The classified ad was brief: Quill pen from the year 1215. $500.
Successful antiques dealers can’t afford to tarry. I phoned the seller immediately.
“It’s authentic.” An odd accent.
“Provenance?”
“I’m a time travelling tourist. I went to see the Magna Carta ratification . I swiped the pen for a souvenir just before they signed it.”
I ended the call. Time travel–no way! Besides, if the Magna Carta had been signed back then, the 21st century would be different. I kissed my framed picture of World King Harry, donned my feathered cape, and went to watch the daily executions.
Holly Schofield travels through time at the rate of one second per second, oscillating between the alternate realities of city and country life. Her stories have appeared in Analog, Lightspeed, Escape Pod, and many other publications throughout the world. You can find her at hollyschofield.wordpress.com.
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