University of Ambrosia

This weekend, the University is hosting an international seminar on physics. There have been lectures on quantum entanglement theory, perturbation theory, practical applications of relativity, phantom energy, Dyson's eternal intelligence, and other such mundane topics. Only one person has discussed Einsten-Rosen bridges, (or 'wormholes') but his primary focus is on how those breakthroughs relate to the future of game theory.

Today, Hans Willingham himseld will broach that subject. The programme simply describes the topic as 'The Multiverse and Man.' He will be speaking outdoors because the auditorium is simply not large enough for everyone wishing to meet one of the man who helped discover other Earths. Major local figures like Mayor Hannibal Barker, Col. Sam Rodgers, (in service dress) Trustwell's Lionel Hargrave, and Alexander Chronos VI are expected to be present for this his hstoric event. None of the 'Fathers of Inderdimensional Travel' have ever spoken out in a such a public American forum since before the Reighn.

The University Chancellor, Nigel Oakmont, will be officiating the proceedings and greeting guests personally.

Erwin poured himself an orange juice very slowly, for fear of getting a drop on his suit. "Well, see, that's the twist. Vaughan was a Trustwell employee and kept his mouth shut after they started the War of the Worlds. Willingham's a free agent though, and did mostly contract work for research labs in Europe. He hates Trustwell. His last bestseller was titled Trust Not." He sipped the juice. "So where does this fascination with spacemen come from, Elize?"

"How much money would it take to feed someone who cannot qualify for food stamps? Unfortunately, Chronos's policies are in line with the government's. Starcrown Heights may as well be Guantanamo Bay for the foreseeable future. It's a sad fact, but its the price of business. Still... Einstein said that the important thing is not to stop questioning."

Alexander Chronos VI arrived outside the lecture hall via limousine, doing his best to smile and wave at the flurry of flashbulbs from the gathered press, all vying for a shot of one of the enigmatic international mogul's rare public appearances. He held himself in well in a bespoke Kiton tuxedo that cost more than the average Ambrosian made in a year, yet he did not look overly comfortable in the limelight. It was a stark contrast from his "grandfather" Alexader Chronis IV, who had spent more time in Hollywood financing pictures on behalf of the fledgling Chronos Entertainment, cavorting with actresses, and philandering than seeing to business affairs in Ambrosia. He had actually come home to Ambrosia with a California bride, his 7th and last marriage, a mediocre actress and celebrated pinup. The only similarity between the two men, besides the shared name, was their eerie similarities in appearance. If not for IV's Clark Gable moustache, which was all the rage at the time, they could have been twins.

But I digress. As Alexander VI helped a woman out of the limousine, it was clear he had finally found a companion for the evening. Unsurprisingly enough for a man that spent more time in his company headquarters than estate, he had chosen his PA Diana Kairos. The way he looked at it, this way he could work and play at the same time; make his obligatory public appearance while dictating the occasional memo and shuffling around his schedule. Besides that, she cleaned up well. Despite the rather generous salary he already paid her, he had provided her with a sizable stipend to procure clothing and jewelry befitting an evening with Ambrosia's elite.

One young man with an ungroomed goatee pushed his way to the front of the crowd. "Mister Chronos! Paul Cobb, Wolf's Howl! Your family has been in Ambrosia for two hundred years, yet despite your vast wealth, you have made no effort to improve living conditions in Starcrown, nor drawn attention to the obvious corruption and bigotry at City Hall! How do you respond to accusationss that Chronos Consolidated has abandoned its home city?!"

Erwin listened intently to her story of Preto. He had great empathy for a man whose profession embodied ruthlessness. "Those poor people... I wish I could say I could not imagine such a thing... but here we are today."

Distracted by Chronos' arrival , he answered her question with, "Not so much. He's a very private man. His father was too, though I didn't really know him." Price finished the hors d'ourve and carefully wiped his hands. "I'll introduce you." He lead his date towards the mogul and his assistant. "Mister Chronos. This is Miss Elize Groeneveld, our corporate yoga instructor. Magdelene sends her best from Washington." He pronounced Elize's surname perfectly. "Miss Kairos, I hope you're well."

Ewan arrived at the University through one of the other entrances to avoid the crowd, a habit he had picked up while travelling with his mother. He had had to purchase a suit for the event, and felt out of place in it, also looking exactly how he felt.
He could not deny a feeling of anticipation for the event, and was curious to see how the information he had leaked would go down here, and in the city at large.