This week I tried Rochelle’s brand of historical fiction, as sort of a tribute to her excellent storytelling. Of course, being me, I couldn’t do it straight, so this is alternate universe historical fiction.
Copyright Douglas M. MacIlroy
The Numberless Clock Society
The meetings of the Numberless Clock society were held in a lower room of a Glasgow pub.
“Imagine no clocks: no schedules or appointments to keep,” I, the leader, railed after a few pints. “Imagine banks, empty and powerless. We need to dump the gold coins into the ocean and extricate ourselves from the stranglehold of the invisible hand of commerce. That’s Locke’s true state of nature.”
Adam was in charge of figuring out how to take down the financial system. However, in time, he drifted away and eventually joined the enemy camp. He even stole my words, the traitor.
** Read more about the Invisible Hand here**
The Green-Walled Tower 
October 15th, 2014 at 10:23 am
It’s always fun to pull historical characters into a piece of true fiction. Turns out, I learned a little about the Invisible Hand from your link.
All my best,
Marie Gail
October 15th, 2014 at 5:01 pm
I always learn a lot from Rochelle’s stories, so glad I can share even a little knowledge around. 🙂
October 15th, 2014 at 10:35 am
With a name like Smith he might have known he wasn’t to be trusted. Only joking. My maiden name was Smith. I considered it a coup to marry a Crook though. 😦 Nice historically wry piece – liked it.
October 15th, 2014 at 5:02 pm
Yes, Smith sounds like a spy’s name, although I think a name like Crook would be too obvious for anyone to suspect you…the perfect cover. 🙂
October 17th, 2014 at 4:01 am
Dear Sandra,
I thought there was a like button for comments now, but it has disappeared. I like your comment very much.
Aloha,
Doug
October 17th, 2014 at 5:48 am
Thank you, my friend. 🙂
October 15th, 2014 at 10:59 am
Sadly typical – student revolutionary joins the establishment 🙂
October 15th, 2014 at 5:03 pm
It’s a lot easier to have strong ideals when you’re poor and powerless. Power tends to corrupt.
October 15th, 2014 at 2:26 pm
Ah.. there goes a dream of no clocks.. all into the cruel word of capitalism..
October 15th, 2014 at 5:04 pm
I have that dream when I wake up at 7am and don’t want to get up to go to work. 🙂
October 15th, 2014 at 3:58 pm
“In time he drifted away”…subtle genius right there!
October 15th, 2014 at 5:04 pm
🙂 Thanks, Dawn.
October 15th, 2014 at 5:22 pm
Really interesting. Great job.
October 15th, 2014 at 6:34 pm
Seems as if this theory will rise and sink throughout human history.
October 16th, 2014 at 2:11 am
good one David.
October 16th, 2014 at 8:47 pm
Thanks. 🙂
October 16th, 2014 at 4:32 am
Ah the ultimate betrayal, stealing such a clever metaphor
October 16th, 2014 at 8:46 pm
And turning it on its head, no less. 🙂
October 16th, 2014 at 12:04 pm
Dear David,
What a nice surprise to come here for my weekly portion of your wonderful writing and find such a compliment. Thank you.
I love the way you took fact and turned it on its ear. Great fun to find out the ‘truth’ about Adam Smith. Good job as always.
Shalom,
Rochelle
October 16th, 2014 at 8:44 pm
Thanks, Rochelle. As long as I don’t get sued for libel by his estate, I’m happy. 🙂
October 17th, 2014 at 4:02 am
Dear David,
Keep a low profile. I know the feeling. In March I was afraid I was going to face a lawsuit for a particular story. If this post suddenly disappears I’ll know why. I’ve got your back.
Shalom,
Rochelle
October 19th, 2014 at 8:47 pm
Well, I was just kidding, but you’re right that it could happen, like in your case. I’ll be careful in general. I appreciate the support.
October 16th, 2014 at 12:36 pm
love the line…after a few pints…brevity at its best David.
October 16th, 2014 at 8:40 pm
Yeah, that says a lot right there. 🙂
October 17th, 2014 at 4:48 am
Things change after a few pints, don’t they 🙂
October 19th, 2014 at 8:40 pm
So they tell me. 🙂
October 20th, 2014 at 4:17 am
🙂 🙂 🙂
October 16th, 2014 at 8:08 pm
Very enjoyable. Perhaps he should have formed a working party to do a feasibility study and then submit a few preliminary reports followed by an executive consultation, rather than just trusting the whole thing to Adam.
Marg
October 16th, 2014 at 8:37 pm
True, although I’m sure marketing strategy and so on weren’t as developed back in the 18th century. Thanks for the comment. 🙂
October 17th, 2014 at 4:03 am
Dear David,
You’ve done Rochelle, and historical fiction proud. This was a solid and intriguing story. I knew who Adam was and I applaud your slow unveiling of history. Well done.
Aloha,
Doug
October 19th, 2014 at 8:45 pm
Thank you, Doug. I’m glad you understood who Adam was. You are someone who does subtly very well, so I’m glad you appreciated it.
-David
October 17th, 2014 at 7:57 am
David, That’s a theory that might seem better after a few pints. 😀 Interesting story and well written. 🙂 — Susan
October 19th, 2014 at 8:39 pm
Susan, I’m sure there are many things that sound much better in a bar than outside it. 🙂 Thanks for the comment.
-David
October 17th, 2014 at 1:12 pm
I’m amazed at your storytelling finesse and the way you weave history into your story, all with such subtlety. Capitalism and clocks go hand-in-hand as it turns out, don’t we all know. Great writing, sir. You should be very proud of this one!
October 19th, 2014 at 8:38 pm
Thank you, Amy! That means a lot to me. It would be pretty hard to have capitalism without any measuring of time at all.