Short Science Fiction · Chapter
Nine Men in Time explained
In 1983, J.J.
What happens
In 1983, J.J. Shane, manager of the Imperial Printing Company, faces a crisis when receivers threaten to close the plant unless business improves within three months. Desperate, he hires Dr. Hudson, a production engineer, who introduces radical methods including mind-reading and time travel to increase productivity. High-Pockets Jones, a legendary printer, arrives and uses his unique abilities to organize the workers into producing an impossible amount of work by working in multiple time periods simultaneously. When the receivers see nine versions of High-Pockets, they are horrified, but High-Pockets negotiates a deal: if the plant continues to operate profitably and the time machine is destroyed, he will merge back into one body. The receivers agree, and the plant is saved.
Themes in this chapter
Work and Alienation
The printers are subjected to Dr. Hudson's intrusive methods, including mind-reading, highlighting the dehumanizing aspects of industrial efficiency.
Technology and Control
Dr. Hudson's time-travel technology is used to control and exploit the workers, raising questions about the ethical use of scientific advancements.
Resistance and Rebellion
High-Pockets Jones subtly resists the oppressive management by using the technology to help the workers, ultimately forcing a compromise.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Shane
Manager of Imperial Printing Company, desperate to save his job and the plant.
- Dr. Hudson
Production engineer hired by Shane to increase productivity, introduces time travel.
- High-Pockets Jones
Legendary printer who uses his unique abilities to multiply himself and save the plant.
Key passages
“Frankly, Mr. Shane, it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can.”
The receivers are uncertain whether to keep the business running or shut it down and sell off the assets.
The receivers' initial threat sets the stakes for the chapter.
“Mr. Shane, we shall make that come literally true; we'll have men working in two places at once before we're through.”
Dr. Hudson promises to make workers more productive by having them work in multiple locations simultaneously.
Foreshadows the time-travel technology that will be used.
“If the receivers agree to let the plant operate as long as it shows a profit, we'll all go back together and then you can break up the extender and there won't be any more trouble.”
High-Pockets offers to merge back into one body if the receivers allow the plant to continue operating profitably and the time machine is destroyed.
High-Pockets' negotiation saves the plant and resolves the conflict.