You’ve probably seen Elvis–with that ridiculous hair, upturned collar and sequined jumpsuit–riding his Time Machine up and down Main Street every single day. I’m not sure where in town the guy lives. But he’s out there riding the Time Machine up and down the street and, I’m positive, savoring every minute of it.
Everyone laughs. Many shake their head. That absurd Time Machine is impossible to miss.
Bright silver-painted cardboard panels envelope the rickety little bicycle. It’s like the rocket ship dream of a child–with fins, and a whirling red police light mounted behind the bicycle seat, and flying streamers on the handlebars, and a galaxy of painted stars, and spelled out on the cardboard on both sides in big glittery letters: TIME MACHINE.
Veering with abandon, good old Elvis steers his Time Machine up and down Main Street all the live-long day. Pedaling forward, moving through time.
First Street.
The traffic light turns green.
Second Street.
The church clock strikes the quarter hour.
Third Street.
The sun moves higher above the horizon.
Fourth Street.
A woman opens the window shades, breathes in and gazes across the land.
Fifth Street.
Secret lovers behind the gas station kiss and part.
Fourth Street.
A boy forgets his school books and sprints back home.
Third Street.
A man remembers how his uncle burned the casserole the night before and laughs.
Second Street.
A wrinkled hand wipes away sudden tears.
First Street.
A nearby dog barks.
Second Street.
A rocking chair rocks.
Forward through time Elvis travels, his preposterous Time Machine shining brightly like a shooting star.
Back and forth, up and down Main Street he pedals.
Short Stories by Richard 
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