Jake sat in his rocker, sad, demoralized, and miserably cynical.  His melancholy musings were interrupted by a ferocious banging on the front door.

“Jake!  Are you home?  It’s Amos from next door!”

His gloomy thoughts shattered; he pushed himself out of the chair and padded to the front door.  “Amos! Amos! Amos!  What drives you to wander the neighborhood this fine Thursday evening? I believe you ran out of cheap Italian wine and were looking for a donation. “ 

“Ah, Jake, you know me too well.”  “Let’s have a glass of ambrosia and say goodbye to another day in paradise.”

“Perhaps paradise for you, but the geese have started flying south, which means winter is fast approaching. Your paradise will turn into rain, ice, and snow.  Or, maybe you plan to leave Earth and reside in one of your imaginary worlds in another dimension?”

“Your problem is that you never took any of my physics classes and felt you could get through life with a fourth-grade education.  The universe is so much larger and more complicated than you imagine.  Let’s continue this discussion over a heavenly glass of wine or two.”

Jake sighed and knew that feeling sorry for himself would not be a part of tonight’s agenda.  He walked Amos to the kitchen, searched his wine cellar (which he kept in the second cabinet above the sink), produced a bottle of Aurman Creek Zinfandel, then found a couple of wine glasses in the dish drainer.  Amos set to work with the bottle opener,  poured the wine into waiting glasses, and sat across from each other at the kitchen table.

There was silence while they sipped their wine, which Amos broke with a chuckle. “So, do you think my dimensions are an imaginary place?”  The teacher in me cries out you desperately need an explanation. Be it known that I believe in other dimensions, but have you ever heard of the multiverse? “

Jake groaned, “Should I take notes?  Will there be a test afterward?  Anyway, why do I want to know about some physics theory that has nothing to do with my life?”

“Goodness gracious, wouldn’t it be nice to learn something new you might encounter when you pass out of these mortal coils?   The study of physics is on the edge of probing some of the greatest mysteries that have confused humankind. 

 It became increasingly apparent that this would not be an early night for bed.  Perhaps Amos could travel off to some other world and allow him to get to bed at a reasonable hour.  He sat in his chair, half-listening to Amos talk nonsense about his newly discovered physics formula, and started nodding off.  Why did I answer the door, anyway, he thought. 

“Jake,” Amos exclaimed, “I’m betting we can go to another world!” 

“Just a minute, Amos Lenti, are you telling me you know how to go to another world in another universe?   You don‘t understand real reality at all.  Plus, where did “us” get involved in your plans? “

“You don’t expect me to undertake humanity’s greatest adventure alone, do you?”  Let’s go first thing tomorrow morning.  There is nothing to fear.  The journey is the same as walking from the living room to the kitchen, and if you’re not happy, we can just come back.  I know you will want to stay and explore.  Who knows, they might even have wine! “

“I have trouble believing that we are going to another universe in your invention, Amos,” “Where are you taking me, anyway?”  

“Ah, we are going to a land of mystery.  According to my calculations, it is located in another universe far away.    I’d show you the figures, but I know you wouldn’t understand.  You’ll have to trust me about this.”

 I’ll come with you and take a look, but I do not promise anything.  You can explore some strange land all by yourself.  Right now, I’m going to bed, and you can stop by in the morning.   Take the rest of the wine home and finish it yourself.”

The following day, after Jake had finished eating his easy-over eggs and raisin toast,  Amos knocked on the back door

“Jake, adventure calls, and I told them we’re coming!”  exclaimed Amos as he let himself into the kitchen.

“Good Grief, let’s do your physics experiment soon because I have to run errands this afternoon,” declared Jake.  “Where do we have to go?”

“You’re not going to believe this, but my cellar!” 

The cellar was a mess. Amos had pushed tables and furniture to one side to make room for electronic equipment. A sparkling circle of light, stretching almost to the ceiling,  sat in the middle of the room. The edges twinkled, and the center contained a green field stretching into the distance.  

“You’re looking at another world,” Amos whispered.  “I finished fine-tuning it this morning, and now the image is in better focus. It looks like green grass, and it appears to go on for a long way.” 

“What do you call that thing, for goodness’ sake.”  

“I call it a Stargate.”  Stargates are all over our world.  Why, there is one near Sedona, Arizona.  Native Americans believe this is a “doorway of the gods.”  It is a strange stone portal to another time and space.  American Indians walking through this Portal have disappeared and never come back.” 

“Right, and you want me to walk through your so-called Stargate and never come back!” exclaimed Jake.  “I’ll tell you what will happen, though.  You will walk through the magic circle, and I’ll watch.  If you come back, maybe I’ll follow.”  

Amos swung a backpack over his shoulder and offered Jake one.  “These have emergency supplies and food, just in case.”  “I’m going to go through the Gate. I’ll take a quick look around and come back and get you.  We’ll get an idea of what awaits us for our first adventure, then plan a longer journey later.” 

“And if you don’t come back, what?”  

“There’s a folder on the tall computer with instructions and people to call.  Don’t worry!  That isn’t going to happen.  I’ve watched the opening for a few days, and nothing has gone past or tried to come in. I haven’t seen anything moving around, and it seems quite deserted.”

Amos walked over to the sparkling circle, grabbed a lawn chair, adjusted his backpack, and walked through.  Jake watched him slowly get smaller and then fade into the green background. 

Jake called after him, “AMOS! Are you OK?”  There was silence from the shimmering circle.  He chuckled and wondered why Amos hadn’t sent one of his chickens through.  On a leash, of course. 

He waited, walked to the computer, found the file folder, and dialed the emergency telephone number on the first page. 

“Doctor Taylor, physics department…” said the voice in his receiver.

“Dr. Taylor, this is Jake McDermott. I live next door to Amos Lenit, and I think we have a problem.”