text: The tick-tocking sound of clocks surrounded the old man. He was studiously putting together something he believed to be one of his finest works. It was a more modern looking clock, sleek and shiny. It was far away from his normal method of clock-building but it had a definite sway of beauty in it that would captivate any the beholder. He was just putting the finishing touches on it. He was a hard looking old man who seemed dedicated to his craft above all else in the world. He was short in stature and slightly rounder near the middle of his body which gives way to the idea that he either liked the sweeter foods in life or that he did not get around very much. He was gray of hair and lacking any on top. He had quite long and unkempt beard which fell between his thighs while seated and to his stomach while standing. He was also missing a few teeth which made him whistle certain sounds when spoken. The old man was in a very large room, deep on all sides and quite dark except for the small candle light which lit the table in which he worked. All that could be heard in this cavernous room is the echoing of hundreds if not thousands of ticking clocks. Yet despite the cacophony of sounds, it left a kind of silence which allowed the old man to work undisturbed. “Aha! Its done!” The old man said gleefully. He held his new piece of art in front of him and admired it for a few moments, beaming all the while. He wound the clock up and put it to his ear to listen. “Ah, just as it should be.” He waddled over to a side of the room, each step he took looked harder to do than the last but he managed all the same. He placed the clock on the wall and adjusted it several times to ensure it was just so and then backed away to admire his work again. On this wall were layers upon layers of his finest achievements. So many there were that it was surprising he found any room at all for his newest accomplishment. He stared proudly a few minutes more of his handiwork before retreating slowly back to his desk. At which he began drawing out a new design, one which would surpass even his newly crowned jewel. Due to being thoroughly engrossed with his new project he did not hear nor see the man who had suddenly appeared directly in front of him and who silently watched him work for several moments. “Good evening to you Father.” The man said. The old man jumped back with a sudden start that he almost fell out of his chair. “Good heavens child, do not start me so! I am old as it is and do not need your help in finding an early grave!” The man was no more than thirty years of age. He had medium length black hair which was sleeked back. He had very strong cheek bones and would have looked even more intimidating than he did had he not had a resting smirk on his face which seemed to be his default look. “What is it you want my boy?” The old man said still attempting to slow his racing heart. “I apologize for startling you so Father. But I do believe we have matters to discuss.” The younger man said. “Is that so? What matters do you believe so important as to appear before me during my working hours?” The old man replied. “The Masters have been a long time discussing change in structure.” The younger man said. “I have heard nothing of this boy, what is this change you speak of?” The old man asked. “The world is changing Father and we need to change with it. We believe it is time for you to step down as Father Time and let someone else take your place.” The younger man said. “What is the meaning of this? Are you mad?” The old man laughed. “Do you believe anyone else is capable of doing this job other than me?” “Yes. As a matter of fact I believe it wholeheartedly.” The younger man said darkly. As he spoke these words, several other men came out of the shadows which surrounded them and encircled the table. The old man looked around astonished then recovered himself and frowned deeply. “I believe I made a grave mistake trusting--” Before he could say anything else, the young man clapped his hands together and rotated them while muttering some words under his breath. With that, the old man froze in his chair no longer speaking nor moving. The others lifted the old man out of his chair and carried him off out of the room. All that remained was the ticking and tocking of his many clocks.