two lives with you because you wouldn't love him. No you WOULDN'T. I know. Shush.

Phshhh!

Let's return to the matter in hand. I still need to get two miles south of here but how? Hah! Problem solved but you're not going to like it though. Why? Because we're going to be travelling by truck over frozen, bumpy ground. Not bad you say? Ok. Oh, I forgot to say, we're also travelling by GOAT!

Don't go on about it, the goat is IN the truck.

Don't want to distract the driver, that's all.

He's drunk enough as it is!! HANG ON!

Oh, OK. Shut up then, we're here.

It's not my fault, we're in the wilds now. Travel's whatever we can get so you'll have to like it or lump it. He wasn't that drunk anyway or he WOULD have hit the priest who was crossing the road. And the sheep. I know, I know, he DID hit the hut but you must admit, it HAD seen better days. It's all over now, anyhow. Mind you, so is the hut!

The goat's OK though. I am quite surprised. I had no idea that they could run that FAST!

Be still now for a minute. We're going forward five years into the future to the year nineteen eighty-eight. Hold on to your hat.

OK, we've arrived. What now? Well, I can sense that the window is somewhere nearby. Head over there near that frozen pond. I can see the window is close to it. Let's go and see what happened.

Let's take a peek into the window.

It looks like a posh hotel has been built just over there. Seems very nice, especially for this area. Seems a bit odd that it's been built here though.

Ahhh.. I see. There is a newly built casino behind it. That explains it all. This must be where Russia's big business men come at the weekend. Spending their money in the casino and then relaxing in the lovely hotel. So what was my role in this? Any ideas?

Whaaaa? That's it! This was the case where the Russian general was murdered and no-one was found to have done it. What did I have to change?

Hmmmmn I remember. I had to investigate BEFORE it happened to find out who actually killed him. I had to see who had done it, find the evidence and plant it so the murderer WOULD be found. Very tricky but not impossible. Not for me anyway. It's My job. You couldn't do it though. You would be that bad at the job, you would actually be found to be the murderer himself! Yes you would. Don't deny it.

As I recall, there were several guests that were unaccounted for after the event. At least four as I remember. That would mean that one of the four was the murderer but how did I find out which one it was?

The answer is not as difficult as you would believe. All I had to do was go back to just before the general was murdered and hang around nearby to see who paid him a visit. Obviously the "hanging around " bit was easy, I couldn't be seen or heard could I? No, that wasn't the difficult part. FINDING the murderer wasn't the hard part either. Even though the general was visited by two of the four missing guests, it was easy to see who it was that did the deed. No, the hard part was putting the evidence in place to incriminate the person responsible.

It wasn't the young lady who visited, she couldn't have done it. Not her. She wasn't the type to kill in cold blood. What she DID do would have raised his blood pressure but it certainly wouldn't have caused his blood to leave his body. No. It wasn't her. She wasn't the type. It was HIM. Who? The nice man who paid him a visit after the girl had left. Who? The waiter of course. Room service. Except he wasn't. Room service that is. Or a waiter. No. He was an assassin sent to kill the rebellious general. He had to be killed as he was about to defect to America. He would have caused many problems then as he knew all about the Russian defences and his knowledge would have been invaluable to the American military. That couldn't is allowed to happen. Russian defence would be compromised. No. He had to be killed. That wasn't the issue. I wouldn't have stopped him being murdered. It wouldn't have been right.

The stalemate between the super powers would have been broken and war would be much more likely to happen. Made much easier I'd one country could be crushed so easily. No. He had to be killed. That wasn't the issue. What then was the issue? Who killed him of course. The murderer couldn't get away Scott free. Not in a situation such as this. Not in such a ghost-like manner. It would raise too many questions. How did it happen? Why didn't anyone see anything? Who is the next to be killed? No. That couldn't be allowed to happen. There HAD to be a culprit and it was my job to find out who it was and put the evidence in place to incriminate the murderer. That's what I HAD to do. That's what I did.

It wasn't too hard to go back just before the event and watch him carry out the act.

It wasn't a highly sophisticated piece of equipment, just a knife on a tray, hidden by a cloth. A simple distraction on his part and a swift stroke was all it took. That wasn't the issue. What was? Where did that knife go??

Obviously he took it away from the crime scene but NOT out of the hotel. He didn't want to be caught with it in his possession so where did he hide it? That's where I came in. I HAD to follow him from the room and watch where he hid it. That turned out to be a fairly simple, I saw him put it in a little used cupboard that was probably full of other items that the hotel didn't use anymore.

He calmly left the hotel and drove off into the night. That's that you may think. Well, you'd be very wrong. You see, if I could put the knife in his room, I could settle the whole situation. THAT'S the real problem. I couldn't pick it up!!

I haven't been here for 40 years ( alive that is ) and I am not even here now. Not properly anyway.

What am I? Who can say. Ghost ? Spirit ? Avenging Angel? What does it matter?

I COULDN'T PICK IT UP!!

I needed a host to pick up the knife and put it in the room. That WOULD cause problems. That would implicate someone else, more fingerprints on the knife, you see. How could that be avoided? How could I keep that someone from being involved and who could I chose to help?

Well, let's look at the facts. The "waiter" left the door to his room unlocked, I knew THAT much because I followed him, remember? We're you listening? Oh, that makes a change.

At least getting into his room to place the evidence wouldn't be a problem for my host. I also needed a host who could take the knife and place it WITHOUT adding fingerprints, that was going to be tricky. VERY tricky. Very, very tricky indeed. I couldn't get someone else to do that in case they would be under suspicion of the actual murder and that wouldn't have been fair at all.

Finally it needed to be planted, discovered AND reported to the authorities BEFORE the "waiter" could leave the area and make good his escape.

That meant I had to move fast. Also meant I had to find a suitable host fast too.

I really had no choice. The very next host I found would HAVE to do. There was nothing else for it.

Just then I heard footsteps coming.....

The time was NOW!

Okay. Look, I didn't plan it but I think this was EXACTLY the right choice. The host I travelled with was actually ideal for the job. Sleek, quiet, unnoticed and let's face it, no fingerprint problems. Mind you, that last part should be pretty obvious. Dogs don't have fingers let alone fingerprints! Yes, alright. It was a dog. What difference does that make? I was in control of her. What? She was a golden Labrador. Eh? Her name was "Sandy" Why do you need to know that? She's just a dog. Anyway, its the best I could do in the circumstances. Better than YOU could have managed, anyway. Without a doubt. You would have picked a rat or something. No, you haven't got what it takes to do this and you know it. I know it. Trust me, you haven't.

Fact is, I was in control of "Sandy" and we headed to the cupboard where the knife was stashed.

It was just around that corner. We had to jump up on my, sorry HER hind legs to be able to reach and push the door handle down and open the cupboard. The knife handle was sticking out of the towel. I just needed to grab it in my teeth carefully and.....yes! Got it! Now.. we headed to the "waiter's" room.

Oh thorry, dith you thik I wud be talkig lik thith?

Well, you are wrong. Dead wrong. I may have had a knife in my mouth but I'm talking to you brain to brain or mind to mind if you like. What? You've never actually heard my voice have you? You DEFINITELY have issues if you have.

Not sure that it's a good idea, I didn't think you actually HAD a brain to be honest. Not one worth talking to at any rate. Why else would you buy The Story? Oh yes, you HAD to didn't you? Even though I told you to put it back, you didn't listen did you? No brain, see?

Anyway, regardless of HOW I communicate, communicate I do. Don't worry about it, you'll blow a fuse trying to work it out. Just read The Story. Shush.

Phshhh!

Right, the "waiter's" room was at the end of this corridor. Up on the hind legs again Annnnnndd PUSH! We're were in!

Now, where did I put the knife? That was a difficult one. Obviously I couldn't open draws. Ohh, I remember! Under the bed. I hide it under the rug. Just pulled it back with my claws and dropped the knife under it. What do you mean,

"that's not possible?" Of course it is. Don't you watch clever animal videos on the Internet? On second thought, don't answer that. Fact is, I had done it. It WAS done. Next part was getting someone to FIND it. Don't worry, I already thought about that one. I already got that sorted out. Firstly, I must get "Sandy" into the reception area. See you in a minute.

OK. I'm here. Over there. What do you mean where? Behind the reception desk of course. The concierge. What? The person BEHIND the reception desk stupid, that's what they're called. It doesn't matter. Be quiet a minute. Shush.

Phshhh!

I had to concentrate and get him to do some "automatic writing" without him remembering it was himself that had written it. Oh, just watch.

Here is what I/he wrote:-

"There is a knife hidden under the carpet in room forty-seven. This is the weapon that killed the general. The fingerprints belong to the "waiter" you know, the one that is mysteriously missing?

Anyway, you will find him waiting at the train station but hurry! He will be gone in thirty minutes and you will lose him forever.

P.S. sorry about the dribble on the knife handle, it was regrettably unavoidable."

You're thinking "How could there be fingerprints? the "waiter" was a trained assassin."

That's true but he was not known by any organisation so never wore gloves. Because he was unknown, there was no proof of prints to match him by. Until now.

NOW there was.

I left the note on the side of the desktop. Let's watch what happened.

He's "woken" from his daydream and he's looking around. He's spotted the note. He's reading it. Brilliant. He's now sending the bellboy to fetch the police. Don't forget, the general has not been dead long, the police are still investigating and making inquiries as to what happened. They won't be long coming. Yep. Here we go. Shush.

Phshhh!

The chief officer has read the letter and sent someone to retrieve the knife, and don't worry, the handwriting on the letter can't be recognised.

Automatic writing can be quite wobbly and difficult to read sometimes. It's not easy to find the one who wrote the message. Luckily, the concierge won't own up to daydreaming...not him.

Not the concierge. Do you know what that means? Do you remember? It doesn't matter if you don't. I won't be surprised by your lack of intelligence. Not anymore.

Look! There's the murder weapon. Bagged and tagged. All they needed to do was pick up the "waiter" at the train station and that will be that.

Finished. Done.

Nice. There were five lots of good news from that one :-

Firstly, I did nothing wrong.

Secondly, the general, however nasty he was, didn't go unavenged.

Thirdly, "Sandy" realised she was a clever dog after all.

Fourthly, the "waiter" got caught and sent to prison which leads to......

Fifthly and finally, he lived up to his job title.. That's exactly what he WOULD be doing for the next twenty or thirty years....... "WAITING!!"

Get it? Waiting? To get out of prison?

No? Can't say I'm surprised. We know why at least. You are dumb, we've established that before.

That's the end of that event then.

So, what happens now? Well, for starters now we've seen what happened was sorted correctly, we need to see where to go next.

Ahh yes. I know. You'll like this one. Oh, actually you WON'T. It involves water again. Lots of water in fact. We're off to Venice you see. Oh. Did I mention about the rats? You don't like rats either, do you? Thought not. Looks like it won't be fun after all. Not for you anyway. I will love it! Mainly because YOU won't. I don't care. "Just the right of bad," see.

Let's go then. Don't argue and stop complaining too. It won't do you any good you know. I've told you before. YOU wanted to come. You bought The Story and you didn't put it back when you were told. We won't go over why again, it must be quite embarrassing for you. Not for me. I don't care. I've told you this.

Let's go to Venice!

How are we going to get there? I know it's almost directly south-west from here but it's quite a long way to go. Now where did that truck driver and goat get to? Aww stop bloomin crying, I'm only joking with you. You are such a baby. The truck driver is long gone. So is the goat actually. I don't think the goat will stop running for quite some time. What can we do then? We need transport overland to get to Venice, even THEN we need to jump forward in time four years to the year nineteen ninety- two.

Right. No choice then.

HERE GOATY GOATY!!

Oh stop it. Crying again. You're such a baby aren't you? Yes you are. Don't deny it. I already know. I'm joking again but obviously you aren't clever enough to see that. Shush.

Phshhh! We're off to the airport, AGAIN.

Lucky for us, there's one only two miles away. Well when I say airport, I actually mean airstrip.

By the looks of it, it's more like a road. That's a lie. It actually IS just a road. Not a very busy road though, don't worry too much about it.

Note:- I said don't worry TOO much. You can worry a bit if you like. I would if I were you anyway. I'd worry a lot to tell the truth. You see, the airstrip is used by what you would call "illegal pilots," non licensed pilots if you like. But hey. We have little choice in the matter.

" We takes what we can gets" as a famous cartoon sailor would say. I bet he had HIS Olive Oil every day, wink wink. No? Please yourself.

Anyway there just happens to be a nice "private" plane landing in a couple of hours. We should be there in that time. We can take a nice walk and take in the scenery. What do you mean it's cold?

We're in RUSSIA, what did you expect? Tropical weather?? Of COURSE it's cold, for you anyway. Not for me. I can't feel it. We've talked about this before too. And also the fact that you ARE cold and that I don't care. You wanted to come. Deal with it.

Anyway, we're walking. If you are going to be like THAT, you can go on your own! I'll meet you there in an hour or whatever. See you later...

What kept you? Are you warm enough yet? No? I don't care. Doesn't matter, you're here now.

The plane has just landed and is taking off again in about ten minutes when everyone and their "stock" is aboard. I know it looks a bit rough but that can't be helped. Don't start. Let's get on and get this done.

We're going to ride with the cargo. Eh? With one of those chickens in that crate. Won't be a lot going on in there to worry about. We'll, as long as we respect the "pecking order."

Oh come on...that was funny. Oh forgot, you're dumb, aren't you?

I'll see you when we get there... bye Dumbo.

Eugghhhh!!! What? No I'm NOT airsick! I can't GET airsick can I? I've told you before..

I haven't been here for 40 years ( alive that is ) and I am not even here now. Not properly anyway.

We've landed now, anyway. I'm alright. I don't want to talk about it. Let's just say that worms were involved and leave it at that, OK? I'm not saying. Chickens eat worms, OK! They decided to feed the livestock worms to keep us happy for the trip.

Let's just say that my host couldn't have had any breakfast today. Or any dinner. Or tea. In fact I don't think she had eaten anything for a week!

Could not stop the event, she needs to be alive for the trip. "Eugghhh!!! I HATE worms!

Right, we have landed in this lovely out of town airstrip, after avoiding those few vehicles. Well, avoided MOST of them anyway. I'm sure they can fix the damage. Possibly.

Oh well, no matter.

We are six miles from Venice itself and it's quite dark. I'm presuming we were all supposed to be "unseen" due to the fact that if the hosts get caught, it won't be a very favourable outcome.

I see, that nice man over there is heading to Venice so we will go with him. Shall we?

I SAY nice but he's actually not. Trust me. He deserves to be caught. Especially with what HE'S up to. No, I WON'T say. It's not my business and it's certainly not YOURS. You don't need to know. Trust me. You DON'T.

When we get to Venice, we'll be gone and leave him to carry on with his "Shenanigans " I won't be involved in THAT event, not what he's up to. I wouldn't even let YOU get involved with THAT, even though you would probably deserve it but I'm not as bad as that. Never forget that I can be though. Just the right amount of "bad," see.

No, this time I will let you off the hook.

Behave yourself though, I can easily change my mind if need be.

Settle down now, we're off on the journey to Venice, we should be there in around fifteen minutes or so. Sit quiet and don't go on. I'm not telling you what he's up to. You don't need to know. You DON'T. Just know one thing..it's BAD.

I'm leaving now. You coming? You can stay if you like but we have arrived in Venice. Second thoughts, you CAN'T stay. I don't think you would make it home. Not in one piece, anyway. No you wouldn't. Come on, let's go.

You can go on as much as you like but you WON'T find out. Should have stayed with him then shouldn't you? Trust me though, you wouldn't have lived long enough to tell anyone else. There, THAT'S scared you hasn't it?

You're not at home now, you're in a dangerous world. Oh sorry, you ARE at home aren't you? You dare not leave your comfy house and do what I do, dare you? No, you dare not. You would be here instead of me if that were true but you're not. You are too scared. Yes you are. I'm not going to argue now, I'm too busy.

Look, we're at the location. All we need to do now is make the jump four years into the future.

Hang on, I'll speak to you in a few minutes.....

Okay, we're here. I can see the window over there in that alleyway. It's still dark but to me, the window glows. Oh, I forgot. You can't see it can you? Never mind, just come with me as usual and we'll find out what has gone on and what was done. Suppose I should be used to that by now but you HAVE to find out what's occurring, don't you? Whatever it takes you don't want to miss out on it do you? Come on then. Follow me and you will see......

Lets take a look through the window and watch the scene unfold. Now, what happened here and what did I have to do to rectify the problem? Did I solve it successfully or not? I suppose we had better have a peep and see.

Uhuh, THAT was it, was it? I thought THIS one would be coming up soon. I had a funny feeling that it would. Let's get on with it then. Let's go.

Now, this one was going to be not too tricky to sort out but it DID require to be done. Not just for one person, oh no, this one needed sorting out to save lives. Many lives in fact. The lives of just about everyone living in Venice to be exact. What do I mean? Sit back and listen. I'll try to go slowly because it may be way over your head. It's a bit technical. A very intricate set of facts. You may not be able to understand it all. Well, YOU won't for sure. I know that. We both do. You're far too dumb. Got no choice though because you want to know about it, don't you? Or else you would have put down the book WAY before now but you didn't. You couldn't. We both know that. If you did, who's reading this bit? YOU are ya dummy!

I've got no choice but to make you understand so, like I said, I'll try to go slowly. Not that it will make any difference. Here's the thing :- Venice ISN'T one island. No, it's actually somewhere around one hundred and eighteen islands, each one linked to another by bridges. Four hundred bridges to be exact! That's why there is so much water everywhere. Oh, and so many rats... Do you like rats? Oh no, sorry I forgot.. you don't. You're scared of rats aren't you. Fact.

The islands were built upon and linked together to form one massive city. Venice. Impressive huh? Well, yes but at the same time, actually no. You see, the problem is exactly that. The sea. See? What? You're not listening. The problem is the SEA! You're still not listening are you? I knew this would be too complicated for you, I just knew it. Look, these islands may be linked together but the sea, you know, that immense body of water that is surrounding us right now. Over there and over there.. just LOOK! The sea surrounds them and when the sea level rises, so does the water in the waterways, causing floods throughout Venice.

It's happened before. Trust me, I know. I've seen it. I was THERE. There is a solution to this, quite a big solution but a solution all the same. The plan is to start construction of some movable barriers or rising gates. It's called, or at least GOING to be called, the "Mose" project. Silly name you say? Not really, no. It definitely isn't. You see, "Mose" is Italian for "Moses." you know? The man who parted the red sea? No? Don't you remember your Religious Education lessons at school? Oh. I bet if they were lessons about burgers, you would have remembered. Probably got an "O" level in THAT class. Then again I forgot. You're dumb.

Anyway , the plan is to put more than seventy of these barriers or gates in strategic positions around Venice. They will lie flat on the seabed and open up using gas or air raise a flap, just like opening a book and keep the page/ flap at ninety degrees, forming an "L" shape. The sea will be kept at bay behind these makeshift "dams" thus reducing the sea level throughout Venice, which in turn will stop it from flooding. When the sea level has dropped, the gas or air is released from the gates, "closing the books" and returning them to their flat positions until the next time they are needed. Sea? I mean, see? Have you got it? Did you understand? Any of it? A bit. OK. That will have to be sufficient. So after all of that, what was the problem, you ask. Well the

"Mose Project " wasn't decided upon until the year two thousand and three. That's eleven years from now, in the future.

What's the problem with that, you say? Because the plan was decided upon by the prime minister. He decided to carry out the scheme but with a very major issue. It wouldn't be completed until the year two thousand and fourteen at least! STILL not sure what the problem was? Well, I'll tell you. Listen.

In THIS timeline, this particular person decided that he DIDN'T want to be a politician. If he doesn't, he won't become prime minister and this will never happen. Venice will sink and be no more! If he doesn't change his mind and go into politics, it's over. I needed to "encourage him" to change his mind and become a politician. I HAD to. It's all against the clock and the click is ticking.

What happened then? How did I manage to convince him to go into politics? Let's see.....

What makes people become politicians? In the past it was several things. Maybe still is. Money, power, greed. Oh yeah. It DEFINITELY still is. What about that? There were other reasons though.

The ability to change things for the good of many. The ability to make a difference to everything. The power to actually HELP people instead of making the masses suffer. The compassion and goodness to help the masses have a decent existence. Now, I can't say why this man would choose to be in politics, I don't actually KNOW for one thing. I COULD find out, don't think that I couldn't. I COULD. I just don't WANT to know. I have no interest in politics. Never have had.

It never interested me in the slightest. To be honest, not a lot DOES now.

I haven't been here for 40 years ( alive that is ) and I am not even here now. Not properly anyway.

What am I? Who can say. Ghost ? Spirit ? Avenging Angel ? ( I kinda like that last one even though it contradicts itself somewhat ) but I HAVE seen what happens in this world and sometimes, just sometimes, someone CAN make a difference and help the masses to be happy.

The simple fact is, if doesn't become a politician, Venice will simply sink under the ocean, never to be seen again.

Now what? I needed to do something quite drastic, in fact, I had several choices I could have taken and several things I could have done but none of them seemed important enough. I had to influence him in such a way that he would HAVE to go into politics. He would have no choice. None at all.

I needed to "force" him to do it, whether I wanted to do it or not.

I looked into his mind to try and find one thing that meant more to him than any other thing did. I was in luck. What did he love more than anything? No, not burgers. That would be you. We both know that. He loved his homeland. He loved Venice. The answer was simple, the method? NOT so simple. Well, actually it WAS but it just wasn't ethical. It wasn't really "allowed ." It wasn't the choice I would have made and I wasn't very happy about it. Not happy at all. I had only one real option I could choose. I had to make him understand the importance of his decision. I had to do it in such a way that he would not only believe what would happen but make him understand what would happen if he didn't. I needed to make him see, see? There was only one way to ensure that. A vision. A sequence of events that would feel so real to him, he would not dare to carry on without getting into politics so he could make changes and put things right. I needed to show him what would happen if he DIDN'T get into politics but I also had to make him BELIEVE that it wasn't a dream. This would get real.

Now you understand why I was not happy to do the deed. I don't like to mess with anyone else's mind. Unless it's yours, obviously. It's fun messing with YOUR mind. What's left of it anyway. Yes it is.... I think you love it too or else you would have put The Story down looooooongg ago... Except you didn't. You're too dumb.

Anyway, its not my thing, messing with other people's minds. Not now, anyway. Maybe long ago, but not now.

A dream wouldn't be enough. He would just think it was something he had eaten the night before which made him feel funny. He wouldn't believe it was a real thing. No, it had to be unquestionable in his mind. He MUST believe it was going to happen. There was only one choice then. Only one thing that would do it. Make it a certainty. He had to see the vision while he was AWAKE. Had to close his mind and senses to everything else and ensure that he knew that he WAS awake, not daydreaming it.

I needed to fill his mind with the scenes of Venice sinking and make him

"experience" the horror and devastation of the tragedy of Venice sinking beneath the sea as a REAL thing. He needed to see that if he didn't try to help, it would happen but if he DID help, things would change. I had to fill him with such sadness of the situation but also make him feel that he could do something about it. I needed to get him to understand that he could make a difference IF he had the power to change things.

How could he get that power? By becoming a politician and getting himself into a position where he COULD do something to save the world that he cares so much about. A great politician could become a great prime minister and a great prime minister could take control to save the future of his world.

He had to learn that his positive decision could save Venice from a watery end but I couldn't let him know about the "Mose Project" That wouldn't be allowed. Must not let him see the full plan or the person who "comes up with" the idea, may not be the right person. It WOULDN'T work then. Definitely not. I must make sure of two fundamental things. Firstly, if he continues on his present path, Venice would become very good friends with Atlantis.

Secondly, if he went into politics, he would be given the chance to save his beloved Venice, at least for a while. He doesn't need to know THAT. That's another story and he definitely wouldn't be around for THAT one. He needs to make a difference for all of its people. It's that simple.

I just had to make him see that there were only two outcomes and he had to choose the correct one. Well, the ONLY choice actually. Basically the choice of Life or Death. Not for him. He could move and go inland. He wouldn't do that though. He loves Venice far too much. I knew that and so did he.

Also by him being "wide awake" before, during and after the event, he knew, just KNEW that it wasn't a dream, that it WAS real. And he DID.

Needless to say that it did work out as planned and yes, he DID become prime minister of Venice. Yayyyyy!!

Now whether or not the "Mose Project " DID work, who knows? It may have not even been finished for all I know. Or care.

What? I completed my task correctly, whatever anyone ELSE does isn't my fault, it's THEIR decisions and actions from then on. Unless I have to come back and sort out ANOTHER problem, that is. You don't know much anyway so shush.

Phshhh!

Right. Let's go back then. Hang on.....Done it. Right. What's next then? Let's see.

Ahhhh, THAT one next. That one WAS very important. What's that? Oh, you don't know do you, not yet anyway.

Let's go through it then. We need to go three years into the future to nineteen ninety-eight. Where to?

Somewhere nice. No, NOT "Burger Heaven."

EGYPT!! It's very important too. Its a crossover timeline.

They're ALWAYS fun. NOT. It was very important in many respects, for the future anyway.

For many people in the future. Especially in my kind of work. The thing was, it wasn't for people like us. No. This was important for others. The "Live" ones.

Who are the "Live" ones? I would have thought that was obvious. The ones NOT like us. Don't forget. I haven't been here for 40 years ( alive that is ) and I am not even here now. Not properly anyway. You know that. I forgot, you're not clever enough to remember things.

The "Live" ones are everyone else. Everyone still well, alive. Let me explain. Try and keep up, I know it will be difficult for you but DO try.

The "Live" ones don't know everything. There's a surprise. They THINK that they do but they definitely don't. They don't know everything because they can't SEE everything. Not like we can. Not like us. By "us", I don't mean you! I mean my kind of people. The ones who do the job I do, see? No? Never mind. Anyway.

THEY still need to learn. Need to find things out. Things we already know. Not EVERYTHING we know, oh no. Some things they must NEVER find out. Never discover. They're not allowed. They couldn't handle it, they just couldn't. Trust me, I know. They couldn't. Bad things happen if they ever did find out. Very bad things. Their minds turn against them and make them do insane things to others. Then they have to face the consequences. You've seen or heard of people like that. I know you have. See? You just thought of one! I heard you. No, NOT me!! Others that have been infamous through the ages..

Anyway, some things they NEED to know about.

Some things they MUST be told. Must know. Like the one we just attended. Remember? Venice?

OK. Well, this next trip was going to be one of those "Must know" events so what have we got then? Well, for starters, we need to cross over to Egypt. I know, you're not going to like it but that can't be helped. We're off across water again! Don't start, I'm not going to listen to you. You can go on all you like, we're going. Hang on......

Yoohooo! Open your eyes, you can look now, we're here. Stop it. Just open your eyes and stop messing around. Come on, I really don't know what to do with you sometimes. I go to all this trouble to speed up the finding of the host and the journey across the see, which was lovely by the way, didn't you think so? You missed a wonderful sunset. It was really quiet spectacular. You would have enjoyed it, I'm sure. Well, maybe if you hadn't got your eyes tightly closed and covered up by your hands, you might have. I didn't realise you were such a scaredy cat. No wonder you say "Me oww!" What? I did? When? Oh. That's when I WAS a cat remember? You probably weren't listening but I'll let you off this time.

You can pack it in now, we've arrived. Look.

Egypt! I've got another surprise for you, we're going on ANOTHER ship!

Stop crying, oh dear.

This is not an ordinary ship, it's a "ship of the desert!" What do I mean? A CAMEL stupid. That's what they're called, "ships of the desert" because they can travel great distances.

Oh, don't get the hump! Come on, that was funny.

I thought so anyway. I knew YOU wouldn't. Not clever enough.

We have to go. The timeline we're looking for, we'll the one I'M looking for, YOU couldn't find it if it hit you on the nose. No, you COULDN'T, is in the desert.

Don't forget, this is a crossover timeline, things are not always exactly the same over there. Not always in the same place, for example. Definitely not THIS one anyhow.

I think I can recall a hotel of some sort but it isn't here in this timeline. When we get to the location, we will go three years in the future to the year nineteen ninety-five. Don't worry. I'll do all the "hard work," you just come along for the ride. You're good at that aren't you, doing nothing. Hmmph, Dumb AND lazy. Never mind. It least you're here for me to continue annoying. Yayyy.

Jump on, we're off!

I suppose you want me to skip this part too, don't you? I can't think why. The rolling motion of the camel is quite restful. You know, the way it makes you feel that you're going up and down and up and down and up and down and up and down and.......oh! Please don't be sick on the camel or HE will get the hump with you! He? Yes. His name is "Ayerwimmee." Why? Because you obviously ARE. Anyhow, stop being sick, such a big baby aren't you. Right. You can jolly well miss this bit out too then!

NOW open your eyes, again, What do you mean, "where are we?" We're in the desert of course.

There is nothing around for miles. Yes this IS the right location. Yes I AM sure. YES IT IS!!

LOOK, I told you before, we can sense and see things you can't. You couldn't. You wouldn't know it if it hit you on the nose. No you wouldn't.

I don't care WHAT you say, we ARE here.

I have even made the jump three years into the future to save you moaning.

That "Sandy" isn't it? What? Oh, you are SO grumpy. I really don't know what's wrong with you. That's probably why Ayerwimmee spat at you when he left. Eh? Oh, you missed that bit didn't you. It's on you back. All over it actually, camels do spit quite a lot don't they? Shush.

Phshhh! Lets get on with it. We are now in the year nineteen ninety-five. Look, there's the window over there. Let's not go through all that again. Just accept its actually there and let's take a peek through it, OK? Right, now what can we see...

As you can plainly see for yourself, there IS a hotel here now and an Oasis, that's a big pond of water in the desert, they are few and far between you know?

REALLY? No, NOT the band! Although, it WOULD be better if they WERE in the desert.. AND in a big pond of water.... oh, so sorry if you love them. Well I DON'T! Shush.

Phshhh! There is a road that leads directly to the nearest settlement. I don't know why they built it there, though. Unless it's because it's so quiet. It certainly is a long way from the nearest settlement.

Oh yes. I remember now. That WAS the reason. Lots of people came here to have a quiet time without any distractions or interventions from others that they didn't want to see for a while.

I know that this hotel in the middle of nowhere has been quite successful. You don't need to know EVERYTHING, I told you that before. No, it DOESN'T matter. Look, who's telling the Story anyway?

Is it me or is it you? Don't answer that, you are having enough trouble keeping up and understanding everything as it is. You couldn't do it. No way. We both know why. Look, just keep quiet and read, OK? Good.

Now then, as I recall, a very famous scientific person and someone else should be staying in that hotel right now. The one over there! Really!

You might even have heard of him. His name is Mr. Steven Hawking. Well, Professor Steven Hawking to you. He wrote a very good book in the year nineteen eighty-eight titled

"A Brief History of Time" which had many interesting things in it. The problem was, some of the things were deemed to be TOO intricate for the book so he had to omit them. What are we doing here then?

Well, in the year nineteen eighty-nine, the next year from our current position in time, he will publish another edition of the book and he will be putting back all the things he had to remove from the first printing. One of those things is what we're after. Why? Because in THIS timeline, he misses out the one thing that he shouldn't have.

TIME TRAVEL!

Yes you heard it right, time travel. He discusses all about it in our Timeline and in our future, it becomes invaluable information. In THIS timeline however, he didn't put it in the book and things didn't go as planned in this future. Needless to say we're here to find out WHY he didn't add it and find a way to make sure he DOES this time around.

Right, I know WHY he didn't add other things to the first version of his book, he was TOLD not to.

He was not ALLOWED to. Some of the things he wanted to put in the book were far too technical or in depth and certain people "advised" him not to put them in. At the time, he had agreed to this because it made the book seem far too complicated and intricate for the average person to comprehend. In the next edition of the book though, printed NEXT year. He will put back in many things that he was forced to omit in the current edition and there will be many more detailed facts, graphs etc. that he was told not to include. He WILL insist that they are put back into next year's reprint of his book, all except for one.

Why didn't he? The truth? He was unsure about the facts. In THIS timeline, he hadn't got enough evidence to support his theories and he didn't think anyone would listen to his or believe his thoughts on the matter, if he himself wasn't certain of the facts. So, what did I do to convince someone as intelligent as him? Simple. I got him to convince himself!

I've done it now, haven't I? I've lost you completely. You can't work out the answer to that one at all can you? Don't pretend, it doesn't become you. We both know that. You DONT know. Well, if you'll shut up, I'll explain. Just listen will you? The only person that COULD convince someone like him, was himself. See?

Not for you obviously. You've got no idea at all.

Lucky for you, that I am around to explain it to you then, isn't it. Yes, it is. It was in fact very simple for me to rectify this problem but it meant a slight bending of the rules which would be frowned upon. It couldn't be helped. Plus it would cause the least damage while solving the problem.

What did I actually do then? I just left him a present. A present FROM the future to the past. From THEN to now. How about that? Got it? Oh, keep up!

All I did was grab a copy of NEXT year's printed edition from nineteen eighty-nine, from "OUR" timeline and placed it on his desk with a lovely little bookmark inserted at just the right page... Job done.

What happened? Well, when he looked on his desk in the morning he would see the book, spot the date on it, and see the bookmark. As soon as he opens the book to that page, all the facts would be right in front of his eyes! He would then have ALL the proof he needed and all the information and facts, that would seal the deal. Think about it.

He would discover that the book was printed a year later, but it had mysteriously appeared on his desk a year BEFORE it was actually completed!

How else could it possibly have happened, except for the one thing he omitted from HIS version? What could actually HAVE happened?? DUH!!

TIME TRAVEL!!!

So, that was done and dusted. I know bending the rules about something from the future being brought back to the past or present is normally not a good thing to do, but he DID write about it. It's not as if he didn't know about time travel, he did. He actually wrote it himself. It was his OWN work. It's not like I brought someone ELSE'S work to him,. Have done that before though. It was NOT a good idea. No, definitely not. They didn't ALL die though. What? No, don't worry about that, it's nothing to do with you. No it's not. Shush.

Phshhh! All I did was show him his OWN idea.

Show him that it WAS possible and that's all I needed to do to resolve the issue.

He added the information himself and later printed the book as planned. Sorted. Done.

So, what happens next? Give me a few minutes, we're going back....

OK, were back in our own timeline now. See? No hotel and apparently no sign of Ayerwimmee. Obviously not after being spewed up over by YOU.

You don't like all that messing about do you? Well, we're back so that is that. What's next? Ahhh. I see. We need to get to South Africa!

Shouldn't be much of a problem, we're on the same continent anyway. Not close enough though. Not yet. We need to be going south for quite some distance. Almost all the way down the continent.

Now, where's that camel?

Stop panicking, I was joking again. You really ARE pretty dumb.

It's too far for a camel anyway. It would take far too long. We need something faster. How about an ostrich? Okay, Okay...only joking. Still not fast enough.

CHEETAH, YES!! It's official then.

You just CANNOT take a joke of any kind, can you? What on this earth is the matter with you? Of course we're not going by cheetah, it's too far. And you're too heavy for it anyway. You know it. Too many burgers. Yes you do. Don't argue. Shush.

Phshhh ! Let's look for something else. Obviously you are not going to want to travel down the river Nile, are you. No, water is definitely NOT for you. It's your worst enemy. That leaves us only two options. Either we travel by four wheels which will take us a long time, or we take to the skies again. Which would you prefer? It matters not one iota to me. It really doesn't. YOU choose. What do you want to do? Eh? Come on, make up your mind. Which is it to be? Land or air? What's that you say? By land? Ok, if that's your choice, by land it is then. Don't blame me for whatever happens. What? Just saying.

So, where are all the animals then?

Don't cry again, it's not what you think. Ahhh, I've got it! Wait there a minute, I have the ideal creature. Back in a minute.....

OK. I'm here. Hop on. What do you mean "where am I," Down here. No, not there, here. On your SHOE! Yep, that's right. That's our transport. We're travelling by FLY!

Don't turn your nose up, it's a GREAT choice. Why? Because if we travel by fly, we can rest all of the way there simply by sitting on some luggage. Someone's holiday bag? Yes? Understand? Stop complaining, it's all organised. There is an overland convoy of all terrain vehicles due around here any time now. That man over there "told" me. Well, truth be told, I read his mind in passing. The fact is, all we have to do is sit on his suitcase and it's South Africa, here we come! Well, are you coming or not? No you DONT really have any choice. Let's go!

WE'RE HERE! What's the matter now? Oh dear, what a whinger you are. I know it was very cramped. How much room did you expect there would be? ITS A FLY!!

They are not exactly very big, are they?

What about that stunning view, though? Those special eyes of theirs enabled us to see in many directions at once. You've GOT to admit that was pretty cool. What? You've got a migraine? You are such a baby! That's TOO much. Whatever do you get up to at home? You don't have to tell me, I know. You sit about watching television and eating junk food all day.

I KNOW you do. And don't bother trying to deny it, it won't work. I know you too well. I know what you do. I've SEEN you. Watched what you do. Yes, I can, and I have. It WASN'T pretty ....Euggghhhh!!

THEY watch you too. Who are THEY?

I can't tell you THAT. I'm not at liberty to. You're not ALLOWED to know anyway. That's just how it is, so deal with it!

It's not important anyway, it just isn't. What IS important is the fact that we are now in South Africa and only a short trek away from the next jump, about one and a half miles away. I think that the fly can manage that. Come on, let's get going before he decides to buzz off! Funny? No? O.M.G.

It's a good job that they always seem to hang around for so long, don't they?

Here we go ..... let's "fly" away! Oh, come on, boring one. Take off!!

We're here! You can relax now, he's gone. If it's a problem for you, go and have a lie down in a dark room for a while. I can wait. No? Thought not. You're afraid of the dark too aren't you? Hah! Knew it. Don't fret, let's just get on with the job at hand shall we. The window is just over there. Oh, forgot. You can't see it can you. So disappointing. You wouldn't recognise it if it hit you on the nose.

Trust me, it's over there. Look. Well it WILL be when we make the jump. Ready? Here we go. "Flyboy."

When/where are we now? I'll tell you. We've jumped forward three years to the year nineteen ninety-one. The lovely window is just there. Let's do the Peeping thing and find out the situation. What was going on? I recall we are in another desert like area and there are a few groups of people around us, see? What are they doing though? Well, a lot of them have shovels and spades and are using them to relocate sand to another area, so.......

They're DIGGING! I would have thought that was obvious but then it's YOU we're talking about here, isn't it. We already know that you're not that bright, don't we? We established that a long while ago.

I'll explain it to you so just listen. Shush.

Phshhh!

The simple fact is there are two main groups, both hoping to find the same thing. What IS the wonderful thing that they are both looking for, I hear you ask.

Well, you might know if you were clever enough but everyone knows you are not. Let's not go into that one....again. So, here it is.

A wonderful ancient mask depicting the Nigerian God AMADIOHA. Never heard of him? What are you on about? He's their God of thunder and lightning. Wow!

You know? Like THOR?? Obviously without the hammer Mjolnir. It's so cool.

I suppose it is far out of your league though.

The "Mask of Amadioha" from their ancient civilization in southeast Nigeria is definitely NOT anywhere near where it originally started. It was stolen and last seen hundreds of years ago. So why is it so important? Well, it not only represents their God, epitomises their entire existence but holds their total beliefs and way of life of the ancient race of his people, that's all!

Well, not EVERYTHING. It's also engraved with an ancient prophecy which may well come true, when it eventually gets deciphered that is. It's made of solid gold AND it's decorated with diamonds. And rubies. And emeralds. It is worth thousands! No. Actually THAT is a big lie, it's not worth thousands at all.

It's PRICELESS!!

So what is the problem, I hear you utter. It's actually not complicated so even YOU might be able to comprehend it. I think. Well give it a try anyway. Here goes.....

'Group - A' is an archaeological team from Hopetown in Nigeria where the IGBO people come from. They want to find the mask and take it to their museum where it will be displayed for all of their people, whilst at the same time, having people try to decipher the ancient prophecy engraved upon it.

'Group - B' well, let's just say they had better not find it. They are a group of relic Hunters who are looking to discover it and sell it to the highest bidder, whoever that may be. They don't care who. Money is all they care about. Always has been.

What was my role in this one ? I would have thought that was a simple answer too but obviously not for YOU.

I needed to make sure that the correct group found the mask, NOT the incorrect group.

Which one would get the prize then? I thought that would be obvious too. The Relic Hunters. It's all about the money isn't it? It's all about only one person owning an object that belongs to all.

All about one person having ALL the power, isn't that what you believe? Well, you are WRONG! Dead wrong. No ONE person should hold that much power, that much influence. No-one should take possession of the one thing that belongs to many. It's not right. They don't HAVE the right. Not one person does. NO one. Not on THIS planet anyway.

No. Obviously, but not to you, that's a given. You don't understand. Can't comprehend. Trust me. I know.

'Group - A' HAD to find the mask for the good of the people. That way, anyone and everyone had a right to see it, not just one person who happened to have it in a glass case in his study and only look at it about once a month, saying, " Isn't that an ugly thing, why did I bother?"

That couldn't happen. It's wrong. No two ways about it. It is WRONG!

I had to make it right. I HAD to. I could not let 'Group - B' get their dirty hands on it. I COULDN'T.

How did I go about achieving this goal? Well, let's see............

'Group - A' are digging in the wrong place. Not good, but then 'Group - B' are ALSO digging in the wrong place. Unfortunately, 'Group - B' are much closer to the actual location of the mask and are much more likely to discover it unless they can be distracted. Unless I can convince them to dig somewhere else, they WILL eventually find the Mask of Amadioha and become very rich. Well, not ALL of them. The vast amount of money will only be received by the two brothers who are "leading"

'Group - B.' How? Because as soon as the Mask of Amadioha is discovered, the brothers will take possession of it, kill ALL the rest of 'Group - B'and bury them all in the deep hole they have already dug out.

In effect, they are "Digging their own graves!"

If no-one is around, who will know what has happened? No bodies will be seen.

'Group - B' have been away from their homes for many months already, they are not expected back at any particular time. No-one actually cares IF they return or not. They are not nice people, remember? They are mercenaries, they don't care who is hurt or who dies as long as they get paid! Who loves THEM? If the mask is found by 'Group - B' the brothers will be very rich indeed and become winners of the race to discover the Mask of Amadioha.

'Group - A' are looking for it so they can return it to their people. They want it to go back from where it was stolen and have their people decipher the prophecy which is engraved on the mask, so their people can finally be aware of their God's wisdom and wishes.

To 'Group - A,' it's a religious quest so that the people can follow their God AMADIOHA more closely. It is NOT a money making quest. They do not care or even KNOW how much the actual mask is worth in money terms, all they want is for it to be brought back "home" to where it belongs. They want it to be in the possession of the people who follow and believe in Amadioha. HIS people. Their lives are his, belong to him. They worship him still, even though it's an ancient relic, his people still exist and continue to follow him devoutly.

If the mask of Amadioha is returned to its rightful place, peace and happiness will be restored to the people. THAT is worth more than ANY price. It's not YOUR mask anyway, its their's. That is the Mission 'Group - A' to find the mask and "bring it home." Problem is, how? Up to now they have no chance. None at all. 'Group - B' WILL find it in the next two days. They WILL. I've SEEN it. Seen it happen. Have you forgotten? Of course you have.

Still just as stupid aren't you? Always will be.

I saw 'Group - B' find it. I WAS here. I WAS!

You don't want to know what happens when they do find it. I promise, you don't. Why? Lots of workers will die! Don't you remember? I TOLD you before. They have "dug their own graves," haven't they? What's the point, you aren't listening again. As usual. Right. Move out of the way.

Let's see what I did to sort this out......

Ahhhhh, yes. Along with the Mask of Amadioha, there also was a necklace from a lady of standing in the community which was stolen at the same time as the mask and both were buried in a location that supposedly nobody knew about so they could be sold when the "heat went down" and a buyer was found. Unfortunately, the thief also had another identity, he was a drunkard. That's how all of this happened, he accidentally "told" some fellow drunks about what he had done because he was so proud of it. His bragging was heard by one brother from 'Group - B' and also a member of 'Group - A' at the same time because both of them were also drinking in the in the same bar but obviously NOT together.......

The EXACT location wasn't given as the drunken "Hero" couldn't explain or even recall the exact position but the general area was recognised by those who heard his tale of thievery. That's what started up Groups A and B and set them both on their search for the mask of Amadioha in earnest. Why did I mention this to you? Well, firstly to see if you were ACTUALLY listening to me. Secondly to inform you that not one, but TWO objects of value were being searched for and thirdly, so I could explain more simply to you how the situation was going to be resolved. OK?

Good. The way I sorted this one out was another tricky one but not TOO tricky. It DID require the use of another animal though.

Wait, there's that goat again! HEY YOU, COME HERE!! OK it wasn't THAT goat but it WAS quite a fast one after all. I know it seems like The Story is repetitive but it IS the best option, especially now I know just how FAST goats really are! After all, I only needed it to do one thing. What was that? RUN!!!

You see, I "found" the necklace that had previously been stolen, used it to solve the issue and actually saved the lives of those horrible 'Group - B' people. I know it doesn't sound a good idea to save mercenaries who don't care who dies as long as they get paid, but saving lives is necessary in SOME situations. Realistically, they didn't know that they were going to be killed by the brothers. It wasn't the outcome they were expecting from their "quest." Not ideal for ANY people to get murdered for money, they WOULD find that out for themselves.

So, what did I do? This was a good one. An easy one. One that was sooooooo simple that it couldn't have turned out any better. One that... wha? Oh, OK. Shush.

Phshhh!

What I did well, ALL that I did was this :-

I calmed the goat down so it sat quietly, shame it wouldn't work with you.,, fixed the necklace firmly around his neck so it wouldn't fall off at "Goat speed" and then I took "take control" of him for a few minutes.

Eughhhh! What HAVE you been eating?

That is definitely NOT goat food! YUCK!!

Come on, lets get on with this over with quickly.

Pthhhhh! Pthhhhhh!!

Here we go.

I/we walked slowly past one of the brothers who was watching over 'Group - B' and as he looked over to me, I said hello, MAAAAHHHHHH!! as loudly as I could so he spotted the sun shining off the valuable necklace that I/we were wearing.

He quickly shouted to the rest of

'Group - B' and started to stand up, that's when I/we did the only thing we needed to do. RUN!!

The plan worked. It ACTUALLY worked! All of 'Group - B' started to chase me/us AWAY from the real location of the mask, to see where I was going..

I did one more trick to guarantee the deed would be done. I sent a thought to one of the brothers........

"Where did the goat get THAT from??

They all continued to chase me/us and I encouraged the brother to believe that the Mask of Amadioha was buried somewhere else, wherever I went was where the mask would most likely be found.

This became his "truth" as I/we ran and ran far away heading towards some ancient ruins so it would make it seem that THIS was the place that 'Group - B' should be investigating.

I/we dived through a tunnel which led far away from the area so I/we could disappear from the scene. The rest of 'Group - B' would reach the area very soon and start their investigation but I/we would be long gone. Told you he was a fast runner didn't I? So, then what happened?

I/we got through a much smaller exit but then needed to complete part two of our problem solving plan. What was that, I hear you say..... well, I/we headed back to where 'Group - A' was and I said hello to THEM too. As loud as I could. MAAAAHHHHHH!!

This plan was similar but much, much slower to carry out. Mr Goat was also hungry but we are NOT going there! No way.

As 'Group - A' spotted me/us, and the valuable necklace, they followed me/us to the exact location where Mr. Goat just lay down and allowed them to remove the necklace.

After all, it WAS theirs. One person took Mr. Goat for a nice meal. I left him to THAT one on his own.

So. 'Group - B' spent their next two days at the false location and never found the Mask of Amadioha. I'm not saying what they DID find but it really wasn't worth much. Not much at all.

'Group - A' however, DID find the Mask of Amadioha, returned it and the necklace to their homeland and had a wonderful existence from then on. Well, they PROBABLY did. Not any of my business is it. No, it's not. I did my part, that's all that counts. Now, what is next? More animal transport?

Oh, stop it. You're getting upset again aren't you? There, there, everything will be OK. Wimp! Right. What is next then? Keep up slowcoach!

Oh dear. This one will be tricky. Very tricky. Very tricky indeed. OK look, it will be tricky Ok? Not for me, no. It's never too tricky for me but you won't like it as usual, you are a Wuss.

Why will it be tricky? Because we are in South Africa and the next one is not. Not even close. Not close by destination or by timeline. We need to go BACKWARDS. TIME TRAVEL!!

What? You're not funny. We need to travel two hundred and twenty-two years back into the past to the year seventeen seventy-six. BEFORE the fourth of July. Yep, you guessed it. We're going to America!

No, I don't know how we are going to get there either. Let me think.

I believe it's around eight thousand miles from here to our destination of....... wait for it.........

Philadelphia!

That leaves you with two choices, fly or float!

You choose. Fly on a fly? Whatever floats your boat? No? What then? Ok, I'll go and have a look around. Wait here.

And stop panicking. Big Baby.

Right. I have found there are some people waiting to travel to America but NOT Philadelphia. Don't start! If we get on the right continent, we can still travel to the location but we got no chance from here, OK?

There are three people waiting for a plane at the airport. I can "see" them but we need to get to them first before we can travel. Let's go. How?

By fly again. Oh, don't get upset again, there is a lovely bird just over there. I'm sure it can make it up the road to the airport. Looks like a Burchell's Starling, lovely shiny blue feathers.

Come on then, let's go with him to the airport. JUMP!

Stop being sick! You really ARE no good at travelling are you? What did you expect? He's a BIRD! They fly how they want to. I didn't control his wings or flight plan, just let him know where to go. Anyway, we're here now so just forget about it. Let's look for those three potential hosts.

Three? Yes, three lovely people who are waiting for the plane. All different people though but the most likely choices. Which shall we choose?

Here are the three choices:- Firstly we have "The Teenager" over there. You know, the one with the headphones on. Secondly, "The Construction Worker" who is on his way home from his hard earned holiday and thirdly that lady over there with her four friends, well call her "The Party Girl."

So which will you choose? Whaaa?

"The Teenager?" NOT a chance. That loud music coming from those headphones and flowing around his head will block all of our suggestions. He won't hear any instructions at all and probably won't be concentrating enough to actually get on the correct plane! No. Forget that one.

"The Construction Worker?" Really? His mind is so full of conflict at the moment, thinking about having to go back to work after such a lovely holiday, he really doesn't want to return but he has many contracts to complete. No, He can't decide on this OWN thoughts, never mind mine.

The "Party Girl?" The one with four noisy friends? Those four noisy friends that you can here from right over THERE?

Actually yes, that might be the best option to be honest. You see, her four noisy friends will keep her SO distracted, that it will be Waaaaaayyyyyyy more easy to travel along with her. She won't even know we were there, we will though.

I think that she is heading to Atlantic City so it won't be too far away from our destination, about sixty-two miles I believe. Shall we go then? NOW!

The plane is leaving in ten minutes! MOVE!!

Here we go again.... Why are you always so sick whenever we travel anywhere? How do you get anywhere when you are not with me? Oh, that's right. You ring out for takeaway and home delivery. I forgot, you are SO lazy. Shush.

Phshhh! We have landed now and are soon going to be on the way to Atlantic City. "Party Girl" went that way with her friends so that bit wasn't too bad. Not exactly sure how we are going to travel sixty-two miles eastward to the Independence Hall though but we'll sort that one out. Come on. Keep up!

Any ideas how we are going to travel sixty-two miles away then? I'll have a look to save you the trouble. We both know just how lazy you are don't we? Yes you are! Don't deny it.

Luckily for you there is a "Truck Driver" over there, drinking a coffee. When he has finished that, he's actually passing the Independence Hall on the way with a delivery to somewhere else. Good luck eh? Let's not miss the ride then. Come on.

That one was a bit if a weird trip, wasn't it? What on EARTH was he thinking about? That one has DEFINITELY got something going on! Wow. I hope no-one else is having to deal with it . NOT good. No matter. We need to deal with something which is Waaaaaayyyyyyy more important. Let's do it shall we? TIME TRAVEL!

ANNNNNNDDDD....here we go again! If you didn't eat so much junk food, you wouldn't be sick so often, would you? REALLY!

Let's look in the window there and see what's happening now. And wipe your mouth. Eugghhhh disgusting!

So, over there is the Independence Hall where the continental Congress secretary, Charles Thomson, wrote out the Resolution for Independence document because king George the third of England was making rules as part of the British Empire for America to follow. They were not happy about this and thirteen colonies of America left the control of the British Empire and signed the Resolution for Independence document. This would bring about Independence Day on the Fourth of July!

Later documentation was done but this document started up the 'United States of America!' What could have possibly gone wrong then?

Well. I'll tell you. Just keep it down, this one is serious. Why? If this document isn't signed by the colonies, America will never leave the British Empire's control and they will never get to do what they wish. What's the issue then? The document should be signed on the second of July but not passed until the fourth. Problem was, on the first of July, the document went missing! That is what needs to be solved. Where did it go? Who took it? Let's see.......

The person who took the document did not make themselves known but I found evidence which showed the document was hidden in a locked cupboard in a nearby office. It wasn't far away but there was no way I could reach it. I COULDN'T grab it, could I?

I haven't been here for 40 years ( alive that is ) and I am not even here now. Not properly anyway.

What am I? Who can say. Ghost ? Spirit ? Avenging Angel ? ( I kinda like that last one even though it contradicts itself somewhat ) but I cannot touch solid objects. The only way I could get the document back was if someone came to help me. But who? It was then that I saw her.

Outside the Independence Hall, sitting on a step, was a little girl. She looked to be about eight years old but I could see she was exactly the right person for the job, she had an aura around her of some kind.

Who would suspect a child anyway? If I could get her to help me and retrieve the document, the United States of America would be born!

It HAD to happen. I HAD to do it. SHE had to do it but how? I had no choice. I slowly got close to her and gently put an idea in her head to enter the Independence Hall. I tried my best not to be too invasive, she was only eight years old after all, but I needed her help. I discovered her name was Evie-mae. She was a good girl but could also be naughty at times. One of those times needed to be NOW.

She opened the door to the hall which was not locked, and slowly walked inside. She did not appear scared but she WAS being very careful. We walked up to the room where the document was locked up and slowly opened the door. The cupboard was there but was locked. We needed the key but where was it? Then I "saw" it.

It was in the pocked of a man who was sleeping in a nearby chair, luckily.

Evie-mae walked to him quietly and attempted to take the key from his pocket. Not an easy thing to do but maybe it would be possible for her to get it without being noticed. I had to help her though to make it a certainty.

I was not sure what to do but then it came to me. If I got her to take it "on three," and at that point I push a "super tired" feeling into him, he may not wake up, whatever she did. He would go deeper asleep and we would get the key. Yes! It's got to work. Let's try it "on three," Evie-mae.

One, two, HE'S MOVING!

THREE!!

WOW, I didn't mean for him to tip backwards in his chair but at least he HAS gone unto a very deep sleep and Evie-mae has now got the key.

Let's open the cupboard for our "prize."

Evie-mae moved over to the cupboard, unlocked it and picked up the document but she is now seemingly "coming around" from my intervention! That has never happened to me before. What is causing this?

If we don't get that document to the correct location in the next few minutes, she will start wondering what she is actually doing and may stop helping all together!!

That CAN'T happen.

Quickly, I push just a little more and convince her to take the document downstairs and hand it over to Charles Thomson himself. There she goes, keep up!

There he is, she has seen him and is walking towards him confidently.

"Please sir, I found this and I believe it belongs to you."

He seems very surprised but very grateful too, before he can ask her any questions, she runs off down the corridor, heading to the toilet. "Byeee."

After she has paid her visit to the toilet, she will then go outside and not remember what has happened. Luckily for her, the next person who walks past her will offer to buy her some food. It's my way of thanking her for her help. They WILL buy her some. I've set it up already. No, it's NOT Burgers! You just can't keep your mind off food at all can you? Then you wonder why you keep being sick. Really? Work THAT one out if you can. I know you can't though. We both do. Really not clever at all are you?

Oooh.. I just received a passing thought from her. She actually was BORN on the fourth of July, how about that? That's why she was the one person who could help me.

Did that one work out OK in the end then? Looks that way from here. What on earth would America be like if all of its states were NOT joined together as one? Canada?No, best not go there. Don't want to get involved in THAT one.

What can we do now, then? What else needs to be sorted?

Let me see........

Oh, you are not going to love me in a few minutes. DEFINITELY not. Guess what we are doing next.......

No, NOT getting takeaway. YOU do that if you must and meet me back here, OK?

Have you gone yet? Thank goodness for that. Peace at last. Bet it won't last long though....

ARGHHHH! Back already? You almost made me jump, sneaking in like that. ALMOST. So, what did you get then? No, actually don't tell me. I don't care. I really don't. As long as your belly is full, we can get on, can't we. Ready? No, you are NOT bringing it with you. Just finish eating and get back in line. And did you go to the toilet? No? Better do that before we start again, somehow I think this one will be a DOOZY!

Ready now? Been? Washed your hands? Oh, really? Go and do that then come back.

So disgusting, stupid and lazy. Wha? Oh, nothing, let's just GO!!

Right, this one feels very odd. Maybe this could be the one we are looking for. What? Yes, I suppose it COULD be getting close to the end of The Story, I'm getting fed up of your company anyway.... shush.

Phshhh!

Where/when are we going to now, then? Oh, only about three thousand seven hundred and eighty miles away, not too far then.

Je ne sais pas pourquoi. Well, actually I DO. What? You don't understand? Go and ask KYLIE!

We are going to FRANCE!

How many years into the future? Let's see.....

I think it's time for US to be REALLY naughty, shall we? You definitely won't want to fly AGAIN will you?

So? It's a good idea. Yes. Come on, follow me down into the extended basement area under the Independence Hall. What? No it WASN'T there in this timeline, how do you know that? Never mind. I don't care. Really, I don't. How do we find it then? We are going to time travel FIRST this time, then it WILL be there. How many years? Oh, about One. Thousand. Oh, and two hundred.......and twenty-four years into the future. What year? Are you really that stupid that you can't add up? Really? Ok then. We are off to...

Da da daaaaaaaaaa......The year.....

THREE THOUSAND!!

Here we go, Hold on!!

If you hadn't have just eaten, you WOULD have been ok. But no, too stupid. We both know that. Don't blame me, YOU ate the food, not me. So dumb.

Anyway.......... we have arrived, follow me. Come on slowcoach. And clean yourself up. Eugghhhh. Such a messy eater!

So, why are we here in the new basement build? Because this building was the centre for The Freedom of America! Where ELSE would they build their newly developed Teleportation rooms with freedom being the main thing? Go where you like. Where you WANT to. That's the whole point of freedom, isn't it?

What? Of COURSE it's real! This is the future. We're IN the future, did you forget that? We can get to our destination in a matter of minutes. Look, all you need to do is stand on that circle of light, and we can get going. Hang on, I've just got to "ask" that lady to input the destination and push the button, then we are OFF! Just do it. Oh, and stand still. I really wouldn't move if I were you. After all, it's only the fourth time they have tried to teleport someone. I wonder how the other three tests went? I think one was a cat! I really don't know why, though, he definitely WAS a human when they sent him. What? Stop it. Stand still and stop being a big baby, I'm not going to die am I? Shush.

Phshhh!

I really don't think you should EVER travel anywhere when we have finished The Story, you would need to take sick bags with you everywhere you go!

Not on the FLOOR! Hope you're going to clean THAT up!

That's probably explains why the first one became a cat. Look, you're still alive just covered in sick, but still in one piece, even though you are a big baby. Meoooow.....

I'd better not tell you what happens next then, you would be sick everywhere! Nope. Just follow me and clean yourself up.......AGAIN. Really?

So, we are in France now and only a few miles away from our destination. No, we are NOT going by car, there's a much more fun way.. we're in the future, remember? DUH!

We got much better transport here. Look, over there. "JETPACK BOY!"

YAYYYYY !! NO, you've got no choice this time, it's one if the newest "taxi" services around. I'll just "ask" him to take us to our destination.

Just hold on!

I TOLD you to hold on!

REALLY!?

Hang on,

I'll get him to try and catch you.....

Phew! You really are NOT light are you? We both know why don't we?

BURGERS. You are definitely NOT having anymore on THIS trip, not in this timeline. You don't have ANY idea what additives they put in them nowadays. Trust me, you don't. Listen, in two more minutes we will be there. I know he's moving really fast, that's what he does. "Jetpack boy" will drop us, well, drop YOU, at our destination just down there.

NO!

I didn't say NOW!

No, don't bother catching this time, really not worth your time. Too stupid anyway, just proved it, twice! It's not your fault, I understand weight is such a big issue on trips. Thank you though, see you some other time.

Are you getting up anytime soon? What? We were only feet off the ground. Well, only twenty or so but you're not actually HERE are you? So, So stupid....

Stop crying over spilt milk. Come on, we need to get to the window over there. Look.

Oh, I forgot, you can't see it can you? Never will.

If you keep falling from heights, you might do one day, but I seriously doubt it. I really don't think that THEY would give you a job. In fact, I KNOW they wouldn't. You are too stupid and lazy. Yes you are, we both know that. Just get up and shush.

Phshhh!

Right, let's time travel AGAIN. While you are still 'alive,' anyway. Where are we going now? Backwards one thousand and eighty-two years to the year Nineteen Eighteen. Let's go.....

Oh! No! NO! NOOOOOOO!!

Not THIS one! I really HATE this one!

I ALWAYS had a very bad feeling about it but I never found out why.

What do you mean, "Now I will!" That is not nice at all.

ARGHHHHHH!!

Don't you see? The year Nineteen Eighteen? No?

WORLD WAR ONE!!!

I really don't want to go to this one.

I REALLY don't.

What?

Who's talking?

I know but..

Yes I understand but..

My job? Yes I know but..

OK,OK. I know that I HAVE to but I really DONT WANT TO.

I know, I know. OK.

I have no choice, I understand, but I am not happy about it. Not happy at ALL

OK!

BYE!!

What? Oh, sorry, yes. I was talking to someone else. Who? None of your business. You couldn't understand even if I told you.

No you COULDN'T. Just button it!

Right, look in the window, let's get this one over as quickly as possible. NOW!

When/where are we? We are on the Hindenburg line in France. The date? The twenty-ninth of September in the year Nineteen Eighteen. The Battle of St. Quentin Canal. World War One.

Forty-three days BEFORE the first world war ended.

What is the situation then? See that man over there on the Front Line? The one in the trenches?

The CAPTAIN?!

Oh, you CAN see him, lovely. What's the issue then? Actually I'm not really sure on this one.

Things don't feel right. Don't feel right at all. Why? I'll tell you. He's going to be hit in the chest with shrapnel from a shell in about two minutes time. He is minutes away from death!

What? Is he SUPPOSED to die? What do you think? He's on the front line in a world war! Do you really think he will be going home for tea?

I don't KNOW!

Save him? Do I? I really can't remember! I don't have any idea but I know it makes me FEEL really odd.

I am actually FEELING upset ?

It's making me want to cry?! How is this possible? I CAN'T feel anything. I CAN'T!

Oh, no! Is this THE ONE?

It IS!!

Did I do the WRONG thing? I don't know.

This IS the one. This IS the thing I did not complete correctly, I remember now.

I need help!

Oh, no. I DID try to save him, didn't I?

I suggested he had to go urgently to the toilet and this would mean that he would miss the flying shrapnel and survive! Didn't he? No?

Something DEFINITELY happened but what? The feelings are ripping me apart!

I am unable to feel things. I CAN'T! This cannot be possible. It CAN'T!

I don't HAVE feelings. What is going on??

Who are you?

What are you doing here?

You seem so familiar but........

NO! It CAN'T be!

How can you even BE here?

How can I even be here?

At the exact same time as MYSELF?

How can you be........ME?!

Calm down, I've come to help you.

Come to help myself.

You can't save him. You CAN'T.

You MUST not save him.

I won't allow it.

Why? This is actually making me FEEL as though I am actually starting to fade away from existence!

Me too.

How can this be? HOW?

Because you can't save him. I cannot let you.

Why? Because he IS you.

Whaaa?

If you save him or I allow you too, YOU will not be "Born again." Neither will I.

He is you/ me in our last "past life."

When he/you/me passes over, we will all be "reborn" and become what we ARE today.

We will be doing this job. Be travelling through timelines. Be saving the world.

If we/he doesn't die, thousands of other people WILL and it will be all OUR fault.

So, you're saying it IS me and I HAVE to die?

If you want to exist again as a "Saviour of the world," yes.

But...

Don't. You/ me? We don't have ANY choice. In the matter. NONE. I barely even managed to split the timeline so I could come to help you. The timeline crossing HAS made it possible that all three of us are in the same place at the same time.

How? Because WE are not alive, are we? Only HE is, for now anyway. If he/you doesn't die from shrapnel in the chest in less than a minutes time, you/me AND him will all be gone.

FOREVER!

You/ me will NOT exist. You MUST die.

I know, we both feel the same about this but we soon WON'T.

We actually both ARE starting to fade from existence, you MUST die now, or we ALL will!

No choice in the matter.

Thousands of people we will not be saved because we weren't there to help them. What is your answer, hmmmn? What do you say?

"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few" ........ I guess.

Yes. Yes, they do.

Come on, lets just walk THAT way, we don't have to watch. Look at those lovely clouds up there!

Oh, you're still there? I thought you had gone long ago. What? No. He/me HAS gone back to another timeline/future/past, what do I know? I'M here, that's all I know at present.

The OTHER me? The "past life" one? Yes, he DID die on the front line in World War One from shrapnel in his chest.

That WAS the one.

The person who helped me? That was ME!

I'm guessing that The Story is ended now. Finished. Over. Done. Kaput. Finito. Oh, shush.

Phshhh!

You can go back to your boring life and eat "til your heart's content."

No. Really, you CAN. I know we won't meet again. Well, not unless something strange happens.

Hang on, what's this? There's a letter!

Addressed to ME!

Oh, I can't open it. I will never find out what is inside.

Unless...... ermmmmm.... could YOU open it for me? Ermmmmm..... please?

Oh, come on. You've stayed with me all this time, there must be SOMETHING you can do to help. There is.

OPEN THE LETTER!

Oh, OK. I'm sorry for everything I've said or done, it was just to get you involved in The Story.

Please open the letter for me.

PRETTY please?

Thank you!

It WAS all a lie though, I actually meant EVERY word I said. What? No, nothing. Look, let me read the letter to you, OK?

Well, the main points anyway, you're not allowed to know EVERYTHING. You know that. We both do.

Let's see.........hmmmmmmn.

What? How can THAT be true?

Who is the letter from?

ME!!???

Its about "myself" who passed away in the trenches in World War One!

What happened?

What?

A wife??

Well, come to think of it, I DID see her about nine months ago, just before I came to France with the boys to fight the "Jerries" But.... a DAUGHTER??

I have a daughter?? What's her name?

Evie- mae.

Hang on........ that girl who helped us in America.

Now, what was her name?

EVIE-MAE!!

That was HER??

That was my DAUGHTER!?

I KNEW something about her didn't seem right.

Was she REAL? NO.

She was "taking over" another girl at that time, obviously to help me, her father.

She then was telling me her OWN name to give me a clue that she existed!

That means......... she's doing THIS job? Like me?

Wow. Of COURSE she is. Time has passed for BOTH of us. She HAD to be doing this job or she wouldn't exist. What? Yes, that's it but, hang on.

There's something else on the bottom of the letter.....

What does it say?

"Look behind you "

"Look BEHIND you??"

Whaaa???

"Hello Daddy."



THE STORY

( � J.Hodgkin )



"The time is now." That's what they say isn't it? "Strike while the iron is hot." "Seize the moment." Whatever the expression of your choice, you get the picture. I should act now! Except,......... I can't.

I haven't been here for 40 years ( alive that is ) and I am not even here now. Not properly anyway.

What am I? Who can say. Ghost ? Spirit ? Avenging Angel ? ( I kinda like that last one even though it contradicts itself somewhat ) .

Who am I ? That I DO know . Christian is the name I go by.

Why am I here ? That too I know.

I have witnessed the scene before. Many times in fact. So many times now that I have worked out every solution to the problem that there could possibly be. I know the best time to do it, the best method, I even know the outcome of my actions. All of them. I just CAN NOT do it.

So many people's lives hinge on this moment in time in the present and in the future. The outcome of this event will change the world. Unless....... I stop it.

Unless I " Do The Deed." If not ? History / the future will change.

I can stop it happening. I CAN....... Except, I can't. I haven't been here for 40 years ( alive that is ) and I am not even here now. Not properly anyway.

Why can't I do it ? I have no idea. No really, I DON'T! I haven't been given the information I need to enable me to complete my task. I have to Learn that. EARN it. Work for it. I have to discover the REAL reason why this particular point in time must be altered.

I know what happens if I DON'T change it. You wouldn't WANT to know. Trust me, you wouldn't.

If I were to tell you, you would ask me to "Do The Deed " now. No, you would BEG me to, bribe me to, threaten to KILL me if I didn't do it ( good luck with that last one!! ) for the sake of the world. For the good of all mankind. For the continued existence of every man, woman, child and animal on the planet from this moment forward to the end of eternity and beyond for all time and space ( and beyond even THAT if you believe that to be possible, but trust me when I tell you... IT IS!) But I can't .

Not yet. I haven't Learned it. Earned it. The reason, that is. The REAL reason that this particular point in time must be altered. But I will........

It's Eleven thirty-six in the late evening. Thursday. Soon to be Friday. It happens the same time every time it happens. Well, who would have guessed it? It hasn't actually happened yet but it will do if I don't stop it. I know. I've seen it happen. Seen the consequences of it's happening.

I've told you this before. You know it. So you know by now that Thursday HAS to change so Friday can start a different way.

A change for the better ? Not for me to say. It certainly WILL be much better for many, much worse for many more. Whether or not the "worse" is bad or catastrophic for the others, it won't make a difference to me. I know. I have seen it. No, I am not a prophet or a visionary and I don't forecast the future. I don't need to. I 've BEEN there. Seen it, done it, got the t-shirt AND left it behind (you shouldn't bring things across from past or future to the present. It's not the "done" thing, it causes all sorts of problems. I know. I've done THAT too and REALLY wished I hadn't!! ) That's one of the reasons I am here. Oh, cool!........I just found that out!! The rest will come, I know it.

Like I said- the name's Christian.

Am I one ? Christian that is. I WAS christened so I suppose I must be. Not that I follow it to the law or even believe in it that much. Hey, what can I say ?

Are Buddhists wrong? Does Vishnu really exist? What about the American Indian gods? Are they real??? I think well actually I KNOW that there are many gods, each one as real as the next. It's up to the individual to choose which one to follow.

Me ? I'm borderline. I can be good like "the nicest man you have ever met,"

"Will do anything for anyone." or I can be BAD. You don't want to see me when I'm bad. Believe it.

I hide it well. So well in fact that it's like being two different people. I can switch between each persona as easy as changing my clothes............

Sorry, got distracted there. An Angel just passed by. Amazingly beautiful beings, angels. A little too GOOD though if you get my meaning, not the right personality? Mentality? You know what I mean? Not right for the job that needs to be done. No, it needs someone with just the right amount of "bad" to complete the task in question. Have I got it ? What do you think, it's MY story isn't it ?? You'll have to wait and see what the outcome is, won't you ? Just sit back and listen. Stop interrupting. Not that I don't already know it.

I COULD tell you now. Cut the story real short, "put you out of your misery" and "give you the answers that you seek."

But I'm not going to. Just the right amount of "bad," see. I've got it.

Could I kill? If needs be. I have certainly SAVED life before. Stopped a death with my actions. Could I have withheld my actions and let the death occur ?

Again, yes but the occasion must FEEL right for me to step in or step away.

It has to feel right or you shouldn't do it. However good or bad the situation, if it FEELS right, do it. Of course that doesn't mean that the outcome is what it seems it should be, but at least you know that the ACTION was correct.

For you it's like slow motion, you can see what is about to happen but your reactions seem to be too slow. It's as if your mind wants to see the outcome and THEN change it if you think it's necessary to do so. That doesn't happen though does it? You always get that, "What I SHOULD have done was..." No. No good. Not now. Too late!

For me it's different. I can see what is about to happen and even what DOES happen. I have plenty of time to see all the actions I can take and the outcome of each one. The result? "I'M choosing!" Just a little saying I have heard before. Basically if I can save a life and it FEELS right, I save it.

If it doesn't feel right, I let the death happen. Now don't look at me like that, Lots of deaths are SUPPOSED to happen you know. Oh yeah, many "Unfortunate," "Untimely" and "Senseless" deaths are meant to happen and have even been planned for quite some time too. It is one of my abilities to "just know" if it SHOULD happen or not, Doesn't ALWAYS work but most of the time it can.

No, I am not Death. Seen him though, and his female counterpart. WHAT? You didn't know that there was a Lady Death??

Are you kidding me??!? Of course there is! Don't forget that in many other religions the form of Death is not always male. He can't change gender you know, he's not THAT good. Sorry, that BAD.

Anyway, that is one of the reasons that I am here to "Do the Deed." So now you know.

Well, that and the newly discovered fact that I have done something wrong that I really SHOULDN'T have. Now........ what was that ?



Getting cold now. No, I can't actually FEEL the cold but I know that it is getting that way. I can sense the temperature shifting. Also don't forget I have been here before.............. several times.

Look. On the rooftop here. White feathers. You will always find white feathers where angels have been. No, they are NOT bird feathers. Angels have been here before and witnessed this event.

No, NOT pigeons, It's ANGELS I tell you! I've just SEEN one, REMEMBER ??!!) but none of them were the right one to sort it out. I told you, you need just the right amount of "bad" to complete this task. I've got it.

Now... if only the rest of it would come to me to enable me to continue.

I can't make myself known to either of them, especially not what I can do or what I know. That would influence them both and upset everything in the timeline from that moment on! Don't forget, I know these things!

I have to step in......Act.......Disappear. Except, I can't.

I haven't been given the information I need to enable me to complete my task.

I haven't Learned it. Earned it. The reason, that is. The REAL reason that this particular point in time must be altered. But I will........

It's time again. It happens like this. I cannot control it. The scene plays out before me and I have no idea when it will happen or where I will be when it does. One time it wasn't exactly convenient for me. It sometimes isn't.

I do other things you know, not JUST this.

This is the most important thing I do, apparently.

I do see other things, watch other scenes. That's what I am, a Seer. No, I can't foretell the future

unless I go there first and cheat, but I CAN observe.

Sometimes I get to act. Sometimes I Have to. Weather I WANT to or not. I DON'T get to choose. It's what I do, what I am, and sometimes it's not much fun. Not much fun at all. I don't suppose It's meant to be. Not for me. Not for what I have done.

What HAVE I done? That remains to be seen. I KNOW I have done something and I know it was something bad. Real bad. But I don't know what it was. I also know that when they want me to know, they will tell me. Not yet though. I haven't Learned it. Haven't earned it.

"IT'S TOO LATE. THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO."

"Wha?? Where did you come from? You shouldn't BE here! The simple fact that you ARE can upset the delicate balance of the universe!!"

"THE UNIVERSE IS CHANGING. RULES ARE CHANGING. NORMAL RULES DON'T APPLY ANYMORE. LET'S GO."

"Wait, what do you mean there is nothing I can do?"

"THE TIME FRAME HAS FLUCTUATED. THINGS ARE NOT THE SAME AT THIS TIME. NOT LIKE THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN BEFORE."

"What am I supposed to do then? I HAVE to carry out my task. It's MY responsibility!"

"NO IT'S NOT. THERE ARE TOO MANY VARIABLES INVOLVED.

THE FUTURE YOU HAVE SEEN WILL NOT PRESENT ITSELF."

" Any ideas on how I can sort this out? It's my responsibility."

"YOU SAID. JUST ONE. GO BACK AND START AGAIN."

"What! You are kidding aren't you?"

"NO."

"But going back, it's not.. I mean it's going to take me...Years to get back to this exact point in time!"

"YES ABOUT THIRTY-NINE YEARS"

"No!"

"AND EIGHT MONTHS."

"But,"

"THREE WEEKS."

"No.. I,"

"FOUR DAYS."

"It's not.."

"SIX HOURS."

"I can't, I "

"TEN MINUTES."

"It's just not going to happen!"

"AND FORTY-SEVEN SECONDS. TO BE PRECISE."

"Why? I mean I've got to.."

"FORTY-SIX SECONDS."

"Okay, Okay. Let's go then!"

"FORTY-FIVE SECONDS."

"AND STOP COUNTING!!"

So here we are. Here I am. Back again. Back to the beginning. Well, MY beginning. About three months after I started my purpose.

"See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil" you've all heard that haven't you? Of course. The worst part is the one thing they DIDN'T tell you. The one thing that they didn't mention.

"DO no evil." No, they never mention THAT do they? No, because they CAN do the deed if nobody says that. Unless someone can stop them. Someone like me.

I know, you are all confused now aren't you? I suppose I had better explain. Or try to anyhow. You see, I haven't been here for 40 years ( alive that is ) and I am not even here now. Not properly anyway. We've discussed this before. You already know. Thing is, I have had to come back thirty-nine of those years, or thereabouts, into the past to start again. I must get back to the point I just left, from THIS point.

About three months after I started my purpose is a good place to start. Not for ME. I hate it! Sometimes retracing your path is good. Fun.

You get to relive the best bits. But paths like this particular path, yes there are many paths I have taken so far, I Hate. My reasons are my own. Let's just say that some things are best left alone. Buried. Deposited deep within the earth and left to rot so much that even the worms on their best days, all dressed up in their best suits and all wearing badges saying "This is my best day," can't get them.

SOME things are not allowed to stay that way. SOME things must be unearthed. Re-lived. Dealt with. SOME things I hate. This is one.

So here we are. Here I am. Back again. Back to the beginning. Well, MY beginning. About three months after I started my purpose, to do it all again!

I suppose the only good part about all this is that I don't have to RELIVE it all again. Before, I had only "been back" for about three months and I had to learn everything about the position I now hold,

You know, A Seer? We've talked about this before, you should remember. I knew nothing about my role, my past and especially not about my future.

I have been learning for about forty years and have luckily retained everything I HAVE learned. I just haven't been told everything I need to know yet. I haven't earned the right to know. Not yet, but I will.

Yes, I know, I know, you are confused again. You seem to get confused quite a lot don't you? Never mind. I know I said I have been dead for forty years and I also know I said I have travelled forward and backwards in time. We've talked about this before but you must have realised by now, that means I have been here for much longer than forty years.

Well...technically I have but time is not linear like you believe it to be. It is not travelling along one straight track. Time runs alongside itself. Sometimes it tries to "get on board" another track and not always successfully. Several versions of a timeline run at the same time as each other. Each one leads Some WHEN else, not some WHERE else.

It slows at different points. Speeds up at different points. It doesn't always match up. That is one of the reasons I am here. It's what I do.

Obviously in my "job." I can hop across to the correct point and perform my duty, whatever it may be, "at anytime" as they say. That is why I CAN and HAVE seen how an event pans out or how an action affects a situation. I am always busy!

Unfortunately, there are so many different Somewhens, that there is always a chance that the wrong one has or will be, adjusted.

Now, just you wait a minute. I am not the ONLY one doing this job, you know. It's not JUST me that changes things. It's not always my fault. Nothing to do with me. Not this time. At least ....I don't THINK it is.

There was that time when..............No. That was sorted out.

It could have been when................No. That was NOT my fault! I DO know that for certain. Although... I WAS there at the same time...

No. Nothing to do with me. Not this time. At least ....I don't THINK it is.

Now, in life, yes. It definitely WOULD have been my fault then! Everything apparently was. I even wanted a t-shirt with the slogan,

"If It's Not My Fault, I'm Not Interested!" written on it in two inch high neon letters. Glow in the dark. I WOULD have worn that! Happily. With great pride. It definitely Would have been my fault then, when I was alive. But no, not this time. Definitely not my fault this time.

At least ....................I don't THINK it is.

Right. I suppose I had better look into this and try and see what or when has gone wrong. Not sure how I am supposed to do that though. Whatever happened is somewhere/anywhere throughout almost forty years of time. It's also along one of several timelines. Not only do I have to find out WHERE it occurred, but also what it was that happened in the first place. That is going to take some time. Mind you, time is all I HAVE got at the moment. Problem is, if I don't find the occurrence IN time, other things will happen. Good things. Bad things. Who knows? Either way, situations will occur that otherwise would not have. Situations that will also need adjusting. That will affect other outcomes. THAT, I don't need.

"Too much paperwork" as the saying goes. I know. You are thinking "I thought this is what he does for a living?" sorry definitely NOT for a living. The living part ended forty years ago. You know this.

Well, usually I am given the timeline, date and place so I know where I am headed. You can get pretty lost otherwise. It makes the job a lot harder. No. This journey I am going to need help with. I won't be able to do this one alone. I am going to need another "body" with me on this one. Question is though, who? The others are not all up to my standard or DOWN to it, depending on what the situation calls for. Remember? Just the right amount of "bad." So who to choose? It will probably come down to who is available. Like I said, I'm not the only one doing this job and, like me, all the others will be busy too. Who knows where/when they are anyway? Even finding the person to help will be a problem.

I suppose my first step must be "The List."

I know. It doesn't sound very technical or important, but that's what we call it. What is it? It's a list. No, that's not the proper name for it, not what it's really called, but that's what WE call it.

"The List." It's a roll call of names. It's everyone who is doing this job. It's how we all know who we all are. I'm on it. So is everyone else. I am number Eleven thousand, six hundred and sixty-two. If you're interested. I can see that you are. As you can see, I am not the first one to do this job out of all the people in the world that have died.

Just because they HAVE died, it doesn't mean that they all want to do this job. Certainly not. It's not the only thing to do here you know. Plus you need the right qualifications, just the right amount of "bad" see.

I told you about that a long time ago.

Right. Now that's sorted out, let's have a look and see what is what. Let's see who's available for the job.

Hmmm? HE is in America during the late sixties so he's no good. She is in nineteen hundreds Russia, so that's no good either. Oh. He isn't too far off time wise, only a couple of years away but the South of China is a little too far. Ahh...Perfect.

HE will do. One hundred and fifty-five years in the past but only Eighty miles away! Yes. He will do nicely.

I know. Now you're thinking "I thought he could travel anywhere or any when? Why is South of China too far?" Well, it's like this. If you want to travel long distance but a short timeline, it's actually harder than close distance and far off timeline. They say time is relative. Well for us, it is. It's the relative you never want to call round. The one you avoid in the street and you hope, forgets all about you round about Christmas time. You know, the one who calls out of the blue just when your lottery winnings are announced. It's THAT one. Truth is, the nearer you are location wise, the easier it is. Even if it is many years in the past, if you are on the same continent, it is easier than travelling to a place just one year ago, a hundred, thousand miles away. It just is. That's how it rolls. You've heard this before "Location, Location, Location." WHERE you are must be sorted before WHEN you are can happen. So here's what happens, I have to travel to the exact location or there about, depending on lakes, buildings and the like, and THEN travel through time.

It doesn't matter how close or how far away the location is. No point arguing. "Them's the rules." Well, one of them anyway. How do I get to the location? It varies. I may ride with another person who is heading in that direction you would call it possession. I don't like that word. The person is still in control, I am just a passenger travelling WITH them, or I may travel with an animal or bird, the same way as with a person but in this case, I HAVE to take control or I would get lost. Trust me. That's happened before. I travelled four miles once with a rabbit and I let him "Drive". I ended up twenty feet underground in a burrow! NOT a nice place to be. Done THAT before.

Yes I have just "Walked " I suppose you could say although my feet never actually touched the ground but it was just so slow. Travelling WITH someone is the way to go, especially in a fast vehicle. I miss those. You need to concentrate at speed though or you can get "left behind." You need to form some kind of tether. Some kind of bond with your travelling companion to ensure a safe trip. I say "safe" but that is not the right word. I never worry about "safe." I never need to. I haven't been here for 40 years

( alive that is ) and I am not even here now. Not properly anyway. Why would I bother about "Safe?"

Old news now. Try and keep up.

"Complete." That's the word. To ensure a COMPLETE trip. I need to get all the way to the location somehow. It doesn't matter WHEN I get there. "When" comes next. Now don't get me wrong, "When" isn't easy, far from it. Just because I get the location right, doesn't mean the "When" will be fun. I may be standing in a field of flowers in the present time but when "When" happens, it could have been a bog or even a lake. I have had that happen before too. Even though I don't breathe, it was still quite disturbing to find myself at the bottom of a lake when before, it didn't exist. It is even worse if "When" is in the far future or on another timeline. You just don't know WHAT to expect when you get there. Finding yourself under ten feet of solid concrete is just as disconcerting as finding yourself under water. Believe you me. Even if dryer.

No, I don't get wet either just in case you were wondering. What do you mean? Of COURSE you were wondering. You don't know that much about me. If I have my way and I usually do, you never will. What? Did you think this was going to be full of character descriptions and detailed locations? Well, you were wrong. Dead wrong. If that was your thing, you wouldn't have got this far with me and you certainly wouldn't still be here now. But you are. Admit it. You just want to know what's going on, don't you? "What it's all about." We will have to find that one out together because trust me, I have no idea at all. None.

So let's get this underway. I need to find a way to get eighty miles West, one hundred and fifty-five years into the past and find the only person who can help me start to sort out this messed up time fluctuation. Easy. For me anyway. Not for you. You couldn't do it. You are not qualified. Haven't got what it takes. Trust me, I know. If you could do it, you wouldn't be reading The Story. You would be out here doing this instead of me. You would be in the thick of it, travelling through timelines and righting wrongs. But no. Not you. You couldn't do it. You are not qualified. Haven't got what it takes. Trust me, I know.

Is it easy for me? Well, you would think so. I have been doing this job for forty years so I should be good at it by now. Truth is? I'm probably not. Who knows? Once "The deed is done," the rest pans out and is either ok or needs more adjustments. No-one comments on performance. Why would they? It's NOT like in a regular job. If you have done badly, you are hauled over the coals. No-one comments if you exceed in your work. It's like that. If it works, it works. If not, a bit of fine tuning, a bit of adjusting and THEN it will work. Trouble is, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it doesn't matter what you do, no one else will play ball. Sometimes you have to sort out the mess that follows. Sometimes it's not possible. "Not going to happen" or rather IS going to happen whatever and there is nothing you can do about it so Nehhhh!

Sometimes it just sits there doing its own thing, defiantly thumbing its nose at you. Nothing you can do. Hopefully this is NOT one of those times. Those times require drastic measures and that isn't always good. In fact that's a lie. It's NEVER good.

So, eighty miles west shouldn't take long. I just need to leave here and "jump on board" the nearest person who is heading in my direction. That should be no problem but going one hundred and fifty-five years into the past? That's going to take a lot of energy. It would be best if I could find a stress free person to travel with. Not likely around here.

Let's get started, hope it's nice weather. What am I saying? Why would I care about that?

No, it won't make any difference to me. It doesn't matter if it's snowing or sunny. Well, obviously it does to you, you're picky and feeble. You won't go out if the weather isn't good in case you get a bit cold or a bit damp. You might catch a cold. You prefer to stay indoors and read books. You couldn't do it. You are not qualified. Haven't got what it takes. Trust me, I know.

I don't care. I'm not going to argue with you.

Look, come on let's just go. And keep up!

I've been up here for hours now. No sign of my ride. Yes I know I could just "possess" the nearest person but I don't like to do that. It's better for all concerned if I tag along without being noticed too much. My host should feel as though they are daydreaming but still going about their business. That's how I like to do it. You get so much more that way. Idle thoughts and feelings filter through and I get to remember what those things meant to me. Get to relive some lost emotion. Best not to "feel" in this line of work you see. No emotions means no remorse means no reluctance to carry out the deed in hand. It's no good when you suddenly remember that "last time you did this, a person died horribly." Makes you think twice whether you should be doing it this time. No, if you don't have a conscience to worry about, you get on a lot better. Nasty thing a conscience, always butting in at the wrong time, when you don't want it around. When you just KNOW it's going to spoil what you are about to do. No, best to be without one for this type of work.

You don't need emotion to do this job. Not allowed any. Feelings can affect decisions and change what you were sent to do. Feelings can ruin everything. It's "Best not to have any" to quote the rules. "You don't need emotion to do this job." So you're not allowed any. I know that is true. I couldn't do this job if I had any but that doesn't mean I don't still like to FEEL them now and again.

Ahh. Look down there. That looks like a nice businessman going my way. How do I know? I can read his mind and find out his destination. Just did. I know I said I preferred a stress free ride but I've been waiting too long and no-one else fits the bill. Yes, he will do nicely. Here goes. Look out! It's a long way down. Ground floor, "Business express" here I come.

I am not going to explain what just happened. You would be scared to think it could happen to you at any time. You would be prepared for the sensation and try to resist me. That's why I never tell anyone what happens. If I want to "Ride" with you in the future, you would know what was happening and try to stop me. We don't want that to happen, do we? Well, obviously YOU do but I don't care about that. Just the right amount of "bad," see.

I WILL tell you this. It's always the same. That sudden rush of feeling. Someone else's thoughts. Someone else's memories. Someone else's emotions. It's always the same. At the same time, it's always alien. Always completely different. No-one has the exact same mixture of thoughts, memories and emotions at the exact same time as anyone else. How could they? Mind you, how would they ever know if they had? No, it's always the same. Completely different.

Take this one for example.

"Mr. Businessman." No, that's not his real name but I do know what his real name is. You don't need to know. It's not important for you to know, NO, it's not! It doesn't matter what you say, I'm not going to tell you anyway. He's "Mr. Businessman," leave it at that. Why do you even care anyway? He won't be in the story long enough. He's not important enough. He MAY be in the normal world. He may be very big in banking or a corporate boss. It doesn't matter. Not to you and certainly not to me. He's just a vessel to me. A convenient way to travel from "A" to "B." I take no interest in him other than that. It's better for us both that way. He doesn't get any unusual after effects and I don't take anything with me that's not mine when I leave. Too much baggage now, I certainly don't need any more.

It has happened to others I have known. They have ended up leaving a host who then started remembering things that they hadn't even known before. Sometimes it has left them feeling strange. They get unusual thoughts and start to think they are going insane. They seek therapy. You get a lot of that happening. You have probably heard. It's been on the news.

It's far worse for us though. Worse for the passengers who rode with them. Some of them go around afterwards thinking they have got to leave soon to pick up the kids from school or that they have forgotten to put out the cat. Stuff like that. One female I knew was convinced she had left the iron on. Imagine that. She left her current task from seventy-two years in the past, failed to correct the event she had gone to do, just to come back and unplug the iron. What on earth was she going to do with an iron? She hadn't GOT an iron. She hadn't even got a house to put an iron in. She'd been DEAD for twelve years! Think that's funny? Twenty-six people died because she had come back to unplug that iron. Let's just say she hasn't done it again. Yet.

Other people's feelings can do great damage. It can get you that way. It hasn't got me. Never will. I am not invasive in that way when I "Ride" I'm using borrowed human senses to watch others and pick up things, yes. That, I do. Observing others, listening to conversations, picking faults with other people, yes. Their emotions, feelings and ideas are not directly connected to me so I don't "Take them on." I can pick and choose what I want and keep them as my own without being imprinted upon involuntarily by others.

Take him over there for instance. No, not him, HIM! The one with the stupid haircut. No, the other one. His hair is just shaved. The one with red spiky hair. Looks like a cockerel. THAT'S the one, finally. He is crowing to his friends as if he rules the roost. His body language says different though. His body language says "Loser." Just the way he is crouching tells me that he will be doing that for a living in the future. Begging on the streets for any spare cash he can use for his own recreational purposes. I can tell you he will be visiting us very soon for employment. I can assure you they will be looking very carefully at his C.V and hoping that the next applicant will be better. He will no doubt get a chance to prove himself but he probably still won't be up to the standard then. Not all of them are. Still, he will be useful for something. Like I said before, just because they HAVE died, it doesn't mean that they all want to do this job or even GET to do it if they DO want to.. Certainly not. It's not the only thing to do here you know. Plus you need the right qualifications. Just the right amount of "bad," see.

Hang on. Just give me a few minutes, "Mr. Businessman" is boarding the train. I need to keep silent so he doesn't get distracted and end up on the wrong one??

Ok, I'm back. As I said, you mustn't distract your host with stray thoughts at key moments in their journey or else they become confused and end up going the wrong way. Can't be doing that. Very frustrating that is. Number four on the

"Things NOT to do" list. What's number one?

"Don't get them killed." Major set back that is. Too much "paperwork" with that one. Lots of explaining to do and many questions asked. Some of which will not be pleasant. Trust me. I know. It's happened before. No, there is only one way out of that situation and that is if they were supposed to go out at that point in time anyway and you had just picked a "Dud." A "Dead end" as we call them. It's ok then. It's allowed. You will look a bit of a fool at "Head office" but in those cases, it's allowed.

Rule four on MY personal list is "Try to avoid as much paperwork as possible!" It is NOT fun.

Now, when I say "Paperwork" I don't mean ACTUAL paperwork. We don't write anything down. Our paperwork is stored as we go along, in our minds. When we finish a "Job" we simply go to the

"Hall of records" and sit in "The Comfy chair" We also hate all shouts of... "Oh, no. Not the Comfy chair!" so be warned.

It unfortunately is NOT.

Not for most us at any rate.

And why is that? I hear you ask. Well, as I have said before, I like to keep some memories or thoughts that I have " Received" from some jobs, to myself. You can't do that with "The Comfy chair." It "downloads" all the thoughts you have had from that particular job, all the relevant knowledge, everything pertaining to the job you were given, so THEY can see what was changed and what effect it had. It then places them in the main depository. Every change, every adjustment is recorded so the history, present or future can be monitored from the point it was adjusted, to ensure it turns out how it is supposed to. During the process, it removes the information from your brain as ethereal as it may be but your mind still lives there so you are not clouded with the knowledge on any further jobs. That is why I have no memory of the event I am supposed to have adjusted in the past. THAT was one of the one's they took. That's also why I keep getting tiny bits of information back. I must have managed to hold onto them but what I did was so bad, the information has been filed in my brain where I can't access it yet. But I will?.

What they do is "necessary" but it isn't nice. Not pleasant. Not for me anyway. You KNOW why.

It's kind of like wiping a hard disk when you have finished with it. Me? I like to keep those files I really SHOULDN'T. You have to find a way to do that. It's not easy. You really have to block them out when you sit in "The Comfy chair" and if you get it right, you get to keep them. Has to be a secret though or THEY will try and get them back.

Why is it called "The Comfy chair?" Not because it IS. Because it's NOT. Not when you are sitting there trying to hang onto those thoughts you really want to keep. No, because we have all forgotten the name of it. The REAL name. "The Information Collector and Collating Device."

Well, it's probably not called that but it's as good a name for it as any. It's accurate. That's what it does. It collects and collates information. Just not the bits I want to keep. They're mine. It's a secret so keep it like that. What? Who are YOU going to tell? You don't even know who THEY are. You won't find out yet anyway. If at all. Depends if I decide to reveal it. Maybe I will. Maybe I won't. Up to now, I won't. You haven't Learned it. Earned it. We'll see later on if you do or not. I doubt it. You haven't got what it takes. Trust me, I know.

Anyway. I need to find out what it was that I did or didn't do. There's only one way to do that. Go looking. That's why I need the help. Too big a job for one person. Too much work. At least I now know why my past isn't available to me, the memory was wiped. Never existed in the first place. Time is a funny thing. Even events that are guaranteed to happen can easily be stopped. Accidents can be avoided by simple actions if only you know about them beforehand. If you knew that you would be run over by a car on Friday, knew it for certain, wouldn't you stay in and go out Saturday instead? Oh, I forgot, YOU wouldn't I meant in general. NORMAL people would stay in. That way, you would have avoided Death just by staying at home. Simple eh? Again NOT for you. YOU would go out just to prove me wrong and then end up here, proving me right. Not that I would want you here. You'd just get in the way. You are not qualified. Haven't got what it takes. Trust me, I know.

They say only two things are certain, Death and Taxes. I have managed to achieve the first one thereby successfully avoiding the second. Lucky me. Actually, it's probably the best thing all round. Button It! I certainly don't earn any money now so I couldn't pay the Taxes anyway. I really WOULD be stuck then. You know what THEY'RE like.

We don't get many tax men here. Just thought I would share that with you. It's too good for them. I wonder where they DO go?

So, now you've learnt all that, where were we? Ahh yes. "Mr. Businessman."

Well, we're sitting on the train. No, obviously not ON the train, don't be stupid. It would be too slippery not to mention too windy. Never mind the fact that we would not have managed to get up here in the first place. Not without being spotted anyhow. Those train guards are known for their tenacity in catching fare dodgers. They don't give up until you are apprehended, restrained and expected to answer that one question you have no honest and sensible answer for:-

"Can I see you ticket please sir?" So don't be stupid. You are just prolonging the story anyway. No really, you are. Your insistence to keep interrupting is delaying the story.

Yes, even if you keep doing it in your mind, I can still hear you. I can read minds can't I? Re - mem--ber--?

We are still travelling West towards my destination. Where am I going? That doesn't really matter. How can it matter to you? Even when I get there, I won't be there long enough for it to matter. I'll be off one hundred and fifty-five years into the past. WHEN am I going, now that's a question. WHEN is the only thing that matters. Where you are is never the same anyway. WHEN you are changes your surroundings even if it's only in a subtle way. WHEN is never the same as WHERE is, now. Even a year ago changes WHERE'S appearance. Depending on what WHERE is, it can also change it's surroundings. A foundation? Ruins? A Field? WHERE is completely at the mercy of time.

Time is well aware of this fact. Time knows it. Uses it to it's own advantage. It always will. Here is a little known fact for you. Time NEVER loses. Yes it can run out for you but where has it run off to? Did you ever think of that? Time is everywhere for everyone. Everyone needs time and time knows it. It is loved, hated measured and ignored but it NEVER loses. Someone ALWAYS needs more of it. It is always needed if not always wanted. Time KNOWS this. That's why it gives us so much trouble. That's why it deserts you when you most need it and always drags it's heels when you don't want it around. That's the reason it escapes just as you are having the most fun you have ever had. That's why you hate it. You MUST have it back though, or those happy moments won't return. You know this to be true. So does time. Time knows this. Time knows it is the boss. Time owns everything. Runs everything. It's the universe's Mob Boss. Time is "Mr. Big." It demands your respect. You had better show time that you respect it too or you will find out something else. Time owns YOU. It's not a GOOD boss. Not always. Time can come up with many gifts for you. Many opportunities. Even if you don't respect time, it will STILL reward you it's nothing if not fair. It will present you with a nice pair of perfectly fitted concrete boots and happily give you a lift to the dockside to enable you to try them out.

Time will carefully but with considerable encouragement, help you into the wonderful cool waters of life, watching as you sink into it's depths with a "Special" smile on it's face which you know is just for you.

You had better believe it. How many occasions have you said "I can't help, I just haven't got the time" or "Time flies when you're having fun?"

It does more than that. Time hasn't only got just one speed but it's also an expert in trickery. It can easily fool you into believing otherwise. That's why it's so clever. That's why it's boss. When you are bored, time always drags. It does it on purpose. It makes you suffer. Prolongs the monotony. Time enjoys it. It likes to watch. Time wears big boots. It makes you feel it's heavy tread. Each thudding footfall. It measures you. It makes you count each and every second. Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick, Aarrghhhhhhhh!

It knows how to punish you. It does it quite well, too. Time knows how to do it to the greatest effect. It patiently waits right up until the point when you are enjoying yourself. Waits until you have forgotten all about it. Until it has all but gone from your thoughts. Right to the point when you least expect it, then??..Boom!! It hits you hard on the back of the head. Mugs you with a sudden and startling revelation. It's time to go. The party's over.

"Would you just look at the time? It CAN'T be finished already!" Sorry. It is.

Time isn't sorry though. No way. Not a chance. And time laughs at your misfortune too. It's there in the early hours of the morning, dancing with wild abandon at your bedside, tingling with glee and anticipation, just waiting for that wonderful, special moment when????..

"RRRRRRRRIIIIIINNNNGGGGGG!!!!!"

"Time to get up! Come on!! Don't you DARE touch that snooze button! I'm WARNING you. You'll be sorry. We'll do this all again in a few minutes but I'll make you pay for it. I will make sure you have less of me and make you late. I don't care. You may think you are delaying it, but wasting me won't help you. I'll make you sorry. It doesn't matter what you do, you're STILL getting up whether you like it or not. We can do it the easy way or the hard way. It's your choice. What's it going to be? I'm waiting. Unlike you, I DO have all day."

That's what time is like. It's nasty. Never on your side, always against you. Always ready to attack. Time's like that.

$*^%*NG Time!! That's why it's so clever. That's why it's boss. Time owns you too. And it knows it. It demands respect. You had better show it that respect too.

Yes it HAS got it's good side, but it comes with a price. Like I said, It demands respect. You had better show it that respect too. THEN it will show you it's "Jekyll" side. THEN it will offer you opportunities. Give you what you need at the moment and help you along in your life. It will make sure that the important meeting you are going to is delayed by just a few minutes. Time will delay the secretary by making her lose track of it so she will turn up with the documents five minutes late. You will make it just before the meeting starts and not appear tardy to the big bosses in attendance. Time will help you get away with it. For a price.

The office celebratory get together held because you got the contract, may be reaching a special point for you and "The secretary who time forgot," but something is lurking in the background.

Something that HASN'T forgotten. Something waiting to claim it's price. You owe it and time want's it. Time is not the debtor's friend. It want's it's payback.

It patiently waits right up until the point when you are enjoying yourself. Waits until you have forgotten all about it. Until it has all but gone from your thoughts. Right to the point when you least expect it, then??..Boom!! It hits you hard on the back of the head. Mugs you with a sudden and startling revelation. It's time to go. The party's over.

"Time's a great healer." You've heard this too. Again, yes it is. For a price. Medical treatment of any kind comes with a price tag. Time knows this. That's why it's so clever. That's why it's boss. That's what time is like. It's nasty. You'll get the healing you need NOW, but time will get it's payment from you. Maybe next week, maybe next year but it WILL get what it's owed. And you won't like it. Not one bit. Time doesn't care. That's what time is like. It's nasty.

Now, you're thinking "But he travels forwards and backwards THROUGH time. Time doesn't own HIM." Well you're wrong. Dead wrong. Of course it does. Think about it.

I haven't been here for 40 years ( alive that is ) and I am not even here now. Not properly anyway. That says it all. I ran out of time. It ended for me. Except, it didn't.

Time has extended itself for me. I work for IT now. My whole business is time. Time is all I HAVE got. I "Gave up" my time to come here and now it takes all the time I HAVE got to do it's dirty work for it. I am a part of time now. It owns me. Time knows this. It doesn't care. That's what time is like. It's nasty.

Just when I lost all of my time, it gave me more. Loads more. More time than I will ever need. It couldn't give me it when I was alive though. No, You don't need it. You've had enough of it.

NOW it gives it to me though. Now when I DON'T need it. Why is time so generous NOW?

Because it has it's own reasons. It want's me to be in it's debt. I am. Not willingly though. No, I didn't ask for it. It just handed it over. "Here you are. Have some more time."

It wouldn't let me give it back either. "Oh no, my good fellow, YOU have it. I have plenty more."

Problem is, I have to use all the time it gave me to work for IT! What do I get out of it? Eternal life, you say? No. Eternal work! All I do, all I can EVER do, is work for time. Don't smirk. Don't be clever. You're not. You'll see. Time owns YOU too. You don't think so? It's got you now. You are wasting it right this second reading this. Before you know it you'll be several pages further on and suddenly realise that you have lost half an hour. You could have been doing something else but no. You wasted time instead. Can't blame me for that. It's your own decision. Your choice. Except, It's not. You've just realised something. Time owns YOU too. Remember, It WILL get you back now. You've wasted it and it will not forget. You OWE time. Time knows this. It knows you owe and is now planning the best time to get you back. You KNOW when that is though, don't you? The VERY next time you are having fun! It makes you feel like

"fun" isn't worth it, doesn't it? It's GOING to get you. There's no doubt about it. You know this. Time knows this too. Time doesn't care though. That's what time is like. It's nasty.

I can tell by the scenery that we are nearing our stop. Maybe another ten minutes at most. See? Time has sneakily got itself involved again.

We should soon be arriving at the station. I have still got to get myself to the exact location though. I can "feel" that "Mr. Businessman" is not going my way when we get off the train.

I'm going to need another "Taxi" to complete my journey. Time excuse the pun to leave "Mr. Businessman" and find another "willing host." Let us see what we have got in the way of

"Transport". Huh. Nothing on this carriage, better try the next. Time is running out. No, really. It is. I just saw it heading out of the door at great speed. You won't catch up to it now, don't try.

Ok, "Mr. Bookworm" is going close to my destination but still half a mile out.

Young "Master Skateboard" is also going close, but I feel he will be distracted and go off on a tangent. He is too hungry to focus. I don't want to end up in a fast food place full of noise and disturbance. Yes, I am sure YOU do, "Burger Scoffer." you live for them but you are supposed to be staying with me and continuing The Story. Can't you wait until later? Oh, go on then if you must, but mark this page. And DON'T be long?????. Time waster.

Oh, you're back are you? Nice burger? Chips as well? No wonder you sit about reading all day, you can't be bothered to move what with stuffing junk food in your face all the time. Get outside once in a while. Take some exercise. No, fetching burger and chips does NOT count as exercise.

No, it does NOT. Not unless you ran all the way there and all the way back. I KNOW you didn't do that. I am not arguing with you. Just read. And wipe your chin. Messy chops.

Aha?Here we go. "Miss Student" is going straight past my location. If I "Ride" with her, I will be there in less than half an hour.

"Miss Student" it is then. Here we go. The female persuasion awaits. This will be quite a different experience to "Mr. Businessman," I can just feel it in my bones. Well, I WOULD be feeling it in my bones if I had any. Bones that is. Not feelings. I have already told you about that. It's a secret. Don't you forget it.

You've dropped a chip on the carpet. And got ketchup on your shirt. Sort yourself out. So messy and lazy.

Now here is a lesson for you. "Riding" with women is much different than with men. Women's minds are usually so busy with stuff, stuff men never think about, that I should be able to travel all but unnoticed. Take "Miss Student" for instance, she has three classes today that she really enjoys. One of them is purely because of "Mr. Teacher" but that is her own business. I don't pry. Her mind is so active with all of her studies and the thoughts of "Mr. Teacher," that she won't notice me at all. She certainly won't notice anything when she gets into French except for a certain person. No, she will be perfect.

You may be asking yourself "Why does he call them "Mr. Bookworm" or "Miss Student?" Well, I'll tell you. As soon as you start to "Ride" with a person, You discover their name, job and favourite pastime. I keep it to those three simple subjects so I don't get involved with their problems or worries. You don't need THOSE living with you. Job or pastime is what I use. I don't like to use their actual names. Again, too personal, but job? Simple. If their job isn't exciting enough, then I choose pastime. Sometimes, pastime is a little bit TOO exciting, If you know what I mean. Sometimes it's just too rude. Sometimes, just too disgusting.

I've got some stories there I could tell you, but that would be for another time. Don't need the distraction now. It was bad enough at the time. Let's just say that if you could lock someone up for their thoughts, I know quite a few people who would fit the bill. Not only would you want to lock them up, but throw away the key, weld the door shut and set fire to the whole prison, putting the ashes on the next available space shuttle and sending it on a one way trip to the next galaxy with strict instructions when it got there to continue to beyond infinity. Yes. Some people ARE that sick. You probably know one. You probably don't. I can guarantee that one is not far away. He sits next to you on the bus. She queues behind you at the supermarket. One day they may be on the news. The "clever" ones may not. But they will still be there. Close to you AND you'll never know until they reveal themselves. And I don't mean flash at you. Unless it's the flash of a knife blade.

So as you can see, calling the person "Mr. Businessman" is much preferable to calling him after his pastime. Especially if he is on the UNPLEASANT pastime list. Apart from the fact that the name you would call them would be far too long, it would almost certainly contain some expletives.

No, "Mr. Businessman," "Miss Student" or even "Mr. Chess master" is the way to go. It's safer that way for them and for me.

Shouldn't I be reporting these individuals? No. Why? Well firstly who would I report them too? Their maker certainly knows what's going on with them. We don't have any police up here. No, I heard what you thought. "Spectre Morse!" Not funny. Secondly, Why not? Because each and every one of them have their own paths to follow. Good or bad, it doesn't matter to me. Don't forget, you cannot be locked up for your thoughts. No-one will even know about them unless you tell them yourself. Or I do. Yep. You better HAD behave then, hadn't you? I can pick up all your thoughts, I'm just trying to block them to continue our journey. I won't FORGET them though! Not a chance.

When it's time, when it's necessary, either me or one of the others will adjust things. You can count on that. If the situation calls for it, we'll adjust THEM. As you can see, it's not good. It's not pleasant. So I make it pleasant. "Nice names, no pains" I say. That's it.

The train station is just up ahead and we're up and ready to leave. As the train stops,

"Mr. Postman" is polite enough to let us get closest to the door so we can get off first. Good. That's another advantage of riding with women. Men let you through first. Not that it matters, I suppose. Time is all I HAVE got.

Okay, let's go. Doors opening and?out of the train, onto the platform, trip on the step, annnddddddd........

Help me pick up the scattered books, please. Classic. Thanks for that. Not my fault by the way. Turns out "Miss Student" is very clumsy. I did NOT know that. Never mind. Too late now. I just have to hope we can get to the location before she falls down a manhole or something. Nothing I can do now but wait.

Well, I'm here. I have disembarked "Miss Student" and am now at my destination. Not too bad a trip. Not if you don't count the being splashed by a passing car, Puddle attack, Tripping over the dog lead. Puppy attack and the candyfloss incident. Least said about THAT one, the better.

Anyway, now the easy bit. I just have to travel one hundred and fifty-five years into the past whilst standing still. On this statue. In this fountain. In the middle of this park.

I suppose it's a good job that no-one can see me now.

It's strange though, quite a lot of people

"Know" I'm here. They can sense me. I get that a lot. THEY don't know why, but they just seem to notice my energy. Not for long though. Never for long.

Ok. I suppose you are wondering what happens now? Well, it's simple. I just focus my mind, let it guide me and take me to my destination through time. Don't forget, I know where and WHEN I am going, so my mind is "programmed" to take me there. I call it my "Psychic Sat-Nav," except for the fact that it doesn't take me two hundred feet further away from my destination than the actual location! It also doesn't keep telling me, in that annoying repetitive voice, to "turn right" every few minutes, send me to a dead end, or inform me that I should take the next left turn which I can clearly see will take me into a corn field. No, it's highly accurate.

Your mind is a powerful thing. Don't forget you only use, what is it? Seventeen percent? Of your brain. Well, here's a newsflash for you. When you get to THIS place, you're allowed to use more of it. No, I don't know how MUCH more, but definitely more. You can access that extra bit to help you do some very special things. Yes, like time travel. YOU can't though. You haven't been trained. Don't forget, I have been doing this for forty years. YOU wouldn't be able to do it even then. No, you wouldn't. Look I haven't got time to argue now, I'm starting my time jump.

It's more like time phase really, it's quite steady. Where you are fades out and WHEN you are fades in to take it's place. Nothing you can do but wait until the shift has completed. You just have to keep still and be patient.

Right, be quiet now, I need to concentrate. I can't do this if there are too many distractions. I need to have a calm mind, an empty mind. I HEARD that. I can read minds too, not that there is much in yours. I'll thank you to keep your comments to yourself.

Ok. Hold on. Everything is going hazy and fading out. The statue, the fountain go first. After all, they were only just recent additions. The park is fading too. It was obviously man made, but what was it built over? We shall soon see. Everything seems like it's covered in a dense fog.

Outlines of trees in the distance fade in and an old dusty road is appearing underfoot. That's good. It's nice to be on solid ground for a change. I know it doesn't matter to me physically, but psychologically, it does. It helps. So where am I? Well, it's dark and the road goes off into distant trees. Don't want to be going that way then. What's at the other end of the road? Looks like a Victorian town. Let's see, what do we know about this? Hmmm, eighteen hundred and fifty-eight, Victorian times. The wonderful "British Empire". THAT won't last. What else?

Hanging is still a capital punishment I see. Don't have to worry about THAT. Not this time around.

What do I mean? I HAVE had past lives you know. Quite a few of them in fact. I have attended quite a few hangings as a special guest. Well, I suppose you COULD say as a "main attraction." Centre stage. Those ropes really chafe I can tell you. At least it's not for long. They don't keep you hanging around. Oh sorry, they DO actually. But only until you're dead. Then they cut you down and??. We'll leave it there for now. Painful memories just doesn't begin to describe it.

So, where is HE then, my helper? As I said, others do this job so that's probably what he is doing now. How can I find him? I will use some of my extra unlocked brain power ( yes, not so clever NOW, are you? ) to make a "Close Encounter" Mind lock. It's a special way to find another

" Seer." It searches out their similar brain pattern and "Leads you to" them. It links your mind with theirs and enables either of you to track the other. It is only useful for close proximity, short range, but it's a marvellous thing. Saves you no end of time when trying to find someone. I haven't got all night. Important things to do.

Hang on. Ahh, that's it. I've GOT him. I'll just head into this lovely Victorian town and pay him a visit. I know. I told you I would arrive at the EXACT location, but he's not just going to be standing around waiting for me, is he? He wouldn't know where I would materialise and apart from that, he doesn't even know I'm coming. You can't just phone ahead, or behind, it will be a surprise for him, I can tell you. Surprise might not be the right word. Shock. Probably shock. That seems about right.

Look at this wonderful Victorian town at night time. No, I'm NOT going to describe it to you. You KNOW what a Victorian town looks like. You read books. You've seen pictures. It's like that. Only dirtier. And smellier. Actually, you wouldn't WANT to know what it's really like. Not close up anyhow. What? You WOULD? Go and buy a history book then. You should find one in the same shop you bought The Story. What are you waiting for? Go on then if you're getting one. See you later. Bring me back something nice.

Not takeaway food! I CAN'T eat that, can I? Why do you never stop eating junk food? Euggghhh. Never mind. Stand over there and stuff your face. I'll continue the story.

I am picking up his thoughts now, he is close, just around this next corner. Can't see him though. Oh, he is hiding behind some crates and staring into a lighted window in the house opposite. What IS he doing? Let's find out.

"I didn't realise you were taking on the 'peeping Tom' jobs now."

"WHA? WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? I THOUGHT YOU WERE STUCK IN SEVENTEEN HUNDRED AND ELEVEN?"

"No, that was all a bit of a misunderstanding. I wasn't stuck, just had to stay a bit longer than I expected, that's all."

"YES THERE WAS QUITE A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON THERE THAT NEEDED SORTING OUT SO I HEAR."

"You're not kidding."

"I SENSED SOMETHING TEN MINUTES AGO. WAS THAT YOU?"

"Yes, that was me unless there are any more of us here at this present time."

"NOT LIKELY."

" So what are you doing here?"

"DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT. I'VE GOT THIS ONE. IT'S MINE!"

"Ok, don't get in a flap. I don't want it. Who is it anyway?"

"WHO IS IT? IT'S ONLY CHARLES DARWIN, THAT'S WHO!"

"Oh, him. The Monkey-man."

"DON'T CALL HIM THAT! WITHOUT HIM, EVOLUTION WOULD NOT BE VIEWED THE SAME."

"All right, don't pop your cork. What's he going to do?"

"OH, NOTHING YET, BUT NEXT YEAR HE'S GOING TO PUBLISH A BOOK CALLED THE ORIGIN OF THE SPECIES AND THAT'S GOING TO UPSET A FEW PEOPLE."

"Why?"

"BECAUSE FOR THE LAST THIRTY YEARS, EVERYONE HAS LEARNT OTHER IDEAS THAN HIS AND HIS BOOK WILL BLOW THE OTHER THEORIES OUT OF THE WATER. THEIR IDEAS OF EVOLUTION PREVIOUSLY TO IT'S PUBLICATION WILL BE FOUND TO BE FALSE!"

"What are you doing here then? Are you going to stop him?"

"NO, OF COURSE NOT."

"What then?"

"TO STOP SOMEONE ELSE FROM STOPPING HIM FOR GOOD."

"What do you mean? Someone's going to KILL him?"

"YES I MEAN NO. NOT NOW I'M HERE THEY'RE NOT. IF SOMEONE STOPS HIM FROM PUBLISHING THAT BOOK, HIS THEORIES OF EVOLUTION WILL NEVER BE KNOWN."

"AND IN THE FUTURE THAT LACK OF KNOWLEDGE WILL PREVENT US FROM FINDING THE SOLUTION TO A VERY BIG SITUATION. VERY BAD EVENT THAT WILL RESULT IN THE DEATHS OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE!"

"What event is that, then?"

"YOU KNOW I CAN'T TELL YOU THAT. YOU KNOW THE RULES."

"Yes, I know. Future events must NOT be discussed in the past under any circumstances. The wrong people could be listening and take advantage. I know."

"DON'T ASK ME THEN."

"Ok, I won't. So what are we doing hiding behind these crates?"

"IN ABOUT FIVE MINUTES TIME, A MAN IS GOING TO COME DOWN THIS STREET WITH THE INTENTION OF PUTTING AN END TO MR. DARWIN. IT'S MY JOB TO STOP HIM."

"Are you going for a termination?"

"KILL HIM? LORD NO. THERE'S NO NEED FOR THAT."

"What then? Are you going to talk him out of it?"

"IN A WAY. LOOK. HERE HE COMES NOW. WATCH THIS AND I'LL SHOW YOU."

As the man approaches, I notice that he doesn't look much like a killer. I know, not all of them do. Sometimes it's the one's that look nothing like a killer that actually are. In fact they are so good at

"Not looking like a killer," that no-one suspects them. Then it's too late. They've proved you wrong and disappeared into the night.

"Who do you think it was then constable?"

"Don't know sergeant. I didn't spot anyone who looked like a killer." No, you didn't. But you'll soon find one that DOES and arrest him instead, won't you? That's how they get away with it. They simply "Don't look like one."

This one not only DOESN'T look like one, but he definitely ISN'T one. Not a very good one anyway. And certainly not a willing one. There is just something about him that says,

"I just don't WANT the job. Let Lenny do it. He'd be much better at it than me. Remember that politician last week? THAT was one of Lenny's. A very professional job that was. He never leaves any mess behind, doesn't Lenny. Very tidy bloke. Ask his dear old mum. Alright. Ok. If I must, but don't expect me to enjoy it. It's not really my style."

That's good. That makes a difference. It won't be hard to stop him.

"LOOK, HE'S ABOUT TO KNOCK ON THE DOOR. BE QUIET A MINUTE, I NEED TO CONCENTRATE."

The man starts to hesitate and pulls his outstretched hand back from the door. It looks as if he has simply changed his mind. He turns around and walks off down the foggy street into the distance.

" What did you do to him then?"

"DID YOU LIKE THAT? I JUST REMOVED ALL NEFARIOUS THOUGHTS FROM HIS HEAD AND REPLACED THEM WITH JUST ONE OVERRIDING ONE."

"What was that then?"

"I SIMPLY SUGGESTED THAT HE GO TO THE PUBLIC HOUSE."

"Won't he come back?"

"NOT TONIGHT HE WON'T AND MR. DARWIN'S GOING AWAY IN THE MORNING FOR TWO WEEKS. BY THE TIME HE RETURNS, THAT NICE MAN WILL HAVE REALISED THAT HE HAS NO LONGER ANY DESIRE TO VISIT MR DARWIN."

"Won't someone else have a go at killing him?"

"PROBABLY, IT'S QUITE A BIG THING THAT HE'S GOING TO DO, NO DOUBT SOMEONE WILL HAVE ANOTHER ATTEMPT. THAT WON'T BE MY PROBLEM THOUGH WILL IT?

IF NECESSARY THEY WILL SEND ONE OF US ALONG AGAIN. YOU KNOW HOW IT WORKS."

"Yeah, I know how it works. You can end up cleaning up someone else's mess time and time again. Should've just killed the man."

"NOW NOW, DON'T BE LIKE THAT. ANYWAY, WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU?"

"Now THERE'S 's a question."

"IT CERTAINLY IS. WHAT'S THE ANSWER?"

"I've got a little problem I need your help with."

"DOESN'T SOUND LIKE IT'S A LITTLE PROBLEM, SOUNDS LIKE A BIG PROBLEM IF YOU NEED ME TO HELP."

"You're right, it is quite a puzzle."

"WHAT SORT OF A PUZZLE? A 'FEW WORDS MISSING FROM A CROSSWORD,' PUZZLE OR A 'SPOT THE SPELLING MISTAKE ' IN THE DICTIONARY ' PUZZLE?"

"Worse. More like a 'Discover the continent, search the country, look for the region, locate the field, find the haystack, THEN look for the needle. Then when you have FOUND the needle, go back to the beginning and start sewing,' puzzle."

"WHEW. THAT BIG HUH?"

"Bigger."

"SO WHAT DO YOU NEED ME TO DO?"

"Help me look."

"GOT ANYWHERE TO START?"

"Yep. The beginning."

" I SUPPOSE THAT'S AS GOOD AS ANY. LET'S DO IT."

"Did I stress just how big a problem this is?"

"YES I THINK I'VE GOT IT.."

"Are you sure? You seem awfully keen to help."

"YES I'M SURE. IT'S MY JOB ANYWAY. WHAT ELSE AM I GOING TO DO?"

"It is a BIG job though."

"YES, I CAN TELL."

"Very big."

"OK, I GET THE PICTURE."

"I would understand if you wanted to change your mind."

"NO, IT'S NO TROUBLE REALLY."

"You're sure?"

"YES."

"Positive?"

"YES!"

"There would be no hard feelings if you decided against it, you know."

" NO, IT'S FINE."

"So, you're absolutely, one hundred percent?."

"YES!!"

"Because if?."

"LET'S JUST GO!!"

"Thanks, I won't forget th??"

"THAT'S ENOUGH! LET'S JUST GO."

"OK, but?"

"KEEP QUIET!!"

I won't bore you with the details. Trip's the same most times anyway. Sometimes you need more energy. It takes it out of you a bit. Sometimes you end up in a place that's not so nice. I've told you about that.

Like I said before, IT'S big job. I sent him off to check out another timeline. He knows what to look for. What's that? you ask. Let me explain.

Whenever a timeline is altered, there is always residual energy. YOU wouldn't notice it. YOU wouldn't be able to recognise it if you stood next to it in a queue at the post office. ( I'll give you a clue, it's NOT the one with all the Internet shopping parcels to post ). If it was taking part in an identity parade with a cat, a dog and a bowl of pasta, you wouldn't be able to pick it out. Even if it was jumping up and down, waving a sign saying,

" Look at me! I'm residual energy!!," smacked you sharply on the nose, and ran off singing "Run, run, chase after me, I'm Residual Energy!" you STILL wouldn't recognise it. You're not qualified. Haven't got what it takes. Trust me, I know. Apart from that, you're dumb. You must be because you are still reading The Story. Can't deny that, can you? I know why you're still reading though. You are finding stuff out about yourself. What your tolerance level is for one. How dumb you are, being number two.

I must admit though, I am starting to like you. Only starting to and only a little bit, but that may change. It certainly will if you don't keep up.

No, only WE can see residual energy. Only those who are especially trained for the job. To us, it glows. We see that glow at the exact point that time was adjusted. We know it's there. We can then tap into that energy, " See" what the situation was. It's kind of like an energy recorder. We just

" Press play" and watch the scene. Any one of us can do this. The one who adjusted the event always leaves his or her energy signature behind. That's how we know who changed the event in the first place, it has his or her energy all over it. Before you ask, each of us has their own distinctive energy signature. You know fingerprints? We don't have them anymore.

No tangible fingers, see. Energy signatures are the thing for us now.

He will be looking for my energy signature and when he finds the exact point "Watch" what occurred and let me know. Yes, he will lead me to it unless I find it first and I will do the rest.

He knows my signature and I know his. We can find each other if necessary though it may take time. Still, time is all I HAVE got.

I know him. I've worked with him before, a long time ago. Huh. That's funny, it still IS a long time ago!

Where are we now, anyway? Where is he? More like WHEN is he. At the moment, he is back-tracking from "Now" to "Then."

I am starting at "Then" and going forward to "Now".

Confused again aren't you? Course you are. I'm getting used to that now, YOU being confused. It's part of your "charm." Not a very GOOD part but a part nevertheless. I'll try to explain it better. You COULD try taking more notice of what you are reading, THAT would help.

"Now" is the point we started at forty years in the future. "Then" is now where I am at my beginning, forty years ago. Got it? No?For goodness sake, listen.

"Now" is the future, "Then" is the past.

"Then" is the starting point for me and

"Now" is the finishing point. HE on the other hand, is starting at "Now" the future, and making his way to "Then" the PAST but along a different timeline. Ok? Oh, don't worry about it. You just keep on reading and it will all become clear. Or not. It doesn't matter to me anyway, You've already bought the book and read all this way. I don't think you are going to give up yet are you? Or you could prove me wrong. I don't care. Really, I don't.

Somewhere between " Then" and " Now" is the point I need to locate and re-adjust. I know. It sounds simple doesn't it? but the fact remains that between "Then" and

"Now" is forty years.

Forty years with lots of adjusted moments done by me AND along several timelines. This is going to take some time. You had better pull up a chair, put your feet up and wait. Have a well earned rest. Take some time out and relax from the heady content of The Story.

I'm JOKING. No, seriously, get up. I'm not messing about. Get up and follow me. YOU wanted to come on this journey. YOU bought The Story. YOU had the choice to put it back but obviously you couldn't because everyone was looking at you and you felt guilty, but that's another story isn't it? Back at the start, remember? When you read the back of it? Well, you DIDN'T put it back, did you? You wanted to come on this journey even though I warned you it wouldn't be very special.

You WANTED to come. So you can damn well get up and get moving! If I'd have known you were going to be this difficult, I would have convinced the shop assistant to refuse to sell you The Story in the first place. Don't think I couldn't have done that either. I COULD. Don't test me. Now come on and shift yourself. We need to make a start. COME ON!!

Where do we go from here? Well, let's see. What year was it when I first arrived? Oh, yes. I remember now. It was Nineteen seventy-three.

What was the first thing that happened to me when I got here, forty years ago?

Hmm?..That's it!

I was waiting in a queue for long enough before I got to see "Someone in authority." No change there, then. Everyone seemed calm and in no hurry to be seen except for that older man. And me of course. I was in a hurry for my own reasons. What were they? Let's just say I had had enough of the world as it was and I was actually quite pleased to have "Passed." It meant I could finally call closing time on the life I had lived and move on to the next great adventure or whatever but I wanted it NOW.

That older man though, he didn't seem too happy at all. I remember sneaking closer to listen and managed to hear some of his conversation, which was very abrupt, with his "chosen" agent.

I won't bore you with the details but basically, he had been spending "Quality" time with a younger lady which he felt had come to an untimely end, due to his passing. He was being very argumentative and doing his level best to "Get sent back," but his "Person in authority" was having none of it. His "time was up" and that was to be that. No if's, no but's.

The man tried his last ditch effort and changed tack, speaking more politely, he explained that he only wanted a few more minutes back there. His authoritative adjudicator looked at him thoughtfully and then gave HIS parting shot. If the older man would be finished his business in a few minutes, it wouldn't be worth him going back for in the first place. Not for him and DEFINITELY not for the lady in question. Dejected, he trudged off to his signed area, mumbling all the way there.

And before you say anything, he WOULDN'T have been able to go back and sort it out anyway. He wouldn't be given THAT job. He couldn't do it. Not qualified. He would just have to forget about it and get on with his assigned position, whatever that was.

Me? I didn't WANT to go back. I've been back too many times now. Once more wouldn't make a difference to me. No. I was quite happy to be here, but I was also VERY impatient. Very eager to start my new role whatever it may be.

"Seer".....Sounds a good title for a job, doesn't it? It sounds like a very responsible position. A very worthy role. Well, no. Just like all job titles, it's only there to entice you into taking the position in the first place. Uh, yes, "Ablutions Inspector" SOUNDS nice, but the actual job position is for a "washroom checker" in other words a janitor. Many a person has been tricked into a job position by the simple use of a fancy name. YOU would be anyway. That's just the sort of thing you WOULD fall for. Trust me, I know.

"Paranormal Entity Investigative Agent" .... Ghost Hunter or "Purveyor Of Intoxicating Beverages".... Beer Seller To name just a few. See? It's easy to be fooled. YOU know that though already, don't you? Or perhaps you don't. You ARE dumb aren't you, remember? You probably don't. That would explain it.

No. "Seer".... That's what I got. Better than some. Not as good as most but an interesting position nonetheless.

Oh sure, there are a lot of other jobs much more glamorous than mine. "Executive Host Guardian" for one. That is someone who guides and protects a chosen host on the other side. Sort of a special "Guardian Angel" position. Now THAT'S a good job. You only have one person to watch over and guide. Long hours though. Well, twenty-four hours actually. Every day. Every SINGLE day. No days off. No holiday. What do you care anyway? To do that job you need certain qualifications. The main one being, you must be dead. You see? Dead. What would you need holidays for? You would be on permanent holiday, from life, anyway. Perhaps it's not so good.

It would be ok for you though because you are so lazy. You are always on holiday.

No, on second thoughts It's NOT for you. You couldn't do it. You are not qualified. Haven't got what it takes. Trust me, I know.

I've just remembered something else about it. The "Night Shift." You may think that the night time watch would be easier than the days what with the host being stationary and all. They should be safe while they are asleep shouldn't they? Wrong. They're not and it's worse. Night time is worse. That's when the OTHERS are strongest. That's when THEY can cause the most harm. Negativity is very active in silence. It's easier to infiltrate the host. No, you must be more alert at night time. You must keep THEM at bay. Keep your sleeping host safe. That may be a manageable job when they are in bed, but what about when they decide to go sleepwalking? It's best not mention about that. It suddenly becomes much harder to do your job then, you have to guide them AND guard them at the same time. Yes, I know that's the job in daylight hours anyway, but night time is DIFFERENT. Try keeping them safe and protected when they are on the move and in the dark. It's not easy, I can tell you. No, you can keep that job.

How about being an "Animal Guardian?" No. Not that. THAT job is just TOO active. Too busy.

Imagine trying to keep an animal, say a mouse, safe. NOT easy. Think. Always in the wrong place, dodging cats, hiding from humans, avoiding cunning traps and all in all just being a bit TOO curious all day long. No. Best left to someone else to take that job. Maybe some nice animal lover. That would make them think twice. No. Let someone else do it. I certainly don't want THAT job.

What do you mean there's no such thing as an "Animal Guardian Angel"?

Of COURSE there is.

Do you think you are more important than an animal? ANY animal? Why? Can you fly? Can you swim to the bottom of the ocean? No. You can't. What use ARE you then? Oh, sure, you can think. You can create, but look WHAT you think, look at WHAT you create. Guns. Weapons. Violence. War.

I used to think that War was one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. That only HE could cause it. Wage it. Win it or lose it. But no. He has helpers. He has warmongers. He has man. He has fools. He has YOU.

No animal seeks war. They couldn't find him if they tried. Yes, an animal will fight to protect it's family. Fight to defend it's home. Fight tooth and claw for it's VERY survival. But NEVER will any animal seek war. That is the reason that NO human is more important than ANY animal. Only one simple reason keeps man BELOW animals and always will until man learns. Only one simple statement is true about man. It's only three words long but it says it all. Explains it all.

" They seek war."

There are other things too, they seek. War is the main one but they DO seek other things.

They seek destruction. They seek power. They seek Death. And Death they will find. Above all things, that is certain. Death they will find. And they will deserve his cold embrace. He will welcome them. They will deserve the oblivion of the mind, the losing of themselves to him. They deserve to be taken to his obsidian realm and never more see the sun. They deserve all of this and more besides, just for one simple reason. Just for the sake of three small words.

"They?Seek?War."

I will stick with the job of "Seer." It is better than some jobs. Not as good as most but an interesting position nonetheless. Yes, I will stick with "Seer."

So, I have my job title and I know what I am supposed to do. Remember? I retained all the things I learned so I KNOW all this.

What I need to know is my first port of call, where I should go looking first. WHEN I changed things. WHEN I "got it wrong."

Now I am here at the beginning, my beginning anyway, about three months after I started my purpose, I suppose it would be easy to do it in order.

What year did I first attend? What was my very first job? Let's see??that would be nineteen seventy-five. That was the first year I was sent to adjust. Two years after my "arrival" here. That shouldn't be too hard but how far away was it? Seven miles as I remember. This one will be easy. Time to go then and find me a host to take me seven miles away. I have an idea already. Let's go.

From down here, I can see what I need. This time I will chose an animal host. I take control, a quick journey and the first jump will be done. Simple. Which animal though? I need something fast, something small and something not hampered by terrain. That settles it then. Up in that tree is a swift. If THAT'S not fast, I will be complaining in no uncertain terms, to the one in charge of giving out names. If something is named it should live up to it's title. A sloth certainly does. Trust me, I know. Mind you, where does that leave the Bluebottle?? Best not think about it.

It has to be swift or it wouldn't be CALLED swift, would it? It would be called "Slowcoach" or "Nice looking but not very quick at all really. I shouldn't bother with it. No really I'm not joking. Oh, please yourself then but don't say I didn't warn you. Cause I did."

But it's called a swift, so that's the one for me. I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt. Here we go then, "Up, Up, and away!"

Well, that wasn't TOO bad, a few moments of confusion as I had to move the bird's thoughts over to make room for me, but otherwise easy. Birds don't have many thoughts, they are simple creatures. I don't mean simple like YOU, no. They just don't have many thoughts is all I meant.

Only think about simple things like "food" "nest" "danger" stuff like that. Sort of abbreviated but nonetheless just as important and meaningful to them as your thoughts are to you, not THOSE sort of thoughts. I don't mean THOSE sort of thoughts. THEY could only belong to YOU and I am sure you don't want me to write them down here, do you? And before you ask, Yes I COULD.

Nothing as complicated though. Now, let's see if she, yes it is female but remember, I'LL be driving, lives up to her name.

Whoooffffff!!!!!!!!! Yes. She DOES! What speed this little bird can achieve! What distance she can travel in a short time! Ok, enough of the wonder. I need to keep control and head off North for seven miles. At THIS speed I should be there very shortly.

What's that down there? No. I am NOT going to look. I feel as though I want to dive down and grab a tasty worm that I can see wriggling from here. I WON'T be going though.

That happens sometimes. Your catch your host when they are hungry and you end up getting food before you can complete your task. I can't afford for that to happen at the moment. Apart from the fact that I can't abide worms. No, of course I don't actually EAT them myself, but I get the taste of them when a host bird has eaten one not long before I enter. It's not a nice taste. Trust me, it's not. Plus they can be tricky little things to extract from the ground. I just haven't got the inclination to bother with that now. You can do what you like when I've gone.

And so can YOU.

In case you hadn't realised, animals travel where they will. Yes they respect another animal's boundaries but otherwise, they go where ever they choose. They have no thoughts of distance. How can I find out how far I have travelled then? Well, luckily for me, my first stop is close to a large mansion house.

I know where the sun is so I can tell where North is. All I need to do is keep flying in that direction until I see the mansion house. See? Simple.

You would think so but my host is getting tired and I KNOW she is hungry. It wouldn't be right for me to continue under these circumstances. I have no desire to cause her harm.

I think I can see the mansion house about a mile away so it would be a good time to land and leave my host. I can "Walk" the rest of the way.

My host starts to "get herself back" as we land and I am almost "out" when she suddenly remembers how hungry she is and grabs a passing centipede. I hadn't QUITE severed the connection.

Eerrggghhhh!!! That is horrible! They taste worse than worms!! How could she EAT that?!?

Phtuiii! That is NOT nice at all. I won't forget THAT taste in a hurry.

I must try and sever the connection only when we are not around food in future. I couldn't when we were landing because the sudden confusion of her being in control again, would have caused us to "crash."

I must remember to land on a rocky area or somewhere that disgusting food is not immediately available, that would be any food where YOU are concerned then, wouldn't it? and not a distraction. Still, never mind. She is safe and stuffing her beak. Now, I've got to walk over there. About a mile away. See you later???..

Bleuugghhhh! Those centipedes really DO linger.

I know, you are wondering how I can TASTE them in the first place, aren't you?

I haven't been here for 40 years ( alive that is ) and I am not even here now. Not properly anyway. But that is not the point. When I inhabit a host, not only do I hear their thoughts and feel their feelings but I also "have the memory" of their taste, especially if they have just eaten.

That's very nice when they have just had a roast beef dinner. Not a problem at all then. I get to remember what it tasted like. Not so nice when it is food I used to hate though. But tasting what ANIMALS have just eaten? That's NOT nice. Not nice at all. It really is disgusting what they consume. Tastes you have never experienced before nor would you ever want to unless that is, you signed up to a television program to spend time in the jungle. Is that even still on? How sad would you be then? Obviously it goes without saying that YOU would sign up to it. You ARE sad like that. YOU would think it was a marvellous idea, people voting for you to eat mealworms, grubs and parts of animals that usually are not mentioned. YOU would love it. That's because you ARE dumb. We established that fact a while ago.

The REAL truth is no one NORMAL would enjoy those tastes. Obviously animals do. They don't EAT roast dinners. In fact, they are not even welcome in restaurants, not that they actually care. They would probably say that roast dinners were horrible. They would of course be wrong. Dead wrong. Nevertheless, it doesn't change the fact, centipedes linger on the taste buds. They are definitely NOT nice. Not nice at all. Trust me, they're NOT.

I've managed to reach the mansion house. It took me a while to "walk" here, but I managed. Let's see what's next. Walk through the wall into the grounds. Yes, THROUGH the wall, why not?

Just because I can. There ARE some perks to this job. Not many, but some. Travelling unhindered by solid objects is one. We won't go into the others just yet. Maybe not even at all, I'll see how I feel. See how you behave. At the moment you don't deserve to know. Trust me, you don't.

It's late afternoon now and there are not many people around. Not that anyone can see me anyhow. Even if they can "feel" my energy, they won't think it unusual. I am at a mansion. Mansions ALWAYS have spirits around. One more won't be noticed. I'll fit right in.

Can I see other spirits? Course I can. Well, most of them. Some of them vibrate at different frequencies to others. Some vibrate slowly and get in the way. Some vibrate so fast, I don't notice them until I have walked THROUGH them. Can't be helped sometimes. Can they see ME? Again, some can, some can't. They know I am not like them, though. Not trapped like them. Whether by their choice or another's, they ARE trapped. They know I am only passing through to do my job. They don't get involved. Why should they? Some WANT to stay, some want to LEAVE, but none of them are qualified to do my job. We are not on "speaking terms" as it were. That doesn't mean we CAN'T though. If it's necessary. If the task calls for it. We CAN communicate then. I like it that way. Not having to answer questions about the past, future etc all the time. They respect me. I respect them or I PRETEND to anyway, they are not up to my standard after all. You know, like YOU'RE not.

No. Mostly they ignore me. I get the job done and leave, they go back to their usual routine.

So, what's the plan? Well, I need to make a short jump into the future. Two years to be exact, to the year nineteen seventy-five. There should be a music concert close by at that time. It was my first job. Now, what was it I had to do? What DID I do? And did I do it correctly? I guess we'll find out shortly.

I think I will stand over there just where that open section is. I don't want to end up inside a wall or something. Not that it matters. It won't affect me. I won't feel it. We've talked about this. No, I just like to see where I am on arrival. It helps me to plan my move. Ok, here goes??

Well, nothing much has changed here, quite a bit of rubbish littered about. Lots of people engaged in?... well, let's NOT say. They are in the shadows so let's pretend we haven't seen them, shall we? Various people are lingering about but none of them can see me. Not in the normal fashion anyhow. They may sense me but by the emotional weirdness I am picking up, they probably class me as part of their "Trip." Yes, it seems as though there are many drug fuelled "Journeys" taking place here tonight. Don't forget, time changes. It is late evening now. Oh, did I mention the music? There is a very famous band playing here right now. There are lots of

"Pink" emotions around. It's a very pleasurable experience. If I sent you a postcard from here, it would simply read

"Wish You Were Here." Ahh, nineteen seventy-five. What a year. The dark side of the moon is no longer in view. Doesn't mean my task is still not important though. Now, what did I do at this time? I need to find the time window and take a peek.

I can sense it just around this corner. Where the band is playing. Right in the middle of the stage.

Luckily no one will see me in any way they will remember so let's go.

Hah! Look at me onstage with?..oh, I forgot. No one can see me. At least I know I've done it.

Right, just in front of the drum kit, I can see the window. Let's look inside and replay the event.

I see. This is now showing me earlier on during the sound check. Ok. So, what happened? Ahh yes, I remember, the guitarist was standing in the wings, about to come onstage. This is, sorry WAS the part where the lighting fixture came loose, fell from the rigging and landed on the guitarist, splitting open his head, causing the band to postpone the concert for two days while he was treated in hospital and pronounced fit enough to perform. This can't be allowed to happen. Not for the guitarist's sake, no, he will be fine. There is something far more important at stake here. If the concert doesn't go ahead TONIGHT, a certain young couple will not meet, fall in love and "cement" their relationship thereby creating, later on of course, their son. If HE isn't born, someone ELSE will eventually become chairman of a certain company and by his inadequacy, bankrupt the firm, causing untold financial problems in the future which will lead to several construction companies being liquidated. Needless to say this would NOT have been the case if the young man waiting to be born, was in charge. Major concerns all round then.

I think this was one of my simplest jobs. It was definitely one of my simplest solutions. What did I do? I made a young lady stagehand, who was standing behind the guitarist, become suddenly "aware" of me. I am not proud of what I did so I won't regale you of the event. Suffice to say she was so "affected" by my sudden "presence" that she ran onto the stage, pushing the guitarist out of the way in the process. Neither the startled axe-man nor the frightened stagehand, was hurt in the incident. In all the commotion and EMOTION, no one noticed that the light had fallen. This ensured that no mention of the event was recorded at the time.

Just in case you were wondering. The band were able to make Money and proceed to get themselves Comfortably Numb. I guess that one went quite well then. This was NOT the problem event. I suppose I had better make my way to the next one. Just wait until they finish this number, though. I seem to remember it was one of my favourites. What was it about? Ahh yes, some rebellious school children. I seem to remember hammers were involved in some way????..

What do you MEAN it wasn't very exciting? I TOLD you it wouldn't be before you even bought The Story. Didn't you read the back cover? YOU know you did. You were warned. I TOLD you. I was very honest about the whole thing. NOW you expect miracles? Well, you WON'T get them.

Only one person does miracles around here and HE'S not on duty today.



Wow! Those memories are a real rush. That's why I try to hang onto them so much. Especially the early ones. They're the best. I bet you still have memories about nineteen seventy-five, don't you? Alright, you may have been in your thirties at the time, but you still remember right?

What? It's not my fault you are so old.

Ok. So we're going to head off again now. I am picking up that we need to head further West until we reach the coast, then head over the water until we reach the

"Emerald Isle." That's right. We're off to Ireland.

How do I "pick up" what direction I need to go? I told you. Only WE can feel the vibration of the event window. It draws us towards it.

When we reach the exact location, we can get the co-ordinates for past or future from the window itself. That way, we know WHEN to go. I need to get myself from here to Ireland without too much fuss. That should be easy but we'll see. My best bet is to get myself a "ride" to the airport. That may be tricky from this location. Obviously there are quite a few hosts around but it's unlikely that any of them are suddenly going to make the decision to go to Ireland, are they?

"Oh, isn't this place wonderful Timothy?"

"Yes Rosella, it is. There IS something else I fancy doing though."

"What's that then Timothy?"

"I would like to go on a nice trip to Ireland. I've heard it's a wonderful place to visit."

"Do you know Timothy, I think I would like to go there too. From what I've heard, it certainly sounds lovely."

"Yes it is. There are lots of things to do and you are surrounded by beautiful scenery."

THAT obviously ISN'T going to be described in this book like you have already learned.

"That settles it then Timothy, let us go there immediately while our suitcases are still packed."

"Yes let's. Mrs. Monroe won't mind looking after 'Crumbles' for another week. I'll just phone her now."

Frankly I can't see that happening, can you? Surely not? Look, I KNOW you are dumb, we've established that, but no one is just going to suddenly decide to do that, are they? No, they are NOT.

Forget about it now, let me just make a few "inquiries" and then we should go. I'm just going to "hover around" and see what occurs.

Well, what do you know! "Mr. Angler" over there is actually thinking of going somewhere where there is nice scenery so he can do some fishing. He is actually heading down to the travel agent later on today to check out what's on offer. I think I had best tag along. No, it DOESN'T mean you are right. You just made a lucky guess is all. Don't go on about it. Look, It WAS just a lucky guess. There's no way you could have known. None at all. I'm not going to argue with you about it, we need to move. Come on if you're coming. That is unless you already KNOW what's going to happen next. Well? Do you? No?

READ THE STORY THEN!!!!

Right, I am now travelling along with "Mr. Angler" and I am presently surprised at his thoughts. He is a deep thinker which is probably why he likes the peacefulness of fishing. That's where he gets his cleverest ideas, although he IS considering using worms as bait. If he knew how they tasted, he wouldn't be so keen. Anyway, he is presently on his way to the travel agent to book himself a nice, quiet fishing holiday.

The travel agent is just up here and we're going in. He's having a look around at the posters on the wall. He is thinking about Germany. That's not good. Not good at all. You need to be quiet now because I have to be a bit naughty and "influence" his decision a bit. I can tell you now, I am NOT happy about this. Not happy at all. I enjoy riding with hosts but I don't believe in controlling their thoughts. Did enough of that in life and it didn't turn out well. Trust me, it didn't. I really don't like changing someone's way of thinking. It's not right. Not ethical. You simply just shouldn't do it. Unfortunately for me, I have no choice. I must go to Ireland soon and "Mr. Angler" is my best bet. I suppose I shouldn't worry about it too much though, He DOES want to go fishing and Ireland IS very beautiful. He certainly won't be disappointed with HIS decision. It just doesn't FEEL right to me. I really don't like changing someone's way of thinking. It's not right. Not ethical. You simply just shouldn't do it. Unfortunately for me, I have no choice.

I am not discussing the circumstances. No need to get into details, it's not very interesting. Let's just say "somehow" he's arrived at the decision and chosen Ireland.

He is now in the process of booking his trip. Button it. Leave it at that. I've TOLD you.

It's too late now anyway, it's booked. Like it or not, we're going in two day's time.

Fast forward to:- "Two Day's Time"

I can do THAT too you know.

See? I told you. "Two Day's Time."

Just like that. I WON'T tell you how. Just accept it. It's done. Shush.

Phshhh!

We ARE two days in the future! Don't look at me like that, we're going on holiday!

What do you mean, you don't like fishing? Neither do I if truth be told, I HATE it. It's high on the list of things that I DO hate. It's right up there with "Parties" and large "Social Gatherings"... they are at the top.

I REALLY hate them. I am definitely NOT a people person. YOU know about that sort of thing don't you? YOU are quite sad and lonely. Yes you ARE or you would not have bought The Story but you DID. So you ARE. So THERE. That's why this job suits me so well. I don't have to DEAL with that sort of thing any more. Anyway, you are missing the point. Don't be so dumb. It's not OUR holiday, is it? It's just for "Mr. Angler." We're just going along for the ride. What's that you say? You STILL don't want to go? This is IRELAND we're talking about. The Emerald Isle? Island of great beauty and "Land of the Leprechauns."

Don't laugh. They TOO are real. I wouldn't mock if I were you. Fine. Have it your way joker, but when we get there, my advice to you is to keep you big mouth shut. That is unless you want it to be magically sewn shut by our little friends. That will happen. Trust me. And you can forget all about a pot of gold. There will be none of that for you, I can assure you of that. No, you'll be lucky to keep what's in your pockets if you play up the Leprechauns. You will probably find that they are suddenly full of jam instead of money. Don't pretend you haven't Got money. I KNOW you have. You wasted enough of it on The Story, didn't you? See? Case closed. Anyway, we're going and that's the end of it.

We are about to get on the ferry. I hope you don't get seasick. Actually I don't care if you do. In fact it would be quite funny to watch. What's that? You DO get seasick? Oh, that's sad. We're going anyway. Come on.

Hey! Where are you going? Look, if you want to leave now, that's your decision but I AM going. You're NOT coming? Fine then. You'll miss out. It won't do you any good skipping pages either, you'll just miss stuff. YES you will. I'll add stuff on purpose so you DO miss it. Just the right amount of bad, see. You'll end up turning back eventually just to see what you HAVE missed. You won't be able to help yourself. Trust me, you won't.

Well, if you are going to be like THAT, there is only one thing for it. I will just have to skip to the next part myself. Will THAT suit you? It will? Fine then. Your choice. Don't blame me for what you missed. What do you mean, you haven't missed anything? How can you be so sure? You've had your eyes closed for the last ten minutes so how would you know? What do you mean, you didn't? Oh, please. Get over yourself and let's get on with The Story.

Never met anyone like THIS before, what a dummy.

You still here? Let's go then. Close your eyes. What? Look, don't cause a problem, just close your eyes and we'll get going. WHY not? You had them closed tight enough a few minutes ago. What do you mean, you didn't? Oh, please. Get over yourself and let's get on with the story.

Close your eyes????..

Oh, look. What's that? Oh, we are on dry land! Sissy. Well look at YOU. I mean REALLY. All that fuss about sea travel. It's only The Story, how dumb can you be? Oh, I forgot, it's YOU we're talking about. Mute point then.

Anyway, we are now in Ireland. Remember what I said about "The Little People?" Keep it buttoned just to be on the safe side, eh? If not, I'll make sure they hear all about your sea trip. Don't like THAT idea? Thought not. Keep it zipped then.

Right, "Mr. Angler" is heading toward his accommodation for a well earned rest. Ok? Satisfied? Good. He has hired a car and we will be there in half an hour. He is tired from his journey so we will be resting soon. When I say WE, I of course mean HE. You WON'T 't be resting. Haven't got time for that. We've got something to do, remember? I don't need to rest at all so I don't care about anything else. Not now. I COULD do with an energy boost though so as soon as we arrive, I'll leave "Mr. Angler" to his lovely holiday, well chosen I thought too, and find some other transport to my location. Where IS that you ask? About six miles north of his position or at least it WILL be when we arrive. Just relax for thirty minutes. Don't get TOO comfortable though. I need you to be alert. Look out for the "Little People."

Heh??Heh......

Wake up. You need to get yourself sorted out now. I have left "Mr. Angler" behind with his sleepy thoughts of "the one that DIDN'T get away" and I am now searching for my next ride. Yes. I can hear him coming now. There he is. Perfect. I hope you like the underground at night. You don't mind? That's good then. I personally used to get very claustrophobic. It doesn't affect me now obviously, because I can just float out of any situation that I am uncomfortable with. It's not a problem for me now. Well, not much IS. Except YOU of course. You're one BIG problem for me.

That's settled then, let's go. Oh, there is just one more thing I should ask. You're not afraid of the dark are you? Oh sorry, of course you won't own up to that one, will you? Too bad. It doesn't matter anyway, our host is ready and waiting on that pile of dirt. Come on, we don't want to keep "Mr. Mole" waiting, do we?

"Going Underground, hm,hm,hm,hm, hmmmmm, hm,hm,hm,hm, hmmmmm, Going Underground."

Sniff, sniff. I think my destination is just above where we are now. Let's tunnel our way up and have a look, shall we?

My, these claws are useful, aren't they? Certainly would come in handy in a fight if you had them as a human, anyway. I wonder if anyone has thought of that yet? It would certainly make a good superhero character.

I can smell cool, fresh air so we must be about out. Am I in the right place though?

I sense that I am so it's time to leave "Mr. Mole" behind and carry on our journey. Thanks Digger!

It's no good complaining to me that we took a long time getting here, if you hadn't been so terrified of the dark, "Mr. Mole" wouldn't have been shaking so much. Mind you, I suppose I SHOULD thank you. With all your shaking and causing such a disturbance, "Mr. Mole" totally forgot about all of those worms we passed. I certainly don't want to be tasting THEM again.

Note how I said SHOULD thank you. Obviously I'm NOT going to. It's the principal of the thing.

Anyway, what's my next move? I need to move forward four years into the future to the year nineteen hundred and seventy-nine. A short jump then. Hold on tight. Close your eyes, we've been there before haven't we, just do it, it's going to be a bumpy ride!

Oh, don't be a baby, I'm joking.

Look, we're already here. Now, let's take a peep through the portal, shall we?

Ahh yes, I see. Oh, I'm sorry, would YOU like to have a look? What's that you say? You can't see anything? That's a shame. Could that be because your eyes are still trying to adjust from our subterranean journey with "Mr. Mole"? Could it? No. Have you forgotten, dummy? Only I can see it. Only WE who are trained to recognise and see, can see it.

YOU wouldn't notice it. YOU wouldn't be able to recognise it if you stood next to it in a queue at the post office. I'll give you a clue, it's STILL not the one with all the Internet shopping parcels to post but they ARE still in the queue. If it was taking part in an identity parade with a cat, a dog and a bowl of pasta, you still wouldn't be able to pick it out. Even if it was jumping up and down, waving a sign saying, " Look at me! I'm residual energy!!" smacked you sharply on the nose, and ran off singing,

"Run, run, chase after me, I'm Residual Energy!" you STILL wouldn't recognise it. You're not qualified. Haven't got what it takes. Trust me, I know. Apart from that, you're dumb. You must be because you are still reading The Story. You want proof? This is the SECOND time you've read THIS bit.

No, you'll just have to leave it all to me.

Now, what was going on in nineteen seventy-nine? Don't know? Well, I'll tell you. Are you ready? Are you sitting comfortably? Do I CARE if you are or not? No. I don't. I'm just taking you along for the ride. I didn't say it would be comfortable. You'll have to make your own arrangements where comfort is concerned. I don't care whether you are comfortable or not. Why should I? I don't need comfort, not any more. Why should you? You WANTED to come. You bought The Story, remember? I told you not too but you didn't listen did you? No. That's your fault then isn't it? You had a chance and you blew it. So you need to make your own arrangements where comfort is concerned. I don't care.

Oh, you don't LIKE that? Well, why don't you just put The Story down and walk away then?

Go on. You can't, can you? Not now you've started it. You have to carry on. You've no choice.

You're dumb. You must be because you are still reading The Story.

Let's carry on then shall we?

Ok? Right. Listen. In nineteen seventy-nine, in the wonderful country of Ireland, I had a very important event to adjust. No, not on a world shattering level. Not even on a country shattering level but it was very important to SOMEONE at least. It would mean a lot for them and I made sure that it was carried out. What did I do? What was the wondrous thing that needed adjusting? I don't know if I SHOULD tell you. If it's not important enough for you, you may decide not to bother reading anymore. That would be your loss. Your part in this would be over. Finished. I'd have to carry on without you and yes, I could. Trust me.

Easily. Do you want to know? Keep quiet then. This is actually quite serious. Extremely serious actually. Someone HAD to die. They HAD to.

Could I have saved them? No. Not in this case.

You see someone was going to be killed. Murdered. I had to ensure that it DID happen. The person who needed to die was quite nasty. A very bad soul indeed. For at least one person to have any life at all, this bad person needed to cease to exist. I had to make sure that this happened. I HAD to. Why? Because the person who was going to do the deed wasn't the sort of person who normally would. They needed a push. A big one.

They needed to be "forced" if you like. Someone needed to "make them" do it, "egg them on".

Massive encouragement was necessary. No-one else would do it but them. No-one else COULD do it but them. They had the chance. The ONLY chance. The situation was right. Perfect. They would NOT be caught. They COULD not be caught. They did not even deserve to be caught. It had to be done. It HAD to.

I know, "Thou shalt not kill." I know all that and more. MUCH more. So do you. I've told you what I can do. What I've done. Well, not EVERYTHING. I'm not telling you EVERYTHING. You don't deserve to know. You're not clever enough to understand it all. No you're NOT. Look, I DID tell you to keep quiet didn't I? Well then, shush!

Phshhh! The major fact is, if this bad person continued to live, many more would die. It had to end. It HAD to. It needed to stop. They needed to be killed. The other person needed to do it. They HAD to. I had to make them do the deed. I HAD to. It was my task to make sure they got the job done. Had to make sure they DID do it.

I HAD to. So I did. Just the right amount of "bad" see.

I suppose you want all the details now, don't you?

Not much to tell actually. The bad one had a lot of people tied up. Kidnapped. Their lives were his for the taking, unless money was paid but he actually didn't care whether he GOT paid or not! He actually DIDN'T. That's what he was like. He loved it. He enjoyed it. Lived for it. Existed simply to feel such power he held over others. That's all he ever needed in his life. Control over others.

That's what he lived for. I had to make sure he DIED for it. I HAD to. Well, I had to get someone ELSE to do it, at least. And I've found the person for the job. I'm looking at them right now.

No, not YOU stupid. I told you, shush.

Phshhh! Listen.

He thought that all his captives were secure. That none of them were loose. Well, they WERE. Except for one of them. One woman.

She managed to get herself free and found herself with two hard choices. Run away and leave the others to die or take someone else's life. Strangely enough, not much of a choice actually. He would have killed her given the chance and he DEFINITELY would have killed the others if she had escaped. She knew this. She knew what she should do but how could she do it? Did she have the nerve? The courage? The ability to take another person's life? If she did not, they would ALL die. She knew this. I just had to make sure she did it. I HAD to. She would not be caught. None of the others would give her away. Not one.

Who got loose first? Who DID kill him? No-one would know. No-one would say. No-one would be caught. NO-ONE.

It wasn't as hard as she thought, when it happened. She had the rusty knife in her hand. Luckily for her, she had been tied up and left in the corner near an old cupboard. It was behind this that she spotted the knife on the floor. He couldn't have known about it. He wouldn't have left it there if he had but she spotted it. This was "meant to be." Was meant to have happened. Well, if courage was enough, it was but it wasn't.

I had to make sure it WAS. I HAD to.

With the usual struggling and stretching motions you have seen on many a television program, she eventually succeeded in obtaining the knife. It took a long while to cut through the ropes but it did do its penultimate job.

She had to think fast. He would be back soon. She had to move quickly. No-one else spotted her because she sat alone.

Suddenly, an idea came to her. That's how it happens. The idea comes from nowhere but it needs to be carried out NOW. The idea comes but if it's not acted on quickly, it goes and you are left with the same issues you had before it arrived.

That's where I came in. I was there to make sure the idea stayed long enough for it to come into fruition in her mind.

She sharpened the knife as best she could, on a stone. Not razor sharp you understand, no. That would not be possible. Besides, another idea "came to her." The idea that arrived suggested that it would be better if some of the rust remained on the blade. I stayed just to make sure it did happen, just the right amount of "bad" see...I did tell you. Look, shush.

Phshhh! Here he comes... he's BACK!

No-one had moved. Some couldn't. She pretended not to have moved. Unfortunately there was another problem now. He was angry for some reason. This put her off the task. The idea started to head off into the wild blue yonder. It had had enough. So had I. I couldn't let that lovely idea run off now. I COULDN'T.

I could not let that happen. So I stopped it in its tracks. I grabbed it by the ear and spun it back around and threatened it with much more if it didn't behave and complete it's mission. It was not happy and soon found its way back inside her head. See? Just the right amount of "bad."

She slowly and nervously stood up just out of his sight. He started to come in her direction. As he came nearer, she started to tremble with fear.

The idea must have thought better of it as it made a sudden dash for the door. Nope. Not happening. Not while I'm on duty, it's not. Don't even THINK about it. I tripped it up as it was passing by me, grabbed it by the scruff of it's neck, slapped it with the flat of my hand, see, just the right amount of "bad" and told it in no uncertain terms that it wasn't going ANYWHERE but back inside her head!

Just as I pushed the idea back into her head, he lifted HIS head and noticed her there. He lunged at her. She held out the knife with both hands.

The rest is over.

You've seen this enough to know the outcome. He died. She slowly but surely freed the others and together they all survived. It happened as it SHOULD have. It would NOT have happened though, if I was not present. Not unless I was there and intervened. If not for me she would have been dead. They all would. No doubt about that. They WOULD. No mistake. Like I said, everyone was so confused, bewildered and relieved, that no-one got the blame for his death. No-one. So far, no-one ever has. They never will. Never.

Now THAT one was a success. A big one. Nothing I did wrong there. Nope, No Siree Bob.

Well, better head back then and see what's next.

You coming?

Hey!! Wake up you muppet!!

I said, let's head back, are you coming, OK?

Right , let's go then. Come on! Why are you so sloooowwwww?

No, don't tell me. It won't make any difference to me. No it WON'T!

Look, just move it OK? You think I've got all day? Oh. Yeah. Actually, I have. Cool.

C'mon.

Now that's all sorted I suppose I should check out my next port of call. Let me see, where and when WAS that? Well, the year was Nineteen eighty three but WHERE was it? Oh no. I remember now. THAT was the tricky one. It was not only in Switzerland but it also crossed over into another time line! It's not good when it does that, I can tell you. It can be very dangerous. Why? WHY? Because in another timeline, I could still be alive! It won't do for me to meet my physical self, won't do at all. My other self will "sense" me. He will KNOW I'm there. No, I must be very careful with this one or else something very bad could go wrong and it would. Trust me. It would.

Still, I won't have to worry about that yet. I've a long way to go. Well, a few hours anyway. For starters I've got to find a "ride" to the nearest airport.

Hang on, there seems to be a cyclist heading in my direction. Let's see where he is headed. Hmmmmm. He looks to be going quite close to the airport and travelling quite fast too. Yes. I will ride with him. Got to time it right though, he's moving at quite a pace.

He's just about in range, just need to "lock on" and............... JUMP! That's it. I'm in! Hang on to your hats, this one IS going to be a be a very bumpy ride.

You have to admire him though. Give him his due, no wandering thoughts here, just pure concentration on reaching his destination as fast as possible. He appears to be attempting to better the last time it took him to complete this journey. By the way we are moving, I'd say he will do it too. Very determined. Not like YOU. No, you would not. There is no way you would have his intense concentration. You would be thinking about burgers right about now. Yes you would. You definitely would lose. You would fail. Trust me. I know. You would have given up long ago and gone to stuff your face. You know it. I know it. Let's not pretend. I'm surprised you've lasted THIS long. Still, let's not go into that now. Let's just enjoy the ride. "Mr. Cyclist" is in control, so let's sit back and relax.......

Phew! What a rush THAT was. High speed all the way. We've almost reached the airport but "Mr. Cyclist" actually lives about a mile away from it so I'll have to travel the rest of the way without him.

What about you? Do you think you can keep up? Doubtful I know but give it a go hey? Don't argue, it's not worth it. I told you before, keep up!

As I leave "Mr. Cyclist", I am happy to inform you that he has knocked one minute and forty-six seconds off his last time. I know that it doesn't seem like much of an achievement by your special standards but it means a lot to him. It won't matter to YOU though, will it? We both know there is no chance of you even getting ON a bicycle is there? Well, not unless the burger shop moves and you have to travel further, THEN you might. Otherwise? No. You won't.

So, I just left "Mr. Cyclist," had a go at "The Reader " about their lack of exercise, now I need to travel one mile to the airport, "ride" on another host to board the plane to Switzerland for bit of a dangerous task, if I meet my physical self that is....yikes! Hopefully not! Lets go a different timeline in the year nineteen eighty-three, then.

The change I did needed to be quite serious. A self sacrifice of one person for the safety of others.

"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."

Anyway, must press on.

I am presently walking/floating to the airport. It's not quite a mile so it's not as bad as I thought. Shouldn't take me too long to get there, even though with no traction or gravity, I can still move.

It's actually quite good fun just disturbing everyone now and again by brushing past their auras. You've felt that before I'm sure. Someone or something is "there" but you can't see it. Something there but you didn't know what. Sometimes it's me. Most times it's not but you HAVE felt it, haven't you? No? Well I didn't think that YOU would have. You're not that intelligent after all, are you? No, you're not! Don't keep arguing with me. You won't like the outcome, I can promise you that. Try me.

When you feel that breath of air from the other dimension. It's always cold though, isn't it? Haven't you noticed? It's not colder though, it's our vibrational level that you feel. As we mingle with your "live" level, it somehow gives the sensation of coldness. That's why people always associate it with "ghosts." It's "spooky" and "sends a chill down your spine."

I think it's just what happens when the two planes come in contact with each other. Nothing to do with "spookiness" at all. It's NOT. I've just told you about it. It's just an effect that happens when the two planes collide. Nothing to worry about. Nothing to worry about at all. Well, unless it IS something nasty, then it really WOULD be something to worry about and very cold. You definitely WOULD know then.

Different kind of coldness that is. It's VERY "spooky." Icy blast of coldness that can only mean one of two things. One, something not very nice HAS arrived or two, Death himself, or Herself, WHAT ? You didn't know there was a Lady Death?? Are you kidding me??!? Of course there is! Don't forget that in many other religions the form of Death is not always male. He can't change gender you know he's not THAT good. Anyway, I've already told you this. Don't you remember? Of course not. You're not clever enough.

We know this.

Now, here's the rub. If it is the first one, it's purpose may be to cause the second one to appear.

If its the second one? Well, let's just say if it IS the second one, there is no reason to worry about the first one. None at all. No point in arguing. Let's leave it there. Shush.

Phshhh!

So, I'm almost at the airport and I need a host to travel with to get to Switzerland. What have we got then? WHO have we got then? The next flight seems to be in twenty minutes but there are not that many passengers going there.

"Miss Secretary " is going to a hotel when we arrive so that's not the way I want to go.

"Mr. Doctor " is going to a convention so he's out too. Ahh... he looks promising. "Ski-boy."

He is off up the mountain when he arrives. Just what I need, I think. Yes. He is actually heading to a point which is only half a mile from where I need to be. How lucky is that? "Ski-boy" it is then.

Here goes........

Right. Let's get settled in then, he seems OK. Not stressed at all but he IS excited. That's OK. Excited is a good energy. Stressed is NOT. He is looking forward to his first downhill ski in REAL snow so much, that he is having all of his luggage sent straight to his hotel, just so he can get straight up the mountain and ski down as soon as possible.

What do you think of that, then?

That's dedication for you. He wants to do this and has been learning to ski for the past few months on dry "ski" slopes. You know, the places with the plastic snow. It's something he has been looking forward to doing for the last two years and now is finally going to do it. Good for him. Wouldn't work for you though, would it? No. Definitely not. Not where YOU'RE concerned anyway.

I'll leave him with his thoughts and let him get on with boarding the plane, finding his seat and such.

We'll see you in about twenty minutes time.

I'm back. Me and "Ski-boy" are sitting in a window seat waiting for take off. It's My favourite part of flying, take off. I can never get enough of it. Just feeling the power as you suddenly find yourself heading up a steep incline and can actually feel the power of the engines as you scream diagonally upwards into the sky. It's a wonderful feeling.

It all seems to go downhill from that point. All a bit of an anti-climax. You just tootle along for what seems like hours until you hit some turbulence and scare yourself out of your wits! Then it's just falling gradually until you land on solid ground...the scariest part. No. The best bit is always the take off for me.

I know I can travel back and forward in time but it never feels as good as "take off." There's no power surge. No feeling of G-force. Not with the way I travel. No, there's no feeling like it anywhere else. Never will be. Not until we get to be passengers on a space shuttle anyway. Looking forward to that one.

So. Here we are. Sitting on the plane, waiting for take off. Annnddddd......... here we go!!

OK, I won't go through all of that again. Let's accept that we HAVE taken off and are on the way.

Bearing in mind what else I said, I'm skipping the journey too. I don't care. Its boring. Look. I'm not bothered. Really, I'm not. I'm cutting to the chase so that's the end of it.

Oh. Look. We've landed. See? I've just cut out the whole boring journey and just left you with the arrival. I didn't even bother with the whole landing bit either. I told you. The BEST bit is always the take off. Nothing else matters. The rest is boring. Anyway, its done now so accept it. We're here. Deal with it.

"Ski-boy" is now anxious to get going so I guess WE had better get going.

We've just disembarked, gone through customs and are now entering a taxi. Hey, don't blame me. I'm just along for the ride. It's not MY fault he's so eager. It's like I said before, it doesn't matter about the host. They won't be in the story in a few minutes time anyway. Why are you even bothered what he does?

Stupid AND judgemental. Wow!



The journey ends at the taxi rank near the foot of the mountain. We are almost there! It doesn't matter. He will be doing what he likes in just a few minutes time anyway and we will be gone. Just be patient. Shush...

Phshhh!..

"Ski-boy" is now riding on a chair lift up the snowy mountain...look at that wonderful view.

No descriptions for you. It's a mountain. There's snow on it. What more do you need to know?

You don't care anyway. All you care about are burgers. Oh, and fries. Well, you WON'T get them up a snowy mountain will you? WILL you? Right. Well go and look then, I'll just wait here. Go on. I've got all day. Actually, yes I have. Go then!

Back again? Any luck? No? Never mind. All you need to know is that we are heading up the mountain, quite high above the ground. It's no good. You'll start getting scared up here. It's very high up. Are you shaking in your boots? No, you're worse than that. Look, don't worry and stop crying. We're nearly at the top so keep quiet while we dismount or it will go very wrong. Trust me, it will.

"Ski-boy" is happily heading off now to his "Launch point." We won't be seeing him again unless of course he doesn't make it. Then we might. I'm sure we can find a use for him jobwise.

Anyway I still need to get half a mile away from here, so seeing as no-one is going in my direction, it looks like I'm "walking" again. It pays to be fit in this job. You really ARE dumb aren't you?

I haven't been here for 40 years ( alive that is ) and I am not even here now. Not properly anyway.

Why would I need to be fit? Really. Not only are you a dummy but you are one of those people who NEEDS a dummy too. A sucker. A big baby.

I'll get back to insulting you in a little while. Got to get a move on now. See you soon... Sucker.

Now I have arrived at the correct point at last. I just need to travel four years into the future now to the year nineteen eighty-three.

Hold on tight. Oh, never mind. You should be used to this by now. See you in a few moments.....

Now, what did I need to remember about this one?

Ahhh yes... This one was very, VERY important. This one is different. This one is not even IN my usual timeline. It's a crossover point! Very tricky, this one. Very tricky indeed. If this goes wrong, serious consequences will arise so keep your fingers crossed.

I can "see" the window up ahead, hidden in a bunch of trees. Not that it NEEDS to be hidden. Only "we" can see it. I've told you that before.

~ Dumb, Dumb, Dumb, Dummmmmb~

What can I say? You are just SO easy to annoy. Anyway, let's have a look and see what's going on inside the "window" and we'll take it from there.

As you can see, oh, sorry, you can't can you? Don't worry, I will lead you through it as usual. Too dumb to forget how dumb you actually ARE.

Inside this window is a different location to where we are at present. Not just a different WHEN but a different WHERE. That can only happen when another timeline is involved. It's not a surprise. It's expected. Let's step through and investigate.

OK. We're in a dark tunnel deep underground. Why? Well, let's see... If I remember correctly, there had been an earthquake here. The party of twenty-five people had been trapped underground for several hours with no means of escape. Yes. Here's where I came in. I knew a way out you see. I knew there were actually two ways out. They hadn't got a chance with one of them though. One of them involved a steep vertical climb and at least six of them were not fit enough to make it. The other way out had its risks too. A bigger choice to make. A harder decision to take but a greater chance of escape. That's the one they were heading for. Like I said long ago..... "I'M choosing." What happened then? Well, be quiet and ill tell you. Shush.

Phshhh...My first step was to "take over" one of the people and direct them to the escape route.

Now, as I've said before, I don't like to do that.

I don't like to take complete charge of a person if it isn't right but this case was different. There were many lives at stake. That made a difference. I accept it then. So I did. I "took over" one of the men. There were eleven women and fourteen men in case you were interested. Yes you were. You HAD to be. I didn't tell you how many of each there were so you must have been curious. Don't deny it. You were. Liar.

Anyway, I "took over" one of the men, I won't explain why I picked a man, that would not be fair and some people would not like the answer. You're not knowing so don't go on about it.

So this man wandered off to where I "told" him to go and on arrival, called the others to his location to see what he had found. I had led him to an ancient shaft which still had the remains of an ancient wooden "lift."

It didn't look like it would hold anyone or even work at all, to be honest but I knew it WOULD work. I knew it was their only way out. I also knew that there was a problem. Not with the mechanism itself, no. That was fine.

The problem was, it was hand operated. It needed someone to turn the lift's crank handle. It HAD to be done this way to raise the lift. It was the ONLY way. SOMEONE would have to operate it. Someone HAD to stay behind. Someone would NOT escape. There was no other way around it. Someone MUST sacrifice their own life to save the others. Oh, and one more thing. That someone must volunteer to do it. That was the bit that worried me at the time. I could not, WOULD not "take over" anyone and make them volunteer. Not a chance. I just wouldn't do it. My role was to make the person who DID volunteer, carry out the deed. I had to make them go through with it. Strengthen their resolve. I knew the one that was the strongest to complete the task but they still had to make their own choice. The will was there or they wouldn't have volunteered to do it but I needed to ensure they DID do it, understanding that they would not survive and accepting their fate. I had to stand with them and watch while they gave their life for others. That is a noble act for someone to do. You could never do anything like that. No, you would be the first one out. You wouldn't risk your life for anyone or anything.

Oh, hang on. Yes you WOULD. If burgers were involved? You would then, yes. Trust me, I know. Stop lying.

It was the most noble thing anyone could have done, giving their own life to save other people made a real hero in the hearts of all.

Saved others. Other people they didn't even know. That's extra "Brownie points," that is. For friends and family, yes. That's expected. For strangers?

Well, let's just say that giving your life to save strangers gets you double points and more. It takes someone special for that. VERY special. Someone who has that "special something."

It's just a shame that the person who has that special something is the only person who always dies. Mind you, if the one with the special something DIDN'T die, who would get to do jobs like me? Certainly not you. You COULDN'T do it. Not qualified. Haven't got what it takes. Trust me, you haven't. Don't even think about it. No chance you could or even would. So shush.

Phshhh!

So here's what happened.

Everyone gets to the shaft and they all start arguing as soon as they get there. Who's going first? Will it hold? Will it even work?

"I'm going first, I'm more important than you."

"I have four children back home."

"I'm just married."

All that rubbish. You've heard it all before. All against each other until someone takes charge and starts giving orders. Not me. I wasn't involved at this point. I showed them the way out, they had to do the rest now.

To cut a long story short, they came to the decision that the lift MAY be safe, if only five people use it at once and the others left behind, took turns in cranking the handle. It wasn't a hard job. The ancient pulley system was set out in such a way that a child could have turned the crank and in those times, it probably WAS the case.

THAT would allow adults to do other work.

So, five were chosen at random and gradually sent upwards to the surface.

The shouts that were filtering down from the surface clearly stated that they were safe and the lift was sent back down for the next five willing subjects. This worked fine up until there were only five of them left, two women and three men. That's when the problem arose. They couldn't ALL go. SOMEONE had to stay.

"Not me."

"Oh no, I HAVE to go."

"I'm claustrophobic."

"You never mentioned that before!"

"No, she didn't."

"I'm certain I did."

"You did NOT!"

"What are you doing underground in the first place then?"

"I'm under duress."

"You'll be under SOMETHING if you don't get out of my way!"

"SHUT UP!"

"We all WILL be under something if nobody operates the crank!"

And then it happened. Someone stepped forward.

Someone volunteered.

Now, I'd have put good money on one of them to do it. I sensed that the person was in the last ten survivors but even I was shocked. I had betted on the wrong person. Not on the wrong gender, no. On the wrong person. It was the OTHER one. The OTHER woman. Yes, it WAS a woman. None of the men would have done it. Not one of them. Everyone was hoping that a woman would be left behind so THEY all could get to safety. They were all correct but they must all have felt deeply ashamed at the same time and I'm hoping they will forever. That's all they DO deserve.

She stepped forward and, after a knowing hug from the other woman who tried to protest but was silenced by the brave woman, she ushered the other four into the lift.

Now, you're thinking "surely the people on the surface could pull the other five people up ?" but no. They couldn't. The lift only had the mechanism working below ground. The upper mechanism had been destroyed. No way out. NONE.

She stepped up to the crank and resolutely turned the handle, watching the other four slowly heading up the shaft and resigned to her fate.

Unfortunately, that's when things started to change.

Thoughts slowly started to creep into her head.

"If I stop winding this handle, they will come back down and we will have to choose ANOTHER person to be left behind instead of me."

"What about if I pretend to faint? I'm guaranteed to get out. They can't leave me here unconscious, can they? They still need someone to crank the handle!"

"Should I just let go?"

Annnnnndd.... that's where I step in. I HAD to stop the thoughts from invading her mind. I HAD to make her go through with it. I HAD to. It wasn't my proudest moment I can tell you but I had no choice. I HAD to step in, so I did.

I put the one thing in her head, I remembered at the time, that I KNEW would get the desired response.

I KNEW it would strengthen her resolve. I KNEW it. It was a quote that I had heard from long ago but I KNEW it would work.

It did. It gave her the courage and understanding that was needed to complete the task. It would work for all mankind if only they listened. Here it is.

"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." Think about it. SHE did.

The remaining four people reached safety and the lift returned from above. At speed. In pieces. Lots of pieces. Very dangerous pieces. Murderous pieces. For her anyway.

She will always be remembered for her bravery, courage and sacrifice. She will always be remembered also by the ones shamed by their selfishness. They know who they are.

Although, they won't even remember her name.

The outcome? Twenty four survivors and one brilliant worker. Yep. You guessed it. She works for us now. Good position she has got now, too.

Very rewarding. What is it? Let's just say that when a certain twenty four people pass over and show up, they may find themselves in a very sticky predicament! Funny, I have no idea what her name was though....

So that went quite well, for someone anyway.

That one definitely went the right way.

What's next then? Well, wait a few minutes...I need to get back to the original timeline..........

OK. I'm back. We now need to make our way to the next location then. Where is that? Not sure yet. I DO know that it's in the year nineteen eighty-eight though so that's five years into the future but WHERE do we need to go?

Where ever it is, it needs to be got to soon, it's starting to snow.

I KNOW it won't affect me but it will affect other people. Other things. Things like my transport for instance.

Oh, it doesn't bother you. How could it? You're just sitting in your warm dry house. YOU don't care. No you don't. Stop lying...again.

You would care if it snowed a lot where you are and you couldn't get to the takeaway for your burger. You WOULD care then. "Timmy Tummy" would be very unhappy if that happened, wouldn't he? Always thinking about your stomach aren't you? Never mind me. Never mind that I am stuck in the snow and may not get to where I need to be because of it. Oh no, never mind about me. I'm not important. I'm not on the top of your list of worries. No, "Timmy Tummy" is number one isn't he? HE comes first. Well remember this, he'll come LAST when it snows, trust me. There's more important stuff. He can jolly well get to the back of the line and wait his turn like the others.

Come on, we haven't got time to waste. We'll, obviously I have, time is all I HAVE got. You, on the other hand, haven't got time to waste. I know you are a slow reader but you will eventually want to get to the end of The Story, won't you? You know you will. I know you will. You've started so you'll finish. That's just the way it is and you know it. I know it too. I know you too well. You haven't proved me wrong yet and I don't think you're going to. Trust me. I know.

Like I said, it's snowing and I could get held up due to a host being stuck in the snow. So let's go.

I need to get East from here and quite a distance too. I must get to Russia. But how? The sea's not an option because of YOU, wuss! We've been in an aeroplane once already and will soon have to use one again. But not yet. Not THIS time. That leaves us only one option. A train. Problem is, the trains running from here to there are mostly freight trains. No room for passengers then. So how do we do this? Again, only one option. I must use an animal host.

Not a problem, you say? Well actually, it IS. A BIG problem. Whatever animal I chose will be transported from Switzerland to Russia without any choice in the matter and with no way back home! It won't even know where it's from or where it has ended up so how could it return?

That's not really fair to the animal so I have another major decision on my hands. It doesn't seem major issue for you but using people or animals can still affect them sometimes and is not always a good thing to do. I won't be giving up though. Just give me a few minutes. Let me have a scout around and see what I can find. Meet me back here in ten minutes. What am I talking about? You're not going anywhere are you? You've got nothing else to do except wait for me, so do keep quiet. Shush.

Phshhh!

I'm back. Oh, you're still here then? Didn't wander off looking for food like I thought you would. Well done you.

I must say you can be very well behaved when necessary. Oh, unless you were very lazy and didn't bother moving. That's probably what actually happened isn't it? Anyway, I have solved the issue. I've found a host that won't have a problem with relocation. Just over there by that barn. Come on, let's go and see him. Don't look so keen.

There he is in that dark corner. His name?

"Fluffytail" At least I THINK that's his name. He's Swiss. It probably looses something in translation but after all, I don't suppose it matters. He IS only a cat.

If we're going to do this, let's go now before it gets too complicated.

Right Pussy Galore, here we come!

That wasn't too bad. I can see why he lives here. He's on his own. There are no other cats in this immediate area, unsurprisingly and he IS very lonely.

He is a bit on the scrawny side though. There could be a real danger for me here if he spots food. Vermin are DEFINITELY off my list of foods to eat! Apart from the taste, they carry all kinds of diseases. I've got to keep total control for this trip.

Come on, a freight train will be leaving in a few minutes and we need to be on it. I've got to concentrate now to run alongside the train and jump up onto it while it's moving along. It's slow but so am I.

We are alongside the train now but I can't jump up and move forward at the same time, it's too dangerous and "Fluffytail" isn't that fit to make it.

Wait. Up ahead. A small out-building with stuff stacked at the side, kind of like steps. If I can't jump UP to the train, I'm pretty sure I can jump down as it passes. Hang on. It's going to be close.

ME - OWW! That hurt my, sorry HIS, feet. I managed to get up the side and onto the roof then dived off it to land on the train but it was a big jump. We only just made it and almost missed!

We're Alone now but still not safe yet. It's very cold on top of a moving train in Switzerland you know. I explained the problems about this long ago. You already know. What? Weren't you even listening to me? That's about right then. The Dummy is still at large!

Right, we need to get INSIDE the train, it's going to be a loooooong trip. "Fluffytail" is a little unsteady on his feet too. Not surprising really given the condition he's currently in.

I can see that two carriages up, there is a lower carriage, beyond that, another like this one but I can just make out an opening in it.

Cat's eyes really are pretty cool, aren't they?

Let's go and find out. Carefully though, "Fluffytail's" balance is not good.

Jump over from this one to the next. It's another big jump but not as far as we've already done.

Hup! Not too much of a problem but as we walk along to the next carriage, the train is picking up speed. We need to move. NOW!

Eeeep!! That was close! Just as we jumped, we passed under a water tower! Didn't see THAT coming. Only just made that. I can feel "Fluffytail's" heart beating faster.

Better get this done quickly before it causes him any lasting harm. We need to jump down now to land on that lower carriage. It's got logs on it so grip should be good, even for a feline in "Fluffytail's" condition. Here we go.....

Hyah! Whoop!! Hold on there "Fluffytail" we've made it so far, just need to climb up to that open shutter on the carriage and we'll be safely inside.

Skritch, skritch, skritch, skritch, skritch! Phew. You really should do something about those claws Mr, before you end up with NO lives.

From what I can make out, he's on his seventh one now. Best be extra careful, I don't want to make his life anymore difficult for him than it already is. Poor thing. Anyway, its going to be several hours before we get there so I think the best thing to do now is sleep. I definitely don't need to but he does so be quiet. Shush.

Phshhh!

Hey! What do you think you are doing? I didn't tell YOU to sleep!! What do you think you are playing at?

We've got a job to do. WAKE UP!!

I said you were lazy, didn't I?

That's better. Now, come on. We're here.

We need to leave the train and get to the destination. It's about two miles away but we can't travel by cat though, "Fluffytail's " just about had it. He needs food, water and, unlike YOU, more rest. I can't just dump him anywhere though. That wouldn't be fair. Here, hold him a minute while I do a quick recon and see what the options are. Oh, don't be stupid , well, more stupid than you already are anyway, he's only a cat. He's not going to eat you. Look at the facts:- number one, he's half starved. Number two, he's tired. Number three, he's thirsty. Number four, and this is the big one, he's called "Fluffytail" not "Fluffytail the cutter" or "Fluffytail the merciless." Just "Fluffytail." Now shut up, wait here and hold him while I get back. Oh, and tickle him under the chin. He likes that. Go on then. Do it. I'll see you in a few minutes.

OK. I've found the perfect place for him, hold on. That's it, I'm back in the cat. No, don't stop tickling under the chin. It's nice. Spoilsport.

Right, just get off the train and wait over there for me. I'll be back in a minute. I know it's cold. I told you that. Just wait there and exercise to keep warm. Oh. I'm sorry. I forgot. You CAN'T, can you?

It's against "your religion ," just stand there and shiver then. I'll be back in a minute.. Byeeee.

Hello "Mr. Snowman," how are you? I can see you are still cold. That's not my fault though, is it?

I told you what to do to keep warm but you never listen, do you? Anyway, I have taken "Fluffytail" to a small farmhouse and left him curled up asleep on the porch. In about fifteen minutes time, a little girl will be returning home and I just KNOW that she will take him inside and feed him. He'll be safe there and hopefully have a wonderful two lives. I KNOW he will. Better off than he would have been with you. He wouldn't even get those two lives with you because you wouldn't love him. No you WOULDN'T. I know. Shush.

Phshhh!

Let's return to the matter in hand. I still need to get two miles south of here but how? Hah! Problem solved but you're not going to like it though. Why? Because we're going to be travelling by truck over frozen, bumpy ground. Not bad you say? Ok. Oh, I forgot to say, we're also travelling by GOAT!

Don't go on about it, the goat is IN the truck.

Don't want to distract the driver, that's all.

He's drunk enough as it is!! HANG ON!

Oh, OK. Shut up then, we're here.

It's not my fault, we're in the wilds now. Travel's whatever we can get so you'll have to like it or lump it. He wasn't that drunk anyway or he WOULD have hit the priest who was crossing the road. And the sheep. I know, I know, he DID hit the hut but you must admit, it HAD seen better days. It's all over now, anyhow. Mind you, so is the hut!

The goat's OK though. I am quite surprised. I had no idea that they could run that FAST!

Be still now for a minute. We're going forward five years into the future to the year nineteen eighty-eight. Hold on to your hat.

OK, we've arrived. What now? Well, I can sense that the window is somewhere nearby. Head over there near that frozen pond. I can see the window is close to it. Let's go and see what happened.

Let's take a peek into the window.

It looks like a posh hotel has been built just over there. Seems very nice, especially for this area. Seems a bit odd that it's been built here though.

Ahhh.. I see. There is a newly built casino behind it. That explains it all. This must be where Russia's big business men come at the weekend. Spending their money in the casino and then relaxing in the lovely hotel. So what was my role in this? Any ideas?

Whaaaa? That's it! This was the case where the Russian general was murdered and no-one was found to have done it. What did I have to change?

Hmmmmn I remember. I had to investigate BEFORE it happened to find out who actually killed him. I had to see who had done it, find the evidence and plant it so the murderer WOULD be found. Very tricky but not impossible. Not for me anyway. It's My job. You couldn't do it though. You would be that bad at the job, you would actually be found to be the murderer himself! Yes you would. Don't deny it.

As I recall, there were several guests that were unaccounted for after the event. At least four as I remember. That would mean that one of the four was the murderer but how did I find out which one it was?

The answer is not as difficult as you would believe. All I had to do was go back to just before the general was murdered and hang around nearby to see who paid him a visit. Obviously the "hanging around " bit was easy, I couldn't be seen or heard could I? No, that wasn't the difficult part. FINDING the murderer wasn't the hard part either. Even though the general was visited by two of the four missing guests, it was easy to see who it was that did the deed. No, the hard part was putting the evidence in place to incriminate the person responsible.

It wasn't the young lady who visited, she couldn't have done it. Not her. She wasn't the type to kill in cold blood. What she DID do would have raised his blood pressure but it certainly wouldn't have caused his blood to leave his body. No. It wasn't her. She wasn't the type. It was HIM. Who? The nice man who paid him a visit after the girl had left. Who? The waiter of course. Room service. Except he wasn't. Room service that is. Or a waiter. No. He was an assassin sent to kill the rebellious general. He had to be killed as he was about to defect to America. He would have caused many problems then as he knew all about the Russian defences and his knowledge would have been invaluable to the American military. That couldn't is allowed to happen. Russian defence would be compromised. No. He had to be killed. That wasn't the issue. I wouldn't have stopped him being murdered. It wouldn't have been right.

The stalemate between the super powers would have been broken and war would be much more likely to happen. Made much easier I'd one country could be crushed so easily. No. He had to be killed. That wasn't the issue. What then was the issue? Who killed him of course. The murderer couldn't get away Scott free. Not in a situation such as this. Not in such a ghost-like manner. It would raise too many questions. How did it happen? Why didn't anyone see anything? Who is the next to be killed? No. That couldn't be allowed to happen. There HAD to be a culprit and it was my job to find out who it was and put the evidence in place to incriminate the murderer. That's what I HAD to do. That's what I did.

It wasn't too hard to go back just before the event and watch him carry out the act.

It wasn't a highly sophisticated piece of equipment, just a knife on a tray, hidden by a cloth. A simple distraction on his part and a swift stroke was all it took. That wasn't the issue. What was? Where did that knife go??

Obviously he took it away from the crime scene but NOT out of the hotel. He didn't want to be caught with it in his possession so where did he hide it? That's where I came in. I HAD to follow him from the room and watch where he hid it. That turned out to be a fairly simple, I saw him put it in a little used cupboard that was probably full of other items that the hotel didn't use anymore.

He calmly left the hotel and drove off into the night. That's that you may think. Well, you'd be very wrong. You see, if I could put the knife in his room, I could settle the whole situation. THAT'S the real problem. I couldn't pick it up!!

I haven't been here for 40 years ( alive that is ) and I am not even here now. Not properly anyway.

What am I? Who can say. Ghost ? Spirit ? Avenging Angel? What does it matter?

I COULDN'T PICK IT UP!!

I needed a host to pick up the knife and put it in the room. That WOULD cause problems. That would implicate someone else, more fingerprints on the knife, you see. How could that be avoided? How could I keep that someone from being involved and who could I chose to help?

Well, let's look at the facts. The "waiter" left the door to his room unlocked, I knew THAT much because I followed him, remember? We're you listening? Oh, that makes a change.

At least getting into his room to place the evidence wouldn't be a problem for my host. I also needed a host who could take the knife and place it WITHOUT adding fingerprints, that was going to be tricky. VERY tricky. Very, very tricky indeed. I couldn't get someone else to do that in case they would be under suspicion of the actual murder and that wouldn't have been fair at all.

Finally it needed to be planted, discovered AND reported to the authorities BEFORE the "waiter" could leave the area and make good his escape.

That meant I had to move fast. Also meant I had to find a suitable host fast too.

I really had no choice. The very next host I found would HAVE to do. There was nothing else for it.

Just then I heard footsteps coming.....

The time was NOW!

Okay. Look, I didn't plan it but I think this was EXACTLY the right choice. The host I travelled with was actually ideal for the job. Sleek, quiet, unnoticed and let's face it, no fingerprint problems. Mind you, that last part should be pretty obvious. Dogs don't have fingers let alone fingerprints! Yes, alright. It was a dog. What difference does that make? I was in control of her. What? She was a golden Labrador. Eh? Her name was "Sandy" Why do you need to know that? She's just a dog. Anyway, its the best I could do in the circumstances. Better than YOU could have managed, anyway. Without a doubt. You would have picked a rat or something. No, you haven't got what it takes to do this and you know it. I know it. Trust me, you haven't.

Fact is, I was in control of "Sandy" and we headed to the cupboard where the knife was stashed.

It was just around that corner. We had to jump up on my, sorry HER hind legs to be able to reach and push the door handle down and open the cupboard. The knife handle was sticking out of the towel. I just needed to grab it in my teeth carefully and.....yes! Got it! Now.. we headed to the "waiter's" room.

Oh thorry, dith you thik I wud be talkig lik thith?

Well, you are wrong. Dead wrong. I may have had a knife in my mouth but I'm talking to you brain to brain or mind to mind if you like. What? You've never actually heard my voice have you? You DEFINITELY have issues if you have.

Not sure that it's a good idea, I didn't think you actually HAD a brain to be honest. Not one worth talking to at any rate. Why else would you buy The Story? Oh yes, you HAD to didn't you? Even though I told you to put it back, you didn't listen did you? No brain, see?

Anyway, regardless of HOW I communicate, communicate I do. Don't worry about it, you'll blow a fuse trying to work it out. Just read The Story. Shush.

Phshhh!

Right, the "waiter's" room was at the end of this corridor. Up on the hind legs again Annnnnndd PUSH! We're were in!

Now, where did I put the knife? That was a difficult one. Obviously I couldn't open draws. Ohh, I remember! Under the bed. I hide it under the rug. Just pulled it back with my claws and dropped the knife under it. What do you mean,

"that's not possible?" Of course it is. Don't you watch clever animal videos on the Internet? On second thought, don't answer that. Fact is, I had done it. It WAS done. Next part was getting someone to FIND it. Don't worry, I already thought about that one. I already got that sorted out. Firstly, I must get "Sandy" into the reception area. See you in a minute.

OK. I'm here. Over there. What do you mean where? Behind the reception desk of course. The concierge. What? The person BEHIND the reception desk stupid, that's what they're called. It doesn't matter. Be quiet a minute. Shush.

Phshhh!

I had to concentrate and get him to do some "automatic writing" without him remembering it was himself that had written it. Oh, just watch.

Here is what I/he wrote:-

"There is a knife hidden under the carpet in room forty-seven. This is the weapon that killed the general. The fingerprints belong to the "waiter" you know, the one that is mysteriously missing?

Anyway, you will find him waiting at the train station but hurry! He will be gone in thirty minutes and you will lose him forever.

P.S. sorry about the dribble on the knife handle, it was regrettably unavoidable."

You're thinking "How could there be fingerprints? the "waiter" was a trained assassin."

That's true but he was not known by any organisation so never wore gloves. Because he was unknown, there was no proof of prints to match him by. Until now.

NOW there was.

I left the note on the side of the desktop. Let's watch what happened.

He's "woken" from his daydream and he's looking around. He's spotted the note. He's reading it. Brilliant. He's now sending the bellboy to fetch the police. Don't forget, the general has not been dead long, the police are still investigating and making inquiries as to what happened. They won't be long coming. Yep. Here we go. Shush.

Phshhh!

The chief officer has read the letter and sent someone to retrieve the knife, and don't worry, the handwriting on the letter can't be recognised.

Automatic writing can be quite wobbly and difficult to read sometimes. It's not easy to find the one who wrote the message. Luckily, the concierge won't own up to daydreaming...not him.

Not the concierge. Do you know what that means? Do you remember? It doesn't matter if you don't. I won't be surprised by your lack of intelligence. Not anymore.

Look! There's the murder weapon. Bagged and tagged. All they needed to do was pick up the "waiter" at the train station and that will be that.

Finished. Done.

Nice. There were five lots of good news from that one :-

Firstly, I did nothing wrong.

Secondly, the general, however nasty he was, didn't go unavenged.

Thirdly, "Sandy" realised she was a clever dog after all.

Fourthly, the "waiter" got caught and sent to prison which leads to......

Fifthly and finally, he lived up to his job title.. That's exactly what he WOULD be doing for the next twenty or thirty years....... "WAITING!!"

Get it? Waiting? To get out of prison?

No? Can't say I'm surprised. We know why at least. You are dumb, we've established that before.

That's the end of that event then.

So, what happens now? Well, for starters now we've seen what happened was sorted correctly, we need to see where to go next.

Ahh yes. I know. You'll like this one. Oh, actually you WON'T. It involves water again. Lots of water in fact. We're off to Venice you see. Oh. Did I mention about the rats? You don't like rats either, do you? Thought not. Looks like it won't be fun after all. Not for you anyway. I will love it! Mainly because YOU won't. I don't care. "Just the right of bad," see.

Let's go then. Don't argue and stop complaining too. It won't do you any good you know. I've told you before. YOU wanted to come. You bought The Story and you didn't put it back when you were told. We won't go over why again, it must be quite embarrassing for you. Not for me. I don't care. I've told you this.

Let's go to Venice!

How are we going to get there? I know it's almost directly south-west from here but it's quite a long way to go. Now where did that truck driver and goat get to? Aww stop bloomin crying, I'm only joking with you. You are such a baby. The truck driver is long gone. So is the goat actually. I don't think the goat will stop running for quite some time. What can we do then? We need transport overland to get to Venice, even THEN we need to jump forward in time four years to the year nineteen ninety- two.

Right. No choice then.

HERE GOATY GOATY!!

Oh stop it. Crying again. You're such a baby aren't you? Yes you are. Don't deny it. I already know. I'm joking again but obviously you aren't clever enough to see that. Shush.

Phshhh! We're off to the airport, AGAIN.

Lucky for us, there's one only two miles away. Well when I say airport, I actually mean airstrip.

By the looks of it, it's more like a road. That's a lie. It actually IS just a road. Not a very busy road though, don't worry too much about it.

Note:- I said don't worry TOO much. You can worry a bit if you like. I would if I were you anyway. I'd worry a lot to tell the truth. You see, the airstrip is used by what you would call "illegal pilots," non licensed pilots if you like. But hey. We have little choice in the matter.

" We takes what we can gets" as a famous cartoon sailor would say. I bet he had HIS Olive Oil every day, wink wink. No? Please yourself.

Anyway there just happens to be a nice "private" plane landing in a couple of hours. We should be there in that time. We can take a nice walk and take in the scenery. What do you mean it's cold?

We're in RUSSIA, what did you expect? Tropical weather?? Of COURSE it's cold, for you anyway. Not for me. I can't feel it. We've talked about this before too. And also the fact that you ARE cold and that I don't care. You wanted to come. Deal with it.

Anyway, we're walking. If you are going to be like THAT, you can go on your own! I'll meet you there in an hour or whatever. See you later...

What kept you? Are you warm enough yet? No? I don't care. Doesn't matter, you're here now.

The plane has just landed and is taking off again in about ten minutes when everyone and their "stock" is aboard. I know it looks a bit rough but that can't be helped. Don't start. Let's get on and get this done.

We're going to ride with the cargo. Eh? With one of those chickens in that crate. Won't be a lot going on in there to worry about. We'll, as long as we respect the "pecking order."

Oh come on...that was funny. Oh forgot, you're dumb, aren't you?

I'll see you when we get there... bye Dumbo.

Eugghhhh!!! What? No I'm NOT airsick! I can't GET airsick can I? I've told you before..

I haven't been here for 40 years ( alive that is ) and I am not even here now. Not properly anyway.

We've landed now, anyway. I'm alright. I don't want to talk about it. Let's just say that worms were involved and leave it at that, OK? I'm not saying. Chickens eat worms, OK! They decided to feed the livestock worms to keep us happy for the trip.

Let's just say that my host couldn't have had any breakfast today. Or any dinner. Or tea. In fact I don't think she had eaten anything for a week!

Could not stop the event, she needs to be alive for the trip. "Eugghhh!!! I HATE worms!

Right, we have landed in this lovely out of town airstrip, after avoiding those few vehicles. Well, avoided MOST of them anyway. I'm sure they can fix the damage. Possibly.

Oh well, no matter.

We are six miles from Venice itself and it's quite dark. I'm presuming we were all supposed to be "unseen" due to the fact that if the hosts get caught, it won't be a very favourable outcome.

I see, that nice man over there is heading to Venice so we will go with him. Shall we?

I SAY nice but he's actually not. Trust me. He deserves to be caught. Especially with what HE'S up to. No, I WON'T say. It's not my business and it's certainly not YOURS. You don't need to know. Trust me. You DON'T.

When we get to Venice, we'll be gone and leave him to carry on with his "Shenanigans " I won't be involved in THAT event, not what he's up to. I wouldn't even let YOU get involved with THAT, even though you would probably deserve it but I'm not as bad as that. Never forget that I can be though. Just the right amount of "bad," see.

No, this time I will let you off the hook.

Behave yourself though, I can easily change my mind if need be.

Settle down now, we're off on the journey to Venice, we should be there in around fifteen minutes or so. Sit quiet and don't go on. I'm not telling you what he's up to. You don't need to know. You DON'T. Just know one thing..it's BAD.

I'm leaving now. You coming? You can stay if you like but we have arrived in Venice. Second thoughts, you CAN'T stay. I don't think you would make it home. Not in one piece, anyway. No you wouldn't. Come on, let's go.

You can go on as much as you like but you WON'T find out. Should have stayed with him then shouldn't you? Trust me though, you wouldn't have lived long enough to tell anyone else. There, THAT'S scared you hasn't it?

You're not at home now, you're in a dangerous world. Oh sorry, you ARE at home aren't you? You dare not leave your comfy house and do what I do, dare you? No, you dare not. You would be here instead of me if that were true but you're not. You are too scared. Yes you are. I'm not going to argue now, I'm too busy.

Look, we're at the location. All we need to do now is make the jump four years into the future.

Hang on, I'll speak to you in a few minutes.....

Okay, we're here. I can see the window over there in that alleyway. It's still dark but to me, the window glows. Oh, I forgot. You can't see it can you? Never mind, just come with me as usual and we'll find out what has gone on and what was done. Suppose I should be used to that by now but you HAVE to find out what's occurring, don't you? Whatever it takes you don't want to miss out on it do you? Come on then. Follow me and you will see......

Lets take a look through the window and watch the scene unfold. Now, what happened here and what did I have to do to rectify the problem? Did I solve it successfully or not? I suppose we had better have a peep and see.

Uhuh, THAT was it, was it? I thought THIS one would be coming up soon. I had a funny feeling that it would. Let's get on with it then. Let's go.

Now, this one was going to be not too tricky to sort out but it DID require to be done. Not just for one person, oh no, this one needed sorting out to save lives. Many lives in fact. The lives of just about everyone living in Venice to be exact. What do I mean? Sit back and listen. I'll try to go slowly because it may be way over your head. It's a bit technical. A very intricate set of facts. You may not be able to understand it all. Well, YOU won't for sure. I know that. We both do. You're far too dumb. Got no choice though because you want to know about it, don't you? Or else you would have put down the book WAY before now but you didn't. You couldn't. We both know that. If you did, who's reading this bit? YOU are ya dummy!

I've got no choice but to make you understand so, like I said, I'll try to go slowly. Not that it will make any difference. Here's the thing :- Venice ISN'T one island. No, it's actually somewhere around one hundred and eighteen islands, each one linked to another by bridges. Four hundred bridges to be exact! That's why there is so much water everywhere. Oh, and so many rats... Do you like rats? Oh no, sorry I forgot.. you don't. You're scared of rats aren't you. Fact.

The islands were built upon and linked together to form one massive city. Venice. Impressive huh? Well, yes but at the same time, actually no. You see, the problem is exactly that. The sea. See? What? You're not listening. The problem is the SEA! You're still not listening are you? I knew this would be too complicated for you, I just knew it. Look, these islands may be linked together but the sea, you know, that immense body of water that is surrounding us right now. Over there and over there.. just LOOK! The sea surrounds them and when the sea level rises, so does the water in the waterways, causing floods throughout Venice.

It's happened before. Trust me, I know. I've seen it. I was THERE. There is a solution to this, quite a big solution but a solution all the same. The plan is to start construction of some movable barriers or rising gates. It's called, or at least GOING to be called, the "Mose" project. Silly name you say? Not really, no. It definitely isn't. You see, "Mose" is Italian for "Moses." you know? The man who parted the red sea? No? Don't you remember your Religious Education lessons at school? Oh. I bet if they were lessons about burgers, you would have remembered. Probably got an "O" level in THAT class. Then again I forgot. You're dumb.

Anyway , the plan is to put more than seventy of these barriers or gates in strategic positions around Venice. They will lie flat on the seabed and open up using gas or air raise a flap, just like opening a book and keep the page/ flap at ninety degrees, forming an "L" shape. The sea will be kept at bay behind these makeshift "dams" thus reducing the sea level throughout Venice, which in turn will stop it from flooding. When the sea level has dropped, the gas or air is released from the gates, "closing the books" and returning them to their flat positions until the next time they are needed. Sea? I mean, see? Have you got it? Did you understand? Any of it? A bit. OK. That will have to be sufficient. So after all of that, what was the problem, you ask. Well the

"Mose Project " wasn't decided upon until the year two thousand and three. That's eleven years from now, in the future.

What's the problem with that, you say? Because the plan was decided upon by the prime minister. He decided to carry out the scheme but with a very major issue. It wouldn't be completed until the year two thousand and fourteen at least! STILL not sure what the problem was? Well, I'll tell you. Listen.

In THIS timeline, this particular person decided that he DIDN'T want to be a politician. If he doesn't, he won't become prime minister and this will never happen. Venice will sink and be no more! If he doesn't change his mind and go into politics, it's over. I needed to "encourage him" to change his mind and become a politician. I HAD to. It's all against the clock and the click is ticking.

What happened then? How did I manage to convince him to go into politics? Let's see.....

What makes people become politicians? In the past it was several things. Maybe still is. Money, power, greed. Oh yeah. It DEFINITELY still is. What about that? There were other reasons though.

The ability to change things for the good of many. The ability to make a difference to everything. The power to actually HELP people instead of making the masses suffer. The compassion and goodness to help the masses have a decent existence. Now, I can't say why this man would choose to be in politics, I don't actually KNOW for one thing. I COULD find out, don't think that I couldn't. I COULD. I just don't WANT to know. I have no interest in politics. Never have had.

It never interested me in the slightest. To be honest, not a lot DOES now.

I haven't been here for 40 years ( alive that is ) and I am not even here now. Not properly anyway.

What am I? Who can say. Ghost ? Spirit ? Avenging Angel ? ( I kinda like that last one even though it contradicts itself somewhat ) but I HAVE seen what happens in this world and sometimes, just sometimes, someone CAN make a difference and help the masses to be happy.

The simple fact is, if doesn't become a politician, Venice will simply sink under the ocean, never to be seen again.

Now what? I needed to do something quite drastic, in fact, I had several choices I could have taken and several things I could have done but none of them seemed important enough. I had to influence him in such a way that he would HAVE to go into politics. He would have no choice. None at all.

I needed to "force" him to do it, whether I wanted to do it or not.

I looked into his mind to try and find one thing that meant more to him than any other thing did. I was in luck. What did he love more than anything? No, not burgers. That would be you. We both know that. He loved his homeland. He loved Venice. The answer was simple, the method? NOT so simple. Well, actually it WAS but it just wasn't ethical. It wasn't really "allowed ." It wasn't the choice I would have made and I wasn't very happy about it. Not happy at all. I had only one real option I could choose. I had to make him understand the importance of his decision. I had to do it in such a way that he would not only believe what would happen but make him understand what would happen if he didn't. I needed to make him see, see? There was only one way to ensure that. A vision. A sequence of events that would feel so real to him, he would not dare to carry on without getting into politics so he could make changes and put things right. I needed to show him what would happen if he DIDN'T get into politics but I also had to make him BELIEVE that it wasn't a dream. This would get real.

Now you understand why I was not happy to do the deed. I don't like to mess with anyone else's mind. Unless it's yours, obviously. It's fun messing with YOUR mind. What's left of it anyway. Yes it is.... I think you love it too or else you would have put The Story down looooooongg ago... Except you didn't. You're too dumb.

Anyway, its not my thing, messing with other people's minds. Not now, anyway. Maybe long ago, but not now.

A dream wouldn't be enough. He would just think it was something he had eaten the night before which made him feel funny. He wouldn't believe it was a real thing. No, it had to be unquestionable in his mind. He MUST believe it was going to happen. There was only one choice then. Only one thing that would do it. Make it a certainty. He had to see the vision while he was AWAKE. Had to close his mind and senses to everything else and ensure that he knew that he WAS awake, not daydreaming it.

I needed to fill his mind with the scenes of Venice sinking and make him

"experience" the horror and devastation of the tragedy of Venice sinking beneath the sea as a REAL thing. He needed to see that if he didn't try to help, it would happen but if he DID help, things would change. I had to fill him with such sadness of the situation but also make him feel that he could do something about it. I needed to get him to understand that he could make a difference IF he had the power to change things.

How could he get that power? By becoming a politician and getting himself into a position where he COULD do something to save the world that he cares so much about. A great politician could become a great prime minister and a great prime minister could take control to save the future of his world.

He had to learn that his positive decision could save Venice from a watery end but I couldn't let him know about the "Mose Project" That wouldn't be allowed. Must not let him see the full plan or the person who "comes up with" the idea, may not be the right person. It WOULDN'T work then. Definitely not. I must make sure of two fundamental things. Firstly, if he continues on his present path, Venice would become very good friends with Atlantis.

Secondly, if he went into politics, he would be given the chance to save his beloved Venice, at least for a while. He doesn't need to know THAT. That's another story and he definitely wouldn't be around for THAT one. He needs to make a difference for all of its people. It's that simple.

I just had to make him see that there were only two outcomes and he had to choose the correct one. Well, the ONLY choice actually. Basically the choice of Life or Death. Not for him. He could move and go inland. He wouldn't do that though. He loves Venice far too much. I knew that and so did he.

Also by him being "wide awake" before, during and after the event, he knew, just KNEW that it wasn't a dream, that it WAS real. And he DID.

Needless to say that it did work out as planned and yes, he DID become prime minister of Venice. Yayyyyy!!

Now whether or not the "Mose Project " DID work, who knows? It may have not even been finished for all I know. Or care.

What? I completed my task correctly, whatever anyone ELSE does isn't my fault, it's THEIR decisions and actions from then on. Unless I have to come back and sort out ANOTHER problem, that is. You don't know much anyway so shush.

Phshhh!

Right. Let's go back then. Hang on.....Done it. Right. What's next then? Let's see.

Ahhhh, THAT one next. That one WAS very important. What's that? Oh, you don't know do you, not yet anyway.

Let's go through it then. We need to go three years into the future to nineteen ninety-eight. Where to?

Somewhere nice. No, NOT "Burger Heaven."

EGYPT!! It's very important too. Its a crossover timeline.

They're ALWAYS fun. NOT. It was very important in many respects, for the future anyway.

For many people in the future. Especially in my kind of work. The thing was, it wasn't for people like us. No. This was important for others. The "Live" ones.

Who are the "Live" ones? I would have thought that was obvious. The ones NOT like us. Don't forget. I haven't been here for 40 years ( alive that is ) and I am not even here now. Not properly anyway. You know that. I forgot, you're not clever enough to remember things.

The "Live" ones are everyone else. Everyone still well, alive. Let me explain. Try and keep up, I know it will be difficult for you but DO try.

The "Live" ones don't know everything. There's a surprise. They THINK that they do but they definitely don't. They don't know everything because they can't SEE everything. Not like we can. Not like us. By "us", I don't mean you! I mean my kind of people. The ones who do the job I do, see? No? Never mind. Anyway.

THEY still need to learn. Need to find things out. Things we already know. Not EVERYTHING we know, oh no. Some things they must NEVER find out. Never discover. They're not allowed. They couldn't handle it, they just couldn't. Trust me, I know. They couldn't. Bad things happen if they ever did find out. Very bad things. Their minds turn against them and make them do insane things to others. Then they have to face the consequences. You've seen or heard of people like that. I know you have. See? You just thought of one! I heard you. No, NOT me!! Others that have been infamous through the ages..

Anyway, some things they NEED to know about.

Some things they MUST be told. Must know. Like the one we just attended. Remember? Venice?

OK. Well, this next trip was going to be one of those "Must know" events so what have we got then? Well, for starters, we need to cross over to Egypt. I know, you're not going to like it but that can't be helped. We're off across water again! Don't start, I'm not going to listen to you. You can go on all you like, we're going. Hang on......

Yoohooo! Open your eyes, you can look now, we're here. Stop it. Just open your eyes and stop messing around. Come on, I really don't know what to do with you sometimes. I go to all this trouble to speed up the finding of the host and the journey across the see, which was lovely by the way, didn't you think so? You missed a wonderful sunset. It was really quiet spectacular. You would have enjoyed it, I'm sure. Well, maybe if you hadn't got your eyes tightly closed and covered up by your hands, you might have. I didn't realise you were such a scaredy cat. No wonder you say "Me oww!" What? I did? When? Oh. That's when I WAS a cat remember? You probably weren't listening but I'll let you off this time.

You can pack it in now, we've arrived. Look.

Egypt! I've got another surprise for you, we're going on ANOTHER ship!

Stop crying, oh dear.

This is not an ordinary ship, it's a "ship of the desert!" What do I mean? A CAMEL stupid. That's what they're called, "ships of the desert" because they can travel great distances.

Oh, don't get the hump! Come on, that was funny.

I thought so anyway. I knew YOU wouldn't. Not clever enough.

We have to go. The timeline we're looking for, we'll the one I'M looking for, YOU couldn't find it if it hit you on the nose. No, you COULDN'T, is in the desert.

Don't forget, this is a crossover timeline, things are not always exactly the same over there. Not always in the same place, for example. Definitely not THIS one anyhow.

I think I can recall a hotel of some sort but it isn't here in this timeline. When we get to the location, we will go three years in the future to the year nineteen ninety-five. Don't worry. I'll do all the "hard work," you just come along for the ride. You're good at that aren't you, doing nothing. Hmmph, Dumb AND lazy. Never mind. It least you're here for me to continue annoying. Yayyy.

Jump on, we're off!

I suppose you want me to skip this part too, don't you? I can't think why. The rolling motion of the camel is quite restful. You know, the way it makes you feel that you're going up and down and up and down and up and down and up and down and.......oh! Please don't be sick on the camel or HE will get the hump with you! He? Yes. His name is "Ayerwimmee." Why? Because you obviously ARE. Anyhow, stop being sick, such a big baby aren't you. Right. You can jolly well miss this bit out too then!

NOW open your eyes, again, What do you mean, "where are we?" We're in the desert of course.

There is nothing around for miles. Yes this IS the right location. Yes I AM sure. YES IT IS!!

LOOK, I told you before, we can sense and see things you can't. You couldn't. You wouldn't know it if it hit you on the nose. No you wouldn't.

I don't care WHAT you say, we ARE here.

I have even made the jump three years into the future to save you moaning.

That "Sandy" isn't it? What? Oh, you are SO grumpy. I really don't know what's wrong with you. That's probably why Ayerwimmee spat at you when he left. Eh? Oh, you missed that bit didn't you. It's on you back. All over it actually, camels do spit quite a lot don't they? Shush.

Phshhh! Lets get on with it. We are now in the year nineteen ninety-five. Look, there's the window over there. Let's not go through all that again. Just accept its actually there and let's take a peek through it, OK? Right, now what can we see...

As you can plainly see for yourself, there IS a hotel here now and an Oasis, that's a big pond of water in the desert, they are few and far between you know?

REALLY? No, NOT the band! Although, it WOULD be better if they WERE in the desert.. AND in a big pond of water.... oh, so sorry if you love them. Well I DON'T! Shush.

Phshhh! There is a road that leads directly to the nearest settlement. I don't know why they built it there, though. Unless it's because it's so quiet. It certainly is a long way from the nearest settlement.

Oh yes. I remember now. That WAS the reason. Lots of people came here to have a quiet time without any distractions or interventions from others that they didn't want to see for a while.

I know that this hotel in the middle of nowhere has been quite successful. You don't need to know EVERYTHING, I told you that before. No, it DOESN'T matter. Look, who's telling the Story anyway?

Is it me or is it you? Don't answer that, you are having enough trouble keeping up and understanding everything as it is. You couldn't do it. No way. We both know why. Look, just keep quiet and read, OK? Good.

Now then, as I recall, a very famous scientific person and someone else should be staying in that hotel right now. The one over there! Really!

You might even have heard of him. His name is Mr. Steven Hawking. Well, Professor Steven Hawking to you. He wrote a very good book in the year nineteen eighty-eight titled

"A Brief History of Time" which had many interesting things in it. The problem was, some of the things were deemed to be TOO intricate for the book so he had to omit them. What are we doing here then?

Well, in the year nineteen eighty-nine, the next year from our current position in time, he will publish another edition of the book and he will be putting back all the things he had to remove from the first printing. One of those things is what we're after. Why? Because in THIS timeline, he misses out the one thing that he shouldn't have.

TIME TRAVEL!

Yes you heard it right, time travel. He discusses all about it in our Timeline and in our future, it becomes invaluable information. In THIS timeline however, he didn't put it in the book and things didn't go as planned in this future. Needless to say we're here to find out WHY he didn't add it and find a way to make sure he DOES this time around.

Right, I know WHY he didn't add other things to the first version of his book, he was TOLD not to.

He was not ALLOWED to. Some of the things he wanted to put in the book were far too technical or in depth and certain people "advised" him not to put them in. At the time, he had agreed to this because it made the book seem far too complicated and intricate for the average person to comprehend. In the next edition of the book though, printed NEXT year. He will put back in many things that he was forced to omit in the current edition and there will be many more detailed facts, graphs etc. that he was told not to include. He WILL insist that they are put back into next year's reprint of his book, all except for one.

Why didn't he? The truth? He was unsure about the facts. In THIS timeline, he hadn't got enough evidence to support his theories and he didn't think anyone would listen to his or believe his thoughts on the matter, if he himself wasn't certain of the facts. So, what did I do to convince someone as intelligent as him? Simple. I got him to convince himself!

I've done it now, haven't I? I've lost you completely. You can't work out the answer to that one at all can you? Don't pretend, it doesn't become you. We both know that. You DONT know. Well, if you'll shut up, I'll explain. Just listen will you? The only person that COULD convince someone like him, was himself. See?

Not for you obviously. You've got no idea at all.

Lucky for you, that I am around to explain it to you then, isn't it. Yes, it is. It was in fact very simple for me to rectify this problem but it meant a slight bending of the rules which would be frowned upon. It couldn't be helped. Plus it would cause the least damage while solving the problem.

What did I actually do then? I just left him a present. A present FROM the future to the past. From THEN to now. How about that? Got it? Oh, keep up!

All I did was grab a copy of NEXT year's printed edition from nineteen eighty-nine, from "OUR" timeline and placed it on his desk with a lovely little bookmark inserted at just the right page... Job done.

What happened? Well, when he looked on his desk in the morning he would see the book, spot the date on it, and see the bookmark. As soon as he opens the book to that page, all the facts would be right in front of his eyes! He would then have ALL the proof he needed and all the information and facts, that would seal the deal. Think about it.

He would discover that the book was printed a year later, but it had mysteriously appeared on his desk a year BEFORE it was actually completed!

How else could it possibly have happened, except for the one thing he omitted from HIS version? What could actually HAVE happened?? DUH!!

TIME TRAVEL!!!

So, that was done and dusted. I know bending the rules about something from the future being brought back to the past or present is normally not a good thing to do, but he DID write about it. It's not as if he didn't know about time travel, he did. He actually wrote it himself. It was his OWN work. It's not like I brought someone ELSE'S work to him,. Have done that before though. It was NOT a good idea. No, definitely not. They didn't ALL die though. What? No, don't worry about that, it's nothing to do with you. No it's not. Shush.

Phshhh! All I did was show him his OWN idea.

Show him that it WAS possible and that's all I needed to do to resolve the issue.

He added the information himself and later printed the book as planned. Sorted. Done.

So, what happens next? Give me a few minutes, we're going back....

OK, were back in our own timeline now. See? No hotel and apparently no sign of Ayerwimmee. Obviously not after being spewed up over by YOU.

You don't like all that messing about do you? Well, we're back so that is that. What's next? Ahhh. I see. We need to get to South Africa!

Shouldn't be much of a problem, we're on the same continent anyway. Not close enough though. Not yet. We need to be going south for quite some distance. Almost all the way down the continent.

Now, where's that camel?

Stop panicking, I was joking again. You really ARE pretty dumb.

It's too far for a camel anyway. It would take far too long. We need something faster. How about an ostrich? Okay, Okay...only joking. Still not fast enough.

CHEETAH, YES!! It's official then.

You just CANNOT take a joke of any kind, can you? What on this earth is the matter with you? Of course we're not going by cheetah, it's too far. And you're too heavy for it anyway. You know it. Too many burgers. Yes you do. Don't argue. Shush.

Phshhh ! Let's look for something else. Obviously you are not going to want to travel down the river Nile, are you. No, water is definitely NOT for you. It's your worst enemy. That leaves us only two options. Either we travel by four wheels which will take us a long time, or we take to the skies again. Which would you prefer? It matters not one iota to me. It really doesn't. YOU choose. What do you want to do? Eh? Come on, make up your mind. Which is it to be? Land or air? What's that you say? By land? Ok, if that's your choice, by land it is then. Don't blame me for whatever happens. What? Just saying.

So, where are all the animals then?

Don't cry again, it's not what you think. Ahhh, I've got it! Wait there a minute, I have the ideal creature. Back in a minute.....

OK. I'm here. Hop on. What do you mean "where am I," Down here. No, not there, here. On your SHOE! Yep, that's right. That's our transport. We're travelling by FLY!

Don't turn your nose up, it's a GREAT choice. Why? Because if we travel by fly, we can rest all of the way there simply by sitting on some luggage. Someone's holiday bag? Yes? Understand? Stop complaining, it's all organised. There is an overland convoy of all terrain vehicles due around here any time now. That man over there "told" me. Well, truth be told, I read his mind in passing. The fact is, all we have to do is sit on his suitcase and it's South Africa, here we come! Well, are you coming or not? No you DONT really have any choice. Let's go!

WE'RE HERE! What's the matter now? Oh dear, what a whinger you are. I know it was very cramped. How much room did you expect there would be? ITS A FLY!!

They are not exactly very big, are they?

What about that stunning view, though? Those special eyes of theirs enabled us to see in many directions at once. You've GOT to admit that was pretty cool. What? You've got a migraine? You are such a baby! That's TOO much. Whatever do you get up to at home? You don't have to tell me, I know. You sit about watching television and eating junk food all day.

I KNOW you do. And don't bother trying to deny it, it won't work. I know you too well. I know what you do. I've SEEN you. Watched what you do. Yes, I can, and I have. It WASN'T pretty ....Euggghhhh!!

THEY watch you too. Who are THEY?

I can't tell you THAT. I'm not at liberty to. You're not ALLOWED to know anyway. That's just how it is, so deal with it!

It's not important anyway, it just isn't. What IS important is the fact that we are now in South Africa and only a short trek away from the next jump, about one and a half miles away. I think that the fly can manage that. Come on, let's get going before he decides to buzz off! Funny? No? O.M.G.

It's a good job that they always seem to hang around for so long, don't they?

Here we go ..... let's "fly" away! Oh, come on, boring one. Take off!!

We're here! You can relax now, he's gone. If it's a problem for you, go and have a lie down in a dark room for a while. I can wait. No? Thought not. You're afraid of the dark too aren't you? Hah! Knew it. Don't fret, let's just get on with the job at hand shall we. The window is just over there. Oh, forgot. You can't see it can you. So disappointing. You wouldn't recognise it if it hit you on the nose.

Trust me, it's over there. Look. Well it WILL be when we make the jump. Ready? Here we go. "Flyboy."

When/where are we now? I'll tell you. We've jumped forward three years to the year nineteen ninety-one. The lovely window is just there. Let's do the Peeping thing and find out the situation. What was going on? I recall we are in another desert like area and there are a few groups of people around us, see? What are they doing though? Well, a lot of them have shovels and spades and are using them to relocate sand to another area, so.......

They're DIGGING! I would have thought that was obvious but then it's YOU we're talking about here, isn't it. We already know that you're not that bright, don't we? We established that a long while ago.

I'll explain it to you so just listen. Shush.

Phshhh!

The simple fact is there are two main groups, both hoping to find the same thing. What IS the wonderful thing that they are both looking for, I hear you ask.

Well, you might know if you were clever enough but everyone knows you are not. Let's not go into that one....again. So, here it is.

A wonderful ancient mask depicting the Nigerian God AMADIOHA. Never heard of him? What are you on about? He's their God of thunder and lightning. Wow!

You know? Like THOR?? Obviously without the hammer Mjolnir. It's so cool.

I suppose it is far out of your league though.

The "Mask of Amadioha" from their ancient civilization in southeast Nigeria is definitely NOT anywhere near where it originally started. It was stolen and last seen hundreds of years ago. So why is it so important? Well, it not only represents their God, epitomises their entire existence but holds their total beliefs and way of life of the ancient race of his people, that's all!

Well, not EVERYTHING. It's also engraved with an ancient prophecy which may well come true, when it eventually gets deciphered that is. It's made of solid gold AND it's decorated with diamonds. And rubies. And emeralds. It is worth thousands! No. Actually THAT is a big lie, it's not worth thousands at all.

It's PRICELESS!!

So what is the problem, I hear you utter. It's actually not complicated so even YOU might be able to comprehend it. I think. Well give it a try anyway. Here goes.....

'Group - A' is an archaeological team from Hopetown in Nigeria where the IGBO people come from. They want to find the mask and take it to their museum where it will be displayed for all of their people, whilst at the same time, having people try to decipher the ancient prophecy engraved upon it.

'Group - B' well, let's just say they had better not find it. They are a group of relic Hunters who are looking to discover it and sell it to the highest bidder, whoever that may be. They don't care who. Money is all they care about. Always has been.

What was my role in this one ? I would have thought that was a simple answer too but obviously not for YOU.

I needed to make sure that the correct group found the mask, NOT the incorrect group.

Which one would get the prize then? I thought that would be obvious too. The Relic Hunters. It's all about the money isn't it? It's all about only one person owning an object that belongs to all.

All about one person having ALL the power, isn't that what you believe? Well, you are WRONG! Dead wrong. No ONE person should hold that much power, that much influence. No-one should take possession of the one thing that belongs to many. It's not right. They don't HAVE the right. Not one person does. NO one. Not on THIS planet anyway.

No. Obviously, but not to you, that's a given. You don't understand. Can't comprehend. Trust me. I know.

'Group - A' HAD to find the mask for the good of the people. That way, anyone and everyone had a right to see it, not just one person who happened to have it in a glass case in his study and only look at it about once a month, saying, " Isn't that an ugly thing, why did I bother?"

That couldn't happen. It's wrong. No two ways about it. It is WRONG!

I had to make it right. I HAD to. I could not let 'Group - B' get their dirty hands on it. I COULDN'T.

How did I go about achieving this goal? Well, let's see............

'Group - A' are digging in the wrong place. Not good, but then 'Group - B' are ALSO digging in the wrong place. Unfortunately, 'Group - B' are much closer to the actual location of the mask and are much more likely to discover it unless they can be distracted. Unless I can convince them to dig somewhere else, they WILL eventually find the Mask of Amadioha and become very rich. Well, not ALL of them. The vast amount of money will only be received by the two brothers who are "leading"

'Group - B.' How? Because as soon as the Mask of Amadioha is discovered, the brothers will take possession of it, kill ALL the rest of 'Group - B'and bury them all in the deep hole they have already dug out.

In effect, they are "Digging their own graves!"

If no-one is around, who will know what has happened? No bodies will be seen.

'Group - B' have been away from their homes for many months already, they are not expected back at any particular time. No-one actually cares IF they return or not. They are not nice people, remember? They are mercenaries, they don't care who is hurt or who dies as long as they get paid! Who loves THEM? If the mask is found by 'Group - B' the brothers will be very rich indeed and become winners of the race to discover the Mask of Amadioha.

'Group - A' are looking for it so they can return it to their people. They want it to go back from where it was stolen and have their people decipher the prophecy which is engraved on the mask, so their people can finally be aware of their God's wisdom and wishes.

To 'Group - A,' it's a religious quest so that the people can follow their God AMADIOHA more closely. It is NOT a money making quest. They do not care or even KNOW how much the actual mask is worth in money terms, all they want is for it to be brought back "home" to where it belongs. They want it to be in the possession of the people who follow and believe in Amadioha. HIS people. Their lives are his, belong to him. They worship him still, even though it's an ancient relic, his people still exist and continue to follow him devoutly.

If the mask of Amadioha is returned to its rightful place, peace and happiness will be restored to the people. THAT is worth more than ANY price. It's not YOUR mask anyway, its their's. That is the Mission 'Group - A' to find the mask and "bring it home." Problem is, how? Up to now they have no chance. None at all. 'Group - B' WILL find it in the next two days. They WILL. I've SEEN it. Seen it happen. Have you forgotten? Of course you have.

Still just as stupid aren't you? Always will be.

I saw 'Group - B' find it. I WAS here. I WAS!

You don't want to know what happens when they do find it. I promise, you don't. Why? Lots of workers will die! Don't you remember? I TOLD you before. They have "dug their own graves," haven't they? What's the point, you aren't listening again. As usual. Right. Move out of the way.

Let's see what I did to sort this out......

Ahhhhh, yes. Along with the Mask of Amadioha, there also was a necklace from a lady of standing in the community which was stolen at the same time as the mask and both were buried in a location that supposedly nobody knew about so they could be sold when the "heat went down" and a buyer was found. Unfortunately, the thief also had another identity, he was a drunkard. That's how all of this happened, he accidentally "told" some fellow drunks about what he had done because he was so proud of it. His bragging was heard by one brother from 'Group - B' and also a member of 'Group - A' at the same time because both of them were also drinking in the in the same bar but obviously NOT together.......

The EXACT location wasn't given as the drunken "Hero" couldn't explain or even recall the exact position but the general area was recognised by those who heard his tale of thievery. That's what started up Groups A and B and set them both on their search for the mask of Amadioha in earnest. Why did I mention this to you? Well, firstly to see if you were ACTUALLY listening to me. Secondly to inform you that not one, but TWO objects of value were being searched for and thirdly, so I could explain more simply to you how the situation was going to be resolved. OK?

Good. The way I sorted this one out was another tricky one but not TOO tricky. It DID require the use of another animal though.

Wait, there's that goat again! HEY YOU, COME HERE!! OK it wasn't THAT goat but it WAS quite a fast one after all. I know it seems like The Story is repetitive but it IS the best option, especially now I know just how FAST goats really are! After all, I only needed it to do one thing. What was that? RUN!!!

You see, I "found" the necklace that had previously been stolen, used it to solve the issue and actually saved the lives of those horrible 'Group - B' people. I know it doesn't sound a good idea to save mercenaries who don't care who dies as long as they get paid, but saving lives is necessary in SOME situations. Realistically, they didn't know that they were going to be killed by the brothers. It wasn't the outcome they were expecting from their "quest." Not ideal for ANY people to get murdered for money, they WOULD find that out for themselves.

So, what did I do? This was a good one. An easy one. One that was sooooooo simple that it couldn't have turned out any better. One that... wha? Oh, OK. Shush.

Phshhh!

What I did well, ALL that I did was this :-

I calmed the goat down so it sat quietly, shame it wouldn't work with you.,, fixed the necklace firmly around his neck so it wouldn't fall off at "Goat speed" and then I took "take control" of him for a few minutes.

Eughhhh! What HAVE you been eating?

That is definitely NOT goat food! YUCK!!

Come on, lets get on with this over with quickly.

Pthhhhh! Pthhhhhh!!

Here we go.

I/we walked slowly past one of the brothers who was watching over 'Group - B' and as he looked over to me, I said hello, MAAAAHHHHHH!! as loudly as I could so he spotted the sun shining off the valuable necklace that I/we were wearing.

He quickly shouted to the rest of

'Group - B' and started to stand up, that's when I/we did the only thing we needed to do. RUN!!

The plan worked. It ACTUALLY worked! All of 'Group - B' started to chase me/us AWAY from the real location of the mask, to see where I was going..

I did one more trick to guarantee the deed would be done. I sent a thought to one of the brothers........

"Where did the goat get THAT from??

They all continued to chase me/us and I encouraged the brother to believe that the Mask of Amadioha was buried somewhere else, wherever I went was where the mask would most likely be found.

This became his "truth" as I/we ran and ran far away heading towards some ancient ruins so it would make it seem that THIS was the place that 'Group - B' should be investigating.

I/we dived through a tunnel which led far away from the area so I/we could disappear from the scene. The rest of 'Group - B' would reach the area very soon and start their investigation but I/we would be long gone. Told you he was a fast runner didn't I? So, then what happened?

I/we got through a much smaller exit but then needed to complete part two of our problem solving plan. What was that, I hear you say..... well, I/we headed back to where 'Group - A' was and I said hello to THEM too. As loud as I could. MAAAAHHHHHH!!

This plan was similar but much, much slower to carry out. Mr Goat was also hungry but we are NOT going there! No way.

As 'Group - A' spotted me/us, and the valuable necklace, they followed me/us to the exact location where Mr. Goat just lay down and allowed them to remove the necklace.

After all, it WAS theirs. One person took Mr. Goat for a nice meal. I left him to THAT one on his own.

So. 'Group - B' spent their next two days at the false location and never found the Mask of Amadioha. I'm not saying what they DID find but it really wasn't worth much. Not much at all.

'Group - A' however, DID find the Mask of Amadioha, returned it and the necklace to their homeland and had a wonderful existence from then on. Well, they PROBABLY did. Not any of my business is it. No, it's not. I did my part, that's all that counts. Now, what is next? More animal transport?

Oh, stop it. You're getting upset again aren't you? There, there, everything will be OK. Wimp! Right. What is next then? Keep up slowcoach!

Oh dear. This one will be tricky. Very tricky. Very tricky indeed. OK look, it will be tricky Ok? Not for me, no. It's never too tricky for me but you won't like it as usual, you are a Wuss.

Why will it be tricky? Because we are in South Africa and the next one is not. Not even close. Not close by destination or by timeline. We need to go BACKWARDS. TIME TRAVEL!!

What? You're not funny. We need to travel two hundred and twenty-two years back into the past to the year seventeen seventy-six. BEFORE the fourth of July. Yep, you guessed it. We're going to America!

No, I don't know how we are going to get there either. Let me think.

I believe it's around eight thousand miles from here to our destination of....... wait for it.........

Philadelphia!

That leaves you with two choices, fly or float!

You choose. Fly on a fly? Whatever floats your boat? No? What then? Ok, I'll go and have a look around. Wait here.

And stop panicking. Big Baby.

Right. I have found there are some people waiting to travel to America but NOT Philadelphia. Don't start! If we get on the right continent, we can still travel to the location but we got no chance from here, OK?

There are three people waiting for a plane at the airport. I can "see" them but we need to get to them first before we can travel. Let's go. How?

By fly again. Oh, don't get upset again, there is a lovely bird just over there. I'm sure it can make it up the road to the airport. Looks like a Burchell's Starling, lovely shiny blue feathers.

Come on then, let's go with him to the airport. JUMP!

Stop being sick! You really ARE no good at travelling are you? What did you expect? He's a BIRD! They fly how they want to. I didn't control his wings or flight plan, just let him know where to go. Anyway, we're here now so just forget about it. Let's look for those three potential hosts.

Three? Yes, three lovely people who are waiting for the plane. All different people though but the most likely choices. Which shall we choose?

Here are the three choices:- Firstly we have "The Teenager" over there. You know, the one with the headphones on. Secondly, "The Construction Worker" who is on his way home from his hard earned holiday and thirdly that lady over there with her four friends, well call her "The Party Girl."

So which will you choose? Whaaa?

"The Teenager?" NOT a chance. That loud music coming from those headphones and flowing around his head will block all of our suggestions. He won't hear any instructions at all and probably won't be concentrating enough to actually get on the correct plane! No. Forget that one.

"The Construction Worker?" Really? His mind is so full of conflict at the moment, thinking about having to go back to work after such a lovely holiday, he really doesn't want to return but he has many contracts to complete. No, He can't decide on this OWN thoughts, never mind mine.

The "Party Girl?" The one with four noisy friends? Those four noisy friends that you can here from right over THERE?

Actually yes, that might be the best option to be honest. You see, her four noisy friends will keep her SO distracted, that it will be Waaaaaayyyyyyy more easy to travel along with her. She won't even know we were there, we will though.

I think that she is heading to Atlantic City so it won't be too far away from our destination, about sixty-two miles I believe. Shall we go then? NOW!

The plane is leaving in ten minutes! MOVE!!

Here we go again.... Why are you always so sick whenever we travel anywhere? How do you get anywhere when you are not with me? Oh, that's right. You ring out for takeaway and home delivery. I forgot, you are SO lazy. Shush.

Phshhh! We have landed now and are soon going to be on the way to Atlantic City. "Party Girl" went that way with her friends so that bit wasn't too bad. Not exactly sure how we are going to travel sixty-two miles eastward to the Independence Hall though but we'll sort that one out. Come on. Keep up!

Any ideas how we are going to travel sixty-two miles away then? I'll have a look to save you the trouble. We both know just how lazy you are don't we? Yes you are! Don't deny it.

Luckily for you there is a "Truck Driver" over there, drinking a coffee. When he has finished that, he's actually passing the Independence Hall on the way with a delivery to somewhere else. Good luck eh? Let's not miss the ride then. Come on.

That one was a bit if a weird trip, wasn't it? What on EARTH was he thinking about? That one has DEFINITELY got something going on! Wow. I hope no-one else is having to deal with it . NOT good. No matter. We need to deal with something which is Waaaaaayyyyyyy more important. Let's do it shall we? TIME TRAVEL!

ANNNNNNDDDD....here we go again! If you didn't eat so much junk food, you wouldn't be sick so often, would you? REALLY!

Let's look in the window there and see what's happening now. And wipe your mouth. Eugghhhh disgusting!

So, over there is the Independence Hall where the continental Congress secretary, Charles Thomson, wrote out the Resolution for Independence document because king George the third of England was making rules as part of the British Empire for America to follow. They were not happy about this and thirteen colonies of America left the control of the British Empire and signed the Resolution for Independence document. This would bring about Independence Day on the Fourth of July!

Later documentation was done but this document started up the 'United States of America!' What could have possibly gone wrong then?

Well. I'll tell you. Just keep it down, this one is serious. Why? If this document isn't signed by the colonies, America will never leave the British Empire's control and they will never get to do what they wish. What's the issue then? The document should be signed on the second of July but not passed until the fourth. Problem was, on the first of July, the document went missing! That is what needs to be solved. Where did it go? Who took it? Let's see.......

The person who took the document did not make themselves known but I found evidence which showed the document was hidden in a locked cupboard in a nearby office. It wasn't far away but there was no way I could reach it. I COULDN'T grab it, could I?

I haven't been here for 40 years ( alive that is ) and I am not even here now. Not properly anyway.

What am I? Who can say. Ghost ? Spirit ? Avenging Angel ? ( I kinda like that last one even though it contradicts itself somewhat ) but I cannot touch solid objects. The only way I could get the document back was if someone came to help me. But who? It was then that I saw her.

Outside the Independence Hall, sitting on a step, was a little girl. She looked to be about eight years old but I could see she was exactly the right person for the job, she had an aura around her of some kind.

Who would suspect a child anyway? If I could get her to help me and retrieve the document, the United States of America would be born!

It HAD to happen. I HAD to do it. SHE had to do it but how? I had no choice. I slowly got close to her and gently put an idea in her head to enter the Independence Hall. I tried my best not to be too invasive, she was only eight years old after all, but I needed her help. I discovered her name was Evie-mae. She was a good girl but could also be naughty at times. One of those times needed to be NOW.

She opened the door to the hall which was not locked, and slowly walked inside. She did not appear scared but she WAS being very careful. We walked up to the room where the document was locked up and slowly opened the door. The cupboard was there but was locked. We needed the key but where was it? Then I "saw" it.

It was in the pocked of a man who was sleeping in a nearby chair, luckily.

Evie-mae walked to him quietly and attempted to take the key from his pocket. Not an easy thing to do but maybe it would be possible for her to get it without being noticed. I had to help her though to make it a certainty.

I was not sure what to do but then it came to me. If I got her to take it "on three," and at that point I push a "super tired" feeling into him, he may not wake up, whatever she did. He would go deeper asleep and we would get the key. Yes! It's got to work. Let's try it "on three," Evie-mae.

One, two, HE'S MOVING!

THREE!!

WOW, I didn't mean for him to tip backwards in his chair but at least he HAS gone unto a very deep sleep and Evie-mae has now got the key.

Let's open the cupboard for our "prize."

Evie-mae moved over to the cupboard, unlocked it and picked up the document but she is now seemingly "coming around" from my intervention! That has never happened to me before. What is causing this?

If we don't get that document to the correct location in the next few minutes, she will start wondering what she is actually doing and may stop helping all together!!

That CAN'T happen.

Quickly, I push just a little more and convince her to take the document downstairs and hand it over to Charles Thomson himself. There she goes, keep up!

There he is, she has seen him and is walking towards him confidently.

"Please sir, I found this and I believe it belongs to you."

He seems very surprised but very grateful too, before he can ask her any questions, she runs off down the corridor, heading to the toilet. "Byeee."

After she has paid her visit to the toilet, she will then go outside and not remember what has happened. Luckily for her, the next person who walks past her will offer to buy her some food. It's my way of thanking her for her help. They WILL buy her some. I've set it up already. No, it's NOT Burgers! You just can't keep your mind off food at all can you? Then you wonder why you keep being sick. Really? Work THAT one out if you can. I know you can't though. We both do. Really not clever at all are you?

Oooh.. I just received a passing thought from her. She actually was BORN on the fourth of July, how about that? That's why she was the one person who could help me.

Did that one work out OK in the end then? Looks that way from here. What on earth would America be like if all of its states were NOT joined together as one? Canada?No, best not go there. Don't want to get involved in THAT one.

What can we do now, then? What else needs to be sorted?

Let me see........

Oh, you are not going to love me in a few minutes. DEFINITELY not. Guess what we are doing next.......

No, NOT getting takeaway. YOU do that if you must and meet me back here, OK?

Have you gone yet? Thank goodness for that. Peace at last. Bet it won't last long though....

ARGHHHH! Back already? You almost made me jump, sneaking in like that. ALMOST. So, what did you get then? No, actually don't tell me. I don't care. I really don't. As long as your belly is full, we can get on, can't we. Ready? No, you are NOT bringing it with you. Just finish eating and get back in line. And did you go to the toilet? No? Better do that before we start again, somehow I think this one will be a DOOZY!

Ready now? Been? Washed your hands? Oh, really? Go and do that then come back.

So disgusting, stupid and lazy. Wha? Oh, nothing, let's just GO!!

Right, this one feels very odd. Maybe this could be the one we are looking for. What? Yes, I suppose it COULD be getting close to the end of The Story, I'm getting fed up of your company anyway.... shush.

Phshhh!

Where/when are we going to now, then? Oh, only about three thousand seven hundred and eighty miles away, not too far then.

Je ne sais pas pourquoi. Well, actually I DO. What? You don't understand? Go and ask KYLIE!

We are going to FRANCE!

How many years into the future? Let's see.....

I think it's time for US to be REALLY naughty, shall we? You definitely won't want to fly AGAIN will you?

So? It's a good idea. Yes. Come on, follow me down into the extended basement area under the Independence Hall. What? No it WASN'T there in this timeline, how do you know that? Never mind. I don't care. Really, I don't. How do we find it then? We are going to time travel FIRST this time, then it WILL be there. How many years? Oh, about One. Thousand. Oh, and two hundred.......and twenty-four years into the future. What year? Are you really that stupid that you can't add up? Really? Ok then. We are off to...

Da da daaaaaaaaaa......The year.....

THREE THOUSAND!!

Here we go, Hold on!!

If you hadn't have just eaten, you WOULD have been ok. But no, too stupid. We both know that. Don't blame me, YOU ate the food, not me. So dumb.

Anyway.......... we have arrived, follow me. Come on slowcoach. And clean yourself up. Eugghhhh. Such a messy eater!

So, why are we here in the new basement build? Because this building was the centre for The Freedom of America! Where ELSE would they build their newly developed Teleportation rooms with freedom being the main thing? Go where you like. Where you WANT to. That's the whole point of freedom, isn't it?

What? Of COURSE it's real! This is the future. We're IN the future, did you forget that? We can get to our destination in a matter of minutes. Look, all you need to do is stand on that circle of light, and we can get going. Hang on, I've just got to "ask" that lady to input the destination and push the button, then we are OFF! Just do it. Oh, and stand still. I really wouldn't move if I were you. After all, it's only the fourth time they have tried to teleport someone. I wonder how the other three tests went? I think one was a cat! I really don't know why, though, he definitely WAS a human when they sent him. What? Stop it. Stand still and stop being a big baby, I'm not going to die am I? Shush.

Phshhh!

I really don't think you should EVER travel anywhere when we have finished The Story, you would need to take sick bags with you everywhere you go!

Not on the FLOOR! Hope you're going to clean THAT up!

That's probably explains why the first one became a cat. Look, you're still alive just covered in sick, but still in one piece, even though you are a big baby. Meoooow.....

I'd better not tell you what happens next then, you would be sick everywhere! Nope. Just follow me and clean yourself up.......AGAIN. Really?

So, we are in France now and only a few miles away from our destination. No, we are NOT going by car, there's a much more fun way.. we're in the future, remember? DUH!

We got much better transport here. Look, over there. "JETPACK BOY!"

YAYYYYY !! NO, you've got no choice this time, it's one if the newest "taxi" services around. I'll just "ask" him to take us to our destination.

Just hold on!

I TOLD you to hold on!

REALLY!?

Hang on,

I'll get him to try and catch you.....

Phew! You really are NOT light are you? We both know why don't we?

BURGERS. You are definitely NOT having anymore on THIS trip, not in this timeline. You don't have ANY idea what additives they put in them nowadays. Trust me, you don't. Listen, in two more minutes we will be there. I know he's moving really fast, that's what he does. "Jetpack boy" will drop us, well, drop YOU, at our destination just down there.

NO!

I didn't say NOW!

No, don't bother catching this time, really not worth your time. Too stupid anyway, just proved it, twice! It's not your fault, I understand weight is such a big issue on trips. Thank you though, see you some other time.

Are you getting up anytime soon? What? We were only feet off the ground. Well, only twenty or so but you're not actually HERE are you? So, So stupid....

Stop crying over spilt milk. Come on, we need to get to the window over there. Look.

Oh, I forgot, you can't see it can you? Never will.

If you keep falling from heights, you might do one day, but I seriously doubt it. I really don't think that THEY would give you a job. In fact, I KNOW they wouldn't. You are too stupid and lazy. Yes you are, we both know that. Just get up and shush.

Phshhh!

Right, let's time travel AGAIN. While you are still 'alive,' anyway. Where are we going now? Backwards one thousand and eighty-two years to the year Nineteen Eighteen. Let's go.....

Oh! No! NO! NOOOOOOO!!

Not THIS one! I really HATE this one!

I ALWAYS had a very bad feeling about it but I never found out why.

What do you mean, "Now I will!" That is not nice at all.

ARGHHHHHH!!

Don't you see? The year Nineteen Eighteen? No?

WORLD WAR ONE!!!

I really don't want to go to this one.

I REALLY don't.

What?

Who's talking?

I know but..

Yes I understand but..

My job? Yes I know but..

OK,OK. I know that I HAVE to but I really DONT WANT TO.

I know, I know. OK.

I have no choice, I understand, but I am not happy about it. Not happy at ALL

OK!

BYE!!

What? Oh, sorry, yes. I was talking to someone else. Who? None of your business. You couldn't understand even if I told you.

No you COULDN'T. Just button it!

Right, look in the window, let's get this one over as quickly as possible. NOW!

When/where are we? We are on the Hindenburg line in France. The date? The twenty-ninth of September in the year Nineteen Eighteen. The Battle of St. Quentin Canal. World War One.

Forty-three days BEFORE the first world war ended.

What is the situation then? See that man over there on the Front Line? The one in the trenches?

The CAPTAIN?!

Oh, you CAN see him, lovely. What's the issue then? Actually I'm not really sure on this one.

Things don't feel right. Don't feel right at all. Why? I'll tell you. He's going to be hit in the chest with shrapnel from a shell in about two minutes time. He is minutes away from death!

What? Is he SUPPOSED to die? What do you think? He's on the front line in a world war! Do you really think he will be going home for tea?

I don't KNOW!

Save him? Do I? I really can't remember! I don't have any idea but I know it makes me FEEL really odd.

I am actually FEELING upset ?

It's making me want to cry?! How is this possible? I CAN'T feel anything. I CAN'T!

Oh, no! Is this THE ONE?

It IS!!

Did I do the WRONG thing? I don't know.

This IS the one. This IS the thing I did not complete correctly, I remember now.

I need help!

Oh, no. I DID try to save him, didn't I?

I suggested he had to go urgently to the toilet and this would mean that he would miss the flying shrapnel and survive! Didn't he? No?

Something DEFINITELY happened but what? The feelings are ripping me apart!

I am unable to feel things. I CAN'T! This cannot be possible. It CAN'T!

I don't HAVE feelings. What is going on??

Who are you?

What are you doing here?

You seem so familiar but........

NO! It CAN'T be!

How can you even BE here?

How can I even be here?

At the exact same time as MYSELF?

How can you be........ME?!

Calm down, I've come to help you.

Come to help myself.

You can't save him. You CAN'T.

You MUST not save him.

I won't allow it.

Why? This is actually making me FEEL as though I am actually starting to fade away from existence!

Me too.

How can this be? HOW?

Because you can't save him. I cannot let you.

Why? Because he IS you.

Whaaa?

If you save him or I allow you too, YOU will not be "Born again." Neither will I.

He is you/ me in our last "past life."

When he/you/me passes over, we will all be "reborn" and become what we ARE today.

We will be doing this job. Be travelling through timelines. Be saving the world.

If we/he doesn't die, thousands of other people WILL and it will be all OUR fault.

So, you're saying it IS me and I HAVE to die?

If you want to exist again as a "Saviour of the world," yes.

But...

Don't. You/ me? We don't have ANY choice. In the matter. NONE. I barely even managed to split the timeline so I could come to help you. The timeline crossing HAS made it possible that all three of us are in the same place at the same time.

How? Because WE are not alive, are we? Only HE is, for now anyway. If he/you doesn't die from shrapnel in the chest in less than a minutes time, you/me AND him will all be gone.

FOREVER!

You/ me will NOT exist. You MUST die.

I know, we both feel the same about this but we soon WON'T.

We actually both ARE starting to fade from existence, you MUST die now, or we ALL will!

No choice in the matter.

Thousands of people we will not be saved because we weren't there to help them. What is your answer, hmmmn? What do you say?

"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few" ........ I guess.

Yes. Yes, they do.

Come on, lets just walk THAT way, we don't have to watch. Look at those lovely clouds up there!

Oh, you're still there? I thought you had gone long ago. What? No. He/me HAS gone back to another timeline/future/past, what do I know? I'M here, that's all I know at present.

The OTHER me? The "past life" one? Yes, he DID die on the front line in World War One from shrapnel in his chest.

That WAS the one.

The person who helped me? That was ME!

I'm guessing that The Story is ended now. Finished. Over. Done. Kaput. Finito. Oh, shush.

Phshhh!

You can go back to your boring life and eat "til your heart's content."

No. Really, you CAN. I know we won't meet again. Well, not unless something strange happens.

Hang on, what's this? There's a letter!

Addressed to ME!

Oh, I can't open it. I will never find out what is inside.

Unless...... ermmmmm.... could YOU open it for me? Ermmmmm..... please?

Oh, come on. You've stayed with me all this time, there must be SOMETHING you can do to help. There is.

OPEN THE LETTER!

Oh, OK. I'm sorry for everything I've said or done, it was just to get you involved in The Story.

Please open the letter for me.

PRETTY please?

Thank you!

It WAS all a lie though, I actually meant EVERY word I said. What? No, nothing. Look, let me read the letter to you, OK?

Well, the main points anyway, you're not allowed to know EVERYTHING. You know that. We both do.

Let's see.........hmmmmmmn.

What? How can THAT be true?

Who is the letter from?

ME!!???

Its about "myself" who passed away in the trenches in World War One!

What happened?

What?

A wife??

Well, come to think of it, I DID see her about nine months ago, just before I came to France with the boys to fight the "Jerries" But.... a DAUGHTER??

I have a daughter?? What's her name?

Evie- mae.

Hang on........ that girl who helped us in America.

Now, what was her name?

EVIE-MAE!!

That was HER??

That was my DAUGHTER!?

I KNEW something about her didn't seem right.

Was she REAL? NO.

She was "taking over" another girl at that time, obviously to help me, her father.

She then was telling me her OWN name to give me a clue that she existed!

That means......... she's doing THIS job? Like me?

Wow. Of COURSE she is. Time has passed for BOTH of us. She HAD to be doing this job or she wouldn't exist. What? Yes, that's it but, hang on.

There's something else on the bottom of the letter.....

What does it say?

"Look behind you "

"Look BEHIND you??"

Whaaa???

"Hello Daddy."