Philopheles came to me at midnight and advised that it was time for the question and answer session. He informed me that I would be allowed to ask questions as well as answer them. This sounded fine to me. "Now I should get some answers," I thought. "How wonderful to have access to the highest authority." "Before we go," Philopheles said, turning to me, "Here is your copy of The Book of Philopheles. You will find it enlightening. By the way, Zo (sometimes Zoe) is the root word for 'Life,' in case you are not aware of it. We could call it The Book of Life, but I prefer 'Philopheles' for obvious reasons." He handed me a gold-colored disk in a sealed, transparent box. "This is what is known on Level 1 as a CDROM. It is a form of information storage currently being used in the field of personal computers. Since you will scroll through it, I will call it a scroll of The Book of Philopheles." "Thanks," I said, putting the device in my breast pocket. As I did so, I wondered how my breast pocket had become so large. Then, I put it out of my mind.

Philopheles looked at me intently. After a moment, He said, "We have decided to issue you the Instant Universal Cognition package. It seems appropriate. What it will do is allow you to understand all languages, clear text as well as encoded and all meaningful physical manifestations of human entelechy. I might add that it includes, among other things, mind reading, symbolism and mathematics. We formerly called this gift ICU but have recently referred to it as UIC." "I see," I said, not really understanding anything, (ICU and UIC seemed to mean the same thing to me). Philopheles moved back away from me and uttered something unintelligible, (obviously, I didn't have the gift yet). While this was being vocalized, He looked at me and, using his right hand, gave the universal sign for being off one's rocker: clockwise circular motions of the index finger while pointing to His right ear. Once He had finished, I felt quite normal except for the impression that I had been given something very valuable.

I went with Philopheles, by way of the usual metaphysical gyrations, to a circular room. One, in his George Burns manifestation, was seated at a large round table, waiting for us. We took our respective seats, respectfully, and I was filled with awe and anticipation of what would occur. In retrospect, I feel that I was circumspect and introspective during the inspection.

Philopheles was seated next to One with me across from Them. Philopheles asked the first question: "Are you ready to begin?" "Yes, Sir," I replied. "First you must take an oath. Raise your right hand," Philopheles said. "Do you swear?" He asked. "Yes, occasionally," I responded. "Do you swear not to swear in the future?" was the next question. "Yes, I swear not to swear," I said. I thought to myself that I had just sworn off on swearing. This was no big deal anyway, since I never did swear very often.

"First, let Me say," One began, "you may ask your questions first. Direct them to Philopheles, since He is my spokesperson." "Yes, Sir," I replied. "You may begin," he said, softly.

"Is there a Wizard here?" was my first question. "Yes," was the answer, "His name is Willard, The Willard of Zo. Willard's function is to provide pseudo-truth to those who seek it."

My next question was: "Is this place the same as Never-Never Land?" The answer: "It could be called 'Hardly-Ever Land,' since we hardly ever call it that."

I asked, "What happens when we die?" Philopheles answered, "The subject, in Level Three, comes before One for a complete recapitulation of his life, with all errors annotated. If the subject is contrite and repents of any wrongdoing, he is sent to Level Two. There, his existence will be whatever he desires it to be forever. If not, the subject will be erased from One's infinite memory as though he had never existed."

Question: "If I die and go to Level Two, can I have a perfect physical body and seven gorgeous wives?" Answer: "Since the stipulation was that your existence was to be whatever you wanted it to be, there are no limitations. There are many reasons why it is called the Infinite Bliss Level. Virtual Reality there is really just an unlimited, eternal dream. Don't forget the comic book, Sniffles and Mary Jane. The Wizard told Mary Jane, 'Just one wish, and only one, but whatever it is, it shall be done.' Mary Jane, as most females would, thought long and hard before making her wish. Finally she said, 'I wish… I wish… I wish I could have all the wishes I wanted.' Don't overlook implied possibilities."

Question: "Since we are talking about opportunities, would it be permissible that, upon returning, I might have the ability to take on, at will, the form and abilities of Elvis Presley?" Answer: "Yes, you may, if you agree that it would not be used for your own, or anyone else's, sexual gratification." Additional questions: "Would I be protected from any harm coming to me, if I were granted this ability, and how would it be implemented?" Answers: "Yes, you would be protected. The incarnation is activated by the intonation, in the monotone G above middle C, concert pitch, of, 'Oh great I Am, my Father bless me. Make me Elvis Aaron Presley.' The intonation to return to normal is, 'Oh great I Am and Holy One, make me Paul J. Overton,' in the same monotone." "I agree," I said. Philopheles replied, "Very well, your wish is granted. Remember to use it wisely. The reincarnate form will always be in the peak of health and fitness and the age will be appropriate to the occasion. Costumes, etc. go with the form. You will be a virtual reincarnation, not a clone. Your own consciousness and memory will be retained and in addition you will possess all of the subject's memories, abilities and mannerisms. If you should fall asleep, you would revert to normal." I fumbled for something to write on, and with, so as not to forget the instructions. I thought to myself, "I must get a pitch pipe for G above middle C."

Question: "If all you have to do is repent, what is the urgency of living a good life?" Answer: "You can't imagine the regret and anguish you will feel over any wrong deeds. The same goes for the disappointment and disapproval of your Creator. Additionally, you would have to endure some of the pain and suffering that you had caused others."

Question: "Could I ever tire of living on Level Two eternally?" "Answer: "No, because you would have any capability your heart desires. This could include the ability to play God - create your own world, populate it with beings of your own design and be involved in their existence. One never tires of this and neither would you. Of course, your design could never be superior to human beings, since they are made in One's own image. Imagine a world where all human instincts were directed toward egalitarian goals? Perhaps your creation would be identical to One's. Would you allow your created beings to propagate themselves out of house and home? Or, would you have them pass on to something better? You can hardly envisage how satisfying it is to create, and then be involved in, human entelechy. We know that music is 'your thing.' You would be permitted, if you desired, to acquire the ability to write and perform music that you cannot now imagine. You could literally cause your audience to become so enamored of your music that they could never get enough of it - actually have the ability to wrap your listeners around your little finger." "Wow!" I said. "What about," He continued, "…choosing your personal favorite from among your created ones and placing your music into his/her mind - divine inspiration? Don't forget that you are one of the Sons of God. As such, you are a part of Him. Anything He can do, you would be permitted to do on His behalf. Just remember that anything is possible in a Virtual World and that the only thing that is real for anyone is that little file stored in One's Absolute Memory."

Question: "What is the meaning of the writing: 'In the beginning was the Word. The Word was God and the Word was with God?'" Answer: "We are not going into the source of this Scripture, however it must be assumed that the words 'God' and 'The Word' are synonymous. The ambiguousness stems from translations of ancient languages."

Question: "Is there such a place as Hell?" Answer: "Hell, no! or rather, no Hell. Life on earth sometimes comes close to being Hell. To be erased from One's Eternal Memory is punishment enough for anyone. This thought may be abhorrent to some who relish the idea of eternal fire and brimstone. Of course, it would always be the fate of someone else, not oneself."

Question: "Why did One create the world, its contents and man?" Answer: "One came out of his ivory tower, (The Universal Mind), and experienced the joys and sorrows of existence as a physical being. He understands, therefore, every detail of human entelechy." (There's that word again, I must look it up.) "He decided to create man with intelligence, the ability to reason and free will. One expects creatures with human intelligence to be able to discern His creativity throughout nature. This is especially true with respect to man's own creation. One assumes intelligent, right-minded human beings will recognize His existence and worship Him out of respect for all He has done. No matter how miserable a life may be, it will be worth one's while, a thousand times over, when it is concluded. By creating each individual, One has given them the opportunity to earn the ultimate reward, eternal life with Him. When a life on earth is ended, only the most belligerent, resentful, unreasonable and stubborn of souls will deny Him and lose everything. This is the fate of those erased from One's Eternal Memory."

Question: "What, and where is the seat of consciousness and the soul?" Answer: "All of a person's memories, personality, mental abilities and consciousness reside in a small, personalized compartment of One's Eternal Memory (OEM, we could call it). The virtual body and virtual brain function as an intermediary between Virtual Reality Level One and One's Eternal Memory, by way of all the Virtual Reality Emulation software. All OEM information is real, since it resides in One's Absolute Reality. Being erased from One's memory is the only status that could be termed death. What you would term death is only what amounts only to a change of virtual body, associated with a Virtual Reality Level change. Of course, promotion to Level Two, as opposed to Level One, results in the acquisition of many new physical and mental features."

Question: "What is the definition of adultery?" Answer: "A married person having carnal knowledge of someone other than his or her spouse or a single person having carnal knowledge of someone else's spouse. Single people, with each other, have enough stigmata applied to them already without adding this one as well. Love is the most important ingredient in any intimacy, married or single."

Question: "Was there an Adam and an Eve, and did their partaking of the forbidden fruit condemn the whole of humanity to retribution?" Answer: "There were about one hundred Adams and one hundred Eves, all of diverse genetic stock, in every race. The only thing that could be called "Sin" is the willful violation of One's commandments. Repentance and changing one's ways is sufficient to wipe the slate clean. Guilt is not inherited from a person's ancestors. Remember the text: 'I came not into the world to destroy the world, but that every man, through Me, should have everlasting life.' In other words, it was an example for humanity to live their lives by."

"Is the Universe infinite?" I asked. "Finite, but unbounded," was the reply.

Question: "How is it possible to raise the dead? How about people who have been cremated and all their DNA destroyed?" Answer: "Remember the little file that each person has, in One's Eternal Memory. Along with all the physical and mental characteristics of a person, and all their memories, every part of a person's DNA is recorded there also. That is all that is necessary to reconstitute one's Virtual body. The individual's consciousness is easily restored as well."

Question: "How was the first life formed?" Answer: "It certainly didn't come about, as Carl Sagan suggested, by random assemblages of primordial soup. The first life, and the first cell, was formed, as all other life forms are, by an act of One's will. Only a driveling idiot would believe the metaphorical, male bovine fecal material, (commonly abbreviated 'BS') that Sagan and his ilk are so desperately prone to swallowing. They would have you believe that DNA was formed by chance combinations of primordial soup components, and then executed itself into a living cell. This is just as absurd as the idea of writing a program, which could execute itself outside of a computer."

"Let us explore the likelihood of life arising by chance combinations of protolife components. If you take a single bit of binary information, the chances of it recurring are great. Add one more bit and the chances are smaller. Keep adding bits to the string until you have a Gigabyte of binary information. By that time, the chances of it occurring by chance are infinitesimal. To obtain DNA, by random combination, would require trillions of years. Even then, the DNA would have no cell in which to exert its influence. All commonly held theories assume that the world is absolute, which it is not. Therefore, it is pointless to waste time by discussing evolution."

Question: "How about the residual heat from the Big Bang, coming from every direction in the universe, that astrophysicists always talk about?" Answer: "It is an attribute of the virtual space-time in which the Virtual Universe exists."

Question: "What is the shape of the Universe?" Answer: "It seems to be shaped like a sphere, but its true shape can only be imagined by analogy. One analogy, commonly used, is the surface of a soap bubble. The surface represents four-dimensional space-time closed upon itself, constantly expanding. Its size is so great compared to its rate of expansion that it never seems to get any larger. Theoretically, if you go in a straight line, you eventually reach your starting point. There are people who believe the universe is open, however the results would be much the same, except for the idea of a straight line ending up where it began. You don't really expect Us to contradict what Level 1 brains have proven mathematically, do you? They are close enough for government work. Carl Sagan suggested that the universe might be an electron in the next higher level universe and that likewise all electrons in this universe might be universes at the next lower level, ad infinitum both upward and downward. This idea apparently requires the universes to be closed. It could be called the ultimate conjecture. It is not for man to know whether or not this conjecture is valid."

Question: "Why is the Universe so enormous?" Answer: "Do not forget that everything in your world is virtual, not absolute. The Virtual Universe appears to be billions of light-years across (each light-year being nearly 6 trillion miles). In actual fact, the size of the Universe is limitless, since it is virtual. One's will is thus, that the potential size of the Universe be infinite. Hubble, (Level One soul), deduced that galaxies are receding from the viewer at a speed which is directly proportional to their distance. Implicit in this is the possibility that there is a horizon beyond which nothing can be seen because light has not yet reached the earth. We are neither confirming nor denying this possibility."

Question: "Why do galaxies seem to rotate as a disk, rather than as a number of entities in orbit?" Answer: "Since a galaxy is so large, the gravity between entities is more significant than would normally be the case. The entities in areas near the center of a galaxy are held in place more by gravity from other entities and less by the normal equilibrium that would exist between centrifugal force and the gravity from the center of the galaxy."

Next question: "Do other universes exist?" Answer: "Not in a way that it would be possible to comprehend with a human intellect."

Question: "How is it possible for space-time to have an attribute such as curvature?" Answer: "Easy. Since space-time is virtual (as is everything else in Virtual Reality), it may have any attribute that the Reality Emulation software allows. Relativity is a good example of the use of attributes in Virtual Reality."

Question: "Could I have a quick, verified example of Virtual Reality at work?" Answer: "Certainly. A very good example was aired on The Discovery Channel of cable TV recently. The story was essentially as follows: Two Scotsmen, middle aged, were walking near a loch. As they came over a rise, they saw in the distance, approximately ½ mile away, a cottage that neither had seen before. The cottage had two chimneys and a tile roof. The building, as well as the tile roof, appeared to be new. There was no moss or debris on the roof. Both of the observers saw the same thing and both agreed in every detail. They were anxious to confirm the existence of the cottage which, as We have said, neither of them had seen before. Both of the gentlemen were thoroughly familiar with the locality. When they came over the last rise between themselves and the site where the cottage had been seen, no cottage was found. Indeed, no such cottage was found anywhere near the location where it had been seen. Neither of the men had anything to gain by falsifying his testimony and both were known to be normal, honest people who had lived all of their lives in the area. The same program contained almost the exact same experience of a man from the US as well as one had by an elderly woman in England."

Question: "Where did One come from?" Answer: "He has always existed and will always exist. He exists in a metaphysical state, which you would call The Universal Mind or the Absolute. One's existence in Virtual Reality is somewhat like yours, but unlimited in scope."

Question: "Could I find out more about One's computer? What is it like and where does it reside?" Answer: "First you must know more about One Himself. He created an Absolute Reality. There He has a Physical Body and a physical world. He has everything there except human beings (a few prototypes, maybe). His Absolute Reality contains elements and physics analogous to Level 1 Virtual Reality. His computer exists there. All of His handiwork design and programming work is done at the Absolute Reality Level. Most of the computer consists of a virtually endless cluster of neuron-like modules. His device, which is analogous to a CPU, is called SPEW (Sending Pulses Every Whichaway). The machine utilizes a language made up of a series of very large bytes (mouthfuls) called GOSICEM. This stands for God's Own Symbolic Interchange Code for Endless Memory. His machine is self-expanding and all programs are automatically debugged if it should ever be necessary. When His program was started, Level One experienced what is commonly referred to as the Big Bang. One entered his own Virtual Reality and much of the time He exists, virtually, on Level Two or Level Three. One may return to His Absolute Reality any time He wishes. Each of the three Levels of Virtual Reality has its own Reality Emulator. All Levels have their own restrictions and characteristics. One is always unlimited regardless of Level." Philopheles smiled as He finished His description of One's handiwork.

Question: "If there were a nearly infinite number of galaxies, wouldn't the sky be almost infinitely bright?" Answer: "No, because the farther away an object is, the less the light that arrives at a given location. If a galaxy is far enough away, hardly any quanta of light arrive at Earth in any reasonably short period of time."

Question: "When I return to Level One, am I to write my story?" Answer: "Yes, We want you to make people think about the evidence for the existence of One, which is all around them."

Question: "Where do you, Philopheles, come in?" Answer: "Remember the verse from the Scripture, 'The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.'"

One more question: "Why do You both use pseudonyms, rather than the names I would expect?" Answer: "The names are only symbolic, like variable names in a computer program."

I asked again, "How fast is the Universe expanding?" The answer: "Not very fast when you consider its vast size. Each ten billion years of expansion is increasing the diameter of the universe about as much as the diameter of the Earth would increase if you were to create a drop of new water in the ocean."

Question: "Will the universe keep expanding forever?" Answer: "Yes, but don't worry about it because Earth's Virtual Sun would swell and consume it eventually. The Virtual Earth was never intended to last forever. When the Transition Day program goes online everything will change for all humanity, past and present. There will be new Virtual Reality Levels One and Two. This will not interfere with the existence of those already residing in Level Two. Their lives will merely be enhanced."

Question: "Does One know everything that will happen before it occurs? If He did, there would seem to be no point in us believing in free will." Answer: "One knows everything that is knowable. In some ways this is like knowing all possible chess games starting from all possible beginnings. He knows what is likely and what is unlikely (without his intervention). He knows everything that has happened and everything as it exists in the moment you call now, wherever you are. He knows everything He plans to do, based on whatever you do, and on what His will for you is. Free will is real, however He has a good grasp of what you are likely to do, based on circumstances and past actions. Let us just say He knows whatever is knowable and has a good idea of what the likelihood of everything else is. The position of all atomic particles in the universe at a given time is knowable only if it does not involve the concept of absolute space and time. Neither is accepted, scientifically (if you agree with Einstein). One always knows everything that does not involve predicting free will, randomization, absolute time or absolute space. He can, however, give a good educated guess on anything. Also, remember the chess analogy; He can always force your hand, giving you no choice but to do what He wants."

Question: "How do You explain the apparent accomplishments of ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptian pyramids, giant heads, and the perfectly spherical, six feet in diameter, stones found in Central America?" Answer: "Never underestimate what civilized man can accomplish, especially when acquired abilities are augmented by belief in a beneficent Creator. Do not forget what your anthropology professor had to say on this subject. I might mention in passing that it is impossible for human beings to tell where the results of creation leave off and those of processes involving the passage of time begin. For example, We will say neither how nor when the first generation of Homo sapiens came to exist, only that it was One's will. Regarding the races, as you no doubt have already inferred, One very easily accomplishes genetic manipulation in Virtual Reality. He achieved this diversity without leaving his easy chair."

Question: "What are the facts in the evolution/creation dichotomy? Answer: "What science sees as evidence for evolution is, in reality, simply the normal result of creation in progress. Such is the way creation works with ongoing life forms. Some species are allowed to die out after spawning new ones. Mutation, random as it is, is seldom if ever beneficial. Science would have you believe that mutation causes adaptation as well as allowing new species to arise, complete with anatomical features, improved interface with the environment and necessary instincts for survival, reproduction, procurement of food, etc. It is difficult for Us to imagine that anyone on Level 1 really believes what is so obviously metaphorical male bovine fecal material. The only reason they do believe it is their sheer determination not to believe in the Creator. As long as the Creator is ruled out, grasping at the flimsiest straws of physical evidence seems logical. Seagoing creatures choosing to adapt to life on dry land is one example. The ultimate absurdity in this reasoning is the subsequent decision of mammals to adapt to a return to the ocean, as whales, seals, etc. Additionally, how could survival of the fittest apply to a small beneficial change in the body of a creature, caused by random mutation? Why would all others, without the new feature, necessarily die out? Or would you have the mutation be so genetically dominant as to pervade the entire species? You could even fall back on natural selection, having the creature with the new feature get preferential breeding rights." "Thank you," I said, "personally, I have no difficulty whatever in recognizing the Creator's handiwork throughout nature."

Question: "How is the information contained in the DNA used to create a human being?" Answer: "Half of the DNA in the fertilized ovum originated in that cell and the corresponding half originated in the father's reproductive cell. The two halves are combined at the moment of conception. The information within the DNA is basically in three parts. First are the approximate specifications for the stages of growth, maturation and aging of the person, from a single cell to a mature aging adult. This includes specifications for the capability of producing new reproductive cells. Some of them will contain one half of the child's DNA and others will contain the other half of his/her DNA. Secondly, directions for the replication of the entire DNA. Tertiary are all the specifications for various kinds of organs, tissue etc. and specifications for the virtual protein molecules, virtual enzymes, virtual amino acids, etc. There are many other specifications contained in the DNA, which We are not elaborating now. The quality and availability of raw materials affects every step, and consequently the eventual size and condition of the body. Part of the DNA is much like a programming language. Programs do not run themselves. This is where the cell's mechanisms combined with One's software come in. The cell's processes read the information in the DNA and use One's software to produce the parts of a cell (including DNA replication). Then the virtual molecules, synthesized virtual proteins, etc., are organized and moved into position to enable cells to be created by division. In so doing, they construct virtual organs, virtual tissue, etc., first resulting in a growing embryo, then a baby. One's software continually executes the programs, which utilize, among other things, information that originated in the DNA, to allow the baby to grow to maturity and eventually age and die. If disease did not terminate the functioning of the virtual body, eventually exceeding the maximum allowable degree of loss of the ability to replace cells through division would. After a predetermined number of divisions, ability of cells to reproduce by further division diminishes. This deterioration is programmed into the DNA. It usually begins sometime before the age of 120 years. Many, but not all, of the details of growth, maturation and aging are specified in the DNA. Exercise, diet or even air quality, for example, may affect these processes. Much of the above is common knowledge or commonly assumed. Further details of the facts of life may be found in The Book of Philopheles."

Question: "Why did One create us and put us on this imperfect Earth?" Answer: "There would really be little sense in putting intelligent creatures, capable of feeling all human emotions, into a perfect world. They would, for one thing, not be capable of appreciating the many benefits of it all. You could never fully appreciate, a drink of cool water if you had never experienced thirst. Likewise, you could never appreciate a deep breath of brisk mountain air if you had never experienced the lack of it. The most important lessons to be learned from one's stay on Earth are the experiences of disappointment, loss of loved ones, pain and suffering, et al. Empathy for the suffering of others is also an important lesson that must be learned through first hand experience. The experience, which many persons have, of sharing in the creation of new life through reproduction, is very beneficial to those who live through it. Appreciation for the very existence of mankind (creation, with all its evidences of the Creator's intelligence) is invaluable. Of course, man is always free to indulge in evil, hatred, bigotry and the like. When life on Earth is finished, such persons will pay the price (regret, anguish and remorse) and possibly find their existence terminated, (in the event of belligerence, lack of repentance, etc.)."

Philopheles spoke again, after a moment, "You will have an opportunity to ask further questions, even of One himself, but for now let Us just ask you one or two." "Fine," I replied. He went on to ask me if I understood my mission and if I felt up to the task. I told Him I did and He seemed satisfied with the session. After bidding farewell to One, Philopheles and I returned to what I now thought of as "our" room and I relaxed a while, mulling over recent events.

Philopheles addressed me and said, "In three hours (Zo time, naturally) you will meet with One in his Relaxation Room. There you will have an opportunity to converse with Him as well as a viewing of his Creation." "Great," I responded eagerly, "I'll be ready."

While I waited for my appointment with One, I did some further furnishing of the room, including some tapestries, etc. and had a little snack with a steaming mug of hot-buttered rutabaga cider. It tasted a lot better than it sounds. This would be especially good on cold mornings back in the Okefenokee. The snack consisted of loaves and fishes, which I felt was appropriate. No matter how much I ate, I always had a lot left over. To dispose of the waste, I just clicked my imaginary mouse on my tabletop and dragged it to my imaginary garbage can. "High diddly dee, I love this Level Three."

Philopheles returned and suggested that since it was nearly time for my appointment, I should implement an experience to get to One's R&R room. I decided to use a verbal implementation password. I stepped up to our favorite wall and said, "I command you wall (y'all) like Jericho, become but dust as down you go." A door-sized portion of the wall instantly turned to dust and fell in a heap. Immediately, a large vacuum apparatus appeared and hoovered up the dust, leaving a long passageway accessible.

I walked down the passageway to a largish room, which was well furnished and dimly lighted. There One welcomed me and asked me to have a seat in a comfortable-looking easy chair. He thanked me for coming and asked if there was anything I would like Him to do for me. I asked politely if He could arrange for me to see my father, whom I believed to be on Level Two. He said, "Of course, We will summon him now." With a snap of his fingers and a flourish, my father appeared before us. He was very much alive, very normal and was dressed in his carpenter's overalls, complete with nail apron and hammer in its loop at his side. I asked him if he was busy and happy and he replied, "I sure am. I am building houses for new arrivals all the time." I told him how much I love him and how I am looking forward to being with him eventually. He indicated that he hated to run, but that he was trying to finish a house in time for a new tenant. One let him go then and I thanked Him profusely for allowing me to visit my loved one.

After a moment, as we sat quietly, I said to One, "Sir, could you give me an insight into your creative process?" He replied, "Very well, come with me." As He spoke He held his nose with his right hand and, with his left index finger pointing to me as if to say, "Do likewise," He disappeared into his easy chair. I imitated Him and found that it felt exactly like bobbing for apples. We both appeared simultaneously in what could only be described as a computer room. There seemed to be a central operating position flanked by two (I thought) students' positions. He directed me to take an auxiliary seat, while He occupied what was obviously the main position. From what He said, I got the impression that He had already created everything that could ever be. The first thing he selected was the "niche" parameter. "This determines where the creature will fit into the food chain," He pronounced authoritatively, as He entered a brief command at the keyboard. "It will be a variety of tiger that I call Pale Leo," He said. "Leo is one of the big cat family. Pale is for its black and white stripes." Leo's position is at the top of the food chain. Its home will be Nepal." After a few more strokes on One's keyboard, we saw, on the 3-D color monitor, Leo and his mate emerging from a cave. One went on, "Leos reproduce very slowly and because of their color, or lack of it, are normally mistaken for albinos, especially since they have light blue eyes. There are a few Pale Leos existing in a remote area, but these two will be programmed to disappear in a few months, since I am only producing them for purposes of demonstration." Before I could speak further, One, while holding down what appeared to be a control key, tapped the Resume key and we materialized back in our easy chairs. I felt very damp, but elated.

Since I had the Master's attention, I couldn't resist, so I asked, "What is the story on viruses, bacteria and cancer?" He sighed slightly and, with a degree of intensity which I hadn't seen before, replied, "Mankind, in recent centuries, especially the twentieth, has acquired the one thing that had never been fully available before - the ability to accumulate knowledge, generation after generation. It is only a matter of time before all aspects of human entelechy come to fruition. This to say that you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." I could only reply, "Thank you."

One peered at me intently and asked: "What would you like to see, more than anything else?" I thought about it for what seemed like five minutes, but was probably more like five seconds, and said, "I would like to visit my ultimate home in the Great Beyond." "Alright!" One responded, "first We must file Our flight plan."

One put his left hand onto my right eye, which had become moist with anticipation, and took a teardrop on the end of his index finger. He swung a large optical viewer from a storage compartment, into position on a sort of lazy-tongs arm. We both peered at the teardrop through the viewer, which He referred to as an Optical Atomizer, and, as he snapped his fingers, one hydrogen atom, part of a water molecule, near the edge, froze in time. We could see an electron, hanging in space, no longer spinning around the nucleus. One said, softly, as he zoomed in on the electron, "This electron is the one which belongs to you and you alone. It never leaves your body. Its name is 'Hmmitslongtyme.'" I gaped in disbelief at what seemed to be a large Ping-Pong ball. "How big is this thing?" I asked. One answered, "When We get inside it, it will seem to be about one thousand miles in diameter. Gravity always pulls outward so that it seems slightly concave inside and is illuminated, from the center, by My own special aura. There will be no night there, and no sense of motion whatever." I confessed to One, "I think I'd better wait on visiting my future home until I make the transition in the normal way." One smiled and said, "Whatever you like."

"One last question, Sir," I said. "What is that?" One queried. I asked, "You said that my electron never leaves my body; where is it now?" One answered, quickly, "The water molecule has evaporated into the air. You just inhaled it, as you spoke. Since you are a communicator, you will be happy to know that, most of the time, Hmmitslongtyme is in your nervous system, helping to carry nerve impulses." I could only bow my head and thank One for his wonderful world."

While glancing around, I noticed a very large transparent ball suspended in the middle of the room and remarked to One that it looked like a beautiful scale-model of the Universe. "That is not a model," One replied, "That is the Universe. Those objects that look like twisted glowing fibers are galaxy superclusters. The tiny beads that make up the fibers are clusters of about two thousand galaxies apiece." "Either the Universe is very small, or we are very large," I observed. One just smiled and said, "It's all relative anyway, isn't it?" "Yes, I guess so," I answered.

I asked One why He appeared as George Burns and why Philopheles looked like me. He responded, "Philopheles appears to you as you want to see Him. I, on the other hand, am seen as I wish to be seen." I dared to ask: "But why George Burns?" He replied, "This is only an appealing characterization." "Thanks for your time," I said, softly. "Don't mention it," was his final utterance.

Awakening once more on the brown couch, feeling very well and fully rested, I noticed Philopheles returning from one of his absences. I asked Him when I would be returning to Earth, as I was beginning to miss it. His response was: "Soon, my friend, soon."

"Before you leave," Philopheles continued, "come with me and observe a brief demonstration of Virtual Reality." We moved to the usual wall and Philopheles let me choose the password. I chose the verbal password: "Open sez me." I uttered it and we accessed an English country cottage, complete with garden. "Note the dimensions of the cottage," Philopheles advised. It seemed to be about 30 by 40 feet to me. We moved to the entrance, being careful to avoid the flowers, and entered to find a stairway leading down about 6 feet to one side of a very wide stairway on our right leading up to a number of entrance doors. We went up the wide stairway and through one of the entrances to find an awe-inspiring sight: a full-size replica of the Mormon Tabernacle, complete with the great organ. Philopheles pointed out that in Virtual Reality, one of the possibilities is that inner dimensions may be much greater than exterior measurements.

I would have liked to hear the organ, but no one was available to play it. It is my understanding that the acoustics there are very good. I was left with the clear realization that nothing is impossible in Virtual Reality. It was so impressive that I began to get a headache and asked Philopheles to allow me to return to my couch for a nap. He agreed. The last thing I remember is lying on the couch, recalling Philopheles having said, "Soon, my friend, soon."

While I slept, I had a beautiful dream where instead of demurring to One's offer to travel to Hmmitslongtyme, I actually went with Him to my personal electron. If you want to share my dream click: Dream.