The Adjustment Team

It was bright morning. The sun shone down on the damp lawns and sidewalks, reflecting off the sparkling parked cars. The Clerk came walking hurriedly, leafing through his instructions, flipping pages and frowning. He stopped in front of the small green stucco house for a moment, and then turned up the walk, entering the back yard.
The dog was asleep inside his shed, his back turned to the world. Only his thick tail showed.
For heaven's sake, the Clerk exclaimed, hands on his hips. He tapped his mechanical pencil noisily against his clipboard. Wake up, you in there.
The dog stirred. He came slowly out of his shed, head first, blinking and yawning in the morning sunlight. Oh, it's you. Already? He yawned again.
Big doings. The Clerk ran his expert finger down the traffic-control sheet. They're adjusting Sector T137 this morning. Starting at exactly nine o'clock. He glanced at his pocket watch. Three hour alteration. Will finish by noon.
T137? That's not far from here.
The Clerk's thin lips twisted with contempt. Indeed. You're showing astonishing perspicacity, my black-haired friend. Maybe you can divine why I'm here.
We overlap with T137.
Exactly. Elements from this Sector are involved. We must make sure they're properly placed when the adjustment begins. The Clerk glanced toward the small green stucco house. Your particular task concerns the man in there. He is employed by a business establishment lying within Sector T137. It's essential that he be there before nine o'clock.
The dog studied the house. The shades had been let up. The kitchen light was on. Beyond the lace curtains dim shapes could be seen, stirring around the table. A man and woman. They were drinking coffee.
There they are, the dog murmured. The man, you say? He's not going to be harmed, is he?
Of course not. But he must be at his office early. Usually he doesn't leave until after nine. Today he must leave at eight-thirty. He must be within Sector T137 before the process begins, or he won't be altered to coincide with the new adjustment.