The Crossover in Hyperion, Part II

This is USBC Television

The producers of this program wish to dedicate the following episode to the memory of the late Soupy Sales.

Now, it is 8:00 pm on Saturday and that means it's time to conclude the two-part opening story of our new show, The Quantum Argonauts, with part two of the opener, "The Crossover in Hyperion."

In part one, we were introduced to the characters and began the show with the creation of a strange quantum particle, which collided with another such particle and caused a merger of universes.

Meanwhile, Phil Turner, WHYP intern, found himself at the center of a crime wave he didn't commit and finall scoring a date with Officer Grace Baker of the Hyperion Police.

When we last left off, Phil and Officer Grace have just spent the night together and Phil has gone to answer the door. When he gets there, he is met by two police officers, who take Phil off to their awaiting police car...

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As this is happening, Officer Grace rushs over to the door.
"Guys, what are you doing?" she asks.
"We're taking Phil in. He robbed the bank last night." says the second officer.
"But he was with me last night and we spent the night here." says Officer Grace. "Sorry, Grace, but we can't take your word. He might coached you." says the first officer.
"You can't do this, Timmy." says Officer Grace.
"I have to. His face is all over the camera footage." says the second officer.
"I am truly sorry, Grace." says the first officer as they reach the police car.
"Grace, help me. Go get Cy and Conrad." says Phil as they load him into the police car.
The two officers then get in and drive away, leaving Officer Grace standing in the driveway.
"Phil." she cries out.
She breaks down in tears over the taking of Phil. She falls to her knees.
"I can't believe this." she says.
Across town, at Cy's own house, he lays asleep in his recliner, where he feel asleep after getting home after midnight from Sally's Diner. In his dream, he thinks of Kate, the video store clerk, sitting down, dressed in an outfit out of a 19th-century French painting, with Cy, dressed the way he always is, with his head in her lap, looking up at her face, or he would be if his eyes weren't closed.
"Ah, Kate, my life is trouble. That Barry & Terry give me fits." says Cy to the dream Kate.
"I know, my dear Cy. You were a wonderful human being." says the dream Kate. Back in reality, Cy sighs in his sleep as a knock comes to his door. The knock stirs Cy out of his wonderful dream.
"If you're a salesman, they'll never find the body." says Cy as he gets out of the chair.
Cy walks over to the door, rubbing the rest of the sleep out of his eyes. When he opens the door, he sees a familiar face, but not Officer Grace's.
"Simon!" calls out Cy.
"Hello, Cy." says Simon.
"How's my scientist friend?" asks Cy as Simon walks in.
"Fine." says Simon.
"Did you enjoy your visit to Switzerland?" asks Cy.
"I was there to partake in science, not the scenery, and yes, it was fun." says Simon.
"How much fun?" asks Cy.
"Not as much as I wanted. I was so close." says Simon.
"Close to what?" asks Cy.
"I'll tell you over coffee." says Simon.
"I'll get some." says Cy, moving towards the kitchen.
As Cy gets the coffee, already made, Simon walks into the small dining room. "Here we are, two cups of coffee." says Cy, coming into the dining room.
"Thanks. I guess I should tell you about Switzerland." says Simon.
"Go right ahead." says Cy, sitting down at the dining room table.
"Gladly." says Simon, taking a chair for himself.
"Now, tell me about your time at the LHC." says Cy.
Simon takes a deep breath and begins, "Well, I arrived last Friday in Geneva and travel to the CERN labs, where the LHC is located. Anyway, I find that me and my colleague have the third slot on Sunday, so we take it. I get the particle that my mentor made at Fermilab in Chicago.
"My colleague places the matter particle in another section and we rev up the LHC. We ran that thing at full speed and we had a collision. There, in a part of the tube, was the goal of quantum physics itself. A strange quantum particle. We were excited that we finally had our way of finding out the existence of parallel universes. Then, it happened."
"What happened?" asks Cy.
"The particle disappeared. Just floated away." says Simon.
"That's terrible." says Cy.
"I know. I spent the next two days sulking. Then, I had to leave, my permit was up and I got on the plane back to Detroit." says Simon.
"I guess you've spent the last three days in a mood, Simon." says Cy.
"Don't I know it?" says Simon.
"I've got an idea. Why don't you come on me and Conrad's weekend show today?" says Cy.
"As what?" asks Simon.
"Our surprise guest. You just come in and regale us with your ideas on the future of science." says Cy.
"I guess I could do that. I would get my mind off what happened." says Simon. "That's the spirit, Simon." says Cy.
"I knew I could count on you to help me." says Simon.
"I'm just that kind of a person." says Cy.
Cy and Simon finish up their coffee and make their way to the front door.
"Let's walk to the radio station. The morning air might help ya." says Cy.
"I guess we can." says Simon.
"That's the spirit." says Cy, opening the door.
As the two walk, they see a police car go by, unware that Phil is in the back seat. He sees the walking Cy and tries to signal him but the officers notices and tell Phil to stop. At the radio station, Conrad is sitting in the green room. Suddenly, he hears a knock on the door.
"Come in." says Conrad.
"Good morning, Conrad. I brought a guest." says Cy as he enters.
"Who?" asks Conrad.
"Conrad!" says Simon as he enters.
"Simon! You scientist, you!" says Conrad as he gets out of the chair.
"It's nice to see you, Conrad." says Simon.
"I haven't seen you in two months." says Conrad.
"He was busy in Switzerland, playing with the Large Hadron Collider." says Cy. "I see. How did things go?" says Conrad.
"So-so. I manage to create what I was looking for, but it floated away." says Simon.
"That's too bad." says Conrad.
"The next spot for me is in June. I attend to take it at once." says Simon.
"I hope so. If you could prove the existence of parallel universes, you'll be more famous than Einstein." says Cy.
"Or Stephan Hawking." says Simon.
"'I do believe in the existence of black hooles.'." says Cy in his best Hawking impression.
Just then, the radio announces the following,
"Last night, there was a robbery of the First National Bank of Hyperion. $650,000 in cash was stolen in the robbery."
"Another robbery." says Conrad.
"Another one?" queries Simon.
"There's been a string of robberies this week. No one knows who's doing it. The police had a lead but they dropped it." says Cy.
"Interesting." says Simon.
"What's interesting? It's just robberies." says Conrad.
"I know, but it's interesting that someone would rob a bank like that." says Simon. "I guess whoever did it was a smart mastermind." says Cy.
"Maybe Hyperion's just become home to a master thief who can't keep his mind off his work." says Simon.
"You're a scientist, Simon, not a policeman." says Conrad.
"Right." says Cy.
"I know. Now, about my guest spot." says Simon.
"What guest spot?" asks Conrad.
"The one on our show today." says Cy.
"I guess we could use it, we need it." says Conrad.
At that moment, the three move to the center of the room. Before they can speak, Officer Grace, still dressed the way she was when Phil was arrested, enters the green room.
"Grace!." says Cy.
"Who is this?" asks Simon.
"This is Grace Baker, our friendly neighborhood police officer and Phil's new girlfriend. Judging by the way she's dressed, she and Phil had some time last night." says Cy.
"You gotta help me!" says Officer Grace.
"Help you? With what?" queries a confused Cy.
"With Phil. They've taken him in!" says Officer Grace.
"Who's taken where?" asks Cy.
"The police. They've taken Phil in for the bank robbery." says Officer Grace.
"We just heard about it on the radio. You mean Phil robbed the bank?" says Conrad.
"I believe that Phil spent his time last night in bed. Not asleep, I take it." says Cy. "Well, how do they believe he's the one?" asks Simon.
"Because they say his face is in the security camera footage." says Officer Grace, breaking into a sob.
"What do you think, guys?" asks Cy to Conrad and Simon.
"I don't know. How can you rob a bank without being there?" says Conrad.
"I don't know, either." says Simon.
"Oh, it's hopeless." says the sobbing Officer Grace, who covers her face with her hands, unable to accept the situation.
"What can we do?" asks Conrad.
"Well, I have an idea. It's something Simon confided with me when we walked here this morning but I'm not sure... " says Cy as he starts to pull back on the right half of the front of the jacket that Officer Grace is wearing.
He slowly moves it, peeking at Officer Grace's right breast. He peeks at it for a few seconds before he closes it.
"I think I will let Simon share his idea." says Cy.
"Really?" says Officer Grace, removing her hands.
"Of course. What Simon told me might help get Phil out of jail." says Cy.
"I'm not sure myself." says Simon.
"Who is that?" asks Officer Grace.
"This is Simon Yates. He's a scientist friend of mine. Specifically, he's a quantum physicist." says Cy.
"How can he help?" asks Officer Grace.
"Listen." says Cy. Cy then gestures to Simon to begin.
Simon walks forward a step and begins,
"This is something that I began thinking about the day before I left the LHC. That's the Large Hadron Collider. Anyway, I began to think that the strange quantum particle that I created maybe have been affected by the existence of parallel universes."
"What does parallel universes have to do with Phil?" queries Officer Grace.
Simon speaks, "Let me finish. Anyway, I wondered if the strange quantum particle had detected the existence of another such particle in another universe and had been attracted to it. Indeed, I began to think that the two particles floated away together and had possibly collided elsewhere, if the attraction was strong enough to allow the possibility."
"This guy is talking nonsense." says Officer Grace.
"He's a quantum physicist. He speaks only in nonsense." says Cy.
"Thanks." says Simon.
"Don't mention it." says Cy.
"That still doesn't answer the question of what this has to do with Phil and the bank robbery." says Conrad.
"It will, when Simon sees the evidence that the police has. First, Grace, I think you need to go home and change." says Cy as he tries for another peak under the jacket.
"Don't do that!" says Officer Grace.
Cy lets go of the jacket.
"That's okay, I've seen enough." says Cy.
Officer Grace then takes her leave.
"I hope that what you're doing is the right course of action." says Conrad.
"I hope so, too. Otherwise, we'll run into our own little iceberg." says Cy.
"Cy, what I have is only a theory. What I need is absolute proof in order to free Phil." says Simon.
"Relax, Simon. I know that you're right. If anything, your ideas will enable mankind to go to the stars and explore new worlds." says Cy.
"I'm just a scientist." says Simon.
"That's what Hawking says every day." says Cy.
At the police station, Phil walks inside, handcuffed.
"I brought in the suspect." says the first officer.
"Sergeant, this man is guilty." says Chief McIntyre.
"Not only that, but Officer Grace was with him." says the second officer.
"I would hate to discredit her, but she has possibly conspired with a known criminal." says Chief McIntyre.
The two officers then drag Phil to the processing room, where Phil's fingerprints, measurements, and pictures, are taken. A look of terror keeps on Phil's face throughout all of this.
"All right, put him in the cell." says the first officer and Phil is taken and placed in the jail cell.
Phil sighs and sits himself down on a bench. On another bench, he sees a covered-up person.
"I guess you've also had a bad day." says Phil to the person.
The person says nothing.
"I've just had the time of my life and now, I'm in jail for a crime I didn't commit." says Phil.
The person still remain silent.
Phil, puzzled at his cellmate's lack of speech, decides to see who it is. He gets up and walks over to the person. He pulls back the person, who's facing the wall, and sees the face.
"Thomas!" says Phil. Thomas is asleep.
"Thomas, wake up." says Phil, shaking him.
Thomas stirs from his sleep.
"Who is it?" says Thomas. He then sees Phil's face.
"Phil! Have you decided to spring me?" says Thomas.
"No, unfortunetly, I'm not here on a visit." says Phil.
"What happened?" asks Thomas as he rights himself on the bench.
"They put me in here because they believe I robbed the bank." says Phil.
"It happened! I knew it, I could tell." says Thomas.
"How did you know?" asks Phil.
"I'd tell ya, but you wouldn't believe me. They haven't, so far. Now, it has happened." says Thomas.
"Thomas, I think you're losing it." says Phil.
"Maybe I am. The things I've seen this week make me wonder about my state of mind." says Thomas.
An hour later, Cy, Conrad, Simon, and Officer Grace enter the police station.
"Officer Baker, I see that you're here. Now, I have to tell you... " says Chief McIntyre before he's interrupted.
"Sir, I have some witnesses for Phil." says Officer Grace.
"Go on." says Chief McIntyre.
"Sir, I'm Cy Scott. I know your niece, Polly." says Cy.
"I know. I listen to you every morning, on my niece's advice." says Chief McIntyre.
"We finally have a fan, Conrad." says Cy.
"I'm Conrad Harris." says Conrad.
"I see." says Chief McIntyre.
"And this here is Dr. Simon Yates. He's a quantum physicist." says Cy.
"Why do you need a quantum physicist to help Phil?" asks Chief McIntyre.
"Chief, I promise you. This man will help you from ruining the life of an innocent man." says Cy.
"I don't see it." says Chief McIntyre.
"I'll let Simon explain." says Cy.
"Sir, I believe I have the answer to this." says Simon.
"So do I. Phil's face is all over the footage. Case closed." says Chief McIntyre.
"He was with Grace here all night. Don't believe me? I got a look at her this morning and I could tell." says Cy.
"Cy, don't mention that." says Officer Grace.
"Just trying to help Phil's case." says Cy.
"That doesn't help any." says Chief McIntyre.
"Why don't you ask him yourself and I'll tell you. In fact, get out the lie detector and set it up." says Cy.
"I guess I could give him a lie detector test." says Chief McIntyre.
"You can and you will." says Cy.
"Please give him one. I know he's innocent!" says Officer Grace.
"Officer Baker, please calm down. Right down, you're showing outright alliance with Phil and if he's found guilty, you'll join him in prison." says Chief McIntyre.
Officer Grace's face breaks into a profound look.
"I don't care!" says Officer Grace.
"I've never heard a police officer put their personal feelings before the job in my service to the force." says Chief McIntyre.
"I guess we should see Phil while you get the lie detector out." says Cy.
"Go ahead. It's gonna take some time." says Chief McIntyre.
One of Phil's arresting officers guides Cy, Conrad, Simon, and Officer Grace to the jail cell area. As they enter, Phil is sitting on one of the benchs, looking at the muttering Thomas.
"Phil!" cries out Officer Grace.
"Grace?" stirs Phil.
Officer Grace rushes over to the jail cell bars and so does Phil.
"Oh, Phil!" gasps Officer Grace as she falls to her knees.
To Cy, Officer Grace is like a peasant wife, seeing her unjustly-jailed husband before he's beheaded. Officer Grace's oufit is very peasant-like and Cy giggles a bit as he creates the picture in his head of a 15th-century soap opera. Officer Grace breaks into sobbing as Phil pats her hand.
"Phil, we believe you're innocent. In fact, we even brought a scientist here to help you out." says Cy.
"A scientist?" says Phil.
"Actually, a quantum physicist." says Simon.
"Who's that?" asks Phil.
"This is Dr. Simon Yates. We brought him here because he knows how you can be innocent." says Cy.
"How?" asks Phil.
"It's a little complicated." says Simon.
"Do you believe in parallel universes?" asks Cy.
"Not really." says Phil.
"You will when Simon get through explaining." says Cy.
"I will?" says Phil.
"I believe that, through a action of the quantum level, another Phil Turner robbed that bank." says Simon.
"Another Phil Turner?" says Phil in confusion.
"I know it's hard to believe but that's the only way." says Cy.
"Hard to believe?" says Phil.
"That's solves it!" says Thomas, getting up from his bench.
"Solves what?" asks Cy.
"Two nights ago, I was at my old house and I heard voices in the kitchen. I found a small hold in the wall and looked in. There, I swear I saw myself talking to someone. What you said solves the riddle of how I could see myself." says Thomas.
"This merger of universes is usually unnoticeable due to a slight delay but some people must have an ability to overcome and experience the other universe." says Simon.
"I see." says Cy.
"Listen to youselves. You're talking about something that can't happen." says Conrad.
"I concur." says Phil.
"Phil, it's the only way you're getting out of here and it has and is happening." says Cy.
"Really?" queries Phil.
"I know." says Cy.
Through all of this, Officer Grace sits on the floor, sobbing away at the very idea of losing both Phil and her job.
"Grace, do you believe this?" asks Phil.
Officer Grace stops her sobbing and looks up at Simon and Cy.
"I'm beginning to believe what they're saying." says Officer Grace.
"You are? I guess I could." says Phil.
Just then, Chief McIntyre makes his way in.
"Chief." says Cy. Officer Grace sees Chief McIntyre and rises off the floor.
"Sir." she says.
"At ease, Baker." says Chief McIntyre.
"Is everything ready?" asks Cy.
"The lie detector is ready." says Chief McIntyre.
In the same room where Officer Grace questioned Phil six days ago, now gathers Cy, Conrad, Simon, Officer Grace, and Chief McIntyre to once again question Phil, this time about the bank robbery. As Phil is hooked up to the lie detector, he sweats a bit.
"Don't worry, Phil, you know you didn't do it." says Cy.
"I know that." says Phil.
Chief McIntyre sits across from Phil, with his eyes on the moving needles of the lie detector. The tension in the room builds as Chief McIntyre checks the equipment. Finally, with a clearing of the throat, the questioning begins with, "Have you ever committed a crime?"
Phil gulps and says, "No, I haven't."
Chief McIntyre checks the detector and moves on.
"Do you know any criminals?" asks Chief McIntyre.
"Not really." says Phil.
"Did you ever receive any offers to commit crime?" asks Chief McIntyre.
At that moment, Phil digs into his memory and searches for an answer,
"Well, only once." says Phil.
"Could you explain that?" asks Chief McIntyre, gazing at the detector.
Phil speaks, "Well, when I was ten, Thomas Cinder, my bully, offered me an opportunity to join him in a prank that would require doing many bad and illegal things. I had a knowledge of the school and I could tell how to avoid detection. As a means of sweeting the deal, he offered to be my friend and he would introduce his father to my mother, both were single. Well, I told him no and he went and did it anyway but things went wrong and he ended up dropping out at 13."
Chief McIntyre writes this down and continues his questioning.
"Beyond that, did you ever receive offers to commit any crimes?" says Chief McIntyre.
"No, never. That was the only time. I'll admit, many times, I would accepted the offer but I wouldn't then and I wouldn't now." says Phil.
With a cough, Chief McIntyre continued his questioning.
"Where were your whereabouts yesterday?" asks Chief McIntyre.
"Well, I was on a date with Grace. We went to Sally's Diner and we ate and we danced a bit. Then, we went home and had some coffee and then, we... " says Phil, gesturing a bit to indicate the next activity.
"I get it." says Chief McIntyre.
"As do I. Chief, that's the one thing that should tell you that he was nowhere near the bank last night. If offered between sex and robbing a bank, I would choose the sex. There's less to answer to in the morning." says Cy.
"He could have been lying about that." says Chief McIntyre.
"No way. I got a look at the evidence. Believe me, no one would go that far without having been in a position, or two." says Cy.
Officer Grace shoots a look at Cy.
"That won't hurt me." says Cy.
Officer Grace then gives Cy a kick in the back of the knee.
"Now that hurts." says Cy.
"Settle down." says Chief McIntyre.
"Okay." says Cy.
"Now, is what you told the truth?" asks Chief McIntyre.
"Yes, it is the truth. That's what I've been saying since I got here. Cy and Simon have this idea that who robbed the bank was me from a parallel universe." says Phil.
"Parallel universe?" queries Chief McInytre.
Simon steps forward and speaks,
"Imagine if you will that our universe, the one we call home, is only but one in a infinite number of universes. Some are different, some are the same. Now, I'm part of a group trying to prove the existence of other universes and I managed to create a strange quantum particle that linked up with another such particle in a parallel universe and collided. At this moment, there are two Hyperions. Due to a slight delay, the other Hyperion is never seen but some people can actually overcome the delay and shift between worlds. Phil, or the Phil from the other Hyperion, is one of these people."
"Young man... " says Chief McIntyre before he is interupted by Cy, "That's Dr. Simon Yates. A grad of MIT and has just returned from a trip to the Large Hadron Collider."
"If what you say is true, then Phil is innocent, but I still believe that this Phil is guility. I mean, his face is all over the videotape from the bank." says Chief McIntyre.
"Chief, any robber knows to cover his face before robbing a bank, as to avoid being detected once the crime is over, but the person who robbed the bank didn't cover his face at all." says Cy.
"How did you know that the robber's face was uncovered?" queries Chief McIntyre.
"You've been talking about it and he never asked if Phil wore a mask for any reason." says Cy.
"Well, his face is on that tape and I know he's guilty." says Chief McIntyre.
"I wish I could stay and argue but I have a show in about five hours and we need to go over this week's material. Come on, Conrad." says Cy, who then takes his leave, with Conrad following behind.
"It looks like that the only thing that can save you is a scientist." says Chief McIntyre.
"I believe in what Simon has said." says Officer Grace.
"I'm even starting to believe." says Phil.
"Chief, I would like to take over the questioning for a minute, I have my own questions." says Simon.
"Go ahead, but I don't think you'll do better." says Chief McIntyre, getting out of the chair. Simon sits himself in the chair and begins,
"Have you ever taken an I.Q. test?"
"What kind of question is that?" asks Phil.
"Just answer it." says Simon.
"Yes, I have." says Phil.
"What was the score?" asks Simon.
"About 153." says Phil.
"That's above average. In fact, that's almost genius level." says Simon.
"I know. What does that have to do with the bank robbery?" says Phil.
"If you had actually committed the bank robbery, would you done what they said?" asks Simon.
"Well, I guess if I could answer truthfully, I would, except for the face, I would cover it." says Phil.
"Then, if you suddenly adquired the knowledge that you could shift between two universes and the other universe contained a version of you, would you commit crimes so you could get the blame placed on him?" asks Simon.
Phil looks at Simon and replies, "Yes, I would."
"You say, Chief McIntyre, I believe that the other Phil has the same intelligence as this Phil and is using it to plan crimes, including the robbery of the bank. Since he can escape into another universe, the money would never be recovered and the Phil of this world would receive the blame." says Simon.
"Well, this is all an act. There's no way this can happen." says Chief McIntyre.
"I do have a means of proving it." says Simon.
"With what?" asks Chief McIntyre.
"With the video from the bank." says Simon.
"I'll get it but it won't help." says Chief McIntyre.
"Believe me, it will. I know because there's something you're missing here." says Simon.
"Just keep talking because I know three people whose lives are about to take a left turn." says Chief McIntyre as he leaves the room.
After five minutes, Chief McIntyre returns with a TV set and a video machine.
"Here we go. I've got the tape from the bank ready to go." says Chief McIntyre as he plugs the set in.
Chief McIntyre then walks over to the set and pushes the play button. As the video plays, the robbery plays out before the three. In it, Phil and two others raid the bank's main vault and clear it of money, stuffing it into trash bags and carrying it away with them.
"How is this helping me? I can see me do it." says Phil.
"But it's the Phil from the other universe and I can tell." says Simon.
"How so?" asks Officer Grace.
"Look at that person. That's, I believe, Thomas Cinder." says Simon.
Sure enough, Thomas can be spotted, walking away with a bag of money.
"What's so important about that?" asks Chief McIntyre.
"Very simple. How can Thomas Cinder help rob the bank when he's in jail?" says Simon.
"Thomas has been in jail." says Phil.
"And he has said that he saw himself and two other discuss robbing the bank." says Simon with a grin.
"I don't believe it." says Chief McIntyre.
"My first thought would be to free Phil." says Simon.
"What do I tell the bank?" asks Chief McIntyre.
"Tell them the money was lost, they'll believe that." says Simon.
"What about Phil?" asks Chief McIntyre.
"Tell them that Phil's indentical twin robbed the bank, they'll also believe that." says Simon.
"That should cover it." says Chief McIntyre.
Officer Grace then removes the lie detector sensors and then hugs Phil.
"Phil, you're free." says Officer Grace.
"Say, Dr. Yates?" asks Chief McIntyre.
"Call me Simon." says Simon.
"Simon, could you see to it to become our stuff scientist?" asks Chief McIntyre. "I'll take it. Just reach me at my office in Detroit. I'll give you my number later." says Simon.
"Oh, I don't care. I'm just happy that Phil is free." says Officer Grace.
"I'm happy I'm free, too." says Phil.
"I guess I should call Cy and Conrad and tell them the news." says Officer Grace. "Go do that." says Phil.
At the radio station, Cy and Conrad sit in the green room, arguing over the topics for that week's episode of the duo's weekend series, The Quantum Argonauts.
"Conrad, I'm not gonna argue over the idea of a sequel to Demolition Man." says Cy.
"I'm think that a sequel would solve questions about the first movie." says Conrad. "No, Conrad. The reason that the movie has questions is that no one cares about the plot. They took a great book and turned it into a Hollywood fantasy." says Cy.
"I agree on that." says Conrad.
"You bet." says Cy.
Just then, the phone rings in the green room.
"I wonder who's on the phone?" wonders Cy as he walks to the phone.
Cy picks up the phone and hears the voice of the lobby receptionist.
"You have a call." says the receptionist.
"Patch it in." says Cy.
The call is routed and Officer Grace's voice comes over the receiver.
"Cy, I've got great news, Phil is free!" says Office Grace.
"Conrad, it's Grace, Phil has been freed." says Cy.
"I guess Simon managed to do it." says Conrad.
"Simon must have done a number." says Cy.
"He managed to get Chief McIntyre to see your theory." says Officer Grace. "That's great. Listen, can you do me one favor?" says Cy.
"What is it?" asks Officer Grace.
"Could you free Thomas for me. I promise to send the bail money I get paid again." says Cy.
"I'll do that." says Officer Grace.
"And bring him over to my house." says Cy.
"Got it." says Officer Grace.
"Good day." says Cy as he hangs up.
"Phil is free and I'm getting a house guest." says Cy.
"I can't believe you'd take in a ex-con." says Conrad.
"He has as much right as anyone else. He just didn't them for awhile." says Cy. "You're a wonderful human being, Cy." says Conrad.
"Everyone knows that. Maybe we can still invite Simon onto our show." says Cy. "Go and call him." says Conrad.
That afternoon, after Cy and Conrad have completed their weekend show, Cy takes Thomas to live with him.
"Wow, what a place." says Thomas as he and Cy enter.
"Thanks. I make sure to keep things to my taste." says Cy.
"I can live with that." says Thomas.
"Good to know, good to know." says Cy.
Thomas then sees the painting of Cy and his mother.
"Who's that lady in the picture?" asks Thomas as he walks up to the picture, hanging over the fireplace.
"That's my mother." says Cy.
"She's looks nice." says Thomas.
"She had to be, she was an actress." says Cy.
"An actress?" says Thomas.
"Her name is Debralee Scott. She worked in television and a few movies. She was on a couple of grounbreakers." says Cy.
"Where is she now?" asks Thomas.
Cy then walks over to the fireplace and picks up an urn from the mantle.
"She's right here." says Cy as he gives him the urn.
"When did she die?" asks Thomas.
"Almost five years ago." says Cy.
Thomas then looks and sees the writing on the urn. First, he sees the name of Cy's mother, under it "1953-2005'. Then, he sees some more writing.
"'In my hour of darkness, in my time of need, oh lord grant me vision, oh lord grant me speed.'." reads Thomas.
"My mother's epitaph. I chose it for her. It's the chorus to a Gram Parsons song. I thought it fit her well." says Cy.
"You sure must like your mother." says Thomas.
"Proud is more like it." says Cy.
"I can't even remember mine. She died giving birth to me." says Thomas.
"Sorry to hear that." says Cy.
"It's okay. You can't miss what you never had." says Thomas.
"My mother would have liked you. She always believed in second chances." says Cy.
"Nice to hear that." says Thomas.
"Let me show you the place where you'll be living." says Cy as he takes back the urn and puts in back on the mantle.
Cy and Thomas then move away from the mantle and into a small hallway. Cy then leads Thomas into the room at the other end of the hallway.
"Here you are." says Cy as he and Thomas enter the room.
"This is nice." says Thomas as he takes in the room.
"I know it is." says Cy.
"Where will you sleep?" asks Thomas.
"Where I always do, on my easy chair." says Cy.
"So, I get a whole room?" asks Thomas.
"All yours." says Cy.
"Thanks a lot." says Thomas as he walks over to the bed.
The next day, Cy, Conrad, Thomas, Simon, Phil, and Officer Grace are sitting at Cy's dining room table, having a Sunday brunch at Cy's request.
"Here's to the newest couple in Hyperion, Phil and Grace." says Cy, offering a toast.
"I can't believe I'm in this house." says Officer Grace, noting the various things in Cy's house.
"It's personal taste. I always dress my section of the universe to fit." says Cy. "You've succeed." says Phil.
"I know." says Cy.
"Well, I guess I should go back to my house." says Thomas.
"Nonsense, the way you said it looked? You can stay here until the house is fixed back up." says Cy.
"Thanks. I just hope that the universes get uncrossed." says Thomas.
"Well, the collision is starting to subside and the energy will eventually cause the universes to separate." says Simon.
"I hope so. Maybe when this is over, we can move on with our lives." says Cy.
Just then, a gunshot rings out and a bullet flies through Cy's kitchen window.
"I wonder who that is?" says Cy as he gets up from the table.
He walks over to the glass-paned backdoors and looks out. For a moment, Cy can't believe his eyes.
"Guys, I believe that our problems aren't over yet." says Cy.
"Why do you say that?" asks Conrad.
"Because that other Phil is in our backyard and he's got a gun." says Cy.
Cy slides the door open and steps outside as everyone else gets up from the table. When Phil steps outside, the other Phil speaks, "My counterpart. We meet at last. Too bad it's a short meeting."
"You caused trouble for me this week." says Phil.
"I did, didn't I. You helped me a bit. You even sent those FBI agents off my tail. They think I don't notice them following me in their car." says the other Phil.
"That explains my feeling of being followed." thinks Phil.
"Let me tell you, I enjoyed this week but since we both on the outside, one of us needs to go away." says the other Phil.
"I hope it's you." says Phil.
"I thinking you. You see, you're free now but not when they discover a few bodies dead in your backyard, killed by this gun." says the other Phil.
"What's that got to do with me?" asks Phil.
"The fact that this gun has my, and therefore, your fingerprints will cause the police to have proof of your criminal side and they'll put you in prison for life. Meanwhile, I'll travel this new world and commit crimes that no one can solve because the culpit is in prison." says the other Phil.
"That's an interesting plan. Too bad you can't do anything." says Cy.
"Really? I see four victims in front of me and four bodies is all I need to get this Phil put away while I have the world's greatest crime wave." says the other Phil.
"He intends on murdering us and blaming you." says Cy to Phil.
"I know." says Phil.
"I hate to stay long but I feel the universes drifting apart and I don't wish to return to mine." says the other Phil.
"I guess my life's over." says Conrad.
"Not in a million years, Conrad." says Simon.
"What plan do you have for us now?" whispers Phil.
"Easy, Phil. Since he's you, he can't truly exist in our world. All you have to do is touch him and the reaction will send him back to his world." says Simon.
"Really? Then how are we gonna stop him from firing that gun if Phil tries?" says Cy.
"Distraction. It'll work." says Simon.
"I'll do it. Hey, the other Phil. I guess you've had a great wave of crime in ten years." says Cy.
The other Phil takes the bait and starts talking, "I have. That prank that Thomas hired me for was great. Because of me, I spotted several mistakes and fixed them. When the prank occurred, I got such a rush, I decided to keep going. I came up with plans and me and Thomas did them all.
"No one could catch because I always planned an escape. In high school, I prefected my craft. I started with small crimes but they grew in size. With my deeds, I gained a few friends. I even got the girl of my dreams with a diamond neckless I stole."
"Evangeline." says Phil, standing a foot from the other Phil.
The other Phil speaks, "That's right. She didn't die in that car accident and she's still alive. It's too bad I'll never see her again but I won't miss her much. You see, I grew tired of her after awhile but I kept her for... personal purposes. It keeps things going. I also threaten to kill her if she ever left me, because she's the only one who knows where I live."
"You're a terrible person. I can't believe that you're me." says Phil.
"Me, neither. I should start killing your friends now." says the other Phil. "Really? If I touch you, everything will return to normal." says Phil.
"You're not touching me. I wanna stay here." says the other Phil.
"Too bad." says Phil as he places his hand on the other Phil's shoulder.
In a flash, a wave washes over the area and for a moment, everything is in limbo. Then, the flash dies down and the other Phil is gone.
"The universes are now apart." says Simon.
"I'm gald that's over." says Phil.
"So am I." says Cy.
As the sun rises on Hyperion this Monday, Cy walks his way to the radio station, the events of last week still rushing through his head. As he walks, he looks at the sights and wonders if anyone else suffered during last week's merger of the universes. Cy makes his way through the downtown as the sun rises a little further in the sky.
Cy soon makes it to the radio station and walks inside.
"They'll never know." says Cy to himself as he walks into the hallway that leads to the green room. As Cy enters the green room, he spots Phil at the old pinball machine.
"Good morning, Phil." says Cy as he enters.
"Good morning to you, Cy." says Phil.
"How's your day been so far?" asks Cy.
"Good, unless you bumped into Officer Grace again." says Phil.
"I didn't, Phil. Man, what a week last week was." says Cy.
"Don't I know it?" says Phil.
Just then, Conrad walks into the room.
"Good morning, Phil." says Conrad.
"Good morning, Conrad." says Phil as he hits the flipper.
"Easy on that machine, we can't replace it." says Conrad.
"I wish they would." says Phil.
"How's Thomas?" asks Conrad.
"He's doing fine. Tomorrow, we're gonna go back to his old house and check it out, see if it can be saved and to see if any of the stolen goods survived the shockwave from yesterday." says Cy.
"Speaking of which, where's Simon?" says Conrad.
"He went back to Detroit this morning. He left before I woke up." says Cy.
"I guess he didn't want to explain if stuff just appeared." says Conrad.
"He wanted to get back to his own experiments." says Cy.
"How's Thomas taking living with you?" asks Conrad.
"I don't know. He's only lived with me a day and a half so far." says Cy.
"Maybe Phil can show him the ropes. You know, to heal the rift between them." says Conrad.
"Maybe I will talk to him. He seems different." says Phil.
"Maybe we can get him together with Conrad's sister here." says Cy.
"No thanks. I don't want Thomas to even look at her." says Conrad.
"Subject closed. New one open, we need to increase our ratings a bit." says Cy.
"I have no ideas on the subject." says Phil.
"Maybe you can tell our listeners a story." says Conrad.
"I'll think about it." says Cy.
"Maybe one about his mother and the shows she's done." says Phil.
"Most of those stories are not for the airwaves and the remaining ones are dull to others." says Cy.
"Let's move on, then." says Phil.
"Let us do." says Conrad.

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This concludes the two-part opening story, "The Crossover in Hyperion", which helps to start off our new series, The Quantum Argonauts, which we hope will become a cornerstone of our Saturday night lineup.

Next week, we will have a special halloween edition of The Quantum Argonauts, in which Cy tells a story for the benefit of his radio audience.

Now, stay tuned here on USBC Television for The Sara Gilbert Show.

This is USBC Television.