The Bachelor ushered in his last guest, an attractive girl carrying a cake box, and introduced her to the others. With his party now complete he took a central position in the Lounge and paused.

"I have invented a time machine," said the Bachelor quite plainly.

"Wild," said Herbert.

"Let’s put on a record," said Edna.

"What’s a time machine?" asked Candy.

The Bachelor (for so it will be convenient to speak of him) lived in a pad. If one were a bachelor in the late 1950’s, then whatever one called home, be it a flat or a house or whatever, one also called it a pad. A bedroom, a small kitchen, and a big lounge.

He had invited three friends for cocktails, a small dinner, and more cocktails. There was Herbert, a hack writer of science fiction novels, the kind that rarely sold for more than fifteen cents. Also in the Lounge was Edna, a drop-out, though no one asked from where. And, for fun, Candy whom the Bachelor had met at the supermarket earlier that day.

"Listen everyone," said the Bachelor, "I don’t think you realise what I just said." With some reluctance, everyone turned their attention to their host.

"Okay, what’s the joke?" asked Edna.

"It’s no joke. Do you see this watch? I have performed some modifications on it. I won’t go into details—"

"Thank God!" said Herbert and poured himself another drink.

"But the outcome is, I now have a time machine."

There was a few seconds of silence before Candy asked again, "What’s a time machine?"

"I’m glad you asked me Candy. Put simply, I can travel to any time. To the past or the future. Well, friends, what do you think of that?"

There was another silence and then a long laugh from the three guests. The Bachelor calmly poured himself a drink.

"Come on," said Herbert controlling his laughter, "We’re all educated people. Do you really expect us to believe you?"

"No Herbert, of course not. Which is why I thought I might prove it."

"How will you do that?" asked Edna.

"Simple. Herbert, can I have something of yours? Say, your tie."

Still laughing, Herbert gave the Bachelor his tie and watched as he turned some very small dials on the side of his watch. The three guests sat there in the Lounge and watched the Bachelor disappear.