This state of affairs continued for some time. Trent poured himself into his machine so that his triumph would bring Celia
closer to him. Celia hated how Trent poured himself into his machine and wished he'd pour himself into her a bit, both literally
and figuratively. Matt continued to drink coffee at or exceding the reccomended yearly dose, and Chris continued to make his
appearances at Trent's place like some sort of scientific migrant worker.
All three of them were concerned for their friend, but there was little they could do. Trent was the nucleus around which
the littlecloud of electrons orbited, and their half hearted attempts to discourage his zealotrous persuit of his goal never
quite got off the ground. They were all drawn to his ambition and his certainty despite how reckless he seemed at times. Whether
they liked it or not they were a band of adventurers following a lunatic wizard wherever he might lead.
And on one fateful day a few weeks after the events described, Trent decided to lead them somewhere. It was high time,
he thought, to test out his device. Of course there would be an official test, but by that time he'd already have to know
beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was functional.
It wouldn't do to keep the triumph to himself though. No, his three confidantes would have to be there as well. He could
invite them all seperately at the same time, introduce them and then activate the device infront of the three of them. It
was time to make some phone calls:
"Hello, Celia? I know I've been spending a lot of time on the machine lately and I want to make it up to you. Can you come
by my place around eight? ... Oh, yeah if seven's better for you I understand. Alright that's fine. Love you too Smoochums.
Well, one down, two to go..."
"Hey, Matt? I have a friend over who says that a Mocha Latte has less froth than a vente caramelchino. Yeah I KNOW! That's
exactly what I told him! There couldn't possibly be if the thingy wasnt put through the steam doodle! Alright I'll see you
at seven." And that made two with one to go. But the last invitation would take some careful maneuvring, some tact and cunning
on Trent's part.
"Hey Chris, something needs fixed on the machine, get over here at seven. Bye."
Having set things in motion Trent proceded to make the final adjustments on the device and make sure everything was in
order for the exhibition. One switch led to another, one double check led to a triple check, one triple check led to an unprecedented
quadruple check, and that led to Trent realizing he hadn't yet been to sleep, which led to a very curious imprint on his cheek.
There was a knock at the door. Trent moaned through a mouthfull of lever and raised his head. He took off his glasses to
rub his eyes, put them back in their predestined place, and yawned. "I'll be right there." He murmured in a tone still half
asleep.
At the door he found Matt, who was naturally most likely to be the first to arrive.
"Where is this guy?" He asked in his usual quick and sharp tone. "I'll show him a two or thing about coffee!"
"Hmmm?" Trent asked in momentary confusion.
"Damn man, you look like you could use a cup of java." Matt said with a laugh as he came inside and shut the door. No sooner
had he done this though than Trent found himself welcoming his second guest, Chris.
"You fell asleep on the control panel again didn't you." Chris asked in a half interested and vaguely concerned tone.
"Mhmm..." Trent murmured as he yawned.
"Who's this?" Matt enquired.
"Oh yes!" Trent cried, remembering his plan as the thoughts of the day raced back into his formerly placid mind. "This
is Chris, he's been helping me with the project I'm sure I've mentioned him. Chris, this is Matt, a friend from the coffee
place here." No sooner was this introduction done than the final knock sounded on the door. Celia was, of course, a bit late.
Perhaps due to traffic or perhaps due to wanting to make her lover squirm, which was largely ineffectual as Trent had been
perfectly still up until Matt's arrival.
"Hello Celia." Trent said with a welcoming smile as she looked suspiciously at his company.
"So you're Celia!" Matt said, looking her over.
"And you must be the one who's been keeping Trent in the delusion that this dimension-doodle is going to work." She said
with a chuckle.
"No, I'm keeping him caffeinated, this guy's the one you want." Matt said with a laugh as Trent fiddled with a few things,
leaving them to make acquaintances. Chris managed a sheepish grin and moved to aid in the fiddling, immediately giving a look
of surprise which was silenced by one quick glare from his partner.
"So what are we all here for, besides to bask in the glow of our mutual friend?" Matt asked after a bit.
"To bask in the glow of your mutual friend's invention, of course." Was Trent's reply. His smile clearly showed how much
he was enjoying the exasperation on Celia's face and the amazement his other companions felt as he led them into the room
where he stored the device. He had borrowed three folding chairs and they sat infront of the viewing area. He gestured to
his companions to sit, which they did and then approached the controls only to be stopped by Celia.
"Oh no! You're not going to fry us all and then go and sell this thing as a death ray. You can come sit beside me and have
Chris flip the switch." Chris looked around as if to ascent to her request but to defer the honors to the leader of the project
at the same time.
"But it was my idea! I should get to flip the switch, that's only fair." Trent protested.
"Hey if you're scared to stand infront of this thing maybe I should come help you flip the switch, never know if it might
stick or not. The button on the latte foamer does that occasionally so I have expertise you see." Matt said, growing more
twitchy than usual at the mention of deathrays and Trent's seeming fear.
"I'm coming too if he is, anything a man can do a woman can do, and without as much grunting!" Celia said as she moved
to get up as well and Chris seemed ready to follow as soon as the others led. Trent could tell that he had a mutiny on his
hands, and so he quickly moved into the front of the machine and slid into Celia's seat with an impish grin.
"Alright." He relented. "Chris can throw the switch, and you can sit on my lap."
Matt was reassured and settled into his uncomfortable metal chair as much as was possible, and Celia eventually sat down
a bit too hard on Trent's lap. Chris went over to the control panel, clearly knowing what he was doing. The three viewers
stared at the blank screen and Trent gave the count down. The machine soon whirred to life and then the flipping of a switch
sounded like a thunder clap. When it was all over there were only three whisps of smoke rising from the floor where the chairs
had been and a very troubled assistant inventor.
Onward to chapter 7
