Danny started up the strange looking computer and was shocked at just what was on it. There were details of
every single family member on it, normal things like age and height, all the way to uncomfortably specific
things like penis size and sexual interests. His profile seemed to have been opened recently, something that
said "Time Acceleration: 1 year every 48 minutes" as the last change, whatever that meant. He clicked on his
hair type, which said "severely balding, brown" and a bunch of options came up. He could change his hair
colour, he could make it longer or shaved off, he could even adjust the age his male pattern baldness
appeared, he could have a full head of hair again. Of course, it would only be a simulation. It could never
happen in real life. "Well it's a weird game. I'm surprised and pretty uncomfortable that you've managed to
get all these statistics on us. But I have no idea what it has to do with why I feel so confused about my age
at the moment. Maybe I have some weird form of amnesia. It's like I remember my life now, but I have memories
of being a kid yesterday, and being a teenager this morning, and you were my uncle but now you're my brother,
it's just all so confusing."
Mark placed his hairy hand on his brother's shoulder and said "You don't understand, it's not a game. It's
real. I made a change so you would get older throughout the day. I made all of us older yesterday, but now
you're the only one aging at the moment. Look, just make one little change to yourself and you'll see I'm
right".
Danny didn't believe what Mark was telling him, why would he make everyone in the family so old? But he
decided to make a change anyway. He clicked on the MPB button and adjusted the scale so he didn't start losing
his hair at 18, but will start loosing it at 25. He clicked the accept button and an energy wave emitted from
the device. His almost clear scalp started to itch as all his lost hair grew back in and thicker than ever. It
lengthened considerably until it hung past his shoulders. New memories appeared in his mind where he started
growing his hair out because he knew his family genes meant early baldness and he wanted to experience having
long hair before that happened. He tugged on the new hair. He couldn't believe it had just grown like that. He
wouldn't believe it. His brain was fighting itself over his new memories and his knowledge of his previous
life. In the end, his new, stronger memories won the battle for dominance. His eyes glazed slightly and he
said "No, my hair is still the same as it was. I'm sorry but I don't know what sort of thing you're planning
with this thing. If you're not going to take my concerns seriously then I'll just talk to Jay". He got up and
left the room. Mark was dismayed, why didn't Danny even notice his hair grow? He looked like he'd noticed at
first, then just forgot about it. Maybe his awareness of the situation was too strong. But he was able to
realise he'd more than doubled in age since going to bed last night. He combed his fingers through his long,
greying beard in thought. It didn't seem like something he should concern himself with at the moment. Danny
was just unaware enough to not rouse suspicion from anyone. He turned the Chronivac off and decided to have an
early lunch.
Jay was in his room reading a book he'd bought earlier that week, reading glasses perched on his nose. He
heard a knock on his door and his brother Danny came in. He seemed a bit unnerved about something. It was
probably about his hair again, thinking he showed signs of receding. But he had unnaturally thick and long
hair for a member of their family, definitely from their mom's side of the family. Yet he had a brain block
trying to remember who she was. "Hey bro, what's eating you?"
Danny stared a bit at Jay, he could remember being the man's son and yet that couldn't be right because Simon
was his dad. His memories were conflicting with each other and it was hurting his head. Maybe Jay had the
answers. "Well this is going to sound weird, but have you noticed anything odd happening in the family? Like
we should be younger than we actually are?".
Jay took off his glasses and thought about this. It certainly sounded a familiar concept to him, and yet he
didn't know why. Something deep inside him felt like he should be younger, and yet that's because he was 40
now. His hair was starting to become more grey than brown, and his weight was verging on dangerous for a man
his age. Of course he'd love to be younger, but unless someone discovered the fountain of youth, it wasn't
going to happen. He just wished he could go back and do things differently. He'd missed the chance at having
his own child, and he regretted it. "Well it's just what happens when you get older. There's nothing you could
do about that I'm afraid".
"No, I literally mean we should be younger. I have vivid memories of being a kid yesterday, and now I'm 25.
It's like time is moving faster than it should". Danny felt a bit frustrated at how insane he sounded.
Jay massaged his bald head in concern. "I think you just had a bad dream. It's nothing to be concerned about.
I dreamt I once killed a friend of mine and I tried to hide all evidence of it until he came by the shop later
in the afternoon. Man, that was a crazy day... Anyway, I suggest you go do something to take your mind off
things for a while. I think Mark's about to go to the gym, maybe you should join him".
"Yeah, I guess you're right. Thanks". He left Jay to get back to reading. But he didn't really want to spend
more time with Mark at the moment. He was weirded out by that device he showed him. Surely it couldn't really
change reality. No, his memories of being younger had to be a dream. He wiped some hair out of his face,
thinking maybe he should really cut it now. It was getting in his way at the shop, and he hated having to tie
it back. No sooner had the thought appeared that his hair instantly shortened to a messy layered style. His
temples were starting to show the first signs of recession. He was confused, but passed it off as missing his
longer hair. Maybe he shouldn't of got it cut, but he did look better without it surrounding his face all the
time. But wasn't he was just standing there with longer hair? Maybe he'd go with Mark to the gym after all. A
good workout should clear his head. He grabbed his gear from his room and went to find Mark, who was in the
kitchen with some coffee and reading the paper. "Hey, Jay said you were heading to the gym. Mind if I tag
along?".
Mark noticed his brother's new shorter hair, but didn't say anything about it. He wasn't planning on going to
the gym, but if it let him spend more time with Danny then he could observe his changes more. "Sure, just go
and start the car while I grab my stuff". Danny got the keys from Simon, who gave him a second strange look
that day. Was it something on his face? He left the old man to go to the car. Simon was ever more confused.
Since when did he have three sons? He was sure that Danny was Jay's son, and yet he was much too old for that
to be logical. No, Danny was his son. Maybe he was getting forgetful in his old age. Or maybe the boy had used
the Chronivac to make himself older. It's made reality changes before. Speaking of which, he'd barely looked
at the machine since the beginning of the week. Maybe he should check on it to make sure everything was
running OK. But not while his programme was on. He'd have to remember to look at it later. Mark came through
to say goodbye, his beard tied up so it wouldn't get in his way at the gym, and left the original three in the
house.