“Yeah?” George replied ironically. “Well we’d better find him fast.” Without knowing exactly why, George Brainbridge was a very frightened man. He felt as if some remarkable crisis had emerged in his life, one that threatened all of his beliefs and values.

Chapter Eleven

The Museum of Time

While Oversoul Seven was concentrating on George Brainbridge’s problems he was, of course, simultaneously involved with all of his other personalities as well. Since he had a body to contend with, too, this demanded a multiplication of focuses that Seven was still in the process of perfecting. He was also having experiences with his teacher, Cyprus, who was monitoring his actions from her own impeccable viewpoint.

For example, even as George Brainbridge was saying to Dr. Josephine Blithe, “Maybe we can find John Window before anyone realizes he’s missing,” Oversoul Seven suddenly heard Cyprus’ voice; and when he did, he managed to stay in Josephine’s office (nodding his head, he hoped, in the right places) while his main consciousness formed a small bit of light that played on the ceiling. Cyprus was another spot of light, dancing at the top of the window.

“None of this will do at all,” Cyprus said. She moved at the speed of light, of course, as did Seven, so their conversation took hardly any time at all.

“I know it won’t do,” Seven cried. “Where have you been? Just tell me where Window is, that’s all, and I’ll straighten things out somehow.”

Cyprus sighed. “You know I can’t tell you,” she said. “That would be cheating—”

“So cheat,” Seven replied. “Look at George. He’s half out of his mind. He doesn’t even understand miracles.”

Cyprus smiled, looking down at the rumpled George, who was wiping the perspiration from his face and saying, “I bet that damn Gregory Diggs took Window somewhere to protect him.”

The physical Seven nodded vigorously, yet to Cyprus’ and Seven’s consciousnesses, the motions and sounds of the room were incredibly slow.

“But why?” Josephine asked.

“I see what you mean,” Cyprus said sympathetically. “I’ll give you some hints. First, remember the message you received earlier about the Codicils. They’re vitally important. And remember that all of your personalities are involved in one way or another with the activities of any one of them. And in earth terms of course, you do have a deadline.”

“A deadline?” Seven asked, more uneasy than ever.

“Oh, Seven, just find Window,” Cyprus said, softly. “I’ll give you another clue; follow your impulses. And in physical terms, hurry! You do know where he is.”

“I do?” Seven said, wonderingly. But instantly he was fully back in his body, which George Brainbridge was nudging with his elbow.

“Come on, let’s get going,” George demanded.

Almost teetering on her high-heeled sandals, Josephine Blithe said, with bitter amusement, “Yeah, we’re off to see the Wizard of Oz.”