THE MOMENT
"Because that 's the way God designed the universe," Hannes replied. The teacher nodded with a smile.
"That is correct, Hannes," she replied. She was about to move on to another question; but, a different hand shot up.
"How do we know that? We haven't visited every universe...," The teacher sighed. She anticipated the new student would have some questions; but, she didn't expect anyone to doubt God.
"Ursula, was it?" The teacher asked.
"Ursa," Ursa nodded.
"Well, Ursa, I'm not sure how things worked on your Earth. But, on this Earth, we believe in God. She created the multiverse and she has told us everything we need to know."
"There has to be more explanations out there than just 'God did it'...," Ursa said. Her comment was punctuated by the bell signaling the end of class. The teacher spoke over the students giggling at Ursa as they packed up.
"Ursa, please stay after class," she said. The rest of the students laughed even harder once she was singled out. Ursa crossed her arms and remained in her seat until everyone else left. Once they were alone, the teacher closed the door and returned to her desk in front of Ursa.
"I assumed someone would have talked with you by the time you joined us, but it seems I was wrong," the teacher said.
"Talk to me?" Ursa asked. She kind of new the answer, but she wanted to clarify it in her mind. "About what?"
"God," the teacher nodded.
"I'll take it from here," a pale woman in a white suit appeared suddenly in the classroom. She had short dark hair. The teacher gasped in surprise, then she quickly nodded.
"Yes, Ms. Sharp," she waved at Ursa, then quickly left the room.
"Hello, Ursa," the woman smiled. "My name is Ms. Sharp," she said. "I understand you have questions."
"I don't...," Ursa shook her head. "I was just wondering how they can claim to know the answer when we haven't even looked everywhere yet."
"I gave them the answer," Ms. Sharp replied. "Earth is a lonely planet by design; my design," she said.
"So, what. You're God?" Ursa asked. Ms. Sharp nodded.
"As far as they know," she said. Ursa shook her head.
"What's really out there?" she asked. Ms. Sharp smiled.
"I like you, I admire your curiosity," she said. "The truth is, this Earth is specifically designed to crush innate curiosity. I've laid out all the answers that I can for the people of this Earth. I've given them more than enough proof to believe in me, and almost none of them doubt me. Almost none of them are curious to know more. They're happy to go about their lives taking comfort that there's something greater out there."
"What?" Ursa asked. "Why would you do that?"
"It helps me find what I'm looking for. True curiosity. The kind of curiosity that comes from deep in your soul. Curiosity that even an entire society can't quell."
"And then what?" Ursa asked. Ms. Sharp smiled.
"And then, I hire you," she said. "Are you curious enough to help me solve the secrets of the multiverse?"