[ WP ] You travel back in time to tell yourself to keep a particular coin because of its value in the future . You go back to the present to find the world in ruins .

`` Keep the coin and we'll have more money than everyone we know will ever make in a lifetime.'' 
 
 `` Re.. really this is all crazy but thanks man.. er... me.'' 
 
 I watch my younger self reach for his pocket. 
 
 `` No... well forget it and mix it with regular change. Keep it in your shirt pocket.'' 
 
 `` Thanks again'' 
 
 I check my watch and watch my younger self walk away with never before seen confidence. I return home and memories flash before me. 
 
 `` A false alarm was raised when satellites detected a nonexistent nuclear launch. Communications were down at the time but the president decided not to launch a counterattack.'' 
 
 `` Huh that was a close call actually now that I think about it. If those nukes went off I would n't have anything to do with all that money I'm gon na have.'' I think to myself 
 
 The memories continue to flood my mind 
 
 `` Mr president why did you choose to not launch a counterattack. What if it had been a real attack.'' I see a reporter ask on a fuzzy TV screen. 
 
 `` It was n't the best but stealing the neighbors cable saved me money. I was able to eat a full meal every day.'' I say as time and memories fly past me 
 
 `` Well nobody wants to believe a nuclear attack would ever happen including me. I found it hard to believe that someone would want to end the world in a nuclear fire. In the bunker we were split between launching or waiting to see what happened. So I took a coin from my pocket and flipped it. If it was heads we would launch. If it was tails we would do nothing.'' He replies. 
 
 I watch as he pulls a quarter from his pocket. And shows the crowd revealing it to be tails on both sides. 
 
 `` Since your all alive it landed on tails.'' With a familiar looking smirk on his face 
 
 They said it was a never before seen mistake that it was worth hundreds of millions. 
 
 Then I remember when I found the coin. 
 
 `` What kind of shitty counterfeit is this! This crap is the same on both sides. 
 
 I throw it in my pocket annoyed that I took two seconds of my day to pick it up. 
 
 `` Hey uhh.... sir... er mister... could you spare some change. My family just kicked me out.'' A young teenager asks me 
 
 `` Whyd they kick you out? You a shithead troublemaker?'' I reply 
 
 `` They... they found out I'm gay.'' 
 
 I pull out my wallet and look at few twenties I have. 
 
 `` I ca n't give you much. My rents 3 weeks late but I'll give you something to eat and a bed for the night.'' 
 
 I watched after the kid for a few days. He came back every now and then. Told me he got a job and he got engaged. 
 
 I still remember the last time he visited me 
 
 I put the invitation down and he looked at me saddened. 
 
 `` I'm sorry but I ca n't make it.'' I tell him 
 
 `` It's ok...'' he says in a dissappointed voice. 
 
 I put my hand in my pocket in the midst of the awkward silence and feel something. 
 
 `` Here take this consider it your lucky coin. I found it the same day we met. I might not be able to make it but that coin will make you much happier than seeing me on your big day.'' I tell him 
 
 Then I return to a bright sunny day in the park where we first met. But somethings not right. The skyscrapers are crumbling. Nature has reclaimed what is hers and man has crumbled. I step forward and trip. I look to see what snagged my leg and I see two skeletons hugging. I look around and see destroyed and overturned cars. 
 
 Then it hits me. Everything all at once. Rushes through my head one more time. 
 
 ``... to protect the constitution.....'' I hear a familiar voice say. 
 
 `` Please welcome the new president of the United States of America'' a loudspeaker says. 
 
 Then another TV screen 
 
 `` Um Mr first man sir the president wishes to see you.'' A staff member says.'' 
 
 `` Oh no you can call me the first lady'' the man replies. 
 
 I hear laughter and then the host appears. 
 
 ``....will be our special guest next week on Saturday night live!'' 
 
 Then I know. I know my mistake. I know why everything is wrong. I never thought it could be possible. I thought it was just a coincidence. 
 
 I stare into the sun and then new flashes appear. 
 
 I remember the heat and the bright flashes and then it's over in an instant. 
 
 `` I guess it really was your lucky coin.'' 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

