Threaded

The Timeline Weaver was not a being one could easily bargain with. They needed little, and felt compelled to do their duty in protecting the timeline's shape and course.

But difficult is not the same as impossible.

The Weaver quickly secreted the item upon their person and then held out his hand, a thread of gold light flowing out from the tapestry, slowly turning black, given I was changing all things.

"So, Power? Money? 'The One?"

I pulled out some silk.

"Put me into this one."

Being the most important and sole being in a universe lived up to expectations.

Mealtime

The call came just before lunchtime. The children were in the other room, so they decided to not tell them until after the meal.

It wasn't what they would have chosen for their last meal together, but they made do, using up all the cheese, allowing double helpings of relish, and ice cream for dessert.

The younger children enjoyed the meal, but the eldest became more and more silent as the meal continued, until they demanded to know what was going on.

Father agreed to tell them, in the other room, leading them outside and to the waiting collection officers.

Two Deepgulches

The guy who drew the maps for the government had a bit too much whisky the night before he drew this area. He put Deepgulch about ten miles north of where it actually was.

Now, the locals knew where it was, but all the stagecoaches and traveller types relied on the maps.

So the O'Malley boys set up shop at 'Deepgulch', and soon there was two of the damn towns.

Now, this was fine, until we struck gold here in Deepgulch. Because everyone came to 'Deepgulch' greedy.

The rioting forced the local sherrifs to get the maps fixed at least.

Simulation Missions

I was there by his side as he sat up. Transitioning between the simulation and the real world was always difficult, never getting easier. I passed him a cup, and he drank, deeply.

"That was a close one."

I tapped at the display for a moment.

"We're safe, I think."

He slowly swiveled on the chair, lowering his legs to the ground. Control of your legs always took a moment.

"Good, good. I'd hate to ruin everything by bringing the copyright cops down on us. Anyway, those three supermodels loaded next door yet?"

I nodded as I summoned a cocktail.

Not Under Her Power

I sat down with my servant Erip, after I confirmed she wasn't under a glamour, as I did every morning.

We had been hunting this vampire for months now, and she was always one step ahead, always managing to avoid the traps I set up, the attacks I made. I was beginning to suspect the vampire had a spy.

Before I could ask Erip if she could trust all her suppliers, she opened a scroll and I was suddenly unable to move beyond breathing.

She explained sunlight just removed her powers as she began to drain my blood for later.

Sacrifices On Multiple Fronts

An hour before dawn, my knights gathered in my tent. Before them, my wisemen had drawn up a map.

I explained that to win the battle, we would need to fight on multiple fronts, and that sacrifices would need to be made. Half would charge the opposing forces via the valley, the other half attacking via the wetlands, which would be at low tide.

But their opposing numbered knights would be taken by surprise, I assured them, given the noblewoman who had willingly been captured would 'distract' them all night.

Like I said, multiple fronts, and sacrifices would be made.

The Aleppo PA Bank Job

The Aleppo PA Bank Job was one of those crimes that people forget about, despite the attention at the time. There was no giant shootout with police, no seduction of workers for keys, no intricate and complex machinery.

Four guys with shotguns, a driver, a few million dollars in cash.

It got some attention at the time, but after a while, people forgot about it, they never found the money or the perps after all.

And that's because they didn't ask the right questions.

Like, for instance, is it possible the bank never had that money it claimed insurance on?