October 24th: Space and Time

 
A close-up of a fuchsia: green leaves and a mass of pink and purple flowers. Overlaid text: #drabbletober.
 

Day 24 of my drabble-a-day challenge! Here is today’s drabble:


Space and Time

"I'm sorry, sir, I can't arrange that."

"What? I wanna be right there for the action! I thought your new cloaking technology was perfect!"

"It is, sir," the clerk stammered. "The machines are invisible to anyone more than an armslength away."

The man slammed his hand down on the desk. "What's the problem? Book me right in!"

"I'm afraid you're too late."

"Late? How can I be late with a time machine?"

"Even when invisible, the machines still occupy physical space."

"So what?" he snapped, his face redder than ever.

"I'm afraid, sir, that the grassy knoll is already full.”


I’ve always wondered how a time-travel agency would arrange bookings. Surely space is finite, and popular events will be full of time machines. Unless, of course, you can use your machine to travel back and get your booking in first? I’m pretty sure that would end badly… Let’s hope there’s a system for dealing with that.