 Why do Reston-Farrell and Brett-James bring Joe to the future?
And at that moment, the universe caved inward upon Joseph Marie Prantera. A door slid open in the wall in a way that Joe had never seen a door operate before. Joe had been born in Naples and his mother had died in childbirth. It opened on his approach, the door sliding back into the wall in much the same manner as the room's door had opened for Reston-Farrell. Reston-Farrell said compassionately, "Try this, it's excellent cognac." Reston-Farrell, the one Joe had already met, was tall and drawn of face and with a chainsmoker's nervousness. Reston-Farrell said, "Of course," and then something else Joe didn't get. Whatever the something else was, a slot opened in the middle of the table and a glass, so clear of texture as to be all but invisible, was elevated. "What is the date, Old Calendar?" "2133," Reston-Farrell said. Reston-Farrell said, "Suffice to say, you are now one hundred and seventy-three years after the last memory you have." Reston-Farrell said, "Mr. Prantera, we have brought you from your era to perform a task for us." For the second time, Reston-Farrell said, "Where would you go, Mr. Prantera?" The two men of the future said nothing more for long minutes while Joe Prantera's mind whirled its confusion. "That is why we brought you here, Mr. Prantera.
 Joe is a hitman. They want him to kill someone.
 Joe was going to kill Al Rossi. Reston-Farrell and Brett James need Rossi alive.  Joe is a caregiver. They want him to take care of someone.  Joe is a hitman. They want him to kill someone.  Joe is a variant. They removed him from 1960 to correct the timeline.