TELL STEPHEN BAXTER NOT TO WORRY
(published in issue 40 (Nov '01) of the BSFA writer's magazine Focus. )

I was writing in the living room at my computer when a stranger softly entered. He was short for a man, though well-built, and his muscles seemed anchored in subtly different places.

"It's about the future," he whispered.
He squeezed one of my hands gently between both of his, smiling, easily squatting down upon the floor before me. From there I saw into eyes full of flying cars and domed cities, the galaxy and humanity, days and millennia.

"I came to tell you…everything turns out fine. It's wonderful."

And then, turning only to raise a single finger to his lips, he left.