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I've received numerous requests to investigate Philadelphia's Aldwych Theater over the years, but I've always declined. Most historic theaters accumulate their share of ghost stories, and many turn out to be nothing more than creaky floorboards and overactive imaginations. What convinced me to finally visit was a series of documented 'missing time' incidents that defied conventional explanation.

The Aldwych, built in 1911 during vaudeville's golden age, has been continuously operating for over 90 years. The current management contacted me after multiple patrons reported experiencing the same bizarre phenomenon: entering the theater's upper balcony for what they believed to be a few minutes, only to discover that several hours had passed.

The most recent incident occurred during a matinee performance. A patron stepped into the balcony at 2:15 PM to take a phone call, choosing the location for its quiet atmosphere during the show. According to her, she spent no more than five minutes on the phone. When she returned to her seat, the theater was empty. The show had ended at 4:30 PM – more than two hours had passed without her awareness.

My investigation began with a thorough sweep of the balcony area. Initial readings showed unusual electromagnetic patterns, forming what appeared to be a standing wave configuration throughout the space. More intriguing was the discovery that these patterns synchronized perfectly with the theater's original electrical system, which hasn't been operational since 1947.

During our first night of observation, we witnessed something extraordinary. At precisely 11:42 PM, our audio equipment began picking up what sounded like a full orchestral performance – not a modern recording, but what audio analysts later confirmed matched the acoustic properties of a 1920s orchestra. The music was accompanied by rapid temperature fluctuations and intense electromagnetic disturbances.

The breakthrough came when we discovered an old program from 1924. The theater had once housed an experimental 'time manipulation' act by a magician known only as The Great Aldwini. According to newspaper accounts, Aldwini claimed to have developed a method of 'storing time itself' using electrical apparatus of his own design. The act was suddenly discontinued after several audience members reportedly experienced missing time incidents.

Further research in the city archives revealed that Aldwini had permanently installed some of his equipment in the theater's infrastructure. His notes, while largely incomprehensible, contain diagrams showing apparatus built into the very walls of the balcony. When compared to modern electromagnetic surveys of the area, the patterns match perfectly.

Most compelling was our discovery of a hidden room behind the balcony wall. Inside, we found fragments of Aldwini's original apparatus, still generating measurable electromagnetic fields after nearly 80 years. Among the debris was a journal containing cryptic references to 'temporal capacitors' and 'chronological storage matrices.'

The implications of this case are staggering. Either Aldwini was decades ahead of his time in understanding temporal mechanics, or he accidentally discovered something that modern science has yet to explain. We've arranged for a team of physicists to examine the apparatus, though I suspect the theater's owners would prefer this discovery remain quiet for now.