Harvey enjoyed his job at the bank, where he worked as a cashier. He never wanted to change his career. He worked in the city and travelled two hours to go back home every day of the week. Harvey was a bachelor and he had so much time to do what he enjoyed, during his spare time, which was carpentry and fishing.
It was Father’s Day, and he remembered his father, who was a coal miner. He would always take Harvey fishing every weekend. They were great times. He was close to his dad after his mother died when he was six years old. When Harvey reached his fishing spot, he saw a fisherman bringing in a large catch of fish in his nets. He noticed that the man looked very familiar. Yes, he did recognize him, he was a regular at the bank where he worked. He looked at the man, but it appeared that the man did not recognize him.
The next day, Harvey was in his car driving to work. He noticed a building was being constructed on the street, just before the bank. He saw several construction workers busily working. He spotted the mystery man, carrying a sack of cement, to the ladders where the work was taking place, wearing a construction helmet.
A month later, there was a fire at the bank. It happened when one of the electric toasters, burst into flames, due to faulty wiring. The building was evacuated and all the staff were standing on the street. He noticed one of the firemen looked very familiar. Yes, it was the same customer, at the bank. This time he was a fireman. Harvey could not believe his eyes. This man appeared to be the same person, as he had a scar just behind his right ear. The mystery man was a fisherman, a construction worker, and a fireman. He wondered what other work this man would do.
That morning, the mystery man walked into his office. Harvey introduced himself and the man told him his name was Richard.
“I would like to open an account with your bank”.
“But, don’t you have an account already?”, asked Harvey.
“I would know, if I did, I have just arrived in the city”.
“What is your profession?” asked Richard, wondering if the man had a new career or if he was a doppelganger.
“I am a heart surgeon”, said the man with a smile.
He did look like a heart surgeon. Richard thought it was the same man, as he noticed the scar behind the right ear.
After Harvey made the mystery man his bank account he left the office. Richard followed the man to see where he went. The man walked into a museum. He walked into the Egypt room of antiquities. Before Harvey could step in, the man walked out with new attire. He looked different, a bit scruffy, and with a cab driver’s uniform. Harvey saw the man step into a cab, he was the cab driver.
The next day, Harvey decided to walk back home. As he turned into a dark alley, he was knocked over the head from behind, with a heavy object.
When Harvey awoke, he looked at the mystery man, Richard.
“Hello, Harvey. You have been following me for a while now.”
“I have seen you in a variety of jobs. How do you do it?”
“It’s called Operation Blank Slate. I awake every morning to be a new person. That is the big secret,” said Richard with a smile.
The next day, Harvey, dressed as an army officer, walked into a missile launching station. He had his orders and all he had to do today, was press the red button. He scratched the scar behind his right ear lobe.