Free Tear In Time by Christopher David Petersen Page A

own mental state; but I can assure you I am
in complete control of my mental faculties.”
     
      David
took another deep breath, exhaled, then continued as the old doctor patiently
listened.
     
      “I’m
not sure even where to begin. This morning I performed emergency surgery on an
eight-year-old girl who was shot in the stomach…  Lena Williams was her
name. There were two bullets that entered the same location, essentially
disguising one of the bullets. It was only after we noticed an abrasion that
departed from the primary entry that we thought to search for a second bullet.
After performing a thoracotomy, a procedure where we cracked open her chest, we
found the second bullet, mangled and razor sharp, lying just beneath the vein,
inflicting tremendous damage. Despite every effort to repair the damaged vena
cava, as well as the other organs, the poor girl died on the operating table.”
     
      David
paused a moment, trying to think of the right words to sound credible.
     
     
“Cracked open her chest? Repair the vena cava? My god, I’ve never heard of that
before. How is that possible?” Dr. Morgan asked, feeling a bit insecure about
his own abilities.
     
     
“That’s where this problem takes a very bizarre turn. That surgery took place
this morning, as I said, but in the year 2005,” David responded, then quickly
added, “Now, before you have me locked away in a padded room, please let me
explain.”
     
      “Lad,
this had better be a joke,” the old doctor replied, now visibility upset.
     
      David
knew he was quickly losing credibility. Nervously, he continued, “I know what
this sounds like, but I assure you it is all true. I finished my surgery,
walked down the hall, took the elevator down, and when the doors opened I saw
you standing outside the door, asking me to come forward and help you. I
stepped out of that surgery in 2005 and stepped right into another, in this
time period,” David explained.
     
      He
could see the doubt on Dr. Morgan’s face, and right away knew he needed to
present some form of evidence.
     
      “I can
see you’re skeptical, but look at my clothes. Look at the type of surgery I’m
performing,” David continued.
     
      He
reached into his pocket and pulled out some loose paper money.
     
     
“Doctor, look at this money. It’s completely different than your currency. The
date on this money reads into the 21st century. I can tell you who won this war
and who the successful generals were,” David finished.
     
      “Son,
this story just isn’t believable. I’d agree your skills are beyond anything
I’ve ever heard of, but I haven’t been in school for over thirty-five years.
I’m sure there have been great advancements since then. The money could easily
be a parlor trick, picked up at any mercantile and exchange. As for the war,
anyone could make predictions now. The war isn’t over yet. Nothing can be
proven,” Dr. Morgan said, now viewing David with pity, as if he were mentally
ill.
     
      “Dr.
Morgan, I can assure you nothing I have shown you here today is of this world.
If you contacted the finest medical school in the world and described to them
in detail a list of the advanced surgeries I have performed in front of you,
they would think you have lost your mind – yet you know that they can be done
because you have witnessed them. Unfortunately I have no proof other than these
surgeries, but I believe that the detailed information I can provide to you
will convince you beyond a shadow of a doubt that what I am telling you is
truth,” David said in a compelling tone.
     
      David
could see the doubt in the old doctor’s eyes. His arms were now folded across
his bloody apron. His teeth were clenched beneath his closed lips as
gentlemanly politeness prevented him from speaking his mind.
     
     
Finally Dr. Morgan spoke. “David, why are you telling me this? What do you hope
to gain by telling me this interesting tale?”