The Time Stone, Third Edition (Extended Version)
Chapter 6

James continues walking down the streets on the garbage-strewn sidewalks of his home community. His beard and short black hair are lice-ridden, his olive skin sun tanned, and his teeth yellow and in need of care.Intense heat from the sunlight makes him sweat profusely in the dying neighborhood around him.

“James … James Timewalker, is that you?” A limousine approaches appearing oddly out of place in the decaying mess that became this tattered community.A man in his thirties with a mustache and custom made suit popped his head out of the window.

“Hello, do I know you?” Asks James as he stops wondering who knows his name, specifically someone wealthy enough to be in a limousine.

“It’s me, James. Cyrus Bilderberger. We went to Chronix Bay High together.Wow you look … different.”Cyrus says with a shy frown.“What happened?”

“Life happened I guess. The economy is rough and it’s tough to get work and boy do I need some cash” says James.

“I’m sorry, James. Let me help you.”Cyrus exits the limousine and reaches into his back pocket.

“No, Cyrus, I can’t take your money.” James speaks modestly ashamed of his own sorry state of affairs.

“Actually, I was going to give you something better than money.” He takes out his wallet and opens it, pulling out a business card.

“Nothing is better than money” laughs James, but then stops as he saw Cyrus has a serious look upon his face. He hands James the business card taken out of wallet.

”What’s this?” asks James.

“Possibly your future, you see I run a Fortune 500 company in Superior City and we need some good people for a special program we are starting aimed at assisting disadvantaged members of society to get a better grasp on life” says Cyrus.

“They don’t want me. I’m a junkie, I mean recovering junkie sort of by choice” says James.

“We can help you get the help you need. Just think about it and call me.Here” he gives James a quarter and then reenters his limousine and smiles.

“Thanks” says James.

“It is good seeing you again James”, Cyrus waves as the limousine drives off leaving James still alone and homeless.

James looks at the card and smiles. “Temporo, Inc.… ‘Knowledge is power’. That is interesting.” James pockets the card and continues on his way towards no place in particular.