THE MOMENT
"Impossible! Here? Now!?" Carlton was nervous and giddy at the possibilities. It was late in the afternoon with the sun low in the sky. A gentle breeze was blowing and he stood on a beach with a woman he thought was particularly striking. But, her physical attractiveness was just a bonus that went along with the rest of her. Marina had a sharp mind, a commanding presence, and experiences Carlton could only dream about. He had no idea why she invited him to the beach until they were alone at the water's edge. Then, she revealed everything.
Carlton was a smart man with a keen mind too and he more or less understood everything she admitted. He'd seen enough evidence from her to take certain things on faith; and, he reasoned he could ask her for proof to ease his doubts whenever she was done with the full explanation. But, he wasn't ready for her final suggestion.
"Yeah, here's fine," Marina smiled. "Literally anywhere is fine, it doesn't need as much as you might think," she said. She reached into the pocket of her jeans; but, he stopped her.
"Wait, hold on. Not so fast...," he said. "Since you actually want me to report this to work, I need to make sure I understand. First basic answer. You're saying you're from a different universe?" he asked. They'd met through a dating app and had seen each other a few times since then. She seemed extra interested when he revealed his government job; he was a senior aid in the White House.
"I am," Marina nodded. She was willing to take it slow to answer his questions.
"And you want me to tell the President about the existence of the multiverse to get you a meeting with him?"
"Yes; but, it doesn't have to be me," she shook her head this time. "It probably won't be; but, all we want to do is open your Earth to the bigger multiverse. It's new trade and travel opportunities for everyone, not to mention the technology," she added. "My group is known as, 'The United Earths of America' and strive to improve our country on every Earth we're connected with."
"Alternate Earths united..?" Carlton was awed thinking about it. "...how many do you have?"
"If your Earth joins it would be #50," she said. "We're trying to keep a small number," she added.
"Is.. is that why we met?" he asked. She was the one who initiated contact. She looked into his eyes and gave a gentle nod along with a broad smile.
"Yes," she said. "That's why we met that first day for coffee. That's not why we're here tonight," she took his hand and squeezed it for reassurance. "Usually, I get a meeting with the president as soon as possible... but with you..," she giggled as she continued gazing into his eyes. "I keep having fun on our dates!" she said. "So, I brought you here to show you personally. I want to show you some of my favorite places in the multiverse."
Carlton looked up and down the beach a second time now that he knew she brought him here intentionally; but, he still didn't see anything useful.
"But.. how?" he asked. "You're telling me you can open a portal to another universe here... now... with .. what? Nothing??"
"With this!" Marina smiled as she reached into her pocket again and this time she pulled out a glass card. "It's called a node," she said as she offered it to him. "Pull it," she gave him the extra direction as he accepted it. they each held on to one side and pulled them apart. The glass seemed to stretch until it was double the size. Then, Marina made a quick motion upward to snap it in half.
"That one's yours," she nodded at the node in his hand.
"It's like a smartphone; but, you can also do this...," She ran her hand across its surface and somehow pulled a black card from the clear gadget. "This is a portal," she dropped the black card on the sand and it opened a hole.
"To where?" Carlton looked down trying to see through it; but, it was like looking through a black velvet curtain.
"I told you, one of my favorite places," Marina smiled and she confidently stepped onto the black hole. She stood flat on seemingly nothing and encouraged Carlton to join her.
"What kind of world... it's not medieval is it?" Carlton asked. He hesitated and Marina giggled with a shake of her head.
"Not this one," she said. "It's something different; like a whole different genre, theoretically. C'mon, it'll be fun."
"Okay...," Carlton reached out for her hand first, then, he gingerly tested the black hole. Despite the sand that should've been below it, it felt like walking onto firm solid ground, almost smooth like glass.
"Here we go," Marina added and Carlton's stomach flipped. The hole began descending underneath them like an elevator and he sank into blackness. He didn't see the change; but, at some point, Marina walked forward, and led him along for two steps. The darkness cleared and he emerged from a standing vertical portal. He found himself on another beach near sunset. It could've even been the same beach, if it wasn't for the pink sky and green water.
"Whoa.... it's beautiful....," Carlton was taken by the sight; and, the knowledge that it was an alternate Earth also made that moment something to remember as he looked around trying to take it all in. Marina stepped closer and nudged him with a smirk and a wink.
"Wait till you see what else I'm gonna show you."