The Two-Level Effect was the thirteenth story in the Bernice Summerfield anthology Collected Works. It was written by Eddie Robson.
Summary[]
Jason is looking for something productive to do, and Bev thus assigns him to write up an overview of the way the Collection is perceived in the galactic media. He decides to do so from the comfort of Braxiatel's office; on his way there, he bumps into Peter and sends him to Hass' quarters to ask the gardener what kind of flowers Benny would appreciate as a gift when she returns. Braxiatel's porter welcomes Jason to the office, and Jason, after appreciating the office's architectural two-level effect, nicks Braxiatel's silver pen (which is inscribed T.V.G.) and twists its nib around so it will work on a dry scratchpad. He then descends into the lounge area to do his work, and after spending some time on the overview, tries to return to the upper office to fetch some coffee... only to find the office expanding around him. The faster he runs towards the coffee bar, the greater the office's dimensions become, until the far wall is several kilometres away. Eventually, Bev arrives to investigate the gravitational anomalies emanating from the office, and finds Jason only a few steps away from the door -- at least until they try approaching it. Jason is forced to admit to stealing Braxiatel's pen, and when Bev twists it back to ink format, the office's dimensions return to normal.
Characters[]
Worldbuilding[]
- The Time Vector Generator for Braxiatel's TARDIS (i.e., the Collection planetoid) is a silver fountain pen with the monogramme "T.V.G."
Notes[]
to be added
Continuity[]
to be added