Conditional Reality

The car broke down in the desert, many miles from any gas station. The king in the back seat was powerless to help. The ship’s captain beside him could do no better. They ordered the driver to make the car go. Now! I’ll get out and see what’s going on, said the driver. While she poked around under the hood, I turned to the king and the captain. We’re probably going to die out here, I said. The king closed his eyes and cried. The captain pointed at the sky. Don’t worry, he said, a whirlwind will come save us.