THE PRESENT: THE PILLAR’S LIMOUSINE, OUTSIDE THE INKLINGS, OXFORD
“S he sacrificed her love to save the students on the bus,” said the mousy chauffeur, having just arrived from eavesdropping on Mr. Tick and Mrs. Tock in the Inklings.
The Pillar, sitting in the back, smiled. He had both hands resting on his cane. His smile was thin, the chauffeur thought. But he understood. The situation was complicated. Alice, evil or good, was doomed.
“So, is that it?” The chauffeur felt uncomfortable about the Pillar’s silence. “She saves the world, fails to find her Wonder, and ends up dead in the past?”
The Pillar tapped his cane. Said nothing.
“That’s not fair,” the chauffeur said. “I mean, she really changed the world. Why does she have to die, let alone live in this kind of misery?”
The Pillar resorted to silence again and again.
“Shouldn’t we see changes in this future because of the things she changed?” the chauffeur tried one last time.
The Pillar leaned back, staring out of the window. It had started to rain, and looking outside was like looking at a mirror buried in the mist. “You ever been in love?” the Pillar said.
The chauffeur shrugged. “Once.”
“Really?”
“Of course. Everyone must have been in love once.”
“Not an ugly mouse like you.”
The chauffeur knew the Pillar was joking. “I fell in love with a girl, mousy like me. We suited each other. In fact, she loved me a lot.”
“If so, why aren’t you with her now?”
“Because I’m with you, professor.”
“Why are you with me?”
“I believe in your cause—morally controversial, yes, but I’d like to help.”
“I didn’t know you were a miserable liar,” the Pillar said.
“Liar?”
“You’re not here because of me. You’re here because of the money I pay.”
“What’s wrong with a man needing a job?”
“I’ll tell you what’s wrong,” the Pillar said. He leaned forward, one hand gripping the back of the passenger seat. “You’re not spending time with the one you love, thinking that making money and securing your future will help you prosper, so you can finally spend time with her.”
“Professor.” The chauffeur shrugged. “What are you telling me?”
“Go back home,” the Pillar said. “Give me the keys and go back to your loved one. Forget about me and Alice. This war that’s coming isn’t for everyone unless you’re really ready.”
“Ready for what?”
“To give up on your loved ones.”