Rattle OK

"Rattle OK" by Harry Warner, Jr. is a science fiction story written in the mid-20th century. The book explores the whimsical and potentially chaotic consequences of time travel in a fictional setting, centering on a department store's handling of a decades-old complaint. The narrative cleverly combines elements of humor and absurdity to highlight the implications of time travel on both personal and societal levels. The storyline follows the staff of a department store as they discover an unprocessed order that dates back 80 years, leading them to consider using a time warp to fulfill it. In a series of comedic twists, the employees act on this idea, which results in chaos for a family in the past that receives the long-delayed package, including bizarre and malfunctioning items. The plot weaves through the family’s experiences—particularly that of a little girl who becomes physically affected by a dress sent from the future—while touching on themes of responsibility and the unpredictability of altering the past. Ultimately, this lighthearted tale serves as a cautionary reminder about the unforeseen consequences of tampering with time.

Rattle OK, by Harry Warner. Republished by OpenStories from Project Gutenberg eBook #51092.