Chapter
30
The
Decision
If the
world “out there” is writhing like a barrel of eels, why do we detect a barrel
of concrete when we look? To put the question differently, where is the
boundary between the random uncertainty of the quantum world, where particles
spring into and out of existence, and the orderly certainty of the classical
world, where we live, see, and measure? This question … is as deep as any in
modern physic s -John
Wheeler
The ending
is nearer than you think, and it is already written. All that we have left to
choose is the correct moment to begin. – Alan Moore
“Who is Lawrence
Kingston?” Marie asked Jackie.
“Oh, yeah, that’s one
of Stan’s aliases. He does like his
secrecy.”
“Ooooh.”
“Indeed.”
“Have I told you that
I read your book?”
“No, you have not.”
Jackie then added jokingly, “Not in this universe anyway. Which one?”
“Oh,
you know the big one on Morphic Resonance, Shapes of Things that Passed. It’s an intriguing hypothesis, it really is.”
“Well, that’s very
kind of you, dear. Ah, here they come…”
The
senior staff of Chateau de Pays m des Merveilles made their way into the
conference room, which had great views out large picture windows of the
mountains, now dotted here and there by more autumn colors. They all looked a combination of concerned
and worried. Marie realized what a big
moment this was for them. They all took
their places around the table, With Stan at one head of the table and Dr.
Jenkins at the other. Only Barry made eye
contact with Marie, and flashed that smile of his.
“Thank
you for coming, Marie, and everyone.”
Stan looked at her with a grim smile.
“Well, we all know why we’re here.
Marie, you’ve had a chance to think things over, to read some
information, and to get some little idea of what we want of you. Obviously, until you agree, there are some things
we are withholding as necessary precaution.
You understand. That said, before
you give us your decision, do you have any questions about anything?”
“Well,
Dr. Wukowski,” she answered. “I honestly
don’t know if I will be able to do what you’re asking, but I think you’re
asking if I am willing. I understand
that you believe that you can send me to parallel dimensions and bring me
back. That’s what you want, right?”
Stan
took a big breath, everyone else held theirs, “Yes, that’s correct. Though we can’t specifically tell you how we
propose to do so until you’ve agreed, though after your readings I imagine you
have some ideas of what’s entailed.”
Ah,
yes, the reading. She had spent the last
ten days reading everything that she could understand from the so-called Incunabula
Catalog. Parallel Universe by Fred Allan
Wolfe, three books by Nick Herbert, including one unpublished one called
Quantum Tantra, Bryce DeWitt’s Many Worlds Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics,
Eliade’s Shamanism, the book on Sufi Mysctism, Alone with the Alone, Hofstader’s
Godel, Escher, Bach, a weird printout of an article on shared dreaming
that Luke claimed they had gotten through inter-dimensional fax from one of the
other alternate Chateaux, Flatland by Edward Abbott, an impossible to understand
translation of John Dee’s Monas Heiroglpychica, and a silly book on the Pine
Barrens Travel Cult called, Ongs Hat: The Beginning, and, of course, Dick’s
insane, metaphysical masterpiece, VALIS.
She
looked at each one of their expectant faces, except Barry’s. Dr. Jenkins was the only one who looked like
he couldn’t care less either way. She
turned back to Stan.
“Sure,
I’ll try. Whatever you guys want. I’ll give it my best.”
And
then there were cheers, shouts of repressed glee, and applause. The entire table aside from Marie and Jenkins
got on their feet, clapping their hands enthusiastically. Jenkins let a slow smile spread across his
face, and nodded kindly to her. He took
his time, but he joined the others in the standing ovation. Gratitude and relief spread across everyone’s
smiling faces. Marie shot a quick glance
at Barry. He was smilingly and clapping
his hands, but he didn’t look as happy as the others, he looked concerned.
Luke
said, “You realize, of course, that another bunch of universes were just
created, right? Tomorrow we’ll probably
get excited messages from a couple of thousand of them, and sad messages from a
few hundred. But, that’s just Many
Worlds for you.”
copyright 2017 Diana Hignutt
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