Thread by @TheRealDoctorT

“When I was a kid, I used to go to the movies and watch a double-feature. The movie ticket was 14 cents, the popcorn was a dime, and I’d have exactly one cent left over.”

He holds up a penny, and smiles.

“Takes me back every time.”

The hidden magic in everyday things... 1/

“My mother always told me to recycle soda cans. I never did. Didn’t think it mattered. But it mattered to her. We haven’t talked in years. Don’t know why, but I started recycling last year...”

She smiles, wistfully, and tosses the crumpled can in the recycling bin. 2/

“Penmanship. That used to be a thing. Nowadays y’all just type, or text, or whatever the hell. You don’t feel the satisfaction of handwriting. Something about it makes me feel good. Like I’m holding on to something, somehow.”

He taps the fountain pen in his chest pocket. 3/

“My little sister would always hook paper clips together. She’d make these paper clip “necklaces.” Paper clip jewelry. She would use different colored paper clips sometimes, to make it fancy.”

She laughs, tearing up.

“They’re more precious to me now than any diamonds.” 4/

“It’s a Ring of Power. It’s also a Magic Window.”

The little girl smiles. Her small hands clasp the keychain. It’s a plain metal ring with no keys attached.

She holds it up so the light glints off the metal, and sighs.

“It’s my daddy’s. He gave it to me. I miss him.” 5/

The Traveler holds the box close to his chest.

The Guardian raises a brow. Its voice is massive, booming, echoing through time and space.

“THIS IS ALL YOU SHALL TAKE WITH YOU?”

The Traveler nods, features expressionless, “Yes, it is all I need of this life.” 6/

The Guardian takes the small box in its massive hands, and opens it.

Inside are a penny, a crumpled can, a fountain pen, a paper clip, and a keychain.

“I DONT UNDERSTAND. YOU COULD HAVE TAKEN ANYTHING! TAKEN WORLDS UPON WORLDS!”

The Traveler nods, with a smile.

“I did.”