The Universe Builders: Bernie and the Putty (48 page)

“In spite of all these efforts, there hasn’t been a new award winner in this category in over seven thousand years. Let me repeat that. Seven thousand years! And here, some young kid named Bernie comes along and knocks it out of the ballpark.” Luke began sounding more and more like a country preacher.

“Bernie has a reputation as a god of few words, so I’m going to tell you about his universe, because I don’t want you to miss a thing.

“Let me begin with what the award judges told me. Bernie used a student model configuration—you know the one with a long continent around the equator and two lab continents. The judges found the planet a complete wreck. It had been banged and smashed and ripped in every way you can think of.

“To give you examples so you don’t think I’m exaggerating, the judges found earthquakes, asteroid strikes, tsunamis, melted polar caps, extreme weather events, nuclear winters, just to name a few. One judge told me he was so shocked by the wanton planetary carnage he wanted to scratch the entry and leave.”

Bernie grimaced with these unflattering revelations, and Suzie, seeming to read his mind, patted his arm.

“But then another judge saw Bernie’s higher life forms. They live in small cities scattered throughout the planet. They’re a Bronze Era society with a central government. Their cities are full of large buildings made of carved stone hauled from faraway mountains.

“The judges assumed life forms living through the planetary chaos Bernie threw at them would have been smashed back to the Stone Age with every new disaster. But that didn’t happen. They just rebuilt and moved on. One judge said the pluck was impressive, and she considered Bernie for the
Most Resilient Higher Life Form
category because they held up so well under such relentless oppression. But, ladies and gentlemen, Bernie wasn’t done impressing the judges.”

Tears began to form in Bernie’s eyes, thinking of the people on his world who had become so important to him. Regret filled him for all they had suffered.

Luke continued. “Looking at Bernie’s higher life forms, the judges were shocked to find they looked just like us. I mean
exactly
like us. There was only one difference—their skin is a light green color. Maybe we can coax Bernie into explaining that to us sometime.

“Anyway, as the judges examined Bernie’s people, they were stunned to find some looked like gods they knew! Every person since who has taken a casual stroll through any of Bernie’s cities has experienced this phenomenon. You’re sure to see a schoolmate, a coworker, a relative, or someone you know from here. There’s no doubt that would have made Bernie an award winner. But this remarkable young man still had one more thing to amaze us with.”

Bernie glanced at Alcandor, his heart full of gratitude. Alcandor winked as Luke continued.

“Perhaps because the Committee was so astounded by the similarity between these people and ours, it took them several minutes to see the most extraordinary thing of all. Bernie’s people have a shimmer! No one in the entire history of the Universe Awards has been able to create another race with a shimmer. The judges were flabbergasted. They called in the full membership of judges to see it. Bernie’s universe has caused the biggest stir in recent memory.

“The judges were impressed, and, of course, they all wanted to know how he did it, but Bernie has been tight-lipped. So, unless you can get Bernie to tell his secrets, we may be wondering about this for a long time,” Luke said as he gave the crowd a conspiratorial wink.

“Some have suggested Bernie’s creation may shed light on the mystery of our own origin. Remember, Bernie forged his godlike race by subjecting them to extraordinary trials and tribulations which appears to have produced amazing strength and resilience. And who do they look like? They look just like us!” Luke had his audience hooked, and they roared their approval.

Luke knew the crowd was ready, and he continued, “And what do we know about this remarkable new talent? That’s where the story gets even more amazing. Bernie just graduated from school this year with his degree in Building Science. After school, he started working for The Business. Nowadays, the first thing they ask new builders to do is to create a universe. Anything they want. The Business wants to make sure new employees have a chance to show what they can do. They don’t want someone like Bernie to end up on an assembly line somewhere.”

Luke paused for a dramatic effect. “So, ladies and gentlemen, are you beginning to see what I see? Are you ready for this? This was Bernie’s
first universe
! And look what he’s done! Can you imagine the things he’ll do in the future?” The implications of Luke’s words were not lost on the audience.

“So let me introduce the man who brought us this outstanding achievement, the man to whom we are presenting the coveted
Most Godlike Creation Award
. Please come on up, Bernie. Our audience wants to meet you!”

The audience broke out in cheers and applause.

Bernie’s heart pounded as he made his way to the lectern. The long walk to the front was a surreal experience. The thundering applause surrounded him, and his vision blurred as he made his way to Luke, who waited for him with a golden statue in his hand. The applause grew louder with every step. As he arrived, Luke gently guided Bernie to the microphone and turned him to face the audience. Bernie saw a sea of faces. Everyone in the room was standing and applauding. He tried to speak, but the croaking sound that came from him wouldn’t have been heard over the applause anyway. Luke let the applause continue before finally raising his hands for silence.

“Bernie, it gives me great pleasure, on behalf of the Universe Awards Committee, to present you with this award.”

As Bernie accepted the award, any words he may have planned were forgotten. The applause was back again. When silence finally prevailed, he found his voice and began to speak. “I want to thank the Committee for this award. You’ll never know how much this means to me because I… I can never tell you. There are four people I want to thank for sticking with me. Without their help, I wouldn’t be here tonight. I would probably be working in a bookstore.” The crowd laughed at what they thought was Bernie’s little joke.

Bernie looked at the people at his table. Standing taller and with more confidence, his voice grew stronger as he continued. “Mom, thank you for your guidance, and your trust, and for always believing in me. Suzie, thank you for supporting me and standing by me, and for showing me how important it is to trust my feelings. Lenny, thank you for your great ideas, for daring me to try new things, and for your friendship. And Alcandor, thank you for your wisdom, for helping me see my world in newer and grander ways, and for giving me a deep respect for all living things. Without all of you, I couldn’t have done any of this. Thank you so very much.”

Bernie looked out at the crowd and said, “And thank you all. Thank you.” And he quickly walked back to his seat. Although it was clear everyone had hoped to hear more from him, their disappointment did not show in any lack of applause. They stood again and applauded Bernie all the way back to his seat.

The only ones not applauding were the tiny creatures watching from high in the rafters above. They didn’t understand what was going on, but they knew their boy was being honored for something he had done. Of course, that didn’t come as a surprise to the lookies.

They had known their boy was special for a long time.

Epilogue

Loaded with another stack of old schoolbooks, Bernie materialized in Alcandor’s study.
Alcandor’s a voracious reader
, he thought as he placed them on the desk. He sensed movement behind him and turned.

“Hi, Bernie,” Bowin said, flashing a smile before turning around and calling out, “Hey, everyone! Bernie’s here!”

Pouring out of nooks and crannies from all over the library, they came, some of them carrying little ones.

“Can you give your blessing to the little ones, Bernie?” Gower asked the young god. “We have new ones you haven’t seen yet.”

As they gathered around, Bernie raised his hands above their heads and extolled in his most solemn voice, “I bless you and your children and their children’s children. May you live long lives filled with great happiness.” Bernie extended his shimmer, sweeping it over the gathered lookies, caressing them with the promise of his words.
They like that
, he thought, as he watched the rapture on their faces.

“Do you like it here with Alcandor?” he asked a moment later.

“Yes,” said several of the lookies at once, while others nodded vigorously.

Bernie had been pleased when Alcandor invited the lookies to his world. There were no predators here to hurt them, and Alcandor’s people loved them immediately. Bernie made some changes to the lookies when he brought them to their new home. He removed their death directive, so the lookies could enjoy long lives. He’d also adjusted their fertility rate—it would be normal for a few years and then gradually slow until it matched that of Alcandor’s people. He didn’t want their new world to think they were being overrun and cast them out.

“Where’s Alcandor?” Bernie asked Bowin.

Bowin pointed to the laboratory section of the building. “He’s working on something really important. He’s been in there all week.”

* * *

As Bernie entered Alcandor’s laboratory, he found the man sitting at his desk. Scattered all around the room were dozens of Bernie’s books. And there, on the desk, propped up in an easel, was a viewing window.

As Bernie looked into the void, he saw a planet as it rotated around a bright yellow sun.

Alcandor, noticing Bernie’s arrival, flashed him a big grin.

“Hi, Bernie,” Alcandor beamed. “Look at what I made. I think it’s pretty good!”

-the end-

Did you like the book?

If you enjoyed
The Universe Builders: Bernie and the Putty
, please write a review and tell others. It’s the best way to spread the word. Satisfied readers (like you) will guarantee more stories from Bernie’s world.

To express my appreciation, I have a FREE chapter for you. It tells about the fight between Bernie and Billy that started it all.

Yep. All the gory details, including what happened afterwards.

It’s free, and you can get it here:

www.TheUniverseBuilders.com/TheFight
/

Again, thank you very much!

Sincerely,

Steve LeBel

About the Author

Businessmen are serious people, right? Not always. Steve LeBel — hospital president, technology entrepreneur, algorithmic stock trader — is definitely not serious.

Not when he writes.

Whimsy overcomes him at the word processor. Whimsy is at the core of his novel,
The Universe Builders: Bernie and the Putty
, which he tells with a unique balance of seriousness, humor, and imagination.

He lives in Muskegon, Michigan with his wife Marge, and Mindy and Dexter, their cats. When not writing, he is busy planning his next trip, cussing out the stock market, doing tech support for friends, or dreaming up new
Universe Builder
plots
.

Website:
www.TheUniverseBuilders.com

Email:
[email protected]

Twitter:
www.twitter.com/SteveLeBel

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/SteveLeBel.author

Google:
www.google.com/+SteveLeBel

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www.goodreads.com/SteveLeBel

Acknowledgements

Writing this book has been a great experience for me. There were a lot of people who helped, especially my wife, Marge, who is my biggest fan. She added her personality to the work, as she has with most of my crazy ideas over the years. And after 43 years of marriage, we must be doing something right.

I also have an awesome group of reviewers who offered everything from editing assistance to encouragement. Some of them are authors in their own right, like Linda Watkins, Scott Payne, Ella Medler, Julie George, Karen Syed, John Prince, Darlene Blasing, Howard Ruback, and Bob Jackson. I will always be grateful for your advice and support. I have also received excellent ideas and suggestions from Ardis Schaaf, Ryan Golombeski, Walt LeBel, Bradley Wargo, Anne Hershey, Larry LeBel, Kathi Prechtel, Bill and Kathryn DeKort, Peggy Brunner, and more.