Charley, a 31-year-old New Yorker, claims that Grand Central Station has a secret third level where he can travel back in time to February 13, 1976. The story explores the science fiction genre of time travel by interweaving fantasy with reality. It also examines themes of escapism as both a psychological refuge from modern problems and a desire to stay connected to or relive the past in the present. Charley believes in and says he has accessed this hypothetical third level of the station that enables time travel.

3. SETTING

4. Know the author
Walter Braden (Jack) Finney
Born John Finney
October 2, 1911
Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
United States
Died November 14,
1995 (aged 84)
Greenbrae, California, United
States
Occupation Novelist, short story writer
Nationality American
Period 1946–1995
Genre science
fiction, thrillers, comedy
Subject 19th century American histor

5. THEME
 The story third level clearly explores the
science fiction genre of ‘time travel’; Jack
Finney, the recipient of the world fantasy
award interweaves fantasy with the reality in
the most futuristic projection of time travel.
 The story also dwells on the theme of
escapism, not only as a psychological refuge
from the grim realities of the present day
world but also as a desire to stay with the
past or to keep the past alive in the
complexities of the present.

6.  Grand Central Station of New York has
two levels. But Charley, a thirty-one year
old dweller of the city, talks about there
being three. Not only does he believe in
the existence of this hypothetical third
level but also claims to have been there.