“Daddy, Daddy, what’s that?” The girl pointed at a large orange sign by the counter. The man looked at it with a tired smile. [b]Last Minutes 20$[/b] was written in bright green letters, along with a [i]One per customer[/i] scribbled hastily underneath. The man scratched his head. Last Minutes? What are Last Minutes? There was no product information on the sign, no pictures or samples... How could any customer spend twenty dollars on two words without knowing any details? “Excuse me,” the man said with a polite nod. “What exactly is that?” He felt his daughter hop with glee beside him. “The Last Minutes?” The shop keeper glanced at the sign. “That’s our monthly special. One per customer” “Yes, but what is it?” The men pressed on. “A type of energy drink? A toy?” “It’s a minute, hon.” The shopkeeper smiled. “Just a minute. Mind you, restrictions apply. We’re not encouraging cheering or immoral behaviors.” “Oh?” The man expressed concern. “Is it safe for children?” “Time is time, hon. Doesn’t matter how old you are. Of course there’s not much to appreciate when you’re a toddler.” The woman laughed at her own joke. The man crossed his arms. His daughter was getting more and more fidgety and he still had no idea what it was she was trying to sell. “Look.” He took a deep breath, his smile replaced by a frown. “I tried to be reasonable, but since you clearly don’t want to take this seriously I don’t see why we should—“ “Listen, hon,” the shopkeeper sighed. “You’re not the first one to be confused. I’d be confused if I didn’t make them myself. The thing I’m selling is time. Not universal time, mind you, but personal time.” “Okay?” The man nodded, trying to keep face in front of his daughter. “Think of it this way.” The shopkeeper went on. “Imagine you’re rushing to catch the bus, but slip on a banana peel and miss it.” “I have a car—” The man began, but was quickly interrupted. “Imagine you could change that last minute of your life. You can avoid the banana peel, catch the bus and be on time for work. All because you used your last minute.” There was a long pause. The man who moments ago was itching to deconstruct her unrealistic bus example was not standing there, dumbstruck staring at the board. Even his daughter barely registered in his mind. “No way!” he said at last. “There’s no way that’s true. Just a scam or trick or...” Already he was thinking what he could do if he could change the last minute of his life... any last minute. He could correct any mistake before it happened, win every argument, make a fortune gambling. “And I can change anything in that minute?” He asked hopeful. “As long as it’s the last minute.” The shopkeeper nodded. “And no one but me will remember anything?” “Hon, even you won’t remember.” The woman smiled. “The minute just gives you a choice. Once you use it whatever you end up with is your new last minute. Can’t have two last minutes. Everything will be as if your old minute never was.” “Hmm.” The man scratched his head. “So if I use a minute now and go back to the start of the conversation I’d have forgotten everything and ask you the same questions?” “You’d need more than a minute, but yes. The knowledge you gained in your last minute would be erased.” “So I can’t do anything much with it.” The man took hold of his daughter’s hand, trying to ignore her constant pulling him. “You can do as much as you want. Waste it or change your life, it’s all up to you.” The man gave it some thought. He could easily buy one and keep it with him for such a time at which it would count. Yet could he be sure, though? What if missing the bus started a change of events that would lead him to a better job? What if catching the bus meant he wouldn’t meet his wife? That he’d never have a daughter? “Do you sell five last minutes?” He asked with a smile. “There’s something I’d like to do.” [hr] “Daddy, Daddy, what’s that?” The girl pointed at a large orange sign by the counter. The man looked at it with a tired smile. “Just a sign, sweetie.” He patted her on the head. “Just a silly sign.”