How to Stop Time

The secret organization sends Tom on a mission to Sri Lanka to kill Chandrika Seneviratne. He finds her already dead, lying under a tree watched over by a rare endangered rilewa monkey. Relieved he doesn’t have to kill her himself, Tom throws up his breakfast and realizes he “can’t do this any more” (8). He calls Hendrich, leader of the secret organization, once back at his hotel. Tom confirms that Chandrika is dead, omitting the fact that he found her that way. As Tom does in every conversation with Hendrich, he asks if he has found her, referring, as is later revealed, to his long-lost daughter. Hendrich tells him she hasn’t been found yet. Tom continues telling Hendrich he just wants “an ordinary life” (9). Hendrich tells him to come see him.

Tom arrives in Los Angeles and visits Hendrich at the Albatross Society headquarters in Brentwood. Tom is shocked to see Hendrich looking younger than usual. Hendrich, like Tom, ages slowly; he has lived for over seven centuries. In Los Angeles, Hendrich calls himself Harry Silverman, a retired plastic surgeon. Hendrich asks Tom about Iceland, his home before heading to Sri Lanka. Tom explains that it was lonely and that he doesn’t want to be a loner anymore. He wants to quit the Albatross Society and have a normal life. Hendrich tells him, “There is no out” (12); Tom is an albatross, not a mayfly. Hendrich describes regular humans who live a normal lifespan as mayflies who live for 24 hours, whereas Tom and Hendrich are considered akin to the long-lived albatross bird. Tom considers this ridiculous and childish. Hendrich counter-proposes that Tom choose his next identity. Tom instead asks about finding the woman again. Hendrich still hasn’t found her although he promised he would when Tom first joined the society. Hendrich agrees to keep looking. Tom requests a placement in London as a high school history teacher.

Tom meets with the headteacher Daphne Bello in London for a job interview. He enjoys feeling “ordinary for once” (15). They joke about time and age as Daphne refers to Tom being young. He gives his age as 41. Tom notices another teacher outside. It’s the French teacher, Camille, who likes to take her kids out of the classroom. Back in the interview, Daphne, concerned Tom has lived a sheltered life, asks how he would make history “come alive” for these kids struggling with the present. Tom explains that history is everywhere. It’s people; it’s life. Daphne moves the interview along, commenting on Tom’s ability to play the guitar, piano, and violin. While Daphne comments on the curriculum and Tom’s age again, Tom drifts away into his memories. Tom thinks about his name—Tom Hazard. His birth name was Estienne Thomas Ambroise Christophe Hazard. He has gone through many aliases since then. Daphne pulls him back to the present with a job offer. With the interview over, Tom heads out to Chapel Street. His headache pounds as memories of 1623 fill his mind.

Tom thinks about the last time he saw Rose, whom he once loved, in her plague-marked house on Chapel Street. A watchman approaches him warning not to enter. Tom lies, saying he is also infected, and calls out to Rose to open the door. The door opens. Rose, grey-skinned and covered in sores, stands on weak legs. Tom helps her back to bed. They are the same age, almost 50, but Tom looks like a teenager. She apologizes for making him leave all those years ago, but he knows it wasn’t safe to stay. They briefly reminisce. Rose says their daughter, Marion, fled when she stopped aging and people started to notice. Rose asks Tom to find her and keep her safe and stay strong. Tom reflects, “We are time’s subjects, and time bids be gone” (27). Rose slips away as Tom sings.