Time Travel Esc-Ape

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

Gotcha!  Caught you blog reading.  It’s Get Caught Reading Month — a nationwide campaign to remind people of all ages how much fun it is to read.  Last year I did a zany series where an intrepid band of bloggers (and their pets!) tried to catch the illustrious Story Reading Ape in the act of reading.  I’m rerunning those posts midweek, through May. 

In case you didn’t know, Chris Graham is quite the story telling ape as well.  You can get to know Chris better at his blog.  

The Ape has honored us with a new short story!  And he has included Pip, from The Three Things Serial Story.  When I saw what Chris wrote I knew I had to make this a two-part post.  So be looking for my part of this collaboration next weekend.  Now without further ado, here’s a story from Chris Graham, the Story Reading Ape.

FORWARD to the PAST

Some weeks ago, while Chris, The Story Reading Ape was away, the Naughty Chimps took the opportunity to enjoy a bit of Nit Picking.

“You’ve been at the Honey Ants’ tree again, haven’t you, Cedric?”

“I suppose it’s the sticky clumps of hair that’s given the game away Malcolm?”

“Well, it wasn’t your ‘sweet nature’ – Har, Har”

Meanwhile, Aristotle the Scientific Genius, (Artie for short), was catching up with a bit of sleep.

He’d been working hard on the Time Machine he intended using to go back to the 1920’s and meet Paisley Idelle Peabody, aka Pip.

Ever since reading about her adventures in the Three Things Serial Story: A Little 1920’s Story, by Teagan Riordain Geneviene, he was determined to visit her and join in the fun.

The main problem was, the darn thing only went forwards in time, and only returned back to one second after he’d left and about 19 miles to the west for some reason.  So he had to drag the thing back home every time he used it.

This was a great source of amusement to the others.

So he was hoping that a good nap would help his overworked brain sort out all the possibilities and arrive at an answer.

Many Zzzzzz’s later…

Artie woke up suddenly to the sound of the other chimps calling out his name.

“Wake up Artie – There’s a visitor here to see you – says he’s made a special trip to talk to you!”

Artie yawned, stretched, fell off his branch, sat up on the grass, scratched his armpit and opened his eyes to see someone watching. Someone who looked like his old Granddad.

“About time too, you lazy young chimp. How anything ever got made by you is beyond me,” barked the old one.

“Wazzup Grandad? I wasn’t really asleep, I was deep in ponderating thought!”

“Mind your manners and don’t try that excuse on me, you young rascal.  I know exactly what you do during your ‘ponderating’ moments – I’ve come to tell you to stop wasting your time trying to go back to the 1920s!”

“Wadyamean, wasting my time – when I’ve solved the problems, I’ll be FAMOUS.”

“Oh, you’ll be famous ok, but for being such a Silly Billy for taking so long to figure out where you’ve been going wrong!”

“What do YOU know about it then GRANDAD?”

“Because, I’m YOU, from the future!”

Artie just stared agog at the old chimp as a myriad of thoughts whizzed through his mind.

“If you’re ME from the future, then it means I’ve solved the problem of Time Travel – YIPPEE!”

“Not so fast Knucklehead – you’ll never be able to travel back any further than the time you first started the Machine.”

“I don’t understand, why can’t I travel back further?”

“Because no Time Machines existed before then, so there are no connections in the Time/Space Continuum for you to use beyond that time,” explained the Old Artie.

“So THAT’S why I’m able to go FORWARDS in time, but always return to one second after I’ve departed?”

“Yes, and that’s also why you and the Machine always end up about 19 miles away to the West.” Old Artie confirmed.

“Earth revolves around the Sun at a speed of about 18.5 miles/sec (30 km/sec), plus, it rotates at about 0.25 miles/sec (0.46 km/sec),” Old RT explained, “Add the two together and the Earth has moved forwards AND rotated, about 18.75 miles in that one second”.

Young Artie’s legs gave way and he sat down with a thud. “So, I’ll never get to actually meet Pip?”, he cried plaintively.

“I’m afraid not – however, you CAN keep up date with her adventures, by tuning into Teagan’s blog every week and reading her ‘Little 1920’s Stories’ books.”

“That’s why I decided to risk everything by coming back to stop you wasting any more time on the Machine – I regret not spending more time reading.”

“But what will happen to YOU if I stop working on the Time Machine?” asked Young Artie.

“I’ll cease to exist as I currently am, but YOU will become a better old version when you reach my age” laughed Old Artie before he suddenly disappeared with a soft popping sound.

Nowadays, young Artie can often be found reading Teagan’s blog posts and books, as the Time Machine slowly gathers dust, termites and vines…

***

The end

Copyright © 2017 by Chris Graham

***

Blue Lucille Ball Stage Door Trailer

“Hey, Teagan!  Come on and wake up.  Look, I know that nasty allergy-asthma thing has made you pos-i-lutely miserable for the past month.  I know you’re exhausted from it, but get your head back to the Jazz Age.  It’s me, Pip!  Oh, horsefeathers!”

“Miss!  Whatever is the matter?  I could hear you all the way in my submarine… But the writer isn’t going to hear you.  Her creative thoughts are as displaced as my scull.”  

“Hey mister, who do you think you are, wriggling those bushy blonde eyebrows at me?  But I guess you are sort of a sheik, in your own way.  Oh, but poor Artie!  Did you hear all that.  The poor thing, trying so hard to meet me.”

“Now, now… surely it can’t be that bad.  Although Artie does rather remind me of someone I once knew.  Although that fellow’s complexion had an purplish cast…  But wait.  What’s that they have under all those vines?  Oh my! Is that really a time machine?  My dear, I am most intrigued.  I think this situation warrants closer examination.”

“Oh, you are the cat’s pajamas, Mister erm…?”

“Cornelis Drebel, at your service, miss.”  

***

The beginning

***

Lord have mercy…  It looks like my characters are crossing over story-lines and conspiring on their own.  Stay tuned for next time.  Same flapper time.  Same flapper channel.  Mega hugs!

Atonement Airship
Image by Chris Graham

Copyright © 2017 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

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111 thoughts on “Time Travel Esc-Ape”

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  9. So I’m following The Story Reading Ape now too. Thanks so much for the ‘mingling of the minds’ you guys! I lifted my head from the depths of my writing just long enough to get caught reading, Teagan. Love the post and your works, my friend. Happy writing!

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  12. This was a real treat. Love Chris’ story, love Pip’s appearance, love that it caught so many of us reading! Thank you, Chris and Teagan, for a most delightful diversion on this most devastating day in American politics. You actually made me hit the mute button on the remote 🙂 Greatly appreciated 🙂 💖

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    1. Haha! Tina that (hitting the mute button) is high praise indeed. I fully understand though. Every new headline makes me feel devastated all over again… Then I get to work and it’s about the same…
      I’m happy to hear that we gave you a moment of relief. Mega hugs.

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  14. So loved reading that.. Chris those Apes are so clever.. and it seemed that the time travel had improved Artie’s grey matter.. Meeting himself coming backwards.. No.. hummmm… he could only go forwards.. Very confusing 😉 As Granddad explained it didn’t he…
    And 19 miles give or take.. Clever… And I thought we were speeding up.. 😉
    This probably explains why I am always late catching any new post… I must be caught in a time loop… 😉

    I could see this collaboration developing into a series.. that is if the two of you were not already caught in that portal of writing your amazing scripts in your own vortex of space and time..

    Look forward to reading the sequel on my return dear Teagan… Please pass on my kindest regards to Chris..
    Much Love and Hugs..
    Sue 💛💐💖😁

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    1. Dear Sue — thank you so much. I’m tickled that you enjoyed this joint post. Our Story Reading Ape is certainly a Story Telling Ape too. He has wonderful short stories, so I’m privileged to have him write one for this post. Enjoy your break. ❤ 🙂 Mega hugs.

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  15. Well, I suppose apes came before humans, so it does make sense to me why they discovered the time machine first. A great opener Teagan and Chris. I can only imagine what kind of mischief those naughty apes could get up to. Pip had better watch out.

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    1. A “surprise and smile” — that’s exactly my intention, Diana. Thanks so much for taking time to visit here.
      Yes, now that Pip has connected with the alchemist, Cornelis Drebel, hopefully she will run into Artie next weekend. Hopefully I haven’t bitten off more than I can chew! Mega hugs!

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  18. Oh, my goodness. This is so fun! Teagan, you must do a guest post for me. I know you will come up with something magical and amazing. ❤

    Liked by 2 people

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  25. I just LOVE how the characters intermingled (of sorts) in this! What a perfect way to start my morning, with a grin. 🙂 Chris did an excellent job with this. I was caught (or rather not caught) reading an entire book last night, it was really good!

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. LOL, I’d be blind after that! I’m glad you found a great book, Kathryn. And even happier that you enjoyed this post. I was pos-i-lutely delighted with the story Chris wrote. It makes my day that you enjoyed it.
      Your Shrimp in Pepita Tomatillo Sauce today looks gorgeous! Mega hugs.

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  27. Pingback: Time Travel Esc-Ape | Annette Rochelle Aben

    1. Tee-hee! So do I Annette. It’s great to see you. I’m rerunning last years serial (with all the pets) as mid week posts too. Thanks for taking time to comment. Many many thanks for reblogging! Mega hugs.

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  30. What a great way to start my morning, Chris, you’ve spun a wonderful story, the time travelling chimps are a hoot!! Too bad the time machine only goes forward but it ‘s a good thing we have Teagan to give us the latest exploits of Pip et al. Cornelis also popped in, Teagan your characters have taken on a life of their own now and that makes this journey even more fun. This was so creative and an awesome collaboration, woot, you caught me reading!!

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    1. Tee-hee! Suzanne, is there any wonder I look forward to your visits? I got a huge kick out of the story Chris wrote. I wasn’t expecting him to work Pip into it. Purely fabulous! LOL, I knew you would recognize Cornelis as soon as I mentioned his eyebrows. I haven’t worked out the tale for him, Pip, and Artie, but I know I’ll have fun writing it. So very glad to catch you reading! Mega hugs.

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  31. HI Dear Teagan…..in reading this post, I realise how much I have missed you and your writing. I love reading and have about four books going as we speak……and I loved reading Chris post and about the adventures of Artie and Pip. I thought of you when In Portugal and sent magical hummers in your direction. I do hope all is well and that plans to go West are ever present. janet 🙂 xxx

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    1. Dear Janet, you have lifted my heart. I know the hummers were here, as they brought me beautiful thoughts of the work you were doing in Portugal. 🙂
      I admit to being very discouraged… but I also realize the extra bad allergies/asthma/sinus I’ve had the past month makes it harder. I’m finally getting better, a little less coughing, and managed to sleep a couple of hours lying down (rather than sitting up). Huge progress that.
      Anyhow, if I can’t make the west happen, I’ve been trying to discover other areas, with a milder climate and few tornadoes, and low housing cost with good economy. Yes, that really limits it! But those are my requirements. I’ve become curious about Charleston, South Carolina. It meets at least some of those things. I just haven’t been up to fully researching it.
      Looking forward to posts about the school and Portugal. Humming bird hugs my friend.

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      1. Good morning dear Teagan…..how lovely to receive your comment…and my heart goes out to you with weather related allergies. I have had them, but a very mild form – just itchy nose and sneezing occasionally, but nothing serious. I am always telling people, especially on public transportation etc….that ‘I don’t have a cold – just a little hay fever’:) it is awful when you get it bad. I have a good friend in Wales who suffers terribly, and where most people look forward to the onset of Spring…poor Neil dreads it! Lat’s hope it gets better soon so that you can sleep well…nothing worse than losing sleep. Charleston S. Carolina, is a beautiful place….definitely an area I would look at if I was living on the was Coast – and not that far from were you are now, but in many ways light years away….it’s so different to DC. Other areas on the East Coast….are in New England….there are still some lovely towns there where you can feel much more removed from the every day madness….however, then you would have the winters…….no maybe Charleston is better. Anyway, I will get the hummers moving in that direction….let’s see what happens. Sending you lots of love and hugs….and know that you are very much in my thoughts. Janet 🙂 xxx

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  35. Wow! Chris’s post is wonderful (and I understand Artie. I’d like to travel back in time to meet Pip and have some adventures with her too). But yes, reading is a must. Looking forward to your characters’ shenanigans, Teagan!

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    1. Olga, it is good to see you, my friend. Escape to another era is more appealing than ever these days! 😀 And I love the word “shenanigans” — it makes one want to get into shenanigans! Have a marvelous month of May. Huge hugs.

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