2024-10-07 “Now We Are Working” by Merritt (born 2000)

I’m the Merritt born in 2000 and as of now, I am in 2024 where I belong. At the job I was offered when I graduated from Georgia back in May that Merritt 1960 has been trying to keep.

I’m with the Hannah that was born in 1962 who graduated from Syracuse and would have started working here in 1984. 

Some months ago, we time-shifted to 1880. Today… We time-shifted to 2024—my normal time, but not hers. Confused? Try going to sleep in 1880 Memphis and waking up in 2024 Brooklyn!

Or try being a former slave (Devon) who did the same thing, only to wake up as a white man! And… for him… it was his first time-shift.

I digress…

The Will who also belongs here in 2024 (also born in 1962) put us to work picking up where the other Merritt and Hannah left off saying, “Basically, you are marking up an old blueprint based on your field notes. It's to automate HVAC and lighting.”

“Looks good,” I said.

Will went on. “The Hannah born in 2002 usually runs the computer because the Merritt born in 1960 is still learning. If anyone notices… make up something. You two are fairly popular around here for break room gossip. Most of the men wish they were Merritt. Most of the women wish they were Hannah…"

“Because?” Hannah asked.

“You two are a couple now. For a week or so… But… it’s been coming on.”

Hannah looked at me. “We’re a couple now… Poor Emma…”

Hannah looked at Will. “Does Emma know?”

Will nodded. “But, as I read things, she’s ‘trying things out’ with Devon. You two should read all the Instagrams or go to the Blogger page and catch up.”

Will explained then about all the posts, including our journal entries. We said we’d look.

"Well, try to look like you're working… Personal business on personal time and all that…"

Hannah nodded. "Understood…"

Then I made a comment, something Hannah, Emma, and I (when we were back in 1880) had thought of. “This ‘do good deeds’ thing makes no sense. Whoever is doing the shifting… they could get people from the right time to do the work. There’s no need to time-shift people to work on houses.”

Will acknowledged that idea had been discussed before, then he sighed and said. “Merritt… call your folks in about an hour…”

I looked at him. “Why… is… something…”

Will shook his head. “Merritt from 1960 checks in, but… it’s not the same. Not his parents. The calls are usually short. Read the Blogger page, then call and tell them you are doing well.”

The Hannah’s look became distant and a little scared. “What about my… the parents that had me back in 1962? What about them?”

Will shrugged. “One more unanswered question…”