One summer’s day when I had very little else to do I went into town.  I walked down Main Street taking in the sights and the lights.  All the stores were in full array, the harvest was looming near.

Just passed the goldsmith’s shop was a narrow wooden door.  I had not noticed it before.  Above the door, in rather small letters, the sign simply read “time”. 

I opened the door out of curiosity and stepped inside.  A long room lay before me.  At the back of the room was a single desk.  There were no carpets, no chairs, no tables or no magazines.  There was nothing provided for customers.

Behind the desk sat immense young man.  I would guess him to be about his middle 30’s.  He looked extremely strong, not at all the decrepit old bearded man I expected to find.

He gazed up over the top of his glasses and looked  directly into my eyes.  A split second was all it took for him to identify me.  “What are you doing here, Robert Styes?”  He asked.

His recognition of me was startling, so it took me a moment to respond.  “I only came in out of curiosity sir.  But I would like to ask you a few questions about where you came from what you do and where you will go.”

Time simply blinked once.  “I don’t answer questions and I have nothing for you.  I’ll kill you when I’m ready.  Now go away.”   With that he bowed his head again to continue the work I had interrupted.

I backed out the door through which I had come and gently, quietly, slowly, closed the latch.  I have not been the same since that day.  For I find myself constantly looking four time’s approach.