The Round Table Pt. 1 of 4

CHAPTER 1

The Strange Room

SOMEWHERE FAR WAY,

There are three men who were plucked from their own eras. Here they sit, unsure of what has brought them together and who the others are. None of them are able to give us their names, for none correctly remember them as of yet. There they sit quietly, for now, trying to remember who they are and what they represent; their purpose, if you will. As they look upon each other’s faces they realize that all those here are also similarly lost in thought and time. Slowly, they begin to take account of one another, registering the unique qualities of the other members of this odd trio.

The first to gain his wits is a man from an era of absolute Church rule. In fact, that was the only thing the poor fellow could remember. Even his own name eludes him currently. He is surprised at the look of the other two men here. One dressed in a rather formal, orderly fashion. His formal attire and sitting posture show that this man is accustomed to authority and is well acquainted with the responsibilities of his leadership. His worn face shows a deep reverence and conviction in his work, whatever that may be or may have been. He watches with interest as it seems this man suddenly remembers something.

Slowly, this gentlemen of still unknown origin begins to speak.

“John,” he states, firmly. “My name is John.”

“Good to meet you, John,” the poorly dressed third man comments. John scrutinizes the speaker, who seems to be wearing clothes that had been old while the middle aged wearer had still been young. His homely suit fit as if it had yet to meet a clothing iron, and the item on his head might have at one point passed for a hat. John eyed the gentlemen with curiosity, though. For the strangers eyes had a twinkle in them that showed both intelligence and humor in great stock. The man continued, addressing both of them, “Well, John, it seems as if we are not alone.” He turns toward the other man. “Tell us, friend, who are you and why you have brought us all here.”

The first man, Simon, as he now remembered his name, replies, “Sir, I do not know why we are all here, as to my name I do believe it is Simon, or something near to it.”

Interrupting, John states, “This is most disturbing. For I too, have no idea why we are all gathered here. In fact, I barely recall my own name, much less who I really am. It seems as if Simon here has the same trouble. What of you, sir?” Both Simon and John turn to the other fellow in the hat.

“We seem to all be in the same boat. I cannot recall much beyond my own name. Or something similar at least. Call me Jack,” replied the poorly dressed man.

“Let me get this straight,” John looked first to his right. “Simon, you say?” The simply dressed man nodded and his greying beard made a slight rustling sound as it brushed against his full collared jacket. “And Jack. Strange name for a man.” He commented looking over at the man whose suit would shame any tailor or seamstress.

“Good, now we have that taken care of and can work out why we are all here.”

“What is the meaning of this?” bellowed a sudden newcomer to the table. Simon, John, and Jack all started as a fourth chair, occupied by a clean shaven, heavy set man, appeared from nowhere. “Who are you people?”

“Near as I can figure those are John and Simon,” Jack said, pointing them out respectively, “and I’m Jack.”

“He’s right,” Simon chimed in, “And we were all just asking each other what the meaning of all this was. I’m afraid we have no answer for you. We barely got through remembering our own names, as unusual as that may sound.”

“I don’t mean to sound hurried, but now that you know our names, may we also have yours?” John asked. “This has been a most unusual day.”

“Well of course, my name is...well... its...” the stranger trailed off, looking befuddled. “This is quite odd.”

“No worries, we all had the same thing happen to us. It will come to you soon,” Jack reassured him.

“Martin!” said the bulky newcomer. “That’s it. But I’m afraid I remember precious little else.”

The four men now sat in an awkward silence. Each musing over the strange turn of events. None of them knew the others, it seemed. And yet they all felt there must be some sort of connection. But so far not one of them knew what it was.