(Photos from Pinterest)
Magnificent! I have created “The Mighty Pendulum”. Yes, just one of its kind. The most spectacular clock in the world…An invention that tells time, lives within the beauty of an old wooden Grandfather Clock, yet will change the world. Yes! Just one push of a unique red button, hidden away in the back of this magical structure that lives and breathes by its “Mighty Pendulum”, I will be transported back in time...to an era of my choosing. I will change lives and, perhaps, change the course of history. I am in full control of humanity. It will be the scheme of the Century, unbeknownst to the World. Surprise! Surprise!
Hmmm…Let’s go back to the year 1492! So much controversy over who really discovered America. Well, I will stick with Christopher Columbus. He is the Man I believe started it all...this should be fun; but first, my little red button must be pressed, then a new story will begin. My finger is shaking...hope this works. There is no turning back...Okay, done! There it goes! “The Mighty Pendulum” on the move...back and forth...swinging slowly...swinging swiftly...faster...faster...faster!
Oh no, where am I? ... I guess my invention worked... I think that is him! He is approaching me! With a big sword too! What the hell have I done? - “Who are you? Get off my ship! You’re dressed like a fool! Where are you from? Speak up now or I’ll cut your throat!”
I was shaking in my boots. I knew I had better say something... “Ah, hello Sir. You don’t know me, but I know you. You are Christopher Columbus. We are now on the ‘Santa Maria’, I believe, and you have two more ships – the 'Nina' and the 'Pinta'. I read about you in history books. Word is you discovered America.” He looked at me like I was insane, then asked, “How do you know my name? Who are you and what are you talking about you fool? What is America? I believe I have reached Asia.” I replied, “No Sir. I believe you have entered a ‘New World’, and it is called ‘America’. This is the Atlantic Ocean, and I know you are Italian, but you are sailing for the Spanish Monarchy; Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand. Trust me. I know what I am talking about. I come from America. In the year 2025.”
Columbus grabbed me by my throat and put his sword to my neck. “2025?” he yelled. I knew he didn’t trust me. Who would? I don’t know if he thought I was a prophet, a soothsayer or the devil himself; but I knew he was not happy I was on his ship. His crewmen surrounded me. They walked like drunken sailors and stunk like sewage. They were loud and boisterous, very intimidating, and dressed like merchants or sailors of their time. Columbus wore a heavy cloak, tights, soft shoes and a strange yet noble sailor’s hat. Just like in the history books. With his hands still around my throat, I begged him to let go of me through bulging eyes; and he did. He became just as curious about me as I was about him.
Suddenly, he dismissed his crew and invited me to share a glass of wine with him so we could talk some more. He had more questions than I had answers. As we sat on a wooden bench in a corner of the Santa Maria, he stared at me while he tried to figure out who I was and what I was doing there. With a friendly grin on my face, I told him I meant no harm and that I was here for reasons I did not understand myself. He nodded with doubt in his eyes and gulped down his wine. I sipped my wine very slowly, then realized I truly had no way of getting back to 2025. The push of a red button and “The Mighty Pendulum” got me here, but through the excitement of my invention, I neglected to figure out how the hell I was to get back home. I was stuck here in 1492 on the Santa Maria. Columbus had called me a fool earlier, and he was right. Now what do I do?
Columbus demanded to know where I came from. I kept telling him about America, and how he was instrumental in discovering that beautiful land through his voyages and expeditions. I told him how people in America, especially Italians and Italian-Americans, celebrated him every year. I said, “You are a celebrity and a hero from where I come from, Mr. Columbus.” He chuckled proudly and said, “Is that so.” I knew I had just broken through that hard exterior of his, which allowed us to start somewhat of a friendship. The male ego amazes me. I learned Columbus had a huge one too, which I planned on using to my advantage. Then he asked, “How will you get home from here?” I replied, “I don’t know Sir. I was transported here for a reason, and that reason is you. I believe we may be able to work together for the good of the world, America and history.” I was not about to tell him I arrived here through a red button and a “Mighty Pendulum”, and I have not figured out how to get back home yet. I was very afraid at this point, and I deserved to be. I played with fire. My plan was sadistic. I wanted to control the world, humanity and history through a clock. Now I will suffer the consequences for sure.
Columbus continued to stare at me, and shook his head with uncertainty. I could see the wheels turning in his brain. He had a plan for me. I waited for him to speak because I had nothing else to say. All I felt was fear at the moment...and then he spoke! He said, “You can stay on the ship until we figure out who you are, where you come from, what you want here, and what we should do with you. I will make you part of my crew for now. With your gift to see into the future, we can do great things together. If I find you are the fool I originally thought you were, and you prove yourself to be a fraud, I will slit your throat and throw you overboard”...He poured us more wine, we drank some more, he got up from his seat, patted my shoulder, and said “welcome aboard”. He then walked away without looking back.
I knew I had one thing going for me now in order to survive on the Santa Maria; and that was my knowledge of the future through history. Columbus will be amazed by it, and I will get back to America, even if it is in another time period.
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