Allowance

"Hi, everybody!" Patrick Meyer's deep bass filled the auditorium. The founder of the multi-billion dollar technology giant Nanotag grinned widely.

The audience greeted back equally enthusiastically. The journalists didn't buy it--Patrick's gimmicks were not new to them.

"Today is a very, very important day." He began. "For Nanotag, for me, and for my best friend here!" He patted the nervous guy standing next to him. Dr Vincent Perry, an eminent scientist in his own right, always cringed at Patrick's extravagant statements.

In his stylish elegant suit, Patrick was commanding the room as usual. With a brief pause, he opened his mouth again.

"And also for the entire humankind!"

The drama was picking up, reminding them of other Nanotag announcements over the years, unveiling path breaking technology products, one after the other.

"This very institute is where I and my dear friend Vince started our great friendship. We studied here, worked nights here, played here, and also fought here!" The charismatic grin was widening. "This--this is the place where he helped me in Fluid Mechanics and I saved him in Manufacturing Process."

Dr. Perry cringed again.

"Vince and Pat--what a pair we were! No one could have ever imagined such poles apart to be friends, but we bonded immediately and the bond has been alive for the last Twenty-five years! Twenty-five! So many of my crazy ideas reach Vince's ears first. Only if he approves, I move on. Don't I?" He turned to his friend with a sharp pat again.

Dr. Perry gave a feeble smile. The crowd was waiting for more.

"So... When I thought of the Time Machine, where else could I go?"

There was an unprecedented uproar. Time Machine? For catching glimpses of future and sights of past?

Patrick laughed heartily. "Yes!!! Time Machine. Just like H.G. Wells' Time Machine. Some say it cannot be made, some agree only theoretically, and some reject it vehemently, but I don't care. I wanted Time Machine and my dear friend made it for me. Yes--you will see it today. Here. Do you want to see?"

Who would say no to such an offer?

Patrick took his time observing the great attendance. Once the hubbub died down, he slowly opened the velvet curtains behind him.

There stood the Time Machine. The First Time Machine ever.

The journalists stirred immediately. This was the moment for photos and videos. But they were held in their tracks as Patrick announced the next surprise.

"And for you, my dear guys--a live demo of the Time Machine. By the World's first time traveler--me!"

Patrick removed his bespoke coat and handed it to Dr. Perry. Everyone was waiting with bated breath.

"And my first destination is--B112, our hostel room 25 years back. In this very institute."

Waving at the dumbfounded audience, he got into the Time Machine.

Dr. Perry checked all the settings and pressed a button. There were a few lights and some sounds--as expected, and then the machine disappeared.

The auditorium was in roar once again.

Dr. Perry shuffled for a few moments and then announced anxiously. "Patrick is going to enjoy four-five days in the Institute hostel, like we did twenty-five years back. There will be another press conference when he'll be back."

People started dissipating. Some came to Dr. Perry and tried to take his sound bites, which he politely declined. The others simply clicked his photos and disappeared without thanking.

The Institute Director, who had wholeheartedly supported the spectacular show, also took his leave.

Dr. Perry was planning to stay there 'till Patrick returned. He was confident about the machine, especially after several successful tests, but it made sense to wait there instead of sitting elsewhere and dying of apprehension.

He relaxed and lay down on a longish sofa. In no time, he was fast asleep.

Then he was suddenly awakened.

"Pat! You came back? What time is it? What day? Was I sleeping so much?"

"C'mon! It's just one day."

"One day? Then why did you return? You were planning to stay for four-five days. What happened? Is everything OK? Is the machine OK?"

"Relax! It's here." Patrick pointed to the machine, which was exactly in the same place and in the same state.

"So--so what happened? Did you go to B112?"

"Of course I did! Your machine works perfectly, Vince! No worry." Patrick was grinning.

"Then?"

"Then what? Nothing! I reached safely, I met everyone, and I even met you!" Patrick's eyes twinkled.

"And?"

"We all had great time! Absolute fun!"

"Then why did you come back? Why didn't you stay longer?" Dr. Perry didn't understand.

"I had a great time, but the habits don't change in time travel, my dear!"

"What do you mean?"

"Silly! I went back, but my spending habit remained like today. I blew my entire week's allowance in one day!"

THE END

Bio: Meghashri Dalvi consults in Technical Communication when she is not writing science fiction or teaching Management. Her stories have appeared in Aphelion, Ascent Aspirations, Anotherealm, Quantummuse, and AntiSF.

E-mail: Meghashri Dalvi

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