rARsh!

Yeah - why not?

Throughout the course of human history there have been key moments which have clearly defined the course of future events. Forks, if you wish, in the timeline.

Science Fiction authors are especially fond of following the “other” fork and describing what might have been - with no finer example of the genre, in my opinion, than that offered in Harry Harrison’s “A Transatlantic Tunnel, Hurrah!” (I’d lend you my copy if I could find it, but you could always get your own copy)

How might the world be today, for example, had the Reichschancellor not replied “Jawohl - warum nicht?” to the suggestion that Germany could extend its living room to the east?

Going back further still, how might the map of Europe have been affected had Napoleon not replied “Ah, oui - pourquoi pas?” to the suggestion that Russia appeared ripe for the plucking?

Even in my lifetime, things may well have panned out differently had Dubya and Tone not replied “Yeah - why not?” to the suggestion they give Hans Blix time to finish his search for weapons of mass destruction.

It really makes you think, doesn’t it?

Anyway.

There has been a fork in the timeline. It didn’t take place in one of the world’s great capitals but, rather, in a small barber’s shop in sleepy Aaalburgh on a scorching April afternoon. “Scorching April afternoon”? That can’t be right, can it?

Ok, ok, I’ll get back to the narrative.

It was I who gave the fateful response. The question I’d just been asked was “All over?”

You can imagine the rest for yourself, but if you really, really want to have a laugh at my expense, click on …