Date: 05/08/2001
From: SouthernSlider

Hmmmmmmmmmm. Not much going on around the board these days. I'm about to have a back-to-back post. Not good. Thanks for the effort on the woofing, DMD. Now if I could just get you to say, GOOOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGS! But I guess that would be going to far for a die-hard Gator. I'll settle for the woofs.

Now on with the story.
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Chapter Two

Quinn strode decisively down the street, hands in his pockets, looking at every storefront on one side and then the other, unsuccessful in finding his target. When he
came to a newsstand stand, he closed his fist around a handful of coins and pulled them from his pocket. Counting out the correct change, he paid for the paper, and then began perusing the pages. Just as he was about to give up, there it was on the next to last page. An advertisement for time.
Time - how much is it worth to you?
We’ll tell you.
Only $50.00 for years 1990 to present
$75.00 for years 1970 to 1989
$90.00 for years 1955 to 1988
$100.00 for any year before 1955
Will work with you to get you to right moment.
Timeline Enterprises
On the corner of 4th and Main.
Hours: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
What are you waiting for?
We’ve got the time you don’t have.

Quinn closed the pages and stuffed the paper in the nearest receptacle. He had to find this store. Checking his watch, the hands pointed to 6:30. He stopped the first
passer-by he met and asked for directions to 4th and Main.

Running down the street and turning the corner, he saw the glowing neon sign across the way. The words blinked on and off as a line with an arrow on the end made its
way down the side of the building to point at the door. The small store wasn’t all that impressive, but Quinn saw people coming in and out, so he figured they must do a decent business.

Waiting a few seconds for some cars to pass by, he darted out into traffic at the first second a gap between cars was offered. Taking a deep breath in front of the door, he
opened it wide and stepped inside.

A small bell situated at the top of the doorframe tinkled as the door swept past it. On all three walls there were nothing but shelves and shelves of bottles: some green,
some blue, some clear, tall slender ones, short squatty ones, all dusty and time-worn.

In front of the shelves on the right wall was a counter with an old-fashioned cash register sitting on the front end. A man with a plastic green visor on his head, and a
garter on his left sleeve stood there punching the old-fashioned keys. Little flags jumped up in the window at the top of the register announcing the amount of money. A ding was heard, and the money drawer popped open suddenly, hitting the man in his slightly paunchy stomach. He took the customer’s money, tucked it under the weighted arm that
held the money in the slot, then returned some change. Handing the bag to his customer, the clerk smiled, told the gentleman he hoped he enjoyed the rest of his life, then turned to his next customer. Quinn stared in awe.

When the clerk began to repeat the process with the next man, Quinn turned his attention to the bottles on the left side of the store. Walking over to them, he started to
read some of the labels. As different as the bottles, themselves, were, they all held the same information on the same type of labeling, a month and a year printed neatly in old English on a white rectangular label with the tiny words “Time in a Bottle” printed at the bottom.

Quinn picked up a tall blue bottle and turned it over and over in his hands. There seemed to be nothing inside but a small piece of rectangular paper. His fingers curled
over the cork as if he were about to pull it from its confines, but he stopped short of releasing it. <<What if there really is a time in this bottle? Would it transport me back there instantly?>> He shook his head and smiled, telling himself that was a ludicrous thought. But yet, it niggled at the back of his mind. <<I’d better find out more about this time thing before I do something stupid. If nothing else, I’ve learned that the seemingly
impossible on my world, might be an everyday, ordinary occurrence on another.>>

He replaced the bottle on the shelf and took another look around the room. To his surprise, the four people that had been standing at the counter had disappeared. Did they
open their bottles right here in the store? Again he chastised himself for such a thought. The clerk just worked diligently and moved them on their way. <<Too bad we don’t have that kind of service today on my world.>>

“May I help you, young man? Is there a particular time you’re looking for?”

Quinn blinked, then stuttered a reply. “Uh, no. I was just curious. I’ve never been in a time shop before.” He mentally cursed at his own words. What if it were as
common here as going in the corner drug store to pick up a pack of gum? How would he explain himself?

“Well, then, welcome.” The man flashed a bright smile as he moved from around the counter. Maybe it wasn’t so unusual after all. “I know this is a bit different from the
way we usually get you your time, but I thought it was unique. I needed a different twist to lure in the customers, and it’s working. I’m competing easily with the companies selling it over the air waves and in grocery stores. Yessir, can’t complain at all. I say, if
you’re going back to the past, why not get a feel for the past before you get there.”

Quinn smiled along with the gentleman’s jovial mood, but didn’t offer a reply to his remarks.

“Is there a particular time you might be interested in, young man? We’ve got ‘em all,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.

“Uh, no, not right now. I’m happy where I am,” Quinn answered. “I was just curious about your shop. Besides, it’s closing time. I don’t want to keep you.”

The man laughed at Quinn’s statements. “Don’t worry about that, son. I’ve got all the time in the world, right here at my fingertips.” He waved his arm around the store
and laughed loudly at his little joke. “I could start this whole day over if I wanted to.”

Quinn smiled nervously. He really wanted to get down to the nitty gritty and ask pointed questions, but he couldn’t bring himself to show his ignorance. Besides, he
needed to find out more about this time thing and the ways of this world before he exposed his lack of knowledge. There was no telling what they might do to him if he
didn’t know about this. They might zap him back in time, or something. Stranger things have happened.

“I just wanted to have a look. You have a really neat place here.” He hoped that was non-committal enough.

“Sure thing, young man. But if you ever get a hankerin’ to relive your life and correct any mistakes, you know were to come. We’ll have you on your way in a matter of minutes.”

“I’ll remember that. Thank you sir.” Quinn shook his hand, then stumbled out of the store in a daze. He could really go back in time. The man just said so. <<And correct my past mistakes. Wade. Professor.>>

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Will he or won't he? Only you're author knows for sure.

SS

I'm thinking he'll try.

Date: 05/08/2001
From: DieselMickeyDolenz

After all, it wouldn't be much of a story if he didn't, would it? ;) Great premise, SS.

DMD

My Guess

Date: 05/08/2001
From: sliderlynn

is that Quinn will try it. He's a sceincetist right?
Anything in the name of sceince.Now will Colin try to
stop him??? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm????? Will check in
tomorrow for the next chapter. Very good SS.. :)

I can see...

Date: 05/08/2001
From: Missye

...many twists and turns to come. Can't wait till tomorrow.
Missye

wonderful so far

Date: 05/08/2001
From: SweetOne

I keep hearing that song "If I could save time in bottle, I'd spend every moment with you..."

And that show ummm what was the name? oh yeah the new Fantasy Island.

SweetOne

he will he will

Date: 05/10/2001
From: Yeontoo

Dear SS,

Love it hun!

Blessings
Yeontoo

Original URL http://www.scifi.com/bboard/browse.cgi/1/5/1095/3379
Nominated by DieselMickeyDolenz