The Second Time Around
1

Doctor Samuel Mathis turned the page of his newspaperslowly, enjoying the anticipation of the next story, the next headline thatwould reach out and grab his attention. He steadfastly refused to turn on the news or check the internet beforehe read his paper in the morning. A cupof black Columbian medium roast coffee sat steaming in front of him,untouched. He never interrupted readingwith coffee before the page 4A.

A muffled cough came from the other side of Dr. Mathis'paper, and he lowered the edge with a deep frown. Across the small table sat a young man withtwo days of stubble and deep, dark bags beneath his eyes. His face was lean, bordering on gaunt, andhis hair was slightly disheveled. Helooked to be in his mid twenties, but the years sat heavily on his shoulders.

Dr. Mathis folded the paper carefully, and sat it down onthe table to his left. He picked up hiscup of coffee, blew lightly across the lip, and sipped slowly. After a moment, the young man leaned forwardwith a slight smile, "I never get tired of seeing your face in that momentwhen you look up and can't figure out just how I managed to take my seatwithout you hearing me."

"I'm sorry, young man," Dr. Mathis said, "Butis there something I can do for you? Mycoffee's getting cold and my paper's getting older by the minute. Twenty years ago that wouldn't have been aproblem, but in the world wide age of cell phones and what not, it means agreat deal more."

"You don't recognize me," The young man said witha small nod. He dropped his eyes to thetable, and began picking at it with his thumb. "I don't blame you. I sleptthrough a third of your class, and skipped another third. But the times I was there, I was totallythere. May not have seemed like it, butI was. Still, I didn't give you much toremember, I guess. You made animpression on me, though. It's why I'mhere."

"I didn't say I didn't recognize you," Dr. Mathissaid, somewhat stiffly. "You'reGregory Paite. An exceptionally bright,if equally exceptionally lazy young man with unbelievable potential. You applied yourself at examination time, andthanks to my somewhat overly generous grading structure, you excelled in mygrade book. If you had actually given adamn, you might have excelled in the class as well. Now, Mr. Paite what can I do for you?"

Gregory smiled a wry smile. "Well, I guess I made an impression after all," He said. "You're right, I didn't really applymyself in your class. Then again, forthe most part, I didn't really have to, no offense. I'm glad you remember me, cause I sureremember you. There was a fire in yourlectures, and a passion. Something I'drarely seen before, and that's why I'm here right now."

"I'm afraid I don't understand," Dr. Mathis saidhonestly, his frown deepening. "But, you've interrupted my morning, and now I have to go or I'llbe late for my first lecture. I'd hateto deprive the students of my fire and passion."

Gregory reached out as Dr. Mathis started to rise, andcaught his wrist in a hard grip so instantly cold that Dr. Mathis cried out inshock. Immediately, Gregory pulled hishand back and held both of them up, palms out. "I'm sorry, Professor," he said quickly, "Just give me afew more minutes."

"Your hands are colder than ice," Dr. Mathishissed, looking at the vibrant red marks the young man's fingers had made onhis skin. "I've never felt anythingthat cold in my life! Are you well Mr.Paite?"

Gregory barked a short laugh. "I really wish I knew how to answerthat, Professor." The young manreached in his back pocket as he and Dr. Mathis sat back in their respectiveseats. "I'm as good as can beexpected, I guess. I don't have muchtime, okay. You said you were going tolecture this morning. You're going overEntropy and how it relates to quantum uncertainties. Trust me, the students could use another dayor two to soak up what they must have read last night."

"How did you know what I was lecturing on?" Dr. Mathis demanded.

"Not much time," Gregory answered shaking his headslowly. He slid a small folded piece ofpaper across the table, and held it with a finger for a moment. "You were right, Professor. One day, you said that time was acharacteristic of the universe rather than a force. You said it was intricately tied to motionand to change. You were right--butthere's so much more to it."

Gregory closed his eyes for a moment, and a brief look ofpain flashed across his face. It wasgone in an instant, but it worried Dr. Mathis. "Mr. Paite, if you're unwell, I can take you to the hospital. Or to my doctor, if you prefer."

Gregory smiled wanly. "I always did like you, Professor Mathis. Listen, I need you to do something for me, soyou'll understand. In your paper, page12C, on the bottom right corner. There'sa classified ad that's just a phone number. That's an off the books bookie that takes bets on horse races, andthere's a race today. I want you to calland place a twenty dollar bet on the number four race, number six horse, toplace first."

Dr. Mathis frowned again. "I don't gamble, Mr. Paite," he said stiffly.

Gregory chuckled softly, and broke down in a fit of violentcoughing. "It isn't a gamble,Professor. Trust me." He tapped the paper on the table hard withhis index finger. "Be at thisaddress at two in the morning if you want to see something amazing. Just tell them you're my guest, and they'lllet you in. Two AM sharp."

Dr. Mathis glanced down at the folded paper, and when heraised his eyes again Gregory was gone.

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