2025-02-02 “What Do You Know?” for Paul (born 1910)

The after-show coffee meeting the night before had started off tensely, but quickly settled down with some mutual sharing.

Rebecca had been born in 1932 and translocated starting in 1952—by her experiences, the previous summer. Paul had been born in 1910 and had translocated first in 1945—by his experiences the previous fall.

Rebecca briefly introduced him to The New Order. “So, there’s somebody out there that doesn’t want The Agency to be successful.”

That conversation had spiraled to no conclusion as Rebecca told Paul about her missions… and why she quit.

Paul had replied, “Well, now, if you ask me, I wouldn’t bring that one up to Sag Harbor Addison.”

Rebecca teared up as he explained why.

By then, the coffee shop was ready to close. Paul overcame an impulse to take her to the apartments and introduce her to Merritt, Kent, and the others. He thought there could be some unseen danger, though she seemed to be honest about everything. Instead, he talked her into meeting at a diner the next morning.

Paul began the conversation only indirectly connected to Time Travel. “I do say, it is quite refreshing to know someone nearly as old as me. While I do like the… conveniences of technology, there was something charming about having lunch at the drugstore dining counter. Things were a notch slower.”

“To be sure. I’ve had quite the struggle accepting that a cup of coffee can cost 5… 10… dollars.”

Paul held up his cup and nodded. “Oh, but that Keurig is a fine invention! And the microwave!”

Rebecca nodded, then shifted the direction of things. “Paul, who are these people… The New Order… The Agency? The New Order said The Agency was only indirectly doing good deeds. They claimed that The Agency was self-serving and… ultimately a danger to humanity.”

“Miss Flint, all I can say is, tempted with a chance to make things right, I jumped into the unknown. But, at least I was invited. The others…”

Rebecca nodded. “They had no choice at all…”