A struggling artist discovers a mysterious pocket watch that allows her to time-travel, but when a wise old man reveals the consequences of altering time, she must make a moral decision that leads to a surprising twist about her own future.
Protagonist: A struggling artist searching for inspiration; Deuteragonist: A wise old man who guides the protagonist through the different time periods and imparts valuable life lessons.
The deuteragonist reveals the true power and consequences of using the pocket watch, leading to a moral dilemma for the protagonist as she must decide whether to continue using it for personal gain or to relinquish it for the greater good of humanity.
In the end, the protagonist chooses to relinquish the pocket watch, realizing that the consequences of altering time are too great. She finds inspiration in her own present, learning to appreciate the beauty of the moments she has, rather than seeking to change the past or future. The wise old man smiles, knowing that she has made the right choice, and the two part ways, each carrying the lessons they have learned with them.
Twist: The protagonist discovers that the wise old man is actually a future version of herself, who has been guiding her to make the right choice all along.