Strange shack on end of the road, never seen that shop before, but it calls to me, it whispers into my brain and I am drawn lead like Tex Avery animal on delicious smells into dingy and dark foreboding.
“Welcome customer!” I am greeted with smiles of loss and ware, and instinct kicks my hand to wave, but I should not be here, I should leave, I should run and I stand awaiting the sale.
“Have a special offer today!” he croaks, wizened, threadbare head and horned rimmed glasses judging me. “A one time timer!” he says, small sputters of laughter punctuate the silence I am projecting. “This timer is special! Only works the once, then it shatters!”
Curiosity will kill me as I slink closer, gingerly reaching for the timer that flashes digital 0s. As fingers encircle, flashes and jolts sound, timer ticks and trepidation tracks my face.
“Oh! OH!” he wheezes, “It’s started!” He shuffles away. “Yours now!” he states, “Free of charge!” Vanishing into the shadows, my voice cracks from my throat, “wait” I say, as small as my courage staring at numbers trickling. “What does it measure?”
I need not ask, I am not stupid, I can see the six columns clear, and my throat dries up, a river bed of denial, as ‘seconds’ drops consistently.