The university had put up a great deal of money and support for the project.
A building was made available, along with the funds for equipment. It was all provided on the basis that the university would have sole rights to announce the project’s results to the world. Although the research would be ground-breaking, they had every faith in the old professor, that he could deliver the results. Time travel and all of the sciences connected to it as a subject, had been studied by him for many years. So, with the help of several students, a time machine was built over a period of many months. It stood, looking like a large box, in a space dedicated to it. It had a single door. Inside, a great deal of electrical apparatus hung on the walls. A seat was provided for those wishing to use the machine.
It had been agreed from the start of the project that when the time came the chancellor, a proud and somewhat pompous man, being both the chief executive and the ceremonial head of the university, should be the first to use the machine. Therefore, after a series of stringent test routines, a time was set for the inaugural opening. This would be a private affair that would involve the chancellor alone, as agreed.
It was a time of great excitement when, late in the morning on the following day, the university head was shown the finished machine. After a brief discussion about the overall development and progress of the project, they entered the machine. The professor settled him into the chair and showed him which button to press. He came out, closing the door. He waited.
Inside, after several deep breaths, the button was pressed. A crackling began, then he heard a voice. “At the third stroke, it will be eleven forty three and twenty seconds.” Then came a series of three beeps. This was followed by, “At the third stroke, it will be eleven forty three and thirty seconds.” More beeps followed. This went on for some time before the button was pressed again and the box fell silent.
To say that the expression on the chancellor’s face as he emerged from the machine was one of extreme disappointment would be a gross understatement.