2024-07-29 “Second Week Begins” by Merritt

Remember when I first figured out I was in 2024, I thought it was crazy. Then things more or less leveled off. Well, today at work, the crazy came back.

But first, I want to talk about things at home. Emma got her furniture and we put it together yesterday. We had a nice time working together and we were able to smile about my thinking she was trying to get cozy with me. We agreed that it was understandable and that we’d have to be mindful of ourselves, so that was good. 

She’s got money concerns, naturally. She’ll start looking for work right away, and I have a feeling something will come up. I’m sort of counting on the metaphysics of the time-shift to kick in and hoping for something good.

Now, back to the crazy thing at work. I was at my desk which is in a cubicle, except they call it my pod. I think that’s just something my company does.

It was coming up on lunch time when I noticed one of the Senior Engineers, Will Robertson and his intern, Hannah Madison—I learned their names a few minutes after I noticed them—walking toward the elevator.

Hannah saw me look up and said, “Hey, New Guy… lunch time. Mr. Robertson wants to meet you.”

I was shocked. I got up and joined them.

The older man extended his hand. “Will Roberston. Merritt Gray, right?”

I acknowledged that he was right and Hannah introduced herself. She is a senior at Syracuse.

Mr. Robertson pushed the elevator call button, then said, “I saw your name as a new hire. University of Georgia… That’s where I went. Double major in engineering and physics. Graduated 1984. Man, things have changed.”

That was when I remembered being in a class with a guy named Will Roberston. That was when recognized that guy from the statics class in his aged face.

That was when I saw him looking at me oddly. “You seem really familiar to me. I don’t recall reviewing your vita, but I looked at so many, it’s all a blur.”

So, Mr. Robertson is the head of the Re-engineeering Division that goes into old buildings (old materials) and re-engineers them (new materials). Perfect. He’s seen it all!