Package Physics

By: Elissa Schrum

Alice was dead tired. Not just physically exhausted, though she was definitely that as well, but also mentally tired. Her eyes were unfocused as she shuffled towards her apartment door.

She plugged her key into the lock, twisted it, and then pushed her weight against the door. It creaked open, as it always did, and she gratefully went inside.

She dumped her gear inside and leaned against the closed door, her eyes closed. She needed a shower and some food. And a new job. She couldn't be expected to allow her boss to chase her around the proverbial desk forever. Could she? It was all well and good to tell him to stop, to leave her alone, to report him to HR, but since he was the head of the startup company and she was a lowly clerk, she'd most likely be without a job. Or a recommendation for the next job. It was a tricky situation, and she hadn't figured out what to do about it yet.

Deciding she needed a shower first, Alice pushed off the door. Her apartment was small, but it was all hers, and she loved it. In her apartment, no one belittled or upset her. She had complete control. It had become her little haven. Her escape from the world outside.

She went into her bedroom and then turned directly into her bathroom to get her shower started. It could take a few minutes for the water to reach the right temperature. She ducked back into her bedroom intending to go back to her tiny kitchen so she could decide what to make for dinner, but she stopped.

There was a package on her bed.

It was a smallish box without any distinctive markings. She took a step closer. On the top of the box, in clear handwriting, was her name and address. 909 was stamped below. She didn't see any return address.

Alice glanced around her room in confusion. How had the package gotten here? Maybe her landlord had put it in here, afraid of porch pirates. It seemed unlikely as her landlord always alerted Alice if he needed to get into her apartment for maintenance, and she hadn't received a text. But maybe he had forgotten to alert her?

Then a sinking feeling fell into her stomach. What if it was from her boss? The thought of his continued harassment at her sanctuary was awful. And, she thought with an irritable snap, a step too far. If this was from that vile man, she was going to have to put in her two weeks. She'd figure out how to pay bills afterward.

Her mouth set in a grim line, she plucked the package off the bed and ripped the top seam open.

Tucked neatly near the top of the package was a short note.

I hope you like tea. –RS

Alice frowned. Those weren't her boss's initials. Nor did they match any of her previous romantic interests. She dug into the package and found a cute little ceramic teapot with matching handleless cups. The glaze was black with dark blue streaks dripping down the sides. Little yellow stars were scattered across the top.

Alice’s face split into a bemused grin. She loved tea, but usually she just nuked water in a mug. This was easily the most beautiful teapot she had ever seen. There was something about the glaze that added depth to the teapot. As if she were touching the void of space.

She looked at the note again. Who was this RS? She gently picked up the teapot and cups and put them in her kitchen. She'd have a pot of some fancy tea she'd saved for a special occasion with dinner tonight.

~~~

The next night, Alice opened the door to her apartment, exhausted again. It was necessary, she reminded herself, to stick with this job just a little longer. She haggled with herself, trying to decide how much longer she would stay, but she kept getting distracted by delightfully outlandish plots of revenge against her boss. Sighing wistfully, she opened her door.

She flicked on her light, dumped her purse by the doorway, and stopped. Another package was sitting on her kitchen counter. She bit her lip trying to keep from panicking.

She had sent her landlord a text that morning to ask about the other package, but he promised he wasn't the one who had entered her apartment. Which meant she still didn't know how the tea set had been delivered. Or, it seemed, for this new package.

The package was identical to the one from the night before. She looked at the tidy handwriting, convinced it was the same as the previous package. And like the previous package, this one didn't have a return address. She couldn't trace it to the sender.

Should she open the package? She glanced at the tea set she had used the night before. The previous night, she had been so upset at the thought that the gift was from her boss that she had opened it without thinking. But it hadn't been, and the gift had been benign, right? And maybe, she further rationalized, there was a note inside that would explain everything. Anyway, it seemed unlikely that someone trying to hurt her would include something harmful in a second package.

On a sniff, she grabbed the box and peeled off the tape. She read the note on top, smiling.

I drank some tea last night, thinking of you.
Tonight I'll sketch something fun. 
Though I imagine yours will look better. Haha.
It'd be cool if you did it too. -RS

Alice dug into the package and pulled out a leather-bound sketchbook and a package of woodless colored pencils. Completely confused, she looked at the note again.

She hadn't drawn in years, but when she was a kid, she loved to doodle. She could spend hours alone in her room listening to music, trying to draw the images in her head. She had stopped in college when she had discovered that better artists existed. It hadn't occurred to her that she had missed the fun of it.

The sender had to have known her in high school. She thought through the possible suspects, her fingers gently stroking the sketchbook. No one came to mind.

She'd ask her mother to send her an old yearbook. Seeing those faces could spark a memory. It was something to do, in any case.

But for right now, she hugged the sketchbook to her chest, picked up the pencils, and sat at her small dining table. After a deep breath, she began to draw.

~~~

The next night, Alice opened her door with a sense of expectant excitement. As if she had been inoculated against his repulsive comments, the smarmy boss hadn't mattered today. Her sender, whoever they were, had inadvertently given her a shield against her usual indignities. During her break at work, she had pulled her sketchbook and pencils out and mindlessly doodled in a way that made her the happiest she had ever been. At least at work.

Inside her apartment, she looked around her living room. She didn't see any package, so she went into her kitchen. She looked around the counters and even opened her few cabinets, but she didn't find anything. Feeling disappointed, she went into her bedroom, but she didn't find a package there nor did she find one in her bathroom. Sighing, she went back into her living room and sat on the couch.

It was ridiculous to be so disappointed. Two mysterious packages from a random admirer were not something she needed. It was creepy, she reminded herself. However, if she was being honest, she didn't entirely agree with herself.

She rubbed her hands roughly over her face. She shouldn't fixate. She had other things to worry about, like making a plan to leave her awful job. This had been a fun distraction, but it was time to refocus on her life. On this thought, she reached over and grabbed her laptop.

She had started browsing through various recruiter websites when the air around her started crackling as if a kernel of electricity was building. She looked around, wondering if there was something wrong with her electrical sockets (it was an old apartment, after all) when she saw a few flashes of light on her coffee table. The flashes sporadically popped for a few moments, then abruptly stopped, a package appearing in its place.

Alice stared at the package, her mouth hanging open. It hadn't been there a few seconds ago. She knew it hadn't been there. It had just... materialized.

She set her laptop aside and picked up the package. It was slightly warm to the touch. She ran her fingers over the same tidy handwriting and opened the package. She picked up the note inside, her confusion increasing.

Hopefully you don't mind me sending you a 
communication device. I'll message you shortly. -RS

Alice heard a ringing sound coming from inside the box and quickly dug out a strange, heavy triangle. She needed both hands to hold it up. Along the top of the smooth triangle was a faintly glowing dot.

Biting her lip, Alice tapped the dot. The top of the triangle popped open, revealing a small projector. In the space above, the top half of a man she had never seen appeared. The image was so clear that it was as if he was actually in the room with her.

He blinked at her, jerking back.

“Hey, can you hold the device farther away from your face?” he asked.

Alice placed it on the coffee table in front of her, her mouth still open.

“Ah, much better,” the man said. He smiled at her. “I was getting an in-depth view of your nose before.” He paused again, perhaps expecting a laugh, then continued, “Not that your nose isn't cute. I just wasn't expecting to see it so close.”

“What's happening?” Alice asked sharply.

The man's smile shrank. “Well, I wanted to check that you've been getting your packages.”

Alice grabbed the notebook that was in the bag next to her. “You sent me this?” she asked, holding it up.

“Yes,” he replied. “Have you used it yet?”

Alice hesitated, holding the notebook close to her chest. “Yes, I have.”

“So you like it?”

“Very much. And while I'm grateful for it, I'd still like to know who you are.”

The man nodded. “I'm Rory. And you're Alice, right?”

“How do you know that?” She was getting worried. 

“I will answer your questions, but first let me ask a few.” When Alice didn't say anything, he said, “Have you guys discovered quantum physics?”

“Yes,” Alice answered slowly.

Rory's smile widened. “And have you tapped into the quantum realm?”

Alice stared blankly at him. His smile dimmed.

“Like,” Rory continued patiently, “have you figured out that quantum objects can be in two places at once? They can move through barriers separating them?”

Alice's eyebrows furrowed. “No?” 

Rory nodded as if he had been given sad news. He looked to his side, and she could hear him tapping a few keys. “So quantum shipping...” he started, still looking away.

“Is totally not a thing we do,” Alice finished.

Rory nodded as he turned back to the screen. “I figured. If someone is from a universe with that capability, they usually respond with the first gift. But, I wanted to make sure.” He smiled again.

And despite her trepidation and hesitancy, Alice smiled back. “So what are you saying? You're from another universe?”

Rory nodded. “Yep.”

Alice snorted out a laugh. “That's it? Just ’yep.’”

Rory laughed with her.

Alice continued. “And you just breached time and space to...what? Say, 'Hey'?”

Rory smiled, looking away from her. “I sound nuts, don't I?”

“Yep.” They grinned at each other. “Well, I mean, why would you contact me?”

He looked away, considering his words. He looked a little nervous. “Well, in my universe, we were together.”

Alice's eyes popped open. “Together how?”

Rory leaned back in his chair, his hands cradling the back of his head. “Like, married,” he said baldly.

“Married?” 

“Yeah,” his smile grew sad. “From what I can tell, our universes are a few years apart. My Alice and I dated for a few months, then we got married. And we were happy. It was a really great relationship. She made me better than I could have imagined, and I think I did the same for her. But then Alice got sick and well...” he trailed off. He looked down at his lap.

“So what are you saying?” Alice asked.

Rory hesitated. “Well, since she... passed... I've been universe fishing. Trying to find Alice again.” He stopped and closed his eyes. “God, that sounds crazy.”

“Yeah, that is kinda creepy,” Alice said softly.

“I'm not saying you're wrong,” Rory held his hand up defensively, “But it’s not uncommon here. I've given myself a year to see if I can find another Alice, then I have to move on.”

“So you've found other versions of me?” Alice asked. This was fantastic to hear, and, if she was honest with herself, completely romantic. 

“Yes.”

“And do they tell you it's creepy too?”

Rory smiled in a self-deprecating way. “You're not the first Alice to tell me that. Though, I must say, you're being very kind about it.”

Alice sighed. “I guess it makes sense to me. If you had something amazing, you'll try to make it happen again.”

Rory nodded, his chin resting in his hand. “Yes, exactly.”

“So what happens now?” Alice asked.

“Between you and me? Unfortunately nothing.” He straightened in his chair. “I asked about the quantum stuff because there are universes out there that have perfected the shipping stuff—like mine—and there are others that have perfected the transportation stuff. And if yours had done that, we could meet. See if we hit it off. But...you know...” 

Alice leaned back on her couch as she understood. “Have you found a universe like that with another Alice?”

Rory laughed. “Yeah, but she was definitely not interested.” He laughed a bit longer and then sighed. “In any case, we can still be friends.”

Alice shook her head incredulously. “Like multiverse pen pals?”

Rory laughed again. “Yeah, exactly. Like, I'd love to see what you've doodled in the sketchbook I got you.”

Alice looked at Rory and sighed. “Yeah, I guess I can do that.”

~~~

They spent another enjoyable evening talking. After she showed him the doodles she had done at work that day, he showed her the few that he had done the night before. She suggested they brew some tea to drink together and sat talking for hours.

He told her about his family, and she told him all about her boss at work. He was properly indignant at her treatment and said to her that in his universe, the boss would have been severely punished and ridiculed. It pleased her that her boss would have received repercussions somewhere in the multiverse.

“Well if you're a couple of years ahead of me, then maybe I can hope for your future,” she said.

He took a drink from his mug. “I'm sure you'll find some way to deal with him. I can tell you're resilient.”

Suddenly, there was a knock behind her. She started, then turned towards the door.

“I wonder who that is?” she asked. “It's so late.”

“I think I know,” Rory said. He sighed. “I think I should go. But if you want to call me back sometime, feel free.”

Before she could protest, Rory was gone.

There was another knock at the door, this one more timid.

In normal circumstances, Alice wouldn't have opened the door, especially because it was so late. But tonight, normal circumstances had been thrown out the window.

She jumped up from the couch and wrenched the door open.

Rory was standing outside.

She couldn't believe it. “What?” Alice exclaimed. “How? How did you get here?”

Rory looked confused. He looked down at a small device in his hand, then sheepishly at her. “Sorry, I know this is going to sound crazy, but – long story short – I've been getting weird messages from someone. He told me that he'd be here.”

“Right,” Alice said. She felt tears collecting in her eyes but refused to let them fall. She cleared her throat. “Wow, that sounds like a crazy story.”

“Tell me about it,” the Rory-lookalike said quickly. He looked like he had been dying to talk about it but had bottled it up. “So, I got this weird package at my house yesterday, then I got this tonight.” He held up the small device. “It just...appeared...” He trailed off, looking miserably confused. “I'm so sorry to bother you. Especially since it’s so late. I wasn't sure if he'd be here, but I really wanted to know how he'd done the whole package delivery thing.” He paused, looking down the breezeway of her apartment building. “Anyway, I guess I'll leave you alone.” He turned to leave.

“Wait!” Alice called after him. “I got packages, too.” The man stopped. “The past two nights. And then I saw the package appear tonight.” He turned to face her, listening. “And you're maybe the only person who would believe me. Would you like to come in?”

The man looked down and sighed. “Sure. I'd like that.” He turned back to the door and held out his hand. “I'm Rory,” he said.

Alice smiled. “Nice to meet you, Rory. I'm Alice.”

Elissa Schrum began writing as a kid and has never really stopped. After completing two manuscripts of a trilogy, she began seeking a writing community. After attending several writing workshops, she recently had her first piece published in Kindred Characters Literary Journal. When she’s not writing, she’s captaining her pirate crew of ruffians (also known as being a stay-at-home parent).