Time Payment

"Time Payment" by Sylvia Jacobs is a science fiction short story likely written in the early 1960s. The narrative revolves around time travel and its implications on memory and consciousness, exploring the themes of redemption and transformation. The plot centers on Slick Tennant, a gangster who plans to escape law enforcement by using a time-travel machine created by Dr. Richard Porter. The story unfolds as Slick Tennant, desperate to evade capture, kidnaps Dr. Porter and his son, Dickie, to force Porter to use his Metachronoscope, a device that allows users to experience a compressed version of the future. Slick opts for a twenty-year leap into the future, believing he can start anew. However, the tale takes a poignant turn as Slick emerges into a vastly changed world, grappling with the consequences of his past while experiencing genuine emotions for the first time. Ultimately, he finds a connection with Dickie Porter, hinting at redemption and personal growth despite his earlier criminal life. The narrative concludes with Slick's passing, suggesting a reflective commentary on human experience and the possibility of change, serving as a philosophical exploration of identity and time.