Give Me a Sign

mr smith the astronomer had the world's most powerful telescope.  he knew that eventually he'd have to devote his new resource to serious research, but for a few clear nights, he thought he'd take it for a spin.   he trained it on Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, and was stunned to find that the multiple star had more companions than anyone thought possible!   but then he saw the planets ..   he zoomed in further!

he found one planet among the usual gaggle of gas giants and burned out rocks - it had an atmosphere...  he found a clear spot, zoomed in to ground level, and was stunned to see a sign.  A sign impossibly in English.  he rubbed his eyes, looked away, then looked back.  the sign was still there.    how??.     but his wonder was soon replaced with a growing dread ..   Sirius was 8.6 light years away ..  and after counting in his head, he realized something:  exactly 17.2  years ago he had done something .. well... rather embarrassing  - he had so hoped nobody would find out, but now THIS:  !  the sign said simply.. unmistakably ...  I SAW YOU!

his mind raced .. how was it possible ..   guilt reached up to stifle him, but not for long.  he had to think fast.  suddenly he smiled as if to say.. IVE GOT IT ...  he would buy time....  he took out a sheet of clean paper, a marker and made his own sign.  and placed it under glass on his roof.     he knew he couldnt get another reply for at least 17.2 more years, the time it took light to get to Sirius and back. by then he'd be so old it wouldnt matter anyway...  his sign seemed to sink to a whisper as it confidentially pointed and said ..

he's next door ....