Because, This Time, In Time, Is Your Time.
Posted: Tuesday, November 08, 2011
by Jack H. Schick
The fantasy world I have frequently mentally resided in during the whole of my dull, drab, frustrating life has included the possibility of traveling through time. It has been an escape mechanism. When I’ve been depressed and bored with my current reality I created fantastic events and scenarios that I would imagine living out. One of my escapes was: I would be transported to any place or time in history. I actually thought about it seriously, using up much intellectual energy.
The possibilities I came up with--where I’d go and who I’d like to be with might expose my favorite people. I thought about going back and befriending Alexander the Great. I’d maybe take a rifle loaded with bullets along, to prove to him I was a great warrior. But, I decided that wouldn’t work. He fought too many battles, I’d run out of ammo. I’m not good at languages, and ancient Greek would be tough for me. He died pretty young, and quite a few of his friends ended up killing themselves in the fights to take over his empire. I gave up on that one. It simply was not practical.
I thought I might like to go back in time and get myself established in the court of the Emperor Napoleon. He’d thank me for warning him about the Russian winter, I’m sure. I’d warn him about other mistakes I knew he would make. I’d prove it with my history book. I had a few years of French and he spoke some English, so that wasn’t a big problem. The one real problem was the fact that he was a genius. I might not be smart enough to even get a chance to meet him. I might be shot as an American spy. Besides, the idea of changing history had to be considered. I’ve read too many science fiction stories about that to not be a little worried about that.
After years of thinking about it I believe I finally came up with a good choice. I’d go back to the 1500’s, kill William Shakespeare before he became known then take over and live out his life. I take along a copy of his complete works and have them published according to schedule. It wouldn’t change history in any way. There are suspicions already that perhaps he was not a real person and his literature was produced by more than one man. I could live out my days in London as a rich and famous man. I could be the famous writer who gained the immortality I crave and no on would be the wiser.
It’s curious, how I responded, though, when my daughter asked me for advice. On one of her college applications she had to produce an essay on just that topic. The question was something like, “If you could be transported through time, where would you go and why?” She did what I had done for so many years and thought deeply about it. When she asked, I suggested that rather than go back in time, go forward. Go fifty years into the future and speculate what you will have done, where you will be, what you have accomplished. She liked the idea. The admissions department must have too, because she was accepted.
So here I sit, fifty years into my future; but, strangely, it is my present now. I don’t have to speculate what I will do. I’ve done it. I don’t have to wonder where I will be. I am there, and it really doesn’t matter any way. I know what I have accomplished and what I failed to accomplish. But, it’s not over yet. The clock is still ticking.
As I sit here in my library, I see a picture of Napoleon on the wall, his biography, and autobiography on the shelf. On the shelf above them are several biographies of Alexander. Across from them, in the literature section, is the complete works of Shakespeare and the book of sonnets my Aunt got for me in Stafford on Avon.
I guess I’m less bored these days. I find myself more often looking in the opposite direction, to beyond the veil. It is mostly my own history that concerns me, now. Yes, there are parts of it I’d risk going back to try to change. But, no, maybe I really wouldn’t. This is all just a mortal fantasy. Isn’t it? Time moves in one direction, but I only have to follow while I'm here.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)It would be interesting to see how life would be if we could go back and make different choices, but those choices are what's landed us here. All you've got is the present, and you're right the clock keeps ticking. (faster I think as we get older). Interesting article Jack.Thanks for reading and commenting
You probably have a better life now than Shakespeas did then, Food snaitation more travel oppurtunities technolgy etc. What about Shakespears life would be better than the one you possess now? What would be different that you really want? To possess the fame would be hollow as you did not write his works. You desire to be a fraud? What would the fame bring you you want. All i can think of is women.Thanks for reading and commenting. I would not be here? There are times that that was what I'd prefer- but I'm older
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