Sam Backus
A mistaken identity or an awareness through time?
Photo by:Kampus Production
“Where did you get the picture of Sam Backus?” Jack Smith asked. “I just saw him the other day over on 16th Street.”
“Sam Backus? You saw him?” asked a flabbergasted Rob Wilson.
“Yeah, yeah. We stopped on 16th Street and talked. We are going for lunch next week,” answered Jack.
The grin Rob had when they shook hands faded into a look of concern. “You saw Sam Backus?” he repeated with some caution.
“Is there something I should know about Sam?” inquired an increasingly perplexed Jack.
“Tell me more about meeting Sam,” requested Rob with more concern on his face.
“Sam, Nice guy. Business mentor. Great ideas about growing companies. Golf’s in the mid eighties. A prime mover and shaker at Floating Gridiron International. Best guy I have ever met. An inspiration to everyone he meets.” Jack saw concern on Rob's face. “What is going on?”
Rob walked over and picked up the picture. “Here,” he said, handing Jack the picture.”Turn it over.”
Written on the back was ‘Sam Backus , 1898 - 1939.’
“What?” asked Jack. “But I just saw him,” he lamented as he turned the picture back around to make sure it was the Sam he knew.
“He hasn’t worked here in over 90 years. He died 86 years ago.”
“Why is there a picture of him in your office then?” asked Jack.
“He is a hero around here. Everything we have he originally set up and made happen. His theories still power our business. We have a Sam Backus Foundation set up in his honour.”
“He founded your business? I’ve known him for years. He was at my wedding.” explained a confused Jack.
“Seriously?” Rob asked. “This is rather weird.”
“Let me call him,” said Jack as he picked up the phone and dialled the number he knew by heart. “Hello? Could I speak to Sam please?,” he listened carefully. “Sam Backus. …..Yes I am sure. Sam works there. Head of the company. Yes, Sam Backus. …. There is no one named Sam Backus working there? … …. Did he put you up to this? …… You are serious aren’t you? … Okay. Thank you,” and with a look of disappointment and confusion on his face he hung up the phone.
“Not there?” asked Rob.
“Not only not there, but they never heard of him.”
“This is getting stranger and stranger," stated Rob. “You are sure you saw him?”
Jack looked over at Rob. “Not only certain but I have too many memories for me to even think it wasn’t him. Look, I have to go.”
“Let’s go get some lunch and talk about it some more.”
Jack considered it. “No. I have to go home,” he replied.
Jack picked up his coat, stopping long enough to look at the picture of Sam. “He looks exactly the same as in this picture,” he commented. He then walked out the door and headed down the street.
When Jack had moved a fair distance down the street Sam Backus stepped out of the doorway where he had been waiting. He looked after Jack, slowly shook his head, turned and walked the other way.
Sam hailed a taxi and immediately set off for the airport. Once there he boarded a plane, preparing to move on, as he had many times over the years.
Sam made a note in his journal as his flight took off. “Immortality is not all it's cracked up to be. Yes, one gets second and third chances but in the end you are always making and losing friends. It is the nature of the beast.”
One of the problems Sam had with immortality was he often forgot how perceptive people were. He had learned this time that he couldn’t get too close to his other lives. He would have to be more careful with his connections in the future. He could not return to New York again in the next 60 years, if ever. Perhaps a new name was in order. He would have to rethink everything.