You
Oh, hi. Are you Joshua Ray?
Yes.
I'm Sarah Smith.
Can I come in?
Oh, yeah, sorry. Um...
I think she's gonna sit down.
Um, right there.
So, what can I do for you?
Well, you are the Joshua Ray with the Glimpse of the Future blog, right?
Yes.
If it's true, you have one of those temporal dis...
Temporal displacement vehicles.
They're much easier.
A lot of time machine like they do in the movies.
Well, I guess it would.
Wow.
They're so real.
Oh, so I'm sorry. I didn't quite get exactly what you were wanting.
Because I haven't told you.
So, I'm turning 30 today.
Well, happy birthday.
Thank you.
So, it's my 30th birthday today.
And I have been thinking a lot about this article that I read about online.
There was this guy, he was doing some kind of future research.
And while he accidentally ran into himself in the future.
And while he took a photo, like a before and after photo of himself.
Yes, I saw him.
Pretty silly, I know.
But I can't seem to get out of my mind.
So, for two weeks now, I've been looking all over for someone who has access to one of those...
You can just call it a time machine.
Right, well, and then I found your blog.
And your photographer.
So, anyway, I was just wondering if you could maybe possibly take a before and after photo of me.
Is that possible?
It'd be really simple, just one photo.
And I have cash, I can pay you.
Sarah, look, you seem like a nice girl, but...
I don't know about this.
But you do know you have to have a license to use a time vehicle, right?
Well, I wasn't really expecting to go with you.
I just thought you could take a photo of me now and then make a quick trip and take a photo of me in the future.
Well, I try very hard to only take pictures of things in the future.
Oh, really? Why is that?
Like cities and gadgets?
Just not specific people.
I don't know.
It makes me think too much of fate and what we control, I guess.
You know, I don't know a lot about that stuff, so I just kind of try to avoid it.
Well, a lot of people do it, you know.
Like that guy I read about.
I mean, he actually met himself and the space-time continuum didn't explode or anything.
I know, I know.
So what do you say?
Alright, alright, I'll do it.
I'll do it.
Yeah?
You know, it's just one thing.
What?
You didn't tell me how far ahead you wanted to go.
Oh, I hadn't thought that far.
Well, I'm turning 30 today, so...
30 years?
Yeah, I could do that.
Are you sure?
Well, I mean, I've never gone farther than 20 years, but...
You know, but 30 years is absolutely possible.
Are you sure?
Absolutely.
Also, what do you need me to do now?
Well, I should probably take your before picture.
Well, where do you want me to start?
Alright, go over there, it's fine.
Right here?
Yeah.
Smile, three, two...
Yeah?
How does that look?
It's okay.
What do you think?
I think you look good.
Great.
So, um...
How does this whole time stuff work?
Well, you want to go 30 years in the future, so I mean, with a delay...
That would probably be, um...
So...
Well, so meet me here in a week, and I'll have the photo for you.
Well, depending on if I can find you or if your future self will cooperate.
I guess I should make a note to myself to come back here in 30 years.
Yes, yes, come right back here to this very spot.
Or, you know, as close as you can.
Alright, sounds good.
Wow, and I guess I'll see you in one week.
Oh, wait, here's your photo.
Oh, no, no, no.
Let's wait and see if I can get it.
Okay.
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Nope.
Okay.
Well, see ya.
Are you Sir Smith?
I haven't been Smith in a long time.
Yes?
Well, I guess you know I'm here since you remembered to come.
Yes, I know you're here.
This day is the only thing I've thought about for the last two years.
Okay, well, I don't have a lot of time.
Oh, no.
Sorry.
You can't take my picture.
Why?
You never gave it to me.
30 years ago, you didn't bring back a picture.
Oh, if you want my now, maybe we could.
You cannot give me the picture.
What? Why not?
Because then I won't have a reason to come back.
I don't understand.
I miss you so much, Joshua.
No.
Hi.
Did you get the picture?
What's wrong?
Well, it's kind of a long story.
Oh?
You want to talk about it over dinner?
Oh, okay.
Let me.
Thank you.
