THE MOMENT
"What? Sorry... are you paying attention!?" Glenn pointed at the TV in the corner of the coffee shop as he asked Victoria the question. "They discovered a portal to a fantasy world in Europe!" he said.
"Oh, huh," Victoria giggled as she turned to give some of her attention to the TV. She hadn't realized how quiet the restaurant was now as everyone watched the news.
"The European Defense Agency has confirmed the existence of an alternate fantasy world on the other side of that portal," a reporter turned to gesture at a free-floating oblong black hole that hovered vertically in the air. It was defended by several rings of barricades and armed guards. "Thus far they have reportedly discovered creatures that only exist in fantasy in our world," he said.
"Ah well, I guess this one's off my list," Victoria giggled as she reached into her pocket. She pulled out a clear glass card that looked like a smartphone, but way more advanced. It drew Glenn's attention from the TV as she quickly tapped at it with her thumbs, seemingly sending a message.
"What's that?" he asked. In his mind, her advanced technology might have been related to the portal being shown on the news.
"It's called a node," Victoria answered without looking up. She continued her message, then when she was done, she gripped the clear card by either end with her hands, and she pulled. It happened so smoothly and easily, Glenn wasn't sure what she saw. She answered his question, then stretched the glass to twice its length, and snapped it in half all in one motion. Then, she offered him one. "You're probably going to get one anyway, so here's an early start. Your world's about to change, so I think it's fair to say we probably won't meet again," she said.
"Yeah, I assumed a second date was out," he chuckled as he accepted the card. It had been their first meeting, and she never called it a date, but he was hopeful. At least, until reporting on the portal began. "But, what do you mean I'm probably going to get one?" he held the card up to look at it in the light, and he was surprised to see the time light up. The rest of the card was so clear the numbers appeared to be floating in mid-air.
"Hey, Vicki, what's up?" a new voice startled Glenn, and he looked up to see a handsome man in a blue suit with his eyes on Victoria. In answer to his question, Victoria pointed to the TV.
"Fantasy world on the other side, it's public knowledge now. Is that from Chroma Corp.?" she asked.
"Nothing official," the stranger shook his head. "Thanks for the heads up, I'll get someone on it," he nodded at her, and then turned to give Glenn a polite nod as well. Then, a black hole appeared over the gentleman's head and sank down to swallow him as if he was never there; the black hole looked a lot like the one on the TV. Everyone else was focused on the screen and he and Victoria were the only ones who noticed, and Victoria didn't seem the least bit surprised.
"Who are you people?" he asked. It was a leap of logic, but he was clever enough to assume she and the stranger were in cahoots somehow. "Were you even looking for a date?" he asked. Glenn would've never considered himself short on self-esteem. He wasn't the insecure type; but, at the same time, the world just changed in a profound way and his mind felt like it needed to reassess everything it new.
"Not a date," Victoria shook her head. "I never said that, I just wanted to meet for coffee and learn about this Earth. I represent a multiversal corporation named Sharp Development, and I scout out new Earths to see if they have anything to offer. Orion...," she gestured at the empty space to indicate the stranger that left them, "...represents another multiversal corporation named Chroma Corp. I was scouting this Earth through you, but that portal means Chroma Corp. might already have a claim. It opens to a fantasy world and that's likely one of theirs," she stood up. Glenn almost rose with her; but, he realized she was leaving and he wasn't ready to do that yet. He settled again as she smiled at him.
"It was nice meeting you, and I hope you enjoy all the changes coming your way," she said.
"You keep talking about changes...," Glenn shook his head with a chuckle, then he pointed at the armed guards on the TV. "It's gonna be a while before any of those changes affect me. It's not like I'll be able to visit the fantasy world or anything, any time soon."
"Not for you," Victoria smiled and gave him a friendly wink. "Just do the tutorial on the node I gave you, and you can be universe-hopping within a couple of hours." She giggled as a black portal appeared over her head like it did over Orion. "It's actually super easy," she added as the hole sank down and she disappeared.