Universe Chapter 2 Big Plans

Jacob lifted his glasses onto his forehead and slowly rubbed his eyes.  Only two more hours until the weekend.  So far, Bill hasn't asked me to work overtime.  Hopefully it stays that way.  Mary won't be happy if I'm stuck working another weekend.  Jacob has been working at the same company for twelve years now.  His relationship with Mary started about five years ago.  Bill became his boss about six months ago, and so did all of the weekend overtime.  Mary started being upset about all of the missed dates and going to family events alone two months ago.
As he placed his glasses back down into place, he slowly peeked over his cubicle wall to see if Bill was anywhere near.  He sat back down with no sight of him.  Once I'm done with these last few files I'm going to try getting out of here early.  Maybe be able to get some flowers for Mary if the florist is still open.  As Jacob was planning out what he could get done before his date with Mary tomorrow he hear someone knock against his carpeted cubical wall.  He jumped when pulled back to his job.
"Hey Jako, what's your plans for the weekend?"  It was Susie from accounting, Mary's best friend.  If it wasn't for Susie setting Jacob and Mary on a blind date, they probably never would've meant in the first place.  "I heard from Mary you finally got that reservation at uh..."
"Le Flueve Noir," Jacob responded.  "It was almost like a second job trying to get them."
"I wouldn't mind if Frank tried doing something like that for a change."  She paused with her head tilted slightly up, as if reliving a memory.  Working at the same place for as long as she has, she knows just who to look out for.  "Don't look now, but I see Bill coming this way.  I'll talk to you later about how it goes."  Susie scurried away, slightly hunched over to stay below the cubicles.  Jacob turned back to his desk and imagined Bill's head exploding In slow motion.  He started rearranging the paperwork next to his computer to make it look like he had more work than was needed.  He could see Bill in the corner of his eye.
"Jacob, I've got something I need to talk to you about."  Bill rested his arm on top of the cubicle wall while he took a sip from his coffee mug.  Jacob forced a fake smile to appear on his face as he turned around to meet Bill's gaze.
"Hey Bill, what might that be?  As you can see," Jacob pointed his thumb over his shoulder in the general direction of his desk, "I'm really busy trying to get all of this backdated paperwork sorted out."
"Well, that's what I needed to talk to you about.  After several months of working overtime, our department seems to have caught up with all of the work load," Bill shrugged and lifted his hands up, almost as if trying to say 'Go figure'.  "Some of the other departments will still need to come in on Saturday, but overall, everyone should be back to their usual schedules in a couple of weeks."
"Is that so?" Jacob replied.  He started relaxing; his fake smile starting to wear off.
"There is some bad news, though."  Jacob tensed back up and his face went solemn.  We're all going out for drinks down at The Watering Hole after work."  Bill grinned as he raised his mug like someone was toasting.
"I'm afraid I won't be able to make it, Bill.  I've already got plans that have been under development for a long time now."
"Well, it's mandatory,"  Bill's grin was gone.  "Starting next month, upper management decided that the best way to increase productivity is to increase friendliness amongst coworkers.  Everyone will need to attend a business retreat.  Each department will be going together on different weekends.  I thought I'd start it now with something everyone would rather do."
"But I'm busy right after work."
"Be there no later than seven. Got it?"  Bill didn't wait for an answer before walking away.  After taking a deep breathe, Jacob slowly let it out and turned back to his desk. "Once you're done with those files on your desk, you can leave."  Bill's sudden return startled Jacob, but was gone again before he could look over his shoulder.
*               *               *               *               *
Jacob looked up at the clock as he walked out the lobby doors.  Twenty-five after three; little more than three hours before Bill demanded his presence at the bar.  That should be more than enough time to get to the florist.  Hopefully he'll be able to sneak out after a little while without anyone noticing his departure.  With any luck, it will be extremely busy and everyone will be busy making out with their choice of poison by the time he even gets there.
When he gets to his car, he opens the trunk and pulls out a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.  The fresh smell of warm paper and ink from the busy printer near his desk clung to his business attire and never seems to let go.  After working at the same cubicle next to that clunky, old printer for so long, the smell seems to be bonded in between the the fabrics of his clothes.  With how sensitive his nose has always been, it becomes a bit of a bother over time.  He closed the trunk and carried the new clothes and giant plastic bag into the back seat and climbed in.  He reached into the front seat as unbuttoning his shirt to start the car and radio.  While pulling the first shirt off, he listened about a new volcano somewhere in Asia that might erupt soon.  He changed it to a classic rock station while removing the undershirt and trying to kick off his spit-shined dress shoes.  When others started emerging from the white-collar prison, he hastened his ritual.  The old skins were crammed into the bag as the loafers slide on.  One more trip to the trunk to make a deposit, and then into the driver's seat to take off.  Susie waved as he drove past her; Jacob raised his hand to wave back, but had already gone past her by the time it was in position.
The red light he approached gave Jacob the perfect chance to light a cigarette without having to steer with his knees.  Sharp curves, he learned, are not very friendly when steering with one's knees.  He also learned what it takes to be able to roll a car, and deploy the airbags.  The couple of beers he had not long before driving probably didn't help, Jacob had admitted on the police report.  That was before he met Mary, though.  Mary has been the positive enforcement in his life since his mother died.  He was mainly a birthday drinker until his mother died.  Jacob isn't sure when exactly the stereotypical college binge drinking started, but if he had to pick a day, he'd choose right after he buried his mother.
Rounding the corner, he could see the flower shop sign and began sniffing out a parking spot.  He eventually found one a couple blocks away after circling the florist several times.  He reached for the door and tried to pull.  The owner had a "be back soon" clocks hanging in the window.  The hands suggested they'd be back at quarter past five, on the dot.  Jacob glanced at his watch to see what time it was;  5:17.  He sighed; forgetting he always kept his time ten minutes fast.   Shifting glances between the smiling clock and his wrist, he decided to go get some coffee.  After looking around, he located the nearest coffee shop and set his course.  It looked like it had nice big windows, so he was sure the florist wouldn't return without his notice.
Once Jacob entered the store, he realized how small and crowded it really was.  The line to order was only the first problem inside.  It appeared they were currently understaffed and less experienced with the demanding pressure.  His eyes were fixed on his real agenda while slowly creeping forward with the dispirited conga line.  A glance at his wrist revealed it had only been three minutes. He returned his gaze on the plants across the street.  He was only two spots behind the person ordering when he noticed someone approaching the door to the florist.  He jumped out of line and pardoned his way to the exit.  He barely looked for traffic before darting out.  The other man was watching him as he fumbled with his keys.
"You're late!" Jacob yelled halfway across the street.  The man looked confused, like he wasn't sure if Jacob was talking to him.
"I beg your pardon?"  The man stopped searching his keys, as he took half a step back.
"You're late, I said.  It's currently," he held up his watch again, "five twenty-four.  That's nine minutes longer than what the clock says.  I was almost up to my turn to order some coffee!"  The man looked around, still confused.  Jacob raised his hand up with a straight arm to point at the window; The man turned, following the retriever-like point.  He began to chuckle.  "What's so funny?"
"Well, I'm not the shop owner, first of all; I was just trying to find my car keys.  Second, I think your watch might be fast,"  He pulled his phone out of his pocket and pressed a button.  "My phone says it's only five fourteen."  Another chuckle slipped out from his mouth.  Jacob froze for a second before looking at his watch again and slowly dropping it.
"Sorry about the mix up," Jacob almost mumbled.
"Don't worry about it." The man looked back at his keys again before finding the one he needed.  "Just don't forget to breathe every now and then."  He walked around the car parked in front of the florist, unlocked it and let himself in.  Jacob felt a tap on his shoulder.  Turning around, he saw a cup of coffee staring at him.
"I noticed you willingly left the line to come charging over here, so I thought you'd still like some coffee after waiting in that line for so long," she smiled; still holding the cup up.  Jacob's face flushed a little.
"Thanks," he replied, grabbing the cup.  "It's just been a long day, and I've been waiting for a while for the shop owner to return."  He thumbed towards the flower doors.  She pulled a pocket watch out and checked the time as she sidestepped around Jacob.
"What good timing, I have, though" she stated while fishing out her keys.  "how long have you been waiting for?"  Jacob looked at her a little puzzled at first, but then laughed when she looked back at him over her shoulder.
"Well, it was nine minutes," Jacob rubbed his head.  The bells on the inside of the door rang as she bumped it open.  "But after talking with that other guy, it became only one or two minutes that I've been here."
"Interesting.  I've never met a time traveler before."  She moved the old milk canister in front of the door to hold it open.  "Come on in.  My name's Diana.  How can I assist you?"