"You ran a mile in three seconds! Let's check you again to make sure all was in order here." He listened to the watch and shook it to make sure it was going. It was running like a charm. "You know that huge pine tree on the hill in the field out back of this building?" he asked.
"Uh huh," Mike replied, "you can see it for miles!"
"Would you run to that tree for me, pick up a pine cone from it, and come back here as quickly as you can, son?"
"All right."
Horton gave the signal again and Mike sped off. He reached the tree in a flash, scooped up the largest pine cone he could find from the ground underneath it, and hurried back to The Institute.
"Unbelievable!" Horton cried. And Mike explained what it felt like and what he saw when he ran. "The space and time ratio must be distorted when you move so rapidly. You bend light. Mike, you must travel beyond the speed of light! You're incredible!"
"I don't mean to interrupt our visit, doc, but do you know what time it is?" Mike asked, seeming occupied with other thoughts.
"Sure, Mike, it's one p.m.."
"Oh! Excuse me, then, I have to be going now. See you later!"
Mike was off in a flash. He got to the hallway of Jeanie's second story apartment in minutes, knocking heavily on her door. Inside, Jeanie was dressed in her long robe and slippers, and had curlers in her hair.
"Be there in a minute!" she called out, beginning to walk from her kitchen door.
Mike ran down the hallway and outside again. He had a hard time remembering the route to his destination since he'd only seen the little store while coming into town a few months ago, on the bus, but he got there just fine, taking a short cut on one of the side roads. It only took him a few minutes to purchase what he wanted, then he reappeared in Jeanie's hallway again. Jeanie was just opening the door for him. She held it open a crack, leaned against the door sill and smiled.
"Oh, hi Mike! I can only talk for a minute. I'm awfully busy!" she said.
Mike smiled back. "Yeah, me too, but here, this is for you. I thought you might like it!" he told her and handed her the large bag He blushed and she thought he looked very sweet, but she didn't even get to say thank you before he headed off, and up the stairway to the front door. She shrugged and went inside to put the bag on the table. "Oh, Mike!" she sighed, as she removed the pint of chocolate ice cream from the package. "But how....where?" Jeanie went and got a spoon from the kitchen drawer and tasted the treat. "Mmmmmm!" she mumbled, "It's wonderful, after all!" Then