The Swirling Vortex

[Robert]

Robert appears outside the Many-Worlds Pub, stepping out of a swirling vortex, which is very odd in itself, but there is something else unusual about him tonight. He appears to be older. Robert walks into the pub sees that the pub is full and thriving with business. He walks to the bar and orders a beer, which he immediately drinks, then heads for the stage. Once on the stage, He grabs the microphone and holds it up to the speaker. The feedback is piercing and the pub patrons grab their ears and grimace as they look to the stage. Robert says, "Sorry about that, but I had to get your attention!".

Baudrunner says, "I frugot da flish da sheet onda tulrett", but everyone ignored him since he had been talking that way all night.

Robert looks out at the now silent pub and says, "I am not from your world", then pauses for effect. "I am from a world that is an exact replica of your world, with one exception."

There is murmuring from the pub as people look at each other with bewildered expressions. Then there was the sound of someone throwing up in the back hallway. Robert notices that Baudrunner's table is empty. Again Robert speaks, "My world is offset in time from your world by five years. My world is what your world will become in five years!".

Robert says, "You may ask me questions if you wish."

[Profpat]

" Sure " says Profpat from his table. " I have a few questions "

" Did your site ever come up with the TOE? "
" Who won WWIII ? "
" More importantly, since I'm broke, who won the Superbowl and World Series the last 5 years ? " ( and saying the winning team is not an appropriate answer )
" What new and wonderful inventions do we have to look forward to ? "

[austintorn@aol.com]

A lady was asked what she wanted to be in 5 years.

She replied, "A widow".

[Mikal]

Mikals interest accelerated when Robert spoke the words.."my world is what your world will become in five years." It was a jarring statement touching a nerve and making her mind reel to a report she had read that other races of beings were studying the earth. She slowly made her way to Robert and ask him quietly..."is your race studying the people of earth, examining our biology and taking medical specimens because your race is mentally advanced over ours and can fully manipulate the perception of our race while you undertake these studies on behalf of your race?

[theunify]

Robert pauses, anticipating numourous questions from the scholarly crowd, instead he recieves a blank stare, perhaps it was the fact that he walked into the bar at his usual time, obviously wasted, ordered his usual beer and said the same thing he says everytime he gets up on stage.

~theunify puts his head on the table for a minute to rest before he has to get up, go home and do it all over again. He wonders what will - if anything? - be at work tomorrow for him to reveiw, so few physics theories make it to his desk anymore, most are screened for corporate interests far back in the chain that he basically reveiws the same 4 author's everyday and rejects everything he sees, this doesnt stop the slobs from getting their theories published however, ~theunify just can't vouch for them and risk his reputation thats taken many years, "Numorous Wars", a few wives, and about a million dollars in his own money to finance. He was self-made; went to college, was in a fraternity but he never entered into the field in any direct way, most of his work was done before his college days, most of it untouchable by the establishment too abstract or too clear for most muddlers; he was known as "the unify" for a reason, he stood apart from everyone and proposed solutions"

~theunify picks his head up after a deep thought
"Hey Robert, don't mind these drunks, we think your brilliant, blaze on fearless leader!"

[Mohan.C]

Mohan, doesn't know what question to ask.
He just sits with his laptop on the table, when all the people are enjoying beer around him.

He types a SQL statement,
SELECT NAME
FROM MEMBER
WHERE LOCATION LIKE 'TEXAS'

But before the computer could give back the answer, Robert comes and asks, "Did you call me, buddy"

Mohan thinks to himself, 'Ah, this software engineers, they go everywhere they see a computer'

But, little did Mohan know that Carly had hacked into his comp, and was sending signals back to Robert, on what he was doing.

[leskey]

Robert appears outside the Many-Worlds Pub, stepping out of a swirling vortex, which is very odd in itself, but there is something else unusual about him tonight. He appears to be older. Robert walks into the pub sees that the pub is full and thriving with business. He walks to the bar and orders a beer, which he immediately drinks, then heads for the stage. Once on the stage, He grabs the microphone and holds it up to the speaker. The feedback is piercing and the pub patrons grab their ears and grimace as they look to the stage. Robert says, "Sorry about that, but I had to get your attention!"

...Again Robert speaks, "My world is offset in time from your world by five years. My world is what your world will become in five years!".

Robert says, "You may ask me questions if you wish."

Leskey was standing by the doorway, about to depart the premises, when Robert made his unusual "appearance."

Curiosity delays her departure. Still standing near the doorway, she waits her turn...

"Hi, Robert. I find it hard to believe there's a slightly "off-set" parallel universe...that said, if there is, then your apparent materialization from the midst of a swirling vortex indicates a major, scientific break-through is imminent. Is it in relation to our understanding and mastery of gravity? And, if so, what will the full ramifications be for Humanity? Will this extend our perceptions into another dimension and therefore herald an "evolutionary" (, she used the term cynically) expansion of our collective consciousness?"

She thinks to herself: "Finally, a use for all that "redunant" brain capacity." Then, aloud, she adds, "Oh, can you be succinct...I'm in a hurry."

In a clear, quiet voice, Robert begins to speak to the still astonished but hushed pub patrons...they're gonna love what they're about to hear...

[austintorn@aol.com]

Robert said:

“Heading towards the future of infinity,
Dissolves the past eternity
That could have no maternity,
And reforms it retroactively,
So fear not the haunts of the present.”

Everyone said:
“Huh?”

Robert gave another clue, saying,

“The world was about to turn into ashes, but…”

(then he got thirsty and went to get a drink)

[Robert]

Robert heard the questions, but did not answer immediately. Robert's face changed. He closed his eyes and strained as if constipated. Then he relaxed, opened his eyes and said, "I am so sorry. I had all the answers, but could only remember them for 5 minutes after stepping out of the vertex. Unfortunately, that's the length of time it took me to walk to the stage and introduce myself. Each time I travel to another parallel world I forget the 5 minute memory restriction. I can no longer remember anything of my world and the five years of your future. I am so sorry". With that Robert passed out on the stage.

[Mikal]

As Robert crumpled to the stage with a loud thump...the environment in the Many Worlds Pub hushed like a loud breath that rose and fell across the whole pub....silence....utter silence...filled every space! Then chaos erupted as people ran in every direction to reach Robert....concern was evident but the realization Robert could not remember and translate our future was like a mocking fear that just stood behind every person's eyes in the pub....how shall we get Robert to remember....surely there is a way!!!!!!!