Level P Read online

the title of the fourth one was titled The Restaurant at the End of the Universe.

  “Get started on my journey?” Isaac asked.

  “I am a librarian I just provide the resources, I don't hand over the answers,” Dewey said, “Though many people try. I will tell you the answers that these great thinkers came up with and then you are going to ask people for their answers. From all the information you get you will formulate your own answer and bring it back here.”

  “Okay,” Isaac was not successful at keeping the sigh in. If Dewey heard the sigh he ignored it.

  “First we have the book Understanding the Human Brain at Work,” Dewey tapped the cover of the book on the right, “In it, Dr. Janet Mantler presents two sides to this question, the scientific side and the philosophical side. The scientific being 'to procreate, that is to insure the survival of the species by producing offspring.' And the philosophical being 'life just is.'”

  “Those don't go far into answering your question,” Isaac said.

  “They both answer the question,” Dewey replied, “The next book is The Wisdom of Great Men.” Dewey moved his hand to the cover of the middle book. “In this book Peter Maides states that 'you never window shop at Zellers.'”

  “How does that have anything to do with the meaning of human life?” Isaac asked.

  “Everything or not much,” Dewey answered, “It all depends on how you view the information.”

  “What does the third great thinker say about the meaning of human life?” Isaac asked.

  “This last book,” Dewey moved his hand to the last book, “is full of quotations on the meaning of life. The editor is unknown, but many of the quotes are considered extremely profound. Normally I would not bring the book out because I think it is cheating, but I found a quote that I liked. The quote is by one of the greatest librarians, Sandra Jandric. She said 'life is acceptance of yourself and all others in all forms and significance in relationships with others.'”

  “That sounds more like an answer than the others,” Isaac said.

  “Ponder all three as you go in search of more answers,” Dewey said. He picked up a piece of paper and offered it to Isaac. Isaac took the paper and looked at it.

  “What is this?” Isaac asked.

  “The people you are going to ask for answers from,” Dewey answered, “All of them work in the offices in the building.”

  “Are they great thinkers as well?” Isaac asked.

  “They are all writers,” Dewey answered, “Observers and recorders of life. Though I'm not sure whether Allan is a writer or not. He is, however, the guardian to the gate of knowledge and has a lot to share, but I suggest that you talk to him last.”

  “Why?” Isaac asked, “He is first on this list.”

  “I am a librarian, the list is in alphabetical order,” Dewey said, “Ask him last because you need him to unlock the door to let you back in here and there is no point in interrupting him twice.”

  “Okay,” Isaac stood up with the list in his hand. He was relieved to be able to get off the chair. He turned and started back to the door he had arrived through. At the door he turned back to look at Dewey and found him sitting there reading the fourth book he had taken off the shelves. Isaac let himself out of level P.

  Isaac went back to the offices that he had last visited. Then he looked at his list. The first name off the list that he came to was Danell. It took Isaac a few minutes before he found the office again. He knocked on the door.

  “Come in,” Danell's voice came through the door. Isaac opened the door and stepped inside the office.

  “I am sorry for disturbing you again,” Isaac said, “But I was hoping you could answer a question for me.”

  “I can try,” Danell said.

  “What is the meaning of human life?” Isaac asked.

  “That is a tough one,” Danell answered. She was quiet for a few minutes, her eyes on the paper in front of her.

  “I suppose the meaning of human life is to create stories,” Danell finally said, “Stories about how we fit into our families, our societies, and our world. Stories about our unique qualities that make who we are and why we are not someone else.”

  Isaac took out the notebook he carried with him and jotted down a few notes.

  “Thank you for your time,” Isaac said.

  “Not a problem,” Danell said. Isaac left the office and closed the door behind him.

  Isaac headed down the hallway. He studied the nameplates as he walked. He almost missed the office with the nameplate that read Weston. He stopped at the office and the smell of decomposing flesh came to mind. Briefly he thought about skipping this office and telling Dewey that the occupant had not been there, but Isaac figured that Dewey would not believe him.

  Isaac knocked on the door. There was the sound of furniture being shuffled from behind the door, but no answer. Isaac knocked again. There was a shhhing sound and then the door opened. The well-built man opened the door. He looked at Isaac.

  “What is it this time?” Weston asked.

  “I need you to answer a question for me,” Isaac said. Weston glanced back into his office before stepping into the hallway and closing the door behind him.

  “Okay, ask,” Weston said crossing his arms.

  “What is the meaning of human life?” Isaac asked.

  “Why can't you people stick to questions, like why is the sky blue or how was lunch yesterday?” Weston asked. Isaac opened his mouth to respond, but no words came to mind. Weston looked at Isaac as if he really expecting an answer to his question.

  “I know why the sky is blue,” Isaac finally answered, “Apparently I still don't know the meaning of human life.”

  “The meaning of life is to have fun playing WOW.” Weston said, “Does that help?”

  “Yes,” Isaac answered.

  “Anything else that you need?” Weston asked.

  “No,” Isaac answered. Weston opened the door, stepped back into the office, and closed the door. Isaac pulled out his notebook and wrote something down. He put the notebook away before continuing along the hallway.

  The next nameplate that matched a name on Isaac's list was Josh. Isaac knocked on the door.

  “Come in,” came the voice through the door. Isaac opened the door and stepped inside. Josh was still sitting at his computer and there were still the sounds of fighting coming from it. Josh glanced up at Isaac but most of his attention was on the computer screen.

  “I just reached level eighty-five,” Josh said.

  “Congratulations,” Isaac said.

  “Did you find level P?” Josh asked.

  “I did,” Isaac answered, “And now I am asking people a question.”

  “Okay,” Josh said. He looked like he was waiting for Isaac to ask the question.

  “What is the meaning of human life?” Isaac asked.

  “I'm not sure that there is one answer to that,” Josh said, “Um, it could just to live for everyday. Or, um, it could be figure out what is your purpose.” Isaac took out his notebook and wrote those two ideas down in it.

  “Is that all you need?” Josh asked.

  “Yes,” Isaac answered, “I'm sorry I disturbed you.” Isaac left the office and closed the door behind him. He put his notebook away.

  Isaac looked at the nameplate for the next office and saw that Colin was on his list. Isaac knocked on the door. A minute passed before the door opened. Colin stood there and looked up at Isaac over his reading glasses.

  “Yes?” Colin asked. Isaac could see three men sitting at the table waiting for Colin to come back.

  “I need to ask you a question,” Isaac said.

  “Okay,” Colin's tone said to ask.

  “What is the meaning of human life?” Isaac asked.

  “To see how many times you can go around the table before you run out of money,” Colin answered.

  “Thank you,” Isaac said. Colin closed the door. Isaac pulled out his notebook, wrote something down, and then w
as going to put it back away until he looked at the nameplate of the next door. Andrea was a name on his list.

  Isaac knocked on the door.

  “Come in,” a female voice called from inside the office. Isaac opened the door and stepped into the office. Andrea was seated behind the desk. She was looking at the computer monitor and using the mouse. After another couple clicks she looked up at Isaac.

  “What can I do for you?” Andrea asked.

  “I need the answer to a question,” Isaac said.

  “Ask away,” Andrea said, “I'll give it the best shot I can.”

  “What is the meaning of human life?” Isaac asked.

  “That is a hard one,” Andrea said. She stared thoughtfully at the folder that was sitting in front of her. Isaac waited for her answer. It was several minutes before Andrea said anything.

  “I believe that the meaning of life is embedded in the processing and articulation of sensual and intellectual experiences,” Andrea said, “It's a spark too bright and tiny, too big and consuming, too brief and eternal to understand; that's how we evolve. The chase!”

  Isaac nodded as he noted things in his book.

  “Does that help?” Andrea asked.

  “Somewhat,” Isaac answered.

  “If you need some more help with the question I would recommend that you find Allan and have him introduce you to Dewey,” Andrea said.

  “I have already met Dewey, but thanks for the suggestion,” Isaac said.

  “Good luck finding your answer,” Andrea said.

  “Thank you,” Isaac said then left the office. He closed the door behind him.

  Isaac went to the elevator and pushed the call button. The doors slid open and he stepped inside. The doors closed, Isaac