Unpolished Gems: A Concept Collection

It was the perfect summer evening. Plenty of stars in the sky, a nice cool breeze, and not a soul in sight. I hummed along to walkman, relishing the empty streets. There's so few opportunities to just relax these days, especially since I got promoted. Head chef at the town's premier steakhouse, I am moving up in the world! Another year or two here and I'll have no problem landing a job, well, anywhere.

I turn the corner and stroll along main street. I don't really get why all the stores around here close by four on Wednesdays, but I'm not complaining. Gives me a quiet route to the park. I stop in front of the new home improvement shop, admiring the fancy chef knives. "Just you wait," I whisper, "I'll be using you in New York soon enough."

A loud bang break's the street's stillness. I spin around and see, myself? holding an oversized shotgun? "What?" I manage to sputter.

"No time for questions. We need to leave now if we have any chance of saving your universe." I, me, he? reaches forward and grabs me, "Let's move."

I pull out of my, his, our? hold and back away, "Go where? And where did you come from? Why do you look like me?" I look around, searching for any signs of cameras or laughing co-workers, "Did the boss put you up to this?"

My, double, looks at me with impatience, "I look like you because I am you, just from a different universe. We need to head back to HQ, before the—"

I bark out a laugh, interrupting him, "Different universe? Like in those sci-foo-foo stories? But that's not real stuff. Them big author guys though all that up in dreams and the like." I shake my head, "Honestly, whoever put you up to this shoulda thought up a more believable idea."

He looks like about to strangle me, for some reason. I take another step back, but he's too quick, lunging forward and tapping a weird black box against my forehead. I feel like my insides are trying to escape, and fall on the ground.

"I you would stop interrupting me, we could have gotten through half the explanation already. This is what will happen to your planet, and eventually your entire universe, if we don't get things moving now."

I manage to get to my hands and knees, belly rolling from whatever he did to me. I quickly notice that the ground is not concrete. It's a strange glassy material, that smells of burnt rubber. I get to my feet and slowly look around. It's the same street I was on a minute ago, but scorched and destroyed, "What happened?" I gasp.

"This use to be my town, before the Eaters arrived. They travel from universe to universe, draining it of life before moving on." My double sighs and kicks a loose bit of rubble, "A version of us rescued me as the attack started, brought me to HQ, trained me to fight, and gather more of us."

I look at my double, "And you came to get me, so I can fight in your army?" I laugh incredulously, "I'm just a simple chef! What can I do again a hoard of universe eating monsters."

He smiles and puts a hand on my shoulder, "Everything. We've ran countless simulations, done all the calculations. If you fight with us, we'll defeat the Eaters, and save every universe in existence. All you have to do is come with me, and train hard."

I can see the hope glimmering in his batte-weary eyes. Should I accept? Can I really save the world, no, the universe? This is my chance to be something bigger, better! I'll show them that doubted me. Not only am I an amazing cook, I'm also going to save them on an infinite number of parallel earths. I smile at myself, and nod, "Lead on, most handsome of warriors, let the Eaters tremble in fear of my good looks and cooking skills!"

My double rolls his eyes, "Lovely, the one version of me that I absolutely need is a smart-ass." He pulls out that box again, and taps me on the forehead, sending us towards my destiny.