As usual, I finished Chapter 9 a full day later than intended; however, it started out rather rough. I was not terribly happy with last night's half, and tonight's started poorly. I think, however, that I managed to get back into the groove of writing Mark. I hadn't done it in so long... but I think I remember. He lectures Ralph on time. It is quite charming, really. Excerpt below.“Now, Ralph,” he continued, “now we can talk about consequences—about time, whatever that is.” He paused to catch the wording. “You see, Ralph, time is at the center of all of this. Is this a defining moment in your life, or is it simply fleeting? Is every moment fleeting? Is every moment defining? Are these terms mutually exclusive? Do they have any meaning at all? These, Ralph, are the questions you must ask, for the best course depends on their answers. By my estimation, you have three options. The first model is globular. You can view time as a jumble of disconnected events, each independent of the others. In this view, nothing matters, and thus, you can do anything. You can stay or not stay in San Francisco and it will make no difference. In this view, life is wholly devoid of meaning, and each attempt to inject it with meaning is futile in the great cosmic scheme. That is the first option.
“The second model is circular. Realists and cynics alike champion this view, for they see time as one great circle, rotating around on itself. They view time as cyclical. Oh, it is a pretty model, yes, in which past, present, and future are intrinsically connected. In fact, there is very little difference between the three. Nothing ever changes for long. Time is fundamentally stagnant. This is very much the fatalist’s view, for things remain as they have always been, and will never change. For better or for worse, there is no progress. Problems remain unsolved. There is nothing that can be done but accept the circle and let the current of the whirlpool pull you along. If time is circular, then you are in San Francisco because I went to San Francisco. Everyone that you have ever been remotely close to has been wronged by Fate, for lack of a better word. Your father was the victim of doctors’ incompetence. I was assassinated right before your eyes. Now, your wife has been kidnapped by terrorists. Everyone around you has played the martyr. You expect it and view that as reality. Now, if you follow this model, you think that it is your turn to play the martyr, because that is what people do. If you follow this model, you will stay in San Francisco. That is the second option.
“The third model is linear. This is how idealists view the world—as a chain of events that be connected through logic and reason—a series of events that is not stagnant but progressive by nature. An idealist realizes that the world does not always change for the better, but it does change. Idealists have faith in people and believe that people learn. They rise up and do what they believe to be right. When they realize that something is wrong, that something could be a miserable endless cycle, they break it. Idealists move us forward toward utopia. The past exists only as a guide, and the present is merely the bridge to the future. Those who believe in linear time see the world as it should be and fight to accomplish that goal. Fate determines nothing; the human spirit determines everything. Now, if you accept this model of time, you came to San Francisco to break the bond between Robert Davidson and the Red National Army. According to this model, you are reacting to what has happened to Jane, and you will turn the negative into a positive. You will break the link and, if such a thing is possible, use this situation to solidify public opinion against these Western rebels. I cannot say for certain if that means leaving San Francisco now. I tend to believe it does; however, it is not central to the third model. Regardless, that is the third option.”
Mark took a deep breath after so many words. “That is the choice, Ralph. Decide how you view time, and every other decision will fall into place.”
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