Forever is Not So Long

"Forever is Not So Long" by F. Anton Reeds is a science fiction story from the early 1900s that looks closely at time travel, what people want, and the hard decisions between love and work. Set in Europe in 1931, the story wonders about the effects of new science on people's lives. The story is about Stephen Darville, who helps Professor Ploving test the Ploving Tube, a machine for traveling to the future. As Darville gets ready for this big test, he struggles with his love for Jean, Ploving's daughter, and his need to do his job. When he uses the time machine, he sees a future full of war and destruction, including the loss of those he loves. Coming back to his own time, Darville understands that love is more important than discovering new things and decides to be with Jean forever, showing that love can last even when time and fate are uncertain.