Alice teetered on the edge of a black void. One more step forward and she would have plunged1 into an infinite abyss. At the thought, her skin broke out in goose bumps, and she rubbed her arms to try to warm herself.
Far across the void, the black spires2 of a Gothic castle stretched upward. But there was no way to get there. Then she heard somethinga rhythmic3 beat, like a drum ... or a clock.
Tick.
Tick.
Peering down, Alice saw a stone walkway yards beneath her and twenty feet away, but it was ticking its way toward her. The length of it reached all the way across the chasm4 to the castle, and it seemed to shift closer every second. It looked like it was the second hand to an enormous clock with the castle sitting at its center!
Tick.
Tick.
Alice shifted her stance and bent5 her knees. Ten feet away, then five, four, three ...
Tick.
Tick.
As the stone hand ticked into place below her, Alice leapt forward. She swayed for a moment, but her years aboard the Wonder had given her superb balance, even on moving objects. Brushing her palms together, she strode confidently along the two-foot-wide path toward the castle.
DONG! Out of nowhere, a thunderous clang rolled across the void, vibrating the walkway beneath her. It felt like an earthquake, and Alice stumbled, her feet slipping off the stone path. Her fingers scrabbled furiously at the gritty surface as she slid over the edge.
At the last second, just when Alice thought time would be the death of her, her hands found the cool stone. Whew, that was too close, she thought.
Shifting her weight, Alice started to pull herself up, but the second hand ticked just as she reached forward. She lost her grip, sliding backward until she was dangling6 from just one hand.Her eyes swept her surroundings as she looked for an escape.
There!
Far below her, she spotted7 what must be the minute hand. The second hand was ticking her closer to it, second by second. She just had to hang on a bit longer ....
Tick.
Her palm holding the stone edge began to sweat.
Tick.
She dug her fingers in, focusing all her energy on holding on tight. Shed never clung to time as desperately8 as she did then.
Tick.
Alice unfurled her fingers and let go as the second hand lined up with the minute hand. For a breathless secondshe knew it was a second exactly, because the hand above ticked the timeshe hung almost weightless in the air. Then she smacked9 down onto the rocky pebbles10 of the minute hand, landing hard on her bottom.
After taking another few seconds to catch her breath, she slowly got to her feet. Moving more carefully, she resumed her journey to the castle. Luckily, the minute hand was more stable and a good deal wider, and no more gongs rang out.
At the end of the walkway, she clambered up a set of steps that looked like melted black stone. Soon the huge gates of the castle stood before her.
Alice stepped up to the door and leaned her body into it.
CRRREEEEEAAAAAAK. With a groan11 of protest from the hinges, the door swung open.
Beyond it lay a massive hallway with gigantic carved columns soaring toward an arched ceiling. Staring in wonder, Alice passed through them. There were stairways and walkways all over the place.
Letting out a loud squeal12, the columns next to her turned. Their bases were actually cogs! The movement set off a chain reaction, rotating enormous gears that sank halfway13 into the floor.
All around her, the tools of time wound and turned like parts of a well-oiled machine. At the end of the hallway, another immense door loomed14. Alice pushed her way into the next room.
Built on the same grandiose15 scale as the rest of Times castle, the throne room was a vast obsidian16 chamber17. Straight in front of her, a large staircase led up to a raised pedestal with a throne. A shaft18 of light pierced down from directly above the throne.
The man of the hourand day, and week, and yearwas sprawled19 on the throne. Dark, bushy mutton chops stood out against his pale skin, and a tall black headpiece rose majestically20 from the TOP of his head. Sticking out from both sides of his fur-lined cloak were enormous sculpted21 shoulder pads, almost like wings, which gave his torso an hourglass shape. One of his gloved hands clutched a black scepter, and his eyes were shut tight.
Alice had not expected to find Time sleeping on the job, but then again, it wasnt like he was ever really off the clock. And he had to sleep some time, she supposed.
Then, out of nowhere, Time seemed to jolt22 awake. Alice practically heard a boing of springs and coils jerking his body upright. She took an involuntary step back as his silver eyes fixed23 on her. Gathering24 her confidence, she cleared her throat and swept forward.
Good day, sir, she said, choosing her words carefully. Im so sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if you might have time to speak with me?
Time chuckled25 to himself. Time? he said. I have all the time in the world, young lady. He waved his hand languidly in the air. His leather vest creaked as he leaned forward with sudden intensity26. The question is ... will I spare any for you?
That is the question, sir, Alice replied politely.
Do you promise to be amusing? Time asked.
I dont know. Alices eyebrows27 furrowed28. Its rather a serious subject.
Well, I am a rather serious person. For I am Time. The Infinite. His eyes focused on something above Alices head, as though he was imagining a crowd of admirers. The ImmortWait ... what time is it?
Bringing her hand to her mouth, Alice muffled29 a laugh. It was a rather odd question coming from Time himself. Luckily, Time was busy and didnt notice her reaction.
He flung open his vest and peered downward to where, in place of a heart, a beautiful clock ticked in his chest. Time tsked to himself.
Hang it all! How infinitely30 ironic31! Im going to be late! he cried.
Without a second glance at Alice, he bounced out of his throne and charged toward a door, his long cloak flowing behind him. She ran after him, not wanting to lose Time.
Keep up, Time barked. You have precisely32 sixty seconds in eighty-five seconds time. He squinted33 at her and nodded in the direction of her pocket. Why do you carry that fallen soldier? he asked.
Puzzled, Alice patted her pocket and drew out her fathers broken pocket watch. How had he known it was there? This? It was my fathers, she explained.
Time studied it briefly34, then turned away. A fine-looking instrument. Though Im afraid its time has expired.
She raised her chin. My father was a great man. His watch reminds me that nothing is impossible. I wouldnt part with it for anything in the world.
Everyone parts with everything eventually, my dear, Time drawled.
Before she could respond, he spun35 and pushed through an intricately carved set of doors into yet another immense room.
Behold36! The Grand Clock of All Time! he said proudly, stepping onto a balcony overlooking the chamber.
TICKTOCK, boomed the room, which was itself the clock. Gears and cogs of all sizes covered the floor. In the center of it all, sparks of light surrounded a spinning white orb37. Without knowing how she knew, Alice recognized it as the Chronosphere.
As she watched, several small mechanical men clambered among the wheels below. Dressed in similar overalls38, with various tools hanging around their waists, they seemed interchangeableexcept for one, whose spectacles twinkled as he looked up at them. That specific tinkerer hustled39 up the stairs to reach them.
Coming to a halt in front of Time, the man saluted40 crisply.
Time clapped his hands together. Jolly good. Well done, Wilkins! Keep it up.
Alice returned her gaze to the chamber below, where the Chronosphere crackled with energy.
Time noticed Alice looking but misinterpreted the direction of her gaze. He waved at the other men. Oh, and these fine chaps with Wilkins here are my Seconds.
Alice nodded, but Time was already moving toward the door. Lingering behind for a moment, she gazed over the Grand Clock, silently studying the Chronosphere. She had found it. Now Alice just had to persuade Time to let her borrow it for a while.
Weaving through a maze41 of corridors and stairways, she followed Time to a comfortable sitting room. Time plopped down into the tallest armchair. Now, he said. Ask your question. You have one minute exactly.
Alice dove in. Its about the Hatter, Tarrant HighTOPp. You see, the Jabberwocky killed
Times eyes began to glaze42 over. He opened his vest and wound the second hand of his heart clock forward. As he did so, Alice almost tripped over her words as they poured out of her.
his family on the Horunvendush Day. And Id like your permission If you please to borrow the Chronosphere
Alice fell silent as Time tensed and held up a commanding hand.
How do you know about the Chronosphere? Time asked. His face grave, he leaned in toward her.
That wasnt a minute! Alice protested.
What do you know of the Chronosphere? Times voice rose and his eyebrows drew together menacingly.
Id like to borrow it, Alice said. She clasped her fingers together in front of her to keep her hands still ... and to remind herself to stay polite.
Borrow it? Borrow it?! He leapt to his feet with a cry of outrage43, and his moustache bristled44, as though it, too, were offended. The Chronosphere powers Time oneself! It is not something to be borrowed, like a croquet mallet45 or a pair of hedge clippers!
But Alice began.
Time whirled and stalked to the door. He jerked it open and pointed46 imperiously to the hall.
You are asking me to violate the logic47 of the Universe, he hissed48. The answer is no.
But Alice tried again.
You are not amusing, Time said. Good day.
It was as useless as arguing with the bullheaded Hamish, yet Alice persisted. But I need the Chronosphere, sir! I need to save my friend! Couldnt he see how important this was?
Wilkins! Time bellowed49. The foreman hurried up. Escort this trespasser50 out, if youd be so kind.
Alice pressed her lips together to hold back what she wanted to say. Instead, she bowed politely and said, Yes, sir. Sorry to bother you.
As she passed in front of him, Time addressed her once more. Young lady. She paused to look at him. You cannot change the past, he said in a gentler tone. It always was. It always will be. Although, I daresay, you might learn something from it.
Thank you for your time, sir, Alice said simply. Ducking her head, she turned to follow Wilkins before Time could see the spark of defiance51 in her eyes.
爱丽丝在黑洞的边缘摇摇欲坠。再向前一步，她就会坠入无底的深渊。一想到这个，她就浑身起鸡皮疙瘩。她上下摸了摸手臂，想让自己暖和一些。
在黑洞的另一边，一座哥特式城堡的黑色尖顶高高地耸立着，但爱丽丝没法过去。接着，她听到了一点儿动静一种有步伐的敲击声，像鼓声又像钟声。
嘀嗒。
嘀嗒。
爱丽丝向下望去，发目前她下方大概20英尺处有一条石廊，正嘀嗒嘀嗒地向她挨近。这条走廊从峡谷一路延伸到城堡，而且好像每一秒钟都在向她挨近。它就像一个巨型钟的秒针，而城堡就坐落在钟表的中心。
嘀嗒。
嘀嗒。
爱丽丝换了一个姿势，让膝盖弯曲。还有10英尺，5英尺，4英尺，3英尺
嘀嗒。
嘀嗒。
当这根石头指针转到她下方时，爱丽丝猛地向前跳去。她晃动了一下就站住了这几年在仙境号上的出海历程给了她非常强的平衡能力，就算是在移动的物体上。她搓了搓手掌，然后充满自信地沿着这条两英尺宽的小道大步向城堡走去。
铛！不知从什么地方发出了雷鸣般的撞击声，这声音响彻了整个黑洞，就连爱丽丝脚下的走道也震动起来，整个黑洞就仿佛是发生了地震。爱丽丝一下子摔倒了，双脚滑出石廊。在她滑出石廊边缘时，双手拼命在石廊粗糙的表面乱扒一通。
爱丽丝以为自己就要丧命于时间（或者说时间）手中，但千钧一发之际，她的双手摸到了冰冷的石头。哎呀，刚刚太险了，她想着。
爱丽丝调整了一下重心，开始向上拉动身体。正要爬上去，秒针又一次嘀嗒嘀嗒地转动了。爱丽丝抓不住石廊边缘了，只能向后滑去。最后，她一只手勉强攀住石廊，身体悬挂在空中。她扫视着四周，探寻逃生的办法。
那里！
在她下方非常远的地方，爱丽丝发现了分针。秒针拽着她向分针挨近，一秒又一秒。她只须再坚持一小会儿
嘀嗒。
她那只攀住石廊边缘的手开始冒汗了。
嘀嗒。
她用手指扣住路面，使出全身的力气紧紧抓住石廊。她从未像目前如此拼命地坚守时间。
嘀嗒。
爱丽丝松开手指，让身体坠落，此时秒针正好和分针对齐。这是扣人心弦的一秒爱丽丝确信就是一秒，由于上方指针嘀嗒了一声她几乎失重般悬在空中，然后屁股重重地落到地上，整个人跌在分针凹凸不平的鹅卵石路面上。
爱丽丝花了几秒钟（嘀嗒、嘀嗒、嘀嗒）来平缓呼吸，然后慢慢地站起身。她小心翼翼地走着，重新开始前往城堡的旅程。幸运的是，分针愈加稳定，路面更宽，也没再听到咣的 声音。
爱丽丝来到了走道尽头，攀上一组台阶，那台阶看着就像融化的黑色岩石。城堡的大门非常快就出目前了她的面前。
爱丽丝走到门前，身体探了进来。
嘎吱铰链发出了抗议的声音，门摇摇晃晃地打 开了。
门背后是一条宽阔的走廊，走廊两旁伫立着巨大的石刻圆柱，直入穹顶。爱丽丝一边惊讶地察看着，一边向前走去。这地方到处都是楼梯和走廊。
忽然，挨近爱丽丝的那根石柱发出了尖锐的声响，开始转动起来。圆柱的基座其实都是齿轮！圆柱的转动引发了连锁反应，它带动着有一半陷入地面的巨大齿轮旋转起来。
爱丽丝的四周都是时间的工具，它们就像一台运转好的机器的零件，不停转动。走廊的尽头是另一扇巨大的门。爱丽丝走进了下一个房间。
和时间城堡的其他部分一样，这间正殿建得很雄伟，是一间巨大的黑曜石室。爱丽丝的正前方是一段巨型台阶，台阶一直通向王座的浮雕底座。一束光线从王座上方直射而下。
那位时辰的主宰同时也是日期的、星期的、年份的主宰，正伸展着四肢，半躺在王位上。他苍白的脸上长着浓密的黑色络腮胡，头上戴着一顶黑色高帽，看着很威严。巨大的雕花垫肩从皮毛内衬的斗篷两侧伸展出来，像一对翅膀。这让他的身体看着像个沙漏。他戴着手套，一只手紧握着一根黑色权杖，眼睛紧闭。
爱丽丝没想到自己会看见时间在工作时睡着，但这不表示他真的停止了工作。爱丽丝猜测，有些时候，时间也需要睡觉。
然后不知如何的，时间好像一下子醒了过来。爱丽丝几乎听到了弹簧和线圈拉直他身体时发出的嘣的一声。她不自觉地向后退了一步，由于时间那双银色的双眼已经盯上了她。爱丽丝重整旗鼓，清清嗓子，向前走去。
你好，先生，爱丽丝小心地说，非常抱歉打扰你了，请问你有空闲和我谈谈吗？
时间轻声笑了起来。时间？他说。我拥有这个世界上所有些时间，年轻的小姐。他慵懒地挥了挥手。忽然，他猛地向前俯下身，皮坎肩咯吱作响。问题是我想为你抽出时间吗？
这就是问题所在，先生。爱丽丝礼貌地回答。
你能保证聊天非常有趣吗？时间问道。
我没办法保证。爱丽丝皱了皱眉，这是个很严肃的话题。
好吧，我是个相当严肃的人。由于我是时间，是主宰。他凝视着爱丽丝头顶上方的某个东西，仿佛在想象自己有一群崇拜者。是永恒的存在等等目前什么时间了？
爱丽丝用手捂住嘴巴，让自己不要笑出声来。时间自己问什么时间钟，这真是匪夷所思。幸好他非常忙，没注意到我们的反应。
他解开坎肩，低头盯着心脏的地方：一只精美的时钟正在他胸中转动。时间咂咂嘴。
该死！太讽刺了！我居然要迟到了！他大声叫道。
时间不再理会爱丽丝，从王座上一下子蹦起来，朝一扇门冲去，长长的大斗篷在身后飞舞。爱丽丝追着时间跑去，她可不想把他跟丢。
快点。时间吼道。在八十五秒的时间中，你只有六十秒。他斜视着爱丽丝，朝她口袋的方向点点头问道：你如何还携带那个倒下的士兵？
爱丽丝不知道他的意思。她摸摸口袋，掏出了她爸爸那只坏了的怀表。他如何了解这里有块表？这个？这是我爸爸的。她讲解说。
时间稍稍看了一下怀表，然后转过身：真是一只好看的怀表。但我想它已经寿终正寝了。
爱丽丝抬起下巴说：我爸爸是个了不起的人。他的怀表时刻提醒着我，世上没啥事是不可能的。我也不会为了任何东西而和它分开。
最后，每一个人都会和所有些东西分开，亲爱的。时间缓缓地说。
没等爱丽丝回答，时间就转过身，穿过一组精雕细刻的门，进入了另一个巨型房间。
看呀！主宰所有空闲的大钟！他一边骄傲地说，一边走到阳台上，俯视整个房间。
嘀嗒声响彻了整个房间，而这个房间本身就是个时钟。大小各异的齿轮铺满了地面。房间中央，一束束光围绕着一个旋转的白色圆球。爱丽丝认出这就是时空传送仪，就连她自己也不了解是如何认出来的。
爱丽丝看着时空传送仪，几个机械小人正在下面的齿轮间攀爬。他们穿着一样的工装裤，腰间都挂着各式各样的工具，好像可以相互替换只有一个人除外。他抬头看着爱丽丝和时间，眼镜闪闪发光。这位特别的修补匠匆匆上楼去追赶他们两个。
他在时间面前停下来，干净利落地向他致敬。
时间鼓着掌说：很好。干得很好，威尔金斯，继续维持。
爱丽丝的目光转回到下面的房间，时空传送仪在那里噼啪作响，能量十足。
时间注意到爱丽丝在看着什么，但弄错了她目光的方向。他朝着其他小人挥挥手说：哦，这类和威尔金斯一块工作的出色小家伙们是我的秒针。
爱丽丝点点头，而时间早已向门口走去。她又逗留了一会儿，目光越过大钟，沉默地察看着时空传送仪。她已经找到它了。目前，爱丽丝仅需说服时间把时空传送仪借给她一会儿。
爱丽丝跟着时间穿过迷宫般的走廊和楼梯，来到一间舒适的起居室。时间一屁股坐在最高的那把扶手椅上。目前，说你的问题吧。你只有一分钟。他说。
爱丽丝开始和时间商量：这与疯帽子有关，就是塔兰特高帽子。你了解的，炸脖龙杀去世了
时间的目光开始变得呆滞起来。他解开坎肩，给他心钟的秒针上了发条。这个时候，所有些话都涌到了爱丽丝嘴边，她的舌头差点打结。
他的家人，就在厄朗温达石日那天。假如你想，我想向你借用时空传送仪
时间忽然变得紧张起来，他举起手，示意爱丽丝不需要说了，爱丽丝立刻安静下来。
你是如何了解时空传送仪的？时间问道。他一脸严肃，向着爱丽丝倾了倾身子。
还没有到一分钟。爱丽丝抗议道。
你对时空传送仪知道多少？时间提升了嗓音，紧皱着眉头，语气中充满了威胁。
我只想借用一下。爱丽丝说。她将十指紧握在胸前，以此来稳定双手同时提醒自己要维持礼貌。
借用？借用？时间跳了起来，愤怒地大喊着，胡子竖了起来，好像连胡子都遭到了冒犯。时空传送仪是时间的动力！它不是可以借用的东西，不像门球杆或者树篱修 剪器！
但爱丽丝想说下去。
时间迅速转身，阔步走到门口。他猛地拉开门，傲慢地指着走廊。
你这是让我违背宇宙的规律，他生气地低声说道，我的答案是，不可以。
但爱丽丝第三尝试。
你并不有趣。时间说，再见。
这就跟与固执的哈米什争论一样毫无用处，但爱丽丝坚持说了下去：可是先生，我需要时空传送仪！我需要去救我的朋友！难道他看不出这有多么要紧吗？
威尔金斯！时间吼道。那位工头急忙赶来。请你护送这位不速之客离开，有劳你了。
爱丽丝紧闭双唇，咽回了自己想说的话，然后有礼貌地鞠了一躬说：我了解了，先生。非常抱歉打扰你。
爱丽丝从时间面前走过时，时间再一次对她说：年轻的小姐。爱丽丝停下来看着他。你永远没办法改变过去，时间用缓和的语气说道，过去没办法改变。以后也没办法改变。但我敢说，你会从中学到些东西的。
感谢你抽出时间，先生。爱丽丝简短地说道。没等时间看出她眼中的反抗，爱丽丝就飞速低下头，转身跟着威尔金斯离去。
