 Why do Reston-Farrell and Brett-James bring Joe to the future?
A gun is an interesting weapon; it can be hired, of course, and naturally doesn't care who hires it. 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, "I am afraid, Mr. Salviati-Prantera, that these are the only garments available. 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. Brett-James said, "Mr. Prantera, there are no professional assassins in this age, nor have there been for over a century and a half." Reston-Farrell had come to his feet and walked to one of the large room's windows. Our pedagogues are hard put to convince their students that such ever existed. More than a century and a half ago our society eliminated the reasons for international conflict. Overnight, for all practical purposes, the whole world was industrialized, automated. The second industrial revolution was accompanied by revolutionary changes in almost every field, certainly in every science. Your ancestors found, Mr. Prantera, that it is difficult for a man to be free so long as others are still enslaved. Today the democratic ethic has reached a pinnacle never dreamed of in your own era."
 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.