innovate-issue-005

It was good as a mental exercise, but could I really envision a world where at some point, presumablyafter the 1940s they had rewritten history, writing in George V, George VI, the German Empire, Hitler,Pearl Harbour? Could all of that really not have happened? It seemed an insane idea except for theevidence of my own eyes..."Randolph!" a man staggered out of the pub and into the road, gesticulating at me"Shit..." I headed towards him, to lead him back to the pavement in case one of the infrequent carsshould choose this moment to barrel down the hill and knock him over."What..." he allowed himself to be led, the while frowning, "You're not Randolph...""I'm Luke" I said, wincing as I revealed my real name, "His cousin""Aha!" the man grinned, then bent over to throw up into a drain"Great..." I said, watching this performanceHe straightened and wiped his mouth on his sleeve"How about a drink, Lukey boy?""If you're buying" I said, making a show of my empty front pockets"Of course! Anything for Randolph's cousin"He seemed genuine, and I was tired, thirsty, and in need of a destination so I smiled and let him leadme inside the Frederick IIThere was sawdust on the floor, globules of something unthinkable all about the place, rolled upthankfully into the sawdust, presumably why it was there."Stout!" hollered my new friend, "And what do you want Lukey boy?"I stared at the unfamiliar bar, the pump handles thrusting into the air,"Porter" I hazarded, remembering the word from my studies of 19th century London"Porter for the lad!" the fellow yelled"I'm only here for fuck's sake Mick" said the barman, probably the landlord from his demeanour, "Youdon't have to yell to Algiers for me!""Never fucking catch you in Algiers" a man smoking a pipe by the blazing fire ground out, to muchhilarity"Watch that mouth of yours, Laurie West""Yeah yeah" the man blew out a perfect ring of smoke, "You're all fight in here, Toms""I fucking better be" the man growled, slamming two pints down in front of usMick, true to his word, handed over a slew of coins, and then counted back his change in ashortsighted pedantic way"Never be careless" he said, shaking his head, "I mean, you got to be careful""I know what you mean" I said, gaining a scowl from the landlordWe carried our drinks across to an empty table by the front window, myself just catching a glimpse ofa gigantic car trundling slowly past as we settled in the threadbare upholstery."To Randolph!" said my drunken host"Randolph" I echoed, raising my glass and wondering who the hell Randolph might beThe porter was strong and thick, but good. I had often wondered what people in the past had seen inother drinks than lager or pilsner, but I began to get a feel for it as the liquid washed welcome downmy throat"Funny get up", Mick waved a wobbly hand at my clothes, "What's it for?""Er, sport" I said, thinking quickly, "I was supposed to be playing but they cancelled""Oh...sport" he nodded wisely and guzzled at his warm beer, "You one of those professionals?"He pronounced the latter word as if it was synonymous with AIDS sufferer or leper. I laughed as wellas I could"Hell no, just for fun at the university""Ah", he nodded wisely once more, "You're at the university"