Queen of Science

National Physics Conference: June 7th, 2053.

Presentation: Traveling to a Different Universe with Dr. Fern Price

In front of a large room, there is a woman standing on a stage. She exudes an air of command and confidence. At 5 feet 11 inches, this blonde-haired elegant woman could be a supermodel. After re-adjusting her microphone, the woman begins her presentation.

"Good evening everyone. I hope you are all enjoying the conference today. My name is Fern Price. I feel honored that you are all taking 20 minutes out of your day to listen to me."

"I have devoted my life towards studying the universe and, hopefully, using what I learn to make the world just a little bit better. I work with the National Institute of Aerospace Engineering, otherwise known as the NIAE as a lead researcher."

"In 1704, Isaac Newton first suggested the existence of multiple universes. For centuries we have debated whether or not multiple universes exist. I'm going to conclude that debate today. Off to my left, you will see a large silver machine on the wall. The device has a circular space in the middle that has a diameter of 8 feet. This machine creates a magnetic field tunnel through space. Instead of creating a wormhole between two ends of this universe's space, this device creates a tunnel between this universe and another universe's space."

Immediately several dubious people raise their hands.

"I know that there are already some folks in the crowd with questions. Please wait until the end of the demonstration, and I'll answer them all."

Once the audience's hands are no longer in the air, Fern takes a couple of steps to the device and opens up a compartment. She presses a series of buttons, and the machine starts to hum.

Like magic, the space in the center of the machine starts to darken and a black hole forms. Sparks appear around the device and the building's lights flicker. The ground rumbles, and it feels like a small earthquake is occurring.

The audience members fidget and show signs of panic. Some of them do nothing while others speed-walk to the exit. A few people hide under the flimsy folding chairs and others are calling the event coordinators on the phone.

A younger gentleman covered in sweat stands up and shakily raises his hand, "um, Dr. Price, is the bu-building supposed to be flickering?! He hesitates and asks, "Is everything okay?"

A couple of other people look doe-eyed at the young man and then at Dr. Price. As if agreeing to the gentleman's anxious questions, they frantically nod their heads up and down.

Responding to the gentleman's question, she looks confident and says, "In previous tests, there were no problems." With a tinge of apprehension, Fern says, "I think the machine is consuming too much energy; it will probably be okay."

The man slightly nods and mutters "okay" while sitting down in his chair. The word "sitting" is used loosely; it would be more accurate to say that he is hovering over the edge of the chair seat.

Suddenly all of the power goes out in the building.

Lighting up the room, a soft white and blue glow slowly starts to come from the device. The image in the circular area of the device begins to clarify. It looks like a bit like a hospital room. The walls are pale blue and the floors are white.

Fern's eyes flicker around the conference room and then firmly focus on the glowing machine.

"Well here goes."

She takes in a deep breath and steps into the device's image.