Coiler Knots

With the Coiler, it is easy to outsmart yourself. Seriously, when shuffling the stream of perception it is impossible to take everything into account. One can never know fully what will happen. I think I had better give an example.

A few days ago I decided to finally tile the stairs. After about an hour my excitement for the project began to wear thin. Suddenly I had what I thought was a splendid idea. I would come back in time and help my self finish. I looked around expectantly but I didn't appear. Grudgingly, I took the Coiler and when forward to when the project was finished. The first thing I saw was the finished stairs and two of me standing next to it.

"Which one of you is coming back with me?" I demanded.

"I told you this was stupid," said one to the other, who just groaned and vanished. "He went back to help, brilliant one," he addressed me.

I didn't understand the rudeness but knew it would be explained in due time and so I went back as well.

"Well," the me that was already there demanded. "Let's get started."

We worked on together for a few hours and I have to say that my attitude was drug down by the surliness of my co-worker. By the time we were finished I was nearly as grumpy as him and we stared at the finished project without pleasure.

"At least we're finished," I wiped the sweat from my forehead.

"I am," he burst into laughter. "But not you."

Then I appeared from the past. "Which one of you is coming back with me," the newcomer demanded rudely.

"I told you this was stupid," my co-worker told me, clearly happy that I had to do it again.

I realized suddenly what was wrong and groaned. I used the Coiler and went back to where I knew the job was waiting for me. When the other me returned again I was not in a good mood.

"Well," I demanded. "Let's get started."

I did not feel like re-tiling the stupid thing but there it lay and so we worked. The whole time I made sure a let the other me know that this was his worst idea yet, but I didn't tell him why. I wanted to inflict on him the same sickening surprise of redoing it that was inflicted on me. When we finished I felt relief at being done.

"At least we're finished," he said, wiping his forehead.

"I am," I laughed. "But not you."

Then I appeared from the past. "Which one of you is coming back with me," I began to reflect on how rude I was.

I saw realization on his face. "I told this was stupid," I said triumphantly. He just groaned and disappeared. I saw confusion the youngest's face and I told him that he had gone back to help, and added a sarcastic remark about his intelligence.

When he was gone too and I was left alone with my finished stairs, I glared at the Coiler. I don't know if it makes life easier or just weirder, and don't know if it is worth it, but it sure is fun. If your not careful, it ties knots in the stream of perception.