The elusiveness of time. |
âHow can it be lunchtime already?â Susan exclaimed in shock. âI just began the Simms report, and it was nine oâclock.â âI know because I checked the time on my clock radio; that could not have been much more than fifteen minutes ago!â High up on the twenty-third floor of Corporate Acme, shafts of sunlight pierced the skylights for everyone to see. So Susanâs incredulity took Betty by surprise; she thinned her lips and cocked her head, puzzlement in her eyes. âIt really is twelve oâclock,â Betty said, with a hint of bite; she even checked her wristwatch to make sure that she was right. She formed a toothless smile but it wasnât quite a smirk, and urged, âCâmon, old girl, itâs time to take a break from work.â Susan got up but she retained a stiffness in her pose; she eyed the papers on her desk and grabbed a vase-held rose. She stared intently at the rose like she was hypnotized, then Bettyâs blatant flippancy was suddenly downsized . âWhat is it Susan?â Betty asked, her hand upon her arm; the look upon her face was such to trigger some alarm. âSomething occurred, this is not right,â her voice was very low; âI have no sense of nine to noon--where did those hours go?â When Betty looked at Susanâs face she saw that it was pale; she wondered if there was a chance delusion would prevail. But holding to compassionâs rein, she lent Susan an ear; and all through lunch, at Our Place, she took the time to hear. It was compelling, to a point, the time that Susan lost; yet Betty thought, âAlthough Iâm nice, sometimes there is a cost.â The look that Betty saw in Susanâs eyes was most sincere, so Betty did her best to placate Susanâs growing fear. They finished their shrimp cocktail and they drank a glass of wine, and Betty was convinced she had assured her things were fine. They even joked of UFOâs that slip the crack of sky; then as they both returned to work, the pace of life went by. The incidence of sunlight beams was now much more extreme; Betty pondered perhaps Susan had some sort of dream. But then she thought, at quitting time, with much amazement spent, âItâs five oâclock and I donât know where those four hours went!â 36 Lines Writerâs Cramp 3-6-13 |