Bless the minute men!

Have you misplace something and you searched and searched and searched, but you can't find it? Then one fine day when you have forgotten all about it, you found it again. And you are absolutely perplexed because you swear that you have searched that exact spot where you found it.

How is that possible? Could you have been so blind with frantic that you missed that spot? No you are absolutely certain you tore up that exact place and scrutinised each fur on that carpet.

Then how could you explain this?

My friend, Mr Pig, propounded a theory to me. Like all men, he got that theory from a movie. Due to my goldfish memory, I cannot remember his theory verbatim, but here is my embellished version:

The collective universe(s) of time is managed by tiny little creatures known as the "Minute Man" (hereinafter referred to as 'MM'). An individual MM is responsible for each minute of your life - for each and every version of you in each universe, parallel or otherwise.

Universes run parallel with one another such that you may share the same space, time and even material things with your other versions. MMs work with MMs from other parallel universes to make sure things runs seamlessly. There should be no occasion of clashing between the universes unless some strange phenomena of collusion occurs ---or when the MM screws up!

Confusing? Let me give a scenerio.

So, let's say you put a pen in your bag, and you need to pull out this pen at 9.45pm to sign a cheque. Your 9.44pm MM can forsee this and is responsible to ensure that the pen is in your bag at 9.45pm.

If you do not find that pen in your bag at 9.45pm, it may be because:

1. Your 9.44pm MM was on a smoke break and failed to place it there on time
2. The other version of you in a parallel universe is using the exact same pen at 9.45pm
3. The pen was used in a parallel universe before 9.45pm and the 9.44pm MM from that parallel universe was on a smoke break and failed to return it to your 9.44pm MM in this universe.

And if you do find the pen again much later, it is because the respective MMs returned from their break, realise the screw-up and replace the pen in your bag. That's why when you search your bag again, it is there even when you swore that it wasn't when you earlier looked.

Next time if you think you misplaced something, don't curse and swear like there's no tomorrow. Remember, MMs are grossly overworked yet underpaid like you and me.

Suggest: Say out loud, "Hello! I know you are tired and need a break but I really need the pen now. How about quickly finishing your cigarette and faster put it back, okay?". You may invite stares and nasty comments from passer-bys but hey, a little polite acknowledgement of your MM's efforts goes a long way.

"Sometimes I feel that the whole world is a cigarette and I'm the only ashtray!"