must be tired and hungry. Would you all do me the honor of joining me for a bite to eat??After you've all had a chance to freshen up a bit, of course.'
'Yes,' I said. 'Yes. But?'
'Forgive me. I'm sure you have many questions to ask me. And I'm perfectly willing to tell all in good time. But some things take priority, don't they? The universe stops for lunch. Why shouldn't we?' He laughed.
'One question first,' I said. I pointed to the Skyway. 'Did you build that?'
He looked. 'What, that road specifically? Myself?'
'No, all of them. All the roads. We call it the Skyway.'
His grin was strange and sly. 'I suppose in a way I did.'
'In a way?'
'Please. I don't want to sound enigmatic, though I'm sure I do. But I will answer all your questions at a later time. Any questions, truthfully and honestly.'
He motioned over his shoulder. 'I live across the valley there. If you'll be so kind as to follow me?'
'Do you know anything about a black cube?' I blurted.
'What? Oh.' He frowned. 'Yes. Um, you have it, don't you?'
'Yes.'
'Good. Well; keep it for now. But at some point I would like to get a look at it.'
'What is it?'
'What is it,' he repeated. 'Well, it's basically an experiment.'
'An experiment in what?'
He considered his phrasing. 'Let us say, an experiment in the creation of a universe.'
'Any universe in particular?' I asked.
He looked at the sky and smiled. 'Is there more than one?'
'Is there?'
His gaze lowered to meet mine. 'That question can be answered in many ways.' He laughed again. 'Well. More of this later. And now?'
'I have a question.' Cart shouldered me aside, walked forward, and stood in front of Prime.
Prime eyed him up and down, still smiling. 'Young man, I sense that you harbor some hostility toward me.'
'You're damn right. What's the big idea of kidnapping me and dumping me on some goddamn planet somewhere?'
'My dear young man, I?'
Carl cocked back his right fist and hit him full in the face.
Prime spun around and fell to the ground, his flowing cape spread out over the grass like crippled green wings.
Lori screamed. Then there was silence.
Prime didn't move. Carl stood there over him, both fists balled and arms straight at his sides.
I overcame my shock and stepped over to Carl. I looked down at Prime.
'Carl,' I said. 'You may have just punched out God.'
'Nah.' He looked at me sharply. 'God has a beard.'
