Walt slid the plastic-covered books across the counter. The woman sitting behind the desk scanned them with the gun.
“Thank you. You’re all set.”
He could have walked right out after, but instead walked back through the same area he met Phil. As he approached the tables he planned on how he'd tell him that although these things were interesting, he didn't have the interest to look further into them. The subject seems to be mundane for the most part, just nice historical pictures and impressive architectural work for the time period, he thought in anticipation
The table Phil was at the other night had books out, but nobody there. Maybe if he isn't here I can just slide right through without the interaction and be on my way, he thought. But as he passed the table he noticed Phil exiting a stack.
Phil, exiting the stacks looked up and noticed Walt
Phil
Afternoon!
Walt
Hey Phil
Phil
How’d it go?
Walt
It went well, great pictures, interesting stuff.
Walt hoped that was polite enough but obvious enough that he was done with research.
Phil
I’m sure you noticed the post office and financial area too?
Walt
I did. I found it interesting, but to be honest, not something I think I’ll read more about.
Phil
Sure, I understand.
Walt was relieved he got to the point and could continue out. But…
Phil
Quick question though, I won't keep you.
Did you notice when these things were built?
Walt
Sure, why.
Phil
I guess that's what got me into researching these more. I never understood why they couldn't just say “built”. Every other modern building uses the term built.
Walt
I’m not sure what you mean
Phil
They use another term: Founded
Walt thought back for a second. He remembered this but thought nothing of it at the time.
Walt
Yeah, I just figured it was old wordage. Like “established”.
Phil
It is. But some dont have “built” dates, they only have founded dates.
Walt squinted. He needed more.
He felt the questions he originally had creep back in. These thoughts were the ones he tried to shake off. He did notice something off in these images.
Phil
So yes established is another way to look at it but these 2 words usually refer to something subjective. Like founding a country or an organization. “Built” dates should be there in addition to the “founded” dates too. But they're not.
Walt
So what are you getting at, that they weren't built?
Phil
Not that they weren't built, but they don't know when.
Walt
That's plausible though. Maybe they don't know exactly.
Walt was using devil's advocate here, though he was curious about this too.
Phil
I think if it's plausible they’d have an idea and put a date range.
Walt
So if they don’t know when they were built, wouldn't that just be bad record keeping, even if there’s no date range?
Phil
True, exceptions are inevitable. But the scale of this type of labeling is massive.
Walt looked off in contemplation, “Hmm. Yeah I guess there is a lot.”
Phil looked at Walt as though he expected it to click. Even if it did hit Walt, he clearly was being cautious.
Phil got noticeably quieter
I think these buildings have been around for a really long time, Walt.
Walt looked up
He allowed himself to look accepting of this and said “Yes of course, I can see that.”
Phil shook his head.
No… Longer than that.
Walt, confused, tilted his head slightly.
Phil
I don't think they were “founded” Walt, I think they were found.
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
This sounded funny to Walt. Phil was being too far out there but he was intrigued. He knew he felt something when looking through those books. It was so easy to dismiss, but hearing it come from another person hits differently.
Phil
I know that sounds crazy. But this is why they look so much like other cultures, ancient ones.
Walt
How — well how could that be known though? Nothing says that.
Phil
It's a lot, yes, but there's more here. These images are just the start.
They continued to talk for some time. Looking back at the images in the book. Comparing dates. looking up architects, seeing the high amounts of buildings they erected in just a year or two. Walt sat there, fascinated by not only the look of the buildings but also with the discrepancies. It was so much at once. They eventually parted ways because of the time. Phil offered to continue with him soon.
After a few days of contemplation and searching on his own, he did want to know more. Hearing conspiracy theories like this are usually all reactions, but nothing of substance comes from them (or is able to come from them). The Electromagnetics professor was not speaking within his field of study, but still made a compelling case. He respected Phil, and thought he was a good guide. So he went back to continue the conversation. Even if nothing came from it. Walted wanted to hear more of what the professor had to say.
The next day he returned to the same spot. Phil was there and saw him. He approached Walt with some haste.
Phil
Walt! HI! I need to show you something outside.
Walt, a little taken aback by the directness.
Okay…? Where?
Phil
Just in the parking lot. Itl be brief.
Walt was not very enthusiastic about this idea. Should I think he’s being sketchy now? He was almost frustrated. Everything was going ok until he said this, why does he have to do this, is this weird? Walt suppressed the minor panic.
Walt
The parking lot, Phil? What?
Phil
I have additional images I can show you but I can't bring them in here.
Walt
Why is that?
Phil
It’s on a projector slide. I’ve tried bringing it in here and they told me it was against policy.
Walt
How would that work outside?
Phil
I have a small projection board I can use out of the trunk. It won’t be the best quality, very small. But it'll do the trick.
Walt
Uh… ok?
Phil
It will be a few minutes at most.
Walt
Couldn't you just take a picture on your phone and show me?
Phil
I’ve tried. No good. You’ll see why.
Walt sighed. He considered just saying no thanks and ending it all there. Well I'm parked out there too, if this is wacky I’ll just leave, he thought.
Walt
Alight I guess, let’s go.
Phil had an old mini van from the 90’s in the back of the parking lot. It was backed in just enough so the back trunk could lift.
Walt
Jeez Phil. All the way in the back. Are you selling drugs too? Walt said sarcastically
Phil
Wait right there.
Phil pulled out a long antenna that was in three pieces. It was not bendable like a car antenna. These are assembled by screwing them together to create more of a spike. It was about 10 feet high once assembled. He unscrewed the top two feet. Then he pulled out a milk crate with foam insulation in it, lifted the top layer of insulation and removed a brass colored sphere. Each end of the sphere had two spots that allowed it to be threaded onto the antenna, which he then did.
Walt
How old is this projector?
He stared in bewilderment as Professor Loomis assembled whatever projector this was. But it clearly wasn't a projector, or any that Walt had ever seen. When it was finished it stood far above the minivan. There was a little tree cover at this end of the parking lot, so it wasn't exactly noticeable. But once someone would realize it, it would certainly turn heads.
Phil
Come on around. I actually built it.
He was, after all, an electromagnetics professor. Maybe this was like someone overly customizing their vehicle's engine just because they knew how, negligent of all cosmetic results. Walt thought
Walt
You built a projector? Why?
Phil
Well, because it’s not a projector to be honest.
Walt turned promptly to Phil
Phil
It’s called a chronoscope. However, It does project the image it collects, so there is that.
As Walt looked at the inside of the trunk a square device not much larger than the milk crate was on the driver side with a lens aimed at a very small board setup on the passenger side. Cordage connected the device to the base of the antenna.
Walt with a mocking side-smile
A chronoscope? What the hell is a chronoscope Phil?
Phil snickered.
I know this sounds crazy but I’ll explain it more in a bit. It’s a time viewing device. It can — Well it can produce images from the past…
Walts jaw dropped not out of amazement, but dumbfoundedness that Phil was talking this way. He didn't even want to debate this ridiculous comment.
Walt with a dismissive tone
Yeah alright, just show me the image on the projector.
Phil knew he didn't believe him at all, but there was no time to waste. He switched the machine on and also flipped a switch on the antenna. This made the metal sphere start to spin. At first it only looked like a flashlight coming from the chronoscope to the small projection board. Just white light. Then very faint lines and shadows started to appear slowly. After a full minute all the machine produced was an incredibly foggy, black and white image of the Classic Library.
Walt was reminded of the old projectors used in the 90’s during class. The ones where the transparent sheets with notes on them would slide on for note taking. This was a low-quality black and white image though.
Walt
That's the old library, right? Is that as clear as it gets?
Phil
Yes, that's Botham Classic. Not that bad of a picture actually, for the date differential.
Walt
Ok, so it produces old images. I get it, clever name.
Phil smirked. Walt was more comfortable looking at it that way, but he persisted.
Phil
I didn't develop an old photo. I developed this one. This photo was taken just now.
Walt
Taken from where?
Phil
Right here. Right now.
Walt realized that the photo was of the exact distance and angle they could see the current library from where they were in the parking lot. Or so it looked, the classic library was much more impressive, but the layout seemed similar.
Walt
Yes I can see that the photo is from this spot. But where did the photo come from, what source?
Phil
From the chronoscope. I just took a picture of the library right now.
Walt was losing patience.
Walt
No Phil, I mean how did it get the image to develop right now. Like is it a database that's unavailable to the public?
Phil smirked as Walt looked at the image and then poked his head up to look at the library and then back again. Phil waited for Walt to catch on.
Staring at the picture, Walt asked
Well anyway, what date was the photo taken then. That’s an old one.
Phil
The age of the building in the picture is within a year of it being founded. But the picture was taken right now.
Walt
Taken from where.
Phil was now losing hope. He never had to walk anyone through this before. He knew there was a possibility Walt was refusing the connection, anyone would. He tried searching for a way to make it irrefutable.
Phil
The device sees into the past Walt. I aimed the antenna at the library and got an image of it from its founded date. The picture didn't exist before now. I just captured an image of the library by setting the device to that time period. It developed whatever a camera would see pointing in that direction from that date.
Walt was still not there yet. He shook his head slightly. It's not possible, he thought.
Walt
And when was it founded again?
Phil
The Classic Library? 1805.
Walt knew how to make it clear now.
Phil
Walt, the camera was invented in 1816! The oldest surviving photo we know of is from 1826. Not of the Library, I mean any photo at all.
Watch, I'll aim slightly right.
Walts eyes started to widen as he watched Phil adjust the antenna and the image then changed into the right side of the building with the left side cut off. After almost a minute the image slowly warped into a new image that cuts off the left half of the building. Then he did the same but panned left.
Walt couldn't find the wind for his next question even if he knew what to ask. He looked at Phil, then to the screen, then to the current library. He was in a fascinated shock. He was in fact looking at a live image from hundreds of years ago, before the first camera. It no longer looked like a foggy black and white image of a building, It looked like the ghost of a building. Ghost stories have that haunting effect on the human brain, because we are people seeing “dead” people. This was haunting in another way. It made him feel like he was the ghost observing a real building. Not the other way around. They both sat in silence for some minutes until Phil noticed parking lot security nearby
Phil
Well I said it would be brief, we should pack this up.
Walt blinked and shook off the trance he was in
Have we been spotted? Are you in trouble.
Phil laughed
No, no. They're doing the normal rounds, I just don't want to chance the questioning.
Experiencing the jitters as being woken from a deep sleep dream,
Well, wait. Now what? How did you do all that? He said will desperation
Phil
I have to bring this home. A lot more can be done with this though. What you saw was very controversial, but it gets more so.
Walt
Like how?
Phil put the separated rods into the trunk and closed the door.
Phil
Take this address down. I rarely bring this thing out in public like this. Its best I dont do it for a while. But if you’d like to look more into it we can.
Walt put the address into his notes.
Walt
Alright thanks. When can I come by?
Phil
I'll be working on it for a bit tomorrow evening. Adjustments and such. Feel free.
Walt
Sure, ok see you then.
Phil got into the van was about to close the door when—
Walt
Wait. Can that thing go further back in time than that?
Phil Nodded. Shut the door. Gave him a little salute then drove off.
Walt stood there as he watched the van pull out of the parking lot. Still not completely sure what just happened.