Tuesday 4 September 2012

The Time Patrol And The Old Phoenix

I do not think that Manse Everard of the Time Patrol can ever visit the inter-universal inn, the Old Phoenix. The premise of the Time Patrol series is a mutable timeline scenario where Patrol members work hard to maintain a single timeline. Even if they fail, their preferred single timeline is simply replaced by an alternative single timeline, of which we are shown three. There is no simultaneous coexistence of multiple timelines but it is inhabitants of such timelines that visit the Old Phoenix.

The Time Patrol is hard sf whereas the Old Phoenix multiverse incorporates fantasies. The inn is chartered by "...some power unknown..." and could lose its license. (1) The landlord performs the only "Time Patrol" function that is necessary. He interrupts the conversation between Leonardo and Einstein when each is about to learn more than he should but he lets Valeria Matuchek inform Prince Rupert that, in her timeline, the English Civil War had led to regicide. Rupert prevents such an outcome in his timeline but it seems that he was supposed to do this so that no "harm" is done. In its single timeline, the Patrol must ensure that every atrocity happens on schedule.

(1) Anderson, Poul, "Losers' Night" IN Anderson, All One Universe, New York, 1997), pp. 108, 122.

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