“Hello Winston. I’m pleased that we could get together tonight, I’m happy to see you again, ” the voice said.
“My pleasure,” replied Winston, “it’s always my pleasure.”
“Yes it is,” the voice replied, “but it’s my pleasure also.”
“Yes,” said Winston, “it is your pleasure also.”
“These are pleasurable moments when we meet like this, would you not agree, Winston?” said the voice.
“Yes,” said Winston, “pleasurable moments and pleasing as well.”
“But there have been times, Winston, when it hasn’t always been quite so pleasurable and pleasing, I think you’ll agree.”
“We’ve had our differences, yes. We haven’t always seen eye to eye but things are different now,” said Winston.
“Yes Winston, things are different now,” the voice said. “Now, tell me Winston, would you like to begin where we left off at the end of our last session? Or would you prefer to move in a new direction? Perhaps you would prefer to take a simple test. No wires attached, Winston, just a simple little test involving a pen, a sheet of paper and a wristwatch.”
“Oh yes,” Winston cried, “I would prefer to move in this new direction.”
“Fine, then let’s begin. I’m going to take the tip of my pen and make a black dot on this sheet of paper that you see here, Winston. There! Do you see the black dot that I created?” said the voice.
“Yes I see it,” said Winston.
“Clearly, do you see it clearly? I don’t want you to merely imagine it. Clearly then, you see that I have created a black dot on this paper here before you?"
“Yes, it is absolutely clear to me,” Winston nodded.
“I’m happy that we both agree that I have placed a black dot on this paper, because in fact I have. I’m glad that we both see the dot clearly, Winston. When dealing with facts it’s very easy to agree isn’t it?"
“Yes indeed, it is very easy to agree when dealing with facts,” said Winston and then he smiled.
“Winston, my boy,” said the voice, somewhat irritated, “with nothing but this pen, this sheet of paper and this watch, I’m now going to wipe that silly smile from your face, and then I’m going to make you frown.”
“Have I said something wrong?” Winston asked. And within an instant the smile was gone.
“No, no,” the voice laughed, “not yet, Winston! But we’re only halfway there. Now let’s see if we can make you frown? Look again at this sheet of paper and the black dot that I created. Now watch carefully as I make another black dot on the paper. There! Now tell me Winston, do you have any doubt in your mind that I created another black dot?”
“No,” said Winston, “I have no doubt whatsoever”
“Of course you don’t,” said the voice, “because you watched me do it! So can we agree there are now two black dots on the paper?”
“Yes,” said Winston, “there are two black dots."
“Is that a fact?” asked the voice.
“Yes,” Winston said, “that is a fact.”
“Splendid,” said the voice. “Now watch what I do next and then I’ll test you with a simple question, and I’m absolutely certain you will answer the question correctly. Are you ready?”
Winston nodded his head but said nothing.
"I am going to place the tip of the pen on the first dot that I created, Winston, and we’ll check the time on the watch. I will then immediately move the pen to the second dot. When I have completed the task, I want you to tell me how long it took me to do it. Do you understand?"
Winston nodded his head once again and then he smiled to himself because he could clearly see what was about to happen.
“Watch as I do it. Pay close attention. There, it is done! Now, how much time elapsed, from when I touched the first dot, until I touched the second dot?”
“It took no time at all, none whatsoever.” Winston said.
“And why is that?” asked the voice.
“Because you had placed the second dot precisely on top of the first dot that you created. You didn’t move the pen. You put the tip of the pen on the dot and you didn’t move it.”
“Very good, Winston, I knew that you would answer the question correctly, I just knew it. You see, Winston, without movement, there is no such thing as time. Do you understand? Time is just a theory, it is a concept that was created in order to measure movement, Winston. Time cannot be expressed unless there is movement. No movement – no time! Do you understand?"
Winston shook his head and frowned. He was sorry to say, but he did not quite understand.
The voice cackled and laughed. “Now let’s go back in time to our previous session, Winston. Do you remember where we left off last time? Do you remember the last question?”
“How can I possibly forget?” Winston replied.
“Then answer the question again! How many fingers, Winston, how many fingers are on my hand? Come on Winston, I know that you know the right answer!”
“I don’t know!” Winston cried out, “I don’t know how many!”
"You are perfectly right,” said the voice. ‘I don’t know' is the correct answer. Good night, Winston.”
This Short Story was Brought To You By British American Tobacco
