diff --git a/prospect/examples/forward-chaining.rkt b/prospect/examples/forward-chaining.rkt
index 15d6211..d8cb57d 100644
--- a/prospect/examples/forward-chaining.rkt
+++ b/prospect/examples/forward-chaining.rkt
@@ -84,17 +84,21 @@
 
 (define (after msec thunk)
   (define id (gensym 'after))
-  (list
-   (spawn (lambda (e s) (and (message? e) (quit (thunk))))
-          (void)
-          (sub (timer-expired id ?)))
-   (message (set-timer id msec 'relative))))
+  (if (zero? msec)
+      (thunk)
+      (list
+       (spawn (lambda (e s) (and (message? e) (quit (thunk))))
+              (void)
+              (sub (timer-expired id ?)))
+       (message (set-timer id msec 'relative)))))
 
-(after 1000 (lambda ()
-              (printf "----- Retracting\n")
-              (message `(retract (parent bob john)))))
-(after 2000 (lambda ()
-              (printf "----- Asserting\n")
-              (list (insert-record `(parent bob mary))
-                    (insert-record `(parent mary sue))
-                    (insert-record `(parent sue john)))))
+(define use-delays? #t)
+
+(after (if use-delays? 1000 0) (lambda ()
+                                 (printf "----- Retracting\n")
+                                 (message `(retract (parent bob john)))))
+(after (if use-delays? 2000 0) (lambda ()
+                                 (printf "----- Asserting\n")
+                                 (list (insert-record `(parent bob mary))
+                                       (insert-record `(parent mary sue))
+                                       (insert-record `(parent sue john)))))