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Time Out

September 5, 2017 by Phil Town 26 Comments

Time Out

The queue stretched around the block but Norman was next up. He mused on the irony of it all: here he was queuing to ask the Time-Giver for more time, and he’d just spent four precious hours doing it.

A woman came out through the dull-grey metal door, beaming a new-lease-of-life smile. She gave Norman the thumbs up.

“Five years!”

“Oh, well done, you!”

Norman was pleased for her. The four hours had given him a chance to get to know her quite well (the man behind him in the queue was a taciturn chap, so Cynthia had had all of his attention).

A widow now, she’d spent most of her adult life working for charities while bringing up a lovely family—three daughters, she’d shown him photos. Now nearing her 60th and the Cut-Off Point, she’d told Norman about her dream: to travel, to see all the places she hadn’t had time to during her years of sacrifice.

There was a barrier separating the queue from those leaving, but as Cynthia walked away, she turned and flashed Norman a wide smile again. Norman wished now that he’d asked her for her contact details; it seemed a shame that such a handsome woman should be without company on her Post-COP adventure.

From the other side of the door, Norman heard a loud “Next!” It was his turn.

The room was painted the same dull grey as the door, the walls blank with no windows. In front of the wall opposite the door was a grey metal desk, and behind the desk sat the Time-Giver.

Norman stood at the door, suddenly very nervous. He didn’t know whether he should advance, wait for permission, or what. The Time-Giver made up his mind for him.

“Come on, come on. I haven’t got all day!”

Norman hurried over and stood next to the chair that was in front of the desk. Once again uncertain of whether he should sit, he wavered.

“Sit down.”

Norman sat and fidgeted a little until he was comfortable. The Time-Giver was reading through a file lying open on the desk. He was a pale, balding man with translucent skin and a number of liver spots, and old by national standards—much older than the statutory COP, certainly. Norman imagined that being in the position he was, he could simply give himself all the extra time he wanted. What a job that would be!

The old man continued to peruse the file. Norman took out his timepiece and glanced at it: three months more or less, and counting down. And now he’d spent almost five hours on this administrative chore. He willed the old man to start the interview, and he did.

“Norman Den…”

“Denborafalta. Norman Denborafalta. With the emphasis on the ‘fal’.”

The Time-Giver turned a page to consult something.

“It’s Basque. My great-great-grandparents …”

The old man looked up now and fixed Norman with his rheumy eyes.

“What do you want, Mr Denboraflatter?”

“It’s Denbora—”

The correction died in Norman’s throat under the Time-Giver’s withering gaze.

Norman shrugged his shoulders. What a stupid question, really! What else would he be here for? A pint of milk? A massage?

“Well … time. More time.”

“I see.”

How could the old man seem so surprised?

“And on what basis do you request more time from the Time-Giver.”

Four hours in the queue and Norman hadn’t thought to prepare a response to this obvious question. He kicked himself mentally.

“Well, I have only three months left before COP, you see. And … well …” Inspiration came to the rescue. “I’ve just met someone—the lady that was in here before me—who I think I should … get to know better. We could be very good together, I think.”

That was all he had. He smiled weakly at the Time-Giver, throwing himself on his mercy.

“I don’t think so, Mr Denboraflatter.”

The smile froze on Norman’s lips. He’d assumed this would be a formality.

“But … but …”

“Thank you.”

The old man closed the file and gave Norman a look that told him the interview was over.

Norman got to his feet but sat down again almost immediately. He was annoyed now and petulant.

“I’m sorry but I demand an explanation. The lady I was talking about got an extra five years! How is it that I don’t get any at all?! It’s not fair!”

The Time-Giver sighed, his apparent weariness suggesting that he was used to outbursts like this. He re-opened the file and riffled through the pages until he found the one he wanted.

“Norman Andoni Denboraflatter. Born 2055. School results: below average. Occupation post-education: voluntarily unemployed. Community-contribution score: zero. Percentages of time spent: sleeping—42%; televizz—27%; social compu-media—17%; beach—8% … I think you get the picture.”

“Those figures can’t be right!” Norman spluttered. “But anyway, even if they were … I like those things. Where’s the crime?!”

“No crime. Just not a very strong case for extension, I’m sure you’ll agree.”

Norman looked at the floor and shook his head.

“But I’m going to be more productive, I promise! And then there’s Cynthia—that lady …”

“Well …”—the Time-Giver turned to another page in the file, then looked at his own time-piece—“… you have 2 months, 28 days, 13 hours, 26 minutes and … 46, 45, 44 …”

Norman got to his feet and glared at the old man, wanting to snap his neck, the arrogant old fool.

“If I were you,” the Time-Giver softened, “I’d spend the time wisely. Go and see that lady. Do things.”

He closed the file again and placed it in his out-tray, taking another from his in-tray and opening it.

“Goodbye, Mr Denboraflatter.”

“It’s … oh, never mind.”

Norman’s anger subsided; what could he do? He shuffled out through the grey door, hearing a loud “Next!” behind him.

As he moved away he looked up; an arrow-head of Canada geese glided across the blue spring sky, on the way to some important business or other. Norman’s shuffle became a walk, then a trot, then a shaky run, in the same direction as the birds.

And in the same direction as Cynthia.

Filed Under: Drama, Hot, Magical Realism

About Phil Town

Phil is a teacher (of English as a foreign language) and translator (Portuguese > English) in Lisbon. In his spare time he writes screenplays (features and shorts) and short stories; he’s a regular contributor to Short Fiction Break. He also writes about Portuguese football (soccer) for the British independent football magazine When Saturday Comes.

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Comments

  1. Susan Walker Finlay says

    September 5, 2017 at 1:18 pm

    Fabulous story, Phil. I’ve read a few of yours.
    I love this. It’s also quite synergistic for me today, as I ponder regrets from my past, and what I’d change, could I do it all again.
    Then too–perhaps that’s a waste of time.
    Thank you for sharing this insightful and even inspiring piece.
    Sue

    Reply
    • Phil Town says

      September 6, 2017 at 8:52 am

      Thank YOU, Sue, for reading and for your positive feedback.

      Reply
  2. Susan Walker Finlay says

    September 5, 2017 at 1:21 pm

    Oops–I had another comment Phil: I’m SO happy you wrote it correctly–they are indeed “Canada” Geese. Many write “Canadian” Geese. As a Canadian, I try to explain that they care not about “status,” or citizenship. Most argue this point with me. It makes me smile. 🙂
    Sue

    Reply
    • Phil Town says

      September 6, 2017 at 8:53 am

      I do admit I had to google it to double-check!

      Reply
  3. Victor D Phillips says

    September 5, 2017 at 4:52 pm

    Hi, Phil, terrific story. I hope he catches Cynthia! Congratulations on crafting this fine piece to share with the world.
    Victor

    Reply
    • Phil Town says

      September 6, 2017 at 8:54 am

      In my mind he does, Victor!

      Thanks very much again.

      Reply
  4. Virginia Reynolds aka Dorothy Justin says

    September 5, 2017 at 5:42 pm

    Makes one stop and think even in this life. How long have we left, as the Time Giver gave Norman
    what time he had left. Unusual story but thought provoking.

    Reply
    • Phil Town says

      September 6, 2017 at 8:55 am

      Thanks, Virginia. Glad you got something from it.

      Reply
  5. MC Dalton says

    September 5, 2017 at 6:30 pm

    Great story Phil! You touch on a delicate issue with great skill. I was glued to the story from first to last word. 🙂

    Reply
    • Phil Town says

      September 6, 2017 at 8:56 am

      Thanks a lot, MC. Very reassuring.

      Reply
  6. Trish Perry says

    September 5, 2017 at 9:05 pm

    The idea of a Time Give is very thought provoking. How he decides who gets more time and who doesn’t and the silly way in which it’s done made me think about if I had to stand before someone with that power, how I would account for the way I spend my time. Very nicely done!

    Reply
    • Phil Town says

      September 6, 2017 at 8:57 am

      Thanks, Trish.

      Me too … and I don’t think I’d pass the test, I’m afraid.

      Reply
  7. Jan Buchanan-Medina says

    September 5, 2017 at 9:26 pm

    Jan Buchanan-Medina aka Jan Darling

    Love the story Phil. My kind of story. Nicely reflective of a world where many receive more than they need and waste it, and others struggle with less but still manage to make a contribution. I don’t mean that Cynthia will waste it ……but it IS a possibility. I like the structure, short and snappy and very descriptive.
    I give you at least 50 more years – please use some of them to write more stories like this.

    Reply
    • Phil Town says

      September 6, 2017 at 8:58 am

      Do you have any powers, Jan? Only, I could use those 50 years …

      Thanks very much.

      Reply
  8. Danie Botha says

    September 5, 2017 at 9:36 pm

    Phil,
    I read Time Out, last week for the first time. Today again.
    Congratulations with a profoundly unique story—as colorful as the protagonist’s last name: Denborafalta. The name sounds like a poem.
    The follies of procrastinating on getting our act together with the ONE life we receive.
    The story’s applicability to our lives is obvious. The implementation is another story. As we know from own experience.
    Our famous, “I’ll start tomorrow. No. Next week will be better.”
    Well done!

    Reply
    • Phil Town says

      September 6, 2017 at 9:00 am

      You’re very kind, Danie. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply
  9. André van der Merwe says

    September 6, 2017 at 1:03 am

    Thank you for a tale with so much left unsaid that I have to fill in that I become part of this inescapable tale and start to walk, trot, run, crawl, anything toward my goal who is my Cynthia, my better half, my Jesus -to- love in residence.

    Reply
    • Phil Town says

      September 6, 2017 at 9:01 am

      I hope you find your ‘Cynthia’, André.

      Thanks very much.

      Reply
  10. Tommie Ruth Blackwell says

    September 6, 2017 at 10:21 am

    Your story is profound even though it’s short. I immediately began thinking about my own life and taking stock of my accomplishments, deeds, etc. We all waste time and want to reclaim it. It’s easy to take advantage of what is given to us so freely. But, using time wisely takes forethought, determination, and purpose. I wish you would write another chapter. Congratulations on such a readable and thought provoking glimple into what could be a much larger story.

    Reply
    • Phil Town says

      September 6, 2017 at 4:59 pm

      Thanks for your kind comments, Tommie. No plans for an extension, though … yet.

      Reply
  11. kiki says

    September 7, 2017 at 6:28 pm

    Thank you for sharing a story that has the potentional to get people thinking about the impact – or lack of impact – EVERY person has in the limited number of their days! May the readers find ways to reach out and make a big difference in the world their lives touch!

    Reply
    • Phil Town says

      September 8, 2017 at 7:33 pm

      Thanks for reading and for your comment, kiki. I’d be pleased if my story did get people thinking – even if it’s to decide that “You know, I’m not so active, but I’m actually very satisfied with my life.”

      Reply
  12. Jesus Guiab says

    September 8, 2017 at 5:09 am

    Nice story for those who no matter what they do enjoy their life. They ask for extantion beyond their COP. They have the Time-Giver. Where will those who has not reached their COP or those who are living beyond their COP but their lives became so miserable they are asking to cut their time? Where will they go? Like those who are so miserably suffering the opains of cancer

    Reply
    • Phil Town says

      September 8, 2017 at 7:38 pm

      Thanks for your comment, Jesus. Yes, the story is quite simplistic in that it addresses only one possible scenario in a world that has a COP. There’s another story to be written maybe about those other situations you mention.

      Reply
  13. Linda Kiefer says

    October 17, 2020 at 12:26 am

    I don’t wish to take up any of your precious two months- but that was a very well written, creative and thought provoking storie.. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Thank you
    !

    Reply
    • Phil Town says

      October 18, 2020 at 12:07 am

      Ha ha, Linda!

      I think I can spare a couple of moments to say … thank YOU very much, for the read and your kind comment.

      Reply

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