A Predictable Man

Bob Orderly lives by the clock.

He gets up at 6:00 am each morning.

He reaches his office by 8:00 am each day.

He lunches at 2:00 pm.

On a certain day in November, Bob left his insurance office at 5:30 pm.

“I see you’re right on time, Bob,” the security guard said.

“Yes, I am Gus,” Bob said proudly. “Have a great night.”

After waiting ten minutes at the bus stop, Bob boarded the 24 going west. He greeted the driver, “It seems like we’re going to have a nice evening.”

“It won’t last. We’re supposed to get some snow later tonight.”

Nodding pleasantly, Bob moved to the back of the bus and took the same seat he occupied each evening. He read The Montreal Gazette until the bus reached his stop. Afterward, he walked, counting each step until he reached his single-dwelling home.

Upon arriving home, Bob’s keys did not work at his front door, so he climbed in through an open window. He heard the TV on in his living room. He immediately grabbed a baseball bat from his hallway closet. He then tiptoed toward the intruder. He was shocked to see a middle-aged man smoking a Cuban cigar in his sofa chair, watching Wheel of Fortune.

“What are you doing in my house?” Bob growled.

“I’m Mr. Tom Change. I’ve been living here for 10 years. Bob, if you come back here again, I swear this time I will call the police.”

Bob scanned the room and began having heart palpitations. The furniture was different, and so were the pictures in the frames. But the sofa chair was still there. This confused him profusely. He then dashed out of the house to be greeted by snowflakes.

Bob tried to regain his composure. He decided to walk to his sister Sue`s house, even though they were always bickering.

Arriving at Sue’s door, Bob knocked like a madman. He was relieved that Sue had opened the door before blurting and pleading, “Can I stay here tonight. A stranger is in my house, and I can’t deal with this right now.”

“You seem perturbed. Come in, and I’ll make you a decaf coffee.”

Bob sat in his sister’s kitchen staring blankly, while Sue looked frustrated, making it. Each day, she would have to let her brother know that he had retired and sold his house ten years ago. He had moved in with her. They both did not have kids and could enjoy their golden years together. But as soon as he moved in, he developed a rare condition.

“Do you know what is going on, Sue?”

“Bob, you have a condition called Habit Loop Disorder, accompanied by evening amnesia from 8:00 pm to 6:00 am. During the days, you follow the same routine as when you worked. You’re 75 now.”

“Do they know what causes it?” Bob asked hopefully.

“The doctors do not know, but I suspect you have never liked change.”

“But why do they let me work?”

“It does not bother them having you around as a volunteer, helping them with their work.”

“At 8:00 pm, the amnesia will stop. Then, you usually do what you feel like doing. Sometimes you watch TV, read, or go to the movies. Every night you pick a new thing to do, spontaneously.”

“How dreadful,” Bob said.