Fringes: One of Those Days - Part 11

[melworks]

Peter studied Uhura over his milkshake.
“So, what’s the future like?”
Uhura smiled at Peter. “How do you know I’m not from the past?”
“California,” announced the Doctor.
Everyone stopped what they were doing, to turn and stare at the man. The Doctor was standing, tapping a page in the atlas.
“San Francisco, California,” he said. “Near here.”
Olivia went to him, peered at the section of the map that the Doctor was tapping. It was an inset of San Francisco.
“That looks like California University,” said Olivia.
Walter put down his milkshake and tilted his head to the side. “Did you say CU-San Francisco?”
“Yes, Doctor Bishop. Do you know it?”
“I knew a physicist there,” said Walter. “It was years ago, before my difficulties. A fellow named Maximillian P. Arturo.”
Walter was looking thoughtful. Olivia and Peter both recognized that look. It made the pit of Olivia’s stomach flutter, as if it were about to spawn a cloud of butterflies.
“Do you think he could be involved with this, Walter?” asked Peter.
“I don’t know,” admitted Walter. “But Max did have an interest in superstring theory.”
“I’ll check the college records,” said Astrid. “See if this Professor Arturo is still there.”
“And if he is?” said Tony Newman. “What then?”
“It’s been ages since I’ve been to San Francisco,” said the Doctor, smiling brightly. “Not since the Gold Rush.”
Not only was Professor Arturo still teaching at CU-San Francisco, he was Regents professor of cosmology and ontology.
“I’ll arrange for transportation,” said Olivia. “And let Mr. Solo and Broyles know what we’ve found.”
“Doctor, couldn’t we just use the TARDIS?” asked Uhura.
The Doctor shook his head. “Far too risky. The quantum morass that drew us to this location has effectively mired the old darling. Until the situation is resolved, she won’t be going anywhere. Well, not without ripping a hole through time and space.”
“I’m guessing that would be a bad thing,” said Peter.
“Oh yes,” said the Doctor, wide-eyed and solemn. “Incredibly bad.”