Aaron finally got a ruling on his petition to attend the Nativity, and before too long his time machine transported him to Bethlehem. He emerged from a cave in the forest, God only knew where, and walked to the nearest town.
“Who goes there,” a black-bearded man in armor asked when Aaron walked by the market. He had a black mole on his left cheek that looked like a spider sac. “Halt and make yourself known.”|“It is I, Aaron Aardvark of California.”
“I’ve never seen hair that color before in my life, nor a face so white. Not even among the most northern of Romans. And your robe wears too closely to your legs.”
“I come in peace and blue jeans, sir. Please forgive my appearance.”
The black-moled guard reached for his saber, but paused. He squinted his eyes, looked at Aaron shivering in his dungarees and flannel shirt. “Where is this tribe of California? Somewhere east of Persia?”
After a fashion, Aaron supposed. “Quite east. I come to witness a very special birth. I seek Joseph and Mary of Galilee whose child brings peace on earth.”
The man grunted. “Never a more pitiful pair of nomads did I see enter the village. Off you go then, in that direction.” He pointed and went back to the market and all those hides and pelts.
Aaron turned down the alleyway the man indicated. Before too long, the small houses of the village came further apart, and then he came upon the stable. A star shone brightly above the structure and light came from within. Aaron entered and just as he turned to witness the Savior’s birth, he saw a three-ringed circus with ponies, acrobats, clowns, and a strong man.
“Damn that time machine,” Aaron thought. “So much for peace on earth. I knew I should’ve downloaded the latest upgrade when my Macbook prompted me.”
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