Jack of all Trades

Jack of All Trades

In a world in which society worships the overworked, I seek to challenge its perception of excellence. Let me tell you about the story of the identical Smith twins, Tony and Jack. Two boys few could tell apart, yet they were polar opposites in personality.

Their story began when Tony, at only 7 months gestational, decided best he get a head start on life. He wrestled and kicked until his mother’s water broke. Jack, his laid-back twin, rolled his eyes and whispered under his breath, “Classic Tony.”

Tony was born first of course. Only because when the doctor tried to pull Jack out, Tony grabbed Jack’s ankle and yanked him back, shouting, “The early bird catches the worm, so long sucker!”

Jack, amused, stretched his arms and legs. With ample new space available, he placed both hands behind his head and rested his left heel on his right knee. It was a good time to close his eyes for a nap. This position, of course, proved to be a tricky delivery, but eventually Jack was taken from his mother’s womb on 21 March, interrupting his afternoon snooze…

How rude, he thought.

Their school years passed pleasantly. The boys were loved by their peers and teachers, but for very different reasons. Tony was idolised for his achievements in all his endeavours, be it academics or on the sports field. Whatever Tony set his mind to, he accomplished. Setting new goals and seeing them through became a ritual - daily, monthly, yearly. It became a part of his life, set in stone.

Jack, on the other hand, was adored for his easy-going nature, loyalty and endless charm.

He didn’t excel in sport, why break a sweat?

He didn’t excel in academics, why read a book?

Instead, he spent endless hours planning his next mischievous prank.

Tony had a shadowy side that surfaced in his early high school years. Whenever he dwelled on his goals, it felt like a heavy blanket had settled onto his shoulders. His legs bounced nervously, his hands fidgeted and sweat dampened his palms. In stark contrast, his twin lounged with an iconic slouch, completely at ease, radiating calm confidence.

Yet, despite their differences, the twins were inseparable.

One night after dinner, the boys lay in their room chatting.

“You know, our college applications are due soon.” Tony said, his hands started fidgeting.

“How’s yours going?” Jack asked, relaxed.

“Filled out and ready to be shipped. Harvard Law will be seeing me in the next couple of years! What about you?”

Jack took a deep breath. “Tony, I’ve decided I’m not going to college next year.”

Tony inhaled sharply, too sharply. His face showed a mixture of disgust and confusion. His inability to comprehend Jack’s lack of drive left him too stunned to speak. He eventually muttered, “Jack, you can’t be serious. Time is valued in the realm of success, why waste a whole year?”

“You know,” Jack continued, “sometimes the right thing to do is to slow down and reassess. I mean, what’s the rush really?”

“That... is the worst advice I’ve ever heard. 'The early bird'...”

“…'catches the worm.'” Jack interrupted. “Yeah well, worms are not for everyone.”

As Tony’s eyes got heavy that night and his breathing steadied, he suddenly found himself sitting at a wooden teak lecture bench in a large lecture hall. At the front a large whiteboard gleamed. Unsure of where he was, he looked around and realised he was the only person in the room.

“Good morning, Son. You must be Tony.”

Tony startled, jumped out of his bench and gave a high pitch scream. A small, older gentleman stood at the top of the stairs that lead into the lecture hall. He was dressed in a brown plaid suit, matching bow tie and a monocle dangling from a golden brooch.

“Good Heavens, I did not mean to give you a fright. I am Professor Ashford from the Department of Aretology at Harvard University. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Tony. I believe you and I have a lesson planned for today.”

Tony could hardly see his lips moving as his colossal mustache covered most of the lower part of his face. “Aretology?” Tony answered unsure.

“Yes Son, the study of human virtue and excellence. Have a seat young man, no time to waste.”

Tony obeyed, swallowed hard, his stomach twisting. His usual fidgeting started, and the familiar weighted blanket lowered over his shoulders.

“Tony, what is your idea of excellence?”

“Well, uhm... Sir…I mean... Professor, I believe it’s about achieving goals? Or maybe, standing out from the crowd?” Tony said, a little unsure, bouncing his legs.

“You and I might disagree on this. Let’s take a different approach. Where do you see yourself 20 years from now?”

“20 years from now? I would love to be a partner in a large, corporate law firm.” Tony answered, a little surer of himself now. His ‘20-year plan’ is all mapped out on his bedroom wall after all.

“That’s it?” Professor Ashford asked, unimpressed. Tony had never received that response from talking about his future before. Surprised, he answered, “Yes, I believe so.” clenching and then unclenching his fists.

“Alright then.” The lights dimmed and a video clip appeared on the white board.

A man, sitting at a desk, typing vigorously on his computer. Lights and skyscrapers filled the wall sized windows in the background and gave a glimpse of a large city at nighttime. The modern clock read 01:35 AM. Tony gasped when he read the plaque on the wall. “Smith and Associates.”

It's me? Tony thought, pride swelled in his belly. “I did it!” he exclaimed, visually relaxing, his eyes fixed on the screen.

The pride, however, was quickly replaced by astonishment, as the older version of Tony slammed his fist hard against the desk, muttering an unimaginable line of swear words. The man grabbed a bottle of medication, threw a couple of pills into his mouth and swallowed with a sip of water. A closer look showed dark circles under his eyes. Exhaustion was written all over him. Familiar signs started appearing, the man’s legs started bouncing up and down and his hands started fidgeting.

Dread filled Tony, 20 years later and he was still burdened by the weight of the blanket.

The last part of the video clip zoomed into a calendar on the man’s desk. “21 March; it’s my birthday.” Tony whispered.

The screen blackened. Silence filled the room. Tony was unable to remove his eyes from the whiteboard. This can’t be it, he thought. I don't know how to fix this.

“Is this what you had imagined for yourself, Tony?” The professor broke the silence.

“Not exactly, Sir.” Tony mustered, now staring down at his feet as his weight shifted from one foot to another.

“You have a lot of thinking to do, Son. Maybe striving for your idea of excellence, reaps little reward.”

“May I ask one last thing of you, Professor? I have a twin brother, Jack. Would you be able to show me where he will be in 20 years?”

“Aaah, yes. Jack, Jack… Jack of all trades, master of none. A very different fellow altogether. I would have to fast-forward the time by a few hours. He was fast asleep during the time of your video clip."

A man, in his bed, appeared on the screen again. He seemed to have just woken up. Sitting upright, he stretched his hands out above him. He gave a big yawn, right before a big grin appeared on his face. Soft light filtered in through sheer curtains. The door to the bedroom swung open and three little kids ran inside, followed by a beautiful woman, holding a birthday cake. She walked up to the bed and initiated the happy birthday song. All three kids quickly jumped in.

“Happy birthday dear Daddy…”

He's a father, Tony thought.

Tony felt a strange sense of unease. Jack seemed happy, fulfilled. He wanted this for his twin. He was even proud of him for attaining a life of such contentment. However, he couldn’t help but wonder, why had he never thought of wanting this for himself?

The woman bent forward, kissed Jack on his cheek and whispered something into his ear. Jack burst out laughing, put both hands on the back of her head and kissed her. The screen blacked out.

“You don’t look so good, Son? I can tell this is not what you were hoping for.”

“Where did it all go wrong? I fear I can't undo this.” Tony whispered under his breath, not looking at the professor.

“Ah, but you see Tony, you very much can! Your perception of excellence is flawed, Son. There is far more beauty in the mundane than you give it credit for.

True excellence doesn’t lie in the achievements of your standard; it’s in the ordinary.

It’s in the tired mother, who tries her hardest to make her bedridden, sick child laugh again.

It’s in the geriatric nurse, who stays after hours to play bingo with her lonely, elderly patients.

It’s in the addict, who is striving to be three days sober.

It’s in the convicted felon, being released early on parole, for good behaviour.

It’s in the father, who works two jobs to put his kids through school and still makes it home on time to kiss them goodnight."

“The dad, who wakes up on his birthday, appreciated and cherished by his family.” Tony said, as he looked up at the professor for the first time.

"Now that, my Son, that is excellence!”

“I get it now, Professor. My bar for achieving excellence was never set high enough.”

Tony woke up, dripping in cold sweat. He reached for the bedside lamp switch. The light flooded his bedroom and relief washed over him.

It was all just a dream.

He jumped out of bed and ran to Jack. He was about to wake him up, when a shiny object in the corner of the room caught his attention.

“Is that?... It’s a monocle.” Tony froze for a second, the sides of his mouth turned upwards as he whispered, “Thank you.”

“Jack, Jack!” he shook his twin awake.

“What is it, you fool? It’s 3AM?” Jack muttered, eyes scrunched together, staring at his alarm clock.

“Take a gap year with me next year? Let’s travel the world.”

His twin sat quietly for a moment, utterly confused. “Is this a joke? Are you feeling feverish? Maybe I should call Mom?”

Tony laughed. “No, I’m fine, let’s just say I had somewhat of an epiphany. Life is about more than Harvard Law.”

“But what about all that ‘early bird’ nonsense?” Jack asked, while rubbing his eyes.

“The early bird catches nothing but burn-out.” Tony said smiling. Eyeing the monocles on the desk in the corner of the room, he continued,

“I’d much rather be a Jack of All Trades.”