Seems like no one remembers the past anymore. And if there is no past, then the present won’t be remembered. Does this mean that the future cannot continue until the past exists? A question that could never be answered. And for those who acknowledge the past, they neglect the lessons it teaches. Or they dwell on it too much. Is man kind really that stupid? Yet another unanswerable question.

“Hey Paul, its time to go F Fnk the bartender said. His short and stoufigure walked closer to me. His bushy eyebrows and balding head seemed almost laughable, but I could accept this old man. I frequented this bar often, usually to ponder my thoughts over a reasonable drink of ale. This night was no different. Or so it seemed.

My hand swished the glass around, swirling the ale within. I stared blankly at the poster on the wall, a depiction of an old band that started right here in town. Frankie came closer, washing a glass with a white dish towel.

“Paul, its time to go.” He was smiling.

“I know Frankie, I know.” My hand moved the glass up to my mouth, tempting a drink. Oddly, my mouth did not open. What was left of my ale spilled down my coat. Frankie offered the towel.

“No thanks Frankie. I’ve made up my mind.”

“About what, if I may be so bold as to ask? You seem different today, Paul. Is something wrong?” Nothing was so much as wrong, but unusually different. I doubted he could tell what it was, so I offered more conversation.

“Frankie, do you remember the past?” This was an obscenely broad question.

“Of course I do. At least, I like to think I do. With age…”

“What do you remember about the past?” I rudely interrupted.

“I remember my family, and my friends. This bar. My whole life is in the past,” Frankie replied.

“But…what if it weren’t. What if we, as a race, did not acknowledge the past, and the present could not become the past. If the present cannot become the past, then the future cannot become the present. Isn’t that right, Frankie?” I didn’t know what to expect in his answer.

“Well, I suppose…” He was probably confused. I didn’t blame him.

“But that can’t be right, can it? If the future cannot become the present, then time ceases to move forward? Once again, isn’t that right?” He scratched his head, thinking obscurely.

“Well Paul, no one really knows. You can’t stop time, but you can’t make people acknowledge the past either. Its late Paul, you and I should both wind down and sleep. I think its in our best interest.”

“Good night, guys,” Lynn said, walking out the door, her shift being over. Her graceful figure turned and her eyes winked at me before the door shut. Before my mind shut as well.

“I suppose, Frankie. But like I said, I’ve made up my mind. I can’t stand our race…”

“Paul, have you had to much to drink?” Frankie asked as I pulled on my thick, long brown coat.

“On the contrary, my friend, I do not think I have had enough, as I poured half of my last glass down my shirt.” My hands scrambled around my coat pockets for my billfold. “Frankie, you have been a good friend to me. However, I don’t think you’ll see me around here anymore.” I found what I was looking for. I slapped my 100 dollar bill on the counter, along with a hefty check. He scanned over the check.

“Paul? What is this?” he said as I walked over to the door, pulling on my black gloves.

“Its all I have, Frankie. May you use it better then I.” I grabbed my hat off the rack and slapped it on my head.

“You know very well I can’t accept this, Paul. Why don’t you come back over here and talk for a while. I’ll give you another round of ale, on the house. Come on, what do you say?”

“No, Frankie. You should sleep, like you said. But I must be off.” I opened the thick oak door using the now seemingly ancient door handle.

“But where will you go?”

“To the stars, Frankie. To the stars.” I was sure I saw a tear run down his face, but it could have just been the time, or the light. It was five in the morning after all. I gave him a quick smile, the last that would be seen from my face. Out the door and down the steps I went.

It was a cold night with some drizzling rain. A good night to disappear I suppose. And that would be it. My final trick. I walked down the boulevard and into the urban mist.