250 Words: Episodes in the life of Edwinski (5)

Edwinski enjoyed his visits to the depths of the government buildings to see Paige, the man who supplied him and the other agents with much of their kit.  The man’s offices were a veritable treasure trove of cutting edge technologies not to be found anywhere else in the world, for Paige was in charge of a large staff who spent their days researching new ways to help covert operations run more smoothly.

On this occasion it was a new watch, “Unlike any watch you will find in shops, Edwinski, this,” said Paige, the watch in question draped over his forearm in the manner of a salesman (a persona this high-tech quartermaster enjoyed adopting),  “Y’see it is connected to one of our satellites hurtling around this hectic globe of ours; so it will always be correct, always synchronised with our clocks back here in HQ on one option; the other will adjust itself to whatever time zone you find yourself in.”

Edwinski had to admit this sounded pretty useful and spoke the word he always used to describe items handed over in these sessions, “Swanky.”

While within Paige’s lair, Edwinski forgot the outside world and reverted back to a childlike reverie, allowing himself to believe this toyshop was the dreamland he wanted it to be.

As he left the building Edwinski wondered how long it would be before this technology would be available on the open market.  Like the glow-in-the-dark watch face and the neon light, the answer was not long.