Double Trouble: A Choice

Prolog

-Ready, Elliot? - the eldest man asked as he placed his hand on the lever.

-Yes, go ahead.

The man, Samuel Barnes, pulled the lever. For a moment nothing happened. Both of them sighed.

-What's wrong this time? - the youngest man asked.

Before Sam could answer there was a loud bang followed by a big flash of bright light, the machine had exploded. Elliot and Sam screamed and Elliot tried to jump under a table but before he could he felt his head hurting. Hurting a lot. Like if his head was exploding from inside out, his body seemed to be shattering in pieces and he passed out.

--

Some Hours Earlier

Elliot was walking once again inside the laboratory to meet Sam. He honestly was just doing this little job as assistant so he could get into University, but he actually had fun with Sam or, as he was known, "The Crazy Scientist" and his ideas.

Right now he was doing a research about alternative universes, he built a machine with Elliot's help even if the youngest man didn't understand the slightliest thing about science. If the machine worked they would be able to travel from universe to universe, Elliot didn't really believe that it could happen just like that but it was still fun.

He walked in the lab and found Sam doing some sciency stuff on the machine. Sam was an old man problably in his 70s, but he was without a doubt the smartest person Elliot had ever met. Like, seriously he couldn't understand two words of what the man said when he started talking about his job.

He whistled to get Sam's attention. Sam came out from behind the machine covered in oil and looked at his young assistant.

-Morning, Sam. - he said as he approached the man and handed him a cup of coffee.

-Coffee? I told you a million times, Elliot, I don't drink caffeine! - he grunted.

-Calm down, yours is decaf.

A smile quickly popped into the other man's face as he took the coffee.

-Well in that case, thank you and good morning, my little british gift.

Elliot grinned and sipped on his own coffee.

-So, what do we have to do today?

The scientist stayed silent for a bit as he looked Elliot up and down.

-Is yours decaf? - he finally asked.

He often ignored Elliot's questions. He was the kind of man that most of people would find annoying because he talked too much and could be very arrogant, but Elliot actually thought he was a really funny guy to hang out with. Although he did find him annoying.

-Uhm, no. Why?

-I've told you that caffeine is bad for your brain, kiddo. Do you drink coffee every day?

-Yes, every morning.

-Hm, perhaps that's why you're so slow.

-Excuse me?? I'm not slow! - he complained.

As he expected Sam ignored him and went back to the machine.

-Put that poisonous thing down and come here, I'm almost done with it.

Elliot did as he was told and helped Sam finishing whatever it was that he was doing. Then they stood side by side in front of the machine.

-It's done, kiddo, let's try this baby out!