“Well, technically it is yesterday,” Nick chuckled. Victoria, the beautiful woman sitting across from him, pulled off a violet hair color very well. He enjoyed every second of the date so far; she seemed smart and funny to go with her good looks. But, suddenly, he had doubts when a slight look of confusion appeared on her face.
“How so?” she asked. She commented on the weather and mentioned it was as beautiful a day as the previous one.
“The loop?” he said.
“What loop?” Victoria asked. This time, a slight look of confusion washed over Nick’s face.
“Oh wow,” he said; mostly to himself. “I never met anyone that didn’t know.”
“Time loop?” Victoria asked, but shook her head. “How long does it run? I’ve only been in town for a couple of days.”
“It resets every day…,” Nick said. He had been leaning forward over the table to talk more intimately. He sat up straighter, confused by her confusion. “… across the whole world.”
“Really?” she asked. “But, yesterday was March 10th, and today is March 11th.” Nick nodded at her question.
“Well, the day is looping, but we still have free will. The loop started years ago. Since everyone knew about it humanity went ahead and started a new calendar. It’s technically March 11th, 0003, T.L. Where are you from that you don’t know that?” he asked. Victoria giggled.
“I’m from an alternate Earth, just passing through.” Nick stared at her for a moment, then nodded.
“If my world wasn’t stuck in a time loop, I’d probably have more trouble believing you,” he said.
“Do you want me to fix it?” Victoria asked.
“You can do that?” Nick asked; he leaned forward over the table again. Victoria shrugged.
“Technically not me, but I can arrange it if you want,” she said.
“Ye- no!” Nick began to answer, then changed his mind rapidly. “Please no!” he added for emphasis.
“Why not?” she asked. Nick shrugged.
“Honestly, it’s kind of nice. Resources are essentially unlimited, so people are nicer about sharing. The death of a loved one is temporary. Everything physical resets every day, but people still keep growing their knowledge. It was a rough first year, but people are settling in nicely now.”
“Hey, neat,” Victoria said with a smile. “Then, I won’t mess with it.”
“So, what’s a nice girl from an alternate universe doing in a time-looped place like this?” Nick asked with a smile.
“Well, I was working until you said you didn’t want the loop fixed,” she said.
“Working? Doing what exactly? Are you a scientist?” Victoria shook her head.
“I’m a Scout for Sharp Development. I visit alternate Earths and determine whether they have any value to the company. Yours doesn’t, by the way,” she added.
“What do you mean? To set up branch offices or something?” he asked. Victoria shook her head again; Nick loved the sight of her purple ponytail swishing back and forth behind her head.
“To buy,” she said.
“To buy… an Earth? Is that possible?”
“At the moment, Sharp Development owns over 1000 Earths,” Victoria smirked playfully. “Not including Earths where we have a branch office or something,”
“1000 Earths??” Nick’s eyes widened for a moment, then he smiled. “What’s yours like?” Victoria shrugged.
“No idea, I haven’t been back in forever. I’m not even sure if it’s still there,” she said.
“How long ago could it have been?” he asked. “You look … 22? 23?” he asked. Victoria nodded.
“I wish! I’m almost 2900 though.”
“29.. hundred?” Nick asked in awe. “Wow. That’s… wow,” he took a few moments to process it in silence. Victoria sipped her coffee and let him take all the time he needed. Finally, he looked up at her and smiled.
“So, do you like younger guys?” he asked. Victoria leaned forward with a smile.
“I kind of have to.”
