If you haven’t read Part One, it’s here.

Part Two is here.

The Machine, Part III

I awoke in the wood to the sound of squirrels playing and birds singing.  I had taken a plane as far as I could, then I hopped on a train and went farther.  I hitched a ride on a wagon, which took me to a small tribal village.  From there, I entered the woods continued on foot.  I brought plenty of food from the village, but soon I would need to learn to find food for myself.  I chose a peaceful place near a stream for my dwelling.  I threw together a rough hut, which isn’t much considering my credentials.

 When my food was almost gone, I devised a way to capture squirrels and other animals.  It was simple, really; I dug a small hole, put some meat at the bottom and waited.  When a curious creature might happen by for a taste, I dropped a large rock on him.  I took in rabbits and foxes in this way too, or even a bird from time to time.

It’s curious thing, how both my supper and I have been dealt equally; the both of us have become mere sacrifice, placed to sustain forces greater than ourselves.  Our underprivileged existences are but catalysts for the inevitable. At one time or another every man shall meet the same end, be it by natural causes, or even by a life-sucking perpetual motion machine. So I say a man’s life should be judged, not by the quantity, but by the quality of his life.  Now, I can increase the quality of my life.  No longer do I fiddle with the overpowering goals of the world.  I know now that they are nothing but traps.  Traps set up by the unseen forces of this world, which we will never understand.  But here, I can live in peace.

The End

In the diaries of Alvin Ehrlich was discovered the following:

Day 192, Year 447, 9th Age

…and Ambrose left today.  He has clearly been troubled recently.  Often he could cloak his discomfort, but yesterday he was finally broken.  He was working at his desk when he glanced at a photo of his deceased wife.  I heard him scream.  He hit his desk.  Hard.  Then he looked at me and said he was leaving.  He left.  His contraption refused him peace.  He went away, and I’m sure it’s good for him.  Who knows what will become of him, but at least he will be free.  I shall miss him….