THE MOMENT
Something felt different the moment Arnold stepped out of his house. By the time he reached the street to start his morning jog, he noticed his neighbors standing outside in the yard. The entire family of three, including a pre-teen son, kept alternating their focus between their phone and the purple sky. Arnold shrugged and dismissed it as none of his business; but, as he started his trek around the block he noticed other families outside as well.
The residents were outside at every house he passed on both sides of the street. All of them were impatiently splitting their focus between their phones and the sky. Arnold had the sudden feeling that he was missing something so he slowed to a walk and pulled his phone out.
"No signal?" He looked around. "Everyone else has signal...," he mumbled. Arnold wasn't especially social and only knew most of his neighbors by sight. But, he was nearby the only other person in the neighborhood that he considered an acquaintance. Thomas, an old man with silver hair and more than his fair share of wrinkles, stood out in his yard like everyone else. The two had a mutual understanding that they weren't friends; but, they could stand each other. That was more than either of them could say about the rest of the homeowners.
"Mornin', Thomas," Arnold waved as he walked up the driveway. Thomas looked at him and nodded. The best part about their relationship was that smal ltalk was never part of their conversations. Arnold did not feel obligated to ask Thomas how he was doing. "What's going on?" Arnold asked. He pointed out that the rest of the neighbors were also in their yards.
Thomas looked at him with an expression that Arnold had never seen on his face. His eyes widened in surprise, and he glanced down at his phone before looking back at Arnold.
"You don't know?" he asked.
"Wouldn't have asked...," Arnold said. Thomas nodded.
"Yeah, I guess you're here and not at home...," he said. "What's your phone say?" Thomas asked.
"No signal," Arnold shrugged. "What's it supposed to say?"
"That is strange...," Thomas said. "Someone bought Earth," he added.
"What??" Arnold had never known Thomas to so much as make a pun; much less outright lie. He had no sense of humor and a very strict sense of right and wrong. He wasn't lying; but, he might have misunderstood something. Arnold pressed him for more info. "What do you mean someone bought Earth? How does someone do that? Who?" Thomas mirrored the shrug.
"I don't get it myself," he said. "Sharp Development, a company from another universe, is giving everyone anything they want. Either here or on a different Earth, I'm leaving," he chuckled. His laugh was weak and wheezy due to his age.
"Another Earth...?" Arnold asked. He'd learned about alternate Earths almost two weeks ago; but, he hadn't given them much thought since then. A woman he met on a dating app claimed to be from an alternate universe before she left in the middle of their date. She was coldhearted and mean-spirited and he preferred not to linger on those memories. She teased him with the possibility of seeing other universes; but, then she left him standing in the coffee shop. But, now, he could see them on his own and without her help.
"How do I-?" Arnold's question was interrupted by a black portal opening on Thomas' lawn. Arnold's palms began to sweat because it looked like the portal Victoria used. He hoped he would never have to see that stuck-up woman again. He relaxed when someone walked out and it wasn't her. It was a pink-haired woman wearing a crisp white blazer. She looked curiously at Arnold, then focused on Thomas.
"Mr. Aagard?" she asked. Thomas nodded at her.
"My name is Lyra from Sharp Development," she said.
"I want to be young again, and I want a beautiful wife, and I want a whole beach to myself," Thomas said. Lyra laughed and nodded.
"Not a problem," she replied. She gestured at the portal. "Please step this way and we can discuss the specifics," she said. Thomas nodded and moved towards the portal.
"Good luck out there," Thomas smiled at Arnold. "I hope I never see you again," he chuckled. Arnold laughed and waved.
"Same," he nodded. Once Thomas disappeared into the portal Lyra turned to leave. But, Arnold stopped her.
"Excuse me," he said. "My phone says 'no signal', how do I get signed up for this?"
"No signal?" Lyra paused and turned around. "That's odd. What's your name?" she asked. She pulled a transparent glass card from her blazer while he answered.
"Arnold Butler," he said. She tapped the glass and the display lit up. She began swiping through different menus, and finally, she nodded. Arnold wasn't sure, but he thought he heard her stifle a giggle.
"Unfortunately, Mr. Butler, you're not eligible for any rewards," she said.
"What?" Arnold asked. "Why not? Thomas said everyone on Earth is getting whatever they want!" Lyra nodded at him.
"For the most part, yes. Although, you're a special case," she said.
"What makes me special?" Arnold asked.
"There's a note on your file; you already knew about alternate universes," Lyra shrugged. "According to the terms Sharp Development promised, we're not obligated to give you anything."
"HOW COULD YOU KNOW THAT!??" Arnold asked. He was too surprised that she knew to try and deny it. Lyra's pink brows wrinkled and she looked down at the glass display in her hand; then, back to Arnold.
"The notation says one of our top scouts told you herself," she said. She was trying to hide a smile as she stepped backward into the portal.
"Couldn't be...," Arnold shook his head as he whispered to himself. She didn't hear him, she was too busy moving closer to the portal.
"And there's another note attached," Lyra said. "If you ask any of us about it we're supposed to give you a message."
"Yeah?" Arnold asked. Though, he wondered if he really wanted the message. The portal began to close around her; but, she had enough time to get the message out before she disappeared.
"Victoria says, 'Hi'."