501 Debrief

But he was most anxious when questioning turned to just how had events had unfolded. His purpose had been to alter the course of history, to prevent a series of domino-type events that were to follow - but he secretly feared that he had actually caused them. Sounding mysterious and warning Elmo to go back had sounded like a great plan when he initially came up with it. But now they were asking him what had happened. How was the course of history affected by what he had done? How had a rat got involved?
"I did as instructed," 501 explained defensively, "I remained concealed and used my wits to stop Elmo of 2009 from proceeding."
An Elmo who was clearly a senior Elmo probed, "And how exactly did you do that? How did you involve yourself?"
“I... er... I hid myself in the undergrowth and pretended to be a mysterious stranger and called out to go back - 'Go Back!' I said."
The inquisitors exchanged glances. "And did he go back?"
501 was sweating - what was he to say? He had imagined that he would have plenty of time to get his story together before being here, but now he was having to think on his feet. Elmo of 2009 had not gone back, worse, he had come forward.
"Yes, he did," he fibbed, "He went back."

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