Okay, Look...

WS: OK, look...

I'll grant you that we actually traveled through time.

It really is 1870.

And we really are in China.

But we already were in China.

Back then...

In the future...

Where we came from.

But through space? Like a teleporter?

It's not crazy enough that it's a time machine?

You're saying it's also a space machine?

BD: One is a "time machine". The "org." The Orb of the Sage.

The other is a distance annihilator. The "mech." The Helm of the Mage.

One does the work. The other one does the math.

So... Yes.

What you said.

It's a space machine.

It has to be.

The earth may orbit the sun.

But the sun also orbits the center of the galaxy.

Where China was, or for that matter where the earth, or even the sun was... sorry, WILL BE a hundred years in the future is not where it is right now. Everything moves. China, the earth, the sun the galaxy. Everything.

So... space machine.

WS: OK, so space machine. That still doesn't mean Mars or Venus are habitable. We know they're not.

BD: WE know they're not. In 1970. We didn't a hundred years ago. Or even ten years ago.

WS: So what're you saying? Mass hysteria? Or are these people really are going somewhere using these Portals and Pathways?

BD: I'm saying if you can believe that time machines and distance annihilators and Portals and Pathways exist, what stops you from believing in alternate timelines or universes or dimensions?

WS: A universe where the other planets in our solar system are habitable? This is a different earth? I don't like it. It's like it's not real if it didn't happen in "our" universe. Step into a doorway and step out alive on the surface of Mars or Venus? The Moon? It just seems stupid. Suicidal.

BD: But it IS a different earth! Victor Frankenstein is a real person here! We took a big leap together getting here. We've got to follow up any lead. Even one that takes us to Venus.

WS: Not me. I've got my own thing.

BD: And what would that be?

WS: Sorry. Don't want to jinx it.

BD: Just remember, if you jump off a bridge, you only have one option.

WS: What's that?.

BD: Land gracefully.