In a tenement house on Kwiatowa Street, at number twelve, lived a certain Mr Felix, known to everyone as the watchmaker from across the Park. At one time, perhaps, he was famous for the whole district, but today he tended to be passed by without a word, and his small workshop right next to the gate evoked only an indulgent smile from passers-by. Except for Antek and Lena. They were both seventeen years old and, although they had been neighbours forever, they had never paid much attention to each other before. On that Monday, however, when Lena came home much later than usual and found an old-fashioned note in her mailbox inviting her to the watchmaker's workshop, she felt an uneasiness and curiosity she could not resist. On the leaf was only a brief text: "Come tonight after dark. Something unusual awaits you. Bring a friend." Without knowing why, Lena immediately thought of Antek. When she called him, he answered almost immediately, as if he had been waiting for her call. - Can we go together? - She asked, slightly frightened. - Sure, I just got a similar card, only... there's a little key drawn on mine. They met a moment before nine o'clock in the stairwell, staring at each other's cards. Lena broke the initial silence. - It puzzles me why he chose us. We seem to know each other, and yet.... They descended slowly down the creaking stairs and stood in front of a frosted glass door, from behind which a warm amber light was seeping. Mr Felix's workshop smelled of wood, varnish and something else - a note that reminded one of the smell of summer rain on hot cobblestones. The clocks - tiny pocket clocks and a large one against the wall - ticked in unison, although each indicated a slightly different time. Mr Felix, leaning over the mechanical clock, raised his head and sent them a warm smile. - Welcome. I have been waiting for you. You are probably wondering why I invited you. Well, not everyone is able to see what is hidden between the seconds. But you... He paused, looking at Antek. - Your key, boy, is more important than you think. Look in the window. Outside, the light of the lantern seemed to dim, and shadows danced on the cobblestones to the rhythm of the clues. And then, in the reflection of the glass, they saw their faces, but... slightly older. After a while, everything returned to normal again. Felix continued: - You have the chance to cross the boundary of everyday life, if you dare. But you have to decide... now. In the silence, broken only by the uneven ticking of the clock, Antek and Lena looked at each other, holding their breath. After a moment, the clockmaker lifted a small, ornate casket and handed it to Antek, and Lena felt a shiver run down her neck. The casket was locked with a complicated lock - and only Antek's key seemed to fit. As he brought it closer to the lock, suddenly all the clocks around him began to go off. The last ticking sound rang out, and the air grew heavy with anticipation. Then Felix spoke up - in a whisper so quiet they barely heard him: - Ready to see the true face of time?