A Matter of Perspective

"You're sure this device will work?" John asked. He fidgeted his wrist as Billy tightened a watch-like machine on him.

"Yeah, you should have been there, I was having a conversation with her, but it was like we were talking past each other."

"But, where did you find this watch and the rest of these junk?" Looking at his watch, John could see it looked like a dead smartwatch except for a bright red button.

Billy laughed as he shook his head. "This isn't junk, we're sitting on a fucking gold mine right here. In fact, that watch is the reason why we have this stuff."

"Can you get to the point?" Billy had the bad habit of meandering on and on instead of getting to the point.

"Right, I was walking down in the sidewalk, right. And I notice a box full of trash, or so I thought. That when I notice that watch. I thought pressing that button would make it work, but surprise surprise, it didn't. I was about to take it off when I noticed a guy in a lab coat..."

"Long story short, you took the watch and box and ran like there's no tomorrow?" John asked. He looked at his watch to see what time it was but mentally slapped himself for forgetting the thing that didn't work.

"That's the thing, I was about to run with the box when he told me to take the watch off. I tried explaining I didn't mean to take anything, but the guy thanked me for taking the watch off, grabbed in the position where the box would have been, and went back inside."

"You're sure he wasn't missing a few screws?" John looked back at the watch and then at his friend.

"See, I was thinking the same thing, but when I got back home, my Mom was already there cleaning the living room when she asked what I was carrying. I said it was nothing but it was like she was ignoring me cause she said it was thoughtful of me to bring a gift for my sister. I said it was nothing, but she said that dinner would be ready in two hours."

"I think I get what you're saying, this watch makes people ignore the wearer?"

"Yeah, they won't notice a single thing you do?"

"Maybe I'm feeling a bit gullible today, but I'll bite. So, I just press this button?"

"Yeah, and you press it again to get people to be aware of you."

"Cool, but if it turns out you were messing with me, I'm going to get you back so hard," John said.