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.
Email: Steve@TheUniverseBuilders.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SteveLeBel
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SteveLeBel.author
Google: www.google.com/+SteveLeBel
Goodreads: 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.
I must also mention the excellent graphic design work from my daughter, Wendy LeBel Golombeski, Howard Ruback, and Michelle Carter-Hildebrandt. Graphics are not my strong suit; I’m glad it’s yours.
The contributions by all of you have been both humbling and much appreciated.
Table of Contents
Prologue
The Time of Waiting
Personnel Department
Caleb’s Story
The Waiting Continues
Bad Ethics
Beatrice’s Version
Stock Boy
The Interview
Suzie Protests
Tomorrow, It Begins…
Weekend at Billy’s
Suzie’s View
Orientation
Meeting the Boss
Billy Bully
Bernie’s Journal
The Manuals
Staring into the Abyss
Lunch with Lenny
Inspiration
Creation Mechanics 101
The Problems Begin
Back to the Drawing Boards
Lunch with Suzie
Museum for Ideas
An Idea is Born
Lunch with Friends
The Past Barrier
Is It Me, or…
Get Started Anyway
It Begins…
Payday!
Bernie Goes Shopping
Make It Green…
Suzie & Sissy
Oh, No!
More Sabotage!
The Backdoor
Lenny’s Charms
Shemal Startles Bernie
The Putty
Billy’s Gang
Divine Intervention
The Sun
Not My Fault
The First Expedition
The Central Plaza
Lenny’s Place
The Second Expedition
What’s Changed?
The Headache
Billy’s Healer
Astrology Says…
More Planets
A Gift from the Sun
Shemal Stops By
Billy Returns
Zardok Explains
Gaia? Already?
A Divine Event!
Billy Is Sick Again
Ring of Emptiness
Tragedy at Sea
A Favorite Bookstore
A Garden Universe?
Candi Comes Calling
Burn, Baby, Burn!
Candi and Lenny
A World Ablaze
Billy Scares Candi
Bloody Moon
Wake Up!
He’s a Wimp
We Must Explain
Getting Discouraged
A Little Breeze
Oh, Do Tell…
Wicked Winds
An Understanding
Sauna, Anyone?
Suzie Intervenes
Gee, It’s Hot
The Deal
The Hot Senate
Shemal Talks
That Billy!
Let’s Try Faster
Little Friends
Something Is Very Wrong
Someday, He Will Pay
Blame the Night Sun
Lookies!
One Bright Spot
Senate’s Progress Report
How Can This Be?
First Contact Protocol
A Cultural Assessment
Meet Your God
A World to Save a World
You Want Us To Go Where?
Meeting with Zardok
A Dead End
Lenny Gets Upset
What’s He Like?
Alcandor Tells Gondal
Still Best Buds
We Must Agree
Alcandor Learns More
I Blew It
Astronomy 101
Zoology 101
Quakes and More
Command Performance
The Rest of the Story
A Time of Peace
Alcandor Makes a Request
Not Cool
The Kids Prepare
The Extraction
What Are Those?
This Is Lenny
Time to End It
The Museum
Billy Destroys the World
Damn You!
The Booby Trap
Go Home, Bernie
Billy’s Threat
The Last Goodbye
Billy’s Lesson
Committee Arrives
Terrible Swift Sword
Good News!
Awards Ceremony
Epilogue
Did you like the book?
About the Author
Acknowledgements
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