This choice: ...a gleaming city of Middle Eastern-esque architecture, two suns setting. • Go Back...Chapter #4Off to a New World by: Unknown “Cool,” said Brett in spite of himself, looking at the spires and minarets of the obviously alien world.
Rae finally spoke up. “Um, I don’t see any people. What if they’re totally different from us?”
Dr. Wills says, “Trust me, there were people there earlier, and they looked human. Of course, there may be some physical differences, but that’s part of what we’re sending you to find out!” She took five small pieces of paper off her desk and handed one to each of her subjects. “This is what you say, just in a normal speaking voice, if you want to return before the hour is up. I’ve spelled it out phonetically --“
Liz was frowning at her piece of paper. “Ree-too-er--“
”Don’t say it now!” yelled the doctor, successfully startling Liz into shutting up. She explained, “It could have unpredictable effects.”
Jay shrugged and put the paper into one of the zippered hip pockets on his jumpsuit. The others did the same.
“Now,” said Dr. Wills, “whenever you’re ready.”
The five looked at each other. Liz was the first to cross the threshold, with the two guys following closely behind, and then Cindy and Rae.
They might have expected an odd sensation in traveling to this completely different world, but it only felt like stepping through a door to the outside. They all looked behind them as they arrived, but Dr. Wills’s office was not visible from this side.
The air was pleasantly warm and carried the slight scent of jasmine. The sky was a violet-orange with the two suns setting. They were standing on a broad plaza, between two rows of columns that appeared to be glowing in the same way as Dr. Wills’s staff -- streetlights, they surmised. The plaza was mostly surrounded by buildings that were built in an architectural style that appeared to use modern materials to evoke ancient forms.
Or, as Liz put it, “Looks like these buildings could all be Vegas hotels.”
“Yeah, with a Middle East theme,” said Jay.
“They’d need a lot more neon,” Brett pointed out.
The freshmen stood and looked around for another minute.
“So, uh, where do you think everybody is?” asked Cindy.
“Town meeting?” Brett suggested.
“Watching the big game?” wondered Jay.
“Isn’t this supposed to be, like, a sexy world?” Liz asked. “Maybe there’s a big orgy.”
Rae looked a bit flustered by that, but pointed out, “It’s sunset. Maybe these are, like, downtown offices, and everyone’s gone home for the evening. And maybe the two suns don't always set at the same time like this, so this is really special.”
Cindy looked thoughtful for a second, and then suggested, “Well, instead of standing here until we get sent back...”  indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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